India+Places+of+Interest

TAJ MAHAL: Listed as a heritage site in 1983 the Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra and combines elements of Islamic, Turkish, Indian and Persian architectural styles. It is considered to be one of the seven wonders of the modern world. Millions of tourists have visited the site - more than three million in 2004, according to the BBC - making it one of the most popular international attractions in India (Taj Mahal, Wikipedia, 2007, OnlineTaj is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. Taj Mahal was constructed over a period of twenty-two years, employing twenty thousand workers. It was completed in 1648 C.E. at a cost of 32 Million Rupees which is equivalent to approximately AUD$950000.

SANJAY GANDHI NATIONAL PARK: Sanjay Gandhi National Park also known as The Borivali National Park is set in the hill ranges around the suburb of Borivali located in Mumbai and is surrounded on three sides by one of the world's most populous cities. It encompasses a protected area of 9000 hectares and is home to more than 3000 species of plants and over 300 species of animal, some of which include: deer, hare, panther, porcupine, langur and flying fox. It is possibly one of Asia's most visited National Parks with 2 million annual visitors. The park is also the largest park in the world located within city limits.

INDIA GATE: During the First World War 90 000 Indian Soldiers were killed. The names of these soldiers were inscribed in stone on this dominating struacture 42 metres high. it took 10 years to build and its foundation stone was laid on the 10th of February 1921. Under the arch, a monument of a helmet on the built of a rifle surrounded by four eternal flames, was erected to commemorate the Indian Armed Forces and their losses in the Indo Pakistan War in 1971.

AJANTA: The Ajanta caves are rock cut momuments dating all the way back to second century BCE containing paintings and sculpture considered to be masterpieces of Buddhist religious art. They have been a world heritage sight since 1983. The caves are in a "wooded and rugged horseshoe shaped ravine about 3.5 kilometres from the villiage of Ajintha" (Ajanta, Wikipedia, 2007, Online). In total there are 29 caves and they vary in height from 35 feet to 110 feet. The floor levels of each cave are not uniform and due to the excavation of each on at different times there is no symmetry. Each cave was once isolated from every other cave but now they are connected by stairs. The architecture of the "halls" depicts images of Buddha on his different life stories and ther are several types of human and animal figures which were carved out of the rock. One thousand years of neglect,and exposure to the hostile elements of nature have damaged many of the works of the past but those which have survived are ranked high among the greatest artistic works of the contemporary world.

THE GOLDEN TEMPLE: The Golden Temple is located in Amritsar and is the most sacred shrines of Sikhism. Sikh devotees, for whom the Temple is a symbol of freedom and spiritual independence, come to the Temple from all over the world to enjoy its environs and offer their prayers. The temple is surrounded by a pool of water, known as the Sarovar which consists of Amrit (Holy Water). There are four entrances to the temple, signifying the importance of acceptance and openness and also in order to be able to welcome travelers from all directions. Anyone who wants to enter may do so, irrespective of religion, colour, creed or sex. The only restrictions are that the person must not drink alcohol, eat meat or smoke cigarettes or other drugs while in the shrine. Everyone must cover their heads as a sign of respect and wash their feet in the small pool of water as they enter.

BODH GAYA: Is one of the holiest places of Buddhism and a centre of pilgrimage for Buddhists and Hindus. It is believed to be the place where, under a bo tree (“tree of awakening”), Prince Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha. Bodh Gaya is situated on the banks of the river Niranjana (now known as the Falgu), in which the Buddha is said to have bathed on rising after his meditation. The central shrine is the Mahabodhi temple, a large structure with a fine pyramidal tower 180 feet high and carved turrets at each corner of its high square base. Originally built by the Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century bc, the present design dates mainly from the 7th and 8th centuries ad, the turrets having been added during the 12th century. The temple, which contains a huge gilded stone Buddha, was substantially restored during the 19th century. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. The position of the original peepal or bo tree is marked by a platform in the temple grounds and the tree that stands today is believed to be a direct descendent. Bodh Gaya has long been a centre for pilgrimage, the Dalai Lama visits Bodh Gaya every December.