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10 Charming Islands of India

Blog, Destinations - GoroadTrip - August 16, 2014

Surrounded by water on three sides, India has no dearth of islands. Most of the islands are charming and awe with their natural beauty. Planning a trip exclusively to visit these spectacular islands in India is definitely a must. Ten of the charming islands of India are:

10 Charming Islands of India

Majuli Island, Assam:

Majuli Island is the biggest island in the world that is on a river. The island belongs to the river waters of Brahmaputra in Assam. The island is not your conventional one. It has moss on its coast instead of sand. Instead of sea food as in other islands, you get to taste the delectable local cuisine. The best part of a visit to this island is the stunning sunrise and sunset.

Divar Island, Goa:

Situated around ten kilometres from Panjim, Goa, Divar Island lies across the river Mandovi. It is one of the less explored islands of India.

Diu Island, Daman and Diu:

Often called as a twin of the Loures City in Portugal, the Diu Island has strong traces of Portuguese structures as well as culture. Additionally you get to be treated to Gujarati cuisine. The serene island with its many attractions like the Diu Fort and seashell museum has some lovely beaches and amazing sunsets.

St Mary’s Islands, Karnataka:

Similar to the Giant Causeway’s islands of Ireland, St Mary’s Islands in coastal Karnataka are formed by basaltic rocks. This group of four islands exhibit a unique hexagonal shape and have attractive rocky beaches and clear blue waters.

Lakshadweep Islands:

These are a group of 36 coral islands. The lovely palm trees, the calm shores and the extraordinary natural beauty of the islands make it a must visit destination.

Little Andaman Island, Andaman:

The fourth largest of the Andaman Islands, Little Andaman Island is a good choice for a peaceful vacation. It is a lesser known island and hence never too crowded. You get to see unblemished beauty of the beaches and the natural surroundings.

Grand Island, Goa:

If you want a holiday with lots of water sports, then Grand Island should be your choice. It is very popular for its scuba diving sites like Suzy’s Wreck dive, Sail Rock dive and Bounty Bay dive and also for other water activities like snorkelling and fishing.

Great Nicobar Island:

The largest of the Nicobar Islands, this island has an amazing stretch of flora and fauna. The crystal clear waters are tempting enough to make you want to spend all day in the sea.

Elephanta Island, Maharashtra:

Known for its cave temples, Elephanta Island is a UNESCO world heritage site. The island is an interesting way to spend a day when on a visit to Mumbai.

Chorao, Goa:

The largest among the islands of Goa, this island on Mandovi River was in the Portuguese possession and has their stamps all over. The natural thick mangrove covering parts of the island is an alluring sight.

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9 Lighthouses of Peninsula India

Blog, Destinations - GoroadTrip - July 27, 2014

India being a peninsula naturally boasts of many lighthouses. To feast your eyes on miles of sea and experience stunning views and staggering sea breeze, you have to plan a lighthouse tour. Many of the lighthouses are open for public during the day. A list is run here:

9 Lighthouses of Peninsula India

Madras Lighthouse:

Reconstructed by the East Coast Constructions in 1976, the Madras Lighthouse on Marina Beach also runs the meteorological department. It is open to visitors from 2013 and is the only lighthouse in India and one of the few in the world to have an elevator.

Manapad Lighthouse:

Tucked away in the fishing village of Manapad in Tamil Nadu, the Manapad Lighthouse is a pretty vision in red and white. It is situated close to Holy Cross Church where a fragment from the True Cross of Jerusalem is believed to be present. You can enjoy moments of quiet and lovely views from this lighthouse.

Mahabalipuram Lighthouse:

The circular masonry tower, Mahabalipuram lighthouse has been open to tourists since 2011 to look out at the spellbinding Bay of Bengal Sea. It stands next to the oldest lighthouse of India built by the Pallavas around 640 AD which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pamban Lighthouse:

One of the two lighthouses in Rameshwaram, the Pamban Lighthouse is a black and white striped monument with a bright red top. It is located on the Pambam Island. Encircled with greenery, the lighthouse offers fabulous views of the ocean.

Vizhinjam Lighthouse:

The beach in Kovalam earns its name Lighthouse Beach from this candy striped structure. Called Vizhinjam Lighthouse it is an ancient lighthouse on Kurumkal Hill overlooking rocky terrains, lush greenery and the waves of the Arabian Sea.

Kaup Lighthouse:

Located in Kaup, a small village near Udupi, the Kaup Lighthouse was built in 1901. You can climb up the winding staircase wondering at the marvellous architecture and be greeted by the stunning views of the Arabian Sea and the surrounding landscapes.

Aguada Fort/ Lighthouse:

The Aguada Fort in Goa doubles up as a lighthouse. Built by the Portuguese in the 17th century, the monument holds the lighthouse in its upper segment but is now in disrepair. Still tourists can have their fill of stunning views of the Sinquerim Beach and the Arabian Sea from the top of the fort.

Dwarka Lighthouse:

Located around four kilometres from Dwarka town, the Dwarka Lighthouse is in Rupen Creek. The lighthouse is an uncharacteristic cubical structure with black and white stripes. The captivating panoramic views of Arabian Sea and Dwarka from top make it a must visit.

