the road less travelled

SUN TEMPLE, KONARK, ODISHA ability and justifying its name A UNESCO world Heritage monument, is now considered to be the queen among constructed in 13th century by King of . Narasimhadeva, Sun Temple in Konark is a stunning masterpiece of architecture designed It is located around 125 kms from Ahmedabad in the shape of gigantic chariot with 7 horses and the site is well connected by road and and 24 wheels carrying Sun God, each about there are many trains that connect Patan to 10 feet in diameter. Ahemdabad, the largest city in .

According to scholars and researchers, this TABO MONASTERY, SPITI, temple symbolizes the passage of time which HIMACHAL PRADESH is under Sun God’s control. The 7 horses Tabo Monastery is often referred to as ‘Ajanta represent the 7 days of the week and the 12 of the Himalayas’. Siutated at a height of pairs of wheel represent the 12 months of 10,007 feet in Lahaul and Spiti district of the year. Also must visit is the Konark Dance Himachal Pradesh in , it is one of Festival which is organized here every year the oldest Buddhist pilgrimage centres and is and is quite popular with tourists. held in high regard by Buddhists. There are nine temples and gompas spread over an area In his musings about the Sun Temple, great of 6300 sq mt. Murals and stucco sculptures poet Rabindranath Tagore wrote, “Here the are carved on the walls in monastery just like language of stone surpasses the language of in Maharashtra and most of man.” the murals and paintings date back to 996 AD when it was found by the great Tibetan The temple is around 65kms from the capital Buddhist translator Rinchen Zangpo. city of Bhubaneswar. As there is no access to airport and railway in RANI KI VAV, PATAN, GUJARAT Spiti, it can only be reached by the means of Situated in the town of Patan in Gujarat on roads. the banks of river , Rani Ki Vav is an 11th century and is a UNESCO JAHAZ MAHAL, MANDU, world Heritage site. It is said to have been constructed by Queen Udayamati, the widow Built is second half of 15th century by the ruler of Bhimdev I around 1050 AD. It is designed of Mandu, Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Khilji, Jahaz as an inverted temple and is divided into Mahal in Madhya Pradesh literally means seven levels of stairs with sculpted panels of ‘Ship Palace’. Khilji was much interested in amazing artistic designs combining religious, sensual pleasures of life and constructed Jahaz mythological and secular figures. mahal to house about 15000 women as a part of his harem. Stone chariot wheel at the , Odisha Rani Ki Vav was constructed when craftsmen were at the height of their stepwell construction Jahaz Mahal is 110 mts in length and 15 mts

HERITAGE OF INDIA MIRROR OF THE PAST As we celebrate modern India, let’s take a look at the rich heritage that makes us culturally rich and diverse. These sites of historical importance have been a milestone in shaping India as it is today.

BY NIDHI ROHIT JOSHI Rani ki Vav, Patan, Gujarat Tabo Monastery, Spiti, Himachal Pradesh

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Vivekananda Rock Temple, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu Blue city Jodhpur, , India, with Mehrangharh Fort

Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, dedicated to Lord , Jami Masjid, Champaner, Gujarat Western Temples of Khajuraho, Madya Pradesh

Stone chariot in courtyard of Vittala Temple at sunset overcast sky in , Karnataka

in width. A double storied palace it is built India’s southernmost tip and is approachable Khajuraho is well connected by all modes of Hampi is well connected by all modes of Bishnupur is also known for its traditional transport the tourists to an era that was both between Munj Talao (pond) and Kapur Talao only by boat. transport and the best time to visit is October transport. handloom saris as well as terracotta pottery, grand and royal. which gives an impression as if the palace is to March. Every year a week long Khajuraho artifacts and jewelry and the Bishnupur school floating. Various colour combinations were Nearest airport to Kanyakumari is Trivandrum Dance Festival is organized in the last week of BISHNUPUR, WEST BENGAL of painting. Once you are in the state of Rajasthan used for floor designs which enriched the International Airport at a distance of about February. Vaishnavite Malla Kings who ruled Bishnupur travelling by road to these hill forts is the entire look of the palace. 67 kms. worshipped Lord Visnhu and it is from Him It is well connected by road. best option. HAMPI, KARNATAKA that the town derives its name. Under the Indore Airport is the best option to reach KHAJURAHO, MADHYA PRADESH Located near Hospet town in Karnataka patronage of Malla Kings in the 17th and JAMI MASJID, CHAMPANER, Mandu. Listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage 18th centuries, Bishnupur developed a unique Hill Forts of Rajasthan comprises 6 hill forts GUJARAT Khajuraho temples are considered to be one Site. Enveloped like a world within a world, form of architecture – Terracotta, which was in the state of Rajasthan which are listed on A part of UNESCO World Heriatge site, VIVEKANANDA ROCK TEMPLE, of the ‘seven wonders’ of India. Ruled by Hampi has magnetic effect on tourists as the both brilliant and intricate. the UNESCO World Heriatge Site. The 6 Jami Masjid is one of the finest mosques KANYAKUMARI, TAMIL NADU Chandela , a Hindu dynasty from vast stretches of boulder-strewn hills make forts are Chittogarh Fort, Fort, of Gujarat. A gigantic structure with two Vivekananda Rock Temple was built in the 10th to 12th century, Khajuraho was the a wonderful backdrop. More than 500 Due to shortage of stones, the Malla kings built , Ranthambhore Fort, Gagron imposing minars on either side of the central 1970 in honour of the famous Indian monk cultural capital and the temples were built monuments are dotted around the hills and grand terracotta shrines to celebrate their love for Fort and Amber Palace. entrance to the prayer hall is debated to have and philosopher Swami Vivekananda who over a span of 200 years from 950 to1150. valleys which comprises of temples, ruins of Lord Krishna. Taking cue from the neighbouring been built in the 15th century AD. There is believed to have attained enlightenment palaces, market streets, treasury buildings, regions they built the temples, like the curved These majestic hill forts bear testimony are three entrance porches to the mosque here. Inspired by many styles of temple Famous for their erotic sculpture Khajuraho royal pavilion and many more. Bangla roof was blended with the Muslim to the culture, architecture, art and music that but undoubtedly the eastern porch is most construction from all over India it houses a has the largest group of medieval Hindu and domes and multi lobed arches. The temples of flourished between 8th and 18th centuries. beautiful with its remarkable carving and Jaali statue of Swami Vivekanada and consists Jain temples. The whole area was enclosed by Former capital of Vijaynagara empire, Hampi Bishnupur along with those at Ambika Kalna in Situated on the rocky terrains of the majestic work. The domes and ceilings at Jami Masjid of two main structures, the Vivekananda a wall with eight gates each flanked by two was one of the richest cities in the world during Burdwan district are among the few remaining Aravali mountains these forts have huge will leave you spell bound with their beauty. Mandapam and the Shripada Mandapam.. golden palm trees. Originally, there were over its prime. Extremely significant for its history terracotta temples. Depicting scenes from the water harvesting structures or pools that are This rock temple stands on one of the 80 Hindu temples, of which only 25 now stand and architecture Hampi is a saga cast in stone epic Mahabharata and Ramayana, the temples being used till date. Well-crafted interiors and Champaner is well connected by road and two rocks located about 500 mts east off in a reasonable state of preservation, scattered which celebrates its annual festival every year like the Shyam Ray Temple, the twin shrines of tough exteriors depict the magnificent glory the nearest well connected railway station and mainland of Vavathurai in Kanyakumari, over an area of about 21 sq km. in the month of November. Jor Bangla and the Rasmancha are a must visit. and craftsmanship of the bygone era which airport is Vadodara.

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