India Off The Beaten Path Tips by Hmmmm Top 5 Page for this destination

The Thar Desert, In Kuldhara, Rajasthan.

the picture here shows women collecting water from the Village collective well. Notice they are sitting about talking as well. I think despite the heavy work, its a good opportunity to catch up on the village gossip. The men we saw, were down the road, hearding and hobbling camels. It looked like they were getting ready for a trek.

Running around the Thar desrt is Incredible its full of interesting little villages and towns. Kuldhara & Khabha (Medieval Deserted village of Paliwal Brahmins) are very interesting not only do they have loads of camels, but out here years ago 84 villages were abandoned by Paliwal Brahmins overnight. Both Kuldhara & Khabha are about 18 to 30 kms. South West of Jaisalmer and Kuldhara 5 kms. of the same road. The ruins of Kuldhara & Khabha exhibit the architectural, excellence of those times, which was buried under dunes till recently.

Rajasthani Fresco in the Style of Shekhawati.

A region of small towns, Shekhawati is primarily known for its havelis or mansions richly ornamented with frescos, which range from the sacred to the secular, and from sublime to, at times, seemingly ridiculous. The Marwari merchants of Shekhawati, who had ventured out to new emerging commercial centers of India, built these mansions. With the growing prosperity of Marwaris came the spirits of one-upmanship, and each sought to outdo the other with the lavishness of his haveli. As a result of the ensuing competition, Shekhawati, today, has gained worldwide fame as the open-air art gallery, having the largest concentration of frescos in the world.

I was lucky enough to see a young Fresco artist at work.

Church of St Cajetan in Old Goa.

I was stumbling around Old Goa one day with my camera. I walked down some old roads past an old, ill kempt Viceroy Arch and roads threatening to be overgrown when I came to this church, all alone by the river. There was no-one there. I was all alone to enjoy the white washed Interior, the marvellous Statues of the Apostles, the beautiful dome, and the fantastic 15th Century Portuguese Italian Style paintings adorning the walls. What a find.

OK some guff: St. Cajetan is built of laterite blocks, which were lime plastered. The façade, havs two towers on either side to serve as belfry, and has Corinthian columns and four niches in which are kept the statues of the apostles.

The main body of the church is Greek cross with a nave ending in an apse and aisles marked by four massive piers faced by Corinthian pilasters. The ribbed vaults of the nave and aisles are of varying height and are coffered with different floral designs. The two-ocatgonal rooms on either side of the main altar serves as the sacristy. There are six altars. The main one is dedicated to our lady of divine providence. These altars are profusely carved and gilded in Baroque style. The altars also have paintings on canvas of the Italian school, some depicting scenes from the life of St. Cajetan. The niches running along the sides of the vault have wooden statues of saints.

The church was built by Italian friars of the Order of Theatines who were sent by the Pope Urban III to preach Christianity in the kingdom of Golconda. As they were not permitted to work there they settled down in Goa in 1640. They obtained the site in 1655 by a Royal order and the church was built in the 17th century.

Indian Rural Life as seen from a Train

There is no better way to see the Rural Indian life than by train. Because India rail crosses India like a spiders web, it passes different kinds of scenery, often giving us the chance to witness farming practises, beautiful scenery, amazing architectural examples, incredble bridges and the stops at the stations are wonderful too.

In india the railway station is unlike others you'll find in the world. Indian Railway Stations are full of life, with Chai Wallahs, Samosa sellers, shoe shiners, beggar boys, porters, railway workers, and of course passengers all off descriptions, littering the Railway platforms, with shouts, bustle, smells and sights to behold. Its a carzy mish mash of comings and goings, that had me as a New Zealander utterly enthralled.

rail travel is the most convenient way of travelling if you are travelling on a budget. The types of class available are 1st class, AC 2tier, AC 3tier, 2nd class sleeper & chair car. The 1st class being phased out being converted in to AC 2 tier/AC 3 tier (recently being introduced in some of the trains).

Some guff: The trains usually run at a speeds of between 60 km - 130 km per hour depending on the type of trains e.g. Passenger train, Superfast trains, Shatabadi train (the fastest among all these, covering only some of the destinations). For all the major destinations superfast trains are running and the same are being recommended if you are ready to spend the night on a train.

I recommend spending a night on the train. As a tourist you owe yourself the experience. It was a wonderful way to learn about local food, attractions and just speaking with the locals was excellent. Travelling overnight by train aslo subtracts from Hotel bills. I am an absolute advocate of killing two birds with one stone; in this case travelling and accommodation.

Website: http://www.indianrail.gov.in/

The Panch Mahal, Fatephur Sikri. Agra

Fatehpur Sikri is about 37km's south of Agra, and reachable by autoo rickshaw. The trip takes about an hour (just under) and costs about 150 rupees.

