Category: Spiritual Hubs

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Culture North India Spiritual Hubs Travel Trends

Places for Ganga Aarti in India

As the dusk descends upon the earth, a few holy cities in India get illuminated with the offerings made to the Holy River Ganges in form of a ritual known as Ganga Aarti. As pleasing as it to the senses, the ritual is highly spiritual and religiously significant to the Hindus. The fire is used as an offering to the Ganges and a small ‘diya’ gets floated in the river as the loud sound of traditional instruments makes the environment psychedelic. The timing for Ganga aartis varies upon the months. There are no fixed timings, but people usually start to gather at the spots as the sun goes down, so you better hurry before the sun goes down if you want to witness a great event.

Here are a few places where you must visit in order to experience the magnificence of the ritual.

Shri Ram Ghat, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh- Located right at the bank of river Kshipra, Shri Ram Ghat happens to be one of the oldest bathing places for spiritual enlightenment in the state. People can be seen taking dips in the river in broad daylight, but once the sun starts going down on the horizon, the preparations for the aarti starts taking place. The priests in long robes and having bright lamps in their hands perform the exquisite Aarti as the time approaches.

Gandhi Ghat, Patna, Bihar- The aarti here takes place mostly over the weekends. The place is known for its golden sunrise, but as the sun starts going down deep in the west, the ghat becomes brimmed with the priests in saffron robes preparing for aarti. BTSC boats are made available for the tourists as they give great view of the ritual. The climate gets filled with the sweet smell of the incense sticks as the aarti commences and everyone watches it with their breaths held in.

Hari ki Pauri, Haridwar- Haridwar happens to be the ultimate pilgrim site for the Hindus, and among other things, the Ganga aarti performed here is the most sought after and grandest thing about the place. The extravagant event involves a lot of priests, tourists, babas, idols of many different gods, incense sticks, loud speakers, and flowers. Some may complain about it being way too noisy, but that’s where the charm lies.

Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh- The aarti that takes place here in Rishikesh is one of the calmest and relaxing Ganga aarti, devoid of all the extravagance. The more spiritual tourists prefer this one among the rest of the country and for all the right reasons whatsoever. The ceremony begins with bhajans, religious songs, and a hawan before the offering is made to the Holy River silently.

Dasaswamedh Ghat, Varanasi- Near the Kashi Vishwanath temple, every evening, once the sun descents on the horizon, a highly choreographed aarti takes place. However, people usually complain that the high magnificence and extravagance takes away most of the spiritual meaning of the event but still, it remains one of the most crowd pleasing aarti in the country. The aarti is performed by a group of young priests, all saffron clad, singing loud hymns and bhajans while making the offering to the Holy River.

Sangam Aarti, Allahabad – Hindu devotees visiting from far and wide take a dip in the Ganges from this ghat and then starts the highly enthralling evening Ganga Arti. One can witness sighting of priests wearing colorful robes burning incense sticks and lighting bright lamps to worship the Ganga Mata. Hymns sung in the background settings create the ideal ambiance to captivate thousands of pilgrims all over the world.

The Hindu worship ritual, Ganga aarti holds all the charm to captivate visitors and nowadays has found its way into the travel itineraries of many. A tryst with the evening Ganga Aarti at these destinations can be defined as spirituality is at its spectacular best.

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South India Spiritual Hubs

The Glittering Royal Heritage  of South India “Mysore”

One of the South India’s most admired tourist destinations, Mysore is a city of grandeur and is known for its truly impressive royal heritage and some amazing monuments and buildings. It’s World Heritage listed palace may be the reason for most travelers flocking here and the other thing what makes this place significant to the travelers is the production of premium silk, sandalwood, and incense. Mysore also has the reputation as one of India’s best places to practice yoga and nowadays ashtanga yoga is another big attraction to the visitors worldwide. It also hosts the nada habba – the Mysore Dasara – which attracts millions of tourists every year to the state.

Mysore Climate

Mysore has a semi-arid climate the main seasons being summer, from March to June, the monsoon season, from July to November, and winter, from December to February. The average annual rainfall is 804.2 mm (31.7 in).

