Enchanting caves of Elephanta !!

I happen to be in Mumbai for 6 months to pursue my diploma in gemology, every weekend hangouts were for sure with my PG pals n course mates to different places in and around Mumbai, and once we decided to visit Historical Monument the Elephanta Caves, which would be a lovely daycation.

  

         It was a Sunny Sunday, a day in midst of April we left to Elephanta Caves, as journey was of an hour+, Hired a cab till Gate way of India which is on Mumbai Harbor, spent 150 bucks each and bought twin journey tickets to travel in Ferry boat which is the only way to reach out Elephanta Caves, were asked to rush towards Apollo Bunder and the ferry boat with its passengers was ready to departure from the dock. We occupied a front seat which was luckily vacant and which gave me a boat driver feel who’s sailing through the great Arabian Sea. Within the couple of minutes the boat slowly moved away from the dock, and picked up its speed. After few mins, on turning back, a lovely panorama of Gateway of India, two huge builds of Hotel Taj and several ferry boats on the harbor were visible.

         

On the way we were able to see many huge ships carrying crude n other cargo moving around in different directions. It was just a great experience traveling across a mighty Arabian Sea.

  

Now lemme describe a bit about Elephanta caves, these are located on an island which is situated nearly 10 kms away towards east from the Gateway of India shoreline; it takes around 50 mins to reach this island. This island is named after a colossal elephant found in the island, which is popularly known as ‘Gharapuri’.   Portuguese named this caves as Elephanta on seeing the huge gigantic statue of an elephant head at entrance. And now this statue is housed at Jijamata Garden in Mumbai. These caves are datable from circa 6th – 7th centuries A.D. (as mentioned in guide booklet). And here comes the island..

  We got down on to the island and we were surrounded by the local guides, restaurant waalas n many other. On seeing the local guides who were just teenagers, I recalled a typical scene from movie “Slum dog Millionaire” were in   a  so called guide Jamal Malik tells a cock n bull story about Taj Mahal to foreign tourists n loot them like anything,,lol,,!  The small hillock which was visible from coast of a lovely island is the one on which caves are situated, we had to cover a distance of couple of kms to reach in close proximity of the hill, to cover this small distance we had two options i.,e either by a toy train or by walk and we choose to walk, as there were many stalls of handicrafts and few artiste along with which we headed towards the hill, most of the stalls for ladies products, only few of them sold some foolish quotes n one-liner t shirts which didn’t interest me, just around a couple of meters away I got a shop which were selling antiques, murals but the only things which were visible to me in varieties was, a hookah, cigar n chillum pipes, a small portable wooden carved pipe which can be used for all 3 purpose was one which I liked the most, negotiated it from 250 bucks to 100 n purchased it,  this would be the best gift I can give to one of  my close buddy Kiran, who's fond of collecting such antiques.

Along with window shopping, in next 20 mins we were on the main entrance of caves. Here again we were surrounded by some local ladies who were selling unsealed mineral water bottles and butter milk aka (Desi daaru) at just 5 bucks per bottle, Ignored them and moved a head to buy entrance tickets. 10 bucks per head was a cost if ticket which included the visit of all seven caves of Elephanta. The information board near by ticket counter said that this cave was renovated in the 1970s and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 to preserve the artwork. It is currently maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India

The Main entrance to first cave

 Beginning with the first and the mammoth temple which was sculpted in a huge deep cave with  huge courtyard, several pillars,  and corridors in it.  It consisted of many figurines of lord Shiva, and Vishnu which were partially damaged.

Partial Damaged figurine of Lord Vishnu

Lord shiva in Nataraj Avtar

The most eye-catchy and center of attraction was 3 headed Shiva which renders him as the creator, the preserver and the destroyer of the universe.

 There is also a Gigantic shiv lingam which is guarded by two huge Dwarpalak( The Guards) on its entrance which were destructed partially,   

The 4 cardinal direction entrance to Maha Lingam

 All the caves are beautiful in their own way and its pretty difficult to pen down its beauty.     

A top view of a cave from the mountain.

A sea and a harbor from the highest peak of  the island.

  It took around couple of hours  visiting all different caves, spent some time in restaurant munching some snacks, and moved on to the harbor back were the ferry boats were ready to sail.We were lucky enough to see the sun set and even Mumbai was visible in blur from boat while our return.

