Located at a distance of 160 km to the south of Chennai, Puducherry being a former French colony is still hovered by that ambiance. It should be visited by you at least once in your lifetime for the following reasons.
Aurobindo Ashram
This ashram was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo when he decided to withhold from public view and carry on with his spiritual growth. It is now visited by hordes of spiritual seekers from all over the globe. If inner peace is what you are looking for, this is where you should be heading. The ashram also gives a lot of importance to Yoga.
Beaches
Beaches add on to the grandeur of Puducherry. While the early morning serenity inspires awe, the radiance of the streets boasting of fun, food, and frolic in the evening hypnotizes one into its charm. Unlike other beaches in India, they are cleaner and well kept.
Sunrise
Watching the sunrise is one of those things by which one can never get bored of and if you want to witness a magical one, you should be in Puducherry. The sight of the sun coming out of the azure sea can lift your heart and be a good start to your day!
Cuisine
Puducherry cuisine is the perfect blend of various customs and cultures. A lot of sea- food can be enjoyed here and because of being located in the south, the traditional South Indian fare of idli-dosa is also available. Owing to the French influence, good steak and wine are served in most of the restaurants.
Churches
There are 32 churches in Puducherry!! Sacred Heart Church, Church of Our Lady of Angels, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Dupleix Church, and Immaculate Conception Cathedral are a few of them. Their beauty lies in the French architecture and the peace they contain within. Irrespective of your religion, experiencing just a few moments of silence and reflection in these churches can put your mind at peace.
Old Lighthouse
One of Puducherry’s most famous landmarks is this lighthouse which was constructed in 1836 and at that time, used to be considered quite modern because of its distinctive round tower. Although it is not operational now, it still remains a famous tourist attraction.
French War Memorial
The majesty of French War Memorial lies in its simplicity. Along the beach on Gobert Avenue, it is a plain construction of 4 pillars erected in the memory of the French soldiers who lost their lives during the World War I. Not located too far away is the Statue of Dupleix, which was installed in the honour of Joseph Francois Dupleix, a Governor General of the French Establishment in India.
Scuba diving
You do not need to go abroad for an adventurous activity like scuba diving. You can have your breath taken away by going under-sea in Puducherry only. February-April and September-November are the best times for undertaking this activity at this place.
A landmark is known not only for its culture & education but also for its beauty all around. For example, the beauty of the hill stations here is up to the grim which can steal your soul. It is the city of echoes, illusions & yearning which makes it one of the favorite tourist’s spot.
It is greatly said that ‘life is not always perfect, but the beauty is’. Such beauty can be seen here by the God’s grace. Here are the few reviving hill stations which are the worthy competitors to artificial breeze:
Yelagiri It is a summer retreat surrounded by lakes, hills& valleys located around 230 km far away from Chennai. It is mostly visited by people fond of trekking & hiking with the colorful summer festival. Your soul would be filled with happiness after seeing the plenty of beauty here.
Horsley hills It is a hilly destination located in Andhra Pradesh which is far away from Chennai approx. 279 km. It has become a residence place of the governor of Andhra Pradesh, attracted by its beauty. It is a summer retreat for people who visit Tirupati during summers.
Yercaud Also known as the jewel of the south is famous for its enchanting surroundings located approx. 367 km far away from Chennai. It has the large variety of flora & fauna. Attractions include Anna park, Servaroyan temple & Ben cave. No one can leave the place without admiring it.
Kolli hills It is a charming hill station which is located around 380 km far away from Chennai. It is a charming hilly destination which makes you lost in its visual imagination. It offers a clean, lush green environment to the visitors. The tour gets more picturesque during monsoons when the valley is streaked with several streams.
Ooty A more photographed place than any celebrity is located approx. 558 km far away from Chennai. It is a place, you can never regret & forget your whole life. It is called as the queen of southern hills and everyone dreams of visiting it again & again. The name itself brings a spark in the eyes of the people. Nobody can stop himself from appreciating the beauty of this place.
Kodaikanal It is the second most visited hill station after Ooty, located in Tamil Nadu which is approx. 527 km far away from Chennai. It is also known as GIFT OF FORESTS, surrounded by flowery meadows & grasslands which make it a home to several eyes-catching natural attractions.
