tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57520932154829783532024-03-17T19:59:40.443+05:30Scrapbook -A Travel Blog... A solo female traveler's journalUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger362125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-80024085138640667752018-10-02T17:30:00.000+05:302018-10-02T17:30:21.352+05:30Neelakurunji, Nilgiri Tahr and Eravikulam National Park<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Neelakurinji Nilgiri Tahr Eravikulam Munnar Kerala" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcE_vsy46JshXXPAG5EDVchsQhHzsH1rdwXRxJFvrtTMbyP4GJYxLTTHgQa-Fb_y4t7D9hyA_OOjUPsedZqOjjGZrnh7X5JVPMwepA2j9KGMF6A9RgyztjaD4qh18BLkq4qA9CYtmlk0/s650/NilgiriTahrEravikulam-Blog.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Neelakurinji Nilgiri Tahr Eravikulam Munnar Kerala"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nilgiri Tahr ont he slopes with Neelakurinji bloom int he foreground</td></tr>
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<i><b>"Earth laughs in flowers"</b> <span style="font-size: x-small;">- Ralph Waldo Emerson</span></i></div>
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And her this laugh takes twelve years to bloom! Well, I am talking about <b>Neelakurinji</b>- a flower endemic to Southern Western Ghats which blooms every twelve years. Like many others I too was very curious to witness this enigmatic beauty of the rolling hills of Munnar carpeted with bluish purple flowers. Sometimes reality bites! Well, I saw the blooms but no carpets, more tourists in bright colored clothes than flowers! The recent torrential rains, floods might have to be blamed for the damage to the soil, shrubs and the buds. </div>
<a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2018/10/neelakurunji-nilgiri-tahr-and.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-55722501870849750892018-06-26T21:55:00.000+05:302018-06-26T21:55:53.512+05:30Kedartal- A trekker's D-R-E-A-M!<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Kedartal Mt Thalaysagar Mt Bhrigupanth Uttarakhand Himalayan trekking" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8W8sw0sY2m2ctf0oSf6zeCyo0nANrXosfAPAGN6tE4ZDal3sgMNmBKsK8co2wA8CaNyk5WjKxA2HAbHA2-g0-AAi1nyrHjPA7yBWW1UMkg_3ROl6HAPN8qZXm6nCuIv2iJAG3e_fqVYs/s650/KedarTal-Granduer.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Kedartal Mt Thalaysagar Mt Bhrigupanth Uttarakhand Himalayan trekking"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kedartal with views of Mt Thalaysagar and Mt Bhrigupanth</td></tr>
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Kedartal, as the name indicates its Lord Shiva's lake. The legend says Shiva created this lake as a contribution to River Bhagirathi. The lake is believed to be the origin of Kedar Ganga, a tributary to Bhagirathi which joins the river at Gangotri. But, in that landscape you happen to see Kedar Ganga originating from a glacier which feeds the lake too!</div>
<a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2018/06/kedartal-trekkers-dream.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-7303350430663683572018-02-12T23:55:00.001+05:302018-02-13T00:31:40.887+05:30The Chadar Trek and ME!!<div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Chadar Frozen River Trek Zanskar Leh Ladakh" border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBj4Bsv9gz7U_vfpoDRgTxu64lP1gTAZOJvDyq84GG6P19cGBlMGiNvbxB732dS4iD511l0thph5g23lbnl47fhzX4MhNo24fk2lbdaEd_dbELqYRmyoq_DXV_K8ZcZiZ3ijdHpuNo5s/s650/Chadar-23.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Chadar Frozen River Trek Zanskar Leh Ladakh"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The formidable River</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Chadar trek was on my list since 2013. I used to read blogs and envy people. This year somehow I made it happen in the fear that this amazingly wonderful and breathtakingly beautiful trek might become a history in a couple years! I was so excited about trekking this winter highway that I went silent :) The flight from Delhi to Leh was packed with trekkers. The cold desert of Ladakh invited everyone with wide open hands.</div><a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-chadar-trek-and-me.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-80318495148231734962018-02-09T00:24:00.000+05:302018-02-09T00:24:10.549+05:30Chadar Trek- Few things you need to know!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Ice walk on Chadar Trek Zanskar River Leh Ladakh India" border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglh1d5zCm6mHLH9YCbUIcWnj6IKBH8Mug6ddVvJil26EHaHI58Lf2L-TCYb1BInYWjmKlK21Rfg8QIvZvoyc351fRHSbgZzMsXa2h-Y7P0fBtwO_3R87PpVj3bTtrr0XOdjP3eDThtgmo/s650/Chadar-26.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Ice walk on Chadar Trek Zanskar River Leh Ladakh India"></td></tr>
