Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Bay-Backed Shrike, Vellore


Bay-Backed Shrike, Tamil: கருஞ்சிவப்பு முதுகுக் கீச்சான்
Scientific Name: LANIUS VITTATUS
Location: Vellore
PC - Dinesh Munuswamy
#india #bharat #nature #hindustan #birds #birding #birdwatching #birdwatch #tamilnadu #vellore

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Orchha

Chhatris located near the Kanchan Ghat on River Betwa. Orchha is a town in Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh state, India. The town was established by Rudra Pratap Singh some time after 1501, as the seat of an eponymous former princely state of central India, in the Bundelkhand region.
#‎india‬ ‪#‎bharat‬ ‪#‎nature‬ ‪#‎palace #history‬ ‪#‎hindustan‬ ‪#‎travel‬

Monday, May 2, 2016

Loktak Lake


Manipur’s Floating Lake – Loktak Lake in Manipur is largest freshwater lake, best viewing of natural scenery for relaxation. June to January is the best time to visit.

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Solang and Bishnupur


Head to solang for paragliding and experience the bursting thrill as you fly across the panoramic views, verdant valleys and snow-capped ranges. Solang has to on your list of places to see in India.
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The Jorebangla temple in brick was built by the Malla King Raghunath Singh in 1655.The structure was erected on one metre high platform using laterite bricks. The entire outer surface is decorated with terracotta plaques displaying various aspects of human life and culture, gods and goddesses, animals, floral and geometrical designs.Some of the carved designs of the Royal lifestyles, stories depicting the epics, historical scenes from the battles, etc are found on the walls and on the roof of the temple.

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Amarkantak


Amarkantak is the highest elevation of Vindhya Ranges with an height of 1,048 m (3,438 ft), situated in the dense forest region of Madhya Pradesh. Amarkantak is also the meeting point of two major mountain ranges the Vindhyas and the Satpuras along with Maikal Hills range of f Chhattisgarh. Its is also emerging point of great and holy river the Narmada River, the Sone River and Johila River.

Mountain Peak:     Amarkantak
Mountain Range:  Vindhya Range
Elevation:                1,048 m (3,438 ft)
Location:                  Madhya Pradesh

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, Chandigarh


Zakir Hussain Rose Garden Asia's largest Rose Garden and is spreaded over 30 acres of land having over 1600 different species or roses. These have been planted beautifully carved out lawns and flowers beds. Like the cultural zone which is just across the road in sector 10,this was also planned by Dr. M.S. Randhawa as his interest in horticulture and fondness for flowers was profuse. Every year, either at the end of February or beginning of March, a big festival known as Rose Festival, is celebrated at this garden. Over 20,000 people visit this festival. It’s one of the great celebrations in the city. There are lots of competitions, cultural celebrations and many other events.

Monday, September 28, 2015

Leh Palace


Leh Palace was built during the 17th century by the ruler King Sengge Namgyal. Its construction is on the same lines as the construction of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. This palace had to be deserted by the royal family in the middle of the 19th century, because of the taking over of Ladakh by Dogra forces. After this the royal family is living in-exile in the popular Stok Palace. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is restoring some of the ruined portions of this nine-storey palace. While the store rooms were on the lower floors, the royalty resided on the upper floors. The roof of this palace offers an excellent view of the valley. ‪#‎leh‬ ‪#‎ladakh‬‪#‎india‬ ‪#‎bharat‬ ‪#‎travel‬ ‪#‎tradition‬ ‪#‎tourism‬ ‪#‎archive‬

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Ghatshila (Jharkhand)


Ghatshila on the bank of Subarnarekha River in Jharkhand is known for its refreshing natural beauty. Regarded as one of the famed tourist spot of Jharkhand, Ghatshila attracts quite a large number of tourists for its scenic beauty. The beauty of the undulating forested slopes and the leisurely flowing waters of Subarnarekha River make Ghatshila tour a memorable experience. 

Ghatshila was formerly the headquarters of the kingdom of Dhalbhum. They established themselves by conquering the western part of Bengal, the area commonly known as Jungle Mahals. The sweet water of Ghatshila with natural mineral content needs special mention. The water is said to have medicinal values. A glass of water is enough to fill-up your empty stomach. At several points in Ghatshila will you find a public tube well or Chaapaakal where you can taste fresh water. And probably because of this reason people of Bengal has been flocking at Ghatshila, even before independence.
However no description of Ghatshila would be complete without the mentioning of the famous Bengali writer Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay. This noted Bengali writer of Pather Panchali fame was a resident of the city.
Being placed between two mountain ranges with the Subarnarekha River separating them from kissing each other, Ghastshila has an irresistible beauty that can be felt on a walk around the town. Though smoking chimneys of factories suggests inroads of industrialization at Ghatshila, yet a walk down the Aam Bagan or the Raj Estate will take you close to lively village life with tribals engaged in their daily rituals. Apart from enjoying the awesome scenic beauty of the place you can also visit several places in and around Ghatshila that are unique in their very own way. (Hills, Lakes, Dams, Reserves etc). 

