Category: A2Z 2021

  • Sun Temple – Homage to an Ancient Indian God

    Sun Temple – Homage to an Ancient Indian God

    In the Vedic tradition of Hinduism, people worshiped forces of nature in the form of various deities. The Sun god Surya was one of the important deities of the era. However, Indians built many temples to worship this god. Today we are visiting the most prominent sun temple out of many in India. We are going to Konark to see the ruins of one of the oldest Sun temples of India which once was a magnificent temple complex.

    • Watercolour drawing of the north side of Surya Temple Konark (1820)
    • A lithography plate from James Fergusson’s Ancient Architecture in Hindoostan (1847)
    • Konark sun temple Photo by Chaitali Chowdhury Copyrights CC BY SA 3.0

    From the pages of history of Sun temple

    Though sun god is a Vedic deity, we have built its temples since the 7th century. Narasimhadve I of Eastern Ganga Dynasty built this particular temple around 1250 CE. The historic documentations of the planning and construction of this temple is written in Sanskrit with Odia script. This writing is in a form of preserved palm leaves manuscripts. These scripts surfaced during an excavation in a nearby village during the 1960s. The king sponsored the construction of the temple on which Siva Samantaraya Mahapatra was the overseer. This new temple site was near the old one. They re-consecrated sculpture of deity from old temple and established in this new larger temple complex. Many copper plates describe the development of the complex and address the temple as “great cottage”.

    “Here the language of stone surpasses the language of human”

    Rabindranath Tagore about Sun temple Konark.

    What can we see at Sun Temple today

    Temple had two parts, one mandapa and one inner sanctum called Deul. However, today only mandapa survives the tests of time and stands there with very intricate carvings and sculptures. Old documents suggest that shikhara of deul was around 225 ft high. It is enough to give us an idea about the glorious temple which once stood these grounds. The shape of the temple was that of a giant stone ornamented chariot pulled by 7 horses with 24 huge stone wheels. Wheels are very elaborately carved. If one looks at the temple at dawn from inland, it looks like the chariot is emerging from the ocean. Last standing part of Deul succumbed to the neglect and forces of nature around late 1800. 

    • Chariot Wheels illustrative intricate carving, Photo by Andrew Moore Copyrights CC BY-SA 2.0
    • Sculpture of a young woman on sun temple konark Photo by H. Grobe Copyright CC BY 3.0
    • Bansuri player and ghana player at Photo by Mike Prince Copyrights CC BY 2.0
    • Konark Temple Panorama Photo by Alok Prasad, Copyrights CC BY 3.0

    Carvings

    Walls are full of carved intricate motifs. There are many sculptures of male and female musicians holding various musical instruments including the vina, mardala, gini, sculptures of Hindu deities, apsaras. You can also see images from the daily life and culture of the people (artha and dharma scenes), various animals, aquatic creatures, birds, legendary creatures, and friezes narrating the Hindu texts. Along with these Konark temple is also famous for its erotic sculptures of maithunas. There are large statues of lions subduing elephants, elephants subduing demons, a warrior and a horse, etc. There was an intricately carved pillar dedicated to Aruna, a chariot marshal of Surya. This piller was in front of eastern stairs of the poarch. But today, the pillar stands in front of the Jagannath temple in Puri.

    In popular culture

    If you happen to visit this glorious place, don’t forget to check the chariot wheel which appears on the reverse side of our 10 rupees currency note. This signifies the importance of this temple to Indian heritage and culture.

    Stone wheel at Konark Sun Temple Photo by Subhrajyoti Copyrights CC BY-SA 4.0

    I am participating in the A2Z challenge with Blogchatter and this is my take on the ‘S’ challenge. “S is for the Sun Temple, Konark”. You can find my other posts from this challenge here.

  • Rashtrapati Bhavan – Palace of the President of India

    Rashtrapati Bhavan – Palace of the President of India

    In 1950, India took democracy and formed a republic after adopting the constitution written by our constitutional assembly. Dr. Rajendra Prasad took over as the first president of the Union of India. Today, we are visiting the residence of the President, Rashtrapati Bhavan, in our journey of Incredible India. 

    The history of the Rashtrapati Bhavan

    The Delhi Durbar of 1911 decided to shift the capital of British India to Delhi from Calcutta. After Delhi Darbar, they decided to build the new capital in the south of Old Delhi near Raisina and Malcha. The British Raj commissioned Architect Lutyens to design the viceregal palace. His design of the palace was grand, classical with colours and details inspired from Indian architecture. Lord Hardinge imposed budget restrictions during construction of the palace. As a result, the reduction of construction size by one third took place. Even after reduction, the completed viceroy palace was very similar to his designs. It took around two decades to complete this palatial residence. 

