The Ark of Bukhara is a massive fortress located in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. It dates back over 1,500 years and served as a royal residence and military stronghold for the rulers of the region. The Ark is perched on a hill overlooking the city and is one of the most iconic landmarks in Central Asia.
Key Highlights of the Ark of Bukhara:
Historical Importance: The Ark was the residence of the Emirs of Bukhara and their families, housing government officials, the royal court, mosques, and state institutions. It played a significant role in the history of Bukhara, a major city on the Silk Road.
Architecture: The Ark has massive walls, some as thick as 20 meters, giving it a fortress-like appearance. Inside, there were royal palaces, mosques, administrative buildings, and more. Much of the structure was destroyed over the centuries, but some parts remain well-preserved.
Museums and Exhibits: Today, the Ark serves as a museum where visitors can learn about the history of Bukhara, the emirs who once ruled, and the way of life inside the fortress. Several sections have been restored, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of the past.
Zindan (Prison): The Ark also contained a notorious prison where enemies of the emir were held. One of its most famous prisoners was the British officer Charles Stoddart, who, along with Arthur Conolly, was executed by the Emir Nasrullah Khan in the 19th century, an event that strained British-Bukhara relations.
Cultural Significance: As part of Bukhara’s UNESCO World Heritage status, the Ark is a major cultural and tourist attraction, reflecting the rich history of the region.
The Ark stands as a testament to the city's ancient legacy, offering visitors a window into the power and opulence of Central Asian emirs.
Beluru (also known earlier as Velapuri, Velur and Belapur in olden times) is situated on the banks of Yagachi River and was one of the capitals of the Hoysala Empire. Renowned for its magnificent Hoysala temple complex, the Chennakeshava Temple (also called Vijaya Narayana Temple), which was built by Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana to commemorate his victory over the Cholas in 1116 AD. The temple is believed to have been built by master craftsmen – Dasoja and Chavana, a father and son duo.
Chennakeshava Temple:
This star shaped temple is believed to have taken around 103 years to build. At the entrance facing the temple is a towering Gopura and a magnificent sculpture of Garuda, Lord Vishnu’s carrier, palms touching in pious homage. The temple stands on a platform and has exquisite artwork on its outer walls adorned with bracket figures depicting the Puranas and Epics, all carved to perfection. The lower frieze has a series of charging elephants and horses; the elephants symbolize courage while the horses are for speed. It is also believed that Shantaladevi, the queen of King Vishnuvardhana is the model for one of the sculptures – Darpana Sundari (lady with the mirror). Just outside is an interesting piece of sculpture, called the Gravity pillar which is carved out of a single rock and stands in its own weight. People can actually swipe a piece of paper across it. Equally impressive are the temples of Kappe Chennigaraya, Soumyanayaki, Andal and other Vaishnava manifestations, which surround the main temple.
And if you thought that, this is supreme stone carving skills, then just step inside. The craftmanship inside is much finer than outside. The sanctum has a magnificent 3.7 m tall image of Lord Vijaya Narayana in black stone. The prabhavali of this idol has the 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu, wrought very perfectly. The doorway with the dwarapalakas is very elegantly carved. The Garbhagriha is stellar in shape and its zigzag walls make the figures of 24 forms of Lord Vishnu look different at different times of the day due to light and shade effect. The bracket figures of madanikas (celestial nymps) are elaborately done with even water drops chiseled to perfection. There are 4 bracket figures on the ceiling which is believed to be inspired by queen Shantaladevi’s beauty. One can see the lathe turned pillars highly polished and intricate carvings even in the dark and no two pillars are alike. The Narasimha Pillar, it seems, was built to rotate on its base. The Mohini Pillar is the most beautiful among the pillars. A unique aspect in this is the artist has left a small space blank – it is believed that it is a challenge to others to do a better carving and to convey that art never dies as it is infinite.
The Temple Architecture
The Hoysalas used soft soapstone for their structures as they were found suitable for intricate carvings. Enclosed by a Prakara with a Gopurabuilt in the Vijayanagar style, the temple stands on a platform or Jagati and looks like a huge casket. The fine workmanship and skill visible in this masterpiece is truly breathtaking.
Chennakeshava Temple is proposed to be listed under UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is open daily from 7.30 AM till 7.30 PM.
