The Gandhi Mandapam in Kanyakumari was constructed in 1956. The “father of the nation” Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were kept here before they were dissolved in the sea. It boasts distinct architectural details to honour the life of the timeless Ahimsa (non-violence) champion. Incidentally, Gandhi had visited Kanyakumari in 1925 and 1937.

Shortly after India became a free nation, the great Mahatma was tragically assassinated by a Hindu fanatic in 1948; his remains were cremated and dissolved in various parts of India as part of the Hindu rituals. Kanyakumari became one of the sites where his ashes were removed on February 12, 1948, and a mandapam (memorial), a pillared structure open for public darshan (ritual), was fittingly raised on the site where his ashes had been laid to rest near to the Kumari Amman Temple.

The structure that was based on the Orissa style of architecture was built to precision to honour the great Indian leader. The central shape stands tall exactly at 79 feet, which was Gandhi’s age at the time of demise. Perhaps the most striking feature is the opening on the roof of the building designed in such a way it allows the sun lit rays to come through it on October 2nd, the birth anniversary of Gandhi, every year, and fall exactly on the spot where his urn was kept.

The maintenance of the museum was handed over to the Public Works Department of Government of TamilNadu in the year 1978. It goes without saying that while all Mandapams or memorials across the country serve the purpose of honouring Gandhi’s life and work, this is the only Mandapam that has harnessed the sun to honour the great soul!

From the absorbing and awe–inspiring magnificence of the San Agustin Church at Intramuros in Manila, let us take a peek into the Islamic cultural heritage of Malaysia with the Crystal Mosque at Terengganu in Malaysia, which is no short of architectural beauty and grandeur.

The ‘Masjid Kristal’ or Crystal Mosque in Bahasa Malaysia was open to performing prayers in 2008. Its construction began in 2006 and was officially inaugurated in 2008. Kuala Terengganu is no less than an intriguing place to be with several attractions including the popular Islamic Heritage Park that was opened around the same time. Located near the Islamic Heritage Park is the Crystal Mosque that follows a distinct flavour of Muslim art and architecture. The importance of the mosque, which has four traditionally–designed minarets, to the city is placed higher than to the religion of Islam itself.

Kuala Terengganu, like many towns and cities in Malaysia, was a charming and quaint fishing village. But the ‘eureka’ moment is when oil was discovered nearby, and a model town was built around it. The Crystal Mosque, glittery, splashy and modern with a dash of tradition, now, embodies the spiritual and traditional values of the region.

Architectural Specifications
Though you can find some actual crystal embedded within the structure of the mosque, the clear material that sticks out is glass. If you want to experience the full effect of its crystalline exteriors, it is recommended to visit the magical place in the moonlight, when it’s illuminated and almost seems surreal as a dream!

In addition, the Masjid Kristal, which can put up nearly 1500 people at one time, though more can be accommodated outside it during Ramdhan and Bakrid, is designed using steel structure in combination with the crystal and glass works.

How to get there?
You can reach Kuala Terengganu either by car or bus, but the easiest and fastest way out there is to take a flight through Kuala Lumpur, either on Malaysia Airlines or AirAsia. The Crystal Mosque, as you can view from anywhere even from a long distance, is easily reached by taxi, depending upon where you’re put up with, how inclement the weather is and how much time is left to travel.

The recommended time to visit the mosque and, in fact, the best time to tour around Malaysia or any Islamic country, you can think of, is during the blessed month of  Ramadhan, the perfect time to turbo–charge yourself spiritually or treat yourself to the exotic local foods and drinks after breaking the fast. Do refer to an Islamic calendar to find out when Ramadhan falls and do your planning accordingly.

The city of Konya boasts of mesmerising architectural beauty and cultural sophistication. Let’s now travel towards Sille, which is located 8km north of the city of Konya.  It houses the famous Byzantine Aya Eleni church and many rock chapels with breathtaking frescoes. We all grew up reading the witty tales of the legendary oriental ironist Nasreddin Hodja; but how of many of us know that he hails from Akşehir, located to the northwest of Konya? And interestingly, there is a mausoleum of the 13th-century humorist here. Other monuments that demand attention include the Altınkale Mescidi and the Ulu Mosque of the 13^th century. Another mausoleum, the Sahip Ata Mausoleum has been transformed into a museum.

