India

Bar Patola | Delhi

India’s first women’s only BAR!

Bar Patola | Delhi

Hey girls, it’s time to host a party with your girls-only gang. The owners of multiple outlets of bars in Delhi, BarShala, have taken this opportunity to open India’s first women’s only bar, BarPatola!

Now just chill and be yourself. No tension anymore of being talli and discomfort due to all the negative gazes. You can chill with your woman’s gang without any fear of being judged!

BarPatola has opened its doors in New Delhi’s Mukherjee Nagar. So, call your girl-friends now and be ready to taste their kebabs, chaat, momos, papad, soya mutton, Mumbai batata vada, and a hell lot of options. Feeling something in your stomach? Me too!

Save the location on your Google Maps: BarPatola, 2, Local Shopping Centre, Mukherjee Nagar
Enquire more on: +91 9891 800 000
Lose your wallet with: INR 500 for two people (approx)
Be there from 11 AM to 12:30 AM

Jatayu Bird Sculpture | Kerala

Kerala’s Latest Tourist Attraction – Jatayu

Jatayu Bird Sculpture | Kerala

‘Jatayu’ is that character from the Ramayana who does not need an introduction. We all are watching it on our television screens and some of us are reading about it from childhood.

Kerala to reveal the world’s largest bird sculpture on the same Jatayu, which is set to inaugurate on July 4th. The filmmaker Rajiv Anchal is working on this project.

It has been built in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It is 200 feet long, 150 feet wide, and 65 feet tall. This sculpture is spread over an area of 65 acres and is located on a cliff above 1000 feet from sea level. This structure is rooted on the same rock, where Jatayu strike down when Ravana ruptured his wings.

It has been built for INR 100 crore. Also, the state government has spent INR 10.25 crore on infrastructure development.

The museum and 6D theatre are also arranged inside this sculpture, which can be enjoyed by the public from November. A 10-minute film will be shown in this 6D theatre, which will tell the tale of Jatayu to the Visitors. This film has been made in Hollywood.

Chandigarh Shimla Heli Taxi

Reach Shimla from Chandigarh in just 20 minutes

Chandigarh Shimla Heli Taxi

The Government of Himachal Pradesh has initiated a Heli-Taxi service in association with Pawan Hans Limited for promoting hill tourism. The capital city of three states, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh is under this project. The chopper ride is between Shimla-Chandigarh-Shimla.

The amenity will start from June 4 this year. It will have limited service at the beginning and will be increased post inspecting the performance and tourists demand.

The chopper will have 20 seats and will cost you Rs. 2,999 per seat. The service will be available on Monday and Friday.

There is no direct service available between these two cities hence the only road medium takes nearly 4 hours to commute. But this morning flight will cover the distance of 120 km in just 20 minutes. The chopper will head start from Shimla at 8:00 am and reach Chandigarh at 8:20 am. The second shift of the helicopter will start from Chandigarh airport at 9:00 in the morning and will reach Shimla at 9:20.

Jairam Thakur, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, will onset the first service.

Post Kullu, Shimla is the second city to get connected with Chandigarh via air. Flights to Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Indore will also start soon.

This initiative will surely give a lift to the tourism industry.

Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow

Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh

Brief about Lucknow:

Officially known as the city of Nawabs (royal people), Lucknow is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is majorly known for its manners and respect. In layman’s terms, they call it Adab and Tehzeeb. It is the symbol of Shia culture and is famous for its historical monuments that show the richness of the Mughal era.

For foodies, Lucknow is one of the best places to hunt. The word ‘Lucknow’ itself gives pictures of its mouth-watering dishes in front of many.

Lucknow is the birth city of many famous poets, novelists, writers, cricketers, and politicians.

How to reach?

Lucknow is connected with almost all the parts of India and has a good connectivity system with all the mediums of transport.

Planning by Flight: The most convenient way to plan your visit to Lucknow is by air. Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (LKO) is around 15 km far from the city center. Domestic flights are well-connected to Lucknow from nearby cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Bangalore, Patna, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Amritsar, etc. Most international flights go to Lucknow via Delhi.

Planning by Train: Lucknow railway station is situated in Charbagh and is well-connected with the rest of the Indian cities.

Planning by Road: Road very well connects Lucknow. It is around 2 hours (94 km) drive from Kanpur, 4 hours (336 km) from Agra, 5 hours (398 km) from Vrindavan, and 7 hours (554 km) from Delhi. It also has a Bus transportation facility from nearby cities.

Places to visit:

Lucknow is famous for its monuments that show the touch of Mughal times. There are many places to explore and visit here. But, some of the top places are:

Anandi Water Park
Bara Imambara
British Residency
Chota Imambara
Dilkusha Kothi
Dr. Ambedkar Memorial Park
Hazratganj Market
Husainabad Clock Tower
Jama Masjid
Chowk
Khammam Peer Tomb
Lucknow Zoo
Rumi Darwaza
Satkhanda
Sikandar Bagh
State Museum Lucknow

Where to stay?

