Ancient Treasures

Bangles

Mahaganesha — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:53:06 +0000

Women adorning themselves with Bangles

Bangle’s are one of the many ornaments worn by the women in India. They adorn the arms of the women and come in various designs and forms. One of the oldest art objects in India, the bronze figurine of a dancing girl excavated at Mohanjodaro epitomizes the antiquity and the universality of wrist ornaments in India. The figurine stands with one arm at her hip, the other arm completely weighed down with a collection of bangles. Even the Yakshinis are depicted wearing bangles. Banabhatt’s Kadambari has a reference to Goddess Saraswati – Goddess of Learning, shown as wearing kangan’s ( Bangles) . A single bangle worn by a man is called a Kada or Kara (steel or iron bangle). Kada is a circular shaped bangle having religious significance for Sikhs, and is made from iron, white metal or gold.

Bangles are made of precious metals like gold, silver, platinum (these days), studded with gems, pearls, corals beads etc. Ancient times, bangles were made of shell materials, gold, silver, bronze, copper, Pancha loha (mixture of five metals), iron, terracotta, wood, ivory camel and other bones and other materials. Even in modern times this continues. Now bangles made of glass, rubber and plastic and other inexpensive metals have also been in fashion. bangles made of lac and silk thread, are also popular. Bangles are being adorned by multi coloured stones, kundans, beads, cowrie shells and danglers etc. Meenakari bangles are the metal (gold silver or ordinary) ones on which there is inlay of enamel paint.

The Bangle Seller - Painting by Exotic India Art

It is believed that the manufacturing of glass bangles were started by the Moghuls. Ferozabad near Delhi was where these glass bangles were born which first used to manufacture chandeliers and lamps. Indian glass-makers had adequate expertise in the fabrication of beads, bangles and a few other types. On the basis of various objects excavated at different sites, it may be inferred that the glass-makers employed such methods as moulding, folding, twisting and double-stripping. Possibly, what is known as wire-winding method was also for preparing beads of different types. The beads found at Brahmapuri indicate that they were probably made by this method by coiling the fused glass rod around a wire or spoke, and twirling it to obtain the desired shapes. The technique of preparing what are called the ‘multiple-wound beads’ of opaque glass of different colours was also known. Bangles, both monochrome and polychrome, were produced with great care. Certain patterns were also imposed on them by skillful methods

The Hookah

Mahaganesha — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:38:01 +0000

The hookah has a long and storied history. Also known as a hubble-bubble, narghile, shisha, or water pipe, hookahs have been used in Asia and the Middle East for centuries. The hookah was invented in India by a physician during the reign of Emperor Akbar as a purportedly less harmful method of tobacco use. The physician Hakim Abul Fath suggested that tobacco “smoke should be first passed through a small receptacle of water so that it would be rendered harmless.”

In India, the hookah is becoming better known, and cafés and restaurants that offer it as a consumable are popular. The use of hookahs from ancient times in India was not only a custom, but a matter of prestige. Rich and landed classes would smoke hookahs. Tobacco is smoked in hookahs in many villages as per traditional customs. Smoking molasses in a hookah is now becoming popular amongst the youth in India. It is a growing trend amongst youngsters and adolescents. There are several chain clubs, bars and coffee shops in India offering a variety of hookahs. The new trends emerging are that of non-tobacco hookahs with herbal flavors.

Nariyal hooka

The hookah started out as a humble coconut shell. In Turkey, it evolved into the true hookah, becoming a mainstay of coffee house life in the 17th century. Hookah smoking is still very common in cafes and restaurants throughout the Middle East. Koyilandy, a small fishing town on the west coast of India, once made and exported these extensively. These are known as Malabar Hookhas or Koyilandy Hoohaks. Today these intricate hookahs are difficult to find outside of Koyilandy and not much easier to find in Koyilandy itself.

Lady with Hookah

Parts of a Hookah

Hookah Smokers

Palanquin

Mahaganesha — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:16:01 +0000

The Palanquin belongs to the class of wheel less vehicles, a type of human-powered transport, for the transport of persons. It is also called “Litter” Examples of litter vehicles include jiao (China), sedan chairs (England), palanquin (also known as palki) (India), and gama (Korea).

In India its called “Palkhi” which came from the word ‘Palanki”. The Portuguese called it ‘Palan queem and the Britisher’s called it ‘Palan queen’. It is not truly known that when the palanquin as vehicle was used first. Palanquins are mentioned in literature as early as the Ramayana (c. 250BC).BC).

It was used to be the conveyance for noble Indian ladies as well as for Indian landlords during medieval India.

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Some palanquins were carried by six bearers and some by four. Bearers chanted different tunes or words while carrying the palanquins.