Coonoor It is the second largest hill station in southern India located around 531 km far away from Chennai. It is widely popular for being a starting point for trekkers & hikers & for being a chief producer of Nilgiri tea. It has marvelous viewpoints which make the visitors stunned. The place is full of beauty and the word-mouth of visitors are the proof of this.
Thus above are some of the places around Chennai where, ‘when sunlight hits the trees, all the beauty and wonder come together’ which make every form of life beautiful to meet one’s peace of mind.
Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is famous for its creative ideas to promote tourism. Be it their TVCs or the place in itself, one shall never be disappointed by the place. In the series to promote tourism, the board came out with a fantastic initiative call “Jal Mahotsav” in Hanuwantiya island in Khandwa district. This year it is happening from 15th Dec to 15th Jan 2017 and is a perfect place to experience tranquility and rejuvenate over any weekend.
How to Reach Jal Mahotsav:
Nearest airport to reach Jalmahotsav is Indore, from where island is just 3 hrs drive away. Thanks to great infrastructure, drive is amazing. In case you coming from train, you would like to get down at Khandwa. Team is available for pick-up and drop to make your life easy. It is an idyllic getaway for a day or a weekend.
Where to Stay
Luxurious tents area available in 3 clusters, all named on the jungles of Madhya Pradesh. These tents are well organised and have all basic amenities including AC. Bed is cosy enough to give you a good night sleep. Toilets are clean with toiletries.
You may also opt for staying in a houseboat. All details available at www.mptourism.com
What to eat
Though there is a special dining arrangements for guests opting for tent, wherein buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner is available. But still, you can go to the food zone to satiate your hunger pangs.
Activities to Indulge in
Most of the activities, you would like to indulge in, are waiting for you at Jal Mahotsav to keep yourself busy. If you are water lover, do not miss the chance to get yourself soaked in water. Banana Boat ride, Jetski, Speed boat ride, Water Zorbing awaits you. If you looking for more adventure, go for water parasailing.
When it comes to Air activities, you can opt for paramotoring, Land parasailing, and hot air balloon.
Well, in case all you want is the luxury, and no adventure then, go to the club house and enjoy pool or sunbath yourself.
Relive your childhood, as you fly kites and go for a bullock cart ride. For Sky gazers, in the night you can enjoy the clear sky and capture some wonderful shots.
Evenings are happening with the culture performances.
Needless to say, the place has everything for all age groups. Do not miss the chance to visit the heart of India.
With the commencement of many adventure activities in India, the country is becoming a popular site for such sports in the world. It offers many options for exciting recreations because of the diverse landscape across its stretch. Following is a list of some of the thrilling tasks that an adrenaline junkie must undertake in India.
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving is a kind of underwater diving in which the diver uses an apparatus called scuba to breathe underwater.
The best places for Scuba Diving in India include the Andaman Islands, Netrani and Lakshadweep Islands. While Netrani is an ideal choice for those diving for the first time, the waters of Andaman and Lakshadweep Islands are worth exploring for their exquisite coral topography.
Paragliding
Paragliding is a competitive and recreational adventure sport of flying paragliders which are free-floating, lightweight, glider aircraft launched by foot with no definite primary structure.
Bir- Billing in Himachal Pradesh is the best Paragliding site in Asia and the second best in the world. Other sites in India include Solang, Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti in Himachal Pradesh; BedniBugyal, DayaraBugyal, Naukutchiyatal and Dhanolti Ridge in Uttarakhand; Bikaner, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur in Rajasthan; Mahabaleshwar, Deolali, and Matheran in Maharashtra.
Skiing
Skiing too is a recreational as well as competitive activity. It is a transport mode in which the partaker uses skis to drift on snow.
Gulmarg in Kashmir, Auli in Garhwal region, Kufri and Manali in Himachal Pradesh are some of the best places for skiing in India.
Sky Diving
This adventure sport gives one a chance to fly with birds, therefore, it takes a lot of courage to skydive. A part of it involves a free fall till the time the parachute of the diver opens up.
Dhana in Madhya Pradesh, Deesa in Gujrat, Aamby Valley in Maharashtra and Mysore in Karnataka are the places to visit in India if one wants to take part in this sport.
River Rafting
River Rafting is one of India’s most famous adventure sports because of the numerous rivers flowing down from the mighty Himalayas. It uses a blown up raft to traverse across a river and requires team- work to sail through.
