| WEST INDIA
>> MAHARATRA |
About
Maharashtra |
| Maharashtra is one of the largest state in India
both in terms of population and areas. Its booming
capital, Mumbai is one of many cities. As the world's
largest textiles market, a major industrial centre
and the country busiest port handling over 40 percent
of India maritime trade. Mumbai has no recorded
ancient past. From time to time there were only
scatter settlements on the island till the Portuguese
presented Mumbai to the British as part of the dowry
of Catherine of Braganza, bride of Charles II, in
1661. Over the next 150 years, the seven original
islands were gradually joined together. The city
received a tremendous impetus with the commissioning
of India's first railway in 1854.
Mumbai's colonial legacy is the Gateway of India
built to commemorate the royal visit of George
V and Queen Mary in 1911. The Taj Mahal Hotel
opposite the Gateway was built in 1903 by Jamshed
ji N. Tata, founder of a prestigious industrial
house, to counter a ban on Indian entering the
then famous Watson's hostelry. The Prince of Wales
Museum, Flora Fountain, St. Thomas Cathedral Crawford
Market, Chor Bazaar ( thieves market) and famous
Marine Drive, Malabar Hill, Hanging Gardens and
Kamla Nehru Park are the other places of interest.
The rock-cut Hindu temples at Elephanta, an island
6 miles across the harbour provide an exciting
glimpses of Indian sculpture daring from 600 AD.
Huge panels depict episodes relating to Lord Shiva,
the central one being the most imposing one -
a five meter bust of the god, represents his three
aspects as creator, preserver and destroyer. Motor-launch
takes about an hour to reach the island where
the caves are situated.
|
AURANGABAD |
Named for the Mughal emperor Aurangazeb, it
was once a major centre of power. Famous for Bibi
ka Maqbara, tomb of the empress, a replica of
the Taj; Panchakki - where an old mill and the
tomb of an important Sufi saint are set. Daulatabad
Fort just outside the city, built by Muhammad
bin Tuglaq trying for an unsuccessful attempt
to find alternative capital to Delhi.
Ajanta Caves were discovered in 1819 by a British
hunting party. Their isolation had contributed
to the fine state of preservation in which some
of the paintings over 2000 years old remain to
this day. Aurangabad is known more for the caves
excavated and painted by Buddhist monks between
200 BC and AD 600. The 30 caves at Ajanta are
the superb example of Indian's finest artistic
treasures. They depict scenes from the life of
the Buddha and Buddhist fables with skill and
devotion. The best known caves(1,12,16,17, 19)
contain magnificent depictions of the bodhisattvas,
Avlokitesvara and Padmapani.
Caves 1, 4, 17, 19 and 26 also contain excellent
sculptures. The superb statue of the Buddha and
of a naga (snake) and the reclining Buddha are
remarkable works of art. At Ellora, 34 cave temples
were carved out of the hillside with hand tools.
Only 12 of these 34 caves are Buddhist . The 17
Hindu caves in the centre are the mosts impressive.
The massive Kailash Temple(cave 16)is nearly one
a half times taller than the Parthenon and occupies
almost twice its area. It is believed that it
was constructed by excavating approx., 200,000
tones of rock and is possibly the world's largest
monolithic structure. Representing Shiva's Himalayan
home, the temple is exquisitely sculpted with
scenes from Hindu mythology, each pulsing with
drama, energy and passion. The depiction of the
demon Ravana shaking Mount Kailash is a masterpiece.
