Buddhist temples located inside caves,
The isolation of these sites serves to intensify the spiritual connection experienced by visitors. While some places of worship use architectural height to draw attention up to the heavens, these cave temples highlight the value of spiritual treasures that lie within. Datdawtaung Cave Mandalay region, Myanmar
Khao Luang Cave Temple Phetburi, Thailand
Pindaya Caves Pindaya, Myanmar
Yungang Grottoes Shanxi, China
Wat Tham Erawan Nong Bua Lamphu province, Thailand
Sadan Cave Kayin State, Myanmar
Ellora Caves Maharashtra, India
Yathae Pyan Cave Kayin state, Myanmar
Wat Tham Bo Ya Temple
Nakhon Sawan, Thailand
Phowintaung Caves
Monywa, Myanmar
Phowintaung Caves
Monywa, Myanmar
Phowintaung Caves
Monywa, Myanmar
Kek Lok Cave
Guning Rapat, Malaysia
Batu Caves
Gombak, Malyasia
Batu Caves
Gombak, Malyasia
Batu Caves
Gombak, Malyasia
Batu Caves
Gombak, Malyasia
Badami Cave Temple
Karnataka, India
The fifth cave in the complex is used as a Buddhist temple.
Dusk falls over the temples and homes of Tsarang, once the region's most important town. In Mustang, where the centuries have not disrupted the traditional rhythm of life, the caves offer clues to a time when the remote Himalayan kingdom was a hub linking Tibet to the rest of the world.
Angkor Wat is the principle temple of Angkor, which served as the seat of the Khmer Empire and was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1992. Angkor Wat was constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, the god of preservation, in the 12th century under Suryavarman II. Later on, it was used for Theravada Buddhist worship, but remains the largest existing Hindu temple. A rare architectural achievement of mankind, the carvings on its walls tell stories of Vishnu and his reincarnated forms, and from ancient Hindu epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata
These elaborately decorated Hindu temples sing praise to the glory of God with their breathtaking architecture. Hinduism is sometimes called the world's oldest religion, and many of these sacred structures are full of history.
Though these beautiful places of worship celebrate spirituality, noted Hindu monk Swami Vivekananda was careful to teach that temples are simply a means of reaching God, not an end.
Man is to become divine by realizing the divine. Idols or temples, or churches or books, are only the supports, the help of his spiritual childhood. ― Swami Vivekananda, Complete Works
Ekambareswarar Temple
This temple dedicated to Shiva is located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India.
Virupaksha Temple -- Group of Monuments at Hampi
The Virupaksha Temple is located on the banks of the river Tungabhadra within the ruins of the ancient city of Vijayanagara, India in the village of Hampi, which was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1986. The temple's history goes back to the 7th century. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, and is the main center of pilgrimage in Hampi.
Pura Tanah Lot
This temple is located on a rock formation off the Indonesian island of Bali. It's one of seven Balinese sea temples.
Konark Sun Temple
The Konark Sun Temple is located in Konark, India overlooking the Bay of Bengal, and was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1984. It was constructed in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I and is dedicated to the Sun god. This is one of the most majestic temples of India, and was originally conceived of as a chariot of the Sun deity. The chariot is drawn by seven horses on 12 pairs of decorated wheels at its base.
Elephanta Caves
The Elephanta Caves are a group of caves sacred to Hindus and Buddhists that are located east of Mumbai, India. It was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1987 and art historians date its construction to between 5th and 8th centuries. The principal cave contains exquisite carvings of the Hindu god Shiva in his various forms, and for a long time, has been a place of worship for Hindus. The photo depicts Ardhanarishwara, a composite half-male, half-female form of Shiva and his consort Parvati.
Airavatesvara Temple -- Great Living Chola Temples
One of the three Great Living Chola Temples designated as a World Heritage Site in 2004, the Airavatesvara Temple is located in Darasuram, India. It was built by Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th century in the Dravidian style of architecture. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
Shore Temple -- Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram
The Shore Temple is located near Chennai, India along the Coromandel coast, and is part of a group of monuments in Mahabalipuram, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984. The monuments in Mahabalipuram were founded by the Pallava kings, were constructed in the 7th and 8th centuries and particularly known for rock-cut architecture. The Shore Temple is distinctive in that it is one of the first structural (not rock-cut) stone temples of its time. The temple is dedicated to Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction.
