VAGABOND IMAGES

Where a Shah Jahan’s queen lies in solitude on the other side of Taj

Upendra SwamiMarch 13, 20206394 Views8

At a very remote corner just outside the boundary of Taj Mahal complex towards its Eastern gate, when you climb the narrow stairs of Sandali Masjid you get an eerie feeling. With monkeys and dogs around, what attracts you more is the presence of a big number of cats, many of them black. Sandali Masjid is also called as Kali Masjid. Mosque is at the one side of the complex, with its back towards the Taj complex across the road. While right in front of the mosque, in the middle of a garden is an octagonal tomb. Its onion shaped dome in white marble signifies that it belongs to someone from the royal family. We are told that it belongs to the first queen of the fifth Mughal emperor Shah Jahan- Kandahari Begum. Platform of Kandahari Begum's tomb You will hardly find any tourists here. F...

International

A great night-life rendezvous at Brussels

Upendra SwamiMarch 8, 20203173 Views0

Well, people are afraid of travel in these times of Coronavirus, but then there are many incentives to show some courage to travel (with proper precautions ofcourse), even in these tough times. A vibrant nightlife at European capital Brussels is one among them. There can’t be a better time than spring to visit this beautiful city. In spring, clubs and organisers of evening events offer a wide range of activities of all kinds to the delight of night owls. Clubbers will be spoilt for choice, with the Listen! Festival, the Hangar evenings, Fuse and more. The cosmopolitan city of Brussels offers an impressive variety of night-time events for those going out. Fans of hip-hop, tech house and dance will find it impossible not to find an event they like. Today more than ever, many cl...

InternationalPromotions

Luxury meets tradition at Qatar

Upendra SwamiFebruary 25, 20203422 Views2

Qatar boasts a long tradition of luxury – from its days as a pearl diving settlement to the present day, where its hospitality, culture and retail offerings are steeped in extravagance, and its architecture seamlessly melds tradition with modernity. The Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) returns from 24-29 February for its seventeenth edition, encapsulates the country’s dedication to craftmanship and luxury. Over 500 jewellery and watch brands, with 127 local and international exhibitors representing 14 countries, are welcoming visitors on a journey of wonder in Qatar, while Turkish and Indian Pavilions bringing a taste of those countries to Qatar through their jewellery. DJWE provides a platform for both established brands and smaller niche designers to exhibit thei...

AdventureInternational

Dining at the world’s best Michelin-starred restaurant to staying in a luxurious 11th century castle!

Upendra SwamiFebruary 23, 20201143 Views0

Costa Brava is a coastal region of Catalonia in northeastern Spain known for its virgin beaches and bays against the scenic backdrop of heavily wooded hills. One of the most stunning coastlines in the country, this hidden gem is only a two-hour drive from Barcelona and offers several experiences for couples looking for offbeat romantic vacations in Europe. V.R. Costa Brava, a destination management firm has curated a series of dreamy things for couples and honeymooners on their holiday to Costa Brava. Cap de Creus, Costa Brava Picnic on the hidden beaches of Costa Brava When it comes to laid-back romance, the region has plenty of options like the beach cove of Cala Jugadora on the Cap de Creus coastline or the sandy beaches of Cala Portaló. These secluded spots allow couples to b...

IndiaNews

When story transcends literature and becomes an art and drama

Upendra SwamiFebruary 8, 20201575 Views0

We all have listened to stories in our childhood. And, I am certainly not talking here about text book stories but about bedtime stories listening to grandmas in particular. It never used to be a simple narration. Grandmas will be sourcing all elements of theatrics to make it as dramatic as possible. That used to be its most fascinating part even if content in the story was good for nothing. That is perhaps the strength of story telling. A very good content can be very boring to listen, while an ordinary story can be made captivating by a story teller. And, it has nothing to do with being a kid. A good story mesmerises adults equally. Fortunately, art of storytelling has seen a great revival recently. From audio stories to story telling festivals, people are enjoying it. Udaipur Ta...

