A calm mist settled over the centuries old temples in front of me as I woke to the sun creeping up over the tree-line across the river. Flocks of colorful birds began circling the crumbling ruins as the sun rose higher. The first sounds of dawn in Orchha weren’t car horns or train whistles but the sounds of the Indian Rollers and junglefowls echoing through the forest. The rolling green hills of the Bundelkhand region…
“Benares is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together.” – Mark Twain Varanasi — known as Benares during Mark Twain’s time — is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world, going back perhaps 5000 years. The city attracts people from all over India and the world to enter its holy river, to pray, to search for meaning, to…
Situated on the bank of the Yamuna River, the city of Agra stands as one of India’s most glorified ancient capitals and is home to the country’s most iconic landmark — The Taj Mahal. It lies at the southern end of India’s golden triangle — the triangular tourist route between the cities of Agra, Jaipur, and Delhi. Agra has been at the center of the Mughal Empire for much of the 15th and 16th centuries.…
Color adorns every corner of this desert city. From the bright reds and oranges of the sari’s worn by the local women, to the vivid blue paint covering the buildings surrounding the red sandstone fort standing high in its center. Upon a backdrop of crystal blue dessert sky everything seems to pop, forming an eye catching spectacle of color. Other senses are also stimulated no matter where you go in the city. Your ears are…
Situated just a few hours south of India’s frenzied capital is the vast desert landscape of Rajasthan and its modern capital of Jaipur. A city known for its vibrant colors, ancient Hindu temples, and grand monuments that boast of the glorious past, chivalry, and valor of the Rajput kings and their armies. Also known as the ‘Pink City’ owing to the pink sandstone composition of its buildings, the charisma of this cultural jewel of India…