Author: masud

Introduction:

Tchogha Zanbil corresponds with the ancient city of Dur Untash. It dominates the course of the Abe-e-Diz which is a tributary of the Karun. The ruins of the kingdom of Elam are found at Tecogha Zanbil. It is surrounded by three huge concentric walls.

Situation: tchogha Zanbil is an ancient Elamite complex in the Khuzestan province of Iran. It is about 42 km in south-south west of Dezfonl and 30 km in west and 80 km in north of Ahvaz.

Foundation:

it was funded in 1250 BC.Even it was not finished after it had been invaded by Ashurbanipal. It has been shown that thousands of unwed brick left at the site. It was founded as a religion Capital. Roman Ghirshman carried out the complete exploration of the site from 1951 to 1962.

Long Description:

The site contains of all the ziggurats of mesoptamia. They are the best preserved and the largest ziggurats. The first exclosure contains the temenos. The temple located at the centre was a square building. It was dedicated to Sumerian god Inshushinak. This temple was converted into a ziggurat of which it constitutes the first story.The solid masses of the four other storys are in the other XX. It starts from the group of the court so as to cover all the surface of the old central court.

There was a valled staircases for entering into the ziggurats.There were also three external staircases. Now the ziggurat is below the 25m high. The last two stages rose to a height of 60 m. The ziggurat is also sacred to the god of Ar shan, Napirisha.

On the north western side of the ziggurat a group of temples were dedicated to the minor divinities, Ishnikarab and Kiririsha. An oval wall surrounded the temples and the ziggurat. A whole serions of heads, statuettes, animals and amulets were found and the remanins of two panels in ivory mosaic. Several vaulted tombs were discovered in the basement of the royal residence. With evidence of cremation.

Untash-Napirisha made a channel of about fo km long to supply the water for the people.

Choga Zambil means basket monnel and chogha in Bakhtiari means hill. It’s orginal name was Dur Untash , means town of Untash.In 1979, chogha zanbil became the first Iranian site to be inscribed on the UNESCO.

Known as the abode of gods and goddesses, this idyllic pastoral valley is also known as the orchard of India.A picturesque and tranquil heaven,Kulu is a famous spot drawing heaven ,Kulu is a famous spot drawing tourists from all over the world.Apples ,pears.apricots,cherries ,plums and peaches grow here in plenty.

This is also the gateway to Lahaul and Spiti,it is also rich in deodar forests,rice, barly and wheat crops. Kulu town, at a height of 1220 metres and with a population over 15,000 is the district headquarters. Located on the western banks of the river Beas,Kulu is famous for its feativals, temples and delightful long walks. It is best known for its week long Dussehra celebrations held in the month of October every year.

During this most colourful festivals all the images of various deities are brought down from their shrines in well-decorated palanquins to pay homage to Raghunathji of Ranhunathpura in Kulu Rajas, is brought here from Manali on the occasion.

Reaching Kulu is not difficult now a days. The nearest airport is Bhuntar, just 10 kms.drive from Kulu.It is connected by Vayudoot flights from Delhi and Chandigarh,Chandigarh is nearest rail head (270 kms).There are regular buses to Kulu from dDelhi,Shimla,Pathankot and Chandigarh. Kulu is just 40 kms from Manali.

HPTDC has a Tourist Bungalow with double room and dormitory accommodation.Aluminium Huts are laos available there.For reservations Area Manager, HPTDC Ltd. (Tel.7) should be contacted. The private accommodation include Ashok Travellers Lodge and many other hotels and lodges.

The National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary of India ,offer a visitor a wonderful spectacle of life.In its full diversity that encompasses a wide range of spectrum of existence on land, in the sky and in water.Corbet National Park ,is one of the most fascinating specimen of nature’s bounty.

This Park, situated in the foothills of the Shivalik Range along the banks of meandering Ram Ganga,is the paradise of wildlife .At an altitude from 400 to 1,000 metres and covering an area of 525.8 sq. kms.

This park was founded in 1935 as Haley National park, after the name of the then Governor Sir Malcolm Haley, Later, it was changed after the name of the famed hunter, author,conservationalist and naturalist Jim Corbett who spent a major part of his life in the Kumaon region.Under the project Tiger it has now been made a Tiger preserve.

The Park abounds in tiger; panther, bear, gharial,barking deer,ghural,porcupine,python boar, hyna,rheshus monkey and a large variety of birds .For the angler there are huge masher,trout,and goonch.It is also rich in vegetation with flaming forests,lofty hills,dales and gushing streams.

Fishing permits are available from Assistant Warden,Dhakaila,at a nominal fee but shooting with firearm is strictly prohibited. U.P. hill Development Corporation conduct Package Tours to Corbett Park from New Delhi.For reservation and other information contact Tourist Officer ,Up Govt ,Chandralok Building, Janpath,New Delhi should be contacted.

Laying on the either bank of the river Beast at the foothills of the Shivalik range. Mnadi is a gateway to Kulu Valley.Rich in its heritage of history ,culture,lore and lagend, Mandi acquired its name because all trade from Ladakh passed on to Hoshiarpur through here.

The term ‘Mandi’ as is well-known, means busy market.But many scholars believe that the term Mandi is derived from the name of sage Mandavvya who performed rigorous penance in ancient times. Mandi has a number of temples dating back to antiquity.The prominent ones among them are Bhuthnath,Trilokath, Panchavaktra,Ardhakari and Shyamli temples.The Shiv-Ratri festival is celebrated with great pomp and enthusiasm.

Mandi is 202 kms. North of Chandigrah and 110 kms south of Manali. The sacred Rewalsar Lake is 24 kms beyond Mandi.The airport at Kulu (60kms) is the nearest airport.Fifty six kms away, Joginder Nagar,is the bearest railhead.It is also well conectioned by all-weather metalled roads to many big towns of the region . For stay,there are Tourist Lodge,its Annexe , and many other smaller places.For reservation the Mnager,Tourist Lodge, Mandi (Tel:575) may be contracted.

Around Mandi there are many temples and old shrines at some distance which are the favourite spots for the devout.Rawalsar ,sundar Nagar,Joginder Nagar,Prashar Temple,Bilaspur,Gobindsagar are some of the prominent and popular spots.For visiting these shrines it is better to make Mandi as the base station and visit these temples.