EDUCATION WITH ENTERTAINMENT: THE INCREDIBLE INDIA: 90 SPECTACULAR PHOTOS

THE INCREDIBLE INDIA: 90 SPECTACULAR PHOTOS

Bharat or popularly known as India, in simple words is described as Unity in Diversity. India’s cultural tradition dates back to 8,000 BC With its roots based in the Indus Valley Tradition, the Indian culture took a distinctive shape during the 11th century BCE Vedic age which laid the foundation of Hindu philosophy, mythology, literary tradition and beliefs and practices, such as dhárma, kárma, yóga and mokṣa. India is the seventh-largest country so its practically impossible to cover up everything. It has managed to preserve established traditions while absorbing new customs, traditions, and ideas from invaders and immigrants and spreading its cultural influence to other parts of Asia, mainly South East and East Asia.To those who know less about the Incredible nation, Indian architecture is one area that represents the diversity of Indian culture. Much of it, including notable monuments such as the Taj Mahal and other examples of Mughal architecture and South Indian architecture, The Indian film industry is the largest in the world. Many Indian festivals are celebrated irrespective of caste and creed. Some popular festivals are Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi,Durga Puja, Eid ul-Fitr, Bakr-Id, Christmas,Moharram. Indian Music, literature, mythology, Indian Costume /dresses

, Indian cuisine, and sports especially hockey and Cricket. Also check out

SHIVA-MURUDESHWAR, KARNATAKA

CALANGUTE BEACH, GOA

FUSION FESTIVAL STAGE AND ROCKET, GOA

GOLDEN TEMPLE, AMRITSAR

AROUND HARMANDIR SAHIB
A visit to the Harmandir Sahib is incomplete without a visit to the following among others-

1. AKAL TAKHAT

It rightly faces the Harmandir Sahib. Built by the Sixth Master Guru Hargobind (1606-44) in 1609, has been the nerve centre or the Sikhism ever since. All commandments affecting the community as a whole were and are issued from here. The Akal Takhat was used for holding court and Sikh congregations in the days of its builder.

The Akal Takhat was pulled down several times by the Muslim raiders. The ground floor of the present building was constructed in 1 874. Three storeys were subsequently added by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. A number of weapons used by Guru Hargobind, Guru Gobind Singh and other Sikh heroes are preserved at Akal Takhat. In 1984 during Operation Blue Star Akal Takhat was badly damaged by the Indian Army.

2. BABA ATAL

A nine-storeyed tower, built in memory of Atal Rai (D. 1628), a son of Hargobind, is called Baba Atal. Atal Rai died at nine. He was called 'Baba' (an old man) head over young shulders. The tower was built between 1778 and 1784. It is the only of its kind in the city with 108 ft. height.

3. GURU KA LANGAR

A Sikh temple without a Community Kitchen is inconceivable. Cooked food is serviced in the kitchen of the Harmandir Sahib 24 hours to all visitors irrespective of religion, caste, creed and nationality. The expenses are met out of the Temple funds. Approximately 40,000 visitors share the meals everyday presently.

4. SRI GURU RAM DAS NIWAS

The Niwas is a free hostel for the pilgrims maintained by the Temple authorities. It has been built by the Gurdwara Committee. It has 228 rooms and 18 big halls. Unlike the ordinary 'Daramsalas' the Niwas supplies the facilities of free beddings, cots, lights and fans etc. to the lodgers. A lodger is not generally allowed to stay here for more than three days at a time. The doors of the hostels are open to all. The lodgers however must not do anything repugnant to the teachings of Sikhism.

5. GURU NANAK NIWAS

There are 66 Rooms in Guru Nanak Niwas-22 with attached baths and 4-4 without baths, but on each floor there are 10 bath rooms and fen flush latrines so as to make stay comfortable.

6. AKAL REST HOUSE

There is Akal Rest House having 26 rooms with double beds and attached bath rooms are provided on a nominal Rent.

7. GURU HARGOBIND NIWAS

There are 92 double bed rooms with attached bath in addition to four halls. Rooms are available at Rs. 50/- per day.

8. GURU ARJAN DEV NIWAS

An accomodation adjacent to Guru Nanak Niwas with 1 00 rooms coming up.

