Foggy MP !

Late winter breeze in the State of Madhya Pradesh has brought in fog cover in mornings, in its many parts. Have a look at few pictures from highway running from Jabalpur to Mandla. Trees are on the valley but on cannot see anything beyond due to fog cover.

Heliodorous Pillar, Vidisha

A monolithic free standing column, the pillar bears an inscription which states that it was garuda pillar raised in honour of vasudeva by heliodorous a resident of Taxila who had been sent to the court of Bhagabhadra as an envoy of Indo Bectrian monarch, Antialkidas.

This inscription is particularly valuable historical record revealing both the relations that existed between the region and  greek kingdoms of Punjab and that Greek had become follower of Hindu God Vishnu. The inscription of the name Antialkidas dates approximated errection of the pillar to 140 BC. The pillar with its bell capital carrying figure super structure resembles Ashok Pillar but is much smaller in size with more slender proportions. The power portion of the shaft is octagonal, the upper, sixteen sided with panel of thirty two facets.  The carvings have Buddhist motifs such as border with geese in pairs as well as Hellenic ones such as honey suckle and the bead molding.

Tropic of Cancer at Vidisha

Shahrukh Khan in Bhopal

Shahrukh Khan was in Bhopal yesterday to promote Ra One. He was greeted by thousands of his fan in the city at DB mall, where he performed on his songs from Ra-one. Have a look at some of the pictures of his visit ...

Pictures courtesy : A.M. Faruqui

Baby Hippopotamus at Indore

A Baby calf was born yesterday to Hippopotamus named Nanda at Indore's Kamla Nehru Zoo. 

Have a look at Nanda and her calf.

Ganpathi festival in MP

Madhya Pradesh also marks Ganesh Chaturthi in style which falls on September 1, 2011. The festival begins with the installation of elaborately crafted statutes of Ganesha in homes, community places, specially constructed and beautifully decorated podiums. You will find people taking idols from markets in tempo’s with dance and music.  Artisans put months of effort into making the statues.  It is celebrated for one to 11 days with the immersion of the idols taking place on the last day called Ananta Chaturdasi day. Pics are from Bhopal and Gwalior, wherein Ganpathi idols are getting ready and are on sale in Gwalior.

Idols at Gwalior

Idols at Bhopal

Idols at Gwalior

Some glimpses of Gwalior

Normally in tourism circuits Gwalior is known for fort, but as this blogs tries to brings out something different ! so here are glimpses of Gwalior ......normally one will not see in the tourism brochures !!

Tigara Dam

Gol Padhi on the way to Tigara

Glimpse from Tigara

As we drove through the heart of India

LAST MONDAY, I was on road travelling from Jabalpur to Mandla. The distance is about 100 kilometers and normally takes about three hours on national highway number 12, which connects Jabalpur to Kanha National Park. Though it was an official hectic trip, the untampered with natural surrounding added a soothing touch to our nerves. The weather was clear and sunny after two days of consistent rains, probably for us to admire the beautiful environment. One could see an early morning sun trying to fit into the gaps between teak trees, with cover of clouds on the curves of the hillocks.

We stopped our cars on a curve, to treat our eyes and tickle our senses. Sound of water fall, chirping of birds, flutter of emigrant and lime butterflies moving over the shrubs and enjoying the sunshine, and rain droppings on leaves of trees around us added to that comforting touch. We were on a hillock and could see kids playing in water flowing down the hillock; it was fun to see them enjoy the nature. Also, there were women with ‘lumps of mud’, trying to direct water in a particular direction to avoid flooding of the fields.

The straight road, which followed the hillocks crossed over meadows and looked majestic with sun shining over it. We wanted the time to stop for a while so that we could enjoy the beauty of nature, but we had a busy day ahead of us, so there ended our communion with nature.

