Saturday, 11 July 2015

tourist destinations in India to visit this Monsoon matchholiday

Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu:

Kodaikanal, an enchanting hill station in Tamil Nadu, lies in the lap of Palani Hills in Western Ghats. Popularly known as the 'Princess of Hill stations', Kodaikanal's beauty get glorified with the arrival of Monsoon. The forests turn greener and waterfalls starts gushing in these months.

Malshej Ghat, Maharashtra:

An ideal destination for Monsoon is Malshej Ghat, a mountain pass in the Pune district of Maharashtra. One can witness sharp mountain peaks, clouds kissing roads and migratory flamingos flying during the Monsoon.

Kausani, Uttarakhand:

The charming beauty of Kausani in Uttarakhand comes to live in rains. A peaceful hill station, close to Nainital, lies in the foothills of enthralling Himalayas and is famous as 'Mini Switzerland'.

Chikmagalur, Karnataka: 

 Another ideal Monsoon destination is Chikmagalur in Karnataka. The scenic place is famous for its rolling green hill slopes, glorious waterfalls and lush green forests.

Goa:
 After scorching summer, the state becomes more captivating in rains. Goa offers a magical experience to get wet in rains with its clean beaches, greenery of palm trees and wildlife sanctuaries.

PONDICHERRY WEEKEND MASTI

 Pondicherry, recently renamed as Puducherry, is a town tucked away on the Eastern seaboard of India. Among its diverse attractions are a coastline of 32 kms, palm-fringed beaches, backwaters, fishing villages, beach resorts, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, the international city of Auroville, the French boulevard town with its French heritage, and so on. Some great food, some fine wine, and a great adventure await you here.
SPECIAL:
For those coming to Pondicherry expecting a Goa-like place there is likely to be a great deal of disappointment. Unlike Goa, Pondicherry does not have a commercial infrastructure to entertain tourists. Pondicherry is a great place to look around, take a walk by the sea, attend a cultural program.
The Pondicherry tourism department uses the punch-line "Give time a break" for their advertisement campaign. And that is indeed one of the more attractive features of this city. So relax, put your feet up, switch off your cell phone, and forget all about returning to work on Monday morning. Enjoy a fine meal with a glass of wine, rent a bicycle and take a ride at the promenade, take a walk in the park. Do something new an interesting that you wouldn't do in the city you live in. Learn some pottery at the Golden Bridge Pottery.
You can also do some serious meditation at the Auroville, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Or you could visit Aurovilleto watch a cultural event such as a dance organized there by the Auroville Cultural Exchange. You can also go fishing in a Kattaraman- fishing raft of sorts.

Friday, 10 July 2015

Most Beautiful Places Of North East Indian

Kyongnosla-Sikkim:-
The Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary and very rich for both flora and fauna along with rare and endangered ground orchids and red panda. The beautiful and frozen lake of India, Lake Tsongmo and the famous Nathu La passes is located near the Kyongnosla from 31 km (19 mi) east of Gangtok.


Majuli -Assam:-
The large river island nested in the mighty and holy Brahmaputra river formed by Kherkutia Xuti, an anabranch of Brahmaputra and joined by Subansiri River. Majuli Island is the paradise for birds and best place for bird watching in Assam, 3 main locals for bird watching are south-east, south west and northern part of majuli Island.

Mechuka -Arunachal Pradesh:-
The Menchukha or Mechuka is a small town nested in the amazing valley of Mechuka and home to Memba tribe. Mechuka is the most popular tourist destination in Arunachal Pradesh and known for its scenic beauty, exotic tribes, gentle hills and snow-capped mountains and River Siyom. A 400-year-old Buddhist Monastery is located at hilltop in the western most part of Mechuka valley.

Dawki-Meghalaya:-

Dawki is the beautiful town in Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya and a road border crossings between India and bangladesh.he freely flowing Dawki or Umngot river in Shillong offers one of the most beautiful view of the city and the venue of the annual boat race held in March. The Umngot river also has a bridge known as Dawki Bridge, a suspension bridge over the river build by Britishers.

