This and more is what attracted us to delve into the mystical land and enjoy the delights of a different vacation itinerary. So we made our way to Lakkundi in this part of India which is located around 11 km to the south east of the Gadag a small town in the district of Gadag in Karnataka. It is also known by the name of Lokki Gundi as is found in the inscriptions here. This was a very important city some 1000 years back and today is a great destination with a lot of antiquarian interest with around 50 ancient temples lying scattered in this village of Lakkundi. With the 101 stepped wells that are found here, this is also called as Kalyani and there are many inscriptions here which have been existent since the time of the Kalachuris and the Seuna , the Chalukyas and the Hoysalas.

The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is very important here and has been elaborately furnished. Lakkundi is  great centre for the Jains and has temples dedicated to the founder of Jainism , Mahavira. There are many ancient Jain shrines in this beautiful paradise , Lakkundi. The Chalukyan kind of architecture here and the grandeur of the Kalyana who were a  link of the early Chalukyas from Badami and the Hoysalas is replete here in the constructions.

Then there are the beautifully created step wells which are really constructed artistically and have canopied niches inside the walls of many wells that have the lingas.

The Sculpture gallery is very famous here and today is managed by the Archaeoogical Survey of India.

We were quiet intrigued by our trip here and this place is around 60km from Hubli, 68 km from Badami and around 400 km from the city of Bangalore. Pattadakal lies around 80 km from here and Gadag is just around 11 km. With Belgaum as the nearest airport the nearest railhead is Gadag junction and Lakkundi is also connected well to other cities by roads.

I had heard so much about the ancient temples that when finally I did see the temples I was totally enthralled. Lakkundi has the feature of a tank for each temple. There are today around 14 temples that can be identified here and these temples are under the care of the Archaeological Department. So the Naganatha temple, the Brahma Jinaya, the Naneswara temple, the Manikeswara temple , the Kashi Vishwanath temple and Kumbareswara temple are all found here.

The Jain Basti is another lovely place which showcases the beauty and grandeur of the religion here. There is a museum here which is a great construction but today is just like a godown.

Lakkundi is the nearest destination to Gadag and has Hospet , Koppal and Hubli as other tour areas here. It is a high altitude city at a height of around 2096m.

History has it that the Chalukyas built a city called Kalyani after defeating the Rashtrakutas. The architecture of the Kalyani Chalukya temple at Lakkundi are the major attraction in tours here. The city of Kalyani no longer exists. The place is very well known for the Tankashale and the mint which is where historians believe that gold coins were minted. The mints were called Lokkigadyana and the Lokkinishta.

Today Lakkundi has more than 100 temples mostly in ruins and many sacred wells which are called Pushkarini or Kalyani. There are around 29 inscriptions which span the Chalukya rulers , Seunas and the Hoysalas . The outstanding temples are the Brahma Jinaya , the Kashivishwanatha and the Nanneshhwara temple.

We saw the Kashi Vishwanath Temple which is a flamboyant temple with a lot of intricate designs and has sculpted towers and shikharas and decorative doorways. The main sanctum has a Shiv linga. There are strong pillars which are circular and these support the roof with a lot of designs and sculptures. The doors look resplendent with their carved panels and each panel has a different theme like flowers, birds, animals and carpets.

Then there is the Kirtimukha or the legendary face which was the main sign of the rulers of those times and these are seen carved on the outer part of the temple. This temple has a door on the southern side. This door too has a lot of paneled patterns. There is Makara which is a very strange creature with an elephant trunk, a peacock tail and a crocodile body. This is supposed to be a Hindu mythical animal and is considered to be the vehicle of the Gods Varuna and Ganga. Lord Shiva is shown as an infant in the temple and is supposed to be the only place where the Lord is shown in this manner.

There is a beautiful figurine of a dancer going up to around 5 inch and the beautiful sight of the carved mirror is very akin to that sculpted in the Belur temple too.

With many more temples to visit and more places to explore, Lakkundi is a ceaseless pit of tour delights and memorable travels.

This is the most enigmatic region here and is the best way you could enjoy the sea shores of the state of Andhra Pradesh. situated near Vijaywada the Manginapudi beach is a lovely and exotic locale in this part of India and takes you down to a thriving place of the ancient days in India. Tourists come here and enjoy the pleasures of a lovely land.

With a great historical heritage the Manginapudi Beach near the city of Vijaywada is made up of shallow waters and is around 11 km from the town of Machilipatnam. This was once a flourishing ort of the country and is a great pace in the district of Krishna in the state of Andhra Pradesh. this was the main points of entry in the Indian subcontinent.