Later in the day, we got an opportunity to pay respect and admire the beauty of Holy Narmada river- the life line of Madhya Pradesh, at Ghats in the Mandla district. It was one memorable experience the memories of which will stay with us for a lifetime. - Anil Gulati

Bir Singh Palace, Datia

Datia, an ancient town, which is mentioned in the mahabharata as Daityavakra. At present it is a district of Madhya Pradesh, about 70 kms from Gwalior and about 35 kms from Jhansi. The district has Bir Singh Palace, which is a seven storied dome complex made up of stones and bricks. It is deserted plaace but has a beauty and history to it. It is like a diadem on a hillock. This architectural entity is visible from a distance (one can even site it from Delhi - Bhopal Shatabadi train when it cross Datia).  An interesting palace has arches, chattris, ornamental jaali screens, balconies, oriel windows and murals adorn its inside walls.

View from the train in Hoshangabad

View from train journey as it droves closely from hillocks in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh

Narmada at Dhuandhar, Jabalpur

Waterfall is located 25 km from Jabalpur on the Narmada river.Dhuandhar Falls or the smoke cascade is a beautiful waterfall in Bhedaghat. Now of days it is raining so water levels have risen and flow of water have broken the structure wherein one could watch the water fall. The pictures have been taken from rope way on the falls. (pixs @ anil gulati)

World Heritage Day Special - Profiling Narsinghgarh fort

Narsinghgarh fort - A majestic fort privately held is in the Rajgarh district of the State of Madhya Pradesh. It is two kilometers from main Bhopal - Guna highway, and approximately 83 kilometers from Bhopal.The two kilometer road which is inside from main highway is on uphill and is made of mud and sand. Approach road to fort is steep, difficult to drive and non motorable.

The fort is said to be built nearly 300 years ago and is constructed in Mughal & Malwa style of architecture. It is said to be third in size after Gwalior and Mandu fort in Madhya Pradesh. It has approximate 350 rooms, 4 halls and 64 varandahs. It is situated in a hill overlooking lake and a temple. Though at present it is in depilated condition with its roofs, and walls needing repair and walls have been spoiled by visitors to the fort who have written all kinds of messages and paintings on its walls. But a site to visit especially during rains and winters.

Tamia...wow !

Tamia's steep hills, dense forests, and the valley make it a beauty spot and 'must visit' place in Madhya Pradesh. Tamia is located in Chhindwara district of MP, located on the South-West region of 'Satpura Range'. Chhindwara district has an area of 11,815 sq. km occuping 3.85% of the area of the state and is one of the largest district of the State. First picture is of sunset view is taken from forest rest house and shows a hill peak, in the Satpura range.

Betul's Ghost fair !

A village in Betul district of Madhya Pradesh, holds an annual fair of Ghosts. This is month long fair nromally around january -Feburary. People gather here in numbers for being exorcised at a shrine of Guru Maharaj Deoji, a Hindu holy man who lived in the 18th century and, devotees believe, had the power to exorcise ghosts and evil spirits. No one knows how all this began but they say “Deoji passed on the ‘art of exorcism’ to his successors (the priests here). It peaks as the night of Paush Purnima (full moon preceding Magh month) falls, the ‘possessed’ are taken to the shrine for being exorcised. The people who bring their relatives here feel that their bodies have been “taken over by the ghosts of the dead” and that exorcism is the only release for them.

During the fair one can hear sound of temple gong, ghost busters chant mantras and priest here say that  they have been able to expell thousands of ghosts and evil spirits from human bodies. Though people who advocate on scientific reasoning do not agree with it and reason that this propogates myths and supersitions.

गरीबी का चेहरा

कोई साठ- बासठ बरस
पहले लगा था

कि दूर होगी गरीबी !

चेहरों पर होगी रौनक
आएगी खुशहाली

लेकिन इन साठ-बासठ बरसों में
सिर्फ चंद बोर्ड ही पहुंच पाए
हम तक

दूर तलक  बस उदासी है
देखो ऐसा ही होता है

गरीबी का चेहरा।

- राकेश मालवीय, सतना से लोटकर

(छाया ओर कविता)

Hoarding on Gwalior roads !

Hoarding as seen on Gwalior city road !

Ruins of Parmar-era found at Samasgarh !

Samasgarh near Bhopal near ratibad was known for old Jain temple but will now known for Statues and ruins of Parmar era temple which had been recently found there.  It is first time that so many remains of Parmar Era have been found near capital. Inspite of the media hype they still lie unprotected and unmarked.  If one has to go to the site one has to depend on the local people who only know that some statues which were recently in newspaper have been found in their village.

