tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730760579697154872024-03-15T18:09:13.371-07:00Shekhar's Travel Blog<b>Welcome to my travel Blog, an endless journey with my camera.</b>
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<b>"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step" - Lao Tzu</b>R Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766052807496029908noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473076057969715487.post-90454919791421711892012-07-16T21:40:00.001-07:002012-07-16T21:41:25.562-07:00Natarajar (Siva) Temple, Chidambaram<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.chidambaramnataraja.org/images/chidambaram_nataraja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="left" border="0" height="200" src="http://www.chidambaramnataraja.org/images/chidambaram_nataraja.jpg" vspace="3" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">Have you seen this image? I am sure you did, this is the famous celestial dancing posture</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">"Ananda Thandava" of lord Siva having its roots in Natarajar Temple of Chidambaram. Temple is one of the panchbootha sthalam (five elements location) of lord Siva representing "Akasha" (Sky) manifestation.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Others Being </span></span><br />
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<ol style="background-color: #fff2cc; text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Ekambareswarar </b>temple at Kanchipuram, where the Lord is worshiped in his manifestation as Earth </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The <b>Jambukeswarar </b>temple at Thiruvanaikaval, in Tiruchirapalli,
where the Lord is worshipped in his manifestation as Water</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The <b>Annamalaiyar </b>Temple at Tiruvannamalai, where the Lord is worshiped in his manifestation as Fire </i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><i>The <b>Kalahasti </b>temple at Srikalahasthi, where the Lord is worshiped in his manifestation as air/wind.</i></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">It was an unplanned trip to Trichy via Cuddlore-Chidambaram & Karaikal. and it was my long wish to visit Ranganathar Swamy temple, Srirangam. This time all plan fell in right place and I got a chance to visit not one, two but three most revered temples of south in the following sequence</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<ol style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<li>Natrajar Temple, Chidambaram</li>
<li>Thirukadaiyur, Nagapattinum</li>
<li>Ranaganathur Swamy, Srirangam, Trichy</li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This is the only place where Siva is worshiped in the form other than Lingam, though the swyambhu image found here is Lingam, rest of the image(Idols) are consecrated by erstwhile Raja's. Another uniqueness of this temple is, it houses Perumal(Lord Vishnu) Idol in his reclining repose as well, which make this temple at most reverence for both Vaishnavit and Saviat followers. Interestingly the tamil word "Kovil" (temple) for Siva refers to this temple and for Lord Vishnu it's Srirangam.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><u><b>Temple History</b></u> (some excerpts from web)</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> <i style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">"<span style="color: black;">The story of Chidambaram begins with the legend of Lord Shiva
strolling into the Thillai Vanam (Vanam meaning forest and
thillai trees - botanical name Exocoeria agallocha, a species of
mangrove trees - which currently grows in the Pichavaram
wetlands near Chidambaram. The temple sculptures depicting the
Thillai trees date back to the 2nd century CE).</span></i><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><i style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">In
the Thillai forests resided a group of saints or 'rishis' who
believed in the supremacy of magic and that God can be
controlled by rituals and 'mantras' or magical words. The Lord
strolls in the forest with resplendent beauty and brilliance,
assuming the form of 'Pitchatanadar', a simple mendicant seeking
alms. He is followed by his Grace and consort who is Lord Vishnu
as Mohini. The rishis and their wives are enchanted by the
brilliance and the beauty of the handsome mendicant and his
consort.On seeing their womenfolk enchanted, the rishis get
enraged and invoke scores of 'serpents' (Sanskrit: Nāga) by
performing magical rituals. The Lord as the mendicant lifts the
serpents and dons them as ornaments on his matted locks, neck
and waist. Further enraged, the rishis invoke a fierce tiger,
which the Lord skins and dons as a shawl around his
waist.Thoroughly frustrated, the rishis gather all their
spiritual strength and invoke a powerful demon Muyalakan - a
symbol of complete arrogance and ignorance. The Lord wearing a
gentle smile, steps on the demon's back, immobilizes him and
performs the Ánanda Thaandava (the dance of eternal bliss) and
discloses his true form. The rishis surrender, realizing that
this Lord is the truth and he is beyond magic and rituals."</span> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Chidambaram was our first halt, the temple lies just off the Chinnai-Nagapattinum highway (you need to skip the bypass and continue inside the city).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_woCRnknjD7Gx_D3OWUNO8lBeCTXqDg1S9dn45wgdoBGqZEiOnAhfZU605GX0EMjSxTEf3DA1dBndgq6BSi3raek23t4qhVZolgh3eJ1PhJ2l4UgrdNIaZhOBCz_RxXzR_IJWGjV5_Qb8/s1600/DSC_2106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_woCRnknjD7Gx_D3OWUNO8lBeCTXqDg1S9dn45wgdoBGqZEiOnAhfZU605GX0EMjSxTEf3DA1dBndgq6BSi3raek23t4qhVZolgh3eJ1PhJ2l4UgrdNIaZhOBCz_RxXzR_IJWGjV5_Qb8/s200/DSC_2106.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgzE5_Pl1BrYhZl0-uLV9LWr_9TUswSsBB_almwu3g2zZZyXUtij50-oUeatX1Y8Bu3IOVw6R38f9uC0YybvcuXZSOzZUjCkNRZHUBWOLryfTHCtP1hRk-TTT55NroQvH4q_LVw6NnwSi/s1600/DSC_2056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgzE5_Pl1BrYhZl0-uLV9LWr_9TUswSsBB_almwu3g2zZZyXUtij50-oUeatX1Y8Bu3IOVw6R38f9uC0YybvcuXZSOzZUjCkNRZHUBWOLryfTHCtP1hRk-TTT55NroQvH4q_LVw6NnwSi/s200/DSC_2056.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> This is the main entrance (left) and its not un-usaual to see pawnshops alongside the road. You across this gopuram to enter big open area with main shrine at the center. You cross the next entrance (right) to reach main Shrine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u><b>Chidambaram Rahasiyam</b></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The
sanctum-sanctorum houses three images (basically two, one is formless),
the main Natrajar Idol, Shiv Lingam and a formless image (covered by
dark curtain, opened for few seconds every after aarti for devotees to
see), refer the below image from web</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufFb69rwROQvXZSYD5-qgENDGo7ct6p78qRFpEBbL_hF0Ezl6X5hbJuuDr6ODnObnquHXePlfvyjCmmuM2QXh1C0SoEA9q3O08by7UX4CWAJ43SW0QF-xmsZPdi_s50N6u4UwORLPAX8e/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufFb69rwROQvXZSYD5-qgENDGo7ct6p78qRFpEBbL_hF0Ezl6X5hbJuuDr6ODnObnquHXePlfvyjCmmuM2QXh1C0SoEA9q3O08by7UX4CWAJ43SW0QF-xmsZPdi_s50N6u4UwORLPAX8e/s1600/Untitled.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Image
on left is what we have in Sanctum-Sanctorum, center gold plated idol
is of Lord Siva in the form of Natrajar (in celestial dancing posture,
its not a complete Natrajar posture as seen in the first pic top), on
his left is his consort (Paravathi-</span><span class="st" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sivakami Amman</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">)
and on his right (i.e. extreme left in the image) is the formless form
of Lord Siva, since you can't see any formless image so it has the
hanging golden Bilva leaves to give a visual look to devotees and
reminding them the the presence of God in the space and it's permeates
everywhere, this portion is covered by curtain and is opened to be
viewed only for few seconds every after the aarti of main Idol (center
one). Devotees wont be having a full view of this formless image
directly but through the net like door having 108 square openings in it.
This number 108 has some philosophical meanings which I will disclose
shortly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sanctum-Sanctorum and the Shrine </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">is build on raised surface with flight of five steps (This 5 also has some </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">philosophical meaning</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">), this sbhai is called "Chit Sabhai".
One need to pay Rs 100 per person(this includes pooja materials) to
step up-stairs to have a close darshan of Natrajar and the formless
image and yes men have to be topless before stepping up. There are
several priest who will assist you for darshan, the mods-oprundi is, you will pay the darshan fee to one of the priest, he will take the aarti materials to the main priest inside the sanctum-sanctorum, who after the aarti will return it back to your priest. As main priest perform the aarti to the main idol (Natrajar) then he shows the aarti to the formless form for few seconds, this is viewed by devotees through the net like door (with 108 square openings in it). It was Saturday and i didn't found any rush in there. Also they have the provision to courier the vibhuti on monthly basis to your home for which they would charge some amount (though I didn't opted it). I deliberately listened to what the
priest explained but alas my Tamil and his version of Brahminical Tamil
didn't matched and it went over my head :-(</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><u>Main Shrine Architecture</u></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEeg856G_spVZqlG4qR5ckLiN5vX8U2zOizobJWVA24TCjcc_UGC9I2Hm0bRy9dmMvXalTmDFMB84ltoLqzyVgZqXRbud8uu0ozPODwB2qbXc_psodfotvm8UIxblJSx6vXQOYfQB1pY9/s1600/DSC_2042.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEeg856G_spVZqlG4qR5ckLiN5vX8U2zOizobJWVA24TCjcc_UGC9I2Hm0bRy9dmMvXalTmDFMB84ltoLqzyVgZqXRbud8uu0ozPODwB2qbXc_psodfotvm8UIxblJSx6vXQOYfQB1pY9/s400/DSC_2042.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Above
pic is the gold plated gopuram of Sanctum-Sanctorum shot from the back
side. Some philosophical facts as stated by one of the priest there.</span></div>
<ol style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Central Shrine symbolizes the human heart</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">The 5 steps which reaches the podium of Sanctum-Sanctorum symbolizes </span><span style="font-size: small;">syllables – "SI VA YA NA
MA"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Golden roof made up of 21600 golden tiles inscribed with "SIVAYANAMA" symbolizes number of breaths </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">72000 golden nails used to pin the tiles represents number of naadis human body contains.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">9 sacred Kalasam on the top symbolizes 9 forms of energy (or nav graha as some calls it).</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Some pics around this Shrine.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrEAZwAkMkY4TKvyX0UsMzYDJUNiyPJIN9bwleHDkJKBc2YfSXX4LVx5tSUyH6cZMmvtIW62APSXdL2zL_yIsKtllJFBqqiRfTAjBceIfO6FyEh2df11W4evC2cFaJMUbQjREBgI3YyOJ/s1600/DSC_2050.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrEAZwAkMkY4TKvyX0UsMzYDJUNiyPJIN9bwleHDkJKBc2YfSXX4LVx5tSUyH6cZMmvtIW62APSXdL2zL_yIsKtllJFBqqiRfTAjBceIfO6FyEh2df11W4evC2cFaJMUbQjREBgI3YyOJ/s200/DSC_2050.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwz_VIG0LW3M5MS-0YafK5ZfAbeNkIm2Lc9MX19yihQdnNqdD_D_x6PjzxgqVwt87wBuy4z1uuN-FPlA4w8imFKE-Zecnpb-OrxSCLwKZYxIqHwiNEHf7UkMJ4bBy2BnjAlr8w0EIJT_DZ/s1600/DSC_2040.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwz_VIG0LW3M5MS-0YafK5ZfAbeNkIm2Lc9MX19yihQdnNqdD_D_x6PjzxgqVwt87wBuy4z1uuN-FPlA4w8imFKE-Zecnpb-OrxSCLwKZYxIqHwiNEHf7UkMJ4bBy2BnjAlr8w0EIJT_DZ/s200/DSC_2040.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBeaORrahv6lnfnk2lpL816zzoeMlWE3ATT_FcmGGYIQgCCkfaVgJgd-8oLkNuLvjm555kZkN-vmk442uFauj5dnrggIuBSAFEEGlYB-f_999BrlL07rRqLlscwV-aZnolWI1lBuyIwi3/s1600/DSC_2047.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBeaORrahv6lnfnk2lpL816zzoeMlWE3ATT_FcmGGYIQgCCkfaVgJgd-8oLkNuLvjm555kZkN-vmk442uFauj5dnrggIuBSAFEEGlYB-f_999BrlL07rRqLlscwV-aZnolWI1lBuyIwi3/s200/DSC_2047.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hb0sLixARV__UthdTAZcxbDcbYNNWzSew3kkXxuJyAZmVnYvuf8p4g2JZ9g1AXW6IsJ3EanRs6BjHSK9qsmcw-jA2w1LJ33ZCFtbP2NQJ6k1GXqEZZebIJf9BZLnoEreup98j2jCmJIi/s1600/DSC_2035.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hb0sLixARV__UthdTAZcxbDcbYNNWzSew3kkXxuJyAZmVnYvuf8p4g2JZ9g1AXW6IsJ3EanRs6BjHSK9qsmcw-jA2w1LJ33ZCFtbP2NQJ6k1GXqEZZebIJf9BZLnoEreup98j2jCmJIi/s200/DSC_2035.JPG" width="200" /> </a></div>
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<u style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Vishnu Shabai -Govindraja (Shrine) </b></u></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">As
stated earlier one of the uniqueness of this temple is it houses Shrine
of Lord Vishnu in reclining repose. This is one among the 108 Diya
Deysams and is just in front of the Natrajar shrine on his right i.e if
you are facing Natrajar then Vishnu's Shrine will be on your left, this
Shrine is the extension of the main Siva's shrine in inverted L shape and
thus one can see both the Idols. It is said that Lord Vishnu watch Lord
Siva's celestial dance and thus facing this way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You walk opposite to Natrajar Shrine, and will reach the Kodi Maram or Dhwaja Stambh in the outer hall, adjacent to which is Nitya Sbhai, a very place where Lord Siva competed with Goddess Kali to establish his dance supremacy, its here where Siva wear earrings using his feet. Such as the remarkable feat which concludes his victory. There is a shrine opposite to Dhwaja Stambh to commemorate his victory, Idol there depicts the posture of Siva with one leg above his head. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Some more pics </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKECa9fphgAa6xcubdw1Zn4fxIoPCAWNyihq2_v0NM9yizNYBUP1BAMZiEdHkKD6Nu0Z5Vf5KzNcb4a0uqKtO2F76U-bGz_sFhXCQQyaWAO88wKZIMV_GQRHp_vzMrgwW-y1Q_VYIEeDj/s1600/DSC_2045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKECa9fphgAa6xcubdw1Zn4fxIoPCAWNyihq2_v0NM9yizNYBUP1BAMZiEdHkKD6Nu0Z5Vf5KzNcb4a0uqKtO2F76U-bGz_sFhXCQQyaWAO88wKZIMV_GQRHp_vzMrgwW-y1Q_VYIEeDj/s200/DSC_2045.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kodi Maram or Dhwaja Stambh</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuP4oTwRZicD0tKhL7nsIPVOod-4KGSE6gAYtBhbJ2RVXUePLFmi2QfqzS34IBdM2FJe9hivJj8H7R4dDBr9e16gsKjU8CDMf8bRd9dMoUbP_DCGI4ElddtWo-t7K2_o3QAdyEe82XzyEd/s1600/DSC_2046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuP4oTwRZicD0tKhL7nsIPVOod-4KGSE6gAYtBhbJ2RVXUePLFmi2QfqzS34IBdM2FJe9hivJj8H7R4dDBr9e16gsKjU8CDMf8bRd9dMoUbP_DCGI4ElddtWo-t7K2_o3QAdyEe82XzyEd/s200/DSC_2046.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nitya Sbhai Kovil</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvecZGD8tG-PpLVDUBbPO9EEGmAHCynTuJ73n8QTWhyZcwV75bnSIiZdsY8lbkBaVZJZVys_MSObUyjb8XOtTEoORKRQvXFvBKRg5wDWhEmNDWr09yt5Rhv4jTV2f2YgPnd3pirzc2GND/s1600/DSC_2047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvecZGD8tG-PpLVDUBbPO9EEGmAHCynTuJ73n8QTWhyZcwV75bnSIiZdsY8lbkBaVZJZVys_MSObUyjb8XOtTEoORKRQvXFvBKRg5wDWhEmNDWr09yt5Rhv4jTV2f2YgPnd3pirzc2GND/s200/DSC_2047.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hall left to Dhwaja Stambh</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14oxs_FkfXz2ZD41DdQsRE8WAtRCzxVdDVsLn8gvMkvtdZddetUAQDu99afLQ8dS2Zn_wYzU11dTURCxd0ByWN6dqEn7UqxpruAo00LxvpgK54_aol9r39TTaHBK7is2STrD1sjCXBlC1/s1600/DSC_2055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14oxs_FkfXz2ZD41DdQsRE8WAtRCzxVdDVsLn8gvMkvtdZddetUAQDu99afLQ8dS2Zn_wYzU11dTURCxd0ByWN6dqEn7UqxpruAo00LxvpgK54_aol9r39TTaHBK7is2STrD1sjCXBlC1/s200/DSC_2055.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering Central Shrine</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Some outside pics</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNvd1DTydqHwB8BSS-vU-8zLECOamImat1jiW9hRfMUDyAzv8kJC0L3O7EBU_NP0hvmZgg_NnCPkGg5Udp5X73Dm3aRjE_nC43N-kPJNJUQQuCXvrVyQHJMoRjQBBOq3vyO3syvrW6Ajz/s1600/DSC_2074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNvd1DTydqHwB8BSS-vU-8zLECOamImat1jiW9hRfMUDyAzv8kJC0L3O7EBU_NP0hvmZgg_NnCPkGg5Udp5X73Dm3aRjE_nC43N-kPJNJUQQuCXvrVyQHJMoRjQBBOq3vyO3syvrW6Ajz/s200/DSC_2074.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Non Functioning Temple</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRb4FYvPEg6YcEMQrx9tOlvE0AN7gA8BFqm_NsUXEDdm753dB4_k22WvEY0v41r1VW6cgetbYyU8oxkExD73yHMzzkDX6dkRUEpU4TV6GGlNIrzBJlEKB1TiwxhCPiw1o5tunTN3jCHpL/s1600/DSC_2077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRb4FYvPEg6YcEMQrx9tOlvE0AN7gA8BFqm_NsUXEDdm753dB4_k22WvEY0v41r1VW6cgetbYyU8oxkExD73yHMzzkDX6dkRUEpU4TV6GGlNIrzBJlEKB1TiwxhCPiw1o5tunTN3jCHpL/s200/DSC_2077.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water tank, non-functioning</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span id="goog_1420977167"></span><span id="goog_1420977168"></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5L_BU-arX9gJRl71fm2q7Ha40TjIZZIcbLxdvjhWaOzftlZ_7tJHSST50khzZDRi3aTO5U7Qx2xJ0WBS-ERKwWsCJb29icUFNCx3sRm-ZzXkCMiByv4gL8TaGhWGA8n3YFj-Bm1yJGlb/s1600/DSC_2086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5L_BU-arX9gJRl71fm2q7Ha40TjIZZIcbLxdvjhWaOzftlZ_7tJHSST50khzZDRi3aTO5U7Qx2xJ0WBS-ERKwWsCJb29icUFNCx3sRm-ZzXkCMiByv4gL8TaGhWGA8n3YFj-Bm1yJGlb/s200/DSC_2086.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">water tank beyond this wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrc2x0k7IJTPRyr2GojRhg1oPG5rVJVEyJBSLpTJKr7yapBxJIFqp2GxKUX-7eObspUltsqGUSl1wTLx_GaGYy1WWyjd5dvSyRNY-P83X7RmDRkIUViox-i9Bm2g9_xXmVUfqu72liDd_I/s1600/DSC_2083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrc2x0k7IJTPRyr2GojRhg1oPG5rVJVEyJBSLpTJKr7yapBxJIFqp2GxKUX-7eObspUltsqGUSl1wTLx_GaGYy1WWyjd5dvSyRNY-P83X7RmDRkIUViox-i9Bm2g9_xXmVUfqu72liDd_I/s200/DSC_2083.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view of non-functional temple</td></tr>
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<u><b>Temple Car</b></u></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I must say this is an exemplary work of art and so intricate that it will make you glued to it. It seems this is recently polished</span>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt62yLGJolmezcrzVV3dJeF0qpani4g5RsOVl0J-GFbFI3KBmKPBu1yBhLGbyoQpS4EzP3ZcbOpWYoPMuaRWxdQ5X5H-fE97mZ1S0ulDeVJm01o-8g6bC6ixLEJagaVCLudXpRMa30QOqt/s1600/DSC_2109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt62yLGJolmezcrzVV3dJeF0qpani4g5RsOVl0J-GFbFI3KBmKPBu1yBhLGbyoQpS4EzP3ZcbOpWYoPMuaRWxdQ5X5H-fE97mZ1S0ulDeVJm01o-8g6bC6ixLEJagaVCLudXpRMa30QOqt/s320/DSC_2109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMuEIrkwCkq-1I_8z1E5VRUrILW5vAqSEOsMZDL6zFVOgZVfxlDImZagUaY4sNhifMicZhKh5YoP-lt8MrOhcCOuC6UqaXBaB-pbk6V6WgO7Yaq8veBUSB7Fm7zKMx4tdBTXYrUPT69T-/s1600/DSC_2114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMuEIrkwCkq-1I_8z1E5VRUrILW5vAqSEOsMZDL6zFVOgZVfxlDImZagUaY4sNhifMicZhKh5YoP-lt8MrOhcCOuC6UqaXBaB-pbk6V6WgO7Yaq8veBUSB7Fm7zKMx4tdBTXYrUPT69T-/s320/DSC_2114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><b>Panoramic view</b></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76J7hS8sZ9Cf9-rCTLQH_RqHZxAnf_98n-loblzovMAoNEnlG0x6uFiKfLkczJB205UF-D7RAVGIlLLAqYhOVGa09m625Bgz_qjkwxP7PEQDKtYN3Mg4w-T1j3vmy3AmX-rRcLVaehB9Y/s1600/Chidambaram3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76J7hS8sZ9Cf9-rCTLQH_RqHZxAnf_98n-loblzovMAoNEnlG0x6uFiKfLkczJB205UF-D7RAVGIlLLAqYhOVGa09m625Bgz_qjkwxP7PEQDKtYN3Mg4w-T1j3vmy3AmX-rRcLVaehB9Y/s400/Chidambaram3.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You can take your camera inside, take pics of the outer area of central shrine but not inside, though I secretly shot some</span><br />
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We offered our prayer, got a glimpse of formless form of Lord Siva and then moved to our next destination i.e. Thirukadayur.</div>
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</div>R Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766052807496029908noreply@blogger.com2E Sannathi, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu 608001, India11.400105462742614 79.693708419799811.392322962742615 79.6838379197998 11.407887962742613 79.70357891979981tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473076057969715487.post-16983191997270542542012-03-30T08:06:00.001-07:002012-03-30T08:08:28.159-07:00Vallakottai Murugan Temple<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WtZ_y5BvvDgXzwyBLEG0FWc_dyUPjMHTREzxDxDnlI8XXxdEFa74e4ssfb25GEbvw5-4vfgbqqUCdrFXWKq7z-7N7KF6dSg-XBmVmH-UpwGj6SzcnQdT6KB4t4xfVLUEbpxGJW_G0EXy/s1600/DSC_1388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WtZ_y5BvvDgXzwyBLEG0FWc_dyUPjMHTREzxDxDnlI8XXxdEFa74e4ssfb25GEbvw5-4vfgbqqUCdrFXWKq7z-7N7KF6dSg-XBmVmH-UpwGj6SzcnQdT6KB4t4xfVLUEbpxGJW_G0EXy/s200/DSC_1388.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Not very far from Chennai, lies an old Murugan temple which houses the tallest statue(6 ft) of lord Murugan in Tamil Nadu, and is said to be 1200 yrs old. Situated 14km from Chennai in Kanchipuram district just off the state high way SH 57 (Sriperumbadur-Thirvallur) towards Sriperumbadhur.</div>
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<u><b>Legend</b> </u></div>
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There lived a king name "Bhagirada" in this region, once upon a time Sri Narada paid a visit to this king ,only to get humiliated by him, which enraged Narada who in turn cursed him. While returning, Narada was greeted by a demon called Koran, who sought the blessing of Narada , he in turn asked the demon to defeat the king in retaliation as a result king was defeated and banished from his kingdom. Repented by his act he sought forgiveness and advice from Narada to gain his prosperity back. Narad directed him to saint Dhurvasa who adviced him to do fasting on fridays and worship Lord Muruga to appease him. His worship paid off, later the king got his kingdom back by defeating the demon. It is believed that this temple was built by the king.<br />
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Its the Sanctum-Sanctorum which is 1200 years old built by the usual way of interlacing several monolithic mountain stones, its rather plain stones then the having intricate carvings. Later additional structures were built like surrounding walls and small shrines on each corner of the temple.</div>
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The temple is well fortified by around 10 ft wall. A big temple water tank beautifies the front portion outside the premises which once is known for its divinity now stands desolated to be used by village peoples for washing clothes. Temple is run by the trust, despite that this hasn't received enough patronage which it is entitled to. There is no specific parking areas apart from the open surrounding for which they do charge Rs 10. </div>
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<u><b>Few pics</b></u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8emKfR1snFrKK2wlCIEcE3Fr1inN_HiUfHckxlxZsKAk3zkXUX2bn2S7erJTPl3kAA5n3ilfeC6xPLGKD75DBbO4FJh7nb63NyrB-xXtjD1syDKVkfAkeCYM26Iis4keT48VL05_wZnV/s1600/DSC_1400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8emKfR1snFrKK2wlCIEcE3Fr1inN_HiUfHckxlxZsKAk3zkXUX2bn2S7erJTPl3kAA5n3ilfeC6xPLGKD75DBbO4FJh7nb63NyrB-xXtjD1syDKVkfAkeCYM26Iis4keT48VL05_wZnV/s200/DSC_1400.JPG" width="200" /></a> <b> </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YEL7kDJ4jrkvfAConZrhGd1PGH73LWuSzlf66sGlD83Y6aotq9dr_JFJB1a9UuY4XcwkR2u6g3ig07zxPqOcdNdM4d1FQx87zjZ1hsh6AnNdJDgKrx5-dqjaBM2KN2ezZ7AlHEpTS9nL/s1600/DSC_1408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YEL7kDJ4jrkvfAConZrhGd1PGH73LWuSzlf66sGlD83Y6aotq9dr_JFJB1a9UuY4XcwkR2u6g3ig07zxPqOcdNdM4d1FQx87zjZ1hsh6AnNdJDgKrx5-dqjaBM2KN2ezZ7AlHEpTS9nL/s200/DSC_1408.JPG" width="200" /></a><b> </b><br />
