Mehudi Jain Temple - Ghantakarna Mahavir Deity Holds A Bow And Arrow As His Weapons

MAHUDI JAIN TEMPLE

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MEHSANA

Mahudi Jain Temple is considered to be one of the most sacred Jain pilgrimages, and it is situated in Mahudi, Mehsana District. This temple spreads over an area of 2 square kilometers. Maudi is 35 Km away from Ghandhinagar. The temple is quite beautiful, but it is associated with plenty of rumours.

In ancient times, the place was known as Madhumati. The idols and artistic remains recovered from the ground show that the history of this place is nearly 2000 years old, based on the inscriptions in Brahmi script.

Acharyadev Buddhi Sagarsurisvarji was inspired in a dream to install the idol of Ghantakarna Mahavir Dev in 1923 A.D. This idol is considered to have miraculous powers. Thousands of Jain devotees, as well as devotees from other backgrounds, come to receive blessings from this idol.

Ghantakarna Mahavir was a Kshatriya (warrior) king named Tungabhadra in his previous birth and considered to be the protector of the less fortunate. So even today his idol carries his weapons a bow and arrow.

It is always said that in his previous birth he was very fond of sukhadi, and so there is a tradition of all visitors offering sukhadi to him during the prayer. However, it is believed that the sukhadi should be consumed or donated before leaving the premises, otherwise it might bring bad luck.

Main attraction of the temple is 2 bells. One of these bell weights couple of tons. This bell is used only once in a year on Diwali and it's sound can be heard at few miles away from the temple. Second bell weights 40-50 kg and it has been places at the top of marble ladders.

It is customary to take a bhoomti (circumambulation) around the 24 shrines of the tirthankaras here. The nearest railway station of Vijapur is 10 kms away. There are good bus facilities to get to Mahudi from Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Kalol.

By air

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel airport at Ahmedabad is an international airport with direct flights to USA, UK, Singapore, Dubai and other international hubs. Numerous domestic flights are also operational from here.

By rail

The main railway station is located in Kalupur area. This station falls under the prominent national railway circuit and is connected to all major cities of India. If you are on the western side of the Sabarmati river, then you can go to the Gandhigram station near Ashram road to buy your railway tickets easily.

By road

Gujarat has one of the better developed road networks in India. Ahmedabad is well connected with all major cities and towns by road. Prominent bus stops are located at Gitamandir near Kalupur Railway Station and Paldi. Regular bus services are available by Gujarat state transport buses and private operators to all the major destinations of the state.

Qutub Minar – It was Built In The Year 1173 By Muslim Ruler Qutub-Ud-Din

QUTUB MINAR

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NEW DELHI

Qutub Minar is one of the historical place in india which is located at 15 km in south direction from New Delhi.Qutab Minar is a soaring, 73 m-high tower of victory, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak immediately after the defeat of Delhi's last Hindu kingdom.

The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony and tapers from a 15 m diameter at the base to just 2.5 m at the top.The first three storeys are made of red sandstone; the fourth and fifth storeys are of marble and sandstone.

At the foot of the tower is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be built in India. An inscription over its eastern gate provocatively informs that it was built with material obtained from demolishing '27 Hindu temples'.

7 m-high iron pillar stands in the courtyard of the mosque. It is said that if you can encircle it with your hands while standing with your back to it your wish will be fulfilled.

The origins of Qutab Minar are shrouded in controversy. Some believe it was erected as a tower of victory to signify the beginning of the Muslim rule in India. Others say it served as a minaret to the muezzins to call the faithful to prayer.

No one can, however, dispute that the tower is not only one of the finest monuments in India, but also in the world. Qutab-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, commenced the construction of the Qutab Minar in 1200 AD, but could only finish the basement.

His successor, Iltutmush, added three more storeys, and in 1368, Firoz Shah Tughlak constructed the fifth and the last storey.The development of architectural styles from Aibak to Tughlak is quite evident in the minar. The relief work and even the materials used for construction differ.

The 238 feet Qutab Minar is 47 feet at the base and tapers to nine feet at the apex. The tower is ornamented by bands of inscriptions and by four projecting balconies supported by elaborately decorated brackets.

Even though in ruins, the Quwwat Ui Islam (Light of Islam) Mosque in the Qutab complex is one of the most magnificent structures in the world. Qutab-ud-din Aibak started its construction in 1193 and the mosque was completed in 1197.

