Monthly Archives: August 2018

Srinagar – The City of Splendid Houseboats

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Srinagar is the largest city in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It lies on the banks of the Jhelum River in the Kashmir Valley. It is the northernmost city of India famous for its lakes and houseboats which are among the major tourist attractions. The serene Dal Lake houses a bright array of houseboats that makes for a colourful scene and an apt romantic place.

The houseboats of Srinagar are made of cedar wood of Jammu and Kashmir, the most durable wood. The houseboats have become the heritage of the valley. A standard houseboat has two, three or four bedrooms with attached bathrooms, and a balcony. These unique houseboats have today become an essential part of Srinagar’s tourism industry.

The city offers mouth-watering delicacies. The Dal lake is among the most popular lakes in India. The Shikara Ride on Dal Lake is one of the memorable experiences one can have at Srinagar.

Following is a brief introduction of places in and around Srinagar, one must know before visiting Srinagar:

  1. Dal Lake: It is undeniably the jewel of Srinagar. It is spread over 26 sq km and is also the most sought-after of attractions in Srinagar.
  2. Mughal Gardens: The gardens built in the Mughal era. The most prominent feature of the gardens is long stretches of its cascading fountains.
  3. Shalimar Bagh: Shalimar Bagh exhibits the craftsmanship of Mughals in horticulture.
  4. Nishat Bagh: Nishat Bagh is fondly known as the Garden of Joy and has well-manicured landscapes and rare flowering plants.
  5. Char Chinar: Dal Lake has an island that houses ancient and beautiful Chinar trees.
  6. Shikara Ride: The prime reason why people come to Srinagar.
  7. Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden: The garden has lines of tulip cultivation in every possible colour.
  8. Shankaracharya Temple: This is an age-old temple situated at the height of about 1100 feet.
  9. Wular Lake: India’s largest freshwater lake and home to several species of birds.
  10. Yusmarg: Yusmarg is an undisturbed landscape and a wonderful hill station, now connected by right motorable road.
  11. Tarsar Marsar Trek: Located on Aru Valley, the trail of Tarsar Marsar Trek is adorned with a variety of landscapes.
  12. Nehru Garden: The garden provides the best view of the Dal lake.
  13. Challi Point: Challi Point is one of the most popular places in Srinagar, having Dal Lake in the backdrop.
  14. Hazratbal Shrine: Very sacred Muslim shrine in Hazratbal. The shrine offers a great view of the lake and the mountain beyond.
  15. Jamia Masjid: Jama Masjid is the oldest and the biggest mosque in Kashmir.
  16. Chashm-E-Shahi: The garden consists of a pavilion and a natural spring that flows through it.
  17. Khanqah of Shah Hamdan: It is built on the banks of Jhelum River in Srinagar. It is bustling with people on the sixth day of Dhul-Hajj.
  18. Dachigam National Park: The park is a habitat for many species of wildlife.
  19. Sri Pratap Singh Museum: The museum is home to ancient terracotta heads dating back to the 3rd century.
  20. Pari Mahal: It was a Buddhist monastery and then served as a school of astrology. A well-laid spacious garden surrounds Pari Mahal.
  21. Nagin Lake: Nagin Lake has calm waters and is known as the ‘Jewel in the Ring’.
  22. Anantnag: The commercial capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Anantnag is filled with hot springs, lakes, temples and shrines.

Visit the above places while you are visiting Srinagar.

Top Ten Things to do in Trivandrum – Travellers of India

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Thiruvananthapuram, colonially Trivandrum is situated along the Arabian Sea on the Malabar Coast. The place became eminent under Raja Marthanda Varma, who made it the capital of Kingdom of Travancore in 1745 AD. The city is located on seven low-hills between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. It is the capital city of Kerala and a famous city from the tourism point of view with a variety of hotels present in Trivandrum. The town has hugely untouched natural resources and a tradition that dates back to 1000 BC.