Mon-Nagaland:-
The Mon district of Nagaland is known as home to Konyak Nagas,traditional villages and tattooed warriors and a very nice sightseeing along with the wild forests. The major sightseeing places of mon district are fishing,wood carving, scull exhibits, second World War remains and bird watching. Nagaland is one of attractive hilly destinations with superb greenery scenery in India and one of the popular destination in North-east.

Moirang-Manipur:-
Moirang is famous for its largest freshwater lake in north-east India named as Loktak Lake or floating lake in the world due to its floating phumdis. Loktak Lake is situated near Moirang and 45 km from state capital Imphal. The area is the part of Keibul Lamjao National Park, the last natural refuge of the endangered sangai or Manipur brow-antlered deer.

Phawngpui-Mizoram:-
Phawngpui is known as the Blue Mountain of Mizoram, is the highest mountain peak in Mizoram and famous for orchids and rhododendrons. The Phawngpui peak has spectacular trees and flowers of all colours and offers a fairytale view of the blue hazed hills, and vales unfolding below.

Unakoti-Tripura:-
The hills of Unakoti are the prime tourist attraction of the city in North Tripura. The rock-carved figures and stone images of God, Lord Shiva and gigantic Ganesha figures along with Maa Durga standing on a lion and images of Nandi Bull are the best to see. Ashokastami Mela is the big fair held in month of April and visited by thousands of pilgrims.

Thursday, 9 July 2015

Shantiniketan, Kolkata

Every year more and more curious travellers are visiting Shantiniketan to get a feel of the place, which was grown and nurtured by the Noble laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Though, it can be visited any time of the year, it looks lovely in the rains. Shantiniketan as we know it today was shaped by Rabindranath Tagore, who started an open-air school 40 years after his father had founded an Ashram here in 1863. A place thus conceived where the cultures of the East and the West could meet in camaraderie and thereby strengthen the fundamental condition of world peace. 
Shantiniketan resembles a lush green resort when after a long summer spell rains decide to wet the earth. There are a number of places that you can check out. The Visva Bharati campus has a number of buildings that are known for their unique architecture. There are beautiful gardens around that present a pretty picture. The Varsha Mangagal is celebrated in July-August. Cultural shows are held and a tree planting ceremony is preceded by Halokarshan (ploughing). Besides the in-campus highlights, there are a good number of places located around Shantiniketan. Kankalitala, 9 km away on the bank of the Kopai river is a sacred Hindu shrine. Deer Park (closed on Wednesday), 4 km from Shantiniketan is another interesting place to visit. Nanoor, 23 km from Shantiniketan is the birth place of the 14th century Vaishnava poet Chandidas. Regular buses are available from Bolpur Railway Station. One can also visit Joydev-Kenduli, which is the birth place of Joydev, the author of Geet Govinda, the 12th century masterpiece in Sanskrit.


