Category: Architectural

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Architectural Central India Culture

Jajpur HACT – A look at the city’s heritage, art, culture & tourism

For those unacquainted with the district, it is incredibly easy to confuse the city with one of the recognised havens of tourists – Jaipur. While the pink city has deserved all its popularity, the capital of Rajasthan is not what we are discussing here. Jajpur, which is the e subject of discussion here, is in South India and has a history, heritage and culture about as old as Jaipur. If you haven’t heard about the city, give us a chance to tell you about this town by exploring it from various perspectives.

Heritage, art, culture & tourism of Jajpur

Heritage of the city

Jajpur has always been important in Indian and Hindu history. The place has been mentioned in the great war epic of the country, Mahabharata, as well as puranas like Skanda Purana and Shiv Purana. The region was a forest once and went by the name of Champak Van. It was in this jungle Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe according to Hindu traditions, did a yagna of which the majestic warrior goddess Durga was born. The name of the district, ‘Jajpur’, is thus driven from the word ‘yagna’. The kund where Lord Brahma did his yagna can still be visited today.

Understandably, the district has a temple dedicated to the goddess Durga. The majestic temple, perhaps the biggest tourist attraction of the district, is a Shakti Peeth and is name Biraja Devi Shakti Peeth in Biraja Kshetra. The name of the temple is ‘Biraja’ is a nickname of the goddess and means ‘without king’. The centre statute of the temple celebrates the annihilation of the demon Mahishasur by the goddess, who is depicted in the form of a buffalo. One of the most remarkable things about the statue is her crown which shows miniature shivling, a crescent moon and a small depiction of Lord Ganesha. The temple also has many other shivlingas. Just outside the temple, you will find Nabhi Gaya, a well where the local Hindus perform the last rites of their loved ones.

Another reason for the popularity of the district is its popularity as a pilgrimage centre for the Baitarni river. The district also boasts of some other valuable temples as well. Apart from that, Lord Baraha Temple, Jagannath Temple, Trilochaneswar Temple, Daswasamedhaghat, Ratnagiri, and Udayagiri remain some of the other most valuable temples of the region.

Art in Jajpur

Jajpur’s architecture is best visible in its temples. You will find temples built in the Kalinga style as well as other styles. Apart from the great Kalinga empire, the region continued to have a rich history, particularly as the immense resources of the region made it an important urban hotspot, even making it the capital of Odisha for a few centuries.

As such, the region has a rural population with centuries-old traditions of painting, sculptures, handicrafts, etc. One of the most important of these is painting, and the Jajpur school of painting takes up three main branches – Jhoti, Chita and Muruja. Folk paintings of these styles remain a valuable part of the local lifestyle. We shall discuss these forms in a moment.

Odiya is one of the oldest languages in the district and continues to be the predominant language spoken by the people. Apart from that, about a tenth of the population speaks Urdu, and another tenth speaks some Adivasi languages. From before the times of the Kalinga empire, the region has also made valuable contributions to literature and remains one of the hotspots of Odiya Literature. Abimanyu Samanta Singhar and Manjula Krushna Prasad Bas are some of the most prominent literary figures. Some other important contributors include Braja Sundar, Birupakshya Kar, dramatist Kamapal Mishra Upendra Tripathy, who writes children’s literature, essayist Baikuntha Nath Rath, and the fiction writer Govind Das.

The best way to enjoy the local culture is Jajpur Mahatosav which has grown to be incredibly popular, even attended by major politicians and celebrities from Bollywood and other popular personalities alike. The district truly comes alike during the event, and it is a great chance for local artists to perform. A fair is also organised.

Culture of Jajpur

The people of Jajpur are representatives of the age-old culture of respecting traditions. One peculiar tradition here is that women worshipped the goddess Laxmi in the month of Margasira. The festival is held during the harvest season as grains are being thrashed and stored. The auspicious occasion is celebrated by decorating the mud walls and floors of the houses with murals made of white rice paste. These are called Jhoti or Chita and are the perfect blend of art and culture. The folk painting tradition has not only decorative objects but tries to establish a relationship with the divine through potent and meaningful symbolism.

Apart from that, Muruja is a painting drawn on the floor with powders of different shades using powder of various colours obtained from different materials. For example, white powder is obtained by grinding the stone, green powder is generally obtained from dry leaves, black powder is normally obtained from burnt coconut shells, the yellow powder can be obtained from petals of marigold flowers though turmeric can also be used, and red powder is easily obtained from red clay or bricks. Muruja is drawn using this powder during rituals in the form of a Mandala.

Apart from that, during the holy month of Kartika, women observe penance and draw some muruja designs around the Tulasi Chaura.

Tourism

If you have read this article so far, you will have realised that the district has several incredible tourist attractions. If taken holistically, these attractions can easily take two or three days of your time. If you are from outside Odisha and a devout Hindu, then you shall probably want to combine your trip with that pilgrimage to the golden triangle of Odisha – Bhubneshwar, Puri and Konark. Being located at a distance of a mere hundred kilometres from Bhubneshwar, Jajpur can be an easy add-on for such a tour especially given that it adheres well to the religious theme of the tour.

Apart from that, you can also visit the district any time of the year and for its own attractions as well. Though the district is excellent throughout the year, we recommend visiting it during Jajpur Mahatasav as you will also get a chance to enjoy the fair as well as a chance of being audience to performances from your best artists as well as many local talented artists.

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.s)

There are several questions about art, culture, heritage, tourism and other aspects of the Jajpur district. The following are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.s) :

Question: How to reach Jajpur?
Answer: You can reach via Bhubneshwar Airport, which is well connected to the rest of the country, and from there, take a cab ride via National Highway 16. It has its own railway station and enjoys good road and railway connectivity with nearby cities. Locally, you can travel with rickshaws.

Question: What are some of the souvenirs to buy in Jajpur?
Answer: You can consider buying handicrafts, paintings, statutes, etc.

If the reader has any other questions, they should feel free to ask them here.

The Bottom Line

One can easily wrap up the above discussion by concluding that Jajpur is an incredible miniature representation of India’s cultural depth and should be visited by everyone at least once.

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Architectural Culture

Kandariya Mahadev temple, Khajuraho- The Grandeur of carvings and divinity!

Khajuraho: Kandariya Mahadeo tempel (westelijke tempelgroep)

Madhya Pradesh pertains to the treasure of many temples and architectures that hold historic significance and architectural excellence! If you visit Khajuraho, the Kandariya Mahadev temple must be on your itinerary due to its traces from medieval times. Kandariya Mahadev Temple in Khajuraho, earlier known as Shivalaya, has a glorious past since 999 AD. This temple’s dimensions are 102′ in length, 6′ in width, and 101′ in height. Locals of this region describe that the name Kandariya is also another name for Lord Shiva. And this is how the Kandarpi evolved and came into existence. 

