City of Dawn, Auroville, Tamilnadu

 Auroville, near Pondicherry, is a unique experimental township founded in 1968 by The Mother( Mirra Alfassa) based on the vision of her guru Sri Aurobindo. It is a unique international cultural community focused on realizing human unity in diversity and transforming consciousness. The city, designed by Roger Anger a French architect, is organized into four zones (Residential, Cultural, International, and Industrial) with the Matrimandir at the centre. 

During our recent trip to Pondicherry we took a guided tour within the sprawling 4500 acre Auroville. The tour highlighted the diverse aspects, including its residential communities, cultural and educational centers, and industrial units. The township is focused on sustainable practices - having an independent internet station, waste to fertilizer units, solar towers, water tanks using rainwater and borewells, farms, bakery and dairy farm for their daily use and even a brick manufacturing unit used for their constructions.

A residential house 

The Residential Zone is designed for living, rejuvenation, and fostering community life. It features various residential communities with apartments and individual houses. This zone is home to around 4,000 permanent residents from 59 countries as of today. The interesting fact is there's no cash transaction within and each resident is given an aura card loaded with an equal amount to be spent monthly. The buildings utilize locally made bricks and have incorporated solar panels.

Solar kitchen 

Essential services like the Solar Kitchen- a community kitchen which serves lunch, Pour Tous Distribution - a distribution unit which supplies food products and ready to eat meals on pay what you can basis, the Santé Institute - a healthcare center, Mahalakshmi Senior's Home, and the main library are located here for the benifit of the residents.

Healthcare center 

Cultural Zone: includes educational institutions like Future School- high school with IB curriculum, Transition School - primary & middle school, the Youth Center and Sports grounds. This zone also features the well known Kalabhumi music studio which is a music rehearsal space with amphitheatre and has an array of instruments where Aurovillians practice, teach and collaborate.

Products of Auroville

The key buildings in Auroville's International Zone are Bharat Nivas, Savitri Bhavan, and the Unity Pavilion, which are all important centers for cultural exchange, education, and events.  Bharat Nivas houses the Kalakendra Art Exhibition Hall and Sri Aurobindo Auditorium, while Savitri Bhavan - serves as a hub for studying Sri Aurobindo's teachings. The Unity Pavilion is notable for its Peace tables where meditation to inculcate the  importance of peace is conducted around this table on a weekly basis.

The Industrial Zone includes the Auroville Earth Institute - an organisation promoting earth technology for low cost, low energy buildings. The Center for Scientific Research (CSR)- an international voluntary organisation working towards renewable energy and a number of small-scale manufacturing units such as Shraddhanjali, which manufactures artistic utility items, and Colours of Nature – a natural fabric dyeing unit. 

Spirulina production unit

Our tour guide halted at the spirulina production unit where the volunteers served a refreshing drink of its paste and highlighted the importance of this superfood. 

The drink served 

The one-hour tour in the minivan was brief to absorb the expanse of this self sustaining land but the insight into Mother's futuristic vision left us awe-inspiring.

Senior's home

Distribution unit

Note - Auroville township has received endorsements from UNESCO through resolutions passed in 1966, 1968, 1970, and 1983. Since 1980, the Ministry of Education oversees the township, which is governed by the Auroville Foundation Act of 1988 passed by the Indian Parliament. This act formalized the foundation's structure and aims to facilitate Auroville's development in accordance with its founding charter. 

Mysuru Palace, Karnataka

The Mysuru Palace is a symbol of the resilience of Mysuru's people and it's rulers. This monument, has faced numerous challenges throughout its history. The current structure, is the fourth palace on the site, built as recent as 1912, after a fire that razed it in 1897.

Its origins trace back to the 14th century. The Wodeyar family built it as a wooden fortress and later expanded it in1638.  Following political instability  in 1704, the palace fell into neglect and in 1793, Tipu Sultan demolished it.

