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Post 8:Everyone of us has heard about the musical pillars of the Vijaya Vitthala Temple of Hampi (Vijayanagara district,...
10/07/2024

Post 8:Everyone of us has heard about the musical pillars of the Vijaya Vitthala Temple of Hampi (Vijayanagara district, Karnataka) and of the Nellaiappar Temple (Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu).But do you that the musical steps too exist in one of the temples of ancient India?Yes it is.The temple consisting of musical steps is the AIRAVATESHWARA TEMPLE OF DARASURAM,in THANJAVUR DISTRICT,TAMIL NADU.The 2nd picture shows the 7 musical steps which reflect the sounds of Saptadhwani of classical music (Sa,Re,Ga,Ma,Pa,Dha,Ni,Sa).Atop lies the Nandi Shrine overlooking the Shivalinga inside the Temple(Temple is called "KOVIL" or "KOIL"in Tamil). It is also a UNESCO world heritage site under the category "The Great Living Chola Temples" along with the Brihadeshwara Temple of Thanjavur and Brihadeshwara Temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram of Ariyalur district, Tamil Nadu, since 1987.

Post 7: Today, I am writing a topic on a specific feature found in North Indian temple architecture, which is popularly ...
03/07/2024

Post 7: Today, I am writing a topic on a specific feature found in North Indian temple architecture, which is popularly called the Nagara architecture as per Indian art and culture. After taking some holy dip on South India in the earlier posts, let's talk about the "PANCHAYATANA STYLE" of this Nagara architecture.As the word denotes, Panch means five and Ayatana means Area and the meaning, therefore, can be suggested that the Main temple is surrounded by other four subsidiary shrines (or four smaller temples)within the same Temple complex, and the four subsidiary shrines were built in four directions(East,West,North,South),depicting that God is present everywhere.Especially, the PANCHAYATANA STYLE of Temples are mainly the shrines of Lord Vishnu, and the concept was started by the rulers of the Gupta empire,notably Chandragupta II or Chandragupta Vikramaditya.It is because Chandragupta II learnt about the tales on Vishnu Purana from his Navratnas(nine brilliant ministers of his court) and whenever he came to know the story of Prahlada and Narasimha (Prahlada told his father Hiranyakashyapa that Lord Vishnu is present in the pillar of the palace too),he took up the above concept and started constructing the main Temple along with four other temples, with sculptures depicting the stories from the Vishnu Purana.Later on, the concept became wider and later Gupta rulers began building PANCHAYATANA temples of other deities related to Shakti cult and Shaivism. Some prominent examples have been brought before you but unfortunately, most of them are in ruins and these are:
Pic1:DASHAVATARA TEMPLE(DEOGARH, LALITPUR,UTTAR PRADESH).
Pic2:NACHNA KUTHARA TEMPLE(PANNA,MADHYA PRADESH).
Pic3:BHUMARA TEMPLE(SATNA,MADHYA PRADESH)
Pic4:KANKALI DEVI TEMPLE(TIGAWA,KATNI,MP).
Here, the picture 3 contains a Shiva Linga with a face sculpted on it, personifying the presence of Lord Shiva within the Shivalinga, and this structure is popularly called the "MUKHALINGA".

Post 6:Today, let's talk about a majestic temple in Madhya Pradesh,where Lord Rama is worshipped as a king but not as Go...
28/06/2024

Post 6:Today, let's talk about a majestic temple in Madhya Pradesh,where Lord Rama is worshipped as a king but not as God and the monument is located at Orchha, Niwari district,MP,whose name is Ram Raja Temple.The temple was built in 16th century by Bundela Rajput king,Madhukar Shah,after his wife,Ganesh Kunwari brought an idol of Lord Rama(which was in living form)from Ayodhya to Orchha and the idol is placed in the Garbhagriha of the Ram Raja Temple.Madhukar Shah and Ganesh Kunwari are believed to be the reincarnations of King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya, mother of Lord Rama respectively (Dasharatha had the desire to see Rama as king but Rama went to exile and Dasharatha died after Rama's leave.Rama, on his arrival to Vaikuntha,told Dasharatha's soul that in kalyug, he would be able to see Rama as king). The Orchha Palace,where Madhukar Shah lived, was built parallel to the Garbhagriha of the Ram Raja Temple.Even today,not a single VIP,including CM of MP,is not given guard of honour on arriving at Orchha,as the people of Orchha believe Rama is the only ruler of Orchha and noone else.This is the only temple in india where Lord Rama is worshipped as a king.

