Indian temples with explicit sculptures

The Sun temple, Konark is the crowning glory of Orissan Temple architecture. The construction of distinguished world heritage monument was completed between 1253 and 1260 A.D. Sun temple resembles a gigantic chariot, with 12 wheels, pulled by seven straining horses. It has a three fiered pyramidal roof topped off by a fine spire. The Sun Gods chariot, also represents the seven days of the week and the 24 hours of the day, in its concept. Puri is known all over the world as the seat of lord Jagannath, exactly means the lord of the Universe.

Ajanta caves overlook a wide, horse-shoe shaped gorge, that falls steep down to touch a picturesque mountain stream hundreds of feet below. Ellora caves have been carved looking across the vast Deccan plain. Ajanta cave temples have been crafted by Buddhist monks for over 9 centuries. The specialty of Ajanta caves is that murals and frescos have been created with the simplest tools. Whereas Ellora caves acquire ornated sculputured walls. The carving in these caves is remarkable for their classic qualities. The paintings in caves are in two distinct styles i.e. Hinayan Paintings and Mahayana paintings.

Dilwara Temple were built in 'Nagara' style of architecture. Dilwara Temples are beautifully carved temples in white marbles , built between the 11th and 13th centuries AD. These beautiful Jain temples, are dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras.There are 48 pillars in all in the temples. You can see intricately carved images of female figures in dancing poses on some of the pillars. The highlight of this temple are the carvings that adorn the corridors, pillars, arches, mandaps as well as the ceilings. The ceiling engravings, like designs of lotus-buds, petals, flowers and scenes from Jain & Hindu mythology, specially are extremely beautiful. The Vimal Vasahi temple which is the oldest of these and dedicated to the first Tirthankara. In the complex many other small temples along with Lunavashi, Pittalhar, Parshavanath , Mahaveer Swami Temple which are dedicated to different Tirthankaras.

For Indians ,Mahabalipuram is a centre of pilgrimage for centuries .It attracts devotees and foreign tourist for its rocks carvings and monolithic sculptures. Mahabalipuram temples were built during the period 830 - 1100 AD. The architectureof these temples called Rathas and shore temple was inspired by the Pallava Art. There are two low hills ,whose both sides have 11 excavated temples. These temples are called Mandapas,are about about 400m away from the sea . The notable cave temples here are the Varaha mandapa, Mahisamardini mandapa, Paramesvara Mahavaraha Vishnugriha (Adivaraha cave). The most important caves from Mahabalipuram are Five Rathas. The Five rathas are dedicated to five Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata fame. Different forms of plan and elevations are used during carving these monuments out a single rock.There are three big sculptures of a Nandi, a Loin and an Elephant on one of the small hill. The Shore Temple have been eroded by the winds and waves of thirteen centuries because high tide waves sweep into it and the walls.

built in the Indo Aryan Nagara style of architecture,Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh houses several temples from the 9th through the 13th centuries, Only 20 out of 85 temples have survived the rough climate over long years of time. The Panchayatna puja each with a main shrine and four other shrines scattered around the Khajuraho village. Panchayatan puja involves the worship of five deities Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, Surya and Ganesha. These temples are grouped in three different groups , where the Western group consists of Shiva and Vishnu temples. Vaishnava temples are of northern group and the south eastern group consists of Jain temples.

There are many other places near almost all mounuments that you must visit. If you are visiting Ajanta-Ellora caves,you can also visit Bibi-ka-Maqbara which resembles the Taj Mahal. You can buy different Indian handicrafts which are available near small market areas. You will get resort and hotel facilities at all these places. Local buses and private vehicles are available in all major cities. You can take advantage of tour packages conducted by district government. No matter what kind of holiday you are looking for , India always welcomed you warmly.