Navrang India

The Gulbarga fort, Karnataka. www.flickr.com

Juma Masjid, Gulbarga .www.indiamonuments.org

Gulbarga Fort.Karnataka.diksoochi.blogspot.com

Juma Masjid. Gulbarga fort. www.panoramio.com

The Bahmani dynasty was a powerful one and it ruled over the Deccan and parts of other places for nearly 200 years. The capital was Gulbarga city in Gulbarga district of North Karnataka, and it is a well known tourist spot. There are several Muslim monuments in and around Gulbarga and they stand as vestiges of once powerful Bahmani sultanate. Among the monuments, the Gulbarga fort an interesting one which was originally built by Raja Gulchand during the Warangal dynastic rule and later it was strengthened by the Sultan Sikandar-i-Sani Ala-ud-din Hasan Bahaman Shah-al-Wali.

Gulbarga Fort was under the occupation of the Bahmani Sultanate and the rulers were at loggerheads with the mighty Vijayanagara Empire. Thisconstant turmoil and strife with the powerful Hindu Kingdom was a threat to the very existence of Bahmani sultanate. The historical fort and other monuments were destroyed by Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar Kingdom. Subsequently Vijayanagara kingdom began to decline slowly. It was Adil Shah (1459–1511) who reconstructed it with the plunder captured from Vijayanagar. He established the Adil Shah dynasty or Bijapur Sultanate. Subsequently the fort was enlarged in 1347 by Al-ud-din Bahmani of the Bahmani Dynasty after he severed his ties with the Delhi Sultanate.The dynasty lasted in the 15th and 16th century and had five independent states. Mogul ruler Aurangazeb (1658–1707) captured the fort in the 17th century. After the decline of Mogul rule Gulburga became part of the state of Hyderabad ruled by the Nizam.

The Gukbarga port, Gulburga, 8 meter long cannon.www.panoramio.com

Gulbarga Fort, built in the 13th century, is a self-contained fortification where safety and security governed the guiding principles. The fort has 15 watch towers at various vantage points, large buildings, temples, stables, arms and ammunition storagegodowns, carriages, 26 guns (each gun measuring 8 meters in length and is well preserved) and several beautiful courtyards. Copius suppy of water for the fort though canals. Grandeur, beauty are well writ on this historical fortification - a pride of the Bahmani dynasty. The fort is a huge one, covering 38,000 sq. feet.

Hasan Gangu, one of the officers during the reign of Mohammed-bin-Tughlaq (14th century) gathered an army and marched to Gulbarga after defeating Nasir-ud-din in Deccan. Previously he and other officers earned the ire of the Delhi ruler for failing to collect the revenue and this resulted in a revolt against the Delhi ruler. At Gulbarga Gangu declared himself the sovereign head and took up the title of 'Sikandar-i-Sani Ala-ud-din Hasan Bahman Shah-al-Wali'. This way, an ordinary employee of the Delhi ruler, laid the foundation of the Bahmani Kingdom in 1347. Gulburga remained the capital of the Bahmani Kingdom till 1424 and later the capital was shifted to Bidar Fort, as Bidar had better and congenial climate.

Gulbarga Fort, Jama Masjid.www.youtube.com

Presently under the management of the ASI Gulbarga Fort is a well recognized national monument. Within the prescints of the fort lie, damaged Vishnu temple, Jama Masjid built by Mohammed I, second ruler of Bahmani Kingdom, the 'Rana Mandala', the cannons, horse and elephant stables. The other features that attract the people's attention are the Haft-Gumbaz, mausoleum of Feroze Shah and family, the Sultan Hasan's tomb, the tomb of Ghias-ud-din, tomb of the Sufi saint Syed Mohammad Gesu Daraz(popularly known as Kwaja Bande Nawaz, built in the Indo Saracenic style; the Sufi saint came to Gulburga in 1413). Currently this fort is underging some repair works undertaken by the ASI.

The historical Jama Masjid, constructed in 1367 to commemorate the establishment of the dynastic rule of the Bahmani kingdom at Gulbarga fort between 1327 and 1424, is a unique structure in India,reflecting Persian architectural style with impressive domes of large ones and small ones and innumerable arched columns. The arches have a wide span supported by short imposts. This type of unconventional stretched arches is typical of Deccan architecture. The masjid has dimensions of 216 feet x 176 feet built on the model of the Great Mosque of Córdoba in Spain (Moorish architecture) with typical arched doorways. It majestically stands on the ramparts of the Gulbarga fort. One unusual feature is ths Masjid does not have minarets.

Tourists can reach Gulbarga via Bijapur, Bidar or directly from Bangalore. From these places cars are available for the journey.
Ref:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jama_Mosque_Gulbarga

In the state of Karnataka, there areinnumerable temples known for their antiquity, artistic sculptural work and architecture. Dravidian temple architecture style is visible in the fringe areas near the Tamil Nadu border. Hoysala type of temple architecture is found in central and north Karnataka, whereas in the coastal areas at some places Kerala type of temple architecture is observed.

Brahmehvara (also spelt Brahmeshwara) temple, is a fine 12th century old temple located in Kikkeri, Mandya district, Karnataka. It is about10 miles from the famous town of Shravanabelagola in Hassan district.Built in 1171 AD, in Hoysala architecture style, the temple is believed to have been built by a rich woman named Bommare Nayakiti during the reign of Hoysala King Narasimha I. It is a protected monument under the control of ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) and is being visited by lots of tourists.

The design of the temple is “unique”. The interior of the temple is widened beyond its base, the outer walls bulge out in a “convex shape speakzeasy.wordpress.com

Architecture of Brahmeshvara Temple is just impressive with innumerable decorative carved figures that reflect on the local skilled workers of by-gone era and their amazing workmanship in Hoysala style that stands today as a living monument to them. It is believed the decorative figures near the base may be older than the Hoysala time.

Outer wall And moulding relief in Brahmeshvara temple at Kikkeri. www.findmessages.com

Rarely seen in other temples, the striking design of this unique temple is, as you move up from the base of the building, it becomes wide, making the outer walls bulge out in a convex shape. This being a single shrine construction (ekakuta),the bulging in the mid part is quite conspicuous; hence this simple temple draws the attention of numerous tourists. There are niches in the interior part - the navaranga and one of them has a four feet tall stone image of the Hindu god Shiva. The hall also exhibits the madanika figures - feminine sculptures that freeze the the body features in styled forms. The beautiful carvings are on the capitals of the pillars.


Brameshvara temple, Kikkeriby Vinaya K.H www.flickr.com

The tower or vimana is highly decorative and has a cella. The vestibule (or ante chamber) connecting the cella to the hall has a sukhanasi - nose which is in reality, a low protruding part of the tower over the shrine, built over the vestibule.

The large domed roof (helmet or amalaka), the kalasa over the tower and the Hoysala crest (emblem of the Hoysala warrior stabbing a lion) over the sukhanasi are typical of Hoysala temple architecture. The presence of an eaves that projects about half a meter runs all around the temple and the decorative miniature towers on pilasters below it suggest they are much older than the Hoysala period. Below the decorative towers there are large wall images of deities and their attendants. The base of the wall, which comprises five different horizontal moldings, lies below it. A row of blocks is placed below the images.

