Category: Culture

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Architectural Culture Spiritual Hubs

The most beautiful Jain temple in the world, Dilwara temple

Jainism may be one of the most underrated of all the religions in the world. The reasons could be many. One could be that it emphasizes on the inner and outer worldly peace for the most part. Whatever it is, but there no denial to the fact that the structures belonging to Jainism are some of the most architecturally brilliant ones. Take the Dilwara temple for example. The Dilwara temple is one of the most brilliant architectural structures one has ever seen , not only from the Jainism point of view, but in general as well.It located in Dilwara village 3 Kms from the beautiful hill city Mount Abu.

 

This beautiful temple is one of the finest temples of Jains in entire World. It is famous for its alluring beauty, unique architecture and beautifully carved stones. Some of the great archeologist consider the designs superior than that of Taj Mahal.

 

The white marble complex of temples “Dilwara” was built by Chalukya in early 11th and 13th centuries AD. Standing around for these many centuries, this temple is still standing in all its might.

Talking about the beauty, there are no words that can do justice to the wonder that this temple is. The intricate stone carvings on the pure marble are reminiscent of the artistic and aesthetic brilliance people possessed back in those times. The lush greenery around the temple gives a soothing feeling.  A breeze of cool wind fills up the atmosphere just all the time and everything seems more beautiful than before.

There is more to the temple.The entire fine designs resemble like ornaments and jewelry, which adds charms to its beauty. The marble stone carvings are just amazing and unmatched. This complex of five main temples is among the important sacred pilgrimage site for Jains across the world. The Dilwara temple complex is ringed by a high white wall which glitters in the sunlight.

The hard work that may have been put in making this temple what it is today is unimaginable. The ceilings and the pillars give away a mystically soulful vibe. Between all this beauty and visible hard work lays the fact that Dilwara temple was built back in those times when there were no roads or transport facilities and that too on this high altitude. That must have been some work carrying those heavy marble stones up.

But the end result is all worth it as the temple has made its name all over the world for its sheer beauty. There are five main sections in the Dilwara temple complex.

Shree Mahavir Swami Temple- This little temple is said to have been constructed somewhere in the middle of 15th century and is dedicated to Lord Mahavira, who is said to have promoted the religion all over the country.

Shri Adinath Temple- This temple got built in the 10th century AD and is known to be the oldest one among all. Shri Adinath ji is known to be the first Jain tirthankar for whom the temple has been devoted to.

Shree Parshavnath Temple- This temple has the tallest shrine among all and it got constructed in the 14th century.

Shree Rishabh Deoji temple- Also known as Pittal mandir, due to the fact that most of the idols placed inside the temple are made of brass metal. It was built by Bhima Shah of Gujarat.

Shree Neminathji Temple- Built in the 12th century, the temple is dedicated to the 22nd Jain saint, Nemi Nath Ji.

All these small sections make for Dilwara temple as a whole. It would still work fine  if we call it one of the very few Jain pilgrim locations in the country and rest of the world as well.

How to reach?

The Udaipur airport is located 187 km from Mount Abu, which is the nearest airport to reach the beautiful  Temple built by the Solanki Rajputs of Gujarat.  The travelers can hire a private cab or board a bus heading to Mount Abu.

The Abu Road is the nearest railway station located at the distance 29 km, just a ½ hour drive to the Dilwara village.

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Culture Travel Tips Travel Trends

Shopper’s Paradise in Delhi, where you can shop till you drop

When it comes to shopping, Delhiites would never have a dearth of options. No matter what their budget is, there always are options where they can have the best shopping experiences. Here are the best places in and around Delhi where you could spend a great evening while doing some shopping.

Dilli Haat- The best among all, Delhi Haat with its small thatched roof cottages is a one-stop shopping destination in Delhi.  The traditional village market has a great ambiance and offers exotic handicrafts, beads, footwear and other handmade artistic pieces from all over the country. The market is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., including national holidays. Indian handicrafts and artifacts are the best things to buy.

Janpath and Tibetan Market- The very lively and one of favorite shopping centers for the Delhi people, the market offers goods from everywhere in India and Tibet here. The place is great for buying handicrafts, hippy clothing, home decors, footwear, shoes, paintings and other fashion accessories at surprisingly affordable prices given you have the necessary bargaining skills. The market sets itself up at the center of the city, Connaught place.

