Category: North-West India

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Somnath – the shrine eternal

“The Somnath temple signifies that the power of reconstruction is always greater than the power of destruction.”

– Rajendra Prasad, the first president of India

Somnath temple is one of the most influential historical landmarks of India. Destroyed at least 17 times by Muslim and Portuguese invaders, the temple rises again from its ruins like the mythological phoenix who rises out of its ashes. This magical power, which has won it the title of the ‘shrine eternal’, arises out of love it holds among Hindu devotees for whom it is of great spiritual importance and a destination of pilgrimage being the very first of twelve jyotirlingas.

And it is this love which makes it such an amazing tourist attraction. We bring you here all you need to know to plan your trip to Somnath temple.

When to visit Somnath Temple?

The weather from October to March remains pleasant and is considered as the best time to visit Somnath. Summers may be too hot.

If you are interested in temples for devotional reasons, you must consider visiting it during Shivratri when spacial celebrations are held in the temple and a visit on those nights is considered especially auspicious. On the other, those interested in temples for purely aesthetic reasons might want to avoid crowds on those days.

The Darshana can be made at any time all days of the week or year between 6 a.m. and 9: 30 p.m. but the Artis are held thrice a day at 7 a.m., 12 noon and 7 p.m.

How to reach Somnath Temple?

The beautiful Somnath temple is located in a small town named Prabhas Patan near Veraval in the Saurashtra region on the western coast of Gujarat. Its location is such that, according to an inscription in Sanskrit is found on the Bāṇastambha (literally Arrow Pillar) found within the temple, there is no land to North of it –  that is to say, starting from the North Pole, it is the first point of the landmass on that particular longitude.

Keshod is the nearest airport to Veral located at a distance of 125 kilometers. The nearest railway station is located at a distance of only 5 kilometers. Direct trains to Veral also leave from Mumbai and Pune. An attractive option for those coming from North Indians could be to add a trip to Rajkot to the bargain as they can easily get a cab from there for the nearly 200 kilometers long road trip.

Locally, Gujrat enjoys powerful road connectivity through both public and private transportation.

What to buy at Somnath?

You can buy inexpensive handicrafts from the vendors outside the Somnath complex.

What to eat at Somnath?

Besides prasad, you can have coconuts, peanuts and other eatables from the vendors outside the complex.

Where to stay?

Being a popular tourist destination, Somnath offers plenty of accommodation options for travelers with kind of budgets. We recommend staying in lodging near to Temple to have the option of reaching the temple in time for aarti conveniently if you desire to.

History of Somnath

The site of Somnath has been a Hindu pilgrimage site from ancient times because of its being a Triveni Sangam (the place of confluence of three rivers: Kapila, Hiran, and Sarasvati).

The word ‘Somnath’ (or the alternative title ‘Somkareshwar’) means the ‘The Lord of Soma’ which is an epithet of Lord Shiva – Soma means ‘Moon’ . Soma or the Moon-god, according to the legend, had lost his luster due to a curse for having preferred one of his wives over others. Soma did penance at this place which won him the mercy of Lord Shiva. Upon the suggestion of Lord Shiva, he bathed in the Sarasvati River at this site to regain it. He thus created the temple in gold as a gesture of gratitude (According to legend, he built the temple in gold, while it was later constructed in silver by Ravan, in wood by Krishna and King Bhimdev built the temple in stone.) The myth tries to explain the waxing and waning of the tides at this seashore location. The name of the town of its location Prabhas itself means luster.

The temple also owes it’s reputation to its being home to one of the twelve jyotirlingas – the places where Shiva is believed to have appeared as a fiery column of light. These jyotirlingas are taken as the supreme, ultimate and the undivided reality out of which Shiva partly appears. Each of these 12 jyotirlinga sites takes the name of a different manifestation of Shiva.

In addition to the one at Somnath, the other Jyotirlingas are at : Mallikarjuna in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh, Mahakaleswar in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, Omkareshwar in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, Kedarnath in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, Bhimashankar in Maharashtra, Vishwanath in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Trimbakeshwar in Nashik, Maharashtra, Baidyanath in Deoghar, Jharkhand, Nageshvara in Dwarka, Gujarat, Ramanathaswamy in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu and Grishneshwar in Ellora, Maharashtra.

There is no historical evidence to show when was the first temple built here but the second temple “Yadava kings” of Vallabhi around 649 CE.  Ever since the temple was destroyed by Arab and Portuguese invaders again and again only to be reconstructed by Hindu Kings each time. The invasion by Mahmud was probably the most violent and probably most unpopular. The last time it was destroyed by Aurangzeb, ever since some restoration was done by Marathas and later British who had a particular interest in its treasures. The titular stone from English classic novel ‘The Moonstone’ by Wilkie Collins was supposed to be stolen from Somnath temple.

The present temple was reconstructed in Chaulukya style of Hindu temple architecture by Government of India and was completed in May 1951. This reconstruction was started under the orders of first Home Minister of Independent India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India, and was completed after his death.

