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Ayutthaya – Whispers of Yesteryears – Part 2
This is the second part of our blog on Ayutthaya. If you haven’t caught up on the first part yet, head over here. Read first part of our Ayutthaya journey here. After the idyllic time at Wat Lokkayasutha and Wat Worachettharam, it was time for us to visit the central complex of monuments, collectively called the Ayutthaya Historic Park. Wat Phra Ram Our first stop was Wat Phra Ram. This is a monastery constructed on the cremation site of King Ramathibodi I, the founder and first ruler of the Ayutthaya kingdom. Entry to the monument costs 50 THB per person and is free for Thai citizens and children. The monument is open from 8:00 AM until…
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Ayutthaya – Whispers of Yesteryears – Part 1
Ayutthaya, a radiant kingdom in Southeast Asia, thrived for over 400 years. Ayutthaya’s rulers fostered art, engineering marvels, and a strong military. The last king, a solitary figure, witnessed his legacy turn to ash. Ayutthaya’s fall echoed a harsh truth: empires crumble, leaving only a smoky lesson for all to see. Join us on a captivating journey through Ayutthaya, where we’ll delve into its glorious past and contemplate the impermanence of even the mightiest empires. Ever since we planned a trip to Thailand, Ayutthaya remained a constant in our itinerary, amidst other changes to plans. So, we pored over Google Maps and other references to figure out a path that…
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Kaziranga Sanctuary: Realm of the One-Horned Rhino
In April 2023, we visited the captivating Kaziranga National Park, a wildlife haven nestled in the northeast of India. This sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its diverse ecosystems and, most notably, as the home of the one-horned rhinoceros. Welcoming the Dawn in Kaziranga Our day commenced with the break of dawn, setting the stage for an adventure of a lifetime. Two Journeys: Elephant and Jeep Safaris Our visit was a journey of two safaris, each with its unique charm – a serene morning elephant safari and an exhilarating afternoon jeep safari. Up Close with Rhinos: The Elephant Safari Experience The elephant safari, scheduled for 7 AM,…
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Gangaikonda Cholapuram: The Pride of Cholas
In June 2017, we had the chance to explore the magnificent Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple, a remarkable place that holds a significant piece of South Indian history. This temple, located in Tamil Nadu, India, stands as a testament to the Chola dynasty’s architectural and artistic prowess. The history The history behind the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple is quite interesting. It was built during the reign of Rajendra Chola I, the son of the famous Chola king, Rajaraja Chola I. In the early 11th century, Rajendra Chola I embarked on a victorious military expedition that led to the conquest of the Ganges region, earning him the title “Gangaikonda,” which means “the one who…
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The besieged ocean, Dwarasamudra – Halebeedu itinerary
The Hoysala kingdom was a dynasty between the 10th and 14th centuries CE. The dominion spanned most of present-day Karnataka, as well as parts of Tamil Nadu and Telangana. The capital city of the kingdom shifted with the changing fortunes, like many other dynasties. The capital was originally located in Sosavur, but it was later moved to Belur before settling in the present-day Halebidu. Originally called Dwarasamudra (and also Dvaravatipura), Halebidu remained the Hoysalas’ capital from 1062 CE until the dynasty’s decline around the 14th century CE. The Hoysaleshwara Temple in Halebidu is one of the crowning achievements of Hoysala art and architecture. The other two are at Belur and…
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Celebrating the Sun – Konark!
One of the places that we were really looking forward to visiting was the Sun temple at Konark. The mighty structure, the chakras (wheels), the even bigger structure that is no longer there – all this history made us look forward to the moment we would be able to stand and admire the mightiness. Kalinga architecture The temple is attributed to King Narasimhadeva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty and dated to around the middle of the 13th century CE. The grandeur of the structures that remain give us hints of the scale of the temple that would’ve existed before the depredations of time. The temple’s architectural style is Kalinga. It…
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Achyutaraya Temple, Hampi – Paradise Lost
As one walks through the wide road that leads directly out of the Virupaksha Temple’s gopuram (entrance tower) towards the pavillion that houses the seated monolithic Nandi (the bull that is the divine steed of Siva), the single and two tiered ruins of Hampi Bazar bear silent witness to the start of the magical trek to Achyutaraya Temple. The Matanga hill that was a safe haven in the to the monkey king Sugreeva from the wrath of his brother Vali due to a curse in the epic of Ramayana, is visible to the right as one makes the climb from the Nandi and past the shrine. The humble shrine is…