Trivandrum is enriched with British colonial architecture and has many art galleries and zoological gardens. Trivandrum acts as a gateway to the Kovalam, Vizhinjam and Varkala Beaches.

Underneath are uncovered top ten things to do in Trivandrum:

Visiting Napier Museum:
The Napier Museum is the art and natural history museum. The museum houses ancient Indian carvings, bronzes and natural-history specimens. The museum has a beautiful architecture of Indo-Saracenic influence and an innate air-conditioning system. It has stunning Japanese shadow play figures that depict the epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana.

Observing Sri Chitra Art Gallery:
The art gallery is a perfect place for art lovers. Sri Chitra Art Gallery houses miniature Indian paintings and work of Raja Ravi Varma. His western style of paintings depicting Indian lives is an attraction at the museum.

Wandering in Trivandrum Zoo:
It is considered as the oldest zoo in India, spread over 55 acres. The zoo has lakes and lawns along with many trees. The zoo was established in the 1800s by Swathi Thirunal Varma. The zoo is home to Bengal Tigers, lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri Langur, Asian Elephants and Indian Rhinos. The zoo also houses a reptile house.

Beholding the beauty of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple:
Thiruvananthapuram means the City of Lord Anantha—the deity of Padmanabhaswamy Temple. It is a 260-year-old structure. The temple stands tall in its gold-plated glory. The giant Dravidian-style temple is dedicated to Vishnu and has a 7-tier entrance tower known as Gopuram. It was recently found to be holding billions worth of valuables in five of its vaults.

Indulging in nature at Neyyar Dam:
Neyyar dam is about an hours drive from the capital. The place has boating facility and is located in the dense rainforest. The area is famous for its lion and deer safari. Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary is a complete treat for nature enthusiasts. The park houses a crocodile farm and an elephant rehabilitation centre. Nilgiri Langurs and long-tailed macaques can be found here.

Enriching self at Ponmudi Hill Station:

Ponmudi Hill Station is a two hours drive from the city. It houses a deer park. Nearby it on a trip uphill is Kallar. It has a fascinating rainforest. The trees are high, butterflies are spotted quickly, and in season, orchids can be seen. Malabar giant squirrels can be located on trees. The hill station is a pleasant change compared to the humid beaches.

Strolling at Kovalam Beach:
Kovalam Beach is one of the best-known beaches of Kerala. The beach town of Kovalam is at a half an hour drive from the city of Trivandrum. It is the place where everyone heads for serenity.

Sitting at Valiyathura:
One of the best experiences one can have at Valiyathura is to visit the pier in the evenings and witness the sunset. The dock here is exceptionally extraordinary.

Getting thrilled at Academy for Mountaineering and Adventure Sports:
AMAS is an adventure enthusiasts haven. One can undertake water zorbing, parasailing, water skating, board sky, kayaking, and also rock climbing at this place.

Shopping Chalai Bazaar:
Chalai Bazaar is an old market spread on a stretch of 2 km connecting Killipalam and East Fort. It is famous for its fruits and vegetable collections, gold and silver jewellery, electronics, and furniture.

Must Read: Activities to Tick-Off the Bucket List While Honeymooning in Kerala

Vacationing at Little Agatti Island, Lakshadweep: A Comprehensive Guide

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Agatti Island is a 7.6 km long island located in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep in India. The island is known as Agatti as it is set on a coral atoll called Agatti. It is located 459 km off Kochi in the mainland India. The island has a small population, most of whom speak Malayalam and English.

A road runs through the island that can be enjoyed by hiring a bicycle that is available at many places in Agatti Island. Agatti is one of the Lakshadweep islands that are open to tourism. There are a few hotels in Agatti Island. Agatti Island Beach Resort and Sea Shells Beach Resort are some of the old hotels in Agatti Island.

Tourist Places on Agatti Island, Lakshadweep

Agatti Island is a small island but has immense natural beauty and has well-equipped facilities for tourists along with comfortable hotels in Agatti Island. Agatti Island attractions include a public library, anthropological museum, south beach, eastern jetty, NIOT seawater desalination plant, lagoon beach, and sunset point.

