Shab e Malwa (Malwa Nights)

 

These are photos of my trip to Mandu last July, during the monsoons. I had heard that the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh in which Mandu is situated, is very picturesque and enchanting during the monsoons. Therefore, decided to visit during that time. It was indeed beautiful and we enjoyed every bit of the trip. However, we had to remain indoors on some days due to heavy rain and missed out on some sightseeing. Was planning to visit again this year, but had to postpone the trip due to the pandemic.

One of the best things about visiting heritage sites in India is the opportunity to hear all the delightful stories about them. I always make it a point to hire an experienced guide who knows the history. According to our guide Pervez, there’s a popular phrase in the region – “Subah e Benaras, Shaam e Awadh, and Shab e Malwa”. The Mughals considered the mornings in Benaras, the evenings in Awadh, and the nights in Malwa to be the most magical!!

Compared to the days of the Mughals, there are fewer forests now due to deforestation, and the rains are not so abundant. Nevertheless, we were lucky to visit on a day when it was drizzling and not pouring – the perfect weather to stroll around the monuments. 🙂 It was charming and one felt like lingering on and enjoying the romance in the air….. especially around the Baz Bahadur Palace and Roopmati Pavillion.