Mansoor Rock cut Temples.

Mansoor Rock cut Temples.
Undeservedly little known wonder of Himalayas is an amazing temple complex - Masroor Temples. Surprisingly little is known about these unique structures, hewn more than 1,000 years ago in live rock.
Himalayan pyramids
Sometimes in the 8th or 9th century - but most likely in the second half of the 8th century - one of the characteristic sandstone ridges in Kangri valley was reshaped in a miraculous way.
Unknown sculptors cleaved away the sandstone revealing 15 (earlier sources mention 19) steep-sided pyramids - sikharas, covered with intricate stone carvings.
Thanks to the favourable local topography - steep rock ridge - Masroor Temples rise above the surrounding landscape like ordinary structures. From the temple complex opens a fine view on Dhauladhar ranges and the Beas valley.
In the front of this group of pyramids was hewn almost 50 m long, rectangular water tank - gan. This is important part of this architectonic complex, almost always filled with water and mirroring the amazing temple complex.
Pioneer of Nagara architecture style?
Such free standing structures cut from live stone are rare in India (and in the whole world) and are unique in Himalaya. The only two other comparable (but less impressive) examples of such type of rock cut temples in the northern part of India are Dharmanath temple near Dhamnar in Rajasthan and Thal temple in Uttar Pradesh.
Art historicians have identified that sculptures in the Masroor temples have been shaped in late Gupta style, most likely in the second half of the 8th century. There are not known inscriptions in the temple and no written accounts about this temple - thus it is rather a guess.
The design and planning of the temples represents an early (possibly - the earliest) example of Nagara style in architecture. This is very important style in Hindu temple architecture, with characteristic beehive formed towers.
All temples are (or were) covered with intricate stone carvings of high quality but the most elaborate carvings adorn Thakurdwara.
The entrance in this central temple is facing east. Entrance part has four massive columns. Further entrance in the main shrine - garb-griha - leads through especially ornate stone door. Inside the shrine are black stone images of Lord Rama, Sita and Laxmana. In the centre though stands a figure of Shiva.
Art historicians consider that initially this temple was dedicated to Mahadeva (Shiva) and after an ancient earthquake was reshaped into a shrine of Rama.
European discovery of temples
Local people in Kangri Valley, of course, knew about these amazing structures but only in 1875 Europeans learned about them as well. Few Europeans managed to visit this remote corner of India - only in 1913 H.L.Shuttleworth noted that these pyramidal temples are hewn out of a live rock. The first more or less thorough description of these temples was published only 1915 by H. Hargreaves.
Destruction by nature
Kangra valley experienced an extremely powerful earthquake in 1905. Wonderful Masroor Temples suffered heavily and partly turned into ruins. Debris of the temples still lies around them.
Slower but not less destructive has been erosion by weather and vegetation. Step by step the wonderful carvings have eroded, leaving a boring, flat surface.
Conservation and religion
Already in 1914 temples became a national monument and now it is considered to include them in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Heritage institutions have done much to preserve and renew this amazing structure.
Unfortunately there is a divide between cultural heritage protection institutions and local people regarding the access to the temple. Local people would love to use this amazing structure as intended - as Hindu temple, but heritage institutions need to rise the cash and are charging the ticket price from everyone. Only two days per year - in the important festivities of Ram Navami and Janamashtmi - local people can access the temple for free.
Nowadays the temples can be reached by a car but this area nevertheless is remote and rather little visited.
wondermondo.com

