Western Group of Temples, Khajuraho

The Western Group of Temples in Khajuraho (State: Madhya Pradesh) are one of the most magnificent and architecturally marvelous temples of India. This is the largest of the three groups of temples in Khajuraho. Out of the 22 surviving temples 12 of them belong to this group. (Click on the image for bigger view)

Built in the 11th century by Chandela rulers, each of these temple stands on a raised platform, above which rises the main structure.

Some of the important temples are:

• Lakhmana Temple
• Kandariya Mahadeo Temple
• Devi Jagdamba Temple
• Chitragupta Temple
• Matanageswara Temple
• Vishwanath Temple
• Varaha Temple
• Nandi Temple

The tour of these temples can be done either by hiring an audio headset from the ticket counter or with the help of a guide. We shall attempt to cover these temples in some detail in the subsequent posts.

Frames of Freedom

This was taken at Mysore Zoo.

(Click on the images for bigger picture)

Am I really free?

Actually all of us are free like this only. What do you think?

Gol Gumbaz, Bijapur

Built in 1659, the Gol Gumbaz is the mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah of the Adil Shahi dynasty who ruled the Sultanate of Bijapur (State: Karnataka). (Click on the images for bigger picture)

This is a massive structure with a square chamber measuring nearly 50 m on each side and is covered by a huge dome 43.3 m in diameter and attains the height of 27.4 m from a circular platform. There are four octagonal towers one in each corner of the chamber. Each tower consists of seven storeys and the upper floor of each opens on to a round gallery which surrounds the dome. If I remember correctly there are 150 steps to climb. In the center of the chamber are the tombs of Muhammad Adil Shah II and his relations.

Apart from his sheer size another most interesting aspect of the enclosed place is acoustics. At the top inside the dome it is a whispering gallery where even the smallest sound is heard across the other side of the Gumbaz. At the periphery of the dome is a circular balcony where any whisper, clap or sound gets echoed around 7 times. Anything whispered from one corner of the gallery can be heard clearly on the diagonally opposite side.

This Dome is the second largest one in the world which is unsupported by any pillars.

Lalbagh Gardens, Bangalore

The Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Bangalore the Garden City is a lush green paradise with an area of 240 acres in the heart of the city.

It was started by King Hyder Ali, the ruler of old Mysore in 1760. It was further developed by his son Tipu Sultan and subsequently by the British and Indian doyens of horticulture. In 1856, it was given the status of a Government Botanical Garden. From then onwards, it has been an internationally renowned center for scientific study of plants and botanical artwork and also conservation of plants.

Lalbagh is home for tees, shtubs, plants from all over the world. The rarest variety of trees can be seen here. The main attractions here are:

• Floral Clock
• Tree Fossil
• Glass House
• Directorate Building
• Guard Room
• Lake
• Band Stand
• Pigeon House
• Bonsai Garden
• Topiary Garden
• Bombax Tree
• Kempegowda Tower
• Pigeon Colony
• Lecture Hall
• Trees and Flowers
• Nursery
  

Flowering Trees - Indian Cork Tree

Bangalore (State: Karnataka) is slowly changing from the Garden City to concrete jungle. However, some of the trees that helped it to earned its name, still adorned the streets of Bangalore. One such tree that can be seen around is Indian Cork Tree or popularly known in local language as "Aakash Mallige". In other words it is known as "Jasmine in the Sky" (Click on the images for bigger view)

This tree grows tall and straight, with the branches covered with whitish flowers. Though the flowers of this tree are not like any other bright ornamental, they have a very nice fragrance.

The trumpet-shaped flowers are white and borne in clusters. They form a carpet on the ground during the flowering season.

The bark of the tree has deep fissures and is used as cork, hence the name. This tree can be still seen in Bangalore a lot on either sides of the road.

Bali’s most Popular Hotels and Beaches

The Republic of Indonesia is made up of 17,508 islands. Among these islands, Bali is renowned for its exquisite beaches and remarkable surfing experiences. This famous island is well-known to people around the globe, especially with the Australians because of the proximity.