Nearby: Halebeedu (20 kms), Mullayyanagiri Peak (50 kms), Shettihalli Church (55 kms), Yagachi Dam (4 kms) and Sakaleshpura (35 kms) are some attractions that can be visited along with Beluru.
Visit: Beluru is 220 kms from Bengaluru and 155 kms from Mangaluru. Mangaluru is also the nearest airport. Hasana junction 40 kms away is the nearest railway station. Bus services are available to reach Beluru from Hasana city. Beluru and surrounding areas are best explored in a taxi/own vehicle.
Stay: KSTDC runs the hotel Mayura Velapuri, 500 meters from Beluru Chennakeshava Temple complex. Hasana city, 40 kms from Beluru has more stay options.
Location: In the town of Amruthapura, 67 km north of Chikmagalur district
Built-in: 1196 C.E. Built By: Amrutheshwara Dandanayaka ,under Hoysala King Veera Ballala II Dedicated to:Lord Shiva
Entry: Free Photography: Allow Significance: One of the most temple Temple Timing:9:30 Am to 1:30 Am,4:00 Pm to 6:00 Pm Visiting Timing: 1 Hour Best time to Visit: Oct to Feb Nearest Railway Station: Tarikere station Nearest Airport: Bangalore Airport
More Information about Amrutesvara Temple
The Amrutesvara Temple is located at the town of Amruthapura, 67 km north of Chikmagalur district Karnataka. Amruteshwara Temple was built in 1196 by Amrutheshwara Dandanayaka under Hoysala King Veera Ballala II. It is sictuated in the close vicinity of the Bhadra River reservoir, a short distance from Tarikere town. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and it has a Shiva Ling made of saligram, a black kind of stone that was brought from River Kandikevale in Nepal. The temple is maintained by ASI (Archeological Survey of India) and is open to tourists till 6PM only. The temple is surrounded by coconut and palm plantations. The temple is a fine example of 12th century Hoysala architecture with a wide-open mandapa (hall). The temple is a fine example of 12th century Hoysala architecture with a wide-open mandapa (hall). There are many devotees and tourists visit Amrutesvara Temple. The Amrutesvara temple is still presented and all the beautiful stone arts of this temple attract people towards it. Every year thousands of people come to visit this temple which proves that this is a very popular temple among visitors.
History of Amrutesvara Temple
The Amrutesvara Temple was built in 1196 during the Hoysala period in 1196. It was built by, Amrutesvara Dandanayaka, a commander of the Hoysala Army of King Veera Ballala II. The famous Hoysala sculptor, Ruvari Mallitamma began his career with this temple. Within the temple complex, there is a large stone inscription that represents a fine example of medieval Kannada poetry.
Sunday, May 16, 2021
The Bhand Deval Jain temple is built in the north of the eleventh century. The temple is in the Mahakoshal area of Arang. The temple is built in Bhumija architecture. The bottom of this temple has detailed ornaments. It has a sole that supports a pedestal on the wall and two rows of statues. The temple layout plan is a star-shaped one known as the stalette. The temple grows up to five floors, considered an unusual feature. The temple's face is on the west side. The temple is in harsh condition. In the past, a pavilion and a porch probably existed as part of the temple. The damaged front of the temple tower has been plastered without any decoration and also white. The northeast and southeast faces of the Temple Tower, all that were diluted, have been repainted in brick and mortar, but seriously. However, the overall view of the tower is still pleasant. Once upon a time, this temple was used as a survey marking station. As there was a tendency for the upper half of the tower to structurally explode by its borders, a metal strap bracing has been wounded around the tower in the middle section to give it stability. The top of the tower has a similar strap wound round. A large number of paintings have been engraved on the exterior and interior faces of the temple. The bigger images are engraved in two lines. Above the lines of bigger images, a line of carving small images is drawn. Inscription panels, flowers, and a line of highly decorated depictions of a royal march of horses, animals and people based on large images. The exterior faces of the temple are decorated with carved paintings.
Petra: the ancient city carved out of red sandstone rocks in Jordan. Stunning architecture in a dramatic natural setting, combining Hellenistic elements with traditional Nabataean rock-hewn tombs and temples. Rich history spanning from prehistoric times to 12th century, and then disappearing from people's memory until it was rediscovered in the 19th century. UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
This ornate ceiling is from Chennakeshava Temple in Belur built in Hoysala period.
Just see the exquite details of ceiling, a world wonder in itself. It
comprises of outer octagon within which 16gon and concentric circular
rings having Narasimha at the centre.
