'Bateswar Group of over 200 temples in Morena -A lesser known gem of India' - by K J S Chatrath

Late last year, I visited the Bateswar Group of over 200 temples in Morena district in Madhya Pradesh, India. These belong to the 8th - 10th century AD. These were lying in broken and delapidated condition till a few years back. Then the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) took upon itself to reorganise and put them back in shape under an initiative led by the ASI Bhopal region's Superintending Archaeologist Mr. K. K.  Muhammed.  As of now about 60 odd temples have been given a new life. 

These photographs show how the place was littered with broken stones and how some of the renovated temples look today.

Kudos to ASI.  

 

 

 

 

 

Kakanmath by K J S Chatrath

 

'This blog is getting subsumed into http://allochatrath.blogspot.in' - K J S Chatrath

Qutab Minar, New Delhi India -12th century AD. Photo by KJS Chatrath

You are invited to subscribe to my new blog 'Allo Chatrath' by clicking at the link https://allochatrath.blogspot.com/ and then pressing 'subscribe'. Subscription is free and one can unsubscribe any moment one wants to without having to give any reason.

 This new blog subsumes all my existing websites and blogs including http://indianheritagephotos.blogspot.com.

'Please return Indian artifacts/statues/heritage material on display/stored in your museum to India' - by K J S Chatrath

 

A humble request to museums all over the world- Please return Indian artifacts/statues/heritage material on display/stored in your museums to India- the country of origin. 

 

Musee Guimet, Paris, France - a curtain raiser' - by K.J.S.Chatrath.

http://francophilesonly.blogspot.in/2017/08/musee-guimet-paris-france-curtain.html

'From UNESCO Heritage City Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India' - by K J S Chatrath

 From Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. The walled city of Ahmedabad has been declared as India's first heritage city by UNESCO.

'Visiting Qutb Minar (12th-14th century A.D.), India, after fifty years' - by K J S Chatrath

I visited the Qutab Complex in New Delhi four years back. The earlier visit was a good 50 years ago. I took Delhi's world class Metro which helpfully terminated at the Qutab Minar Station. A short auto ride and I was there.

 

The immediate reaction was positive. The Complex seemed well kept and neat and clean. Of course one was disappointed to see long queues of people wanting to buy entrance tickets at Rs. Ten each. This is one area which can surely be streamlined. Installation of a ticket vending machines would 

 help.

 

 The foundations of this world famous tower known as the Qutb-Minar, were laid by Qutubuddin Aibak of the Mamluk Dynasty towards the end of the 12^th century. 

Construction was interrupted at the first storey by his death and the remaining three stories were completed in matching material and style by his successor Iltutmish, commonly known as Altamash in 1230 A.D.

In 1368 A.D. the Minar was damaged by lightning. Later Firuz Khan Tughluq (A.D. 1351-88) replaced the top storey by the existing two stories faced with marble. Sikandar Lodi (1489- 1517) also executed some repairs to the Minar in 1503 A.D. when it was again struck by lightning.

 This was the topmost portion of the Minar, before it came tumbling down.

The Tower has a diameter of 14.32m at the base and of about 2.75m at the top with a height of about 72.5m and ascended by 379 steps it is the highest stone tower in India and a perfect example of Minar known to exist anywhere,

 The variegated plan of its three lower storeys, the projecting balconies with stalactites pendentive brackets and ornate bands of inscriptions on its facades heightens the decorative effect.  (Text sourced from the Archeological Survey of India Board at the site)

 And then to the Ashoka Pilllar.

                                           

 And then quite suddenly, I spotted a plane.

 And then another plane.

It appeared to be the normal route for the flights. It was very fascinating to watch. But I had to leave.

 

 

'Please return the heritage art pieces and artifacts stored/displayed in world museums to countries of origin' - by K J S Chatrath

A humble request to museums of the world. Please return the heritage art pieces and artifacts stored/displayed by you to the countries of origin. 

"British museums shine thanks to all the loot from India" ;https://indianexpress.com/article/research/british-museums-shine-thanks-to-all-the-loot-from-india/

Amravati Stupa from India. Photo source: Wikimedia Commons