Hampi – Rickshaw Challenge

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Southern India

veronika — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 14:41:11 +0000

There are more than 30 protected sites in India altogether, which is no surprise: it is a country with a rich cultural and historical past. Let’s look at how many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Southern India we can list!
Churches of Goa
There is a long list of convents and churches in Goa that have been named UNESCO World Heritage sites. They were built by the Portuguese in the 15^th and 16^th centuries in an effort to spread Christianity. The most beautiful of these churches and convents are: Saint Catherine’s Chapel, Church and Convent of Saint Francis of Assisi, Basílica do Bom Jesus, Igreja de São Francisco de Assis, Church of Saint Cajetan and its seminary, Church of Our Lady of the Rosary and Church of Saint Augustine. The most famous churches of these is the Basílica do Bom Jesus, because it contains the relics of St. Francis Xavier.

The Basílica do Bom Jesus. Photo by Basheer Olakara

Group of Monuments at Hampi, Karnataka
Situated in the Northern part of Karnataka, the ruins at Hampi symbolize a time long gone, but ever important – it was the last capital of the last Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagar. The absurdly rich royalty at the time built Dravidian temples that became famous among travellers in the 14^th and 16^th century. The temples were abandoned when the Deccan Muslim Confederacy invaded the city. The most significant temple among the ruins is the Virupaksha Temple, which still is an important religious site for Hindus. There are also a lot of other temples in Hampi that are worth seeing, like the Krishna temple complex and the Lotus Mahal complex.

Achyuta Raya Temple, Hampi. Photo by Arian Zwegers

Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, Karnataka
The group of monuments at Pattadakal are most well-known for their style of architecture. They were built under the Chalukya dynasty, and reflect the eclectic style used at that time, around 6^th and 7^th centuries. There are nine Hindu temples worth seeing here – all of them are equally amazing. There is also a Jain sanctuary, and the showstopper of all: the Temple of Virupaksha. It was commissioned by Queen Lokamahadevi in 740, to pay homage to her husband’s great success in defeating the kings from the South.

The temples of Virupaksha and Kashivishvanath. Photo by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra

Great Chola Temples, Tamilnadu
As the name might suggest, these buildings in Tamil Nadu were built during the Chola Empire. Three temples are the most important: the Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the Airavatesvara Temple and the Brihadisvara Temple. The Brihadisvara Temple was commissioned by Rajaraja I. and is the most perfect example of Chola architectural elements. The Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram was dedicated to Lord Shiva and built under the reign of Rajendera I., while the Airavatesvara Temple was built while Rajaraja II. was leader – its most distinctive feature is that it looks quite different from the other two temples. Al of the celebrations and spiritual rituals that have been held in the past are still being honored today, showing us just how important these temples are for the Tamil heritage.

Airavatesvara Temple. Photo by Arian Zwegers

Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, Tamilnadu
There are a large number of temples and buildings that are worth mentioning when it comes to Mahabalipuram:, Ganesha Ratha, Cave Temples of Mahabalipuram, Structural Temples including the Olakkannesvara Temple and the Shore Temple, Descent of the Ganges, and the The Pancha Rathas Temples. Not far from Chennai, these structures were built during the reign of the Pallava dynasty and are famously carved out of rocks. There are forty sanctuaries among the monuments and the largest Open Air Rock Relief, called Ganga’s Descent. It is also important to mention the beautiful series of caves that constitute a Cave temple – it is a truly spiritual place to visit.

Beautiful Carved Monuments. Photo by Arian Zwegers

Western Ghats, Tamilnadu, Kerala, Karnataka
Also known as the Sahyadri Mountain ranges, the Western Ghats run northwards along the western part of the Deccan Plateau. They are not specifically only centered in one region, but in four: Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. The highest point of the mountain range is around 1200 meters, and the area spreads out on more than 160,000 square kilometers. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site because this area is among the world’s top eight World’s Biological Hot Spots, which means that it has incredibly high numbers of different types of species, be it animals or botanical wonders. Most of the animals in the Western Ghats are highly endangered.