Rishikesh, Zanskar, Manali, Kolad, Coorg and Brahmaputra are some of the best river rafting sites in India.
Bungee Jumping
This activity involves jumping from a height while being connected to an elastic rope. The adrenaline rush comes from the free- fall and recoil.
In India, Rishikesh has the highest spot of 83 metres for bungee jumping. Other sites comprise Lonavala, Bengaluru, Goa, and Jagdalpur.
Caving
Caving is an amusement activity of exploring wild and desolated cave systems. Probing in a cave gives another kind of a thrill which cannot be replaced by any other pastime.
Meghalaya in India offers many caving sites which are real gifts of nature. Mawsynram, Siju, Syndai, and Mawsmai are some of the most famous caves here.
India, other than being one of the few places in the world that give a strong glimpse into the history, is also known for having some great water sports. River rafting is one of the most popular activities that the tourists absolutely like to do. There are many spots all across the country that offers some of the safest and the most enjoyable river rafting opportunities. Safety is paramount, so research well before you move on to raft about what places are the safest and with lesser number of incidents.
Here are our picks out of the countless number of places from the country.
Rishikesh– If one mentions river rafting in the northern part of the country, there always is the first mention of the city called Rishikesh, located in the Uttarakhand state. Whenever somebody says River Rafting, Rishikesh pops up in the mind. And that is there for some reason. Rafting in the holy water of the river Ganges while surrounded by all natural beauty is one of the things one shall experience at least once in their lifetimes. Other sports such as trekking and hill jumping are also quite popular here. The grade 2 rapid of the river makes the rafting last for about 2 hours.
Ladakh– Oh yes, you remember that road trip from Delhi to Ladakh on your bullets. But you have barely heard the mentions of it as one of the prime locations for the river rafting fanatics in the country. Well, you aren’t alone. The rafting experience in the Zanskar River is something worth having. Because the place is located at a high elevation spot and there is some next level fun while witnessing the river merging with the Indus River at the end of the raft. The rapids here are known to cross the grade 4 and 5 at some spots. The average time frame is 2 hours with the longest rafting route being 3 hours long.
Dandeli- The Western Ghats are among the craziest places in all over the country to do some intense high-level rafting. The Kali River flows at full force and the rafting route over here in Dandeli river rafting, the trail is about 12 kilometers long. This happens to be one of the most exciting rivers rafting experience one can have. All the testosterone heating up your body while the beautiful sceneries calming your nerves down, it doesn’t get any better than that. The class 3 rapids are most common in the river here.
Darjeeling- Teesta and Rangeet rivers flows down the Darjeeling hills providing the rafters the great view throughout the trail. The foaming white water is formed as the river falls down from the hills. The amazing view of some dense forests is all the addition that you will need in order to make the rafting experience all it’s worth. The rafting here is incredibly long for about 2 hours at the minimum and other options are also there to make it last for 3 hours or more. The rapids vary from class 2 to class 4 at different spots.
There are many other places across the country such as Sikkim, Orchha, and Garhwal where rafters can enjoy a few exciting minutes in the rivers. Almost all the places having services for the rafting are located in between the beautiful scenery which just a pleasant add-on and provides the rafters some added fun.
Two small enclaves in the westernmost part of the country, Daman and Diu are bounded on all sides by the Indian state of Gujarat. The places fall on the mouth of the Daman Ganga River and combined together, they form two of the most exquisite tourist spots in the country.
How to reach
The Daman airport is well connected with the Mumbai and the Vadodara airport. The nearest domestic and international airport to Daman and Diu is Mumbai, located at a distance of 193 Kms. From Mumbai, there are six weekly flights that would take you to Diu.
The nearest located railway station to Daman is Vapi, which is only 12 km away from the city. The Delwada railway station is closely located to Diu.
Places to visit
Devka Beach (Daman)- Devka beach is a pure beauty. The view of the sunset while sitting on the beach is a sight to savor. The untouched beauty of the beach is mesmerizing as it has been kept unspoiled, pure and charming. The well-maintained cleanliness and the crystal blue water makes want to not ever leave the place. The beach also has a special Amusement Park where you can indulge in a variety of recreational activities.
Cathedral of Bom Jesus (Daman) – Due to the strong Portuguese connection since the earlier times, the churches display a remarkable and brilliant roman styled architecture. One such beautiful monument is Cathedral of Bom Jesus, which is amongst the most significant religious monument for them. The church was built long back in 1603 and the structure still stands beautifully.
