Top 10 temples of Maharashtra

This is edition 3 of the top 10 temple series aimed at providing a concise view of the most popular live temples of majority of Indian states. After covering the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan the following article illustrates the most popular temples of the state of Maharashtra. As the write-up only throws light on live temples, i.e. where Pujas are regularly performed hence there are notable exclusions such as Ellora , Elephanta and the likes

1. Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai :- One of the most glamorous temples of the country, it is very frequently visited by celebrities who pray for a stroke of luck or chance. It is also the numero-uno temple of Lord Ganesha in the country when it comes to popularity index. One can visit www.siddhivinayak.org for more information and Live darshan.

Siddhivinayak: PC- sindhudurginitiative.blogspot.com

2. Sai Baba Temple, Shirdi :- The undoubtedly most venerated temple dedicated to Sri Sai Baba, it is a site of pilgrimage for devotees across India and is one of the most visited and rich temples in the country. One can look at www.saibaba.org and www.shrisaibabasansthan.org for Live Darshan and other related info

Shirdi: PC- 99godwallpapers.blogspot.com

3. Triyambakeshwar Temple, Nashik :- The holy city of Nashik, situated on the banks of river Godavari is a site for one of the four Kumbh Melas organized once every twelve years and Triyambakeshwar temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva is at its centerstage.  One can follow www.trambakeshwar.com, templenet.com and trimbakeshwar.net for further reading.

Triyambakeshwar: PC- populartemplesofindia.blogspot.com

4. Vithoba Temple, Pandharpur :- The temple located in the district of Sholapur is dedicated to Lord Krishna and his wife Rukmini. Located on the banks of river Chandrabhaga, it is of quite antiquity and is held in extremely high regard across India and is known for its progressive nature where women are allowed to rule as high priestesses.

Pandharpur: blogmad123.blogspot.com

5. Bhimashankar Temple, Bhimashankar :- One of the twelve Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva situated in the lap of Sahyadris near Pune and hence commands spectacular views and doubles up as a non-religious tourist destination too. To know more about this Shivteertha one can look at www.bhimashankar.net.in

Bhimashankar: PC- bhimashankar.in

6.  Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur :- This revered pilgrimage center is also referred to as Karvira Kshetra . This Shaktipeetha is believed to be one of the six places where one can obtain salvation. The temple structurally belongs to Kannada Chalukya style and more information about the deity, legends and route plans can be gather at mahalaxmikolhapur.com.

Mahalaxmi: PC- alltouristattractions.org

7. Bhavani Temple, Tuljapur :- This temple is the tutelary deity of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is situated in Osmanabad district and is considered one of the 51 Shaktipeethas of India.It also serves as the royal deity or Kuldevi of Bhosle royal family. If one is searching for Live Darshan one can log in at the official site of www.tuljabhavani.in

Bhavani Temple: PC- panoramio.com

8. Ghrishneshvar Temple, Daulatabad :- The temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of the country dedicated to Lord Shiva.It is also believed to be the last Jyotirlinga on earth and lies very close to the town of Aurangabad (30 kms) in the vicinity of Ellora caves. One can look here for more information about the temple.

Ghrishneshvar: PC- aurangabad-hotels-packages.com

9. Dagadusheth Temple, Pune:- The Dagdoo Sheth Halwai temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha is the primary deity of Pune. Bright gold and silver inlay work decorates and adorns the temple premises which is located in the old town area of the city. The official website of the temple is www.dagdushethganpati.com

Dagadusheth: PC- gotuwecreate.blogspot.com

10:  Mahalaxmi Temple, Mumbai :- The Mahalaxmi temple resides in area of Mumbai which derives its name from the shrine in the Southern district of Mumbai. The temple is venerated across the state and is one of the most visited temples in India. The arrangements and festivities during the two Navratri season are a sight to behold. The official website of the temple is mahalakshmi-temple.com

Mahalaxmi: PC- magnolia2mumbai.com

Top 10 temples of Rajasthan

Continuing with the tradition of counting down the Top 10 temples statewise here is the second edition after Madhya Pradesh listing down the most popular live temples of Rajasthan.

