Cave Paintings - Rock Shelters of Bhimbhetka, Bhopal, MP

Cave Paintings / Rock Shelters of Bhimbhetka
A UNESCO World Heritage Site - an archaeological site of the Paleolithic Age, hence the beginning of the South Asian Stone Age.

These shelters are supposed to be the earliest  known traces of human settlements in India. 

They were definitely worth the effort of the journey.

Driving from Kamptee (Nagpur) to Bhopal, via Khaparkheda, Nagpur. 
Distance: about 350 kms
Lies some 45 kms short of Bhopal. 
No decent toilets or eating joints on the way before Betul. Be prepared for that.

 

The paintings can be seen in various layers with each having been added over time, in different ages. A difference in style can be noticed distinctly.

Two layers of drawings/paintings .... older ones in white, newer ones in shades of ochre. 

Same cave enlarged.....

 

Herds ....

A hunting scene...

 The only scene showing a wild animal chasing a human........

 

Just chilling.......

 

Some more......

 

Older paintings..

Horses, elephants and what looked like round alien ships to me..........

What did these circular figures represent - alien ships maybe ....hmmmm.
Getting fanciful here  :)

Cupules.....
Their purpose it still unknown .....

 

Have fun!!!

Sikandra - Akbar's Mousoleum

Akbar's tomb at Sikandra - a suburb of Agra, UP, on Mathura Road NH2 - is an architectural masterpiece worth visiting if you are in Agra to see the Taj - (read about my road trip to Taj here) ....

Commissioned by Akbar himself, it was to be a perfect blend of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist and Jain designs and motifs, bespeaking of his religious tolerance and secular views.

Read more about Sikandra in detail here......

The visit here is hassle-free as compared to one at Taj which is the more popular destination for tourists. Lesser crowds, easy to buy tickets and more time to look around - the bonus is you can buy your tickets for the Taj here at Sikandra (but this is possible only if you are driving into Agra from New Delhi/ Mathura). This saves you standing in long queues at the ticket counters at the Taj.

A must-see before you go on ahead to view the Taj Mahal (read about how to get there and details of our trip here).....

On the inside......

The cenotaph......as per tradition the true tomb is in the basement.

This monument also houses the tombs of Shakrul Nisha Begum and Aram Bano, the daughters of Akbar.

Have a great trip!!!

Go visit the Taj (and Sikandra) once in your lifetime....it is worth it!!!!

...Ciao!!

Pondicherry - Tamil Nadu

Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu

Getting there - travel south from Chennai on East Coast Road also called the ECR. 

Distance: 165 kms.

Travel time by road: 2 1/2 - 3 hrs.

Stop at Mahabalipuram on the way.

Weather: HOT!!

French Quarter of Pondicherry

A must-do: walk through the broad, cobbled streets of the French quarter and see old Heritage buildings, quaint houses, Gandhi statue on the Seafront Promenade, the Soldiers' Memorial and much more...

A tiny little shop

Gandhi's statue, Seafront Promenade

 Soldiers' Memorial, Beach Road

Street names not expected in India

 Inside Auroville:

The big Banyan Tree

Auroville dome - Matrimandir

elsewhere in Pondicherry - 

Mother's Maison

Auroshikha - the shop

Salt pans on the seaside when you drive from Chennai to Pondicherry.

 Enjoy!!!