Category: South India

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Places to Visit in India South India

The Best Residential Areas of Bangalore in 2022

best areas to live in bangalore

One of the best emerging cities that has seen the highest immigration from the rest of India in Bangalore. The city is known for its IT Parks and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry – which has even earned it the title of being the ‘Silicon Valley of India’. As such it is hardly surprising that a lot of people wonder what may be the best city for them to live in. This article tries to answer that question.

Top 10 Best Areas to Live In Bangalore

Let’s get started:

1. Indira Nagar

The first and one of the best locations to live in Bangalore that has made it to this list is Indira Nagar. Situated in the East of the city, it enjoys a good connection with areas like HSR Layout, Domlur, CV Raman Nagar, etc. Its popularity is owed to the availability of all the desirable amenities along with the city’s top pubs, restaurants cafes, etc.

2. Kengeri

The next location in this list of top places to live in Bangalore is truly royal – because it once served as the residence of the great king Tipu Sultan when he hid here. The place has now transformed into an excellent residential place. The little town of Kengeri is surrounded by beautiful coconut farms. Such beautiful, green sights are rare in the silicon city of Bangalore. As such it is ideal for those who don’t want to get sucked into the urban lifestyle and pollution of the city. It is also one of the more affordable options with several excellent coliving and paying guest houses available in it.

3. Electronic City

Well if there was to be something called electronic city then it would just have to be in Bangalore. Isn’t it? The electronic city is, true to its name, home to the major electronics parks. It is one of the famous areas in this list of the best areas to live in Bangalore and yet it has some of the best paying guest houses and coliving spaces. One of the unique perks of finding residence here is getting huge discounts on all sorts of electronics products throughout the year.

4. Rajajinagar

The next best area in Bangalore to make it to this list is Rajajinagar. Named after C. Rajagopalachari, who was the last Governor-General of India before India became a republic in 1950. It is one of the costliest areas in Banglore when it comes to real estate rates. It is well-connected with the rest of the state through Yestwantpur Railway station and is host several big shopping malls and supermarkets.

5. Jayanagar

Jayanagar is one of the popular choices for staying in Bangalore because of its metro station and presence of various amenities such as schools, colleges, hospitals, etc nearby. The metro can help the residents avoid road traffic while the area also avails several houses and apartments.

6. Mathikere

Mathikere makes it to this list of top places in Bangalore to live in because of its lush green surroundings away from the noises of urban traffic. The locality boasts of several beautiful parks and Mathikere Lake. The renowned Jayaprakash Narayan National Park occupies a special place among these parks. There are also things like a musical fountain, a swimming pool, and a playground is the best area in Bangalore to settle down.

7. Sadashivanagar

One of the most sought-after real estate locations in this list of places in Bangalore to stay is Sadashivanagar. The reasons include its proximity to Kempegowda International Airport and several major IT hubs and the fact that is also dotted with shopping malls, multiplexes, and some of the best restaurants in Bangalore. It is hardly surprising then that it is the area where several local celebrities (politicians, actors, industrialists, etc) reside. The same contributes to the rising demand for property in this area.

8. Lalbagh Road

The road is famous for and gets its name from one of the best botanical gardens in South Asia, the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens. Instead of the usual buzz, crowd, and noises of the city, one is greeted by greens and chirping birds. The road has several Paying Guest Houses and Coliving spaces.

9. Basavanagudi

In many ways, the next location in this list of top locations to live in Bangalore, Basavanagudi, can serve as the default location for those new to the city. It has all the amenities one may need for a comfortable existence and is one of the oldest regions of the city still having a lot of its ancient trees. And yet it has modern conveniences like shopping malls, restaurants, etc. It is also one of the most connected areas of the city.

10. Bannerghatta Road

Bring the rear of our list of the best places to stay in Bangalore is Bannerghata Road which is a hub to the famous IIM as well as some other big brands including HSBC, Accenture, and HSBC. The area has several hostels and paying guest houses catering to the students and workers of such organizations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

There are several questions people ask that relate to residential places in Bangalore. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) on this subject:

Question: Which is the most expensive area in Bangalore?

Answer: Rajajinagar is considered the most expensive residential area of Bangalore.

Question: Which is the best area in Bangalore?

Answer: There is no single answer to this question as it will depend on one’s needs and lifestyle. Some of the factors affecting the decision will include – whether one is married or not, whether one has children or now, what kind of amenities one needs nearby, whether one wants pubs nearby or greenery or malls etc. The budget is another major consideration.

If the reader has any other questions, they should feel free to ask them in the comments below.

The Bottom Line

One can easily wrap up the above discussion by concluding that though life in Bangalore has grown expensive; there are still many affordable options that also let one live a lifestyle of one’s choice.

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Architectural Beaches Itinerary South India

Travel Guide To Visit Mahabalipuram

Since ages, Mahabalipuram has served as the seaport of India. Apart from being important from a commerce point of view, the place is equally vital from the tourism viewpoint. The historical touch associated with the place along with a plethora of tourist activities to do there, just like anyone else, we (Ghoomophiro sisters) too got fascinated to plan a trip to Mahabalipuram and believe us when we say that the trip was one of the most amazing times of our lives. Having gained a lot of experience, we are nowhere to offer you splendid guidance to prepare your visit to Mahabalipuram so that you do not miss out on important things and most importantly so that you can plan excursions accordingly to the time available with you.

How to reach Mahabalipuram

Around 58 km from Chennai, Mahabalipuram is easy to access via road, rail, and air. Chengalpattu is the closest railway station and the Chennai railhead is the nearest major railway station to which you can take trains from major cities including Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. From the railway station, you can take a cab to reach Mahabalipuram. However, we (Ghoomophiro sisters) resorted to taking a bus the ticket of which cost us INR 80 each. Choosing to self-drive via your own car or ZOOM Car will give you an opportunity to halt at numerous places to enjoy the beauty. Ola Outstation is another option if you want to hire a taxi.

Best time to visit Mahabalipuram

The place remains worth exploring throughout the year in case you have no option to be choosy with the months. However, we recommend visiting the place in the months that mark the end of summers and the onset of winters and again before the onset of summers. To be specific, you should be planning a trip between the months of October to March. During these months the climate remains awesome with warm days in addition to cold nights. The weather during these months is ideal for performing all the outdoor activities as well as for exploring the beautiful town.

Where to stay at Mahabalipuram

Comfortable stay is an important aspect of our entire trip. Only if we are able to have a peaceful sleep at night, are we able to explore the place wholeheartedly the next day? So, be very careful about choosing the place to stay. From as expensive as Radisson Blu Resort Temple Bay Mamallapuram, to as pocket friendly as Vinodhara Guest House, there are plenty of options for you to stay. To list a few names that will not disappoint you are Mamalla Beach Resort, Hotel Mahabs, Vinodhara Guest House, and many more. However, we resorted to staying at Bay Inn as it was within our budget and close to the major attractions.

