In search of million Fireflies : A weekend getaway to not so popular destination of Purushwadi

I was all planned to do a bike trip to Firefly festival in Purushwadi village of India. However, the things didn't went as expected but the successive events resulted in a wonderful experiences and adventure.

Fireflies. Amazing creatures they are! A single firefly can make tens of children running on their feet. A lone nomad firefly can make the boring night interesting. Can you imagine the thrill when not hundreds but millions of fireflies dance around you? Yes, you heard it right.

And when they cover a tree to perform the dance of light you just watch them dumb folded. It seemed so surreal so fantasy and like a fairy tale.

The city folks ask. But where are these fireflies? Well, if you stay in Mumbai, Thane or Pune you are very close to them. Although the place is not a popular tourist destination but they are worthy to be featured in the list of must visit places near Mumbai, Thane and Pune.

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Raja Ram temple, Orchha: Where Ram is worshipped as King rather god

Finished with the sightseeing of Orchha Mahal we moved towards Raja Ram temple. Both the places are walk able distance apart. The architecture of temple as fascinating as temples of South India.

Some centuries back, one night King of Orchha dreamed of Lord Ram and received inspiration to build a temple/palace dedicated to Ram. The construction was finished soon and opened for worship. A peculiar thing of this temple is that Lord Ram is not worshiped as god but as a King. The temple too was constructed more like a Raj Bhavan rather than a temple.  Even today, Police stand at the gates pretending to be guards of Lord Ram. The temple is revered by devotees throughout India and they pour in large number throughout the year.

From Bloggers desk: A place where the beauty of rural India is at its best. Read here..

Raja Ram temple:

Temple is built of golden brown stones and has lots of rooms. We had just finished the ground floor and were about to leave the temple when I noticed a dark passage going upwards. A metal chain confirmed that the passage was not open to tourists. Some guards were chatting in front of the small gate less door. I moved closer to them and asked what’s above? One of them replied you want to go up? I said yes. He continued take this boy with you he will show you all the interesting spots.

 Sadhus sitting under a Peepal tree in RamRaja temple

Chilams

Our mute guide:

A young boy in jeans and T-Shirt came ahead. A little white board was hanging from his neck which read I am Deaf and Dumb, please help me.

The guide

We started moving up the narrow alley which was broad enough to only pass one at a time. Stairs were big and broken. The boy moving ahead understood our likelihood to rough against the tall stairs and low ceiling in the dark. He passed torch lights standing at the turns and making hunn hunn noise from his nose to indicate to climb slowly.

Indian long-billed vulture:

We reached a flat terrace which was connected to the main dome of the temple. Our young guide started making sharp noises and fast hand movements. He wanted to show us something very interesting.  I hurried towards him and moved my eyes in the direction of his finger. Indian long billed Vultures or Gyps Indicus. 

Amazing! 

Long-billed Indian Vultures

There was a time when they were in abundance but not now. In fact they are placed in the category of highly endangered species and rarely found. One of the main reasons cited by researchers is the use of Pain killers by humans which enter the food chain of Vultures resulting in their death.

There were around 6-7 big vultures. Some sitting on the sections of the temple while some in the air with their huge wings. We all stood there for quite a time watching the magnificent endangered Vultures before returning on the ground floor. Handed our guide his due. Thanked all the guards and left the temple.

It was around 7 PM and and sun had moved to the other hemisphere. We took auto-rickshaw and returned Hotel Chanda our nest for the night. With this comes end to our visit of Jhansi and Orchha.

I am eager to listen your feedback. Use the comment box below or write me at budgetyatri[at]gmail.com

Niraj Yadav.

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Orchha Palace: Pride of Bundelkhand

I am sure Orchha and Jhansi series travel blogs has been refreshing for you. If you haven't read them, here is the link  Betwa river side, Jhansi Fort. For quite a time Orchha Palace near Jhansi was waiting for its mention on this blog. Joking :) The palace commands a very strong connection with history. Let’s take a small refreshing dive in the past.

Vir Singh Deo and the Orchha Mahal:

Vir Singh Deo was one of the finest Rajput rulers of Bundelkhand particularly Orchha province. A contemporary of Akbar, Vir Sing Deo kept raising his voice against the Mughal despotism. To hold back the uprising, Akbar sent his son Jahangir with a sizable army towards Orchha which was the nucleus of rebellion.

Vir Singh Deo lost the battle and had to surrender to Jahangir. The palace erected by Vir Singh Deo on the banks of River Betwa became Jahangir Palace or Jahangir Mahal.

Quite interesting: Auli in Uttarakhand has an artificial lake at 7500 feets. The lake water is used to create artificial snow and spray on Auli Ski slope. Click the link to read more about Auli.

Legacy of Jujhar Singh:

But the story doesn't ends there. Jujhar Singh, the son of Vir Singh Deo secured freedom of Orchha from the Mughals. Later, cruel Aurangzeb invaded Orchha. Jujhar Singh had to escape. His female family members were taken as war bounty by Aurangzeb and his two sons were converted to Islam. Jujhar Singh’s third son was murdered after he denied converting to Islam. Aurangzeb converted the royal palace in Orchha into Mosque.

That’s all with history of Orchha Mahal. Lets begin with my account from Orchha.

The Paratha spree:

As I have mentioned in earlier post that I was in Jhansi to attend my friend's wedding. Utilizing this opportunity, I along with my other 3 friends planned for Orchha visit. We took an auto rickshaw from Jhansi Elite Circle to Orchha, Madhya Pradesh. 

Reached the place and sat in a small restaurant on the right hand side of the road, just before the stone bridge which leads to Orchha Mahal. 

Do you like Parathas? 

Aloo Paratha, Gobi Paratha, Paneer Paratha, Lasoon Paratha any of them. If Yes. Then the last restaurant in the building towards Orchha Mahal is the place for you. I bet you will like all of them! And yes do not forget to ask the restaurant man for Baingan chatni J

We ate like we were hungry for months. The lunch seemed never ending. Nobody was willing to stop. In fact when the boy mistakenly brought two parathas which we hadn’t ordered, we made sure he doesn’t take it back. Very few places in India serve such delicious and affordable Parathas.

Orchha Mahal:

Finished with the lunch, we moved ahead and crossed the stone bridge to reach the entrance of the Orchha Palace. Took four tickets for us and one ticket of Rs. 50 for Camera.

The palace is huge and grand with hanging balconies and gardens. A spectacular view of the river Betwa can be seen from the terrace of the place. The palace is decorated with lots and lots of windows and symmetrical architectures.

Photos of Orchha Mahal:

Orchha Palace

Symmetrical design in Orchha Mahal 

 

It took nearly 2 hours to complete the sightseeing of two sections of Orchha Mahal before returning to the main market.  

I am eager to listen your feedback. Use the comment box or Email me at budgetyatri[at]gmail.com

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Jhansi Fort and Rani Laxmi bai: Shuffling the pages of history

Jhansi – the ancient city of fearless Bundelas and housing the magnificent Jhansi Fort. The city of Jhansi is remembered for the female warrior Rani Laxmi bai, popularly called Jhansi ki Rani. I was sharing the same connection with Jhansi. How can one forget the words of Subhadra Kumar Chauhan

चमक उठी सन सत्तावन में, वह तलवार पुरानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी।।

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