Author: Chiranjeevi Reddy

Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary Chhattisgarh (Dhamtari)

Posted on by Chiranjeevi Reddy

The Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary is considered to be one of the densest forests in our great Bharat. Sitanadi was established in 1972, as per the Wildlife Protection Act, and it rose to quickly become one of the popular tourist attractions in Chhattisgarh. This great sanctuary had received its name due to the proximity of the Sitanadi River, whose source is right in the middle of the sanctuary, and goes on to merge with Mahanadi River.

Flora and Fauna:
As Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the densest forests in India, it is not surprising that there are many varieties of flora and fauna available here for visitors to lay their eyes on.

Flora:
Sitanadi is covered with a wide range of Bamboo, Teak, and Sal. The other kinds of major plants that one will find here at Sitanadi are Haldu, Bija, Seman, Lendia, Tendu, Salai, Mahua, and Dhaora. Whereas, the surface of Sitanadi is covered in grass, shrubs, and saplings.

Fauna:
Sitanadi has a diverse range of animals that one can see. SItanadi’s visitors can run into majestic tigers, flying squirrels, striped hyenas, sloth bears, wild dogs, sambar, pythons, sloth bears, whistling teals, and herons. Along with these, Seethanadi Sanctuary has a whopping 175 species of birds.

This wide array of flora and fauna is also a reason Sitanadi is a wonderful place for people of all types of nature lovers, bird watchers, wildlife enthusiasts, and adventure seekers in general.

Best Time to Visit:
It is recommended that people visit during the winter months. Specifically, March to October. However, the Sitanadi remains open throughout the year.

A Word of Advice before you visit Sitanadi:
Although Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuary has a great deal of flora and fauna, visitors have often complained that they are not always clearly visible, or claim they are not there. However, the thing is not that they are not there or not visible. It’s just the animals are in their natural habitat, so sometimes it is hard to spot them.

However, it is always a good place to go with your family to just enjoy the lush greenery, and just simply have fun. But if your main interest is the animals, then we suggest visiting other sanctuaries in Chhattisgarh such as Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary.

Bhoramdeo Mandir, Temple In Chhattisgarh

Posted on by Chiranjeevi Reddy

Bhoramdeo Temple is also known as Bhoramdeo temple. This is sometimes also called the “scintillating poetry in stone.” This temple is a complex that also contains other smaller attractions apart from the most famous Bhoramdev Mandir such as the open-air museum, Istaliq temple, Cherki Mahal, and Madwa Mahal. With the inclusion of such other structures within the temple complex the temple of bhoramdeo becomes a great spot for archaeology and history lovers.

Bhoramdeo Temple History:
The first question people will ask themselves, when they hear a name like Bhoramdeo. How or why did someone name it like that? In the case of Bhoramdeo temple, it is quite simple. Tribes who inhabited this territory were Lord Shiva’s worshipers and they referred to him as Bhoramdeo, and thus the name. Bhoramdeo temple in Chhattisgarh is known for its exquisite background and history. Bhoramdeo is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, with a thousand-year legacy. This exquisite temple was said to be built by Laxman Dev Rai of the Fan Nagvansh dynasty.

Bhoramdeo-Temple-Chhattisgarh

Bhoramdeo Temple Architecture:
The architectural style associated with this temple is the Gurur type. The Bhoramdeo temple has many intricate carved images embedded onto its walls. As any Hindu temple, the entire design is baked around the mandapa. In Bhoramdeo, the central four pillars support the mandap. In Bhoramdeo, one can also find intricate carvings of Lord Ganesha, and Lord Shiva.

Other things to see in Bhoramdeo Temple during your Bhoramdev Darshan
As mentioned before, Bhoramdeo temple is not just a free-standing temple, but rather a complex. There are in fact other things one would want to see in this Bhoramdeo complex. So here is a list for you:

Open air museum:
This historical temple also hosts an open air museum that has a great collection of architectural artifacts. These artifacts were ones that were found in the nearby areas. There are also many historical pieces of art dedicated to Uma Maheshwar.