The Bangaram group of Islands is a beautiful group of uninhabited islands in Bangaram. The islands lie on the northern side of Agatti. Private boat facility is available to visit the islands. The journey to the group of islands takes 45 minutes from Agatti. The trip provides spectators with a sight of beautiful sandy beaches. Visitors can swim alongside turtles and snorkel in shallow blue water. Also, there are Thinnakara and Parali islands, nearby.

South Beach of Agatti Island has nonstop watersports availability. Activities like swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, and glass boating are possible on the south beach. There is also a working scuba diving centre at the beach that even offers PADI certification courses on payment. There is a facility of well-experienced guides at the beach, who can instruct visitors to enjoy the underwater beauty.

Mohiyuddin Mosque is another attraction and one of the oldest mosques in Lakshadweep, constructed during the 16th century. The mosque is located in the middle of groves of palms and intricately carved tombstones. The mosque is an example of spectacular architectural work at the island. The peaceful environs of the mosque give the perfect atmosphere to lighten the soul to the almighty. The mosque is built in a traditional style and resembles the artwork of the Malabar Temple. A vast well and a tank are located in the mosque premises.

Golden Jubilee Museum is one of the leading attractions of Agatti. The museum shows sculptures of traditional Minicoy Sailboats called as ‘jag dhoni’. The diverse range of collection at the museum reflects the rich history of the island. Two busts of Lord Buddha are located on the ground floor of the two-story building. The statues are considered to have originated in the 9th and 12th century. These beautiful artifacts show the history of the place before the period of Islam. Also, antique jars, pots, wooden chests and beautiful designer collection of gold coins are some of the other artefacts displayed at the museum.

Travel to Agatti Island, Lakshadweep equipped with all the tourist facilities. The hotels in Agatti Island sees to it that the visitors have a comfortable stay.

All About the Historic Gwalior City – Travellers of India

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Gwalior is the major and the northern-most city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The town is 122 km from Agra. Green landscape surrounds the city. Gwalior city is a significant tourist attracting town in Madhya Pradesh, and there are plenty of hotels in Gwalior. The great Indian musician Tansen and former Indian Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee were born in Gwalior.

 

Gwalior has a long history from the Tomars in the 13th century to the Scindia in the 18th. Tomar ruled the city in the 13th century, the rule got passed on to the Mughal Empire, then to the Maratha in 1754, and then to the Scindia in the 18th century. The city has a dominant Gwalior Fort that Babur described as the pearl of Indian fortresses. Because of the fort, the city is popularly called as the Fort City. Also, the city has Jai Vilas Palace, built for the ruling Scindia Dynasty in the 19th century.

Gandhi Prani Udhyan zoo is home to hippos, tigers and monkeys. Sarod Ghar, on the western outskirts of town, is a museum devoted to Indian classical music.

Sas Bahu Ka Mandir intricately carved Hindu temple.

The city has a bunch of interesting historical places and temples. Below are listed some essential sightseeing destinations in Gwalior:

Gwalior Fort:

The fort is perched atop of a large rocky sandstone plateau. The fort is set high enough to be missed from being visible from any corner of the city. A 15th-century Gujari Mahal Palace is within the fortress that is now an archaeological museum. Teli Ka Mandir Hindu Temple and the Man Mandir Palace also adore the fort.

Suraj Kund:

Suraj Kund is a tank located in Gwalior Fort that is believed to have mystical powers. The tank surroundings are pretty and well maintained. Water from the tank act as medicinal water.

Teli Ka Mandir:

The temple is located in the Gwalior Fort. The temple dates back to the 9th century and is the highest building in Gwalior. This temple used to process oil before the Britishers occupied the fort.

Gwalior Zoo:

The Gwalior Zoo has a decent collection of animals that includes a white tiger. The zoo is a part of Phool Bagh, a vast garden. Madhav Rao Scindia built the place in 1922.

