Interesting facts and information about the Ajanta Ellora caves

The Ajanta and Ellora Caves

With the Ellora Caves, Ajanta is one of the major tourist attractions of Maharashtra. It is about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from Fardapur, 59 kilometers (37 miles) from the city of Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India, 104 kilometers (65 miles) from the city of Aurangabad, and 350 kilometers (220 miles) east-northeast of Mumbai.

Interesting facts and information about the Ajanta Ellora caves

• The Ellora caves are a combination of 34 caves. in which 12 Buddhist caves, 17 Hindu caves, and 5 Jain caves. 
• They are the masterpiece of Buddhist religious art.
• The caves were built in two phases,

1. First starting around the 2nd century BCE
2. second, occurring from 400-650 CE.

• Since 1983, The Ajanta Caves have been a UNESCO world heritage site.
• They are covered by trees in the forest until accidentally discovered by British officer Captain John Smith in 1819.
• The caves are U-shaped.
• Located in Maharastra's Aurangabad region.
• The Kailasa temple is the largest monolithic rock-cut temple in the world.

History

For little archaeologists and explorers, head to the Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra where ancient history comes to life. The spectacular collection of 30 caves rises out of a massive horseshoe-shaped cliff face deep in the forest. The earliest cave excavations date back to the second century B.C. while later excavations were completed, due to royal patronage, as a series of worship halls for traveling monks and priests. Beautifully preserved statues, ornate pillars, Buddha figures, and painstakingly restored Buddhist paintings and murals decorate the caves at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander the soaring caverns with one of the on-site guides, flashlight in hand, and contemplate the effort and time that went into this awesome feat of stonemasonry and artistry that has managed to survive, mostly undisturbed, for so many centuries. The Ellora Caves, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lie 62 miles southwest of Ajanta and are an awe-inspiring example of India’s long and unbroken history. Of the nearly 100 caves at the site, 34 are open to the public and feature many Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments. Young archaeologists will enjoy Cave 16, where they can see the world’s largest single monolithic rock excavation, a chariot dedicated to the god Shiva. Fly into Aurangabad or make the stop aboard a luxury train journey from Mumbai.

 

Ajanta Ellora caves paintings

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Pictures Source Wikipedia.

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Interesting facts about the Red Fort.

 The Red Fort

The red fort which is also known as the Lal Qila was constructed by one of the most famous Mughal emperors, Shah Jahan. Built on the banks of river Yamuna, the fortress-palace was designed by architect Ustad Ahmad Lahauri.

It took 8 years and 10 months to build the magnificent fort. The fort served as the royal residence of the Mughal emperors from 1648 to 1857. It took over the honor of royal residence from the famous Agra Fort when Shah Jahan decided to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi. The Red Fort derives its name from the red-sandstone walls, which make the fort almost impregnable. The fort, which is located at Old Delhi, is one of the massive and prominent structures of India and is a fine example of Mughal architecture. It is often considered as the pinnacle of Mughal creativity. In modern times, the fort is of importance to the people of India as the Indian Prime Minister delivers his Independence Day speech from the fort, every year on August 15. In 2007, it was declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Interesting facts about Red Fort

Though as many as 66 percent of the structures within the fort were either destroyed or badly damaged, the Red Fort still houses many historic edifices and some prominent ones are listed below:

source by pixabay

Mumtaz Mahal – Situated in the women's quarters (zenana) of the fort, Mumtaz Mahal was one of the six palaces within the fort. All these palaces were built along the banks of Yamuna River and were interconnected by the Stream of Paradise. The Mumtaz Mahal was constructed using white marble and embellished with floral decorations. During British rule, it was put to use as a prison camp.

Khas Mahal - The Khas Mahal was used as the emperor’s private residence. The palace was divided into three parts namely the chamber of telling beads, sitting room, and sleeping chamber. The palace was decorated with white marble and floral embellishments and the ceiling was gilded. Khas Mahal was connected to ‘Muthamman Burj’, a tower from where the emperor would address his subjects or simply wave at them to acknowledge their presence.

Rang Mahal – The Rang Mahal which literally translates to ‘Palace of Colors’ was built to house the emperor’s mistresses and wives. As the name suggests, the palace was made to look colorful with bright paints and ostentatious decorations. A marble basin, which was installed at the center of the palace, would welcome water flowing from the Stream of Paradise. A basement, under the palace, was used by the women to cool off during the summer.

