Alwar: Historic City with Tiger Reserve

Rajasthan the land of forts and desert is also famous for acts of bravery by the Rajput rulers. A city that is closely related with famous Maharaja Pratap Singh and was ruled by Muslims from 13th to 18th century, situated in the hills of famous Aravali moutain Range with rich forests and palaces is the Alwar. The lake surrounded city with a population of about 2 to 2.5 lakhs, is almost at equal distance from National capital [Delhi about 170 km] and state capital [Jaipur 150 km.] and is famous for the Sariska [Tiger Reserve] wild life sanctuary. Traditionally Rajasthan is hot during the summers hence the most suitable time to visit is from mid of September to Mid of March.

In the page of the history city is mentioned as the land of the people who were not with an attitude of liking the interference of external forces in their life style and dare to protest against the encroachment. Sultan Bulban [1267 -1287 A.D.] brought the area under the Muslim rule but it was bravery Kuchhwaha Rajput Maharaja Pratapsingh, who belongs to same group of families of the Jaipur rulers, made this area free from the Mughal regime and ruled with his own Kingly Status.

Among the major tourist attractions of the city some most prominent places are as follows
1] The Bala Fort
2] The City Palace
3] Government Museum
4] Sagar
5] Sariska
6] Vijay Mandir Palace

The Bala Fort: It gives you the bird’s eye vision of the city as being at the height of more than 300 mts. This fort was constructed before the establishment of Mugal Kingdom in the India. Internal carpet area of the fort can be measured as about 5km.expansion in the direction from North to south and about 1.6 km. in the direction from east to west. With the existence of 8 huge towers fort has many gates.

The City Palace: The construction is an illustration of 18th century’s Rajput and Mugal Architect. Presently used as the Museum.

Government Museum : This will take you in the era of almost 200 years back A rich and nice collection of Indian armory is on the show for you. You can also see here “Mahabharat” in paintings prepared by artists from the Alwar School. Many manuscripts in various language, Such as Persian, Arabic, Urdu and Sanskrit, including Biography of Mugal King Babar are available here.

Sagar: the back yard area of City Palace, A piece of land with lush green flora and artificial lake constructed by Maharaja Vinay Singh in 1815. Moosi Maharaj’s Chhatari, with the roof and arches of Bengali style makes the place ideal rest place for the hot summer noons.

Vijay Mandir Palace : The Palace was constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1918. During the Ramnavami place attracts thousands of visitors for the Seeta Ram Temple situated in the premises.

Sarsika: During the 50’s in India Project Tiger was started and in the 1955 area of about 770 sq.km. From Arvali range has been chosen for the wild life sanctuary. Though the whole Aravali range is worth to watch from the lenses of camera but this valley is the most pictorial part of it. Distance of just 37 km. from the city makes the place assessable. You can see here not only the Tigers but also Nilgai, Sambhar, Chetal, and four horned antelope.

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Skeleton Lake: Mysterious Roopkund

Himalaya the place of Hindu Gods and Goddess is also full of mysteries and is the most beautiful place on the earth. In my childhood I have heard that during the Pralay [Black day, the day of elopement of earth for the start of new era of human civilization] whole earth goes under water baring about 1k.m. circumference area at Himalaya and human population remains there starts the life once again as the forefathers of new human civilization, after several years of being under water, when earth slowly start coming out.

A remote place of the Himalayan mountain range Roopkund came in the news around 1942, when a park ranger Madhwal discovered some skeletons under the layers of the ice. Presently the place comes in the Chamoli district of recently constructed state Uttranchal. Being situated in the lap of Tirshul Roopkund [altitude of 5029 mts] is also an attraction for the trekkers. Roopkund is on the way of Nanda Jat route to Homkund, Here earth surface remains covered by the ice all most whole year only in summer for few weeks, when ice melts it is possible to have a look of earth. During the ice melting period of 1942 one park ranger saw some skeletons floating in a hardly two meters deep lake, due to this very less depth lake is also known as the Shallow lake. The mystery of whose skeleton are these is unsolved hence people also call the lake as the Mystery lake. The strength thing is that some skeletons are with the flesh.

