Category: India

“India is, the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grandmother of tradition. our most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only.”

River Cruise on River Ganga, Varanasi

On By Judhajit RoychoudhuryIn Cruise & Boats, India12 Comments

Varanasi is one of the most visited religious destinations in India, thanks to its historic ghats, splendid temples and the distinct flavour of the city itself. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, a fact that makes it even more fascinating as a popular tourist spot in India. It is the river Ganga though, which lends the city its identity. Indeed, the city and the river have become synonymous with each other. We went for the evening river cruise for the fabulous views of the river Ganga, the ancient Ghats and the Ganga Aarti.

Road Trip: Prayagraj to Varanasi

On By Judhajit RoychoudhuryIn India, Places of Worship6 Comments

We were travelling from Prayagraj to Varanasi. Due to some last moment changes in the programme, we visited Sitamarhi a.k.a. Sita Samahit Sthal, which is in between Prayagraj and Varanasi. In Varanasi, we went to worship at the Kashi Vishwanath temple in the morning. This is the first time I visited since the renovation of the place. It's awesome. But, I was missing the emotional connection, which is lost in the renovation and reorganisation of the system at the temple.

Unexplored Wonder: Bagda Valley Near Patratu

On By Judhajit RoychoudhuryIn Hills & Valleys, India9 Comments

On the morning of Monday, 11 July 2022, as I woke up and looked up towards the sky and I felt from inside “Aaj Kuch Toofani Karte Hain!” After some googling for a bike ride in this lovely weather, I found a place called Bagda valley viewpoint. I was not aware of this place as it’s still not on the popular tourist map but some people have been exploring it recently on bikes. The whole trip, the off-road riding and the steep uphill climb, everything is done to reach there was worth it.

Mount Magica: Magical Experience in Ranchi

On By Judhajit RoychoudhuryIn India, Sightseeing4 Comments

Mount Magica is a farmhouse located in Tatisilwai, about 25 kilometres away from the Capital of Jharkhand, Ranchi. Overall it was a fun and entertaining experience. The resort charged us on a per-head basis for the entire package and it was all worth it. It is a great getaway for a day near Ranchi where you don’t need to bring anything for a picnic, rather just reach the spot and enjoy the nature, surroundings and in-house games. It was a memorable day and we all loved and really enjoyed the Sunday outing.

Bahurupi: The Art of Disguise in Indian Folk Culture

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Folk art & culture, India17 Comments

A Bahurupi is a street performer, dressed up in various characters in different times and it is considered one of the ancient professions. For most performances, there is a story structured into the persona of the performer himself within his make-up, costume and role. Historically, these bohurupis would dress up as Hindu gods, goddesses, or mythical characters like Ram, Shiva, Kali, and so on and perform in front of Kings and zamindars. My first encounter with a bahurupi happened through one such immensely popular literary work titled Srikanta by ‘Katha shilpi’ Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay.

Chowringhee, Kolkata

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Heritage, History, India18 Comments

Nobody is quite sure how Chowringhee, one of Kolkata’s most iconic roads, got its name. Chowringhee, not quite an arterial road but one of the city’s longest thoroughfares today, connects two parts of the city — Kalighat and Dharmatolla — to each other. Chowringhee is one of the best addresses in Kolkata. It still oozes of the imperial heritage. The building nearby are majestic and imposing and reminds of the British raj.

Nalateswari Temple, Nalhati

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn India, Places of Worship13 Comments

The Nalateshwari Temple is situated in the Nalhati town of Birbhum district in West Bengal. The town Nalhati is named after Nalateshwari temple, one of the 51 Sakti Peethas. It is around 25 km from Tarapith. The Shakti Pitha (Sanskrit: शक्ति पीठ) are significant shrines and pilgrimage destinations in Shaktism, the goddess-focused Hindu tradition. This temple is believed to be erected at the spot where the ‘Nala’, (Vocal chord with part of the tracheae), the throat of Goddess Sati (Sakti) had fallen. In Bengali, the larynx is known as 'Nala'. This is the source from which the deity is known as Maa Nalateswari and the place is also named Nalhati, for the shrine.

Sarna Sthal: A Grove of Faith

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Folk art & culture, History, India, Places of Worship11 Comments

Groves, which are being worshipped since times immemorial are a cluster of trees where gods, goddesses, spirits are believed to reside. No one really knows for sure when and how humanity embarked on the veneration of trees and groves. The sacred groves are significant spots of biodiversity too are a priceless heritage of our nation that should be preserved for posterity.

Netarhat: Queen of Chotanagpur

On By Indrajit Roy ChoudhuryIn Hills & Valleys, India19 Comments

Encircled by low hills, forests and hilly springs, Netarhat nestles like a secret refuge in the heart of Jharkhand. Once home to several tribes, the hills caught the fancy of the British rulers who converted it into a hill station. Then dubbed as the ‘Queen of Chotanagpur’, the hill station has moved far beyond its colonial days. Now known for its natural beauty. It is a plateau covered with thick forest. It’s around 150 km from Ranchi, the state capital of Jharkhand.