Tag: India

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Corporate Outings North India Rejuvenate Uncategorized

Tranquil Mashobra – Getaway from Shimla

Home to two presidential retreats, Mashobra is a small town in Shimla and while the architecture of the building of presidential retreat attracts many tourists, the president himself is helpless to its charm.

Known for its beautiful hills and trees, this small suburb fills you with the rustic beauty as you find your way exploring undiscovered hills and treks. The sun-kissed mountains and views of royal summer houses give you a certain delight. How wonderful is it to look upon a wooden house among the hills and even if you are an admirer of architecture, the damage done to these hills in the name of ‘development’ will be inevitably visible even to you.

I reached Mashobra during night time by bus from Shimla and then stayed at Tranquil Countryside Homes to get the gypsy feel. It is surrounded by forests giving you a great view. Moreover, there is a bonfire during an evening and the food is delicious.

Mashobra 5

Mashobra has a history with the British. It was built by Lord Mountbatten and Lady Edwina during the British Raj and even today no person can deny the beauty of The Wildflower Hall at Chharabra. Yet personally, I would rather look at the majestic charm nature has to offer than the usual tourist spots. As I took a climb through Mashobra valley, I came across several regional trees and even crossed Hamlets. Among it all lay, a ‘sacred grove’ whose magnificence had been undisturbed by the cruelty of time.

Mashobra also houses a temple of deity Seep at Deothi.  The deity’s persona is believed to be merged with that of Lord Shiva and there is an urban legend regarding the temple. It is believed that the temple was first in Nehra but the deity talked through its followers and conveyed that there will be a march of ants who would circle a mound and that is the place where he shall reside. Such instance occurred and that is the reason behind the temple’s current location. Hearing the story by a local gave me goose bumps and belief in his tale. The temple wasn’t the only thing that caught my interest as there was also a room for folk musicians nearby.

While I was engulfed by such cultural heritage of these small hamlets, the natural magnificence of this valley also did not evade me. I visited the summerhouses and Presidential retreat and other such spots in Mashobra mainly just to satisfy my curiosity. I stopped at Krishna Bakery a few kilometres ahead of Wildflower Hall because I could not resist those delicious baked goods. The cream rolls and pastries that I tried were just perfect.

As I tried to absorb all the charisma from the place, I decided to capture some shots which might not be as glamorous as being in that moment but would still do the necessary job to refresh my memories of the place once I looked upon it. But after the views from the valley, every time I tried to click a picture of the mountain or just the simplicity of this suburb, the ugliness of brick houses caught the lens. No, I do not wish to say that they were ugly in the literal sense but to me, they looked ugly as they defaced the natural charm of the place.

To me, a naked mountain with nothing but grass and trees would woo me more than one with a cement house built on it. Years ago when I had visited Mashobra as a child, I was mesmerized not just by the valley and this teacup shaped town but also the wooden houses that blended right in with the feel of the place. I would look out the window and the placed felt like a true retreat from the city. But unfortunately, now the city has crept up and disturbed the calm of the place.

You can still find certain untouched beauties and small areas where you can sip your tea in peace and let the surroundings do wonders to your soul.

Walk upon Jakhu Hill to see the breathtaking picturesque views or plan a picnic at Annandale.

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Corporate Outings North India

As we walked down Kandaghat!!

Kandaghat is a small hillside hamlet that is known to be a popular getaway from Chandigarh (which is 100 km away). We started on our journey on road and reached Kandaghat that is just 35 km before Shimla. It was a getaway from the Kalka-Shimla National highway and we stopped there for a few days before our trip to Chail. Since the road to Chail leaves from Kandaghat which is just 29 km away, we thought why not stay here as well? It is a wonderful place in itself and we are always on the lookout for incredible hillside adventures.

We rested at “The Destination resort” which was as luxurious as it can get with great views of mountains from the window, good staff and delicious food. Mostly, it seems like a place for corporate meetings but it is a resort and all you would want to do is relax.