Things to Do In Mahabalipuram

Believe us, there are literally a lot of activities and sightseeing to do in Mahabalipuram. Not only will you find visitors from across different states of India but also from across the globe. This is one of the most happening places that stand quite against our belief of this place being more spiritual and historic.

Religious touch at temples

The Panch Ratha (five chariots) is the first thing that we (Ghoomophiro sisters) explored in Mahabalipuram. It is a monolithic temple where five rathas are carved, amazingly with a single stone. Having clicked few pictures there are appreciating the architecture we (Ghoomophiro sisters) headed towards shore temple which contrarily is a masonry temple having a diverse construction. We suggest visiting the temple early at 6 am when it is blessed with the resplendent morning glow. To enter both the premises we paid INR 30 each. The two temples are at a distance of 1.8km which makes covering both sides convenient. Arjuna’s penance and Butterball are again a must-have sight if you have ample time to spare.

Lighthouse and Mahishamardini cave

Lighthouse is an important sightseeing point. However, we were lucky enough to find a way to Mahishamardini cave close to Light House, free of cost and facilitating a view of beautiful sculptures, namely, reclining Shiva and reclining Vishnu. Not many people are aware of Mahishamardini cave and honestly, we weren’t either. We (Ghoomophiro sisters) halted for snacks at a place where the owner of the stall suggested us to go to the cave and believe us it is worth seeing. The entry to the cave is free of cost. Side by side, be aware that you are strolling across the hill area that is again one of the must-do things at Mahabalipuram.

Sculpture museum

Having a lack of time, we (Ghoomophiro sisters) were not able to explore the sculpture museum in depths but it is a really good place for those who are extremely fond of sculptures. Also, you can buy marvelous sculptures from the shops that offer them forsake.

Ayurvedic Message

We (Ghoomophiro sisters) are a diehard fan of Ayurvedic therapies so missed getting one at Mahabalipuram neither. There are some of the most stunning Ayurveda centers in the city, highly professional implying that you need to ask them to give you a piece of cloth to cover some portions of your body in case you do not mind it otherwise. Mostly, the centers charge you around a grand for a massage of an hour.

Sea surfing

Last but not least, we (Ghoomophiro sisters) also tried our hands at sea surfing at a Surf Club situated on the East Coast Road connecting Chennai to Pondicherry. It is undoubtedly one of the must-have experiences. There are experts available there to give you detailed guidance on how to go about doing the activity. To those who simply want to enjoy the lukewarm water can have a dip at the sea.

 

Things to eat in Mahabalipuram

There are plenty of French cafes as well as restaurants in Mahabalipuram serving not only amazing French cuisine but also stunning French wine. Apart from this, you will also find good Italian, Chinese, Punjabi, and South cuisines. There are plenty of stalls also set up around the places that offer street food at very affordable prices. We (Ghoomophiro sisters) tried French Cuisine at Le Yogi Restaurant, Chinese at Sea Shore Garden Beach restaurant, and Indian cuisine at Hotel Mamalla Bhavan during our entire stay. You can also explore Moonrakers Restaurant, Bambino Beach Restaurant, and Searock Restaurant also among many that offer lovely food and drinks.

Shopping places at Mahabalipuram

It is obvious that we (Ghoomophiro sisters) could have not returned home without buying beautiful things and obviously the souvenirs from this mesmerizing location. So, we (Ghoomophiro sisters) went for some Street Shopping Close to the Shore Temple ad bought some really nice stuff for ourselves ta a very reasonable price. Local people also guided us to explore Babu Stores that are popular among them. Other places that we explored were Sri Krishna Shopping Centre and sri shakthi Handicraft.

This is our story of travel to Mahabalipuram. We (Ghoomophiro sisters) have tried listing each and everything that a tourist usually needs to know. However, in case you feel we have skipped something you can surely add your reviews in the comment section below and we will surely add the same to our article. Also, if you have some questions to ask regarding the trip to Mahabalipuram or Do’s and Don’ts then feel free to use that little comment box below, we will revert to your queries as soon as possible

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Adventure South India Treks

Tips to plan a Skandagiri Trek

If you are looking to view some beautiful sunrise, then night trek at Skandgiri should definitely on your list. If you are planning a Skandagiri Trek then here we are with answers to most of your questions.

How to reach Skandagiri Trek

Skandagiri is an easy to approach place via all three means of transportation, namely, air, rail, and road. If you are planning to reach the place from some far off place then you can go in for taking the airways or the railway depending on your ease. In both the cases, the cleanest airport, as well as the nearest railway station to the hills of Skandagiri, lies in Bangalore. Once you have reached the city of Bangalore via flight or train, you next have to take up the roadways in order to cover the remaining distance. The distance between Skandagiri Hills and Bangalore is nearly 62 Kms.  You ought to know in advance that the Skandagiri trekking distance is 10 km. if you are planning to climb the hill and at the same time you walk at a normal high pace then it will take you around 5 hours at the maximum to climb the entire trek. Ideally, it takes nearly 2 hours to get to the peak but the time is directly proportional to your speed as well. Having reached the peak, you can then relax for some time in the picturesque laps of nature enjoying the most stunning view of the Nandi hills that are there in the surrounding. Descending the peak takes you around 1 and a half hours.

When to go on Skandagiri Trek

All the months except the rainy season are good for planning a trek to this beautiful place. However, to get the best out of scenic views winters as well as monsoons are considered ideal to plan for the trek. In winters you have access to the clear sky which means stargazing without any interruption from the clouds. While in monsoons, the flora and fauna lead you the fresh zeal to trek. In summers also, trek to Skandagiri can be planned but it’s up to you if you can beat the scorching sun or not. So, be careful at choosing the time of the trek.

What to do on Skandagiri Trek

There are not as many places of attractions as you would like this place to have. However, the few that the place offers are worth all your time. Other than enjoying the stargazing at night and scenic views in the daylight, there are other options also to explore. You can explore the Vivekananda Falls in the stunning Kethenahalli village which is at a distance of 12 km from Chikkaballapur village. Ranganatha Swamy Temple is also a must-visit. Nandi Hills offers you attractions like Tipu’s Drop and Tipu’s Summer Residence. Mountain biking in Nandi Hills is another option followed by paragliding. Amrita Sarovar and Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple, as well as Brahmashram Cave, are other things that you can enjoy.