Temple History

If you sneak out on the most famous Khajuraho complex temples, Kandariya is amongst the most recognizable names. Known for its impeccable architectural excellence, this is also the largest temple in that vicinity. King Vidyadhar from the Chandel Dynasty constructed this beautiful Mahadev Temple between 1025- 1050 AD. It is also well-known for the artistic sculptures, and tall designs are known as the ‘Chaturbhuj Temple.’ The jaw-dropping artistry seems like someone has artistically carved an era on the stones of this temple. Kandariya Mahadev Temple also got the position amongst UNESCO World Heritage sites for its stunning carved works and writings in the year 1986. 

A Muslim historian Ibn-Al-Athir mentioned the power and galore of King Vidydhar, who constructed the Kandariya Mahadev temple in those times. He also fought with the Mahmud Ghaznavi, following which the Ghaznavi returned. Again he tried to attack his fort in 1022 but failed the attempt. As a symbol of his victory then, Vidyadhar constructed the Kandariya Mahadev temple dedicated to the supreme power, Lord Shiva. 

The architecture of Kandariya Mahadev Temple!

For travelers who are keen to learn about the hidden wonders of Khajuraho architecture, this place is undoubtedly a blissful location. The temple’s outer shape comprises 84 equal parts along with unique high peaks and horns on it. It looks like the temple has ornamentation on it, and the carvings follow a distinct rhythm. 

Kandariya Mahadev Temple also gained popularity due to its grand architecture and exquisite craftsmanship, and unmatchable architectural designs. There is a central pavilion leading to the maha mandapa, and then it follows the form, base plan, lift, and height for further ornamentation. The breathtaking temple shrine projects on both sides of the Jagati as well. Made from granite stone and sandstone rocks, Kandariya Mahadev Temple embellished lotus flowers, Kumbha and Jalaya Plaques, and tamal papers. The decorated idols carved in various postures add prominence and grandeur to the temple. 

Right from the eye-catchy female erosion structure, you can see the idols of horses, warriors, madaris, elephants, dancers, musicians, and devotees. And every idol bespoke its marvel and majesty! 

Kandariya Mahadev Temple is also well-known for its most diverse ornamentation and rhythmic trajectories, along with gigantic chariots that can immerse you in its beautification. 

Vaastu of Kandariya Mahadev Temple

If you glance at this historic temple’s structural plan, it complies with the Vaastu from every angle. And the top view might make it appear as a Shiv Ling to you. Starting from the intricately carved entranceway that dates back to the Panchayatan style is undoubtedly a stunner. Moving to the parikrama area or the ventilation in maha mandap, every bit of Vastu goes in rhythm with it. The sturdy temple structure, embellished balconies, and the well-ventilated regions of the garbagriha make it an epitome of perfect architecture. And it is also crowned with the Sanctorum located at the top position of the temple. 

 

Festivals and celebrations

Every year in the last week of February to March, the temple celebrates the Khajuraho dance festival. Top-notch dancers from all across the world participate in the celebrations here and perform over the Open-Air-Corridors from the Khajuraho group of temples. If you visit here during the festival, it is a sheer getaway to distinct dance forms such as Odissi, Kathak, Manipuri, Bharatnatyam, and Kuchipudi. 

Maha Shivratri parv celebration here is also noticeable as people from far distances visit here to seek the mighty lord’s blessings. 

How to Reach?

Reaching Kandariya Mahadev Temple is simple as it has excellent connectivity through air and roads. There is also a railway station which is well-connected from all prime cities of the country. 

By Flight- You can visit here through the Khajuraho airport and connects well with all major airports like Bhopal and New Delhi. 

By Train- Kandariya Mahadev Temple is at a distance of 5 km from the central city of Khajuraho. 

By Road- Reaching Khajuraho, this holy place is possible through roadways with bus services and taxis or cabs. It also has good connectivity with Satna and Jhansi. 

What is the best time to visit Kandariya Mahadeva Temple?

Although Khajuraho gives pleasant weather to its tourists and makes it a perfect destination for visitors from October to February. Winters are a good option if you wish to go sightseeing. To enjoy every bit of this historical temple, you need to avoid the scorching summers so that you can capture the marvelous temple shrine.

Kandariya Mahadev Temple timing is from 5 am to 12 noon, and in the evenings, it opens up from 4 pm to 9 pm. The entrance fee here is Rs.10, and foreigners need to take a ticket of Rs.250. There are also ample accommodation facilities available nearby. Visitors can also enjoy the exotic meals of Khajuraho, such as samosa, poha, jalebi, and the authentic thali here. 

So, plan your visit to this fantastic Kandariya Mahadev temple and pay a visit to nearby famous temples such as the Lakshmana temple, The Chausath Yogini temple, The Javari temple. Vishvanath and Nandi temple!

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Architectural Beaches Itinerary South India

Travel Guide To Visit Mahabalipuram

Since ages, Mahabalipuram has served as the seaport of India. Apart from being important from a commerce point of view, the place is equally vital from the tourism viewpoint. The historical touch associated with the place along with a plethora of tourist activities to do there, just like anyone else, we (Ghoomophiro sisters) too got fascinated to plan a trip to Mahabalipuram and believe us when we say that the trip was one of the most amazing times of our lives. Having gained a lot of experience, we are nowhere to offer you splendid guidance to prepare your visit to Mahabalipuram so that you do not miss out on important things and most importantly so that you can plan excursions accordingly to the time available with you.

How to reach Mahabalipuram

Around 58 km from Chennai, Mahabalipuram is easy to access via road, rail, and air. Chengalpattu is the closest railway station and the Chennai railhead is the nearest major railway station to which you can take trains from major cities including Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. From the railway station, you can take a cab to reach Mahabalipuram. However, we (Ghoomophiro sisters) resorted to taking a bus the ticket of which cost us INR 80 each. Choosing to self-drive via your own car or ZOOM Car will give you an opportunity to halt at numerous places to enjoy the beauty. Ola Outstation is another option if you want to hire a taxi.

Best time to visit Mahabalipuram

The place remains worth exploring throughout the year in case you have no option to be choosy with the months. However, we recommend visiting the place in the months that mark the end of summers and the onset of winters and again before the onset of summers. To be specific, you should be planning a trip between the months of October to March. During these months the climate remains awesome with warm days in addition to cold nights. The weather during these months is ideal for performing all the outdoor activities as well as for exploring the beautiful town.

Where to stay at Mahabalipuram

Comfortable stay is an important aspect of our entire trip. Only if we are able to have a peaceful sleep at night, are we able to explore the place wholeheartedly the next day? So, be very careful about choosing the place to stay. From as expensive as Radisson Blu Resort Temple Bay Mamallapuram, to as pocket friendly as Vinodhara Guest House, there are plenty of options for you to stay. To list a few names that will not disappoint you are Mamalla Beach Resort, Hotel Mahabs, Vinodhara Guest House, and many more. However, we resorted to staying at Bay Inn as it was within our budget and close to the major attractions.