Then we took off for a bit of sight-seeing and were delighted to see the mountains and trees nearby. This is what getaways are for. Such beautiful scenery that takes your mind off all the stress and problems and nothing does the job quite as nicely as nature. Just being there in the lap of nature, listening to birds chirping and feeling the wind on your face is an ecstatic feeling.

We went to Tara Devi Temple which is a temple set on a hilltop and the views from there were breathtaking. The hike upwards is a little difficult for older people but for us, that 2 km went by like it was nothing. Once we reached the top, we could see the nearby town of Shimla and other nearby areas. Inside the temple was an idol of Maa Ambe and it just filled us with such tranquillity and peace. The whole atmosphere is that of peace and calm. We ate the food in the form of prasad at the Bhandara there.

Since Kandaghat is a small town in Solan and unknown to most people, not many people make a pit stop here. Mostly, they just move on to Chail. But those who do stay, like us, get to enjoy the cool weather, the serene sights and such beautiful spots that are popular among the locals.

We got directions from some of the locals and went on to exploring the hiking routes as well to catch a glimpse of , of the Greater Himalayas. Since Kandaghat is going through a green revolution, we enjoyed our walks through herb gardens with lush greenery all around. And to top it all off was the view of the sunset.

We were filled with awe as the sky turned pink and then majestic orange as the sun set. These little experiences that end up making you feel too much are what makes travelling worth it. Another thing that we absolutely loved about Kandaghat was the food. It offers such delicious cuisines. We stopped to eat at Sunny da Dhaba which was a good decision and then later got desert at Lakshman Sweet shop.  Their Besan barfi just melts in your mouth and is such a yummy delicacy. If you ever visit Kandaghat, it is a must-try.

Even after we left Kandaghat to move on with our journey, those picturesque views of this little hamlet atop the hills did not leave our minds and hopefully, we will visit Kandaghat again someday and it would still feel just as good. It was perfect for a relaxing do-nothing holiday where you just wander around soothing your eyes and heart with scenic beauty.

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Itinerary North India Rejoice

Trippy Chail

After our last trip to Mashobra, we were excited about further exploring more hill stations of Himachal Pradesh. So we took a bus from Delhi and headed to another one of the places influenced by the British Raj- Chail which is also the summer capital of Patiala. We will share with you the story as told to us by a local Chai wala as we enquired about the history of Chail as soon as we stepped there. It turns out that Maharaja Bhupinder Singh had made Lord Kitchener angry over some matter and he refused him entry into Shimla. But hey, who wouldn’t want to stay at such a beautiful place but instead of bowing down to the Lord, the Maharaja decided to build his own summer retreat. That’s how we got Chail View Palace. But as Irony would have it, the place was gifted to the Maharaja by Britishers earlier.

After hearing that fun tale, we moved on to my Hotel (Ekant Chail) as we were hoping it would be isolated like the name suggests. Good thinking because we got a good room with great view and total calm. After relaxing, I decided to keep the sightseeing for the next day.

The cricket and polo ground built by Maharaja who was an avid cricket fan himself (isn’t that a trait of every Indian?) is the world’s highest cricket ground at an altitude of 2250 meter. The next thing on the list was Palace Hotel view which was built by Maharaja in Victorian style (probably to make the Britishers jealous). Though the palace has been turned into a luxury hotel, it still has the vintage artwork that reminds you of the time it was built in. People can stay here at a normally priced rate and have the luxury of living like a king.

Next, we visited a place of great significance among the locals. It is believed that the king’s palace was supposed to be built where Sidh baba Temple is but the saint came in King’s dreams and told him that it was his resting place. The king stopped the construction of the palace and built a temple dedicated to the saint instead. It is a place of religious significance but all is well since the King’s palace turned out to be spectacular anyway.