Friday, September 25, 2015

Sinhagarh fort (Pune)


Sinhagarh fort, whose earlier name was Kondana or Kondhana, stands 20kms, south-west of Pune.  Perched on an isolated cliff of the Bhuleswar range of the Sahyadri Mountains, its height above sea-level is 1380 metres.  Given natural protection by its very steep slopes, the walls and bastions were constructed at only key places; it has two gates – the Kalyan Darwaza in the south-east and the Pun Darwaza in the north-east
Sinhagarh has a long history.  It was captured from theKoli tribal chieftain, Nag Naik, by Muhammad bin Tughlaq in 1328 AD.  Three centuries later, Chhatrapati shivaji Mahraj wrested it away by bribing the commander, by the Treaty of Purandar (1665 AD) had to cede the fort to the Mughals.  Sinhagarh was the scene of one of the most daring exploits in Maratha history when, in 1670 AD, it was recaptured by Shivjaji’s forces under Tanaji Malusare, who laid down his life in the battle.  On his death, a saddened Chhatrapati shivaji Mahraj said, “The fort is won, but the lion is gone!” Whereupon the fort got is new name:  Sinha (lion) gadha (fort).  Finally the British seized the fort from the Peshwas in 1818 AD, destroying its almost all ancient monuments.  Only the traditional gates and broken walls remain now.
The upper surface of the fort is undulating and retains few buildings, Ruins of temples, tombs and towers are scattered about.  Near the gorge is a monument (Samadhi) commemorating the bravery of Tanaji.  There is also a tiny tomb of Rajaram, Chhatrapati shivaji Mahraj’s son, who died here in 1700 AD. Also there are few bungalows, including that of Lokamanya Tilak.
In the Maratha period Sinhagarh played the crucial role of defending Pune.  The National Defence Academy (Kharakwalsa) trains its army cadet’s right under the shadows of Sinhagrah.

Friday, September 18, 2015

Crafts of Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh is a state renowned for its rich metal crafts and other traditional craft products made out of bamboo, wood etc. The folk paintings of Chhatisgarh depict the living expressions of the people, intrinsically linked with the socio-cultural ambiance of the area. They are not mere decorations but also spontaneous outpourings of religious devotions. The main craft produce of the State include Bamboo work, Wood carving, folk painting and folk Jewelry.
Bamboo Work
Bamboo thickets are common sight in the State and tribals of Chhattisgarh have been putting their craftmanship to work. Craftsmanship of Chhattisgarh tribals can be seen from varying articles of craft produce they make out of bamboo. Articles for daily as well as decorative use are produced by these artisans. Some of the will known Bamboo produce include agricultural implements, fishing traps, hunting tools and baskets.

Wood Carving
The woodcarving art has been flourishing in Chhattisgarh from time immemorial and one can find beautifully carved wooden products designed by the craftsman of the State. The skillful craftsmen of the State carve beautiful wooden ceilings, doors, lintels etc using different kinds of wood like shisham, teak, dhudi, sal and kikar. The craftsmen also make pipes, masks, doors, window frames and sculptures.

Painting
Traditional wall paintings of the State is associated with rituals. Floors and walls are painted with colours and in almost every instance the depiction being associated with some ritual. Pithora paintings is a common traditional art form. These paintings originated in the tribal area of the Central India which is presently Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and depicts the offering to gods. These paintings are usually done on the occasion of marriages, childbirth and other occasions of fulfillment of wish etc.
Most of these paintings has a horse as it was considered auspicious to sacrifice a horse. In most of these tribal houses one can find pithora paintings. They are colorful and use natural colors.
Ornaments

Jewelry from Chhattisgarh is available in a variety of gold, silver, bronze and mixed metal. Ornament made out of beads, cowries and feathers are part of tribal costumes. Tribal men and women wear traditional ornaments.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Cherrapunji (Meghalaya)


