Jallianwala Bagh

Amritsar, India, Punjab / By Ankita Popli

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
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 / By Kanika Behl

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
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, India / By Ankita Popli

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:

Hyderabad

India, Telangana / By Ashis Roy

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

India, Maharashtra / By Ashis Roy

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

India, Tamil Nadu / By Kanika Behl

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:

Patna

Bihar, India / By Ashis Roy

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

Chandigarh

Haryana, India, Punjab / By Ashis Roy

Chandigarh: A planned city with lots of gardens
Chandigarh is the first planned city of independent India, which was designed by the famous French architect Le Corbusier. Right from the roads to the skyscrapers, everything is nicely planned in this beautiful city, which is also the capital of prosperous north Indian states of Punjab and Haryana. Every year a large number of people from different parts of India, and the world come to visit this picturesque city, and enjoys its pleasant weather, modern lifestyle, and beautiful sightseeing.

The top experiences of Chandigarh are Nek Chand Rock Garden, Capitol Complex, Government Museum & Art Gallery, Sukhna Lake, Le Corbusier Centre, High Court, Chandigarh Architecture Museum, Natural History Museum, High Court Museum, Bhima Devi Museum, Secretariat, Open Hand Sculpture, Vidhan Sabha, National Gallery of Portraits, Pinjore Gardens, Bougainvillea Garden, Rose Garden, Garden of Fragrance, Terraced Garden

Important information about Chandigarh
The city is located on the slopes of Shivalyks, the mountain range of the Himalayas. Its weather mostly remains pleasant throughout the year. Some important information about this city are as follows:
• The city is 114 sq.km in area, and it is 304-365 meters above sea level.
• Chandigarh International Airport is the main airport of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.
• In winter, maximum temperature remains 16 degree centigrade and in summer it may rise up to 40 degree centigrade. The city gets an annual rainfall of 1110mm on an average.

Chandigarh offers pleasant weather, modern lifestyle, and beautiful sightseeing

Transport in Chandigarh
Chandigarh is well-connected with the rest of the country through rail, road, and air:

Air: Chandigarh International Airport is connecting important Indian cities, like Delhi, Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata, Srinagar, etc. through very upgraded air services provided by several airlines. Presently, some international flights are also connecting Chandigarh to Sharjah, and Dubai.

Road: Three national highways, viz. NH5, NH7, and NH152 are passing through this beautiful city. The internal road transport system of Chandigarh is also very strong. This city has the highest number of vehicles per capita in India. The state is connected with other parts of country like Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi through public road transport system.

Rail: Chandigarh junction is an important railway station in north India. Regular trains are plying from this Chandigarh to Kolkata, Dibrugarh, Vishakhapatnam, Thiruvananthapuram, Bangalore, Kollam, Jaipur, Lucknow, Amritsar, Bhopal, Indore, and many other important places in India.

Famous destinations in Chandigarh
Some very attractive and famous sightseeing in this city includes the following locations:
• Sukhna Lake – This artificially created, rain-fed lake is located in Sector 1 area in Chandigarh. Its serene atmosphere is absolutely relaxing, and charming. It is also the most popular destination to observe many festivals unique to Punjab and Haryana.
• Rock Garden – Adjacent to Sukhna Lake is Chandigarh’s most famous sightseeing, Rock Garden. Its various sculptures, and interlinked causeways directed towards the waterfall of Sukhna lake are really attractive.
• Rose Garden – It is the largest botanical garden in Asia, where over 800 varieties of roses, and 33000 varieties of herbs and shrubs could be found.
• Leisure Valley – This 8Km stretched combination of various theme gardens in Chandigarh is starting from Sector 1 and ending at Sector 10.
• Capital Complex – It is located at the heart of the city. One can find the “Open hand sculpture”, a creation of Le Corbusier himself. The High court museum, and secretariat are just near to this place.