A visit to the temple

The town doesn’t create a very good impression being full of dusty and crowded roads but the temple is all majesty from its very first sight. Designed in Chaulkya Hindu Temple architectural system; the seven-story structure stands 155 feet tall. It is topped bg a Kalash that together with the temple weighs 10 tonnes and above that stands a 37 feet long flag mast with a saffron-colored flag on it.

You are greeted by impressive carvings on the walls of the temple which shows Hindu sculpture genius. One also noticed how the temple is so far cleaner than the town outside and what tranquil peace one enjoys as one hears the sound of Arabian Sea beating on shores of India. You can have panoramic views of Arabian seas from within this Seaside temple.

The jyotirlinga itself is, of course, the biggest attraction of the temple. The sigh of it afloat on waters is astonishing. Though we don’t have the first clue who built it, though it was Rajendra Prasad, the first president of India, who last established it here in 1951.  And it is a work of metallurgical genius – being made of such material that it remains afloat over water and without losing its auspicious beauty.

Rules and tips

Unlike some other temples, there is no VIP line here, and everyone has to go through the same line. Also, please note that Cell phones, cameras, and electronic gadgets are not allowed inside the temple.

Other attractions of the town

Baldev Gufa

Situated 4 KM away from the Somnath temple, Bladev Gufa is one of the important sightseeing attractions that enjoy government patronage as well. According to a legend Baldev (also known as Balarama), Lord Krishna’s elder brother disappeared through this cave into the netherworld and returned to his original form of Sheshnag (the king of snakes).

Patan Museum

Somnath Prabhas Patan Museum is a local museum which is home to several artifacts from ancient India including amazing pillars, stone apsaras, statues of Lord Agni, Uma Maheshwara, Lord Vishnu, Parwati and Natra Bhairava. There is also in it a very unique section where the waters of many revered rivers like the Nile, St Lawrence, Danube, Tigris, Murray, etc are kept.

Triveni Sangam

Triveni Sangam is the point of confluence of three sacred rivers – Hiran, Kapila and Saraswati and is at the very same sight where they also meet the Arabian Sea. The Laxminarayan and Gita Temple are located on the shores of this Triveni Sangam. It is also believed that Triveni Sangham was cementing the place of Lord Krishna.

Shashi Bhushan Temple

Constructed by an ancient priest of Somnath temple,  Shri Bhav Brihaspati, Shahsibhushan Temple is one of few temples in India dedicated to Moon God Soma (Shashibhushana is an epithet of Moon God and means ‘the ornament of the night’).

Besides visiting above mentioned places, pilgrims can also enjoy camel ride and photography at the seashore of Somnath Temple.

Places of interest near Somnath Temple

Bhalka Tirtha

According to Mahabharta, shortly after the death of his elder brother (Balarama), Lord Krishna went into mourning and retired into the forest. While he was sitting under a tree, a hunter named Jara who was passing by mistook his partly visible foot as a deer. He shot an arrow which mortally wounded Lord Krishna. This legendary tree still passes through the roof of Bhalka Teerth.

Gir National Park

located at a distance of mere 70 kilometers, Gir National Park offers an amazing adventure to couple with the pilgrimage to Somnath temple. It offers an amazing opportunity to see regal lions among several other exotic animals.

You can also climb the 10000 steps to Girnir hill to have access to a panoramic view of Gir forests and visit the spirituality important temples there.

Diu

Located at a distance of mere two and a half kilometers, the union territory of Diu is full of incredibly beautiful seashores and has that same bit of laid back lifestyle which we are used to expecting from Goa. It is a bit of alcoholic heaven for Gujrati people living in a dry state. All the sights of the island worth seeing can be easily seen in a single day.

Dwarka

Though it is located at a distance of 236 kilometers, a trip to Dwarka is often coupled with that to Somnath. Once Lord Krishna’s kingdom, it offers sights of stunning natural beauty. The main temple is Dwarkadish temple (Lord of Dwarka) dedicated to Lord Krishna.

While here, visit Okha lighthouse to have a panoramic view of Arabian seas and from here take a ferry to Bet Dwarka, a small island. During your journey fluttering, seagulls will accompany you and you can also feed them.

Rajkot

The historical city of Rajkot is 200 kilometers from Somnath temple. It has several attractive places including libraries, gardens, historical landmarks, museums, etc and might be a welcome detour for those coming from or leaving Somnath temple in that direction.

Conclusion

A visit to Somnath temple is full of several other attractive opportunities. Does the trip attract you? Do write to us in comments below. 🙂

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Beaches Ghoomophiro Blog North-West India Solo Women Travel

Things to do in Panjim

Goa is the holiday capital of India and Panjim is the capital of Goa. That introduction should be hint enough as it’s the enormity of attractions it has to offer.

Here is what #ghoomophiro thinks must do’s while in Panjim.

Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church

The first in our list of 12 amazing things to do in Panjim is a visit to the place that has become the face of the city – Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church. This church that is standing here for over 400 years has not lost in its beauty and still enchants anyone and every one with its architectural brilliance.

