Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi

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Humanyun's Tomb Delhi

Humanyun's Tomb Delhi

A place of silence and peace this is Humayuns tomb for the people of Delhi. Humayun tomb stands proudly in the middle of Delhi attracting thousands of tourist’s everyday. This world heritage site and a master piece of Mughal architecture is famous for its magnificent architectural designs and char Bagh pattern. The Tomb was built around 1570 by the Haji begum, widow of Humayun in the memory of the husband. These great Islamic gardens are the ultimate paradise gardens where the great Mughal emperor lies in peace forever.
Humayun’s Tomb is a square chambered structure placed in center of the complex and surrounded by gardens on all four sides. Water channels are running in for directions all along the tomb. The tomb is made of red sandstone and marble and houses the graves of Humayun and other royal family members. Humayun’s tomb’s architectural pattern had been the inspiration behind many other monuments in later period. Even the Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world, is said to have planned according to the style of Humayun’s tomb

Qutub Minar

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Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar

On my way to Rajasthan a couple of months ago I could not resist the lure of Delhi, her monuments and the architecture there and on the spur of the moment decided to spend a quick evening strolling around Qutub Minar in Delhi. I did not have much time in hand, and utilized the entire evening roaming through the premises of Qutub Minar in the enclosure, without attempting to know much of the history behind it or intricacies of the monument. But visiting the territory anywhere near the great monument and not being voluntarily instructed and informed by the locals or the guides is fairly impossible.
The massive imposing pillar of the Qutub Minar still has its impression as strong as when I first saw it. Reluctantly though, I soon got to know the facts: In 1199, Qutub-ud-Din created the Qutub Minar either as a victory pillar or as a minaret to the adjacent mosque of Quwwatu’l-Islam Masjid. Eventually completed by Iltutmish, it tapers from a base of diameter 14.32meters to 2.75meters at a height of 72.5meters. The commentary on beside my ears, I could not take my eyes off the red sandstone tower embellished with projecting balconies with stalactite pendant like type of brackets and inscribed with inspirational verses from the Holy Quran. Moving around led me to other monuments and ancient structures like the Iron Pillar, Alai Darwaza, and the Tomb of Iltutmish.

Qutub minar, Delhi, India
Qutub minar, Delhi, India

My trip mostly inspired by my short glance at the Qutub Minar images heere in Times of India travel site back home, turned out to a rather fulfilling one.

Char Minar in Hyderabad

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Char minar Hyderabad

Char minar Hyderabad

Hyderabad, the capital of the southern Indian state Andhra Pradesh, is replete with historical monuments and buildings. But the most famous, most popular, most imposing among all is the Char minar, the sixteenth century monument built by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah to mark the end of plague in the region.

Charminar – the name comes to our mind every time we speak of Hyderabad. As I saw the image of the wonderful piece of architecture, I was fascinated. Fascinated by its artistic splendor, its imposing arches, the massive minarets and the signature style of Islamic architecture. The four giant arches face the four direction of the city with the minarets at all the four corners that measure around 55 m in height with two balconies in each of the minarets. There are two floors in the monument with the top floor being adorned with a small mosque. The mosque has been built in the western side of Charminar from where one can get a wonderful view of the busy streets of Hyderabad.

Hyderabad | Photo Gallery of Hyderabad

Golkonda fort Hyderabad

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Golkonda fort Hyderabad

Golkonda fort Hyderabad

If you want to see a blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture, then make a trip to Golkonda fort near Hyderabad. This fort located in the Deccan plateau in Southern India, stands out from the other monuments in India for its grand architecture and some unique features. One such unique feature is that, if anyone claps standing near main gate, it could be heard from the citadel which is about 91m high.

Legend has it that a shepherd boy found an idol on the hill that led to the construction of a small fort of mud by the ruler of Kakatiya dynasty who ruled there at that time. Thus, area came to be known as Golkonda meaning Shepherd’s hill. Construction of the fort was initiated by the Hindu Kakatiya rulers from the early 12th century on the 120 metre high granite hill; its expansion continued by the later kings of other dynasties. After the Kakatiyas, Islamic Bahmani Sultanate rule was established in that area and further expansion of the fort was controlled by the kings of Bahamani dynasty. But the greatest contribution came from the Qutub Sahi rulers who established their kingdom around 1507 at Deccan Plateau. For next sixty years, Golkonda became a place of prominence as it became the capital of Qutub Sahi dynasty. Mughal emperor Aurungzeb took the fort under his control for a brief period in mid sixteenth century. This 800 year old granite fort, built by three dynasties, demonstrates the brilliance and skill of the architects of the past.

