THE GOLDEN TEMPLE

Indian culture and heritage are things that represent this country for what it is. Look at the monuments erected in this amazing country that follows a number of religions and speaks numerous dialects. The history of this country has been enriched by the people who lived in harmony, by people who preached different religions and also by the invaders who invaded India time and again leaving it a little less rich sometimes and a little wealthier at other times. The people however have tried to maintain harmony in their lives being true to their religions and being tolerant and respectful to others religions. A standing example of one such architectural masterpiece is the Golden Temple at Amritsar. True to its name this temple is made completely of pure gold and is the sacred pilgrimage center of the Sikhs.

The Golden Temple more famously known as the Harmandir Sahib or the Sri Mandir Sahib in India derives its name from Hari (The Hindu God) – the temple of God. The idea of building a sacred place of worship for the Sikhs was conceived and styled by Guru Arjan Sahib. The plan included an Amritsarovar or Amritsar (the holy tank) whose excavation was supposed to be initiated by Guru Amardas Sahib but was finally executed by Guru Ramdas Sahib.

This piece of architecture has an interesting history to it. It is almost as if it was deliberately crafted to bring harmony between the Hindus and the Muslims, two religions that have been in constant conflict with each other. The Golden Temple had its foundation laid by a Muslim saint Hazrat Mian Mir Ji of Lahore. The construction of the temple later on was supervised by Guru Arjan Sahib himself along with help from various other prominent Sikh personalities of the time. The temple's take on architecture is a little different from the rather conventional style of Hindu temples. In contrast to Hindu temples, the golden temple is built on a lower level than an elevated one and also has four entrance gates, one on each side. This was mainly executed with an eye towards opening the gates of the temple to one and all irrespective of caste, creed and religion.

The golden temple stands on a 64 sq ft square platform in the middle of the tank (sarovar). An arch welcomes the entrance of a bridge that runs around the perimeter of the shrine and leads down to steps. An outstanding part of the architecture of the temple is the Gumbaz (dome) that sits on the third storey of the Golden Temple completely adorned with lotus petal motifs and "Kalash" (pot). All in all, this architectural masterpiece represents the harmonious relationships between different religions in India and cemented the architectural style of the Sikhs in history.

INDIA GATE

Delhi being the capital of India is definitely the place to visit. Not just because it is also called the fashion capital of the country but for the amazing sights it has to offer. If you are in Delhi you have to start your journey from the India Gate. This magnificent structure is built on the Rajpath, the road that leads to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. This massive gate stands tall at 160 feet and has an arch that is 138 feet high. It was originally called the All India War Memorial. Built by Edwin Lutyens this gate had its foundation stone laid on February 10th, 1921 by the Duke of Connaught.


As with every important Indian structure the India Gate also has a story and significance behind it. This structure has found its importance in Indian history for being built to commemorate the sacrifice made by brave Indian soldiers who died in the World War I and the Afghan wars. The India Gate however bears a strong resemblance to the Arc de Triomphe of Paris. This inspirational structure has the following words inscribed on it stirring the hearts of everyone who stands before it and reads it –

" To the dead of the Indian armies who fell honored in France and Flanders Mesopotamia and Persia East Africa Gallipoli and elsewhere in the near and the far east and in sacred memory also of those whose names are recorded and who fell in India or the North-West frontier and during the Third Afghan war. "

The architecture of the India Gate however resembles that of the arch in Victoria Park in Leicester, England which was also incidentally built by Lutyens. Standing tall and proud the India gate gives you an amazing view of the Rashtrapati Bhavan from it's base. The surrounding lush green lawns make it the best tourist place for children and adults alike. But without a doubt, the best the India Gate is remembered and respected for all through the country and the world alike is for the Amar Jawan Jyothi literally translating to mean the flame of the immortal warrior. It has to its credit an eternal flame that has been burning since the year 1971, the year in which hundreds of soldiers lost their lives in the Indo-Pak war. This bright flame that burns day and night marks the Unknown Soldiers Tomb.



The shrine is a black marble commemorative plaque which has a rifle placed in front of it, crested by a soldier's helmet as a symbol of respect to all the brave soldiers who laid down their lives in war, fighting for the country. This black marble monument has the words "Amar Jawan" (immortal warrior) written on all four faces. This mark of respect was unveiled on January 26th, 1972 by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The archway itself built of red stone has India written on both sides of it along with the dates MCMXIV (1914) on the left and MCMXIX (1919) on the right. All in all the India Gate is the greatest tribute paid to the Indian soldiers and it etches the memory of all the men who lost lives in war deep down in everyone's heart.