Maruti Temple

Maruti is another name of Lord Hanumana. This beautiful saffron-colored temple grows even more beautiful at dusk when it gets it lits up and shines like a pearl in the hills. The temple is located at top of a hill and it is a somewhat hike of steps to reach there.

Adil Shah Palace or Old Secretariat

Enough with religious places, next in our list of amazing thing stop do in Panjim is a visit to the only palace in the city – that once belonged to Adil Shah. The yellow and white building is now home to some of the best art exhibitions you will see in the country.

Cabo Raj Bhawan

Cabo Raj Bhawan’s brilliant architecture of this building situated at next to the Arabian Sea makes a visit to it fourth in our list of 12 amazing things to do in Panjim.

Residence of Goa’s governor is open to the public on the last three days of weekend – Friday to Sunday. But you must book online to be able to visit it, and the booking costs 300 INR per person and you must have a photo of with you.

The tour will let you see Aushadhi Vatika (literally a herbal garden); the helipad; the cannon point where the cannons still standing to look at the Arabian Sea willing to take on perils that might come from that way; Raj Bhawan museum, church where Dona Paula is buried, Grotta and, of course, the beach.

Mahalakshmi Temple

Okay, one more temple. But Mahalakshmi temple is the most popular temples in Panaji, we just couldn’t help but include it in our list of 12 amazing things to do in Panjim. It is popular with the unique Deepstambh in brickwork here.

Goa State Museum

Next in our list of 12 amazing things to do in Panjim is Goa State Museum.  There are some amazing artifacts here – including a wooden Raath (chariot); the ancient Hindu stones that honor the brave who sacrifices there loves posthumously, etc

Sunset at Dona Paula

Next in our list of amazing things to do in Panjim is watching the sunset at Dona Paula. A perfect vantage point where all you see is sea, sky, and sun, it is a perfect place to enjoy your sunset in Dona Paula. You must arrive half an hour before the time of sunset. The sunset at Dona Paula is best enjoyed during months after the monsoon (October and November) when the sunsets are even more particularly beautiful.

Miramar Beach

Included as next item in our list of amazing things to do in Panjim is a visit to Miramar Beach. Popular for its stunning sunsets, it offers you a chance to take a boat ride deeper into the sea. And there are dinner cruises available.

Fontainhas Heritage Walk

The Fontainhas is perhaps the oldest part of Panjim and is sometimes also called the Latin Quarters. It is known for its Latin architecture and colorful houses and steep staircases that connect it to the hill above making a cultural visit here one of 12 amazing things to do in Goa

Mandovi pleasures

Mandovi river and nearby areas offer a number of experiences which together form the next item in our list . To begin with it is just an amazing place for those who enjoy walking. Walk along the shores of Mandovi river and let your eyes feast on the beautiful sights it has to offer including tranquil peace of watching the sunset (particularly at Darya sangham).

You can also hire a private boat to explore the backwaters of the Mandovi river. Organized cruises mostly start in the evenings. Who knows you might even see dolphins!

You will also have a chance to go bird watching in the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary nearby which is home to a number of exotic birds. All these pleasures together form an item we couldn’t help but include in our list of 12 amazing things to do in Panjim.

When to visit?

Panjim celebrates a number of festivals, the following ones are especially recommended at times to be in Panjim:

New Year – the fireworks at beaches are not an awesome sight to start your new year with; especially those at Miramar Beach.

Lokotsav – a folk festival when a number of artists from all over India perform at Kala academy for a duration of 10 days or so at Kala academy. The street food from all over the country also finds its ways into the city.

Viva Goa Carnival – full of joys that best carnivals can offer whether it be colorful decorations, music, dancing food and drinks, it is celebrated in the month of February.

Shigmo  – on the 18th of June every year, the streets are filled with tradional music.

Sao Joao – The onset of monsoons is celebrated by jumping into wells and well, these days into swimming pools.

Narkasur Chaturdashi – Goan version of Diwali involves children creating a demon names Narkasur which is burnt on the day of the festival.

IFFI – International Film Festival of India held in November every year turns places like Kala Academy, ESG and INOX theatres are full of cinema lovers.

GALF – Goa Arts and Literary Festival held in December every year bring literature and art lovers to ICG (International Center Goa) for 4 days in which talks, panel discussions, workshops, networking, etc are held.

Christmas

Ganesh Chaturthi

What to buy?

Panjim is center to Goa’s and, often, national and international culture so there is no dearth of souvenirs you can buy in Panjim. Some of the places you can buy you from – Mario Miranda Gallery near Panaji Church, Wendell Rodricks Boutique in Campal, 18th June Road, etc.

What to eat?

The  Zantye is where you can buy cashew and Kokum Sherbet. We recommend trying local fusion food at Black Sheep Bistro and Fish Curry at Ritz Classic. If you are into bars or cafes, Panjim has them almost everywhere.

Hotels in Panaji

Panjim has a number of both high-end, mid-range and budget hotels. The high-end hotels (Cicaade De Goa, Marriott Resort and Spa, Grand Hyatt, etc) are often next to sea beaches and offer stunning views making the price worth it. Among budget hotels, we recommend Hotel Mandovi which offers a charming view of the river.

