Thursday, January 31, 2008

Orcha in Madhya Pradesh


Orcha in Madhya Pradesh was established by the Bundela king Rudrapratap. Orcha remained a seat of the Bundelas for 2 centuries and gave birth to unusual architecture. The oldest building in Orcha is the fort palace of Raj Mahal started by Rudrapratap however it was completed by his successor after he was killed wrestling a tiger. The entrance to the fort leads over a granite bridge through a 16th century door to the fort palace. The Mahal is a self contained structure, the plan of the courtyards according to some historians follow the ancient Indian concept of the mandapa. One of the courtyards has a dancing platform and a fountain. Surrounded by royal quarters and an assembly hall for private audience is the diwan-i-khas. However inside the rooms burst into riveting images and colours. Though its ceiling is much faded now but it can be admired for its Persian carpet like motifs and the queen’s chamber for mythological subjects such as Bhima fighting with six elephants.

Then there is the Jahangir Mahal ahead from Raj Mahal, it was named after the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. It is an impressive structure with three storey apartments topped with domes and hanging balconies, it is a mixture of Indo-Islamic architecture.

The last palace in the series is the Rai Parveen Mahal, just below the Jahangir Palace. Down the hill side are the royal hammams and unth khana and the camel stables. It is a simple two storied structure with a Mughal garden on one side. Besides the palaces, you can make out the beckoning shikhars of four temples lying in the middle of the fields. Around 1 km hike will bring you close to Shiv Mandir and few fts away across the wheat fields stands the Panchmukhi Temple complex, where three temples have been converted into quarters by the villagers. The next Mandir is the Raadhika Vihari which doubles up as granary and then finally comes the Van Vasi Ram Mandir with an attached but deserted ashram. In the village the Ram Raja Temple is unusual as its resident is worshipped as king and the temple is not a temple but a palace. The Chaturbhuj Temple is in a European cathedral from its vaulted roof to the massive doors and the large hall. For an adventurous climb try the staircase to the top of the temple from where one can see the entire city.

Ever since foreign tourists found their way to Orcha, metal artifacts are sold here as antiques.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Indien Hermitage Hotel in Kanyakumari


An enchanting feeling is unveil with the wonderful cottages of the hotel and continues in the green natural environs and the flawless upscale services. The Location of Indien Hermitage Hotel in Kanyakumari is perfect for the ones with an inclination to spend their holiday in the privacy and silence of nature. The Indien Hermitage Hotel in Kanyakumari is set in a village, known as Marungoor, and offers magnificent views of the rocky formation all around. It takes 2 hours' drive from Trivandrum International Airport to reach the hotel.

The brick and stone cottages, with a discernible Dravidian architecture, have an irresistible charm that bewitches the guests on the very first glance. The cottages are surrounded by luscious green expanse where the hotel grows vegetables and fruits, thereby attaining the repute of a self-sustained miniature village. The Room Facilities at Indien Hermitage Hotel in Kanyakumari includes all modern amenities like television, telephone, 24 hour running hot and cold water just to name a few.

The Hotel Amenities and Services at Indien Hermitage Hotel in Kanyakumari is designed to suit the need and requirements of guests. The restaurant serves fine seafood and local specialties and the bar of the hotel gives plenty scope to unwind. The swimming pool, the largest one in Tamil Nadu ups the on-stay enjoyment.

The unforgettable scenic splendor along with a rich culture and religious significance makes Kanyakumari, a major tourist destination of India. There is a large number of Hotels in Kanyakumari in India. Among them, Indien Hermitage Hotel in Kanyakumari, offering a relaxing stay has attained much acclaim and praises of the tourists. The room facilities at Indien Hermitage Hotel in Kanyakumari make it a example of comfort and affordability. The location of Indien Hermitage Hotel in Kanyakumari in a calm and humble village of attracts the travelers who want to spend a holiday amidst the boundless beauty of nature. The amazing array of hotel Amenities and Services at Indien Hermitage Hotel in Kanyakumari is designed to cater to every possible need of the tourists.

The excellent range of hotel Amenities and Services at Indien Hermitage Hotel in Kanyakumari provides ultimate delight to all the foodies. In the tastefully decorated restaurant of the hotel, you can gorge on authentic South-Indian or North-Indian specialties or upgrade continental or Chinese delicacies. The setting of the hotel would make you spellbound. The lush foliage and mountain ranges creating the backdrop, you would feel as being in God's own country. The hotel Amenities and Services at Indien Hermitage Hotel in Kanyakumari offers the 'View Bar', set atop the cliff of the mountain, providing sweeping view of the environ and a wide range of cocktails and beverages.

The hotel has an extensive Ayurvedic center which vows to cure and heal a lot of ailments in the traditional Indian way. An experienced Ayurvedic practitioner is there to supervise the treatments. Moreover, in the Ayurvedic parlor, you can avail massages from expert masseurs. To relieve yourself from the hard work of daily life, you can take an unprepared dip in the giant-size swimming pool of the hotel. The pool is the largest in Tamil Nadu hotels, is a possession the hotel could well boast of.