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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.

हरसिद्धि शक्तिपीठ दर्शन (भाग 4)

By Naresh Sehgal

शिव पुराण के मान्यता के अनुसार जब सती बिन बुलाए अपने पिता के घर गई और वहां पर राजा दक्ष के द्वारा अपने पति का अपमान सह न सकने पर उन्होंने अपनी काया को अपने ही तेज से भस्म कर दिया। भगवान शंकर यह शोक सह नहीं पाए और उनका तीसरा नेत्र खुल गया। जिससे तबाही मच गई। भगवान शंकर ने माता सती के पार्थिव शरीर को कंधे पर उठा लिया और जब शिव अपनी पत्नी सती की जलती पार्थिव देह को दक्ष प्रजापति की यज्ञ वेदी से उठाकर ले जा रहे थे श्री विष्णु ने सती के अंगों को बावन भागों में बांट दिया । यहाँ सती की कोहनी का पतन हुआ था। अतः वहाँ कोहनी की पूजा होती है। यहाँ की शक्ति ‘मंगल चण्डिका’ तथा भैरव ‘मांगल्य कपिलांबर हैं

ममलेश्वर दर्शन (भाग 3)

By Naresh Sehgal

इसका सही नाम अमरेश्वर मंदिर है। ममलेश्वर मंदिर नर्मदा नदी के दक्षिणी तट पर 10 वीं सदी में बनाया गया था। यह मंदिरों का एक छोटा सा समूह है। अपने सुनहरे दिनों में इसमें दो मुख्य मंदिर थे लेकिन आजकल केवल एक बड़े मंदिर को ही भक्तों के लिए खोला जाता है। मंदिरों का यह समूह एक संरक्षित प्राचीन स्मारक है।

Reaching Manali and drive back to Delhi

By AJAY SHARMA

We reached Rohtang at or around 4 PM and passing through the beautiful pass and its valleys amidst dense fog reached Manali at or around 5 PM. Since, Manali was visited many times by all of us and also due to the exertion of the long drive, we preferred heading towards our home without stopping. Steadily, we reached Sunder Nagar via Mandi in Himachal Pradesh covering another 140 km to reach as closer as possible for the return journey, on the following day. On the way we had some apples straight from the trees by courtesy of one of the owners of the orchard. We stayed in a road side Motel situated a few kilometers away from the town of Sunder Nagar, constructed alongside the river Beas at a bargain price of Rs. 1000/- for an excellent room equivalent to a super deluxe room of a 3 start hotel, with excellent facilities and river view balcony.

Lethargically, we started for the journey back to home and reached Delhi by evening with enormous sweet memories forgetting all hardships of the way. A total journey of 2200 kms in 9 days is the most memorable travel I have ever made in my life so far. My car has never betrayed even in the most adverse situations. Next day when we showed the photographs to our friends and relatives, the astonishing remarks filled the heart with joy and smile on the face. I still remember the journey while browsing the photographs and recall each event clearly one by one. My laptop has a screen saver of the picture of Taglang La and my office computer is loaded with the desktop picture of the landscape at Drass. Not many believe, it to be conquered by driving a small car all the way without a professional driver, the photos however, leaves them in awe. Many of my friends are now planning for the trip and insisting me to join them but honestly, I don’t have the dare to repeat this road journey again. Moreover, a lot more destinations are still on my list and want to cover them all one by one and share with all esteemed readers in future. Your valuable comment is most sought on the write up.

Let’s go Puerto Rico- 2

By Devasmita

By Devasmita Chakraverty Once the conference was over, we had a few days to explore Puerto Rico. The first day, we decided to explore…

Drive to Manali from Leh

By AJAY SHARMA

The road upto Upshi was good and at par the Highway, a route from here diverts towards left for Pangong Lake. Hereafter, the character of the terrain starts changing and the road is gradually treacherous and rigorous with sudden steep ups and sharp curves. The little above 100 km journey was a mixture of adventure, peril, test of driving skill and curiosity. We were now at the world’s 2nd highest motorable road at Taglang La at an altitude of 17582 feet. The air here was so rare that we were feeling the scarcity of oxygen despite acclimatizing since last few days. The mountain peaks were on parallel to us and the sight of snow covered mountainous stretches around us was spellbinding. A board on which written, “Enjoy Tea/Coffee at 2nd Highest Motorable Pass” by courtesy of the BRO was very satisfying and proud moment. Multi coloured prayer flags flurrying in air tied around a tiny roundabout on the small flat top plateau at the stopover seemed blessing all of us for reaching there. A triumphant feeling brought tears in my eyes out of immense ecstasy, reaching upto there was never easy and I longed for years with intensity for this moment. Though I wanted to stay longer at this impossible site but it is not at all advisable, due to prone to AMS. With immense joy and satisfaction, we started descending gradually on the journey to confront the onward adverse challenges.