Conclusion

Panjim is Goa in miniature, it will take you several days to take all it has to offer. We hope this article helps you in finding the best of pleasures it has to offer. J

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Culture North-West India Rejuvenate Solo Women Travel

Assagao, The flower Village of North Goa

Goa is famous for its beaches and nightlife and has won the title of tourism capital of India on the back of those attractions but they do not form an exclusive list of the pleasures the state has to offer at all. Some of its lesser-known attractions its beautiful villages, a lot of which offer a serene distraction in case you have had too much of its beaches. Its traffic-free country lanes and pretty landscape with beautiful churches and pretty flowers are a welcome change from Goa’s more mainstream attractions.

Its tranquil beauty is so different from the noise of party-loving party culture of Goa that you might think that you are not in Goa anymore. But do not be deceived – Goa’s beauty is still there but just at a different, and if we might say, and even more original wavelength.

Today, Ghoomophiro will talk about their experience in Assagoa. Assagoa is also known as ‘Fullyanchem Gaon’ or the flower village of North Goa as well as several other nicknames – “Little Delhi”, “Goa’s South Extension”, ‘Artist’s village’, “The Beverly Hills of Goa”, “Goa’s Tuscany”.. Assagoa is a village in  Bardez, Goa. It is located about 4 kilometers west of Mapusa. This flower village of North Goa was ruled by Portuguese like the rest of the state and this has left very little trace of earlier cultures that had resided in it.

History

According to a local legend, the village got its name when a prince, who had lost his way on the hills of Assagao on a dark night, heard the cock crow to signal the time dawn. Overjoyed and relieved of his fears, the forlorn prince heaved a sigh, Assa re ganv. The earliest known inhabitants of Assagao were Saraswat Brahmins of the Atri gotra among some other Hindus who all had Ravalnath as their presiding deity. There was no dearth of temples back then but none survives now – after it has survived Portegeuse rule.

How to reach Assagao?

The forty-kilometer journey from Goa airport can be made on the personal vehicle or taxi or a hired vehicle. It is best visited as a one day detour from Panjim.

What to eat?

Assagao has grown to be a full-blown tourist attraction with a number of eateries offering very delicious varieties of Indian as well as western cuisine.

What to buy?

Assagao’s shops are the best in Goa if you feel like buying souvenirs. There are shops here offering anything and everything – garments, jewelry, electronic accessories, etc.

Where to stay?

Assagao offers accommodations options for people of all budgets and pockets. Some of these offer specialized services such as spa, yoga, etc.

Places to visit

  1. Villa Blanche Bistro

A quiet eatery in a quiet village tucked right inside commercial noise of holiday paradise that is Goa, Villa Blanche Bistro was our first stop. It had mouthwatering Italian and German delicacies on offer which we munched away in our breakfast. This was the reason why we visited it on Sunday – to have a taste of every dish they had to offer.

  1. Hotel Astoria

This 250-year old heritage bungalow is the perfect place to have your evening drinks or early morning snacks while sitting in shades of mango trees and coconut palms and listening to songs of bulbuls and other birds.

  1. Purple Valley Goa

There seems something absurd in talking about ‘yoga in Goa’ but you can do exactly that at Purple Valley Goa which has a large open area for meditation and reflection. You can also stay at Ganesh House, Savasana House or cottages in here. Moreover, all the food served here is organic and vegetarian – helping you experience life from an ascetic’s point of view.

  1. St. Cajetan’s Church

St. Cajetan’s Church is one of 23 churches in Bardez built by the Portuguese. The beautiful church of Assagaon is a piece of architectural genius and greets its visitors with a rich history.

  1. Project Café

The Café that has become an attracted some of the most popular artists of the country to a small village like Assagao – the café is a cafe, a retail store, an art gallery, Whether it be writers, painters, musicians etc, Project Café is fast on the road of becoming artists’ parliament of India. Pay a trip here and if you are lucky you might come across some artist you have dreamed of meeting all your life.

Conclusion

Assagao is a beautiful little village that might have been made for lovers of beauty only. It has its own exclusive pleasures to offer even within Goa. Talking in terms of luxury hotels, we prefer ones in Assagao over those in Panjim. We even recommend making a special trip just for Assagao. Though there are no sea beaches within the village, there are popular beaches like Anjuna beach in the neighborhood.  Have you been to Assagao? What has your experience there been? J

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Beaches North-West India Travel Tips

Grandmother’s Hole Beach – one of Goa’s hidden gems

Grandmother's Hole Beach

Goa’s pristine beaches are tremendously popular all over the world but this also means that are overly crowded, commercialized, chaotic and congested as is often the case with mainstream beaches of India.

If crowds get on your nerves, you might find the pleasure you drive from Goa’s enchanting beauty spoiled by these issues. But don’t worry, Ghoomophiro brings you an alternative which will get you best of both worlds.  And that place is Grandmother’s Hole Beach.

How to reach Grandmother’s Hole Beach?

