Heritage sites of india

Heritage Sites• What truly sets India apart from various other travel

destinations is its vast cultural treasure stemming from a historic past.

• India's grand repository of ancient cultural and natural treasures is of great significance to the history and civilization of the world.

• The Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri in Agra, the Konark Sun Temple, Khajuraho Temples, Mahabalipuram Monuments, Brihadishwara Temple, Thanjavur, Hampi Monuments as well as the Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta Caves are some of the monuments declared as World Heritage Monuments.

•BESIDES, THESE MONUMENTS THERE ARE MANY HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT TEMPLES SCATTERED ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.IN THE PAST, AS ALSO IN THE PRESENT, THE TEMPLE HAS BEEN THE FOCUS OF THE RELIGIOUS, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LIFE OF THE INDIAN PEOPLE.

•Myriads of Gods, Goddesses and celestial beings are wrought on the temple walls in a tremendous display of projected emotional states, ranging from the horrific to the erotic to the sublime. These supremely complex works of art never fail to fascinate all who see.

•In India there are places where the visitor encounters history at every step. Like in the desert state of Rajasthan, an area of aweinspiring physical beauty where massive forts and magnificent palaces are found even in the remotest parts of the state.

Heritage sites• Agra Fort, Agra (1983) • Ajanta Caves (1983• Ellora Caves (1983)• Taj Mahal, Agra (1983)• Mahabalipuram Group of Monuments (1984)• Sun Temple, Konark (1984)• Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)• Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)• Fatehpur Sikri, Agra (1986)

• Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)• Elephanta Caves (1987)• Great Living Chola Temples (1987, 2004)• Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987)• Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)• Humayun's Tomb; New Delhi (1993)• Qutb Complex, New Delhi (1993)• Mountain RaiIways of India (1999, 2005)• Mahabodhi Temple,Bodhgaya (2002)• Prehistoric Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)• Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park(2004)• Red Fort Complex (2007)

• Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985) Kaziranga National Park(1985)Kealodeo National Park (1985)Sundarbans National Park (1987)Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Park (1988, 2005)

Agra Fort, Agra (1983)

Agra fort• Akbar, the

grandson of Babar built his capital at Agra and laid the foundation of the Agra Fort.

•He began construction of this majestic fort in 1565 when he was only 23 years old. This imposing red sandstone structure is the finest example ofcraftsmanship of the Mughal era.

• The construction was started in 1565 and was completed in about eight years at a cost of thirty five lakh of rupees under the superintendence of Qasim Khan Mir Barr-u-Bahr. This fort was built on the banks of the river Yamuna. This fort was just one of the many large fortified residences that the emperor wanted to have at various strategic points of his empire. According to Abul Fazal, the fort contained over five hundred buildings. But later on Akbar's descendants added new buildings, mainly in marble to the fort and demolished the old ones.

Architecture of the Agra Fort• Agra fort is built in a triangular form and covers an overall

area of about 1.5 miles punctuated by gracefully carved bastions at regular intervals. Of the four gates, the Amar Singh Gate to the south is the only one gate which is open to the visitors. It is beautified by glazed tiles. Within the walls of the Agra Fort, Jahangir built rose-red palaces, courts and gardens, and Shah Jahan embellished it with marble mosques, palaces and pavilions of gem-inlaid white marble. The Jahangir Mahal with its fretwork is the largest private residency within the fort. This Mahal has a complex arrangement of compartments which later became the residence of Jahangir. To the south of Jahangir Mahal are the ruins of the Akbari Mahal, guilded by a pillared hall.

• Later some other buildings were added by Shah Jahan to the Agra Fort. These buildings are the Moti Masjid (pearl mosque) and the Diwan-e-Aam (hall of public audience) from where a passage and steps lead to Macchi Bhawan (the royal aquarium). In the centre of the courtyard is the grave of John Russel Colvin, Lt. Governor of the North Western Provinces who died during the 1857 uprising. The Nagina Mosque (mosque of gems) lies to the left of the throne room. Beneath this existed the Meena Bazar, from where the ladies of the house watch the merchants who display their silks, brocades and jewellery in the courtyard below. At the Chittor Gates, trophies of Akbar's captures of a Rajput fortress in 1657 are displayed. Towards the riverside is the Diwan-e-Khas (hall of private audience), built by Shah Jahan in 1637.

