India: Ancient India

Celebrating Holi

The Hindu festival of colors, where friends will gather during the day for ‘Holi parties’ and throw colored powder and water over each other. Traditionally associated with the coming of spring, friends gather during the day for 'Holi parties'. The throwing of powder has a hidden significance as the colors were originally made of 'neem' and 'haldi' (tumeric), which are believed to contain properties that help stave off illnesses that come with the changing weather.

Golden Temple of Amritsar in Northern India

It is said that 750 kg of pure gold went into building this dome, which represents a lotus leaf. This was meant to symbolize the goal of leading a life of purity, which is a main belief of the Sikh religion.

Taj Mahal

In 1631, Shan Jahan, emperor during the Mughal Empire’s period of greatest prosperity, was brokenhearted when his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died during the birth of her fourteenth child. Building began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, and employed thousands of artisans and craftsmen. Polluting traffic is not allowed near the complex and tourists must walk from parking lots or catch an electric bus.

Tanjore Temple

The highest building in India when it was dedicated in 1010, the Great Temple of Tanjore, in Tamil Nadu, is a World Heritage Site today, but still a living temple. The beautiful architecture is surrounded by astonishing carvings.

Meenakshi Temple

The Meenakshi Temple is 150 ft high and inside has some awe-inspiring art. It is located in the 2500 year old city of Madurai. The whole complex is around 45 acres, and the temple is surrounded by 12 more towers.

The buildings and temples of India are absolutely incredible.

How do you think they build these incredible buildings without the modern technology of today?