Blog 13
Today, I embark on my long Journey home. I am so sad to be leaving this serene, beautiful, and tranquil place. This trip has broadened my horizons greatly in so many ways. I hope to return to India very soon!
Namaste!
Thursday, 28 February 2013
Blog 12
In Varanasi I hoped to experience the most personal growth. Throghout my trip in India, i have seen countless life changing things but Varanasi feels particularly special.
In order to coexist with the Indians and their religion, I visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in central Varanasi. This temple is said to be the most worshiped and the holiest place of the Hindu people. The temple stands on the western river bank of the Ganges and is one of the twelve holiest temples. People from all over the nation are all visiting this temple and wish to have a holy bath and prayer. Unfortunately, I wasn't lucky enough to bathe in the holy water.
In Varanasi I hoped to experience the most personal growth. Throghout my trip in India, i have seen countless life changing things but Varanasi feels particularly special.
In order to coexist with the Indians and their religion, I visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in central Varanasi. This temple is said to be the most worshiped and the holiest place of the Hindu people. The temple stands on the western river bank of the Ganges and is one of the twelve holiest temples. People from all over the nation are all visiting this temple and wish to have a holy bath and prayer. Unfortunately, I wasn't lucky enough to bathe in the holy water.
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| Kashi Vishwanath Temple on the Ganges River |
Blog 11
This week's destination was the most peaceful yet. I travelled south to Varanasi, India's holiest city. Hinduism and Jainism is practiced here and it is said that Hindus believe death in Varanasi brings salvation. The culture of Varanasi is closely associated with the Ganges. The city has been a cultural centre of North India for several thousand years, and has a history that is older than most of the major world religions! People often refer to Varanasi as "the city of temples", "the holy city of India", "the religious capital of India", "the city of lights", "the city of learning", and "the oldest living city on earth".
This week's destination was the most peaceful yet. I travelled south to Varanasi, India's holiest city. Hinduism and Jainism is practiced here and it is said that Hindus believe death in Varanasi brings salvation. The culture of Varanasi is closely associated with the Ganges. The city has been a cultural centre of North India for several thousand years, and has a history that is older than most of the major world religions! People often refer to Varanasi as "the city of temples", "the holy city of India", "the religious capital of India", "the city of lights", "the city of learning", and "the oldest living city on earth".
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| Varanasi, India |
Blog 10
I travelled to Agra about a month into my journey. My number one destination for this whole trip is to visit the Taj Mahal. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage.
I travelled to Agra about a month into my journey. My number one destination for this whole trip is to visit the Taj Mahal. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage.
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| Map of Agra |
Blog 9
Finally, I arrived in New Dheli! Today, I visited India Gate. The monument is inspired by the Arc de Trimphe located in Paris, which in turn is inspired by the Roman Arch of Titus. It was built in 1931. Originally known as the All India War Memorial, It is a prominent landmark in Delhi and commemorates the 90.000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who lost their lives in World War I.
Finally, I arrived in New Dheli! Today, I visited India Gate. The monument is inspired by the Arc de Trimphe located in Paris, which in turn is inspired by the Roman Arch of Titus. It was built in 1931. Originally known as the All India War Memorial, It is a prominent landmark in Delhi and commemorates the 90.000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who lost their lives in World War I.
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| India Gate |
Blog 7
I woke up bright and early to see what the city was up too. Today, I was determined to visit the Surayanarayana Temple. It is one among the few sun god temples in the world. The temple was constructed by Shri Patel D.R Krishna Reddy in the year 1995, and was inaugurated b his Holliness Shree Shree Shree Shiva Kumar Swamyji of SidhaGanga Mutt Tumkir. The temple was so beautiful! It was built by skilled and crafty artisan in Chola style in rock granite. The temple attracts thousands of people who are devoted to it every day.
I woke up bright and early to see what the city was up too. Today, I was determined to visit the Surayanarayana Temple. It is one among the few sun god temples in the world. The temple was constructed by Shri Patel D.R Krishna Reddy in the year 1995, and was inaugurated b his Holliness Shree Shree Shree Shiva Kumar Swamyji of SidhaGanga Mutt Tumkir. The temple was so beautiful! It was built by skilled and crafty artisan in Chola style in rock granite. The temple attracts thousands of people who are devoted to it every day.
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| Surayanaranyana Temple |
Blog 6
Finally I arrived in Bangalore! The train station was more lively than ever! Since this is such a new and exciting city, I decided to look for a nice hotel rather than staying in a hostel. About a 40 minute tuk tuk ride away form the station, I found the Moevenpik Hotel. After getting settled in the hotel, I visited the Vidhana Soudha, The seat of the state legislature of Karnakata. It is an imposing building, constructed in a style sometimes describes as myspre Neo-Devidian, and incorporates elements of Indo-Saracenic and Dravidian Styles. Better rest up for my trip to see the temples tomorrow!
Goodnight Bangalore!
Finally I arrived in Bangalore! The train station was more lively than ever! Since this is such a new and exciting city, I decided to look for a nice hotel rather than staying in a hostel. About a 40 minute tuk tuk ride away form the station, I found the Moevenpik Hotel. After getting settled in the hotel, I visited the Vidhana Soudha, The seat of the state legislature of Karnakata. It is an imposing building, constructed in a style sometimes describes as myspre Neo-Devidian, and incorporates elements of Indo-Saracenic and Dravidian Styles. Better rest up for my trip to see the temples tomorrow!
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| Vidhana Soudha |
Goodnight Bangalore!
Blog 5
Today I am on the train headed towards Bangalore. I've heard that it's the third most populated city in India, which is tons of people! I am very excited to go to Bangalore, It will be a lot different then the more slum like areas of Mumbai. I can't wait to indulge in all the innovation and technology going on there! The train ride is 13 hours long and its only been 5 so far. Can't wait to get there!!!
