When we look at businesses today, we judge them for how successful they are in terms of the revenue generated or the number of customers converted. However, these parameters have taken a backseat with the onset of environmental consciousness amongst citizens and the factor that has gained more relevance in the present times is whether these businesses are creating an impact in the social sphere. This is where social entrepreneurship comes into the picture. The reality of our world today is far from the rosy picture we paint in our minds and social entrepreneurship is the solution that we must seek. It essentially means creating change and impacting lives with the entrepreneurs of today for a sustainable tomorrow and this is exactly what Enactus strives to achieve.
Enactus is a global non-profit organization and the world’s largest experiential learning platform dedicated to making this world a better place while shaping the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders and social innovators. Enactus Kirori Mal is a student chapter of the same that was established in 2016 at Kirori Mal College, Delhi University. With a head for business and heart for the world, it endeavors to impact the lives of the underprivileged strata of our society by uplifting and empowering them through its sustainable business models. Currently, it is operating three projects, namely Project Dor, Project Syahi, and Project JanBhoomi.
Project Dor is one of the longest-running projects at Enactus Kirori Mal. It works with a community of migrant women from Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal to produce and sell sustainable, handcrafted, and trendy range of tie and dye products, in order to revive this 5000-year-old dying art. What makes this initiative unique is that it sells neo-ethnic and gender-neutral products, that are available in 30+ designs which are further customisable, ranging from scarves to dupattas to cushion covers. The scarves, which turn out to be defective, are not discarded but utilized in making potlis which renders Dor a zero-waste project. The project functions with the aim to empower women and make them financially independent.
Project Syahi, with its motto ‘Scribble. Sow. Save’, endeavours to tackle the problem of plastic menace by replacing single-use plastic pens with pens made up of upcycled paper. It aims to uplift a community of underprivileged women by not only providing them with a source of livelihood but also upskilling them through training so that they become independent entrepreneurs and eventually run the project themselves. Syahi pens are completely handcrafted, fully customizable, and come with a seed inserted at the rear end which can be planted and grown into a sapling.
Project JanBhoomi is an initiative that aims to combat land degradation and inefficient waste management through sustainable methods of composting and gardening. It made compost out of discarded flowers from temples, thereby contributing to soil enrichment and reduction in the unwanted waste that gets accumulated when not disposed of properly. In order to promote an organic lifestyle, JanBhoomi also sold gardening toolkits which included five high-quality gardening tools that came in a sustainable jute bag. In addition to this, the project team collaborated with the Government of Haryana to introduce to farmers the knowledge of organic farming, vermicomposting and solid waste management. This intervention was successfully carried out in 75+ villages in the Palwal district and it helped establish 150+ vermicomposting pits for the benefit of these farmers so that they were dissuaded from using harmful chemical fertilizers.
So far Enactus Kirori Mal, through its 3 entrepreneurial projects, has been able to carve a niche in the social impact sphere by replacing 7800+ plastic pens, reducing 48+ kgs of plastic waste, preventing the discharge of 200 million microplastic fibers, saving 44000 square inches of cloth and planting 5850+ saplings. To change the standards of our society, Enactus is not just offering a product or service but a solution that catalyzes the process of sustainable development through the values of integrity, passion, innovation, and collaboration!
I saw two roads diverged in a wood… One was Medical and the other was Engineering! …
– The Great Indian Parent
This funny forward doing rounds on social media depicts the mentality of Indian parents and the great Indian education circus that we all are invariably a part of at some point of our lives. After all these years, the charade refuses to end. Even today, children are still waiting for a time when their parents will allow them to choose, what Robert Frost calls ‘The road less travelled’ and let that decision make all that difference in their lives. However, sadly, the Indian parent and their hapless children are compelled to follow the bandwagon.
Worse, in the great Indian matrimonial market, yet another circus, if you are not an engineer or a doctor, or now the recent entrant in the matrimonial ads… an MBA, then you are gone case! However, parents need to decide whether their son/daughter will become an average engineer who is slogs it out as inconsequential worker in a large company or a dancer par excellence who enthrals a nationwide audience. This is where they need to properly understand the human potential of a child.
The study and the understanding of the human potential is not something that has sprung up recently. In fact, it has been a part of psychological research for more than a century now. An interesting concept that has emerged recently that cites the theory of human potential is the theory of ‘Multiple Intelligences’. This theory was put forward by Howard Gardner in his book “Frames of Mind”, where he describes human potential as multidimensional.
Let’s talk about the beauty of human potential. Visualize a beautiful flower bud just about to blossom. Its beauty mesmerises you, doesn’t it?! What probably captivates us more is the apparent destiny of the bud blossoming into a flower. The question is what actually made this flower bloom? The obvious answers are: fertile soil where it germinated in the first place, followed by adequate sunshine and enough watering.
Similarly, a young student is like that bud. The soil is equivalent to the environment an individual child is born and brought up in, the sunshine is like an individual’s interests keep him/her warm and set his/her spirits aglow, apart from providing him nourishment. The water is something that is both an internal and an external source of nourishment for the plant. The seed is something that is nature’s gift to an individual and together each one of these elements helps an individual to blossom and flower into his/her fullest potential.
Gardner’s theory fits well into the Indian context to a great extent. Let’s try to understand various career options from the looking glass of Gardner’s human potential theory. Parents should note that if a youngster chooses a vocation matching his/her potential (aptitude and interest), he/she will excel in his/her career. Gardner postulates that an adolescent possesses a multidimensional human potential that can achieve various things:
1. The Linguistic Potential
As the name suggests, people who possess a dominating ‘linguistic potential’ have a good command over their language skills. (we mean not just English!). They tend to pick up new languages easily and even develop fluency in them. They are able to express themselves beautifully through words whether in the spoken or in a written form. A person with linguistic intelligence is attuned to the syntax and semantics of a language. Public speaking comes naturally to them and they will have the ability to captivate the audience with their speech. And when they write they move people with their prose or poetry.
2. The Analytical-Logical Potential
The analytical intelligence indicates in a person’s ability to think logically, by analysing, looking at things in depth; taking a bird’s eye view of the situation while solving problems. People who possess such a potential will have a better ability to understand the underlying dynamics of a problem and are able to establish a cause & effect relationship. By making sense of information at hand, they can identify trends and patterns and make predictions. A lot people falsely believe that this potential is linked to logical streams like science and mathematics. In fact, a number of other activities and business ventures require logical ability.
3. The Spatial Potential
The spatial potential identifies with the ability to imagine, perceive, visualise and transform imaginations and abstract observations into concrete realities. It is also related to the ability to understand space at both two dimensional and three dimensional levels. Activities associated with design have a strong relationship with the ‘Spatial Potential’. An architect can imagine and create a structure in what was once a vacant piece of land. A graphic designer can visualise that shapes and structures of things and create vividly eye-catching images.
4. The Personal Potential
This potential is characterised by the ability to understand and work with others with sensitivity and empathy. People possessing a higher degree of the personal potential are sensitive to the moods and emotions of others. They are more attuned to the values that shape human nature and drive them to behave the way they do. One may not necessarily be an extrovert to possess good people skills.
An ability to make others laugh is as important as having the composed ability to understand the thoughts and behaviours of others, even without speaking. Counsellors, for instance, listen and assimilate more than they speak and counsel and that is what works with their clients. The Personal Potential comprises both skills… interpersonal as well as intrapersonal skills, which indicates an ability to deal with the complexities of emotions within oneself.
