Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is located in Cambodia. Angkor Wat was first a Hindu temple and the largest religious monument in the world.  Its areas 400 square kilometers, including forested area. This temple is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Southeast Asian. This temple was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II, from the 9th to the 15th century in Yasodharapura.  Angkor Wat  temple was dedicated to Vishnu. Its construction lasted 37 years. His name means in Khmer " the city pagoda ". The main tower of the central temple represents the mountain Meru  or Kailash, the centre of the universe for the Hindus (but also the Buddhists). The temple is supposed to be invulnerable and During the war which began in 1970, the inhabitants of Sieam Reap had taken refuge inside the temple.Although Angkor Wat appears, at first glance, to be a mass of stone with a central causeway it actually consists of a series of elevated towers, covered galleries, chambers, porches and courtyards on different levels connected by stairs. The galleries and its columns set the boundaries for the first and second levels, while the third level supports five towers - one in each corner, pictured, and one in the centre .The guardian monkey statues, pictured, sit at the Banteay Srei temple in Angkor and the whole temple is in the process of being restored.The modern name, Angkor Wat, means Temple City or City of Temples in Khmer. It has been noted that such high frequency of tourism and growing demand for quality accommodations in the area, such as the development of a large highway, has had a direct effect on the underground water table, subsequently straining the structural stability of the temples at Angkor Wat. 

 

History of Angkor wat temple

According to one legend, the construction of Angkor Wat was ordered by Indra to act as a palace for his son Precha Ket Mealea. According to the 13th century Chinese traveler Daguan Zhou, it was believed by some that the temple was constructed in a single night by a divine architect. The initial design and construction of the temple took place in the first half of the 12th century, during the reign of Suryavarman II (ruled 1113 – c. 1150). Dedicated to Vishnu, it was built as the king's state temple and capital city. As neither the foundation stela nor any contemporary inscriptions referring to the temple have been found, its original name is unknown, but it may have been known as "Varah Vishnu-lok" after the presiding deity. Work seems to have ended shortly after the king's death, leaving some of the bas-relief decoration unfinished. In 1177, approximately 27 years after the death of Suryavarman II, Angkor was sacked by the Chams, the traditional enemies of the Khmer. Thereafter the empire was restored by a new king, Jayavarman VII, who established a new capital and state temple (Angkor Thom and the Bayon  respectively) a few kilometers to the north.Nowadays this temple is a powerful symbol of Cambodia, and is a source of great national pride that has factored into Cambodia's diplomatic relations.

How to reach  Angkor wat temple?

Temple of Heaven

Temple of Heaven is located in the southeastern part of central Beijing,China.It is a complex of religious buildings. It is China's largest and most representative existing masterpiece among China’s ancient sacrificial buildings. Its  area of 273 hectares, it is three times the area of the Forbidden City. It was built in 1420 for emperors to worship Heaven. The principle buildings include the Altar of Prayer for Good Harvests, Imperial Vault of Heaven and Circular Mound Altar.The complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest. It has been regarded as a Taoist temple, although Chinese heaven worship,especially by the reigning monarch of the day, pre-dates Taoism.The Altar of Prayer for Good Harvest, 38 meters in height and 30 meters in diameter, stands on a round foundation built with three levels of marble stones. This towering triple-eave hall is under a three-story, cone-shaped glaze-tile roof in blue color crowned with a gilded knob. A circular wall of polished bricks known as the Echo Wall encloses the Imperial Vault of Heaven.The Temple of Heaven was entered into the world cultural heritage list in 1998.This temple  design shows that the heaven is high and the earth is low and the design reflected an ancient Chinese thought of 'the heaven is round and the earth is square'The Temple is divided by two encircling walls into an inner part and outer part. The main buildings lie at the south and north ends of the middle axis of the inner part. The most magnificent buildings are the Circular Mound Altar (Huanqiutan), the Imperial Vault of Heaven (Huangqiongyu) and the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest (Qiniandian) from south to north.

