From the Rajputana.... RavanaHatta..!?!?!???

Whats Ravana's name doing here..??
Read this... As per the discussion with the person in the photograph, folklore and Wikipedia:

The instrument being played in the photograph and widely seen in the Indian state of Rajasthan is called Ravanahatta, Ravanahatha.. aka.. Ravana hastha veena.. literal meaning "Veena in the Hand of or played by Ravana"
This ancient Indian stringed musical instrument is understood to be the ancestor of and inspiration for the today's Violin. And it is believed to be belonging to 5000 BC and also been played by RAVANA.. And folklore says Lord Hanuman carried it to Rajasthan once the Rama-Ravana War ended - now don't ask me why he had to specifically travel to Rajasthan..

Thanks to the people of Rajasthan for still keeping this and the heritage alive... 

From the Rajputana....

Amer Palace - The magnificent construction spread on the 'Cheel ka Teela" - Hill of eagles @ Jaipur.
The royal landscape as seen today - built in different phases by different rulers, starting 967 AD by Maharaja Mansingh.

Gateway of Hyderabad..!!

Rich Indian Temple Series.. Alampur

Among the few found in good shape in the temple and few restored in the Archaeological survey of India Museum - From the ruins of the Jogulamba Temple, one of the Sakhti Peetham's scattered in India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

IF Old and rich temples of India are among your areas of interest, do check My Travelogues: Alampur - The town of Jogulamba – 1 @ http://pavankommireddi.blogspot.in/p/alampur-town-of-jogulamba.html

Rich Indian Temple Series.. Alampur

From the ruins of the Alampur Temple - one among the 18 Sakhti Peetham's scattered in India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Picture: Mahishaasura Mardhini / Goddess Durga killing the Demon Mahishaasura - In a seriously damaged state because of the heinous acts of the unpleasant guests in the 14th Century.
One among the restored sculptures belonging to the 7th Century put on display in the "Archeological Survey of India"'s museum.

IF Old and rich temples of India are among your areas of interest, do check My Travelogues: Alampur - The town of Jogulamba – 1 @ http://pavankommireddi.blogspot.in/p/alampur-town-of-jogulamba.html

Rich Indian Temple Series.. Alampur

Picture: Kaalabhairava @ Sangameswara Temple, Alampur
Found on the south wall of the (rebuilt) temple understood to be seriously damaged by the unpleasant guests in the 14th century. Originally supposed to be seen in a fierce and annihilating posture with eight hands and a garland of skulls.

IF Old and rich temples of India are among your areas of interest, do check My Travelogues: Alampur - The town of Jogulamba – 1 @ http://pavankommireddi.blogspot.in/p/alampur-town-of-jogulamba.html

Rich Indian Temple Series.. Paapanaasa Temple, Alampur

Found these micro-art on the pillars of "Papanaasa" temple complex in Alampur built way back in the 7th Century, clearly depicted with the episodes of Hindu mythology on square shaped modules may be of a size 12" x 12". (To co-relate with a familiar size - slightly similar to an A4 sheet, but in a square shape)

In spite of the heinous acts of the unpleasant guests in the 14th Century, beauty of the sculptures is retained demonstrating the rich Indian heritage.

IF Old and rich temples of India are among your areas of interest, do check My Travelogues: Alampur - The town of Jogulamba – 1 @ http://pavankommireddi.blogspot.in/p/alampur-town-of-jogulamba.html

Rich Indian Temple Series.. Alampur

From the ruins of the Alampur Temple - one among the 18 Sakhti Peetham's scattered in India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

One from the few in good shape, found in the Archaeological survey of India Museum.
In spite of the heinous acts of the unpleasant guests in the 14th Century, beauty of the sculpture is retained demonstrating the rich Indian heritage.

IF Old and rich temples of India are among your areas of interest, do check My Travelogues: Alampur - The town of Jogulamba – 1 @ http://pavankommireddi.blogspot.in/p/alampur-town-of-jogulamba.html

Rich Indian Temple Series.. Alampur

From the ruins of the Alampur Temple - one among the 18 Sakhti Peetham's scattered in India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The picture seen above is understood to be the "Naga bandham" Aka "Bound by the Serpent God" (literary meaning) and to be the supposed module from the ceiling of the Sanctum built way back in the 7th Century.
In spite of the heinous acts of the unpleasant guests in the 14th Century, beauty of the sculpture is retained demonstrating the rich Indian heritage.