While the Maharaja’s hunted the wild animals at this next stop, it was made into a Wildlife century later on and we saw a variety of beautiful birds there. I stayed there for two hours marveling at the beauty of the place. we asked around to find some more wonderful places to see and some other traveller told me that they were travelling to the Kali Mandir.

Trekking to Kali Mandir was not a difficult job but the view from there was breathtaking. The temple itself was beautiful as well but watching the sunset from there is what won me over. While there isn’t some big mall or grand markets there for shopping in Chail, we did find places that sold handmade Pashminas and rugs and shoes there. But I was more interested in trying the apple wine which was delightful. I also bought some jellies and jams to take home.

This beautiful hill station surrounded by deodar forests and valley beneath it, hills covering it and where the river flows down is truly a marvellous place to spend your time. Chail is one holiday destination that you will want to revisit. From a British territory to a gift, to a royal retreat and then finally a tourist resort, Chail has come a long way.

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North east wildlife

Kaziranga National Park can give you a super rich birding experience

Kaziranga National Park is a world heritage site, which supports two-thirds of the world’s one-horned rhinoceros population.

For the bird watchers, this may very well be the best place in the entire country. Jorhat airport is the nearest to Kaziranga National Park which is about 100 kilometers away. Bus or a taxi from there can bring you to this place. Guwahati happens to be the nearest railway station. So one can also choose to reach Guwahati and then hire a cab or take a bus from there (220 km).

An estimate says that there are more than 478 different species of birds that can be seen here throughout the year and almost half of them are migratory birds. However, what makes this place one of the UNESCO world heritage sites is the very fact that there are about 25 species of birds that are on a verge of extinction and 21 which are less endangered but still are hard to find in many parts of the globe.

A very versatile biodiversity

Made unique with a lively, well preserved and sustained ecology this park has a very versatile biodiversity which makes Kaziranga National Park a very important and admired tourist destination.

  • One can see all kinds of birds in Kaziranga and the key species include Swamp Francolin, Pale-capped Pigeon, Bengal Florican, Great and Wreathed Hornbill, Jerdon’s Baza, Slender-billed Vulture,  and Pallas’s Fishing Eagle. But this is not the end!!

  • One can see and observe more varieties of birds such as the Greater Spotted Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Pied Harrier, Pied Falconet, Oriental Hobby, Black-necked Stork, Greater Adjutant, Hodgson’s Bushchat, White-vented Myna, Rufous-vented Prinia, Marsh Babbler, Jerdon’s Babbler, Black-breasted Parrotbill and Finn’s Weaver. Besides this rich birding haul, there is a breeding colony of Spot-billed Pelicans near Koladuar in the Agoratoli area.

  • Out of the rarest of rare birds that can be found in the park in their natural habitat are species of geese (lesser white-fronted goose), and ducks (ferruginous pochard, Baer’s pochard).
  • Along with that, there are riverine birds including kingfishers (Blyth’s kingfisher), herons (white-bellied heron), pelicans (Dalmatian pelican, spot-billed pelican), shanks (spotted greenshank) and terns (black-bellied tern).

  • There are also many rare migratory birds that make their annual presence felt in the park (lesser adjutant, greater adjutant, black-necked stork, Asian openbill).

  • The place also has a great number of raptors, which can be seen as a sign of very healthy ecosystem as these predatory birds maintain the balance in nature. These birds include eastern imperial eagle, greater spotted eagle, white-tailed fishing eagle, Pallas’s fish eagle, grey-headed fish eagle and the lesser kestrel. And vultures, one of the rarest birds on the planet once had the Kaziranga national park as their unabashed home.

Apart from the wildlife, the park itself is enormously beautiful with water bodies and forests. Kaziranga is the place to go for a trip full of thrill. While at this place, enjoy the best and most of what Assam’s nature has to offer.

Did you know?