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<u><b>Excursion</b></u></div>
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Rajiv Ghandhi Memorial park, is just 9km further towards Sriperumbudur just off the NH 4 Highway, a must visit for to pay homage.<br />
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</div>R Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766052807496029908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473076057969715487.post-31635727227178468662011-03-09T09:01:00.000-08:002011-03-09T09:05:25.441-08:00MelMaruvathur (Om Shakti)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlYMkGCYyehKaCMUFBu_dZy38kRtLhyxdlC_WjFwsRgz8hvIda27v6PYOED5_wNpdBdVciaw0INQ2sjYhISQRegcMqk9YKD3EDv37Jwhado0jvlXKfFxDV754JKiKULMpMJIOTu47T2rP/s1600/2011-03-05+12.59.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlYMkGCYyehKaCMUFBu_dZy38kRtLhyxdlC_WjFwsRgz8hvIda27v6PYOED5_wNpdBdVciaw0INQ2sjYhISQRegcMqk9YKD3EDv37Jwhado0jvlXKfFxDV754JKiKULMpMJIOTu47T2rP/s200/2011-03-05+12.59.10.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">This very place is known for <b>"Adi </b></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Parasakthi</span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>"</b> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">temple situated just off the national Chennai - Trichy NH 45 High way. It is believed that in this place 21 saints both men and women had their Jeeva-Samadhis (meaning, where the Siddhars/Saint left their human forms behind, while they are still alive as holy spirits).</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The main deity is Goddess Amman in a sitting posture expressing obeisance to the </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Swayambu Lingam</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> (Self manifested Lingam). The Lingam is said to be found under the Neem tree which got uprooted during the 1966 cyclone. Devi Amman is said have done pooja's to this Lingam. The Sanctum Sactorium houses this Lingam with the Amman Idol. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>"Ore Thai, Ore Kulum" (One Mother, one Humanity) </b> is what the tenet of this temple and is being practiced among the devotees. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The devotees are permitted to enter into the garbha griha (inner chamber) & pray to the Goddess though we just entered around 1 pm (closing time) we weren't allowed for the same.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The uniqueness of this temple is it's administered by Shri </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1299686041_3" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Arul Thiru Bangaru Adigalar</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> (see the poster on my back in above pic) who as per devotees is believed to be a personification of the Devi Amman herself and is addressed as AMMA (mother) only. Devi Amman is said to transmigrate into Arulthiru </span><span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1299686041_2" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Bangaru Adigala</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> body to spell oracle time to time. Thousands of devotees have witnessed this miracle. Amma lives on the back side of the temple.They takes Rs 1000 to witness the Amman Oracle through Sri Adigalar, in that AMMA will call only the few to solve their problem's through Oracle. There are certain days in a week where this rituals is performed, i didn't bothered to hear the Oracle as i believe if its destined to happen then i can't change and if i can't change it is better not to know it beforehand, bottom line i just wanted to save my thousand bucks.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: green; font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: red; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: green; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: green; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: red; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: green; font-family: verdana;">AMMA once in Her oracle said,<span style="color: blue;"><blockquote>" Do not try to analyse me and my ways. They are beyond your intellectual power".</blockquote></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">AMMA wants to set an example to the world showing even grahast man (family man) can practice spritualism. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">3rd March was the 71st birthday of AMMA.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Photography is not allowed inside the temple and I didn't bothered to sneak in through my mobile phone either (though you can carry mobile in, but not allowed to shoot). Free lunch are provided here. Talking about amenities, there isn't much here as an option. An decent hotel "High way Inn" is situated few km away from here where you can have a vegetarian south indian food.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><u><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">How to reach here</span></span></b></u></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well its just 92 km from Chennai and is just off the NH45 highway and falls 25km before the Tindivanam. It's a straight single road from Chennai and is well connected through train and buses. Local shops are piled up just outside the temple but not enough hotels or restaurant as i expected, and don't have the covered parking as well.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u><b>More about the temple</b></u></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sakthipeedam.org/dpisakthipeetam.html">http://www.sakthipeedam.org/dpisakthipeetam.html</a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>R Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766052807496029908noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473076057969715487.post-41581950624053123372010-03-10T07:32:00.000-08:002010-03-10T08:38:19.583-08:00Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu"City of 1000 temples", "Golden City of Temples"<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">. Kanchipuram has many names to its credit and is one of the oldest city in South India. It underwent many name changes, in ancient times it was </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">called Kachi, Kachiampathi and Kanjivaram in different periods. This city of temple is ruled by many dynasty from Pallavas, Cholas, Vijaynagara & Mughals to British. Few temples are incarnated during Pallavas dynasty </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">(3th-9th centuries) </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">period and later extended or added during Cholas & VIjayanagara Dynasty. The </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">city is revered as one of the seven sacred city in India and is in 2nd place next to Varanasi. The remains of Budhist stupas reminiscence the presence of Buddhism religion at that time. Jainism is also prevalent here. The majority of spoken language here is Tamil and Telugu. You might know the art of Shoulin Temple is preached by an Indian Buddhist Monk, the same monk was hailed from this city only. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Its 75km from Chennai and is well connected by Buses and Train. Regular buses ply from Chennai as well as local train</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Kamakshi Amman Temple</span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rvFw8aQMn8tPmaIBy475v1zaa8mc39FSjKlzTdtrHFGZBsmowIbljtNxNlq5wekXYqSuhUdSJb7HuoinWCvhmXZ2GZSUVV0RxrXPQwNjAgT3UTnOqWbuheO4DFB3DaFONj60FbVWH8xi/s1600-h/Kanchipuram+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rvFw8aQMn8tPmaIBy475v1zaa8mc39FSjKlzTdtrHFGZBsmowIbljtNxNlq5wekXYqSuhUdSJb7HuoinWCvhmXZ2GZSUVV0RxrXPQwNjAgT3UTnOqWbuheO4DFB3DaFONj60FbVWH8xi/s200/Kanchipuram+01.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The presiding deity of this city is Goddess Kamakshi (Incarnation of Paravathi) & is one of the triad temple of<b> Maa Shakti, the other being </b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Madhurai </span></b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Meenakshi & Kasi Visalakshi</b>. The temple is situated in the heart of city and is surround by many other ancient temples near by. Its noteworthy that this famous temple is not the original temple of Kamakshi. The acutal one is near to this and is called<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">Adi Peeta Parameswari, though I missed to visit this. Its also noteworthy that the present temple was once a Jain Tara temple until 12th century after which it was gradually converted to Shakti temple. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlddlWJceOhnc_oKML3FQpdpeoJsO_2WSeUVnOAh5CK2nslPYNWqNYd91_AFKM5DUwPu3YPXpR-64J7f0bF4oXO5D0hEFVhdqDd10DHH-wOGNIJrdmlNVBI2cAChLKF85GKh7Hv0QIT2B/s1600-h/Kanchipuram+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHlddlWJceOhnc_oKML3FQpdpeoJsO_2WSeUVnOAh5CK2nslPYNWqNYd91_AFKM5DUwPu3YPXpR-64J7f0bF4oXO5D0hEFVhdqDd10DHH-wOGNIJrdmlNVBI2cAChLKF85GKh7Hv0QIT2B/s200/Kanchipuram+03.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">The famous Sri Chakara which is installed in this temple is not the actual one installed by Adi Shankaracharya (Great Hindu Saint and disciple of Goddess Shakti) but in the original temple i.e. Adi Peeta Prameswari. There are few inscription which clearly shows that this was once a Jain temple. There isn't any entrance fee and camera can be carried inside the temple but not allowed to take snap of the sanctum. The deity is in sitting posture and can be seen within 7-8 feet distance. Since we went on Sunday so didn't faced any major rush. The gopuram of sanctum sanctorum is gold plated. The whole temple is fortified with stone wall. Each side has a gate having a temple like structure built as a gate way (common in almost all South Indian temples). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">In the pic below the guru (third from the left) is believed to have attained Shakti's (Amman) divine darshan and he himself had talked to her. The pond is on the back side of the temple a common for all temples, not maintained at all and looks like it gets its share of fresh water only through rains. Saw one old elephant in the entrance gate beautifully marked on his forehead and standing helplessly. I suggest its better to feed fruits etc then to give money, by giving fruits at least you know that you fed. </span><br />
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<tr><td colspan="2"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRY4Apa6hT_ZhFzObCenbM8Yzxxhjvr6WZ8EOzoKVfM5wB20ml66Uh_kJ_S6oFa9HL_ZfuMOMU03-u8XrA-bpxykIVIhutwB0SQxPXdL4-Q2ySlg8_fR3qWuc0Ui-OA6Q3TBFmrYKSAiK/s1600-h/Kanchipuram+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRY4Apa6hT_ZhFzObCenbM8Yzxxhjvr6WZ8EOzoKVfM5wB20ml66Uh_kJ_S6oFa9HL_ZfuMOMU03-u8XrA-bpxykIVIhutwB0SQxPXdL4-Q2ySlg8_fR3qWuc0Ui-OA6Q3TBFmrYKSAiK/s320/Kanchipuram+02.jpg" width="150px" /></a></div></td><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRLqPnGOc_cdW7TLEvsWgI6gBKNKFSLGBlFPa8NYRWWrL1meGr5BPwsDY9pkxnhJNNu0ntNnywA83485vDkZYgMslDw9xBWBGE6bJBVYs3ucgRpx_fA0X8WBOd0WWyc2RLrgsL7aW7t8P/s1600-h/Kanchipuram+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRLqPnGOc_cdW7TLEvsWgI6gBKNKFSLGBlFPa8NYRWWrL1meGr5BPwsDY9pkxnhJNNu0ntNnywA83485vDkZYgMslDw9xBWBGE6bJBVYs3ucgRpx_fA0X8WBOd0WWyc2RLrgsL7aW7t8P/s320/Kanchipuram+04.jpg" width="150px" /></a></div></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26pBTKtqOktFtBxYQuYxKyfs_30meohyHoBnBavY-rieAJtu5RtVsdtfEEpUkLsbDyzs5KPyVpsF9NepvZzwhZKrF2KKrgHmu0YpBbdC5Ee1WiiilVYOe4xPPofl_OAk2WMp0AmaWYXdK/s1600-h/Kanchipuram+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26pBTKtqOktFtBxYQuYxKyfs_30meohyHoBnBavY-rieAJtu5RtVsdtfEEpUkLsbDyzs5KPyVpsF9NepvZzwhZKrF2KKrgHmu0YpBbdC5Ee1WiiilVYOe4xPPofl_OAk2WMp0AmaWYXdK/s200/Kanchipuram+25.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Varadaraja Perumal Temple</span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">After visiting Kamakshi Temple we headed for Vishnu temple which is in the other end of the city, area which is commonly called </span><span style="font-size: small;">as Chinna Kanchi (little Kanchi) where most of the Vishnu temples are erected and other side where Shiva temples are is called Shiva Kanchipuram</span><span style="font-size: small;">. The very importance of this temple is that it is one of the 108 Divya Desams. There are 108 Vishnu temples which are considered as Divya Desam's, 105 are in India, 1 in Nepal and 2 is not on this earth. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyGz2Mv8aByRUvwCk9gBu5GcsMDRuCy0Qjbxa4q80FCr7TyJOSoZWGlqPZQfCvUAziSVjxWMtX1Xxai1aRvYiQ_6G0470iibkLYEcp4NKivSA_dFt1gZFkPj2-5ouzz8WusLOan3BjAre/s1600-h/Kanchipuram+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyGz2Mv8aByRUvwCk9gBu5GcsMDRuCy0Qjbxa4q80FCr7TyJOSoZWGlqPZQfCvUAziSVjxWMtX1Xxai1aRvYiQ_6G0470iibkLYEcp4NKivSA_dFt1gZFkPj2-5ouzz8WusLOan3BjAre/s200/Kanchipuram+16.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are total 18 Divya desams in Kanchi itself and all are very ancient built at the time of 9th-13th century during Pallava Dynasty. There are three Idols incarnated here, Life size idol of Lord Vishnu is in the upper portion of the main temple where ground level is occupied by Lord Narismha and on to the right resides Goddess Tyaar (incarnation of Goddess Laxmi). It is few km far from Kamakshi temple at the end of the city. Currently the Temple Gopuram is undergoing some structural reforms or cleaning. This is said to be the biggest in area in Kanchipuram. </span></div><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="5"><tbody width="100%">
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-TfuQOvAL4z5hbMWXswbh5rwbXYJmihMfkmvmRVNT6OCmP7QfJJAnJ6iaaD7kNCCEvaD5fdjvsBV_qWjQ9fTtFEn3KibEY3jG0v1wsOlLA7KnS2XnimZ_0OjJoVzVTomcnjnosc7YFed/s1600-h/Kanchipuram+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-TfuQOvAL4z5hbMWXswbh5rwbXYJmihMfkmvmRVNT6OCmP7QfJJAnJ6iaaD7kNCCEvaD5fdjvsBV_qWjQ9fTtFEn3KibEY3jG0v1wsOlLA7KnS2XnimZ_0OjJoVzVTomcnjnosc7YFed/s200/Kanchipuram+17.jpg" width="150px" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iZy7bLw8elJ8tqqnjsAuKcQHDq2B7mLKcnBQUcAYY9RG4a-LtBms4LOVkvp9Gb3-NXtoCauTddSisggEw5ml_Ly_EL8MbyAm-b5zrg6sUKVHMBU6GgpaXRdGH-SmJHODjIpTir8zKQp0/s1600-h/Kanchipuram+26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7iZy7bLw8elJ8tqqnjsAuKcQHDq2B7mLKcnBQUcAYY9RG4a-LtBms4LOVkvp9Gb3-NXtoCauTddSisggEw5ml_Ly_EL8MbyAm-b5zrg6sUKVHMBU6GgpaXRdGH-SmJHODjIpTir8zKQp0/s200/Kanchipuram+26.jpg" width="150px" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Few architecture like 100 pillar (actual 96) mandapum is built during Vijayanager Dynasty. Each pillar is exquisitely sculpted depicting the pillars in various forms mainly a horse rider with each sculpture differing with other. Now housed as a ticket counter.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwOQnh9jCMV-sTzw5u5s0aVInkGRswvIH5UcLnJRXpuKFkpPo2K1L47Q7imcB78GvJNefCxf73ayfsQ0fox12WoX82Il7doll4mR0R_9pIhUCWIZy8T1JfgUBKXdvdLAkDyCk6XN4zL8m/s1600-h/Kanchipuram+21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwOQnh9jCMV-sTzw5u5s0aVInkGRswvIH5UcLnJRXpuKFkpPo2K1L47Q7imcB78GvJNefCxf73ayfsQ0fox12WoX82Il7doll4mR0R_9pIhUCWIZy8T1JfgUBKXdvdLAkDyCk6XN4zL8m/s200/Kanchipuram+21.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The burning heat has stopped me shooting the pillars in close that to with bare foot. It was an extremely hot weather and to walk bare foot from the gate to the temple sanctum was a bit burning attempt. The temple authoritative should have at least laid out some shed upto the main door instead they just put series of rubber pathway on one side. They charge Rs 5 for still camera. This meticulously sculpted stones can be very well compared with the one found in warangal fort (I yet to find sculptures which is more aesthetic this these ones) but sure it is worth seeing.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This temple also host Anna Daanum (free lunch just near the entrance gate) but then its only applicable for devotees who visits this temple. Beggars of the city were not allowed to enter the premises. This raises one question which I even asked the security gaurd i.e. "Whats the use of giving free lunch to those who themselves are capable to buy out?" obviously he can't answer this and I didn't donated anything towards the free "Anna Daanum" (they have Hundi's at few places for collecting money towards this free lunch).They charge entrance fee of Rs 5 if you visit temple between 12-12:30 pm, rest of the time its free. The prasadam are available just opposite to the 100 pillar structure, not free though. </span><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDptl3zHv7fp6aSRVnL6ZRDU2U5iBAbhOvcIP2290JYUT-iUtI7ImNiRY5OmYttzuJzKHYtZmI5nJ4REPqxEMlhfERYFYgX8thDwDS1EWa6QCHzqWfpazR4trxDsCEm_R4cWQ3jE8eoksK/s1600-h/Kanchipuram+30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDptl3zHv7fp6aSRVnL6ZRDU2U5iBAbhOvcIP2290JYUT-iUtI7ImNiRY5OmYttzuJzKHYtZmI5nJ4REPqxEMlhfERYFYgX8thDwDS1EWa6QCHzqWfpazR4trxDsCEm_R4cWQ3jE8eoksK/s200/Kanchipuram+30.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Ekambaranatha Shiva Temple:</span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is Shiva temple and is situated near Kamakshi Amman temple. This is the very place where Goddess Paravathi worshipped/performed tapas to marry Lord Shiva. During her tapas she built a Shiva Lingum out of sand which is still there in the temple sanctum covered by metal/or glass shield (the same way we have in Rameswaram). On the back side of the sanctum sanctorum is the Mango tree under which Goddess Paravathi has performed her penance. This mango tree is believed to produce 4 different taste of mango out of its four different branches and is said to be 3500 years old (the old one which died already 3-4 years back). The temple was built by Pallavas and later contributed by Chola Dynasty. Sanctum is not big and has special darshan provision for Rs 5 (its nothing special, general public enters through left side door and this by front door in general both will be standing facing each other, temple authoritative are just making money out of this). The Lingam (shield) can be clearly seen even from the entrance far outside where Nandi Idol is erected (if its not that much rush).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscXwVVDR0_qKHMPZ9bHEisUKdLR7odag83A_fHk4YBCvEEBTSsTdLZcebksC-Ny3XQCv9EhdWTyKkXzMO3ao8FNlE2zUAYetqbroGyWpNVSo77xi6hmEzSweBxoNz3NV7h4NnPeC2KwpO/s1600-h/Kanchipuram+32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscXwVVDR0_qKHMPZ9bHEisUKdLR7odag83A_fHk4YBCvEEBTSsTdLZcebksC-Ny3XQCv9EhdWTyKkXzMO3ao8FNlE2zUAYetqbroGyWpNVSo77xi6hmEzSweBxoNz3NV7h4NnPeC2KwpO/s200/Kanchipuram+32.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another noteworthy fact of this temple is it has 1008 Shiva Lingam built along the inner wall of the temple. Not all in same shape & size. There are four Idols in each corner of the temple (inside just outside the sanctum sanctorum) Ganesha, Vishu & Shiva (i forget the fourth one). The Shiva Idol (Lingum) in one corner has a special feature i.e. it is the biggest Lingam in the Kanchipuram (well it is much smaller then what you will see in Warangal) but what set this apart is it has 1000 small miniature Lingam engraved on the main Lingam and also believed that Sri Rama has worshiped here. (There are total 3 places where Lord Rama offered worship to Lord Shiva) 1. Rameshwaram 2. Kanchipuram 3. Kaasi. True or not but the Lingam appearance is breathtaking as i haven't seen such structure any where.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZuQVEIHq4sTE15QNBKo8yzYsohDXOdVYfe6f5NkkiXf9-2r4XeVuKUT9OARGfa2V_OOBs02coBo3YCbSDcntOW2kXKzbB8sFXxIjCzGhhLwqhMnzxYRzzTSjmZ8CGCaV7k4iAaxWCeFi/s1600-h/Kanchipuram+33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZuQVEIHq4sTE15QNBKo8yzYsohDXOdVYfe6f5NkkiXf9-2r4XeVuKUT9OARGfa2V_OOBs02coBo3YCbSDcntOW2kXKzbB8sFXxIjCzGhhLwqhMnzxYRzzTSjmZ8CGCaV7k4iAaxWCeFi/s200/Kanchipuram+33.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The exteriors surrounding sanctum is quit intricate and looks like almost new as seen in the pic its only these exteriors which are meticulously carved rest of the outer temple structures are rather plain. There are quit long corridors supported by pillars on both side and series of Lingam running along the wall. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some more pics</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoxrroMz1vxoLaqO9DfijD3-0sPEPMx1c9ZaRGaHAs8rU91xrk5hkMn6WulvNZGFag8xPPKdK5Y2bw02HIcrJQrSY1qZwx4MF7p6T20TmC4HOOJOL9c1bvlevJyhf9NgVhQG2AYpVegZe/s1600-h/Kanchipuram+34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoxrroMz1vxoLaqO9DfijD3-0sPEPMx1c9ZaRGaHAs8rU91xrk5hkMn6WulvNZGFag8xPPKdK5Y2bw02HIcrJQrSY1qZwx4MF7p6T20TmC4HOOJOL9c1bvlevJyhf9NgVhQG2AYpVegZe/s200/Kanchipuram+34.jpg" width="150px" /></a></div></td><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KAIPYrq_LKg81dsvYgl9fMppvYSrVwLBL75H2BIuwa5rUbZBydPn0CDoZyopu-aLp5mpFWWVBKhuCBenu4EHu_BEeY2deihDBvflrcP4jV9BvAZvWaEgArksOoRJh-QtwxfZXb_hXwgR/s1600-h/Kanchipuram+37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KAIPYrq_LKg81dsvYgl9fMppvYSrVwLBL75H2BIuwa5rUbZBydPn0CDoZyopu-aLp5mpFWWVBKhuCBenu4EHu_BEeY2deihDBvflrcP4jV9BvAZvWaEgArksOoRJh-QtwxfZXb_hXwgR/s200/Kanchipuram+37.jpg" width="150px" /></a></div></td><td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fxkfrRd8l_UPPP8Vo-ode7vGU2v_MA33CKcKJK332JMD60FOALTyxUQZyBMVyENaXZdzZaU145N5SIQvtLXBcjO0z2X2TXy1kaE0AIRUXolyg9hCwZQJIbq6Z9GgBL447rTcq5dc5zDN/s1600-h/Kanchipuram+35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fxkfrRd8l_UPPP8Vo-ode7vGU2v_MA33CKcKJK332JMD60FOALTyxUQZyBMVyENaXZdzZaU145N5SIQvtLXBcjO0z2X2TXy1kaE0AIRUXolyg9hCwZQJIbq6Z9GgBL447rTcq5dc5zDN/s200/Kanchipuram+35.jpg" width="150px" /></a></div></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">First pic above on second row shows the series of Shiv Linga (hand held shot so not that clear), 2nd row on the same pic is Idol of Shiva and Parvathi (doesn't look like ancient one as is metal sculpted). There was a 1000 rudraksh planted just above the deity head on some metal plate which was donated by Nepal Raja. 3rd pic on the same row shows the Mango tree (the new one) the very place where Goddess Paravathi is said to have worshiped Shiva and the tree was 3500 years old (as said earlier the original tree already died few years back, this one is new but the hoarding stating 3500 years old still stays there). One peculiar thing about this temple is that they wont accept donations which we usually offer to deity or priest, they says we will offer puja if only you want to and pay for that puja only (this means you can't pay 1 or 2 rupee coin). One more thing i liked about this temple is the metal door of the sanctum, it has a diya like structure engraved throughout the door one just needs to place their diya or pour oil and put a thread to lit. Once if all lit up would surely look marvelous. Some hand held shots below</span><br />
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</tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All the temples are closed between 12 - 4pm daily. And surely need more then one day if you wanted to cover other temples (remember it has around 1000 temples).What I have stated here is just a tip of an ice burg as this city holds many many more historical facts and events. Every Vishnu followers aspire to cover all the 108 Divya Desams in his life time 106 in this life and 2 after life (in heaven). I just visited 2 of them (Tirupathi and this one). Its the hot weather which dithered me to cover rest of the 17 temples (there are 18 Divya Desam in Kanchi alone) but then I am still alive so will try to cover them in future. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">Apart from temple Kanchi is famous for one more thing, the same which Mysore is famous for yes it is Silk Sarees. It's a hub of hand woven silk sarees in Tamil Nadu which may range from few thousands to lakhs in cost. During our 12-4pm break we visited one store in Gandhi Rd called Pachayappan (one thing I liked about this store is the price is fixed, I usually hate bargaining as I am weak on that). The owner also runs school and college by the same name.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">On the end note, below is the pic of Ganesha (I know you know this) in standing position on the front wall of Kamakshi Temple. Well you might have guessed by now the standing position and the scary eyes holds an important significance i.e. Drishti to sway away any evil entry to the temple. This particular posture is never used inside any house or temple but on the entry gate</span><br />
