The Guests of Anurag( ANU)

Respected Guests,

I am happy to launch this blog, which is dedicated to all my loving guests, who once came in my country India and I was a part of your sightseeing. I am very thankful to all, who appreciated me and acknowledged my knowledge and services.

I am Anurag Shukla, who is known as ANU in my guest’s family.  When, I completed my graduation in Mathematics and Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. I was sure for one thing; I couldn’t work a routine and monotonous job like teacher or technician. That’s why, I got two different jobs.  First was restaurant cashier and second was a refrigeration technician.

But my destiny was different, that’s why I left all those jobs and applied for guide course.

I am very thankful to my teacher Mr. Brijendra Singh (legendary guide of Khajuraho is known as  Mamaji), who realized my talent and suggested to fill the form and helped me to become a guide.

In 1996, I got the license from Ministry of tourism and Department of tourism and started my career as guide of Khajuraho. But, that was the time when everyone was talking about erotica and tantrism on temples of Khajuraho.

During my study of temples of Khajuraho, I got a book in my hand, it is called “The Religious

Imagery of Khajuraho” written by Dr. Devangana Desai, a prominent Historian and scholar on Khajuraho. I am lucky one who got a chance to meet her and during my discussion I asked so many questions related with architecture and philosophy of Khajuraho temples and relation between temples and symbolism.

After that she was so glad to me and told I am the first person of Khajuraho, who read her book and since she was working on Khajruaho, no one came to ask about her subject and researches.

After that she sent her books and research papers. Since that time, I am her disciple and she is my solo guru, teacher and inspiration on this field.

For further improvement in my study, she suggested me to visit at American Institute of India Study Gurgaon. I was lucky enough; there I met with another prominent historian and scholar on Indian Temple art and architecture Mr. M. K. Dhakey. Under his supervision and guidance, I saw all important scriptures and books of architecture and philosophical texts, which were used in the construction of temples of India. I met Mr. Yadad, who invited in his library to see all those text. I am very thankful to Mr. Yadav, Mr. Rizvi and my friend Mr. Dharmendra Sengar.

In that institute only scholar are allowed to work, that’s why when I went there for my study they asked a topic of research and my guide. With my ignorance, I wrote my topic as “A Comparative study of Three Hindu Sandhar temple of Khajuraho”.

When, I came back in Khajuraho, I started working on this chapter and dedicated my time for temples. I was not doing anything, just sitting next to the temples and watching them and copying or making sketches of different parts of the temples. It was the time, when I got support from local ASI staff, like Mr. V. N. Gupta, who helped me with books and I did photo copy many of them.  He helped me to understand the nomenclature of Archaeological and temple architectures terms.

After sometimes, I realized that it is a very tuff job to compare all three temples of Khajuraho. Then I turned my focus on Lakshaman temple of Khajuraho. More than 3 years, a mad man was sitting next to the Lakshaman temple and copying the fonts of inscription or making sketches and writing details of those pieces of stones.  What, I was earning or getting from my family members that I spent in computer or Digital camera to take the photographs of those pieces of stones, which are far from my eyes or I can’t see their details.

 After that I bought a computer and started writing everything in my computer with a dream of writer.

To fulfill my dream, I came to Delhi and wondered here or there to find out a publisher. But no one showed any interest on my text because it did not have any story, erotica, fiction or a stuff that was sellable in the market. So, I did not get anyone to publish my book and then I decided to earn some penny for my survival. That was the time when I lost everything my lovely father and town. So, I approached to some travel agents, who gave some assignments in Khajuraho.

Here, I want to thanks Mr. Joy Mojumdar the owner of Prudent Holiday Networks, who gave me the first assignment for escorting and suggested to meet Late Mr. Manoj Dube, who was working in SITA/ KUONI Travels.

The first escorting was a great experience of my life because in this group, I had 12 Turkish women and 1 man. It was a tour from Delhi to Jaipur, Agra, Kathmandu, Varanasi, Khajuraho, Orchha and back to Delhi. It was my first tour of 16 days and 15 nights with international and domestic flights. It was my first tour but I learnt a lot from them and still we are very good friend. Still we share our love on facebook.

More than 5 years, I worked for Mr. Joy and Mr. Manoj. But after the death of Mr. Manoj and my marriage with my beautiful life partner Nisha, I came back to Khajruaho and started serving my service to my local agents.

Here, again I faced my struggle and suffering. I worked for many travel agencies like Travel Point, Travel assistance, Colleague tour, Buddha Holidays and Travel Bureau etc.. In these agencies, I got the assignments. But at the end they refused to use me because I never please these people from money and wine.

I am very thankful to Mr. Amrendra Singh, who realize and identified my talent and introduced me in Le passage to India (LPTI).

Now, I am working in LPTI as Tour Manager to SAGA.

I hope that you have enjoyed this short life story of making of Anu.

About this blog

As I wrote in my introduction this blog is dedicated to my guests. So, here I will share the comments of previous guests, who are still very valuable to me and the comments of my latest guests. Here, I will try to share some letters of my guests, who showered their love on me.

I will be very thankful for all those guests, who were part of my sightseeing, and they can share their views, experiences, photos with me on this blog.

Thank you very much,

With regards,

Anu