Kapadokya and Fairy chimneys in Urgup, Turkey

Card # 7

These postcard was sent to me by my friend Cuneyt Ozarikan

The first populations of the region of Cappadocia were Hatties, Luvies and Hittites. In the 3000-2000 years B.C. the Assyrians have established trade colonies in this region. In 33 b.c. the Big Alexander has captured a big part of Cappadocia. In 188 B.C. The Cappadocia which entered under the Roman domination has been captured in 100 B.C. by the Mithridatesd the king of Pontus but in 63 B.C. Pompeius has defeated Mithridates and took again the Cappadocia under the domination of Rome. In the period of Tiberius the Cappadocia gainded the status of Roman distric. Cappadocia was one of the most important places in the spreading periods of the Christian religion. In 647 A.C. together with occupation of Kayseri by Muaviye Cappadocia has met with the Arabian invasions. Cappadocia which went under the domination of the Seljuks in 1072 has been added to the lands of Ottoman Empire in 1399 by the Ottoman Sultan Yildirim Beyazit. Became UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
Information Obtained from cappadociaturkey.net



15th century map of Turkey region
Image Obtained From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Historical area of Istanbul-Topkapi Palace, Turkey

Card # 6
These postcard was sent to me by my friend Cuneyt Ozarikan

Topkapi palace was initial constructed by Faith Sultan Mehmet ll, in 1459. Is a offically residence of the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years from 1465 to 1853. The palace containing of most holy relics of the Muslim such as prophet Muhammed's clock and sword. In 1985 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has four courtyards and home for many as 4,000 people. The complex has been expanded over the centuries, with many renovations such as after the 1509 earthquake and 1665 fire. It held mosques, a hospital, bakeries, and mint. Topkapı Palace gradually lost its importance at the end of the 17th century, as the Sultans preferred to spend more time in their new palaces along the Bosporus. In 1921 after the end of Ottomon Sultan Empire, government transformed into a museum of the imperial era in April 3, 1924 and it's under the administration of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Even the palace has hundreds of chambers and room only important are allowed for the public today, guarded by offical and armed guards of Turkish military.

Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram

Card # 1
These postcard sent to me by my friend Mr.Kasinath.
http://shipthemegallery.blogspot.com/


The shore temple Mahabalipuram 700-728CE has been classified as UNESCO World Heritage site. Oldest stone temples of south India. Temples pyramidal structure is 60ft high and sits on a 50ft square platform. The temple as three shrines The main shrine is dedicated to Shiva as is the smaller second shrine. A small third shrine, between the two, is dedicated to a reclining Vishnu. It was built by Narasimhavarman II (circa 690-715).
Durga on lion with small carved shrine
Image Obtained From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Shore Temple, behind a haze, photographed a few minutes after the tsunami struck. (Left) The dislocated foundation stones of the `bali peetam.' — Photo Courtesy: ASI, Chennai Circle.

Hierapolis-Pamukkale, Turkey

Card # 2
These postcard was sent to me by my friend Cuneyt Ozarikan

Is a cotton castle in Turkish is located in Turkey's inner Aegean region. Pamukkale is a tourist attraction. It is recognized as a World Heritage Sites together with Hierapolis. Hierapolis-Pamukkale was made a World Heritage Site in 1988. At the end of the 2nd century B.C. the dynasty of the Attalids, the kings of Pergamon, established the thermal spa of Hierapolis. The ruins of the baths, temples and other Greek monuments can be seen at the site.
Hot springs of Pamukkale
Image Obtained From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Taj Mahal

Card # 3
These postcard sent to me by my friend Mr.Kasinath.
http://shipthemegallery.blogspot.com/

Tajmahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year of 1983. Taj Mahal was built for in memory of his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal(third wife) by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Taj Mahal style combines of Persian, Indian and Islamic architectural it was started building around 1632 and completed around 1653. Taj Mahal was constructed using materials from all over India and Asia and over 1,000 elephants were used to transport building materials. The translucent white marble was brought from Rajasthan, the jasper from Punjab, jade and crystal from China. The turquoise was from Tibet and the Lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, while the sapphire came from Sri Lanka and the carnelian from Arabia. In all, twenty eight types of precious and semi-precious stones were inlaid into the white marble.
Artist's impression of the Taj Mahal, from the Smithsonian Institution

A labour force of twenty thousand workers was recruited across northern India. Sculptors from Bukhara, calligraphers from Syria and Persia, inlayers from southern India, stonecutters from Baluchistan, a specialist in building turrets, another who carved only marble flowers were part of the thirty-seven men who formed the creative unit. Soon after the Taj Mahal's completion, Shah Jahan was deposed by his son Aurangzeb and put under house arrest at nearby Agra Fort. Upon Shah Jahan's death, Aurangzeb buried him in the mausoluem next to his wife.

Taj Mahal 1860

Ground layout of the Taj Mahal

Great Living Chola Temples

Card # 4These postcard sent to me by my friend Mr.Kasinath.
http://shipthemegallery.blogspot.com/

World's first granite temple and also known as Rajarajeswaram. The temple is listed on UNESCO World Heritage Site.Temple tower or 'Vimana' is 216ft(66m) among the tallest in the world. The 16 feet and 13 feet high big statue of Nandi carved out of single rock at the entrance. The entire temple structure is made out of hard granite stones. The temple was built by the Chola King RajaRajeswar in compliance of a command given to him in his dream.

The Big Nandi
Image Obtained From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Khajuraho Group of Monuments

Card # 5These postcard sent to me by my friend Mr.Kasinath.
http://shipthemegallery.blogspot.com/


These khajuraho has been listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's famous for their erotic sculpture and popular tourist spot in india. Location Madhya Pradesh, Chhatarpur District. The temples were built under the late Chandela kings between 950 and 1050 AD. Khajuraho temple does not shows sexual or erotic art activities inside the temple or near the deity. Despite only some external carvings bear erotic art, two layer of walls with small erotic carvings outside of the inner wall on some temples. 10% carvings contain sexual themes between ordinary humans but not any between any deties. The temple are made of sandstone. The sexual nature of these carvings have caused the site to be referred to as the Kamasutra temple, they do not illustrate the meticulously described positions. Between c. 110-1400 AD the Kajuraho temple suffered dectruction by early muslim invaders.