7 wonders of India | NDTV | Incredible India

7 Wonders of India: Agra Fort

2009-02-08T10:26:00.001-08:00

Agra Fort is one of the most important and robustly built stronghold of the Mughals, embellished with number of richly decorated buildings encompassing the imposing Mughal style of art and architecture. The fort, semi-circular on plan, is surrounded by a 21.4 m high fortification wall. It was re-constructed by the third Mughal emperor Akbar
on the remains of an ancient site known as Badalgarh. Some 4,000 builders daily worked on it and it was completed in eight years. The great Mughals Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahanand Aurangzeb lived here, and the country was governed from here. It contained the largest state treasury and mint. It was visited by foreign ambassadors, travellers and the highest dignitaries who participated in the making of history in India.

7 Wonders of India: St Frances Church

2009-02-04T11:59:00.001-08:00

Fort Cochin is believed to be the oldest European Settlement in India and St Francis Church was the first European Church to be built in India. St Francis Church is a granite church set on quiet lawns amidst the bustle of Fort Kochi, 10 kms from Ernakulam. Originally named as Santo Antonio, this protestant church was originally built by the Europeans in India. Vasco da Gama was buried here in 1524 AD. Though 14 years later his mortal remains were taken to Portugal, the carved gravestone can still be seen in the church. It also has crypts of Portuguese nobles.

7 Wonders of India: Marina Beach

2009-02-04T11:58:00.005-08:00

Marina beach lies to the east of Chennai (Madras) at Kamarajar Road, three km from the city centre. It is 13 km long and extends from Fort St George all the way to Mahabalipuram. The second longest beach in the world and the longest in Asia, Marina Beach is known for its golden sands, good surfing opportunities and blue sea.

7 Wonders of India: Golden Temple

2009-02-04T11:58:00.003-08:00

The Golden Temple is located in Amritsar, Punjab. The door panes are decorated with artistic style. It opens on to the bridge that leads to the main building of Sri Harmandir Sahib. It is 202 feet in length and 21 feet in width. Its architecture represents a unique harmony between Muslim and the Hindu architecture. The fourth Guru of Sikhism, [Guru Ram Das], excavated a tank in 1577, which subsequently became known as Amritsar (Meaning: Pool of the Nectar of Immortality), giving its name to the city that grew around it. In due course, a Sikh edifice, Harmandir Sahib ( Temple of God), was constructed in the middle of this tank, which became the supreme centre of Sikhism. The Golden Temple, or Darbar Sahib, is the most sacred temple for Sikhs. It is a symbol of the magnificence and strength of Sikhs all over the world.

7 Wonders of India: Belur

2009-02-04T11:58:00.001-08:00

Belur is a panchayat town in Hassan district in the state of Karnataka. The main attraction in Belur is the Chennakesava temple complex, which contains the Chennakesava Temple as the centre piece, surrounded by the Kappe Chennigraya temple built by Shantaladevi. The temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. The facade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures and friezes - with no portion left blank. It was built by king Vishnuvardhana in commemoration of his victory over the Cholas at Talakad in 1117 CE.

7 Wonders of India: Residency

2009-02-04T11:57:00.007-08:00

Located in old Lucknow near Gomti banks, close to Begum Hazrat Mahal Park.The red brick ruins are peaceful now a days, surrounded by lawns and flowerbeds, but thousands died during the months-long siege.
The Residency has been maintained as it was at the time
of the final relief, and the shattered walls are still scarred
by cannon shot. The on site museum includes the original buildings as scale models. The cemetery near St Mary`s Church has 2,000 defenders buried on its grounds. The Residency is actually a group of buildings that were built in 1800 A.D by the then Nawab of Oudh, Nawab Saadat Ali Khan. It is said that as many as 3500 people sought shelter during the siege of Lucknow in 1857. The siege continued for more than 140 days.