5. The Physical-Mechanical Potential
The potential is what Gardner describes as Bodily-Kinaesthetic intelligence. This potential is linked to our physical-mechanical abilities. It deals with the way we express with our bodies and the degrees to which we can stretch its limits and explore its capabilities. No wonder actors and dancers express the most complex of emotions so easily. Just like a writer has fluency over language, people with this potential have fluency over the movement of their bodies.
Sportspersons also require the Bodily-Kinaesthetic intelligence. This potential also reflects an individual’s mechanical skills like understanding the laws of mechanics, being adept at the use of tools, having a good eye hand coordination and manual dexterity. Engineers and technicians also demonstrate this prowess.
Apart from these intelligences, Gardner has also spoken about Musical Intelligence in his theory of multiple intelligences. Each type of intelligence or a potential within an individual are like sensory organs in the body. Everyone of us possesses it. The only difference is that these different potentials dominate each individual differently. All of us have the ability to speak or use the skills of our bodies. But only some of us become writers or sportsperson. We are extremely good at one thing but not-so-good in another.
Scientific testing techniques such as Psychometric tools can play a pivotal role in helping individuals to delve deeper within and identify their core potential. This coupled with counselling provided by a trained professional can enable a student to identify areas in which he/she has the higher potential. Great things can happen when an individual’s choice matches his/her human potential.
The time has come to eradicate the prevailing myths regarding careers. Just like one size doesn’t fit all, just having a few beaten paths of career streams to choose from will lead to the situation of being a square peg in a round hole. One will never be able to fit in no matter how hard one tries. Hence, it is important for we parents to let our children take the hammer, tongs and chisels in their hands and allow them sculpt their own story.
“It’s choice – not chance – that determines your destiny.”
Toddlers are kids between the age of 1 and 3. It’s the age when the kid starts walking and has a lot of energy, so he craves to keep doing things. It’s also the age when they begin learning and absorbing what they see around them, such as walking and speaking.
As parents, it’s our responsibility to keep toddlers busy with activities or use their toddler energy in suitable interactive games, which can boost their physical, mental, and emotional skills. Toddlers love to learn through games, so finding games that can increase their mental strength is significant. This blog will help you recognize the importance and find some fun interactive games to play with a toddler with the best schools in indore.
Why are fun games essential for child development?
Children playing hopscotch game illustration
When it comes to a child’s health and development, play is more than just a way to have some fun. According to research, games are vital for healthy development in early childhood and beyond. Through interactive games, children can practice what they know and what they don’t know. It enables children to learn by trial and error, find answers to issues, devise the best techniques, and gain new confidence and skills.
Many studies have shown that children’s capacity to plan, organize, get along with others, and regulate emotions can be improved through play. Furthermore, play benefits children’s language, numeracy, social skills, and ability to cope with stress. So, look for childcare and preschools that offer unstructured playtime when deciding. The key emphasis of high-quality early childhood development should be on playful learning, where children take the initiative and follow their interests. Many International Schools in Indore also comprise Indore’s best school lists and focus on early childhood education most interactively so the toddler won’t feel bored in learning.
You can also make a learning environment in the home by giving your child puzzles, bricks, empty containers, and wooden spoons. Some of the best ways to encourage a child’s creativity are inexpensive and straightforward products. Please spend time with your kids and remember that children are enriched by their parents’ and caregivers’ presence and attention, not by sophisticated electronic equipment.
Here is the list of Interactive fun games for toddlers you can play with your kids.
Tape Game
Using this tape, make various shapes, letters, and numbers on the floor. Allow your child to stand on their favourite note, then give them directions to follow to get to their following location. Tape games keep your child active while teaching them shapes, alphabet, and numbers!
Number square
Create a big square with your tape, then cut it into nine or smaller squares, each with a different number. Now instruct your youngster to do something particular to get to the next number, such as “jump to 12,” “walk to 6,” or “slide to 44.”
Don’t let the balloon touch the ground
Have you ever seen your child completely charmed with a balloon at a birthday celebration? Add a few “rules” to their fascination, and they’ll be joyfully moving around, strengthening their movement skills while also burning off some of their exuberant energy. Don’t let the balloon touch the ground is a popular and most interactive game that all children like. The rules are simple: release the balloon into the air and avoid contact with the environment. Make it more challenging for older toddlers by having them juggle many balloons. Time them to see how long they can do it for, or have them count the number of times they can bounce it back and forth, then see if they can beat their time or score! This game is terrific for strengthening your arms and improving your hand-eye coordination.
Sticky note wall
Stick 26 sticky notes, each with a different letter written in random order, to the back of a door. Make a “start” line a few feet from the door and have your child stand behind it with a softball or bean bag. Now tell them to toss their object in the direction of the “A” or “V.” Players with better aim and spelling skills can strive to hit all the letters in specified words. You can also make it much more difficult, have them start again if they miss one!
Ping pong catch
Get a few ping pong balls or any tiny object that will fit in the cup, and have your kids toss the ball to a partner and try to catch it in the cup. Start close together and gradually increase the difficulty by taking a step backwards. A single player can throw the ball into the air and attempt to catch it.
Movement chain
If you have two or more kids, this most interactive game is for you in which the first player will do a specific activity such as jumping two times or complex. The other partner must repeat the previous movement before adding another to complete a chain. The next player repeats the last two motions and adds their own. You keep going until the chain sequence is broken (which is generally forgotten!), and that player is eliminated. The winner is the last person standing.
Puzzle piece hunt
Hide all of the parts of a wooden board puzzle and have your youngster go on a hunt for them, returning each piece to the board when they find it. This game gets children moving while also getting their brains to work, and youngsters enjoy having a goal to achieve. They’ll beg you to put them away once more!
Final verdicts
The above games are challenging for a toddler but more fun. Toddlers love games as they are the primary source of learning for them. Providing toddlers with many opportunities to play is the most effective way to help them boost their creativity, curiosity, skills, and health. Please don’t ignore or refuse your kids when they ask to play with you. Jump into the opportunity and spend most of your time, become their best friend, and share the world’s joy.
Sneakers are trendy, timeless, and oh-so-flaunt-worthy! Thanks to their cool styles and comfortable feel, these shoes can redefine your casual fashion instantly. And as with other trends in the menswear zone, the sneaker culture also undergoes rapid changes. This means sneakers provide plenty of options to etch out a distinct style statement. So, how do you select the best sneakers for menthat can elevate your fashion persona? Not sure how to go about it? Fret not, for we are here to guide you through this fashion dilemma.
To help you out, we have rounded up six breezy sneakers for men that are a must-have for your shoe arsenal. Check them out:
Canvas Sneakers
Canvas sneakers are stylish and comfortable footwear designed for daily use. Crafted out of canvas material, these shoes have a distinct low-heeled design. They come in a wide range of colours and so can be easily teamed up with your casual outfits.
You can get them in high-top or low-top versions, which further adds to the versatility of these shoes. If you are new to sneaker culture, you may be surprised to know that these sneakers inspired the trend of rolled-up jeans by the millennials. They are just what you need to go about your daily duties in style.
Basketball Sneakers
As the name indicates, basketball sneakers are designed to be worn on basketball courts. But their trendy looks make them the perfect choice to be flaunted outside the courts. When it comes to making a style statement, basketball sneakers for men are right up the alley for most fashion-conscious men!
Their high-top look adds a distinct edge to their appeal. Whether you love playing basketball or not, there’s no denying that these sporty shoes can elevate your style statement on and off the basketball courts. Team them up with a pair of jeans or shorts for making maximum impact.
Leather Sneakers
Leather sneakers ensure the perfect blend of style and functionality. They are a popular choice for men who need extra protection and comfort for their feet. You can depend on your leather sneakers to complete your casual ensemble with ease.