What to eat at during Skandagiri Trek

Eating should not be a major issue on your way to the trek. There are plenty of shacks as well as tea stalls on your way along the trek. These are well supplied with snacks, tea, cookies and cold drinks in addition to much obvious water. if you intend to have a proper lunch then you can settle down at any of the limited restaurants in Chikkaballapura for few minutes. To name a few, Kamat Upachar Restaurant, Hotel Babuji, Chandru Hotel, and Swathi Restaurant are some of the options that you can explore.

To wrap up, these are the most reasonable answers to all your questions pertaining to the Skandagiri Trek that you must have had in mind. Other than these, if there is something more that you need to know about then you are free to drop us your question in the comment section below and we will revert at the quickest.

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Architectural Asia South India Spiritual Hubs

Ram : An Epic Traveler

Ever wonder that Ram and Sita from Ramayana were the epic travelers, who during their exile of 14 years traversed almost the India and parts of Srilanka. 

For a few, it might be a fiction, but what is interesting is that the journey mentioned in Ramayana during his exile has its footprints across India.

Sharing the list of Places that Ram, Sita Lakshman, and his Vanar Sena traced and some places which are related to Ramayana otherwise and how these places are popularly known to the modern world.

Ayodhya

Ayodhya, a small place near Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh is the birthplace of Ram, where he was born to Kaushalya and King Dashrath.  It is where Ram Rajya actually exists.  Currently, Ayodhya is also known as the temple city of India due to the plethora of temples. The celebration of Ramnavmi is worth watching in Ayodhya.

Janakpur

Janakpur is the birthplace of Sita. The legend goes like that she was not born to Raja Janak, instead, he found her while plowing the land and her presence brought the rains to the place, which finished the long-lasting drought of Janakpur. Ram was married to Sita in Janakpur only.

Currently, it is known as Sitamarhi and is now south-east of Kathmandu. There is a special festival and celebrations occur on the marriage anniversary of ram & Sita. Janakpur is also one of the holy sites on the route of Parikrama (holy circle) which is carried out by devout Hindus as a form of worship along with Ayodhya, Kashi, and Brij in India.

Allahabad

In order to go beyond Ayodhya, when exile was given, Lord Rama along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman crossed the river Ganga from Prayag, which is popularly known as Allahabad now. The place is famous for its Sangam point and witness tourists during Kumbh Mela.  

Chitrakoot

Currently situated on the borders of  Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, this place is famous for its beautiful Hindu scriptures. In Ramayana, it is the place where Bharat came to persuade Ram to come back to Ayodhya, and when Ram denied, he took his slippers.  The trio spent a lot of time here. In the current Chitrakoot, everything relates to Ram.

Chitrakoot is a spiritual retreat, thronged almost throughout the year by the travelers, who have a penchant for the unknown and unexplored

Dandakaranya

Dandakaranya is a present-day Bastar which includes parts of Odisha, Chattisgarh. The trio was believed to stay in these Jungles for the majority of their exile time. Khar and Dhushan were killed by Ram in these jungles only.  

Nashik

Modern-day Nashik, is the home of the trio and find its mention in Ramayana as Panchvati. Nashik got its name because, it is here, where Lakshman actually cuts the Suparnkha nose. Ram built a small home at Panchvati and it is where events like Sita abduction happened. Visit the Kala Ram Mandir which is one of the most famous temples in Panchavati. Among other places, you could visit the Sita Gufa (The Cave of Sita) and Kapaleshwar Mandir. Every 12 years pilgrims come here to witness Kumbh Mela.

Hampi

Kishkindha or modern-day Hampi (Karnataka) was the kingdom of apes. It is the place where the famous Sugriv Bali fight happened during Ramayana. Today, Hampi is one of the UNESCO sites. Ram and Lakshman met Hanuman and Sugriv at Kishkindha only. 

You can visit Virupaksha temple, Vitthala temple.  There is a cave on the bank of the Tungbhadra river where Sugriva is said to have hidden Sita’s jewels for safety. There are marks and streaks on the rocks, which are said to have been made by Sita’s ornaments.

 

Lepakshi

Lepakshi Lepakshi is a famous archaeological place in Andhra Pradesh. In Ramayana, this is where Jatayu ( demi-god in the form of the eagle) tries to fight Ravana. Jatayu gets hurt and falls down by the time Rama arrives. Jatayu is rewarded in the form of moksha (liberation) by Rama. It is said that this event happened in Lepakshi

Veerbhadra Temple is the must-visit place while you are in the city. A large Nandi, which is supposed to be the largest in the world takes care of the city.

Rameshwaram

Rameshwaram, which is currently one of the char-dhams is the place, from, where Ram and his vanar sena actually started their journey to Srilanka. The place is famous for the beautiful Vivekananda temple and Shiv Temple. The story says, Sita also established a shivlinga on her way back from Srilanka.

Dhanuskodi

Dhanuskodi is now an abandoned coastal village. It is at the tip of Pamban Island. The interesting part of Dhanuskodi is the existence of Palk Strait (Rama Setu). It is believed that Rama with the help of apes built this bridge to go to Lanka. However, there are many mysterious things about Rama Setu which will surprise you!

Ashok Vatika

Modern-day Hakgala Botanical Garden in Srilanka is the Ashok Vatika where Sita was where Sita, was held captive after her abduction. The legend goes like, Sita denied stay with Ravana and chose to stay under the Ashok tree, waiting for Ram throughout her abduction.

Talaimannar

This was Lord Rama’s first stop in Sri Lanka from where the conflict with Ravana’s mighty army began. After a lengthy battle, Lord Rama killed Ravana and then made Vibhishana as the king.

Currently, this place is located on the northwestern coast of Mannar Island. You can reach here by road from Mannar which links the island to the rest of the country through a causeway.

Most of the above places hold prime importance and are on the pilgrims’ bucket list. Needless to say, Ram literally traveled to the whole India, parts of Srilanka and Nepal too. This travel itinerary is indeed an interesting one especially for those who want to relive mythology.

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Festival South India Travel Trends

Human By Nature making Kerala truly God’s Country

Kerala has always been fascinating for us as ghoomophirosisters. The first time we went to meet a friend in Kochi, we extended our vacation to explore the humans of Kerala. We are penning down this article to support and spread the word of the latest campaign of Kerala Tourism Board “Human by Nature”, which truly resonates with our experience too. 

Keralites are diverse and colorful

Kerala boasts of having some of the most diverse folks. During your stroll in the morning, you can find fishermen’s getting ready for their day working out with their nets, while some of the women would be busy drawing creative Rangolis, where-as there are homestays, where you would be surprised to see kids learning local martial art Kalaripayattu. For us, it was about imbibing their day journey within us. 

