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4 UNESCO Heritage Sites of Maharashtra

Blog, Heritage & Culture - GoroadTrip - September 10, 2017

Maharashtra is a popular tourist destination and the state of India most visited by foreign travelers. In addition to beautiful beaches, beautiful mountain resorts and national parks and shrines, there are several historical monuments. Four of them are classified by UNESCO as “World Heritage Sites”.

Ajanta Caves:

The Aurangabad Ajanta Caves, dating back to the second century BC, were recognized by UNESCO in 1983 as a heritage of Maharashtra. The Buddhist troglodyte monuments are in a group of 30 and were built in two phases. The caves show rock carvings and sculptures that are among the best examples of ancient Indian art that see and appreciate the world. The caves have monasteries and churches. On a wall 250 feet high, various Buddhist traditions can be seen. A carved statue of the reclining Buddha, a table door with the seven Manushi Buddha (human form), frescoes and well-protected paintings are the highlights of the Ajanta Caves.

Ellora caves:

Also in Aurangabad are the Ellora Caves in the immediate vicinity of the Ajanta Caves. Built by the Rashtrakuta Dynasty, the Ellora Caves are a mixture of Hindu, Jain and Buddhist art, with a series of 34 monasteries and temples that lead to about two kilometers. The caves of Ellora date from the 6th to the 10th century and were declared heritage of UNESCO in 1983 by Maharashtra.

Elephanta caves:

Elephanta Caves are located on Elephanta Island in Mumbai Harbor. The first group has five Hindu caves and the second has two Buddhist wineries. One hour ferry ride from Mumbai Harbor, the Elephanta Caves are a fine example of the art and architecture of medieval India. The caves belong to the 7th century and show daring mythical themes. It was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987 and named “World Heritage Site of Maharashtra”.

Chhatrapati Shivji Terminus:

It was formally named Victoria Terminus in honor of Queen Victoria and inaugurated in 1887 on the occasion of its Golden Jubilee. It was renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and today serves as the headquarters of Central Railways. It was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List of Maharashtra in 2004.

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Laid Back Metropolis of San Diego

Blog, Destinations, Weekend Getaways - GoroadTrip - August 14, 2017

The eighth largest city in America is San Diego. For its sunny atmosphere, happiness and relaxed attitude, it is affectionately known as America’s Finest City. Perfect for the vacationer, San Diego makes it hard not to relax and unwind in their many holiday destinations. There are lively beaches, museums in the city center and the zoo, all perfectly made by the sunny weather. Enjoy sharing these places in San Diego:

San Diego Zoo:

San Diego Zoo is without doubt one of the biggest attractions in Southern California. It has an incredible number of 3000 animals belonging to about 650 species, all installed in landscapes that reproduce their habitats. Equipped with a map, you will find the comfort of a double-decker bus, an express service bus and the Skyfari cable car to explore the vastness of the zoo. Some of the habitats created here are the Elephant Odyssey, the Gorilla Tropics, the Tiger River, the Absolute Monkeys, and the Sun Bear Forest. Koalas, Komodo dragons, Asian bears, Siamangs and orangutans are just a few of the many animals that can be seen in one day.

Torry Pines State Reserve:

The reserve is located on the border of the Pacific Ocean north of La Jolla. It is about 18 miles from downtown San Diego. The 1700-acre nature reserve is ideal for hiking and bird watching amidst the diverse wildlife and rare pine trees of Torry. The trails along the coast are beautifully carved for pleasant walks. You can also stop to swim at two of the beaches, Black Beach and Torry Pines State Beach, where the State Reserve is located.

USS Midway Museum:

For a tour of the oldest American aircraft carrier visit the USS Midway Museum. You will receive first-hand information about life on a US Navy carrier. Around 60 different exhibits will be exhibited and the tour will take you to the engine room, crew cabins and even to the ship’s prison.

Coronado Beach:

Due to its quiet atmosphere and central location, Coronado Beach is popular with families. The beach has a panoramic view and the backdrop of large houses. Along the half-line coast, boogie boarding, bodysurfing and sandcastle building are some of the most popular activities undertaken by tourists on the beach.

Gaslamp Quarter:

With its 16 Victorian-style blocks, the Gaslamp Quarter is a popular spot for shopping, dining and dining out. You can walk the many streets or just hop on the Old Town Trolley Tour to discover the vibrant attractions of this area.

Cabrillo National Monument:

Located 10km from downtown San Diego, the Cabrillo National Monument is a statue of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European sailor on the California coast. Since the monument is 422 feet above sea level, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean and the naval base and watch the whales especially in the months of December to February. Also try the Bayside and Coastal trails that surround the monument and visit the Lighthouse and Visitor Center Old Point Loma while you are here

Mission Beach:

One of the liveliest beaches in Southern California, Mission Beach is popular for sunbathing. His walk is popular with indoor skaters and cyclists. Belmont Park with its Giant Dipper rollercoaster is another attraction for children and adults.

