Kailasanatha Temple - Ellora

Kailasanatha Temple - Ellora

The Kailasanatha Temple at Ellora dates back to the period of the 8th century Rashtrakoota ruler Krishna I . It is a huge rock cut  monolithic temple built in the South Indian style. Ajanta  and Ellora, near Aurangabad are well known tourist attractions. In Ellora, are also  seen several Jaina, Buddhist  caves. The Kailasanatha temple is known for its architectural grandeur as well as its sculptural splendour.
 
History: More than 30 temples have been carved from the hillside here at Ellora during the period 6th-9th centuries CE. The most spectacular of these is the Kailasanatha temple, which is a colossal monolith with an ornate exterior, all carved out of the hillside. It was built during the period 757 and 773 CE.

The Temple: The Kailasanatha temple exhibits typical Dravidian features. A gateway, an enclosure for Nandi, and a mandapam line up in front of the sanctum which is crowned with a vimanam, composed of successively receding storeys, decroated with miniature buildings.

The mandapam in front of the sanctum is an enormous hypostyle hall with carved pillars. On either side of the Nandi Mandapam are two 50 feet high obelisk like pillars decorated with frieze carvings.

A collonaded gallery running along the bottom of the cliff face, forms a deep narrow passage that surrounds the temple. In between this cliff face and the temple is the pradakshinapatha. The narrow passage mentioned above has two storeys of hypostyle halls and porticoed galleries (as in the Tiruchutru Maaligais of the Dravidian temples of Tamilnadu).

The temple covers an area of over 60000 square feet, and the vimanam (tower) rises to a height of about 90 feet. It is to be emphasized over and over again, and seen to be believed that the entire monument was made by excavation and not by construction.

The temple tower resembles the rathas at Mamallapuram near Chennai in Tamilnadu.  The Kailasanatha temple resembles the architectural style established by the Pallavas of Mamallapuram and is yet considerably grander in scale. The shikhara (vimanam) displays a profusion of sculpted images. The shore temple at Mamallapuram was built around the same time as this temple.

While the shore temple was built dressed stone, the Kailasanatha temple at Ellora was created by excavating 400 000 tonnes of rock, calling for sheer brilliance on the part of the visionaries who architected the temple plans. Architects from the southern Pallava kingdom were sought for the creation of this temple.

Other caves of interest in Ellora are the Rameshwar cave, the Sita ki Nahani cave, and several Jain caves such as the Indra Sabha cave, all dating back to the pereiod 6th-9th centuries CE.

Elephanta Caves tempal

 Elephanta Caves tempal

The Elephanta Caves are a  great tourist attraction in the vicinity of the large Mumbai meteropolis. The Elephanta island is located 10 km away from the Gateway of India at Mumbai. These caves house rock cut temples dating back to the 5th century CE.

 elephanta.jpg (26015 bytes)

The Elephanta island was so named by the Portuguese, after the statue of an elephant near the landing area of the island. These rock cut temples dedicated to Shiva Mahadeva are rich in sculptural content. Motorboats take passengers from Appollo Bunder near the Gateway of India. .

How They were Constructed: This rock cut temples were created by carving out rock, and creating the columns, the internal spaces and the images. The entire temple is akin to a huge sculpture, through whose corridors and chambers one can walk. The entire complex was created through a process of rock removal. Some of the rock surfaces are highly finished while some are untreated bare rock.

The entire cave temple complex covers an area of about 60000 squrare feet and it consists  a main chamber and two lateral ones , courtyards and several subsidary shrines. Above the temple is the mass of natural rock.

There are three entrances to this temple. The ones on the east and the west marking the axis of the temple. A 20 pillared hall lines the axis, and on its western end is the cella in shich is enshrined a Shivalingam. The pillars consist of fluted columns standing on square bases, and are crowned with fluted cushion capitals.

The enigmatic image of Trimurthi Sadasiva: The Sadasiva manifestation of Shiva is carved in relief at the end of the north south axis.  This collossal 20 feet high  image of the three headed Shiva, Trimurthy is a magnificient one, considered to be a masterpiece of Indian art.  This colossal image represents Panchamukha Shiva, only three faces of whom are carved into the wall and it demands immediate attention upon entering the temple through the northern entrance. See All About Shiva for more information on Panchamukha Shiva.

Also on the southern wall are grand sculptured images of Kalyanasundara, Gangadhara, Ardhanariswara and Uma Maheswara. To the west of the northern entrance are sculptured images of Nataraja and Andhakaasuravadamoorthy, and to its east are images of Yogiswara and Ravanaanugrahamurthy.

Thus in the Elephanta caves, Shiva is portrayed in the non anthropomorphic Shivalingam form, as well as in his quintessential being emanating from the Shivalingam in the colossal image, and in 8 manifest forms.

To the east of the main temple is a courtyard, flanked by the secondary shrine. This temple contains six pillars at its entrance, four of which are free standing and two engaged. The entrance leads to a hall decorated with sculptured panels depicting legends from the Shiva Purana.

Nasiyan Jain Temple

Nasiyan Jain Temple

 Location:      At Prithviraj Marg, Ajmer
Built in:     1865
Dedicated to:     Lord Adinath
Attraction:     Museum with gilded sculptures
Significance:     One of the best Jain Temples across Rajasthan
How to reach:     One can easily reach Nasiyan Temple by taking regular Buses or by hiring Taxis from anywhere in Rajasthan

Nasiyan TempleThe renowned Nasiyan Jain Temple is to be found at Prithviraj Marg in Ajmer, Rajasthan. After the temples of Ranakpur and Mount Abu, Nasiyan temple is regarded as one of the best Jain temples in Rajasthan. Built in 1865, Nasiyan Temple is also known as Lal Mandir (Red Temple). Centrally located in Ajmer, the temple can be reached easily from anywhere in Rajasthan. Nasiyan Digambar Jain Temple is dedicated to Lord Adinath, the first Jain 'tirthankara'.

The two-storied structure of Nasiyan Temple is divided into two parts, where one is the worship area comprising the idol of Lord Adinath and the second is the museum including a hall. The museum hall gets the major attention due to its mind blowing interiors made up in gold. This exquisite museum depicts the five stages (Panch Kalyanak) in the life of Lord Adinath, in the stature of statues. With the dimensions of 40 x 80 feet, the hall is adorned with Belgium stain glass, mineral color paintings and stain glasswork.

The astonishing and inimitable display of the shrine, made it to be recognized, as the Golden Temple (Swarna Mandir). The focal hall is made surprisingly beautiful with gold and silver decorations. Digambar Jain Temple displays marvelous wooden gild representations, glass engravings and paintings, recounting the conviction of the Jainism with reference to the making of the world. Festooned by precious stones, gold and silver work, the place is also termed as Soni Ji Ki Nasiyan.

The celestial appearance of the temple creates a kind of divine aura that appeals to the mind of pilgrims and devotees. In the inner prayer chamber, small silver balls hanging from the ceiling absolutely enthrall the onlooker. The posh interiors of the temple boast of the aesthetic and rich taste of the Digambar Jains. In the vein of other Jain architecture, Nasiyan Temple has high fortifications encircling the temple complex. Jain Temple receives devotees, who come to pay their homage to Lord Adinath, from all over India.

 

Nasiyan Jain Temple also known as the Red Temple and located on Prithviraj Marg, this Digambar Jain temple was built in 1865. The main chamber consists of a double storeyed hall in which are housed large wooden figures portraying the Jain concept of the world. The hall is decorated lavishly with precious gems, gold and silver. The Nasiyan temple is one of the finest Jain temples in Rajasthan after the temples of Ranakpur and Mount Abu and is open to visitors from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with an entry fee of Rs 2. Rajasthan Jain Temples

Speaking of Jain temples, western India namely Rajasthan is renowned for its dazzling temples built by rich Jain merchants. Jain temples are the richest in India and their splendour surpasses Mughal architecture at its best. With marble as the central theme, Jain temples boast of amazing finesse apparent in intricate carvings especially on ceilings and pillars. Jainism continued to make its subtle impact even during the Mughal rule, with the only difference being that at times Jain temples were built on the lines of a fort with a high wall surrounding the entire complex.
 

