IN-714002

 Our Lady of Ransom Church is a Catholic church in Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu.

 

IN-714002, sent by Naveen.

Dating back to the 15th century, this Catholic church is a stunning example of Gothic architecture, with its 12 towers and gleaming gold cross atop the central spire. 

Surrounded by fisherman houses and just a stone's throw away from the sea and the iconic Vivekananda Memorial, the church offers a peaceful retreat for both locals and travelers seeking solace and spiritual reflection. 

Our Lady of Ransom Church has a rich history dating back to the 15th century, when it was built as a tribute to Mother Mary. The church's connection to St. Francis Xavier and its evolution from 'Our Lady of Delights Grotto' to its current form add to its historical value. - in: https://www.avathi.com

Pratapgad Fort - India

Pratapgad Fort is one of the 12 mountain forts in India, classified this year as UNESCO WHS. It didn't take me too long to get my 1st card of this new site. It was sent by Sriram. 

Maratha Military Landscapes of India includes twelve major fortifications, mostly in Maharashtra State, with one in Tamil Nadu. These forts (...) were built, adapted, or expanded by the Marathas between the late 17th and early 19th centuries. Strategically located on coastal and mountainous terrain, they formed a complex defence system supporting Maratha military dominance, trade protection, and territorial control. This network played a key role in the Marathas’ rise as a major political and military force. - in: https://whc.unesco.org

The pride of the Maratha Empire, the Pratapgarh Fort is a historical monument (..) perched in Satara district and at an altitude of 3500 feet above ground level, the Pratapgarh Fort was built by Maratha King – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1656 to guard the Par Pass.
Three years later, a major fight between the General of Bilaspur - Afzal Khan, and Shivaji happened here. Shivaji emerged as the winner at that time of the battle. However, in 1818, after losing the 3rd Anglo-Maratha war, the Marathas had to surrender it to the English East India Company. - in: https://mahabaleshwartourism.in

Hampi - India

 These are also cards from a UNESCO site but I already deleted it from my missing list a few years ago. Both these cards were sent from Germany and they're from India. I got my 1st card from Hampi thanks to Claus and the 2nd card arrived a few days ago as an official. 

  Hampi in Karnataka is a historical and religious site noted for its ancient ruins and temples. The place used to be the capital of the Vijayanagara dynasty, that ruled the south India during 14th to 16th century AD.

 

Spread over an area more than 25 square kilometers (10 square miles), Hampi ruins is packed with giant temples, palaces, market streets, aquatic structures , fortifications and an abundance of other ancient monuments.

Photo: V. B. Anand

DE-14223014, sent by Reiner.

Vittala temple complex is dedicated to Vittala, a form of the Hindu god Vishnu is an architectural highlight of Hampi.
This temple campus contains many halls and shrines. The halls are noted for its extraordinary pillars with the animated carvings on it. A set of pillars, known as ‘musical pillars,’ resonates when tapped. A huge stone chariot complete with wheels carved out of stone stands in front of the main temple. - in: https://hampi.in

Markha Valley - India

Sachin and I share the love for hiking. He sent me this card of Markha Valley, one of the most popular and beautiful treks in Ladakh, North India. 

These last weeks I've been hiking more than usual and I've a few more trails on my list for the next weeks.

Set in the arid cold desert of Ladakh, Markha is a stunning river valley in Hemis National Park. 

The Markha valley is known for its panoramic views, its Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and remote villages. The valley is a huge favourite among trekkers due to its easy accessibility, it’s not difficult to navigate and it’s one of the few multi-day treks in the region that can be done independently by staying in homestays.

Sanchi Stupas - India

Sanchi known for its "Stupas" is a small village in Raisen District of the state of Madhya Pradesh. It is the location of several Buddhist monuments dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 12th CE and is one of the important places of Buddhist pilgrimage.
It is the oldest Buddhist sanctuary in existence and was a major Buddhist centre in India until the 12th century A.D. Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi are on the World Heritage List since 1989.

