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In search of Lord Vishnu in villages of present day Nalasopara

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Nalasopara , part of Vasai Virar municipal corporation is today just another satellite town outside the Mumbai western suburbs in the North, the name Nalasopara is derived from two villages that still exist - Nala and Sopara. But if we dig deeper then Sopara was once the most important port in western India after Cambay right from 3rd century BCE to 9th century. An important Buddhist site where relics in stupa and rock edicts of Emperor Ashoka have been found.  The historical chronicles of Sinhalese kingdom (Mahavamsa) mention that Prince Vijaya the first king of Sinhalese kingdom set sail from Sopara to establish what is today, Sri Lanka.  The Hindu puranas state that Surparaka was reclaimed from sea for dwelling of Lord Parshuram and it became an important pilgrimage site or tirtha sthal. Nirmal a small locality today is said to have been visited by supreme religious Hindu leader Adi Shankaracharya in 700AD and in 8th century, 5th Adi Shankaracharya is said to have attained ...
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Gyaraspur Monuments - A little known architectural wonders in Madhya Pradesh

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Gyaraspur - One name which many may not have heard of unless you have some association with Vidisha district of Madhya Pradesh. Its is situated around 35kms from town of Vidisha on Vidisha - Sagar road. The name it seems was derived from a fair which is held at the eleventh month of Hindu calendar hence the name Gyaras and pur meaning a small town. Irony is most don't even know that there is a statue of lady called " Shalabhanjika " kept at Gujari Mahal museum - Gwalior which is considered a matchless beauty by many historians and experts. The statue is called as Indian Venus or Monalisa statue in stone. It was discovered in Gyaraspur. History: The Kachhapagatha dynasty ruled the North West parts of Madhya Pradesh during the 10th and 12th CE. They are assumed to be progeny of the Nagas and were the vassals of Gurjara - Pratiharas and later of the Chandelas of Central India. This dynasty contributed much to art and architecture and many temples were built under their patro...
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