Garni Temple, Armenia

 

The Temple of Garni is the only standing Greco-Roman colonnated building in Armenia and the former Soviet Union. Built in the Ionic order by (probably) king Tiridates I in the 1st century AD, it is the best-known structure and symbol of pre-Christian Armenia, i.e of Hetanism (Armenian paganism).

I was looking for autumny postcards in my collections and noticed that I haven't posted this one from my trip to Armenia four years ago. To see it inspired a special kind of yearning.

Kiyomizu-dera In Autumn, Japan

Kiyomizu-dera is an independent buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto, a part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO whs. The temple was founded in 788, and its present buildings were constructed in 1633 - there is not a single nail used in the entire structure. It was one of 21 finalists for the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

I notice with perplexity that it has been over three years now that I have posted about Japan. Today I've chosen this card because of the Sunday Stamps theme: letter 'i'. Many Japanese stamps could be posted in relation as many are fabulous illustrations - but more specifically the top stamp was issued for the 61st Inter-Parliamentary Conference which was held in Tokyo in 1974 (I have to admit I'd never guess this stamp is that old). I don't really follow but the most prominent of the world's political issues, maybe I have heard of IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union) before but I certainly didn't make a note of it. IPU was founded in 1889 and was the first permanent forum for political multilateral negotiations.

I love the fact that the stamp matches the view's autumn colours (thank you Yuko), as does one of the cancellations (I do wonder why there are two). The artwork is Passion (1934) by Kawabata Ryushi. More interesting (!) ideas for the letter 'i' hide behind the link for Sunday Stamps :)

Geghard And Garni, Armenia

After an overnight train to Yerevan I spent the day in the capital city - rainy weather, sore throat, and a cancelled paragliding trip...i really thought i'd go through with it, challenge myself i.e. my fear of heights...shame.

The next day I went on a trip to see the mystical Geghard Monastery, one of the three Armenian WHS sites. The misty weather actually made the whole atmosphere that much better :) The site was full of khachkars (or Armenian stone-crosses) - carved, memorial steles bearing a cross, and often with additional motifs such as rosettes, interlaces, and botanical motifs. Khachkars are characteristic of Medieval Christian Armenian art, inscribed since 2010 in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Afterwards we visited the Temple of Garni, the only standing Greco-Roman colonnaded building in Armenia and the former Soviet Union. The structure was probably built by king Tiridates I in the first century AD as a temple to the sun god Mihr. After Armenia's conversion to Christianity in the early fourth century, it was converted into a royal summer house of Khosrovidukht, the sister of Tiridates III. I'll also remember this site because I asked a really handsome Russian guy if he could take a photo, shame he didn't know a word of English..;)

Sunset At Borobudur Temple, Indonesia

And more of SE Asia sunsets, didn't realise this connection before the actual posting heh. This time the sender is dewi, many thanks :)

I have posted a Borobudur Temple card before as part of my UNESCO collection, but have failed to mentioned there it is indeed the world's largest Buddhist temple. This is an absolutely amazing view. I really hope to visit Indonesia one day...The way things are going now, this may be in a farther future only.

UNESCO - Town Of Luang Prabang, Laos

Even though I was going to Laos myself (and thought mine will be the 1st card I receive from there) I did arrange a swap 'just in case' and received this card showing one of many wats in the beautiful Luang Prabang, danke Patrik! Its funny cos we just missed each other by days :)

Luang Prabang is an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those built by the European colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its unique, remarkably well-preserved townscape illustrates a key stage in the blending of these two distinct cultural traditions.

The many pagodas or "Vat" in Luang Prabang, which are among the most sophisticated Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, are richly decorated (sculptures, engravings, paintings, gilding and furniture pieces). Wat Xieng Thong, which dates from the 16th century, comprises an ensemble of the most complex structures of all the pagodas of the town. It is remarkable both from the archaeological point of view, and from the Lao iconographic and aesthetic viewpoint.

UNESCO - Golden Temple Of Dambulla, Sri Lanka

I have written about this site some posts ago as it featured on a multiview card, but here is a reminder - a sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 m² ) are of particular importance, as are the 157 statues. There is also a spring which drips its water, said to have healing powers, out of a crack in the ceiling.

