India - West Bengal - Temples at Bishnupur

Built in bricks and also in laterite, the temples at Bishnupur are mostly of Eka-Ratna type with a single tower upon a sloping roof and a square cell (Garbhagriha) flanked by a porch on each side with three multicusped arches (i.e. Lalji, Kalachand, Radhashyam, Jormandir and Nandalal). Besides these there are a few with multiple towers of Pancha Ratna types (Shyam Rai of A.D. 1643). The Jor Bangle temple (A.D.1655) bears a distinctive character with two Dochala structures joined together by a Charchala Sikhara at the top. The Rasmancha (A.D.1600) represents a singular architectural style with a pyramidal roof standing on a spacious laterite plinth. The sanctum is enclosed by three successive circomambulatory galleries.

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

The Jor-Bangla Temple (built in 1655) is an iconic 17th-century terracotta structure in Bishnupur, West Bengal, famous for its "twin-hut" architectural style. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List as part of the "Temples at Bishnupur". Thanks to Christian for mailing from Germany.

India - Tamil Nadu - Temples of Kanchipuram

Another aspect of Kanchi is its rich political legacy. Kanchi was an important city mentioned in the Sangam literature under the rule of the Cholas. However, with the rise of the Pallavas under Simhavishnu about sixth century CE, who made Kanchi as his capital, it gained more political clout and importance. It remained the capital city of the Pallavas for next two centuries. It continued to be a secondary capital under the Cholas as always, they took pride in possessing it and embellishing it with many temples.  After the end of Chola rule in thirteenth century and till toady it never lost its pre-eminence as a centre of culture, religion and sacredness. The ensemble of religious, cultural, social and political efflorescence for several centuries made Kanchipuram a vibrant centre of built heritage, particularly temples dedicated to Siva and Vishnu, in all more than one hundred and fifty temples. The 11 temples are identified under this nomination, are as follows:

1. The Rajasimhesvaram or Kailasanatha Temple
2. Piravatnesvara temple
3. Iravathanesvara temple
4. Paramesvara Vinnagaram or Vaikuntaperumal temple
5. Muketswara temple
6. Arulala or Varadharaja Perumal temple
7. Ekambaresvara temple (Thirukachiekambam)
8. Jvaraharesvara temple
9. Pandava Dootha Perumal Temple
10. Yathothkari Perumal Temple
11. Ulagalanda Perumal Temple

Sri Vaikuntaperumal Temple at Kanchipuram. Thanks to Michael of Germany.

India - Iconic Riverfront of the Historic City of Varanasi

"Excavations, historic documents and scientific analyses support the fact that Varanasi is one of the most ancient continuously living cities of the world. With an abundance of iconic ghats, temples, historic housing and living religious and cultural traditions, Varanasi is one of the highest embodiments of Indian culture and spirituality, and the ghats are an epitome of the traditions attached. Owing to the immense sacred value associated with River Ganga in the Indian context, the riverfront forms the most iconic part of the city. The riverfront, that is the interface of the river with the land, encompasses the ghats (the steps leading to the river bank), the magnificent edifices towering above them, and the quaint alleys behind flanked with temples, mosques, palaces, havelis (traditional courtyard houses), kunds, akharas, gardens and gateways. The ghats portray a considerable part of the city’s cultural traditions and religious symbolism, thus being especially significant to Hindu religion."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Varanasi, formerly Benares, is one of the holiest Hindu town along the Ganges River - Gangga. Pilgrims here cleansed themselves in the holy river. Thanks so much to Donna who lives in India.

India - Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam

"Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, also known as Thiruvaranga Tirupati, is one of the most illustrious Vaishnav[1] temples in the country, dedicated to Ranganatha, a reclining form of Hindu deity, Bhagwan (God or Lord) Vishnu. Situated in an ethereal setting on the island of Srirangam that is bounded by the two rivers of Cauvery and Kollidam (a tributary of Cauvery), this living temple and sacred centre of pilgrimage is counted as the first and foremost among the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Bhagwan Vishnu.