After the death of Tipu Sultan in 1799, the crowned young prince, Krishnaraja Wodeyar III,  commissioned a new palace in 1803. This was later destroyed by fire during the princess's wedding in 1897. Queen Regent Kempananjammanni Vanivilasa Sanndihana hired a British architect Henry Irwin to design a new palace, which was completed in 1912, at a cost of Rs. 41,47,913 which we see today 

Mysuru Palace, is an example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. It honors the legacy of Mysuru and the Wodeyars, similar to the significant Mughal and colonial buildings of yesteryears. 

This three-storied palace features square towers with domes, an ornate Durbar Hall, and a Kalyana Mandapam with stained glass ceiling. 

Notable treasures include intricately carved doors, a golden howdah, and a jewel-encrusted throne which are displayed only during Dasara. The palace complex also houses a Residential Museum, temples, and shrines. During normal visiting days most of the exhibits are closed.

The main attraction of the palace is however the illumination with 97,000 electric bulbs. This stunning view can be glimpsed for few minutes after the light and sound show, public holidays, and for a longer duration, during Dasara celebrations. 

The entry to this palace is as - Adults - 120/, children -70/, foreign nationals -1000/

The palace is open all days from 10.00am to 5.30pm 

Shravanabelagola, Karnataka

 

Shravanabelagola, is located about 150 km from Bangalore, Karnataka and has  been a significant center for Jain art, architecture, religion, and culture for over two thousand years. The town became prominent when Bhagawan Bhadrabahu, a key Jain Acharya, arrived from Ujjain with his disciples. Influenced by him, emperor Chandragupta Maurya settled in this area and passed his kingdom to his son to rule.

A notable landmark in Shravanabelagola is the 18-meter tall monolithic statue of Lord Gomateshwara, a revered Jain saint. It is situated atop Vidyangiri hill and is recognized as one of the tallest and most graceful monolithic statues in the world.   The statue is carved out of a single piece of granite and stands at 57 feet. It is regarded as one of the largest free-standing statues in the world. It symbolizes the Jains ideolgy of peace, non-violence, and renunciation. 

History of Lord Gomateshwara (Bahubali) 

Bahubali, the son of the first Jain Teerthankara, Lord Adinatha, fought his brother Bharatha for the throne in a duel that tested various skills. Although he won, Bahubali was disillusioned by the pursuit of material wealth and chose to renounce his kingdom and worldly pleasures. He entered in a deep meditation, embodying spiritual tranquility.  Bahubali meditated motionlessly in a standing position for a year, during which plants grew along his legs. After this period, he attained Kevala Gyana and became a respected figure among the Jain community.

In 981 AD, Chavundaraya, the prime minister of the Ganga Kingdom, commissioned a statue of Bahubali in this meditative pose. 

Nearby on Chandragiri, houses memorials and basadis of various other Jaina sramanas or monks who meditated and lived here, including the last Rashtrakuta king, Manyakheta.

Mahamastakabhisheka is a significant event held every twelve years at Shravanabelagola, where the statue of Bahubali is anointed with various substances, including water, turmeric, and gold flowers. This event draws thousands of tourists and pilgrims, with the next celebration planned for 2030.

Flamingos at Pulicat Lake, Tamil Nadu

 

Pulicat Lake, located north of Chennai on the Tamil Nadu-Andhra border, is a brackish lagoon known for its rich marine life and habitat for numerous bird species. It spans about 60,000 hectares and supports numerous and rare birds all through the year. This water body  is classified as one of India's important Bird Areas for both photographers and bird lovers with a part of the lake designated as the Pulicat Bird Sanctuary that serves to conserve the aquatic life species found abundantly here. 

The Pulicat wetlands houses over 60 species of migratory birds, the most notably are the greater flamingo and ruddy turnstone, which arrive as far as from Europe and Siberia during winter migration. 

Our trip to Pulicat this March was primarily to sight the great flamingos, which are spotted from October to March/April. The vast salt pans are the only place these birds visit in Tamilnadu.  Apart from Pulicat these birds are seen at Kutch- Gujarat, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra and Chilka lake at Orissa in India. 

