Gujarat : Varied Destinations One Culture ( Vol 2 )

Hello People!!!

Hope you guys are having a blast this weekend. Though didn’t want to ask, but to friends from India, how many of you dared to watch Himmatwala this weekend. Salute to those daring people. Anyways coming back to blogs and traveling lets complete the volume 2 for Gujarat today. Summers are on and its vacation time for families. Hope yo

Kutch: It is situated to the North West part of the state of Gujarat, and it is in itself a marvel in terms of tourism and variety. You can experience vividness in the attractions ranging from vast white salt deserts to palaces to bird sanctuaries. You find everything in Kutch. Long back Kutch was a kingdom of its own, with distinct currency, big ports, Kutchi as main language and a vital trade centre. Since then things have changed and the importance and beauty of this place has only grown with time.

We can start our journey with Bhuj, easily accessible from the state capital by Trains and Buses. Train travel time being merely 8hrs considering as an overnight journey. Bhuj as a city hosts some of the beautiful palaces like Aina Mahal (Hall of Mirors), Prag Mahal and a museum displaying the Kshatrapa inscriptions.

Evenings can be spent at viewing the beautiful lake of Hamirsar in the heart of the city and visiting the architectural masterpiece of the Swaminarayan Temple. The white structure is a symbol of peace and tranquility and transforms into a source of renewed energy for tired travelers.

From Bhuj being the main town in the Kutch region you can hire vehicles and travel to other attractions like Khavda Dhordo famous for the white desert and Khalo dungar a hill top overlooking the beautiful ocean.

Rann Utsav: The mention of this festival is of prime importance as if you want to experience Kutch at its helm then you need visit this place during Rann Utsav. The festival organized along with the local authorities by Gujarat tourism is the cynosure for tourists in the month of December in Gujarat. The moonlit nights filled with traditional folk dances, the rhythms of folk music, colorful handicrafts etc are a lifetime experience. The winters accompanied by rich local cuisines make the journey memorable and enjoyable for everyone. 

Do visit the page www.rannutsav.com for dates and other updates on the festival.

Sight of Temple during Janmashtami

Dwarka: The holy city of Dwarka is one of the major pilgrimage in India. As it features in the list of the holy Char Dhams alongwith Puri, Badrinath and Rameshwaram. The Dwarkadhish Temple is devoted to Lord Krishna and is yet again architectural marvel of ancient India. The visit to this place is majorly religious and visited by devotees in huge numbers all through the year. The major temple is also accompanied with various other attractions like Bet Dwarka. Bet Dwarka is again a temple that can be reached through boats and hosts idols of various Gods symbolizing Hindu religion. Apart from its religious significance it is also a place of interest for archaeologists and historians as it provides many excavations sighting trade practices of ancient India.

A relaxed vacation of 4-5 days can be planned to cover this geographically vast region of North West Gujarat. These destinations not only relax and entertain but when you comeback you are rich and more informed about the culture and varieties the state of Gujarat has to offer.

Keep Traveling and yes would end this blog by saying “ Kuch Din To Guzaro Gujarat Main” (lines from a beautiful campaign run by Gujarat Tourism featuring Mr.Amitabh Bacchan)

Do spend some time adding suggestions and comments.

Cheers!!!

Ratnesh

Tarkarli A Reprise : A Photo Blog

Hi!!!

Friends a post on Tarkarli Beach was shared on this blog few days back. I have revisited the place recently and thought of sharing a photo blog of the place, giving more insights on the beauty of Tarkarli beaches.

This will make your Sunday treat from my side. People longing to travel can have the pleasure of visiting this place through the photo blog.

Enjoy and do leave comments.

Magic of White Sand with Clear Waters

Early Morning Boat Ride into the Sea

The virgin beaches are clean and beautiful. Calmness and serenity of the place forces you to leave all your worries and just relax on the white sand.











An early morning boat ride into the Sea for Dolphin Sighting, visit to Tsunami Island, Nivati Beach and Sea Gull Island.

House Boats

Back Waters at Nivati Beach

Rock Structures across the shores

 House Boats are also available if you want to spend time relaxing in the Sea. 

Boats parked for Fishing

Time for some Fishing folks

Feeling of Flying high is awesome

A stand alone beach accessible through boat ride, has beautiful view of Backwaters  with trees adding colors in the background.












Tsunami waves have caused appearance of rock structures and islands in the sea and they at least now look great.













Fishing is the major occupation here and hence the boats.










You can try your hand at fishing too. Though fishing rods are not available for hire, you can try some traditional ways to enjoy.











Para Sailing adds that flavor of adventure to your trip and flying high in the air always gives a kick to me. The view is amazing from there.

Scuba Diving

Snorkeling

Water Sports, a must if you love speed and some dips in water. Jet Ski, Banana, Kayaking, Motor Boat, etc add to the adventure of the trip.










This is what you would really love to do. Not available in all beaches in India, comes as an added advantage on your visit to Tarkarli. Clear waters here give the best view of Coral reef and aquatic life that lies beneath. The view is breath taking believe me.












