A Journey Back In Time: 5 Heritage Properties To Explore In India

 

A Journey Back In Time: 5 Heritage Properties To Explore In India

A Journey Back In Time: 5 Heritage Properties To Explore In India

This is the only country which is replete with history. Yes, India has heritage sites in every corner that impresses us but these 5 heritage properties will help you learn about the wealthy culture of India and are great tourist attractions spots as well.

Take a look

A Journey Back In Time: 5 Heritage Properties To Explore In India

Group of Monuments at Hampi - Hampi is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra river. It is 353 km from Bangalore and 74 km away from Bellary. The ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed as the Group of Monuments at Hampi. According to statistics of 2014, Hampi is the most searched historical place in Karnataka on Google.

A Journey Back In Time: 5 Heritage Properties To Explore In India

Heritage holidays at Hampi are heavenly because tourists get to witness larger than life size statues of god, positioned every quarter of a mile.

A Journey Back In Time: 5 Heritage Properties To Explore In India

Ajanta Caves, Aurangabad - To explore an amazing architectural site, you have to go deep into Maharashtra's Aurangabad to get introduced with the mesmerizing Ajanta and Ellora Caves, snugged in the Sahyadri Hills.

Being one of the popular heritage places around the world, the caves are accepted as an excellent example of ancient Indian architecture.

A Journey Back In Time: 5 Heritage Properties To Explore In India

Bhimbetka Caves, Bhopal - Bhimbetka Caves, located near Bhopal at a distance of 46 km, are among the most fascinating and attention-grabbing tourist destinations in the state of Madhya Pradesh. These caves are known for their huge archeological importance in India.

The caves reflect the lifestyle of some of the earliest human races in the country. Recognizing its exceptional importance to mankind, the caves were declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 2003. This is the 22ndworld heritage site declared by UNESCO in India.

A Journey Back In Time: 5 Heritage Properties To Explore In India

Group of Monuments at Pattadakal, Karnataka - If you wish to relive the time in which land of India got wealthy with some beautiful architectural marvels that were constructed during the Chalukya dynasty (Indian royal dynasty, ruled big areas of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th centuries), then head to Pattadkal, a small town, famous for its ancient temples.

Pattadkal is located in Karnataka, was once the second largest city of the Chalukyas. It was a place for Chalukyas Coronation. However, the last temple built at Pattadakal was during the reign of Rashtrakuta ruler Krishna II (9th century A.D.). The temple is locally renowned as Jaina Narayana.

A Journey Back In Time: 5 Heritage Properties To Explore In India

Chittorgarh Fort, Udaipur Rajasthan - Heritage holidays in India can get magnificent when you explore the largest fort of India - the Chittorgarh Fort - a place holding great importance in the history; wonderful palaces and destroyed walls will explain you about the bravery of numerous warriors. Spreading on an area of 700 acres and extends up to 3 kilometers in length on a high hill near the Gambheri River in Chittorgarh; this massive fort has 65 medieval structures, 4 palace complexes, 19 temples, 4 war memorials or the stambhs and 22 water bodies.

A Journey Back In Time: 5 Heritage Properties To Explore In India

This first hill fort of Rajasthan is believed to be constructed by Mauryan rulers and Sisodiya clan of Rajputs during the 7th century AD.

Chittaurgarh Fort invites numerous travelers every year who wish to get mesmerized majestic history that let them spend some time in seclusion to contemplate over the heroism of Mewar rulers.

7 Powerful Shlokas from the Bhagavad Gita for Self-Belief

 But here's the thing: even in that space of uncertainty, that void has the potential to create something profound. The kind of emptiness that drives an artist to carve beauty from silence, or a writer to transform loneliness into words that speak to the soul. This is where self-belief isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. And if you’ve ever found yourself searching for it in the quiet, The Bhagavad Gita—has something to say to you. These ancient verses, passed down through generations, aren’t just words. They’re reminders that within every void, there is a possibility to rebuild and to believe again.

1."Lift yourself by yourself; don’t let yourself down."

