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The Betwa flows through a large territory of central India known as Bundelkhand before joining the Yamuna River and finally the Ganges. The whole area had been controlled at least from the 10th cent by the medieval Chandela dynasty until the beginning of the 13th cent, when Islamic incursions forced them in part to retreat to the depths of the jungle and consolidate the astonishing temple complex of Khajuraho, which would if they’d found it have horrified the puritanical Muslims as much as it did the British surveyors who stumbled upon it in the mid 19th cent. The decline of the Chandelas encouraged the Rajput Bundela clan, themselves in retreat from the Tughlugs besieging Rajasthan, to take over and establish their new capital here in Orchha in the early years of the 16th cent. The Bundelas were able to propitiate and thus keep at bay the Mughals by what was nothing less than a campaign of seduction. A wildly extravagant and sumptuous palace next to the Hindu king’s own was given as a gift to the Emperor Jahangir, who in spite of the austerities of his faith was unable to resist the splendour, the opium and alcohol, and - so it’s hinted – the lascivious blandishments represented in the Khajuraho carvings. The consequences of this fortunate strategy can be seen in the flowering of a beautiful amalgam of classical Indian and Mughal culture and architecture, from which both sides benefitted. But with the decline of the Mughals the Bundelas also were weakened, to the stage where they abandoned Orchha, so that until quite recently it too slumbered unknown and untouched. Today, it’s hardly more than a minor village nestling amongst its collection of ancient monuments.
The river is lined with palaces, pavilions and temples, some in ruins, others more or less intact. This cluster of chhatris or royal cenotaphs owe nothing to Islamic influence, or indeed – like the Lakshinamarayan Mandir a kilometres or so away – to any other influence at all, and although weed-covered, bat-infested and deserted are in a remarkable state of preservation, presenting in the dawn light a timeless spectacle of Incredible India.
Jagannath Temple at Puri.
Puri, a seacoast town in the state of Orissa is one of the traditional four principal pilgrimage sites in India. The main focus of the pilgrims who visit Puri is the famous temple to the god Jagannath. The name Jagannatha or Jagannath literally means "Lord of the Universe". It is said that the present temple was begun by King 'Chora Ganga Deva' and finished by his descendant, 'Anangabhima Deva', in the 12th century. The temple is dedicated to Jagannath, who is identified by his devotees with Krishna. It is also dedicated to Balabhadra and Subhadra, the brother and sister, respectively, of Jagannath.
The architecture of the temple follows the pattern of many Orissan temples of the classical period. The main shikhara, or tower, rises above the inner sanctum where the deities reside. The temple complex comprises an area of 10.7 acres and is enclosed by two rectangular walls. The outer enclosure is called "Meghanada Prachira". The walls are 6m (20 feet) high. The inner wall is called quot;Kurmabedha". The walls were built during the 15th or 16th century. This temple is said to have the largest kitchen in the world and feeds thousands of devotees every day. The kitchen can prepare food for 100,000 people on a festival day and 25,000 are not unusual for a normal day.
The India Gate is the national monument of India. Situated in the heart of New Delhi, it was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
The monument is inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, which in turn is inspired by the Roman Arch of Titus. It was built in 1931. Originally known as the All India War Memorial, it is a prominent landmark in Delhi and commemorates the 90,000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who lost their lives in World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. It is composed of red and pale sandstone and granite.
Originally, a statue of George V, Emperor of India stood under the now vacant canopy in front of the India Gate, but it was removed to Coronation Park together with a number of other British Raj-era statues. Following India's independence, the India Gate became the site of the Indian Army's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, known as Amar Jawan Jyoti ("the flame of the immortal soldier").
An inhabitant of the Agra fort!
Agra fort is a historical fort in the city of Agra in India. It was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty in 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi.The Agra fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The fort can be accurately described as a walled city.
A very shy Rabari bride on the way to Bhuj(Gujarat).
The region of Gujarat has played host to many a tribal culture and nourished them from the very earliest periods of history. One such tribe here, the Rabaris, still pursue a pastoral lifestyle—much in the same way as they did ages ago.
