Rajwada Palace – It Stands Splendidly After Burning Three Times In Past Period

RAJWADA PALACE 

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INDORE

Rajwada palace is a popular tourist spot inside Indore city of Madhya Pradesh state. Rajwada is the historical palace of the Holkars. It was built about two centuries ago and is located near the Chhatris in the main square.

It is a seven storied structure, which serves as the living example of the grandeur of the Holkars. Rajwada stands in the centre of the city. The new palace is on the northern side, while the old palace stands in the old part of the town.

The old palace is a multi-storied building which also serves as a gateway of the Rajwada. It stands amongst the crowded streets of the Kajuri Bazar and faces the main square of the city.

The palace was once the centre of all the trading activities in the city. It is a blend of Maratha, Mughal and French style of architecture. The entrance of the palace has a lofty archway with a giant wooden door which is covered with iron studs.

The gopura-like monument is made up of wood and stone. It has a number of balconies windows and corridors. The entrance leads to a huge courtyard, which is surrounded by galleried rooms and the arcaded Ganesha hall, which was once the venue of all state and religious functions. This hall is now used for art exhibitions and classical music concerts.

It is in western part of Madhya Pradesh. While going for Indore local sightseeing you will observe that it is one of the oldest historical structure in the city. It was built in 1747 A.D. by founder of Holkar dynasty -Malhar Rao Holkar.

Malhar Rao Holkar used Rajwada as his residence and stayed here till 1880 A.D. This remarkable mammoth 7 storied palace stands in the heart of the busiest part (Khajuri Bazaar) of the town.

It is also close to the Chhatris. After independence Indore city expanded with development of new areas. Now a days it is considered as old Indore. Facing it is a garden with a statue of the great Queen Ahilya Bai.

The face that enclose the gateway of the palace gives an impression of a rather forbidding wizard`s castle. This remarkable palace serves as an living example of the Grandeur of Holkars dynasty.

Rajwada has been burnt three times in history. The last fire broke out in 1984 and caused the maximum destruction. The lower three floors are made up of stone, while the top floors are made of wood.

This made it very vulnerable to destruction by fire. Now, only the front part of the original structure remains. The palace has recently been renovated, which has managed to bring back the old glory to some extent.

In the rear part of the palace, a beautiful garden has been created. It contains fountains, an artificial waterfall and some magnificent pieces of 11th century sculpture.

By Air

Ahilyabai Airport of Indore is the nearest airport for reaching it by air. It is well linked with other important cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Raipur, Hyderabad, Jabalpur etc.

By Train

Indore Junction in city is the main railway station. City is well connected directly by train from major cities and tourist destinations like: Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Nagpur, Bhopal, Agra, Jaipur, Ranthambore, Chennai, Tivandrum, Surat, Gaya, Kolkata, Varanasi etc.

By Road

Road connectivity of Indore is very good. 03 National Highways and 02 State Highways passes through Indore city which connects it with important places like Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Betul, Jhansi, Burhanpur, Bhopal etc.

Green Carpet Workshop Was Conducted By Kerala Tourism

Kerala Tourism Conducts 

Green Carpet Workshop

Kerala can be proudly called ‘God's Own Country’ only when efforts are put in place to ensure security, cleanliness, hygiene, and scientific waste management, apart from offering unique experiences, Mr. Kadakampally Surendran, Minister for Tourism, Kerala, has said.

The minister was speaking while inaugurating a two-day workshop by Kerala Tourism held as part of the Green Carpet initiative which he said would go a long way towards achieving these goals.

The minister also remarked that tourism activities should not be confined to just a few tourist centres, but should be extended to other centres as well. 

The workshop was aimed at ensuring sustainable development and maintenance of 79 select tourist destinations. A blueprint for 111 short term and long term projects was designed in the workshop.

"The 79 tourist destinations selected for the first phase of the Green Carpet initiative will be turned into distinctive tourism friendly centres," said Mr. U. V. Jose, Director, Kerala Tourism, at the concluding meet.