Image depicting A Nabab in his palanquin, from ‘Voyage aux Index orientales’ by Pierre Sonnerat, Paris, 1782

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“Traveling with a palanquin,”

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There were some variations in the Palanquin and they were called with different names

Source for all the images listed below

Chowpaul

J’Hallendar

Mohafa

Mejanah

Long Palanquin

Boutcha

Another sort of Palanquin

Tirumala, Tirupati

Mahaganesha — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 11:03:48 +0000

Tirupati, a temple and a pilgrim town situated at the foot of the Tirumala Hills on which the ancient and beautiful temple of Lord Venkateshwara stands. This temple is spread over seven hills and this township is the most picturesque pilgrimage centre in the south. Here masses of coins, jewellery & hair are received as offerings. Tirumala-Tirupati, one of the richest temples in the hindu world and is the most venerated Vaishnavite shrine of Lord Venkateswara. It was patronised by the Pallavas, the Cholas, the Pandyas and the Vijayanagar kings. This temple is located in the southern Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.

According to the Puranas, the range of Tirumala hills represent the body of the serpent Adisesha, on which Lord Vishnu, the protector of the world, rests. The picturesque Tirumala hills is situated 2820 ft above MSL and is about 100sq.m in area . It comprises seven peaks , representing the seven hoods of Audisesha , thus earning the name Seshachalam. The temple on an average has 40 to 50 thousand devotees visiting each day

The temple is a Dravidian masterpiece.

A word on the Idol

The Sanctum sanctorum called the Garbha Griha is where the main idol of lord Venkateswara resides. The idol stands majestically to a height of eight feet, in the centre of the sanctum directly beneath a gold guilded dome called the Ananda Nilaya Divay Vimana which is the most arresting feature in the temple complex. It is plated with gold, as is the Dwajasthambam, or the temple flagpost.The exquisitely wrought idol called the Mulabera is believed to be Svayambhu(self manifested) , according to the legends.

On normal days the idol is adorned with a golden Kirita (Crown) which has a large emerald embedded on its front. On special occasions like the Brahmothsava, he is adorned with his precious diamond crown worth Rs 30 Crores. His ear’s are bedecked with shinning golden Makara Kundalas. The fist of his right raised hand is implanted with a gem-set chakra and the corresponding left fist is with the Sankha. The slightly outstretched right hand has its finger pointing to his lotus feet, as the only recourse to his devotees to attain oneness with him and enjoy eternal bliss. . His right hand is akimbo to assure his devotees of protection and to show the proverbial SamsaraSagara, the ocean of mundane life ,is only hip deep if they seek refuge in him. He has on the right side of his chest a clear impression of Goddess Lakshmi’s, his consort. The deity has a unique magnetism, many devotees who go through the fleeting Sarvadarsanam have unusual psychic experience. They leave with a sense of spiritual satisfaction, coupled with a religious hunger to stand in front of Lord Venkateswara and experience the bliss again and again.

Gopuram with Gold Finishing

The history of the temple dates back to as far as 9th Century A.D, when Pallavas, the rulers of Kancheepuram, patronized this shrine. But it was not until the time of Vijayanagara dynasty in 15th Century AD that the temple got recognition, and the contributions started pouring in. The Varahaswamy temple, situated near the Venkateswara temple on the banks of Pushkarani Tank is said to be even more ancient. This shrine is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Varahaswamy. Other famous shrinesin Tirupati town include the shrine of Govinda -raja Swamy temple and the sacred Kapila Teertham.

Inside the temple View

Ancient Inventions

Mahaganesha — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 06:09:26 +0000

Have you ever wondered where some of the things we use on a daily basis come from? Do you ever think ‘who came up with the idea for this’? Many people are unaware that some of the most commonly used objects and inventions were the brainchilds of ancient inventors dating earlier than the 1400s, throughout.

Eyeglasses

Between 1268 and 1284, farsighted vision correction in the form of eyeglasses with convex lenses is said to have been invented in Italy during this time. It is believed that either Salvino D’Armate of Pisa or by Alessandro Spina of Florence was the first to produce such an invention. At the same time, early glasses were also being created in China; therefore the exact inventor to grab first dibs on credit is unclear. The first eyeglasses were not made with arms and simply perched on the bridge of the nose. Treating nearsightedness would take more than 1,000 years to find a solution, as concave lenses were not invented until the 1400s.

During the 1600s, glasses with arms were invented, yet Benjamin Franklin invented the combination of convex and concave lenses to correct individuals suffering both nearsightedness and farsightedness about 1775. These were called bifocals. In 1752, James Ayscough would come up with glasses with hinged arms, and also became the first person to create sunglasses by using green- and blue-tinted lenses.