Reaching this beach is easy as there are many bus services that are available regularly here. People coming to Vijaywada go to Manginapudi beach by buses. This is incidentally the easiest way to reach this lovely place. the sight of the natural bay here is a great fascination for all and the waves of the sea along the shores is a greatly mesmerizing sight and is filled with a wonderful fountain and has great lighting which decorate the entire place. The lighting wonders and the fountain pleasures are an added attraction here in the beach. Taking a stroll along, I enjoyed the pleasures of this lovely heaven when I had come here on a holiday.

There are many people who come here from foreign lands too and they love to enjoy the scenic delight offered here. Manginapudi beach is accessible either by rail or by air and is located in a lovely region in India. So if you are going anywhere near Vijaywada then do make sure that you do visit Manginapudi beach here. This is certainly a great treat to the imagination of the tourist.

So situated very near the shores of the bay of Bengal is a lovely land filled with great tour delights. Come here and enjoy the panoramic vies of the places here and experience the pleasures of the dark sands here which are made up of black clay. This has a natural bay with shallow waters and deep depths. Tourists come here and experience the feeling of being in heaven and it is a great way of spending small getaways to this part of the world.

The Manginapudi Beach area is not only a historical place but also a commercially important centre for trading. It gets its popularity from the fact that it was earlier a major gateway to the country. With the ideal bays and lovely sights of blue waters, the Manginapudi beach is a perfectly beach paradise for all and a great haven for all the nature lovers.

Tourists come here and get rejuvenated and relax in the simple surroundings and so it becomes an exciting place to visit in travels to this part of the world. This is a must see for all who come here and so it is a place that people look forwarded to in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

We saw a lovely park here which is very popular here and people normally come here to relax in the best surroundings. There are lot of hotels near the beach and these provide the guests reasons to relax and enjoy.

With the nearest airport at Vijaywada and the nearest railway station at Machilipatnam, this is a place that shouldn’t be missed. This village was very well known in ancient times and the entire beach is filled with black soil and dark sand. There is a small fishing town here that sells fish in the local market. There are small items out of shell available here and the small ornaments that are made out of this provide pleasure of shopping to those interested.

The Hindus normally come here and take a dip in the sea during the Purnima or full moon day. We walked along the shores and enjoyed the perfectly calm ambience here to the sound of the lolling waters of the sea. The place is certainly tourists friendly and gives a lot of scope of enjoyment here.

We then went to the Dattashram which is a popular pilgrimage spot here and is a place where there is also a Shiva temple. There are many temples, museums and ports here that are a great source of attraction to many pilgrims. The place is famous as a great harbour. The water here is very shallow and it is safe too for the tourists. A good place for skiing, surfing and swimming, the fishermen here are seen to apply their skills to catch fish here and give a lot to interest the tourists.

The accommodation here is very convenient and there are many beach resorts and hotels here that give the traveller great comfort and convenience. Bask in the pleasures of these accommodations and go back greatly fascinated by a great beach paradise. With comfortable bedrooms and huge dining halls, hotels and accommodations here are no problem.

With the best sights of a great beach and ideal travel experiences the Manginapudi beach is certainly a land to be in and a must see in tours to Andhra Pradesh.

Amongst the many states in India, the northeastern states are  a fine way of spending holidays here. So come here and experience the best here and enjoy your tours to this part of the world. Visit Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh and feel the difference of being in a paradise, and pamper yourself with a lot of things to do and many more things to see in this part of the country.

Often I visit Arunachal Pradesh as most of my assignments are in the north eastern part of India, and so Pasighat tours have become quite a common experience for me. One has to visit this lovely land in the months of October to April. Pasighat is situated in the district of East Siang in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India. This is the oldest town of the state and was founded in the year 1911. Today it is the East Siang headquarters and Pasighat is many a time called the gateway of the state of Arunachal Pradesh . From here the tourist often goes to see many other places of interest and this is thus one of the most fascinating zones in this beautiful state.

Getting its name from the Pasi who are a tribe in this region, the town is located at a height of around 155 m from the sea level. The climate here is hot and humid and the winters here are quite pleasant. Pasighat is rightly termed as the heart of the state and the fact that it is centrally located makes tours here very enchanting. With a magnanimous scenery and greatly enthralling river valleys this is dominated by a tribal population and is a tourist’s delight. Photographers love to come here and enjoy the pleasures of a greatly thrilling locale and thus Pasighat is a heavenly experience for all.