Shantiniketan is a tourist attraction also because Rabindranath lived here and penned many of his literary classics (namely Tagore songs, poems, novels etc.) and his home is a place of historical importance.
Shantiniketan was earlier called Bhubandanga (named after Bhuban Dakat, a local dacoit), and was owned by the Tagore family. In 1862, Maharshi Devendranath Tagore, while on a boat journey to Raipur, came across a landscape with red soil and meadows of lush green paddy fields. Rows of chhatim trees and date palms charmed him. He stopped to look, decided to plant more saplings and built a small house. He called his home Santiniketan (abode of peace). Santiniketan became a spiritual centre where people from all religions were invited to join for meditation and prayers. He founded an 'Ashram' here in 1863 and became the initiator of the Brahmo Samaj.
Later on December 22nd 1901, Devendranath's son, Rabindranath Tagore started a school at Santiniketan named Brahmachary Asrama modelled on the lines of the ancient gurukul system. After he received the Nobel Prize which enhanced not only the pride of India but also the Prestige of Santiniketan the school was expanded into a university. It was renamed Visva Bharati, it's symbolic meaning being defined by Tagore as "where the world makes a home in a nest". The aim of this educational institute was the quest for truth, blending the methods of learning of the East and West. Visva Bharati, now more than a hundred years old, is one of the most prestigious universities of India with degree courses in humanities, social science, science, fine arts, music, performing arts, education, agricultural science and rural reconstruction. At Tagore's behest, the annual Paus utsav became an important cultural event where students and teachers of his school took an active part. Paus Mela, therefore, becomes a meeting ground for urban people and rural folk. Rural artisans bring their wares like batik printed materials, the most famous Santiniketan Leather bags, earthen wares, paintings, etc, to the fair while urban relatives set up stalls so that rural people could buy the new industrially produced goods that was revolutionizing life in the cities. While it has not discarded its traditional value systems the educational system founded by Tagore thus proves to have also kept pace and evolved with changing times.
Apart from Visva Bharati the Bengal Institute of Technology and Management (BITM) is also located in Santiniketan - a place you wouldn't readily associate with an engineering college. Even the surroundings are very different from, say, a BE College or a Jadavpur University. Situated in the midst of paddy fields along the Sriniketan bypass, seven kilometres from Bolpur, the BITM Santiniketan campus looks desolate and there's hardly any transport connecting the college to the nearest town. But once you enter BITM, it's a different world. You are greeted by huge buildings, gardens, canteens, laboratories and playgrounds that dot the 60-acre campus.
Altough the main attraction of this place remains because of its association with Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), one of Bengal's greatest figures, of course the natural charm of Santiniketan is a major draw in itself. Home at Santiniketan would surely call for peaceful Residential Neighbourhood at Santiniketan amidst the greenery all around. Thus here comes Upoban the new concept of housing complex launched as a joint venture of Bengal Ambuja Housing Development Limited and Sriniketan Santiniketan Development Authority who enhances on materializing their vision of setting a well facilitated Residential neighbourhood at Santiniketan with utmost satisfaction of its residents.
However since this is one of the most renowned and coveted tourist spot in Bengal one would surely like to gather information on Hotels at Santiniketan. Please note that there are tourist lodges and Tourist cottages run by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation apart from which Visva Bharati runs a guesthouse as well. One can also find youth hostels at Bolpur and Bakeswar along with quite a few private hotels at Bolpur.
Weather in Santiniketan is usually a pleasant one although you will come across the normal weather changes during Summer, winter and Monsoon. Nonetheless Spring has its own charm in Santiniketan not only because of its natural beauty blooming to its fullest amidst the lush greenery but also due to the famous Vasanta Utsav held to mark the festival of Holi with the onset of Spring.

Wednesday, 8 July 2015

Best Place to visit in mansoon Alleppey, Kerala

One of the most popular destinations in Kerala, Alleppey looks like a beautiful picture with a silvery mist and lush green hills during the rains.
 Canals, backwaters, and the beaches are at their best and snakeboats can be seen battling in races. The whole place is wet and green and has a romantic feel to it during the monsoons. 
 A ride into the interiors of Alleppey in a shikara is an experience worth your time and money. Alleppey is less crowded as compared to its travel contemporary Munnar during the monsoon and is therefore a better choice for a quiet getaway.
Situated on the south-western coast of India, Alappuzha is also known by its anglicized name Allepey. Alappuzha is endowed with immense natural beauty and can be called the capital of Kerala’s backwater tourism. In the past, Alappuzha port was amongst the busiest trade centers and traded with the Persian Gulf regions and even Europe. Close to Alappuzha lies Kuttanad, the ‘granary of Kerala’. Kuttanad is among the few places where farming is done below sea level.
In early 20th Century, the then British Viceroy Lord Curzon while visiting Alappuzha was fascinated by its scenic beauty and declared it as the Venice of the East. Though, foundations of the city were laid by Travancore’s Diwan Raja Kesava Das in the second half of 18th century, Alappuzha had trade relations with ancient Greece and Rome.
Even travelers like Pliny and Ptolemy have mentioned about places in Alappuzha in their classical works. It was because of efforts and foresight of Raja Kesava Das that Alappuzha became a premier port town. The Travancore Diwan constructed roads and canals to improve communications. Christianity was brought to Alappuzha by St. Thomas, the apostle. The religion found a strong foot-hold in Alappuzha and surrounding areas. Thomas. Alappuzha was also at the forefront of the freedom struggle and Communist movement in Kerala.

