and now for something completely different

[jack russell]

Here's a perfect example of what the diverse and multicultural mix brings to Toronto .. I knew of this spot from news, dropped by and had a great conversation with some of the people inside the temple .. I'm more than welcome and that was obvious.. the issue is no cameras inside .. I shot the outside as the people I chatted with said no issue .. I did a little look up .. I think it's Indian - Hindu and is known as Swaminarayan Mandir .. I likely butchered that so please excuse me and with our international members I hope we learn more.. .. the place is stunning .. I'm going back for a guided tour inside .. you guys gotta show up live to see .. here's a few.. put on your sunglasses.. pure WHITE stone.. no iron, just some ancient locking method to join the pieces..

this first one sure mixes our cultures.. not sure if Tulips bloom in India?



a side view of the front entrance



one of the many towers



and this was one of many .. I laughed (all due respect) as I see Kanad and think Canada



I hope you like them, and pardon my ignorance to the culture, I'll take guidance and as I said Im going back inside for a tour...

[Fred flyfisher]

Wow, beautiful structure Jack. The stone is joined by locking it together? Wow. Very interesting. Nicely captured my friend. Love the blue sky. An you got the exposure just right on the white stone. Good job all the way around.

[newPerspective]

Hey Jack, lovely captures. You are right, it is a Hindu temple and you got the name right too. And the architecture is spectacular. And a study on Hindu Temple architecture is very interesteing, its amazing how they can acheive structural strenghten and stabilty using old traditional methods.

For any So. Californians interested, there is a similar temple in Los Angles called the 'Hindu Malibu Temple'. Its simply beautiful. No photography is allowed inside the temple (actually almost all temples), so this is all I got:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettyp...7614515513343/


And no, I haven't seen Tuplis bloom in India , so this is a good mix.

[fstopMike]

Jack, I love the shot of the tulips in front of the temple. Great perspective! Good job on the others as well, that's some really tough lighting and you captured it well.

[jack russell]

thx guys .. I was more than impressed by the workmanship .. as is often the case I was rushed so didnt get what it deserved .. th wood was equally stunning ..

[jakethepig]

Jack, these are excellent photographs. I just did a google on this temple and there are some intersting pictures and details of the temple. Your first one is so good using the tulips in the foreground and a great angle for the shot. Having said that, they are all really good. Glad you went Jack and thanks for sharing them with us.

Jake.

[pjflan7]

Amazing stone work and beautiful architecture It is amazing what people will do for their gods.

[rawHulk]

well.. I am from india basically and I can tell you that the whole temple was hand-crafted.. I have actually seen people working on it in the very early stages.. it is supposed to be a replica of a bigger temple in Delhi, India.

Here are a couple of shots of the temple in Delhi taken from their website.. please visit the website for additional details..
http://www.akshardham.com/

[jack russell]

thx again everyone.. it is quite the structure.. RawHulk, like wow, that temple in Delhi is huge and awesome .. wow

[Fred flyfisher]

WHat abeauiful structure. Great job!