for JKP Constable

FAMOUS PLACES
IN INDIA

By YASHODHRA MA’AM

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1.AJANTA CAVES & ELLORA CAVES

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•Ajanta and Ellora caves, considered to be one of the finest examples of
ancient rock-cut caves, are located near Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Ajanta
caves are located in the Sahyadri ranges (Western Ghats). These are a series
of rock-cut caves on Waghora river near Aurangabad in Maharashtra.

•Ajanta Caves are mostly Buddhist sites and were used as a retreat by
Buddhist monks. The caves consisted of cells for meditation, assembly
halls for discussions, and stupas for rituals. There are a total of 29 buddhist
caves in Ajanta of which 4 were used as Chaitya or prayer halls while 25
were used as Viharas or residential caves.

•The caves were developed in the period between 200 B.C. to 650 A.D.

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ELLORA has a better mix of Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist structures. The
sculptures range from depictions of deities, celestial beings, and
mythological scenes to portraits of royalty and everyday life.

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•It is located nearly 100 Kms away from Ajanta caves in the Sahyadri
range of Maharashtra.
•Ellora caves are a group of 100 caves at the site of which 34 caves are
open to the public. 17 caves out of these 34 are themed around
Hinduism, 12 caves depict the themes of Buddhist and 5 caves are of
Jain faith.
•They date to the period between the 6th and 11th Centuries AD.
•They are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Ministry of Tourism recently included the UNESCO World

Heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora caves in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
in its Swadesh Darshan Scheme II

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VALUE ADDITION :-About Swadesh darshan scheme

Year of Launching-2015

Concerned ministry–Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

Objective-To develop sustainable and responsible tourism

destinations in the country.

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Type of scheme-
It is 100% centrally funded scheme.

2.ELEPHANTA CAVES

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•It is a specimen of rock-cut art and architecture from the times of
medieval India.
•The Elephanta Caves are located in Western India on Elephanta Island
(otherwise known as the Island of Gharapuri), about 7 kms from
Mumbai‟s mainland shore.
•While the exact origins remain debated, it is generally believed that the
Elephant Caves were built during the rule of various dynasties, including
the Chalukyas and the Rashtrakutas.
•The rock-cut Elephanta Caves were constructed in the mid-5th to 6th
centuries AD and most of them are dedicated to Lord Shiva.
•There are two groups of caves on the site of the Elephanta Caves, the
first is a large group of five Hindu caves, and the second is a smaller
group of two Buddhist caves.

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•The caves are hewn from solid basalt rock.
•The caves are an expression of art and a number of important
imageries are sculpted here, which include 'Trimurti' or three-
headed Shiva, 'Gangadhar' which is a manifestation of the river
Ganga as she descends to the earth and 'Ardhnarishwar', which is a
representation of Shiva and Parvati in the same body.
•It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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BARABAR CAVES
The Barabar caves, located in the Barabar hills in Bihar's Jehanabad
district, are India's oldest instances of Mauryan rock-cut
construction. In Barabar, there are four caverns going back to
Asoka's rule (273-232 BC) and his grandson Dasaratha's reign,
which were originally built for the Ajivika sect.

The Lomas Rishi Cave, Sudama

Caves, Vishwakarma Caves, and
Karan Chaupar Caves are among
the Barabar caves.

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The Baba Siddhanath Temple, also known as the Shiva Temple and
formerly known as Siddheshwar Nath Temple, is situated atop one
of the Barabar Hills' highest peaks.

This temple is supposed to have been constructed during the Gupta

Dynasty's reign. The caves of Barabar Hill are the world's oldest
rock-cut caves.These caves were carved out of a single piece of
solid granite.

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A.Lomas Rishi Caves
•These are rock-cut caves carved at Barabar hills near Gaya in
Bihar.
•These caves were donated by Ashoka to the Ajivika sect. The
Ajivikas were an ancient Indian religious and philosophical sect that
competed with Jainism and eventually died out.

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•The cave is decorated with the semicircular chaitya arch at the
entrance. The Lomas Rishi Cave does not have any Ashoka
inscriptions.
•The man-made Barabar caves, also known as the Grotto of Lomas
Rishi, are located on the southern side of the Barabar hills.
•Anantvarman, a Hindu ruler of the Maukhari dynasty, dedicated a
statue of Krishna to the cave, according to a Sanskrit inscription on
the arch.

