This post is part of a series on ‘Walks in India‘.
Place: Pushkar
Highlights: Lakeside walk, Holy Ghats, Brahma Temple, Rangji Temple
Season: October to March, when it is not hot.
Time of the day: Evening – 3.30pm to 7pm
Distance: Approximately 3kms
Difficulty: Easy
Map. This is an interactive map of the walk. Zoom in to get a closer look. Click on the blue markers to identify of each location.
View Walks in India – Pushkar in a larger map
Places to see and walking map of Pushkar
The Walk.
Start from Rangji Temple near the North-East corner of the lake. This is a quiet and relatively less visited temple, but has beautiful Gopuras that are worth a visit.
From here, walk towards the lake, get down the steps and into the ghats at the north-east corner. You can see long ghats on either side of you which have steps leading into the lake, and many temples along the walls. You can watch people taking ritual bath, helped by priests or hire a priest yourself. Often you can see hundreds of pigeons along the ghats. If you wish to, buy grains on the ghats and feed the pigeons.
Spend leisurely time on the ghats, get back to the road and walk west. The road is full of shops servicing backpackers, selling colorful cloths, trinkets, restaurants serving international cuisine, internet cafes, etc. Walk on this road till you hit Brahma Temple, and get into the temple. This is said to be the only temple dedicated to Brahma in the world, since Brahma is usually not worshiped in temple. Walk along the narrow lanes around the temple, where you can discovering people preparing local delicacies in small restaurants. Stop for a sugary Malpua or an Aloo Tikki if you are up to it.
Continue circumambulating the lake. As you go further, you will see some open spaces and better views of the lake. You also cross a bridge, where it is required to remove your footwear and walk. There are many cafes along the walk where you can stop for coffee or snacks. All through the walk, you will also see small temples which you can explore.
The walk ends when you complete the circle and return to where you started.
This post is part of a series on ‘Walks in India‘.
Place: Periyar Tiger Reserve
Highlights: Forest Walks, possible sightings from anything mundane to even the big cat, boat ride at the end of the walk.
Season: October to May, when it is not raining.
Time of the day: Morning – 6.30am to 8am
Distance: Approximately 3kms
Difficulty: Easy
Map. This is an interactive map of the walk. Zoom in to get a closer look. The walk begins near the intersection of four roads in the map and ends at the boat jetty.
The Walk.
Photos by Himanshu Sarpotdar and diametrik
Start from the gates of Periyar Tiger Reserve at Kumily. You need to pay a small entry fee to get in. Thick jungle begins the moment you enter through the gate.
It is almost an hour’s walk from the gate to Thekkady, where all the tourist facilities of the reserve are located. Stroll slowly in the thick forest that surrounds you. Occasionally, you will get teasing glimpses of the big lake in the reserve, but not a full view till you reach Thekkady.
What you can sight on the way completely depends on your luck. It could be some interesting birds like White Bellied Treepie or Malabar Grey Hornbill, or some mammals like Wild Boars and Sambar deer. Lucky ones might even spot the tiger, but since you are on foot, you might be better off giving the big cat a miss.
Once you reach the place where all the tourist facilities are, you can have breakfast in the restaurant, take a boat ride, or sign up for jungle walks. You can hire a rickshaw for your way back, or walk back again if you prefer.
This post is part of a series on ‘Walks in India‘.
Place: Orchha
Highlights: Cenautaphs, Riverside Walk, ancient palaces and temples
Season: November to February, when it is not hot.
Time of the day: Evening – 3pm to 6pm
Distance: Approximately 3kms
Difficulty: Easy
Map. This is an interactive map of the walk. Zoom in to get a closer look. Click on the blue markers to identify of each location.
View Walks in India – Orchha in a larger map
Places to see and walking map of Orchha
The Walk.
With inputs and photographs from Celine.
Orchha is a small town in Madhya Pradesh near Jhansi. It is full of history and ancient structures, but has still not been part of any major tourist itinerary.
Begin the walk from the southern edge of the town at the Chhatris, cenotaphs of Orchha’s rulers. The Chhatris are located close to Betwa River; pay a visit to the river before walking northwards into the town. You can also cross the river using a bridge near the chhatris.
Walk north to the town, which is full of ancient temples and palaces. Visit the 17th century Chaturbhuj Temple, where you can walk up to the roof for panoramic views of Orchha town and the meandering river. Turn right here, cross the arched bridge and enter the enclosure of the Orchha Fort Complex that houses Jehangir Mahal and Raj Mahal. Visit Jehangir Mahal for its impressive Bundelkhand architecture and Raj Mahal for its beautiful painted ceilings, both are major attractions of Orchha. Nearby is the Rai Parveen Mahal, built in early 17th century for the lady of Raja Indramani.
Return to the center of the town and walk past Phool Bagh, near which
are the wind-catching tall towers popularly called Sawan Bhadon. Walk beyond the town for a kilometer to get to Laxminarayan Temple, which was built in 17th century.
The walk ends at Laxminarayan Temple.
You may need to find a way to get to Chhatris to begin the walk, and to get back from Laxminarayan Temple to your hotel. If you are planning a round trip from your hotel, add another 1.5km to your itinerary. A few well known hotels in Orchha are located to the south of the town, not very far from the Chhatris.