Chand Baori Stepwell in India

Chand Baori in Abhaneri village near Jaipur in the Indian state of Rajasthan,, India, is one of the most overlooked landmarks in the country. It is one of the oldest stepwell in Rajasthan, and is considered to be among the biggest in the world. Chand Baori looks like anything but a well. This incredible square structure is 13 stories deep, and lined along the walls on three sides are double flight of steps. 3,500 narrow steps arranged in perfect symmetry descends to the bottom of the well 20 meters deep to a murky green puddle of water. Built during the 8th and 9th century by King Chanda of Nikumbha Dynasty, provided the surrounding areas with a dependable water source for centuries before modern water delivery systems were introduced. As the green water at the base attests, the well is no longer in use, but it makes for an interesting stop-over to an architecturally impressive structure that is over 1000 years old. There’s also a temple adjoining the well for visitors to explore.

Chand-Baori-Stepwell-Rajasthan

Stepwells, also called bawdi or baori, are unique to India. These wells have steps built into the sides that can be descended to reach the water at the bottom. Stepwells are generally larger than common wells and are often of architectural significance, just like Chand Baori.

Stepwell

The well’s sheer endlessly appearing geometric complexity made of stairs and steps ensured that Rajput people had access to water at any time of the year, and from all sides. The reasons behind building such an elaborate step well is not fully clear. Some believe it was used as a water harvesting site. Rajasthan is a dry place, and hence, every ounce of water is precious. The large mouth of the well functioned as a rain catching funnel that contributed to the water seeping in from the porous rock at the bottom. In addition to conserving water, Chand baori also became a community gathering place for the Abhaneri locals. The townsfolk used to sit around the step well and cool off during the summer days. At the bottom the well the air is always about 5-6 degrees cooler than at the top.

Close-Chand-Baori

The steps surround the well on three sides while the fourth side has a set of pavilions built one atop another. The side that has the pavilions have niches with beautiful sculptures including religious carvings. There is even a royal residence with rooms for the King and the Queen and a stage for the performing arts.

Steps of Chand Baori

Chand Baori was featured in the movie The Fall and also made a small appearance in Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster The Dark Knight Rises.

Water inside well

The well is now a treasure managed by the Archeological Survey of India.

chand-baori-wall-figures

chand-baori-cleaners

chand-baori-stepwell

Vivid-colors-of-Chand-Baori

The style of Indian wrestling-Kushti

The style of Indian wrestling, also know as Pehlwani and the person referred as  Pehlwan. kushti:Traditional Indian wrestling take place in “Akhada”. “Akhada” is a place for practicing the Indian wrestling, in other words the school of wrestling. Indian wrestler or pehlwan live under some strict set of rules made by the trainer or ustad.There are very few Akhada’s are remaining in India. Some dedicated peoples are still working to keep alive The India Wrestling.This is very popular sport in India as well as in neighbor countries .India has won titles in Commonwealth Games held at jamaica.India has hosted the world wrestling championships. The famous Indian wrestler, Sushil Kumar has won medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Sushil Kumar has made an history by reaching in the final of London 2012 Summer Olympics. The Indian World Champion wrestler Sushil kumar is the winner of the gold medal in the 66 kg freestyle competition at the FILA 2010.

Pachad in Kushti

Sushil Kumar: 

The Famous Indian wrestler from Jat family in a village called Baprola near Delhi. The Indian World Champion wrestler and winner of gold medal and a bronze medal in the 66 kg freestyle competition at the FILA 2010 World Wrestling Championships and  Wrestling event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Indian Grappler is one verge of creating history by reaching in the final of 66 kg freestyle wrestling championship and only hope of India to win a gold in London Olympic 2012 . He is one of India’s best-ever individual Olympian by assuring at least a silver or hope for gold.Yogeshwar Dutt another Indian wrestler has won a bronze in London Olympic Games 2012. Other good Indian male wrestlers as Amit and Narsingh are out from freestyle wrestling game of London Olympics campaign 2012.

Sushil-Kumar-Indian-Wrestler

In Indian wrestling physical training means to build strength and develop muscle.There are some specific exercises that wrestler should do on daily basis, Surya Namaskara, shirshasan,the dand and bethak. The freestyle type of Indian wrestling is one of the most popular and traditional sport from India. Punjab is well known for its wrestlers or Pahalwan and its one of best place to learn Kushti or Indian wrestling.

Dwand-Yuddh Kushti

Diet’s of Indian wrestler are very restricted it contains ghee milk along with almonds,green vegetables,banana,apple and water melon in fruits.Consumption of tobacco and alcohol are strongly prohibited for the Pahalwan of India.

Kushti practice in Akhara

The Great Khali : 

The Giant wrestler from India real name Dalip Singh Rana also know as Giant Singh. Khali the great is a professional wrestler of WWE. Khali is the first Indian professional wrestler to be signed a contract by World Wrestling Entertainment. The great khali was a police officer in the Punjab state police.The Great Khali has face many challenges to its entire journey from Dalip Singh Rana to The Giant wrestler.He has also appeared in three Hollywood film.