Sunday, 5 July 2015

trip to Auli

Auli, a hill station in the lap of Himalayas, is counted among the best ski destinations in the country. It has some awe-inspiring natural vistas to explore.

Located in the cradle of snow-capped mountains Auli, is a place too good to be put in words.The adventure destination of Auli lies towards the north of the state of Uttaranchal in Chamoli district and forms a part of the Garhwal mountain range. Auli is 16 km away from Joshimath at height of 2895m. The place is known for skiing more than anything else. Auli is the kind of place where pleasure and adventure, wild beauty and slopes of snow field, nature's beauty in its best form comes alive. The deodar and oak forests cover the slopes and reduce the velocity of the chilly winds to the minimum.
The steep slopes of Auli seem to beckon all the adventure seekers. They offer a panoramic view of many a famous Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi, Kamet, Mana Parvat and Dunagiri. Representing man's constant endeavour to triumph over nature, Auli proves to be an ideal locale for the daring. For several hundred years, the nomadic Bhotiyas walked the sheep trails of Auli, locally called Thatauli. In the winter, the terrain transforms itself into perfect skiing slopes.

Tourist attractions in Auli
Dayara Bugyal : Bugyal in the local language means "high altitude meadow". Situated at an elevation of about 3048 mts. The panoramic view of the Himalayas from here is breathtaking.
Mundali : Mundali is situated in district Dehradun 129 km from Dehradun via Chakrata. Mandali offers a mind blowing view of the snow coated Himalayas.
Munsyari : Nestling amidst spectacular Kumaon Himalayas at a height of 1645 m, Pithoragarh is often called 'Miniature Kashmir'.
Asan Barrage Water Sports Resort : GMVN has developed a water sports resorts at Asan Barrage. The resort is only 43 km from Dehradun-Chandigarh Shimla highway.
Nanaksagar Matta : Nanaksagar in Udhamsingh Nagar of Uttaranchal Hills is a place ideal for water sports.
Bidhauli is a quiet - picturesque wilderness destination, some 20km off Dehradun on the Paunta Sahib road.
Joshimath, just 16 kilometers away is a beautiful place. The place has ancient temples which date back to as long as 8th century.
Bageshwar - Sunderdhunga - Pindari - Kafni Glacier Trek : At the confluence of the rivers Gomti and Saryu 36 kms from Kausani, lies this religious town of Bageshwar.
Gurso Bugyal : It is just three kilometres from Auli. Gurso is a huge beautiful meadow spread out and blessed with picture like beauty by nature.
Kwani Bugyal : Twelve kilometres from Gurso, is another beautiful meadow, Kwani bugyal. The place is at a height of 3350 meters and is quite popular with trekkers.
Chattrakund : While on trip to Gurso Bugyal, just a kilometre ahead is Chattrakund which you can easily include in your trip. In the centre of jungle is this sweet water lake called Chattrakund.