They may cost you more than the other sneaker varieties, but they are worth your money. You can flaunt them with your casual attire as well as sports outfits. Another big advantage of wearing leather sneakers is that they offer you the perfect fit. Designed to contour to the shape of your feet, they are great to wear for long hours at a stretch.
Slip-on Sneakers
Slip-on sneakers make a great choice as summer footwear. Like loafers for men, these shoes, too, don’t feature laces. That is why it’s easier to put on and off these shoes. They come in a wide variety of finishes and patterns.
High on comfort and style, these shoes are ideal for wearing all kinds of casual wear for men. You need to keep in mind that slip-on sneakers must not be teamed up with high socks. Like other low-top sneakers and loafers for men, these shoes too lose their fashion impact if paired with high socks.
Velcro Sneakers
Velcro sneakers can effortlessly uplift the look of your everyday outfits. They may not go well with all kinds of outfits, but they can serve as the right fashion accessory with your casual attire. If you pair them properly, they can enhance the appeal of your fashion persona.
Thanks to their availability in various colours and styles, you can flaunt these sneakers with your streetwear and casual evening wear. Apart from the style element, another plus point of these sneakers is their ease of use. As they come with Velcro closures, you don’t have to bother with tying and untying laces when wearing these shoes.
Retro Sneakers
With the retro wave swaying the fashion circuit, retro sneakers have been ruling the popularity charts for quite some time now. And it seems this trend of wearing retro sneakers isn’t saying goodbye anytime soon. Retro sneakers are a nod to the popular fashion trends way back in the 1980s.
Defined by their low-cut profile, these shoes present an attractive look. They are also more comfortable to wear than the high-top sneaker versions of today. These retro shoes are made from traditional materials, such as suede and leather, enhancing their durability and lasting longer.
To Wrap
Sneakers enable you to express your enviable fashion sense explicitly. Whether you are dressed for a casual event or heading out to the gym, you can depend on your sneakersfrom dil ke dealsto stand out from the crowd and assert your distinct style.
The right pair of sneakers can add the right amount of jazz to your casual look. So, invest in a couple of sneakers that can redefine your fashion statement with ease without much ado. We hope the options mentioned above will help you in making your choice.
#Didyouknow ‘Gita Govinda’ or the ‘song’ of the dark Hindu God ‘Krishna’, is an epic Sanskrit work composed in the 12th-century? The text is by a mendicant-poet, Jayadeva Goswami, an ardent devotee of Radha-Krishna. It describes the relationship between Krishna, Radha and gopis, the cowherd maidens of Vrindavan using a poetic idiom. It is considered an important text in India’s Bhakti movement. The popular and iconic text is sung, recited and choreographed for dance and studied as a religious text to the present day.
Part of a manuscript of a Gita Govinda, Devanagari script, 19th century. – Wikimedia
Jayadeva And Gita Govinda
The Encyclopaedia Americana mentions about Jayadeva –
‘‘JAYADÉVA, or DJAYADÉVA, Hindu poet and dramatist: lived in 1200 or 1300 A.D. The time and details of his life are unknown, but his ‘Gita-govinda,’ the ‘Song of Krishna,’ is the only known example of the religious drama in Sanskrit. The drama is a lyric poem, and is usually given a mystical interpretation. It delineates the love of Krishna, as a cowherd, for Radha, the milkmaid, his faithlessness and subsequent return to her, and is taken as symbolical of the human soul’s straying from its true allegiance but returning at length to the God which created it. The work is of great poetic beauty and is remarkable for its melodious and truthful mirroring of passionate emotions. Native editions are those of Vidyasagara (Calcutta 1882); and Telang and Pansikar (Bombay 1899). ‘Gitagovinda’ was edited with a Latin translation by C. Lassen (Bonn 1836). English translations are those of Sir William Jones (London 1799; new ed., Calcutta 1894); and Sir Edwin Arnold, ‘The Indian Song of Songs’ (London 1875).’’
Original palm leaf manuscript of Gita Gobinda – Wikimedia
However, in India, he is known of as a Baidya Brahmin either belonging to Odisha, Bihar or Bengal. A place called Kenduli has been associated with him. The Gita Govinda suggests that he was born in the Kindubilva village, scholars of Odisha, Bengal and Mithila have connected this with a present time place in their own region, Kenduli Sasan near Puri in Odisha, Jayadev Kenduli in Birbhum district in West Bengal, and the village of Kenduli near Jhanjharpur in Mithila region of Bihar. Jayadeva received his education in Sanskrit poetry from a place called Kurmapataka, maybe near Konark in Odisha. Jayadeva became a teacher of the school at Kurmapataka as well. He seems to have been a loner poet, a wandering mendicant, who visited Puri. He supposedly married the temple’s dancer named Padmavati there but this is debated by scholars. He is remembered and celebrated for his most iconic work ‘Gita Govinda’ The ‘Gita Govinda’ depicts Radha, a nayika (heroine) proud of her feminine beauty, full of longing, playful, jealous, passionate and despondent as well. Krishna is shown as the eternal and typical male, who is charming, suave and uncommitted. Radha submits to him, but feels devastated when Krishna returns to his other women, the other gopis. The sakhis, in this case, the confidantes are gopis who act as messengers and go-betweens. Jayadeva has captured different stages in the attraction between Radha and Krishna in the ten long parts of the poem. As translator C. John Holcombe says ‘’Krishna repents, longs for Radha, commiserates with her distress, waits for her, makes her jealous, importunes and praises her, enjoys and assures her of his love. Radha sulks and despairs, wastes away, flies into tempers, rails at Krishna, consents and finds joy and contentment with him’’.
Jayadeva worshipping Radha and Krishna, painting by Manaku, from Guler, dated to circa 1730, National Museum, New Delhi. – Wikimedia
Paintings of The Gita Govinda
Jayadeva’s celebrated masterpiece text is not just sung daily as a part of a ritual, badasinghara, to this day, at the Puri Jagannath temple at Odisha, but has also been brought to life by Schools of miniature painting in India, mainly the Pahari Schools. The Pahari Schools include Basohli, Mankot, Nurpur, Chamba, Kangra, Guler, Mandi and Garhwal of the hilly regions of sub-Himalayan India of princely states by the same names ruled by mostly Rajputs. Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra (circa 1765–1824) was a great patron. The paintings have a lyrical quality about them, especially the Kangra paintings. They have been able to convey the pangs of separation, the joy of union, the sakhi as a messenger, waiting for one’s beloved and love-longing. Jealousy and despondency of Radha as expressed by Jayadeva in the text has also been captured which is a part of the romantic and erotic love format of Gita Govinda.
Raja Sansar Chand, drawing, dated to circa 1830, Rijskmuseum, Amsterdam. Image Source
Let us see some captivating images of the ‘Gita Govinda’ illustrations, as captured by the artists of the ateliers from the 17th to 19th century of a few of these hilly kingdoms.
Confidante persuading Radha to relent as Krishna plays mesmerizing tunes on his flute-
“He is softly playing His flute, weaving Your name into the melody. When the specks of dust that have touched Your body are carried to Him on the breeze, He prizes His good fortune.”
…….as translated from the Gita Govinda
Painting from Kangra, dated to circa 1825, L A C M A, Los Angeles, U S A. Wikimedia
Waiting for her in ‘Love’s Sacred Thicket’
“And as if — far wandered — The traveller should hear The bird of home, the Koil, With nest-notes rich and clear; And there should come one moment A blessed fleeting dream Of the bees among the mangoes Beside his native stream; So flash those sudden yearnings, That sense of a dearer thing, The love and lack of Radha Upon his soul in spring.’’