Sun Temple:

Surya Mandir is located in Morar. It is among the most admired shrines and one of the principal religious centres in the city of Gwalior.

Jai Vilas Palace:

The palace was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. It is still the residence of his successors. The mansion boasts of the European Architecture that was designed and built by Sir Michael Filose under the guidance of Jayajirao.

Scindia Museum:

The Scindia Museum is dedicated to Jivaji Rao Scindia. It is one of the most distinguished museums of Madhya Pradesh State. It was established in the year 1964.

Hence, the city of Gwalior is vibrant with history and stories. Have a pleasant experience exploring these fantastic places while you are in Gwalior. Also, the hotels in Gwalior are in huge number and provides a comfortable as well as luxe stay.

Taj Mahal Facts – 12 Amazing Facts That Will Astonish You

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Taj Mahal is the wonder about which a lot is written and discovered. The architectural marvel is a symbol of love and one of the seven wonders of the world. The place is visited by thousands of native and foreign nationals. Around 12,000 visitors come to see Taj Mahal every day. There are plenty of hotels in Agra to accommodate the tourists. Shahjahan built Taj Mahal for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal houses the tomb of Mumtaz.

The most prominent Mughal structure stands with all its beauty in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. In Arabic, Taj Mahal is known as “Crown of Palaces“. The unusual structure showcases the expanse of the Mughal Empire as it combines architectures from Islam, Persia, Turkey, and India. Do read what top things you can do once visit India.

Following are some of the Astonishing Taj Mahal Facts:

  1. The Taj Mahal was built by 22,000 workers including laborer’s, stonecutters, painters and embroidery artists and took about 20 years to complete.
  2. It is believed that Shah Jahan intended to build another Taj Mahal in black marble across the river. Nevertheless, his son, Aurangzeb thought different, and Taj Mahal stayed unrivalled.
  3. Shah Jahan spent about 32 million rupees during the years 1632-1653 on building this architectural marvel. Today that amount would have been more than a billion USD.
  4. The changing hues of the mausoleum at different times of the day shows the changing moods of the Mumtaz. The structure takes a pinkish shade in the morning, milky white in the evening and golden at night.
  5. The makers employed an optical trick that is, as you move closer to the gate, Taj Mahal keeps getting smaller.
  6. The most prominent feature of the mausoleum is the white dome at its peak. The dome is also called as the ‘onion dome’. It rises to 35 meters and is surrounded by four other domes.
  7. Taj Mahal is the most famous Indian landmark. So well-known that it is one of the reasons for foreigners to visit India. It attracts more than a million tourists every year. Also, 4 Things that Travellers MUST do when traveling to India?
  8. Different types of 28 rare and precious stones were used for inlay work in the Taj Mahal. They were sourced from Sri Lanka, Tibet, China and several parts of India.
  9. It is believed that Emperor Shah Jahan ordered to chop hands of all the workers who worked on the mausoleum so that no one could replicate anything like that ever.
  10. The minarets of the mausoleum are built tilting outwards to protect the Taj from calamities like earthquakes.
  11. The materials that were used to build Taj Mahal were transported to the site by 1000 elephants.
  12. Taj’s foundation is made of timber, not supposed to be last long. But that did not happen because the wood is kept secure and moist by the Yamuna River.

Taj Mahal is a real wonder. No matter how many times you visit it, you want to visit again. Next time on your visit to Agra, opt for visiting Taj in the moonlight. I assure you, you will witness Taj in a whole different light. There are plenty of hotels in Agra to accommodate the ever-increasing visitors.

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6 Beautiful Lakes in Udaipur, Rajasthan – the Lake City

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Udaipur is an important city in Rajasthan. It is also a famous tourist destination in India, and one can find many hotels in Udaipur. It is located in the Girwa Valley. The city was founded by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1553 as the new capital of the Mewar Kingdom. The lake city is also referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’. Lush green Aravalli Hills surround the town.

