Abhishek's PostCrossing Journey

Monday, February 9, 2009

Todai-ji Temple, Japan

Todai-ji is a Buddhist temple complex located in the city of Nara, Japan. Its Great Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden), the largest wooden building in the world, houses the world's largest statue of the Buddha Vairocana, known in Japanese simply as Daibutsu. The temple also serves as the Japanese headquarters of the Kegon school of Buddhism. The temple is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site as "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara," together with seven other sites including temples, shrines and places in the city of Nara. Sika deer, regarded as messengers of the gods in the Shinto religion, roam the grounds freely.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Japan

Kiyomizu-dera is an independent Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto. The temple is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) UNESCO World Heritage site. Not one nail is used in the whole temple. The temple is part of the 33-temple route of the Chugoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage through western Japan, which is still traced by worshippers today.

Originally uploaded by Abhishek

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, Philippines

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 kilometers north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. The National Park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the northern coast of the island. It is bordered by St. Paul Bay to the north and the Babuyan River to the east. The City Government of Puerto Princesa has managed the National Park since 1992. It is also known as St. Paul's Subterranean River National Park, or St. Paul Underground River. The entrance to the Subterranean River is a short hike from the town of Sabang. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park has been nominated for the "New Seven Wonders of Nature" competition.

Wat Pho, Bangkok, Thailand

Lan Than, Chinese Rock Giants (Left and Right) with weapons in hand and wearing a tight suite of armor, Marco Polo, Chinese Giant in European cloth (middle).

Wat Pho, also known as Wat Phra Chetuphon or The Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is a Buddhist temple in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok, Thailand, located in the Rattanakosin district directly adjacent to the Grand Palace. It is one of the oldest and largest temples in Bangkok.
There are 16 sheltered gates to the sacred quarter. Each sheltered gate has a crown-like spire decorated with multicolored mosaic bowls cut into petals.
Such decoration can be found all around this monastery, and it was said that this architectural design specially pleased King Rama III. Passing through any of the sheltered gate you will see Chinese rock giants holding weapons in hands, standing on both sides as the gate guardians known as "Lan Than the Dvarapala".

Paoay, Ilocos Norte, Philippines

Another one of the Paoay Church.
Read more another post Paoay Church, Philippines

San Agustín Church, Philippines

San Agustín Church is a Roman Catholic church under the auspices of The Order of St. Augustine, located inside the historic walled city of Intramuros in Manila. Completed by 1607, it is the oldest church currently standing in the Philippines. No other surviving building in the Philippines has been claimed to pre-date San Agustin Church.

In 1993, San Agustin Church was one of four Philippine churches constructed during during the Spanish colonial period designated by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, under the classification "Baroque Churches of the Philippines". It had been named a National Historical Landmark by the Philippine government in 1976.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Villa Adriana, Tivoli, Italy

Italy-7, originally uploaded by Abhishek Chandra.

The Hadrian's Villa (Villa Adriana in Italian) is a large Roman archaeological complex at Tivoli, Italy.

The villa was created at Tibur (modern-day Tivoli) as a retreat from Rome for Roman Emperor Hadrian in the early 2nd century. Hadrian was said to dislike the palace on the Palatine Hill in Rome, leading to the construction of the retreat. During the later years of his reign, he actually governed the empire from the villa. A large court therefore lived there permanently. A postal service connected them to Rome..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_Adriana

FI-462008 - Snow Lanterns, Finland

Originally uploaded by Abhishek

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Leshan Giant Buddha, China

China-10, originally uploaded by Abhishek's Postcard World.

The Leshan Giant Buddha was built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It is carved out of a cliff face that lies at the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers in the southern part of Sichuan province in China, near the city of Leshan. The stone sculpture faces Mount Emei, with the rivers flowing below his feet.
The Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

The Merced River (Yosemite National Park), USA

USA-16, originally uploaded by Abhishek's Postcard World.

The Merced River (pronounced "mer-SED") is in California. Its headwaters are in the southern half of Yosemite National Park. The river flows into Yosemite Valley.