Talagirishwara temple at Panamalai in Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu was built by Pallava king Narasimhavarman II, popularly known as Rajasimha, who is also credited with commisioning the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Kailasanatha Temple in Kanchipuram.
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Magadha was one of the 16 great kingdoms or mahajanapadas in India between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE. Apart from Asmaka or Assaka, all the other fifteen mahajanpadas were located in Northern India. Assaka was located in what is now present-day territory comprising Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra.
The most remarkable king of the Haryanka dynasty of the Magadhan kingdom in the 6th century BC was Bimbisara, also known as Srenika. He ascended the throne in c 545 B.C. He was the first Indian ruler who conceived the idea of an extensive empire.
He embarked on a policy of imperialism by conquering the little kingdom of Anga which had its capital at Champa near modern Bhagalpur in Bihar. In ancient times, the port city of Champa was of substantial commercial significance.
Though Anga was the only conquest of Bimbisara, he strengthened his position by matrimonial alliances with other kingdoms. His marriage with Kosala Devi, a sister of Prasenjit of Kosala kingdom, brought him the part of Kasi (Varanasi). He was also married to Chellana, the daughter of Chetaka, the Licchavis king of Vaishali. Chetaka was the brother of Trishala, mother of Mahavir (founder of Jainism). Another wife of Bimbisara was Khema who was born into the royal family of Madra in central Punjab.
Bimbisara's capital was Raajgriha, the modern Rajgir in the Nalanda district of Bihar. A contemporary of Buddha Bibmisara was his follower. He had offered Buddha and his followers his favourite park and pleasure garden, Veluvana (Bamboo Grove) in Rajgriha for their residence.
Bimbisara was in diplomatic contact with Pushkarasarin, the ruler of Gandhara, whose kingdom also included Taxila. One of the 16 great kingdoms or mahajanapadas, Gandhara region was in what is now northwestern Pakistan, corresponding to the Vale of Peshawar and valleys of Swat rivers.
Bimbisara was deposed, imprisoned and murdered by his son Ajatashatru in about 494 B.C.
These Bodhisattvas are: Avalokitesvara (the Lord who Looks Down), also called Padmapani (the Lotus –Bearer) on right and Vajrapani on left. Vajrapani is considered the foe of evil and sin in Buddhism. Both the figures are surrounded by attendants.
The Khambhalida caves were discovered by famous archeologist P. P. Pandya way back in 1958.
Attractions of the diminutive state of Goa lie not solely in its natural aspects. In addition to the stunning beaches, the state offers attractions that are a magnet for history buffs. Fort Aguada in the sate is one such monument that entices tourists and history lovers alike.
18 km from Goan capital of Panaji, Fort Aguada offers evocative glimpses of the past. Spectacular views can be enjoyed from the fort. Situated on Sinquerim beach, the Aguada fort was built in the early 17th century by the Portuguese power in India to safeguard their dominions against the foreign invasions.
Portuguese were the common enemy of the English and the Dutch when the last two entered the East.
Portugal was the first European power to establish factories and trading settlements in India in the early 16th century. Portuguese were followed by Dutch, British, Danes and French.
The Aguada fort in North Goa takes its name from ‘agua’ meaning ‘watering place” in Portuguese.
Talagirishwara temple at Panamalai / Image Credit Talagirishwara temple at Panamalai in Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu was built by Palla...
