Know Your Monument
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Know Your Monument: Hawa Mahal, more than just a breezy affair
In the seventh edition of this series on Indian monuments by Sahapedia, we look at Jaipur's exquisite Hawa Mahal. The 18th-century Palace of Winds is a rose-tinted example of the Pink City's architectural splendour. However, as popular a visual the lattice window-ed façade may be, there is still much about this 87-feet tall monument that many don't know.
Know Your Monument: The Ajanta Caves
In the sixth edition of this series on Indian monuments by Sahapedia, we look at the rock-cut Ajanta Caves. A chance discovery in 1819 led to the first exposure of the spectacular artistic vision contained in the Ajanta and Ellora Caves (we carried Ellora in the third edition). Built in two phases over more than 500 years, with collective patronage cutting across religions, the Ajanta Caves stand out as the finest example of the arts, architecture, and sculpture of ancient India.
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Know Your Monument: The Sun Temple at Konark
The Sun Temple has been “an invaluable link in the history of the diffusion of the cult of Surya”, as UNESCO describes it. The cult originated in Kashmir during the 8th century and spread to Eastern India, and has been mentioned in the Puranas. It personifies the sun as a divine being but as one, true to its scientific origin, that plays a key role around creation, a fact that also connects to the erotic images in the upper storey of the structure.
Know Your Monument: Humayun’s Tomb, the ‘dormitory of the Mughals’
The tomb was apparently constructed on the orders of Humayun’s wife, Hamida Begum or Hajji Begum in his memory.
Know Your Monument: Rani ki Vav, which is on the new Rs 100 note!
Among the largest stepwells in Gujarat, the sculptural wealth of Rani ki Vav surpasses all others. Built during the 11th century by the Solanki-dynasty Queen Udayamati to commemorate her husband Bhimadeva I, the stepwell is testimony to the exemplary craftsmanship of the time.
Know Your Monument: Ellora Caves
The rock-cut Ajanta and Ellora Caves (often visited together) are not only a popular tourist destination in central India, but are an important part of India’s religious and architectural heritage.
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Know Your Monument: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
On any given day, the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation estimates that the terminus is used by approx. 6.4 lakh people. They might stop and glance at CST momentarily, click a selfie with it perhaps, but their engagement with it mostly ends there.
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