The Lighthouse (Daman) – Located at Daman Ganga Bridge, the Lighthouse is one of the major landmarks of the district of Daman. Situated in the premises of a Fort, the Lighthouse is a serene place to visit, especially during the evening. The sunset view from the top of the lighthouse could be one massive reason for its popularity.
Mirasol Lake Garden (Daman) – The calm and serene man-made place makes the tourists spend a few hours in the silence amidst the trees and flowers. The boat rides and fountains add to the overall charm of the garden in a great way. The computer game parlors are also there inside the park to lure in the younger tourists.
St. Jerome Fort (Daman) – Also known as Nani Daman fort, the magnificent monument holds a massive statue of Saint Jerome, one of the earliest fathers of the Catholic Church. The main attractions of this fort are the Church of Our Lady of the sea which is a notable example of Portuguese style architecture and the Portuguese war cemetery which is almost as old as the fort.
Golden beach (Diu) – The golden sand beach is one of the highlights of Diu providing a mesmerizing view of the deep oasis of the Arabian sea. The astonishing view of the sunrise and sunset from the beach is breathtaking.
St. Paul Church (Diu)- One of the best pieces of architecture in the entire region, St. Paul church is a great reminder of the Portuguese influence in Diu. One of the highly visited religious monuments in the area is dedicated to ‘Our lady of immaculate conception).
Nagoa Beach (Diu)- One of the centers for the thrilling water sports in the crystal blue waters of the Arabian sea, Nagoa beach quite popular among the tourists. When the beach is not in chaos due to the water sports, its quite calm and peaceful.
Naida caves (Diu)- The Naida caves are located on the periphery of the great Diu fort. The biggest attraction about this place is a long channel of tunnels which are a cause for amazement for an average tourist.
Activities to do in Daman and Diu
Diu- Water sports are quite popular in the region and the adventurous waters of the Arabian Sea, at the Nagoa beach offers some of the best water sporting events the tourists could hope for. The parasailing, surfing, banana boat rides, jet skiing, water zorbing and the hot air balloon rides over the ocean could take the adrenaline junkies to a marvelous ride.
For the kids, there are little boat rides and beach biking where they could have something of themselves to enjoy. The early minutes of evenings are considered to be the best for having a go at these water sports. Apart from the water sports, the tourists can enjoy the bird spotting and dolphin spotting in Diu and along with that, the liberation day festivities shouldn’t be missed as well.
Daman- Talking about the outdoor activities, Daman has no dearth of options to offer the tourists. The adventure junkies can head to the Bordi beach, the Mandva beach and Tarkali beach where snorkeling, para-sailing, water skiing and wind surfing are rather common. The exquisite wildlife is also one other highlight of Daman which offers wildlife photographers and enthusiasts a great opportunity to feel the wild animals in their entire wilderness. Tadoba national park, Sanjay Gandhi national park, and Navegaon national park are the perfect spots for that.
What to eat
There are two basic cultural influences on Daman and Diu, Gujarati and Portuguese and the cuisines also reflects the same. The people here mostly have the access to the sea food for obvious reasons and it is delicious, to say the least. Tawakkal, Pind Punjab da, Hotel Miramar and Daman delight are some of the places you can consider where you could have north Indian cuisines as well.
Best season to visit
The place boasts of a moderate climate throughout the year and can be visited any time. The months of October to February which mark the winter season of Daman are considered the peak time to visit Daman as sightseeing is more comfortable during the day time. You can also take pleasure in water sports and other tourist activities during this time.
Stay
There are many beautiful hotels facing the sea. The rooms are clean and nicely air conditioned. Hotel Emerald, Hotel Sai Kripa and Hotel Blue Lagoon would be our best bets.
The place is perfect for a brief holiday and you must not be hesitant to come here due to the low popularity of the place compared to other holiday destinations in the country.
Situated in the Parvati valley of the beautiful north Indian state, Kasol is a little village that has become one of the most popular tourist destinations among the Indian and the foreigners alike. The Parvati River flows beside it and acts as a lifeline to the spot.
How to reach
The airport nearest to Kasol is located in Bhuntar, but the flights are rare and a costly affair. As the place is not connected by railway and flights are not very frequent to Kullu, the only way to hit this region is by road. So if you are planning to reach Kasol from Delhi or Chandigarh, road is the ideal route.