Softly the evening came with the sunset.

                                                  


                                                                                            

Architectural Miracle, rather only sculpt @ Transfixed Ranakpur..!

My jaunting sets in motion on late of Dec 2010 around 10 am with my cousins, friends and of course my cam. Heading towards Ranakpur temple located right @ 10^th Km towards Udaipur from my native town named Sadri in Pali district which is situated right in between Jodhpur and Udaipur in a valley on the western side of the Aravalli Range.

It took nearly 15 mins by road to reach Ranakpur temple along with a pleasure of lavish landscapes, as well as variety of birds and animals such as Monkey, Pigeon, Owl, eagle, Peacock, Squirrel and piggy’s which are commonly seen on roadside. A typical scene of village in which Rajasthani women wearing a colorful traditional dresses with a of course a long “GHUNGHAT” covering her forehead , eyes , and nose, touching her pair of lips, along with a set of bangles in both hands and many other traditional ornaments make them look really beautiful . After a couple of minutes various red and white flags were hanged fluttering in the breeze along with moving small bells to a constant tinkling were visible as well as audible, which signified the nearness of destination, within no time my excitement turned infinite.

And finally we entered the temples extremely large premises and got our Tempo Traveler parked. The premises was entirely changed with what one I saw a decade back, now it’s burgeon with lush green trees and plants & various other structures which facilitates the tourists and visitors for their stay. Its one among the famous tourist destination in Rajasthan known for its splendid architectures which magnetizes many travelers and sightseers from all around the globe. This temple is considered as one amongst famous enchilada for Jains.

A rare front view of a temple.

The renowned Jain temple is dedicated to Lord Adinatha who is known as first Thirtankara of Jainism, was built in the 14^th century, Ranakpur is named after the ruler “Rana Kumbha” whom Dharna Shah, a Jain businessman, approached for land when he envisioned of building a great temple around 700 years ago. He spent crores together around 7 centuries ago, and was successful in seeing his vision coming true. And till the date, 17^th generation of the same family continues the legacy of changing the flags (Dhwaj) of temples annually, in a Leman, its anniversary celebrations.

White marble for this temple was quarried from the mines of Makrana in Rajasthan, which also has the credit of supplying quality white marble to Agra’s Taj Mahal; it occupies an area of approximately 60 x 62 meters and is spread in 48000 sq ft of area. The temple, with its distinctive domes, turret and cupolas rises majestically from the slope of a hill.

Soon I rushed towards the temple and saw several foreigners with their guides in queue @ depositor’s counter where everyone need to deposit their belongings like cell phones, camera, leather ware, I handed over all my belongings except some cash in pocket and walked towards main entrance of temple. Before I started climbing steps, the board on the left side of the entrance said “The regulations for entering a holy Jain temple”. Shoes must be removed, black clothing is not permitted, neither any leather article like belts, wallets, &with a new amendment of avoidance of cell phone and cameras into the temple. And I was qualified to step in.

On entering in the main temple, with a cool shrine ambiance I could see main 4 sculptures of Lord Adinatha installed on a altar pedestal facing 4 cardinal direction (Chaumukha), a charming, delightful and peaceful face of a statue seized my attention and left me spell bound, I had no words to describe this mesmerizing beauty of the statuette, a fore head covered with golden strap, a glitzy Diamond studded Tilak, and sparkling eyes made up with a mixture of several precious gems as well as metals embellished it, I then offered my prayers, gave pradakshinas ,and moved on to have a look around the place.

The center hall is too colossal and has a large engraved doom in center with a beautiful chandelier hanging, and to my surprise it is not lighted using electricity, instead only oil lamps which were placed in several funnel shaped glasses which are sufficient to provide light in main hall of temple. 2 huge bells weighing around 100 kgs each were also dangled on side which sounds damn loudly & continues to echo for couple of minutes, A temple has four entrances (Chaumukha) facing 4 cardinal directions, There are more or less 1444 marble pillars supporting 29 halls, carved in exquisite detail, all the pillars are differently carved and no two pillars are the alike, not even a bit of place in a pillar and wall is left uncarved. It is also said that it is impossible to count the pillars, (gave a try with count, but held up being at sixes & sevens) by and large people who try either fell short of, or else count more then the actual number . Each wall and pillar is carved with unique designs ranging from sumptuous dancers to geometric & beautiful floral patterns. Many other miniature and mammoth statues can be noticed on every nook and corner. There is also one beautiful carving made out of a single marble rock where there are 108 heads of snakes and numerous tails. One cannot find the end of the tails. There are also several unique, unparagoned & unimaginable trinkets on figurine creatively carved.