Archaeological Survey of India

 

Stupas are hemispherical structures typically containing relics of the Buddha or his followers. The Stupas of Sanchi were constructed on the orders of Emperor Ashoka to preserve and spread the Buddhist philosophy. Sanchi has been protecting these beautiful and sacred architectural wonders, just the way these wonders have been safeguarding ancient history and art of the Mauryan period.  in: https://www.mptourism.com

 

The Great Stupa at Sanchi is one of the features of Sanchi since it is believed to be the oldest Buddhist stone structure in India which was built by Mauryan Emperor Ashoka the Great in 3rd Century BCE. The present Stupa is twice the size of the original size of the stupa built in 3rd Century. The stupa in present is 16m in height and 36m in diameter for the pedestal. The nucleus of Stupa is simple hemispherical brick structure said to be built on the relics of Lord Buddha. It was said that the construction work of this Stupa was overseen by Ashoka’s wife, Queen Devi. 

Four elaborately carved toranas/ornamental gateways were built in 1st Century BCE. - in: https://www.originalbuddhas.com

Bhimbetka Rock Shelters - India

The Bhimbetka rock shelters are an archaeological site in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, that spans the Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods, as well as the historic period. 

This UNESCO site, classified since 2003, consists of seven hills and over 750 rock shelters distributed over 10 kms.

 

IN-510480, sent by Swami.

The rock shelters and caves provide evidence of human settlement and the cultural evolution from hunter-gatherers to agriculture, and expressions of prehistoric spirituality. 

Some of the Bhimbetka rock shelters feature prehistoric cave paintings and the earliest are about 10,000 years old, corresponding to the Indian Mesolithic.

These cave paintings show themes such as animals, early evidence of dance and hunting from the Stone Age as well as of warriors on horseback from a later time (perhaps the Bronze Age).

The Bhimbetka site has the oldest-known rock art in India, as well as is one of the largest prehistoric complexes. - in: wikipedia

Bada Bagh - India

At first glance this structure may look like a palace, that's what I thought it was, but this is actually a series of cenotaphs. These cenotaphs are nothing but tomb shaped structures which are locally referred to as Chhatris.

Bada Bagh is one of the most significant relics of India.

The art of constructing Chhatris began somewhere around the 17th century and lasted until the 20th century. The first cenotaph that marked its presence here was erected as a tribute to the Maharaja Jai Singh II. After that, different Chhatris were constructed, which differ widely in their sizes. Today, you could see them standing tall in two rows reflecting the power quotient and the social status of the members of the Royal family. If you look closely at the top of each Chhatri, there’s a small stone inscription there with the date and the name of the person to whom it has been commemorated. Very few of them have brief descriptions, as well. - in: https://www.thrillophilia.com

IN-446112

Getting an official card from India is almost a rarity. The last one was received in 2008 and this is only my 6th official from there.

Photo:Rahul Thachilath

 

IN-446112, sent by Skanda.

At the end of the Indo-Pak war of 1947, Turtuk came under the control of Pakistan. In 1999, the two countries once again had a major conflict around this area during the Kargil War and Turtuk was recaptured by Indian forces. 

Geographically, Turtuk lies in the Baltistan region and is one among four such villages in India, the other three being Tyakshi, Chalunkha and Thang. 

The residents of Turtuk and its adjoining villages speak Balti language alongside Ladakhi and Urdu.

The village is in the Shyok Valley. It used to be on the Silk Route with regular trade caravans passing by, shepherded by Baltis. 

Turtuk is famous for the availability of different varieties of fruits, especially apricots. 

New Indian UNESCO WHS

New UNESCO sites from India and by new I mean, not only new in my collection but also new on the WHS list as both sites were added this year. 

Both cars were sent by Prashanth. The stamps on both cards are also from UNESCO sites.

India Postcards - NAP Designs

Rudreshwara, popularly known as Ramappa Temple, is located in the village of Palampet approximately 200km north-east of Hyderabad, in the State of Telangana. It is the main Shiva temple in a walled complex built during the Kakatiyan period (1123–1323 CE) under rulers Rudradeva and Recharla Rudra. Construction of the sandstone temple began in 1213 CE and is believed to have continued over some 40 years. The building features decorated beams and pillars of carved granite and dolerite with a distinctive and pyramidal Vimana (horizontally stepped tower) made of lightweight porous bricks, so-called ‘floating bricks’, which reduced the weight of the roof structures. The temple’s sculptures of high artistic quality illustrate regional dance customs and Kakatiyan culture. Located at the foothills of a forested area and amidst agricultural fields, close to the shores of the Ramappa Cheruvu, a Kakatiya-built water reservoir, the choice of setting for the edifice followed the ideology and practice sanctioned in dharmic texts that temples are to be constructed to form an integral part of a natural setting, including hills, forests, springs, streams, lakes, catchment areas, and agricultural lands. - in: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1570

