Are You A Travel Wiz? Guess The Destinations We Picked For This Crossword
Move away from cliche spots and play our quirky crossword that will help you decide on a fun and unique place where you can spend upcoming long weekends
From the serene snow-capped Himalayan villages and the quiet backwaters of Kerala to the cacophonous streets of Delhi and sandy shores of Pondicherry, India’s geographical diversity is mimicked in its rich cultural heritage. As you wind down on old country roads, many destinations beckon you to put on your exploratory cap.
And this long weekend, make the most of a free Monday, and play our iconic crossword puzzle where lie six hidden travel destinations that should be on your radar. These regions are underrated, affordable and renowned for their natural beauty. If you are a travel wiz, we challenge you to see if you can find them all.
While you decide, here are some UNESCO World Heritage sites across India that also make for excellent choices for a quick weekend getaway.
Bhimbetka Rock Shelters
Rock paintings in Bhimbetka caves. Picture: bhopal.nic.in
Situated in Madhya Pradesh, Bhimbetka Rock Shelters is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that traces its history to the Mesolithic Age. According to local legends, the name Bhimbetka is derived from ‘bhimbaithka’ meaning ‘the sitting place of Bhima’, from Mahabharata. Over 243 rock shelters contain cave paintings that date back to approximately 30,000 years, making it a historical heirloom. Out of the 760 caves in Bhimbetka, roughly 500 caves have these prehistoric paintings that describe the rich flora and fauna that thrived in the region as well as those of early human civilisations.
Hill Forts of Rajasthan
The fortifications of Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajasthan. Picture: Unsplash
The hill forts of Rajasthan site includes forts in Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Sawai Madhopur, Jhalawar, Jaipur, and Jaisalmer. These massive fortifications are a testament to the power of the Rajput empire that spanned across multiple cities in what is now Rajasthan. Within the fortified walls of these structures, many of which span kilometres, large cities hosted thousands of residents whose life and culture is of great interest even today. From the desert hill fort of Jaisalmer to the forest hill fort of Ranthambore, these forts in Rajasthan used the natural environment as a source of defence and are incredible in the rich cultural legacy they carry.
Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell)
Rani-ki-Vav in Gujarat. Picture: Gujarat Tourism
Stepwells have been a characteristic of dry states like Rajasthan and Gujarat where water scarcity was an everyday reality. But situated on the banks of Saraswati River in Patan, Gujarat is a unique stepwell called Rani-ki-Vav, which translates to ‘the Queen’s Stepwell’. It was constructed by Rani Udaymati in memory of her husband, King Bhima 1, of the Chalukya or Solanki dynasty in the 11th century AD. What makes this stepwell unique is the complex technique used in its construction as well as beautification, and boasts 500 main sculptures and 1000 minor sculptures that talk about religion, mythology and more. Rani-ki-Vav is designed as an inverted temple to highlight the sanctity of water, and is divided into seven levels of stairs. Its architectural prowess and ingenuity has made it feature on the new 100 rupee note in India.
Mountain Railways of India
This site includes three railways – The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway and the Kalka Shimla Railway. DHR, which opened in 1881, is the first of its kind in India, and provided a beautiful mountainous route in the hilly terrains of Darjeeling. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway in Tamil Nadu was opened in 1908, and the Kalka Shimla Railway was built in the mid-19th century to connect the two cities. These three heritage railway lines are still operational today and offer travellers a unique journey through India’s mountains.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also called the Toy Train. Picture: Unsplash
Fatehpuri Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri in Agra. Picture: Shutterstock
About an hour from Agra is Fatehpur Sikri, built during the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar as his capital. Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory) is a complex of monuments and temples, and boasts signature Mughal architectural style. The town is bound by a wall on three sides and is built on the southeast end of a man-made lake. Two significant buildings—the royal palaces and the Jama Masjid, one of the biggest mosques in India—are the main attractions. Red sandstone and marble were used in the construction of Fatehpur Sikri’s main structure, which shows a strong influence of regional and Persian architecture. Another attraction at Fatehpur Sikri is the tomb of Salim Chisti, which faces south, towards the Buland Darwaza ( the victory gate), which is the highest gateway in India.
Rani ki Vav in Patan, Gujarat. Picture: Shutterstock
