Built in 1568 A.D., this synagogue preserves scrolls of the Old Testament (Scrolls of Law) and houses the Hebrew inscribed copper plates of Joseph Rabban. Located in Mattancherry, Kerala, Paradesi Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in the common wealth countries. The property features include wrought gold and silver crowns, glass chandeliers and oriental rugs, all donated by former patrons. The flooring is composed of hundreds of 18th century, hand-painted porcelain tiles. The complex has four original buildings and sits adjacent to the Mattancherry Palace temple. In 1968, Indira Gandhi, as part of the 400-year celebration, visited the Paradesi Synagogue.
Arjuna's Penance is an open-air-relief monolith the dates back to the 7th century. The artwork sits on the face of two massive boulders and is one of the biggest open-air rock canvases in the world. There are many theories behind the creation of this work. Some historians believe it depicts the atonement of Arjuna during exile. Others think the story behind the monolith includes the representation of the Serpent worship known to have occurred in ancient India. Dividing the two boulders is a natural cleft. Water pours down the breach to simulate a waterfall. The rock art resides in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, a town situated in southern India.
The mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah (1627-1655), known as Gol Gumbaz, sits in the city of Bijapur. This structure consists of a square chamber the measures nearly 160 ft on each side. The dome that incases the chamber is one of the largest domes in the world. The shape of the main compartment creates an acoustic phenomenon that echoes even the tiniest of sounds at least ten times. Because of this feature, the ventricle creates a whispering gallery. During the time of Mohammed Adil Shah, musicians used the gallery for performing to take advantage of the excellent acoustics. In the center of the chamber is a platform that houses the tombs of the royal family.