While standing in front of this awe inspiring structure as the light of the day fades, one finds it only normal to raise one's hand in salute, to all the brave martyrs of war.

EXPLORE INDIA – START FROM THE GATEWAY

The history of India holds many a story to say. Of great emperors and foreign invaders, India has seen it all. Of all this today a lot many monuments and structures are left standing, as if never to let the world forget this country's colorful history. Saying a similar story is the Gateway of India. Located in the finance capital of India, Mumbai earlier known as Bombay, this structure was built as a memorabilia to the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in the December of 1911 before the darbar in Delhi. The foundation of this massive structure was laid in March 1911 but the final design of this much talked of structure was sanctioned only in August 1914 much to the relief of it's architect George Wittet. As with any architectural structure the foundation being the most important part of the it, the foundation for the Gateway Of India was completed in the year 1920, during which the reclamations for land on which the new sea wall along with the gateway was accomplished. The original plan for the Gateway included a boulevard that would find its way to the centre of the town. But unfortunately this never saw the light of the day due to lack of funds and to date the Gateway remains at an angle, facing the road that it leads to.

This amazing colonial structure is actually built in the Indo- Saracenic style with borrowed elements from the Islamic architectural styles of 16th century Gujarat. Built from yellow Kharodi and reinforced concrete this structure stands tall at 83 feet and the central dome has a diameter of 48 feet it cost the Indian government a whopping 21 lakhs. The final construction of the Gateway was however completed in the year 1924 and it was thrown open to the public on December 4th by the then Viceroy, Earl of Reading. The steps behind the Gateway lead to the waterfront where today you can enjoy the laudable natural harbor of Mumbai.

Today the Gateway of India is a must see for Indians along with anyone who visits this country. Mumbaiites are proud of this beautiful and imposing structure which finds its place among the splendid sights of India. The Gateway of India also represents the remnants of the British rule in this country which lasted for a painfully long time and has left its stamp on the face of India. Ironically, this structure that was conceived to commemorate the British visits to India ended up as an epitaph to the British rule in this country. As it bid farewell to the last British troops to leave India, the First Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry that passed through the Gateway on February 28th, 1948 it also heralded a new beginning in the history of this country that fought it's way to freedom through will and determination on the path of non violence.

THE QUTUB MINAR

The Qutub Minar is one among the many Indo-Islamic structures that found their place in India, thanks to the Muslim invaders who built many such structures during their reign in this beautiful country. The Qutub Minar found its home in Delhi. It is easily accessible from any part of the city. At 72.5 meters this imposing 13th century structure is hard to miss. As for stories of why the Qutub Minar was built, you can hear a variety of colorful stories from the people residing in Delhi. In a pursuit to clear the air, here's the literal meaning of the word Qutub; it means "Pole of Justice". So as the name suggests, it is said that it was built to celebrate the victory of Mohammed Ghori over the Rajputs. The Qutub Minar was housed in a complex which consisted of various other Islamic structures among which is the Quuwat-ul-Islam mosque which is one of the first mosques built by the Muslim kings. Thus came the theory that the Qutub Minar was also a tower built for the Muslim priest to climb up for prayer as in the Muslim custom.

The Qutub Minar is often referred to as India's answer to The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Both these structures are the pride of the cities that they are built in and are famous in their own ways that tourists flock to visit these places every year. The similarity however ends here. The Qutub Minar is one of the first Indo-Islamic structures to be built in India. It welcomed a new kind of architecture called the Indo-Islamic architecture which was an amalgamation of both Hindu and Islamic architectural styles. Time to mention the man behind the existence of this great structure, the great emperor Qutub-ud-din-Aibak. He started the construction of this massive tower in 1192 with the help of Indian architects and sculptors. He however lived to see only the first tower of the Qutub Minar standing proud. The rest of the tower was completed by his successor and son-in-law Iltumish. Going into the architectural details, the Qutub Minar stands tall at 72.5 meters and measures a diameter of 14.32m at the base and around 2.75m at the top. The three storeys of this amazing tower are painfully symmetric giving it that dizzying ring of harmony but on close inspection one finds that the three stories are different in their styles. The base storey consists of alternating circular and angular flutings, while the second storey has only the circular flutings. As opposed to the second storey the third one has only angular flutings. The Qutub Minar considering its height was easily prone to being struck by lightning and true to its height the tower was struck twice during its lifetime. The first time it was struck, the then emperor Mohammed-bin-Tughlaq rebuilt the damaged tower dutifully. The second time though, the tower was struck during the reign of Feroze-shah-Tughlaq. Being an effervescent builder himself he not only rebuilt the damaged tower but also awarded the already tall structure with one more level and so this tower came to be finally standing tall and proud as if keeping an eye out for the city it was built on.