1. Srinathji Temple, Nathdwara :- This temple serves as the soul of the village known for its great vegetarian and jain fare. The temple is held in reverence across the country specially amongst Marwari business families. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna who is worshiped here in the form of Srinathji. One can follow the following link to know more about the temple Nathdwara official site

Nathdwara: PC-Ilovethirdplanet via flickr.com

2. Adinath Temple, Ranakpur :- This is hands-down one of the most, if not the numero uno temples in India in terms of its sheer beauty which is captivating,enthralling and liberating at once. Ranakpur town is situated approximately 95 kms away and enjoys excellent road connectivity. One can find more information here

Ranakpur: PC- unseen rajastha.blogspot.com

3. Kailadevi Temple, Karauli :- The temple is situated at a distance of 23 kms from the district headquarters at Karauli. The temple is held in extreme high regards throughout central India and serves as Kuldevi for many. One can find more information on Kailadevi Official Site

Kailadevi: PC- lucky-vagabond.com

4. Mehndipur Balaji Temple, Dausa :- This temple is said to be magical in its abilities to heal people suffering from stress, anxiety and supposedly supernatural curses. The atmosphere of the temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman is extremely different from any other temple which you might encounter which are generally benign in their presence. One can find more information about the temple www.mehandipurbalaji.org and www.jaybalaji.com

Mehndipur Balaji: PC- ghoomindiaghoom.com

5. Mahaveerji Temple, Chandanpur :- The temple complex is dedicated to Lord Mahaveer and is situated in Karauli district of Rajasthan . The pious structure is undoubtedly one of the most beautifully constructed buildings currently. One may like to visit the link for further information.

Mahaveerji : PC- mahaveerji.org

6. Brahma Temple. Pushkar ;- The most famous temple dedicated to Lord Brahma is one of the rare breed of temples which worship Brahma as its principal deity. The temple premises also consist of a lake called as Brahma Sarovar, which is said to be of extreme religious importance owing to its association with the Char Dham. One can find handy guide to the temple here

Brahma Temple: PC- indianstemple.blogspot.com

7.  Dilwara Temple, Mount Abu :- Mount Abu is one of the oldest and most famous hill stations of India and the Dilwara Temple complex has significantly contributed towards its rise in popularity. The temple is beautifully carved with decorations and drawing indicating the zenith of craftsmanship, More can be found on the official Mount Abu site

Dilwara: PC- Pranavgang.wordpress.com

8. Eklingji Temple, Eklingji :- This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated 22 kms North of Udaipur. The temple was built by Bappa Rawal and is held in high regards across Rajasthan and also serves as the royal deity of the house of Maharanas of Udaipur. More about the temple and the legends here

Eklingji: PC- rajasthantourismbuzz.com

9. Galtaji Temple, Jaipur :- The temple justified its location in the pink-city of India as the structure is also built of pink sandstone and consists of a vast complex of smaller temples. It is one of the most coveted tourist attractions of Jaipur and is also known as the monkey temple. For further reading,click here.

Galtaji: PC-touristdestinationsindiaa.blogspot.com

10. Nasiyan Temple, Ajmer :- The temple also known as Soniji Ki Nasiyan is an architectural marvel and one of the best constructed temples in the state. It is also known simply as Ajmer jain temple and consists of an inner sanctum which depicts several Jain figures in gold plates.

Red temple: PC- religions.iloveindia.com

Top 10 temples of Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh, the heart of incredible India also hides a treasure-trove of religious places in its closet. The call is heard far and wide by the devotees who come to pay respects to the myriads of deity of the heartland. The following list tries to enumerate the most-well known, some of the most visited and the shrines commanding great devotion and respect of its adherents. The list is by no means exhaustive but tries to provide a glimpse of the religious landscape of the state. The article lists down the temples in their decreasing order of importance in the current scenario and they should strictly be live i.e there should be a daily prayer ritual in the temple premises and hence temples of Khajuraho and Sanchi aren't considered.

1. Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain:- This without any contest is the richest,most visited and most veneered shrine in the state. The temple is a must visit for every religious and non-religious tourist alike once he steps within the state boundaries. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and is the centre of attention for the lakhs of Kumbh devotees which gather every once in twelve years on the banks of river Shipra to celebrate Simhastha. Find more details about the Kumbh Mela here.More details about the temple, deity, darshan timings can be found at the following site

Mahakaleshwar:PC- ashish-allinoneplace.blogspot.com

2. Omkareshwar Temple, Omkareshwar: - The more accurate name for this massive temple on the banks of river Narmada is Mamleshwar which is also a part of the 12 Jyotirlingas of the country. Legend says that when Narmada is in its full vigorous form, the main shivlinga oozes Narmada's water. More details about the temple,ashrams,events and hotels can be found here

Omkareshwar: PC-prashantghotikar.wordpress.com

3.Ramraja Temple, Orchha :- The temple where Lord Rama is worshiped as the reigning monarch. The temple has a plethora of interesting stories behind its origin and wasn't designated as the original resting place for the idol. The icon of devotion was to be seated at the nearby Chaturbhuj Temple. More details about the temple can be found here.

Ramraja Temple: PC orchaa.wordpress.com

 4. Sharda Temple, Maihar:- There are various myths and legends associated with the temple specially with regards to the mysterious presence of Alha and Udal. The devotion to the temple is said to be extreme and historical evidences exist of the same. Have a look at the legends at this link.

Sharda Temple: PC- abhishekk-telang.blogspot.com

5.  Narmada Udgam Temple, Amarkantak:- The town of Amarkantak is known as Tirthraj indicating its place at the zenith of all religious centers. There are legends which established the ancient nature of the river one of them being that even Ganga comes to Narmada once a year to purify herself. Best place to find about amarkantak is (Click here)

Mata Narmada: PC- hindutemplesindia.blogspot.com

6. Kamta Nath Temple. Chitrakoot :-The city of Chitrakoot lies in Uttar Pradesh but Madhya Pradesh is fortunate enough to contain most of the centers of devotion. The village is located in the Satna district and is considered one of the most important religious structure dedicated to Lord Rama. More about Chitrakoot at Chitrakoot District Website

Kamadgiri: PC- Suryakamal via flickr.com

7. Chamunda Tekri, Dewas:- Dewas is known as the city of goddesses, the centre of the city is dominated by a conical hill which is dedicated to goddess Chamunda, goddesss Kalika and goddess Tulja Bhavani. The hill has a built parikrama track and offers specatular views of the city and beyond. More details here

Chamunda Tekri: PC-pics2.this-pic.com

8. Peetambara Peeth, Datia:- This is one of 51 Shaktipeeths of India and is dedicated to goddess Bagulamukhi. It also houses temples dedicated to goddess Dhoomavati and follows a strict dress for all the devotees.The temple is maintained by a trust overseen by political bigwigs. More details can be found here

Peetambara: PC-Avinash88Gupta via panoramio.com 

9. Pashupatinath Temple, Mandsaur:- Situated on the banks of river Shivna, the temple worships Lord Shiva in the form of Pashupatinath. The temple is modeled on the basis of its more famous cousin,the Pashupatinath temple at Kathmandu. More details can be obtained at Pashupatinath Official Website

Pashupatinath: PC- Hinduism123.blogspot.com

10. Ratangarh Mata Temple, Rampura:- The legend states that the temple dedicated to goddess Durga was erected by Chhatrapati Shivaji maharaj after his victory over Mughals. The temple is situated near the city of Datia (Approx 55 kms away). A more detailed description about the temple complex can be found at Ratangarhmata.org

Ratangarh: PC-ratangarhmata.org

Diu: Island of Calm

Being at Diu

If I shout Portuguese,  you say Goa, If I shout Portuguese again, you still say Goa and the answer won't change even after iterations of the question. Yeah fu*k history and geography. There is a small Union Territory which goes by the name of Daman and Diu which incidentally are also not contiguous but are separated by hundreds of kms ( Yeah! Your eyes are still wide in surprise and I have my preacher mode on )

Diu is one half of the UT of Daman and Diu, rather one should say the better half. If you thought that UTs are just a place for cheap booze and only booze , you are definitely right but your pointer is towards the wrong direction. Maybe you should head to Daman and skip Diu. If not, read on.

What to see/do at Diu

        Nagoa Beach: If the banner ads of Ocean roads at Australia excite you may catch a preview here. This is the place to be at in Diu whether you are craving for an evening jog, adventure sports in the form of parasailing and banana ride, have a penchant for trying local fruits or just have a desire of getting your feet wet.   

