UNESCO World Heritage Sites Included in The Golden Chariot Itineraries
One of the best additions to the fleet of Indian luxury
trains, Golden Chariot takes guests on a whirlwind tour across the enchanting
landscapes of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala with its two itineraries- Pride
of the South and Splendor of the South. All the destinations covered on board
this train are magnificently blessed with the natural and historical wealth.
While the natural beauty, beaches and backwaters form the backbone of tourism
in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are home to medieval temples and
ramparts which have been included in the
list of World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
When it comes to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the two
itineraries of the Golden Chariot train covers a fair share of recognized
attractions sprinkled across different parts of South India. In this article, I
will talk about a few World Heritage Sites covered by the two itineraries of
this luxury tourist train.
Group of
Monuments in Hampi
Enlisted as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the city of
Hampi stands as a testimony to the austere and grandiose Hindu kingdom of
Vijaynagar. Built purely in the Dravidian style, the temples and palaces, dating
back to the 14th and 16th century, have won admiration of
a large number of tourists from all quarters. With its numerous temples,
monuments and ruins, the rocky region of Hampi is a visual delight. Some major
attractions in this region include Hazari Rama temple, Virupakasha temple, Elephant
Stable and Stone Chariots.
Group of
Monuments at Pattadakal
Nestled on the banks of Malprabha River, around 22 kilometers
from Badami, the town of Pattadakal is best known for the group of 8th
century monuments inscribed as Group of Monuments at Pattadakal. Built under
the patronage of Chalukya dynasty, these monuments display the versara style of
temple architecture, which blends the Dravidian and Nagara style of Hindu
temple architecture. These monuments were inscribed in 1987.
Churches
and Convents of Goa
The former capital of the Portuguese India, Old Goa is
located at a short distance from Panaji, the current capital of Goa. The region
still retains the old world charm with its churches and cathedrals, which are
perfect examples of Manueline, Mannerist and Baroque art. One of the most
visited sites in Old Goa is the Basilica of Bomb Jesus, which contain the
remains of St. Francis Xavier. Other attractions include Convent and Church of St. Francis of Assisi and Se
Cathedral.
Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram
Unparalleled in aesthetic appeal, the
group of forty monuments in Mahabalipuram has been inscribed as a World
Heritage Site by UNESCO. Mahabalipuram is a beautiful town nestled on the coast
of Bay of Bengal in the Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. The town is famous
for its rock-cut architectural marvels built in pure Dravidian style in the 7th
century. Some major attractions of Mahabalipuram include Five Rathas, Shore
Temple and Arjun Penance.
Brihadeeshwara Temple
A part of the UNESCO World Heritage
Site “Great Living Chola Temples”, the Brihadeeshwara temple at Thanjavur in
the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is a Shiva temple built during the rule of the
Chola dynasty. The 16 feet long and 13 feet high statue of Nandi, carved out of
a single rock is placed at the entrance of the temple. The 13 storied structure
is entirely built of granite. The primary deity of this temple is Lord Shiva,
however, images of various demi-gods have been carved on the outer wall such as
Dakshinamurthy, Surya and Chandra.
Summary:
The two itineraries of the Golden Chariot train-Pride of the South and Splendor
of the South- covers various UNESCO World Heritage Sites sprinkled across
different parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The article gives details of 5
such sites.
Post Your Ad Here
Comments