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...
Wat Phra Buddha Saeng Tham, also known as Wat Buddha Sang Dham, is located in Saraburi Thailand, approximately 100 km northeast of Bangkok. Wat Phra Phuttha Saeng Tham (วัดพระพุทธแสงธรรม), which translates to “Temple of the Buddha’s Radiant Dhamma.”
Established in 2012 under the guidance of Phra Khru Phawanakit Koson (Luang Por Somchai), a respected monk of the Dhammayut sect, the temple was constructed on over 300 rai (120 acres) of donated land with the aim of creating a modern center for Buddhist practice, meditation, and community education within the Theravada tradition. Funding came entirely from public donations, reflecting deep local devotion and the cultural practice of merit-making. Though relatively new, it has rapidly become notable for its architectural grandeur and serene spiritual environment.
The temple’s most striking feature is the Great Silver Dome, known as Phra Buddha Mahawihan, a 108-meter-diameter structure shaped like an inverted ...
Wat Bot Sam Krok (also called Wat Bot), located in Bang Krabue, Sam Khok District, Pathum Thani, is a serene riverside temple just 50 km north of Bangkok on the Chao Phraya River.
Founded in 1621 during the late Ayutthaya period by Mon refugees from Myanmar, it became a major center of Mon Buddhist culture in Thailand. The temple sits on a fortunate river bend and is closely tied to the province’s name “Pathum Thani” (Lotus City), which King Rama II bestowed after Mon villagers offered him lotus flowers in 1815.
The temple’s heart is the revered bronze Buddha image Luang Phor Lueang, the provincial palladium of Pathum Thani, housed in a beautifully aged chapel. Nearby stands Thailand’s tallest statue of Somdet Toh Promrangsi (28 m) and large images of Luang Pho Sothon and Somdet Toh. Royal gifts, including an iron dog statue from King Rama V, still remain on the grounds.
With shaded gardens, fish-feeding spots along the river, and a lively weekend market nearby, it offers a peaceful...
Prasat Hin Phanom Wan, an 11th-century Khmer temple in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand, stands as a modest yet evocative relic of the Angkor-era empire.
Originally constructed during the reign of King Suryavarman I (1002–1050) as a Hindu sanctuary dedicated to Shiva, the site features three east-facing brick prangs built on a laterite foundation, encircled by a moat and gallery. A large linga once occupied the central tower, symbolizing divine presence.
By the 13th century, under the influence of King Jayavarman VII, the temple transitioned to Buddhist use, likely housing a monumental seated Buddha image—fragments of which were recovered during 1986 excavations. This religious shift reflects the broader evolution of Khmer spiritual practice from Shaivism to Mahayana and eventually Theravada Buddhism.
Abandoned after the Khmer Empire’s decline in the 14th century, the site was reclaimed by forest until its rediscovery in the late 19th century. Partial restoration by Thailand’s Fine...