Cherrapunji in Meghalaya has several reasons to claim. It is the second wettest place on the planet and the only place in India to receive rain throughout the year. The town of Cherrapunji is nestled in the East Khasi Hills about 50 km southwest of state capital Shillong. The town is also known as Sohra and Churra. Cherrapunji, which means ‘the land of oranges’, is at an elevation of 4290 ft. One can see the plains of Bangladesh from the cliffs of Cherrapunji. Cherrapunji held the record for the wettest place on earth. However, Mawsynram, also in Meghalaya, holds the distinction of being the wettest place. Cherrapunji receives a staggering 11,777 mm of rainfall annually.
Monsoon clouds which blow inland from the Bay of Bengal are stopped from moving further by the ridges of Cherrapunji. The town receives both south-west and north-east monsoon.
Despite receiving excess rain, the town faces acute water shortage and the locals have to travel great distances to get fresh water. Another fall out of the relentless rain is the soil erosion which has denuded land of Cherrapunji and the surrounding valleys.
Cherrapunji is also famous for its live bridges, a result of bio-engineering practised by the locals. The bridges can bear 50 people at a time and are spectacular to watch.
Besides, enjoying the rains, Cherrapunji is also a good place for trekking. The most popular trekking route is that leads to Double Decker Living Root bridge in Nongriat village. It is advisable to hire a guide on your treks. Other activities to do in Cherrapunji are river canyoning from Nongthymmai to Mynteng steel rope bridge. Rock climbing and camping can also be indulged in Cherrapunji.
WHERE TO STAY
Cherrapunji offers several options when it comes to accomodation. From guest houses with basic amenities, resorts that offer better facilities, cottages, to homestays, you will be spoilt for choice.



WHERE TO EAT
In Cherrapunji, you can enjoy Khasi cuisine like pork rice. Eateries that sell pork and other red meat abound in the town. Sohra Pulao which is rice cooked with oil and vegetables without spices should not be missed.

You can also get Indian Chinese, Punjabi and Bengali cuisines in Cherrapunji. However, what you get here is the Khasi version of the cuisines. ‪#‎meghalaya‬ ‪#‎india‬ ‪#‎bharat‬ ‪#‎cherrapunji‬ ‪#‎nature‬ ‪#‎travel‬

Friday, September 11, 2015

St Mary’s Islands Karnataka

St Mary’s is a set of four small islands in India. Quite similarly to Giant’s Causeway in Ireland, these islands are famous for their basaltic rock formations cut into a peculiar hexagonal shape. The rocky beach and clear blue water make these islands a must visit. This island in India is still unknown to a large number of people.
Best time to visit: December – January
How to reach: Only way to reach this island is to take a boat from Malpe, Karnataka. The ride is roughly 15 mins and costs about Rs 500 for a round trip.
Places to see: Coconut gardens and basaltic rock formations
Where to stay: Unfortunately there are no accommodation facilities on this empty island in India. However, you can make your arrangements on the Malpe, nothing like it.
Things to do: A few selfies and group pictures on this extraordinary rock formations are requisite
Tip: Carry your own food and beverage since there is no refreshment facility available on the islands.

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Pachmarhi


Pachmarhi is a hill station in Madhya Pradesh state of central India. It has been the location of a cantonment (Pachmarhi Cantonment) since British Raj. It is widely known as Satpura ki Rani (“Queen of Satpura”), situated at a height of 1100 m in a valley of the Satpura Range in Hoshangabad district. Dhupgarh, the highest point (1,350 m) in Madhya Pradesh and the Satpura range, is located here. #india #madhyapradesh #pachmarhi

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Himachal State Museum



The Himachal State Museum is a colonial building that was built in the year 1974 with the aim of preserving the state's rich cultural and archaeological artefacts. Surrounding the museum are sprawling lawns that greatly enhance its beauty.

The museum is divided into many galleries, including Rajasthan Miniature Painting, Photographs and Pahari Miniature Painting that attract general visitors. The Pre-Historic and Archaeology galleries are worth exploring for historians, archaeologists and subject scholars.

From rare sculptures and beautiful paintings to old coins and exquisite handicrafts, the museum has a lot on display. The most striking of all the items are the stone works of Bajaura and Masrur belonging to the 8th century. The Pahari miniatures and Mughal and Rajasthani paintings are among the museum's proud possessions. Do not miss to check out the unique collection of Himachali dolls in the museum.

There is also a library at the museum that stocks several historical books and manuscripts. It is a perfect place for art lovers and people who want to know about the history and culture of Himachal Pradesh.

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. ‪#‎assam‬ ‪#‎majuli‬ ‪#‎travel‬‪#‎india‬ ‪#‎bharat‬

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

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.