Some Amazingly sculpted Miniatures on ceiling, walls and pillars..

At some point I met a pujaari of temple, a typical airplane talker, who is serving since 6 an a half decades, he shared many things about the temples architecture, there is one pillar which is intentionally kept leaning, you can find it at the right side of the main temple if you are facing the temple. He said that pillar was kept so as to avoid the evil eye, as the temple is so beautiful that it invites envy from most visitors. There are many clandestine and privy beneath the temple, which were built to avoid an unexpected damages and loss from attack by mughal rulers and dacoits. He also said that around 400 workers were on job while construction, and salary to all was paid in terms gold and silver only, the quantity of marble powder out while carving was exchanged with same quantity of gold and small pieces and chips of marble out were exchanged with silver, Many earned ingots in gold n silver, so this system ensured more superior and minute engraving, the same system was even followed in Dilwara temple of Mount Abu he added. He compared the architects with Alchemists who converted a shapeless marble into such a fine art; I believe architects were really born with Midas power.

After spending an hour and a half in temple, pujaari ushered me to a dining hall were I had my lunch, later I make a move, and my opinion regarding this spot stands glorious to contemplate. The three other temples in the same compound, including a temple of the Sun God, are all well worth to visit. A kilometer away from the temple complex is the temple of Ambe Mata. It’s said that these temples are made out of working over time by labors after working on main site . The Art was as beautiful and flawless as in main temple, and here my small trip comes to an end relishing the blissful place. Some spots like kumbhal gadh ghati and Parshuramji which I wished to visit went in for toss and ultimately my next stopover was Mount Abu & Dilwara temple.

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A palpable morsels of stars!! perfectly eye catchy,,..

10 MOST EXPENSIVE DIAMONDS IN THE WORLD...

i bet you'll keep staring...

Kohinoor : Unestimated

Kohinoor which means “Mountain of Light” from the Persian, also spelled Koh-e Noor or Koh-i-Nur is 105 carats (21.6 g) diamond that was once the largest known diamond in the world. The Kohinoor originated at Golconda in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. It is owned by various Sikh, Mughal and Persian rulers who fought bitterly over it at various points in history and win the war damage time and again. After completely ignoring the Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s will was eventually confiscated by the East India Company and became part of the British Crown Jewels when British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli declared Empress of India Queen Victoria in 1877. This is the legend that anyone who has a Koh-i-Noor ruled the world. Possible condemnation associated with ownership of the diamond dates back to the Hindu texts relating to the first confirmed appearance of the diamond in 1306

The Sancy Diamond : Unestimated

The Sancy, a pale yellow diamond of 55.23 carat (11.05 g), once belonged to famous ancient Great Mogul, but more likely from India who was cut because of the unusual with Western standards.
Shield shaped stone consists of two back-to-back crowns (the typical upper stone) but does not have any resemblance to a pavilion (the bottom of the stone, under the belt or the middle of the body)

The Cullinan : $ 400 Millions (approx)..

The Cullinan diamond is the largest rough gem quality diamond ever found, at 3,106.75 carat (621.35 g). Largest polished stone named Cullinan I or the First Star of Africa, and the 530.2 carats (106.0 g) is the largest diamond in the world until the year 1985 the discovery of the Golden Jubilee Diamond, 545.67 carat (109.13 g), also from the Premier Mine. Cullinan I is now mounted on the head with a stick Cross. The second largest gem from the Cullinan stone, Cullinan II or the Little Star of Africa, at 317.4 carats (63.5 g), is the fourth largest diamond in the world. The second jewel in the Crown Jewels of the British Empire.

The Hope Diamond : $350 Millions (The one on Titanic)

Hope Diamond is a large, 45.52 carat (9.10 g), housed in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington. Hope Diamond exhibits DC-blue to the naked eye due to a trace amount of boron in the crystal structure, but exhibits a red phosphor under ultraviolet light. It is classified as Type IIb diamonds, and is famous for being a curse

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De Beers Centenary Diamond: $ 100 Millions

De Beers Centenary Diamond has 273. 85 carat (54. 77 g) weight. It’s the third largest diamond has been produced in the Premier Mine. The Centenary Diamond is rated as a level D color by Gemological Institute of America, which is the highest grade diamond is colorless and internally and externally flawless. Centenary Diamond was named as shown in the rough for Centennial. The Centenary Diamond was introduced formally in May 1991.