From hotels to resorts to Dharamshala, Lucknow has many options for accommodation. Though, you will find less number of mid-sized hotels here. Budget and top range hotels are easily available.

Best time to Visit:

The ideal duration to explore this beautiful city is 1-2 days and the best time to visit is between October to March. However, do avoid heavy fog months like December and January because you might find the delay in rails and flights.

Lucknow summers are very harsh which makes it difficult for tourists to go out of their hotel rooms and explore the city.

Food to eat:

Lucknow is a paradise for food lovers. The food of Lucknow shows its grandeur. You will find countless lip-smacking varieties here and that too on every corner.

Though the list of delicacies in Lucknow is endless, still I am mentioning the top most rated dishes here.

Galauti Kebab or Galawati Kebab
Tunday Kebab
Prakash ki Kulfi
Boti Kebab
Lucknowi Biryani (Idris ki Biryani)
Rogan Josh
Chaat
Nihari and Kulcha
Malai ki Gilori
Sheermals
Lucknowi Paan

The flavors are so perfect that they will leave you wanting for more.

Rajasthan | India

Rajasthan

Rajasthan | India

Brief about Rajasthan:

Famously known as the land of Rajputs; Rajasthan is majorly noted for its extravagant Havelis, majestic forts, Thar desert, sparkling sand, and finely sculpted temples. It is the largest state of India, area wise. It is bordered by Punjab to the north, Uttar Pradesh & Haryana to the northeast, Madhya Pradesh to the southeast, and Gujarat to the southwest.

Known by the name Pink City; Jaipur is the capital and largest city of Rajasthan.

Top attractions and their popularities:

LocationPopularity
AjmerFamous to pilgrims for Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti’s shrine; a Sufi saint
AlwarBhangarh Fort and Sariska Tiger Reserve
BanswaraNatural Beauty
BarmerTypical Rajasthani villages
BehrorHistorical palaces and industries
BharatpurWildlife
BhilwaraNatural Beauty
BikanerHavelis, palaces, and temples
BundiBaoris (stepwell), forts, and palaces
ChittorgarhForts and monuments
DeegGardens, forts, palaces, and fountains
JaipurPalaces and temples. Also known by the name ‘Pink City.’
JaisalmerOldest Jain temples, libraries, havelis, and golden fortress
Jhalawar DistrictFamous for caves like Binnayaga Buddhist, Hathiagor Buddhist and Kolvi
JodhpurBlue homes and so referred by the name ‘Blue City.’
KotaChambal river safari, gardens, and palaces
KumbhalgarhKumbhalgarh Fort and Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
MandawaArt & Culture and Mandawa Fort
Mount AbuNatural Beauty and 11th-century Dilwara Jain temple. It is the famous hill station
NathdwaraShrinathji temple
NeemranaNeemrana Fort
Pali RJTemples and textile industries. Also known by the name ‘The Industrial City.’
PushkarCamel Fair and the first Brahma temple in the world
RanakpurLarge Jain temple
RanthamboreRanthambore Fort and one of India’s largest national parks; ‘Ranthambore National Park.’
ShekhawatiOpen air galleries, havelis, and forts. Also known as the ‘Open art gallery of Rajasthan’
Shri Mahavir JiFamous as Jain pilgrimage center
Sri GanganagarLaila Majnu ki Mazar; famous lover of Indian history. Also known by the names ‘The food basket of Rajasthan’ and ‘Green district of Rajasthan’
UdaipurLakes, palaces, forts, hills, and temples. Also known by the name ‘The city of Lakes’ and ‘Venice of the East’

Best time to visit:

Rajasthan is a semi-arid/arid state of India. The most popular time to explore the beauty of Rajasthan is from October to May months. The summers (April – June) here are sweltering, and winters (December – February) are somewhere warm with the cold evening.

Popular Festivals:

FestivalMonthLocation
Jaipur Literature FestJanuaryJaipur
Camel FestivalJanuaryBikaner
Kite FestivalJanuaryAjmer
Nagaur FairJanuary and FebruaryNagaur
Desert FestivalJanuary and FebruaryJaisalmer
Baneshwar FairFebruaryDungarpur
Photography FestivalFebruaryJaipur
Lake FestivalFebruaryUdaipur
Udaipur World Music FestivalFebruaryUdaipur
Jaipur PhotoFebruaryJaipur
Braj HoliFebruary or MarchBharatpur
Dhulandi FestivalMarchJaipur
Gangaur FestivalMarch-AprilJaipur
Mewar FestivalMarchUdaipur
Summer FestivalAprilMount Abu
Teej FestivalJulyJaipur
Kajli TeejJuly-AugustBundi
Abhaneri FestivalSeptemberJaipur
DussehraSeptember-OctoberKota
Marwar FestivalSeptember and OctoberJodhpur
Adventure FestivalOctoberKota
Pushkar Camel FairOctober and NovemberPushkar
Chandrabhaga FairOctober and NovemberJhalawar
Bundi FestivalOctober-NovemberBundi
Rajasthan Kabir YatraNovemberBikaner
Kolayat FairNovemberBikaner
Matsya FestivalNovemberAlwar
Kumbhalgarh FestivalDecemberUdaipur
Shree the Sacred FestivalDecemberPushkar
Winter FestivalDecemberMount Abu

Alwar | Rajasthan

Alwar

Alwar | Rajasthan

Brief about Alwar:

Surrounded by the Aravali Hills, Alwar resides in the Indian state of Rajasthan. This beautiful city is majorly known for its mysterious Bhangarh Fort. Apart from Bhangarh Fort, it has a rich culture, peaceful atmosphere, pollution-free environment, majestic forts, colorful markets, beautiful lakes, and a tiger reserve.