When you chose Bali as your destination spot for your leisure, you have to be meticulous in choosing the beach and hotel where you’ll stay for it will greatly affect your prerequisites during the holiday. For instance, Kuta is a frenzied beach with lots of stores to vend you with something. And if ever you hit the waters, don’t get surprised if lots of surfing boards speeds past you.

One of the famed spots is the Jimbaran beach. It features the finest seafood restaurants in very low rates. Also, this is where you can locate some of Bali’s famous hotels. The Pansea Hotel has 41 cottages and each has its own garden to provide solitude to the visitor. Another is the Four Seasons that boasts private villas not just with small gardens, but also with swimming pools! Villa Hanini is also found in the Jimabaran area which offers 4 houses for rent, and each of them possess huge garden plus swimming pools. And the last one is the Inter – Continental Hotel that is well-known to Japanese visitors.

Benoa is another resort in Bali. It is the home of Melia Bali that has the fabulous tropical gardens with lagoons and the Novotel Coralia which highlights Balinese atmosphere.

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Travel Photo of the Day Bali Beach

The essential and complete Bali travel checklist

Passports, Tickets and Visas

If you carry a Singapore, Malaysian, Philippines, Thai, Vietnam, Chile, HK, Macao, Brunei, Morocco or Peru you will not need a visa to enter Bali.

For all other passport holders you'll need USD$25 on arrival (valid for 30 days, and extendable) to pay for your visa on arrival. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Indonesia, and you must have proof of onward passage (either return or through tickets).

When leaving Bali, you'll have to pay a departure tax of 150,000Rp per person at the airport. You pay this in rupiah not US currency. Put this money aside and don't spend it on shopping!

Pro Tip: If you want to avoid the queues and baggage collecting - use The Bali Concierge airport service for a VIP pickup experience. For USD$50 they will escort you from your arrival gate, handle all the visa stuff and put your bags through immigration - all while you wait at the bar and enjoy snacks.

Travel Insurance

Insurance when traveling anywhere is a must. Especially somewhere like Bali, where you are likely to do outdoor activities, ride scooters and get in the surf. You don't want to be stuck without insurance. We recommend using a reputable insurance company, such as Zuji, who is underwritten by Allianz.

Drugs

Don't even try Indonesia is very strict with drug laws, and even has the death penalty for drug trafficking. There are plain clothes police that also patrol the streets looking for sellers and users. Basically, don't even try - else you'll end up like the Bali 9 or Schapelle Corby.

Credit Cards

Bring em but be careful It's always good to have a credit card with you when traveling, especially for those unexpected expenses. Remember to notify your credit card company that you are traveling, and give them your overseas contact details - otherwise they may cancel or suspend your card under suspicion of fraud. When using credit cards in Bali, make sure its only on legitimate looking credit card machines - be wary of devices that 'skim' and steal your card information. Avoid places that use the old type manual carbon copy units - any decent place should have a electronic unit. Rule of thumb: If you are not sure, just use cash.

Staying Healthy and avoiding "Bali Belly"

Indonesia is a developing nation and as such does not have the same level of sanitation and health care standards which we come to expect in developed nations. It's recommended to be vaccinated for Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Flu. It's best to consult your local doctor about vaccinations. The water in Bali is not recommended for drinking, so to avoid the infamous "bali belly" stick to bottled water. If you want to be extra careful, use your bottled water for brushing your teeth as well. Avoid ice in drinks from food stalls and small warungs (eatery). But ice from the convenience store or from a bar should be okay.

Alcohol and Drinks

Alcohol can be quite expensive Other than the locally made Bintang Beer (similar to and owned by Heineken) which is refreshingly Delicious and dirt cheap, and the horrible hangover inducing Arak, most alcohol is very expensive in Bali. This is supposedly due to the 'moral' tax put on by the Indonesian government. Eg. A bottle of Smirnoff Vodka can cost us to 500,000rp (About USD$55). So it's a popular option to bring in your own duty free alcohol. Indonesian law allows up to 1L per person, which is not a lot. If you choose to bring more and get caught you will have to surrender it or pay a, *ahem*, "fine" of anything from 20,000rp to 100,000rp and you will be able to keep your alcohol.

