Humans may have reached the moon, but in some locations, people have yet to reach the nearest roadway. There’s one place in particular where people and environment are at odds with one other and that placed is called Bundelkhand.

Khajuraho and Panna are two of the most fascinating low-key vacation sites, located in erstwhile Bundelkhand but now part of Madhya Pradesh. They don’t have the normal snob appeal if you aren’t fussed about luxury. The tourism here is largely dependent on global tourists looking to get a sneak peek into the Indian history. Khajuraho and Panna can take your breath away with surprises around every corner.

Despite its notoriety, Khajuraho is much more than the temple of erotic sculptures. It covers a period of nearly 1000 years. Different dynasties made their imprint on the complex in the form of temples. Not all temples have erotic engravings, but if you have the ears to listen, they all have a fascinating story to tell. A day journey to the 85-temple temple complex is capped off with a spectacular light and sound performance set against the backdrop of the setting sun.

The magnificent Raneh falls are the next less-explored wonder. The Ken River Falls are India’s counterpart to the Grand Canyon. The falls plunge from the ground into a gorge. The cascading water produces thunderous sounds that may be heard for kilometres. Granite was once mined at this location. The stones here are igneous, and sheer magnanimity of the landscape may be extremely intimidating. After a decent rain, the falls may be viewed in all their splendor. Unfortunately, due to a projected dam on the Ken River, which has lost its perennity, these magnificent falls will soon be a thing of the past.

 

During their exile, the Pandavas sought safety at a location mentioned in one of the greatest epics ever written. The Pandu Gufa, as they are currently known, are also around an hour’s drive from Khajuraho. The Pandavas dug caves for themselves to retreat in at Pandu Caves, which are a walk down from the earth into a canyon. These caves are situated next to a naturally formed waterfall that cascades down to the ground. The pool at the bottom of the fall is unreachable, but standing there and knowing that this spot is a part of our country’s rich past is incredible.

There are many of landscapes to explore at Khajuraho, including woodland drives and boat trips on the once-perennial river Ken. A journey to the Janwar village, barely an hour’s drive from Khajuraho, is the most enthralling of all the experiences you’ll have. Janwar, located in the Panna district, is a little village that was put on the map by a group of skateboarding youths in the middle of nowhere. Yes, a group of skateboarding kids in a village!

If you drive by, the tranquil town is practically imperceptible. It doesn’t scream out that it’s one-of-a-kind. It’s as unassuming as any other village. Then, as you go a few steps into the village, pursued by a few shy but interested children, the surprise unfolds. A skateboarding park in a community with no basic infrastructure. The meek, ordinary-looking kids don’t look the same at that time. You start to wonder if they have hidden lives. These kids are no less than superheroes the moment they grab their skateboards and place it under their bare feet.

Normal children would kick mud, climb trees, play hide & seek, or play cricket at a playground, but the Janwar children have discovered a collective pleasure, which is now a profession for some. Skateboarding! Ulrike Reinhard’s travel to India to look for property to build a school led to her creating the skateboard park with the help of 12 skateboarders from across the world and some locals. It had attracted the interest of an entire town in an instant. They had no idea what it was at first, but a child’s curiosity cannot be stifled, and parents had no choice but to give in.

On Sundays, the youngsters here are only allowed to enjoy the park on one condition. During the week, they must attend school. It was a difficult barter, but it was well worth it. It was difficult to persuade parents to allow their children to skate, let alone send them to school. They have no regrets about their decision today. Girls and boys alike have flocked to the sport like fish to the sea.

A film on the lives of a small girl who was the first in her village to travel out of the country for her sport was recently released. The children from the area have gone on to win medals and represent India in various sporting events. These children have improved their families’ standard of living. They have inspired not only their parents and village, but everyone to believe that everything is possible if you put your mind to it. From obscurity, these teenagers have managed to place their community on the map.

BEST TIME TO GO: July to March

NOT TO MISS – The light and sound show at Khajuraho Temple Complex, Raja Cage opposite Khajuraho Complex, watch the setting sun at Ken River, the Raneh Falls.

WPRTH THE TRIP – Janwar Village. The hospitality and warmth alone will make the trip memorable.

About – Preeti Phalke

You haven’t travelled well if you don’t have stories to tell. I want to experience the home I live in, eat every kind of food there is to eat and collect stories from every corner of the world while I can. Follow her on – Linkedin

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Other Indian Travel Stories to Know:

Landour: Distant From the Crowd, Into the Silence – Radhika Pansare

Beyond Manali Clichés In 12 Days by Sriparna Samajdar