The Rabaris are a semi-nomadic tribe—pursuing a pre-agrarian, pastoral lifestyle—found mainly in the Kutch and Saurashtra regions of Gujarat. Though living today in permanent settlements, they are believed to have originally migrated from Baluchistan more than a millennium ago.
But over these thousand and more years, the Rabaris have undergone many changes and have been widely influenced by the local cultures with which they came in contact. Not only are they divided into distinct clans, they also prefer to trace their origin to Hindu Gods and even the Rajputs.
Without delving into the garbled clues provided by folk lore about their origin, a closer look at the Rabari today leads one into his quaint, colourful and rugged lifestyle.
By no means are the Rabaris an isolated people. The men are on the move—almost 10 out of the 12 months—in search of grazing pastures for their livestock; while the women and children remain in their villages. These villages are normally small, devoid of more than superficial amenities and, almost always, set in bleak, barren suroundings.
In a typical village, their rectangular houses, called vandhas, are built in rows. The white-washed mud walls and tiled roofs may have an appearance of starkness when viewed from outside. But within each house, the Rabari’s fondness for patterns is easily visible from the many geometric patterns that adorn its interiors. The tiny mirrors embedded into these mud-plaster patterns only enhance their beauty as they catch the faint glimmer of light streaming in from a small window or a low doorway. A home usually consists of two rooms, and an extended enclosure in the verandah which forms the kitchen.
The room at the back is normally used as a storehouse—a virtual treasure house of embroidered clothes and quilts kept in carved wooden pataras (chests); and the kothis and kothlas (granaries) made of mud and cowdung. The other room is mainly a living room decorated with embroidered torans or decorated doorways, while the doors are covered with brass foil etched in a myriad patterns. Often, the only piece of furniture that one might find is a carved, wooden cradle.
The community’s main stay is milk and milk produce from their livestock in order to purchase commodities that they trade in various forms at the local village or town markets.
Much of the handiwork seen in their decorated homes is that of their women. In fact, Rabari women are famous for their embroidery work, called bharat kaam, from which they make numerous traditional garments and furnishings. The kediyun, a gathered jacket with an embroidered smock, worn by young Rabari men and children, skirts and blouses for the women and girls—are al dexterously embroidered. Interestingly, the Rabari girl, completes over the years, her entire dowry which includes clothes as well as beautiful quilts or derkee.
Kokulashtami, after the rains, is marriage time. The men are back from their wanderings for this al important occasion. All marriages take place on this one day. Since child marriage is still very much in vogue within this tribe, outsiders are distrusted. Again, the Rabari marries only within the tribe and often into families which are closely located. Marrying outside the fold leads to social castigation and is very rare. While Rabari couples are probably the most exotically dressed, the marriage is a simple ritual performed by a Brahmin priest.
Rabaris, by and large, and ardent followers and worshippers of the Mother Goddess. Each clan has its own tribal goddess as the patron deity, though their homes often have pictures of other gods and goddesses as well. Strong tendencies of deifying and invoking the dead are still prevalent—a pointer to the community’s old world origin.
Another old world custom that has persisted is the custom of tattooing and there is a marked similarity In the motifs used in their embroideries and tattoos.
As an outsider it is difficult to communicate with these people since they speak a dialect which is a mixture of Marwari and Gujarati. But once they understand the visitor’s innocent curiosity, they exude the warmth and friendship that has always been a part of their make-up.
A visit to the Lambadi or Banjara tribal people at Raikal village.
Amongst innumerable tribes who have thronged various places of eastern India, Banjara is significant. They are the typical nomads who wonder from one place to another thus leading a life in its own terms and condition. Thus their way of living is quite thrilling and full of adventures. What are equally colorful are their costumes. In fact, a Banjara women`s mode of dressing is regarded to be the most colorful as well as elaborate amongst all other tribal communities that are present at the moment in India.