Iltutmush in 1230 and Alla-ud-din Khilji in 1315 made additions to the building. The main mosque comprises of an inner and outer courtyard,decorated with shafts and surrounded by piller. Most of these shafts are from the 27 Hindu temples, which were plundered to construct the mosque.

It is, therefore, not surprising that the Muslim mosque has typical Hindu ornamentation. Close to the mosque is one of Delhi's most curious antiques, the Iron Pillar.

By Air

Delhi’s airport is the Indira Gandhi International airport and is very well connected to cities across India and the world. There are regular flights to Delhi from Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Goa, Kolkata, Guwahati and international destinations as well. The Indira Gandhi International Airport is 22 kilometers away from the city centre.

By Train

Delhi is the headquarters of the Northern Railways and there are five major railway stations in Delhi, namely the The New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi Railway Station, Nizamuddin Railway Station, Anand Vihar Railway Terminal and Sarai Rohilla.

By Bus

Delhi is well connected by bus to cities like Jaipur, Agra, Alwar, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Shimla, Manali, Dharamsala, Dehradun and even Kathmandu among others.

Hazarduari Palace - It Is Placed On The East Reservoir Of Bhagirathi River

HAZARDUARI PALACE

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MURSHIDABAD

Hazarduari Palace is situated in the Murshidabad district of west Bengal State of India,and the palace with a thousand doors, is the chief tourist attraction of Murshidabad. Built in 1837 by Duncan McLeod for the Nawab Najim Humaun Jah, a descendant of Mir Zafar, it has a thousand doors (Only 900 are real) and 114 rooms and 8 galleries.

It is now a museum and has an exquisite collection of armour, aplendid paintings, exhaustive portraits of the Nawabs, works of art that include beautiful works of ivory from China and many other valuables.

The enclosure where the palace is situated is known as Kila Nizamat or Nizamat Kila. The campus except this palace, has in addition the Nizamat Imambara, Wasif Manzil, the Bachhawali Tope, Murshidabad Clock Tower, three mosques out of which one is the Madina Mosque, and the Nawab Bahadur's Institution. Other buildings include residential quarters.

It is situated on the east bank of the Bhagirathi River, which flows just beside it. The palace is rectangular in plan (130 meters long and 61 meters broad) and is a good example of Indo-European architecture. The front facade of the palace, which has the grand staircase, faces north. This staircase is perhaps the biggest one in India.

The Indo-European architecture of the palace and the royal staircase add to the grandeur of the palace. River Bhagirathi flows besides the palace and the view looks stunning in the evening when the palace is beautifully illuminated.

The main palace along with other structures including Nizamat Imambara, Murshidabad Clock Tower, Madina Mosque, Chawk Masjid, Zarud Mosques are enclosed in the Kila Nizamat.

It includes portraits of nawabs, pieces of ivory, Swords used by Shiraj-ud-Daulla and his grandfather, Nawab Alivardi Khan and even some vintage cars used by various nawabs and their families.

If you plan to go to Murshidabad, then allotting an entire day to visit the palace will save you much time as the vicinity has much more to offer, in addition to the palace

By Air

The nearest airport is NSC Bose Airport, Kolkata. Murshidabad is around 182 km from Kolkata.

By Train

Berhampur Court is the nearest station and is well connected to Kolkata. It takes around 6 hours from Kolkata to Berhampur via rail route.

By Bus

Berhampur and Kolkata are very well-connected to the rest of India via the country’s road network. Buses ply frequently from Kolkata to Murshidabad and Berhampur.

Vizianagaram Fort - It Describes About The Rich Heritage And Culture Of Gajapati Rulers

VIZIANAGARAM FORT

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ANDHRA PRADESH

Vizianagaram Fort is located at Vizianagaram City in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh. It is on the north-east of Visakhapatnam at a distance of about 64 km.Vizianagaram fort is a majestic structure in very good condition standing aloft in the Vizianagaram city.

This fort is a 302 years old. Built by the Gajapathi Clans. This fort has witnessed the colonial era and the internal conflicts between the Mughals , Kakathiya’s, Nizams and the Drvidian rulers. The famous Bobbili war was fought here. This fort was the foundation for the present Vizianagaram city located here. It is situated in the Vizianagaram Town, Vizianagaram District of North Eastern parts of Andhra Pradesh in India.

Vizianagaram Fort is the only good condition forts seen in the Andhra region. The fort complex is well preserved with its vast history and culture. The entire Maharaja antiques are kept in as it were condition. It has got the unique collection of olden armories.