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Well, Chadar is a very popular trek and you will find tons of information on web. But, surprisingly people are not prepared enough for the trail. Most of the times trekkers underestimate nature and overestimate themselves. All is well that ends well. If not, no one is to be blamed but ourselves!! With my own experience I would like to say few things ...</div>
<a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2018/02/chadar-trek-tips.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-71514435695633864402017-11-26T19:54:00.000+05:302017-11-26T21:54:18.539+05:30Himalayas, trekking and trekking Operators- Your opinion??<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Singalila Pass Trek All Dara Sikkim India" border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTJS9B1cSD6c13P4-InAK9nci607c_Qxg8wFK6VIFxdSUERi52EkTdJiPdgymiewdC-oLI2jj1c94uBVOzYMYg-4iT7NR-8NsgmhVj-xMG2E3860yj3Sorvu2JzJMbjz0om7ORMJ4OT8/s650/Frosty-Aal-Dara-650.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Singalila Pass Trek All Dara Sikkim India"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frosty All Dara campsite early morning- 1KM away from Sandakphu</td></tr>
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Lately, I have started trekking in Himalayas regularly. When in USA I did all my treks DIY style. Driving to trailhead, carrying the pack, tent, sleeping bag, food, stove, fuel everything on my own! Well, that is a different world. Trekking with an operator is kind of new to me. Just like booking a package tour. Sounds like 'Sahib style', where everything is done by others and I have to just walk. Tents ready by the time we reach the campsite of the day, hot chai and snacks, hot water, hot tasty breakfast and dinner, yummy desserts, basic medical check up, kind and attentive staff to listen to all the fuss! Sounds great huh?</div>
<a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2017/11/himalayas-trekking-agencies.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-3421422527722321202017-11-24T23:38:00.001+05:302017-11-26T09:22:14.032+05:30Is it wise to trek in high altitudes during periods?<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Goecha La Trek Tshoka Campsite Sikkim India" border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5nsE5Gqh6I5IQONnLdnsjhAYtl4ZXoIYo_SZwlQmNp9OXDNdfKk-aYVgND5F66yS435ziiLcls6GHXgBGokE37AKiQdS1ywY-EKVdNDU2fdYg0mADkzruxbsSRIUTESkomK_W7UT4xs/s650/Campsite-Tshoka.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Goecha La Trek Tshoka Campsite Sikkim India"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campsite at Tshoka</td></tr>
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Well, just got back from the beautiful state of Sikkim. The ever popular Goecha La trek was in my to-do list for a long time. Finally, done with it. With few regrets, complaints and inconveniences. And loads of beautiful memories. The Himalayas rock! Trekking rocks! Travel is life!</div>
<a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2017/11/is-it-wise-to-trek-in-high-altitudes.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-77103084850492934602017-01-08T08:44:00.000+05:302017-01-08T19:08:16.521+05:30Happy New Year 2017! And the past year of Birding and Trekking!<br>
Dear Readers,<br>
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Happy New Year 2017!<br>
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May the year bring lots of happiness, peace and fun to all of us!<br>
May we travel a lot!<br>
May we get cheap air tickets and the train tickets whenever we want!<br>
May we get packages that included everything we want to do!<br>
May we get best compatible travel partners for our expense sharing journeys!<br>
May we get ...<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Common Sandpiper Sunderbans National Park West Bengal India" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzv45UA-u2GYvzMbczknWZ0iAs85WZzzP2_z8jK-2yUXG7qtR02U0NVP7xKa-ik5n4OTbZ3DOhbVn6gpZ3FgJ8msuWM_3LZEItHhAeGEYvBmkQ6yheZ_jEKoRaCURG75ukP55obmM7C9k/s650/Sandpiper.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Common Sandpiper Sunderbans National Park West Bengal India"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Sandpipers in action at Sunderbans National Park West Bengal</td></tr>
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Check out the entire <a href="https://goo.gl/photos/puh6iSCaSKEpGdCD8">GALLERY</a></div>
