Mandu, Madhya Pradesh

Mandu is the home of India's finest examples of Afghan architecture. Seen in the pictures is the Jahaz (ship) Mahal, a real romantic summer palace with a lot of water features.

Sun Temple Palace and bonus units

The Kaliadeh Palace was built on the site of a Sun Temple by the Shipra river. Now in shambles and very poorly kept. Also see pictures of a ram showing that animal sacrifices took place at this Shiva temple. The picture of Blake is the location where Krishan and his brother Balarama studied as young men. Finally check out the interesting autorickshaws - one is the regular kind and the other is called the "Ganesha"

Jantar Mantar, Ujjain

This is the third Jantar Mantar that we visited in India (built by Jaisingh). Not as elaborate as the first two but still very interesting. And the most interesting part is that Ujjain is just a few kilometers from the Tropic of Cancer - hence the picture of the world map here.

Shiva Linga's at Ujjain

Some images on the Ghats

Ram Ghats, at Ujjain

Ghats can be found throughout the country. Ghats are stone steps leading down to a holy river. The most famous being Varanasi and the Ganga river.

Through Ujjain runs the Shipra river and the Ram Ghats surround the river with many small temples of the Shiva Linga

Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh 12.26.09

Madhya Pradesh gets its name from being in the center of India (previously called Madhya Bharath aka Middle India). First town we visited was Ujjain, the holy city and a temple town dedicated to Lord Shiva.

In this group of photographs, you see the gates to the city of Ujjain. Huge oil lamps that must look like christmas trees when lit. These stupa lamps are situated at the temple of Devi. The story goes that Shiva was so upset with her death that he was carrying her body where ever he went. The disciples finally took away the body and cut it into pieces and threw the pieces around earth. Here is where the arm of the Devi fell. Blake is in front of the temple and Arpana is in front of the stupa