Not only this, like any other Indian state, Keralites are firm believers of “athithi devo bhav”, meaning “guests are god”. You can truly live this experience while you are staying with locals in homestays like we did or in the house-boats of Alleppey. They are too eager to share their culture, their lifestyle with us, which makes us feel very overwhelming. During our visit to Munnar, few ladies who were busy plucking tea-leaves even agree to share how their day look like and much more. The broad smile on their faces and the kids with them was heartening and radiating positivity about the place. We were completely submerged in their non-fussy, simplistic, uncomplicated culture which was evident in everything they were pursuing.

An open-minded approach and a multicultural attitude have, undoubtedly, allowed Kerala to become one of the most progressive states in India.

We were lucky to visit the place during Onam and the residents of the homestay, where we chose to stay, made sure we both participate with our full enthusiasm. Their hospitality was unmatchable.

Sharing this video from Kerala Tourism Board, which will make you believe what exactly we just said. This 3-minute clip encapsulates the power of humans, the inclusivity and magnificence that Keralites behold to make the state furthermore beautiful.

“The Food”, to satiate your coconut craving

Well, being a vegetarian, we were delighted to have such a wide variety of cuisines, though coconut and rice were the key ingredients. Thoroughly enjoyed the permutations and combinations that we ate.

Nature at its best 

Nothing could be more romantic than viewing the green Munnar tea-plantation to cruising in the backwaters of Alleppey to lazing in the white beaches of Kovalam with your special someone. The beauty of Kerala is the result of its landscape diversity which includes almost 600km of gorgeous beaches; a slow-paced network of jungle backwaters, the tea-covered hills. We still recall our key itinerary spots. Adding them here, so that you add them in your itinerary too.

  • Kochi, famous for its amazing Chinese fishing nets and the sunsets.
  • Thekkady, where you will rejoice yourself with elephants.
  • Munnar, a hill station that will make you fall in love with its green tree-plantation
  • Alleppey, Cruise in its backwaters and stay in the houseboat
  • Kovalam, beachside scenic place
  • Wayanad, part of Kerala which is an adventure-lovers paradise.

And last but not least, there is a reason why Kerala boasts of being amongst top travel destinations and that reason is wonderful people of  Kerala apart from its quintessential beauty. Summing up the post with the sunset at Cherai Beach!!

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Kerala Tourism 

Categories
Adventure Relax Solo Women Travel South India Travel Trends

Karanataka’s Hidden Wonders: A menu of Unexplored Karanataka

Karnataka continues to gain popularity among tourists on the back of its biggest attraction – the Nightlife of Bangalore, the markets of Mysore, etc. However, there are some hidden gems that remain unknown. Today we bring you a list of Bangalore’s hidden wonders

1. Bidar

Bidar’s wealth of monuments is simply inconceivable – with 61 monuments of which at least 30 are tombs. It has been associated with the Mauryan empire and finds a mention in Mahabharata, Harivamsa, Bhagavata, Purana, Malavikagnimitra, etc. The monuments here though were mostly built by Muslim rulers.

2. Anegundi

A 20 km ride on State Highway 49 from Hampi will take you to the next item in our list of Karnataka’s Hidden Wonders – Anegundi. It is claimed this almost forgotten town served as the Kishkindha, the kingdom of monkey kings Bali and Sugriva mentioned Hindu epic Ramayana and which was also the abode of the monkey god Hanuman. Anjanadri Parvatha is believed to Lord Hanuman’s birthplace and has a temple dedicated to him right at the top. Apart from that, there is not much to see here apart from the lush greenery. That said, Anegundi has a history far older than Ramayana – and is said to have been settled in for four billion years based on researches carried out by geologists who have found stone age traces here.

3. Badami

The first in our list of Karnataka’s Hidden Wonders is Badami. In its most glorious days, Badami was the capital of Badami Chalukyas but now it is a relatively forgotten town though it still stands in all its splendor. Among the sites to see is Agastya Lake next to which are cave temples design in Dravidian architecture, made of two giant sandstone hills.

4. Arbi Falls, Dashrathnagar, Manipal

Arbi falls are located at a distance of 5 kilometers from Manipal which, in turn, is located at a distance of mere 64 kilometers, the nearest major tourist destination of Karnataka via  NH 66 and SH 67.  From the base of the hill, the falls is just a small hike away. This hidden wonder of Bangalore is relatively unknown to the mainstream tourists and thus a nice peaceful place – far more peaceful than more popular waterfalls and thus making it second in our list of Karnataka’s Hidden Wonders.

5. Shivagange

Third, in our list of Bangalore’s Hidden Wonders Despite being located so close to Bangalore, Shivagange peak continues to get ignored by the tourists. For locals, though it is an important Hindu pilgrimage site. The site of the worship comprises of Shivalinga-shaped mountain and a spring that comes out of it locally known as Ganga. The site is also home to sculptures of Nandi or Basavanna that are brilliantly carved on the top of a steep rock. You can reach the site after an easy hike too.

There are some other temples nearby – and you must also see the cave temple of Sri Gangadhareshwara that, if mythical legends can be believed, is connected by a secret tunnel to the garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum) of another temple to the Gavi Gangadhareshwara temple in Bengaluru.

6. Augumbe

Now something that fiction lovers can’t ignore, this relatively unknown town has been labeled as Cherrapunjee of South. However, the reason why it makes to our list of Karnataka’s Hidden Wonders is it’s having served as the basis of Sahitya Academy Award-winning author RK Narayan’s magnum opus Malgudi Days.

If you have a nostalgia for the imagined town of Malgudi immortalized by Narayan’s works, you must visit the Malgudi Mane here. We also recommend watching the sunrise on Kundadri Hills.

7. Bijapur

Established around a thousand years ago, by the Chalukyas of Kalyani, Bijapur was initially christened as Vijayapura or the City of victory. If you are a history freak, the lack of Bijapur’s popularity might bewilder you. The city has several historical monuments like Ibrahim Rauza, Gol Gumbaz,  Anand Mahal, umma Masjid, Jod Gumbaz, J Saat Manzil, Jal Manzil, etc – mostly built during the rule of Adil Shah dynasty, still waiting to be recognized by the tourism industry. It is this very lack of popularity though which has earned it a place in our list of Karnataka’s Hidden Wonders.

8. Mullayanagiri

Mullayanagiri is named after the great sage Mullapa Swamy, a temple to whom is dedicated to the peak of the mountain. Despite its location near Bangalore and it’s being one of the best if not the best trek in the state, Mullayanagiri fails to attract tourists.

8. Shivanasamudra

Shivasamandua is a small island town where Kavei drops down to form to incredibly beautiful waterfalls -Gaganachukki and Bharachukki which are together called the Shivanasamudra falls and earn it a place in the list of our list of Karnataka’s Hidden Wonders.

The town also has ancient temples such as those dedicated to Sri Ranganathaswamy, Sri Someshwara, etc that constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture.

