Fascinating Monuments of World

Bestowed with immense love of Mother Nature, our world is a fantastic place to live and travel. Every nook and corner of our world is embellished with numerous natural and artificial treasures of flawless beauty.

Apart from the natural charms, our world is dotted with numerous architectural masterpieces of unmatched beauty. Most of these monuments still stands tall and encompasses various interesting tales within themselves, which are yet to be revealed. From time immemorial, these monuments of world beckons thousands of globetrotters from far flung areas. Some of the fascinating monuments of our world are as follows :

Giza Pyramid and Great Sphinx near Cairo, Egypt: Giza Pyramid and Great Sphinx near Cairo is one of the fascinating monuments of our world. Situated on a plateau on the outskirts of Cairo, this ancient Egyptian complex is a world famous archaeological site consists several large and small edifices such as the Pyramid of Khufu (known also as the Cheops Pyramid or the Great Pyramid). This is the only remaining monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Other edifices within the complex are Pyramid of Khafre (or Chephren) and the Pyramid of Menkaure (or Mykerinos) and some smaller edifices, known as "queens" pyramids. To the east side of the complex, there lies the Great Sphinx.

Stonehenge, Wiltshire County, U.K: Situated 13 km north of Salisbury in the English county of Wiltshire, Stonehenge is a Neolithic monument. Built around 2, 500 B.C, Stonehenge is one of the famous prehistoric sites in world. There are various interesting theories related to these stone structures, which are yet to be proved. Located within a sanctuary, these stone structures are arranged in circles of menhirs. According to some people, the Stonehenge might have served as center of healing or a burial ground or a place of worship or an area having astronomical significance. All these theories related to this place are yet to be explored. All these stones weigh nearly up to 50 tons.

Great Wall Of China,China: The Great Wall Of China is a series of stone and earthen fortifications, built between 6^th century B.C to 16^th century, by various rulers of successive Chinese dynasties. To protect the northern border of the Chinese Empire from the attacks of the Xiongnu, a confederation of nomadic tribes. These barbaric tribes used to live on the steppes north of China. Great Wall of China, is an amazing landmark and represents China on a global platform.

Acropolis of Athens, Athens, Greece: Another outstanding monument of our world is Acropolis of Athens. Located in the centre of the Athens city, Acropolis of Athens, are symbol of classical spirit and civilization. These are flat-topped rock with a complex of ruins of yesteryears monuments. These monuments are built of Greek cult and dedicated primarily to its patron, the Goddess Athena. Most of the monuments which are available on the site now were rebuilt during the Golden Age of Athens (460-430 B.C), after the Persian Wars under the leadership of Pericles.

Taj Mahal, Agra, India: Famous as the “epitome of eternal love”, Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of Modern World. This monument of white marble is a mausoleum, constructed by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, after her death. Thanks to its architectural zenith, this monument is counted among one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of our world. Serves as the centre of attraction of India's tourism industry, Taj Mahal is located on the banks of Yamuna river in Agra city of Uttar Pradesh.

Great Living Chola Temples, Tamil Nadu, India: Titled as World Heritage Site in 1987, Great Living Chola Temples of Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu are one of the remarkable monuments of our world. Belongs to 11^th and 12^th century, the entire temple complex comprises of three temples namely Brihadiswara temple, Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram. These three temples are perfect testimony of Chola dynasty in Southern India. All these temples very well showcases the architectural zenith of erstwhile craftsmen and mainly built of blocks granite and bricks.

Magnificent Temples Of Asia

Asia, the biggest continent of our world is one of the most beautiful land for vacationing. This continent is a land of unity in diversity and encompasses some of the unique natural and artificial treasures of unmatched beauty.

Located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres, Asis covers 8.6% of the Earth's total surface area and approximately, 60% of world's current population. Blessed with diverse topographical features and vibrant cultures of various communities, Asia is a land to be cherished.

This alluring continent is dotted with several architectural masterpieces including some unusual temples such as

Angkor Wat Temple: Located in Angkor, Combodia, Angkor Wat Temple complex is one of the outstanding temple of Asia. This temple now serves as a symbol of Combodia and appears in the national flag of the country. Built by the King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city, this beautiful temple is the perfect testimony of high classical style of Khmer architecture. This temple was first dedicated to Hindu God, Vishnu and later on to Lord Buddha.

Prambanan Temple: Situated in Central Java, Indonesia, Prambanan temple is one of the beautiful Hindu temples of Asia. Thanks to its beauty and grace, this Hindu temple is very popular among the globetrotters. Constructed in 850 C.E, Prambanan temple encompasses 8 main shrines within this temple complex. Surrounded by 250 smaller temples, Prambanan temple showcases extraordinary skills of craftsmen of bygone era. Exquisite bas relief carvings bedecked almost all the walls of this temple. These bas relief carvings of this temple very well narrates tales of various incarnations of Lord Vishnu, adventures of Lord Hanuman, and other interesting stories of Ramayana epic.

Temple of Tooth: Positioned in the Kandy city of island country Srilanka, 'temple of tooth' is the most sacred Buddhist establishment in Sri Lanka. This temple is dedicated to Lord Budha and showcases one tooth of him. Built in the 16^th century, Temple of tooth is the prime attraction of Kandy city. Daily rituals are carried on by the Buddhist monks at various offering times, inside the shrine. To enter the temple, a dress code has to be maintained. Recently, a golden canopy was added to this temple. Neraby to “temple of tooth”, there are three more Hindu temples, dedicated to God Vishnu, God Natha and Goddess Patthini. Every year all these shrines take participate in Buddhist pagent, which showcases good example of Sinhala and Tamil harmony which lasted for various centuries.

Pashupatinath Temple: Dedicated to manifestation of Lord Shiva called as Pashupati (Lord of animals), Pashupatinath temple is the biggest temple of Nepal, the last Hindu kingdom of Asia. Built on the banks of the Bagmati River in Deopatan, a village 3 km northwest of Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal beckon thousands of ardent Hindu devotees from various corners of the world. Founding date of Pashupatinath temple is still unknown but the present edifice of this temple is built on 1697 A.D. This temple is very unique and is barred to non-Hindus. Apart from its religious value, this temple is also famous for its architecture. Gurdian deities of this temple are gold painted.

Meenakshi Temple: Last but not the least, Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple also known as Meenakshi Amman Temple, is situated in the pious city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, India. Dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Sundareswarar (Beautiful Lord) and his companion Goddess Parvarti in the form of Meenakshi, this temple is an inseparable part of 2, 500 year old Madurai city. Encompassing 14 lofty Gopurams among which two are made up of gold, Meenakshi temple is one of the richest temple of Southern-India. From ages this temple plays an important role in the life of Tamilians. People from far flung comes here to seek the blessings of deities and to offer their prayers after completion of their wishes.