Simon Forbes

Another article by my good self

South Indian Temple Architecture; also called the Dravida Style, is a form of architecture widely employed for Hindu temples in modern Tamil Nadu from 7th-18th Century AD, characterized by its pyramidal tower. Variant forms are found in the Karnataka (formerly Mysore) and Andhra Pradesh states. South Indian temple consists essentially of a square-chambered sanctuary topped by a superstructure, tower, or spire and an attached pillared porch or hall (mandapa or mantapam), enclosed by a peristyle of cells within a rectangular court. The external walls of the temple are segmented by pilasters and carry niches housing sculpture. The superstructure or tower above the sanctuary is of the kutina type and consists of an arrangement of gradually receding stories in a pyramidal shape. Each story is delineated by a parapet of miniature shrines, square at the corners and rectangular with barrel-vault roofs at the centre. The tower is topped by a dome-shaped cupola and a crowning pot and finial. The origins of the Dravida style can be seen in the Gupta period. The earliest extant examples of the developed style are 7th Century AD, rock-cut shrines at Mahabalipuram and a developed structural temple, Shore Temple (700 AD), at the same site. South Indian style is most fully realized in splendid Brihadeeswara temple at Thanjavur, built about 1003–1010 AD by Rajaraja the Great, and the great temple at Gangaikondacholapuram, built about 1025 AD, by his son Rajendra Chola. Subsequently, the style became increasingly elaborate, the complex of temple buildings enclosed by the court became larger, and a number of successive enclosures, each with its own gateway (gopura), were added. By the Vijayanagar period (1336–1565 AD) the gopuras had increased in size so that they dominated the much smaller temples inside the enclosures. Temples started becoming the focus of urban architecture. Kanchipuram, Thanjavur or Tanjore, Madurai and Kumbakonam are the most famous temple towns of Tamil Nadu, where, during the eighth to twelfth centuries, the role of the temple was not limited to religious matters alone. Temples became rich administrative centres, controlling vast areas of land. These are basically of five different shapes of temples: square, usually called kuta, and also caturasra; rectangular or shala or ayatasra; elliptical, called gaja-prishta or elephant-backed, or also called vrittayata, deriving from wagonvaulted shapes of apsidal chaityas with a horse-shoe shaped entrance facade usually called a nasi; circular or vritta; and octagonal or ashtasra. Generally speaking, the plan of the temple and the shape of the vimana were conditioned by the iconographic nature of the consecrated deity, so it was appropriate to build specific types of temples for specific types of icons. It must, however, be remembered that this is a simplistic differentiation of the subdivisions. Several different shapes may be combined in specific periods and places to create their own unique style. 📷 : Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, a historic Hindu temple located on southern bank of Vaigai River, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India 🇮🇳 #archaeohistories

In his ongoing recovery, Roosevelt is trying to “get off crutches” and get back into recreation.

Former Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who is recovering from polio, catches a 7’-long 700-pound Goliath grouper (jewfish) off the coast of Key Largo, Florida.

Ben-Gurion is known for his efforts to settle British Mandatory Palestine.

The Zionist Organization for Danzig (Zionistische Organisation für Danzig) convenes in the Free City of Danzig. Delegate David Ben-Gurion, a Great War veteran, proposes the adoption of the ancient language of Hebrew as an international tongue for the Jewish people. Currently, Yiddish plays that role.

The Tuvan People’s Republic, a Soviet puppet state in Central Asia, adopts its first official flag and changes the name of its capital from “Khem-Beldyr” to “Kyzyl,” meaning “Red” in Tuvan. Prime Minister Donduk Kuular, who is a former lama monk, also establishes Buddhism as the state religion, much to the irritation of Joseph Stalin.

#AncientSiteSunday - Persepolis is one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites. Founded c. 518 BC by Darius I, Persepolis served as the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire. Successive kings erected monumental palatial buildings like the Apadana and the Throne Hall. followinghadrianphotography.com/2019/05/21/per…

The Rolling Stones - You Can't Always Get What You Want

The Rolling Stones – Honky Tonk Women

Approximately 25 modern countries are referenced in Scripture. From India in Esther to Spain in Romans to Sudan in Genesis. The Bible was never a regional religious text. It was written in, to, and about a world far wider than most readers imagine.

Bugshan Palace, Yemen. A striking example of Hadrami mud-brick architecture in Wadi Doan, Hadramaut, where multi-storey earthen buildings rise dramatically against the desert cliffs.

The Yardbirds 🎩🪄 Heart Full Of Soul ( Live 1965 ) Happy Heavenly Birthday to Keith Relf, born March 22nd 1943.🎂🎂🎂 A haunting classic powered by that hypnotic riff and Relf’s soulful vocal. Gone too soon, never forgotten. #KeithRelf 😎

Happy Heavenly Birthday to Keith Relf 🥃🖤💔 #TheYardbirds

Good morning 🫖 ☕️ ✌️ The Beatles I am the Walrus

Gimme Shelter is a masterpiece!!!

David Bowie - Let's Dance (1983)

Explore the foundations of Western civilization! 🏛️ This map illustrates the Greek colonization of Asia Minor (11th-8th cent. BC), showing the settlement of Aeolians, Ionians, and Dorians along the coast during the Geometric Age. A pivotal era for history! 🗺️🇬🇷 #AncientGreece

Alan Sorrell’s reconstruction of the Roman Forum in the fourth century, looking towards the Temple of Jupiter

For all you Roman history fans out there - how do you feel about Ottoman history? Do you find that empire interesting?