Saturday, June 4, 2016
jog falls
Jog Falls is created by the Sharavathi River dropping 253 m (830 ft), making it the second-highest plunge waterfall in India after the Nohkalikai Falls with a drop of 335 m (1100 ft) in Meghalaya.[3]
Sharavathi, a river which rises at Ambutirtha, next to Nonabur, in the Thirthahalli taluk and takes the northwesterly course by Fatte petta, receives the Haridravati on the right below Pattaguppe and the Yenne Hole on the left above Barangi. On arriving at the frontier it bends to the west, precipitates itself down the Falls of Gersoppa, and passes that village (properly Geru-Sappe), which is some 29 kilometres (18 mi) distant, discharging into the sea at Honnavar in North Kanara.
The Sharavati, flowing over a very rocky bed about 250 yards (230 m) wide, here reaches a tremendous chasm, 290 m (960 ft) deep, and the water comes down in four distinct falls. The Raja Fall pours in one unbroken column sheer to the depth of 830 ft (250 m). Halfway down it is encountered by the Roarer, another fall, which precipitates itself into a vast cup and then rushes violently downwards at an angle of forty-five degrees to meet the Raja. A third fall, the Rocket, shoots downwards in a series of jets; while the fourth, the Rani, moves quietly over the mountain side in a sheet of foam. The Tourism Department has built steps from the viewpoint to the bottom of the hill where the waterfall can be seen at the opposite side. There are approximately 1400 steps built to reach the bottom of the hill.
agra fort
With the Taj Mahal overshadowing it, one can easily forget that Agra has one of the finest Mughal forts in India. Construction of the massive red-sandstone fort, on the bank of the Yamuna River, was begun by Emperor Akbar in 1565.
Further additions were made, particularly by his grandson Shah Jahan, using his favourite building material – white marble. The fort was built primarily as a military structure, but Shah Jahan transformed it into a palace, and later it became his gilded prison for eight years after his son Aurangzeb seized power in 1658.
The ear-shaped fort’s colossal double walls rise over 20m in height and measure 2.5km in circumference. The Yamuna River originally flowed along the straight eastern edge of the fort, and the emperors had their own bathing ghats here. It contains a maze of buildings, forming a city within a city, including vast underground sections, though many of the structures were destroyed over the years by Nadir Shah, the Marathas, the Jats and finally the British, who used the fort as a garrison. Even today, much of the fort is used by the military and so is off-limits to the general public.
The Amar Singh Gate to the south is the sole entry point to the fort these days and where you buy your entrance ticket. Its dogleg design was meant to confuse attackers who made it past the first line of defence – the crocodile-infested moat.
A path leads straight from here up to the large Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque), which is always closed. To your right, just before you reach Moti Masjid, is the large open Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audiences), which was used by Shah Jahan for domestic government business, and features a throne room where the emperor listened to petitioners. In front of it is the small and rather incongruous grave of John Colvin , a lieutenant-governor of the northwest provinces who died of an illness in the fort during the 1857 First War of Independence.
A tiny staircase just to the left of the Diwan-i-Am throne leads up to a large courtyard. To your left, is the tiny but exquisite Nagina Masjid (Gem Mosque), built in 1635 by Shah Jahan for the ladies of the court. Down below was the Ladies’ bazaar , where the court ladies bought goods.
On the far side of the large courtyard, along the eastern wall of the fort, is Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audiences), which was reserved for important dignitaries or foreign representatives. The hall once housed Shah Jahan’s legendary Peacock Throne, which was inset with precious stones including the famous Koh-i-noor diamond. The throne was taken to Delhi by Aurangzeb, then to Iran in 1739 by Nadir Shah and dismantled after his assassination in 1747. Overlooking the river and the distant Taj Mahal is Takhti-i-Jehangir , a huge slab of black rock with an inscription around the edge. The throne that stood here was made for Jehangir when he was Prince Salim.
Off to your right from here (as you face the river) is Shish Mahal (Mirror Palace), with walls inlaid with tiny mirrors. At the time of research it had been closed for some time due to restoration, although you could peek through cracks in the doors at the sparkling mirrors inside.
Further along the eastern edge of the fort you’ll find Musamman Burj and Khas Mahal, the wonderful white-marble octagonal tower and palace where Shah Jahan was imprisoned for eight years until his death in 1666, and from where he could gaze out at the Taj Mahal, the tomb of his wife. When he died, Shah Jahan’s body was taken from here by boat to the Taj. The now closed Mina Masjid , set back slightly from the eastern edge, was his private mosque.
The large courtyard here is Anguri Bagh , a garden that has been brought back to life in recent years. In the courtyard is an innocuous-looking entrance – now locked – that leads down a flight of stairs into a two-storey labyrinth of underground rooms and passageways where Akbar used to keep his 500-strong harem.