Because of the famous Sariska Tiger Reserve, Alwar is renowned by the name ‘The Tiger Gate of Rajasthan’.

This peaceful place comes under one of the perfect weekend getaway lists from Delhi and the NCR region.

How to reach?

Alwar is well-connected with all the means of transport. But to make your journey memorable try to reach Alwar via rail or road medium; because you will get an opportunity to see breathtaking views in between your ride.

Planning by Flight: Alwar doesn’t have an airport of its own. Jaipur and Delhi airports are the nearest ones. Jaipur airport is 162 km away, and Delhi airport is 142.5 km, approximately.

Planning by Train: Alwar junction is the primary railway station here. Almost all the Indian cities have good connections to Alwar through regular rail service.

Planning by Road: Travelling by road is always fun. You can stop anytime and be mesmerized by the marvelous views. Alwar has excellent connectivity by road. There is a regular bus service to Alwar from nearby places like Delhi, Jaipur, Gurgaon, Jodhpur, and Udaipur. One can also hire a sharing cab if that is passing through your route.

Places to visit:

Alwar is the home of many impressive forts. But the critical tourist attraction point here is Bhangarh Fort. It falls under India’s most haunted places list. There are tales of many paranormal activities here, and that is why it is strictly prohibited by the Government of India to visit this fort after sunset and before sunrise.

Apart from Bhangarh Fort, below are the top sights here:

  1. Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary
  2. Sariska Lake
  3. Bala Quila Fort
  4. Alwar Fort
  5. Company Garden
  6. Vijay Mandir Palace

Where to stay?

Alwar offers all kinds of properties for accommodation. You will quickly get a budget mid-sized or luxurious hotel. Apart from hotels, Alwar has heritage property options as well.

Best time to visit:

The ideal duration of exploring Alwar is 1-2 days and the best season is winter.

Alwar summers are relatively hot and dry. The temperature ranges between 40 to 50 degrees Celsius. It will be difficult for travelers to go out of their hotel rooms and explore this beautiful place.

The favorite time for planning your trip to Alwar is from October until April.

Famous Festival:

Alwar celebrates the Matsya festival in November for two days. It is dedicated to praising the vibrant customs and traditional values of the region. The festival shows cultural performances, local games, and artistic exhibitions. It also includes Alwar Darshan which is local sightseeing.

Food to eat:

Alwar is famous for its milk cake (Alwar ka mawa), and it offers a wide range of Rajasthani food. Eating out in Alwar will be a lip-smacking experience. Some of the top cuisines are:

For Dishes:
Gatte ki Sabzi
Chicken Masala
Dal Baati Choorma
Poori
Kachori
Mirchi Vada

For Drinks:
Lassi

For Deserts:
Moti Chur Laddoo
Doodh Laddoo
Kaju Barfi
Patisa
Sohan Halwa

Agra | Uttar Pradesh

Agra

Agra | Uttar Pradesh

Brief about Agra:

Home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal, Agra is one of the famous tourist destinations of India. Not only in India, but also the Taj Mahal’s unique love story is renowned outside India, and that is why it is one of the most visited places by foreign tourists in India every year.

Agra has much more to explore than just the Taj Mahal; such as Agra Fort, monuments, tombs, gardens, handicrafts, shrines, and delicious food.

Urdu is the language spoken locally in Agra. The other words are Hindi and English.

How to reach?

Being one of the famous destinations amongst tourists in and outside the country, Agra does not have any transportation issues. It has well-developed connectivity.

Agra airport is the military base as well as the public-serving airport in the city. You can also opt for rail medium. But to make your trip memorable try a road trip this time; because Agra is not too far from nearby cities. Here is the list:

LocationDistance (approx)Time (approx)
Mathura56 Km1 Hour 30 Minutes
Vrindavan69 Km1 Hour 45 minutes
Alwar173 Km3 Hours 51 Minutes
Delhi233 Km4 Hours
Gurgaon237 Km4 Hours
Jaipur240 Km4 Hours
Neemrana257 Km4 Hours 50 Minutes
Lucknow335 Km4 Hours 10 Minutes
Chandigarh460 Km7 Hours

Places to visit:

Agra is famous for its beautiful Taj Mahal. As the Taj Mahal comes under one of the seven wonders of the world, it is the reason for visiting here for most of the tourists. Apart from the Taj Mahal, the other tourist’s attractions and top sights of Agra are:

  • Agra Fort
  • Akbar’s Tomb
  • Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah
  • Jama Masjid
  • Chini ka Rauza
  • Moti Masjid
  • Fatehpur Sikri
  • Mehtab Bagh
  • Mariam Tomb

Where to stay?