There are ample bus services from Delhi that could get you here in an approx 14 hours time. The buses run via Chandigarh mostly.
Things to do at Kasol
Kasol is a tourist heaven, and out of the countless things that you could do at the place, here are a few of them.
Walk by the Parvati river- There is nothing more uplifting than a brisk walk along the magnetic current of the river Parvati while grasping in the beautiful landscapes surrounding it. As the crystal clear blue sky gets pierced with the snow capped peaks of Himalayas, the image just stays with you for a very long time.
Visit Manikaran Sahib- If you happen to be in Kasol, don’t forget to give a brief visit to Manikaran Sahib, a magnificent gurudwara located just about 6 kilometres away from Kasol. You can either take a hike or book a ride to the place, whatever suits you really. The spring water near the monument is known to have healing powers. So, in a way, medical tourism is also one other reason for the place to be popular.
Visit Malana – Malana is a small community of tribal people and a must visit place for travelers seeking adventure and sightseeing.
The place is famed for its cultivation of Malana cream, which is a quality of Hash, About 5 – 6 hours of the trek away from Kasol can bring you to this place. Hiring a local guide is the best choice to enjoy the peaceful surroundings and explore the exclusive ways of living of this village.
Kheer Ganga- Kheer Ganga is one lush green place reached by a long trek from Kasol. Those with poor health may find it extremely hard to go along with the trek. But once you manage to go through it, you experience a whole new world of enlightenment within you.
Activities in Kasol
Trekking and Rock Climbing
A trip to a hill station is basically incomplete without some adventure and this holds true for all the adventure buffs. Kasol is full of many trekking paths categorized right from easy to difficult and dangerous.
When the weather is perfect, one can go for a short trek of half an hour to Village Chalaal or opt for a longer trip to Pulga Village. Tosh and Kheer Ganga are the two places which give you an adrenaline rush through your veins while trekking.
Best Time to Visit
The ideal time to experience the silence and solace of nature in Kasol is from March to May. At this time of the year, the weather is pleasant enough and welcoming to the visitors and the temperature varies from 15-22 Degree Celsius.
Although the Kasol experiences good weather throughout the year, the ideal time to explore the wilderness of the place is from March to May. At this time of the year the weather is pleasant and the temperature varies from 15-22 Degree Celsius.
What to eat
Apart from being known as a hippie paradise, Kasol also caters in a great way to the food lovers. Israelis form the biggest section of the tourists in Kasol and thus, the town serves some great Israeli food along with pan-Indian cuisines. There are little dhabas, stalls and restaurants in every corner where you can go to satisfy the hunger pangs. Some of the best restaurants in Kasol are Evergreen, Moon Dance Cafe, Jim Morrison Cafe, Stone Garden Cafe and Little Italy.
Stay
Being a prime tourist spot, there are many hotels and cottages made available for the tourists in different budget options. Parvati Kuteer, Shivalik, Devlok International and Sun N Wind are a few popular hotels that provide some great services to the tourists at very reasonable prices.
Kasol is a beautiful place, one of those places where you must bring your family for a good time. So what have you been waiting for? Start packing!!
Everybody should make a Lonavala trip once in a lifetime. The resort town of Lonavala in the Sahyadri Mountains is Mumbai’s most popular weekend getaway. Numerous waterfalls that plummet and trickle through thickly forested hillsides are good to escape the madness of the busier lifestyle. Lonavala is a popular holiday destination and a luxe way to enjoy the vacation amidst the cool green valleys which delight the eye. Lonavala is also called the Jewel of the Sahyadri Hills.
It is a hill station which happens to be located at about a 3 hours distance of 64 kilometres from Pune and 96 kilometers from the state capital Mumbai. The expressway running through it is quite an easy way to reach here and the railway is also there to make it a bit faster and easier to reach. Like every other gorgeous hill stations, there are many points on the hills here where you can have a great visual of the entire valley and soothe your senses. There are many small villages which are seen tucked in between and this offers a great visual experience to the visitors. A few kilometers away is a point that gives a great of the fort of Chhatrapati Shivaji known as Rajmachi. The place is a great tourist spot and known as the pride of Maharashtra.
