Sky Watch Friday: Bada Imambara

It seems, I just can't get enough of my own City of Nawabs aka LUCKNOW. I must have visited the Bada Imambara several times before, and yet here I am again, with outstation relatives in tow, who were visiting Lucknow for the first time. I enjoyed capturing pictures of the monument as much as they did, while the guide took us around.... on a sightseeing tour of the Imambara, its domed chambers and central hallway, the Bhulbhulayan (maze/ labyrinth), the Bowli, the Asfi Mosque and the Gardens....

Endless Corridor @  Bhulbhulayah (the Labyrinth)

Asfi Mosque  n Clear Blue Skies....

Bada Imambara Facade - Among the grandest Buildings of Lucknow aka City of Nawabs. 

The Bara Imambara was built in 1783, a year of a devastating famine, and one of Asaf-ud-Daula's objectives in embarking on this grandiose project was to provide employment for people in the region. According to reports, the famine continued for over a decade and the construction of the building continued for this time. It is said that ordinary people used to work in the day building up the edifice, while noblemen and other elite were called at night to break down all the structure raised, as they were incapable of doing anything else, according to a chronicle of the period. This see-saw efforts continued till the famine period was over. 

Running arched Parapets on the Roof of Bada Imambara - Photo taken @ 6:11 PM

Minutes later the sky changes colour .... Photo taken @ 6:15 PM

Undoubtedly my Favorite shot for the day....what with warm Orange hues as a backdrop for the Minarets

Enjoying the view of the city, along with the Sunset, peeping through one of the Arched Parapets 

My entry for : Sky watch Friday

The Chinese Garden Of Friendship

Bonsai on Display @ Chinese Garden of Friendship

The child in me has this innate fascination for automobiles, locomotives and various modes of transportations. So after having enjoyed a zip-zap-zooming joyride in the monorail, looping around Sydney’s CBD, I was game for yet another ride. After all, we still had over an hour to spare, before the 3D show at the Sydney, IMAX Theatre (boasts of the world’s largest screen) commenced.

People Mover 

My Ma and Maasi (Mom’s sister) however choose to sit back on one of the many  benches, relaxing and taking in the harbour side view, while I excitedly hopped onto one of these much slower trackless people mover train which would take me on a sightseeing tour, highlighting the major tourist attractions alongside Sydney’s Darling Harbour.

Darling Harbour

We crossed the Australian Maritime museum, Sydney Aquarium and Wildlife World, Sydney Convention Center, IMAX Theatre, overlooking the Cockle Bay, King Street Wharf restaurant, Children Park n spectacular water features en route to the Chinese Garden n China Town.

Main Attractions @ waterfront

 But, as soon as the People Mover reached the Chinese Garden, my first instinct was to ask the driver to stop so that I could hop out. On second thoughts, I contemplated whether I should complete the entire People Mover tour and then come back again for a stroll with Mummy n Maasi, if the time permitted. However, my excitement on seeing the Chinese Garden, in the heart of Australia… got the better of me and I got off on the next stop and headed back to the Chinese Garden of Friendship.

The Chinese Garden of Friendship, Darling Harbour, Sydney

Well….here’s what, I would have missed experiencing n capturing on my lenses had I not taken this instinctive split second decision to alight and take a quick ‘sneak peep’ into the garden before rushing back (this time on foot) to where my Ma n Maasi sat waiting for me.

Located at Darling Harbor, in close proximity of China town in Sydney CBD, it reflects the very essence of Oriental Gardens with its majestic Pagoda’s & a harmonious display of plants, rock n water elements in the form of ‘the Water Pavilion of Lotus Fragrance’ & ‘the Twin Pavilion’.

The garden was officially opened in 1988 as part of Sydney's bicentennial celebrations and aptly named the Garden of Friendship. This Dragon Wall (below) symbolizes the bond of Friendship between Guangzhou, China n New South Wales in Australia.

Dragon Wall

The entrance to the garden is guarded by this traditional Chinese Sculpture.

Once inside, the garden offers a rare insight into the Chinese Culture n heritage with beautiful display of Suihan Penjing / Bonsai right at the entrance of the garden.

These Bonsai’s are considered sacred n auspicious in the Oriental culture and are often seen on display in many a homes n even commercial organizations in China n most South East Asian countries.

Being a Bonsai lover myself, I was in complete awe… admiring these so very beautiful and well maintained living piece d’art.

Today, as I glance back at the pictures, I can’t help but smile, recollecting the dilemma I was in - whether to stay put to complete the tour or disembark right then.  I am glad I choose to get off n visit this beautiful n serene Garden Of Friendship amidst all the hustle bustle of Darling Harbour with the monorail offering a sky view of the CBD; the cruise boats, the ferries n motorboats coming into the harbour; the toy people mover's train &  kids whizzing past on skates.....n more....

   The city skyline n the Harbour Bridge…

…as seen from our Room @ Star City, Casino

F~I~N~A~L~L~Y

They have arrived with a thunderous B~A~N~G!

i.e

" The M~O~N~S~O~O~N~S"

&

" The U~M~B~R~E~L~L~A~S"

"Umbrella can't stop the rain, but allows us to stand in rain...

Confidence mat not bring success, but it gives us the power to face any challenge...!!!"

PS: 

Top: The view from the office 

Bottom: My Brother (under the Umbrella) and his words of wisdom

Enjoy the R~A~I~N~S

&
Be C~O~O~L, Be C~O~N~F~I~D~E~N~T!

Sky Watch Friday: A Bird Eye View of the City

From EverGreen Tree

Standing atop the roof of our 4-storey Office building with other colleagues, gazing out into the horizon, I could see a maze of steel n concrete, sparsely interspersed by the greens in between. The sky a clear blue, sans the clouds, the birds appeared soooooo serene this morning, at the onset of this l-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-n-g beautiful working day.....

Thought for the Day

We'd never know how high we are,
 till we are called to rise;

and then, if we are true to plan,
our statures touch the sky....
@ Emily Dickinson

Have a Wonderful Day ahead......

Be Still....

"Be still

And discover your center of peace.

Throughout nature

The ten thousand things move along,

But each returns to its source

Returning to center is peace.

Find Tao by returning to source."

@ The Tao of Inner Peace ~ Diane Dreher

The OCEAN is a marvelous symbol of Tao: 

Vast, fluid, constantly in motion. Beneath its turbulent surface are the quiet depths. 

Beneath the restless surface of our lives lies a deep source of peace, power and inspiration.

True Peace is achieved

By Centering, 

so Be Calm n....

BE STILL