TURIST SPOT IN INDIA

Golden Temple Amritsar

2008-10-31T08:15:00.000-07:00

Posted By Bijaya On 31-10-2008 At 9.p.m

The Harmandir Sahib (or Hari Mandir) in Amritsar, Punjab, is the holiest shrine in Sikhism. Previously (and still more commonly) known as the Golden Temple, it was officially renamed Harmandir Sahib in March 2005.

The temple (or gurdwara) is a major pilgrimage destination for Sikhs from all over the world, as well as an increasingly popular tourist attraction.

Unlike some historical sacred sites, the Golden Temple of Amritsar is as alive with religious fervor and sacredness as it ever was, and visitors are welcomed to join in the experience.

Although the building itself is of tremendous historical and architectural interest, it is the Golden Temple's great spiritual meaning for Sikh believers (and others) that is most memorable.

Construction of the Golden Temple began in 1574 on land donated by the Mughal emperor Akbar. The building project was overseen by the fourth and fifth Sikh Gurus. The temple was completed in 1601, but restoration and embellishment continued over the years.

The temple had to be substantially rebuilt after it was sacked in the 1760s, and in the early 19th century 100 kilograms of gold were applied to the inverted lotus-shaped dome and decorative marble was added Golden Temple Amritsar

All the gold and marble work took place under the patronage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The legendary warrior king was a major donor of wealth and materials for the shrine and is remembered with much affection by the Sikh community and Punjabi people.

In June 1984, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered an attack on armed Sikh militants holed up in the Golden Temple. Over 500 people were killed in the ensuing firefight, and Sikhs around the world were outraged at the desecration of their holiest site. Four months after the attack, Gandhi was assassinated by her two Sikh bodyguards, leading to a massacre followed in which thousands of Sikhs lost their lives.

The Sikh community refused to allow the central government to repair the damage to the temple, instead undertaking the work themselves. Although most of the damaged been repaired, the incident has not been forgotten. Many people in Amritsar are still keen to explain the Sikh side of the story.

On July 6, 2005, the Sikh temple committee decided to install closed circuit television cameras around the Harmandir Complex, and will likely be adding more security, due to other attacks in India on religious areas.

Siddhnath Mandir

2008-10-27T09:38:00.000-07:00

Posted by Bijaya on 27-10-2008 at 10.00p.m

A classic representation of the Brahmic architecture this temple is also a major tourist attraction. The frescoes of elephants are the most important attraction of the temple. These frescoes of the elephants are carved over stone 1.5 m in height. When you are there make sure to look up to the roof of the caves which showcases artistic magic. This temple too is 77 km from Indore, the major airport and is well connected with well laid roads form all the major towns of Madhya Pradesh.

KANYAKUMARI

2008-10-25T08:10:00.000-07:00

Posted by Bijaya on 25-10-2008 at 8.30p.m

Kanyakumari is located at the southern tip of the Indian subcontinent. With an area of 1672 sq.km. Kanyakumari occupies 1.29% of the total extent of Tamil Nadu. The district name is spelled as ' Kanniyakumari ' in official records which are in tune with the spoken name of the district in Tamil language. The District is bound by Tirunelveli District on the North and the east. The South Eastern boundary is the Gulf of Mannar . On the South and the South West, the boundaries are the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea . On the West and North West it is bound by Kerala.

The small temple dedicated to Kanyakumari , or the youthful form of the primeval energy Shakti (Mother Goddess) is located on the seashore, in the town known by the same name. Kanyakumari was referred to by the British as Cape Commorin. Kanyakumari represents the site where the spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda spent days in meditation upon a rock off of the coast. A memorial built in his honor is accessible via ferry. There is also a recently built memorial to Tiruvalluvar, the author of the philosophical work Tirukkural - a treatise on the Indian way of life.

The Kanyakumari district was one of the worst affected districts in the Tsunami that ravaged the coasts of various countries in South and South East Asia, on 26th Dec 2004.

Jagannath Temple Puri

2008-10-25T07:48:00.000-07:00

The celebrated Temple of Lord Jagannath now existent at Puri was constructed by Raja Ananta Varman Chodaganga Dev in 12th century A.D. The wooden images of Jagannath Balabhadra and Subhadra were installed in that temple. The management of the temple continued under the Hindu rulers till 1558, when the State of Orissa was conquered by the Afghan Nawab of Bengal and the temple was attacked by the Afgan General ‘Kalapahad’. Then, an independent Khurda kingdom was established by Ramachandra Deb, who assumed the management of the temple. He consecrated the temple and reinstalled the deities. Raja Mansingh, a General of the Mughal King Akbar, defeated the Afghans and annexed Orissa in to the Mughal dominion. It remained under the Mughals till 1751 A.D. Till 1760, the temple continued under the Khurda Raja, who was paying tribute to Mughals and Marhattas. Marhattas took up direct management of the temple till 1803. The Britishers annexed Orissa into British empire in 1803 and allowed Puri Raja to manage the temple. The position continued till 1947.