In 1960, some samples of skeletons were tested for the carbon dating and results showed that the skeletons are of the people from between 12th and 15th century. Radio carbon dating pinpointed the period to 9th century. Initially it was thought that the skeletons are of the Chinese people but DNA test at Hyderabad based centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology [CCMB] have not only proved the Indian origin of the skeletons but also concluded the death time to 8th century. According to officials of CCMB these enormously tall people were most probably belongs to same family and having an extra bone in head. All the skeleton samples indicates present of two groups and were died under the effect of Hail storm of hails of size equivalent to cricket ball.

Local Version about the origin of Skeletons

According to local people all most 600 years back there was a king Raja Jasdal of the Kanauj area, He was married with Gadwal princess Balpa. Balpa was religious sister of Goddess Nanda Devi. King Jasdal decided to go for pilgrimage, pregnant queen Balpa was also with him and at this place has given birth to a babe. Goddess Nanda Devi thought that they have violated the sacredness of the place, she brought the ice storm and all were fall pray of death by this. The skeletons founds belongs to that group. This story might be the reason behind the faith that if a lady goes for the journey of Roopkund, natural calamity bound to occur.

Another story says that these skeletons are of the General Zorawar Singh and his army, who last their lives in the storms of Himalaya, on their way back to Kashmir from the Tibet war. Presence of horse skeleton supports this but presence of woman skeleton goes against it and also the history which indicates period of Zorawar Singh around 1830, where as the skeletons are recognized as about 600 years old.

In the opinion of some people these skeletons are of the Nar Bali [Offering living human] to Goddess Nanda devi. In the old days it was tradition that an elder person was selected as Nar Bali offering and the cremation of the person done, while the person was alive. Symbolically hairs and nails were cut down and present as the offering to Goddess. It was faith the person dies soon after all this and the skeletons found are of those persons.

A few people say that skeletons are the some of the traveler groups belonging to some royal family were on the excursion of Himalaya with the local group of local guides. The lost their way and adverse situations forced them to lose their lives. Presence two groups of skeletons go in favor of this story.

There is also a story about the formation of shallow lake at Roopkund. Once Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati was walking in Himalaya. All of sudden Parvati expressed her desire of seeing own face to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva has made a small lake with the help of Tirshul and in the water of that Parvati saw her face. The place was Roopkund and lake was one which is presently also known as the Skeleton Lake.

The complete mystery is still to be unfolded. The questions related to the origin and cause of death needs more satisfying answers. Geographical location of Roopkund and adverse climatic conditions also making it difficult for research scholars to go for the search of truth but one thing is sure one day we will be with the answer of Roopkund Mystery.





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Alibag: Historic beautiful Kokanz beaches

Alibag, a destination of beautiful, marvelous sandy and slightly unexplored beaches. I have not visited Miami beach but those who enjoyed both the places are of the opinion, beaches of this Kokanz city are, if not thousand times surely hundred times better and worth place to visit.

Alibag a village as per the vision of Americans and a small town as per our self is part of Raigad district from the western coastal area of India. There are some historic evidences that the city was established, by Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre, Naval chief of the Maratha King Shivaji, some time in the 17th Century. Forget about the history that is not going with you but surely the long queues of shadows of coconut tress will remain in your memory for the years and years.

Alibag is just about 130 km. away from the Mumbai and about 120 km. away from the Pune and almost 170 km. from Kolhapur; hence a drive of say three hours is more than sufficient to reach here. Some of the most prominent beaches those are ready to provide you the feeling of removal of physical fatigue and senses of mental comfort in the lap of natural beauty are:

Nagaon Beach: A minor distance of about 10 km. and about 30 minute traveling is sufficient to reach this calm and quite beach which is famous as Satad beach. Rishi kapoor and Dimple Kapadia were without the words for the praise of the place, when they shooted song “Sagar Kinare Dil Ye pukare” for the Hindi movie Sagar.

Mandwa Beach: The beach is with jetty and traffic up to Gateway of India goes on whole day. If you love to see travel you can also take launch for this place. “L” shaped jetty is enriched with natural beauty.The beach and village was picturised in the Bib B starer Hindi Film "Agani Path" to best of its beauty and glory.

