SAMBHAR - The Milky Way - Royal Rajasthan

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The town of Sambhar is named after the largest inland salt lake in India, the Sambhar Lake. The origin of Sambhar Lake is unknown but its mention is found in the epic of Mahabharata. Legends claim that the regional deity, Shakambari Devi, is behind the flatland's formation. The lake is widespread with saline wetland with water deepness that is fluctuated according to seasons. The Sambhar lake basin is divided by a long dam made of sandstone. Irrespective of the narrative, the salt lake is a favourite with photographers, especially astrophotographers . Flamingoes, pelicans and the waterfowls are commonly sighted at the Sambhar Lake.
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The Sambhar wildlife sanctuary is spread across 24,000 hectares and is among the finest wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan. This wildlife sanctuary is ideal for sighting avian species and is a bird paradise. Popular species of birds that are sighted at the sanctuary are coots, black-winged stilts and redshanks. The Sambhar Tiger Sanctuary is also a popular destination for those wanting to see the majestic Tigers.

The night sky here is famous for offering a great view of the milky way. Other than photography and camping at the Sambhar Salt Lake, you can also pay a quick visit to the Shakambari Devi Temple or climb up the Devayani Tank for a panoramic view.

How  to  reach Sambhar

By Air

The Jaipur airport is 118 kilometers away from Sambhar and is located in Sanganer. The airport is well-connected to all major flight routes/destinations in India and to international destinations. From the airport itself, there are many modes of transport like private/public buses and taxis etc that can be taken to reach the Salt Lake and its other attractions.

By Rail


The Sambhar Salt Lake station is the nearest train station, which is also connected to Jaipur Railway Station. There are frequent trains that shuttle to Jaipur on an hourly basis.

By Road

Sambhar is well connected by road with all nearby towns. The NH-8 connects Sambhar to Malhan, which is directly connected to Jaipur.

The best time to visit Sambhar Wildlife Sanctuary and the lake is from October to March. Avoid travelling to Sambhar from June to September, as this is the monsoon season and neither would you find much wildlife then, nor would you be able to witness much of salt production.

MALSHEJ GHAT - Land of Waterfall -- Magnificent Maharashtra

pic :huntforspot

Malshej Ghat is by far one of the most beautiful hill stations in Maharashtra slowly gathering some prominence in the tourism market.
An unexplored beauty till the early 2000’s, Malshej Ghat is 2200ft above the sea level giving us some majestic panaromic views,Boasting of rich flora, fauna & waterfalls. it is at a distance of 130 km north of Pune and 154 km from Mumbai towards northeast. 

Its a mountain pass in the Western Ghats range in the Thane-Pune district of Maharashtra, India. The site is nestled in the lofty rugged hills of the Western Ghats.

The monsoon months of August and September are a good time to visit Malshej Ghat, with green hills and exotic flamingos visit this area during monsoon months.

Pimpalgaon Jog Dam: It is a 5 kms long dam built over the scenic Pushpawati River. This dam is an absolute paradise for bird watching. It is one of the of the top attractions in Malshej ghat hill station. The beautiful hills surrounding the dam serves as a home to many bird species. Migratory pink flamingo birds visit this dam during the winter season. Other birds like Purple Moorhen, Pied Crusted Cuckoo, Alpine Swift, Whistling Thrush & Quail can be seen at this place all year round.

Harishchandragad: It is a very trek from Malshej. The fort is situated at a height of 1,424 metres above MSL. There are Buddhist caves carved out of stone near the fort. One temple of Lord Vishnu Temple is also there.

Shivneri Fort: The birthplace of legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, The Shivneri Fort is not very far (approximately 40 km) from Malshej Ghat

How  to reach Malshej Ghat

By Road

From Pune to go to Malshej ghat by road from Pune, take Pune-Nashik highway (NH-50) to Alephata and turn left on Kalyan-Ahmednagar Highway (SH-222) towards Kalyan.

