Refine your search

The results of your search are listed below alongside the search terms you entered on the previous page. You can refine your search by amending any of the parameters in the form and resubmitting it.

Select all Deselect all Add selection to lightbox
Large Small
Thumbnails per page
The Shri Mangesh Temple has its origins in Kushasthali Cortalim, a village in Saxty (Salcette) which fell to the invading Portuguese in 1543. In the year 1560, when the Portuguese started Christian conversions in Salcete, the Saraswats of Vatsa Gotra moved the Mangesh Linga from the original site on the banks of the Aghanashini (Zuari) River to its present location, which was then ruled by the Hindu kings of Sonde of Antruz Mahal (Ponda) and thought to be more secure.<br/><br/> The main temple is dedicated to Bhagavan Manguesh, an incarnation of Shiva.
The Golden Gate or Sun Dhoka, marks the entry to the Taleju Temple within the palace complex. The gate was built in 1753 by Ranajita Malla (r. 1722 - 1769) and his wife Jayalakshmi to commemorate the performance of a religious fire rite (kotyahuti-yagya), and it turned out to be the finest piece of gilded copper-work in Bhaktapur, possibly in the whole Kathmandu Valley.<br/><br/> Highly ornate in itself, the panels left and right of the door, depicting ten different deities, are superb examples of the art of repoussé. On the panels, Ranajita is mentioned as the ruler of a territory that extended as far as the Dudhkoshi River in the east, including the town of Dolakha.<br/><br/> Above the door, the golden torana shows Taleju Bhavani with her sixteen arms radiating out like some strange kind of half-insect, half-goddess. Above her, at the top of the torana, an image shows the Garuda with serpents coiling all around him.
The Golden Gate or Sun Dhoka, marks the entry to the Taleju Temple within the palace complex. The gate was built in 1753 by Ranajita Malla (r. 1722 - 1769) and his wife Jayalakshmi to commemorate the performance of a religious fire rite (kotyahuti-yagya), and it turned out to be the finest piece of gilded copper-work in Bhaktapur, possibly in the whole Kathmandu Valley.<br/><br/> Highly ornate in itself, the panels left and right of the door, depicting ten different deities, are superb examples of the art of repoussé. On the panels, Ranajita is mentioned as the ruler of a territory that extended as far as the Dudhkoshi River in the east, including the town of Dolakha.<br/><br/> Above the door, the golden torana shows Taleju Bhavani with her sixteen arms radiating out like some strange kind of half-insect, half-goddess. Above her, at the top of the torana, an image shows the Garuda with serpents coiling all around him.
The Golden Gate or Sun Dhoka, marks the entry to the Taleju Temple within the palace complex. The gate was built in 1753 by Ranajita Malla (r. 1722 - 1769) and his wife Jayalakshmi to commemorate the performance of a religious fire rite (<i>kotyahuti-yagya</i>), and it turned out to be the finest piece of gilded copper-work in Bhaktapur, possibly in the whole Kathmandu Valley.<br/><br/> Highly ornate in itself, the panels left and right of the door, depicting ten different deities, are superb examples of the art of repoussé. On the panels, Ranajita is mentioned as the ruler of a territory that extended as far as the Dudhkoshi River in the east, including the town of Dolakha.<br/><br/> Above the door, the golden <i>torana</i> shows Taleju Bhavani with her sixteen arms radiating out like some strange kind of half-insect, half-goddess. Above her, at the top of the <i>torana</i>, an image shows the Garuda with serpents coiling all around him.
The Golden Gate or Sun Dhoka, marks the entry to the Taleju Temple within the palace complex. The gate was built in 1753 by Ranajita Malla (r. 1722 - 1769) and his wife Jayalakshmi to commemorate the performance of a religious fire rite (<i>kotyahuti-yagya</i>), and it turned out to be the finest piece of gilded copper-work in Bhaktapur, possibly in the whole Kathmandu Valley.<br/><br/> Highly ornate in itself, the panels left and right of the door, depicting ten different deities, are superb examples of the art of repoussé. On the panels, Ranajita is mentioned as the ruler of a territory that extended as far as the Dudhkoshi River in the east, including the town of Dolakha.<br/><br/> Above the door, the golden <i>torana</i> shows Taleju Bhavani with her sixteen arms radiating out like some strange kind of half-insect, half-goddess. Above her, at the top of the <i>torana</i>, an image shows the Garuda with serpents coiling all around him.