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B.Sudama Caves
Sudama Caves are near to the Lomas Rishi Caves on the left side of
the Barabar Hills.
•Sudama cave, according to an inscription placed near its entrance,
was perhaps the first cave dug in the Barabar cave group.
•Emperor Ashoka donated Sudama cave, as shown by an inscription
in Brahmi inscribed in the cave's entrance employing his protocol
name (Priyadarsin, "He who provides joy").

C.Vishwakarma Cave
•Vishwakarma Cave, like other Barabar caves, is made up of two
rectangular rooms. The room is completely open to the exterior, like
an extended porch.
•Vishwamitra caves is another name for it.

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D.Karan Chaupar Cave
•Karan Cahupar is located on the Barabar Hills' northern flank.
•It has an Ashoka inscription dated the 19th year of his reign on it.
•The Buddhist practice of retiring (Vassavasa) during the monsoons is
described in an inscription found at the cave's entrance.
•An inscription from the Gupta dynasty in the entry chamber says
"Daridra Kantara" ("The Cave of the Beggars").

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Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves

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•The caves are situated on two adjacent hills, Udayagiri and
Khandagiri, mentioned as Kumari Parvata in the Hathigumpha
inscription.
•Most of these caves were carved out as residential blocks for Jain
ascetics during the reign of King Kharavela.
•Kharavela was a monarch of Kalinga in present-day Odisha, who
ruled during the second or first century BCE.
•The kingdom of Kalinga was invaded by Ashoka in 262-261 BCE.
Udayagiri means 18 caves while Khandagiri has 15 caves.
•The caves of Udayagiri and Khandagiri are called called lena or leṇa
in the inscriptions.
•The most important was Ranigumpha in Udayagiri which is a double
storeyed monastery.
•Other important caves include Hathi Gumpha, Ananta Gumpha,
Ganesha Gumpha, Jaya Vijaya Gumpha, Mancapuri Gumpha,
•Bagha/ Vyaghra Gumpha and Sarpa Gumpha.
•The Caves are also listed as one of the Adarsh Smarak Monuments by
Archaeological Survey of India.

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Rani Gumpha is the largest and most popular cave among the caves of
Udayagiri and Khandagiri.

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•It is a large natural cave with an inscription carved out in Brahmi
Script by King Kharavela which is the main source of information
about him.
•The cave is known as Hathi Gumpha due to its exquisite carvings
of elephants.

Kanheri caves
•The Kanheri Caves are a group of caves and rock-cut monuments
located within the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in the Borivali
region of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
•The Kanheri Caves are primarily known as an ancient Buddhist
learning center and are closely associated with the growth and
development of Buddhism in Western India.
•Time Period: The caves date back to the 1st century BCE and were
used as Buddhist monasteries until the 10th century CE.
•Number of Caves: There are over 100 caves at the site, carved out
of a basaltic hill.

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Bedsa caves
•It is located near Pune
•The Chaitya resembles the great hall at Karle but is smaller.
•It has four pillars with carvings of horses, bulls and elephants
mounted by make and female riders

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Jogeshwari caves
•These caves are located within the island of Salsette
•They belong to the last stages of Mahayana Buddhism
•Brahmanical shrines are also found here
•They belong to the second half of the 8th century

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Karla caves
•Karla caves are located on Banaghta hills near Mumbai
•It belongs to the Hinayana period of the Buddhist architecture
•The chaitya here is among the largest and the best preserved in the
country
•Many traders and Satavahana rulers made grants for construction
of these caves.
•The main cave, called the Great Chaitya cave, or Cave No.8,
features a large, intricately carved chaitya, or prayer hall, dating
back to 120 CE.

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Bhaja caves
•It is located near Pune
•They are believed to be excavated in 2nd century BC
•It belongs to the Hinayana Buddhism sect in Maharashtra
•These caves are notable for their indications of the awareness of
wooden architecture
•The carvings prove that tabla – a percussion instrument – was used
in India for at least 2300 years

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Humayun Tomb
Humayun‟s Tomb in Nizamuddin,
Delhi, this museum promises to
offer visitors a unique insight into
the life and times of the second
Mughal Emperor, Humayun.
Built in 1570, Humayun's Tomb is
the first major garden tomb in
the Indian subcontinent, setting a
precedent for Mughal architecture,
which culminated in the Taj Mahal.