    When Chakravarti Rajagopalachari took over as India’s last but only Indian Governor-General and started residing in the Viceroy’s palace, he swapped the living quarters with a guest wing. This arrangement continues to be the same even now and the old Guest Wing is now the official residence of the President. Rashtrapati Bhavan hosts visiting heads of states and state receptions in this new guest wing which was original residence wing. As Dr. Rajendra Prasad took charge of the residence as the first President of India, they renamed Viceroy Palace as Rashtrapati Bhavan.

    • Rashtrapati Bhavan at evening Photo by Vinay Copyright CC BY-SA 3.0
    • Mughal gardens fountain Photo by India1277 Copyrights CC BY-SA 4.0
    • Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavab Photo by Ronak Shah Copyrights CC BY-SA 4.0

    What can we see there?

    This huge palace is spread over hundred and thirty hectares and has 340 rooms. We get a glimpse of many rooms like Ashoka hall  if we watch the footage of various ceremonies held in the presidential palace. Rashtrapati Bhavan has a gorgeous garden in the backyard. It draws the name of Mughal Gardens from their original design based on the gardens of Mughal era. Later during times of various presidents, landscape changed and today we see the blend of various landscaping styles. Mughal gardens are open to the public during the event of Udyanotsav every year during the months of February and March. 

    Rashtrapati Bhavan has a Museum Complex of three buildings, Clock tower, the Stables and the Garages. It helps visitors to get an inside view of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, its art, architecture and get educated about the lives of past presidents. Tourists can also witness the Change of Guards ceremony which is held on every Saturday. The bookings for any of the visits have to be done online via official websites only. Please plan your visits accordingly.

    Main Façade of the Rashtrapati Bhavan

    I am participating in the A2Z challenge with Blogchatter and this is my take on the ‘R’ challenge. “R is for the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi”. You can find my other posts from this challenge here.

  • Qila Mubarak – Standing Witness of the History

    Qila Mubarak – Standing Witness of the History

    Historically known as a Tabar-e-Hind (Gateway of India), Bathinda is one of the most thriving vibrant cities of Punjab. There are many lakes in the city. Because of them the city got the identity as the ‘city of lakes’. Today we are traveling to Bathinda to see one magnificent monument of national importance. This city bears witness to the long history of this country and 1600 year old Qila Mubarak stands guarding the gate. 

    Through the history book of Qila Mubarak

    In the 3rd century, a Rajput clan of Bhattis settled in the sandy region of Bathinda. Rao Bhatti laid the foundation of the city along with a city of Bhatner in Rajasthan. People believe that both of the cities were founded around the same time. Power over Qila Mubarak and Bathinda kept changing hands between different Rajput clans. Qila is situated on Lahore –  Delhi route. Because of this position, the fort became strategically and commercially important.

    During reign of Chauhans, this fort in Bathinda acted as a border post. It was the centre of actions when Muhammad Ghori attacked. After the defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan in the second battle of Tarain, Qila Mubarak was under the control of the Ghurid dynasty. When the Delhi Sultanate came in power as a successor to Indian region of the Ghurid empire, Qila Mubarak came under their control. Conspirators captured and dethroned the first female ruler of Delhi sultanate, Razia Sultan, at this fort.

    Guru Nanak Dev, Guru Teg Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh visited this fort during their times. 

    • Qila Mubarak in 1906
    • Main Building of Fort Photo by Lavish Thakkar-Copyrights-CC BY-SA 3.0
    • Inside Quila Mubarak complex – Photo by Devinder kaur Copyrights CC BY-SA 4.0
    • Gate of Qila Mubarak – Photo by Raghbirkhanna Copyrights CC BY-SA 4.0

    The present day sight

    Today, we can see outer walls which have been standing tall for the past 1600 years. The fort covers a vast area. There are pathways and lawns within the walls. It has 36 battlements in these huge 118 ft brick walls. Main building of the Fort is still in pretty good condition. This was the place of king’s common meetings. Fort houses Gurdwara Qila Mubarak Sahib. This fort is connected with three Gurus of Sikhism. Because of this, Sikhs around the globe reveres this Gurudwara. Maharaja Karam Singh built this Gurdwara in the fort. Qila also hosts four canons made up with an alloy of silver, gold, copper and iron. Babar had brought these canons with him when he came to India for the first time. Recently Archeological Survey of India completed the repairs after an extensive two year survey of the site done by Akal Society of America.

