Category: North-West India

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Architectural Corporate Outings North-West India

The story behind the deep, dark and fascinating Ajanta and Ellora Caves

Artistically carved inside a hillside huge rock, stands this amazing reminiscent of how amazing the hard work and talent can turn out to be. There are about 34 caves in Ajanta and about 29 of them in Ellora and together they constitute one of the world’s greatest wonders. The caves at Ajanta are mainly Buddhist when it comes to religious significance, while the caves at Ellora are a decent mixture of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain beliefs. They have made a secure place in the list of UNESCO world heritage sites.

How to reach

The railway is the best way to reach Ajanta and Ellora caves. Aurangabad is the nearest station to the Ellora caves at about 45 minutes away while Jalgaon station makes it to the Ajanta caves as the nearest and it takes about half an hour to reach there. It’s best to hire a taxi or a cab to reach the caves from the railway stations.

Those who prefer to reach here by flight should note that Aurangabad can be reached directly from Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and Udaipur airports. The place is about 99 km from Ajanta and 30 km from Ellora.

What to expect

The most brilliant and surprising thing about the caves is that they are totally manmade. No equipment was used in their formation, the manpower and a hammer and a chisel were the only things that were involved in the making. The Ajanta caves are slightly more artistic in nature than Ellora caves as they feature some rich paintings and sculpture while the Ellora caves are known best for their architectural significance.

Let’s begin with the sightseeing.

The Ajanta Caves

The Ajanta caves are series of 29 Buddhist cave temples, some of which date from the 2nd century BC.  The walls inside the Ajanta caves give a great glimpse of the different phases of the life of Buddha and other Buddhist divinities through sculpture and paintings. Out of the most interesting tales that the walls inside tells are the Jatak tales.

The Ellora Caves

The Ellora caves are known for their amalgam of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism emotions. The wall carvings depict the stories of Hindu mythology and feature some great artistic talents of the creators. The site features over 100 caves, of which 34, are allowed to be visited by the public.  These caves consist of 12 Buddhist caves, 17 Hindu caves, and 5 Jain caves, all of which present the respective deities and mythologies prevalent in the ancient times.

Kailasa Temple

It is one of the largest rock cut ancient Hindu temples located in Ellora. What makes the temple at Ellora so special is that is carved out of a single rock. Do not miss the incredible view of this temple, from the top of the rock; A little climb could get you to see massive scale of it all. However, bringing a torch to explore the caves is advisable as the lighting is quite poor inside.

Jain Caves, Ellora

There are in total 5 Jain caves at Ellora and that date back to the ninth and tenth century AD. The important ones are the Indra Sabha (cave 32), Chhota Kailash (cave 30) and the Jagannath Sabha (cave 33).

Where to stay

Hotel Kailas happens to be located right on the opposite side of Ellora caves. Ajanta T Junction guest house and Ajanta tourist resort are two places that cater the most of the tourists.

Time to visit

Although, a trip can be made any time a year but the time between November to March is considered to be the best for having a trip as the season is cool and dry.

Restaurants and Local Food

The cuisine of Aurangabad emanates the flavor of North India and Hyderabadi cuisine. Kailash Restaurant, Tandoor Restaurant, and Bar Bhoj Restaurant can be explored here.

Ajanta Ellora festival

Tourists planning to visit the Ajanta Ellora caves should not miss the three-day international festival, the Ajanta Ellora festival celebrated in the city of Aurangabad. The festival organized every year between the months of November and March is truly a treat to the senses. Various artists will be seen performing in this prestigious festival. A mixture of cultural competitions for children, youth women, and senior citizens are also planned on this occasion.

For those who love to travel the past and get an insight into the ancient India, Ajanta and Ellora caves by the river Waghora, are the best sites which bring the ancient India into the limelight

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Architectural Beaches North-West India Travel Trends

An offbeat guide that proves Goa is much more than beaches

What comes to your mind as you first think of Goa? Golden sandy beaches, swaying coconut trees along the beach coast, a horde of hippies sitting on some rock on a beachside singing and dancing as if no one’s there to judge them. Well, there is a lot more to Goa unless you have explored it.

Old world charm of Portuguese architecture

Goa is a true blend of Eastern Indian culture and western Portuguese world, and the Portuguese colonies with some unique architecture is a true example of it. Some other major examples of it are Se Cathedral, Basilica of Bom Jesus and Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception Church. If you are an art connoisseur then make sure to visit these places to capture the true essence of the art.

A ride through the backwaters of Chapora river

You don’t have to go far south to Kerala to experience the house boat rides. Take a ride along the rustic beauty of Goa through the backwaters of Chapora on a houseboat. There is a lot more to feel in the solitariness of nature along with your loved one.