Gunpowder

In China, gunpowder was an invention that launched during the 1000s. The Chinese used potassium nitrate (saltpeter), sulphur, and charcoal to make gunpowder, which they made fireworks, signals, and in later years, weapons to use in times of battle.

Marshmallow

Without marshmallows, there would be no S’mores or decoration for hot chocolate. Ancient Egyptians (about more than 3,000 years ago) first produced this sweet, gooey treat. The Egyptians fashioned the candy by using the root of the marshmallow plant, which grew in surrounding marshes. Today, the marshmallows we eat do not contain mallow root, but are instead substituted with gelatin.

Paper

Wood pulp and other fibrous materials are responsible for the object we use to express ourselves through the written word. About 5,000 years ago, ancient Egyptians found a way to transform the papyrus plant into usable paper. The plant was used to make thin sheets of paper, which came from papyrus pith, which was soaked in water and then pressed together with the grains at right angles. The material was then dried with the sticky sap of the plant generated into thin sheets. In the end, a durable writing surface was created. Situated in the Nile Valley of Egypt, papyrus is a grass-like plant with aquatic characteristics.

Another paper invention was invented in AD 105, when Ts’ai Lun (a Chinese official and member of the Chinese Imperial Court) found a way to grind plant material into a pulp, where it was later formed into thin sheets. Later, the sheets dry to make its final form. This process was embraced about 2,000 years ago, where he used silk waste during production. Additionally, early Chinese paper also relied on the bark of the mulberry tree and other plant fibers.

Compass

How would we be able to tell what direction we are traveling if it wasn’t for the earliest known compass (a gift from China) that was invented during the Han Dynasty (2nd century BC-2nd century AD)? The materials used to fashion the earliest compass includes lodestone – a magnetite ore with natural magnetic properties. Upon a bronze disk, a spoon-shaped piece of lodestone was attached and the lodestone always pointed to the north. At first, the earliest compass was not used for navigational purposes, but instead, served divination purposes (including Feng Shui), where people relied on the invention to figure out where to place their buildings.

Kite

That timeless children’s toy known to accommodate the younger generation on trips to the park or beach was invented about 2,500 to 3,000 years ago. While the invention is believed to have originated in China, other locations such as Malaysia and Indonesia have made claims to being the first to invent the toy. To back up the claim, some researchers suggest that the earliest kites were products of a large leaf attached to a long string, where a particular Indonesian leaf would make the described item.

Scissors

Thousands of years ago (approximately 1500 BC) scissors were invented during ancient Egyptian times. Researchers have uncovered an early pair of scissors throughout ancient Egyptian ruins. Unlike the scissors we use today, early pairs were made from one piece of metal instead of the use of two cross-blades, which pivot about a fulcrum. Around AD 100, modern cross-bladed scissors were invented in ancient Rome, where clothes makers and barbers used them to complete their jobs. As far as the rest of the population, scissor did not become as popular until quite a bit later – say throughout the 1500s when Europeans began to show distinct interest in the tool.

Silk

That beautiful silk dress or silk tie decorated a suit would not have been a reality unless the Chinese did not make strides about 4,000 years ago. The silk thread is a product of the cocoon of the silkworm moth – a small insect that first comes into the world as a caterpillar that eats the leaves of the mulberry tree. There is actually a Chinese legend attached to the discovery of silk, as it is believed the first silk thread was uncovered when a Chinese Empress by the name of Si-Ling-Chi was positioned under a mulberry tree when a cocoon fell into her tea. This is when she noticed that strong, silky thread emerged from the cocoon, which she then used to create silk.

Anemometer

An anemometer is a device that measures the speed of the wind (or other airflow issues, such as a wind tunnel). The construction of the first anemometer was a disc placed perpendicular to the wind, which was invented in 1450 with the help of Italian architect, Leon Battista Alberti. A bit later, Robert Hooke (an English physicist) would reinvent the anemometer. In 1846, an Irish physicist named John Thomas Romney Robinson would produce the spinning-sup anemometer, where cups were attached to a vertical shaft that spins with the wind, causing a gear to turn as a result.

Caravel

The light sailing ship used during the late 1400s was a product of the Portuguese, who developed this type of vessel, which would decorate the seas for the following 300 years. This is the ship that would allow the Portuguese explore the African coast.

