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It took us unusually long from the exit at NH3, less because of the distance, more out of our own restlessness. And it was not getting any better from the scanty help around road-directions from locals. Albert E talked about it in a very complex scientific way, trying to look for opportunities to refresh my relativity lessons. Anyway, we passed through this giant billboard and could not resist taking a good big picture. We first hit into ‘Tourist Village’, run by MPTDC which appeared very nice and inviting, before we crossed a few more water bodies and headed for our accommodation at ‘Sailing Club’, Madhav National Park.

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We wanted to visit Mandu but were not able to find the appropriate mode of transport – since the train reservations need planning much in advance, and the distance warranted more time than what one can get in a day if we go by the road, ‘No travel during the Night’ rule stays. So if we break the journey, which place do we do it is another question, and initiating enough to look for alternate destinations. So after multiple back-and-forth, and often animated, conversations from Europe (too cold) to Singapore (C’mon) to Bali (too expensive) to Kerala (lets drive down, flying is so routine), we finally decided to stick to the road, our favourite. Plans made, it was to be a one-halt drive. A couple of nights at Shivpuri, the prospects of which as a travel destination suddenly grew manifold (so much to being an optmist) and then we drive to Mandu. FromDelhi, Shivpuri is 430 odd KMs and then Mandu is another 450.

The cabin of our green elephant welcomed 4 adults and a 4 year old. We set out on a non-foggy but a bit smoky morning with a lot of spirit (no pun intended) to the Heart of India.

Total Distance – 925 KM
Driving Time – 18 hours
Quality of Tar – Brilliant, Good, Poor. Overall – mixed.

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Junagadh is an exciting town to explore for the tourists with an eye for architecture and a taste for history. It was an important city during the regimes of Mauryean and Gupta dynasties in 300 to 200 BC and early AD. Post-independence, it was again in prominence and tested the skills of ‘Iron-will’ Sardar Patel, when its eccentric nawab refused to merge his small state with India and insisted to be part of Pakistan. Pages after pages of Indian history books are filled with references to this town as it refused to fade out from the memories of both the time and the history.

Junagadh’s places of tourist interest are all in a fairly compact busy market area. It is fun to amble through its narrow streets that reveal their hidden pan-Indian treasure at every corner – the sight of the skyline broken by the domes, Disneylandish spiraling minarets, old Buddhist caves, Jain and Hindu temples, bold gothic archways, an old fort, the mansion of the nawab and many intricately carved wooden doors and windows. The rich cultural heritage of Junagadh is evident in its landmarks that have the political and religious influence of its various rulers.

However, I remember Junagadh more as a town of simple and honest people.
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My skepticism of the media flared up “Telangana issue” had been forcing me to procrastinate a long pending visit to the beautiful city of “Hyderabad”, but the persistence of a long time close friend, Smiriti, gave way and finally I boarded the Hyderabad bound Indigo flight.

The Hyderabad city has witnessed the rise and fall of many dynasties. It was during the rule of the Qutub Shahis that the city flourished and many palaces and beautiful monuments and forts were built, which added to the beauty of the city. Hyderabad was previously known as Golconda. Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah of the Shahi Dynasty named it Hyderabad. It is said that he fell in love with a humble courtesan named Bhagmati. He named the city Bhagyanagar after her. After they got married, she changed her name to Haider Mahal and that is how the city was named Hyderabad. Literally translated, Hyderabad means the “city of Haider”. Hyderabad flourished during his reign extensively as it became an important trading zone for all the merchants coming from Asia and Europe.

It gives a food for thought “when did the religious divide start within us?”. Since time immemorial people from various religions have been thriving peacefully all along. The heritage of Hyderabad depicts the most astounding peaceful relationships and tolerance between individuals from various religions co –existing together in harmony. The Muslim kings had Hindu queens and courtesans. So why are we fighting on such trivial issues today when it never ever mattered way back in our civilization?

mahakali temple and masjid adjacent to eachother- golconda fort

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