<a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2017/01/happy-new-year-2017-and-past-year-of.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-18847729821496132372016-10-27T20:12:00.000+05:302016-10-28T14:39:40.222+05:30Old Magazine House, Ganeshgudi- The Bird Paradise!<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Bathing beauty at Old Magazine House in Ganeshgudi Karnataka India" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNtcdrC1CVMqi4kKKwfhwMSZXmvq3RgqtyWp9EfPoBz22wrQI8u5ntIDBppZfBbpvlhqheMnSTHUQgrP4MtoTPEhA5N-Q1fwtgfUGOPs4_7bZAvYIaAa4DU4SP7GsfpqU2yciH4YkAHs/s650/OMH-Ganeshgudi-Bathing-Beauty.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Bathing beauty at Old Magazine House in Ganeshgudi Karnataka India"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathing Beauty- White rumped Shama at Old Magazine House Ganeshgudi</td></tr>
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A peaceful place where one can relax body and mind, little birds sing for you! Do you love birds? Just birds? No craze for tigers, no rushing safaris! Only colorful little winged wonders- birds and butterflies. The place is <a href="http://www.oldmagazinehouse.com/">Old Magazine House</a> in Ganeshgudi, Karnataka, India.</div>
<a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2016/10/old-magazine-house-bird-paradise.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-68147645961845097642016-09-25T22:00:00.000+05:302016-09-26T12:20:56.782+05:30Finally a peek into the mighty Himalayas ... <br>
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<img alt="Komik village Spiti Valley Himachal Pradesh" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDiO99eO2FQHoI7j1tCzhj3zHVXHsyldJNbOfL9bxSZXZ6v9cYmsjIHc8JFG19uhWbAJJ125aSdTfi1p_76uvoUnWnnU-h-BSu-bFWb99O68M86bhmuwhY8aLEp-BjrTilmZDinEaDEQ/s650/Spiti-Valley-Flowers.JPG" title="Komik village Spiti Valley Himachal Pradesh"></div>
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Couple of months ago (though I am blogging about it now) I went trekking in Himachal Pradesh. The plan was to bird watch all along the path. And I added 70 new pics to my <a href="https://goo.gl/photos/puh6iSCaSKEpGdCD8"><b>GALLERY</b></a>. Yey! Okay, where did I go? First part was to trek up to Kareri Lake in the cradle of Dauladhars mainly looking for birds. And the second part was to reach Kaza and trek to 5 villages of Spiti Valley. Ohh! reaching Kaza-the base camp, itself was an adventure for the solo-first-timer with not much of info. The thrid part was, birding and wildlife viewing in the mountains of Kibber- Huff huff! Kareri Lake, though not too high above 10,000ft, was a refreshing trek amidst thick forest and boulders higher up. So more of bird life too. Big hairy Himalayan langurs were so beautiful. Their hair thick-long-straight-silky naturally worth considering for an expensive shampoo advertisement. And heeeee! spotted and photographed the shy Himalayan Monal. Thanks to my guide <b><i><a href="http://tourdeindia.in/">Arvind Sharma</a></i></b> based in McLeodganj who is not only patient with his clients but also is a bird expert in Kangra Valley.</div>
<a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2016/09/finally-peek-into-mighty-himalayas.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-23575890130370533252016-03-30T14:00:00.000+05:302016-09-19T09:08:36.494+05:30Roti and Rice, are they so different?<br>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Roti and Rice" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4qA90S3VNC0Sl33YXgESoyRde7sy4B7gstrQT4dkfO3Z_Vj5oQLxLUsLJl0V4Q_kHdJl4VIy3q7iQwYDVE-l7zAbesvOF2zJwyNc3co1pPerIwmLA3SSl5KI3Wi46L90v7q78CtJNxI/s650/Rice-and-Roti.jpg" title="Roti and Rice "></div><br>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"> For the last 30 years or so I am traveling to North and Western Indian states and always I travel in Indian Railways. Every time I meet people from different parts of India. And every time people talk about the differences in the cultures, food, clothes etc. Most of them feeling superior than South Indians. I ignore such talks. Couple of months ago I heard a woman from one of the Western States whining relentlessly about the difficulties she is facing in Chennai. Her problem was that people of Tamil Nadu are dark in color, they wear lungi, even rich people! They eat rice, idly and Dosa sitting on the floor, they eat with hands. They always speak tamil. They don't have rich culture like North or Western states of India. Really? I am not from Chennai, still I don't agree.</div><a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2016/03/roti-and-rice-are-they-so-different.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-4540359899534699842016-03-13T12:30:00.000+05:302016-03-13T12:41:59.366+05:30The ancient Seat of Learning- Nalanda<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Temple-3 ruins at Nalanda Bihar India" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9X5Mi6uvJi09sYuWVMudPXbXoKnCSTICy4PSE53xrqOdYdo0W5e3x8XoOS5A4H7YdOPBDYg1eB3uTMK9gx_fmYEUjfbinRoPd6a-A70Pxxyilp_rEwkyOC90xbtFdhmCmDLQ8djxN3oE/s650/Nalanda-Temple-3.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Temple-3 ruins at Nalanda Bihar India"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The icon of Nalanda Temple-3</td></tr>