Post 5: One of the most profound and notable places of India, that is worth visitable,from both historical and mythical ...
25/06/2024

Post 5: One of the most profound and notable places of India, that is worth visitable,from both historical and mythical point of view,is Rajgir or Rajagriha,located in Nalanda district,Bihar.The place was earlier known as Girivraja(as it was surrounded by mountain Chaitakya during Jarasandha's rule),as mentioned in the Mahabharata.Some of the important tourist attractions associated with Rajgir are:
1.Ghoda Katora(Horse shapped lake with a Buddha statue in between).
2.Suraksha Dwar (or Cyclopean walls):made by Jarasandha as a fortification for Rajgir by covering 5 mountains(Vipulgiri,Ratnagiri, Udayagiri,Songiri,Vaibhavgiri).
3.Jarasandh ka Akhara (the site contains a quality of creamy soil).
4.Vulture peak(Griddhrakuta):A place of recreation for Lord Buddha during princehood as Siddhartha.
5.Saptaparni caves
6.Sonbhandar caves (with sculptures on walls)
7.Sonbhandar Caves' entrance.
8. Brahma kund.
9. Vishnupad temple (Temple containing foot of Lord Vishnu when he slained Gayasura).
10.Mahabodhi temple.
11.Sujata temple.
12. Sujata stupa (Sujata was a maid who offered Kheer to Gautama Buddha).
13.Indosan Nipponji Buddhist temple.

Post 4:Travelling from Orchha(Niwari district,MP)to Khajuraho (Chattarpur district,MP),a distance of 166 km(approximatel...
24/06/2024

Post 4:Travelling from Orchha(Niwari district,MP)to Khajuraho (Chattarpur district,MP),a distance of 166 km(approximately),one can catch the majestic view of the Khajuraho group of monuments,designated as UNESCO world heritage sites since 1986.The prominent temples,as we know, predominantly includes the Kandariya Mahadev Temple,Jagadamba temple,Chitragupta temple,Chaturbhuj Temple,Lakshmana temple,Yogini Temple and many others.But,among these temples,there is an unique temple which is considered to be the newest (built in 19th century)and different from the other monuments at Khajuraho.The name of that exception is the PRATAPESHWAR TEMPLE,built by King Pratap Singh of Chattarpur and the temple has also been named after him.The monument has been called unique as it stands proudly as a marvellous combination of 5 different religions.The temple,if one observes carefully,can get through its architectural techniques by looking that:1.The first dome of the Temple represents combination of Mughal and Rajputana style of architecture,accompanied by two smaller chattris on two sides.
2.The second one represents a pagoda,symbolising Buddhism.
3.The third one represents a shikhara with North Indian temple architecture (Nagara style), symbolising Hinduism,surrounded by three smaller chattris built in Gurudwara style(Sikhism),Church style(Christianity)and Islamic style,thus depicting the conglomeration of 5 religions (Hinduism,Islam, Christianity,Buddhism, Sikhism).
The Temple is worth to visit,and hence,one should not miss its glimpse on visiting the Khajuraho group of monuments.

Post 3: I think these marvellous monuments need no introduction.As we all know, the "Group of monuments at Mahabalipuram...
23/06/2024

Post 3: I think these marvellous monuments need no introduction.As we all know, the "Group of monuments at Mahabalipuram"(Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram) at Chengalpattu district has been standing proudly as a renowned UNESCO world heritage site since 1984.In this post, I am discussing the route to visit these architectural marvels one after another, without missing a single destination.The pictures have also been arranged accordingly as per the route pattern and are as follows:
1.Shore Temple (or seven pagodas)>>2.Mahabalipuram sculpture museum>>3.Practice panel for Arjuna's penance and Descent of the Ganges near lighthouse>>4.Pancha Rathas (5.the Elephant and the 6.Nandi bull sculpture are along with Pancha Rathas)>>7.Indian Seashell Museum(opposite Pancha Rathas)>>8.Olakkaneswara Temple(Old lighthouse)>>Ramanuja cave(containing 9. the Anantashayi Vishnu and 10.Mahisasuramardini panel)>>11.Draupadi pond>>12.Krishna's butter ball>>13.Ganesha Ratha>>Varaha caves (having14. Gajalakshmi 15. Bhuvaraha and 16.Trivikrama panel)17.Trimurti cave temple 18.Mahavishnu pillars(Dashavataram pillars)19.Arjuna's penance and Descent of the Ganges 20.Krishna mandapam 21.Mukunda Nayanar temple 22.Vallaiyankuttai Ratha 23.Ganesha sculpture 24.Pidari Rathas. The sites from Sl.no.1 to 20 can be visited by walking from one site to another and for the sites from 21 to 24, take a tempo and head towards the ECR (East Coast Road) and on the way before reaching ECR, one can catch the glimpses of them.