Kaziranga national park was once home to about seven species of vultures but the sad thing is that almost all of them got wiped out due to severe kidney failures caused by eating infected animals and birds in the park. The red-headed vulture and the Eurasian vulture are on the verge of the extinction while Indian vulture, slender-billed,  and the Indian white vulture are technically extinct as there are no sightings of them anymore anywhere in the park.

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Adventure North India Travel Tips

Easy steps to rent a bike for your Leh-Ladakh Trip

Exploring the beautiful landscapes of Leh on a bike tops the list of every traveler in the world. The feeling of fragrant breeze trying to embrace you in its arms is phenomenal. However, lack of information on bike rentals in Leh can spoil your trip completely. This is why we have got you a list of few essential tips on renting a bike in Leh

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Here we go:

Find a Bike Rental Shop

 Considering the fact that there are hundreds of bike rental shops in and around Leh, you won’t face a problem in renting the one that suits you. However, it is important to ensure that you rent it from a good reputed shop so as to not face any problem with the bike during the trip.You can take help of locals to suggest you some really good bike rental shops.

Zero in On the Right Price

 Bike rental charges in Leh vary from Rs 800 to Rs 2,000. The price actually depends on the condition of the bike, model, and make. So choose the bike that fits your requirements like duration of the road, destination, and other key factors etc.

 Book a Bike in Advance

 Leh is a heaven for bikers. Almost every traveler in Leh dreams of going for an unforgettable road trip of his or her lifetime. Hence, it is advisable to book a bike for a road trip in advance—may be a day before the trip. This is a great way to ensure that you get the bike that meets your expectations. Otherwise, you will have to bear with just any machine.

Do Not Rent a Bike From Places other than Leh

 Bikes rented from outside Leh are not permitted for sightseeing in the entire Ladakh. Hence, you are advised to rent a bike only in Leh. It is a beautiful city and your trip without exploring it on your bike is incomplete.

However, you can ride your own bike for sightseeing purposes in Ladakh. You must have all the necessary documents to prove that the bike is your property. If the bike is on somebody else’s name, then also you must have a non-objection letter from the owner.

Plan for Big Budget if Planning to Visit Manali or Srinagar

If you want to go outside Ladakh, then you will have to pay a security deposit. This is around 15 k per bike. The deposit will be returned to you once return the bike to the shop. Hence, it is recommended that you plan your road trip according to your budget, days, and convenience. Do not indulge in anything for the heck of it. The real fun is in logical adventures.

Have a Partner on Trip

 While taking a road trip down the lanes of Leh, you will ride through several no man’s land stretches. If your bike breaks down in these stretches then you may get trapped into a big problem.

Hence, it is advisable to always travel in groups or have a partner on your pillion. A partner can help you in such odd times.

We hope that above set of tips will help you prepare much better for renting a bike on your next Ladakh trip.

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Adventure Inspiration

Journey to the highest motorable Pass in the world is a feat in itself!

One of the most exotic places in India, Khardung La Pass is also regarded as the world’s highest point for motor vehicles. Wrapped in snow disguised as white gold, this picturesque destination is a gateway to scenic Shyok and Nubra valleys in the heart of Ladakh. Karakoram Range is around 40 km away from Leh.

Khardung La Pass offers you the majestic views of the valley and serpentine roads that tie up the mountain secretly. The snow-capped mountains, open lands, fragrant air, and lemony pastures with a tinge of green all make for a spectacular view. Khardung La is one of the most loved destinations especially those who love adventure sports and biking.

There is a reason behind why the Khardung La Pass was built. In order to solve the supply problem of the Turtok sector by the Shyok river which housed nearly 200 families and also to construct a road connecting Chalunka and Thoise, a motorable road through Khardung La was built. In 1973 the road was completed and opened for traffic.