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The private mini bus was jam-packed to the last step. I could only see through the window, the outside world looked big and green. The sights of rural Bihar were not much different from that of Uttar Pradesh. I was heading south from Patna towards <b><i>Nalanda</i></b> to visit the ruins of <i>Mahavihara</i> of ancient <i>Kingdom Magadha</i>. 90KM south of the capital city Patna, this place of importance is much visited by tourists as well as Buddhist and Jain pilgrims. From the minibus I was the only one to get off. I was surprised to see the ruins crowded with tourists, probably because it was a Sunday. In comparison, ruins at Vaishali were deserted and devoid of tourists!</div>
<a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2016/03/ancient-university-at-nalanda.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-6979995433307838162016-02-16T21:30:00.000+05:302016-02-17T09:02:35.154+05:301200 birds of India<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Oriental White Eye at Khijadia Bird Sanctuary Jamnagar Gujarat India" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyw3bw1mjS1fkVyi5JAOSvBEcKfINIjRdJi3knwwobaKxM0pSj_WtJHhL2FjpeF-R5jdRF9L3k_o3BQSt9AtVN4W3jQZYcQyZRoGBl9FclYoBqcucEZG4DzHY9MY7rLhUW-QnaCe_d6WE/s650/Oriental-White-Eye.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Oriental White Eye at Khijadia Bird Sanctuary Jamnagar Gujarat India"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oriental White Eye at Khijdia Bird Sanctuary Gujarat</td></tr>
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(<b><a href="https://goo.gl/photos/puh6iSCaSKEpGdCD8">CLICK HERE</a> for the entire Photo Gallery</b>)</div>
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A decade-and-a-half ago I was a bird enthusiast. It was my passion to identify birds. I even bought a then expensive zoom lens. But, soon I started with trekking and there was nothing else I thought of doing on weekends. When trekking I got the craze of waterfalls and then the waterfalls photography. I enjoyed watching wildlife including birds on the way though. Exclusive birding trips were long forgotten. Binoculars and zoom lens were left deep inside the closet. With the <a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.in/search/label/International%20Travel">world travel</a> and <a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.in/p/backpacking-india.html">backpacking India</a> trips I left behind the heavy camera gear and taking bird pictures was a forgotten story. I bought a high end point-and-shoot camera instead. Now, my trekking trips are stopped due to some mysterious illness. Recently, I was lazily browsing nothing in particular and found some articles on birds interesting. I was shocked to know many species of birds in India have found their place in the endangered list. It is very sad to know the very common birds are going uncommon. That info kind of rekindled the passion for birds in me! Thought if I don't see them now then I may not see them anytime later!</div>
<a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2016/02/1200-birds-of-india.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-45974197739988838712016-01-20T08:30:00.000+05:302016-01-20T08:42:16.917+05:30The relic stupa at Vaishali and the Asoka pilar at Kolhua<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Relic Stupa in Vaishali Bihar" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37TJD46iXvMsSeMcHGI5Y46wXS7WeIubL07_o53sNugw6NWUX4Sq4uDUSl4k29ycPeAQLWPchz0R_FvAVmlDrC7fuqOO29TAQ1TewacPs91Qdnzp0lJZ6J7sJDYCZ_Fyl6rp887pyNdY/s650/Vaishali_Nirvana_Stupa.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Relic Stupa in Vaishali Bihar"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canopy over Relic Stupa</td></tr>
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To move in and around <a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.in/2015/11/kumrahar-ruins-of-patna-insight-to.html">Patna</a> city you will have to catch private buses and there is a separate stand for private buses- <i>Mitapur</i>. I got off from the shared autorikshaw and was nervous to see the dusty place with hundreds of old battered buses parked. It is insanely crowded place with bus drivers screaming to get passengers into their buses. I got into one of those numerous buses which would drop me near Vaishali. The bus driver and front seat passengers were kind enough to ask me the purpose of my visit so that they can drop me at the nearest cross road to my destination. After passing some green pastures of rice fields, banana groves I reached the outskirts of Vaishali. The bus stopped on the highway and I had to walk about a KM and half to reach the places of interest. There were no autorikshaws or cycle-rikshaws near the bus stop. One of the very few people sitting in the small tea stall there asked me what was I doing there. I told him about my interest. He stopped a passing motorcyclist and ordered him to drop me at the Relic Stupa! I was hesitant but the person insisted on taking a ride instead of walking all the way.</div>