Things to Do In Mahabalipuram

Believe us, there are literally a lot of activities and sightseeing to do in Mahabalipuram. Not only will you find visitors from across different states of India but also from across the globe. This is one of the most happening places that stand quite against our belief of this place being more spiritual and historic.

Religious touch at temples

The Panch Ratha (five chariots) is the first thing that we (Ghoomophiro sisters) explored in Mahabalipuram. It is a monolithic temple where five rathas are carved, amazingly with a single stone. Having clicked few pictures there are appreciating the architecture we (Ghoomophiro sisters) headed towards shore temple which contrarily is a masonry temple having a diverse construction. We suggest visiting the temple early at 6 am when it is blessed with the resplendent morning glow. To enter both the premises we paid INR 30 each. The two temples are at a distance of 1.8km which makes covering both sides convenient. Arjuna’s penance and Butterball are again a must-have sight if you have ample time to spare.

Lighthouse and Mahishamardini cave

Lighthouse is an important sightseeing point. However, we were lucky enough to find a way to Mahishamardini cave close to Light House, free of cost and facilitating a view of beautiful sculptures, namely, reclining Shiva and reclining Vishnu. Not many people are aware of Mahishamardini cave and honestly, we weren’t either. We (Ghoomophiro sisters) halted for snacks at a place where the owner of the stall suggested us to go to the cave and believe us it is worth seeing. The entry to the cave is free of cost. Side by side, be aware that you are strolling across the hill area that is again one of the must-do things at Mahabalipuram.

Sculpture museum

Having a lack of time, we (Ghoomophiro sisters) were not able to explore the sculpture museum in depths but it is a really good place for those who are extremely fond of sculptures. Also, you can buy marvelous sculptures from the shops that offer them forsake.

Ayurvedic Message

We (Ghoomophiro sisters) are a diehard fan of Ayurvedic therapies so missed getting one at Mahabalipuram neither. There are some of the most stunning Ayurveda centers in the city, highly professional implying that you need to ask them to give you a piece of cloth to cover some portions of your body in case you do not mind it otherwise. Mostly, the centers charge you around a grand for a massage of an hour.

Sea surfing

Last but not least, we (Ghoomophiro sisters) also tried our hands at sea surfing at a Surf Club situated on the East Coast Road connecting Chennai to Pondicherry. It is undoubtedly one of the must-have experiences. There are experts available there to give you detailed guidance on how to go about doing the activity. To those who simply want to enjoy the lukewarm water can have a dip at the sea.

 

Things to eat in Mahabalipuram

There are plenty of French cafes as well as restaurants in Mahabalipuram serving not only amazing French cuisine but also stunning French wine. Apart from this, you will also find good Italian, Chinese, Punjabi, and South cuisines. There are plenty of stalls also set up around the places that offer street food at very affordable prices. We (Ghoomophiro sisters) tried French Cuisine at Le Yogi Restaurant, Chinese at Sea Shore Garden Beach restaurant, and Indian cuisine at Hotel Mamalla Bhavan during our entire stay. You can also explore Moonrakers Restaurant, Bambino Beach Restaurant, and Searock Restaurant also among many that offer lovely food and drinks.

Shopping places at Mahabalipuram

It is obvious that we (Ghoomophiro sisters) could have not returned home without buying beautiful things and obviously the souvenirs from this mesmerizing location. So, we (Ghoomophiro sisters) went for some Street Shopping Close to the Shore Temple ad bought some really nice stuff for ourselves ta a very reasonable price. Local people also guided us to explore Babu Stores that are popular among them. Other places that we explored were Sri Krishna Shopping Centre and sri shakthi Handicraft.

This is our story of travel to Mahabalipuram. We (Ghoomophiro sisters) have tried listing each and everything that a tourist usually needs to know. However, in case you feel we have skipped something you can surely add your reviews in the comment section below and we will surely add the same to our article. Also, if you have some questions to ask regarding the trip to Mahabalipuram or Do’s and Don’ts then feel free to use that little comment box below, we will revert to your queries as soon as possible

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Architectural Spiritual Hubs

Unique Facts about Prachi Valley in Odisha

Prachi Valley is prominent for its jaw-dropping history, antiquities, and the religious sanctuaries of Odisha. It is part of eastern India and the prominent destination too where people all over the world come. However, this valley is situated approximately 61 km from Bhubaneswar. In addition to it, Prachi Valley is an ideal destination for those masses that have an interest in history as well as archeology. Most people have a lot of questions about the history of Prachi Valley. In contrast to it, every person has unique views related to it. So, if you are a history lover, then you must visit this valley.

It is located on the bank of the Prachi River. Moreover, this river is known as the tertiary river of the river Mahanadi. If you will have an opportunity to explore the history of the Prachi Valley and the beauty of nature then don’t miss the chance. Furthermore, there are numerous monuments belong to the 7th century AD to the 15th Century AD. It gives the light to the ancient culture of Odisha. It is believed that Prachi Valley is older than the times of Mohen-jo-Daro as well as Harappan. The monuments designate the appropriate social life as well as the environmental scenario of the ancient time. Most people believe that this place holds the history of five years ago.

The Sacred Prachi River

The prominent and sacred Prachi River flows via the Prachi Valley. The main feature of the Prachi River is that: it is considered as the Saraswati of East India. It is a fact that the Saraswati River has become extinct. On the other hand, with limited conditions, the sacred Prachi River is flowing at the present date. This valley is famous for the alluring monuments and exciting history which is India famous for. If you visit the Prachi Valley, then you have a chance to see the immense monuments. All these monuments make your journey remarkable and mind-blowing. These include stone temples, mutts, brick-temples, tirthas, stepped-wells, Forts, Ghats, dunes, and many more.

In addition to it, Prachi Valley is proof of the co-existence of the numerous ideologies of the religious. These ideologies include Jainism, Buddhism, Shaktism, and Vaishnavism & Shaivism. Moreover, most of the monuments of Prachi Valley have been lost, and the rest of the monuments are placed in the living testimony. In addition to it, out of 150, two are under the ASI, while the state archaeology department has 15 monuments. Numerous dynasties are linked with the Prachi Valley. Moreover, it includes Kharvela’s Chedi Dynasty, Eastern Gangas, Gajapatis, and many more.

 It is too fantastic to visit such a historic valley. It is the way to connect the masses with history. When you explore this place, then you will surely learn numerous things about it. The trip to Prachi Valley gives you an unforgettable experience of life. You will feel down to earth and closer to ancient times. Sometimes it is better to visit such peaceful places that give the unique peace of mind to the person.

A road trip of Odisha, Prachi Valley:

It is approximately fifteen kilometers from Bhubaneswar. It is the state capital city that touches the Khurda, Cuttack & Puri districts. You can reach here from the two different sides. The first one is Bhubaneswar-Phulnakhara-Adaspur side or from the Bhubaneswar-Uttara-Balipatna side. It is basically up to you which side you prefer. Mostly people prefer the first one. On the way, you can also try the fried Rasgullas. It is the special dish of the way. In addition to it, you can even taste the street food. In addition to it, there are numerous famous temples that you can visit. Here is the list of temples that you can visit to make your journey of Prachi Valley unique and exciting.