Kiradu Ancient Temples

Kiradu Ancient Temples

 Distance : 39 km from Barmer

Kiradu Ancient Temples lie at a distance of 39km from Barmer city in Hathma village.You find an inscription here dating back to 1161AD indicating that the place was once called Kiratkoop and had once been the capital of the Panwara dynasty. The Panwaras owed their allegiance to the rulers of Gujarat at the time.


¤ Kiradu Someshvara Temple

The Kiradu temples are a group of five temples and are grouped as ancient temples, an important site from the archaeological point of view. The largest and the most impressive amongst them is the Someshvara Temple. Built in the 11th century, the Someshvara ancient temple is said to be the best example of its kind today. Constructed in honour of Lord Shiva (the Destroyer in the holy trinity of Hindu gods), it has a rather stumpy multi-turreted tower and beautiful sculptures dedicated to the god. The inner sanctum has a resplendent image of the Lord. At its base, is a large reverse-curve lotus, which has a resemblance with the early Chola Temples of south India. This ancient temple also depicts scenes from the Hindu epic Ramayana. Other notable features are sculptures of apsaras (mythical dancing girls from the abode of the Gods) and vyalas (a griffin-like mythical beast generally associated with the Buddha) which were rarely seen after 1050AD in temple architecture. All in all, although Barmer is a bit out of the way you’ll get your money’s worth when you visit Someshvara.


¤ Other Group of Ancient Temples

The other four temples, also considered as ancient are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu (the Preserver in the holy trinity of Hindu deities). The temples show the influence of the Solanki school of architecture which originated in Gujarat, which is not surprising given the close links the Panwaras had with the rulers there.

 

Madurai

Madurai

Location : Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Area : 22 Sq. Kms
Attractions : The Meenakshi Temple, Mariamman Teppakulam,Tirumalai Naik
Ideal Time to Visit : November to February

¤ Madurai, The Temple City

Tamil Nadu travel guide will takes you to another temple city of South India. Madurai is the second largest city of the state of Tamil Nadu. It is famous for its temples, especially for the celebrated Meenakshi Temple. Situated on the banks of river Vaigai, it derives its name from the divine nectar (Madhu) that was showered from the locks of Lord Shiva according to a popular legend. The city has a rich cultural heritage which it has inherited from the great Tamil era, which is more than 2500 years old. Once the capital of the great Pandya kings, Madurai was an important cultural and commercial center even as early as 550 AD.
temple at Madurai
Today, Madurai is a well-known producer of some of the finest textiles in India and some of the best harvests of jasmine flowers. The city of Madurai is also mentioned in Megasthenes' Indica. He was an ancient Greek diplomat and envoy to India in the 3rd century BC , who wrote praises about this temple city. Madurai's glory reached its peak, during the reign of the Cholas and then during the Pandyas' regime in the 13th century.


¤ History of Madurai

Madurai, the city is as old as its history, which dates back to the Sangam period of the pre Christian era. Madurai's honour returned in an impaired form in the earlier part of this millennium. Later, Madurai came under the rule of the Vijayanagar kingdom, after it was plundered by the destructive armies of Delhi (Malik Kafur).

During the 16th and 18th centuries, Madurai was ruled by the Nayak Emperors, the foremost of whom was Tirumalai Nayakar. In the Sangam period, poet Nakkeerar was associated with some of the Tiruvilayaadal episodes of Sundareswarar. Even today these episodes are enacted as a part of temple festival traditions.


¤ Attractions At Madurai

The ancient and historical city of Madurai has many places that pulls tourists from all over the world and makes it one of the most travel destinatiions in South India. Among the most famous attractions at Madurai, is the Meenakshi Amman Temple, where the main deities are Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Shiva. The temple has 985 beautifully sculptured pillars, forming the Thousand Pillar Mandapam Hall. It has also been the center of Tamil art, music and dance.

The Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam is another prime attraction in Madurai. The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Vigneshwara. This temple is also the host of the annual float festival celebrated in the months of January and February. Thirupparankundram, situated 6 kms southwest of Madurai, is a small town known for its sacred granite hill. This place is regarded as one of the six dwellings of Lord Subramaniyam.

There is also a cave temple and a rock cut temple built by the Pandyas in the 8th century. Besides these attractions, Munnar, Thekkadi Wildlife Sanctuary and Palani Hills are other places of interest around Madurai.


¤ Excursions

Meenakshi TempleMadurai travel offer a number excursion options, which are exciting and intriguing. Some of the important ones are Vaigai Dam situated at a distance of 69 km, on the way to Thekkady. It is a beautiful picnic spot and is popular with the tourists and locals alike. Situated in the Western Ghats at a height of 2,130 m above sea level, Kodaikanal is a picturesque hill station. It is about 120 kms away from Madurai. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at a distance of 155 km from Madurai. The sanctuary is famous as the natural habitat for a wide variety of animals.


¤ Shopping At Madurai

Shopping at Madurai can be fun, here you can buy cotton and batiks, for which Madurai is famous. The Prithu Mandapam Market is a famous market of Maduari, situated just inside the eastern entrance of the Meenakshi Temple. Let yourself relax and visit the Pottramarai tank to feel the essence of Maduari.


¤ Festivals At Maduari

Festivals are celebrated in all twelve Tamil months at Madurai Meenakshi temple. Some of the popular festivals are Chithirai festival celebrated in the months of April - May and Avanimool festival celebrated in the months of September - Ocotber. Other important festivals are the Navarathri Festival and the Float Festival celebrated in the months of January- February.


¤ Reach Madurai

By Air : Madurai has its own airport situated 10 kms away from the city. There are daily flights to Madurai from Chennai, Bangalore, Tiruchi & Coimbatore.

By Rail : Madurai is an important railway junction of the Southern Railway and is directly connected to Chennai and Tirunelveli. Madurai is on the Madurai-Tiruchirappalli-Dindigul-Quilon route.

By Road : The city has excellent roads connecting Madurai to all parts of South India. It has 5 Major bus stand.

Madurai is one of the oldest cities of India, with a history dating all the way back to the Sangam period of the pre Christian era. The glory of Madurai returned in a diminished form in the earlier part of this millennium; it later on came under the rule of the Vijayanagar kingdom after its ransack by the ravaging armies of Delhi (Malik Kafur). During the 16th and 18th centuries, Madurai was ruled by the Nayak Emperors, the foremost of whom was Tirumalai Nayakar. The Sangam period poet Nakkeerar is associated with some of the Tiruvilayaadal episodes of Sundareswarar - that are enacted as a part of temple festival traditions even today.

The Sangam age or the Golden age of Tamil literature – produced masterpieces way back in the Pre christian era and in early 1st millennium . Madurai was the seat of the Tamil Sangam or Academy of learning. The entire city of Madurai, is built around the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple – the temple par excellence. Concentric rectangular streets surround the temple, symbolizing the structure of the cosmos.

As early as the 3rd century BC, Megasthanes visited Madurai. Later many people from Rome and Greece visited Madurai and established trade with the Pandya kings. Madurai flourished till 10th century AD when it was captured by Cholas the arch rivals of the Pandyas.

