Skywatch Friday... Touching the skies

This past week has been quite hectic, work , travel and generally been busy! The travel bit was exciting, as it was a last minute plan.. Tuesday early morning, we hit the road to Coimbatore, a journey that took nearly 8hours, with a few pit stops... We were tired, and felt like we had been on the road forever. But good company, music and scenery kept our spirits high. It was more so on the return journey, the path chosen was different, which offered a plethora of colours, and vivid skies. 

As we cruised along the Krishnagiri Chennai highway, the skies were clear, clouds white fluffly like soap bubbles, and the mountains seemed to be playing with them, probably bouncing them around to see who could push the clouds higher up in the sky.... 

Both were taken sitting inside the car, that was cruising at nearly 90kms an hour... What a ride it was... :-)

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Skywatch Friday... In Flames

After a few grueling months, i finally decided to take a break, albeit a few days only.. There were no two ways about where  i was headed, the destination was clear as crystal and i held the tickets in hand.. I sat in the flight, staring out into the open sky, watching in wonder as the colours changed, just as emotions did within me. From excitement to joy to glee, i was going through it all.

It was not the destination that had me in such a state, it was the people who were at the destination. Friends, people i have known forever, people who were more than friends, heck, they were family....


The sky came alive with every passing cloud, sometimes fiery red, sometimes bright yellow, and i could not get enough of it... Alas, time wore on and i sat back closing my eyes, allowing the beauty of it all sink in as the plane descended..

The only thing i kept wishing was- why wasnt my window cleaner? ;)

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Octagonal Bath, Hampi

All around was nothing but barren land, but in the distance i spotted a structure. Was that for real or was my mind playing tricks on me? Yes, the sun was blazing, and i was hot & dehydrated. We had come this far, why not spend a few minutes exploring the area said my mind.. Trudging ahead, we parked the jeep and hopped off towards the structure amidst ruins and rocks. 

That is when  i spotted the sign board "Octagonal Bath". gigantic bathing area made in the shape of an Octagon.  There was a small corridor or sorts around the center, lined with pillars on either sides. In the center was a huge octagonal shaped platform. 

I am assuming the area around this center platform is where the water was filled. "Looks like they had a jacuzzi back then and really lived it up" were the thought running in my head. 

Skywatch Friday... Queen's Bath, Hampi

As you drive towards the  Royal Enclosure, a structure will catch your attention, it is the Queen's Bath. From afar it is resembles just another rectangular building, but once you step inside the structure, you will be wow'd .

The entire structure has a small channel running through the length of it which must have once been filled with water.  While on the inside, there are corridors with small windows poening into the center, the main bath area. The windows aare beautifully done up, with intricate craftsmanship on each arch and wall.  The architecture is Indo-Saracenic with Islamic influences over-riding the Hindu style of architecture. 

 Each of the windows are supported with small lotus bud tip brackets. The center bath area opens out to the sky, but today stands barren and in ruins.  There is one entry with steps leading to the bath, an indication that women probably soaked in the bath surrounded by their maids and help waiting at their beck and call. 

The ceiling along the corridor has intricate work depicting the Royal lives, the Gods and animals used in the palaces.

There is a small beautifully maintained garden within the premises, which now is a favorite spot for picnics by tourists.  This structure is now an ASI protected monument!

Psst.. the photographs looks different only cos i've been playing around with the new Picasa settings :)


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