<a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2016/01/vaishali-relic-stupa-and-asoka-pillar.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-48196275491674465612016-01-16T08:00:00.000+05:302016-01-16T12:07:26.862+05:30Backpacking India Part IV- In search of 1200 birds of India!<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.in/p/backpacking-india.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLybT5-weWUHF29iXFsA9gNI951GKnuzqyr4uF5PkOafW7kmyXc2kRbvid20rUHsCyjUfaMTrWD1NgF5cjDYHV2IIAEXW5BF2gGelOwR4761kMcWyg06z16MLle3yxI7ICqobzDeqsQc/s600/Map-of-Gujarat-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map courtesy: Internet</td></tr>
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Well, I am back after taking a long break from blogging. Many reasons for the break! First, I was sick with every bone and every joint in my body severely complaining :( After taking rest for a couple of months I was fed up of the walls around me. I fed up of liking, sharing, commenting the FB posts on Intolerant India, life inspirations, profile and cover pictures etc. I had never thought I would some day take interest in being active on Facebook. After suffering all the frustrations of being stuck in between four walls I decided go out no matter what! And I went travelling resisting the pain. Felt great indeed! I feel partly my pain is evaporated!</div>
<a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2016/01/backpacking-india-part-iv-in-search-of.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-46382785193475655602015-11-16T10:30:00.000+05:302015-11-18T19:01:42.635+05:30Kumrahar ruins of Patna- an insight to ancient Pataliputra<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Kali Ghat Patna Bihar" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMh0WeQtHrhJH7HeVppbXximcEJ8H-JlJ5O9q-15oWGX6r3e12MFADZMRyhGujSJ-ZamM_UpylqEe89AUXzVOU3MfC0dSU0HlVHnaG0g98QnW5jvjbuywdlt7ZqgJ72uz8ZUN6KbWviw/s650/Patna-Kali-Ghat.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Kali Ghat Patna Bihar"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kali Ghat</td></tr>
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I started from <a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.in/2014/11/my-kashi-yatra.html">Varanasi</a> railway station in an express train in the morning hoping to reach Patna by afternoon. Well, I was happy traveling in the 'almost empty' second AC compartment. My co-passenger was an eighty+ years old man. The train was an hour late at the starting point itself but still it would reach before dark I thought. I was traveling to the state of Bihar for the first time. Knowing the history and reputation for safety of Bihar I was wondering whether to tell my Mother about my trip or not. I didn't tell.</div>
<a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2015/11/kumrahar-ruins-of-patna-insight-to.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-35531210960474705092015-08-29T10:30:00.000+05:302015-11-12T23:04:55.504+05:30Khushinagar, where Buddha bid final adieu to the mortal world<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Japanese monk at Mahaparinirvana temple Khushinagar Uttar Pradesh India" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyOPpdZHUhtEcOX_29Yy4nj3RiGodZU-Y9ADc1zUAJfN1SduCs4mDLTmKZncTYO56jXIEnNDQSIr5aZzTpDEgWXLjnQEveZgDyz3v5PLmANW3FXTVeB6Mf9xnkgWmQRVN_L30tR_joGs/s600/Khushinagar-Monk.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Japanese monk at Mahaparinirvana temple Khushinagar Uttar Pradesh India"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monk enjoying a walk at peaceful vihara around Mahaparinirvana Temple</td></tr>
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After my visit to <a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.in/2015/08/the-remains-of-ayodhya-ram-janmabhoomi.html">Ayodhya</a>- the glorious land of Lord Sri Ramachandra, I left for Gorkapur from where I could catch a bus to Khushinagar. It was a journey in the cold, with a grey sky looming over. Khushinagar is 53KM from Gorakhpur. From Gorakhpur I got into a private tempo which was overloaded. Every inch of space inside was packed with people. And hence the frigid morning breeze didn't bother me much. The tempo had boom boxes and the driver had some Indian pop music, specifically an 'item' song (rural Indian cabaret) on for his and the passengers' entertainment. The shrilled voice of the singer was barely audible from those cheap and loud boxes. I got off at the main road and started walking towards the small town yet important Buddhist pilgrimage center. I was unaware of the unexpected experiences I might bump into.<br>