The Cholas ruled Madurai from 920 AD till the beginning of the 13th century. In 1223 AD Pandyas regained their kingdom and once again become prosperous. Pandian Kings patronised Tamil language in a great way. During their period, many master-pieces were created. "Silapathikaram", the great epic in Tamil was written based on the story of Kannagi who burnt Madurai as a result of the injustice caused to her husband Kovalan. In April 1311, Malik Kafur, the general of Alauddin Khilji who was then the ruler of Delhi, reached Madurai and raided and robbed the city for precious stones, jewels, and other rare treasures. This led to the subsequent raids by other Muslim Sultans. In 1323, the Pandya kingdom including Madurai became a province of the Delhi empire, under the Tughlaks.

The 1371, the Vijayanagar dynasty of Hampi captured Madurai and it became part of the Vijayanagar empire. Kings of this dynasty were in habit of leaving the captured land to governors called Nayaks. This was done for the efficient management of their empire. The Nayaks paid fixed amount annually to the Vijayanagar empire. After the death of Krishna Deva Raya (King of Vijayanagar empire) in 1530 AD, the Nayaks became independent and ruled the territories under their control. Among Nayaks, Thirumalai Nayak (1623-1659) was very popular, even now he is popular among people, since, it was he who contributed to the creation of many magnificent structures in and around Madurai. The Raja Gopuram of the Meenakshi Amman Temple, The Pudu Mandapam and The Thirumalai Nayakar's Palace are living monuments to his artistic fervor.
Madurai started slipping into the hands of the British's East India Company. In 1781, British appointed their representatives to look after Madurai. George Procter was the first collector of Madurai.

Now after India's independence, Madurai is one of the major districts of Tamilnadu State. Later on Madurai district was bifurcated into two districts namely Madurai and Dindugul Districts. In Madurai District, there are 15 State Assembly constituencies and two parliament constituencies.

The history of Madurai will not be complete without mentioning the name of RaniMangammal, the woman of great skill and sagacity. History does not provide many instances of ruling queens in Tamil Nadu. Though it was considered that women were not suited to succeed the throne of a kingdom, Rani Mangammmal, however shines in almost solitary eminence as an able and powerful ruler in Tamil Nadu.

Madurai is famous for its temples.The Aappudaiyaar Koyil Tevara Stalam and the Koodalazhagar Divya Desam are the most important temples one should rarely miss to go. In the vicinity of Madurai is Tirupparamkunram, one of the 6 padai veedu shrines of Murugan (glorified in Madurai Sangam Nakeerar’s Tirumurugaatruppadai). Also in the vicinity of Madurai is Alagar Koyil, one of the prominent Divya Desam shrines of the Sri Vaishnavite faith.

Birla Mandir

Birla Mandir

Also Known As Lakshmi-Narayan Mandir
¤ Also Known As Birla Mandir

 

Strictly speaking, this structure is not part of the New Delhi Lutyens designed. Famous Birla Mandir in Delhi is essentially a Hindu temple which came up alongside with New Delhi and has therefore been pegged with it. Popularly known as the Birla Mandir, it is the first of the temples built across the country by the industrial family of Birla. Located just off Connaught Place on Mandir Marg, it is dedicated to Vishnu, the second of the Hindu Trinity of creator-preserver-destroyer, and his consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth.


¤ The Most Important Temples of Hindus

Built in 1938, famous Birla Mandir in Delhi was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi (Father of the Indian Nation) on the express condition that people of all castes and especially untouchables would be allowed in. (Refer to section People). Consequently a plaque at the gate reiterates that people of all faiths and classes are welcome. Till date, it remains one of the most popular temples in Delhi.


¤ The Architectural Brilliance of The Birla Mandir (Temple)

Birla Mandir is also famous for the festival of Janmashtami (birth of the Hindu deity Krishna). The festival is celebrated here with much goodwill and cheer.

The temple is designed in the Orissan style, with tall curved towers capped by large amalakas (circular ribbed motif at the summit of a temple tower). The exterior is faced with the white marble and red sandstone typical of Delhi’s Mughal architecture. The interior court is overlooked by two-storey verandahs on three sides; there are gardens and fountains at the rear. The profusion of sculptures, idols, spires and jalis, the Birla Mandir in Delhi is also considered as splendor in terms of its architecture.
 

 

Lotus Temple

Lotus Temple

 

Lotus Temple - a modern of Delhi is one such temple that facilitates the Bhai's Faith of Worship. The Baha’i House of Worship is dedicated to the oneness of all religions and mankind. Subsidiary buildings that afford relief to the suffering, sustenance to the poor, shelter to the wayfarer, solace to the bereaved and education to the ignorant will abound around the House of Worship.

There is no clergy in the Baha’i Faith and its service consists of prayers and readings of selections from Baha’i scriptures, and religious texts of the other faiths of the world.


¤ The Bahai's Faith

The Baha’is lay great emphasis on prayer and meditation. These, they believe are important instruments for the progress of the human soul, both in this world and the next. The Baha’is pray to one God, the Creator of the Universe.

The act of praying is described as ‘Conversation with God’.Meditation is perceived as the ‘Key for opening the doors of mysteries’. In that state, man withdraws himself from all outside objects and immerses himself in the ocean of spiritual life.

In the Baha’i Holy Writings, there are prayers for all occasions. Prayers can be offered individually or collectively. Great importance is given to prayers as is revealed in all the Scriptures.

However, the Baha’i Writings specify that the mere act of praying is not sufficient. The inspiration drawn from one's prayers must be translated into action that promotes the well being of humanity.

Worship

As with all other Bahá'í Houses of Worship, the Lotus Temple is open to all regardless of religion, or any other distinction, as emphasized in Bahá'í texts. The Bahá'í laws emphasize that the spirit of the House of Worship be that it is a gathering place where people of all religions may worship God without denominational restrictions.[2] The Bahá'í laws also stipulate that only the holy scriptures of the Bahá'í Faith and other religions can be read or chanted inside in any language; while readings and prayers can be set to music by choirs, no musical instruments can be played inside. Furthermore no sermons can be delivered, and there can be no ritualistic ceremonies practiced.[2]
Structure
Bahá'í House of Worship
Lotus Temple at sunset

All Bahá'í Houses of Worship, including the Lotus Temple, share certain architectural elements, some of which are specified by Bahá'í scripture. `Abdu'l-Bahá, the son of the founder of the religion, stipulated that an essential architectural character of a House of Worship be that it requires to have a nine-sided circular shape.[3] Inspired by the lotus flower, its design is composed of 27 free-standing marble clad "petals" arranged in clusters of three to form nine sides.[4] While all current Bahá'í Houses of Worship have a dome, they are not regarded as an essential part of their architecture.[5] Bahá'í scripture also states that no pictures, statues or images be displayed within the House of Worship and no pulpits or altars be incorporated as an architectural feature (readers may stand behind simple portable lecture stands).[2] The nine doors of the Lotus Temple open onto a central hall, capable of holding up to 2,500 people. The central hall is slightly more than 40 meters tall[6] and its surface is made of white marble. The white marbles are from Penteli mountain in Greece, the very same from which many of the ancient monuments were built and also many other Bahai temples[7]. The House of Worship, along with the nine surrounding ponds and the gardens around comprise 26 acres (105,000 m²; 10.5 ha).

The site is in the village of Bahapur, in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The architect was an Iranian, who now lives in Canada, named Fariborz Sahba. He was approached in 1976 to design it, later oversaw its construction and saved money from the construction budget to build a greenhouse to study which indigenous plants and flowers would be appropriate for the site.[8] The major part of the funds needed to buy this land was donated by Ardishír Rustampúr of Hyderabad, who gave his entire life savings for this purpose in 1953. [9]
Tourism

Since its inauguration to public worship in December 1986, the Bahá'í House of Worship in Delhi has, as of late 2002, attracted more than 50 million visitors, making it one of the most visited buildings in the world.[10] Its numbers of visitors during those years surpassed those of the Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal. On Hindu holy days, it has drawn as many as 150,000 people; it welcomes four million visitors each year (about 13,000 every day or 9 every minute).

