Gandikota - India's Grand Canyon

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We have admired "The Grand Canyon" of the USA and many Indians yearn to go over there during their visit to the United States. Yes it is an amazing place and no doubt about it. But you need to visit Gandikota  a small village located in Kadapa district in Andhra Pradesh. You can see "The Grand Canyon" of India.

Situated on the banks of river Pennar, Gandikota derives its name from two Telugu words ‘Gandi’ meaning gorge and, ‘kota’ meaning fort.

The region of Gandikota was established in 1123 under the Western Chalukyan king of Kalyana named Ahavamalla Someswara I. The Gandikota fort was constructed by the Kappa king during 13th century.

Also known as George fort, it is guarded by a huge entrance gate that’s 20 feet high and 101 bastions each over 40 feet high. The fort is surrounded by the deep gorge, impenetrable hills and dense forest. The landscape also includes monolithic boulders of red granite. All these provided a natural line of defense to the residents of the fort. The area is full of rocky plains and dry plateau land forms with the Penner river flowing in the background.

This quaint little village situated on the banks of the Pennar River, is home to some major historical structures. The fort premises include small fortresses, a granary and two beautiful temples dedicated to Ranganatha Swami and Madhava Swami. These temples are an example of fine architecture and design. It is believed that these temple were constructed more than 500 years ago. The buildings are very attractive and put a dashing impact on devotee because of its surroundings.

All of these ruins speak of their prime even as the structures seem to be on the verge of crumbling. Gandikota Fort comprises of several other structures, such as, a palace, a magazine, another granary and a pigeon tower which included fretted windows. The palace was mostly constructed with bricks and included plastered decorations.

There are yet many unexplored places and things in the region. Recent architectural research has revealed the presence of underground passages that connect the fort with the valley.

Its worthwhile a visit to this place, spread the greatness and the grand old days of this country.

INCREDIBLE BHARATHA

 

Ravanhatha

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Indian Music possibly has one of widest range of instruments being used anywhere else in the world. We usually know the very popular instruments like tabla, violin, sitar, shehnai, etc. But there are some instruments which we see off and on on TV in the but don't realize that they are some of the oldest instruments that are played and some of them are as old as the Ramayan times.

Ravanhatha is one of them. I am sure you would have seen this specially when you see the Rajasthani folk music.

This is a bowed string instrument and it is believed that it was first played, or built, by the Hela community in the times of King Ravana. The bowl of the instrument is made of a cut coconut shell that is covered with goat hide. A stick, commonly called dandi, made from Bamboo, is attached to the shell. There are two principal strings – one is made of steel and the other is made from horsehair. There are jingle bells attached along the long bow as well. The instrument has seen royal treatment through history and according to mythology, it was supposedly brought to North India by Lord Hanuman after the victory of Rama. It is still played in some parts of Rajasthan and is a part of the folk music there.

Though this series is about India, I would like to include this instrument which was born in Srilanka as the culture of playing this instrument is popularized and still kept alive by Indians. From India, the ravanahatha traveled westwards to the Middle East and Europe, where in the 9th century, it came to be called the Ravan strong.

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Petrichor

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When Monsoon is here, this is one of the perfect posts that can one read of and make use of it too, if you want to. Can I know if anyone here who doesn't like the smell of the mud when it rains? Lovely right? The smell of the rain is called Petrichor. This ethereal essence is a medley of molecules that rises from thirsty soil soaking in the long-awaited drops of rain. I am sure when you smell it, there is some or the other kind of nostalgia attached to it!
But how would it be if you can capture this scent in a bottle and wear when you want, it all the day and as you walk by people can have "Petrichor" Moment..

For a city in India, however, just one season of this musty smell of wet earth simply wasn’t enough. So they found a way to capture this smell of rain in a small leather bottle, and capitalised on it too so that we might own a bottle as well, just as long as we can pay the price.

Kannauj, a city in Uttar Pradesh, on banks of river Ganga is known as the Perfume capital of India and the Grasse of the East. It specializes in six perfumes which are Rose, Henna, Shamama Henna, Mogra, Bela and the eponymous Mitti Attar among others. Made from cultivating soil from the region, ‘Mitti Attar’ and the technology that makes it, are many centuries old. Some say that the art of distilling perfume that exists in Kannauj is around 5000 years old. The containers they use to fill and manufacture these perfumes called Deg Bhapkas are the same design as used in Indus Valley Civilisation.