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More pics in Flickr <a href=http://www.flickr.com/photos/shekharstravel/sets/72157623468175455/>Click here</a></b><br />
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<br>R Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766052807496029908noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473076057969715487.post-85744737059227283722010-01-07T11:27:00.000-08:002010-01-07T21:26:10.664-08:00Mysore<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"> My last one day trip of 2009 is <b>Mysore</b></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">, a small city with great history, the city reminiscence the great warrior of all time "Tipu Sultan". </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The name Mysore is derived from the demon name Maheshasur who ruled here and was killed by Chamundi after fierce battle. Initially the city was named as "Mahisuru", then transcends to Mysooru and then finally became Mysore. Few years back the proposal was put to rename the city back to "Mysooru" (not sure where this proposal is standing now)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">It was an overnight journey by train from Chennai directly to Mysore. It was my bad judgment of not staying a night here, instead headed for Bangalore in the evening. Mysore requires at least two days. I took one day tourist bus trip ("Sri OM Shakthi"), booked the ticket from the railway station itself (they have tie up with some private bus operator) cost Rs 120 per individual (food excluded) and Rs 170 (the Guide took in advance for all entrance ticket, he provided the tickets for each place we visited, thus avoided the queue to purchase the same, a time saver). One prudent thing i realized after the trip is over that is "Its better to cover few important places in detail then to cover everything in rush". Its virtually not possible for any tour operator to give you ample time to look around all the places he promised for, after all it was a one day trip. They didn't cover few important places like Chamundi Temple, Big Bull, Statu of Mahishasura and few in Srirangapatna despite being listed in their one day trip pamphlet.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery</span></b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgrLPmp4TRe2mE_TxKQarcKuQiJsMmSBlxQi8llQt0febGagduUn_3w1HdYXiWhp6RX4_jRNua3jL1nBXq_FXeA45u6aR0n6gQpKGBwAovLXybQND9aj_G1_w67rVHNHqGy4_CVFzm70V/s1600-h/Mysore+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSgrLPmp4TRe2mE_TxKQarcKuQiJsMmSBlxQi8llQt0febGagduUn_3w1HdYXiWhp6RX4_jRNua3jL1nBXq_FXeA45u6aR0n6gQpKGBwAovLXybQND9aj_G1_w67rVHNHqGy4_CVFzm70V/s200/Mysore+01.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">There are several palaces in Mysore which was now converted to either hotels or museum. This one was Janganmohan palace now converted to an Art Gallary in 1875. People who has even little knowledge of painting might enjoy this gallery as it hosts one of the remarkable paintings which is found only in Russia n here. Well I don't have much knowldge of the same, but one interesting thing it has is the life size musical clock made of heavy metals with extensive carve. It is said that it produce music every after 30 min through the miniature music band people postured inside the clock. The similar structure (much smaller in size) can be seen in Chowmahal, Hyderabad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Entrance ticket is around Rs 20 and photography is not allowed :-(, they have the deposit place where you can deposit your camera</span>. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJjCVkN_NjC1q5eO3_Zr1p3TZyyExEHyOJy4qBG0Y9XHPXA5akOP0GsJzhQ8_8dpQzWyREf1V5kxDa7x-9sa_Wb83eCdI1Yo-dxxxiJY7JQ55O3rBLQVmnA8BaD5mtHofkP39AaM9zH1K/s1600-h/Mysore+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJjCVkN_NjC1q5eO3_Zr1p3TZyyExEHyOJy4qBG0Y9XHPXA5akOP0GsJzhQ8_8dpQzWyREf1V5kxDa7x-9sa_Wb83eCdI1Yo-dxxxiJY7JQ55O3rBLQVmnA8BaD5mtHofkP39AaM9zH1K/s200/Mysore+04.jpg" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mysore Zoo</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is our second stop just 2-3 kilometer away from bus stand/Mysore Palace. Its a century old zoo inaugurated in 1892. The unique thing about this zoo is its spaciousness. All the enclosures are spacious enough for the occupant to road around freely. Several animals are adopted by notable artists and social workers even by many Infosys groups. Its quit big spanned across 25 acres (need at least 2hr to look around). The one on the right top is Brown Lumer. Left bottom is an Mandarian Duck (cute one), right pic well you know it.<br />
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</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Chamundi Temple: </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This the most famous temple in Mysore situated in hill and is few centuries old. Due to time shortage we were not able to cover this but just went upto the Nandi idol which is situated just 5km downside from the temple. This Nandi Idol is mammoth measuring 16 feet in height carved out of single black stone. It is said that there are only 5 such Nandi Idol in this world 2 in Tamilnadu (one being in Rameshwaram), 1 in AP, 1 in Bangalore (within city) and 1 here in Mysore. This temple can be reached by public buses which ply from city bus stand and by steps (1000 steps). The whole city can be viewed from the hill where the most attractive scene is of the race course, few palaces can also been clearly seen from here. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6K3rdqilBXVF4p0YQ1NZywqUxhZsWj4rKThxvl1urYxzXv-52VPTVBtONB0M-JPtVTxI1CRdYvgN9lzhwyJlv_5E2g8yjVfO_EmhBpg-oOyzdMqwkpNHEG_621FDzxCSL0Pr9guPSjWcU/s1600-h/Mysore+06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6K3rdqilBXVF4p0YQ1NZywqUxhZsWj4rKThxvl1urYxzXv-52VPTVBtONB0M-JPtVTxI1CRdYvgN9lzhwyJlv_5E2g8yjVfO_EmhBpg-oOyzdMqwkpNHEG_621FDzxCSL0Pr9guPSjWcU/s200/Mysore+06.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Karanji Lake Nature Park</b>: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">Small park with boating as main attraction, though lake is not big enough to excite you but people do throng in for boat ride. Entry fee Rs 20 and still camera costs additional Rs 10 (in fact there is nothing much to shoot so don't know why they are charging). You can skip this park all together as boating is allowed only within 50 meter radius and just for 20-25 mins</span><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">St. Philomena's Church</span></b><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsDFQt4dGDHvmQkZu9WxXnudfHAe2w7M3HhXk5loQchrw6KBhOYzYnTjMS9BCVcfx7Q0AK_UGZfbhhROBsPXJCrx3vhzkJeNThpSLBe3pf7ibiLbw_uqYFT_sFh17qnJtp3SRMALyeOOm/s1600-h/Mysore+07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsDFQt4dGDHvmQkZu9WxXnudfHAe2w7M3HhXk5loQchrw6KBhOYzYnTjMS9BCVcfx7Q0AK_UGZfbhhROBsPXJCrx3vhzkJeNThpSLBe3pf7ibiLbw_uqYFT_sFh17qnJtp3SRMALyeOOm/s200/Mysore+07.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Its said to be one of the oldest church of India and is more then 200 years old. This isn't the original architect at the time of built,initially it was a small church but over time due to growing Christianity population here the need for bigger church come to surface and the one is constructed which we are seeing today. This is built in a Cross structure, Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV laid the foundation of this church in 1933. Was given only 10 min by the Guide to roam around.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Mysore Palace</b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVmDFKHT2bS4s-5b0OcFnun4UNKd3qgwqBRBEewvDpUoe3s2OXfcJVShI0s5NorjORJJoOI_VKibsj2pdhX_CO7BHMTyYw7EQ-9LGmtSEwkKpZ1CxYYlzZ2L4l5NJH0NR-FDK_oVpLui7/s1600-h/Mysore+08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVmDFKHT2bS4s-5b0OcFnun4UNKd3qgwqBRBEewvDpUoe3s2OXfcJVShI0s5NorjORJJoOI_VKibsj2pdhX_CO7BHMTyYw7EQ-9LGmtSEwkKpZ1CxYYlzZ2L4l5NJH0NR-FDK_oVpLui7/s200/Mysore+08.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">The top attraction of Mysore is this Mysore Palace. This palace is the 4th one to be built in here in the same site. Initially it was built by wood and mud (not in the same style) which was burned down completely during the wedding ceremony of 4th daughter of Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar in 1897. The reconstruction started immediately after that, and took almost 15 years to complete this and costs 41 Lacs at that time. The whole area is around 24 acre but the Palace is constructed within 4 acre rest is garden. The Royal family was at that time moved to Jaganmohan Palace. The whole Palace glitters in night (Sundays, Holidays and Dashera) through around 97 thousands lights running through its walls. Entrance fee is around 15 or Rs 20. Camera is not allowed inside the Palace but are allowed outside within the premises.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>Ranganatha Temple</b>: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Its in Sirangapattanum. Lord Vishnu resides here in sleeping posture. This temple is more then 1000 years old.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Z-r8_mWC0C-HK-pn4Hwa48e2AQWKykRokc1NHx88D_bAQSqhyAcC7GVIYflWHGar_FlHAAdgzfr8_xfG_mkzrY2ktMVGZzPLuF8uYkjtxgiXml2i7rrbiHkxoLGfMqnHWYCg3MCQfIuJ/s1600-h/Mysore+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Z-r8_mWC0C-HK-pn4Hwa48e2AQWKykRokc1NHx88D_bAQSqhyAcC7GVIYflWHGar_FlHAAdgzfr8_xfG_mkzrY2ktMVGZzPLuF8uYkjtxgiXml2i7rrbiHkxoLGfMqnHWYCg3MCQfIuJ/s200/Mysore+14.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">Tipu's fort was nearby to this temple the same for where he took his last breath. The fort was completely destroyed within 6 hours of his death. The pic on right is the exact place where his body was found. With in this premises is the Masjid Gumbaz which is built by Tipu Sultan in tribute to his father Hyder Ali. Few other places to visit is Dariya Daulat Bagh, but since you are tied to your tour operator you cant do anything except follow his timelines. He was in hurry to take us to last stop i.e. Brindavan Garden (Mysore is more popular for only two tourist place, one is Mysore Palace and this Garden). Garden is 25k from here, so without stopping here we headed for Brindavan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Brindavan Garden</b>: Now comes the last and the second most famous tourist spot of Mysore. It lies around 20km away from Mysore and is built Krishnaraja Sagar Dam (one of the oldest Dam in India). The Dam spans over 3km in length and is said to be the first to implant automatic sluice gates. It is financed by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodayar and thus named after him. The garden is spread over 150 acre is best known for its musical fountains of different shapes and color. Entry fee around Rs 20 and Camera costs Rs 50.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">That's the end of the Mysore trip, caught a bus from here to Bangalore (Rs 100, 2.5-3 hr journey). As mentioned earlier don't go for tour buses instead hire a full day taxi or visit one by one through public transport, each place is well connected by public transportation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The best is to start with Chamundi Hills in the morning, second half cover Mysore Zoo, Art Gallary and off-course shopping (Mysore is famous for its Silk Sarees). Have a night Halt, morning visit Palace then head to Ranganathan, Dariya Daulat, Gumbaz and last to Brindavan Garden in the even. Zoo, Palace, Chamundi Temple and the Garden requires ample time so plan accordingly.</span><br />
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</div>R Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766052807496029908noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473076057969715487.post-90356844100171354662010-01-05T09:57:00.000-08:002010-01-05T10:00:27.261-08:00Nandi Hills, Bangalore, India<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvI1sBX_hyI7LG0N35SLUsgbO3wfwmTyUjb-AUaKmtN4kpXjXvpuy3UFPhcJ8ed0fYyFJiZyaDljHTRRl2XSTiPtAc7Py-CXW2Ulk0Nlpuu9Cr05Ec48lmnW_bhfDYDyjqBPwjKL0K9nN-/s1600-h/NandiHills61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvI1sBX_hyI7LG0N35SLUsgbO3wfwmTyUjb-AUaKmtN4kpXjXvpuy3UFPhcJ8ed0fYyFJiZyaDljHTRRl2XSTiPtAc7Py-CXW2Ulk0Nlpuu9Cr05Ec48lmnW_bhfDYDyjqBPwjKL0K9nN-/s200/NandiHills61.jpg" /></a><br />
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</style><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Nandi Hills (also called Nandi Durg or Bull Fort/Hill) is situated around 60km from Bangalore City and is well connected by broad road. Gov bus also runs up to the top from Bangalore. This lies in Chikballapur District of Karnataka and located in close proximity to Bangalore International Airport. The road is smooth and away from the Bangalore hectic traffics. </span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just after around more then 20km from NH-7 (after Devanahalli Town), left diversion on this road identifies the start of the hill which is around 15km from here to to top of the hill. This hill road is wide enough for two buses to cross each other but believe me it requires great skills as visually you can't say its that wide enough. Its prudent to stop for few minutes and enjoy the hill view and have some best photo shoots.</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">After 2 hours of the drive from Bangalore here finally we reached the entrance gate shown above. The entrance gate is not that big and secured as other forts are used to have (i haven't seen even the doors, so curious how it was secured?).Tickets per individual is Rs 5. An interesting thing is, two wheelers are not allowed beyond this point whereas four wheelers are (except Buses).</span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="background-color: orange;">Tipu's Lodge</b> <br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtSegiMLcUj4F-FCemirkx5nRLefR5yjNltnOXVtCKKDm57MoNXytIfQMeT5RygUQF5OuBqcK8S1eELLOXWF5BUuXECsMoXocKn7YKNkOXccx-nKjDSvv3JDqc_ArgdsctzkLA11wIIGb/s1600-h/NandiHills63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtSegiMLcUj4F-FCemirkx5nRLefR5yjNltnOXVtCKKDm57MoNXytIfQMeT5RygUQF5OuBqcK8S1eELLOXWF5BUuXECsMoXocKn7YKNkOXccx-nKjDSvv3JDqc_ArgdsctzkLA11wIIGb/s200/NandiHills63.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Just on the left side of the gate (after entering) is "Tipus Lodge" (shown on right side pic), a two story small building where Tipu Sultan is said to stay whenever he comes. This lodge has been declared<b> </b>as<b> </b>"archaeological site" and with that it doesn't look like its been given that importance. The building is not big as you can see it and is not open for public.</span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFORkWZQM-6HZulkfEUTDHI5xAABFi1xEVft9suU_PxKYovxTt2qvKzdeWjZ4rnSBpD7FJ0Mrclf6NftvOvFpkJZetwP6FqYH5A7QbaX-W-pkAs3UIIIhUtDhorbg3Hn1lFxYbuYfCU7n/s1600-h/NandiHills64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFORkWZQM-6HZulkfEUTDHI5xAABFi1xEVft9suU_PxKYovxTt2qvKzdeWjZ4rnSBpD7FJ0Mrclf6NftvOvFpkJZetwP6FqYH5A7QbaX-W-pkAs3UIIIhUtDhorbg3Hn1lFxYbuYfCU7n/s320/NandiHills64.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-color: orange;">Shiv Parvathi Temple</span></b><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvV0px1dOzpAf7SQXV1dxMB-wlRmPDGIeiMR9VeRbSK2I77oUSXqLtJTOAA_LzzG_2k5g5ar7luHDa6YVWVljOwxxqaIF2zaNFiRDzXuvbmatMvMmtiU1bivpH_zFqnmyRUHFgCg-2Y_yR/s1600-h/NandiHills72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvV0px1dOzpAf7SQXV1dxMB-wlRmPDGIeiMR9VeRbSK2I77oUSXqLtJTOAA_LzzG_2k5g5ar7luHDa6YVWVljOwxxqaIF2zaNFiRDzXuvbmatMvMmtiU1bivpH_zFqnmyRUHFgCg-2Y_yR/s200/NandiHills72.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">We continued to walk up along the right side of the entrance gate, few meters away is the Shiva and Parvathi temple. Temple is not big but it has still maintained its charm and prayers is still being offered, Shiva and Parvathi idol has been put in seperate room and both have Pujaris (Priest) appointed. Photo shoots are not allowed so we just offered our prayes and moved on.</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just a few walks away this temple towards a sharp slop is a spot called "Tipu's Drop" from where Tinpu Sultan is used to throw his prisoners who were sentenced to death. Side to this temple is a small restaurant, we stopped by and had a nice tea.</span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: orange;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nillakai Bassavana</span></b><span style="font-size: small;"> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2i2KftH0UeynPVmGX9ExZutppjvjTug_gTYfhRZXJtJ3UODaQwICOXS2LPHzPQJIP6vrXnT2toS3Hz80bGPc0zPXRbKF6Z9Av2B8mPRmZgqw4Escp_DUmLqai65TjEj3X64AeCe1DA6B/s1600-h/NandiHills80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2i2KftH0UeynPVmGX9ExZutppjvjTug_gTYfhRZXJtJ3UODaQwICOXS2LPHzPQJIP6vrXnT2toS3Hz80bGPc0zPXRbKF6Z9Av2B8mPRmZgqw4Escp_DUmLqai65TjEj3X64AeCe1DA6B/s200/NandiHills80.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Now passed this restaurant crossing the the garden is another end of this fort, where on the downside is a "Nillakai Bassavana" temple, its a Nandi temple whose Nandi Idol measures 10 feet long and 6 feet in height, side to this is "Brahmashrama" cave where it's being said that Sage Ramakrishna Paramhamsa meditated here once upon a time.</span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JLV2Jl4icNMjjmFoTzFWoD67Kwa_uz19IESP8UsI8I5oyTEW_Y-qlY7DU3TNYFZvjM_kfhKg4HC8uZd5UieVpEX6FZ7hpnoblPmMJtOpqjvHp0_6eojhGvqjsGyQhHO-FTrTkTLzMpNW/s1600-h/NandiHills78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JLV2Jl4icNMjjmFoTzFWoD67Kwa_uz19IESP8UsI8I5oyTEW_Y-qlY7DU3TNYFZvjM_kfhKg4HC8uZd5UieVpEX6FZ7hpnoblPmMJtOpqjvHp0_6eojhGvqjsGyQhHO-FTrTkTLzMpNW/s320/NandiHills78.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Inside this hill, has a few lodges best for couples to spend happy times, its a peaceful environment and cool climate. People come here as early as 4 AM to watch sun rise (near Tipu's Drop) spot.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">All together a must see place, Its more like an open park types then a conventional fort.</span><br />
</div>R Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766052807496029908noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473076057969715487.post-24687762222598757122009-11-23T09:50:00.000-08:002009-12-06T06:37:14.091-08:00Panchavati, Nasik<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>"Welcome to City of Pilgrimage"</b> is with what Nasik(or Nashik) welcomes you when you reach their by road. It was my third day of Shirdi/Nasik trip <i>(See blog for Shirdi & Trimbakeshwar covered in first two days). </i>Nasik is one of the most holiest places in India and is sacred as it is in this place Lord Rama along with Devi Sita and brother Laxman spent their part of the exile period and has witnessed several mythological events. Its is one of the four cities which hosts Kumbha Mela which occurs every after 12 years (next is on 2015). Legend has that during Sagar Manthan the Demigods while they tried to hide the Nector of Immortality from the demons, four drops fell onto the four location on the earth (other location are Prayag,Haridwar and Ujjain). Thus these four places are believed to have acquired mystic power and hosts the Meha Kumbha Mela every after 12 years ("Kumbha" means "Pot of Nector" and "Mela" means festival) where dates are calculated depending upon the certain planetary positions. In the medieval era several temples where built by devotees along the bank of river Godavari. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdzyr5Np4dYeQPjibFffV0gT3FblokNbe5K7Cl2hs0QlSd0ua2ZYqIEb3rRlu2hHJyjlYuYDRgsjPDBuRAdyJipex5Zg-Pg30HJ-jmB0xkvZFV-XUOOTN5JLRVWG2FzYCBGoKphXl-OdF/s1600/Panchavati+07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdzyr5Np4dYeQPjibFffV0gT3FblokNbe5K7Cl2hs0QlSd0ua2ZYqIEb3rRlu2hHJyjlYuYDRgsjPDBuRAdyJipex5Zg-Pg30HJ-jmB0xkvZFV-XUOOTN5JLRVWG2FzYCBGoKphXl-OdF/s200/Panchavati+07.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">The name Panchavati it got is from the five banyan tree present in the vicinity where Lord Ram and Sita spent their exile period. The name Nasik also has a legend, during exile period Laxman (brother of Shri Ram) cut off Shupernakha's Nose (In Sanskrit Nose means "Nasik") and throws it on other side of the river Godavari (Ganga) which then christened as "Nasik" or "Nashik". Thus on one side of the sacred river is known as Nasik while other side where five banyan tree is known as Panchavati. Various legends are associated with each of the places here and its to be noted that Lord Rama hasn't consecrated any of the Idols during his exile period here though some of the priests here falsely claims that some Shivlingams are consecrated by Lord Rama himself. Most of the temples falls in Panchavati province where only one or two resides other side of the river Godavari i.e. in Nasik.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="background-color: #f6b26b;">Ram Kund</b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXz0fOvcfdVXgXiumLVvB88P7GVTVm-JV7Qtywfj8hqBMLwUUGfc_0dkkzfwGXC7pCucRdZK1_KU2fhmLld7N_n2yS_5HJliFdEFO_iSTY2flJLVW3omR-KtWUHW6-orQYnpCmcmhlRMzB/s1600/Panchavati+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXz0fOvcfdVXgXiumLVvB88P7GVTVm-JV7Qtywfj8hqBMLwUUGfc_0dkkzfwGXC7pCucRdZK1_KU2fhmLld7N_n2yS_5HJliFdEFO_iSTY2flJLVW3omR-KtWUHW6-orQYnpCmcmhlRMzB/s200/Panchavati+15.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">As the names says its a Kund (pond) on the river Godavari in Panchavati where Lord Ram is said to have taken bath. Its the place where one immerse the mortal remains (Arthi) and is said to be absorbed in the river quickly. It is also the place where according to Hindu rituals one performs Shrad's of their beloveds. At the very place is the sangam of three rivers Aruna, Varuna and the Godavari. Aruna/Varuna is said to be coming from underneath whereas Godavari flows on top of them. Its here where the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were immersed and to commorate the same Ghandi Memorial (the tall tower in the pic) was built along side the bank, underneath is where Idols of Shri Ram is installed. Just adjacent to Ram Kund is temple of Devi Ganga and Sai Baba. You will get plenty of guides (authorized) so without wasting time I hired one old age person who was born there and is almost 70 years old by now. Interestingly at several occasions I find very discriminating facts about what he told and what priests are believing. Thus you always needs to cross examine the facts with other sources (off-course only if you are interested else you will end up cascading the story which might not be 100% true)<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="background-color: #f6b26b;">Kapaleshwar Temple<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></b></span><br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvN3EfesdNC8swvDvIlSW_xQere8KVHP71ZDb-AZA4EsHc_xCWYSbANluv12seqhS5xIffzodFPsRATUgYBA_l6ND4efEqsYoO8YhjGj9f9nYrXsd6xtpjdGqK49Q7KjpmEawc1C2kYVG/s1600/Panchavati+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvN3EfesdNC8swvDvIlSW_xQere8KVHP71ZDb-AZA4EsHc_xCWYSbANluv12seqhS5xIffzodFPsRATUgYBA_l6ND4efEqsYoO8YhjGj9f9nYrXsd6xtpjdGqK49Q7KjpmEawc1C2kYVG/s200/Panchavati+17.