A visit to Dewa Sharif Dargah - Barabanki , Uttar Pradesh

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                 Dewa Sharif Dargah

"A living example of Hindu - Muslim unity, Dewa Sharif is a religious place which enshrines the tomb of Syed Haji Waris Ali Shah. During the months of October and November the Dewa Mela is held which attracts thousands of devotees from all around."

Dewa Sharif is a famous pilgrimage town about 25 km from Lucknow in Barabanki district. It is the seat of renowned shrine of Sufi Saint Haji Waris Ali Shah, an exponent of universal brotherhood and has a special place in the history of Awadh. Haji Waris Ali Shah commanded mystical powers and revered by members of all communities. His father Qurban Ali Shah too was a Sufi Saint. Devotees from far off places visit their "Mazars", popularly known as Dewa Sharif.

• A splendid monument stands in his memory in Dewa which is visited by his followers in large numbers throughout the year. On the occasion of the annual Urs, a 10 days fair is held here in the month of October-November every year known as Dewa Mela to commemorate the saint. It includes an all India Mushaira, Kavi Sammelan, music performances etc.

• The place also offers a good range of handicrafts for the tourists. A brilliant display of fireworks marks the conclusion of the fair. An annual fair in November is a perfect example of universal brotherhood.

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A visit to Orchha - The City Of Raja Ram , Madhya Pradesh

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          Orchha - City Of Raja Ram

Orchha literally means ‘hidden place’ and it stays true to its name! Located in Madhya Pradesh, Orchha isn’t on most tourist maps and several travelers club their visit to Orchha with a trip to Jhansi (16 km away) or Khajuraho (170 km away). But with beautiful monuments, both big and small, revealing tales of battles between kings and emperors, Orchha deserves a trip of its own.

History

ORCHHA WAS FOUNDED IN THE 16TH CENTURY BY BUNDELA RAJPUT CHIEF, RUDRA PRATAP

Once the capital of the Bundela Rajput kings, Orchha was established by Maharaja Rudra Pratap Singh in 1501. The medieval city has since seemingly frozen in time. Its several monuments continue to retain their original grandeur even as the city itself seems quite content to be hidden away from the throngs of tourists that descend upon Madhya Pradesh year after year.

Temples at the Bank of Betwa River

Way to Reach - Orchha

The closest railhead to Orchha is Jhansi (about 16 km) and the best way to reach your destination is the ever-reliable auto rickshaw. If the narrow winding roads with fields on either side that lead you to this little town don’t transport you back to a more peaceful time, the several monuments that dot the Orchha landscape most certainly will.

Rafting on Betwa River

Orchha Fort

The Orchha fort complex is the biggest tourist draw of this small town. You can buy a ticket here that will grant you access to all the sights in the town. The fort complex itself is divided into three parts:

The Raj Mahal was constructed by Madhukar Shah in the 17th century. His deeply religious beliefs are reflected in the design: the stunning murals are bold and colorful and revolve around religious themes. A well-tipped guide will be thrilled to open the doors of various chambers for you.

 Jahangir Mahal

Also constructed in the 17th century, but by Madhukar Shah’s successor Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo to commemorate the visit of his friend, the Mughal emperor Jahangir, the eponymous Jahangir Mahal is another stunning piece of architecture in this hidden gem of a place.

Rai Parveen Mahal is dedicated to the musician-poetess, Rai Parveen, Raja Indramani’s (1672- 76) paramour. Emperor Akbar who was taken in by her beauty and had summoned her to Delhi sent her back to Orchha impressed with her dedication and love for Indramani.

Raja Ram Temple

RAM RAJA TEMPLE IS THE ONLY PLACE WHERE LORD RAM IS WORSHIPPED BOTH AS A GOD AND AS A KING

The center of Orchha is the Ram Raja temple whose presiding deity is Lord Rama whose idol was supposed to be installed in the magnificent Chaturbhuj temple. Legend has it that the idols refused to move after being installed here and so a temple was built around them!

Chaturbhuj temple

Chaturbhuj temple is yet another impressive piece of architecture and was built to house the idols that are now inside the Ram Raja temple. Today, it houses the image of Radha-Krishna. Tip the security guard who will unlock a hidden staircase that leads to the roof and offers panoramic views of the surroundings.

Home to some of the most exquisite wall paintings in Orchha, the Laxminarayan temple is yet another must-visit place. The murals are well-preserved and the colors of the murals retain most of their vibrancy.

The smallest palace in Orchha (and one that is in ruins) is the Sunder Mahal that was constructed by Prince Dhurjban who embraced Islam after marrying a Muslim girl and devoted his life to prayer and meditation. Dhurjban eventually came to be revered as a saint and Sunder Mahal became a pilgrimage site for Muslims.

