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Amer – The Pride of Rajputana : Part 2

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Sukh Niwaas, which is opposite to ‘Diwaan-e-Khaas’ having doors made of sandal wood and ivory. There is a channel running through the hall, which carried cool water that worked as an air cooler, with the aid of breeze. In this artistic hall cool climate was artificially created. It is said that the kings used to spend time in this Sukh Niwaas with their queens and sometimes with their mistresses that is why it is known as the residence of pleasure.

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Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling : Maharashtra Yatra (Part 4)

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There is a mountain named the Brihmagiri Mountain 18 K.M. from the city of Nasik in the Nasik district. This is one of the parts of the Sahayadri Vallies. The city of Trimbakeshwar is located in the bottom of this mountain. This is a beautiful natural place with the cold weather as it is situated 3000 ft. above from the sea

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Majestic Ladakh : Kargil War Memorial, Drass

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Kargil War Memorial is a monument established to commemorate the victories of Operation Vijay during the Indo-Pak war of 1999 and also to pay homage to war Martyrs who laid their lives while safeguarding our country against the Pakistani intruders. The memorial is made of pink sandstone at ‘ground zero’ with the backdrop of Tololing Range. On its rear wall, names of the martyrs are inscribed on golden plate.
I read therein the quote, “Beneath this earth young warriors sleep” and few lines from a poem of Martyr Ram Prasad Bismil (He was a great freedom fighter participated in Mainpuri Conspiracy of 1918, and the Kakori conspiracy of 1925 against the British Empire, and was sentenced to death by British Raj) at the bottom of the wall,

Shaheedon Ki Chitaon Par
Lagenge Har Baras Mele
Watan Par Mar Mitne Walo Ka
Yahi Baaki Nishaan Hoga

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Bhima Shankar Jyotirling darshan – Maharashtra Yatra (Part 3)

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Bhimshankar is a carpet of greenery and legend has it that the dense jungles here served as a refuge for the Pandavas. In recent times it has gained tremendous significance since it was declared as “WILD LIFE SANCTUARY”. Nature enthusiasts would do well to explore the serene hidden depths of the BhÄ«ma Shankar Wildlife Sanctuary, where the local biodiversity has been diligently protected for generations. It is also becoming one of the attractive and well known religious places in Maharashtra as well as in India.

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Morni Hills – The Pride Of Haryana

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We started our journey from Chandigarh after breakfast. Took the road to Morni via Panchkula, after about half an hour we were driving through hilly area. It was month of November, so atmosphere was filled with a cool breeze. Since Morni is less frequented, so you will find only one or two cars and few local collegiate and lovebirds on bikes. We reached Morni by around afternoon and headed towards Adventure Park. You park your cars and walk through the entrance and get tickets.

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Sarchu to Nimmu – taking in the famous Tso Kar

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There is a fair amount of traffic on this route… even though it is so demanding a journey. The day is getting brighter and the scenery more compelling. All of a sudden I spot a dog sized something on the corner ahead. Its gait immediately gives its identity away. It is a Himalayan Snowcock. Lo and behold!

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In memories : Jaipur, the Pink City (Part 1)

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Jaipur is renowned for its colorful markets, gorgeous handlooms and wonderfully laid out gardens. The people are very cheerful and friendly. Don’t forget to try the famous Rajasthan delicacies including the thali. Rajasthani arts and handicrafts are things that you can’t afford to miss.

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Soul resurgence trip to Ajmer and Pushkar

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Anything even remotely related to Pushkar Lake has a halo of sacredness and divinity. Legend has it that a dip in its waters cleanses all the sins and is the surest way to achieve salvation from the cycles of life. Circled by some five hundred odd temples, the lake has 52 ghats, which connect the temples to the water.

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Majestic Ladakh : ZojiLa- The Most Treacherous Mountain Pass In The World!

