Bhartiya Itihash

Rakhigarhi :  One of oldest and largest cities of Indus valley civilization dating back to 6500 BCE. ✴️ Location : Hisar district of Haryana . ✴️ Water source : Chautang ( Drishavati River - now extinct) Part of Saraswati River ( Ghaggar - Hakra)  system . Findings :  ✅ Seven mounds identified. ✅ Evidence of habitation during Early Harappan and Mature Harappan Phase. ✅ Sacrificial Pit : circular and Triangular on mud floor. ✅ Pottery : red and pink with designs similar to Kalibangan pottery . ✅ Mud and burnt brick houses . ✅ Bone and ivory working sites identified. ✅ Cylindrical seal with 5 Harappan characters and on other side alligator symbol. ✴️ Recent findings : two female skeletons buried with pottery and jwellery ; and water management channel between two mounds.

Maha Kumbh Mela :        A sacred pilgrimage and world's largest peaceful gathering. Features : ✅ It comes in every 144 years or after 12 Purna Kumbh Mela . ✅ Millions of pilgrims attend to bath in holy rivers , seeking spiritual liberation nd cleansing of sins. ✅ Location : Prayagraj . Historical background :  ✅ The founding myth of Kumbh Mela points to the Puranas . ✅ The origins of Kumbh Mela dates back to thousands of years with reference from Maurya and Gupta periods. ✅ It was supported by royal dynasties such as Cholas, Vijayanagar Empire, Delhi sultanate, and  Mughals including emperor Akbar. ✅ The origin was transcribed by 8th C. Philosopher Adi Shankaracharya . ✅ Documented by British administrators like James Princep in the 19th century. Maha Kumbh Mela is going to be celebrated in Prayagraj in 2025.

Kailashnatha/ Kailasanathar Temple :  About temple :   ✅ A historic Hindu temple , located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. ✅ Dedicated to Shiva . ✅ Built in about 700 CE by Pallava dynasty King Narasimhavarman II with additions by Mahindravarman II . Features :  ✅ Built in Dravidian style of temple architecture . ✅ A square plan with Mukha mandapa ( entrance hall) , a Maha mandapa ( gathering hall) and a Garbh griha ( sanctum) topped with 4 storey Vimana . ✅ Main sanctum was surrounded by 9 shrines . ✅ Temple was intricately carved with themes of Shaivism and also Vaishnavism , Shaktism and Vedic deities. ✅ Walls have many inscriptions in early scripts .   Location: Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu  Religion : Hinduism  Diety : Shiva Dynasty: Pallava King : Narasimhavarman II  Completed : 700 CE.

Ajmer Sharif Dargah :   ✅ Among the holiest Muslim Shrines, located in Ajmer  ( Rajasthan). ✅ Dedicated to Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti , a revered Sufi Saint from Persia . About Shrine :  ✅ Earliest structure was built in 15th C. by Khalji Rulers of Malwa. ✅ An example of Indo - Islamic Architecture, domes with Lotus designs. Features  : ✅ Buland Darwaza :  constructed by Sultan Mahmud khan Khalji . ✅ White Marble Dome :  constructed by Mughal emperor Humayun in 1532 to honour Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti after his passing . ✅ Akbari Masjid : constructed during Emperor Akbar's reign.

Dhudmaras Village is recently added in Best Tourism Village list of United Nations World Tourism organisation . .         ( A tourism spot in Dhudmaras) Chattisgarh tourism About Village :       ✅It is located in Kanger Valley National Park , Bastar district of Chhattisgarh .  ✅ It is nestled in dense forests with Kanger river flowing through it. ✅ Dhudmaras offers an idyllic setting for eco-tourism. It is known for its natural beauty, biodiversity, traditional lifestyle, and local cuisine. ✅ Dhurwa tribe part of Gond tribe resides in the area and act as guide in tourism. ✅ Younger members of the local Dhurwa Tribe offer kayaking, bamboo rafting and trekking activities. ✅ There are also home stays where tourists are introduced to traditional ways of tribal life, crafts and festivals.

Kanaka Durga temple also known by name of Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devasthanam.  About temple: • It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Kanaka Durga.  • Location :  It is located in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India on Indrakeeladri Hill on banks of river Krishna . • Temple architecture : Dravidian style. • The holy shrine is a Swayambhu ( self manifested). • the mythological significance of the place is learned from the story that Arjuna prayed to Lord Shiva on these Hills. • the temple construction dates back to 8th century C.E. • it is said that Adi Shankaracharya visited this temple and installed the Sri Chakra here.

