I know, putting down my impressions of the travel as not immediate. It became a trifle (no, a lot!) difficult to bring back the scenes in my mind, relive the same sensory experience and same level of excitement.
However, it is a commitment, I had made to myself and I need to see through till the end. Other equally important tasks demanded my attention and time. Right, let me hit it straight - It is an unavoidable delay but I have tried not to make it 'contrived'.
In Maheshwar, looking at the intricate designs on the walls and the pillars of Holkar Fort was out of the world experience. The story of the great woman behind the fort and the history of that place touched the core of my heart for it revealed the care and concern of the people's ruler and her utmost humility. 
Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, despite the personal suffering and loss, rose to be the great queen always attuned to the welfare and needs of her people.
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| Durbar hall |
Within this beautiful fort, Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar (ruled between 1765 to 1796) had built personal residences, offices and durbar audience hall which stand as testament to her simplicity. Here are some pictures showing her Raj Wada (palace) |
| entrance to the living quarters |
My imagination just pushed aside the present scenes and noises to a distant blur and there! it was show time! I could imagine my boat ride along the fort and other buildings in that time long gone past. For a few minutes, scenes flashed past where Kalidasa, Vikramaditya, Bhoja Raja and Rani Ahilya Devi were the characters on the screen. It was a personal interlude!
In any such historic place, walking the same path as those great people or breathing the same air or being in that environment moves me in an indescribable manner. Here again, Maheshwar or Ujjain and an 'add-on- bonus-Dhar' (the important city and capital under Paramaras during 11th century), Mandu with those ruins engulfed me in a swirl of emotions.
I wish I could share all my impressions of every place we visited, the beautiful archaeological sites we feasted our eyes upon, the solemn and profound Bhasma aarti of Mahakaleshwar, the conversations with the common yet colourful people of the land or the 'never-far-off' magical monsoon! However, I find it a bit strange to write in detail as though I came back from the trip just now! Yet, I wanted to share my impressions very much and feel the thrill of words breathing life into the writing.
The beauty of the ruins of Mandu - perched on the slopes of the Vindhya, looking down at the Narmada valley on one side and the Malwa plateau on the other - is such a visual delight! If you are one of those people with lot of imagination you can easily do the time travel to slip a few centuries into the past! The winding way up the slopes, the tall domes, arched gateways all against a backdrop of overcast grey sky and an occasional spell of cool showers - any one will jump onto the whinnying horse to join the marching soldiers -"clip-clop-clip"!
Mandu at an elevation of 633 metres above sea level remained the fort capital of Paramaras because of its natural defences. If the walls of the fort can speak... what kind of stories would unfurl! The frequent wars, love, treachery, espionage, plundering and of course the creation of beautiful structures would tell us about the transfer of the fort and power into Khaljis, Afghan rulers and the Mughals. How can I leave out Roopmati and Baz Bahadur's love story beautifully woven into the folk tradition!
The icing on the cake was the retreat away from the hustle bustle of all human activities! We could just look out and see the plateau in azure shade.
Like the fragrance of flowers from a distance occasionally gently teasing the olfactory nerves, the images and emotions of those four monsoon soaked days flash in my thoughts. I know, I haven't covered all of those experiences but perhaps it is meant to remain like this - an intricate Rangoli design , left half way- for those of you driven by urge to experience for yourselves!
There are regular travellers on these trips with an insatiable quest for knowledge and an immense passion for seeking out the beauty of the monuments and sculptures who never cease to surprise me. Then, there is the driving force behind all of this interest and she is the one who stokes the fire - the insatiable quest!
Dr. Chithra Madhavan's enthusiasm and passion for our ancient history, architecture and iconography is so infectious and perhaps you would plan an experience with her!
In any such historic place, walking the same path as those great people or breathing the same air or being in that environment moves me in an indescribable manner. Here again, Maheshwar or Ujjain and an 'add-on- bonus-Dhar' (the important city and capital under Paramaras during 11th century), Mandu with those ruins engulfed me in a swirl of emotions.
I wish I could share all my impressions of every place we visited, the beautiful archaeological sites we feasted our eyes upon, the solemn and profound Bhasma aarti of Mahakaleshwar, the conversations with the common yet colourful people of the land or the 'never-far-off' magical monsoon! However, I find it a bit strange to write in detail as though I came back from the trip just now! Yet, I wanted to share my impressions very much and feel the thrill of words breathing life into the writing. 
The beauty of the ruins of Mandu - perched on the slopes of the Vindhya, looking down at the Narmada valley on one side and the Malwa plateau on the other - is such a visual delight! If you are one of those people with lot of imagination you can easily do the time travel to slip a few centuries into the past! The winding way up the slopes, the tall domes, arched gateways all against a backdrop of overcast grey sky and an occasional spell of cool showers - any one will jump onto the whinnying horse to join the marching soldiers -"clip-clop-clip"! |
| Far from the madding crowd |
Mandu at an elevation of 633 metres above sea level remained the fort capital of Paramaras because of its natural defences. If the walls of the fort can speak... what kind of stories would unfurl! The frequent wars, love, treachery, espionage, plundering and of course the creation of beautiful structures would tell us about the transfer of the fort and power into Khaljis, Afghan rulers and the Mughals. How can I leave out Roopmati and Baz Bahadur's love story beautifully woven into the folk tradition! |
| Far from madding crowd |
Like the fragrance of flowers from a distance occasionally gently teasing the olfactory nerves, the images and emotions of those four monsoon soaked days flash in my thoughts. I know, I haven't covered all of those experiences but perhaps it is meant to remain like this - an intricate Rangoli design , left half way- for those of you driven by urge to experience for yourselves!
There are regular travellers on these trips with an insatiable quest for knowledge and an immense passion for seeking out the beauty of the monuments and sculptures who never cease to surprise me. Then, there is the driving force behind all of this interest and she is the one who stokes the fire - the insatiable quest!
Dr. Chithra Madhavan's enthusiasm and passion for our ancient history, architecture and iconography is so infectious and perhaps you would plan an experience with her!