• On the terrace beyond, are two thrones in white marble and black slate. From here the prince Jehangir used to watch the elephant fights on the plains below. From here a staircase leads to the Musamman Burj (Jasmine tower). It has a beautiful courtyard paved with squares of black marble on one side. It is believed that this octagonal tower had a large bell that hung from the bastions to the ground. This bell was rung by those who came to seek justice. Shah Jahan wanted to build a replica of the white Taj in black marble as well and connect them through a bridge across the waters of Yamuna. Before he could do so he fell ill and was soon imprisoned in the Agra Fort by his son Aurangzeb along with his daughter Jahan Ara, where he finally breathed his last. It was from here that the Emperor Shah Jahan spent his last days in imprisonment, gazing at the tomb of his wife.

• Probably the smallest mosque for private prayer, Mina Masjid lies just ahead. Some other such monuments are the Khas Mahal, the Golden pavilions, Anguri Bagh (grape garden), Sheesh Mahal (palace of mirrors) and the legendary Gates of Somnath, believed to have been carried away by Mahmud Ghazni in 1025. Also the famous Jami Masjid built by Shah Jahan for his beloved daughter, Jahan Ara lies here.

Ajanta Caves• AJANTA is world's greatest historical monument

recognised by UNESCO located just 40kms from Jalgaon city of Maharashtra, India. There are 30 caves in Ajanta of which 9, 10, 19, 26 and 29 are chaitya-grihas and the rest are monasteries. These caves were discovered in AD 1819 and were built up in the earlier 2nd century BC-AD. Most of the paintings in Ajanta are right from 2nd century BC-AD and some of them about the fifth century AD and continued for the next two centuries. All paintings shows heavy religious influence and centre around Buddha, Bodhisattvas, incidents from the life of Buddha and the Jatakas. The paintings are executed on a ground of mud-plaster in the tempera technique.

Conjures before one's vision, a dream of beauty- of caves, hidden in the midst of a lonely glen with a streamlet flowing down below, caves that were scooped out into the heart of the rock so that the pious Buddhist monk, out on mission to spread the tenets of Buddhism could dwell and pray, caves that the followers of Lord Buddha, embellished with architectural details with a skilful command of the hammer over the chisel, with sculpture of highest craftsmanship and above all, with the paintings of infinite charm.

At Ajanta, the paintings on the walls, illustrate the events in the life of prince Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism and in the more popular Jatakas stories pertaining to Buddha's previous incarnation. According to the older conceptions, the Buddha wrought many deeds of kindness and mercy in a long series of transmigration as a Bodhisattva, before achieving his final birth as the sage of sakyas.

Incidentally they contain the scenes of semi-mythological history, the royal court and popular life of the ancient times, as told in romances and plays. Some pictures recall the Greek and Roman compositions and proportions, few late resemble to Chinese manners to some extent. But majority belongs to a phase, which is purely Indian, as they are found nowhere else. These monuments were constructed during two different periods of time separated by a long interval of four centuries.

ELLORA CAVES

• Ellora caves lay in the lap of the Chamadari hills extending over a mile and a quarter in the north-south direction and are situated 18 miles northwest of Aurangabad. Ellora represents some 300 years of great experiments carried out by different faiths with their very different iconography and structural compulsions. Ellora caves are finest specimens of cave temple architecture. They house elaborate facades and exquisitely adorned interiors. These structures representing the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, were carved during 350 AD to 700 AD period. The cave monuments of Ellora were chiefly patronised by the Chalukya - Rashtrakuta rulers (7th - 10th century AD). These cave shrines are memorable for their invaluable contribution to the enormous wealth of Indian heritage. There are 34 caves in total. These can be divided into three groups belonging roughly to three periods: Buddhist, Hindu and Jain. Only 12 of the 34 caves are Buddhist, but even these caves incorporate the Hindu and Jain theme, demonstrating the gradual decline of Buddhism. The Hindu caves exhibit a totally different league from the Jain and Buddhist temples in terms of style, creative vision and execution skills. These temples were built 'top to bottom' and the architecture of these caves show, that it required several generations of planning and co-ordination to give it the final shape. Cave 14 was initially a Buddha Vihar but in the 7th century it was turned into a Shiva temple. Here Shiva is depicted as "The Destroyer". The 16th cave in the group is one of the audacious feats in architecture ever achieved. The idea was to build Kailash from a single stone. Hence it got its name, Kailasnath temple. Mural paintings in Ellora are found in 5 caves, but only in the Kailasa temple are they somewhat preserved.