There are many options available to stay in Agra and also in all the budget categories. The hotels near the Taj Mahal are luxurious and expensive but will give you a breathtaking night view of the Taj Mahal from your room’s balcony. If you are planning to stay in one of them, then plan accordingly because most of them are booked in advance. You will also get numerous choices to select from in areas nearby the Taj Mahal.

Best time to visit:

The ideal duration to roam around in Agra is 1-2 days. Summers are arid and hot. Monsoons are cold and are the peak travel season here. Winters are pleasant throughout the day, and you can explore this beautiful place without any inconvenience.

Agra celebrates Taj Mahotsav, a cultural festival, in February. This festival offers art & crafts, folk dancing, and, most important, regional cuisines.

Food to eat:

Famous for its Petha, Agra has many varieties for crazy food lovers from spicy food to sweets. Some of the must-try dishes are:

• Mughlai Food
• Bedhai and Kachori
• Chaat – Raj Kachori, Pani-Puri, Samosa, Bhalla-Papri, Aloo Tikki
• Parantha
• Dalmoth

The list doesn’t stop here. There are many other lip-smacking dishes available on every corner of the streets. Plan your next trip soon and try them all 🙂

Lakshman Sagar Resort | Pali | Rajasthan

Heaven on Earth – Lakshman Sagar Resort

Lakshman Sagar Resort | Pali | Rajasthan

Have you seen heaven on the earth? Do you want to see and stay there? If so, then you can fulfill your desire whenever you want it to be.

Lakshman Sagar is a hidden treasure of Rajasthan. It is located in the Pali District of Raipur, Rajasthan.

Lakshman Sagar is a resort that will allow you to forget your busy life and grasp the feeling of being relaxed.

In the 19th century, the then King Lakshman Singh, had built this place for royal families and British delegates.

There are a total of 12 cottages that have been made in the direction of experienced design architects. Out of these, 6 cottages are such that on both sides the lake becomes visible. Each cottage has its private pool, where you can see the sun going down while relaxing, and also can enjoy the panoramic view of other wonderful scenes.

The furnishings like furniture, cushions, pots, etc. have been made available locally.

There is also the convenience of campfire meals & live cooking and you can also make your menu according to your requirements. Here the seasonal ingredients are grown themselves or made available locally.

Lakshman Sagar is not just a hidden gem from Rajasthan but it is also known as a perfect romantic spot.

By spending some days here, you will feel relaxed and forget your busy life, and staying here for a few days will make you feel connected to the rich culture of Rajasthan.

To make your holidays memorable, you must take pleasure in local activities. Goat herding, house trailing, local liquor tasting are the activities. Apart from this, you can see the stars from the balcony of your room at night or you can also take a night walk and feel the natural cold air.

Apart from all these activities, there are many more things you can experience here. Such as meditation and yoga, vegetable harvesting, breakfast facilities in the fields, visiting the local village, a tour of Raipur, jeep safari, trek adventure for Fatehgarh fort, and live cocktails and barbeques.

Lakshman Sagar is about 4 hours away from Jaipur via NH48 and 2 hours from Ajmer via NH58. If you want to reach here via air travel, then Jodhpur airport is the nearest one, which is about 2 hours away by NH25. If you want to go via rail then Haripur railway station is 3 km away.

The address of this beautiful place is:
Raipur Road, Near Haripur Railway Station, District Pali, Raipur, Rajasthan – 306 304

Jallianwala Bagh | Amritsar | Punjab | India

Jallianwala Bagh

Jallianwala Bagh | Amritsar | Punjab | India

If you are into historical places then Jallianwala Bagh is one place that you need to tick off from your bucket list.

Jallianwala Bagh is a public garden or a memorial park of 6 to 7 acres in Amritsar in the Punjab state of India. It is almost 1.3 kilometers away from the famous Golden Temple which means nearly 7 minutes of walk.

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre or Amritsar Massacre has a brutal history attached to its name.

It has been 98 years now and any time we still hear the name Jallianwala Bagh a sense of grief and anger cross our minds.

For those who are not aware about the history of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, here is a dose of history for you.

It was at the time of festival of Baisakhi (also known as Vaisakhi) in the year 1919 when a group of people gathered at the Jallianwala Bagh for a non-violent protest.

And for the record, Baisakhi is the main Sikh festival celebrated in Punjab and every year a large number of pilgrims from all over India visit Amritsar for the same.

And that day was not an exception, unaware about the whole fiasco pilgrims from all over India visited Jallianwala Bagh when Colonel Reginald Dyer ordered his 50 troops to fire the crowd brutally without stopping for a whole lot of 10 minutes killing around 1000 people and leaving 1100 wounded (Well these were the publically stated figures the actual figures must have been way ahead of this).