7 Wonders of India: Shravanabelagola

2009-02-04T11:57:00.005-08:00

Situated in the Hassan District, 157 km from Bangalore, the statue of Gomateshwara Bhagwaan Bahubali is located atop Vindhyagiri mountain. At 57 feet, it is the tallest monolithic statue in the world. There are 650 steps to the top of the platform. This is the place where Chandragupta, the founder of the Mauryan dynasty, became a Jain ascetic after relinquishing his throne. The statue of Gomateshwara is 1,026 years old. Shravanabelagola is the seat of the ancient Bhattaraka Math, belonging to the Desiya Gana lineage of Mula Sangh, from the Digambar monastic tradition.
Mahamastakabhisheka is held in Shravanabelagola once in 12 years and attracts a huge number of devout worshippers from all over the world.

7 Wonders of India: Ajanta Ellora Caves

2009-02-04T11:57:00.003-08:00

Located near Aurangabad in Maharashtra, the 29 caves at Ajanta are situated in a horseshoe-shaped ravine. The cave walls are covered with painted narratives of the Jataka tales. The 34 caves at Ellora are excavated out of the vertical face of the Charanandri hills.

7 Wonders of India: Bangalore Palace

2009-02-04T11:57:00.001-08:00

Located between Jayamahal and Sadashivanagar, the Bangalore Palace boasts of elegant woodcarvings and Tudorstyle architecture, along with Gothic windows, battlements and turrets. The ground floor of the Palace comprises of a massive open square, which is full of granite seats adorned with fluorescent blue ceramic tiles. An exquisite door panel at the entrance leads to grand settings inside. The interiors have breathtaking floral motifs, cornices, mouldings and relief paintings on its ceiling. Bangalore Palace, inspired by the Windsor Castle, was built in 1887 AD by Chamaraja Wodeyar.

7 Wonders of India: Kalka Shimla Toy Train

2009-02-04T11:56:00.003-08:00

The Kalka-Shimla Railway is a 2ft 6in (762mm) narrow gauge railway in North-West India. The rail route has 107 tunnels. The toy trains cross the longest tunnel at Barog in three minutes. It is said that this railway line was first drawn in November 1847, almost 50 years before it was actually constructed.

7 Wonders of India: Toy Train

2009-02-04T11:56:00.001-08:00

Located in Darjeeling, West Bengal, the Toy Train runs on a two feet gauge for a distance of 86 km. The journey is covered in around 71/2 hours with the train having a maximum speed of 15 kmph. In the route, wherever there is a lack of clear cut path due to steep gradient, the climb is proceeded through reverses and loops. There are 500 bridges along with 177 unmanned level crossing through which the train travels. The train that first ran on the track was way too different from what it is today. It was a mini four-wheeled trolley with canvas and two wooden benches. It still uses steam locomotives. The Toy Train has also made it to UNESCO's list World Heritage site status recently.

7 Wonders of India: Legislative Assembly

2009-02-04T11:55:00.003-08:00

The Legislative Assembly of Hyderabad is situated within the enclosure of the Public Garden at the heart of Hyderabad city. It was designed by commissioned architects who fused Rajasthani and Persian architecture. It houses the 295 seat Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. It was built out of funds raised by citizens of Old Hyderabad State, on the occasion of the 40th birthday of Nizam Mehboob Ali Khan in 1905. Completed in 1913, it initially functioned as the Town Hall. The new structure for the Legislative Assembly of Hyderabad was conceptualized by Dr M Chenna Reddy, the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. He laid the foundation stone on March 19, 1980.

7 Wonders of India: Jawahar Tunnel

2009-02-04T11:55:00.001-08:00

Jawahar Tunnel, an engineering marvel built at Banihal at a height of 2194 m above sea level, has two tubes with a length of 2.8 kms each. Built by German builders, the tunnel cuts through the gigantic Pir Panjal mountain range and is guarded by the Army. The metal-road-tunnel is built through the heart of a mountain. It links Jammu to the Kashmir Valley and makes it possible to stay in touch with Srinagar even during winters. It is one of the longest tunnel-roads in Asia.