The Picture below shows a view of the Panch Mahal. Panch mahal means 'Palace of 5 storeys'. Also known as "Badgir", which means windcatcher/tower, this is an extraordinary structure, entirely columnar, consisting of four storeys of decreasing size disposed asymmetrically upon a ground floor, which contains 84 columns. It may not be coincidence that this number is regarded as highly auspicious by the Hindus.

However Fatehpur Sikri is essentially a ghost town, a city of yesteryear. Built during the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory) was the capital of the Mughal Empire for only some 10 years. The complex of monuments and temples, all in a uniform architectural style, includes one of the largest mosques in India, the Jama Masjid.

Though the city is in ruins, it is a place to visit if one comes to Agra. But in real terms Fatehpur Sikri is a place where one should spend some time. The sunset over the ruins is sight to behold. and the red of the walls comes off kinda in the setting sunlight of Slide film.

The Jami Masjid - Fatepur Sikri - Agra

Jami Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India. Built in 1571 A.D., it is the most scared building in Fatehpur Sikri and has, therefore, been built on the highest point. The mosque has a vast courtyard. Towards the corner on the right side, is the Jammat Khana hall and next to which is Zenana Rauza, the Tomb of the Royal Ladies.
Originally it was built in red stone and was later faced in marble by Jahangir. It's lattice screens are the most intricate and beautiful in the world.

Jama Masjid is beautifully decorated with paintings, inlaid stones, carvings and glazed tiles. The building comprises of pillared Dalan, a beautiful 'Chhajja' and the 'Chhatri' on the roof. The main Iwan of the building is rather simple and contains a central arch with geometrical designs.

The siting of the Jama Masjid marked the actual beginning of the city which came up around it. The palace courts were laid out parallel to the cardinally aligned mosque and the sequential order of the palaces were emphasized by change in level. The most public space was at the lowest level, while the royal harem was at the highest.
Jama masjid Agra
There are several historical places to see in the town. The main being the palace complex and the Friday mosque (Jama Masjid). Towering gateway of the mosque is fittingly called the Buland Darwaza. There are the two tombs of the saint, the white marble one erected by Shah-Jahan, and the original red sandstone one of Emperor Akber. There are government information plaques near all the monuments.

Emperor Akbar, the greatest of all the Mughal rulers, had no heir. In a desperate attempt, he beseeched the saint Salim Christi at Sikri. Through divine grace, an heir was born and the emperor, in the grand manner of all true emperors, decided to dedicate a magnificent city in honour of the saint.

Walk along the Yamuna River from Agra Fort.

If you are given peace and quite by the Souvenir sellers, the Rickshaw wallahs, and the myriads of others who want your time and your tourist rupee. Wlak along the Yamuna River from the fort. To get a very different view of the Taj Mahal.

Even though the Taj Mahal is beautiful up close. Its also incredible from afar too.

Do check it out.

Vagator Beach, Goa

Head with a Cobra Sculpture...... Hmmmm? What do you think? Could it be someone's incarnation of Shiva.

These fantastic Little Beach is 22 km north of Panaji. In the Small Indian State of Goa. Vagator beach is about half way up the 30 km coastline stretch of Northern Beaches of Goa that covers the most popular hotspots of Goa and India tourism. Its a hop, a skip and a jump to the north of the This party Beach.

Vagator by day is more salubrious and laid-back than Anjuna. Relatively secluded, The Three little beaches that make up Vagator are situated on the crescent shaped Caisua bay, along the Chapora river basin, in the shadow of the ruins of Chapora Fort.

Vagator is one of the most beautiful beaches of Goa, and India, laying on inviting sandy coves, between coconut palm shaded rocky headlands. Generally peaceful, in peak season it attracts day-trippers, and during the night typically boisterous Goa beach parties are a regular feature, especially at Disco Valley between Vagator and Little Vagator, and at Banyan Tree, east of Vagator. Not to mention, The Hill Top above Little Vagator Beach. Fun Fun Fun.

On the cliff above Little Vagator Alcove offers delicious location, ambiance and food & drinks. Restaurants in Vagator dish up tasty seafood, continental dishes, health foods and fruity shakes.

Little Vagator and Ozran (Spaghetti Beach) are two gorgeous small Goa beaches just south of Vagator. Ozran is nestled at the bottom of a palm-covered cliff. Both have been discovered by youngsters on a Goa holiday seeking beaches in Goa to call their own. It has thus become a Frisbee type hangout. This is where You'll find the sculpture here of Lord Shiva on a rock, created by a long-stay visitor.

Give Vagator a Go. Its a Fantastic Little Beach.