Mr. S. Harikishore IAS,  Executive Director , Kudumbashree,  Ms. Vasuki IAS, Executive Director, Suchitwa Mission, Mr. S. Sugathan, Executive Director, Green Village,  Mr. G. Shankar, Director, Habitat, Mr. Roopesh Kumar, State Field Coordinator, Responsible Tourism, Mr. S. D. Prins, PRO, Raj Bhavan, Dr. Shekhar L. Kuriakose, Member Secretary , Disaster Management Authority , Dr V. Vijayakumar, Principal, KITTS, Prof. Saroop Roy, and Prof. Raghunandanan (IRCTC) conducted classes on various topics. 

Destination Managers of tourist destinations, Deputy Directors, and District Tourism Promotional Council (DTPC) Secretaries attended the workshop at Maria Rani Centre, Sreekaryam. 

Source : Kerala Tourism

Best Leisure Destination Award Is Given To Kerala

Kerala Voted Best Leisure Destination in India 

by Condé Nast Traveller

Kerala has clinched the big prize as India’s best destination for leisure at the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Awards 2016.

Kerala bagged the award close on the heels of clinching two major popularity awards with the Lonely Planet magazine citing it as the best family destination in India and Travel + Leisure magazine listing it as a top honeymooners’ destination.

The state was voted the ‘Favourite Indian Leisure Destination’ of the year in a survey conducted by the international travel magazine. Kerala, which had won the runner-up prize in the same category in 2015, shared the top honour with Goa this year.

Mr. K. Radhakrishnan, Deputy Director, Kerala Tourism received the travel award at a glittering ceremony held at The Lodhi hotel in New Delhi. Mr. Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, Union Tourism, was the Chief Guest.

The annual awards, in their sixth year, honour the best in travel, tourism, and hospitality with winners in various categories picked by readers of the magazine through a voting process spanning two months.

“We are honoured to be recognised as a place to relax and rejuvenate by the travellers to our state. Kerala is known for its natural beauty and the state’s historical connections with many other parts of the world have contributed to its popularity as a top destination for leisure,” said Mr. Kadakampally Surendran, Minister for Tourism, Kerala.

Dr. Venu V., Principal Secretary, Kerala Tourism, remarked that the award reaffirmed the state’s reputation for being a tourist’s paradise.

“Be it a stay on a houseboat on one of its numerous serene backwaters, relaxing on the pristine beaches, experiencing the bliss of village life, watching traditional art performances or relishing its lip smacking cuisine, Kerala offers a perfect all-in-one leisure experience to travellers from near and far. The options for leisure travel in Kerala are limitless,” Dr. Venu said.

“The award reflects the diversity of leisure-based offerings in Kerala today as well as the quality of their branding. Visitors looking to unwind here know they have an abundance of choices to pick from. The results of their positive experiences here have shown up through the state’s consistently strong showings at such prestigious tourism and travel awards,” said Mr. U.V. Jose, Director, Kerala Tourism. 

Source : Kerala tourism

Jaigarh Fort – It Provides A Glorious View Of The Amer Surroundings

JAIGARH FORT

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JAIPUR

The Jaigarh Fort is conveniently located at Amber, which is roughly 14 km from the centre of the city of Jaipur.The Jaigarh Fort is a majestic stronghold built by Sawan Jai Singh II. 

This almost-intact fort is surrounded by huge battlements and is connected to the Amer Fort (also called 'Amber' Fort), with subterranean passages. Originally built to protect the Amer Fort and the palace within the complex, the Jaigarh Fort is architecturally similar to the Amer Fort, and offers a panoramic view of the city of Jaipur.

The fort houses the world's largest cannon on wheels, a majestic palace complex and the assembly hall of the warriors known as 'Shubhat Niwas' along with a museum and an armory. Apart from the intricate architecture of the fort, the fort was also renowned for a huge treasure that was believed to be buried under the fort.

It is now said that the government of Rajasthan seized the treasure when it was discovered in the 1970s. The Jaigarh Fort was built to secure Jaipur City and the Amer fort from warlords and rivals.