7 Wonders of India: Alchi

2009-02-04T11:54:00.003-08:00

Sixty-five km from Leh in the barren mountain valley of river Indus, the monasteries of Alchi are fine examples of traditional Tibetan architecture. Solid square and rectangular structures with flat roofs and with elaborate murals, they are a landmark of Buddhist art and architecture in the Himalayan region.

7 Wonders of India: Adalaj Stepwell

2009-02-04T11:54:00.001-08:00

Located bout 19 kms north of Ahmedabad, the Adalaj Stepwell is a five-storied step-well. This water work is an excellent blend of Hindu and Islamic styles. The step well is adorned with intricate carvings of leaves, flowers, birds, fish and other breathtaking ornamental designs. It was built in 1499 AD by Queen Rudabai. It served religious and utilitarian purposes for the people around though its origin is marred by tragedy. It used to be frequented by travellers and caravans as stopovers along their trade routes. There was a total difference of six degrees between the outside and inside of the well, thus making it a veritable air-conditioner.

7 Wonders of India: Charminar

2009-02-04T11:53:00.001-08:00

Charminar is in the city of Hyderabad, capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Charminar is a squarish structure with four towers on the four corners of the square, each of whose sides is 20 metres in length. Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah built the monument in 1591 shortly after he had shifted his capital from Golkonda to what now is known as Hyderabad. The great monument is a synonym for Hyderabad and the pivot around which the glory and history of the city have developed. A thriving market lies around the Charminar, attracting people and merchandise of every description. In its heyday, the Charminar market had some 14,000 shops. Today, the market around the Charminar is crowded with shops, which sell glass bangles in rainbow colours. Charminar is the world's largest Talisman.

7 Wonders of India: Jama Masjid

2009-02-04T11:52:00.007-08:00

Located opposite to Red Fort in Old Delhi, Jama Masjid has three gates, two minarets - 40 meters in height and four towers. The minarets are made up of red sand stone and white marbles bearing stripes of black colour. With a capacity to accommodate 25,000 devotees, it is the largest mosque in India. The main mosque is crowned by three onion shaped domes made of white marble and inlaid with strips of black slate. It has great religious significance as it houses a hair from the beard of Prophet and a chapter of Holy Quran written by the Prophet. Women are not allowed to go up the minaret without a male escort, and during the time of prayer, the minaret is closed.

7 Wonders of India: Nizamuddin Dargah

2009-02-04T11:52:00.005-08:00

Located opposite Lodhi Hotel in Delhi, the Nizamuddin Dargah consists of a square chamber surrounded by verandahs, which are pierced by arched openings, while its roof is surmounted by a dome pringing from an octagonal drum. The dome is ornamented by vertical stripes of black marble and is crowned by a lotus cresting. The area around the tomb is regarded as sacred, with the result that a large number of persons, including those from the royalty, lie buried here. Hazrat Khawaja Nizamuddin Auliya (1238-April 3, 1325) also known as Hazrat Nizamuddin, was a famous Sufi saint of the Chishti Order in South Asia. It is recognised as one of the most popular places of worship.

7 Wonders of India: Hazratbal Mosque

2009-02-04T11:52:00.003-08:00

The Hazratbal Mosque is situated in Kashmir opposite Nishat Bagh on the banks of Dal Lake. The mosque was completed in 1979 and took about eleven years to be built. The history of the shrine goes back to the early 17th century when the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan's Subedar, Sadiq Khan, laid out a garden here and constructed a palatial building, Ishrat Mahal or Pleasure House, in 1623. The shrine is known by many names including Hazratbal, Assar-e-Sharief, Madinat-us-Sani, or simply Dargah Sharif. This revered shrine houses the Moi-e-Muqqadus (preserved sacred hair) of Prophet Mohammad.

