माझी भटकंती – My Journey; My Way

Two Stupa of Vaishali

2200 years apart: The Story of Two Stupa

Crowned Budhha of Vaishali, Bihar

Buddha in Vajrayan Buddhism is depicted with a crown and ornamentation.

As a development of Vajrayana, Buddhism introduced the concept of crowned and bejewelled Buddha venerating Buddha as a universal monarch (chakravartin).

In this sculpture, crowned Buddha is seated under a tree, in fine drapery with an elaborate crown and jewels.

He is seated cross-legged on a majestic double petalled lotus pedestal. His right hand is in the earth-touching gesture (Bhumisparsha mudra).

The back slab has also been given detailed carving with well-defined iconography of Indian art such as kirtimukha at the centre with foliage converging from both sides.

There are yala figures standing with the support of pillars on both sides, pillars are surmounted with geese on each side.

To emphasize the first sermon, there are two miniature Crowned Buddhas in Dhramchakra Pravartan mudra on the fully blossomed lotus.

Statue is from “Pala school of architecture.” (8th-12th Century CE)

Indroda Fort Ruins, Gandhinagar, Gujarat

Indroda village is just 5 minutes distance from Gandhinagar city. It is on the bank of the Sabarmati River. We can see the loose soil ravines ( बीहड़ ) in the area.
The fort ruins are on the north Easter corner of today’s Indroda village. The huge hillock is a ravine.
In the background, there is the Sant Sarovar dam.
Near these ruins, the beautiful temple of the patron goddess of the village Indrani Maa temple is newly constructed.
Dargah Sharif is also nearby.
In the fort walls, a newly renovated temple of Siddh cave/ Hanumana is situated. This temple must have access to Sabarmati river water through gaps in a ravine.

Information related to these ruins is limited on online portals.

Sadra Fort, Gandhinagar – Small Military station of Medieval India

Sadra was a military post during Mughal period and was known as Islamabad.

In the ground was a small fort said to have been built by Ahmed Shah I (1411-1443), when he built the fort of Ahmednagar in 1426.

This fort was also known as ‘Shahdera’. The fort was used as a resting place on the way from Ahmedabad to Delhi. It was used by the British government as a political agent camp here in 1820 for only Rs. 250. The British government also constructed bungalows, offices, and treasury houses to accommodate political agents, the remains of which can still be seen today.

The village was under Vasna State during British period and served as the headquarters of the Mahi Kantha Agency. When, in 1821, the Mahi Kantha Agency was established, a piece of land near the village was rented from the Vasna Thakor for a station

Rampart is made of bricks having 10 bastion to strengthen it. One portion of wall is now completely damaged. Interesting part of forts can be concealed well bastion on the bank of river and secret rooms under rampart. Two religious places are in fort one is Dargah on outer side of rampart while a small temple of Sati-ma is within the fort on open ground. The palace is now almost on verge of collapse but view of Sabarmati river and fresh breezes coming from river must be soothing in scorching heat of Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar.

The fort was protected by trench on three sides must been occupied by river waters and strong rampart on one side. This is relatively small fortress with around 25 hectares of area. Blooming flowers red,orange and pink during early monsoon days was the best visual one can experience here.

Boards of private properties are floated around the structures. There is need of repair to stop the process of demolition which is under way due to natural wear and tear.

It requires hardly two hours from Gandhinagar to enjoy this interesting place.

Sadra is a village 18km from Gandhinagar on the banks of Sabarmati river, in Gandhinagar Taluka in Gandhinagar district of Gujarat state.

Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Cutch, Palanpur, and Mahi Kantha

Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Cutch, Palanpur, and Mahi Kantha

https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/The-historical-Sadra-fort/td-p/3141651

Surat Fort Gujarat

On the bank of Tapi river fort was protecting the port of surat for many centuries.

Originally built during Firoz shah Tughlaq era then expanded and rebuild during Gujarati Sultan period in 16th century.

This small fortress is having five bastions and moat around it. There used to be small temporary bridge on moat that can be removed at the time of enemy attack.

The water of Tapi river can be circulated through moat and can be controlled through water engines.

There are two protective walls one to protect from over flooding of fort from Tapi river another is rampant to protect from artillery. The fort was seat of Subahdar during Mughal era. Later on the British offices and Mamltadar and police station offices were also in the fort.

Significance of fort and city started to decline with rise of Bombay. Surat corporation is doing wonderful work in renovating the whole heritage structure.