Ref:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmeshvara_Temple,_Kikkeri

Entrance to the Gangaikonda cholapuram Shiva temple, Tamil Nadu.m.google.com

Brihadeeswara temple,Gangaikonda Cholapuram Tamil Nadu. en.wikipedia.org/

During the medieval period in the Southern India, the most dominant ruling class was the Chola Dynasty. King Rajaraja Chola I and his son and successor Rajendra Chola were valiant warriors and able administrators of higest order. Rajendra-I, a man of valor and wisdom, went on various war expeditions with his father and gained experience in warfare and strategy. He was instrumental in making the Chola dynasty the most powerful one south of the Vindhyas.Above all, Cholas were staunch Hindus and relentless builders of impressive temples of beauty and grandeur which still stand to day as great monuments to their glory, vision and devotion to God. The big temple - Brgadeshwara temple (dedicated to lord Shiva) built in the year (984 - 1014 CE) is a world famous UNESCO recognized heritage Hindu temple made entirely of hard rocks - mostly granites.

Rajendra Chola I made Gangaikonda Cholapuram the new capital of the Cholas . He, as a great king, conquered a large area in South India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Sumatra, Kadaram (Kedah in Malaysia), Cambodia and others in the beginning of the 11th century A.D, thus carving a niche for himself as a powerful ruler in the annals of the medieval history of India. He reigned vast areas in Southern India stretching from the Tungabhadra river in the north to Ceylon in the south and other SE Asian countries and ran the affairs successfully from his new capital Gangaikonda Cholapuram which remained the capital for 250 years from about 1025 AD. Unfortunately, once a famous capital is now a small dusty town without sheen, wearing a melancholy look. A sense of desolation and depression hangs in the air and visitors can not escape from it.

The temple, it is believed, was built in 1020 during 6th regnal year, however stone inscriptions indicate 20th regnal year (ie 1035). Rajendra Chola I built this temple to commemorate his victory in the Ganges region over the Pala Dynasty, hence he assumed the name of Gangaikonda Cholan, meaning the one who conquered the Ganges.

Brihadeeswara temple,Gangaikonda Cholapuram Tamil Nadu. modeled on the Thanjavur temple. raxacollective.wordpress.com

Thanjavur Brahadeshwar temple. www.thehindu.com

Lots of people, in particular foreigners (mostly Architects or Historians), visit this town in Ariyalur District, Tamil Nadu because it is the seat a great old Shiva temple whose exquisite sculptures, impressive architectural and engineering style are on par with those at Thanjavur Big temple. As a matter of fact some delicately carved images surpass in quality and intricate work.

Stone Nandi (bull), Gangaikondacholapuram Shiva temple, Tamil Nadu www.shutterstock.com

The Hindu temple Gangaikonda choleeswaram dedicated to God Shiva was completed in 1035 AD and Rajendra Chola I used the Thanjavur Big temple as a model and emulated his dynamic father Rajaraja Cola I. It is also one of the largest Shiva temples in India built in impressive Dravidian architecture.

Unfortunately the temple remains incomplete with dilapidated walls, uncovered entrance to the temple, roofless Nandi (bull), etc., There are many huge disfigured stone figures in the open near the temple. It was the hadiwork of the vandals and anti social characters. Now, it is well protected. The vimanam (temple tower) is 55 m (180 ft) high and is modeled after the Brihadeeswarar temple at Thanjavur. The temple is a major attraction in Tamil Nadu and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also included in the list is Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram (near Kumbakonam temple city, T.N.) and they are referred to as Living Chola temples. Presently it is being administered by the Archaeological Survey of India as a protected monument.

As for the daily puja protocol, four kaala pujas are held with out fail as per temple regulations. The major temple festivals that are celebrated with devotion and fanfare are the Shivarathri - (Tamil month of Masi February - March), Aipassi Pournami (October - November) and Thiruvadirai during Margazhi (December - January).

Like the Thanjavur temple, this temple also became a center of social, economic and political activities and discussion. Besides much emphasis was placed on Cultural activities like music, dance and art in the form of bronzes. Many of these were staged here within the temple prescient. It was a golden age of the Chola rulers.

The following are the engaging features of the temple:

01. Brihadeeswara temple is built on an elevated structure with the courtyard measuring 560 ft (170 m) by 320 ft (98 m).

02. The sanctum or Sri Kovil or Garpagraha (100 sq ft; 9.3 m2) is accessed through the prayer
hall (Mukhamandapa) and hall of sacrifice (Ardhamandapa). The sanctum, as in other Hindu temples, is guarded by large stone statues of Dvarapalas on either side of the entrance. It is believed that inside the Sri kovil - Sanctum a special stone called Chandrakanta is laid in order to keep the sanctum cool during summer and warm during winter. There are innumerable relief works on the walls.

03. The presiding deity is in form of Lingam (an iconic representation of Shiva) and is 4 m (13 ft) tall and is the largest for any Shiva temple.

Lion well (Singak kenaru), Gangaikondacholapuram Shiva temple en.wikipedia.org

04. The Garbagraha - the main shrine is surrounded by five shrines and a lion well (believed to be 19th Century additions).

05. The consort of Shiva Periyanayaki Amman (Parvati) has a south facing shrine 9.5 ft (2.9 m) tall.

06. The Nandi (bull), a ubiquitousfeature in all Shiva temples is 200 meters away from the sanctum, facing the main shrine and is made of stucco and fallen stones.

Brihadeeswarar temple,Gangaikonda_Cholapuram. A shrine with relief on the walls. en.wikipedia.org

07. There are several niches for the deities such as Durga, Nataraja, Vishnu, et al., around the wall. The niche image of Lord Shiva garlanding a devotee (purportedly the Chola king himself or Chandesa, one of the 63 Saivite Tamil scholars, is an interesting one.

Lord Shiva blessing the devotee Gangaikondacholapuram statue commons.wikimedia.org

08. There are many bronze statues in the temple, depicting Chola art of the 11 century. Among them, idol of Subramanya being the most recognized.
09. Kulothunga Chola, successor to Rajendra Chola, built the fortification around the temple.

Ref:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brihadeeswarar_Temple,_Gangaikonda_Cholapuram

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cc19UpjUUAIUxeV.jpg:large

Credit: STARTOMATIC (IO). Ramakrishna Anand J.

The state of Karnataka has lots of forts built by the early Indian rulers to safeguard themselves against raids from enemies. Their safety and security had to be taken care of and for which the built massive, self-contained forts. The Raichur fort is an interesting one, as it is one of the oldest forts in India.

The Raichur Fort at Raichur, Karnataka was an important fort several centuries ago and would have witnessed numerous fierce battles between various dynasties and their roller-coaster journey through centuries. Record show that the British did not lay their hands on this fort. Nor was there any British occupation of this fort during their reign.

The Raichur fort has been in existence since the time of the Chalukyas of Badami, and then during the rule of Chalukyas of Kalyani, the fort was renovated. In 1294 AD the Kakatiyas of Warangal strengthened the fort. The fort is atop a rugged hill. According to an inscription on the wall of the fort, it was built by Raja Vitthala on orders of Raja Gore Gangayya Raddivaru, the minister of the Kakatiya Queen Rudramani Devi. The added advantage is the town lies midway between the Krishna River and Tungabhadra River. When Bijapur became independent in 1489, Raichur was its first capital.


Raichur fort, krishna river entrancewww.bizzula.com.