Visit this beautiful land and feel closer to nature. The nearest airport is the Mohanbari airport in Dibrugarh and the Guwahati airport in Assam. The Pawan Hans has many flights in this part and thus it is easy to reach Pasighat by air. Murkong Selek is the nearest railhead which is just around 35 km from Pasighat. This is a beautiful destination that can also be reached by road and there are buses and taxis from Guwahati and nearby cities.

It is needed that Pasighat travellers have a line permit to visit the area . Accommodations are easily available at the Circuit House, the Siang Guest house, and the Inspection Bungalow and paying guest accommodations are also common here. paying guest facilities introduce the local culture and tradition of the people and the tourists interested in nature and its beautiful delights are sure to experience one of the best travel locales in this part of the world.

There are innumerable pleasurable activities that one can enjoy in Pasighat so do make sure you enjoy most of them. For example I always go to the Ering Wild life Sanctuary here which is around 13 km from Pasighat and is a great wildlife zone to visit. This is situated on an island and gives the best ways of enjoying a beautiful island land filled with great delights. Cruise through the River Siang by boat and reach this lovely green land. In the months of September to February you would surely get to see the storks, wild ducks, cranes, hornbills, water fowls that add to the avifauna attractions here. This is thus a perfect paradise for a bird lover. Then there are the memorable sights of the wild elephants, deers, and buffaloes. The tiger is not often spotted here and it is only a lucky tourist who gets to see this beautiful animal in full glory here.

We then went to Pangin which is situated at a distance of around 60km from Pasighat and this is a lovely place that is connected by road and is located at a point where the River Siang meets River Siom. This presents a greatly mesmerizing sight and as the green waters of the River Siang and the blue waters of the River Siom meet the sight remains etched in the minds of the tourist forever.

Pasighat is also a great paradise for all adventure lovers and has great facilities for adventure related activities. So enjoy the pleasures of fishing, river rafting and also trekking. Fishing and angling are also popular activities here.

Thus this oldest Arunachal Pradesh town, which was a discovery of the British has been existing since long and is a great locale on the banks of the River Siang. There is something very intriguing about Pasighat which sets its apart from the rest of the cities and makes tours here very enchanting. This was initially founded as the major gateway to the administrative facilities of the Abor Hills region.

Today Pasighat is popular for being the region with the highest rainfall and is a great place to visit in tours to the northeastern part of India.

Visit the Bogmalo beach which is located around 8 kms from the Vasco Da Gama city here in Goa. it is very near the airport and the beach resort is truly reachable easily. Any tourist would surely love to enjoy the pleasures of being in a lovely beach paradise.

Goa is a place that is filled with greatest beach delights and the scenic beauty here renders a tourist totally ecstatic with pleasures. Bogmalo beach is one such reputed resort where the tourist is certain to get the best beach ecstasies.

There are many facilities of transport that take you to the resort. The resort has the bus stand and the railway station just around 9 kilometres away from the lovely resort. With the beautiful surroundings here and the ideal travel pleasures the Bogmallo Beach Resort is a greatly pleasurable land and has the best of mystical surroundings and the most fascinating romantic locales. Located on the fascinating white sands of the Bogmalo beach the resort is a perfect place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

So the last time we went to Goa, I made it a point to go around these beaches.  I had read about this beach and wanted to visit a different beach in Goa this time. The pristine ambience and the lovely virgin feel to the place is what enthralled me here and the fact that it  is just around 4 kms from the airport is what makes it a hit amongst the tourists coming to this part of the world. there are many travellers who come here from the nearby Margao railway station and the Vasco Da Gama station. While here we did make sure that we went around the other places of interest here.

So we also went to see Panjim and Old Goa. Then of course we visited the Mangeshi temple and the city of Madgaon. Then when we returned to the Bogmalo Beach it was a greatly rejuvenating feel. This small beach side village here in Goa is a lovely place to be in, during small getaways and the simplicity and tranquility of the place is what makes your tours worth here. there are sights of beautiful sunsets here as is the case with most of the beaches in Goa. A photographer’s delights, the sight of the waves lolling along and playfully caressing your feet, and the scene of the red sky during sunset is something that still lingers in my memories.

The beach is also fit for swimming and thus tourists enjoy the pleasures of this water sport and then bask in the small beach side cafes which dole out delicious Goan cuisine. There are small shacks and shops which sell the local artifacts so all those tourists who love to pick up stuff in their travels sure would love to experience the pleasures of this lovely land filled with greatest travel delights.

The beach is not very crowded so it does make travels here more peaceful. There are thus a lot of interesting things to do here and the Goa Institute is another added attractions. This diving institute is a place where you can also try some diving if you do not know how to. With small eateries and cafes the beach certainly provides great sea side pleasures and gives you the reason to come back for more.