Minicoy Island Lighthouse:

Built in 1885, this is one of the oldest lighthouses on Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep. It stands at 300 feet and knocks the wind off the tourists with its mesmerizing views. The island can be visited only by Indians.

Do not miss out on these tall monuments whenever you are in coastal India.

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14 Caves of Maharashtra

Blog, Destinations, Heritage & Culture - GoroadTrip - July 13, 2014

Cushioned in the Sahayadri Mountains, Maharashtra is a natural home to numerous rock-cut caves. The caves of Maharashtra are known for their natural formations, exquisite sculpture and splendid architecture. Some of the caves that are popular tourist destinations in Maharashtra are:

14 Caves of Maharashtra

Ajanta Caves:

Located in Aurangabad district, the Ajanta Caves are popular for their Buddhists monasteries and temples. These caves are a group of about 30 Buddhist rock-cut caves with magnificent sculptures and wall paintings.

Ellora Caves:

Also in Aurangabad district, the Ellora Caves are monumental. There are about 34 caves with 12 having Buddhist temples, 17 having Hindu temples and 5 Jain. One of the caves with Kailasanatha Temple is revered as the abode of Shiva, Mount Kailash.

Bhaja Caves:

Located near Lonavala near Pune, the Bhaja Caves are a group of about 22 rock cut caves 400 feet above the Bhaja village. A large shrine of Chaityagriha in these caves impresses tourists along with a stupa.

Karla Caves:

The Karla caves on the Pune- Mumbai Highroad near Lonavala are around 40 kilometres from Pune. The caves are one of the earliest examples of rock-cut architecture in Maharashtra.

Lenyadri Caves:

Housing the Ashtavinayak shrine, one of the eight important shrines of Ganesha in Maharashtra, the Lenyadri caves are in Junnar near Pune. The caves are a network of about 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves.

Bedse Caves:

Close to Karla and Bhaja Caves, the Bedse Caves have two main caves called monastery and chaitya. The caves look best in the monsoon with the surrounding lush greenery.

Pataleshwar Caves:

Situated next to the Jangli Maharaj Mandir on Jangli Maharaj Pune Road, the Pataleshwar Caves has the Pataleshwar Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Pandavleni Caves:

Also known as Trirashmi Caves, the Pandavleni Caves are located near Nashik. They are a group of 24 caves representing the Hinayana Buddhist Caves discovered to have been carved in between 3rd century BC and 2nd century AD.

Pithalkhora Caves:

Rooted in the Satamala valley of the Western Ghats, the Pitalkhora Caves are 14 rock-cut caves depicting the earliest example of rock-cut architecture of India.

Elephanta Caves:

Located on the Elephanta Island in Mumbai, The Elephanta Caves are grouped into Buddhists caves and Hindu caves. The rock cut stone sculptures in the caves are simply awesome.

Mahakali Caves:

The Mahakali Caves in Mumbai city are located in the suburbs of Andheri East. They are a group of 19 rock-cut Buddhist monuments.

Kanheri Caves:

Located in Mumbai city in Borivali, the Borivali Caves are within the forests of Sanjay Gandhi National Park. They depict the Buddhist form of art and culture.

Mandapeshwar Caves:

Set in Mumbai city, the Madapeshwar Caves have an 8th century rock-cut shrine for Lord Shiva. The caves are near Mount Poinsur in Borivali suburb.

Jogeshwari Caves:

Yet another Mumbai cave, the Jogeshwari Caves are located in the suburbs of Jogeshwari. The Jogeshwari temple here is one of the earliest and largest Hindu cave temples.

Set out to explore the many caves of Maharashtra within Mumbai and out of it. They interest and fascinate at the same time.

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12 Destinations of Tirunelveli for your next visit

Blog, Destinations - GoroadTrip - June 24, 2014

Tamil Nadu is a state with many facets. From rural villages dating back to several centuries to tech savvy cosmopolitan cities, the state has it all. For the history buff, it is a wonderland. One such area in TN that historians and tourists find fascinating is Tirunelveli. Called Nellai during the British rule, Tirunelveli was ruled by the Pandyas and later by the Cholas. Located in the southern-most tip of the Deccan Plateau, Tirunelveli is surrounded by many scenic places along with several historictemples. Some places to check out are:

12 Destinations of Tirunelveli for your next visit

Nelliappar and Kanthimathi Temples:

These twin temples are very popular religious sites in Tirunelveli. The temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi and were linked by a chain mandapam built by Vadamalaiappa Pillaiyan. The beautiful Dravidian architecture and the musical pillars are truly appealing.

Sankaranarayanan Temple:

The deity of the temple as the name suggests is a combined form of Narayana and Shankara. Aged about 900 years, the temple has a massive dome with nine tiers and a height of 135 feet.

Kuttralam:

With a number of water falls, Kuttralam is home to a natural bounty of flora and fauna. Many perennial rivers originate from here making it a popular tourist spot. It is also fondly called as the Spa of southern India. The Shenbagadevi Temple near the Shenbagadevi Falls is a must visit too.