Orchha Town

Orchha Town, enchanting village like out of a fairy tale.
Orchha is a place nothing short of a fairyland. It appears to have lost track of time and remains an evergreen glorious capital of the Bundela Rajput kings. Orchha is a small town in the district of Tikamgarh in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Orchha means 'hidden' in the local Bundelkhandi language. The terminology is appropriate during the rule of the Bundelas as it was covered all around by thick forests. Today's Orchha reflects the old glory and magnificence of the powerful Bundelas.
Orchha is known as a tourist hub and is considered one of the best places to visit in Madhya Pradesh. Orchha lies on the banks of the River Betwa and is 80 km from Tikamgarh which lies in the extreme north of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. The historic city of Jhansi is around 15 km from Orchha. Some other major cities and towns surrounding Orchha are Baragaon, Khailar, Simra, Barwa Saga, Bijoli, Hansari Gird and Pirthipur. Placed quaintly in the countryside of Bundelkhand, this cozy little town is also blessed with appalling natural beauty.
The magnificent forts, royal palaces, enchanting temples and the chhatris symbolize the grandeur of Orchha. Besides, you also get to see the world renowned mural paintings of Orchha.
The remains from historic periods still exist around the town lending a heavy feel to the atmosphere laden with an acute heritage feel. The splendor of the bygone gone era beckons tourists to visit and soak in the charm of the place. The town has deep roots embedded in the medieval times. Earlier it was famous as an erstwhile princely state.
The legendary chieftain named Bundela Rudra Pratap Singh founded Orchha in the 16th century. Since then the town has witnessed many battles and conflicts. Raja Jujhar Singh was a monarch of Orchha who fought against the Mughal emperor Shah Jehan in the 17th century. This war had disastrous consequences which resulted in the Mughal army taking over the princely state and causing huge destruction of temples and other monuments between 1635 A.D and 1641 A.D.
Interesting to note is the fact that this is the only place in the region not to have succumbed to the power of the Marathas. Tehri, today known as Tikamgarh was the capital of Orchha. Maharaja Hamir Singh was another famous king who ruled from 1848 to 1874. Later his successor Maharaja Pratap Singh ascended the throne in the year 1874 AD. They worked hard for the development of the kingdom and improved the irrigation facilities and state's infrastructure. Orchha was a prosperous and powerful dominion during their reign. Their descendant Vir Singh finally merged Orchha with the Union of India on 1st January 1950.
Geography
Orchha lies between two globally acclaimed tourist destinations of Agra and Khajuraho. Orchha sits handsomely on the coordinates 25.35° N and 78.64° E. This small town is at an elevation of 231 meters above sea level and lies on the banks of the serene Betwa River. The city of Jhansi is around 16 km away from Orchha.
The climate of Orchha is a hot temperate type with very low humidity. The summers are extremely hot while the winters are freezing cold. Summer arrives in March and ends in June. The monsoons arrive in July, but rainfall is scanty. Winter arrives in December and lasts till February when the temperature dips below the 9°C mark.
The best time to visit Orchha is from October to March, when the climate is pleasant and one can roam around the town with relative ease visiting the important monuments and temples.
This little town is not much populated compared to other cities and towns of Madhya Pradesh. People here are mostly Hindus, but one can also see other religions as well. The total area of Orchha is 5048.00 square kilometers and the population stands at around 1 million inhabitants.
The literacy rate is substandard compared to the nation literacy state. Only around 54% of the population are literate with males making up most of it.
The males contributes 64% of the literate individuals while females number only 42%. Around 18% of the population is under 6 years.
Various languages are spoken by the people of Orchha. Most of the population here speaks Hindi followed by Gujarati, Marathi and English.
Orchha is famous for being primarily a tourist destination and when one enters the town, they can definitely feel as the reasons why the town is famous for tourism. Once it was the capital of the mighty Bundela dynasty, which is why you can see plenty of structures that have architectural genius scripted all over along with a unique built heritage. One can relish the historical sites as well as the natural beauty that the place has been blessed with. You can have a glimpse of the rich forts, grand palaces and graceful monuments that stand witness to Orchha's glorious past.
Touring Orchha provides travelers the opportunity to soak in religious, adventurous and peaceful activities that make their day. One can explore the fine architecture of the palaces here or explore the various activities available by Orchha.
The culture of Orchha reflects the era of the Bundelkhand kings. The culture is captivating and very rich in texture. The locals here still follow the customs that was practiced during the Bundela rule. The festivals celebrated here are the same as other places in Madhya Pradesh. Dussehra, Ram Navami and Diwali are the major festivals here. On Ram Navami the temples are decorated with coloured paper, lights and flowers. Cultural programs are held during Dussehra and the burning of Ravana effigies takes place.
The main language spoken by the locals is Hindi. Marathi and Gujarati are other languages that are also spoken. English is spoken only by the educated people. Bundelkhandi is another language that is spoken by a particular section of people.
mapsofindia.com

Mysterious Kailash Temple of Ellora.The Kailash (कैलाश, Kailasa, Kailasha, Kailasanatha) temple Part 2

