With world currencies constantly in flux as of late, there is still an incredible opportunity to purchase souvenirs and beautiful goods from the Indian Continent. The exchange rate for most travelers from Canada, the Americas and Europe is very favorable especially if you look at local markets instead of big flagship businesses. Rupees go a long way to purchase goods that you can cherish for years, or enjoy more immediately like so much smoke being blown from a pooja fire. You will also go home with the unique style and flavor of a country that imbibes color and craftsmanship like some of us drink coffee, and displays it in the hari-kari way of the open market, trinket stall or table display outside a temple or other tourists destinations. [Read more...]
Beyond Mysore’s Palaces – Karanji Lake and Rail Museum
In this frenetic age, travel plans are cooked in a cauldron of tight schedules with travelogues, articles on places to visit and tailor made tours as the ingredients. It is difficult to look past the stereotypes pinned on a city and feel its real pulse hidden beneath the allure of the major attractions. It is a hassle to accommodate that nondescript museum or the isolated lake or the unknown temple in the packed itinerary. And as we zip through cities and their wonders we forgo the simple delights a city has to offer, the rubies among the diamonds. [Read more...]
Take a Trip to Valley of Springs – Kokernag
The valley of Kashmir has several popular tourist destinations; Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Pahalgam, Srinagar; but the southern part of Kashmir has many untouched and unsung locales which may not be as popular a tourist destination but are unmatched and unparalleled in their beauty. Inclusive of historical remnants, fresh water springs, trout farms (a chance to taste an exotic delicacy!), thick evergreen forests, beautifully designed gardens and an enthralling view of the snow clad mountain ranges; South Kashmir offers a scenic beauty to satisfy every palate. A few places that are worth mentioning here are; Kokernag, Verinag, Martand sun temple, Daksum, Sinthan pass. [Read more...]
The Taj Mahal – Through the Eyes of an Architect
Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, the man behind the architecture of TAJ MAHAL had never thought that what he designed as a mausoleum would turn out to be an architectural gem and among wonders of the world! [Read more...]
Benaras – The religious capital of India
It has been a few years when I last visited Varanasi with my family , not sure how much the city has changed since then, but I enjoyed my last trip to Varanasi. Varanasi is the cultural capital of India and the melting pot of Indian civilization. Varanasi has a well-developed transport network and is well connected to all the major Indian cities and states by air, road and rail. We boarded from Patna Bihar, reached there by train and stayed there for 2-3 days and enjoyed the beauty of this pious city, spent most of our time in sight seeing, temple visit and worship, boating and shopping, Also, while returning home, did not forget to fill some bottles with the holy water of Gnagaes which is stored and further used in religious rituals by Hindus. [Read more...]
Most Popular Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
The myriad historical tourist destinations in India are the ones that keep bringing visitors from all over the world to take a look at what the nation is blessed with. These destinations include the wildlife sanctuaries in different states. The sanctuaries of India serve as the habitat of several mammals, birds, amphibians, flowering trees and many other forms of wildlife. All these sanctuaries are managed by the government, which takes care of the operational expenses and maintenance of the sanctuary so that the resident species are well preserved and no threats are posed to the rare species and those on the verge of extinction. [Read more...]
A Weekend with the setting sun – Diamond Harbor
Immensely popular as a weekend getaway and picnic spots near Kolkata, Diamond Harbor harbors a beautiful view of the Hooghly River and Bay of Bengal. [Read more...]
Unexplored pristine beauty of Jammu & Kashmir, Sinthan top!
Situated at an altitude of 3785m on the highway connecting Batote-Kishtwar-Anantnag on NH1B, Sinthan top is a trekkers and nature lover’s delight. Away from the concrete jungle of the adjoining cities of Anantnag and Srinagar, this untouched beauty connects to you so eternally that one can feel the piousness in the air. [Read more...]
The most popular hangouts in Kolkata
India’s second largest city, conjures up images of the most vibrant of cultures, flair for Bengali cuisine and passion for sweets. A blend of noble and sordid, cultured and desperate; life in the historical city of Kolkata is a festival of human existence. The vibrancy, colors and festivities are all played out before your eyes on the stage set in the streets of Kolkata (formerly called as Calcutta). [Read more...]