7 Wonders of India: Charar-e-Sharief Shrine

2009-02-04T11:52:00.001-08:00

The holy shrine is in Charar-e-Sharief, a town and a notified area committee in Badgam district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Charar-e-Sharief is located on the way to Yusmarg, 40 km from Srinagar. This wooden shrine is 600 years old. Most of the shrine and its surroundings were destroyed as a consequence of an armed battle between the Indian Army and the Pakistani Army. Later, the shrine was rebuilt on the lines of central Asian architecture. Charar-e-sharief is one of the most sacred Muslim shrines and is popularly known as the Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali. This Muslim pilgrimage is dedicated to the memory of the Sufi saint Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani, who was the patron saint of the Muslims in Kashmir.

7 Wonders of India: Kushinagar

2009-02-04T11:51:00.005-08:00

Set against a pastoral landscape, the small hamlet of Kushinagar, 53 km west of Gorakhpur, is revered as the site of the Buddha`s Mahaparinirvana, his death and cremation, that marked his final liberation from the cycles of death and rebirth. During Buddha`s lifetime, Kushinara, as it was then called, was a small town in the kingdom of the Mallas, surrounded by a thick forest cover. It remained forgotten, until the late nineteenth century, when archaeologists rediscovered the site, and began excavations. Today, Kushinagar is rediscovering its roots, as a center for international Buddhism, and is home to many viharas, including a Tibetan gompa devoted to Sakyamuni, a Burmese vihara, and temples from China and Japan.

7 Wonders of India: Khajuraho

2009-02-04T11:51:00.003-08:00

Khajuraho is a village in Madhya Pradesh, located in Chhatarpur District, about 620 kilometers southeast of Delhi. The Khajuraho temples adhere to a northern Indian shikhara temple style and often to a Panchayatana plan or layout. Kandariya Mahadeva comprises eighty-four shikharas, the main being 116 feet from the ground level. The Khajuraho temples were built over a span of a hundred years, from 950 A.D. to 1050 A.D. They were rediscovered during the late 19th century. Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous for their everyday life sculpture.

7 Wonders of India: Ajanta Ellora Caves

2009-02-04T11:51:00.001-08:00

7 Wonders of India: Qutub Minar

2009-02-04T11:50:00.001-08:00

Located in Mehrauli, Qutub Minar is among the tallest and most famous towers in the world. The minaret is 234 feet high and the highest individual tower in the world. It has a number of floors or storeys, which have beautiful carvings. There are inscriptions all round the tower and these inscriptions reveal that Iltutmish finished the tower. Only the first storey was built by Qutub-ud-din. The other storeys were built by Iltutmish and two storeys in white marbles were built in by FirozShah Tuglak. Built to celebrate the victory of Muhammad Ghori over the Rajputs in 1192. Qutub Minar was built not just as a victory tower but also as a symbol of Islamic justice and of the military might of the Slave Dynasty. Qutub Minar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

7 Wonders of India: Champaner

2009-02-04T11:48:00.001-08:00

Champaner is located in Panchmahal District, 47 kilometres from the city of Vadodara. It is a perfect rectangle enclosed by the massive walls with huge bastions. Entrance gates have carved balconies. It was founded by Vanraj Chavda, the most prominent king of the Chavda Kingdom, in the 8th century. It is a grand historical confluence, displaying 1,200 years of history and culture. Champaner is today the site of the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, which UNESCO designated a World Heritage Site in 2004.

7 Wonders of India: Mysore Palace

2009-02-04T11:24:00.003-08:00

Located in Mysore, Karnataka, the Mysore Palace is famous for its spacious halls, paintings and architectural embellishments. The architectural style of the palace is commonly described as Indo-Saracenic, and blends together Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles of architecture. It is a three-storied stone structure, with marble domes and a 145 ft five-storied tower. One enters the Palace through the Gombe Thotti or the Doll's Pavilion. This collection also has a wooden elephant that is decorated with 84 kilogrammes of gold. The Wodeyar kings built a palace in Mysore in the 14th century. There are 12 temples inside the Palace complex dating from the 14th to the 20th centuries with varying architectural styles.

