Top Ten Perplexing Architectures of India

The Iron Pillar, located in the heart of India, Delhi, is well known for its rust-resistant composition. It is 7.21 meters in height and buried 93 centimeters below the present ground level. It has a diameter of 41 centimeters. Made of 98% wrought iron, it is considered to weigh 7 tons of pure quality.

The iron pillar dates back even further than the ruined Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, which surrounds it. The pillar was forged about 1,600 years ago and moved to Delhi nearly 1,000 years ago. No one seems to have a proper answer as to why and who moved this pillar to Delhi. It has avoided corrosion from the rains, winds, and temperature fluctuations over all these centuries.

Even in the 21st century, only four foundries in the world could build such a large pillar, but none would be able to keep it rust-free.

The Somnath Temple is a symbol of Indian conviction and its rich cultural heritage. The temple was destroyed by Mahmud Ghazni in 1024, Khilji's Army in 1296, Muzaffar Shah in 1375, Mahmud Begada in 1451, and Aurangzeb in 1665, only to be rebuilt over and over again. For this reason, it is also known as "The Shrine Eternal."

In the 7th century, the Somnath Temple was reconstructed by the Maitraka Kings of Vallabhi. Thus, this temple is believed to have been built for the first time at some unknown time in the distant past.

The Arrow Pillar, also known as Baan Stambh, is erected on the sea protection wall at the Somnath Temple. An inscription in the Sanskrit language can be found on this Arrow Pillar, which mentions that it stands at a point on the Indian landmass that happens to be the first point on land from the North to the South Pole on that particular longitude.

The temple is situated at such a place that there is not a single piece of land between the Somnath seashore and Antarctica, the South Pole. The perfect positioning of the Somnath Temple at that time, without any cartography or any other means to describe the exact position of the South Pole, is still a mystery.

A symbol of India's heritage, the Konark Sun Temple is a marvelous piece of 13th-century architecture, built by King Narsimhadeva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty over 12 years by 12,000 artisans. The temple is dedicated to the Sun God and is shaped like a giant chariot with exquisite stone carvings covering the entire structure.

The biggest attraction of the temple is the 12 pairs (total 24) of gorgeously decorated wheels at the base of the chariot, two of which can also be used as sundials. The accuracy of each of these sundials is down to the minute. Imagine the time and coordination that must have occurred between the astronomers, engineers, and sculptors to create something like this 750 years ago.

The other 22 wheels are also supposed to be sundials, but how to use them is still a mystery.

One of the many mysteries of India is the Hanging Pillar of Veerabhadra Temple in Lepakshi. The Temple is said to have been built in 1583 AD by brothers Virupanna and Veeranna. Out of the 70 pillars of the stone Temple, a particular pillar, known as the Hanging Pillar, stands out as a triumphant masterpiece of architecture.

There is a very slight gap between the ground and the hanging Pillar. Though it is noticeable, people can be seen passing newspapers, handkerchiefs, or any other items through the pillar to confirm what they have just seen. The Archaeological Survey of India has proven that this pillar was not constructed by mistake but was built intentionally to prove the brilliance of the builders of the time.

A British engineer once tried to shift its position to discover the secret of its support. Though it was a futile effort, it dislodged the pillar slightly from its initial position.

The Vittala Temple in Hampi is an ancient masterpiece of stone art. It is a monument of unmatched craftsmanship. The carvings of beautiful dancing girls, birds, and animals built into the stone almost come to life under the touch of one's hand. Its most famed segment is the fascinating and incomparable Musical Pillars.

There are 56 Musical Pillars, also known as SAREGAMA pillars, in a big hall, also known as Ranga Mantapa, of the Temple. The musical notes are emanated when the pillars are tapped gently. There are a set of main pillars and several sets of minor pillars.

Every main pillar, supporting the roof of the main Temple, represents a musical instrument. Every main pillar is surrounded by seven musical minor pillars. These seven pillars produce seven notes from the representative instruments such as sitar, sankha, and other strings. These pillars manifest India's rich legacy of science.

The pillars even drew the attention of the British. The curiosity of this unique stone art led them to cut two of the pillars to check the science behind them, but all they found was hollow space.

Brihadeeshwarar Temple is the tallest Temple in India, standing at 216 feet, and the first complete granite temple in the world. The absence of granite quarries within a 50-mile radius of the Temple required logistics of epic proportions to get the stone to the construction site. Granite is one of the strongest stones in the world, and it is not an easy task to cut and carve the granite stones.

We can't even imagine how this was made possible in those days without any special equipment. The biggest mystery about the Temple is the huge capstone on the top of the Temple tower. The capstone, carved out of a single granite stone, weighs 80 tons. The astonishment lies in how the builders of that time period were able to place the 80-ton capstone at a height of 216 feet. There were no cranes or any other equipment used in those days to accomplish this, as the Temple is said to be 1,000 years old.

The ancient Nandeeshwara Temple of Malleswaram was discovered only a couple of decades ago, but it has stood there for 7,000 years. Being buried for all these years, the Temple was then excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Its biggest mystery is the Nandi Statue, placed at the far end of the stone-cut courtyard supported by ancient stone pillars. Carved out of black stone with eyes painted in gold, a clear stream of water flows from its mouth directly onto a Shivalinga made of the same black stone at a lower level.

Though there are various controversies, the source of the water flowing out of the Nandi's mouth is still unknown. One theory suggests it could be a natural freshwater spring that emerges from under the Temple and is channeled to flow out through the Nandi.

Whatever the source of the water, this Temple is an example of marvelous ancient hydraulic engineering.

Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple, also known as Gavipuram Cave Temple, is an excellent example of Indian rock-cut architecture, situated in Bangalore. It was built by Kempe Gowda, the founder of the city, in the 16th century. Some theories believe that the Temple was built in the 9th century, even before the city was founded.

This Temple is proof of the technical excellence of the ancient architects of India. On the auspicious occasion of the festival Makara Sankranti, celebrated on the 14th of January, which marks the entry of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn, the Temple experiences a huge influx of devotees eager to witness the headlining celestial event.

On this special day, the evening sunrays pass through an arc between the horns of the idol of Nandi (the bull, the vehicle of Lord Shiva) and fall directly on the Shivalinga (the idol of Lord Shiva) inside the cave, illuminating the interior idol. This annual, ephemeral phenomenon is called Sun Bath. Behind this architecture lies a tale of scientific knowledge, architectural prowess, and some intriguing local history.

The earliest reference to Padmanabhaswamy Temple in historical literature was in 500 BC. Other than being the world's richest Hindu temple and having mysterious doors, Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala is also prominent for the marvelous accuracy of its architecture.

The temple's gopuram (tower) is designed with such accuracy that during the summer equinox, the sun goes down exactly through the middle of the gopuram, with the golden rays radiating out through the window-like square space in the middle of the gopuram. It's an absolute must-see miracle that's so well constructed. An architectural marvel indeed, especially for those who believe that only modern technology can produce such amazing feats.