Mitti attar is made even today in Kannauj’s traditional perfumeries, where sinewy craftsmen tend to fires under ageing copper cauldrons or degs to make this remarkable perfume. The distillation process, called deg bhapka, is painstakingly slow and long, with no trace of industrial machinery or modernity. If you walk through Kannauj, you can still see the centuries-old facades of crumbling old perfume houses that give the whole town a medieval feel. Home to over 250 perfumeries, many of which are on the brink of extinction, it seems like the whole of Kannauj is engaged in one or other process of making attar.

So strong is the aroma of these perfumes, they have traveled the world taking their tales with them. The sharp aroma of petrichor is known to refresh mind, body and soul and also signals the beginning of the most awaited season. You can now hold it close forever by ordering kuppis of Mitti Attar from the perfume capital of India. It will remind you of both your childhood and your motherland.

All these perfumes have been protected under the Geographical Indication (GI) tag of Kannauj Perfumes under the GI Act 1999 of the Government of India.

You can read more about this in the link here.

http://homegrown.co.in/the-indian-city-that-makes-perfume-from-the-smell-of-rain-this-is-the-story-of-mitti-attar/

INCREDIBLE BHARATHA

Ashoka-Movie-Ahilya Fort

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A magnum opus movie Ashoka. I'm sure you would remember the gorgeous Karina Kapoor and Sharukh Khan as King Ashoka.Though I cannot comment about performances of the actors, the movie actually should be best remembered for its enchanting shooting locales and the mystic fortresses.

One such fort is Ahilya Fort, located on the high ground overlooking the Narmada river, in the small town of Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh.

This 16th century fort is famous for its elegant architecture & spectacular view from Narmada River, this place was constructed by on of the greatest queen of India, Ahilya Bai Holkar and was her residential place, a queen India ever had seen.

The pictures you can see attached to his post say a lot about the fort. The glorious fort has a main Shiva temple inside and is ornate with fine carved pillars, arches, ceilings and an elevated spire. The walls, the doorways and the friezes, every inch has finest and intricate stone carving. The side walls and friezes are too very intricate, and interestingly have elephants every where. Usually in Indian architecture different animals, like horse, lion, boar and peacocks also are represented.

I would like to say more about this queen Ahilya Bai Holkar as none of our history books talk about the greatness of such a brave queen.
Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar (31 May 1725 – 13 August 1795) was the Holkar Queen of the Maratha ruled Malwa kingdom, India. Rajmata Ahilyabai was born in the village of Chondi in Jamkhed, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. She moved the capital to Maheshwar south of Indore on the Narmada River.
Ahilyabai's husband Khanderao Holkar was killed in the battle of Kumbher in 1754. Twelve years later, her father-in-law, Malhar Rao Holkar, died. A year after that she was crowned as the queen of the Malwa kingdom. She protected her kingdom from Muslim invaders, the plunderers. She personally led armies into battle.
Rani Ahilyabai was a great builder and patron of many Hindu temples which embellished Maheshwar and Indore, Ahilya Fort is one her greatest contribution.
She ruled from 1765-1796. More than 210 years after her death, Ahilyabai’s reign is still a reality in the quiet town that was her capital for almost three decades. Great achievers are magnets for legends and it is not easy to winnow fact from adulation. There is, for instance, the oft-repeated tale that when rani Ahilyabai sat in court, even birds would not fly overhead! A more plausible legend speaks of her induction into the Holkar family. Such was the greatness of this queen Ahilyabai.

Maheshwar town is built in the place of Shastrarjun Kshatriya’s ancient city. And was a capital of Southern Avanti in ancient time of King Katavirya Arjuna, who is mentioned in Mahabharata and Ramayana Epic. So this town possibly has history of more than 5000 years.

Today Ahilya Fort is converted into a heritage hotel. You should visit this place to see the vastness of the fort and to know the greatness of the queen.

You should read about this queen more here as none of our history books talk about the greatness of this lady. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahilyabai_Holkar

And you can know more about the fort here
http://www.madhya-pradesh-tourism.com/heritage/forts/maheshwar-fort.html

INCREDIBLE BHARATHA

Lagaan-Movie-Vijay Vilas Palace

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Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, You have watched the beautiful Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan in the song "Dol Bhaje".. You can watch it here again if you want https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VBAGMkTjTs.
Lagaan is another movie which most of would have watched. You may not forget about Captain Russell thundering "Dugne Lagaan Dene padenge"
But do you remember the beautiful palace where Captian Russell's palace was staying in the movie and also where Aishwarya Rai and her team danced?