India Postcards - NAP Designs

The ancient city of Dholavira, the southern centre of the Harappan Civilization, is sited on the arid island of Khadir in the State of Gujarat. Occupied between ca. 3000-1500 BCE, the archaeological site, one of the best preserved urban settlements from the period in Southeast Asia, comprises a fortified city and a cemetery. Two seasonal streams provided water, a scarce resource in the region, to the walled city which comprises a heavily fortified castle and ceremonial ground as well as streets and houses of different proportion quality which testify to a stratified social order. A sophisticated water management system demonstrates the ingenuity of the Dholavira people in their struggle to survive and thrive in a harsh environment. The site includes a large cemetery with cenotaphs of six types testifying to the Harappan’s unique view of death. Bead processing workshops and artifacts of various kinds such as copper, shell, stone, jewellery of semi-precious stones, terracotta, gold, ivory and other materials have been found during archaeological excavations of the site, exhibiting the culture’s artistic and technological achievements. Evidence for inter-regional trade with other Harappan cities, as well as with cities in the Mesopotamia region and the Oman peninsula have also been discovered. - in: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1645

Dhankhar - India

On a recent trip to the Spiti Valley, my penpal Sachin took some pictures that are now beautiful postcards. This one from Dhankhar village is the 1st of many to follow, she said. 

Photo: Sachin

Dhankar Village is a large high village which used to be the capital of the Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh, India. It is at an altitude of 3,894 metres (12,774 feet) above sea level, between the towns of Tabo and Kaza, Himachal Pradesh. Above the village sits the local monastery - the Dhankar Gompa. - in: wikipedia

Rajabai Clock Tower - Mumbai

It's time now for a new UNESCO site. The Rajabai Clock Tower, in South Mumbai, is part of The Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai, which was added to the list of World Heritage Sites this year. 

The card was sent by K. R. 

Rajabai Clock Tower stands in Mumbai University Fort Campus located next to the High Court. The tower was built by Sir Gilbert Scott, who modeled it on the Big Ben. The foundation stone of the tower was laid down on March 1869. The majestic tower holds a big clock which can be viewed from a distance. The clock also plays melodic tunes at fixed intervals. 

Rajabai tower owes its name to Premchand's mother, who was a blind woman. As Premchand's family was a strict follower of Jainism, his mother took her dinner before evening and the evening bell of the tower assisted her in determining the time without anyone's help. She would then take the dinner herself. Premchand was the sole contributor for the construction of the tower and hence wanted it to be named after his mother Rajabai. - in: https://www.mumbai.org.uk/rajbai-tower.html

Langza Village - India

A mountain village attracts me much more than a resort by the beach. 

To enjoy this beautiful view is necessary to travel to Spiti Valley in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. 

Thanks to Sachin for this great card. 

Image Courtesy: Gautam Pandey

Langza village is situated at an altitude of 4400 meters and is divided into two sections, namely Langza Yongma (lower) and Langza Gongma (upper). It houses a population of approximately 137 people, who are dependent on agriculture and business for their livelihood. The production of vessels of all shapes and sizes and crafts such as shawls, carpets, etc. are common in Langza and helps residents earn money for a livelihood. The village has an ancient Lang or temple, which is regarded as the headquarters of all the Deities of the Spiti Valley.

Life is not easy in Langza during winter and the village remains disconnected from civilization as the temperature drops below zero, making it difficult for the villagers to continue their day-to-day task. As soon as summer approaches, the snow fields transform into green pastures and Langzu opens its door for a few fortunate visitors. - in: https://www.tourmyindia.com/states/himachal/langza-village.html

IN-305664

How cute is this tiger hug?

Tadoba National Park is a popular tiger reserve that’s affably known as ‘The Land of Tigers’ as large number of tigers (approx.43) are found here.

IN-305664, sent by Himanshu.

