The sophistication of the sculptures at Deopahar Archaeological Site yet again made me feel the what felt at Guwahati Museum or for that matter, at a place like Sri Surya. The pre-Ahom classical antiquity of Assam is extremely underrated and it was pretty well-connected with the trends of the rest of India even during those times.
The archaelogical ste of Eran is now a small, rectangular plot with a few surviving statues and parts of temples, mostly from the Gupta era (3rd-5th century CE) although the place has a history dating back to the Mauryan Era (3rd Century BC).
It is embarrassing but I had never explored North Guwahati before. It was one of the major blots in my career but I have managed to do it finally, although more things can be done here. Does it sound confusing? Let me explain for those who are NOT from Assam and have never been to …
North Guwahati: Ashwaklanta & Dirgheswari Temples Read More »
Nalanda needs no introduction. The ancient university met its end in 1200 when it was sacked and razed to the ground by Bakhtiyar Khalji, the conqueror of Bengal. But what does it have to do with the Kanai Boroxi Boa Inscription located in a nondescript place across the Brahmaputra from Guwahati that I just visited …
Urvashi Island is a seasonal island in the middle of the Brahmaputra river at Guwahati. It remains submerged during the rainy season but becomes visible once the water recedes in the winters. The rocks here have thousand-year-old engravings, which makes it an important archaeological site.
Bundi is a living, breathing, art gallery. The walls are filled with joyous and colourful figures. However, unlike the big metropolises, they are not based on western anesthetics but proudly replicates the indigenous school of art.
The hills of Sri Surya in Goalpara district of Assam is its most important archaeological site that has Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain remains of unexplained vintage.
The Chalukyan ruins of Badami include rock-cut caves on southern hill and fort & shivalayas of northern hills, and also the Bhootnath Temple built between 5th-8th centuries.
The apsidal Durga Temple of Aihole is one of the most unique pieces of architecture from the early Chalukyan Era. Apart from that, Aihole has around 120 temples and ruins dedicated to Hindu, Buddhist, & Jain faiths.
Interesting offbeat things to do in Pushkar beyond the lake & Brahma temple, including Varaha Temple, Savitri Temple Ropeway, & Budha Pushkar (Old Pushkar).
A Chalukya monument near Badami, Mahakuta has several small temples displaying a combination of Dravida and Nagara styles, with a beautiful tank in the middle.
One day I came across a photograph of Bhainsrorgar Fort atop a little hillock on the banks of Chambal. There was the reflection of the same on the crystal clear water of Chambal, a reflection so immaculate that no one could figure out even if you turn the photograph upside down. This was the view I was looking for! So, I reached there, I saw the view I wanted to see… almost!