Istaliq Temple:
The Istaliq temple was the first temple built within the Bhoramdeo temple complex. It was built around the 2nd and 3rd centuries. This small mandir within the main temple complex was built with burnt bricks of clay. Here one can find a sculpted Shiva Linga, as well as images of Uma Maheswar.

Cherki Mahal:
Cherki Mahal is the last temple in the complex, it is often very hard to locate. It is a small shrine that is covered in a shrubby layer.

Madwa Mahal:
The Madwa Mahal lies around a kilometer away from Bhoramdev Mandir, the main temple complex. The Madwa Mahal was built in 1349, in the honor of King Ramchandra Dev and Queen Raj Kumari Ambika Devi’s wedding.

How to reach Bhoramdev Mandir:
The Bhoramdeo Temple is located near the foothills of the Maikal mountain range. There is an influx of buses on a regular basis that can take you to Bhoramdeo Temple. These buses are available from especially from the major cities of Raipur, Karwadha, and Jabalpur.

Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary Chhattisgarh

Posted on by Chiranjeevi Reddy

Barnawapara provides fascinating and majestic animals, and a secluded sanctuary for one to get away from the bustling city and just take a few photographs with nature and its majestic animals. It is a place where time itself seems to vanish, as you explore the wonders of Bharat.

The Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Mahasamund District within Chhattisgarh. This particular sanctuary is one of the most famous tourist spots found within Chhatisgarth and is known for its lush green vegetation and various rare species. The sanctuary is home to some great species unique to this area. This sanctuary was actually set up as per the mandates of The Wildlife Protection Act in 1972, spanning an area of 245 square kilometers. This sanctuary also hosts the Bar and Nawapura villages within it the places it derives its name from.

This exquisite Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary of Chhattisgarh caters to a wide variety of flora and fauna for tourists to enjoy.

Flora:
The Barnawapara national park is just a deciduous forest with a lot of bamboo. Bamboo is in fact the most commonly spotted plant here. But once can find other deciduous trees like Semal, Mahua, Ber, Tendu, and Terminalia.

Fauna:
The most common species that one can spot at Barnawapara is the wild boar, wild dogs, jungle cats, and the sambar deer. But there are a lot more exciting species to be discovered here such as the Tiger, Leopard, Striped Hyena, Sloth bear, antelope, Nilgai, cobra, python, monkey, antelopes, and flying squirrels.

Barnawapara also contains many types of birds such as parrots, vultures, avadat, kestrels, woodpeckers, peafowls, and herons. It also happens to be that bird watching is another favorite pastime for the people who visit Barnawapara National Park.

Barnawapara National Park Safari:
Barnawapara offers a safari but it must be booked in advance. The Barnawapara National Park Safari is often in very high demand so it must be booked through hotels or tour agencies. The price for a 30-kilometer safari ranges from rupees 1300 to rupees 2800, again this depends upon the vehicle you opt for and the agency you book it through. They do not charge extra for photography like other national parks or wildlife sanctuaries as long as it is for non-commercial uses.

Barnawapara-Wildlife-Sanctuary-Chhattisgarh

Timings and Entry Fee:
The normal hours of operations of Barnawapara range from 6:00 AM to 10:30 AM. Then in the winter months, they change from 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM. However one should note that Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary Chhattisgarh stays closed from July 1st to July 31st, due to heavy monsoons.
The entry fee is Rs.55 for Indian tourists and Rs.200 for foreign tourists.

Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit Barnawapara is somewhere between the months of June and November. Since the sanctuary is closed during the monsoon season, it will be really tiring in the Summer months. So logically June to November would be the best time to visit Barnawapara National Park Chhattisgarh.

How to Reach:
By Road:
Barnawapara is easily accessible by road when one takes the PWD forest road, connecting it with Raipur through Patewa.

By Train:
The railway station that is closest to Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary is the Mahasamund Railway Station which is only 60 kilometers away. Once you reach the Mahasamund Railway station it is easy to avail a cab or take a local bus.

