There are many things that people recognize as being unique about Mumbai, India’s most famous city. One of these is its extensive network of local markets or bazaars. These sprawling labyrinthine spaces full of small shops and stalls have become an integral part of Mumbais urban landscape.
Many outsiders assume that all Indian food is made in kitchens and restaurants, but this assumption is false. Many aspects of Indian cuisine are actually manufactured at industrial levels and sold under brand names. Some brands even advertise themselves as haute cuisine!
Patani-e-Jungli (literally “the Junglian style of Maharashtra”) is one such brand name. It was founded in 1988 by Varun Sonawane, who now runs it with his brother Vinay. Both brothers were trained in fine arts before moving into fashion marketing.
Their company produces various culinary products, mostly snacks and beverages. Two of their best known products are Crispy Wontons and Revitalizing Kebab. While both sound similar, only the first contains meat!
This article will talk more about Varun and his business and how you can help spread word about them to other readers. However, do not buy their products until you have read our warnings and reviews very carefully.
We have done lots of research and tested several batches of each product, so we have some idea of what they contain and whether they work.
Located in Agra, The Keshav Mahal is one of the most well-known attractions at Fatehpur Sikri. Built by Emperor Akbar to honor his deceased wife, this palace was designed as a reflection pool where you can admire the beautiful patterns that run through it.
The reflecting pools of The Keshav Mahl are made out of white marble and contain lilies and other plants. Many people refer to these flowers as “aksha jiwis” or god's eyes due to their shape. While some say the patterned design makes the water look like snow, others claim it gives an illusion of depth. Either way, it is quite lovely to watch the water flow and reflect off all the minerals and salts contained within it.
A few years ago, there was an article written about how someone attempted to break into The Keshav Mahal while it was closed for renovations. They reportedly used a hammer to smash apart the glass and soak the stones in the water. When they were done, they left and went onto another site nearby and photographed the two together.
Sadly, this did not work and now the only way to see what the person hoped to find is if you are very lucky or have private access to the place. Even then, guards must be hired to ensure your safety while exploring the area.
One of the most famous landmarks in Delhi is the red-colored fort that sits atop an island in the river Yamuna. It was here, where many key events happened in India’s history.
This includes the assassination of its last ruler, Queen Victoria, as well as several important meetings between Indian rulers and foreign dignitaries. In fact, it was from within these walls that Mahatma Gandhi called for his non-violent protests against British rule in India.
The Taj Mahal also gets a lot of attention, but not because it is more beautiful than the Red Fort. Rather, it is due to how popular it has become worldwide. Many people are familiar with this tomb built by the Mughal emperor who died without heirs, so it became a symbol of love and eternal beauty.
Many tourists visit both sites annually, proving their popularity. Given that the Red Fort and the Taj Mahal are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, protecting them is a big deal.
Located in New Delhi, the Qutab minar is one of India’s most well-known monuments. It was built to commemorate the lifetime achievements of Muslim ruler Muhammad bin Qasim (also known as “Qusayy ibn Lakhsh”), who founded the city of Delhi in ad 711.
The tower was designed by his son-in-law, the famous Mughal architect Vishwanath Pandey, who also made significant contributions to the development of Indian architecture.
Vishvanath crafted the monument out of red sandstone and marble while incorporating many beautiful patterns into its surface decorations. He even included his own artistic style throughout the structure, which includes representations of animals, plants, and geometric shapes.
Because of this, the Qutb minar has become a symbol of both inspiration and unity for people all over the world. Many architects have cited it as an influence or source of design inspiration.
In the early years of Mughal Empire, emperor Akbar made an important decision to move his capital from Delhi to somewhere else in India. He chose a place that had strong religious significance for Hindus – it was the home of the last great Hindu kings before the Muslims took over their kingdom.
This new location became known as Fatehpur Sikri, which means ‘The City Of Victory’ or ‘City That Will Triumph’. It is believed that this was because here people felt safe due to the presence of temples and sacred rivers.
