This was a all about the architecture and fun, life of a professor and a traveler. So here I'll share the itinerary, few pictures and little about the architectural style.
Started from Ranchi to Jamshedpur from where early morning we had our train to Gwalior. We took Utkal express from Tatanagar junction at 06:10 am.
Day 1: Morning 8:00 am we were at Gwalior. Checked in the hotel , had breakfast and ready to start the day tour. We went around the
After lunch we moved to Gwalior fort . It was built in the 6th century and has seen almost 300 rulers across 5 different dynasties.
Its huge one which houses Man Mandir, Teli Ka- Mandir, Sas Bahu temple, Badal Mahal, alamgiri gate, Ganesa gate, Chaturbhuj gate, Rock-cut Jain Collosi, Urwai gate, etc.
While approaching the main palace on onw side there stands the massive sculptures of Mahaveer Jain and Tirthankaras of Jainism built by the Tomar rulers who were great patrons.The size of these idols ranges from 6 inches to 57 feet.
The main palace of Raja Man Singh Tomar is the most prominent one with the high walls inlaid with green, blue and yellow tiles with various human figures, ducks, elephants, tigers, crocodiles, parrots etc. The palace has complicated planning with courtyards, many rooms, underground passages, corridors, low height doors, some quaint spaces but still you can enjoy the picturesque view of the city.
There's a temple 'Teli ka Mandir' which was built either in the 8th or the 11th century and in this part of the country lies this distinct structure which is a mix of north and south architectural style , a tall vertical structure with a semi-cylindrical tower on top.
There are more interesting structures with distinct architectural style. Another one is the Sas bahu temple which is actually Sahastrabahu temple.
Day 2: We started from the hotel and reached Jai Vilas Palace which was built by Jayaji Rao Scindiain 1874. It's again huge palace Spread over an area of 12, 40,771 square feet , it has 400 rooms and a part of it is open for the public as a museum comprising of 40 rooms. It has many antiques and artifacts which is within this magnificent palace which is a beautiful blend of Tuscan, Italian and Greek styles of architecture with the Corinthian columns, architraves decorated.
Every room, every corner and every piece kept and built there shows the luxurious lifestyle of the royals.
The Darbar hall, which is beautifully decorated with gold furnishings. The hall has one of the largest chandeliers of the world, which is believed to be the heaviest in Asia. The center has a large dining table which has a fascinating silver train which helps to serve food to the guests on the table.
It take more that 2 hours to move around and enjoy this magnificent palace and enjoy the royal style. Then we moved for lunch and we had out train from Gwalior station : Kurj-Udaipur Exp at 03:45 pm to Udaipur.
Day 3:
morning by 7:00 am we were at Udaipur. After checking in and breakfast we left for the city tour. Starting with City Palace, Udaipur.
Udaipur is known as the Venice of the East, as well as the city of lakes. The city palace is the most important and most attractive structure of the city and is on the banks of Lake Pichola.
Now that this place is simply a beauty and the palace in itself in a very unique structure. A part of the palace is now converted to museum of art and artifacts.
The beautiful and huge gates at the entrance, the nicely carved jali at the windows and balconies, the courtyards surrounded by colonnaded corridors, gardens and rooms.
At the entrance of the palace are those cafe and stores and fountains and garden . The complex comprises of 11 palaces built across by different rulers, it has ornate tiles, columns, antique and rich furniture, paintings, room full of mirrors, colorful glasses, crystal gallery, jewelery, pottery etc. These cannot be explained in words so here are the glimpses. An interesting thing the garden which is on the top at almost forth floor level with huge trees.
After this mesmerizing palace and the deep history we moved to Bagore ki Haveli, yet another palace with lot of art and things in display, paintings, clothes, glass work etc. A rich mewar style of architecture stands at the banks of Lake Pichola.
The ornamental pillars, mosaic walls, arched roof, wall paintings, internal courtyards, the decorative chajja and jalis give a complete picture of the haveli.
So it took an entire day to see through the royal style of Udaipur.
Day 4:
Another day and we had our train to Chittaurgarh in the evening, so we had a good amount of time which we spent at Shilpgram, which is a rural art and craft complex.
It comprises of the traditional houses that reflects the lifestyle of the tribes in that region, their art , craft and other traditional skills. It's the best place to experience their culture and lifestyle in one place along with exhibition spaces and performing arts arena.
The huts are beautifully decorated and painted, they are built in the traditional style and the household articles made of wood and pottery and other common materials.
Note : Best time to visit this place in during the 10 days festival held in the month of December.
It's in a huge area, so it takes the whole day there. then we went to the station to board the train to Chittaurgarh. All tired we left Udaipur by Chetak Express at 05:15 pm and by 08:00 pm we were at Chittaurgarh. Overnight we had our rooms booked at Chittaurgarh.
Day 5:
The morning was brighter and very exciting, we were to visit Chittorgarh fort, one of the largest forts in India spread over an area of 280 Ha and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It's a marvelous place and is on a hill and houses some historical palaces, gates, temples and two prominent commemorative towers. This fort was built to have maximum security and was considered to be incapable of being conquered by the enemies.
There's the Meera's Temple with intricate carvings and shines in yellow stone.
There's the Rana Kumbha's palace, the oldest and most prominent structure, it's all in ruins yet every stone tells a story. This place has a long and glorious history, leaving aside the story let me show you the structures that are there in this palace.
The two towers: Vijay Stambh and Kirti Stambh which celebrates the victory of the Rajputs.
Rani Padmini Palace, the queen who was known for her beauty and wars were fought to get her. There palace stand amid a water body.
Gaumukh Reservoir, a very interesting water reservoir system which are well used during siege.
Other palaces and temples. even the gates are worth seeing and of all the view of the city from the top is awe-inspiring.
We went around the whole complex and then also watched the light sound show, which gives the entire story of the fort complex.
Our day didn't end here after dinner we had yet another journey to cover, we had an overnight journey to Indore by Virbhumi Exp at 11:00 pm.
The journey continued.....
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