Lakes and rivers of Mysore

Talking about the lakes, Mysore has several lakes such as Kukkarahalli, the Karanji, and the Lingambudhi lakes. The water bodies such as lakes and rivers are one of the favorite relaxing spots for nature lovers to spend some quiet moments and to feel a sense of serenity. The city is situated between two rivers: the Kaveri River flows through the north of the city and the Kabini river, a tributary of the Kaveri, lies to the south. So whenever you visit Mysore, don’t forget to spend to visit the lake spots and spend some quiet moments away from the buzz and the hustles and bustles of the city life. Mysore lake is an ideal place to sit and allow the mind to unwind completely.

Art and Culture In Mysuru

Mysuru is known as the cultural capital of Karnataka. The Mysore painting style is an offshoot of the Vijayanagar School of painting, and King Raja Wodeyar (1578–1617 CE) is acknowledged as a patron. The distinctive feature of these paintings is the gesso work, to which gold foil is applied.

In addition, Mysore is known for its rosewood inlay work. The city is famed for the Mysore silk saree, made with pure silk and gold zari (thread). Mysore Peta, the traditional indigenous turban worn by the erstwhile rulers of Mysore, is even today worn by Kannada men during certain ceremonies.

Sight Seeing

Mysore, the region of royalty and an alluring scenic view is one of the most famed travel destinations in the southern part of India. Located at the distance of 152 Km from Bangalore, the garden city of India, this city is jeweled with the beautiful art of mother nature. This article is an attempt to guide you all through your tour to Mysore.

Glimpse of Royal history Mysore

The Royal history of Mysore dates back to the 14th century, ruled by the Wodeyar dynasty for almost 6 centuries(1399 to 1947). The Wodeyar king constructed the famous Mysore palace in the 14th century, which was damaged due to the lightning strike in 1638. Further, it was re-constructed by Britishers in 1912.

The palace and its beautiful architecture is arguably the best example of Indo-Saracenic and the perfect combination of rich cultures of Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles.

Darshan of Chamundi Hills

The Chamundi hill is one of the ancient temples of South India, built in the 11th Century. It is considered as a most significant tourist spot and must visit destination of Mysore. The Devotees across India and the world, who come to pay regards to Chamundi Devi.

Mysore Zoo

If you are an animal lover, then don’t miss to visit Shri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens in Mysore. It is one of the most liked tourist spots for travelers coming to Mysore.

A visit to the world famous Mysore Silk factory

If you’re planning a trip to Mysore, don’t ever skip visiting the government silk factory established in 1912. The silk sarees of Mysore are famous across the world, the fine embroidery and traditional zari work add charm to the traditional Indian wear. So, ladies don’t forget to pick your favorite silk saree right from the factory at very reasonable price tags. Take away with you a token of remembrance from this beautiful city.

There is everything beautiful about Mysore. It is the cleanest city in India and among the most loved travel destination in the southern part of India. The climate of the region is very pleasant and enjoyable and so, you can be assured to enjoy each moment there. It’s the land of rich culture and heritage. The city is famous for its palaces, gardens, museums, wildlife and eye delighting scenic beauty.

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Adventure Architectural Asia Spiritual Hubs

48 Hrs in Kathmandu

The nonignorable chaos of wonderfully diverse people, most of them tourists though and the places full of pure natural bliss, Kathmandu is Nepal’s capital city. The city, like every other capital cities in the world, happens to be the center of all cultural, social and political happenings in the country. The added charm comes from the Mother Nature herself who has poured her heart into making this city a beautifully constructed piece of architecture. The mankind has also been quite fond of the city, how else would you explain the amazing temples and monuments located here. The recent earthquake almost ruined the city in its entirety but perhaps, it knows quite well how to take care of itself.

There are many things a tourist can do in here to make the most out of their trips. The religious institutions, the majestic Himalayan range, the national parks etc makes the city a complete package. Let us know more about what exactly one should be doing in the city once they land here.

Boudhanath Stupa- One of the very few UNESCO world heritage sites in the country, Boudhanath Stupa is a charming attraction for the tourists. Most of the tour guides always chose this place to start the journey deep into this beautiful city. The religious center of Nepal’s Tibetan/Budhh community, this stupa is a marvelous piece of architecture and a wonderful kick starts to the trip.

Everest Region- Home to some of the tallest mountain peaks in the world such as Kanchenjunga and Mount Everest, the Himalayan range is one other big tourist magnets in the city. Trek into the Everest was somehow closed due to the recent earthquake that shook the country but it was reopened after some time thanks to the heavy pressure by the tourists.

Annapurna Region- If there is anything else in the world that could be compared to Everest region in terms of magnificence is this. The 10-day trek over here is one of the longest and the most exciting trek in the world. The Annapurna Base Camp happens to be the highest point that gives a cool 360-degree view of the entire region, which makes for a sight to savor.

