Srebarna Nature Reserve

Srebarna is famous for the large number of bird species that nest on its territory 

Srebarna Nature Reserve

This postcard was sent by Tsveti

The Srebarna Nature Reserve is a freshwater lake adjacent to the Danube and extending over 600 ha. It is the breeding ground of almost 100 species of birds, many of which are rare or endangered. Some 80 other bird species migrate and seek refuge there every winter. Among the most interesting bird species are the Dalmatian pelican, great egret, night heron, purple heron, glossy ibis and white spoonbill. - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/219

Maulbronn Monastery Complex

This is one of the best preserved monasteries of its kind in Europe and is one of the very first buildings in Germany to use the Gothic style

Maulbronn Monastery

Founded in 1147, the Cistercian Maulbronn Monastery is considered the most complete and best-preserved medieval monastic complex north of the Alps. Surrounded by fortified walls, the main buildings were constructed between the 12th and 16th centuries. The monastery's church, mainly in Transitional Gothic style, had a major influence in the spread of Gothic architecture over much of northern and central Europe. The water-management system at Maulbronn, with its elaborate network of drains, irrigation canals and reservoirs, is of exceptional interest. in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/546

Laurisilva of Madeira

The Madeira Laurisilva forest is considered to be the largest of its kind. Unfortunately I've never been in any of the Portuguese islands.

"Levadas" of Madeira

This postcard was sent by Steffi

The Laurisilva of Madeira is an outstanding relict of a previously widespread laurel forest type. It is the largest surviving area of laurel forest and is believed to be 90% primary forest. It contains a unique suite of plants and animals, including many endemic species such as the Madeiran long-toed pigeon. - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/934/

"Levadas" of Madeira

This postcard was sent by Martinha

The Laurisilva is intrinsically linked to the destiny of Madeira. From the condensation of the fog carried by the north-east trade winds and caught by the central mountain range, the amount of rainfall at high altitudes, e.g. Bica da Cana situated at 1 560m is, on average 2,967mm per annum, to the retention of water in the leaves, branches and tree trunks of this ancient forest, the slow seeping of the water into the soil from whence it wells up again after encountering impenetrable layers of rock, the precious water is channelled to a vast network of “levadas” for consumption by the population, agriculture and the hydroelectric power stations for the production of electric energy. - in: http://naturemeetings.com/madeira/laurisilva-forest/

Levada do Alecrim

This postcard was sent by Joana

Levada do Alecrim is part of the network of levadas that start in the Rabaçal area.
Along the way there is a high rate of endemic flora such as the Madeiran orchid and giant sow thistles. In addition to unique flora there are amazing views onto the Rabaçal and Ribeira da Janela valleys. - in: http://www.cmcalheta.pt/en/visit/walking-routes/list-of-routes/levada-do-alecrim

Sacred City of Anuradhapura

Of all postcard I have from Sri Lanka this is the only one so far that was actually sent from there

Mirisawetiya Stupa

This postcard was sent by Nimasha

The Mirisaveti Stupa (Sinhalese: මිරිසවැටිය, Mirisavæṭiya) is situated in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. King Dutugamunu (161 BC to 137 BC) built the Mirisaveti Stupa after defeating King Elara. After placing the Buddha relics in the sceptre, he had gone to Tissa Wewa for a bath leaving the sceptre. After the bath he returned to the place where the sceptre was placed, and it is said that it could not be moved. The stupa was built in the place where the sceptre stood. It is also said that he remembered that he partook a chilly curry without offering it to the sangha. In order to punish himself he built the Mirisavetiya Dagaba. The extent of this land is about 50 acres (20 ha). Although the king Kasyapa I and Kasyapa V renovated this, from time to time it was dilapidated. What stands today is the renovation done by the cultural Triangle Fund. - in: wikipedia

Ajanta Caves

The paintings and sculptures in these caves are considered masterpieces of Buddhist religious art

Scene from Cave 1, Ajanta

This postcard was sent by Nagi

The Ajanta Caves in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state of India are about 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 or 650 CE. The caves include paintings and rock cut sculptures described as among the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian art, particularly expressive paintings that present emotion through gesture, pose and form. According to UNESCO, these are masterpieces of Buddhist religious art that influenced Indian art that followed. The caves were built in two phases, the first group starting around the 2nd century BC, while the second group of caves built around 400–650 CE according to older accounts, or all in a brief period of 460 to 480 according to Walter M. Spink. - in: wikipedia

Ellora Caves

These caves are really impressive! They are one of the largest of its kind in the world 

Ellora Caves

This postcard was sent by Prashanth

Ellora is one of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple caves complexes in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Maharashtra, India. The site presents monuments and artwork of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism from the 600-1000 CE period. Cave 16 of Ellora features the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world, the Kailasha temple, a chariot shaped monument dedicated to Shiva. The Kailasha temple excavation also presents the gods, goddesses and mythologies found in Vaishnavism, Shaktism and relief panels summarizing the two major Hindu Epics.

The site features over 100 caves, of which 34 caves are open to public. These were excavated out of the vertical basalt cliff in the Charanandri hills. These consist of 12 Buddhist (caves 1–12), 17 Hindu (caves 13–29) and 5 Jain (caves 30–34) caves. Each group presents the respective deities and mythologies prevalent in 1st millennium CE, as well as the monasteries of that religion. They were built in proximity and illustrate the religious harmony prevalent in ancient India. All Ellora monuments were built by Hindu dynasties, such as the Rashtrakuta dynasty who built some of the Hindu & Buddhist group of caves, and Yadav dynasty who built some of the Jain group of caves. - in: wikipedia

Elephanta Caves

These caves contain a collection of rock art dedicated to Shiva

Elephanta Caves

This postcard was sent by Prashanth

Elephanta Caves are a network of sculpted caves located on Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri (literally "the city of caves") in Mumbai Harbour, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) to the east of the city of Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The island, located on an arm of the Arabian Sea, consists of two groups of caves — the first is a large group of five Hindu caves, the second, a smaller group of two Buddhist caves. The Hindu caves contain rock cut stone sculptures, representing the Shaiva Hindu sect, dedicated to the Lord Shiva.

The rock cut architecture of the caves has been dated to between the 5th and 8th centuries, although the identity of the original builders is still a subject of debate. The caves are hewn from solid basalt rock. All the caves were also originally painted in the past, but now only traces remain. - in: wikipedia

Gangadhara Shiva at Elephanta

This postcard was sent by Nagi

Gangadhara, roughly translates the 'Bearer of the Ganges'.
A complex sequence of events led to bringing the heavenly river Ganga (Ganges) to Earth. The only trouble was, should Ganga fall on earth directly, the torrent would shatter earth. Lord Shiva let Ganga fall on his head and wind through the matted locks, before making it flow gently to the earth.
This massive panel located on your immediate right of the Mahesh Murthy panel. This is one of the better survived sculptures of Elephanta panels, probably the only panel with the lower portions are intact. - in: http://elephanta.co.in/gangadhara-at-elephanta