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Friday, November 2, 2012

Ellora !! Listen launguage of rocks

Ajanta & Ellora rock-cut caves of both the sites are world famous and illustrate the degree of skill and artistry that Indian craftsmen had achieved several hundred years ago. Ajanta dates from 100 B.C. while Ellora is younger by some 600 years. The village of Ajanta is in the Sahyadri hills, about 99 kms. From Aurangabad; a few miles away in a mammoth horseshoe-formed rock, are 30 caves overlooking a gorge, `each forming a room in the hill and some with inner rooms. Al these have been carved out of solid rock with little more than a hammer and chisel and the faith and inspiration of Buddhism. Here, for the Buddhist monks, the artisans excavated Chaityas (chapels) for prayer and Viharas (monasteries) where they lived and taught. Many of the caves have the most exquisite detailed carvings on the walls, pillars and entrances as well as magnificent wall paintings.


Ellora caves-waterfall The cave temples and monasteries at Ellora, excavated out of the vertical face of an escarpment, are 26 km north of Aurangabad. Extending in a linear arrangement, the 34 caves contain Buddhist Chaityas , or halls of worship, and Viharas , or monasteries, Hindu and Jai temples.
Spanning a period of about 600 years between the 5 th and 11 th century AD, the earliest excavation here is of the Dhumar Lena (Cave 29).The most imposing excavation is, without doubt, that of the magnificent Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) which is the largest monolithic structure in the world. Interestingly, Ellora, unlike the site of Ajanta, was never ?rediscovered?. Known as Verul in ancient times, it has continuously attracted pilgrims through the centuries to the present day.Ajanta & Ellora has been designed as a World Heritage Site, to be preserved as an artistic legacy that will continue to inspire and enrich the lives of generations to come.
Main attractions Ellora:
Kailasa Temple Ellora
The largest monolithic structure in the world
The other Buddhist caves as well as the first few Hindu caves are fairly unremarkable and do not prepare you for the magnificence of Kailasa Temple or Cave 16. Believed to have been started by the Rashtrakuta king, Krishna I, Its excavation must rank as an architectural wonder.

The temple is dedicated to Shiva and named for his mountain home in the Himalayas, the snow- peak Kailasa. The main shrine and the Nandi mandapa are built on a plinth, over 7.8 metres high, with its entire vertical surface carved with mythical animals and gargoyles.
The Main temple

This is flanked on either side by two free- standing pillars, soaring some 15.9 metres high. These gracefully proportioned pillars are believed to have once borne the trishul or trident of Shiva.

Two storeys of corridors have been carved into the mountain, ringing the temple on three sides. These corridors are studded with small alcoves, all containing a wealth of sculpted figures telling the tales of the great Hindu epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Among the narrative friezes is the descent of river Ganga, and one of Ravana shaking Mount Kailasa. The architectural style and intricate sculpture is similar to Virupaksha Temple at Pattadakal that had been completed a decade before.

How to Reach  Ellora

Air: Chikalthana airport at Aurangabad (30 kms) is the nearest airfield and is directly linked to Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur and Udaipur.
Rail: Aurangabad, the closest railhead, is directly connected to Mumbai, Delhi, Agra, and Bhopal. Alternatively you could take a bus or taxi to Jalgaon, a mainline junction from where you get faster express trains to Mumbai and Delhi.
Road: Aurangabad is connected to all major cities and towns by good roads. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation runs ordinary and luxury buses from here to Mumbai (392 kms)
Timings: 9 am to 5 pm, except Mondays and national holidays.

Best time to visit Ellora
October to March, although the monsoon months of July-August are also highly recommended for the heightened scenic beauty of the area.

Sanchi !!

 Sanchi, variously known as Kakanaya, Kakanava, Kakanadabota and Bota-Sriparvata in ancient times, has a singular distinction of having remarkable specimen of Buddhist art and architecture right from the early Mauryan period (c. third century BC to twelfth century AD). Sanchi is famous in the world for stupas, monolithic Asokan pillar, temples, monasteries and sculptural wealth.
It was Emperor Asoka who laid the foundations of a religious centre at Sanchi fascinated probably by the location of the hill or because of his Queen Devi, who was the daughter of a merchant of Vidisha. He erected the Great Stupa (Stupa 1) here after redistribution of mortal remains of Lord Buddha for erecting several stupas all over the country in order to spread Buddhism. This stupa was originally a low structure of brick, half the diameter of the present edifice hemispherical in shape with raised terraces at the base. It was enclosed by a wooden railing and a stone umbrella at the top. This Great Stupa served as a nucleus to the large Buddhist establishment during the later period.
During Sunga times, several edifices were raised at Sanchi and its surrounding hills. The Asokan stupa was enlarged and faced with stones and decorated with balustrades, staircases and a harmika on the top.
In the first century BC the Andhra-Satavahanas, who had extended their sway over the eastern Malwa, caused the elaborately carved gateways to Stupa 1. The Great Stupa of Sanchi displays an austere grandeur and the exquisite carvings of the doorway depict in detail the significant episodes and miracles from Lord Buddha’s life and events depicted in the Buddhist Jataka stories.
The reconstruction of Temple 40 and erection of Stupas 2 and 3 also seem to date back around the same time.From the second to fourth century AD Sanchi and Vidisha came under the Kushanas and Kshatrapas and subsequently passed on to the hands of the Guptas. During the Gupta period some temples were also built and sculptures were added displaying the classical grace and simplicity of the era. Further, statues of Lord Buddha seated in the canopies facing the four entrances of the Great Stupa were also added. Sanchi also flourished during the 7th – 12th centuries A.D. when shrines and monasteries were continued to be added. Thus Sanchi displays harmonious co-existence of Hindu and Buddhist faiths.
Since the fourteenth century Sanchi remained deserted and uncared for till 1818 when General Taylor rediscovered the site. Sir John Marshall established an archaeological museum in 1919, which was later transformed into the present site museum at Sanchi.
Presently under an UNESCO project Sanchi and Satdhara, a Buddhist site, 10 km south-east of Sanchi, is being further excavated, conserved and environmentally developed.