7 Wonders of India: Lakshmi Velas Palace

2009-02-04T11:24:00.001-08:00

Located in Vadodara, Gujarat, the Lakshmi Velas Palace compound is spread across 700 acres and houses a number of buildings, particularly the Moti Baug Palace and museum. It was constructed between 1878 and 1890 by Maharaja Sayaji Rao III. The palace showcases a commendable collection of old armoury, sculptures in bronze, terracotta and marble. It was constructed for the educational purposes of the Maharaja's children. Today, this museum houses a large number of art works belonging to the former princely family.

7 Wonders of India: Junagadh Fort

2009-02-04T11:23:00.003-08:00

The Junagarh Fort is situated in Gujarat. It has rock edicts, set up by Ashoka, the Great Indian emperor, dating back 2200 years. The fort is girdled by a wall, which is over 20 m and is virtually inaccessible. The fort is around 1200 years old and was built by king Ugrasen. The fort bore witness to the 12-year long war between Sidharaj Jaisingh, the king of Gujarat, and Rakhengar, the king of Junagadh, over queen Ranakdevi. It is visited all year round by a large number of tourists.

7 Wonders of India: Ashoka's Pillar

2009-02-04T11:23:00.001-08:00

The 13 meter high sandstone obelisk with Ashoka's edict stands testimony to the history of this old city. Ferozabad, the fifth city of Delhi, was erected by Feroz Shah Tughlaq in 1354 and can be found at Feroz Shah Kotla, just off Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg between Old and New Delhi. Also seen, are the remains of a mosque and a well, but most of the ruins were used for the construction of later cities. Feroz Shah was a great builder and so, this fifth city of Delhi was full of splendid palaces, mosques and gardens. The Tughlaqabad area was woefully short of water and this made the Tomars move westward to Mehrauli. Firoz Shah, Muhammad Tughlaq's successor, solved this problem by building his new city on the banks of Yamuna. Kotla was the inner citadel of Firozabad, built like Windsor, with great palaces and a magnificent mosque.

7 Wonders of India: Cathedral Church of Redemption

2009-02-04T11:22:00.001-08:00

Henry Medd, who won many architectural competitions, designed this simple yet attractive cathedral built between 1927 and 1935. The Anglican Church has small recessed openings, which has dual purpose. Firstly, it filters the sunlight and secondly, it forms a great spectacle of light and shadow. There is a very large eye catching stained glass window. The cathedral hosts religious concerts on festivals such as Christmas and Easter every year. It is located near Connaught Place, New Delhi.

7 Wonders of India: Dwarkadhish Temple

2009-02-04T11:21:00.003-08:00

Located at Jamnagar District, Gujarat, it has a five-storey tower and the temple is made of limestone and sand. There are two gateways: Swarga Dwar for entry and Moksha Dwar for exit. From the temple, one can view the Sangam (confluence) of River Gomati flowing towards the sea. The temple was built by Sambha, the grandson of Lord Sri Krishna. The city is believed to have been built by Vishwakarma, who was a celestial architect in Hinduism. Dwarka is considered to be one of the holiest cities in Hindu culture and one of the four main dhams along with Badrinath, Puri and Rameshwaram. The city is especially respected by Vaishnavas.

7 Wonders of India: Taj-Ul-Masajid

2009-02-04T11:21:00.001-08:00

Taj-Ul-Masajid is situated in Bhopal and covers an area of 7065 sq m, the height of the minarets touching 62 m. The construction of the mosque was started by Sultan Shah Jahan, Begum of Bhopal (1868-1901). It is one of the largest mosques in Asia. Taj-ul-Masajid literally means 'The Crown of Mosques'. The most striking features of the mosque are the impressive main hall with its inter-arched roof, broad facade, spacious courtyard and smooth marble floors. The Quibla wall in the prayer hall is carved with 11 recessed arches, while the mimber is made of black basalt.

7 Wonders of India: Bibi Ka Maqbara

2009-02-04T11:20:00.007-08:00

While the dome and some parts of the main building of Bibi Ka Maqbara are made of marble, the rest is plastered with Eastco plaster, a kind of high quality cement which gives a marble-like look and strength to the walls. Located in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, its tomb is inlaid with intricate designs and carved motifs and is surrounded by a Mughal-style garden.

