02 Feb

Shravanabelagola – Gommateshvara Bahubali

By Upanshu Singhal

The overall view of statue, temple, surroundings, hill was amazing, you can see the temple of Chandagiri hill as well. Lots of history is written on stone and preserved by glass casing. Few pictures below describes it well. Seeing the statue, kids were amazed but puzzled as Bahubaliji was not having any clothes, so, they asked the obvious question, why no clothes?

होल्कर साम्राज्य के भग्नावशेष – राजवाड़ा और छतरियां

By Sushant Singhal

इन्दौर राज्य में तीन-तीन तुकोजीराव हुए हैं, इनमें से किसके नाम पर तुकोजीगंज नामकरण हुआ है, यह तो मुझे नहीं मालूम पर हां, रंगीनमिजाज़ तुकोजीराव तृतीय के रंगीन किस्से इन्दौर वासियों की जुबान पर अब भी रहते हैं। उन्होंने तीन शादियां की थीं – सीनियर मोस्ट महारानी का नाम था – चन्द्रावती बाई। जूनियर महारानी थीं – इन्दिरा बाई । तीसरी वाली अमेरिकन युवती – नैंसी अन्ना मिलर थीं जिनके साथ 12 मार्च, 1928 को तुकोजीराव तृतीय ने विवाह रचाया। विवाह के बाद वह पूरी तरह भारतीय रंग-ढंग में ढल गई थीं और उनका विवाह भी शर्मिष्ठादेवी के रूप में नामकरण के बाद शुद्ध हिन्दू रीति-रिवाज़ के मुताबिक हुआ था। 1907 में अमेरिका के सियेटल शहर में जन्मी नैंसी ने तुकोजीराव होलकर को पांच संतानें दीं, चार पुत्रियां और एक पुत्र। शर्मिष्ठाबाई का देहान्त अभी 1995 में हुआ है। कहा जाता है कि तीन पत्नियों के बावजूद तुकोजीराव अमृतसर के एक कार्यक्रम में मुमताज़ बेगम का डांस देखकर उस पर आशिक हो गये और उसे इंदौर ले आये। वह तुकोजीराव के प्रेम को घास भी नहीं डालती थी और राजवाड़े से भागने के कई बार प्रयत्न किये और अन्ततः एक बार इन्दौर से मसूरी जाते हुए रास्ते में दिल्ली में निगाह बचा कर भागने में सफल भी होगई। बस, तुकोजी राव को बहुत बुरा लगा, एक तो प्रेम की दीवानगी और ऊपर से राजसी अहं को ठेस जो लग गई थी। उनके चेले-चपाटे अपने राजा को खुश करने के चक्कर में मुमताज़ बेगम की खोज खबर लेते रहे और अन्ततः पता लगा ही लिया कि वह मुंबई में किसी के साथ रहती है। बस जी, तुकोजी राव के कर्मचारी मुंबई के हैंगिंग गार्डन में पहुंच गये और वहां जो मारकाट मची उसमें उस व्यक्ति की गोली लगने से मौत हो गई जिसके साथ मुमताज़ बेगम मुंबई में रहती थी और हैंगिंग गार्डन में घूम रही थी। अंग्रेज़ अधिकारियों ने इस कांड का पूरा फायदा उठाया और तुकोजीराव के दो कर्मचारियों को फांसी की सजा सुनाई गई और तुकोजीराव तृतीय को राज्य छोड़ना पड़ा। तुकोजीराव तृतीय की मृत्यु 1978 में पेरिस में हुई। उस समय वह 88 वर्ष के थे।

Journey to Goecha La – A jewel hidden at the foot of Kanchendzonga Part II

By SRIYANKA CHATTERJEE

Thangsing is guarded by Pandim on one side and a swift river flows noisily close by. One flank of the mighty Kanchenjungha shone brightly ahead of the path towards Goechala. Thangsing easily qualifies as the best spot enroute to Goechala Pass.

ग्वालियर में घुमक्कड़ी- जय विलास पैलेस

By Kamlansh Rastogi

इन सीढ़ियों से उतर कर हम महल के दूसरे भाग में पहुँचते हैं। यहाँ पर उस समय सवारी में प्रयुक्त होने वाल तरह -तरह की बग्घी रखी हुई हैं। यहाँ पर उस समय सवारी में प्रयुक्त होने वाल तरह -तरह की बग्घी , डोली आदि रखी हुई हैं।

इसके साथ ही महल के दूसरे भाग में हम पहुँचते हैं जिसे दरबार हाल के नाम से जाना जाता है। यहाँ पर राजसी भोजनालय है जहाँ पर एक साथ बहुत सारे लोगो के खाने की व्यवस्था है। मेहमानों के साथ यहीं पर खाना खाने का प्रबन्ध है। दरबार हाल की चकाचौंध उस समय के राज घराने के वैभव और विलासिता की दास्तान कह रहे थे। इसकी छत में लटके विशालकाय झाड़ – फानूस का वजन लगभग तीन – तीन टन है। इसकी छत इसका वजन उठा पायेगी या नहीं इसलिए छत के ऊपर दस हाथियो को चढ़ा कर छत की मजबूती की जाँच की गई थी। दरबार हाल में जाने की सीढ़ियों के किनारे लगी रेलिंग कांच के पायो पर टिकी हुई है। एक गार्ड यहाँ पर बैठा दर्शको को यही आगाह करवा रहा था कि रेलिंग को न छुए।

Kolkata to Kumaon – Magical Corbett

By Debjit Chakraborty

Our safari driver cum guide has made a wonderful job by describing the facts of the jungle. Understood that Tiger sighting needs a patience and more than one safari but we were not demoralized at all.