Papanasam:

Blessed with expanses of green paddy fields and abundant rivers, Papanasam town gives tourists a chance to indulge in natural bliss. Lose yourself in the views of the lush landscapes from the Manjolai Hills and the many dams present in the town. Spend time watching the many species of migratory birds that have made Papanasam their home.

Agasthiyar Falls:

Also called Papanasam Falls the Agasthiyar Falls is on River Tamiraparani and holds a religious belief for many devotees. A person is believed to be washed off his sins with a dip in this waterfall.

Ulagamman Temple:

Built by the Pandya kings, the Ulagamman temple is located in Tenkasi or South Kasi. The impressive gopuram of this temple is the second largest in Tamil Nadu and built in the characteristic Dravidian style of the Pandyas. The main deity of KasiVisvanath and the intricately carved musical pillars are the highlights of the temple.

Kalakkad Mundhanthurai Tiger Reserve:

Being the second largest protected reserved forest in TN, the Mudhanthurai forest is spread across 895 square kilometres. It is in the Western Ghats at 1800 metres above sea level and is resplendent with greenery and many varieties of plants, birds and animals. It is the habitat of the Royal Bengal Tiger. Kalakkad is biologically one of the most diverse sanctuaries and one among the 18 biodiversity hotspots in India. It is situated at the southern tip of the Western Ghats and makes it a wonderful trekking destination owing to the rocky terrain. The sanctuary is home to jungle cats, panthers, tigers, hyenas and various amphibians and reptiles.

Vettuvan Koil:

Literally translated as sculptor’s temple, the temple is built from carved rocks. The construction of the temple is incomplete but the sculptures of Dakshinamoorthy, Brahma, Vishnu and Uma Maheshwar can be seen at the top of the temple.

Holy Trinity Church:

With a pristine white exterior, the Holy Trinity Church in Palayamkottai is a popular tourist destination. It is believed that St Xavier stayed here when he visited India. The Church holds one of the most beautiful Christmas celebrations of our country.

Krishnapuram Temple:

Located at a distance of 15 kilometres from Tirunelveli, the Krishnapuram Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is most popular for the beautiful idol of Lord Vishnu and many other life sized sculptures. The temple site is said to be 9000 years old and the temple structure around 700 years.

MelaTiruvenkatanathapuram Temple:

Located just a few kilometres from Tirunelveli, this temple is also one among the most visited ones in the area. It is dedicated to one of the forms of Lord Vishnu and can be reached by climbing a long flight of stairs as it is on an elevated plane.

Kappal Matha Church:

Built in the shape of a boat the Church is dedicated to St Mary. It is in Uvari, a town inhabited mainly by fishermen. The Church is built on the seashore making it worth paying a visit both for its unique structure and wonderful location.

Owing its ancient temples, river banks and the scenic beauty of the Western Ghats, Tirunelveli is by far one of the most visited places of Tamil Nadu.

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6 Destinations of Gujarat that are not to be missed

Blog, Destinations - GoroadTrip - June 11, 2014

6 Destinations of Gujarat that are not to be missed

Gandhi’s Ashram, Ahmedabad:

Set up by Mahatma Gandhi in 1915, Gandhi’s Ashram is open to tourists. A new concept of spiritual tourism has been introduced in the Ashram from 2013. A tourist can spend a night at the Ashram to ‘live like Gandhi’ and get a taste of the way Mahatma lived his simple life.

Sun Temple, Modhera:

Modhera is around 100 kilometres from Ahmedabad. This village is a picture of serenity and is home to one of the magnificent sun temples of India. Built by the rulers of the Solanki dynasty, this temple dedicated to the Sun God, Surya, astounds with its intricately carved stone sculptures. A carved steeped tank and the fact that the deity’s positioning makes it receive the morning sun’s first rays at the equinox are testaments to the skill of our historic architects.

Mandvi, Kutch:

For a beach visit, Mandvi is the spot-on destination. The sandy beach offers activities of boating and jet-skiing. A visit to the Maharaja’s palace allows you to have a wonderful view of the town.

Dwarka:

Head to the home of Lord Krishna for a religious experience in Dwarka. Find peace in the temples of Dwarakadish, Rukmini Devi and Bet Dwarka. Enjoy watching the Gomati River flow by at Gomti Ghat and have a look at one of the oldest lighthouses in existence.

Ahmedabad:

A visit to Gujarat is incomplete without spending time in its largest state, Ahmedabad. You can spend time at the monuments of Sabarmati Ashram or Hathisingh Jain Temple or relax by some of the lovely lakes in the city. Of course the city is the best shopping destination too with its diverse textile, handloom and artefacts industries.

Somnath:

The Somnath temple is the first among the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. The temple architecture belongs to the period of Chalukyas and showcases the skills of the SomaputraSalats. Another temple to visit in the place is the Kamnath Temple nearby. The beach is a peaceful place to spend time at this pilgrimage centre.

You can experience the desert at the Rann of Kutch, wildlife at Gir Sanctuary and the cultural extravagance of Gujarat at Bhavnagar. Taste the diversity the state is popular for, by a visit to Gujarat.

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