MAHABALIPURAM, GROUP OF MONUMENTS
US$ 5 per person
Mamallapuram, the city of Mamalla, is after the
title of great Pallava ruler Narasimhavarman-I
(AD 630-68).
It was a sea-port during the time
of Periplus (1st century AD) and Ptolemy (AD
140) and many Indian colonists sailed to
south-east Asia through this port town.
While there is some evidence of architectural
activity going back to the period of
Mahendravarman-I (AD 600-30), the father of
Mamalla, most of the monuments like rock-cut
rathas, sculptured scenes on open rocks like
Arjuna's penance.
The caves of Goardhanandhari and Mahishasuramardini,
the Jala-Sayana Perumal temple (the sleeping
Mahavishnu or Chakrin at the rear part of the
Shore temple complex) are attributed to the
period of Narasimhavarman-I Mamalla.
The
monolithic rathas from single to triple-storeyed,
display a variety of architectural forms.
While the Dharmaraja, Arjuna and Draupadi rathas
are square on plan, the Bhima and Ganesa rathas
are rectangular and Sahadeva ratha apsidal.
Though monilithic sculpturing, both cut-in and
cut-out, continued even during later periods (Atiranachanda
cave,
Pidari rathas and Tiger-cave), the structural
architecture was introduced on a grand scale by
Pallava Rajasimha (AD 700-28), culminating in
erection of the world famous Shore temple.
After Rajasimha there is lull in the
architectural activity of the place, save a few
additions during late-Pallava and Chola times.
The grandiose Vijayanagara phase here is
represented by the Raja Gopurams and the
Sthala-Sayana temple, juxtaposed to the carved
boulder of Arjuna's penance.
GOA,CHURCHES AND CONVENTS
US$ 5 per person
The
most comprehensive group of churches and
cathedrals built during 16th and 17th century AD
at Old Goa comprise of the following:
Se'Cathedral, Church and Convent of St. Francis
of Assisi, Chapel of St. Catherine, Basilica of
Born Jesus; Church of Lady of Rosary; Church of
St. Augustine.
The Church of St. Cajetan is modelled on the
original design of St. Peter's Church in Rome.
The Church of Bom Jesus with its facade
decorated with lonic, Doric and Corinthian
pilasters, shows the application of the
Classical order.
The Se'Cathedral, with its Tuscan exterior the
Corinthian columns at its portals, the raised
platform with steps leading to the entrance, the
barrel-vault above the nave, is yet another
example of Renaissance.
The paintings in the churches were done on wooden
borders and fixed between panels having floral
designs as in the chapels housing the tomb of
St. Xavier, the arches above the altars in the
transept of the Se'Cathedral and in the nave on
either side of the main altar in the Church of
St. Francis of Assisi.
Excepting a few which are in stone, the statues
are mostly in wood delicately carved and painted
to adorn the altars.
They depict mostly the
saints, Mother Mary and Jesus on the cross.
HUMAYUN'S TOMB, DELHI
US$ 5 per person
The first substantial example of a garden tomb on charbagh
pattern with high arches and double dome
was erected by Humayun's queen Hamida Banu Begam
(Haji Begam) in AD 1569 at a cost of 15 lakh
rupees (1.5 million).
The high rubble built enclosure is entered through two
lofty double-storeyed gateways on the west and
south.
A baradar (pavilion) occupies the centre
of the eastern wall and a hammam (bath chamber)
in the centre of northern wall.
The lofty mausoleum is in the centre of the enclosure and
rises from podium faced with series of cells
having arched openings.
The central octagonal chamber contains the cenotaph, encompassed by
octagonal chambers at the diagonals and arched
lobbies on the sides.
Their openings are closed with perforated screens. Each side is
dominated by three arches, the central one being
the highest.
This plan is repeated on the second
storey too.
The roof surmounted by a double dome
(42.5m) of marble has pillared kiosks (chhatris)
placed around it.
Several rulers of the Mughal dynasty lie buried
here.>
Bahadur Shah Zafar had taken refuge in
this tomb with three princes during the first
war of Independence (AD 1857).
On the southwestern side of the tomb is located
barber's tomb (Nai-ka-Gumbad) which stands on a
raised platform, reached by seven steps from the
south.
The building is square on plan and
consists of a single compartment covered with a
double-dome.
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