Lothal Dockyard

Lothal with ancient civilization that is nearly 4000 years has still has some traces of the past. This place has world's earliest known dock that connected the city to an ancient course of the Sabarmati river on the trade route between Harappan cities in Sindh and the peninsula of Saurashtra.

Even today we can see a part of this dockyard. It was located away from the main river to avoid deposition of silt. This was the earliest known dock found in the world, equipped to berth and service ships.

It is possible that people in those days studied tidal movements, and their effects on brick-built structures, since the walls are of kiln-burnt bricks.

It was a vital and thriving trade center in ancient times, with its trade of beads, gems and valuable ornaments reaching the far corners of West Asia and Africa. 

Brahmadeva Temple, Shravanabelagola

It is a small shrine at the foot of the Indragiri hill near the beginning of the stairs. This temple in Shravanabelagola was erected by Rangaiya, younger brother of Girigowda of Hirisave, probably in 1679 A.D. 

The shrine has a idol of Brahma Yaksha. This shrine has an upper storey, evidently a later addition, called as the Jaraguppe Basadi.

Images of India - 149

A glimpse of  India in black and white. Check other posts that will give you more details about this place.

Boating in Sims Park at Coonoor

Same image in color

Saher ki Masjid, Champaner

Inside the Citadel of Champaner, in Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park this was a private mosque built for royal family and nobles of Gujarat Sultanate sometime between 15th and 16th century. The architecture of the mosque is a fusion of Indo-Islamicn style. 

The pillars and beams follow Indian style while the column and arch represent Islamic style. There are three arches to which one can enter the mosque. Corresponding to each arched entrance is a large dome in a central row, each surrounded on all four sides by cupolas.

Constructed on a raised platform, the mosque has a large prayer hall with five mihrabs, accessed through central arched entrance flanked by two minarets on both sides.

The interior of the dome is is beautifully carved along with other structures. The external minaret has lot of carvings on it.

Nadankanan Zoo - Snakes

Nadankanan Zoo at Bhubaneswar is one of great zoo in India. There are various animals and birds at the zoo. There are also various species of snakes.

Sarkhej Roza - Tomb of Sheikh Ahmed Khattu, Ahmedabad

The Sarkhej Roza Complex at Ahmedabad has various interesting structures. One among them is the early 15th century structure the Tomb of Sheikh Ahmed Khattu Ganj Baksh. 

Roofed by a large central dome, it is surrounded by rows of 13 domes on each side. The central square, on which the dome stands has double pillars. 

The architecture is based on both Islamic and Hindu principles. While the ringed domes, the profusion of pillars and brackets follow the Islamic genre, much of the ornamentation and motifs have Hindu designs.

The walls are panelled with trellised windows of perforated stone works in a variety of designs. 

Images of India - 148

A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Check other posts that will give you more details about this monument.

Tower of Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple at Madurai

Bekal Fort, Pallikkere

This 13th century Bekal Fort at Pallikkere is the largest and best-preserved fort in Kerala on the Arabian Sea. early period, the fort was under the control of Kadamba dynasty and later ruled by Kolathiri Rajahs. 

The fort is built of literate blocks directly over the bedrock. It is roughly polygonal on plan perched peon the steep bank of the sea. The twelve meter high fortification wall is impregnated with 15 bastions of semicircular, octagonal, oval, square and rectangular shape. The main entrance in zigzag fashion on the north side.

The fort appears to have been built up from the sea as three fourths of its exterior is drenched and the waves continually stroke the citadel.

The fort spread over 40 acres still has interesting structures. Some of them are:

• Observation Tower
• Magazine Room

Fort is open on all days, and it is maintained by ASI.

Birds of Hebbal Lake - 13, Bangalore

Glimpses of birds at Hebbal Lake in north Bangalore.

Vivekananda House, Chennai

Born on 12 January 1863, Swami Vivekananda was an chief disciple of the 19th-century saint Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the introduction of the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world. He is that he made at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in 1893 and introduced Hinduism to the World.

After returning back to India from Chicago he stayed in a house at Chennai for nine days and hence this house has been called Vivekananda House. Now, this historic place houses a permanent exhibition on Indian Culture and Swami Vivekananda’s Life. 

The exhibition is open to public all days from 10.00 AM to 12.15 PM and from 3.00 PM to 7.15 PM except Wednesdays. I could not see the exhibition as I was too early to this place.

Images of India - 147

A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Check other posts that will give you more details about this monument.

View of Golden Fort at Jaisalmer

Lakshmanalingeshwara Temple, Avani

Ramlingeshwar Temple complex at Avani has several shrines and one of them is Lakshmanalingeshwara Temple. This temple is built by rulers of Nolamba dynasty in 10th Century A.D. 

This shrine is most ornate in the complex. The temple on plan has garbhgriha, an antarala and navaranga. 

The linga in the  garbhgriha is largest in the complex.

The navaranga has four pillars with relief sculptures and the ceiling has Uma-Maheshwara surrounded by dikpalakas.

The external wall is ornate with friezes of elephants, lions, yalis and makara heads.

Birds of Jakkur Lake - 2, Bangalore

Jakkur Lake in north Bangalore you can come across some colorful birds. 

In the middle of the lake there is a small island with a small trees. One can see lot of birds   like Painted Stork, pelicans on the tree.

Pallikkere

Pallikkere is a small village in the state of Kerala. Places of attraction here are Bekal Fort and beach.

The other place of attraction nearby is Manjeshwar.

Other place of interest nearby is Chandragiri Fort. 

Images of India - 146

A glimpse of heritage monument of India in black and white. Check other posts that will give you more details about this monument.

Stone screen of Tomb of Ghous Mohammed  in Gwalior 

Sayaji Baug Zoo, Vododara

Sayaji Baug Zoo at Vododara on the banks of the Vishwamitri river. The inspiration of a Zoo here came from H. H. Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III and it was opened to the public in 1879.

The Maharaja donated his own private collection of Indian and Exotic Animals to the Zoo. It has three sections a) Bird Section, b) Bear Section and c) Tiger section with more than 200 animals and 500 birds. 

New Year Greetings 2016

Your continuous support and interest in my blog enthused me to show more of my Little World.

Looking forward to do more of it in the New Year.

Thanks to all and happy blogging.

Friends wish you all

HAPPY & PROSPEROUS
New Year