Offbeat Destinations from the Heart of India (Part III)

In the third part of the offbeat destination story, I bring you a few trip ideas which would be great during any season but ideal during the rains. That gives you a few months to plan the destinations journeys into some known and some unknown territories in the heart of India.

Here they are:

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Romantically stunning Mandu:

Abound with historical tales, this city makes for a quaint idyllic hilly dreamland in the monsoon season. Nature is at its scintillating best; you can see its enchanting beauty adorned with the greenery all around. Before entering in Mandu just take a halt to watch Kakrah Khoh waterfall. A captivating sight during monsoon, this waterfall looks breathtaking.

Going further, get mesmerized to see Jahaz Mahal floating on 2 water bodies- Kapur and Munj Talao. It stands beautiful against the lush green grass. During monsoon, the water level reaches the edge of the monument thereby giving it a ship like appearance; hence the name Jahaz Mahal. Don’t forget to visit Rani Roopmati Pavilion set at a vantage point. It commands a striking view of Narmada River which can be seen meandering through the plains like a streak of a thin silver lining. Enjoy the glory of a lush green landscape and the canopy of floating clouds from the Pavilion.

Bhopal:

A beautiful amalgamation of natural scenery and rich history, Bhopal looks amazingly pretty and brings out the hidden magic of this place. Soak in the soft sensuous experience of the melody of raindrops while walking through the by lanes of this beautiful city. You can begin your day with a cycling experience in Van Vihar National Park. What amplifies the beauty of this national park is that you get to explore its calmness and serenity in the surroundings via cycling. An early morning ride will certainly make your day! After touring the National Park, you can head to Wind Camp;

Waves restaurant (approx. 18 minutes from Van Vihar) which indeed gives you a breathtaking view of Upper Lake and you can enjoy monsoon to the fullest here.

Another scenic spot is Bharat Bhavan you should include in your must-visit list is Bharat Bhavan (center for performing and visual arts). Visiting this spot will not just spellbound you for its own beauty but you can actually enjoy drizzles standing on the rooftop facing

the lake.

Kerwa- Kaliyasot:

The entire stretch at Kerwa and Kaliyasot turns lush green. You can

enjoy a cycle ride or you can even plan long walks here. Also, if there is anything that truly defines the essence of this season then it is the “bhutta” or corn. You can enjoy munching on bhuttas available at the roadside stalls here. The flavor of the charcoaled, lemon and masala squeezed snack can bring water to anyone’s mouth!

Located at an hour’s drive from Bhopal, you can also enjoy a speed boat ride or visit the Halali waterfall which is 15 minutes away from MPT Halali Retreat. The destination makes your work and vacation experience all the more exciting when you sit in the lush green lawns and enjoy the peace all around the premises. Do plan a visit and come

back with a rejuvenating experience. You can also keep yourself engaged by exploring several points of interests like view point, Ginnorgarh fort 7kms from Delawadi, Chor Baoli, Choti Aamkho, Badi Aamkho and more.

Ginnourgarh Fort:

Historic Landmark located on a Scenic Hilltop: Ginnourgarh Fort, majestically rising on an isolated hill, was earlier part of the Gond Kingdom before being

taken over by Dost Mohammad of Bhopal State. This historic fort is well-known for its rich birdlife and stunning views. Its special appeal comes from the fact that it can only be reached on foot from Delawadi, turning the trip into an exciting experience. The

Fort, some 60 km from Bhopal, was the stronghold of Gonds under Rani Kamlapati, which, after her demise, was occupied by Dost Mohammad, the founder Nawab of Bhopal. With the rise of Bhopal, Ginnaurgarh lost its preeminent status and was soon

consigned to history. Today it is in ruins, trying hard to retain some semblance of its erstwhile glory. It is spread over some 1,100 m by 250 m isolated hill overlooking the verdant forests of what is now the Ratapani Sanctuary. The fort is not only picturesque but is an architectural marvel too. This and similar forts atop hills are notable for their water structures, which abound at Ginnorgarh as well. Ginnorgarh was occupied late in the Paramara period, as testified by architectural fragments incorporated into the current structures, but the location first rose to prominence under the Gond rulers. The

palace may have been constructed by Nizam Shah, a powerful Gond warlord.

Fortunately, the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has constituted an Eco-tourism Development Board and one of its tasks in addition to the promotion of eco-tourism could be to map, restore (with expert assistance) and maintain such sites and artifacts

lying within our forests. This distinctive location highlights a fascinating blend of urban life and nature, with some tigers known as “City Tigers”, as they occasionally venture near the periphery of the capital city, Bhopal.

To be continued…….

The writer is a consultant.