International

Travelling on a budget with the Best Airlines

Upendra SwamiFebruary 5, 20201621 Views3

Planning to travel? Wish to explore the world and experience international culture? Whether you’re heading out for a flamboyant family vacation with your loved ones or hustling from country to country on a business trip, with Air Arabia Airlines you can book tickets conveniently to any part of the world at the lowest price. ‘Pay less, Fly more’ by grabbing amazing offers on Air Arabia booking. High altitude view of the earth. A slight curvature can be seen on the horizon. Air Arabia Airlines started off in the year 2003 through Sharjah and became the first airline in the Middle East to operate at low fares. It has expanded its business mainly to the rest of the Middle East and North Africa and also offers connectivity to a group of countries in Europe and South Asia. The three main...

India

There would have been no Jaisalmer without Gadsisar

Upendra SwamiFebruary 3, 20201776 Views2

In the maps, Gadsisar Lake of Jaisalmer is said to be as big as the city itself! Besides size, it also shares most of its age. In about 800 years of the existence of the city, this lake has been there for almost 700 years, quenching its thirst! Neither of them would have existed for so long without the other. Just outside the Gadsisar Lake (stone spells it wrong) At a glance around you can see the huge mounds of sand on the other side. Even if you approach closer, you will feel as if you have reached the edge of the desert. But, it actually is the high and long bund of the Gadsisar Lake. Moving ahead, you will find a huge arched gateway with two watch towers on either side, five beautifully carved oriel windows and one big entrance and two smaller ones on the either side of it...

IndiaPhotogallery

Lodurva, a temple to see and a love story for delight

Upendra SwamiJanuary 28, 20203033 Views2

The vast barren dunes of Thar are strewed with many mysteries of history… many of them untold, a few unexplained. A lot of it might be because of absence of more written account of those times. Erstwhile capital of the Jaisalmer Rawals- Lodurva stands one among those. Nothing remains of the capital city, but for a beautiful Jain temple. The deserted ruins of Lodurva, the Bhati Rajput capital before Jaisalmer, are 17 km northwest of Jaisalmer and 10 km beyond Amar Sagar. Lodurva itself is on the banks of river Kak. Shikhars of temples as seen from outside There would have been a perfect logic for any strongman to rule this place. This place was on ancient silk route and entry point to India, hence rich traders would have been passing through here on regular basis. This would have als...

InternationalNews

Diwali in Brussels! Almost, with the illuminated city

Upendra SwamiJanuary 18, 20202950 Views2

When it comes to Brussels, things keep getting bigger and brighter, literally! Its time for capital city to get illuminated again as we are nearing the Bright Brussels, a festival of magnificent lights. This time a new route of around 20 works and animated illuminations will light up the capital. From 13 to 16 February 2020, Festival of Light will enchant several of Brussels’ neighbourhoods. A new route of monumental luminous installations created by Belgian and international artists will take over several of the capital's emblematic sites. This year, for the first time, a luminous bicycle parade will kick off the festival on Thursday 13 February. Bright Brussels Festival © visit.brussels - Jean-Paul Remy For 4 days, the Halle Gate, Marolles, Sablon/Zavel and Mont des Arts/Kunstberg...

IndiaNews

Madhya Pradesh welcomes you to Orchha with a brand new festival

Upendra SwamiJanuary 11, 20203750 Views10

Adding to its ongoing initiatives to promote Madhya Pradesh as a leading tourism destination in the country, the State Tourism Board will be organising “Namaste Orchha”, a new festival scheduled to be held from 6-8 March 2020, celebrating the cultural landscape of the state in the historic town of Orchha. This will be an annual event now onwards in the MP tourism calendar. Festival was announced in a curtain raiser in Delhi on Friday. View of Orchha from the other side of Betwa river The three day extravaganza in this ancient and quaint town will feature diverse activities of music, art, wellness, travel, nature, adventure, history and culture. These activities would be led by experts in their respective fields with participants comprising invited delegates. An immers...