My Science School

The Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis consist of the ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes, San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Senora de Loreto and Santa Maria la Mayor. Only Sao Miguel is in Brazil, while the others are in Argentina.

Lying at the heart of a tropical rainforest in the land of the Guarani indigenous communities, these Jesuit missions were built in the 17th and 18th centuries. Each of the five-ruins has a specific layout.

These ruins are part of the 30 missions founded by the Jesuit Order in the rainforest stretching across Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. The missions combine Spanish baroque architecture, and indigenous building technology with the religious symbolism of both local traditions and European Catholic liturgy.

During their time here, the Jesuits brought many changes to the lives of the native population by harnessing their natural resources and transforming their landscape.

This led to the Guaranitica War of 1756 and the later expulsion of the Jesuit order in 1767. Post this, these sanctuaries were abandoned.

Sao Miguel das Missoes

Also known as Sao Miguel Arcanjo, this church was built between 1735 and 1745. Among all the structures, this church is in a better state of conservation. Considered one of the beautiful representations of the Jesuit missions in Brazil and a very important historical record of humanity, visitors can see the ruins in the day, and watch a show in the evening which tells the story of the place in different languages.

San Ignacio Mini

The mission in Argentina was constructed in 1666 in Spanish baroque style, heavily influenced by indigenous motifs. The mission had a central square with buildings clustered around it. After the war, it was abandoned like the other missions and churches. However, its ruins were opened to the public many years later after conservation efforts stabilized the remaining structure. This is the best preserved among the ruins on the Argentine side.

Santa Ana

Not far from San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana is another mission in ruins. It was founded in 1633 during the Spanish colonial period. It was added to the UNESCO heritage list with the three other missions in Argentina in 1984.

Nuestra Senora de Loreto

This was one of the first missions to be founded by the Jesuits in the early 1600s. located near the San Ignacio Mini mission, the Loreto is not as well-preserved as the San Ignacio Mini or Santa Ana. It is mostly covered in vegetation, but one can still see the ruins.

Santa Maria la Mayor

This mission was founded by the Jesuits in 1626. This mission is the least preserved compared to the others. It had a sizable plaza, printing press and a prison. A church, which is in a total shambles, was also a part of this settlement. The chapel found in the settlement today is a recent 20th century addition.

 

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Since its occurrence, gold is regarded as the seed of Agni (the God of Fire). Gold has always been considered as a sacred color, as a result, more often than not, gold adornments are worn for specific rituals and events.

The love for gold cannot be better explained by the people residing in South India. Especially, the people from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, are die-hard fans of gold, be it in the form of metal or fabric. Gold, both in color and in metal is one of the significant part of the Vishukkani (the new year of Kerala). Kanikkonna, a golden-yellow flower is used generously throughout the puja conducted during this festival. It is believed that Kanikkonna signifies the radiant sun which represents the eyes of Lord Vishnu and the gold coins are symbols of financial prosperity, traditional and divine wealth. When it comes to weddings, Kasavu sarees with intricate golden embroideries is a well-known bridal attire. The bride-to-be looks dazzling on her wedding day as her beautiful reflection filters across the pure golden color.

 

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In the southern Indian state of Karnataka, about two hours away from the city of Bangalore is a region called Kolar Gold Fields.

A hub of activity for over a century, the mines here shut in 2001 when gold prices fell to unprofitable levels.

Bharat Gold Mines Limited used to own the lease to mine an area that was about 16km long by 3km wide.

It was shut down nearly a decade ago as it became too expensive to continue operations.

With the growth of the gold mines requiring more labour, people from the Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Salem and North and South Arcot districts of Tamil Nadu and the Chittoor and Ananthapur districts of Andhra Pradesh settled nearby; the settlements began to form the outskirts of K.G.F. The well-to-do families of British and Indian engineers, geologists, and mine supervisors lived in the centre of town. Two townships, Robertsonpet and Andersonpet, are named after two British mine officials.

The establishment of BEML Limited expanded the city, providing employment and attracting new residents.