Kihim Beach: A village with the residences of employees of RCF and with soft and golden sand beach. The spot is among the favorite places of Dr. Salim Ali.

Akshi Beach: This is usually not a crowded place though full of fishers. The deep shadows of betel nut and coconut tress are sufficient to present houses as the most attractive portrait created by the human with the participation of nature.

If you are with the spare time you can also visit Kashid beach, about 30 – 35 km. from the heart of town. Other places where you can go are Colba fort [Constrcuted by Maratha King Shivaji in 1680], Birla temple and Kankeshwar. If you are on a long business tour to Mumbai this is the most ideal place for your weekend outing. There are MTDC resort and RCF rest – house available for the tourists but if you wish to have a real and touchy feel of local life style it is advisable to prefer private bungalow or rented house for your stay here.

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Kokan Journey: Amboli Forest Hill Station

Kokan is the highly blessed area of the Maharashtra; Mother Nature has showed her mercy on this area in abundance. The Kokan area is locally famous for rich forests and beautiful sea shores. At the level of National and international tourism this area can be said as the unexplored because at these levels when Kokan is pronounce it means only the Goa but in fact this is a separate tertiary which slowly and gradually attracting tourist especially after the start of Kokan railways. Kolhapur – the city of the Goddess Mahalaxmi [ http://www.kolhapurworld.com/ ] is at the distance of less than 200 km. from the most of the tourist attractions of Kokan. If you are interested to a have a drive on hilly roads, Kolhapur is most suitable place for the base camp of your Kokan tourism.

Amboli the gateway to Goa planes, is in fact is a spot where western ghat is ending. This the last Hill resort on the sahyadiri range as after this, boundary of Goa state starts. A height of 690mts from the sea level makes this cool place an idol destination for spending a few days with family in isolation from the rest of the world and in the lap of Mother Nature.

Here at Amboli you can go to Nagatta falls, Narayan Gad or Mahadev Gad for the family picnic. Just 10 km. away are situated Bauxite mines, a visit there will be make your excursion more colorful and memorable. There are many views points to see the lush green and coastal fields of Kokan. During the summer cool breeze makes Amboli a real enjoyable place. One thing is sure, during the months of June and July the hide and seeks game of fog, cloud and rain will not allow you to keep your cloths in dry situation. Most suitable time for visiting the Amboli is from the end of September. During the rainy season wild life study tours can be arranged. If you are in search of a quite, calm and a place with rich natural beauty than Amboli is most perfect choice. Try to include Sunday in your stay here, as on this day every week almost 5,000 people from the Kolhapur and Goa are visiting Amboli as one day family picnic. This will add a guanine feel of local and surrounding culture and traditions to your knowledge base.

Red Gilled fish, Prawns and special black Mutton curry [Kale masale chi mutton curry, vade sagoti] are the famous non vegetarian cuisines where as the taste of vegetarian malavani thali and desert serve after, prepared from the coconut will remain alive on your tongue for many years to come.


The nearest Airports are Belgaum and Kolhapur. Sawantwadi a station on Kokan railways is about at the distance of 30 km. There is a resort managed by MTDC [Maharashtra tourism Development Corporation] for which booking can be made from Mumbai, Pune and Kolhapur [ http://www.kolhapurworld.com/ ]. There are some other Hotels and motels also to accommodate tourists.


I recognize help of my e-friend Sharad Rao Rane for this article.

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Allahabad: Famous Hindu Religious City: Home Town Of Personalities

Agani [Fire] Jal [water] and Aakash [Spaces] are three dominant words of spiritual world; the same and equivalent importance is given to rivers Ganga and Jamuna [Yamina] in the life world of Hindus. Allahabad is city where these two rivers fuse with each other [Sangam]. It is believed that another holly river Saraswati, flowing in the forms of underground currents meets with the Ganga and Yamuna forming “Tirveni “[Confluence of three rivers]. According to Hindu Faith, bath at Tirveni Sangam is capable of making Sin free.

