We got married in US in 2004, and after one year of marriage we visited India in November 2005. We first flew to Mumbai to my hubby’s home and then to Kerala to my house and his family home. I told him, I would like to visit Ajanta Ellora, Konark temple and Taj and so on. I did not know he was planning for a surprise gift for me in India at that time. We both were happy, seeing his family, and looking forward to see my family and friends. Then after three days in our stay in Mumbai he told me that we are going to Ajanta Ellora caves, so get ready by this evening, train is around night at 10.30 P.M. After a night of journey sleeping comfortably in our Indian railways, we reached Aurangabad around morning 6.30 A.M.
Getting out of the station, we saw a tea shop very close by. It was a small shop and had only a few costumers at that time of the day. We ordered tea expecting it to be a regular one, but was amazed by the taste as it was spiced with my favorite spice cardamom. It was a wonderful start to the morning. I had not tasted tea that good rarely outside home except in Kerala. We went to our hotel, where we had a breakfast in the hotel itself and started out for sightseeing. First our guide took us to Daulatabad Fort, the famous fort of Muhammad bin Tughluq, who had changed his headquarters from Delhi and made his Aurangabad his new capital. It was later abandoned due to lack of water. There was a track that you could walk along big tall trees and fort walls. At the top of the fort there is also a old cannon. We walked around the fort and also ate fresh guava with chilli and salt.
Daulatabad Fort
Cannon
After spending two hours at the fort we left for famous Grishneshwar Temple one of 12 Joythir lingas of Lord Siva. We did offer prayers there. Later at a small daba we had a thali with rice and chapathi and curries and pickle.
In the afternoon we visited museum of Chatrapathi Shivaji and Panchaki, a 17th century water mill with underground water system. There is also a mosque near the Panchaki. We came back to our hotel, and had a small nap before getting ready for our dinner. On enquiring at the hotel lobby they told us there was a famous restaurant that caters south Indian food nearby. I forgot the name, and there was quite a line before we got our seats. We ordered masala dosa and vada, which we really enjoyed.
Next morning we left for Ajanta, Ellora caves , both world heritage sites, read more from here. We first went to Ellora caves, were you can see Kailashnatha temple, Dashavathra , as well as Buddha in various poses. These caves are really a beauty of art, which are scripted in rocks with some chisel and hard work . Then went to Ajanta caves, if Ellora caves are scripted in rocks then Ajantha caves are scripted with paintings and sculptures. Wall paintings done by gifted persons, if it is not preserved it will be huge loss to our culture. There are 29 caves at Ajanta . In one of the cave you can see a huge reclining Buddha. There are beautiful mural paintings are preserved there. After a wonderful experience with nearby culture, we left and visited a small weaving factory. Aurangabad is famous for weaving silk and cotton, it was very expensive for us to buy sari from there, and hence, we didn’t buy anything. But we felt it was worth the price that they were asking for all the labor that goes into it.
Ajanta Ellora caves
We came back to hotel and went again for dinner at the same restaurant. We both thought that yesterday we had masala dosa and for a change we will order paper dosa. I told my hubby, he agreed and waiter came to take order, we happily ordered two paper dosa, everybody in the room including waiter started laughing, we were wondering why? Then waiter told us that better to try one first if needed he will get second one. Okay we said. Then comes paper dosa, then we realized why others are laughing. One paper dosa is really huge from one end of table to other. After laughing at each other we had our dosa, which had a wonderful taste.
The next morning after we had our breakfast, the hotel personnel told us, we had to vacate the rooms by 10.30 A.M. We were thinking of leaving by 12.00 so we can catch the return train to Mumbai around 5.00 P.M. Hubby told me it was okay, we can vacate now and see something again and catch the train. We got in an India maha nigam transport vehicle: an Auto rickshaw. We told autorickshaw driver to take us some places and to be at the train station at 4.30 P.M. At first he argued about the rates, then he became our friend and took us to Bibi Ka Maqbara: Tomb of the Lady, a monument build by Prince Azam Shah, son of Emperor Aurangzeb, for his mom , it is a replica of the Taj, however, he was not able to get the perfect marble for the construction and it turned out be cheaper version of Taj . It was a nice experience to see a replica of Taj in another part of India.
Then we went to Government of India khadi board shop and bought some replica of Ajanta paintings and some Mughal paintings and a handmade pillow cover. In between we had our lunch and finally after having tea at shop near the train station we left. We were grateful to that autorickshaw driver, who took us to Bibi Ka Maqbara and we were able to purchase some travel shopping. With gratitude we boarded the train back to Mumbai to be with in-laws. It was honeymoon trip given as a surprise gift from my dear hubby. I think I won’t able to finish lot of sightseeing in India in my life time.
By the way Cardamom tea recipe, I use more milk in my tea.
