Ganpathi festival in MP

Madhya Pradesh also marks Ganesh Chaturthi in style which falls on September 1, 2011. The festival begins with the installation of elaborately crafted statutes of Ganesha in homes, community places, specially constructed and beautifully decorated podiums. You will find people taking idols from markets in tempo’s with dance and music.  Artisans put months of effort into making the statues.  It is celebrated for one to 11 days with the immersion of the idols taking place on the last day called Ananta Chaturdasi day. Pics are from Bhopal and Gwalior, wherein Ganpathi idols are getting ready and are on sale in Gwalior.

Idols at Gwalior

Idols at Bhopal

Idols at Gwalior

Some glimpses of Gwalior

Normally in tourism circuits Gwalior is known for fort, but as this blogs tries to brings out something different ! so here are glimpses of Gwalior ......normally one will not see in the tourism brochures !!

Tigara Dam

Gol Padhi on the way to Tigara

Glimpse from Tigara

As we drove through the heart of India

LAST MONDAY, I was on road travelling from Jabalpur to Mandla. The distance is about 100 kilometers and normally takes about three hours on national highway number 12, which connects Jabalpur to Kanha National Park. Though it was an official hectic trip, the untampered with natural surrounding added a soothing touch to our nerves. The weather was clear and sunny after two days of consistent rains, probably for us to admire the beautiful environment. One could see an early morning sun trying to fit into the gaps between teak trees, with cover of clouds on the curves of the hillocks.

We stopped our cars on a curve, to treat our eyes and tickle our senses. Sound of water fall, chirping of birds, flutter of emigrant and lime butterflies moving over the shrubs and enjoying the sunshine, and rain droppings on leaves of trees around us added to that comforting touch. We were on a hillock and could see kids playing in water flowing down the hillock; it was fun to see them enjoy the nature. Also, there were women with ‘lumps of mud’, trying to direct water in a particular direction to avoid flooding of the fields.

The straight road, which followed the hillocks crossed over meadows and looked majestic with sun shining over it. We wanted the time to stop for a while so that we could enjoy the beauty of nature, but we had a busy day ahead of us, so there ended our communion with nature.

Later in the day, we got an opportunity to pay respect and admire the beauty of Holy Narmada river- the life line of Madhya Pradesh, at Ghats in the Mandla district. It was one memorable experience the memories of which will stay with us for a lifetime. - Anil Gulati

Bir Singh Palace, Datia

Datia, an ancient town, which is mentioned in the mahabharata as Daityavakra. At present it is a district of Madhya Pradesh, about 70 kms from Gwalior and about 35 kms from Jhansi. The district has Bir Singh Palace, which is a seven storied dome complex made up of stones and bricks. It is deserted plaace but has a beauty and history to it. It is like a diadem on a hillock. This architectural entity is visible from a distance (one can even site it from Delhi - Bhopal Shatabadi train when it cross Datia).  An interesting palace has arches, chattris, ornamental jaali screens, balconies, oriel windows and murals adorn its inside walls.

View from the train in Hoshangabad

View from train journey as it droves closely from hillocks in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh

Narmada at Dhuandhar, Jabalpur

Waterfall is located 25 km from Jabalpur on the Narmada river.Dhuandhar Falls or the smoke cascade is a beautiful waterfall in Bhedaghat. Now of days it is raining so water levels have risen and flow of water have broken the structure wherein one could watch the water fall. The pictures have been taken from rope way on the falls. (pixs @ anil gulati)