        Diu Fort: Remember the scenes of Goa from Dil Chahta Hai? Now imagine a cleaner, posher and a more Mediterranean-esque surroundings. Done? Now add a greatly preserved fort surrounded on three side by shimmering azure waters. Clear? Now this is what Diu fort provides you with. The fort premises have an active sub-cellular jail so here is your trailer of Kala Pani of Andaman. There is an active and must-visit lighthouse which offers breathtaking views of the island as well as of the Gujarat coast.

        Naida Caves: This is a must do for all cave lovers in the country. The complex is much larger than your expectations and offers a perfect hideout from the blazing sun which incidentally is also the best time to witness the beauty of the caves in its full glamour. The best thing, the entry is absolutely free.

        Jallandar Beach: If strolling on a partially rocky beach in the vicinity of white-sandsone churches is your thing, you may plan your visit here.You may also choose to skip it and take a stroll through the adjoining seaside road.

Where to eat in Diu

Options are aplenty, resorts and shacks suitable for each pocket are available. If trying authentic Portuguese food is your thing, then look no further and head to  O'Coqueiro. A word of caution, majority of the fare is non-vegetarian and the restaurant doesn't take orders post 9:00 p.m. So head early. Even this worthy restaurant pales in comparison to a snack joint called as Shri Ram Vijay refreshments center. This establishment is currently being run by the third generation of proprietors and the food speaks volumes of their success stories. They have their own brands of soft drinks, sodas and ice-creams which are claimed to be even older than the entry of the likes of Coke and Pepsi. Leave the decision of finalizing the menu to the owner and indulge in the unique Diu flavor on your plate

So...

Diu is enchanting, mesmerizing and contains an amazing Mediterranean town-like feel complete with modern beaches, azure waters and whitewashed houses. The small video promoted by Diu tourism sums it up quite nicely (Find the link here). It is truly ile de calme.

!Diu Tip!

sd The central city area is circuitous and congested, follow the main routes and avoid taking short-cuts specially if you are driving a 4-wheeler. Your GPS mightn't be of much use here

Reaching Diu

Diu is an island off the coast of Gujarat and I am going to throw cold water on your hopes of boarding a ferry, the island is connected by excellent roads to the mainland of Gujarat via State Highway 232. There is no railway facility on the island, with nearest railway station being Veraval, approximately 90 kms away. Veraval Train Time Table provides details about train schedules. Diu can be reached  via air onboard a Jet-Airways flight (Diu Flight Schedule) 

Lachung: Your Himalayan Dream

Being at Lachung

Lachung is small village prettily perched on the banks of Teesta river. This was singularly the most banal representation of the town ever provided in words. In reality, the town is your first snow frontier in North Sikkim, it is where the sun shines on the golden mist and naked mountaintops, it is a place of innumerable waterfalls, it is a place of weird celebrity landmarks, a town of bitter coffee and sweet tea. This is a place of Kahwa-esque morning and maggi soup dinners, it is a place where crystal green waters of Teesta ebbs and flows. Have one look at the waters and all the border disputers between India-Bangladesh seem justified. You wouldn't want to share such mysterious waters with anyone else.

This is also a town where endless walks don't make you feel lethargic but rather energized, here every building has its own private waterfall in the backyard. The steep slopes of the town offer a splendid exercise routine, which invariably you should in order to keep yourself warm and functional. This is a town where almost every structure doubles up as a homestay and every local is friendly and inviting.

The town is the touchdown for your grand entry into the Snowy Himalayas and justifies its position as base, The sounds of the military firing range can be heard for miles and so can be the trembling of the mountains. It is also a place for hot rice plates and cozy furnishings where you will find every excuse to not take a bath in the morning. 

For some there is nothing to do and for others the village offers something to be occupied for a lifetime, the day begins early, the night falls sooner, the long strolls become even longer here. Sitting a the precipice of the only bridge between two halves of the town while staring dangerously at the roaring waters of Teesta might be the most relaxing undertaking ever undertaken by you.

There are countless selfie spots, multiple long shot DSLR view points and a plethora of instagram worthy shot spots but it all ceases to matter. Here despite with all the gadgets surrounding you might find an unreasonable voice inside your head that these don't matter. May be the voice isn't such unreasonable after all!!