Peek-aBoo! Photo by Thangaraj Kumaravel

9 Interesting Sites on the Deccan Plateau

admin — Mon, 04 May 2015 09:41:23 +0000

The Deccan Odyssey is on the horizon, starting in just a month and a bit, so to hype things up a bit we want to introduce the Deccan Plateau to you. This large stretch of land, taking up most of central and south India, lies between the Western and Eastern Ghats, the Nilgiri Hills in the south and Aravalli and Chota Nagpur hills in the north.

The plateau is vast, so of course the Rickshaw Challenge Deccan Odyssey won’t go through all of these places, but we do touch on them in the India’s Cup and the Rickshaw Challenge Mumbai Xpress as well!

The Ajanta and Ellora Caves

Photo by Yashasvi nagda

Both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Ajanta and Ellora Caves are some of India’s most remarkable monuments. Housing intricate friezes, frescoes and rock-carved temples dedicated to Buddhist, Hindu and Jain faiths, the Ajanta caves date back to the 2^nd century BC to 6^th century AD; it has 29 caves and is set in the stunning backdrop of a crescent shaped gorge. Ellora on the otherhand has 34 caves, with grand halls, monasteries and temples inside. These caves are slightly younger than Ajanta, dating back to 5^th to 11^th centuries AD. This is definitely going to be one of the biggest highlights on the upcoming Deccan Odyssey!
The Mini-Taj Mahal of Aurangabad

Photo by Arian Zwegers

Aurangabad might be used as a gateway to visit the famous Ajanta and Ellora caves, but this city, named after the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, has plenty to offer.
The city has its own set of Buddhist cave temples dating back to the 6^th and 7^th century AD, but perhaps its most amazing is Bibi ka Maqbara, a monument that bears a striking resemblance to the Taj Mahal. This white marbled building was built in the 17^th century by Azam Shah for his mother, and is pretty spectacular, especially if you won’t get the time to go all the way up to Agra, this makes a pretty good consolation prize.

The Ruins of Hampi

Photo by Apadegal

At the centre of the Deccan Plateau in Karnataka, the enigmatic city of Hampi spreads out for miles on end, with ancient temples and palaces dotted between rocky boulders. This is another UNESCO Site that the Deccan Plateau can claim for itself. Hampi used to be the capital of the Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagar, which saw its hayday in the 14^th to 16^th centuries. Even today, Hampi is still a spectacular site for visitors. Hampi is one of our highlights on the India’s Cup Ambassador rally!

The Fort of Belgaum

Photo by Manjunath Doddamani Gajendragad

The town of Belgaum dates back to the 12^th century AD to the Ratta dynasty. Belgaum was renowned for its trade in diamonds and wood in the past, but today it’s still a commercial hub of Karnataka state. Main features of this town, which is one of our stops on the Deccan Odyssey, is Belgaum Fort, built in the 13^th century by Jaya Raya. The fort is perhaps most famed for Gandhi having been imprisoned by the British here. You’ll also find several religious monuments dedicated to Hindu, Jain and Muslim faiths inside as well.

The Qutb Shahi Monuments of Hyderabad

Photo by Vamsi Varma

Hyderabad is one of the most interesting cities in the Deccan Plateau. It has a Muslim majority and almost split to join Pakistan, had it not been in its geographic location in the south of India. Main sites include the famous Charminar at the centre of the old town, and Golconda Fort on the outskirts. Golconda is India’s second largest fort and a spectacular site in itself. You’ll also find the spectacular Qutb Shahi Tombs close to Golconda as well.

The Tea Fields of Ooty

Up in the Nilgiri Hills, the town of Ooty is known for its tea gardens and factories. A drive through the hills offers stunning views of bright green tea fields stretching down the mountainside. The tight hairpin bends would be a challenge by rickshaw, which is why we try to get the Ambassadors to tackle this route on the India’s Cup.

The Palaces of Mysore

Famed for its palaces, Mysore is a city in South India that can be thought of as a jewel in its own right. Mysore Palace is said to be India’s second most visited site after the Taj Mahal, and is a bright and gaudy example of indo-saracenic style. The palace echoes back to the era of the Maharajas, with its interior resembling a jewel more than a palace.