This House of Worship is generally referred to as the "Lotus Temple". In India, during the Hindu festival Durga Puja, several times a replica of the Lotus Temple has been made as a pandal, a temporary structure set up to venerate the goddess Durga.[11] In Sikkim a permanent replica is of the Hindu Legship Mandir, dedicated to Shiva. [12]
Distinctions
View of the Bahá'í House of Worship at night

The Temple has received wide range of attention in professional architectural, fine art, religious, governmental and other venues.
Awards

    * 1987, the Architect of the Bahá'í House of Worship, Mr. Fariborz Sahba an Iranian born was presented the award for excellence in religious art and architecture by the UK-based Institution of Structural Engineers for producing a building "so emulating the beauty of a flower and so striking in its visual impact".[13]
    * 1987, the Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architecture, Affiliate of the American Institute of Architects, Washington, D.C., gave their First Honour award for "Excellence in Religious Art and Architecture" 1987 to Mr. F. Sahba for the design of the Bahá'í House of Worship near New Delhi.[1]

A pond surrounds the Lotus Temple

    * 1988, the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America conferred the Paul Waterbury Outdoor Lighting Design Award - Special Citation for Exterior Lighting[1]
    * 1989, the Temple received an award from the Maharashtra-India Chapter of the American Concrete Institute for "excellence in a concrete structure".[1]
    * 1994 edition of Encyclopaedia Britannica, in its 'Architecture' section gives recognition to the Temple as an outstanding achievement of the time.[1]
    * 2000, Architectural Society of China as one of 100 canonical works of the 20th century in the recently published "World Architecture 1900-2000: A Critical Mosaic, Volume Eight, South Asia."[14]
    * 2000, GlobArt Academy in Vienna presented its "GlobArt Academy 2000" award to the architect of the Lotus Temple, Fariborz Sahba, for "the magnitude of the service of [this] Taj Mahal of the 20th century in promoting the unity and harmony of people of all nations, religions and social strata, to an extent unsurpassed by any other architectural monument worldwide."[14]

Publications
Articles
Dawn in Delhi

As of 2003 it had been featured in television programmes in India, Russia and China. The Baha'i World Centre Library has archived more than 500 publications which have carried information on the Temple in the form of articles, interviews with the Architect and write-ups extolling the structure.[1]

    * In France, the magazine "Actualite des Religions" published a four-page article on the Lotus Temple in the fall of 2000 in a special edition called "Les religions et leurs chef-d'œuvres" (Religions and Their Masterpieces).[15][1]
    * Guinness World Records 2001
    * Architecture (magazine) Sept. 1987
    * Lighting Design+Application Vol 19, No. 6, Illuminating Engineering Society of North America "Taj Mahal of the Twentieth Century"
    * Wallpaper* October 2002
    * Progressive Architecture, February[1] and again December 1987
    * World Architecture: A Critical Mosaic 1900-2000, Vol 8, by Kenneth Frampton, Springer-Verlog Wien publishers, New York - "A power icon of great beauty ... an import symbol of the city."
    * Faith & Form - Journal of the IFRAA affiliate of the American Institute of Architects, Vol XXI "an extraordinary feat of design, construction and appropriateness of expressions"
    * Structural Engineer, UK (annual) Dec. 1987
    * Encyclopaedia Iranica 1989

Dilwara Jain Temples

Dilwara Jain Temples

 Dilwara Temples are one of the finest Jain temples & many even consider them architecturally superior to the Taj Mahal.
*Built between 11th & 13th century, the most outstanding feature are its exquisite carvings in marble.
The two temples Vimala Vasahi & Luna Vasahi are singled out by experts as superb examples of architecture.

¤ Dilwara Temples - An Architectural Marvel

Dilwara Temple Mount Abu's chief claims to fame are the Jain temples architecture at Dilwara, about 5km from Nakki lake. The Dilwara temples were built during the age of Jain supremacy and are one of the finest Jain temples India has to offer. Many experts consider them architecturally superior to the Taj Mahal. The architecture is marked by carvings that are not just ethereally beautiful in form but are often presented in a highly poetic context. For instance, one of the marble nayikas (maidens) is depicted as having just emerged from her bath. Droplets falling from her long hair are shown being drunk by a swan sitting by her feet.


¤ Exquisite Temple Carvings

Perhaps the most outstanding feature of Jain temple architecture is its carvings. and that is an understatement. Wherever one looks, be it pillars, ceilings, walls and floors, Jain temples go to the extreme – and beyond it – when it comes to adorning their temples with the very stone they work with. Jain mythology, saints, gods and goddesses, monks, devotees or just good old religious motifs all find their way in a spectacular rendezvous in marble and rock. Each nook and corner of Jain temples are so diligently carved that it’s a wonder that the edifice was created out of plain stone. Carving is perhaps not the right word for Jain temples – chiselling would be more appropriate. Their fragile delicacy merged with an architectural lexicon is what constitues the basis of these amazing temples. Simply put, there is not an inch where one can place his hand and not encounter a spectacular frieze.

¤ The Methodology of Carving

In the temples in Mount Abu even chiseling was put aside, and artisans adopted the sedulous task of thinning the marble into carved images, a worth noticing architectural splendor. This was done by gently scraping away the surface till a figure eventually emerged, so intricate and fine that it was intelligibly magnificent. This is the reason why the temples in Mount Abu and Ranakpur are said to be the finest Jain temples in the world.

¤ Marvelous Architecture Splendor
The architectural vocabulary of the region included ornamental rendering of flowers and creepers. The portrayal of Yakshini Chakreshwari, the attendant deity of Adinatha (first Jain saint) is an integral part of the temple. Keeping with the prevailing aesthetic norms the figures have sharp facial features set in broad faces and narrow waists. The intricately sculpted arches here are of two types; one with regular wavy undulations and the other, which is seen in the Vimala Vasahi, with exaggerated curves. Two of these temples have been singled out by many experts as outstanding. These are the Vimala Vasahi built in 1031-32AD and Luna Vasahi built in 1230.


¤ Vimala Vasahi Temple
Dilwara Temple
This Jain temple was built by Vimala Shah (variously described as a merchant and a minister of the Solanki ruler of Gujarat) to atone for his sins. This temple, dedicated to the first Jain tirthankar (fordmaker) Adinatha, involved a work force of 2,700 men and took a total of 14 years to complete at an exuberant cost, a worth noticing specimen of architectural splendor. Prithvipala, a descendant of Vimala, is also known to have added to the magnificent temple in 1150AD. The temple of Vimala is supposed to the oldest and the most `complete’ example of Jain temple architecture. The rather simple façade hides an amazingly beautiful interior.

¤ The Gateway

The entrance to the temple is from the east through a domed porch which leads to a six-pillared pavilion with a three-tiered smosan (a conventional representation of the holy mountain of the Jains) in the center. The smosan is surrounded by 10 statues including that of the founder Vimala and his family, each seated on a beautiful elephant chiseled out of a single block of white marble, about four feet high. These representations are now badly defaced, having been destroyed by plundering zealots.


