Why this blog now ? Have realised that have travelled and experienced which sometimes needs to be revisited . Yet, why it should be me alone, why not share with everyone. Thus a humble effort to bring everything out from the memory lane. I would not be following any timelines, but starting from the centre of India and shall move forward.
Travel from Agra Gwalior and Jhansi:
Well if it’s the start of my travel writings how can I
forget to mention these three cities which during my engineering times were a
rehab from boredom.
DHOLPUR :
I am not going to describe Agra as it is probably the most
sought after destination for travel freaks but what lies ahead is one of the
most intriguing place i.e. Chambal Ravines.
On the way from Agra to Gwalior you will come across a place called
Dholpur . In Dholpur you have many old monuments
to spend time such as the Palace, RMS school building and off course the famous
Samosa which can provide a glimpse of Rajasthani red chilli powder usage.
Pic taken near Dholpur
From Dholpur you have a choice either to go to Bari and then
Kaila Devi (The Kul Devi for Jadaun Rajputs ) and then to Mahendipur Balaji or
continue straight towards Gwalior. Treat your self with some milk cakes at a
local temple on the highway. Here I am sorry to forget the majestic Machkund
Temple. A complete desolate place, which takes you to a commanding height once
you follow the trail, the ride is amazing. You can actually challenge yourself
and take your bikes on this interesting terrain. This temple is a little bit off road and you
have to take a detour of almost 5 kilometres.
The Chambal Bridge
after Dholpur :
Actual ravines start from this bridge only. You may like to
get down and take some pics. If you are
of a little adventurous kind then get down below the bridge and there is a
quite secluded Shiva temple . Have some chai and snacks and the Pandit ji will
tell you amazing stories about Chambal.
The mallahs if there can also provide more stories if you are an avid
listener, but this has to be done totally on your risk.
MORENA and USAID:
You will be amazed to know that Morena has the highest
number of firearm licences as a district. It’s a culture thing out there. Here
we decided to do a little detour and head for a small village called USAID.
This is on the banks of Chambal River. Take your bike/car to the road towards
this river and you will love the mud road and off roading you have to manoeuvre
bike/car through. There was a pipe ka
pull (A Bridge Made by drums) and then cross into Uttar Pradesh town called
Pinhat. Pinhat is famous for Mawa Gujiya which is surely a taste to reckon
with. I guess it was Lajja Ram Halwai that provides the most authentic Gujiya.
Come back and watch the Sun Go down by the bank of Chambal but beware it has
crocodiles and I mean real ones, so you really have to be careful. Also please
be aware these places are not at all secure and dangerous for first timers or
for people who look or act like tourists. If you are adapting in mingling
through the crowd, you may enjoy this place. Have tea and Bhajiya ( Dal Mangoda
) actually it’s the sweet chai and green chilli chutney that still tingles my
memories. Enjoy the drives in Chambal
Ravines, take your bike/Jeep in these ravines do not be afraid you will enjoy
the terrain. Morena is also famous for
its Gajak and Rewri and yes if it’s a cold weather it becomes foggy.
Gwalior :
Yes, there is a
toy train that still is operational in and around Gwalior. Anyways, Gwalior has much to offer being a
historical city. Please do not forget to
visit the Gwalior Fort which is an amazing peace of architect.
Significant is the drive and you really had to be on low
gear to go up the hill. There are two ways to go up as you can take your
vehicle up the fort or go by foot. The famous Scindia College and a revered
Sikh seat i.e. Gurudwara Sahab is on
this fort. You have to spend some time here and watch the sunset. There is also
a breath taking view of the whole city that spawns in front of you. It has also a Buddhist architecture through
which you can spend some time with.
Sun Temple and the Scindia Palace :
There is also a Sun Temple and Scindia Palace that is
considered beautiful. Scindia Palace is still very beautiful and is maintained
by private security as some of the Scindia family resides in other part of the
palace also. The food in Gwalior is
amazing but speciality lies in Gazak , Rewri and Petha . Believe me Petha in
Gwalior is much better than that of Agra.
Sheetla Temple :
This temple is supposedly the out of city place through
Cancer Pahadi. Deep inside the Jungle and amongst remote village it actually
has a mela during navratris and that too a big one. It is said that the first
bell is still being gifted by Chambal Dacoits.
Sonagiri :
If you are follower of Jainism you might probably heard of
this place, if not go for it. 5 to 8 Kms from the road on Gwalior Jhansi
highway this is a majestic site to see. Spread across 130 acres across two
hills, there are almost 75 temples in this place. Many cheap options to stay,
it’s the moonless night full of stars that might catch your attention. You can actually
ask the dharamshala ( guest house ) people to arrange for a bedding under the
clear sky.
DATIA :
A sacred place amongst Hindus this temple is auspiciously
visited on Saturdays and is known for Dhoomavati Maa. Opening for 3 hours in a
week you will be amazed to see the parshad/ offering as Samosa and Bhajiyas/Pakoris/Mangodas.
However the Shaktipeeth is of Pitambara Maa which is well known and renowned in
shastras also. On the way to Datia from Gwalior though there is nothing much of
significant except off course the Khalsa Dhaba J
.
JHANSI :
Though Jhansi’s name has been etched in the history as one
of the pivotal role to play for India’s war for Independence of 1857 but looking
at this city now, the story seems something else. Though forgot to mention just before
entering Jhansi from Gwalior if you notice on your right side is a temple
perched at the top of a hill. This place is one of the most beautiful places
you can venture. Leave your car/bike at
the lone railway crossing on the road that seems to be going there. And then
start by foot, it’s a long and arduous climb up to the hill but every step is
worth it. While coming down try not to use stairs but trek down the hill, the
whole experience will be amazing. You can even see this temple while going by
train also.
In Jhansi there is Jhansi fort which though looks majestic
but is still not maintained properly. Someone told that when the king asked the
queen how is the region beyond the fort, she said everything is a jhainsi i.e.
parchai or a shadow. Therefore Jhansi got its name. Jhansi also boasts of one
of the biggest railway revenue center of India. It is from Jhansi that you can
enter Madhya Pradesh and regions adjacent to that. Please be careful of your expectations because
if you have in mind the forts from Rajasthan this does not come near them;
however it holds a very strategic and historical value in India’s struggle. There is also St. Jude’s shrine, but it does
not evoke that sense in you. All together Jhansi does require ASI to take good
care of its so called archeologically undertaking sites.
Wait for my next blog we shall travel from Jhansi to
Chattarpur, Panna and then come to Bhopal and its nearby areas.