Continuing south, the huge red-sandstone Jehangir’s Palace was probably built by Akbar for his son Jehangir. It blends Indian and Central Asian architectural styles, a reminder of the Mughals’ Afghani cultural roots. In front of the palace is Hauz-i-Jehangir , a huge bowl carved out of a single block of stone, which was used for bathing. Walking past this brings you back to the main path to Amar Singh Gate.
You can walk here from Taj Ganj, or it's ₹40 in a cycle-rickshaw.
Tips for Taj Mahal Visit
13 Little Known Tips for Taj Mahal Visit
By Rachel Jones On 29 July 2014 In Asia, India, Tips and Tricks
Taj Mahal Agra travel tips
I have deviated a bit from the stories of my backpacking trip! If you remember last, I was in Rishikesh staying in an ashram and trying to be all “spiritual”, while mostly failing.
The terrible bus ride:
It was tough to leave zenned-out Rishikesh. We had such a relaxed time at our ashram and were sort of dreading going to Agra. I’m not going to lie- I just wanted to fast-forward and have already seen the Taj Mahal. It was feeling like a chore.
Chloe and I hitchhiked to Haridwar, where we took a rickshaw to the bus stop. The bus to Agra was pretty unbearable. I was still suffering really bad from the side effects of dengue fever and the last couple hours I was in tears telling Chloe I think I needed to go to a hospital. I wasn’t eating because I knew I’d just get stomach cramps and I think Chloe and I both were dehydrated and tired from the ashram.
Agra.
The Taj Mahal is a World Wonder perfectly placed on the Yamuna river and stunningly magical but the same can’t be said about Agra. It’s a loud crowded town filled with pollution, touts, and litter. Getting to the Taj is usually a little out of the way for tourists.
Taj Mahal Agra travel tipssource
Taj Mahal Agra travel tipssource photo 1/ photo 2
Taj Mahal Agra travel tips
I think it’s worth the stop BUT do it in ONE day only. Get in and get out.
I know some people will be offended by this, but hey, like I always say: I’m going to tell it on the blog like I would to a friend, and I wouldn’t be telling my bestie to book a few nights in Agra.
We got in and out easily thanks to catching up with a couchsurfer. The guy let us put our bags at his place; he is a police officer and drove us to the Taj area then picked us up later. So nice and helpful! He really was a saint especially with how sick I was feeling. This is where Chlo and I said our goodbyes and I went on to Varanasi while she went off to dusty Rajasthan.
13 Tips for Taj Mahal Visit
1. First of all, I recommend reading up on the Taj on Wikipedia. I’m not going to go into the past here but it did take 22 years, is made of all marble, took 20,000 workers to build, and was built to show love to a woman. Some say the workers’ thumbs were cut off so they couldn’t ever built something like it again.
Taj Mahal Agra travel tips
Taj Mahal Agra travel tips
2. It is hard to get to if you aren’t doing the Golden Triangle all at once. It’s less than 200 km from Delhi, but you’ll most likely book a local bus at the station. Follow my local bus tips to stay safe. You can hire a driver or tour guide from Delhi to plan a daylong tour. You can also take a train in or fly!
3. If you have the budget and time to do so, I recommend staying at the Oberoi (all Oberoi’s are fancy and amazing) so you can see the Taj from your hotel window just like so many celebrities and royals have! Now, unfortunately I am not a famous blogger who gets free stays at 5 star hotels, but in this case, if you own this hotel and are reading this, please, hit me up! ;) I will totally let you pour me a cup of tea at the Oberoi!
4. Get there EARLY. It opens at 6 am and you should be there right then! I didn’t make it at that time and it was quite crowded while I was there. To me, it wasn’t a big deal- I’m not much of a monument person anyway. I know some people would have been bummed though.
Taj Mahal Agra travel tipssource photo 1/photo 2
Taj Mahal Agra travel tips
5. Be prepared to be hassled, and I don’t mean by vendors. I mean by the nicest families ever… but there are just a few too many of them. If someone wants a photo with you (and they will), just know that once you agree, a line will form. I must have taken at least 30 photos with people and finally had to say no which always makes me feel bad when it’s nice people. You have to make sure you get your experience there, not just help make other people get a photo they want.
Taj Mahal Agra travel tips
Taj Mahal Agra travel tips
6. There are a few different entry gates. They all charge the same. Foreigners pay 750 rupees while nationals pay 20 rupees. At the time, I was a little annoyed, but looking back and now that I live in India, I completely understand. Foreigners get a free bottle of water, everyone gets shoe covers you must wear inside.
7. This is a line that’s quite long going in. You cannot bring snacks in with you. They will search your purse. Lockers are located outside the gate. Audio guide are available but I didn’t get one.
8. It’s a little bit of a toss up for what time of year to go to the Taj Mahal. Read my tips of when to travel to India to know when the best time is for weather, but keep in mind, if you can handle the high heat off-season it would be ideal to miss the crowds.
