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 16^th 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.

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.

The fort and Scindia Palace of Gwalior

Gwalior the middle kingdom named after Sage Gwalipa is one of the best holiday destinations in Madhya Pradesh. This is the land where sharp swords matched rugged forts and ruthless ambition tested death giving birth to magnificent rock carvings, temples, palaces and forts making it a perfect weekend destination from Delhi.

The Gwalior fort is 300ft above the ground. The Kachhwahas and Tomars contributed most to its culture and architecture, whereas early Mohammedans, and later the Mughals, used the fort as a state prison. There were three main entrances to the fort of which the east and the west entrances are now accessible. The eastern entrance is guarded by the Urwahi Gate, and the western by six gates built in different periods by different kings all situated on the 2500 ft long ramp leading to the fort. Then there is the Urwahi rock which is falling on two sides of the valley which is home to 22 Jain rock sculptures while walking on the ramp of the fort on the left side. Inside the fort the most impressive structure is the Man Singh Palace. Inside is the dancing hall surrounded by a balcony and a courtyard besides many rooms and staircases leading to underground passages. The southern part of the fort has the inlay work of marching ducks, crocodiles holding lotus, and parrots and tigers. Behind Man Mandir lies the Vikram Palace named after Man Singh’s son. Besides these two palaces there are 5 more palaces three of which were built by Hindu rulers and two by Mughals. The Jahangir Palace has the tank where Rajput queens committed jauhar following the invasion of the fort in 1232. Of the remaining Hindu palaces Gujari Mahal built by Raja Man Singh for his Gujjar love Mrignayani is now a state archaeological museum. It has a collection of decorative pillars, princely sculptures. The fort also includes two temples the Saas Bahu complex and the Teli ka Mandir. The Saas Bahu temples follow the 10^th century North Indian temple dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva. The Teli ka Mandir is an 80ft hotchpotch structure with a massive shikara.

Inside the city there is the Mausoleum of Sheikh Muhammad Ghaus built during Akbar’s rule is what I liked. It is built on a square plan with hexagonal towers and flanked on four sides with dedicated stone lattices. He is said to be the saint who is said to have confessed that God had accorded him superiority over Prophet Muhammad. The grave of Tansen is a rectangular platform with a pillared gallery is standing near by. Then there is the famous tamarind tree that is said to have sweetened his voice is dead however in its place grows a younger tree that is regularly plucked by visitors wishing to repeat the miracle. Then there is the Jama Masjid nextto Gujari Mahal.

And then there is the Scindia legacy with the Jai Vilas Palace built at a cost of Rs 19 lakhs during the reign of Jiyagi Rao. The palace is three storey high and is decorated with Tuscan, Italian columns. It also has a museum displaying the famous silver dining train used to ferry champagne bottles around the table.

Find Driving Directions from Delhi to Gwalior here

Garhmukteshwar, Mini Banaras

I read about Garhmukteshwar in an article and looked for its map. It wasn’t very far plus what my guidebook suggested it was the closet to Delhi where the sacred Ganga flows. It was enough for me to get into my car and head off down the Delhi Lucknow highway on Saturday morning to hit the closest weekend getaway from Delhi.

Two hours later, at a fork on the road, a series of stalls, all selling modhas in various shapes, sizes and colours appeared and where they ended the Ganges showed up almost suddenly at a place called Brijghat.
Garhmukteshwar is like mini Banaras. The main attraction is the Ganges and the bathing ghat along it. The Ganges here can be seen flowing water as far as the eyes can see. The river here was of the colour of cold coffee, but unlike how she is at Haridwar and Rishikesh; the Ganga is much cleaner here. As there are no pieces of legs or length of arms that suddenly appears out of water, and there is no creepy feelings when you stick your legs in the water.

Along the left bank is a large marble platform that overlooks the river. In the middle of this is a walk away, I walked to its edge and stood looking at the scene around me. At the water’s edge was a line of small boats bobbing up and down. And in a break between two boats, a few pilgrims were taking a dip in the river. Next to the walkway, a series of flights of steps or ghats led to the river. And from its edge few boys were diving into the water from a mud flat to gather the coins which pilgrim’s offers to the river.

I went boating for Rs.100 and crossed the bathing ghat to the farms on the other shore. The ride took half an hour, but since it had rained recently, the river was full.
Then the Ganga Devi temple is on the road that goes to Garhmukteshwar, the village near the Ganga is quite old and famous. From this temple the road twists and turns through the sleepy town of Garhmukteshwar.