“The honeyed spring breezes bring Hari to meet with You. O friend, what could be a greater source of happiness than this? “He manini, O indignant girl! Do not be angry with Madhava.”
…….as translated from the Gita Govinda
Painting by Nainsukh, from Guler, dated to 1775-80. Jean-Pierre Dalbéra/Flickr
A confidante narrating to Radha about Krishna’s dalliance with gopis –
“See, Lady! How thy Krishna passes these idle hours Decked forth in fold of woven gold, and crowded with forest flowers; And scented with sandal, and gay with gems of price — Rubies to mate his laughing lips, and diamonds like his eyes; — In the company of damsels, who dance and sing and play, Lies Krishna, laughing, toying, dreaming his Spring away.’’
…….as translated from the Gita Govind
Painting by Manaku, from Guler, dated to circa 1730, National Museum, New Delhi. – Wikimedia
Krishna in dalliance with gopis –
“I know where Krishna tarries in these early days of Spring, When every wind from warm Malay brings fragrance on its wing; Brings fragrance stolen far away from thickets of the clove, In Jungles where the bees hum and the Koil flutes her love; He dances with the dancers, at the merry morrice one, All in the budding Spring-time, for ‘tis sad to be alone.’’
…….as translated from the Gita Govinda
Painting by Manaku, from Guler, dated to circa 1730, National Museum, New Delhi. – Wikimedia
Krishna massaging the feet of Radha –
“My dear one, You have walked so far. Let Me soothe Your feet with My lotus hands. As I am a valiant follower of Your anklebells, come and favor Me for a moment.”
…….as translated from the Gita Govinda
Painting from Mankot, dated to circa 1735, University of Michigan Museum of Art, Michigan, U S A. – Wikimedia
Krishna and Radha In dalliance at the bank of River Yamuna –
“You are My only ornament. You are My very life. You are the jewel in the sea of My existence. Be gracious towards Me always. Pleasing You is the sole aim of My life.”
…….as translated from the Gita Govinda
Painting from Basohli, dated to before circa 1760, Chandigarh or Lahore Museum.
Krishna flirting with the gopis, Radha is upset –
“Sri Radhika’s sakhi cleverly searched out Sri Krishna and discovered Him nearby, delighting in the enthusiastic embraces of the lovable cowherd damsels, who were receiving Him with the utmost respect. Attracted by their advances, Murari became eager to enjoy love play. Drawing Radha’s attention to this scene from a hidden place, Her sakhi spoke to Her again’’.
…….as translated from the Gita Govinda
Painting by Purukhu, painting from Kangra, dated to circa 1760. – Wikimedia
Radha with a confidante, pining for Krishna –
“In the spring, the lovesick Radhika, whose tender limbs were soft as flowers, wandered far and wide in the woods searching for Krishna. Cupid tormented Her mind with the fever of love, while Her close friend lovingly spoke to Her to heighten the mood’’.
“His golden garment and wreath of wild flowers contrast His dark limbs besmeared with sandalwood paste. Jewelled earrings dangling from His ears make His cheeks glitter, setting off the bewitching smile on His face. “He vilasini Sri Radhe! O coquettish girl, look! Hari joyously revels with a host of love-maddened maidens here in the forest.”
…….as translated from the Gita Govinda
Painting in Guler style by artist Vijay Sharma, 20th century, CSMVS, Mumbai. Jean-Pierre Dalbéra/Flickr
We can thus understand how these exquisite paintings with their delicate brushwork, depict in visual form the text of Gita Govinda by portraying Krishna, Radha and the gopis in different romantic contexts and situations as envisaged by the poet, giving us a glimpse into their close bonding in a common shared space in the verdant groves of Vrindavan, the banks of the Yamuna River and pleasant hilly glades.
Although a typical vacation itinerary should be full of adventures as well as enjoyable and relaxing things to do, it is best to include some activities that also allow you and your family to learn something new.
This is something that you have to prioritize when you are visiting a place for the first time with your family. You have to take the opportunity to learn about your destination to make your trip more meaningful and memorable.
If you’re spending your family vacation in the United Arab Emirates for the first time, creating an itinerary with the right balance of enjoyable and learning activities is easy, particularly when Abu Dhabi is your destination. You can go to the beach, visit theme parks and waterparks, shop at various malls, and dine at different restaurants for fun.
For your learning experiences, you can exploreAbu Dhabi palaces, museums, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and national parks in the country’s capital city.
You can do all these and more in Abu Dhabi.
Top Entertainment, Play, and Learning Hubs in Abu Dhabi
If you want your family to have the perfect mix of fun and learning experiences in the UAE’s capital city, put these places on your itinerary:
Make the most of your vacation in Abu Dhabi by bringing your family to the only Ferrari-branded theme park on earth – Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is one of the largest and most exciting theme parks in the UAE. It covers over 86,000 square meters of land on Yas Island, featuring several rides and attractions based on or inspired by the famous Italian automotive company.
Formula Rossa is the most popular ride in the park that attracts hundreds of visitors every day. It currently holds the record for the world’s fastest rollercoaster, with a speed of 0 to 240 kilometers per hour in 4.9 seconds. Its highest peak is 52 meters.
Flying Aces is another must-try ride for the thrill-seekers in your group. It is a steel roller coaster featuring the world’s highest roller coaster loop.
If you have younger kids, your entire family will love these rides and attractions:
Formula Rossa Junior
Turbo Tower
Flying Wings
Speedway Race
Benno’s Great Race
Tyre Twist
Viaggio in Italia
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is one of the top family-friendly attractions in the UAE that can give everyone endless hours of fun and adventure.
If you’re looking for other exhilarating experiences, you can tryindoor skydiving at CLYMB Abu Dhabi or driving a 2020 Aston GT4 or Formula Yas 3000 at the Yas Marina Circuit.
There are only three Warner Bros.- branded theme parks globally, one of which you’ll find in the UAE.
Because of this, you need to visit Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi with your family during your vacation here.
Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, the largest indoor theme park on the planet, is home to 29 rides and attractions that range from thrilling to family-friendly.
The theme park’s most thrilling rides and attractions include:
Fast and Furry-ous
Tom and Jerry: Swiss Cheese Spin
Justice League: Warworld Attacks
Batman: Knight Flight
Since Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi is a family-friendly theme park, there are plenty of rides and attractions suitable for families and young children.
These include the following:
The Flintstones Bedrock River Adventure
The Jetsons Cosmic Orbiter
Scooby-Doo: The Museum of Mysteries
Ani-Mayhem
Cartoon Junction Carousel
Marvin the Martian Crater Crashers
Daffy Jet-Propelled Pogo Stick
Tweety Wild Wockets
With these rides and attractions and Superman, Batman, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, The Flintstones, and other beloved Warner Bros. cartoon characters running around the park, you and your family will love every minute of your visit here.
Abu Dhabi’s climate calls for trying various water activities or simply getting drenched in water.
Aside from going to one or more of the city’s beautiful beaches, spend a day at Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi to have more fun as you cool down.
This waterpark has over 40 water rides, slides, and attractions, some of which hold world records.
These include:
Bandit Bomber – the only suspended waterpark rollercoaster in the world.
Bubbles Barrel – the largest surfing sheet wave on earth.
Dawwama – the largest six-person tornado water coaster on the planet.
The waterpark’s family- and kid-friendly attractions are:
Yehal
Tot’s Playground
Cannon Point
Yadi Yas
Marah Fortress
Cinesplash
Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi is the best waterpark to put on your Abu Dhabi family holiday itinerary.
