AVANTIPORE ~ THE LAND OF KING AVANTIVARMAN OF UTPALA DYNASTY (156-184 CE) as per KALHANA!!

Kashmir has the privilege of being one of the oldest civilization in the worid with recorded history. It is the only place where the oldest attempts at historiography were carried out. Kalhana’s Rajatarangini still stands out as the earliest record of a nation’s royal history. Equally important are its addendums that were chronicled much later by Jonaraja, shrivara, Prajayabhatta and Shuka.

The Kashmir kings were great patrons of Sanskrit literature. The famous poets DÀmodaragupta, Udbhata Bhatta, Manoratha, Shankhadatta, Chataka and Sandhimat were in the court of Jayapida (52-83 CE).

Utpala Dynasty (5th Taranga) King Avantivarms ruled for 28 years from the date 10-3-156 to 9-3-184 AD. King AvantivarmÀ (156-184 CE) was the patron of Anandavardhana and RatnÀkara. The great engineer named Suyya was the minister of King Avantivarma. He founded the city of Suyyapura (Sopore).

Teli ka Mandir reaching to height of 30m, Gwolior Fort(Madhya Pradesh) Dated: ~8th century CE

3500 படிக்கட்டுகள் கொண்ட உலகிலேயே ஆழமான கிணறு Chand Baori – One of the Deepest, Oldest and Largest Step Well in the World

Chand Baori is famous step well situated in the village of Abhaneri near Jaipur in the Indian state of Rajisthan. It is one of the oldest, deepest and largest step well in India. Chand Baori is also considered to be among the oldest, deepest and biggest step wells in the world.Chand Baori is one of the most remarkable landmarks in India. It was built between the 8th and 9th century by King Chanda of the Nikumbha Dynasty. Located opposite to Harshat Mata Temple, the well was dedicated to Hashat Mata, Goddess of Joy and Happiness upon completion.Chand Baori is an incredible square structure. There are 3,500 narrow steps in 13 stories lined along the wall on three sides of the well that extend 100 feet into the ground. The steps are arranged in perfect symmetry and descends to the bottom of the well to a puddle of water.
3500 படிக்கட்டுகள் கொண்ட உலகிலேயே ஆழமான கிணறு ராஜஸ்தான் மாநிலத்திலுள்ள அபனேரியில் இருக்கிறது. 1200 ஆண்டுகள் பழமையானது.
இந்தியாவிலுள்ள அதிசியங்கள் என்ன என்று கேட்டால் அஜந்தா, எல்லோரா, அமர்நாத் குகை, தாஜ் மஹால், மீனாட்சி கோவில், பனிமூடிய இமய மலை என்று அடுக்கிக் கொண்டே போவார்கள்- கட்டாயம் நூற்றுக்கும் மேலே வரும். ஆனால் நம் நாட்டிலுள்ள உலகிலேயே ஆழமான கிணறு அந்தப் பட்டியலில் வருமா என்பது சந்தேகமே. ஏனெனில் கின்னஸ் சாதனை நூல் போன்றவற்றைப் பார்ப்பவர்களுக்குத் தான் இத்தகைய விஷயங்கள் கண்ணில் அகப்படும். படிக்கட்டுகளை உடைய கிணறுகளில் மிகவும் ஆழமானது (Deepest Step well in the World) என்ற வகையில் இது சாதனை நூலில் இடம்பெறும்.
இந்த அதிசியக் கிணறு இந்தியாவின் ராஜஸ்தான் மாநிலத்தில் இருக்கிறது. இந்தக் கிணறு ஆழமானது மட்டும் அல்ல, மிக அழகானதும் கூட. ராஜஸ்தானில் ஜெய்ப்பூர் நகரிலிருந்து சிறிது தொலைவில் அபநேரி (Abhaneri) என்ற கிராமத்தில் இந்தக் கிணறு உள்ளது. 13 அடுக்குகளாக 3500 படிகலைக் கொண்டது இது. ஆழம் சுமார் நூறு அடி. கிணற்றின் பக்கங்கள் சுமார் 110 அடி (35 மீட்டர்) நீளம் உடைய சதுரமான கிணறு.
இது ஆயிரம் ஆண்டுகளுக்கும் மேலான வரலாறு உடையது. கி.பி 850ல் மன்னர் ராஜா சந்த் என்பவர் இதைக் கட்டினார். இந்த அபநேரியின் உண்மையான பெயர் அப நகரி (ஒளிமயமான நகரம்). ராஜா சந்த் கட்டியதால் கிணற்றின் பெயர் சந்த் பவ்ரி (பவ்ரி, பவ்டி என்ற சொற்கள் கிணற்றை குறிக்கும்).