Kailasnatha Temple -- Ellora Caves
The Ellora Caves are a group of caves sacred to Hindus, Buddhists and Jains located near Aurangabad, India. The caves were designated as a World Heritage Site in 1983 and were constructed between 5th century and 10th century. These caves are world-known for rock-cut temples containing elaborate carvings on the walls. Kailasanatha, the primary cave, is carved out of a single rock and is designed to appear like Mount Kailasa, believed to be the abode of the Hindu god Shiva. This photo shows the exterior of the Kailasanatha Temple.
Brihadeeswarar Temple (Periya Koyil) -- Great Living Chola Temples
One of the three Great Living Chola Temples designated as a World Heritage Site in 1987, the Peruvudaiyar Koyil is located in Thanjavur, India. It was built by Rajaraja Chola I in the 11th century in the Dravidian style of architecture. It was built is a very grand manner to denote the king's power and affluence. Today it remains one of India's largest temples. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
Brihadiswara Temple (Gangaikonda Cholapuram) -- Great Living Chola Temples
One of the three Great Living Chola Temples designated as a World Heritage Site in 2004, the Brihadiswara Temple, more commonly known as Sivan Koyil, is located in Gangaikonda Cholapuram. It was build by the Chola king Rajendra I in the 11th century in the traditional Dravidian style of temple architecture. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva
Hazara Rama Temple -- Group of Monuments at Hampi
The Hazara Rama Temple is a ruined temple complex located within the ruins of the ancient city of Vijayanagara, India in the village of Hampi, which was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1986. The temple is dedicated to Rama and is particularly well-known for stories of the Ramayana that are etched on its walls.
Krishna Temple Complex -- Group of Monuments at Hampi
The Krishna Temple Complex is located within the ruins of the ancient city of Vijayanagara, India in the village of Hampi, which was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1986. It was built in the 16th century by Krishnadevaraya. The temple is dedicated to Krishna, and is particularly well-known for impressive carvings on the temple walls
Vittala Temple Complex -- Group of Monuments at Hampi
The Vittala Temple is located within the ruins of the ancient city of Vijayanagara, India in the village of Hampi, which was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1986. The temple was built in the 15th century and is dedicated to Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation. This temple is particularly well-known for its iconic stone chariot as well as the musical pillars (pillars when tapped emanate a musical note).
Chaturbhuj Temple -- Group of Monuments at Khajuraho
The Chaturbhuj Temple is located in Khajuraho, India and is one of a number of Hindu and Jain temples called Khajuraho Group of Monuments, which was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1986. The temples were built by the rules of the Chandella dynasty between the 10th and the 12th centuries. The Khajuraho temples are known worldwide for erotic sculptures on the temple walls and are considered to be one of the seven wonders of India. Chaturbhuj is the only temple that lacks erotic inscriptions. This temple is dedicated to Vishnu.
Devi Jagambi Temple -- Group of Monuments at Khajuraho
The Devi Jagdambi Temple is located in Khajuraho, India and is one of a number of Hindu and Jain temples called Khajuraho Group of Monuments, which was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1986. The temples were built by the rules of the Chandella dynasty between the 10th and the 12th centuries. The Khajuraho temples are known worldwide for erotic sculptures on the temple walls and are considered to be one of the seven wonders of India. This temple is dedicated to Devi, the mother goddess.
Duladeo Temple -- Group of Monuments at Khajuraho
The DulaDeo Temple is located in Khajuraho, India and is one of a number of Hindu and Jain temples called Khajuraho Group of Monuments, which was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1986. The temples were built by the rules of the Chandella dynasty between the 10th and the 12th centuries. The Khajuraho temples are known worldwide for erotic sculptures on the temple walls and are considered to be one of the seven wonders of India. This temple is dedicated to Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction.
Javari Temple -- Group of Monuments at Khajuraho
The Javari Temple is located in Khajuraho, India and is one of a number of Hindu and Jain temples called Khajuraho Group of Monuments, which was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1986. The temples were built by the rules of the Chandella dynasty between the 10th and the 12th centuries. The Khajuraho temples are known worldwide for erotic sculptures on the temple walls and are considered to be one of the seven wonders of India. This temple is dedicated to Vishnu.