A journey to the Divar Island

Divar in Konkani stands for small. Divar Island is a small historical island that is located between River Mandovi and the Arabian Sea. Once a prominent Hindu pilgrimage center, today the island is an important symbol of Catholicism. The one and the only way to reach the island is by ferries. So, enjoy your ferry ride.

Experience the authentic flavors of Goan cuisine

One important charm of Goa is its delectable Goan cuisine. Seafood, fish curry and rice are the chief food of Goans. The food here is usually chili hot, spicy, and pungent. A lot of dishes are made from rice, fish, and coconut.

Take a spice tour

A tour through the spice plantations of Goa gives you a better insight into the daily life of a common man. Take a walk into this green paradise with fresh spices around. Pick up fresh, pure spices for your kitchen from the farm. You can even taste these exotic spices in a fresh lunch that are served to the guests on a tour. A visit during monsoon is a must as rains enhance the beauty of these plantations.

Heritage walk through the old quarters

Old quarters or Fountain has areas of Panjim are an important highlight in the city of Goa. This is the only part of the city, where Portuguese is the main spoken language of the locals. As you stroll along the streets of this old heritage you will find wishing wells next to every old cafe and bakery. The houses here are painted in vibrant colors which altogether makes you feel as if you are in a different land.

Saturday night market

Every Saturday from 6 pm till late night a sprawling market is set in the Airport region.The story that goes around this market is like about ten years ago, a German man conceived this idea to take a land on lease and start the market. When the lease ended, the goats decided to continue this market but throw away the foreigner. And since then, this market has been blooming. From spices, teas, Kashmiri carpets and silver jewelry to international designer stuff, you will find everything here.

Temples in Goa

 Goa might be home to beautiful centuries-old churches, but there is more to be explored. This beach state is also home to some really enchanting temples. Some splendid ones are Shri Saptakoteshwar temple, Maruti temple, Shri Mahadeva temple, Shri Damodar temple, Mahalaxmi temple and Sri Mahalsa temple which are prominent places of worship for the Hindus and must be visited.

While the tourists flock the beaches to catch the sun, But there is another side to the place, an offbeat Goa if you will, that remains unexplored. If you are one of those who can dance the night away, and love to experience adventures such as taking out your fishing pole and waiting for the fish to catch the bait! then there is something that the two of you could enjoy beyond the beaches of Goa.

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Festival North-West India wildlife

Get ready to witness the wonderful sightings of Olive ridley turtles at Velas Turtle Festival

Turtles are interesting creatures, there is no doubt about it but we are accustomed to seeing them in the aquariums and zoos most often. People crave to see them live in their natural habitat and the Velas turtle festival provides them with the opportunity to do so. And without a doubt, it also attracts a lot of foreign tourists as well. Let’s know more about it.

Where

Velas is a small village in Ratnagiri in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. The annual event takes place during April every year and is a massive crowd puller. The village is located at about 220 Kilometres from Mumbai and the commute is easy, especially during the time of the festival. Take the bus from Mumbai or a train, which happens to be well connected and enjoy the festival.

About the festival

The village Velas is famous for the sightings of Olive ridley turtles, which are very rare and can hardly be found anywhere else. The turtles are there in the Arabian Sea and move to the village of Velas in order to lay eggs. A turtle conservation initiative has been taken by the villagers and that makes the event a safe one for the turtles and even the turtles, which are known to avoid human presence at all costs, can be seen behaving all natural. Many NGOs from across the country and the world have taken steps forward in order to conserve the population of the turtles by conserving their eggs and put them in the safe places. One mother turtle lays about a 100 eggs at one time and the incubation period is 50-55 days. The eggs laid by the turtles are then covered with baskets and the track is kept every day about their conditions.

 

However, the moment which everyone awaits with stopped breaths is the one when the eggs break and tiny turtles come out of them and as an instinct, they start moving towards the ocean. This is a grand event and gets covered by media and the general population alike in their phones. The baby steps they take stir some strange feelings of hope and life inside the observers and as they drift away into the ocean, the festival comes to its conclusion.

Timings

The festival goes on for an entire month and some great deals can be achieved from the travel websites and forums.

Tips

This isn’t a picnic spot but a conservation site. So the tourists need to remain calm and should act with caution. Littering around is an offense and the fine will be installed.

-Photography is although allowed, should be done with the flashlights off.

-The tourists need to wear sensible clothes. The locals here are somehow conservative in their approach towards decency and women in shorts or miniskirts may not be allowed.

-The timings may differ, so you may have to stay a bit longer to witness the baby turtles coming out of the eggs. Patience is mandatory.

Conclusion

This is a wonderful sight and everyone should at least one, come here to witness the pure magic.

