Very ancient Shankaracharya Temple, SriNagar

Very ancient Shankaracharya Temple, SriNagar
The temple was originally built by Sandiman, who reigned in Kashmir from 2629 to 2564 BC. It was repaired by King G...opaditya (426 – 365 BC) and by King Lalitaditya (697–734).
The temple is located on the summit of the same name, and is overlooking the town of Srinagar. The temple was visited by the Adishankaracharya and has ever since been associated with him. Furthermore, it is regarded as being sacred by Buddhists, who call the mandir "Pas-Pahar."
 

Garuda garden vase in Merdeka Square, Central Jakarta(Indonesia

Amazing Garuda decorative garden vase in Merdeka Square, Central Jakarta(Indonesia)
 

Prasat Mai Pattaya, Thailand

Ornate Interior of Prasat Mai(ปราสาทสัจธรรม)
temple construction in Pattaya, Thailand.
The style of the Sanctuary evokes
Ancient Hindu Khmer architecture, disp...laying hand-carved wooden sculptures indicative of the imperial setting
at Angkor. It has four gopura, respectively representing images from the Buddhist and Hindu cultures and mythologies of Cambodia, China, India and Thailand. According to the official website, its purpose is to use art and culture as "a reflection of the Ancient Vision of Earth, Ancient Knowledge, and Eastern Philosophy. Within this complex, visitors will understand Ancient Life, Human Responsibility, Basic Thought, Cycle of living, Life Relationship with Universe and Common Goal of Life toward Utopia".
 

Surya Kund at Sun Temple

Exquisite Surya Kund at Sun Temple[Built: 1026CE], Modhera
The Suryakund is a finest example of geometry. The organization of stone into composition gives shape... to a dazzling pattern of art. This Suryakunda, also known as Ramakunda, is a large rectangular stepped tank measuring 53.6 x 36.6 meters under the east face of sabhamandap used to store purewater. Devotees were required to perform ceremonial ablutions here before worshiping the Sun God.
It is proportioned with innumerable stone steps leading devotees down to its base. 108 miniature shrines are carved in between the steps inside the tank. Also number 108 considered to be auspicious by Hindus as Hindu rosary has same number of beads.
Reservoir deities
There are four terraces to descend to reach the bottom of the tank. Small pyramid-shaped steps are for each terrace. God and Goddess depicted in immortalized stone unfold the sculpture wealth: Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesh, Lord Natraj, Sitlamata's presence a marvel.
The temple was finally destroyed and burned by Fanatic Alauddin Khilaji in 14th century.
 

Ancient Nalanda University

Ruins of Ancient Nalanda University: Glory of ancient Bharat
The complex was built with red bricks and its ruins occupy an area of 14 hectares. At its peak, the... university attracted scholars and students from as far away as Tibet , China ,
Greece , and Persia. Nalanda was ransacked and destroyed by Turkic Muslim invaders under Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1193. The great library of Nalanda University was so vast that it is reported to have burned for 6 months after the invaders set fire to it, ransacked and destroyed the monasteries, and drove the monks from the site.
In 1193, the Nalanda University was sacked by the fanatic Bakhtiyar Khilji , a Turk. The Persian historian Minhaj-i-Siraj , in his chronicle the Tabaqat-I-Nasiri, reported that thousands of monks were burned alive and thousands beheaded as Khilji tried his best to uproot Buddhism and plant Islam by the sword the burning of the library continued for several months and "smoke from the burning manuscripts hung for days like a dark pall over the low hills."
In the 7th century, Xuanzang records the number of teachers at Nālandā as being around 1510. Of these, approximately 1000 were able to explain 20 collections of sūtras and śāstras, 500 were able to explain 30 collections, and only 10 teachers were able to explain 50 collections. Xuanzang was among thefew who were able to explain 50 collections or more. At this time, only the abbot Śīlabhadra had studied all the major collections of sūtras and śāstras at Nālandā.
The library of Nalanda, known as Dharma Gunj (Mountain of Truth) or Dharmagañja (Treasury of Truth), was the most renowned repository of Hindu-Buddhist knowledge in the world at the time. Its collection was said to comprise hundreds of thousands of volumes, so extensive that it burned for approximately more than 6 months when set aflame by Turkish invaders. The library had three main buildings as high as nine stories tall,
Ratnasagara (Sea of Jewels), Ratnodadhi (Ocean of Jewels), and Ratnarañjaka (Delighter of Jewels).
 

Ahilya Fort

Stunning 18th century Ahilya Fort and Temple palace on the bank of Narmada river, Built by Philosopher queen Ahilyabai
Know more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahilyabai_Holkar
 

Vidyashankar Temple, Sringeri

Vidyashankar Temple, Sringeri
Built: 1342 CE
The temple can be regarded as the epitome of ancient astronomical engineering prevalent in Bharat. The main temple ...hall features 12 pillars designated for the 12 signs of the zodiac. Windows and doors along the temple walls are arranged such that equinoxes sunrise views reach the deity. The twelve pillars in the Vidyashankar temple are popularly known as Rashistambhas (zodiacal pillars). Symbols of the twelve divisions of the zodiac are engraved on these pillars. The temple is an architectural marvel. Among the many delicate carvings, lions that are engraved in biped positions on the pillars may be mentioned. There are stone balls inside the growling faces of the lions and they can be moved inside their mouths. It is said that the design of the pillars involved certain astronomical concepts. For example, the first rays of the rising sun fall on specific pillars with the zodiacal symbol on the pillar corresponding to the position of the sun.

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