It took over five centuries for the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain monks to chisel out these monasteries, temples, and chapels and decorate them with remarkable imagination and detail. Sixteen caves are the oldest in the group and were carved in the 5th century. As one enters these caves, one crosses graceful angles and steps in a high ceiling chamber where a 15 feet huge statue of Buddha is sitting in a preaching pose. In these caves the artist has tried an element of surprise by giving them an expression of wood. Most of these 16 caves are 'Viharas' but cave number 10 is a 'Chaitya'. The 10th cave has an impression of wooden beams on its ceiling and has a small decorated window, which illuminates the sitting Buddha. These caves are rightly called the "Vishvakarma" caves. This cave is considered to be one of the finest caves in India. The Buddhists believe that Buddha returns after every five thousand years, thus the 12th cave has seven images of Buddha depicting his seven incarnations.

Ellora caves

Ellora caves

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal• About Taj Mahal – Epitome of Love

Listed in the Seven Wonders of the World, Taj Mahal has taught the art of eternal love to mankind. Today this pristine monument attracts a lot of travelers from all the corners of the world. Some have fascination towards its beauty; some are taken aback by the history behind it while archaeologists come here to study its architecture. This topic is related to the Taj Mahal information. Check below for info on Tajmahal.

•Grief stricken by this loss, Shan Jahan decided to build world’s most beautiful monument to pay tribute to his wife. In 1632 the construction of Taj Mahal began and till 1648 only the principal mausoleum was done as it took other five years to complete the surrounding gardens and buildings. However, the date of its completion has always been a topic for debate. 22,000 laborers and 1,000 elephants were involved in the making up of this architectural wonder that is built completely of white marble.

Soon after its completion, Aurangzeb (Shah Jahan’s son) imprisoned his father in the Agra Fort from where he used to look out at his creation through a window. After his death in the year 1666, he was buried in Taj Mahal next to Mumtaz Mahal.

Brief Architecture Information on Taj MahalTaj Mahal is the most excellent example of Mughal architecture, a method that merges elements from Indian, Islamic and Persian architectural styles. Taj Mahal is enclosed by a magnificently laid out walled garden and consists of five major constituents, i.e.The main gateway- DarwazaThe Gardens – BageechaThe mosque – Masjid,The Rest house – Naqqar Khana andThe Main mausoleum – Rauza

The central entrance, with its arched middle chamber, is positioned at the last part of the long waterway. Mosque is on one side of the Taj Mahal and the Naqqar Khana on the other, built primarily to retain its symmetry. The main building stands on a square raised platform with its four reduced corners, forming an asymmetrical octagon. The most intriguing part about its architecture is that despite of merging perfectly with the main structure, each element maintains its own identity. As a typical feature of Mughal mausoleums, false sarcophagi of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are placed in the main chamber while the real graves are at a lower level. The perforated marble screens are responsible for the transmission of light to the main chamber.TourismListed in the list of world heritage sites in the year 1983, the popularity of this wonderful monument is evident by the influx of approx 2 million to 4 million visitors every year. With heavy number of travelers flocking around the monument, the best time to visit Taj Mahal is during the pleasant months of October, November and February.On weekdays the grounds are open from 6 to 7, except for Friday. Night viewing is allowed on the days of full moon along with two days prior and later to it ( except for Fridays and during the month of Ramadan).

Nearby Attractions:-Agra FortAkbar’s TombFatehpur SikriItmad-ud-Daulah Tomb

Sun Temple

Sun Temple• Konark is one of the well known tourist attractions of Orissa. Konark,

Konark houses a colossal temple dedicated to the Sun God. Even in its ruined state it is a magnificient temple reflecting the genius of the architects that envisioned and built it

• Konark is also known as Konaditya. The name Konark is derived form the words Kona - Corner and Arka - Sun; it is situated on the north eastern corner of Puri or the Chakrakshetra. Konark is also known as Arkakshetra.

• This temple built in 1278 CE by the Ganga King Narasimha Deva is one of the grandest temples of India and was referred to as the Black Pagoda. The ruins of this temple were excavated in late 19th century. The tower over the Garbagriha is missing, however the Jagmohana is intact, and even in this state, it is awe inspiring.

• It is said that the temple was not completed as conceived because the foundation was not strong enough to bear the weight of the heavy dome. Local beleif has it that it was constructed in entirety, however its magnetic dome caused ships to crash near the seashore, and that the dome was removed and destroyed and that the image of the Sun God was taken to Puri.

• The Temple: The Konark temple is widely known not only for its architectural grandeur but also for the intricacy and profusion of sculptural work. The entire temple has been conceived as a chariot of the sun god with 24 wheels, each about 10 feet in diameter, with a set of spokes and elaborate carvings. Seven horses drag the temple. Two lions guard the entrance, crushing elephants. A flight of steps lead to the main entrance.

