Entering the cultural holy city of India

 

Entering the cultural holy city of India

 

Old Lavani told Agudumba about the history and culture of Nepal, but the history and culture of Nepal cannot be separated from India.

Mr. Lavani believes that only by understanding the history and culture of India can we better understand Nepal.

Old Lavani said:

Entering India, there are Nalanda-Lingjiu Mountain, Buddhist University, Bodh Kaju, Galgada-Durga Festival. There are 5.8 billion people in the world, of which 500 million are Buddhists. India is the birthplace of Buddhism, and Buddhist culture is an important cultural heritage on the Silk Road. Following the footsteps of Buddha Sakyamuni and Master Xuanzang, visiting important Buddhist holy sites on the South Silk Road, you can experience the profound realm of Buddhist culture. In a country as culturally rich and geographically diverse as India, it’s perhaps not surprising that you’ll find the sixth-largest number of UNESCO sites in the world. But India has much more to offer in terms of cultural and natural treasures. There’s everything from ancient caves carved into steep gorges to surreal landscapes and ruins of the Vijayanagar dynasty. India is home to at least seven of the most fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Sites, embodying much of what is incredible about India.

Delhi, National Capital Territory of India. The Indian capital is rich in historical monuments, but three of the must-see heritage treasures are the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar.

Wander the grounds of the Red Fort and admire the magnificent red sandstone walls commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1639. Then visit the magnificent mausoleum, Humayun's Tomb. Its massive double domes, clad in marble and red sandstone, tower majestically over the symmetrical gardens. Finally, the beautiful 13th-century Qutb Minaret - it was built for Muslim prayers and is the tallest brick minaret in the world.

Located northeast of the city of Aurangabad in the mountainous region of Maharashtra, the Ajanta Caves are a series of spectacular Buddhist temples carved into the sides of a steep granite gorge. Many of these caves date back to the 5th century AD and are highly regarded for their sculptures, murals and frescoes depicting Buddhist teachings. The stories are depicted in wonderful detail and are considered to be among the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian art. At the same time, you'll also discover an even more ancient splendor, the Ellora Caves, one of the largest rock-cut Hindu temple complexes in the world. The artwork in these caves dates back to between 600 and 1000 AD and is mainly dedicated to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, showing the unique spirit of tolerance of ancient India.

Jaipur, Rajasthan The walled city of Jaipur is the capital and gateway to the state of Rajasthan, but it's a wonder in its own right. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known as the Pink City of India because of the magical pink hue of its sandstone buildings. Once a historic center for Indian trade, today you can expect a variety of aromatic street food, markets selling fine cloths and handicrafts, and a plethora of forts and palaces.

In the northern Indian state of Punjab, the city of Amritsar lays claim to the Golden Temple, Sikhism's holiest site. Although still technically on UNESCO's tentative heritage list, there is a poetic beauty to this place that is compelling. The central building of the complex appears to be floating on an artificial lake and is covered with 750 kilograms of gold, thanks to a magnificent maharaja in the early 19th century. Take off your shoes at the entrance and stroll along the marble promenade while people pray by the water. You can also join the Pilgrims and enter the world's largest free kitchen. It aims to uphold the principle of equality by providing food to all castes, religions or genders, providing free food to up to 300,000 people every day. Participate in the Sikh Gurpurab festival in November and visit temples decorated with lights. Devotees will also light candles to mark this special occasion: the birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder and first guru of Sikhism.

In the heart of the southern Indian state of Karnataka, the landscape surrounding the ancient village of Hampi is so surreal it feels like another planet. The plains of banana trees and lime-green rice fields contrast sharply with the ruddy, ocher hues of the boulders scattered across the rolling landscape. Precariously clustered like crumbling sculptures, these naturally eroded stones are stacked on top of the mountain, providing a vantage point for stunning sunsets. But most importantly, Hampi is the seat of the 14th-century Vijayanagara Kingdom and is home to more than 1,600 temples, forts and other monuments listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and one of India's holiest places, located on the holy Ganges River in northern India. This historical and spiritual importance gives Varanasi a distinctly powerful quality. As the daily public cremations begin, you'll see garlands floating on the water and smoke rising from the riverside steps of the ghats. Varanasi is the spiritual home of India's saints who renounced all worldly possessions. As a result, the ghats are filled with devout Hindus performing ritual baths in holy water and funeral pyres left behind by the sacred eternal fire that cremated the body. Particularly unforgettable scenes all take place on the full moon night, 15 days after Diwali, that is, between the end of October and November. On the steps leading to the water, more than a million earthen lamps can be seen lit.

In Orissa, facing the coast of the Bay of Bengal, you'll find India's ethereal 13th-century Konark Sun Temple. This famous UNESCO site is dedicated to the Hindu sun god Surya and is built in the shape of his giant chariot. Admire the twelve pairs of stone wheels pulled by seven stone horses, which are ornately carved and display the time of day according to the rays of the sun. If you are lucky enough to visit in December, you will witness the Konark Dance Festival, a colorful showcase of India's cultural riches.

Old Lavani said to Agudengba:

Whether you're browsing or strolling through these awe-inspiring locations, complete your sensory experience with this awesome Indian sanctuary. Indian literature, poetry, movies, songs and dances are also world-famous art and culture. India is a rather magical country. Whether it is TV, movies or songs, they all have their own unique charm. Even if someone doesn't know which country the work is from, they will know it is from India after just listening to it. Indian songs have a unique exotic flavor and a catchy feeling.

The daughter of old man Lavani sang for Agudumba a song called "The Song of Raz" from the old Indian movie "The Wanderer":

 

I am a wanderer,

Destiny leads me forward.

I am a wanderer,

I won't hide it from you,

I'm a waif.

The streets are my home,

The dust and heat accompany me.

I can live with this fate,

No one loves me and no one loves me,

There is no house for me to live in,

There is no place for me in the world.

 

I am a wanderer,

I won't hide it from you,

who am I,

I'm a waif.

I can't change my life,

No matter if everything collapses and collapses,

I was still singing happily.

I am broad-minded and happy,

Don’t worry about the affairs of the world.

 

Oh, the human world,

Where can I find my love?

I am a wanderer,

Destiny leads me forward.