The Golden Gate or Sun Dhoka, marks the entry to the Taleju Temple within the palace complex. The gate was built in 1753 by Ranajita Malla (r. 1722 - 1769) and his wife Jayalakshmi to commemorate the performance of a religious fire rite (<i>kotyahuti-yagya</i>), and it turned out to be the finest piece of gilded copper-work in Bhaktapur, possibly in the whole Kathmandu Valley.<br/><br/> Highly ornate in itself, the panels left and right of the door, depicting ten different deities, are superb examples of the art of repoussé. On the panels, Ranajita is mentioned as the ruler of a territory that extended as far as the Dudhkoshi River in the east, including the town of Dolakha.<br/><br/> Above the door, the golden <i>torana</i> shows Taleju Bhavani with her sixteen arms radiating out like some strange kind of half-insect, half-goddess. Above her, at the top of the <i>torana</i>, an image shows the Garuda with serpents coiling all around him.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon.<br/><br/> His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.
According to Hindu mythology, all animals were created by the god Shiva who simply assumed their particular asana or stances. Due to their divine origin, most animals are considered sacred, though in varying degrees. Most sacred are cows, which are considered the symbol of an all-sustaining mother goddess. Snakes are also sacred, especially the mighty cobra, which is closely associated with Shiva. Even rats are sacred—up to a point—as a rat is the faithful 'vehicle' (vahana) of the elephant-headed god Ganesh.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon.<br/><br/> His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.
The Golden Gate or Sun Dhoka, marks the entry to the Taleju Temple within the palace complex. The gate was built in 1753 by Ranajita Malla (r. 1722 - 1769) and his wife Jayalakshmi to commemorate the performance of a religious fire rite (<i>kotyahuti-yagya</i>), and it turned out to be the finest piece of gilded copper-work in Bhaktapur, possibly in the whole Kathmandu Valley.<br/><br/> Highly ornate in itself, the panels left and right of the door, depicting ten different deities, are superb examples of the art of repoussé. On the panels, Ranajita is mentioned as the ruler of a territory that extended as far as the Dudhkoshi River in the east, including the town of Dolakha.<br/><br/> Above the door, the golden <i>torana</i> shows Taleju Bhavani with her sixteen arms radiating out like some strange kind of half-insect, half-goddess. Above her, at the top of the <i>torana</i>, an image shows the Garuda with serpents coiling all around him.
The Golden Gate or Sun Dhoka, marks the entry to the Taleju Temple within the palace complex. The gate was built in 1753 by Ranajita Malla (r. 1722 - 1769) and his wife Jayalakshmi to commemorate the performance of a religious fire rite (<i>kotyahuti-yagya</i>), and it turned out to be the finest piece of gilded copper-work in Bhaktapur, possibly in the whole Kathmandu Valley.<br/><br/> Highly ornate in itself, the panels left and right of the door, depicting ten different deities, are superb examples of the art of repoussé. On the panels, Ranajita is mentioned as the ruler of a territory that extended as far as the Dudhkoshi River in the east, including the town of Dolakha.<br/><br/> Above the door, the golden <i>torana</i> shows Taleju Bhavani with her sixteen arms radiating out like some strange kind of half-insect, half-goddess. Above her, at the top of the <i>torana</i>, an image shows the Garuda with serpents coiling all around him.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon.<br/><br/> His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon.<br/><br/> His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.
The jungle-covered area of Gokarna (a few kilometres northeast of Kathmandu) was once the capital of Nepal. Gokarna was considered a sacred site and took its name from the holy city of Gokarna in Karnataka, in Southern India, a major place of Shiva worship. During the reign of the seventh Kiranti king, the hero of the epic Mahabharata, Arjuna, reputedly paid the country a visit. Arjuna managed to impress Shiva, who had disguised himself as a Kiranti, with his extraordinary arrow shooting skills.
The Royal Palace supposedly dates back to the Licchavi period (5th-13th century), but, with the exception of a few inscriptions, there is little substantial evidence for this. In the earliest inscription, which hails from the year 643 CE and which was found at the Keshav Narayan Chowk, Licchavi King Narendra Deva announced the abolition of three types of taxes, presumably making him popular with his subjects. This indicates that there may at the time have been a palace at the site of Keshav Narayan Chowk, which is part of the present royal palace complex.<br/><br/> The royal palace as seen today in Durbar Square has its origins in the 14th century; however, the most active building period was the 17th century.