Durbar Square- Affectionately known as the heart of Kathmandu tourism, the Durbar Square remains crowded for the most part in the year. There are countless numbers of shrines and little temples spread in the square which is a great place for the most religious of tourists. Hanuman Dhoka and Taleju temple are two shining diamonds in the crown that Durbar Square is.

Pashupatinath Temple- King Bhupendra Malla, who reigned the country in the later parts of the 16th century, got this temple built and invited some of the most accomplished architects from all over the world to do the task. And the result is for all of us to see. This serves as a great pilgrim spot for the Hindu devotees who come here in heavy numbers.

There is no dearth of tourism spots in this city. There is the Royal Palace, Narayanhiti place museum among many other places. The only Hindu country in the world is being run by the Kathmandu city and its spirit is unbreakable. The latest example is the earth shattering earthquake. The city got up on its feet in no time and from the bruises of it, it became stronger than ever.

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Adventure Spiritual Hubs

Manikaran- The Enchantress

The Parvati valley located in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh may be known for its beauty and the spiritual essence that one gets to witness when they arrive here. But there are many little and big places located in and around the valley that is a definite delicious treat to the human senses. One such places are Manikaran, one little enchantress of a place. Located on the Parvati River Manikaran is in the popular Kullu district of the state. A short trip from Kullu or Manali will bring you here in a few minutes if you are fast enough. There are many places around here and many things to do. Let’s just look at the different things Manikaran is known for.

The temples and the religious places- The place basically acts as a two in one package. There are many religious places located here for the Hindus and the Sikhs that calling it a pilgrimage for both the communities won’t be exaggerating. The Hindus hold the belief that Manu recreated the human existence here when it was once vanished from the planet due to heavy floods. The place also holds some very detailed mentions in the Shiva Purana. And as result, Shiva temples are in abundance here. And being located in the Parvati valley, named after Lord’s wife, there has to be some real religious significance about the place.

Trekking- When we talk about the mountains from a tourist’s perspective, one of the very first things that come to mind is Trekking. There are ample places for some adventurous trekking in the area. The most popular one being the trek to Lahaul and Spiti, both are widely popular in their own way. The trek of a few kilometers takes you through the lush greenery and beautiful picturesque visuals.

Hot springs- One other thing the place is famous for is the hot springs. Water from them is known to be holy and known to cure even the deadliest of diseases. The researchers, of course, are against the claim but they have said that the water here is containing uranium and some chemicals which may come somehow handy in curing some skin ailments. The water in these hot springs is sometimes so hot that you can boil rice in it. These things aside, the place looks beautiful as any other place in the area. The enchanting beauty of the place is one big reason for the herds of tourists that come here every year, primarily in the summer time.

Harinder Mountain- The little place is surrounded by the beautiful and snow-capped mountain ranges of Harinder. The view of the place from these mountains is magical and makes you sit down there are keep gazing into Manikaran for hours. In the night hours, the magic reaches another level of surrealism and makes it a spine-chilling treat for the eyes and other senses.

There are many other places located in the place such as the Shiva Mandir and the very famous Gurudwara Sri Nanak Dev Ji that attracts a lot of tourists. Summer is the best time to make a trip here as most of the snow would have been melted and the place would be at its beautiful best.

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Spiritual Hubs

5 things to do in Ajmer!!!

The beautiful city Ajmer is well known for the famous shrine “Dargah” of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. It is 130 km from Jaipur, situated at the heart of Rajasthan. The historic valley, rich in culture is ringed around by Aravali range. It is one of the most eminent centers of Islamic history, which you can witness in the incredible Moghul architecture. The city shows a perfect blend of diverse culture, religion, and community, as 14km from Ajmer there lies an ancient Hindu pilgrimage Pushkar, which is a famous Brahma temple. Planning a trip to Ajmer Sharif? We have collected some important information about sightseeing and other details, which might help you as a travel guide.
 “Dargah” of Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti.
The Dargah of Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti  is the famous sacred place of Muslims, which is also venerated by other religions. He came to Ajmer in 1192 and died here in 1236. The tomb is one of the most significant pilgrimages,  which was constructed by many famous Muslim rulers like Moghul emperor Humayun, who constructed shrine and the Nizam gate was constructed by Nizam of Hyderabad. Many visitors across the world come to the Dargah Sharif, as there is strong belief that saint’s spirit will intercede on behalf of them in times of any problem. People ties note in the holy string if they have any problem believing that it will vanish by the blessings of the divine spirit.