An Indian Kashmiri Muslim woman watches painting during a national art festival and exhibition in the Northern Indian city of Jammu, the winter capital of Kashmir. PIX BY JAIPAL SINGH
The World Heritage Site of Champaner (Gujarat).
Cupola.
The Jami Masjid (mosque).
It is one of the finest mosques of Gujarat. This is a gigantic structure with two imposing minars on either side of the central entrance to the prayer hall. The dome behind the high central screen of the façade is elevated on two extra storeys of open arcades. The roof just behind this dome is filled by a carved slab of great beauty and ingenuity of workmanship. There are seven mehrabs (prayer niches) in the back wall of the main prayer hall, the central being more elaborated. The northern section of prayer hall was separated by a perforated screen, reserved for ladies from where an extra entrance was provided. A pillared corridor goes round the vast court yard opening inside in ogival arches supported by pillars. The Mosque has three entrance porches to courtyard but the eastern porch is most remarkable for its intricate carving and Jaali work. Construction of mosque is datable to late 15th century A.D.
Champaner.
The historical town of Champaner is a city in the Gujarat state of western India. It is located in Panchmahal District, 47 kilometres from the city of Vadodara (Baroda). The city was briefly the capital of Gujarat. It was founded by Vanraj Chavda, the most prominent king of the Chavda Kingdom, in the 8th century. He named it after the name of his friend and general Champa, also known later as Champaraj. By the later 15th century, the Khichi Chauhan Rajputs held Pavagadh fort above the town of Champaner. The young Sultan of Gujarat, Mahmud Begada, captured the fort on 21 November 1484, after a siege of 20 months. He then spent 23 years rebuilding and embellishing Champaner, which he renamed Muhammadabad, after which he moved the capital there from Ahmedabad. The town finally succumbed to attacks from the Mughal Emperor Humayun in 1535.
Jaipur - Visit of the City Palace Complex.
The City Palace Complex was the seat of the Maharaja of Jaipur, the capital of the Rajasthan State. The palace was built between 1729 and 1732.
Jagannath Temple at Puri.
Puri, a seacoast town in the state of Orissa is one of the traditional four principal pilgrimage sites in India. The main focus of the pilgrims who visit Puri is the famous temple to the god Jagannath. The name Jagannatha or Jagannath literally means "Lord of the Universe". It is said that the present temple was begun by King 'Chora Ganga Deva' and finished by his descendant, 'Anangabhima Deva', in the 12th century. The temple is dedicated to Jagannath, who is identified by his devotees with Krishna. It is also dedicated to Balabhadra and Subhadra, the brother and sister, respectively, of Jagannath.
The architecture of the temple follows the pattern of many Orissan temples of the classical period. The main shikhara, or tower, rises above the inner sanctum where the deities reside. The temple complex comprises an area of 10.7 acres and is enclosed by two rectangular walls. The outer enclosure is called "Meghanada Prachira". The walls are 6m (20 feet) high. The inner wall is called quot;Kurmabedha". The walls were built during the 15th or 16th century. This temple is said to have the largest kitchen in the world and feeds thousands of devotees every day. The kitchen can prepare food for 100,000 people on a festival day and 25,000 are not unusual for a normal day.
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Ganga Aarti in Varanasi.
Every evening, as dusk descends, it's time for the Ganga Aarti to be performed at the holy city of Varanasi.
It's a very powerful and uplifting spiritual ritual.
An Aarti is a devotional ritual that uses fire as an offering.
The offering is made to the Goddess Ganga, goddess of the most holy river in India.
The Varanasi Ganga Aarti takes place at holy Dasaswamedh Ghat.
Burning of rice residues in SE Punjab, India, prior to the wheat season.
Credit: ©2011CIAT/NeilPalmer
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Kaziranga National Park is situated on the south bank of the Brahmaputra river in Assam, India. It is famous as a refuge for the Indian or one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). Stretching over an area of 430 km², Kaziranga is one of the last refuges of the Indian rhino. The national park is a vast stretch of coarse, tall elephant grass, marshland and dense tropical moist broadleaf forests.