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Architectural North-West India

Historical Epoch – The Elephanta Caves

Situated right in the heart of Elephanta Island of Maharashtra, Elephanta Caves are described as a string of sculpted caves with two significant groups. Group one showcases Hindu caves while the other caves host a few Buddhist caves. Hindu caves have rock cut sculptures dedicated to Lord Shiva.These caves were discovered somewhere between 5th and 8th centuries. However, the identity of real builders of these sculptures has not been established yet.

How to Reach

Elephanta Caves are situated on an Island in Maharashtra’s Mumbai Coast. This is why one must first reach Mumbai. Mumbai is one of the most well-connected cities of India. Daily flights from all other major cities of India are available regularly. Even international flights are regular.

Once you are in Mumbai. Go to Gateway of India. From here you can get ferries to Elephanta Caves. However, these ferries are crowded during peak hours and are not operational during Monsoons.

Places to visit

Main Cave Shrine

One of the most visited places in Elephanta caves is Main Cave Shrine. This cave has been dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Linga, the symbol of Lord Shiva, and Yoni, the symbol of Goddess Parvathi, has been depicted in this cave as a mark of supreme unity.

Trimurti and Gangadhara

Trimurti is one of the most sculptures in Elephanta Caves. Tourists from around the globe visit this place regularly to take a glimpse of Gupta Chalukyan masterpiece art.

East Wing

Another most popular place to visit in Elephanta Caves is East Wing that gives access to a 55 ft. long courtyard. The circular pedestal in the courtyard is considered as the mount of Lord Shiva—Nandi.

West Wing

To reach West Wing cave one must go through the main cave. Despite being a popular site in Elephanta Caves, it is now in a semi-ruined state. West Wing hosts a chapel and a cistern, which many believe is Buddhist.

Shiva Slaying Adhaka

One of the main reasons why this Shiva Slaying Adhaka is famous is that it depicts Virabhadra or Bhairava form of Lord Shiva. It is one of its kind places here because there are very rare works on this furious form of Lord Shiva.

Shiva Cave

The main cave of Elephanta Caves is also known as Shiva Cave. It covers an area of around 27 sq. m. Shiva Cave also has a hall that in colloquial language is known as Mandapa.

Things to Do

Visit Archaeological Museum

Started in the year 1999, Archaeological Museum is one of best places in Elephanta Island where you can spend some quality time. The museum boasts pictures of all the sculptures of Elephanta Caves with information.

Enjoy a ride in Boat Jetty

This is a fun ride that lasts just a little more than a kilometer. It is a train with vibrant colors and sound, which does not look like made for transportation. However, if you are on the Island we recommend you to try the ride.

Best places to Eat

Elephanta Island is not famous only for its caves but also for its variety of Indian delicacies. Some of the best places to eat in this Island are:

Bhagat Tarachand

It is a reasonably priced restaurant in Elephanta Island that serves Indian vegetarian food only.

AER—Bar and Lounge

If you are tired of whole days sightseeing then AER—Bar and Lounge is the best place to unwind and rejuvenate with a variety of food and drinks.

Farzi Café, Kamala Mills

It is a great place for people who love party hard late night. The food is delicious here. Drinks are also good.

Places to stay

One may find the lot of guest houses, resorts and budget hotels in case you are eager for an overnight stay.The Elephanta Island is a serene and picturesque island with the perfect expressions of archaic Indian art associated with the cult of Lord Shiva. You must head to this place once in a lifetime. The Elephanta Island is a serene and picturesque island with the perfect expressions of archaic Indian art associated with the cult of Lord Shiva. You must head to this place once in a lifetime.

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Foodie North-West India

We bring to you 15 dishes from Bihar which are a must try !!

Bihar, famous for its rich culture and heritage, does not only produce IAS officers but also gives us lip smacking dishes to devour. If you are planning to visit Bihar, here is the list of dishes from Bihar that you must try:

Litti Chokha

A food for all occasions in Bihar, Litti Chokha is the brand ambassador of Bihari cuisine. Baked with wheat flour dough, litti is served with side dish chokha that is prepared with baked and pulped vegetables.

Thekua

It is a sweet snack made with wheat flour and jaggery molded in round shape and deep fried. If you ask your Bihari friend, Thekua is a mandatory sweet dish made on every occasion in every household.

Til laddu

The soft, sweet balls of khoya covered with a good coating of sesame seeds are something you will find hard to keep your hands from. It is the famous mithai in the Land of Buddha and a sweet winter delight.

Sattu

Wonder why Bihari people are always high on energy? It is because of Sattu that is packed with nutrition. Made with roasted gram powder, water, rock salt and roasted cumin, it is a breakfast on the go for busy people.

Daal Pitha

You have had Chinese dumpling. Now have the Bihari version of dumplings known as Daal pitha. This delicious snack is made with rice flour, stuffed with Bengal gram paste and then steamed. It is a delight to taste buds.