Whereas, the estimated number of pilgrims present there at the horrifying moment was around 25000.

Not just that almost 120 people jumped into the well of the Bagh.

The Bagh had walls all-around it of around 10 feet long and the passage ways were pretty narrow (which most of them were sealed) and the main passage way/entrance was captivated by Dyer & his troops and all this made the escapade of the pilgrims next to impossible.

The marks of bullets are still visible on the walls of the Bagh which will always make you revisit the whole brutal scenario.

This whole event very brutally took away many innocent souls and left the rest with burning scars, although according to the British Government this whole scenario was not cruel and unjustified.

Nonetheless, it evoked the freedom movement of India and added fuel to the biggest revolution and united the people of India against the East India Company.

And today Jallianwala Bagh is not just any other tourists spot in Amritsar; it is a place where the souls of our martyrs persist.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ankita Popli Ankita Popli
I am an art lover; a Web Designer by profession, an artist by hobby, loves photography and trying my hands in writing. I like to surf the internet and read articles, blogs and see beautiful pictures of our everyday surroundings. You may catch me at [email protected].

Kullu | Himachal Pradesh | India

Kullu

Kullu | Himachal Pradesh | India

Kullu is the beautiful and historical place of India, which is located in Himachal Pradesh near the bank of the Beas river and it is above 10 kilometers far from the airport at Bhuntar (6.9 K.M.), Gaggal Airport (85.4 K.M.), Shimla Airport (95.0 K.M.). Kullu is the open valley which is sandwiched between the Pir Panjal, Lower Himalayan and Great Himalayan Ranges. The name Kullu derives from the word “Kulant Peeth”, that means “end of the livable world”. As per legends, throughout the Great Flood, Manu visited this valley but was unable to cross the Rohtang pass. He named the last settlement he found as Kulant Peeth, and decide to settle and meditate in what has now become the city of Manali (Manu’s Place). The name further devolved into “Kulut”, as the kingdom was known for a long time; before finally being known by the current name of Kullu or Kulu.

Telephone Code: 01902
Currency: INR

Historical Place for Visit:
• Tirthan Valley
• Kheer Ganga
• Hot Springs at Manikaran
• Bijli Mahadev Temple
• Great Himalayan National Park
• Vaishno Devi Temple
• Sri Guru Nanak Devji Gurudwara
• Dhakpo Shedrupling Monastery
• Hanogi Mata Temple
• Jagatipatt Temple
• Chandrakhani Pass
• Dechen Choekhor Mahavihara Monastery
• Raghunathjee Temple
• Gauri Shankar Temple
• Jagannath Temple at Bhekhli
• Kulant Pith
• Lord Ramchandra Temple
• Jagannathi Devi Temple
• Sharvali Devi Temple

Delicious Foods in Kullu:
Mostly continental food eats by many of people who come from another country and many of people pursuing their occupation in that field, but when the question arise for eat Indian food then the best that is prepared by the Indian restaurant and they serve Chapatti with delicious Dals, Vegetable Gravy and Curd. Some other food is also famous in Kullu like Chole Bhature, Puri Sabzi, Patrol, Vada, State, Kodra Roti, Jatu (Red Rice) and more and another thing is that Kullu is known as the freshest environment so the fruits which produce here they all are fresh and we see the finest variety of foods here.

Shopping Places:
Trip become imperfect without shopping and Kullu is the historical place of Indian so the people of other country wants to choose unique things which become precious for the special trip. In Kullu there are so many varieties in handicraft and textile products for the visitor and these products looks adorable and its design attracts the tourist:
• Akhara Bazaar
• Tibetan Bazaar
• Bhutto And Humbucker
• Sultanpur Market more are the famous market in Kullu for the shopping.

Adventure Places:
If we plan a trip then we also want some special things which we never do in our life, and when the skull becomes your trip place then it’s the amazing way to face your fear. There are lots of adventure which feel man special and becomes your trip memorable. Two most adventure is:
• Paragliding at Hamta
• Adventure Day Out at Solang Valley in Manali
which helps you to face your fear from height and you need physical balance as the well mental strength for doing that adventure.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kanika Behl Kanika Behl
Currently she is working with the leading IT company of Jaipur. She hails from beautiful city, Bathinda. A prolific blogger, shopaholic, fashionista, story teller, poet. She loves to write technical blogs, interior decor blogs, fashion blogs. She also loves to express her thoughts in the form of stories and poetries. Her works have been featured in various website. So feel free to contact me at [email protected]. I believe that life is too short to make your all the dreams come true so don’t just go on dreaming but start working for your dreams.

Vaisakhi Festival | Punjab | India

Vaisakhi

Vaisakhi Festival | Punjab | India

Are you fond of Punjabi festivals? Do you love to dance on beats of drums? Do you love the energy that all traditional Punjabi folks put to dance? I think by now you must have guessed the name of this festival. Yes, it is Vaisakhi!

