The Agra Fort (Qila Agra) is a historical fort in the city of Agra, and also known as Agra's Red Fort.
Mughal emperor Humayun was crowned at this fort. It was later renovated by the Mughal emperor Akbar from 1565 and the present-day structure was completed in 1573.
It served as the main residence of the rulers of the Mughal dynasty until 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. It was also known as the "Lal-Qila" or "Qila-i-Akbari". Before being captured by the British, the last Indian rulers to have occupied it were the Marathas.
In 1983, the Agra fort was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its importance during the Mughal Dynasty. It is about 2.5 kilometers (1.6 mi) northwest of its more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal.
The fort can be more accurately described as a walled city. It was later renovated by Shah Jahan.
Only about 30% of the site is accessible for visitors since it’s still used by the Indian army. What is accessible is a real...
Prasat Ta Moan Thom ប្រាសាទតាមាន់ធំ - ปราสาทตาเมือนธม
A unique and sizeable temple site that straddles the Cambodian and Thai border. The temple is claimed by both countries, where in Cambodia it resides in Oddor Meanchey province, while on the Thai side it sits in Surin province.
Just northwest across the border on the Thai side of the border are Prasat Ta Muen Toch one of King Jayavarman VII's arogyasalas, and Prasat Ta Muen one of King Jayavarman VII's dharmasalas.
The three temple sites were an important pit stop for travelers between Angkor in Siem Reap and Prasat Hin Phimai in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Recently, to the southwest a small temple shrine was discovered by the name Prasat Damrei Troam.
The temple site has an unusual layout in the sense that it actually opens to the south with a laterite step platform that faces to the lower plains in modern day Cambodia, when most Khmer temples traditionally open to the east. The site is attributed...
The extravagant Candle Festival ushers in the beginning of the monsoon season in Thailand. As a lunar holiday, the Candle Festival this year is held from July 7th to 13th, 2025. The Candle Float parade will take place on July 10th and 11th, 2025.
Despite being celebrated in other parts of Thailand, few cities hold the festival quite like Ubon Ratchathani, which is located in the Issan region around 500 kilometers northeast of the capital city of Bangkok.
The Candle Festival has its origin etched in tradition and religion. It is held during Asalha Bucha and Khao Phansa days—two watershed Buddhist events that mark Buddha’s first sermon and the start of Vassa (sometimes referred to as Buddhist Lent), respectively. The celebration involves colorful parades of majestic and lavish candle wax sculptures accompanied by Thai traditional music and dance.
Long before the invention of electricity, Thai Buddhists had been collecting and donating candles to their local temples to ensure that they stayed ...
Wat Lot Chong is an active temple located off the city island in the western area of Ayutthaya in the Ban Pom sub-district. Historical documents mention the temple, but specific details about its history and period of construction are not well known.
The temple is situated near other historical sites, such as Khlong Klaep, which is a defunct canal located off Ayutthaya's city island on the western side south of Wat Lot Chong.
On site is an ordination hall an open sided vihara with seating Buddha statue and other monastic structures. The ubosot was built in the Early Ayutthaya style (1351 - 1488), but its restoration dates from the Late Ratanakosin period (after 1851 AD).
The hall has two elevated porches with each two entries and the porch roof is supported by four columns. The roof of the building is three-tiered, while the longest walls have five windows each. The ordination hall is surrounded by eight "bai sema" or boundary stones, placed in the cardinal and inter-cardinal directions and protected from
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