Mandu - Jahaz Mahal (Ship Palace)

One of the most prominent medieval sites in Mandu, Madhya Pradesh is the Royal Encalve that dates to the 15th century. Jahaz Mahal (Number 11 in the map of Mandu fort) is a sprawling structure built on a narrow strip of land between two water bodies. Extensive reconstruction is under way, and the place now includes even a children's play area.
The palace is built between the Munj and Kapur water bodies, and its dimensions help in giving the viewer the impression of that of a ship in anchor, hence the name.







There is a modest archeaological museum (Taveli Mahal) which had me wondering why I had school lessons on Spanish Civil War and the American War of Independence instead of soaking up all this medieval glory.

Hindola Mahal (Swinging Palace) - noted for the sloping walls. (Number 9 in the map of Mandu fort)

My World Tuesday Issue XV - For glimpses of more worlds from around the globe, visit That's My World for a rich experience - a real virtual world tour!

Rupmati's abode in Mandu - lessons in history and romance

Mandu is a hill-fort near Dhar in Madhya Pradesh, central India. The hill is a part of the main Deccan plateau, but is separated from the rest of Malwa region by a very deep ravine. This area boasts of not only architectural delights, but also for preserving pre-historic 'records' -dinosaur eggs that were found a few years ago
You'll need lots of time to cover the 48 monuments that are 'on display', dating from medieval times.
One set of structures are the Rewa Kund, Baz Bahadur's palace, and Rani Rupmati's pavilions. (numbers 34, 35, and 36 in the list below).Rewa Kund
Baz Bahadur reigned at Malwa during Akbar's times. Our guide recounted not only the history behind each structure, but also tales of the romance between a poet-prince and his beautiful poet-musician queen Rupmati. We happily only half-listened to the guide's monotone - one is easily mesmerised by the views from Rupmati's pavilions. It was from here that the queen sought daily darshan of the river Narmada in the distance (on clear days the river can be seen winding its way in the plains below).




Views from inside Rupmati's pavilions
DKV has described the spot so well. Read Rupmati Pavilion in Mandu: The most Romantic Spot in India?
My World Tuesday Issue XIV - For glimpses of more worlds from around the globe, visit That's My World for a rich experience - a real virtual world tour!

Frolicking in the sand, and a gibbon's sound bytes.

Care to join him?

Listen to this Hoolock gibbon



Vist the world of fellow creatires in camera critters

Wordless Wednesday - Guess this item!

Wordless Wednesday - Jan 13 edition.
Guess the item. Would love to see your inputs! Let your imagination run wild....
Visit Wordless for more entries

Will put up the answer Jan 14 at 4:30 pm GMT :)
PS - (updated as promised)
Here's the answer - bangle holder! Thanks for all those guesses.
Hope you had as much fun as I did :). One of Raji's guesses on the mark!

Mhow's shadow work, smocked gowns, and goat leather products

Mhow, in Indore district of Madhya Pradesh (central India) offers a lot of goods for the eager shopper. You can pick up prettily embroidered suit material, sarees and little girls' dresses. The place is famous for smocked needlework - a thriving legacy from the colonial days - and 'shadow embroidery'. Even non-shoppers can have a fill just window-shopping!




These are artefacts made of goat leather - penstands, peg-table base, keyholder, toys





My World Tuesday Issue XIII - For glimpses of more worlds from around the globe, visit That's My World for a rich experience - a real virtual world tour!

Mortar mixing the eco-friendly, ancient way

Mortar consisting of powdered brick and lime being mixed, to be used in reconstruction of medieval monuments at Mandu, Madhya Pradesh
Picture taken at Jahaz Mahal, Mandu



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Camera-critters No 40
See more pictures of the same process

Skywatching at Beirchaa Lake

A series of sunset images caught at Beirchaa Lake, near MHOW, Madhya Pradesh (central India)






(Skywatch Friday No. 26)
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Paataal paani, near MHOW, Indore

Here are views of Paataal Paani, a scenic spot near MHOW, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh (central India).
The waterfall is little more than a trickle off-season, but the whole place turns green and vibrant in the monsoons.
Alongside is a metre-guage railway track, and the spot offers obvious opportunities to turn into a modern picnic spot with cable cars and walkways. But I prefer it 'raw'!


(Tried to make do with a few words!)
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These are pictures of the same place during the rainy seasons - July - September
The waterfall reaches a very deep gorge, which the locals have baptised as 'paataal' - meaning nether-world.


Thanks, Lt Col R, for sharing!

Preparing mortar without the mixer

Mortar consisting of powdered brick and lime being mixed, to be used in reconstruction of medieval monuments at Mandu, Madhya Pradesh
Picture taken at Jahaz Mahal, Mandu