2026-08-05 15:00:58
India's monsoon rain depends on where air gets cleaner #India
RE: #Udupi #India yesterday, where I'm most content these days. A welcome breakfast from a local friend, then caught a "yakshagaana" play.
Today saw this presentation of Krishna and had 1-1 with two swamijis. Also met many people who've accepted me as their own. Even picked up some goodies. ☺️😋
Like I said, #content. 🙇♂️
One morning, when Kascitcana awoke from a nightmare of religious authoritarianism, they found themselves transformed into an enormous cockroach. They were covered in armour. They could fly. They could digest anything, and infect the body politic with revolutionary ideas. Like the gods, they had many arms and legs! It was wonderful!!!!!
#India
"India adds 6.6 GW of rooftop solar in H1"
#India #SolarPower #Energy #Renewables
"India adds 4.6 GWh of battery storage capacity in Q1"
#India #Energy #Batteries
"India curtailed 2.1 TWh of renewable electricity in fiscal year 2025–26"
#India #Energy #Renewables
Talking of #birthdays, in #India they're celebrated on one of three days:
- day and month on Gregorian calendar; most common
- day and month on lunar calendar; "traditional folks"
- day when moon aligns with birth star in the lunar birth month; "traditional west coast folks, in the south"
#trivia
"Google’s $15bn India data centre project faces water and environmental challenges"
#Google #India #Technology
🇺🇦 #NowPlaying on KEXP's #VarietyMix
E. Lundquist feat. INDIA BLUE:
🎵 My Wings
#ELundquist #INDIABLUE
https://elundquist.bandcamp.com/track/my-wings-ft-india-blue-2
https://open.spotify.com/track/439dGIpVdTlMCwrld7vdHK
🇺🇦 #NowPlaying on #BBC6Music's #ThePeoplesParty with #FemiKoleoso
India.Arie:
🎵 Strength Courage & Wisdom
#IndiaArie
https://sonnishine.bandcamp.com/track/strength-courage-wisdom-india-arie
https://open.spotify.com/track/2kIZPLtqtmDh3dX6HuAfD0
🇺🇦 #NowPlaying on BBCRadio3's #RoundMidnight
INDIA BLUE & Josef Akin:
🎵 Fallen
#INDIABLUE #JosefAkin
https://open.spotify.com/track/0FqLXFUHpe7heyE8s7qxJj
RE: #India
"India fuels worldwide jump in planned coal production"
#India #FossilFuels #Energy #Climate
#Coincidence: I rarely visit Mysore India, but I visited there both this year and the last, that too in the same month and week; just two days apart.
Plus, both years, I returned to Udupi on exactly the same month and day. 🤓
#travel #India
"Domestic solar cells to meet half of India’s total demand this fiscal year"
#India #Energy #SolarPower #Renewables
Happened on these cleaned pots and pans today at the "chauki" kitchen (where they prepare the offerings) in #Udupi Krishna Matha. Some of the pots, especially the copper ones, are decades old. 🍯
#photography #amateur #FotoMontag #PhotoMonday #pots #India #kitchen
YouTube influencer successfully influences someone to, checks story, rob her. 🥷
#burglary #irony #India #influencer
Just a mango tree in the neighborhood showing off its wares. 🥭
See if you can spot a ripe fruit. 🔍
#mango #tree #nature #Bengaluru #India
Seahorse?
Seen at a beach resort named "Scylla", near Udupi #India.
#photography #WindowFriday #FensterFreitag #seahorse #sculpture
Many in South India dedicate Saturdays to Lord Shreeniwaasa (aka Wenkataesha). They offer special prayers to him at home, visit his temple, sing his praise, take his "prasaada" (blessings).
Alt text has a brief of what's in this picture (taken May 11, 2026 #Bengaluru).
#photography #amateur #tradition #India #Hindu #Saturday
🇺🇦 #NowPlaying on #BBC6Music's #6MusicsRaveForever
India & Tito Puente, Jr.:
🎵 Oye Como Va (Joey Musaphia Main Mix)
#India #TitoPuente #Jr
It's all relative.