This festival calls for the celebration of life through singing, dancing, parades and wrestling matches, each resounding with the powerful force of life that resides within the Sikhs. A loud and open-hearted people they will drag you into the festivities and send you home breathless from dancing and unable to see beyond your full belly.

Vaisakhi, also known or spelled as Baisakhi (ਵਿਸਾਖੀ in Gurmukhi) is the biggest festival of Sikhs and Punjabis in all over the world. The festival is also known as the harvest festival of India’s state, Punjab. The festival of Vaisakhi is the beginning of Sikh New Year. Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru of Sikhs, formed the Khalsa Panth in Anandpur Sahib on this day of the year 1699. Guru Gobind Singh Ji also announced Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the infinite Guru of Sikhs.

Sikhs or Punjabis on the day of Vaisakhi visit Gurudwara and take a bath in holy tank of water, known as Sarovar. All over the world, every Gurudwara (especially Golden Temple) is decorated with lots of lights, flowers, candles, etc. Hindus also visit their nearest holy river such as Ganges, Kaveri and Jhelum and take a bath there. This festival of Solar New Year in Hindus is known by many other religious names.

The primary significance of celebrating Vaisakhi festival is that it is the time of harvesting crops. For farmers, it is known as the harvest festival. The farmers, all over the state of Punjab and Haryana, not only thank God for their healthy crops but also pray for the prosperity of their future crops. Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year; Puthandu, the Tamil New Year, Bohag Bihu in Assam, ‘Pooram Vishu’ in Kerala, are celebrated at the same time as Baisakhi.

So, what are you waiting for, celebrate this Vaisakhi with all the fun & joy with your dear ones and do visit temple near you for prayers.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ankita Popli Ankita Popli
I am an art lover; a Web Designer by profession, an artist by hobby, loves photography and trying my hands in writing. I like to surf the internet and read articles, blogs and see beautiful pictures of our everyday surroundings. You may catch me at [email protected].

Hyderabad | Telangana | India

Hyderabad

Hyderabad | Telangana | India

Hyderabad: A city where modernity shakes hand with history
Hyderabad is the capital city of the recently formed state of Telangana in south India. Hyderabad is one of the few cities in India that have become a major technological hub of the world. It is the location of some world-famous software companies and hardware manufacturers. Over the last two decades, Hyderabad has improved economically and technologically keeping its century-old traditions intact. It’s one of the few destinations in the world where modernity has not disturbed the heritage of the place. For this reason, Hyderabad is so popular among globetrotters and general tourists.

Places to visit in Hyderabad
Hyderabad offers scores of sightseeing and matters of interest. Here are some of them:
• Charminar – Like Taj Mahal in Agra or Gateway of India in Mumbai, Charminar is the signature of Hyderabad. It was built in 1591 by Mohamad Quli Qutab Shah, the founder of this famous city.
• Ramoji Film City – Spread over 1633 acre land, Ramoji film city is the largest compact film city in Hyderabad. Tour in Hyderabad can’t be completed without visiting Ramoji film city.
• Golkonda fort – The history of Golkonda fort dates back the first half of 16th century when it was just a mud fort. Later, the fort was occupied by Qutb Shahis and renovated in its present form.
• Salar Jung Museum – This is one of the three national museums in India. It is an art museum and a must visit for every tourist.
• Nehru Zoological park – Located in Mir Alam tank in Hyderabad, it is one of the oldest museums of independent India.
• Hussainsagar Lake – The lake was actually excavated in 1562 AD by Hussain Shah, which is now an amusement destination in Hyderabad.
• Qutub Sahi Tombs – It is another historical monument in Hyderabad which is the final resting place of several rulers of Shah dynasty in Hyderabad.
Besides, several other sightseeing like Mecca Masjid, Shri Jagannath Temple, Birla Mandir, Birla Science Museum, Nagarjuna Sagar dam, etc. are worth visiting in Hyderabad.

Staying in Hyderabad
There is no dearth of luxurious and budget hotels and resorts in and around Hyderabad. Hotels like Palm Exotica resort, Celebrity resort, Palm Beach hotel, Marriott hotel, etc. are the ultimate definition of comfort and luxury that anyone can expect. Even the European and American tourists prefer these top-class hotels in Hyderabad. On the other hand, Rajmata, Geetanjali, Fortune Residency, Nand International are good budget hotels extremely popular among the travelers in Hyderabad who are looking for comfortable places to stay within a restricted budget.

Food culture in Hyderabad
Hyderabad is a city with quite distinct food culture. In spite of modernization and liberal market economy, Hyderabad is still bearing its original food culture. Hyderabadi biriyani, Dum Phukt biriyani, Hyderabadi Marag, Boti Kebab, etc. are some mouthwatering, immensely popular dishes that must be tested to experience the distinctiveness of pure Hyderabadi foods.