History  of  Temple Heaven

This was the place where emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) held the Heaven Worship Ceremony.The temple complex was constructed from 1406 to 1420 during the reign of the Yongle Emperor, who was also responsible for the construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The complex was extended and renamed Temple of Heaven during the reign of the Jiajing Emperor in the 16th century. The Temple of Heaven was renovated in the 18th century under the Qianlong Emperor. Due to the deterioration of state budget, this became the last large-scale renovation of the temple complex in the imperial time.The temple was occupied by the Anglo-French Alliance during the Second Opium War. In 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion, the Eight Nation Alliance occupied the temple complex and turned it into the force's temporary command in Beijing, which lasted for one year. The occupation desecrated the temple and resulted in serious damage to the building complex and the garden. Robberies of temple artifacts by the Alliance were also reported. With the downfall of the Qing, the temple complex was left unmanaged. The neglect of the temple complex led to the collapse of several halls in the following years.In 1914, Yuan Shikai, then President of the Republic of China, performed a Ming prayer ceremony at the temple, as part of an effort to have himself declared Emperor of China. In 1918 the temple was turned into a park and for the first time open to the public.The Temple of Heaven was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.

How to reach Temple Heaven?

Golden Temple

Golden Temple

Golden temple is located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab, India which is on the north-western border of India, the city is also gateway for the travelers on the overland route through Pakistan.The Harmandir Sahib  also Darbar Sahib and informally referred to as the "Golden Temple". It was built by the fifth Sikh guru, Guru Arjun, in the 16th Century.Amritsar literally means "the pool of nectar", the name derived from a pool constructed at the sacred site , gifted by the Mughal Emperor Akbar to Guru Ramdas, the fourth preceptor of the Sikh faith. The Sikhs all over the world, daily wish to pay visit to Sri Amritsar and to pay obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib in their Ardas.There are four doors to get into the Harmandir Sahib, which symbolize the openness of the Sikhs towards all people and religions.Sri Harmandir Sahib, is built on a 67ft. square platform in the centre of the Sarovar(tank). The temple itself is 40.5ft. square. It has a door each on the East, West, North and South. The Darshani Deori (an arch) stands at the shore end of the causeway. The door frame of the arch is about 10ft in height and 8ft 6inches in breath. The door panes are decorated with artistic style. It opens on to the causeway or bridge that leads to the main building of Sri Harmandir Sahib. It is 202 feet in length and 21 feet in width.On the top of this room stands the low fluted ‘Gumbaz’(dome) having lotus petal motif in relief at the base inverted lotus at the top which supports the ‘Kalash’ having a beautiful ‘Chhatri’ at the end.Its architecture represents a unique harmony between the Muslims and the Hindus way of construction work and this is considered the best architectural specimens of the world. It is often quoted that this architecture has created an independent Sikh school of architecture in the history of art in India. 

History of Golden Temple 

 It was built by the fifth Sikh guru, Guru Arjun, in the 16th Century. In 1604, Guru Arjun completed the Adi Granth, the holy scripture of Sikhism, and installed it in the Gurudwara.

Guru Arjan Sahib, the Fifth Sikh Guru, conceived the idea of creating a central place of worship for the Sikhs and he himself designed the architecture of Sri Harmandir Sahib. Earlier the planning to excavate the holy tank (Amritsar or Amrit Sarovar ) was chalked out by Guru Amar Das Ji, the Third Sikh Guru, but it was executed by Guru Ramdas Sahib under the supervision of Baba Budha ji. The land for the site was acquired by the earlier Guru Sahibs on payment or free of cost from the Zamindars (landlords) of native villages. The plan to establish a town settlement was also made. Therefore, the construction work on the Sarovar(the tank) and the town started simultaneously in 1570. The work on both projects completed in 1577 A.D. During the leadership of the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan (1581–1606), the full-fledged Gurdwara was built. In December 1588, Guru Arjan initiated the construction of the Gurdwara. The foundation stone was laid by none other than Guru Arjan Sahib himself in December 1588. It is a common misconception that the foundation stone was laid by the Sufi saint Mian Mir of Lahore.Some of the architectural features of the Harmandir Sahib were intended to be symbolic of the Sikh worldview. The present structure has been constructed by five service-groups headed by Baba Thakar Singh of Bhindran-Mehta Jatha.

How to reach Golden temple?