9. THE SGPC OFFICES

The headquarters of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee are located in the Teja Singh Samundri Hall near the Harmandir Sahib. The Gurdwara Act 1925, transferred the control of the historical Sikh Shrines in the Punjab to the SGPC. It is a representative body of the Sikhs elected by adult franchise.

Among the other objects of interest around the Harmandir Sahib worth mentioning are :

(a) Dukh Bhanjni Ber (Jujube Tree)
(b) Thara Sahib
(c) Ber Baba Budha Ji
(d) Gurdwara llachi Ber
(e) Ath Sath Tirath (Sixty eight holy places condensed into one) &
(f) Gurdwara Shaheed Bunga Baba Deep Singh.

The Harmandir Sahib possesses a fine collection of jewellery and valuable articles of considerable artistic and historical importance. The following deserve a special mention :

(a) GOLDEN DOOR PANELS - There are four pairs of them.

(b) GOLDEN CANOPY - The canopy studded with precious jewels, is an object of exquisite workmanship and great artisitic value.

(c) JEWELLED HEAD-BAND- It is a gift from Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It was prepared for the marriage of the son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, at the time of marriage. The Maharaja presented it to the Harmandir Sahib.

10. CENTRAL SIKH MUSEUM-

Central Sikh Museum has paintings of Sikh Gurus, Saints, Sikh warriors and other prominent Sikh leaders who have in their own way contributed a lot to the enhancement of Sikh Religion.

JAMA MASJID, DELHI

Construction:

The foundation of the historic Jama Masjid aka(Friday Mosque) was laid on a hillock in Shahjahanabad by fifth Mughal Emperor of India, Shahjahan, on Friday, October 19,1650 AD, (10th Shawwal 1060 AH). The mosque was the result of the efforts of over 5,000 workers, over a period of seven years. The cost incurred on the construction in those times was 10 lakh (1 million) Rupees, and it was the same Emperor who also built the Taj Mahal, at Agra and the Red Fort, which stands opposite the Jama Masjid, which was finally ready in 1656 AD (1066 AH), complete with three great gates, four towers and two 40 m-high minarets constructed of strips of red sandstone and white marble.

Shah Jahan built several important mosques in Delhi, Agra, Ajmer and Lahore. The Jama Masjid's floorplan is very similar to the Jama Masjid, Fatehpur Sikri near Agra, but the Jama Masjid in Delhi is the bigger and more imposing of the two. Its [{Badshaqszxccahi Mosque]} of Lahore built by Shah Jahan's son Aurangzeb in 1673 is closely related to the Jama Masjid at Raipur.

Architecture:

The courtyard of the mosque can be reached from the east, north and south by three flights of steps, all built of red sandstone. The northern gate of the mosque has 389 steps. The southern side of the mosque hassteps. The eastern gate of the mosque was the rural entrance and it has 774 steps. These steps used to house food stalls, shops and street entertainers. In the morning , the eastern side of the mosque used to be converted into a bazaar for poultry and birds in general. Prior to the 1857 War of Indian Independence, there was a madrassah near the southern side of the mosque, which was pulled down after the mutiny.

The mosque faces south. Its free sides are covered with open farchiet chrophyll, each having a mhofty tower-like gateway in the centre. The mosque is about 22561 feet (8058m) long and 258258 inch feet (549 m) wide, and its roof is covered with eight domes with repated stripes of purple and white marble, with its lowermost parts covered with loasd. Two lofty minarets, 130 feet (41 m) high, and containing 130 steps, longitudinally striped with white marble and red sandstone, flank the domes on either side. The minarets are divided by three projecting galleries and are surmounted by open twelve-sided domed pavilions. On the back of the mosque, there are four small minarets crowned like those in the front.

Under the domes of the mosque, is a hall with seven arched entrances facing the west and the walls of the mosque, up to the height of the waist, are covered with marble. Beyond this is a prayer hall, which is about 61 meters X 27.5 meters, with eleven arched entrances, of which the centre arch is wide and lofty, and in the form of a massive gateway, with slim minarets in each corner, with the usual octagonal pavilion surmounting it. Over these arched entrances there are tablets of white marble, four feet (1.2 m) long and 2.5 feet (760 mm) wide, inlaid with inscriptions in black marble. These inscriptions give the history of the building of the mosque, and glorify the reign and virtues of Shah Jahan. The slab over the centre arch contains simply the words "The Guide!"