This is close-up view of innermost
ring, Narasimha though small is carved with perfection. See the details
of scroll work, it appears partially
hollow. Loshtha are equidistantly placed and between each consecutive
ring, small sculptures/scene are carved with amazing perfection.
This is unfortunate that GoI promotes only Delhi centric Heritage sites
and such marvelous temples are left to decay. Karnataka alone has at
least 100s of such small and big temples, all equally magnificent in
their own way.
PC: Namma Huduga
— with Abhishek Raj Sah à¤ारतीय वास्तुकला (Wonderful Indian Architecture)
Student projects have been purposefully designed to introduce the
students to the intellectual, material and spatial culture of
architecture; seeing, understanding and responding to the parameters of
place; recognising landscape as architecture… all intended to foster
design and strategic thinking skills and the value of risk-taking in the
creative process.
Surviving architecture education and its notoriously challenging
curriculum is an achievement worthy of reflection from time to time. It
is an experience unlike any that many of us former and current students
can attest to, one that stretches us to our cognitive, emotional and
physical limits. Demanding a frenetic production of work with unfamiliar
principles and materials, we spend our school years crafting a range of
projects that develop our design-thinking and -making abilities.
This Chapel is a grand and striking mausoleum erected between 1604 and 1640 by the architect Matteo Nigetti following the designs of Giovanni de Medici, who practised architecture in a semi-professional manner. The Mausoleum, with its large dome and lavish interior ornamented with marble, was conceived to celebrate the power of the Medici dynasty which had successfully ruled Florence for several centuries. The octagonal room designed to contain the bodies of the Grand Dukes is in fact almost entirely covered with semi-precious stones and different-coloured marbles. The sarcophagi of the Grand Dukes are contained in niches and complemented by bronze statues . The inlay of the semi-precious stones, partially executed by highly skilled workers from the laboratories of the Opificio delle Pietre dure (see the related section, below) took several centuries to complete due to the difficulty of obtaining such rare materials that were available only at very high cost.
The interior of the dome was planned originally to be entirely covered with lapis lazuli, but was left incomplete at the end of the Medici period; the frescoes we see today were painted by Pietro Benvenuti in 1828 and feature scenes of the Old and New Testaments; these frescoes were commissioned by the then-reigning Lorraine family. thanks www.museumsinflorence.com
Situated at an altitude of 3,584 m, Kedarnath Temple is one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage destinations in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. This holy town is situated in the Garhwal Himalayas and lies among the magnificent snow-covered mountains. Kedarnath is famous for the ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva which is visited by thousands of devotees every year. Mandakini River flows near the Kedarnath. Kedarnath Temple remains closed during winter, as the region experiences heavy snowfall. During this time, Lord Kedarnath’s Palki is shifted to its winter seat at Ukhimath. This holy town offers the panoramic view of magnificent mountain peaks, splendid landscape, ponds and streams, and sparkling water of River Mandakini.
There are some stunning ancient structures out there, and in our journey to uncover them all we take you to the ancient Temple of the Sun in Modhera. The ancient temple—dedicated to the solar deity Surya—is located at the Modhera village of Mehsana district, Gujarat, India. It’s one of those majestic ancient laces you simply have to visit.
The temple is a Monument of National Importance and is maintained by the Archeological Survey of India.
This fascinating ancient structure was built by Bhima I of the Solanki dynasty in 1026.
TheJesuitsarrived in Palermo in 1549, and by the late 16th century began building a church adjacent to their mother house (Casa Professa) using a design by the Jesuit architect Giovanni Tristano. The original design called for a single nave with large transepts and several side chapels, but it was changed by the early 17th century, to a more grandiose layout typical of Jesuit architecture.Natale Masuccioremoved the chapels' dividing walls to add two side naves to the central one. The church was consecrated in 1636.
The interior decoration included marble bas-reliefs on the tribuna depicting the Adoration of the Shepherds (1710–14) and Adoration of the Magi (1719–21), byGioacchino Vitagliano, after designs attributed toGiacomo Serpotta- both reliefs survive. A fresco of the Adoration of the Magi was also added to the walls of the second side-chapel to the right byAntonino Granoin the 1720s. The church also contains a relief of the Glory of St Luke byIgnazio Marabitti.