Besides, numerous other beautiful places like International doll’s museum, Terrace garden, Cactus garden, Art gallery, Government museum, and Natural history museum, etc. are visit-worthy places in this beautiful city in India.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ashis Roy

Bangalore

India, Karnataka / By Ashis Roy

Bangalore: The garden city of India
Multicultural and multiethnic city Bangalore or Bengaluru is one of the most progressive and advanced cities in India, it is also the capital city of India’s one of the most developed state Karnataka. Bangalore is called the garden city of India, as innumerable beautiful garden spaces are scattered all over the city. Being the country’s topmost software, and IT hub, Bangalore is also popularly known as the “Silicon Valley” of India. Its pleasant weather, modern lifestyle, unique South Indian culture, top-graded hotels, and various popular sightseeing attract thousands of visitors every year.

Bangalore or Bengaluru is India topmost software and IT hub

Weather in Bangalore
The city possesses a pleasant weather throughout the year. Temperature remains within 25-32 degree centigrade in summer, but sometimes it rises up to 38 degree centigrade in May or June. In winter temperature, doesn’t lowers below 14 degree centigrade. The city receives pretty good rainfall during the monsoon season in India. In winter, it generally remains dry.

Bangalore (Bengaluru) is also popularly known as the “Silicon Valley” of India

General information about Bangalore
Here is some important information about Bangalore:
• It is the third largest city of India, and capital city of south Indian state Karnataka.
• It covers an area of about 740 Sq. Km.
• It is the 5th most populous city of India with a population of about 9 million.
• It is connected with the other parts of the country, as also with the world through Kempegowrah International Airport.
• According to Forbes, Bangalore is the fastest growing city of the country.
• Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is established in Bangalore.
• It is the most important IT hub of India. It is the Indian head quarter of Google, Microsoft, Oracle, TCS, Infosys, Wipro, and many more.

Transport in Bangalore
This city is well-connected with the other cities of India, and the world through air, rail, and road. Transport within the city and its suburban areas are also too strong and smooth. The airport is just 40Km away from the city center area, and several airlines are providing domestic, and international air services to and from Bangalore. It is the divisional HQ of Southwestern railway in India. As such, numerous trains are connecting this city with New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, etc.

The city is also having good communication with the other states and cities through several roads. NH 44 is passing though Bangalore that is crossing 6 major Indian states, and several cities, like Varanasi, Hyderabad, and Nagpur. Also, NH 48, NH 275, and SH 87 are passing through Bangalore connecting the other parts of the country.

Places to visit
Here are some popular places to visit while in Bangalore:
• National Gallery of Modern Art
• Lalbagh Botanical Garden
• Iskon Temple
• Tipu Sultan’s Palace
• Jamia Mosque
• Government Museum
• Bangalore Palace
• Bangalore Fort
• Bull Temple
• St. Mark’s cathedral
• Janapada Loka Folk Art Museum
• Venkatappa Art Gallery

Festivals in Bangalore
Several Hindu festivals are popular here including, Ugadi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Ram Navami. Besides, Karnataka State festival, St. Mary’s feast and Eid-ul-Fitr are celebrated here with great joy and enthusiasm.

Best time to visit Bangalore
Though tourists visit this city throughout the year, tourists at large prefer to visit the city during the winter season, as the weather becomes too cozy during winter. The number of tourists lowers significantly during April to June due to high temperature and dry weather.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ashis Roy

Kolkata

India, West Bengal / By Ashis Roy

Kolkata: the cultural capital of India
Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is the capital of West Bengal, an Indian state sharing its border with Bangladesh. Kolkata is a great place to visit, famous for its history, monuments, and culture. This city is also known as the cultural capital of West Bengal, due to its rich heritage of art, music, and literature.

Important information about Kolkata
Kolkata is the second largest city in India, and an extremely populated place, having a perfect confluence of multicultural people.

Some important information about Kolkata are as follows:
• It is situated on the bank of Hooghly river, a part of the Ganges.
• It was a British colony from the early British rule in India. A large part of Indian freedom movement had flourished in Kolkata.
• It was the birthplace of many Indian great personalities, like Raja Rammohun Roy, Swami Vivekananda, Subhash Ch. Bose, and Rabindra Nath Tagore.
• It is well-connected with the other parts of the country, and world through airways, railways, and roads.

