Indian Festivals: Festivals in January

There is nothing better than starting the year with a great holiday to one of the most exotic destinations of the world. If you are travelling to India in January, ensure that you check the Indian festival calendar to catch some of these exciting events.

Here are some of the Indian festivals and events in January to check out:

The Jaipur Literature Festival

There is no better way to ring in the New Year with some intellectual company! Asia’s largest Literature festival invites authors and thinkers of international repute to present their work and interact with audiences in the form of readings, discussions, talks and personal interactions. Names like William Darymple, Ahmad Rashid, Avijit Ghosh, Gurcharan Das and John Elliot have been present in the past years so one can expect an impressive list in 2013 as well. Also, the destination could not have been better, as one can complete the Rajasthan sector with ease.

The Jaipur Literature Festival -2013

Kambala Buffalo Races

The Mangalore ( South Western) belt of India has an interesting period from January to March where the villages indulge in a unique sport called’ Kambala Buffalo Races’. These are held over the weekends where the young men of the village come together and compete ferociously in slushy fields. A photographer’s delight, this event is definitely not a one to miss.

Kambala-race

Kite Flying in Rajasthan

The harvest festival of Baisakhi / Sankranti is held on 14th January all over North India. Rajasthan is especially colourful on this day as thousands of kites sprinkle the blue sky in a competition of might. Local terraces spill with people as teams are formed with vigour to ensure that opponent kites are brought down instantly. This festival gained popularity in Jaipur in the initial years but is now celebrated all over the state.

Kites flying high in Rajasthan and Gujarat

Pongal

While the North of India celebrates with kites, the same harvest festival in South is known as ‘pongal’ and is celebrated vivaciously across the state of Tamil Nadu and other Southern states with Tamil population. It is best to get invited to a local house so you can see the food preparation and the making of the ‘rangoli/ kollam’ outside houses. Incidentally, pongal is a dish made of milk and rice.

Pongal-Festival Rangoli

Republic Day in Delhi

Book ahead to sit and watch the annual parade in Delhi, which commemorates the success and independence of India on 26th January every year. Watch the armed forces march impressively and state floats represent the growth in India in a half day parade. The event is held under heavy security but will be a fun experience to see thousands in the stands, cheering on!

Republic-Day-Flag-2013

Hampi Festival

The pride of Karnataka and the former Kingdom of Vijaynagar, Hampi, celebrates the annual festival of dance and performing arts every year in January. The festival is held in the backdrop of an impressive topography, unique to Hampi. It has gained international acclaim in the last 5 years and one can see a variety of south Indian arts in this forum.

Hampi-Festival

Goan Wine Festival

A relatively new concept, Goa is the chosen destination for The Grape Escapade, a wine and haute cuisine festival. With the influx of western tourists, this is an apt destination for wine connoisseurs. Free wine tasting and attractive discounts on exotic wines are part of the festival. Apart from that, one can enjoy the cultural performances, music concerts and fashion shows.

Goan-Wine-Festival

Bikaner Camel Fair

The winter month of January is an important one for Rajasthan. The camel fair at Bikaner is a great opportunity for photographers to capture camel trading between locals. The destination starts with aplomb with camel parades and also includes races, dancing and pageants for the animals.

Camel Fair in Bikaner - rajasthan

Mamallapuram Dance Festival

The coastal town of Mamallapuram hosts a unique dance festival each year in January. The rock sculptures of the town make a wonderful backdrop while Indian art forms are performed by famous artistes in an open air venue.

Mamallapuram-Dance

Indian Festivals: Eid Ul Fitr in India

Eid-ul-Fitr (breaking of the fast) is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. It is a time of quiet reflection and worship. It is believed that more than 1,300 years ago, in the month of Ramadan, the prophet Muhammad received the Qur’an, the holy book of Muslims. Hence Ramadan is also knows as the ‘month of the Qur’an’.

Jama-Masjid-Delhi,India

Breaking the fast

A few dates and a glass of water is used to break the fast every day. Other foods consumed may vary from platters of fresh fruits, salads, nuts, legumes to fried savouries and kebabs. The meal with which the fast is broken every day is known as ‘iftar’. Iftars are often community gatherings, with people gathering to break their fast together. The meal is shared with family and friends, and it’s common for Muslims to invite non-Muslims over. Iftars in India have grown into mega banquets with politicians and celebrities throwing iftar parties all through the month.