Ruins one dozen temples have been located, in which symbols of Shiva temples, Vishnu temples and other temples could be identified at the location near the old Jain temple.  The ruins suggest that these temples would be of the Parmara-era that may have been destroyed by some reason.  Historians believe that areas around the State capital were ruled by the Parmara King Bhoj and these ruins would definitely have been under his protection. Apart from Hindu, temples, ruins of Jain temples could also be easily identified.  There are two old water ponds/ well near the site.

26 years but people still suffer !

Survivors of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy and victims of the resultant water contamination staged a torchlight march today to mark 26th anniversary of one of the world's worst industrial disaster. The victims walked from Bhopal Talkies to the Union Carbide India's old killer factory at Bhopal. The marchers demanded legal action against the Bhopal factory's parent company Union Carbide Corporation (UCC), its former chairman Warren Anderson and UCC's Hong Kong subsidiary. The march was organised by five Bhopal-based organisations and at end of the rally marchers, including a large number of children, gathered around a statue in front of the abandoned factory to pay homage to the victims. (pic courtesy - A M Faruqui)

The Invincible - Gwalior fort

As per ASI site, the history of the Fort goes back to the fifth century AD or perhaps still earlier. The old name of the hill as recorded in ancient Sanskrit inscriptions is Gopagiri. It has witnessed varying fortunes of the Guptas, Hunas, the Pratiharas, the Kachhwahas, the Tomars, the Pathans, the Mughals, the English and the Marathas who have left their landmarks in the various monuments which are still preserved. The main monuments which are in the premises of this fort are :- Man Mandir, Teli-Ka-Mandir, Sas Bhau Temple, Badal Mahal, Alamgiri gate, Ganesa gate, Chaturbhuj gate, Rock-cut Jain collosi, Urwai gate, etc. 

Indiaknow site states that for over 100 years this fort has been over looking the city of Gwalior. One of the most invincible forts in India, this imposing citadel has changed many hands. It is built on a hill of sandstone and towers 100 meters from the plain.The outer wall of the fort is almost 2 miles in length and the width varies from one km's to 200 meters. The walls of the fort gives way onto the steep slopes. This fort has been a witness to many battles in the turbulent times as well as festivals in the peace time.

Ecosystem at Bhilkheria needs to be preserved

It was fascinating following yellow pansy butterfly on the small mud and sand paved way at Bhilkheria village, outskirts of Bhopal towards Raisen. The board on the main road said that there is an eco tourism spot about 2 kilometer away, something which pulled my car onto that way while I was driving onto Raisen. Though after driving 2 kilometers one reached closed gate, am not sure where they were leading to. One could hardly spot a soul who could tell or guide me how we can enter the so called eco tourism spot.

Yellow Pansy butterfly

Bird at Bhilkheria

Orange Tip butterfly on flower

Eco tourism board on main road calling on people to visit the spot

But nevertheless I enjoyed the drive and the place as it had plethora of fauna. One could site nymphalids butterflies like yellow pansy, lemon pansy, grey pansy, blue pansy, chocolate pansy and others like danidfly, common crow, orange tip, common grass yellow, common castor, lime butterfly and common emigrant. Interesting was to see common grass yellow and ‘silver forget me not’ (butterflies) puddling over mud as one moves on to the spot. The place has many farm lands as we move on and one the way to closed eco tourism spot, one is greeted by red vented bulbuls, squirrels and common emigrant butterflies.

The place has not only butterflies, but one could site many birds, dragon flies, as it had water bodies and lot of flora around. Though water bodies around the area are getting polluted but nevertheless harbors many varieties of odonates. The spot is endowed with diversity of flora, fauna, is picturesque and touchwood Bhopal builders still have not reached till their, though they are very near.  The place has an eco system which needs to be preserved, whether or not it is developed into eco tourism spot. Seeing what happened to Kerwa, a eco tourism spot in Bhopal am not an advocate for eco tourism spot, as being developed, but want eco system at Bhilkheri to be preserved.

