Alicia Silverstone

read more

Christina Aguilera

read more

Adriana Lima

read more

Ellora Cave Temples

Located about 200 km northeast of Bombay in the Deccan plateau which separates north from south India is the famed cave temples of Ellora.

The cave temples of Ellora were excavated from the solid rock and symbolizes the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Carved during the 350 AD to 700 AD period, these finest examples of cave - temple architecture houses detailed facades and exceptionally carved interiors.

The caves opening to the west are equally associated to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. Out of total 34 caves, 12 caves to the south are Buddhist, the 17 in the centre dedicated to Hinduism, and the 5 caves to the north are dedicated to Jainism.

From south to north there are about 34 caves here, which corresponds more or less (Cave 21 with some significant exceptions) to the order in which they were constructed. The caves 1 to 12 in southernmost direction, are dedicated to Buddhism and were built in & around 7th & 8th centuries AD. The middle caves 13 to 29 are dedicated to Hindu deities, which dates back from 7th century to 9th century AD. The upper caves are related to Jainism (9th century).

Aurangabad at a distance of 30 kms is the closest city from these cave temples. These unparalleled cave tempes are memorable for their pricelessscontribution to the immense wealth of Indian heritag.


Travel Connectivity
» By Air : Aurangabad, the closest town from Ellora is just 30 km away and is the ideal base for air passengers. Aurangabad is directly linked to Delhi, Udaipur, Jaipur, and Mumbai.

» By Rail : Aurangabad is directly linked to Mumbai and Pune. Jalgaon, a railhead on the Central Railways line is the closest railhead from Ellora.

» By Road : The excellent road network in the state make easy road accessibility to the caves of Ellora from Mumbai, Pune, Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Shirdi, Nasik, Dhule, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Indore, Bijapur, and Aurangabad.

read more

Meenakshi Temple

The Meenakshi Temple complex is a city temple in Madurai. It is one of the largest and certainly one of the most ancient in Madurai and most revered in India. The soaring and exquisitely carved towers enclose the temple dedicated to Meenakashi temple in Madurai. The south gateway contains the twin temples of Shiva and Meenakshi and is about nine storeys high in Madurai.

Although the exact date of the temple's origin is not known, the structures that are standing today date mostly between the 12th and the 18th century. The present temple was built in the 17th century A.D. by th Nayak rulers. They occupy a vast space - 258 m by 241m. The temple has the "pool of lilies", measuring 49.5 m by 36 m, surrounded by steps and has a pillared portico on four of its sides. At every turn there is an excellent sculpture, overwhelming architecture and amazing carvings.

It looks like a fortified citadel from outside. The Temple premise includes a complex of columned Mandapas, tanks, stores, shrines and, at the core, the two temples of Shiva as Sundareshvara and Devi as Meenakshi. The stonewalls and towers of the Meenakshi temple in Madurai rise out of the crowded streets of the city center. From her rambling maze-like palaces the Goddess Meenakshi presides. It is said that her image is carved out of a single emerald.

The sanctuary of Shiva has an assembly hall, a vestibule and a cella which is surmounted by a small shikara which penetrates through the flat roof covering of the whole portion of the temple . The sanctuary of Meenakshi is half the size of Shiva's sanctuary. The Gopuras at Madurai are among the most richly adorned in southern India. The temple is beautified with eleven gopuras. Four among them are 45 mtrs in height. Each gopuram is a pyramidal structure with a straight or slightly curved slope. The gopurams with life size sculpture of images from Hindu mythology are the captivating sights of this temple.

Various kings have renovated the temple, adding intertwined corridors, larger-than-life sculptures, polishing and honing an abode suitable for Meenakshi, the Goddess Shakti herself, born as daughter of a Pandya king. According to the legend of this temple the marriage of the goddess to Shiva actually took place in Madurai and is still celebrated every summer with great pomp and gaiety.

The south gateway is the ideal way for entering the twin temples of Shiva and Meenakshi. On looking up you would see the four mythical beasts called Yalis looking downwards. The eyes would glide from the yellows to the flashes of pure greens, blues, and whites on the 150 ft South Gopuram. It is beautifully proportioned, nine stories high and crowded with griming gargoyles and gryphons that perch on the ornate curved edges. Between them stand or gently sit sedate gods and goddesses.

read more

The Harimandir Golden Temple in India

The Harimandir, now called the Golden Temple is a living symbol of spiritual and historical traditions of the Sikhs. The Golden Temple is witness to the high skill of the traditional craftsmen. Its location in the center of the pool would symbolize the synthesis of nirgun and sargun: the spiritual and temporal realms of human existence. Its architecture represents a unique harmony between the Muslims and the Hindus way of construction work and this is considered the best architectural specimens of the world. It is often quoted that this architecture has created an independent Sikh school of architecture in the history of art in India. The body of water is framed on all four sides by a backdrop of bright-white buildings. The bridge is connected with the 13 feet wide “Pardakshna“. It runs round the main shrine and it leads to the “Har ki Paure” (steps of God). On the first floor of “Har ki Paure“, there is continuous reading of Guru Granth Sahib.
The door frame of the arch is about 10ft in height and 8ft 6inches in breath. The door panes are decorated with artistic style. It opens on to the causeway or bridge that leads to the main building of Sri Harmandir Sahib. It is 202 feet in length and 21 feet in width.
At the top of the first floor 4 feet high parapet rises on all the sides which has also four “Mamtees” on the four corners and exactly on the top of the central hall of the main sanctuary rises the third story. It is a small square room and have three gates .
A visit to the Golden Temple is incomplete without a visit to the following among others – Akal Takhat, Baba Atall, Guru Ka Langar, Sri Guru Ram das Niwas and The Sgpc officcers.
The Golden Temple, and the city of Amritsar itself, are best visited in the winter. The months between November and March are pleasant (even cold), although the summer can get blisteringly hot. About Golden Temple offers you holiday packages, leisure tour packages, business tour packages and pilgrimage tour packages at best available prices. Travel to Amritsar with about Golden Temple and have a memorable experience of staying in best hotels in Amritsar along with a visit to nearby religious places including Golden Temple. You must visit historical landmarks like Jallianwala Bagh and Ram Bagh.

The construction of Golden Temple at a lower level was a break away from the Hindu tradition of constructing a temple at a higher level. It was done to make the visitors go down the steps in order to pay homage to the holy shrine.

read more