The massive fort construction work shows the influence of Hindu as well as Muslim rulers. The intriguing feature about this fort is double fortification, consisting of inner walls made of huge blocks of tightly packed stones built by the Hindu rulers, and the outer walls of rougher stone masonry, built by the Muslim rulers as confirmed by the presence of various inscriptions in Arabic and Persian on its bastions and gateways. The strong double walled fort is at a height of 290 feet above the plain, offering a picturesque sight. As part of the Hindu fortification, there are two arched entrances - gateways: the Sailani Darwaza , named after a saint Pir Sailani Shah, in the West and the Sikandari Darwaza in the East. The battlemented parapet on the eastern part is damaged.

The Muslim fortification has five gateways and they are: Mecca gate (Darwaza; builit in 1470 during the reign of the Bahmani dynasty - Muhammad Shah
III) in the West, Naurangi Gate in the North, Khandak Gate in the South, Kati Gate in the East and Doddi Gate in the South-East. Near the Doddi Darwaza lies a beautiful circular well made of fine stone masonry work with long staircase going down to the bottom . The deep moat that surrounds the fort protects the entry of enemy on all three sides, the fourth side being protected naturally by rugged hills. Further, the fort is strengthened by massive ramparts.

Inside the fort there are many buildings and mosques that were built presumably after Bahmani and Adil Shahi period as revealed by the inscriptions. Some of them are:

01. The citadel or the Bala Hisar is situated on the summit of the middle hill, approachable by a two way road-partly by a flight of steps through a doorway in the middle;

02. There is a small mosque with two slim minarets and a single arch built in the Bijapur style.

Long gun more than 20 feet, Raichur fort.karnatakatravel.blogspot.i

03. There is a circular platform for the gun which is mounted on a turn table.

04. On the west, there is a Dargah - Panch Bibi Dargah for five female saints.

05. There is a stone carved Nandi in sitting position at the back of the Hall.

06. On the Eastern side of the Fort there is a small Masjid called Jami Masjid. The Mihrab has a dome adorned with a circular row of lotus petals. It is has two entrances - one in the East and the other in the South. The eastern gateway is characteristic of early-15th-century gateways. The cemetery in the court yard is believed to contain the graves of some members of the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur.

07. The remains of an ancient Hindu palace is across the Jami Masjid. No details are available about the ruined palace.

08. The Daftkari Masjid near the Sikandari Darwaza is believed to have been built, from masonry materials taken from a Hindu temple. The pillars in the prayer hall suggest Chalukyan workmanship.

09. The tomb of a Muslim Saint, Pir Sailani Shah lies near the wall built by the Hindus. The arched tomb structure built in Bijapur style has a small rectangular hall, with a one-arched opening in each face. The arches rest on small stone pillars carved in Chalukyan fashion. There are four small slim turrets at the corners. The Sailani gate draws its name from the name of this saint.

Raichur fort. travelersguideindia.com

10. The Kali Masjid is yet another place where Hindu material was used in construction as confirmed by the presence of beautifully polished Chalukyan pillars of black basalt and the fragments of Kannada inscriptions found on the slabs in its walls.

11. The Ek Minar ki masjid, oldest place of Muslim worship in Raichur, also shows instances of Hindu influence in the form of the Chalukyan pillars. This Masjid has just one 65 feet tall two-storied minaret built in the Persian style. The windows and the surrounding galleries on the two floorssuggest the Bahmani style of construction. The top is accessed by a winding staircase.

12. The main attraction of this fort is a large 41 feet long stone. This slab carries records in Telugu along with a scene where huge slabs are hauled up hill with the help of buffalo driven carts.

Ref:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raichur_Fort

Raj Bhavan, Kolkatta.rajbhavan Kolkata.gov.in

If you want to visit the fascinating colonial buildings that were once the seats of power, Kolkata is a perfect destination for exploration and fun, for it became the capital of British India soon after the transfer of power from the EIC to the British Crown. The amazing buildings built in typical European style in this part of the world will lure your senses and take you right back to the colonial days. They were all built when the British were in the height of power and glory across the globe and Calcutta was the second largest and richest city next to London in the British empire. Among the old British Scottish churches and innumerable buildings, the present official residence of the Governor of West Bengal - Raj Bhavan is an amazing building built by the British.

Raj Bhavan, Kolkata. www.gettyimages.in

Built in 1803, it was previously known as the Government House in the per-independence days. Upon the take over of the East India company by the British Crown in 1858, it became the official residence of the Viceroy of India, shifting here from the Belvedere Estate. Soon after, the shifting of capital to Delhi in 1911, the building was occupied by the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal. Since August 1947, it has been the official residence of the Governor of West Bengal. It came to be called the Raj Bhavan. This name refers to all official residences of Governors of different states.
At this residence when the new party comes to power after the state assembly election, the ministers are officially sworn in here after the Governor's approval.

In the early period prior to 1799, the British Governor used to live in rented residences and officials needed a spacious, airy building to take care of various aspects of administration - such as spacious offices, guest houses, meeting halls, etc.

It was in 1799 the then Governor General of India, Lord Wellesley, for the first time, took the initiative to have a palatial building to match the authority and the regal powers of the rulers. He impressed on the imperial authority and power to have a building built on a grand scale. It took 4 years to complete the building work at the cost of 63,291 pounds - present value is about 3.8 million pounds. Lord Wellesley was called back to England and was accused of having misused the Company money. Anyway, credit goes to him for the construction of first ever colonial building in Kolkata,

The building designer Capt. Charles Wyatt built the building in Neoclassical style with distinct Baroque overtones. Only after 1860 new changes were introduced to the building - a metallic dome was added by Viceroy Lord Elgin. Lord Curzon introduced electricity and also lift in the building for better services.

The Raj Bhavan covers an area of 84,000 sq. ft. and lies with in a compound covering an area of 27 acres of land. It has impressive 6 gate ways one each on North & South and 2 each on East & West. The 4 gates on the East & West have a grand arch ways crowned with a lion. The minor archways on the side are topped with Sphinx.

The central core area of Raj Bhavan has four radiating wings. State rooms are in the core area and areaccessible from outside by a flight of grand steps on the north. A portico surrounded by colonnaded veranda with a dome above is on the south side. The four wings with four sets of stairways form the offices and residential areas and are well ventilated. The compound wall is surrounded by a balustraded wall with a grand arched gateways. There are about 60 rooms in Raj Bhavan, beside public halls, verandas, porticoes, banquets & halls and the Throne room. The four residential suits are quite interesting. The Prince of Wales Suite in the north-west wing of the first floor is where the President, Vice-President and the Prime Minister of India and head of state of other nations reside when visiting the state of West Bengal. The Wellesley Suite is located on the second floor in the north-eastern wing, the Dufferin Suite is on the second floor of north-west wing, and the fourth suite is the Anderson Suite.

Interior Raj Bhavan, Kolkata. rajbhavankolkata.gov.in

Interior Raj Bhavan, Kolkata. rajbhavan .rajbhavankolkata.gov.in

The Banquet Hall is for entertaining eminent guests. It has rows of Doric pillars on each side with flowering chandeliers and black Mahogany tables. The throne room has the throne of Wellesley and the throne of Tipu Sultan. Besides, there are paintings

Raj Bhavan, Kolkata,entrance gate, en.wikipedia. org

of Gandhi, Subash Chandra Bose, Nehru, et al.

