Where is the Alhambra?

            The Alhambra is a palace and fortress at Granada in Spain overlooking the river Darro. It stands on hill below the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It was built by the moors-the Muslim kings who occupied Spain in the middle ages. The moors were the inhabitants of Mauretania, an African province of the Roman Empire. Today, it is known as Morocco. The construction of Alhambra began in 1248 and was completed in 1354.

The Alhanbra

            In Arabic, the word Alhambra means the red castle. It is probably derived from the color of the bricks of which the outer walls are built. The palace was built during the reigns of Al Ahmar and his successors. The outer wall and its 13 towers enclose the palace and the gardens. Its lace-like molding on walls and ceilings contain words from the Koran, the holy book of Islam.

            After 1492, when the moors were driven out, much of the interior was spoiled and the furniture ruined. King Charles V, who ruled again form 1516 to 1556, rebuilt portions of it in the renaissance style and destroyed part of the Alhambra to build and Italianate palace designed by Pedro de Manchaca in 1526. In 1812, the French blew some of the towers up during the Napoleonic wars, and in 1821 an earth quake caused further damage. The restoration of the building was again undertaken in 1828 and continues till today.

            The principal courts of the palace include the court of the myrtles and the court of the lions. The latter has been named because in the centre is a fountain of lions- an alabaster basin supported by twelve white marble lions-emblems of strength and courage. The most important parts of the Alhambra are the ‘Hall of Ambassadors’, an exceptionally grand reception room, and the ‘Hall of the Two Sisters’ with its outstanding example of stalactite work.

            Of the outlying buildings, the most important is the genera life. The villa probably dates back to the end of the 13^th century.

How did Various Religions Originate?

            You must have heard of many religious co-existing in the world today. But have you ever wondered how the major religions originated? It is difficult to say which religion was the first to originate. However, the story of their origin is very interesting. From the beginning of civilization, man has been worship ping many powers in the hope that they could protect him from different threats in day-to-day life. Man has also been worshiping things which he feared. For this purpose, he selected some powerful or ideal objects for worshiping. A particular spiritual power or ideal was first called a sect and later on a religion. Now, the question is: how did the various major religions of the world originate?

            Hinduism is not a codified religion and its origin cannot be attributed to any one person or deity. It is basically a way of life coming down from the original Aryan settlers in the Indus valley. Buddhism started around 2500 years ago as a result of Gautama Buddha’s teachings.

            The principal religions in the world today are Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, Islam, Judaism and Christianity. There are more than 3000 million followers of these major religions. They constitute three-fourths of the world’s total population. The approximate number of followers of the different religions is as follows: Christianity 1000 millions; Hinduism 520 million; Buddhism 230 millions. Confucianism 275 million; Taoism 30 million; Shinto 36 million; Islam 520 million; Judaism 15 million.

            The followers of the Chinese philosopher Confucius founded Confucianism. The Tao religion originated from the book Tao Te Ching, written by Lao-tzu in the 6^th century B.C. the Shinto religion is the ancient religion of Japan. Similarly, Prophet Mohammed started the Muslim religion Islam. Likewise, different prophets started other religions.