Reaching Hyderabad
Reaching Hyderabad is quite easy from any part of India. International tourists can reach here through several airlines services that are connecting Hyderabad (Rajiv Gandhi International Airport) with several European, American, and Arabian countries. The city is well-connected with all major cities in India through air, rail, and road.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ashis Roy

Pune | Maharashtra | India

Pune

Pune | Maharashtra | India

Pune: A modern city with traditional touch
Pune is one of the most developed cities in India just 150 Km from Mumbai. The city is developed at the confluence of two beautiful rivers Mula and Mutha. It was the base of “Peshwas” of Maharashtra during Mughal period and British rule in India. It is also known as the “Cultural capital of Maharashtra”, “City of hills”, and “Oxford of the east”. National Defense Academy or NDA, the renowned military training school for the armed force officers is also based in Pune. Temples, educational institutions, historic forts, and due to various other reasons, Pune is one of the prime destinations for the tourists in Maharashtra.

How to reach Pune?
The Pune Airport is connected with all major cities in India, including Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata through regular flights. The airport is situated at Lohagaon, just outside the main city and only 18Kms away from the heart of the city.

Pune rail station is well-connected to all other major cities in India, and some high-speed trains commute from Pune to other cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, Nagpur, Ahmedabad, etc. Buses are also available to and from Pune. The bus terminus in Pune is at Chinchwad.

Important information about Pune
Following information are important for the people planning to visit Pune:
Weather – Average temperature in Pune ranges from 17 degrees to 33 degrees centigrade. The city is quite hot in summer when the temperature rises up to 42 degrees. The winter and spring are quite pleasant here. From June to October, the place gets pretty good rainfall with an annual average of 725mm.
Location – It is located 560m above the sea level on the Deccan plateau. It is basically a hilly area where the highest hill, called the Veta hill is almost 800m high from the sea level.
Other info – It is the 9th most populated city in India. Its official language is Marathi, and it’s a municipality area in Maharashtra.

Famous destinations in Pune
Some of the most famous destinations in Pune are as follows:
• Aga Khan Palace – It was built by Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III in 1892. It is situated at Pune Nagar Road.
• Shaniwar Wada – It was the royal residence of Peshawar in Maharashtra. It is located near the convergence of Mula and Mutha rivers.
• Vetal Tekdi – The city is surrounded by many hills, and Vetal Tekdi or Vetal hill is one of them.
• Parvati Hill – This is another high (almost 700m) hill in Pune with a beautiful temple at the peak.
• Khadakwasla – It’s a popular dam on the Mutha river.
• National War Museum – This is built in memory of the army personnel who sacrificed their lives in different wars after independence.
• Osho Ashram – Established by Rajneesh it is a famous meditation center mostly visited by foreign tourists.

Besides, dozens of other places, including museums, gardens, temples, and forts could be visited in Pune.

Staying in Pune
Scores of 5-Star, 4-Star, 3-Star, and budget hotels are available in Pune. 5-Star hotels like Courtyard Marriott, Hotel Sun-n-sand, or the budget hotels like Meru, Ginger, Cozy Inn, etc. are quite famous among the tourists.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ashis Roy

Chennai | Tamil Nadu | India

Chennai

Chennai | Tamil Nadu | India

Basic Information:
Chennai was earlier known as Madras. Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu. Situated on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, it’s one among the most important cultural, economic and academic centers in South India. As Reported By the 2011 Indian statistics, it is the 6th largest city and fourth-most populous metropolitan agglomeration in India. The city alongside the neighbouring regions constitutes the Chennai Metropolitan space, that is the 36th-largest geographic area by population within the world. Madras is among the foremost visited Indian cities by foreign tourists. It had been graded forty-third most visited towns in the world for the year 2015. The standard of Living Survey rated Madras because of the safest town in the Asian nation. Madras attracts 45% of health tourists visiting Asian nation and 30 to 40 % of domestic health tourists. As such, it’s termed “India’s health capital”. As a growing metropolitan town during a developing country, Madras confronts substantial pollution and different logistic and socioeconomic issues.

Top experiences in Chennai are Government Museum, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, San Thome Cathedral, Fort St George, Kalakshetra Foundation, Theosophical Society, Vivekananda House, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Book Building, St Andrew’s Church, Fort Museum, St Mary’s Church, Armenian Church, Luz Church, Fort St George Entrance, Marina Beach, Valluvar Kottam, Tomb of St Thomas the Apostle, Little Mount Church, Parthasarathy Temple, St Thomas Mount, Madras High Court, Adyar Library, Madras Lighthouse, Wallajah Big Mosque, Thousand Lights Mosque

Some Basic information for the tourists are as follows:
Chennai, capital of the Tamil Nadu
• The STD code of Chennai is 044
• Its Airport is: – Madras International Meenambakkam Airport (MAA)
• Currency: – Rupees

Filter Coffee, Idli, Masala Dosa, Sambar, Fish Curry, Biryani are some of the famous dishes you will get in Chennai

History:
The history of Chennai Shows that it is about 400 years old and is additionally the 36 metropolitan cities all across the planet. The historical past of the Madras begins from the traditional rulers that were there in the South India through establishment to the event within the 20th century. The Kapaleeshwarar temple, the Pallava Port and therefore the Parthasarathi Temple of the 7th century are the bubbling facts to prove that the city town has been a gift for the year. Many years ago, Chennai was a gaggle of the many villages, hanging among the rice paddy, printed with palm trees. The town was dominated by all the well-known dynasties of the South India like the Pallavas, the Cholas, the Pandyas and therefore the Vijaynagar kingdom. However, it had been the start of the 16th century that things began to prepare for the future.