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•The tomb features a charbagh garden, a high-terraced platform, and
a marble-clad dome. The mausoleum, known as the 'dormitory of
the Mughals,' houses over 150 Mughal family members.
•It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 and has
undergone extensive restoration work.

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Qutub Minar
It is a five-storeyed red sandstone
tower (72.5 m high) built by Muslim
conquerors in the thirteenth century
to commemorate their final triumph
over the Rajput rulers of Delhi
(Qutub means victory), while also
serving as a tower from where
muezzins (criers) call for prayer at
the Quwwatu‟l-Islam mosque nearby.

The building process of Qutub Minar took about 75 years. Its

construction was started by Qutub-ud-din Aibak (1206-1210) in
1193 and finished by Iltutmish (1211-1236).

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•In 1368, it was repaired by the rulers of the day, Muhammad-bin-
Tughluq (1325-51) and Firuz Shah Tughluq (1351-88).
•Qutub Minar and its monuments were declared a UNESCO World
Heritage Site in 1993

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Fatehpur Sikri
•It is a city predominantly in red
sandstone, situated at a distance
of 37 km from Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
•It was founded in 1569 by the
great Mughal emperor Akbar,
and from 1571 to 1585,
•Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of
the Mughal Empire.
•The Mughal capital was moved
to Delhi in 1586 because of
•Fatehpur Sikri's inadequate water supply.
•It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986
•The structures in Fatehpur Sikri combine elements of Persian,
Indian, and Central Asian styles.
•The structures are made primarily of red sandstone, which gives
the city its distinctive appearance.

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Notable buildings in the complex include:
•Jama Masjid: It is home to the Jama Masjid, one of the largest
mosques in India. It is known for its imposing structure, graceful
arches, and intricately designed prayer hall.
•Buland Darwaza: This colossal gateway, also known as the "Gate
of Magnificence," is an iconic monument of Fatehpur Sikri. It was
built to commemorate Akbar's victorious campaign in Gujarat and is
a grand example of Mughal architecture.
•Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i-Aam: These are two prominent
buildings within the complex. The Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private
Audience) was where Akbar held private meetings, while the
Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience) was for conducting public
affairs.
•Panch Mahal: This five-storied palace is a unique structure with
open pavilions on each level. It served as a place for relaxation and
entertainment.

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Gol Gumbaz:
It‟s located in Bijapur, Karnataka.
Designed by himself, it‟s the sepulchre
of Muhammad Adil Shah of Iran
(1626–1656), the seventh Sultan
of the Adil Shahi Dynasty of Bijapur
(1489–1686).
•The tomb is a complex of buildings
like a mosque, a Sarai, a gateway, and a
Naqqar Khana that is located within a large walled garden
• The Tomb was erected in 1656 in commemoration of Sultan Adil Shahi.
The architect‟s name is Yaqut of Dabul
•The building‟s architecture is inspired by the Taj Mahal in Agra and is
based on Deccan Indo – Islamic design
•It is also known as the „Black Taj Mahal‟ or the „Taj Mahal of South
India‟
•Gol Gumbaz is also known as Gol Gumbaz, which means “circle dome”
•The mausoleum has one of the world‟s largest single-chamber chambers

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Khajuraho Temple
•Khajuraho Temples (in Madhya Pradesh) are
among the most beautiful medieval monuments
in the country.
•Built between 950-1050 AD by the Chandela
Dynasty.
•The monuments include Hindu and Jain
temples.
•The temple site is situated within Vindhya
Mountain range.
•These Temples got the status of UNESCO‟s
World Heritage Sites in 1986.
•The temples are famous for their Nagara-style
architectural symbolism.
•Reported for the first time by Abu Rihan al
Biruni in AD 1022 and Ibn Battuta in AD 1335.

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Jagannath Temple
•It is located in Puri, Odisha.
•It is one of the most famous
and sacred Hindu temples in
the world.
•It is dedicated to Lord
Jagannath, a form of the
Hindu deity Vishnu.
•It is believed to have been built during the reign of King
Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, in
the 12th century.
•This temple is called „Yamanika Tirtha‟ where, according to the
Hindu beliefs, the power of „Yama‟, the god of death, has been
nullified in Puri due to the presence of Lord Jagannath.

