Cultural Ancient Indian Architecture

[Zapper]

Ancient Sun Temple at Modhera in Gujarat, India

Built in 1026 AD by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty.

 

[trishna_amrta]

Prambanan Hindu Temple - Indonesia

View attachment 10185

I thought this is India architecture only thread.

Anyway, this is Prambanan compound in 4K. Also keep in mind that the compound is a mix of Hindu & Buddhist temples. They were build in the same spirit of "Unity in Diversity"

 

[Zapper]

I thought this is India architecture only thread.

Anyway, this is Prambanan compound in 4K. Also keep in mind that the compound is a mix of Hindu & Buddhist temples. They were build in the same spirit of "Unity in Diversity"

It is indeed Indian architecture thread which is why I specified that temple's location being in Indonesia...posting a few Hindu temples from around the globe if I find em fascinating

 

[Zapper]

Melukote: One of The Most Sacred Towns in Karnataka

Akka Tangi Kola
****
These are a pair of ponds behind the Cheluvanarayanaswamy temple known as Akka Tangi Kola In English it translates to sister ponds. The water of Akka kola is sour-salty and that of Tangi kola is sweet. Only the sweet water is used for the temples.

Melukote, a culturally rich town in Karnataka, is home to several old temples, historic buildings and religious sites. Located in Mandya, it’s about 50km from Mysore. The history of Melukote dates back to the 12th-century, when Saint Ramanujacharya stayed here for a decade

 

[trishna_amrta]

I’m interested more on fortification works (fortress and the like) And more importantly their layout (overhead), construction, etc. I've notice that Indian fortress have a very thick wall roughly similar with those in China mainland

 

[Zapper]

Raja Gopuram of Arunachaleswarar Temple Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu

Present temple structure was built by Cholas in 9th century CE. Later expanded by Vijayanagara rulers

RajaGopuram - World's 3rd Tallest Gopuram!!

 

[Zapper]

Five Spectacular Indian Destinations That Rival The Taj Mahal In Beauty​

Jared RanahanContributor
Travel
Every destination has a story, no matter how small.

• 

The tallest tower in the Meenakshi Temple complex reaches a height of 170 feet (51.8m).
GETTY
Editor’s Note: *Due to the current Covid-19 outbreak, international travel is discouraged at the moment - this article is meant to serve as inspiration for a future trip once the pandemic has come to an end.*
Home to over one billion citizens spread across more than thirty states and union territories, India is a veritable treasure trove of grandiose structures scattered all throughout the nation. While Agra’s Taj Mahal is renowned worldwide for its great size and elegant design, visitors should make sure to expand their horizons beyond just one building. From vibrant temples to imposing citadels, India is truly second-to-none when it comes to architectural splendor.

Chittor Fort​

It's unclear when exactly Chittor Fort was built, though it's believed to have been some time around ... [+]
GETTY
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 2013, this colossal compound is renowned nationwide as the largest fortress in all of India, measuring in at roughly 700 acres (283ha) in total. While the complex is packed full of historic structures and monuments, some particular highlights include Rana Kumbha Palace—named after a 1400s-era monarch from the Sisodia Dynasty—to the Vijaya Stambha, an ornate tower built in the 15th century to celebrate a major military victory. For those interested in the many battles that took place at the fort over the centuries, be sure to visit Fateh Prakash Palace, which now houses a museum packed full of antique weapons and artifacts.

Palitana Temples​

The Palitana temples rest on a hill known as "Shatrunjaya" to followers of Jainism.
GETTY
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A truly spectacular fixture of the southeastern hills of Gujarat, the Palitana complex is made up of roughly 850 temples scattered across the landscape. This sprawling region is considered one of the holiest sites for followers of Jainism, drawing a large number of religious pilgrims each year to ascend over three thousand steps and profess their faith. Any visitors unfamiliar with the principles of Jainism should be sure to pay a visit to the Shri Vishal Jain Museum, an institution rife with ancient artifacts, sculptures, and paintings that highlight the history and practices of this ancient religion.

Birla Mandir (Kolkata)​

Kolkata's Birla Mandir was under construction for 26 years, spanning from 1970 to 1996.
GETTY
Built in the late 20th century, this opulent temple shares its name with several other structures across the nation, each one made at the behest of India’s historic Birla family. Carved from white marble and sandstone and crowned with three elaborate spires, the complex is regarded as one of the most stunning architectural marvels to be found within Kolkata’s affluent Ballygunge district. Upon entering the temple, guests will be met with a wealth of artistic flourishes ranging from extravagant pillars to intricate murals, as well as a wealth of statues and monuments dedicated to Lord Krishna, Radha, and a wealth of other Hindu deities.

