Jim Corbett National Park: Unlimited Adventure & Thrill

Jim Corbett National Park

The roar of tigers is a fascinating element for almost all the wildlife lovers. Wildlife is one such factors that maintains an impressive collection of memories through years. The thrill, rarest of fauna, amazing creatures, colourful avifauna species and the best of divine nature – all the elements are simply incomparable. It was chilly cold in the first week of January in Delhi. I did my research on all the nearby wildlife destinations, and planned for a short weekend vacation to the Jim Corbett National Park. It was 0500 hrs of that foggy Saturday morning when I reached Ramnagar by train (240 km). I hired a taxi to Jim Corbett, and in next 20 minutes, I was at a cozy forest rent house situated amidst dense greens.

In winters, the morning safari starts at 0730 hrs, so I had a couple of hours to get freshed. On my breakfast table, I met a Russian tourist named Brook. Despite of being a foreigner, he knew a lot about the place. Brook told me that Jim Corbett not only boasts of being the oldest National Park of India, which was established in 1936, but also being the First Tiger Reserve in India. Quite impressive !! We decided to share the Jeep Safari in the park together.

The driver told us that we had three hours to explore the thrilling dense greens. The Jim Corbett tourism guide says that it is a home to more than 575 Species of Birds, 25 Species of Reptiles, 50 Species of Mammals and 7 Species of Amphibians. I found the park quite rich in vegetation also. From tall sal trees to shisham, khair, bakli, chir, gurail and bamboo trees, the park is blessed with over 110 species of trees and 51 species of shrubs.

Jeep Safari is undoubtedly the best way to feel the intense jungle but unluckily I did not spot any tiger there. The driver told us that animals like chital, sambar, chinkara, pada, muntjac, monkeys, dholes (wild dogs), jackals and ghorals (mountain goats) also inhabit the Park. And I spotted a few of them alongside the Ramganga river. We also saw a huge herd of elephants comprising tuskers, females and calves. As we were trying to capture them in our cameras, the driver told us not to get out of the jeep as this could be the most dangerous encounter in the wild. The reason behind is that elephants are very possessive of their young and do not hesitate to charge at intruding human beings.

I was tempted to go swimming in the Ramganga river as well, but I dropped the idea because of the crocodiles that are always hungry for humans flesh. My short tour to Jim Corbett National Park was actually action packed. All the activities there were a delight for my memories.

Goa – A destination One Can Talk Endlessly About!

Golden Goa Beaches

The word 'beach' is inseparable from the adventure-filled destination 'Goa'. In fact, it would be apt to say that 'life is a beach' in Goa. Famed the world over, the beaches of this overwhelming destination offer everything one can ask for. Right from the pleasant environment to the scenic beauty, water sports, interesting cuisine, a variety of accommodation options and shopping opportunities, it offers all.

Drunk on beaches, s to choose I reached Goa to let myself loose in its charismatic aura. The most difficult part of my journey wafrom a host of beach options in Goa, where every beach has its own unique charm and beauty. To being with, I planned to visit North Goa first as I have heard that it is a paradise when it comes to beaches. It attracts maximum tourists from both India and abroad.

I flew down to the Dabolim Airport at Vasco da Gama with my heart brimming with joy. After resting for a while at the hotel, I was all set for my adventurous journey. My first halt was the arresting Arambol Beach. At this beach, the waves, the palm trees, the salubrious environment, the scenic beauty, all seem to be in perfect harmony with nature. I felt everything was 'embracing' there. The ambiance was peaceful and inviting and this is something we all crave for.

Exotic Goa Life

I enjoyed taking dips into the sea but I was very careful as I knew that this beach is not safe for swimming. I also opted for a dolphin-spotting trip and was rewarded with glimpses of dolphins. I captured the breathtaking views of the beach in my camera. Those moments were truly golden.

