Ellora memories

This photo will bring back sweet memories when we will see
it after 20 years. From my first visit to Ellora with my wife.

Out of Slumber

One early morning, when i looked out of my bedroom window, this view startled me out of slumber, or this was an early morning dream, about which some say it becomes true.

Hero's Welcome

A little over 150 year ago, through this gateway in the Purani Chaawni area, Maharajah of Dholpur used to enter his royal palace and court and held grand Darbars. His courtiers {mostly, men of extraordinary talents, along with their Maharajah, many of them went to fight in wars for British empire and won awards and laurels.} would assemble next to this gateway and give him a hero's welcome. Musicians used to occupy the place above the gateway and play shehnai. Today at the very spot unauthorized encroachments have been done by some men of extraordinary, apathetic talents. Unconcerned authorities of today laugh and look the other way at suggestions to improve and restore this little mighty thing of history, 'our history', our own history, created by our forefathers for us to enjoy the fruits of today..

Guarding Abode of the Lord

Never seen a statue guarding a Hindu Temple holding a Rifle, this adornes the walls of Chopda Mandir {Temple} at Dholpur..

The Guns of Mehrangarh Fort

Canons big and small are still placed on the ramparts of the Mehrangarh fort, perched on a 150 m high hill, is one of the most formidable and magnificent fort in Rajasthan. Rao Jodha founded it in 1459 and subsequent rulers of Jodhpur have also added to it over the centuries.

The Tree

For the past 24 years I wanted to take a photo of this very old Tree on road to Bari from Dholpur, it fascinated me so much because a road goes under it and there was no other tree around. When i saw this tree for the first time in 1984 as a 11 year old child i was visiting relatives (my uncle) at the Dholpur Military school and later they shifted to Delhi and we had no contacts here for 23 years, now when i was able to take this photo i was visiting my in-laws who live here. what a coincidence. Did God helped me..........India never fails you !

Osiyan: The Gateway to the Thar Desert

Osiyan or " Osian " popularily known as " Gateway to The Thar Desert " is a small town known for it's ancient temple ruins and exclusive Camel Safari , in Rajasthan, India.The ancient town of Thar Desert was a great trading center between 8th to 12th centuries. Today it is desert oasis with 16 Brahamanical and Jain temples, beautifully sculpted and designed, most of which have stood ravages of time.

Osian, an ancient small village in the Thar Desert,is located about 65 kms, North West of Jodhpur. Osian is a great centre of Brahmanical and Jain religions and contains the largest group of the Hindu and Jain temples in Rajasthan. These temples belong to the two periods, namely 8th century represented by nearly 12 temples and 12th century represented by 6 temples.

For a true lover of ancient architecture and artistic style, Osian reveals all its wealth, Osian is worth visiting. The city was a major religious centre of the kingdom of Marwar during the Pratihara dynasty. Of the 18 shrines in Osian, the Surya or Sun Temple and the later Kali temple, Sachiya Mata Temple and the main Jain temple dedicated to Lord Mahavira stands out in their grace and architecture.

Osian of today is a small town, but in its heyday, it was a bustling city and trade center of Northern India. Here convoys brought grains and produce, the citizens were contented and happy. To demonstrate their love for God, for what He had given them, they built shrines and temples. The temples of Osian are comparable in beauty to those of Khajuraho and Bhubaneswar.

The temples of Osian, though in a poor state now, have preserved their record well. The sculptures of Osian show us what people wore, how they amused themselves, how they worshiped, how they lived, what their social life was like and what they believed in.

Photos with the text are from the Grand Temple of Sachiya Mata:

The ancient temple of Sachiya Mata, a Hindu deity, is a perfect example of the medieval Indian architecture. With their artistic brilliance, temples in Osian are considered Masterpieces of Indian Heritage.

The ancient temple of Sachiya Mata, a Hindu deity, is a perfect example of the medieval Indian architecture. With their artistic brilliance, temples in Osian are considered Masterpieces of Indian Heritage.

The initial structure of the Temple in Osiyan, were built in the 8th century. However, the present temple was materialized during the 12th century. Sachiya Temple is dedicated to Sachi Mata. Wife of Lord Indra (Rain God), Goddess Sachi is also known as Indrani. The temple complex has two other shrines that are dedicated to Chandi Devi and Amba Mata respectively. Built in many phases, Sachiya Mata Temple can be entered through a series of wonderfully sculpted arches.

The interiors of the temple are decorated with beautiful images and sculptures of deities from the Hindu pantheon. In the north, a sculpture of Varaha (Incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Boar) embellishes the site, whereas an image of Lakshmi-Vishnu is visible in the east. A stone slab crammed with sculptures, emerging from the wall, can be traced in the west.