The jungle-covered area of Gokarna (a few kilometres northeast of Kathmandu) was once the capital of Nepal. Gokarna was considered a sacred site and took its name from the holy city of Gokarna in Karnataka, in Southern India, a major place of Shiva worship. During the reign of the seventh Kiranti king, the hero of the epic Mahabharata, Arjuna, reputedly paid the country a visit. Arjuna managed to impress Shiva, who had disguised himself as a Kiranti, with his extraordinary arrow shooting skills.
According to Hindu mythology, all animals were created by the god Shiva who simply assumed their particular asana or stances. Due to their divine origin, most animals are considered sacred, though in varying degrees. Most sacred are cows, which are considered the symbol of an all-sustaining mother goddess. Snakes are also sacred, especially the mighty cobra, which is closely associated with Shiva. Even rats are sacred—up to a point—as a rat is the faithful 'vehicle' (<i>vahana</i>) of the elephant-headed god Ganesh.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon.<br/><br/> His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.<br/><br/> Ganesha Chaturthi (गणेश चतुर्थी) (వినాయక చవితి) is the Hindu festival celebrated in honour of the god Ganesha, the elephant-headed, remover of obstacles and the god of beginnings and wisdom. The festival, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). The date usually falls between 19 August and 20 September. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi (fourteenth day of the waxing moon period).<br/><br/> The most revered Hindu site in Nepal is the extensive Pashupatinath Temple complex, five kilometres east of central Kathmandu. The focus of devotion here is a large silver Shivalingam with four faces of Shiva carved on its sides, making it a 'Chaturmukhi-Linga', or four-faced Shivalingam. Pashupati is one of Shiva’s 1,008 names, his manifestation as 'Lord of all Beasts' (pashu means 'beasts', pati means 'lord'); he is considered the guardian deity of Nepal.
The Royal Palace supposedly dates back to the Licchavi period (5th-13th century), but, with the exception of a few inscriptions, there is little substantial evidence for this. In the earliest inscription, which hails from the year 643 CE and which was found at the Keshav Narayan Chowk, Licchavi King Narendra Deva announced the abolition of three types of taxes, presumably making him popular with his subjects. This indicates that there may at the time have been a palace at the site of Keshav Narayan Chowk, which is part of the present royal palace complex.<br/><br/> The royal palace as seen today in Durbar Square has its origins in the 14th century; however, the most active building period was the 17th century.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon.<br/><br/> His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon.<br/><br/> His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.<br/><br/> Ganesha Chaturthi (गणेश चतुर्थी) (వినాయక చవితి) is the Hindu festival celebrated in honour of the god Ganesha, the elephant-headed, remover of obstacles and the god of beginnings and wisdom. The festival, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). The date usually falls between 19 August and 20 September. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi (fourteenth day of the waxing moon period).<br/><br/> The most revered Hindu site in Nepal is the extensive Pashupatinath Temple complex, five kilometres east of central Kathmandu. The focus of devotion here is a large silver Shivalingam with four faces of Shiva carved on its sides, making it a 'Chaturmukhi-Linga', or four-faced Shivalingam. Pashupati is one of Shiva’s 1,008 names, his manifestation as 'Lord of all Beasts' (pashu means 'beasts', pati means 'lord'); he is considered the guardian deity of Nepal.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.<br/><br/> Kandy is Sri Lanka's second biggest city with a population of around 170,000 and is the cultural centre of the whole island. For about two centuries (until 1815) it was the capital of Sri Lanka.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon.<br/><br/> His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.<br/><br/> Ganesha Chaturthi (गणेश चतुर्थी) (వినాయక చవితి) is the Hindu festival celebrated in honour of the god Ganesha, the elephant-headed, remover of obstacles and the god of beginnings and wisdom. The festival, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). The date usually falls between 19 August and 20 September. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi (fourteenth day of the waxing moon period).
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon.<br/><br/> His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.<br/><br/> Ganesha Chaturthi (गणेश चतुर्थी) (వినాయక చవితి) is the Hindu festival celebrated in honour of the god Ganesha, the elephant-headed, remover of obstacles and the god of beginnings and wisdom. The festival, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). The date usually falls between 19 August and 20 September. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi (fourteenth day of the waxing moon period).
