Tuesday 12 November 2019

Top 5 ancient temples in Asia

Top 5 ancient temples in Asia
Asia offers visitor an exciting, exotic change of culture. The abundance of gilded temples in Asia earned this region the nick name ‘The Golden East’. Religious structures in Asia encompass some of the most spectacular architecture ever built, from modern temples bustling with worship and activity to evocative, crumbling ruins whose ancient stones tell of thousands of years of history, Asia’s temples offer a visitor a tantalising glance into a different way of life, religion and fervent belief.

Borobudur – Java, Indonesia

Borobudur – Java, Indonesia
Here in Indonesia, you will reach the world’s tallest Buddhist monument. One of the most important ancient ruins in Asia, the Borobudur was built during the 9th century and rediscovered in 1815 under volcanic ashes. You will see the richness of Borobudur which has remained structurally sound over the years. However, it was visually restored during 8 years to give it back its original character and appearance. It contains 504 Buddha statues and almost 3,000 relief panels!

Angkor Wat - Siem Reap, Cambodia

Angkor Wat - Siem Reap, Cambodia
The largest temple complex on Earth, four times the size of the Vatican, and the capital of the Khmer empire is an eternally fascinating site. And it’s even bigger and older than previously thought.
In 2013, an archaeological team used lidar technology to map out a vast ‘lost city’ with man-made ponds, canals and dykes that point towards an advanced hydraulic engineering, with inscriptions that date it to the 9th century (Angkor Wat was constructed in the 12th century).

While the ruins remain engulfed by the jungle, a tour of the Angkor complex points to the grand scale of this city, one that covered more than 1,000 square kilometers at its peak. Add in a tour of Angkor Thom and Ta Phrom and you have got yourself a tailor-made Indiana Jones adventure.

Ajanta Caves – Aurangabad, India

Ajanta Caves – Aurangabad, India
One of the most breathtaking ancient ruins in Asia are the Ajanta Caves in India. Prepare to be amazed as you discover the wonderful paintings and statues within. You will discover an impressive testimony of classical Indian art and other similar works. Amazingly, this site could have remained undiscovered due to its location. Hidden in a dense forest, its whereabouts were unknown for a thousand years! Luckily for us it is ready to be explored and enjoyed!

Longmen Grottoes – Luoyang, China

Longmen Grottoes – Luoyang, China
Some of the popular ancient ruins in Asia are the Longmen Grottoes.  The Grottoes are located near the shores of the Yi River 12 km south of Luoyang, China. Some say it is a cave dwellers’ paradise. But in reality, the Longmen Grottoes is a temple! Built in the 5th Century, this religious structure contains nearly 100,000 statues of Buddha. On both sides of the temple, you will find remnants of a troglodyte village. Since its creation, this holy site has suffered vandalism and plundering from thieves and pirates. Today, this cavernous destination is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Good thing too since it is such an impressive monument!

Khajuraho, India

Khajuraho, India
From a distance, the temples in Khajuraho look like all the other Hindu or Jain temples you might have seen in India. Look closer though, and you will find a rich tapestry of erotic scenes carved into the side of the temples. These sexual scenes feature many strange positions and styles, the temples of Khajuraho are unlike anything else you have seen before.

Read more: The taste of Asia in 7 local dishes
Source Internet

Thursday 20 December 2018

Top 5 stunning temples in Indonesia

In the heat of equatorial Indonesia, deep within lush landscapes, hides some of the most impressive ancient structures in the world. The Hindu and Buddhist temples of this island nation were painstakingly crafted with stone so they would stand forever.

Top 5 stunning temples in Indonesia

 Put on a ceremonial sarong, quiet your mind and enjoy spirituality etched in stone that has been handed down through the ages. An overview of the most amazing temples in Indonesia.

Ratu Boko Temple

Top 5 stunning temples in Indonesia
Standing on the southern side of Central Java, the true ruins of Ratu Boko Temple are perched high on a plateau. Bring water and be prepared for lots of stairs in the heat. The crumbled remains of the structure suggest that the site was a fortified castle or mansion for the royal families of either the Sailendra or Mataram Kingdoms. There is a ruined outer wall, a dry moat, and, at the highest point in the area, a lookout pavilion. If you climb up to the pavilion yourself, you’ll enjoy a panoramic view with a clean look at the nearby Prambanan temple with Mount Merapi. The sunset views are stunning.

Pura Ulun Danu Beratan

Top 5 stunning temples in Indonesia
The cool air and fog relieve hot travelers ascending Bali island’s central mountains. Up here, you’ll find the impressive Lake Bratan nestled among peaks. The shore-side Ulun Danu Beratan Temple has been serving the Hindu residents of the area since 1633. The temple is built to praise and give offerings to Dewi Danu, the goddess of lakes, rivers, and water. The goddess and Lake Bratan are what give life to crops on the island through a series of irrigation canals. Descend the mountain on the canal and you’ll find a series of smaller temples all dedicated to the water that feeds thirsty crops.


Pura Besakih

Top 5 stunning temples in Indonesia
Bali is an island unto itself amongst the 17,000 islands that make up Indonesia. The island is still Hindu whereas the majority of the archipelago is now Muslim. Pura Besakih is the Hindu island’s largest, most important and holiest temple. Sitting 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) up on slopes of massive Mount Agung in the eastern part of the island, the temple is worth a visit just for the view of the lush, rolling countryside and the towering volcano above. There are 23 related temples that make up Pura Besakih but make sure to visit the largest and most impressive - Pura Besakih Agung. Be prepared for a bombardment of downtrodden locals begging for your rupiah on the way to the temple.

Prambanan

Top 5 stunning temples in Indonesia
The largest Hindu temple in all of Indonesia sits in the middle of the now-Muslim island of Java. Often referred to as the Hindu Masterpiece, this incomparable Temple is still being reconstructed. In fact, that’s the first thing you’ll notice as you walk into the park of Prambanan as the stone ruins of 224 outer temples lay scattered. As you ascend into the center of the temple area, you’ll find eight major and eight minor temples. These ornately carved spires praise Trimurti, or the expression of God as Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer. Marvel at the preservation of this mid-9th-century construction.


Borobudur

Top 5 stunning temples in Indonesia
Borobudur in Central Java is the world’s largest Buddhist temple. And the structure is here to stay. Borobudur has survived volcanic eruptions of Gunung Merapi, terrorist bombings and the earthquake of 2006. Rising high above the breathtakingly green rice fields and their accompanying kampung, or rice villages, this monumental structure can make Indonesia’s other temples look pedestrian. It looks like an ornately carved pyramid with fortified walls surrounding the bottom and five stories worth of statues ascending to the top. In fact, the central dome is crowned by an impressive 72 Buddha statues. Perhaps the most impressive thing about the monument is that it was built by hand in the 9th century. And visitors agree - it looks like it will stand forever.

Source Touropia