Category: India
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Mata Vaishnodevi shrine at Katra #1: Ban Ganga to Adhkwari
A shivering cold night, mantras played on speakers are wafting in the air accompanied with zealous chants of “ZORR SE BOLO… JAI MATA DI…“, there are horses and mules rushing up and down the tortuous paths and there are enervated people climbing with their walking sticks, panting, struggling to catch a breath yet unwilling to…
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Peeping into Pakistan at the Wagah border
In July 1947, Sir Cyril Radcliffe, a British lawyer on his first ever visit to India was assigned the duty to draw a border that would separate India and Pakistan. The border he drew divided people who had fought, loved and lived together for centuries and created two nations that went on to become arch-nemesis.…
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Visiting Kailashgiri & Seemanchalam in Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam is a unique city. It has a rare, unconventional combination of beaches and hills. I mentioned about the tourist places along the beaches in my last post which includes the one of its kind INS Kurusura submarine museum, the maritime Visakha museum and the beautiful Ramakrishna beach.
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A weekend in Visakhapatnam city
An early morning on a Saturday, I woke up and dragged my blanket down. I looked out of the window with somnolent eyes and saw large container cargo ships sailing in the Bay of Bengal. I saw the resplendent sun adding colours to the crepuscular hues. This was the view from a window of the…
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The Excavation site of ancient Nalanda University
In India lotus is often associated with knowledge and the word Nalanda translates to “Giver of Lotus stalks“. At its prime Nalanda University was one of the best centres of excellence and attracted students from as far as China, Mongolia and Persia. Nalanda University was established in 5th century by the Gupta dynasty rulers with subsequent…
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Tracing the roots of Buddhism: The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya
Buddhism, one of the prominent religions of Asia traces its origins to Bodh Gaya. The place where Prince Siddhartha became Lord Buddha. The place that preached the world about virtues of peace and nonviolence; about benevolence and the subtle art of dharma. Situated in Bihar, a state much despised for being unruly and rowdy, Bodh…
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Photostory : The international temples at Bodh Gaya
Bodh Gaya, the place where Buddhism took birth, has over time become a truly global spiritual destination with international tourists from all Buddhism practicing nations flocking to Bodh Gaya throughout the year. All major Buddhism practicing nations and all sects of Buddhism have established their own temples at Bodh Gaya to facilitate their visitors. With…
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Mukhteshwara & Raja Rani temple at Bhubaneswar
Mukhteshwara temple and the Raja Rani temple are two ancient temples built around 10th century and have gained a reputation of having some best stone sculptural work among the temples in India.
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Konark: The Black Pagoda in Odisha
I am back with my first post of 2017. I wish you had a great start to the new year and welcomed it by enjoying to the fullest. My first destination of 2017 is a ruined 12th century temple in Puri district of Odisha – The sun temple of Konark. Konark Temple is an eerie place…
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Visiting the Sino-Indian border at Nathu La
Nathu La located at 14000 feet is one of the three trading border posts between India and China; the other two being Lipulekh in Uttarakhand and Shipki La in Himachal Pradesh. It is on the famed silk route which was used for trade between India and China, extending to Arabia, southern Europe and Persia, for…
Jolly Miles 