4. Qasr Al Watan
Qasr Al Watan, or the “Palace of the Nation,” is the first place you have to visit if you and your family want to know more about the history and culture of the Emiratis. It is the official presidential palace of the UAE.
The exterior of the stunning palace is made of white granite and limestone with a variety of elaborate carvings and designs. Thousands of unique pieces of crystal, china, and silver were also used during its construction.
At Qasr Al Watan, you and your group can explore various facilities and attractions, including a library, great hall, courtyard, and several gardens.
The highlights of the palace include:
The House of Knowledge – an area housing an exhibition of valuable artifacts and manuscripts from the UAE and other countries in the Arabian Peninsula.
TheGreat Hall – this zone showcases various elaborately designed architectural features, such as a central dome, archways, mosaic patterns, and ornaments.
TheQasr Al Watan Library – a library with an extensive collection of about 50,000 books containing centuries of Arabian knowledge and culture.
The zones for Presidential Gifts, The Presidential Banquet, and Spirit of Collaboration are also worth visiting.
Stay until sunset to watch Palace in Motion, an impressive light and sound show celebrating the country’s historical journey.
5. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the few mosques that permit entry to non-Muslims. Grab this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Islam.
The mosque, which is the largest in the UAE, has 82 domes, two minarets, and a marble and gold exterior. Its architecture, which has strong influences of Emirati, Egyptian, Indian, Moroccan, and Turkish styles, is one of the most beautiful you’ll ever see.
Its interior is just as impressive. An enormous hand-knotted carpet with an elaborate Islamic medallion design made by renowned carpet maker and artist Dr. Ali Khaliqi is displayed inside the mosque.
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque also features seven crystal chandeliers of various sizes made by Faustig of Germany.
Qasr Al Hosn, which was built in 1790, is the oldest standing building in Abu Dhabi.
This old stone fort once served as the royal residence, the seat of government, and a defensive structure.
The original building was maintained and improved during its restoration. Certain areas were renovated to give way to new amenities and features, including the Cultural Foundation and Children’s Library.
Qasr Al Hosn also has a museum that holds an extensive collection of art and artifacts dating back as early as 6000 BC. Because of this, it is one of the country’s most important national archives.
When you’re going on a family vacation in Abu Dhabi, make the most out of your holiday by creating an itinerary with the right mix of fun and educational experiences.
Immigration to Europe can be an excellent opportunity for a visa-free travelling. Some EU countries support the relocation by the procedure called repatriation. Thus, Legal EU Counsel offers assistance to people from other countries in order to make their relocation easier. Legaleucounsel.com, is a reliable company, that provides people with relevant information about immigration to the European Union. Learn more details about the company, required documents, and all stages of obtaining citizenship of Romania, Slovenia or Bulgaria below. Also, in this article you will find the reviews about Legal EU Counsel. Thus, after analyze customers’ experience make your decision about cooperation with the experts.
General information
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Legaleucounsel.com: assistance in obtaining EU citizenship
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EU passport by repatriation: how does it work?
Gaining citizenship by repatriation is considered to be the quickest way of obtaining an EU passport. The immigrants must provide evidence that their direct ancestors were the citizens of a particular country.
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Legaleucounsel.com is a great assistant on one’s way to EU citizenship, as it is famous for its professional team of well experienced lawyers. Over the years, the company has successfully helped hundreds of people with obtaining Romanian, Slovenian or Bulgarian citizenship. The applicants can easily rely on Legal EU Counsel in managing their EU passport immigration procedure, and the customers’ personal experience emphasize the company’s efficient service.
Kerala is home to myriad incredible cities with one of the most prominent ones being the Queen of the Arabian Sea or as it is commonly called: Kochi. This amazing city has a lot to offer with its mesmerizing architecture and picturesque views and is, therefore, a must-visit. Additionally, you can purchase Kerala eco-friendly handicrafts and their infamous spices of Kerala. But do you know about all the marvelous spots near Kochi that you can visit? The biggest city in Kerala is certainly a sight to explore but for anyone who likes to go on the offbeat path and travel the road less taken, then this list of places to visit near Kochi is for you.
The district of Thrissur is truly an underrated treasure of Kerala. The serene waterfalls such as Athirappilly Waterfalls and the Vazhachal Falls will provide you with a sense of calm like you never imagined! For pilgrims, I have rather good news for you can seek homage in temples such as the Vadakkunnathan Temple, Kodungallar Bhagavati Temple, and the Guruvayur Temple. Moreover, you can also enjoy the various water and adventure parks here for an exhilarating experience at Thrissur.
2. Alleppey
Image/Richard Mcall/Pixabay
When talking about Alleppey, the first thing that needs to go addressed is the breath-taking backwaters, the city’s charm. There you can also witness the exhilarating boat races that will keep you on the edge of your seats. But if you believe that that’s all Alleppey is, then you are yet to discover its entire beauty, an instance of which is the entrancing sunset at Pozhiyoram. The city’s temples will furthermore allow you to get in touch with your spiritual side.
When in Kumarakom, the first and foremost thing you must do is stay in a houseboat that has all the luxuries of a five-star hotel. For any bird-watching enthusiasts, you simply have to visit the city’s bird sanctuary! One of the most famous Ayurvedic centers here is the Maya Spa which will magically erase all your tensions in the world. Another invigorating thing to do there would be watching Kerala’s very own: Kathakali. Trekking enthusiasts need not be disappointed for the ultimate adventure awaits them at Aruvikkuzhi Waterfall.
This secluded area is perfect for anyone who is looking to get away from the city’s busy life. Kuttanad truly has a lot to offer such as mountain bike tours which is a refreshing experience and is especially great as it passes through rural areas of Kuttanad allowing you to take in the entirety of the place. It is highly recommended to also try out kayaking at Kuttanad, taking you through a mesmerizing tour of the beautiful backwaters, the peaceful village. Moreover, you can wish on the canoe as well.
Another popular place that you must visit near Kochi is, Idukki. Firstly, you can visit either the Kulamavu Dam or the Idukki Arch Dam. You also must visit Hill View Park and as its name rightly suggests, the picturesque view is the cornerstone of this park. For the devotee in you, pay a visit to the Mangala Devi Temple. Another allure of this city is the Ayyapancoil Hanging Bridge which is the lowest hanging bridge in the state and people from all over the country come to marvel at the structure.
A perfect detour from the Queen of the Arabian Sea is the Princess of the Arabian Sea or as it is more commonly known: Cherai Beach. It is the perfect place to unwind, away from the city’s hectic lives. You can do just about anything here, from collecting seashells found in abundance here or trying out some of the popular activities here, such as sunbathing and swimming. Even a walk by the sandy shore is a rejuvenating experience.
Kottayam is one of the most prominent tourist destinations located near Kochi. To explore the natural scenic beauty of the place, the Marmala Waterfall and the Kattikkayam Waterfall are a must-visit. Kottayam is also home to a lot of really great museums such as the Bay Island Drift Museum. To awaken your spiritual being, pay a visit to the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple, Malliyoor Sri Maha Ganapati Temple, and the Tomb of Saint Alphonsa. The Mango Meadow Agricultural Theme Park is worth seeing.
We come on to the destination most popularly known by us all for being the southernmost point of the entire country as well as its religious and holy importance as it is regarded as the home of the Virgin Goddess Kanyakumari. While here, some places that you simply have to check out are the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, the Thiruvalluvar Statue, and the Wandering Monk Museum, particularly great for anyone looking to learn more about the philosophy of Swami Vivekananda.
