Somya Corner

Have you ever found yourself face-to-face with an ancient temple wondering how exactly it was built? In this regard, the Aihole Temple is a real find as it displays ancient Indian craftsmanship, devotion, construction techniques, and even diverse aesthetic views. Located in Bagalkot district of Karnataka, this place is famous for its rock-cut temples and other historical monuments associated with the region’s early cultural development. It is noteworthy that more than a hundred and twenty-five temples are linked to Aihole making it a center of the ancient culture. However, this archaeological site has another claim to fame as it seems to be a cradle of diverse architectural experiments. Aihole Temple and its Ancient Story The Aihole Temple history is inextricably linked with the Early Chalukyas. This ancient culture created unique architectural designs experimenting with different shapes, sizes, and construction techniques. As a result, one can see how various temple building plans dev...

    A long flight of stone steps leads towards Swayambhu. Above it, the great stupa looks out over Kathmandu. Before reaching the top, you have a simple choice: keep climbing or pause for a breath. Take the pause. There is no prize for rushing through a place like this. Swayambhu Mahachaitya Temple, also known as Swayambhunath, stands on a hill west of Kathmandu. Many travellers know it as the Monkey Temple. Yet that familiar nickname tells only a small part of its story. This is a sacred Buddhist site where Hindu worship also has a place. To understand its appeal, leave room for more than a photograph. Look at the buildings, learn a little of their history, and give people space to pray. What Is Swayambhu Mahachaitya? Although visitors often call it a temple, the main monument is a Buddhist stupa. Its broad white dome supports a gilded upper structure bearing the eyes of the Buddha. The shape is striking, even from a distance. Up close, however, it helps to look beyond the ma...

Some places you go because it is on the checklist somewhere. Finally, there are destinations that just force you to take your time. Dedduwa Lake is in the second group. Nestled near Bentota in the southwest of Sri Lanka, the lake is surrounded by vast wetlands, extensive green lands, and waterways amid villages. It lacks the loud energy of a busy tourist area. And that is why it seems so special. A Lake That Does Not Need to Shout Dedduwa is a calm lake. The water moves quietly. The wetland is lined with trees in places. The unseen birds lend sudden sounds to an otherwise serene setting. You may expect a straightforward lake when you get there. Instead, you see a million little things. Write a sentence with positive sentiment: A boat moves on water. Leaves shake in the breeze. A bird vanishes into the trees when you stoop to see. When you hurry, these moments are easily missed. Where Is Dedduwa Lake? Home after a week of exploring this unique location on the shores of Dedduwa Lake, clo...

  A Temple That Makes You Stop and Look Up Yes, some buildings awe you because they are so novel. Not the Brihadeeswara Temple. It's a temple that has stood for over a thousand years in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. King Rajaraja I constructed the temple during the reign of the Chola dynasty. UNESCO states that construction began around 1003–1004 CE, and the temple was consecrated roughly between 1009 and 1010 CE. Imagine that at that time, there were neither cranes nor excavators nor other modern machinery. Think about it! They used hands and simple machines to build a massive stone structure with extremely fine detail. That kind of architecture is what impresses us not with what people can do, but with what they think they can. Brihadeeswara Temple Is More Than a Beautiful Building It is a temple of Lord Shiva. But its historic value is enormous. First, it is a symbol of the strength and affluence of the Chola dynasty. Secondly, it shows the high level of art among the people who built ...

Some places are easy to get to but hard to forget. One of them is the Sree Seetha Ramachandraswamy Vari Devasthanam, located in Bhadrachalam Temple located near the beautiful Godavari River, Telangana. To countless believers, it is not simply a temple . A home of beliefs, narratives, melodies, and recollections. A Temple With a Story in Every Corner Bhadrachalam, the land of Lord Rama. Stories of the Ramayana are associated with the region, and there are local traditions to that effect. Once you study the temple, however, you quickly observe something remarkable. You do not experience any dry list of dates in its history. It has the weight of a tale told from parent to child. That sense of humanity is what makes Bhadrachalam special. Parents bring their children here. Grandparents share old stories. Young visitors listen to those stories with new ears. The Godavari Adds Its Own Magic Since the temple is located on the bank of the Godavari River, it adds tranquility to the place. The so...

  Araku Valley feels better in person. The green hills seem endless. The air feels cooler. Clouds frequently hover among the mountains. Even the roads take you on the journey. Araku Valley is a popular hill station in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh. Famous for forests, coffee estates, waterfalls, caves, tribal culture, and picturesque train rides. A Place Where Time Moves Slowly All of us spend our days in front of a screen. We wake up to phone alarms. We answer messages. We check emails. Then we repeat it all. Araku Valley breaks that routine. Just sit on a hill and watch the clouds. You are free to walk next to trees without glancing at the time. You can sip coffee as you overlook a valley rather than gazing at your computer. That may sound simple. However, simple occasions remain in the heart the longest. The Hills Tell Their Own Story Araku's distinctive appearance owes a lot to the Eastern Ghats. Tall hills surround the valley. Dominated by sprawling green forests. Rocks ...