By Air:
Raipur Airport is the closest from Barnawapara, and it is just 85 kilometers away from there so tourists can avail the help of regular local transport.

About Undavalli Caves: An Architectural Representation Of Diverse Religions

Posted on by Chiranjeevi Reddy

Undavalli Caves are carved out of a single sandstone cliff making it the unique feature of the place. This place has been developed along three different periods in our country as it represents the three popular religions in our country-Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism in its carvings.

Undavalli Caves History:
During the era of Buddhism, Undavalli caves were used as Buddhist monasteries i.e. as the rest house for monks. The faces of different merchants, whose features are similar to those in the Buddhist cave complex in the Western Ghats, are seen in the façade of the cave. These may be the rich merchants who had contributed to the development of the cave complex.

After the partial decline of Buddhism, these caves were utilized by Jain monks. Most of the structure has a resemblance with Guptas style architecture of Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves in Odisha, which were dug out during the reign of Jainism. We can also see the sculptures of Tirthankaras in the caves.

It was during the 5th century A.D, the Vishnu Kundina Kings introduced Hinduism in the caves. They dedicated the caves to the Trinity Power-Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu, especially to Lord Vishnu. These were known to be one of the oldest cave temples with the sculptures of various deities seen in that region built around the 5th and 7th centuries.

The history of Undavalli caves is one that fuses aspects of Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism, we believe that the history of Undavalli is indeed something of interest for everyone.

Undavalli-Caves-Architecture

Undavalli Caves Architecture:
The entrance of the caves is like an open garden with greenery spread all over and benches arranged for visitors to relax. The cave is four-storeyed and the structure of the cave becomes narrower as it goes up.

It was also believed that there are subterranean passages from the cave to Vijayawada Kanaka Durga Temple and Mangalagiri hill which were used by kings to move their soldiers without being noticed by the enemies. These were said to be closed by the government.

“NATURE BLENDED WITH HUMAN ART CAN MAKE WONDERS, ONE SUCH WONDER IS THE UNDAVALLI CAVES.”

Interpretation of each floor:
Ground floor: It has eight pillars and seven openings and looks like an unfinished pillared hall for monks to rest.

First floor:
The exterior of the floor has the sculptures of the Sapta-Rishis and the fierce lions. The interior is a pillared hall with Trinity and other prominent Hindu deities.

Second floor:
The main attraction of the caves lies on this floor. It is the 20 feet long sculpture of reclining Vishnu on the serpents worshipped as Ananta Padmanabhan Swamy by Hindus. The deity is carved out of a single granite stone. It is surrounded by the sculptures of Rishis and the pillars have been carved with the gatekeepers of Vishnu- Jaya and Vijaya.

Third floor:
It represents an unfinished Triple Shrine. The view from this floor is one that you are likely to cherish.

Traveler tips:
As it is a hilly area, the availability of proper food sources is scarce, so you should take proper essentials like minimum food and water with you during the visit.
You must be careful while walking inside the cave as the way inside the cave complex is rocky and not a finely laid road.

Timings:
Undavalli Caves can be visited any time between 9am and 5.30 pm.

Entry Fees:
Undavalli Caves have an entry fee of INR 25 for the Indian Nationals and INR 300 for foreigners. If you want to capture the scenic beauty or shoot some videos as memories, you have to pay an extra 25 Rupees.

Best time to visit Undavalli Caves:
As it is located in a humid region and it is an open place it is better to visit the cave complex either during the mornings or in the evenings. It is not advisable to stay in the afternoons as the sun will be scorching, especially in the summer.
The months from October to February provide a cool respite from the blazing sun, making it the ideal time to visit these caves.

Nearby places to visit:
Kanaka Durga Temple:
A famous temple located on the hills of Indrakeeladri. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga and represents the rich Dravidian architecture. A religious place to kindle your devotion.

Prakasam Barrage:
It is an iconic bridge that connects Krishna and Guntur District. Prakasam Barrage offers a scenic view of the Krishna River that provides life and livelihood to the locals.