Paharganj-

The place is definitely not for the faint of heart as it is chaotic and noisy, yet some of the best bargain shopping in Delhi can be experienced here. Many of the shops located here deal in wholesale selling and export to foreign countries. The place is a shopping haven, lined with shops that are full to the brim with books, music, metal neck pieces and junk jewelry, bags, clothes, shoes, incense, textiles, wooden statues, and handicrafts.

Chandni Chowk- Exploring the items to buy while walking through the narrow alleys amidst the chaos is one great experience in itself. The market has been here for hundreds of years and also known as the symbol of the great Delhi street food. The lanes of Chandni Chowk are segregated into bazaars with different areas of specialization. For fabrics, you should head to Katra Neel. In the Bhagirath Palace area, you’ll find an enormous range of electronics.  Kinari bazaar is the place for everything you need for a wedding, including saris. The market is open daily except for Sundays.

Khan Market- Khan Market is a small, U-shaped shopping market. One of the classiest shopping destinations, in the city, the bargain seekers don’t usually get too happy coming here. Among the branded outlets, the market is known as being the hub for the book lovers and other artistic goods. For Ayurvedic food, medicine, and skin care check out Biotique, and Khadi.

Lajpat Nagar- The chaotic and noisy Lajpat Nagar market provides an interesting glimpse into Indian culture. The roadside stalls and showrooms are always buzzing with the middle class Delhiites hunting for Indian clothing, shoes, bags, accessories including mesmerizing Indian bangles, and home furnishings. The street food is also tongue twisting here. One of this market’s main attractions is the Mehendiwalas, who will apply beautiful henna designs to your hands.

South Extension

The South Extension market, popularly known as South Ex is one of the most posh markets located in South Delhi. Divided into 2 parts –South Extension – I and South Extension – II, the market has numerous shops brimming with leading Indian and International brands you yearn for. It is a perfect place for shopaholics and one of the best markets in Delhi to do some bridal shopping. But ladies, you should have your pockets full of this elite shopping place!

All we think about is looking our best and wearing the best stuff. Isn’t it girls? So all the shopping enthusiasts out there hit these 7 shopping places for buying almost anything you desire on this planet.

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Central India Corporate Outings Culture Festival Rejuvenate

Postcards from Jalmahotsav 2016

Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is famous for its creative ideas to promote tourism. Be it their TVCs or the place in itself, one shall never be disappointed by the place. In the series to promote tourism, the board came out with a fantastic initiative call “Jal Mahotsav” in Hanuwantiya island in Khandwa district. This year it is happening from 15th Dec to 15th Jan 2017 and is a perfect place to experience tranquility and rejuvenate over any weekend.

How to Reach Jal Mahotsav:

Nearest airport to reach Jalmahotsav is Indore, from where island is just 3 hrs drive away. Thanks to great infrastructure, drive is amazing. In case you coming from train, you would like to get down at Khandwa. Team is available for pick-up and drop to make your life easy. It is an idyllic getaway for a day or a weekend.

Where to Stay

Luxurious tents area available in 3 clusters, all named on the jungles of Madhya Pradesh. These tents are well organised and have all basic amenities including AC. Bed is cosy enough to give you a good night sleep. Toilets are clean with toiletries.

You may also opt for staying in a houseboat. All details available at www.mptourism.com

What to eat

Though there is a special dining arrangements for guests opting for tent, wherein buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner is available. But still, you can go to the food zone to satiate your hunger pangs.

Activities to Indulge in

Most of the activities, you would like to indulge in, are waiting for you at Jal Mahotsav to keep yourself busy. If you are water lover, do not miss the chance to get yourself soaked in water. Banana Boat ride, Jetski, Speed boat ride, Water Zorbing awaits you. If you looking for more adventure, go for water parasailing.

When it comes to Air activities, you can opt for paramotoring, Land parasailing, and hot air balloon.

Well, in case all you want is the luxury, and no adventure then, go to the club house and enjoy pool or sunbath yourself.

Relive your childhood, as you fly kites and go for a bullock cart ride. For Sky gazers, in the night you can enjoy the clear sky and capture some wonderful shots.

Evenings are happening with the culture performances.

Needless to say, the place has everything for all age groups. Do not miss the chance to visit the heart of India.

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Culture North India Treks

The self governing land of Malana!!!

 Malana is a beautiful yet a secluded village in the Parvati Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Tourists from Israel and other parts of the world flock in great numbers to this quiet little Himalayan hamlet. Out of the several villages in the Parvati Valley, this village is relatively an isolated one, best known for Malana cream. It is a local variety of hashish, a purified resinous extract of cannabis which is highly valued in the international market.