Friday, 3 July 2015

Western Ghats – South Western India

The Western Ghats or Sahyādri runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The range starts near the border of Gujarat and Maharashtra, south of the Tapti River, and runs approximately 1600 km through the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala ending at Kanyakumari. These hills cover 160,000 km² (roughly 6% of India’s total geographical area) and form the catchment area for complex riverine drainage systems that drain almost 40% of India. The average elevation is around 1,200-1300 metres. Western Ghats are home to 30% of flora and fauna species found in India


Mountains:
Western Ghats are known as Sahyadri in northern Maharashtra, Sahya Parvatam in Kerala and Nilagiri Malai in Tamil Nadu. Western Ghats are home to many hill stations like Matheran, Lonavala-Khandala, Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Amboli Ghat, Kudremukh and Kodagu. The extreme northern parts of Western Ghats falls in the Dangs district of Gujarat, known for Dang (Bamboo) forests. The confluence of the Eastern and the Western Ghats is at Biligirirangan Hills in Karnataka. Anamudi 2,695 metres in Kerala the highest peak in Western Ghats. Mullayanagiri is the highest peak in Karnataka 1,950 meters. The smaller ranges of the Western Ghats include the Cardamom Hills and the Nilgiri Hills. Cardamom hills are located in southeast Kerala and southwest Tamil Nadu. They conjoin the Anaimalai Hills to the northwest, the Palni Hills to the northeast and the Agasthyamalai Hills to the south as far as the Ariankavu pass. The crest of the hills forms the boundary between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Anamudi is also located in Cardamom Hills. The Nilgiri Hills are home to the hill station Ooty. There are many important passes in Western Ghats such as Tamhini Ghat, Palakkad Gap, Naneghat, Kasara ghat etc. The northern portion of the narrow coastal plain between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea is known as the Konkan Coast, the central portion is called Kanara and the southern portion is called Malabar region or the Malabar Coast. The foothill region east of the Ghats in Maharashtra is known as Desh, while the eastern foothills of the central Karnataka state is known as Malenadu


Geology :
There are two views regarding the Geology of the Western Ghats. One view says the mountains of the Western Ghats are Block Mountains formed due to the down warping of a part of land into the Arabian Sea. Other view says that the mountains of the Western Ghats are not true mountains, but are the faulted edge of the Deccan Plateau. Major rocks found in the region include Basalt, charnockites, granite gneiss, khondalites, leptynites, metamorphic gneisses with detached occurrences of crystalline limestone, iron ore, dolerites and anorthosites.


Rivers:

The rivers that originate in Western Ghats and flow towards west are Periyar, Bharathappuzha, Netravati, Sharavathi, Mandovi etc. The west flowing rivers of Western Ghats are fast-moving, owing to the short distance travelled and steeper gradient. This makes Western Ghats more useful than Eastern Ghats in terms of production of hydroelectricity. The steep gradient makes the Jog Falls on Shravasthi River in Karnataka as one of the most spectacular waterfalls in India. Narmada and Tapti although don’t rise from Western Ghats but flow westwards. The rivers that originate in Western Ghats and flow towards east include three major rivers viz. Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri, and many smaller / tributary rivers such as Tunga, Bhadra, Bhima, Malaprabha, Ghataprabha, Hemavathi, Kabini. These east flowing rivers are comparatively slower moving and eventually merge into larger rivers such as the Kaveri and Krishna.

Climate 
In comparison to the eastern side, the western side of the Western Ghats is area of high rainfall because the mountains intercept the rain-bearing westerly monsoon winds. The dense forests also contribute to high orographic precipitation. The climate is humid and tropical in the lower reaches tempered by the proximity to the sea. Elevations of 1,500 m and above in the north and 2,000 m and above in the south have a more temperate climate. Average annual temperature here is around 15 °C. In some parts frost is common, and temperatures touch the freezing point during the winter months. Mean temperature range from 20 °C in the south to 24 °C in the north. It has also been observed that the coldest periods in the south Western Ghats coincide with the wettest. During the monsoon season between June and September, the unbroken Western Ghats chain acts as a barrier to the moisture laden clouds. The heavy, eastward-moving rain-bearing clouds are forced to rise and in the process deposit most of their rain on the windward side. Rainfall in this region averages 3,000–4,000 mm. The eastern region of the Western Ghats which lie in the rain shadow, receive far less rainfall averaging about 1,000 mm bringing the average rainfall figure to 2,500 mm.