Sahastradhara, one of the most mesmerizing tirthasthalas of Maheshwar is best accessed by boat from the heart of the ancient city. Sahastradhara derives its name from the Sanskrit words sahastra which means thousand and dhārā which means streams or watercourses. According to the Puranas, Ravana, Lord of Lanka chanced upon the serene waters of the Rewa River while... Continue Reading →
Narmada Parikrama: Shri Raja Rajeshwar Sahasrarjuna Temple, Maheshwar, Khargone District, Madhya Pradesh
One of the oldest temples in Maheshwar also known as Gupta Kashi is Shri Raja Rajeshwar Sahasrarjuna Temple, a little distance away from the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. As the name suggests, this temple is dedicated to the mighty Raja Kartavirya Arjuna or Sahastrabahu Arjuna (the thousand-armed one). Raja Kartavirya Arjuna is believed to be... Continue Reading →
Narmada Parikrama: Kadambeshwar Mahadev Temple, Maheshwar, Khargone District, Madhya Pradesh
The sacred city of Maheshwar is dotted with many temples of great antiquity, of tremendous spiritual potency and of philosophical and literary excellence. It will be perhaps difficult to find even one place in Maheshwar that has not been mentioned in the Puranas and has not witnessed exemplary erudition. One of the oldest temples... Continue Reading →
Narmada Parikrama: Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Maheshwar, Khargone District, Madhya Pradesh
Maheshwar, named after Lord Shiva is dotted with ancient temples, innumerable Shiva Lingas carved at the ghats and decorative chhatris on the banks of the sacrosanct Rewa River that are perfect for meditation and to catch a glimpse of the mesmerizing rising and setting sun. One of the most beautiful temples built by Punyashlok... Continue Reading →
Narmada Parikrama: Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Maheshwar, Khargone District, Madhya Pradesh
On the eastern side of Jaleshwar Mahadev Temple separated by the sangam of Rewa River and Maheshwar River, is the ancient Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple. This temple like the Jaleshwar Mahadev is situated atop a hill in the midst of stunning natural beauty and offers a beautiful view of the Narmada River and Maheshwar River through... Continue Reading →
Narmada Parikrama: Jaleshwar Temple, Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh
Considered by scholars, yogis, tapasvis and saints to be one of the most important tirthasthalas of Akhanda Bharat, Maheshwar is a religious, cultural, intellectual, historical, artistic and architectural powerhouse. A local saying, 'नर्मदा नदी से निकलने वाला हर कंकर (पत्थर) शंकर का रूप होता है |' that literally translates to each and every pebble that... Continue Reading →
Narmada Parikrama: Ahilyeshwar Temple, Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh
Maheshwar, the revered city of Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar located on the banks of the sacrosanct Rewa River is a treasure trove of Akhanda Bharat's history, culture, art, literature, music, architecture and heritage. This tirthasthala of immense spiritual and religious potency has been at the centre of many important events from the Vedic Period. This city named... Continue Reading →
Brahmeshwar Mahadev Mandir, Brahmavart Ghat, Bithoor, Uttar Pradesh
Brahmavart Ghat in Bithoor is a spiritual powerhouse since the dawn of creation and cannot be compared to any other tirthasthala in this universe. It has been stated in the Hindu scriptures that Lord Brahma descended to this spot on the banks of the holy Ganga River and consecrated a Shiva Linga made of sand... Continue Reading →
Dhruva Tila, Bithoor, Uttar Pradesh
The story of young Dhruva sitting all alone in the dense forest meditating on Lord Vishnu has been narrated to us a million times while growing up. How a boy of five years found solace in Lord Vishnu and sought His blessings with a single-minded goal is truly an inspirational story described in the Hindu... Continue Reading →
Valmiki Ashram, Bithoor, Kanpur District, Uttar Pradesh
The 14 Kos Parikrama commences on Ekadashi in the month of Phalguna from the holy Janaki kund at Maharshi Valmiki ashram. Pilgrims carry bamboo sticks while making their way to Bithoor on the Pariyar road. This circumambulation is completed in three days and is done for the progress of one's lineage. Interestingly, pilgrims offer prayers... Continue Reading →
Narmada Parikrama: Sahastradhara, Mandla, Madhya Pradesh
One of the most revered places in Mandla is Sahastradhara, located at a little distance from the heart of the town. Sahastradhara derives its name from the Sanskrit words sahastra which means thousand and dhārā which means streams or watercourses. According to the Puranas, Ravana, Lord of Lanka chanced upon the serene waters of the... Continue Reading →
Narmada Parikrama: Swayambu Sidhpeeth Sri Gupteshwar Mahadev Mandir, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh
One of the most ancient Shiva temples on the banks of the sacrosanct Rewa River is the Gupteshwar Mahadev Mandir in Jabalpur. Jabalpur is a part of the Narmada Parikrama and thousands of devotees come here every year to have darshan of Maa Narmada and participate in the aarti. This temple has been mentioned in the Koti... Continue Reading →