• The nata mandir in front of the Jagamohana is also intricately carved. Around the base of the temple, and up the walls and roof, are carvings in the erotic style. There are images of animals, foliage, men, warriors on horses and other interesting patterns. There are three images of the Sun God, positioned to catch the rays of the sun at dawn, noon and sunset.

• The Melakkadambur Shiva Temple built in the form of a chariot during the age of Kulottunga CholaI (1075-1120), is the earliest of this kind, and is still in a well preserved state. It is believed that this temple set the pace for the ratha (chariot) vimana temples in India, as a distant descendant of Kulottunga I on the female line, and thefamous Eastern Ganga ruler Narasimha Deva, built the Sun Temple at Konark in the form of a chariot in the 13th century. Kulottunga Chola is also credited with having built the Suryanaar temple near Kumbhakonam.

• Legend has it that Samba, the king of Krishna and Jambavati entered the bathing chamber of Krishna's wife, and was cursed by Krishna with leprosy. It was decreed that he would be relieved of the curse by worshipping the sun God on the sea coast north east of Puri. Accordingly Samba reached Konaditya Kshetra and discovered an image of Surya seated on the lotus, worshipped him and was relieved of his curse.

Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)

• The city of Hampi bears exceptional testimony to the vanished civilization of the kingdom of Vijayanagar, which reached its apogee under the reign of Krishna Deva Raya (1509-30). It offers an outstanding example of a type of structure that illustrates a significant historical situation: that of the kingdoms of South India which, menaced by the Muslims, were occasionally allied with the Portuguese of Goa.

• The austere, grandiose site of Hampi was the last capital of the last great Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagar. Its fabulously rich princes built Dravidian temples and palaces which won the admiration of travellers between the 14th and 16th centuries. Conquered by the Deccan Muslim confederacy in 1565, the city was pillaged over a period of six months before being abandoned.

• As the final capital of the last of the great kingdom of South India, that of the Vijayanagar, Hampi, enriched by the cotton and the spice trade was one of the most beautiful cities of the medieval world. Its palaces and Dravidian temples were much admired by travellers, be they Arab (Abdul Razaak), Portuguese (Domingo Paes) or Italian (Nicolò dei Conti).

•Conquered by the Muslims after the battle of Talikota in 1565, it was plundered over six months and then abandoned. Imposing monumental vestiges, partially disengaged and reclaimed, make of Hampi today one of the most striking ruins of the world.•The temples of Ramachandra (1513) and Hazara Rama (1520), with their sophisticated structure, where each supporting element is scanned by bundles of pilasters or colonnettes which project from the richly sculpted walls, may be counted among the most extraordinary constructions of India. In one of the interior courtyards of the temple of Vitthala, a small monument of a chariot which two elephants, sculpted in the round, struggle to drag along is one of the unusual creations, the favourite of tourists today as well as travellers of the past.•Besides the temples, the impressive complex of civil, princely or public buildings (elephant stables, Queen's Bath, Lotus Mahal, bazaars, markets) are enclosed in the massive fortifications which, however, were unable to repulse the assault of the five sultans of Deccan in 1565.

Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)

Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)

Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)

• These monuments of Goa exerted great influence in the 16th-18th centuries on the development of architecture, sculpture, and painting by spreading forms of Manueline, Mannerist and Baroque art throughout the countries of Asia where Catholic missions were established. In so doing they illustrate the work of missionaries in Asia.

• The Portuguese explorer Alfonso de Albuquerque conquered Goa in 1510 and the Portuguese ruled the territory until 1961. The colony of Goa, which has its centre in Old Goa, became the capital of the vast eastern Portuguese Empire, sharing the same civic privileges as Lisbon. By 1635, the successive waves of Europeans brought about the inevitable decline of Goa.

• Local laterite was used in the construction of the churches, which had to be plastered and finished with a lime whitewash, while the trimmings were sometimes of basalt. The colour white was so identified with churches that the local administration ruled that no house could be painted that colour.

• Of the 60 churches inventoried in the 18th century before the city was abandoned, seven major examples survive. The Sé Cathedral with its Tuscan exterior, Corinthian columns, raised platform with steps leading to the entrance, and barrel-vault is another example of Renaissance architecture. The paintings in the church were executed on wooden boards and fixed between panels with floral designs. Except for a few statues which are in stone, most of the other statues of the saints, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus were first carved in wood and then painted to adorn the altars.

• The Chapel of St Catherine dating from 1510, the Church and Convent of Saint Francis of Assisi (which now houses the Archaeological Museum), and the Church of Bom Jesus where the mortal remains of St Francis Xavier rest, are some of the best in terms of design and style. Also of importance are St Gagtan and its seminary, Our Lady of the Rosary (one of the earliest churches to be built), and the Tower of St Augustine, all that remains of a convent built in 1572. The Church of St Cajetan has a facade decorated with lonic, Doric, and Corinthian pilasters.

