Tirupati Railway Station

 Here are some pictures of Tirupati Railway Station.Inside the station is quite neat and clean. For the convenience of pilgrims there is an escalator for up travel to reach the over bridge.However for descending you have to take a flight of stairs. The station has two attractively designed entrances - both carry signboards welcoming passengers in English,Hindi & Telugu.The signs of Sanku (conch shell) and Chakram (wheel) which represent Maha Vishnu are beautifully embellished on the front facade. Pre-paid taxis/auto rikshas are available at the entrance and you find sign boards indicating distances of various temples/guest houses from the station.The most astonishing feature is an over bridge connecting the station directly to the massive pilgrim centre across the road - Vishnu Nivas. This bridge is almost ready but not yet functional.Right opposite the station are numerous eateries dishing out both South Indian as well as North Indian/Punjabi cuisine.There are regular bus services to ferry pilgrims to Tirumalai,17 Kms up the hills, where people flock to visit and pray at the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Venkatachalapati or Lord Balaji as He is known in North India.

Over bridge across the road

Travel to Tirupati

Traveled from Coimbatore to Tirupati by Kovai-Tirupati express on 17th March'2015.Dilapidated coach & ramshackle seats notwithstanding the journey was comfortable.The air conditioning was quite effective and charging sockets were available to the delight of Smartphone users.We had carried packed food - sandwiches for breakfast and lemon/curd rice for lunch - yummy.Dep:6.00 am/Arr:1.40 pm.Do not know why coaches condemned from premium trains are relegated to subsidiary routes like this one.Chittoor station looked neat and sparkling though.These pictures were clicked at Chittoor station:

Jain Sculptures @ Chennai Museum

Buddhist Sculptures @ Amravati Gallery

This Gallery is adjacent to the Gallery of Hindu Gods.The limestone sculptures on display here are simply incredible and talk of the high level of skills of the artisans who created these wonders a millennium and a half ago ! I shall speak no more !
Buddhism has virtually faded away from the land of its birth. The re-emergence of Hinduism as a pre-eminent and dominant religion was the primary cause for driving Buddhism away from India.However the religion spread to many countries in South East Asia and is today flourishing in Sri Lanka,Japan,China,Myanmar, Vietnam,Cambodia and many other countries.

Chennai Government Museum - Hindu Gods Gallery - Part 3

This is the third in the series of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.I was the only person who was not stopped on my tracks and asked to produce the camera ticket. That was because I was clicking confidently.There were others who were trying to take pictures too but clandestinely.They were warned not to click unless they had tickets.They hurriedly stowed away their smart phones into their pockets.
If you have not visited this gallery you have missed something incredible in Chennai.The workmanship is incredible and astonishing especially that of Dakshinamurthy - look at the tree under which he is seated and the intricate head gear !

Dakshinamurthy - A form of Siva as Teacher or Guru

A dragon

A model temple

Maha Vishnu

Dwarpals or Gate keepers ?

Dakshinamurthy (Guru or Teacher)-a form of Siva

Government Museum Chennai - Hindu Goddesses Gallery

This is in continuation of my previous post.Most of these sculptures pertain to the period 9th - 16th century. The sculptors followed the rules laid down in the Shilpa Sastras. The Goddesses are either in the form of Durgai or Mahisasamardini or Sakthi or some of other form.The exquisite skill displayed in sculpting the head dress,the clothes and their folds,the ornamentation(necklaces/arm bands/ear rings,waist chains,anklets) and the graceful poses and facial features is divine.

Government Museum Chennai - Statues of Hindu God Vishnu

Here are pictures of Hindu God Maha Vishnu clicked at the Hindu Gods gallery at Chennai Museum. The museum also has galleries devoted to stone sculptures pertaining to Jainism and Buddhism. The gallery,recently renovated, is air conditioned and well maintained.It is a must see for any lover of ancient sculptures. If you are a Chennaite you must visit without delay.