Way to Adhai-Din-Ka Jhopra.
The Adhai-Din-Ka Jhopra is the famous mosque situated at the outskirts of the city Ajmer. It is said that it have been built just in two and half days. Doesn’t it seem impossible? But, it is strongly believed by locals of the area that it just took two and half days to construct this incredible monument. Originally it was a Sanskrit college, further, it was forcibly transformed in Mosque by Muhammad Ghori. It is worth seeing and I would recommend you not to skip this unique monument.

Feel the cool breeze at the bank of Ana Sagar Lake.
Artificially made by damming the Luni river, it is one of the most famous tourist attractions constructed by Anaji Chauhan. It is surrounded by eye luring beautiful gardens along with series of marble pavilion constructed by Shah Jahan. It is very tempting and eye pleasing view of the sunset from the doultbagh near Ana Sagar.


Visit the holy land of Brahma “Pushkar”!!
14 km from the holy city Ajmer lies the small yet beautiful city Pushkar, the eminently famous city of Lord Brahma. The peaceful and calm city is the center of the devotion of thousands of devotees. The famous temple is the only Brahma temple in the world.
The Nasiyan Red Jain temple.
Along with Hindu and Muslims, the city Ajmer has also possessed the golden Jain temple, which is also one of the famous temples of Rajasthan.  The amazing double -storey temple is the best example of eye luring architecture. The famous temple is decorated with gold, silver and other precious stones depicting the various aspect of Jainism is worth visiting.

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Architectural Culture Spiritual Hubs

The most beautiful Jain temple in the world, Dilwara temple

Jainism may be one of the most underrated of all the religions in the world. The reasons could be many. One could be that it emphasizes on the inner and outer worldly peace for the most part. Whatever it is, but there no denial to the fact that the structures belonging to Jainism are some of the most architecturally brilliant ones. Take the Dilwara temple for example. The Dilwara temple is one of the most brilliant architectural structures one has ever seen , not only from the Jainism point of view, but in general as well.It located in Dilwara village 3 Kms from the beautiful hill city Mount Abu.

 

This beautiful temple is one of the finest temples of Jains in entire World. It is famous for its alluring beauty, unique architecture and beautifully carved stones. Some of the great archeologist consider the designs superior than that of Taj Mahal.

 

The white marble complex of temples “Dilwara” was built by Chalukya in early 11th and 13th centuries AD. Standing around for these many centuries, this temple is still standing in all its might.

Talking about the beauty, there are no words that can do justice to the wonder that this temple is. The intricate stone carvings on the pure marble are reminiscent of the artistic and aesthetic brilliance people possessed back in those times. The lush greenery around the temple gives a soothing feeling.  A breeze of cool wind fills up the atmosphere just all the time and everything seems more beautiful than before.

There is more to the temple.The entire fine designs resemble like ornaments and jewelry, which adds charms to its beauty. The marble stone carvings are just amazing and unmatched. This complex of five main temples is among the important sacred pilgrimage site for Jains across the world. The Dilwara temple complex is ringed by a high white wall which glitters in the sunlight.

The hard work that may have been put in making this temple what it is today is unimaginable. The ceilings and the pillars give away a mystically soulful vibe. Between all this beauty and visible hard work lays the fact that Dilwara temple was built back in those times when there were no roads or transport facilities and that too on this high altitude. That must have been some work carrying those heavy marble stones up.

But the end result is all worth it as the temple has made its name all over the world for its sheer beauty. There are five main sections in the Dilwara temple complex.

Shree Mahavir Swami Temple- This little temple is said to have been constructed somewhere in the middle of 15th century and is dedicated to Lord Mahavira, who is said to have promoted the religion all over the country.

Shri Adinath Temple- This temple got built in the 10th century AD and is known to be the oldest one among all. Shri Adinath ji is known to be the first Jain tirthankar for whom the temple has been devoted to.

Shree Parshavnath Temple- This temple has the tallest shrine among all and it got constructed in the 14th century.

Shree Rishabh Deoji temple- Also known as Pittal mandir, due to the fact that most of the idols placed inside the temple are made of brass metal. It was built by Bhima Shah of Gujarat.

Shree Neminathji Temple- Built in the 12th century, the temple is dedicated to the 22nd Jain saint, Nemi Nath Ji.

