Penelope Gan | Photo Blog just some cl!cks by me …
Posts Tagged ‘Architecture’
Polonnaruwa Vatadage
The most famous of the ruins in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, if not the most most famous vatadage (circular house of relic) across Sri Lanka, is the Vatadage in Polonnaruwa. With four Buddha images facing the cardinal directions circling around the centerpiece stupa created from white marble and gilded with gold leaf during the city’s heydays in the 12th Century, Polonnaruwa was ravaged by invasions and later replaced by Kandy as the next administrative centre of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s Dagoba or Stupa
Stupas: a dome-shaped form created over sacred relics of Buddha on spots consecrated as the scenes of his acts are found around the world. However, Sri Lanka’s stupas are the largest brick structures known to the ancient world and have evolved over time into varied refined shapes with later ones covered with lime plasters made from a combination of material that includes egg whites, plant resins and the saliva of white ants!
Dambulla Cave Temple
The largest and best preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka, the Dambulla Cave Temple was built by King Valagamba upon his return to the throne in Anuradapura kingdom as a gratitude to the monks of Dambulla who protected him from enemies during his 14 years in exile at the caves. With a total of 160 statues and murals covering an area of 2,100 m² the Dambulla Cave Temple has a rich history that dates back to the 7th century BC.
The Cathedral-Mosque Mezquita de Cordoba
Originating as a pagan temple, the Mezquita de Cordoba has been transformed to a Visigothic Christian Church, a Mosque and finally a Catholic Church resulting in an interesting eclectic mix of Moorish and Renaissance architecture as well as the co-existence of both Christian and Muslim elements under the same roof. Despite being over a century old, the tussle remains between Spanish Muslims and the Roman Catholic church on Spain’s famous Mezquita-Catedral (Mosque-Cathedral).
Hagia Sophia
A former Orthodox Patriarchal basilica between 360 to 1453, and later a mosque from 1453 to 1931, the Hagia Sophia has been transformed to a museum since 1935. Undergoing various stages of reconstruction, improvements, and more recently conservation, the Hagia Sophia is far from save due to its deteriorating structure and increasing humidity from rising ground water that weakens the stone work and paint. More funds and work is needed with the last taking place on 2006.
Djamaa el Fna and Kautoubia Mosque
Famed for the Djamaa el Fna with its vibrant souk that displays a labyrinths of Moroccan craft and wares by day and a mesmerizing scene of life drama that unfolds by night, Marrakesh is a place that drives one’s senses into overdrive mode with its heady mix of sound and colours, pungent smells of goats and camels, lingering sensuous scents of jasmine and orange blossoms, and tantalizing tastes.
Hawa Mahal – Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh’s ‘Purdah’
Globally recognized as a poignant landmark, the Hawa Mahal’s architectural idiosyncrasies creates a shroud of doubt and speculation as to the real intend behind its construction and design; a need basis summer palace that counters the harsh environs and weather of Rajasthan? or Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh’s answer to the ‘purdah’ for the women in the royal harem?
City Palace: Guards, Peacock Gate & British Prince
The Rajput kings were known for their modern and Western outlook; maintaining close bilateral relations with the British. While a visit to the City Palace recounts their history and explains the makeover of Jaipur to a “Pink City” during the visit of the Prince of Wales, Maharaja Ram Singh’s support for the Imperial rulers in the Sepoy Mutiny and his favorite past time of hunting and polo, it is the palace guards with curled mustache against the intricate Peacock Gate that gets the most attention.
Taj Mahal, the Crown Palace
The Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world that was constructed over a period of twenty-two years, employing twenty thousand workers by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his dear wife – queen Mumtaz Mahal. Completed in 1648 C.E. at a cost of 32 Million Rupees, the Taj is an “elegy in marble” or some say an expression of a “dream.”
Suryavarman II Sacred Angkor Wat
Built in the early 12th C as King Suryavarman II’s temple state and capital city, Angkor Wat was neglected after the 16th C only to be discovered by French explorer – Henri Mouhot – in the mid-19th C. Restoration begun in the 20th C and continues today by foreign parties despite the establishment of the Angkor World Heritage Site that provides funds to the Cambodian government.
Java’s Hindu Triad: Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva
While Vaishnavism, Saivites and Smartism differ in their views of “the Hindu triad” or the “Great Trinity” that comprise of Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Perserver and Shiva the Destroyer, the Javanese holds on to their very own beliefs and legend about the Prambanan.