¤ The Shrine of Jina Adinatha

From the pavilion one passes into a secluded courtyard. Here the temple resolves itself into a colonnade which forms an open arcade containing the shrine. Seated in the center of this shrine is the cross-legged seated figure Jina Adinatha, to whom the temple is dedicated. The entire interior architecture is leniently covered with elaborate carvings, but the splendour of the domed ceiling of this hall is what sets it apart from all others. Percy Brown, in his book Indian Architecture: Buddhist and Hindu Period, details the profusion of imagery that went into this ornate ceiling: "This dome is built up of 11 concentric rings, five of which, interposed at regular intervals, depict patterns of figures and animals…The lowest contain the forefronts of elephants, their trunks intertwined, as many as a 150 of these in close ranks. A few mouldings above is another border representing images in nichés, also repeated many times, and again over that a similar course of dancing figures. This is followed higher up in the concavity by a series of horsemen, finishing in the topmost storey with more figures engaged in an endless dance. Between these various figured courses are ornamental repeats, gradually becoming more pronounced until towards the apex they culminate in a grouping of pendants not like festoons of foliage suspended from the high trees of a forest." Superimposed upon all this, athwart the outer concentric rings, are 16 brackets that easily catch the eye. Each of these is a female figure, representing a Vidyadevi, or goddess of knowledge.

¤ Luna Vasahi Temple

The temple of Luna Vasahi dedicated to the 22nd Jain saint Neminath, was built two centuries later by two brothers, Tejpala and Vasupala. The inscription in this temple, however, ascribes its erection and endowment to Tejpalaa in memory of his brother. The inscription records that it was consecrated in 1230AD. This temple, though slightly smaller than Vimala Vasahi, illustrates further efflorescence of the style, accompanied by a richer elaboration of decorations. The doorways are framed by ornate bases, and the eight pillars of the assembly hall are loftier and of different types. In some places the marble is so finely carved that it seems translucent. The highlight is again the ceiling with magnificently carved figures of dancers, animals, mythological figures and processions of horsemen. From the center of the ceiling hangs a clustered and finely carved marble pendant. It is said that its artisans were told to make the pendant the only one of its kind, and were offered the weight of their marble shavings in gold. The more intricately they chiseled out the marble the more weight the scales got, making the artisans richer with each shaving.

Kanyakumari Temple

Kanyakumari Temple

¤ The Temple of Virgin Goddess

Kanyakumari is the southernmost tip of India and the merging point of three seas; the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. It is named after the virgin Goddess Kanyakumari whose temple is situated here on its shore.

Kanyakumari TempleThis temple is devoted to a manifestation of Parvati, the virgin goddess who performed penance to acquire Lord Shiva's hand in marriage. The temple is a major tourist attraction with neighboring ghat, beautifully placed overlooking the shore. It is an eminent belief that the diamond nose-ring of the deity is so shiny that it is visible even from the sea.

There are two rocks emerging out of the ocean, located southeast of the Kumari Amman temple. One among these is Sri Padaparai, where the footprints of the virgin goddess are believed to be imprinted on this rock. It is said that Swami Vivekananda sat in deep meditation here and therefore the Vivekananda Rock Memorial was built in 1970. Along with this there also a dhyana mandapam, which provides a tranquil atmosphere to meditate.


¤ Legend Related To The Temple

Legends say that the wedding of Kanya Devi, an avatar of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva was to be held here. But he did not arrived at the auspicious time and the wedding never took place. The food that was to be cooked was left uncooked. Here the stones resemble rice and cereals which can also be bought. According to the people residing here these stones are the leftovers of the legendary marriage that could not be solemnized. As for the princess Kanya Devi, she became a virgin goddess, blessing everyone who visits this temple.

¤ The Features of The Temple

The temple is entered mainly through the northern gate, inspite of the fact that the deity is facing east. The eastern entrance remains closed except for special occasions when the deity is taken out for ceremonial bath.

There are all together three corridors that skirt the sanctum. The outer corridor is deprived of special shrines, but after a walk round it the devotees cross the 'Navarathiri mandapam'. A pathway leads to the second corridor surrounding the shrine. There stands the flag mast or 'Kodisthambam'. The Goddess can be clearly viewed from here. Moving further you will reach the front of the sanctum.

The Idol of the Goddess stands with rosary in one hand as if in prayer. It is said to be installed by Parasurama and is made of blue stone. In the inner corridor, the shrines of Vinayagar and Thiagasundary are present, which is visited by devotees after worshiping the Goddess.

Temples at Pushkar

Temples at Pushkar

 

 ¤ Jagat Shri Brahma Temple

The only standing Hindu temple in India dedicated to Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, the structure around the temple was built in the 14th century and stands on a high platform near Pushkar lake. Brahma is one of the Holy Trinity in Hinduism, sharing the honour with Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer. Although a very large number of temples can be found all over India dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu, there are very few temples for Brahma, this being one of the holiest one.

Temples at PushkarMarble steps lead up to the temple where a silver turtle lies embossed in the floor facing the sanctorum. The marble floor around the turtle is littered with hundreds of silver coins embedded in the floor, and so are the walls of the temple. Images of the peacock, the vehicle of Brahma’s consort Saraswati, adorn the temple walls. Brahma here is shown in a life-size form with four hands and four faces, facing four different directons. A hans (goose, the official carrier of Brahma) spans the gateway to the temple which is crowned with a red spire. A small statue of the milk goddess Gayatri (whom Brahma married) near Brahma’s idol is called Chaumurti. Steps within the silver-doored sanctuary lead down into a small cave which is a Hindu temple of Lord Shiva.

¤ Other Temples & Ghats

Varah Temple
The Varah temple of Hindu was built in the 12th century and, and the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb is said to have destroyed it. Aurangzeb was understandably rather upset with the huge statue of Varah, the god with the body of a man and the head of a boar. However, Raja Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur thought differently, and in 1727 reconstructed the temple which now has a highly decorated inner sanctum where an idol of Varah is placed.

Mahadeva Temple
The 19th century Mahadeva temple with its five-faced statue of Mahadeva is made entirely of white marble. This Hindua temple is remarkable for its elegance of structure, and is perhaps the finest of all temples in and around Ajmer and Pushkar.

Ramavaikunth Temple
The Ramavaikunth temple is an intricately carved Hindu temple dating to the 1920 and has images of 361 deities. Its high stone spires atop pagodas and the rest of the temple were built by masons especially brought for this purpose from south India. The Savitri temple is located on top of a hill overlooking the lake. The hike up the hill is long and arduous via a stairway built in the 4th century, and if panoramic views are a necessity for you, the trek will be worth it. This temple is dedicated to Brahma’s wife Savitri and its origin dates back to over 2,000 years.

Gayatri Temple
The Gayatri temple on the other side of Pushkar is in honour of the wife who sat by Brahma’s side in Savitri’s absence during Brahma’s ceremonial sacrifice. Legend says that Gayatri was an untouchable and to purify her she was put into the mouth of a cow and taken out from the other end. To reach the Gayatri Hindu temple the best route to take is from behind the bus stand and walk up a hill. Both the Savitri and Gayatri temples are closed – so to say – during lunch hours and the best time to go is either before noon or in the evening.

Travel to Brahma Temple in Pushkar,IndiaRaghunath Temples
Two Raghunath temples exist in Pushkar; one is the old one and the other is relatively new. The Old Raghunath temple was built in 1823 and houses images of Venugopal, Narasimha (Vishnu’s fourth incarnation) and Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. But there’s a bit of a problem for foreign tourists visiting these two temples because of one little sign which says "Foreigners not allowed." These are probably the only binary temples in India where such segregation exists.

Pap Mochini Temple
Towards the northen section of Pushkar is the Pap Mochini temple, not really popular for its architecture or deity but for the simple belief that anyone who kills a Brahmin will be purified of this deed by visiting the Hindu temple, of course, all that was applicable in olden times, for today a murder is a murder and the law would hear nothing else.

Bathing Ghats
Where there is a mass of holy water there will be bathing ghats, and in Pushkar it is the same as all over India. Pushkar lake is surrounded by hundreds of ghats where Hindu pilgrims assemble to bathe, pray or just loiter around. Removing ones shoes would be a good idea unless you want to be glared or shouted at! Photography is a strict no-no, especially of bathing women. Pushkar is quite used to tourists, but unlike Varanasi, is home for orthodox Hindus, and a little care to observe Hindu traditions can help.

