Channeling rainwater to decorate the exterior, at Vittala Temple of Hampi - an idea from the era gone by

How brilliant the architects and the actual working sculptors and labourers must be, in the time gone by, when they had an idea of and actually built a temple where the exteriors have been carved out in a way that rainwater gets channelized within the intricate carvings, flows from special holes, and falls as tiny streams, thereby adding to the exterior decoration of the temple! WOW!


Each hole in this series is about a little finger thick

The Vittala Temple in Hampi is such a brilliant masterpiece! The usual praise for the Vittala Temple is indeed true. However, there are many more things to the beauty and skill in designing and crafting the masterpiece temple. One such speciality is a feature that enhances the temple decoration when it rains! Yes! Rain falling on the temple is used as a means to enhance the beauty of the temple! The intricate carvings on the exteriors have small channels that direct the water from rainfall. The water flows from small holes shown in the photos and beautifies the exterior further. It is said that in the era when the temple was built and was used regularly, at night, small lamps used to be placed behind, illuminating the flowing water. What a sight it must have been! I want a time machine!


A virtually hidden rainwater channel near the top-centre of the photo


Carved backdrop with the rainwater flow space in the front


Trying to judge the size of the hole the rainwater is expected to flow from


Virtually hidden channels to direct the rainwater to pass through specific holes

Shizusan - The Asian Bistro, in Phoenix Market City at Viman Nagar area of Pune

Here is a new one for the Asian food lovers of Pune: Shizusan - The Asian Bistro. Inspired by the traveller Shizusan's interesting stories, the restaurant serves and takes ahead Asian food traditions. Under the guidance of renowned head chef Paul Kinny, Bellona Hospitality's second venture in Pune [first being 212] sees brightness in Phoenix Market City. The restaurant specialises in Sushi, Sashimis & Nigiris inspired by Shizusan's travel stories from Japan, in addition to Vietnamese Pho, China-inspired Dimsums & Dumplings, Thai Style Basil Veggies, and the likes. They have gluten-free serving options as well!

Thank you Carpe Diem for inviting me for a food tasting bloggers' session. Special thanks to Pracey and Shivangi for the meet arrangements.

Skip to the photos, or continue reading ahead. Look out for the review by FitFoodieMegha.com in the next few days!

We were served the below menu. I tasted the vegetarian and non-alcoholic servings.

Dimsums and Dumplings:
Edamame, Petit Pois & Truffle Oil
Crystal Vegetables
Vegetable Chui Chow
Prawn & Chive
Shizusan’s Chicken Soup Dumplings

Cold Plates:
Shizusan’s 17 Ingredient Signature Slaw
Vietnamese Watermelon Salad

Hot Plates:
Pepper Garlic Mushrooms
Chilli Celery Cottage Cheese
Malay Style Chicken Satay

Sushi:
Sriracha Blush
Asparagus Tempura
Quinoa Maki
Dynamite Shrimp
Rainbow Maki

Steamed Bao:
Crispy Portobello

Rice:
Hot Stone Rice

Noodles:
Phad Thai Noodles
Chilli Garlic Noodles

Desserts:
Peanut Butter Pie
Tiramisu Asia

My tastebuds were the happiest while eating Chilli Celery Cottage Cheese; just brilliantly made. Sadly, the Vegetable Chui Chow lacked any taste. And, personally, I do not like the taste of Wasabi Cream served along with many. And oh yes, the Vietnamese Watermelon Salad was also impressive! The Crystal Vegetable Dumplings and Asparagus Tempura Sushi were also nice.

The pictures in the post will tell the visual story.

The Shizusan


Indoor seating


A decorative lamp


Asparagus Tempura Sushi


Asparagus Tempura Sushis


Chilli Celery Cottage Cheese


Asparagus Tempura Sushi


Quinoa Maki Sushi


Rainbow Maki Sushi


Crispy Portobello Bao


Crystal Vegetable Dumplings


Decorated indoor seating


Decoration


Dynamite Shrimp Sushi


Dynamite Shrimp Sushis


Edamame Petit Pois and Truffle Oil


Hot Stone Rice


Hot Stone Rice after mixing flavours


Indoor decoration


Indoor seating


Malay Style Chicken Satay


Orange Mocktail


Outdoor seating area


Outdoor seating


Pepper Garlic Mushrooms


Prawn and Chive Dumplings


Quinoa Maki Sushi


Rainbow Maki Sushi


Service desk


Shizusan's 17 Ingredients


Shizusan's Chicken Soup Dumplings


Sign board


Sriracha Blush Sushis


Table paper mat


Tiramisu Asia Cake


Vegetable Chui Chow Dumplings


Vietnamese Watermelon Salad


Wasabi Cream


Watermelon Mocktail

Verditer Flycatcher [Eumyias thalassinus, Stoparola melanops, Eumyias thalassina]

It is a beautiful Verditer Flycatcher! Can I call it a Spectacled Blue Flycatcher if a name describing the appearance suits more?



This is a small bird found in Asia, Europe and Africa. Lower levels of Himalaya and many parts of south-east Asia are their favourite locations. Although not comparatively well-spread, we can spot the bird in the Western Ghats also, where I spotted this. The grown-up males have impressive blue colour all over except the grey vent and black spectacle-like patches around the eyes. The blue colour looks really stunning! The females and juniors have a lighter shade of blue.



The binomial/scientific name of the bird is Eumyias thalassinus. The synonyms are Stoparola melanops and Eumyias thalassina.