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Wait a minute! It has a history of war too. Don’t raise your brows! Yes, it has. Kashmir was then an independent Kingdom and Maharaja Hari Singh was its king. It was the year 1947-48. The king was finding it difficult to decide with which country to join his territory, India or Pakistan, or to remain independent. The king chose to remain independent but his wishes were short lived and dashed in October 1947 as Pakistan sent Muslim tribesmen invader into the territory of Kashmir who were then approaching to the capital Srinagar fast. Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession, ceding Kashmir to India on 26th October. Thus the first war between India and Pakistan broke out over Kashmir in 1947. India referred the dispute to United Nation on 1st January 1948. During this war Pakistani invaders seized ZojiLa in 1948 while they were on the verge of capturing Ladakh. On 1st November, Zojila pass was recaptured by Indian forces under Operation Bison. On 1st January 1949, a ceasefire was agreed with only two-third of the whole Kashmir under Indian control and the remaining with Pakistan (we call it now as Pakistan Occupied Kashmir or P.O.K). In the ceasefire lines, LOC (Line of Control) was drawn up which was formally established in 1972, after a third war between India and Pakistan in 1971.The Line of Control remains the de facto border between the two countries.

We spent enough time at the pass looking at how other vehicles were negotiating the road at the mountain edge that has no barrier. The road is so narrow and vicious that it is known as one of the most dangerous passes in the world. But the route is a lifeline that keeps the people of Ladakh connect with the rest of the world. However it remains closed for more than six months in a year for blockage due to heavy snowfall. The road reopens in late spring. ZojiLa at an elevation of 11649 feet above sea level is considered to be the second highest pass after Fotu La on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway.

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श्रावस्ती संस्मरण – भाग १ ( Memories of Sravasti -1)

श्रावस्ती संस्मरण – भाग १ ( Memories of Sravasti -1)

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श्रावस्ती से भगवान्‌ बुद्ध का गहरा रिशता   रहा है । यह तथ्य इसी से प्रकट होता है कि जीवन के उत्तरार्थ के २५ वर्षावास( चार्तुमास ) बुद्ध ने श्रावस्ती मे ही बिताये । बुद्ध वाणी संग्रह त्रिपिटक के अन्तर्गत ८७१ सूत्रों ( धर्म उपदेशॊ )  को भगवान्‌ बुद्ध ने श्रावस्ती प्रवास मे ही दिये थे , जिसमें ८४४ उपदेशों को जेतवन – अनाथपिंडक महाविहार में व २३ सूत्रों को  मिगार माता पूर्वाराम मे उपदेशित किया था । शेष ४ सूत्रों समीप के अन्य स्थानों मे दिये गये थे । भगवान बुद्ध के महान आध्यात्मिक  गौरव का केन्द्र बनी श्रावस्ती का सांस्कृतिक प्रवाह मे भयानक विध्वंसों के बाद वर्तमान मे भी यथावत है ।

इतिहास मे दृष्टि दौडायें तो कई रोचक तथ्य दिखते हैं । प्राचीन काल में यह कौशल देश की दूसरी राजधानी थी। भगवान राम के पुत्र लव ने इसे अपनी राजधानी बनाया था। श्रावस्ती बौद्ध व जैन दोनो का तीर्थ स्थान है।

माना गया है कि श्रावस्ति के स्थान पर आज आधुनिक सहेत महेत ग्राम है जो एक दूसरे से लगभग डेढ़ फर्लांग के अंतर पर स्थित हैं। यह बुद्धकालीन नगर था, जिसके भग्नावशेष उत्तर प्रदेश राज्य के, बहराइच एवं गोंडा जिले की सीमा पर, राप्ती नदी के दक्षिणी किनारे पर फैले हुए हैं।

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A trip to Shillong, Meghalaya

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Later when I Googled, I found that it is indeed a reservoir and an artificial lake and was created by damming the Umium river and covers about 220 square km. This is first hydro-power project in this part of the country. Barapani is a major tourist attraction. Plenty of photos are available on the web.

We reached Shillong late afternoon. I was very excited, keen to find Shillong of my dreams: hills, fern, orchid and low cloud. Unfortunately, the sights and sound of the city did not match my imagination.

We drove past the crowded Police Bazaar area, the assembly and the polo ground and reached a quieter part of the town called Upper Lamthumai. Our hotel, Roseville Hotel, is located there.

Roseville Guest House: The hotel, more like a home stay, has cottages for guests and a well maintained garden. I identified Pine and Birch trees and some flowers. It has an old world charm. The property is famous for beautiful rooms and heritage rooms and was earlier managed by ITC Welcom. The tariff: Rs 3,000+25% tax per day.

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