 

Sobhaneswar Temple:

A vast Nandi statue is situated at the entrance of Sobhaneswar Temple. It is located on the left side of the Prachi River and 48 feet high. The king of Eastern Ganga Dynasty Ananga Bhima Deva III built this beautiful temple. You can also take the blessing of Shivling. On the occasion of Mahashivratri, many devotees come here. 

Madhavananda Temple:

You will be amazed by seeing the magnificent Madhavananda Temple. It is situated in Madhava village. It was built during the 13th century. Therefore do not miss the chance to visit this historic temple. The Janmashtami, Ram Navami as well as Dol Purnima are the major festivals that are celebrated here. In the afternoon, temple food is available but at the booking.

Angeswar Mahadev Temple:

It is situated at the Nua Pitapada in the district Cuttack. It is the 14.25-meter high east-facing temple that was built by Somvamsis during the 10th century. In addition to it, it is made from the burnt bricks. Therefore, you can also visit this temple. It is a historic cum religious place.

Apart from it, you visit the temples, as mentioned above, for the inner piece. Except for these temples, you will have an opportunity to visit Varahi Temple, Gangeswari Temple, Buddhanath temple, and many more. These visits make your journey tremendous, as well as fabulous. 

Mahashivratri & Bada OSHA Festival:

These are the major as well as prominent festivals of Prachi Valley. It is believed that Maa Amrutalochani worshipped inside the temple. This ancient temple is located at approximately 24 KM’s from the Bhubaneswar. In addition to it, prefer the day tour as compared to the evening tour. The reason is that in the day time, you will be able to examine the heritage history of Prachi Valley deeply.  

In addition to it, you can see the art, sculptures, monuments and many more things. Trip to Prachi Valley is a worthy investment of money at the right place. You can also visit the following places:

  • Kuruma Buddhist Site

  • Kakatpur Mangala Temple

  • Jayadev Peeth of Kenduli Village

  • Hirapur Chausathi Yogini Temple

Your trip to Prachi Valley is incomplete without visiting the places mentioned above. So explore these places too.

Tips related to this tour:

  • It is recommendable to hire a cab because on several sites there is no facility for public transport.
  • If you think that you will get the five-star hotels on the way to stay, you have the wrong myth. Even you will have to use public toilets.
  • It is advisable to carry the lunch along with you. The reason is that most of the sites are located in rural areas. It is quite impossible to find delicious food to eat.
  • You do not need to worry about the guidance. There is appropriate road signage that guides and shows the direction of sites.
  • You will enjoy the beauty of nature and rural areas too. You will feel like you are in a lap of nature as well as history.

In the end, there is no doubt that Prachi Valley is an exciting place to visit. Moreover, keep all the essential traveling tips in your mind to prevent any misguidance during the journey. So it is better to keep your food, water, and crucial things along with you on your journey. Due to this you and your travel mates will not face any problem.

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Architectural Asia South India Spiritual Hubs

Ram : An Epic Traveler

Ever wonder that Ram and Sita from Ramayana were the epic travelers, who during their exile of 14 years traversed almost the India and parts of Srilanka. 

For a few, it might be a fiction, but what is interesting is that the journey mentioned in Ramayana during his exile has its footprints across India.

Sharing the list of Places that Ram, Sita Lakshman, and his Vanar Sena traced and some places which are related to Ramayana otherwise and how these places are popularly known to the modern world.

Ayodhya

Ayodhya, a small place near Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh is the birthplace of Ram, where he was born to Kaushalya and King Dashrath.  It is where Ram Rajya actually exists.  Currently, Ayodhya is also known as the temple city of India due to the plethora of temples. The celebration of Ramnavmi is worth watching in Ayodhya.

Janakpur

Janakpur is the birthplace of Sita. The legend goes like that she was not born to Raja Janak, instead, he found her while plowing the land and her presence brought the rains to the place, which finished the long-lasting drought of Janakpur. Ram was married to Sita in Janakpur only.

Currently, it is known as Sitamarhi and is now south-east of Kathmandu. There is a special festival and celebrations occur on the marriage anniversary of ram & Sita. Janakpur is also one of the holy sites on the route of Parikrama (holy circle) which is carried out by devout Hindus as a form of worship along with Ayodhya, Kashi, and Brij in India.

Allahabad

In order to go beyond Ayodhya, when exile was given, Lord Rama along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman crossed the river Ganga from Prayag, which is popularly known as Allahabad now. The place is famous for its Sangam point and witness tourists during Kumbh Mela.  

Chitrakoot

Currently situated on the borders of  Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, this place is famous for its beautiful Hindu scriptures. In Ramayana, it is the place where Bharat came to persuade Ram to come back to Ayodhya, and when Ram denied, he took his slippers.  The trio spent a lot of time here. In the current Chitrakoot, everything relates to Ram.

Chitrakoot is a spiritual retreat, thronged almost throughout the year by the travelers, who have a penchant for the unknown and unexplored

Dandakaranya

Dandakaranya is a present-day Bastar which includes parts of Odisha, Chattisgarh. The trio was believed to stay in these Jungles for the majority of their exile time. Khar and Dhushan were killed by Ram in these jungles only.  

Nashik

Modern-day Nashik, is the home of the trio and find its mention in Ramayana as Panchvati. Nashik got its name because, it is here, where Lakshman actually cuts the Suparnkha nose. Ram built a small home at Panchvati and it is where events like Sita abduction happened. Visit the Kala Ram Mandir which is one of the most famous temples in Panchavati. Among other places, you could visit the Sita Gufa (The Cave of Sita) and Kapaleshwar Mandir. Every 12 years pilgrims come here to witness Kumbh Mela.

Hampi

Kishkindha or modern-day Hampi (Karnataka) was the kingdom of apes. It is the place where the famous Sugriv Bali fight happened during Ramayana. Today, Hampi is one of the UNESCO sites. Ram and Lakshman met Hanuman and Sugriv at Kishkindha only. 

You can visit Virupaksha temple, Vitthala temple.  There is a cave on the bank of the Tungbhadra river where Sugriva is said to have hidden Sita’s jewels for safety. There are marks and streaks on the rocks, which are said to have been made by Sita’s ornaments.

 

Lepakshi

Lepakshi Lepakshi is a famous archaeological place in Andhra Pradesh. In Ramayana, this is where Jatayu ( demi-god in the form of the eagle) tries to fight Ravana. Jatayu gets hurt and falls down by the time Rama arrives. Jatayu is rewarded in the form of moksha (liberation) by Rama. It is said that this event happened in Lepakshi

Veerbhadra Temple is the must-visit place while you are in the city. A large Nandi, which is supposed to be the largest in the world takes care of the city.