Situated in the core of a reserved forest and spread in the area of 1727 sq. km, Tadoba National Park lies in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra (India). One of the largest and oldest national park,  which has endless treasure trove of large number of species of trees & plants and wildlife like panthers, tigers, hyenas, sloth bears, wild dogs, jackals, barking deer, bison, sambar, herd of deer to name a few. - in: https://www.tourmyindia.com/wildlife_sancturies/tadoba-national-park.html

Scenic India

Sachin and Aparna are two Indian girls with whom I change postcards, well, I've only started to swap with Sachin a few weeks ago.

I've got these card from them last month. 

Photo by Sachin

Last month Sachin sent me an official postcard and said that after reading my profile, she felt we had a lot in common. Hiking and photography, for example. We then decided to start swapping postcards and letters. After the official card, she sent me this postcard with a photo taken by her during a hike to the Harishchandragad Fort in the state where she lives, Maharashtra.

Tomorrow I'll send her a postcard.

Photograph © Nicholas Eakins

In March Aparna went on holidays to the state of Himachal Pradesh in northern India, where this postcard is from. 

On the back of the card: Seen here from Batal close to where Spiti region begins and with the Bara Shigri Range as backdrop, the milky blue waters of the Chandra river form by glacier, melt from the nearby Baralacha Range, head off throught the main valley of Lahoul district. 

Shore Temple - India

This year I've only received a postcard from a new UNESCO site so far, it is not easy to add new places to my collection.

I'm not getting cards from new places but every now and then I received cards from places I'm already familar with. A few days ago I've received an Indian official card with Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram, I'm posting it today together with the postcard sent by Claus in 2009.

 The Shore Temple is so named because it overlooks the shore of the Bay of Bengal. It is a structural temple, built with blocks of granite, dating from the 8th century AD. As one of the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, it has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. 

IN-283668, sent by Sachin.

The main Shore Temple (...) is a five-storied structural Hindu temple rather than rock-cut as are the other monuments at the site. Built with sculpted granite stones hauled from a nearby quarry, it is the earliest important structural temple in South India. Its pyramidal structure is 60 feet (18 m) high and sits on a 50 feet (15 m) square platform. 

The temple is a combination of three shrines. The main shrine is dedicated to Shiva as is the smaller second shrine. A small third shrine, between the two, is dedicated to a reclining Vishnu. - in: wikipedia

Kudle Beach - India

Last post of 2017. When it comes to cards, this year was better than 2016 and I hope 2018 will be even better, for me and for all my postcards collector friends. 

Aparna is a new friend and this is the 2nd card I got from her. Kudle Beach is a beach she has recently been to. This is one of the many beaches of Gokarna, small temple town on the western coast of India in the state of Karnataka.

The beach is a paradise for those who love peace and quietude while they travel. A complete recluse, this beach offers the most silent and serene atmosphere to enjoy a sunset, a walk along the shore or simply to sit and observe the never-ceasing tides. Many local people prefer this beach for a morning or evening walk or practising yoga, as the Kudle beach is not invaded by large groups of tourists and as a result, has very little crowd and quite noiseless.

The beach is usually deserted, except for the peak months from November to February, when it is populated by foreign travellers and backpackers. They choose the Kudle beach for the solitude and privacy. The sea is calm and safe enough to have a bath or simply for wetting your feet at the shoreline,but it is always better to be careful. Hiding behind a hillock, this mesmerising beach is a safe haven for sea lovers who want to observe and enjoy the vastness in front rather than be a part of a frolicking crowd. - in: https://www.holidify.com/places/gokarna/kudle-beach-sightseeing-1886.html

Historic City of Ahmadabad - India

India adds new sites to the UNESCO WHS list almost every year and 2017 was no exception. The Historic City of Ahmadabad was the site added this year. The card was sent by Shrish.