A GPS powered app such as Google Maps will be needed to reach this hidden gem of Goa as you move from airport area toward Baina. About 500 meters from the beach, your path turns into a sort of maze of minor roads as if the place is being guarded by nature from crowds. But don’t worry all roads lead to Rome… Well, Grandmother’s Hole. You might need to ask people for directions and there is a petroleum refinery in the sea, seeing which will prove you are on the right track but eventually you will end up at the beach. The beach is about 220 steps down a cliff – not a very easy hike for old people.

The beach

The beach is surrounded by a semi-urban area. There is parking available on top of the cliff. On steps down the cliff, you will see a fort wall through which you must pass to reach the beach. It is the ‘hole’, after which the beach is named.

It is a narrow Sandy which that Haas jagged rocks. It is beautiful in the way the places deserted by humans to nature’s care can often be. The tranquil beauty though is only to be seen.

There are good reasons it is deserted. There are floating in seawater making swimming a risk business and there are no coastal guards.

Moreover, it is lacking in pleasures that a commercial beach would offer – no carts to buy your food from,  no beach beds. You must bring your own mats in order to picnic here.

Besides tranquil picnics, you can enjoy clicking pictures here of sea showing its majesty in brilliant tides and screeching birds that fly overhead without worrying about tourists obstructing the view.

Some tips

  1. It might be better for those who have trouble with hikes to avoid this beach or to just enjoy it from above the cliff which offers brilliant views.
  2. Keep the beach clean. Do not litter. There are very few clean beaches left in Goa as it is.
  3. If beach games and swimming is your thing, Grandmother’s Hole Beach might not be for you.
  4. You must carry your own mat, some food, and beach attire as these might not be easily acquired here.

Conclusion

Grandmother’s Hole Beach is a hidden gem of Goa, we almost feel guilty in sharing it’s secret. We hope you will appreciate the sacrifice. 🙂

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North-West India

Why February is the best time to visit Goa?

For someone who loves the very thought of Goa, I don’t need a season or a reason to visit this quaint little coastal state. But having said that, of all the different times of the year that I have visited Goa, I find the month of February the perfect time to travel to this exotic destination. And I have my reasons.

With the New Year parties taking a backseat, I find a much lesser crowd at this time, yet the party mood lingers on. This makes it neither too loud nor too quiet, giving you the perfect balance of fun and relaxation. But most importantly, as I experienced last year, February is the time to see Goa in its true colors.

Here are a few aspects of this Konkan state that I discovered last February on my post-New Year trip to Goa.

Lower travel costs
The effects of the season started showing from the very step of my travel when I was booking my tickets. Starting from the airfare to hotel rates and even local car rentals had dropped their prices, making my entire vacation affordable. Although it was not as cheap as the summer months, it was
definitely better than the holiday season (November to January). I even found a seamless and easy car hire in Goa for my local travel. Otherwise, as I had experienced earlier, finding a rental at a reasonable rate is a challenge in December and January.

The perfect weather
Every season of Goa feels fine to me. But to be honest, then summers are indeed harsh. And hence, when I landed in February, I was greeted with the perfect weather. The days were warm and sunny, but not too hot so I could stay on the beach and swim throughout the day, without getting sunburned. The nights were cooler with a mild breeze. The temperatures would range from 30 degrees (Celsius) to 18 degrees with an average of something around 24 degrees. The clear skies, calmer seas, and the quiet beaches made it ideal for me.


Fewer crowds, better company
With the party season just over, I found much lesser touristy crowd making the beaches emptier than what I had found earlier in my winter trips. I could easily find a quiet corner on the beach to put up my parasol, yoga mat, and laze in the late winter sun, read a book, or go swimming at any time. Thankfully, the beach shacks all worked round the clock, just like the previous months, only with a better crowd and fresher food this time. With fewer customers to serve, they would customize my food and drinks, which just enhanced by experience.


Unique festivals
I always knew that Goa is not only about New Year parties or rave parties. And I experienced that first hand once the party season was over. In February, Goa celebrates the Wine Festival and the Monte Music Festival.

The Wine Festival, also called the Grape Escapade, was interesting. It had started since 2005 and celebrated in Panjim, where people would enjoy grape stomping, sampling different kinds of wines, some of which were grown locally, and some sourced from other places, along with haute cuisine and local flavors, making it a lifestyle extravaganza.

The Monte Music Festival, on the other hand, was a cultural gala. I barely managed to be there on the last day of the event. Organized by the Fundação Oriente and Cidade de Goa, in association with the Kala Academy, the music fest was held on the courtyard of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Mount in Old Goa. The event saw numerous indie artists and musicians from India and abroad. Last year particularly, this musical event celebrated its 30 years and had its biggest celebrations with famous singers and musicians from the East and West, each of whom added their own touch to Goa’s culture.