Lakshmana Temple in Khajuraho

Lakshmana Temple in Khajuraho 

 

¤ Well-Preserved Stone Temple of Khajuraho

To the left of the entrance a path takes you up to the famous Lakshmana Temple, a grand edifice that stands on a high platform. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu – the preserver of the Hindu Trinity of Gods. If you are one of those who realise after coming all the way here that you won’t be able to walk so much, take heart – this temple alone will make your trip.

Dating from 930-950 AD it is one of earliest Khajuraho stone temples going in Khajuraho. Considering its age, the Lakshmana Temple is remarkably well-preserved; in fact it is one of the best preserved temples of the whole lot.

According to the inscription on the Lakshmana Khajuraho Stone Temple, it was built by a certain King Yasovarman to install a Vaikuntha-Vishnu image (which can still be seen here) gifted to him by his Pratihara overlord, Devapala. The image was brought originally from Tibet (or Bhosa as it was known then), where the cult of worshipping Vishnu in his Vaikuntha (the multi-headed Vishnu) avatar was popular.

¤ The Exclusive Carving of Khajuraho Stone Temple

Lakshmana Temple in Khajurho The outer wall of the Lakshmana stone Temple in Khajuraho is exquisitely carved – indeed every inch of space bears the mark of the sculptor’s artistic flight of fantasy. In front of it are two open pavilions or mandapas.

The one furthest to the south is the Varaha mandapa with a huge image of the standing Varaha (the boar incarnation of Vishnu), the preserver who rescued the earth from primeval floods (the ones that Noah sailed too, one presumes).

The entire body of the divine creature is carved in low relief along with the figures of more than 600 gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon. Besides the Varaha mandapa is a reconstructed Devi mandapa which once contained an image.

¤ The Sculptures

The platform that the temple stands on has a charming sculptural frieze of elephants and horsemen in procession. On the southern side are a few of the more explicitly erotic panels. Climbing the stairs one reaches the broad platform of the temple meant for the ritual pradakshina or circumambulation.

It is noteworthy in having a boundary railing and a subsidiary shrine in each corner. The most delectable part of the Khajuraho stone temple scheme is the bands of sculptural decoration with exquisite figures of apsaras (celestial courtesans/nymphs), the guardians of the directions and other divine creatures. Erotic panels take a central position on the two balconies of the stone temple. On the western side are a few outstanding sculptures and the voluptuous, curvaceous forms of nude women with ornate jewellery.

The Khajuraho stone temple faces east and a steep flight of stairs leads up to the inner sanctum placed high above ground level. There is an entrance porch, a hall of pillars and interesting sculptural motifs on the sidewall. The inner ritual passage winds around the sanctum and is dressed with bands of sculpture in imitation of the temple’s external wall. The deity’s alcove is raised above floor level and contains within its dark interiors a large image of the Vaikuntha Vishnu, bearing three heads representing his various incarnations.

 

Chaturbhuja Temple,

Chaturbhuja Temple

¤ Location

Built in 1100 A.D. it is one of the well known architectural temples of Khajuraho, located about 3km from the village, near the Eastern Group of temples i.e. Lakshmana, Kandhariya Mahadeva. This temple faces the West, standing on a platform, which is approached by a flight of ten steps. The floor of the platform is paved with white sandstone. The architectural and sculptural traditions of this temple are quite similar to the Javari temple. The temple on plan consists of a shikhara, a square sanctum, an antarala, the mahamandapa and an ardhmandapa which are interconnected and located on the same axis.
Chaturbhuja Temple, Khajuraho

¤ Main Attractions

The highlight of this temple is a massive 9ft high, intricately carved image of Lord Vishnu, in Chaturbhuja (four-armed) form. Here he gesticulates possibly varada (boon-giving) with his now broken lower right hand, and abhaya with his upper right hand, holds a manuscript along with a lotus stalk in his upper left hand, and possibly a water pot or conch shell in his lower left hand.

The Chaturbhuja Temple is the only temple in Khajuraho which lacks erotic sculptures, with the bands on the walls of the temple set with architectural images of dikhpalas, ashtavasus, nymphs and the recesses of mythical lions.Though this temple belonging to the Southern Group, is impressive and has been preserved in major portions, still signs of decline are evident.

Khajuraho

Khajuraho

¤ The Stones of Passion

Right through the Mughal invasion and the early British forays into India, Khajuraho temples in India remained unknown. Rediscovered in this century, they are fine reminders of India's glorious past.

To some, Khajuraho Temples are the most graphic, erotic and sensuous sculptures of India, the world has ever known. But Khajuraho has not received the attention it deserves for its significant contribution to the religious art of India – there are literally hundreds of exquisite images on the interior and exterior walls of the shrines.

Architecturally these temples are unique. While each temple in Khajuraho has a distinct plan and design, several features are common to all. They are all built on high platforms, several metres off the ground, either in granite or a combination of light sandstone and granite. Each of these temples has an entrance hall or mandapa, and a sanctum sanctorum or garbha griha. The roofs of these various sections have a distinct form. The porch and hall have pyramidal roofs made of several horizontal layers. The inner sanctum's roof is a conical tower - a colossal pile of stone (often 30m high) made of an arrangement of miniature towers called shikharas.

The famous Western group of temples are designated as the World Heritage Site and is enclosed within a beautifully laid out park. The Lakshmana and Vishwanath Temples to the front and The Kandriya Mahadev, Jagadami and Chitragupta Temples displays the best craftmanship of Khajuraho
Quick bytes
State :
   
Madhya Pradesh
Location :
   
The City of Khajuraho is situated in the forested plains of Madhya Pradesh in the region known as Bundelkhand and at a reasonable distance from most cities and town centers of the state
Watch Out :
   
Western Group of Temples Eastern Gropu of Southern Group of Temples
Look Out :
   
Khajuraho Dance Festival Held - 25 th Feb - 30 th Feb
World Heritage Site :
   
Western Group of Temples

¤ Major Groups of Khajuraho Temples

For the purpose of convenience, the village of Khajuraho has been divided into three directional areas in which are located the major groups of temples .

Western Group Temples
These groups of Khajuraho temples are entirely Hindu, and constitute some of the finest examples of Chandela art at its peak. The largest being the Kandhariya Mahadev, followed by a granite temple - Chaunsath Yogini. The Chitragupta Temple is dedicated to the Sun God, while the Vishwanath Temple sports a three-headed image of Brahma – the Creator of the Universe. The Lakshmana Temple is superbly decorated, while the Devi Jagdambi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali. Other temples in the Western Group include the Varaha Temple with a nine-feet high boar-incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the Matangeshwara Temple with a eight-feet high lingam, and the Brahma Temple.

Eastern Group Temples
This group of Khajuraho tempels comprises of two historic Jain temples – the Adinath Temple lavishly embellished with sculpted figures, and the Parsvanath Temple, the largest Jain temple, sculpted with charming detail. There are other shrines such as the Vamana Temple with apsaras in sensuous poses, and the Javari Temple that has a richly-carved doorway. Click Here


¤ Southern Group

This group has two impressive Khajuraho temples, mainly belonging to the 12th century – the Chaturbhuja Temple, with a massive, carved image of Vishnu, and the Duladeo Temple, one of the last temples of the Chandela era, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Symbolising a medieval legacy, the Khajuraho temples of India are a perfect fusion of architectural and sculptural excellence, representing one of the finest examples of Indian art.


¤ Souvenirs from Khajuraho

Being one of the most visited places in India, many shops have developed which offers souvenirs at best of prices. There are number of stalls in front of these temples that presents array of articles which are worth buying.