Lift yourself, self-belief starts from within.

उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्।

आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः।

(Bhagavad Gita, 6.5)

It’s easy to think of self-belief as something external. We want validation, recognition, the pat on the back. But this verse reminds you that the power to rise has always been within you. It doesn’t come from the world’s applause or its disregard. It comes from the quiet, private work of picking yourself up, even when the world doesn’t see it. And in that act of lifting yourself—without the crutches of external praise—you find that the strength you thought you lacked was always there, just waiting for you to reach for it.

2. "Whenever chaos arises, I step in to restore balance."

Chaos transforms, rise with purpose and balance.

यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत।

अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्।

(Bhagavad Gita, 4.7)

We all have moments when the chaos seems insurmountable. That’s when the universe reminds you: the void you feel isn’t permanent. It’s a stage for transformation. The question isn’t if you’ll encounter difficulty—it’s how you’ll respond when it comes. Will you crumble? Or will you tap into your own capacity to restore balance? You may not always have the answers, but the courage to seek them? That’s within you. And the universe? It’s rooting for your rise.

3."Do your duty without obsessing over the results."

Focus on duty, not outcomes, peace follows effort.

कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।

मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि।

(Bhagavad Gita, 2.47)

This one is for every perfectionist, every anxious soul who ties their worth to their accomplishments. But here’s the truth: the fruit of your labor isn’t yours to control. You can only shape the work itself. Your actions are yours, the outcomes are not. In that realization, you can finally free yourself from the weight of expectation. The result is no longer your burden. What you can control? Your effort. And in that, you find peace—because you’ve already done the work.

4. "On the field of dharma, the warriors gather."

Choose meaningful battles, dharma leads to victory.

धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः।

(Bhagavad Gita, 1.1)

Life is a battlefield, yes—but not in the way we often think. It’s not about fighting for survival. It’s about choosing which battles matter. You don’t have to be at war with every challenge. The real fight is within you—the fight for your principles, your beliefs, your purpose. And every time you choose to stand for something, you’re standing in the greatest field of all: dharma, the pursuit of truth. It’s not about winning. It’s about showing up with your heart, your mind, and your soul, fully alive.

5. "Do your duty without attachment to success or failure."

Cultivate balance through dedication, success follows.

योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि संगं त्यक्त्वा धनञ्जय।

सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते।

(Bhagavad Gita, 2.48)

Balance is not something you find after you’ve accomplished your goals; it’s something you cultivate in the struggle. It's the understanding that the pursuit itself is sacred. Whether you succeed or fail doesn’t matter—what matters is the stillness within you as you move through it all. Like an artist who paints not for the applause, but for the catharsis of creation, your efforts are what fill the void with meaning. And in that meaning, you find your true self.

6. "Determined minds are singular; scattered minds wander."

Singular focus breeds strength, mastery lies within.

व्यवसायात्मिका बुद्धिरेकेह कुरुनन्दन।

बहुशाखा ह्यनन्ताश्च बुद्धयोऽव्यवसायिनाम्।

(Bhagavad Gita, 2.41)

In a world that wants to pull you in a thousand directions, this verse is a call to focus. You don’t have to be everything to everyone. In fact, you can’t be. Your energy is finite, so use it on what truly matters. The quiet, unwavering dedication to a single purpose is where strength lies. Every artist knows: their masterpiece doesn’t come from trying to do everything—it comes from the single-minded focus to create.

7."Surrender to Him for Ultimate Greatness and Liberation from Fear"

Surrender to higher purpose, find true freedom.

