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9 Best Trekking Destinations in South India

Adventure Activities, Blog - GoroadTrip - October 25, 2014

Also called Sahyadri Hills, the Western Ghats mountain range runs from Gujarat to Tamil Nadu. Six states are gifted with these mighty mountains that bestow a rich and spectacular bounty of flora and fauna, dense forests, wild life, rivers, streams and falls. Trekking in the Western Ghats is an incredible experience you will want to treat yourself to many times over. Some of the best treks recommended by trekkers are:

9 Best Trekking Destinations in South India

Mullayanagiri:

The trek to this highest peak in Karnataka brings you closer to paradise. If you imagine paradise as a place swamped with sea clouds, vast green valley spread out as far as the eyes can see, misty cold winds kissing your face and a cave temple at the zenith, then you are there at Mulliyangiri.

Kudremukh:

Another beautiful trek up the Western Ghats is at Kudremukh. The peak lies in the Kudremukh National Park which houses many species of flora and fauna.

Charmadi Ranges:

With plenty of heavy mist, natural landscape and pockets of waterfalls at almost every other curve, a trek on the Charmadi Ghats is a lovely experience. A most picturesque waterfall is the BandajeArbi Falls that cascades at a height of around 200 feet.

Agumbe Ghats:

A trek up AgumbeGhat to the NarasimhaParvatha at a height of 1,150 metres, is not to be missed. Enjoy moments of solitude with the surroundings of thick forests and get a chance at spotting wildlife as the trek takes you inside Kudermukh National Park. Reward yourself with the breath-taking sunset at the AgumbeGhat.

Chembra Peak:

Chembra Peak, the highest in Wayanad, offers you miles of soothing greenery. The trek is a die-hard trekker’s delight as it has a stretch of about 2.5 kilometres of upward trekking.

Thadiyandamol:

The highest peak in Coorg, Thadiyandamol is also the second highest in Karnataka at an altitude of 5,472 feet. Popular for its mesmerizing views it is a favourite of trekkers.

Brahmagiri:

Totally a distance of 22 kilometres for the climb up and back, the Brahmagiri Peak suits first time trekkers. It inspires trekkers with its spectacular views and is a part of the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary.

Kumara Parvata:

One of the more popular trekking trails in the Western Ghats, the trek up this hill is quite challenging and typically requires an overnight stay on the mountains to reach the top.

OmbattuGudda:

The trek offers a chance to cross a stream, climb up a steep mountain and as the name suggests climb up ombattu hills (nine hills). It is perfect for people looking for adventure.

Get closer to nature with a trek in the awesome Western Ghats.

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Top 10 Dance Forms of India

Blog, Heritage & Culture - GoroadTrip - October 13, 2014

Top 10 Dance Forms of India

Bharatanatyam – Tamil Nadu:

One of the oldest dance forms of India, Bharatanatyam is considered to be the mother of all dance forms. The dance originated from the temple dancers of Tamil Nadu and enthrals audiences with the profound exhibits of expressions and rhythm.

Kathakali – Kerala:

Dating back to the 17th century, Kathakali is Kerala’s baby. The striking feature of the dance form is the elaborate make-up, head gear and loud costumes. Once the dance drama unfolds by the dressed up dancers, you will be lost in the colourful world of this stage performance.

Kuchipudi – Andhra Pradesh:

Acquiring its name from the Andhra village of Kuchipudi, this traditional dance form has its roots in the NatyaShastra, the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text. The dance form is typically accompanied by the flute, violin and tambura. Every dancer has to be introduced, their role described and has to perform a short preliminary dance before the actual performance begins.

Mohiniyattam – Kerala:

A semi classical dance form, the Mohiniyattam also belongs to Kerala. The dance is performed by women as the word ‘Mohini’ refers to a maiden who steals the heart of her audience. The attire worn is traditionally of an off-white colour and the hair is styled into a side knot.

Yakshagana – Karnataka:

Originated from the Malenadu region of Karnataka, Yakshagana is a theatrical dance form. The dance packages heavy make-up, elaborate costume, foot tapping music, snazzy dialogues into the form for a complete all-round entertainment.

Kathak – Uttar Pradesh:

Belonging to Uttar Pradesh, this dance form was derived from kathas or stories. A story is narrated through dance form in the Kathak performances.

Manipuri – Manipur:

Originating from the north-east state of Manipur, Manipuri is a major dance form of India. The dance costume has a unique stiff skirt that goes down till the feet. Manipuri dance depicts the Raslila act of Radha and Krishna and sets up the audience for a spiritual experience.