The fact that this is a fishing village gives you the feeling of being in a unique land and the entire modernization of the beach in certain portions gives the best combinations of great pleasures in a beautiful land. Also you could explore the islands in and around the place and the fascinating shipwrecks here.

Bogmalo is very well connected with the motorcycle taxis and there are many biking enthusiasts who enjoy coming here in their motorbikes and love to enjoy the thrill and adventure that it gives them.

Sao Jacinto and Chicalet are beautiful islands here in the Bogmalo beach and provide ideal delights of church and cottages. There are lovely churches here in this lovely land and is a great place to be in. There is a certain architectural beauty here that enthralls all the tourists and water sports are the mainstay of tours here. The simple sights of the shipwrecks, the islands, the waters are all great travel delights here.

So for those who want to explore Mother nature, and also feel closer to exciting visual delights, Bogmalo beach is the reply to their quest. The luscious greenery here and the beautiful picnic locales here provide the tourist with magnificent travel experiences. The beach is generally a great getaway spot for all those living in and around Goa. the paradise called Goa is one of the best beach destinations in India and tourists across the world come here in search of serene experiences and tranquil delights.

Tourists love to shop for the shell jewellery, beach wear and lovely slippers and shoes here in the Bogmalo beach. Also the beautiful decorative pieces and showpieces are another attraction. Kids and adults alike love to enjoy the pleasures doled out here.

The Dada Hari Vav is a very intricately constructed step well here and lies just behind the tomb of Dada Hari. This is a very complicated construction of the city of Ahmedabad. The main reason that this well was built was to give the travellers cool water and a place to relax.

Some of the finer structures of the country are found in Ahmedabad and the Dada Hari Vav is one such example of a beautiful construction in this part of the world. This is an octagonal shaped well and is situated below the ground level. When I visited Gujarat the last time, I had the opportunity of seeing the Dada Hari Vav in this part of the state. This beautiful underground well was carved mainly in the Gujarati style of design. This has been made from the finest stone works in the state of Gujarat. I was quite enchanted to see the beauty of the construction and it added to my tours here. Many tourists from across the world come here and get enthralled by the simple ambience of this place, and the magnificent constructions of this beautiful step well. As I went around the step well, I saw that the the entire construction in detail and with minute attention to each detail. Right from the pillars to the walls to the steps each and every part of the construction is very well decorated and beautifully made. The step well can be visited from 9 in the morning to 5 in the evening and we were well within time and really had a memorable time here in this land of beautiful architecture.

This is thus a very ancient construction and shows the arts and crafts of an era that is past. The Dada Hari Vav was built during the rule of Mehmud Begda in the year 1501. It was actually used as a place of retreat in ancient times. Each part of the step well is beautifully festooned and has the mark of true sculpting and mesmerizing floral caucuses.

With greatly ornamented arches and majestic panes and columns, the beautiful classy designs and carvings of this step well is something to take home and with true Muslim traditions evident in the construction, the work of the Hindu artisans is also something that cannot be missed here. Some of the best sights of architecture are in Indian tours to such parts of the world and so just go and don’t miss the chance to see this stupendous work of man, and see how the crowds get enthralled by the splendour of a bygone era. Get to see the largest fascinations here in this part of India. It is certainly a must for all those who wish to see some of the best works in architectural splendour.

I was totally taken in by the simple manner in which the artisans of the past have created a complex structure filled with a lot of finesse and intricate carvings. With great expanse it truly is a greatly designed step well in this part of Ahmedabad and surely occupies a great place in the Indian architectural arena. It was for Bai Harir Sultani the superintendent of the royal harem that this step well was constructed and today it is a very popular tourist attraction.

So it is no wonder that there are people who come here from across the world as it has attracted the attention of the architecture lovers and provides a greatly fascinating display of intricate artistic work. With the beautiful floral designs and the figurines adding to the beauty, the entire effort of beautifying this already beautiful construction is something to be seen to be believed.

Gujarat is an Indian state that has the best sights of step wells which were built for utilitarian purposes and also for religious needs. So alternatively the Dada Hari Vav step well in Ahmedabad is also a sacred site for many. With the unique patterns and the most enchanting panels, the step well has some of the most extravagantly chalked out patterns and provides ultimate ecstasy to the architecture lover. The lavishness of the styles and the sheer splendour of the structure lends a lot of beauty to the eye and the tourist certainly loves to enjoy the simple grandeur.

As I walked around the place I saw that though it has worn out with time, yet it does remain a great attraction for all who want to see something belonging to an era that has passed. So this region surely offers the ideal architecture and history that a history lover would search for.

