Mughals – VAGABOND IMAGES

Guns and colours at Holi of valour in Menar

Upendra SwamiMarch 22, 2019232 Views3

So, you would have enjoyed the Holi of colours the previous day, but another part of India is today celebrating Holi in its unique way. I have often referred to Menar near Udaipur as a Bird’s village. But I have also always mentioned that this particular village has a very unique history. So, when rest of the north India, celebrates Holi with colours, this tiny village celebrates Holi with its gunshots. Its Holi not of myth but a history of courage, a daring win. Also read: Morning lights at Menar - The birds village Going by the Indian caste structure, Menar is known as a village of Brahmins. But interestingly in Mewar region brahmins of Menar (surnamed as Menarias) are also referred to as Brahma Kshatriyas, and history has big role in naming them so. On the third day of Holi...

IndiaPhotogallery

A Octopussy fame to an architectural marvel!

Upendra SwamiMay 19, 2017122 Views10

I have been to this temple number of times since childhood, but never got to photograph it as extensively as I did recently. It is indeed one of the landmarks of the old city of Udaipur. Jagdish Temple rises high on the middle of a square, which is the main junction leading to Udaipur’s city palace. On this square road on two sides go downhill, while another two go uphill. So, it would have been a hillock on the banks of the lake, when this city would have been established centuries ago. Well even this temple is a few centuries old, 365 years precisely. It is temple of Lord Krishna in Jagannath form. Built in 1652 by Rana Jagat Singh of Mewar, this temple rises 125 feet from the road through steep stairs. These stairs might be having almost a gradient of something between 50 to 60 degre

AdventureIndiaPhotogallery

Kankwari : A fort and a history in deep jungle!

Upendra SwamiJanuary 16, 2017374 Views19

Between visits to Bhangarh and Kankwari forts, I had other three notable experiences. All are worth independent posts, that would certainly be in coming days. But, to me it seemed rather more appropriate to write about Kankwari fort immediately after Bhangarh. It helps more in drawing comparisons and parallels. Although the visit to Bhangarh fort had its worth because of all the stories attached to it and I was impressed by the fortress city as a whole, but I was largely disappointed by upkeep and ruins of the Bhangarh fort. In that context, visit to Kankwari fort right next day was a huge surprise... a pleasant one. I had read about Kankwari Fort sometime back but never had chance to visit it in my earlier trips to Sariska Tiger Reserve. Even the information available about

IndiaPhotogallery

Basking in glory : Fatehpur Sikri in lensview

Upendra SwamiJanuary 8, 2017147 Views16

It is indeed one of the reminiscence of India's glorious past- one which has been largely well-documentated and one which is largely intact, as is the case with most of the Mughal-era structures of that time. The beauty of this place is that every time you come here, you learn a few new things about the old times, just like sort of revising the history. Every time, it gives you a new perspective in current situations. Well, we are talking about Father Sikri, near Agra which was the capital of great Mughal emperor Akbar. This architectural wonder is located right adjacent to the tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti, who was the guiding soul of Akbar throughout his life. Both the structures, often visited together, have different identities and different architectural values as well. But both...

IndiaPhoto Of The DayPhotogallery

Photo of the day – Here lies a great king

Upendra SwamiAugust 18, 2014103 Views5

One of the greatest mughal kings Akbar was buried in Sikandra at Agra. He chose the place when he was alive and also the design that would be. The inner hall, where Akbar was buried is simple with plain walls and no decorations and carvings, simplest of all kings of the era. No doubt, Sikandra receives less than one-tenth of tourists what great Taj Mahal gets. Many a times, you enjoy the peace and calmness of Sikandra more relaxing then anywhere else in Agra. ...