Angkor Thom:
Angkor Thom was established as the capital of Jayavarman VII's
empire, and was the centre of his massive building programme. One
inscription found in the city refers to Jayavarman as the groom and the
city as his bride.
Angkor Thom seems not to be the first Khmer capital on the site, however. Yasodharapura,
dating from three centuries earlier, was centred slightly further
northwest, and Angkor Thom overlapped parts of it. The most notable
earlier temples within the city are the former state temple of Baphuon, and Phimeanakas,
which was incorporated into the Royal Palace. The Khmers did not draw
any clear distinctions between Angkor Thom and Yashodharapura: even in
the fourteenth century an inscription used the earlier name. The name of Angkor Thom—great city—was in use from the 16th century.
The last temple known to have been constructed in Angkor Thom was Mangalartha,
which was dedicated in 1295. Thereafter the existing structures
continued to be modified from time to time, but any new creations were
in perishable materials and have not survived.
The
Ayutthaya Kingdom, led by King Borommarachathirat II, sacked Angkor Thom, forcing the Khmers under
Ponhea Yat to relocate their capital southeast.
Angkor Thom was abandoned some time prior to 1609, when an early
western visitor wrote of an uninhabited city, "as fantastic as the Atlantis of Plato". It is believed to have sustained a population of 80,000–150,000 people.
Tamil nadu:
Bellikkal:-
Bellikkal is a small village in the south of Sigur Plateau in Tamil
Nadu. It is one of those places that are often frequented by the free
spirited individuals. Blessed with unspoilt nature’s beauty, Bellikkal
is the destination where one can sit back, relax and contemplate the
surroundings. An ideal place with those with artistic bent of mind as
this place can offer inspiration for their work. Quiet and beautiful are
the two words that best describe Bellikkal.
Hemis, Jammu & Kashmir: The snow leopard’s home
One of the less talked about places in the Jammu and Kashmir map, Hemis is a beautiful place surrounded by
snow capped ranges all around. Pay a visit to the
Hemis Gompa or the Hemis National Park, which is home to the
snow leopard. Let your camera have some fun here!
May-June is the best time to visit Hemis. Temperatures in winter can fall as low as -30 degrees Centigrade.