From Mumbai, take NH3 to Bhiwandi and turn towards Murbad or take state highway via Kalyan, Murbad, Saralgaon and Vaishakhare. It is known for landslides during monsoons

By Train

The nearest rail head is Kalyan in Thane District or Karjat near Mumbai. From Kalyan Rail Station, one can take state buses that commute frequently between Kalyan and Ahmednagar. Any Ahmednagar Bound Bus will stop at Malshej Ghat. It will approximately take 1.5 hrs by Bus from Kalyan Station (Mumbai)

CHILKA -- Queen of natural beauty -- Serene Orisha

Chilika Lake is Asia's biggest inland saltwater lagoon situated near Satapada in Odisha. Located at the mouth of the Daya River, Chilika Lake is the largest coastal lagoon in India and also the second-largest saltwater lagoon in the world after the New Caledonian barrier reef in New Caledonia.

It is a paradise on earth for bird watchers and nature lovers. The pear-shaped lake is dotted with a few small islands and has fisheries and salt pans around its shore

Nalaban

Situated within the heart of Chilika, Nalabana Island deserves a special mention since it's a major refuge point for thousands of resident and migratory birds. It got the status of a sanctuary in 1987 and specially acts as a treat for the bird-watchers during winter season. One can look out for birds like Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, White Bellied Sea Eagle and obtain delighted by watching them hopping on the water.

Kalijai Temple

Island of Goddess Kalijai is that the most frequent spot for tourists. The island is legendary as a middle of spiritual worship thanks to the temple of Kalijai. there's a story behind the place which is centered around an innocent girl called "Kalijai" who got married and was going by boat along side here in-laws through this lake. In between, heavy storms came and everybody including Kalijai died therein storm. Local tourists, sailors, and fishermen pray Goddess Kalijai everyday for his or her safe journey within the lake.

Satapada

Satapada is that the ultimate place to observe Irrawaddy dolphins. If you re lucky then you'll able to see dolphins during your boat ride in satapada. Since previous few years this spot is a major tourist attraction as a result of the development of Dolphin sanctuary.

Honeymoon Island

It is situated in the Rambha Bay near Sankuda Island. this land is also called as Barkuda Island. Britishers used this land for picnic purposes. The waters around the island are very clear and the ambiance is perfect to enjoy your day here.

Becon Island

This island is an architectural marvel with a conical pillar and a small room constructed on the submerged mass of rock in the Rambha bay near Ghantasila hill. The pillar was constructed to put a light on the top. The water spread around the Beacon Island is very charming, surrounded by the Eastern Ghat.

pic : wikipedia

Birds' Island

This is a hillock with huge exposed hanging rocks. The island is covered with herbs, shrubs, trees, and creepers. The granite rocks are remnants of Eastern Ghats. Some of the huge rocks are painted white because of the folic acid from the droppings of the birds. During winter, the migratory birds are coming to this land in a large proportion.

Breakfast Island

It is a pear-shaped island, known as "Sankuda island". The remnants of a dilapidated bungalow constructed b PRthe kind Kalikote which still exists on this island. Previously this island had been used by Mr. Snodgrass (Collector of Ganjam ) for his office work.

Mangaljodi

This is another bird's paradise which has been attracting tons of tourists over the years. If you're a photographer who loves clicking varied wildlife in pristine locations, then do spend a while in Mangalajodi where you'll get some wonderful pictures of birds. each year during winters, the place is inhabited by nearly hundreds of species of migratory birds along side the residential ones, and therefore the sight of them together is actually captivating!

How to  reach

By Air

Bhubaneswar is the closest airport to Chilika.  one must arrive at Bhubaneswar before boarding a taxi or bus to Chilika.

By Road

In NH 5, there are a lot of buses from other major cities of India that are going along the route that helps one for their Chilika trip by bus or by cab, taxi .

By Train

Balugaon and Puri are the nearest railway stations to reach Chilika Lake. You can also come to Bhubaneswar through rail and come by cab or bus to Chilika.

Chilika can be visited round the year, but the ideal time to visit this place would be from October to June.