"तस्मिन्हस्ते महात्म्यं य: शरणं याति राघव:।

मोहाद्धनं क्षयात्तस्मिन्मृत्युमण्णस्मिनस्ति चा।"

(Bhagavad Gita, 10.20)

This one is a quiet but profound truth. The search for self-belief often comes with the struggle of feeling inadequate—of thinking you must prove your worth through endless striving. But the true path to strength lies not in the relentless pursuit of external markers of success, but in the surrender to a higher purpose. Let go of the illusions of power and control. Surrender not to weakness, but to the strength of trust, of faith in your journey. And in that, you find true freedom—from fear, from doubt, and from the emptiness that once held you captive

What is the difference between a Rishi, Sadhu, Saint, Muni, Sanyasi, and Bhakti Yogi

What is the difference between a Rishi, Sadhu, Saint, Muni, Sanyasi, and Bhakti Yogi

Saint

A Sant, or Saint, is a holy person dedicated to spreading love and wisdom. They guide people towards devotion to God and moral living. Saints like Tulsidas, Surdas, and Mirabai are renowned for their bhakti (devotion). A Saint is someone who has done significant penance and is qualified to impart knowledge to others. They serve as beacons of spiritual guidance, helping others lead virtuous lives.

Muni

A Muni is a silent sage who is deeply focused on thinking and meditation. They seek truth by controlling their mind and speech, avoiding unnecessary talk to concentrate on inner realization. The term ‘Muni’ comes from the Sanskrit root ‘manan,’ which means to think. Thus, a Muni is someone who is thoughtful and engages in introspection.

According to Srimad Bhagawadam: "Muni is one who is an expert in mental speculation or in thinking".

Srimad Bhagavad Gita (2.56) states that a Muni is one who can stir their mind in various ways for mental speculation without arriving at a factual conclusion. This introspection is key to their practice. "Maunam acarati iti muni (मौनं आचरति इति मुनिः) - One who maintains the vow of silence to prevent distraction during his penance (tapas)"

Sanyasi

A Sanyasi is a person who has renounced all worldly attachments. They take vows of celibacy, live a simple life, and focus solely on God. Famous Sanyasis include Adi Shankaracharya and Swami Vivekananda. "Sanyasi - सं + न्यासि (complete renouncer)," signifying one who has given up everything materialistic to attain God. This path involves complete dedication to spiritual liberation through renunciation.

Bhakti Yogi

A Bhakti Yogi follows the path of Bhakti Yoga, which is loving devotion to God. They dedicate every action to God or their chosen deity, believing that love for God is the highest goal of life. Bhakti Yogis render selfless service to the Lord, expressing their devotion through love, prayer, and selfless acts.

Each spiritual seeker—whether a Rishi exploring ancient wisdom, a Sadhu leaving worldly ties, a Saint sharing love, a Muni practising silence, a Sanyasi dedicating themselves to God, or a Bhakti Yogi devoted to divine love plays a different but crucial role. But despite their different paths, their main goal is the same: to experience God, realise their true self (Atman), and find inner peace (Moksha). They show us there are many ways to reach enlightenment, but the ultimate aim is liberation from suffering. Each of these roles enriches our understanding of spirituality, guiding individuals towards self-realisation and a peaceful life.

In Hinduism, many spiritual roles direct human beings toward enlightenment and righteousness. Among these are the Rishi, Sadhu, Saint, Muni, Sanyasi, and Bhakti Yogi, each with distinct attributes and practices. They are all significant, as they all present different paths to attaining enlightenment and inner calm. Here is how each of these roles is distinct, with specific practices and ways of life:

Rishi

A Rishi is revered as a wise sage with profound knowledge of spiritual truths. These individuals dedicate themselves to meditation, study of the Vedas, and sharing their wisdom with society. Renowned Rishis such as Vashishtha, Vishwamitra, and Agastya are celebrated for their contributions. In the Vedas, the term ‘Rishi’ denotes an inspired poet of Vedic hymns who invokes deities through their poetic expressions.

Rishis are considered experts in the Shastras and the science behind them, making their words highly regarded. They are often seen as ancient scientists who developed Shastras like Kundalini Yoga. As it is said, "Rishir darshanat (ऋषिर दर्शनात्) - Rishi is one who has seen the spiritual truth".

There are different types of Rishis, including:

Maharshi: A Rishi of great spiritual eminence.

Rajarshi: A king who is also highly spiritual, akin to a Rishi.

