India and its road side sales

Woman selling coconut, flowers and other pooja offerings to devotees of Nimishamba Temple, Mysore.

People who are from India, and people who have visited India will know for sure that the places for shopping are quite numerous here. Collecting a souvenir from India is the most easiest part; as it can be made possible from every nuke and corner of the cities.

Undoubtedly, India is a country with lot of road-side sales.

Adjoining each and every tourist place, there will be hundreds and thousands of these small shops; selling artifacts, consumables, eateries, and other items that are of interest to the tourists. This post is to show few photographs of our Indian Road-Side Sales. All the photographs were taken during my visit to Mysore, Karnataka in the month of April 2010.

Looking at one of these road-side temporary establishments is real fun. It has the energy of a 'sunday market'; yet it has a huge diversity depending on the locale / tourist spot. The photograph of the left hand side is such a crowd seen near Gumbaz, tomb of Tipu Sultan and Haider Ali at Mysore, Karnataka.

There is everything for sale here: post cards showing excellent photographs of tourist interest in and around Mysore, gift articles, ladies favourites such as comb, bangles; to even stalls selling tender coconut to quench your thirst.

If you are a person who is fond of capturing these moments as a souvenir itself, I am sure you would enjoy each and every trip that you make within any Indian tourist destination.

The photograph of the boy cutting tender coconut is also taken near Gumbaz, Mysore.


In May 2010, sale of peacock feathers were banned in India. Following excerpt indicates the same.

Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh on Monday announced a proposal to ban trade of peacock feathers to protect the national bird from illegal poaching and killing.

Inviting comments before imposing 'a comprehensive ban on the sale, transfer and trade of peacock feathers,' the environment and forests minister said this is in response to numerous requests from various stakeholders.

"It has been brought to the ministry's attention that the demand for the feathers outstrips the supply leading to the rampant poaching and killing of the birds for the purpose of their feathers," Ramesh said.

It said the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, shall be amended to remove exemption granted to the peacock owners under Sections 43(3)(a) and 44 for transfer and sell of the tail feathers and articles or trophies made from them.

While the act already prohibits killing of peacocks as well as export of tail feathers or articles made from them, it allowed domestic trade in them so far under the assumption that these are naturally shed, the ministry said.

If you had been lucky enough to buy one peacock feather, keep it as a valuable possession. This photo of a man selling peacock feathers were taken on April 2010, just one month before the ban was imposed.

One last photograph in this post is that of a man selling papaya outside Mysore Palace.

Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace, Srirangapatna, Mysore

Haidar Ali's son, Tipu Sultan, was the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore from the time of his father's death in 1782 until his own demise in 1799.

Tipu Sultan's summer palace is located at Srirangapattana, near Mysore city. It is also known as Daria Daulat Bagh meaning "the wealth of the sea", situated outside the fort. Built in 1784, the structure is in Indo-Islamic style of architecture, constructed mainly of Teak wood.

It is now a museum and tells eloquently of the valor and legacy of Sultan Fateh Ali Tipu, "The Tiger of Mysore" and, subsequently his losing battle against the British. The summer palace converted museum displays war weapons, paintings and coins of Tipu’s period. One of the main feature of this museum is the famous oil painting "Storming of Srirangapattanam" by Sir Robert Ker Porter made in 1800. This historical painting depicts the final fall of Srirangapatana on 4th May 1799.

Balcony in Tipu's Summer Palace, Srirangapatna, Mysore

Chamundi Hill Temple, Mysore

Chamundi Hills is around 175 kms from Bangalore; located around 35 kms from Mysore City. Driving in a car might take you around 2 hours to 2 1/2 hours depending on traffic conditions.

Chamundi Hills, the home of Goddess Chamundeshwari is about 335 metres high, can be reached by a 13 km road from Mysore.The temple of Chamudeshwari, the patron goddess of the Mysore Maharajas, has been held high in reverence for centuries, associated with the Hoysala ruler Vishnuvardhana, in 12th century and Vijayanagara rulers, in 17th century. In 1659, Maharaja Dodda Devaraja built a flight of one thousand steps leads up to the summit of the hill which is at a height of about 3000 feet.

Chamraja Wodeyar IV is said to have worshipped here in 1573. It is believed that he was saved from a lightning hit miraculously owing to the blessing of the Goddess. Krishnaraja III (late 18th century) built the temple tower and presented the Nakshatramalika jewel with sanskrit verses inscribed on it.

The architectural beauty of Chamundi Hill temple will awake the photographer inside you.

Mahishasura Mardhini, the one who vanquished the demon Mahishasura, Chamundeeswari, or Durga is the fierce form of Shakti. A colorful gigantic image of the demon, Mahishasura greets visitors as they reach the summit of the hill. During the reign of Dodda Devaraja, this statue was built, along with the steps leading up the hill.

Nandi, Lord Shiva’s Bull, a monolith is found at the 800th step on the hill. It is over 15 feet high and 24 feet long. One can find several idols of Nandi nearby. There are many shrines dedicated to Shiva Mahabaleshwar and Lakshmi Narayana.

During the Dasara festival, on Vijayadashami, the Jumboo Savari, traditional Dasara procession goes onto the streets of Mysore city. Idol of the Goddess Chamundeshwari which is placed on a Golden mantapa, on the top of a decorated elephant. Balarama, the elephant has been performing this great venture from the past 9 years.

The Goddess Chamundeshwari is worshipped by the royal couple and other invitees. The summit of the Chamundi hills offers a panoramic view of Mysore's landmarks like the race course, the Lalitha Mahal palace, Mysore Palace, Karanji and Kukkarahalli lakes.

Statue of Mahishasura

Not just the statue of Nandi, you can find many cows on top of Chamundi Hills which the Hindus consider sacred.

Once you reach Chamundi Hills Mysore, I am sure you will be able to find many people whom you would find good subjects for photography.

I would say Chamundi Hills is a must go if you are planning for a one day or two day weekend trip to Mysore.

Radha Krishna - Symbolism of Real Love

Camera: Fujifilm Finepix S9600 Digital
Exposure: 2 Seconds
Aperture: F/4
ISO: 80

Radha Krishna is a Hindu deity. Krishna is often referred as svayam bhagavan in Gaudiya Vaishnavism theology and Radha is a young woman, a gopi who is Krishna's supreme beloved. With Krishna, Radha is acknowledged as the Supreme Goddess, for it is said that she controls Krishna with Her love. It is believed that Krishna enchants the world, but Radha "enchants even Him. Therefore She is the supreme goddess of all. Radha Krishna".