- If you grew up in Bengaluru, you'll despise what it has become. 😤
- If you moved to Bengaluru from Delhi OTOH. ☺️
#Bengaluru #Bangalore #India #Delhi #comparison #living
Since I mentioned it: Hampi was the capital of Vijayanagara empire 14-16 Century CE and is believed to be the world's most prosperous city in that era. The temple complex is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has some of the most stunning architecture and sculptures you'll ever see. Absolutely worth a visit.
#history #India #Karnataka #trivia #travel
Arabian Sea roaring at Yarmal Beach near Udupi #India. 🌊
(The scene immediately behind the Buddha ☝️)
#photography #sea #beach #ArabianSea #waves
Vivid colors and beauty almost everywhere you look. Feels good to be back in #India, hopefully for a long-ish stay this time. 🚜
(Zoom in and you'll see there's so much going on in just the front of that tractor.)
#Bengaluru #photography #amateur #tractor #vehicle
Even James Bond seeks Lord Shreeniwaasa's blessings on Saturdays. 🙇♂️ 😉
Today morning in #Bengaluru. The markings at the top of the altar entrance is common in Shreeniwaasa temple, especially those operated by the "Iyengaar" sect.
(Interesting name on the man's jersey BTW. #iykyk)
#humor #India #Saturday
A 200 years old wooden window with exquisite carving. The paint/polish is recent. 🪟
(Sep. 10, 2025, Krishnapura Matha, #Udupi #India)
#phitography #amateur #FensterFreitag #WindowFriday #window
Went to hear a lecture at a beach town and happened on a most serene Buddha. 🪷
Can't think of a more contrasting installation for the location. 🌊 👇
(Yarmal Beach near Udupi #India)
#photography #beach #Buddha #peace #art #sculpture
"Respect for good traits. Kingly respect for money."
- A bumper sticker
The sticker is in #Kannada, the local language in #Bengaluru #India. The word in red is misspelled (says "raajaa" instead of "raaja") but still 🫡
#lesson #bumperSticker
I've 884 pics from Aug. 2024 alone from #India visit. Already reviewed most of them but dropping a third would still leave me 583. At least a half of those are worth publicly sharing, but I doubt I'll ever get around to sharing even 100.
So much beauty will stay unshared. 😥
#photography #dilemma
I love how these pictures capture falling water from the pot, to the conch, and on to the idols; and the authentic auspiciousness the whole setup conveys.🐚💧🛕
Remastering of pictures I received of a #ritual bathing ("abhishaeka") of idols of #Hindu gods. The hands seen belong to the current Swamiji of #Udupi Krishna Matha, #India.
#photography #notMine
Peered in to admire the bright rainbow umbrella. 🌈 ☂️
PS: A temple gate. The sign on the gate stands for the #Sanskrit word "swasthi" which means "well being". No other symbol is represented.
#photography #amateur #PhotoMonday #FotoMontag #umbrella #rainbow #temple #Udupi #India
A Japanese man's ordeal in India after he rage-hit someone. The story takes weird turns.
#India #Bangalore #Japan #immigration #ordeal
A unique and beautiful interior balcony. Love the woodwork, the skylight, and the colors, but I wonder what that window opens to. 🪟
Spotted today at Palimaru Matha #Udupi #India. Lucky to have gone inside while I waited out the rain.
#photography #amateur #FensterFreitag #WindowFriday #window #skylight #balcony #sculpture #art
A super closeup of yoga narasimha of Kaniyooru Matha, Udupi. Not my picture.
BTW presently only nine people in this world are allowed to even touch this idol. (There'll ever be at most 16.) That's a truly exclusive and privileged group but also one with a lot of responsibility. #ama
#art #sculpture #Udupi #India
A thousand dollars if you manage to find and purchase a ticket on the Indian Railways website without having to log in at least twice (more likely thrice). 😒
#travel #India #RailTravel #rail
A school in India likes to register a .edu.in domain (2nd level edu) and like to find a registrar. I already tried Hostinger and they don't do it.
How do I find which registrars support .edu.in?
Please #help with comments, boosts,... 💭 🔄️ 🙏
Solved: ERNET seems to (be the only registrar to) support .edu.in (2nd level edu)
#technology #webdev #domainRegistration #education #India
#TIL: The Atthi Varadha idol at Varadharaja Temple in Kanchipuram #India stays submerged in the temple tank and is brought out once every 40 years; and only for 48 days. A true *once in a lifetime event*. ☺️
The idol will be brought out next in 2059. So, not in my lifetime. 🥹
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varadharaja_Perumal_Temple,_Kanchipuram#Atthi_Varadhar
#throwback Aug. 25, 2024: Beautiful teak entry door at Swarnawalli Matha, Sonda #India. Very heavy; at least 8ft tall.
