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HAPPY & PROSPEROUS
New Year

Your continuous support and interest in my blog enthused me to show more of my Little World.

Looking forward to do more of it in the New Year.

Thanks to all and happy blogging.

Maharashtra Trip

After a gap of 2 years, I am venturing out on a trip. I am heading to Maharashtra for 9 days. This trip will give me some idea how much my back has healed after lower back problem that started last year. I am planning most of the trip by train wherever possible.

I will be able to complete the full trip without recurring my lower back problem. I intend to cover the following places: Pune, Aurangabad, Shirdi and Mumbai.

Raneh Waterfalls, Khajuraho

At a distance of 24 kms from Khajuraho is Ken Gharial Sanctuary. Here the Ken river passes through the granite rocks of different shades of colors, pink, red, misty white, green and gray.
The When Ken river running over the rocky terrain forms beautiful waterfalls, the Raneh Falls. Though the fall is only 30m high, it looks gorgeous when the gushing waters falls on vibrant rocks. The falls are set in the back drop of lusting greenery of pristine forests.

The entry to this park is closed during the rainy season. During the rainy season in 2008, there was so much rain that, there was no sign of waterfalls, the water was up till the top covering the falls.

Poinsettia

The Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Bangalore the Garden City is a lush green paradise with an area of 240 acres in the heart of the city. 



Recently I had been to Lalbagh with guests. As they were the plant lovers they wanted to check out the nursery. Since, it was the December month we could see the Poinsettia the Christmas Flower.



In Mexico, it is also known as the "Flower of Holy Night".

Jabalpur

From Khajuraho (State: Madhya Pradesh) we moved to our next destination Jabalpur (State: Madhya Pradesh) which is at a distance of 260 kms. It took us 1 full day drive by road to reach this place.

Jabalpur is an important historical and cultural city of Madhya Pradesh.

Here one requires 1 full day to cover the places of interest in and around. The sites that I have covered on my tour of the place are as follows:

• Madan Mahal Fort
• Balancing Rock
• Bhedaghat - Marble Rocks

We will take more closer look these in the subsequent posts.

Varaha Temple, Khajuraho

The Varaha Temple is located in front of the Lakshmana Temple is one of the oldest temple in Khajuraho (State: Madhya Pradesh). Belonging to Western Group of Temples it is one of the smallest and beautifully carved temple at Khajuraho. It is built some time by the rulers of Chandela dynasty between 930 and 950 A.D.

The stands elevated above the ground with 14 short pillars that support the high pyramidal roof capped with an kalash. It has a huge monolithic image of the standing Varaha (the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu). The image is made out of sandstone and measures 2.6 meters long and 1.7 meters high. It is unique from other images of Khajuraho as the stone shines like burnished metal.

The entire body of the divine creature is carved in low relief along with the figures of more than 600 gods and goddesses of the Hindu religion.main shrine of the temple has four subsidiary shrines at the corners of the temple platform. The temple has columned halls with balconies, an entrance porch, and the inner sanctum.

Lalbagh Flower Show - Orchids - 1

At flower show in Lalbagh Gardens at Bangalore on August 2010 there were exclusive collection of Orchids on display. The colors were amazing. Below are some of the orchids on display

There were stalls selling the Orchids plants outside the flower show. The price ranged from Rupees 600 to 1200 depending on the variety.

Vellore Fort

The fort in Vellore (State: Tamil Nadu) is located inside the city. The Land Fort built in the 3rd quarter of the 16th century AD is one of the most perfect specimens of military architecture in the South.

The fort has been occupied by several different dynasties. The fortification consists of a main rampart broken at irregular intervals by round towers and rectangular projections. The main walls of the fort are built using huge granite stones surrounded by a broad moat fed with water.

The The approximate circumstance of the fort is 2600 meters. The moat running around the fort is of length and depth of 190 feet and 20 feet respectively. The outer length of the fort is about 2500 feet and 1500 feet in breadth. The height of the outer wall is about 30 feet and the breadth is about 25 feet. Inside the fort is the famous and beautiful Jalakanteshwara Temple.

Upli Burj, Bijapur

Upli Burj constructed in 1584, is an another interesting site in Bijapur (State: Karnataka). General Hyder Khan in the service of ruler Ibrahim II built this watch tower.

This is a circular tower measuring 80 ft in height. There are 70 steps leading to the top of the tower where there are 2 canons. This tower is also known as Hyder Burj.

Flowering Tree - Red Bottle Brush

Bangalore (State: Karnataka) known as Garden City true to its name as lot of flowering trees on either side of most of the roads. They bloom with flowers of various colors. One such tree is Bottle Brush tree also known as Callistemon.

The flowers are bright red, and attract nectar-feeding birds and insects. The flower spikes of this tree are made of several individual flowers. The name is apt as can bee seen from the bright red flowers which have the shape of a bottle brush.

The tree grow only as big as 15 feet. They enhance the beauty of any garden. They grow superbly in the regions where the climate is warm, humid, and receive full sunlight. The flowers produces small woody fruit that contain numerous seeds.

The fine leaves and the bright red inflorescence make this tree one of the beautiful trees that enhances the landscaping of any gardens or parks.

Jaswant Thada, Jodhpur

Jodhpur (State: Rajasthan) has many historical monuments of interest. One of them is Jaswant Thada, located on the long road that takes one to the Mehrangarh Fort. 

This monument is built by Sardar Singh in 1899 in memory of Maharja Jaswanth Singh II. This ornamental cenotaph is entirely built using white marble. It is a traditional cremation ground of Jodhpur rulers.
The above image was taken from the fort. The monument in the empty hilly region is Jaswant Thada.