¤ Khajuraho Dance Festival

Held every year from 25th February to 2nd March, Khajuraho Dance festival provides an exclusive platform to showcase the Indian classical dance forms like Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Odisi, Kathakali etc. For over 25 years now, the carved stones fills with life during the month of Feb.


¤ Getting to Khajuraho

Air : The airport is 5 kms from the city centre and is well connected by domestic flights to and from Agra, Varanasi and Kathmandu.
Train : Mahoba, Satna and Jhansi are the nearest railway stations. All of these are well connected by most of the major cities of India.
Road : Khajuraho is connected by regular bus services with Mahoba, Harpalpur, Satna, Jhansi, Gwalior, Agra, Jabalpur and Bhopal. Khajuraho is 590 kms from Delhi via Gwalior and Jhansi. 

Ambaji Mata

  Ambaji Mata

Shri Arasuri Ambaji Mata  Temple is the origin of the Supreme Cosmic Power of the Universe.This Temple is one of the 51 Fifty One famous Ancient Shakti Piths Tirth of Shri Adhya Shakti Devi.

  

The Great Miracle of this Holy Place is that there is no idol or picture in the Nij Mandir of Shri Arasuri Mata Ambaji, but a simple cave like Gokh in the inner wall, in which A Gold Plated Holy Shakti Visa Shree Yantra, having kurma back convex shape and 51 Bij letters therein, like that of the original Yantras of Nepal and Ujjain Shakti Piths, is ritually installed in such a way it can be visible for devotion, but it was never photographed in past nor in future.

                                   The Holy Gokh of Mata Ambaji with Shakti Yantra  is so decorated by the priests Pujari of the Holy temple tirth place that one can imagine it as an idol of Mata Ambica in one of her incarnations.

At the cost of about Rs.42.86 lakhs, has now already developed a big Havan Shala, containing one main Havan Kund and eight small Havan Kund in the western southern part of the Chachar Chowk near Nij Mandir, as shown besides.

The Main Temple of Ambaji  with a big Mandap has a Holy Gokh of Mataji in the Garbhgruh, in front of huge Chachar Chowk carpeted with beautiful marbles near Yagnashala.

          All the ritual worships of Ambaji is performed in Chachar Chowk The Temple has a glorious Suvarn Kalash Shikhar,  shining at 103 feet height on the top of the temple, weighing more than 3 tones as a whole. It is specially made from a single marble, brought out from the mines of Arasur Hill and has been plated with pure gold, attached with The Holy Long Long Flag of Ambaji & Trishul.

          The newly constructed Main Temple Nij Mandir is worth seeing all time for its holy significance in Shaki Sampraday - the worship of the supreme power of cosmic energy and  is also for its wonderful carvings on artistic renovation displaying an Indian traditional culture.

          In the total area of about 20 meters X 9.50 meters as a whole in place of the above shown old  Havan Shala, new Havan Shala is developed and below this Havan Shala in the Chachar Chowk. And there is also the main market road of city of Ambaji.

           
 

Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar

Location :      Orissa
Significance :     Capital of Orissa
Related Links :     Lingaraja Temple, Muktesvara Temple

The ancient capital of the Kalinga empire, and now the capital of Orissa, Bhubaneswar's history goes back over 2000 years. "Bhubaneshwar" means the "abode of God" or "master of the universe" and it was also, once known as the 'Cathedral of the East', on account of the large number of shrines. At one time, the Bindu Sagar tank was bordered by over 7000 temples. Of these, 500 still survive, all built in the extravagant Oriya style. It is of these temples, that the great poet, Rabindranath Tagore had once said - 'At all places where the eye rests, and also at places where the eye does not rest, the busy chisel of the artist has worked incessantly. The abode of god has been enveloped by a variety of figures depicting the good and the evil, the great as well as the insignificant, the daily occurrences of human life....'

The People
Since primeval days various people have inhabited the land of Orissa. The initial homesteaders of Orissa were primitive hill tribes like Saora or Sabar from the Mahabharata days. Most of the tribal people have been induced by Hindus and have embraced Hindu bearings, customs and ceremonies. Bonda Parajas of Koraput district is the foremost example of these tribes.

These tribes are not at all touched by neoteric edification and thus the tribal traditions have been left flawless through the ages. Each tribal group has its own distinct language, culture, religion and social customs.

Orissa is the state with 3rd highest centering of tribals with almost 62 tribes existing in the city today. The tribal population is located mainly in the Korapur, Phulbani, Sundargarh and Mayurbhanj districts.

The regional language of the city is Oriya belonging to Aryan family of languages and is closely associated to Assamese, Bengali and Maithili.

Culture of Orrisa
Bhubaneswar holds an opulent artistic tradition, which enjoyed reform custom from the temples. Land of adroit artists and craftsmen, still retain their nativity and continuously trying to purge it to suit a changing milieu.

The rich Orissa culture is also depicted in its glowing traditional Odissi Dance. The intricate and elegant hand, feet and facial movements are all the additional charms of the dance. The dance features Jayadev's "Gita Govinda" the 12th century epic that deals with stories representing Krishna's love for Radha expressing both divine and passionate emotions in the dance drama. In olden days the dance was a form of devotion and was performed in the temples as a tribal offering to the Gods.

"Chaitghoda", the traditional dance of fishermen shows rich cultural heritage and is performed by using a dummy horse depicting the battle drama called "Pari ka Nritya".

Other folk and tribal dances include Danda Nata a dance drama showing acrobatic charms in which dancers perform balancing acts on bamboo stilts. Chhah-masked dance is performed during festivals.

Pilgriamage Attractions of Bhuvaneshwar Temples
Most of the temples are located near the Bindu-sarovara Tank, which is about two km south of the city center. Lingaraja and Vital Duel Temples are located west of the tank. Parasumaresvara and Muktesvara temples are east of the tank. The Rajrani and Brahmesvara Temples are a ten to fifteen-minutes walk east of the Muktesvara Temple.

# Lingaraja Temple (11th century)
The presiding deity is the svayambhu linga, Hari-Hara Linga, which is half Siva and half Vishnu. He is also named Tribhuvaneswara, the Lord of the three worlds. The linga of Lingaraja, or Krittivasas, is an uncarved block of granite 8 feet in diameter raised 8 inches above the ground. The Siva linga is bathed daily with water, milk and bhang. There are many other deities in the temple. In the northeast corner of the temple there is a deity of Parvati.

# Muktesvara Temple

              o Built in the 10th century, this small elegant temple has been described as the most exquisitely ornamented temple in Bhubaneswar. It has an 11m (35 feet) high tower. The sandstone carvings are the most notable feature of this temple. It is also known for its ornamental gateway, carved dwarves, and intricate motif carvings of a smiling lion, adorned with beaded tassels in its mouth. Muktesvara means the Lord who bestows freedom through yoga. The Siddeswara Temple is on the same grounds and has a Ganesh deity.

            The small Marichi Kund, between the Mukesvara Temple and the road, is known to cure infertility in women. It is a pleasant place to sit for awhile.
          o Parasurameswara Temple
            This temple is the oldest Siva temple in Bhubaneswar, built in the late 7th century. There are many intricate carvings on this temple. It is close to the Bhubaneswar to Puri road, on the east side of Bindu-sarovara, northeast of the Lingaraja temple. It is the best preserved and most impressive of Bhubaneswar's early temples. It has interesting carvings of elephant and horse processions and intricately carved windows. In the corner of the countryard is the Sahasra-linga, which is 1000 small lingas joined together.
          o Raj Rani Temple
            The Raj Rani Temple (11th century), which is surrounded by a nice garden is no longer used for worship. This temple was dedicated to Lord Brahma and is known for its well-carved tower. It is about a km east of the main road. It is one of the later Bhubaneswar temples.

