Shore Temple

Shore Temple, originally uploaded by Rima_B.

The ‘Shore Temple’ is the lone survivor of the seven magnificent temple complexes, known as the seven pagodas, built near the sea at Mahabalipuram, India. It is a structural temple, built with blocks of granite, dating from the 8th century AD. It has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Jai Ma Kali

Jai Ma Kali, originally uploaded by Rima_B.

The Dakshineswar Kali Temple is a Hindu temple located in Dakshineswar near Kolkata. Situated on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, the presiding deity of the temple is Bhavatarini, an aspect of Kali. The temple was built by Rani Rashmoni, a philanthropist and a devotee of Kali in 1855. The temple is famous for its association with Sri Ramakrishna.

Prayers

Prayers, originally uploaded by Rima_B.

Pieces of earthen pots tied with strings representing people’s prayers or “mannats” ..Little reminders to God And boy! is HE overloaded!!
Taken at Dakshineswar Kali Temple, near Kolkata, India

Pillars

Pillars, originally uploaded by ReemaS226.

Champaran, formerly known as Champajhar, is a village in Raipur district, 60 km from the state capital via Arang. The village is identified with Champaranya and therefore has religious significance as the birthplace of the Saint Vallabhacharya, the reformer and founder of the Vallabh sect. A handsome temple has been constructed in his honour. Near this temple is a temple of Champakeshwara Mahadeva.

The Flower Girl

Walking through difficult
twisted paths
I stumbled upon this flower girl
A smile bloomed upon her face
and spread across like a butterfly
A familiar stranger to me for years
was sitting right beside me
Her fragrance sweeping
through my soul
lighting up the dark sad holes
No! she was not that beautiful

Shakespeare would write
no poem for her
But she had the beauty of purity
Purity that stirred and healed you
Purity that made you feel safe
Purity that could be seen
by the blind
and heard by the deaf
Like the flowers she dearly loved
She tried to dance even in pain
As the flowers sing in the wind
and the rain
Even her twinkling tears were pure
Pure like the early drops
of dew on petals
And in her eyes you could
see love
oceans of love that
would never dry
In her eyes you could
see the world
and know she would
never let you fall
I wanted to give her tulips
And make her promise
there would always be a smile
on her lips
But I couldn’t,
I am sorry I couldn’t
Leaving all the fragrance
and beauty
Surprisingly tears came to me
Even today on lonely
starry nights
I try to smell her fragrance
in the air
Pure, honest,
unselfish fragrance of
the sweet little flower girl
who herself was a flower.

The flower girl by BIKKI GAUTAM