IF Old and rich temples of India are among your areas of interest, do check My Travelogues: Alampur - The town of Jogulamba – 1 @ http://pavankommireddi.blogspot.in/p/alampur-town-of-jogulamba.html

Rich Indian temples series..... Alampur

Sangameswara Temple @ Alampur
Though originally built way back in the 7th Century by the Badami Chalukya Dynasts, has been meticulously dismantled, relocated and rebuilt as the structure seen in the picture.

As understood from the Chief priest of the temple who infact with immense interest and devotion towards the Indian heritage, architecture and Culture took us around the temple explaining about the insights of the architecture and carvings:

• The original structure was standing stiff on the confluence (Sangamam) of Krishna and Tungabadhra rivers near Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh) since the 7th Century, in spite of the numerous disastrous floods and invasions by the unpleasant guests..
• As the location was identified to be falling in the back-water limits of the Srisailam Dam which is one among the major reservoirs on the river Krishna, planned to be relocated to a safer and elevated location.
• Analyzing the construction, making the blue-print and numbering the modules started in the late 70s, when there were no computers or any kind of ultrasonic methods.
• Early 80s were when the dismantling happened and subsequently the careful assembly / rebuilding happened by the early 90s..
• The rebuilding activity was so meticulously done that no stone went unmatched, unfit or left over lying helplessly outside the structure.

Unlike the other south Indian temples which are seen in the Dravidian style of Architecture, the construction is in the Nagara style which is predominantly seen in the East Indian temples.

More posts to follow with the eye-popping architectural insights....

IF Old and rich temples of India are among your areas of interest, do check My Travelogues: Alampur - The town of Jogulamba – 1 @ http://pavankommireddi.blogspot.in/p/alampur-town-of-jogulamba.html

Domakonda Fort / దోమకొండ గడి

400 year old heritage site in Telangana, rich in Deccan and Kakatiyan styled architecture and which came back into the  limelight in the recent past in connection with a Celebrity Wedding...

Bahamani Sultanate - Series..

Walking into the Bidar Sultanate through the Archways, which contain one of the most interesting antique building technologies. 
As understood, the blocks arranged in the arch shape with temporary supports beneath and provided with bonding materials in between like mud or mortar, get interlocked when the temperory supports are removed. 
Load falling on the arch from the top is equally distributed on and shared by the the horizontal supporting structures on either sides.
Built in the Persian, Turkish and Deccan architectures out of laterite stone - available and excavated from the surroundings and bonded by Mortar.

Enjoy the architectural wonders in this virtual visual tour..

Bahamani Sultanate - Series..

Walking into the Bidar Sultanate through the Archways, which contain one of the most interesting antique building technologies. 
As understood, the blocks arranged in the arch shape with temporary supports beneath and provided with bonding materials in between like mud or mortar, get interlocked when the temperory supports are removed. 
Load falling on the arch from the top is equally distributed on and shared by the the horizontal supporting structures on either sides.
Built in the Persian, Turkish and Deccan architectures out of laterite stone - available and excavated from the surroundings and bonded by Mortar.

Enjoy the architectural wonders in this virtual visual tour..

Bahamani Sultanate - Series..

Ruins of The Bahamani Tombs @ Bidar.

Built around 6 centuries ago, standing stiff and strong depicting the Heritage, in-spite of the natural calamities, . Said to be partially damaged / collapsed by a heavy Lightening hit on the dome..

(Other side of the partial dome @ http://pavankommireddi.blogspot.in/2014/12/bahamani-tombs.html)

Though the architecture and building skills take the cake, on the contrary side time spent, man-power and the (Public) money spent on these are the factors to be studied upon if someone is really interested on these structures..

Bahamani Sultanate - Series..

The Mandu Darwaza - The main gate welcoming into the Bahamani Sultanate / Bidar Fort.