                     Mahabodhi temple, Bihar . Mahabodhi temple complex is one of the four holy sites related to life of Lord Buddha , and particularly to his attainment of enlightenment ( Nirvana).                   It was first built by Emperor Ashoka in 3rd century B.C . and the present temple dates from 5th or 6th Century C.E .              It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples reconstructed and built entirely with bricks , still standing in India.          The temple complex is located in Bodh Gaya , Bihar and it is a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE,  declared in 2002.               

These are mound burials of late medieval period ( 13th - 19th century C.E.) of Tai Ahom community in Assam.          These pyramid like structures enshrined mortal remains of the members of Ahom royalty who used to buried with their paraphernalia   ( goods for afterlife use).        After the 18thC. , the Ahom rulers adopted he Hindu method of cremation and began emtombing the cremated bones and ashes in a Maidam at Charaideo. 

  It is a Shiva temple built by Recherla Rudra under the patronage of  Kakatiya rulers in 1213 AD in Telangana.           It was named after its chief sculptor Ramappa . It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2021.                  It was built in Vesara style of temple architecture and very intricately carved.

Meenakshi Amman temple , also known as Minakshi Sundareshwar temple is one of the oldest and most important temples , located on southern bank of the Vaigai river in temple City of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.     The temple is at he centre of the ancient temple City of the Madurai mentioned in the Tamil Sangam literature, with the goddess temple mentioned in the 6th C. b.c . e. texts .   About the temple :      It is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, a form of Shakti and her consort, Sundareshwarar , a form of Shiva .                        It is believed that Lord Shiva assumed the form of Sundareshwarar ( means ' the handsome one' ) and married Parvati (Meenakshi) at the site.    Lord Vishnu, who is believed as brother of Parvati, is depicted presiding over the marriage of Shiva and Meenakshi in the temple sculptures . Mythology about the Goddess Meenaks...

The Sun temple of Modhera is one of the few temples in India , which are dedicated to God Surya . It is situated on the bank of river Pushpavati , in Modhera Village of Mehsana district, Gujarat, India.                     No worship is offered now in temple is protected monument maintained by Archaeological Survey of India. .              From - Google maps About construction :             The temple is said to be built in 1026- 1027 AD during the reign of Bhima Deva 1 of the Solanki / Chalukya Dynasty.           The temple is suspected to have been built to commemorate the defense of Modhera by Bhima 1 against Mahmud of Ghazni.            There is an upside down inscription on the back wall of the shrine that reads " Vikram Samvat 1083" . This roughly depicts the period 1026- 1027 CE , that's it is r...

Among the largest stepwells in Gujarat, the sculptural wealth of Rani ki vav supasses all other.           Initially built as a memorial in the 11th CE , the Stepwell was constructed as a religious as well as functional structure and designed as an inverted temple highlighting the sanctity of water . .           ©- from Google maps About the architecture: 1 . Rani ki vav is located on the banks of the Saraswati River in Patan, Gujarat. 2 . It was built by Solanki dynasty's Queen Udayamati in the 11th CE as a memorial to her deceased husband Bhimdev 1 . 3 . Rani ki vav is well known for it beautiful seven story tower which is designed as inverted temple  and intricately carved sculptures and depicts the entire universe - gods , goddesses , deities, birds , animals, celestial bodies etc. .           © - from Google maps  4 . The Stepwell is aligned east - West and h...

Jagannath temple is an important Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu.            The temple is located at Puri in state of Odisha, on eastern coast of India. .                  ©- Google maps About temple:                            It is believed to be constructed in the 12th C. by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga dynasty .                          The temple was called the ' white Pagoda ' and is a part of Chardham pilgrimages ( Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri and Rameshwaram). Architecture of temple:  1.  The temple is in type of Kalinga Architecture of Nagara Style. 2. The temple tower was built on a raised platform of stone. 3 . The temple has four distinct sectional structures:        ...

Brihdeshwara temple , also known as Raj Rajeshwara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in Thanjavur ( Tamil Nadu) .                             It is one of best examples of the Dravidian style o f temple architecture built by Chola emperor Raja Raja chola 1 between 1003 AD and 1010 AD. .             ©- Google map Architecture of temple :  1 .   The temple got status of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.  2. It is a part of ' Great living Chola Temples ' along with the Brihdeshwara temple , Gangaikonda cholapuram and Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram. 3 . Brihdeshwara temple is first among all buildings which make use of granite fully ( what's interesting is- granite is not found around 100miles of temple). 4 . The temple consists of a pyramidal spire and is adorned with sculptures, bronze sculpture and paintings inside as well as outsid...