Vijaya Vilas Palace

Vijaya Vilas Palace is the famous one time summer palace of Jadeja Rajas of Kutch located on sea-beach of Mandvi in Kutch, Gujarat.

The palace was built during reign of Maharao Shri Khengarji III, the Maharao of Kutch, as a summer resort for the use of his son & heir to the kingdom, the Yuvraj Shri Vijayaraji and is therefore, named after him as Vijaya Vilas Palace. The construction of palace started in year in 1920 and was completed in year 1929.The palace is built with red sandstone. It has all the elements of Rajput architecture and draws largely on the plan of palaces of Orchha and Datia. The central high dome on the pillars, the Bengal domes on the sides, the windows with colored glass, carved stone 'jalis', domed bastions at the corners, extended porch and other exquisitely stone-carved elements, make the palace worth visiting.

The majestic palace is nestled in 450 acres of lush greenery, with 2 kilometers of private beach. The Vijay Vilas Palace has its own private sanctuary maintained in an eco-friendly manner to preserve its pristine beauty. In this sanctuary one can see blue bulls, jackals and an occasional chinkara. One can also see peacocks frolicking in the palace grounds as well as partridges and other birds of the forest.

Don't you guys feel like singing and dancing in this beautiful place? Actually you may have to spend quite a fortune as it is nowadays converted into a heritage resort. But you can still visit this place and come without staying there, it may not cost you much for visiting.

INCREDIBLE BHARATHA

Swades-Movie-Nana Fadnavis Wada

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I think you have watched "Swades" Movie..How about "Singham" (The hindi one) or "Gangajal" movie? Do you recollect the beautiful temple beside a river, where the villagers are walking around. how many times would you have said "Wow!!! What a beautiful location! I must visit this place one... or is it a set up done for the movie?"

You don't need to doubt about the authenticity of the place. It's very much there in Menavali village, Satara District, Maharashtra.

Nana Phadnavis in 17th Century, was an influential minister and statesman of the Maratha Empire during the Peshwa administration in Pune. The Menavali village in Satara District was gifted to Fadnavis by Marathas in 1768 who built the village's most famous landmark in this Menavali village is the Nana Fadnavis Wada (the one you see in the movie). The Wada and a ghat was built on the banks of Krishna river, as well as temples of Vishnu and Shiva. The Nana Fadnavis Wada is a large six-quadrangled, perimeter-protected wada.

The temple complex houses a massive bell from a cathedral in the Portuguese fort at Bassein, dating back to 1707. The five-alloy bell bears a bas-relief of Mary carrying the infant Jesus Christ.

Originally, simple stone steps descending into a river, ghats evolved into an elaborate arrangement of terraces with separate areas for different activities, such as bathing, washing, filling water and performing religious rites. Temples were traditionally built on ghats.
The Peshwa-era saw architectural combinations of a Wada-type residence, a Ghat on a water-body and a Temple.
The Nana Phadnavis wada on the bank of the river Krishna at Menavali, is one of the very rare places where such a combination is preserved intact.
I think this is why we say that India's heart lies in Indian Villages. Such serine and beautiful places are found in small villages too.
Now you know where to go and see the serine place. Pack you bags to see the beauty of Indian Villages.

INCREDIBLE BHARATHA

Guru-Movie-Bhutanatha Temple

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"Guru" movie. Do you remember this song "Ey Hairathe Aashiqui" sung beautifully by Hariharan, A.R.Rehman's music. The song plays during Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bhachan wedding. You can listen to it here if you want https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cME0ToAVpA

How many of you know that this was shot in the beautiful location - Butanatha temple in Badami, Karnataka.
Badami, located in the Bagalkot district of North Karnataka, was the capital of the Chalukya Dynasty. It is situated at the mouth of a beautiful ravine, flanked on either side by beautiful sandstone hills.

The Bhutanatha group of temples along with the cave temples on the hills is the major thing to be seen in Badami. Let me stick to the temples for today and caves on a later date. The Bhutanatha group includes two major temples, one on the east and the other on the north-east side of the Agasthya Tirtha or Agasthya Lake.

