Hussain Sagar Lake in Hyderabad is a heart shaped artificial lake. The lake was designed by Hussain Shah Wali and hence the name.
It is a heritage site of India and it is declared as the 'Heart of the World' by UNWTO on 27 September 2012, on the occasion of World Tourism Day, for being the World's Largest Heart Shaped Mark.
In 1563 it was built by Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah during his rule over the place. It is spread across an area of 5.7 square kilometers with maximum depth of 32 feet it is fed by River Musi. It was the main source of water supply to the city before Himayat Sagar and Osman Sagar were built on river Musi.
A large monolithic statue of the Gautama Buddha stands on Gibraltar Rock in the middle of the lake.
This lake is also popular for water sports. Other attractions around are Lumbini Park, Birla Mandir. On the adjacent Tank Bund road there are 34 well-sculptured bronze statues, mounted on high platforms.
The main tourist attraction in Samdruptse is tall statue of Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rimpoche.
This wide gigantic 45m high statue of Guru Padmasambhava over the forested Samdruptse ridge and is visible for miles around.
Painted in shimmering copper, pink and bronze, the statue of the hallowed Buddhist leader sits atop a giant lotus plinth.
Within the complex, there are some splendid art and crafts objects such as statues, several paintings, and other artefacts.
The walls of the complex are adorned by attractive sculptures and paintings.
Mahadev Govind Ranade was a founding member of the Indian National Congress. He was a well known public figure as he was Indian scholar, social reformer and author. He published books on Indian economics and on Maratha history. Below
He was a founder of the Social Conference movement and he opposed child marriage, the shaving of widows' heads, the heavy cost of marriages and other social functions. He was a staunch supporter of widow remarriage and female education. While he valued India’s history, he encouraged the acceptance of change, believing traditional social structures, like the caste system, should accommodate change, thereby preserving India’s ancient heritage.
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.
Baji Rao I was one of the prominent general part of Maratha Empire. He was general to the fourth Maratha Shahu Raje Bhonsle until his death. The famous palace Shaniwar Wada of Pune was built by him.
In his memory right in front of this structure is equestrian statue of Pradhanpant Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa.
He is known to have fought over 41 major battles and many others. It is said that he has never lost a battle which has been confirmed by British General Montgomery in his writings. An outstanding cavalry leader, he was loved by his troops and his people.
He fought freed central and western India from Mughals. Under his command, Marathas defeated the Portuguese, and Nizam. He passed away because of ill health when he was not very old.
In Karkala between 13th and 16th century, the Jainism gained popularity. As a result large number of Jain Basadis were built during this period in the area.
In this period, a monolith of Shri Bhagwan Bhaubali (popularly known as Gommateshwara) on the leak of Granite Hill of 300 ft was erected by the King Virapandya in 1432 AD. The statue measuring 42 ft in height, stands on a 5 ft high molded platform enclosed by a high cloistered parakara at a safe distance.
The striking features of the statue include elongated years, palms stretching up to knees, curly hairs. At his feet there are symbolic representation of creepers and anthills at his legs as he is standing for a long time in this position meditating after renouncing the world.
This statue of Bahubali is second only to the massive monolith at Shravabelagola. There are few sculptures of Jain Thirthankaras behind the main statue.
Shivaji was born in the hill-fort of Shivneri, near the city of Junnar in Pune district on 19 February 1630. As per legend, his mother Jijabai named him Shivaji in honor of the goddess Shivai, to whom she had prayed for a healthy child. His father Shahaji Bhosale was Maratha general who served the Deccan Sultanates.
Shivaji Maharajah was a brave and fearless military leader as well as a responsible administrator. Shivaji along with his friends took a blood oath to fight against the Mughal empire. And young age of 17 he carried out his first military action by attacking and capturing Torna Fort of the Bijapur kingdom. Through out his life he waged many wars against the Mughals, Sultans and annexed several forts and established Maratha Empire.
Not only brave, he was known for his good will towards his subjects. He encouraged all socio-economic groups to participate in the ongoing political/military struggle. He brought revolutionary changes in military, fort architecture, society and politics. Even today one can get to see several of his hill forts and most of them can only reached by trekking.
This statue of the Shivaji Maharajah is near Gateway of India in Mumbai.
Ferdinand Kittel was a priest in a church at Southern India. As a missionary he arrived in India in 1853.
He undertook exhaustive studies learning the Kannada language, customs and local music. He is the author of the first ever Kannada-English dictionary of about 70,000 words released in 1894. He also composed numerous Kannada poems. He also wrote a book on Kannada grammar.
At Bangalore, a statue on the Mahatma Gandhi road commemorates him.
The Cubbon Park in Bangalore came into existence during the rule of Maharaja Chamarajendra Wodeyar who ruled the place from 1868 - 1894. This 19th century park covers around 330 acres of green space.