Rameshwaram

Rameshwaram, which is currently one of the char-dhams is the place, from, where Ram and his vanar sena actually started their journey to Srilanka. The place is famous for the beautiful Vivekananda temple and Shiv Temple. The story says, Sita also established a shivlinga on her way back from Srilanka.

Dhanuskodi

Dhanuskodi is now an abandoned coastal village. It is at the tip of Pamban Island. The interesting part of Dhanuskodi is the existence of Palk Strait (Rama Setu). It is believed that Rama with the help of apes built this bridge to go to Lanka. However, there are many mysterious things about Rama Setu which will surprise you!

Ashok Vatika

Modern-day Hakgala Botanical Garden in Srilanka is the Ashok Vatika where Sita was where Sita, was held captive after her abduction. The legend goes like, Sita denied stay with Ravana and chose to stay under the Ashok tree, waiting for Ram throughout her abduction.

Talaimannar

This was Lord Rama’s first stop in Sri Lanka from where the conflict with Ravana’s mighty army began. After a lengthy battle, Lord Rama killed Ravana and then made Vibhishana as the king.

Currently, this place is located on the northwestern coast of Mannar Island. You can reach here by road from Mannar which links the island to the rest of the country through a causeway.

Most of the above places hold prime importance and are on the pilgrims’ bucket list. Needless to say, Ram literally traveled to the whole India, parts of Srilanka and Nepal too. This travel itinerary is indeed an interesting one especially for those who want to relive mythology.

Categories
Architectural

Photo Blog : Night walk to Qutub

Qutub Minar, UNESCO heritage site of Delhi is now open in the night till 10 PM now. It is beautifully lit up and stands tall in the center of the premise. We #ghoomophirosisters thought to explore this majestic beauty to you via pictures. Go back in time, with these pictures and re-live the history.

Pro tip

  • Book your tickets online or take it from the counter. Pricing – Indian (30/-); Foreigner – 600 INR
  • Nearest Metro station – Qutab Minar
  • Don’t litter
  • Area – Mehrauli

This is the entry gate

The path is lit with LED lights.
Well-Lit Qutub Minar
Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque’s courtyard

Qutub Minar as seen from the gate

Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque’s courtyard

 

Categories
Architectural Rejoice

A weekend in Rajkot

If you are looking for an offbeat tourist destination, we recommend considering Rajkot. Also known as Rangilu Rajkot (or colorful Rajkot), the city is home to many ashrams, gardens, lakes, and temples along with the school where Mahatama Gandhi received his earliest education and Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Ground. Here we bring you a plan on how to get the best Rajkot has to offer on a weekend.

How to reach Rajkot?

Located in the heart of the Kathiawar Peninsula and around 72 km from the Gulf of Kutch, Rajkot is well connected to the major cities in the region by state highways. Being one of the fastest-growing cities of the country, Rajkot has its domestic airport and railway junction and enjoys brilliant connectivity with the rest of the country whether it be through rail, road or air.

The best time to visit Rajkot

Though Rajkot has a relatively pleasant temperature most time of the year, we recommend visiting it between October and February; especially around the International Kite Festival celebrated in February every year and for which Rajkot serves as a center filling the city with enthusiasts from all over the country and its skies with colorful kites.

If you will like to have a taste of local culture, visit it during Navratri when popular local folk dance Garba is performed throughout the city.

Another major event is Janamashtami when a five-days long Lok Mela is also held and the city is alive in all its colors.  Garba is a popular form of dance and is performed during the festival of Navratri.  Mata Ambe, who rides a lion, has a special spiritual status. Diwali and Holi are also popularly celebrated.

Where to stay in Rajkot?

Though Rajkot is full of accommodation options catering to people of all pocket sizes and tastes, we highly recommend Fortune Park ITC at GPS road.  This beautiful hotel has spacious, clean and well-ventilated rooms and two restaurants to take your choice of cuisine along with a breakfast buffet. They had high-speed wifi, a hairdryer, etc among other amenities. The staff was most polite and friendly. It also has a swimming pool, parking, gym, and a bar. They also have an in-house laundry, a doctor available on call for 24 hours, and currency exchange options. For business class, they have proper conference rooms while for old people there is the option of wheelchairs.

What to buy in Rajkot?

Rajkot has grown popular for its handicrafts, jewelry, Bandhani which you can buy as souvenirs to take back home. We particularly recommend buying beautiful Bandhanis.

History

The city of Rajkot was founded by Vibhaji Jadeja and Raju Sandhi in 1610, Rajkot served as the capital of the princely state of Saurashtra during the times of British Raj and it has ever since grown to be one of the fastest developing city of the world. Today’s it’s historical significance is most marked in the fact that it was home to Mahatama Gandhi during his childhood when his father served as Dewan or prime minister to the then king of Saurashtra.

Places to see in Rajkot

  1. Kaba Gandhi No Delo

Perhaps the most popular place in Rajkot is Kaba Gandhi No Delo,  the home where Mahatama Gandhi spent his childhood.  Located within the old city on Ghee Kanta Road, it today is the Gandhi Smriti, a museum for showcasing his life through photographs. Additionally, it is also used to hold sewing and embroidery classes for young girls.

  1. Rotary Dolls Museum

One of the unique attractions Rajkot has to offer, Rotary Dolls Museum which is exactly what its name signifies – a museum that exhibits over 1400 dolls from various countries showing the difference between different cultures through these beautiful artifacts.

  1. Watson Museum and Jubilee Garden

If you are looking for a quick getaway from the hustle and the noise of Rajkot, Jubilee Garden. The garden also has the Watson Museum in it.

Named after Colonel John Watson, political agent of Saurashtra from 1886 to 1889, this museum of Rajkot displays artifacts dating found from around the state and that date as far back as India Valley Civilisation and is a paradise for history lovers. Its entrance is flanked by two imperial lions.

Among the exhibits, you will find in this museum are copies of artifacts from Mohanjodaro, some 13th-century carvings, some temple statues, some natural history exhibits, and dioramas of local tribal costumes and housing styles but what stands out amid all this is a huge marble statue of Queen Victoria sitting royally on her throne.

  1. Nyari Dam

Taking a break from museums, let us now talk Nyari Dam. One of the most scenic places in or around Rajkot. Located at a distance of mere 5 kilometers from the city. It is the perfect place to go out for a picnic and to enjoy a lovely sunset.

  1. Prem Mandir

Despite its name which figuratively means ‘temple of love’, Prem Mandir is not a temple but a cathedral. This Syro-Malabar cathedral is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Besides its architecture which shows influences of different cultures including domes that seem to be inspired by mosques and a mosaic of Christ that is seated above a lotus; the church has several other unique features  – an Aarti, for example, is also performed.

  1. Khambhalida Caves

Rajkot has much more to offer to history lovers than mere museums.  And one of such attractions is Khambhalida Caves that date back to the 4th or 5th century AD. They are three caves made of limestone. The entrance to the chaitya is flanked by life-size figures of Bodhisattva – Avalokiteshvara Padmapani and Avalokiteshvara Vajrapani.

