Unesco World Heritage Site Archives

Sunset at Nigatsu-dō

Nigatsu-dō is one of the important structures of the Tōdai-ji temple in Nara. If you are here to know more about Nigatsu-dō, you already must be familiar with the Todai-ji temple, registered as a world heritage site, and one of the most revered Buddhist temples in all of Japan. I have visited Nara Park many […]

Nigatsu-dō is one of the important structures of the Tōdai-ji temple in Nara If you are here to know more about Nigatsu-dō, you already must be familiar with the Todai-ji temple, registered as a world heritage site, and one of the most revered Buddhist temples in all of Japan I have visited Nara Park many times Nigatsu-dō is located to the east of the Great Buddha Hall, on the hillside of Mount Wakakusa Even though I had visited the Nigatsu-dō temple hall earlier, it was only after one of my friends on Instagram posted a picture-perfect view of the evening sunset from here, that it became an

Group of Monuments at Aihole

Today we drive to Aiholi, said to be one of the first regional capital of the Karnakata region under the rule of the Calukyas. The town contains a large number of early Hindu temples and shrines including some outside the walled site that mostly date from the 6th to 8th century CE when the city was at its zenith of prosperity and power.

Today we drive to Aihole, said to be one of the first regional capital of the Karnakata region under the rule of the Chalukyas The town contains a large number of early experimental Hindu temples and shrines that date between the 6th to 12th century CE It was a beautiful morning as we left for Aihole The heritage town is about 35 km from Badami and 11 km from Pattadakal, both of which are major centers of historically important Chalukya monuments Highway to Aihole Along the way we passed vast spaces of empty terrain with nothing but brown bushes The desolate landscape

Group of Monuments at Pattadakal

Pattadakal, also called Paṭṭadakallu, is a collection of temples from 7th and 8th century CE Hindu and Jain temples in northern Karnataka. Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is a historically significant cultural center and religious site to witness the structural tastes during the times of the Chalukya dynasty.

Pattadakal, also called Paṭṭadakallu, is a collection of temples from 7th and 8th century CE Hindu and Jain temples in northern Karnataka Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is a historically significant cultural center and religious site to witness the structural tastes during the times of the Chalukya dynasty We were staying in Badami, which is just about 23 km from Pattadakal The drive to Pattadakal is beautiful Surrounding by empty vastness along a beautifully paved road, you will find the ride very satisfying Road to Pattadakal The heritage site falls on the main road and very easy to find using Google Maps The

Hozomon Gate of Senso ji Temple at Night

The great Senso-ji Temple

Sensō-ji is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan. It is Tokyo’s oldest temple, and one of its most significant, built to honor Kannon, the goddess of mercy.

Sensō-ji is an ancient Buddhist temple located in Asakusa district of Tokyo, Japan It is Tokyo’s oldest temple, and one of its most significant It is a very busy place during daytime so I decided to escape the crowd by visiting early at dawn and then returning back late at night We were staying at APA Hotel Asakusa-Kuramae It is just a couple of minutes walk away from the Kuramae Station on the Toei Oedo Subway Line I had intentionally reserved this hotel as it is at a walk-able distance from the historic temple I left the hotel at around 6:30 am The skies were a saddening, dull gray as I made my

Stone Chariot at Vittala Temple in Hampi

Photowalk to Vijaya Vittala Temple

A simple journal of my third visit to the heritage temple.

While in Hampi, it is discourteous not to visit the Vijay Vittala Temple This was my third visit to the UNESCO world heritage temple grounds and I was not sure what to capture I have gone over the temple grounds pillar by pillar with my camera Anyways I left for the Temple early at dawn This time I drove from Bangalore, so I had my car available to me at all times during the visit It makes life a hell lot convenient having your own ride in a place like Hampi which spreads over acres of land I had booked my lodgings at Clark’s Inn, which is a

Monuments on Hemkuta Hill

Hemkuta hill with its gentle slopes offers a remarkable view of the sprawling ruins of Hampi. The hill contains many abandoned temples and boulder carvings scattered across along with two huge monolithic statues of Ganesha. It is also one of the best places to witness sunsets in Hampi.

India is a country, rich in cultural heritage with hundreds of ancient archaeological sites – each with its own mythical stories The monuments on Hemakuta Hill in Hampi is one such cluster of ancient temples, archways and pavilions with local folklore spread over centuries Hampi’s claim to fame began when it became the capital of the Vijayanagara empire However these temples on the Hemakuta Hill are among the oldest cluster of shrines in Hampi, preceding even the Vijayanagara reign The hill is located on the southern side of the Virupaksha temple, identified quite easily by the slopes dotted with a number of abandoned monuments When the revered Virupaksha temple was still in its infancy, this hill used to be occupied by

Shades of Virupaksha Temple

Virupaksha was the main center of pilgrimage at Hampi since the dawn of the 7th century. Since then this UNESCO World Heritage Site has been elaborated on by future rulers and especially Krishnadevaraya, the most famous kings of the Vijayanagara Empire, who commissioned the iconic nine-tiered gateway that we identify the temple with today.

This was my third visit to Hampi, but the first time that I drove myself to the historical city Hampi sits on the banks of the Tungabhadra river in the ruins of the ancient city of Vijayanagar, capital of the once flourishing Vijayanagara empire The road to Hampi is pretty straightforward I took the NH48 from Bangalore and then slid into NH50 near Chitradurga The NH50 is under major repairs but its still faster than any alternative routes On the way we passed the Tungabhadra reservoir The national highway leads directly to the town of Hospet, from where we drove into Kamlapur, where our hotel was located Clark’s

Heritage walk to Vittala Temple

Today I go on a heritage walk to the majestic Vittala Temple, dedicated to Vitthala, the South India name of Vishnu. Built around the 15th Century CE, and expanded several times by succeeding kings of the Vijaynagar empire with the most extravagant architecture and exceptional craftsmanship, the temple is the main attraction of Hampi.

Today I went on a heritage walk to the majestic Vittala Temple Built around the 15th century CE, and expanded several times by succeeding kings of the Vijayanagar empire, it is the epicenter of Hampi’s attractions This time, I was in Hampi along with a trekking group from Bangalore It was another day of missed opportunities I was awake at 5 am, ready for new experiences in Hampi We were supposed to observe the sunrise from Anjaneya hill as per schedule but our trek leader himself got up at 6 am and by that time hiking up Anjaneya hill was a lost cause I wandered around the open spaces near our

The Monkey Kingdom of Kishkindha

Today I went to explore the quiet town of Anegundi. As per the legend of Ramayana, the city used to be known as Kishkindha where Bali and Sugreeva, the monkey kings used to rule. The monkeys though have been driven away by the growing number of foreign tourists and it is just the mystifying boulders that remain to tell us the story of what was once a strange but interesting kingdom.

Today I went to explore the quiet town of Anegundi I was here with a trekking group from Bangalore As per the mythological tale of Ramayana, the city used to be known as Kishkindha in ancient times when Vali and Sugreeva, the monkey kings used to rule these lands The monkeys though have been driven away by the growing number of tourists and it is just the mystifying boulders that remain to tell us the story of what was once a strange but interesting kingdom It was 10 am by the time we rode into the ancient city of Anegundi The all night drive from Bangalore had been a quiet one The only excitement was provided by the stunning sunrise

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