The Great Himalayan National Park-Amazing Wildlife In the Lap Of Himalayan

A View Of The Great Himalayan National Park(Image By Flickr)

The Great Himalayan national park is the pride of Himachal Pradesh. It is recently labeled as the UNESCO World heritage sites. It is the richest biodiversity hub of India. It is located in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. It is the favorite place of adventurous and best place for trekking. The Great Himalayan National Park spread over the 1736 sq. km. and elevated 6000m above from the sea level. it also includes two watershed areas, Tirthan and Sainj which covers an area of about 905 sq km.Lofty hills, snow capped peaks, rich deep forest, undulating meadow, glaciers and wonderful rhythmic cascades make this National park very beautiful and incredible.

Western Tragopan(Image by Flickr)

It is one of the National Parks in the world which have a large number of the endangered western Tragopan.It is a natural habitat of a large number of species and very rich in natural beauty. The park is isolated by natural barriers from all sides. It is embodied with the 675 sq-km Pin Valley National Park in the cold desert of Spiti in Trans-Himalaya, the 61-km Kanawar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kullu and 503 sq-km Rupi-Bhawa Wildlife Sanctuary in Kinnaur. It supports a full range of western Himalayan biodiversity and protects other islands of biodiversity around.

Leopards(Image By Flickr)

Black Bear(Image By Flickr)

Herd Of Blue Sheep(Image By Flickr)

Siberian Musk Deer(Image Bu Flickr)

The park is a natural home to many species, making it a perfect habitat for medicinal plants, wildlife and biological diversity in a small area. It supports species of the South-east Asian forests, subtropical, alpine, the Asian steppes and Siberia. The Himalayan Tahr is found in the higher region of the forest of GHNP and the goral which is the small goat found in the lower forests. The above the tree line the Blue Sheep or the Bharal snatch your heart. Different regions or different height of this park is full with the different kind of species. A forest zone of this park is full with the Leopards and Snow Leopards often seen above the tree line. The Alpine meadows are famous for Asiatic Brown Bears.

Himalayan Monal(Image by Flickr)

Golden Eagle(Image By Flickr)

The Great Himalayan National Park is also famous for the miraculous variety of birds. It is most renowned for Western Tragopan. Himalayan Griffon Vultures, Himalayan Monal and Golden Eagles are the major attraction of the Great Himalayan National Park.

A Panoramic View From The GHNP(Image By Flickr)

Amongst the several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in India, the Great Himalayan National Park has made an immortal mark in the world. It is indeed one of the best places for an adventurous and wildlife vacation in Himachal Pradesh. Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast or nature lover or an adventurer at heart, GHNP offers best opportunity for wildlife vacations in Himachal Pradesh. So, be proud of this great natural habitat of large variety of flora and fauna in the lap of Himalayan.

See Here Another UNESCO World Heritage sites Of Himachal Pradesh:

https://indiaheritagesites.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/the-soul-of-himachal-kalka-shimla-railway/

 

 

 

Rani ki Vav-An Incredible Artistic Stepwell

The Rani ki Vav is a UNESCO World Heritage site.It is recently added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. It is the carved and amazing step well, which is located in the Patan is a small town of Gujrata in India. The Rani ki Vav is built in 1603 by the Udayamati, who is the queen of Patan in the memory of her beloved husband ,king Bhimdev I, who was the son of the founder of the Solanki dynasty of Anahilwada Pattan.

The Rani ki Vav is the 7 storey underground structure, which is finely carved and full with amazing sculpture. After the complete construction of Rani ki Vav , it was completely flooded by Saraswati River. Later on in 1980, it found by the Archeological Survey of India with loads of wonderful sculpture and carving. Due to the excellent sculpture of Rani ki Vav, it was novelized by the archaeological department of Gujarat. The Rani ki Vav is spread in a large area. The length of Rani ki Vav is 64 meter, width is 20 meters and 27 meters deep.