Breaking-Fast-during-eid-ul-fitr

New moon

At the end of Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr is heralded in with the sighting of the new moon. Most countries rely on news of an official sighting and it is common to see newspaper reports like this one: “Eid to be celebrated on Wednesday, moon spotted”. Since the time of the moon sighting varies according to which part of the world one is in, Eid celebrations can begin on different dates.

The festivities

On Eid day, Muslims gather early morning in mosques or outdoor locations to perform the Eid prayer. After the prayer, new clothes are taken out and visits are made to relatives and friends. Colourful bazaars and malls are full of families doing their last-minute Eid shopping; women apply mehndi (henna) and wear colourful bangles. Children look forward to getting ‘eidi’ (money given by elders to children).

Festivities-shopping-Eid-ul-Fitr

It is common for non-Muslims to visit their Muslim friends and neighbours on Eid to convey their good wishes. It’s also time for feasting on special Eid delicacies like sheer khurma – a sweet dish prepared with milk, roasted vermicelli and garnished with dry fruits. After a month of fasting, sheer khurma comes like a warm bowl of comfort.

Other mouthwatering items on the menu include biryani, kebabs and korma and the delicious haleem – a meat stew made with lentils. The nihari is another popular dish during Ramadan – a rich stew of goat meat or beef, it is cooked overnight for six to eight hours and served hot early morning. In south India, Muslims break their fast with nonbu kanji, a rich, filling rice dish of porridge consistency, cooked for hours with meat and vegetables.

Eid Hot Spots: Where to celebrate

Eid-ul-Fitr is a public holiday in India and government offices, businesses and schools remain closed. While Eid is celebrated all over India, there are some cities that are well-known for the scale and range of festivities. If you want to get a taste of the real thing, it is best to get an invite to a Muslim household. Here’s a list of places where you can get get a ringside view of Eid celebrations.

• Jama Masjid in New Delhi where huge crowds gather to pray
• Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad, another location where people come together for prayer
• Aishbagh Idgah (the biggest prayer ground in the city) in Lucknow
• Dargah Sharif in Ajmer
• The Red Road in Kolkata where thousands of Muslims gather for a community prayer on Eid – it is a sight to behold.
• Agra is another great place to witness Eid festivities. In 2011, the Taj Mahal was opened to all for free for three hours on the occasion of Eid.
• In, Mumbai, the place to be seen at is Mohammad Ali Road. The place comes alive after sunset every day during Ramadan when restaurants in the area stay open all night serving up sumptuous dishes like tikkas, kebabs, hot paya, deep-fried parathas, kheeri and kaleji and stuffed baida rotis.

Indian Festivals: Ladakh Festival

With the Himalayan wonder, Ladakh, becoming more accessible to visitors from across the country, it is a great opportunity to get an intimate view of the unique festivals of the region.

One of the most exciting cultural extravaganzas, the Ladakh Festival, is celebrated between every 1st to 15th September. Great weather and fewer tourists make this a great time to enjoy the region’s heritage, depicted in dances, music and local food.

About the Festival

The Ladakh festival was the brainchild of the state tourism ministry and local communities to bring forth the rich cultural heritage of the region for everyone to enjoy. Leh, Kargil and the farway Zanskar valley participate in this festival.

Lamas-dancing-during-Festival

The festival starts with parades of local dance and music troupes which slowly go past the main Leh market to finally end in the Polo Ground. The most important part of the Ladakh Festival is the polo match. The winners are conferred with the Ladakh Festival Cup. This was introduced to take forward the lineage of this traditional sport of the Western Himalayas. Some of the other events include archery, singing contests and dance competitions.

Ladakh-Festival-Cup-Polo

The most exhilarating performance is that of the Lamas, who dance to haunting tunes in traditional colourful masks. These monks are chosen from a handful of monasteries and their performance is one of the highlights of the festival.