Today I am on the train headed towards Bangalore. I've heard that it's the third most populated city in India, which is tons of people! I am very excited to go to Bangalore, It will be a lot different then the more slum like areas of Mumbai. I can't wait to indulge in all the innovation and technology going on there! The train ride is 13 hours long and its only been 5 so far. Can't wait to get there!!!
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| Bangalore, India |
Blog 4
Before I left Mumbai, I decided it was necessary to visit the fondly spoken about Shree Siddhivinayak temple in Central Mumbai. This is a hindu temple that was dedicated to Lord Shri Ganesh. When I walked in, there was a rather large shrine for Lord Ganesh. The roof was plated with gold and there was a hamuran temple as well!
Goodnight Mumbai!
Before I left Mumbai, I decided it was necessary to visit the fondly spoken about Shree Siddhivinayak temple in Central Mumbai. This is a hindu temple that was dedicated to Lord Shri Ganesh. When I walked in, there was a rather large shrine for Lord Ganesh. The roof was plated with gold and there was a hamuran temple as well!
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| Shree Siddhivinayak Temple |
Goodnight Mumbai!
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
Blog 3
The trip to the caves of Ajanta Ellora has been my most amazing day in India yet. To my surprise, they were not a dark and dusty type cave, they were open and bright beautiful spaces full of art and structures! I learned, there are 34 structures in all. There are 12 bhuddist caves, 17 Hindu caves, and 5 Jain caves. Two huge colums and elephant structures stand guard at the entrance. The corridors were decorated with 6 or 7 feet high sculptures along the walls.
After my day trip, I found a small restaurant serving seafood in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. The man served buttery curry prawns with rice.. Yum! Great end to a great day.
The trip to the caves of Ajanta Ellora has been my most amazing day in India yet. To my surprise, they were not a dark and dusty type cave, they were open and bright beautiful spaces full of art and structures! I learned, there are 34 structures in all. There are 12 bhuddist caves, 17 Hindu caves, and 5 Jain caves. Two huge colums and elephant structures stand guard at the entrance. The corridors were decorated with 6 or 7 feet high sculptures along the walls.
After my day trip, I found a small restaurant serving seafood in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. The man served buttery curry prawns with rice.. Yum! Great end to a great day.
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| Ajanta Ellora Caves |
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| Butter Curry Prawns |
Monday, 25 February 2013
Blog 2
I landed in Mumbai tired as ever. After a long flight, I was ready to find my way to the train station where I would make my way to the state known as Maharashtra. When i stepped foot outside the airport, I found the first tuk tuk I could and headed to the train station. I was very tired, but the rush of people, sounds, and colours all around me kept me awake. When i arrived, I was shocked to find out the ride was 6 hours and 55 minutes long! I told myself it was all part of the adventure....
When i finally arrived in Maharashtra, it was already very late in the evening. I found a hostel nearest to the train station and decided to spend the night. To my surprise, the man in the hostel only charged me 5 dollars Canadian, which is 262 Ruppee (Indian Currency.)
Goodnight india!
I landed in Mumbai tired as ever. After a long flight, I was ready to find my way to the train station where I would make my way to the state known as Maharashtra. When i stepped foot outside the airport, I found the first tuk tuk I could and headed to the train station. I was very tired, but the rush of people, sounds, and colours all around me kept me awake. When i arrived, I was shocked to find out the ride was 6 hours and 55 minutes long! I told myself it was all part of the adventure....
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| Inside the train |
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| The hostel where I stayed |
Goodnight india!
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
Blog 1
Tonight, I anxiously lie in my bed pondering my trip into the real world tomorrow. Early in the morning, Im hopping on the plan to India. I have been planning my trip for almost a year now and am more than excited! India has been an obsession of mine and I can't wait to see what's in store! In the morning, I will leave the house to catch my plane leaving Vancouver Airport at 6:15 AM. Unfortunately, my plane will make a stop in London and arrive in Mumbai (Bombay) the following day at 11:30 PM. Air Canada will be taking me to London, and then I'll hop on Jet Airways on my way to Mumbai.
Rather than travel like the rich, I will only be bringing the clothes on my back and one HUGE backpack. When I arrive, I am expecting the weather to be rather cool. From word of mouth and much research, Ive heard that November to mid February are the best months to begin your travels to escape the scorching heat, and the monsoons. If I'm unhappy with the weather, I can just travel to the North for a change in Climate. On the map below, you can see that mumbai is in the West of india right on the coast of the Arabian Sea.
Let's see what happens... See you in three months Canada!
Tonight, I anxiously lie in my bed pondering my trip into the real world tomorrow. Early in the morning, Im hopping on the plan to India. I have been planning my trip for almost a year now and am more than excited! India has been an obsession of mine and I can't wait to see what's in store! In the morning, I will leave the house to catch my plane leaving Vancouver Airport at 6:15 AM. Unfortunately, my plane will make a stop in London and arrive in Mumbai (Bombay) the following day at 11:30 PM. Air Canada will be taking me to London, and then I'll hop on Jet Airways on my way to Mumbai.
Rather than travel like the rich, I will only be bringing the clothes on my back and one HUGE backpack. When I arrive, I am expecting the weather to be rather cool. From word of mouth and much research, Ive heard that November to mid February are the best months to begin your travels to escape the scorching heat, and the monsoons. If I'm unhappy with the weather, I can just travel to the North for a change in Climate. On the map below, you can see that mumbai is in the West of india right on the coast of the Arabian Sea.
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| Map Of India |
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| Mumbai (Bombay) Airport |
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| My Backpack |
Let's see what happens... See you in three months Canada!
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