Udaipur is hugely famous for its beautiful lakes. For a long time, these lakes have been providing water to the city of Udaipur. The Lake Palace located in the middle of Lake Pichola is one of the most beautiful sights of Udaipur. Jaisamand Lake nearby is the second largest human-made sweet water lake in Asia. The city is also known for its abundance of zinc and marble. Solar observatory in Lake Fateh Sagar is the only observatory located on an island in India.

Related Post: Touring Royal Rajasthan: 3 Tips Adding to Your Convenience

Following is a brief introduction of six prominent lakes in the Udaipur city.

Pichola Lake: Located in the heart of the city, Pichola Lake is the oldest lake in Udaipur. It is also one of the largest lakes in Udaipur. It is one of the most beautiful lakes in Rajasthan. The magnificent City Palace lies along the eastern banks of the lake. A sunset boat ride around the lake offers a breathtaking view of the Lake and the City Palace.

Udai Sagar Lake: Udaisagar Lake is located 13 km east of Udaipur. The construction of the lake was started in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh, and the lake got ready by 1565.

Doodh Talai Lake: Doodh Talai Lake is nestled between several small hills which themselves are tourist attractions. Located south of Shiv Niwas Palace, Dudh Talai contributes to the waters of Pichola Lake. The Deen Dayal Upadhyay Park and the Manikya Lal Verma Garden are part of the Doodh Talai Lake Garden.

Rajsamand Lake: Rajsamand Lake is located 66 km north of Udaipur. The lake is also known by the name of Raja Samudra Lake in Rajasthan. Maharana Raj Singh built it in 1660. Rajsamand Lake lies between Rajnagar and Kankroli.

Fateh Sagar Lake: Fateh Sagar Lake is located to the north of Lake Pichola. Maharana Jai Singh built the lake in 1678. The lake houses the fabulous Nehru Island as well as the land encompassing Udaipur Solar Observatory.

Jaisamand Lake: Jaisamand Lake is located 48 km away from the city of Udaipur. The lake is also known as Dhebar and was built by Maharana Jai Singh in 1685 while making a dam on the Gomti River. There is a large island at the centre of the lake which is home to various species of birds.

These lakes collectively contribute to the beauty of the city, which also has many royal palaces to its name. These lakes and palaces make Udaipur one of the top destinations for tourists in India. There are many big and small hotels in Udaipur to accommodate visitors.

Must Read: List of Best 11 Shopping Hubs on Your Tour to Jaipur

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Dial Pune for Nightlife – Travellers of India

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Pune city is located on the Deccan plateau, 560 metres above sea level. It is a sprawling city in the state of Maharashtra with glittering urban life. The city is an educational and corporate centre in the country, and also there are plenty of hotels present in Pune. Because of which, the metropolis has sizeable young population. It is called as ‘Oxford of the East’ due to the presence of well-known educational institutions in the city. The ‘Mercer 2017 Quality of Living Rankings’, after evaluating living conditions in more than 440 cities around the world, ranked Pune at 145.

The city has more than 100 pubs and nightclubs. Also, the bars here remain open till late, sometimes even as late as 4 AM. Due to these reasons, Pune comes alive in the after-hours. The city has high-end bars and classy breweries with vibrant nightclubs for the dynamic and increasing young population of the town.

 

Below are top 5 nightclubs in Pune that are young and dynamic:

1. Mi A Mi

Mi A Mi is one of the top nightclubs in Pune. It is designed as an underground garage. It boasts of the biggest dance floor that is spread over 15,000 sq ft. The quality of the cocktails and service at Mi A Mi is impressive. The interior is a smart blend of browns and deep burgundy. The club calls the best DJs and plays the best dance numbers. It is the destination where city’s wildest party animals dance until morning. The bed lounge section is present at the side of the club if one wants to talk.

