Shree Amarnath Cave Temple

                       Amarnath Cave

       Shiva is known to have made his home in the Himalayan. He built neither house nor shelter from anyone.

       

       Legend has it that Shiva recounted to Parvati the secret of creation in a cave in Amarnath. Unknown to them, a pair of matting doves caves dropped on this conversation and having learned the secret, are reborn again and again, and have made the cave their eternal adode. Many pilgrims report seeing the doves - pair when they trek the arduous rotate to play obeisance before the ice-lingam.

      

         The trek to Amarnath, in the month of Shrawan (July and August) 

has the devout flock to this incredible shrine, where the image of Shiva, in the form of a lingam, is formed neutrally of an ice-stalagmite

and which waxes and wanes with the moon. By its side are fascinatingly, two more ice-lingams, that of Parwati, and of their son  Ganesha. 

Shree Amarnath Cave Temple

       

                 monuments101.blogspot.com

           According to an ancient tell, there was once a Muslim shepherd named Buta Malik who was given a sack of coal by a Sadhu. Upon reaching home he discovered that the sack, in fact contained gold. Buta Malik rushed back to look for the sadhu, but on the spot of their meeting discovered a cave and eventually this become a place of pilgrimage for all believers. To date a parentage of the donations made by pilgrims are given to the descendants of Malik and the remaining to the trust which manages the shrine.

        

          Whatever the legends and the history of Amarnath's discovery, it is today and extremely crucial centre of pilgrimage, and through the route is as difficult to trespass as it is exciting, every annum, millions of devotees from the Shiva in one of his Himalayan abodes.

          Situated in a narrow gorge at the farther end of Lidder valley, Amarnath stands at 3,888 m and is 44.8 km from Pahalgam and 141 km from Srinagar, the more common practice is to begin journey at Pahalgam, and cover the distance to Amarnath and back in five days Pahalgam is 96 km from Srinagar.

      

         Entrance to the cave is regulated. There are many others waiting outside to pay homage before the awesome Shivalinga. The devotees sing bhajan, chant incantation, and priests petform aarti and puja, invoking the blessings of Shiva, the divine, the pure, the absolute. For those who journey with faith, it is a rewarding experience, this simple visitation to a cave - shrine, the home of the Himalayan mendicant who is both destroyer and heater, the greatest of the Hindu deities.

      

Armenian Church of the Holy Nazareth

                       ARMENIAN CHURCH        

       Kolkata has always welcomed people of diverse background and no wonder people from far off countries came to Kolkata far trade and commerce. Being the capital of the erstwhile British East India Company, the lure of Kolkata has also been home to a sizeable number of Dutch, France, Jews, Chinese and Armenians.

       The Armenians settled in Kolkata during the first half of 17th century and during the time, there was a vibrant Armenians community in Kolkata. Armenians in general owe allegiance to the Armenians Church which is known for its traditional orthodoxy. Since religion plays a very important role in the life of every Armenian, the thriving Armenian community built a Church in Kolkata way buck in the year 1724,which is regarded by many as the oldest church of Kolkata.

      

        The church is located at 1 Armenian Street. As you drive your way past Clive Row which in turn leads you to the old China street, this imposing church stand like a beacon of hope for the miniscule 150 old Armenian families who still inhabit Kolkata.

                   Armenian Church of the Holy Nazareth                                        monuments101.blogspot.com                         

The present church was built by a pious Armenian named Aga Nazar. The land was doneted by another devout Armenian by the name of Kehenentekh Phanoosh and the architectural Know how was provided by Katchik Arfiel. Not only his architectural acumen to this church, he also played a pivotal role in buildings exclusive residential blocks for the priests who lived in houses. The belfry which doubles up as clock tower too was doneted by Arfiel.

      During its initial years, the church benefited immensely through the patronage of wealthy Armenians of the stature of Sir Catchik Paul Chater, an Armenian millionaire who was born in Kolkata and made a fortune as a marchant. Before his death, Sir Paul donated his residential Estate to the Armenian Church in Kolkata. Apart from Sir Paul, the church was also patronized by many eminent Armenians whose names are embellished in the walls of the church.

          Both the exterior and interior walls of the church are replete with commemorations in memory of departed Armenians of Kolkata. The church is a harmonious blend of white and black marble and every inch of space has been utilized for commemorating departed Armenians. In certain case even silver and brass tablets have been used to engrave the commemorative tributes.

         Not only do the commemorative convey a deep sentimental tribute to departed Armenians, they also reflect their identity outside of their homeland.

          Assemblies are held thrice a week in this beautiful church. A visit to the Armenians Church will provide you with a fascinating insight about the life of the Armenian community in Kolkata. The church has its eyes set on keeping alive a religious institutions which has served generation of Armenians since 1724.

Taj Maha

Taj Mahal 

ONE of The World's Famous Monument

The Taj Mahal is a queen of architecture. Other buildings might be famous, but no other is so consistently admired for a beauty that is seen as both feminine and regal.

The Taj Mahal simmers, a great poet said, "like a solitary tear suspended on the cheek of time." Created out of an Emperor's grief and love to honour the memory of his wife, this supreme triumph of human art has served to immortalize them both. It remains one of the most beautiful and famous stractures in the world.

Taj Mahal

      The Taj Mahal -" Crown of the place" - was built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his favourite wife 'Mumtaz Mahal' who died given birth to their fourteenth child. He the fifth in the great dynasty of Mugals, a long line of Islamic rulers who held sway over large portions of parents-day India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan from the 1500s into the 1800s. Shah Jahan ruled at the hight of Mugals power, and his influence can still be seen throughout the reason today.

Taj Mahal

      Now almost 400 years old, the Taj Mahal is visited by more than 5 millions people a year. They comes to India from around the world to marvel at its grace and splendor, it's shimmering domes rising above the city of Agara and the Yamuna River. But it is not only its beauty that makes the Taj Mahal extraordinary. It is also a testament to the engineering skills and craftsmanship of the time and place. The Taj Mahal originality and flawless design, and every inch of the building is adorned with intricate stone work and exquisite mosaics, all of them completed by hand. 

                  monuments101.blogspot.com