Just About Everything

An ariel view of the Virupaksha temple, Hampi I just got back from a trip to Hampi. It is a visual treat and leaves you awestruck. A must do if you like medieval Indian architecture. We hired a car from Bangalore; It took us around 7 hours to reach Hospet. Hampi is another 12 kms from Hospet. We stayed in hotel Malligi in Hospet.It is around 335 kms from Bangalore.There are KSTDC overnight bus services to Hospet and overnight trains as well.If your hotel is in Hospet, you can hire an autorikshaw or taxi from Hospet to Hampi.You can also choose to stay in Hampi.If you can ride a bike, you have to option of renting one as well. Rock cut images at Hampi Hampi is said to be the mythical Kishkindha-Kshetra from Ramayana.Rama took shelter in Malyavanta hill when Hanuman went in search of Sita. This is where Sugriva and Hanuman lived. It is believed that the Anjanadri Hill temple is the birth place of Hanuman. Spread across an area of 26 sq kms; Hampi was the capital o...

Fatehpur Sikri entrance Our next stop was Fatehpur Sikri (the city of victory). Fatehpur Sikri is one of the world heritage sites. It is around 39 kms from Agra. Yet another marvel of Mughal Architechture, it was constructed by Akbar in the beginning of 1570 in honour of the great renouned Sufi Saint Shaikh Salim Chisti. The buildings at Fatehpur Sikri reflect both Islamic and Hindu elements. When Saint Salim Chisti died, he was buried in the sikri. The tomb now stands in the middle of the courtyard of the Jama Mosque in the Fatehpur Sikri complex. The extensive jaali work on the exterior and interior is beautiful. This world heritage site is a must visit. Make sure you have at least 3-4 hours, if not more, to see the entire complex. You can hire a car for this trip but for the last lap of your journey, you may have to take a local auto. Check out Wikipedia for more on this beautiful heritage site. Courtyard in the Sikri Complex Tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti

Last year when we did Rathambore, Tonk and Amritsar, we managed to find time for a short trip to see Akbar's tomb in Sikandra, The Taj Mahal, and Fatehpur Sikri. Sikandra falls enroute to Taj Mahal. we stopped over at Sikandra where lies the Tomb of Akbar the Great . I was awe struck at how beautiful it is. It was built in 1605-1613. Akbar started building it. He selected the site for his Tomb. After his death the structure was completed by his son Jahangir. Located in Sikandra in Uttar Pradesh, this monument is a must see. If you are going to see the Taj Mahal, Sikandra will fall on your way.Keep an hour or two to see this amazing architechtural marvel.This beautiful structure has intricate work on the walls and ceilings. The caligraphy over the entrance to the true tomb of Akbar is absolutely amazing. Intricate work on the walls of the Monument. View of inside the tomb. Caligraphy over the entrance to the true tomb of Akbar