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon.<br/><br/> His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.<br/><br/> Ganesha Chaturthi (गणेश चतुर्थी) (వినాయక చవితి) is the Hindu festival celebrated in honour of the god Ganesha, the elephant-headed, remover of obstacles and the god of beginnings and wisdom. The festival, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). The date usually falls between 19 August and 20 September. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi (fourteenth day of the waxing moon period).
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon.<br/><br/> His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.<br/><br/> Ganesha Chaturthi (गणेश चतुर्थी) (వినాయక చవితి) is the Hindu festival celebrated in honour of the god Ganesha, the elephant-headed, remover of obstacles and the god of beginnings and wisdom. The festival, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). The date usually falls between 19 August and 20 September. The festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant Chaturdashi (fourteenth day of the waxing moon period).
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon.<br/><br/> His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.<br/><br/> The most revered Hindu site in Nepal is the extensive Pashupatinath Temple complex, five kilometres east of central Kathmandu. The focus of devotion here is a large silver Shivalingam with four faces of Shiva carved on its sides, making it a 'Chaturmukhi-Linga', or four-faced Shivalingam. Pashupati is one of Shiva’s 1,008 names, his manifestation as 'Lord of all Beasts' (pashu means 'beasts', pati means 'lord'); he is considered the guardian deity of Nepal.<br/><br/> The main temple building around the Shivalingam was built under King Birpalendra Malla in 1696, however the temple is said to have already existed before 533 CE. In 733 CE, King Jayadeva II erected in its precincts a stone tablet which chronicled all the kings of Nepal, beginning with the sun god. During the Muslim raids of 1349 the temple was largely destroyed, but in 1381 Jayasinharama Varddhana of Banepa restored it. Further renovations were conducted towards the end of the Malla period, and the latest extensive improvements were made in 1967.<br/><br/> Since the temple's inception, all the rulers of Nepal have taken great pains to pay their respects to it, to make donations, and to finance extensions.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon.<br/><br/> His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.<br/><br/> The most revered Hindu site in Nepal is the extensive Pashupatinath Temple complex, five kilometres east of central Kathmandu. The focus of devotion here is a large silver Shivalingam with four faces of Shiva carved on its sides, making it a 'Chaturmukhi-Linga', or four-faced Shivalingam. Pashupati is one of Shiva’s 1,008 names, his manifestation as 'Lord of all Beasts' (pashu means 'beasts', pati means 'lord'); he is considered the guardian deity of Nepal.<br/><br/> The main temple building around the Shivalingam was built under King Birpalendra Malla in 1696, however the temple is said to have already existed before 533 CE. In 733 CE, King Jayadeva II erected in its precincts a stone tablet which chronicled all the kings of Nepal, beginning with the sun god. During the Muslim raids of 1349 the temple was largely destroyed, but in 1381 Jayasinharama Varddhana of Banepa restored it. Further renovations were conducted towards the end of the Malla period, and the latest extensive improvements were made in 1967.<br/><br/> Since the temple's inception, all the rulers of Nepal have taken great pains to pay their respects to it, to make donations, and to finance extensions.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai, sometimes written as 'Chiengmai' or 'Chiangmai', is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand, and is the capital of Chiang Mai Province. It is located 700 km (435 mi) north of Bangkok, among the highest mountains in the country. The city is on the Ping river, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya river.<br/><br/> King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai (meaning 'new city') in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom. The ruler was known as the Chao. The city was surrounded by a moat and a defensive wall, since nearby Burma was a constant threat.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai formally became part of Siam in 1774 by an agreement with Chao Kavila, after the Thai King Taksin helped drive out the Burmese. Chiang Mai then slowly grew in cultural, trading and economic importance to its current status as the unofficial capital of northern Thailand, second in importance only to Bangkok.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.<br/><br/> Pushkar is one of India's oldest cities. The date of its actual founding is not known, but legend associates Lord Brahma with its creation.<br/><br/> According to the Rajputana Gazetteer, Pushkar was held by Chechi Gurjars (Gujjars) till about 700 years ago. Later Some shrines were occupied by Kanphati Jogis. There are still some priests from the Gujar community in some of Pushkar's temples. They are known as Bhopas.<br/><br/> The sage Parasara is said to have been born in Pushkar. His descendants, called Parasara Brahamanas, are found in Pushkar and the surrounding area. The famous temple of Jeenmata has been cared for by Parasara Brahmans for the last 1,000 years. Pushkarana Brahamanas may also have originated here.<br/><br/> It is also the venue of the annual Pushkar Camel Fair.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.<br/><br/> Pushkar is one of India's oldest cities. The date of its actual founding is not known, but legend associates Lord Brahma with its creation.<br/><br/> According to the Rajputana Gazetteer, Pushkar was held by Chechi Gurjars (Gujjars) till about 700 years ago. Later Some shrines were occupied by Kanphati Jogis. There are still some priests from the Gujar community in some of Pushkar's temples. They are known as Bhopas.<br/><br/> The sage Parasara is said to have been born in Pushkar. His descendants, called Parasara Brahamanas, are found in Pushkar and the surrounding area. The famous temple of Jeenmata has been cared for by Parasara Brahmans for the last 1,000 years. Pushkarana Brahamanas may also have originated here.<br/><br/> It is also the venue of the annual Pushkar Camel Fair.