The fort is built with thick walls of red sandstone and is spread over a vast range of 3 kilometers in length, with a width of one kilometer. The fort houses the world's greatest cannon on wheels known as the 'Jaivana Cannon' and a huge palace complex.

This includes the Laxmi Vilas, Lalit Mandir, Aram Mandir and the Vilas Mandir. The fort has a well-tended garden which can be viewed by tourists even today along with an armory and a museum.

Jaigarh Fort has a rich history behind it. During the Mughal period, Jaigarh Fort, located 150 miles away from the capital, became one of the main cannon foundries due to abundance of arms and ammunition there.

It was also a storage place for arms, ammunition and other important requirements of war. It was looked after by Dara Shikoh, but when he was defeated by Aurangzeb, the fort came under the rule of Jai Singh, who renovated and refurbished it. One interesting story goes with the history of the fort. According to folklore, the rulers buried a huge treasure in the soil of the Fort. However, the treasure was never recovered.

Jaigarh Fort may be reached from Jaipur at ease by road. One may take a taxi or cab, and even frequent buses run by Rajasthan Road Transport Corporation are available. The buses are well-furnished, with comfortable seats and air conditioning. One may also take an auto-rickshaw, which will charge not less than Rs. 500. Sometimes, tourists opt for one of the several packages offered by the travel guides, which includes a whole-day excursion to all the three forts nearby: the Jaigarh Fort, the Nahargarh fort and the Amber Fort.

Kalighat Kali Temple - Originally It Was A Small Hut Beyond Era

KALIGHAT KALI TEMPLE

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KOLKATTA

Located in one of Kolkata’s oldest neighborhoods, Kalighat is a renowned center of goddess worship and place of pilgrimage, where devotees have come for centuries to surrender themselves at the feet (literally) of the Divine Mother. 

Local folklore relates that Kalighat, once a jungle region, was inhabited by head-hunting tribal people and Kapaliks (“skull-bearers”) who worshipped the dark goddess with human sacrifice.

Mythologically, such references to “tribal people” and outcasts are often employed to assert Kali’s position as a marginal goddess who exists outside of the societal fold. 

Although the origins of this shakti pith are obscured in myth, allusions to an important Kali temple in this area date from the middle of the 12th century and it cannot be argued that this place has a direct association with Kali from ancient times (Roy 16).

The original temple was a small hut. A small temple was constructed by King Manasingha in the early Sixteenth century. The present temple was erected under the patronage of the Sabarna Roy Chowdhury family of Banisha. It was completed in 1809. 

The Haldar family claims to be the original owners of the temple property. But this was disputed by the Chowdhrys of Banisha. In the nineteen sixties a committee was formed for the administrative management of the temple with representation from the Government and the Haldar family.

The Government of West Bengal has taken a lot of interest in improving the temple which is also one of the biggest tourist attractions. They have sanctioned funds for improving the temple. 

An office cum guest accommodation was constructed at a huge cost some years back. The building is now being run by the Tourism Development corporation as a guest house. Accommodation is available for pilgrims here

The temple is crowded on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. It is less crowded early in the morning before 8.A.M. If you can, plan your trip for a Wednesday early morning. Make your visit to the temple a worthwhile and pleasant experience.

PATWA Has Given 'Best State For Water Sports' For 2016 To Goa Tourism

Goa Tourism bags “Best State for Water Sports for the year 2016” award by PATWA

Date:

06.12.2016

Goa Tourism bags “Best State for Water Sports for the year 2016” award by PATWA Safari India South Asia Travel Awards. The award was received by Smt. Valsala Vijayan, Resident Commissioner, Goa Sadan at the hands of Mr. K.B Kachru, Chairman Emeritus and principle advisor of South Asia, Carlson Rezidor hotel group. The event was a grand success held at Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi.

Daily Special Tour To Dudhsagar Falls

Dudhsagar Falls

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SONAULIM, GOA 

AND KARNATAKA BORDER

The majestic cascade of white water, gushing over the steep, nearly vertical face of the mountain from a spectacular height of 1017ft; is both breath taking and awe inspiring, making one aware that there are many forces in nature much more powerful that the human mind and body.

