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Showing posts from June, 2024

The Cholas - Among worlds greatest dynasties

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Why Cholas, are among the greatest dynasties, of the world? We know the Mauryan and Moghul dynasties of India. There was a kingdom which ruled longer with a comparable area which many are not aware, including many Indians. We must learn and feel proud such a dynasty existed in India and contributed immensely to world leadership in arts science architecture engineering ship building mettalurgy, whose impact is STILL seen in Wootz steel used in Europe and China, democracy of self ruling villages, irrigation and dams, to Architecture of Angor Wat in Cambodia. THE CHOLA KINGDOM, was of one of Indias most powerful Kingdoms. From length of rule, size of area under their influence to sophistication in science, arts, engineering they were much ahead of any one else in thier era. I visited all the three great living Chola temples listed as UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE monuments relevant to all of humanity. More on that later. Cholas are among the longest ruling dynasties in the world, were in power fo

Ujjain - Pre-historic Sacred Hindu city

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Ujjain - Mahakaleshwar  Ujjain aka Avantika ranks among the oldest cities of India like Varanasi, Madurai with a recorded history of over 3,000 years. Ujjain religious significance to Hindus is perhaps on par with Kashi and Kanchi.  The Garuda puran says there are 7 cities where one can attain mukti or liberation. Ayodhya Mathura, Gaya, Kashi, Kanchi Avantika, Puri, Dwaravati, Chev Saptetaha: Mokshadayika. It's the only place on earth, where there is a temple dedicated to planet Mangalnath (Mars). There is a Jyotirlinga, The Mahakaal temple, dedicated to lord Shiva . Two Shakti Peeths, Gadhkalika and Harsiddhi. Ujjain has footsteps of two avatars of Vishnu, Rama and Krishna. Lord Rama himself performed his father’s last rites after his death at Ujjain at Ram Ghat. Lord Krishna spent his childhood along with Balram and Sudama (Kuselan) in Rishi Sandipani gurukul. Ujjain hosts the sacred Kumbh mela once in 12 years here by the side of Shipra River.  Indeed blessed to visit this city