The question abruptly popped up in my mind was, why don’t go for a general exploration covering major Central Indian areas?
After drawing and redrawing on and off over a dozen months, I finally created a plan. According to it, I had to start from Bangalore on December 25 (2012) and cover Bhopal, Ujjain, Indore, Jabalpur, Mandla, Kanha National Park (Madya Pradesh), Raipur (Chattisgarh), Nagpur, Varda - Sevagram, Aurangabad, Ellora, Ajanta and Pune (Maharashtra) and reach Bangalore back on 6th of January (2013). Whole length of expedition was more than 5300kms, through the heartland of India using train, bus, auto, jeep and my own legs.
Well there were several objectives. First and foremost was to understand life and culture in these areas. To experience the atmosphere, language, food, people, nature etc.
Sajeev.
For reading rest of the articles please visit,
Dakshinayana Part One – An Introduction
Dakshinayana Part Two – Bangalore to Bhopal
Dakshinayana Part Three – Sanchi
Dakshinayana Part Four – Bhopal: The city of lakes
Dakshinayana Part Five: Ujjain – The Holy City, hearing the sounds of forefathers
Dakshinayana Part Six: Indore – Trade hub of Central India
Dakshinayana Part Seven – Jabalpur: Kalchuris, Gonds and Narmada
Dakshinayana Part Eight – Kanha National Park and Mandla
Dakshinayana Part Nine – Chhattisgarh and Raipur
Dakshinayana Part Ten: Nagpur – The Orange City
Dakshinayana Part Eleven – Sevagram: Walking with Gandhi
Dakshinayana Part Twelve – Aurangabad: The City of Gates
Dakshinayana Part Thirteen – Ellora Memories
Dakshinayana Part Fourteen – U shaped Ajanta
Dakshinayana Part Fifteen – Pune: The Maratha heartland
Dear Traveller, My forefather travelled from Prayagraj to Ujjain in 1802 after Vijay Dussehara following the tradition of Shiksha dan. He treated one of the advisor of Rani Ahilyabai family in Mahakal mandir in Ujjain. In 1804, he was awarded land grant and tax collection rights of three villages in Ujjain - Dewas region of Malwa. Thereafter, he never returned to Awad. I believed aforementioned route must have passed through religious places, along the rivers and must had met Dakshinapatha somewhere. I wanted to walk that route for my pilgrimage and homage to my that forefather. I trust that your travelouge is very helpful. Please keep on exploring. Bless you with good health and strong will.
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