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Dewas – The Abode of Gods

An ancient city in Madhya Pradesh, Dewas is located in the Malwa plateau. This old town was founded in early 18th century by Tukaji Rao and his younger brother Jivaji Rao of the Puar clan of Marathas. They came here in 1728 during the rule of Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao. The brothers divided the territory between them, and their descendants ruled as two branches of the family.

During the British period, Dewas served as the capital for two princely states—Dewas Senior and Dewas Junior. In today’s time, the city is an important industrial town.

The name ‘Dewas’ can be loosely translated to ‘Devon ka vaas’ meaning ‘Abode of the Gods'. The city gets its name from Devi Vashini Hill, which stands in the centre of the town. Locally known as ‘Devi ki Tekri’, this conical hill is considered to be a sacred site with temples dedicated to Devi Tulja Bhavani, Chamunda Mata, and Kalika Mata.

The main attractions in Dewas are:

1.       Dewas Tekri

With an elevation of about 91 meters, the Dewas Tekri is the highest point in Dewas. Tourists can enjoy an amazing bird’s eye view of the entire city from the top of this hill. Devotees in large numbers come here to pay their respects to Devi Tulja Bhawani, Chamunda Mata and Kalika Mata. There are two paths to climb up the hill – one you have to walk on a steep slope way, and second you have to climb up a difficult flight of stone steps. It is a beautiful route with scenic views. Many youngsters like to take the steps for a light hiking experience.

The other alternative is a ropeway facility run by Damodar Ropeways & Infra Limited [DRIL], one of the oldest ropeway construction companies in India. The Dewas ropeway is 400 meter long, starting at the base of the hill and up to the Chamunda Mata Temple. The ropeway has been operational since 2017. Visitors can take the ropeway at Dewas Tekri and enjoy a fun experience.

2.       Pawar Chattries

The Pawar Chatries of Dewas, located near the Meetha Talaab, are everlasting symbols of Maratha architecture. Their powerful presence is a living statement of the royal might held by the Puar Kings. This architectural marvel offers a glimpse of an era gone by, telling tales of majestic life filled with splendor and royalty of the Maratha kings.

3.       Mahadev Temple

Located in Shankar Garh on top of a hill, the Mahadev Temple was built by the Dewas ruler Shrimant Sadashive Rao Maharaja (Khase Saheb) in the year 1942. In olden days, of Hindu religious saints used to stay here and impart their religious teachings to the residents of Dewas.

4.       Mahakaleshwar Bilawali Temple

Situated about 3km north of Dewas, the Mahakaleshwar temple in Bilavali village is another major attraction for the tourists. It is believed that the size of the Shivling in this temple increases every year

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6 Places in Tawang You Must Visit

Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh is a beautiful paradise of natural beauty. The snow-capped mountains, high mountain passes, old Buddhist monasteries, picturesque lakes and quaint villages make Tawang one of the top offbeat destinations in India.

The best places to visit in Tawang are:

Sela Pass

Sela Pass is a lifeline for the people of Tawang, connecting the whole district to the rest of India. This high mountain pass has an elevation of 4170 meters, and is covered in snow all throughout the year. The road is a stunning display of the majestic beauty of the Himalayas. The Indian armed forces monitor Sela Pass all year long. They provide help and assistance in keeping the road open even during difficult weather. Located on the north side of the Sela Pass is the frozen beauty of Sela Lake. The high-altitude lake is a spectacular sight and one of the most famous lakes in Arunachal Pradesh. Both the Sela Pass and Sela Lake are unmatched and unparalleled in their beauty.  

Tawang Monastery

The official name for Tawang Monastery is Golden Namgey Lhatse. It is the largest monastery in India and the second largest in the world. Built on a height of 3000 meters, the monastery offers some charming and serene views overlooking the lush green valley of Tawang River. Believed to be 400 years old, Tawang Monastery was founded by Merek Lama Lodre Gyamsto in 1680-81 at the behest of the 5th Dalai Lama. Built as a large mansion, the structure is three-storey high. The main temple inside the monastery, known as the Dukhang, features a massive statue of Buddha of 18 feet. The interior walls are exquisitely decorated with paintings, murals, carvings, sculptures and so forth.

