Patal Bhuvaneshwar temple was in and out of our itinerary for the Bloggers Bus at various points. It was no where in the initial plans, but when a fellow blogger asked for it than it was included in the programme. By the time we reached from Kausani to Chaukori, KMVN official in-charge of our trip came up with the information that it wasn't safe to go inside as there would be lack of oxygen inside the cave and it was also raining continuously in the region. There was another catch, we were told that cameras are not allowed inside and all phones and cameras have to be deposited at the counter outside the cave. Most of our interest got diffused because of that too. Going to a new place and not able to photograph it was somewhat turn-off. It rained whole night at Chaukori and that al
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Immediately after Bhangarh, I landed to this place. And, I am sure that less than 10 percent of people present at Bhangarh would have heard about this temple and among those who would have heard, less than 10 percent would have ever visited it. As a day later at Kankwari fort, here too, we were the only travellers. There were some locals to pray, although. Besides, we also came to know that there were many tourists a day earlier (on first day of the new year). Well, this is all about Neelkanth Temple, how it is commonly known. The board here says its name as Neelkantheshwar Temple (not any difference in the meaning of both words). Actually, if you go on searching online, all the pages will lead you to Neelkanth temple near Rishikesh in Uttarakhand. You would have been lucky enough t
Read MoreAdalaj is a suburb of Ahmedabad in Gujarat and Vav is a term in Gujarati which means a step well. This term is also probably derived from hindi term for step well, i.e. Bavari (बावड़ी). Adalaj Vav is among the few remaining step wells in Gujarat and among the most popular ones besides the Rani ki Vav in Patan. Being not so glorious as Rani Ki Vav, Adalaj gets a comparatively less number of tourists. Still it is very preserved, beautiful and an important landmark in the history of Vaghelas. It was built in 1498 AD for Rudabai, wife of Vaghela chief Veer Singh. As per inscription at the well, this Oblong step well runs from south to north. Entry to the Vav is from south through stairs on three sides which descend into a spacious landing with octagonal opening supported on eight pillar...
Read Moreहंपी के कुछ हिस्सों में घूमते हुए कई बार लगता नहीं कि हम पांच सौ साल पुराने इतिहास के बीच हैं। सब कुछ इतना जीवंत लगता है। वहां जाकर महसूस होता है कि जीत का अहसास कितनी भव्यता प्रदान करता है और हार उस भव्यता को किस कदर मटियामेट कर देती है। हंपी में ये दोनों ही नजारे साथ-साथ देखने को मिलते हैं ............................................................... हेमकुटा पहाडि़यों पर बने इक्कीस शिव मंदिरों में से एक में मैंने बारिश से बचने के लिए अपने गाइड के साथ शरण ले रखी थी। पीछे विशाल चट्टानों से बहता पानी बहुत सुंदर लग रहा था। उसने छोटे-छोटे झरनों के आकार ले लिए थे। सामने विरुपाक्ष मंदिर के तीनों शिखर एक साथ दिखाई दे रहे थे। विरुपाक्ष मंदिर हंपी के उन गिने-चुने मंदिरों में से है जिनमें आज भी विधिवत पूजा होती है। विरुपाक्ष मंदिर के भीतर जितनी चहल-पहल थी, उसके उलट हेमकुटा पहाड़ी स...
Read MoreTalking about tourism in Kashmir, will generally take you to Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgam. No doubt that they are the gems of the valley, but there is still a lot besides these four top spots. Lot many places to see and admire and lot beyond the regular natural beauty spots. Naranag is one of them and it was an altogether different experience for me to visit an archaelogical site in such a scenic surroundings. But equally anguished was I to see such a place in total shambles. Nobody to protect or even take care of such an important site. It has been left to be ruined. I was astonished to see that there was not even a single sign board or a plaque which could give visitors any idea about the site, its history, importance or architecture. Go googling was the only option left. ...
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