Major Tourist Destination

Khardung La Pass is a hot favorite destination among tourists who love to explore nature on their bikes. The frenzy to travel across the region on a bike sometimes turns into a long nightmarish traffic jams on the pass. Hence, it is important to plan your travel in advance especially if you are travelling during peak season. Hence to facilitate traffic movement on the pass, vehicles from Leh to Khardung are allowed between 9 am and 1 pm while vehicles from Khardung to Leh are allowed between 1 pm and 5 pm. It is ideal to check the timings with the local agencies and taxi drivers.

The journey from Leh to Khardungla can be a challenging 3 hours drive up on a winding road, and you may find the road often jammed and interrupted by minor landslides and avalanches. Higher up, the mountains are densely covered with sheet of snow that melts slowly into slush of mud and there is very thin oxygen around. The roads are maintained by the army throughout the day.

Things to Remember

Around 24 kms of road from Leh to Khardung La Pass is made up of asphalt till the South Pullu check post. From the South Pullu check post to the North Pullu check post, the track is made up of gravel and dirt. A tourist is required to obtain Inner Line Permit (ILP) to cross the pass from the office of the District Commissioner. It is recommended that you keep around 7 to 8 copies of the permit as you will have to submit the copy with every check post to pass through.

Travelling Tips

  1. If you are travelling to Khardung La Pass you must come prepared for the worst weather. It can change from mild to extreme in no time and leave you stranded without basic facilities. During winters temperatures drop to -40 degrees Celsius and there is almost 10 feet of snowfall. One needs to be physically very strong to visit Khardung La Pass in winters. During the summer temperatures remain around 20 degrees Celsius but the freaky weather could turn worse anytime and you would be left shivering in the bitterly cold weather.
  2. Remember, there is no way you can find any accommodation on the pass. The best you can do is travel to Leh, the nearest city, to stay in a hotel or you can carry your tents along. You can pitch your tents on the roadside at Khardung La Pass.
  3. You can find good eatery and hotel options at Nubra valley as well. Do carry your food all through the journey. Some of the best places to stay near Nubra Valley are Hotel Karma Inn, Olgok Guest House, Jehlum Resort and Gupta Resorts.

Best time to visit

The best time to travel Khardung La Pass is between May and October. The pass is free and open during these seasons until weather plans something different. The road to Khardung La could be shut down due to a landslide and this could be a major blow to your plan. The weather up there is so unpredictable so come prepared.

The thrill of visiting the highest pass in the world will churn up your emotions. But it’s better to be safe than sorry and hence do not expose yourself too much and for too long at such high altitudes.

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Himalayas North India

Chitkul village- The last inhabited village near the Indo China border

At a height of 3450 meters, Chitkul stands tall as the proud crown of India to the Tibet border side. This exotic destination in the heart of Himachal Pradesh is blessed with the Baspa River, which travels with you on your right as you mount the Chitkul valley. One of the major attractions of the village is its apple gardens surrounded by several camping sites.

During winters, the place remains covered with snow and the inhabitants creep down to lower regions of Himachal. You can discover one of the best-grown potatoes in the world here but they are very costly. Situated on the banks of Baspa River, Chitkul is the first village of the Baspa Valley and the last village on the old Hindustan-Tibet trade route. Houses with either slate or wooden plank roofs, the Buddhist temple and a small tower are the things which are of particular interest for the visitors.

How to Reach

The nearest airport to reach Himachal Pradesh is Indira Gandhi National Airport and Palam Domestic Airport in New Delhi. There is a huge bus network for Himachal Pradesh which hails from New Delhi. It is approximately 360 km away from New Delhi.

First, arrive at Reckong Peo which is approximately 60 km away from Chitkul. From there, you can hire a cab or board a bus to the village.

Himachal is well connected by the rail network. There are a number of trains from all major parts of the country to Himachal Pradesh. Pathankot-Joginder railway line is the longest in the state which traverses all the way from neighborhood Punjab. To savor the scenic beauty and picturesque landscape, one can choose to travel by the toy train from Kalka to Shimla.