Sea World:

SeaWorld is located about seven miles from the city center and is home to a number of marine animals. Visitors can see California sea lions, dolphins, otters, killer whales, sea turtles and many other species of marine life. The kids are in a treat with the many rides such as the fast Manta Ray roller coaster, Shipwreck Rapids ride and trip to Atlantis. The underwater shark observation tunnel, the penguin habitat and the Wild Arctic Ride / Exhibition are other attractions.

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park:

The Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is more popular for its scenic views and extends over 68 acres. It spans over one and a half miles along the coast of the Point Loma peninsula, making the experience spectacular. The sunsets are beyond the description of the sandstone cliffs of the park.

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10 Most Visited Temples of Telangana

Blog, Heritage & Culture - GoroadTrip - August 2, 2017

Telangana has a fair share of the temples where the faithful flock in large numbers. On top of that, temples make an interesting tourist destination either because of their location or architecture. Some of the temples are listed below:

Temple of Yadagirigutta:

Located on a beautiful hill in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, this temple is dedicated to Lord Narasimha. It is built in the Dravidian architectural style.

Bhadrakali Temple:

One of the oldest temples of the goddess Bhadrakali, this Warangal temple sits at the top of a hill, on the shores of Bhadrakali Lake, between the towns of Warangal and Hanamkonda.

Temple of Bhadrachalam:

One of the popular temples in India dedicated to Lord Rama, the Bhadrachalam Temple is located in Bhadrachalam in Khammam District. The temple is located on the banks of the picturesque Godavari River.

Keesaragutta Temple:

Sivadurga and Bhavani, the temple of Keesaragutta is located in Rangareddy district of Telangana. It is also called Ramalingeshwara Swamy Temple when Lord Rama installed a linga there.

Temple of the thousand pillars:

Built by King Rudra Deva, the thousand pillar temple of Warangal is home to a thousand pillars. The temple is also called Rudreshwara Swami temple and is dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva and Surya. Architectural styles are followed by the Chalukyan and Kakatiya dynasties.

Ramappa Temple:

Warangal, Ramappa temple is located in the village valley Palmpet. Also called Ramalingeshwara temple, it is the testimony of Karkatian architecture with floating bricks and intricate carvings.

Temple of Gnana Saraswati:

Located in Basar on the banks of the Godavari River, Gnana Saraswati Temple is one of the two most famous temples in India, dedicated to the goddess Saraswati. The other temple is in Jammu and Kashmir.

Temple of Birla Mandir:

The Birla Mandir temple in Hyderabad is one of 18 in India. It is a beautiful temple located on a hill 280 feet high and a popular tourist attraction.

Temple of Karmanghat Hanuman:

This temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman is one of the oldest temples in the city of Hyderabad. It spans three acres. The sanctuary of Anjaneya is called Dhyana Anjaneya.

Narasimha Temple Nampally Gutta:

Located in Nampally Gutta, 32 kilometers from Karimnagar, this temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha is located on the hill of Vemulawada. It is modeled after a snake and the snake statue is the largest in India.

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Spiritual and Scenic Paradise Sringeri

Blog, Heritage & Culture - GoroadTrip - July 29, 2017

A temple town in Chikmagalur, Karnataka, Sringeri is located on the banks of the Tunga River along the Western Ghats. It is popular as a spiritual goal. He is also known for Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham founded by Adi Sankaracharya. It is one of the four main temples of the philosophy of Advaita Vedantha and one of the Shakthi Sthalams of India. Sringeri also attracts tourists for its cultural and cultural activities as well as its many temples. Some places to visit in Sringeri are:

Sringeri Mutt:

Also known as Sringeri Sharadha Peetham and Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sharadha Peetham, this mother is on the banks of the Tunga River. He has a vidyathirthalinga in accordance with the traditions of Yajur Veda. The architecture is followed by Dravidian and Hoysalan. The skillful style can be seen in the twelve zodiacal columns, which are arranged so that the rays of the sun fall on the pillar of the month of the respective zodiac. The main sanctuary stands on the circular platform in the shape of a high star.

Sharadha Temple:

It was dedicated to the goddess Sharadamba and was founded by Acharya Sri Shankara Bhagvatpada. It is built in the typical style of the temples of southern India. One of the highlights of the temple are the many stone pillars with sculptures of various goddesses.

Temple of Malayala Brahma:

Near the temple of Sharadha is this temple. It is dedicated to Malayala Brahma or KshetraPalaka, which means janitor. According to legend, a scholar Malayala Brahmana was cursed because he did not share his knowledge and became a Brahma Rakshasha. In order to get rid of the curse, he was advised to act as the goalkeeper of Mutt by Vidyaranya Rishi.