All these places to visit near Kochi are so fascinating that one is bound to be confused as to which one to visit first for each shines in its own way. Being in Kerala is the true equivalent of being in paradise, after all, it is God’s Own Country and so you can never go wrong with the utopia that is Kerala. Share in the comments section below your experience of Kerala and which of these places would you like to explore next?
There is tremendous diversity in food when it comes to India. The difference in the type of dishes and flavours is seen both at the macro and micro levels. Where there is massive diversity between North Indian and South Indian food, there are subtle differences within foods of each state in these regions too. However, despite the mélange of different types of Indian Cuisine, there are some mannerisms and etiquettes of eating, serving, and preparing food that remain almost unchanged across the entire country.
One such aspect is the presence of the thali. A thali means a largish, round plate that holds various dishes all assembled together.
This platter of different food items placed together finds its roots way back to the very beginning Indian culture. It is hard to say when the thali was introduced, but it is an integral part of many homes till date. In the literal sense, the thali is a metal plate that holds all the different flavours of Indian gastronomy, including sour, sweet, salty, bitter, and spicy dishes. But in many regions and states, the thali is served on banana leaves as well.
Small ‘katoris’ or bowls are placed within the thali, each containing a separate dish. A dollop of rice and/or a few chapatis are centrally placed surrounded by the katoris, some pickles, some fried items, and in many cases, papad. Although the items vary significantly from thalis across different regions, the layout of the platter hardly differs.
We will talk about the different thalis of India, and there is no doubt that each one is tantalizing in taste and flavours, yet I find it more important to talk about the uniformity of food culture. The fascinating thing about Indian cuisine is that although it is so different, it somehow manages to keep most of its value system in place across the board. For one, thalis are a living example of this uniformity. Hence the thali is the first choice when it comes to food in most of the major events like weddings or small celebrations of the family.
However, there is a bit more to it than just being consistent. Food etiquettes mean a lot in most cultures of this nation. There is always a deep sense of respect and gratitude attached to meals, and that is manifested in the way food is served and consumed in India. A ‘grace’ or prayer, is not necessarily chanted at the start of every meal, yet the cultural connotations are markedly felt.
Why Thali System is the Best
Here we’re taking a look at some of the food habits that are essentially rooted in culture and also as some sort of science. Although they are not followed rigorously today, due to the influence of dining on tables with spoons and forks, they are still practised in many communities today, especially in rural India.
Sitting on the floor and eating is a common Indian practice. Scientifically it helps in better digestion and helps improve body posture. Also, sitting and getting up increases the movement of the body and makes a person more flexible if one does so thrice a day.
In south and east India, banana leaves are used as plates for food. The leaves are believed to have antibacterial properties that negate the germs in the food. Besides, there is a distinct flavour added while eating on a banana leaf.
Eating with hands is an important way of having food in this country. Washed hands are hygienic and the flavour and taste of food is enhanced so is the sense of taste on the tongue and fingers.
In some homes, there is usually someone, generally the women of the home, who serve additional quantities of the dishes. Self-serving has never really been a strong point in our culture. This is probably because the idea of serving food is also looked upon as an important task, though it must be said that the men of the house should give it a go too.
Now, the thali incorporates most of these basic Indian dining etiquettes, making it a wholly Indian experience. Thalis are rarely ever eaten with a fork and spoon. Usually, they are unlimited in supply, especially at local joints, where someone is always ready to refill the contents. Though thalis are served in hotels nowadays, many are reverting to sitting on low tables, or on mats to create an ethnic feel and authentic way of eating.
The Indian thali serves small portions of each item including a sweet dish. This means each of the nutrients is well represented in proper proportion.
The inclusion of pickles is almost standard across all thalis. Pickles are an important part of the Indian diet for multiple reasons. They act as a balance for over-spiced or bland foods. At the same time, they also help in effective digestion.
There will also be some sort of salad such as, kachumber in Uttar Pradesh or ripened papaya in Odisha that is a cleanser of the palate and helps in enhancing the flavours of the food.
The thalis almost always incorporate what is seasonal or local. Either it is in the form of an ingredient, such as mango or aam ras in a Gujarati thali, or the method of cooking, such as steaming, frying, baking, and so on.
The sweet dish put in the thali is a very conscious exercise and breaks the belief that the meal must end on a sweet note. In fact, for most of us, a paan or mukhwas does the trick much better. In many communities, sweet dishes are also eaten at the beginning of the meal to savour the meal better.
Major Indian Thalis
Indian Thalis are as diverse as their culture, we can see a different thali in each state of India. Here we are listing some of the most famous thalis that are liked by Indians regardless of the place they belong to.
The North Indian Thalis can easily be classified as one of the spiciest thalis in the entire list. These thalis are common in the northernmost part of India including Punjab and its adjoining areas. Chole which is a chickpea curry forms a vital part of it, along with paneer ki sabzi, naan, rice, a mixed vegetable sabzi, sweet dish called halwa with pickle, salad and curd.
Hailing from the southern regions as the name suggests, these Thalis, in their most traditional forms, are served on a banana leaf. These thalis include chapati or puri, dry curry, sabzi, rice, sambhar, vada, payasam, rasam, buttermilk and importantly appalam.
Bengali thali carries items like the signature fish curry and rice. Sweet dishes such as roshogolla and Sandesh make up an important part of it. This thali can be served on any Bengali event like, Poila Boishakh (New Years), Jamai Shasthi, Birthday etc.
Mughlai Thali:
Image – Joe souji/Youtube
Mughlai thalis are not that common in India and are mostly native to the parts of Lucknow from where this thali originates. Mughlai thali consists of food like Kebab, biryani, keema, korma, nihari, and much more.
Gujarati food adored by most people in the country for its subtle flavours. These thalis contain at least three fresh vegetable dishes, one dry dal or some sprouted pulses dish (ugaadayla mung, for instance), a wet dal, kadhi, kathor (a savoury), mithai, poori, rotis, steamed rice, chaash and papad.
A punjabi thali is said to be lively and dynamic, just like its people. The generous use of Makkhan (butter) is a must in every Punjabi meal. The most widely consumed Pujabi thali consists of Amritsari Kulcha or Naan, Pindhi Chhole, Dal Makhani, Jeera Rice, Paneer Makhani,Makke Di Roti, Sarso Da Sagh etc. A non-vegetarian version of it may include Butter Chicken, Amritsari Machchi and Naan. All punjabi thalis end with a big glass of Sweet Lassi.
The Rajasthani thali comprises an array of colourful dishes and some local hits that one would hate to miss out on. This intricate thali consists of Dal Baati Churma, Missi Roti with Gatte ki Sabji, Panchmela Dal, Laal Maas and Bajra Roti often combined with flavoured buttermilk. For desserts, Gondh ke Laddoo and Malpuas are great choices to treat your sweet tooth. Rajasthani thalis truly personify a royal dining experience.
Maharashtrians are known for their extremely spicy with different masalas and their thalis definitely showcase that. These thalis include the scrumptious staples of the state which includes Aamras, Koshimbir, Bhakri roti, Bharli Vangi, Amti, Pandhra Rassa, Mutton Kolhapuri, Sabudana Vada and desserts like kheer or Basundi. The thali will also have a little amount of rice in one corner with daal in a bowl, and chapati on the other corner. Pooran poli is another famous sweet dish that one will find in these thalis.
