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What date is it really? The Hindu Calendar

When is New Year's day? Well, that depends on who you ask. For many in the north, Diwali is New Year's day. But it falls on different days each year. The Tamil, Malayalees, Punjabis and Assamese celebrate their New Year on 14 April. But the Telugus, Kannadigas and Maharashtrians celebrate their New Year on different dates. How are these dates determined and why are calendars so different for people in the same country? This story will you through time of how calendars evolved, how ancient Indians and people across the world measured time.

Gangaikonda Cholapuram

This podcast focuses on the son of Rajaraja Chola the great - Rajendra Chola. Who was the greatest Chola king? Listen in, as we tell you the story of a southern king who took his campaigns to the Gangetic plains, Srilanka, Maldives and South East Asia. This story takes you to Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the capital city he built a 1000 years ago, with a marvellous temple that still stands.

The Magnificient Ajanta Caves

The Ajanta Caves are filled with gorgeous paintings made over 2000 years ago. These ancient Buddhist paintings cast a long shadow, and have influenced many centuries of later art. In this episode, Dr Alamelu Nachiappan, a professor of Art History, helps us unravel some of the mysteries about the paintings and the caves themselves. Listen in as she takes us through the many stories of Ajanta.

Humayun’s Tomb

Humayun’s tomb stands in all its majestic glory in the heart of Delhi, ensconced in its own lush gardens, one of the earliest mausoleums to be built this way. But who else is buried in this tomb complex? And what happened to this imposing monument when the Mughals lost power?Join us on the Storytrails podcast, and listen as Ms Swapna Liddle takes us through this glorious monument called Humayun’s tomb.

The triumphs and tragedies of Shah Jahan | Taj Mahal, Agra

The Mughal succession wars were brutal; princes killed their own siblings, and family ties were broken in a mad scramble for the throne. The mighty emperor Shah Jahan was no exception. This is the story of an unforgiving system that catapulted Shah Jahan to the throne of the richest kingdom in the world, but reduced his personal life to a terribly tragic one.

Alai Minar: The victory tower of Alauddin Khilji | Qutub Minar, Delhi

The ambitious Alauddin Khilji of the Khilji dynasty earned fame through his ruthless methods. And just like any other king, he wanted to leave behind a lasting legacy. A minar taller and grander than the Qutub Minar in Delhi. The ruins of Alai Minar seen today tell us a different story. This story explores why a king known to ravage kingdoms in whole could not finish the tower of his dreams.

Why is Vivekananda Museum called the Ice House of Madras? | Chennai

In the 1800s, the British in Chennai had no way to cool down during Indian summers. The many layers of their clothes didn’t help either. But an enterprising American found a way for the British to stay cool. He sent them ice. But how did ice survive a journey from America to Chennai’s Vivekananda House or the Ice House? This is that hot story.