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Eternal India
encyclopedia
A GREAT DESTINATION
National Museum
— Delhi;
Access
- (A) Delhi (A) Delhi;
Desc.
-
Has a good collection of Indian bronzes, terracotta and wood
sculptures from the Mauryan period (2nd-3rd century B.C), ex-
hibits from the Vijayanagar period in South India, miniature and
rural paintings & costumes of tribal people. The new wing houses
a superb collection of over 300 classical, folk and tribal musical in-
struments.
The Iron Pillar
— Delhi;
Best Time
- Oct-Mar;
Access -
(A)
Delhi (R) Delhi;
Desc. -
This seven-metre high pillar stands in
the courtyard of the Quwwat-ul-Islam (the first mosque to be
built in India) at the foot of the Qutab Minar. More than 2000
years old, it has not rusted. Scientists have not been able to
explain how iron of such purity could be cast with the technology
of the period.
Khajuraho
- Madhya Pradesh;
Best Time
- July-March;
Access -
(A) Khajuraho-Delhi Agra,Varanasi (R) Harpalpur (94km),
Jhansi (172km);
Desc. -
The temples of Khajuraho are one of
India's major attractions. It is perhaps also the world's greatest
display of erotic sculpture. There are 22 temples remaining scat-
tered, over and above 21 sq km. Special occasion: Khajuraho
Festival (March). A dance performance by leading Indian classi-
cal dancers is held on the occasion.
Sanchi Stupa
— Madhya Pradesh;
Best Time
- July-March;
Access
- (A) Bhopal-46 km Bhopal (R) Bhopal;
Desc.
- The
Great Stupa is the earliest existing stone structure in India. Built
by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd Century B.C. Thousands of Bud-
dhists from all over the world visit it as a place of pilgrimage.
Gwalior fort
— Madhya Pradesh;
Best Time
- Oct-March;
Ac-
cess
- (A) Gwalior (R) Gwalior;
Desc.
- One of the oldest and
most spectacular forts in India, it is built on sheer rock. Inside it
there is the ornate Man Singh's palace as also the Karan, Jahangir
and Shah Jahan and Gujahi Mahal palaces. The last has a museum
with a fine collection of inscriptions, carvings, Gupta sculptures
and miniature paintings.
Kanha National Park
— Kanha, Madhya Pradesh;
Best Time
-
Feb-June;
Access
- (A) Jabalpur (173 km) Nagpur (226 km) (R)
. Jabalpur;
Desc.
- Kanha's sal and bamboo forests, rolling grass-
lands and meandering streams stretch over 940 sq. km in dramatic
natural splendour. The park is the only habitat of the rare ba-
rasingha deer (Cervus Duvaceli Branded). Kanha National Park
is an irresitible attraction for all wildlife lovers and a true haven for
its animal and avian population, including tigers.
Pachmarhi
— Madhya Pradesh;
Best Time -
Oct-June;
Access -
(A) Bhopal (210 km) (R) Pipariya (47 km) (Ro) Bhopal, Hoshan-
gabad, Nagpur, Pipariya and Chhindwala;
Desc. -
Madhya
Pradesh's most verdant jewel. Each dawn at this lovely hill resort
girdled by the Satpura ranges, ushers in a day of tranquil beauty;
Places of Interest
- Priyadarshini Point, Handi Khoh, Apsara
Vihar.
Ajanta
&
Ellora
— Maharashtra;
Best Time -
June-March;
Access -
(A)Aurangabad 106km from Ajanta & 29km from Ellora
(R) Jalagon-50km;
Desc.
- 34 Hindu, Buddhist & Jain temples
carved out of hillside exist next to each other. The Ellora cave
temples are noted for their sculpture. The most remarkable is the
Kailasa temple carved out of a single rock. The Ajanta caves (30
in number) are magnificent rock cut Buddhist cave temples with
murals on incidents from the Buddha's life on the walls.
Elephanta caves
— Bombay, on island of Elephanta, 10 miles
from Apollo Bunder, Maharashtra;
Best Time
- Throughout year
except monsoon months (June-September);
Desc.
- There are
four rock-cut cave temples. The main cave has a massive 5.8m
(19ft) high Trimurthi monolith depicting Shiva as creator, pre-
server and destroyer. Other panels show Shiva as Ardhanar-
iswar, or half-man, half-woman and performing Tandava dance
(Nataraja).
The Taj at Agra is breathtaking. It is even more so by
moonlight. The full moon dates for 1995 is given in the
chart below so that tourists can schedule their trip to
Agra to see the Taj Mahal by moonlight.
Full Moon Dates for
the
Year 1995
H ou
r s
M inu t es
Jan. 17
Tuesday
1
56
Feb. 15
Wednesday
17
45
Mar. 17
Friday
6
56
Apr. 15
Saturday
2
38
May 15
Monday
2
18
June 13
Tuesday
9
33 -
July 12
Wednesday
16
19
Aug. 10
Thursday
23
45
Sept. 9
Saturday
9
7
Oct. 8
Sunday
21
22
Nov. 7
Tuesday
12
50
Dec. 7
Thursday
6
57