Historical

Road journeys – Nashik to Ahmedabad

By AJAY SHARMA

In 30 minutes we reached the famous abode of the Mahatma, the father of the nation and a legend preaching lessons on peace even today. We were enthralled with the mere feeling that we are actually at the site where, Mahatma Gandhi once lived, preached, enlightened our political revolutionists with his successful spiritual ideas of peaceful revolution and earned independence through his ardent anshans, un-armed and without blood shed. The river Sabarmati alongside flowing timidly adds tranquility in the already pacific atmosphere of the heavenly adobe. A few foreign visitors accompanied with philosophers on Gandhian studies were keen in learning with humility. We visited the whole area pursuing every facts preserved in pictures, models and writings with great respect and honour. A stall with Gandhiji’s books and relevant works by other legends was very worth visiting. A classic piece on crystal with Gandhiji’s portrait in it was what we couldn’t resist purchasing besides few artifacts and books. The hutment of Mahatma, a much revered place and the replicas of the items used by the immortal was also of interest. A charkha in working condition at its verandah is still there, in remembrance to the veteran, honouring his omnipresence in every Indian heart and beyond. A man weaving on the charkha drew every ones attention and was framed in all cameras including mine. The room, where Gandhiji resided was found locked for no better reasons but one can see through the netted wires on its windows, the resting place of the Mahatma, Later we also visited Vinobaji’s hut which is a thatched roofed mud hutment with two rooms one for him and another for Mira Ben the Anglo follower of Gandhiji.

Rome – The city of just-about-everything

By Smita Dhall

Like Delhi, Rome is also circular and even has a ring road (called Autostrada) that is about 56 kms long. So travelling from one place to another takes a maximum of an hour in regular traffic. Cab fares begin from 4 Euros and for a single hop should not exceed 30.

Road journeys – Delhi to Udaipur-the Lake City

By AJAY SHARMA

Enjoying the splendid landscapes we reached Baewar by 1.30 pm on our first major stop for refreshment and lunch. I was so energetic till then that my wife didn’t ask me why we are heading towards Udaipur and not Chittorgarh for the break journey. Filled the tank of the car alongwith our tummy, we were again lost in the nostalgic picturesque landscape full of greenery, on an average speed of 100 kmph with ease due to good tar and less traffic. Our first visiting place was Rajsamand Lake which soon appeared with an awesome view of a natural wild lake on the left side of the road. Rajsamand Lake is an artificial lake created in the 17th century by Rana Raj Singh of Mewar. We stopped and hurriedly captured the view both in our eyes and in the camera. Surprisingly, none other was available to enjoy the serene virgin beauty of the so natural place in wilderness. A clear water in the lake, yet uninterrupted by artificiality, was a soothing sight. A rusted board mentioning victory of Maharana Pratap over Akbar’s huge army in 1582, fought there was boasting its historical importance. We stayed a few minutes clicking photographs and watching the silence in the tranquility, glooming hearted was back to our seats. It was sad to see that a place of so rich history, so beautiful is so unattended.

आमेर दुर्ग : चल खुसरो घर आपने….

By Avtar Singh

राजस्थान पर्यटन विभाग की तरफ से यहाँ आपको सपेरे, शहनाई वादक और सारंगी वादक बजाने वाले, कई लोक कलाकार अपनी कला का प्रदर्शन करते भी मिल जायेंगे, हालांकि पहली नज़र में आपको ऐसा लग सकता है, कि यह सब पर्यटकों के मनोरंजन और उन्हें आकर्षित करने के लिये है, और इस से राजस्थान की संस्कृति झलकती है, लेकिन यदि आप जरा गौर से सोचें तो आपको इसके पीछे की सोच और मानसिकता पर हैरानी ही होगी | मेरी अपनी समझ से, इस सबका कुल मनोरथ यहाँ आने वाले उन यूरोपियन पर्यटकों के दिलों में बसी हिन्दुस्तान की उस छवि को पुख्ता भर करने से ज्यादा और कुछ नही है, जिसके वशीभूत वो आज भी हिन्दुस्तान को सपेरों, जादूगरों और मदारियों का देश ही समझते हैं, उनकी इन मान्यतायों और पूर्वाग्रहों को सच साबित करने के लिये ही, ऐसे कलाकार यहाँ बैठाये जाते हैं, जिनके साथ आप फोटो खिचँवा कर जब वापिस अपने देश पहुँचते हैं तो वहाँ के समाज को ऐसे चित्र दिखा कर साबित कर सकते हैं कि वास्तव में ही भारत आज भी उस दौर में ही है, जैसा कभी हमारे पूर्वज छोड़ कर आये थे ! इन सबके अलावा, इस दुर्ग में ही अलग-अलग दिशायों में खुलने वाले प्रवेश द्वारों में से त्रिपोलिया दरवाज़ा सबसे ज्यादा प्रसिद्ध है, क्यूंकि यहाँ से तीन जगहों के लिये रास्ता निकलता है, जिनमे से एक रास्ता आमेर शहर की तरफ भी है |