7 Wonders of India: Aga Khan Palace

2009-02-04T11:20:00.005-08:00

Located in Yerwada, Pune, the exquisite Aga Khan Palace is surrounded by the lavish green gardens. It was built in 1892 by Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III. It is a national monument of India's freedom movement. Aga Khan Palace is also known as Gandhi National Memorial because of its close association with Mahatma Gandhi.

7 Wonders of India: Snake Temple

2009-02-04T11:20:00.003-08:00

Mannarshala covers an area of 16 acres of dense green forest grove devoted to serpent worship. The temple here is unique in that the holy rites are presided over by a priestess. It is the largest Snake Temple in Kerala. The grove is dotted with the granite idols of serpents. There are two main idols: 'Nagaraja' or the serpent king and his consort, Sarpayakshini. The priestess lives in the 'Illam' on the north side of the temple. 'Uruli Kamazhthal' or the placing of a bell metal vessel upside down in front of the deity is the most popular offering believed to restore fertility to childless couples

7 Wonders of India: Forest Research Institute

2009-02-04T11:20:00.001-08:00

FRI is located in the city of Dehradun in Uttarakhand.FRI is spread over 2000 acres. It has seven museums and has every species of plant and animals from Tibet to Singapore. The Institute`s main building is an impressive edifice, marrying Greco-Roman and Colonial styles of architecture, with a plinth area of 2.5 equipped laboratories, library, herbarium, arboreta, printing press and experimental field areas for conducting forestry research. Established as Imperial Forest Institute in 1906, it is a premier institution under the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education. The Institute caters, in particular, to the research needs of the Indo-Gangetic plains of Punjab, Hrayana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Western Uttar Pradesh, as well as the U.P. and Himalayas.

7 Wonders of India: Ujjain

2009-02-04T11:19:00.003-08:00

Ujjain, situated on the right bank of River Shipra, is among many other Indian sacred and holy cities. According to ancient Hindu scriptures, it was originally called Avantika. Later King Shiva of Avanti commemorating his triumph over the demon king of Tripuri, changed it to Ujjaiyini (one who conquers with pride). It is one of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus, and the Kumbh Mela religious festival is held here every 12 years. It was governed by the likes of Vikramaditya and Ashoka. Kalidas wrote his souls stirring poetry here. The Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain: Mahakal of Ujjayini is known among the 12 celebrated Jyotirlingas in India. The glory of Mahakaleshwar temple has been vividly described in various Purans. Starting with Kalidasa, many Sanskrit poets have eulogised this temple in emotive terms. Ujjain used to be the central point for calculation of Indian time and Mahakala was considered as the distinctive presiding deity of Ujjain.

7 Wonders of India: Vaishno Devi

2009-02-04T11:19:00.001-08:00

Located near Katra in the Himalyan region at an altitude of 5,200 ft, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji resides in a Holy Cave located in the folds of the three-peaked mountain named Trikuta (pronounced as Trikoot). The Vaishno Devi Temple is considered to be one of the holiest Hindu Temples in the country. At the culmination of their pilgrimage, the believer's are blessed with the view of the Mother Goddess inside the Sanctum Sanctorum - the Holy Cave. These views are in the shape of three natural rock formations called the Pindies. There are no statues or idols inside the cave. The yatra begins at Katra and pilgrims have to cover 13 km of terrain on foot to reach the Darbar. The number of devotees visiting the Holy Shrine annually now exceeds five million.

7 Wonders of India: Wullar Lake

2009-02-04T11:18:00.001-08:00

Wullar Lake is said to be one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia. It is situated in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, between the cities of Sopore and Bandipore. Devoid of any artificial feature, the lake reflects the beauty of nature. The Wullar Lake was formed as a result of tectonic activity. It changes character after every few miles of its course. The Wullar Lake is of great socio-economic importance in the valley of Kashmir. It offers sustenance to thousands of people living in and around the lake. More than 8,000 fishermen earn their livelihood from this lake.