Arambol beach was lined with shacks and a few stalls selling sarong and a variety of other shopping items. I bought a few things and that too on a heavy discount. After this I climbed the Waghcolomb Hill, which offers fascinating views of the beach.

At night I went to the Loekie Cafe, located on the road to the beach, to experience the nightlife of Goa. After flaunting my pelvic and pectoral at the jam session, I came back to the hotel with wonderful thoughts of the beach bouncing around in my mind. Believe me they are still bouncing around in my mind.

Khajuraho: The Temple Town With Erotic Sculptures

Khajuraho Erotic Sculptures

Those who want proof that the 'Kama Sutra' originated in India, must visit the temple town of Khajuraho, India. Luckily I got a chance to visit the place in the last week of February. It was the time when the entire town was busy with the celebrations of an annual classical dance festival. Somebody told me that this week long festival is celebrated at the Chitragupta Temple complex and attracts performers and dance groups from all over India. It was certainly good or me as I was craving to enjoy all the popular classical dance forms of India under one roof.

As I arrived Khajuraho, about 620 km from Delhi, I first booked a room in a budget hotel where the hotel manager told me that Khajuraho is not just another temple city of India. Going back to the history of Khajuraho, he told me that once in a fit of passion and lust, the Moon God seduced and ravaged a beautiful Brahmin girl 'Hemvati', which resulted in the birth of Chandravarman (the founder of the Chandela dynasty). Later he made a temple with countless sculptures to reveal all aspects of the treasure of passion and erotic fantasy to the world. It is believed that the construction of this entire masterpiece (started in the 11th century) was completed over a period of about 200 years.

Finally, I headed for the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, the key attraction of Khajuraho tourism. A large arts and crafts fair was also organized during that period, which added some more beauty to the place. A guide told me that originally there were over 80 Hindu temples, of which only 25 now stand in a state of preservation. The temples of Khajuraho, scattered over an area of about 21 sq. km., are famous for the eroticism etched on its walls in the form of sculptures.
After visiting Khajuraho temples, I enjoyed various classical styles of Indian dance like Kathak, Bharat Natyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri and Kathakali. A short visit to the ASI Museum (Archaeological Survey of India), Jain Museum and State Museum of Tribal and Folk is also quite fascinating about Khajuraho. These museums exhibit hundreds of statutes and a rarest of collection of tribal artifacts in terracotta, metal craft, wood craft, painting, jewelery etc. My last activity during Khajuraho tour was to explore the market area, which is loaded with wonderful sculptures made of iron, brass and stones.

Exploring the Handicrafts and Fine Arts in Agra

Handicrafts of Agra

Rows of roadside stalls, glittering with cheap and sparkly clothing, marble items, various fine handicrafts, good quality leather shoes & chappals and arrays of the other hot selling items – that is what I saw in my dreams last night. The real deal in Agra bazaars is still the tiny crammed shops selling the latest styles.

I asked an autowala to take me to the major market areas of the city. He told me that during the Mughal reign, several sculptors, painters, artisans, jewelers, weavers, embroiderers, carpet makers, musicians and metal workers came here to offer their talents to the royal families. The Empress Noor Jahan also had a keen interest in embroidery and textiles. Therefore she employed a large number of women seamstresses to work on the grand robes of the Emperor and his courtiers.

All these arts are continued till date in Agra

Fine Arts In Agra

by their descendants. We first visited the Sadar Bazar. The shops there were loaded with a huge variety in marble items, leather items (shoes, bags, belts and more), rugs and carpets, and brassware (including hookah bases). I found a few items quite costly but good quality leather items were available at reasonable prices. Next we headed for the Kinari Bazar, where I enjoyed authentic Mughlai cuisine at a restaurant. I also bought sweets like 'Petha' & 'Gazak' and a snack called 'Dalmoth' for my brothers.