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•Architecture: The Jagannath Temple is a striking example of
Kalinga architecture, a distinct style prevalent in the Odisha region.
•Ratha Yatra is a Hindu festival associated with Lord Jagannath held
at Puri in Odisha

Lotus Temple
•Lotus Temple is located in the capital of India, Delhi. The Lotus
Temple Delhi is one of the major attractions for its amazing
architecture and unique craftsmanship.
•This temple is also called the
•Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent
•Lotus Temple is a Baha‟i Worship
Temple where no idol of God is kept.
•People come here only for their peace
of mind and sit for hours and enjoy the
beauty of this place. The Lotus Temple
is considered the last of the 7 Bahá‟í temples.
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The Lotus Temple is the only temple in the continent of Asia where
idol worship is not performed. This temple gives real shape to the
“Unity in Diversity” principle and respects all religions

Mehrangarh Fort
Mehrangarh is a historic fort located in
Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. Maharaja
Rao Jodha built the Mehrangarh
Fort in 1460AD. The fort is considered
as one of the biggest forts in India. One
of its gate has the marks of the attack
of cannons during the war with the army of Jaipur. The fort has
many palaces, courtyards, temples, and other structures built by
various Rajput rulers. Maharaja Man Singh built seven gates to
remember the victory over the armies of Jaipur and Bikaner

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Jantar Mantar
The Jantar Mantar monument of
Jaipur, Rajasthan is a compilation
of nineteen architectural
astronomical instruments, built
by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh
II. It was completed in 1738 CE.
There are jantar-mantar in the
whole India, namely Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Varanasi, and Mathura.
The main purpose of this observatory was to compile astronomical
tables and predict the time and movements of the sun, earth and
planets. Jantar-mantar of jaipur is world heritage site since 2010

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Gateway of India
The Gateway of India is an arch
monument built during the 20th
century in Bombay, India. The
monument was erected to
commemorate the landing of King
George V and Queen Mary at Apollo
Bunder on their visit to India in 1911.
Built in Indo-Saracenic style, the foundation stone for the Gateway
of India was laid on 31 March 1911. The structure is an arch made
of basalt, 26 metres (85 feet) high. The final design of George Wittet
was sanctioned in 1914 and the construction of the monument was
completed in 1924. The Gateway was later used as a symbolic
ceremonial entrance to India for Viceroys and the new Governors of
Bombay.

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Red Fort
•A politically important monument
throughout Indian history, the Red
•Fort gets its name from the red
sandstone used to build it, giving the
entire fort a brick red hue. It is
located in old Delhi and was
originally designed to keep out
invaders. It now takes centre stage in the country's Independence
Day celebrations every year.
•In 2007, this iconic structure was included in the list of UNESCO
World Heritage Sites in Delhi for its architectural grandeur and
historical significance. The fort is now under the control of the
Archaeological Survey of India.
•The fifth Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, moved the capital of his
empire from Agra to a newly constructed city in Delhi in 1638. He
called this new capital
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The fifth Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, moved the capital of his
empire from Agra to a newly constructed city in Delhi in 1638. He
called this new capital city Shahjahanabad. He laid the foundations
of his palace, the Red Fort or Lal Qila. It took eight years to build
this fort, initially named Qila-i-Mubarak, which means 'the Blessed
Fort'.

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HAWA MAHAL
•Hawa Mahal, also known as
“Palace of Breeze”, was built in
1799 as an extension to the Royal
City Palace of Jaipur
•Allowed the royal ladies who at
the time strictly observed “pardah”,
to be able to watch any processions
and activities on the street without being seen by the public.
•Constructed in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh who
belonged to the Kachhwaha Rajput dynasty.
•The main architect of this palace, built of red and pink sandstone, is
Lal Chand Ustad and the palace is believed to have been
constructed in the form of the crown of Krishna, the Hindu god.
•The main highlight of Hawa Mahal is its pyramid shape and its 953
windows or 'Jharokhas' which are decorated with intricate designs.
•Architectural Style: Blend of Hindu Rajput architecture and the
Islamic Mughal architecture.

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THANKS FOR
YOUR
SUPPORT
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