Enroute to Beyşehir, give yourself a break at Eflatun Pınar at the side of the lake to witness the out–of–the–ordinary Hittite monumental fountain. There are many Seljuk buildings dotted around the gorgeous Beysehir located on the shores of Lake Beysehir, the third largest lake in Turkey. The lake’s south-western region is a national park, and one of the main wetlands of the country. You can see several prominent monuments across Lake Beysehir: the Kubad-Abad Summer Palace and the Eşrefoğlu Mosque. There is another palace belonging to the medieval era on Kızkalesi Island just on the opposite side of the Kubad-Abad Palace. Visitors get to relax and have some fun on the Hacı Akif Island. Çatalhöyük, some 45km south of the city, drew the earliest settlers to it from the Neolithic era, revealing details of the dawn of the early settlement of humans with fine and distinct examples of the oldest landscape paintings and domestic architecture forms, besides sacred artefacts of the cult of mother–goddess.

Next, let us take a trip to Karapınar, which is separated by 94 km south–east of Konya, having a number of crater lakes. The popular Mike Crater Lake, or simply “Make” near Karapınar, is a lake inside a volcano’s crater. There is another lake, Aci crater lake (Acigölü), about 3kms north–west side of Mike, which has a few exotic birds. Ereğl, one of Konya’s biggest counties, is flanked by yellow cherry trees.

If you have some time still left, visit the Ereğli Archaeological Museum displaying several Byzantine, Seljuk and Hittite monarch artefacts. The Ivriz Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre at İvriz, features a small altar and two huge rock reliefs depicting a king and plentiful crops, all dating to the Neo–Hittite era. There is also a monastery that dates back to the Middle Byzantine Period, natural springs and two caves.

There is a slice of history embedded in the IT capital and electronic city of South India, Bengaluru, which will go down in history as the glorious era of Karnataka history: the Mysore Rule led by Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. The Tipu Sultan Palace in Bengaluru is housed near the bustling City Market at the junction of Krishna Rajendra and Albert Victor Road. The palace lies in the precincts of the fort.

The Tipu Sultan palace in Bengaluru was the summer retreat of the great Mysuru Ruler, who fondly termed it the “Rash-e-Jannat”, or “Envy of Haven” or “Abode of Happiness”. One can get to see this engraved on a window screen.  Splendid gardens all along the path, leading to the palace, along with sparkling fountains and lovely flower beds, will welcome you.

The place speaks volume about Tipu’s valiant attempt to protect Karnataka from British imperialism. That is why the Tipu Sultan palace should be tagged along the places to visit in Bengaluru. The place was opened to public view in 2005.

In 1537, Kempe Gowda, founder of Bengaluru, raised the fort. The extension was later carried out by Tipu Sultan. It is said that Hyder Ali put several British army officers including David Braid behind bars. The construction of the palace, which was started by Hyder Ali in 1781, was completed by Tipu in 1791. The place later came to be known as “Tipu’s Palace”.

The entire palace, styled on the Indo-Islamic art and architecture, is constructed of teak wood, stone, mortar and plaster. It is raised on a stone plinth. A striking feature is the intricately carved pillars that support the mammoth wooden beams throughout the palace.  A congregation of wooden pillars, which rests on the stone base, support the entire structure. The pillars are converged with brackets and cusped arches adorned with stunning carving accentuated in multi-colours. Every pillar’s base has the carvings designed as if they come out of flowers.  The ceilings and the walls boasts of madder-red surfaces decorated with floral motifs for an elegant look. Four staircases from the ground floor lead you to the first floor. There is a large hall on the first floor having four rooms, one at each corner. Known as the Zenana quarters, only the ladies of royal households had access to it. You can see two projecting balconies, one located on the east, another on the west side. It is believed that Durbars were held by the Sultan in the hall to run the administration matters of the state with the state officials in the balcony area, watching the proceedings.

The British later used the palace as their secretariat following the death of Tipu Sultan. The palace-turned museum showcases some of the artefacts of the ruler including the portraits of places and places of the bygone era, done by modern-day artists, and represents the grand lifestyle of the royals. The Sultan’s crown and his clothes are exhibited in silver and gold pedestals.  Among other prized possessions, silver vessels offered to Hyder Ali by a general are also on display.

There is a splendid and a well-preserved temple of Lord Ganesha, dating back to the1790s, close to the Tipu Sultan Palace in the fort enclosure, which stands as an embodiment of Tipu’s secular values and inclusiveness. The fort area also houses an art gallery that displays several paintings, pictures, fine carvings and photos of the Mysuru Sultanate era. The Tipu Sultan Palace, currently managed by the Archaeological Survey of India, not only draws tourists the year round but also remains a haven for archaeologists and historians. Carrying eatables or camera inside the palace is prohibited.