And as is happens to be the case, there is absolutely no dearth of eateries in probably the best holiday destination in Maharashtra. Restaurants like Hotel Chandralok and Cafe 24 and various roadside dhabas will make the foodies go crazy. The cuisines are the impeccable mixture of Gujarati and Maharashtrian food items. And how could one forget the famous sweet, Chikki? Lonavala happens to be one of the biggest exporters of the Indian sweet that has got the entire country drooling over it.
For the picnic, there is the very famous Ryewood Park in Lonavala known for its great views and services. The park is full of tall trees and occupies a great deal of space. There also happens to be a very old and grand Shiva temple in the middle of the park, which is a good place for the devotees of Lord Shiva. Valvan dam is also a very popular tourist spot in the area that attracts a lot of people from all over the country each year. About 12 kilometers away from the mainland Lonavala, is the Duke’s nose. The place is quite popular among the most adventurous of the tourists and is quite a lot of popular among the hikers.
During the visit to Lonavala, one can choose to stay at Fariyas Resort Lonavala that also has a nice banquet venue for partying. For a luxurious stay, one can opt to stay at Aamby Valley City known for its excellent location, great hospitality, and great food.
Being one of the most popular tourist destinations, there is no dearth of places to stay in the hill station. There are five-star hotels, some good lodges among other places where the tourists can have a good stay.
Tiger’s point is one other wonderful place to see in here, which sometimes is also known as Tiger’s leap. Just beside it, there happens to be the wonderful waterfall that only remains active during the monsoon season and is dry for the the most part in the year.
The ancient caves of Karla and Bhaja are other attractions about the place. It gives the tourists a great peak in the ancient history of the Indians about how they lived when the world was devoid of any sort of technological stuff. The very popular caves date back to about 1st century BC and are as beautiful as they get.
Lonavala is to Mumbaikars what Haridwar and Rishikesh are to Delhiites. Most of the people living and working in these two metropolitans do need some time off, and they are lucky to have these places at a few hours’ distance.
Located right in the heart of Karnataka, Gokarna is one little temple town renowned for its picturesque rocky beaches, hills, and natural beauty soaked in religious traditions. The town is also an essential pilgrimage centre for the devotees of Hindu religion who pay a visit to this place from all over India and other countries through the year. The name of the place literally translates to ‘Cow’s Ear’, the holiest animal for Hindus.
How to reach
The nearest airport to Gokarna is the Dabolim Airport in Goa, which is about 140 km away. The nearest railway station is at Ankola, approximately 20 km.
The place is also well connected by a network of roads. The KSRTC buses ply frequently from Bengaluru, Mangalore, Hubli, and many other cities of Karnataka.
Places To See
Om Beach
The beach derived its name from its shape, which at the bird’s eye view forms a majestic ‘OM’. One of the most popular destinations in Gokarna, you should not miss this Beach for all the cool fun it packs. There are tonnes of water sports and other activities such as jet-skiing to enjoy. The beach is surrounded by a variety of Cafes and Shacks where you can enjoy some delicious foods.
Half-Moon Beach
Half-moon beach is approximately a kilometre hike from Om Beach. The beach is a potpourri of exotic locales and sparkling water world. It is normally less crowded than Om Beach and thus gives you ample opportunity to explore the place in detail.
Mahabaleshvara Temple- Dedicated to lord Mahabaleshwar, it is one of the oldest temple here and the main pilgrim site. It is said to be next in sanctity to the one and only Vishwanath Siva Temple in Varanasi. Thus, it is often regarded as ‘The Kashi of the South’.
Maha Ganpati Temple- According to the local Brahmins, the statue of Ganapati at Maha Ganpati Temple was made in the beginning of Dwapara Yuga i.e. much before the birth of Lord Krishna. The locals here believe that the Shiva temple should be visited only after first visiting the Ganesha temple.
Koti Tirtha- The name Koti Tirtha literally means – a thousand springs. Located in Gokarna, at walking distance from the Mahabaleshwara Temple, Koti Tirtha happens to be one of the most sacred water resources where pilgrims take a bath. The importance of the lake stems from the fact that this sacred water source is a freshwater lake, fed by springs, though in such close proximity to the sea.
Mirjan Fort- Mirjan fort is a grand monument in Gokarna which serves mostly the history enthusiasts among the tourists. However, even if you aren’t a history buff, the place still remains a wonderful place to not miss.
There is the bouquet of activities that you won’t mind trying while being here.