Temple of Vidyasankara:

A rectangular temple dedicated to Vidyashankara who resided here in the 14th century. Built in many styles such as Dravidian, Vijayanagaran and Chalukyan, the temple has many inscriptions that speak of the leaders of Vijayanagara. The main shrine has the deities of the goddess Durga and Lord Vidya Ganesha with the idols of the Trimurthis and their wives. The central ceiling, the sloping roofs in fluted slabs and the sculptures of gods and goddesses on the base of the sanctuary are exemplary and dazzling.

Torana Ganapathi Temple:

The temple dedicated to Ganapathi adores Ganapathi in various forms such as Kshipra Varaprasadhi and VaraPrasadi. The coconut and mods of Sugar and Jaggery, which are the favorites of Ganesha, are offered. The Padukas of Vriddha Narasimha Bharati Swamy are another important element of the temple.

Temple of Kere Anjaneya:

To the west of Sringeri Math is the KereAnjaneya Temple. It is believed that this temple of Hamuman is an Anjaneya temple, which was consecrated and built by Adi Shankaracharya. With a huge idol of Hanuman, the temple also has shrines for Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva. 27 steps to reach the temple.

Horanadu:

Horanadu is about 20 kilometers from Sringeri. It is attractive with lush landscapes of Western Ghats. A temple dedicated to the goddess Annapoorneshwari is another attraction. The deity is represented as Shankha and Chakra and sits on a Peetha. An idol of Sri Chakra Gayathri Devi is also present.

Kigga:

At a distance of ten kilometers from Sringeri is the village of Kigga with green trails and hiking. A trekking route leads to Narasimha Parvatha summit. A temple dedicated to Saint Rishyasringa, made famous by the Ramayana, is a major attraction of the village. The others are Srimane Falls and Rishi Vasishthas Ashram. Spoil yourself with countless activities such as rock climbing, hiking, hiking, camping and Kigga exploration.

Hariharapura:

Main for two temples, Hariharapura is a town about 20 kilometers from Sringeri. The Hari temple is dedicated to Lord Hari and the Hara Temple to Lord Shiva. The Hara Temple is about 400 years old and stands on the banks of the Tunga River. A 110-year-old bridge over the Tunga River linking Hariharapura to Koppa is a major attraction.

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11 Adventure Destinations of India

Adventure Activities, Blog - GoroadTrip - July 21, 2017

Adventure tourism in India is a country that is strong with the various topographical features of our country. Mountains, coasts, vineyards, valleys, national parks, the possibilities of adventure activities are endless. Pack up your daring nature for some of these adventure trips to India:

Hiking, Ladakh:

For trekking adventures, there is no other place than the Ladakh valleys. The topographic features of the Ladakh trails of other popular trekking areas of Himachal and Uttarakhand are its topographical variations. Try the relaxed Sham Valley Trek or increase the setting with the more powerful StokKangri Trek.

Bungee Jumping, Rishikesh:

Rishikesh offers climbing, camping and rafting. But it is the only destination in India to engage in the adventure of bungee jumping to the hair.

Balloon ride, Rajasthan:

The hot air balloon allows tourists, especially newlyweds, to admire the sand dunes, majestic forts and bird-sighted palaces for which Rajasthan is famous.

Wildlife Safari, Bandhavgarh National Park:

Bandhavgarh National Park of Madhya Pradesh Walk an elephant and try a wild cat in Madhya Pradesh. The excitement is not only attracted by wildlife lovers, but also by regular tourists in the spell.

Abseiling, Dandeli:

Dandeli in Karnataka caters to adventurers and offers a variety of activities, including jeep safaris and kayaking.

Mountain bike, Manali:

The Manali Mountains, the destination of number one cycling fanatics, have without a doubt the best roads to cycle the pristine beauty of the Himalayas.

Mountaineering, Sikkim:

Sikkim, the land of the Lepchas, is definitely the land of the mountains. There are so many peaks that you can conquer, like Mount Thingchinkhang, Pandim Mountain and the mighty Mount Kanchenjunga, to get your mountaineering quota.

Cave exploration, Meghalaya:

The excitement and thrill of caving can only come from the “land of the magnificent vineyards” that is Meghalaya.

Heliski, Gulmarg:

An activity for real daredevils, heliskiing in Gulmarg is a must. There is no greater success than the one you get when you jump from a helicopter to hit the snow with your skis.

Climbing, Karnataka:

In most parts of Karnataka, it belongs to hilly areas and becomes a popular destination for climbers. Visit the cities of Savandurga, Ramanagara, Badami, Hampi or Madhugiri for a climbing experience.

Skiing, Auli:

With its dazzling white slopes, high altitude and unspoiled landscape, Auli is undeniably the first destination in India.

 

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