Manakamana Temple

Manakamana Temple 

Manakamana Temple is located in Gorkha District of Nepal.Manakamana is temple of Durga Bhawani (Hindu Goddess).The name Manakamana originates from two words, “mana” meaning heart and “kamana” meaning wish.It is believed that Goddess Manakamana  fulfills the wishes of ones who worship her with pure heart. It is very true when someone wish something from the heart; it is fulfilled by the God.Manakamana temple is situated at about 1300 meters at a top of a hill surround by a small village community. It is about 9 Km north-east of the town of Mugling and at about 90 Km West from Kathmandu and East from Pokhara.The Manakamana temple overlooks the Trisuli and Marshyang-di river valleys, and offers breathtaking views of the Manaslu, Himalchuli and Annapurna mountains to the north. The temple is set in a square, which is overlooked by an enormous sacred magnolia tree. Two popular festivals, Dasain (in September-October) and Nag Panchami (July – August), draw large numbers of pilgrims from throughout the country.There is a tradition of sacrificing animals at the temple. Some pilgrims sacrifice a goat or pigeon in a pavilion behind the temple.The cable car in Nepal takes you up on a spiritual adventure to the abode of Mankamana.

History of  Manakamana Temple

 The history and location of the Manakamana temple are explained by a curious legend. The Queen of the 17th century Gorkha King, Rama Shah, was said to have magical powers that only her devotee, Lakhan Thapa, knew about. One day the Queen’s husband became aware of her secret when he saw her in the form of a goddess and Lakhan Thapa in the form of a Lion. Soon thereafter the King mysteriously died and the Queen, as was the custom of the day, committed sati (ritual immolation) upon her husband’s funeral pyre. Prior to her death, the Queen had promised her devotee Lakhan Thapa that he would soon again see her. Some time later while plowing a field, a farmer discovered a stone from which blood and milk were pouring. When Lakhan Thapa learned of this he was convinced it was a sign from the dead queen, and at the site where the stone had been discovered he constructed a temple in her honor. The present 19th century temple is a replacement of the one built by Lakhan Thapa. Tradition has it that the temple priest must be a descendent of Lakhan Thapa.

how to reach Manakamana Temple?

Transportation to Manakamana : Bus takes three to four hours from Kathmandu or Pokhara. Generally micro buses and mini buses run to Kurintar. One can take bus in transit from east/west (Janakpur, Kakadbhitta, Biratnagar, Nepalgunj) to Kathmandu or Kathmandu to east/west. There was transportation to Abu Khaireni until the cable car was installed. And people walk uphill for 3 hours to reach Manakamana temple. Now, the cable car operates from Kurintar. Cable car takes 10-12 minutes to reach the top.The cable car generally operates during the day time (9 a.m. to 5 p.m). It stops for a lunch break from 12.00 to 13.30. In festive occasions and on Saturdays and holidays it starts operations an hour before schedule time.

Changu Narayan Temple

Changu Narayan Temple

 

Changu Narayan is located in changunarayan VDC of Bhaktapur,Nepal which is on a high hilltop that is also known as Changu or Dolagiri.This temple is  is surrounded by forest with champak tree and a small village, known as Changu Village..The oldest temple in Nepal came in existence in 4th century.This  hill is about 8 miles east of Kathmandu and a few miles north of Bhaktapur. The Manahara River flows beside the hill.Changu Narayan is the name of Vishnu, and the Temple is dedicated to him. A stone slab discovered in the vicinity of the temple dates to the 5th century, and is the oldest such stone inscription discovered in Nepal. The Changu Narayan Temple is one of seven structures cited by UNESCO as demonstrating the historic and artistic achievements that make the Kathmandu Valley a UNESCO World Heritage Site.One can view the beautiful white Himalayas and hills in the north and the whole panoramic view of the Kathmandu valley. The steep green hill of pines adds to its beauty.On this way to temple, we can find human settlement. People from Newar community live in and around Changu Narayan area. With the development in tourism in this place, we can find many medium and small sized hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops,etc.