இங்குள்ள பாமர மக்கள் இந்த கிணற்றை ஒரே இரவில் பூதங்கள் கட்டியதாக நம்புகின்றனர். ஏனென்று கேட்டால் இவ்வளவு ஆழமான கிணற்றை மனிதர்கள் கட்ட முடியாதென்று பதில் கூறுகின்றனர். உண்மையில் இதைப் பற்றிப் படிப்பதை விட பார்ப்பதே மேல்—காதால் கேட்பதைவிட கண்ணால் காண்பதே இதன் பெருமையைப் புலப்படுத்தும்.
இந்தக் கிணறு ஹர்சத் மாதா (Harshat Mata temple) கோவிலுக்கு முன்னால் இருப்பதால் இதில் மத நம்பிக்கைகளும் கலந்திருக்கலாம். ஆனால் முஸ்லீம் படை எடுப்புகளின் போது பல சின்னங்களும் அழிக்கப்பட்டுவிட்டதால் முழு விவரமும் இப்போது கிடைக்கவில்லை. ஹர்சத் மாதா என்பதன் பொருள் “மகிழ்ச்சி தரும் அன்னை”. கோவிலை மட்டும் அல்ல, இந்தக் கிணற்றைப் பார்க்கும்போதும் இந்தியர்களின் கட்டிடக் கலைத்திறனையும் கணிதப் புலமையையும் எண்ணி எண்ணி மகிழ்ச்சி அடைவோம் என்பதில் ஐயமில்லை.
ராஜஸ்தான் மாநிலம் தண்ணீர் பற்றாக்குறை நிறந்த மாநிலம். பெரும்பாலும் பாலைவனப்பகுதி. ஆகையால மழை நீரைச் சேமிப்பதற்கு இப்படி கிணறுகள் வெட்டுவது வழக்கம் என்றும் தெரிகிறது. ஜோத்பூர் அருகில் கடன் வாவ் என்னும் இடத்தில் மற்றொரு கிணறுஉள்ளது. ஆனாலும் அபநேரி கிணற்றின் அழகுக்கு ஈடு இணை இல்லை.
அபநேரியின் ஆழமான கிணற்றுக்கு மேலே மொகலாயர்கள் சில மண்டபங்கள், கட்டிடங்களைக் கட்டியிருக்கிறார்கள். மோர்னா லிவிங்ஸ்டன் என்பவர் ராஜஸ்தான் மாநிலப் படிக் கிணறுகள் பற்றி ஆய்வு செய்து புத்தகம் எழுதியுள்ளார்,,,ராஜா!!!

The Ancient Royal palace Bali ‘hall of justice’.

Home to the ancient Kertagosa ‘hall of justice’. This historical landmark is named after the namesake royal palace of Klungkung, and features a grand hall with ceilings filled with Kamasan or wayang-style paintings, and an adjacent Bale Kambang ‘floating hall’. A hundred meters from this main site is a museum that houses the local arts, crafts and history of Klungkung, as well as a gallery featuring historical works of notable Western artists who fell in love with Bali and moved to the island.

Photo Graphs Munna Muhamed and http://www.bali-indonesia.com/

Ruins of temples,sculptural treasure and palaces at Kalinjar fort, Uttar Pradesh

Kalinjar is located in the foothills of the Vindhyan ranges. Approximately 56 km south of Banda, in Uttar Pradesh. It takes its name from the fort which looms large over it. The village is connected by a two- way, all-weather road, which cuts through the landscape and is flanked by large tracts of paddy and mango orchards. Today, the village is a pale shadow of the days when Kalinjar fort was the undisputed seat of power. 

Situated atop an isolated edge of the Vindhyan range (374.9 m), Kalinjar fort has a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Also known as Kaal (the destroyer), Shiva belongs to the Hindu triumvirate, along with Brahma (the creator) and Vishnu (the preserver). 

The fort is also mythologically linked to King Bharat after whom India is named. Kalinjar finds mention in the Puranas and the Mahabharata as a sacred location. Historically, the fort has been occupied by King Udyan of Pandu dynasty, the Kalchurias. Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas. However, it was left to the Chandella kings-who built the Khajuraho temples-to turn the fort into their stronghold. 

As you pass through Kalinjar village and walk towards the fort, you can spot remains of the rampart that encircles the village. In the past, access to the village was through four dwars (gates), of which only three-Kamta Dwar, Panna Dwar and Rewa Dwar-remain. The fort can be approached from the steep northern as well as from the motorable southeastern side. The main entrance to the fort is guarded by seven dwars-Alamgir Darwaza, Ganesh Dwar, Chandi Darwaza, Budh-Badra Darwaza, Hanuman Dwar, Lal Darwaza and Bada Darwaza. 

As you reach the crest of the hill, you will see the massive-about a kilometre-long-wide plateau, which was the meeting point for the armies. Inside the fort are Raja Rani Mahal, Chaube Mahal, Rang Mahal and Raja Aman Singh Palace. Most of them have been converted into a museum to house hundreds of stone relics, frescoes, statues, rare sculptures and artefacts recovered from the site. 

The stucco façade of Raja Rani Mahal, which gives the impression of being carved out of marble, is an outstanding example of the craftsmanship of the age. Raja Aman Singh's palace is situated along a huge lake-Kot Tirth. The palace has a huge central courtyard-with two rows of peacock arches. and wide verandahs-and offers from its wide roof, a panoramic view of the Vindhvan range and the scattered ruins of the fort complex. 