Childern-Dancing-Ladakh-Festival

Local food stalls line up at the venues so dig into some Tibetan food like Thukpa and Tsampa. Skyu is also something worth a try. This is a pasta dish with vegetables. Apart from the local food, you can also find local versions of other cuisines.

The festival marks the end of the pleasant weather as soon after the festival, the weather gets chilly and the in a month’s time, the high passes close due to snow. The Ladakh Festival leaves visitors and locals with colourful memories before the cold takes over the region.

Parade-during-festival

How and When to get there

Leh, the capital city where the festival is held, is accessible by both road (via Manali or Srinagar) and air. The road trip itself is magnificent, but if you are planning on arriving on the opening day, you should keep 2 days for road travel. You can also fly in from Delhi, but arrive at least a day or two early to acclimatise to the altitude. With much walking, participation and following the parades, it can get very exhausting.

Tips for Visitors

• Get local help beforehand to get seats in the Polo Ground if you want to watch the entire procession. Alternatively, a great vantage point from atop a building also makes a good viewing point.
• With prior permission from the Tourism office, you can also get close access to the parade to get brilliant photo-opportunities.
• If you can arrange to meet some of the troupes before or after the parade, more up-close pictures can be obtained.
• This is also a good time for shopping for handicrafts as locals bring out their best wares and the variety is incredible. Although be prepared to bargain as visitors can be over charged a little. Local help will come in handy to get a decent bargain. Silver jewellery, mementos, prayer flags and more elaborate souvenirs like shawls and rugs are in plenty.

Indian Temples: Durga Temple on Hill Top

Navratri, The nine divine night’s of festival, dedicated in the honor of Goddess Durga. The biggest annual festival is celebrated at every temple of Maa Durga across the country. There are innumerable temples throughout India, dedicated to Maa Durga. Some of the most famous Durga temples are Vaishno Devi, Chandi mandir Chandigarh, Kamakhya Temple, Dakshineswar Kali, Ambaji Mata temple and Edakkunni Sri Durga Bhagavathy Temple. There are 51 Shakti Peeth of goddess Shakti or Parvati,located throughout India and neighbor countries.

Chamundeshwari Temple:

The Chamundeshwari Temple is situated on the heights of Chamundi Hills at Mysore in the state of Karnataka. The Chamundedshwari Temple is considered to be a very religious temple having large silver gates and golden idols. Chamundi Hills is one of the best tourist attractions in Mysore, Other religious tourist attractions are Devarayanadurga, Hidimbeshwara Temple and Ekanatha Temple.

Chamundeshwari-Temple, Maysore

 

Mansa Devi Temple:

Mansa Devi is one of the most visited and most popular temple, dedicated to goddess Mansa in the holy city of Haridwar, in the Uttarakhand state. The temple is located at top of Bilwa Parvat on the Sivalik Hills, a mountain chain of the Himalayas. The Shakti Peeth is one of the famous siddh peethas along with other two Peethas are Chandi Devi Temple and Maya Devi Temple located in Haridwar.

Mansa-Devi-Temple,Haridwar

Adhar Devi Temple:

The Adhar Devi Temple is one of the popular religious destinations, Located in the Mount Abu region of Royal state Rajasthan. The temple is situated in a cave  with picturesque views of the surrounding mountains and forests. The Adhar Devi Temple is dedicated to the Goddess Durga, another world famous temple in Rajasthan is Karni Mata Temple.

Adhar-Devi-Temple, Mount Abu Rajasthan

Bamleshwari Devi Temple:

Maa Bamleshwari Temple is situated on a hilltop which is 1,600 ft high at Dongargarh in the state of Chhattisgarh. Dongargarh is one of the major tourist attraction as well as the main pilgrimage of the district and the prominent places of worship. The goddess Maa Bamleshwari temple refferd as Badi Bamleshwari, Another temple at ground level is situated about 1/2 km from the main temple is referred as Chhoti Bamleshwar. The tribal state also host one of the most famous temple called Danteshwari Temple.

