In an age of so much inconsequential tweeting, it’s worth recalling the advice of yogis: Sit still, they say, so still that a bird can land on your head.

From the cold lakes of the Himalayas to the sand dunes of western Rajasthan to the tropical rain forests in the south, India hosts a dizzying variety of birds, like a dizzying variety of everything else. Residents and visitors, common and rare, more than 1,200 species have been recorded in India, which puts it somewhere between the United States (just under 900 recorded species) and Colombia (more than 1,800 species).

More: The New York Times

४९.

कारेइ मोहन कारेइ सोहन, कारी कालेन्दजा के तट आयो।

खेलत गेंद गिरी दह में तब कारे से नाग लो जाय जगायो॥

नाग को नाथ लियो छिन में अरु कारे के सीस पै नृत्य करायो।

‘गोविंद’ यों प्रभु शोभा बखानत कारे कौ नाथ के नाथ कहायो॥४९॥

This Sawaiya verse depicts the episode of Kaliya-manthan in Vrindavan. Poet Govid says:

“Krishna was playing with a ball with his friends on the banks of dark, deep waters of River Yamuna, when his ball fell into Kaliya-dah, a part of the river where Kaliya Nag, the thousand-headed snake lived. Krishna fought with Kaliya and emerged victorious, dancing on Kaliya’s heads. I cannot describe in words the awesome scene…”

Kaliya Nag is a symbol of the 5 senses, and the episode signifies that the master of the senses should be Krishna, else the waters of life would be poisoned by the craving and misery that the senses are capable of bringing, just like the presence of Kaliya Nag in Kaliya-dah, Vrindavan, poisoned the fresh river water.

Summer timings (Begin 2 days after Holi)

Morning Darshan: 7.55-11.55 am

Sringar Arti: 7.55 am

Raj Bhog Arti: 11.55 am

Evening Darshan: 5.30-9.30 pm

Shayan Bhog Arti: 9.30 pm

Winter timings (Begin from Yam dwitiya/Bhai Dooj festival, 2 days after Diwali)

Morning Darshan: 8.55-12.55 am

Sringar Arti: 8.55 am

Raj Bhog Arti: 12.55 am

Evening Darshan: 4.30-8.30 pm

Shayan Bhog Arti: 8.30 pm

This picture was taken at a hotel in Jorhat, Upper Assam. The woven hat is embellished with Japi work.

Assamese gold jewellery in Japi style is another piece of art from this part of the country.

And not to miss the three kinds of handmade silk popular with locals: Pat, Eri and Mooga. Eri is the only traditionally vegetarian silk or ahinsa silk. Eri silk is crafted by tribals in Kerala too. Mooga is a natural golden silk which improves with age, and is family legacy.

Time: Pre sunset, Month: December

On the road from Guwahati to Jorhat, Assam

Welcome to a view of Kaziranga National Park, a World Heritage Site, famous for the one-horned rhino

There are 3 rhinos at a distance in this photo. Try and spot at least one!

[Photo credits: Anisha Sharma]

आरती प्रीतम प्यारी की, कि बनवारी नथवारी की

दुहुन सिर कनक मुकुट छलके

दुहुन श्रुति कुण्डल भल हलके

दुहुन दृग प्रेम सुधा छलके

चसीले बैन, रसीले नैन, गसीले सैन

दुहुन मैनन मनहारी की

कि बनवारी नथवारी की

आरती प्रीतम प्यारी की, कि बनवारी नथवारी की

दुहुनि दृग चितवनि पर वारी

दुहुनि लट लटिकनि छवि न्यारी

दुहुनि भौं मटकनि अति प्यारी

रसन मुख पान, हंसन मुस्कान, दसन दमकान

दुहुनि बेसर छवि न्यारी की

कि बनवारी नथवारी की

आरती प्रीतम प्यारी की, कि बनवारी नथवारी की

एक उर पीतांबर फहरे, एक उर नीलांबर लहरे

दुहुन उर लर मोतिन छहरे

कनकानन कनक, किंकिनी झनक, नुपुरन भनक

दुहुन रुन झुन धुनि प्यारी की

कि बनवारी नथवारी की

आरती प्रीतम प्यारी की, कि बनवारी नथवारी की

एक सिर मोर मुकुट राजे

एक सिर चूनर छवि साजे

दुहुन सिर तिरछे भल भ्राजे

संग ब्रजबाल, लाडली लाल, बांह गल डाल

‘कृपालु’ दुहुन दृग चारि की

कि बनवारी नथवारी की

आरती प्रीतम प्यारी की, कि बनवारी नथवारी की