GOKARNA -- Beach Town -- Spectacular Karnataka

pic : Wikipedia

Gokarna is a place in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka that is a pilgrimage centre and a tourist spot because of its beautiful beaches.
 It is located at the confluence of two rivers Aganashini and Gangavali and the place where the rivers converge forms a shape that's similar to the ear of a cow, hence, the name (Gokarna in the local language literally means cow's ear).

The Mahabaleshwara Shiva Temple in Gokarna makes this place a holy centre for Hindus (especially Shaivites) from all over the country. The temple finds mention in the compositions of Tamil poets Appar and Sambandar who praise the Lord of Tulu Nadu in their hymns. This place was under the rule of the Kadambas, the Vijayanagara kings and was later conquered by the Portuguese

Gokarna Beach is the town's main beach and pilgrims gather here when they visit the Mahabaleshwar Temple. The Kudle Beach is the largest of the five beaches and it is crowded during the peak season— November to February. It must be noted that this is a dangerous place for a swim.

Om Beach has a beautiful coastline that forms the shape of the Hindu symbol Om. The curve of the symbol forms a pool which can be a safe bathing area for even non-swimmers.

Half Moon Beach is a twenty-minute walk from Om Beach and you have to take the path around a hillock to reach here. This beach resembles the shape of a half moon, hence, the name.
 Paradise Beach is a rocky beach, but it is also a secluded and beautiful place which gives it the name. This rocky beach is not ideal for swimming as waves constantly crash violently on the rocky shores.

How  to  reach

By Air

Dabolim Airport, Goa is the nearest airport to Gokarna, situated at a distance of about 140 km. The airport is well connected to major Indian cities as well as European, Asian, American and Middle East countries. Several seasonal charter flights are also available from Dabolim.

By Road

Gokarna is well connected to major cities like Madgaoan, Dabolim, Bangalore and Mangalore via KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) buses. Travellers can avail private and tourist bus services to reach Gokarna from Bangalore that operates on a day-to-day basis.

By Train

Ankola Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Gokarna, located at a distance of about 20 km. This railway station is well connected to major Indian cities and nearby areas. Tourists can take local bus or hire taxi to reach Gokarna from here.

DIU -- Portuguese Marvel -- Historic Daman & Diu

Diu is a town in the Union Territory of Daman and Diu in India.

It is a picturesque isle located off the coast of Gujarat in the Arabian Sea that boasts beautiful beaches, cliffs, and bays. The limestone rich cliffs, the gushing waves at the bay, and the shimmering golden sand beaches make up this stunning island. Diu was once a laid back Portuguese colony which is still famous for its culture-infused architecture including old Portuguese churches and forts, serene beaches, and delectable seafood.

Amongst the historic buildings in Diu, the old Portuguese Fort is the most impressive. There is no entrance charge. There are great views over the sea from the walls and from the lighthouse. There is also a good view of the little Fortim do Mar in the strait between Diu and the mainland. Some of the fort is off-limits as it is used as a sub-jail. From the fort it is possible to walk along the cliffs by the sea.

The old city gate is also worth seeing. A walkway along the restored walls (the "heritage wall") leads down to Jalandhar beach. There are several old Portuguese churches in Diu. St. Paul's seems to be the only one still functioning as a church. The church of St. Thomas is now the Diu Museum, but only has a modest collection of religious objects  You must visit the Sea Shell Museum near the airport; you will surprised to see shells from around the world. A ticket is just 10/- , but worth it. you can explore rest of Saurashtra and Gujarat. like Somnath, Dwarka and Okha after Diu

Hoka trees are only found in Diu in the whole country. If you want to know what a Hoka fruit tastes like, then you don't even need to buy it - Hoka trees are all around, so you pick one from the trees.

How  to  reach 

Even though Diu tourism is flourishing, people still wonder how to reach Diu conveniently and quickly. Diu, however, is well-connected to major cities in India such as New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and Hyderabad by airways.

By Air

 Diu airport, which is closer to the north of Nagoa Beach, is 5 km away from the main town area and easily accessible by buses and taxis.

