Sunday, August 14, 2011

Poetry in Stone - 6

This is sixth in the series on the rich cultural heritage of temples in India. The ancient temples are richly carved and they behold ones attention for their craftsmanship.

One such architectural gem is Kailashnath Temple of Kanchipuram. This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is surrounded by 64 small sub-shrines. They adorned with the sculptures of the Lord Shiva in different poses, representing a picture of different aspects of mythology.

Here below Lord Shiva and Parvati can be seen sitting position. Behind them we can also see traces of red and green paint.

Another architectural gem Ekambareshvara Temple of Kanchipuram. It is one of the largest temple and dates back to sometime between 16th to 17th centuries.

As one enter the temple there is a beautiful carvings on the pillar. It looks like a throne ceremony of Lord Rama.

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51 comments:

  1. I have always been fascinated by carvings in stone, those that adorn beautiful temples, churches, cathedrals or even simple homes. Stone has such a hard surface and yet it can give rise to true "poetry".
    xoxo

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  2. I have visited this temple a number of times.. Wonderful temple.. Nice to recollect it through this beautiful post.!

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  3. Marvellous sculptures, well-captured!

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  4. I prefer all these superb sculptures without paintings. We used to have our churches and cathedral painted as well and the excess of colours is overwhelming and refrains you from admiring the detail of the sculpture work (well, it's my point of view anyway!!)

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  5. Beautiful pictures. I'm curious, are these photos of the exterior? Are you allowed to click pictures in the temple?

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  6. this post is stunning with its importance...

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  7. Anonymous21:47

    Poetry yes - and history in stone too!

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  8. Anonymous04:38

    always a lovely post.

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  9. I like the variety in the carvings.

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  10. Gorgeous temples and terrific captures as always, Rajesh! Fascinating history, I've been reading quite a bit about Lord Shiva recently! Great post for the day!

    Sylvia

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  11. Nice to see such beautiful designs on the temple. We learn much of ancient history from them.

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  12. Beautiful poetry in stone these masterpieces.

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  13. I love the temples of India, they are beautiful.

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  14. The green and red is very prominent in color I love it!

    RT

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  15. The little hints of red in these photos accentuate the carvings.

    ENAMORED OF RED

    Enamored of red
    I lie in my bed,
    Dreaming of cherry-filled crèmes;

    For red is the shade,
    The prettiest made,
    That gives me the sweetest of dreams.


    © 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher

    Red and Yellow Rooftops

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  16. You do have an extremely rich cultural heritage. Fascinating sculptures!

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  17. Imagine how long it took to carve!

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  18. Anonymous21:16

    Absolutely beautiful!!

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  19. excellent design.
    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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  20. It's like the sound of music in stone!! Beautifully carved!!

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  21. The images represent the phrase well - architectural gem! Great capture rajesh

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  22. Gorgeous temples and intricately carved!

    Leslie
    abcw team

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  23. The carvings on all of these temples is simply marvelous. You're showing a rich cultural heritage indeed.

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  24. Hello.
    Indeed, these are poetry in stone.

    Thanks for the tour & history.

    I appreciate the visit too.

    Evening Wind

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  25. Anonymous07:56

    Fascinating architecture! You live amongst a lot of a fabulous temples.

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  26. Beautiful work of arts!

    Epcot's Spaceship Earth, please come and see.

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  27. love the intricate details. thanks for sharing your world.

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  28. They are beautiful sculptures. I wondered if the number 64 is significant for the number of sub-shrines?

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  29. 64 sub shrines - fascinating. Glad that this generation can still see these beautiful craftsmanships.

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  30. Very beautiful picture. Marvellous sculpture.
    You are welcome at my new posts-
    http://urmi-z-unique.blogspot.com/
    http://amazing-shot.blogspot.com

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  31. I wonder how is a throne ceremony done in places like that and during times like the 17th and 18th centuries in India.

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  32. The 64 sub-shrines intrigued me. I discovered the number has much significance but am guessing that in this context its possible meaning is karmic final liberation. Whatever its significance so many sculptures must be an amazing sight.

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  33. °º♫
    °º✿
    º° ✿♥ Olá, amigo!
    Seu país é misterioso, exótico... maravilhoso...
    Arquitetura e esculturas ímpares e seculares... muita beleza.
    Beijinhos.
    Brasil°º♫
    °º✿
    º° ✿♥ ♫°

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  34. Thank you all for appreciating this sculptural marvel.

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  35. Fabulous carvings, I like them very much.

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  36. I'm in awe of the work that went into this and how long it most likely took to create. magical and mystical. happy SSS to you.

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  37. These stone carving are magnificent and in wonderful condition for their age. Love the bit of red. Like Ms. Becky, I cannot even begin to imagine how long it must have taken the carvers and workers to complete these ancient works of art. genie

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  38. Anonymous19:25

    Yes, a beautiful craft they had.
    Always interesting!

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  39. beautiful work of art -such intricate carvings! :)

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  40. Thank you all for appreciating this wonderful carvings.

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  41. Very interesting carvings in stones.
    Nice title of your post.

    Regards!

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  42. Wow! Great carvings. Have a wonderful week.

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  43. Its a beautiful post and lovely images... thanks for sharing...

    Shashi
    ॐ नमः शिवाय
    Om Namah Shivaya
    http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com/
    At Twitter @VerseEveryDay

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  44. Very ancient temple, intricate carvings and superb architecture!

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  45. Anonymous23:35

    Wow! Thanks for sharing them. Brilliant work :)

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  46. Nice work Rajesh...great to see such amazing places and architecture thru ur blog.
    64 shrines...my God!

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  47. Thank you all for appreciating this wonderful carvings.

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  48. I've been to this temples a few times. Simply awesome. Majestic.

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