My dream of visiting this amazing place called Sri Lanka continues...in the meantime, I am thrilled to have postcards from there, thanks to Hema :))

Wat Pho, Bangkok

As I am still under impression of my latest trip to SE Asia here is the 1st postcard I've sent (and received) from there - and I absolutely loved this place! Wat Pho is a Buddhist temple directly adjacent to the Grand Palace, also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, and the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. Outside the temple, the grounds contain 91 chedis (stupas) - it is said that the 21 large ones contain the ashes of Buddha.

UNESCO - Seokguram Grotto And Bulguksa Temple, South Korea

Established in the 8th century on the slopes of Mount Toham, the Seokguram Grotto contains a monumental statue of the Buddha looking at the sea in the bhumisparsha mudra position. With the surrounding portrayals of gods, Bodhisattvas and disciples, all realistically and delicately sculpted in high and low relief, it is considered a masterpiece of Buddhist art in the Far East. 

The Temple of Bulguksa (built in 774) and the Seokguram Grotto form a religious architectural complex of exceptional significance.

Many thanks to Daniel! :)

The two sites lie 4 kilometres apart. This postcard shows the Seokgatap stone pagoda, designated the 21st National Treasure in 1962. It is sometimes referred to as the Shadowless Pagoda or the Bulguksa Samcheung Seoktap ("three-storied stone pagoda of Bulguksa"). It stands 8.2 meters high, within the Bulguksa Temple complex in Gyeongju.

I have johnson to thank for this great addition to my collection, and the stamps are lovely :))

UNESCO - Historic Monuments Of Ancient Nara, Japan

Nara was the capital of Japan from 710 to 784. During this period the framework of national government was consolidated and Nara enjoyed great prosperity, emerging as the fountainhead of Japanese culture. The property includes eight component parts composed of seventy-eight different buildings covering 617.0 ha, which is surrounded by a buffer zone (1,962.5 ha) and the “historic environment harmonization area (539.0 ha)”.

Because of this I am sure I'll never be able to collect the full list - 78 is a big number! - but I am very happy to have these beautiful postcards to represent Nara, received through different channels, showing two of the five Buddhist temples at the site.

First postcard is actually about the pagodas of the Yakushi-ji temple; whereas the main picture is of Saitō (West Pagoda) the stamp is of the East Pagoda which is the only original 8th-century structure at the temple, and is often called "Frozen music" for its beauty. Thank you for yet another great postcard Ai :)

Tōdai-ji is another Buddhist temple complex in Nara - this picture shows The Great Buddha Hall - the largest wooden building in the world. It houses the largest bronze Buddha statue - look down!

Thank you kyoto348! The stamps are really interesting, to say the least ;)

 JP-182958

This view came via official postcrossing, yay! The most famous Daibutsus (or giant Buddha sculptures) in Nara is actually the world's largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana, with the hight of 14.98m. Thank you Yoko/conejo, and for the funny Hello Kitty stamp :)

UNESCO - Anuradhapura / Dambulla, Sri Lanka

Two Unesco sites on one postcard! Showing on the left the Sacred City of Anuradhapura and on the right the Golden Temple of Dambulla. As I have posted a postcard of the 1st I will include some info on the latter:

The ensemble of Dambulla is an outstanding example of the religious art and expression of Sri Lanka and South and South-East Asia. A sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, this cave monastery, with its five sanctuaries, is the largest, best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings are of particular importance, as are the 157 statues.

Thanks so much Hena!

Bagan, Myanmar

Bagan  is an ancient city located in the Mandalay Region of Myanmar; from the 9th to 13th centuries, the city was the capital of the Kingdom of Pagan, the first kingdom to unify the regions that would later constitute modern Myanmar. During the kingdom's height between the 11th and 13th centuries, over 10,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed in the Bagan plains alone, of which the remains of over 2200 temples and pagodas still survive to the present day.

 

I was surprised to learn that this awesome site is only on UNESCO tentative list - the explanation lies in  restorations conducted in the 1990s by the military government, which drew widespread condemnation from art historians and preservationists worldwide. Critics are aghast that the restorations paid little attention to original architectural styles, and used modern materials.