For almost two decades, fatehpur sikri was the imperial capital, but then Aurangzeb decided he wanted back his throne. So he set off with his army in search of fortune, leaving behind not only his friends but also the city that would later be immortalized as the Taj Mahal.
It was now up to the next generation to either rebuild what they lost or destroy everything completely. Luckily, most Mughals left some heirs who didn’t want to hurt anyone so things were mostly restored within a few generations.
But even today there are no hard numbers about how many buildings we can identify as being built during those years when Fatehpur Sikri was the empire’s top destination.
Located in North Delhi, just across the road from Rajiv Chowk, the Lotus Temple is one of the most well-known sites in India. It was built as a tribute to Hinduism and Buddhism by Chogyal (or king) Tridey Singh and his wife Indira Gandhi, who served as prime minister of India for two terms.
The temple opened its doors to the public in 1984 when Mrs. Gandhi’s son Sanjay died under mysterious circumstances. Since then it has been open 24 hours a day, every day of the year except during the month of April, which is considered an unlucky time due to the death of Trishul, a deity worshipped by Hindus.
At night the temple goes dark but is still beautifully lit up and surrounded by bright lights. Many people find comfort in this silence and solitude and spend some time here seeking inner peace. Others come to admire the beautiful architecture and design of the structure or simply take pictures outside.
There are many stories about why the couple decided to build their own temple after visiting Buddhist temples around the world. Some say they wanted to create a place where all religions could be practiced together while others claim that they wanted to emphasize the unity of mankind over religious differences.
Whatever the reason, today the temple is not only known for its beauty but also for being a source of spirituality and reflection for those who visit it.
Located in India’s most populous state, Rajasthan, The Jaipur City Palace is one of the country’s biggest tourist attractions. It was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, who made his fortune as the ruler of Amber (now part of Rajasthan).
The palace takes its name from Jaipur, which at that time was just a small settlement next to it. Since then, Jaipur has grown into not only one of the largest cities in India but also one of the top tourism destinations across Asia and the world.
In recent years, however, there have been some controversies surrounding the place. Many people complain about how expensive the tour packages are and how overpriced almost everything in the city is.
But despite all this, the City Palace remains an important landmark for those interested in history and culture.
One of the lesser known attractions in Delhi is the Golgumbar (Golden Mango) cathedral. It is not heavily marketed, but it’s definitely worth your time to check it out.
The Gol Doon Lowery (Gol Museum- Gola Mahal) was built by Maharaja Mahendra Pratap Shah in 1925 as his private museum. It now belongs to the Government of India and is run under the Art Incentives Programme.
This beautiful building with its elaborate decorations has been beautifully restored and is one of the best museums in Delhi.
It houses around 1,000 pieces spread across different mediums such as paintings, sculptures, pottery and jewellery. There are even some musical instruments here!
One very interesting piece displayed here is what we call the ‘Cathedral’ or ‘Golgumbariya’ statue. This depicts Krishna holding an infant Bhagwan – the ultimate expression of love towards God.
A few things about this statue that make it special are the golden motifs all over it, the intricate patterns painted onto it and the way it represents unity.
Not only does it show the union between Lord Krishna and baby god, but it also shows the bond He shares with everyone else.
Located in Jaipur, The Amber Fort is one of India’s most well-known tourist attractions. It was built by Raja Man Singh II between 1703 and 1708 as his personal residence.
The fortress has 30 pavilions that make up the inner complex and an outer enclosure. There are also two gates within the main structure which connect to the rest of the compound.
Outside of these buildings are various structures such as temples, living quarters for servants, armories, courtyards, etc. In total there are more than 200 rooms and over 250 windows throughout the site.
It is estimated that around 1,000 workers were involved in constructing The Amber Fort. Because it took so long to complete, it is said to be like a child who takes years to grow up and become independent.
Now that it has been renovated and reopened to tourists, it has rekindled interest in visiting the area. Many people speak highly of its beauty and how much history it contains.