Hira Mahal – Built-in 1842 by Bahadur Shah II, the Hira Mahal is probably one of the last structures to have been built by a Mughal emperor before the invasion of the British. It is a mere pavilion but has an interesting legend associated with it. According to the legend, Shah Jahan had hidden a diamond, meant for his first wife, in this very place. The diamond, which is not yet found, is said to be even more precious than the famed Kohinoor.

Moti Masjid – Moti Masjid which literally translates to ‘Pearl Mosque’ was built by Aurangzeb for his personal use. Interestingly, the mosque was also used by the inhabitants of the Zenana. Constructed using white marble, Moti Masjid has three domes and three arches.

Hammam – The Hammam is basically a building that housed the baths, used by the emperors. On the eastern apartment, stood the dressing room. In the western apartment, hot water used to flow through the taps. It is said that perfumed rose water was used for bathing purposes.

History of Red Fort

source by pixabay

The fort, which was completely constructed in the year 1648, remained the residence of the Mughal emperors until 1857. Post the reign of Aurangzeb, the Mughal dynasty grew weaker in every aspect and that started taking a toll on the fort. When Farrukhsiyar, the ninth Mughal emperor, took over the reign from Jahandar Shah after murdering him, the fort began to lose its luster, quite literally. During his reign, the silver ceiling of the fort was replaced with copper in order to raise money. This was probably the beginning of the plunder that would go on for years to come. In 1739, Nadir Shah, the Persian emperor defeated the Mughals and took with him some of the valuables belonging to the fort, including the famous peacock throne, which had served as the royal throne of the Mughals. The weakened Mughals had no other option but to sign a treaty with the Marathas, who had promised to protect them and the fort. In 1760, when Ahmed Shah Durrani of the Durrani dynasty threatened to capture Delhi, the Marathas dug out the silver ceiling of Diwan-i-Khas to strengthen their army. However, Ahmed Shah Durrani defeated the Marathas in the third battle of Panipat and took over the fort. The Marathas reconquered the fort in 1771 and stalled Shah Alam II as the 16th Mughal emperor. In 1788, the Marathas occupied the fort and ruled over Delhi for the next 20 years before the British defeated them during the Second Anglo-Maratha War in 1803.

The fort now was occupied by the British, who even built a residence of their own within the fort. During the Indian rebellion of 1857, Bahadur Shah II was arrested by the British and later exiled to Rangoon. With Bahadur Shah II, the Mughal Empire came to an end and this opened a window of opportunity for the British to loot valuables from the fort. Almost all the furniture was either destroyed or shipped to England. Many edifices and landmarks within the fort were destroyed and barracks of stone replaced them. Many priceless possessions like the Koh-i-Noor diamond, the crown of Bahadur Shah, and the wine-cup of Shah Jahan were sent to the British government. After independence, the Indian Army occupied a major part of the fort before handing it over to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASA) for restoration purposes.

Terrorism attract on red fort

The Red Fort is the largest historical structure in Delhi. Every year, the Prime Minister of India hoists the tricolor flag on every Independence Day. Security around the fort during the Independence Day celebrations is tightened as the place was attacked by terrorists on 22 December in the year 2000. The fort also serves as a major tourist attraction and witnesses thousands of visitors throughout the year. Though many buildings are not in great shape, some are still in good condition and efforts are being taken to conserve what is left of the fort. Three museums namely the museum of blood paintings, war-memorial museum, and archaeological museum have been set up inside the newly released currency note of rupees 500, the fort appears on the back of the note, implying its importance even in the post-independence era.

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Hawa Mahal the place of winds

The Hawa mahal

picture credit

When was it built: 1799

Who built it: Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh

Where is it located: Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Why was it built: For the royal women to enjoy the events and festivals in the street

Architectural Style: Blend of Hindu Rajput architecture and the Islamic Mughal architecture

Visit Timing: Daily, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm

Hawa Mahal or the 'Palace Of The Winds' located in the heart of the beautiful Pink City of Jaipur in Rajasthan, India, is one of the most famous tourist attractions and a prominent landmark of the city that is renowned for its rich cultural and architectural history. The structure was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, who was the founder of Jaipur. He was so inspired by the unique structure of Khetri Mahal that he built this grand and historical palace. It was designed by Lal Chand Ustad

Interesting facts about Hawa mahal

Many people see the Hawa Mahal from the street view and think it is the front of the palace, but it is the back.

1. Shaped like a Crown 

Hawa Mahal is built in the shape of a crown, it looks like Lord Krishna's crown.