BTW very serene both inside and outside the temple. 🛕
Also, very generous people. I remember they gave us nice tea and evening snacks. ☺️
#photography #tbt #throwbackThursday #doorsDay #door
Had the best seat to view the entire 90 mins of the annual ritual bathing of the idols at Kaniyooru Matha #Udupi #India. I chose not to take my own pictures during the ritual so I can be there fully in the moment. I did take some pictures after 👇.
The pictures here are from the matha, just to give an idea.
Video: #Hindu #temple #ritual
Today is the start of "chaathurmaasa" in the Hindu luni-solar calendar. It's a 4-month period with prescriptions and proscriptions on food to be eaten and rituals to be performed.
On the first day, in addition to fasting, some Waishnawa sects have a tradition of branding their body ("mudraadhaarane") with icons of Wishnu's chakra (disc) and shankha (conch) to show their commitment to the faith:
1. Preparing branding "irons" (at Puthige Matha)
2. Branding a devotee (at Krishna Matha)
3. Chakra (disc) on right arm (a few hours after branding)
4. Shankha (conch) on left arm
Video 👇
#Hindu #tradition #branding #ritual #India
Stopped at a storefront to stay out of rain and spotted this beautiful home across from the store. 🏠
Love the intense blue, the contrasting brown trims, and the falling rain drops. 💦
#photography #amateur #PhotoMonday #FotoMontag #Udupi #India #rain
"Don't you dare come near me." ⚠️ 🐕
#throwback Aug. 19, 2024 #Bangalore #India
#photography #dog #strayDog #tbt #throwbackThursday
A "pile" of calves at Krishna Matha #Udupi. 🐮🐮
BTW how many calves do you see here?
#India #cows #calves #cowCalves
A welcome mat for the new baby and the mom. The two will be seated here for a brief ritual before entering the home for the first time.
(May 11, 2026 #Bengaluru)
#tradition #India #birth #ritual #photography #amateur
A bit too green but otherwise nice tree art. 🖼️🍂🦚🐦
(The text says West Central Railways, but I found this art displayed in a Southern Railways passenger car)
#India #art #tree #birds #peacock #railways #ThickTrunkTuesday #photography
Threshold symbols in #Udupi (and elsewhere) #India: simple and elaborate versions, both shown as they appear from inside a home. The triangular parts invite in Lakshmee, goddess of prosperity (to place her feet there). The vertical lines prohibit entry to evil.
#art #symbolism #tradition #kolam #rangoli #Hindu
Got this just now at Krishna Matha #Udupi #India.
Traditionally, this is an invitation from the paryaaya Swamiji to receive "prasaada" along with the main meal.
#tradition #blessing
Today is International Yoga Day. Apropos, a picture of 800 years old idol of "yoga narasimha" of Kaniyooru Matha, Udupi; the gold cladding is recent. The idol on its right is also yoga narasimha but a few decades newer. On the left is Krishna; age unknown but old.
I love the detail of the crowns and other ornaments, as well as that of the silver arch behind the idols. And of course the elegance of the simple decoration.
Picture from Jun. 8, 2026. **Not my picture.**
#sculpture #idol #India #Udupi #art #yoga
Wednesday: Superb day trip to Mysuru #India to participate in "chaaturmaasa" observance by Kaniyooru Swamiji and junior Adamaaru Swamiji. 🙇♂️
Adamaaru service pics: As in other mathas, the altar starts simple and progressively enriches. Last pic (not mine) is of the main idol "the 4-armed Krishna subduing the Kaalinga serpent".
More pics 👇
#photography #FotoMontag #PhotoMonday #Hindu #ritual #art #sculpture #travel
Wonderful #experience yesterday at Mantralaya #India. Skipping personal details, participated in the evening processions (1), then sat mere feet from the "brindaawana" (2, shrine) of Shree Raaghawaendra Swami during final service. 🙇♂️
Plus, good food. 😋
PS: Pic 1 is mine; 2 is official release (not mine)
#travel #ama
Lodging is a big concern visiting Mantralaya #India but turns out we had the best: Clean, large, AC suite ~100m from temple entry; just walk without footwear. It's also their most expensive lodging but worth it, esp. because it sleeps 4.