Belief

The people of Malana consider cannabis as ‘shiv ji ki buti’ and do not see its production as something wrong. Apart from Shiva, they have a firm belief in their devta, Jamlu Rishi. As per the Puranas, a sage once inhabited this land and laid the foundation of democracy, which still persists. They believe in self-governance and thus have their own lower and the higher court, President and Prime Minister. The Malanese people are believed to be the descendants of Alexander, the great.

The Taboo

The set of rules they follow is absolutely unknown to the common world. To resolve a conflict their justice relies on the death of the lamb. They cut the right foreleg of lamb, stuff it with poison and then sew it back. The person whose lamb dies first fails in the judgment. It is believed to be a decision made by their Devta.

The Social Background

The locals here are unfriendly and avoid interaction with a foreigner. They do not eat any food cooked by an outsider and not even let them touch themselves. They believe that the rest of the world is inferior to them. Tourists are prescribed a set of rules to follow when in Malana.

  • Do not touch the walls, houses, temples, people or any sacred stone.
  • If by any case food is offered to a non-Malani, then all the utensils have to undergo a purification ritual before they can be used again.­­­

How to get there

Malana is 527 km from Delhi by road.  The easiest and shortest way to reach Malana is to go to Buntar by air (13 km from Jari) and from there to village Jari. You would have to trek for 12 km, as there are no taxis or buses available to Malana.

Best Time to visit

At an altitude of 2,652metres above the sea level, the village has an extreme climate. The best time to go is from early May to August.

Malana’s Cream

The small village of Malana is famous throughout the world for its quality hashish known as Malana cream, extracted from the Cannabis plant. The quality of hash is so fine that it has won the Best Hashish title in 1994 and 1996 at the High Times magazine’s Cannabis Cup. The Malana cream is the most expensive hashish in the Amsterdam menu. Earlier, cannabis was only used for medical treatment. It was only when foreigners started coming to this land, they taught the locals how to make hashish by rubbing the oil on the hand under sunlight. Slowly and gradually they started the business of Hashish production which eventually became their main source of income.

Travel Tip

The best time to visit this alluring valley is in summer. The famous “Malan Shuan” the summer festival takes place on 15th August.

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Culture Deserts Festival

Creator of beautiful ground for color, and carnival- Pushkar Fair

The Pushkar fair or the Pushkar Mela is a locally held cultural extravaganza that takes place in the Pushkar town of Rajasthan. The event is highly awaited and goes on for five days in a row. It began primarily as a business of selling and purchasing camels but eventually, it became one of the most sought after festivals taking place in the state. Every year when the event takes place, thousands of tourists from within the country and outside come here to witness the fun. Being one of the most religious of places in the entire country, the Hindus consider attending the event a holy ritual.

How to reach Pushkar

Pushkar is located close to Ajmer in Rajasthan, it is 14 km northwest of Ajmer. The nearest airport connected to Pushkar is in Jaipur, which is 140 kilometers away. By bus is not a great option for long distance travelers. Those who wish to reach here by train, you will need to take a train to Ajmer and take a 30-minute drive to Pushkar.

About the Festival

Out of the most prominent crowd pullers are the Matka Phod competitions and the longest mustache competition. Hundreds of people from across the state participate in the events and the winners are usually given cash prizes and given a space in the local newspapers as well. In the very recent years, the fair organizers have also started to organize a cricket match which takes place between local Pushkar cricket team and international tourists. However, the overall attendance in the event is still questioned. In the 1900’s it was said that more than 100,000 pilgrims visit the town of Pushkar during the event. And as it is assumed, the crowd is getting bigger by every passing year. The celebrations are widely awaited by the local people as they start preparing for the event in advance as it offers a great business opportunity for them as they get to sell their handmade handicrafts and put up stalls of snacks.

During the festival, thousands of people move to the Pushkar Lake, where the fair actually takes place. The camel breeders show off their animals and entice the potential buyers in order to make the deals. Other than camels, other livestock such as goats, buffalos and cows are also bought and sold at the place. For the women, the place becomes a well-equipped shopping mall where they can buy desired clothes, accessories, and other household items at some great prices. A camel race also takes place, which serves as a great attraction for primarily the foreign tourists. The race starts with wild folk music, songs, and dance routine along with some random exhibitions.

When does the festival take place

The festival takes place, according to the Hindu calendar, between Kartik ekadashi to Kartik purnima (full moon). For the western calendar, these days fall usually in the months of October and November.

