UNESCO World Heritage Sites, India

[minisoji]

Khajuraho group of monuments


The temples of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh are one of India’s unique gifts to the world. They were built between 950-1050 A.D near the village of Khajuraho under the patronage of the Chandela kings of northern central India who ruled about 1,000 years ago.


Khajuraho Temple

These 85 granite and sandstone temples of Khajuraho are renowned for their fine blend of sculpture and architecture. They consist of bands of horizontal sculptures which balance and blend with the vertical line of the temples’ superstructure.

Besides the Chausath-Yogini, the Brahma and the Mahadeva temples which are of granite, all the other temples are made of fine grained sandstone and are buff pink or pale yellow in color.

They have been constructed on a high and solid platform which provides an open ambulatory.

The temple of Vishnu built by Yasovarman (AD 954), now famous as the Lakshmana temple proclaims the prestige of the Chandellas. The Visvanatha, Parsvanatha and Vaidyanatha temples belong to the time of king Dhanga, the successor of Yasovarman.

The Jagadambi, and the Chitragupta Temples, are noteworthy among the western group of royal temples of Khajuraho.

The immortal Kandariya Mahadeva temple is the largest and the grandest temple of Khajuraho, attributed to king Ganda (AD 1017-29)

These temples are known for their lofty terraces (Jagari) and functionally effective plans.

The sculptural embellishments include parivara, parsa, avarana devatas, dikpalas, the apsaras and sura-sundaris in their delicate, youthful female forms of ravishing beauty exuding irrevocable charm and grace.

Tourist information

Timings : Open on all weekdays from sunrise to sunset, Entry fee for those above 12yrs: Rs.5.00 free entry on Fridays.

Best time to visit : October to April

Access : Air links to Delhi, Agra and Varanasi. Nearest railheads : Harpalpur, Mahoba, Jhansi. Road links to Satna, Harpalpur, Jhansi (175 km) and Gwalior (280 km).

Where to stay : Hotel Chandela, Jass Oberoi, Holiday Inn Khajuraho, Clarks Bundela, Hotel Khajuraho Ashok. The Madhya Pradesh Stare tourism development corporation runs hotel Jhankar, Hotel Payal, Hotel Rahi, and Tourist bungalow.

Places to visit : Rajharg Palace, Dhubela museum (65 km), Pandav Falls (34 km), Ranesh Falls (19 km), Ken Natural Trail (22 km), Benisagar lake (11 km), Ranguan Lake (25 km), Gangau Dam (34 km), Panna national Park (25 km), Panna (45 km).

[minisoji]

Elephanta Caves

About 10 km north east of Apollo Bunder, lies the island of Elephanta, the glorious abode of Lord Shiva. An epitome of Hindu cave culture, Elephanta consists of seven caves of which the most notable is the Mahesa-murti cave. It has very impressive size with a main body of 27 meters square supported by rows of six columns each. The main temple consists of a large pillared mandapa (hall) and a free standing square shrine at the west end of the hall. The pillars and relief in the cave are gigantic in scale.


Elephanta Caves

Set in various niches are a number of large reliefs depicting different aspects of Shaivaite iconography. Around the perimeter of the cave are sculptured compartments in this cave with images from the Hindu mythology. They depict Lord Shiva as Andhakasuravadha, impaling the demon of darkness, a Kalyanasundara-the gentle loving god as Ardhanarishwara, Shiva and Shakti, male and female, Nataraja- Shiva as the cosmic dancer and as Ravana anugraha – the destroyer of enemies.

Tourist Information

Best time to visit : November to March is the best time to visit the Island.

Access : Located on a small Island of Mumbai in Maharashtra, Elephanta can be reached by regular ferries that leave from Mumbai’s gateway of India harbour except during the monsoon season.