Where to eat in Lachung

Pre book a homestay befoe you leave from Gangtok. The meals are rice based, have home-flavor and are served piping hot. There are multiple coffee and booze shops dotting the town where one can find a nightcap and early morning shots quite easily.

So..

Words are dirty, they do know justice to what you witness here. Pack your bags and just leave. You will be doing yourself a favor.

!Lachung Tip!

Hire a local driver from Gangtok itself, there is no vehicle available from commute in the village. The roads are extremely tricky and difficult to navigate so rule out your self drive ambitions.

Reaching Lachung

Reaching Lachung is only possible by road where you travel on the roads built by Border Roads Organization and you are filled with great measure of respect for the deeds of valor and duty performed by our men in uniform. We don't thank them enough.  One can find the list of registered tour operators here. The rates are uniform through-out and are prefixed, and that's such a relief. A list of hotels and homestays can be found here.

Shivpuri: Royally wild

Being at Shivpuri

Shivpuri, the erstwhile summer capital of Scindias of Gwalior is now a progressive quaint town perched on NH-3 or Agra-Bombay road as it is more commonly known locally.  The highly travelled highway never portrays the town as a destination on your Gwalior-Indore route but just as a milestone, a town which just warrants the search for a road bypass and nothing more. Let's add something more to it..

What to visit/do in Shivpuri

             Madhav National Park: The fauna on offer at this national park is extremely varied. One can witness critically endangered aviators such as Sonchiraiya, which incidentally also has its own dedicated sanctuary at Ghatigaon on the same highway but is spotted in the national park with much higher frequency, jackals which do cross the road with surprising agility and indifference and your regular national park fare. One should always try the safari conducted during late evenings and early mornings where the park is most alive specially near its watering hole.

            Sakhya Sagar Lake: The lake is probably one of the only few places in India where one can enjoy a leisurely boat ride on a heavily crocodile infested waterbody. Crocodiles abound here and one can freely spot them lazing around basking in the sunlight or if you are lucky (or rather Unlucky!!) you can spot one directly swimming beside you. For the fainthearted there is a watchtower with shades aplenty where one can pleasantly gaze at the waters. 

            Shivpuri Chhatris: The chattris are a unique blend of Maratha and Bundelkhandi architecture and offers a unique window into the rituals and customs of the royal family of Gwalior. Somewhere in the late afternoons the Kota stone gets too hot to walk on , so wearing a pair of socks is highly advisable.

Where to eat in Shivpuri

There are awesome Samosa and Kachori joints adjoining the Chhatri market. One should also try out Tourist Village run by Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation which offers M.P. specific dishes such as Indrahar and Bafle which are generally not available on street.

So..

As the name of the city itself implies, the town is called Shiva's own city. Multiple Shiv temples dot the city's landscape and its waters. The city also marks one's entry onto the Malwa plateau which is illustrated by the drop in thermometer readings. This is town beckoning you to explore itself, calling you. It depends on whether you want to answer the call or not.

!Shivpuri Tip!

Sakhya Sagar lake has an adjoining waterwell called Bhadaiya Kund which also houses a Shiv Temple. The cool waters are a teeming invitation for a swim but do avoid as sometimes when the waters of the lake and the kund join together crocodiles are found to have made themselves comfortable in the waters of the kund as well. After all they know no boundaries.

Reaching Shivpuri

Reaching shivpuri is easy both by rail and road. A detailed list on trains connecting to Shivpuri can be found at Shivpuri Train Time Table. Shivpuri stands at 117 kms from Gwalior, 233 kms from Agra, 312 from Bhopal and 380 kms from Indore. The highway patch between Shivpuri and Gwalior is under construction and hence it mightn't be advisable to travel during nights. Taxis are available for local commutation. Be sure to haggle with them

Mandvi: Beaches, Palaces and Windmills

Mandavi: Palaces, Beaches and Windmills

Being at Mandvi

Gujarat has only recently after a spate of "Kuch Din to gujariye Gujarat mein" has recently arrived at the tourism scene like a big boy and this is because there is so much on offer that a week's journey is required to explore just one district. The jewel in Gujarat's crown is invariably the district of Kutch and one of the must visit destinations while you do your desert circuit is the beachy Mandvi

What to visit/do in Mandvi

       

        Mandvi Shipyard: This shipyard is a teleportation device it seems, the minute the vistas of the shipyard open you feel you have been transported back 500 years. Wooden ships in various stage of their building process are a delight to behold and reinforce the reputation of Kachchi fisherfolk as renowned seamen.

