Dausa, Rajasthan

The Harshatmata Temple in Abhaneri, situated off the Delhi-Jaipur highway—six kilometres from the Bandikui railway station—in the Dausa district of Rajasthan, dates back to the 9th century CE. The temple was built under the reign of the Shakambhari Chahamanas, who were the feudatories of the Gurjara-Pratiharas. The temple stands as an example of the Maha-Maru style architecture in the region. The temple is dedicated to the worship of Harshat Mata, or Harasiddhi Devi who is considered the ishta (main or presiding deity) of Abhaneri.

Banswara, Rajasthan

A group of about twelve temples is located in the small village of Arthuna in the Garhi tehsil of the Banswara district of Rajasthan. It is nestled in the historical region of Vagada, and is one of the forested zones with rich flora and fauna. Several of the temples, for instance, the Hanuman Garhi Temple complex, Mandaleshwar Temple, Someshwar Mahadev Temple and Jain Temple, among a few others are large temple complexes, built in the panchayatana system, where the main temple is surrounded by four subsidiary shrines. Arthuna mainly flourished as the capital of the Paramaras of Vagada, a branch of the imperial Paramaras of Malwa. As evident from the eleventh-twelfth century inscriptions, Paramara rulers Chamundaraja and Vijayraja, were instrumental in patronizing the temples in Arthuna.

Inaugurated in 1718, St. Thomas Cathedral is the first Anglican church in Bombay (Mumbai), established to provide church services to the earliest British settlers from the East India Company. The church was named in honor of St. Thomas Apostle, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ and the Apostle of India. Situated opposite Horniman Circle Garden, this historic and beautiful place of worship is nearly lost among the hustle and bustle of its surroundings.

Banganga Tank is located on the western fringes of Malabar Hill, close to Raj Bhawan. The neighborhood around Banganga Tank is the oldest continuously inhabited region in Bombay, a site of great spiritual significance to Hindus. For centuries, Hindus have made a pilgrimage to the Walkeshwar Temple and the now-destroyed Shri Gundi stone at Malabar Point, which gave sanctity to the hill from a very early age.

The era after 1920s in Bombay is recognized by the advent of Art Deco which spread across the city and influenced every aspect of the city life. Art Deco derived its name from a World Fair held in Paris in 1925, called as ‘Exponential Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes’. It was a combination of both traditional and modern styles, introducing new forms of designs in Bombay’s architecture. The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) played a significant role in expanding the Art Deco movement in India, as it held the first architectural exhibition called as the ‘Ideal Home Exhibition’ in the Town Hall in November 1937, introducing the audiences to the world of Art Deco. Mumbai became a hub of Art Deco and was finally conferred with the UNESCO World Heritage status for the Art Deco buildings around the Oval Maidan in Churchgate in 2016, cementing the legacy of Bombay’s architecture.

The Flora Fountain, one of the historical water fountains of Mumbai, was installed in 1869 at the intersection of Dadabhai Naoroji Road, Mahatma Gandhi Road, and Veer Nariman Road. It was designed and executed entirely in England and transported via ship to India. The fountain is named after Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers and the season of spring. The statue of the goddess stands at the highest level of the fountain.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (also known as Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai) is India's richest municipal corporation and responsible for developing the civic infrastructure of the city and tax collection. It was established with the passing of the Bombay Municipal Corporation Act in 1888. The headquarters are based at the BMC building, which also feature (along with the Gateway of India) on the seal of the corporation.

This online exhibit gives a glimpse into the marvellous temple at Beluru, Karnataka, through numerous images captured by many history enthusiasts. An artistic and cultural example of the Hoysala architecture, Sri Chennakeshava temple was built by King Vishnuvardhana in 1117. The temple complex went through modifications for over hundred years to become the architectural marvel that it is today.

Temple art, architecture and ground plan

This exhibit goes into the architectural and artistic details of the Beluru Chennakeshava Temple. Scholar Adam Hardy classifies the Hoysala temples as the Karnata Dravida tradition. Hoysala temples typically have a Mantapa - an entrance porch called Navaranga, Vimana - the shrine built above the sanctum, and a Jagati - a platform for circumnavigation. The outer walls are all carved with extensive sculptures and reliefs.

Halebeedu

Hoysaleshwara Temple is a 12th-century Shaivite temple and is the largest monument in Halebeedu, the former capital of the Hoysala Empire. It is unique for the richness, finesse and beauty of the carved friezes that adorn its exterior walls.

The exquisite Amrutheshwara Temple (also known as Amrutesvara) is located in the village of Amruthapura in Chikmagalur district. Externally, the temple gives a deceptively small look, but visitors are surprised with the number of wonders it holds within. The temple was built in 1196 CE by Amrutheshwara Dandanayaka (commander) under the Hoysala King Veera Ballala II.

Somanathapura Keshava-Temple is not as massive in size as the Beluru – Halebidu temples, but it is as stunningly beautiful and ornate. Built in 1258 CE, more than 100 years after the Belur – Halebidu temples, it is a testament to the continued patronage of arts, crafts, and temple building by the Hoysala rulers.

A hidden Hoysala gem

Aralaguppe in Karnataka is a temple built by King Veera Someshwara in 1250 and dedicated to God Vishnu. A noteworthy feature of the temple is the many complex forms of Vishnu. Vishnu is commonly identified by the four primary objects he holds, Shankha (conch), Chakra (discus), Gada (mace), and Padma (lotus). However, in Aralaguppe Vishnu is depicted with unusual objects such as sugarcane, mace, noose, mortar, etc. These sculptures of Vishnu indicate that the sculptors, along with their artistic prowess, also possessed a deep theological understanding of the Hindu scriptures.

An enigma in the cave architecture of India, Ellora, situated in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, represents a phase of aesthetic appeal and a model of religious harmony and cohesiveness that existed during the early medieval period in the Deccan region. Through images, we explore the architectural journey of Ellora in this collection.