A traditional Assamese meal begins with Khar, which is a curry made with raw papaya, lentils and powdered dry banana skins. Their thalis require slow cooking, strong flavours and more sparing use of spices. It will further have masor tenga (light fish dish), narasingh masor jhol (authentic fish dish), poitabhat (rice-based dish), pitika (side dish of mashed vegetables), pickle and bor (fritters). Pitha (rice cake),Rice Payas or Narikolor Laru (coconut laddoos) are served to complete the meal.
Goan food is synonymous with sea food and so a Goan thali would be incomplete without some fish preparations and other local favourites. This thali comes with rice, coconut, fish and Kojum. A few dishes include Goan rice bhakri, Goan daali thoy, kele ambat, vegetable vindaloo, Goan kokum curry, Sheet Kodi Nustea, and Goan banana halwa to top it up. It is a complete Indian meal at your fingertips.
Served on a banana leaf, the Kerala Sadhya is the most popular on the occasion of Onam when the whole family gathers. It is very important in Malayalam culture and especially on festivals. Kerala Sandhya consists of servings like Manga curry, naranga curry, kalan, olan, upperi and other things.
Let me end by briskly gobbling over the fact that all these thalis are quite popular, not only in their respective regions but they also find eaters even outside of their geographical zones. Let’s hope that this legacy continues to flourish like this and prosper even more.
India has a rich history of paintings in its culture and tradition. There are quite a lot of types of paintings and art forms that we have. These include Meenakari paintings, Warli paintings, Madhubani paintings, and Phad paintings that originated centuries ago. Another such type of painting that we will know about today is Cave Paintings. These paintings date back to the pre-historic era and are ancient but still kept preserved and well maintained. The paintings on caves and rock-cut structures survive for many centuries. These cave paintings got their inspiration from nature. These paintings mostly depict gods and goddesses, mythological stories and characters, epics, nature, flora and fauna, humans, and religion. Let’s take a look at some of the cave paintings in India.
The Ajanta caves are Buddhist caves. These are located at a distance of around 100 km from the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra. The Ajanta caves contain the oldest Indian paintings which were made around 1 st century BC. Other than that, the caves contain many portraits and illustrations. They depict the Life of Buddha, his rebirth, and his preaching.
There are many frescoes, murals, paintings, and rock-cut sculptures inside the caves. The Ajanta caves have beautiful frescoes painted all over the walls and the ceilings. These frescoes and paintings represent court life, processions, feasts, people working, festivals and events, and scenes from nature like animals, birds, and flowers. They mostly revolve around Lord Buddha and the most common theme is Jataka-the incarnations of Lord Buddha. They also depict yakshas, nagas and Ganga, and the Yamuna- the river goddesses, etc. The artists made the paintings in wet plaster. Then they put a layer of lime plaster over the paintings to protect and preserve them.
The Ajanta cave paintings are also known as the masterpieces of Buddhist art. It is one of the best examples of ancient Indian art. There are a total of 30 caves in Ajanta which have some wonderful, brightly – colored paintings. Some of the famous paintings of the Ajanta caves are the one which shows a procession of elephants, one which shows a dancer and women musicians, the Chhadanta Jataka in Cave 10, and Bodhisattva – an elephant with six tusks. The Ajanta caves have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Ellora caves are situated in the Charandari Hills. It is located at a distance of about 29 km from the city of Aurangabad, Maharashtra, and about 100 km from the Ajanta caves. The place contains over 100 caves out of which 34 caves are open for the public. These caves feature and celebrate Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Out of these caves, 5 caves have these paintings. They contain engraved pre-historic paintings divided into two sections. One section depicts Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. The other section portrays Lord Shiva and his followers and the procession of Apsaras and Shaivas. Caves 32 and 33 are Jain temples that contain remains of some beautiful murals. These caves are from around the 9th century.
Kailasanatha, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Cave 16 was built around 760 – 860 AD. It contains some of the best-preserved paintings which have been repainted almost three times. This Kailasanatha or Kailash temple, a chariot-shaped monument in Cave 16, is the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world. The Hindu caves, built around 600 – 875 AD, contain paintings based on Apsaras, trees, nature, and deities whereas the Buddhist caves, built around 550 – 750 AD, contain paintings based on the Lord Buddha. The Jain caves were built around 800 – 1000 AD and they contain some magnificent murals. Some famous paintings are of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi with clouds as a backdrop and Ravan ki Khai. The Ellora caves are one of the largest rock-cut Hindu temple caves all over the world and they have also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Elephanta caves, also known as, Gharapuri (city of caves) are located on the Elephanta Island of Mumbai, Maharashtra. These historic caves contain several ancient Hindu temples, paintings, sculptures, carvings, etc. These caves depict Hinduism and Buddhism. These caves consist of five Hindu caves and two Buddhist caves. The paintings here are brightly colored and mostly represent the artist’s culture. Cave 1 is also known as the grand cave or the great cave. There are many sculptures here like Ardhanarishvara, Ravananugraha, Yogishvara, and Hindu deities such as Kartikeya, Ganesha, Dvarapala, Lord Shiva, etc. There is also a Trimurti statue which is around 20 feet high. It is also the most important sculpture of this cave. To reach the cave, one has to climb 120 steps.
The most popular and celebrated carvings of the Elephanta caves are the large monolithic Trimurti Sadashiva, Nataraja, and Yogishvara. These paintings and artworks were made between the 5th and the 9th century. There is also a carving depicting Kalyanasundara, the wedding of Shiva and Parvati, where one can see many gods and goddesses, Brahma, Vishnu, King Parvata, Chandra (moon god), and apsaras witnessing and blessing the wedding. The Elephanta caves were also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Sittanavasal Cave is also known as the Arivar Koil. It is a Jain cave located in the Pudukottai district of Tamil Nadu. This cave was created by Jains and is a rock-cut cave temple of the Arihants. This cave was built in the 2nd century. it contains remains of many well-known murals which dated back to the 7th century. The paintings here were done with vegetable and mineral dyes and colors which include black, blue, white, yellow, green, and orange. The paintings were made over a thin wet layer of lime plaster.
The Sittanavasal cave depicts Jainism and to reach the cave, one has to climb around 100 steps. The main themes of paintings are lotus pond, lotus flowers, two dancing figures, lilies, geese, fish, buffaloes, and elephants. Another common theme of paintings was Jain
Samavasarana, meaning the attainment of nirvana and Khatika bhumi. There are decorative and beautiful paintings of the sanctum and a lotus tank, men, flowers, birds, animals, fishes, and a dancing girl, the king and the queen all over the pillars and the ceilings. These Sittanavasal cave paintings depict the Pandyan period of the 9th century. They also contain inscriptions from the 9th and the 10th century. The paintings and the artwork of the Sittanavasal caves are very similar. It is believed to be connected to the Ajanta caves. The technique which was used in making these paintings is called fresco-secco.
The Bhimbetka rock shelters situated in Central India is an archaeological site from the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic periods. These rock shelters are located in the Raisen district in the state of Madhya Pradesh. There are traces of the Stone Age at the site. The site also contains seven hills with over 750 rock shelters and caves. There are beautiful, prehistoric cave paintings among which some are even 10,000 years old. Some common themes of these cave paintings were animals, dancing and hunting, elephant, deer, peacock, and snake. The paintings here belong to several different periods like the early historic, the medieval period, and the Chalcolithic age. Some paintings included gatherers, metals, horse riding, and fighting. Some caves here even date back to 100,000 years. The most common colors used in these paintings were red and white.