The Raj Bhavan in Kolkata, the first colonial building to have appeared in India towards the end of 1700s mainly for official purposes is a great heritage building hidden within a vast compound surrounded by acres of land. It was from here, the English merchants and later the British crown expanded the British empire.

Ref:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raj_Bhavan_%28West_Bengal%29

Church of the Lord Jesus, Kolkata, wikimapia.org

Kolkata is home to innumerable churches that have historical value and stand as the legacy of the British Rai. They are architecturally awe-inspiring without losing its heritage values. Lots of tourists from other parts of India and also from overseas visit these churches.

Church of the Lord Jesus (in Bengali: Prabhu Jisur Girja), located at Taltala, Kolkata, is a Catholic church. It was earlier a Church of Scotland, following Presbyterian form of worship. It was handed over to the Jesuits in 1969, who made it a centre of various apostolic activities. It was constructed in 1848 by the Church of Scotland

In the 18 an 19th centuries innumerable European missionaries made a bee line to India with a view to spreading Christianity among the natives. Further, the Colonial government stopped restricting the functioning of the missionaries. In the beginning of the 19th century Alexander Duff, a Presbyterian Scottish missionary, arrived in Calcutta on a mission to spread the Scottish tradition of Christian worship. In 1843 a serious rift over the religious matter divided the Church of Scotland and its repercussions were felt across the globe and India was not an exception. In the aftermath of this unexpected and unwarranted crack in the Church of Scotland a new ‘Free Church of Scotland’ was born. Consequently in Calcutta the new ‘Free’ church had is its place of worship built on Wellesley Street.

At last a compromise was made and the two Presbyterian churches reconciled and formed a new union in 1929 as a consequence of which the Wellesley street church lost its importance in terms of divinity and sanctity. The two, once warring congregations, became one religious unit choosing the St. Andrew's Church as their place of worship.

In 1969 the Wellesley church and attached buildings were handed over to the Jesuit fathers who give it the Bengali name of ‘Prabhu Jisur Girja’ (Church of the Lord Jesus). It became a center of various apostolic and pastoral activities. Most of the religious activities, services in this church are in the Bengali language. There is a huge library on the church premises, catering to the needs of the public, in particular, to students.

Before 2005, the vast church was a 'public oratory' which was later converted to a parish of the Archdiocese of Calcutta.

Ref:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Lord_Jesus_

Lohagad Fort,freepost4u.blogspot.in

The Maratha Empire had many strong forts to defend their territories from the enemy attacks, in particular, the Moguls, one of them being Lohagad Fort, which means Iron Fort. This famous hill fort is surroundedby strong, tall boundary walls and four massive entrance gates named Ganesh Darwaja, Narayan Darwaja, Hanuman Darwaja and Maha Darwaja. The four large gates are still in good condition and reasonably functional.

Lohagad Fort,Ganesh Darwaja, Lohagad, Maharashtra, India en.wikipedia.org/

Situated close to the hill station Lonavala and 52 km northwest of Pune, It stands majestically atop the Sahyadri hills at an elevation of 3450 feet above the MSL. Lohagad is part of the Western Ghats mountain chain and is located to the southwest of the larger Visapur fort which is at a higher elevation. This formidable fort is known for its solid construction and scenic beauty besides a good destination for the mountain hikers. It is located in a splendid area with lots of greenery, mist and clouds hanging around it and offers a breath-taking sight. During the monsoon period the fort is covered with mist and humid clouds and it is always wet. The foot hill is visible whereas the top hill is not visible during this period.

Lohagad Fort, near Lonavala, www.placesnearpune.com

The plan of this fort is peculiar to the Maratha rulers whose priority was security and safe defense in case of war. impenetrable, self contained fort was the right answer. The hilly region surrounded by rugged terrain is an added advantage for the Marathas and is a big impediment for the invading enemy. The fort has long narrow walls like fortified spur. The fort extends or juts out to the northwest to a fortified spur, called Vinchukata - fortification resembling a scorpion’s tail. It will take 20 minutes to reach the edge from the fort.

Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, Bahamanis, Nizamshahis, and Mughals ruled this place once. As for the Marathas Chatrapati Shivaji captured it in 1648 but had to surrender to the Moguls in 1665 under the Treaty of Purandar. However, indomitable as he was, the fort came back under Shivaji's control in 1670 and was used for keeping his treasury.

Vinchukata fortification en.wikipedia.org

In times of crises and emergency, the fort became handy, a sort of safe haven for the Maratha rulers, considering its strategic location and the tough terrain around it. The trails and roads on the slopes of the hills are quite slippery, particularly in the rainy season and if the enemies don't know the terrain well, it will be difficult task for them to go up hill and attack the fort.

During the later Peshwa period a number ofimportant buildings were built under the supervision of Nana Fadnavis.

Lohagad fort can be easily reached by trains from Lonavla. Malawi is the next station from Lonavla which is at a distance of 9 kms from the fort. Lohagadwadi is the village at the bottom from where the steps on hill to the Lohagad fort start. Distance between Malawli and Lohagadwadi can be covered in roughly 2 to 2 1/2 hours.Bhaje Gaav' is the base village from where the hikers start their uphill journey.

Tit-Bits:


Bhaja caves. The caves are right next to the Lohagad fort. You can see the fort from Bhaja village as well as from the caves. If you walk to Lohagad from the base .www.placesnearpune.com

01. The near-by attraction is Bhaja Caves or Bhaje caves. It is a group of 22 rock-cut caves dating as far back as to the 2nd century BC near Lonavala, Maharashtra. They are protected national monuments.

Ancient Bhaja caves. www.placesnearpune.com

02. Bhaja was once an important ancient trade route running from the Arabian Sea eastward into the Deccan Plateau.

03. The caves are 400 feet above the village of Bhaja. They belong to the Hinayana Buddhism sect in Maharashtra that was prevalent then according to inscriptions.

04. There are a number of Stupas characteristic of Buddhism.

05. Notable features are the wooden architecture and various wooden carvings.

06. The presence of Tabla carvings suggest the percussion instrument that is used in dance performances has been in existence for at least two thousand years. The carving shows a woman playing tabla and another woman, performing dance.

Ref:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lohagad

Nana Wada, Poona, Maharastra. www.thealternative.in

Nana Wada, Poona, Maharastra www. virasatpune.com

Nana Phadnavis,(1742 ? - March 1800) Minister, Maratha empire commons.wikimedia.org

Nana Phadnavis, was the Peshwa’s chief administrative officer and wielded lots of power and prestige. Nana Phadnavis (also Fadanvis; February, 1742 ? – March 13, 1800) born Balaji Janardan Bhanu, was an influential minister. James Grant Duff states that he was called "the Maratha Machiavelli" by the Europeans. Nana died in Pune on the 13th of March 1800, just before Peshwa Baji Rao II placed himself in the hands of the British. This led to the Second Anglo-Maratha War that tolled the death knell for the Maratha confederacy. There are some monuments near Poona that extol the glory of Nana Phadnavis. Built in 1780 by Nana Phadnavis, Nana Wada is close to the famous Shaniwar Wada. Restoration work is undertaken to preserve the glory of this old building. Besides, Nana also built a regal Wada at Menavali near Wai,This is considered to be a perfect model of Wada architecture.

