The Journey Through India
We have been on a "spiritual journey" in several previous lessons.
Let us continue our journey to embark further on our spiritual, historical, and scenic journey, all of which make India a glorious and sacred land.
Spiritual Exploration
Exploring India's rich spiritual heritage through its iconic temples and sacred sites.
Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Chariot of Sun God with 7 horses
- 12 giant wheels, each 3m high
- Exquisite stone sculptures
- Legend: Built by Samba, son of Krishna, to honor the Sun God after being cured of leprosy curse.
Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Temples stand on high terraces
- Lofty towers with intricate sculptures
- Graceful feminine statuettes
- Legend: Built by the Chandela dynasty, inspired by dreams of celestial dancers.
The Golden Temple, Amritsar, Punjab
- Holiest Sikh shrine
- Blend of Hindu & Muslim architecture
- Built in the middle of a sacred water tank
- Legend: Guru Arjan Dev built it after divine inspiration, and the holy water is said to have healing properties.
The Lotus Temple, New Delhi
- Bahai faith temple
- The Baháʼí Faith is a religion founded in Iran in the mid-19th century
- Shaped like a half-opened lotus
- Open to all faiths for meditation
- Symbolizes unity and purity, inspired by the lotus' ability to bloom in muddy waters.
Temple of Bodh Gaya
- UNESCO World Heritage Site - Important Buddhist site
- 12th-century architecture - Enshrines a Buddha preaching statue
- Legend: Built near the Bodhi tree where Siddhartha attained enlightenment and became Buddha.
Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- showcases Pallava dynasty architecture from the 7th and 8th centuries
- Monolithic rock-cut temples, mandapas
- Remarkable pillar designs
- Shore temple withstood centuries of natural forces
- Legend: Believed to be part of the seven pagodas, six of which are submerged underwater.