At present, Golkonda fort is a famous tourist destination of South India. To allure the tourists, special arrangement of light and sound show has also been made in the fort.

More about Hyderabad

 

Ajmer Sharif Dargah

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One of the religious places of India, where people of all religion, caste and creed pay a visit to Ajmer sharif dargah. It is the resting place of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, the great Sufi saint who was said to be the “living spirit” of peace and harmony. From common people to the great rulers of India, like Akbar, came to Ajmer-e-sharif to seek his blessings and the tradition continues till now. Hundreds of devotees from all across the globe come to this holy place with prayers to fulfill their wishes.

Delhi to Ajmer road map and distance from Delhi to Ajmer

Delhi to Ajmer road map

Delhi to Ajmer road map

Map of Ajmer Dargah and other tourist places of Ajmer

Dargah Ajmer Sharif map

Ajmer dargah and Tourist places of Ajmer

Ajmer Sharif Dargah

Ajmer Sharif Dargah

Situated at the Taragarh hills of Ajmer in the heart of Rajasthan, the Ajmer-e-sharif dargah is one of the most important spots in India for people of all religions. The Dargah complex includes buildings, tombs, courtyards which are specimens of grandeur and brilliance of Mughal architecture. There are two mighty Buland Darwaza inside the Dargah of which one was made by Ghiyasuddin Khilji, the ruler of Mando and the other was made for the initiative of H.E.H. Nizam Usman Ali Khan of Hyderabad Deccan in the 20th century.

Everyday, the rituals at the Ajmer-e-sharif dargah starts with Khidmat, when cleaning and offering of fresh flowers was made to the holy tomb. Then in the evening there is lighting is done when the candles are brought inside the tomb and Persian verses were recited. The closing ceremony is known as Karka when cleaning of the tomb is done and after all the devotees come out of the Dargah, a Qayali “Karka” song is performed. After the performance of the song, the entrance is closed.

A hill top hotel in India

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I remember my childhood days when we used to stay in guest houses during
our frequent tours. Generally there used to be one caretaker, a chef and a
guard in those guest houses. Such guest houses still exist but there has been a
sea change in the hotel industry following the development of variety of hotels
in India.
Keeping in mind the budgetary constraints of the travelers, India is brimmed
with all types of hotels – be it world class deluxe hotels or small inns.
Those who want to spend their vacation in the lap of nature, there are the hill
top resorts or the houseboats. Relax and find solace from the routine
work as you watch the landscape from high terrains or listen to the rhythms of
flowing water. If anyone cannot splurge the wallet, there are the low priced
guest houses, inns, budget hotels or motels.
mehrangarh fort Rajasthan
Hotels Rajasthan mehrangarh fort
A new attraction for the leisure and business travelers is the heritage hotels
that are mainly found in Rajasthan. In Rajasthan, the forts and palaces of the
royal families are restored and made public so that the travelers can have a
royal experience in the midst of a luxurious ambience. It is a double bonanza
for the travelers – they can see the designs, paintings, royal families’
belongings present in the forts and palaces while enjoying all the modern
facilities and amenities.
Already I have the experience of spending holidays at a hill top deluxe resort,
but I am just dying to have a vacation in the houseboats in Kerala and yet to
explore the grandeur of a heritage hotel in Rajasthan.

Beach capital Goa

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Beach capital Goa

Goa


Goa, crowned as the beach capital of India, has its share of legends and myths as the history of Goa is shrouded in mystery. I found some interesting stories about the origin of the state and myths related to its beaches. Here are some of the legends :-
According to one hindu mythology, it was Parashuram, who was the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, created the entire Konkan coast thousands of years ago. On the request of Kashyapmuni, Parashuram got the land by asking the god of sea to recede. It is believed that Parashuram shot an arrow from the Western Ghats to the sea and the place where the arrow landed was called ‘Bannali’, now known as Benaulim. Today, there is a temple of Parashuram Painguinim village of Canacona Taluka in South Goa.
There is another mythological legend telling us that the beautiful ladies of Konkan were drawn towards the magical tune of Lord Krishna’s flute and Lord Krishna named the place ‘Govapuri’.
One of the famous legends associated with Goa’s beach is that of Dona Paula de Menzes. Even today, if we make a tour to Dona Paula beach, we hear the legendary stories of the spirit of Dona Paula haunting the beach and the lady is seen to be coming out of the sea on moonlit nights. It is said that Dona Paula de Menzes, daughter of viceroy, jumped off the cliff at the bay after not being allowed to marry her lover, a local fisherman.