 

Sadly, Croatia has some experience in breaching the UNESCO restoration guidelines...I will probably have an opportunity to say more about that some other time. I was really lucky to get my first w&s postcard from Myanmar via an RR, and thanks to azzi who has chosen a wonderful view :))

 

UNESCO - Ancient Building Complex In The Wudang Mountains, China

 

New blog entry at last! And once again inspired by Viridian's stamps blog :) This week's theme is pets, and I have recently received this wonderful Unesco postcard with very cute cat stamps on the back :)) They are from a set of four issued in 2013.

The postcard shows the Purple Cloud Temple or Purple Heaven Palace, Zixiao Palace, or...I have found a few names..! In any case looks like a wonderful place to visit. As any Chinese Unesco site. Or any Unesco site. Or any place in China...what, I want to see everything! Thank you Elsa for this great piece of mail :))

UNESCO - Prambanan Temple Compounds, Indonesia

 

Situated in central Java and dating from the 9th century, Prambanan Temples are dedicated to the great three divinities - Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. Only the central compound consists of the amazing number of 240 temples! Thank you Shinta for this lovely view - and great stamps as always (the top right one showing a relief from Prambanan) :))

UNESCO - Sacred Sites And Pilgrimage Routes In The Kii Mountain Range, Japan

I was overwhelmed with beauty when I received this card for the Japan RR...I immediately imagined how spiritual a place like this must be. Seiganto-ji is a Tendai Buddhist temple built near the picturesque Nachi Falls. The second view is of the Okumotorigoe pilgrimage path and the stone circles represent the spots where the gods of Kumano were sitting and chatting. Thank you Hama and Ai :) (notice the supercute stamp for Letter-Writing Day!)

 

In addition, a map showing all the routes. Wouldnt it be great to walk along them one day..?!

UNESCO - Tikal National Park, Guatemala

 

Tikal is one of the largest archaeological sites of the pre-Colombian Maya civilization, situated in the heart of the jungle in northern Guatemala. It was inhabited from the 6th cent. BC to the 10th cent. AD, 2nd to 9th cent. being the peak, the so-called Classic Period. The ceremonial centre, featured on this photo, contains superb temples and palaces, the central temple/funerary pyramid being 47 metres high.

What a fantastic setting! I dream of visiting one day, hopefully with not many people around xD

I have Ale to thank for this great card, and stamps one of which shows a detail of another Guatemalan Unesco site Quirigua. Muchas gracias!!

Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore

 

This is Singapore's oldest Hindu temple and a National Monument; Heather was kind to send this view from her travel, thank you :)

The stamp shows the Stork-billed Kingfisher, native in south and southeast Asia. Awesome colours!

Kecak Dance At Tanah Lot, Indonesia

 

I have discovered among my older scans a postcard with a great set of se-tenant stamps titled Forests: Nature at your service, issued in 2011. It is not specified what kind of a conifer it is, or the cute creature peeking behind it.

The postcard shows a performance of Kecak, otherwise known as Ramayana Monkey Chant, in front of a pilgrimage temple Tanah Lot in west Bali. Looks very mystical!

Ginkaku-ji, Japan

 

Ginkaku-ji ("Temple of the Silver Pavilion"), officially named Jishō-ji ("Temple of Shining Mercy"), is a Zen temple in the Sakyo ward of Kyoto, Japan. It is one of the constructions that represent the Higashiyama Culture of Muromachi period. The two-storied Kannon-den is the main temple structure whose construction began in 1482 - the garden and temple complex are open to the public since 2008 and after extensive restoration.

The first time I set my eyes on this sight I thought 'wouldn't it be awesome to live in a place like this..?!'. Surrounded with water and lots of green :)  The back of the postcard  offers a great variety of stamps, what a way to start swapping again for my Japanese collection, thanks a bunch Manami! :))

UNESCO - Historic City Of Ayutthaya, Thailand

Wat Yai Chai Mongkon is one of the fourteen sites in Ayutthaya Historical Park, which covers the ruins of the old Thai capital of Ayutthaya. This wat was built in 1357 under the command of Ramathibodi I, the 1st of 35 kings who ruled the kingdom.

Looks so grand, I hope to visit the place...well maybe even next month ;) Nina used a beautiful set of flower stamps and YOTD stamp, many many thanks!!

Dear Nat sent this lovely card from her (working) holiday - it shows the unavoidable tuk-tuks in front of Viharn Phra Mangkol Bophit, an impressive building that is home to a large bronze Buddha statue.
Hvala Natich! <3>