9. Shettihalli

The Church here, Shetttihali Church is also known as the Submerged Church and the Floating Church and is the next item in the list of our list of Karnataka’s Hidden Wonders. It was built by French missionaries in the late 1800s and later become an abandoned sight with the construction of the Hemavati which leaves it partially submerged during monsoons.

10. Chitradurga

Next in our list of Karnataka’s Hidden Wonders is Chitradurga, claimed by many to be the birthplace of Hidimba and Hidimbi, the demon brother-sister duo from the Mahabharata. The place is home to rocky hills and beautiful valleys a fort known as Kallina Kote or a stone fortress that has 18 temples.

According to a legend, Obavva, the wife of a guard, once single-handedly managed to kill several soldiers of Hyder Ali’s (Tipu Sultan’s father) army who were trying to infiltrate into the fort with an Onake (which is a long wooden club meant used by women pounding paddy grains), before giving in to her injuries.

11. Marvanthe

Next in our our list of Karnataka’s Hidden Wonders is Marvanthe. Marvanthe is home to Karnataka’s most amazing sea beaches. A drive on National Highway is another valuable experience worth having as you drive between the Souparnika river which flows right next to the Arabian Sea.

12. St. Mary’s Island

Last in our list of Karnataka’s Hidden Wonders is St. Mary’s Island. Named as one of the 26 Geological Monuments of India in 2001, by the Geological Survey of India, the island is supposed to the place where Vasco De Gama first landed before he ‘discovered’ India. According to the legend, it was he who named the island upon landing here.

Conclusion

Even with this additional list of attractions, we can’t fully enumerate all the wonderful places there are in Karanata. There are, for example, Talakadu, the temple town of Banavasi, Karkala, Gadag, Bylakuppe, etc – not to mention Hampi which we believe has made it to the list of prominent attractions ever since the publication of V. S. Naipaul’s infamous book ‘India: A Wounded Civilisation’. But we do hope this gives you some ideas. Tell us what other places should have made it to this list in your opinion. Do tell us in the comments below. J

Categories
South India Treks

Chikmagalur: Karanataka’s Beauty Spot

During our travels in Karnataka, the hill station of Chikmagalur was one of the topmost of the cities we intended to visit because of its countless attractions.

How to reach Chikmagalur?

By Air

The town does not have an airport of its own and the nearest airport is Mangalore airport which is 113 kilometers away which is well connected to major cities of the country. You can hire a prepaid taxi from there.

by Road

Chikmagalur enjoys good road connectivity to cities like Bangalore, Mangalore, Hubli, and Hassan via state-run and private buses.

By Rail

Chikmagalur does not have a railway station and the nearest station is 40 kilometers away in Kadur but you can hire a taxi from there. This is the option we took.

Places to visit in Chikmagalur

1.    Kudremukh National Park

Located at a distance of about 96 km from Chikmagalur city, this National Park is at a high latitude which ensures a cool temperature even in the worst of the summers. We loved this National Park for giving us a break from the heat of summers but far more for the tremendous diversity of its flora and fauna. The national park gets its name from the ‘Kundre’, the Kannad word for a horse and ‘mukh’ which is Kannad word for face. The name is inspired from a hill here which is shaped like the head of a horse. Three rivers  – Tunga, Bhadra, and Nethravati originate from within this national park. We also visited a cave that serves as a temple here devoted to goddess Bhagavati – a statute of which is kept inside the temple. This cave is of great spiritual importance among the local Hindus.

We didn’t spot a tiger here because of a rare case of bad luck but we spotted a barking deer and a couple of leopards and a bear and, overall, it was an amazing experience.

Another amazing sight was Kandambe falls which held us captive with its first sight for several minutes with its stunning beauty. We reached the falls in the afternoon and spent some time nearby orchids (with permission of their owners of course) and when we came back for a last look at falls, we saw Jackal visiting the falls.

2.    Mullayanagiri

Chikmagalur holds the highest mountain peak of Karnataka – Mulllayanagiri which rises as high as 2000 meters and offers several incredible trekking trails. We spent a whole evening trekking amidst stunning scenery created by the flora here to reach a temple right at the very top which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and attracts hundreds of devotees.

3.    Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary

Another wildlife protected area, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as the Muthodi Wildlife Sanctuary, is about 35 km from Chikmagalur town. This wildlife sanctuary is home to a number of exotic wild animals and birds. This time we got a chance to spot a tiger during our Jeep Safari but the tiger was only one of sights we were offered by this sanctuary filled with a tremendous abundance of flora and fauna. is about 35 km from Chikmagalur town.

The Sanctuary gets its name from Bhadra region from which it gets its name. The river is surrounded by deciduous forests which have over a hundred species of trees – of which we recognized rosewood, teak, mathi, Kindal, etc. Among fauna, an expert will be able to spot about 250 species of birds but since we were no experts, the Ornithologists that accompanies acted as our encyclopedia. The sanctuary is also claimed to have king cobra and pit viper among other reptiles as well as marsh crocodiles that roam in the banks of small water bodies of the region.

4.    Sharadamba Temple

Located in Shringeri, a town in Chikmagalur district, Sharadamba Temple, Shardamba Temple Is the place where great Hindu sage Adi Shankaracharya set up his practice. Once he was walking by the Tunga River when he saw a cobra with its head raised high. Upon a little closer observation, he realized that the serpent was providing shelter to a spawning frog from the heat of the sun. Seeing this, he decided to set his abode here. He stayed for twelve long years teaching tenets of Hinduism to his disciples in the gurukul that he established here.

The temple stands at the banks of the Tungabhadra River and dates back to the 8th century and is dedicated to the goddess of wisdom. Praying to this goddess can, so the myth goes. improve your learning capacity. This reputation attraction a number of students as well as other people in pursuit of wisdom here. We paid our respects but since we had long ceased to take any maths tests, we didn’t feel compelled to pray for wisdom.

At the beginning of the 20th century the temple was entirely built out of wood, the statue of the goddess too was made of Sandalwood but then fire less destroyed the entire thing and thus the temple was entirely rebuilt and a statue made of gold was placed inside it. It now attracts thousands of pilgrims.

5.    Hebbe Falls

Next in our list of sights to see in Chikmagalur is Hebbe Falls. These enchanting falls are accessed from Kemmangundi hill station, located at a distance of 8 km from Chikmagalur. We reached them after walking the 8 km trek from Kemmangundi. The falls create a stunning sight surrounded as it is by astonishing greenery of dense forests, coffee plantations, and hilly background. The stunning effect was heightened for us by the music of splashing water that greeted our ears even before we had seen the falls; the serene weather and a chance to take a dip in the waters together making it a perfect picnic spot. The 168 meters fall is divided into two stages – the Big Falls called Dodda Hebbe and the Small Falls called Chikka Hebbe. The falls are also surrounded by some of the best homestays of the region one of which we chose as our accommodation after we had our fill of photography the immense beauty of the falls.