Bhavani Island:
Sea islands are quite common. But has anyone ever heard of river island? Bhavani Island is one of the largest river islands sprawled across 50 hectares. It offers a spectacular view of the sunset and has got many recreational activities in store for you!

Kondapalli Fort:
If you are a history buff then we have got the perfect place for you! This fort offers a captivating view of the valley. Be sure to buy the famed wooden toys, especially Kondapalli Dolls.

How to reach Undavalli Caves:
Undavalli Caves are located near the Guntur district and on the Penumaka Vijayawada road near Prakasam Barrage.

The place can be reached from Vijayawada, Amaravati, and Guntur. A water route till Prakasam Barrage can be taken but in the end, reaching Undavalli caves is only possible by road.

Available Road-Ways: Local buses, Special buses for tourists, Auto Rickshaws, Taxis.

By Air:
The airport closest to Undavalli caves is the Vijayawada airport. Vijayawada airport lies at a distance of 30 kilometers. From the airport, you can take some kind of private transport or use a taxi. It is a 40-minute journey from the airport to Undavalli Caves via NH16.

By Train:
The nearest railway station to Undavalli caves is the Vijayawada railway station, which is about 7 kilometers away, taking around 15 minutes to get from the station to the Undavalli Caves.

By Water:
One can use a form of water transport such as a boat to get to Prakasam Barrage, which is about 5 kilometers and 10 minutes away from Undavalli caves.

By Road:
There are many forms of local transport available such as autos and taxis. But one can also choose to travel by local or private bus from Guntur or Vijayawada to reach Undavalli Caves.

Not only the architecture of the place, but the scenery of the place is also excellent. The view of the Krishna river from the top of the cave is a scenic beauty. Upon visiting one can relish and appreciate the beauty of this monolithic cave complex.

Credits:
We bring the scenic beauty through the lens of the photographers. The Undavalli Caves images were provided by Ms. Manushri, Mr. Bhagi and Mr. Subhranshu. The Srikakulamads team thanks them for their great contributions. You can also check out their Instagrams @manushri_udaykumar, @b_h_a_g_i_kbk, and @subhranshudash_photography respectively.

Gwalior Fort Gwalior Madhya Pradesh: Superior Architecture And Beauty

Posted on by Chiranjeevi Reddy

Gwalior fort stands atop the Gopanchal Hill. The Gwalior Fort of Madhya Pradesh has stood strong and proud for over 1200 years! Covering an area of around 3 square kilometers, the Gwalior fort stands to be one of the most beguiling forts in India!

The inscriptions made, the monuments built, and the ruins all together depict the rich history of Gwalior Fort. Its grandeur and splendor had attracted many invaders. Gwalior Fort represents the former culture of Ancient Bharat.

The Gwalior fort is renowned as the “Gibraltar of India”. The name is a tribute to the panoramic beauty and view that is offered by the Gwalior Fort.

Gwalior Fort is famous for its alluring architecture, temples, amazing and long history, which the scratched walls of this fort render on their own.

Gwalior Fort History:
It is widely believed that the king ruling this fort was healed from leprosy by sage Gwalipa. In the sage’s honor, this site was then coined to be called the “Gwalior Fort”.

There are numerous questions concerning the factuality of the time of Gwalior Fort ‘s construction, but many historians assume that a provincial king, Surya Sen, founded this fort in 727 CE.

He was a part of a village called “Singhonia” that is 22 kilometers from Gwalior. The 83 descendants of Surya Sen ruled this fort However, the 84th descendant named Tej Karan lost it.

In 1022 CE, Mahmud of Ghazni invaded the fort, but he was futile in capturing it. After a long blockade, Qutub-al-din Aibak seized the fort in 1196 but in 1211 CE, he had to lose the fort.
Iltutmish, ruler of Shamsi Vans, reacquired the fort in 1232 CE.

