Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi,
originally uploaded by tarentula_in.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in the town of Porbander in the state of what is now Gujarat on 2 October 1869.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohandas_Karamchand_Gandhi

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Adyar River

Adyar River,
originally uploaded by tarentula_in.

The Adyar River, originating from the Chembarambakkam Lake in Chengalpattu district, is one of the two rivers which winds through Chennai, South India, and joins the Bay of Bengal at the Adyar Estuary. The 42 km long river contributes to the estuarine ecosystem of Chennai. Despite the high pollution levels, boating and fishing take place in this river. The river takes in surplus water from about 40 tanks and lakes, small streams and the rainwater drains in the city. Most of the waste from the city is drained into this river and the Cooum.

Adyar Estuary and Creek and the Theososphical Society on the Estuary’s southern side has been a haven for migratory and resident birds for years. Although the number has been in decline due to pollution and anthropogenic activities, they still attract hundreds of birds. Even before few years the Theosophical Society has come out with a CD on ‘Birds of Adyar’, compiled by Trust for Environment Monitoring and Action Initiating. The proposed ‘Adyar Poonga’ may be a first towards restoring this fragile but vibrant eco-system.

Afghan Hound

Afghan Hound,
originally uploaded by tarentula_in.

The Afghan Hound is a very old sighthound dog breed. Distinguished by its thick, fine, silky coat and its tail with a ring curl at the end, the breed acquired its unique features in the cold mountains of Afghanistan, where it was originally used to hunt hares, and gazelles by coursing them. Its local name is Tāzhī (Pashto: تاژی) or Tāzī (Persian: تازی). Other alternate names for this breed are Balkh Hound, Baluchi Hound, Barutzy Hound, Shalgar Hound, Kabul Hound, Galanday Hound, or sometimes incorrectly African Hound.

Kempfort Shiva Temple

Kempfort Shiva Temple,
originally uploaded by tarentula_in.

This majestic 65 foot open-air idol of Lord Shiva is located on Air Port Road, behind the famous Kemp Fort. Shiva is portrayed in the posture of Padmasan with the replica of the holy Ganga flowing from his topknot.

Behind the idol is the holy cave.The Cave Yatra is traditionally called the ‘ Amarnath Yatra’. Within the cave are twelve beautifully decorated Jyotir Lingas. There is the reverberation of “Om Namah Shivaya” mantra within the cave. The cave yatra is open to the public from 9 am to 9 pm. It attracts a large number of devotees, especially during festivals like Shivaratri, when four to five lakh devotees come here in a day. Puja services are offered free of charge for everyone.

There is a wishing pool. The priest of the temple says, “Devotees can get their wishes fulfilled by lighting a candle, dropping a coin in the pool and by chanting ‘ Om Namah Shivaya’ seven times.”
Ravi Melwani, a well-known business personality and owner of Kemp Fort, who is also a staunch devotee of Shiva, was instrumental in the construction of this idol and temple.