Romancing with the Kumaon hills to Jageshwar – III

By Amitava Chatterjee

Why do we need vacations? There is a very simple answer to it. We need vacation to rest, rejuvenate, relax, as well as to recharge ourselves at least for the next few months. It’s very important to get away and de-stress oneself in today’s world. When we work for a living, we must get away from the work once in a while. Recently, we went to Nainital and then an unplanned visit to Jageshwar Temple. We were mesmerized to see the beauty of the Kumaon Hills & surroundings areas. You can also plan a trip there.

Summer in Sikkim-way to Pelling

By Jaishree Khamesra

We crossed the border to enter Sikkim. Smooth good road replaced the bumpy and potholed road, air became cooler, traffic lighter and River Rangit replaced Teesta. Soon there was no traffic at all. We were the only one on the road and River Rangit was there, revealing its beauty to prove Aaroop right. Yes!!! Rangit was dancing, flirting and romancing with us. I have traveled along rivers in Uttaranchal, Himachal but nothing like this.

Pune to Bangalore Road Trip

By Pushkala Sairam

There were many Kamat Upachar all the way through, but we chose to stop near tumkur. Immediately after the tumkur toll there was this Kamat. The lunch was excellent . They also serve in the traditional banana leaf. Enjoyed the food, the quality was very nice. We took quite sometime at this restaurant and left by 2 p.m. to Bangalore.

The Southern Sojourn – Kanyakumari

By Ram Dhall

It was close to 9.00 p.m. and with hunger cramps, I told Rajah to stop at a good eating place in the next town en-route. We landed at a small time restaurant – Shanti Bhawan (?) at Sayalgudi, a very small Panchayat town. The place looked clean, but the restaurant owner told us that the place was “full”. There were around 40 Ayappa Swami Devotees already seated and they were to be served first and our waiting time could be more than half an hour. While talking to the owner I was surprised to see the pictures of Kabaa, the holiest place for the Muslims along with some of the Hindu Gods. I asked him if it was a Hindu hotel. He said it was a Muslim Hotel. When I pointed to the wall hangings, he said “Sir, we worship all the Gods”. I was touched by his reply to the hilt and almost embraced him. I wish people all over the country had the similar feelings and then this divide between the religions would probably be non-existent. Thankfully the things appeared to be much better in Tamil Nadu as people of all the religions eat the same food, drink same toddy, speak Tamil and wear the same dress – lungi / dhoti and shirt.

Outside the restaurant, a group of Swamis (devotees of Lord Ayappa) were standing. I was told that they were coming from somewhere in North Tamil Nadu (after a couple of drinks, one tends to forget the names sometimes) and were heading for Kanyakumari,

How I Managed To Trek Kheerganga With My 8 Year Old Daughter!

By Anjali Chawla

There are two different legends that explains the origin of Kheerganga – One says that Lord Shiva meditated here for thousands of years and another says that Kartikeya, son of Lord Shiva and Parvati meditated here and the natural spring was emerged when Shiva struck the ground with His trishul on Parvati’s request as she was worried that her son wouldn’t get anything to eat here.

Bhalkimachan – the royal bear hunting grounds

By tirtha22

The Zamindars and the royal family members of Burdwan used this place as a hunting spot and constructed several Machans for their convenience. Thus Bhalki and Machan combined to give the place its current name Bhalki Machan. The etymology can be broken down into Bhalu ki Machan. Bhalu means bear. Machan means an elevated resting place for the hunters to hunt down wild animals.

Kushinagar – Where Buddha breathed last

By Nandan Jha

The actual cremation ground is a bit away and I didn’t go there this time. The area has lots of temples built by many countries which practice Buddhism. There are good hotels as well, including Taj and I clearly remember that there were internet kiosks five year back.

1 B Chandramouli Experiencing the temple town of Puri, Oddisha

Hi. Thanks for sharing your experience. Kindly share the Panda's contact details on my email id and also the dakshina that can be paid to him.
2 Shivani शिव खोडी – SHIV KHODI

What a wonderful blog, written very precisely and informative. This blog will definitely help me to plan my trip to shivkodhi.
3 sunil kumar गौरी से वो मुलाकात व इकाकुला का हसीन समुद्र तट !

Very well written about Bhitarkanika .
4 rjnivah Andaman and Nicobar – Around Port Blair

Really enjoyed reading this detailed Port Blair itinerary—it nicely captures both the sightseeing and relaxed moments like Wandoor beach and Chidiya Tapu. The mix of history, nature, and local experiences…
5 armaan Andaman and Nicobar – Around Port Blair

Really enjoyed reading this, it feels like a well-paced and genuine travel experience rather than just a checklist. The mix of relaxed beach time, museums, and a bit of trekking…
6 Abhinandan Sharma Delhi to Nepal in my Honda City!!

Great post. Planning to take my Honda city there soon. Was not sure if i can take a sedan there.
7 Abhinandan Sharma Delhi to Nepal in my Honda City!!

Great post. Planning to take my Honda city there soon
8 skapa ett binance-konto Splendid winter rendezvous in Ooty

Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.