Odissi – Odisha:

Performed mainly in temples, Odissi is among the oldest surviving forms of dance. It originates from Orissa and is popular for its style and the independent movements of the head, chest and pelvis.

Sattriya – Assam:

Introduced as early as the 15th century, Sattriya is a major Indian classical dance form. The dance drama originated in the Krishna centred Vaishnavism monasteries of Assam and presents an aesthetic and religious act combining ballad, dance and drama.

Gaudiya Nritya – West Bengal:

Recognised as Indian classical dance by the SangeetNatak Academy, the GaudiyaNritya is a Bengali dance form showcasing drama, poetry, history and spiritual expression.

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10 Marvellous Forts of Maharashtra

Blog, Destinations, Heritage & Culture - GoroadTrip - September 28, 2014

The state of Maharashtra has a vast number of forts. The forts make a wonderful tourist destination not just for their interesting history but also for their astounding locations. Most of them are snuggled in the magnificent ranges of the Sahayadri Mountains or the picturesque Western Ghats. Pick from these ten lovely fort destinations and enjoy the richness of India’s history and geography.

10 Marvellous Forts of Maharashtra

Raigad Fort:

The Raigad Fort acted as the capital of the Maratha king Shivaji. It is located in the Sahyadri mountain range in the Mahad and stands at a height of 820 meters. It is famous for the Hirakani Buruj wall and the Maha Darwaja.

Pratapgad Fort:

Located near Mahabaleshwar in Satara district, Pratapgad Fort is also known as Valour Fort. It has a lower and upper fort.

Daulatabad Fort:

This fort near Aurangabad is regarded as one of the seven wonders of Maharashtra. It holds several memorable monuments like Chini Mahal and Chand Minar.

Murud-Janjira Fort:

Located in the port town of Murud, the Murud-Janjira Fort is set on an oval shaped rock off the Arabian Sea. The fort is popular for its many secret hideouts and escape routes.

Panhala Fort:

The imposing Panhala Fort rises 1312 feet above the plains in the Sahayadri Mountain range. It is near Kolhapur and is known for its serpents.

Sinhagad Fort:

Strategically built with an intention to protect, the Sinhagad Fort is in the midst of a batch of forts close to Pune and is a very popular monsoon getaway from Pune.

Rajmachi Fort:

Consisting of two forts, the Rajmachi Fort is in the rugged terrain of the Sahyadri Mountains. It is a good choice of destination for a trek.

Vasota Fort:

Situated in Satara, Vasota Fort has all nature’s elements blessing it. It looks over the peaks of Nageshwar and also Shivsagar Lake created by the Koyna backwaters. The road leading to the fort is spectacularly scenic as it runs through the Valley of Flowers (Kaspathar) and the dense jungle.

Sindhudurg Fort:

On the shores of the Malvan Town in the Konkan region, is one of the top five sea forts in Maharashtra, the Sindhudurg Fort. Constructed by Shivaji the fort is a fine example of Maratha architecture.

Torna Fort:

Torna is one of the largest and tallest forts in Pune districts. It is also known as Prachandagad and was the first fort captured and possessed by Shivaji.

 

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Top 11 Beaches along the East Coast of India

Blog, Destinations - GoroadTrip - September 13, 2014

Top 11 Beaches along the East Coast of India

Digha Beach, West Bengal:

One of the oldest beaches of West Bengal, the Digha Beach is around 187 kilometres to the south west of Kolkata. The Casuarina plantations and trees along the coast add to the beauty of the calm waters of this popular beach.

Mandarmani Beach, West Bengal:

Mandramani has the longest motor able beach road in India with a drive-in beach. Lined by a fishing village on one side and dense jhau trees on the other, the beach is very picturesque.

Shankarpur Beach, West Bengal:

A beach village about 185 kilometres from Kolkata, the Shankarpur Beach is a recent discovery but has already gained popularity as the best beach of Eastern India. The glorious sunrises, clear waters and casuarina groves make the beach a photographer’s delight.

Chandrabhaga Beach, Odisha:

Since it is close to the Sun Temple, the Chandrabhagha Beach is called as Konark Beach as well. The serenity of the beach is welcoming. Attractions like the light house and deer park add to the allure.

Chandipur Beach, Odisha:

A speciality of this beach is the rise and ebb of the tides. The waves ebb approximately five kilometres during low tide and then advance back the same distance at high tide. It is fascinating to watch this hide and seek of the waves.