Let’s go Puerto Rico- 1

By Devasmita

Driving in Puerto Rico is not for the faint-hearted. You get used to it of course. As I started to drive somewhat nervously, I realized that not only were the signs in Spanish, but the driving somewhat resembled the aggressive driving in India. Some of the bylanes were filled with potholes and without lane demarcations. Pedestrians just flagged you down trying to cross busy streets, something you never get used to unless you have driven in India. The roads close to the hostel were tiny compared to mainland US standards, often the car from the opposite would have to stop to let you pass, and I would have to find parallel parking on the street, something I am not very good at. When I parallel parked my car, half my car was hoisted up the pavement, just like every other car before and after mine. I said a silent prayer as I prepped myself for five days of driving around the island and parking. The next day, I was kicking ass, innocuously breaking a few driving rules, cruising through the potholes, and navigating my way with a confidence as if I have always driven here. It is amazing how fast your brain gets used to doing things. Some of the Spanish words I learned while driving were “Pare” (to stop) and “Salida” (an exit).

Travel to Maa Shakumbhari Devi – माँ शाह्कुम्भरी देवी यात्रा

By Praveen Gupta

ता शाकुम्भरी देवी शक्तिपीठ में भक्तों की गहरी आस्था है। उत्तर प्रदेश के सहारनपुर जिले में माता का सुंदर स्थान विराजमान है। सहारनपुर नगर से 25कि.मी तथा हरियाणा प्रांत के यमुनानगर से लगभग 50 कि.मी. दूर यह पावन धाम स्थापित है। शिवालिक पहाड़ियों के मध्य से बहती बरसाती नदी के बीच में मंदिर रूप में माता का दरबार सजा हुआ है। श्रद्धालुओं का विश्वास है कि माता उनकी हर प्रकार से रक्षा करती हैं तथा उनकी झोली सुख-संपत्ति से भर देती हैं। मंदिर के गर्भ गृह में मुख्य प्रतिमा माता शाकुम्भरी देवी की है। माता की दाईं तरफ माता भीमा देवी व भ्रामरी देवी और बाईं तरफ मां शताक्षी देवी विराजमान हैं।

Drive to Leh from Sonmarg

By AJAY SHARMA

Suddenly we came under the shades of very gigantic mountains on both sides of the road with a river with very dull and grey colored water full of silt, flowing along side. It was shadowy because the cliffs of the sand stone mountains hanging on the roof allowing little light to penetrate and the road turning in sharp curves. The sight was so delightful and panoramic that I don’t have words to describe it neither my photographs can do the job. You need to be there to experience the nature’s charisma. A triumphant feeling of almost reaching the dream destination highlighted our joy to a greater extent. Engulfed in excitement and ecstasy we continued keep rolling. It was an unforgettable moment to see the sun setting behind the gigantic sand stone structural mountains with figures appearing on them like shades of brush strokes creating abstract impressions on the nature’s canvass, opulently defining the gracefulness of creativity through visual delight. Lost in the illusionary of vision and spellbound with the bounty of natural wealth, we in fact reached our “dream come true” destination. A toll of Rs. 100/- is levied for entering the city and thus we were through. Yes, it was almost dark and I lit the head lights of my car, with a usual bowing head and prayer on lighting the car’s head lights, practiced by every Indian driver, I guess. Simultaneously, I thanked God for the safe journey so far. We were in Leh, a city that surprised me with its beautiful modern amenities as good as in any big city in the country.

Street lights, one way road, traffic signals with excellent traffic system, sufficiently crowded matching any urban development with multi branded showrooms, big shops, automobile dealers, service stations, parks, roundabouts and what not. I was very shy and sorry about my skepticisms by underestimating it. Leh is the second largest district in terms of area after Kutch in Gujrat, in the country with an area of over 45,000 sq. km at an altitude of 3525 meters however, very scarcely populated inhabiting around 35,000 – 40,000 only. Leh experiences a cold and harsh winter from October to early March with minimum temperatures well below freezing point with occasional snowfalls. The weather in the remaining months is generally fine and warm during the day with cool to cold nights. The temperature ranges from −30 °C in winter to 30 °C in summer. A weather chart compiled from authentic sources will well illuminate the factual.