Shakarpara

Bihari people have a big sweet tooth. Hence, a number of sweet delicacies. Shakarpara is a sweet-salty snack which is made with flour, sugar and salt and then deep fried. You cannot stop munching on this amazing snack.

Malpua

The best Malpuas that you can find  is definitely in Bihari. It is the royal sweet delicacy made on every festival be it Diwali or Rakshabandhan. Crispy on the edges and soft in the center, Malpua will be your new-found love once you taste it.

Dal Puri

There is puri and then there is Dal Puri that only Biharis know how to do it right. This sumptuous delicacy is filled with the goodness of Bengal gram stuffing which makes it yummier and healthier. It is a Dusshera special food item.

Balushahi

Balushahi is without any argument the Indian father of donut. Prepared with flour and buttermilk in the goodness of desi ghee, this sweet dish just melts in your mouth. Grab your share and have it in the piece.

Kheer Makhana

Only Biharis can do Kheer Makhana right. It is a royal delicacy made of fox nut and milk. If you think it tastes like the normal kheer, then it is suggested to keep all your judgments at bay before you try it.

Parwal ki Mithai

Yes, parwal ki mithai! You might not have an appetite for the vegetable, but you will definitely love parwal ki mithai which you will only find in Bihar. Stuffed with khoya, it is a perfect balance of sweet, healthy and yum.

Khaja

Another salivating sweet dish from the land of Biharis that you won’t be able to refuse to taste. Khaja is sweet wafery snack made with flour and sugar.

Kadhibadi

A common savory dish made in most households of Bihar, it is the staple diet of the majority of the state. You must have tried different versions of kadhi before, so try the savory Bihari version too

Ghugni

Made with soaked black chickpeas, This is not just your usual black gram recipe.  Ghugni is a mouth-watering preparation which is relished with puffed rice, chirwa, paratha or poori. For the people, who like spicy this is a must-try dish.

Choora Badam

A staple, quick-do recipe for breakfast, choora badam is made with deep fried poha and almonds. The dry fruits make it high on energy and full of nutrition. It is a perfect chai time snack.

Already drooling? I know I am. Be right back! Booking my tickets to Bihar. 😛

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Adventure Corporate Outings North-West India

Why You will love Parasailing in these parts of India

Parasailing, aka parakiting or parascending, is a recreational kiting activity in which a person is hauled behind a vehicle (usually a boat) while attached to a distinctively designed canopy wing (like a parachute), called a parasail wing. It could either be aquatic or it could be terrestrial. Both of them have their own essence and experience to offer!The well- known states for parasailing sites in India are listed below.

Himachal Pradesh

March to October is the best time period to try out parasailing in Himachal Pradesh and Solang Valley, Dharamshala, Kullu, Manali, Lahaul Spiti and Bir Billing Valley are the sites in this state where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Himalayas while doing it.

They are suitable for professional as well as amateur parasailers and are some of the top spots for parasailing in India. Even international parasailing and paragliding events are organised here.

Rajasthan

Rajasthan is the most colourful and unconventional one of all the parasailing places in India. It is taken to be a leisure activity here and the colourful surroundings, open environment and sandy expanse enrich the experience many-folds. Adrenaline junkies and adventure seekers flock to the sandy world for its parasailing events which take place on an annual basis. The months from September to February are the best ones to undertake this activity and the good sites for parasailing in Rajasthan include Jaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer.

A must visit while you are on parasailing India mission!

Uttarakhand

Naukuchiatal, Doon Valley, Auli and Bedni Bugyal are some of India’s most sought after parasailing sites located in the scenic state of Uttarakhand, positioned vitally amidst the snow clad mountains and sprinkled with occasional greenery. All-encompassing views, sublime water bodies, lofty peaks, evergreen coniferous and oak forests make for a stunning view from the air. The months from May to November are the most suitable ones for undertaking this adventure sport.

Kerala

Parasailing in Kerala is an experience you will never forget in your lifetime. As the speedboat zooms off into the sea, the rush you will feel with be out of this world and your experience of parasailing in India will not be complete if you do not give Kerala a try! Alappuzha Beach, Varkala Beach and Payyambalam Beach are the famous parasailing sites in Kerala and the most appropriate months for doing so are from October to March.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra is a famous destination for parasailing in India because of the topographic variations in the state. Parasailing is an adventurous activity that has the sass to electrify your whole body with your shooting up through the wind. The greenery of natural parks, chiming rivers, moderate cliffs, deciduous forests, sandy beaches and expansive views augment the already stupefying experience of soaring in the sky. Matheran, Mahabaleshwar, Goa, Kamshet, Panchgani, Kundalika and Powai and are some of India’s top parasailing destinations in the western region. Parasailing in Pune is also trending now- a- days. Months from October to May are the most befitting for undertaking this activity in the region.

So which one will you cross out first from your bucket list?

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