More importantly, it is not just a temple but a temple-town, unique in its Sapta-Prakaram[2] formation, a temple centred settlement pattern that comprises of Sapta (seven)[3] concentric rectangular enclosures or prakarams[4] formed by thick and huge rampart walls that run round the sanctum sanctorum in which the deity presides. While the inner five enclosures of the complex constitute the temple, the outer two enclosures function as the settlement. Thus, the distinction between the temple and the settlement gets blurred and the temple is also referred to as Srirangam many a times. This Temple-Town typology is unique to this part of the world and Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is an exceptional example of the same."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Ranganathswamy Temple in Srirangam, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India. Thanks to Sidarth of Mangalore, India.

India - Bahá'í House of Worship at New Delhi

"The Baha’i House of Worship in New Delhi is the Mother Temple of Baha’i faith in the Indian subcontinent. It is an edifice eminently and elegantly distinctive in its design, and uniquely inspirational in its purpose: to represent the Oneness of God, the Oneness of all Religions, and the Oneness of Mankind, the guiding tenets of Baha’i faith.

Expressionist in style and spectacular in its architectural and structural and ingenuity, the House of Worship takes its inspiration from the exquisite lotus flower - a symbol of beauty, purity and divinity intimately associated with worship and a common strand running through the symbolism of many religions in India as well as their international sects and manifestations.

The nine-sided , House of Worship Composed from 45 petals of white exposed concrete “Shell Structure” soaring to a height of more than 34 meters and adorned with shimmering white marble external cladding, sits majestically on 27 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, located in southern New Delhi. Designed by Iranian-Canadian architect Fariborz Sahba, the House of Worship (popularly called the Lotus Temple), consists of five sets of leaves or petals (3 external and 2 internal sets) each set consisting of 9 thin cast-in-place-jointless concrete shells. The outermost set of nine petals, called the entrance leaves, opens outwards and forms the nine entrances all around the outer hall. The next set of nine petals, or outer leaves, points inwards. The entrance and outer leaves together cover the outer hall. The third set of nine petals, called the inner leaves, appears to be partly closed. Only the tips open out, somewhat like a partly opened bud. This portion, which rises above the rest, forms the main structure housing the 2 sets of nine petals each thin shell structures called interior dome which houses central prayer hall, which seats 1,300.

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

I visited this awesome Baha'i House of Worship during my trip to New Delhi in November, 2106. Bought this postcard in New Delhi.

India - Cold Desert Cultural Landscape of India

"The Cold Desert Cultural Landscape of India comprises a stunning bare landscape in the north-western part of the country beyond the Greater Himalayas that is dotted with lofty mountains kissing the azure blue sky, clear streams in deep gorges and little vegetation that provides uninterrupted breathtaking views; a setting that receives abundant sunlight and snow but little rainfall. This region, spread across parts of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Himachal Pradesh (H.P.) has been documented to have a unique Cold Desert ecosystem with rare and endangered varieties of flora and fauna, so much so that many national parks and wildlife reserves have been declared here for their protection. The human settlements are small, isolated, sparsely populated and their planning a testament to the harsh terrain and environment.

The proposed property is a trans-Himalayan marginal plateau land and edge region between the Greater Himalayas of India and the main Tibetan Plateau, which is an unparalleled location both physically and culturally. Rooted in Buddhism, the culture of the region is strongly affiliated with Tibet but traces of Indian influences make it unique and one of its kind, which is also manifest in its architecture and intangible traditions that are already world renowned..."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

An amazing postcard of Lamayuru Monastery of Ladakh, India. Thanks to Grete of United Kingdom who was visiting Leh, Ladakh, India.

India - Evolution of Temple Architecture – Aihole-Badami- Pattadakal

"The property constituting of groups of monuments in Aihole (including Nagral) and Badami as an extension to Pattadakal which is the culmination, together represent the experimentation in Hindu cave and temple architecture under the Early Chalukya developing fundamental prototypes for later temples in the peninsula.