The name ‘Dudhsagar’ literally translates to ‘sea of milk’ which many believe is an allusion to the white spray and foam that the great waterfall creates as it cascades into the waters of the lake. The falls are at their zenith during the monsoon season, although they are a popular attraction all year round.

Myth and Legend

There is an old legend that centres round the name of the falls. The tale goes that there was once a princess who was the daughter of the King of the Ghats. This young lady was as modest as she was beautiful and believed in purity of heart, mind and body. The legend goes on that she used to bathe in the lake near her father’s castle every day.

After her bath she and her handmaidens would congregate on the shores of the lake whilst the princess consumed a jug of milk. The jug, it is said was wrought of pure gold and inlaid with sparkling diamonds.

One day, as the princess was drinking her milk, a young and handsome prince was making his way through the nearby woods. On hearing the laughter and chatter of the ladies, he stopped to have a look. The princess was much abashed by her scanty bathing attire and her handmaidens poured the milk in a cascade in front of her, thus creating a curtain behind which she could don her clothes.

This cascade of milk, which preserved the modesty of the princess, is the namesake of the Dudhsagar falls.

Geographic Description

The river Mandovi, which is the main river of Goa, begins on the Deccan plateau in the state of Karnataka. Winding its way through the Western Ghats, this river plummets over the highest peaks on the border of Goa and Karnataka, thus forming the Dudhsagar falls. The waters form a deep green pool at the base of the falls, before continuing westward to join the Arabian Sea.

The Dudhsagar waterfall measures an impressive 310m (1017ft) in height and about 100ft in width. The waterfall splits into three streams as it pours over the near-vertical cliff face, thus forming a truly magnificent sight. This water fall is also known as Tambdi Surla to some of the local peoples.

The area around the falls is forested and falls into the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife sanctuary. There are a number of animals and birds that call this place home; and the keen observer may even be lucky enough to spot some. The roads to the falls are maintained by the Goa Forest Department, who charge visitors a nominal fee for entry and higher one for photography (Rs. 300 for a still camera and upto Rs. 5000* for professional equipment).

Reaching the falls

To reach this wondrous site, one must either go on foot or by rail. There is also a rather bumpy track that is suitable only for four wheel drive vehicles, but this track still requires visitors to trek about 1km to reach the base of the falls. There are jeeps available for hire which cost about Rs. 1200* and can carry 6 people at a time, the driver then waits at the drop off point for an hour and a half before bringing the visitors back.

The most adventurous trek starts from the village of Kuveshi. However, this trek is not available during the monsoon season as the trail crosses over the Mandovi itself, which is too rough and swollen during the monsoon months. There is also a trek that begins at the Kulhem/Collem railway station which is 11km long and offers tourists a picturesque view of the Ghats and valleys.

One of the preferred tourist treks is the one that begins at Castle Rock station in Karnataka. This trek spans about 14km of rough terrain and one should go prepared. There are also no places around the falls where food or water is available, making it advisable for visitors to carry their own.

From September to May, the tours often suggest making the trip an all-day affair with a picnic lunch surrounded by the natural beauty of the falls. There are even some tours which offer a one night stay at the base of the falls, camping in the open in tents.

During the monsoon season treks are the only way to access the waterfall since they are burgeoning with run off from the hills and can make the passage of a vehicle near impassable. Although reaching the falls in the monsoon season is difficult the sheer majesty and splendour of this natural wonder makes it worthwhile.

Location

This waterfall is located in the Sanguem Taluka of Goa, and falls into the jurisdiction of the Goa Forest departments since it is a part of the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. One can go by road or rail to Kulem railway station and then trek to the waterfall or hire a jeep with a driver to get closer in; however, there will still be a walk to reach the base of the falls.

Dudhsagar Special Tour

Book Now

Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd is starting Dudhsagar Special tour which will be operated on regular basis from 30/10/2016 till 15/05/2017.

The tour will depart from Calangute/Miramar Residency at 6.30 am.

