[justify] I had the pleasure of visiting Ujjain a few months back. It is the modern name for Ujjayini. Ujjayini means one who conquers with pride. Legend has it that the king Shiva of Avanti commemorated his victory over the demon-ruler of Tripura or Tripuri on the banks of the river Narmada, by changing the name of his capital from Avantipura to Ujjayini. I had the privilege of experiencing the wonderful spectacle of the bathing ritual at Simhastha. The spectacle defies all description. Simhastha begins on the full-moon day in Chaitra or April and it continues till the full-moon day of Baisakha or May. A riot of festive colours turns Ujjain into a miniature India. [/justify]
Modern Ujjain is located on the banks of the river Shipra. Shipra is regarded as a holy river, since time immemorial. The faith in the auspiciousness of Shipra has its roots in the ancient Hindu mythological story of the churning of the Ocean by the Gods and Demons using Vasuki as the rope. The ocean bed is first believed to yield fourteen gems followed by Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and finally by the precious vessel of “amrit” or nectar. This was followed by an unruly scramble for immortality with the Demons chasing the Gods across the skies. During this chase a few drops of nectar got spilt and fell at Prayag, Hardwar, Nasik and Ujjayini. This contributes to the sanctity of the water of Shipra.
Re: Visiting Amarkantak [JUSTIFY] I have visited Amarkantak a couple of years back. It is situated at an altitude of 1065 meters at the meeting point of the Vindhya and the Satpura mountain ranges. The surroundings are heavenly. Amarkantak is a famous Hindu pilgrim center. It is the source of the rivers Narmada and Sone. Narmada flows westward from Amarkantak and Sone flows eastward. Amarkantak is blessed by natural beauty. I loved the sacred lakes, lofty hills, beautiful waterfalls and the wilderness. The atmosphere was serene and the beauty was breathtaking. Among all the sacred rivers of India, the Narmada occupies a special place. [/JUSTIFY]
Amarkantak is very popular among the nature lovers as well as the religious devotees. Legend says Lord Shiva blessed Narmada with special purifying powers. The mere sight of river Narmada is considered sacred and holy. An amusing folk tale describes the superiority of Narmada over Ganga. Ganga visits Narmada once every year after she herself is polluted beyond tolerance. During this visit, Ganga dresses like a dark woman and takes a cleansing and purifying dip in the waters of Narmada. There are many popular and life-sustaining rivers that are glamorized in folklore and history. But none can match the mystique of Narmada.
Shivpuri I would always remember the day we spent at Shivpuri. This place was once the summer capital of the Scindia rulers of Gwalior. Shivpuri is steeped in the royal legacy of its past. The dense forests of Shivpuri were the hunting grounds of the Mughal emperors, when large herds of elephants were captured by, Emperor Akbar. The royal hunters had bagged many ferocious and magnificent animals in these forests. Tigers were also found in the hilly wilderness. I love the sanctuary that Shivpuri boasts of today. It has rare wildlife and unique avifauna. The royal past of Shivpuri has been altered into a hopeful and vibrant present.
Shivpuri [justify] Shivpuri has rich forests and undulating hills. One can understand why it was a natural choice as the summer capital of the Scindias. The royal ambience of Shivpuri still thrives in the exquisite palaces, hunting lodges and beautifully embellished marble cenotaphs or “chhatri”s erected by the Scindia royalty. In Shivpuri, we visited the Madhav National Park. It covers an area of 156 sq km and is open throughout the year. The terrain of wooded hills is rich with diverse variety. The forest is dry, mixed and deciduous with flat grasslands around the lake. The National Park offers abundant opportunities of sighting a variety of wildlife. [/justify]
Shivpuri - Madhav National Park [JUSTIFY] The species that predominantly inhabits the Madhav National Park is the deer. The most easily sighted deer are the Indian Gazelle, the Chital and the graceful Chinkara. Other species that inhabit the park are the Nilgai, Chausingha or four-horned Antelope, Sambar, Blackbuck, Leopard, Sloth Bear and the common Langur. The National Park is also rich in avifauna. Chandpata, the artificial lake, is the winter home of migratory Geese, Pintail, Pochard, Mallard Gadwall, Large Pied Wagtail, Red Wattled Lapwing, Pond Heron, White-Breasted Kingfisher, Painted Stork, White Ibis, Cormorant, Laggar Falcon, Golden Oriole, Purple Sunbird and Paradise Flycatcher. Have any of you visited this National Park? [/JUSTIFY]
Cenotaphs [JUSTIFY] Madho Rao Scindia’s cenotaph is inlaid in the “pietra dura” style. It has a glittering white marble surface. Lapis Lazuli and onyx create a spectacularly rich effect, which is magnified by the intricacies of the trellis on the sides. The dowager queen’s cenotaph has a solemn dignity of line and boasts of beautiful structural harmony. Both memorials have life-size images of the Scindias and these are tended to by, traditionally dressed retainers, with intense devotion. Flowers are placed and incense sticks are burned before the statues every day. In the evening, the silence is broken by the sound of music as artists of the Gwalior “gharaana” perform classical ragas before the statues. [/JUSTIFY]
Cenotaphs [JUSTIFY] The cenotaphs or Chhatris are set in a formal Mughal garden. The garden has quiet nooks under flowering trees. The garden is intersected by, pathways with ornamental balustrades. The place is illuminated with Victorian lamps. The Chhatris of Madho Rao Scindia and the dowager queen Maharani Sakhya Raje Scindia face each other across a water tank. The Chhatris synthesize the architectural idioms of both Hindu and Islamic styles with their shikhara type spires and Mughal and Rajput pavilions. Another beautiful example of architecture is the Madhav Vilas Palace. Standing upon natural eminence, the elongated rose-pink summer palace of the Scindias is a specimen of colonial architecture. [/JUSTIFY]
Sakhya Sagar Boat Club - George Castle We visited the Sakhya Sagar Boat Club. Edging the forests of the Madhav National Park, lies the Sakhya Sagar Lake, which is the habitat of a variety of reptiles. We saw the Mugger or the Marsh Crocodile, the Monitor Lizard and the Indian Python. The Boat Club is situated on the shores of the lake. It is connected to the lake by a broad pier. The Boat Club is a delicate structure with glass panels. It is airy and spacious. I have vivid memories of the George Castle. It is located within the dense, mysterious forests of the Madhav National Park.
