Indian History

Brahma Jinalaya Temple, Lakkundi, Karnataka / Image Credit Karka II , the last ruler of the   Rashtrakuta   dynasty of   Manyakheta   (modern Malkhed in Gulbarga (modern Kalaburagi) district in Karnataka), was overthrown in AD 974 by   Tailapa or Taila II , who started a new line of Chalukyas known as the Chalukyas of Kalyani   (modern day Basavakalyan in the present Bidar district of Karnataka) .  Chalukyas of Kalyani, also known as Western Chalukya dynasty, produced some of the greatest rulers though the genealogy of the rulers of the dynasty is still in the realm of debate. The kingdom established by Tailapa is known as Later Chalukya or the Chalukyas of Kalyani (The earlier Chalukyas being the   Chalukyas of Badami ). There were many Chalukya dynasties. Of them, the four most important were: the Chalukyas of Badami or Vatapi (also known as early western Chalukyas), the   Chalukyas of Vengi   (also known as eastern Chalukyas), t...

The Dragon Palace Temple is a Buddhist temple at Kamptee in Nagpur. 2024 marks the  25th anniversary of Dragon Palace Temple.  Built in 1999 by the contribution from the Japan-based Ogawa Society, Dragon Palace Temple is a pilgrimage site for the Buddhists. 

Bodh Gaya Temple India is  the cradle of Buddhism.  The country is home to many sacred shrines of Buddhism.  Lumbini (in Nepal), Bodh Gaya in Bihar, Sarnath and Kusinagar in Uttar Pradesh, where the four key events of the Buddha’s life, namely birth, attainment of enlightenment, deliverance of the first sermon and death took place respectively, are looked upon with great reverence.  Meditation At Sarnath To these are added four other places which were also intimately associated with the Buddha’s life. These are Shravasti, Sankasya ( Sanskisa) , Rajagriha and Vaishali . These eight places have all along been considered as the eight holy places (ashtamahasthanas) and are well-known pilgrimage destinations. A major centre of Buddhist pilgrimage, Sravasti in Uttar Pradesh is known for being the place where the Buddha spent the major portion of his missionary life.  Jetavana Vihara  Sravasti Donated to Buddha by his devotee Sudatta or Anathapindika, a ric...

Lad Khan Temple  Aihole / Image Credit A small riverbank village in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka,  Aihole was in ancient times a centre of kingdom of early Chalukyas of Vatapi (now called Badami) who were prolific temple builders.  Aihole is a town of temples and contains more than hundred structures. Dating back to the 5th century AD.  Lad Khan is the  oldest temple in  Aihole. Dedicated to Shiva, the temple is  a specimen of of the Malaprabha style of architecture.  Lad Khan Temple owns its name to  a commander of the Bijapur Sultanate  who once stayed there. Nandi facing the shivalinga  / Image Credit  

Mallikarjuna_Temple,_Pattadakal / Image Credit Mallikarjuna Temple or Trilokeshwara Temple  is a temple in Pattadakal built by the Badami Chalukyas in the eighth century. Built by Trilokadevi, wife of the Chalukyan ruler Vikramaditya II (reigned 733 - 744 AD),   the temple was built immediately after the Virupaksha Temple, which was built by Lokamahadevi, another wife of the Chalukya ruler., in 745 AD.  Located on the Malaprabha river in Karnataka, Pattadakal is believed to be the site where Chalukyan rulers were crowned kings between the sixth and eighth centuries. Trilokeshwara Temple bears a resemblance to Virupaksha Temple.  The temple has beautiful pillars and columns narrating scenes from mythology, legends, puranas and Ramayana and Mahabharata. There is a Nandi pavilion  in the temple.  Trilokeshwara Temple is part of the monuments in  Pattadakal and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

Virupaksha Temple / Image Credit Virupaksha is the largest and grandest of all temples built by the Badami Chalukyas in Pattadakal between the 7th AD and 9th AD centuries. Located on the Malaprabha river in Karnataka,  Pattadakal is believed to be the site where Chalukyan rulers were crowned kings.  Also known as the Lokeshwara temple, the Virupaksha temple was commissioned in 745 AD by the Chalukyan ruler Vikramaditya's consort Queen Lokamahadevi to commemorate his victory over the Pallavas of Kanchi,  The architect of the temple was Sri Gundan Anivaritachari who was given the title of Tenkanadiseyasutradhari (the architect of the South).  Dedicated to Shiva, the Virupaksha temple is influenced by the architecture of the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram. The concept and design of the Virupaksha temple later served as a model for the Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna I (757 -783 A.D.) to carve out the great Kailasha Temple at Ellora. Nandi Facing The Shiva Lingman ...

If there is an absolute must see in Jaipur, it has to be the Amber Fort. A fine specimen of the Rajput architecture, the Amber (pronounced Amer) Fort -Palace is a classical example of romantic forts for which Rajasthan is famous all over the world.  The Amber Fort is one of the six hill forts of Rajasthan which have been recognised as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Amber was the capital of the Kachhwaha rulers till 1727 A.D when Jaipur was made capital in place of Amber by Sawai Jai Singh II, who founded the Jaipur city.  The construction of the Amber Fort was commenced in 1592 by Man Singh I, one of the foremost generals of the greatest Mughal emperor Akbar, and completed by his successor Jai Singh I. Made of red sandstone and marble and located high on a hill, the Amber Fort consists of a sprawling collection of fairytale buildings including palaces, halls, pavilions as well as temples and gardens. The spectacular reflection of the Amber Fort in the waters of the Maota Lake...