Lovely trip to Kamakhya temple

On 28th September, 2016, had a lovely trip to Kamakhya temple. Guwahati looks so green and as we climb the hill to reach the temple we get a beautiful view of Guwahati. As we  wind our way up the Nilachal hill to the temple,  we get a spectacular views of Guwahati. Standing at 562ft, it definitely holds an air of mystery about the place. Guwahati is the gateway to the North East of India Gauhati Kamakhya temple is  based 7km out on the west side of the city.

 Counted among the most sacred shaktipeethas (devotional shrines where the severed body parts of Goddess Sati fell), the temple is believed to be the place where the womb of the goddess fell. Devotees believe that, it was in the  Nilachal hill the yoni (womb) of Sati fell, And that yoni (womb) took the form of a woman who is called Goddess Kamakhya. Thus, it is also synonymous with supreme female power and fertility. Kamakhya Temple hosts an annual Ambubachi Mela every year, which celebrates menstruation of the goddess. During that period, the temple remains closed for three days. Representing The Female Power of Shakti and celebrating a woman’s ability to conceive, this temple doesn’t have an idol of Kamakhya to worship but a yoni (vagina).

 

Dandi Kuteer Museum

 

Dandi Kuteer a museum of Gandhi 's life.  Visited the Dandi kuteer on 9th September, 2016 and it is shaped in the design of a salt mound. Using films, holograms it depicts the life of Gandhi and the forces that shaped him and his philosophy It has been specially designed to portray the biography of the Father of the Nation. The use of audio-visual techniques has been employed to show the early life of Gandhiji. One can see how Bapu, from his birth on October 2, 1869, in Kathiawad, to his childhood, was a shy and remarkable student. The visuals also give a glimpse of Gandhiji's marriage to Kasturba and his youthful experiments. This museum is designed with sophisticated electronics technology in which audio, video and 3-D visual, 360-degree shows and displays are used to show varied knowledge. Dandi Kutir was set up with the aim of representing Gandhiji's powerful idea of people from all sections of the society, across the lines of gender, age and class, have a common right to salt. Referring to his legendary march to Dandi to make salt from the sea water, a practice that was prohibited by the British, the museum is indeed a must-visit on a trip to Gandhinagar. It was opened in January 2015 under the Sports, Youth & Cultural Activities Department, Government of Gujarat. 

I really felt proud that at last India can boast of a museum that is of International standards and can leave a great impact.It brought alive the era of Gandhi and his times in England,South Africa and then India.I only wish we can have more such museums in other parts of the country so that the new generation is not left out and remains aware of our past and the personalities and philosophies that have shaped it. It is a pity that photography is not allowed inside but really I had an amazing day and a museum I would recommend to every one.

Sun temple at Modhera in Gujarat

 On 8th September 2016, went to visit to the Sun temple at Modhera in Gujarat. Situated on the banks of Padmavati river. It is situated on the bank of the river Pushpavati. It was built after 1026-27 CE during the reign of Bhima I of the Solanki dynasty. It is made of sandstone. The temple was destroyed in Medieval period and this temple is older than the Sun temple in Konark which is dated 13th century. It is said that Alauddin Khilji broke the temple and damage it. A soothing drive amidst green farmlands almost 25 km away from Mehsana on the way to the temples of goddess Bahucharaji reposes the village of Modhera. Set along the backdrop of River Pushpavati, surrounded by a terra-formed garden of flowering trees and songs of birds, rests the famed Sun temple of Modhera.

The remains of the Sun Temples at Modhera dedicated to sun god are relics of times gone by when reverence of the natural elements fire, air, earth, water and sky were at their peak sharing space with myriad manifestations of Vedic gods. The ancient philosophy venerating natural elements and its association with humans was considered the prime force and energy of the life cycle. A walk around the serene temple campus makes you aware of the positively strong aura of energy which the place radiates and through it brings one closer to the environs. The temple is designed in such a way that during every equinox, the first ray of the rising sun would fall on a diamond placed on the head of the Sun God. This would also light up the shrine with a golden glow. The Sun Temple is famous in India due to its unique craftsmanship.