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Capital
of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad is a important centre of Islamic
culture and offers Central India's counterpart to the Moghal splendours
of the North- Delhi, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. Here, lively and
crowded bazars surround huge and impressive Islamic monuments
dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. 11 km west of the city
lies the historic Golconda Fort, once famous for its diamond mines.
It was the capital of the Qutab Shahi kings who ruled the surrounding
territories for nearly two centuries. They designed the fantastic
acoustical system by which a handclap sounded at the gates can
be heard right up at the citadel.
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ruling seat of the Vijaynagar empire. Not withstanding the final
ransacking and plunder at the hands of the Muslim invaders, its
ruins give a very good idea of the power and glory of this 14th
century dynasty. |
 Just
45 kms from Leh, the capital of Ladakh, is the Hemis Gompa, the
largest Buddhist monastery in the area. It is famous for its 3 day
festival held every year in June/ July. Crowds gather here to commemorate
the birth anniversary of Padmasambhava, the Buddhist saint. Dramtic
masked dancers, swirling around to the music of pipes, enact the
battle between the good and the evil spirits. Around the monastery
a fair springs up during the festival where local handicrafts are
sold. |
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