#Orchha_Fort (#sheesh_mahal ) build by #rudra_pratap_singh @ #City_Of_Raja_Ram #Orchha_City #orchhadairies #madhya_pradesh

A post shared by Shubh Rawat (@rawatshubh13) on Jun 18, 2017 at 4:43am PDT

Orchha also has 14 cenotaphs or chhatris that serve as memorials to Orchha rulers and the well laid-out garden, aptly called Phool Bagh.

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A visit to Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple , New Delhi

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  Swaminarayan Akshardham New Delhi

               WHAT IS AKSHARDHAM

'Akshardham' means the divine abode of God. It is hailed as an eternal place of devotion, purity and peace. Swaminarayan Akshardham at New Delhi is a Mandir – an abode of God, a Hindu house of worship, and a spiritual and cultural campus dedicated to devotion, learning and harmony. Timeless Hindu spiritual messages, vibrant devotional traditions and ancient architecture all are echoed in its art and architecture.The mandir is a humble tribute to Bhagwan Swaminarayan (1781- 1830), the avatars, devas and great sages of Hinduism. The traditionally-styled complex was inaugurated on 6 November 2005 with the blessings of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj and through the devoted efforts of skilled artisans and volunteers.

                SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

Each element of Akshardham echoes with spirituality – the Mandir, the Exhibitions and even the Gardens.
The Akshardham mandir has over two hundred murtis, representing many of the spiritual stalwarts over many millennia. The spiritual premise of Akshardham is that each soul is potentially divine. Whether we are serving the family, the country our neighbors or all living beings the world over , each service can help one move towards divinity. Each prayer is a call towards improving oneself and moving closer to God.
A visit to Akshardham is a spiritually enriching experience. Whether it is in realising the power of prayer, in feeling the strength of non-violence, in being aware of the universal nature of Hinduism’s ancient principles, or just in admiring the beauty of God’s abode on Earth –- each element has a spiritual significance.

                     FACTS AND FIGURES

                  

• Opened 6th November 2005
• Constructed by Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS)
• Inspired by HH Yogiji Maharaj (1892-1971 CE)
• Created by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj
• More than 300,000,000 volunteer hours went into making the complex
• Over 8,000 volunteers from across the world participated in building it
• Mandir built from intricately carved sandstone and marble 
• Exhibitions on Hinduism, including Bhagwan Swaminarayan's life and teachings such as prayer, compassion, and non-violence.
• Open gardens, water bodies and step-well styled courtyard 

          Opening Ceremony

Akshardham was consecrated on 6 November 2005 by Pramukh Swami Maharaj and ceremoniously dedicated to the nation by the President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam,the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Indian Parliament, Lal Krishna Advani, with the presence of 25,000 guests. After touring the central monument, president Kalam then gave a speech on where Akshardham.

   Guinness world record

Prime Mininster Narendra Modi at The Temple

On 17 December 2007, Michael Whitty, an official world record adjudicator for Guinness World Record, travelled to Ahmedabad, India to present a new world record to Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, for the Akshardham complex.
The record was presented for Akshardham as the World's Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple (certificate).
The certificate states,

"BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi, India, is the world's largest comprehensive Hindu temple. It measures 356 ft (109 m). long, 316 ft (96 m). wide and 141 ft (43 m). high, covering an area of 86,342 sq ft (8,021.4 m²). The grand, ancient-style, ornately hand-carved stone temple has been built without structural steel within five years by 11,000 artisans and volunteers. Pramukh Swami, revered spiritual leader of BAPS, consecrated the temple on 6 November 2005. Akshardham showcases the essence of India's ageless art, borderless culture and timeless values.

Upon presentation of the award, Michael Whitty stated, "It took us three months of research, poring over the extensive architectural plans of the Akshardham and also those of other temples of comparable size, visiting and inspecting the site, before we were convinced that Akshardham deserved the title..."

         Features

*GAJENDRA PEETH

*ABHISHEK MANDAP

*NARAYAN SAROVAR

*EXHIBITIONS

*NEELKANTH DARSHAN – GIANT SCREEN FILM

*SANSKRUTI DARSHAN – CULTURAL BOAT RIDE

*SAHAJ ANAND – MULTIMEDIA WATER SHOW

*THE SHOW

*THE STORY

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Visit to the TAJ MAHAL - Agra ,Uttar Pradesh

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                            The Taj Mahal

A few days ago I had a visited one of the most beautiful monument which is also known as the symbol of love.

When I reached there , I heard something strange about the monument that the Supreme Court of india asked to clearify that the Taj Mahal is a Mosque or a Shiv Mandir. Many thoughts were coming in my mind about this ?

Indian culture minister dragged into controversial legal case calling for Taj Mahal to be classified as a Hindu temple

A legal case, first brought by six lawyers in Agra in April, claims that the monument famously built by a seventeenth-century Mughal emperor as a tomb for his beloved wife was originally an ancient shrine to the Hindu god Shiva.

The petition, which was accepted by the Agra Court.