The Goa Carnival
Now, this is the real highlight of Goa for the month of February and I was saving this for the last. It was precisely one of the reasons I visited Goa in this particular month. The biggest celebration of Goa and its culture usually happens around this time of the year. Last year, the Carvinal started on February 10 and lasted for four days. A smaller celebration of the worldwide Carnival, on the occasion of Mardi Gras, this
vibrant Christian festival marks the last day of merriment before the abstinence period of Lent starts. It was my first ever Carnival experience in Goa and I was awestruck by the number of floats, the colorful costumes, and the overall ambiance. I even joined a parade through the city, dancing away with the locals and realized how right I was to travel at that time. If you plan to travel in and around Goa on a 4- wheeler, always rent a car with a local vendor who has good knowledge of the roads.


And thus, I wrapped up my Goa holiday, feeling fulfilled and glad that I could see my favorite destination in its own essence.

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Adventure Corporate Outings North-West India

Kuskem Waterfall

Located in the Canacona region of South Goa, Kuskem Waterfalls is one of the most scenic falls in the state. The waterfall lies in the Kuskem village which is located at a distance of 12 km from Hathipal, the entry point of Cotigao Wildlife sanctuary. This makes for a wonderful pit stop while on the way to the sanctuary. It is a monsoon attraction though tourists need to trek a little bit to reach it. The ride to the Kuskem village itself is filled with beautiful sceneries of forests and green fields.

It is 30-meter deep waterfall which makes it a small waterfall but the fact that works in its way are that it is completely natural.

 

How to Reach:

Thought Kuskem Village is 28 km away from Canacona Bus stand, public transportation to the village is poor. It is better to have a private or rented vehicle. The route up to the Cotigao Wildlife sanctuary is on the National highway and easy to travel. We were able to see the landscape view of the waterfall even before reaching the village. The view filled us with vigor for the 2 km trek ahead through unsafe thick vegetation. There were no sign boards and no way to know the way apart from consultation with the villagers before embarking on our way ahead.

Tricky Trek

The trek is an easy walk till midway when we reached a slippery path. Since the water flows deep next to the path, it is better to stay cautious. There are few tourists nearby and no help in case of emergencies since phone networks don’t reach the area. Better to walk carefully and take care of belongings as well.

When we heard the sound of falling water and the path got a little rocky, we realized that we had reached our destination. It was a mesmerizing view of the waterfall. The water was white as milk as it slipped between the rocks plunging to the ground.

What to do:

Apart from enjoying the sights and the sound of the roaring waterfall, adventurous spirits can always stand beneath it and get drenched in nature’s gift. We took a couple of pictures and added another memorable experience to our travel memories.

Nearby places:

For those wishing to get out of the choking city noise, Kuskem waterfall is the perfect little hideout place. It is a hidden gem that is less known to tourists and thus, one can easily spend a day amidst the greenery and the fall. And once you are done here, Cotigao Wildlife sanctuary is nearby. They have many wild species as well as a beautiful butterfly garden one can visit.

Safety measures:

Since there are no boards or signs, it is better to have a talk with the villagers before proceeding. Take their advice before proceeding on foot. Since the area is not covered by cell phone towers, one must be extra-cautious. There are no safety instructions and the area near the falls is slippery. You also need to cross knee-deep water to reach the actual fall. Take all the precautions you can. Further, plan ahead in case you encounter sudden rainfall and take care of your cameras and electronics.

Kuskem waterfall is a wonderful place in South Goa for all nature lovers and once you are done enjoying the fresh water and cool breeze here, you can move further ahead to the Colva beach. This place is a delight for Trekkers, tourists, nature enthusiasts and environmentalists spending their vacation time in Goa. Since it is still mostly an undiscovered spot, you can find solitude here.

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Beaches Corporate Outings Foodie North-West India Rejoice Travel Trends

From the popular beaches to the famous nightclubs, North Goa has a hang of everything

From lively beaches to the ancient historic churches, North Goa has a plethora of options for all those who want to see Goa from their perspective. North Goa stretches from the Fort Aguada at the tip of Panaji city to the borders of Maharashtra. It attracts the maximum crowd all year round and especially during the peak season of winters.

Baga Beach

For all those party animals out there, Baga Beach is a must visit for them. This is the place from where the hippie movement actually started. The beach is named after the Baga Creek, which empties into the Arabian Sea at the north end of the beach. Don’t forget to visit the flea market organized every Wednesday on the shores of the beach. Pick souvenirs, funky jewelry, fashionable clothes, devour some authentic Goan food at the shacks and party all night at the party hubs like Titos. For adventure lovers, the place offers a lot of water sports like para-sailing, banana rides etc.

Dona Paula

Named after a girl named Dona Paula de Menezes, with a tragic love story, this place is a lover’s paradise. This is an ideal place for couples to relax and sunbathe on the beach. There is a famous bird sanctuary, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary where you can spot migratory and local birds. It is a perfect escape for all wildlife lovers. Dona Paula is quite popular for its water sports as well.



