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Khajuraho
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temples were built here by the Chandela Kings between 950-1100 AD.
Only a few have survived the ravages of time. As we approach them,
we begin to see the wealth of sculptural details, which seem to
be a part of the temple structures rather than more ornamentation.
The sculpture is both sublime as well as sensuous. It represents
God, of course: the Hindu Trinity of Brahma (Creator) , Vishnu (Preserver)
and Shiva (Destroyer) is lavishly honoured. But this sculpture also
depicts Life itself, a life of hunting, feasting, dancing- and loving.
Executed with consummate skill, the sculpture of Khajuraho also
portrays handsome men and voluptuous women, immortalised in the
most intimate postures of sensual love. |
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| Kodaikanal
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Ensconced
in the grandeur and beauty of the Palani hills, this is one of India's
best known hill stations. The pride of Kodaikannal is the kurinji
flower which blooms once in 12 years. The last occurrence was in
August 1994. |
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| Kanchipuram
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The ' City of a Thousand Temples'. Considered the second holiest
place in India, next to Varanasi. Successively the capital of the
Pallavas, Cholas and the Vijayanagar rulers. A three thousand year
old mango tree at the Ekambaranath temple yields four different
varieties of mangoes fruits, supposedly representing the four Vedas.
Kanchipuram is also renowned for its silk fabrics and sarees.
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| Kalimpong
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53 kms from Darjeeling at an altitude of 1219 M lies Kalimpong,
famous for its arts and crafts and for its Buddhist Monastery. The
journey to Kalimpong from Darjeeling is picturesque. An ideal place
for a quite holiday, where Bhutias and Tibetans trade their wares
at the central market square.
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| Kullu
Manali |
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Famous
for its apple-orchards, its beautiful women, its old temples, its
folk music and dances, Kulu is the most accessible of the valleys
that lie cradled in the inner ranges of the Himalayas. Barely 80
Kms. Away from the barren plateau of Tibet, Kulu offers some of
the most wildly beautiful mountain scenery that can be found anywhere
in the world.
Manali town has plenty of interesting walks around it, and above
it through terraced paddy fields and gentle wooded slopes which
rise easily to a world of snow and ice at 4000m. A walk in the village
of Old Manali provides numerous opportunities for interaction with
the friendly village folk whose century. A drive up the winding
road to Rohtang Pass ( 3938 m ) reveals breathtaking views of two
dramatically different worlds. One to the south - lush green and
inviting; the other, to the north, cold and bleak, a mauve and ochre
wilderness of boulders and shale rising to icy peaks that march
away to the horizon.
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| Kovalam
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Situated 13 kms south of Trivandrum, it is one of the best beaches
in India. This peaceful health resort has a beauty of its own with
small palm fringed bays separated by rocks headlands, pale sands,
gentle surf and lush greenery. Near to them are the Ayurveda Resorts. |
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| Konark |
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An hour drive from Puri along the coast, or an hour-and-a-half from
Bhubaneshwar lies the world-famous Sun Temple at Konark. Built in
the 13th century, it is as much a monument to a glory of a Man as
it is the glory of the Sun God. Built as the Sun God's chariot,
it stands on 24 gigantic wheels and is pulled by seven horses. The
three-tiered roof is decorated with elaborate carvings. The entire
complex teems with thousands of sculpted figures, of which only
three bronzes of the Sun God himself are in repose. There are so
positioned that the sun makes them glitter at the times of its greatest
glory - sunrise, noon and sunset. The other statues are a living,
animated panorama of Life itself. |
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