There are a few handicraft emporiums as well that offer a variety of sandalwood and rosewood items. I also visited the U.P. State Emporium called 'Gangotri' at the Taj Mahal Complex, and the Shilpagram crafts village. Both the places offer a choice of handicrafts under one roof at reasonable prices. While returning to my hotel, I also brought a small but beautiful marble replica of the Taj. One thing that marks an authentic street shopping experience in Agra, is the deliciousness of the bargain.

Agra Tour: Experience The Rich Heritage

Set alongside the breathtaking Yamuna River, the historical town of Agra gives you a chance to reconnect with the glorious past of the Mughals and experience the architectural magnificence. I had already visited the wonder monument Taj Mahal last day. Therefore, I planned to devote one entire day to explore all other prominent attractions in the city and the nearby regions. After a heavy breakfast, I hired a guide and headed towards the renowned Agra Fort.

We entered the fort through the Amar Singh Gate, which lies to the South and is defended by a square bastion flanked by round towers. Dara, my guide, told me that the fort had originally four gates, two of which were later walled up. Delhi gate in the west is fortified by massive octagonal towers and faces the bazaar and leads to the Jama Masjid in the city. Initiated by Emperor Akbar in 1565, the fort was completed by Shah Jahan. This crescent shaped monument is flattened on the east with a long wall facing the river Yamuna. The most fascinating features of the Agra Fort are Jahangir Mahal (built by Akbar as women's quarters), Jodha Bai's Palace (offering marvellous views of the Taj) and Anguri Bagh (85 m square geometric gardens lying to the left of the fort).

I also visited the tomb of the Itmad-ud-Daula. This impressive structure was laid by the empress Noor Jahan as a memorial to her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg. As written in the history text books, the structure is actually, ornamented with pietra dura inlay and lattice work marble screens. This white marble tomb also houses the cenotaph of Noor Jahan's mother Asmat Begum. Refereed to as 'the Baby Taj', this stunning tomb rests in a walled garden with a view of the river Yamuna. Dara told me that Mirza Ghiyas himself laid out the char bagh style of architecture six years before his death that has been used in the construction of the tomb.

At a nice restaurant, we enjoyed the best of Tandoori and Mughlai cuisine. Then we moved towards Sikandra – the last resting place of the Mughal emperor Akbar. Lying 13 km from the city, this pyramidal tomb was completed by Akbar's son Jahangir in 1613. Dara guided me to the beautiful garden, gateway and the five storeyed mausoleum, which are still maintained in a superb manner. I also paid a short visit to the 'Chini ka Rauza' – the mausoleum of Mulla Shukrullah Shirazi, the Prime Minister of Shahjahan.

Fatehpur Sikri

The last halt of my excursion trip was Fatehpur Sikri – the political capital of India's Mughal Empire under Akbar's reign. An inscription there says that the place flourished at its best from 1571 to 1585. Dara told me that the region witnessed innovations in land revenue, coinage, military organization and provincial administration. The major attractions of this World Heritage Site are the Buland Darwaza, Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) etc. After enjoying the fulfilling experience of visiting these wonderful monuments, I was all set to go on a shopping spree the next day !!

Taj Mahal: Beauty Beyond The Scope Of Words

TajMahal - Symbol of Love

I had already known how the Taj Mahal was built as the preeminent expression of a man's love for a lady. Known as one of the seven wonders of the world, this mausoleum was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in commemoration of his wife Mumtaz. I was craving for that lifetime experience. I wanted to see how beautiful could be the combination of the Persian, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles. Finally, I applied for a leave in my office and headed towards the city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh.

It was 12 in the noon when I arrived there, and I did not even bothered to have my lunch. Carrying a small bag with a few packets of chips and biscuits, I hired a rickshaw to the Taj Mahal. The city seems to be quite cheaper in comparison to Delhi or Jaipur or some other tourist destination. In another few minutes, I was at the Taj. It was a dream come true. This jewel of Muslim art is one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, the Taj Mahal is actually an integrated complex of structures. The first thing which fascinated me was the square plinth on which stands the large, white marble structure consisting of a symmetrical building with an iwan (an arch-shaped doorway) topped by a large dome and finial. People were clicking some photographs at the base structure, which is a multi-chambered cube with chamfered corners, forming an octagon that is about 55 meters on each of the four long sides. The marble dome towering 35 meters and surmounting the tomb is another spectacular feature.

