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Discovering Gopachal and Siddhachal Caves: Rock Cut Jain Temples of Gwalior
We visited a group of rock cut Jain monuments on the hill sides atop which sits the Gwalior Fort. The monuments find mention in the reports of Alexander Cunningham, who later went on to found the Archaeological Survey of India. Siddhachal Parvat – Cluster 1 We visited the Siddhachal Parvat first. This group of monuments are located near the Urvai road, near the Teli Ka Mandir within the Gwalior fort. The first series of monuments that come into view are a pavillion of 5 Tirthankars recessed into twin alcoves the hill side with 2 moreTtirthankars standing on the outside walls. No surface is left unadorned without carvings and there are…
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Stairway to Wonder: Exploring Rani Ki Vav
Rani ki Vav had been in our bucket list for a few years now. Not only because it is an UNESCO heritage site, but also because, the concept of a step well was truly intriguing. All we knew was we wanted to see this place but did not know much about its history. Unlike many of our other trips where we read up on the place we plan to visit, that month being crazy busy on the work front, we really did not get to it. We visited Ahmedabad in the winter of 2023. Based on the reviews, we chose a day in the start of the wee. This was…
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Unveiling Udaipur: Your Perfect 3-Day Itinerary (with images)
Our second trip to the desert state of Rajasthan was in 2023 and this time it was Udaipur. We were eagerly awaiting our trip to the city of lakes. Day 1 Ahar museum The first stop of the day was the Ahar Cenotaphs and Museum. The Ahar cenotaphs are a group of about 250 cenotaphs and about 19 chhatris (dome shaped pavilions) that serve as memorials for the rulers who were cremated here. We were eagerly anticipating our visit to these cenotaphs. Following the tranquil experience we enjoyed a year ago at Maharaniyon ki Chatriyaan in Jaipur, we were hopeful of recreating those moments here. Unfortunately, we learnt after reaching…
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Chobimura: Tripura’s Mystical Rock Carvings
Our trip to Tripura in the balmy days of April 2023 showed us a surprising glimpse of the cultural richness and natural splendor that the Northeast India has to offer. Agartala, the capital of the state, served as our springboard for a riveting day trip to Chobimura, a hidden valley nestled along the Gomti river. This secluded enclave is renowned for its exceptional relief carvings that adorn the cliffside—an artistic marvel affectionately known as Devtamura, or the hill of the gods. Boat ride through the pristine river We embarked on a motorboat journey offered by a unique self-help group. Comprising former insurgents who had transitioned from conflict to becoming custodians…
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Kakochang Waterfall – Nature’s symphony in your Assam itinerary
In the heart of Assam’s Karbi Anglong district, our April 2023 escapade led us to the captivating Kakochang waterfall, an oasis of natural beauty nestled within the embrace of pristine landscapes. This journey as part of our Assam itinerary unfolded as a testament to the symbiotic relationship between the local community and the breathtaking environment they call home. Read our complete Assam Itinerary here. Getting there Known locally as the Kaipholangso waterfall, this natural wonder encapsulates not only the scenic beauty of the region but also the resilient spirit of the community that calls it home. Our adventure commenced with a picturesque drive along village roads, winding through a tapestry…
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Immersive Agra: 3-Day Agra Itinerary for an Unmatched Experience
We finally scratched Agra off our travel list after years of putting it off. The Taj Mahal, a landmark we couldn’t ignore any longer in the land of India, became the perfect excuse for an anniversary getaway. Off to Agra we went. So here’s our Agra itinerary! Day 1 of Agra itinerary The Taj Mahal Getting there Our trip started with a visit to the Taj Mahal. We booked our tickets online and got to the East Gate entrance. Other things to note Both tickets allow one to remain inside the Taj for a maximum of 3 hours after which additional charges would apply. In the Taj as well, as…
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Assam Getaway: A Family Vacation Itinerary
We took a 6 day trip to Assam in the year 2023. Below is our itinerary and the day by day map of our beautiful experience during the Bihu festival in Assam. In April 2023, we landed at the Guwahati airport and drove down to Kaziranga, reaching our place of stay just past sundown. We managed to catch a glimpse of what was in store for us in the next few days on the way when we spotted rhinos, wild buffaloes and swamp deer on the way to the national park. We retired for the day after a welcoming cup of strong tea and a sumptuous dinner, all set for…
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Mughal Splendor: Exploring Itimad Ud Daulah in Agra
The Itimad-ud-Daulah tomb is popularly known as Baby Taj and is considered to be a scale prototype for the construction of the Taj Mahal, for Ghiyas Beg’s grand daughter Mumtaz Mahal. We visited this tomb of Mirza Ghiyas Beg and his wife Asmat Beghum, in Agra. The story Nur Jahan, the wife of the mughal emperor Jahangir, commissioned the mausoleum for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg. Ghiyas Beg was born in Teheran and emigrated to India when his father died, and the family fell out of favour with the Shah’s court. During the emigration, robbers waylaid Beg’s caravan and their fortunes only turned after the birth of his second daughter…
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Chini Ka Rauza: A Blue-Tiled Marvel in Agra
We visited the Tomb of Shukrullah Shirazi, known as Chini Ka Rauza during our visit to Agra. When we told the cab driver that we wanted to visit a place called “Chini ka Rauza”, he had no clue where it was. Other than few locals, nobody else seemed to frequent this place. We booked a cab from an aggregator and our cab driver was a local of Agra. When we told him our destination, he rolled off all the popular tourist haunts. And then asked us in a surprised tone why we wanted to go there. He followed this up saying that he’s never visited the place in his lifetime!…
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Kangla Fort and Museum: Manipur’s Historic Jewel
In the heart of Imphal, Manipur, lies the historic Kangla Fort, a treasure trove of tales and a testament to the rich heritage of the region. Our visit in April 2023 was a journey through time, as we explored the various facets of this ancient fort. Approaching the fort, we first encountered a moat that encircles the stronghold, creating a sense of mystique. The moat, a protective embrace for the fort, sets the stage for the wonders within. As we crossed the threshold through the Western Gate, we were greeted by a striking sight — a bronze statue of Raja Nara Singh mounted on a Manipuri pony, sword drawn in…
