Renowned Rock-Cut Temples of South India

India is known for its cultural heritage and most importantly famous for temples. There are lots of cave temples in India. Rock-cut architecture is a practice where either buildings or structures are carved in caves. Here is a sneak preview of some of the famous rock-cut temples of South India.

1. Undavalli Caves, Andhra Pradesh

This is the entrace to the 3rd floor of Anananthapadmaswamy temple

Undavalli Caves boasts of ancient viswakarmastapathis and is an excellent example for rock-cut temples in India. This cave is a finest example of Gupta architecture. This cave is carved out of sandstone.There is a large statue of Lord Vishnu in a reclining posture; this statue is made from single block of granite. Apart from a big statue of Lord Vishnu, there are lots of statues for the Lords Brahma and Shiva. It is a treat to watch the beautifully carved sculptures in these caves. 

2. Aihole, North Karnataka

Ravana Phadi Cave at Aihole, Karnataka

Aihole is a temple complex and a popular tourist attraction in North Karnataka; it is believed that this may be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is definitely hard to believe that this temple was built 1400 years ago. Aihole is the best example for Badami Chalukya architecture; this type of architecture have three basic features in them, namely, pillared verandah, columned hall, a sanctum cut out deep into rock. There are lots of temples in Aihole and these are subdivided into two categories; Kontigudi group and Galaganatha group. Some of the temples in these groups include Lad Khan temple, Durga temple, Suryanarayana temple, Triyambakeshvara temple, Huchimali temple, Ravana Phadi cave, etc.

3. Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple, Karnataka

The Disc and its shadow at Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple

Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple is yet another excellent of Indian rock-cut architecture. The main deity of this temple is Shiva; this temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka Ancient and Historical Monuments, and Archeological Sites and Remains Act 1961. What is so special about this temple? Every year on Makar Sankaranthi (a festival of harvest in India) day, sun rays will fall directly on the deity of Shiva inside the cave for one hour. Isn’t it amazing to know the knowledge of our ancestors when there was no Internet or very less developments in Science? 

4. Kottukal Cave Temple, Kerala

Kottukal Cave temple

Image courtesy: Wikipedia

It is believed that this rock-cut temple in Kerala was built between 6th and 7th century AD when Nedila Paranthaka Nedumchadayan was ruling Chadayamangalam. Lord Shiva and Ganesha are the primary deities of this rock-cut temple. It is said that incarnations of Lord Shiva brought this huge rock to this place and the smaller rock called the “chummaadu paara” supports the bigger rock. The daily rituals are taken care by the Travancore Devaswom Board. This is one of the major tourist attractions in Kerala especially due to the calmness and serenity of the place. 

5. Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu

Pancha Rathas of Mahabalipuram

Image courtesy: Wikipedia

When visiting Tamil Nadu, one of the must visit rock-cut architectures or cave temples would be Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This cave temple was built between the 7th and 9th centuries AD by Pallavas. The monuments in Mahabalipuram boast of the Dravidian architecture. Some of the notable structures include Thirukadalmallai, a temple of Lord Vishnu; Varaha Cave temple, Pancha Rathas, and the Descent of the Ganges.

6. Thirunandhikkara Cave Temple, Tamil Nadu

Thirunandhikkara cave temple, Kanyakumari

Image courtesy: krishnasepages

This is another great example of rock-cut architecture; this was built between the 7th and 8th centuries AD by the Pallavas. This cave temple is part of the Thirunandhikkara temple of Kanyakumari District. It is believed that it was first the Jains who made this cave temple in the 7th century CE, which was later taken by Hindus.

It is not necessary that one has to go on a religious pilgrimage tour to visit these cave temples; these rock-cut temples are indeed a tourist attraction in itself. 

Unique and Unusual Hotels around the World

Hotels, are all of them just buildings? Nah…there are some unique hotels around the world; they range from hotels on trees, prison converted into a hotel, hotels in cave, hotels made of salt, etc. Let us have a look at some of these unique hotels around the world.

1. Library Hotel, New York City 

The Poetry and Garden themed bookmarks lounge, Library Hotel

Courtesy: Library Hotel

Library Hotel in New York City is one of its kinds when it comes to luxury boutique hotels. There are ten floors in the hotel and the unique feature of this hotel is that each floor is assigned a category based on Dewey Decimal System; Dewey Decimal System is a proprietary system used for library classification. Each of these categories has a subcategory too.

Third floor is categorized as Social Sciences with subcategories called Law, Money, World Culture, Economics, Political Science, and Communication, Fourth floor is categorized as Language with subcategories called Ancient Language, Middle Eastern Language, Asian Language, Germanic Language, Romance Language, and Slavic Language. Similarly each and every floor has a unique classification; Fifth floor is Math and Sciences, Sixth floor is Technology, Seventh floor is Arts, Eight floor is Literature, Ninth floor is History, Tenth floor is General Knowledge, Eleventh floor is Philosophy and Twelfth floor is Religion. You get a set of books as complement when you stay in this hotel apart from other complimentary amenities. How nice it would be to read a book in a cozy and comfy bed with a cup of hot coffee?

2. Luxor Hotel, Las Vegas

The pyramid shaped Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas Strip

Image courtesy: wikipedia

Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada is a unique and unusual hotel because it is shaped in the form of a pyramid. This hotel contains 4,400 rooms and this includes 442 suites. Luxor Hotel is the third largest hotel in the world and second largest hotel in Las Vegas. The main portion of the hotel is a 30-story pyramid, 820,000 cu. meters atrium, and a 34 meter tall obelisk. The guest rooms are situated on the outer walls; they can be reached using inclinators which are available in the inner surface.

