Hari Parbat Fort – A Brilliant Piece of Ancient Architecture

On the very next day, our group decided to visit Srinagar. So after having early breakfast, the four of us left for the place in our cab. The regular chit chat was going on along with me clicking the hilarious moments and the outside beauty of the Mother Nature. Our destination was at a distance of around 270 kms and was about to take 5-6 hrs.

Hari Parbat As Seen From Almond Garden | Image Resource : wikipedia.org

We reached the Hari Parbat Fort on the expected time. The fort is situated on the Hari Parbat hill which is sited on the outskirts of this beautiful city. We reached the fort after climbing the hill and could see the magnificent panoramic view of the entire downtown. The first fortifications were initiated by the well known emperor Akbar, in the year 1950.The outer wall constructed by this emperor is still the most ancient longest wall present in the subcontinent that is stretched for around five kilometers.

Hari Parbat Fort | Image Resource : Wikipedia.org

I am a great admirer of our rich and affluent history and was glad to visit such a place that is a wonderful work from our history. There was also a park and is called as Almond Garden. This park looks like an extended part of the fort as its entrance is built in sink with the fort and the fort overlooks the boundary of the park.

Almond Garden | Image Resource : cultivemonos-cultivando.org

We were exploring the entire fort praising the enormous place and the beautifully carved windows. The windows at the corners were giving an entirely different view of the city. The architecture of the fort was splendid. We were wondering about the number of laborers, efforts and the duration that would have been required to build such a masterpiece in that time. There was a pool in the courtyard that added to the beauty of the fort. Though, it was not maintained well, it clearly extended our imagination to the grace it would have added in those time. The huge walls, compact staircases, a range of windows; all were adding to the brilliant works of the past. We were clicking pictures at almost every corner and were feeling proud at our rich ancient structures and architecture. Though, we wish, more attention was given to their maintenance.

Shanti Stupa Ladakh – An Amazing Site

The next place of Jammu and Kashmir that we were planning to explore was the place with amazing landscapes- Ladakh. Ladakh is awesome lands bounded by the splendid physical features that are settled in a vast landscape and, because of this, it come into sight as beautifully desolate and remote.

Shanti Stupa Ladakh | Image Resource : Wikipedia.org

Leh is the center of operations of Ladakh, and is a captivating destination. We were visiting the elegant Shanti Stupa that is sited on a hill top in a place called  Chanspa, Leh district, in the north Indian state of the paradise place-Jammu and Kashmir.

Shanti Stupa | Image Resource : flickr.com

 The Stupa was constructed to endorse world peace and prosperity and to venerate 2500 years of Buddhism. It is also considered as a representation of the friendly ties among the populace of Japan and Ladakh. This Shanti Stupa embraces the remainder of the Buddha at its base.We reached the Stupa and couldn’t stop ourselves from praising the awe-inspiring panoramic view of the adjoining landscape. The gorgeous positioning of the Stupa makes it a famous tourist attraction, along with it to be a place of religious significance.

Lord Buddha | Image Resource : wikipedia.org

We were observing the architecture of the Shanti Stupa. It was built as a two level structure. We entered inside and had a magnificent look at the golden Buddha image located centrally in the first level; which was sitting over a podium that was depicting the Dharma-chakra. We moved further to the next level which was holding reliefs that depicted birth of Lord Buddha, his death and his “ defeating the devils” while meditating. It was so peaceful and good to be there. Our engineer friend, Rishabh noticed that the architectural style of the Stupa was very different from the traditional style of Ladakh, and we all agreed with him.

Defeating The Devils | Image Resource : Wikipedia.org

We were told that the sunrise and sunset were the best views from the Stupa, so we were waiting for sunset, and were acknowledging the place meanwhile, and clicking pictures in various poses. With the commencement of dusk and with the spreading darkness, the Stupa was illuminated with lights and that was the best view of Stupa amid the glittering lights. We stayed there for a long time before our way back to the district of Leh.