Jack-fruit leaf nest

Close to our office building is a jack-fruit tree about 50' tall. Near the tree top are several ant nests.

Closer look at one nest. This nest could be made of 30 to 35 leaves. The white material must be the binding material.

Ants are not just great explorers, they are expert builders too.
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Twisty Spirally Creeper

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Red Whiskered Bulbul

 

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What to see in Dharwad?

Dharwad is situated on Malnad-Baylseeme (plains-hilly region) border. Most parts of the city is hilly. Decades ago Dharwad was a town of seven lakes & ponds and mango orchards. The town had its identity as a education center and retirees' haven. Tiled roof houses surrounded by huge open space filled with tall trees and creepers were typical homes. Well, urbanization has changed life at Dharwad - its losing the charm rapidly. Yet, Dharwad is a nice place with plenty of interesting spots. Here's a list of places you must see.

1. Tapovan - This is the ashram established by Shri. Kumaraswamiji- a yogi, a philosopher, a humanist, a writer and a social reformer. The ashram's gardens creates a peaceful ambiance.
2. Karnatak University Dharwad (KUD) - Established in 1950, KUD is the one of oldest universities of India. Within the campus are several interesting places; the Botanical Garden; museums of Zoology, History, and Geology departments.
3. Botanical Garden of KUD is a home to rare plant species. One of the main attractions is Krishnae Ficus trees. This is also home to variety of birds and insects.
4. Dharwad Regional Science Center, KUD - a museum which makes learning enjoyable, wonderful place to spend quality time for children and grownups alike.
5. Ramakrishna Ashram - this is the Dharwad chapter of Ramakrishna Mission. The ashram is situated off Dharwad-Haliyal road, very close to Basava Bhavan in CB Nagar.
6. Karnataka College building - this iconic red-colored building was constructed by the British govt. It originally belonged to the Indian Railways. However, due to commercial reasons railway offices were shifted to Hubli, and this building was used as army barracks before converting it into a college. Even to this day, one can find narrow gauge railway tracks behind the main building.
7. Vidya Ganapati Devastana - this is the largest temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha in Dharwad. The temple is situated at KCD Circle.
8. Ulavi Basaveshwara Gudi - this historical temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is situated on a hillock, is probably the highest point of Dharwad. The temple is small but has lot of open space and greenery around it.
9. Kargil Stupa - A memorial to Indian army soldiers from North Karnataka who were martyred in Kargil war. The memorial is located just across District Collector's office gate.
10. Teachers Training Institute building - constructed during the pre-independence times, the group of red buildings was meant to house Indian Railways offices. The main building's twin tower is an architectural beauty.
11. Kittur Chennamma Park - named in memory of the warrior queen of Kittur who fought against the British army to retain freedom of her late husband's kingdom. Within the park is a memorial to John Thackeray the British collector who was slain during the rebellion at Kittur.
12. University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) - Established in 1986 USA, Dharwad is a major center for agricultural research & education.
13. Kelageri lake - one of the major lakes Dharwad has a 100+ year history. Migratory water birds camp at Kelgeri lake between November and April. Early morning is the best time to see them feeding.
14. Sandankeri - this little pond is known for its landscaped gardens, boating and musical fountain. The garden is open from dawn to 8 PM. Musical fountain show happens on Saturdays, Sundays and government holidays. 
15. Bendre Bhavan - A memorial to Jnanapith awardee Shri Dattatraya Ramachandra Bendre (Da Ra Bendre) one of the foremost poets of Karnataka and India. Bendre Bhavan is situated just across Sadankeri.
16. Prashantadhama ~ Durgadevi temple - a temple complex situated within the police headquarters campus right next to Sadankeri.
17. Remains of Dharwad Qila gates.
18. KCC Bank clock tower - This iconic clock tower of Karnataka Central Co-Operative Bank was constructed between 1954 and 1956.
19. Dattatreya Gudi - once upon a time, a temple on lake bank. Da Ra Bendre was a regular visitor to this temple.
20. Basel Mission Church - Probably the oldest church in Dharwad was established in 1836.
21. Nuggikeri Hanuman Mandir - is situated in a valley on the city outskirts. On the lake bank is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The lake creates a relaxing atmosphere during sunset. However the place is bit crowded on Saturdays, the day of Hanuman.
22. Someshawara Gudi and Shalmala Ugamasthala - This XII century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva has a peaceful ambiance. The 2½' tall black stone sculpture of Basavanna (Nandi) is a beauty not to be missed. A stone's throw from Someswara temple is the birth place of river Shalmala. The river flows through the jungles of western ghats and on its banks are historical places such as Shasralinga and Sonda fort near Sirsi.
23. Sanjeevini Park - is a hill garden created by Karnataka Forest Department about 8 kms on Dharwad-Hubli road.
24. Banashankari temple - this XII century temple built during Kalyana Chalukyan rule is situated in the village of Amargol about 12 kms on Dharwad-Hubli road.
25. Collection of ancient sculptures at Police Headquarters campus, opposite residential school.
26. Murgamata - a Lingayath monastery with a long history. Muruga Mata supports school and college going boys from simple surrounding villages by providing them boarding & lodging within the monastery campus.
27. Shankracharya Mata - a shrine dedicated to Sri Adi Shankaracharya is situated in Yalakki Shettar Colony (YS Colony).
28. Hondada Veerabhadreshwara Gudi - this is another ancient shrine dedicated to an avatar of Shiva. There is one damaged hero-stone at the temple. Going by the looks of the hero-stone, it could be made during Chalukyan rule.
29. INTACH HDMC Cultural Heritage Museum - This museum is situated inside HDMC HQ premises, Corporation Circle, Dharwad. It has a collection of cultural artifacts of North Karnataka. Also among the artifacts are some personal items of celebrity poets & authors of northern Karnataka.
30. Mallikarjun Mansur Memorial Museum - situated in one of the cross roads opposite the main entrance of All India Road campus is the museum of Hindustani maestro Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur.
31. Pandit Gangubai Hangal's house "Gangotri" situated in the older parts of Dharwad called Hosayellapur.
32. Sculptures gallery at Fine Arts College - This is a college for artists pursuing a career in the field of fine arts. The college campus has an open-air gallery of stone / cement sculptures within the college campus. This institution is situated on College Road, adjacent to RN Shetty stadium,

..and if you are a visitor to this city, do try out jolada rotti oota at one of the Kahanawalis of Dharwad. And if you are a non-veg foodie, then you must try one of the Savaji Khanawalis. For seafood lovers, there are a few restaurants specialize in seafood like Fishland near NTTF or AAI opposite District Court complex. Lastly, do remember to taste pedha at Babusingh Thakur Pedha shop in Line Bazar.

You might want to know what's around Dharwad.. check this post - places around Dharwad.
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Flavored Ceylon tea

Memories of 1989: in our apartment building was a friend named Ujuta Bandara from Sri Lanka. He was in Bangalore for his graduation. During one of the visits home he brought us tea packed in neat little wooden boxes, four different flavors. I remember two flavors- Cherry and Apple.

The box design was simple but attractive. Notice the drawing depicting traditional Sri Lankan dance on the side face.

On the bottom were instructions for making preparing tea. I simply loved the taste of both Cherry and Apple teas. I guess that's when I developed a taste for black tea. Now this box is a property of my niece Durga.

Instructions at the bottom & Transcription of steps.

The flavored tea were a product of Mlesna (Ceylon) Ltd., Colombo. If flavored tea interests you, check out the range of products online- Mlesna.

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