When it comes to monuments in Ahmadabad, Bhadra fort is one name that indeed deserves a special mention. Constructed in the year 1411 A.D. during the rule of Marathas, it was established by Sultan Ahmad Shah, the founder of Ahmedabad city. - in: http://www.ahmedabad.org.uk/monuments/bhadra-fort.html

The walled city of Ahmadabad, founded by Sultan Ahmad Shah in the 15th century, on the eastern bank of the Sabarmati river, presents a rich architectural heritage from the sultanate period, notably the Bhadra citadel, the walls and gates of the Fort city and numerous mosques and tombs as well as important Hindu and Jain temples of later periods. The urban fabric is made up of densely-packed traditional houses (pols) in gated traditional streets (puras) with characteristic features such as bird feeders, public wells and religious institutions. The city continued to flourish as the capital of the State of Gujarat for six centuries, up to the present. - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1551

Fatehpur Sikri - India

Aparna is one my new penpals and this week I got a 1st card from her. 

Panch Mahal is a five storey building in Fatehpur Sikri, a city located in Agra District in the State of Uttar Pradesh in the North East of India. 

Renowned for its exceptional architecture, Panch Mahal it is situated close to the harem or zenana quarters, which is fitting since it functioned as a pleasure palace. Built by Akbar, the architecture of Panch Mahal was inspired by that of a Buddhist temple. Akbar essentially used the Panch Mahal for his relaxation and entertainment. 

Entirely columnar, Panch Mahal comprises of four floors constructed in decreasing size. The ground floor of the building is made up of 84 pillars that support the entire structure. Initially, the pillars had a jaali (screens) between them, which acted as purdah (cover) for the royal ladies as they sat on the terrace enjoying the breeze and the view of Fatehpur Sikri and nearby towns. The views from the topmost pavilion are splendid including that of the fort that lies to its left. - in: https://www.makemytrip.com/travel-guide/agra/panch-mahal-monuments.html

Gol Gumbaz - India

This is the 2nd card K. R. Bhat sent me. 

Gol Gumbaz, the mausoleum of Muhammad Adil Shah (AD 1626 –56) located in Bijapur, District Bijapur, Karnataka State is an important monument of Indo-Islamic architecture aptly known for its amazing dimensions and unique acoustic features. 

The construction of this building was completed and the deceased king was interred in this building in 1034 AH (AD 1656) and contains the sepulcher containing the tombs of Muhammad Adil Shah (AD 1626-1656), the seventh Sultan of the Adil Shahi dynasty, his wives and daughters. Soon after his accession to the throne in AD 1626, the Sultan started constructing this edifice for burying his mortal remains. He was buried in the vast vault beneath the floor along with other family members. The exact position of the real tomb is indicated by the wooden canopy kept on the high platform at the middle of the floor of the hall.

This edifice ranks among the most imposing ones in India for the sheer monumentality of its massive dome and its floor area. - in: http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_tktd_karnataka_golgumbaz.asp

Golden Temple - India

After a UNESCO trade with K. R. Bath, we traded again. He was looking for markets and stalls cards. I had two available cards and choose this and another card from his albuns. The 2nd of these 2 cards was sent in 2013 by Sarah.

The Golden Temple is located in the city Amritsar, Northern Punjab, India, which is close to the border of Pakistan.

The Harmandir Sahib is the holiest shrine in Sikhism. Previously (and still more commonly) known as the Golden Temple, it was officially renamed Harmandir Sahib in March 2005. The temple (or gurdwara) is a major pilgrimage destination for Sikhs from all over the world, as well as an increasingly popular tourist attraction.

Unlike many historical sacred sites, the Golden Temple of Amritsar is still fully alive with religious fervor and sacredness, and visitors are welcomed to join in the experience. Although the building itself has great historical and architectural interest, it is the Golden Temple's great spiritual meaning for Sikh believers (and others) that is most memorable to visitors. In a country that is exceptionally rich with vibrant devotion, Frommer's rates the Golden Temple "the most tangibly spiritual place in the country."

Construction of the Golden Temple began in 1574 on land donated by the Mughal emperor Akbar. The building project was overseen by the fourth and fifth Sikh Gurus. The temple was completed in 1601, but restoration and embellishment continued over the years. The temple had to be substantially rebuilt after it was sacked in the 1760s.

In the early 19th century, 100 kg of gold were applied to the inverted lotus-shaped dome and decorative marble was added. All this gold and marble work took place under the patronage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The legendary warrior king was a major donor of money and materials for the shrine and is remembered with much affection by the Sikh community and Punjabi people. - in: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/india/golden-temple-of-amritsar