Narmada Parikrama: Datta Guru Temple, Garudeshwar Village, Nandod Taluka, Narmada District, Gujarat
One of the most outstanding examples of iconography along the Rewa River (Narmada River) is the Datta Guru Temple also known as Garudeshwar Datta Mandir in Garudeshwar village. Garudeswar village lies to the south of Tilakwada and east of Rajpipla and is a part of the important Narmada Parikrama. Thousands of devotees walk barefoot visiting... Continue Reading →
Narmada Parikrama: Kuber Bhandari Shiva Temple, Karnali Village, Dabhoi Taluka, Vadodara District, Gujarat
One of the most important tirthasthalas along the Rewa River is the ancient temple of Kuber Bhandari Shiva in Karnali village. People often stop over at the 'City of Temples', Chandod located at the Triveni Sangam of Saraswati, Narmada and Orsang rivers before proceeding to Kuber Bhandari Temple by boat. Legend has it that Lord... Continue Reading →
भागलपुरी जर्दालू आम (Bhagalpuri Zardalu Mango, Bihar)
हालांकि भागलपुर के जर्दालू आम का उल्लेख भारत की उच्च कोटि की आम की श्रेणियों जैसे: दशहरी, लंगड़ा, हापुज में कहीं नहीं पाया जाता, परंतु इस सौंधी खुशबू वाले आम को अब धीरे धीरे वह पहचान मिल रही है, जिसका यह अधिकारी है। असल में, जर्दालू आम का अपना रोचक इतिहास है, कहा जाता है... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Tulja Bhavani and The Battle of Pratapgad
The capture of the hill forts of Purandar, Kalyan and Bhiwandi and the death, ruin and defection of feudatories like the Mores of Javli and the Sawants of Wadi respectively effected by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his able aides brought the crippling Bijapur kingdom to its knees. The construction of the new hill fort of... Continue Reading →
Kurumbera Fort, Gaganeshwar Village, Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal
An interesting fort complex built during the glory days of Bengal relegated to obscurity is the Kurumbera Fort which is at a little distance from Kharagpur. Kurumbera Fort which derives its name from kurum which means stone and bera which means fence and collectively means an area fenced by stone in the local language is located in the historically... Continue Reading →
Santipore Saree of West Bengal
One of the most exquisite weaves in cotton and silk is found in the Bengal heartland of Shantipur - Phulia. Called as Shantipuri, this centuries-old tant (traditional Bengali saree) derives its name from Shantipur in Nadia district. The ancient handloom industry in Shantipur has been mentioned in manuscripts glorifying the life of Advaita Acharya as... Continue Reading →
Eathamozhy Tall Coconut of Tamil Nadu
A rare type of tall coconut variety with immense historical, religious and commercial importance known locally as Eathamozhy or Eathamozhi tall coconut thrives in Kanyakumari district. The unique morphological traits found in this variety are of a superior genetic constitution and it is unsurprising that there is great demand for the seedlings of Eathamozhy tall... Continue Reading →
महाराष्ट्र का लासलगाव प्याज़ (Lasalgaon Onion, Maharashtra)
नाशिक जिले के निफाड तालुक में स्थित लासलगाव न केवल भारत अपितु समस्त एशिया में प्याज का सबसे बड़ा बाज़ार है। कई लोगों को इस बात का पता ही नहीं होगा कि महाराष्ट्र देश में प्याज का सबसे बड़ा उत्पादक है। प्रसिध्द लासलगाव प्याज़ जिसे लाल निफाड या नाशिक प्याज के नाम से भी जाना... Continue Reading →
On the history trail: Chandashoka and The Kalinga War
Along with the wily Chanakya, Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Maurya dynasty built one of the largest empires in Akanda Bharat. He abdicated the throne in favour of his son Bindusara who was equal to the task. Bindusara not only consolidated the control over the empire but also extended it further south. Travellers' documentation and... Continue Reading →
Nibiya Khera Temple, Bhadwara, Kanpur Dehat District, Uttar Pradesh
One of the best-preserved brick temple complexes of the 9th - 10th century is found in the sleepy village of Nibiya Khera in Bhadwara. Though no inscription has been found, it is likely that the Gurjara - Pratihara dynasty who ruled over a large part of Northern India built this temple. This temple complex... Continue Reading →
Karnagarh Rani Shiromani Fort, Karnagarh Village, Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal
The historically important village of Karnagarh in Medinipur district which was once the seat of the Midnapore royal family is most famous for its Chuar Bidroha, a rebellion led by Rani Shiromani, who is called as the Rani Laxmibai of Medinipur against the highly exploitative land revenue policy of the British in 1798. The British were... Continue Reading →
Dhaniakhali Saree of West Bengal
One of the most beloved traditional handloom sarees of West Bengal is Dhaniakhali saree deriving its name from the place Dhaniakhali in Chinsurah subdivision in Hooghly district. Hooghly district is home to some of the oldest cottage industries like silk and cotton handloom weaving, brass and bell metal manufacturing, oil pressing, village tanning and others.... Continue Reading →