  1. Lang Library

Something for bibliophiles, the next item in our list of places to visit in Rajkot is Lang Library. Home to over three lakh books of Kathiwadi and Gujarati literature, whether it be fiction or reference books, this library also holds some books that are written in gold on handmade paper. Lang library is only one of several in the city of Rajkot which has several major libraries including those like Rotary Midtown of Rajkot City Library and G.T. Sheth Library.

  1. Lal Pari Lake

This picturesque lake is yet another picnic spot in Rajkot that is a must-visit for tourists.

Places Around Rajkot

Gondal

Gondal is located 39 km south of Rajkot on the river from which it derives its names –  Gondali and has grown to have some minor popularity among tourists for being home to several buildings.

Somnath

Somnath temple one of the most important Jyotirlingas is located at a distance of a mere 200 kilometers. The temple is also surrounded by several other places of spiritual importance.

Gir National Park

The famous Gir National Park is located at a distance of mere 169 kilometers from Rajkot and offers an amazing opportunity to see exotic animals

Dwarka

Located at a distance of 226 kilometers from Rajkot is Dwarka, the place that enjoyed the prestige of being Lord Krishna’s kingdom. The Dwarkadesh temple here is of special spiritual importance for Hindus.

Girnir Hill

The region is famous for Jain and Hindu temples that are of great spiritual importance and attract thousands of pilgrims.

Conclusion

You can choose for yourself from the large number of attractions that the colorful city of Rajkot has to offer but we must end this article with it’s biggest USP – that is it’s people as the city is home to one of the friendliest community of the world. We hope you too fall in love a little with Rajkot’s zillion colors.

Categories
Architectural Historical

Rediscovery of Our Diverse Culture in Jaunpur

The historical city of Jaunpur is an important part of our heritage from Mughal times. In medieval times, Jaunpur was an important center of Sufi and Urdu culture and an example of good relations between Hindus and Muslims, an attribute still visible in the city’s art and architecture. Today, The city located in the district of Jaunpur in the state of Uttar Pradesh and is known for its wealthy and fertile land. The architecture in the region depicts an amazing blend of Islamic and Hindu elements that can only be found in a culturally diverse country like India.

Here, we shall tell you all you need to know for getting a maximum of attraction this little city has to offer.

History of Jaunpur

Historically known as Sheeraz-e-Hind, it was created by emperor Feroz Shah Tughlaq of the Tughlaq dynasty of Delhi Sultanate and named in memory of his cousin, Muhammad bin Tughluq, whose nickname was Jauna Khan.

Feroz Shah Tughlaq appointed Malik Sarwar, a eunuch, who was notorious for also having been the lover of Feroz Shah Tughlaq’s daughter, as the governor of the region in 1388. This was the time when the Delhi Sultanate was also declining because of factions forever fighting amongst each other for power and Malik Sarwar took advantage of the condition and declared independence. He adopted a son named Mubarak Shah and started what came to be known as Sharqi dynasty or the dynasty of the East. The dynasty was a big military power within the region – an empire extending from Bihar in West to Kanauj in the East. About a century later, Jaunpur was conquered back to Delhi Sultanate in 1493 by Sikander Lodhi of the Lodhi dynasty.

When to visit Jaunpur?

The best time to visit Jaunpur is during the winter season, which is the months from November to February as the weather is quite pleasant with the temperature ranging between 9 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius. Monsoon seasons see lots of heavy rain and Jaunpur remains wet and humid while temperature might rise to 40 degrees in summers.

How to reach Jaunpur?

The city of Jaunpur is located 228 km southeast of state capital Lucknow. The small city does not have an airport of its own. And the closest airport is in Varanasi, 42 kilometers away – the Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport. The airport enjoys good connectivity to nearby major cities as well as megacities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, etc. Air India, IndiGo, Vistara, Jet Airways, SpiceJet, etc are some of the air travel services which operate at the airport.

The city boasts of 4 major railway stations Jaunpur City Railway Station(JOP), Jaunpur Junction (JNU), Shahganj Junction (SHG) and Janghai Junction, Kerakat railway station (KCT) and enjoys good railway connectivity to all major cities of India.

The road transportation connectivity is equally brilliant. Besides Lucknow and Varanasi, some other major cities nearby include Patna which is around 275 km away, Allahabad at a distance of 102 kilometers, Kanpur at a distance of 302 kilometers.

There are no city buses but you can use state buses connecting the city to other cities to roam around in the city as these buses stop at different points. However, you will have to book advance tickets – this is what we did. Other options like rickshaws are easily available.

Where to stay in Jaunpur

Jaunpur has hotels catering to people of budgets and finding accommodation won’t be really different here. Though we ourselves didn’t stay here overnight.

What to buy in Jaunpur?

Jaunpur is gaining popularity for its indigenous art. Though people are skilled in jewelry making and ivory carving, we highly recommend buying perfumes as your souvenirs. Perfumes are Jaunpur’s specialty. They make perfumes from jasmine flowers, vetiver, saffron, Korea, Agar, etc. You can also go for some silver-based jewelry.

What to eat in Jaunpur?

Awadhi cuisine is easy to be found in restaurants around Jaunpur and you must definitely give this delicious food a try. Don’t forget to give a try to savor Imarti – a sweet delicacy made from urad puls which is one of Jaunpur’s best dishes.

Places to see in Jaunpur

Some of Jaunpur’s most popular landmarks include:

Shahi Bridge

The Gomti River flows through the center of Jaunpur. It is visited for its Hindu and Muslim religious places. The old bridge over the Gomti River in Jaunpur is known as Shahi Bridge. It dates from 1564, the era of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. The street crossing the bride has a sort of mini-market with many shops on it mostly jewelry shops. A good play to buy souvenirs.

Mosques

The major mosques include Atala Masjid, Jama Masjid (which is now known as the Bari Masjid or big mosque) Masjid), Khalis Mukhlis Masjid, Khokri Masjid, and the Lal Darwaza Masjid. These mosques are characterized by their unique blend of architectural style showing a combination of Hindu and Muslim motifs.

Shahi Quila Jaunpur Fort

This old fort also Known as Jaunpur Qila is a from the Tughlaq era but retains a good form. The fort has an old mosque inside. Mostly though, it is just wilderness and trees. It is a good place to take panoramic views of the city.

Jaunpur museums

Jaunpur has a number of museums Some of the most famous ones include the Botany Museum, Archeological Museum, and Zoological Museum.

Hindu Places of worship

There are some lesser-known places of worship in Jaunpur that you might consider visiting. These include Yamdagni Ashram. Sheetala Chaukiyaa, Maihar Devi, Trilochan Mahadev Temple, and Yamdagni Ashram.