[minisoji]

Pattadakal Group Of Monuments


Pattadakal, in Karnataka, illustrates the Chalukyan art which, in the 7th and 8th centuries A.D, under the Chalukya dynasty achieved a harmonious blend of architectural forms from north and south of India. There is an impressive series of nine Hindu temples, as well as a Jain sanctuary.


Pattadakal Temple

The oldest temple at Pattacakal is the Sangamesvara temple built by Vijayaditya Satyasraya (A.D 697-733). It is a simple but a massive structure. The temple of Virupaksha, built around 740 A.D by queen Lokamahadevi to commemorate her husband’s victory over the kings from the south is a masterpiece in itself.

Travel information

Timings : Open on all weekdays from sunrise to sunset. Entry fee for those above 12 years: Rs 5, free entry on Fridays.

Best time to visit : October to February.

Access : The nearest railway station is Badmi, 29 km away. Pattadakal is connected by road to Badami and Aihole (17 km).

Where to stay : One can stay at Badami (29 km) or Bijapur (17 km).

[minisoji]

Sunderbans National Park

The Sunderbans national Park, covering about 1330.10 sq km, is the habitat of nearly 200 Royal Bengal tigers. Bangladesh lies to the east of the Park and it is estimated that the combined population of tigers in the region could well be about 400 in number. Adapting itself to the saline and watery environment, the tigers at the park are good swimmers and practically amphibious.


Sundarbans National Park

Traversing the mangroves by motor launch is quite an experience, for the area is completely unspoilt and very different from the more conventional wildlife park. He estuarine crocodile is often seen along the mud banks but owing to the dense undergrowth the tiger is rarely sighted. The park is also noted for its conservation of the Ridley sea turtle.

Tourist Information

Best time to visit : September to May

Where to stay : Forest lodge at Sajnakhali, nearest town is Gosaba (50 km)

How to Reach : By Rail: Canning (48 km), By Air: Kolkata (112 km).

[minisoji]

Nanda Devi National Park



The Nanda Devi national park is one if the most spectacular wilderness area in the Himalayas, and is dominated by the peak of Nanda Devi, which reaches over 7,800 meter. It is the habitat of several endangered mammals, especially the snow leopard, Himalayan musk deer and bharal.

The National park is located in Uttarakhand and can be reached via Rishikesh and Johimath on the Badrinath road. Regular early morning buses operate in this route from Rishikesh/Haridwar. Badrinath is 300 km from Rishikesh.

Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttaranchal

VALLEY OF FLOWERS (3658 to 3962 m) - A world heritage centre and the only flower national park in India with variety of flowers, discovered by Frank Smythe. HEMKUND/LOKPAL (4329 m) : Sikh Pilgrim centre, 6 km trek from Ghanjhira. Lakshman temple and lake. Hem Kund is a glacial lake sorrounded by six high peaks.

Season - July to August

Govind ghat (1828 m, 18 km after Joshimath on Badarinath road) to Ghanjhira (3048 m, 15 km, 7 h, Gurudwara/Rest house) by trek. Take permit from Govind ghat and trek to Valley of flowers (5 km). There is camera fee and entry fee for this 10 km long route.

Trek Itinerary

Day 1 : Govind Ghat-Ghangaria

Day 2 : Ghangria-Valley of Flowers and back in 5-6 hour.

Day 3 : Start early to visit Hem Kund and return to Ghangria for night stay. Night stay is not permitted at Hem Kund Gurudwara.

Day 4 : Ghangria-Govind Ghat.

[minisoji]

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi

Sanchi is known for its masterpieces of Buddhist art –Buddhist stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from the 3rd century B.C to the 12th century A.D. The site consists of mainly three stupas.


Buddhist Stupa

The most famous of the stupas- Stupa No.1 is a hemispherical dome, crowned by a triple umbrella, 36.60 meter in diameter. A railing encircles the stupa cut by four exquisitely carved gateways or toranas. The The torana consists of two upright pillars that are square in shape and support a super structure of three architraves with volute ends. Both sides of the architraves as well as various faces of the uptight pillars are sculpted with depiction of religious subjects, elephants dwarfs or ganas (attendants), lions, auspicious emblems, vriksha devatas ( symbolizing different types of trees), incidents and stories from the life of the Buddha.

