French Alliance - Puducherry

 Rue Romain Rolland Dupleix… they’re in India... they’re in Puducherry.

White French villas and flowerpots in balconies complete the picture perfect look of this quaint town. An erstwhile French colony, some of the streets continue with their original names and spellings. 

Many residents still converse in French and even the local police wear a uniform that was designed the colonial rule. The French Riviera of the East has the statue of Joan of Arc and the Government Palace that are considered relics of French culture.

 No visit to Puducherry is complete without paying respect at the Aurobindo Ashram set up by Sri Aurobindo. Frequented by the spiritually inclines, the ashram stands out for its simplicity. The samadhis of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother are situated in the center of a courtyard that is covered by trees. One can almost hear the sound of the wind ringing in your ears as you spend a few moments in this place. 

Puducherry is also famed for its beaches, all lying close to the heart of the city. It’s a place where Paradise and Mahe are than the name of beaches… they stand for the essence of the city.

Grand Designs -- Mahabalipuram

Its all about fine sculptures, towering temples and silvery beaches

Renowned for its sea shore temples, Mahabalipuram is a tiny seaside village set in a boulder-strewn landscape near Chennai. Located on the Bay of Bengal, Tourists are drawn by the miles of unspoiled beaches and rock-cut art that the hamlet offers. The Sculptures here, following the Dravidian style of architecture, showcase day-to-day life, in contrast to the other temples in Tamil Nadu which generally depict gods and goddesses.

Mahabalipuram art can be divided into four categories: open air bas-relief, structured temples, man-made caves, and raths or chariots. Arjuna’s Penance and the Krishna Mandapa have been etched on massive rocks near the center of the village. The beautiful shore temples tower over the waves behind the protective breakwaters.

Panch Pandava Rathas, Krishna Mandapa, Vraha Cave and Krishna’s Butterball are the other prominent temples in Mahabalipuram. In addition to the beautiful etchings and carvings in stone, the place also offers the traveler the shade of rows of casuarinas trees and calm stretches of silvery beaches.

Pink with Pleasure

Located in Rajasthan, Jaipur, has, since time immemorial, been synonymous with royalty and good living. Glorious palaces, exquisite havelis, sprawling forts and wide gardens dot the city. Also referred to as the Pink City, most of Jaipur has been painted in pink, giving it a look that is harmonious.

For a tourist, Jaipur has plenty on offer. Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Amber Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Raigarh Fort – all resound with the tales of times gone by. Even though the city has made rapid strides to keep abreast of the contemporary, there are areas that continue to be steeped in the past.

The older part of Jaipur, where it is not uncommon to find tongas and cycle rickshaws meandering past indolent cows, camels drawing carts filled with vegetables are an intrinsic part of the city. So are the bandhej and leheriya sari shops and the jewelers dealing in kundan ornaments. Amidst all the tiny shops which look the same from outside, you will suddenly come across a glitzy showroom selling the latest watches. That’s a part of new Jaipur.

A chariot of fire @ Konark

The Sun God’s temple near Puri is designed like a rath.

When you watch Odissi danseuse Sharon Lowen performing at the Konark Dance Festival against the backdrop of the ancient Sun Temple, you marvel at her grace. But you also stare at the ornate craftsmanship of the temple. The sacred city of Konark is an important destination in the Golden Triangle circuit of Orissa. 

The temple has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Majestic in conception, it was built by Narsimha Deva. One of the most stunning monuments in India, the entire structure has been conceived as the chariot of the Sun God.

It has 24 wheels, each about 10 ft in diameter, with a set of spokes, There are elaborate carvings and erotic sculptures primarily on the second level of the porch. The sculptures provide eloquent testimony to the genius of Orissa’s sculptural tradition.

Apart from the temple, Konark is popular for its beach. Bathe in the waters – they are relatively safe – buy some shell artefacts and spend the rest of the dat exploring the rich architecture of the temple. The annual Konark Dance Festival in the temple complex is a much awaited event.

Getting There:

The nearest airport and railheads are at Bhubaneswar and Puri.  (I went to Bhubaneswar by air from Delhi and then hired a cab).

Nesting Ground - Salt water lake rich with bio diversity

Chilika Lake near Bhubaneswar in Orissa, is Asia’s largest inland salt water lagoon, separated from Bay of Bengal by a sandy ridge. The Chilika Bird sanctuary, spread across 1,100 sq km, boasts of a unique ecosystem with species like the while-bellied sea eagles, grey legged geese, purple moorhen, herons and flamingos nesting here in the winter. 

Chilika, a hot spot of bio diversity, shelters a great number of endangered species like Irrawaddy dolphin which is a fresh water dolphin. Motor launches take you to Satapada Island for dolphin watching tours where these cetaceans can be seen playing in the clear waters.

The lake is an integral part of the people of Coastal Orissa for both religious as well as economic reasons. Pilgrims flock here in January during the Makar Mela to pay obeisance to Goddess Kalijai. The salt water of the lake encourages prawn, crab and mackerel fishing and one can see numerous small fishing boats setting sail in the mornings to get the day’s catch. Honeymoon, Breakfast, Nalabana (Island of Reeds) and Parikud are some interesting islands inside the lake.

Getting There:

Nearest Airport is Bhubaneswar. Nearest railway station is at Balugaon and Rambha. NH5 connects Bhubaneswar with Chilika. (I went to Bhubaneswar by air from Delhi and then hired a cab).