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span ><span >Just in front of Ram Kund is the Shiva Temple called "Kapaleshwar", Its around 250 years old and probably the only temple in the world where Nandi Idol is not placed in front of the Shivlingam. The very reason is it is at this place where Lord Shiva considered Nandi as his master. Legend behind this is, Lord Shiva incurred a sin (Brahma Hatya) by cutting off one of the Lord Brahma's head (fifth head). Shiva wandered the whole universe and tried every possible penance to get rid of this sin but all went into vain. Then Nandi advised him to take holy bath in Godavari which he followed and was purified (this is what told by my guide). Other sources relates this sin incurred by killing a cow by mistake. Whatever be the story, the bottom line is that Lord Shiva accepted Nandi as his master due to his advice, which is why we don't see Nandi Idol at its position (i.e. infront of Shivlingam)</span></span>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="background-color: #f6b26b;">Naroshankar Temple</b></span><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRw9PhoWW_t5BBBBYH628Z3fc8OprSuAK1uWDb9HvtYnm4ejONOPhAmMwvKFKMSY3bMz5coq3ODrJV2pr2vriHoUFvXRW0QPJ2pAsNNNg3WIK2tvh34C2elEbZ3GV3zlQR6it0HVppACJ/s1600/Panchavati+08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRw9PhoWW_t5BBBBYH628Z3fc8OprSuAK1uWDb9HvtYnm4ejONOPhAmMwvKFKMSY3bMz5coq3ODrJV2pr2vriHoUFvXRW0QPJ2pAsNNNg3WIK2tvh34C2elEbZ3GV3zlQR6it0HVppACJ/s200/Panchavati+08.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is Shiva temple built by Naroshankar Rajabahadur 1747 along side of Godavari. It is fortified by 11 feet tall stone wall on each corner of the wall is a dome like structure built, where one of them is said to be washed out by flood in Godavari river. The most noticeable thing about this temple is the 6 feet wide Bell which is fixed on top of the entrance gate of this temple. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;">The Maratha Ruler Bajirao Peshwa’s younger brother Chimaji Appa won the fort of Vasai against Portuguese.After winning the fort, Vasai Portuguese Church bell was removed, marched on elephant till Nashik with great celebration and offered to Naroshankar as a medal - an award for his bravery. It is made of bronze, with six feet diameter. The year engraved on it is 1921. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2cZkMzva6l_W4wjnpBh6BDtl9YhexqFyMvdzgKGlFgj9UQp7aakVG1gV5_dzvHIBRA05A-UXuaYj38UgV943zNTdyvE2E6yK2GCmTPsihf5Jpq6IWD7alKkRILRnKhkLkwTFzanS5nOO/s1600/Panchavati+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2cZkMzva6l_W4wjnpBh6BDtl9YhexqFyMvdzgKGlFgj9UQp7aakVG1gV5_dzvHIBRA05A-UXuaYj38UgV943zNTdyvE2E6yK2GCmTPsihf5Jpq6IWD7alKkRILRnKhkLkwTFzanS5nOO/s200/Panchavati+10.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;">The temple is beautifully sculpted from outside and is raised on a 2 feet platform. The architect is more similar to Tirmbakeshwar temple (only the roof of sanctum sanctorum</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;">) . Photography was allowed so was able to click some. No entrance fees for any of the temple in Panchavati. The style of this architecture is called "Maya". Now the interesting part, as per the priest this temple is 10,000 year old and Shivalingam is placed by Shri Ram himself. As I said earlier you need to cross verify each legend you hear. There is no formal information inscribed anywhere in the temple which would verify the history. Whatever be the case all temples throughout Nasik seems to follow same style of architecture i.e. there are 3 domes out of which the one which houses the sanctum sanctorum is the tallest, the smallest is for the entrance and the middle is of the hall/space in front of </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;">sanctum sanctorum and is in circular dome shape from inside. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;"><b style="background-color: #f6b26b;">Neelkantheshwar Temple</b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Pxv6soP6qiW11XUxpT4Cs8Nsf27s4WJ79nngBqibswc0fIPee-j5HfXrDeIwLay_Udqo5uMJdHb0J8GN7vxjdj0gMZKULDeILuzmPPlTBpLCGZxtb1mJCGX0kZYiYvNtLCjVT2kbaiZp/s1600/Panchavati+06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Pxv6soP6qiW11XUxpT4Cs8Nsf27s4WJ79nngBqibswc0fIPee-j5HfXrDeIwLay_Udqo5uMJdHb0J8GN7vxjdj0gMZKULDeILuzmPPlTBpLCGZxtb1mJCGX0kZYiYvNtLCjVT2kbaiZp/s200/Panchavati+06.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span ><span >Its a Shiva temple</span></span> on the river side, didn't get much information about this temple.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;"><b style="background-color: #f6b26b;">Dutondaya Maruti Hanuman</b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhgAmggEpMqcCMhnhtTA0p_gy4IfAUXYcl7xMNf8bDBXY1YlCHeRkHK1HE3EDWxdgGPZ5_GQDHvBnbgL97xaGn7M08rxNKITBDVHdYMAqvvMicJU_9hLXou9fv7Hdb-vTRzowjpunLVcE/s1600/Panchavati+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhgAmggEpMqcCMhnhtTA0p_gy4IfAUXYcl7xMNf8bDBXY1YlCHeRkHK1HE3EDWxdgGPZ5_GQDHvBnbgL97xaGn7M08rxNKITBDVHdYMAqvvMicJU_9hLXou9fv7Hdb-vTRzowjpunLVcE/s200/Panchavati+13.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span ><span >It has Idol on both side of the structure I didn't know that earlier and thus only showing the Idol of one side. On side of wall there is a painted water meter to measure the level of water during flood. It is believed that flood </span></span><span>no matter at what level it never touches or raise upto or above the Idol head. </span><i>(my guide didn't mention this :-( so again discrepancy in facts)</i><span>.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;"><b style="background-color: #f6b26b;">Sunder Narayan Mandir</b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgev5qMDFAnXnILx5hUApxu9nCANAHbf0-Y_h1UDB1LLs_qck11ssFpIBzdsigJIJa7Q_j6LrFKbItO0GWOJQi41pzyKshqfgbwbfFqjA4XlX_K6uVIYZc99REz5ZmYvfyYAQUZk-xOWDon/s1600/Panchavati+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgev5qMDFAnXnILx5hUApxu9nCANAHbf0-Y_h1UDB1LLs_qck11ssFpIBzdsigJIJa7Q_j6LrFKbItO0GWOJQi41pzyKshqfgbwbfFqjA4XlX_K6uVIYZc99REz5ZmYvfyYAQUZk-xOWDon/s200/Panchavati+01.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span ><span>It is situated in one end of the Devi Ahilliyabai Holkar bridge (from where I shot the panoramic pic, first pic). Its a Lord Vishnu's temple and why its named as "Sunder"</span></span> is because he was once become ugly by the curse given by Jalandar's (wicked Demon) wife Vrinda. Due to curse Lord Vishnu turned black and ugly. He then took bath in Godavari and thus was relieved from the curse and regained his beauty again. So many temples along the bank of Godavari so does the legends of it.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYROYzXMeVyKTGytDPbCnCN3bj4z7eFgVgbzsnb9Q470kT7aHFhy3-umEeLW8LGMv7UhfgUGb6y-gtT6g15W7Qyw_aVYRPgKRLjZ2-U0cENes_hX4YfEmWv0zsOun71YkRXaNgEazXW5SP/s1600/Panchavati+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYROYzXMeVyKTGytDPbCnCN3bj4z7eFgVgbzsnb9Q470kT7aHFhy3-umEeLW8LGMv7UhfgUGb6y-gtT6g15W7Qyw_aVYRPgKRLjZ2-U0cENes_hX4YfEmWv0zsOun71YkRXaNgEazXW5SP/s200/Panchavati+02.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;">The temple is built by Gangadhar Yashwant Chandrachud in 1756. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;">One remarkable thing about this temple is that it is built at such an angle that on 21st March, rays of the rising Sun first fall exactly upon the idols. Some sources says the rays falls on the foot of deity. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;"><b style="background-color: #f6b26b;">Kalaram Mandir</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span><span><span>Its Ram temple and named KalaRam ("Kala" means Black). The temple is built in the remembrance of the exile period of Ram during which his complexion became dark </span><i style="background-color: white;">(this is as per my guide)</i>. This is the only biggest temple of Lord Ram in Nasik and is built by Sardar Odhekar of Peshwas with black stones brought from Ramshej 200 years back. It took 23 lakhs and around 2000 workers to build this temple in 12 years.</span></span> The Apex of the temple is made up of 32 tons of Gold which is said to be gifted by Devi Aahilliya. Its a massive temple from outside and fortified with 15-20 feet wall. For the construction no cement is being used there was only three ingredients (choona, malaai and gur) used to clay the stones together. Photography was strictly prohibited though you can carry camera and mobile inside the temple. Since the Lord Ram's Idol is black here so does of Shri Hanuman. After the entrance you will step into a long varanda (or pillared corridor) at the starting of which is Hanuman's black Idol facing exactly straight to the sanctum sanctorum. This pillared structure is separate then the main temple and is constructed just in-front of it. There are total 40 pillars which are said to set because there are 40 shloka's of Shri Hanuman (i.e. Hanuman Chalisa). There is nothing else inside this structure except the Hanuman'd Idol positioned in start and the pillars which total counts to 40. Its an open architecture from the sides i.e. no closed walls. You pass through this and then will take steps to the main deity temple which is on the raised platform. There are total 14 steps to reach the temple door, 14 because Shri Ram spent 14 years in exile. All three gates of this temple has exactly 14 steps. The architecture is very much similar to of Trimbakeshwar. As I mentioned earlier most of them are following same pattern, i.e. 3 dome structure one being the tallest which houses the main deity and one medium size which is the front portion/space of the sanctum sanctorum and the smallest in the front i.e. of the entrance door. The fortified wall has pillars too which total counts to 90, it has some reason for 90 but unfortunately I forgot what was that. On the back side of this temple is a Lord Ganesh idol with a stone platform just enough to enclose this Idol. No separate guide or information brochure available, but it appearance is too aesthetic similar to Trimbakeshwar. This temple is thronged during hindu festivals like Ram Navami etc and probably the only temple (there is one more) where Lord Ram is enshrined in black stone. As per my guide the Idols are self emerged from the Godavari and since it was black in color so the temple was named as KalaRam.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;"><b style="background-color: #f6b26b;">GoreRam Temple</b></span><br />
<div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span><span>As the name says "Gore" (fair) the Idol inside is of Lord Rama fair in color. This temple is not a conventional one but resides inside a apartment like structure. The peculiarity of this temple is that it is made up of complete wood i.e. only the portion which shrines Lord Ram along with Laxman and Devi Sita. This is around 300 years old and the wood is still intact and has retained its strength. This was built to commemorate Lord's return from exile after killing the daemon Ravana and rescuing Devi Sita. Lord was resurrected as King and Rajya Abhishek was carried out. The process has made his complexion fair from dark so the Idol was made white in color and thus named the temple as Gore Ram.</span></span></span><br />
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</div><div><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b;">Sita Gumpha(Sita Cave)</span> <br />
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</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTF9Ra04hIyZ2TWusk4Eb3xGh3tBPQ4LBMhWjMN74l6iUQSStuDetS4rWdE1I4m36iEhq4w7Tzor2qPZMFpMGANyhDyw6LwD6ourAQoTRh5me3J3XewerWaiG9EBufhIKIsAXEtgwUF3xl/s1600-h/Panchavati+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTF9Ra04hIyZ2TWusk4Eb3xGh3tBPQ4LBMhWjMN74l6iUQSStuDetS4rWdE1I4m36iEhq4w7Tzor2qPZMFpMGANyhDyw6LwD6ourAQoTRh5me3J3XewerWaiG9EBufhIKIsAXEtgwUF3xl/s200/Panchavati+19.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span><span>Just adjacent to KalaRam Temple is the Sita Cave, the cave which is believed to be where Devi Sita was stayed to hide herself from Demons. It was very unclear that how much the original cave differs from the today's structure. One has to literally crawl to reach the bottom of the cave (its not big though) where the three Idols of Lord Ram, Laxman and Devi Sita is shrined(not possible for obese people). Cave (though very small, you enter from one side and get off the other). In the bottom which is enough for 6-8 peoples to stand is well illuminated by mini tube light. Passing this Idol while coming up from other side is Shivlingam. History say's that its the same lingam which Devi Sita used to worship. </span></span></span><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40O98w4fhZPBk0BC7IF00Wk0ZkP1sU7byhySLgNEXPc-iYgJl3gU3QEVv-y_Bn0vG8S1o-DBOb2-aMIezKpcHoj_MBO6ud1av_P4gXh2UZXO93fAzTqQqLjdAUU9GPTZsjMKf4RqyICvv/s1600-h/Panchavati+21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40O98w4fhZPBk0BC7IF00Wk0ZkP1sU7byhySLgNEXPc-iYgJl3gU3QEVv-y_Bn0vG8S1o-DBOb2-aMIezKpcHoj_MBO6ud1av_P4gXh2UZXO93fAzTqQqLjdAUU9GPTZsjMKf4RqyICvv/s200/Panchavati+21.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span><span>Also some web site mentions this place as the very point where Devi Sita was abducted by Demon Ravan (to me its contradicting facts, since the Laxman Rekha is quite far from this place). Above pic shows one of the five banyan tree (total five banyan tree is present adjacent to each other) from which the name "Panchavati" derived. Pic on the right side is said to be Laxman Rekha which is now overflowed by municipal water (see the 2 feet wide cemented path underneath the bridge). Well you can't verify this just believe it or not. The bridge is named "Laxman Bridge".<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: #f6b26b;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="background-color: #f6b26b;">Tapovan</span> </b> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span><span>Small area scattered over 2-3 kilometers is together called tapovan (park where Lord Ram along with Laxman meditated and performed penance). From Sita Gumpha several shared auto rickshaws are available who charges Rs 30 per head to take you around Tapovan and bring you back. usually done in 30 min (not much to see). </span></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XQcgldtCKYlgeE7RmqW0OpORRA5daJl-pXx2B7c6HVR4XAgniEtGhj7b1bk80tHdb-iIMg1sjzq236xL1Jn-0ObtWf8iXLBEyReJp6NeAE_39hFoDnwl4aG8widJDT04aDMv2mcVhndh/s1600-h/Panchavati+22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XQcgldtCKYlgeE7RmqW0OpORRA5daJl-pXx2B7c6HVR4XAgniEtGhj7b1bk80tHdb-iIMg1sjzq236xL1Jn-0ObtWf8iXLBEyReJp6NeAE_39hFoDnwl4aG8widJDT04aDMv2mcVhndh/s200/Panchavati+22.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span><span>I took the same and Laxman Rekha (now a under bridge water line) was the first he showed us. Passing this we reached "Katya Maruti Hanuman" temple. It houses a massive 11.5 feet of Hanuman Idol and said to be self emerged and was found on a plants full of thrones thus got its name "Katya" means "Throne" (well this is as per the priest). History/web says it is </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">built in 1771, by Shri Raghunath Bhatt Karte. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b style="background-color: #f6b26b;">Laxman Temple</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9UM_qJx2yC8Eeo5By6bYnEmlGgS55YjDdRdHDlP1PjzO9FxkxsK6eAcVKiaYIr9Q_g8HphBqz8LaUcx8LwVlgursdBV4JULt9orQrYZsfFR4icim2Rc0rauj68u3e5Uel61kJJViTbnZ/s1600-h/Panchavati+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9UM_qJx2yC8Eeo5By6bYnEmlGgS55YjDdRdHDlP1PjzO9FxkxsK6eAcVKiaYIr9Q_g8HphBqz8LaUcx8LwVlgursdBV4JULt9orQrYZsfFR4icim2Rc0rauj68u3e5Uel61kJJViTbnZ/s200/Panchavati+25.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is the only temple in the world devoted to Laxman (brother of Shri Ram). The tree which is been shown is where Laxman is said to have mediated. Beside this is the temple built by devotees there after. It is believed that this is the very place where Laxman has cut off the nose of Surphanaka.</span></span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Adjacent to this temple is Shri Ram ParnKutir (Shri Ram's cottage) where Shri Ram is said to have performed penance for one year during his exile. </span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="background-color: #f6b26b;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Laxmi Narayan Temple</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uXf5CT0p_bGc8jzSpMilkyVeu8StfTgXwm84nscO1su4foxvNuuh368t_JwQQQj_l08u_1fbjaFhRuxtncuOt9rUCceQeOXhe53_Vz5EUlIzfrwdIeqmu7LcikaQPUEWYcvd-mrxqAjk/s1600-h/Panchavati+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uXf5CT0p_bGc8jzSpMilkyVeu8StfTgXwm84nscO1su4foxvNuuh368t_JwQQQj_l08u_1fbjaFhRuxtncuOt9rUCceQeOXhe53_Vz5EUlIzfrwdIeqmu7LcikaQPUEWYcvd-mrxqAjk/s200/Panchavati+23.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is few meters further from Shri Ram Parnkutir and Sages visit this temple during Kumbha Mela.</span></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">We are done roaming this area in 40 min, after which we are back to Sita Gumpha from where we boarded auto rikshaw. There are plenty others to see eg Pandav Cave which resembles with Ajanta Caves, though short on time thus skipped this one. The cave is around 10 km away from panchavati and is accessible by direct public buses.</span></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I am back to hotel room, took rest and started for Shirdi. For this you need to go Mahamaarg bus stand (10 min drive from CBS bus stand), you will get plenty of buses as well as private Qualis riders. Same two hour journey and I am back to Shirdi from where I boarded Volvo to Hyderabad. </span></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">No need for Queen size bed @Panchavati </span></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEV28M5ylCJkV2pit0VsOkupgHB2LzqYUGKBV5GxHbcu289Kw1fvqq9kIgf5y3KOrQQAij2086ajUOENNvl9J5OGldRO7KpyKFO7q_YyYH_PfO4xtmvubEJPQxbDppKTOhbvBaDLPcLVD/s1600-h/Panchavati+04+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEV28M5ylCJkV2pit0VsOkupgHB2LzqYUGKBV5GxHbcu289Kw1fvqq9kIgf5y3KOrQQAij2086ajUOENNvl9J5OGldRO7KpyKFO7q_YyYH_PfO4xtmvubEJPQxbDppKTOhbvBaDLPcLVD/s320/Panchavati+04+copy.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">For her it doesn't matter if its Holy river or not, just wanted to finish her morning chores. In fact at every end of Holy rivers in Ghat (river bank), you will find people harnessing the facility to its fullest i.e. washing clothes and bathing etc. This is near bridge which I mentioned in Sunder Ram temple above.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is the opposite lane of Ram Kund and leads to temple KalaRam (at the end of this road, right side), GoreRam and Sita Gumpha (at the end of this road, left side). This is the very place where 35 people died and around 125 people were injured in stampede during Kumbh Mela 2003</span>.<br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__ggxmUfUnBg6ZZ1DNC8RdB8zftKfupZKB-XB1z8NMwuw2nj0wR_mU55dPQ8Fv3N2R3KVR6FLw8S4t8WbVMKXnBpTYFGaIqmacZ8JDq2_lTjBLN6PF-ZXswMhPqfSchXi-cw7o66Hl38H/s1600-h/Panchavati+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__ggxmUfUnBg6ZZ1DNC8RdB8zftKfupZKB-XB1z8NMwuw2nj0wR_mU55dPQ8Fv3N2R3KVR6FLw8S4t8WbVMKXnBpTYFGaIqmacZ8JDq2_lTjBLN6PF-ZXswMhPqfSchXi-cw7o66Hl38H/s320/Panchavati+11.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8D5mqa75TMcUC-UC17FlBHiA62jh6sh_CW4DuJ1oHLZ5nm70eoQUbeDukJB4Ro1GIIh1vicxvrHzwpYPfnXaRkPyAtbJ2CLuGgLnGkN0O5ife5cVkqXaCytnChcaVGnMHlwVHHCxQLTe/s1600-h/Panchavati+07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8D5mqa75TMcUC-UC17FlBHiA62jh6sh_CW4DuJ1oHLZ5nm70eoQUbeDukJB4Ro1GIIh1vicxvrHzwpYPfnXaRkPyAtbJ2CLuGgLnGkN0O5ife5cVkqXaCytnChcaVGnMHlwVHHCxQLTe/s320/Panchavati+07.jpg" /></a>R Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766052807496029908noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473076057969715487.post-18721525047978739512009-11-23T09:46:00.000-08:002009-11-29T04:58:42.216-08:00Trimbakeshwar Temple, Nasik<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8wgDjUPYzlux0bzKlUIy0yBUgsR9Z1eIM-0T01fd0txj36Nany74vTbqX0HC5ZqoGteW1kbxorm2qOXipgtk8DqmOBuQQd-YgZVLFdEYyjJA2Uuv1xVr443fkIvnP91wiYS4GJQkV_PH/s1600/Triambakeshwar+08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8wgDjUPYzlux0bzKlUIy0yBUgsR9Z1eIM-0T01fd0txj36Nany74vTbqX0HC5ZqoGteW1kbxorm2qOXipgtk8DqmOBuQQd-YgZVLFdEYyjJA2Uuv1xVr443fkIvnP91wiYS4GJQkV_PH/s200/Triambakeshwar+08.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Trimbakeshwar Temple</b> is one of the holiest and sacred place for Hindu pilgrims and is revered as a one of the 12 jyotirlinga shrins of Lord Shiva in India. The temple lies in the foothill of mountain Bhramagiri which is the origin of river Ganga (called here by name Godavari). The most attractive part of this temple is presence of 3 linga's each representing Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. All three resides in a hallow space within the Shivalingam, due to the hollowness these are not visible while you pray but through the tilted mirror which is mounted on the backside wall of the Shiva linga. This is the only temple where Shivalingam is not appearing over the ground but under. It's being said that these 3 linga's are eroding due to excess offering of water (Ganga) during puja's. Stories abound related to this temple and its name. I didn't get any concrete answers to why there are three linga's in this temple and thus so not mentioning here. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ul2s_e2je67JBFkS5Ac-6MD96eKdu5-vqhD-ln3csGhSBJMzRqeRBDBVvAoawjZqEKwVCIfPhoU6CB0stZ2VpPoimkQcrp4wkwqy3uZyxJPqM7j9htj1RpikWoxnlAw95k1sKrAOGKfb/s1600/Triambakeshwar+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ul2s_e2je67JBFkS5Ac-6MD96eKdu5-vqhD-ln3csGhSBJMzRqeRBDBVvAoawjZqEKwVCIfPhoU6CB0stZ2VpPoimkQcrp4wkwqy3uZyxJPqM7j9htj1RpikWoxnlAw95k1sKrAOGKfb/s200/Triambakeshwar+02.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was my second day of my Shirdi Nasik trip, yesterday after halt at Shirdi, today I headed for Nasik, Gov buses frequently routes to Nasik and usually charge Rs 80 (you have plenty of private private Qualis riders with the same price) Shirdi to Nasik is a two hour journey and is around 80-90km for Trimbakeshwar the buses are available from Nasik CBS (central bus service). Frequency is around every hour or so, 30km away from CBS, charges Rs 20 for one side. After reaching Nasik CBS I took Trimbakeshwar bus and reached the place in 45 min. The place is full of of shops, hotels and small residents. Being one of the highly sacred place, its hard to get lodges so easily and one has to plan much earlier, though Nasik being only 2 hour drive away one can opt for Nasik as well.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This temple is built by<b> Shri Nana Saheb Peshawa in 1755-1786 AD</b> took almost 36 years to complete it. Its is built with black stone and the Shivlingam is said to be emerged naturally. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The temple is bordered with around 20-25 stone feet wall in height. Photography not allowed, you can't carry camera inside but mobile. Just in front of the temple main entrance we have two camera/mobile lockers (basically its just a shop who keeps your times). I put my camera in one of the shop paid Rs 10. Besides the main gate is the shoe stand (Rs 1 per pair). Temple is just 10 min walk from the bus stand and thus no need for auto's. Entrance gate will lead you to the queue which has logical separation of around 6-7 lines. The queue to the main temple passes through Nandi temple which is built in front of the Shiva temple, Nandi facing Shivlingam <i>(as you know Shiva temple always has Nandi Idol where Nandi always faces Shivalingam with an exception of Kapileshwar Temple in Panchavati where Nandi is not present at its place). </i>Nandi Idol is siting on a platform which is a foot or two in height and is carved out of white marble. Crossing this Nandi temple you step in to the Shiva temple. You enter a big hall whose roof is in dome shape from inside. The sanctum is not big and houses the main Shivlingam and three lings residing in hollow structure. We were able to see all three miniature lingam only through the mirror which I mentioned earlier.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the left side of this temple along the outer bordered wall, there are series of compartment built in continuation each having a miniature Shivlingam. There are around 32 such compartments out of which only four had Shivling. In all of them the Nandi Idol is damaged and none of the 32 strcuture is in the complete shape. Though the whole temple is built out of black stone but the roof top of sanctum sanatorium is made out of white marble as you can see in the first pick. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11v0MxwbnFqfuRNRAOd-bZWrDxqxMuiidcnVkTVrtwJNLKPqnp_pGlEfd_SS3C05aAC089G_XfHVtbNGwuYmXhH9GziGUbd73xpoJ26airToEZIMuVLX0ttE-1TP_oyAqFUBwVGDE27rF/s1600/Triambakeshwar+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11v0MxwbnFqfuRNRAOd-bZWrDxqxMuiidcnVkTVrtwJNLKPqnp_pGlEfd_SS3C05aAC089G_XfHVtbNGwuYmXhH9GziGUbd73xpoJ26airToEZIMuVLX0ttE-1TP_oyAqFUBwVGDE27rF/s200/Triambakeshwar+05.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Outside the temple just in-front of entrance gate, one can see few cows self feeding the grass, there must be some story behind this which I didn't bothered to find out. People were supposed to purchase the fodder and need to feed these cows.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="background-color: #f6b26b;">Kushavartha</b> </span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFjCIEJ97unDuJCYu4KUd5aRA7Hvnr3qSEf69p6-ohIbANO7SCsrHlUL0opFwPw1yTw20woFH9Q5aoXxM4LdocekD8FnvEA-QN_BFdr_MKwcMh7BrAw7L4YlB8SURgYiHDPbTvb4jP1Y8/s1600/Triambakeshwar+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFjCIEJ97unDuJCYu4KUd5aRA7Hvnr3qSEf69p6-ohIbANO7SCsrHlUL0opFwPw1yTw20woFH9Q5aoXxM4LdocekD8FnvEA-QN_BFdr_MKwcMh7BrAw7L4YlB8SURgYiHDPbTvb4jP1Y8/s200/Triambakeshwar+13.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just a 5 min walk away is a sacred pond called "Kushavarta" which is from where river Ganga takes here route to the rest of India. As per Hindu mythology one gets rid off of all its sin's if he he takes bath here. Story has that, Sage Gautam forced river Ganga to stall within the enchanted grass area he made and puts a vow on her. This he done so to take a holy bath in this water and to get rid of his sin for killing a cow. Sheemant Rao Sahib Parnekar built the temple around the stalled water at this place which we are seeing today. The walls inside all along the hall is inscribed by various Idols, and in all corners are some small temple. The most important fact of this pond is that it is the starting point of <b>Kumb Mela</b> which happens once in a 12 year and next is on 2015. Saints all over the world come to this place on the occasion of mela to take a holy bath.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BOwcouCZFelVThl12W9WJSyVdS7oVBzLstcu_3YCjLOkgwyfDaMb-7vxLQ0ur4f34z9CXgiRSQJ756swvOnoA1zWSvvYsZorVD0abQU7JsANX1NaIj-bF7k36J2ZPdOocu4PGatxkwYl/s1600/Triambakeshwar+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BOwcouCZFelVThl12W9WJSyVdS7oVBzLstcu_3YCjLOkgwyfDaMb-7vxLQ0ur4f34z9CXgiRSQJ756swvOnoA1zWSvvYsZorVD0abQU7JsANX1NaIj-bF7k36J2ZPdOocu4PGatxkwYl/s200/Triambakeshwar+15.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are certain time allotted by the government abiding which Saints needs to take bath. They take bath in the sequence of their seniority and once they are done then rest of normal peoples can proceed. As per the rule the sadhus (Saint) belonging to "Vaishnav" sect will take bath in Godavari at Ram Kund, Panchavati and those belonging to "Shaiva" sect will take bath here. Since Godavari (Ganga) flows from here and reaches at Ram Kund so both are considered pious. This rule was set by Peshawa during the time where in one of the Kumb mela these two groups fought with each other over who would take the holy bath first which resulted in hundreds of death.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another attraction of this place is the Bhramagiri Hill, which is the origin of the river Ganga and is named here as Godavari. To reach the top of the hill one needs to go through some 700 steps and usually needs 4-5 hours to cover. It was already dawn and the idea to climb 700 steps didn't clicked me so headed back to Nasik.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Reached CBS in 45 min and took a lodge just across the bus stand at Hotel Padma. Hotel is very decent with a bar on top floor and restaurant in the ground floor. Good for family stay and cost'd me Rs 350 double bed without AC. Panchavati (main attraction of Nasik city) is just 15 min auto drive from CBS. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some temple outside Trimbakeshwar</span></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well for this kid its more a swimming pool then the holy bath @Kushavarta</span><br />
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</span></span>R Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766052807496029908noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473076057969715487.post-78230319905928596612009-11-23T09:45:00.000-08:002009-11-25T11:04:50.365-08:00Shani Shingnapur<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8Sn2N0yiWysu8tWh6Nwj4Xq-yNBzSZb9_MZx20vn6hC0q52ZrxL-MnlLvAvRjLvQzXlAYK4E6aUQtN-5tz-mtbcgRx5KLK4jZ1hd793nfQavqJr90Cjr-QWc8vt7egwVhsHDe7CFeed_/s1600/Shani+Shingnapur+06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8Sn2N0yiWysu8tWh6Nwj4Xq-yNBzSZb9_MZx20vn6hC0q52ZrxL-MnlLvAvRjLvQzXlAYK4E6aUQtN-5tz-mtbcgRx5KLK4jZ1hd793nfQavqJr90Cjr-QWc8vt7egwVhsHDe7CFeed_/s200/Shani+Shingnapur+06.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Shanaieshwar Temple</b> at Shingnapur widely known as "Shani Shingnapur" houses the deity of Lord Shani (Lord of planet Saturn) and is the most revered temple of Shani Dev in the world. Its not a conventional temple architecture, but a single 5 feet black stone mounted on a raised platform of 3-4 feet in an open environment and I think this is the only Shani Dev temple in the world where he resides in the form of stone instead as a sculpt. </span></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This village lies in Ahmednagar district, a 2hour drive from Shirdi. There are no direct local buses as I know and is accessible by plenty of Qualis transporters near the temple. They charge around Rs 70-80 per head for complete return trip. You will cross a check post just around 10km before the village which will charge you Rs15 for four wheelers paid by the cab driver, Rs 2 will be levied per head on entering the village premises paid by you.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">History says this deity self appeared in the form of this black stone which floated along with the flood which happened around 160 years ago in the village Shingnapur and got stuck in a tree around 150 meters away from the village. This was then spotted by a local shepherd who then tried to free it from the tree by poking it. To his surprise the stone started bleeding as a result of his act, frightened by this he notified villagers who also witnessed this un-usual event. On consecutive days several villagers have had the similar dreams in which Lord Shani acclaimed the stone to be himself and instructed the villagers to consecrate this within the village and that too without any terrace/roof over the Idol. Villagers followed the instruction and laid down the deity on the place where it is today. Witnessing this divine event, villagers started worshiping Shani Dev and also decided to keep their home/shops doorless which is alike an open environment just like this temple which is in open environment. This become a dictate for all residents of this village to not to have any doors in any of their rooms and even toilets, be it a school, post office, shops etc none should have a door. Though for privacy they can have curtain but that too should be transparent. This dictate is followed followed only in this village, outside near by villages doesn't need to follow the same. Time has witnessed that none of the robbery has made to success though legend says that even if theft happened the culprit has become blind and the stolen articles were always came back to its place. These events has increased the belief/faith of villagers on this deity to manifold and today all of them have a singular faith in this God and are living in a belief that Shani Dev is protecting this village from any ill effect which seems to be true.</span></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The presence of this God is felt immensely here as compared to other temples in India for the same deity. As per the stats over 25000 people visits here per day and during yatra days this goes to over Lakhs on single day. I took a shared Maruti Omini and reached the temple in 2 hrs. </span></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzUAzwfuk1AgRDO6x82YnZCpTze1pAaqFFXjgaZHDU1It3ika9yUTieeJtMahrDCp9RRpTRx1Vi6YTUAqC_EMDHRGkZnGIWKeIauPgEr3fJEzZlTPf9KFMkxN2JRdt-O996aHj7mp9XI-/s1600/Shani+Shingnapur+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzUAzwfuk1AgRDO6x82YnZCpTze1pAaqFFXjgaZHDU1It3ika9yUTieeJtMahrDCp9RRpTRx1Vi6YTUAqC_EMDHRGkZnGIWKeIauPgEr3fJEzZlTPf9KFMkxN2JRdt-O996aHj7mp9XI-/s200/Shani+Shingnapur+10.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One big market place (see pic right side) has been built for visitor where ground floors are occupied by shops and first are for lodging. As expected none of them had doors and even public toilets. These transporters have a dealing with the shopkeepers and always park their vehicle on their parking area. Shopkeeper will explain you the rituals to be performed. Rituals says, the Men if they want to pay obeisance to the deity then they need to be topless and to wear only orange colored cloth in lungi fashion (wearing in form of Skirt, though they allow undergarments to wear). You need to take shower wearing this cloth and needs to step in the temple as wet, this market place has one public shower hall (they charge Rs 2 for that). Womens are not allowed to mount on deity platform and only can offer prayers from the distant. </span></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now every regional place gives localities a tremendous opportunity for money making and this place is no exception. They have fixed puja items for Rs 100 and few others which is Rs 100+. They made it mandatory that the orange cloth only be given along with puja item and not separately. Here you are trapped since most of the visitors will not be carrying this cloth they have to buy the puja items for this cloth. The cloth will be returned back to the same shop. Mustard oil is the main puja item which is always offered to this deity and these shop keepers (who rent out the cloth) don't keep the oil, they are sold by separate shopkeepers who don't rent out cloth, so in nutshell you will paying for the cloth and the oil to two separate shopkeeper. A typical team work example in religious place.</span></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You can keep your stuff/clothes in the cab on which you came, and yes don't worry about your valuables or wallets. None of the people in this area will dare to touch anything which doesn't belongs to them.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I took bath the wearing the lungi and headed for the temple. On left is the entrance to this temple and you can see people in orange lungi. Mobile and Camera is allowed to be carried but not photo shoot inside the premises. No entrance fee. Saturday is main day of this Deity and since I went on Friday so didn't faced much problem. Only mustard oil and flowers is offered to the Deity rest will have to be donated on the entrance itself, shown on the pic right side. There is separate queue for those who are going to offer Oil (orange clothed Men's) all others need to proceed through left most separate queue (both Womens and Mens). We proceed further and finally reached near the Idol. Offered my prayers, flowers and you need to pour oil over the Idol. Ritual has, one should not look back till you are completely stepped out of the platform. Once I stepped out, I spent few minutes starring the Idol and was looking for an opportunity to click the deity through my camera which is hanging in my topless neck. With my nervous hands I clicked few (see the first pic).</span></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Completed the darshan and back to the cab, returned the lungi and headed back to shirdi. Maharastra is the biggest producer of sugarcane which you can witness along the route, both side of the road has sugar cane cultivation and so does local sugar juice shops.</span></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Felt like an important accomplishment of my life. I headed back to Shirdi, spent night there and next morning head for Nasik.</span></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is after the main entrance.</span></span><br />
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</div>R Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766052807496029908noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473076057969715487.post-64720263448277858222009-11-23T09:43:00.000-08:002009-11-24T11:10:36.363-08:00Shirdi Sai Baba<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeE5tSIcm6j2nlQvapeY6qNswXQr6QowuZXeljScsIRoXSYFwLZnQhcp3on3kV8Q7kXUhGR2tcsfUb6uk9edZjiVlnwOycut-PVphrgxUzW-JkK4p44Lhhus1byKYEaO36CQNSlpt8NcV/s1600/Shirdi+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeE5tSIcm6j2nlQvapeY6qNswXQr6QowuZXeljScsIRoXSYFwLZnQhcp3on3kV8Q7kXUhGR2tcsfUb6uk9edZjiVlnwOycut-PVphrgxUzW-JkK4p44Lhhus1byKYEaO36CQNSlpt8NcV/s200/Shirdi+02.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: #f9cb9c;">OM SAI RAM !!!</span></b> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finally "Sai" called me to visit him at "Shirdi". It was an overnight journey from Hyderabad to Shirdi by Bus. We do have train, not upto Shirdi but near by station </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Kopargaon (16km from Shirdi)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> 2. Manmad (60km from Shirdi). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bus was convenient and made to Shirdi on time early morning 7AM. <span style="background-color: #f9cb9c;">The first and the foremost thing, its hard to get accommodation if you are single. Most of the hotels wont be allowing any reservation for single person (Male) as this city has faced plenty of crimes within hotels and thus Police has made it as a precautionary measure</span>. Those (only few) lodges who do provide does so by verifying your identity and also by making a phone call back to your home. So if you are visiting alone to Shirdi do keep some sort of identification document.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If its not any festive day or Thursday then you can finish the darshan in an hour or two else it would usually take around 3-4 hours. The Shirdi sansthan provides clock room <i>(for shoes, mobile and luggage)</i> where you can park your luggage thus If you planning not to stay here and move on then best thing is to put your stuff in clock room. Shopkeepers also provides luggage and shoe keeping but in turn they expect you to buy some stuff from them (you don't need to find them, they will find you easily). For taking bath etc lodges do provide that facility with meager fee of Rs 30-50 per 30min. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I opted for 30min lodge usuage, put my luggage and shoe at one shop (and offcourse end up purchasing stuffs worth Rs 100) and headed for Darshan. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbu4x1owU0hOrQRWSlom2B-qPvXTfBsaOCp7OBvSwKHNhO3IN5cMMYhKC7TIdJfDme3tCsQgNHQB6Z07eB5nq7tGgtvbxuS0OqWNqzOb5-r8FmaSRMY5DA6Ja10yRAYZ5crr0Ymkas-00/s1600/Shirdi+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbu4x1owU0hOrQRWSlom2B-qPvXTfBsaOCp7OBvSwKHNhO3IN5cMMYhKC7TIdJfDme3tCsQgNHQB6Z07eB5nq7tGgtvbxuS0OqWNqzOb5-r8FmaSRMY5DA6Ja10yRAYZ5crr0Ymkas-00/s200/Shirdi+01.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thursday is Baba's day so expect heavy rush on this day and yes PHOTOGRAPY AND MOBILE NOT ALLOWED so i put both of them in the clock room (all is near the temple only at walking distance with fee Rs 1 or 2). The whole temple premises is bordered by around 10-12 feet wall and has 2 entrance gates (they are numbered, the market and the clock rooms are near Gate#4 and I went through this gate, see the pic on right). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It wasn't that much rush on Friday so I got inside to the Baba's Samadhi(where Sai Baba's body is buried) in 30-40mins or so. The queue line passes through one big hall which is partitioned to form 8-10 queues. Within the partitioned lines they have several benches for to take rest and a tea shop within the hall, few wall mounted tv telecasting live happenings of Samadhi area.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After 40 min the moment finally arrived when I had first view of Sai Baba. The view was breathtaking, Sai idol is made out of marble (complete white) and is of life size. The facial carve is almost realistic and would stun you for a moment. </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">The marble statue is prepared by sculptor Sri Talini of Bombay was installed by the side of the Samadhi in 1954. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The hall is big where the Samadhi is placed (on side is the life size Idol) and is having 4 lines to form queue two on each side of the hall, the right/left most queue doesn't leads you in front of Sai Idol but to the exit door passing by Samadhi by side. You can touch and bow to Samadhi and offer your prayers. Samadhi stage is usually occupied by four priest two on each side of the Idol. If you want to bow from the front of the Idol then be sure not to opt for left/right most queue instead chose the inner one.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This was the Samadhi mandir where Sai took his last breadth and is now lying in peace. This place was earlier called as "Buty Wada" and later this temple was built on top of it.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Outside this within Temple premises there are other notable areas where Sai has spent his time. One such area is a "Gurusthan" which he usually calls as "Mere guru ka sthaan" (My master's place). Few meter away is 3 small single structure temple of Lord Ganesha, Shiva and Shani, all side by side with an opening from inside connecting all 3 temples i.e. you can pass through all three from inside.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9hF35sUnQ3N1F5DT4rN4dCjsuaPloKAzZE7sh88q1U9fDJSn4OkWlK70x1F_xRxKdiHaS0pvTw2OKOnW0PRCm_k0AJ1v9y6-MS9YgSjLjxpGNCJoq9mXGo21JgFWInYqI49ApT7wf5j_/s1600/Shirdi+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9hF35sUnQ3N1F5DT4rN4dCjsuaPloKAzZE7sh88q1U9fDJSn4OkWlK70x1F_xRxKdiHaS0pvTw2OKOnW0PRCm_k0AJ1v9y6-MS9YgSjLjxpGNCJoq9mXGo21JgFWInYqI49ApT7wf5j_/s200/Shirdi+03.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A mosque "Dwarika Mai" where Sai used to sit most of the day and the stone on which he used to sit is still preserved here. The first pic is of the same. "Chavdi" just outside the temple premise and adjacent to Dwarika where Sai used to rest every alternative day (see pic on left)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Premises has SBI ATM, book shop, museum where articles, clothes and shoes are still preserved which was once used by Sai. One of the photo dipicts a sculpture who was carving the Sai Idol the same which is in Samadhi. It also has sweet shops, book store (3D calendar of Sai is quite impressive and has costed Rs 300 the same cost at Rs 350 outside the temple).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After completing the Darshan, I looked for an lodge, got one just near the temple "Hotel Sai Suraj" for Rs 350 single bed.This hotel is in front of Chavdi. They did verify my identity and called my home, well the hotel is not up-to the expectation but can't complain as well, don't expect even above average amenities with this much of budget. If you are with family then better search near bus stand across the road where there are plenty of decent hotels, expect around 1k-1.3k.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sai trust also has some lodgings, check out this site hotels running by trust (http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/main_English/shirdi/accommodation.asp).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I offloaded my luggage in room and after few minutes I headed for Shani Shignapur, it is just 2hour drive and we have plenty of Qualis/Maruti Omni riders near the temple area. You can hear drivers shouting for "Shani Shignapur". They usually charge Rs 60-70 per head for a complete trip. See my "Shani </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Shignapur" blog entry for further details.</span></span><br />
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<div style="background-color: orange;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are plenty of things to know about Sai and Shirdi, please visit the following blog from an ardent devotee of Sai. This blog has wealth of Sai information and original pics of Sai.</span></span><br />
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</div><div style="background-color: orange;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">http://www.babasaiofshirdi.org/</span></span><br />
</div><div style="background-color: orange;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">http://www.shrisaibabasansthan.org/main_English/shirdi/accommodation.asp</span></span><br />