From Paryatan Bhavan at 7.00 am, collect passengers on the way from Old Goa Residency at 7.15 am & Farmagudi Residency at 7.30 am.

Day: Daily

Rate: Rs.2000/-per head (Inclusive Snacks/Water bottle, Lunch, Life jacket & Entry Fee) AC Coach/Innova/Jeep/Wagon R/Ertiga (subject to passengers)

*Please note, rates are not fixed and may be subject to change without prior notice.

Bambolim Beach – It Is A Safe Place For Those Who Wants To Like To Spend The Valuable Times

BAMBOLIM BEACH

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NORTH GOA

Located in North Goa, this peaceful little beach is a haven for those who want to enjoy the sand and surf without the crowds that pepper most of the other beaches in North Goa. The beach is a secluded stretch of sand and rocks, lined on the landward side with swathes of swaying coconut palms, which provide a cool and shady place to relax.

The Bambolim beach is located near the little seaside town of Bambolim which is about 7km from Panaji, the capital city of Goa. Although there is no bus service to the beach, it is quite accessible by road and can be reached using the services of a pilot or taxi service.

Bambolim beach, like most of the beaches in Goa is at its best during the tourist season, from October to March. Those who choose to visit between March and June, should beware the hot sun, and carry water and sunscreen. From June to September, the monsoon season, the beach has its own peculiar charm, but the sea is not safe to swim in

The Bambolim beach is a great place to have a beach picnic and enjoy the quiet and solitude of one of the less frequented beaches in Goa, whilst at the same time, being more accessible than most of the other secluded beaches.

The Bambolim Beach Resort, which is located nearby provides rooms for rent and also has a great restaurant which serves a variety of different cuisines ranging from authentic and spicy Goan fare to cool continental delights.

Unlike most of the other beaches of Goa, the Bambolim beach is not cluttered with vendors and shacks lining the shore cheek by jowl, instead it is a stretch of golden sand interspersed with rocky outcroppings, and of course boarded by the blue waters of the Arabian Sea.

The beach is also a popular hangout for university students who like to chill there for a while after their lectures, since this is the closest beach to the University of Goa. The beach is also popular with fishermen, both pleasure fishing and serious fishing.

Activities at Bambolim Beach

Morning Kayak Beach Hop at Bambolim Beach

Sunset Kayaking

Weekend Secret Beach Bounty

Lucknow Mahotsav - It Exhibits The Art And Culture Of Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW MAHOTSAV

Lucknow Mahotsav is an extravagant festival that is organized annually in Lucknow to exhibit the Art and Culture of Uttar Pradesh and in particular Lakhnavi ‘Tehzeeb’ for promoting tourism.

In the year 1975-76 The South Asian Tourism Year was observed and organized where the decision was taken to organize Lucknow Mahotsav as an annual fair for the sole purpose of promoting Lucknow’s Art, Culture and Tourism for national and international tourists.

From that time onwards, with certain exceptions only; Lucknow Mahotsav has been organized every year with unique theme and grand arrangements and is a special attraction spot for tourist at local, national as well as international level.

Evidently, every year Crafts Fair is organized in Lucknow Mahotsav which allows Craftsmen to put up stalls for showcasing and selling their crafts work. Along with crafts showcasing, various food and general need item stalls are also set up in Lucknow Mahotsav that makes it a perfect place for getting all things related to Lucknow and its culture.

Moreover, to enhance the grandeur of the festival, various cultural programs and celebrities’ performances are organized in the festival. Furthermore, for amusement of the tourists, Lucknow Mahotsav also has arrangement of fun filled rides ranging from big rides like merry-go-round for adults to small level rides for children.

So, if you want to experience the extravagant Nawabi culture of Lucknow, Lucknow Mahotsav is the best place for you.

Lucknow Mahotsav held from November 25, 2016 to December 5, 2016

Jhansi Fort Sound And Light Show

Sound and Light Show at Fort 

In 17th century, this fort was built by King Bir Singh Judeo of Orchha on top of a hill as an army stronghold. The fort has been a witness to the fiery battle led by Rani Laxmi Bai. There are temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha within the fort. The Karak Bijli and Bhawani Shankar cannon of the queen are also kept inside the fort. There is also a museum which has a collection of sculpture and provides an insight into the history of Bundelkhand.