The Steinmetz Pink : $ 25 Millions

The Steinmetz Pink is the diamond weighing 59.60 carat (11.92 grams), the color defined as Fancy Vivid Pink by the Gemological Institute of America. The Steinmetz Pink is the largest known diamond has been given Vivid Pink. As a result of the scarcity of this extraordinary diamonds, the Steinmetz Group took careful 20 months to cut the Pink. It was introduced in Monaco on May 29, 2003, in a public ceremony

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Wittelsbach Diamond: approx $ 16.4 Millions

Wittelsbach Diamond is also known as Der Blaue Wittelsbacher is 35.56 carat (7.11 g) blue diamond with VS 2 clarity. It has been appreciated by European aristocracy for centuries. It has become part of both Austria and Bavaria, the Crown jewels.

Color and clarity have been compared with the Hope Diamond. Diamond size 24.40 mm in diameter and 8.29 mm in depth. Facet 82 has been arranged in an atypical pattern. Stars in terms of crown divided vertically and the pavilion has sixteen needle-like facets, arranged in pairs, pointing outward from the culet terms.

The Heart of Eternity : approx $16 Millions

The Heart of Eternity is a diamond measuring 27.64 carats (5.528 g). The color assessed as “Fancy Vivid Blue” by the Gemological Institute of America. The Heart of Eternity was cut by the Steinmetz Group, who has a diamond before selling to the De Beers Group.

The Heart of Eternity is a member of very rare colored diamonds. Found in the Premier Diamond Mine in South Africa. Blue (Type IIb) diamonds is less than 0.1% of the output from the Premier mine, which is the only mine in the world produce this blue diamond. From the ten colored diamonds that attract the highest bids, six out of ten were blue diamond, rating values as high as $ 550,000 to $ 580,000 per carat ($ 2750-2900 / mg).

The Moussaieff Red Diamond : approx $ 7 Millions

The Moussaieff Red is displayed as part of the Smithsonian’s “The Splendor of Diamonds” exhibition, in addition to the De Beers Millennium Star and The Heart of Eternity.

Moussaieff Red is reported to have been discovered by a Brazilian farmer in Abaetezinho river in 1990, in an area known as Alto Paranaiba who had a reputation as a great source of beautiful and colorful diamond. Roughly, it was believed to be 13. 9 carats (2. 78 g).

Diamond was purchased and cut by the William Goldberg Diamond Corp. and named the Red Shield. It is currently owned by Moussaieff Jewelers Ltd. Rated in color as Fancy Red by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Moussaieff Red Diamond is a diamond the size of 5. 11 carat (1. 022 g) by cutting a triangular brilliant (sometimes called trilliant trillion or cut), given a color as FancyRed by the Gemological Institute of America. Although this may seem relatively small when compared to other famous diamonds, the Moussaieff Red is, in fact, the largest Fancy Red the GIA reports having value.

The Allnatt Diamond: Approx $ 3 Millions

The Allnatt Diamond is a diamond with the size of 101.29 carat (20.258 g) with a cushion cut. Rated in color as Fancy Vivid Yellow by the Gemological Institute of America. This diamond is named after one of the holders, Major Alfred Ernest Allnatt, a soldier, sportsman, art patron and supporter. Although not known exactly where Allnatt get this diamond, but many experts believe that it may be found in what is now known as the De Beers Premier Diamond Mine.

Allnatt origins are not known before the purchase of diamonds by Major Allnatt in early 1950s. After buying this diamond, he commissioned Cartier to make arrangements for the final setting to form a platinum flower with five petals, two stems and leaves, all arranged by diamond. The Allnatt is resold at auction in May 1996 by Christie’s in Geneva for $ 3,043,496 U.S. At the time of sale in Allnatt is 102.07 carat (20.41 g). and assessed Fancy Intense Yellow. After the sale to Siba Corporation, a diamond is cut into the heavy again today and the intensity increased as a result.

JUST IMAGINE HOW WEALTHY U GOT TO BE FOR BUYING JUS ONE OF THEM !!!!