2. The High Spirits Cafe

High Spirits Cafe is a pocket-friendly pub. Head here to get your favourite drinks at affordable prices. The club plays live music, hosts karaoke night and DJ nights on different days of the week. The club also hosts frequent live performances and off-beat music. Some of the cocktails served here are Apple ‘n’ Watermelon Martini and Twist Passion Fruit Martini.

3. Fish Bowl

Fish Bowl is set in the luxurious Hyatt. The place has a lounge style atmosphere and is best for hearing the lively music. The site offers a comfortable and cosy seating area. The location provides best in city variety of premium liquors and cocktails. The open deck ensures unobstructed cool breeze. Signature cocktails are served in little glass fish-bowls. Jain Food is also available at the place.

4. Mix@36

Mix@36 is set in a luxury hotel with a backdrop of Mula-Mutha River. The bar and the seating are vibrantly decorated with LEDs. Mix@36 offers a view of the city and is a top after-party destination.

5. Area 51

Area 51 is a restaurant cum bar. It has a unique dance floor and an amazingly unique ambience. The place has the capacity of handling a massive crowd on two different levels. The sound system of the site is apt and the sitting, comfortable. Area 51 has a revolving dance floor.

So, next time when you are in Pune, check out one or a couple from the above list and stay sure to have a memorable night.

Must Read: Snapshot on Ultra-Modern Delhi and Aesthetic Pune – by Riya Gulati

Sri Venkateswara Temple – Attracting Lakhs in Tirupati

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India is known as the ‘Land of splendid temples’. Due to their cultural significance and glorious heritage, tourists of varied beliefs visit the temple and pay respect to their gods. Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple is known to fulfil all the wishes of the devotees, who pray to the Lord with an explicit faith. It is popularly known as Tirupati Temple and is located in Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. There are plenty of hotels in Tirupati to accommodate the pilgrims. It is the most famous temple in India with a never-decreasing number of daily visitors and steep annual donations. The per day visitor count at this temple is about 60,000 to 70,000, and sometimes even lakhs.

It is around 435 km from Vijayawada, 138 km from Chennai, and 291 km from Bangalore. There are several legends about the manifestation of the Lord in Tirumala. According to one legend, the temple has a deity of Lord Venkateswara, which shall remain here for the entire duration of the Kali Yuga.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Sri Venkateswara—an incarnation of Vishnu, who is believed to have appeared at Tirupati to save humanity from Kali Yuga. Hence the name Kaliyuga Vaikuntam and the deity here is referred to as Kaliyuga Pratyaksha Daivam. The temple has other names like Tirumala, Tirupati, and Tirupati Balaji Temple. Even Lord Venkateswara is known by many different names like Srinivasa, Balaji, and Govinda.

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The Temple is constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture and is believed to be built over a period starting from 300 AD. The Garbhagriha of the temple is called Ananda Nilayam. Lord Venkateswara is in standing posture and faces east in Garbhagriha. The temple follows Vaikhanasa Agama tradition of worship. The temple is one of the eight Vishnu Swayambhu Kshetras. The Temple premises had two modern queue complex buildings to organise the pilgrim rush. The temple also has Tarigonda Vengamamba Annaprasadam complex for free meals to pilgrims. There are also hair tonsure buildings and many pilgrim lodging sites.

Tirumala Hills is a part of Seshachalam Hills Range. The hills are at the height of 853 metres above sea level. The hill range consists of seven summits that represent the seven heads of Adisesha. The Venkateswara Temple lies on the seventh peak—Venkatadri. It is because of this reason that the temple is even referred to as the “Temple of Seven Hills“. Tirumala town covers about 26.75 square km.

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It is the richest temple in the world concerning the donations received and total wealth. The temple is visited by an average of about 3 to 4 crore people annually. On special festivals, like the annual Brahmotsavam, the number of pilgrims shoots up to 5,00,000, making it the most-visited holy place in the world. In 2016, it was reported that 2.73 crore pilgrims visited the temple.

Visit this religious place to bring inner peace and calm. The hotels in Tirupati and pilgrim lodging sites are equipped to accommodate the pilgrims.

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