Beach Trekking
There are five popular beaches in Gokarna. One of the best ways to explore the beauty of the place and know it from inside out is trekking along the beaches that are separated by rocky hills. Unfold the beauty of the surroundings and add the fun and excitement of trekking along the beach.
Offer Prayers in the Temples
Gorkana is originally a temple town. It is full of temples rich in history and religious values. One of the most popular temples is Mahabaleshwar Temple. The Deity of these temples is more than 1500 years old. Some other temples to visit are Ganapati Temple, Aadi Gokarneshwara Temple, Koti Teertha among others.
Indulge in Water Sports
Your trip to any beach is incomplete if you don’t indulge water sports fun. Gokarna is a heaven for those who love waters sports and fun. Indulge in sports such as Jet-Skiing among, parasailing, banana boat rides, snorkelling or kayaking.
Places to Eat
One of the best ways to know a destination is to its food. There are some of the most exotic Cafes, Shacks, and Restaurants on the beaches. Indulge in local delicacies and be a foodie for a good reason.
The restaurants such as Shree Shakti, Pai hotel and Pritish love cafe along with the snack stalls on the beaches are appealing to everyone. However, being a pilgrim place, do not expect it to offer the nonvegetarian food.
Best time to visit
The place is full of tourists almost every time a year, so there is no specific time in a year which you must wait in order to book your tickets. But summers are the time when everybody starts getting ready for the beaches and hence, the time around it may make you struggle to book the places to stay.
Stay
Among the many, there are a few good places such as Namaste Sanjivani, Hotel Shivaprasad and the Namaste Yoga farm where you could have a great comfortable stay.
It’s going to be good fun while being at Gokarna!! An idyllic getaway for Banglorians.
How about saying hello to a deer herd while you jogging around your resort or getting up to the view of some rare birds chirping. This is the experience Singinawa brings to you. Located near the Mukki gate of Kanha National Park, covering almost 110 acres of land, the lodge offers luxury in its rawest form. Singinawa is a Sherpa word which means ‘Protectors of the Sacred Forest’. True to its name, the place is a habitat for a lot of wildlife and birds. The place also boasts of some of the best naturalists, who can truly inspire you to go for an offbeat career. Singinawa is a Sherpa word for ‘Protectors of the Sacred Forest’.
The main building: The entrance in itself is grand and speaks volume about the place. There are two dining rooms and décor is amazing where-in you can witness the work of gond artists. Lounge are beautiful and have the bar too. You may want to sip your beer with some book on wildlife and gear up yourself about your safari.
Rooms: The 12 stone and slate cottages are some of the best experiences. Entry in the room will let you realize that you are here to explore wilderness as you see cute paw shaped cookies. Each stands in seclusion, surrounded by trees where intruders to your privacy are only the deer and the occasional leopard or tiger. Rooms are tastefully furnished and well maintained. There are attached baths with a double vanity and running hot and cold showers. A fireplace, mini bar, tea and coffee making facilities, lounge sofas and workstations almost make it a fully equipped home. There is absolutely nothing that you will not find.
Food: The experiences given while presenting dinner are enough for you to woo your special someone. Chefs cook some amazing bakeries apart from regular meals. With every meal, you would find some real innovative recipes.
The villages around : You would not like to miss interactions with the fellow villagers from Baiga Tribe and Gond Tribes. During these interactions, you would like to discover the great tattooing art and gond paintings from these tribes and how Mahua drink is an essential part of their day to day life.
The Safaris: Team of renowned naturalists like David, Surya, Sachin will assist you to your drive inside Kanha National Park. All arrangements are taken care by Lodge people themselves. These drives are informative and healthy too;-)
Other amenities: A swimming pool with deck chairs to pamper yourself. Masseurs are available on request at the spa offering Indian and Oriental treatments. And a great Souvenir shop
How to Reach By Train: Nearby railway station includes Gondia (110 km), Jabalpur (203 km), Nagpur (290 km), Raipur (213 km) and Bilaspur (182 km)
By Air: Jabalpur, Nagpur, and Raipur are all connected to the major cities in India.
By Road: Kanha is well connected by roads
Well-lit, spacious accommodation, the meadow spa , a free form swimming pool overlooking the grasslands and rocky landscapes, in-house naturalists and sublime locations for fine dining – there’s a lot that Singinawa has to offer. Go Explore it yourself!!!