The mosque stands on a platform of about five feet (1.5 m) from the pavement of the terrace, and three flight of steps lead to the interior of the mosque from the east, north, and the south. The floor of the mosque is covered with white and black marble ornamented to imitate the Muslim prayer mat; a thin black marble border is marked for the worshippers, which is three feet long and 1 ½ feet wide. In total there are 899 such spaces marked in the floor of the mosque. The back of the mosque is cased over to the height of the rock on which the mosque stands with large hewn stones.

Terrorism Incidents:

2006 Explosions:-

Main article: 2006 Jama Masjid explosions

On April 14, 2006, two explosions occurred within the Jama Masjid. The first explosion came at around 17:26 and the second some seven minutes later at around 17:33 (IST) . At least thirteen people were injured in the blasts. There were about 1000 people in the mosque at the time of the blasts as the day happened to be Friday, a Muslim holy day, and because it was the first Friday after Milad un Nabi, Islamic prophet Muhammad's birthday. According to official spokesmen, there was no damage to the mosque itself.

2010 Shooting:-

On September 15, 2010, two Taiwanese tourists were injured after gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on a bus parked near gate number three of the mosque

RAJASTHAN, JODHPUR

MOTI MASJID ENTRANCE, RED FORT, DELHI

LAL QILA (RED FORT), DELHI

The Red Fort (Hindi: लाल क़िला, Urdu: لال قلعہ, usually transcribed into English as Lal Qil'ah or Lal Qila) is a 17th century fortcomplex constructed by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the walled city of Old Delhi (in present day Delhi, India) that served as the residence of the Imperial Family of India. It also served as the capital of the Mughals until 1857, when Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar was exiled by the British Indian government. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
Mughal Emperor Shah jahan, started construction of the massive fort in 1638 and work was completed in 1648 (10 years). The Red Fort was originally referred to as "Qila-i-Mubarak" (the blessed fort), because it was the residence of the royal family. The layout of the Red Fort was organised to retain and integrate this site with the Salimgarh Fort. The fortress palace was an important focal point of the medieval city of Shahjahanabad. The planning and aesthetics of the Red Fort represent the zenith of Mughal creativity which prevailed during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan. This Fort has had many developments added on after its construction by Emperor Shahjahan. The significant phases of development were under Aurangzeb and later Mughal rulers. Important physical changes were carried out in the overall settings of the site after the Indian Mutiny in 1857. After Independence, the site experienced a few changes in terms of addition/alteration to the structures. During the British period the Fort was mainly used as a cantonment and even after Independence, a significant part of the Fort remained under the control of the Indian Army until the year 2003. The Red Fort is an attraction for tourists from around the world.
The Red Fort was the palace for Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan's new capital, Shahjahanabad, the seventh city in the Delhi site. He moved his capital here from Agra in a move designed to bring prestige to his reign, and to provide ample opportunity to apply his ambitious building schemes and interests.
The fort lies along the Yamuna River, which fed the moats that surround most of the wall. The wall at its north-eastern corner is adjacent to an older fort, the Salimgarh Fort, a defence built by Islam Shah Suri in 1546.The construction of the Red Fort began in 1638 and was completed by 1648.
The Indian flag flying from Delhi Gate
On 11 March 1783, Sikhs briefly entered Red Fort in Delhi and occupied the Diwan-i-Am. The city was essentially surrendered by the Mughal wazir in cahoots with his Sikh Allies. This task was carried out under the command of Baba Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and SardarBaghel Singh Dhaliwal, who led Karor Singhia misl which comprised Jat Sikhs from present day Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts (some major villages being Chabal, Naushehra Pannuan, Sirhali, Guruwali, Chabba, Sur Singh, Bhikhiwind, Khadur Sahib, Chola Sahib etc.) .
The last Mughal emperor to occupy the fort was Bahadur Shah II "Zafar". Despite being the seat of Mughal power and its defensive capabilities, the Red Fort was not defended during the 1857 uprising against the British. After the failure of the 1857 rebellion, Zafar left the fort on 17 September. He returned to Red Fort as a prisoner of the British. Zafar was tried on in a trial starting on 27 January 1858, and was exiled on 7 October.
.

