Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore

The historical Chamundeshwari Temple of Goddess Durga is located on the top of Chamundi Hills about 13 km from Mysore (State: Karnataka). (Click on the image for bigger view)The original shrine was built sometime in the 12th century by Hoysala rulers and its tower was probably built in the 17th century by the Vijayanagar rulers. The temple tower is seven story tall and is decorated with intricate

Golden Fort, Jaisalmer

Golden Fort in Jaisalmer (State: Rajasthan) is the most magnificent site. Built in 1156 by the Bahtti Rajput ruler Jaisala, and reinforced by later rulers, the fort crowns the 80 m - high Trikuta Hill. This is one of the oldest living fort, where one quarter of the old city's population is still residing in it. (Click on the images for bigger view) The fort has 99 bastions around its

Chausath Yogini Temple, Jabalpur

This temple is located on a hill top in Bhedaghat is 21 kms from Jabalpur. (Click on images of bigger view)This temple is approached by a series of 150 plus steps. The temple in the center dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati was built by the Kalchuri dynasty in the 10th century AD.This temple complex has an open circular courtyard around the temple atop a hill. In circular

Varaha Temple, Khajuraho

The Varaha Temple is located in front of the Lakshmana Temple is one of the oldest temple in Khajuraho (State: Madhya Pradesh). Belonging to Western Group of Temples it is one of the smallest and beautifully carved temple at Khajuraho. It is built some time by the rulers of Chandela dynasty between 930 and 950 A.D. (Click on the image for bigger view)The stands elevated above the ground with

Parsvanath Temple, Khajuraho

The Parsvanth Temple built in 950 - 1150 A.D belongs to the Eastern Group of Khajuraho Temples (State: Madhya Pradesh). This is one of the three Jain temples built by rulers of Chandel Dynasty inside the walled enclosure. (Click on the image for bigger view) Measuring 20m x 11m, it is the largest among the Jain temples in Khajuraho. It is also one of the magnificently carved Jain temples in

Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Khajuraho

The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple in Khajuraho (State: Madhya Pradesh) is the finest example of architecture of the medieval period in India. Belonging to Western Group of Temples it is the largest and most ornate Hindu temple at Khajuraho. It is built by King Vidyadhara of Chandela dynasty in 1050 A.D. (Click on the image for bigger view)The main spire rises to a height of 31 m and is surrounded by

Javeri Temple, Khajuraho

The Javeri Temple built between 950 - 1150 A.D belongs to the Eastern Group of Khajuraho Temples (State: Madhya Pradesh). This is one of the three Hindu Temples built by rulers of Chandel Dynasty in this group. (Click on the image for bigger view)This temple is a architectural gem. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Its ornate gateway, the makara torana, and slender shikhara are especially

Vishwanatha Temple, Khajuraho

After visiting the other group of temples in the morning session, we visited the Western Group of Khajuraho Temples (State: Madhya Pradesh) after lunch. Most of the temples of this group are enclosed by a compound wall known as Western Group Khajurho temple complex. (Click on the image for bigger view)One such temple is Vishwanatha Temple built in 1000 A.D located towards the northeastern

Hampi World Heritage Site

Hampi, the Forgotten Empire (for more) once was the flourishing capital city of the Vijaynagar Empire in the 14th Century. The city spread across the rocky terrain of 26 sq.km had plenty of palaces, temples which exhibited its rich culture and wealth in its hay days. For the same reason it was ransacked by Muslim Sultans. Today it is a site of splendid ruins of palaces, temples and gateways

Vamana Temple, Khajuraho

The Vamana Temple built between 950 - 1150 A.D belongs to the Eastern Group of Khajuraho Temples (State: Madhya Pradesh). This is one of the three Hindu Temples built by rulers of Chandel Dynasty in this group. (Click on the image for bigger view) It measures 19.1 meters in length and 13.9 meters in breath. This is a medium size temple. It consists of a mandap and garbha graha.Around the temple