Allahbad is among the oldest cities of the world, reference of the city can be drawn from the oldest knowledge books Vedas. In the ancient time city was pronounced as Priyagraj [Still at various references name is in the use] According to Purans, Brahama, the creator of universe, called Priyag as the “Tirth Raj” [King of religious places]. History revels that the city was constructed by rulers of Hasthinapur [A reference of city is available in the most commonly read religious books Ramayan and Mahabharat] near the Piryag and name it Kaushambi. During the Kingdom of King Harshvardhan, Chinese traveler Huien Tsang and according his writings he visited Piryag in 643 A.D. Allahabad is one among the four cities where at the interval of every twelve years Kumbh Mela are organized the other three cities are Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. This also elaborates the religious importance of the city.

According to recent history the city was founded by Mughal King Akbar in 1575 who named it as “Illahabad”. During the British rule Allahabad University the forth one in country [Three previous one are Calcutta, Bombay and Madras] was established on 23 September 1887 and was famous as the Oxford Of east. Allahabad is also known as the main center of Hindi. It is also the Allahabad city where for the first time voice for the separate Muslim state were heard during the Annual Meeting of All-India Muslim league in the year 1930.

Population wise Allahabad is among the top fifty cities of the country with a population around 12 lakhs. Main language of the city is the Hindi but it is not difficult to listen conversations in Urdu, Bengali, Kashmiri and Punjabi Languages. After the independence a considerable population from adjoining state Bihar had shifted to city. Awadhi and Khadi Boli, dialects are also in use here.

Places to Visit

During you visit to city besides having a bath at sangam remember to visit
1] Anand Bhavan : Residence of Nehru Family, Presently a Museum.
2] Allahabad Fort: Presently used by Army so a limited portion is open for the visitors. Akshay Vat – Immortal Banyan Tree and Ashoka Pillar are the another attraction for visiting this.
3] Allahabad Planetarium: If you have a scientific attitude this place is worth to visit and will add some thing to your knowledge.
4] Someshwar Mahadev Temple and Patalpuri Temple
5] Company Garden, Minto Park and Khusaro Bag : these three places are not just gardens but are speaking legends of various times of Indian history.

Personalities Related with Allahabad

Allahabad is the only city which is related with more than one Prime Minister of India. Several Politicians, Freedom Fighters, Educationist, Artist and scientist are born and brought up in the streets of this city. It is next to impossible to give list of all those a few prominent known to me are:
1] Nehru Family [Two Prime Ministers Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and Smt. Indira Gandhi]
2] Lal Bahadur Shastri and Vishawnath Pratap Singh [Both Prime Ministers]
3] Some other Politicians are Madanlal Khurana, Dr. Murali Manohar Joshi and Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna [Who was defeated by Amitabh Bachan]
4] Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya [Founder of Banaras Hindu University]
5] Some other personalities related to the field of Education and literatures are: Dr.Harivanshrai Bachan [famous for “Madhushala” poetry collection], Mahadevi Varma, Firaq Gorakhpuri, Munshi Premchand [Famous for Novel “Godan”], Suryakant Tirpathi Nirala.
6] Film Actress Nargis and Ever young Super star Amitabh Bachan
7] Magician of Hocky Major Dhyan Chand and Mohd. Kaif, fielding inspiration, of the, present Cricket team.
8] Scientist like Meghnad Shah and Harish Chandra
9] Famous Flute Maestro Hari Prasad Chourasia.

Asansol: Coal Mines

India is a country, famous for a variety of flora and fauna has in its eastern part a series of coal mines. States like the West Bengal and Bihar are said to Motherland of Black Diamond Coal. In the West Bengal, if the state's largest city Kolkatta is famous for Durga Pooja, Sandesh and other bengali sweets than the second largest city Asansol is famous for coal mine fields[reserve of coal in West Bengal is more than 22 Billion tons and most of it belongs to area of Asansol] and Railways, In fact this city is the largest employment provider city for the citizens from the eastern area of India, Beside the coal mines many industries are established here some major one are Steel Authority of India, Chitranjan Locomotive works and Hindustan Cable Ltd. In the recent years the city also has become the one of main trading center of the state.

