Sanchi Buddhist Monuments in India, Madhya Pradesh

 India - Madhya Pradesh  Comments Off
May 052013
 

Introduction :
Sanchi is a village located in the Raisen District in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India and is famous for the spread of Buddhist stupas and monuments around the area. The Great Stupa is the oldest stone structure in all of India and the signature attraction in Sanchi together with many other monolithic gates and pillars, palaces, temples that were designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1989. The Buddhist stupas and monuments is the oldest existing in the world and was a major Buddhist centre of India till the 12th century A.D

The Great Stupa in Sanchi is also the oldest stone structure in India
The Great Stupa in Sanchi is also the oldest stone structure in India

One of the many finely craved gates around the area
One of the many finely craved gates around the area
Image attribution to lenchik @ Flickr

Temple 11 is built during the Gupta period
Temple 11 is built during the Gupta period
Image attribution to Nagarjun Kandukuru @ Flickr

A sitting Buddha statue inside one of the temples
A sitting Buddha statue inside one of the temples
Image attribution to mafate69 @ Flickr

History :
The Great Stupa in Sanchi was built during the 3rd century BC by Emperor Asoka the Great with the other monuments built during the 2nd and 1st centuries BC. The Great Stupa was vandalized at some point during the 2nd century B.C when the Sunga emperor overthrew the Mauryan Empire but was later rebuilt by his son. Sanchi has been a major Buddhist centre since it was built until it was abandoned during the 12th century. The first European discovery of the Sanchi monuments was in 1818 by a British officer and the site was looted by the archeologists and treasure hunters until 1881 when resoration work was carried out.

Another closer look at the stupa
Another closer look at the stupa
Image attribution to eileendelhi @ Flickr

Sunset in Sanchi
Sunset in Sanchi
Image attribution to lenchik @ Flickr

Ochre-robed monk pilgrim
Ochre-robed monk pilgrim
Image attribution to nagarjun @ Flickr

One of the bigger monolithic pillar gates
One of the bigger monolithic pillar gates
Image attribution to abhinavsaxena @ Flickr

Temple 45 was built in 2 phases and completed in the 10th century
Temple 45 was built in 2 phases and completed in the 10th century
Image attribution to nagarjun @ Flickr

Smaller stupas around Sanchi
Smaller stupas around Sanchi
Image attribution to nagarjun @ Flickr

Getting there :
The nearest airport to Sanchi is the Raja Bhoj Airport (BHO) serving the city of Bhopal and is 67 km away by bus from the Buddhist Stupas and Monuments in Sanchi

Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar, Yangon

 Myanmar - Yangon  Comments Off
Mar 272013
 

Introduction :
The Shwedagon Pagoda is the iconic landmark and spiritual center of the capital city of Yangon in Myanmar. Sitting on top of the Singuttara Hill, the Shwedagon Pagoda dominates the skyline of the city and is considered the most sacred Buddist Pagoda in the country with relics of four Buddha enshrined within. They are the Staff of Kakusandha, the water filter of Konagamana, Robe piece of Kassapa and eight strands of hair from Gautama.

Viewing the Shwedagon Pagoda from outside
Viewing the Shwedagon Pagoda from outside
Image attribution to bessieandkyle @ Flickr

In and walking around the area
In and walking around the area
Image attribution to bessieandkyle @ Flickr

Evening time
Evening time
Image attribution to phonks @ Flickr

Human lion sculpture around the Pagoda
Human lion sculpture around the Pagoda
Image attribution to Lionslayer @ Wiki

History :
According to legends the Shwedagon Pagoda has existed for more than 2600 years ago, making it the oldest historical pagoda in Myanmar and all over the world. Historical and archaeological records show that however, the pagoda was built and completed between the 6th and 10th century by the Mon people. Rebuilding took place throughout the years and during the 14th century, the stupa that fell into disrepair was rebuilt to a height of 18 metres while it was raisied to 40 metres a century later. The Shwedagon Pagoda became the most famous place of pilgrimage in the country by the beginning of the 16th century.

One of the shrines in Shwedagon
One of the shrines in Shwedagon
Image attribution to pwbaker @ Wiki

Famous nightview of the landmark from the city of Yangon
Famous nightview of the landmark from the city of Yangon
Image attribution to exotissimo @ Flickr

Closer look at the golden pagoda at night
Closer look at the golden pagoda at night
Image attribution to isriya @ Flickr

Offerings at one of the planetary post
Offerings at one of the planetary post
Image attribution to Lionslayer @ Wiki

Getting there :
The nearest airport to the Shwedagon Pagoda is the Yangon International Airport from which only requires a 30 min drive to the attraction.

Harmandir Sahib in India, Punjab

 India - Punjab  Comments Off
Feb 212013
 

Introduction :
The Harmandir Sahib (also informally known as Golden Temple)is a Sikh Gurdwara (place of worship by the Sikhs) located in the city district of Amritsar in the state of Punjab in India. It is the sacred holy site of worship by the Sikh Indians and is also listed as one of the Seven wonders of India by the Times of India. The four doors around the Harmandir Sahib symbolizes the openness of the Sikhs towards people of all races and religions. The Harmandir Sahib is constructed by white marble overlaid with gold leaf in the middle of a fresh lake fed by the sacred waters of the Ganges River. Pilgrims bath and perform purification in the lake before entering the temple.

View of the Harmandir Sahib and the sacred lake
View of the Harmandir Sahib and the sacred lake
Image attribution to appaji @ Flickr

Akal Takhat - The throne of spiritual authority
Akal Takhat – The throne of spiritual authority
Image attribution to Amarpreet.singh.in @ Wiki

Golden entrance into the Golden temple
Golden entrance into the Golden temple
Image attribution to Ekabhishek @ Wiki

History :
The site of the Karmandir Sahib was originally built in 1574 and was given to the daughter of Guru Amar Das as a wedding gift. Guru Amar Das begins the construction in 1577 but it was till 1604 when the temple’s construction was completed by Guru Arjun, 2 Gurus after Amar Das. The foundation at Akal Takhat, the throne of spirtual authority was laid by Guru Har Govind. The holy site was destroyed by one of the Afghan generals during their invasion and had to be rebuilt in the 1760s.

Inside the Golden Temple
Inside the Golden Temple

Watch towers of the holy site
Watch towers of the holy site
Image attribution to Soman @ Wiki

Golden temple at night
Golden temple at night
Image attribution to Himalayan Trails @ Wiki

Getting there :
The nearest airport to the Golden Temple in Amritsar is the Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport (ATQ) and is 11 km away from the city of Amritsar.

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