History of Changu Narayan Temple 

 According to legends Changu Narayan temple existed as early as 325 A.D. in the time of King Licchavi King Hari Datta Verma and it is one of Nepal's richest structures historically as well as artistically. In the grounds there is a stone pillar inscription of great importance recording the military exploits of King Man Deva who reigned from 496 A.D. to 524 A.D.The temple of Changu Narayan was originally built in the 4^th century during the Lichhavi Dynasty. It was rebuilt in 1702 after a major fire occurred.In ancient time a Gwala, a cow herder, had brought a cow from a Brahman named Sudarshan. The cow was known for producing large quantity of milk. The Gwala used to take the cow to Changu for grazing. At that time Changu was a forest of Champak tree. While grazing the cow it always went to the shade of a particular tree. In the evening when the Gwala took the cow home and started milking the cow he got only very few amount of milk. This continued several days. He became very sad so he called the Brahmin and told him that the cow is not giving enough milk. Brahmin after observing the fact from his own eyes then planned with the Gwala to inspect the activities of cow during the day while she was grazing in the forest. Both Brahmin and Gwala hide themselves behind the trees and spectate the activities of the cow. The cow went into the shade of a particular champak tree. To their surprise a small black boy came out from the tree and started drinking the cow milk. Both became very furious and they thought that the boy must be the devil and tree must be its home. So Brahmin cut down the champak tree. When the Brahmin was cutting down the tree a fresh human blood came out from the tree. Both Brahmin and Gwala became worried and they thought that they have committed the great crime and they started crying.From the tree lord Vishnu emerged out and he told the Brahmin that it was not their fault. Lord Vishnu told them the story that he had committed a heinous crime by killing Sudarshan’s father unknowingly while hunting in the forest. After that he was cursed for the crime. He then wandered on earth on his mouth, the ‘Garuda’ eventually descending on the hill at Changu. There he lived in anonymity, surviving on milk stolen from a cow. When Brahmin cut down the tree, lord Vishnu was beheaded which freed Lord Vishnu from his sins. After hearing these words from Vishnu, Brahmin and Gwala started worshipping the place and they established a small temple in the name of Lord Vishnu.

How to reach  Changu Narayan Temple?

LOTUS TEMPLE

Lotus Temple 

The Lotus Temple is located in New Delhi, India. Also called Bahai Temple or the Bahai House of worship, the Lotus Temple is an important landmark in the city of Delhi. This place of worship of the Bahai sect is literally constructed in the shape of a large, white Lotus  flower which  is completed in 1986.  It serves as the Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent and has become a prominent attraction in the city. The structure is made up of pure white marble The architect Furiburz Sabha chose the lotus as the symbol common to Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam. Adherents of any faith are free to visit the temple and pray or meditate. Around the blooming petals there are nine pools of water, which light up, in natural light. Height of lotus temple is 40 meters. Marble, cement, dolomite, and send were used in construction of lotus temple. If you look this temple from top view it looks like half opened lotus temple. Construction of this architecture takes 10 years to complete. There are 800 people who have worked in construction of this temple. This House of Worship is generally referred to as the "Lotus Temple". In India,during the Hindu festival Durga Puja , several times a replica of the Lotus Temple has been made as a pandal, a temporary structure set up to venerate the goddess Durga.

HISTORY OF LOTUS TEMPLE

NEW DELHI: At just 25 years of age, the Lotus Temple here would be the youngest entry to Unesco's tentative world heritage list. Most of the entries are centuries old, and while Lotus Temple may have a long way to go before it actually becomes a world heritage site, it has opened the door to recognition of modern heritage in the country. According to Indian laws, a building has to be at least 100 years old to be considered heritage. The Temple has received wide range of attention in professional architectural, fine art, religious, governmental, and other venues. 1987, the architect of the Bahá'í House of Worship, Mr. Fariborz Sahba, was presented the award for excellence in religious art and architecture by the UK-based Institution of Structural Engineers for producing a building "so emulating the beauty of a flower and so striking in its visual impact. As of 2003, it had been featured in television programmes in India, Russia, and China.

How to reach lotus temple?

