When ever we heard about Sun Temple, then only one place strikes our head, KONARK in Orissa, also known as 'Black Pagoda'.
But recently I found another temple dedicated to Sun God in Gwalior and was quite amazed. This was my first experience to see the statue of Sun God and never before I heard about any other Sun Temple.
The Temple(Vivaswana Mandir) was built by the famous Industrialist Mr. G. D. Birla during the 90s.
All the typical features of the temple resembles the Original Sun Temple in Konark. The whole Temple is assumed as a platform on a Chariot with big big wheels and is pulled by horses. You can notice the sculptures of many Hindu deities being carved outside.
Being a Sun Temple, the technical Sun-path diagram is properly followed for the orientation of the Temple and there are light wells designed in such a way that, it allows the Sun ray to fall on the beautifully carved sculpture of Sun God all the time when it is available.
How to reach?: This is quite popular and is near cantonment area. You can ask any local GPS for 'Surya Mandir' or Birla Temple. Please do a visit if you are in or around Gwalior. You might find the place bit isolated, but I bet the temple is worth a visit. Where to Stay!: 'The Central Park' is one of the best hotels there and I personally have a very good experience. Budget hotels can be found near the railway station. What else to see?: Never ever miss Gwalior Fort if you like 'Historical Architectural Ruins' and the Jain carving on the natural hills on the way to the Fort. My knowledge says it is the biggest Jain statue in India. Climate: Mostly hot and dry. Best time to Visit: October to March, means during Winters. Connectivity: Road, Rail and Air
Photography was not allowed inside, so no photographs from the inner-sanctum.
An initiative in the year 1981 by Haryana Government to showcase the traditional Handicrafts of our rich and vibrant country is now internationally famous as ‘Surajkund Craft Mela’.
This fortnight long fair is being organized from 1st to 15th Feb every year. Skilled artistes all around the country display their art work under thatched roof platforms attracting quite a number of crowds.
This year I managed to experience this for the first time and managed to capture the colors of tradition in my frames. And my experience was up-to the level as I thought, added by the walk following the curved pathways on the hilly terrain of ‘The Aravalis’ with show cases of the most finest artworks of our country.
And I was quite happy to see so many stalls/artists from Orissa, and while interacting with them I was feeling like ‘m in my home land. And not to mention about the varieties of food stalls available there.
When:1st to 15th Feb every year
Location: Surajkund, Haryana
How to Reach: It is only 8 kilometers from South Delhi and is on Gurgaon-Faridabad road.
Winter is already here and I was yet to see some snow topping over the Himalayan Range. Had to rush to Hardwar for some personal work and I again choose to ride so that could go little further in to the hills.
So a quick ride to the Garhwal hills which lasted only for a day but not to mention about the experience of those awesome twisties and the nostalgia of riding the same old stretch of NH-58 which leads to Mana Village, commonly known as Valley of Flowers.
Pauri and Lansdwone were the places where I wanted to ride since long. And Satpuli is the another place in-between.
I missed Lansdwone because of a flat tyre some 15-20 kilometers before it which killed 2 precious hours. It was already dark then and I was in a hurry to reach Delhi soon.
PAURI-GARHWAL
Most locations in Pauri Garhwal offer a breathtaking view of the snow laden Himalayan Splendour and is full of scenic valleys. Pauri has an altitude of about 1800 meters and is the district head quarter of Pauri-Garhwal.
Pauri also provides a panoramic view of the snow covered Himalayan peaks of Nandadevi & Trisul,Gangotri Group,Thalaiya- sagar,Neelkanth, Bandar Poonch, Swarga-Rohini, Kedarnath, kharcha Kund, Satopanth, Chaukhamba, Ghoriparvat, Hathiparvat and Sumeru etc.
SATPULI
It is a lovely village Hill Station on Pauri-Kotdwar road on the banks of Nayyar River.
A very good Friend 'Saurabh' is from Satpuli and HERE is his newly developed website on Satpuli. You will get all required information from there.
LANSDWONE
It is the quietest Hill Station close to Delhi and is only 300 kilometers away. It is at an altitude of 1700 meters and is full of Oak and Pine trees.
The Kotdwar-Lansdwone stretch is laid with awesome twisties and very good tarmac.
My friend ‘Aryan’ (Bobby Roy) has a credit of visiting this place for 15 times. So who can tell you better than this guy? HERE is the link to his blog.
Best Time to Visit: April to June and September to mid-November
Lansdowne, A place surrounded by beautiful oak, silver fir, spruce and pine forests is a proper weekend getaway from Delhi. At 1700 meters from mean sea level is an easy 240 kilometres drive from National Capital Region (NCR) and only 40 kilometres from Kotdwar, the entrance to ‘Pauri-Garhwal’ of Uttarakhand/Uttaranchal.
This serene and unspoilt hilly town was established as a British Cantonment in 1887 and named in the honour of Lord Lansdowne.
But now it houses the Regimental Centre of famous ‘Garhwal Rifles’ of ‘Indian Army’.
Places to see:
Bhulla Tal:
In Garhwali ‘Bhulla’ means ‘Younger Brother’. This small beautiful small lake was created in the memory of young men of Garhwali Rifles who sacrificed their life in the service of the nation. A small park is also constructed close to it.
Sitting peacefully there for some time and watching the reflection of Deodar trees on the lake was really worth. And there is also provision of boating in the Lake.
Tip in Top:
It is the top most point in Lansdowne with a magnificent view of the Great Himalayan Range. The view of snow claded mountains can just take your breath away. Chaukhamba and Trishul are to name the few peaks visible from here. The view of sunset from here is magnificent.
St. John’s Catholic Church:
This Church was built in the year 1936 and the construction was completed in 1937 and is the only one in Lansdowne to worship. It is situated close to Forest Bungalow.
St. Mary’s Church:
It is the oldest church in Lansdowne which was built in 1895-96 with a surreal backdrop of Snow topped mountains.
Best time to Visit: Throughout the year though January is considered as the coldest month.
Route: Delhi-Meerut (no by-pass)-Mawana (by-pass)-Bijnor-Kiratpur-Najibabad-Kotdwar-Dugadda-Lansdwone (NH-58 and NH-119)
How to reach?
With well laid tarmac and with available of all amenities through out the way driving or riding is a sure fun. The last gas station is in Kotdwar so don’t forget to get your car/bike’s tummy full from here though I found some boards selling Diesel in black, but better to keep the LUCK aside.
NH-58 and NH-119 are to be followed to reach Lansdowne.
You need to take a right at Dugadda on NH-119 and I’ll suggest not to return via same route but to ask for the other route which meets NH-119 some 10-12 kilometers ahead of Dugadda, it will increase the distance by 5-6 kilometers but I bet you will love the surreal nature and superb twisties that you will find on your way.
With other options one can find UPRTC bus service from New Delhi to Kotdwar and then one can hire a taxi or shared cab to Lansdowne.
Still, train is the most preferable way to travel to Kotdwar in the opinion of local people and to hire a taxi or something to Lansdowne. And daily service of Mussoorie Express may solve your problem.
Where to stay?
There are few very good options available to stay and explore this non-commercialized little hill station. GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikash Nigam) is always preferred in Uttarakhand for their proper service and all. Except it there are also few other private guest houses for the pleasant stay.