Devarshi: A deva (divine being) who is also a Rishi, such as Narada.

Brahmarshi: A Rishi who has realised the supreme spiritual truth, such as Vashishtha and Vishwamitra.

Sadhu

A Sadhu is one who has withdrawn from worldly materialistic living to lead a spiritual life. They usually stay in a forest, ashram, or temple, practicing devotion and disciplined observances. Sadhus dedicate their lives to spirituality and the service of others. As Sadhu is the one with righteous behaviour, who is noble and humble. In general, a good person. Their focus is on detaching from material possessions and dedicating themselves to spiritual practices.

Chaitra Navratri 2025: Know the timings, puja vidhi, significance, and more

 

Chaitra Navratri 2025: This festival is also referred to as Ram Navratri since it concludes with the celebration of Lord Rama’s birthday, known as Ram Navami.

Navratri 2025: This festival is also referred to as Ram Navratri since it concludes with the celebration of Lord Rama’s birthday, known as Ram Navami.

Chaitra Navratri 2025 Date: Chaitra Navratri is an auspicious Hindu festival celebrated over nine days, worshipping and honouring nine distinctive forms of Goddess Durga. This festival is also referred to as Ram Navratri since it concludes with the celebration of Lord Rama’s birthday, known as Ram Navami.

It is observed during Shukla Paksha, the Full Moon phase of the Hindu month of Chaitra, which falls between late March and April in the Gregorian calendar; this year, it will commence on Sunday, March 30, 2025, and will conclude on Monday, April 7. Coincidentally, this year, Chaitra Navratri is aligning with Ugadi and Gudi Padwa, both of which will also be celebrated on Sunday, March 30, 2025.

Chaitra Navratri 2025: Date and Timings

This year, Chaitra Navratri will commence on Sunday, March 30, 2025, with Chaitra Ghatasthapana, which is set to happen on the same day. The auspicious time (Muhurta) for performing Ghatasthapana will begin at 6:13 AM and end at 10:22 AM and Abhijit Muhurta for Ghatasthapana is from 12:01 PM to 12:50 PM. For this year, Pratipada starts on March 29, 2025, at 4:27 PM and concludes on March 30, 2025, at 12:49 PM.

Enlisted is a tabular form for the full 9-day calendar for Chaitra Navratri for the year, 2025:

Navratri Day	Date	Day	Goddess Worshipped	Colour of the Day
1	30th March 2025	Sunday	Shailputri Puja	Orange
2	31st March 2025	Monday	Brahmacharini Puja	White
3	1st April 2025	Tuesday	Kushmanda Puja	Red
4	2nd April 2025	Wednesday	Skandamata Puja	Dark Blue
5	3rd April 2025	Thursday	Katyayani Puja	Yellow
6	4th April 2025	Friday	Kalaratri Puja	Green
7	5th April 2025	Saturday	Mahagauri Puja	Grey
8	6th April 2025	Sunday	Ram Navami	Purple
9	7th April 2025	Monday	Navratri Parana	Peacock Green

Source: Drik Panchang

Chaitra Navratri 2025: Significance and Puja Rituals

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Rama, Lord Vishnu's seventh incarnation, was born on the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri and is dedicated to the nine forms of Goddess Shakti, with each day honouring a different goddess.

Navratri 2023:

Navratri 2025: Navratri epitomises the feminine power or Shakti with the combined powers of Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver) and Shiva (the destroyer)

Enlisted below is the list essential for puja:

• Clay pot
• Clean soil
• Seeds of seven different grains
• A clay/brass pitcher
• Gangajal
• Sacred thread
• Betel nuts
• Some coins
• Five leaves of Ashoka or mango tree
• Raw rice
• Unpeeled coconut
• Flowers
• Durva grass
• Red cloth
• Lid to cover clay pot

The festival represents righteousness and the power of good over evil, instilling moral ideals such as bravery and virtue. People fast for the nine days, or on the first two or last two days, with some fasting for the entire nine days.