There are statues of prominent personalities installed in the park. The statue of Sri Chamarajendra Wodeyar was installed in the central portion of the park near the tennis pavilion in the year 1927.
The park is also known by the name "Sri. Chamarajendra Park".
Tanaji Malusare was a brave warrior and a leader in the army of Maharaja Shivaji, founder of the Maratha Empire in the 17th century. He is known for the battle he fought to recapture the fort Kondana near Pune for his King Shivaji.
Kondana fort is at the top stiff cliff and is known to impossible to be captured by using force. He planned to storm the extremely well-guarded fort in the middle of the night. Tanaji and his troops scaled the fort with the help of monitor lizards (the iguana). They fought a fierce battle to recapture the fort. He fought with another brave man Udaybhan Rathod from the opposition ranks even after he lost his shield. It is known that Tanaji fought Udaybhan by tying a cloth over one of his hands and using it to ward off Uday Bhan's sword attacks. Tanaji and his men managed to capture the fort, but Tanaji lost his life in the battle.
Maharaja Shivaji renamed the fort from Kondana to Sinhagad in his honor. His words after hearing about the demise of Tanaji were "Gad ala pan Sinha gela" He meant "Won the Fort, lost the Lion"
This statue is located in the Sinhagad.
Mahatma Gandhi was born on 2nd October, 1869 in Porbandar. He completed his basic education in India and then moved on to London to study Law. After that he practiced law in South Africa.
Later he returned back to India in 1915 to join he freedom struggle against British. He led Indians in protesting the British-imposed salt tax with the 250 mile Dandi Salt March.
He practiced non-violence and truth in all situations, and advocated that others do the same. He lived modestly in a self-sufficient residential community and wore the traditional Indian dhoti and shawl, woven with yarn he had hand spun on a charkha.
With his principles he forced British to free India from their clutches.
The above images of Gandhi and beach are taken at Malpe Beach at Udupi.
Chamundi Hills at Mysore offers lot of attractions. One among them is colorful statue of daemon Mahishasura.
This gigantic image of the daemon greets visitors as they reach summit of the hill. In one hand there is cobra, while in another hand there is sword. This statue was built, along with the steps leading up the hill during the reign of King Dodda Devaraja.
As per the legend the demon was vanquished by Goddess Chamundeshwari as a symbol of victory of good over evil.
Cubbon Park in Bangalore (State: Karnataka) is one of the biggest parks in the city. There are several statues installed in this park.
In the year 1906, the Statue of Queen Victoria of Britain is installed in this park.
This statue is located at one end of the park near Mahatama Gandhi Circle.
Born in November 1835, Rani Laxmi Bai is the bravest soldier of First War of Indian Independence. Even in her childhood she was known for her bravery. Even though not from royal family she was well versed in horse riding, sword fighting and archery.
At a very young age she was married to Raja Gangadhar Rao, the Maharaja of Jhansi. After the death of her husband, she adopted a son and appointed him as a successor of Jhansi. But on the pretext that adopted son is not entitled to throne the British annexed Jhansi from her. Rani was not ready to give up Jhansi to Britishers which rightfully belonged to her.
In March 1858, the Britishers attacked Jhansi. With her trusted warriors Rani Laxmi Bai fought for about two weeks against the British. However, after this great war, Jhansi fell to the British forces. When the situation was not in control, Rani of Jhansi with some of her warriors departed from Jhansi. But regrouped her warriors and she captured Gwalior, which was under the control of British then. Again a fierce battle took place. Rani Laxmi Bai fought with deathless patriotism and martyrdom. However on the second day of battle,on 18th June of 1858 she lost her life at the very young age of 22.
Born on 23rd January 1897 in Cuttack, Subhas Chandra Bose is one of the greatest freedom fighter who fought for independence of India. He studied in Fitzwilliam Hall of the University of Cambridge, and passed with high scores. He was elected president of the Indian National Congress for two consecutive terms. He advocated complete freedom for India at the earliest which differed from views of other leaders of India. He was popularly known as Netaji (Respected Leader).
Statue of Netaji near Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore
During the Second World War, he traveled to the Soviet Union, Germany and Japan, seeking an alliance with the aim of attacking the British in India. With Japanese assistance, he led the Indian National Army, formed from Indian prisoners-of-war and plantation workers from British Malaya, Singapore, and other parts of Southeast Asia, against British forces. With Japanese monetary, political, diplomatic and military assistance, he formed the Azad Hind Government in exile and regrouped and led the Indian National Army in battle against the allies at Imphal and in Burma.
Statue of Netaji with Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore in the backdrop
It is believed that he has died on 18 August 1945 in a plane crash over Taiwan. However, contradictory evidence exists regarding his death in the accident. There are theories that state that he was traced in India in the late 1990. Hie death is still a mystery.
In the year the King Edward VII statue was built by public subscription, and installed at the North-Western point of the Cubbon Park, Bangalore.