Divinity of Kailash Temple
Many Shiv Bhakts wanted to stay nearby abode of Shiv so that they can have darshan of Bhagwan and keep themselves immersed in the Shiv dhyan. To fulfill their wish, the Kailash (Kailasa) temple was built as a massive Hindu temple that symbolizes Mount Kailash, the home of Bhagwan Shiv.
Elephant is considered as an auspicious animal in Hinduism. Elephants are protectors and dwarpals of many Hindu temples, they protect pride and opulence of Hinduism thereby representing both these traits themselves. Indra, king of all devtas, rides on Airavat, white elephant. Elephants are part of religious ceremonies and functions of Devtas and therefore Hindus follow them even today in some parts of Bharat. Similarly, there are elephants guarding the entire place within Kailash temple. There are real size statues of elephants in and around the temple. An image of the sacred bull Nandi paying obeisance to Bhagwan Shiv is in the center of the temple. Like other Hindu temples, the Kailasa temple has a Sikhara (spire), but it looks relatively small compared to the whole structure. On top of inside the temple, there is a ring or flower carvings on the ceiling of the central room.
The Kailasa Temple is crown and part of the Ellora cave group. It is build at number 16th cave among total of 34 caves. The Ellora caves are not natural caves that is built by nature out of wear tear of seasons and movement of earth, but spiritual dwellings excavated manually by Hindus out of the face of a cliff. Though there are no specific dates according to some experts, these caves are generally thought to have been created between the fifth and tenth centuries AD. But they also put disclaimer to their claim cautiously that there was no technology available to actually carve such a mammoth rock so it is highly possible that the carving was initially done thousands of years back and later some developments occurred during fifth to tenth centuries AD. However, if such a mammoth task of construction is carried over from generations to generations then why there is no script or royal blueprint available with them so that the information can be passed to future generations. There is no single document available with the history excavators that can correctly assess the date of the construction of Kailash temple. This further adds to the incredibility of the divine structure. Were servants of Bhagwan himself involved in construction of temple ? Only divine construction have no date and time.
They compare with the construction methods of other civilizations to find some solutions. Many of these structures worldwide have been re-worked throughout history. Comparing with the construction of the sphinx in Egypt. Its pharaoh head seems too small for its body. Some people think that the sphinx was built long before the pharaohs lived and that the head was just re-carved later. So pharaoh wanted to make himself immortal by adding own figurine to the already ancient structure. That was also the reason that the structure were respected and taken care of. Even today, world over, so many countries upkeep world heritage sites to generate revenue from tourism and gratitude towards their culture is secondary.
But again here the comparison falters as no Indian kings were so selfish to keep their names alive otherwise the inscriptions would have bored their names and dates of revamping the structure.
What Makes Kailash Temple Unique In The World
The range of Ellora caves house Hindu, Buddhist as well as Jain temples. According to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, it is replica or one of the paths to reach possible locations of Mt Meru or Sumeru, which is the center of the universe. Hinduism is the oldest dharma of all – carved images of Hindu deities and Bhagwan were found in many temples across the world – carbon dating found them to be 100000’s of years old. Jainism emerged from Hinduism and is ancient than Buddhism. Jains were the first to adopt Hindu architectural method of building temples as a symbolic representation of the mountain.
Couldn’t Jains, or even Hindu people before them, have carved the basic Ellora caves, in times immemorial? But one thing is for sure, the divinity attracted Jains and Buddhists and that is why when their religions evolved from Hinduism they started developmental work to give importance to their religious symbols and figurines. There are many Hindu places where Buddhists and Jains give respect to the importance and history of Sanatan dharma. They also pay gratitude to Mount Kailash of the Himalay. That is the reason, Kailash temple is one of the harmonious place of religious unity. There is no ancient complex anywhere in the world which houses temples of three different ways of leading life.
Another interesting facts about the unique construction of Kailash temple is the digging of holes that cannot be done by human beings of even height of 3 feet. The way holes are dug it shows someone very small can carve it in as normal human being cannot enter and dig such holes. Such narrow holes can only be drilled if we are using hi-tech computer controlled machines. There are numerous shafts, holes and narrow lanes which cannot be made by humans. It is possible that they are created using waters mixed with some secret chemicals but then how can so uniformly it withstand the perpendicular wall, how the flow was controlled in the floors, if entrance of humans are not possible to stop at other side then how it was halted on other side, why it does not surpassed from other side, as the solution could had caused problem in maintaining symmetricity. Neither hi-tech tools, nor chemical were used so does Patalwasis (smaller humans of Patal Lok) crossed the dimension and helped in construction of Great Kailash temple and its perimeter.
