Universal World Heritage Day: April 18th

WORLD HERITAGE PROPERTIES IN INDIA

Under protection of ASI
1. Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra
2. Ellora caves, Maharashtra
3. Agra Fort, Uttar Pradesh
4. Taj Mahal, Uttar Pradesh
5. Sun Temple, Konark, Orissa
6. Group of monuments at Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
7. Churches and Convents of Goa
8. Khajuraho Group of monuments, Madhya Pradesh
9. Group of monuments at Hampi, Karnataka
10. Group of monuments at Fatehpur Sikri, , Uttar Pradesh
11. Group of monuments at Pattadakal, Karnataka
12. Elephenta Caves, Maharashtra
13. Great Living Chola Temples at Thanjavur, Gangaikondacholapuram and Darasuram, Tamil Nadu
14. Buddhist monuments of Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh
15. Humayun's Tomb, Delhi
16. Qutub Minar and its monuments, Delhi
17. Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh
18. Champanere-Pavagarh Archeological Park, Gujarat
19. Red Fort Complex, Delhi

Under protection of Ministry of Railways
20. Mountain Railways of India, Darjeeling, West Bengal; Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu; Kalka, Shimla
21. Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Maharashtra

Under protection of Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee
22. Mahabodhi Temple Complex, Bihar

Under protection of Rajasthan State Archeology and Monuments Department
23. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, Rajasthan

Natural Properties (Under protection of Ministry of Environment & Forest)
1. Kaziranga National Park, Assam
2. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam
3. Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan
4. Sunderbans National Park, West Bengal
5. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttaranchal

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Torgal Fort

March 6, 2011. Third fort of the day.

Munvalli-Torgal road runs parallel to Malaprabha river. With no major towns the region is typically rural. As we approached Torgal Fort, the terrain got hilly and traffic increased, mostly tractors and trucks moving to & fro sugar mill which is right next to the fort. There it is.


We got off at the fort entrance. That's one of the two gateways. This one faces West while the other North-East. I guess the North-East gate is the main entrance.


Google Map screen-shot


A - Gateway through outer fort wall
B - Gateway through inner fort wall
C - ruins of stone shelter
D - Core, these walls & bastions are taller than the outer fort wall
E - Bhutnath Temple Complex
F - Malaprabha river
G - Mosque
H - North-East gateway

Wonder who these characters are.


The construction is functional not much importance given to aesthetics.


Neel and Chetan check out the structure. We shared our observations, analyze and discuss how and why. This is the gateway through the inner fort wall.


A big fat fish.


Another fish and two creatures, body looks like swan but head look like snake's. Chetan and I discussed but could not decide what it was. I think he mentioned a tortoise.


We climbed a wall to get a good view. That's the core fort. Probably this is the oldest construction. The outer walls where built around for better security.


Just below where we stood was this pair of parallel structures. My guess was it could be shelter for soldiers or visitors. We went exploring looking for a way to climb down and get a better look.


To Chetan this looked like a market place. This could be a army stable too. The structure was supported by stones and looked pretty scary ...what if it collapses.


We wanted to check out the other row but jaali-gida blocked our path. We could find a way though the maze but we would nasty scratches and pick up dirt and soon get itchy in this hot weather. Let's get out.


Looks like a mosque.


We reached the core. Actually this is a Vaade, landlord's residence. We passed by the owners' bungalow, gate was locked and they were out of town. No chance of seeing what's inside the core. People refereed to the owner as 'Maharaj'.


We peeped through a gap in one of the massive doors. Looks like ruins of a palace.


Within the fort is Toragal village. While we amaze at the ancient structures, for them it's just another piece of construction. One of the locals suggested is to check out Bhutnath Temple. We had to pass by a cluster of houses and these kids ambushed us asking to take pictures... photo thegiree. We asked if they'll show us the temple.


This bunch of kids lead us to Bhutnath temple. As you see it's being cared for, work is under progress.


It's a group of 5 or 6 Kadamba style temples, similar to temples of Banavasi and Tambdi Surla, Goa.


Feels good to see well preserved monuments. The kids kept asking to take pictures, they would rush to the direction I pointed my camera. The kids showed us Malaprabha river ...just a stone's throw from the complex. Check out the only video I shot at Torgal Fort.


Bye bye kidddos. We need to move now.

Looks like a tomb. Torgal fort was under Muslim rulers also.


Torgal fort is pretty complex. We are to take the North-East gate, we go through three gateways. This the first one.


We are approaching the second one.


A mosque. I wanted to go exploring here but we still had two more forts to catch up with.


There's the third gateway.


View of the gateway from outside.


We head to Ramdurg.

Toragal Coordinates: 15°56'46"N 75°13'13"E

I heard a person call Toragal Fort as Khanpet Fort.

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