Cultural potpourri: Temples, safaris and folklore

ET-Panache Travel readers suggest the best cultural, scenic and romantic spots to visit this December. Take a look and make a plan.

A VIEW SO PLEASING Region: Hampi

The UNESCO world heritage site of Hampi is situated in the north of Karnataka.

J Ravishankar says: I want to visit this place over and again for its beauty. Hampi is the glorious capital city of the mighty Vijayanagar Empire. Though currently in a ruined state, it has a magical aura that lets you celebrate the sights. It inspires a sense of spiritual mystery, awe, and fascination. Every inch of this great place calls for a story of its own. I’m stumped by its beauty — A combination of qualities, such as its secular architecture, the daze in the anchorage of the boulderstones in every hill around, the canals and the tributaries of the river accompanying you everywhere you go, The grandeur of Hampi pleases the aesthetic senses. Boundless boulders, magnificent monuments, refulgent River Tungabhadra – look inseparable and in synthesis.



A TREAT FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS Region: Pushkar, Rajasthan

Gowri Sundarajan says: I visited Pushkar Mela, an annual five-day camel and livestock fair, in a small town of Rajasthan. The world’s largest gathering of camels. Taking place at a tiny town filled with temples, narrow streets and tranquil picturesque Pushkar Lake and ghats. There were men in brightly coloured turbans as far as the eye can see trade in livestock, while the women and children enjoy food, shopping, shows and entertainment activities at the fair. Enough dust and sand and hundreds of photographers in every corner, taking thousands of photographs of this visual delightful event.

It was a spectacle on an epic scale, where traditions and spirituality meet and one can experience the culture and grandeur of Rajasthan. It’s indeed an incredible experience to visit Pushkar during the fair and get a glimpse of the colourful rural Indian life.



DESERT SPLENDOUR Region: The White Rann of Kutch, Gujarat

Swati Maheshwar says: My husband and I explored the entire Kutch District on a motorcycle. On the way to Dholavira, one of the largest Harappan sites, we cruised on a smooth road tucked between a large expanse of white desert. There was no sign of any human presence; only a glistening, marshy land for as far as our eyes could see. Just then, a caravan of camels came by, marching in a single file; unattended by any human guardian. They seemed to be in a quiet reverie, walking in slow steps against a limitless white background. We parked and waited for them to go by, not wanting to distract the perfect setting with the thump of our bike. They, in turn, didn’t react to our presence; which was perhaps their way of making us feel at home in their territory. It was magical.