So the next time, you are in India in the western part , then do visit the state of Gujarat and experience the best sights of being in a land of lovely constructions and beautiful step wells and feel closer with constructions like the Dada Hari Vav in Ahmedabad.

Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day of the Vaisakh month on the brighter half. This is the time when the Moon and the Sun are in exaltation and they are together at the height of being bright. This happens only once in a year and is thus a very auspicious time.

Akshaya Tritiya is also known by the name of Akha Teej and is normally worshipped as the birthday of Lord Parsuram. Lord Parsuram is said to be the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Normally people conduct a lot of puja on this day and take a bath in the holy rivers. They normally do charity on this day and also offer barley in the sacred fire. On this day Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are worshipped.

Akshaya means eternal and imperishable and this is a day which never reduces its glory or prosperity. On this occasion people venture out  to buy valuables y so Akshaya Tritiya sees a lot of gold purchases. It is said that if one buys gold on this day then he is sure to be wealthy and prosperous. Gold jewelery that is normally bought on this day.Gold is also worn to indicate a lot of good fortune. Indians normally celebrate a lot of weddings and bring in new ventures and also take a long travel on this day.

Mythology has it that this day is the beginning of the Golden Age or the Satya Yug. This is the first of the four Yuags. The Puranas which are the Holy Scriptures of the Hindus say that on this day, Veda Vyasa wrote the great Indian Epic Mahabharat along with Lord Ganesha. It is said that Mother Ganges and Ganga Devi descended to earth on this day.

There is another legend which has that during the time of the Mahabharata the Pandavas were in exile and Lord Krishna gave them the Akshaya Patra which is a bowl which would never be empty. It would produce food on demand and would give an unlimited supply of food always.

The most famous of the Akshaya Tritiya stories also has the legend of lord Krishna and his poor Brahmin friend Sudama where he comes over to Lord Krishna’s house and asks him for some financial help. Sudama had nothing to give but a handful of poha or beaten rice. He was very ashamed to give it to Lord Krishna and Krishna took the poha from him and relished it a great deal. Krishna always followed the rule of welcoming the guest with open arms. He treated Sudama like a true king and Sudama was so overwhelmed by the entire hospitality and warmth shown by Lord Krishna and he came back without asking for any favour. When Sudama reached home he found his entire house changed into a great palace. Such was the goodness of Krishna. It is said that this happened on Akshaya Tritiya day and so the day is always linked to wealth and material gains.

People who are born during this time succeed a great deal in life. There were many luminaries who were born during this period and have succeeded a great deal. Lot of donations are made to the needy and it is said that people would be blessed by God on this day. So people normally buy gold and silver and lot of property and lot of assets. Akshaya is a word in Sanskrit that explores the meaning the one that doesn’t fade.

Akshaya Tritiya is on April 24 this year so celebrate it in style and enjoy it with the blessings of God.

India is a land of festivals and each festival has its own significance. It is only these festivals which make the land a great boon to all those who visit this place. The celebrations of the festival is enhanced with the presence of various cultures and traditions which are typical to the place. Akshaya Tritiya is one such festival that reveres wealth, richness and prosperity. So all Indians revere this as a great day and celebrate it with a lot of pomp and grandeur.

Vadnagar in this state of Gujarat is a place that has the most fascinating history and has tales going back to around 4,500 years back. With the best pottery, ornaments, textiles, tools and fragments found here in this beautiful locale, there is a lovely site here which surrounds the Lake Sharmistha. There are many archaeologists who say that this was a great enchanting Harappan site.

The banks of the River Kapila had an early settlement and with the river flowing from the Aravalli hills and it fed water into a lake which was called Sharmistha. This was the site where there was a great settlement that existed in the past. Then this settlement grew over a great size and today the present city which is located on top of a hill is a lovely artificial mound which has been created by a group of buildings which have been built and then destroyed in the earlier times. There have been lot of diggings here which were done for archaeological purposes. These layers here speak about a lot of interesting history of the past.

Many years ago this city was called Chamatkarpur. It is said that there was a king who was cured of leprosy and he bathed in the waters of the Shakti Tirth. He got cured instantly and in gratitude the king built a new city with a lot palaces and temples. This place thus got the name of Chamatkarpur and was the place where the famous Rishi Yajnavalkya lived. Yajnavalkya means the Knower of the Vedas. This place was a major attraction for many scholars who lived here and thus this was a great centre of living.