 

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Kaurava is a Sanskrit term for the descendants of King Kuru (or simply Kurava in Tamil), a legendary king who is the ancestor of many of the characters of the Mah?bh?rata. The well-known Kauravas are Duryodhana, Dushasana, Vikarna, Yuyutsu and Dussala. Yuyutsu is not the son of Gandhari. But he is the same age of Duryodhana and Bhima.

The name Kaurava comes from the lineage of Dhritarashtra’s ancestor Kuru, a dynamic king and ruler of the earth to all its corners, hence the heirs of the Kuru lineage termed as Kauravas, which for instance, also includes the five Pandavas and the later discovered sixth Pandava, Karna. Since Pandu could not continue to remain the king of Hastinapur due to a curse, Dhritarashtra, his cousin-brother was made the king. Pandu’s five sons chose to be called Pandava and not Kaurava. Dhritarashtra was blind from birth while Gandhari being a women of strong conviction and wanting to suffer her husband’s share of blindness, covered her eyes by tying a silk robe when she married him which she would only open at her death. In addition to the 100 Kauravas, Dhritarashtra and Gandhari were also blessed with a single daughter called Dussala. 

After Yudhishthira lost his kingdom, his brothers and his wife Draupadi, in a game of dice with Shakuni, Duhshasana dragged Draupadi by the hair into the assembly, at the behest of his brother Duryodhana, and tried to disrobe her. Draupadi prayed to Krishna and he made her sari to be of infinite length, so that Duhshasana could not take it off. Dussasana was very exhausted and he nearly fainted. The assembled men were amazed at this miracle. They condemned Duhshasana and praised Draupadi. However,Draupadi was humiliated by being dragged into court by her hair. After this humiliation Draupadi swore that she will not tie her hair until it is bathed with blood of Duhshasana. Bhima, who could no longer watch Draupadi's insult in silence, rose up. He vowed to tear open Dussasana's chest in battle and drink his blood. Bhima also exclaimed that if he could not fulfill his oath, then he would not meet his ancestors in heaven.

 

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Surdas was a 16th-century blind Hindu devotional poet and singer, who was known for his lyrics written in praise of Krishna. The book Sur Sagar (Sur's Ocean) is traditionally attributed to Surdas. However, many of the poems in the book seem to be written by later poets in Sur's name. The Sur Sagar in its present form focuses on descriptions of Krishna as a lovable child, written from the gopis' perspective. Surdas was a great religious singer.

In its 16th-century form, however, the S?rs?gar gravitates much more to descriptions of Krishna and R?dh? as beautiful, youthful lovers; the pining (viraha) of R?dh? and the gop?s for Krishna when he is absent—and sometimes vice versa; and a set of poems in which the gop?s lambast Krishna’s messenger ?dho (Sanskrit: Uddhava) for trying to satisfy them with his spiritual presence once he has finally left their midst. They will have nothing less than the real, physical thing. In addition, poems of S?r’s own personal bhakti are prominent, whether as celebration or longing, and episodes from the R?m?ya?a and Mah?bh?rata also appear.

 

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Once upon a time, Afghanistan was not how we see it today, that is what studies say. It was once known as Gandhara and the fact that it still has a city known by the name of Kandahar confirms the truth. As per the experts, the Gandhara kingdom covered portions of today’s northern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan. It was spread over Pothohar Plateau, Peshawar Valley and Kabul River Valley.

The word Gandh?ra finds a mention in the Rig Veda, Uttara-Ramayana and Mahabharata. The word means gandha (fragrance), i.e. the land of fragrances. 

Mahabharata, the scripture authored by sage Veda Vyasa also mentions the Kingdom of Gandhara. As the story goes, King Subala ruled Gandhara some 5500 years ago. He had a daughter named Gandhari, who was married to the prince of Hastinapur kingdom, Dhritrashtra. Gandhari also had a brother, Shakuni, who later took over the kingship of Gandhara after his father’s death. Gandhari gave birth to a hundred sons, who became famous as the Kauravas.

It is believed that after failing miserably at the hands of the Pandava brothers in the Mahabharata war, several Kaurava descendants settled in the Gandhara kingdom. Later, they slowly migrated to today’s Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

 

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