The Lake being a natural resource for fishery and shrimp cultivation is the main source of livelihood for the fisherfolk of the villages along this coast. The fisherfolks and birds co exist with each other which in turn benefit this massive water body.  

Due to security reasons near the lake that particular day, we could set off on one of the boats only by noon, to get a glimpse of these graceful flamingos. 

The boat ride was by itself breathtaking, with the boatman taking us close to the spotted pelicans, flocks of terns and seagulls along the coast that is lined up with patches of mangrove trees. 

As we neared the Andhra Pradesh coast, the closest the Tamilnadu boats could reach, a huge white band spanning across a few meters contrasting with the deep blue waters was seen. Hundreds of flamingos far from where any boat can reach created the most spectacular sight, a sight which can only be experienced. 

Never would I have even imagined that such a huge number of these large birds migrate as far as Pulicat. Awestruck I captured with a maximum zoom on my DSLR overwhelmed with what we saw. The boats too dock at a distance so not to disturb these fragile bird. 

Constant disturbances prevent these migratory birds from resting and finding food, negatively impacting their breeding success during spring. Moreover human disturbances impact their migratory pattern and urge them to move away to other places. 

The sight of these hundreds of pink toned white birds all in a row lingered on with us back to the boat dock, vibing with the experience of nature at its best.

 

Bird Watching From My Balcony

 As songs of the birds, rise above the quiet and empty lanes of my community every morning, very few stop from their monotonous routine to discover the joy of birding. Bird watching is a pleasure for those, looking to connect with nature. 

We usually don't notice the birds but they have always been around us even in urban settings. When given the drop in noise level, the chirping of the birds are definitely heard more. Birding is a fun hobby and one of the best ways to experience wildlife in our own surroundings. It is a hobby that does not require any prior skills sets. All one has to do is look. 

I was astounded when I realized that there are more than 25 species of birds just around my home that can be seen from my balcony. What initially began as a leisure activity during my visit to the United States, has now evolved into a dedicated endeavor to document various species regularly on my Instagram page sumats_clicks. I use Google lens on my mobile to identify the birds captured with a Canon 55_250mm lens attached to a DSLR 600D camera. Nowadays, technology has significantly eased up bird watching by aiding us connect to this remarkable bird realm. Numerous studies and anecdotes tell us how bird watching helps in reducing stress and depression while enhancing concentration. It is kind of a meditation only here, it requires you to keep your eyes and ears open and concentrate.

                               

Observing birds from my third-floor balcony offers a serene beginning to my day. Moreover overlooking the trees at an eye level gives me an advantage to sight birds. I frequently encounter Purple-rumped Sunbirds and the Common Mynas and the vocal congregation of Yellow billed Babblers, Rose-ringed Parakeets and Red-vented Bulbuls. Among more boisterous species are the Coucals, Koels and the Drongos though they seldom emerge from their cover in the bushes. On occassion, I have observed a Shikra being chased by crows. But the Flame-backed Woodpeckers, Asian Bee- eaters, Pied Mynas, Spotted Doves and the Oriental Magpies are the ones notably elusive, as they swiftly maneuver between trees.

                               

Given that my balcony overlooks a waterbody, the diversity of the wildlife extends to aquatic species which include Moorhens, Jacanas, White-breasted Waterhens, Pond Herons and White-throated Kingfishers. With the favorable monsoon season this year I also sighted the arrival of Little Grebes, Grey-headed Swamp hens, Egrets and Cormorants. The pleasant weather conditions from November to February attracted the Golden Orioles, Rufous Treepies and the Coppersmith Barbets which has made its residency in the nearby tree. 

Capturing a Spot-billed Duck which landed briefly in the water and a Pied Cuckoo when looking out for the parakeets are moments every balcony birdie would dream for. 

