The sun temple of Konark in Orissa, also famous as the Black Pagoda, is undoubtedly one of the finest monuments of India. Even in ruins, the temple complex is a magnificent monument where the vitality and spirit of bygone creative age in the history of Orissa are echoed e en today in its life like sculptures.

Includes architectural rendering of the precincts of the temple.

Articles.

Architectural inscriptions are a fascinating aspect of Islamic cultural heritage because of their rich and diverse historical contents and artistic merits. These inscriptions help us understand the advent of Islam and its gradual diffusion in Bengal, which eventually resulted in a Muslim majority region, making the Bengali Muslims the second largest linguistic group in the Islamic world. This book is an interpretive study of the Arabic and Persian epigraphic texts of Bengal in the wider context of a rich epigraphic tradition in the Islamic world. While focusing on previously untapped sources, it takes a fresh look into the Islamic inscriptions of Bengal and examines the inner dynamics of the social, intellectual and religious transformations of this eastern region of South Asia. It explores many new inscriptions including Persian epigraphs that appeared immediately after the Muslim conquest of Bengal indicating an early introduction of Persian language in the region through a cultural interaction with Khurasan and Central Asia. In addition to deciphering and editing the epigraphic texts, the information derived from them has been analyzed to construct the political, administrative, social, religious and cultural scenario of the period. The first survey of the Muslim inscriptions in India ever to be attempted on this scale, the book reveals the significance of epigraphy as a source for Islamic history and culture. As such, it will be of interest to students and scholars of Asian Studies, Asian History and Islamic Studies.

In India, Astrology Is Not Merely A Method Of Divination, But An Integral Part Of Its Religious And Cultural Traditions. The Book Explores The Interrelatedness Of Astrology, Art And Religion. In The Beginning It Deals With The Foundations Of Hindu Astrology And Its Rich Symbolism. It Then Goes On To Describe The Various Representations Of Astral Symbols In The Traditional Arts Of Sculpture And Painting. Finally, The Book Shows How Artistic Representations Of Astral Deities Such As Planets And Stars Are Used In Ritual And Worship.

On the mythology of the Hindu solar deities.

With reference to the Sun Temple in Konārk and other Hindu temples in its precincts; a study.