Places to Visit

Raksham

One of the best places to visit in Chitkul Village is Raksham, which is approximately 11 km from here. This is one of the most exotic places of the country with the abundance of snowfalls in winter. Baspa River flows along and her sound is like music to your ears.

Kalpa

Kalpa is another small town in the heart of Sangla. The town is situated right next to Sutlej River. If you are a nature lover then this is the right place for you. It gives some of the best views of Kinnar Kailash Mountain.

Kagyupa Temple

Kagyupa temple has special significance because it is the home to a rare image of Shakyamuni Buddha with four directional kinds placed on every side. It is believed that the presiding deity of the village, Mathi is alive and must be paid homage to.

Things to Do

Trekking

One of the best ways to explore Chitkul village is by trekking around the hills. The real beauty of the place lies in places where no vehicle can take you. Hence, it is advisable to discover the landscapes of the village on your feet.

Camping

Thousands of tourists from across the country come to Chitkul Village, especially for camping. This village hosts some of the best camping sites in the middle of apple gardens.

Best Places to Eat

There are no luxury hotels in Chitkul village. You can relish the local delicacies of the village at local Dhabas and homestays. Situated right at the Tibetan border, you will find a confluence of Himachali, Punjabi, Easter flavors.

Places to Stay

In Chhitkul, there are wooden houses turned into hotels. These hotels are a bit expensive and most of the tourists prefer to stay at Sangla and plan a day trip to this place.

Hotel Royal Castle, Prakash Regency, and Hotel Rupin River View are some of the best places to stay.

Your discovery of the serene and lesser-known Himalayas begins at the Banjara Camp in the Sangla Valley. The Banjara Camp & Retreat is the pioneer in luxury camping, at a height of 2,700 mts.  The camp is encircled by massive towering mountains on all sides and situated on the banks of the Baspa river that gushes through the valley.

Travel Tips

While you set off for Chhitkul make sure you carry sufficient cash and petrol or diesel for your car as you would not find any ATM facility or fuel stations in this hilly area.

There is also neither a clinic nor any hospital flanking the area and one has to travel back to Sangla for emergencies.

The very cold and windy weather can add to some trouble for those traveling by road. The road usually closes down around November after the first snowfall. So avoid traveling at this time.

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Adventure Himalayas North India

This beautiful lake in the arms of the Himalayas will remind you of the Moon

The Chandra Tal Lake is located in the Spiti part of Lahul and Spiti district of the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The lake got its name “Chandra Tal” from its crescent shape and is also called the Moon Lake. Situated at an altitude of about 4,300 metres in the Himalayas, the place is one of the busiest tourist’s spots in the beautiful state. It is famous for trekking and various adventure sports all around northern India.

Best time to visit

June to September is the best time to visit the amazing lake.

How to reach

A few hours road trip from Delhi via Manali (533 km) will bring you to the beautiful Spiti valley. The place is located at an altitude of about 4000m above the sea level, and no vehicles would get you here. From Batal or Kunzum pass, you would have to walk for a few kilometers to reach the Chandra Tal Lake. The beautiful lake can also be approached from Manali.

About the place

As you walk towards the lake in a trek of about 8 kilometers, it feels like reaching the moon. The total circumference of the lake is about 2.5 kilometers and as you reach there and have a look at the bright blue water of the lake, you feel all your tiredness going away. The lake is the source of Chandra River that flows through the valley.

The clear blue sky and the untouched virgin beauty with the rugged brown mountains devoid of any trees are the perfect picturesque locations one can wish for. In the arms of nature, people also come here to seek peace and soak in the natural beauty of the place. The shining Chandra River flowing below and the surrounding green landscapes make the place nothing sort of a heaven.
Activities

Most of the tourists that come here for their passion for travel and adventure, so the place is ideal for adventure seekers. The mountain peaks and dangerous slopes around the place are the idol spot for the most daring of mountaineers to show off their skills. Apart from trekking, some other activities that you can get indulged into are camping and sightseeing.