Perhaps the most magnificent structure within the fort is the Neelkanth temple. Originally seven storeys tall, only one storey remains intact today. Constructed on a wide. rocky ledge on the northwestern face of the hill overlooking the Kalinjar village, the temple is a glorious example of Indian art. A flight of wide steps cuts from the fort into the rock side and brings one down to this marvellous example of superb craftsmanship. 

Entry into the dark, cavern-like sanctum sanctorum of the temple complex, housing some ninth century carved figures of Lord Shiva, his consort Parvati and son Karthikey besides others, is through a circular maze of elaborately carved pillars. Pillar tops have been carved with kinnars (angels) supporting the beans. Outside, in a pool stands a colossal 18-armed statue of Kaal Bhairav, marvellously cut into the rock face. Dexterously ornamented with a garland of skulls, this 24-ft-high image represents the fearsome aspect of Lord Shiva. Atop the temple is the Swargarohan Kund (pool) with an exquisitely chiselled rock pillar standing in a pooi of water that trickles from the striations in the rocks above. The pillar has stunningly carved statues of Lord Vishnu and his consort, Lakshmi. An engraved stony plaque on another pillar showcases dates, activities and other details of the Chandella period.

The Most Overlooked Green Site Practice

As design engineers I believe that our tendency is to focus on post construction stormwater controls and best management practices. This is natural and to some degree warranted- after all we are usually hired to design a finished product and how it gets constructed is often left to the contractor. Couple that with the fact that the insurance companies and attorneys are always advising design professionals that "we are not responsible, in any way, for the means, methods, sequence, procedures, techniques, scheduling of construction" and it is understandable that the focus is on post construction stormwater management. However, because of that I think Erosion Prevention and Sediment Controls (EPSC) during construction are often overlooked as a green site design and planning technique. Give your erosion prevention and sediment controls a little love!

It might not be sexy but EPSCs or lack thereof can have a tremendous environmental impact. According to the EPA a typical, unmanaged construction site can lose approximately 35-45 tons or soil per acre in one year. By comparison, forest or farm land will lose 1 ton or less per acre over the same time period. Left unmanaged that soil can travel downstream and clog natural and man-made waterways, affect water supplies, damage aquatic life, and otherwise adversely impact adjacent property owners and waterways. In addition, bare soil can increase runoff velocities resulting in further erosion on site and downstream, increase runoff volumes causing flooding and reducing groundwater recharge and increase water temperatures negatively impacting aquatic species. Beyond that, if you ever want to upset the neighbor of one of your construction sites try dumping some dirty water or sediment on their property - it will definitely get their attention!

If you are applying LID (Low Impact Development) techniques to your site, it becomes even more critical to pay attention to the erosion and sediment controls. I have experienced this on some of the first LID projects that I designed and I saw otherwise good LID designs perform poorly because the contractor did not properly install and maintain erosion controls. With traditional stormwater controls much of the flow is directed to catch basins and pipes where it is easy to manage sediment and control flows. However, when the post construction design relies on vegetative practices such as swales and raingardens it is critical to prevent erosion rather than just control sediment. And it is equally important to make sure that infiltration practices don't become clogged and compacted during construction which can negatively impact their post construction performance. Many times these items are overlooked because LID techniques are new to the design and construction team.

So what can you do? Of course it is very site specific and you may have little or no control over construction phase activities, but there are some very basic tenants that you can apply that will do wonders for your erosion and sediment controls during construction.

1. Disturb as little area as possible - the most basic thing that you can do to reduce soil erosion and sediment loss is to limit the amount of area that you disturb. You can do this by getting involved early in the planning process and working with the architect or planner to locate the building and infrastructure and being mindful of the natural slopes and general topography.
2. Phase your grading operations - the common practice on most sites, especially smaller ones, is for the excavator to come in at the begging of the project, strip all of the topsoil in disturbed areas and grade the whole site to sub-grade. Much or all of the site is then left disturbed for the life of the construction project. By phasing the grading operations you can limit the amount of time the land is disturbed and therefore limit the amount of time that it can erode.
3. Reduce slope gradients and lengths - steep and long slopes erode exponentially more than shorter flatter slopes. Try to keep slopes to 4:1 or less and less than 40' long. If slopes are steeper and/or longer they should be terraced, furrowed, serrated or stepped.
4. Establish vegetation on disturbed areas - the best way to limit erosion and control sediment is to get vegetation established. A good stand of grass will beat silt fence any day. Here is a case where the color green really means something - a brown construction site will not perform as well as a green one!Unfortunately, the vegetation is often put off until the completion of the project rather than using it during construction to control erosion.
5. Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance - don't wait for erosion controls to fail or for the local of state authorities to come calling before cleaning and maintaining erosion controls. Its always easier to maintain than it is to fix it once it gets out of hand.

The five techniques above are really just a sampling of what can be done to help prevent erosion and sediment loss, but I think that the key points are to be mindful of it in the design phase, stay on top of it and establish vegetation early. Traditionally the focus has been more on sediment control, yet it should be on erosion prevention. Doing that will limit environmental impact and improve the post construction performance of storm water controls.

http://www.thegreencivilengineer.com/