2. The Wind Palace

 Hawa Mahal means the 'Palace of Winds' or the 'Wind Palace'. It has 953 small windows 

(Jharokhas), they were built to keep the wind blowing inside the palace.

3. Built for the Royal Ladies 

Hawa Mahal was constructed as a separate complex for the royal ladies. The idea was that royal women could watch the daily life of the city through the windows.

4. No Front Entrance

 Hawa Mahal doesn't have a direct entrance; one has to enter from the side of City Palace.

5. No Stairs to Reach the Upper Floors

 Hawal Mahal has 5 floors and there are no stairs to climb, instead, there are only ramps to reach the top floors.

Architecture & Design of Hawa Mahal

The architect of this unique five-storied pyramidal palace with a height of 15 m from its elevated base was Lal Chand Ustad. The design of the building showcases an excellent blend of Hindu Rajput architecture with that of the Islamic Mughal architecture. The former style is palpable from the fluted pillars, floral patterns, and domed canopies while the arches and stone inlay filigree work are manifestations of the latter style.

Keeping in line with other famous landmarks of the city, which is aptly tagged as the ‘Pink City’, this monument was built with red and pink sandstones. Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh’s devotion towards Lord Krishna is manifested from the design of the structure of the palace that resembles the crown of the Lord. Although not exactly a palace, it looks like one from the street. The façade of the building intricately carved with beautiful motifs is cognate to that of the honeycomb of a beehive. Several potholes of the structure each having small lattice windows, chiseled sandstone grill, and decorated domes give the building a look of a mass of semi-octagonal bays. There are a total of 953 elaborately carved jharokhas or windows, some of which are made of wood. These jharokhas were built in such a manner that air circulates naturally through them creating the Venturi effect (doctor breeze) thus air conditioning the entire structure during the hot summers. Each jharokha has a small chamber where one can sit and view the street. Fountains at the middle of each chamber complimented well with the light wind flowing through the jharokhas thus enhancing the cooling effect of the chambers

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The Taj Mahal.

The Taj Mahal 

Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of The World has been the pride of India since its inception. Hailed as the ‘Epitome of Love and Beauty’, the great monument was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, after the death of his dearest wife Mumtaz Mahal, as a memorial.

The architecture of the Taj Mahal is a combination of Indian, Persian, and Islamic styles of architecture. The construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632 and was completed in 1653. It took a total of twenty-two years to complete the construction of this monument.

The mausoleum is located on the right bank of the river Yamuna at a point where it takes a sharp turn and flows eastwards. Originally, the land where the Taj Mahal presently stands belonged to the Kachhwahas of Ajmer (Rajasthan). The land was acquired from them in lieu of four havelis as is testified by a court historian, Abdul Hamid Lahauri, in his work titled the Badshah-Namah and the firmans (royal decrees). For construction, a network of wells was laid along the river line to support the huge mausoleum buildings. Masons, stonecutters, inlayers, carvers, painters, calligraphers, dome-builders, and other artisans were requisitioned from the whole of the empire and also from Central Asia and Iran. While bricks for internal constructions were locally prepared, white marble for external use in veneering work was obtained from Makrana in Rajasthan. Semi-precious stones for inlay ornamentation were brought from distant regions of India, Ceylon, and Afghanistan. Red sandstone of different tints was requisitioned from the neighboring quarries of Sikri, Dholpur, etc. It took 17 years for the monument complex to be completed in 1648.

The architecture of the mahal

The Taj Mahal incorporates and expands on the design traditions of Persian and earlier Mughal architecture. Specific inspiration came from successful Timurid and Mughal buildings including the gur-e-amir (the tomb of Timur, the progenitor of the Mughal dynasty, in Samarkand,), Humayun tomb which inspired the charbhag gardens and hasht-beshat (architecture) plan of the site, Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb (sometimes called the Baby Taj), and Shah Jahan's own jama masjid in Delhi. While earlier Mughal buildings were primarily constructed of red sandstone, Shah Jahan promoted the use of white marble inlaid with a semi-precious stone. Buildings under his patronage reached new levels of refinement.

Tomb

The most spectacular feature is the marble dome that surmounts the tomb. The dome is nearly 35 meters (115 ft) high which is close in measurement to the length of the base and accentuated by the cylindrical "drum" it sits on, which is approximately 7 meters (23 ft) high. Because of its shape, the dome is often called an onion dome or amrud (guava dome). The top is decorated with a lotus design which also serves to accentuate its height. The shape of the dome is emphasized by four smaller domed chattris (kiosks) placed at its corners, which replicate the onion shape of the main dome. The dome is slightly asymmetrical. Their columned bases open through the roof of the tomb and provide light to the interior. Tall decorative spires (guldastas) extend from edges of base walls and provide visual emphasis to the height of the dome. The lotus motif is repeated on both the chattris and guldastas. The dome and chattris are topped by a gilded finial that mixes traditional Persian and Hindustani decorative elements.

