Penelope Gan | Photo Blog just some cl!cks by me …
Posts Tagged ‘Travel’
Tsunami Photo Museum – a visual memory
After 7 years since the Tsunami devastated the coast of Sri Lanka taking over 50,000 lives with thousands more injured, displaced and left to reconcile with their memories and nurse their scars, businesses, infrastructure and lives have been rebuilt. However, the signs of destruction that had taken the nation by surprise are still there … none more prominently showcase than the Tsunami Museum in Telwatta, Sri Lanka.
Stilt Fishermen – Tsunami Survivors
Situated 144km from Colombo, Weligama is famed for its stilt fishermen and the islet of Taprobane which houses the dream house of the Frencg Count de Mauny. A poverty stricken belt of the Southern coastal line of Sri Lanka, 15% of Weligama was destroyed during the December 2004 Tsunami. Jaya and his father are the only survival of their family continues with life and tradition as a fisherman and coconut plantation owner in this idyllic town.
Sri Lanka’s Dagoba or Stupa
Stupas: a dome-shaped form created over sacred relics of Buddha on spots consecrated as the scenes of his acts are found around the world. However, Sri Lanka’s stupas are the largest brick structures known to the ancient world and have evolved over time into varied refined shapes with later ones covered with lime plasters made from a combination of material that includes egg whites, plant resins and the saliva of white ants!
Dambulla Cave Temple
The largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, the Dambulla Cave Temple was built by King Valagamba upon his return to the throne in Anuradapura kingdom as a gratitude to the monks of Dambulla who protected him from enemies during his 14 years in exile at the caves. With a total of 160 statues and murals covering an area of 2,100 m² the Dambulla Cave Temple has a rich history that dates back to the 7th century BC.
The Whirling Dervish
In the Whirling Dervish dance, dancers spinning incessantly, is done in devotion to Allah and the organic powers of the universe. The leader stands in the middle, representing the sun, while other members dance around him in imitation of the cycles of the planets.Their conical hat symbolizes the need to seal off one’s ego to connect to God and the universe, while the bellowing skirt represents a shroud and sky.
Reconstructing Hagia Sophia
A former Orthodox Patriarchal basilica between 360 to 1453, and later a mosque from 1453 to 1931, the Hagia Sophia has been transformed to a museum since 1935. Undergoing various stages of reconstruction, improvements, and more recently conservation, the Hagia Sophia is far from save due to its deteriorating structure and increasing humidity from rising ground water that weakens the stone work and paint. More funds and work is needed with the last taking place on 2006.
The Mevlevi Sema Ceremony
The Mevlewi believe in performing their dhikr in the form of a “dance” and musical ceremony known as the Sema, which involves whirling, from which the order acquired its nickname the Whirling Dervishes. The Sema represents a mystical journey of man’s spiritual ascent through mind and love towards “Perfection”. The Sema is credited to the Mevlewi founder, Rumi, who heard the dhikr “la elaha ella’llah” which filled him with happiness that he stretched out both arms and spun in a circle.
The Blue Mosque Intriguing Interiors
More popularly known as the Blue Mosque, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul earned its name from the 20,000 handmade Iznik ceramic tiles that lines the interior of the mosque lower levels. Closer inspections reveals recycled tiles on the balcony from the Topkapi Place, different grades of Iznik ceramic tiles – an inflationary response from the artisan to counter the fixed tile prices by the Sultan, and ostrich eggs amongst golden and gem encrusted chandelier and lamp work to repel spiders!
The Cathedral-Mosque Mezquita de Cordoba
Originating as a pagan temple, the Mezquita de Cordoba has been transformed to a Visigothic Christian Church, a Mosque and finally a Catholic Church resulting in an interesting eclectic mix of Moorish and Renaissance architecture as well as the co-existence of both Christian and Muslim elements under the same roof. Despite being over a century old, the tussle remains between Spanish Muslims and the Roman Catholic church on Spain’s famous Mezquita-Catedral (Mosque-Cathedral).
Oranges – from the Haouz Plains to Marrakech
Being a major orange producing region, the Haouz Plains that surrounds Marrakech provides the city with abundance oranges that are characteristics of orange juice carts in Djamaa el Fna. Being a predominantly Muslim nation, the Moroccans have created a variety of some of the freshest natural fruit juices and shakes that are nutritious, refreshing and affordable.
Djamaa el Fna and Kautoubia Mosque
Famed for the Djamaa el Fna with its vibrant souk that displays a labyrinths of Moroccan craft and wares by day and a mesmerizing scene of life drama that unfolds by night, Marrakesh is a place that drives one’s senses into overdrive mode with its heady mix of sound and colours, pungent smells of goats and camels, lingering sensuous scents of jasmine and orange blossoms, and tantalizing tastes.