ग्वालियर में घुमक्कड़ी – ग्वालियर का किला

By Kamlansh Rastogi

कुछ कदम आगे बढ़ता हूँ तो देखता हूँ कि किले की तरफ जाने वाली पतली सी सड़क के एक तरफ, पत्थर की चट्टानों को काट कर जैन समुदाय के तीर्थकरों कि मूर्तियां बनाई गईं हैं। इनमे से कई मूर्तियों भग्न अवस्था में थीं जिन्हे शायद किले पर विजय प्राप्त करने के बाद मद -मस्त मुस्लिम आक्रान्ताओ ने इस अवस्था में पहुँचाया था। यह बहुत ही कष्टप्रद विषय है कि इस्लाम को मानने वाले अविवेक में अपने विजयी दंभ को वह इन पत्थरो पर निकालने लगते है। एक तरफ तो यह मुग़ल अपने आप को कला प्रेमी के रूप में स्थापित करने की चेष्टा करते हैं और दूसरी तरफ चट्टानों पर की गई इन कलाकृतियों को नष्ट करते हैं। मंगलवार का दिन था इसलिए बहुत कम लोग ही किला घूमने के लिए जा रहे थे। छुट्टी का दिन होता तो शायद यहाँ पर भीड़ देखने को मिलती। वह दोनों युवक-युवती मुझे रास्ता बता कर तेजी से आगे बढ़ गए। मेरे पीछे एक विदेशी युवती भी चट्टानों को काटकर बनाये गए इन जैन तीर्थकारों को देखती हुई आ रही थी। मै धीरे – धीरे चढ़ाई पर चढ़ता हुआ आगे बढ़ रहा था पर मुझे दूर – दूर तक किला कही नहीं दिख रहा था। इतनी चढ़ाई चढ़ने के बाद मन ही सोंच रहा था कि इतनी चढ़ाई पर किला बनाने का अभिप्राय शायद यही होता होगा कि जल्दी तो किसी दुश्मन की हिम्मत ही नहीं होती होगी इतनी चढ़ाई पर चढ़ कर हमला करने की और अगर किया भी तो पहले ही उसकी सेना इतनी पस्त हो चुकी होती है कि जीत की बहुत कम ही गुंजाइश होती होगी। दो – तीन सौ गज या कुछ ज्यादा की चढ़ाई चढ़ने के बाद एक और गेट दिखाई पड़ता है। किले के दूसरे गेट से करीब 200 गज आगे आने पर चढ़ाई ख़त्म हो जाती है। यहाँ पर भी एक गार्ड रूम है। यहाँ पर एक प्राइवेट टैक्सी वाला बैठा था। किला और किले के अंदर उसके आस – पास की जगह घुमाने के लिए इसने 250 रूपये मांगे। इतनी चढ़ाई चढ़ने के बाद अब और आगे चलने की हिम्मत नहीं हो रही थी। मैंने कहा कि पीछे भी कुछ एक लोग आ रहे हैं उनसे पूछ लो अगर वह लोग चले चलेंगे तो हम लोग आपस में शेयर कर लेंगे । तभी वह विदेशी युवती भी आ गई।ड्राइवर ने उसके पास जाकर शेयर टैक्सी किराये पर लेने के लिए कहा पर वह उसकी बात ठीक से समझी नहीं तब मैंने उससे कहा कि अगर हम लोग यह टैक्सी शेयर कर ले तो सब जगह घूम लेंगे। यह टैक्सी वाला 250 रूपये मांग रहा है आधे – आधे हम लोग दे देंगे। वह युवती भी शायद थक गई थी , वह राजी हो गई।

The Water Symphony

By Manisha Chitale

Omkareshwar , one the 12 revered Shiv temples ( Jyoteerling) is actually on an island called Mandhata in Narmada. On the south bank you will find the Mamaleshwar also among the 12. The town is similar to all temple towns all over India, full of small lanes packed with Pooja shops and hotels, a free passage to all living animals including humans, devotees and pestering priests and in addition there were flocks of flies as the monsoon special. Omkareshwar is a modern looking temple from the outside however we know the place is ancient and there are ornate pillars inside the temples which give a glimpse of the old temple. Everything inside the temple is to ensure that you should not feel peaceful. The ceramic tiles, the water abhishek mechanism where water goes in a tube and then gets poured on the shivlinga, the overbearing crowd of priests offering a menu card of abhishek in various types and costs. The only time you find solace is when you come out and look at the serene Narmada. That is the real ‘Darshan’ for me.