20/06/2024

Post 2:In my previous as well as 1st post,I mentioned the places of Braj within Uttar Pradesh where Lord Krishna spent his childhood in and around and the route to visit these pilgrimage sites.In this post, I'll discuss the destinations of these places as per the route one by one.Hoping for your suggestions😊😊.
1.Mathura: Government museum,Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi along with Radha Rani Temple,Dwarkadheesh temple,Vishram Ghat.Thing to eat primarily:Peda.

2.Gokul:Raman Reti Ashram,Lord Krishna Temple,Brahmaand Ghat and Temple,Thakurani Ghat,Nand House and temples,Damodar Leela,Nand Chowk,Ras Khan Samadhi. Thing to eat:Malai Paratha.Chintaran Mahadev temple(7.5 km from Gokul).

3. Mahavan:Dauji Maharaj Temple,Huranga Holi festival.Thing to eat:Kheermohan.

4.Vrindavan:Nidhivan,Guru Haridas Temple(Guru of Tansen and Baiju Bawra),Rang Mahal,Raas Mandal,Banshi Chori Radha Rani,Guru Haridas Samadhi(Jeev Samadhi),Sri Banke Bihari temple,Sri Radha Vallabh ji temple,Sri Radha Raman Lal temple,Bansi vatt and temple,Bhandeer van,Triveni kup or Venu kup(well),Baldeo temple,Sri Pagal Baba temple,Ranganatha temple,Govind Dev temple,Fogala Ashram,Raval Dham,Surya Kund,Prem Mandir,Meera Bai temple and her cottage,Lord Shaligram temple,,Sri Madan Mohan temple,Sri Krishna Balarama Temple,Tatiya Sthan,Keshi Ghat(Aarti of River Yamuna takes place here),Sri Radha Raman Lal temple.Things to eat:Chilla & Kanji Vada.
Among these places,Raval Dham is believed to be the birthplace of Radha Rani,which is almost 12 km from Mathura).

5.Govardhan:Daan Ghaati,Sankarsan Kund,Punchari ka Lautha,Kusum Sarovar,Radha Kund,Mansi Ganga(Ganga temple),Kalidoh.Activity to do:Govardhana Parikrama.

6.Barsana:Kokila Van Dham,Shanideo temple,Sri Mataji Gaushala.At Kokila Van Dham,Shri Krishna appeared before Shanidev in the form of a cuckoo.

7.Nandgaon:It is the largest village in Mathura district.Places:-Nandeswar hill,Gaulok Bhoomi,Chandra Sarovar,Radha Rani temple,Brahmanchal mountain,Prem Sarovar.

If anything has been left out or mistaken by me,kindly let me know.

This is the first post of the newly opened page of mine,which I am starting taking the name of Lord Shri Krishna and sha...
16/06/2024

This is the first post of the newly opened page of mine,which I am starting taking the name of Lord Shri Krishna and sharing with you,the itinerary of "Braj Darshan",i.e.the places where Lord Krishna spent his childhood in Gokul.Braj is derived from a Sanskrit word "Vraja",which means a place of shelter for cattles,and hence,this is the very region where Lord Krishna used to take his cattle for grazing.At present,The Braj region is spread across 4 states of India:Haryana,Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan,Madhya Pradesh,but the majority of places related to Lord Krishna is located in and around UP.The such places located in UP that comes under "Braj" are-Mathura,Gokul,Mahavan,Vrindavan,Govardhan,Barsana,Nandgaon.
As far my visit and learning,the itinerary of "Braj" can be confined as:
1.Mathura-Gokul(12 kilometres).
2.Gokul-Mahavan(8 kilometres).
3.Mahavan-Vrindavan(35 kilometres).
4.Vrindavan-Govardhan(24 kilometres).
5.Govardhan-Nandgaon(30 kilometres).
6.Nandgaon-Barsana(10 kilometres).
Total distance to be covered-119 kms approx.
In my next post, I'll discuss the major tourist destinations and pilgrimage sites of the aforesaid places,including the "Govardhana Parikrama" and how to reach them one by one, in a detailed manner.Till then,keep on encouraging and smiling😊😊😊.

14/06/2024

Hello friends, in this page,I will try my best to cover all the states of our beautiful country from the perspective of tourism sector,dividing the states in geographical regions and then the itinerary to visit the notable tourist destinations located in that particular geographical region of that particular state.All of your suggestions are highly welcomed in order to improvise myself as well as to work hand to hand to boost up our Incredible Indian tourism to a great zenith.Cheers to all😊😊😊!!!

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