The sound and light show is organised in Jhansi Fort and is based on the life of Rani laxmi Bai and the First War of Independence in 1857.

Venue - Jhansi Fort

Fees - Rs. 50/- (Indian), Rs. 300/- (Foreigner)

Timings - 7.45 pm. English (in Summer)

Timings - 8.45 pm. English (November to March)

Timings - 6.30 pm. Hindi (in Summer)

Timings - 7.30 pm. English (November to March)

Asirgarh Fort – Its Depiction Clearly Shows That It Is A Royal Indian Architecture

ASIRGARH FORT

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BURHANPUR

Asirgarh Fort is situated in the famous Satpura Range, about 20 km north of the town of Burhanpur District of Central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Topped onto one of high apex of Satpura Mountain, spread over 60 acres of land, some historian stated this fort as ‘Babe Deccan’ means the “key to the Deccan”, which was considered invincible

Burhanpur has strategically important position for moving from North India to South India. There is much to see like a mosque and one palace inside this fort. The location becomes more beautiful as this place is encompasses through Narmada and Tapti River valleys.

This fort is built by the king Asa Ahir, Ahir is an Indian Hinduism caste, which is referred to Yadav, and it is proposed that the word ‘Ahir’ derives from the Sanskrit word Ahi (snake) or so say those worships snake, though there is so many beliefs and relating myths for finding its derive. During the time of Asa Ahir, fort is not as grand as it seems now which means, after his rule, many changes, for security reasons have been introduced.

The mughal emperor in 1536 after the conquest of gujarat visited Asirgarh, It is believed during medieval period Asirgarh has been conquered by many kings. Akbar has asked Raja Ali Khan to submit himself, the later dropped his royal title of SHAH and pledged suzerinty to Akbar.

Raja Ali Khan has also built many buildings like Jama Masjid in the upper portion of the fort of Asir in 1588, Idagh at Asir. Bahadur Khan who was a successor of Raja Ali Khan denied to pay homage to Akbar, which enraged Akbar. he conquered Burhanpur withour opposition and stayed there for four days. Mumtaj Mahal, wife of Khurram later crowned as Shahjahan died here while delivering her 14th issue.

This fort was constructed by Asa Ahir, its original name was Asa Ahir Garh, later this name is turns easier as its three middle letters were dropped to the name Asa Ahir and this became Ashirgarh Fort. The architecture of this fort is similar to Mughal architecture, which is an amalgam of Islamic, Persian, Turkish and Indian architecture. There are few tombs, balcony’s and one minar which clearly depict a royal medieval Indian architecture.

 By Air 

The nearest airport for reaching Burhanpur is Indore (IDR), which is 183 km from Burhanpur.

By Train

Burhanpur town is very well connected by train from other important cities and tourist destinations of India. It lies on Mumbai-Delhi & Mumbai Allahabad rail-route.

By Road 

There is a major road transport structure for reaching Burhanpur, as one can get in to the bus if he wants to reaches here from Indore, which is 183 km away. Since Burhanpur situated on the State Highway – 27, which links it to the Indore, it would be best to drive down from Indore in the bus or hired car or taxi. The nearest town is Khandwa, which is 69 km away and encompasses through Indore-Burhanpur SH-27.

Asirgarh fort – its depiction clearly shows that it is a royal Indian architecture

Edakkal Caves – 7000 Years Oldest Depictions Are There In This Natural Caves

EDAKKAL CAVES

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WAYANAD

Edakkal caves located in the remote area of wayanad district of kerala state of India. It is a dwelling that showcases nature’s skill and philosophy on architecture and you have to trek to about 4000 ft up a mountain to reach the place. We are talking about Edakkal Caves, which still remain a wonder and a mystery for archaeologists and historians alike.