Ramadhan Djamma el Fna
Although the focus of Ramadhan – the Islamic month of fasting that involves abstaining from food, drink, sexual relations, smoking and other vices between sunrise and sunset – is spiritual, many cultures place a surprising emphasis on food during this holy month. Likewise, with improved economic standings, throes of tourist and an unsatisfiable appetite, food stalls selling the traditional Harira – a cheap and hearty lentil and tomato soup – in Morocco’s famed souk is thining.
Mandi or Kinnauras? Greek Mythology or Evolution?
Ancient Greek myth and legend has it that the Mandi tribe that once lived in the historical kingdom located in the foothills of the Himalayas were a short-lived tribe of Indians who grew old and wrinkled almost as soon as they were born… was this woman geographically displaced or someone that has traveled through time?
Hawa Mahal – Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh’s ‘Purdah’
Globally recognized as a poignant landmark, the Hawa Mahal’s architectural idiosyncrasies creates a shroud of doubt and speculation as to the real intend behind its construction and design; a need basis summer palace that counters the harsh environs and weather of Rajasthan? or Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh’s answer to the ‘purdah’ for the women in the royal harem?
City Palace: Guards, Peacock Gate & British Prince
The Rajput kings were known for their modern and Western outlook; maintaining close bilateral relations with the British. While a visit to the City Palace recounts their history and explains the makeover of Jaipur to a “Pink City” during the visit of the Prince of Wales, Maharaja Ram Singh’s support for the Imperial rulers in the Sepoy Mutiny and his favorite past time of hunting and polo, it is the palace guards with curled mustache against the intricate Peacock Gate that gets the most attention.
Reflections: Yamuna River
Despite it’s “clear blue” coloration, the Yamuna is one of the most polluted rivers in the world, especially around New Delhi, which dumps about 58% of its waste into the river. With nearly 57 million people dependent on the Yamuna waters which accounts for 70% of Delhi’s water supply, the government has spend nearly $500 million on clean up efforts and over Rs 1,700 crore to control pollution since the 1990s with little success.
Taj Mahal, the Crown Palace
The Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world that was constructed over a period of twenty-two years, employing twenty thousand workers by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his dear wife – queen Mumtaz Mahal. Completed in 1648 C.E. at a cost of 32 Million Rupees, the Taj is an “elegy in marble” or some say an expression of a “dream.”
Make Haste for Iftar
Hadhrat Sahal (Radhiallaahu Anhu) narrates that the holy Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) said: “The people will remain prosperous so long as they hasten in breaking their fast (at the time of Iftaar).” ~ by Bukhari
Paal Kudam – Cleansing the Mind and Soul
A form of penance that is typically done by children and women, the offering of milk symbolizes the cleansing of mind and soul. However, to have their wishes fulfilled, devotees perform this paal kudam ritual for 3 consecutive years. Children who are not allowed to pierce their bodies before puberty carries the pot of milks in preparation of examinations, ward away evil and keep illness at bay.
Para Bhakti on Thaipusam
Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated on the full moon of the Tamil month of Thai which falls in January or February in the Gregorian calendar. Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of Lord Murugan – the youngest son of Shiva and Parvati – and the occasion in which Parvati ‘arms’ Murugan with a vel (lance) to vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman.
Ramayana Dance
Ramayana has been expressed the world over via music, dance, painting, sculptures and plays. In Bali, fragments of the Ramayana have been incorporated into creative dance forms that are both accompanied by a musical band – gamelan, or that of human voices. The Ramayana told is as follows…
Sanghyang Exorcism Fire Dance
Lulled into trance by the chants, the ‘horse rider’ in Sanghyang Djaran’s movements and dance in and out of the smoldering pile of burning coconut husks is in sync with the rising and falling chorus of chants.
Kecak (ˈketʃak)
A form of Balinese music drama performed primarily by hundreds of men only in loin cloths, Kecak infuses peripheral cultural elements of the Balinese Sanghyung exorcism ritual and fragments of the epic Ramayana in 1930s to gain wider acceptance. Today Kecak is adapted and performed for tourists.
‘Ngaben’ Offerings – Balinese Cremation
Appearing to be more of a festival of conspicuous consumption than one that carries the air of sobriety of a typical funeral, offerings can extend to include whole suckling pigs, fabric, perfumery and even “afterlife helpers”, in addition to the little sculptures of coloured rice dough pinned on palm baskets, sate lilit and fruits.