The temple on the east side of the Agasthya Tirtha is the famous Bhutanatha temple, built during the reign of the Chalukyas of Vatapi, as Badami was known then. The style is a blend of North Indian and early South Indian temple architecture. This temple seems to have been built in two stages. The inner hall and the shrine reflect the style of the Eastern Badami Chalukyas, while the outer hall represents the style of the Kalyani Chalukyas of the west. The inner hall has massive pillars and the bays are decorated with lotus designs. On one side of the doorway of the shrine stands Goddess Ganga, riding the makara, while on the other side is river Yamuna. She is depicted as riding the tortoise. The Shiva Linga in the shrine is believed to be of a later date, put in by the Lingayats. This temple came under the influence of Jains for a period of time. Later, it was taken over by the Lingayats who installed a Shiva Linga in the shrine and a Nandi in front.

Its a beautiful location visually and spiritually too. Specially during the monsoons, the waterfall from the hills on the rear side of the temple add to the spectacular view of the place. Wish this was actually given as wedding location as it is in the movie. But let's celebrate the beauty of the location.

INCREDIBLE BHARATHA

Roja-Movie-Courtallam Falls

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We watch so many movies and some beautiful Indian locations are shown in them. But we tend to either ignore or forget the amazing places. Let me try in the next few days to let you know or remind you about these amazing locations.

Who can forget "Chinna Chinna aasai" or "Dil Hai Chotasa" song from Roja where Madhoo goes around the village and to the waterfall. The village shot in Roja seems so gorgeous and rustic that we actually feel like living there, running through the fields and bathing in those waterfalls. This part of the movie was filmed in Courtallam or Kutralam, which is actually a tourist place now famous for those waterfalls.

Courtallam is famous for its Courtallam Falls in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu in Tirunelveli District. Though the falls are located in Tamil Nadu, it also shares the boundary of Kollam district of Kerala State. Also known as Kuttralam Falls, it has gained an extreme popularity, since the water here is believed to have great curative properties for a number of skin problems and even nerve disorders, as they run through a forest of herbs.  The town is famous for its pleasant climate and abundant natural beauty. There are nine places at Courtallam where the River Chittar cascades over 92 m., at varying volumes. The falls are at its best during the rainy season (July to late August) and one can see heavy flow in all the places during this time.

The Green fields around Courtallam Town just fills your eyes with freshness and surely you can go along singing "Chinna Chinna aasai"

Go visit the waterfall and you can sing possibly one of your favorite songs..

INCREDIBLE BHARATHA

Sambar Lake - Biggest Salt lake in India

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Just thought of adding some salt today into this series.

Sambhar, situated in the Indian state of Rajasthan, is a municipality of Jaipur and is also popularly known as the Salt Lake City. Civilization here goes back a long way, and houses the Sambhar Lake National Park, Sambhar Lake Tiger Reserve and is also home to the largest saline lake in India.

The Sambhar Lake is known for the production of brine/salt and also houses one of the largest salt manufacturing units in the country. Apart from this unit, tourists also flock the Sambhar lake to get a glimpse of the fames 'Shakambari Devi' temple and for bird-watching. Flamingoes, pelicans and the waterfowls are commonly sighted at the Sambhar Lake.

The lake receives water from an endorheic basin with 5700 square km catchment area. It occupies an area of 190 to 230 square kilometers, based on the season. It is an elliptically shaped lake 35.5 km long with a breadth varying between 3 km and 11 km. It is located in Nagaur and Jaipur districts and it also borders the Ajmer district. The circumference of the lake is 96 km, surrounded on all sides by the Aravali hills.

The Sambhar lake basin is divided by a 5.1 km long dam made of sand stone. To the east of the dam are salt evaporation ponds where salt has been farmed for a thousand years. This eastern area is 80 km². and comprises salt reservoirs, canals and salt pans separated by narrow widges. The  produces 196,000 tonnes of clean salt every year, which equates to around 9% of India's salt production.

The Sambhar wildlife sanctuary is spread across 24,000 hectares and is among the finest wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan. This wildlife sanctuary is ideal for sighting avian species and is a bird paradise. Popular species of birds that are sighted at the sanctuary are coots, black-winged stilts and redshanks. The Sambhar Tiger Sanctuary is also a popular destination for those wanting to see the majestic Tigers.