Ways to Kolkata
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is connected with all major Indian cities, and other countries of the world. The city is also connected with other parts of the country through scores of trains that connects the city with New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Jammu, Amritsar, etc. and also through bus routes.

Weather in Kolkata
Kolkata has a tropical wet, and dry climate. In summer, the place becomes pretty hot, when whether sometimes touch 40-42 degrees centigrade. In winter, the weather becomes very pleasant, when the temperature varies from 10-23 degrees centigrade. Kolkata gets monsoon rainfall from June to September every year. It receives an average of 1550mm rainfall every year.

Places to visit in Kolkata
Tourists would like to visit innumerable places in Kolkata, but the most popular places of this city are as follows:
• Victoria Memorial Hall – Commissioned by Lord Curzon, the then viceroy of India, this large architectural wonder was built to commemorate Queen Victoria’s demise in 1901.
• Fort William – It was constructed in 1780 during the tenure of viceroy Robert Clive to protect the British power from Mughal attacks. It is one of the most popular destinations in Kolkata.
• Indian Museum – It is the biggest and the oldest museum in India. The building itself is a monument with 200-year-old history.
• National Library – This is the largest government supported library in India. Many rare manuscripts and books of Indian writers are preserved here. The building is also a grandeur that worth visiting.
• Tagore’s house – Visit to Kolkata is never complete without visiting the Tagore’s house. This world-famous bard had spent a major part of his life in Kolkata.

Besides, innumerable locations in and around Kolkata are worth visiting, like Dakhineshwar, Howrah Bridge, Marble Palace, Birla Planetarium, Nicco Park, Saheed Minar, Swami Vivekananda’s house, College Street, Kalighat, etc.

Best time to visit Kolkata
October to March is the best time to visit this city; however, tourists come here throughout the year in leaps and bounds. Tourists who can’t tolerate scorching summer should avoid visiting the city within April to June.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ashis Roy

Mumbai

India, Maharashtra / By Ashis Roy

Mumbai: A glimpse into India’s melting pot
Mumbai is one of the biggest, and popular cities in India. It is the capital of Maharashtra, and also known as the “financial capital” of India. Apart from that, Mumbai is mostly recognized for its entertainment industry called “Bollywood”. People from different parts of India comes here for earning their livelihood. As such, today’s Mumbai is a genuine glimpse of the whole India, because of its multicultural, and multi-religious population. Mumbai is also a great destination of tourists all over the world.

Important information about Mumbai
Mumbai was previously known as Bombay. It is located in the west coast of the country on the bank of Arabian sea. Greater Mumbai actually consists of seven different islands: Isle of Bombay, Mazagaon, Colaba, Parel, Worli, Old Woman’s Island, and Salsette Island.

Some important information about Mumbai are as follows:
• It covers almost 603 sq.km
• Its temperature always stays within 25-32 degree centigrade throughout the year.
• It is one of the most populated city in the world, having nearly 22million population.
• It is very well-communicated with the other parts of India, as also rest of the world. Its communication with several Arab countries, and East Asia is very strong.

Coming to Mumbai
Mumbai is well-communicated with all major and minor cities in India, and many other cities of the world through airways, railways, and roads:
• Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport connects Mumbai with all other major cities of the world; it is also the biggest airport in India, located in the suburbs of Santa Cruz in Mumbai. Cities like London, New York, Hong Kong, Paris, Bangkok, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Frankfurt, Munich, etc. are connected with Mumbai through airways.
• Mumbai’s railway communication is divided into three halves: metro railways, local railways, and national railways. It is well communicated with Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, and many other cities directly through railways.
• Roadways in Mumbai is one of the best land transport systems in India. The roads here communicate western India, with all other major cities in India, including Delhi, and Kolkata. Mumbai is a major part of NH6, NH46, and NH65.