While talking of the Qutub Minar it would be a sacrilege not to mention the iron pillar that stands close by within the Qutub complex. This intriguing pillar dates back to the 4th century and bears signs of being built in honor of Lord Vishnu and also in memory of the great King Chandra Gupta of the Gupta dynasty. This pillar, I refer to as intriguing because it is literally a standing example of India's prowess in the field of metallurgy that dated back centuries. This iron pillar is built of 98% wrought iron and to date stands tall without having rusted or decomposed over the years of exposure to different weather conditions. The sights this country has to offer will never cease to amaze me or any one visiting this country. Any one tempted to witness these wonders for themselves, have to pay a visit to India and you will know at once why this country is rightly called, the Land of Wonders.

CELEBRATING YOUR RELATIONSHIPS – RAAKHI

India, as everyone would like to call it, is a land of festivals, culture and tradition. Agreed, but so is every other nation. We may be a bit louder and prouder of our festivals, culture and tradition. But no where in the world are relationships celebrated as much as it is here in this country. Be it weddings, engagements; birthdays or in general festivals, Indians celebrate it with all their heart. Among these is such a festival that celebrates a relationship that would probably not be celebrated anywhere else in the world. We call it raakhi or more elaborately, Rakshaa Bandhan. Literally translated Rakshaa means protection and Bandhan means to bind. It is a festival celebrating the pure sibling relationship. As the name suggests it is the bond of love, trust and protection between a brother and a sister.

Getting down to the rituals, on this auspicious day the sister ties a silk thread that is more famously called raakhi by us Indians, on her brother's wrist. Also accompanying this act are the ceremonial pujas. With tying a raakhi around her brother's wrist, a sister is praying for his well being and wishes that her brother is protected from all evil. The brother on the other hand by getting a raakhi tied on his hand is being reminded of the life long responsibility of protecting and taking care of his sister. He pledges to be there for her during her difficult times and also be a part of the happy ones. Once the raakhi is tied, the sisters are showered with gifts as a gesture of a brother's love.

The origin of this one-of-a-kind festival goes back many hundred years. Its evolution goes something like this. Rakshaa Bandhan is celebrated on the Shravan Purnima or the full moon day of the Shravan month. This incidentally falls around mid-august. In the ancient times Rakshaa Bandhan was not celebrated only between siblings. It only signified the strengthening of any relationship. Wives tied raakhis on their husband's wrist with the hope and prayer of warding off any evil in their lives. Rishis (saints) would tie holy silken threads around their follower's wrists. All this was done with the sole intention of warding off all evil and protecting the person around whose wrist the raakhi is tied. Slowly this ritual turned into strengthening the bond of love between a brother and sister.

One may wonder if it is after all such a big deal that a whole festival is devoted to this relationship between siblings. I suggest, you drop into any of the Indian households on the day of raakhi and you will go back home with all your answers. A household is lit up with lights and decorated with flowers. As you walk in you smell the fragrance of camphor and incense sticks, thanks to the prayers and rituals performed on this day. The highlight of the day is of course the ceremony of tying the raakhi. Brothers fly in from anywhere in the world to be with their sisters on this particular day. So, it is also a way of keeping relationships alive, a means of spending happy and joyous times with your loved ones and renewing the memories of your childhood. Suddenly in between busy lives and hectic schedules the sister reminisces when her brother was the best guy in the world and she would trust him with her life, he would protect her from the school bully, even if the bully was twice as big as her brother. It is a time when the brother looks at his sister as the little girl he so adores, and has kept an eye out for, hoping to catch her every time she stumbled and wished the best for her all his life. It is this feeling that sparkles lovingly in their eyes during the rituals, when the sister ties the raakhi around her brother's wrist. It is happy giggles when the girls are given their gifts from their brothers and a joyous celebration filled with food, talk and laughter follows.

Today Rakshaa Bandhan has broken the constraints of being restricted between biological relations as some would like to call it. It has stretched to the ties of trust between any two people who are willing to look out for each other and wish for the best of this world for each other. Be it your next door neighbor or the friend you have come to trust over the years, try celebrating this amazing festival with them and see the bonds of your relationships grow stronger.