Bhimkund, Chhattarpur district

Bhimkund is located in Chhattarpur district of Madhya Pradesh.According to the local legend it is that when Pandavas were in their exile they felt thirsty 'Bhim' smashed his mace against the land and found this water body. The water is indigo blue and clear. Depth is unknown and apparently there are strong under currents. It has been filmed by Discovery Channel too. During Tsunami the 'locals' say the height of the water rose by 15feet, though still much is to be known.

View from the below

(Text and pictures contributed by Umasree Polepeddi)

Weaver Nest

Baya Weaver nest at Vidisha - Baya Weavers (Ploceus philippinus) build their nests attached to branches of trees. The nests are expertly weaved from long thin strands of leaf blades and the completed nest looks like an upside down flask with a downward pointing entrance chute. Within the swollen portion is the nesting area. Interestingly they say that Male baya weaver builds the nest up to the helmet stage by collecting materials and weaving the pieces together. He then gets his mate to approve the structure. Only then will the bulbous egg-chamber and the long pendulous entrance tube be completed. This final stage of building sees both adults participating.!!

Halali Dam, Vidisha & Raisen

As per book, Hydrological and water resources of India by Sharad K Jain, Pusphpendra K Agarwal and Vijay P Singh Halali dam is a rolled filled earthen dam located both in Vidisha and Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh. It is constructed across Halali river a tributary of Betwa river. Halali dam is known as Samrat Ashok Sagar Project. It is 945 m long with maximum height of 29.57 m above the foundation level. Catchment area of the project is 699 sq. km of which is 25 % is hily, rest is plains. 

It is about 47 kilometers from Bhopal’s New market and towards Sanchi. The stretch of 30 kilometer is nice as it is Sanchi road but when one turns left for last 8 kilometers, it is difficult non motorable road which will take you about an hour. In rainy season the last stretch can get difficult.

The dam has a MP tourism hotel which has about 3 – 4 rooms, nice ambience, play ground for children. They say it has it has water sports, which am not sure as no one was their. Hotel charges Rs 10 as an entry fee per person ! (interesting). But the major problem is electricity - it did not had electricity for last 3 days !!. For the best view of the dam do see it from the road on the dam then the Hotel.

Environmental issues with Halali reservoir

As per environmental research journals edition of June 2006 a paper on Study of heavy metal contamination in Halali Dam water of Vidisha district near Bhopal (M.P.) India with reference to human health by S.A. Iqbal and H.C. Kataria¹ talks of most common and widespread danger, associated with Halali Dam water is contamintaion of heavy metal by sewage and other organic matters or excrements. Water of Halali reservoir is used for drinking as well as irrigational purpose, its water is polluted by man made activities e.g. sewage disposal industrial and natural contaminant mixes into water heavy metals.

Sailing pics

Bhopal, Saturday Aug 21, 2010

Inland National Sailing Championship at Bhopal

Inland National Sailing Championship is being held at Bhopal in which 21 boats are taking part. 10 races are being held under the championship. (Image courtesy : A.M. Faruqui)

Jewelled winged wonders (World environment day special)

This is photograph of Green Marsh Hawk dragonfly I had clicked at Shivpuri Tourist Village in District Shivpuri. This is also called slender Skimmer or Orthetrum Sabina. It belongs to family Libellulidae (skimmer) and is common dragonfly of gardens and fields. This dragonfly sits motionless on shrubs and dry wigs for a long time. It hunts flying insects such as flies, small butterflies and dragonflies. This World Environment Day I wanted to dedicate it to these jewelled winged wonders, hence this picture and here is more information on them.

Environment and Dragonflies

Dragonflies and damselflies are amongst the most attractive of creatures on earth, the first to have conquered the aerial domain. They collectively are called odonates, and are one of the most common insects flying over forest, fields, meadows, ponds and rivers. India is highly diverse with more than 500 known species. Odonata are one of the ancient orders of insects. It first appeared during the about 250 million years ago.

Odonates are primarily aquatic insects hence makes them a good indicator of wetland health. Madhya Pradesh wetlands support a rich odonate fauna. Odonates are integral part of wetland ecosystems and are reliable indicators of its health and important biocontrol agent of these harmful insects. In the urban areas of Thailand, larvae of the container breeding dragonfly, Granite ghost (Bradinopyga geminata) was successfully used to control Aedes mosquito, an important vector of the dengue and Chikungunya fever.