Calangute Beach

Another discovery of the hippies in the late ’60s was Calangute beach which is a paradise for nature lovers. Alongside the main road of the beach, you will find showrooms of handicrafts from Indonesia, Tibet, and Kashmir. Pump up your adventurous spirit and hop into water activities like kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, water snorkeling, water-skiing, and fishing. You can even simply relax and laze around in the sun at the lounge areas that are spread on the stretch



Vagator Beach

Lined with an umpteen number of nightclubs along its shore, Vagator Beach is a hub for late night trance parties. Local art, music, and nightlife are what defines the place well. The beach stretches for almost 30 kms and is distinctly divided into big and small Vagator. Head to those big cliffs of red rocks if you want to spend some alone time and enjoy the magical view of the sunset.

Some of the adventurous water sports that you must try on the beaches of, Goa are Jet Skiing, Banana Tube Boat Ride, Parasailing, Flyboarding, water skiing, paddleboarding, kneeboarding, kayaking, bumper, speed boat, scooter.

Backwaters of Chapora River

Yes, you heard it right. Goa is not only about sand and beaches. Experience the rustic beauty of Goa in the serene backwaters of Chapora River. Hire a boat for a day to sail in the river or stay in a houseboat, it is up to you. Let not the party fever churn all your time, it is equally important to spend some quality time with your loved one in the solitude of nature.

Fort Aguada

An uphill drive from Sinquerim Beach through the backwaters and lush greenery of Goa will take you to Fort Aguada. The road ends at Fort Aguada lighthouse which offers a breathtaking view of the coastline of North Goa. It is a Portuguese fort that was originally constructed in 1612 to protect against the Dutch and the Marathas.

The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception

The first church in Goa, Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception is an example of simple yet fine architecture. The church has two altars, the one on the left dedicated to Jesus Crucified and on the right to Our Lady of Rosary. Don’t miss to visit the church on your next trip to Goa.

Nightclubs

SinQ – Located in Sinquerim, North Goa, near the Taj Holiday Village at Candolim, is the SinQ Beach club. It’s not just a club to experience but a perfect combination of a Goan tavern, a poolside deck, and lounge plus a nightclub.

Love Passion Karma –LPK at Nerul is one of the most exotic party destinations in Goa situated on the banks of the river Candolim. The view of amazingly sculpted terra cotta statues all around and the incredible water-front with a 400-year-old Indo Portuguese church in the backdrop will make you fall in love the moment you step here.

Club Cubana – Situated at Arpora Hill, North Goa, Club Cubana is Goa’s pride, the best place to party and let loose. Experience a night under the starlit sky along with white canopied loungers and beach-styled cabanas. The place also boasts a tempting Jacuzzi to cool off fevered brows and poolside.

Apart from the above listings, there are an endless number of places to go in Goa. So choose the ones you want to go and plan the itinerary in a way that you get to explore the maximum you can.

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Architectural Corporate Outings North-West India Spiritual Hubs Uncategorized

Mahabaleshwar is the place to be this weekend

Located in the western Indian state of Maharashtra and nestled among the Sahyadri Mountain ranges, Mahabaleshwar happens to be one of the most important and often underrated gems of a tourism place. There are numerous enchanting places one can visit in the city. A day is far less than enough to totally grasp in everything that the city has to offer. But still, if you are short on time, there is much you can do. Let us start exploring the place through our lens.

After the breakfast in the morning, you must visit the place the city has been named after, the Mahabaleshwar temple. The temple happens to be a great monument full of the architectural magic of the medieval era. The city is, however, full of many different temples dedicated to many different gods from the ancient Hindu mythology which you can visit. Mahabaleshwar Temple, Panchganga Mandir, Shankar Temple, Mahabaleshwar Shiv Mandir, Janni Mata Mandir, Shree Ganesh Mandir are some of the temples to check out. You may have to hurry as there are a lot more places to see during the one day tour.

The next stop could be the Panchganga temple which happens to be around for more than 4500 years. The temple is known to be the origin of seven different rivers. Out of all of them, spring of five keeps flowing in the direction of the temple, hence the name Panchganga- Five Ganges.

Behind the Panchganga temple is the Krishnabai temple where the Krishna River gets worshiped, one of the seven rivers that emerge out of Panchganga. The temple was built in the year 1888 by the ruler of Ratnagiri on the Konkan coast. There is a beautiful Krishna statue in the premises along with a very old and beautiful Shiv Linga.

Vena Lake and the elephant point are two more places which you can visit in case you still have the time left before the sun goes down. The elephant point is also known as the needle point. The name was given to it because it has two massive rocks with a hole in the middle. Thus, the needle point.

You can relish some of the most delicious cuisines from all over the country. Some of the best restaurants in Mahabaleshwar one should visit are Mapro, The Grapevine, The Olive Garden, Saayali Restaurant, Little Italy, Sizzler Place and much more. It’s a kind of food paradise visiting these places.

How to reach there

The city is located at about a distance of 250 kilometers from the state capital of Mumbai and the railways are the roads are well connected to ensure a safe and sound journey to the place. The nearest airport to the place is the Mumbai international airport.

Mahabaleshwar happens to be a very ancient city, full of many old temples and monuments that remind one of the eccentric cultures and histories the city once had. Many different rulers, especially the Marathas, have given the city a lot to cherish which, in the present times are the biggest attractions of the city.

