Shimla: The Romantic Hill Station of India where Nature Bloom at its Best

As the summer temperature of Delhi making new records everyday I with my two friends went to Shimla last  weekend to beat the scorching heat of Delhi. This is among most popular and conveniently located hill stations near to Delhi which is visited by scores of national as well as international tourists round the year. This land of enchanted beauty can be reached via rail, road or air but for us the overnight bus journey is the most convenient and reasonable one. On Friday night we boarded a luxury Volvo Bus and reached Shimla next morning.

Shimla - A Popular Hill Station of India

The cool and pleasant climate welcomes us the moment we reached this Capital City of Himachal Pradesh. When we step out from the bus we saw a hotel representative waiting for us with a placard of our name. He took us to Bridge View Hotel located at the Mall road. After check in we relaxed and refreshed for an hour before we embarked our Shimla exploration.

Shimla is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’ which is situated in the north-west Himalayan region. It is the place which has been blessed with all the natural bounties that satisfies the temperament of every tourist. This place is located at an altitude of 2,128 meters above sea level and known for its magnificent hill slopes, green pastures, snow-capped peaks and Victorian architectural buildings.

As we stepped out of our hotel we were on a Mall Road which is the heart of the city and encompassed by several departmental stores, shops, showrooms and restaurants. This is also called lifeline of Shimla bustling with social life which fascinates most of visitors during their tour to this place. Fairly level meandering esplanade that runs along this place mesmerized us most during visit to this place. Apart from this the jovial crowd, youthful environ and scenic beauty around the road kept us busy till afternoon. After enjoying the scenic beauty of Mall we headed towards the Jakhu Temple.

This temple is situated on Jakhu Hill which is Shimla’s highest peak at a height of 2,455 meters above sea level. The temple is dedicated to lord Hanuman which is believed to be in existence from the time of Ramayana. Though the Jakhu temple is famous for its religious significance but scores of tourists visit this place because of 2 km trek through dense pine forests. The trek was very tiring but we enjoyed it as we get excellent views of the ethereal Himalayan Mountains and the town below the valley. We stayed at this place till evening so that we can enjoy the panoramic sunset.

While returning to hotel from this place we took delectable food in our dinner at road side restaurant. The taste was so good that it still lingering on my taste buds. The whole day Shimla excursion was good but exhaustive which made us tired.

Next morning when we wake up we saw heavy rain outside which disappointed us because we cant go out. But after an hour the rain stops and atmosphere became cloudy. The beauty of cloud over the hill slopes enthralled us most and soon whole Shimla was covered with cloud blanket. Without giving any second thought we rushed out from hotel to feel and touch the cloud. It is for the first time in my life when I was surrounded by clouds. We enjoyed the nature’s panorama at our best for 2 hours and after that the cloudy blanket disappeared and we return to our hotel for check out.

Day 2: Golden Triangle Tour: Agra

Tajmahal - Golden Triangle Tour India

After basking in the royalty and luxury of Jaipur we moved to Agra, our next destination. No wonder we all know about Agra, the glorious city famous for Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. This is the most famous attraction of India which has earned this incredible country international fame. Agra tour is an important part of the Golden Triangle Tour. Playing a great role in India Tourism, Agra is visited by scores of tourists throughout the year.

Agra, the city of the Mughals, was ruled by several great Mughal rulers in the past. They left behind the heritage in the form of outstanding monuments. In Agra, we were booked in Hotel Taj View, which is one of the finest five star hotels in India. It is located only 1 km from the Taj Mahal and from our rooms we could see the Taj Mahal. After relishing delicious breakfast we went to see the Taj Mahal. At the very first sight of the Taj Mahal from close quarter my Japanese friends said “wow! What an architectural wonder”.

I told my friends about the history of Taj Mahal. It was built in 1632 by the famous Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. And it took around 22 years and more than 20, 000 labors to construct this architectural marvel in white marble. The architectural design of this monument is based on the principle of the interlocking arabesque concept, where each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and a symmetry of architectural elements. The wonderful minarets are around 150 feet each. Everything about Taj Mahal is truly fascinating. It is truly an epitome of human creativity.