There is also a view that the entire structure that is visible is part of a larger arrangement of caves that houses more smaller temples and sub-structures which represent solar system, the galaxies and Universe. The structure being the center of Universe. The view emerged from the fact that the numbering of 34 caves is not in the clockwise or chronological order. Though the structure is part of Vedic design, there are some elements which are missing. No structure of this enormity can be left at half stage without completion of the sacred symbols that resemble solar system. Definitely the entire complex represent a massive design that is controlled by Bhagwan himself. It is peculiar to the integration of reality and illusion, the harmonious amalgamation of Mayic and Satya which is usually not represented at one place. Thereby signifying the truth that we all are bound by Mayic and Satya throughout our births and deaths. While Bhagwan Shiv is above and beyond all these elements. So what we see today is revealed only to the extent we have unearthed the truth ? Is there something which are missing though it is right in front of our eyes.
Fascinating Stats of Kailash Temple Complex In Ajanta Ellora
Based on Archaeological Survey of India, ASI’s information, stunning Architectural feats.
The rear wall of its excavated courtyard has length of 276 feet (84 m), breadth of 154 feet (47 m) and height of 100 ft (33 m) high.
The temple is built carving a big rock of 164 feet (50 m) deep, 109 feet (33 m) wide, and 98 feet (30 m) high.
Largest cantilevered rock ceiling in the world.
Located at 99-km from Sambhaji Nagar (aurangabad), Maharashtra. The entire complex of Ajanta encompasses 29 rock-cut rooms.
It is assumed by some experts that the entire complex and temple structure might be created between 200 BC and AD 650 only using rudimentary hand tools.
Four are Chaityas (temples) and Most others are Viharas (living quarters).
The carving was done from top to down digging a single basalt cliff rock.
Work happened only 16 hours a day. The reflection of sun rays from mirrors were used as there was no electricity in ancient period. However, there are so many inner parts of the structure where even sun rays cannot reach even using multi-layered mirror arrangement so delicately carving intricate designs in such places is done using yogic eyes.
During Satyug, average height of people were 32 feet and their lifespan was lakhs of years with wishful death for Yogis. It is highly possible that the major carving of digging deep the entire mountain were done by these pious and strong people.
s It Possible to Replicate the Divine Feat by Humans Today
Today building a massive structure like Kailash temple would require pre-design and 3D conceptions using latest CAD softwares and high-tech computers. Imagining how the structure will look at which area we should have distance properly maintained to start carving, where we should pause, which side we should start building entrace, how the internal design be formed. There are hundreds of questions which require answers and only getting resolutions around these queries alone would require several months of hundreds of dedicated designs, 3D graphic artistes and designers who have knowledge of construction and civil work.
Most important of all we need an architect who is perfectionist having in-depth knowledge of Vastu, Vedic science of construction and mantras. Even one single mistake would mean abandoning the entire rock and searching for the new mountain. Administering thousands of labors to slice the rock and carve it with so much perfection need an able leader and astute decision maker who has complete design in mind with exemplary intricate details, before materializing it in real.
The precision with which the sculpts can be cut is still not invented by engineers in the world today. So we will need manual labors to minutely carve the temple. It will require at least 10,000 skilled workers to carry out the digging, carving, sculpting and materializing the entire structure as envisioned. The total duration required to complete the task cannot be estimated because till date in modern times, no single mid-size rock is cut to create a temple.
It is very difficult to meet such Hindu Sages who can strongly interact with ancient Gurus and ask for the process to replicate the feat. There are Sages in Himalayas and forests in India who can help the builders. But these Sages use physical body (human form) to undertake penance and elevate their soul to next level and meet Bhagwan himself. They are above all senses including the one to recreate a mammoth structure.
Repeating such a feat even by using modern technology is almost impossible but ancient Hindu Sages made it possible simply with their spiritual powers, astute direction to skilled and dedicated workers with endless divine blessings of Bhagwan.
haribhakt.com

