Category: Cultural
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7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2017
It is that time of the year again. When I look back at my year and see what is the one thing that I set out to do at the beginning of the year and actually did. So, here I am proudly proclaiming that I did visit 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India in…
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Artisan Villages of Andhra Pradesh: Uppada
Every second house in the village of Uppada, in coastal Andhra Pradesh is a handloom store. Just like Mangalagiri. It goes with the territory. For it too is a handloom village that has brought forth a commercially successful style of saree. Known for its soft texture and lightness, what defines this saree is its thread…
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Great Living Chola Temples – Vol II: Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Second on UNESCO’s list of The Great Living Chola Temples, is the Brihadeeswara Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram. In a tiny village lost in time, is this 982 year old temple. This Brihadeeswara Temple too is built on the same lines as the Big Temple in Thanjavur, complete with a massive stone sculpture of Nandi facing…
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Armoor: Of Rocks and Hidden Temples
In Nizamabad, is a temple. Though not quite as legendary as the Dichpally Ramalayam, but just as historic. Popularly known as Armoor Siddula Gutta, this is the Navanatha Siddheswara Temple and a series of cave temples inside the rock formations of Armoor. Armoor Rock Formations As you drive along the highway from Nizamabad to Armoor,…
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North meets South in Sitaram Bagh
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the old city of Hyderabad is the Sitaram Bagh Temple. Built by a banker Mr. Puranmal Ganeriwal in 1832, this centuries old Shri Sitaram Mandir is a sprawling complex of temples and beautiful airy courtyards spread over twenty five acres. From the main entrance and its imposing facade to the…
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Town of Hymns: Manthani
Named after a Khiledar under the reign of Sikandar Jha during 1803 to 1823, Syed Karimuddin, Karimnagar is one district in Telangana, which has ancient places seeped in historic importance to both Hindus and Buddhists alike. The most popular amongst these is Manthani. Home to the ruins of a Gautameswara Temple, Manthani is a timeless village from an…
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Nagunur Ruins: Lost in Time
Less than three hours from Hyderabad, the district of Karimnagar in Telangana is peppered with numerous lesser-known forts and ancient ruins, making it the ideal day trip destination. Not yet over run with tourists, here you can happily explore at your own pace. Home to a cluster of Kalyana and Kakatiya temple ruins, Nagunur is one such…
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Great Living Chola Temples – Vol II: Brihadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur
In and around Thanjavur are The Great Living Chola Temples. Three temple complexes dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries. Built by the Cholas, who were undoubtedly one of the most powerful monarchies of South India that ruled for over four and a half centuries, all of these ancient temples are ‘living temples’ –…