Kandariya Mahadeo Temple -- Group of Monuments at Khajuraho
The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is located in Khajuraho, India and is one of a number of Hindu and Jain temples called Khajuraho Group of Monuments, which was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1986. The temples were built by the rules of the Chandella dynasty between the 10th and the 12th centuries. The Khajuraho temples are known worldwide for erotic sculptures on the temple walls and are considered to be one of the seven wonders of India. Kandariya Mahadeva is the largest and best-preserved temple from the medieval ages found in India. This temple is dedicated to Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction.
Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple
Located on the southern bank of River Vaigai in the temple city of Madurai, Meenakshi Amman Temple is a historic Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India.
Lakshmana Temple -- Khajuraho Group of Monuments
The Lakshmana Temple is located in Khajuraho, India and is one of a number of Hindu and Jain temples called Khajuraho Group of Monuments, which was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1986. The temples were built by the rules of the Chandella dynasty between the 10th and the 12th centuries. The Khajuraho temples are known worldwide for erotic sculptures on the temple walls and are considered to be one of the seven wonders of India. This temple is dedicated to Vishnu.
Pancha Rathas-- Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram
The Pancha Rathas are located near Chennai, India along the Coromandel coast, and are part of a group of monuments in Mahabalipuram, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984. The monuments in Mahabalipuram were founded by the Pallava kings, were constructed in the 7th and 8th centuries and particularly known for rock-cut architecture. The Pancha Rathas are temples in the form of chariots, and are named after the five Pandavas (Arjuna, Bhima, Yudishthira, Nakul and Sahadeva), and Draupadi.
Thirukadalmallai -- Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram
The Thirukadalmallai Temple is located near Chennai, India along the Coromandel coast, and is part of a group of monuments in Mahabalipuram, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984. The monuments in Mahabalipuram were founded by the Pallava kings, were constructed in the 7th and 8th centuries and particularly known for rock-cut architecture. This temple is dedicated to Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation.
Varaha Temple -- Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram
The Varaha Temple is located near Chennai, India along the Coromandel coast, and is part of a group of monuments in Mahabalipuram, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984. The monuments in Mahabalipuram were founded by the Pallava kings, were constructed in the 7th and 8th centuries and particularly known for rock-cut architecture. The Varaha Temple is a rock-cut cave temple dedicated to Varaha (meaning 'Boar'), the third incarnation of Vishnu.
Mallikarjuna and Kashivishwanatha Temples -- Group of Monuments at Pattadakal
The Mallikarjuna and Kashivishwanatha temples in the village of Pattadakal, India are part of a group of monuments in Pattadakal, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987. These temples were built by the Chalukya dynasty in the 8th century and include a mixture of south and north Indian temple architecture styles. These temples are dedicated to Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction.
Sangameshvara Temple -- Group of Monuments at Pattadakal
The Sangameshwara Temple in the village of Pattadakal, India is part of a group of monuments in Pattadakal, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987. These temples were built by the Chalukya dynasty in the 8th century and include a mixture of south and north Indian temple architecture styles. The Sangameshwara temple is dedicated to Shiva.
Virupaksha Temple -- Group of Monuments at Pattadakal
The Virupaksha Temple in the village of Pattadakal, India is part of a group of monuments in Pattadakal, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987. These temples were built by the Chalukya dynasty in the 8th century and include a mixture of south and north Indian temple architecture styles. The Virupaksha temple is dedicated to Shiva.
Prambanan
The Prambanan Temple complex is located in Central Java, Indonesia and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1991. It is the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia, and one of the largest in South-East Asia. The three main shrines are dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, and there are smaller temples / shrines dedicated to other deities.
Pashupatinath - Group of Monuments at Kathmandu Valley
The Pashupatinath Temple, located in eastern Kathmandu, Nepal, and part of the Group of Monuments at Kathmandu Valley, was declared a World Heritage Site in 1979. One of the oldest and most important Shiva temples, entrance is forbidden to those perceived to be non-Hindus.