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</span></span>R Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766052807496029908noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473076057969715487.post-45710478177600930972009-11-15T10:19:00.000-08:002009-11-23T09:56:05.908-08:00Jagannath Temple, Hyderabad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtgqtwN5QTSrdP5LC2jkah6_v8OVRnaqQI-r_Rud3jOK48JmOVTBI40Qqbi_fME-04ce85UJu5jKEcciZ5VUD1pBQOnXKJChEqGvAXKD1JKalilzOJGpcFpru1qzKrNKZoT8rII_hVzBN/s1600/DSC_0149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtgqtwN5QTSrdP5LC2jkah6_v8OVRnaqQI-r_Rud3jOK48JmOVTBI40Qqbi_fME-04ce85UJu5jKEcciZ5VUD1pBQOnXKJChEqGvAXKD1JKalilzOJGpcFpru1qzKrNKZoT8rII_hVzBN/s200/DSC_0149.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Jagannath Temple ("Jagan" means Universe and "Nath" means Lord, thus "Lord Of Universe")</b>, the temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna (one of the incarnation of Lord Vishnu). This temple is said to be a replica of original Jagannath Temple of Puri (Orissa) in context of design/pattern and not in size. <b>Kalinga Cultural Trust</b> is the one who took the charge to construct this Hyderabad version of Puri's temple on 3000 square yard area plot next to Tilangana Bhavan (Banjara Hills). Completed this year around Feb/March 2009 is still at its nascent stage to get its popularity all over the India <i>(Not much information is available over web, still haven't got its name on vast so called "Top Attractions of Hyderabad" sites).</i> </span></span><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTT7npjr8jD7xuqcut_k5JPjhFWxJQHYka-W2X1BPeuHbT81EEyb1779pKvHaC_iSVtQop9U3od0SGpDxrifANQ-x4EwTQu2xZJSackCTLWgnFM5GlNMq4olm4AdnhsCQYHyPrrVu1-9t1/s1600/Jagannath+Temple+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTT7npjr8jD7xuqcut_k5JPjhFWxJQHYka-W2X1BPeuHbT81EEyb1779pKvHaC_iSVtQop9U3od0SGpDxrifANQ-x4EwTQu2xZJSackCTLWgnFM5GlNMq4olm4AdnhsCQYHyPrrVu1-9t1/s200/Jagannath+Temple+03.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The most attracting portion of this temple is its "Shikra" (the peak/top) measuring around 70 feet in height (shown on the first pic). The red color it has got is due to the usage of sand stone (around 600 tonnes were brought from Orissa which is being used to build this whole architecture) and around 60 stone carvers got the blessing to carve this temple. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtk4b5WAEr4CSQbayOe9FQ7XLA60NcV5fTUB95v9SR45hXuHnzy9SCMpBLhbEWxFadpSDjJz5GyQm2sdJgBV0eiI286Z40h4MskWQYL2BmhjHOWsOAvYiqyrGk0iYnqNmu78IdtzHUkIca/s1600/Jagannath+Temple+06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtk4b5WAEr4CSQbayOe9FQ7XLA60NcV5fTUB95v9SR45hXuHnzy9SCMpBLhbEWxFadpSDjJz5GyQm2sdJgBV0eiI286Z40h4MskWQYL2BmhjHOWsOAvYiqyrGk0iYnqNmu78IdtzHUkIca/s200/Jagannath+Temple+06.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The construction were said to be taken in temple premises only. The temple is raised on the platform which is 8-10 feet in height and this 8-10 feet portion is now being occupied as temple Office (left pic shows the window and the door of the ground office). </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwmw8y3DDU3RM1cbCmhXBVNzfe5wrQUP9Us_4lcAKp32U6c1bz2hwJHMySYSboKmxD1vuHnIYD7fp_u0nXT3ftB_rKk1wx3_FJdLucy7q4d7DdCiMWvdtMX-FQ7YS1irK9XWW8rTFRkkh/s1600/Jagannath+Temple+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwmw8y3DDU3RM1cbCmhXBVNzfe5wrQUP9Us_4lcAKp32U6c1bz2hwJHMySYSboKmxD1vuHnIYD7fp_u0nXT3ftB_rKk1wx3_FJdLucy7q4d7DdCiMWvdtMX-FQ7YS1irK9XWW8rTFRkkh/s200/Jagannath+Temple+10.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">While the main structure of temples houses the Lord Krishna along with his brother Balabhadra and Subhadra, it also has five small surrounding temple to house Lord Ganesh (left to the main entrance), Lord Shiva (in front along the steps), Goddess Bhimala (incarnation of Goddess Paravathi, on left back side), Goddess Laxmi (back right side) and two shrines side by side is Navgraha (Nine Planet Lords) and Shri Hanuman (on middle right side). Each of them having a dedicated priest. There are total 3 entrances to this temple , the main entrance opens right in front of the main temple as shown on the second pic top right.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The temple is located just adjacent to the road and is quit nearer to Jubli Hills, from Hi Tech I took shared auto upto Jubli Hills (15 min) and from there another shared auto directly to this temple (10 min). There is no entrance fee, no guide's or any sort of brochures. The temple is not opened for all time, 6-12 AM and 5-10 PM is what the Sunday timings, I don't remember the week day timings. Photo shoot is not allowed inside the temple but outside.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtvmO1fjNCCIGbjVB0EdeNZJx-kRHtBphu1FEgYNDTuow3ZpVnAGIyboBkk0dDin-cOd2_zqgdxmJdo_C_kjsONUw8v4UiHwi4UYENCm5yIXzIqxW-fkYZR775R7UTBYfhJJEA4EtrHS9/s1600/Jagannath+Temple+07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtvmO1fjNCCIGbjVB0EdeNZJx-kRHtBphu1FEgYNDTuow3ZpVnAGIyboBkk0dDin-cOd2_zqgdxmJdo_C_kjsONUw8v4UiHwi4UYENCm5yIXzIqxW-fkYZR775R7UTBYfhJJEA4EtrHS9/s200/Jagannath+Temple+07.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The exterior carving is worth appraising, though its not at very minute level but very impressive. The exteriors are completely made out of sand stone but the inner portion of sanctum sanctorum is a plain brick wall. The pillars are made out of sand stone, and the sanctum sanctorum is separated by three entrance gate inside the temple which is carved out of sand stone. The inner most entrance gate has carving of nine incarnation of Lord Vishnu on the top. The side is occupied by big cobra like sculpt which runs along the perimeter of the gate on both sides. Additional carvings are not that deep and if not looked closely then will look like as it was washed away by air.The 3 idols of Lord Jagannath (Krishna), Balabhadra (his brother) and Subadhra (his sister) are all alike the Idols residing in Puri's temple. Jagannath temple is unique in the sense, all the Idols are carved out of Margosa (Neem) wood instead of stone as found in all other temples. The story behind this is the Lord himself ordered Indrayumna, the king of Malava in Sata Yuga to construct a temple with his Idol made of wood which he will find it floating on the sea. The King found the wood and the sculpture (Vishwa Karma, the architect of Gods) to carve the Idols. Well I am not going deep into the story but this was the reason behind the Idol being made out of wood. This wood was also bought from the Orissa. Probably the only temple (all Jagannath Temple) to have Idols made of wood.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFQi041NofMf5vSGQ343yFHe-o_gC4iMm9cA-EQtfP3eisEDz-f0QT6xC9GaRaHUOMVvm5twE-VgU9TB7ahIEXKCaKVhr4i-hcYEBU-VmuYO8J2P6-QUYQs8Oo7At5FxUbu9jmmMWgC3w/s1600/Jagannath+Temple+09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFQi041NofMf5vSGQ343yFHe-o_gC4iMm9cA-EQtfP3eisEDz-f0QT6xC9GaRaHUOMVvm5twE-VgU9TB7ahIEXKCaKVhr4i-hcYEBU-VmuYO8J2P6-QUYQs8Oo7At5FxUbu9jmmMWgC3w/s200/Jagannath+Temple+09.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Interesting aspect of this temple architecture and of the original one in Puri is, the exteriors are embellished with some amorous sculpture of male and female the same way as we have in Khujaraho Temples (pic on right has 5 such sculpt, one of them is a Lion ridding on an Elephant). There are plenty of theories or concepts behind these sculptures on temple walls as I read on web </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- These sculpt represents the external desire of human and one needs to raise above all these desires to reach to GOD.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- Some one said, these are carved on exteriors so to protect it from lighting, rains etc as Lord of water Indra as himself being a great sex admirer won't destroy anything which itself shows as a sex lover.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">- As lord Krishna himself was a great Casanova and thus sculpture was made according to his very nature.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4DEWRT96YDExlFjPRpCD8GjtdXk8BE8kcYTtjlcFNOqImEoqi7OroiFNYC9Neyxr7l5NPVUqJKHep4r0ts5U39r5HBOel32T9En9mFC5AqVZJha-gK017nlu2Nxp7X6Jg17_z4DrrlMr/s1600/Jagannath+Temple+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4DEWRT96YDExlFjPRpCD8GjtdXk8BE8kcYTtjlcFNOqImEoqi7OroiFNYC9Neyxr7l5NPVUqJKHep4r0ts5U39r5HBOel32T9En9mFC5AqVZJha-gK017nlu2Nxp7X6Jg17_z4DrrlMr/s200/Jagannath+Temple+01.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Also If looked closely, the stone on the back side is little dark in color as compared to the rest of the portions of the temple (see 4th pic from the top). Floors are completely made of granite. The outer architecture from distant almost look like a plastic due to red color, but closely this was well polished and is strong. The pic on left is the top of the main entrance gate and the pillar with sculpt in greeting posture is just in-front of the main steps.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The only distracting thing around in this pic is the Tilangana Bhavan.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: orange;">See few more pics at</span></b> <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shekharstravel/sets/72157622700184391/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/shekharstravel/sets/72157622700184391/</a></span></span><br />
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</div>R Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766052807496029908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473076057969715487.post-28051910384490637432009-11-07T22:15:00.000-08:002009-11-10T10:46:52.827-08:00Thousand Pillar Temple<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzeJWrHiXATzpDg54dcyZE2ZA4k0Bh1d5ZH4IBQN96PnykNGmhBbuln8_dm9g3E84y-0ulIs-9cPkzzUydX0DUsbxdmwGXuHax9XTw5uPCv-Vqd4i_7-czKrcbu4OSXdJtt6bdNimluPF/s1600-h/Thousand+PillarTemple04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzeJWrHiXATzpDg54dcyZE2ZA4k0Bh1d5ZH4IBQN96PnykNGmhBbuln8_dm9g3E84y-0ulIs-9cPkzzUydX0DUsbxdmwGXuHax9XTw5uPCv-Vqd4i_7-czKrcbu4OSXdJtt6bdNimluPF/s200/Thousand+PillarTemple04.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As the name states, this temple has got thousand pillars though not standing individually but carved in such a way that it looks like several pillars stitched together to form a temple wall. This temple is constructed in 1163 AD (i.e. prior to Ramappa Temple) by Rudra Deva-I of Kakatiya Dynasty and measures over 31x25m and stands on a platform which is raised to 1M from the ground (the same way Ramappa Temple is raised). It consists of three shrines of Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Surya arranged around a central hall. Left side of the temple is occupied by Shiv Linga, right by Surya and the center by Vishnu. Only Shiva Linga is remained rest two idols are missing. It's not surprising of this missing as majority of Kakatiya'n are followers of Lord Shiva. I also heard the Vishnu Idol was plated in gold and thus may be the cause of missing.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZFh39WsP6v6vwFgSIPs1PcAnNQlj8wGhYr0BdVikpyY1crnbbiWscv4k4aXn5YZag9uZCznkSmLYwN6LalO2fRbi-jEheKcl-izwO6CSoyuWj9cfg0Um9gVg-4MrJ-yOad2mCYPNrnWD/s1600-h/Thousand+PillarTemple05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZFh39WsP6v6vwFgSIPs1PcAnNQlj8wGhYr0BdVikpyY1crnbbiWscv4k4aXn5YZag9uZCznkSmLYwN6LalO2fRbi-jEheKcl-izwO6CSoyuWj9cfg0Um9gVg-4MrJ-yOad2mCYPNrnWD/s200/Thousand+PillarTemple05.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is no entrance fee. This temple is on the road side and few minutes away from the "Bhadrakali Temple" and from the Hanamkonda bus station. Prayers are still being offered. This premises has one more structure just in front of this temple called "Mandapa" consisting of several marvelously carved individual pillars supporting the roof. Unfortunately this "Mandapa" has been dissembled and removed (now its a plain ground), the area is closed for public and construction is under way as they will put this back in a same shape. Its been said that underneath is a water and this might imbalance this structure, strangely I didn't found much reference of this event in web and didn't get much help from locals either. </span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qbvzX_3LXuA7h6yVeOVv2-YIilGod9Zw1nHHEaYQkzoXqBxCcwDMnfZFc6PPCTiJbtwToytRWH4u23Lyzg5vThl98e5BSP_6KmAlZBLrQePTn3m4zOJO1hBkEFYPmPEGAilA57-SmPem/s1600-h/Thousand+PillarTemple10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qbvzX_3LXuA7h6yVeOVv2-YIilGod9Zw1nHHEaYQkzoXqBxCcwDMnfZFc6PPCTiJbtwToytRWH4u23Lyzg5vThl98e5BSP_6KmAlZBLrQePTn3m4zOJO1hBkEFYPmPEGAilA57-SmPem/s200/Thousand+PillarTemple10.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Front portion of the main entrance of this temple is held by big Nandi Idol and is prime spot for photo shoot (you will find few professional photographers making their business). Walls of the temple as you can see is carved in several pillars which together counts to 1000 (I didn't counted though but I trust history). I visited inside, offered my prayers to a loan survivor Idol i.e. Lord Shiva and went back to lodge (near Hanamkonda bus station). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Regarding transportation back to Hyderabad, Buses both Volvo and Regular are available every 30min from Hanamkonda bus station, for private buses you need to purchase tickets over the counter (which is computrised just like in railway stations) and journey is usually 2 - 2.5 hrs. Volvo is non stop and is the prefered one over public bus.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Warangal journey now come to an end with only disappointment of not seeing the "Mandapa" architecture but may be I come back some time in future.</span></span><br />
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</span></span>R Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766052807496029908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473076057969715487.post-92193549232483174082009-11-02T07:17:00.001-08:002009-11-08T04:23:21.533-08:00Ramappa Temple, Warangal<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObNo-FBUBDCn9jok_QukQqzJghrds70KWtE0JNiUJwgkbFQmoP8gvKhH0sC4qp1q1pQVvSq3nRnUdrLXVtzlj6C_nvaLdpbeOL9v-OJthHRElzJgX4lSzRN1p0tg3yfwe99KgqPyr0fsB/s1600-h/Ramappa+Temple28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiObNo-FBUBDCn9jok_QukQqzJghrds70KWtE0JNiUJwgkbFQmoP8gvKhH0sC4qp1q1pQVvSq3nRnUdrLXVtzlj6C_nvaLdpbeOL9v-OJthHRElzJgX4lSzRN1p0tg3yfwe99KgqPyr0fsB/s200/Ramappa+Temple28.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Ramappa Temple</b> is a Shivalay temple (where lord Shiv is worshiped) situated 77 km from city Warangal and is also known as "<b>Ramalingeswara </b></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Temple</b>", but former name is more adopted and is popular. The name it got is from the sculptor </span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ramappa, a Vishwakarma Brahmin Sthapathi of Karnataka State</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> who built this, in the auspices of <b>Rechlera Rudra a General Kakati Genapati Deva</b> king and probably is the first temple in India which is named after an sculptor rather then the deity it was built for. History says it took around 40 years to build this temple (just double of what it took to build Taj Mahal), well this no of years is not surprising as the intricate carving and beautifully structured is a testimony to this much effort. Some of the damages it received are due to 17th century earth quake and some of the idols ("Navgrah") were seen missing, may be stolen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSmw0rrClGQzY_oos5iCSX4LSKdsGQWF18KpQPIuBD3BCDALS_9T9A2nnTmKFh_wwYX-i4VK10e7KoSJHIxnEVkliI-EQbWptK7vcLI_tpraEk4fR9N4vlyhj0tsiU4IEaFK1fyu3ly3z/s1600-h/Ramappa+Temple01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSmw0rrClGQzY_oos5iCSX4LSKdsGQWF18KpQPIuBD3BCDALS_9T9A2nnTmKFh_wwYX-i4VK10e7KoSJHIxnEVkliI-EQbWptK7vcLI_tpraEk4fR9N4vlyhj0tsiU4IEaFK1fyu3ly3z/s200/Ramappa+Temple01.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I started from Hanamkonda bus station, we don't have direct bus from Warangal to this temple, from the bus station you have to reach a place called "Mulug" (buses are available easily), from there change the bus to "Palampet". You can take a auto rickshaw as well from here. The bus will drop you at the point where a separate road is built towards this temple </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(the pic shown on right is the gateway road to this temple)</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">, basically its small village crossing which will lead you to this temple (from road its just 1.5 km). It's a 2 hour journey from the Hanamkonda bus station but believe me you will regret if you miss to visit this temple.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oCHWZ8bhBeQylm5YrYugqQn3BiAKON4XKQPugojCUylG2m9IQZbwUSYUamtOs8YC1DDyO4C7Ke80IaJXF6aSinqBf56Ymn5QlgqzTauZoZ-CXzlRa3rttLVsDb2Y4LFxi1pBKquckuUY/s1600-h/Ramappa+Temple02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oCHWZ8bhBeQylm5YrYugqQn3BiAKON4XKQPugojCUylG2m9IQZbwUSYUamtOs8YC1DDyO4C7Ke80IaJXF6aSinqBf56Ymn5QlgqzTauZoZ-CXzlRa3rttLVsDb2Y4LFxi1pBKquckuUY/s200/Ramappa+Temple02.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The temple is well bordered with stone wall originally built at that time. I find this temple ground to be little lower then the outside ground. As shown in pic (first pic) temple is standing on platform which is around 6 feet in height from the ground and looks like favorite style of building temple by Kakatiya dynasty (The Thousand Pillar temple is raised from the ground level in similar fashion). This is built in star shaped when looked from the sky. There is no entrance fee but they do charge for video (photo shoot is free). <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is said that the roof (</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Garbhalayam) of the temple is build from the stone which is so light that it can float on the water.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbl91E6iacQU3IYFQL0I4LM_8kYYbrrGodwJmbGChhWXhyphenhyphenSoBVa6a2l9dbae50BLqZ0mZMzKNBcH09c5JEVPbYoznCfrFKbT1XjkQSQCpZ9PbLHnYtdG2p6yvYH6sDTRSGfy8mlK0kbTm/s1600-h/Ramappa+Temple03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbl91E6iacQU3IYFQL0I4LM_8kYYbrrGodwJmbGChhWXhyphenhyphenSoBVa6a2l9dbae50BLqZ0mZMzKNBcH09c5JEVPbYoznCfrFKbT1XjkQSQCpZ9PbLHnYtdG2p6yvYH6sDTRSGfy8mlK0kbTm/s200/Ramappa+Temple03.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This main Shiva temple has two sub structures on both side of it, on one side is smaller Shiva temple (pic on right) and other is the conference hall (ruined). I hired a local guide (for Rs 50) and as per him the side Shiva temple was built first as a model, though this temple is currently not worshiped and wasn't cleaned hopefully since its inception. Inside the temple is no conventional Shiv Linga but a stone in oval shape is placed (not sure whether it had Shiva Linga before and later replaced with this). Nandi idol within this temple is little damaged on the face part. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rawW71GfXlW0s0H93Tc7sHb8bImJPg5xoWwLWJgb1yPOpFT5mSTl9ZGn0K9OJcyVcTU6aeae8BRp5H7qNmUkGh72U2Hd9HLT_ranbsKERNfwtjOmsYTheDdJvANP-w7H6z-EfPxUs2IS/s1600-h/Ramappa+Temple06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rawW71GfXlW0s0H93Tc7sHb8bImJPg5xoWwLWJgb1yPOpFT5mSTl9ZGn0K9OJcyVcTU6aeae8BRp5H7qNmUkGh72U2Hd9HLT_ranbsKERNfwtjOmsYTheDdJvANP-w7H6z-EfPxUs2IS/s200/Ramappa+Temple06.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just in front of this temple is tall stone mounted (see pic on left) with an inscription in Telugu and Kanada about this temple. It is in that which states that this is built in 123 AD along with the details of Ganapati Deva king. The wall of this temple very much resembles the wall of Thousand Pillar temple, instead of giving single stone look it is carved to give a look of multiple pillar stitched together to form a wall. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-LdBtvxAoWhXegK97tU-3hAjRO9BKbFRObfs-9XuPkeCZ5spUkj_WlA3IPBNfPkEkIt3iRYxUdNigA5TNecmteOcxnroNhS6-PmTNen7If_HJ7MqgGPM1nUZUprvKT-iYerIWJncDrNb/s1600-h/Ramappa+Temple13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-LdBtvxAoWhXegK97tU-3hAjRO9BKbFRObfs-9XuPkeCZ5spUkj_WlA3IPBNfPkEkIt3iRYxUdNigA5TNecmteOcxnroNhS6-PmTNen7If_HJ7MqgGPM1nUZUprvKT-iYerIWJncDrNb/s200/Ramappa+Temple13.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The main Shiva temple has three entrance the one shown on the right is the front entrance, behind me is the Nandi Idol. In all the three entrances you will be greeted by two elephants sculpture in sitting posture, though none of them are in complete shape. Just outside the main entrance you can see the two Vinayak Idol (Lord Ganesh) placed in two sides of it (the one is currently being washed by that lady). The Shiv Linga inside is of life size and continuous prayers are still being offered. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil89zeGltLxKKIzCrSC_5zVhEZ5RLPk5wUaN1-6sP0SRf2_agcfvNiyI8-Ttnn-N29W4FLi4qC7x40sbF6VfwNUWctqodhKckJjUzAXskWyw-T_vrRqcLbdyuyxa1rPBeq2kh9IkBUHaGW/s1600-h/DSC_0037+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil89zeGltLxKKIzCrSC_5zVhEZ5RLPk5wUaN1-6sP0SRf2_agcfvNiyI8-Ttnn-N29W4FLi4qC7x40sbF6VfwNUWctqodhKckJjUzAXskWyw-T_vrRqcLbdyuyxa1rPBeq2kh9IkBUHaGW/s200/DSC_0037+copy.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The center (inside) this temple is occupied by four tall pillars carved out of 5 stones staked one above the other and each stake is sculptured magnificently with precision. Each of the pillars has different sculpture from others and center of this pillar is held by platform meant for Nrityangana (Classical Dancer) who performs dance before the lord. The roof (from inside, exactly above this dance platform) is inscribed with Netrazan idol (other avatar of lord Shiva). The platform thing can be seen in the Warangal Fort as well (See my blog "Warangal Fort"). On both sides of the door where Shiv Linga is placed, there is a inscription of 30 small sculpture depicting various pose of Mridang Player each of the 30 inscriptions are different from each other (shown in the pic on left). </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWdS9EFQ411WbtcqkEi9ktnVUsWAZ0zUzn_ZozLO8jvSnQbxvVK_cF56M8G8Ad0DUR7P-d5-Srs0qsJG0C0q27RcojUI2uyLpz79spucPtXAG63ZziYoAmcUKoGbhZQXYJnWfeZvBUW2F/s1600-h/DSC_0041+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWdS9EFQ411WbtcqkEi9ktnVUsWAZ0zUzn_ZozLO8jvSnQbxvVK_cF56M8G8Ad0DUR7P-d5-Srs0qsJG0C0q27RcojUI2uyLpz79spucPtXAG63ZziYoAmcUKoGbhZQXYJnWfeZvBUW2F/s200/DSC_0041+copy.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Take a close look in this picture on the right, the right most female sculpture who is holding a banana tree in her left hand, on top of that tree is carve of Lord Krishna playing a flute in standing position, the interesting thing is the banana tree which is not a hollow and is carved out of single stone emits different sound when hit by finger in different point.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYciNFrUV1GGj2cWUTluLvIgr088FTfDbD2T4wUxMTzS6uYD2z2ic7euHJLE1BgaVpU4VA6EFuoVpL5iFtXprEyiO4XyYZTdVaBtWP7hDMCBgqzk23IjDRtfEMkmwSVllES-g4ffwVmHV3/s1600-h/Ramappa+Temple25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYciNFrUV1GGj2cWUTluLvIgr088FTfDbD2T4wUxMTzS6uYD2z2ic7euHJLE1BgaVpU4VA6EFuoVpL5iFtXprEyiO4XyYZTdVaBtWP7hDMCBgqzk23IjDRtfEMkmwSVllES-g4ffwVmHV3/s200/Ramappa+Temple25.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> As usual any Shiva temple is incomplete without a Nandi, in front of this gate is a gigantic Nandi Idol beautifully carved out of single stone and unique in style in the sense that it has got its own temple like structure, raised on a platform of the same height as of this main Shiva temple. The stone walls surrounding this Nandi is beautifully carved and as you can see in one section of this wall is a series of elephants engraved, in fact most of the temples built in this dynasty, you would see such a series of elephants, horses, swans, dancing women etc.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegNPVg25Mss0zLNgS_Ox_cRWDKNGR94Jo0lYC9tLbRDjtOdL3hEKQvCL9BF1T5GiO_IBrmRGCkyztxmfo6GTKZN-om3Gu7QrQtD35V2RdQEgCL54QDf0K5i3IagmNHmQmDxuM2hsThaNe/s1600-h/Ramappa+Temple09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegNPVg25Mss0zLNgS_Ox_cRWDKNGR94Jo0lYC9tLbRDjtOdL3hEKQvCL9BF1T5GiO_IBrmRGCkyztxmfo6GTKZN-om3Gu7QrQtD35V2RdQEgCL54QDf0K5i3IagmNHmQmDxuM2hsThaNe/s200/Ramappa+Temple09.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Close look in right pic you can see a full human size sculpt figure in various pose attached in each of the supporting pillars of the temple. These are one of the prime attraction of this temple and each one of those sculpt has got a name and some story. There are total of 12 such sculptures and all are different from each other, one among them is the smallest in height (first one, the one on the rightest side of this main entrance) and one is the tallest (the last one, is on the other entrance). All sculptures has received some damages and only one which is the tallest of all is in complete shape. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPvCK8XdwZ0iK265NpHE5ABXNhD0v0FuHXN8B6b5NpmyysLGtcToc8BHOTAvexEFQRkogG_mGMWotLfOKzjOyy8z7d5phFpAaLw81rP3bwogUr5Z8CX_sOYFrw6_ay5WHfAGIkZ9VnbIT/s1600-h/Ramappa+Temple22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPvCK8XdwZ0iK265NpHE5ABXNhD0v0FuHXN8B6b5NpmyysLGtcToc8BHOTAvexEFQRkogG_mGMWotLfOKzjOyy8z7d5phFpAaLw81rP3bwogUr5Z8CX_sOYFrw6_ay5WHfAGIkZ9VnbIT/s200/Ramappa+Temple22.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Circulating the temple wall is a series of elephant sculpture engraved onto it, there are around 512 or 412 (don't remember) of such elephants and each one of them is different from other in terms of shape or pose. This style is typically seems to be favorite of this dynasty as the same pattern is found in other structures/temples like Thousand Pillar and in Warangle Fort where elephants and the lions are being mostly used (See my "Warangal Fort" blog for such series).</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EWbQQwrpnS05Hm05i1o9Vwon3O_iAKK3RxnGGV4fcu53NHkRESI-7lkap-lHRwpvwyHlFkc1QRQp28sWSWw36t25F5nGJhJcFahUemFKT3gVBKw0HwdROj_Yl949OkVspdyBZ6puuwva/s1600-h/Ramappa+Temple20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EWbQQwrpnS05Hm05i1o9Vwon3O_iAKK3RxnGGV4fcu53NHkRESI-7lkap-lHRwpvwyHlFkc1QRQp28sWSWw36t25F5nGJhJcFahUemFKT3gVBKw0HwdROj_Yl949OkVspdyBZ6puuwva/s200/Ramappa+Temple20.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Outside wall of this temple has a wall mount structure as shown on the right pic belonging to "Navgrah" (9 Planet Lord, in Hindu religion each planet is worshiped as lord), though each of them is missing the idol there are only 3 such mounts but each holds the 3 compartments as you can see in the pic and I believe each such mount is occupied by 3 planet lords in respective compartments. </span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All together a must see temple if you visit Warangal.</span></span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: orange;">See the complete pics at</span></span></b><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: orange;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shekharstravel/sets/72157622759265828/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/shekharstravel/sets/72157622759265828/</a></span> </span><br />