Major destinations in Mumbai
Mumbai is a prime tourist destination in India. It is a historic place, as also a city with many ultramodern architectural creations, and a perfect confluence of traditional and modern arts, and cultures. This is the location of 20 of India’s most beautiful monuments. Some major destinations in Mumbai, which are must-visit for every tourist are as follows:
• Gateway of India
• Marine Drive
• Elephanta Caves
• Haji Ali Dargah
• Sanjay Gandhi National Park
• Babulnath Temple
• Mahalakshmi Temple
• Rajabai Clock tower
• Jehangir Art Gallery
• Shivaji Park
• Horniman Circle Gardens
• Marve Beach
• Aksa Beach
• Worli Fort

Besides, numerous other famous, and visit-worthy places are scattered all over the city and its suburban areas.

Foods in Mumbai
Tourists can enjoy all sorts of foods, and delicacies in this truly international destination. However, for experiencing a true test of Mumbai or Maharashtra, one must try the street foods that are available everywhere in the city, especially on the beaches, as also in all famous restaurants. Foods like Bada Pao, Pav bhaji, Bheja Fry, Bhatata Vada, Bhel Puri, etc. are unforgettable pure Mumbai dishes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ashis Roy

Jammu and Kashmir

India / By Ashis Roy

Jammu and Kashmir: The paradise of the world
Jammu and Kashmir, often abbreviated as J&K, is the northern- most state of India positioned on the lap of the Himalayas. This state of India has been gifted with nature’s most beautiful elements, and eternal tranquility that couldn’t be viewable anywhere in the earth. Over the centuries, J&K has remained one of the greatest attractions of international tourists for different reasons. It is a perfect romantic location for the couples, it is a destination for the travelers who seek adventure, it is a great attraction for the Hindus, and it is place having age-old culture, and down-to-earth people. As a whole, it is a must-visit for every tourist at least once in a lifetime.

Seasons in J&K
This beautiful state of India has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter.

Spring is the most beautiful season in this state, and during this period the valley literally looks like a heaven. Spring extends from March to May, when temperature varies from 6-25 degrees centigrade. In this season, Srinagar experiences brief rains, which makes the place more beautiful.

During autumn, which ranges from September to November, the valley looks absolutely fabulous. The temperature during his period ranges from 10-23 degree centigrade.

Rainfall is quite common in this state with an annual rainfall averages around 1400mm in Kashmir, and 2000mm in Jammu.

General information about J&K
Some important information about this state are as follows:
• From October to March, the capital of this state is Jammu, and from March to October the capital is transferred to Srinagar.
• The STD code of Jammu is 0191, and that of Srinagar is 0194.
• Three important airports for common people are Shaikh Ul Alam Airport in Srinagar, Leh Airport in Leh, and Jammu Airport in Jammu.
• The most famous tourist destinations in this state are Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonmarg, Katra

How to reach Jammu?
Jammu is almost 580Kms from New Delhi, 436Kms from Chandigarh, and 240Kms from Amritsar.

Domestic flights from Delhi, and Srinagar are available up to Jammu Airport on a regular basis. So, it is very easy to reach in this state through the air.

Jammu Tawi is the most important railway station of this state, which is connected with the test of the country, including Delhi, Kolkata, and several South Indian states. Jammu is also connected with all the major locations in North India through roads. Daily bus services are available from New Delhi, Srinagar, Amritsar, Ambala, Ludhiana, and many other destinations.

Foods of J&K
This part of the country has its own special and distinctive cuisines. Again, different parts of the stave have some distinctive characteristics too. Rice, wheat, millet, vegetables, fruits, goat meat, yak milk, etc. is their main foods. Pure Kashmiri foods are characterized by their exotic tastes, and smells that are completely unique in Kashmir.

Best time to visit J&K
Normally, Jammu and Kashmir can be visited at any time. However, winter, and spring are the busiest seasons for the hotels, and resorts here, because during these seasons the natural beauty of the Kashmir valley reaches a different height. It snows throughout the winter months, and Gulmarg becomes a popular destination in winter. However, travelling to the upper reaches of Leh, and Ladakh is suitable and enjoyable during the summer season.