Built in the Persian, Turkish and Deccan architectures out of laterite stone - available and excavated from the surroundings and bonded by Mortar.

Enjoy the architectural wonders in this virtual visual tour..

Rich Indian Temple series......

Kodanda Ramalayam @ Ammapalle, Telangana / అమ్మపల్లె కోదండరామాలయం - తెలంగాణా / సినిమా గుడి

Found this interesting temple in real, which is popularly seen in the Telugu films and few of non-telugu films. Said to be built in the 13th century by the local Zameendaar, with a mix of deccan and "Maru Gurjari" (Rajasthani) architecture.. (not sure about the relation and connection in the mix)

Happy that it is away from the busy city and the ignorant civilizations, so as to have the structure and sanctity safe for few more centuries.

IF Old and rich temples of India are among your areas of interest, do check My Travelogues: Alampur - The town of Jogulamba – 1 @ http://pavankommireddi.blogspot.in/p/alampur-town-of-jogulamba.html

Rich Indian Temple series...

Kodanda Ramalayam @ Ammapalle, Telangana / అమ్మపల్లె కోదండరామాలయం - తెలంగాణా / సినిమా గుడి

Found this interesting temple in real, which is popularly seen in the Telugu films and few of non-telugu films. Said to be built in the 13th century by the local Zameendaar, with a mix of deccan and "Maru Gurjari" (Rajasthani) architecture.. (not sure about the relation and connection in the mix)

Happy that it is away from the busy city and the ignorant civilizations, so as to have the structure and sanctity safe for few more centuries.

IF Old and rich temples of India are among your areas of interest, do check My Travelogues: Alampur - The town of Jogulamba – 1 @ http://pavankommireddi.blogspot.in/p/alampur-town-of-jogulamba.html

Rich Indian Temple series...

Kodanda Ramalayam @ Ammapalle, Telangana / అమ్మపల్లె కోదండరామాలయం - తెలంగాణా / సినిమా గుడి

Found this interesting temple in real, which is popularly seen in the Telugu films and few of non-telugu films. Said to be built in the 13th century by the local Zameendaar, with a mix of deccan and "Maru Gurjari" (Rajasthani) architecture.. (not sure about the relation and connection in the mix)

Happy that it is away from the busy city and the ignorant civilizations, so as to have the structure and sanctity safe for few more centuries.

More pictures to follow...

IF Old and rich temples of India are among your areas of interest, do check My Travelogues: Alampur - The town of Jogulamba – 1 @ http://pavankommireddi.blogspot.in/p/alampur-town-of-jogulamba.html

Popular by the Cinema..!!!!

Kodanda Ramalayam @ Ammapalle, Telangana / అమ్మపల్లె కోదండరామాలయం - తెలంగాణా / సినిమా గుడి

Found this interesting temple in real, which is popularly seen in the Telugu films and few of non-telugu films. Said to be built in the 13th century by the local Zameendaar, with a mix of deccan and "Maru Gurjari" (Rajasthani) architecture.. (not sure about the relation and connection in the mix)

Happy that it is away from the busy city and the ignorant civilizations, so as to have the structure and sanctity safe for few more centuries.

More pictures to follow...

Techniques for Water.... Water for Life...

What you see is a lift-irrigation point, which used to be the main water resource for the Royal township.. The tall structure houses a huge pulley on the top, through which water from the well (found on the right side bottom of the structure) is lifted up in wooden barrels and brass vessels being towed up by elephants on the left-side of the structure..

From the Ruins of The Bidar Fort, built and once ruled as a branch of Kakatiya Kingdom, later taken over by Mughals of Aurangabad, local Bahmanis (for the majority period), AsafJah's of Gulbarga and finally by the Wadiyars of Mysore.

Rich architectural beauty built in the 12-13 centuries, full of Persian Architecture with wise underground water management system (Karez), huge beam-less structures and intelligently designed / planned security practices.

Thanks to the superior stone-mortar combination for being able to keep alive the antiquity for centuries, in-spite of the invasions by the yesteryear ambitious emperors and current day wall  scribblers.

A Must-Visit for the Heritage and archaeology lovers.