THE TAJ MAHAL - A STORY WELL TOLD

As I walk down the road that leads towards the greatest tribute to love, history ever witnessed I find myself overwhelmed by the sheer genius of what stands in front of me. The Taj Mahal in all its glory is without doubt the most priced possession of India. When you think of what this great country has to offer in terms of cultural heritage, monumental bliss, historical wealth among others it's hard to miss the Taj Mahal. Built in the seventeenth century, this Moghul masterpiece has a story to say. A story that has been repeated through history time and again, but fails to lose the magic that creates a longing in any traveler who sets foot in this country.


A bountiful has been written about this masterpiece over the years giving you the minute details of what this beautiful work of art is all about. Built in white marble it is truly as the great emperor Shah Jahan who conceived the idea of building it called it, "Heaven on Earth ". This breathtaking double domed structure stands on a raised platform, as if taking pride in its existence. And why not, the Taj Mahal with it's swollen central dome rising to a height of 21 ft, surrounded by additional domed chambers, complete with minarets and a design that makes it an irregular octagon, embedded into which is the interlocking arabesque concept which allows the elements stand independent, blending into the mother structure, is purely an architectural wonder. Its beauty is beyond measure and trying to describe it would only be futile. But I find it hard to stop myself from voicing out in admiration as I stand before this marvelous structure wondering what the feeling would be like that could evoke such passion in a man to drive him to build such a lovely work of art. The Taj truly is not just a work of skilled hands and hardworking laborers who broke their backs for more than twenty years to build it. It is undoubtedly the vision of a man who loved his wife with all his heart.


This amazing love story began when a beautiful Persian princess Arjumand Bano got married to Prince Khurram, who later went on to be known as Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan was the one who gave Arjumand Bano the name of Mumtaz Mahal which literally translates to mean the chosen of the palace. Shah Jahan loved his wife dearly and her beauty was rumored to be par excellence. As all love stories this story too took to a tragic end when Mumtaz Mahal died giving birth to their 14th child. It is said that Shah Jahan was so heartbroken that he refused to come out of mourning for years. However amidst all this the vision of building a monument so beautiful that the world would witness his love for his wife for ever took root in Shah Jahan's mind. If the stories are to be believed, Shah Jahan summoned the then famous architect Ustad Isa all the way from Persia to turn his vision into reality. Ustad Isa along with his trusted junior Ustad Ahmad began working on the humongous task put forth them by the banks of the river Yamuna where Mumtaz Mahal was last laid to rest. It took more than twenty thousand laborers and 22 years for this massive, phenomenal, out-of-this-world structure to come alive and stand in all it's grandeur before Shah Jahan. It did not end here. The Taj Mahal was adorned with Persian carpets and precious and semi precious stones from all over the world. These stones to date bejewel the Taj Mahal and I see them blinking at me as the light dances on them, as if smiling at the look of wonder on my face as I walk by them, trying to take in thousand years of history in my stride. Legend has it that once Shah Jahan set eyes on the wonder that he had dreamt of for his beloved wife he was so enthralled by it that he ordered the right hand of the architect amputated so that never again a structure of such beauty be built anywhere in the world, sealing the Taj Mahal's place in the wonders of history forever. Legend also has it that Shah Jahan envisioned a similar structure on the banks of the river Yamuna but in black marble. But before he could start on it he was deposed by his son Aurangazeb.


Today the Taj Mahal is among the wonders of the world. Tourists flock to see this work of love from all over the world. Besides its architectural richness which includes the verses of the Qu'ran etched on the walls of this snow-white structure, there is something about the Taj Mahal that stirs in you a sense of sadness, elation, pride in having witnessed this epic of love and wonder as to how they managed to build it all at once. As I walk by the replicas of the tombs of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan, the real ones being in the basement of the Taj Mahal, I find myself wondering who among them was luckier. The man who fell so deeply in love with this woman that he took to charity and serving the poor after having known that it made her happy or the woman who loved this man with her whole heart such that she could change his ways and make him a better emperor, whose love, even after her death, could inspire him to build such a phenomenal, pure structure as a tribute to her, the very same structure that the world knows as the greatest depiction of love in history. The Taj Mahal by itself is a mystery that holds a lot of secrets, secrets that have been running as rumors for years now or secrets that went untold.


The Taj Mahal knows it all and you may even feel that it has something to say to you. But as I gaze at it, at its beautiful best bathed in the moonlight with the sparkling river beside it to keep it company I realize in spite of all the legends, the Taj Mahal is a story well told.