Nasik, located 160 km from Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra, is considered one of the holiest cities in India. Not only does it host the famous Kumbh Mela every twelve years, but it is also where Lord Rama of lived for a few years in exile with his wife Sita and his brother Laskhman. On …
Sayla was love at first sight for me! Located in the Saurasthra peninsula, three hours from Ahmedabad, the city of the Rajputs Jhala is a destination still little visited by travellers. And yet, it has lots to offer! Apart from its charming old town, its many historical monuments and its skilled craftsmen, Sayla is also …
Located on the road between Bundi and Chittorgarh, the Menal temple complex is an essential cultural stopover in Rajasthan. This ancient site, in addition to being an architectural gem, was a high place of Shaivism during the reign of the Chahaman sovereigns in the 11th century AD.
The ‘lingam’ or ‘Shiva-lingam’ is one of India’s most emblematic hindu representation, and one of the most powerful. Some theories trace the lingam back to the ancient fertility cults probably due to its phallic form. But though it is easy to jump to conclusions, it is a mistake to think of the Shiva lingam in purely sexual terms; The …
The town of Pillaiyarpatti is located 70 kilometers northeast of Madurai and close to Karaikudi, the city of forgotten palaces. Pillaiyarpatti is famous for its temple “Karpaka Vinayakar” over a thousand years old dedicated to Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, revered as the embodiment of wisdom.
I was visiting Gujarat for the second time. This time I had decided see the coastal region of the Saurashtra peninsula: Diu, Somnath and Dwarka. I don’t know how I ended up in Pingleshwar, I always have the habit of traveling without a guide to leave spontaneity. What I do remember, however, is that it …
If ever there was a peaceful place on earth it’s here, nestling in the foothills of the Pir Panjal range. Naranag is a small village with just a handful of inhabitants on the left bank of the Wangath river. The picturesque surroundings of meadows, lakes and breathtaking mountain ranges create the perfect setting for a …
Masrur, located 40 km from Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh), is most certainly the archaeological pearl of the Kangra Valley. Although unfinished,there is something majestic about this cave temple, dating from the early 8th century AD and it can be added to the long list of the fabulous monolith sanctuaries of India.
The Jain temple of Rishabhdev also called Kesariyaji or Rishabdeo, located 60 km south of Udaipur, is one of the four great “Teerth” (pilgrimages) of the Mewar region in Rajasthan. The other three being: Shrinathji, Shri Eklingji and Shri Charbhujaji. However, unlike the latter, Rishabhdev is not only revered by Jains, but also by Hindus …
Apart from the “Rann“, the great salt desert, the district of Kutch, in the northwest of Gujarat, has many other little treasures, which are worth a visit to the region alone. For this article, I have selected eight historic temples, still little known to travellers, which once again bear witness to the richness and cultural …
On 17th March 1959, Tenzin Gyatso, the current Dalai Lama fled Tibet following the Chinese invasion and took refuge in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, where he established the Tibetan government in exile. McLeod Ganj or ‘Upper Dharamshala’ located 10km above Dharamshala became the official residence of the Dalai Lama and the haven of thousands of Tibetans. …
Mahashivaratri literally means “the great night of Shiva”. It is one of the major Hindu festivals of India when Lord Shiva is glorified, worshipped and honored with sanctifying rituals throughout the night.
Among the multitude of Hindu temples that dot India those of the 64 yoginis (Chausath Yogini), which you can count on the fingers of one hand, occupy a very special place. These sanctuaries, dedicated to the tantric worship and to the “Shakti”, the universal creative force, still remain an enigma. Surprisingly, very few thesis have …
Sirohi is a small city located in the south of Rajasthan two hours from Udaipur, the romantic city of lakes. It was once the capital of the princely state of the same name ruled by the Rajput Deora Chauhan. Within it stands a highly venerated temple, Sarneshwar Mahadev, protected upstream by a hill and surrounded …
“Outside the norm”, this is perhaps one of the best definitions of the word “Rabari.” Those who, originally, were nomadic camel herders from the arid areas of Rajasthan consistently exercise a powerful fascination on common people and regularly attract photographers’s eyes from all over the world. If their origin remains a mystery, their traditions, even gradually eroded by …
The Ellora caves will take your breath away. The technical brilliance and aesthetic beauty of this Unesco World Heritage site undeniably put the caves among the world’s finest rock-cut temples and make them a reference point for all Indian art.
Rajim is a unique town around 45km from Raipur, sitting at the meeting point of three rivers. It boasts a number of very fine Hindu temples dating from the 8th to the 14th centuries, which are highly revered by both Vishnuites (devotees of Vishnu) and Shivaites (devotees of Shiva). The town of Rajim and is …
It would be a shame to ignore the majestic cave temples of Elephanta, nestled on the island of Gharapuri, 10 kilometers from Mumbai. These 5th-6th century CE masterpieces, classified as a World Heritage Site, are among the most beautiful excavated caves of Maharashtra along with Ellora and Ajanta.
Sirpur, located on the banks of the Mahanadi River, 85 kilometers from Raipur, has a very particular aura, rather mysterious and ineffable. Perhaps it’s because this abandoned city is so old, or because it is unveiling its secrets only sparingly…
Baneshwar Fair is a huge folk fair held in Dungarpur district in Rajasthan. The 5-day event, which is sometimes called the “tribal Kumbh Mela”, takes place in January or February on a small delta where the Soma and Mahi rivers meet. It is primarily a religious festival, but it is also the annual get-together for …