Indulge yourself in the spas or have a great splash in the swimming pool or shop in the 29 retail stores. Now you too can say that you have stayed in the pyramid and played in it even though you have not visited the pyramids in the Egypt; how nice…

3. Treetops Hotel, Kenya

Treetops Hotel (No see, No Pay policy hotel in Kenya)

Image courtesy: wikipedia

 Treetops Hotel is in Kenya at 1,965 meters above sea level on the Aberdare Range. This hotel was first opened as a treehouse on the tree tops of Aberdare National Park to help visitors get better view of the wildlife of the park. Treetops Hotel currently has 50 rooms. This hotel gained popularity when Queen Elizabeth II accede the throne after her father’s death. Another reason for the popularity is the “No See, No Pay” policy; this means the guests are not charged if they are not able to see any big game.

It is the best hotel to watch wildlife if you can adhere to certain strict rules of them; these stringent rules are:

1. It is just an overnight destination; therefore only an overnight luggage will be allowed.
2. There is a low level decibel restriction as the animals are very sensitive to sounds; guests are banned from wearing hard-soled footwear.

Watch the wildlife from these treetops and am sure this safari will be a memorable one.

4. Langholmen Hotel, Stockholm

Langholmen Hotel (A prison with 500 cells converted to a hotel in Stockholm)

Image courtesy: Langholmen Hotel

Langholmen Hotel was once a prison with 500 cells, but now converted to a hotel. This hotel was once the biggest prison in Sweden before being converted as a hotel. There is a museum too in this hotel. This hotel boasts of a beach, jogging circuits and promenade trails. The hotel rooms are termed as cells and they say that you get your own key to your cell.

5. Palacio de Sal, Salar de Uyuni

Palacio de Sal (Hotel made completely of salt in Salar de Uyuni)

Image courtesy: wickedreport

How about visiting and staying in a hotel that is completely made of salt? It is just not the walls or ceilings that are made of salt, but even chairs, tables, cots, decorations are made of salt. Palacio de Sal is termed the largest salt flat in the world. There are totally 16 rooms in this salt hotel resembling an igloo. Relax and rejuvenate yourself in the dry sauna or steam room. Do not forget to take a dip in the saltwater pool or the whirlpool bath. Staying in a hotel completely made of salt will definitely be a very unique experience.

Enjoy your stay in these unique as well as unusual hotels! Hope the cost doesn’t put a hole in your pocket!

Lovely Lowland Castles around the World

Castles, when we say this we all knew about castles that are built on hilltops; how about knowing castles that are built on lowlands or valleys? Are you thinking whether such castles really exist? Yes…here is some of the lovely lowland or plain castles around the world.

Lowland castles are castles that are built or situated on lowlands, valleys or plain. These lowland castles are also called as “Plain Castles.” There are so many lowland castles around the world; Germany holds a record of having 34% of lowland castles or plain castles.

1. Caerlaverock Castle, Scotland 

Caerlaverock Castle, Scotland (Category A listed building and a triangular shaped castle)

Image courtesy: wikipedia

Caerlaverock Castle belongs to the category called water castle as it uses water as a defensive obstacle. This is a Category A listed building in Scotland. One of the unique features of this plain castle is that it is a triangular shaped castle; this itself a very unique feature among British castles. There are three lengths of defensive curtain wall and their three angles are linked by higher corner towers. The north tower has an impressive twin-towered gatehouse.

2. Castle Stalker, Scotland 

Castle Stalker, Scotland (The best-preserved surviving medieval tower house)

Image courtesy: wikipedia

Castle Stalker belongs to the category called island castles; a variation of water castle. These island castles in general will not have moats or shield wells as they are normally separated from the shore by a minimum of two water bodies. Castle stalker is a four-storey tower house and is considered one of the iconic romantic images of Scotland. This is one of the best-preserved surviving medieval tower houses in Western Scotland.

3. Château de Sully-sur-Loire, France

Chateau de Sully-sur-Loire, France (Classic example of medieval fortress, Monument Historique in France)

 Château de Sully-sur-Loire belongs to water castle category; this wonderful castle has been converted to a palatial seigniorial (seigneur means a feudal lord in French) residence. This castle is a classic example of medieval fortress with its high towers and deep moats. French Ministry of Culture has declared this Château de Sully-sur-Loire Castle as monument historique, which is a National Heritage Site of France.

4. Warwick Castle, England 

Warwick Castle, England (A best example of river castle)

Warwick Castle belongs to river castle category; a river castle is one that is erected on a river bank. These river castles are surrounded by moats that are filled by water from the river in which the castle is erected. This castle is erected on the River Avon in the county town of Warwickshire; it has a sandstone bluff also known as the sandstone cliff. Some of the attractions include a bird show called the “Flight of the Eagles,” archery displays, a live actor performance similar to London Dungeon called the “The Castle Dungeon;” this list of attractions doesn’t end here.

5. Malbork Castle, Poland 

Castle of Malbork, Poland (World's largest castle by area)

Malbork Castle is the largest castle in the world in terms of area and is one of the finest examples of medieval fortress; this was also the largest brick castle in the world when completed in the year 1406. There are various subdivisions as well as multiple layers of defensive walls in Malbork Castle. There are three castles, namely, the High, Middle and Lower Castles and these are separated by several moats and dry towers.

Visit these plain castles or lowland castles if you are planning to visit any of these countries; these castles boasts of the excellent architecture of the past and a must visit tourist attraction.