The Guards Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

The Guards
(mythical beings that are a cross between a dragon, a dog and a lion)

The Dhammikarama Burmese Temple at Burmah Lane, Pulau Tikus, George Town, is the first Buddhist temple to be built in Penang. Originally known as the Nandy Molah Burmese Temple, the Dhammikarama Temple was built in 1803, on land donated by Nyonya Betong, one of its many woman patrons. The oldest part of the temple is the stupa which was consecrated in 1805. It is enshrined within an outer stupa which was constructed in 1838, together with the ceremonial hall guarded by a pair of stone elephants.

Mythical figures and religious icons dot the spacious compound, much of which were later additions. Among them are bell-bearing acolytes, myriad buddhas, chimeras and flying beings. Two huge and imposing-looking chinthes (mythical beings that are a cross between a dragon, a dog and a lion) flank the entrance to the main prayer hall. At a disused 200 year-old well is a huge pond filled with carps. Buddha statues in different meditative poses nestle in grottos marked with the names of individual donors as well as signs of the zodiac. A pair of winged chimeras called Panca Rupa look resplendent in the roles as "Guardian Protectors of the World."

A huge mural depicts the Great Renunciation of Prince Siddharta. The future Buddha is shown riding his steed Kanthaka in mid-air with his faithful servant Channa seemingly hanging on. Evil beings try to discourage him from his noble quest while good ones welcome him with open arms.

At the main prayer hall, voices are reduced to a whisper and the silence is broken only by the occasional ringing of temple bells.

crckt, gilbertom, serp2000, vasilpro, mvdisco, Clementi, jhm, Cricri, Budapestman, subhendu_bagchi has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

snunney (35840) 2009-11-15 4:48

Hello Janak,
A very good capture of this temple guardian. The detail and colours are well rendered under a good light.

crckt (7102) 2009-11-15 5:27

Hi Janak,
Quite impressive! Good colors and very good sharpness. Thanks very much for the note too.
Regards,
Shaeri

gilbertom (772) 2009-11-15 6:31

Mr. Janak:

The details in gold, show the richness of the sculptures
.
It is a culture very different from our here in the West.

Best regards,

Gilberto

serp2000 (9833) 2009-11-15 7:10

Hello, Janak,
An interesting note and good shot! I like the chinese culture. Nice colours and fine details!
Have a good new week!
Serghei

ManuMay (11554) 2009-11-15 8:21

Hi Janak!

Very good definition in colours and fine details, and optim point of view, also you had a very good light management...

Very good!

Have a nice day...

Manuel

Graal (59126) 2009-11-15 10:32

Hi Janak,
amazing details of architecture. Unusual sculpture. Well presentation and done photo. I like it.
Gr.,Aleksander

vasilpro (9805) 2009-11-15 14:19

Hello Janak,
Very nice and interesting composition, very nice colors and clarity.
Have a nice week, Vasilis.

mvdisco (11711) 2009-11-15 20:19

Hi Janak,
Great architecture and details,
picture very sharp and clear,
great colors and light,
Nicely presented and composed.
All my compliments and lovely place..
Michel

Clementi (45849) 2009-11-15 23:56

Ciao Janak,
very beautiful the detail on this dragon, perfect the sharp and beautiful colors. good job
Giorgio

jhm (83786) 2009-11-16 9:45

Hello Janak,

The detail and colours are well rendered under a good light.
The visual results are quite attractive and truly beautiful.
Sharpness and clarity be superb.
Good perspective through the perfect chose of your angle.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice evening,
John

Cricri (44115) 2009-11-16 12:06

Hi Janak
Très joli détails et couleurs que donne une belle lumière, bel angle de prise, intéressante note aussi
Friendship
cricri

neetslip (97) 2009-11-16 14:19

hello janak. very good exposure control and sharpness. beautiful! phil

Budapestman (43292) 2009-11-17 1:34

Hi Janak,
a splendid shot of this architecture with beautiful and rich details, the composition is attractive, the colours and clarity are superb. Tfs! Have a nice day!
George

Nicou (46211) 2009-11-17 2:33

Hello,

Très beau dragon, bien entouré avec la végétation, avec ce toit et le dorure, superbe captage latéral, de merveilleux tons, splendide.

bravo et amitié

Nicou

subhendu_bagchi (3786) 2009-11-17 2:34

Hi Janak,
here you have presented a beautiful perspective with nice light and depth. All are ok but I think you could take it from some steps right that provide you a bit open angle with diagonal vision and by this way you could also avoid the overexposed sky at right. But it is my choice only and your photograph is great in any photographic view. Very well done. Tfs.
Have a nice day.
Subhendu

sacavem (8693) 2009-11-17 11:41

Olá Janak,

This is one great portrait:) The Guards!
Beautiful light and colors. Very good job
well done.
Regards,
Filipe

pajaran (4320) 2009-11-26 2:01

Pozdrav.
Serija dobrih fotografija kojima ste nas upoznali sa jednom kulturom i dobri tekstovi, bravo.
Sve najbolje, Paja.

fabianoleite (1898) 2009-12-13 7:56

This different figure in exotic colors is a spectacle. Great colors, I love seeing the different worlds within Earth here on Trekearth. That's the spirit. Congratulations!