 

Patan durbar square

Patan durbar square

Patan Durbar Square is situated at the centre of Lalitpur city,consists of enchanting melange of palace buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples. The former royal palace complex is the center of Patan's religious and social life and houses a museum containing an array of bronze statues and religious objectsIn this complex for more than two centuries the dynasty of the late Mallas held the privilege to embellish the square with impressive choice of other monuments, pillars and minor shrines.here are three main courtyards or chowks, so named central Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk and Keshav Narayan Chowk in the square. The Sundari Chowk holds in its center a masterpiece of stone architecture, the Royal bath called Tushahityne of its attraction is The Ancient Royal Palace where Malla Kings of Lalitpur resided.The entrance of the temples faces east, towards the palace. There is also a bell situated in the alignment beside the main temples.Patan Durbar Square also comes under UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

History of Patan Durbar Square:
Although some of the palace's earlier history is lacking in evidence and conclusive detail and the existing inscriptions are shrouded in obscure devotional language its past is not "unknown" to the people of Patan. It is full of legend and myth, often with a different version of the same story or two conflict in one. The Palace area must have already been a center of royal power during, the first millennium as  testified on a stone inscription (date 643 AD) in the main courtyard (Keshav Naryan chowk ) of Museum, and another inscription ( date 560 AD ) at Manidhara , next  just to the north of the Museum.

Another myth of this complex, a small river once was flowing along what is now the palace front. It is still under ground as a storm water and sewer drain since Malla times. A Buddhist monastery was built on its bank where a bright flame had auspiciously emanated from the waters. In a later time, the monastery was shifted to another location to make space for an extension of the Palace. So every year during the holy month of Gunla (Aug- Sep) a Buddha image is immersed in the consecrated water of a copper vessel placed directly in front of the Golden Door and worshipped by the faithful.

In 1630 AD the Palace was called "Chaukot" , denoting a castle or fort with four towers, the built recollection of which are the two surviving tower pavilions at the corner  of Palace's front wing.

The existing palace is the work of King Vishnu Malla dated 1734AD. During the ancient period there was fort in that settlement. Thus, the historicity of the palace can be traced a long time back. The first mention of “Chaukot” in a historic document is from the time of King Siddhinarasimha Malla in 1630 AD. The palace was renovated by King Srinivas Malla in 1674 AD and also by Vishnu Malla in 1734 AD. Since 1997 AD Medieval Patan Royal Palace is transformed to the Patan Museum.

How to reach Patan durbar square? 

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is an assortment of pagoda and shikhara-style temples grouped around a fifty-five-window palace of brick and wood. is located in the current town of Bhaktapur,also known as Bhadgoan,which is 15 km far from Kathmandu.The square is one of the most charming architectural showpieces of the Valley as it highlights the ancient arts of Nepal. The golden effigies of kings perched on the top of stone monoliths, the guardian deities looking out from their sanctuaries, the wood carvings in every place-struts, lintels, uprights, tympanums, gateways and windows-all seem to form a well-orchestrated symphony. Pottery and weaving are its major traditional industries.Bhaktapur Durbar Square also comes under  UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

History of Bhaktapur durbar square
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the most prominent and magnetic attraction in the area. Evidence of the Malla dynasty's most ancient industries—weaving and pottery—can be seen all over the square today. The square is comprised mainly of Shikhara-style and pagoda temples, surrounding a phenomenal wood and brick palace built by King Ranjit Malla that features fifty-five gleaming windows Originally founded in the late ninth century, Bhaktapur ranks high in historical significance and is the historic seat of the country's aristocracy. The city was also once ruled by the renowned Malla Dynasty, which made monumental advances in economic and social reforms near the fourteenth century.Batsala Devi is also situated in Bhakatpur's celebrated square. This stone temple is covered in intricate engravings and represents Shikhara-style design. Bell of Barking Dogs is found on the terrace of Batsala Devi and has been there since 1737 AD where it was once used to indicate curfew times. Bhaktapur travel plans should include a look at least some of the seemingly endless array of temples throughout the square.hough many get skipped as visitors blaze ahead to larger attractions, Bhaktapur Durbar Square offers a compelling look at a multitude of fascinating historical elements as a whole. After the Golden Gate, the Lion Gate, and the palace, other major attractions in Bhaktapur Durbar Square include the Batsalla Temple, the Picture Gallery, ancient works in The Art Gallery, and The Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, which sits on a column facing the palace.

 How to reach Bhaktapur durbar square?