Best activities in J&K
This is a land of snow-covered mountains, splendid flowers, cherries, apples, shikaras, and many more. Hence, sightseeing takes the major part of the itinerary of a tourist in J&K. People also come here for religious tour at Vaishno Devi in Amarnath, and plenty of outdoor sports activities.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ashis Roy

Amritsar

India, Punjab / By Kanika Behl

The city of Amritsar in Punjab, India, is that the center of the Sikh faith. Individuals from all over the country have come here to travel the Golden Temple and luxuriate within the cultural & historical potpourri city should offer. This lovely city is found inside the northwestern a section of Asian nation, inside the Indian state of the geographic area, merely twenty-five metric long measure off from the Indo-Pakistan Border. The city has contacted a section of 5094 sqm metric linear measure, at an associate altitude of 218 m on high of the standard water level and incorporates a semi-arid climate. It includes extreme hot and dry summers (April-June), cold winters (November-March) and moderate monsoon (July- September), with a mean annual precipitation of 542 metric linear unit. The simplest time to go to this town is throughout the month of October to March. Being a significant industrial, cultural, transportation and nonsecular center of Asian nation, Amritsar is visited by thousands of holiday makers daily, together with pilgrims (domestic & foreigners) and businessmen.

The city is famous for its heart, the spectacular Golden Temple

Golden Temple | Shri Harmandir Sahib | Amritsar | Punjab

Sarovar Bath | Gurudwara | Amritsar | Punjab

Vaisakhi | Indian Festival | Amritsar | Punjab

Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, etc are the must visit places in Amritsar

Some Basic information for the tourists are as follows:
• Its capital city is Chandigarh
• The STD code of Amritsar is 0183
• Its Airport is: – Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport
• Currency: – Rupees

History of Amritsar
Amritsar is the seat of religious belief, a monotheistic faith that was based on the fifteenth century by Guru Nanak Dev. Amritsar is additionally home to the Sri Harmandir European (also referred to as The Golden Temple), the foremost consecrated shrine of the Sikhs everywhere the globe. Traditionally, the town of Amritsar is believed to own been purchased by the Sikh Guru Ram Das around 1570 AD from the villagers of Aleurites fordii for associate degree quantity of 700 federal agency to arrange a settlement yet as dig a tank.

Origin its name from the Amrit Sarovar, the pure tank that surrounds The Golden Temple and translating to ‘pool of nectar’ in English, Amritsar might be a thriving example of history, gastronomy, and verve.

How to reach Amritsar
Home to the notable Golden Temple, Amritsar has been attracting guests from all across the world as a result of its legendary landmarks. the town is definitely approachable through all modes of transportation. Amritsar airport, popularly referred to as Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport, is found at a distance of regarding ten metric linear unit far from the town center. Those traveling by train will book their tickets up to Amritsar depot, that is well coupled with major Indian cities. One can even reach Amritsar by road from near cities by taking roadways and state operated buses, that area unit very comfy and straightforward in the pocket.

Festivals in Amritsar
Various famous festivals take place in Amritsar throughout the year. Those festivals are: –
• Baisakhi
• Guru Parb
• Lohri
• Ram Tirath Fair etc.

Amritsar is populous by joyous those that prefer to get pleasure from each moment of their life. In reality, the whole region of the geographic area is filled with such those that celebrate each single occasion with equal fanfare and zeal.