Puri Beach, Odisha:

Puri Beach is one among the most beautiful beaches in India. It is populated densely every July owing to the car festival of Puri celebrated during that month.

RushiKonda Beach, Andhra Pradesh:

Known as the Jewel of East Coast, RushiKonda Beach is around eight kilometres from Vishakapatnam. The golden sands dotted with mango and palm grooves are hard to resist and you end up spending hours on the beach. Water sports activities like windsurfing and jet skiing are add-ons.

Mypad Beach, Andhra Pradesh:

Located 20 kilometres from Nellore, the Mypad Beach is a scenic beach destination. Rife with swaying green trees and lush long grass, the sparkling waters of the balmy beach, it is a complete family vacation spot.

Mahabalipuram Beach, Tamil Nadu:

The town of Mahabalipuram which is around 50 kilometres from Chennai attracts more than the beach. The exquisite Shore Temple, the rock cut caves, the exemplary five chariots are enough reasons for tourists spending days in the many resorts of Mahabalipuram.

Marina Beach, Tamil Nadu:

The longest beach in India and the world’s first longest urban beach, the Marina Beach is Chennai’s major tourist attraction. A four mile long promenade makes it a walker’s delight and there are plenty of stalls and entertainment to engage tourists.

Kanyakumari Beach, Tamil Nadu:

The Bay of Bengal culminates its eastward journey at Kanyakumari Beach as it meets the Arabian Sea to form the Indian Ocean.Hence the beach is called ‘Land’s End’. Being able to watch both the sunrise and sunset at sea is a spectacular experience. The Thiruvalluvar Statue and Vivekananda Rock Memorial are added attractions of this beach.

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10 Unexplored Places of Karnataka

Blog, Destinations, Offbeat - GoroadTrip - August 29, 2014

North Karnataka is a favourite destination owing to its history and geographical features. A regular traveller to North Karnataka may have missed out on some less explored but beautiful locations. Have this list for your next visit:

10 Unexplored Places of Karnataka

Hoysaleshwara Temple, Halebeidu:

While most people visit the Chennakesava Temple in Belur, the Hoysaleshwara Temple and Kadareswara Temple in Halebeedu are also exquisite examples of the Hoysala architecture.

Yana Hills, Uttara Kannada district:

Located near Kumta, Yana is a small hill station. It has a rocky terrain with a natural wilderness and is a wonderful place for treks.

Gokak Falls, Belgaum:

Gokak Falls is formed by the Ghataprabha River. The river falls 171 feet over a sandstone cliff resemblingthe Niagara Falls of Canada. A temple of Lord Mahalingeshwara built in Chalukyan style set in the riverfront is another attraction worth visiting.

Belgaum Fort, Belgaum:

The fort in Belgaum is charming transporting you back to the times of Adil Shahi dynasty. It is complete with a moat and fortifications and also has numerous historical and religious monuments within its premises.

Koorma Gadde, Raichur:

Koorma Gadde is an island located on the Krishna River in Raichur district. Known to be the place of Dattatreya’s origin, it also holds the samadhi of Sripadavallabha Swami. A watchtower on the island rewards you with some awesome views over the river.

Kodachadri Peak, Shimoga:

This lesser known hill on the Western Ghatswill delight any hiker. You will come across a bounty of flora and fauna as you trek up this hill. The hill is also held in religious awe as it is believed that AdiShankaracharya meditated on this very hill.

Pattabhirama Temple, Bellary:

Slightly off the tourist trail is the Pattabhirama Temple near Hampi. It depicts vividly the Vijayanagara style of architecture with composite pillars and beautiful sculptures.

Sandur, Bellary:

Surrounded by villages like Donimalai and Ramgad, Sanduru has a natural aura of green mountains, gorges and beautiful valleys. Rich in iron and manganese ores, Sanduru was ruled by the Marathas. A huge fort built by them is a great tourist attraction.

Someshwara Temple, Dharwad:

Built by the Chalukyas, the Someshwara temple is one of the oldest heritage structures in Dharwad. The deities of Chaturbhuja and MahishasurMardini and the temple premises of lush grasslands charm all visitors.

Narasimha Jhira, Bidar:

Built inside a cave in the Manichoola hill range a kilometre fromBidar, the Narasimha Jharni Temple has to be visited wading through waist deep water! Visit this temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha for a one of a kind experience.

The list of less familiar places of Karnataka runs long. Make time to visit them and you will not be disappointed.

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