Pancha Rathas, Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)

Five monolithic temples of Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)

Also see: FAM Trip of Tamil Nadu

55 km south of Chennai (Madras) lies the ancient port town of Mahabalipuram (now Mamallapuram) known for its gigantic rock-cut caves, massive monolithic structures, intricate bass relief panels and structural temples, including the famous Shore Temple.

Panoramic view of the Pancha Ratha Complex, Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)

The Pancha Rathas also known as Pandava Rathas are a group of five monolithic temples named after the five Pandavas and their common wife Draupadi (Nakula and Sahadeva share a single temple). Although the temples are named after Pandavas but they are not dedicated to them, so it is widely believed that the names probably emerged at a later date.

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Memorial of the Siamese Expeditionary Force in World War I, Bangkok

World War I Memorial, Bangkok

A Spanish Flu Connect

Also see: FAM Trip of Thailand 2022

I always have a passion for World War I (WWI) Memorials. Starting from my own city Kolkata to other Indian cities like Delhi, Chennai or Pune I have visited and documented several WWI memorials (Also see: World War I (WWI) Memorials)

Memorial of the Siamese Expeditionary Force in World War I, Bangkok

Thailand, then Siam, is the most likely place for a WWI Memorial as Thailand was never been colonized and it has remained neutral for the majority of contemporary international events.

Kozhikamuthi Elephant Camp, Topslip, Annamalai Tiger Reserve

Kozhikamuthi Elephant Camp

Topslip, Annamalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu

Also see: FAM Trip of Tamil Nadu 2022

News of wild elephants going on rampage in agricultural fields and attacking humans are quiet common in different parts of India.

Kozhikamuthi Elephant Camp, Topslip, Annamalai Tiger Reserve

No wonder with the increasing human population the wild elephants are losing their ground. They often make inroads into human settlements resulting into man-animal conflict.

Holiday Inn Express, Bangkok, Siam

An amazing gateway to explore Bangkok

Also see: FAM Trip of Thailand 2022

Bangkok is a big city with chaotic traffic and it has a challenge for tourists who wants to see most og Bangkok in limited time. So a hotel with a good location and access to mass public transport is an absolute must. Holiday Inn Express, Bangkok, Siam definitely satisfies the requirement.

Holiday Inn Express, Bangkok, Siam
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Run by the Inter-continental Hotel Group (IHG) a well-known hospitality brand providing everyday essential travel to luxury escapes and budget-wise staycations in over 6,000+ destinations worldwide.

World War Memorials and Cemeteries, Pune

World War Memorials and Cemeteries of Pune

A compilation of World War Memorials and Cemeteries in Pune

Also see: World War I (WWI) Posts

Over a million Indian soldiers served the British Army during the First World War (WWI), which was initially known as the Great War of 1914 – 18. Over 70,000 died fighting in different war theatres spread across Europe, Middle East and Africa.

World War Memorials and Cemeteries of Pune
Left: Pune World War I Memorial, Top right: Maratha War Memorial and Bottom right: Kirkee War Cemetery

Cossimbazar, colonial mansions, cemeteries and church

Cossimbazar

Colonial mansions, cemeteries, churches and more

Also see: Murshidabad Heritage Festival 2022

The non-descript settlement of Cossimbazar is sandwiched between Murshidabad and Berhampore. Once a busy river port and a flourishing trading center it presently lives in the shadows of its more famous historic counterpart Murshidabad. Only a handful of tourist who visits Murshidabad makes it to Cossimbazar, which have all elements of an independent tourist destination.

Cossimbazar
Top row left to right: Palace of Roys, Nandi Family Mansion and Old English Cemetery
Bottom row left to right: Dutch Cemetery, Dos Shiva Temple and Armenian Church

The emergence of Cossimbazar as a river port happened in the early part of the 17th century long before the emergence of Murshidabad. By the mid of 17th century the Dutch, French and British have already established their trading post (known as factories) in Cossimbazar. Known for its exotic silk Cossimbazr soon started attracting traders from far and wide turning the small settlement into an international trading hub.

R K Laxman Museum, Pune

Museum of India’s most popular cartoonists

Also see: FAM Trip of Pune

Rasipuram Krishnaswami Laxman (1921 – 2015), or simply R K Laxman was a well-known cartoonist and illustrator, best known for his famous creation The Common Man. R K Laxman Museum is located in Balwadi, Pune contains almost 35,000 of his sketches.

Statue of Common Man at the entrance of R K Laxman Museum, Pune

This museum cum art gallery is a project of Pune Municipal Corporation. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2022. The museum tells the story of Laxman and his career. The story of how his pen and brush along with his sense of humor have turned him into a legend.

Shinde Chhatri, Memorial of Mahadji Shinde (Scindia)

Shinde Chhatri, Pune

Memorial of Mahadji Shinde (Scindia)

Also see: FAM Trip of Pune

Shinde Chhatri at Wanawadi in Pune is a memorial or cenotaph dedicated to the 18th century Maratha military leader Mahadji Shinde who served as the commander-in-chief of the Maratha army under the Peshwas from 1760 to 1780.

Shinde Chhatri (left) and Shiva Temple (right) at Wanawadi in Pune

Mahadaji Shinde (23 December 1730 – 12 February 1794) later known as Mahadji Scindia was a Maratha statesman and ruler of Ujjain in Central India. Mahadaji was instrumental in resurrecting Maratha power in North India after the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761, and rose to become a trusted lieutenant of the Peshwa Madhavrao I.

Memorial of APJ Abdul Kalam, Rameswaran

Memorial of APJ Abdul Kalam

Rameswaran

Also see: FAM Trip of Tamil Nadu

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam or simply APJ Abdul Kalam (15 October 1931 – 27 July 2015) was the 11 ^th President of India (25 July 2002 – 25 July 2007). Known as the “People’s President” and the “Missile man of India” Kalam came from a humble background.

Memorial of APJ Abdul Kalam, Rameswaran

He was born in Rameswaram, an important Hindu pilgrimage in Pamban Island (also known as Rameswaran Island). Kalam came from a very humble background but excelled in academics. He went on to study aerospace engineering in Madras Institute of Technology (IIT).

Murshidabad Heritage Festival 2022

Heritage of Murshidabad, Cossimbazar, Jiaganj and Azimganj

Also see: Murshidabad Heritage Festival 2022

The Murshidabad Heritage Festival is an initiative of Murshidabad Heritage Development Society (MHDS). MHDS was founded in 2010 by the Sheherwali community of Jiaganj and Azimganj with an objective of reviving the tangible and intangible heritage in Azimganj and Jiaganj in particular, and Murshidabad in general.

Participants of Murshidabad Heritage Festival 2022 at Nasipur Rajbari

MDHS plans to bring back Murshidabad in the tourism, cultural and heritage map of India. This lead to the formation of Murshidabad Heritage Festival first edition of which was celebrated in 2011.