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| Sunday, 05 March 2006 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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The heavenly temple in Beijing The Great Wall of China, which we have already featured, is the most famous landmark in this country. Perhaps lesser known, though of equal importance in China, is the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. The Chinese treat the place with a lot of respect and care. This beautiful temple, in the midst of a park spanning 270 hectares, is situated in the south of Beijing, in the Chongwen district. It was built between 1406 and 1420, with the main buildings being built during the Ming Dynasty in 1420, by Emperor Yongle.
He was regarded as the "Son of the Heaven", who looked into matters on the earth, on behalf of the heavenly authority. Any natural disasters, bad harvests or instability in society, were considered as signs that the heavenly authority was displeased with the emperor. Therefore, ceremonies for sacrifices to heaven were important to the rulers. The Temple of Heaven was built for this purpose. At the temple, the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties prayed to the gods. Although it was earlier used for the worship of both heaven and earth, later, after the Temple of Earth was constructed, it was reserved for the worship of heaven and to offer prayers for good harvests. The Temple of Heaven is surrounded by a double wall, the upper or northern half of which is circular, representing the Earth. The main buildings are located at the northern and southern ends, and are connected by a 2.5 metres high and 360 metres long, central causeway, known as the Vermilion Steps Bridge or the Sacred Way. The temple comprises four main areas: Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Vault of Heaven, Echo Wall and Round Altar. The Hall of Prayers for Good Harvest, the temple's most important hall, is a symbol of Beijing. It is a circular wooden structure supported on 28 wooden pillars, and follows China's traditional architectural style. The whole structure is 38 metres high and 30 metres in diameter. It stands on a three-tiered circular marble terrace called the Altar for Grain Prayers. The terrace is edged with white marble balustrades on each level, which are carved with dragon, phoenix and cloud patterns. The hall ceiling is also carved with dragons and phoenixes. The original furnishings in the hall such as the tables, throne and screens, are still preserved. Tablets engraved with the names and dates of birth and death of the Emperor's ancestors were also enshrined in the temple. There is a wall encircling a round building to the south of the causeway. This building, though smaller, is similar to the Hall of Prayers, and houses the memorial tablet of the "Supreme Ruler of Heaven". It is called the Imperial Vault of Heaven. The surrounding wall is the brick-built Echo Wall, which is 65 metres in diameter. It was built on the principle that a sound wave may bounce off a curved wall, many times in succession: a whisper at any place to the wall is said to be heard along the length of the wall. There are three stone slabs in the courtyard called Three Echo Stones; it is said that if you stand on the first stone and clap once, you will hear a single echo; on the second stone, a double and on the third, a triple. South of the Echo Wall is the Round (Circular) Altar, a three-tiered circular marble terrace. The three tiers are respectively seven, five and three metres in diameter. The lowest tier represents the Earth, the second the human world and the third Heaven. The Altar was built in 1530, and has survived several earthquakes. The many associated buildings depict the different aspects of the emperors' worship: the order of procession, the timetable of activities, the musical instruments used and the costumes. The rose red treasury We in Sri Lanka have our ancient cities like Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Such cities exist not just in our country, but in other parts of the world as well. One such well-known ancient city is Petra in Jordan. Petra (from petrus [rock] in Greek) is an archaeological site in Jordan, lying in a basin among the mountains which form the eastern flank of Wadi Araba, the valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. It has been described as a "rose red city, half as old as time". Although this phrase has become associated with Petra, the rocks of Petra are of many hues, and only a few could be described as "rose red".
The city became a refuge for the nomadic Nabateans who travelled North from Arabia, 2000 years ago. From a few caves in a rocky outcrop, they created Petra as a concealed fortress city. The descriptions of Strabo, Pliny the Elder, and other writers identify Petra as the capital of the Nabateans, and the centre of their caravan trade. Petra is famous for having structures carved into the rock face, which includes temples, elaborate tombs, a Roman theatre and paved streets. The most famous and impressive ancient ruin in Petra is the towering Treasury or Al (El) Khazneh. This massive royal tomb with a beautifully crafted facade is carved into the side of the rocky mountain. Although only a part of the building is visible, there is another 15 foot level hidden below the surface. It is believed that sand which has eroded from the surrounding walls over the past 4000 years, has piled up to a depth of at least 15 feet, burying part of the building. The level below the surface is said to have its own entrance and chambers, which are just as elaborately carved as the part visible from above. The Treasury is believed to have been built during the first century BC. The ruins of Petra attracted much attention during the middle ages, and were visited by the Sultan Baibars of Egypt, towards the close of the 13th century. The first European to describe them was Johann Ludwig Burckhardt (1812). Excavations carried out later in the city of Petra included those at the Treasury. On December 6, 1985, UNESCO recognised Petra as a World Heritage Site.
In 2004, a London-based architectural firm was appointed to design a new
three million sterling pound gateway to the city, to enhance access for
visitors. The project, a joint venture with a Jordanian firm, was to be
carried out under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities,
funded by the World Bank. The design work began in September 2004, and
construction is scheduled to begin this year. |
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