Edakkal Caves are situated about 16 km from Sulthan Bathery and tourists have to trek up the Ambukuthi Hill to reach the caves. The trek up the hill, peppered with coffee plantations, is worth an experience and it takes almost 45 minutes to climb the hill.  The lush greenery and scenic landscape around and the cool breeze that carries the aroma of coffee will surely make your journey an unforgettable one.

A remote ticket office is perched high on the top of the mountain and the tourists can buy entry tickets from there. The authorities will open before you an iron gate, and then you can enter a world of history, which has never ceased to allure people.

A telescope is installed a few feet from the caves. It offers a panoramic view of the surrounding country.The name of Edakkal Caves literally means `a stone in between’. As the name indicates, it seems that one boulder miraculously wedged in between two bigger ones to create a cave.

Scientists too are of the opinion that Edakkal Caves is not a cave in the real sense. It is a fissure in the rocks which had been created due to natural causes/ changing climatic conditions. The split in the rock is about 22 ft. in width and 96 ft. in length. The depth of the cleft extends to over 30 ft and there is a large rock which has fallen forming a roof over it and this large cleft and the roof-rock gives it the appearance of a cave.

There are many legends associated with the gigantic fissure at Edakkal. People believe that Lord Rama, one of the earlier visitors of this area, shot an arrow which pierced the mountain and created a deep cleft there. The name of the hills, Ambukuthy too is derived from this legend. (In Malayalam, Ambu means arrow and kuthy means `to pierce’ and hence the name.) 

Local people associate local deities with the caves and you can see many idols near the caves.The discovery of the caves dates back to 1895 and it is associated with the then Superintendent of Police of Malabar District, Fred Fawcett.  He was on a hunting trip to Wayanad and happened to notice in the coffee estate a stone axe which had been used by a Neolithic Celt.

Fred was an enthusiast of pre-history and this incident increased his curiosity about the place. After making inquiries with the local people he decided to explore the high ranges of Wayanad further. He went past the thick foliage in the Ambukuthy Mala; in his mission, he could find a rock shelter up the mountain, which is considered to be one of the earliest settlements of human beings on earth.

There were signs indicating that the Caves were inhabited by people during New Stone Age and this exciting discovery drew the attention of archaeologists and historians across the world. The caves are replete with various etchings and prehistoric line drawings and the nature of representations on the cave walls indicate that the caves were occupied by various sets of people during various stages of history.

Three distinct sets of petroglyphs can be seen in the caves and some depictions are as old as 7000 years. Edakkal is the only known place for stone age carvings in South India.  The carvings belonging to Neolithic and Mesolithic Age include ancient stone scripts, ancient weaponry figures, symbols, figures of various animals and human beings etc.

The rock surface is full of linear motifs and one can see weird shaped figures, crosses, triangles, tridents, squares, stars, wheels, spirals, plant motifs, pot shaped items, various animals and human figures.  Many of the human figures have raised hair, some have masked faces and all these figures are eye-catching and have archaeological significance. Apart from these pictorial carvings, ancient inscriptions including a Tamil Brahmi script have been identified from the caves.

Images of a tribal king, a queen, a child, a deer and an elephant can be seen on the wall. A human figure with headgear, another on a wheeled cart and some male and female figures too can be seen.  There are images of tools used by earlier human beings and many other symbols which suggest the presence of pre historic men.

The recent outcomes of the researches and excavations at the Edakkal Caves indicate its probable links with Indus valley civilization. There were about 400 signs that were recently identified and have significant link with the Indus Valley Civilisation and the prominent one among these signs is ``a man with a jar cup’’.

This has been the distinct motif of the Indus Valley civilisation and the presence of such signs indicates that the Harappan civilisation (2300 BC to 1700 BC) was active in south India too. An iron railing is placed in the cave which helps prevent visitors damaging the carvings. And the damp interior with history ic air and signs is sure to enthral any visitor.

Nearest railway station: Kozhikode, about 97 km from Sultan Bathery 

Nearest airport: Calicut International Airport about 23 km from Kozhikode

Kerala Arts Festival

Welcome to Utsavam 2017

A festival that enthralls you with the splendid traditional folk art forms of Kerala.