Foods in Amritsar
Food is a part of the Punjabi culture and plenty of them area unit inherent components of various festivals. Foods like:-
• A Glass of Fresh Lassi in the Morning Puri Chana for Breakfast
• True Ghee Experience at Kesar da Dhaba
• Langar at Golden Temple
• Gurdas Ram de Jalebi Wale
• Kaala Khatta at Ramkaran Cool Spot
• A-One Kulfa
• Chungi de Kulche for your afternoon Kulche Lunch

Places to visit in Amritsar
• Golden Temple
• Jallianwala Bagh
• Durgiana Temple
• Central Sikh Museum
• Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum
• Param Pujya Mata Lal Devi Mandir
• Sun City
• Gurudwara Shaheed Ganj Sahib
• Mandir Baba Balak Nath Ji
• Gurudwara Pipli Sahib
• Niwas Asthan Bhai Sahib Dr. Vir Singh Ji
• Company Bagh
• Khairuddin Mosque
• Partition Museum
• Hanuman Mandir
• Solar Clock
• Sri Amritsar City Gateway
• India Gate

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Kerala

India / By Ashis Roy

With the great Western Ghats in the east, and the Arabian Sea, and the part of the Indian ocean in the west, Kerala is one of the most beautiful states in India. There are 44 rivers crisscrossing this state, and one could find the longest shoreline with serene beaches only in this lush, naturally tranquil state in India. For all its natural beauty, greenery, and very down-to-earth people, Kerala is truly called “Gods own place”. Kerala is attractive in every aspect. Every year, thousands of tourists come here to enjoy swanky hill stations, awesome wildlife, classy waterfalls, ever-cherishing festivals, and the oldest history of India. Kerala is also one of the major hubs for Ayurvedic health centers, and delicious South Indian cuisines. Kerala has everything that a tourist want to enjoy in a place.

General information about Kerala
Kerala is located in the southwestern coast of India, which is also known as Malabar coast. The state has a coastline of about 590Km, which is the 4th longest coastline in India. The state falls under equatorial tropical region, but the temperature in the hill stations never crosses 20 degree centigrade. Temperature in the other parts of the state varies from 28-32 degrees centigrade. The state gets pretty good rainfall with a yearly average of 3000mm.

Some important information for the tourists are as follows:
• Its capital city is Thiruvananthapuram
• The STD code of Thiruvananthapuram is 0471
• Its three Airports are Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Cochin International Airport, and Calicut International Airport.
• The major cities in Kerala are Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kochi, Thrissur, Kovalam, Kozhikode.

How to reach Kerala?
Kerala is one of the best-connected state in India, with plenty of national and international airlines providing services to all of its three international airports. The state is also well-connected with the other states, and their capital cities through railways, and roadways. Normally, it takes 3.30 hours to 4 hours to reach Thiruvananthapuram from New Delhi, and 2.30 hours to reach from Mumbai through airways.

History of Kerala
The history of this famous state in India is mostly connected with the trade of agricultural produce, especially spices. It has remained one of the major spice exporters in Asia, since 3000BCE. Its spices are so popular that still it is abbreviated as the “garden of spices”. In ancient times, traders from Europe, Arab, and other African countries arrived here in search of spices. These traders, and travelers had lived and roamed around this state in large numbers, and had left their marks in the form of splendid architectures, literatures, artifacts, and cuisines.

Festivals in Kerala
Various famous festivals take place in Kerala throughout the year. In fact, cultural tourism is getting momentum in this southern Indian state, like many other states in India. Some of the famous festivals here are Onam, Thrissur Puram, Makaravilakku, etc.

Foods in Kerala
Food is a part of Keralan culture, and many of them are inherent parts of different festivals. Foods like puttu and kadala curry, appam, erissery, palada payasam, chemmem curry, pazham pori, etc. are some of the best Keralan dishes preferred by international tourists.

Socially, and economically, Kerala is counted among the most advanced states in India, with 100% literacy, top-class health care system, and the highest life expectancy rates. Over the decades, Kerala has been attracting international tourists due to its friendly people, mind-boggling serenity, spices, foods, and culture.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ashis Roy

Hong Kong

China / By Bandana Gautam

Hong Kong is a city with spectacular skylines, wild night outs and appealing financial hub that will make you go awe in a single glance. It is infinitely fascinating and one is never going to get bored in this beautiful city. It can be easily termed as lively and energetic city because it has something for everyone because it is changing at a fast pace with the environment. The food is lip-smacking good in Hong Kong with noodles being on top of the list. The Hong Kong airport is one of the biggest hub airport in the world. It’s a vibrant city of eight million inhabitants.