Exterior decoration

The calligraphy on the Great Gate reads "O Soul, thou art at rest. Return to the Lord at peace with Him, and He at peace with you. The calligraphy was created in 1609 by a calligrapher named Abdul Haq. Shah Jahan conferred the title of "Amanat Khan" upon him as a reward for his "dazzling virtuosity. Near the lines from the Qur'an at the base of the interior dome is the inscription, "Written by the insignificant being, Amanat Khan Shirazi. Much of the calligraphy is composed of the florid thuluth script made of jasper or black marble^] inlaid in white marble panels. Higher panels are written in the slightly larger scripts to reduce the skewing effect when viewed from below. The calligraphy found on the marble cenotaphs in the tomb is particularly detailed and delicate.

 

Interesting facts about the taj mahal

·       Year of construction: From 1632 to 1653.

·       Material: White marble.

·       Cost of building: ~ 32 million Indian Rupees.

·       Built by: Shah Jahan (the Mogul emperor)

·       Architect: Ustad Ahmad Lahauri.

·       Location: Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.

·       Entrance fee: 1000 Rupees for foreigners.

·       Yearly visitors: 7-8 million people.

Taj Mahal interesting fact for kids

·       Year of construction: From 1632 to 1653.

·       Material: White marble.

·       Cost of building: ~ 32 million Indian Rupees.

·       Built by: Shah Jahan (the Mogul emperor)

·       Architect: Ustad Ahmad Lahauri.

·       Location: Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.

·       Entrance fee: 1000 Rupees for foreigners.

·       Yearly visitors: 7-8 million people.

Surprising fact about taj mahal

·       Year of construction: From 1632 to 1653.

·       Material: White marble.

·       Cost of building: ~ 32 million Indian Rupees.

·       Built by: Shah Jahan (the Mogul emperor)

·       Architect: Ustad Ahmad Lahauri.

·       Location: Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Entrance fee: 1000 Rupees for foreigners.

Yearly visitors: 7-8 million people.

Visitor Information:

 

v  OPENING HOURS - Sunrise to Sunset

Friday Closed (open only for offering traditional prayer in the mosque between 12 Noon to 2 P.M).

Night viewing on Full Moon date and two days before and after it, excluding Fridays and in the month of Ramzan.  

ENTRY FEE:

Free entry: Children below 15 years

Indian Visitors: Total Rs.20/- (Rs.10/- by ASI as Entry fee and Rs.10/- by ADA as Toll tax).

Citizen of SAARC and BIMSTEC countries: Total Rs.510/- (Rs.10/- by ASI as Entry fee and Rs.500.00 by ADA as Toll tax).

Other Foreign Visitor Total Rs.750/- (Rs.250/- by ASI as Entry fee and Rs.500/- by ADA as Toll tax).

(Note: Foreign Visitors who purchase the Agra Development Authority (ADA)'s Pathkar (Toll tax) ticket of Rs.500/- forTajMahal, need not purchase any other Pathkar (Toll tax) ticket if he/she visits the monuments viz. TajMahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar's Tomb, Itimad-ud-Daulah's tomb on the same day).

AUDIO GUIDE FACILITY:

Audio Guides Facility in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Bangla is available at TajMahal. Please contact near Ticket Booking counters and Forecourt.

 

 

 

 

 

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The Gateway of India

The Gateway of India

Image of the gateway of India

The Gateway of India is an arch monument built during the 20th century in Mumbai, India. The monument was erected to commemorate the landing of King-Emperor George V and Queen-Empress Mary at Apollo Bunder on their visit to India in 1911. The Gateway of India is located on the waterfront at Apollo Bunder Wellington Pier was an important pier for embarkation and disembarkation of passengers and goods in the city of Bombay, India in the late 19th century. It is the location of the famed Gateway of India and the only passengers using it now are those who are taking the ferry to Elephanta Island. The area at the end of Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj Shivaji Shivaji Bhonsle I was an Indian warrior king and a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan. Shivaji carved out an enclave from the declining Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur that formed the genesis of the Maratha Empire. In 1674, he was formally crowned as the Chhatrapati of his realm at Raigad. En.wikipedia.org Marg in South Mumbai and overlooks the Arabian Sea The Arabian Sea is a region of the northern Indian Ocean bounded on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Gulf of Aden, Guardafui Channel and the Arabian Peninsula, on the southeast by the Laccadive Sea, on the southwest by the Somali Sea, and on the east by India.

