Anantashayana Vishnu from Phnomrung, Thailand

Anantashayana Vishnu from Phnomrung, Thailand

Durga Temple, Aihole

Durga Temple, Aihole
Dated: ~7th century CE
The Durga temple is an example of southern (Dravidian) architectural type, with a later northern type superstructure imposed upon it-an incongruity apparent from the fact that the superstructure is a square structure clumsily fitted over an apsidal cella. The temple stands on a high moulded upapitha (sub-base), apsidal on plan and carrying a peripheral row of columns on its edge that surround the moulded adhishthana and walls of an ...apsidal vimana and its front mandapa. Thus the colonnade forms a covered circumambulatory with a sloping roof. The open mandapa is continued forward on a base of smaller width. The peripheral pillars of the front mandapa and those at the forward end of the circumambulatory have large statuary on them. The adhishthana inside is again apsidal, moulded with all the components, and carries the apsidal wall enclosing the inner apsidal wall of the cella or garbha-griha and a closed maha-mandapa in front of it, with two linear rows of four columns in each row that divide it into a central nave and lateral aisles.

The central nave has a higher flat roof raised over a sort of clerestory in front of the cella-entrance, and two lateral aisles have sloping roofs, at a lesser height than the central roof. The aisles of the maha-mandapa are continuous on either side, with a closed inner circumambulatory between the inner or outer walls of the cella, which again has a sloping roof. The adhishthana of the apse is projected forward into the porch like front mandapa of a lesser width with four pillars in two rows. The reliefs on the adhishthana and outer wall are cantoned by pilasters and enclose niches which are framed by shrine-fronts of all the patterns of northern and southern vimanas, kuta, sala, panjara, udgama, etc., and contain bold sculpture. The four recesses, two each between the three bays on the north and south sides and two more between the three bays round the apse-end, are provided with perforated windows. Over the inner wall of the cella perhaps rose the original apsidal griva and sikhara, as in the temples at Ter and Chejarla either with a wholly-solid core or supported by props inside.
The advanced features of the temple, the variety of evolved shrine-fronts displayed in its niches, the style of its sculpture, its diverse corbel-forms and the existence in it of a chute, water-spout and the gargoyle-like pranala-a late feature-would justify placing the temple in the eighth century. This is also indicated by an inscription of Chalukya Vikramaditya II (733-46) on the ruined gopura at the south-eastern part of the enclosing-wall. The name 'Durga' for the temple is misleading, since it was not dedicated to Durga, and is due to the fact that till the earlier part of the last century the temple formed part of a fortification (durga), probably of the Marathas.
 

Ellora cave

Absolutely stunning Ellora cave(cave no. 30) carved out of single rock, Maharashtra
Dated: ~8th century CE
Kailasa temple, Ellora
The greatest wonder of rock-cu...t in the world. One of the wonders of the world on account of their huge dimensions and elaborate carvings. The grandest of them, the Hindu temple Kailasa (Shiva’s paradise) at Ellora, in south-central India , ingeniously used the mountain itself to make the effigy of a divine mountain.
Ellora, where an entire mountain has literally been scooped out over several years by patient devoted artists and architectural geniuses, who envisioned and "extracted" Lord Shiva's Mount Kailasha temple inside that enormous rock dome. Ellora's Kailasantha cave temple remains one of the true "wonders" of the world of art and a unique monument to Hindu devotion. Captain Philip Meadows Taylor (1808-1876) author, says: "the carving on some of the pillars, and of the lintels and architraves of the doors, is quite beyond description. No chased work in silver or gold could possibly be finer. But what tools this very hard, tough stone could have done wrought and polished as it is, is not at all intelligible at the present day."
Photo Credit: Venerebilis Opus
 

PALITANA JAIN TEMPLES

PALITANA JAIN TEMPLES ...THE ANCIENT JEWEL CALLED PADLIPTAPUR.
Also called ...Siddha Kshetra Shri Shatrunjaya Teerth is si...tuated on a hill, which is decorated by 3500 temples. Nagarjuna founded Palitana, which derives its name from Guru Padalipta or politta on the top of the hill 873 temples were built of white marble, the work beginning in the 11th century and continuing for 900 long' years. However, destroyed by the Muslim invasions in 14th and 15th centuries, the temples were built anew in 1500.

