CONTEST ALERT: World Heritage Day Contest

Share photos or stories of you and your family visiting a heritage site, monument or architectural wonder! Top entries win gift vouchers worth up to Rs. 5,000! Contest closes on 30th April 2019. TERMS & CONDITIONS: 1. Send original entries only. 2. It is deemed that participants are responsible/liable for the photos/ content that they post. 3. ParentCircle may use the photographs for publishing purposes in the future at its discretion. 4. The decision of judges is final. ... more

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Apr 15 2019

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Bakyalakshmi P Apr 26 2019

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Sujata Bansod Apr 26 2019

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Roopa M Apr 19 2019

Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

This Tuesday, on April sixteenth, I woke up to the news Iconic spire topples and centuries old roof destroyed in huge blaze. I was shocked; it was disconcerting to even imagine that fragments of the church and some items of historical importance may been damaged inside the church.

I recalled the time I visited Notre Dame, just a year ago. On April seventeenth, our family was in Paris, and we spent a major part of the day at the Cathedral. It was a memorable experience.

I remember feeling very blessed to be praying and lighting a candle in one of the oldest and greatest places of worship, which was built between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries. Its said that over twelve million visitors, belonging to various faiths and nationalities from all over the world visit the Cathedral every year, and to know that I am one of them, standing where countless others from over the centuries and eminent historical figures have walked and prayed, was humbling.

That morning when we reached the cathedral, though there were many tourists, it barely felt crowded. At first glance, Id noticed a lot of sculptures and striking statues on the exterior walls. In a way, Id been prepared- reading about the three portals: arched doorways into the church, the gallery of the kings above them, the west rose window, the towers, and the sloped arches called flying buttresses- but actually seeing them was a unique experience.

It was with overwhelming awe, and quiet wonder that we walked into the cathedral.

The interior of the Church was all breathtakingly beautiful and serene. It comprised vaulted ceilings and beautiful stained glass windows, especially the three famous rose windows, with their biblical depictions in the North Rose window and portrayals of angels and saints surrounding Christ in the South window, were a sight to behold. The diffused coloured light, resonant spaces, lit candles, and the morning service being conducted in French; it all made the atmosphere feel profound and holy.

Another memory from inside the church is looking at an extraordinary musical instrument -the biggest pipe organ in France. The church is also said to house some of Catholicism's valuable relics, like the Crown of Thorns and a fragment of the True Cross, upon which Jesus Christ was crucified.

After we exited the church, we climbed to the top of the towers to experience the most recommended views of the city. When wed gone up all three hundred eighty-seven stairs on the narrow spiral staircase, the view was amazing. It was undeniably worth the effort. We could see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Seine River and many of its bridges from the higher vantage. We were also able to take a closer look at the finer points of French Gothic architecture, the gargoyles, and much more.

We also saw the Cathedrals Spire up close from the top, which was constructed during renovation in the nineteenth century; the same one that was destroyed in the recent fire. Notre Dame has seen wars and destruction through the ages. It has been through several restorations and renovations in the past, which comes to show that this architectural wonder has stood the test of time, and shall continue to do so for ages to come as efforts and discussions are already on to rebuild and renovate it again..