Mysterious Kailash Temple of Ellora.The Kailash (कैलाश, Kailasa, Kailasha, Kailasanatha) temple Part 1

A true masterpiece of Hindu architecture, and pride of India.
Part One.  

Sunning Facts About Mysterious Kailash Temple of Ellora.
The Kailash (कैलाश, Kailasa, Kailasha, Kailasanatha) temple is the unmatched structure in the world situated in Ellora. This is designed to recall Mount Kailash, the abode of Bhagwan Shiv – stands tall, enclosed within a big manmade crater, surrounded by rock. It is world’s oldest single rock carved, multi-storeyed temple complex. West archaeologists were awestruck and compared to notice that it is double the size of Parthenon in Athens. After being closely monitored, several experts also found that initially the temple was entirely covered with white plaster to increasingly resemble the snow covered Mount Kailash.
What Makes Kailash Temple The Most Divine Single Rock Structure of The World
Actual Date of Kailash Temple Construction Still Unknown
The fascinating fact is, almost nothing is known about the origins, constructors and builders of Kailash temple, there are no dates neither, any trace or inscriptions to describe the construction to be known to the world on the overall process and entire purpose of construction. This indicates that the carving dates back to hundreds of years – other experts put it thousands of years old and later some developments and changes were made by Buddhist and Jainese monks – thereby involvement of several generations of Hindu kings and later also followers of new religions when some of the Hindu kings got inclined towards some aspects of Buddhism and Jainism. The inscriptions are very old, most of them got diminished as hundreds of years passed by. Deciphering and reading inscriptions is almost impossible. Only a pious Hindu Sage can reassess the entire past of construction, if he has yogic powers to telepathically interact wtih the timescale and Sages of that time. Recently, Rashtrakuta king (756-773) undertook some of the renovation in terms of cleaning and upkeep of the divine structure.
How the Construction of Kailash Temple was Done
It seems a Mahayagya was performed for the rock. There is Vedic tradition of asking permission from the rock, ground, water whenever a path is carved through the mountain, earth or river respectively. After humbly taking permission through proper Vedic rituals, the construction process starts. Chanting Vedic mantras the rock was energized, sanctified then taking permission from god and remembering Vishwakarma, the mammoth task was taken to carve the rock. Even while carving it seems that methodical Vedic principles were followed because even to this day when you chant Mantras within the temple, the sound resonates, vibrates and echoes in a peculiar manner making you feel slowly connected to a Vedic cosmos, which cannot be felt anywhere in the world. The enormity of the temple conveys the endless creation of infinite Universe that Bhagwan created for us before de-manifesting it again to maintain cycle of creation to destruction.
Devotee gets energized and feel invocation of immense power flowing through the body. The way sound moves inside temples, speaking to pillars, carved statues, it shows the inner design was suggested by a Sage when he telepathically conversed with ancient and pious Sages of Bharat. The perfection with which each stone is carved gives meaning to Sacred Symbols of Hinduism. In Hinduism, there are several scared symbols which are gateways to connect with the Bhagwan. The realization of those sacred symbols in the form of divine Kailash temple can only be done under presence and blessings of Hindu Sages and Gurus.
The construction is so pious and strong that several attempts by terrorist aurangzeb and his islamic followers to break the temple pillars and cause denigration to the divine structure only led to further decimation of mughal invasion. And very minor damage was done to some of the elephants present in the huge structure.
Sculpting The Entire Rock to Realize Divine Imagination Into Massive Kailash Temple
The Kailash temple is not built. All is cut and carved from one gigantic piece of rock, hewn out of the Charanandri hills of the Sahyadri range of the Deccan Plateau at a village, which once was called Elapura, (later renamed as Ellora by british), 30 km northwest of Sambhajinagar (aurangabad). The Kailash temple was cut from the top down in a U-shape form, about 50 Meters deep in the back and sliding to lower levels on the sides to the front where there is an entry gate. From where the cutting was started is not known, definitely it could be from the Ganesh Dwar (every Hindu temple has a place that is dedicated to Bhagwan Ganesh, Son of Bhagwan Shiv), but later were the de-pilings done simultaneously or step by step – nothing is clear even after deep research conducted by several experts.
fter deeply analyzing the amount of man-hours and efforts involved, experts summarized that the scale at which the work was undertaken is enormous. It covers twice the area of the Parthenon in Athens and is 1.5 times high (and bigger than all ancient temples of the world), and it entailed removing 200,000 tonnes of rock. It is believed to have taken 7,000 labourers and 150 years to complete the project.
Practically speaking with modern technology, given the space and plan around the Kailash temple, it is almost impossible to implement Ten 10-ton JCB machines to remove the rock pieces, as movement of each machine would require space and such huge machines can muffle up lot of space around them, their function is very complicated and when the ground is hollow the machine cannot operate and pose problem in itself.
Hypothetically, If the scale of work was carried today, it would have required at least 10 largest ever 10-ton JCB machines to excavate the pieces of rock of 20,000 tonnes by each machine. Each machine is able to excavate 100 tons of rock pieces in phased manner so even removal of 1000 tonnes each day would have taken more than 6 months i.e. 200 days of continous work !
The Divinity of Kailash Temple
Many Shiv Bhakts wanted to stay nearby abode of Shiv so that they can have darshan of Bhagwan and keep themselves immersed in the Shiv dhyan. To fulfill their wish, the Kailash (Kailasa) temple was built as a massive Hindu temple that symbolizes Mount Kailash, the home of Bhagwan Shiv.
 

South India Temples and culture tour videos

Great Chola Empire whose descendent build Angkor Wat temple

Lost Temples of India

How navigation was done looking at starts-

Lost Temples of India-