</div><a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2015/08/khushinagar-Buddhas-mahanirvana.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-59538220303754767302015-08-13T09:30:00.000+05:302015-08-13T15:51:36.482+05:30The remains of Ayodhya, The Ram Janmabhoomi<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEZC8fcmJ3-LLlhjOP65ex-z6jdY7ojXJuQCw-5fFG9D-teTjRYazxdjAmiwrsEAC2emaxWUcHb9VXjdJsCUcpbthyRfMc7acXmnZU_pjT2ohpw0aLiRbkP5lfgdMtYOAXA-GgCyTfqk/s650/Rama-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture courtesy- Google</td></tr>
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This post is a part of my Backpacking India series. It is really amazing to learn the difference in experiencing the places from what we see in the news, books and the reality. It is just an attempt to narrate my personal experience of journey through the most revered Hindu divine destination, one of the seven sacred cities and the place which is center of disputes- Ayodhya, where Lord Rama was born.</div>
<a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-remains-of-ayodhya-ram-janmabhoomi.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-37361059392424738392015-08-08T11:30:00.000+05:302015-08-08T11:30:05.944+05:30The Imambaras of Lucknow<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Bara Imambra Lucknow" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-QSR8vULT-pW7S1EBXjvGgzAIRE6wO6wiPN6-NeiYbR1oumVrnziTNalTNc_ApjYGNAGqt_5dMQBr18jXEV5nODRi0V1n1p8UtSfEpj-5JpVKLj2XMqgM-vpQ2ZkApWe8x972ynOE7E/s650/Lucknow-Bada-Imambra-Front.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Bara Imambra Lucknow"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asifi Mosque in the same complex as Bada Imambara. People easily get an idea that this imposing mosque is the bada imambara.</td></tr>
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This post is from my last backpacking journey through the states of India. Lately, I haven't been updating my blog for several reasons. I traveled from <a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_306901658"></span>Allahabad<span id="goog_306901659"></span></a> to Lucknow in a "Delux" bus which broke down in between and I had to board another bus after waiting for half-an-hour on the roadside. It was a good start- I reached the city with no other difficulties. Lucknow is a busy city. This city of Nawabs is the capital of the Uttart Pradesh, a part of the Heritage Arc, and is home for many historical monuments, most popular being the Bada Imambara. The city is also synonymous with the chickan embroidery work popular as<i> luckhanvi chickan</i>. </div>
<a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2015/08/imambras-of-lucknow.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-41733006429783601462015-08-04T12:12:00.000+05:302015-08-04T12:13:12.089+05:30Back from another roadtrip!<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Road trip USA June 2015 Utah Colorado Wyoming Idaho" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKKSugZhfm5nExCOGM4h4PRuaYUMWykEgPd1GaOI2Ro7liJ-CvH0tiRSCvqWiYkB-Q8igCGR7XGlQmOVHoLFaRTF-QJNBVTvrB_p1s1vouYaNMgxvLA-6x3TKG6l3LuxFqaxoexDj8nE/s650/Road-Trip-June-2015.jpg" style="cursor: move; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Road trip USA June 2015 Utah Colorado Wyoming Idaho"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June 2015 Road trip map</td></tr>
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Well, I haven't been posting much (or say nothing?) on my blog recently. Not that I have stopped blogging but I have been distracted with other activities! I had to be with my mother and had to wind up things back in USA, then I went on a 15 days long road trip across Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Idaho! The trip was kind of on an impulse! My lovely niece paid and booked my tickets and my kind cousin provided me the accommodation in USA.</div>
<a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2015/08/roadtrip-Utah-Colorado-Wyoming-Idaho.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-4509553636233043432015-05-18T06:30:00.000+05:302015-08-08T09:59:48.788+05:30Prayaga or Triveni Sangam where the three rivers meet!<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Triveni Sangam Prayag Allahabad Uttar Pradesh" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsKb7Vl-UTQ3fUcRPUodmVrOyWvdLX6GQe6lZw1JVlFr-quWoE6vJRhka39OKkJ6gPPr5w_1oW-rcQFZBVA-E7Lm53f8fHOUwBT76EjtNaQWMltFog7RF99DB4ZeM8pTb_H32J_ukgss/s650/Allahabad_Boat_Line.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Triveni Sangam Prayag Allahabad Uttar Pradesh"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boat queue for Triveni Sangam</td></tr>