 

6.    Baba Budangiri (Datta Peeta)

Baba Budangiri also is known as Datta Peeta and the Chandra Drona Parvatha is located in the Baba Budan Giri range and named after the Muslim saint Baba Budan. Located at a height of 1900 meters, the sight has three caves. Three Siddhas, the religious oracles, are buried here. An annual ceremony is held in these caves. The places also have a popular Diwali celebration.

Sri Guru Dattatreya Bababudanswamy’s Darga, an ancient institution is located nearby and is respected both among Hindus and Muslims.

Another holy site nearby is a cave built by Dattatreyaswamy which is claimed to be the residence of Hazrat Dada Hayath Mir Khalandar.

Conclusion

Chikmagalur is one of the most important tourist attractions of Karnataka despite lacking direct connectivity. Here we have presented only a small list of its numerous attractions that also include nearby hill station Kenmmangundi, Kallathigiri Falls, Coffee Museum (yes you heard it), Bhadra Dam, Kadambi Falls, Manikyadhara Falls, etc. A hill station that you just can’t have enough of. J

Categories
Adventure Itinerary Solo Women Travel South India

The best of Karnataka: A 7-day itinerary

Karnataka is increasingly growing popular venue among tourists because of the diversity of geography, wildlife, natural vegetation, food, art and culture, mountains, valleys, rivers, sea beaches,  historical sights, temples, shrines, adventures ….. and well everything that the state offers. Today Ghoomophiro brings you a 7-day itinerary that will with least of effort from you will try to ensure you get a bit of, preferably the best of all the pleasures this state has to offer.

How to reach Karnataka?

We recommend setting your first camp in Bangalore, the silicon valley of India. It has its own international airport 40 kilometers away from the city and a railway station right at the heart of the city. Air, rail or road – the city is well connected by all those ways to the rest of the world.

Day 1

Brunch at MTR

Okay before you head to the most iconic place of the city, you might be hungry in that case we recommend to let your first meal in the state be Mavalli Tiffin Rooms (MTR) – a south Indian legend and the best place to enjoy authentic Udupi food.

Afternoon- Bangalore Palace

Okay now your bellies full, you can easily spend your afternoons in Bangalore Palace. An amazing palace that needed 80 years to be completed and has courtyards that are reminiscent of the Victorian era. We won’t go into details and let the beauty of the palace speak for itself.

A late lunch – Street Food

Before moving to the next destination, we recommend trying some street. Otherwise, if you are more into luxuries the ITC Pavillian about 20 minutes from the palace is a good alternative.

Evening – ISKCON Temple

The ISKCON temple at Yeshwanthpur Industrial Suburb has a building which shows architectural genius and is the perfect place to spend your first evening in Karnataka. The temple opens at 4:15 p.m. and is bound to impress you especially if you have a religious bent of mind.

Nightlife

From temples to night clubs, may gods forgive us but then Bangalore is not seen if you have not seen its nightlife and for this you must head to MG road where you can visit a number  of clubs (Arbor, Hoppipola, Indian Brewing Company to name a few) – we suggest trying more than one of them

Day 2

Breakfast and Head to  Mysuru

Since you must be tired or having a bit of hangover from last night, we shall start the second day a bit late but not too late for you can rest a little in your three hours long ride to Mysore after having breakfast in hotel itself. We recommend hiring a personal ride especially if you are traveling in groups.

Early Lunch

Take lunch in one of the local food points, preferably Vinayaka Mylari. For the sweet dish, try Mysore’s own invention – Mysore Pak.

Afternoon attractions – Mysore Palace

Mysore Palace will make you forget the Bangalore Palace a little. It attracts the second largest number of tourists in India, second only to Taj Mahal among monuments.

Mysore Palace. Those facts should be enough for you to imagine the aesthetic pleasure the palace has to offer to its visitors.

Afternoon attractions  – Saint Philomena Church

Also known as St. Joseph’s Cathedral is one of the tallest in Asia. This church is designed with Neo-Gothic architecture that takes its inspiration from the Cologne Cathedral in Germany.

Evening Attractions

And now is the time you get yourself shopping – maybe buy a few souvenirs too. We recommend rosewood artifacts, Mysore paintings, small stone sculptures, etc for souvenirs. Shoppers might want to buy sandalwood products (you can buy the government factory and see them manufactured), coffee powder (brought here from Croog, famous for its coffee plantations), and Mysore sarees.

Dinner – Tiger Trail

What makes Tiger Trail amazing is the sights you will be feeding your sights on as you eat your food. We highly recommend getting your hands on famous Mysore Paan as a sweet dish.

Night attractions – Karanji Lake

The beautiful Karanji lake is surrounded by a butterfly park, India’s biggest walk-through aviary and a little further is located a natural museum of History. Take your time and enjoy all these as much as you can before setting to rest for the night.

Day 3

Breakfast – The Old House

The old house is exactly what the name suggests – an old house only also an amazing food point to enjoy breakfast.  The trouble is you will have to be here early to find a seat or you will just have to settle for some other food point.

Morning  – Chamundeshwari Temple

Breakfast is done. Drive the 13km to the Chamunda Hill and keeps your eyes open to enjoy the enchanting views that will greet you in the one-hour journey. Chamundeshwari temple is one of the 18 Shakti peeths of the country and is one of the important places of pilgrimage for Hindus.

Lunch – Foodie Restaurant

This semi-popular food restaurant falls on your way back to Mysore and is a great place to have your lunch.

Afternoon – Jaganmohan Palace and Art Gallery

The Jaganmohan Palace used to be the home to the famous Mysore royal family (of which Tipu Sultan was the most famous ruler) before the construction of the Mysore Palace. The palace has now been turned into an art gallery. This is just the place for the art lovers to lose themselves in.

Evening – Drive to Hasan and see Bhagawan Bahubali temple en route

Once you have been able to break away from the art gallery. Drive for 3 hours to reach Hassan. The Jain temple Bhagawan Bahubalit temple falls in the way and it has a gigantic Gomateshwara statue that was carved out of a single stone as far back as in 981 A.D.

Dinner at a local’s house

There are not a lot of commercial entities, thus we recommend having some packed food with you or eating at a local’s house. You can go to bed early tonight.

Day 4

Early Morning – Vasantha Mantapa and Chennakeshava Temple

Hoysala is famous for its ancient temple Vasantha Mantapa. Visit the temple after having some local breakfast or snacks. Then head to Belur and see Chennakesava Temple there which has been recommended as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Then head to Chikamagalur – a one and a half hour drive away.

