The Iconic Gateway of India
Mumbai 2021
On a rainy morning, I captured this stunning bird's-eye view of the iconic Gateway of India from the 20th floor of the Taj Mahal Tower. This photograph was taken during a period of COVID restrictions in Mumbai when tourist sites were closed, offering a rare glimpse of this usually bustling monument, devoid of crowds.
Basgo Fort, Leh
Leh 2022
Located 40 kilometers west of Leh City and situated at an elevation of approximately 3300 meters above sea level, Basgo is a historic town nestled on the banks of the Indus River. Renowned for its Castle Ruins and adjoining Monastery, which houses three temples—Chamba Maitreya (featuring a Clay Image of Maitreya), Serzang Temple (housing a Copper-built Image of Maitreya), and Cham Chung Temple (originally constructed as a Mosque but later transformed into a Maitreya shrine). Constructed in the 16th century by Namgyal rulers, Basgo's remarkable perch atop a hill, overlooking the remnants of the ancient town and enveloped by vibrant, rugged mountains, renders it one of Ladakh's most unique monasteries. Once a cultural and political hub of the region, Basgo continues to be prominently featured in Ladakhi Chronicles. In 2000-2001, the Monastery was honored as one of the world's 100 most rare heritage sites by the World Heritage Foundation.
San Giorgio Maggiore Island, Venice,
Italy 2013
Easily visible across the canal from St. Mark's Square, the tiny island of San Giorgio Maggiore stands as one of Venice's most renowned landmarks, distinguished by its iconic towering bell tower and the imposing white marble facade of its 16th-century church. This island city perhaps reveals its true charm best during the night, once the day-trippers have retreated to their hotels or cruises.
Colosseum, Rome
Italy 2013
This renowned architectural marvel draws millions of tourists annually, inviting them to immerse themselves in the rich history of the "Arena of Death". Constructed between 70-72 A.D. under the reign of Emperor Vespasian of the Flavian dynasty, this colossal stone amphitheater, originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater, hosted a grand opening with 100 days of games, featuring gladiatorial combats and wild animal fights. Measuring an impressive 620 by 513 feet, it stood as the largest amphitheater in Roman history, boasting a seating capacity of 50,000 spectators.
Dancing House, Prague
Czech Republic, 2023
The Nationale-Nederlanden office building, commonly known as 'The Dancing House,' is a contemporary commercial structure located on a prominent corner overlooking the stunning Vltava river and the nearby historic landmarks. Built in 1996, this building made a striking contrast to the surrounding 'Art Nouveau' buildings that dominated the area. Today, The Dancing House occupies the site where a house was destroyed by a US bombing in 1945. The original plans for a building on this historically significant location aimed to establish a cultural center to support the recovering post-war community.
Hundertwasser House, Europe’s one of the most quirky tourist attraction..
Austria, 2023
The Hundertwasserhaus, in the fashion typically associated with artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, forms a mosaic of shapes, colours, and pillars. The design is unsurprising, considering that Hundertwasser himself and architect Joseph Krawina were the creative minds behind what has evolved into one of Vienna's most popular attractions. The house, constructed between 1983 and 1985 and its distinctive features include undulating floors, a roof adorned with earth and grass, and sizable trees flourishing inside the rooms, their branches extending outward from windows. Thanks to his ideas on the environment and sustainability, it is also regarded as one of the earliest pioneers of green architecture in Europe.
Casa Mila, Barcelona
Spain 2017
One of Gaudi’s most iconic creations, Casa Mila (La Pedrera), constructed as a private residence between 1906 and 1912, stands as a civic architectural marvel from his modernist era. Known as “La Pedrera” (meaning “stone quarry” in Catalan), it earns its name from its exterior, where stone plays a pivotal role in the design of the façade and balconies, devoid of any straight lines. Among Gaudi's residential designs, it is one of only three and was inscribed as a World Heritage site in 1984.
Casa Batlló, Barcelona
Spain 2017
Casa Batlló, one of Gaudi’s most iconic creations, was originally built as a private residence around 1900. However, its façade bears a striking resemblance to the layers of an animal, adorned with intricate details resembling skulls and bones. Surprisingly, these "skulls" are balconies, while the "bones" serve as supporting pillars. The vibrant colors of the façade draw inspiration from marine life, particularly the hues found in natural coral formations. Today, Casa Batlló stands as a UNESCO World Heritage site, welcoming tourists to explore its mesmerizing modernist design, making it a must-visit destination for enthusiasts of architectural marvels.
Spain's first skyscraper , Telefonica Building
Madrid ,2017
Spain's inaugural skyscraper, the Telefonica Building, made its debut in 1930, standing as Europe’s tallest structure at 90 meters (295 feet) tall with 14 storeys. Drawing inspiration from the skyscrapers of New York City, its design and architecture are emblematic of the era. Commanding the skyline along the renowned tourist hub of Gran Vía, this edifice has borne witness to numerous historical events, including the civil war.