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Architectural Corporate Outings North-West India Western Ghats Western India

Urban legends of Pavagadh Hill

Such a historical hill that lives up to its name of “Fire Hill” as it ignites a fire within your skin. Sudden plans to visit the hill were made and we reached Champaner by bus. It was a 45-kilometer long ride from Vadodara but with good music to keep us company, the time went by before any of us noticed.

This hill has great significance as most Hindus know the story of how Parvati’s foot fell on this hill making it sacred. The Kalika temple on top of the hill has been visited by devotees since ages. Reaching the temple is no hard task. Public buses take you until the end of the road from where we started hiking up. Midway, when none of us could walk more, we took the cable ropeway which took us straight to the top. The sights from above the hill were just as majestic as the temple itself. We got to know from the locals nearby that every once in a while a fair is held at the temple and thousands of devotees come there. The pilgrim site was, fortunately, less crowded by the time we visited. The temple is open even at odd hours to accommodate people who have come from far for pilgrimage. We saw the temple and had darshan of Goddess Kali. There was also a Muslim shrine to a Sufi saint Sadan Shah Pir there.

We stayed at the Machi Haveli for the night after visiting the temple and some remains of Raval palace are still there even though it has been modified into a guest house for travellers. The next day we went out to explore the hill. The hill has different plateaus, the Kalika Mata plateau and Machi plateau which we had already seen and adored. Then there were also Mauliya Plateau, Bhadrakali Plateau, and Atak plateau.

We saw Teliya Talav and Dudiya Talav. The story behind the Dudiya Talav is that sage Vishwamitra had a cow that would speak and yield lots of milk. This cow was called Kamdhenu and one day it fell into the valley while grazing. It tried to get back up but couldn’t. Finally, she produced so much milk that it filled the valley and she swam to top. The sage prayed to the gods so that no cow would ever fall into the valley again and gods made a hill appear there. Well, it is just an urban legend.

We moved on to our next stop where we saw some beautifully constructed Jain temples carved from white stone which gave it a marvellous architectural charm. It was unbelievable to think that those temples dated back to the 14th-15th century. There were beautiful stone images inside of Tirthankaras. Within its vicinity, there is also a tall statue of God Bahubali which is almost 30ft in height. The entire place is splendid in its beauty and holy in ambience. There was also a Jain restaurant, gardens and Dharamshala nearby. We stopped there for some food and it turned out delicious. After wandering around the premises for some more time, we started clicking pictures and finding other places to see around there.

During our journey back home, we stopped at the foot of Pavagadh to visit ‘Vada Talabh’ and Kabootar khaana and then finally relaxed at a beautiful garden called ‘Virasat Van’. It was a serene atmosphere and the sights were beautiful. This experience gave us unforgettable memories of our trip to Pavgadh. Even now we have those visions behind our eyes and can feel the cool breeze upon my skin.

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North-West India Relax

Wine Lover’s heaven- Sula vineyards

If you are one of those people who are hopelessly in love with wines, there is very less chance that you haven’t heard of Sula wine yards. Well, it’s okay for those who didn’t! Sula wine yard is located in the western Indian state of Maharashtra near the financial capital of the country, Mumbai. The land is magnetic with the grape wines spread across the massive fields, the churning sound coming straight out of the wine factory, and it’s calming to the senses. A 4-hour drive from Chembur would bring you here as you gear up to explore the most famous wine yard in the country.

The day would easily be spent tasting different wines, getting to know about how to make it and there is a restaurant that serves some delicious cuisines. Nearby the main building there is a restaurant that goes by the name Little Italy which serves some great Italian food to the visitors which goes perfectly well with the freshly brewed wine. However, in case you aren’t interested in the wines at all, there are ample of things for you to do here as well. For one, you can visit the sights around the place, its Nasik at its beautiful best. The wine yard also happens to have an amphitheater and an open garden which offers a great opportunity to spend some quality time at a picnic with your loved ones.

Sula wine yards are a large establishment that covers a total area of 30 acres. The grape fields are here in abundance and greet you as you first enter the place. In between the fields is the road to walk upon which leads you directly to the factory where the wine gets manufactured. The beautiful aroma in the climate gives you a soothing feeling and you feel all relaxed after the tiring journey on your way here.

You have to buy the tickets in order to be able to see the actual working space of the wine makers. There is also a rooftop restaurant right there where you can eat something and relax before starting the trip. The cheese sandwich along with their very famous barrelled red wine was a great experience and you should have one before you go further. The wooden flavor coming from the wine makes you wonder if you could ever get the freshness and taste in the bottled wines that we all have become accustomed to.

You can also visit the wine tasting hall where you could meet the fellow wine enthusiasts and share your experiences with all the different wines that you have tasted over the years. The charge for wine tasting is 150 rupees per person. The souvenir shop nearby will let you buy all the different wines that are manufactured there. There will be a guide who will accompany you and tell you how the company got started and all.

For the wine lovers and nondrinkers alike, the place is wonderful to spend 24 hours at. Don’t forget to make a stop here for your next trip to Maharashtra.

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