Celebrate New Year in The Lap of Nature at Chellarkovil

This year if you want to do something different and get refreshed for the coming year then plan a holiday trip to Chellarkovil. It is on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in Anakkara Panchayath and is just fifteen kilometers apart from the Kumily and Thekkady town. You will get many budget hotels in Thekkady as Chellarkovil attracts tourists from all over the world.

Landscape

Chellarkovil is known for the mountains covered with greenery. The cascading waterfalls provide a picturesque beauty. 

Eco-tourism projects

There was number of ecotourism projects initiated in this place which has enhanced its tourism to great extent and has made this village unique. One such project was launched in the year 2008 with a minimum funding from state eco-tourism and forest department.

Changes due to projects

A huge number of developments like pathways, watchtower, tourist amenity center and many more could be noticed due to these projects. Today, you can easily find resorts in Idukki, this was possible because of these projects.

Things to do

You can engage yourself in many village activities at Chellarkovil. You can also enjoy guided trekking and have a tour of spice gardens and many other ayurvedic gardens. 

Major attraction

There is a natural balcony known as God’s own balcony where a telescope is placed, you can get a wonderful view of sunrise and sunset from that watchtower.

Chellarkovil is a small sleepy village but after visiting the village in the new year you will be re-energized for the upcoming year by its scenic beauty.

Ending 2017 with a week-long trip to Jammu & Kashmir

Spending a week exploring the mesmerising state of Jammu and Kashmir is one vacation I’ve always wanted to take. 

Planning this holiday started with looking at tickets to Jammu via air or train. I booked my train ticket from the New Delhi railway station and the next step in the planning process was to look for cheap hotels near the Jammu railway station. To my luck, booking accommodation was a comparatively easy task than booking my journey tickets owing to the fact that there are multiple hotels in Jammu. My choice of hotel was Mango Hotels. With my travel and accommodation sorted, so began my holiday. 

To break it down exploring Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh the three distinct regions -  each with its own history, identity and culture was my itinerary for this trip. In a nutshell, I would like to share the top three experiences, without which my holiday would not be the same.  

Pangog Tso - There’s not a lot to do at Ladakh’s most popular lake, however the picture-perfect scenic beauty and the calming crystal blue water is reason enough to make it a must-visit place. 

Gulmarg Gondola - The second-highest cable car ride in the world and the highest in Asia, was a rewarding experience like no other. Offering unparalleled, breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks including the Nanga Parbat in Pakistan was a sight for sore eyes. 

Nubra Valley: As you descend past the famous pass of Khardung La, the depth and scale of the Shyok and Nubra river valleys, which emerge out of nowhere, left a lasting impression on my mind. Driving through the remotely populated Nubra valley in a jeep, felt like a scene straight out of a Bollywood movie, except this time you’re starring in it. 

Pay homage to 4 of these famous temples in Vadodara

Vadodara is filled with religious temples and places where people can go and pay homage to gods. There are temples dedicated to various gods and some of them are centuries old. If you want to visit all these temples, staying at hotels in Vadodara is the best option. Here are 4 of the most famous temples:

The Ancient Surya Mandir

Built about 1000 years ago, the Surya Mandir or the Sun Temple is one of its kind in Vadodara. It is dedicated to the Lord Surya and has some of the best carvings from the ancient times. The best time to visit the temple is early in the morning. 

Beautiful Iscon Temple Vadodara

ISCON temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is also known as the Sri Radhe Shyamsundar Mandir. It has a beautiful interior and the temple complex has a very peaceful environment. Prashad is also available at the canteen of the temple that is specially prepared at the blog to Lord Krishna and then sold to the devotees.

The Architectural Wonder EME Temple

The EME Temple was built by the engineers of the EME corps and has a geodesic modern look to it. The temple is also known as the Dakshinamurti Temple and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple can be easily visited from the budget hotels in Vadodara.

Prestigious Nilkanth Dham Swaminarayan Temple

This is one of the best Swaminarayan Temples in the whole country and a must visit while on a trip to Baroda. Dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan, this temple has a beautiful architecture and well-maintained temple complex. 

Apart from these four, there are many more sacred temples that can be visited in Vadodara. All the temples have their own significance and are well maintained by the authorities in command.

Why Golconda fort is must visit places in Secunderabad

Built during Qutb Shahi dynasty, the famous Golconda Fort is a must-to-see heritage structure for the travelers who visit Secunderabad for the first time. Most of the reputed hotels in Secunderabad conduct daily package trip for the guests to visit this wonderful marvel.         

• Golconda Fort can take pride in having four drawbridges with eight gateways. The Fort also has few majestic halls that represent the architectural skills of the past. The elevated view of the outer most enclosure which is known as Fateh Darwaza is truly eye-catching. 