Pune’s Legacy

Photo by Mahurkartejas

Pune was once the seat of the Maratha Empire and grew under the ruler Shicajo and under the British Raj. The city today is India’s eighth largest metropolis in India and the state’s second largest city after Mumbai.
There is plenty to see and do in Pune, like the 8^th century rock-cut Pataleshwar Cave Temple or the Aga Kahn Palace. Perhaps the most famous monument is the Red Palace, built in the 17^th century and a bright red structure in the city.

The Gardens of Bangalore

Photo by Kprateek88

Bangalore, also known as the Garden City, is Karnataka’s capital and also the IT hub of India. It’s a city that had a complex history from the Vijayanagar Empire to the Mughals, the Wodeyars and to British India. Bangalore’s main attractions are the Vidhan Soudha – the Legislative Chambers of the state government – and Lal Bagh, 240 acres of gardens!

Are you crazy enough to come along for the ride? Then join us on the next Rickshaw Challenge. Then get a team together and lets see you at the starting line! If you want to join us in spirit, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter or Instagram to keep up with our latest antics.

The Curious, Wonderful and Downright Weird Sites in South India

admin — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 13:26:40 +0000

India is different. If you’ve been there or planning to go there, you’ll find out this fact soon enough. And if riding across South India in a Rickshaw isn’t crazy enough for you then check out these weird sites in the area.

Ramanujan Museum, Chennai

One of the academic bad boys of Chennai, mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan re-derived a century’s worth of Western mathematics back in the early 20th century, gaining international recognition for his genius.
He died aged 32, after spending his life establishing proofs and formulae, where some of his ideas have been the most strange and obscure in its field, going on to inspire some of the most important mathematical discoveries.
Ramanujan might have made a difference to the world, but all that’s left of him is a national holiday in the state of Tamil Nadu and a small one-room museum.
This curious museum now houses a bric-a-brac collection of Ramanujan’s photographs, memorabilia and even his original passport.

The Ruins of an Ancient Metropolis, Hampi

Today, the largest city in the world goes to Tokyo in Japan, but 500 years ago, Hampi surpassed any contemporary metropolis, even beating Rome, Baghdad or Istanbul!
The city is now abandoned, but once held a population of 250,000 people and was the Hindu capital for the Vijayanagara Empire found in Southern India.
The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and with good reason, it sports a variety of stunning eclectic architectural structures, including the Virupaksha Temple.

Sail on a Keralan House Boat

When you want to take a break from the auto rickshaw, or relax after the race, try to get on board a Keralan Houseboat. Converted from an old Kettuvallam barge, these houseboats allow you to explore parts of Kerala you rarely get to see.
Even if you don’t get a barge, you should explore the Kuttinad backwaters around Kerala for a different taste of Indian life. You’ll find a tangled network of rivers, lagoons and channels all enveloped by dense jungle.

Rameshwaram Temple

Located on the tip of Tamil Nadu, this temple is one of India’s holiest sites. This temple is renowned for its huge scale, measuring 205m, with over 1200 pillars lining the extraordinarily long corridors.

Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary

Not only is the Sathyamangalam Wildlife Santuary the largest in Tamil Nadu, it is also an important wildlife corridor linking the Nilgiri biosphere in the Western and Eastern Ghat Mountains.
While it’s mostly a tiger sanctuary and natural park, there is also an eerie element tied up in its legend.
The story has it that the legendary Indian bandit, Koose Muniswamy Veerapan, who was killed in the area in 2004, still haunts the forest. At night, visitors have heard screams in the middle of the night and sightings of unattended lanterns left deep in the forest, sometimes even reportedly “floating in the air”.
So by day, Sathyamangalam is an animal sanctuary, but by night it’s Tamil Nadu’s most haunted place.

Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad

The Ramoji Film City earns its curiosity factor from being one of the world’s largest integrated film studio complexes, measuring a total of 6.42 square kilometres. The venue pulls in over a million of tourists per year, so much so there is even hotels set up on the grounds.
But the hotels hold a dark secret, since many believe these are haunted. The whole site of the film studios is rumoured to have been built up on the war grounds of the Nizam sultans, meaning the area carries bad ju-ju.
Some say that strange marks have been left on the mirrors, knocks from bathroom doors locked from the outside and lights falling off during filming in the studios.

Hampi’s Postcard

Indian Barber Shave

admin — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 12:55:08 +0000

Indian Barber Shave in Hampi, India.
From The Nomad Barber