That is all from us. Jaunpur was like a little cookie of historical tourism for you. What about you? Do tell us about your experience in the comments below. 🙂

Categories
Architectural Spiritual Hubs

Omkareshwar – the island abode of Lord Shiva

Having a temple that is shaped like Om, Omkareshwar is of great spiritual importance to Hindus as well as offering a great aesthetic pleasure to secular travelers too.

The temple is located in a ridiculously small island lies on the river Narmada and its tributary Kaveri. It is also called Mandhata and Shivpuri but is popularly called Omkareshwar after its grandest temple.

What is the best time to visit

The extreme of summer (and preferably that of winter) should be avoided while visiting Madhya Pradesh. October-November is the best months to visit. Also, you may want to visit Omakareshwar on its two annual festivals – Narmada Jayanti and Mahashivratri.  Omkareshwar and Maheshwar have their ghats adorned with lights and maha parties are performed at these ghats.

How to reach Omkareshwar?

Omkareshwar is not really well connected to the rest of the world. The nearest airport and railway station are both at Indore which is 78 kilometers away. From there you can catch the bus to the banks of the Narmada river. You can also catch a bus from Ujjain and Khandwa. We can’t say we liked the journey by bus a lot but it was worth the experience Omkareshwar had to offer. Once you have reached the shores of Narmada river, a streamer will take you to the island.

We highly recommend that you visit Omkareshwar when you are touring Indore – as a one day detour along with Maheshwar or a two-day detour that would include Omkareshwar, Maheshwar and Mandu.

Where to stay in Omkareshwar?

Like most places of religious importance, Omkareshwar offers accommodation options to people with all pocket sizes.

What to see in Omkareshwar?

1. The Scenic Beauty and spiritual importance of Island

The island itself, surrounded by waters of the Narmada and Kaveri on all sides, is full of mesmerizing views on all sides. We felt refreshed at the mere sight of the island.

This island is shaped like the sign OM, which is a spiritual symbol of Hindus. The sign ‘om’ is said to be the sound that was at the root of birth of the universe (the whole Hindu version of ‘In the beginning, there was a word’ philosophy).

There is a Hindu legend behind island having this shape according to which Vindya, the deity of the Vindyachal mountain range once created a sacred geometrical diagram and a Lingam made of sand and clay while worshipping Shiva. Shiva was so pleased with that he appeared in two forms, namely Omkareshwar and Amaleswara, both of which have temples dedicated to them at the island.

According to Hindu Puranas, this island has been inhabited for fifty-five hundred years.

According to another Hindu myth, when it was once ruled by King Mandhata, an ancestor of Lord Rama who ruled the island, the whole island sparkled like a gem. This piqued the curiosity of the great celestial sage Narada who asked God Shiva about it. Lord Shiva answered that the island will decline in appearance according to declining times. In Satyuga (which was the age in which Mandhata was ruling), it was to be a giant gem, in Treta Yuga it would be a mountain of gold, in Dwapar Yuga it would be made entirely of copper and in Kaliyuga (which still goes on) it would be made of rock.

The Narmada, affectionately known locally as Maa Rewa, is of great spiritual importance in Hinduism. An important pilgrimage among Hindus, especially those of the region,  is Narmada Parikrama which involves Parikrama of the holy Narmada river and Omakarehwar is one of the most important stops for these pilgrims. – in fact, it is one of two places to start the journey, the other alternative being Amarkantak, the source of the Narmada river. Omkareshwar happens to be midway between Amarkantak the source of Narmada river and its final destination which is near Bharuch where it enters the Arabian Sea and thus it is honored with the title ‘Nabhi Sthal’ (figuratively ‘the navel’) of the river’.

2. Omkareshwar Mahadev temple

The most popular and the most important temple of the area, Omkareshwar Mahadev Temple or Omkar Mandhata temple stands the Northern bank of Narmada. You will have to walk past the ghats and canopies of flower sellers to reach the temple.

Omakareshwar temple is one of the most important holy places for Hindus as, among other reasons, it is home to one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The other Jyotirlingas are at  Somnath in Gujarat, Viswanath at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Deogarh in Jharkhand, Mallikarjuna at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, Mahakaleswar at Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, Nageswar at Dwarka in Gujarat, Kedarnath in Himalayas, in Uttrakhand state, Bhimashankar in Maharashtra, Triambakeshwar near Nashik in Maharashtra, Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga, Rameshwar at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, and Grishneshwar near Aurangabad, Maharashtra in Maharashtra. Needless to say, we have seen quite a few of these.

This name of ‘Omkar Mandhata temple’ comes from the Hindu belief that Ikshvaku king Mandhata, an ancestor of Lord Rama who ruled the island, brought the Shivalinga here. His gaddi or seat is still in the temple premises.

The whole temple is a wonder of architecture. The base or the ‘mandapa’ of this temple is made of 60 solid stone pillar carved with Yakshi figures. The images of different Devi Devatas adorn the temple walls.

The Shivalinga itself is made of a rock onto which water is constantly offered and is not, unusually, placed under the shikhara as is normally the custom among Shiva temples. An ‘Abhisheka’ of this majestic Shivlinga is done with milk, curd and Narmada water three times a day.

Just behind the Shivaling stands a beautiful Silver image of Goddess Parvati, Shiva’s wife. We visited the temple at night – around 8:30 PM just in time for night Arti which is held every and is quite popular locally. This arti is then followed by laying the bed for Lord Shiva and Parvati to spend their night on and a game of Cahupad is also placed for them to play before going to bed.

The Omkareshwar Mahadev temple is surrounded by small temples including a Panch Mukhi Hanuman Temple, a Dwarkadhish temple and a Shani temple.

Please note that unfortunately no photography is allowed inside the temple.

3. Mandhata Palace

Behind the temples, there is a flight of stairs (about eighty steps) which ascend to Mandhata Palace, now owned by Holkars. The palace is a White Hall only a part of it is opened to the public. The corridors of Hall are pillared like North Indian Havelis. The Durbar Hall on one end has a round ceiling with some remains of what was probably once really glass work on it. The highlight of the palace for us though was the overhanging windows or Jharakhas created for kings to look to have the majestic view of the island …. you could see why it could be considered the royal view.

4. Omkareshwar Parikrama

This is a sixteen-kilometer long Parikarma or circumambulation of the island walking on a path surrounding the Kshetra or region The parikrama is a common practice among Hindus devotees but it also a great way to enjoy the beauty of the island. You will pass Omkarnath Ashram, Khedapati Hanuman Mandir, Omkarnath Ashram, Ramakrishna Mission Ashram,  Kedareshwar Temple, Narmada Kaveri Sangam,  Narmada Kaveri Sangam, Markanda Ashram, Rin Mukteshwar Temple, Dharanraj Dwar, Gauri Somnath temple, Patali Hanuman temple, Sidhdhanath temple and a giant statue of Shiva.

The Markanda Ashram is home to a twelve-meter high image of Lord Krishna while Narmada Kaveri Sangam is, according to a Hindu legend, the place where Kubera meditated in order to get the boon that would make him the king of Yakshas.