GOL GUMBAZ, BIJAPUR, KARNATAKA

Gol Gumbad (Kannada: ಗೋಲ ಗುಮ್ಮಟ) (Urdu: گول گمبد)is the mausoleum of Mohammad Adil Shah (1627–55) of the Adil Shahi dynasty of Indian sultans, who ruled the Sultanate of Bijapur from 1490 to 1686.
The tomb, located in the city of Bijapur, or Vijapur in Karnataka, southern India, was built in 1659 by the famous architect, Yaqut of Dabul. The structure consists of a massive square chamber measuring nearly 50 m (160 ft) on each side and covered by a huge dome 44 meters/137.5 feet in diameter making it among one of the largest dome structures in world. The dome is supported on giantsquinches supported by groined pendentives while outside of the building is supported by domed octagonal corner towers. The Dome is the third largest surviving from the pre-modern world after the Hagia Sophia of Constantinople and the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome. While its general diameter is just a shadow larger than the Pantheon in Rome, the area it covers is substantially larger. Covering one of the biggest single chamber spaces in the world over an area of 18,225 square feet (1,693 square meters), it is a fifth larger than the better known Pantheon in Rome which is 14,996 square feet (1,393 square meters).
The acoustics of the enclosed place make it a whispering gallery where even the smallest sound is heard across the other side of the Gumbad. At the periphery of the dome is a circular balcony where visitors can witness the astounding whispering gallery. Any whisper, clap or sound gets echoed around 7 times. Anything whispered from one corner of the gallery can be heard clearly on the diagonally opposite side. It is also said that the Sultan, Ibraheem Adil Shah and his Queen used to converse in the same manner. During his time, the musicians used to sing, seated in the whispering gallery so that the sound produced could reach every corner of the hall.
Right below the whispering gallery, in the hall the dancers provided entertainment. Each tower consists of seven storeys and the upper floor of each opens on to a round gallery which surrounds the dome. In the centre of the chamber is a square raised podium approached by steps in the centre of each side. In the centre of the podium are the tombs of Muhammad Adil Shah II and his relations. To the west of the podium in a large apse-like projection is the mosque, also raised slightly above the floor level of the chamber.
Gol Gumbad Circa 1860
Henry Hinton, a photographer from Britain was one of the first to record the splendid beauty of Gol Gumbad. He mentions in Print 1 ofThe Ruins of Beejapoor, in a series of nineteen views from collodion negatives (Bombay, 1860).
"…built on a terrace 200 yards square. Height of tomb externally 198 ft, internally 175. Diameter of dome 124 feet, 4 minarets of 8 storeys, 12 ft broad entered by winding staircases terminating in cupolas'. The Gol Gumbad, a grand mausoleum of Muhammad Adil Shah, though a structural triumph of Deccan architecture, is impressively simple in design, with a hemispherical dome, nearly 44 mts in external diameter, resting on a cubical volume measuring 47.5 mts on each side. The dome is supported internally by eight intersecting arches created by two rotated squares that create interlocking pendentives. A cenotaph slab in the floor marks the true grave in the basement, the only instance of this practice in Adil Shahi architecture."

NIGHTTIME – CHOWRASTA SQUARE, DARJEELING

TEMPLE FORT- LORD VENKATESHWARA, SAPADI, KRISHNAGIRI, TAMIL NADU

KODAIKANAL, TAMIL NADU

LIGHT HOUSE, VYPIN BEACH, KOCHI, KERALA

LIFE IN KERALA

Kerala's Environment:

India, with its population of 950 million, has stretched its ecology to breaking point. It is the 10th most polluted country in the world, while its air pollution is the 7th worst on earth. In cities with one million people or more, the air is the equivalent of smoking 20 cigarettes per day! Almost three-quarters of India's water is polluted. Kerala's solution is to promote 'green' industry, based on high technology and high value products.

Maybe the answer to some of India's environmental problems may lie in traditional cultures. Many Keralese tribes regard their local environment as sacred. Small pockets of forest and wildlife living there and dedicated to their Gods, which would be angered and seek revenge if the forest were damaged. More than 760 of these areas of forest protect 720 species of plants!

Education And Socity:

Kerala has 91% literacy: this is higher than the rest of India (52%) and all other low income countries (average 56%). The Keralese have a higher quality of life, and a longer life expectancy than people in the rest of India and many other developing countries. Although more boys (99%) than girls (94%) attend primary school, more females are in the higher education system than males. The position of women in society in Kerala is better than in other parts of India, due to their higher level of education and fewer number of children. The Keralese speak a local language called Malayalam.