The kingdom of Champa (Campadesa or nagara Campa) Chăm Pa in Vietnamese, 占城 Chiêm Thành in Hán Việt and Zhàn chéng in Chinese records) was an Indianized kingdom that controlled much of southern and central Vietnam from approximately the 7th century through to 1832.<br/><br/> Champa reached its apogee in the 9th and 10th centuries. Then began a gradual decline under pressure from Đại Việt, the Vietnamese polity centered in the region of modern Hanoi. In 1471, Viet troops sacked the northern Cham capital of Vijaya, and in 1697 the southern principality of Panduranga became a vassal of the Vietnamese emperor.<br/><br/> In 1832, the Vietnamese emperor Minh Mạng annexed the remaining Cham territories. Mỹ Sơn, a former religious center, and Hội An, one of Champa's main port cities, are now UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The kingdom of Champa (Campadesa or nagara Campa) Chăm Pa in Vietnamese, 占城 Chiêm Thành in Hán Việt and Zhàn chéng in Chinese records) was an Indianized kingdom that controlled much of southern and central Vietnam from approximately the 7th century through to 1832.<br/><br/> Champa reached its apogee in the 9th and 10th centuries. Then began a gradual decline under pressure from Đại Việt, the Vietnamese polity centered in the region of modern Hanoi. In 1471, Viet troops sacked the northern Cham capital of Vijaya, and in 1697 the southern principality of Panduranga became a vassal of the Vietnamese emperor.<br/><br/> In 1832, the Vietnamese emperor Minh Mạng annexed the remaining Cham territories. Mỹ Sơn, a former religious center, and Hội An, one of Champa's main port cities, are now UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The kingdom of Champa (Campadesa or nagara Campa) Chăm Pa in Vietnamese, 占城 Chiêm Thành in Hán Việt and Zhàn chéng in Chinese records) was an Indianized kingdom that controlled much of southern and central Vietnam from approximately the 7th century through to 1832.<br/><br/> Champa reached its apogee in the 9th and 10th centuries. Then began a gradual decline under pressure from Đại Việt, the Vietnamese polity centered in the region of modern Hanoi. In 1471, Viet troops sacked the northern Cham capital of Vijaya, and in 1697 the southern principality of Panduranga became a vassal of the Vietnamese emperor.<br/><br/> In 1832, the Vietnamese emperor Minh Mạng annexed the remaining Cham territories. Mỹ Sơn, a former religious center, and Hội An, one of Champa's main port cities, are now UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The kingdom of Champa (Campadesa or nagara Campa) Chăm Pa in Vietnamese, 占城 Chiêm Thành in Hán Việt and Zhàn chéng in Chinese records) was an Indianized kingdom that controlled much of southern and central Vietnam from approximately the 7th century through to 1832.<br/><br/> Champa reached its apogee in the 9th and 10th centuries. Then began a gradual decline under pressure from Đại Việt, the Vietnamese polity centered in the region of modern Hanoi. In 1471, Viet troops sacked the northern Cham capital of Vijaya, and in 1697 the southern principality of Panduranga became a vassal of the Vietnamese emperor.<br/><br/> In 1832, the Vietnamese emperor Minh Mạng annexed the remaining Cham territories. Mỹ Sơn, a former religious center, and Hội An, one of Champa's main port cities, are now UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Loei (Thai: เลย) Province is located in Thailand's upper North-East. Neighboring provinces are (from east clockwise) Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Nongbua Lamphu, Khon Kaen, Phetchabun, Phitsanulok. In the north it borders Xaignabouli and Vientiane Provinces of Laos.<br/><br/> The province is covered with low mountains, while the capital Loei is located in a fertile basin. The Loei River, which flows through the province, is a tributary of the Mekong which, together with the smaller Hueang River, forms the northern boundary of the province with neighboring Laos.<br/><br/> Although temperatures in the hot season (April-May) can be more than 40 degrees Celsius, the province is the only one in Thailand where temperatures regularly drops below freezing at night in the cold season (December-January).<br/><br/> Loei is rich in national parks, including especially Phu Kradung, Phu Ruea, Phu Suan Sai (also known as Na Haeo) and Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary.<br/><br/> In 1853 King Mongkut (Rama IV) founded the city of Loei to administer the increasing population in what was then a remote area. In 1907 the province was created by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). The province is also famous for the Phi Ta Khon festival held at Dansai during the 6th lunar month to make merit and honour the spirits of the ancestors - a colourful mix of Buddhism and spirit worship.<br/><br/> The symbol of the province is the stupa (chedi) at Phra That Si Song Rak in Dan Sai, which was built in 1560 by King Maha Chakrapat of Ayutthaya and King Chai Chetha of Lan Xang as a symbol of friendship between the Siamese and Lao kingdoms.
In Hinduism, Mahadevi (Sanskrit: Mahādevī, Devanagari: महादेवी) or 'Great Goddess' is a term used to denote the Goddess or Devi that is the sum of all other Devis - an all encompassing Female Deity as the consort or complement to an all encompassing Male Deity (Deva) or the Ultimate Reality (Brahman) in Shaktism.
Galle was for centuries Sri Lanka’s main port, a position which strengthened during the periods of Portuguese and Dutch colonial rule. Galle only lost its primacy in the late 19th century, when the British expanded and developed the harbour at Colombo to become the island’s major port.<br/><br/>Perhaps the earliest recorded reference to Galle comes from the great Arab traveller Ibn Battuta, who visited the port—which he calls Qali—in the mid-14th century.<br/><br/>The Portuguese first arrived in 1505, when a fleet commanded by Lorenzo de Almeida took shelter from a storm in the lee of the town. Clearly the strategic significance of the harbour impressed the Portuguese, for 82 years later, in 1587, they seized control of the town from the Sinhala kings and began the construction of Galle Fort. This event marked the beginning of almost four centuries of European domination of the city, resulting in the fascinating hybrid—architecturally, culturally and ethnically—which Galle is today.<br/><br/>The Dutch captured the city from the Portuguese in 1640, and immediately began strengthening the fortifications. They remained for almost 150 years, until the city was in turn taken by the British in 1796.<br/><br/>Not until 1947, when Ceylon gained its independence from the British, did Galle become, once again, an independent city—and by this time the long years of association with European colonialism had left an indelible stamp on the city which makes it unique in today’s Sri Lanka.
Hampi is a village in northern Karnataka state. It is located within the ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Predating the city of Vijayanagara, it continues to be an important religious centre, housing the Virupaksha Temple, as well as several other monuments belonging to the old city.
The Meenakshi Amman Temple (also called: Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Tiru-aalavaai and Meenakshi Amman Kovil) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Parvati, known as Meenakshi, and her consort, Shiva, here named Sundareswarar. The present temple dates from between 1623 and 1655 CE.
Pondicherry was the capital of the former French territories in India. Besides Pondi itself – acquired from a local ruler in 1674 – these included Chandernagore in Bengal (1690); Mahé in Kerala (1725); Yanam in Andhra Pradesh (1731); and Karaikal in Tamil Nadu (1739). Chandernagore was returned to India three years after independence, in 1951, and was absorbed into West Bengal. Returned to India in 1956, the remaining four territories were constituted as the Union Territory of Pondicherry in 1962.<br/><br/> Today Karaikal, Yanam and Mahé are all small seaside resort towns, known chiefly for their cheap beer made possible by Pondicherry's light alcohol taxes. Karaikal, on the Coromandel Coast 100 kilometres south of Pondicherry, is similar to rural Pondi – a prosperous, Tamil-speaking enclave renowned for the abundance of its rice harvests. Yanam, located on the coast of Andhra Pradesh more than 600 kilometres north of Madras, is a tiny, Telugu-speaking town on a branch of the Godavari River. Mahé, on the Malabar Coast of northern Kerala is a quaint, picturesque town, named for its founder, Count Mahé de La Bourdonnais.<br/><br/> In September 2006, the territory changed its official name from Pondicherry to the vernacular original, Puducherry, which means 'New village'.