Bamleshwari-Devi-Temple, Dongargarh Chhattisgarh

Saptashrungi Devi Temple:

The Saptashrungi Devi temple is located at Vani near Nashik in Maharashtra. This temple is also one among the 51 Shakti peethas located on the Indian subcontinent. The image of the Devi is huge-about 10 feet tall with 18 hands, holding various weapons, A large number of devotees visit every year. Renuka/Anusuya  Devi Temple, Ekvira Devi and Tulja Bhavani Temple are few famous temples of Goddess Durga in Maharashtra.

Saptashrungi-Devi-Temple, Nashik Maharashtra

Tara Tarini Temple:

The Shakti peeth is situated on the holy taratarini hill in the tribal state, Orissa. The Taratarini Temple is one of the most ancient shakti shrines of India, dedicated to the twin Goddesses Tara and Tarini worshiped as manifestations of Adi Shakti. The taratarini hill Shrine is one of the oldest pilgrimage centers of Mother Goddess and is one amongst the four major ancient Shakti Peethas in India.

Tara-Tarini-Maa-Temple, Orissa

Vaishno Devi Temple:

The world famous and most religious pilgrimage destination in India, Vaishno Devi Mandir is located at the height of 5300 ft on in the trikuta hills of state Jammu and Kashmir. The holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is located inside a cave in a hill,  It is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage site, Approximately 8 million yatris visit the temple every year. There is another famous hill temple known as Mata Balaji Sundri Temple in kathua, Jammu and Kashmir.

Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu

Sharda Mata Temple:

Maihar wali Mata Temple is situated on a trikuta hill of maihar in the state called heart of India. The sacred and holy temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peeth of goddess Parvati,where the necklace of Sati fell. The temple is well known for the 1063 steps to the top, Millions of devotees throng the temple all round the year. Other most famous Durga temples in Madhya Pradesh are Ratangarh Wali Mata, Tulja Bhavani Devas and Salkanpur.

Sharada-Devi-Temple, Madhyapradesh

Tara Devi Temple:

The Tara Devi Temple is situated at the top of a hill called the Tara Devi Mountain in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. It is one of the famous temple and most popular tourist attraction of the city,surrounded by lush green devdar trees, green forests and green meadow. The temple was built approximately 250 years ago, Every year thousands of pilgrims visit Tara Devi temple. Himachal Pradesh also has two other most popular Hindu temples Chamunda Devi Temple and Jawala Ji temple.

Tara-Devi-Temple, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Kanaka Durga Temple:

The famous Hindu temple of Goddess Kanaka Durga located at Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. The Kanaka Durga Templeis dedicated to Goddess Kanak Durgeshwari, situated on a hill top of Indrakiladri mountain on the banks of river Krishna. It is one of the most important and second largest temple in Andhra Pradesh, Other temples are Tirupati Balaji Temple and Bhadrakali Temple.

Kanaka-Durga-Temple, Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh

Rajasthan Tourism: Mehrangarh fort in Jodhpur

Mehrangarh fort in Jodhpur is a beautiful monument giving a sneak peek into India’s rich cultural history. Easily one of India’s most beautiful forts, it is tall and imposing in an almost invincible manner. So colossal are its proportions that Rudyard Kipling called it “the work of giants”. Today it has the distinction of being acknowledged as the finest living example of a Hindu fortress.

Mehrangarh-fort

Visitor guide gives you a run down of it’s history and all the essential information you need to plan your visit.

History

The foundation of the majestic  Mehrangarh fort was laid down by the Rajput Ruler, Rao Jodha in 1459. History has it that at the time of foundation of the fort on the hill named “Bahuchera” there was only one single inhabitant, a loner named Cheeria Nathji. Upset at being forced to move Cheeria Nathji cursed the Rajput Ruler “Jodha! May your citadel ever suffer a scarcity of water!”. Rao Jodha managed to appease the hermit by building a house and a temple in the fort very near to the cave that the hermit had used for meditation. However even to this date the area suffers from a draught every 3-4 years. Although the Fort was made by King Rao Jodha, it has major contributions by successive rulers of Jodhpur .More information about the history of the fort can be found in books such as “The house of Marwar” by Dhananajaya Singh.