The year of 1398 witnessed the change in leadership as the Tomars established their dominance on the fort. The most powerful ruler of Tomars was Maan Singh.

He ruled the fort from 1486-1516. In 1516 he was martyred in a war with Ibrahim Lodhi, and the Fort capitulated to the Delhi Sultanate. Numerous monuments inside the fort were constructed during the reign of Maan Singh.

Mughals invaded and captured the fort within a decade, and lost it in 1542 to Sher Shah Suri. The fort was subsequently under Hemu(Hem Chandra Vikramaditya), who later escalated its power to Delhi. Hemu was a Hindu king who served as Adil Shah Suri’s General as well as Chief Minister.

Hemu fought 22 battles and triumphed in all of these battles. However, he lost to Akbar in the 2nd Battle of Panipat. Akbar turned this beautiful fort into a prison, and it was used for execution and life sentence afterward. Various Sikh Gurus and their sons were captured and jailed in this fort.

In 1736, Jaat King Bhim Singh Rana ruled the state until 1756. The Maratha General Mahadaji Scindia seized the fort from Gohad Rana Chhatar Singh. Unfortunately, he soon lost it to the British East India Company.

British Governor Warren Hastings reinstated the fort to Gohad Ranas in 1780. Later the Marathas recaptured the fortress.

Throughout the 19th century, there were numerous changes in the administration of the fort. By 1886, the British were in full control of India. The fort was no longer of strategic significance to them. The Gwalior fort was given over to the Scindia family. The Scindia continued to rule the Gwalior Fort till independence in 1947 and built several monuments at this time.

Traveler Tips:
There are two entry gates. One on the Northeastern side and the other gate on the Southwestern side. If your goal is to explore all the alluring monuments, then enter from the Northeastern gate and exit from the Southwestern gate. It is quite easy to find a taxi or cab from this gate to your accommodation.

If you have chosen to enter through the Northeastern gate, we will be helping you navigate your way to make the best of the trip.

Gwalior Fort Architecture:
The Gwalior Fort encompasses a total of six palaces, three temples, and many water tanks. Through the various temples and palaces encompassed with the Gwalior Fort one will be sure to appreciate and acknowledge the architectural precision and beauty.

The Dravidian framework of the Gwalior fort depicted in the 9th-century Teli-ka-Mandir blends a south Indian architectural model with the fusion of north Indian decorative patterns to create a structure with a grand exterior.

The wondrous carvings on the fort represent the second oldest known reference to the number “zero”. The great Gwalior fort represents more than just beauty lined with exquisite blue ceramic tiles. This great fort also represents the sweat and hard work of the fine artisans and masons that came together to create such a structure.

Gujari Mahal Archaeological Museum
Raja Man Singh Tomar constructed his palace for his beloved wife, Mrignayini. This palace was separated from his other queens’ abode to prevent quarrels and fights between them as Mrignayini was a commoner.

Now this palace holds rare artifacts and both Hindu and Jain sculptures that date back to 1st and 2nd century BC.

Gujari Mahal Archaeological Museum can be visited on all the days except Friday from 10 am to 5 pm. There is an entrance fee that has to be paid. Gujari Mahal Museum is a state-owned museum.

Category
Rate Charged
Indians
INR 20
Foreigners
INR 200
Photography
INR 100
Videography
INR 400

A ramp from the museum leads to the top of the fort. It is a 30-minute walk full of scenic views of the city sprawled across the vicinity.

The Archaeological Survey of India Museum:
You can find this museum opposite the Hathi Pol Gate. This is a central government museum. You can find rare artifacts here as well.

We recommend that you only visit one of the two museums to save time. This museum is closed every Monday and a ticket of Rupees 10 has to be purchased to visit the museum.

Man Singh Palace:
This palace lies to the right of the Hathi Pol Gate. The palace name suggests that this palace was built by Man Singh, who hails from the Tomar dynasty. It also has a sobriquet of Painted Palace. This fort has extensive usage of turquoise, yellow and green tiles. The fusion of these colors makes Man Singh Palace stand out.

