Varanasi: Top 12 Ghats to Visit in India’s Spiritual Capital
The charm of Varanasi is endless, much like the variety of its names. Since time immemorial, pilgrims, monks, philosophers, and travelers have thronged in this timeless city, thanks to the countless temples, tranquil Ganga, and mystical spiritual ambiance. The main attraction of Varanasi is, perhaps, the ghats of Ganga. Ghats are nothing but stepped embankments of rivers. […]
Belur’s Chennakesava Temple: Poetry Etched on Stones
The architectural heritage of India knows no bounds. This is especially true for the southern parts of our country. You will be amazed to find a brilliantly carved temple at the heart of an otherwise nondescript town or village in south India. Belur is one such example. This sleepy town boasts the presence of the […]
Halebidu: Why You Must Visit This Temple Town of Karnataka Next
At present, Halebidu is a run-of-the-mill, nondescript town located in southern Karnataka. It hardly resembles its once illustrious presence as Dwarasamudra, the capital of the Hoysala dynasty. Today, Halebidu is renowned for the ornate Hoysaleshvara Temple. The temple is overflowing with exceptional wall panels, depicting Hindu divine figures as well as royal figures, musicians, and […]
The Diamond Triangle of Odisha: Legacy of Buddhism
Odisha is a treasure trove of heritage sites. Hardly any other states of India boast all Hindu, Buddhist, and Jaina heritage sites like Odisha does. However, travelers have mostly confined themselves to the renowned Bhubaneswar – Puri – Konark circuit, while the rest of the heritage sites of Odisha have largely remained beyond the purview of […]
Hampi: Remembering A Forgotten Empire
It was our last evening in Hampi. We flopped atop Matanga Hill. Before us, the panorama of Hampi spread far and wide. The sun resembled a big blob of orange as it disappeared bit by bit behind the horizon. The iconic Virupaksha Temple glistened under the last rays of the setting sun, as the sounds of […]
Hampi: The Perfect Itinerary For An Epic Trip
The mere mention of Hampi evokes thousands of feelings in our hearts. Once the capital of the esteemed Vijayanagara Empire, Hampi has now enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to her architectural and sculptural remains. Table of Contents Know before you go: all about Hampi: Hampi was originally known as Pampakshetra. It was named after […]
Exploring Shravanabelagola: The Ultimate Guide
The clock was about to strike 5 PM. Our car ran like the wind, as we stole glances at our watch. As if, that would stop time in its track! Earlier that day, we got so immersed in the riveting beauty of Belur and Halebidu’s temples that we completely lost track of time ourselves. It […]
Badami: The Ultimate Guide to the Chalukyan Capital
Today, Badami is an ordinary, squalid town. At first sight, it won’t impress you. Grungy, chock-a-block roads, lanes, and by-lanes crammed with dingy slums, and rowdy market areas – Badami hardly resembles its once dominant status as the prosperous capital of the Early Chalukyas. For understanding Badami’s centuries-old history and heritage, you need to head […]
Aihole: How To Discover An Ancient Temple Town
At first glance, Aihole appears to be a rather nondescript village. Dusty roads, dry summers, curious glances, cows ruminating nonchalantly on the roadside, corn drying right on the main roads – it exhibits features common to every other village of northern Karnataka. And yet, Aihole is so much more, with a rich history dating back […]
Pattadakal: Why You Need to Visit this Historical Site
Today, Pattadakal is a run-of-the-mill village in northern Karnataka, much akin to its neighbor, Aihole. But, if you travel back in time to the 7th century, you will discover Pattadakal as a splendid town, glistening with magnificent temples. Not only this, it was here that the coronation of the Early Chalukyan rulers used to take place. […]