The entire monument is adorned with intricate pietra dura inlay work of floral designs and calligraphy which makes it awe-inspiring. At one point of time the interiors were studded with precious and semi-precious stones. The architectural style of Taj Mahal encompasses Mughal, Persian, Central Asian, and Islamic styles. This mausoleum is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. My friends were delighted to know the history of Taj Mahal. They said that it was a great experience for them and they will remember it for long.

As we were pressed for time so after some shopping in the colorful bazaars of Agra we headed for Khajuraho, our last destination.

Alleppy Tour - The perfect blend of beauty, adventure and pleasure

I along with my office colleagues Monika, Parul, Tahir, Sanjog and Govind reached Alleppy in the evening. We were greeted by gorgeous greenery of this land which was very refreshing. We were here to spend time in the lap of mother nature. Alleppy is a wonderful place located in God's own country Kerala. Tourists from all over the world come here for experiencing the charm of backwaters. Embraced by the enchanting waves of the Arabian Sea, Alleppy is popularly known as the Venice of the East. It is also known as the 'rice bowl of Kerala'. It is the very few regions in the world where farming is practiced below sea level.

Alleppy - Backwaters of Kerala

It is an amazing backwater tourist destination which offers palm fringed canals, shores with views from the day to day life of the people here, picturesque landscape, sandy beach and salubrious climate. Alleppy is also known as Alappuzha. This destination is also famous for its snake boat races. Truly it is a perfect place to relax and rejuvenate the body and mind.

We were booked in the Palmgrove resort which is a beautiful resort located on the banks of the mesmerizing lake Punnamada amidst natural greeneries. Far from the maddening crowd of a city, we were enjoying peace and natural beauty in plenty.

The next morning we started early for enjoying backwater adventure, which turned out to be the best part of our Alleppy travel. We went to the Kuttanad backwaters region of Alleppy which is very famous. The view of the rising sun from the boat was simply overwhelming. It is the place where the thrilling snake boat races are held and amazing houseboat cruises are conducted. This backwater region is surrounded by palm trees and paddy fields offering captivating views. Our six hour cruise adorned our day with golden memories and fabulous experience. While sailing through the backwater our guide showed us the temples we passed by. He also told us that in Alleppy life orbits around water. The children here learn swimming and fishing at a very young age.

During our backwater cruise we stopped at a local village to relish a cup of tea in a pleasant ambiance. While relishing hot tea we saw the local school children on their way to school. They smiled and waved at us. The people here are very friendly. Overall our experience of backwater cruise was great. We enjoyed the scenic beauty, natural greenery, talks with friends people and tasty tea.

Travel to Alleppy for wonderful holidays and go back home completely rejuvenated and with a record of your own golden memories. Alleppy tourism has a lot of things to enchant you.

Day 1: The Golden Triangle Tour with Khajuraho

The incredible India is truly an extravaganza of amazing attractions which make it a favored destination of both national and international tourists. No wonder India is a treasure-trove of fascinating attractions. There is so much to experience and explore in this destination. A few days back two of my friends Saito and Misikawa from Japan came to India for some business purpose. They came to India for the first time and were really excited. They had less time in hand but they wanted to explore some attractions of the country. So I suggested them to take the Golden Triangle Tour which is the most popular tours of the country, especially when it comes to foreigners. I along with my Japanese friends planned the Golden Triangle Tour. This tour encompasses three enchanting destinations of India: Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.

Qutub Minar: Delhi Tour

As my friends were already in Delhi for their business deal so we, after their official work got over, started exploring Delhi. It is the capital city of India which is a perfect example of the fine combination of traditional and modern. In the past it serves as a seat of power for several dynasties. The city is divided into two sections, Old Delhi and New Delhi, each part having its own distinct charm.