This photo shows the entrance to the Pashupatinath Temple.
Changu Narayan -- Group of Monuments at Kathmandu Valley
The Changu Narayan Temple, located in the Bhaktapur district of Nepal is part of the Group of Monuments at Kathmandu Valley. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1979. The temple is dedicated to Vishnu and is believed to be the oldest temple in Nepal.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square -- Group of Monuments at Kathmandu Valley
The Bhaktapur Durbar Square (generic name for a plaza opposite a royal palace) in eastern Kathmandu is part of the Group of Monuments at Kathmandu Valley and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1979. There are several temples in this square dedicated to many deities, and the most important one is the Taleju Temple, which does not permit those perceived to be non-Hindu to enter.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square -- Group of Monuments at Kathmandu Valley
The Bhaktapur Durbar Square (generic name for a plaza opposite a royal palace) in eastern Kathmandu is part of the Group of Monuments at Kathmandu Valley and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1979. There are several temples in this square dedicated to many deities, and the most important one is the Taleju Temple, which does not permit those perceived to be non-Hindu to enter.
Datdawtaung Cave
Kyauk Sel, Myanmar
Khao Luang Caves
Phetburi, Thailand
Cave in Hpa-An
Kayin State, Burma
Dambulla Cave Temple
Dambulla, Sri Lanka
Kawgoon Cave
In this photo taken on Jan.25, 2014, Buddhist monks and tourists tour the Kawgoon cave in Pa-An township, Karen state, Myanmar. Kawgoon cave is a historic site housing a statue of the Buddha and protective dieties. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win)
Time Zones differ.Let us leave the explanation or justification for the change in Time zones. The fact is, one in a particular Time zone can only visualize or imagine the reality of the other T Timezone , nothing more. From the individual standpoint, the time zone in which he is placed is the Reality and the other time zones are not experienced by him directly at the given point of Time. We go with the statement of others that other time zones exist because people who live in the other zones vouch for it. But we do not perceive it by ourselves.
From the explanation of Big Bang theory, we know the universe was formed at the time of Big Bang and started moving forward or started evolving.
What of the moment just before Big Bang? Stephen Hawkins states that it is irrelevant as it has no bearing on our Time frame. (Brief History of Time).
Is it logical to say that when we can not comprehend or explain concept, the concept is irrelevant?
What if it has a frame of reference of time than the one understood by us?
We can see clearly that we link Time with Motion. Displacement is observed due to change in Time Frame.
Time is understood by displacement. It means that we perceive Time because of a displacement of object, be it the universe or the hands of a clock. This Circular Reasoning is a logical fallacy. (As we say commonly. egg came from the Hen and Hen came from the egg.
We can not arrive at a conclusion).
To quote another famous example;
if we travel in a train traveling at a particular speed and observe a train moving at the same speed in the same direction, you will observe that you are stationary as the other train.
But you will have covered some distance. In this case motion seems to be at rest while space has been observed. By this example we can say space may exist independently of Time.
But when we follow the concept of Big bang, time is intricately connected with Space and in fact is concomitant with Time.
Another example from Xeno’s Paradoxes:
1. Let us keep the distance from Bangalore to Chennai at 300 miles (for calculation purposes.)
If we travel at the rate of 300 miles per hour, we will reach Chennai in an hour; at 600 miles per hour, 30 minutes; at 1200 miles per hour in 15 minutes; at 2400 miles per hour, in 7.5 minutes; at 3600 miles per hour, in 3.75 minutes, at 7200 miles, in 1.8 minutes; at 14400 miles, in .9 minutes. At this rate, we would have reached Chennai before we left Bangalore!
2. Let an object X travel between A and B.X has to cover half the distance of AB before reaching B, we may call this as C;
X before reaching C, should cover half the distance of AC, say D; to reach D, X has to cover half the distance of AD, say E.
We know that Space is infinitely divisible.
That means X will be traveling infinitely, that is, motion is impossible.
When we speak of Pole star being 400 light years away, we can only say that it existed 400 years ago, because the light left Pole star 400 years ago! We can not say it is there now because we see in the sky today.
The long and short of it is that defining Time is very difficult and is in fact impossible.