Church of Our Lady before Týn , Prague
Czech Republic 2023
One of Prague's most magnificent Gothic religious structures was constructed from the mid-14th to the early 16th centuries. By the end of the 17th century, its interior underwent a transformation into Baroque style. Serving as an extensive gallery of Gothic, Renaissance, and Early Baroque artworks, highlights include altar paintings by Karel Škréta and the tomb of the astronomer Tycho Brahe. The cathedral also boasts the oldest organ in Prague, dating back to 1673.
The East Gate ,Angkor Thom
Cambodia ,2015
A tuk-tuk crosses through the East gate of Angkor Thom, the final and most enduring capital city of the Khmer Empire. While not as renowned as the Victory Gate or South Gate, it holds its own significance, also known as the Death Gate, as it was the entrance through which the army brought guilty convicts for execution. Jayavarman VII's "Great City," meaning Angkor Thom, encompassed an area of approximately 9 square kilometers and could only be accessed through five gates. Each of these imposing monuments stands at 23 meters high and features three face-towers oriented towards the four directions, with the central tower boasting two opposing faces towards the fronts, while each of the two smaller lateral towers bears a single face directed towards the city walls. Many believe that these colossal sculptures on each central tower depict a portrait of Jayavarman himself.
Angkor Wat
Cambodia ,2015
Built between A.D. 1113 and 1150 during the famous Khmer Dynasty by Suryavarman, Angkor Wat is one of the largest religious monuments ever constructed. Originally built as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire, it was gradually converted into a Buddhist temple in the 14th century. Its 213-foot central tower is surrounded by four smaller towers and a series of enclosure walls, creating a layout that emulates Mount Meru, a legendary place in Hindu mythology said to lie beyond the Himalayas and be the home of the gods.
Alhambra, The Moorish Castle of Spain
Spain, 2027
Built between 1232 and 1492 against the backdrop of the brooding Sierra Nevada peaks, the Alhambra, the last Moorish stronghold in Europe, showcases the splendor of Moorish civilization in Andalusia. This medieval complex is part fortress (Alcazaba), part palace (Palacios Nazaríes), part garden (Generalife), and part government city (Medina), all overlooking Granada City. This photo was taken from Plaza San Nicolás, located at the top of Granada’s old Arabic quarter (Albaicín), offering some of the most dramatic panoramic views of the city and the Alhambra.
Duomo di Milano or Milan Cathidral
Italy 2013
The Milan Cathedral, commonly known as the Duomo di Milano, is a magnificent Gothic masterpiece located in the heart of Milan, Italy. Dating back to the 14th century and completed over 600 years, it features 135 spires and over 3,400 statues, exemplifying high Gothic architecture in mainland Italy. The cathedral showcases a fusion of architectural styles, from French Gothic to Renaissance. With a capacity to host 40,000 visitors, the Duomo di Milano is officially the largest cathedral in Italy, as the larger St. Peter’s Basilica is situated in the sovereign state of Vatican City, which is not considered part of the Italian Republic.
Murud-Janjira: India's Unique Sea Fort
Maharashtra, 2016
Built in the 17th century, Murud-Janjira is the only island fort in India surrounded entirely by water. It remained unconquered, surviving attacks from the Portuguese, British, and Marathas. This architectural marvel is located on an island near the coastal fishing village of Murud and is mainly popular among locals. The fort's walls stand about 40 feet high, featuring 19 rounded arches with small windows and openings that once held cannons. This photo was taken from one of the windows, capturing the small boats with tourists waiting for their turn near the fort's main entrance.
Jal Mahal Palace
Jaipur, 2015
Situated in the middle of Jaipur's Man Sagar Lake and set against the backdrop of the surrounding Nahargarh ("tiger-abode") hills, the Jal Mahal palace is an architectural marvel of classical Rajput symmetrical style, characteristic of Rajasthan.
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
Jaipur, 2015
It was a night of celebration, with the festive spirit of Makar Sankranti illuminated by sky lanterns and fireworks against the backdrop of the Palace of Winds. While Makar Sankranti is celebrated across India, it holds a special significance in Jaipur’s festival calendar, being one of the biggest festivals in Rajasthan. The Palace of Winds, known as Hawa Mahal, was built in 1799. This five-story structure resembles a honeycomb with its 953 small windows, called jharokhas. These windows allowed royal women to observe daily street life while remaining unseen from the outside.
City Palace, Jaipur
Jaipur, 2015
The intricate designs on the walls and doors of Chandra Mahal in Jaipur's City Palace reflect the fusion of Mughal and Rajputana architectural styles.
