Beginning today a team from @SwarajyaMag comprising of myself, @arvindneela, @astrokaran and Jones are setting out on a 3,000km road trip.
From Bangalore to Banaras. To visit all major heritage sites en route.
From Bangalore to Banaras. To visit all major heritage sites en route.
For day 1 we plan to cover Lepakshi and Penukonda, and reach Hampi for the night.
The entire 3k-5k km trip travel is sponsored by @savaaricars
See you in Lepakshi next!
The entire 3k-5k km trip travel is sponsored by @savaaricars
See you in Lepakshi next!
Breakfast at the Nandi Upachar. Masala dose, vade and kapi. 😈
#Kashipath2019 - at Lepkashi this morning.
This Kalyana mantapa is a fabulously done place. Lepakshi will probably take a day for you to fully see and appreciate.
Large swathes of murals, centuries old. As in many places across India you wonder if these are safe and protected.
At Lepakshi.
At Lepakshi.
Just after the KIA Motors factories near Penukonda we see groups of Ayyappa Swamis walking to Sabarimala.
In this desolate and hot landscape they're mostly walking barefoot.
Another ~1000km to go for this swami to reach Ayyappan.
Yet he walks, gladly.
#kashipath2019
In this desolate and hot landscape they're mostly walking barefoot.
Another ~1000km to go for this swami to reach Ayyappan.
Yet he walks, gladly.
#kashipath2019
Ending day one of #Kashipath2019 at Hampi.
Mild sense of amusement about @arvindneela religiously lugging along one big fat DSLR everywhere...
...and still taking out of focus, badly framed photos.
Mild sense of amusement about @arvindneela religiously lugging along one big fat DSLR everywhere...
...and still taking out of focus, badly framed photos.
Beginning Day Two of #Kashipath2019 in Hampi.
Glorious scenary in the laps of Tungabhadra before we reach the ruins.
Glorious scenary in the laps of Tungabhadra before we reach the ruins.
Shri @arvindneela brings forth the inner photographer in him. Unfailing focus and framing excellence :p
Difficult to describe the grandeur of this place.
We're atop the Mahanavami Dibba.
#Kashipath2019 #Hampi
We're atop the Mahanavami Dibba.
#Kashipath2019 #Hampi
So that's how big the public bath/swimming pool inside the royal enclosure at Hampi is.
#Kashipath2019 Day Two.
#Kashipath2019 Day Two.
Under the Vijayanagara sun.
There's no end to the panels narrating the Ramayana at the Hazari Rama temple. We spent nearly an hour trying to 'get' the panels.
Delight, sheer delight.
Delight, sheer delight.
Met these young chaps taking a cool evening dip in a Tungabhadra canal just a few km from Hampi.
The saffron-clad one will go to Anjanadri Hill in Hampi after a 31 day long period of devotion.
The other man is going to Sabarimala, he's also closely following SC case issue.
The saffron-clad one will go to Anjanadri Hill in Hampi after a 31 day long period of devotion.
The other man is going to Sabarimala, he's also closely following SC case issue.
Closing Day Two of #Kashipath2019 with this picture of Anantasayanagudi.
Pictures do no justice to how grand the place looks. This place mostly gets missed by tourists going to Hampi.
Pictures do no justice to how grand the place looks. This place mostly gets missed by tourists going to Hampi.
At Kudalasangama, had a nice dip at the confluence of the Krishna and Malaprabha.
We should be crossing the Krishna shortly and begin our drive towards Aurangabad to see Ellora tomorrow.
We should be crossing the Krishna shortly and begin our drive towards Aurangabad to see Ellora tomorrow.
On the banks of Krishna. The biggest river I've ever seen in person on ground was the Kaveri.
But Krishna is so large.
But Krishna is so large.
The evening's drive from Kudalasangama to Aurangabad is a long and arduous one.
Team not feeling great about missing Pandharpur and Tuljapur.
But finding solace in seeing this banner at Zalaki some 100km from Tuljapur.
Team not feeling great about missing Pandharpur and Tuljapur.
But finding solace in seeing this banner at Zalaki some 100km from Tuljapur.
To be sure the tea stall is grandly named thus:
Cross the river Bhima and drive a few km into Maratha country.
See Chatrapati everywhere. And the baghwa.
#Kashipath2010
See Chatrapati everywhere. And the baghwa.
#Kashipath2010
Two days in Maratta country. Must say, while professing great love for the dish, poha isn't enough to fortify yourself with during arduous travel.
Waiter is bringing aloo parathas now..
Waiter is bringing aloo parathas now..
Crossing the Tapi, and Bhima, Krishna and Tungabhadra earlier, heart is warmed by seeing these rivers full of water.
We stop and soak in the scenery at every major river bridge.
En route Ujjain but before that we will cross Narmada.
We stop and soak in the scenery at every major river bridge.
En route Ujjain but before that we will cross Narmada.
Driving around in Madhya Pradesh is a pleasure. Clean restaurants, great roads and beautiful landscapes everywhere.
Madhya Pradesh is ♥️
Madhya Pradesh is ♥️
Tackling a small traffic problem a little east of Ujjain.
Heading to Bhojeshwara and Bimbetka caves.
Heading to Bhojeshwara and Bimbetka caves.
Nice chat. But he didn't respond to dhanyavaad.
राम राम got me a smile back, though.
राम राम got me a smile back, though.
On popular demand here is our route map.
A thorough trip will take approx 21 days. We're doing it in ten which means we skip far more than what we see.
Stil something incredibly enjoyable. Many learnings.
A thorough trip will take approx 21 days. We're doing it in ten which means we skip far more than what we see.
Stil something incredibly enjoyable. Many learnings.
At Bimbetka rock shelters this evening. Slightly eerie and very quiet :-) .
Some 300+ rock shelters, occupied for over 8,000 years. Only 15 open to visit.
@arvindneela and I spent a lot of time just wondering about all the generations that must've lived here.
Some 300+ rock shelters, occupied for over 8,000 years. Only 15 open to visit.
@arvindneela and I spent a lot of time just wondering about all the generations that must've lived here.