The Pāla Empire, one of the major middle kingdoms of India, existed from 750–1174 CE. It was ruled by a Buddhist dynasty from Bengal in the eastern region of the Indian subcontinent, all the rulers bearing names ending with the suffix Pala (Modern Bengali: পাল pāl), which means protector. The Palas were often described by opponents as the Lords of Gauda. The Palas were followers of the Mahayana and Tantric schools of Buddhism. Gopala was the first ruler from the dynasty. He came to power in 750 in Gaur by a democratic election. This event is recognized as one of the first democratic elections in South Asia. He reigned from 750–770 and consolidated his position by extending his control over all of Bengal. The Buddhist dynasty lasted for four centuries (750–1120 CE) and ushered in a period of stability and prosperity in Bengal. They created many temples and works of art as well as supporting the Universities of Nalanda and Vikramashila. Somapura Mahavihara built by Dharmapala is the greatest Buddhist Vihara in the Indian Subcontinent.<br/><br/> The empire reached its peak under Dharmapala and Devapala. Dharmapala extended the empire into the northern parts of the Indian Subcontinent. This triggered once again the power struggle for the control of the subcontinent. Devapala, successor of Dharmapala, expanded the empire to cover much of South Asia and beyond. His empire stretched from Assam and Utkala in the east, Kamboja (modern day Afghanistan) in the north-west and Deccan in the south. According to a Pala copperplate inscription Devapala exterminated the Utkalas, conquered the Pragjyotisha (Assam), shattered the pride of the Huna, and humbled the lords of Pratiharas, Gurjara and the Dravidas.<br/><br/> The death of Devapala ended the period of ascendancy of the Pala Empire and several independent dynasties and kingdoms emerged during this time. However, Mahipala I rejuvenated the reign of the Palas. He recovered control over all of Bengal and expanded the empire. He survived the invasions of Rajendra Chola and the Chalukyas. After Mahipala I the Pala dynasty again saw its decline until Ramapala, the last great ruler of the dynasty, managed to retrieve the position of the dynasty to some extent. He crushed the Varendra rebellion and extended his empire farther to Kamarupa, Orissa and Northern India.<br/><br/> The Pala Empire can be considered as the golden era of Bengal. Never had the Bengali people reached such height of power and glory to that extent. Palas were responsible for the introduction of Mahayana Buddhism in Tibet, Bhutan and Myanmar. The Palas had extensive trade as well as influence in south-east Asia. This can be seen in the sculptures and architectural style of the Sailendra Empire (present-day Malaya, Java, Sumatra). The Pala Empire eventually disintegrated in the 12th century weakened by attacks of the Sena dynasty followed by the invasion of Bakhtiyar Khilji's Muslim armies.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.<br/><br/> Wat Lok Moli or ‘topknot of the world’ is thought to have been founded by King Ku Na, the 6th king of the Mangrai Dynasty (1263–1578), who ruled the Lan Na Kingdom from Chiang Mai between about 1367 and 1388. It was probably a royal temple, since the northern side of the city was a royal precinct at the time; certainly the sanctuary enjoyed a long and close association with the Mangrai rulers. According to a notice at the south entrance of the temple, King Ku Na invited a group of ten monks from Burma to come and live in Chiang Mai, providing Lok Moli as a residence for them.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.<br/><br/> Wat Lok Moli or ‘topknot of the world’ is thought to have been founded by King Ku Na, the 6th king of the Mangrai Dynasty (1263–1578), who ruled the Lan Na Kingdom from Chiang Mai between about 1367 and 1388. It was probably a royal temple, since the northern side of the city was a royal precinct at the time; certainly the sanctuary enjoyed a long and close association with the Mangrai rulers. According to a notice at the south entrance of the temple, King Ku Na invited a group of ten monks from Burma to come and live in Chiang Mai, providing Lok Moli as a residence for them.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.<br/><br/> Wat Lok Moli or ‘topknot of the world’ is thought to have been founded by King Ku Na, the 6th king of the Mangrai Dynasty (1263–1578), who ruled the Lan Na Kingdom from Chiang Mai between about 1367 and 1388. It was probably a royal temple, since the northern side of the city was a royal precinct at the time; certainly the sanctuary enjoyed a long and close association with the Mangrai rulers. According to a notice at the south entrance of the temple, King Ku Na invited a group of ten monks from Burma to come and live in Chiang Mai, providing Lok Moli as a residence for them.