The Chandra Tal trek is however deemed to be moderate by most of the people. The level of difficulty for trekking here is average as compared to other challenging treks in India. Along with the trekking, other things tourists like about the place is the incredible beauty of the landscape surrounding it which is a great treat for the senses.

The mythological significance

Once a glacier, the lake now lies amidst the wide grassy plain surrounded by all the natural beauty. The legends that go around the lake is that the last Pandava Yudhishthira was taken to heaven on Lord Indra’s chariot from this particular place. This is the reason why Hindus adds so much religious significance to the place.

Where to Stay
There are not much accommodation options in Chandra Tal. A number of PWD guesthouses and rooms are available at Kunzum Pass and Batal that are lent out by villagers. During summers, a majority of the tourists prefer to stay in camps at Chandratal.

Eating Options

Eating options in Chandra Tal are very limited. You will find mostly Tibetan food here. There are some small dhabas at Batal and Kunzum Pass which offer food to tourists. Some restaurants near Chandra Tal lake are Mahabudha Restaurant, Cafe Kunzum Top and Yak Cafe.

Other attractions

Out of the many wonderful passes in Lahaul and Spiti, the Rohtang la, Kunzum la and Baralacha la are worth mentioning. Also located at the place are some monasteries that are worth a visit such as Dhankar, Gandhola, Gemur, Gozzangwa, Guru Ghantal, Kardang, Key, Kibber, Kungri, Lhalung, Shashur, Tabo, Tangyud, and Tayul.

Chandra Tal, along with some other regions in the place forms a picture perfect image of what heaven would look like if it actually existed. So, pack your bags and embark on the wonderful journey.

Categories
Architectural Itinerary North India

48 hours in Lucknow

Lucknow can be taken as a sweet dish, from the way people speak (ah that accent!) to the lovely architecture of the magnificent mosques to the manners, everything oozes out tons of sweetness. Add the delicious cuisines, especially the Mughlai kebabs, biryani and what not, and the city becomes one delicious dream of a food lover along with a poetry enthusiast and the one who understands the nuisances of what constitutes a great city to live in. Spending some time here amidst the narrow alleys, the crowded markets, and delicate biryani outlets may not set well with you at the first sight. But the city grows on you and then refuses to come out of your system.

Below are the things that you can do on a 2 day trip to this beautiful city.

Day 1

Start the day with breakfast. And what is a perfect place for some delicious breakfast than Moti Mahal? Away from the meaty cuisines of rest of the city, this is an all vegetarian food point and serves healthy and delicious food.

The afternoon would be spent taking a fully guided tour of the famous Bhool Bhulaiyaa which happens to be an iconic spot for the ardent history lovers. It was built in the 17th century and is still a place to get lost in even after all these years. Besides this, there are other things that this historical marvel has which will leave you thrilled. These are such the thick trees and lush gardens, a mosque, tazias (small replicas of Imam Hussain’s tomb in Karbala, Iraq), and rooftop balconies that will surround you with panoramic views of the Imambara in Lucknow.

Late afternoon should be dedicated to a place that gives a glimpse into the city’s past during the colonial days, the Lucknow residency. Also known as British residency, this place gives a good peek into the way the British people operated in the city. Visiting it may give you some vague idea about how the foreigners undertook their operations.

Idrish Hotel is the perfect place to end the day with the delicious chicken biryani. Situated in the most historic areas of the city, this one is a wonderful hotel cum restaurant.

Day 2

Start the next day with some vegetarian delights at Brindavan hotel. Located in Hazratganj, the restaurant is one of the most popular restaurants in the city and is a decent crowd puller serving some great chaats and chole bhature along with poori and sabzi.

Chattar manzil or the umbrella place is located just at a few kilometers’ distance from the zoo and a great spot to start the part 2 of the 2-day visit to the city. Nawab Ghazi Haider built it but died midway through the construction. His son then took the     Charge of finishing the construction and gave us this wonderful monument to be amazed about.