Adinath Temple, Khajuraho

The Adinath Temple built in 950 - 1150 A.D belongs to the Eastern Group of Khajuraho Temples (State: Madhya Pradesh). This is one of the three Jain temples built by rulers of Chandel Dynasty inside the compound wall. (Click on the image for bigger view) As the name suggests, it is dedicated to to the Jain Tirthankara Adinath. The temple is constructed in the form of 'sapta-ratha' with a single

Dulhadeo Temple, Khajuraho

The Dulhadeo Temple built in 1100 - 1150 A.D belongs to the Southern Group of Khajuraho Temples (State: Madhya Pradesh). This temple is the most recent among all the temples of Khajuraho built by rulers of Chandel Dynasty. This temple stands on a platform, which is approached by a flight of ten steps. (Click on the image for bigger view) There are several subsidiary towers clustering around the

Chaturbhuj Temple, Khajuraho

The Chaturbhuj Temple built in 1100 A.D belongs to the Southern Group of Khajuraho Temples (State: Madhya Pradesh). This temple is west faceing and stands on a platform, which is approached by a flight of ten steps. (Click on the image for bigger view)In this temple all the sections like a shikhara (tower), sanctum, the mahamandapa and an ardhmandapa are in fully developed stage and are

Southern Group of Temples, Khajuraho

The southern groups of temples lies on the outskirts of Khajuraho (State: Madhya Pradesh) at a distance of 4 kms. Compared to the other two groups, the western and the eastern groups of temples, this group lacks the sculptural refinement. These were constructed on the later part of Chandela dynasty between 1110 - 1150 A.D. (Click on the image for bigger view)In this group only two temples are

Khajuraho Temples

From Orchha (State: Madhya Pradesh) we moved to our next destination Khajuraho (State: Madhya Pradesh) which is at a distance of 180 kms. Here one requires 2 full days to cover the monuments and other places around.Khajuraho derives its name from the Khajur tree (the date palm tree), which can be found in plenty in the area. The World famous temples of

Murals of Laxminarayan Temple, Orchha

In Orchha (State: Madhya Pradesh) the Laxminarayan Temple of 1622 is one of the most important tourist attraction of the place. (Click on the images for bigger picture)The inner portion of the temple in the ceilings are adorned with murals, where the themes are based on Sage Valmiki�s Ramayana, and the poet, Tulsidas�, Ram Charitra Manas. In the

Laxminarayan Temple, Orchha

In Orchha (State: Madhya Pradesh) the Laxminarayan temple is one of the most important tourist attraction of the place. Though the temple is dedicated the Goddess Laxmi, there is no idol of the Goddess in the temple. (Click on the images for bigger picture)This beautiful temple was built in 1622 by Vir Singh Deo. The condition of the temple soon

Heritage Jain Temples Stamps

Government of India on 14th October 2009 released two stamps on the Jain Heritage Temples - Ranakpur Temple and Dilwara Temples. Each of these stamps are of denomination Rpees 5.I visited both these temples in December 2004, when I toured the State of Rajasthan.Ranakpur Temples: Located in Ranakpur (State: Rajasthan) this 15th century temple is famous world-wide for their intricate and superb

Temple of The Holy Heart

The church of Ganjuran or the Temple of Hati Kudus Yesus is located in Ganjuran, the Sub district of Bambanglipuro, about 7 km to the south of Bantul City. The temple was built on April 16th 1924 as a praying place with an architecture style of Hindu-Java.The statue of the holy heart that is the symbol of Jesus Christ crowned within it, that symbolizes just and peace of God who is the King of

Chaturbhuj Temple, Orchha

In Orchha (State: Madhya Pradesh) apart from palaces other attractions are temples in the city. One of the major attraction in the city is Chaturbhuj Temple, built between the years 1558 and 1573 by Raja Madhukar. (Click on the images for bigger picture)Built upon a massive stone platform and it is reached by a steep flight of steps. This is a huge temple