About: The Birth of Keoladeo Ghana National Park

• • Bharatpur, Rajasthan • Tags:

This region was initially a low-lying area subject to seasonal flooding and historically once part of the river Yamuna‘s flood plain. In the eighteenth century, Maharaj Suraj Mal, ruler of the State of Bharatpur, built the Ajan Bund, a 3270-ha impoundment. The bund had two purposes; one to prevent floods and also as a water reservoir for agricultural purposes. During 1850-1899 Prince Harbhamji of Morvi State in Gujarat modified the area considerably, by devising a system of canals and dykes for controlling water. This was done to develop this area into a duck shoot reserve and provide grazing avenues for the village cattle.

यह क्षेत्र शुरू में मौसमी बाढ़ के अधीन एक निचला क्षेत्र था और ऐतिहासिक रूप से एक बार यमुना नदी के बाढ़ मैदान का हिस्सा था। अठारहवीं शताब्दी में, भरतपुर राज्य के शासक महाराज सूरजमल ने 3270 हेक्टेयर भूमि पर अजान बांध का निर्माण कराया था। बाँध के दो उद्देश्य थे; एक बाढ़ को रोकने के लिए और कृषि उद्देश्यों के लिए जल भंडार के रूप में भी। 1850-1899 के दौरान गुजरात में मोरवी राज्य के राजकुमार हरभमजी ने पानी को नियंत्रित करने के लिए नहरों और बांधों की एक प्रणाली तैयार करके क्षेत्र में काफी बदलाव किया। ऐसा इस क्षेत्र को बत्तख शूट रिजर्व के रूप में विकसित करने और गांव के मवेशियों के लिए चराई के अवसर प्रदान करने के लिए किया गया था।

(Source: Display/Notice Board at Keoladeo Ghana National Park)

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About: Omkareshwar (Lord of the Om Sound) Jyotirlinga

• • Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh • Tags:

Omkareshwar Temple is one of the highly revered Jyotirlinga and is located on an island called Shivapuri in the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh. The word Omkareshwar means “Lord of Omkara” or the Lord of the Om Sound! According to the Hindu scriptures, once upon a time, there ensued a great war between the Devas and Danavas (God and Demons), in which the Danavas won. This was a major setback for the Devas who then prayed to Lord Shiva. Pleased with their prayer, Lord Shiva emerged in the form of Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga and defeated the Danavas. This place is thus considered to be highly sacred by the Hindus.

(Source: Display/Notice Board at Babulnath Temple in Mumbai (Maharashtra)

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About: Kashi Vishwanath Temple – The Dearest to Lord Shiva

• • Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi •

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is located in the most revered site in the world – Kashi! It is situated amidst the crowded lanes of the holy city of Banaras (Varanasi). More than the Ghats and Ganga of Varanasi, the Shivalinga remains the devotional focus of the pilgrims. It is believed that Banaras is the site at which the first Jyotirlinga manifested its supremacy over other gods, broke through the earth’s crust, and flared towards heaven. This temple is said to be the dearest to Lord Shiva, and the people believe that those who die here achieve liberation. Many believe that Shiva himself resided here and is the giver of liberation and happiness. This temple has been rebuilt several times but always continued to hold its ultimate significance.

(Source: Display/Notice Board at Babulnath Temple in Mumbai (Maharashtra)

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About: Mallikarjuna Temple – Kailash of the South

• • Andhra Pradesh, Nandyal • Tags:

The Mallikarjuna Temple is situated on the Shri Shaila Mountain, on the banks of the Krishna River in the southern part of Andhra Pradesh. It is also known as “Kailash of the South” and is one of the greatest Shaivite shrines in India. The presiding deities at this temple are Mallikarjuna (Shiva) and Bhramaramba (Devi). According to the Shiva Purana, Lord Ganesha was married off before Kartikeya which left Kartikeya angered. He went away to the Kraunch Mountain. All the Gods tried to console him but in vain. Ultimately Shiva-Parvati themselves travelled to the mountain but were turned away by Kartikeya. Seeing their son in such a state they were very hurt and Shiva assumed the form of a Jyotirlinga and resided on the mountain by the name of Mallikarujna. Mallika means Parvati, while Arjuna is another name of Shiva. It is believed by the people that just seeing the tip of this mountain one is emancipated of all sins and becomes free from the vicious cycle of life and death.

(Source: Display/Notice Board at Babulnath Temple in Mumbai (Maharashtra)

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The Ruins of The Great Stupa, Nalanda Mahavihara

• • Bihar, Nalanda •
The Ruins of The Great Stupa (Temple No. 3), Nalanda Mahavihara, Bihar (India)

This temple is most imposing structure in comparison to others spread all around and having seven phase of construction. Earlier four phases are too dilapidated and very small in dimensions which have been concealed again. Fifth, sixth, and seventh phase may be seen clearly with their separate staircase. On the basis of art and architecture, the fifth phase has been assigned to sixth century A.D. which contains beautiful stucco images placed in the niches on the exterior walls of the temple. Decorative solid towers were erected at four corners but only two are now visible. Sixth and seventh phases are further enlargement in dimensions by way of concealing the earlier structure. Contrary to the general scheme of other temples at the site this temples is facing to north. The pedestal atop once contained a colossal image probably of Buddha. A large number of votive stupas and miniature shrines have been added around this temple by the devotees at different points of time among which a chariot shaped shrine near the south-east corner in worth mentioning.

(Source: Display Board)

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About: Lachman Jhula Suspension Bridge (1927-1929)

• • Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand • Tags:
About - Lachman Jhula Suspension Bridge (Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India)

लछमन झूला सस्पेंशन ब्रिज

विस्तार 450 फीट
सड़क की ऊंचाई औसत ग्रीष्मकालीन जल स्तर 59 फीट से ऊपर है। यातायात के लिए खोला गया द्वारा एच.ई. सर मैल्कम हैली सी.सी.आई.ई.. के.सी.एस.आई. 11 अप्रैल 1930 को संयुक्त प्रांत के गवर्नर।

इस पुल का निर्माण 1927-1929 के दौरान लोक निर्माण विभाग द्वारा किया गया था। यह 284 फीट लंबे पुराने पुल की जगह लेता है, जो राय सूरजमल झुनझुनवाला बहादुर, राय शेवपरशाद तुलशन बहादुर के पिता, और धारा से लगभग 200 फीट नीचे स्थित था; यह अक्टूबर, 1924 की भीषण बाढ़ से बह गया, जिसने बाएँ तट को नष्ट कर दिया। पुराने पुल की जगह पर यथासंभव इस नए पुल के पुनर्निर्माण की अतिरिक्त लागत का योगदान राय शेवपरशाद तुलशन बहादुर ने अपने पिता की सम्मानित स्मृति को बनाए रखने के लिए किया है, और कभी भी कोई टोल या कर नहीं लगाया जाएगा या वसूला नहीं जाएगा।

(English to Hindi Translation by Google Translate)