Our guide Dinesh took us to the arresting attractions. First we visited Qutub Minar, a magnificent structure built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek in 1206. It is famed as the tallest brick minaret in the world. It reflects a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture. It is also a World Heritage Site. Then we visited Humayun's Tomb, India Gate, Jantar Mantar, Jama Masjid, Red Fort and Laxmi Narayan temple. My friends were delighted to see these historic monuments of Delhi. We did some shopping in Chandani Chowk market in old Delhi and feasted on a variety of stuffed paranthas( the specialty of Chandani Chowk) and Jalebi.

After an overnight stay at Marriot in Delhi, we headed towards Jaipur the next morning. To taste the royalty of the bygone era we stayed at a heritage hotel in Jaipur. Post breakfast we went to see the City Palace which was stunning. There we saw various belongings of the raja-maharajas. Saito said a visit to the palace was like a visit to the bygone era of raja-maharaja. Next we visited the Amber Fort, a majestic fort with several royal apartments. We covered the steep path to the fort on an elephant's back which was very royal and pleasurable. Then we visited the Jantar Mantar, an astronomical house with several stone devices which were once used to measure time and several astronomical events. Our last halt was Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds, a wonderful structure which was especially built for the royal ladies to see the processions taking place in the streets without themselves being seen. There are more than 900 small windows in this palace which is quite amazing.

This marked the end of our first half journey. Now we were slated to cover two more fascinating destinations: Agra and Khajuraho.

A Revitalizing Trip to Dharamshala

His Holiness The Dalai Lama was actually a lucky charm for Chennai Super Kings! Yes, this time my excursion & my last holiday trip were associated with the high on IPL cricket tournament. I planned for a two day trip to Dharamshala (lying on the spur of the Dhauladhar range in Himachal Pradesh), and luckily my friend arranged for 2 passes for Kings XI Punjab VS Chennai Super Kings match there. All this raised my excitement level several times.

A Revitalizing Trip to Dharamshala

I boarded my train from Delhi and arrived Pathankot, which is the nearest broad gauge railway terminal to Dharamshala. While covering the rest of distance by a cab, I stopped for a quick bite at a roadside dhaba to enjoy morning breakfast. I was willing to relax for a while in my hotel, but the hidden wanderer and explorer somewhere inside me pushed towards the divine greens of Kangra town. The place is wooded with oak and conifer trees and snow capped mountains enfold three sides of the town. My exploration started with Mcleodganj, located 9 km from Dharamshala. This is the place that serves as a headquarter of His Holiness The Dalai Lama. There I came to know that His Holiness The Dalai Lama himself would be going to Dharamshala in the evening to watch the match in the beautiful Cricket stadium overlooking mighty Dhauladhar. I spotted a few Tibetan shops there that sell authentic handicrafts.

In the day-time I explored places like Bhagsunag falls (11 km from Dharamshala), Dal lake (12 km from Dharamshala), St. John's Church (8 km) and War Memorial (3 km). And in the evening, I relished my senses with an awesome cricket match in this picturesque hill station. The auspicious presence of His Holiness The Dalai Lama blessed Chennai Super Kings and made the team enter the Semi-Finals by defeating Kings XI Punjab.

Next day, I planned short visits to places like Dharamkot (11 km) and Jawalamukhi Temple (54 km). While getting back to my hotel for check out, I spend an hour at Kotwali Bazar, a general shopping area in Dharamshala. In short, the divine scenic beauty, calmness and serenity at Dharamshala simply rejuvenated my senses. Spending days amidst high pine trees, tea gardens, and timber yielding trees was remarkable. Moreover, it exhibited the unique Tibetan art, cultures and traditions.

Kovalam Beach: Nature’s Best Description

Kovalam Beach: Nature’s Best Description

For me beaches are the most well composed landscapes of nature. The juxtaposed beauty of glittering sun, silvery sand and azure sea makes beaches a romantic destination where one can freely stimulate their sense of imagination. Particularly for me beaches are the source of fascination from my childhood. When I was child I used to think from where this waves come and why did it return back. I also used to ask about the places other side of this huge water land. These stupid questions sometime irritated my parents and when ever they tried to explain me I asked lots of question to satisfy my complete eager about sea.