Meenakshi Temple​

Meenakshi Temple is located just southwest of the Vaigai River.
GETTY
One of the most dazzling structures in all of India, this historic temple can be found in the very heart of Madurai, the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu. Equipped with fourteen gopurams, each individual tower within the complex has been painstakingly adorned with thousands of tiny intricate sculptures, each one swathed in a wealth of vibrant colors. While the temple is marvelous even just from the outside, be sure to make the trek through Thousand-Pillared Hall—home to hundreds of carved depictions of Hindu gods and mythological creatures—before heading to the edge of Golden Lotus Pond, a sacred pool located in the center of the temple complex.

Gwalior Fort​

Though local legend purports that the fortress was built around 3 CE, the earliest evidence of ... [+]
GETTY
A prominent landmark within the northern reaches of Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior Fort has been standing strong for over one thousand years, surviving the rise and fall of many mighty empires throughout the ages. Visitors should be sure to admire the handsome Jain sculptures carved in stone as they arrive at Urvai Gate, then gaze in wonder at Man Singh Palace’s intricately-carved exterior walls flecked with vivid blue and yellow murals. Upon entering the Gujari Mahal, tourists will be treated to a truly spectacular array of ornate sculptures displayed alongside ancient pottery and tools used by the bygone inhabitants of this stately fortress.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jaredr...tinations-that-rival-the-taj-mahal-in-beauty/

 

[Fuzuli NL]

Mind blowing!

 

[sarthak]

Kumbhalgarh Fort Rajasthan​

The fort that has made its mark in history as the second largest wall after the Great Wall of China – it is none but the Kumbhalgarh fort in Rajasthan. The mighty fort is 3600 ft tall and 38km long that surrounds the area of Udaipur. It was considered to have been built by Rana Kumbha in the 15th century. The fort is further declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is under the group Hill Forts of Rajasthan. It is located strategically on the western Aravalli hills.
Having witnessed a large number of wars, the hill serves as the boundary that is unbreakable. The fort that has seven fortified gateways and a number of Jain temples within it , along with the Lakhola Tank which is the most famous tank.

 

[sarthak]

Mehrangarh fort
The fort is protected by walls measuring 118 ft in height and 69 ft in width, and still houses several palaces, known for their intricate carvings and expansive courtyards. The fort has a museum, that has preserved a vast collection of paintings, costumes, arms and ammunitions from the Rathore rulers. It also features relics and artefacts from the Mughal dynasty.

There are seven gates to enter the Mehrangarh fort, which were made by different rulers in honor of victory over the Bikaner and Jaipur armies. You can still spot the imprints of cannonballs fired by the Jaipur army at the Dedh Kamgra Gate. To the left of the Loha Gate, are the hand prints of the royal satis, the wives of the rulers. It is said that the satis carried the Bhagavad Gita along with them while sacrificing themselves on the funeral pyre of their husband, but the royal book would not perish.

 

[sarthak]

Harihar fort , also known as Harshagad, is a fort situated in Nashik district of Maharashtra. The fort is one of the important watch tower constructed to look the trade route through Gonda Ghat. The main attraction of Harihar fort is the 60M height pinnacle, and the steps carved on it. Steps look like a stone ladder placed at 80 degrees along the scarp of the hill. At many places, the steps have worn out but the small holes carved on both edges of the steps are helpful to hold. The first half of the steps are carved on the scarp of the pinnacle and the remaining are carved inside the pinnacle. Last part is steeper than the first one as the height of the steps increases as you go up.

 

[Zapper]

House of Rohet, Mihirgarh, Rajasthan

 

[Zapper]

Telangana

 

[Nilgiri]

 

[Zapper]

Pari Mahal, J&K

 

[Zapper]

Not exactly ancient but

Lotus Temple, Delhi

 

[Zapper]

Surya Temple, Bundu, Jharkhand

 

[Nilgiri]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1219357297769476096

 

[Zapper]

Fort of Amer

 

[Zapper]

Sahastrabahu Temple ( Saas Bahu Temple) is an 11th-century twin temple in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India. Near the Gwalior Fort and dedicated to Vishnu in his Padmanabha form, like most Hindu and Jain temples in this region, it is mostly in ruins and was badly damaged from numerous invasions and Hindu-Muslim wars in the region. It was built in 1093 by King Mahipala of the Kachchhapaghata dynasty, according to an inscription found in the larger of the twin temple. The twin temples are situated in the Gwalior Fort.

The temple's tower and sanctum has been destroyed, but its architecture and damaged carvings can still be appreciated from the ruins