The Jat - one of the hidden tribes in Gujarat (India).
Dhaneta Jat woman.
The Jats who live in Kutch are particularly conscious of their identity as a group and their sense of unity comes from a perception of shared historical traditions and a belief in common ancestry.
Originally the Jats were herders who lived in an area called Half in Iran. Five hundred years ago these shepherds migrated from Half and came to Sindh and Kutch to search for new grazing lands. They crossed the Rann of Kutch and settled there taking up farming, they became known as Dhaneta Jats. Some have devted themselves to the study of the Koran and are known as the Fakirani Jats. All the Jats in Kutch are Muslims and have similar marriage and dowry customs.
The Dhanetas are the largest of the Jat Communities. They live throughtout north western Kutch. The Dhanetas live in the Banni, herd cattle. The men care for the animals and women remain in camp looking after their families.
War Memorial Arch (World War I), New Delhi, India. Complete indexed photo collection at WorldHistoryPics.com.
On the way to the market at Mundiguda, where a lot of people are Bonda; others are Didayi tribal people.
Likir Gompa (Monastery in Ladakh).
The name Likir means "The Naga - Encircled". The reason behind this naming of Likir Gompa of Ladakh is that it stands surrounded by the bodies of the two great serpent spirits, the Naga-rajas, Nanda and Taksako. The monastery is situated at a distance of approximately 62 km to the west of Leh town. Lhachen Gyalpo, the fifth king of Ladakh, offered the site where the monastery now stands, to Lama Duwang Chosje. The Lama, a great champion of meditation, blessed the site offered to him, after which the construction on the monastery was undertaken.
The Likir Monastery belongs to the Yellow Hat Sect, founded by Tsongkhapa. It consists of a number of shrines inside its complex. Presently, it serves as the residence of approximately 120 Buddhist monks. The monastery also has a school, in which almost thirty students study. In the 15th century, Likir Gompa came under the influence of Lodos Sangphu. A disciple of Khasdubje, he made efforts to see that the monastery flourished and prospered.
From that time onwards and till today, the monastery continues to be under the Tsongkhapa order. The ritual of the three basic Pratimoksa disciplines, the basic Buddhist teachings, are observed at the Likir Monastery, even in the present times. The Gompa also serves as the venue of an annual event Dosmochey, the assembly of votive offerings. This event takes place from 27th day to 29th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan calendar. During Dosmochey, sacred dances are also performed at the monastery.
The Likir Gompa Ladakh has been served by the succeeding reincarnations of Naris Rinpoche, since quite a long time and continues to do so. The monastery also houses a protective deity, which stands inside, wearing a golden armor. There are two Dukhangs (assembly halls) inside the monastery, one of them relatively new. The older one is on the right of the central courtyard of the monastery and comprises of six rows of seats for the lamas.
Inside this Dukhang are the statues of Bodhisattva (Lord of All He Surveys), Amitabha (Buddha of the West), Sakyamuni (the Historical Buddha), Maitreya (the Future Buddha or Buddha of Compassion) and Tsong-kha-pa (Founder of the yellow-hat sect). After you exit from this Dukhang, you will see the new Dukhang, diagonally across from the courtyard's entrance. The main image in the new Dukhang is that of Avalokitesvara, with 1000 arms and 11 heads.
Campaigning continues across the country as India presses on with its marathon five-week vote.
Photo by Goutam Roy
Rabari temple (Dubhrej village).
Rabaris are devout Hindus. According to their myth of existence they were created by Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, who wiped the dust and sweat from Shiva as he was meditating and fashioned the very first camel from the dust balls she collected from his body. Once Shiva had breathed life into this camel, it kept running away, so Parvati fashioned a man, and the first Rabari was given life so he could mind the camel. Keeping animals has thus always been a pious occupation and Rabaris see themselves primarily as custodians of animals during their moral existence, rather than their owners. It is also their beliefs that the mother goddess presides over them. Her advice is taken about when to start out migration, and animals are commended to her care.