Follow the twists for five minutes and you will reach a gate with an archway and a large bell hanging at its centre. Inside is a complex of temples, surrounding a central courtyard: Jarkandeshwar Temple in the north, a Shiva temple in the centre, a Kali temple in the left and a Hanuman temple at the entrance. In front is the well that gives the name to the place as Nakka Kuan.

After the temples I went to view the chattris of local Gurudwara. It is said that at Garhmukteshwar the Sikh Guru Teg Bahadur has said to release Raja Nakh from the curse of the celestial being Rambha, who had turned him into snake.

There is no hotel in Garhmukteshwar to stay however towards Amroha side and 10kms from Garhmukteshwar is the Vasant Continental hotel and Midway Mortal approx 15 km.

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Pushkar, The Flower child

I visited Pushkar long time ago. Its origin lie buried in antiquity. It is the only place in the country where the devotees from and wide would throng to worship the creator of the universe. Some of the local people residing there briefed me with the tale behind its uniqueness. According to the Padma Purana, Brahma was in search of a place to perform a yagna when the lotus he was handling fell from his hand and landed in Pushkar. He resolved to perform the yagna there and then itself however his wife Savitri failed to join him, so he married a local damsel, Gayatri and completed the formalities. When Savitri arrived, she discovered Gayatri, and enraged, ticked off Brahma saying, that Pushkar would be the only place where he would be worshipped in.

We visited the ghats and temples, offered prayers at the lake while trying not to get ripped off by the local priests. We dipped in the holy Pushkar lake and had a bhang lassi which was awesome. Pushkar holy lake was created by Brahma by combining the waters of the four places of pilgrimage sacrosanct to Hindus- Badrinath, Jagannath, Rameshwaram and Dwarka. The lake is hugged by 52 ghats, teeming with sadhus, devotees and tourists. Most of the ghats are no older than 300 years and have innumerable small temples. Offerings made at the Brahma, Gau and Varaha ghats, which are the oldest, are considered to be most auspicious.

There are temples of Brahma, Varaha and Aptaeshvar which are the oldest and also considered as the most sacrosanct. We checked out the four faced icon of the Lord accompanied by his shy bride, Gayatri and the silver turtle in front of the shrine’s entrance at the Brahma’s temple.

At the Varaha Temple, while taking a round we saw different layers of it . At the Aptaeshvar Temple a lingam was installed.

The next day was the Kartik Purnima which was also the day of the famous Pushkar cattle fair which is exploded in Rajasthan and is the most exuberant and colourful festival, for which it is widely renowned. The fair is a weeklong fiesta with competitions and state sponsored entertainment programs. We found storytellers, hypnotists, snake charmers, magicians, short skits, folk songs and monkey trainers.

Many shops in Pushkar sell poor quality embroidered shoulder bags, cushion covers, bangles and block printed pyjamas, skirts and tops.

There are many small budgeted hotels and ashrams available in Pushkar with only one luxury hotel on the lake Pushkar Palace.

Alwar, a tiny package of surprises

Alwar was part of the Matsya Desh Kingdom according to the Mahabharata, but modern Alwar began as a capital of the Macheri Kingdom that was recognized in 1774. The best time to visit is to be between October and March, but my visit during the end of the monsoons was quite an eye opener. The area was a luminous green.
The beautiful 18th century City Palace is now the headquarters of the Collectorate. It was built by Maharaja Vinay singh and blends Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture. It has no stairs, only gently inclining corridors that lead to the upper floors. It was divided into three dusty, moth- ridden rooms. The first was the mixture of furniture, clothes and an enormous stuffed tiger. There was also a long dining table made of silver, which is believed to have water gurgling in silver channels down its length. The museum also has a fine collection of Mughal and Rajput paintings and ancient manuscripts. There is also a tomb of one of the Shah Jahan’s ministers named as Fateh Singh ki Gumbad.
The Bala Quila Fort was built by the city’s oldest inhabitants, the Nikumbha Rajputs, and played host to Babur and Jahangir. It is a forbidding structure with 15 large and 51 small towers and 446 openings for musketry. You require taking the permission of the Superintendent of police to visit the fort.
Purjan Vihar is a picturesque garden in the centre of the town. A centre of this garden was built by Maharaja Mangal Singh in 1885 which is also called as Shimla because it always has a cooler than prevalent temperature.
Moti doongri or Lansdowne Palace is situated on an isolated rock on the town’s outskirts. It was the main residence of the Maharaja of Alwar till 1928. But Maharaja Jai Singh dismantled it with the idea to build a better palace, but the ship bringing raw materials from Europe sank. So the palace compounds with high walls all around and the remaining are barren.
Vijai Mandir Palace overlooks a beautiful lake. There is a Ram and Sita temple, which attracts a number of devotees especially during Ram Navami.
There are many hotels to stay in Lawar like Hotel Alwar, Circuit House, Hill Fort Kesroli and etc. You will also find Rajasthani cuisine available on the local markets of Alwar.

