Long have I Wished to share the divinity I experience through the Enchanting Spells of Nature.
The Joy I experienced in the Magical World of Nature had to be shared.
A year Ago and out of the Blue I met two bloggers at a restaurant in Delhi and the world of blogging opened up to me.
Thus , a year ago, was born The blog “Enchanted Forests”.
All that I will share and have shared to date links Nature , India and Mythology in an attempt to showcase a Wonderland I experience daily.
You will find all your senses bloom , each ray of the sun and caress of the wind will be like the touch of the Divine.
Lets celebrate together and take Flight.
lets fly together
TODAY AM ADDING THREE ADDITIONS ONE MONTH AFTER THE FIRST POST.
The awards are nominations thus far , so I guess have to work hard for these coveted awards.
Blogger recognition award
One year in the World of Blogging ,I have found my sense of Peace and Joy.
Am particularly grateful to the thousands who have chosen to subscribe to the blog and leave their footprints by re blogging, linking and sharing, through comments and views on Enchanted Forests.
The All seeing Eyes of Lord Buddha on a Stupa in Ladakh.
Interesting to note is the Crescent Moon a Symbol used by Tantrics in Hinduism or from Islam ?
All seeing Eyes
The Tantric traditions of Tibetan Buddhism borrow the Trishul of Lord Shiva worshipped by Hindus.
The Trident
The Fluttering Dragon Flag of the Drukpa Lineage of the Hemis Monastery at the 3 Idiot School & Hemis Nunnery during the Winter Festival in Shey , Ladakh.
The Willows have shed their leaves in Winter when temperatures call fall to – 25. C
Flying Dragon
This is in continuation of the post yesterday titled HIMALAYAN SYMBOLS.
The Enchanting Colourful Prayer Flags are all over and are in sharp contrast to the Beautiful but Arid High Altitude Desert that is Ladakh. ( the featured image says this better than my words)
Ladakh ( numerous blogs from FEB/MARCH 2016 will reveal more) is an unusual and Wondrous Region in the lap of The Himalayas in Jammu & Kashmir, India.
However here I am focusing on one Symbol in particular which you will see strike you between your eyes repeatedly in Buddhist Ladakh.
This was hand painted on the Wall of the Dining Room of a Hotel in Leh, Ladakh.
Symbols from Nature around a Chakra
The “Dharam Chakra” is seen again on a Curtain in the Hemis Monastery ( see earlier blogs on the Monastery) in the main courtyard. Do notice the Wheel or Chakra always has Eight Spokes.
In Black & White
The featured image is a zoom in of the top of the gate which welcomes you to the “3 Idiot School” ( do see an earlier blog on the school to know more) in Shey, Ladakh. The Chakra is held aloft between Two Mighty Dragons.
What do the symbols signify, what is the message they convey to you ? Three pictures, three depictions , three different locations and three different materials, yet the Symbol is Constant.
A subsequent blog will reveal more symbols seen along with the spectacular terrain of Ladakh.
Rain Lilies is what they are commonly referred to, as a few drizzles and these Geometrically Perfect Blossoms spring out from Green blade like leaves.
I do recall seeing a Pink variation covering the Rain fed Hills of Sikkim and was thus pleasantly surprised to see Rain Lilies decked in White in the Corinthian Resort & Club, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Rain Lilies
Many trees and plants are neatly labelled in this resort and that is really helpful in honing down the time required to identify Flora and their Botanical names.
Though in this case the Botanists of the Resort have erred slightly ( Zypranthus Lily ?) in the botanical ( scientific) name and if they wish they could update it.
These Perfectly proportioned Six Petaled White Lilies with Green Centres and Saffron stamens remind me of the colours of the Indian Tricolour.
Wind and Rain
The Fairy Lily or Rain Lily ( Common names),Zephyrtanthes candida ( Scientific name) is a Flower native to Central and South America and belongs to the Nargis family Amaryllidaceae. ( knowing the family is very important as mentioned in earlier blogs too )
The Contrasting Black Seeds seem to be Wind Blown and the Perfect Flowers spring forth with the arrival of The Monsoons, announcing the end of the Hot Summer months.
Flower and Seeds
You will see these lovely Nature Perfect Lilies in White, Pink and Yellow across India as they are are Naturalized here but hide many toxic alkaloids in their Bulbs under the ground.
The botanical name of the Fairy Lily arises from the name of the Greek Wind God, Zephyrand the life giving Monsoons ( rainy season) bearing Rain clouds arrive in India buffeted by Winds from The Indian Ocean and beyond.
It is so often that tiny rural roads, bereft of traffic and burly trucks , unfurl Pellets of Joy.
The narrow road from Yawat, off the Pune-Solapur Highway , Maharashtra,India, leading to the Spectacular and Ancient Bhuleshwar Temple was one such Bundle of Joy. It winds through the most interesting agricultural fields of Food and Flowers.
Monsoon Clouds over a Lush Bajra Field
Bajra ( Hindi) is a mineral rich, gluten free Millet which has a History of over 5000 Years in India and predates the advent of Wheat by hundreds ,nay thousands , of years.
Also known as Pearl Millet ( English), Pennisetum glaucum( Scientific name), it forms the staple food of many a rural households in Maharashtra in the form of a Bread ( Roti) called “BajraBhakri”.
Resembling “Pearly” Rush Reeds
I often confuse Bajra with Jowar , another millet known as Sorghum in English. Both are mineral rich millets and a wonderful alternative for those that are Gluten Intolerant and cannot consume Cereals like Wheat.
I remember a delicious milk pudding ( usually served Hot) called ” Bajre ki Kheer” which I had when I was younger. Little did I realize that one day I would be fortunate to see the Little Black Pearls in the Pudding growing in fields near Pune.
“Some dropping low their crimson bells, Half closed, and others studded wide with disks and tears” Tennyson
The Corinithians Resort & Club , Pune, Maharashtra is an expansive property spread over hillocks at the edge of the Historical and Culturally Rich City of Pune in Western India.
It was here that I was mesmerized by bushels of Ivory -White tubular flowers that cascaded over near-leafless Stems.
Streaks of Red
The Rasili ( Hindi) , Firecracker or Coral Plant or Fountain Bush ( English), Russelia equisetiformis ( Scientific name) as the common names suggest as well is however a Shrub bearing an explosion of Red Flowers.
But I was in for a surprise as here I was seeing a clone of the Firecracker Plant bearing Ivory White Flowers. I had seen them in Red but seeing them in Off white or Ecru was indeed a Wonderful Surprise.
Have a look at the picture below to compare the flowers of the same species but with flowers in different colours.
The Clone and the Original
The Original has left a streak of Red in the Cultivated Clones in the cascading Fountain of Flowers that literally flow onto one another.
These lovely Tresses of Blooms originally come all the way from Guatemala in the Americas not only look beautiful but are “WATERWISE” as well.
The characteristic of near- invisible leaves probably assists in conserving water, now a precious resource.
Fountain Bush
Certain compounds called Lupeol have been extracted from this profusely flowering but Waterwise Bush which works as a natural Cure for Malaria and has anti inflammatory properties ( thus helps people suffering from arthritis) as well.
An Enchanting and Wise Firecracker of a Plant, do you not agree ?
All Alone in a Lily Pond 
Budding Beauties 
All Decked Up 