This tirth is known as the eternal tirth. The ancient name of the city of Palitana was Padliptapur. In olden times this mountain was also called Pundarikgiri.
Notable among the temples are Adinath, Kumarpal, Sampriti Raj, Bimal Shah. The holiest temple among the cluster, according to the Jain pilgrims, is the temple of Adishwar, the first Jain Tirthankar. It is also the most beautifully wrought. The marble image of the deity is bedecked with gold ornaments studded with precious jewels. The largest temple built in 1618 is that of 4-faced Adinath, the first Tirthankara.
This mountain has 3800 steps. On it, there are 700 temples with summits. 7000 idols are installed in them. The artistry and sculpture of these temples aptly illustrate the ancient art.

In this temple complex, beautiful standing idols of Yudhishthir, Bheem and Arjun are also installed in V.S. 2025, these three Pandavas attained salvation from here
 

NATARAJA TEMPLE OF CHIDAMBARAM

NATARAJA TEMPLE OF CHIDAMBARAM .. !! Natarajar Temple at Chidambaram is living testimony of ancient “Advanced astrological an...d geological knowledge” of Hindus surpassing to anything contemporary.

STUNNING FEATURES OF ARCHITECTURAL EXCELLENCY:
The place where temple located is the center point of world’s magnetic equator.
Three of the five Panchaboothasthala temples, those at Kalahasti, Kanchipuram and Chidambaram all stand on a straight line exactly at 79 degree 41 minutes East longitude -truly an engineering, astrological and geographical wonder. Of the other two temples, Tiruvanaikkaval is located at around 3 degrees to the south and exactly 1 degree to the west of the northern tip of this divine axis, while Tiruvannamalai is around midway (1.5 degree to the south and 0.5 degree to the west).
The 9 gateways signify the 9 orifices in the human body.
The Chitsabai or Ponnambalam, the sanctum sanctorum represents the heart which is reached by a flight of 5 stairs called the Panchaatchara padi – pancha meaning 5, achhara – indestructible syllables – “SI VA YA NA MA”, from a raised anterior dias – the Kanakasabai. The access to the Sabhai is through the sides of the stage (and not from the front as in most temples). The Chit sabha roof is supported by four pillars symbolic of the four Vedas .

The Ponnambalam or the Sanctum sanctorum is held by 28 pillars – representing the 28 agama s or set methodologies for the worship of Shiva. The roof is held by a set of 64 beams representing the 64 forms of art and is held by several cross-beams representing the innumerable blood vessels. The roof has been laid by 21,600 golden tiles with the word SIVAYANAMA inscribed on them representing 21600 breaths. The golden tiles are fixed using 72,000 golden nails which represents the no. of nadis exists in human body. The roof is topped by a set of 9 sacred pots or kalasas, representing the 9 forms of energy. The arthamandapa (sanctum) has six pillars denoting the six shastras (holy texts).
The hall next to the artha mantapa has eighteen pillars symbolizing the eighteen Puranas .
Sri Nataraj Mandir at Satara is a replica of this temple.

Rock hewn cave temples of Pitalkhora, Maharahtra

Rock hewn cave temples of Pitalkhora, Maharahtra
Dated: ~3rd century BCE or older
 

Shwezigon Pagoda, Myanmar

Shwezigon Pagoda, Myanmar
Dated: ~12th century
According to legends location of the pagoda was chosen by Bagan king’s white elephant carrying a Buddhas tooth r...elic donated by King of Sri Lanka (Ceylon). The shimmering gold gilded Swezigon stupa is made of sandstone and covered with layers of leaf gold. It is perhaps the most beautiful monument in Bagan.