Politics and Culture:

Kerala is very unusual, politically: in 1957, it was the first state in the world to bring to power a communist government by holding democratic elections, instead of through revolution. At present, a coalition government is in power. 60% of the Keralese are Hindu, 20% are Muslim and 20% are Christian.

Land use and Ownership:

90% of families in Kerala own a piece of land - usually the land that they live on. To ensure that a plot is available for everyone, land ownership is restricted to eight hectares per family. 26% of land is given over to rice production, which is grown on a subsistence basis. Much land has been degraded by deforestation and subsequent erosion.

Plants of Kerala:

Kerala State is home to 15,000 species of plants, including 2,000 species of Orchids! Besides the natural diversity, many species of plants are useful to local people. As well as the plants used to make products for export (e.g. Coconut), many plants are used for food and materials. Rice forms a staple part of the diet for most Keralese people. There is, however, a predominance of cash crops: 92% of India's rubber trees grow in Kerala, 70% of coconut palms, 60% of tapioca (from cassava) and 100% of lemongrass.

Many plants are used for medicinal purposes too: the Sacred Lotus is used in several ways:

flowers are used to treat liver problems
seeds are used to treat skin diseases
fresh leaves are mixed with sandalwood and used as a cooling, soothing balm.

Other plants are used to treat conditions including Jaundice, Dysentry and Diabetes. Some plants have produced medicines which are now used throughout the world. In accord with the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity, tribal people who first discovered the medicinal properties of the plants have been rewarded financially through royalty payments.

TOURIST HOUSEBOATS OF ALAPUZHA

ICON OF KERALA

Houseboat in the back waters of kerala, waiting for the next tourist

CHAMUNDI TEMPLE, MYSORE, KARNATAKA

This is a magnificent 16th century temple placed on the top of Chamundi hills, A flight of 1000 steps takes you to the top.

MAHARAJA’S PALACE, MYSORE, INDIA

History
Until 1947, Mysore was the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore and was ruled by the Wodeyar dynasty, except for a 40-year era in the 18th century when Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan were the de facto rulers of the province. The Wodeyars were patrons of art and culture and contributed significantly to the cultural growth of the city, which has led to Mysore earning the sobriquet Cultural capital of Karnataka.
According to Hindu mythology, the area around Mysore was known as Mahishūru or Mahishapuram. It was ruled by a demon,Mahishasura.^[4] The demon was killed by the Goddess Chamundeshwari, whose temple is situated atop the Chamundi Hills.Mahishūru later became Mahisūru and finally came to be called Maisūru, its present name in the Kannada language.^[5] The anglicised form of the name is Mysore.^[4] In December 2005, the Government of Karnataka announced its intention to change the English name of the city to Mysuru.^[6] This has been approved by the Government of India but the necessary formalities to incorporate the name change are yet to be completed.^[7]
Chamaraja Wadiyar X ruling Maharaja of Mysore between 1881 and 1894.
The region where Mysore city stands now was known as Puragere till the 15th century.^[8] The Mahishūru Fort was constructed in 1524 by Chamaraja Wodeyar III (1513–1553), who later passed on the dominion of Puragere to his son Chamaraja Wodeyar IV (1572–1576). Since the 16th century, the name of Mahishūru (later Mysore and changed again to Mysuru by the Government of Karnataka on November 1, 2007) has been commonly used to denote the city.^[8] During the rule of the Vijayanagara Empire, the Mysore Kingdom under Wodeyars, served as afeudatory. Mysore was the center of the Wodeyar administration till 1610 when Raja Wodeyar ousted the Vijayanagara governor at nearbySrirangapatna and made it his capital. With the demise of the Vijayanagara Empire in 1565, the Mysore Kingdom gradually achieved independence and became a sovereign state by the time of King Narasaraja Wodeyar (1637).^[9]
After Tipu Sultan's death in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War in 1799, the Kingdom was distributed by the British to their allies of the Fourth Mysore war, the Marhata, Nizam, and State of Travancore, while the rule of Mysore city was retained by the British who built the Government House (completed 1805). The Government House is now used by the Government of Karnataka as a State Guest House. The existing town of Nazarabad was demolished to remove any traces of Tipu's rule. The capital of the kingdom was moved back to Mysore.^[10]^[11] The British administration was assisted locally by Diwan Purnaiah, in return for his assistance in the defeat of the Mysore Army. Purnaiah is credited with improvements to Mysore's public works.^[10]
In 1831, Mysore lost its status as the administrative centre of the kingdom when Mark Cubbon, the British commissioner, moved the capital toBangalore.^[12] However it regained this status in 1881, when the British handed power back to the Wodeyars.^[13] The city remained the capital of the Wodeyars till 1947, with Mysore Palace as the centre of administration.
Entrance to the Ambavilas Palace, commonly known as Mysore Palace
The Mysore municipality was established in 1888 and the city was divided into eight wards.^[14] In 1897, an outbreak of bubonic plague killed nearly half of the population of the city.^[15] With the establishment of the City Improvement Trust Board (CITB) in 1903, Mysore became one of the first cities in Asia to undertake a planned development of the city.^[16] When the Quit India Movement was launched in the early 1940s, Mysore city also played a part in it. Leaders of the independence movement like H. C. Dasappa and Sahukar Channayya were at the forefront during the agitations.^[17] The Maharaja's College hostel was the nerve centre from where the movement was controlled in the Mysore district and the Subbarayana Kere ground was an important location for public demonstrations.
After Indian independence, Mysore city remained as a part of the Mysore State. Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar, the then king of Mysore, was allowed to retain his titles and was nominated as the Rajapramukh of the state. He died in September 1974 and was cremated in Mysore city.^[18] Over the years, Mysore has become well known as a centre for tourism and the city has remained largely peaceful, except for occasional riots related to the Kaveri river water dispute.^[19] Some of the events that took place in Mysore and made national headlines were the fire at Premier Studios that claimed the lives of many people, and the sudden deaths of many animals at the Mysore Zoo.^[20]^[21]^[22]