Taj Mahal Agra travel tipssource photo 1/ photo 2
Taj Mahal Agra travel tips
9. Know ahead of time that although it’s gorgeous from the outside, the walk inside is… not… It was like herding cattle being pushed through the walkways of the Taj. It was quite stinky, hot, and crowded. I couldn’t wait to get to get back outside!
10. After the Taj, check out the Agra Fort before you head out of town.
11. Now for the shopping: unless you want some wholesale marble (which is readily available) don’t shop in Agra. Prices are marked up 100x the real amount. Are you even surprised? I did buy a postcard here at 4x the normal price, but it was very pretty.
12. If you’re looking for the perfect photo, it seems all the best come from across the river. I didn’t make it over there and I am by no means a professional photographer, but if that’s your thing you’ll want to find a viewing point. They are not free.
Taj Mahal Agra travel tipssource
13. This is the comment I almost don’t want to say, but don’t plan your whole trip around seeing this monument and if you can’t seem to fit it in your itinerary, it won’t be that big of a deal. You know, I once wrote a 4 page rant about my rickshaw driver in Jaipur, but in regards to one of the seven wonders of the world, I wrote, “I saw the Taj Mahal today”. That’s it. It was gorgeous just like the photos, but it wasn’t what made backpacking India special.
10 Surreal Places In India That Are Too Dangerous To Visit
10 Surreal Places In India That Are Too Dangerous To Visit
1. Aksai Chin, Jammu and Kashmir
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Aksai Chin is a ceasefire line, one that separates the Indian-controlled state of J&K from the Chinese-controlled area. It lies further to the east and is known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC). It is also referred to as one of the most dangerous places in the world.
The infamous LAC passes through the famous Pangong Tso Lake of Ladakh. Need I say more about how beautiful this place is?
Must Read: 10 Unbelievably Beautiful Places To Visit In Kashmir
2. Silent Valley National Park, Kerala
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Due to a recent Maoist attack at Silent Valley National Park in Kerala there has been a considerable decline in the tourist influx. The tropical evergreen forests of the national park is bestowed with unspoilt natural beauty.
Must Read: 9 Amazing Places To Visit In Kerala During Monsoon For A Beautiful Holiday
3. Chambal River Basin, Madhya Pradesh
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The unmatched beauty of Chambal has been long reigned by some of India’s most infamous outlaws, who also seemed to have fancied the creativity of Bollywood movie makers since a long time. However, the danger of falling prey to the regional dacoits is still quite possible and hence it’s usually avoided by travellers.
4. Manas National Park, Assam
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You may find it hard to believe that a highly promoted wildlife sanctuary is also a place where terrorist activities have taken place but it’s true. Back in 2011, 6 WWF officials have been kidnapped by Bodo militants from Manas National Park. Government is still trying hard to keep peace and promote tourism of the wildlife sanctuary which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful forest reserve in India.
5. Tura, Meghalaya
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Tura is all about vibrant tribes, picturesque landscapes, gushing waterfalls, eerie limestone caves and sadly enough, terrorism. This little town in Meghalaya has been the victim of some of the most notorious terrorist organisations of Northeast since quite some time now making it a dangerous place for travellers.
Must Read: 20 Must Visit Places When Travelling to the North East
6. Haflong, Assam
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An enchanting town in the heart of NC Hills in Assam, Haflong faces major hindrance in its tourism sector by militants of various terrorist organisations.
7. Bastar, Chattisgarh
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Home of the Indian Niagara Falls, Chitrakoot, Bastar is a district in Chhattisgarh with rampant Naxalite activities. The entire district is laden with places of enchanting natural beauty but unfortunately it’s also one of the primary places falling in the red corridor.
8. Phulbani, Odisha
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Some 200 km away from Bhubaneswar in Odisha this splendorous little town is located boasting of charming waterfalls and picturesque landscapes. It is another place that falls in the red corridor of India affected by Maoists.
Must Read: 50 Best Hill Stations In India To Escape The City Heat
9. Nicobar Islands
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Unlike the Andamans, the Nicobar Islands are untouched and pristine. The forests are lush and the beaches are surreal beyond explanation. However, foreigners would require passes to enter the Islands and no visitor is allowed to enter the tribal belts unless for some special purposes like research. And even for that one will have to go through rigorous formalities.
Must Read: Top 12 Places To Visit In Andaman
10. Barren Islands, Andaman
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The only active volcano in India is located in the Barren Island of Andaman and Nicobar. You can see red-hot lava and smoke erupting from the mouth of the volcano for a distance inside the safety of a small ship. However, no one is allowed to get any closer to the hill due to safety reasons.
*[N.B- The cover picture is of Ladakh]
Thursday, February 19, 2009
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