       Vijay Vilas Palace: There are multiple things worth mentioning once you visit the palace, let's list down individually. One, the architecture is distinctly of Rajasthani origin and it seems for once that you are standing somewhere near Jodhpur or Bikaner. Second, the palace has a well maintained garden, which poses itself for a venue of a perfect stroll. This expanse of greenery is extremely rare in this arid district. Third, the magnificent views from the rooftop. One can stare endlessly at the stark changes in the scenery lying ahead. There are beaches, sand , gardens, windmills, dusty houses, wooden ships, clear blue waters, fishermen nets, painted camels and what not. The words seem to be of utter disuse to justify what can only be witnessed with one's own eyes.

       Windfarm Beach: The beach seems to be a reincarnation of Juhu beach with all the food stalls selling famed Gujarati and Mumbai snacks and ofcourse it comes with associated plates,glasses and plastics strewn around. You can throw in the horse and camel manure too as they are aplenty offering you rides of different lengths as per your pocket. If riding a horse into the sunset is your dream, Mandvi provides the perfect backdrop for doing so. And the beach has windmills. WINDMILLS on a beach!! A truly picturesque setting after all

         The abovementioned description of Mandvi might have portrayed a pretty banal picture of a beach. If what's so special here is the question looming in your mind, then let us put that curiosity to rest. This has the best possible sunset. Period. How? There is a small manmade cement trip which separates the shipyard from the beach, which stretches reasonably far into the ocean. So what you should do? Exercise your muscle and hop on (You might need someone else's help to do so) and walk till you reach till the end and then what!! Nothing, you don't need anything else where water surrounds you from three sides and there is a picture-perfect sun in your foreground.

Where to eat?

You should definitely, I repeat, definitely drop in at Osho Lodge for arguably the best Thali of your life and if not, then definitely the best Value-for-money Thali during a roadtrip. The lodge is situated at one of the most congested areas of town hence it is a bit difficult to reach via a 4-wheeler which one needs to park at a nearby road. The restaurant from the outside seems to be in a dilapidated condition but these notions come to naught once you enter the establishment. There is only thali available on menu and you definitely need nothing else, the variety, the taste, the cordial service will make you curse yourself later on why you didn't eat more or on the contrary why you ate so much. The choice is yours but the outcome is the same, a satisfied self.

So…

Gujarat is a land of deserts, vegetarian cuisine, temples, modi, industry and progress. What doesn’t figure is that it is a state with the longest coastline and hence in addition to ports it is bound to have magnificent beaches too. T1his post was aimed at providing that small window into the beachy world of Gujarat.

!Mandvi Tip!

The Mandvi shipyard is extremely difficult to find and Google maps are upto no good here. Only follow the main roads as they are wider and the remainder of the town is extremely congested which makes navigating a 4-wheeler downright frustrating

Reaching Mandvi 

Skandagiri: Sunrise in your backyard

Being at Skandagiri

Bangalore never seems to be in a dearth of weekend travel destinations. After all when it takes approximately 1.5 hours to commute from anywhere to anywhere, it is no wonder than people leave for an excursion at the first chance they get. Skandagiri is one such destination which doesn't even need a full or an extended weekend, just a day's holiday is perfect. The uniqueness of this destination lies in the fact that it is a nighttime destination so here is how one can plan a perfect night out.

What to visit/do in Skandagiri

        

Trek. That's what you came here for after all and this is not going to be your run-of-the mill trek but something to be undertaken the shadow of the stars. Park your vehicle at the base of the hills, hire a local guide and run(RUN!!!) through the fields to reach your starting point. There are two ways to reach the summit, the hard one is one to be totally preferred over the 'oldie' trek as it offers spectacular views and you are always free to use the other route while descending.