Currently, only Muslims are allowed to worship at the site, offering Friday prayers at a mosque attached to the Taj Mahal.

Theories over the Taj Mahal’s supposed Hindu heritage have abounded for decades, albeit well outside the historical mainstream.

In his 1989 book Taj Mahal: The True Story, revisionist historian PN Oak claimed the monument was built in 1155, decades before the Muslim invasion of India. He said its name is a corrupt form of the sanskrit term “Tejo Mahalay”, signifying a Shiva Temple.

Likewise, the Agra court case was filed by lawyer Hari Shankar Jain, who claims to be a sympathiser of the RSS, a Hindu nationalist organisation with close ideological links to Mr Modi's BJP.

Although I don't need to give any Introduction about the taj , but i present some of things here which rarely people know.

* Taj Mahal has a shivling(symbol of Lord Shiva) inside it.

* Taj has OM(ॐ) symbol inside its walls.

* At the top of the taj , where there is a symbol of a moon(symbol for Muslim Workship)  there's also Mango leaf's(these leaf's are considered good for hindus).

  

These were some things which were confusing my mind ?

Now I will you some comman points that you would already know.

The Taj Mahal in India was built by a great emperor Shah Jahan. His wife Mumtaz Mahal died in 1631 while giving birth to their 14th child. Construction of the Taj Mahal began one year later and it was built to be the final resting place of Mumtaz Mahal. Different types of marble from all over the world were used to build this mausoleum. Today, millions of people come from all over the world to visit this famous and beautifully designed Islamic tomb in Agra, a city in northern India.

Interesting Taj Mahal Facts

* Mumtaz Mahal was Shah Jahan's third wife. Her name was originally Arjumand Bano Begum but when she married Shah Jahan she was christened as Mumtaz Mahal which means ‘Jewel of the Palace', or ‘Chosen One of the Palace'.

* Taj Mahal means ‘crown of places'.

* The Taj Mahal took approximately 20 years and approximately 20,000 workers to complete. There were also about 1000 elephants used to transport the materials needed for construction.

* The Taj Mahal complex also has additional mausoleums, a mosque, a reflecting pool and large garden to add to its beauty.

* The Taj Mahal stands at 561 feet tall.

* The material used to build the Taj Mahal is white marble. The marble used in construction was brought from many different countries.

* The Taj Mahal has a large white dome surrounded by four smaller domes. The large white dome in the center is approximately 115 feet tall.

* The color of Taj Mahal appears to change color depending on the time of day. The color change also depends on whether there is moonlight at night.

* There were about 28 different types of precious and semi-precious stones inlaid into the burial tomb of the Taj Mahal. During the Indian Rebellion in 1857, many of the precious stones were stripped from the walls of the tomb.

* Over 200,000 tourists from overseas and as many as 2 to 4 million people visit the Taj Mahal every year.

* UNESCO has designated the Taj Mahal as a World Heritage Site and it is also one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The ‘New' Seven Wonders of the world were chosen by people voting from all over the world.

* There are 99 names of Allah inscribed calligraphically on the side of Mumtaz Mahal's actual tomb.

* The four pillars around the main dome were built to slant away from the dome slightly. This was done to help protect the tomb if the pillars ever collapsed.

* The cost to build the Taj Mahal was about 35 million rupees, which would be about 1 million American dollars. In 1632 that would be an enormous amount of money to spend on a mausoleum.

* It was rumored that Shah Jahan had the hands cut off from the people who worked on the Taj Mahal once it was complete. His reasoning was that nobody would ever be able to build such a beautiful building ever again. Nobody has been able to prove that this story is true. Taj on Construction

* The Taj Mahal is taller than Qutub minar.

The Taj Mahal is about five feet taller than Qutub Minar. A comparison with other monuments around the world can be found below.

* How expensive was it for Shah Jehan to build the Taj exactly?

Shah Jehan spent about 32 million rupees during the years 1632-1653 on this great architectural venture. Today that amount would be close to 1,062,834,098 USD.

* The Taj changes colors depending on the light.

The Taj is pinkish in the morning, milky white in the evening and golden when the moon shines.

* Shah Jehan's daughter Jahanara Begum refused a grand burial like theTaj .

She said:
Allah is the Living, the Sustaining. Let no one cover my grave except with greenery, For this very grass suffices as a tomb cover for the poor. The mortal simplistic Princess Jahanara, Disciple of the Khwaja Moin-ud-Din Chishti,Daughter of Shah Jahan the Conqueror May Allah illuminate his proof.

* An American Grammy Award-winning artist named himself Taj mahal.

Henry Saint Clair Fredericks, who uses the stage name Taj Mahal, is an American Grammy Award-winning Blues musician.

The makers employed an optical trick so that as you move closer to the gate, the Taj keeps getting smaller.

It seems to grow bigger as you walk away. The guides here say when you leave,you take the Taj with you in your heart.

                              Thank You 

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