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Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah built the monument in 1591 shortly after he had shifted his capital from Golkonda to what now is known as [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]][http://www.aponline.gov.in/Quick%20links/HIST-CULT/architecture_qut.html A.P. Government: Charminar]. Legend has it that the building honors a promise Quli Qutb Shah made to Allah. He supposedly had prayed for the end of a plague and vowed that he would build a [[masjid]] on that very place. The masjid became popularly known as Charminar because of its four (Farsi ''char'' = four) minarets (''Minar'' (Arabic manara) = spire/tower), which possibly honor the [[Rashidun|first four caliph]]s of [[Islam]]. The actual masjid occupies the top floor of the four-story structure. ([[Madame Blavatsky]] asserted that each of the floors was meant for a separate branch of learning .)''FROM THE CAVES AND JUNGLES OF HINDOSTAN'',H.P.Blavatsky. Urbana, Illinois (USA): Project Gutenberg.Etext #6687. 2004. p 265 There is a legend that an underground tunnel connects the palace at [[Golconda]] to Charminar to give the Qutb Shahi royal family an escape route should they need it during a siege. However, the exact location of the tunnel is unknown.
In 1591 while laying the foundation of Charminar, Quli prayed: ''Oh God, bestow unto this city peace and prosperity. Let millions of men of all castes, creeds and religions make it their abode. Like fishes in the water.'' True to the legend, the city blossomed into a synthesis of two cultures. ************************************************************ Please contact Shashi Mettu at + 00-91-98495-30995 for Prints / Enlargements and Busssiness enquiries *********************************************************** |
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"Lord Venkateshwara Temple in Tirupati is the best example of history, heritage and divinity preserved. Being an inseparable part of devotees lives for centuries, Tirupati Temple has grown from strength to strength and has become the most revered Hindu pilgrimage site in the world. Also crowned as the most visited and second richest worship place in the world, Tirupati Temple is one path to finding god."
The ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara is located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala (Venkata Hill) of the Tirupati Hill, and lies on the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini. It is by the Lord's presidency over Venkatachala, that He has received the appellation, Venkateswara (Lord of the Venkata Hill). He is also called the Lord of the Seven Hills. The Temple of Sri Venkateswara has acquired unique sanctity in Indian religious lore. The Sastras, Puranas, Sthala Mahatyams and Alwar hymns unequivocally declare that, in the Kali Yuga, one can attain mukti, only by worshipping Venkata Nayaka or Sri Venkateswara. |
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Here's a shot taken from the roof od Resolution Digital Studios on Fulton Street at Levitt. I'd like to return around the magic hour on a clear day to really get the shot is it turns out to be as interesting to explore as I hope it is. |
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This 360 is from the Universal Studios Theme Park CityWalk area. CityWalk is home to a number of world class entertainment venues including the Hard Rock Hotel. While the area is most active at night due to all the clubs, restaurants and theaters, this was shot during the day since that was when I was there :-) It is normally a lot more crowded, but this was shot on a weekday during off-season with the economy in the dumper. My wife had fun wandering around posing in hard to find locations in a 'Where's Waldo' sort of game for her mother to try to find. |
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Whenever I make it to Island's of Adventure, I always have to stop and admire the effective, colorful design of this area as it transports you to a sort of Alladin-esque Arabian shopping bazaar. This area is just inside the main entry gate. Under the 'bridge' you can see across the water to the Jurassic Park themed area of the park. My wife is in this one at least four times that I counted. She is the one with the Canada cap. |
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Along the waterfront. From this vantage point you can see the Men in Black attraction, where the arch is and the new Simpson's Ride (Formerly Back to the Future Ride). The thing in the water is used for the nightime water show I think. |
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Messed this one up about three times and finally just went with this version. This area of the Universal Studios Theme Park is right near such attractions as The Mummy, Disaster (formerly Earthquake) and on the way to Jaws. |
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Seuss Landing at Universal's Islands of Adventure Theme Park is a fantastically designed area in tribute to the remarkable imagination of Dr. Seuss. This shot is of a barely used area by the water and is far from the most interesting or artistic part of the themed area, but it offers a view across the water which is why I chose it. This shot was plagued by problems too as the memory card filled up and the camera battery was on it's last legs. Just glad I captured the full 360 before it pooped out. The green roller coaster in the distance is The Incredible Hulk while the two towers are Dr. Doom's Fear Fall. The rail lines overhead are little trains suitable for young and old alike and offer a great view of the Suess Landing area. More from this area next time I visit the park. |
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Universal Studio, Universal Walk and Burbank & North Hollywood in the Background.
The freeway is the 170 North Hollywood Freeway. Taken from Universal City Lookout on Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles, CA. Canon G9 14x4 shots |
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The Howrah Bridge is a bridge that spans the Hooghly River in West Bengal, India. It was originally named the New Howrah Bridge because it links the city of Howrah to its twin city, Kolkata (Calcutta). On 14 June 1965 it was renamed Rabindra Setu, after Rabindranath Tagore a great poet and the first Indian Nobel laureate. However it is still popularly known as the Howrah Bridge.
The bridge is one of three on the Hooghly River and is a famous symbol of Kolkata and West Bengal. Apart from bearing the stormy weather of the Bay of Bengal region, it successfully bears the weight of a daily traffic of approximately 150,000 vehicles and 4,000,000 pedestrians. It is the sixth longest bridge of its type in the world. ************************************************************** Please contact Shashi Mettu at + 00-91-98495-30995 for Prints / Enlargements and Busssiness enquiries *********************************************************** |