Incredible India - Tomb of Akbar @ Sikandra

As part of Incredible India series, this post is for Tomb of Akbar the Great, located in Sikandra, suburbs of historical Agra city of Uttar Pradesh, most populous state in India.

The Tomb of Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great is an important Mughal architectural masterpiece, built in 1605–1613 and set in 119 acres of grounds in Sikandra, named after Sikandar lodi, the Delhi ruler who was in power from 1488 to 1517 A.D. When tourists visit Agra, most often then not, Taj Mahal and Agra Fort is in the itinerary with many not knowing about the Tomb of Akbar in Sikandra. Its such a magnificent monument that one can truly appreciate only after paying it a visit. Akbar was one of the greatest emperors in the history of India and this beautiful mausoleum is befitting Akbar the Great.
 



The third Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great (1555–1605), himself commenced its construction in around 1600  A.D., according to Tartary tradition. After his death, Akbar's son Jahangir completed the construction in 1613 A.D. Akbar in a way stands for what truly India is, a true secular country with diversified culture, religion and ethnic origins. Akbar was born to a Sunni father and Shia mother in Hindustan, the land of Sufism at the house of a Hindu. He is said to be married to a Muslim, Hindu and Christian and thus the structure has a perfect blending of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, Jain themes. 



The decoration on the gateways is strikingly bold, with large mosaic patterns set into it and four minarets rising from the corners are particularly striking and are similar to those of the Taj Mahal. Built of red sandstone, the minarets are inlaid with white marble polygonal patterns with the south gate being the largest. Akbar's Tomb complex external entrance from the road, built to imitate the Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri, the city, Akbar founded. Portico in front of Akbar's grave in the basement is covered with beautiful stucco paintings.



As part of Incredible India series, I had earlier shared blog posts on Karnataka Road Trip, Qutub Minar, Golconda Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Temples in Delhi, Bird Watching, Gwalior Fort, Gwalior Palace Museum, Temples in Gwalior, & Agra Fort 

Incredible India - Temples in Gwalior

As part of Incredible India series, this post is for various Temples in Gwalior located in historical Gwalior city of Madhya Pradesh, a central state in India.

Referring Wiki, Saas-Bahu ka mandir (Mother-in-law - Daughter-in-law's Temple), or Sahastrabahu Temple, is located to the east of Gwalior Fort. Built in 1092 by King Mahipala of the Kachchhapaghata (Kachchhwaha) dynasty, this temple is one of the greatest architectural marvels situated by Gwalior Fort. 


It was named SahastraBahu, depicting Lord Vishnu with a thousand hands. Lord Vishnu was worshiped by the wife of Kachchhapaghata's king, but when his son's wife came, she became a devotee of Lord Shiva. Thus, another temple beside Vishnu temple was built, where Lord Shiva was worshiped by the wife of the king's son. Collectively, these two temples were named 'Sas-Bahu temple', meaning the daughter-in-law and mother-in-law's temple.


Teli Ka Mandir is an ancient temple, which is located in the Gwalior Fort complex and is famous for its splendid architecture. Teli Ka Mandir is built in 11th century and considered the oldest temple of the Gwalior Fort. It is a Brahmanical sanctuary and was refurbished between 1881 and 1883, having a blend of south and north Indian architectural styles.


Sun Temple built by the Aditya Birla Trust is the second Temple dedicated to Sun in India (Konark Sun Temple being the first) and is an exact replica of the famous Konark Sun Temple, Odisha. 




As part of Incredible India series, I had earlier shared blog posts on Karnataka Road Trip, Qutub Minar, Golconda Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Temples in Delhi, Bird Watching, Gwalior Fort & Gwalior Palace Museum.

Incredible India - Temples in Delhi

As part of Incredible India series, this post is for some incredible temples located in New Delhi, India.
Incredible temples located in New Delhi include Chhatarpur Temple, Lotus Temple, Birla temple (LaxmiNarayan temple) and Akshardham temple.

Chhatarpur Temple and within its complex and vicinity, there are some beautiful architected temples. Chhatarpur Temple is located on Gurgaon-Mehrauli Road, in South Delhi. Temple is having easy access by buses, autos, metro and taxis from New Delhi city.

Erected in white marble, the main shrine is dedicated to Goddess Katyayani (sixth form of Durga). The temples within the complex of Chhatarpur Temple have been built in both South as well as of North Indian style of temple architecture.

The Temple is spread over an area of ~70 acres including number of structures dedicated to each deity. Near main entrance, there is an ancient tree, which is covered with holy threads that people tie with belief that their wishes would be fulfilled.

Lotus Temple is another incredible architecture, which is at times referred as modern times Taj Mahal.  Temple is built in the shape of a lotus flower and is the last of seven Major Bahai's temples. Built in 1986, lush green landscaped gardens add up to its beauty. 

Lotus Temple is located in east side of the city. Structure is made up of pure white marble and its architect Fariborz Sahba chose lotus as the symbol common to Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam. 

Birla Mandir in New Delhi is also known as Laxminarayan Temple. Temple was built by the industrialst J.K. Birla in 1939. The temple is dedicated to Laxmi (the goddess of prosperity) and Narayana (The preserver). 

This beautiful temple is located in the west of Connaught Place and was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi on the condition that people of all castes will be allowed to enter the temple.

Akshardham temple in New Delhi epitomizes 10,000 years of Indian culture in all its breathtaking grandeur, beauty, wisdom and bliss. The temple, at the center of the complex, was built according to the Vastu Shastra and Pancharatra Shastra

The building was inspired and developed by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual head of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, whose 3,000 volunteers helped 7,000 artisans construct Akshardham. 

As part of Incredible India series, I had earlier shared blog posts on Karnataka Road Trip, Qutub Minar, Golconda Fort & Humayun's Tomb.