Most travelers happen to miss the famous 900-year-old Khamman Peer Dargah, which remains unseen in the premises of Charbagh Railway Station in Lucknow. The place is filled with the non-stop chanting of the holy Qurans and the crowd is unimaginably heavy, not only Muslims but a great number of Hindus too.

For a relaxing dinner, you must head nowhere but Falaknuma, a classy and sophisticated rooftop restaurant at the Clarks Avadh hotel. The restaurant has a real nawabi feel to it and serves some great Awadhi and Mughlai meals.

Lucknow, fondly called the City of Nawabs is packed with countless tourist attractions, religious centers, and mouthwatering eateries.

Most of the city can be visited in two days but to get the full essence of the soul of the city may take a lot longer than that. But something is better than nothing and these 2 days spent in here will stay with you for a very long time.

Categories
Architectural North east

Spectacular teracotta work of Temples in Bishnupur

Bishnupur is in West Bengal and got its name from Lord Vishnu of Hindu Mythology. Known for its traditional architecture, it has brilliant terracotta temples with detailed and intricate work. While in Bishnupur, I had planned a list of temples to see and while talking to the locals, I got to hear the story behind the terracotta temples. Turns out, back I 18th century the Malla Kings decided to build these temples but fell short of stones. Such grand beautiful shrines that people adore till date was a result of a scarcity of stones.

As I arrived at Netaji Subhas Chandra Airport in Kolkata, I took a bus to Bishnupur. The lodgings were also available at a fair price and the room was comfortable. Travelling around Bishnupur was also easy as we found auto rickshaws everywhere.

My first stop was Rasmancha and as soon as I entered the place, I was in awe. The whole temple had a single chamber and passageways surround it. Just the Terracotta work would make you marvel at its beauty. I was glad to have hired a guide who gave us a back story about the temple and the Malla Kings. Since photography is allowed, I ended up clicking many pictures but no picture would be able to justify the actual experience of being there.

The next stop was Madan Mohan Temple. This temple was also beautiful with stories of Ramayana inscribed on the terracotta tablets. A mixture of stone and terracotta work with its flat roof giving it a Bengali touch, this temple was a true work of art. Nearby, the guide showed us a Peepal tree which had a trunk that looked like Lord Ganesha.

Then we went to Jor Bangla Temple. The structure of this temple is unique as it looks like two adjoined huts. There is terracotta work both on inner and outer walls of the temple and there are scenes of Krishna Leela and other normal life workings of that era inscribed in it.

We then moved on to Radhashyam temple which is just close by. The dome shaped structure and laterite stone give it an Islamic style. We kept reveling in the beauty of these temples and then moved on to the next one.

We did the Pooja in Mrinmoyee temple and I bought a few handicrafts as souvenirs from the shops outside. They displayed horses with terracotta work and other such items. The next temple is a real jewel-like its name suggests. The Panch Ratna Temple had terracotta work on all its wall panels and there were scenes of Radha and Krishna on it. The Ras chakra was the most beautiful and detailed work I saw. We entered through a triple arched entrance and that in itself was a wonderful experience.

There was also a cluster of 7 different temples that we saw but then my excitement got the best of me and we went over to the most popular temple of Bishnupur, the Chinnamasta temple. There is a famous canon called ‘Dalmadol Canon’ nearby and it is believed that Lord Madan Mohan fired it himself once to drive away attackers.I also saw the sarees that had been weaved so beautifully with different patterns that were actually stories from Hindu epics. From pallu to the end, it told a mythological story. I bought some more stuff from shops here too because the work was just so beautiful that I could not resist.

Bishnupur is a beautiful place with many other sites to see such a Bishnupur Museum, Garh Darja and Pathar Darja. It just isn’t a place that you can finish seeing in one day. I took my time exploring each site and it was a marvelous experience.

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