Jain Kirti Stambh, Chittaurgarh (Const 12th Cent CE), Picture of the Week #141

The Jain Kirti Stambh is the other 'stambh' or tower standing inside the Chittaurgarh Fort. Constructed in the late 13th century this tower was raised, not to commemorate victory in battle (like the Vijay Stambh was) but to honour Jain Tirthankara Adinatha. Architecturally speaking, the Jain Kirti Stambh, is 24.5 mts tall and has six stories in it. As visible in the picture the tower is built on a platform.This 'stambha' is relatively...

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Chittorgarh Junction Railway Station (Est. 1881 C.E.) - Picture of the Week #137

Chittorgarh Junction Railway Station is the main railway station of Chittorgarh City. It connects the town with major cities in North and West India. The trains here run on Broad Gauge tracks. The Chittorgarh City (which was established next to the Chittorgarh Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site) was linked with railways in the late 19th century as a part of Rajputana - Malwa Railway. This railway station is one of the major transit...

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Gaumukh Kund, Chittorgarh - Picture of the Week #136

The Gaumukh Kund of Chittorgarh (Kund means a Reservoir) is a pool of water whose source is a natural spring. This reservoir is revered by Hindus. The Gaumukh Kund had been the source of water for the citizens of Chittorgarh during the numerous seiges it faced. Devotees are permitted to feed the fishes in the water here. Some of the most famous sieges faced by Chittorgarh included - 1. The Siege of 1303 (where Mewar was pitted against...

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Chand Baori, Abhaneri (Const 8th-9th Cent CE) - Picture of the Week #135

The Chand Baori is one of the oldest and deepest step wells in Rajasthan and India, in particular. It is also known as 'Abhaneri Chand Bawdi'. This magnificent stepwell was constructed by King Chandra of Nikumbha dynasty around 8th-9th Cent. C.E. This stepwell is 19.5 mts deep and has around 3500 steps ! This ancient step well was religiously and spiritually related to the nearby Harshat Mata Temple. A devotee visiting Harshat Mata...

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Harshat Mata Temple Abhaneri (Const 8th-9th Cent CE) - Picture of the Week #134

Harshat Mata Temple Abhaneri was constructed in 8th-9th century C.E. It is dedicated to Harshat Mata (Goddess of Joy and Happiness). It is located in Abhaneri village in Rajasthan. The Harshat Mata temple was constructed by King Chandra of Nikumbha Dynasty. It was constructed in Mahameru style of architecture. This temple was demolished in the 10th century CE. As per the temple keeper the King of Jaipur...

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Palace Entrance of Bhangarh Fort (Const 1573 CE) - Picture of the Week - #133

Bhangarh Fort was constructed by King Bhagwant Das for his son Madho Singh (younger son of the illustrious Man Singh I). This fort cum township was abandoned in the year 1783 CE. Bhangarh is believed to be one of the most haunted places in India. On an architectural note this township has been observed, by archaeologists, to be very well planned. There are separate sections in the city for residential areas, markets...

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Gopinath Temple, Bhangarh (Const. 1613 C.E.) - Picture of the Week - #132

In Bhangarh, the Gopinath Temple is one of the many temples located in the fort. Constructed as per the Nagari Architecture (North Indian style) the Gopinath Temple is based on a raised 14 ft Platform (Jagati). It is one of the most well known temples in Bhangarh.  It is not in use, currently. .........

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Ruins of Southern Gate of Siri Fort, New Delhi (Const 1303 CE) - POTW #131

The ruin of the Southern Gate of Siri Fort are one of the few remaining structures of the 3rd city of Delhi, Dar'ul Khilafat (better known as Siri Fort) with other major ruins being 2 intact sections battlements opposite August Kranti Marg, the Thanewala Masjid behind them and the Hauz e Alai. This city was commissioned by Sultan Alauddin Khalji and built with the help of Seljuq Turks. .........

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Shrine of Sacred Heart, Idaikattur (Const 1894 CE) - POTW #130

Located in Idaikattur (Tamil Nadu) the Shrine of Sacred Heart, const in 1894 CE by a French missionary, is an imitation of the Rheims Cathedral of France, upon the wishes of the donor. Despite that the church has some unique features which include statues of 153 angels which adorn the exterior of the structure. The reasoning behind placing the angels is because of a dream (seen by a presiding judge who was deciding upon a litigation...

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Panipat Battle Field Memorial, Panipat - Picture of the Week #129

This memorial has been erected at the spot where a tree with black mangoes (Kala Amb) used to stand. The significance of the tree was that it marked of the spot of the battle field where the Third Battle of Panipat (1761 CE) took place between the Maratha and the Durrani armies. The Marathas were led by Sadashiv Rao Bhau while the opposing armies were led by Ahmad Shah Durrani (who was accompanied with local collaborators). This battle...

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Wazu Khana, Jama Masjid (New Delhi) (Const 1656 CE) - Picture of the Week #128

Clicked from the minaret of one of the largest mosques in Asia, the 'Wazu Khana' of Jama Masjid is dotted with people getting ready to say their prayers before they open their roza's (fast)...

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The Original Babri Masjid, Panipat (1529 CE) - POTW #127

Located in Panipat this mosque, also known as Kabuli Bagh Masjid, was built by Babur (the first mosque to be built by him in India), the founder of Mughal Dynasty, as a token of thanksgiving to God post his victory over the armies of Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat (1526 CE). So, by that virtue it becomes the original Babri Masjid. Click here to find out more.. Architecture-wise a two aisle mosque, a part of it has collapse...

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Sweet Shop Banner in Old Delhi - Picture of the Week #126

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Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu - Picture of the Week #125

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Ibrahim Lodi's Tomb, Panipat (Const 1526 CE) - Picture of the Week #124

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Khwaja Khizr's Tomb, Sonipat (Const 1524 CE) - POTW #123

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Kashmere Gate, New Delhi (Const 1835 CE) - POTW #122

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St James Church (Const. 1836 C.E.) - Picture of the Week #121

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National Highway 11A, Rajasthan - Picture of the Week #120

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Dargah of Bu Ali Shah Qalandar, Panipat - POTW #119

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Picture of the Week #118 - Wat Arun (Const 17th Cent CE)

Picture © Rohan A Singh Wat Arun used to house the famous Emerald Buddha statue until it was shifted to its present location, at the Wat Phra Kaew in the Grand Palace Complex in Bangkok, Thailan...

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Swami Vivekananda - The Traveler

Swami Vivekananda (Source - Wikipedia) Swami Vivekananda was a monk and a philosopher. He was born on 12th January 1863 CE (in Calcutta) and today the world is celebrating his 151st Birth Anniversary. Amongst many of his famous deeds, his introduction of Hinduism at the Parliament of World's Religion in Chicago in the year 1893 CE is remembered across the world by many. It was thanks to the hundreds of conventions and lectures addressed by...

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Picture of the Week #117 - Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Tamil Nadu

Picture © Rommel A Singh January 12th 1863 was Swami Vivekananda's (born Narendra Nath Dutta) birthday and this year the world will celebrate the 151st birth anniversary of this iconic Philosopher who introduced Hinduism to the modern world ! Located off the coast of Tamil Nadu, India; Vivekananda Rock is located at the tri-junction of Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Palk Strait. Swami Vivekananda attained enlightenment after meditating on...

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Picture of the Week #116 - Phra Mondop, Bangkok

Picture © Rohan A Sing...

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