Post climb, there is a discernible chill in the atmosphere, A jacket or two definitely helps and if you are planning to stay till sunrise, which by all means you definitely should, then it becomes a necessity. To help yourself there are also bonfires available on demand, but be aware the supplies are limited and the sellers frequently run out of them so make sure you capture your share early. The climb is at a time exhilarating and exhausting so a few hours of loitering around while waiting for the sunrise, seems the best thing to do.

The first reddish ray of sunlight seems to justify why the locals say that Skandagiri is the best place to witness it and they seem entirely justified. Stay still, look at the golden rays wash over you tenderly, feel their embrace and kickstart your descent, After all sleep is important too.

Where to eat

Once you are at the top, you are invariably hungry, so don't worry there is a small Maggi shop serving mouthwatering maggi and maggi soup. Oh wait, there might be times when the shop-owner runs out of supplies, so now you may panic.

So...

Ask any one, what is the nearest hill-station to Bangalore and you will receive Nandi Hills as the answer. Post that if you are the asker, you will start receiving the deer in the headlights look. Skandagiri is so easily missed while it is the answer to your queries such as "Kya kare yaar, bore ho raha hai?"

!Skandagiri Tip!

Try scheduling your trek doing the full-moon period as the nightly views are near perfect and you have abundant moonlight during your climb. The parking fee are a tad high but do not fret, it won't be worth mulling over

Reaching Skandagiri

Skandagiri is a measly 60 kms away from Bangalore, towards Nandi Hills easily reachable by road.The road is little tricky after it meanders from the main track so make sure you have Google Maps ready, Nokia maps are upto no good here. Thankfully there would be enough hustle-bustle on the road to ask  for directions. 

Mitavali - Padhavali: A song in ruins

Being at Mitavali

A very small dusty hamlet off NH-3, its hidden and forgotten treasures are most definitely overlooked. All is not lost though, thanks to the efforts of the Archaeology Department of India things are definitely looking brighter. The approach roads are now in shape and if you happen to travel to Gwalior from Delhi by road, make sure you don’t give this place a miss.

Mitavali-Padhavali are twin towns of the yesteryears and current twin villages and they have something striking hidden under their sleeves. Let us try to uncover the mysteries of this place sequentially.

What to visit/do in Mitavali

          Chausath Yogini Temple: One of the best preserved Yogini temples in the country. This temple is cited to be the source of inspiration for our Sansad Bhavan or the parliament house situated in New Delhi. One can just marvel at the immaculate symmetry of architecture, the craftsmanship of the inner sanctorum and one’s head will automatically bow down in reverence to the Mahadev to whom the temple is dedicated. As one sits at the temple's facade atop a hill with sun slowing turning red, all sense of time is forgotten

        Padhavali Gadhi Shiva Temple: There exists a well-preserved highly ornate temple of Shiva of which only the majestically carved rangamandapa and porch survives. The complex has been preserved mostly due to the adherence of locals towards Shaivism. This is truly an architecture lover's delight with multitude of Brahamincal deities of Mahakali, Surya, Parvati, Ganesh, Kartikeya,Krishna, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Vidyadharas and Apsaras are aplenty. Just take your time and let it all soak in. 

Where to eat

There are hardly any options to eat in Mitavali, make sure you pack your picnic baskets with ample amount of potable water. Alternatively one can make a stop at innumerous road side Dhabas at the highway which serve lip-smacking North Indian fare with Dal-fry and Gobi Sabzi (Cauliflower-potato) being the specialty.

So...

Despite the negative news hogging all headlines, there is something genuinely beautiful occurring in India. Some of its share can be attributed to ASI which has done a commendable job in preserving this song in architecture. We are the largest democracy in the world, sansad despite its all ill-borne attachments is considered the temple of democracy. So why not paying a visit to it's own inspiration. Right??

!Mitavali Tip!

There are two approach roads one from Gwalior-Morena section and another Gwalior-Bhind section, one should prefer the Morena section. The temples are extremely pet-friendly so if you are carrying your adopted child around, let them have an excursion too.

Reaching Mitavali

Gwalior should be made as base (Approx 40 kms away) after which one can hit NH92 till Gironghi and can follow the diversion till Mitaoli. Alternately one can hit NH3 till Milawali and then take a diversion via Aiti to reach Mitaoli. Accommodation of all sorts is available in Gwalior