There are four levels in the palace. The lower levels were occupied by the queens and their chambers were connected to speaking tubes from upper levels. Now you might wonder why. It is quite simple. It was used by the king to communicate with his queens, avoiding traveling time.
The upper levels consist of a public and private hall. These were the platforms where cultural events such as dancing and singing were organized.

Once you are done visiting the Man Singh Palace, you can head right and find another seven state-owned monuments. Shah Jahan Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, Karna Mandir, Vikram Mandir, Jauhar Kund, Shorapur Gate, and Chhatri of Bhim Singh Rana are the seven monuments that lay in a dilapidated state. However, one can wander and explore the intricacy of the architecture of ancient India.

Assi Khamba ki Baori:
This structure was built by Man Singh Tomar for his queens to bathe and consists of 80 pillars. Later it was also used to imprison the 6th Sikh Guru, Hargobind Sahib by the Mughal emperor, Jahangir.

Sahastrabahu (Sas-Bahu) Temple:
Sahastrabahu Temple is a twin temple that means 1000 arms. This enchanting temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his Padmanabha form. This temple was built by king Mahipal of the Kachchhapaghata dynasty. It is believed that his wife was a devotee of Lord Shiva while his mother was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. The dynamics of this temple satisfy both his wife and mother. It is a clever technique of the architect’s mind indeed.

Teli ka Mandir:
Between the 8th and 9th centuries AD, king Mihira Bhoja built this Hindu temple. This temple is a fusion of both the Northern and Southern styles of architecture. This temple was initially dedicated to Lord Vishnu. However, it was destroyed by the Mughals and, upon restoration, Lord Shiva was installed inside the temple Garbhagriha.

Gurdwara Data Bandi Chhor:
This gurudwara can be found opposite to Teli ka Mandir. Gwalior Fort gurudwara has a rich history associated with Guru Har Gobind Sahib, who escaped along with 52 other kings from imprisonment. The words “Bandi” and “Chhor” mean imprisoned and released respectively.

Gopachal rock-cut Jain Monuments:
You can take an e-rickshaw to reach the pathway that leads up to the Southwestern Gate. Walking along the pathway, you can see the Jain statues carved out of rock. These carvings depict the Tirthankaras seated in Kayotsarga posture. 42 and a 30-foot high statue of the 23rd Tirthankara Lord Parshavanth is also one of the sights that you should not miss.

Light and Sound Show:
The Light and Sound Show is organized after the closure of all the monuments. All you have to do is buy the tickets and sit back in the open-air theatre and witness the play of the light across the dark sky backdrop.

The show is organized in both English and Hindi languages. Do you know the best feature? The narration of the Fort’s history is in the voice of Amitabh Bachchan!
The timings vary according to the season as listed below.

Show Language
March to October
November to February
Hindi Show
7:30 pm to 8:15
6:30 pm to 7:15 pm
English Show
8:30 pm to 9:15 pm
7:30 pm to 8:15 pm

The entry fees for the Light and Sound Show are INR 128 for Indian Adults, INR 64 for Indian Children, INR 320 for Foreign Adults, and INR 192 for Foreign Children.

Fort View Cafe:
Fort View Cafe is the only eatery in the whole fort complex. You can easily find it near the parking area and do not forget to purchase the Light and Sound Show tickets!
You can also find roadside stalls near the cafe where you can satiate your appetite with beverages and snacks.

Traveler Tips:
When you buy the tickets to enter Maan Singh Palace, it also includes entry access to Teli ka Mandir and Sahastra Bahu Temple.
There are no placards. Therefore you would have to hire a guide. Negotiations of the charges are possible.

Tansen and Gwalior Fort:
The fort complex houses a tamarind tree near the Tomb of Mohammad Ghaus. It is believed that Tansen sweetened his voice by eating the leaves of this tree. It is also rumored that you can sweeten your voice by eating this tree leaves!