God’s own land! No other word can aptly to describe the wonderful Valley of Flowers (फूलों की घाटी)


Hidden from the outside world and known only to some mountain inhabitants of the Bhundar Valley , it was traditionally avoided by the shepherds of the hills, believing it to be the celestial playground of the Gods,  nymphs and fairies.This mysterious valley was discovered by the world renowned British explorer, Botanist and mountaineer Frank S. Smith, in 1931 while returning from Mt. kamet expedition. His book “The Valley of Flowers” lifted the veil of the hidden beauty for the outside world. In 1939, the British Botanical Association sent their botanist Margarate Legge for further study of the valley. She never returned, she slipped off and was lost forever in the valley. It has now become the part of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.An alpine valley formed by retreating glaciers, whose movements through millions of years have shaken the hard rocks beneath, forming a unique U-shaped valley. It houses some of the rarest flora and fauna, that have gone through the wonderful evolutionary process to adapt to the harsh geographical and climatic conditions. It’s one of India’s most coveted National Natural Parks.
Best time to visit the Valley of Flowers is from mid July to mid August.
How To Reach
Air- Nearest airport is Jolly grant, Dehradun, 316 km’s.
Rail- Nearest railhead is Rishikesh, 300 km’s.
Road- The Valley is approachable from Govindghat. There are two ways to reach Govindghat.
1- Rishikesh-Srinagar-Karanprayag-Joshimath-Govindghat (270 km’s.)
2- Haldwani-Ranikhet-Karanprayag-Joshimath-Govindghat (332 km’s)
After crossing the Alaknanda river at Govindghat, an ascending bridle path along Bhyundar Ganga leads to Ghanghria which is 14 km away from Govindghat, from where the valley in only 3 km walk through this majestic valley, cross the hill streams and rivers accompanied by butterflies, birds, Himalayan bear, leopards and musk deer.
The Valley Of Flowers is flanked on either side by majestic peaks, capped with snow. The Pushpawati river, emerging from the glacial deposits around rataban and nilgiri ranges, cuts through the Valley and divides it into two sectors. The major portion of the valley is in its right bank and is a paradise for trekkers.
Many streams flowing from glacial deposits in and around the valley irrigate it and merge finally into the Pushpawati river. While exploring the Valley, the smaller streams can be easily crossed by wading across but the larger ones need to be crossed on a log bridges. In case those which have not been put up in time, thick glacial bridges across the streams also serve the purpose.
There are no side tracks for viewing colonies of flowers away from the main track so you can either try to wade through knee deep flowers and foliage, crushing some on the way or stay on the single track running through the length of the valley without seeing the best. There are many smaller valleys carved out by streams of melting glaciers. On the banks of these Valleys, you can encounter the most exciting pattern of Flowers.
An irresistible wonder for nature lovers, botanists, ecologists, zoologists, ornithologists and trekkers, the Valley remains snow covered from November to May, but when the ice envelope thaws in June it is a signal for the profusion of colours hidden in petals of alpine during July and August.Having tremendous, medicinal and aromatic values are : Anemone, Geranium, Marsh, Marigold, Primula, Potentilla, Geum, Aster, Lilium, Himalayan blue poppy, Aconite, Delphinium, Ranunculus, Corydalis, Inula, Saussurea abvallata, Campaula, Pedicularies, Trysimum, Morina, Impetiens, Bistorta, Ligularia, Anaphalis Saxifraga, Lobelia, Thermophis, Trolises, Aquilogia, Codonopsis, Dactylorhiza, Cypripedium, Straw berries and Rhododendron.
Apart from the flowering plants, various Himalayan birds, butterflies, Musk deer, Bharal (Mountain goats) Himalayan bear, tail less rat etc. are the rare inhabitants of the valley. It is in the winter, the valley freezes with the view of heavenly glaciers. The entire valley lies beneath, like the polished steel. The meadows get quilted under thick layers of snow.