Bonus that the lodge gave me some nice pictures. 📷
PS: Shiva at lodge entry is odd given the temple's faith, but 😐
#travel #lodging #photography #amateur
My wife and I went to a "Yakshagaana" #play today in #Udupi #India. It was only the second play we've ever sat through fully (our first was just last week).
I've so much to say about the experience but don't know where to begin, except say it was mind blowing and wish all #theater was this masterful.
🤯😊🙇♂️
#review
Fresh amaranth leaves. Almost "farm to table". 🌿
#photography #amateur #PhotoMonday #FotoMontag #greens #produce #India
Aug. 8: Lucky to attend the main service at Sripadaraja ("shree-paada-raaja") Matha, Bengaluru #India. The service is (must be) performed by the Swamiji himself.
1. An assistant prepares the altar
2. Swamiji places idols on the altar
3. Rituals enrich the altar
4. Service ends with the grand "aarathi" (showing flame).
#photography #amateur #photoMontag #FotoMonday #Hindu #ritual
My second time in Mantralayam #India. The first was over 4 decades ago, and I've virtually no memory of that visit.
I know the kind of great experiences that can be had here, but I've to set low expectations and let things come to me over the next three days. 🙇♂️
"raayariddaare" as they say in these parts.
#photography #amateur #FotoMontag #PhotoMonday #travel
My wife took this picture today from the balcony of our rental. 🌴
#photography #NotMine #amateur #SilentSunday #Udupi #India #trees #coconut
I realize local road travel, especially taxi, is always more expensive (time and money) than long distance rail travel, but this #atrocity in and around #Bengaluru #India: 😒
Train, long distance: 386kms, 4.5 hrs, ₹1980 for two.
Taxi, home to station: 30kms, 1.5 hrs, ₹1100 for two.
#travel #rail
Paarijaata flowers ("night jasmine") are pretty and very fragrant. They fall off the tree at the slightest breeze, and you often find 10-30-50 around the tree by 6am. No surprise they are the only flowers that may be picked off the floor and still be offered to Hindu gods.
The orange stem gives strings of these flowers a unique look and are very popular in presentations at Wishnu temples. E.g., Picture 4.
The flowers in Pictures 1-3 are from my sister's garden.
Picture 4 is from: #photography #amateur #flowers #bloomscrolling #India
I found this #painting today at Krishna Matha #Udupi. Someone (most likely the artist themselves) left it outside the Swamiji's room as their offering.
🖼️ 🌳 🦚 🪈 🐄
(see alt text)
#photography #amateur #PhotoMonday #FotoMontag #art #found #India
Pomelo. Not a fruit I like eating but it makes good pictures.
(Today at a store in #Udupi #India)
#FotoMontag #photoMonday #photography #amateur #fruit #pomelo
If only this "best astrologer in Bangalore" could also *prevent* all my problems.😆
#marketing #dubious #astrologer #Bengaluru #Bangalore #India
A peacock's elegant dance; a nightingale's sweet sound (volume up). 🦚 🎵
This was yesterday on a rooftop in #Bengaluru #India. Someone in the neighborhood filmed and shared it.
#peacock #nightingale #dance #nature #video
An electric fan in interesting colors bolted to a nearly 300-year old wooden ceiling (recently polished). Check out that handcrafted woodwork.
(Shirooru Matha #Udupi #India)
#photography #amateur #architecture #carpentry #wood #appliance
Today, the 4th day of Shraawana month in the Hindu lunar calendar, is Naaga Chathurthi; tomorrow Naaga Panchami. Both days honor serpents (and snakes) with prayers made to the lord of serpents.🐍
In some traditions, women visit brothers on Panchami and get presents.🎁
#photography #amateur #Hindu #India #snake #serpent #mandala #tradition #ama
Storing produce and still saving space. 🍌🤓
#photography #amateur #WindowFriday #FensterFreitag #produce #melon #bananas #India
"Upon reflection" I think I got a good deal on these copper and bronze tumblers. 🤓
#photography #amateur #India #tumblers #copper #bronze #reflection #pun #photoMonday #FotoMontag