Entry Fee:
The entry fees vary according to the category you would fall in.
Foreigners – INR 250 per person
Indians Adults – INR 75 per person adults
Children – INR 40 per person

Gwalior Fort Timings:
The Gwalior Fort timings are as follows: opening at 6:00 AM and closing and 5:30 PM. The Gwalior Fort timings remain the same on all days of the week.

Ideal Duration:
The colossal size of the Gwalior Fort demands a lot of time from you. It would take you around four hours to scale the whole Fort!

Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit Fort Gwalior is October through March. One of the major attractions is the Four-day Tansen Music Festival that is celebrated in December. If you love the rain, the monsoon season that occurs between July and September is perfect for visiting.

How to reach:
By Rail:
Gwalior is well linked by rail to various towns. Rajdhani, Shatabdi, superfast, express, and mail trains connect Gwalior to cities such as Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and so on. There are a few trains starting at Gwalior and terminating in these cities. The town falls on the portion of the New Delhi Jhansi highway.

By Road:
Gwalior is well connected by road to many of the cities. MPSRTC offers bus services to these sites. To get to your destination, catch standard buses, AC buses, deluxe, or super deluxe buses.

By Air:
Gwalior only has a domestic airport, which is connected to many of the country’s major cities. Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia Air Terminal is around 8 kilometers away from Gwalior. Citizens will only get Air India flights that connect Gwalior to different towns.

Local Transport:
Several recruiting companies have a fixed time cab or taxi. Besides, local bus service services are also available where people can fly by standard commuter bus or luxury bus.

The walls of Gwalior Fort behold the true love between the king Man Singh and a commoner Mrignayini. It symbolizes that love has no boundaries. This Indian fort depicts that love knows no caste or creed. Explore the walls of this fort and relish the architectural beauty. Gwalior Fort stands high up the hill as a symbol of our Bharat’s beauty.

Credits:
One of the Gwalior Fort Pictures used in this Srikakulamads article was provided by Aman Channa. The Gwalior Fort Picture provided by Aman Channa has been very helpful. You can check out his Instagram @ pixcellence_by_aman.channa

Pinjore Gardens Haryana: History, Festivals, And Best Time To Visit

Posted on by Chiranjeevi Reddy

The Pinjore Gardens in Haryana are also called Yadavindra Gardens. Lose yourself in the lush greenery of the Pinjore Gardens. Witness the thriving green lawns and embrace the beauty of nature. The cascading waterfalls and murmuring watercourses vibrate in the atmosphere, awakening your inner soul. The arches and balconies stand erect to welcome you.

The Pinjore Gardens are carefully planned and etched into existence. All you have to do is board the Pinjore Gardens Heritage train and explore the beauty on this memorable journey. These gardens are a fusion of monuments, gardens, and fountains laid out across 100 acres of land to provide 100 percent peace. The ambiance is perfect for you to unwind and relax with your loved ones. It is a retreat that surely will leave you bewitched and captivated by the end of your journey!

History:
The history of Pinjore Gardens is quite fascinating. It was built by the architect Mujaffar Hussain who was also known as Nawab Fidai Khan Koka. He was also one of Aurangzeb’s foster brothers. The exact year of construction is unknown but according to historical sources, this garden was built during the early reign days of Aurangzeb. This garden was designed to be the summer retreat for the royal family. However, Fadai Khan never got the chance to relish in the beauty of these gardens. Pinjore gardens behold a tale of cunning wit. The rajas felt threatened by the Mughal emperor’s reign and they decided to deceive Fadai Khan.

Pinjore was located at the foothills of the Himalayas. The gardeners and poor people suffered from goiter. The rajas presented these people as the inhabitants of Pinjore that horrified Fadai Khan. The severity of the disease was blamed upon the air and water of Pinjore. Horrified by the disease, Mughals fled away from this beautiful garden. A brilliant stratagem was employed by the rajas to protect their territories from the invading Mughals.

In the year 1775, this garden was bought by Amar Singh who was the King of Patiala. Maharaja Yadavindra Singh restored this garden to its former glory. The overgrown garden was trimmed and modified and in his memory and honor, this garden was renamed as Yadavindra Gardens.