For me seaside or beaches are the fabulous destinations to spend quality time in nature’s lap. It is the perfect destination which not only fascinates you but also inspires you, because the cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea’ as quoted by Isak Dinesen.

I often visit Kerala Capital City Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) for my official purpose which provides me an opportunity to visit Kovalam Beach which is one of the best beaches of the world. Every time I went there I find something new which refreshes my mind and provides solace to weary soul. But most of the time I enjoy my Kovalam Beach Visit because of its serene and scenic beauty.

Kovalam is among the most pristine in India which is located about 17 km from Thiruvananthapuram city on the Malabar coast of India. This is a beach town situated on the coast of Arabian Sea which attracts scores of nature lovers from various parts of the globe.

On Saturday early morning I went to Kovalam Beach in a taxi from my office guest house. This was my fourth visit to this mesmerizing destination where one can see the best of amalgamated beauty of sun, sand and sea. This beach is renowned for its three crescent shaped beaches which are separated by the rocky terrain. The largest beach is known as Light House Beach because of its 35 meter high lighthouse. Hawah Beach is the second largest beach which was also the first topless beach in India but topless bathing has been banned nowadays. And the third is Samudra Beach which is famous among the local fishermen.

This time I selected Light House Beach to spend my whole day in nature’s lap. It is perfect spot from where you can get complete view of this place. The long and clean sandy strip makes it a favorite hangout among tourists. The light house of this place is named as Vizhinjam Lighthouse which is situated on the promontory at the southern end of the beach. After enjoying sea waves I sat under the palm tree facing the sea. The cool breeze, whimsical sound of waves and panorama of nature engrossed me completely which rippled several my sense of imagination in me. I was lost in my thoughts which were invoked by the mystic and bewitching surroundings of this place.

It’s my hunger that broke my thought in which I was involved for long time. I went to nearby restaurant to eat mouthwatering Kerala Sea food. The taste of fresh prawn and flavor of original spices still lingering on my taste buds.

After strolling some more time on this pristine beach I went to nearby souvenir shop to purchase conch for my mother. After that I returned to my guest house and from there headed to airport.

Jaipur: A Land of Man Made Marvel

Much heard about Rajasthan the land of contrast and diversity, which is known for its several mesmerizing attractions. This state has several places of tourists delight but the fascination of Pink City Jaipur is entirely different from any other tourist destinations. Since long I wanted to visit Jaipur the colorful city of Rajasthan but never got any chance.

Jaipur: A Land of Man Made Marvel

But opportunities comes in many ways and none of us know when and where, same thing happened with me last month when one of my close and childhood friend invited me to Jaipur for his marriage engagement. This invitation was unexpected and instigated discussion in our friend circle because it is a love marriage and we don’t know his fiancée. In our friend circle we inquired and investigate lot about this affair because of human nature of being interested in other affair. Finally after settling our urge and inquiry about this love affair four of our good friends choked out Jaipur Tour program on the occasion of this marriage engagement.

All of my friends residing at different places so we planned to reach Jaipur two days in advance so that we can have ample of time to enjoy this mystic place. Finally with Kingfisher flight I reached Jaipur from Banglore on Friday night. It was night when I my flight landed in this historical city. After checking out from airport I saw all three my friends waiting outside. We all met each other after one year, this joy of meeting was really touched us and our emotions burst out.

Soon this emotional drama ended and we became same old guys pulling each other’s legs, shouting, making noise and disclosing some of the hidden facts from our past life. After reaching hotel we took delectable Rajasthani food in our dinner. The food was really tasty which filled appetite but not able to satisfy our taste buds. Moreover the company of best friends reminded our college days when we used to eat in canteen.

Although we have two rooms booked but all of us stayed in a single room sharing our past, present and future thoughts. This long session of discussion enjoyed by us as it gave chance to know something new and hidden facts from their college day’s life.