वृन्दावन जहाँ कण-कण में कृष्ण बसते है।

By Arun Singh

अब बात करते है इस्कान मंदिर की। यह मंदिर अपने आप में अत्यंत ही अनूठा है। यहाँ आपको भजन-कीर्तन मंडली के रूप में बहुत सारे विदेशी (अंग्रेज) श्रद्धालु दिखायी देते है जो हिन्दी भजनों को स्वयं गाते है और आप को मजबूर कर देते है श्री कृष्ण के रंग में रंग जाने को। विदेशी महिलाए ठेठ हिन्दुस्तानी संस्कृति में डूबी हुयी सी लगती है और इस बात का प्रमाण आपको तभी पाप्त हो जाता है जब आप उन के माथे पर लाल बिंदी, हाथो में चूडिया और शरीर पर गोपी वस्त्र देखते है। गोपी वस्त्र एक ख़ास तरह का परिधान है जो लगभग साडी का ही रेडीमेड रूप है। विदेशी पुरुष भी अपने सर के सारे बाल मुंडा कर और सफ़ेद अंगरखा पहन कर लींन है श्री कृष्ण के गुणगान मे। पाठको यह सोच कर ही मेरा मन प्रफुल्लित हो जाता है की विदेशी परम्परा को त्याग कर वर्षो से यह विदेशी नागरिक हमारे ही देश में हमारी ही संस्कृति की रक्षा में दिन रात लगे हुए है.

इस्कान मंदिर में कुछ पल बिताने के पश्चात अब सभी को भूख लगने लगी थी सो हमने होटल भारती में भोजन करना तय किया क्योंकि यहाँ इस होटल का नाम थोड़ा ज्यादा ही प्रसिद्द है। होटल के रेट ठीक-ठाक है किन्तु भोजन की गुणवता शायद उतनी अच्छी नही थी जितना लोगो के मुख से सुन रखा था। घूमते हुए हमें रात्रि के दस बज गए और नींद भारी आँखों से हमने अपनी धर्मशाला की तरफ रुख किया।

हमारी धर्मशाल के केयरटेकर, जो की वयवहार से बहुत ही नेक और सहायक थे ने हमें बताया की कुछ ही दूरी पर प्रेम मंदिर स्थित है जो की दर्शनीय होने के साथ ही कला की दृष्टि से अत्यंत ही मनोरम भी है। बस फिर क्या था, अगली प्रातः रविवार के दिन हम सभी निकल पड़े प्रेम मंदिर की वास्तुकला के दर्शन करने और उसके पश्चात कला के जिस रूप से हमारा साक्षात्कार हुया वह अविस्मरनीय है। मूर्ति कला और उन पर रंगों की छटा का अनूठा संगम आपको विस्मय कारी आभास करा देता है। इस मंदिर में केवल मूर्तिकला के माध्यम से ही श्री कृष्ण के जन्म से से लेकर कंस वध तक का वर्णन किया गया है जिसका कोई जवाब नही है। इस मंदिर की खूबसूरती का अंदाजा आप इन फोटो को देखकर लगा सकते है।

Road Trip to Amarnath – Part 3

By AJAY SHARMA

The last two kilometer of the journey is by trekking steeply down from a mountain top. The charismatic FIRST view of the magnificent holy cave steals away all wary and wears and tears at once gasping you spellbound and numb for sometime. I could have died of awe viewing the magnitude of the gigantic and colossal natural structure of the holy cave. I remained stand still for few minutes capturing the astonishing view into my mind through all my senses so that I can never miss the view ever in my life. No technology or camera in the world ever invented to present the picture as it looks through your nature’s gifted naked eyes. Now I understood, why people risk lives every year to visit and pay obeisance to it. Slowly I walked closer to the shrine with my eyes stuck to it. The way to the shrine is along side of river Amravati with temporary shops and tents with colorful insulated sheets as in Baltal. The path was through frozen glacier and the tents were erected on blocks of ice, sized in rectangles. An insulated sheet covering the base of the ice and some blankets and cotton mattresses over it is the bed for sleeping inside the tent. Once you touch the bed, it seems to be cold and wet though not exactly wet but feels the same due to extreme cold.

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