The groups of monuments located in the town of Badami and villages of Aihole, Nagaral and Pattadakal, of Bagalkot district, along Malprabha river is the contribution of the eastern Chalukya Dynasty (6th-8th century CE). Ruling a vast culturally diverse expanse bound by Rivers Narmada and Kaveri on the North and South, this Dynasty patronised development of diverse cultural forms. The focus on temple and cave art and architecture by the Badami-Chalukyas led to unprecedented progression of both typologies. The temples at Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal are the largest, earliest group of monuments which comprehensively demonstrates the evolution in Hindu rock-cut and temple architecture in India..."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

One of the Cave Temples at Badami, Karnataka, India. Thanks to Nagi of India.

India - Delhi - A Heritage City

"...Architectural vocabulary developed encompassing elements from Indian, Islamic architecture, art and craft. Use of kaiash.or lotus motifs in Islam buildings or Incorporating chattris and chajJas in 20th century colonial buildings are examples of sensitive amalgamation of different styles. Such form of architectural amalgamation further influenced the architectural style of Lucknow and became a base for building design by the Nawabs. Gardens incorporated as elements of design and place for leisure was brought to Delhi by the Mughals from the rulers of Central Asia.

Dehli being a capital city became a centre where the performing arts, craft, language, traditional beliefs and practices continuously evolved. Urdu language, ciawwail and Sufism are a few of the intangible forms which developed. Urdu was later used extensively by other parts of India. Sufism was practiced in several countries across Central Asia like Samarkand but it developed in its own independent lines in Delhi by incorporating Hindu traditions like annihilation, music and dance which further influenced other parts within the regional context. Thus Delhi is comparable to several cities mentioned above but its uniqueness lies in its tangible and Intangible elements intertwined together which defines the Outstanding Value of Delhi."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List


Magnificent India Gate of New Delhi, India.It is designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, commemorating 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the World War I as well British and Indian soldiers killed in the Northwestern Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919. Thanks to Terence of India.

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India - The Qutb Shahi Monuments of Hyderabad Golconda Fort, Qutb Shahi Tombs, Charminar

"The Qutb Shahi monuments of Golconda Fort, Qutb Shahi Tombs and Charminar are the oldest and most significant monuments of the sister cities of Golconda and Hyderabad, successive capitals of the Qutb Shahi Islamic Sultanate (1518-1687). The legendary centre of diamond trade, Golconda was a medieval fortified city complete with residential, military and courtly functions. The Qutb Shahi tomb complex was a grand royal necropolis in the distinctive Qutb Shahi architectural style. As the court grew beyond the confines of the Golconda fort, the urban metropolis of Hyderabad was founded with the monumental Charminar in the centre as a grand millennium marker. Unique in its architectural typology, the Charminar remains an acknowledged masterpiece of Islamic architecture.155. With its unique form, architectural typology and location, it is among the most recognizable icons of Indian architecture. The monuments of the Qutb Shahi period provide vivid testimony of the creative synthesis of Persianate and Indic cultural traditions with a unique Deccani identity. Qutb Shahi architecture began with Bahmani moorings and evolved a sophisticated architectural aesthetic within the Deccani paradigm, symbolising the zenith of Islamic architecture in South India." Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Postcard 1 - Golconda Fort
General view of Golconda Fort. Thanks to Sita of India.

Postcard 2- Qutub Shahi Tombs

Qutub Shahi Tombs with intricate stone carving and surrounded by gardens. Thanks to Sita of India. Nice octagonal stamp of tortoise used.

Postcard 3 - Charminar of Hyderabad

Charminar, Hyderabad is a monument was built in 1591 to commemorate the elimination of plaque. Thanks to Rebecca of Kerala, India.

India - Desert National Park

Postcard 1
A beautiful postcard of camel riding in the sand dunes of Thar Desert of Rajasthan of India. Thanks to Maha of India.






Postcard 2
Nice cultural postcard of Rajasthani Folk Dance sent by Rupa from UP, India.

India - Sri Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar, Punjab

The Golden Temple of Amritsar, Punjab is the important holy shrine of the Sikh religion. Thanks to Abhishek of India.