Jaganmohan Palace – This Royal Palace Is A Significance Place Visiting During Your Stay In Mysore

JAGANMOHAN PALACE

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MYSORE

Jaganmohan Palace is a royal palace in Mysore city.This Art Gallery located to the west with a walking distance to that of main palace, which is famous Art Gallery. It was built during rule of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in 1861 to celebrate the marriage of his daughter, the princess of  Mysuru, because the main palace was destroyed in a fire in 1897.

The main door of this Museum is itself a master piece of Art with intricate carvings which is said to have been made in just 70 days. The museum was officially started in 1915, and has since been expended adding many artifacts. This Art Gallery was linded to the famous Mysuru style of painting of rare original paintings and artiacts and entrusted the Administration of this Museum to a committee.

The museum was named after sri Jayachamrajendra Wodeyar in 1955 as Jaganmohn Palace Art Gallery.The original oil paintings of Raja Ravi Varma of Travancore on display here are on many mythological themes.The painting of lady holding the lamp of the Indian Artist S.G.Heldnker is another piece. The other Exhibits include Artifacts made from Glass, Ceramic and Metal.

A good collection of clocks is on display here. Few energravings from china and Japan give it an oriental charm, painting on silks from Japan are worth seeing. Another attraction is the display of paintings of various styles like Moghal, Rajputh give the museum the Artistic touch. Innumerable toys and Artifacts of various description (like the French musical calendar and religious bells from Nepal) makes a visit to this museum memorable.

This palace has witnessed many important events. The daily royal durbar, special Dasara durbar, the first session of the Legislative Council of the Mysore, the coronation of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV and many other events has been organized in this palace. 

Few convocations of the earlier Mysore University were also held at this palace hall. Till now, many conferences and cultural programs have been hosted in the grand hall of Jaganmohan palace.Jaganmohan palace flaunts the traditional Hindu architecture. The hall exhibits intricate carvings of Lord Vishnu’s incarnations. Jaganmohan palace houses an auditorium which is used to organize cultural programs especially during the Mysore Dasara.

Timings: 8.30 am to 5.30 pm (Daily)

Amboli Hill Station – You Can Feel That The Power Of Nature Creates Its Pleasing Music

AMBOLI HILL STATION 

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SINDUDARG

Amboli is situated in Sindudarg district of Maharastra State of India. It is at an altitude of 690 meters above the sea level and its amazing topography comprises dense forest area with a large number of waterfalls which increase in number during the rains.The beautiful hill-station of Amboli is rightly called the ‘queen’ of Maharashtra; such is its natural splendour.

Famous among environmentalists as a precious ecological hotspot, it is cool, calm, serene and enriched with all the treasures that the world of flora and fauna can bestow upon it. Located in the princely state of Sawantwadi, Amboli is located on the ridge of the Western Ghats and is particularly majestic during the monsoon when impromptu waterfalls gush down the hilly terrain.

Located 529 kilometers from Mumbai and well-connected by road, the railway station nearest to it is at Sawantwadi Road on the Konkan railway line while the closest airport is at Dabolim in Goa.  In fact, it is the heavy rainfall of an average of 750 centimeters per year which results in such thick growth of trees and plants along the hillsides.

The hill-station was a favourite with the British rulers and it is said that Colonel Westrop was the one who took special efforts in developing this place. Winter is actually the perfect season to visit Amboli and some of the points that are a ‘must see’ include the Nangartas Waterfall, Hiranyakeshi, Sea View Point, and Mahadevgad. Kavlesaad Point is another interesting point from where you can get a view of the Sahyadri ranges.

However, for those who would like to add a little more mysticism to their visit, choose to go during the monsoon season. The entire region gets covered with a dense fog during several times a day.

It is then that you can actually experience the power of silence and how nature makes it own music. Meanwhile, don’t forget to stop by at the Hiranyakeshi Mandir. It is from here that the river Hiranyakeshi originates.

The approach road is rough but the destination provides a wonderful experience. You would in fact want to spend hours at this calm and peaceful spot. The river ultimately flows through Karnataka where it is known as Ghataprabha. There’s also a small temple dedicated to Parvati.

For lodging MTDC offers a perfect rest house with a facility for meals. There are of course other hotels and restaurants too at Amboli which has emerged as a popular tourist destination over the years. What makes this place special is that it is very rich in flora and fauna and you will in all probability be able to spot wild boars, antelopes, deer, monkeys and bison and maybe a leopard too in case you happen to be at the right spot at the right time.

Amboli is also a draw with enthusiastic bird-watchers who come here to glimpse and photograph various species like the Hornbill, Paradise Flycatcher, Drongo, Yellow-Browed Bulbul, Red-Whiskered Bulbul, Crimson-Backed Sunbird, Orange-Headed Ground Thrush, Indian Schimitar Babbler, and a lot more.