Pinjore Gardens Architecture:
Pinjore Gardens are built in the typical Mughal style. The garden is adorned with imposing pavilions and fountains. Seven terraces descend creating a magical sight.

The first terrace comprises the majestic Sheesh Mahal which is also known as the palace of glass and the Jal Mahal.

The second terrace is above the Rang Mahal. Together these three palaces serve as summer havens.

The other Pinjore terraces are sprawled with the elegant fountains, tree groves, and flowerbeds. The lowest terrace encompasses a disc-shaped open-air theatre. Together all these elements shape up the beauty of the Pinjore Gardens.

THE EXCELLENT ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN RIVALS THE BEAUTY OF THE LEGENDARY SHALIMAR GARDENS OF SRINAGAR!

Festivals at Pinjore Gardens:
Pinjore Baisakhi Festival:
Baisakhi festival is celebrated with great vigor to mark the harvest season’s arrival. You can witness people adorned in vibrant apparel and jewelry during this festival at Pinjore Gardens. Enjoy the authenticity of the local cuisine and shop handlooms and handicrafts at the Crafts Bazaar. Immerse in the cultural programs organized to mark the festival!

Pinjore Mango Fair:
It is a two-days mango fair organized on the second weekend of July. This festival is celebrated to exhibit India’s status as the world’s largest producer and supplier of mangoes. Hundreds of luscious varieties of mangoes across India are brought in to be a part of this festival. This fair is a grand festival that encompasses folk dances and songs, delicious cuisine, and competitions to promote the culture of India. What more do we need?

Pinjore Heritage Festival:
It is a winter festival held in the last week of December for a duration of two days. Join this event if you want to experience the exquisite culture of India. This festival is also a fusion of cultural performances and food courts. The Pinjore Gardens are decorated with cutouts and illumination. This event is a boon for culture fanatics indeed!
Fountain and Light show

Experience the glow of the gardens under the night sky. The Fountain and Light Show is the reason why we suggest you explore this place on the weekends. These beautiful gardens that are abode to numerous fountains and green trees and shrubs are illuminated by the Haryana Tourism Department.

Pinjore Gardens Entry Fee and Timings:
The entry fee is about INR 20 for people above the age of 3.
Pinjore Gardens is open on all days of the week from 7 in the morning up to 10 in the night.

Best time to visit:
The best time to explore the beauty of these gardens is from February to April and September to December. The gardens are filled with the fragrance of blooming flowers and the lush greenery is going to be a visual delight and these months are also witness to many festivals that you can be a part of.

Weekends are the ideal time to visit these gardens.

How to reach Pinjore Gardens?
Pinjore gardens are located in Pinjore city, Panchkula district in Haryana. The Pinjore Gardens are quite accessible and well connected. Pinjore Gardens is located just 22 kilometers from Chandigarh.

By Air:
The nearest major airport would be Chandigarh Airport (IXC) which is 33 kilometers away from this majestic garden.

By Train:
Taksal Railway Station (TSL) is the nearest railway station with just 15 kilometers to cover. However, this railway station’s connectivity is quite limited.

Chandigarh Railway Station (CDG) is the best choice for tourists who visit this place from different places in India and you know what? This railway station is conveniently located at a distance of 16 kilometers from Pinjore Gardens.

By road:
Any private taxis or state-owned transportation can be availed to reach this destination. It is around 24 kilometers away from Chandigarh and 93 kilometers from the tourist destination of Shimla.

The Pinjore gardens represent the lush greenery of Bharat. Pinjore Gardens is truly an example of skillful planning, treasurer of opulent history, and a destination that would enrich your experiences.

Credits:
A photo brings beauty to any set of text. Photography is an art that takes time and patience. We thank shutterbug_1302 and y_travelblog_the_moment for providing us with some beautiful photos to share with you guys. You can also check their photographs on Instagram @shutterbug_1302 and @y_travelblog_the_moment