Then there is Saptarishi which is a lovely locale on the banks of the pond lying to the east of the Lake Sharmistha. This pond gets water from the River Kapila and it flows as the Sharmistha. It is said that once there were many temples and buildings here and the banks had a fleet of stone steps. Yajnavalkya had a son called Kayayan who was also a great saint. There were two places he established out of which one was the Maha Ganapati in Vadnagar and the other was Vastupad.

It is said that Alexander the Macedonian ruler conquered a huge part of the western part of India including the region of Kutch sometime in 325 BC. When he was returning from India he left many Indian representatives behind . All his soldiers, entertainers, artisans, and many other elements in the army were very scared of the tired journey and they remained in this conquered land. Some of the Greeks were believed to have gone back to Kutch and also to Aanartapur which was the most fascinating city in this part of the world. There were fair skinned Greeks here and they started living here. They started mingling and mixing here and the descendants of these mixed people are believed to be the Nagars. Thus the Greek connection here is still seen in this part of Gujarat in Vadnagar.

In the seventh century the Chinese traveller Hsuan Tsang visited Vadnagar which was then known as Anandapur. He visited this place twice. In 627 AD he started his journey from the north eastern part of China and went to far away India. He then came back to his native land in 643AD. It was a very long journey and it took a lot of time. He kept a chronicle of the places he visited and also gathered a lot of collection of books from this country. He traveled across the western part of India and Anandapur was one such place here visited. He writes about Vadnagar or Anandanagar and says that this is a place with a very rich establishment and had around 1000 priests and the people here studied the Little Vehicle of Sammatiya School. He also added that there were many Deva temples and also a lot of temples in and around.

Vadnagar also saw a lot of Buddhism and Jainism. Buddhism however disappeared here after the 8th century. Jainism continue to flourish. This was generally a period of prosperity and peace. The city totally had all kinds of commercial and industrial activities and had the manufacture of dyeing, textiles, printing of calicos, agricultural tools, making of utensils and also stone carvings. The bazaars were full of customers who used to come from far and near. The traders were very rich and were also happy with the business. ‘

The Vadnagar region also attracted a lot of Malva rulers. They attacked the region and the Malva rulers totally exploited it and neglected the welfare of the city. For these Malva rulers it was no more than a source of revenue and a frontier city.

Then the region became the new Gujarat capital. Vanraj Chavda founded the city in the year 745. It progressed a lot and then the Solankis drove the Malva rulers out from the Vadnagar region. Till the end of the 13th century, the entire Vadnagar region prospered and this was the golden period here. Vadnagar was thus always revered and considered as a region of prosperity and peace. With the best public baths, bazaars, inns and vavs, it provided great tour delights.

While here in the tours to Rajasthan, Narlai is a great destination to be in this land of beautiful delights and jaw dropping experiences. Come here to Narlai and enjoy the popularity of this place which is purely due to the lovely pleasures of finding the joy of being in this land.

It is very interesting to be in this land of Narlai which is located at the base of the Aravalli hills. With many temples and caves this is surely a great feature of the enchanting state of Rajasthan. A very beautiful place, Narlai has got all the pleasures of a great destination.

Narlai has a lot of importance due to the flora and fauna that has grown here over a period of time. Located between Jodhpur and Udaipur this is a great place to visit and is around 140 kms and 160 kms from Jodhpur. Travels to this part of India is had either by rail and road. It is accessible from any place in Rajasthan.

This lovely land of Narlai is a lovely picturesque spot and is the best way to have a relaxed vacation. One visits the Jain temple of Adinath and Tiraknath.They are very well known temples and are a must visit. Ranakpur is a lovely place that is situated very near Narlai thus forms major attraction in tours to Rajasthan. Narlai itself is a place that has some of the most majestic castles and forts and adds to the tourist experience in this part of the world. So get ready and explore the unexplored here in this land of beautiful pleasures Narlai.

The best of the rural ambience of the state of Rajasthan is found here and the Rawlas are purely heritage homes which belong to the village chieftain.Rani Swaroop Singh and Maharaj and also their sons saw the way the hunting lodge has been restored and with the comforts and the aesthetics found here, the atmosphere is sure to enchant you. With the majestic background of the Aravalli hills, the entire area with its caves and temples and the perfect dwelling with an ancient background is a great visual delight.

There are many bathrooms and comfortable facilities in the ancient land of Narlai. This is a purely homely ambience and the luxury tents here give a unique experience. So for all those who want to enjoy the pleasures of a Rajasthan caravan, Narlai is the place to be in, and is the best way to explore the mystical land of Rajasthan. The Jain temples in and around the place are an added attraction and give you the best of tour pleasures in this part of India.