Assuming there is enough water in Narmada river, we recommend you also do the Parikarma in boats and get a chance to take in the mesmerizing beauty of temple with its lights reflected in Narmada water at night time seeming to be like so many pearls adorning the beautiful river.

5. Mamleshwar Temple

The Mamleshwar temple dedicated to the other form of Shiva and is also known as  Amleshwar temple or Amareshwar temple.  It is located on the mainland on the southern bank of Narmada, near the Gomukh ghat. An Omkareshwar pilgrimage is said to be incomplete without visiting this temple. The temple has those beautiful stone walls and sculptures and we were also particularly impressed by a Nandi Mandap at the main temple. In practice of Lingarchana rat the temple, devotees worship the thousand Banlingas that are placed in concentric circles around the Shivalinga.

6. Govindeshwara or the Shankaracharya Cave at Omkareshwar

One of the greatest sages of Hinduism, Adi Shankaracharya began his career here. He was born in Kelady in Kerala and traveled across India and established four Mathas in four directions. But it was here, at Govindeshwara Guha in Omkareshwar where he studied Vedanta from his Guru Govind Bhagwatapada and wrote commentaries on Vedanta at the beginning of his career.The Govindeshwara Guha has two main entrances and has an idol of Adi Shankaracharya sits in the center.

Conclusion

According to a local legend, the parts called Shivpuri once combined with towns of Brahmpuri and Vishnupuri to form a trinity of Tripuri. Given how enchanting it looks now, One wonders what it must have been like in best of its days – especially when it used to spark like a gem. It is still awesome though J

Categories
Architectural Itinerary

Unexplored Bhubneshwar that you should visit!!

Think of Bhubaneshwar and you imagine temples – after all, it has been called temple city for a good reason. Even if you can look past that, you are still thinking of museums, monuments, etc. And those are the major attractions of the city. But there is always a needy tourist crying “I need more” (okay, often that is me, but you get the point) and Bhubaneshwar, like any tourist spot worth the name, has that ‘more’ to offer. Here we take a look at that more.

1. Caves of Khandagiri and Udaigiri

Perhaps because of the amount one has to walk, it is not the first thing a tourist will want to visit. These caves, which are home to an ancient monastery, had some of the most splendid cravings that I have seen in Odisha outside of Konark Sun Temple and are much older than that belong to golden ancient ages of the country. The scenic beauty from the top of hills is itself awesome. It is not the most tourist-friendly spot as there are always monkeys ready to steal stuff and you should remember to carry your own water bottles but the view of setting sun from the top is just splendid.

2. Go to the old town

Rickshaws have so long been a part and parcel of Indian society that a journey to some of its major historical towns will be incomplete without being driven around on rickshaw for some people. Bhubaneshwar is one such city. Though rickshaws are becoming a rare sight, this is still something you should definitely try at least once. Hire a rickshaw to visit the by now forgotten parts of the old town to see the old-style settlements not far from the temples that makes the chief attraction of the city.

3. Kanjia Lake

After rickshaw we now wish you to ride a bicycle. Ride the cycle by Kanjia lake on well-preserved roads inside the botanical gardens. Some of these gardens include Japanese Garden, Orchid Garden, Mughal Garden, Rose Garden, Medicinal Garden,  Butterfly Garden, Heritage Garden, Dry Garden, Evolution,  Garden,  Bougainvillea Garden, Arboretum etc. Enjoy looking at colorful flowers and migratory birds. The beautiful lake has been declared a “Wetland of National importance” and is home to several migratory birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and pawns.

4. The thorny garden

The last thing you will hope to see in Bhubaneshwar is a garden dedicated to cacti and other thorny plants.  But you will be wrong, the Regional Plant Resource Center (RPC) of Bhubaneshwar has Asia’s largest thorny garden with over a thousand varieties of cacti and other succulents, of which the RPC itself has engineered two hundred. The garden also has an orchidarium, bamboo septum, medicine plants wild fruit garden, seed banks etc. It also has a lake which is home to migratory birds.

The garden was started in 1985 as a research center and has, ever since, evolved to become a research institute.

It provides facilities for a morning walk (allowed in specific times only – (5-30 am to 7-30 am for March to October and from 6-00 am to 8-00 am for November to February), boating in the lake inside the garden, a play area for children, etc to name a few.

5. Medicinal Garden

Ekamra Van (literally ‘one tree forest’) Medicinal Plant Garden is situated on the bank of Bundusagar. The garden houses more than two hundred varieties of plants. The garden has a lotus pond and (well, is there a place in Bhubaneshwar where you won’t have them?) some stone sculptures. The layout of the garden is divided into three division – Shiva pindi (where plants used for worshipping Lord Shiva are grown), Parvati Pindi (where plants useful for women healthcare are planted) and Ganesh Pindi (where plants promoting intellect are planted – from Ganesh’s being the god of wisdom). The garden offers you fresh air, a majestic view of Lingaraj temple and a chance to learn about plants.

6. Simlipal and Bhitarkanika

These are home to a number of Mangroves and Crocodiles. Nature lover in you will love the environment, the wildlife, and vegetation of this area.

7. Odisha Modern Art Gallery

Though we talk a lot about art in connection with Bhubaneshwar, it is rarely modern art. A visit to the Modern Art Gallery of the city will remind you that Odisha people are awesome with modern artwork too.

8. Regional Museum of Natural History

A step away from other museums devoted to human history, this natural history museum has taxidermy displays of various animals. It also enshrines numerous endangered species. For a nature enthusiast, this museum offers a lot to learn.

9. Go on a Picnic

Both of these are minor dams and not far from Bhubneshwar and can be a great spot for going on a picnic with your family and friends. Another major Picnic spot is Budha Jayanti Park. The park devoted to Budha is a great place to visit for a refreshing evening. It also has a fish pond.

10. Take your kids to Pathani Samanta Planetarium

Here is something for your children as well as the child inside you. Enjoy the shows here and learn a bit about the universe. 

And of course, go Shopping

It amazes me how people always forget to talk about Bhubaneshwar’s markets. The urbanized part of the city has markets selling products of widest range – from luxury products to cheap products. The phrase I market is most popular among the middle-class shop alcoholics for its cheap products. Buy clothes, accessories, makeup products etc here at the cheapest rates. Another affordable stopping point would be Station Square. There is also a market ‘Saree Mandir’ selling quite a huge variety of sarees. When shopping in these markets, bargain – as shopkeepers put high prices on their products anticipating that you will bargain. Also, be extra careful about your possessions. If you are looking for something to remember the city of Bhubaneshwar by, we recommend that you consider buying Patthachitra paintings, palm leaves carvings and other such handicrafts.

Conclusion

There is so much to do in Bhubaneshwar. It would take weeks to explore all that the city has to offer. It is unfortunate that the city’s image as a temple city keeps visitors from enjoying this great variety of experience. But not you, you know better. So what are you waiting for? It is time to get going.

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