Curtain is up for Kerala Tourism's unique annual cultural fiesta - "Utsavam". In this cultural extravaganza, which starts from 5 January 2017, the state's rich folk art forms will be unveiled in different venues that are spread across the fourteen districts of Kerala. More than 200 folk art forms are being staged across the state. The event will conclude on 11 January 2017.

Come and experience the soul of God's Own Country through the rhapsody of rhythms and mesmerising performances...

source: Utsavam

Patna Museum - Patna Journey Will Complete After Visiting This Museum

PATNA MUSEUM

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PATNA

Patna Museum, also known as 'Jadu Ghar' in Hindi, is one of well preserved museum in the country which connect the glorious past with the modern age. Set up in the center of the city, the museum building houses splendid and large collection of artifacts of the periods belonging to Mauryan, Gupta, Sunga, Kushan, Mughals and British era. The museum boasts of few collection which are unmatched elsewhere.

The museum came into present form in 1917 AD in a architecturally beautiful building, built specially for it. Sir Edward Gait, Lieutenant Governor of Bihar and Odisha (1915-1920) was the founder of this museum. His bust stands inside the museum, near the entrance gate.  The museum is surrounded by a beautiful scenery park. A number of statues, such as of Lord Hardinge, Viceroy of India dots the campus.

The museum has a collection of over 45,000 exhibits, out of which only a small percentage of it are on display due to space constraint. The Relic casket, containing the mortal remains of Lord Buddha is one of its rare possessions. However the most famous collection of the museum is 'Didarganj Yakshi', the statue from 3rd Century BC. A brick sculpture of lord Buddha and stupas, named as Satabdi Smarak is situated in one of the corner of the museum.

A cafeteria (Sangrahalaya Vihar) managed by Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation and a souvenir shop managed by HHEC (Ministry of Textile, GoI) is present in one corner of the museum. The museum building also houses few government offices like office of the National Mission for Manuscripts, Govt. of India and Bihar Research Society. The museum also houses an auditorium, named as Jan Nayak Karpuri Thakur Auditorium at the back side. It was inaugurated in 2000.

The museum displays many archaeological things, coins, paintings, instruments, art objects, textiles, painting, bronze images, sculptures, thankas, terracotta images and many more things. It has displays the rare paintings during the British rule. The most prized possession of the museum is the sacred relics of Buddha. You can see all the things kept there.

Visiting Hour :   10:30 AM - 4:30 PM (Monday Holiday)

Entry fee :  Rs 15 (Indian Citizen), Rs. 250 (Foreigner)

Buddha relics gallery visit : Rs 100 (Indian Citizen), Rs. 500 (Foreigner)

Student group fee : Rs 2 per student on production of identity-card

Lock room fee : Rs 2 per bag

Auditorium fee : Rs 10,000

Photo clicking fee : If any one wants to click photos inside the museum, then one has to buy an extra ticket. Ticket rates are as follow : Rs 20 ( For Mobile camera), Rs 100 (Flash Camera), Rs 500 (Video Camera), Rs 5,000 (Commercial Recording). If anyone is found taking photos inside the premise without having proper ticket, then fine can be imposed by the museum administration.

Guide fee : The Museum offers guide facility to the desired person/persons based on following criteria : For 1 person, fee is Rs 25; for 2 to 5 persons, fee is Rs 50; and for 6 to 10 persons, fee is Rs 100

By Air

The flights of Indian Airlines, Sahara India, Air Deccan and Jet Airways connect Patna with Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Lucknow, Ranchi and many other major cities.

By Train

Patna is connected by rail to Bombay, Calcutta, Guwahati, Ranchi, Varanasi.

By Bus

All - weather motorable roads connect Patna with the rest of Bihar. There are also regular inter - state bus services. Regular direct bus services connect Patna to Calcutta, Rajgir, Nalanda, Pawapuri, Vaishali, Gaya-Bodhgaya, Ranchi, Raxaul, Muzzafarpur, Sasaram.