FUN-photos: Incredible & Insane India – 42 Crazy & Chaotic Days – Part 2

December 26, 2016 by · Comments Off on FUN-photos: Incredible & Insane India – 42 Crazy & Chaotic Days – Part 2 

20 Days – Nagerhole National Park…for more safari…Chikmagalur…and temple touring…Historical Hampi…with its Rocks and Ruins…Aurangabad and the Elaborate Ellora & Amazing Ajanta Caves… carved out of solid rock hillsides…Multi Cultural Cochin…called the “Queen of the Arabian Sea”…Kerala…land of Coconuts & Curry…on a Heavenly Houseboat for a backwaters cruise…Picturesque Periyar National Park…Magnificent Madurai Monuments…and Marvelous Mamallapuram…for more monolithic… Indian rock-cut architecture.

FUN-travel: Elaborate Ellora Caves

November 24, 2016 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Elaborate Ellora Caves 

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  • One of the largest rock-cut…ellor1

…monastery-temple caves complexes…

…in the world…

…dating from 600-1000 AD…

…and a UNESCO World Heritage Site

  • 34 caves…

…extending over more than 2 km…

…dug side by side…

…in the wall of a high basalt cliff…

…existing of Buddhist…

…Hindu…

…and Jain…

…religious monuments…

…served as monasteries for monks…

…temples for prayers…

…and a place for pilgrims to rest.

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  • These monuments…

…and their artwork…

…reflect religious harmony…

…prevalent during this period of Indian history.

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  • Cave 16… the Kailash temple…ellora3

…features the largest single

…monolithic rock excavation…

…in the world…

… a chariot shaped monument…

…dedicated to Shiva…

…carved out of one single rock.

  • Courtyard features…

…two life size statues of elephants…

…and two tall victory pillars.

  • Inside columned galleries…

…decorated with huge sculpted panels…

…adorn the side walls…

…and traces of  colorful paintings…

…can be seen on the upper story patio.

FUN-fact – The Kailash Temple is a stupendous piece of architecture. The construction was a feat of human genius – it entailed removal of 250,000 tons of rock, took 100 years to complete and covers an area double the size of the Parthenon in Athens.

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Today’s Rulers of the Road