How to reach Chennai:
By Air
There are domestic and international connections at both airports.

By Train
Chennai Central, Egmore and Tambaram are the 3 railway stations in Chennai. Taxis and rickshaws are simply available there to reach our destination from the station.

By Road
Chennai is beautifully connected by 5 highways to all the big cities as well as states. The Chennai bus station is known as Asia’s biggest bus station. It has a great number of buses to and from Chennai. This quality makes Chennai most favourite place of tourists.

Famous food to eat in Chennai:
• Filter Coffee
• Idli
• Masala Dosa
• Vadai/Thayir Vadai
• Sambar and Rasam Rice
• Kuzhi Paniyaram
• Bajji
• Adai
• Pongal
• Biryani
• Chettinad Chicken
• Fish Curry
• Kothu Parotta
• Paneer Soda
• Rose Milk

Festivals in Chennai:
• Pongal
• Karthikai Deepam
• Brahmotsavam Festival
• Tourist Fair
Chennai Music and Dance Festival
• Vinayak Chaturthi
• Aruvathimoovar Festival

Shopping In Chennai:
• Pondy Bazaar
• Anna Salai (Mount Road)
• Panagal Park
• T-Nagar
• Anna Nagar
• George Town
• Egmore
• Mylapore


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kanika Behl Kanika Behl
Currently she is working with the leading IT company of Jaipur. She hails from beautiful city, Bathinda. A prolific blogger, shopaholic, fashionista, story teller, poet. She loves to write technical blogs, interior decor blogs, fashion blogs. She also loves to express her thoughts in the form of stories and poetries. Her works have been featured in various website. So feel free to contact me at [email protected]. I believe that life is too short to make your all the dreams come true so don’t just go on dreaming but start working for your dreams.

Patna | India

Patna

Patna | India

Patna: A city with ancient Indian historical evidence everywhere
Patna is the capital city of Bihar. It is also the second largest city in the eastern India after Kolkata. This city and surrounding areas are full of historical and religious marvels, that is why this city is one of the main attractions for international as also domestic tourists. There was a time, when Patna was a very famous spot for religious tourism, but now people come here to know ancient India history that is present everywhere in Patna.

Some important information about Patna
Patna is the capital city of the eastern Indian state of Bihar and situated on the bank of the Ganges.
• During the Historical time, Patna was famous as Pataliputra.
• In summer Patna becomes too hot when the maximum day temperature rises up to 44-45 degrees centigrade. In winter the remains cold, but pleasing when the minimum temperature remains within 8-10 degrees centigrade.
• Average annual rainfall in Patna remains within 1100mm.
• October to February is the best time to visit Patna.
• Jaiprakash Narayan International Airport is located 5Km southwest of Patna, which is connecting this city with Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ranchi, and several other cities in India.
Patna Junction Railway Station is one of the important railway station in eastern India.
Patna is well-connected with the rest of the country through several national highways, and with the other parts of Bihar through several state highways. NH19, NH30, NH31, and NH83 passes from this place. Long distance buses commute from Patna although other major Indian cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Ranchi, etc.

Famous destinations in Patna
Following are the most popular destinations in this historical city:
• Kumrahar: Located on the outskirts of Patna, Kumrahar is a pure evidence of the old history of Patna or Pataliputra. Here one could see ancient copper coins, ornaments, stone beads, terracotta beads and many other things.
• Golghar: It was created in the year of 1786 by Captain J. Garstin. It was used to store grains when famine hit the city.
Patna Museum: Building was constructed 1917, and it is the oldest museum in Patna. It contains over 45000 artifacts starting from ancient India to Mughal dynasty.
• Jalan Museum: It was constructed in 1919 under the supervision of Diwan Bahadur Radha Krishna Jalan. Nearly 10000 different objects of historical value could be found here.
• Nalanda University: It is one of the oldest residential university of the world created in the 5th century. Scholars and students from various parts of the world, including China, Turkey, Korea, Persia, and Indonesia used to come here for studying.

Besides, Buddha Memorial Park, Mahavir Mandir, Jalmandir Temple, Sun Temple, Begum Hajjam’s Mosque, Pavapuri Jain mandir, Patna planetarium, etc. and many other destinations are worth visiting in Patna.

Festivals in Patna
Patna is also recognized as a major destination in India for religious tourism. Naturally, festivals are the part and parcel of this city. Chhath puja is one of the most popular and widely celebrated festivals in entire Bihar, including Patna. Besides, Holi, Eid, Ramnavami, and Dussehra are celebrated in this city with much joy and enthusiasm.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ashis Roy