All these small sections make for Dilwara temple as a whole. It would still work fine  if we call it one of the very few Jain pilgrim locations in the country and rest of the world as well.

How to reach?

The Udaipur airport is located 187 km from Mount Abu, which is the nearest airport to reach the beautiful  Temple built by the Solanki Rajputs of Gujarat.  The travelers can hire a private cab or board a bus heading to Mount Abu.

The Abu Road is the nearest railway station located at the distance 29 km, just a ½ hour drive to the Dilwara village.

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Adventure Beaches South India Spiritual Hubs

Murudeshwar – much more than just a religious site

Situated right in the heart of Karnataka, Murudeshwar is one of the best towns in the country with a reflection of ancient Indian heritage. The temple is also popular for its second tallest statue of Shiva in the world. According to Indian mythology, Lord Shiva was also recognized as Murudeshwar and, thus, the town got its name. The temple has been established on the coast of the Arabian Sea.
Here is ghoomophiro list of activities you can enjoy while at this spiritual hub.

Murudeshwar Beach Activities

The beach at this holy place is frequented by tourists from around the globe. People traveling to Karnataka in South India make it a point to pay the visit to the famous temple without missing the opportunity. Although there is no provision for water sports on the beach, tourists can indulge in swimming and other fun activities on the beach. This beach is also of the world’s second tallest statue of Shiva. One can enjoy tattoos all over their body and also indulge in water sports. Water sports are one of the reasons for attracting huge crowds at this seaside town.

Water Diving in Netrani Island

Murudeshwar is also known for a range of options for tourists who want to explore the town with a different perspective. One such exemplary option is Scuba Diving in Netrani Island. Netrani Island has been declared one of the best places for scuba diving in India. People from different corners of India throng the town every year to experience the fun.

The Lord Shiva Statue Park

The Lord Shiva statue is the main highlight of this park, which is surrounded by greenery and various flowering plants. There are a variety of stone sculptures that enhance the beauty of this place. You can pay a visit to this park and relax for some time while beholding the beauty of the statue, sculptures, and just everything around. An artificial fall is another major attraction of the park.

Jama Masjid in Murudeshwar

After a Jama Masjid in New Delhi, the other one lies in the heart of Murudeshwar at Bhatkal town. Jama Masjid in Murudeshwar is renowned for its old Indian heritage. It is a three-storey mosque with a basement. People from around the world pay the visit to this city to see this place. Taking a light stroll around Jama Masjid premises helps you unwind and fill you with the undiscovered spirituality sprinkled around the area.

Visit Murudeshwar Fort

One of the major attractions in Murudeshwar is a fort right behind the Murudeshwar temple. According to Indian mythology, the fort was built in the era of Vijayanagara kings. The fort was later renovated by none other than Sultan of Mysore—Tipu Sultan.

If you are in Murudeshwar, you must pay a visit to Murudeshwar Fort without which your trip is incomplete.

Go Shopping on the Temple Road 

There are several shops on the temple road in Murudeshwar. You can buy loads of religious stuff to take back home as souvenirs of this holy place in South India.

Idols, Jewelry, and wall hangings for homes are best choices for souvenirs. You can also buy the pictures of Lord Shiva.

How to reach Murudeshwar

The place is well connected by both road and rail to the rest of Karnataka and the country. The nearest airport is at Mangalore Airport about 153 km away to the south. Murudeshwar railway station is just 2 kms away from the town and most trains halt at the Murudeshwara station. One can also board a bus to Murudeshwar which is available from Bangalore.

Food

From South-Indian to North-Indian and Chinese cuisines, the restaurants in this place are a huge hit among travelers. One must try the local delicacies of the area such as Dosa, Bisi Bele Bath, Akki Roti, Jolada Roti, Idli, Vada, Sambhar, Kesari Bath, Ragi Mudde, Uppittu.

Some of the best hotels to stay are Mavalli Beach Heritage Home, an absolutely amazing place to stay. Another good option to stay is RNS Guest Home which offers a superb sea view. The Wild Woods Spa and Resort is an excellent weekend getaway amidst nature.

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Spiritual Hubs

A spiritual journey of Akshardham that takes you through the glorious past of the country

Swaminarayan Akshardham Mandir in New Delhi is an epitome of how Indian culture has evolved in last few years. The beauty, grandeur, and magnificent architecture of the temple is awe struck that leaves you in wonder. It is one of the most visited tourist places in Delhi. The visit to the temple is a spiritual experience and compels you to take a deep insight into your spiritual being.