About the Fort

The Mehrangarh Fort has several gates, which had observed the many battles fought in ancient times. One of the gates is “Jayapol”, put up by Maharaja Man Singh to mark his triumphs over Jaipur and Bikaner armies. Another gate, “Fattehpol”, was built by Maharaja Ajit Singh as a festivity for conquering the Mughals.

Inside-mehrangarh-fort

The “Lohapol” located near the area where the wives of war martyrs observed ‘Jauhar’, by throwing themselves in the holy fire of their husband’s pyre, and the “Surajpol” which leads to the museum, are some of the attractive gates inside the Mehrangarh Fort.

Other attractions of Mehrangarh Fort include beautiful palaces and large open courtyards inside the fort. One of the palaces is the Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace), which holds the imperial throne, the Sringar Chowki. It is the place where the royal ladies held gatherings. The Phool Mahal was the palace where royal dances took place. The stained glasses not only preserve the glitter of the gold plated ceiling but also enhances the regal beauty of it.

The Sheesh Mahal has intricate mirror-works with dazzling mosaic of mirrors on its walls and ceilings. The palaces inside the Mehrangarh Fort with their undeniable lure, and the fort, with its mighty and imposing structure, is the finest example of the hard work and skills of the Jodhpuri sculptors.

Pigions-flying-outof-mehrangarh-fort

The Mehrangarh Fort also has a museum. This museum exhibits fine galleries and exquisite rooms with a wide display of lavish royal elephant carriages, palanquins, small canons, thrones, paintings, and even a giant tent. It also has an enthralling but very lethal weapons gallery.

Best Time to visit

The best time to visit the Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur is between October and March when the weather is cold and dry, with temperatures going down to 12 degrees Celsius.

Mehrangarh Fort Timings

The Mehrangarh Fort is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and is open to the public all 365 days of the year.

Mehrangarh Fort Entry Fees

Ticket costs are Rs. 220 for Indians and Rs. 250 for foreigners including admission, camera and audio guide. Please check the rates before entering as they may be subject to change. Taking the audio tour or hiring a guide is highly recommended to make the most of this experience. For further details visit www.mehrangarh.org

While you are visiting …

When in Jodhpur you should also visit the Balsammand Palace which was the summer pavilion of Maharaja Sur Singh of Jodhpur. Another interesting stop would be Mandore a town 9kms from Jodhpur. It used to be the ancient capital of the Mewar and makes for a good excursion.

Rajasthan Tourism: Bagore ki Haveli, Udaipur

Located in the city of Udaipur, Bagore ki Haveli is a beautiful mansion built during the 18th century. It has now been converted into a Museum. Its splendid architecture, delicate carvings, and excellent glass work make it one of India’s most beautiful museums.

History

Bagore ki Haveli has been built by Amir Chand Badwa who used to be the Chief Minister at Mewar Royal Court. After his demise it came into possession of the Mewar State. In the year 1878 the Haveli was made residenc e of Maharana Shakti Singh of Bagore and that is how it derives its name. Unfortunately, as the years passed, the mansion was left vacant for a period of 50 years and during this period it started to dilapidate. In 1986, the building was handed over to the West Zone Cultural Centre (WZCC). The WZCC in consultation with the members of the Royal Family and some experts has managed to restore the mansion in its former glory.

Udaipur-Bagore-Ki-Haveli

About the Haveli

The Haveli houses 138 rooms and has numerous corridors & balconies, courtyards and terraces. A visit to this Haveli gives a glimpse of the lives of the royalty. One can view the private quarters of the royal ladies : their bedrooms, living rooms, worship and recreation rooms. Also put up for display are jewellery boxes, dice games, rose water sprinklers, copper vessels amongst other knick knacks native to the Royalty.

Interior-of-Bagore-Ki-Haveli

Not to Miss

Every evening between 7 and 8 pm the Haveli stages a beautiful and traditional performance known an “Dharohar” It is a musical concert combining 7 traditional Rajasthani folk dances. Its a great experience to enjoy the live dances and puppetry shows. Commentary for the show is in both English as well as Hindi.

Cultural-show-in-Bagore-Ki-Haveli

This museum also houses the biggest turban in Asia having a length of 451 metres and a width of 82 inches.