            Around the temple are carvings of the eight dikpalas (temple guards), who protect the temple from the different directions. They are eight important demigods. They are Indra (east) the head of the demigods, Agni (southeast) god of fire, Yamaraja (south) god of death, Nirritti (southwest), Varuna(west) god of water, Vayu (northwest) god of air, Kubera(north) god of wealth, and Isana (northeast).
          o Brahmeshwara Temple
            This temple was built around 1050 and is a Siva-linga temple with active worship. It is known for its intricately carved sculptures. The main tower is over 18m high. It is about a km east of the main road, a good walk from the Raj Rani Temple. On the north wall of the porch is a carving of Laksmi.
          o Vaital Deul Temple
            This interesting 8th century temple is dedicated to Chamunda (Kali). She wears a necklace of skulls and is shown as the eight-armed slayer of the buffalo demon. Her necklace of skulls and the corpse she is sitting on are usually hidden by her robes. In her arms she holds a snake, a bow, a shield, a trident, a thunderbolt and an arrow with which she is piercing the neck of the demon, thus displaying the most terrifying aspect of the goddess Kali.

            This temple is close to Bindu Sagar, and it has some intricate exterior carvings. To get a good view of the temple's interior, a flashlight (torch) is needed.
          o ISKCON Temple

            The beautifully built ISKCON temple (413-517) is located on National Highway No.5, Nayapali. The Deities in the temple are Krishna Balaram, Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra, and Gaura-Nitai. There is also a new Radha-Krishna temple. Srila Prabhupada laid the cornerstone for this temple in February 1977, and it was finished in 1992.

            There is a small guesthouse here with rooms that have attached bathrooms. These rooms are not always available, but they are quite nice if you can get one. To stay here you have to follow the ashram rules. There is a fairly basic vegetarian restaurant here.

Festivals
The end of January is the time when the Tribal Fair comes around. February to March, Shivaratri is held at the Lingaraj Temple, Hakateswar Temple Atri and throughout Orissa. Magha Saptami is held at Khandagiri outside Bhubaneshwar.

At Ashokashtami, during April/May, the idol of Lord Lingaraja is taken out in procession, part of a chariot festival. Panashankanti (Fire-walking) takes place in various areas on the first day of Baisakh. In June/July, the impressive Rath Yatra takes place at Puri, Baripada and other parts of the state. Kali Puja, in October/November, the city is lit with lamps. Bali Yatra in October/November, a fair is held on the banks of the Mahanadi river in Cuttack.

How to Get
There On the National Highway linking Calcutta (480 km) and Madras (1225 km). Air links to Delhi, Calcutta, Hyderabad and Nagpur. Rail links to Calcutta, Madras, Delhi (1745 km), Bombay(1691 km).

Akshar Dham

Akshar Dham

In the long history of man's endeavor to grasp the fundamental truth of being, the sages and profound thinkers of early India have helped in solving the problems of the origin, the nature and the destiny of man and the universe. Since then temple has acted as the entrance of self-realization and God. Akshardham is not just a temple, but a place of education, entertainment and enlightenment. There are 73 richly patterned and 63 partially carved pillars.

Spread across a 23-acres, this complex is flooded with shrines, sculptures, parks, lakes and rides. All these come together to create the most powerful experience of Indian culture ever to exist. Dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan and inspired by Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Akshardham is a miracle worked by the service and devotion of thousands of volunteers.

Design & Architecture
The imposing 10 story high monument is made entirely of intricately carved, 6000 tons of pink sand-stone from Rajasthan, with no steel or cement used at all, ensuring that the monument will last for a thousand years. More than 12 million man hours of 900 skilled craftsmen have created this magnificent monument of 93 sculpted pillars, 40 windows carved from both sides, and a feast of forms and filigrees. Built inch to inch according to the ancient Sthaapatya shastras of India, no steel has been used. Support beams are 22 ft. single piece stone blocks. The pillars are poetry in stone, with beautiful expression from foot to crown.

Chidabaram

 Chidabaram

Area :      5 sq km
Population :     58,740 (1991)
Languages :     Tamil and Hindi
Best time to visit :     Throughout the year
Altitude :     5.97 m

The island of Rameswaram on the Gulf of Mannar is one of the main fishing villages in Tamil Nadu. More importantly, it is a major pilgrimage centre for pious Hindus who worship Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu known respectively as Shaivites and Vaishnavites.

Navaligam Temple, ChidambaramMost visitors come to see the impressive Rameswaram Temple, famous the world over for its lengthy and ornate corridors, representing fine architectural masterpieces. Rameswaram also boasts of fabulous beaches edging its coral reef waters abundant with exotic marine life, making it a haven for adventure seekers.

The temple town of Chidambaram, 58 km south of Pondicherry greets the visitors, with a beautiful temple, dedicated to Lord Nataraja - Lord Shiva in the enthralling form of a Cosmic Dancer. This is one of the few temples, where Shiva and Vishnu are enshrined under one roof. Chidambaram is also called Thillai, since the place was originally a forest of Thillai shrubs. It is one of the five Shaivite mukti sthalams, the other four being Kalahasti, Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai and Tiruvanaikaval. A unique feature of Chidambaram is that a person of any race or religion can visit the shrine and pray.

Location
The town of Chidambaram is situated in the east-central part of Tamil Nadu state of southeastern India extending 11.24°N and 79.44°E. The town is in the Coleroon River Valley on the Madras-Thanjavur road and rail system.

Climate
The climate of Chidambaram is tropical with mercury touching up to 37°C in the summers and around 20°C in the winters.

History
Chidambaram (also Thillai) literally means the sky permeated by an atmosphere of intelligence and wisdom. According to legend, it was once a forest of tillai, a mangrove species of trees. There was once a small shrine on the banks of a tank. The saints Vyagrapada and Patanjali are said to have worshipped at this shrine, now called Thirumoolanathar. It is believed that their penance attained fruition with the revelation of Shiva's cosmic dance by Lord Nataraja on the auspicious Thai Poosam day.

The golden hall of dance was built and covered with gold plates by Jatavarman Sundra Pandya (ad 1251-1272). He was very proud of his achievement, and as such assumed the title of Hemchandandana Raja (literally the king who covered the temple with gold).
Pilgrimage Attractions

    * The Nataraja Temple
      The Nataraja TempleThe temple located in the centre of the town covers an area of 40 acres. It is one of the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu. The roof of the sanctum sanctorum is covered with gold plates. The presiding deity of the temple is represented by air, one of the five elements of the universe and is known as Akasa Lingam. The Eastern tower rises to a height of 40.8 metres. 108 Bharatha Natyam dance gestures can be seen on the Eatern towers as well as Western tower. The Northern tower rises to a height of 42.4 metres. The Sivakamiamman temple, the Sivaganga tank, the thousand pillar hall are other important features of the temple.
    * Kali Temple
      The Thillaikaliamman temple is on the northern end of the town. It was built by Kopperunjingan, who ruled between 1229 AD and 1278 AD.
    * Viadanatheeswarar Temple
      About 25km. south of Chidambaram, Vaitheeswarankoil is well known for its Viadanatheeswarar Temple, dedicated to Shiva and Parvati. People come bathe in the tank waters in the belief that illnesses will be cured.

Festival at Chidambaram
The Natyanjali festival, which brings all the prominent dancers of India, together on the same platform, opens on the auspicious occasion of Mahasivaratri, in the month of February. It is performed at the 'Prakara' of the temple, and the dancers, full of intense bliss and devotion, with their evocative abhinaya, offer their dance to the great divinity, Lord Nataraja.
How to get there

    * Air
      Nearest Airport is Trichy.
    * Rail
      It is connected by rail with Trichy, Madurai, Chennai.
    * Road
      It is also connected with all major towns.