Dalip Singh Rana aka Khali

Eco-sensitive traditional transport in India

The Eco-sensitive transport Rickshaws and Tangas are banned in most of the cities in India. Delhi has completely replacing tangas the oldest form of transportation in India. All major cities like Mumbai and Calcutta used these oldest forms of transports for many years. In villages of India pulled and cycle rickshaws are still one of the major forms of transport. These types of transports are the life line of the poor peoples who pulled rickshaws to survive. As of changing world these traditional transports are disappearing from the country.

Rickshaws: 

The Runner-pulled rickshaws were the local form of transportation used for traveling. The last sizable fleet of rickshaws can be found in Calcutta only. Runner-pulled rickshaws have mainly been replaced by cycle rickshaws and auto. In south India pulled rickshaws can be visible as goods carrier.

Rickshaw-puller-Kolkata

Cycle Rickshaw: 

The cycle rickshaw is one of the oldest existing forms of transportation in India. Cycle rickshaw is the replacement of runner pulled rickshaws and auto is another replacement for cycle rickshaws. Now a day’s cycle rickshaw is not allowed to use in the metro cities but in town or villages of India this is the best transport carriage. Rickshaw is used for goods as well as for public transport and mainly for school childrens. A cycle rickshaw is also known as trishaw or tricycle.

Cycle-rickshaw-India

Tanga: 

One of the best rides which has become rare with the changing world. May be the cycle rickshaw has replaced tanga at many parts of India but still The tanga or horse cart still visible in many areas of India. Delhi “The Heart of India” was famous for Tanga, but now due to the heavy traffic in Delhi, tangas are not allowed to use. It’s good that the village side area of India still nurturing horse-drawn carriage.

Tanga-India

Bail Gadi: 

Bullock cart or bail gadi used for transporting grass or goods in villages of India. Farmers have been using bullock carts for taking their yield to market and to ferry people. Bail gadi is the only vehicles for rural peoples of India to travel from one place to other villages. Bullock cart race is also organized by the peoples of villages in some part of India. These bulls also used for farming. A ride on bullock cart should not be missed while visiting villages of India, because India lives in villages only.

Bailgadi-India

Holy Animals of India

Animals have been traditionally considered sacred in Hindu culture, The symbolic significance of animals in India are as vehicles of god or deities themselves. Bull, the vehicle of Lord Shiva,Tiger the vehicle of “Maa Durga“, mouse is also considered as one of the holy animals in India, It is vahana (mount/vehicle) of the Lord Shri Ganesh. The Karni Mata Temple is very popular as the temple of rats in Rajasthan. Indian Eagle Garuda and peacock are considered as the sacred bird of Hindu. Not only animals are worship as sacred in India, Holy rivers, Sacred trees, land and birds are also worship in Indian culture. Street show of animals like monkey, bear and snakes used by the tribe people for living hood. Still in the rural parts of the country,buffalo, goat and chicken’s are sacrificed to deities by the various tribes. The animals are sacrificed as part of an old annual tribal custom or tradition in India and some time there are incident of killing of wild animals by the villagers too. To describe the Significance of animals in Indian culture “Sacred Animals of India” book has been published. The book “Sacred Animals of India” authored by Dr. Nanditha Krishna and released by Maneka Gandhi the animal rights activist.

Cow: 

The cow is holiest animal in India and their slaughter is banned throughout India. Cow is one of the most worshiped animal in India, she treated as the gods in the shape of animal. Cow the “Sacred Animals of India” is even more than a mother in the sense that it fulfills all the needs of her children. The cow in India is believed as a gift of the gods to the peoples.

Holy-Cow-in-India

Monkey: 

Monkey is believed as the form of God Hanuman or Bajrang Bali, the god of power and strength. Many Indian temple’s like Durga Temple Varanasi and famous Monkey Temple Galta, Jaipur is the home for thousand’s of monkey’s. The biggest monkey is known as Langur or Hanuman Langur, is the most sacred in India. There is a famous Ubud Monkey Forest and temple complex in Ubud, Bali which is one of the most tourist attraction in Bali and Swayambhunath in Nepal.

Holy-Monkey-in-India

Snake: 

The worship of serpent deities is present in several old cultures, In the Hindu religion’s the Lord Shiva wear the Nag snake “Indian Cobra” as an ornament around his neck. Indian Cobra is the most sacred snake in India. Nag Panchami, the festival of snakes, is a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of snakes and serpent deities. It is an important festival in India, peoples offer puja, Milk and worship the snake.

Snake-worship-in-india

Elephant: 

The elephant is vehicle of Indra and “The elephant-headed God” Shri Ganesh, deity of success and education is worship by the Indian peoples. The elephant in India is part of Hindu ethos and culture. It was used as an instrument of war and also as a log carrier in the woods. The Great Indian elephant is decorated and worshiped in Kerala, Many major temples own elephants others hire or are donated elephants during the festival seasons.

Elephant-worshipin-South India

Tiger: 

The Royal Bengal Tiger “National Symbols of India” is one of the sacred animal in India. The National animal of India Tiger and Great Lion are the vehicle of Hindu deity “Maa Durga“. The Bengal tiger is Worshiped by the tribes and by the sundervan people as well.

Indian-Sacred-Tiger