When he sees identity in everything, Whether joy or suffering,
Through analogy with the self, He is deemed a man of pure discipline.
-The Bhagavad Gita, Hindu philosophical text

India offers a fantastic cultural ride filled with sights and sounds unlike any other country in the world. No words can convey seeing the Taj Mahal under a full moon or floating down the Ganges in Varanasi as the ritual bathers sink into the water as the sun begins its ascent from the horizon. This was our favorite country of all our travels (we couldn’t get enough…we visited three times!). Take a deep breath and jump in — this will be a life-changing experience!

TRAVEL. DRAW CONNECTIONS.

Ancient Buddhist Caves in India and China

Outside of Mumbai, travelers can find two amazing Buddhist cave sites: Ellora (with its stunning Kailasa temple) and Ajanta (with its incredibly well-preserved 5th century paintings). This guide provides detailed reviews of each site and explains how Indian Buddhist cave architecture influenced later manifestations in China. Learn more about visiting Buddhist cave sites in India…

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South Indian Temple Architecture

The south of India is the premier region from which to gain a true understanding of the Hindu architectural tradition and is the only place in the world where you can see a large number of Hindu temples from all time periods and empires. It is our goal to place these sites into context for the reader, giving an appreciation of both the unique elements of each style as well as the threads that connect all of these dynasties together. Learn more about the architecture of South India…

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Indian Art & Architecture: Buddhist

Ancient Buddhist art and architecture — e.g. Buddhist rock cut caves and Hellenistic-inspired painted and sculptural forms — serves as the foundation for the Indian aesthetic.  In this Approach Guides document, we provide a condensed, yet comprehensive overview of Buddhist architecture and sculpture, designed specifically for the traveler in India. We also provide site reviews of the most important Buddhist architectural and artistic sites in India, including Ajanta, Ellora, and Sanchi. Learn more about Buddhist art and architecture in India…

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Indian Art & Architecture: Hindu

Hindu architecture, while structurally simple (no arches are ever used in its construction),  exhibits some of the most ornate decoration and symbolic design elements in the world. This document offers travelers an approach to understanding Hindu architecture and sculpture and be able to easily answer questions like, “What’s the main difference between Hindu architecture in the North and South” and “What Mediterranean culture influenced Indian sculpture?” (Hint: think Alexander the Great). Learn more about Hindu art and architecture in India…

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Indian Art & Architecture: Islam

This Approach Guides document is designed to serve as a comprehensive introduction to Mughal Islamic architecture in India. Specifically, we explore the history of Islam in India, the general underpinnings of Islamic architecture, the defining characteristics of the Indian Mughal style, and the unique introductions of its chief architectural innovators (Akbar and Shah Jahan).  Finally, we conclude by reviewing some of the most definitive architectural structures of the period, organized by geography, including the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Humayun’s Tomb, and the Qutb Minar (among many others). Learn more about Islamic art and architecture in India…

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A Walk through Khajuraho

Khajuraho is one of the most sensual temple sites in all of India, but it is also one of the most intellectually interesting given its position in the development of Hindu architecture in North India. This document offers visitors a guide to use as they walk through the site by highlighting important elements of the Hindu temples in Khajuraho, the erotic sculptures for which the complex has come to be known throughout the world.  Read more about touring the temples of Khajuraho…

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The Stupa Form’s Transformation Over Time

The stupa in Sanchi (located in Central India) is the original stupa, serving as the prototype for all others that followed, both in India and throughout Asia. Using this document, travelers will be able to identify stylistic changes in stupa/pagoda architecture as Buddhism migrated out of India, to China and Japan (via the Silk Road) and to Southeast Asia (via sea trade routes).  Learn more about the stupas and pagodas you will encounter on your trip…

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Religion: Buddhism

Buddhism began as a rebellious offspring of Hinduism in India, “Hindu Protestantism”, if you will, and migrated out of India to the rest of Asia via the Silk Road and other trade routes. This guide seeks to provide a framework for understanding the faith and help readers gain an understanding of this religion’s rich, global cultural legacy.  Learn more about Buddhism…

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Religion: Hinduism

This document is designed to provide a comprehensive background on the history of the Hindu religion, a discussion of the primary Hindu gods (and how to recognize them), the central tenets of the faith, the history of and thoughts espoused in the primary Hindu religious texts, the relevant religious symbolism, and the primary related religious movements. Particularly when accompanied with our Hindu Architecture primer, this document should prove helpful toward understanding this religion’s rich cultural legacy. Learn more about Hinduism…

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Historical East-West Trade Connections

Throughout its history, India has served as a critical link in the global trade network.  Although fundamentally economic in orientation, this worldwide trade network spawned vast cultural, artistic and religious exchanges. We encourage our readers to use this Approach Guide to discover the nature of these exchanges, which served as the underlying (and often overlooked) inspiration for many of the world’s greatest cultural landmarks.  Learn more about how early global trade impacts your trip today…

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Note that free previews reveal only a small, yet representative, portion of the content available in the complete Approach Guides document. All images and photos in these Approach Guides and on www.approachguides.com were taken on location by David and Jennifer Raezer.

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Italy – China – India – Middle East – Southeast Asia – Turkey