Nana served the Peshwa dynasty for a long time and saw through four rulers in succession. Despite the death of Madhavrao Peshwa, the Maratha Empire sustained its glory and power under the able leadership of Nana Phadnavis and grew in stature.. The wada still has most of its original architectural features. It is a large six-quadrangled, perimeter-protected structure. On the first floor is Diwan-Khana (living room), and a veranda with paintings on the walls. Amazingly carved wooden ceiling, arches, Cypress-shaped pillars, motifs of banana-flowers will not escape the eyes of the visitors. Yet another attractive feature is the balcony. It has a dome-shaped ceiling, called ‘meghdambari.’ The workmanship and the intricate wooden features enhance the regal status of Nana.
The corridors on the upper floor are lined with teak-wood lattice work. A concealed escape stairway in the wall leads out of the Wada in case of emergency. Descending the stone steps leads to the ghat on the river Krishna.

Nana Phadnavis settled in the village and had the wada built himself with the ghat on the river Krishna and the two temples, one dedicated to Lord Vishnu and another to Meneshwar Lord Shiva.

Nana, being the Peshwas' used the ancient "Modi" script and "transcribed and maintained their records of accounts and administrative letters. These documents, known as the famous "Menavli Daptar" were preserved in this Wada at Menavali.

Deccan Education Society, one of the earliest promoters of modern education in this area began running the New English School in this Wada in 1907 and as part of their expansion, an extension building (annexe) was built to meet additional demands. The colonial architectural style of this building adds zest to this wada. Presently the wada houses a municipal school and a municipal office of old records.

Ref:
http://www.virasatpune.com/nana-wada/

Srirangapatnam Fort www.thehindu.com

One of the dungeons, Srirangapatnam fort. www.happytrips.com

Built near to the holy river of the Cauvery, Srirangapatnam Fort is one of the most significant monuments in the state of Karnataka. It is located in the town of Srirangapatna in Mandya district near the city of Mysore. Th town has religious, cultural and historic importance. Sri Ranganatha Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in Aananthasayanam posture is also a major tourist attraction of this area.

It is believed that the fort was built by a feudal lord Kempe Gowda in the year 1537 and is considered to be one of the toughest forts in India to defend the invading army. The fort has two-tiered rigid wall that can not be penetrated easily and can be accessed through four gates namely Delhi, Bangalore, Mysore and Water and Elephant gates. It is also called Tipu Sultan fort because he had his residence inside the fort, being safe from external raids from others rulers.

The fort was built using Indo-Islamic style and the Persian inscription on the gateway mentions its date of construction. The fort has two dungeons in the lower chambers.Thomas Inman's Dungeon was

Srirangapatna Fort.culturalsindia.blogspot.com

Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore. www.slideshare.net

discovered in 1895 AD in the North Eastern comer of the fort, by an engineer called Thomas Inman. Hence this dungeon carries his name. It was mainly used to hold captive the Maratha invaders and other Indian prisoners during Haider Ali and Tlpu Sultan's rule. It almost resembles Colonel Bailey's dungeon and measures 13.75 Mts. X 9.75 Meters. With low arches made of brick and mortar, they are cleverly concealed in the undulating topography of the area. Colonel Bailey's Dungeon lies North of Ranganatha Swamy temple and is close to Lal Mahal Palace. Also referred to as Sultan Bateri, the oblong structure

Thomas Inman;s dungeon, Srirangapatnam fort. hinkingparticle.com

Colonel Bailey's dungeon. Srirangapatnam fort thinkingparticle.com

conceals the vaulted dungeon measuring 30.5 mts x 12.2 meters, made of built in brick and mortar. The captives were chained to the stone slabs fixed on the East, North and West walls.

Tipu Sultan, son of Hyder Ali, like his father, was one of the most efficient rulers of India. During the British rule, the very mention of his name was anathema to the British who had nightmares about him. Having

Cannon used by Tippu Sultan in the battle of Seringapatam 1799. en.wikipedia.org

captured many parts of India, the East India company was unable to penetrate part of Southern India because Tipu Sultan, who had an alliance with the French forces, set the road block for them. He was not only a courageous warrior but also a man of wisdom. He got the nick name Tiger of Mysore because of his fierce fighting skills.

Srirangapatnan Fort, the spot where Tip was killed (1799).www.holidayiq.com

It was in this fort Tipu breathed his last (1799) in the final Angelo-Mysore war against the British army commanded by General George Harris. He was betrayed by one of his own confidants who became a squealer for the British.

The legend of Tipu Sultan not only lives on the ramparts of Srirangapatna fort, but also in the annals of British India history. Even after 200 plus years, his popularity has not yet diminished.

Ref:
http://mysore.ind.in/srirangapatna-fort

Foolishness www.jantoo.com

Slavery. www.cartoonstock.com

"Too much anger is akin to madness,

Too much arrogance is akin to rudeness

Too much servile is akin to slavery,

Too much patience is akin to meekness

Too much desire is akin to greediness,

Too much ignorance is akin to foolishness,

too much snoozing is akin to laziness,

Too much knowledge is akin to peevishness".

Rudeness, www.cartoonstock.com

peevishness. punch.photoshelter.com

****

Incompatible, immature couple www.cartoonstock.com

Dishonesty, www.cartoonstock.com

"Governance without honesty and integrity,

Experience without perfection and maturity,

Education without perception,

Prayer without devotion,

Duty without dedication,

Learning without desire and purpose,

Marriage without trust and compatibility,

Friendship without understanding,

Relationship without reciprocity and trust

None will prosper without the other".

Incompatible couple www.jantoo.com

No commitment, no dedication, www.cartoonstock.com

Moti masjid, Bhopal. www.beautifulmosque.com

India has innumerable beautiful Mosques built by the Muslim rulers centuries ago. Such structures of artistic beauty built in Indo - Persian style are remnants of once glorious Islamic rule in the Indian subcontinent and the fusion of local and Islamic tradition in the construction of buildings and monuments.

The Moti Masjid, located in the bazaar part of Bhopal city, famous for many lakes, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, is also known as the Pearl Mosque. Moti Masjid was built in 1860 by Sikandar Jehan Begum, the renowned daughter of Qudisiya Begum. The history of the mosque is associated with her illustrious rule during which time numerous impressive buildings of architectural excellence and roads were built under her direction. The beautiful building resembles the Jama Masjid of Delhi in its architectural style, but relatively small in size.
It is one of the largest mosques in India, a huge pink structure with two colossal white-domed minarets and three bulbous domes, a distinctive local landmark visible for miles around the Capital city.
The brick red color and a white - marble facade enhance the pristine beauty of this 19th century Masjid that stands majestically in this part of the city. People visiting Bhopal can not miss this dazzling monument that dominates the landscape. The Masjid is adorned with two golden spiked cupolas at top and two dark - red minarets standing independently on either sides. The main prayer hall is built with lustrous pure white marble stones that shine like pearl. Hence, the mosque got its name as the Pearl Mosque.The prayer call for the followers of Islam is given from the top of the minarets as in other Masjids. The minarets of Bhopal Moti Masjid are considered as the 'gate from heaven and earth'.

Moti Masjid, Bhopal. thebhopalgrand.com

Sikandar Jehan Begum, the builder of this Masjid was a maverick, a liberated, independent woman of wisdom and skill. Never in her life had she failed to accept new ideas and implement them.In a way she was a crusader and believed in perfection.

