Heart of India Photo Journal Three: 18 Images … Continued

Ranthambhore Fort, built in the 10th century, is located in the center of Ranthambhore National Park, which is also a tiger preserve. The fort complex covers more than seven square miles, including several small lakes, ancient temples, mosques, and hunting pavilions. We saw many monkeys, deer, birds, and three tigers. Crocodiles and bears also inhabit the park. 

Many believe that the Taj Mahal was designed to represent an earthly replica of one of the houses of paradise. Its marble facing is enhanced with the elegant surface design, pictured here. The size of Koranic verses increases as the arch gets higher creating a subtle optical illusion of uniformly flowing script. Inside decorative panels of flowering plants, foliage, and vases are carved into the lower portions of walls.

  Agra Fort is situated on the west bank of the Yamuna River.  It was built between 1565 and 1573. It’s an enormous complex of courtly buildings. Shah Jahan, known as the greatest Mughal  builder and patron of the arts, ruled from here. After he was deposed by his son, he lived in this elegant part of the fort, which provides a clear view of Taj Mahal, his wife’s mausoleum on the opposite side of the river. 

The Khajuraho Hindu and Jain temples, located in the Indian state of Madya Pradesh, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built between 950 and 1050 A.D. They were active until the 13th century when the army under Qutb-ud-din, leader of the Muslim Delhi Sultanate, seized the Chandelas kingdom. Stone bands around the outside of the temples are carvings, some erotic, showing a storyboard of life a millenium ago. The temples, featuring Indo-Arian architecture, are among the finest in the world.

Hinduism has no founder, central authority, and isn’t a proselytising religion; it is often referred to as a philosophy of life. It is not unusual for Hindus to practice other religions. In this painting, hung inside the temple entrance, Shiva is shown with his deity consort Parvati.]

 

About six miles north of Varanasi, Sarnath, is where Buddha came to preach his message of the middle way to nirvana after he had achieved enlightenment. In the 3rd century BC, magnificent shrines and monastaries were erected here. Centuries later, Buddahism went into decline in India. After thd city was sacked by Muslim invaders in the 12th century, Sarbath disappeared completely. It was “rediscovered” by British archeologists in 1835. 

A Ghat is a  series of steps that lead to the water. In this case, on the western bank of the Ganges River. Most ghats are used for bathing. They are also used to perform religious rituals to welcome the beginning of a new day. 

Family members come to the Ganges to cremate their loved ones. They purchasing wood and necessary supplies in Veranasi. Cremation fires burn 24/7. A small amount of the cremated person’s ashes are placed in the river and the remainder are taken by the family. When driving away from Varanasi, we saw three different vehicles heading towards the city. In each case, a covered body was tied to the top of the vehicle and the family members were crowded inside. A practical approach to attending to the family’s obligation to a loved one.