Travelogue

Amidst the timeless allure of Khajuraho's temples, we were captivated to the point that an additional day was deemed essential to truly savor the grandeur that unfolded at every turn. With the majority of these architectural marvels under the watchful gaze of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), our extended day in Khajuraho promised a sunrise-to-sunset odyssey. Kicking off our explorations at 9 a.m., the enchanting Jain group of temples beckoned us first, conveniently nestled near our accommodation. Each temple, adorned with intricate sculptures, stood as a testament to the artistry of ancient times. Venturing inside, we sought the blessings of the deities enshrined within, immersing ourselves in the spiritual ambiance. Our reverie was interrupted by a friendly ASI personnel, eager to share the nuances of Khajuraho's divine sculptures. With passion, he guided us through the labyrinth of gods and demigods, decoding the significance of weapons and animal compani

Awakening to the promise of a thrilling tiger safari, we decided to embrace the chill and venture into the wilderness of Panna National Park. The anticipation of the day ahead led us to check out of Prannath Dharamshala, leaving our luggage in the safe confines of the National Park office. At the crack of dawn, at a bone-chilling 5 degrees Celsius, we eagerly awaited the auto-rickshaw that would transport us to Mandla gate for our safari. The dense fog painted an ethereal canvas, and as we embarked on the 20 km journey, time seemed to stand still in the surreal landscape. Upon reaching Mandla gate, we confirmed our reservations for the tiger safari scheduled at 6:45 a.m.  Despite the biting cold, our spirits soared as we met our guide and the driver who would accompany us on this wild adventure. The early morning mist shrouded our surroundings, creating an air of mystery and excitement. The safari began, and although the initial fog hindered visibility, the day gradually unfolded its s

As the sun rose on a new day in our Madhya Pradesh adventure, the allure of Panna beckoned us, promising wildlife encounters and a tapestry of cultural wonders. Despite the chill in the air and the echoes of yesterday's exploration, our spirits were high as we set out on a slightly delayed journey at 9:00 a.m. The rhythmic hum of "Bittu ka bus" carried us from Chitrakoot to Satna, and another bus seamlessly whisked us to the heart of Panna by 3:00 p.m. Our refuge in Panna was the charming Prannath Dharamshala—a simple yet elegant haven that offered the luxury of hot water round the clock. Rejuvenated by a hearty meal, we eagerly delved into the heart of Panna, a town pulsating with history and spirituality. The impending highlight of our visit was the tiger safari at Panna National Park, an adventure that required careful planning and a payment of approximately 7500 rupees for a private gypsy. With the safari secured for the next morning from Madla gate, we had ample time

In front of Kamadgiri Temple Embarking on the enchanting trail from Maihar to Chitrakoot on the crisp morning of January 15th, our expedition unfolded with a tapestry of cultural exploration and scenic wonders. Navigating through the heart of Chitrakoot, our journey began with a scenic bus ride from Maihar to Satna and another from Satna to Chitrakoot. Enroute, a fellow passenger shared a local gem—Kamadgiri Bhavan—as the perfect abode. With anticipation building, an auto-rickshaw swiftly transported us. This haven was available at a reasonable cost of 1500 rupees. Our cozy three-bed room at Kamadgiri Bhavan boasted modern amenities, including an attached geyser and an air conditioner—though the chilly weather rendered the latter unnecessary. Freshened up and brimming with excitement, we embarked on the Kamadgiri Parvat Parikrama, a captivating 6km journey that included side branches like Laxman Pahadi. The barefoot parikrama unfolded with a visit to the sacred Kamadgiri Te

Embarking on a mesmerizing journey through the heartland of India, our family's vacation in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh unfolded like a tapestry of cultural exploration and scenic wonders. Setting the stage for our adventure, we boarded the Kolkata Mail from Mumbai on the 13th of January. With Tanvi's exams behind us, the air was filled with the excitement of a well-deserved vacation. Comfortably nestled in our seats, we enjoyed a peaceful journey, dining onboard and eagerly anticipating the experiences that lay ahead. As the sun painted the morning sky, we found ourselves engaged in cheerful conversations with fellow passengers. The train provided a lively backdrop as our paths crossed with a delightful lady and her two playful children, adding an extra layer of joy to our expedition. Our original plan included getting off at Satna and making our way to Maihar and Chitrakoot. However, the serendipity of travel intervened when a local fellow traveler suggested a more co

Bhimashankar Trek 13.8.1994 4 friends, Suwas Darvekar, Salim Fidai, Hemant Patil and Ravi Patil were a group of crazy people, who were recently stung with a trekking bug. A small trek to Matheran was done before and with that experience, we thought of doing another trek. 13 th August 1994. It was a 3 day holiday on a trot 13 th being a Saturday, 14 th a Sunday and 15 th August being the Independence Day. So this 4 crazy people meet early in the morning at Dadar station to trek. Where to trek was not yet decided, but we were all packed for a good trek. Every one of us was carrying water, foodstuff, Torch and a rope. Of course we were carrying spare clothes. All this packed up well in a polythene bag because rains were anticipated. Since most of the treks are in the central railway segment, we boarded a train to Ambernath. We got down at Ambernath and were discussing about which trek to do. Suddenly I remembered that there is a Bhimashankar trek from Karjat. I expressed tha