Just About Everything

                                                      Ta Prohm, Cambodia The last temple we visited on day 3 after  Baphuon Temple and the Terrace of Elephants Angkor, Cambodia , was  Ta Prohm.  Ta Prohm is one of the most visited and well-known temples in Angkorwat.  One of the main reasons being is this temple is where a few scenes from the Angelina Jolie starrer popular film, Tomb Raider was filmed. And the other one of course is the eerie and unique atmosphere.  Built around late 12 th  and early 13 th  century, and back then known as Rajavihara (Monastery of the King), this temple was founded by King Jayavarman VII and was a Buddhist temple. The one thing that contributes to the atmosphere at Ta Prohm is that it remains in pretty much the same condition as it was found.  The jungles and trees have litera...

                                                       Sunset at Phnom Bakheng One of the oldest temples in Angkor, Phnom Bakheng temple is on a hill and involves a little bit of climb to reach there.  Built in the 9th century the Phnom Bakheng temple is currently not in a great condition, parts are being restored and you can make out how nice it must have been in it's prime.  They were allowing only a certain number of people on top of the temple due to it's fragile  condition.   I did not want to miss this temple since it seems extremely popular for  sunset views.  On the way up I could catch a glimpse of the Angkor wat temple complex amidst the jungles. T he temple is unique in it's own way, and because it is at an elevation, the aerial overall view was nice. This was the last temple on our agenda on day ...

Brihadeeswarar Temple view Easily one of the most imposing temples in India, Brihadeeswarar temple was completed in 1010 AD, and built in the regime of emperor Raja Raja Chola I. Located in Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, India, this UNESCO world heritage site temple's Dravidian architecture is out of the world! There are two very elaborate and beautiful gates that you will come across after entering through the first gate. Before reaching the main temple, you can’t miss the beautiful Nandi statue. Carved out of a single granite rock, the statue of Nandi (the sacred bull) which is around 4.9 m long and 4 m high! The Nandi statue is perhaps the largest in India!  A long assembly hall leads to the central shrine which houses the Shiva lingam (around 4 m high). The temple tower is very-very tall, it is as high as 216 ft, and the structure on the top of the temple is made out of a single rock (weighing approx 80 tons!). A long ramp was constructed up to the top of the templ...