Lunch and afternoon attractions – Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary

We know you must be tremendously hungry by this time. First, have your early lunch at Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary.

And once you are full, spend the afternoon exploring this amazing sanctuary full of exotic flora and fauna after wishing for yourself luck good enough to see a tiger.

Trek to Kudremukh

Spend the evening hiking on the trek to Kudremukh. The trek is surrounded by brilliant vegetation and is quite easy.

Dinner and Nightime

Take a guest house here and after dinner, request your guesthouse to set a campfire out in open. While your night away doing lazing bonfire things, playing antakshari, telling stories, etc.

It’s time for some backpacking, to experience nature up close and personal. A visit to Kudremukh can only be possible via an easy trek. Once up there, you’ll thank yourself for going ahead with it.

Day 5

Morning – Kudremukh National Park

After having an early breakfast, you can try your luck once again at spotting a tiger in Kudremukh National which has countless other gifts endowed to it by nature for every visitor here to enjoy.

Lunch

Mangalore is a coastal town and thus it has delicious seafood to offer. Thus unless you are a vegetarian, we recommend some local seafood, fishes in particular specifically at Machali, a famous local restaurant.

Afternoon – St. Aloysius Chapel

Constructed by Italian Jesuits who have played a tremendous role in education and general social upliftment of Mangalore’s Catholic community, the church is an architectural marvel with beautiful paintings done all over the walls that are

Evening  – Sultan Battery and Tannirbhavi Beach

As evening arrives, head straight to Sultan Battery to enjoy the tremendous sight of sunset from the Batterywatchtower. Once done with that, go to Tannirbhavi Beach and while away your time lazying around the beach.

 

Dinner

Have your dinner by poolside in the Cardamom Restaurant and make sure to follow it up by Pabbas Ice Creams

Day 6

Morning  – Mangala Devi Temple

The temple is dedicated to Mangaladevi. after whom the city is named. It was built by great Hindu saint Lord Parashurama. This brilliant piece of architecture is mostly made of wood staying true to the region’s ancient traditions.

Once you have your fill with the temple, head straight to Coorg.

Lunch

Eat at some local food joint of your preference.

Afternoon – Madikeri Fort

Madikeri is a hill in Coorg and its top has the fort that has in it artifacts that once belonged to the legendary local ruler Tipu Sultan.

Evening – Go microlight Flying

Microlight Flying is one of the rarest experiences to be had in India but Coorg, the adventure capital of the country, offers it for you. The microlight gliders can hold up to two people and have the ability to rise up to 5000 meters and fly at an impressive speed of a hundred kilometers per hour. Please note that there are a number of other adventures you can have instead – rock climbing, river rafting, kayaking, Quad Biking, etc. The choice of adventure is up to you.

Dinner

Have dinner at a food joint nearby and go to bed early in order to be freshened up for the last adventure of the trip and journey back to home.

Day 7

Morning – Dubare Elephant Park

This elephant Park is one of its kind in India – and a must-visit place for the elephant lovers of the country. The elephants are groomed, trained, fed by naturalists in a natural environment and you can participate in these activities under their guidance.

Once you are done here, if you still have time before your flight back home, you can head to a coffee plantation and experience walking amidst them.

Conclusion

We have tried to bring as much of best of Karnataka as possible to you in these 7 days. You can change this itinerary according to your wishes. Nature lovers may want to spend more time in Mangalore or Coorg; while adventure lovers will definitely wish to spend more time trying their hands at adventures Coorg has to offer and a lover of urban nightlife won’t find just one night at Bangalore sufficient. If, on the other hand, you are greedy for all those things like us, you may want to elongate your trip or visit it again. After all, you can never have enough of Karanatka. J

 

Categories
South India Travel Tips

5 things you should shop in Mysore

“Shopoalcohalism is not dangerous to your health. It won’t kill you. Your bank balances may not like it but that is totally a different thing.” That should be humanity’s motto of life – well, it is our motto of living at least and, for shopaholics like us weekend markets of Mysore are little paradises.

The reputation of Mysore‘s markets for its famous silk sarees, rosewood and sandalwood products, rock sculpture souvenirs, coffee powder, etc – not to mentions its delicious cuisine which has got centuries of refinement had reached us long before we had set foot in them.

And there are really several special products that you can buy in this city that once formed the empire of the great ruler Tipu Sultan but today we limit ourselves to 5 things you should shop in Mysore.

1. Mysore Pak

over 70 years ago, the king of Mysore called for a cook reputed locally for his skills during the time to create a new, original sweet that would bear the name of the city (an idea that can only occur to a ruler of the sweet loving country like India).

The cook prepared a special sugar syrup called ‘paka’ and its cooks were referred to as ‘Nalapaka’. Mysore Pak is a living example to what a bit of imagination and creativity can do for the gratification of our taste buds and thus a natural favorite to be first in our list of 5 things you should shop in Mysore.

This special delicacy has as its main ingredients flour, sugar, and butter and is easily available in a number of places – Sayyaji Rao Road and Guru Sweet Mart. There are a number of variants among which we especially loved and thus lovingly recommend variations offered by  Annex Bombay Tiffanys, Indra Sweets, and Mahalaxmi.

 

2. Mysore Silk Sarees

Next in our list of 5 things you should shop in Mysore is something that is fast catching eye of fashion industry experts and middle-class women alike – Mysore Silk Sarees.

While some claim Mysore’s connection to silk goes as far as its most legendary ruler Tipu Sultan, there is no clear evidence produce to fortify such claims. What one does know is that the Mysore royalty has acted very consciously to encourage the silk industry in the twentieth century in Mysore and its surrounding areas. The industry had a great advantage in that the region is ideal for the growth of mulberry, the main feeding ingredient used by silkworms. The industry thus shows the city’s genius not in the textile industry but also in the incredible art of rearing silkworms.

No city in India seems capable of making its reputation on the back of its garment industry unless it also produces iconic sarees too. And Mysore is no exception. Its Silk sarees are tremendously popular both in surrounding areas and in the whole of the country because of their use of a rather light and smooth variety of silk which retains a very distinctive sheen even after multiple washes. A golden Zari border beautifies these gracefully beautiful silk sarees. To make sure they are original, you must keep in mind to check for an embroidered number on one edge.

We brought our own Mysore Silk Sarees in the KSIC Mysore Silk showroom which stood up to its reputation for being the best place to buy them and thus we highly recommend it though there are several other showrooms in the center of town.

3. Sandalwood Products

We leave you to choose your favorite option from among a number of Sandalwood products as the third in the list of 5 things you should shop in Mysore. A sandalwood oil factory was established here as far back as in 1917 by King of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wodeyar and Diwan Sir M. Visvesvaraya just two kilometers from the royal palace. to benefit from the rich sandalwood forests of the region and ever since it has grown to be an important hotspot for products using sandalwood.