Getting Around

The best way to get around Bali, if you are not game on driving/riding your own vehicle is taxi and car+driver services. Taxi's are inexpensive (ie a metered taxi for a 45min ride is less than USD$7), see the bottom of this post for Taxi companies. Make sure the taxi is metered and starts at 5,000rp. You can also get car+driver services from about starting from USD$35 for a whole day - it would be recommended to tip the driver at the end of the day.

Mobile Phones and Wifi

Your own phone will probably be able to global roam on Indonesian networks, but it can be very expensive to make and receive calls. The best thing to do is purchase a local prepay sim card (like SimPati or 3) and pop it in your phone - you will then enjoy the low local rates. iPhones and Blackberry work but you'll have to get a SIM card that has internet data. It's easier to stick to the free wifi available at many cafes and bars.

Electricity plugs

In Indonesia they use 220V, 50 Cycle and the plugs are dual round prongs of the European variety. Adapters are available at some hotels OR can be purchased at Matahari's ( supermarket ) for around 35,000 Rp.

Tipping is good karma

Tipping There will sometimes be a service charge tacked onto your restaurant bill. It is not compulsory, but it is good practice to tip your hotel porters, masseuses, maids and any other staff during your stay. It doesn't have to be much - but you will ensure you will be looked after, and it would be greatly appreciated by the staff who only earn the equivalent of a few dollars a day.

Other Stuff

Sunscreen and moisturizer is expensive for some reason in Bali, bring your favorites from home. Condoms in Indonesia are not the best quality, it'd be safer and wiser to bring some of your own. Imodium (diarrhea medication) is worth keeping with you, you can buy them at any pharmacy (called apotik in Indonesian) in case of the infamous "bali belly".

Romantic Destinations in Bali

Whether you're going on honeymoon or are trying to enjoy some quality time alone with your partner, romantic holidays always carry the most pressure. You're required to provide the perfect vacation - and anything less spells potential disaster. However, there are many global romantic destinations to choose from so choose well and you're onto a winner.

Hawaii, for example, is one of the world's most popular destinations with people keen to have a romantic getaway. Fly to Honolulu and visit Hawaii's amazing beaches, lush greenery and volcanic land formations. Hawaii's turbulent natural history, along with its romantic history, makes it a very attractive location for honeymooners and people looking for romantic holidays in exotic locations. Many couples also cite Florida as one of their favourite destinations for a quiet, romantic break. Whether you're sunning yourselves in Miami or having fun together in one of the many theme parks, you're sure to have an exciting vacation for two in Florida.

If you're looking for romantic destinations outside America, you'll find plenty of holiday hotspots around the world that will provide you with exactly what you're looking for. If Eastern culture is more appealing to you, you could enjoy a romantic getaway in Istanbul, Turkey. Often seen as Europe's gateway to Asia, Istanbul provides holidaymakers with an intriguing mix of eastern and western cultures. Whether you spend your time hobnobbing in Istanbul's famous café scene, or exploring the infamous Topkapi Palace, an impressive relic of the Ottoman Empire, you'll love your romantic getaway in Instanbul.

If a historical destination for your romantic getaway is more what you're looking for, choose Cairo. Egypt's beautiful capital is home to an eclectic variety of museums, showcasing the best of its rich cultural heritage. And visits to the legendary pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx are sure to provide a wonderful sight, helping make your romantic getaway all the more memorable.

Bali in Indonesia is an excellent spot for the ideal romantic getaway; for a romantic holiday with a difference, visit Bali's hot springs or have a Balinese massage in one of Bali's famous spas. Enjoy traditional Balinese cuisine and chill out on Petitenget Beach - it's a fantastic way to enjoy some luxury and relaxation with your sweetheart.

Many major hotel chains offer deals on romantic breaks across the globe, so you don't have to worry about your costs spiralling out of control. So remember: if you're looking for the perfect, stress-free 'do not disturb' getaway, you'll always have plenty of choice for where to take that ultimate romantic break.

