MY SECOND INNING OF ESCORTING

Dear friends,

Hello!!!

Today, I will reveal another story of my life. As I mention on my heading of this blog, “ My second inning of escorting”. I did not find another suitable title for this because this was the assignment, which proved my ability and knowledge to Le passage to India and after this I got the chance to work with them.

My story starts with the sufferings and straggle in Khajuraho.

As, I wrote in my previous posts that I was working in Khajuraho and giving my services to different travel agencies but due my nature and conditions, I was not getting enough assignments and when ever, I got some success in any travel agency some people came forward and stole my assignments. Haaahaaa!!!!!

It was happened same with a local office of a very prominent travel agency of Khajuraho. When, I was doing very well with local office, obviously some favorable guides of that agency lost their assignments. So, they plotted some conspiracy and created some complain and that local agency stopped all assignments. If they gave some they informed very late or whenever I took my group to Orchha excursion, they did not provide any transportation or the charges to come back at home.

During, that time I was struggling with stress and anxiety. Then, I got a call from Le passage to India Delhi office for an assignment.  It was an assignment of central India for 15 days with a couple. I did not have any single assignment, so I accepted it and it was a tour itinerary of those places, where I was or wanted to visit.

They sent the tour program and immediately, I started traveling in different destinations of that tour itinerary. It was strong winter with rain and heavy fog. But, I did not have any option, so with my determination and dedication I completed my pre-visit of all destinations.

Then, the date came and I received Mr. A. A. Vervoort and Mrs. MCM De Gou, who were the great travelers and it was their 15^th visit of this country. Already, they had visited in some destinations of this tour and wanted to take their photographs in old places. The most interesting fact was this; they were keeping an extra suitcase of books, broachers and photocopies of many texts.

I was feeling very excited because I love those guests, really who are interested to see and discuss the destinations.

We started our tour from Sanchi to Chanderi. We crossed the countryside and visited some unknown places and reached at Chanderi at afternoon. After lunch, we visited in different monuments of Chanderi, like Chanderi fort, mosques, and tombs of different Muslim rulers. It was quite and beautiful place.

Next day, we transferred from Chanderi to Orchha en route tour of Devgarh.

Devgarh is a very famous destination for those guests, who are interested to see the development of Indian temple architecture.

Dashavatar temple of Devgarh is very famous for its art and architecture. This temple was constructed by Gupta rulers in 5^th century A.D. and it is famous for three major panels of Viashnavite stories. It has Gajendra Moksha, Nar-Narayan and Shesh-shayi Vishnu panels. All these panels are very artistic and show the classical gupta art features.

Another attraction of this area is River Betwa flowing down the fort and some beautiful Jain temples from 7^th to 10^th century A.D.

Next day, we started with some famous palaces of Orchha, but I was more curious to visit some unknown places which were mentioned on my tour itinerary. I did many sightseeing’s of Orchha but never been there and I saw all those monuments from the distance. But, when we explored those unknown monuments of Orchha, I was overwhelmed to see the colour, details and quality of paintings.

This couple was carrying all the photocopies of different unknown monuments of Orchha, which were mentioned in a book. When, I asked them about that book, they told the name of book and assured to send me a copy of that book and later they sent me that book, which is called “Orchha and beyond.”

I thanked them for that gift.

Next day, we proceeded to Khajuraho for next two nights en route we visited another unknown destination of Bundelkhand or central India, which is known as Garh Kundhar or the fort of Kundhar, it is famous for its legacy and architecture. But very less tourist visit to this fort.

It was the first capital of Bundela rulers of Orchha then they shifted their capital to Orchha. Fort is massive and very attractive too; I can say it wrathful to visit.

Next day, we visited to temples of Khajuraho and I showed them all important temples and village of Khajuraho.

Next day, we proceeded to Ajaygarh and Kalinjar fort. These forts were developed by King Chandelas in 10-11^th century A.D. Both forts have some Hindu and Jain rock cuts with some palaces and temples of Bundelas.

Also, I took them in local city tour of Panna, where they visited in Mahamati Pran Nath temple of Pranamis and some Hindu temple with European architecture, like Baldau temple of Panna.

After the tour of Khajuraho, we drove back to Orchha for next two nights. No one can think about 4 or 5 nights in Orchha. But they did it because they have many things to do. We explored some more unknown temples and places of Orchha.

After that we proceeded to Gwalior for next two nights. During this tour first time, I saw many unknown monuments of Gwalior like palaces of Mughal rulers and rock cuts of Hindu god with a monolithic temple from 5^th century A.D.

After sightseeing of Gwalior monuments, we were visited in some unknown places like Mitaoli, Padavali. But, due heavy rain road was not suitable to our vehicle that’s why we did not complete our sightseeing of these sites.

Now it was the time to say bye to them at Gwalior. They were very happy and satisfied because they wanted a person, who likes to see and explain the things. That’s why; they recommended me as tour escort to Le passage of India.

Luckily, it was the time when Le passage of India was trying to find out a tour manager for SAGA- Beyond the Taj. They wanted a person from central India and have capability to deliver his best because this tour was completely depend on the service of tour manage.

They asked my CV and called for training of SAGA tour manager.

I sent my CV and they were very much satisfied with my CV and offered 3 assignments and I started my second inning of tour escorting.

I am very thankful to Mr. Anand, Mr. Amithabh, Mr. Anuj, Mr. Mohammad Kausar and Miss Ritika, who showed me their confidence.