About: Naubat or Naqqar Khana

• • Delhi
About - Naubat or Naqqar Khana (Red Fort, Delhi, India)

The Naubat or Naqqar Khana (drum house) stands at the entrance of the palace area and was used for playing music five times a day at chosen hours. Faced with red stone, it is a large three-storied building, rectangular on plan. Carved designs on its red stone walls appear to have been originally painted with gold, while the interior was painted in other colors. Several layers of these paintings can be traced even now in the entrance chamber.

The later Mughal Kings Jahandar Shah (1712-13) and Farrukhsiyar (1713-19) are said to have been murdered in the Naubat Khana.

(This photo was taken at Red Fort in Delhi)

About: The Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals

• • Maharashtra, Mumbai
About - The Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals (Mumbai, Maharashtra, India)

The Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals was founded by the Hon’ble Sir Dinshaw Manokjee Petit, Kt; J.P; in A.D. 1883.

This estate in Parell, Admeasuring 40,514 square yards, with the bungalow and outhouses standing thereon, was purchased by the founder at a cost of Rs. 45,000; but including expenses and an additional grant, it actually cost him Rs. 51,000. The estate was conveyed by him as a gift to The Bombay Society for The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The three hospital sheds and servants’ quarters, godowns, office rooms, pharmacy & c. were constructed by the society from funds mainly contributed by native grain, seeds and cotton merchants, and mill-owners.

The hospital is maintained by the society mainly from funds received from native merchants.

His excellency The Right Hon’ble, The Earl of Dufferin, K.P;G.M.S.I; G.M.I.E; G.C.B; G.C.M.G; F.R.S; D.C.L; LL.D; Viceroy and Governor-General of India opened the institution on Wednesday, The 10th December 1884.

His excellency The Right Hon’ble Sir James Fergusson, Bart; K.C.M.G;C.I.E; Governor of Bombay being patron, The Hon’ble Lyttelton Holyoake Bayley, Judge of H.M’s High Court of Judicature, Bombay, President, and Mr. Kavasji Mervanji Shroff, J.P; The Secretary and Treasurer of The Society.

About: Shri Bharat Mandir

• • Dehradun, Uttarakhand • Tags:

Kedar Khand Skanda Puran gives the following details about this ancient temple.

Having been pleased by the intense tapasya performed here by Raibhya Rishi and Som Sharma, Lord Vishnu appeared before them. On rishi’s insistence, he showed his illusions (Maya) to them in various forms.

After watching all about Maya the Rishi requested Lord Vishnu to free all beings from the bondages of maya. Lord Vishnu then told Rishi that since he did tapasya by controlling all the senses therefore this sacred place will be called Hrishikesh and during Kaliyuga my incarnation will be known by the name of Bharat. Whoever will live in Hrishikesh observing all religious disciplines and visit Bharatji’s temple after taking bath in the sacred Mayakund will be freed from all the worldly bondage.

Some 1211 years ago on the day of Basant Panchmi jagadguru Shankracharya installed the presiding deity in the temple. It is also believed that if any pilgrim on Akshya Tritya takes 108 parikramas of the temple, he or she will get the pilgrimage to Badrinath.

Lord Hrishikesh known as Shri Bharat Ji Maharaj is different from Ram’s younger brother Bharat. He is known by the name of Bharat because he is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserving force, holding Shankh, Chakra, Gada, and Padam in his four hands.

(source: display board at Shri Bharat Mandir at Rishikesh, Uttarakhand)

About: Jogeshwari Caves

• • Maharashtra, Mumbai Suburban
About - Jogeshwari Caves (Mumbai Suburban, Maharashtra, India)

Jogeshwari Caves excavated during 6th century A.D. is one of the finest specimen of Brahmanical rock-cut architecture and bears similarity with Elephanta (Cave no. 1) and Dhumarlena (Cave no. 29) at Ellora. On plan, it consists of agramandapa, mukhamandapa and garbhagriha. Vakataka and later Vakataka influence can clearly be noticed in its architectural planning and sculptural execution. Some scholars believe that the caves were excavated under the patronage of Maurya of Konkan, Kalachuri (Traikutakas). Jogeshwari cave is adorned with a few beautiful sculptural representations of Lakulisa, Kalyansundarmurti, Shiv Parvati playing dyuta, Natraja, Ravananugraha, Makartornas, Ayudhpurushas, Dwarapalas, etc.

It was declared as a protected monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India, vide gazette notification no. 2704 – A, dated 26.05.1909.

(Source: Archaeological Survey of India, Mumbai Circle)

About: Kondivite or Mahakali Caves

• • Maharashtra, Mumbai Suburban
About - Kondivite or Mahakali Caves (Mumbai Suburban, Maharashtra, India)

Kondivite or Mahakali caves, as they are known locally, were excavated between 2nd to 6th century A.D. It consists of four caves on the north-west face and a group of fifteen caves at the south-east, carved in volcanic trap breccias, prone to weathering. The entire surrounding was originally an old settlement, including Marol village, Mulgaon and had several fresh water tanks that have over the years disappeared. The most interesting caves at Kondivite is the chaitya cave (No. 9) which has a peculiar plan layout, and is one of the oldest in the group. The inner shrine and stupa are enclosed within a curved wall, not typical to most chaitya caves. This 8″ thick wall around the stupa has a central door with a latticed window on the either side and over the right window is a two line Pali inscription recording, “Gift of a vihar, with his brother by Pittimba a brahman of the Gotamas gotra and inhabitant of Pachi Kama”. A carved panel of the Buddha with attendants and other figures called the Buddhist Litany, is cut of the right, which is a later insert.

(Source: Archaeological Survery of India, Mumbai Circle)

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