KP On The Go!

Introduction Malhargad is one of the youngest forts in India. It was built by the Marathas in the latter half of the 18th century to guard the Dive Ghat route connecting Saswad to Pune. The fort can be accessed by a short climb of 20 minutes after a short detour from the Dive Ghat road, thus making it a quick getaway from Pune on any day. The Sun Also Rises -x-x-x- Getting (Climbing) In One has to take the Dive Ghat route from Pune on the way to Saswad. After the ghat climb, one should take the road to the left at the next to Shakuntala Misal leading towards Zendewadi. The road deteriorates after a while, but leads on the the base of Malhargad where one can park the vehicle. Two paths from this point can be used to climb to the fort - the straight rough path or the gentle switch-back route on the right.     The fort seen from the parking lot The stairs leading to the 'Chor Darwaza' The gentle switch-backs The main road of the Dive Ghat is s...

Introduction The triple cities of Warangal, Hanamkonda and Kazipet contitute the second largest urban area in the state of Telangana after the capital city Hyderabad. Apart from being an urban centre, the triplets are also culturally important since Warangal was the capital of the Kakatiya Dynasty around the 12th and 13th centuries. A few monuments from that era dot the urban-scape here; the Thousand Pillared temple and the Kakatiyan Arches being the main ones. One of the Kakatiyan Arches - the symbol of Warangal -x-x-x- The Thousand Pillared Temple This is perhaps a monument at the heart of the triplets, located as it is at the centre of Hanamkonda. The temple premises are easily reachable from the main road connecting the triplets. The entrance to the complex is from the north. The complex has three sections - the Ramappa Temple to the north and the actual thousand pillared section to the south and a stepped tank to the east. An open Nandi pedestal is between the Rama...

Introduction The village of Nandi at the foot of the Nandi Hills, about 60kms to the north of Bengaluru, is home to the beautiful temple of Bhoga Nandeeshwara. The temple, dating back to the 9th century, features elements related to the Dravidian, Hoysala and Vijayanagara schools of architecture. The temple is a fantastic example of the cumulative harmony of culture - each of the elements is distinct and yet is integral to the entire monument without over-riding any other element. This would be in direct contrast to monuments (especially those related to the Sultanates and Mughals) where older monuments were destroyed and their components used to create a new one. The Nandi hills and the beautiful Pinakini Kote The Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple complex can be divided into four sections: the outer enclave, the temples, the halls and the tank. All sections other than the main temple bear a prominent Vijayanagara badge and are the more recent (about 16th century) additions to the co...