Pure sandalwood oil is a rare thing even here since the forest department very aptly regulates cutting of trees in order to preserve forests from complete destruction. Still, you can but a number of oils, soaps, perfumes, etc infused with beautiful sandalwood fragrance.

The factory itself is the best place to buy these products. We also used the opportunity to see the sandalwood harvested first hand and the extraction of tremendously useful sandalwood oil from it in the factory. You can also buy the products from shops in Gandhi square and Devaraja Market.

Timings: The factory can be visited from 9:30 AM t0 11:00 AM and 14:00 PM to 16:00 PM on all days except Sundays.

4. Mysore painting

There are a number of artifacts to be found in Mysore – wooden and stone sculptures the size of toys that can be bought as souvenirs, rosewood, etc, there are only two slots we can avail them. The paintings come from a very ancient form and might trace its origin to the famous carvings of Ajanta and Ellora. The paintings got a royal boost during the royal patronage it enjoyed in times of Vijayanagara empire. During 15th and 16th century. They mostly depict gods, goddesses, and scenes from the famous mythological tales of Hinduism. They use delicate drawing and pleasant colors and their overall effect is that of simplicity because of a lack of too fine details. Their distinction lies in their use is the gesso work, which is a kind of embossing done by using white lead and glue overlaid with gold foil. Its delicate and low-relief form sets it apart from Tanjore style which used bold embossing as well as the use of glitzy precious stones absent in Mysore painting. Ganjifa cards are also available with these patterns. We brought Mysore paintings from the Mysore Palace.

5. Mysore betel leaves

Mysore’s paan – a preparation that is packed its famous betel leaves folded in spirals, have a proverbial reputation and are thus a natural favorite to make it to our list of 5 things you should shop in Mysore. In the simplest variety, the leaves are smeared with some slaked lime (Sunna or chunnam) and then rolled with a filling of chopped betel nuts. Devaraja Market, in particular, is frequented by Paan lovers lusting after its famous for its unique color and incredible taste. The paan is often eaten after meals as sweet dishes but like sweet dishes need not be kept limited to that.

The betel leaves have other traditional uses too among locals. They are often used as an offering to guests and can be offered as gifts to guests at home as well as wedding as parting gifts when they are leaving.

Conclusion

This list of things to buy in Mysore is by no means an exclusive list. A number of items are skipped over here – wooden and stone sculptures the size of toys that can bought as souvenirs, rosewood artifacts, Coffee powder from nearby Coorg district famous for its coffee plantations, agarbatti (Mysore is one of the main causes behind Karnataka being dubbed as ‘agarbatti capital of India’), Mysore Jasmine, Channapatna toys etc to name a few.

Categories
South India Travel Trends

5 must-see places in South India during Monsoons

South India is one of the most gifted lands when it comes to natural beauty – whether it be in its beautiful Ghats offering Panoramic views or places of spiritual importance like Rameswaram, Puri or Omkareshwar. Mumbai, Goa, State of Kerala, Bangalore, Pondicherry, Omkareshwar, Puri, Konark, Coorg, Hyderabad, Kanyakumari, Hampi, Andaman, and Nicobar islands, Rameswaram, Kochi, etc the list goes on and on. Today, we will bring you a list of 5 must-see destinations in South India.:

1.    Goa

Goa has been rightly dubbed as the tourism capital of India and thus another item that we can not ignore while compiling our list of 5 must-see Places in South India. And its popularity is owed to.it laid back lifestyle,  its sea beaches that offer pristine natural beauty and its cuisine. All the seaside adventures and sports like boat riding, sailing, scuba diving, etc are easily available. And it has the most nightlife you will find in the country. It is also the favorite destination among international tourists who find the laidback lifestyle very much like the one they have back home.

How to reach Goa?

Goa is well connected by rail, road, and airways to major cities of the region especially to Mumbai that sits in its neighbor

2.     Mumbai

You just don’t compile a list of 5 must-see Places in South India without including Mumbai, the financial capital of the country. Besides the unique chance to meet Bollywood stars and other celebrities, Mumbai offers you one of the most diverse cuisine available in India, some of the most awesome sea beaches, a nightlife paralleled by only a few in India and a bunch of historical spots like the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Elephanta caves etc to name a few.

How to reach Mumbai?

Mumbai’s international airport connects it to the rest of the world. The city also enjoys roadway and railway connectivity to all the major cities of the country.

3.    Pondicherry

Rightly dubbed as French city of India, Pondicherry is full of fun adventures for travelers whether it be the water sports like yachting, boating, scuba diving, sailing canoeing or just the plain old school evening spent at sea beach or city’s nightlife of clubs and bars or if you have a spiritual bent, yoga classes in Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Thus Pondicherry is a natural choice to make it to our list of 5 must-see places in South India.

How to reach Pondicherry?

City’s airport received flights only from Bangalore and Hyderabad both of which are well connected. The nearest railway station is at Villupuram is 35 kilometers away and you must hire a taxi from there to the city. The best way to reach Pondicherry is by roadways as the city received regular buses from all the major cities surrounding it.

4.    Kerala

We intend to end this list of 10 Best Places for Group and Family Travel in India on a high with Kerala. We know that Kerala is a state whereas the others in our list are all cities but we just can’t help but give in to the pristine natural beauty of Kerala. Considered one of ten paradises on Earth, Kerala’s natural beauty is so awesome that you won’t believe it is real if you weren’t seeing with your own eyes. Riding houseboats is fun. Though you can find houseboats in Kashmir too, first they are stationary and, second, the tourism experience to Kashmir is heavily damaged by threats of terrorism and curfews. Thus it is Kerala instead of Kashmir making it to our list.

How to reach Kerala?

Kerala is well connected to the rest of the country by rail, road, and air.

5. Coorg

Coorg has become the adventure capital of India for a wide range of adventures it offers including many which are unique including microlight flying, Barapole river rafting, rock climbing, kayaking, quad biking, trekking, hiking, etc to name a few. It also has lots to offer for nature lovers, wildlife lovers, and history freaks. It is thus a natural favorite to be included in 5 must-see places in South India.

How to reach Coorg?

The best way to enjoy Coorg is roadways as it is well connected by public roadways to the surrounding cities like Bangalore, Mangalore, Chennai, etc. The nearest airport is Mangalore at a distance of 135 kilometers while that at Bangalore is 250 kilometers away. The nearest railway station (the one at Mysore) is 120 kilometers away. The best way to take a bus from Bangalore which in turn is well connected with the rest of the world.

Conclusion

How did you like this list? What places will make it to your list of 5 must-see places in South India? Do write to us in comments below. 🙂

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