A huge number of butterflies, frogs and reptiles make the forest their home too. Some of the trees and plants found here include Hirda, Ain, Anjan, Shikekai, Mango, Fern, etc.

By Air

The nearest airport is Dabolim

By Rail

The nearest railway station is Sawantwadi road on Konkan railway.

By Road

Amboli is well connected by road from Sawantwadi, Belgaum and Kolhapur. Number of buses ply from Pune and Mumbai to Amboli.

A Jolly Outing With Kids By Toy Train In Darjeeling

Toy Train Joyride -

 Darjeeling to Ghum & Back

Toy train joy rides operate from Darjeeling Railway Station. It's a 2-hour round trip from Darjeeling up to Ghum and back covering a total distance of 14kms. There are four such round trips in a day, two in the morning half and two in the afternoon. The train stops for 10 minutes at the Batasia Loop. At Batasia the train makes a loop around a wonderful manicured garden. The view of Darjeeling town and the snow peaks of Kanchenjunga from here are unparalleled. The War Memorial built in honor of the Gorkha soldiers who sacrificed their lives is located at the center of the Garden.

Ghum is the highest altitude station on the Darjeeling Himalayan Rail track. Altitude of Ghum is 2225.7 meters (7407 ft). Here the toy train stops for 30 minutes for a visit to Darjeeling Himalayan Railway museum. The DHR Museum is located at the station premises. The highlight here is the oldest toy train engine - The Baby Sivok. The entree fee to the museum is included in the ticket price. DHR sends by post a certificate validating your ride on the toy train so that you can cherish the memories of your ride.

Toy Train Joyride Schedule

Train No.: 52546, Departs: 8am, Returns: 10am, Diesel Engine

Train No.: 52548, Departs: 10:40am, Returns: 12:40pm, Steam Engine

Train No.: 52549, Departs: 13:20pm, Returns: 15:20pm, Steam Engine

Train No.: 52547, Departs: 16:05pm, Returns: 18:05pm, Steam Engine

Update September 2016: Effective 10th September 2016, 3 additional steam engine hauled toy trains are being introduced for joy rides (mostly targeting the high season of Puja). The timings are 8:00 (diesel), 10:30 (steam), 10:40 (steam), 11:00 (diesel), 13:10 (steam), 13:20 (steam), 13:30 (diesel), 16:05 (steam), 16:10 (steam). 

There are usually two first class coaches provided in a steam engine train, while three first class coaches in diesel engine joyride toy train.

TIP: Note that during high season, there is a lot of rush for this ride and you should try to book well in advance. Don't plan to buy the joyride tickets after you reach Darjeeling because you may not get them. Just in case you don't get the joyride tickets, an alternative plan is to buy a ticket on the regular morning toy train operating between Darjeeling and Kurseong, which too goes via Batasia and Ghum. Get off at Ghum and take a shared jeep back to Darjeeling... almost similar experience as the joy ride. However this is a diesel engine hauled train and not steam engine. You can buy tickets online through Indian railway site irctc.co.in.

Toy Train Joyride Fare (Updated September 2016: Fares effective 18th February, 2015)

Diesel Engine Rides: Rs. 630/-. All first class seats.

Steam Engine Rides: Rs. 1,415/-. All first class seats.

NOTE: 

1) Above are round trip fares Darjeeling-Ghum-Darjeeling. 

2) No concession in Darjeeling Toy Train Joy Rides to Children of age 5 or above, neither to senior citizens. No tickets required for children below 5 years. 

3) The first train in the morning at 8am is the diesel engine hauled train while the rest are steam engine trains. The fares of Steam Engine puled trains are higher because they represent the original heritage trains and their maintenance cost is also higher. Fares include admission to the DHR Ghum Museum.

Source: Darjeeling tourism

Kapildhara Falls – It Has Several Caves Where Saints Meditated In Olden Days

KAPILDHARA FALLS

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ANUPPUR

Kapildhara waterfall is located in the Amarkantak district of the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It lies at a distance of 6 kilometers from the Narmada Kund. The holy waters of the River Narmada plunge from a height of about 100 feet, from the ground level. This cascade gets its name from the famous sage Kapil, who had resided at this place and performed severe religious austerities.

Kapil muni is said to have received the divine light at this very place, according to the ancient scriptures. He had also written ‘Sankhya Philosophy’ an advance treatise on mathematics in the Kapil ashram. Kapildhara is set amidst majestic mountains, dense forests and low lying hills.

The mountains surrounding the Kapildhara waterfall have several caves within them, where many saints have meditated and attained salvation, during the ancient times.