• Other monuments are partially or completely in ruins, but they nonetheless constitute an archaeological reserve of considerable interest.

• In 1542 the Jesuits, who were driven by the ardour of medieval crusaders, arrived in the city and Francis Xavier, one of the founders of the Society of Jesus, rapidly became the patron saint of Goa. The churches in Old Goa aimed to awe the local population into conversion and to impress upon them the superiority of the foreign religion. The facades were accordingly made tall and lofty and the interiors were magnificent, with twisted Bernini columns, decorated pediments, profusely carved and gilded altars, and colourful wall paintings and frescoes.

Fatehpur Sikri, Agra (1986)

Fatehpur Sikri, Agra• Fatehpur Sikri bears exceptional testimony to the Mughal civilization at the end of the 16th

century. It offers a unique example of architectural ensembles of very high quality constructed between 1571 and 1585. Its form and layout strongly influenced the evolution of Indian town planning, notably at Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi).

• The 'City of Victory' had only an ephemeral existence as the capital of the Mughal empire. The Emperor Akbar (1556-1605) decided to construct it in 1571, on the same site where the birth of his son, the future Jahangir, was predicted by the wise Shaikh Salim Chisti (1480-1572). The work, supervised by the great Mughal himself, was completed in 1573. In 1585, however, Akbar abandoned Fatehpur Sikri to fight against the Afghan tribes and choose a new capital, Lahore. Fatehpur Sikri was to be the seat of the great Mughal court only once more for three months in 1619, when Jahangir sought refuge there from the plague that devastated Agra. The site was then finally abandoned, until its archaeological exploration in 1892.

• This capital without a future, some 40 km from Agra was, however, considerably more than the fancy of a sovereign during the 14 years of its existence. The city, which the English traveller Ralph Fitch considered in 1585 as 'considerably larger than London and more populous', comprised a series of palaces, public buildings and mosques, as well as living areas for the court, the army, servants of the king and for an entire population whose history has not been recorded.

• Only one tiny part of the city (where the large buildings are concentrated) has been until now, studied, visited and relatively well preserved. Fatehpur Sikri, constructed on a rocky plateau, south-east of an artificial lake, created for the occasion and today partially dried up, is bounded on three sides by a 6 km wall, fortified by towers and pierced by seven gates (the best preserved is the Gate of Agra, the second from the north). This spacious enclosure defines the limits of the new foundation rather than assuring its defence.

• The majority of the important monuments are found to the north of the road from Gaza to Agra; constructed of red sandstone, they form a homogeneous group, even if the eclecticism of their style is evident and is based on borrowings from Hindu, Persian and Indo-Muslim traditions. Among the numerous palaces, gazebos, pavilions, etc., may be cited in particular:

• Diwan-i-Am, the Hall of Public Audience, is encircled by a series of porticos which are broken up by the insertion of the imperial box where Akbar, surrounded by his ministers and officers meted out justice. This box communicates directly with Daulat Khana (Imperial Palace), flanked to the north by Diwan-i-Kas (Hall of Private Audience), called the 'Jewel House', a monument known for its central plan, which comprises an extraordinary capital surmounted by a circular balcony: the 'throne'.

• Other monuments of exceptional quality are the Ranch Mahal, whose elevation of four recessed storeys recalls certain Buddhist temples, the pavilion of Anup Talao, or the Turkish Sultana, the palace of Jodh Bai, the palace of Birbal, the caravanserai and the problematic 'stables'.

• Owing to the piety of Akbar, many religious and votive monuments were constructed at Fatehpur Sikri. The great mosque (Jama Masjid), one of the most spacious in India (165 m by 133 m) could accommodate some 10,000 faithful; it was completed in 1571-72 and according to the dedicatory inscription deserves no less respect than Mecca. It incorporates, in the centre of the court, the tomb of Shaikh Salim, an extraordinary Christian masterpiece of sculpted decoration, further embellished under the reign of Jahangir.

• To the south of the court, the Buland Damaza, completed in 1575, commemorating the victories (the taking of Gujarat in 1572) to which the city, their monumental symbol, owes its existence and its name.

Summary Slide• Heritage Sites• Agra Fort, Agra (1983) • Ajanta Caves (1983• Ellora Caves (1983)• Taj Mahal, Agra (1983)• Sun Temple, Konark (1984)• Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)• Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)• Fatehpur Sikri, Agra (1986)