|
Forts
& Monuments |
Standing as silent sentinels to history are the
350-odd forts of Maharashtra. Beaten by the sea
waves, lashed at by the torrential Deccan rains,
or scorched in the blazing sun, stand imposing ramparts
and crumbling walls ? the last lingering memories
of Maharashtra's martial times. Nowhere in the country
would you encounter such a profusion of forts. And
such variety. Sited on an island, as at Murud-Janjira
or guarding the seas as at Bassein, or among the
Sahyadri hills, as at Raigad, whose zig-zag walls
and rounded bastions sit like a sceptre and crown
amidst hills turned mauve. Most of the forts in
Maharashtra whether up in the hills or near the
seas are associated with Shivaji --the great Maratha
warrior and an equally great fort builder. Moreover,
these forts were treated as mini-cities, such as
Panhala, which is now a hill station. The concept
of the fort-city was, however, not peculiar to Shivaji
alone. The Portuguese who came to India as traders
and missionaries, built within a century of their
coming, Bassein, a garden city to rival many a European
capital. Today, these forts numbed by sun and sleet,
have not only been witness to changing times, but
have also shaped them and within their walls throb
the heart-beat of history. |
| Bassein |
| Bassein Fort, now in ruins, was under the Portuguese
a thriving fortified city from 1534 to 1739 when
it was sacked by the Marathas. The ruins of the
Portuguese Fort still stand almost hidden by brushwood
and palm groves. Some of the walls and churches
can still be seen. About 10 kms to the north-west
lies Nalasopara village, the capital of the Konkan
region from 1500 BC to AD 1300. Many Buddhist relics
were discovered here. Nalasopara is believed to
have been the birthplace of the Buddha in a previous
life. To the north, is the Agar of Agashi and to
the south is the Agar of Bassein. An hour by bus
from Bassein station are the Vajreshwari Temple
and Akoli Hot Springs. |
| Daulatabad
|
Rising dramatically over 600 ft above the Deccan
plain is the arresting sight of Daulatabad. Once
known as Devgiri, this fort served as the head quarters
of the powerful Yadava rulers. In the 13th century,
Mohammed bin Tughlak, the Sultan of Delhi, made
it his capital and renamed it Daulatabad, or City
of Fortune. One of the world's best preserved forts
of medieval times, surviving virtually unaltered,
Daulatabad still displays many of the internal contrivances
that made it invincible. A series of secret, quizzical
subterranean passages lie amidst the fort. Its defense
systems comprised fortifications of double and even
triple rows of massive walls. A fortress conquered
only by treachery! The most notable structures at
Daulatabad are the Chand Minar, Jami Masjid and
royal palaces. The tapering 30-metre high tower
of the Chand Minar is divided into four storeys,
and was faced with glazed tiles and carved motifs.
The Minar probably served as a prayer hall or a
victory monument in its time. The Jami Masjid was
a mosque built by the Khilji ruler of Delhi, Qutubuddin
Mubarak. The palaces consist of spacious halls,
pavilions and courtyards.
Also easily accessible is Ganeshpuri with the Sadguru
Nityanand Maharaj Samadhi Mandir, the Bhimeshwar
Temple and other ashrams |
| Gavilgad |
| Shrouded in mist and myths is the Gavali tribal
fort of Gavilgad or Gavaligad, on the Chikhaldara
plateau, now under the Melghat Tiger Project. Featured
in the epic, the Mahabharata, this is the place
where Bheema killed the villainous Keechaka in a
herculean bout and then threw him into the valley.
It thus came to be known as Keechakadara -- Chikhaldara
is its corruption. At Gavilgad, the bloody history
continues, though the serenity of the dense forests
around it camouflage the turbulent past. Built by
the Gavlis, or cowherds in the 12th/13th centuries,
the fort was occupied later by the mighty Gonds,
the last of the sub-continental powers to fall to
the Mughals. Today although no signs of dramatic
battle remain, the fort walls and ramparts still
stand. Four gates guard the strategic entrances
with only a cool wind whistling past them. There
is no trace of the tunnel, reputedly linking it
to the nearby Gond fort at Narnala. You could trek
to Narnala, or drive through the thick forest to
discover yet another blend of Gond and Mughal influence |
| Ghodbunder
|
| Beyond the hustle bustle of cities, is an option
that's happily rustic. An option that gives you
a panoramic view of the Bassein Creek, Winding Rivers,
lofty hills and playful little island fanned by
tall palms. And at Ghodbunder Forts, you can relive
the excitement of the Portuguese and Maratha occupations |
| Murud
Janjira |
| Formerly the capital town of the Siddis of Janjira,
Murud is today popular for its alluring beach, whispering
casurina, coconut and betel palms and an ancient
fort. On a hillock to the north is the shrine of
Lord Dattatreya, the three heads representing Brahma,
Vishnu and Maheshwara. Battered on all four sides
by sea waves, its strong walls yet standing intact
and 40 feet high even at full tide is the majestic
island fortress of the Siddis -- Murud-Janjira.
Never conquered by an enemy for over 350 years since
its construction by the Ahmednagar rulers under
the supervision of their regent Malik Ambar in the
15th century, Murud-Janjira is probably the only
impregnable fort on the 720 km Maharashtra coastline.
Neither the Portuguese nor the British could subjugate
the fort. And the Marathas, despite their repeated
attempts failed to subjugate the Siddi power. The
palace of the Nawab and the Janjira Caves are also
a must for the tourist. And just a few kilometres
away are two undiscovered beaches: Nandgaon and
Kashid. Nandgaon is famous for its Ganapati temple
and the annual fair held in honour of ths elephant-headed
god every February. |
| Murud
Harnai |
South of old Harnai fort, the palm-fringed beach
of Murud is famous for its clean, white sands and
safe waters. Visit the Goa Killa or Harnai Fort,
which is built on different levels. See Panhale
kazi, the Famous rock-cut monument, 30 kms. from
Murud-Harnai.