Latest findings on Black hole suggest that if you go through a black hole, time runs backwards. If by chance, we were to be in Black hole, will we perceive our present universe as flowing forwards in Time?
““In our everyday lives we have the sense that time flows inexorably from the past into the future; water flows downhill; mountains erode; we are born, grow old, and die; we anticipate the future but remember the past,” the scientists write in a recent study in Physical Review Letters. “Yet almost all of the fundamental theories of physics – classical mechanics, electrodynamics, quantum mechanics, general relativity, and so on – are symmetric with respect to time reversal. “The only fundamental theory that picks out a preferred direction of time is the second law of thermodynamics, which asserts that the entropy of the Universe increases as time flows toward the future. This provides an orientation, or arrow of time, and it is generally believed that all other time asymmetries, such as our sense that future and past are different, are a direct consequence of this thermodynamic arrow.” In their study, Feng and Crooks have developed a method to accurately measure “time asymmetry” (which refers to our intuitive concept of time, that the past differs from the future, in contrast with time symmetry, where there is no distinction between past and future). They began by investigating the increase in energy dissipation, or entropy, in various arrangements. The scientists’ method of measuring time asymmetry is best explained in the context of an experiment. In the macroscopic world, where glasses of milk are spilled, time asymmetry is obvious. But on the microscopic scale, because the amount of energy involved is so small, it’s more difficult to tell that entropy is increasing, and that time is moving forward and not backward. In fact, during some intervals, entropy might actually decrease. So even though overall entropy is still increasing on average, in accordance with the second law, the direction of time is not obvious at every moment in the experiment. Further, the scientists show that even an average entropy increase does not necessarily ensure time asymmetry, but can arise in an arrangement that appears time-symmetric.”
The reason for this situation is the assumption that Time is Linear.
Time flows in one direction that is forward. What if Time is Cyclic?
That is, it flows around and depending on where you are.
Time moves both forwards and backwards .
Time is a stream; so is Space. Per se they are Absolute.
They are Relative to the observer.
To put it in simpler words ,things exist in Space and Time at all times irrespective of your positioning and what we say to day has happened ,is right now happening at another level for an observer positioned to observe it.
For them, our Universe is Past.
Similarly for another observer, what we see as future, may be Present.
For Devas, in the next plane of existence, one year by human calculation is one day.
On this basis they have 43, 32,000 years as one chatur yuga or Aeon (By their account 12033 years approximately).
They live for 12033 years. At the end of the day Brahma effects Dissolution. Next Level. Brahma, the Creator… 30917370000000 one Life of hundred years). *43, 32,000 human years is one day for Brahma.
During the day, 14 Manus reign, under the orders of Brahma
.Each Manu reigns for 30, 67, 20,000 Human Years. 30, 67, 20,000 multiplied by 14, is *42 940 80 000 human years is Brahma’s one day. (The difference is due to Sandhyaa and Sandhyaamsa calculated for Deva years).
The universe is dissolved at the end of each day.
Creation begins the next day.
Brahma reigns for 100 Brahma years or 30917370000000 of human years (For the Creator, there shall be Dissolution at the end of each of his day.
At Night there shall be withdrawn.Next Day starts.)
That is 0 .53 light years. This is for Universe of Matter of one fourteenth of the Universe of matter (14 Lokaas). Matter occupies only 0.1% of entire Universe. Balance of 99.9 % of Universe consists of Anti matter (named now as dark Energy).
The Universe of Antimatter has corresponding Time scale .It contains anti matter.
At the time of Final Dissolution, matter and antimatter collide and Entire Universe becomes dormant to become dynamic again. Matter and Antimatter forming the Universe is said to be contained in the SriChakra of Devi.
The Gods mentioned so far are nominees assigned for a specific purpose and they undergo evolution and dissolution.
The individual Gods are embodiments of Principles of Creation, Sustenance and Dissolution.
They are Principles and are given Name and Form to help one to realize the Ultimate Reality. This Cycle is for fourteen known levels of existence and all of them exist simultaneously.
That means all activities happen simultaneously.
That is to say, Ramayana happened somewhere and is also happening and will happen in future. (With reference to us). We can see Time is Nonlinear and is Cyclic.
