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There was a time when there were no tanks that could go across and demolish any obstacle. There were no missiles that could be fired to subdue enemy resistance. Those were the days when forts were considered to be safest haven against enemy aggression. The imposing Kolhapur Fort, better known as the Panhala Fort served this precise purpose.
Malhargad fort is named after God Malhari. This is a hill fortress that was built on a split section of the Sahyadri mountain range. It is located about 30 kilometers from Pune. In fact, the split in the hill range occurs at a point which is somewhat west of Pune. While forts such as Rajgad and Torna are on one branch, Singhagad, Vajragad, Purandar and Malhargad are located on the other. Incidentally, this is the last hilltop stronghold that the Marathas built for self defense during the closing years of the 18th century.
Rising 4,472 feet above the sea level in the Western Ghats and around 20 miles southeast of Pune in Maharashtra looms the massive Purandar Fort. It was once a favorite fort of the legendary Maratha leader Shivaji Raje. There are actually two forts here. Vajragad is smaller of the two and is situated on the eastern corner of the main fort. Just delve deep into Maratha history, and you are sure to observe how Shivaji had time and again taken shelter in this fort, high above the hills during his uprising against the Bijapur Kingdom and the Mughals.
Nagzira in the Gondia district of Maharashtra was declared a wildlife sanctuary on May 27th 1971. It is today a haven for nature and wildlife lovers. Among many of its denizens is the ace predator, the Royal Bengal Tiger. Apart from the king of the forest, Nagzira also boasts of a large herd of spotted deer, barking deer, mouse deer, sambars, four-horned antelopes, blue bulls or nilgais, sloth bears, panthers, jungle cats, spotted hyenas, jackals and pack of wild dogs.
If you are planning for an India heritage tour, caves in India are best places to visit. For all those tourists who have interest in exploring the architectural and sculptural vividness of India’s history,there is nothing best than planning a tour to popular caves in India.
During the early days, especially through the 1st century BC when Buddhist lamas preached Buddhism in India, they erected stupas in many areas that included rock-cut caves in praise of Lord Buddha. Bedsa Caves, also known as Bedse Caves is one of them. These caves are located in Maval Taluka, Pune District in Maharashtra. These caves today stand witness to the ancient history of India. There are many cave systems in the state. But those who have visited Bedsa once and some other caves too, believe that it ranks among the most beautiful caves in Maharashtra.
Located near the famed hill fort of Karjat, the Ambivali cave is around 16 miles north-east of town. It is a Buddhist era rock-cut cave (250 BC – 100 AD) that has been carved out of a long range of low hills running in a curvature on the plateau. It overlooks one of the tributaries of the River Ulhas. The approach to the cave is through a sloping rock that becomes slippery during the monsoon months.
Karad, an important city located in the Satara district of Maharashtra has quite a few interesting features. One of them is the group of 66 Buddhist caves that are known as Agashiv caves. In fact, these rock-cut caves from the Hinanyan sect of Buddhism are situated on the south-east portion of the Agashiv hill that rises from one end of the city.
For students of ancient history and architecture, the rock cut caves of Western India are a source of immense interest and enlightenment. Constructed during periods from 2nd century BC to 2nd century AD and from 5th century AD to 10th century AD, some of these caves (both Hindu and Buddhist) display a high degree of architectural splendor of what the artisans from centuries ago were capable of creating. We just stand in front of them and wonder how they could make them.
Buddhism first flourished in the Magadha Empire, gaining patronage from commanding kings such as Asoka, Bimbisar and a few others. However it soon spread to different parts of India, especially the western part of this religiously liberal country. Finding the area friendly and hospitable, Buddhist artists, sculptors and craftsmen engaged themselves in creating large number of caves with inscriptions bearing the teaching of Lord Buddha.
January 13, 2016
January 13, 2016
January 13, 2016
January 13, 2016