In 1892, cavaliere Salvatore Di Pietro, former rector of the Casa Professa, philanthropist, prefect of studies at the seminary, and member of the Theological College, of the Academy of sciences, letters and arts and of the Accademia di storia patria, convinced in 1888 the minister of public education, Paolo Boselli, to decree the church a national monument.
In 1943, during theSecond World War, a bomb collapsed the church's dome, destroying most of the surrounding walls and most of the wall paintings in the chancel and transepts. These frescoes were replaced during two years' restoration work, after which the church reopened on 24 February 2009 with a solemn mass presided over byPaolo Romeo,archbishop of Palermo, and attended by several Jesuits and civil and military officials.
Durga as MahishasuraMardini on
Rangmandapa pillar of Sun Temple, Modhera(Gujrat). Built by Maharaja
Bhimdeva of Solanki Dynasty. Credit :AIIS, Center for Art and
Archaeology.
View
of majestic Kailasha Temple, Ellora caves Temple Complex The great
VishwaKarmans who created this marvel The great Shiva Temple was
excavated vertically from top to bottom.Source: Indian Truth Real Truth
Close-up view of ornate Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Javagallu(Karnataka) The Lakshminarasimha temple at Javagal (also called Javagallu) is an example of mid-13th century Hoysala architecture. Javagal is located about 50 km from Hassan city and about 20 km from Halebidu in Karnataka state, India. Halebidu is historically important as the erstwhile capital of the Hoysala empire. The temple, whose main deity is Narasimha (a form of the Hindu god Vishnu), was built in 1250 A.D. by the Hoysala Empire King Vira Someshwara.This temple is a protected monument under the Karnataka state division of the Archaeological Survey of India.
The decorative plan of the outer walls of the shrines and the mantapa (hall) is of the "new kind", with two eaves that run around the temple. According to art historian Gerard Foekema, the wall panel images (one hundred and forty in all), and the reliefs and friezes that abound in this temple have a relaxed quality of workmans...hip about them, and in no Hoysala temple do these appear more "folkish in character". In the "new kind" of decorative articulation, the first heavy eaves runs below the superstructure and all around the temple with a projection of about half a meter. The second eaves runs around the temple about a meter below the first. In between the two eaves are the miniature decorative towers (Aedicula) on pilasters. Below the second eaves are the wall panel of images of Hindu deities and their attendants in relief. Below this, at the base are the six equal width rectangular moldings (frieze). Starting from the top, the friezes depict; Hamsa (goose) in the first frieze, Makara in the second, epics and other stories in the third (usually from the Hindu epic Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and stories of Krishna), leafy scrolls in the fourth, horses in the fifth and elephants in the sixth (bottom frieze).
Chittor(Rajasthan) Dated: 12th century CE The tower is 22m high. It is 30 feet wide at the base and narrows down to 15 feet at the top. Photo credit: Kevin Standage
The visual presentation of a project, which architects are responsible for, must effectively communicate and analyze the organization of the project's material elements. This essential creative process allows those involved to effectively identify and even modify key aspects and components of the building during all phases of its conception.
Because of the inherent challenges of material selection and other practical issues, the development of what exactly will be built tends to be relegated to the end of the design process. But a true understanding of minor yet invaluable details is among the most interesting and important aspects of the best architectural projects.
In our search for the most outstanding recent examples of construction detail representations, we've collected a series of ten drawings that celebrate different styles and approaches.
When it comes to materials and details, it is necessary to understand the relationship between the project's constructive elements in both formal and spatial terms. For this, freehand sketches can be an effective tool to show organizational and material links.
Recognizing the way two different structural elements will meet clearly demonstrates the design challenges that must be solved. In many cases, the work's final aesthetic is the result of approaching the project on the scale of these important yet inconspicuous details.
03. Integrated Sections
Understanding, analyzing and communicating the material behavior of an architectural project in its totality is an essential step to avoid serious problems such as issues with the isolation of architectural elements or even mismatched joints.
Whether one must identify the relationships between a project's constructive parts or study the design's performance, three-dimensional representation allows for a clearer spatial understanding of material components, providing clear and precise visualizations of material organization.
In order to understand aspects of construction alongside other types of information, it's important and interesting to visualize the relationships intended to occur between spaces, giving an idea of the resultant spatial atmosphere.
Another possible approach to the reality of construction is the development of models—a process that helps focus on key elements such as the performance of the structural system.