It is the best place for history buffs and fort lovers. This is a heritage site in Andhra Pradesh, well maintained by the Archeological and tourism department . so  while here, in Andhra Pradesh, it would be a wonderful experience to visit the fort and witness the grandeur and history that lived once and witness the past and showcase the same even today. So be the part of this historical fort and witness the grandeur that stands tall even today with the same importance enlightening the people of the past.

The Vizianagaram fort was built during 1712 - 1714 AD and the inauguration stone of the fort was laid on Vijaya Dasami (tenth day of Dasara festival) in the Telugu year of Vijaya.

The fort still stands strong and undisturbed by the rampage of time that shows the engineering excellence of the early architects. The fort also depicts the glorious lifestyle of the ancient Vizianagaram Maharajahs.

The fort attracts a large number of visitors who come to know about the rich heritage and culture of Gajapati rulers. Some portions and buildings of the fort are still being used by a Music college and a Sanskrit College. The fort is one of the major tourist locations in the country and the department of Archeological Survey of India notified it as a National Heritage site.

By Air

The nearest domestic airport is at Visakhapatnam at a distance of 40 km and the nearest international airport is at Shamshabad, Hyderabad at a distance of nearly 640 km.

By Train

The city has a railway junction which is on the Chennai - Howrah line and numerous trains like Visakha Express, Konark Express, Howrah Express, East Coast Express, Hirakhand Express and Dhanbad Express halt here.

By Bus

The fort is located right in the heart of the city of Vizianagaram, several buses are available regularly from all major cities and towns like Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, Kakinada, Tuni, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada etc. Vizianagaram city can be reached very easily as it is located across the NH43.

Jhansi fort – It Is Very Great Model Of North Indian Architecture

JHANSI FORT

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UTTAR PRADESH

The Jhansi fort or Jhansi ka Killa is a fortress located on a hilltop called Bangira in Uttar Pradesh. Extending over 15 acres, this fort is a great example of the north Indian style of architecture. Every year in the month of January–February a grand occasion is held known as Jhansi Mahotsav when many eminent personalities and artists perform their play.

Jhansi Fort was built byarocha’s king Maharaja Veer Singh Dev in 1613. It’s was surrounded by 16 to 20 ft wall. There are ten doors in the fort’s wall each having the name of a king or historic location from the kingdom. The name is like Chand door, Datiya Door, Jharna Door, Laxmi Door, Aurcha Door, Unnao Door, Khanderao Door and Senya Door. However, some of the doors are now become extinct, yet there are some doors are still in good condition.

The construction of the fort is ascribed to the Bundela Chief Raja Bir Singh Deo of Orchha IN 1613. For twenty five years it was one of the strongholds of the Bundelas till it passed into the hands of the Mughals for the next Hundred years and subsequently came under the possession of the Marathas for another hundred years.

The Maratha chief Naru Shankar enlarged the Shankargarh area of the fort. From the Marathas during the period of 1857, it passed into the hands of the British, who defeated Rani Lakshmi Bai and took possession of the fort. The fort is thus associated with the First war of Independence. Altogether there are twenty two bastions with a massive fortification wall and a moat on two sides.

The important structures in the fort are Kadak Bijli, Ganesh Temple, Bhawani Shankar Temple, Baradari, Shahar Darwaza, graves of Gulam Gaus Khan, Panch Mahal, Jumping spot, Kal Kothri, Hanging tower, Shankargarh and Shiva temple.

Jumping spot is one of the major attractions for the tourists, it is said that riding on the horse Rani Jhansi along with his adopted son jumped out of the fort from this spot.

By Air

Nearest airport is Gwalior Airport – 98 km, Khajuraho-178 km.

By Train

Jhansi is well connected by an excellent railway network. Train connectivity to cities in all directions is available. In fact Jhansi is among the busiest railways stations in the country with most of the north-south and east-west trains passing through here. Helpline Number - 2440441

By Bus

Jhansi, on National Highway No. 25 and 26, is linked by a good network of roads. Some major road distances are: Agra – 221 km.; Khajuraho – 176 km.; Datia – 28 km.; Shivpuri – 100 km.; Kalpi – 142 km; Gorakhpur – 563 km.; Lucknow – 297 km.; Kanpur – 220 km.; Lalitpur – 93 km.; Delhi – 414 km.