Panhala :The history of Panhala Fort is also the
history of the Marathas. There are innumerable places
of interest , each with its share of haunting anecdotes.
Sajja Kothi, where Sambhaji was imprisoned. Ambabai
Temple, where Shivaji used to seek blessings before
venturing on expeditions. Pavankhind, where Baji
Prabhu laid down his life to cover Shivaji's escape.
The largest of all Deccan forts, Panhala, was built
between AD 1178-1209. Though it was the seat of
the Shilahara dynasty since AD 1190, and held successively
by the Yadava and Bahamani kingdoms, it is today
redolent with memories of Shivaji. Not surprising,
though considering that this is one of the few forts
in which Shivaji spent more than 500 days! Visit
the innermost citadel, or march past the three magnificent
double-walled gates which guard the entry to the
fort. You will be awestruck by the huge granary,
Amberkhana, said to contain 25,000 khandis (50,000
mounds) of corn poured into it from symmetrical
gaps in the ceiling. In addition to history, Panhala
20 kms from the industrial city of Kolhapur and
at an altitude of 977 m offers some inspiring scenery
and a soothing climate, providing the ideal getaway
as a hill station. |
| Raigad |
| This is the very heart of Maratha country -- Raigad,
the capital of Shivaji's kingdom. Strategically
perched atop a wedge-shaped block of hill, split
off from the Western Ghats and inaccessible from
three sides. Stories of incredible valour and heroic
deeds are etched on every pebble at Raigad. It was
here that Shivaji built his capital city in the
17th century, and here that he crowned himself Chhatrapati.
For six years upto his death, Raigad remained the
capital of the Marathas with its broad gates and
magnificent monuments. There was only one pathway
leading to the top, and prizes were offered to those
who scaled the fort through unconventional methods.
Though parts of Raigad are in ruins, yet they inspire
an aura of grandeur.You can also visit Gangasagar
Lake or worship at the nearby Jagadishwar Temple
or pay your respects to the great Maratha warrior
at his Samadhi. |
| Sinhagad
|
| Sinhagad -- where valour is etched on every stone
and the soil has turned red seeped by the blood
of martyrs! From the time when a Koli chieftain,
Nag Naik stoutly defended this fort (AD 1328) against
the might of the Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq for nine months
to Jaswant Singh, Aurangzeb's commander, who dragged
his guns up the fort's steep shoulders to avenge
the insult to Shaista Khan, who was rebuffed by
Shivaji, this fort has been infused by tales of
bravery. It was here that Shivaji's general, Tanaji
Malusare launched an attack to recapture the fort.
In the ensuing battle, Tanaji valiantly laid down
his life, but captured the fort. A grieving Shivaji
is known to have said,"Gad ala pan sinh gela"
(The fort is won but the lion has gone). And this
is how the fort got its name: sinh (lion's) gad
(fort). Lokmanya Tilak, the freedom fighter had
a bungalow atop here and Gandhiji is said to have
asked for water from Sinhagad, whenever he was imprisoned
at Pune, a few kilometres away. You can visit the
memorial to Tanaji, or the tomb of Rajaram -- Shivaji's
son -- who died here. And if you are fortunate,
you may find a priceless jewel or an ancient coin
as Sinhgad used to serve as a storehouse of wealth
for Pune merchants. |
| Vijaydurg
Sindhudurg |
| Once naval bases, Vijaydurg and Sindhudurg bear
testimony to Maharashtra's martial supremacy during
Shivaji's reign. Vijaydurg or Victory Fort was strengthened
around the seventeenth century by Shivaji, to whom
it owes its finest features -- the triple line of
walls, the numerous towers and the massive interior
buildings. Once seized by the British and renamed
Fort Augustus, Sindhudurg or the Ocean Fort at Malvan
port has history etched all over. Constructed by
Shivaji in 1664, at a site personally selected by
him. The construction of a sea fort is a stupendous
task, and at Sindhudurg no efforts were spared.
Over 2000 khandis (4000 mounds) of iron were used
for casting and the foundation stones were laid
down firmly in lead. Even today, as one approaches
the fort past a rocky reef, navigable through a
narrow channel, one marvels at the transportation
of such heavy material through such choppy waters.
Within its precincts are temples holding the shrines
of Maruti, Bhavani, Mahadeo, Jarimai, Mahapurush
and also of Shivaji -- the only such shrine in the
country. As for Vijaydurg and Sindhudurg beaches,
they offer the visitor one of the most serene and
beautiful coastal views in India. |
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