These rock shelters consist of over 600 caves and even the ceilings of these caves are decorated. These decorative paintings depict religious motifs, tree gods, magical sky chariots, humans, war scenes with kings and soldiers on horses, and people enjoying and living daily life. The place has a well-known rock caked “Zoo Rock”. It has paintings of bison, deer, bear, peacock, snake, and the sun god on it. Bhimbetka is the oldest known rock art in India. This place was named “Bhimbetka” after Bhima, a Pandava from Mahabharata. The name was derived from Bhim Bhatika which means the place where Bheem used to sit. The Bhimbetka rock shelters were also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The word “Lenyadri” can be interpreted as “a mountainous cave.” This word comes from ‘Lena,’ (‘Cave’ in Marathi ) and ‘adri’ (‘stone’ in Sanskrit). There are about 40 rock-cut caves in Lenyadri. The most well-known and frequented is the set of 30 caverns in a small group facing south. These caves were established as a Buddhist monastery in the 1st – 3rd centuries AD. One of the Buddhist residences afterwards became a prominent Hindu god Ganesh shrine. Lenyadri is listed on the major Ashtavinayaks: the eight most honoured Ganeshas of Maharashtra. These paintings are said to be at least 250 years old, as they have yet to be found an accurate record of their origin. For now, however, their origin can be considered more or less from the Peshwa era, because the style of this era is identical. Steps 283 cut stones grouped in 10 stairs which were constructed in the 19th century are used to reach the caves. According to the canon of time – Hinayana, the Buddhists created these caves. There are two big shrines in the group of 30 caverns — chaitya griha and one mini chaitya. Other caves for monks — viharas – have been built. The majority of viharas are composed of a porch, centre hall and cells placed around the main hall. Hill features four additional rocky caverns that are older than the main group caves. A little chaitya with a graved entrance design – lotus, geometrical motifs, is one of the caves. Shrines are located in other caves. Traces of old cave paintings and inscriptions have remained in the caves of Lenyadri.
Situated in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, on the banks of the Baghani River, these rock-cut caves have the most beautiful murals that early man has ever done. Only 5 of the first 9 caverns have survived up to now. The tradition has it that the Buddhist monk Dataka sculpted such caves in the late fourth – sixth centuries AD. For mural paintings, the Bagh Caves are often appreciated. The walls and ceilings were coated in brownish orange with thick mud plaster. Lime-priming was done over this plaster and paintings were subsequently applied. This is also called a tempera technique that refers to the use of a paint medium that is permanently quick-drying, made of a coloured pigment and a water-soluble binding substance.
Ajanta Caves are considered to be the only examples of these cave paintings in the outside world. However, it has been proved that these paintings have existed from much before. And this did not end with Ajanta, but was supported in many places of India by people of many faiths.
Only the cave no. 3 and 4 had endured the ravages of time when the caves in Bagh were first discovered. Bagh’s walls depict the Indian classical art in its “golden age.”
Armamalai cave is a natural cave, that in the 8th century was remade into a Jain temple. The cave comprises paintings, petroglyphs, rock paintings from the Saints of the Jains of the 8th century. These are on the walls of the cave and the frescoes on the roof. The artworks have been produced by using colours on the fine limestone surface and dense exterior dirt. These paintings were painted by Jain monks who resided in them during the ancient Tamil kingdom in the time when their faith flourished. Two methods of frescoing and tempera are employed in the caves. They look like Sittanavasal Cave, old Jain Caves, Bagh Caves, old Buddhist cave in Madhya Pradesh. The cave paintings are seen in India as medieval rock sculptures.
In the late 1960s, rock paintings were uncovered by archaeologists in the cave. The old Pallava Dynasty was founded by Gabriel Jouveau-Dubreuil, who died in 1945. Jouveau Dubreuil stated that he discovered a cave from information he obtained on the copper plate of Udayendiram that sounded like Kumaramangalam to the village, Pallava Ruler Nandivarman II. He was able to locate a cave in western Malayampattu upon further investigation. Photos illustrate the native histories of Jainism as well as Astathik Palakas pictures of Agni, Vayu, Kubera, Eesanya, Indra, Yama, Niruthi and Varuna. There are plant and swans are represented in a petroglyph. The cave walls also include Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions. Most of the art and paintings in these caves have been destroyed for varying reasons.
One of the best preserved structures of ancient India is the Badami or Vatapi, as was originally known. The paintings in the rock-cut caves belong mostly to the sixth and eighth centuries. The caverns of Badami were a major source of inspiration for Mahabalipuram’s structures. The monarch of Pallava fascinated by art and architecture in the caves in Badami Chalukya and came up with the idea to imitate his realm in the same way. There is a clear message of this in the ruins of Mahabalipuram. Later history also presents Chalukyas indication of Pallava’s architectural signs.
The earliest relics of the Hindu paintings are badami mural paintings. Many could not withstand the impact of time, but some of them have survived. The paintings were destroyed during the time of Puleksin I’s son King Mangalishwara. The Vatapi’s caves were completely ornamented with walls; several were puranas-inspired. The surviving ones are Shiva and Parvathi’s paintings as well as several other figures.
The pictures have been lavishly adorned since the ruins clearly indicate the grandeur and splendour of India’s ancient times. The pictures have brought together religions as the art is part of the Hindu, Jain and Buddhist inclinations, which in those times demonstrated the prevalence of secularism and tolerance. The 4th cave features Adinata’s wall art, the tirthankara of Jain.
The hills of Adamgarh are positioned 2 km to the south of the village of Hoshangabad beside the Narmada river. Manoranjan Ghosh found rock shelters in 1922, D.H. Gordon and other archaeologists such as Mitra (1927, CE), Silberrad (1932), Brown (1932) and Hunter (1935) carried out the futhtur required research. Adamgarh is home to roughly 18 rock shelters; 11 of which contain visible artwork, some faded with time, others because of visitor damage. The shelters are largely made of small paintings with Shelter No. 10 being highly interesting since paintings from different times are overlaid on the other.
The paintings are simplistic, less creative and in most cases without clear physical proportions. The human figures are painted in red, dark brown and white only, while the figurines of animals are a little more detailed. In Australia, South Africa, East Spain and South America, the activity of people and animals has been exceptionally trapped on the walls, which may be well compared by their numerous pictures. In fact there are paintings of numerous creatures such as oxen, monkeys, horses, fish, peacocks, and in one case giraffes, and even fighting scenes, horsemen, soldiers with bows and arrows, and swords. Trees have also been depicted, but the lack of detail makes it rather hard to identify.
Jogimara Cave, regarded as a symbol of the legacy of Chhattisgarh, is located in the district of Surguja city of Ambikapur. This old cave is decorated with drawings of animals, birds and humans which date back to around 300 BC. The cave also features an inscription written in Brahmi, which is regarded as the first written message of love to be documented on earth. There are no religious motifs in the paintings represented in this cave, but natural aspects are shown. Legend has it that heroes of the Ramayan — brothers, Rama and Lakshman and Rama’s wife Sita – hid here during their exile.
These caves measure approximately 10x6x6 feet. On them, there are numerous paintings of animals, people, birds and flowers. Each picture is painted with a red outline on white plaster. The design on a number of panels – homes (architecture), animals and individuals – depict a variety of things. On the boundaries, there have been recurring motifs of fish, makara, man, lions etc.
White ants, dripping water down the walls and the inadequate Indian environment ruined the plaster of the walls on which the artwork was made. Likewise, the structural buildings created during that period were without a doubt made of wood and unbaked brick, which hindered them from being long-lasting. It has been assumed that the surface of these constructions was achieved by crudely made plaster soil and in some cases were painted. In Jogimara, an entire example of the edifices with the art of the time has not been found yet.
These caves are positioned in a wonderful natural environment, an enormous mountain jungle. The caves are accessible in a natural tunnel in order to make this happen.