Kabini, Pachyderm Palaces

Kabini is the place famous for the greatest elephant shows in Asia. This is an arena where you have 200 or 250 elephants doing the star run in just one evening. It has the existence of a mind-blowing 60 sq km of static water inside the forest precincts, the result of a dam build across the river at Beechanahalli. The water bifurcates the national parks of Nagarhole and Bandipur, but unites a spectacular on its shore. Kabini have all types of animals like mouse deer, chital, spottable tigers, and bear however then again Kabini is all about elephants and more elephants. And according to Project Elephant reports there are 5,500 to 6,000 of them in the contiguous stretches of forests comprising Nagarhole, Bandipur, Mudumalai and Biligirirangana sanctuaries.
To go on a safari in a jeep through the roads of Nagarhole we reach at the edge of the thick bamboo jungle and drive through a gargantuan collection of pachyderms, which according to me was one of the greatest wildlife experiences in Asia.

The jungles around have a primeval touch to them. Tall trees, huge bamboo brakes, remote ponds, hillocks and above all the backwaters. We hoped a jeep early morning the next day. We were able to see the jungle walking up, the leaves and shrubbery washed clean with dew. We were lucky to see the peacocks, the grey langur having their breakfast high up on the branches. Large herds of the chital were hanging around by the side of the game road. And in the evening the sun was busy playing a round of hide and seek from within the cluster of the trees. The elephants started to assemble by the backwaters including other animals also.

After that marvelous view we went to see the water source in the Sunkadakatte area named Tiger Tank for the frequent sightings. The beautiful Bisalwadi Kere Lake with its watchtower was another good point to spot both the spotted and striped varieties of big cats.
We also did a boat ride along the river with the thick jungles all around us, we were able to come close to various herbs of animals on the shores. We also drove over to the Sunkadakatte forest and ride at the top of an elephant.

We stayed at Sunkadakatte Guest House while there are other options also like Kabini River Lodge and Water woods.

Haridwar, the religious place

Haridwar

For the millions of Hindus going to Haridwar is like fulfilling a life’s ambition. It is believed that Lord Vishnu left his footprint on a rock, and where Prince Bhagirath performed penance, in response to which Lord Shiva sent forth the Ganga cascading from his knotted locks.

Although who are not religious are stuck by the atmosphere of the town. Haridwar as we see it on postcards like believers bathing on the ghats, saffron- clad sadhus deep in meditation, families performing funerals, priest and the common people worshipping the sun.

Its chief attraction is the Har-ki-Pauri, its main ghat. One does not miss its evening aarti at the ghat, by watching the lights of thousands of diyas floating on the river, carrying hopes and aspirations of millions with them.

You can find many hotels around the market near Har-Ki-Pauri like Haveli Hari Ganga, Classic Residency, Sagar Ganga Resort etc.

It’s against the law to carry non-veg food and alcohol into Haridwar. There are many good dhabas and restaurant in the market near to Har-Ki-Pauri. If you are a huge fan of sweets than you can go for the rabri, rasmalai, peras and barfis at the famous Brijwasi Mithaiwalla sweet shop at the Heera Complex in Bara Bazaar. You can also try the kachoris and other chat here, which are also delicious.

Kerala, The Land of Trees

Kerala

Kerala is a green strip of land, in the South West corner of Indian peninsula. It has only 1.1 8 per cent of the total area of the country but houses 3.43% of the the country's population. Kerala is a land of rivers and backwaters.

There are a thousand things that you can do like embark on an enchanting journey on the speckled backwaters on a kettuvallom, a fully furnished traditional rice boat, venture in to the very heart of the paddy fields, on narrow dykes with water passage running through the muddy path, cross water bodies with extremely narrow bridges or watch the natives do so. You can even drift across cheerful and colourful banks in a country raft or tread a treadmill used for irrigation even today.

