Panchamukha Ganesha Temple - On the way to Mysore

Mude Idly Breakfast at Kamat Hotel

The land of Toys - Chennapatna

Nimishamba Temple

Fresh Veggies sold on the bank of kaveri river

St.Philomena's Church - Mysore

Brundavan Gardens - Mysore

Chamundeshwari Temple - Mysore

The statue of Mahishasura

On the way to Kokkare Bellur Bird Sanctury

The above image is of a Gangireddu (A Sacred Bull) and his caretaker Haridasu.

In Andhra Pradesh, we usually see them during the Sankranthi festival. During the festive season Haridasu decorate his bull with different shades of cloths and bells to make him look beautiful and colourful. he brings the bull door to door playing Sannai Melam. Sannai is a musical instrument which produces lovely music and it is considered as the symbol of tradition. So all the sacred rituals, festival and the occasion like marriage are started with Sannai Melam.

Haridasu makes the bull to dance and do acts like bowing, nodding his head in response to the questions asked. The woman of the house offers him grains, cloths or money. A visit from gangireddu and haridasu makes the celebrations of sankranhti complete.

Sadly, this act is vanishing gradually and there are not many haridasu left these days. Most of the people couldn't follow their family inherited tradition due to poverty and no hope for better living. I felt so happy when i saw this bull and his master at the door steps of my paddamma's house. I immediately took a picture as i was not sure if i will have a chance to see them again in the future. The guy very humbly asked me if he can have a copy of the picture. He told me that he is taking care of the bull from past 10 years, but he couldn't afford to get a photo of him till the date. I felt very sad, but at the same time felt happy too as i am able to fulfill his wish.

Finally, the happy ending...he received a copy of the photo....he is happy...and i am glad tooo......

There is a park near to my home which is full of geese. I pay more attention to these birds  during the spring season. This is the time when you get to see cute little goslings wandering along with their parents. In general we see a goose, gander and 2 to 6 goslings as one group exploring the world together. A beautiful sight of a perfect family.

I read somewhere that Geese are usually described "Silly", which I don't agree. In my opinion they are very intelligent birds, especially in terms of protecting their babies. They are very alert to any form of danger that might exists around them. They never let the babies go out of sight or never let anyone come too close to them. Once i tried going near to a gosling - just curious to touch him, and the mama goose hissed at me like a snake..:-)...i thought she is going to bite me if i stayed there for another minute..lolz..

These birds have got good traffic sense too. i never saw a goose party crossing the road blindly. They always wait for the approching traffic to pass and then only cross the road. Isn't that an act of intelligence??...

The photos below are taken at Johnsons Park,NJ and a lake near to Plymouth Plantation, MA.