  Nature's abundance surrounding our homes is frequently taken for granted as we constantly seek new and exotic experiences in distant lands. Spending a few minutes to pause from our chores and appreciating the gifts of nature around can provide us with a source of joy and calm on a daily basis.  

Dolphin's Nose, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu

 

Kodaikanal is a hill station located in the Palani hill range of Tamil Nadu. It boasts of, stunning views and pleasant climate all through the year. 

Amongst the many tourist attractions at Kodaikanal, a must see spot is the Dolphin's Nose. It is perched at an altitude of 6,600 Ft, 8 km away from the bustling Kodaikanal town in Vattakanal village. The rock formation at the edge of this terrain resembles that of dolphin's nose, which is how this view point got its name.

Dolphin's Nose is a spot undisturbed, as it is quite secluded from the rest of the tourist places. To reach the view spot, one has to take a moderate level, 2 km hike downhill from Pambar Bridge. The scenic trail  passes through tall pine and eucalyptus trees. The rocky terrain is uneven and at times slippery, making the trek all the more adventurous. 

On reaching the viewpoint, the panoramic view is of sheer magnificence of nature. The deep valleys, misty skies, sparkling lakes, gushing falls, and all the lush greenery from the edge of this hill, is something to experience; the things that make Kodai so special. 

Gazing at the vast expanse of the pristine scenery, makes one feel connected to everything that the earth beholds. 

A trip to Dolphin's Nose makes one realise to take a break and to step away from the boring routine and rejuvenate by soaking, in the beauty that nature has gifted all around us.

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, TamilNadu

Way back in 1796 a group of soldiers decided it would be fun to hunt birds. The local villagers came across this scene and its dint go well with them. That's how a petition began to protect the birds from hunting and poaching. And that's how Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary was born, the first ever bird sanctuary in India. 

Painted strokes

                                            

Vedanthangal is in Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu and spans over 74 acres. It hosts over 40,000 resident and migratory birds, annually during the winter migration, both common and rare. The sanctuary's appeal to birds is due to the numerous lakes and mangroves, which provide adequate food and resting place to them.

Family of Spot billed Pelicans

   

It is a known fact that birds have been around for a long time, as they rarely change their migration pattern or path. It is thus obvious that even centuries ago this area had a healthy population of birds as it was a favorite hunting spot of the influential people. After the petition by the locals in 1796, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary finally came into existence in 1858. It was officially established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1936 and since 2022, it boasts as a Ramsar site, a wetland of International importance for preserving and conserving ecological and biodiversity values. 

The story of Vedanthangal is a symbiotic relationship between the locals of the area and the birds. The locals are aware that the droppings of the birds fertilize the lake water that aid in the agriculture and hence protect them. In return the birds gain a safe nesting environment and food sources. It is also said that the locals of this village do not burst crackers or pollute the environment even during festivals so not to disturb the birds and their natural habitat 

Colony of Asian Open billed Strokes

                                        

Our day-trip to this sanctuary was beyond our expectation. A 2 hr drive of 75 kms led us to the lush green village, devoid of debris and noise. At the entry of the sanctuary we were glad to have a volunteer who guided us around and helped us spot  different birds. We could sight  Open-billed stroke, Ibis, Spoonbill, Painted stroke, Garganeys which travel from far off places like Myanmar, Srilanka, Siberia, and even Canada, Australia and many more in the short span of few hours we spent there. 

                               

Spotted owlets

                                             

For a birder or a photographer a visit to, Vedanthangal is a paradise on earth. For those who aren't will not go disappointed either as nature never disappoints. 

To be able to see thousands of these gigantic birds freely flocking and resting with their young ones in their natural habitat, painting the landscape with their vibrant colours is an experience not to miss ... and the trip to sojourn a lifetime..

Anhinga 

Black headed Ibis & Australasian Shoveler

Do visit my Instagram page for more pictures on birds at Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary and many more I've sighted over the year at different places.

https://www.instagram.com/sumats_clicks?igsh=Zjl4MmZ3ZTE2a29v