The full moon day, the last day, is known to be the most auspicious of all the five days when the festival is celebrated. The legend behind the fair says that this was the day when Lord Brahma sprung up the Pushkar Lake. And as a result, Hindus find is religiously significant to take dips in the lake on the full moon lights.

Tip

During the fair, the accommodation prices can jump up to 10 times the normal rate. Although dozens of tented tourist camps are organized around the town for the fair, but still it is recommended to book a bed well in advance before visiting here.

Pushkar fair is a great reminiscent of what Indian culture stands for and the colourfulness of the event makes the day like nothing else.

 

Categories
Architectural Central India Culture Historical

A walk through the Humayun’s Tomb – one of the most remarkable structures of the Mughal empire

Close to the Muslim center of Nizamuddin, Humayun’s Tomb is located at the crossroads of the Lodi and Mathura roads in Delhi. Late afternoon is the best time to visit the place. It was constructed to store the remains of the second Mughal emperor, Humayun, and was built under the guidance of Haji Begum, mother of Akbar, who stayed here for the duration and was then buried alongside her husband.

Made of red sandstone, inset with black and white marbles, it is situated in the center of the formal charbagh, looking towards the Yamuna River. The octagonal tomb is crowned with a double dome that has a height of 38m.

The Tomb is certainly beautiful but there are several other key architectural features that make this tomb so significant in India. It was the first tomb to have been constructed on the Indian Sub-Continent. The classic four walled design was taken from Persian architecture and has been appreciated all over India. Its dome is an inspiration for many components of the Taj Mahal.

As it is a Garden Tomb, there is a large exterior wall that has an enormous entry gate.The wall covers all four sides of the compound.On the other hand, there are many apparent locals that seem to be taking in the serenity of the site.

During Partition of India, in August 1947, the Purana Qila and Humayun’s Tomb, became major refugee camps for Muslims who were migrating to the newly founded Pakistan and were later managed by the government of India. These camps stayed open for almost five years and caused considerable damage to the extensive gardens, water channels, and the principle structures.

Just like other Garden Tombs, the property is divided by channels of water which represent the rivers of Paradise with the main tomb sitting at the center of the site on a raised platform. The lines leading up the building create an interesting effect that makes the building look smaller than it actually is.

Unlike the Taj Mahal and other tombs, visitors are allowed to freely roam inside the mausoleum and click photographs. The nature of detail on the interior of the building is incredible.

One of the most remarkable things about the site is the quality of preservation. The major part of the site was left untouched throughout history as opposed to other famous sites that were ransacked for their riches. The simplicity of the construction allowed the site to remain unique over the centuries. While the main tomb covers areas that have been fully restored from the destruction caused over time, there are some other tombs and structures on the site that have been left unharmed.If one is visiting during the summer days, they must plan their visit either early or late in the day as the mid-day heat can be suffocating. The easiest route to visit the site is to take the metro to Khan Market Metro station and then ride in an auto-rickshaw to cover the last 2.5 kilometers.

If one is visiting during the summer days, they must plan their visit either early or late in the day as the mid-day heat can be suffocating. The easiest route to visit the site is to take the metro to Khan Market Metro station and then ride in an auto-rickshaw to cover the last 2.5 kilometers.

Categories
Culture Rejoice South India

Tyrst with Lambani’s tribe in Dandeli

Lambani’s are the nomadic gypsies from Rajasthan, but eventually I met them in Dandeli village in Karnataka during my quest to meet these tribals. These folks have distributed themselves across India in their search of better livelihood. Though with different government policies, many of them have found o good jobs, but still a part of them still follows the old tradition where-in males are involved in agriculture while females are into wood collection and managing household.

During my brief interaction with these folks, the most striking feature I liked was their ethnic unique dress. This red heavily dress with all over work with metal along with accessories look fabulous. Be it anklets, jewelries, necklaces, all of them cost little high and this is this is why, one might not find many women in the traditional dresses. One more thing, that would strike you is the tattoos on both men and women arms and ankles. These tattoos have special significance attached and hold meanings. Women here are amazing cook and their signature drink is Arak. These Araks are popular especially during festivals. Old females miss the old culture and don’t like the way their community members are adopting western culture and city life. They still would want their community members to preserve their traditions, and this is why they recommend marriages within the community itself. It is a colorful affair with loads of dance, food and fun. Traditional songs for the well being of couple are being sung by old ladies of the tribe.

My special thanks to the organizers, so that I could spend some time with them and experience other side of these tribals. Dandeli is a great place to interact with tribals like Lambanis,Gowlis,or Medars. Do not miss the opportunity, during your next visit to the place.

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