Stupa No.2 consists of the Buddhist symbols like the Bodhi tree, a throne and the wheel of law. There are elaborates carvings on the pillars flanking the entrances. Some of them are lions supporting a chakra (wheel) vidyadhars (bearers of wisdom), bringing garlands and the wish fulfilling wine.

Temple 17 consists of a flat roofed square sanctum with a portico supported on four solid pillars, nearby is the 2nd century B.C. Heliodorus pillar, the 5th century A.D. Udayagiri cave and monuments at Vidisha, all within 10 km radius.

Travel Information

Timings : Open on all weekdays from sunrise to sunset. Entry fee for those above 12 years: Rs 5. Free entry on Fridays.

Best time to visit : November to February

Access : Located in Madhya Pradesh, Sanchi is connected to Bhopal by road which is 46 km away via Diwangani and 78 kilometers away via Raisen. To get to this site, one must reach Bhopal which is well connected by air, rail and road to Delhi, Mumbai, Gwalior and Indore, and thereafter use the motorable road to Sanchi.

Where to stay : Sri Lanka Mahaboodhi society rest house, travelers lodge, Buddhist guest house, circuit house.

Places to visit : Vidisha, Udaygiri caves, Gyraspur, Udaypur.

[minisoji]

Humayun’s Tomb

Built in the mid 16th century by Haji Begum, senior wife of Humayun, the second Mughal emperor, Humayun’s Tomb is an early example of Mughal architecture built in Delhi. A rose petal sandstone mausoleum built in proper Mughal style is a beautiful memorial to the poet king.


Humayun's Tomb

Octagonal in shape, raised on a plinth, with double domes, high arches, laid in the centre of large walled enclosure the monument is an imposing structure. A baradari (pavilion) occupies the centre of the eastern wall and a hammam (bath chamber) the centre if northern wall.

Approached from four sides by paved stone paths which divide the garden into squares, the mausoleum also has the destination of having several of the Mughal rulers buried here. Besides Bega Begum herself, Hamida Begum (Akbar’s mother), Dara Shikoh (Shah Jahan’s son), Bahadur Shah ll (the last Mughal emperor) and many others. Humayun’s wife is also buries in the red and white sandstone, black and yellow marble tomb.

The garden at this tomb has been laid out in the Persian style of Char Bagh, with paved stone avenues and narrow water channels. It is still maintained in its original grandeur.

Tourist Information

Timings : Open on all weekdays from sunrise to sunset. Entry fee for those above 12 years – Rs 5. Free entry on Fridays.

Access : Located near Nizamuddin railway station, Delhi

Where to stay

Deluxe hotels: Ashok hotel, Best Western Surya, Hyatt Regency, The Oberoi, Welcomgroup Maurya Sheraton, Taj Mahal, Le Meridien, Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, Taj palace international, Centaur hotel, hotel Samrat, Vasant continental, Park hotel.

Luxury: Ambassador, The Claridges, Imperial, Quatab hotel, Hotel Janpath, Hotel Kanishka, The Oberoi Maidens, Siddharth hotel.

Standard hotels: Diplomat, Hans Plaza, hotel Ranjit, Marina, Lodhi hotel, Rajdoot, Vikaram, YMCA tourist hotel.

Other accommodation: Ashok Yatri Niwas, India international centre, YMCA international guest house, Vishwa Yuvak Kendra, Youth hostel, tourist camping park, Rail Yatri Niwas and approved hotels.

Places to visit : Purana Quila, Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Jantar Mantar, India gate, Parliament house, National museum, Raj Ghat, Lakshmi Narayan temple (Birla mandir), Teen murti house.