Gorichen Peak

With an altitude of 6858 meters, Gorichen Peak is the highest peak in Arunachal Pradesh. It is located about 164 km away from Tawang city, positioned between Tawang and West Kameng districts. Gorichen Peak is a popular spot for trekking and a must-visit from Tawang. The mountain is considered to be sacred by the local people of Monpa tribe who believe that the peak protects them from all evils.

Tawang Ropeway

Tawang has a ropeway facility run by Damodar Ropeways & Infra Limited (DRIL), one of the oldest ropeway construction companies in India. It is one of the highest cable car rides in the world, built on a height of 11,000 feet above sea level. The entire route is 1.184 km long and takes about 20 minutes for each ride. Passengers can witness a mesmerizing bird’s eye view of the entire Tawang city during this ropeway ride.

Tawang War Memorial

The Tawang War Memorial is a 40 feet structure, dedicated to all the brave soldiers and martyrs of the 1962 Indo-China war. There is a beautiful Stupa built with the names of all 2420 Indian soldiers who fought the war. The army has preserved some artifacts of the 1962 war in a small museum.

Madhuri Lake

Originally known as the Sangetsar Lake, this is one of the most beautiful lakes in Tawang. With the Himalayan Mountains forming a rocky backdrop, the crystal clear waters of the lake offer some breathtaking views. The lake was featured in a song of the Bollywood film “Koyla” and has since been known as the Madhuri Lake.

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Maihar – The ‘Temple Town’ in Madhya Pradesh

Maihar is a municipal town in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh. It is mostly known for the much revered Maihar Shakti Peeth Temple. Historically, Maihar's existence can be traced to the Paleolithic Age. The town was established in 1778 by the Jogis clan, under the Rajput rule of Bundelkhand. In the 19th Century, Maihar town became the capital of the princely state of Maihar during the British Rule.

The name Maihar originates from two words ‘Mai’ and ‘har’ which literally translates to ‘Mother’s Necklace’. The town gets its name from the Hindu legend of the Shakti Peeth Temple. It is said that when Goddess Sati died by jumping into the fire, Lord Shiva became enraged by grief. He picked up Sati's corpse and started performing Tandava, the dance of destruction. Ultimately, Lord Vishnu had to intervene to stop this destruction of Shiva. Vishnu used the Sudarshana Chakra, which cut through Sati's corpse. The specific spots where various body parts of Goddess Sati fell into the earth are known as Shakti Peethas today. It is believed that Sati’s necklace fell at Maihar, hence, the name.

Sharda Mata Temple

The Sharda Mata Temple at Maihar is built on top of the Trikuta Hill. The temple is believed to be at the exact same spot where the necklace of Sati had fallen. This temple is one of the Shakti Peeth, and hence, an important religious place for all Hindu pilgrims. Situated on a hilltop, devotees need to undertake a very steep climb of 1063 steps. Damodar Ropeways & Infra Limited (DRIL) , one of the oldest ropeway construction companies in India, has built a cable car facility that takes devotees up the hill. By taking this ropeway ride, devotees can reach the temple in just a few minutes. This is extremely helpful for the physically disabled and elderly visitors. Due to the steep landscape, there was a lack of space to build the upper station. DRIL came up with an innovative layout where the tension tower which provides the counter weight is built on a very steep slope. The ropeway ride at Sharda Mata Temple is quite popular among the tourists.

Alha Deo Temple

The Alha Deo temple is dedicated to the fearless Rajput warrior named Alha who fought bravely against Prithvi Raj Chauhan. Both Alha and Udal were two brothers who served in the army of King Paramardideva Chandel. The Alha Deo Temple is located behind the Sharda Mata Temple, situated downhill. As per local legend, Alha worshipped Sharda Mata for 12 years and got the blessing of immortality. There is a holy pond in which Alha used to take a bath before offering his prayers. 2km away from the pond is an “akhara” where Alha and Udal used to practice wrestling. The people of Maihar believe that Alha is still alive and comes to worship Sharda Mata every morning at dawn.

Golamath Temple

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple was built during the Kalchuri period between 10th and 11th century. This east facing Pancharathi temple is built in Nagara style. It is said that this temple was built in one fortnight only.