Kumbhalgarh Fort Rajasthan,India

Kumbhalgarh Fort
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Kumbhalgarh Fort is a Mewar fortress in the Rajsamand District of Rajasthan state in western India.The Kumbhalgarh was built and ruled by Kumbha and his dynasty who were Sisodia rajputs descendents.

Kumbhalgarh in its present form was developed by, and said to be personally designed by, Rana Kumbha. Rana Kumbha's kingdom of Mewar stretched from Ranthambore to Gwalior and included large tracts of erstwhile Madhya Pradesh as well as Rajasthan. Out of the 84 forts in his dominion, Rana Kumbha is said to have designed 32 of them, of which Kumbhalgarh is the largest and most elaborate.

Kumbhalgarh also separated Mewar and Marwar from each other and was used as a place of refuge for the rulers of Mewar at times of danger. A notable instance was in the case of Prince Udai, the infant king of Mewar who was smuggled here in 1535, when Chittaur was under siege. Prince Udai who later succeeded to the throne was also the founder of the Udaipur City. The fort remained impregnable to direct assault, and fell only once, due to a shortage of drinking water, to the combined forces of Mughal Emperor Akbar, Raja Man Singh of Amber, Raja Udai Singh of Marwar, and the Mirzas in Gujarat.

Architectures of Rajput-Shekhavat Kings

Chatri/chatar- Ramgarh Sehawati
Haveli Malji Ka Kamra Churu SHEKHAWATI Jabalpur,MP ,INDIA
 

Rani Ki Vav, Patan(Gujrat)India

Exquisite sculptures from Rani Ki Vav, Patan(Gujrat)
Dated: ~11th century CE
Rani-ki-Vav, a magnificent step well, at Patan is said to been constructed by Queen Udayamati wife of King Bhimadeva I (A.D. 1022-1063). This is the highest watermark of Solanki architecture. It is 64 m long and 20 m wide. It was originally constructed of seven stories of which only five are now preserved. The shaft of this step well is 27 m deep. The step is oriented in east-west directions. The ste...p well has long stepped corridor descending down to the underground tank, it is having four compartmental multi-storeyed pillared pavilions with circular draw well at rear end. The corridor walls, pillared pavilions and inner side of well are embellished with fine sculptures. Nearly 400 sculptures have survived out of the original estimated 800 sculptures, which comprise of Hindu gods and goddesses, apsaras and miscellaneous themes.

The central theme is the Dasavataras, or ten incarnations of Vishnu, including Buddha. The avatars are accompanied by sadhus, brahmins, and apsaras (celestial dancers), painting their lips and adorning themselves. At water level you come to a carving of Sheshashayi-Vishnu, in which Vishnu reclines on the thousand-hooded serpent Shesha, where it is said he rests in the infinity between ages. The steps begin at ground level, leading down through the cool air through several pillared pavilions to reach the deep well below.

Borobudur is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist monument in Magelang , Central Java , Indonesia .

Borobudur is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist monument in Magelang , Central Java , Indonesia . The monument consists of six square platforms topped by three cir...cular platforms, and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. A main dome, located at the center of the top platform, is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues seated inside a perforated stupa .
Built in the 9th century during thereign of the Sailendra Dynasty , the temple’s design in Gupta architecture reflects India 's influence on the region.

 

Manduk Temple, Lakhimpur Khiri

Manduk Temple, Lakhimpur Khiri
It is the only one of its kind in India based on Manduk Tantra . It was built by the former king of Oel State (Lakhimpur Kheri district) between 1860 and 1870. It is dedicated to Shiva. This temple is built at the back of a large frog. The Temple is constructed within an octagonal lotus. The Shivling installed in the temple was brought from the Banasur Prati Narmdeshwar Narmada Kund . The main gate of the temple opens in the east and another gate is in the south. The architecture of this temple is based on Tantra Vidya.
It is the only one of its kind in India based on Manduk Tantra . It was built by the former king of Oel State (Lakhimpur Kheri district) between 1860 and 1870. ...It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is built at the back of a large frog. The Temple is constructed within an octagonal lotus. The Shivling installed in the temple was brought from the Banasur Prati Narmdeshwar Narmada Kund . The main gate of the temple opens in the east and another gate is in the south. The architecture of this temple is based on Tantra Vidya.
Watch video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjCX7jE8ddU

Kailashnathar temple, Kanchipuram 7 th Century CE

Kailashnathar temple, Kanchipuram
Dated: ~7th century CE
It is of stone built architecture unlike the rock cut architecture built into hallowed caves or carved into rock outcrops as in Mahabalipuram. The tall gopuram (tower) is to the left and the temple complex is to the right. The temple's foundations are made of granite, which could withstand the weight of the temple, while the super structure including the carvings are all made of sandstone.
The temple complex is complet...e in all respects as it has garbagriha (sanctum sanctorum), antarala (inner enclosure), mandapa, a high compound wall, and an entrance gate, the gopuram. The mandapa, which was initially detached, was made part of the main shrine by interposing an ardhamantapa (smaller hall).
The structure has a simple layout with a tower or shikara at the center of the complex. The shikara of the temple, above the main shrine (sanctum sanctorum), is square in plan and rises up in a curvilinear style or pyramidal shape. The tower has many levels rising proportionately. At the top of this tower, there is a small roof in the shape of a dome.

Ancient sculpture of aztec goddess-form of Bhairavi?

Ancient sculpture of aztec goddess Mictecacihuatl
Could it be a form of Bhairavi? We can see both hands in TYPICAL Hindu-Buddhist Mudra.
Known as the Mistress o...f Bones and the Lady of the Dead, she is the Queen of Mictlan, the Aztec Underworld, who still presides over today’s Day of the Dead rituals. Sometimes known now as La Huesuda, she brings peace and joy to the spirits of the deceased, and blesses the living who do honor to those who have passed before them.