Architectural grandeur of Orissa – the Rajarani temple

The Rajarani temple, Bhubhaneshwar, Orissa

The temple gets its name as it was built by red and yellow sandstone locally named as “Rajarani”. The temple was mainly devoted to Lord Shiva and hence also called as the Indreswara temple. It is also known as the “Love temple”, as it is entirely contains many feminine sculptures and sculptures of sensual couples. The temple is built in the 11th century and is located amidst beautiful paddy fields and amidst colorful blooming flower gardens in Old Bhubhaneshwar.

The amazing high-relief sculptures all around the walls of the temple is a real treat to see. The temple is well constructed on a raised platform. The sculptures of dikpalas (Gods guarding the eight directions -  Indra, Agni, Nirriti, Varuna, Vaayu, Kubera, Yama and Ishana) and dancing deities engraved on the walls are the main highlights of the temple. The cluster of architectural tall towers reminds the Khajuraho temples. The pyramidal Jagamohana (porch) and the square sanctum appears ruined with ages.

The temple is a best example of the Kalinga architecture. Its graceful sculptures remains long in the minds of art lovers.

The Amber Fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan

The Amber Fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan

One of the important must-see tourist spot of Rajasthan is the Amber Fort, located at about 11 kilometers from Jaipur. The Fort is the perfect blend of Hindu and Mughal architectural styles. The magnificent fort was built in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh. The amazing feature of the fort is the awesome mirror and stone works in the interior of the fort. It is designed as such that it accurately reflects every streak of light, so that the place is perfectly illuminated. 
 
The high comfort rooms designed and decorated separately for the King, Queen and the other royal officials, the pleasing gardens, the splendid staircase, the elegant wall-paintings, the sophisticated carvings in the walls and ceilings are some of the admirable aspects of the ancient fort. Another most distinct feature is the well planned hygienic drainage system and the comfortable lavatories, equivalent to today’s modern lavatories depicts the brilliance of the architects. The beauty of the big walls around the vast fort is not less than the interior beauty of the palace.
 
The fort is a fantastic pack of Indian ancient architecture. The place attracts lots of foreign and domestic tourists and is proves to be important tourist place in India.

Fatehpur Sikri, the town of Victory

The Buland Darwaza - Fatehpur Sikri entrance

One of the famous Indian heritage site located about 40 km west of Agra is the historical city - Fatehpur Sikri.  Also called as the Victory Town, it was planned and built with utmost care by the Mughal emperor, Akbar in 16th century. The city was the Mughal Capital for about 12 years. It is built in honour of the Saint Shaikh Salim Chisti, who blessed Akbar with a child.

Some of the finest places worth to be visited in the magnificent city are the Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Audience), the Buland Darwaza (Gate of magnificence), the Tomb of Salim Chisti, the Mariam-uz-Zamani’s Palace, the Panch Mahal, the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), the Pachisi Court, the Char Chaman Tank, the Jama Masjid (one of the largest mosques in India), the Turkish Sultana’s House, the Agra Gate, the Ankh-Michauli (Blind-man’s Buff house), the  Jodh Bai’s Palace, the Hathi Pol (Elephant Gate), the Naubat Khana (Drum House), the Nangina Masjid and many more.

The complex buildings, extreme planning, well-built infrastructure are really the most admirable aspects of the ancient city. News Chips salutes the efficient architects, great designers and the peak efforts put forth by each and every individual involved in it for providing us such a wonderful archaeological place ever to be treasured.

Visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatehpur_Sikri for more details.

India craves for Sachin’s hundredth century

India craves for Sachin’s hundredth century

The master blaster Sachin Tendulkar is just one century ahead of his hundredth international hundreds. Millions and millions of his fans are longing for a better show from Sachin. He hit his first international hundred in the second innings of the second test of the 1990 series against England at Old Trafford when he was just 17 years and 122 days old. He is 38 now and has come a long way in the world of cricket. He has made tons of achievements in his career. He has made highest number of centuries in ODI and in the test cricket, has scored highest number of half-centuries in ODI, was the first one to cross 10,000 runs in ODI, was in the top 10 rankings of ICC for consecutive 10 years and many more.

He has been a terror to all bowlers. Getting him out was considered to be the greatest achievement for almost all International bowlers. He is considered to be the God of Cricket and has gained largest number of fans in his fan club. They are all still lurking with great hope to witness the greatest 100^th century by the little master. Hope the moment arrive at the earliest.

While the world is waiting for the auspicious moment, much cricket gambling is taking place on the darker side. It is estimated that about 2 billion rupees is been betted on the master blaster on his 100^th century.

Hope the most expected day happen at the earliest. Advance cheers from News Chips to our cricket God Sachin Tendulkar for his great day.

The Duladeo Temple, Khajuraho

This is my first post about tourism. India is an amazing traditional country storing in itself lot of antique, historical, archaeological heritage in it. I have enjoyed quite a lot of places in India. I would like to share some of them through News Chips. Hope you may like them.

The Duladeo Temple, Khajuraho

The sculptural art of Indian temples are truly the most amazing feature to be admired. Khajuraho temples treasures some exceptional sculptures in it. The international tourists who come to India to admire the beauty of Taj Mahal also visit these magnificent Khajuraho temples.

The Duladeo temple in Khajuraho district of Madhya Pradhesh is an excellent example of Indian ancient architecture. The temple is built by King Madanavarman of the Chandel dynasty on the banks of the Khudar river around 1130 A. D. The exterior walls of the temple are completely filled with well refined erotic poses of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The jawdroppping sculptures on the walls and the roof of the temple attracts lots of people to the place.

The villagers depend on their farms and tourists for their income. The village remains untouched by modern culture and vehicles. Thus the tourists usually use bicycles to visit places around the temple. The virgin nature of the people and the fresh new atmosphere are really cherishable.

Information displayed by the Indian Tourism Board about the temple :

"Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Temple faces east and consists of a sanctum without ambulatory, vestibule, Mahamandapa and an entrance porch. The Sikhara is clustered around by three rows of minor Sikhara, its Mahamandapa shows some peculiarities of design and decoration. The Mahamandapa is octagonal showing twenty apsaras bracket which are elaborately crowned and heavily ornamented. The flying Vidyadharas, Apsaras and other sculptures are generally stereo typed and over burdened with ornamentation in many cases. Some of sculptures such as Ashtavasu figures which are invariably depicted with a crocodile mount in place of the bull, and the two Dikpalas, Yama and Nairiti wear the raised curls in a stylized fan shape are note-worthy. The original temple can be dated to the early half of the 12^th century A.D. and it has been extensively repaired and restored in a later date."