It’s like hormonal change starts to happen at the beginning of every winter, which triggers a natural urge to go on a road trip. This road trip is only limited to Madhya Pradesh so far. This year, due to the board exams of our kids, it was near impossible to maintain that tradition which we were following for the last 11 years. Thanks to the delays caused by lockdown exams were postponed and our trip plan switched on.
We have decided to touch an ancient but important city Mandu in MP and visit the nearby holy city of Ujjain. As it was a long trip from Allahabad, we took a halt at Vidisha while going and Sagar while returning back.
Our route was
Prayag (Allahabad) -> Vidisha -> Mandu -> Indore -> Ujjain -> Sagar -> Prayag (Allahabad) (Dates 24-29 Jan 2021)
Due to fog on plains, we have decided to remain in Vindyachal while going and returning back, else we could have taken the national highway.
A couple sighted at Vidisha
Baoli: People of MP and many other parts of the country where groundwater is very low rely mainly on rainwater. Collecting and conserving is a practice being followed in these places for a long time.
A woman filling her bucket from water storage. Mandu
A tribal woman selling berries and carrying slingshot in Mandu, MP. She had tattoed face like many other tribes have a tradition of tattooing face.
The tree in this picture is known as the Baobab tree (Adansonia) also known as Khorasani Imli found only in Mandu within India. Other than India it can be only found in 3 other countries in the world including Madagascar where it is a national tree.
Baobab tree with ruins. Mandu
The state of MP is known for its low population density and this is what fascinates travelers. One can travel miles without seeing anyone or been seen, there is nothing other than nature around. Mostly based on the Vindhyachal plateau and have very rocky terrain. Not much suitable for growing crops, so mainly cattle farming being done here. If you are sick of chaos around you this is the place where you want to be. It has its own magic in every season.
Vindyachal range is a plateau, which predates the even Himalayas by a huge margin. Fossils of many prehistoric bacteria and even dinosaurs are found on this. Sunset Point, Mandu
Met a couple from Ujjain in Mandu, made friends :). Sunset Point, Mandu
My big bro BK, I like his royal look
Rani Roopmati Pavilion, Mandu
Baz Bahadur Palace, Mandu
Dr Sharad At Baz Bahadur Palace, Mandu
A soft drink stall near Rani Roopmati Pavilion, Mandu
A boy selling sugar-apple or sweetsop along with tamarind near Baz Bahadur Palace, Mandu
House of the head maid, Mandu MP (approx 1500 AD). They were so respected and got a high rank in society that kings use to provide them big houses and servent. Their main job was to groom kids of the royal family.
Mandu has a turbulent history, especially between 1300-1500. This is reflected in its architecture as well. Same buildings that were built with Hindu architecture been modified many times over the years. One needs to look closely to figure out layers of history in these buildings.
A Sadhu with a puppy sighted near Mahakaal temple at Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
A flower seller sighted at Sangam, Prayag
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