MAHARAJA PALACE MYSORE’S TRADITION HISTORY CULTURE

This building is all in one as far as Mysore is concerned – the palace of then king Shri Jayachamraja Wodeyar and his successors. Situated in the center of the city, this city is best during the night, when the lights are switched on, for about an hour from 19.30 to 20.30 hrs on public holidays.

Dussera is the time you could choose to visit, provided you are geared to experience a mini-Kumbh Mela crowd.

Maharaja Palace Mysore's Tradition History Culture

RED HILL TEA ESTATE, OOTY, KARNATAKA

TRAIN FROM OOTY TO METTUPALAYAM

FUSION FESTIVAL, GOA

ST ALEX CHURCH, CURTORIM, GOA

GOLDEN GAUTAMA BUDDHA IDOL, KARNATAKA

INDEPENDENCE DAY, RIDGE, SHIMLA

AN EVENING VIEW OF MALL ROAD, SHIMLA

MALL ROAD, SHIMLA

CHRIST CHURCH, SHIMLA

EVEN THE WHOLE FAMILY……ALLEPPEY, KERALA, SOUTH INDIA

PREPARATION. JAISALMER

THE INDIAN MUSTACHIO !!

DARJEELING/FRUIT STAND GORKHALAND/INDIA

K E T A. LUDIYA

Keta Bendesar preparing “Chai” in her kitchen in the village of Ludiya, in the great Rann of Kutch.

COW

SADHU. PUSHKAR GHAT

GHATS OF VARANASI

GOAT IN A JUMPER, BUNDI, INDIA

TWO OF EIGHT PATHS

These are two of the monumental entrances [shrines] in Thiruvannamalai – Southern Abode of Lord Shiva, supreme hindu Deity.

PADDY FARMING UDUPI, MANGALORE

ODISSI DANCE, ORRISA

Odissi traces its origins to the ritual dances performed in the temples of ancient northern India. Today the name Odissi refers to the dance style of the state of Orissa in eastern India.

RHYTHM OF ART

HAPPY FRUIT VENDOR, KOTHAPET FRUIT MARKET, HYDERABAD

COLOURFUL HINDU TEMPLE, KUMBAKONAM, TAMIL NADU

BHARAT NATAYAM

PRAYER WHEELS, HYDERABAD

BANANA LEAF PLATE / FOOD.