People not so adventurous, needn't worry as Snorkeling is the resort for you. Just dip your face into the water and experience the marine life under the sea.

Aah the best part. For me traveling destinations is also a source to good food. Local cuisines are must and i dote on sea food. Do try fried prawns cooked in Malavan style.

A thali with bangra curry to complement the prawns and serve your appetite for sea food.

Finally fry Surmayi fish for your taste buds. Its a awesome fish cooked with stuffed masalas and leaves you asking for more. Yumm!!!!









Please do visit this place, just a weekend getaway for people in western parts of India and a bit more for friends in other parts of the country or the world. Do share a word about the photo blog and help make it better as we move ahead. Keep looking for new destinations and more pics.

Signing off for today, have a great Sunday.

 Cheers!!

Ratnesh.

Travelling : A healthy habit.

Hi!!!

 Fine friends hope this blog is living upto the expectations and is improving on the content as we are moving ahead. Taking a break from regular destination blogging, lets discuss some traveling habits that if cultivated will help us explore more places and enjoy the beautiful planet Earth.

Friends, a hectic schedule, tough work life, family life etc etc. A lot to do and time, there is no time.
This is a general mind set for all and I was from the same league. But from last two years after re visiting daily schedules, reading into more and more travel blogs and cultivating an immense love for traveling, I believe taking out time is not that difficult.

Planing early, just sacrificing a bit of sleeping time, skipping one off movies, believing in the fact that travel time can also be used as time for family and friends if we travel together. All this can help us cultivate a healthy habit for Traveling and keep up with the excitement of exploring new places and the varieties these places bring to our life.

Sharing some moments when plans were made and little weekend escapades happened just like that.





1. A bike trip to a beach called Ubhraat on a rainy day. The scene was set with non stop rains in Surat and South Gujarat. All it needed was two good friends and a bike. The trip was on. The best part was it kept on raining through the journey and that was major attraction for the day. The place never seemed so beautiful though had visited Ubhraat several times before.

2. A weekend trip to Shirdi, turned into a trekking adventure for three friends. All travel enthusiasts and were blocked with work pressures, erupted with all the adventure instincts and rushed through the hills of Saputara, a hill station on the way to Shirdi from Surat.








3. A trip to Coorg with friends. 5 bikes, 10 friends, college life, valleys, hills of Karnataka and a chilly winter. That was a perfect combination. Couldn't ask for more. We visited Abbey falls, a wildlife sanctuary, hills of Madikeri and that was all on bikes. 700 kms covered in two days involved trekking, water falls, beauty of hills, taste of wildlife etc. Though exhausting but it left us with feeling of satisfaction and achievement when we completed this trip. It was a trip to remember for all our lives. The people involved in that excursion, if they read this will really feel proud of themselves that we did it.

Many more instances to share. All these just happened. Sudden plans, like minded people, and love for traveling. Come on people we just need to make the best use of time available with us. Pack your bags, take any medium you want bike, car, train and travel to place near by. India as a country has varied places, terrains, cultures, climates etc which change every few kilometers. wherever you put, I am just traveling 200kms in any direction will land to a place of peace, serene beauty and closer to nature.

Just take that step. Start traveling for yourselves. Start Exploring. Start Living.

Share your experiences through comments. Looking forward to them.

Keep travelling.

Ratnesh :) 

Gujarat : Varied Destinations One Culture ( Vol 1 )

Hi!!!!

This time round I am trying to cover the state of Gujarat, as it covers a huge geographical area, so thought covering the same in different parts. This blog will help you divide the state in parts and cover the same through weekends if you put up at Gujarat itself or neighboring states. For others you can always club the parts and make it a single long visit and experience the state of Gujarat.

This post would cover three important and varied interest locations which offer something for everyone. We will be visiting Sasan Gir, Diu and Temple of Somnath.

Sasan Gir :

The sole home to Asiatic Lions, Gir National Park gives you the feeling of watching one of the strongest and elegant species on earth. The pleasure of watching them along with other 3000 odd species in the early morning drive through the park is exemplary. The Park offers the safari ride twice in a day, early morning and evening. As the recommendation goes, do try catch the early morning trip, sighting of various animals along with the Lion is more probable as the temperatures are low and there are chances of animals gathering near water beds in the morning.

Reaching GIR National Park is very convenient. Nearest station being Junagarh, 54kms from GIR National Park, roads are quite good and a journey by road from state's capital Ahmedabad is also not a bad option. It depends on the type of journey you prefer. The place genarally known for the National Park demands only 6-7 hrs from you on a whole and can move directly to Diu for a stay if you are on a weekend trip.

Diu:

After an early morning ride through the park, and a short journey of around 170kms, do spend the day relaxing on the serene beaches of Diu, once a Portuguese colony, now a part of Union Territory of Daman & Diu.

A beautiful blend of sea, sand & sun... Diu has lot more to offer. The Diu Fort, ancient churches, the local cuisine, the serenity of beaches and adventure of water sports. All in all a perfect place to unwind, forget the worries of hectic week days and just chillax......  :)

As I had mentioned earlier this post would cover varied interest areas, have already given you a taste of wildlife followed by some great and relaxing beaches and excitement of water sports, lets head towards the Temple of Somnath and here we are for the divinity of the place.