A city that never sleeps is a perfect phrase for Hong Kong as it hosts large number of activities starting from monthly art shows hosted by various galleries to annual Rugby competition.

Food in Hong Kong is so heavenly that tourists come again and again just to fulfill their taste buds with the super delicious food. You can hog on to a bowl of noodles for the entire day. You can have an ideal Asian food without even worrying your pockets as it is pocket friendly. And if you are a lover of shopping then Hong Kong surely is a place to be. It provides to be the best luxurious shopping city and a total heaven for shopping lovers. Be it small shops or big malls, everything provides such amazing and unique stuff that you wouldn’t resist emptying your pocket.

There are various beautiful attractions in Hong Kong. The best part about these attractions is that not all attractions need entrance fee or huge amount of money. Few of its famous tourist attractions are:

• Victoria harbor: Enjoy the most fascinating view of harbor along skyscrapers. You need not pay for it; yes this amazing view is free of cost. You also get to experience world’s largest sound and light show, “Symphony of lights”. This show starts at 8:00 pm every night, so plan your trip accordingly as the 360-degree spectacle of laser beams striking the skyscrapers on either side of the harbor is worth watching.
• Hong Kong Museum of History: This museum will provide you with an amazing overview of its past. These are astonishing display relating to archaeology, natural history and social history.
• Macau: It’s an easy trip from Hong Kong, and totally worth the hour long boat ride. It’s a fun place to enjoy night life in Hong Kong. Being the asia’s top gambling destination it surely is suppose to give you an amazing time with lively bars to cool restaurants.
• Victoria Peak: An absolute Hong Kong must do. To get a stunning view of skyscrapers, bustling city, and surrounding islands you ought to visit it. You need to travel there by a tram that will take you at the top of this scenic viewpoint. This is a must see attraction in Hong Kong.
• Wong Tai Sin Temple: The city also has a quiet side and is surrounded by many religious temples. Wong Tai Sin Temple being the newest temple in Hong Kong. There are several buildings in this temple that includes a Hall of Three Saints, a Good Wishes Garden also you will find several fortune tellers sitting in one of the halls.
• Hong Kong Disneyland: The first themed park, located in Lantau Island. It consists of several themed park like Adventureland, Fantasyland, Toy Story Land, Mystic point, Main Street, U.S.A and many more. Whenever planning about a trip to Hong Kong, one can never resist skipping Disneyland from the list of places to travel here. You feel like a kid again in this alluring place with hundreds of rides, Water Park and castles that gives you a feeling of your childhood days.
• Tsim Sha Tsui: The best Entertainment and Shopping hub, located in southern of Kowloon. Tsim Sha Tsui is the finest district to know commerce and culture of Hong Kong. You can find amazing restaurants, boutiques and luxurious retailers in this very place. Also there is a very famous Cultural Centre and a museum of Art that attracts tourists a lot.
• Repulse Bay and the Beaches: To feel luxury at its best one must visit this beach. Beach at Repulse Bay the most famous and lively beaches in the country. So get ready to get a little tan with the stunning sightseeing.
• Big Buddha (Tian Tan Buddha Statue): This place has a huge 34 meter high Buddha’s Statue at the top of Lantau Island’s. Plan to climb Lantau early in the morning to get the best view of surrounding sea, islands and the magical sun rise over the monastery.

A visit to Hong Kong includes embracing and stunning views of land, sea, and architecture, wonderful beaches and great hikes. Hong Kong is one of the most lively and awe-inspiring cities in the world, certainly, but there’s much more to the country that meets the eye.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Bandana Gautam
I am an Mba student, who loves to write in my spare time. Food and Travelling makes me happy like nothing else in life. I am a believer, dreamer and a reader. I am an enthusiast of wanderlust and want to die travelling. Feel free to contact me @ [email protected]. My only motto in life is Live, Laugh and Love…live it up!