Mamaleshwar on the other bank is visible from this side with its ornate high shikhar and a red flag fluttering to show the location amongst the crowd of several other small temples and houses. All built in red sandstone, Mamaleshwar has that special quality of providing a devotional experience to the visitor. The temple is typical Nagar style with up-swinging Shikhar. There are many small and medium temple structures in the clean premise. The elaborate door frames and beautiful sculptures on the outer walls of temples are worth a watch. In the premise, we also find several pieces of temple structure strewn away. A lone ‘amalak’ the round top of the shikhar, some carvings and ‘chandrasheela’ – an ornate step to get into the Garbhagriha are all there stashed away, silently suffering the passage of time.

In the mystic alleys of Delhi – the Dargah of Amir Khusrau

By Ram Dhall

I learnt about Amir Khusrau when I was very young.

During my childhood, we used to live in Old Delhi and our house was almost sandwiched between an ancient mosque and a “mazaar” (Mausoleum). At the Mazaar, every Thursday, a few of the good musicians assembled and played devotional music, which I came to know later on was called “Sufiyana Kalaam” and it was performed as homage to the father of “Qawwalis”, Hazrat Amir Khusrau and his Master, Hazrat Nizammudin Aulia.

Since I was fond of music, I found this kind of music very fascinating and depending on the homework prescribed by my school teachers, I used to attend the Thursday “Qawwali” session sometime. Seeing my enthusiasm, one Muslim gentleman, fondly called “Haji ji”, who lived in our neighborhood, told me a few interesting facts about Amir Khusrau.

महाकालेश्वर दर्शन व पुन: दर्शन (भाग 9)

By Naresh Sehgal

महाकालेश्वर मंदिर एक परकोटे के भीतर स्थित है। गर्भगृह तक पहुँचने के लिए एक सीढ़ीदार रास्ता है। इसके ठीक उपर एक दूसरा कक्ष है जिसमें ओंकारेश्वर शिवलिंग स्थापित है। महाशिवरात्रि एवं श्रावण मास में हर सोमवार को इस मंदिर में अपार भीड़ होती है। मंदिर से लगा एक छोटा-सा जलस्रोत है जिसे कोटितीर्थ कहा जाता है। ऐसी मान्यता है कि इल्तुत्मिश ने जब मंदिर को तुड़वाया तो शिवलिंग को इसी कोटितीर्थ में फिकवा दिया था।

Sabarmati Ashram (Part 2) and Swaminarayan Mandir

By Rakesh

This is the place where Magan Lal Gandhi, grandson of an uncle of Mahatama resided. He had gone to South Africa in order to earn his living instead became an ardent follower of Mahatama Gandhi. Various designs of Charkhas are placed here now.

राजा भर्तृहरि गुफा (भाग 5)

By Naresh Sehgal

तभी उन्होने झोले में से एक फल निकाल कर राजा को दिया और कहा यह अमरफल है। जो इसे खा लेगा, वह कभी बूढ़ा नही होगा, कभी रोगी नही होगा, हमेशा जवान व सुन्दर रहेगा। इसके बाद गुरु गोरखनाथ तो अलख निरंजन कहते हुए अज्ञात प्रदेशों की यात्रा के लिए आगे बढ़ गए।
उनके जाने के बाद राजा ने अमरफल को एक टक देखा, उन्हें अपनी पत्नी से विशेष प्रेम था, इसलिए राजा ने विचार किया कि यह फल मैं अपनी पत्नी को खिला दूं तो वह सुंदर और सदा जवान रहेगी।

Charming Chanderi – of Baiju Bawra, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya and 1200 Baoli

By Nirdesh Singh

The road stretch from Lalitpur to MP border will unhinge your joints. You cross into Ashoknagar district of MP over the downstream water channel of the Rajghat Dam. In rains water flows over the causeway. The landscape turns pretty with Vindhyachal hills and intermittent lakes making their entry. The early rains have made the hills lush with greenery. The beauty was enough for Babur to go ga-ga in his memoirs Babur Nama. The road after crossing into MP is a breeze and soon you see signs of the local Municipal Corporation welcoming you to the historic city of Chanderi. You are surprised to find the town clean with good roads and amazing signs for the tourists. Just looking at the densely packed attractions on the map confirms that Chanderi indeed is brimming with all kinds of monuments – tombs, mosques, gateways, palaces, temples and innumerable baolis.

Five great reasons to visit Portugal

By Devasmita

This was my main reason of visiting Portugal. The sheer beauty of it is amazing. Of the very little time I spent in Portugal, I experienced a little bit of everything. It is like eating a fancy buffet, where you get to taste everything you have wanted to eat. Coastal Portugal has some of the most amazing sights of the Atlantic Ocean. The little fishing villages, the churches, the bell towers, and the winding streets were a welcome relief from the predictable big cities and the monotonous freeways of America. There is history written all over Portugal. There is a great balance of city beauty coupled with rustic country beauty. There are beautiful churches, castles and palaces. The view of the bay from Lisbon is amazing. If you can endure the heat, the weather is awesome. Portugal is easily one of the most beautiful countries I have visited.

Travel tip: The westernmost point of continental Europe is located in Portugal, and is must see.

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