Konark Sun Temple is located at Konark, odisha, India . It is a 13th century C.E. Sun temple, attributed to King Narshimhadeva 1 of the Eastern Ganga dynasty about 1250 CE. .              © - from Google maps. Significance of temple : 1 . The temple is dedicated to the Sun God , also known as Surya .   2. It is one of few temples in India which are dedicated to Surya Dev, like Modhera sun temple, Gujarat; Martand Sun Temple, Kashmir. 3. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in 1984. 4 . It is known for its exquisite architecture and intricate stone carvings. Architecture of the temple:  1 . The temple is in shape of Chariot, with exquisitely carved wheels and galloping horses. 2 . The temple also features elaborate stone carvings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology . 3 . There are two rows of 12 wheels on each side of the temple, they cast shadows that could be used to determine the exact time.  ....

The Bhimbetka Rock Shelters are an archaeological site in central India that spans the Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods as well as the historic period.                             It is located in Raisen district in Madhya Pradesh state of India .  .            © - Bhopal tourism  About Site: 1. The site was found by V.S. Wakankar in 1957 . 2. It is a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE that consists of seven hills and over 750 rock Shelters. 3 . The rock Shelters and caves provide evidence of human settlements and the cultural evolution from hunter gatherers to agriculturists and expression of prehistoric spirituality. 4. Some of rock Shelters features prehistoric cave paintings, dating back to as early as 40000 years ago ( upper Paleolithic period). 5 . The cave paintings show themes such as animals , early evidence of dance and hunting and warriors on horse back, man...

Kamakhya Temple located at Nilachal Hills in Guwahati, Assam . It is one of the oldest and most revered centres of Tantric practices, dedicated to the goddess Kamakhya. .                © - Wikipedia About temple:   1. The temple is centre of the Kulachara Tantra Marga . 2. The temple is dated to the 8th- 9th century with many subsequent rebuildings and the final hybrid architecture defines a local style called Nilachal . 3. It is also one among the oldest 4 of 51 pithas in the Shakta tradition. 4. It was built by Mlechchha dynasty and rebuilt by Koch king Nara Narayan and Ahom kings. 5. It is the main temple in a complex of individual temples dedicated to the ten Mahavidyas of Shaktism. 6. The temple' s innermost shrine has bedrock with a cleft shaped like ' yoni ' . Through that cleft , an underground, natural spring flows out. 7. The temple is a main site of the Ambubachi Mela , an annual festival that celebrates the menstru...

The Iron pillar now stands in the Qutb Complex at Mehrauli in Delhi,India , is said to be constructed in 5th C.AD by Chandragupta 2 ( ruled 375c.- 415 A.D.).           It was erected elsewhere , perhaps outside the Udayagiri caves, and moved to its present location by Anangpal Tomar in 11th C.  .           Credit - Google map Pillar art and architecture: 1. The metals used in pillar construction have a rust resistant composition and the iron is of high quality which can stand the weather of Delhi. 2. At the top of Pillar, there are adorned carvings . 3. There is a deep socket known as the base of Iron pillar and here state of lord Garuda is fixed . 4. Pillars weighs around 3000 kilograms and around 24metre tall and 16 inches in diameter. 5. The pillar has many inscriptions carved on it's surface of different dates.   Inscriptions on the pillar:   1. Inscription of King Chandra Gupta 2 -     ...

Dhordo Village is located in Kutch district in Gujarat. The village is located in Great Rann of Kutch .              It is included in UN Agency's World Tourism Organisations list of Best Tourism Villages of 2023. .             Credit - UN site Significance of village: 1. Dhordo is well known for hosting the annual Rann Utsav , a vibrant cultural festival that showcases the traditional art, music, and crafts of the region. 2. Dhordo provides an opportunity to explore and purchase authentic handicrafted items such as embroidered textiles and famous copper bells. 3. The hand painted fabric ( Rogan ) from Dhordo is a must have. 4. The lacquer art on wood is exquisite. 5. For nature and wildlife enthusiasts, one will get to see bird species, including falmingos, cranes and pelicans, which migrate to the region.                           Apart ...

Buland Darwaza or ' door of victory ' or ' gate of magnificence ' is a fine and best example of the great Mughal architecture during time of Akbar .                 The fifteen - storied high gateway that acts as the Southern entrance to the Jama Masjid at Fatehpur Sikri, which is 43 km from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.   .          Credit - from Quora Facts about history, architecture and plan: 1 . Construction of Buland Darwaza started by Akbar in 1601 AD , to commemorate his victory over Gujarat in 1573 campaign . It's completion took around 12 years. 2 . It is one of the tallest gateways in the world. 3 . Fatehpur Sikri, including Buland Darwaza, isa UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE , and is recognised for its cultural and historical significance. 4 . Structure of Buland Darwaza is a mixture of Hindu and Persian style . 5 . Buland Darwaza is adorned with intricate carvings and geometric patterns. I...