INCREDIBLE BHARATHA

When India Won over China in 1967

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Usually we are told and thought about big India-China war in 1962 and the way we lost it because of poor decisions by the political class. But there are many other "smaller" but heroic conflicts which have happened in due course of time too and they have not really turned out to be outright full scale war with the neighbor. But still the bravery of our Indian soldiers are really amazing and commendable. Here is one such incident where our guys defeated Chinese in 1967.
In 1967, at Nathu-La Pass, Sikkim, erstwhile protectorate of India, the Chinese installed loudspeakers and threatened to repeat “1962” if Indians didn’t retreat from the area. The Indian side, heeding no notice, started fencing the pass. The Chinese asked them to stop. Ignoring, our troops continued. Minutes later, murderous medium-machine-gun (MMG) fire started from the other side. The pass – completely devoid of cover – exposed the jawans of the 70 Field Company and the 18 Rajput to the open fire causing heavy fatalities at our side.

Two brave officers – Capt. Dagar of 2 Grenadiers and Major Harbhajan Singh of 18 Rajput reassembled a few troops and tried to assault the Chinese MMG but both died a gallant death. Within 10 minutes, 70 dead Indian soldiers and many other wounded were laying in the open on the pass.
Retaliating, the Indian army asked for the artillery fire and created havoc in the Chinese camp, estimating 400 casualties.

Then, the two sides seemed unstoppable, with China getting a lesson each day. Three days later, the Chinese agreed to ceasefire. 15 days later on October 1, similar incident happened at Cho-La, a few kilometres north of Nathu-La. Despite initial casualties, the 7/11 GR and the 10 JAK RIF stood firm and forced the Chinese to withdraw nearly three kilometres away to Kam-Barracks where they are installed till date. And this is how the Chinese retreated from Sikkim.

No wonder, Sino-Indian border has remained peaceful ever since to the level that today Chinese soldiers come and ask their Indian counterparts at Nathu La for cigarettes, rum and tea; mail is exchanged twice in a week in a hut constructed specially for this purpose and border personnel meeting takes place twice a year.

Wonder why such bravery and a WIN over Chinese are thought in our books?

INCREDIBLE BHARATHIYA ARMY

3D Museum

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A new museum just opened a few months ago on the East Coast Road in Chennai and no, it is not full of stuffy artifacts. In fact, you and your family are likely to go berserk taking selfies with the interactive 3D art on display here – it is so much fun!!
The art form is technically known as Tompe-l’oeil in French, and means to ‘deceive the eye.’ But you can just call it 3D trick art – the kind that has two dimensions but tricks you into believing there is a third. The talented powerhouse behind this amazing effort is artist AP Shreethar. Trick art also known as 'Optical Art' or "3D Art" is said to have a long history of over 2,000 years.
AP Shreethar, the man behind the conceptual museum, is a multifaceted self-taught painter and an award winning filmmaker. He has conducted more than 60 group shows and exhibitions, and is also one of the pioneers who bought giclee – a form of fine art digital print – to India.
There are 24 interactive works at this one-of-a-kind museum in India with only 42 other such museums across 12 countries. The huge life-like idyllic images trick the eyes and recreate scenes into works such as Adam giving an apple, Monalisa with a coffee, Bruce Lee’s kick, a fire breathing dragon, a selfie clicking Chimpanzee and much more.

You can go and have some fun.

INCREDIBLE BHARATHIYA

Bedni Bugyal - Trekker's Paradise

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Bedni Bugyal (High altitude grass, meadow) in Uttarakhand is one of the finest alpine meadow in India. Located at the border Garhwal and Kumaon in Chamoli district of Uttarkhand and is situated at an altitude of 3354m above sea level.

This has got to be one of the most romantic spots in the Himalayas - acres and acres of meadow scooped out of lush mountain scape, a steep ridge arching up into the dusk, and above it, the enormous western flank of Trishul mountain peak.This is one of the many trekkers paradise in India. A total 20km trek starts at Lohajang Pass. The trek to Bedni Bugyal and Ali Bugyal is graded easy as it passes through the Wan village. From Lohajang Pass the trek descends for 7kms and then gradually ascends for 4kms, finishing at Wan village. The moderate trek of 9kms from Wan goes through the deep forest of rhododendron and oak.
The trek to Bedni Bugyal passes through lush green grassy land, conifer forest clinging to the slopes of hills and steep climbs. Varied colors and diversified splendors of nature can be seen on this enchanting trek to Bedni Bugyal.
On reaching Bedni Bugyal you see a charming green meadow adorned with flowers in a spell binding varieties, in full bloom. There is a small lake situated in the midst of the meadow, Bedni Kund, which also has religious importance to the locals who offer Tarpans. The reflection of the majestic Trishul peak on the crystal clear water of this pond is purely enchanting. Trekkers get ready..INCREDIBLE BHARATHA