There are many activities that you can have here. So experience the jeep safari in the forests nearby and also the chitals and the leopards which are spotted here in the safari tours. The entire safari also takes you to a handicraft centre where the locals have the best textiles and dhurries too. The evenings here are very pleasant and the area also has some of the best exhibits of the dances here and also doles out the most delicious cuisine in this part of the world. People coming here enjoy the treks which take you across the Rawla are greatly enchanting and memorable.

With Ranakpur and Kumbalgarh very near to this lovely paradise in Rajasthan, Narlai is must in the itinerary of Rajasthan. This beautifully hilly region is a great city where you get to see the best of the 17th century constructions. There are lots of hand crafted items that are purely having a Rajasthan origin. World over tourists come to this place and have the experience of being in an old heritage area. Many hotels here in Narlai give the best stays and are very comfortable here in the Rajasthan district.

With the hot and dry climate the best time when we could visit this beautiful Rajasthan locale in the months of September to March. With a lifestyle that is purely rural, and the enchanting pleasures of the Rawlas are a great experience in this mesmerizing locale.

Narlai is approached either by air or rail or road. So the Dabok Airport is the nearest airport and is around 140 kms from Narlai. Then you have the Udaipur railway station which is again around 125 kms which connects the place to other Indian cities.

With the beautiful surroundings and the most enthralling sights, the tour experiences here are certainly a great pleasure to the tourist and leaves him with a treasure chest of memories and nostalgia. The Indian locales boast of a great sense of scenic splendour and offer the best travel nostalgia which is totally seen to be believed.

Situated very strategically on the Bundelkhand and Malwa borders, the history of Chanderi was dominated by the Central Indian trade routes. Chanderi is a lovely region to visit in this part of the country. There are lot of places to see in Chanderi and the stepwells here form a major attraction to all the tourists who visit this place. So as you go around this place, and shop for those Chanderi Sarees, you should also take time off and visit the stepwells here. The Battisi step well is one such major attraction in this part of the world and is an ideal way of enjoying the tours here. Situated around 19 km from the town of Chanderi this is located in a prime part in this part of the world. Buddhi or old Chanderi is what remains of the original Chanderi. With the location right on the banks of the River Urvashi, it is an ancient town that has been existing since the time of the Puranas. The Indian Puranas mention that Chaidnagar is the same region as the Buddhi Chanderi region.

Mythology has it that Raja Nala left Damayanti when she was asleep in the Narwar forests. Then she moved further into the dense forests and then reached Chaidnagar so that she could protect herself from the wild animals in this jungle. This came to be known as Chanderi. The route from Narwar to Chanderi is a short one yet this is mythologically very popular and famous.

There are many Jain temples that are found in the Buddhi region. So Chanderi attracts many Jains across the world. As we enter this lovely town, the famous bawdi or step well is situated in the north eastern side of the Chanderi town. There is a main door where there are inscriptions which state that this well is and also the mosque was completed sometime in the year 1484. It was Sher Khan who got this built during the reign of Sultan Gyas Shah Khilji.

The water in this step well, is stable so long as there are waters in the ocean. The main feature of this bawdi or the step well, is that the water remain at the same level the entire year at the base of the staircase.

The Battisi Stepwell is around 60 feet by 60 square feet and it is around four stories deep. There is a main entrance and one reaches the inside through the long staircase that goes straight and leads to the base. There is an arch at each doorway and at the bottom of the main steps there are beautiful Ghats that have been built on the four sides of the well or bawdi. There are doors on either sides and these doors with the niches are a great sight to see.

The Battisi Stepwell has been built by Sultan Ghiyasuddin Shah in the year 1485. The term Batttisi comes from the thirty two steps that are found here. Situated in the north eastern part of Chanderi, the place is a total visual delight. Most of the stepwells today are in a sorry state and in ruins. Some of these bawdis are still used by the locals of Chanderi. The is the largest in this part of the world. So this feat of Sultan Ghiyassuddin Khilji is a great masterpiece today. He was the son of the collector and he got this built on the lines of the Al Aqsa Mosque in the region of Jerusalem.

Chanderi with its historical importance has a lot of sight seeing attractions and gives the best travel delights. This is a land of stepwells and there are many stepwells in this part of the world. So the Qazion ki Bawdi, the Musa Quadin’s Bawdi, the Gol Bawdi, the lal Bawdi, the Chandai Bawdi, the Ek Pathar ki Bawdi, the Rimjhai Bawdi, the Aalia Bawdi, and the Chakla bawdi are all famous stepwells in this lovely land of Chanderi. Stepwells have always been a great architectural feat in this part of Indian and the Chanderi region is full of them. The Stepwells provide a great tourist pleasure and the Battisi Bawdi is one of the popular attractions in Chanderi. With the lovely inscriptions in Nask these Persian and Arabic scripts are the main feature of the bawdi. The inscriptions also tell us how there is a garden and a mosque besides the step well that has been built here. There is another inscription which tells us about the artist who etched the two inscriptions. This inscription is seen on the second gateway.