Moti Masjid is accessed from any part of the city by buses, auto and taxis. The city is well linked to major cities Delhi, Mumbai, Gwalior, Jhansi and Ujjain by train. Shaukat Mahal, Van Vihar National Park, Lower Lake and Birla Museum are among other attractions located near the Moti Masjid.
Ref:
http://www.mapsofindia.com/bhopal/tourist-attractions/moti-masjid.html

Shaukat Mahal, Bhopal,M.P. India www.letsseeindia.com

Shaukat Mahal, Bhopal,M.P. India www.happytrips.com

The capital city of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India has many Islamic monuments built by the Muslim rulers in the past and stand as examples of the height of glory of Islamic architecture and design. Shaukat Mahal is altogether a remarkable historical building, following a different style of architecture.

Shaukat Mahal is situated at the entrance of the busy chowk area where once existed the old city of Shahjehanabad. Architecturally speaking, the Islamic building is something of an oddity in this part of the city and the incongruity of this structure stands out among the Islamic monuments in the walled city. It is rather western in its design, a fusion of Medieval Gothic and Post Renaissance features, a marked departure from the traditional style. This harmoniously combined oriental and occidental styles of art and architecture with local Islamic features offer quite a unique picture. Shaukat Mahal was conceived and designed by a decadent Frenchman who is supposed to be a descendant of the renowned Bourbon Dynasty of France.

The Shaukat Mahal, Bhopal. blog.ridlr.in

It once served as the palace of Bhopal Nawab, the erstwhile rulers of this place and is characteristic of triangular - shaped arches that adorn the ceiling and the sprawling alabaster - white building is decorated with intrinsic floral patterns on its outer walls.

A visit to the city of Bhopal will not disappoint the tourists. The adjoining brick red building of Sadar Manzil served as a Hall of Public Audience.

Ref:
http://www.mapsofindia.com/bhopal/tourist-attractions/shaukat-mahal.html

Taj ul Masjid, Bhopal. cooesncuddles.wordpress.com

Taj ul Masjid, Bhopal. ibhopal.blogspot.com

Taj ul Masjid, which means the ‘Crown of Mosques’, a benefaction from Shah Jahan Begum(1868-1901), is an embodiment of elegance and majesty. Spread over an area of 23,312 square feet, the construction of the mosque was started by Sultan Shah Jahan Begum of Bhopal with a view to building the largest mosque in the world by 1877. The unique Mogul architecture and its mammoth size make it one of the most prominent mosques in Asia. Its construction, however, could not be completed on account of lack of funds. After a pretty long hiatus, the construction resumed in earnest in 1971 by the persistent efforts of authorities of this mosque,70 years after the death of Begum. This place of veneration is being used as a Madrasa as well.

Taj ul Masjid, Bhopal. .www.indiamike.com

The mosque has a pink facade with towering terracotta walls, and three glittering white domes, coupled with a pair of soaring pink minarets on either sides that are capped with white domes. The hallway inside the structure has a marble floor which is similar to the one in Jama Masjid, Delhi in terms of shine and style.

Taj ul Masjid, interior stonework Bhopal mapio.net

A double storied gateway marks the entrance to Taj ul Masjid. The spacious courtyard has a large tank in the center. In the the prayer hall there is the Quibla wall, carved with eleven deep set arches, complete with exquisite screens of trellis work. There are 27 ceilings by arches supported by monolithic pillars; many of the ceiling arches have ornate petals that make them impressive. Yet another feature that may be worth mentioning is the presence of a separate prayer hall for women. The annual three-day Ijtima congregation held here is quite famous and attracts people from all over the country.

interior stonework Taj ul Masjid, Bhopal.www.indiamike.com

Also present right across the road is the Dhai Seedi Ki Masjid, or ‘the Mosque of Two and a Half Steps’, that is one of the smallest mosques in Asia.

One of the most imposing mosques in India a visit to this Mosque will enthrall the people interested in in buildings with Islamic theme.
Ref:
http://www.mapsofindia.com/my-india/travel/moti-masjid-a-gorgeous-shrine-in-bhopal

Lakshmi Narayana temple,Bhopal.budgetindianvacations.wordpress.com

Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh is also called the city of lakes. Among the tourist attractions that mainly consist of beautiful lakes Mosques, etc., the Hindu temple of Vishnu -Lakshmi Narayana attracts lots of people because its architecture is unique and intricate.

Lakshmi Narayana Temple in Bhopal is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth. She is the consort of Lord Vishnu or Narayana, the Preserver of the Universe. The temple is built on the southern part of the Lower Lake on the Arera Hills of Bhopal.

Located amidst a serene, picturesque setting, around two artificial lakes, this temple attracts lots of visitors who come here to receive blessings from the almighty. This temple is built by the well-known Indian industrial familiy of Birlas, who have made valuable contributions towards industrialization of India for several decades. They also run excellent educational institutions in India. The early family members were close to the father of nation Mahatma Gandhi.The have built several beautiful temples of artistic beauty across India in many cities. Tourists never fail to visit them because the Hindu temples built by the Birlas stand apart for their architectural excellence.

Besides Lord Vishnu, there is a shrine for another Hindu God Lord Shiva and his wife consort Parvati. The sandy-yellowish color of the Lakshmi Narayana Temple has an exceptional charm about it. The entrance of the temple has an amazing architectural splendor unique to North Indian style of temple design. The sandy-yellowish color

Lakshmi Narayana temple, Bhopal,
www.holidayiq.com

enhances the appearance of this temple. Both interior and exterior parts of this place of worship are marked by excellent ornate work done with care and devotion. The amazingly carved images bring out the essence and workmanship of the skilled workers who were involved in the construction work.

The Lakshmi Narayana temple has well-maintained lawns with fountains and numerous ornamental and flowering plants. The sprawling lawns that surround the complex add zest to the beauty and charm of this temple.

The Birla Museum that lies near the Lakshmi Narayana temple has a huge collection of sculptures mainly from the districts of Madhya Pradesh namely, Shahdol, Raisen, Mandsaur and Sehore.
Ref:
http://www.holidayiq.com/Lakshmi-Narayan-Temple-Bhopal-Sightseeing-307-1150.html

Lal Bagh palace,Indore www.panoramio.com

Lal Bagh palace,Indorewww.metheney.net

Lal Bagh palace, is one of the most spectacular buildings in Indore and is situated on the outskirts of the town onthe banks of river Khan. Palace was built by the local ruler Maharaja Shivaji Rao Holkar. The construction of the palace that began in 1886 under Tukoji Rao Holkar II was carried out in three phases and the final phase was completed in 1921 under Tukoji Rao Holkar II of the Holker royal family of Indore. Indore State was a 19 Gun Salute (21 locally) princely state (a rare high rank) ruled by the Maratha Holkar dynasty, until they acceded to the Union of India after independence.

al Bagh palace, garden 28 acres spread, Indorewww.tripadvisor.in

Set in a beautiful surrounding, the palace represents the life style and taste of the royal family and this palace was built for the purpose of meeting people, important personalities of the Kingdom. Lal Bagh Palace once hosted many royal receptions, in particular for the British rulers. The palace saw through the reigns of three princes in succession. First it was Maharajah Tukoji Rao (1844 to 1886), second ruler was Maharajah Shivaji Rao (1886 to 1903), the third ruler beingMaharajah Tukoji Rao II(1903 to 1926). Though Tukoji Rao abdicated in 1926, he stayed there till his death in 1978.