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Second oldest city of India after Varanasi- Prayaga is another holy city. One of the <i>four theerthas</i> (sacred places) Prayaga or Triveni Sangam is just 83KM from Varanasi. <b><i>Triveni Sangam</i></b> is the meeting point of three sacred rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati (subterranean). One of the four places where the popular <i>Kumbh-mela</i> is held every 12 years sangam is believed to have soul cleansing powers hence a sacred bathing place. Also called as <i>Theertharaja</i> (king of holy places) Prayaga is the birth place of <i>Soma</i> (Moon), <i>Varuna</i> (God of rain) and <i>Daksha Prajapati</i> (Son of Brahma). The city has a long history dating back Vedic period as the location where Brahma performed a sacrifice and hence the name Prayaga. Mahrishi Ved Vyas wrote Siva Puarana here in this place. </div>
<a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/prayag-or-triveni-sangam-three-rivers.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-42247750955914768292015-05-05T19:06:00.000+05:302015-05-05T19:06:00.693+05:30A triad of Goddess- Vindhyavasini, Kali and Ashtabhuja in Vindhyachal<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="River Ganga and the sandy riverbed on the way to Vindhyachal" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAewi0FxkFIWxy_YkvYQGgLFmkBYyFFuzHE5QvC2sQqAl7JMpEfwkpeZJ2m4WGvL8PzLv1H4_SqrKPkxRt3mgXd0xJ7EPH8NE0kb9Yqab0-yCygt619LCbU9veqntajj6cnipfsSzhm8/s650/Vindhyachal-River-Ganga.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="River Ganga and the sandy riverbed on the way to Vindhyachal"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River Ganga and the sandy riverbed on the way to Vindhyachal</td></tr>
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As I had mentioned in my earlier post the my journey this time ended up as a <a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.in/2015/02/backpacking-india-classic-pilgrimage.html">classic pilgrimage</a>. The places I visited were temple towns and each temple there has a interesting legend associated with it. One such triad of goddesses is Vindhyachal. 70KM from the religious city of <a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.in/2014/11/my-kashi-yatra.html">Varanasi</a>, Vindhyachal is another sacred place for the believers of Goddess Durga. The presiding deity <b><i>Vindhyavasini</i></b> (The Goddess who lives on Vindhyachal) is instant bestower of benediction.<br>
</div><a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/a-triad-of-goddess-vindhyavasini-kali.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-80423627887236719912015-04-24T10:30:00.000+05:302015-04-24T10:30:01.285+05:30Ramnagar Fort and Museum- An amazing collection of weapons!<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Ramnagar Fort Varanasi" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8SokMWAdLAj3dhqh1V9yhfe5sS3XUoR4qIoZikFm5Jgek3btro81_pQo3VYrRXm4JR-ivXSjuoSUMyJrCx-hVPYShGC7WiWHtyE3tEn2GS8qRRJXXh4vfTyHwzTQAsWvPQj6_4zlVx8/s650/Ramanagar-Fort-From-Bridge.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Ramnagar Fort Varanasi"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ramnagar Fort </td></tr>
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Apart from the popular <a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.in/2015/04/sarnath-where-buddha-turned-wheel-of.html">Buddhist center Sarnath</a> there is another half-day excursion from Varanasi and that is <i>Ramnagar Fort</i>. Built by a Kashi Naresh Ramanagar fort is the residence of the Royal family of Varanasi even today. The fort built in mughal style using chunar sandstone stands high above the flood levels of River Ganga. Only a part of the fortress is accessible to the public. Sarswati Bhavan which was the durbar hall those days is converted into a museum. The fort also houses a temple dedicated to Veda Vyasa.</div>
<a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/ramnagar-fort-and-museum-amazing.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-81250059145979489962015-04-20T09:45:00.000+05:302015-04-20T09:47:15.335+05:30Pontoon bridge from Varanasi to Ramanagar<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Pontoon Bridge connecting Varanasi and Ramnagar" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY544ApyakKhV4OZw65r8vVBF-Vvf8Z4XHa_o_JDhTAWLv9dR8T0_wChZVZ6_nmOA6wSdcaAYUxtUlQbIapbQEo1vxzr1u3UbhQ8w6Ny5QS_MhYntLWXURx6Dhmge_WgoLnqElG2gSqaE/s650/Ramanagar-Bridge.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Pontoon Bridge connecting Varanasi and Ramnagar"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pontoon Bridge Varanasi end</td></tr>