The Kapildhara falls are created by the River Narmada, which originates at the Narmada Kund. Two other rivers Kapila and Erandi, join the Narmada River to form the Kapildhara falls. Though the falls can be visited all year round, the best time however remains the months of September to January, the post monsoon period. En route to the falls, one can come across the Achanakumar Tiger Reserve.

The waterfall is prominently set amidst the forests, known as Kapilvan. According to Hindu mythology, sage Kapil had tried to stop the reverse flow of the Narmada River from this point.

Kapildhara is the first waterfall from the Narmada Kund, on the banks of River Narmada. Though the waters jut down with a tremendous force, the depth of the pool underneath is only 20 to 25 feet. It has become difficult to reach the waters, as the steps that led to them have been washed away by the floods.

One needs to beware of the monkeys and langurs that frequent the falls! The people, who visit Kapildhara falls, usually collect the stones from the holy river waters, which are worshipped as shivlings, called Narmadeshwar. The pilgrims also worship the footprints of Lord Kapileshwar Shiva and the sage Kapil, at the Kapil Ashram.

Jabalpur is the nearest airport to Amarkantak, at a distance of 245 kilometers. Amarkantak is the origin of the Rivers Narmada and Son.

Ajanta Caves – Monks Of Buddhist Are Spending An Amount Of Winter Times In This Caves

AJANTA CAVES 

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AURANGABAD

Ajanta caves  are located in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state of India. The Ajanta caves are one of the places history and and culture enthusiasts will enjoy an excursion to. It is believed that several Buddhist monks spent a significant amount of time at the Ajanta caves during the monsoons as they were forbidden from travelling during that particular period of the year. This was the time when the monks put their creativity and time to use and painted the walls of the caves.

It was only in 1819, when Jon Smith, who belonged to the 28th Cavalry accidentally chanced upon the horse-shoe shaped rock while hunting a tiger in and around the Deccan Plateau region. The entrance to the cave like structures intrigued the British official enough to make them cross the Waghora River in the vicinity and reach the caves. Soon, archaeological experts excavated the sites and the news of discovery of these caves spread like wild fire making it an instant hit among European travelers.

Apart from the stunning paintings and sculptures, there were also huge Buddhist mounds like stupas built, massive pillars intricately detailed carvings on the ceilings and walls made big news, giving the Ajanta caves the status of a heritage site. 

It was soon studied that there were over 30 caves in the cave complex out of which one part of the complex was developed during the Satvahana period and the other was done during the Vakataka period. After closely studying several of these artefacts, historians and archaeologists speculated a connection between the Vakataka dynasty that ruled the region to the Gupta dynasty of north India!

During the first phase of construction, the sanctuaries known as the Chaitya-grihas were built in the canyons of the Waghora River. Caves 9, 10, 12 and 15 A were built in the first phase during the Satavahana dynasty. The second period of construction was carried out during the rule of Emperor Harishena of the Vakataka dynasty. Close to 20 cave temples were simultaneously built which resemble the modern day monasteries with a sanctum in the rear end of the structure.

Towards the end of the reign of Harisena, these caves were abandoned and eventually forgotten through the centuries. The dense forests were partly to be blamed for camouflaging these caves. The Ajanta caves are home to paintings and sculptures that depict heavy influence of Buddhist philosophy and religious teachings of the Buddha. Various incidents from the life of Gautam Buddha and the Jataka Tales are represented and recreated on the walls of these caves. Scenes from the royal court of the respective eras are also painted.

Through his life, Buddha was against the idea of sculpting and painting images of him. He  preached that life was a process through which one must overcome desire in order to attain salvation or nirvana. However, after Buddha’s death, his followers who wanted to worship him, decided to paint his images so that they had something to hold on to while spreading the faith and teachings of the Buddha.

At the entrance of the first of Ajanta caves, you will be greeted by a tall image of the Buddha. The doorway to the cave is decorated with auspicious motifs and the cave has numerous sculptures and paintings of Bodhisattvas Padmapani and Vajrapani; carvings of princesses, lovers, maids and dancing girls; scenes depicting the Persian Embassy, Golden Geese, Pink Elephants and Bull Fights. Though the caves are over 2,000 years old, the Buddha statues had been added close 600 years later.

By Air

Aurangabad is the nearest Air point for Ajanta. It can be reached from New Delhi and Mumbai (Bombay), international airport. Indian airlines as well as Jet Airways have daily flight to Aurangabad from New Delhi and Mumbai.

By Train

Jalgaon is the best place to drop in for Ajanta if you like Rail journey. It is centre point of all major railway stations of India and has Bhusaval (Just 28kms from Jalgaon) as Second largest depot of railways in entire Asia.