Darbar hall, Lal Bagh, Indore www.dreamstime.com

Entrance gates modeled after Buckinham palace, London, Lal Bagh palace,Indore.
www.worldtravelserver.com

Entrance gates modeled after Buckinham palace, London, Lal Bagh palace,Indore.

Because of its unique style of construction the stylish palace attracts lots of tourists. It is built on a site covering an area of 28 acres. The magnificent entrance gates of the palace are based on the model of the Buckingham palace, London. The cast iron gates carrying the emblem of the Royal Holker family were made in London and shipped to Indore. The unique features of this palace are spring-mounted floor in the ballroom for extra bounce, Italian marble columns, impressive chandeliers, Belgian stained glass windows, Persian carpets and stuffed tigers and these enhance the splendor of the palace.

Lal Bagh Palace interior, Indore indoremerijaan.in

The palace is a three-story building and the ground floor entrance hall is made of Italian marble. The first floor has a huge collection of coins minted during the Muslim period. The building, rooms, etc are heavily embellished in European style - a blend of Renaissance, Palladian and Baroque architecture. It reflects on the highly westernized taste of the Holker family and their sensitivity to the aesthetic values. The bed rooms of the royal family are rich in glass and Sheesham wood. The The palace kitchen is on the other side bank of the river near Gopal Bagh and is accessed through a well-lit underground tunnel. There are many sacred shrines present in the palace.

http://www.indorecity.net/tourist-attractions/lal-bagh-palace.html

The Hindola Mahal. holidayplans.co.in

The Hindola Mahal, sloping side walls.en.wikipedia.org

The Hindola Mahal is a tourist destination in the ruined city of Mandu, Madhya Pradesh. Hindola Mahal means “Swinging Palace”, a large meeting hall, or durbar built by the local ruler. It is believed to have been constructed during the reign of Hoshang Shah about 1425 C.E. or towards the end of the 15th century during the reign of Ghiyas al-Din.

The plan of the Hindola Mahal

The Hindola Mahal Mandu. hotshotstockimages.com

The royal palace is a complex, comprising the Jahaz Mahal, the Hindola Mahal, the Tawili Mahal, and the Nahar Jharokha. Among them he Hindola Mahal might have been used as a meeting hall - audience to meet the people. The palace is a 'T' shaped building with a main hall and a a transverse projection at the North. The six arched openings on both sides of the hall have windows on top, with beautiful tracery work, facilitating air circulation and light inside the building. Inside the building it will be comfortable during hot summer.

The Hindola Mahal Mandu Madhya Pradesh www.gettyimages.com

As found in many old buildings, the side walls are given additional strength with massive slopes to reduce the vertical force exerted by the lofty arches, supporting the ceiling. . Its "T"- shaped projection was later added to provide a well-guarded approach for the king. The Interior of Hindola Mahal is designed like a cross in such a way, there is a main passage leading to the hall and by another passage crossing it at right angles in the mid passages. The building shows various construction materials suggesting that the additions were made at different period.

Ref:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindola_Mahal

Rajwada Palace in Indore, India. ddlogo.blogspot.com

Interior of Rajwade, Indore. www.shutterstock.com

Since India was once ruled by innumerable rulers of many dynasties across the land, they had built palatial palaces suitable to their style, taste and affluence. Some are centuries old and they are the windows on our old Indian subcontinent and the early life style. Every one of them is unique in its own way and the monuments stand as immortal works of the our skilled artisans of the past era.

Among the monuments of Indore, the historical palace of the ruling class the Holkar Family called the Rajwada Palace is a living example and showcases how the town was once culturally rich and how the Holkers lived their royal life in tune with the prevailing time then, without losing their sensitivity to their aesthetic values and the deep-rooted Indian tradition. As many people may not be aware that the name of the city is derived from one of the famous temples of the region - "Indreshwar temple". Indore for long had been the seat of the Holkar dynasty.

Rajwada Palace in Indore, India. en.wikipedia.org

This seven storied structure also called the Juna Rajawada or Old Palace, located near the Chhatris (near the Khajuri Bazaar) is a lofty, seven-story structure built by Maharaja Malhar Rao Holkar II about two centuries ago. The first three floors the Rajwade are made of stone and the last three floors are made of wood. A rare feature one encounters among the Indian palaces.

It dominates the skyline here, standing with royal grandeur and regal style. Surprisingly the structure, which is mainly a blend of Maratha and Mogul style of architecture, has two parts: one in the center of the city and the other in the old part. The part of the structure with cylindrical bastions at the four corners was constructed in 1766 and the southern part was rebuilt in the years 1811-1833 after a fire mishap.

Rajwada palace,Indore city,beautiful balcony. www.alamy.com

Visitors first encounter beautiful lofty archways with a sturdy

wooden door fixed with iron studs. The inner courtyard has a Ganesha temple and numerous Mogul-type balconies and windows. The galleried rooms and other features here catch our attention. Open and semi open areas in th building along with covered areas accentuated by aisles and arcades along with delicate niches, beautiful windows extoll the imagination of the designer and the talents of the skilled artisans, who were mostly Muslims who took refuge in Malwa and had built several monuments for the Holker family. Earlier they were with the Moguls.

Stone Carved Pillars in Rajwada, interior view, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India..www.alamy.com

The 7 story facade of carved stone and wood jails, jharokhas and chattries is presently under the control of the ASI and serious efforts are foot to preserve and restore this historical palace which also combines French style of building. However. restoration work has been going on for some time. The palace was damaged during the 1984 riots.

Detailed Carving on one of the Pillars at Rajwada, interior view, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. www.alamy.com

Within the palace there is a temple of Malhari Martand, the family deity of the Holkars. Across the square, is the Anna Chatra or a building that provides free food for the poor. On the northern part is the new Palace and garden, built in a classical manner with a French style pavilion roof. Here one can see a blend of the French, Mughal and Maratha styles of architecture. The Maratha style of architecture is known for its simplicity suitable to tropical climate, rhythm, visual presentation of aesthetics and architectural grandeur, reflecting the local tradition.
Ref:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajwada

Muth Maariamman temple Sri Lanka www.alamy.com

Maari or Mariamman (Tamil: Maari; Marathi: Mariaai) is a typical South Indian Hindu goddess of rain. She is mostly associated with curing of many dreadful diseases in the past such as smallpox and cholera. Even today people who are afflicted with chicken pox, Jaundice, Measles, etc., visit the temple regularly for cure. The goddess is also known as Muthu Maari (The Tamil word Muthu means pearl) the poetic way of expressing the rain falls in droplets. Muthu here also refers to the small boils of small pox in the past, but unfortunately it now refers to the chickenpox as well. She is frequently referred to as Maari Aatha or simply Aatha. There is no village in the state of Tamil Nadu, in particular, that does not have a temple dedicated to her. She is a dominant Goddess in the villages and hamlets. The temple sizes may vary according to the income received by the them. The Goddess is equally famous in all southern states and also in Maharastra. Maari Amman is actually a form of Goddess Parvathi, the consort of Lord Shiva. The North Indian equivalent is Sithala Devi. She is also believed to be a form of Durga.