It is said that last tirthankar Mahaveer Vardhman of Jainism was fond of living in this area and presence of many temples prove the high activities of Jainism in the area. History revels that though the coal mines of the area were discovered around the 1770 but it took almost Half decade up to 1820 for the regular and proper mining. Asansol also became famous for the railway activities especially due locomotive workshops. Chitranjan locomotive workshop, first in India is situated here. After the independence Asansol became divisional headquarter of the eastern railways. Locomotive shed here is capable of accommodating more than 100 locomotive engines. The first steam locomotive Deshbandhu, produced here in 1950 was dedicated to nation by honorable President Dr. Rajendra Prasad. On the 14 November 1998 when first electric locomotive Navyug was produce here India was included in the select class of the countries with the capacity of producing electric locomotives. Chitranjan Locomotive workshop is the major contributor for the technical advancement of railways in India. As per the reports up to the economic year ended on 31 March 2006 there are 3380 electric locomotives produce here are on the run.

After the 1947 when free India planed for the multipurpose river valley projects, the first one Damodar Valley Project was started in this area. An artificial lake was constructed behind the dams Maithon and Panchet has exposed this area as the most suitable picnic spot for the lovers of natural beauty. Beside these two dams just 8 km. away from the city is situated one of most ancient Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva “ Baidyanath Dham” According to purans King of Link Mahabali Ravan has brought Jotirling from the kailash and establish here. Another tourist attraction of the area is the Simul Tala famous for flower nurseries and also as the health resort.

The city holds a very high value for the students of mining and those who wish to go deep in the life of labours this is the most suitable place for them. A considerable major portion of Amitabh's famous film Kala Pather was picturised in this area.

Anantnag: Gateway to Kashmir Valley

According to a saying if the heaven exists on earth it is here at Kashmir and this city Anantnag, situated just, 55 k.m. away, from the capital Shrinagar of this northern Indian state is said to be Gateway of this heavenly valley. If you wish to have a real feel of the natural beauty of the state it is advisable that instead of shrinagar use this city as your base camp. The area of the district is about 3984sq.km. And population is in the vicinity of 15 Lakhs with the sharing of boundaries with Shrinagar, Pulwama, Doda, Kishtwar, Kargil, Ramban, Budhal [Rajouri District] almost all the places of tourist attraction in the valley. In the west direction of the district presence of mighty Pir Panchal range of mountains increase the beauty of the district.

Anantnag is the city where you can visit at any time of the year as here every season has its own charms and offer some thing for the tourists. It is fact that the most tourist friendly time here is from the May to September but even if you can adjust with the low temperatures even below 00 C you can visit in the December and can enjoy the ice games. If you wish to see the fantastic beauty of the valley in the shadows of long Chinars, October and November months are the most suitable for that.

The nearest Air port to the city is the Shrinagar almost at the distance of just 65 km. so a road journey say of two hours will be sufficient to reach here. Nearest railway station is Jamu from where you can take taxi or bus to reach here by national highway NA-1A.

When you are here remember to taste Nun Chai – A type of tea with milk and salt and Kahawa – another type of tea without milk, ingredients used to make this are of the nature of supplying heat to body. Kashmiri Mutton Pulaav is another dish which will keep you eager to visit this place again, use of dry fruits makes this dish such delicious that even the fragrance of this is sufficient to work as catalytic power for your appetite.

Among the places of tourist attraction ruins of Martand Temple – A temple dedicated to sun is one and are situated about 10 km away from the heart of Anantnag city. There are many stories regarding the construction of this temple but the central idea suggest that the temple was constructed some where around between A.D. 300 to 500. Shrine of Hajarat Azinuddin wali is another place to visit this is on the Pahalgam Anantnag road and is situated at a hill almost 100 meters of height from the road level a view of surrounding from here will remain alive in your memories for the rest of life. Pahalagam, Khilanmarg and Golf course are some other places. If you can able to locate a local resident to guide you in your tourism it will make your travel not only more comfortable but will also help you to see some of the unexplored attractions.