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.<br/><br/> Wat Lok Moli or ‘topknot of the world’ is thought to have been founded by King Ku Na, the 6th king of the Mangrai Dynasty (1263–1578), who ruled the Lan Na Kingdom from Chiang Mai between about 1367 and 1388. It was probably a royal temple, since the northern side of the city was a royal precinct at the time; certainly the sanctuary enjoyed a long and close association with the Mangrai rulers. According to a notice at the south entrance of the temple, King Ku Na invited a group of ten monks from Burma to come and live in Chiang Mai, providing Lok Moli as a residence for them.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.<br/><br/> Wat Phrathat Doi Kham or ‘Temple of the Golden Mount’, is located in Tambon Mae Hia, about 10km south of Chiang Mai Old City, in the lee of Doi Suthep. Temple records claim that the temple dates back over 1,300 years ‘to 687 AD’, during the pre-Lan Na period when the region was inhabited by the indigenous animist Lawa.<br/><br/> Chiang Mai (meaning "new city"), sometimes written as "Chiengmai" or "Chiangmai", is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296, and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.<br/><br/> The Patravadi Theatre, on the Thonburi side of Bangkok's Chao Phraya River, is famed for its excellent Siamese music and dance performances. The company regularly puts on classical Siamese and other Asian epics.
Ganesha (Sanskrit: Gaṇeśa, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, also known as Ganapati (Sanskrit: gaṇapati), Vinayaka (Sanskrit: Vināyaka), and in Tamil as Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped deities of the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India to Southeast Asia.<br/><br/> Although he is known by many other attributes, Ganesha's elephant head makes him particularly easy to identify. Ganesha is widely revered as the Remover of Obstacles and more generally as Lord of Beginnings and Lord of Obstacles, patron of arts and sciences, and the deva of intellect and wisdom.<br/><br/> Ganesha emerged a distinct deity in clearly recognizable form in the 4th and 5th centuries CE, during the Gupta Period, although he inherited traits from Vedic and pre-Vedic precursors. The principal scriptures dedicated to Ganesha are the Ganesha Purana, the Mudgala Purana, and the Ganapati Atharvashirsa.
Dandan Oilik is a deserted historical town and desert oasis in the Taklamakan Desert of Xinjiang, China. Dandan Oilik was an important (though small) centre of local Buddhism and trade on the Silk Road. Its name means 'Houses of Ivory' and has been the site of a small number of significant archeological finds.<br/><br/> Having been abandoned hundreds of years ago, the oasis was found and lost to shifting desert sands several times. Most recently, a German expedition led by Christoph Baumer found the city based on the accounts of previous explorers such as Sir Aurel Stein, and uncovered relics dating to the 7th and 8th Century. They also marked its GPS position, and the city is now being studied by Chinese archeologists.
Ganesha (Sanskrit: Gaṇeśa, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, also known as Ganapati (Sanskrit: gaṇapati), Vinayaka (Sanskrit: Vināyaka), and in Tamil as Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped deities of the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India to Southeast Asia.<br/><br/> Although he is known by many other attributes, Ganesha's elephant head makes him particularly easy to identify. Ganesha is widely revered as the Remover of Obstacles and more generally as Lord of Beginnings and Lord of Obstacles, patron of arts and sciences, and the deva of intellect and wisdom.<br/><br/> Ganesha emerged a distinct deity in clearly recognizable form in the 4th and 5th centuries CE, during the Gupta Period, although he inherited traits from Vedic and pre-Vedic precursors. The principal scriptures dedicated to Ganesha are the Ganesha Purana, the Mudgala Purana, and the Ganapati Atharvashirsa.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon.<br/><br/> His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon.<br/><br/> His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon.<br/><br/> His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.
Ganesha, also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh, and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon.<br/><br/> His image is found throughout India and Nepal. Hindu sects worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.