    I am participating in the A2Z challenge with Blogchatter and this is my take on the ‘Q’ challenge. “Q is for the Qila Mubarak, Bathinda, Punjab”. You can find my other posts from this challenge here.

  • Palitana Temples – Glorious Pilgrimage of Jainism

    Palitana Temples – Glorious Pilgrimage of Jainism

    India is a birthplace of religions like Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Even though Jainism started way back in ancient India, Buddhism and Jainism took root in India around the same time. Mahavira, the twenty fourth and the last tirthankar of this age, gave the present day form to Jainism. Over the period, Jainism spread through central and westen parts of India forming a vibrant community. Then, this community created marvelous temples and shrines of tirthankars across the country. Our today’s destination is one of the holiest temples of Jainism. Palitana Temples, Shatrunjay Hills, Palitana.

    From the history book of Palitana

    During the reign of King Kumarapala of Solanki Dynasty, original construction of Palitana temples started in the 11th century and took 900 years for completion. During 14th century Turkish Muslim invasions, these temples were destroyed. Even though rebuilding started soon after the raid, most of the temples which we see today are from the 16th century. In 1593, Tapa Gaccha, the largest monastic clan of Jainism, organized a major pilgrimage on the occasion of consecration ceremony of the temple dedicated to Rishabhnath built by a merchant named Tej Pal Soni. As a result, momentum of the construction shifted.

    During the reign of Shah Jahan, Murad Baksh granted a Palitana village to Jain merchant Shantidas Jhaveri, and a complete tax exemption to this temple town. This helped the town to prosper further. Shantidas Jhaveri founded the Anandji Kalyanji Trust to manage the temples. Leadership of the trust is with the same family even today.

    • Palitana Temples in 1860
    • Shetrunjay Palitana Jain Temples From Archieves of The Bitish Library 1866
    • Palitana Jain Temples 1913

    Splendour of Palitana Temples

    Spread on the Shatrunjay Hill in Palitana, the temple complex has 863 temples forming nice clusters. Wealthy merchants from the community constructed many of the temples. Temples are known by the names of merchants. All temples are constructed with marbles. Large temples have marble halls supported by columns and many openings. Many of the smaller temples are only 3 square feet with Jain emblems. 

    Main temple sitting on the apex of the northern ridge of the hill. This temple venerates Adinath or Rishabhnath who was the first tirthankar of Jainism. Because it’s a main temple, it is made as the grandest of the complex. Temple has ornate architectural motifs of marble. Ornamental friezes of dragons adorn prayer halls of this temple. There are three ‘Pradakshina’ routes for this temple. India Post has also issued a postal stamp in 1949 with depiction of the Adinath Temple.

    • Sheth Motisha Tonk – Photo by Bernard Gagnon – Copyrights CC BY-SA 3.0
    • Carved walls of Palitana Temples – Photo by – Copyrights CC BY-SA 4.0
    • Adinath temple depicted on 1949 Indian postage stamp
    • Panorama of Palitana temples Photo by Pratap Tur Copyrights CC BY-SA 3.0

    Other than the main temple, there are many important notable temples in the complex like Adishvara temple, Chaumukh temple, Vimal Shah temple, Saraswati devi temple, Narsinh Kesharji temple, and the Samavasaran temple. Recently in 2016, they installed a 108 feet idol of Adinath in the complex.

    Do not miss this architectural marvel carved in marble when you plan to visit Bhavnagar District of Gujarat. 

    I am participating in the A2Z challenge with Blogchatter and this is my take on the ‘P’ challenge. “P is for the Palitana Temple Complex, Palitana, Gujarat”. You can find my other posts from this challenge here.

  • Orchha Fort Complex – All about royalty in one place

    Orchha Fort Complex – All about royalty in one place

    Before our independence, India was dotted with hundreds of small and big princely states. 565 of them to be precise. Current state of Madhya Pradesh has quite a few of them. We all are aware of big names like Indore, Gwalior and Bhopal. However, today’s destination is from a different princely state of Orchha. We are visiting Orchha Fort Complex from the capital city of Orchha Princely State. Town of Orchha is on the banks of River Betwa and in today’s Niwari District of Madhya Pradesh. 

    From the pages of history of Orchha

    In 1501 CE, Bundela Rajput Rudra Pratap Singh sensed political instability and carved his own kingdom with his fortress at Garh Kundar as power center. In 1531, he moved his capital to the town of Orchha. He died in the same year. His successors in 1570s agreed to become a tributary state of Mughal empire. Later when British raj came, Orchha became a part of a Bundelkhand Agency of the Raj. In the year of 1950, Orchha state merged into the Union of India as a part of Vindhya Pradesh state. Subsequently, Vindhya Pradesh state was merged into the state of Madhya Pradesh in 1956. Orchha fort complex took today’s shape with the building of various palaces over the period of century since its foundation as a capital.