Family Attractions in Bali

Bali obviously inspires images of romantic escapes but it’s also an incredible place to take your family for a vacation of a lifetime. Imagine the wonder the ancient ruins of the Mayan can inspire. The incredible delight your family will experience with an intimate dolphin encounter. The fun you can have playing and exploring Xcaret. The learning experiences a submarine or snorkeling adventure can instill. And the relaxing fun you and your family can have just spending a day on the beach taking in the sun, sand and surf. Cancun is actually a perfect vacation spot for an entire family as there are so many different options for activities and many of them have a built in educational component.

Water Fun

What better place to enjoy the water and water activities than an island, and Bali is one of the best islands for visitors to explore? The beaches of Bali are one of its biggest draws with powder soft white sand and miles of space. All of the beaches are public property and open to everyone but some are easier to access than others. If you’re looking for snorkeling fun then the area near the Westin Regina, on the southern tip of the hotel zone, is an excellent spot. Swimming is best done on the Caribbean side of the island. The opposite side, Nichupte Lagoon isn’t the best place to swim as there are crocodiles in the lagoon, although they’re not aggressive. But Nichupte Lagoon is a great place to try your hand at some other water activities such as jet skiing, sailing, kayaking, parasailing, windsurfing, and water-skiing. For those who prefer their aquatic adventures from a further distance there are a huge variety of boat trips that let you see the beautiful natural environment and the diversity of wildlife in this tourist paradise.

Crocodile Adventure

If the idea of encountering crocodiles sounds like family fun and excitement to you then maybe you’ll want to go on a Crocodile Adventure. Take a cruise through the wetlands of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere and keep your eyes peeled for wild giant crocodiles. Sian Ka’an is the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean and is exciting and beautiful in its own right, but it’s the crocodiles that really make the experience one to remember. But remember this trip can be a little scary for some so keep your child’s age and personality in mind before embarking.

Jeep Tour

If you’d like to go on a do-it-yourself tour then Joe’s Jeep Adventure might be the solution for you and your family. Take a self drive jeep tour into the jungles of Bali and onto a private jungle nature reserve, explore a Mayan Ruin and swim in an underground cavern, visit the petting zoo, explore a Mexican village, and enjoy a buffet lunch on the beach. If you want just a bit more thrill and excitement, try a zip line ride through the jungle for only $15 more.

Theme Parks

Bali isn’t known for its theme parks but there are a few that are must see experiences that could make for an unforgettable weekend getaway. Xcaret is an ancient Mayan archaeological site that has been transformed into an eco park. Visitors to Xcaret can immerse themselves in the culture by taking a complete archaeological site tour or explore individual sections. Additional activities include temascal, sharks tour, snuba and snorkeling adventures, paradise river, dolphin experiences, natural pools, the beach, the lagoon, underground rivers, the sea trek and a variety of local flora and fauna to explore.

Another exciting adventure park in Bali is Xel-Ha, another Mayan archaeological site, but this one is focused on the water with a natural aquarium lagoon with a shark fence around that is open for guests of the park. In the Xel-Ha inlet there are hundreds of native species and a turtle preserve which works to maintain local populations. At the park you can create experiences with the creatures of Bali through snorkeling, scuba diving, and special dolphin excursions.

Another interesting park experience in Bali is the Atlantis Submarine it’s a great opportunity for those who don’t scuba dive to take a look at the marvels under the sea. The submarine seats 48 people and each seat has a porthole for viewing. You will drop down to 100 feet and explore the Chankanaab reef closely. The tour is guided and completely safe so it’s perfect for all visitors to Bali

How To Save Money On Family Travel to tour

As a travel agency, we are always looking for the best ways to save money for our clients.
Through our research, we came across some great tips to save money while on a family vacation. Did you know that if you stay at some hotels there is a package that offers up to four kids under age 12 FREE ? Sometimes, all you have to do is ask for the right package. (This one is called the Escape! Family Time Package.)