</span></span>R Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766052807496029908noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473076057969715487.post-21571100811663931462009-11-02T07:15:00.000-08:002009-11-08T04:27:29.610-08:00Warangal Fort & Ek Shilla Temple<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQUb4TTFVz1qPUNCnihlVbF4RBnuVj8soV64BHrHQbS1x839uTKzKIrN-un7lJjlz_uf3F7hxXonwQr1GgEMWznbm8CrNEQ_6CfXahyphenhyphenL23x-Qs7qGA34MYXh-yVEDWR_wR64ksC4UMW0D/s1600-h/Warangal+Fort98.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQUb4TTFVz1qPUNCnihlVbF4RBnuVj8soV64BHrHQbS1x839uTKzKIrN-un7lJjlz_uf3F7hxXonwQr1GgEMWznbm8CrNEQ_6CfXahyphenhyphenL23x-Qs7qGA34MYXh-yVEDWR_wR64ksC4UMW0D/s200/Warangal+Fort98.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Warangal</b>, locally is known as "<b>OruKallu</b>" ("Oru" means One, and "Kallu" means rock/stone thus Onestone). The city is said to be built on a single rock and thus got this name. This city is 145 km away from Hyderabad and is well connected by road and train.</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Warangal was once the capital of Kakatiya dynasty who reigned between 12-14th century. I took morning train around 8:05 AM from Secunderabad and reached Warangal station around 10:30 AM. The first important place to visit is "Warangal Fort" it is just 20 min away from railway station by auto rickshaw, from station catch a share auto upto Post Office (Rs5, 5 min) from there another share auto directly to Fort (Rs 7, around 15 min), altogether a 20min traveling.</span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PrH4N6Ewaq7fu4dtqlWYgq4SXxiZSC9jWPA6fJrrUcGdTwfI_yoOuiiDYOUfJ_AjafJ9m0F0O9pvHmS2bro_fEZI62B_7RHyhoERsZzq_M9OGKA8MLPuVqKCseHECTQEzoO3FqQpcA2w/s1600-h/Warangal+Fort03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PrH4N6Ewaq7fu4dtqlWYgq4SXxiZSC9jWPA6fJrrUcGdTwfI_yoOuiiDYOUfJ_AjafJ9m0F0O9pvHmS2bro_fEZI62B_7RHyhoERsZzq_M9OGKA8MLPuVqKCseHECTQEzoO3FqQpcA2w/s200/Warangal+Fort03.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Warangal Fort is b</span><span style="font-size: small;">uilt during Kakatiyas dynasty by King Ganapati Deva in the 13th Century. The fort wall boundary is spread around 19km in circular shape and in the center is what lays the ruined remains of "Swayambu Devalayam" temple which boasts one of the most beautiful sculptures in India. This Devalayam is surrounded by four tall gateway carved out of stone and with not less then 50 feet in height is situated in four direction securing this place and are usually called "Keerti Toranas", shown in the first pic. The area is declared "Archeological Site" and is well maintained (excavation is still going on there). Entrance fee is Rs 5 for Indians and Rs 100 for Non-Indians, video will be charged extra 25 but photo shoot is free.</span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysYPkMgmMF3nqtlcqX7wLkLeV8wx0h91nH5i73twoIuYLqZDzoenEMn4UOWq9Ki9z0L_OOQI5dJnsRmAamHfoEJze7we_eCH9HDT2iCRsgGLEi5VS8kDXuFhtQMGeUZgWAj1fwrg8jZs0/s1600-h/Warangal+Fort01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysYPkMgmMF3nqtlcqX7wLkLeV8wx0h91nH5i73twoIuYLqZDzoenEMn4UOWq9Ki9z0L_OOQI5dJnsRmAamHfoEJze7we_eCH9HDT2iCRsgGLEi5VS8kDXuFhtQMGeUZgWAj1fwrg8jZs0/s200/Warangal+Fort01.jpg" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">As you can see in this pic most of the sculptures are ruined.</span><span style="font-size: small;">This is shot from the entrance gate. Most of the sculptures are made out of single stone and that too at minute level which is incredible and hard to be seen in other temples of the southern part. Hardly there is any idol, statue or sculpture left which is in complete shape. The main attraction of this area is the four surrounding tall wall sculpture and the Shiva temple in the middle. Savisim was the major religion followed during this dynasty and thus you will find plenty of Shiva temples then any of other god in the city. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDPGR9jmDlajmXruWNcUKaXelgFbxO1OtZOswRxM7IjAfhvVUhaOJ8xQ32Lh9WumQPIsoSuxzqMgemK65tbwZ8sZvbzY9leWNvaeouBHED3OrJdg5GSJNYy1Evw_xZ_Q99s-345k3lvtD/s1600-h/Warangal+Fort28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDPGR9jmDlajmXruWNcUKaXelgFbxO1OtZOswRxM7IjAfhvVUhaOJ8xQ32Lh9WumQPIsoSuxzqMgemK65tbwZ8sZvbzY9leWNvaeouBHED3OrJdg5GSJNYy1Evw_xZ_Q99s-345k3lvtD/s200/Warangal+Fort28.jpg" /></a></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was amazed by the intricacy of each carve, that too made out of single stone and with such a miniature details. Most of the carves are following a similar pattern where each single stone logically divided into several section and each of those section occupies different sculptures like lion, elephant, dancing idols etc.in series<br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJQoGJ3ucAkb8R7utTUSy85HjitvOMq69V-oOxc4jhJcjQ-Pgfd8qbkq6WNNrE9aRYZBNLiPmOvOg5BPx9tRiPkV3LHNDQew8zQI-El2Re_uYHRd0LRSXiT5v3wzDydXYKj8i7vbjApi5/s1600-h/Warangal+Fort44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMJQoGJ3ucAkb8R7utTUSy85HjitvOMq69V-oOxc4jhJcjQ-Pgfd8qbkq6WNNrE9aRYZBNLiPmOvOg5BPx9tRiPkV3LHNDQew8zQI-El2Re_uYHRd0LRSXiT5v3wzDydXYKj8i7vbjApi5/s200/Warangal+Fort44.jpg" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">This same set of patterns can be seen in other temples, structures built in this city like Ramappa Temple, Thousand Pillar temple etc. Another important thing to note in these sculptures are that each of the carve in the same section/series will have a different look or in different shape/pose, as you can see the pic on the top these all dancing sculptures are in different pose no matter how many are there but all will be different, that too made out of a single stone.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYz-LMk0rFqB4wvgj5o3a-qkxOQy33_oxzY3Ae3_sODz1rOJv6voWVJZd5pkIRoFBYN9x1mhnS5g9jJKpWcw8LQ5BblKL5sRGDtu63sj_b6iq-GBpWW0MCzISt33kGynL6d_Figkc5JSH/s1600-h/Warangal+Fort17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYz-LMk0rFqB4wvgj5o3a-qkxOQy33_oxzY3Ae3_sODz1rOJv6voWVJZd5pkIRoFBYN9x1mhnS5g9jJKpWcw8LQ5BblKL5sRGDtu63sj_b6iq-GBpWW0MCzISt33kGynL6d_Figkc5JSH/s200/Warangal+Fort17.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">On the left side from the entrance is the Shiva Temple with a big Nandi (his transporter) facing him. You wont see Shiva temple without Nandi idol built in front of either Shiv Linga or temple in all case it will be there facing the Shiv Linga, interestingly in this city probably in all Shiva temple though Nandi idol is there but his head will not be straight in position facing the Shiva Linga but slightly bend towards his right shoulder i.e. in alert position. Another fact is, usually here Nandi idols are built quit big as compared to other temples in southern part of India. </span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8U9EqMTxYSSSFUZNbNuzuPxT6kghx3Pnm36a5ihMcX9TBB7-eEsytul8sFDDkZsIEhyG1bN0nkzBKTLR4t7gQTdUVtl-bh3RdcZ7eJVOXOvc4Ew6t47RB0i5hoPirdjXgxSR7_7Yej2m9/s1600-h/Warangal+Fort26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8U9EqMTxYSSSFUZNbNuzuPxT6kghx3Pnm36a5ihMcX9TBB7-eEsytul8sFDDkZsIEhyG1bN0nkzBKTLR4t7gQTdUVtl-bh3RdcZ7eJVOXOvc4Ew6t47RB0i5hoPirdjXgxSR7_7Yej2m9/s200/Warangal+Fort26.jpg" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">At present no Puja's (Prayers in Hindu religion way) is being done in this temple. Pic on the left side is of Nandi Idol just in front of the Shiva Temple. Its hard to say or I haven't seen so far anywhere in web depicting how this place would have looked at that time. We don't have any brochures or any guide available in this area but at least I saw one photographer with his portable Canon photo printer (Instant photo, thanks to affordable photo printers) trying to make his business (see closely the temple pic above, photographer is standing on the right side of the pic in white shirt). </span><br />
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</div><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9YxbxLERISaH5rQeF2haTpltDitJGV43l39MKd3MkKwubFyNTJTCLaqyEbfccYq0tuAt_wZVd16W8xY6Zp8d9920NjW3Nr8g-LpjZsMflye_thRV9XGA0qc7cTIY29_oC0c0_k5VlZ_U/s1600-h/Warangal+Fort22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9YxbxLERISaH5rQeF2haTpltDitJGV43l39MKd3MkKwubFyNTJTCLaqyEbfccYq0tuAt_wZVd16W8xY6Zp8d9920NjW3Nr8g-LpjZsMflye_thRV9XGA0qc7cTIY29_oC0c0_k5VlZ_U/s200/Warangal+Fort22.jpg" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">Between the Shiva temple and the Nandi idol is a platform built surrounded by four beautiful pillars carved out of single stone (shown on the right pic), I believe this might be the place where musician or Nrityangana's (classical dancer's) performs before the actual prayers starts. I see the same sort of platform in Rammapa temple inside the temple just in front of Shiv Linga and is common in Hindu methodology during King's arena.</span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFdMsojdaemdWtd1BDHE45S7RcOK9IQ6yIJCy4xQUihBKhPgsFtFBb8mjm9tponpB3Za3Zlwmg9FHJwwsbIf4Mjv9iiWlwLRVabIopufGXTzdo1USddugzmWcnZ8eDd2pjGN3xNKP_MRm/s1600-h/EkshilaTemple05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFdMsojdaemdWtd1BDHE45S7RcOK9IQ6yIJCy4xQUihBKhPgsFtFBb8mjm9tponpB3Za3Zlwmg9FHJwwsbIf4Mjv9iiWlwLRVabIopufGXTzdo1USddugzmWcnZ8eDd2pjGN3xNKP_MRm/s200/EkshilaTemple05.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Few walks away out side this temple is another temple "Ekshilla Temple", its also a park. The temple is built on top of a small single mountain thus got its name "Ek Shilla Temple" ("Ek" means One, "Shilla" means mountain). Surrounding the mountain is one man made lake. The steps to the top of the mountain is carved onto itself and thus will find it slippery, the hand support fence I believe is latter built by State Gov. The temple is currently not in running state. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8XP65MPpHH0WKunbiEtVsK-8tPlQk4oyXgOvhL4p7WghkyZ_WP3WxQmheCoICgWI-KtklD64xu5YY_xR0QLN6KseoDZ6xN1LffvAbltVCTc430Ie5eRYb444Xv4dF_umd02CVzgJezO_/s1600-h/Bhadrakali+Temple02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8XP65MPpHH0WKunbiEtVsK-8tPlQk4oyXgOvhL4p7WghkyZ_WP3WxQmheCoICgWI-KtklD64xu5YY_xR0QLN6KseoDZ6xN1LffvAbltVCTc430Ie5eRYb444Xv4dF_umd02CVzgJezO_/s200/Bhadrakali+Temple02.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">I still had few hours left so thought to cover one more place, the "Bhadrakali Temple" a famous devi temple and said to be 250 years old and is situated between the tween city of Hanamkonda and Warangal. A must visit place, the actual temple is built on mountain rock, later I think its extended over it by bricks just like the modern temples.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Its already 4 pm now so I headed to lodge myself and thought to plan for next day to "Ramappa Temple". You have plenty of lodges around bus stand Hanamkonda. I chose one of them, costed me Rs 150 single bed, not much decent but sufficient for an bachelor, you can get double bed room for Rs 250 with AC. Between the railway station and Hanamkonda city lies "Bhadrakali Temple" and the "Thousand Pillar" temple only few minutes apart from each other thus can be plan to cover in a single day. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBg56cgM2H7j1IBcqoXinspboMqdkNaGP4UOz0Kg4-4lObZS0BgAVC8sqp4DaHv1Jgx6rG9C2VDx7CR6M1IIaHdAO1N_CQYU225wsbGbOsGoPQUiIz8te_8hpoSWKJr3W7vZwmSJ8FMRYV/s1600-h/Warangal+Fort95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBg56cgM2H7j1IBcqoXinspboMqdkNaGP4UOz0Kg4-4lObZS0BgAVC8sqp4DaHv1Jgx6rG9C2VDx7CR6M1IIaHdAO1N_CQYU225wsbGbOsGoPQUiIz8te_8hpoSWKJr3W7vZwmSJ8FMRYV/s200/Warangal+Fort95.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin84h9P29AXZuXaI_i08shErz-EwL7SJ6ABSfRQKRATjx40KwyRtjDjt3O2HRh0jJwG0TJW7hLKPpCedAE7hJRdkNHaZmiqVezaU5HwLave193RzC8v3Yhjgpj5a-BUNzB-Bxl4d80O139/s1600-h/Warangal+Fort91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin84h9P29AXZuXaI_i08shErz-EwL7SJ6ABSfRQKRATjx40KwyRtjDjt3O2HRh0jJwG0TJW7hLKPpCedAE7hJRdkNHaZmiqVezaU5HwLave193RzC8v3Yhjgpj5a-BUNzB-Bxl4d80O139/s200/Warangal+Fort91.jpg" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">Few stand alone sculptures, as said none of them are in complete state, but has enough to show how magnificent it is.<br />
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<b><span style="background-color: orange;">See complete pics at</span> </b><br />
<span style="background-color: orange; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shekharstravel/sets/72157622758795940/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/shekharstravel/sets/72157622758795940/</a></span><br />
</div>R Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766052807496029908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473076057969715487.post-15730975777446411622009-09-23T11:12:00.000-07:002009-09-23T11:21:14.029-07:00Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61D4Woy-N-wssoIEg3AfVizi1dwRJ3NVQG1rEYf-B_GuuoXyN6I1ZToD45qzTvlObXQuz_axIt7ymHS2p6ynNbHX0nUjU9_k8f56BobUmfh0vtKkVFzhmJ0KBs1Oj7-oR5kMUA7vWr5wL/s1600-h/Mahaballipuram37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61D4Woy-N-wssoIEg3AfVizi1dwRJ3NVQG1rEYf-B_GuuoXyN6I1ZToD45qzTvlObXQuz_axIt7ymHS2p6ynNbHX0nUjU9_k8f56BobUmfh0vtKkVFzhmJ0KBs1Oj7-oR5kMUA7vWr5wL/s200/Mahaballipuram37.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"The Lost City" as its been called was unknown under sea, which only got revealed when Tsunami unearthed the surroundings, the city called <b>Mahabalipuram</b><br />
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Its 52km from Chennai and we started off on 9/21/2009 from West Tamberam (Hired Taxi for 100Km 10hr@ Rs 1310). Its an little above an hour journey and one can see plenty of upcoming resort construction just near the sea shore. There is Rs 25 as panchayat fee when you enter the temple area, plus 10 for parking and finally Rs 10 for temple entrance which can be reused to visit other temples in that area.</span> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_3EjXjM7IC-RTAXhorBLm1gVV5NLMUBKDX6FC8wkheqJDb6f4Ek4LCn17FrPhdR6hm2crw4uVmYohRBEtg5V2kXWx8fYu8O-ErQgtWZPd5L8HYZn396eA34wDvhIZHdE646p8TvTbSH5/s1600-h/Mahaballipuram72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_3EjXjM7IC-RTAXhorBLm1gVV5NLMUBKDX6FC8wkheqJDb6f4Ek4LCn17FrPhdR6hm2crw4uVmYohRBEtg5V2kXWx8fYu8O-ErQgtWZPd5L8HYZn396eA34wDvhIZHdE646p8TvTbSH5/s200/Mahaballipuram72.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The temple (normally called shore temple) area is well maintained and is fenced surroundings. Its just few meters from sea shore and adjacent to the temple is local sea shops as it used to be in sea shore. Stones can be seen as melted by sea water and inside view of the temple is not open for public, the back side of temple has one room where one can see a big broken "Shiv Lingam". One side of the temple has this lion stone with a hallow gap in the chest, inside the hallow is another sculpture of some gods. The temple is surrounded by a stone wall on which a stone carved in "Cow" shape is placed.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXp9BFN5Qufs9BSTwWIwhtNJNvDydSc-otBALg_sH8Qhc3xEdBVJoIIxwOfA3MwR0dO66HObNMSUaxgwA7CAU3zHwcdHTwkRy09zp6h_s9JODjHrzSFO8yT85G4Pjla0F6ZM2DTkemZRJG/s1600-h/Mahaballipuram44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXp9BFN5Qufs9BSTwWIwhtNJNvDydSc-otBALg_sH8Qhc3xEdBVJoIIxwOfA3MwR0dO66HObNMSUaxgwA7CAU3zHwcdHTwkRy09zp6h_s9JODjHrzSFO8yT85G4Pjla0F6ZM2DTkemZRJG/s200/Mahaballipuram44.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Just a km from this temple is another area to visit "Panch Rathas" (Fine Carrots), you can use the same ticket which you have purchased for shore temple. These are said to be five Rath (Carrots) of Pandava's. All these five Ratha's are carved out of single stone and are named after five Pandava's. Pic on the left side shows the entrance of this area, four individual stones are visible and the one is on the back side counting to five Rath's. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5kfDHCtmGvLh9tGBcxHR2kYmNi6ExS0OITyLyyjpXC5WeGOLjpqiOsmOBQ-a9Vcl9D3C3C7Esy8CMzU8th4EOkGtVLnJHOuTQcqfWL08QJUKFg6ckCP3snNinKaOlTyfNd4bBuL-EyGy/s1600-h/Mahaballipuram50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5kfDHCtmGvLh9tGBcxHR2kYmNi6ExS0OITyLyyjpXC5WeGOLjpqiOsmOBQ-a9Vcl9D3C3C7Esy8CMzU8th4EOkGtVLnJHOuTQcqfWL08QJUKFg6ckCP3snNinKaOlTyfNd4bBuL-EyGy/s200/Mahaballipuram50.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The first Rath is named after Draupadi, next to it is Arjun's, in front of it is Nakul-Sahdev's Rath The longest and the biggest one is of Bhima's Rath (see pic on right) which is said to be still incomplete. And the last tall one is of the Udhistar's Rath (bottom).</span></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqVuLE1ZXwbFR8BHL6V16BiLdprk6AsBBLhpnLqVEv2gAsw4KM1JARhgdFFeTIdVEH2i72Kn7Bqdx5qPTzF7Io77G-3Jh3MSv4Q8WCXV6h7BjXD6p2LHvmzpTkcdTcLXop96YobTqBbGG/s1600-h/Mahaballipuram56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqVuLE1ZXwbFR8BHL6V16BiLdprk6AsBBLhpnLqVEv2gAsw4KM1JARhgdFFeTIdVEH2i72Kn7Bqdx5qPTzF7Io77G-3Jh3MSv4Q8WCXV6h7BjXD6p2LHvmzpTkcdTcLXop96YobTqBbGG/s320/Mahaballipuram56.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Half km from this site is a Arjuna's Penance place where you will find the following sculpture on single stone. There is a light house and a hike behind this stone.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFK0s3g_IxbbEVmr6hP8uBviS5T2GpqNIaKuJFRKZO4gHPjwuzavqbkongTJnW0xvFpdE65cIoaYLNZ-ce0XqoKnuSSmBOx5X07bEUCKMeml-LHbnjHKnrqqKJcnfPXkT92gYXJZUVJzR/s1600-h/Mahaballipuram59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTFK0s3g_IxbbEVmr6hP8uBviS5T2GpqNIaKuJFRKZO4gHPjwuzavqbkongTJnW0xvFpdE65cIoaYLNZ-ce0XqoKnuSSmBOx5X07bEUCKMeml-LHbnjHKnrqqKJcnfPXkT92gYXJZUVJzR/s320/Mahaballipuram59.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">There are plenty of things to explore here other then what mentioned in this blog.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #e06666; color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">For more information of this place, visit http://www.mahabalipuram.co.in</span><br />
</span>R Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766052807496029908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473076057969715487.post-56080266863633928772009-09-13T23:16:00.000-07:002009-11-13T11:10:16.089-08:00Golconda Fort, Hyderabad<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsZAh08V8StgxXIHUj2RbRGnkfSNZFoR3GKj5MI4GqAGDXPFQGIEwAFZplkAtkOyYRo2oT_1SkXxNw3R44tZWiOYTLpkSWaheVoHliYPpDqXskEsne3_POw5ucHi151lVSmQnIzMm-KZm/s1600-h/Golconda05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsZAh08V8StgxXIHUj2RbRGnkfSNZFoR3GKj5MI4GqAGDXPFQGIEwAFZplkAtkOyYRo2oT_1SkXxNw3R44tZWiOYTLpkSWaheVoHliYPpDqXskEsne3_POw5ucHi151lVSmQnIzMm-KZm/s200/Golconda05.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This fort was constructed on a hill which was once the territory of Kakatiya Kings of Warangal in 1143 A.D. During the Kingdom of Raja Pratap Rudra Dev, a shepherd sugggested to him the desirability of constructing a fort on this hill, the Raja welcomed this idea and constructed a "Kucha" bulwark calling it after the name of the shepherd "<b>Golconda</b>" <b>(Golla means shepered and Konda means Hill, thus Shepherd's Hill), </b>as the capital of the Rajas was Warangal. Raja Krishna Dev of Warangal handed over the fort to Mohammed Shah on of Bahmani dynasty under a pact Mohammed Shah called the fort <b>Mohammadnagar. </b>This name can be found in Governments record even today. Initial building wasn't as strong as we see today, its later when <b>Sultan Mohd Quli Qutaub Shah</b> (fifth King) built it further to its fullest. He is also the founder of Mecca Masji Hyd and the Hyderabad city itself. Seven kings of Qutub Shahi dynasty ruled over Golconda and first three kings constructed the Golconda fort in a period of 62 years, the fifth king </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b> Mohd Quli Qutaub Shah</b> laid a city <b>Bhagnagar</b> after the name of his beloved Bhagmati, it is the city which is now called <b>Hyederabad</b>.</span><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeuJfk3MJCaklBjxPwD9gqVm4zqmPAsp7lNhNbWn88SvyPE5vY17CGWWgEGFtPSxj3mlU333Ehn7xSB_Z82gLrBasanSNNU02lfO2twx-hY2Hcepmj2pk_vH7Pcl2R66hovPnQQfPEn3W/s1600-h/Golconda01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeuJfk3MJCaklBjxPwD9gqVm4zqmPAsp7lNhNbWn88SvyPE5vY17CGWWgEGFtPSxj3mlU333Ehn7xSB_Z82gLrBasanSNNU02lfO2twx-hY2Hcepmj2pk_vH7Pcl2R66hovPnQQfPEn3W/s200/Golconda01.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> started off from Hitec City to Kondapur then to Golconda Road (45 mins by auto), from there we have direct auto to Golconda (15mins). The first pic above is taken just after the entrance gate. The right one here is from outside the fort boundry.<br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ticket is around 10 Rs and soon after/near the entrance you will greeted with plenty of tour guides both locals and authorized one demanding Rs 250 (official rate) for showing the fort. Well I thought its more prudent to see around by myself, took pics and then google its history back home (but if you are with family/friends etc, its worth having the guide).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKSBFnnMovT-9ga7q8AmaI8_jTB4FvV2MiPynTDQdByrxBMtdloPVBrzH8ha_UXD_1t_86j82Z7NY5NHl83C-SVFMHDq3XZ4i9gK0wDQMgZG1-Y3hXB6asjDjD-n9zB9VAJaAlw5wT9Se/s1600-h/Golconda03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKSBFnnMovT-9ga7q8AmaI8_jTB4FvV2MiPynTDQdByrxBMtdloPVBrzH8ha_UXD_1t_86j82Z7NY5NHl83C-SVFMHDq3XZ4i9gK0wDQMgZG1-Y3hXB6asjDjD-n9zB9VAJaAlw5wT9Se/s200/Golconda03.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is the entrance gate called "Balahissar", and opposite to this is a wall called "Curtain Wall" is built so that enemy don't get enough space in front to attack like using elephants etc to break the gate. This Balahissor gate has a oil hole from top through which they pour hot oil over the enemies entering the gate. Just after this gate is one notable construction, there is one particular square built on floor standing on which if you clap, the vibration generated through that propagates towards the top of the fort several feet away. Interestingly if you clap away from that square the vibration is not generated. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLFyqBrSqbT83_NXatrF1mJGQOEmNo0TPKPN_SL4rWkRnlkSVIt0CFZnqK_ilNt3iYH2PR8lAennhHqxfu4MR8brVSS5e6HFYjv_cS2RcbOVMls-wf7QtNu9C-nNCqJpsHMsqMpkAK1wJ/s1600-h/Golconda08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLFyqBrSqbT83_NXatrF1mJGQOEmNo0TPKPN_SL4rWkRnlkSVIt0CFZnqK_ilNt3iYH2PR8lAennhHqxfu4MR8brVSS5e6HFYjv_cS2RcbOVMls-wf7QtNu9C-nNCqJpsHMsqMpkAK1wJ/s200/Golconda08.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">You require 2-3 hours to look around the whole area, you start from your right side path, goes to the top to </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Baradari Place</b> (General Assembly Hall)</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> and came back from other side back to entrance gate. There are 360 steps (usually called Baradari Steps) which leads to this hall, I am not sure if this count is one sided or total from start to end (back to entrance)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyDnd0_CLix_XpygS1tE_QLJGgwoq-CqXyAG9WhFhcmhCblQ6Bi1P2xIHL9_zjZ7bIVh3gsoNqUFucR3j0oqFFCIXqrHlThuKrihbi-s-mw0y9a1GmNcMsUpU5SGQdk9gBUsfdLeuQiD8/s1600-h/Golconda14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyDnd0_CLix_XpygS1tE_QLJGgwoq-CqXyAG9WhFhcmhCblQ6Bi1P2xIHL9_zjZ7bIVh3gsoNqUFucR3j0oqFFCIXqrHlThuKrihbi-s-mw0y9a1GmNcMsUpU5SGQdk9gBUsfdLeuQiD8/s200/Golconda14.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is Qutub Shahi Mosque. This is built by Sultan Ibrahim Qutub Shah and is believed to be very old construction in this fort. This lies on the way of <b>Baradari Place</b> (Assembly Hall). The steps will tire you up but then forts are all like this. There is one temple of Maa Durga (Hindu Goddess) past this tomb on right side. A fair is held every Ashsd month where pilgrims come here in thousands from twin cities of Hyderabad and Secundrabad. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Also few steps away from this mosque on your left side (down stairs), there you will see a room where RamDas (Tahsildar of Bhadrachalam during the rule of Abul Hasan Tana Shah), he was a founder of Ram Mandir (Ram=> Hindu God, Mandir=>Temple) He was kept at this jail and one can find the hand drawn idols of Hindu Gods on walls inside. A great fare takes place at Bhadrachalam were pilgrims comes to see idols at the time of Ram Navami.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFPx3GBazxLxaeYIFeWhx9iHyBMK5FTP5jgzjQ8CHCyoR8S2Ts_r-9AMojRLnNgqra4fIryZt02ol5yTK4yVKYnRwPntUDFAzRayTQv1lDABbbIgbqniDOrZ-D2t9NyTRdiFc0dFaIPEy/s1600-h/Golconda20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFPx3GBazxLxaeYIFeWhx9iHyBMK5FTP5jgzjQ8CHCyoR8S2Ts_r-9AMojRLnNgqra4fIryZt02ol5yTK4yVKYnRwPntUDFAzRayTQv1lDABbbIgbqniDOrZ-D2t9NyTRdiFc0dFaIPEy/s200/Golconda20.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">On the top of the fort is the Baradari Place. This is two storied building with open terrace on the top, where Qutub Shahi Kings used to enjoy the surrounding view of the country side. There is an audience hall and open space fo the erection of pandal. An opening is said to be the mouth of an underground secret passage to Goshamahal at the distance of 8 km was used by the Qutub Shahi Kings on occasions of emergency and danger.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">On ground floor is the canteen with some refreshments.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Country side view from this place.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmguGN0wyKk1kYxtY2oA0WpQO6u1jDUHEdsLKaMs9Lp0ouKjtTNzruzigG94JgitnSELLVYuf7pmRPKOrdViGGZQhLJ3E4C6x6rnOFF0Umzjr8c5SnS2qV9RHVp5Yl3k7O6a8dHsK2AgG/s1600-h/Golconda21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmguGN0wyKk1kYxtY2oA0WpQO6u1jDUHEdsLKaMs9Lp0ouKjtTNzruzigG94JgitnSELLVYuf7pmRPKOrdViGGZQhLJ3E4C6x6rnOFF0Umzjr8c5SnS2qV9RHVp5Yl3k7O6a8dHsK2AgG/s400/Golconda21.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3jkDHPKsvWbUxJoztfJLuAz6yl3BOp2u-Uo8H9j_XZY3lebKLOKuOOptwzwY7sjgtWdre73UPD_LDhP3hqJqHPu756UFYmjwoUR7pgBQPvD7TUTWlkkZKxyWAV29ZsQy15TwPNv5Ckpe/s1600-h/Golconda25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3jkDHPKsvWbUxJoztfJLuAz6yl3BOp2u-Uo8H9j_XZY3lebKLOKuOOptwzwY7sjgtWdre73UPD_LDhP3hqJqHPu756UFYmjwoUR7pgBQPvD7TUTWlkkZKxyWAV29ZsQy15TwPNv5Ckpe/s400/Golconda25.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSe7oNNCf8Y__QPaHSR63ifbeaK4kokacub6hPlxNzfr38AlakzXIiTBubzSVA-4YMehrNEuX_TxzFA6fTRx5Dfbk5tllMfkiDga-Nx8v0e-w2vDj_aPIRHCN9LUH4i_gYsHFI7JQrUnM/s1600-h/Golconda40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSe7oNNCf8Y__QPaHSR63ifbeaK4kokacub6hPlxNzfr38AlakzXIiTBubzSVA-4YMehrNEuX_TxzFA6fTRx5Dfbk5tllMfkiDga-Nx8v0e-w2vDj_aPIRHCN9LUH4i_gYsHFI7JQrUnM/s200/Golconda40.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Each evening Admins organize a laser show in the downhall (ticket Rs 50), I didn't waited that long to see it but hope its worth watching as it will brief you the history of this fort in audible way. You can see the light equipments mounted on the walls. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXd6Ei41D_G5EaB3ls7iFjYpV4VwZ_YaOIQ_kcfu18qxZbTVg6Tt7_c42Kqze81qgvrVFyM4z1BRr8QsUF_t0SpSxurhjddskmJJq1jErEhA9NfkF05icaqhiUZseBDhD8nJB5UzJjwCM5/s1600-h/Golconda36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXd6Ei41D_G5EaB3ls7iFjYpV4VwZ_YaOIQ_kcfu18qxZbTVg6Tt7_c42Kqze81qgvrVFyM4z1BRr8QsUF_t0SpSxurhjddskmJJq1jErEhA9NfkF05icaqhiUZseBDhD8nJB5UzJjwCM5/s200/Golconda36.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Most of the fort walls are ruined now, where admins are trying to reconstruct some of them. We are now the other side of the steps and this side contains few other ruined palace and buildings where arms and ammunition were kept, security lines, water storage blocks etc. Body gaurd line is shown in the pic on right side which you will find while getting down from Baradari Place. Baradari Place is in top in the pic (right)</span></span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Passing this and the place where laser shows are held will lead you to <b>Taramati Palace,</b> in front of this building is big garden and a path which will lead you back to the entrance gate. There few others (in fact plenty) of buildings to see but then you know without guide you are on you own, as already burned out, I decided to head back. This is just on the entrance gate and right to this is from where you start and left to this is where you end up after seeing the fort.</span></span><br />
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<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: orange;">See complete pics at</span> </span></b><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/shekharstravel/sets/72157622759434640/"><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.flickr.com/photos/shekharstravel/sets/72157622759434640/</span> </a></b><br />
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</span></span>R Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766052807496029908noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473076057969715487.post-76898635563626942112009-09-13T08:25:00.000-07:002009-09-13T20:16:44.659-07:00Chowmahal, Hyderabad<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><div style="border: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVmiijzPs00t6zTWo3Mfh3RXBrarOi96TRJPHRtfdPpqyMe-GGqxmOOWZQ_LQUD_LH4j87h_XLrGkdOy0llIwhB1Zvi1NwvW_5br6BZxkkRMq_IGqv-Uk19muAQHVd5M8bgsp3WGwHygR/s1600-h/Chowmahal39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVmiijzPs00t6zTWo3Mfh3RXBrarOi96TRJPHRtfdPpqyMe-GGqxmOOWZQ_LQUD_LH4j87h_XLrGkdOy0llIwhB1Zvi1NwvW_5br6BZxkkRMq_IGqv-Uk19muAQHVd5M8bgsp3WGwHygR/s200/Chowmahal39.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">There are several places to see in Hyderabad one of them is <b>Chowmahal</b>. The </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"Chow" means "Four" and "Mahal" means Palace, therefor it means Four Palaces. The Chowmahalla complex which is a replica of the Shah’s Palace in Teheran, Iran today consists of two courtyards with elegant palaces, the grand Khilwat (the Durbar Hall), fountains and gardens.</span></div></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Its just 15min walk from</span> "<b>Charminar</b>".<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> I visited this palace the same day when I visited "Charminar" (see my previous blog entry). From Charminar you have Mecca Masjid, just after the Masjid is a path on the right hand side, just follow it, that will lead to this palace on your left side. I should have covered this palace first then the Minar as closing time of this palace is 5.00 pm IST and there are plenty of things to see inside.The entry fee is Rs 25 per person and they charge Rs 50 for camera (well I don't go any where without my camera so if it was Rs 100 I would have paid it.).</span></span> </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_ZU6fj2o_31KYBSvioSxrh1DQDENZRWcktEXg8oORGXK7gFMT6wVs7IGmzbU7Vu8SWwnZt8TtfPttJ0fayTi92vnLno2V62dRYlVU_PVu_6dEMD7w4FD18I17Px97XgS3TtWdYsIFiye/s1600-h/Chowmahal04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_ZU6fj2o_31KYBSvioSxrh1DQDENZRWcktEXg8oORGXK7gFMT6wVs7IGmzbU7Vu8SWwnZt8TtfPttJ0fayTi92vnLno2V62dRYlVU_PVu_6dEMD7w4FD18I17Px97XgS3TtWdYsIFiye/s200/Chowmahal04.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Bara Imam - a long corridor of rooms on the east side that once housed the administrative wing. And the Shishe-Alat or quite literally, the </span><i style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">shishe</i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> or mirror image which was once used as guest rooms for officials accompanying visiting dignitaries, in the same line we have canteen where you can purchase some snacks/water bottle. Continuing to this path will lead to Durbar Hall</span>. Shown next</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu48Gx9w7h6FyCJxqBrKMS1dGjgsNZ7FmDyEp23EQHOHjF7tQgZGDjc0quiijYJoMXZlW-8vB4A_0v-eScrEA9sv5nsZtemA0vSE08m-L2mGriOrgg2u81SeuuQRE_dI01aFtimHRQBWqz/s1600-h/Chowmahal09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu48Gx9w7h6FyCJxqBrKMS1dGjgsNZ7FmDyEp23EQHOHjF7tQgZGDjc0quiijYJoMXZlW-8vB4A_0v-eScrEA9sv5nsZtemA0vSE08m-L2mGriOrgg2u81SeuuQRE_dI01aFtimHRQBWqz/s200/Chowmahal09.jpg" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is outer part of Durbar Hall (Conference Room). Its worth seeing and is splendid. The only regret (big) I had is I didn't carried camera Tripod.<br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The grand pillared <b>Durbar Hall</b> has a pure marble platform on which the Takht-e-Nishan or the royal seat was laid. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtjS99A77s7El8-50Sv06SSuaYRkPuK-zrbaUnU6ZNi_BGpB0gRF1hYG8f-1Tbo4Y5ryvkktI_UtuTIOn8GlzbgwOlZKyw-0W3osiP85y9yIpNR7_vh1PPbZdUOELJ1HYTWw6mdYZUUZA/s1600-h/Chowmahal14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtjS99A77s7El8-50Sv06SSuaYRkPuK-zrbaUnU6ZNi_BGpB0gRF1hYG8f-1Tbo4Y5ryvkktI_UtuTIOn8GlzbgwOlZKyw-0W3osiP85y9yIpNR7_vh1PPbZdUOELJ1HYTWw6mdYZUUZA/s200/Chowmahal14.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> The 19 recently reinstalled chandeliers made of spectacular Belgian crystal recreate the lost splendor of this regal hall. Chowmahalla, which in its heydays had more than 7000 attendants, has been compared to the ‘Enchanted Gardens of the Arabian Nights’. Chowmahalla, where the Nizams held their durbar and other religious and symbolic ceremonies also hosted popular banquets in honour of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales in February 1906." These chandeliers are worth seeing. unfortunately its closed for public after 5 pm and thus won't be able to see it lit. Few more pics again wished I could have tripod to shoot it clear :-(</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUy4jmRL355sLjRzpGQwFfOOCijJsjs36cSY6RFMwAwZ8aboWDpTMFWWkovTBjOb96AUxtYwlSHT9eXYa8FgTnunU859Ki8G5d_QBIhSCSpG3qstGNkymsLtOOzG-o13UYeeTvFLHDlP-j/s1600-h/Chowmahal18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUy4jmRL355sLjRzpGQwFfOOCijJsjs36cSY6RFMwAwZ8aboWDpTMFWWkovTBjOb96AUxtYwlSHT9eXYa8FgTnunU859Ki8G5d_QBIhSCSpG3qstGNkymsLtOOzG-o13UYeeTvFLHDlP-j/s200/Chowmahal18.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This building is multistory (both the pics were shot from first floor). The upper floor has room to showcase few furniture's used by Nizams and some clothes. One must see the decorations done on ceilings and walls (though I missed to shoot it)</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">All the four mahals are placed one after another. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXI_t1f2uwGMXBGAhU4CvIjaxVlmqKsNGGK0w1aMwlCvuEbVGAt8s7wjgS4reQei8qjf-1Mh8bPeArrEzo5m_KqdZq9_m8PxES2un3p91m_VBAZQGy-Syk_nO-B5NI7g0bIhUzX8GQdJe2/s1600-h/Chowmahal22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXI_t1f2uwGMXBGAhU4CvIjaxVlmqKsNGGK0w1aMwlCvuEbVGAt8s7wjgS4reQei8qjf-1Mh8bPeArrEzo5m_KqdZq9_m8PxES2un3p91m_VBAZQGy-Syk_nO-B5NI7g0bIhUzX8GQdJe2/s200/Chowmahal22.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Crossing this Durbar Hall is another mahal "<b>Afzal Mahal</b>" (pic on right). Here one can see the acutal furnitures used by Nizams at that time. In front of this mahal is the fountain (not shown in pic). The opening in the left side of this building leads to "Gadi Khana Mubarak" (Royal Vintage Cars). This I have missed due to closing time.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWqgppN5kUbakgko7qou0K-A_ZyWy0gm6ubF3qrYXKIgyQ7CohXkMf8-zdkgK56IoL_Csjk10pBlSR_TpFMrrK3-ysBfiRAnr7uINrEBj-OeufA_3C89ItFfmQypxUztDUuRpxaxbEh6U/s1600-h/Chowmahal23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWqgppN5kUbakgko7qou0K-A_ZyWy0gm6ubF3qrYXKIgyQ7CohXkMf8-zdkgK56IoL_Csjk10pBlSR_TpFMrrK3-ysBfiRAnr7uINrEBj-OeufA_3C89ItFfmQypxUztDUuRpxaxbEh6U/s200/Chowmahal23.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Inside this mahal, we were not allowed to step inside and see the furniture's closely but got a glimse of the same not from far.This is actually being called "<b>Crown of the Palace</b>", since it was hand held shot it's little blured. (Lesson learned, one must have Tripod).</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9S9jei7kwHUe330laeKy94y4wskg-O4AKRfD_PeV6k1d4950rkOFtsfyTVS6_wS83NYNjJth0VEPMdyL7MM7mQlxlggpOe9PIWQ4_fTcILGpA_gs3IW1xyml9K6PQlqy6H5ecYlRx5Cm/s1600-h/Chowmahal29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9S9jei7kwHUe330laeKy94y4wskg-O4AKRfD_PeV6k1d4950rkOFtsfyTVS6_wS83NYNjJth0VEPMdyL7MM7mQlxlggpOe9PIWQ4_fTcILGpA_gs3IW1xyml9K6PQlqy6H5ecYlRx5Cm/s200/Chowmahal29.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This is back side of Durbar Hall, splendid view, the only thing missing in the pic is myself :-) Its past 5.00 pm now and all security mens are hurrying us to outside, I though wasn't able to see much but then took snaps while running, guess what I was the last person and behind me were the 3-4 security men to escort me out (they are making sure no one left behind as they closes each gates which separates these four mahals)</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Last but not the least <b>Durbar Hall</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ve1i74krYYVAw2su1u6cNt59Wtm813k9hADwiOXYt0J6yE1DdDwGpnQG90sEaQsRRndnOkjrK89z5VISQgS-t3v6nM3TqwRAcPIJAOg42dJs21eG0LMCS4x5xm8wVqQelmebQumL81Fp/s1600-h/Chowmahal35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ve1i74krYYVAw2su1u6cNt59Wtm813k9hADwiOXYt0J6yE1DdDwGpnQG90sEaQsRRndnOkjrK89z5VISQgS-t3v6nM3TqwRAcPIJAOg42dJs21eG0LMCS4x5xm8wVqQelmebQumL81Fp/s400/Chowmahal35.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Please note, some of the facts were copied form www. chowmahal.com site</b></span>R Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766052807496029908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-473076057969715487.post-25356600249114500332009-09-12T23:12:00.000-07:002009-09-13T01:52:50.528-07:00Charminar, Hyderabad<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQlevVXMGiGPErRSNb641xQ0WCBKyT3T-rQ5Nn2natnbJXwxCouU59wfgI8bbYAkj3GTS9IEABwb1CTSrZ4rUrLBXOjRutwerpjKxZI19naBvC04i0MuFkCkKL_IicKKuEi7Kqw-niig/s1600-h/Charminar04.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380832498594805378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQlevVXMGiGPErRSNb641xQ0WCBKyT3T-rQ5Nn2natnbJXwxCouU59wfgI8bbYAkj3GTS9IEABwb1CTSrZ4rUrLBXOjRutwerpjKxZI19naBvC04i0MuFkCkKL_IicKKuEi7Kqw-niig/s200/Charminar04.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 136px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">This pic requires no introduction as its the first symbol/recognition of the City Hyderabad, India. It is <b>Charminar</b><br /></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Its been nine months in Hyderabad and I still haven't seen Charminaar the name which identifies city Hyderabad, so I set my Nikon D80 SLR camera and set my voyage. I started from KP</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">HB bus stop and ca</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">tch 218 # bus to Koti (we don't have direct bus from KPHB to Charminar, should have gone past Koti to Afzal Bus stand as from here auto's goes to charminar), took 1.5</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"> hr to reach Koti (late only because of traffic traffic traffic !!!). From</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"> Koti no auto w</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">ala's is keep to go to Charminaar because of heavy traffic flow surrounding the area, I some what got one biker</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"> help of my age and </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">reached Afzal bus stand, from there took an auto to reach Charminaar. Once i reached the place then understood why auto wala's are reluctant to tread here. But its worth the pain as you c</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">an see the pic left side.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">For almost 30 min I was trying to figure out spo</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">t from where I can take a splendid pic of this monument, the above pic was shot from Andhra Bank floor (interestingly this b</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">ank was on strike this day).<br /></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Script from sign board inside the building<br /><span style="font-size: 78%;"><br /><span style="color: #993399; font-size: x-small; font-style: italic;">"Charminar, which is Synonymous with Hyderabad is one of the magnificent Structure's built by Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutub Shahi dynasty and also the founder of the City, in Hijri 1000(A.D. 1591-92). This is a square structure measuring 31.95 mts. on each side with imposing arches spanning a distance of 11mts. there are four minarets, each having there storeys, rising to height of 56 mts. The spiral staircase inside the minarets has 149 steps leading to the top with 12 landings. The double screen of arches on the roof and ornamental arches on the miniarts add to the aesthetic value.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="color: #993399; font-size: x-small; font-style: italic;"> The notable feature of Charminar is the location of mosque on the western section of the second floor, probably one of the most beautifull of this period. There are forty five mushallas(prayer spaces) with an open courtyard in fron</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><span style="color: #993399; font-size: x-small; font-style: italic;">ts. <span style="font-size: x-small;">The s<span style="font-size: x-small;">t</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-size: 78%;"><span style="color: #993399; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ructure is also known for its profuseness of stucco decorations and arrangements of balustrades and balconies. The floral desig</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">ns are varied and delicately execute. It was synthesis of Mughal and Hindus architecture executed by local artisans.</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="color: #993399; font-size: x-small; font-style: italic;"> There are vanous theories re</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #993399; font-size: x-small; font-style: italic;">garding the purpose for which Charminar was constructed. However, it is widely accepted that Charminar was built at the center of the city, to commemorate teh eradication of plague. In the middle of the eighteenth century, B<span style="font-size: x-small;">ussy the french Commander made Charminar his headquarters.</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="color: #993399; font-size: x-small; font-style: italic;"> The flour clocks were added later, on the four cardinal directions in the year 1899. At the base of charminar was originally a Vazu (water, cistern) at the center with a small fountain for customary ablutions, before offering prayers int he mosque."</span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span> <br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBv6prB7q0RqLAdySij5R4FziCMcj8pnjgo4_884jV70dVW2gQn-ktlSk4S6SJqvgqkRaqE0SucA9-G43YFmmaAh0uLHnJB08mW9OvwEUDqpcmPnzX2Wnb3WrbR3UfJEg6lMaNBL8W7GY/s1600-h/Charminar05.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380836550049306818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBv6prB7q0RqLAdySij5R4FziCMcj8pnjgo4_884jV70dVW2gQn-ktlSk4S6SJqvgqkRaqE0SucA9-G43YFmmaAh0uLHnJB08mW9OvwEUDqpcmPnzX2Wnb3WrbR3UfJEg6lMaNBL8W7GY/s200/Charminar05.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 136px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">One floor of Charminaar is open for visitors with the payment of Rs 5 (Non-Indians must have </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">different rates) there are several floors in this building but only one is open for public, from there one can</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"> see the whole market surrounding this building, one can easily see thousands </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">of people wandering the market and hardly any free space for even auto to move. S</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">ee below pics shot from top (will you dare to drive your four wheeler here?)<br /><br />Some of the</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DFWKaiq_ER6poL_qYsfwNxCKbpnKubAkMHU5jCxX8K0XSx-jp4e8AXpJBFlRxofxKHUffgcq6WKKVWhtMk2k-7RPhbM5M03oRBHFFCXLYneSFpTLJRg1naBLuGMmASy69XmS-I78tvk/s1600-h/Charminar08.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380845432132983330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DFWKaiq_ER6poL_qYsfwNxCKbpnKubAkMHU5jCxX8K0XSx-jp4e8AXpJBFlRxofxKHUffgcq6WKKVWhtMk2k-7RPhbM5M03oRBHFFCXLYneSFpTLJRg1naBLuGMmASy69XmS-I78tvk/s200/Charminar08.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 136px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"> pics shot from top of this building. Traffic is coming from one side and goes to other revolving this building, there are four ways and this minaar is in center to that. The road is wide enough to afford this traffic but its due to due the local theleywalas (shops on four wheeled cart) w</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">ho is occupying almost half of the </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">roads, but then this is what people likes and the most convenient shopping by foot, one side of this road is fully occupied by wheeled shops having choodies (colored thin glass bang</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">les), jeweleries, glass items etc. Other side is food market.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">One side of the minaar has hospital </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">"<b>Nizam General Hospital (Unani)</b>" I </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmmDt3hxk7MQtUrHtOIygue4DgK4VRwHKkgaHyg_abryIL8QiwgofHd96qVZpUlXQl_gs1yAzTio1eYQ539TtygpfrcN_rgQJUjCbnNWBXwCZngsOuzqvS6Muo4wA_ed67nMUUIl679M/s1600-h/Charminar09.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380848329957828338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZmmDt3hxk7MQtUrHtOIygue4DgK4VRwHKkgaHyg_abryIL8QiwgofHd96qVZpUlXQl_gs1yAzTio1eYQ539TtygpfrcN_rgQJUjCbnNWBXwCZngsOuzqvS6Muo4wA_ed67nMUUIl679M/s200/Charminar09.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 136px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">w</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">ond</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">er how can an </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">a</span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">mbulance will make to hospital if there is an </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">emergency in this traffic!!!, may be at the time of this built no one would have thought this much of rush. See the Hospital here in the left side of the pic.<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Just opposite to hospital is Mecca Masjid (i just missed to take pic, but you can see the big courtyard on the front of Masjid.<br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><br />A close pic of Charminar reveals splendid stone decoration as shown below<br /><br /></span></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHBiJVMI9eBgZcerhRfy3VueWbAiuc_VTXR6Oyr2NL2THFu5fOOOGIJ4HE9TLvarmJ5kE4wlqh3qmZY0hXWTnno5WX9aL2tG_uLdR8FRW9EZT8cwAWz5PR9ynutgoEwP2r3DFDYEqzlA/s1600-h/Charminar19.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380850122698903410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHBiJVMI9eBgZcerhRfy3VueWbAiuc_VTXR6Oyr2NL2THFu5fOOOGIJ4HE9TLvarmJ5kE4wlqh3qmZY0hXWTnno5WX9aL2tG_uLdR8FRW9EZT8cwAWz5PR9ynutgoEwP2r3DFDYEqzlA/s320/Charminar19.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 217px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><br /><br /></span></span>R Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12766052807496029908noreply@blogger.com1