Screwdriver

One of the earliest known screwdrivers dates back to the 15th century, as slotted screws were rather popular and was actually inserted inside of the screwdriver. The screwdriver was actually used to construct the armor of gallant knights. If you are interested in catching sight of one of these suits, one is on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, New York

Khajuraho,

Mahaganesha — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:00:55 +0000

Khajuraho, a small and relaxed town where one can easily observe village life, is known for its complex of about twenty medieval Hindu and Jain temples, the most extensive in India. The Khajuraho temples were built during the Chandella dynasty over a span of a hundred years, from 950 to 1050. They strike a perfect balance between Indo-Aryan architecture and sculpture. Their exquisite carvings, among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art, despict deities as well as the everyday life of the common Indians a milenium ago. However, what they are most famous for the 10% of sculptures that depict vividly sexual activities. The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Legend

The story of Khajuraho is that in a burst of passion, the Moon God enticed the beautiful Brahmin girl, Hemavati, while bathing in the Rati one evening, resulting in the birth of Chandravarman. Harassed by society, the unwed mother sought refuge in the dense forests of Khajuraho where she was both mother and guru to her young son. The boy grew up to become the founder of the Chandela dynasty.

When he was the ruler of the land, Chandravarman had a dream where his mother implored him to build temples that would reveal all aspects of the human passion and fantasy to the world and in doing so bring about a realization of the emptiness of the human desire. Thus began the story of a fervent artistic desire for the construction of the first of the temples, and successive rulers added to that which resulted in the Khajuraho temples.

The History

It is said that artifacts from the middle and late Stone Age and Neolithic Age have been unearthed in Khajuraho so its history can be traced to prehistoric times.

The name Khajuraho is derived from the Hindi word khajur meaning date palm tree. It was once the city that was the capital of the Chandela Rajputs, a Hindu dynasty that ruled parts of India from the tenth to the end of twelfth century. It is said that there have been other Chandela rulers, who have been the patrons of the Khajuraho temples and instrumental in developing the art and the sculpture there. Some of them are Harshadeva, Yashovarman, Dangadeva, Jayavarman etc. Sadly, by the time the temples were completed, the Chandela dynasty had sunk into oblivion.

Lakshmana temple seen from Matangesvara temple. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India

Columns and inner sanctum (garbhagriha) of Lakshmana temple. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India

Detail of Sikhara with self-replicating volumes, Kadariya-Mahadev temple. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India

Apsaras and mithunas, Kadariya-Mahadeva temple. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India

sikhara of Devi Jagadamba temple. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India

Sculptures and sikhara of Devi Jagadamba temple from below. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India

Front of Devi Jagadamba temple. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India

Carvings, Parsvanatha temple, Eastern Group. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India

Statues in the corridor (pradakshina), Parsvanatha temple, Eastern Group. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India

Ceiling decor of temple entrance, Parsvanatha, Eastern Group. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India

Mandapa side, Javari Temple, late afternoon, Eastern Group. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India

How to reach Khajuraho

Khajuraho is accessible by road, rail and air. By road, Khajurao is approximately 620 kms southeast of Delhi, 400 kms southeast of Agra, 175 kms southwest of Jhansi, 90 kms from Alipura, 50 kms from Chattarupur, and 45 kms from Panna. By rail, Jhansi and Mahoba are the nearest station. Khajuraho has an airport of its own, with flights connecting the place from Delhi, Agra and Varanasi.

Ancient Artifacts Found In The Kalahari Desert

Mahaganesha — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:44:01 +0000

These artifacts are dated much earlier than any other worship artifact ever found, in fact they are dated prior to what is believed to be the period in which human being started to evolve practices of worship. Read this post for the whole story. What I find amazing is that the site seemed to be well planned, included artifacts that were created with great care, had a worship chamber and an secret exit. This findings are challenging the assumption that culture started later on. The findings are part of the San people history (Bushmen) and express their belief that the world was created by a python god. Artifacts are so fascinating because of the story they tell us about us and it is always exciting to have such a revelations.

Hanuman

Mahaganesha — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:36:12 +0000

Hanuman with Rama and Sita

Very different looking Hanuman

Mahakala Chopper

Mahaganesha — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:18:38 +0000

Mahakala is a Dharmapala (“protector of dharma”) in Vajrayana Buddhism (Tibetan Buddhism and Japanese Shingon Buddhism).

Mahakala Chopper

Mahakala Lock

Madhukeshvara temple

Mahaganesha — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:03:27 +0000

The Madhukeshvara temple is the main attraction in Banavasi. It was built by the Kadamba king Mayura Varma during the 4th Century. The architecture is uniquely South Indian, more specifically to Karnataka. This architecure is said the have inspired the Chalukyas and the Hoysalas to build temples in Badami, Aihole and Pattadkal and the rock-cut temples of Belur & Halebid. Banavasi is in Karnataka State, near Sirsi.

The Temple view

Wonderfully Carved Elephants in the entrance.

Row of Bells

The exquisite stone Mantapa

Another View

The Ceiling View

View of Nandi and the pillars

Monolithic stone carvings

Beautifully carved pillars