Thus the Battisi Stepwell in Chanderi is really a great source of attraction and travel delight in this part of the world.

The Goddess here is the Bhagavathy Devi who is found in the Vaishnava form. She is seen with a Gadha, Sankha, Chakra and a Padmam. The Bhagavathy here at Edakkunni is said to be one who gives all the wishes and is so known as the Sarvabeeshtapradhayini. There are many devotees who have stories to tell about her supreme benevolence. The temple is very special and has no upadevas in the walls. There are many astrologers who have tried to understand what exactly is on the Goddess’ mind and each time they have tried, the condition continued status quo. There is a beautiful ornamental gateway with a lovely gopuram and it has beautiful walls bordering the place and this is called the Anapalla Mathilkettu. Then there is the feeding hall or the Ootupura. This is the feeding hall. There is a Naaambalam which is a building that is found around the sanctum sanctorum and then there is the Sreekovil which is the main sanctum sanctorum. It has a lovely luster of the modern architecture and provides greatly fascinating values.

A major participant in the holy congregation of the Devas or the Arattupuzha Pooram the temple is really famous in this part of the world. There is the Uthramvilakku which is a very important festival celebrated here and this is celebrated the next day at Edakkunni. It is popular in the art circles of Melam and the Panchari Melams of Central Kerala are seen here.

People from far and wide used to come to see the Uthramvilakku and hear the absolute perfect manner in which the traditional rituals were followed. There is the Panchavadhyam that is performed on this day and this lovely sound of the instruments playing on this day is one of the best in the central part of Kerala and is also magnificent.

This is a festival that is very eagerly awaited and sometimes even as rains fall, the total pomp and show of the entire occasion is taken in by the sight of the beautiful elephants They come from Poorapadam at a place called Arattupuzha. There is a melodious percussion ensemble that is led by Kelath Aravindakshan. He was a very famous person in Edakkunni and was in fact given the award of Vadhyakalanidhi by the Cochin Dewaswom Board President.

Then there is the display of Anachmayam. There is the Madurai Kudas also displayed. There is a good crowd and very enthusiastic which comes for the exhibition. Sometimes the sky is overcast and there is rain falling at times yet the crowd is never reluctant to come here and they always assemble at the temple during the Deeparadhanai. There are long queues that are formed at the eastern side of the house and they are privileged to get a glimpse of their favourite Devi or Bhagawathy.

It is a wonderful sight to see the Bhagavathy being brought out at night for the vilakku festival. the Edakunni Panchari starts at around 1 in the night. Then you have the rituals of Viallkakacharam, Keli and the Kombu Pattu. The crowd really gets very enthusiastic about the Ancham Kalamand the Pathikalam. Whenever rain falls during the tours here just don’t worry. All that you have to do is to get into the mandapam and you can do very little to dampen the festive fervour that you have here. The Villaku has the final steps as the Ocharam and the Nadavazhi Pooram besides the Kodikuthu.

Thus the town of Edakkunni which is a lovely region found between the route from Thrissur in Kerala to Chalakudi is a beautiful region to be in, and is filled with the best of a colourful tradition in South India. The highlight of this event is the four hour Panchari Melam which is held after midnight. There are five caparisoned elephants which are decorated on this occasion and each of them carry a deity and it really looks resplendent.

The Uthramvilakku is a form of singing that is done ritually and is called the Brahmani Pattu. Then this was converted to the uthramvilakku in the present form which is about 150 years ago. This festival is normally celebrated on the uthram day of the Indian Month of Meenam in the Malayalam Calendar.

There is a flag hoisting which is called the kodiyettam and then there is a small ceremony of Pooram that is performed on the three elephants. The deity of Goddess Bhagavathy is then taken around the village of Perumanam on top of an elephant and the devotees pray and also participate in the ceremony.

There is a ceremonial elephant that participates in the elephant race or the Anayottam which is held in Piddikaparambu. This is also near Cherpu which is around 14 km to the south west of the Thrissur town. This is a unique race that has the idols of different deities form the temples in and around the place.

With the beautiful ceremonies and the lovely pleasures of seeing the best religious rituals in this part of the world, the Edakkunni Bhagavathy temple is a great place to be in and a perfect pilgrim spot in this part of the world.