    • Jahangir Mahal, Orchha – Photo by Vadaykeviv – Copyrights CC BY-SA 3.0
    • Paintings in Raja Mahal – Photo by Arun Sagar – Copyrights CC BY 2.0
    • Orchha Fort and Bridge – Photo by Mandy – Copyrights – CC BY 2.0
    • Palaces in the Orchha Fort complex – Photo by Pavek Suprun – Copyrights CC BY-SA 3.0

    Within the Orchha fort complex

    As you enter the complex through an arched causeway, you land in a quadrangular open space. This place is surrounded by various palaces, gardens and pavilions. Out of the numerous palaces in the complex, Raja Mahal was the first to be built during the reign of Madhukar Shah (1554 to 1591) and Jahangir Mahal and Sawan Bhado Mahal were built during the times of Vir Singh Deo. 

    Phool bagh is the royal garden in the fort complex with an underground summer retreat. This summer retreat has a unique cooling system with a water ventilation system. It showers droplets through the roof creating rainfall. Buildings in the complex have a particular style of architecture with projected balconies, windows with intricate jali work and big open terraces.

    Once you visit Madhya Pradesh, don’t forget to include Orchha in your itinerary. Other than Fort Complex, it has many other attractions like Royal Chatris, a number of temples and a beautiful Betwa River.

    This brings to the I am participating in A2Z challenge with Blogchatter and this is my take on the ‘O’ challenge. “O is for the Orchha Fort Complex, Orchha, Madhya Pradesh”. You can find my other posts from this challenge here.

  • Nandi Hills – Perfect Weekend Getaway from Bangalore

    Nandi Hills – Perfect Weekend Getaway from Bangalore

    All young Indians dream about high-paying jobs and life in metro cities. As you start slogging in the industry during the whole week, you crave for a perfect weekend getaway. Thankfully, Incredible India has gifted such sites to every metro city. Our today’s destination is one such weekend getaway from Bangalore, Nandi Hills. Today, it is a favorite destination for tourists to watch the sunrise. However, once it used to be an impregnable fortress.

    Story Time

    Nandi Hills are at today’s Chikkaballapur Distict of Karnataka. In medieval India, Rulers of the Western Ganga Dynasty recognized the importance of this hill and built a fortress on it. During the subsequent time of Chola period this place was recognized as the Hill of Happiness with the name of ‘Anandagiri’. In later period, Tipu Sultan of Mysore enlarged and strengthened the fortress. During the first war against Tipu Sultan of Mysore, army of General Cornwallis had to take the fortress by storm. This became the place of retreat for officers of the British Raj. Sir Mark Cubbon, British Commissioner of Mysore even built his summer residence on the hill.

    • Overlooking Tipu’s Drop – Photo by Andreas Metz – Copyrights CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
    • Nandi Hills Trekking Path – Photo by Wise Droid – Copyrights CC BY-SA 4.0
    • View from Nandi Hills Photo by Koshy Koshy Copyrights CC BY 2.0
    • Sunrise at Nandi Hills Photo by JzG Copyrights CC BY-SA 4.0
    • Bhoganandishvara temple Photo by – Dineshkannambadi Copyrights CC BY-SA-3.0

    When you visit Nandi Hills – 

    Trails and trekking paths of the Hills are famous amongst hikers and trekkers. There are various points and sites to visit once you reach the top of the fortress. Tipu’s summer residence, a small two story building with pond and park is one of the main attractions along with “Amrit Sarovar” a rectangular water storage pond. If you are able to reach before time, the sight of sunrise from the top of the Hills is completely captivating. There’s a cliff known as Tipu’s Drop. Back in the days, Prisoners punished with the death penalty were pushed from the cliff. There is a garden with a play area for kids and families to play and relax. A very ornate and sculpted temple of Bhoganandishvara at a nearby village Nandigram and a temple of Yoganandishvara on top of hills.

    So, if you are looking for a perfect weekend getaway from your hectic life of Bangalore or you are planning for a trip in the region, don’t forget to think about Nandi Hills.

    This brings to the I am participating in A2Z challenge with Blogchatter and this is my take on ‘N‘ challenge. “N is for Nandi Hills, Chikkaballapur District, Karnataka”. You can find my other posts from this challenge here.