7 Wonders of India: India Gate

2009-02-04T11:17:00.005-08:00

Located near Connaught Place, Delhi, the building is made of sandstone that rises in stages into a huge moulding. On top of the arch, INDIA is written on both sides. It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and completed in 1931. The gate is 160 feet high with an arch of 138 feet. India Gate, an important monument of the city, is a memorial built in commemoration of more than 80,000 Indian soldiers who were killed during World War I. Built from sandstone, the arch also houses the Eternal Flame, a gesture in memory of the Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the 1971 war with Pakistan. Following India's independence, India Gate became a memorial to the Unknown Soldier, known as the Amar Jawan Jyoti. The India Gate is one of the largest war memorials in India.

7 Wonders of India: Rashtrapati Bhawan / Mughal Gardens

2009-02-04T11:17:00.003-08:00

The dome of the Durbar Hall inside the Rashtrapati Bhawan measures 22.8 meters in diameter. The hall is marked by the beautiful coloured marbles. The building has 340 decorated rooms and a floor area of 2,00,000 square feet. The dome is more than twice the height of the rest of the building. The front of the Bhawan has 12 unevenly spaced pillars with four bells carved at the top of each column. The British Architect Lutyens was given the prime architectural opportunity of designing the building. The Rashtrapati Bhawan is an eminent monument of British Empire, which is said to be the palace of the Viceroy of India. The Mughal Gardens is located in Rashtrapati Bhawan, India Gate, Delhi. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens for Lady Harding, the garden occupies an area of 13 acres and is divided into three sections (rectangular, long and circular gardens). The garden has four waterways with uniquely crafted fountains at their intersections that consist of 3 tiered huge red sandstone discs that resemble lotus leaves.

7 Wonders of India: Ghats of Varanasi

2009-02-04T11:17:00.001-08:00

Situated at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, the ghats are stretched for some 3 km along the west banks of holy river Ganges. It is widely believed that a dip in the sacred river may bring salvation and free one from all sins. Varanasi or Kashi is older than traditions. For thousands of years people have been thronging these

Ghats to offer their morning prayers to the rising sun. There are more than 100 ghats along side Ganga in Varanasi. The Ghats typify the circle of life.

7 Wonders of India: Palitana Temples

2009-02-04T11:16:00.005-08:00

Palitana Temples are situated in Bhavnanagar district of Gujarat। The temples are exquisitely carved in marble, veritable prayers in stone. The temple covered Shetrunjaya hill, 2000 ft over Palitana town, believed to span 863 shrines in all. It has some really exquisite marble temples of great religious and artistic importance, containing arches, carved pillars and bejeweled idols. Palitana was the capital of a princely state of the Gohil Rajput clan. The Palitana temples are considered the most sacred pilgrimage place by the Jain community. Palitana houses perhaps the largest cluster of Jain temples anywhere.

7 Wonders of India: Sabarmati Ashram

2009-02-04T11:16:00.003-08:00

Sabarmati Ashram also known as Gandhi Ashram, Harijan Ashram, or Satyagraha Ashram is located in the Ahmedabad suburb of Sabarmati and on the western banks of the Sabarmati River. The ashram now has a museum, Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalay. In 1963, the museum building was erected (designed by architect Charles Correa), and memorial activities were then started here. Established in 1915, Sabarmati ashram was the scene of many events of the Indian independence movement. It was from there that Gandhi started the Dandi March in 1930. One of the residences of Gandhi, the ashram was amongst the first satyagraha ashrams he set up. It was believed that this was the ancient ashram site of Dadhichi Rishi who had donated his bones for a righteous war.