GANGA, VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

MYSORE PALACE, KARNATAKA

KERALA BACKWATERS

VARANASI

THEKKOTTIRAKKAM

GANAPATI KUMBHA, WEDDING, HINDUISM

GOLDEN TEMPLE(SRI HARMANDIR SAHIB), AMRITSAR, PUNJAB

BUNDI GATE, RAJASTHAN

PATTADAKAL, KARNATAKA

ALL THE INGREDIENTS OF INDIA

RANAKPUR – JAIN TEMPLE, UDAIPAUR, RAJASTHAN

VIDYASHANKARA TEMPLE, SRINGERI, CHIKKAMAGALUR, KARNATAKA

AMBER FORT, RAJASTHAN, INDIA HDR

FRAME YOUR GOD – MADURAI

PADAYANI

UDAIPUR: HANDICRAFT

VICTORIA MEMORIAL, KOLKATTA

The Victoria Memorial, located in Kolkata, India is a memorial of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom who also carried the title of Empress of India.

The Victoria Memorial, officially the Victoria Memorial Hall, is a memorial building dedicated to Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India, which is located in Kolkata, India - the capital of West Bengal and a former capital of British India. It currently serves as a museum and a tourist attraction.^[2] It is an autonomous organization within the Government of India's Ministry of Culture.
Design and construction:
The memorial was designed by Sir William Emerson ^[3] using Indo-Saracenic style, incorporating Mughal elements in the structure.Lord Redesdale and Sir David Prain designed the gardens. The foundation stone of the memorial was laid down in the year 1906. The monument was intended to serve as a tribute to the success of the British Empire in India.
Architect Sir William Emerson laid down the actual plan of the memorial. The design of the structure represents a fusion of British and Mughal architecture. White Makrana marbles were used in the construction of Victoria Memorial Hall and the building was inaugurated in the year 1921. The massive hall is 338 feet (103 m) by 228 feet (69 m) and rises to a height of 184 feet (56 m).
Facade of the Victoria Memorial
British government money was not used in its construction at all. Rather, the British Indian states, along with the individuals who wanted some favours from the British government, were the main contributors towards the cost of building the Victoria Memorial Hall.
The massive Victoria Memorial stands enclosed within 64 acres (260,000 m²) of blooming gardens. It houses a museum containing a large collection of memorabilia relating to Queen Victoria and the British presence in India as well as other exhibits. The Memorial also contains a Royal Gallery housing a number of portraits of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and paintings illustrating their lives.
After India gained independence in the year 1947, certain additions were made to the Victoria Memorial. These additions formed National Leader's Gallery, containing the portraits and relics relating to Indian independence.

KOLKATA IT SECTOR – TCS

WOOD GALLERY, CHATHAM SAW MILL

RURAL BENGAL

SUNSET SKY

ISA KHAN’S TOMB. HUMAYUN’S TOMB, NEW DELHI

JAMA MASJID (NEW DELHI)

COURTYARD – AGRA FORT (AGRA)

WHITE WONDER – TAJ MAHAL (AGRA)

The Taj Mahal (ˈtɑːdʒ/ or /ˈtɑːʒ məˈhɑːl/;^[1] Hindi: ताज महल, from Persian/Urdu: تاج محل "crown of buildings", pronounced [ˈt̪aːdʒ mɛˈɦɛl]; also "the Taj"^[2]) is a mausoleum located in Agra, India. It is one of the most recognisable structures in the world.^[3] It was built byMughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is widely considered as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and stands as a symbol of eternal love.
Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Islamic and Indian architectural styles.^[4]^[5]
In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the white domed marble mausoleum is the most familiar component of the Taj Mahal, it is actually an integrated complex of structures. The construction began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, employing thousands of artisans and craftsmen.^[6] The construction of the Taj Mahal was entrusted to a board of architects under imperial supervision, including Abd ul-Karim Ma'mur Khan, Makramat Khan, and Ustad Ahmad Lahauri.^[7]^[8]Lahauri^[9] is generally considered to be the principal designer.

SUN BREAKS – ALBERT HALL MUSEUM (JAIPUR)

This museum is supposed to be the oldest museum of the state. Colonel Sir Swinton Jacob designed it in 1876 to greet King Edward VII as Prince of Wales on his visit to India.

PIGEON MEMORIES – ALBERT HALL MUSEUM (JAIPUR)

ACTIVE INTERSECTION – BAPU BAZAAR (JAIPUR)

AT THE CORNER – JAISALMER FORT (JAISALMER)

Jaisalmer fort is also known as the “Sonar Quila”. Colourful shades of the setting sun and golden hues of the desert ambiance give a fairy tale look to this mega structured fort.