If you have an experimenting palette, you can feast here relishing the traditional panorama of vellayappam, Uppuma, iddli, puttu, masala dosa, appams, vegetable/meat stew, kappa and meen curry, hot red fish curry with steamed tapioca or boiled rice. If you are not the one dish at a time person, just can roll your sleeves and savour a multi course feast of rice, 15 vegetarian dishes, spicy pickles, crunchy banana chips, crispy pappadams, plantains and payasam- the dessert. Served on a plantain leaf, the meal is eaten with the fingers. Apart from all this, sip on coconut juice all throughout or relish the soft white flesh, natural and healthy. Indulge with a swig of toddy or fresh madbura kallu prepared from sweet toddy extracted from the coconut palm. Teem it with exotic karimeen pollichathu (baked fresh water fish) or spicy pickles. If you are a fish eater, visit the Malabar Coast and at Vasco da Gama Square in Fort Kochi and take your pick from the inviting display of juicy sear fish, sardines, prawns, red snappers etc. and ask the fishermen to fry it the local way for you for an unforgettable snack.

Having toured and eaten to your heart’s fill, you can now turn your focus on something lavish…Keralan sarees. With thousands of colours, pattern, fabric, embroidery to choose from, Kerala offers something to suit every pocket. This five metres of fine off-white cotton edged saree with golden zari that lends an extraordinary elegance to the person wearing it, is woven from traditional handloom. Run around with gajras or a string of jasmine flowers adorning your head along with the swish sash of the patt pavada. Kerala is the spice capital of India and you cannot leave the place with a bagful of these aromatic spices.
The more adventurous can visit Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady and go on a safari in an elephant. Try following the tiger trail and spotting one, apart from the numerous egrets, herons, Siberian stork, darters, teals and hundreds of other migratory birds found here.

If you are a luxurious traveler, you cannot return without pampering yourself to an authentic Kerala massage. The options range from rejuvenation therapies like Shirodhara, Navarakizhi and Pizhichil to medicated treatments like Panchakarma processes of Vamana, Virechana and Raktamoksham etc.

Kerala is a magical place that offers so much to see and do, and yet leave you yearning for more. The addictive charm of the place mixed with the hospitality of the people and the fast urbanization definitely makes Kerala one of the most sought after destinations of today.

Goa, The Tourist Paradise

Ibiza of India, Goa is the hottest destination for bohemian rivers and the raging sea. Goa offers a seductive atmosphere with a plethora of things to do, at the same time, relax. Swim in the open sea, lounge in the sensuous sun or get high on life. It is the place to be.

Geographically, Goa is a small state in the west coast of India. Surrounded on the coastal side by the Arabian Sea, Goa’s immediate land neighbours are Mumbai and Gujarat. Covering an area of 3702 square kilometers, Goa was liberated from the Portuguese rule in 1961 and went on to become a state in May 1987. Goa is divided into north and south zones with Panjim as the capital.

Goa is the ultimate holiday destination not only for Indians but for foreigners as well because of the cost effective options available in plenty. Popular amongst people from all age groups, you see couple, families and young groups alike thronging here in dozens. And rightly so. Goa is the best place to party, relax, sunbathe, shop and drink!

The golden beaches, the silky sand and the dusky sunset, what more do you need to make your vacation memorable? This with a nice massage on the beach, a nice chill cocktail and a book beside you…spells heaven on earth. Water persons can busy themselves with para sailing, motor boats, banana boating etc.

Off the sea too, there are a good many things to do and see. Goa is the outcome of a rich and cultural heritage because of the Portuguese and Dutch influence. So there are a lot of churches, temples and remains of a thriving culture reminiscent in the architecture. The churches in Old Goa and Panjim have a charm of its own, both for religious significance and beauty. The famous Basilica of Bom Jesus is located 10 km east Panaji is considered as one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in India. An opulent structure, the Basilica incorporates white marble and has beautifully gilded altars decorated with frescoes and inlay work. Other famous churches are the mausoleum of St. Xavier, Se' Cathedral, the Church and Convent of St. Francis of Assisi, Church of Lady of Rosary; Church of St. Augustine are among some other famous Churches and Convents of Goa.
Some of the temples of Goa include Sri Mangesh Temple, Shri Ananta Temple and Shanta Durga temple etc.

If not water surfing or temple/church hopping, indulge in the most sinful activity here…eat. Goa offers the most amazing culinary delights varying from delicious sea food like squid, lobster, prawns and kingfish. Also try the lip smacking desserts and fresh fruit juices available in almost all the shacks. For those high on liquor, Goan wine besides the regular alcohol is a great option.

Goa is flooded with flea markets assorted with clothes, bags, shoes, lamp shades, bags and jewelery from across the globe. Sea shells and beautiful rosaries, crosses and port wine form excellent souvenirs.

Away from the materialistic delights, Goa is secular in the truest sense that religions across all origins live harmonious together. Churches with temples and mosques stand in complete harmony with each other, an example that everyone should follow.

This emerald territory tucked between the sea and land is indeed a very precious jewel of the great land of India.