In Tamil, the word 'Maari' also means rain and 'Amman' literally means mother, hence she is "mother nature." It is believed that the ancient Tamils worshiped her to bring copious rain for the crops, etc. Plenty of rain assured them of good harvest, vegetation and potable water, improving their prosperity and welfare.

In almost many villages, people strongly believe the goddess protects their lands, crops and the different communities living there, forming a strong religious landscape of the villages.

In many parts, she is considered an avatar of Kali, the Goddess who destroys the evil and saves the good. As a matter of fact in Tamil Nadu, the people, especially women have an obsession for her. Her mount (Vahana) is mostly lion and her defensive weapon is Soolam – trident. Though she is portrayed as a goddess with Ugraham –fierce looking, in reality, she has been kind to the dedicated devotees who seek Her refuge, reposing lots of trust in her. Thousands of people, who sought her blessings and divine guide in times of trials and tribulations, are blessed with desirable results

Major festivals associated with Maariamman are held during the late summer, early autumn season of "Aadi". Throughout Tamil Nadu "Aadi Thiruvizha" is celebrated on a grand scale and devotion. Almost in all towns and villages in the month of April people in groups take out procession, carrying a pot of milk on their head called "Paal Kudam"(in Tamil Paal means milk, Kudam means pot), walking barefoot to the nearest Maariamman temple. They sometimes walk several kilometers with their mind focused on the deity, unmindful of scorching summer hot sun.

Some Amazing facts:

01. The goddess is believed to cure heat related diseases like rashes, etc. During the summer months, devotees carry pots of water mixed with turmeric and Neem leaves and undertake padhayatra (walking barefoot) to the nearest Maariamman shrine to ward off illnesses like the measles and chickenpox.

02. Paal Kudam, devotees carrying a pot of milk to the nearby temple, is a religious undertaking commonly followed by millions of devotees in Tamil Nadu. Both men, women and even children walk barefoot to the place of worship.When undertaking a religious offer, normally devotees walk barefoot for many kilometers to the temple to fulfill their commitment or vow..

03. Normally Sunday is the most auspicious day and the Maariamman temples are crowded on this day every week.

04. It is a taboo to go to Marriamman temple without taking a bath. When undertaking a religious commitment, ardent devotees invariably avoid non-vegetarian food, liquor, etc.

05. Maariamman is also considered a fertility goddess and couples undertake Virutham - fast as part of their prayer.

06. Both Vedic and non non-Vedic methods are followed with respect to worship of Maariamman in the temples. Part of the worship includes various kinds of folk dancing and these make the atmosphere vibrant. In many temples one can see women going into a trance and in extreme cases they reach a sort of semi-unconcious state. In small villages mostly Poojaris or Poosaaries (non Brahmins) conduct the puja ritual with devotion in the Sanctum. However, when temple consecration is held, Brahmin pundits conduct the main rituals helped by Poojaries.

07. At many Maariamman temples one can see one or more anthills, supposedly the abode of live cobra(s) and devotees offer milk, etc to the anthills.

08. During festival times cooking of Pongal or Koozu in earthen pots by women folks is common. So are fire walking, nose and ear piercing rituals. As part of fulfillment of their prayer, lots of devotees have their head shaved. There is a separate hall for tonsuring near the temple premises.

09. The goddess is closely associated with Neem or Margosa tree. Her favorite garland is mainly lemon fruits, besides flowers.

10. Unfortunately only in remote villages in Tamil Nadu, animal sacrifices are common, despite the Government ban. Mainly male goats and roosters are sacrificed and there is a separate place called Bali Peetam. Temple poojaries appointed for this purpose conduct the ritual. Animal Welfare Association is fighting for a complete ban on this primitive practice.

Ref:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariamman

Punnainallur Maariamman temple near Thanjavur city, TN. .findmytemple.com

Punnainallur Maariamman idol(Moolavar), near Thanjavur city. picasaweb.google.com

Across the state of Tamil Nadu there many famous Maariamman temples, Samayapuram Maariamman, near Trichy, Kootai Maariamman in Salem city, Mangadu Amman in Chennai are a few examples. Punnainallur Maariamman temple is equally famous and is being visited by lots of people from Tamil Nadu. Goddess Maariamman is a form of Parvathi or Durga or Kaali. The worship of this goddess is quite prominent through out Tamil Nadu, cutting across caste distinctions. In rural Tamil Nadu, Maariamman shrine is an integral part of the community.

Temple entrance at Punnainallur Maariamman temple near Thanjavur city, TN. en.wikipedia.org

Particularly on Sundays and auspicious days the Maariamman temple here is over crowded. Venkoji Maharajah (a half-brother of the great Maratha king Shivaji; reign April 1674 till 1684) of the Thanjavur Maratha Dynasty was the first Raja of Thanjavur from the Bhosale dynasty. Once he went on a pilgrimage to Samayapuram (now near the city of Tiruchirapalli or Trichy), also known as Kannapuram and offered worship at the Amman temple. He stayed there for the night and, while in deep sleep, he had a strange dream in which the Goddess (Ambal) appeared in divine form and advised him to go to ‘Punnaikkadu’, about 5 km east of Tanjore town and worship her there. Following morning upon recalling his reverie, he realized that it was a divine dispensation and he had to follow what had been told. Later he went to Punnaikkadu with his paraphernalia and, to his surprise, he found an idol of the Goddess. Soon he had a temporary shelter built over the idol and named it ‘Punnai Nallur‘, a place rich in Punna trees in those days. Further, Venkoji Maharaja donated the entire village to the shrine to take care of the temple needs and puja rituals.

Thanjavur Maratha kingdom, Tamil nadu. america.pink

Sadasiva Brahmendral who istalled the Maariamman idol at Punnainallur, near Thanjavur. guruvenkatasubramanian.blogspot.com

According to yet another legend associated with this temple, once the daughter of the Maratha ruler Thulajaji Maharajah(1770s) contracted smallpox and lost her vision because it reached the advanced stage. The ruler, having no other recourse sought refuge in Punnainallur Amman and prayed to her intensely. The goddess not only cured the disease but also restored the vision of the ruler’s daughter. Since then this temple had become well-known in that region. The main temple structure was built during the Maratha regime. Punnainallur Maariamman is supposedly the elder sister of Samyapuram Maariamman, near Tiruchirapalli.

Devotees come here to fulfill their Prarthana - prayer by way of shaving their head, conducting ear-boring ceremony for their kids, bringing their baby or kid for the very first Mottai– first tonsuring. Paal Kudam rituals are well known here in the month of April. Quite famous is the Brahmin community Paal Kudam; women and men with a pot of milk on their head walk barefoot to the shrine all the way from Thanjavur city, a distance of 5 plus kilometer, barring hot summer. More than 1000 plus people participate at a time and there will be Annadhanam– free food for thousands of people on that day.

Indian President Pranab Mukerji and T.N.State Governor Rosaiah offering worship at Punnainallur Maariamman temple near Thanjavur city,TN. www.thehindu.com

Sadasiva Brahmendral was a saint, composer of Carnatic music and also an Advaita philosopher who lived near Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu during the 18th century. He was from the Telugu Brahmin community and was the one who installed the deity at this temple as per Agama Sastras.

Ref:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punnainallur_Mariamman

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