Step wells are a different form of underground water storage and resource systems on the Indian subcontinent, and have been framed since the 3rd millennium BC. They evolved over time from what was basically a pit in sandy soil towards elaborate multi-storey works of art and architecture.

Steps lead down through multiple levels with lines of carved pillars and over 800 sculptures, mostly on Vishnu-avatar themes. Each pillar and each wall are very beautifully carved and sculptured.

Rani-ki-vav is a highly decorated monument with carved panels of sculptures and reliefs representing the height of Maru-Gurjara style of architecture. Most of the sculptures are based on the Dashavatar,which are the incarnations of Lord Vishnu with heart snatching sculpture of Narasimha,Varaha, Rama and Kalki.The major highlight is the scrumptious statue of Mahishasur-Mardini . Apsaras – the angelic beauties showcasing Solah Singar,which are the16 unique styles of makeup is another highlight. Near the water level, you come to a beautiful carving of Sheshashayi Vishnu, in which the lord Vishnu leaned on the thousand-hooded serpent Shesha.

Rani-ki-Vav was made at the wonderful imagination of craftsmen’s art in stepwell construction and it totally based on the Maru-Gurjara architectural style, each and every design of Rani –ki –Vav showing the mastery of this complex technique and great beauty of detail and proportions.

It is designed as a reversed temple mainly concerned about the sanctity of water, it is split into seven levels of stairs with carved panels of high artistic quality; more than 500 main sculptures and over a thousand minor ones combine religious, secular imagery and mythological, often referencing religious literary works.

Gujarat is full with the Heritage sites.It is also famous for wonderful archaeological park and Rani Ki Vav.It is one of the best archeological jewel of India and it is the pride of Gujarat.

 

Padmanabhapuram Palace – An Ancient Architectural Magic of South India

Padmanabhapuram Palace

Padmanabhapuram Palace is India Heritage site and it is also listed on tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites.Padmanabhapuram Palace is a miraculous 16 Century wood palace of former Maharajas of Travancore (1550 to 1750).It is located in the Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India. Padmanabhapuram was the old capital of former Travancore state. It is administrated by the Kerala. Padmanabhapuram is a wonderful example of craftsmanship of wood. It is the largest, oldest and well maintained ancient example of traditional wooden architecture .This palace is a real fusion of wonderful craftsmanship, archaeology and high level example of material science.

Craftswork In Padmanabhapuram

Carvings On Padmanabhapuram

Padmanabhapuram fort spread over the 200 acres. The foundation of this palace is made by the fine red stones and granite. The walls of the fort are heightening around the 30ft.The main palace lies at the center of the fort. The ultimate interior of the palace is full with the incredible rosewood carvings and sculptured decor. It is also full with the pictures and sculpture of 17^th and 18^th century murals. There are several beautiful parts of this palace.Like Durbar hall and Thaikkottaram. The Queen Mother’s palace or Thaikkottaram has a spectacular painted ceilings, teak and rose wood carved ceiling with 90 unique floral designs.

A Carved Horse Rider

Bed Of Maharaja (King)

Wonderful Design On Ceiling

Metal Lamp

Temple Entrance In Padmanabhapuram Palace

Black Polished Floor In Padmanabhapuram Palace

View Of Natakshala In Padmanabhapuram Place

Durbar Hall has a shiny black floor, which is specially made from a jaggery lime, a combination of egg white, charcoal, burnt coconut, and river sand, granite tubs to buttermilk and cool curd . The bedroom of king is decorated by the beautiful carved bed and wonderful carved ceiling. The polished floor of palace is looks like a fresh polished floor but in reality it is 500 years old. Saraswathi temple, worship rooms, large earthen urns, rooms for meeting are full with jackfruit tree columns, carved lamps, wonderful fish carvings on the ceilings, cyclopean stone and Belgian mirrors. Granite dance hall and large swimming pool are also very wonderful.

It is really very amazing that it is completely made of natural things woods, mud, leaves and flowers. It is really a magical place with amazing wooden archaeology.