Religious monuments in western India are the many architecturally vibrant temples of Maharashtra and Gujarat along with the colonial churches of Goa.
Kailashanatha Temple, Ellora, Maharashtra
Kailash or Kailasanatha temple is the largest monolithic rock excavation in the world and one of the largest rock-cut ancient Hindu temples, located in the World Heritage Site of Ellora in Maharashtra, India. A megalith carved out of a single rock, it is considered one of the most remarkable cave temples in India for its size, architecture and sculptural designs. Its construction is generally attributed to the 8th century Rashtrakuta king Krishna I and the temple architecture displays traces of Pallava and Chalukya styles. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is flanked by huge elephants, pillars, pedestals, a gateway, two-storied halls and the main shrine inside.
Rani Sipri"s Mosque, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Rani Sipri Mosque is a medieval mosque located in the walled city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Commissioned in 1514 by the Hindu queen of Sultan Mahmud Begada, Rani Sipri, it is referred to as Masjid-e-Nagina (Jewel of a mosque) for the intricate Jali screen work on its walls. After her death, the queen was buried in the mosque which also houses a Jenana, a separate area for women for worship.
Adinath Temple, Ranakpur, Rajasthan
The Adinath Temple is the famous Jain temple of Ranakpur village in the Pali district of Rajasthan in western India, dedicated to Tirthankara Adinatha. Local legend says that Dharma Shah, a local Jain businessperson, started construction of this temple in the 15th century following a divine vision. Said to be the most spectacular of the Jain temples, it is situated in the remote valley of the Aravalli Mountain Range.
Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa
The tourist destination state Goa is famous for its churches and Basilica of Bom Jesus, a standing embodiment of Portuguese architecture and rule in the region, is a World Heritage Site. The Jesuit church holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier and is India"s first minor basilica. It is a fine example of Baroque Italian-style architecture in India.
Somnath Jyotirlinga, Gujarat
The Somnath Temple in Gujarat is the first of the 12 Jyotirlinga (Pillar of Light) shrines of Lord Shiva. An important pilgrimage and tourist spot, it is located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval on the western coast of Gujarat. It is known as "the Shrine Eternal", following a book by K. M. Munshi by this title and his narration of the temple`s multiple destructions and reconstructions in history. Most recently the temple was rebuilt in November 1947, when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel visited the area for integration of Junagadh and mooted a plan for its restoration.