• Also, this Fateh Darwaza is well known for another engineering marvel. Here one can experience an amazing acoustical effect. A clap made at a specific point near the dome entrance can be heard clearly at the pavilion located on the hilltop. This effect was used communicate a warning signal to the inhabitants of the fort in the yesteryears.

• The Golconda Fort is undoubtedly a worthy place to visit for the scenery as well for its architectural brilliance. Undoubtedly, it is one of the lovely forts located in India. The light and sound effects of the evening show should not be missed by any traveler. Even the economy hotels in Hyderabad organize package trips for the budget travelers to visit this great fort. 

• During the Sound & Light Show, a traveler can hear and see the history of the Golconda Fort which forms as the traveler’s delight. The entire show is a treat to both eyes and the ears. One should not miss this grandeur. 

With the above-referred narration, one can conclude that a visit to Secunderabad is said to be incomplete if one fails to visit these eight centuries old stunning heritage at the twin city of Hyderabad. 

4 Insightful reasons to visit kharghar hills, Airoli

One should not miss visiting Navi Mumbai while coming to Mumbai. One of the several places worth seeing here is the region of Kharghar hills. You can find some of the best budget hotels in Airoli which is approximately 22 kilometers away from Kharghar Hills. Here are some of the reasons for visiting Kharghar hills:

Trekking: If you are one of the people who love trekking but is still at a beginner’s level, this place is not going to disappoint you. The view at the top of the hill is sure to enthrall you.

Long Drives: Find one of the Navi Mumbai hotels which are not very expensive and freshen up there. After that, take your car for a long drive to Kharghar hills which is not only calm and peaceful but also quite exciting at the same time.

Aqua view: If you have visited the place during monsoon, you might be able to have a look at one of the most beautiful waterfalls of Navi Mumbai in this place.

Have a family picnic: If you are one of the local residents of Navi Mumbai, you can enjoy a nice weekend picnic in this place with your family, friends and dear ones.

Kharghar hills are probably at their best during rainy seasons. It is better to stay in one of the suburban areas of Navi Mumbai if you want to visit this place. Coming all the way from Mumbai can be quite an expensive and time taking.

Chokkanathaswamy Temple: A must visit religious place in Bangalore

The Chokkanathaswamy Temple is one of the oldest temples in the city of Bangalore and it is dedicated to the Lord Chokkanathaswamy, an incarnation of Hindu god Vishnu. The temple gets thousands of visitors of each year and there are plenty of hotels in Sarjapur Road, Bangalore for accommodation. Here are a few salient features of the temple:

• The temple dates to the 10th century AD when the Chola Kings used to rule over southern India. Although there are no written records, the pilasters inside the sanctum sanctorum, the Navaranga walls, the name Chola Perumal suggest the origins of the temple from the Chola Empire.

• The temple faces west and houses several notable sculptures and decorative inscriptions. The temple is a brilliant tribute to Chola stone art that was prevalent during the 10th century. Tamil inscriptions on the temple go back to the 1270 A.D. and talk about individuals who donated to the temple.

• The temple is open for eight to ten hours daily and attracts pilgrims from all over the country. With an increase in the number of hotels near the Bangalore, railway station tourism has become a booming industry in this part of Bangalore.

• The temple has undergone numerous renovations over the years. Structures have been built and repaired almost everywhere throughout the complex and the only unchanged part is the sanctum sanctorum and the two bardhaman tapas in front of it.

The temple is a fine piece of architecture and not only holds religious importance but is also important for historians.

Ram Mandir, Bhubaneswar: A must visit temple for religious tourists

Popular as one of the top tourist attractions in the city, Ram Mandir in Bhubaneswar was built and is currently run by a private trust. Thousands of visitors come to the temple from all over India and there are many budget hotels in Bhubaneswar for accommodation. Here are a few things to know about this fascinating temple:

• As the name suggests, this temple is dedicated to the characters in the Ramayana - Rama, Lakshman, and Sita. The temple is located in the heart of Bhubaneshwar and the spire at the top of the temple is visible throughout the city.

• The temple consists of a large cylindrically shaped structure surrounded by six smaller structures, each constructed with red sandstone. There are beautifully painted idols of Lord Hanuman and Lord Shiva inside that are major attractions. Tourists come to this temple throughout the year and many new hotels in Bhubaneswar have opened recently.

• The Ram Mandir looks really magnificent at night when the large spires are decorated with colorful lights and the place is packed with devotees. The temple is known for its neat and clean surroundings and can be a model for other Hindu temples.

• Some of the major festivals celebrated here are Janmashtami, Ram Navami, Dussehra and Vivaha Panchami. The aarthi prayers that are conducted every morning and evening always attracts devotees. There is also a fair organized each year on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.

Getting to the Ram Mandir is quite easy as it is well-connected by railways, roads and the nearest airport is only five kilometers away.