Monsoon - Frogs

The onset of the Monsoon signifies the end of the Hibernation period for these Bull Frogs. Their skin has been discoloured due to the long period that they stayed hidden under the Earth. The Rain-Water-Slush-Ponds inspire these Frogs to come out, socialise, mate and procreate....

After a long bout of hot summer, the Rains last night brought relief to all Living things in Karwar, including these Frogs. 

Last night was a Party Time for these Frogs, and we could hear them croaking to their fullest all night. It was a Riot Night !!

HAPPY MONSOONS !!


My Older post on a similar topic - http://karwar-daily-pic.blogspot.com/2009/07/of-tadpoles-and-frogs.html

Ways to Beat the Heat !! - 2

The heat and the humidity here in Karwar is unbearable, even in the early morning, just as the sun rises...

These dogs are a living proof...
No amount of dipping inthe sea waves will permanently take away the heat.
And the relief is just temporary.

Good News is that South West Monsoon will hit Kerala in a couple of days. Hope to see some rain before the end of next week...

Till then....

Sashivgad Dargah - Night pictures

Dargah of Peer Shan Shamsuddin Kharobat

The famous Dargah of Peer Shan Shamsuddin Kharobat, a Baghdadi Sufi Saint is a place of pilgrimage for the Muslims. The location of this Dargah is opposite the ancient Godess Durga Temple at Sadashivgad Hill Fort.

This is listed as one of the Ten most beautiful Dargahs inthe Coastal areas of India  


Dargah Shareef of Hazrat Sayed Shah Shams-ud-din  Rahmatullahi Allaih Almaroof
    Hazrat Shah Karam-uddin Auliya Qadri  Rahmatullahi Allaih, beside Arabian Sea, Karwar.

    http://www.aulia-e-hind.com/dargah/Karwar.htm


However, this is a place of Harmonious Existence of two different cultures and religions, since time immemorial...

The Portuguese in 1510 called it Pir fort due to the MuslimDargah (Tomb of a Sufi Saint ) and was known in Portuguese language as Forte de Piro or Pito.

Source - http://www.tutorgig.com/ed/Sadashivgad

Ways to Beat the Heat !!

As the Temperature Sours in Karwar, and Humidty Scales up, Nature provides these Buffaloes a nice Outlet to Cool off....

Never mind if this pool is now no longer used to watering the Dried-upPark on the Tagore Beach, it does serve these Mammals, and serves them too well...

You can see the Look of Contentment on their faces, as compared to the other people of Karwar who have gathered on the Tagore Beach in an attempt to cool off in the Sea Breeze.... 

Nature is very Impartial sometimes....

Murudeshwar Raja Gopuram - Views from the Top

View of Murudeshwar Village from 18 Storeys above the ground, from the Raja Gopuram.

And the Huge Shiva Statue with the Cars and SUVs appearing like toys..

This is the Restaurant Standing on Stilts in the Sea, attached to the Island.


The vast Expanse of the Arabian Sea...

The 18 Storey High Raja Gopura at Murudeshwar.

My Earlier Posts on Murudeshwar - One, Two

Peanut-Crop Fields

Peanut or Ground-nut is normally a 2nd Crop for te farmers in Karwar District. The sand-loamy soil which is water logged during the monsoons, yields a good salt-tolerant Paddy crop in October/November, and when the water dries up, its pefect for sowing the groundnut crop.

This crop does not need much irrigation, and it strives on the ground-water that is left over from the monsoons. The origins of Groundnut Cultivation is not known to the farmers. A Google search on the topic gave me this Info :-
History of the Groundnut Crop -  "...... the Portuguese conquered Goa from Bijapur rulers in 1510. They had a flourishing trade with Vijayanagara, and to whom they supplied horses. Portuguese rule in Goa had far reaching effects. They introduced new floras like groundnut, chilly, tobacco etc., besides printing technology from the New World." - Source

Suggi of Ankola Komarpants

During the Week preceding the Holi Festival, the Komarpants of Aversa, Belekeri, Hattikeri, Bhavikeri, etc villages, take part in this Community Ritual of "Suggi". Suggi means "Harvest Festival". It is meant for appeasing the Gods for a better Crop on the next year, and also to show their gratitude for the Harvest that they have got in the present year.

Tagore Beach at Day-break

These pictures of Tagore Beach at Karwar were taken just a few minutes before Sunrise.
The Lights on the beach were on.

The ship lights indicates the location of the Baithkol Port, and the Full Moon is about to set in the West..

This is the picture of the Eastern side of the Tagore beach, and the sky turns dark pink, as if blushing at the Rise of the Sun..

The Moon is still up....

A Thatch-roof House

Thatching is the craft of building a roof with dry vegetation such as straw, water reed, sedge, rushes and heather, layering the vegetation so as to shed water away from the inner roof. It is a very old roofing method and has been used in both tropical and temperate climates. Thatch is still employed by builders in developing countries, usually with low-cost, local vegetation. By contrast in some developed countries it is now the choice of affluent people who desire a rustic look for their home or whom have purchased an originally thatched abode. 
Source - Wikipedia

Village houses may be artists' delight, and cement structures in villages may look like incongruous ugly dots in a picturesque landscape. But while urbanites may feel that village houses should retain their traditional appearance - and therefore be made of wood, stone, mud etc. - villagers themselves are quick to point to the irony in this: the well-meaning urbanites themselves have long ago abandoned traditional housing! Low cost, aesthetics, preserving traditions, and living in climatically suitable houses are all fine notions, but the durability of homes is also an important consideration. A mud house with a thatched roof needs continuous maintenance, whereas a brick and cement house is far sturdier, and has a longer life span. And villagers are as interested in the longevity of their homes as their urban counterparts.

Source - India Together.org

These Pictures were taken at Bhatkal, a town 150kms South of Karwar.

Lambretta Auto-rickshaws

These must be the last relics of the API Lambretta Auto-rickshaw...
Now they are out of productions as they could not adhere to the stringent Emission Norms, and also faced severe competition in the form of Bajaj and TVS and some Diesel sipping Autorickshaws...

This one seats three passengers and has a Luggage boot at the Rear, and hence the Bulging Behind.. :-)

This Goods Autorickshaw is retired after years of service...

These pictures were taken at Kumta 56 kms from Karwar, where you can still get to see these Vintage models running about.