7 Wonders of India: Rameshwaram

2009-02-04T11:16:00.001-08:00

Situated on an island off the Sethu coast of Rameswaram in Ramanathpuram district, Tamil Nadu, is an important pilgrimage site for the followers of Hinduism. It is believed that a visit to this temple washes away one's sins and brings salvation (moksha). Being situated in Rameshwaram, the Ramanathaswamy Mandir is popularly known as the Rameshwaram Temple. The construction of this temple began in the 12th century; nonetheless it was completed much later, during the reign of various rulers. Rameshwaram Temple is famous for embracing one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (lingam of light) of Lord Shiva. The temple is also accredited for being the southern most 'jyotirlinga' of India.

7 Wonders of India: Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam

2009-02-04T11:15:00.003-08:00

Located at Narmada river, Gujarat, the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam has a height of 455 feet. Of the 30 large dams planned on river Narmada, the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) is the largest multipurpose project involved in the construction. It was first conceived in the 1940s by Jawaharlal Nehru. The project only took form in 1979 as part of a development scheme to increase irrigation and produce hydroelectricity. The 455 ft height is the focal point of both the dam-builders plans and the Narmada Bachao Andolan`s opposition.

7 Wonders of India: Amarnath Cave Shrine

2009-02-04T11:15:00.001-08:00

The holy Amarnath cave is located near the India-China border hundreds of kilometres away from Srinagar. Inside the Amarnath Cave lies the ice Shiva Linga, which is visited by the Hindu pilgrims. The cylindrical ice formation resembling shiva-linga melts during May to August. This is a natural phenomenon and is believed to be a shrine of Lord Shiva. Thousands of tourists visit the place, which takes almost two days to cover the trip on feet from Baltal.

7 Wonders of India: Akshardham Temple

2009-02-04T11:13:00.001-08:00

Located in Gandhinagar, the monument enshrining the seven-foot high gold-leafed Murti of Lord Ingenuity Swaminarayan is a single-piece marble sculpture. Built using 6000 tonnes of pink sandstone. The structure is 108 feet high, 240 feet long and 131 feet wide. The colonnade around the monument is 1,751 feet in length. The building was inspired and moderated by PramukhSwami Maharaj, the spiritual head of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, whose 3,000 volunteers helped 7,000 artisans to construct Akshardham. The Akshardham at Gandhinagar is a predecessor to the Akshardham at Delhi.

7 Wonders of India: Sun Temple Modhera

2009-02-04T11:10:00.000-08:00

Located in Modhera, Gujarat, the Sun Temple is situated on the banks of the Pushpavati river. The temple comprises three separate but axially-aligned and integrated elements. Religious gatherings are held in a magnificent pillared hall that is open from all sides and it has 52 intricately carved pillars. 108 miniature shrines are carved in between the steps inside the tank. The carvings depict various scenes from the Hindu epics of Ramayan, Mahabharat and Krishna Lila. It was built in 1026 AD by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty. It is dedicated to Lord Surya, the Sun God. Modhera is now the site of several dance and cultural festivals.

7 Wonders of India: Rani Ki Vav, Patan

2009-02-04T11:02:00.000-08:00

Situated in Patan town in Gujarat, the shaft of the well is highly ornamented with intricate carvings. The wall projects the large vertical brackets in pairs, which supported the different galleries of the well. The brackets are arranged in tiers. It has a stepped corridor compartmented at regular intervals with pillared multi-storeyed pavilions. The four pavilions which demarcate the stages along the descent have multiple storeys, two, four, six and seven respectively. It was constructed during the period of the Solanki or Chalukya (11th-12th century). The full size sculptures of the stepwell are taken from the entire Hindu pantheon, for example, Vishnu, Shiva and their various aspects appear with or without their consorts.

7 Wonders of India: Sarnath

2009-02-04T11:00:00.000-08:00

Sarnath is located 13 kilometres north-east of Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh. Ashoka built the Sarnath pillar to commemorate the site of the first preaching of Lord Buddha, where he taught the Dharma to five monks. After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya the Buddha went to Sarnath; and it was here that he preached his first discourse in the deer park to set in motion the `Wheel of the Dharma`.A Monastic tradition flourished for over 1,500 years on the site of the deer park at Sarnath.