Somnth Temple: Kodinar

A relaxing Saturday at beaches, followed up by a visit to Somnath Temple which is supposed to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva would give a perfect ending to the weekend. The calmness at the foots of the temple and the blessing of Lord Shiva helps to enhance our inner soul. The temple has huge mythological importance and is a place high importance for the people of Gujarat.

The place is just 43km drive from Diu and has all the facilities of lodging and boarding to facilitate the amount if tourists visiting the place year on year. The temple trust is quite active and all the details are available on their web site http://www.somnath.org/

Hope this information would help you guys to plan a holiday to Gujarat and experience the varied destinations bonded by one culture of Vibrant Gujarat.

For further queries or suggestions do write to us at ratnesh@indiakhoj.co.in

More volumes on Gujarat coming up soon, so keep looking for this space.

Keep Traveling....Keep Exploring...

Cheers!!!

Ratnesh

Tarkarli Beach : White Sand's Magic!!!

Hi!!!!

Keeping the spirits high let's talk about one of the virgin beaches of the western coast of India.

Tarkarli beach, six kilometeres south to Malvan, is a beach less explored and known by people. Its a white sand beach with impeccable beauty of waves, coconut trees and corals spread across the area. Varied marine life and availability of Scuba Diving and Snorkeling makes it one of the most happening places.

Apart from Andamans, Tarkarli is the only beach which shares a envious combination of beauty and adventure with facilities like Scuba diving, snorkeling, dolphin sighting available with excellent guidance from trainers.

Approximately 500 kms from Mumbai and 400kms from Pune, it is a perfect weekend getaway, just leave your worries and take a dip to explore the treasures that lie in the bed of the ocean. The view down there makes the trip worth the value and time invested in it.

Apart from the beach, water sports and dolphin sighting, you can visit a sea fort of 17th century called The Sindhudurga Fort, Dhamapur lake, Jay Ganesha Temple, Amboli Hill station etc. The sights enroute to Tarkarli also offer a scenic extravaganza as nearest railhead is Kudal station 45km away, which lies on the Konkan rail line. Konakan line is known for its tunnels and hills spread across presenting a soothing view of Mother Nature.

Friends, for any further queries, your Travel buddy is just a mail away at ratnesh@indiakhoj.co.in.

Leaving you all with images of a beautifull destination blinking in your eyes...do plan to visit this place.

Keep travelling!!!! Keep yourself alive!!!

Cheers!!

Ratnesh.

Orissa - Land of Temples

Hi!!!!

Its a coincidence, but indeed a pleasure to start my Journey of travel blogging, with the first destination I visited recently. The state of Orissa now called as Odisha.

Cuttack, a small business city situated on the banks of river Mahanadi happens to be my birth place and that makes the tour to this state even more special to me. This state is known for not only the beauty of Temples built here but also for the number of temples you come across.

The journey started with the visit to the holy land of Lord Jagganath, Puri. Also known in India as the fourth "Dhaam" in hindu mythology and famous for the gigantic Ratha Yatra that takes place here every year. The blessings of Lord makes the town posses one of the most beautiful and soothing beach of the country. The golden sand, white waves along with the Camel rides and other activities makes it a happening place and a must for people fond of beaches.

From Puri we moved to Konark, The Sun Temple. Built in the shape of a Chariot, the temple stands tall in midst of a beautiful scenic landscape and show cases the cultural heritage of the state perfectly.
Spend some time in the temple, just trying to guess the prowess and finesse of the workers who constructed the same years ago in the absence of all the modern world equipments.

Bhubhaneshwar, the capital city also majorly known a city of Temples, hosts a perfect blend of Hotels and Restaurants for your comfortable stay and dining requirements. The place again the home for many Hindu temples and Buddhist structures like Dhaulgiri Temple and Udaygiri and Khandagiri caves.

There are endless places after these major tourist attractions that can be explored. For eg : Taptapani (Hot water Springs), Lake Chilika, Nandankanan (Asia's largest Zoo), Simpli Pal ( A tiger reserve), Bhitaar Kanika ( A crocodile reserve) Saptapada ( Sighting dolphins ), Khanda Dhaara ( Beautiful Waterfall ) etc ....The list is long and endless.

Requesting OTDC to promote the state tourism more aggressively and improve the facilities at tourists sites. It will come as welcome opportunity for people to discover a state with lot of natural beauty and the state to generate more employment and give a boost to the Tourism industry.

After all the details, not to forget the city of Cuttack, famous for its Silver filigree work, also known as the Silver city. Check in for some most mouth watering local delicacies including Chats, Sea food and Rolls. In Odisha do check out a chain of restaurant called "DALMAA", a one stop shop for tasting all the local food items from the state.

Let me end this with the hope that more and more people visit the state and discover Incredible India as the best  it can get.

Do chip in with suggestions, queries regarding the state tourism and other details.

Ya do keep looking for more, till then bbye and take good care frens...

Ratnesh :)