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During my trip to Varanasi few months ago I visited Ramnagar for its popular fort museum. More than the fort and the interesting collection of weapons in the museum I was thrilled at the pontoon bridge across River Ganga. This pontoon bridge is available only during winters when the river recedes. When the river is swollen during summers the only mode of travel is by boat. The new bridge stands high but, is too very far from being completed. From Bharat Hindu University I took a shared autorikshaw to the fort and I went on this bridge! Though everyday thousands of people travel to-and-fro this bridge I was taken aback to see an autorikshaw front wheel stuck in the broken wooden plank of the bridge! I am sharing few pictures as only pictorial narration of my experiences and not being judgemental about anything. I sometimes get amazed by how makeshift arrangements effectively work though with some degree of danger involved! </div>
<a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/pontoon-bridge-from-varanasi-to.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-5674133815539285992015-04-08T19:00:00.000+05:302015-04-17T19:48:29.044+05:30Sarnath- where Buddha turned the wheel of Dharma<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Dhamekh Stupa at Sarnath Buddhist ruins" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGo5Sl871rBql1Q0VMXeooxrx8jbSbHTS42D5Hlv-Vj3NAWQw0OTHwGJEMW0yKoNHa5iRr55b3pmqv9myrHVE8sScUd118vG5rjTASy1EHM3AJc_mYXQpqpD-q6srQFEY6ZJUrlnvFa8/s650/Sarnath-Dhameka-ruins.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Dhamekh Stupa at Sarnath Buddhist ruins"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarnath archaeological ruins and Dhamekh Stupa in the background</td></tr>
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Most popular excursion from Varanasi is Sarnath. Another sacred place where Buddha turned the wheel of Dharma. Buddha delivered his first sermon in a deer park just outside of city of Kashi. He probably chose this place as it was an important crossroads of that time, an established religious and commercial hub of those days. People who visit Sarnath doesn't realize it was an important place for the believers of Lord Shiva. Sarnath- as it is called today is the short form for <b><i>Saranganatha</i></b> which means <i>Lord of deer</i>, ie another name of Lord Shiva. Though Sarnath is popular as Buddhist pilgrim center the name came from a small shrine dedicated to Saranganatha which is a KM away from the popular imposing <i>Dhamekh stupa</i>. That is how there was a deer park in this place. On Hindu auspicious days this temple gets many visitors otherwise is a very quiet place.</div>
<a href="http://scrapboktravelblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/sarnath-where-buddha-turned-wheel-of.html#more">Read more »</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5752093215482978353.post-1258970696076205792015-04-02T16:00:00.000+05:302015-04-26T22:56:15.212+05:30Kashi Yatra- Tales of the ancient temples!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Ancient temples of Varanasi" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QI1AGVEvieL2otjuqev8QAB8WpY8CxPh0h8KmJjrz6YSNq13n2EJz7XlwAdn4LD-dv3LoRlLASF6s9LapuYujucUa7LqGvBIi1tOlz6YDfG8Di7H51X1sOOTGy-kY2DORNZdje7eQuY/s650/Kashi-Durga-Temple.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Ancient temples of Varanasi"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Durga Temple and Durga Kund of Varanasi</td></tr>
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Tales of ancient temples in Kashi! That means- this post is a long read! Hope it keeps you interested!<br>
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Visit to Kashi is much more than collecting pictures of skinny bearded old men bathing in river Ganga, or ash clad Naga sadhus or the prevailing dirt. It is much more, at least for Hindus. And that is the reason I always mention I was visiting Kashi- to behold the image of divine, not Varanasi for sightseeing. People talk about disordered, crowded, unhygienic jungle of temples called Varanasi. But, for Hindus who's vision is beyond the lanes and ghats of the city, Kashi is an ordered and structured universe with Vishwanatha temple as the center. Every temple here occupies the right place in that sacred geography. Well, that structure is a bit twisted by the destruction during muslim rule but sanctity prevails. </div>
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