Deluxe Travel seeks the family oriented hotels that can offer great holiday deals for a family traveling to indonesia. Deals can range from free kids club where children can use all fascilities for their entertainment during their stay for free, to all inclusive hotels where children can have their favorite ice-creams and drinks all day for free. Now, that is what we call a vacation!
Make sure to check out our family vacations- as well as more tips for travelers to indonesia. Traveling with kids is a great way to see the world. If you think ahead and are prepared with some money-saving tricks, .

Adinath Temple, Khajuraho

The Adinath Temple built in 950 - 1150 A.D belongs to the Eastern Group of Khajuraho Temples (State: Madhya Pradesh). This is one of the three Jain temples built by rulers of Chandel Dynasty inside the compound wall. (Click on the image for bigger view)

As the name suggests, it is dedicated to to the Jain Tirthankara Adinath. The temple is constructed in the form of 'sapta-ratha' with a single towered 'shikhara'.

The exterior walls of the temple is decorated with the lavishly carved figures of court musicians, gods and goddess.

Some of 2010's Most Popular Family Vacation Travel Spots

Figuring out some of the best travel and leisure family vacations is hard to do. Going on vacation with children, especially young children, can be a hassle. What is the easiest way of getting there, are there activities for everyone in the family, are there resources that allow you to be able to go off without the kids (if you'd want to) and is it reasonably priced?
Family vacation travel time is supposed to be a time of family bonding. Of doing things together and making memories while also staying on a budget and being safe. This list of top vacation spots will give you ideas on how to make your family travel vacations worthwhile.

1. Orlando, Florida - Orlando is known as the theme park capital of the world! Along with Disney World and Universal Studios (which houses the new Harry Potter theme park), there are also water parks and hotels with "beach pools" in this land locked city for everyone to enjoy a day on the beach. Disney World usually has deals for families no matter what time of the year it is. For great Orlando vacation package deals click here.

2. Cancun and Mayan Riviera - a two for one deal. The two are extremely accessible to one another; can easily make a day trip to whichever you don't stay in. Cancun's 25-kilometer Hotel Zone has shopping, dining, urban pleasures and beaches. Although very crowded, Cancun also has slightly more secluded areas like Club Med Cancun Yucatan on the end of a peninsula. The Mayan Riviera is a bit more low-key and has Mayan ruins, snorkeling and an Xcaret eco-theme park. Keep in mind the exchange rate.

3. Caribbean All-Inclusive Resorts - If you are looking for wet family vacation travel, look no farther. Caribbean resorts have beaches, water sports and amazing kids clubs to give you some alone time.

4. Williamsburg, Virginia - Williamsburg is a secret treasure of the east coast that combines history with roller coasters! Busch Gardens and Water Country USA are two theme parks just outside the city. The city itself has actors and volunteers portraying people from over 200 years ago, bringing you back to an age right before the American Revolution.

5. Arizona - Usually overlooked for vacationers by its neighboring states of California and Nevada, Arizona offers just as much for family vacation travel for half the price. Monument Valley, the Colorado River, Lake Powell and the Grand Canyon are breathtaking natural beauties where the family can learn about the native Navajo as well as have exciting raft rides. There are also dude ranches and the Wild West for those young children who want to grow up to be a cowboy.

6. Myrtle Beach and South Carolina - Myrtle Beach is the most widely visited place in South Carolina. It borders 60 miles of beaches called the Great Strand. Although one of the most visited places in America, it is a budget and child-friendly place; many of the hotels have activities for children. Theme parks and a boardwalk add to the excitement of this small town city.

7. Hershey, Pennsylvania - "Chocolate Town, USA" is the home of Hersheypark, voted top amusement park by FamilyFun Magazine. If the aroma of chocolate is too much to handle, there is also the Dutch Wonderland Amusement Park and the Hotel Hershey. The town is an affordable alternative to the more expensive Philadelphia which is only 90 minutes away and New York City which is three hours north.

8. Wisconsin Dells - This quant town of only 4,000 is the indoor water park capital of the world. Over 20 resorts have indoor water parks. Many also offer outdoor attractions in the summer.