I got along with a French group headed by a guide. The guide told us that the main finial was originally made of gold but was replaced by a copy made of gilded bronze In the early 19th century. The 40 meters tall minarets display the designer's penchant for symmetry. The best part of the Taj was calligraphy, paintings, stuccoes, stone inlays and carvings. The charbagh garden (with four river stream flowing in the centre) is completely inspired by Persian gardens.

Lastly, I visited the inner part of the Taj. I saw 99 names of the God as calligraphic inscriptions on the sides of the actual tomb of Mumtaz Mahal. The tomb of Shah Jahan also has a calligraphic inscription regarding the journey of his life. The guide told us that the construction began in 1632 and was completed around 1653, which employed about twenty thousand artisans and craftsmen. Over 1,000 elephants were used to transport building materials from various places – like the translucent white marble from Rajasthan, the jasper from Punjab, jade and crystal from Chinam, turquoise from Tibet, Lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, sapphire from Sri Lanka and the carnelian from Arabia. In all, 28 types of precious and semi-precious stones were inlaid into the white marble.

Standing majestically on the banks of River Yamuna, this epitome of love is simply a monument of immeasurable beauty.

Ranthambore National Park: The Land Of Tigers

“A country is known by the way it treats its animals.” - This statement by

Ranthambore National Park

Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, has always been a lesson to me. It was my last day in Jaipur, and I was seeking to explore some alluring site. Being a great fan of Ramesh Bedi, a veteran wild-life writer and photographer, finally decided to take an excursion tour to Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary. It was an awesome deal where I could capture the tigers and other fauna in my camera. To enjoy the tour into this sanctuary, I hired a jeep that took me in the deep forests without any fear.

I was in the eastern part of Rajasthan at a distance of 130 km from Jaipur. The very first fascinating factor was the natural beauty of the surrounding Aravali and Vindhya mountain ranges. My driver-cum-guide told me that Ranthambore National Park used to be the hunting ground of Maharajas of Jaipur. It was first declared a game sanctuary in 1955 and later became a National Park in 1980, and came under the Tiger Project. The Park is actually an eye treat for the lovers of wild-life. Various natural rivers and man-made lakes flowing through the National Park add some extra charm to it.

After a drive of hardly two kilometers, I spotted langurs, caracals, hyena, jungle cats, marsh crocodiles, jackal, bear, sambar, chital, nilagai, gazelle, mongoose, wild boar and a few other animals. But I was still searching for the roaring tigers and speedy leopards. The driver then took me to the Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab and Milak Talab. While on the way to these lakes, he told me that we could easily spot tigers there. And surprisingly, withing next 15 minutes, I was clicking the best tigers of India, in their relaxing moments. Hunting is strictly prohibited in the grounds of this National Park.

Ranthambore National Park has some areas open for the tourists to travel around and explore the flora and fauna of the park. There was a small restaurant, where I enjoyed a cup of coffee with some light snacks. The chaiwala told me that the Park has the largest and most diverse collection of wildlife species in India, including 300 trees, 50 aquatic plants, over 300 species of birds, 12 reptiles and 30 species of mammals. Ranthambore Park is also classified as a heritage site because of some of the ruins of old monuments. As I was running out of time, I paid short visits to the Jogi Mahal (has the second largest Banyan tree in India), Ranthambore Fort (probably the oldest existing fort in Rajasthan) and the Padam Talao. The Cenotaphs and Old Citadels date back to thousand years. The trip was very exciting and I returned back to my hotel with some remarkable moments in my camera.