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Kanheri Caves - Part 16

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This is the 16th article in my series on the Kanheri Caves . In the earlier parts, I explored the architectural layout and sculptural grandeur of Cave No. 1, 2 and 3, covering their majestic entrances, imposing pillars, colossal Buddha images, donor couple sculptures, extensive sculptural panels along the verandah walls, stupas, lion crowned pillars, votive stupas, some of the earliest Buddha figures and much more. In this part, I now move slightly northward from Cave No. 3 to cover Cave No. 4 . This cave shares the same rock mass as Cave No. 3, yet its character is entirely different. To reach Cave No. 4, one has to ascend a good number of steps. The climb itself creates a subtle transition from the expansive grandeur of the Chaitya hall of Cave No. 3 to something far more intimate. At the top of the steps lies a small circular chamber. Inside this compact cell stands a solid stupa. The space is modest, the chamber is circular, and the stupa almost fills it. There is no elaborate faç...
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Adi Varaha Cave Temple, Mamallapuram – The Living Pallava Shrine Few Get to See

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When we speak of Mamallapuram , the mind usually goes to the Shore Temple, the Five Rathas, or the great relief often called Arjuna’s Penance. But there is one monument here that many visitors miss. Not because it is insignificant. Not because it is hidden. But because it is alive. The Adi Varaha Cave Temple is a living shrine. The early Pallava inscriptions within the cave, along with later Chola records referring to the shrine as Parameshvara-Mahavaraha-Vishnu-Griham , indicate that it has remained in active worship from the time of its creation. Even today, the temple opens only during fixed pooja hours in the morning and evening. For the rest of the day, it remains closed. For long periods in the past, entry was restricted to foreigners. That limited access explains why the temple finds little mention in early European travel accounts and why it continues to remain outside the usual tourist circuit. Yet architecturally and historically, this cave is among the most complete and b...
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Location: Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
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Kanchi Kailasanatha Temple - Part 1

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If you visit India and miss Tamil Nadu, you have missed a civilizational chapter. If you travel across Tamil Nadu and skip Kanchipuram , you have missed a sacred capital. And if you walk through Kanchipuram, see its many celebrated shrines, but do not stand before the Kailasanathar Temple , then you have not truly seen Kanchi. In fact, I would say something stronger. Even if you visit only the Kailasanathar Temple and return without seeing any other shrine in Kanchipuram, you can still proudly claim that you have understood the essence of this ancient city. Such is the stature of this monument. Where Does One Even Begin? I have written about vast temple complexes, cave shrines carved into living rock, and towering Chola masterpieces. Yet, when I stand before Kailasanathar, I find myself pausing. Should I begin with its architecture, one of the earliest surviving large structural temples in Tamil Nadu, built entirely in sandstone? Or with its sculptures, countless forms of Shi...
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Location: Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502, India
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Golden Palm at Dubai Duty-Free – A Symbol of Luxury and Grandeur

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Amid the bustling concourse of Dubai International Airport, one structure effortlessly commands attention; a dazzling golden palm tree rising from the heart of the airport’s duty-free retail zone. More than a sculptural centerpiece, this iconic installation captures the essence of Dubai: opulent, futuristic, and rooted in tradition. Located in Terminal 1 , the Golden Palm Tree is surrounded by luxury retail counters and is part of the larger Dubai Duty-Free shopping paradise that welcomes millions of travelers each year. Whether you're heading to your boarding gate or returning from a long journey, this shining structure immediately adds a sense of arrival and occasion. Symbolism and Style The palm tree is an enduring symbol of the Arabian Peninsula, representing resilience, hospitality, and life in the desert. At Dubai International Airport, it is reimagined in gold, the color that best reflects the city’s ambitious skyline, economic success, and cultural grandeur. The sculpture’...
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Location: Dubai - United Arab Emirates
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When Madras Learned to Breathe: My Ladye’s Garden and the Memory of People’s Park

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At the very heart of old Madras, in an area that still carries the name Park Town, survives a green space that feels quietly certain of its place in the city. This is My Ladye’s Garden , the last living remnant of what was once People’s Park, the largest and most ambitious public park ever created for Madras. People’s Park was envisioned in the mid-19th century by Governor Sir Charles Trevelyan as a civic lung for the city. In 1859, Trevelyan proposed the idea of a large public park to the municipal commissioners, to be laid out between the Esplanade and Vepery. The funds for this ambitious project were raised by selling land between the Old Town Wall and the Buckingham Canal. A design competition followed, and Robert Badry’s plan, inspired by the great parks of London, was chosen.  Management of the park passed to the Municipality in 1866. Over time, People’s Park expanded into a vast public landscape with salt-contour aligned paths, lakes, shaded avenues, sports grounds, a bandst...
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Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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