Posted by Ispirit *light of universal* on March 24, 2010 at 12:58am
at http://stepitout.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=5261388%3ABlogPost%...
Here we take a look at what happens when equally beautiful caves get mated with the architectural and artistic abilities of our ancestors (which,
sadly, still seem to outdo us by leaps and bounds). Everyone loves a
nice old castle, an old temple buried in the jungle, or a gargantuan
stone idol devoted to an ancient deity, but it is truly spectacular to
see it in all come together inside a mountain.
at http://stepitout.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=5261388%3ABlogPost%...
Here we take a look at what happens when equally beautiful caves get mated with the architectural and artistic abilities of our ancestors (which,
sadly, still seem to outdo us by leaps and bounds). Everyone loves a
nice old castle, an old temple buried in the jungle, or a gargantuan
stone idol devoted to an ancient deity, but it is truly spectacular to
see it in all come together inside a mountain.
Some Windows are Bigger than Others…
(images via jumpinjack)
The Predjamski Grad (that’s Slovenian for Castle in Front of the Cave, literally) dates back to the 12th Century, and sits in front of what’s called Erazem’s Cave. Aside from being stunningly gorgeous on
the outside, the site reeks of historical value and traditional
folklore. Because of its inherent stronghold-status, being the castle
built into a mountain-cave that it is, Predjamski Grad has been through
more than its fair share of sieges. Classic stories about this tell
show humor, as they describe the confusion of attacking armies at the
staying power of those holed up in the castle. They were unaware of the
huge network of caves lurking inside the mountain, which actually lead
to an exit on the other side.
the outside, the site reeks of historical value and traditional
folklore. Because of its inherent stronghold-status, being the castle
built into a mountain-cave that it is, Predjamski Grad has been through
more than its fair share of sieges. Classic stories about this tell
show humor, as they describe the confusion of attacking armies at the
staying power of those holed up in the castle. They were unaware of the
huge network of caves lurking inside the mountain, which actually lead
to an exit on the other side.
Big Enough for the Masses
(images via Stuck in Customs, Kristen Elsby, gardkarlsen, virtualtourist)
The Batu Caves in Malaysia are nothing short of mind-bogglingly huge. Meaning “Cave of Rocks,” this location is the hosting site every year for millions of Hindu pilgrims attending Thaipusam, a Hindu New
Year celebration. This has been going on for far longer than we’ve been
a country (so long in fact, that it doesn’t really matter where you are
reading this right now, because it’s still true), and the colossal
caves have served the celebrants well. A 242-step flight of stairs
leads up to the mountain entrance, where once inside, visitors are
greeted by what’s probably the largest room they’ll ever set foot in.
Not only is the cave gorgeous, but it’s open and airy, with skylights
the size of buildings letting in natural light during the day. The Batu
Caves are one of the most visited tourist sites in all of southeast
Asia today.
Year celebration. This has been going on for far longer than we’ve been
a country (so long in fact, that it doesn’t really matter where you are
reading this right now, because it’s still true), and the colossal
caves have served the celebrants well. A 242-step flight of stairs
leads up to the mountain entrance, where once inside, visitors are
greeted by what’s probably the largest room they’ll ever set foot in.
Not only is the cave gorgeous, but it’s open and airy, with skylights
the size of buildings letting in natural light during the day. The Batu
Caves are one of the most visited tourist sites in all of southeast
Asia today.
What Once Was Lost…
(images via Ben on Holiday, Guistaff, cfimages)
Most of what we know now in terms of archaeology was either discovered or recovered in the last 200 years, and we think we’re pretty hot stuff for it. We should never forget that people actually built
this stuff. One nice tradition for locals in Laos is to make a
pilgrimage to the Pak Ou Caves, and visit the collection of nearly
3,000 Buddhas. Whole families will make the journey, and leave their
own Buddha statue as a contribution. The photo on the right shows
ancient steps leading down into the Khao Luang Cave Temple, in
Phetchaburi, Thailand. Situated in Thailand’s largest national park,
this beautiful cave-temple is only 100 miles south of Bangkok, and
worth the expedition if anywhere near the area. Lastly, rediscovered by
accident in 1819 by the british in India, the Ajanta Caves are simply
beyond amazing. 29 different Buddhist temples set into a
horeshoe-shaped cliffside make up the hugely popular tourist site, some
of them dating as far back as the 2nd Century BCE. Nobody knows how
long the monks spent carving the extraordinary temples into the
cave-walls, or why they were suddenly abandoned so long ago. To be in
India and not experience these caves would simply be a crime.
this stuff. One nice tradition for locals in Laos is to make a
pilgrimage to the Pak Ou Caves, and visit the collection of nearly
3,000 Buddhas. Whole families will make the journey, and leave their
own Buddha statue as a contribution. The photo on the right shows
ancient steps leading down into the Khao Luang Cave Temple, in
Phetchaburi, Thailand. Situated in Thailand’s largest national park,
this beautiful cave-temple is only 100 miles south of Bangkok, and
worth the expedition if anywhere near the area. Lastly, rediscovered by
accident in 1819 by the british in India, the Ajanta Caves are simply
beyond amazing. 29 different Buddhist temples set into a
horeshoe-shaped cliffside make up the hugely popular tourist site, some
of them dating as far back as the 2nd Century BCE. Nobody knows how
long the monks spent carving the extraordinary temples into the
cave-walls, or why they were suddenly abandoned so long ago. To be in
India and not experience these caves would simply be a crime.
By Ecoist
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.