How to reach

Delhi Metro is the easiest and safest route to reach the temple. To go to the temple, get down at Akshardham station which on the blue line. The temple is located at NH24 and is at a walking distance from this station.

What to experience

The main complex of the temple is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan, who is believed to be an incarnation of a Hindu god, Vishnu. The number of Hindu visitors confirms the fact that that Akshardham temple has become a popular pilgrim center for them. However, keeping aside the spiritual and religious aspect of the temple, the innocent beauty is topped by a magnificent architectural brilliance. The temple perfectly showcases what India stands for when it comes to art, beauty, spirituality and the core essence of being a human.
In a ritual named Nilkanth Varni abhishek, prayers are offered to establish peace in the world. The water used in this tradition has been collected from almost 151 holy rivers, lakes and ponds of the country.

Exhibitions

Hall of values – Held in hall 1, this is a show that uses film techniques and robotics to let the audience know how important it is to maintain peace in the world to sustain order. The show is extremely popular among school children for getting an educational benefit and entertained at the same time.

Giant screen film – A mid-length film that runs for about 40 minutes uses an 11 years old boy as the narrator as he explains the audience the history of the country. He hits the informational and educational chords just right. The film beautifully uses sounds, images, and videos in order to showcase the art, beauty and the festivals that are celebrated across the country.

Cultural boat ride – A boat ride that contains the essence of the country eventually takes you on a voyage across time and space. Even if you know everything about the glorious past of the country, you will be awed to see what more it has in store for you. From the ancient discoveries made by Indian mathematicians, scientists and inventors, and the first university in the world, Takshila University, it will surely fill your heart with pride to be born and brought up in such a great country.

Timings

The temple remains closed on Mondays and on rest of the days the first entry takes place at 9:30 AM and goes on until 6:30 PM.

Tip
Photography and usage of mobiles aren’t allowed, hence, keep those gadgets at home.
Conclusion

The epitome of beauty, the Akshardham temple is Delhi’s shining jewel in the crown. So now you know where to plan and go this weekend.

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Relax South India Spiritual Hubs Staycation

Auroville – An Experiment

Humanity has somehow survived right up to this point. The world is full of so many evils such as wars, famine, diseases, communal violence etc. which act as a threat to humanity as the whole. Located primarily in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu with some parts of it extending right up to Pondicherry, Auroville too is known as the Dawn of Humanity for all the right reasons. In order to reach here, one has to take a car ride from the Chennai international airport that will get them here in a few hours. It falls about 150 kilometers south of Chennai.

Auroville, a universal township in the making  is a dwelling place for a population of up to 50,000 people from around the world. The concept of Auroville reaches out to human unity and transformation of consciousness. The first and only internationally endorsed ongoing experiment in human unity point out to sustainable living and anyone with idealistic leanings will certainly love this ‘the City of Dawn’. The community is dedicated to future cultural, environmental, social and spiritual needs of mankind where people from across the globe join hands together to build a universal, cash-free, non-religious township and recognize good old human unity.

The project came alive in the year 1968. The inauguration ceremony was held on 28th February 1968, when about 5000 people along with 124 representatives from different countries gathered here under the huge banyan tree. The people from different countries bought soils from their lands and put in a marble urn, which now rests at the focal point of the amphitheater.

Auroville is known as the one and only such project in the entire world and the concept of it has been supported by almost every other country in the world. The sustainable living, the cultural and social structure of the present world is all studied here. Auroville has maintained its distance from the happenings of the outside world and the people living here belief in the concept of one universal subconscious mind aspect. They believe in harmony among the individuals and propose the very idea that on the basic level, we are all the same person.

The present population of the area is about 2400; with almost one-third of them are Indians. The place has been divided into a few parts based on the functions.

Peace Area- The peace area lies at the very center and is having the Matri mandir as a place for worship. The amphitheater carrying the urn from the different soils is also located here. The atmosphere is calm in here, perfect for relaxation.

Industrial Zone- To the north of the peace area is the industrial zone, the center of self-sustainment of the people here.

Residential Zone- Covering an area of 189 hectares, the residential zone is the biggest of all in the place. The 50-50 ratio is maintained between nature and the residential housings and other institutions.