Entry Fee & Opening Times

Bagore ki Haveli is open to visitors from 9 : 30am to 7pm. The entry fee is Rs 25. However, please check the rates before entering as they may be subject to change.

Best Season to visit

The best months to visit Udaipur are between September and March, as it gets rather hot during the Summer months.

Indian Festivals: Major Mahotsav's in India

India’s famous fair and festival includes Pushkar Fair,Sonepur Fair and the grand Kumbh Mela are the major attraction of international tourist. These annual Mahotsav display a colorful image of India’s diverse culture,religions,festival,Art and crafts. Famous colorful Mahotsav of India are Ganga Mahotsav of Varanasi,Surjakund Mela,Chhath Mahotsav,Rann Mahotsav of kutch and Taj Mahotsav of Agra.

Maru Mahotsav

The world famous three-day Maru Mahotsav is the rich and colorful Rajasthani folk culture festival held every year in February at Jaisalmer. Maru Mahotsav also known as the Desert Festival is known for its unique events such as camel race,traditional dance performance, and other cultural events of royal Rajasthan.

Maru-mahotsav-Jaisalmer-Rajasthan

Kalinga Mahotsav 

The Dhauli Kalinga Mahotsav is a National Festival of Martial art Dance, held every year in the month of February in Orissa. Kalinga Mahotsav is two days long martial dance performance,celebrated to mark the victory of peace over war.

Kalinga-Mahotsav-Bhubneswar-Orrisa

Malabar Mahotsav

The famous Malabar Mahotsav is a dance and music festival held on the beach of Calicut now Kozhikode, the coastal town in Kerala. Malabar Mahotsavam display the traditional Malabar Cultural, rituals and native cuisines.

Malabar-Mahotsav-Kozhikode

Braj Mahotsav

The Braj Mahotsav is a Festival to display the culture, food and the rituals of Braj region of Mathura. Braj Mahotsav celebrate in the honor of Lord Krishna before the Holi festival,the festival of color. Raas Leela is one of the mega event of the Braj Mahotsav along with other performance by folk artists from the region.

Braj-Mahotsav-Mathura-Vrindavan

Bhoramdeo Mahotsav

The Bhoramdeo Mahotsav celebrated in the Bhoramdeo Temple of Lord Shiva at Kawardha in the tribal state Chhattisgarh. Bhoramdeo temple is old Hindu temple located between the dense forests and surrounded by Maikal mountains range, It is also known as Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh. The festival of Bhoramdeo Mahotsav is celebrated every year in the last week of the month of March.

Bhoramdeo-Mahotsav-Kawardha

Van Mahotsav

The Van Mahotsav is annual day to plant trees, celebrated during the first week of month July. Van Mahotsav is celebrated across the India by planting of trees along with small road side events about the forest conservation.

Van-Mahotsav-Madhya-Pradesh

Buddha Mahotsav

The Buddha Mahotsav is a three day long festival of traditional Buddhist Customary and cultural practice, held on the occasion of Buddha Purnima in Arunachal Pradesh. Buddha Mahotsav festival is also celebrated at Bodhgaya,Ladakh,Sarnath and Kushinagar

Buddha-Mahotsav-Tawang

Ganga Mahotsav

The famous Ganga Mahotsav is a five day event held in the cultural capital of India and one of the oldest living city of India,Varanasi or Banaras or Kashi. Ganga Mahotsav reflects the traditional and cultural heritage of the Varanasi at the Ghats of holy river Gange, Every Ghats of Varanasi are lightest with lamps during this annual grand festival celebrated on the occasion of Kartik Poornima.

Ganga-Mahotsav-Varanasi

Raas Mahotsav

The Majuli Raas Mahotsav held every year in November at Howly town in the island of Majuli in Assam. Raas Mahotsav is a place to explore traditions of majuli people and Brahmaputra river culture along with art and crafts, fold dances and color of Assam.

Raas-Mahotsav-Howli

Lucknow Mahotsav

The famous Lucknow Mahotsav organized to promote the Art, Culture and Tourism of Uttar Pradesh. The 10 days long festival is the right destination for traditional dramas, Indian classical Kathak dances, music Gharana along with arts & crafts.