The gateway of India Mumbai

Today, the monument is synonymous with the city of Mumbai and is amongst its prime tourist attractions. The gateway is also a gathering spot for locals, street vendors, and photographers soliciting services. It holds significance for the local Jewish community as it has been the spot for Hanukkah celebrations, with the lighting of the menorah, since 2003. There are five jetties located at the gateway, of which two are used for commercial ferry operations.

Facts of The Gateway of India

1. The cost of the construction was a sum of Rs. 21 lakh, borne mainly by the Government of India.

2. For lack of funds, the approach road to the Gateway was never built. This is why it stands at an angle to the road leading up to it.

3. Yellow basalt and reinforced concrete are the materials used in constructing the Gateway.

4.Though it is built-in Indo-Saracenic style there are certain elements that are derived from the Muslim architectural styles of 16th century Gujarat and local styles of architecture as well.

5. The diameter of the central dome is 15 meters and it reaches a height of 26 meters above the ground.

6. The inauguration ceremony took place on 4th December 1924. It was inaugurated by The Viceroy, Earl of Reading.

7. The whole harbor front was re-laid so that it would sweep down to the center of the town.

8. The Gateway has four turrets and is designed with intricate latticework.

9. The last British troop that left India after the independence was the first battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry.

10. The most interesting fact is that, the last ship of the Britisher’s set sail for England from Gateway of India in Mumbai.

11. The steps on the backside of Gateway of India lead to the waterfront where you can board the bots to Elephanta caves

 Location

The gateway stands at an angle, opposite to the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel, which was built in 1903.

the architecture of the gateway of India. 

The Gateway of India was designed by Scottish architect, George Wittet, and the construction work was carried out by Gammon India Limited, the only construction company in India boasting an ISO 9001: 1994 accredited certification in all fields of civil engineering at that time.

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Kunchikal falls.

·   Kunchikal falls

                       Height  455m

·       River varahi

·       Place Karnataka

Kunchikal falls is the highest waterfall in India located in the Shimoga district of Karnataka. It is a major tourist spot.

After the construction of the Mani Dam near Masthikatte and the underground power generation station near Hulikal, Shimoga district, the water flow to this falls is greatly reduced and visible only during the rainy season (July-Sept). As the falls are within a restricted area, a Gate pass is required to visit and the pass is being issued at Hosangadi village (about 15 km away). The nearest airport is at Mangalore, situated 138 km (86 mi) from Kunchikal Falls.

·     Best time to visit

Best time for visiting is the rainy season because the beauty of falls increase and the huge volume of fall attract everyone toward the fall and the surrounded green area attracts us with the beauty of nature.

How to Reach Kunchikal Falls

By Road

Kunchikal waterfall is in Shimoga which is well connected by roadways to major cities like Bangalore, Mysore, and Mangalore etc. Numerous private buses ply to Kunchikal waterfall from Bangalore. Once Hulikal is reached tourists can take up taxis or any other private vehicles to the waterfall.

By Rail

How to Reach Kunchikal Falls

By Road

Kunchikal waterfall is in Shimoga which is well connected by roadways to major cities like Bangalore, Mysore, and Mangalore, etc. Numerous private buses ply to Kunchikal waterfall from Bangalore. Once Hulikal is reached tourists can take up taxis or any other private vehicles to the waterfall.

By Rail

Located on the Udupi-Shimoga border, Udupi railway station from Agumbe is around 67 km and From Shimoga, it is around 97km. From Shimoga or Udupi, one can take up any taxis or even buses to the waterfall.

By Air

Mangalore Airport is around 142 km from the Kunchikal waterfall. Mangalore Airport is well connected to major cities. From the airport, one can take up a taxi service, a bus or even train to reach the waterfall.

Water of India 

 

Waterfalls	Height m	River	Place
Jog/gersoppa/Mahatma Gandhi Shivanasamudhra Gautamdhara Hundru Sandi Gokak Dassam	253m 90m 85m 74m 61 55 40	Sharavathi river Kaveri river Raru river Subarnerekha river Sankkh river Ghataprabha river Kanchi river	Karnataka Karnataka Jharkhand Jharkhand Jharkhand Karnataka Jharkhand

 

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