9. Southern California Vacation Spots - The LA and San Diego area might be expensive, but is filled with great travel and leisure family vacations spots. Disney Land (which is much smaller than its counterpart in Florida) houses the Magic Kingdom and California Adventure parks. Legoland has rides, live shows and towns made up of millions of Lego blocks.

10. Oahu, Hawaii - Oahu has the best of two worlds; the upbeat exciting city of Waikiki on the southern end of the island, and the less developed quieter northern end of the 597 sq. mile island. The family can learn about American history at Pearl Harbor as well as explore the oceans by boat trips, dolphin shows, surf lessons and Atlantis submarine outings.

Family Travel - 4 Ways to Eat Healthy on the Road Without Going Broke

Summer road trip? Learn how to feed your family the healthy way during summer travel without going broke.
I am sure you realize that one of the biggest problems families have is eating healthy during their summer travel. This is a big problem because one out of every three children in the United States is currently over weight or obese. Many parents lack understanding of the catastrophic effects of childhood obesity. Most often parents only see the outwardly appearance of an overweight child.
What they do not see is the chronic deadly diseases like Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Disease, Asthma, and certain forms of Cancer that are potentially already brewing inside their bodies. Empowering families to make healthy choices and educating them on the risks associated with childhood obesity are key components of health promotion and disease prevention.
Millions of Americans travel thousands of miles every summer taking family vacations. In light of the concern over childhood obesity it is important that parents are aware of how to feed their family healthy foods while away from their kitchens. Today we are going to tell you 4 things you can do to make sure you are eating healthy on the road while staying within your vacation budget.
1. Pre-packing a cooler with fresh fruit, cucumber slices, carrot sticks, whole grain sandwiches, and fun string cheese. These items are easy to prepare and package the day before travel, affordable, and won't make a big mess in the car.
2. Avoid the grease! When stopping for a quick bite look for a Subway or a sandwich shop where you can feed your child fresh food. If you cannot find one of these and are at a McDonalds or Burger King try to make smart choices. Most fast food places have added items to their menu that are not loaded with trans fat and sodium. For example, McDonalds has salads, fresh fruit, and yogurt. Also it is important to always pick grilled over fried.
3. When you are refueling at the gas station, resist the urge to grab the potato chips. Instead if the kids need a snack or you are feeling hungry grab a .99 cent bag of almonds, whole grain crackers, or a piece of fresh fruit. Almonds are a powerhouse of nutrition and are loaded with fiber, protein, and healthy oils that are an essential part of our daily diet. Whole grain crackers provide the fiber that refined grain crackers do not and kids love them. Fresh fruit is a no brainer. Kids can't get enough of the fresh sweet taste, and it is just another way to give them the fiber that they need in their daily diet.
4. Water, Water, Water! I can't stress enough how important this is. During the summer months our bodies can easily dehydrate quickly, especially with play. Soda is a diuretic and can lead to further dehydration and fruit juice has as much sugar as soda. Also, if you opt to pack a cooler you can purchase a large package of bottled water for less than five bucks. All around water is the smarter choice.
It is necessary to educate parents and children about the basics of nutrition and what makes a healthy diet for kids. And if a child is overweight, what is a healthy weight loss diet for kids. A healthy diet, not a calorie restrictive diet, is the way for parents to help with a healthy weight loss for kids. Get on programs that are pediatric registered dietitian approved. "We need our parents and educators to get back to the fundamentals of nutrition", says Jay Snaric, professor of physiology.
For summer travel and health for your kids we recommend using healthy recipes and healthy snacks to get kids back to the foundation to sound nutrition for kids. Happy traveling

The author of this article has studied health and nutrition for 15 years, and is also an expert in childhood obesity prevention. The author strongly recommends Build a Plate for kids to all parents with children ages 4-11. Build a Plate offers recipes for kids, healthy weight loss for kids, a healthy diet for kids, and overall basic nutrition fundamentals for children. Visit http://build-a-plate.com to get a FREE REPORT "5 Foods Never to Feed Your Child". Build A Plate for kids was created by Professor Jay Snaric and Nurse Kimberly Hickman.