Cultural Zone- Spread across an area of 93 hectares, the cultural zone is the center of the artistic expressions of the people residing here. The arts and crafts centers of the entire township are located here.

The idea for the township came back in the year 1930 as the world was still shaking from the horrors of the First World War. The concept was unique and was initially rejected but gained support over time and now we are here. The township is growing day by day and the numbers of residents are on an all time high.

Auroville is a quiet and calm place known for its wide open roads full of all natural looks. You can enjoy a guided tour of the place where a well-experienced guide will take you through all the attractions of the place such as Matrimandir and Pitanga cultural center. One can collect passes from the office at Visitors’ centre for entry into the Matrimandir.

The sports activities such as volleyball and tennis are also very popular among the people here who are known to be quite health freaks and way too much of different types of outdoor activities.

 

 

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Corporate Outings Itinerary North India Spiritual Hubs

Kasol – a tourist heaven where it feels just magical to get high

Situated in the Parvati valley of the beautiful north Indian state, Kasol is a little village that has become one of the most popular tourist destinations among the Indian and the foreigners alike. The Parvati River flows beside it and acts as a lifeline to the spot.

How to reach

The airport nearest to Kasol is located in Bhuntar, but the flights are rare and a costly affair. As the place is not connected by railway and flights are not very frequent to Kullu, the only way to hit this region is by road. So if you are planning to reach Kasol from Delhi or Chandigarh, road is the ideal route.

There are ample bus services from Delhi that could get you here in an approx 14 hours time. The buses run via Chandigarh mostly.

Things to do at Kasol

Kasol is a tourist heaven, and out of the countless things that you could do at the place, here are a few of them.

Walk by the Parvati river- There is nothing more uplifting than a brisk walk along the magnetic current of the river Parvati while grasping in the beautiful landscapes surrounding it. As the crystal clear blue sky gets pierced with the snow capped peaks of Himalayas, the image just stays with you for a very long time.

Visit Manikaran Sahib- If you happen to be in Kasol, don’t forget to give a brief visit to Manikaran Sahib, a magnificent gurudwara located just about 6 kilometres away from Kasol. You can either take a hike or book a ride to the place, whatever suits you really. The spring water near the monument is known to have healing powers. So, in a way, medical tourism is also one other reason for the place to be popular.

Visit Malana – Malana is a small community of tribal people and a must visit place for travelers seeking adventure and sightseeing.

The place is famed for its cultivation of Malana cream, which is a quality of Hash, About 5 – 6 hours of the trek away from Kasol can bring you to this place.  Hiring a local guide is the best choice to enjoy the peaceful surroundings and explore the exclusive ways of living of this village.

Kheer Ganga- Kheer Ganga is one lush green place reached by a long trek from Kasol. Those with poor health may find it extremely hard to go along with the trek. But once you manage to go through it, you experience a whole new world of enlightenment within you.

Activities in Kasol

Trekking and Rock Climbing

A trip to a hill station is basically incomplete without some adventure and this holds true for all the adventure buffs. Kasol is full of many trekking paths categorized right from easy to difficult and dangerous.

When the weather is perfect, one can go for a short trek of half an hour to Village Chalaal or opt for a longer trip to Pulga Village. Tosh and Kheer Ganga are the two places which give you an adrenaline rush through your veins while trekking.

Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to experience the silence and solace of nature in Kasol is from March to May. At this time of the year, the weather is pleasant enough and welcoming to the visitors and the temperature varies from 15-22 Degree Celsius.

Although the Kasol experiences good weather throughout the year, the ideal time to explore the wilderness of the place is from March to May. At this time of the year the weather is pleasant and the temperature varies from 15-22 Degree Celsius.

What to eat

Apart from being known as a hippie paradise, Kasol also caters in a great way to the food lovers. Israelis form the biggest section of the tourists in Kasol and thus, the town serves some great Israeli food along with pan-Indian cuisines. There are little dhabas, stalls and restaurants in every corner where you can go to satisfy the hunger pangs. Some of the best restaurants in Kasol are Evergreen, Moon Dance Cafe, Jim Morrison Cafe, Stone Garden Cafe and Little Italy.

Stay

Being a prime tourist spot, there are many hotels and cottages made available for the tourists in different budget options. Parvati Kuteer, Shivalik, Devlok International and Sun N Wind are a few popular hotels that provide some great services to the tourists at very reasonable prices.

Kasol is a beautiful place, one of those places where you must bring your family for a good time. So what have you been waiting for? Start packing!!

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