Lucknow-Mahotsav-Lucknow

Rann Mahotsav

The Rann Mahotsav or Rann Utsav of Kutch is a cultural festival of the unique region of Gujarat. Rann Utsav display the true flavor and cultural of the beautiful region of great rann of Kutch through the many cultural events such as Traditional Dance performance, folk songs and Thar desert safari. Rann Mahotsav held every year in November–December month and one of the major event of the Gujarat Tourism campaign Khushboo Gujarat Ki.

Rann-mahotsav-Kutch-Gujarat

Taj Mahotsav

The annual 10 day Mahotsav of Agra held in February near the majestic Taj Mahal in Agra,Uttar Pradesh. Taj Mahotsav brings the opportunity to display works of art,majestic craft work and magnetic performances of the artistes came from different parts of India .

Taj-mahotsav-Agra-Uttarpradesh

Forts of India: Sindhudurg Fort

India is full of interesting historical forts. A beautiful and well preserved example is the spectacular Sindhudurg Fort in Maharashtra, looking out over the Arabian Sea.

Sindhudurg-Fort

HISTORY

Sindhudurg Fort was built in 1664 by King Shivaji. The strategic rocky island location was carefully chosen to counter foreign forces, and to keep the nearby villages in check.

Located 510kms south of Mumbai and 130kms north of Goa the construction was done under the supervision of Hiroji Indulkar, an able architect. It is said that Shivaji invited 100 Portuguese experts from Goa for the construction of the fort and that 3000 workers were employed round the clock for three years to build Sindhudurg.

Watchtower-Sindhudurg-Fort

After Shivaji, Sindhudurg passed through the hands of Rajaram-Tarabai, Angres, Peshwa and the Bhosales of Kolhapur. It was briefly captured by the British in 1765 Ad And was renamed by them as ‘Fort Augustus’. Later in 1818 AD, the British dismantled the fort’s defence structures.

STRUCTURE

The 48 acre Sindhudurg fort has a four km long zigzag line of a 9 metres high and 3 metres wide rampart with 42 bastions.

The fort is approachable from the Malavan pier by a boat through a narrow navigable channel between two smaller islands of Dhontara and Padmagad. The main gate, flanked by massive bastions, faces the city.

West-wall-Sindhudurg-Fort

One of the most interesting features of this port is that the design of main door is an enigma, a hallmark of Maratha Architecture of fort building so that the entry can’t be located by attacking forces. The technique was so deceptive that the entrance was concealed due to blind curves. The zigzag pattern of outer wall was so built that the enemy would be visible from any point inside the fort and the troops inside could fire their guns and cannons effectively.

Sindhudurg-Fort-beach

INTERESTING FACTS AND ATTRACTIONS INSIDE THE FORT

• Shivaji’s palm and footprints are preserved here on dried lime slabs in a tower. Inside the Fort, temples of Bhavanimata, Shambhu Mahadev, Jirimiri, Mahapurush and Shivajeshwar are worth seeing, all of which are in good condition.
• Chatrapati Shivaji’s younger son Rajaram in his remembrance built this temple. Shivaji’s idol stands in a boatman’s attire inside the temple and probably only one of its’ kind in the country – where the image of Shivaji is without a beard.
• Outside the southern wall there is a small beach, called Ranichi Vela (Queen’s private beach), where Queen Tarabai, daughter-in law of Shivaji, used to enjoy her sea-bath.
• Inside the fort there are three wells of drinkable water, which is a nature’s marvel as sea surrounds the fort on all four sides.
• On a rocky island between Sindhudurg and the coast stood the small fort of Padmagad, now in ruins. It acted as a shield for Sindhudurg and was also used for shipbuilding
• The fort also houses a coconut tree which has a branch and also gives fruit. (No other coconut tree has a branch.)
• There is a hidden passage that starts in a temple that looks like a water reservoir and goes under the island for 3 km, under the sea for 12 km, and from there 12 km to a nearby village. The tunnel was used as an escape route for the women if the enemy entered the fort. However, the British partially closed this passage after the fort was abandoned.