Eastern Group of Temples, Khajuraho

The Eastern Group of temples lies on the outskirts of Khajuraho (State: Madhya Pradesh) at a short distance. This group of temples are known for the sculptural refinement and architecture of these temples is marvelous. These were constructed by the rulers of Chandela dynasty between 950 - 1150 A.D. (Click on the image for bigger view)

In this group the temples can be sub-divided into two groups.
The temples belonging to Jainism are:

• Adinath Temple
• Parsvantah Temple
• Gahanti Temple
  

The other group of temples belonging to Hinduism are:

• Brahma Temple
• Vamana Temple
• Javeri Temple

We shall attempt to cover these temples in some detail in the subsequent posts.

For more visit Mosaic Monday

Badal Mahal, Kumbalgarh

In the 15th century King Rana Kumbh built a massive fort whose walls stretched for 36 kms in the Aravali ranges in a place by name Kumbalgarh (State: Rajasthan). The Kumbalgarh Fort is surrounded by 13 mountain peaks, and guarded by seven great gates, strengthened by rounded bastions and immense watchtowers. (Click on the images for bigger view)

There are many palaces, temples and gardens inside this huge fort complex. At the top most point in the fort is the palace known as Badal Mahal or the Palace of Cloud.

The palace was rebuilt by Rana Fateh Singh in the late 19th century. The legendary ruler Maharana Pratap was born here. The palace has colorful rooms. Unfortunately we could not see them as it was closed when we were there. This palace is very different, when compared to rest of the raw and grim fortress.

The entrance of the palace has beautiful carvings. Even the wooden door of the palace is also carved beautifully.

Dulhadeo Temple, Khajuraho

The Dulhadeo Temple built in 1100 - 1150 A.D belongs to the Southern Group of Khajuraho Temples (State: Madhya Pradesh). This temple is the most recent among all the temples of Khajuraho built by rulers of Chandel Dynasty. This temple stands on a platform, which is approached by a flight of ten steps. (Click on the image for bigger view)

There are several subsidiary towers clustering around the central tower. In this temple all the sections like a shikhara (tower), sanctum, the mahamandapa and an ardhmandapa are in fully developed stage and measures 21 m by 12 m.

The outer walls of the temple are decorated with three bands of sculptures. The highest band has images, which are shown either flying singly, and flying in pairs. They are seen carrying either weapons or garlands or musical instruments. The iconography of this temple also shows some distinctive traits. The facades of this temple carry the images of standing Shiva and Shiva-Parvati.

The ceiling of the maha mandap is made of a series of diminishing circles of overlapping stones like a flower. There is an image of Shiva on the lintel of the ornately carved entrance of garbh griha. The sanctum today enshrines a Shivlingam.

Chaturbhuj Temple, Khajuraho

The Chaturbhuj Temple built in 1100 A.D belongs to the Southern Group of Khajuraho Temples (State: Madhya Pradesh). This temple is west faceing and stands on a platform, which is approached by a flight of ten steps. (Click on the image for bigger view)

In this temple all the sections like a shikhara (tower), sanctum, the mahamandapa and an ardhmandapa are in fully developed stage and are interconnected, located on the same axis.

The tower of this temple is plain when compared to other temples in the region. Below the tower there are three bands of sculptures with the images of dikhpalas, ashtavasus, nymphs and the recesses of mythical lions.

Over the lintel of the doorway are carved exquisite figures of Brahama, Vishnu and Mahesh. Inside the sanctum there is a idol of massive 9ft high, carved image of four armed Lord Vishnu.

Southern Group of Temples, Khajuraho

The southern groups of temples lies on the outskirts of Khajuraho (State: Madhya Pradesh) at a distance of 4 kms. Compared to the other two groups, the western and the eastern groups of temples, this group lacks the sculptural refinement. These were constructed on the later part of Chandela dynasty between 1110 - 1150 A.D. (Click on the image for bigger view)

In this group only two temples are still reasonably intact. They are

• Dhuladeo Temple
• Chaturbhuj Temple

We shall attempt to cover these temples in some detail in the subsequent posts.