What you need
Tea leaves: 1 ½ teaspoon
Cardamom: 2 no
Water: 1 cup
Milk: 1 cup
How I made
Boil water in sauce pot, once it start boiling add tea leaves and crushed cardamom again boil for another 3 minutes add milk. When tea starts boiling, switch off the flame. Strain and add sugar. Enjoy. In my house as my hubby is diabetic we take sugar less tea.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Serving: 2 cup
Verdict: Tasty
Will you make it again: Making every day.
Swathi
This is Swathi ( Dr. Ambujom Saraswathy Ph.D) from Zesty South Indian Kitchen who loves to explore cuisines from all over the world. Whenever possible I try to to give an Indian touch to several of the world cuisine, and has weakness for freshly baked bread. All the recipes you see here are created by me and approved after taste-test by my family.
Rainforest Gardener says
Beautiful photos, but I'm still transfixed by the cardamom tea... I think I'll make some now. (I love cardamom!)
Lebouffe says
Lovely post.. great read! And the tea looks really refreshing! -Naina
Kalai says
Oh dear, what a lovely post! I enjoyed reading about the places, I have never been to these places, maybe I should make my husband read this lovely romantic trip of yours! Thatz a good laugh- about the paper roast-guess it was an embarrasing, yet a funny moment!
Tomb of the lady -it looks more like taj mahal, I never new such a place existed - guess our history books missed them to say! And at the end, a lovely tea recipe!
Magia da Inês says
Olá, amiga!
Passei para uma visitinha...
Seu cantinho está lindo, agradável e de bom gosto.
F E L I Z P Á S C O A!!!
( ),,( )
(=':'=)
ﻶﻉჱﻶﻉ═¤═(,,)♥(,,)═¤═ﻶﻉჱﻶﻉ
Com carinho, para você e sua família...
Itabira - Brasil
Padhu says
Enjoyed reading about your trip .Love to have spiced tea anytime of the day even immediately after meals.
Neetz says
woww..i can drink cups and cups of this tea :)... what a lovely memory of journey:) now reading this next itme i would be definitely saying the asme to my hubby that i wanna go these places 🙂
Ms.Chitchat says
Lovely pics and the write-up too. Enjoyed every bit of it. Garam masala chai is a family favourite and no time specifications as to when to have it, anytime and any number of cups is always welcome.
Malar Gandhi says
Thanks for sharing those pictures...looks wonderful...hope u had a great trip. Chai sounds refreshing.
Panchpakwan says
Hey Swathi, Loved the trip and stories.
Love to have tea anytime!
Meena says
Hi there, lovely post...loved to hear about your trip...cardamom tea was great...
Gulmohar says
thanks for sharing these lovely pics from your memorable trip..cardamom chai is my fav too 🙂
Cool Lassi(e) says
Cardamom Chai looks divine. Good to know you had a great time in India.
I married twice, but to the same man. Once in the US and once in India. Lol. Now I am twice as bound to my DH.
Tina says
Yummy and flavourful tea..
Vrinda says
Lov cardamom tea..nice pics Swathi..i too lov to visit historic places than amusement parks...So naatil evideya?
Sarah Naveen says
Nice post..njoyed reading about your trip....awesome memories..
Cardamom tea is something that my husband wants every day..cardamom tea in the morning and ginger tea in the evening 🙂
Akal's Saappadu says
Dear Swathi,
that is a fantastic honey moon trip, must be such a memorable one!!! funny paper dosa, hahaha, i(d have said I wanted the two anyway ( as I like paper dosa so much) lol
nice souvenirs and excellent cardamom tea !!!
Jagruti says
Hey Swathi
What a beautiful memories!Lovely pics..you reminded our trip to taj mahal and ajanta..I was very small that time..love to go again! also cardamom tea pics looks awesome! just had tea..always add cardamom in my tea..thanks for the entry..Have a nice easter!
Priya says
Wow swathi, wat a beautiful and memorable trip dear, thanks for sharing those clicks, enjoyed virtually and the cardamom tea looks fantastic, love to have a sip..
SathyaSridhar says
Wooow!!! Swathi really superb tea n superb trip pics,, superb places with nice pics i hv been only to taj mahal other places looks very nice dear,,, hope u enjoyed ur trip and cardomom tea is my fav but its long time i tried it dear,,thanks for sharing n take care n keep on smiling,,
Deepa says
Nice post Swathi. Liked reading about your trip. Very beautiful pics.
Deepa
http://hamareerasoi.blogspot.com/
Sushma Mallya says
Was so nice reading your trip,seems u enjoyed a lot...cardamom tea looks good...never had it this way...
Pavithra says
Wow , after seeing this post, now I want to make a trip to these places...
N S says
Enjoyed reading your trip and the memories associated with.
Kiran says
Dear Swathi,A very flavorful tea with a great memoir.Thank you for sharing the beautiful historical pictures of India.Some memories are forever.
Nithu Bala says
Hey, Swathi loved reading about your trip as well enjoyed all the pictures..really very beautiful pictures..the perfect entry for Jagruti's event:-)Btw, tea sounds too good...