By Road

Diu is easily accessible via NH 8 and is located about 365 km from Ahmedabad, 276 km from Rajkot, 193 km from Mumbai and about 300 km from Vadodara. Though state-run buses ply between Diu and Ahmedabad

By Train

The nearest railway stations are at Somnath and Veraval, which are 63 km and 67 km away, respectively. There are direct trains that connect Veraval to major cities such as Ahmedabad, Surat, Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Kolkata, etc. Another rail head is the town of Kodinar, which is also on a metre gauge line, and has a single daily service to Veraval.

Safety Suggestion: As such, there is no particular weather condition or time of the year when travelling to Diu is unsafe. You can enjoy a pleasant hassle-free vacation any time of the year in Diu, be it summer, winter, spring or monsoon!

PONMUDI -- Queen of Peak-- Gods own Kerala

If  you are looking to explore some beautiful scenic spots in Kerala, a visit to Ponmudi tourist places is all that you simply need. a small hill station situated around 56 km to the northeast of Trivandrum, Ponmudi town is cradled amidst alluring valleys and large hills. For a bigger a part of the year, the town and places in and round remain covered with mist.

Popularly referred to as local Ooty of Trivandrum, the places offers magnificent views of mountains from most the points. From the serene local villages to large tea gardens, rubber, and cardamom plantations and little cottages, this place has everything which will set you during a cheerful mood. a fascinating hilly abode running parallel to the Arabian Sea , Ponmudi is also famous as an adventure site.

Sightseeing activities in Ponmudi cover mesmerizing places like Deer Park, Meenmutty Falls, Ponmudi Waterfalls, and Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary. additionally to its verdant landscapes, the town is additionally known for its relaxing Ayurvedic treatments. 

Peppara  Wildlife santuary

How to Reach Ponmudi

By Air

The nearest airport to the  Ponmudi is the Trivandrum International Airport.

By Rail

Trivandrum railway station is the nearest railway station. 

By Road

Ponmudi can be easily reached from  Trivandrum ,  buses ply in  very good  frequency here  , or  hire a  cab.  

Season Timings 

Ponmudi  can be visited at any point of the year, as the climate is cool and pleasant throughout.

VAGAMON -- Queen of Hills -- Gods own Kerala

courtesy : Wikipedia

Vagamon is a hill station noted for its misty meadows, splashing waterfalls, and exciting trekking paths. The Vagamon hill station offers you a unique and different environment in comparison to other hill stations of Kerala. Besides, being abundant in natural beauty, the place also offers space for spiritual activities. The peaceful surroundings with cool and soft breeze blowing across the valley makes it a perfect place for meditation.

Temperature here is  between 10 and 25 degree Celsius.,situated around 1100 meters above sea level

Vagamon was discovered by the British who found the place ideal for tea plantations and they were followed by Christian missionaries who built their abode of service at Kurisumala in Vagamon. National Geographic Traveler has listed Vagamon on their directory of the "50 most attractive places to visit in India".

few sight seeing options 

Elaveezha Poonchira

Elaveezha Poonchira is among the best places in Kerala to watch sunset and sunrise without ant hindrance. Awesome scenery and green valleys highlighted by those large mountains is excellent enough for a vacation with mystic appeal. According to tale, Panchali the wife of Pandavas bathed in a Pool here, the queen of the impressive Mahabharata. Elaveezha Poonchira in Malayalam indicates ‘valley where leaves in don’t fall’ and it is known as so because trees are not present in this area.

Kurisumala Ashram

Kurisumala Ashram is a well-known Christian pilgrimage center as well as monastery. The prayer area is quite large to execute wishes and relaxation. The cattle and diary farm run by the priests here is another attraction. Kurisumala Ashram is thronged by crowds on Good Friday when thousands of religious enthusiasts from far and near meet and go up the mountain holding wood crosses to enact the way of the cross.

Kuttikanam

Kuttikkanam, is covered in tea plantations, pine forests, streams, cardamom plantations and hills which oozes out an alluring charm for a relaxing a peaceful vacation at 3500 meters above sea level.Kuttikanam once used to be the vacation destination of the royal family and Henry Baker who first discovered the uniqueness of this place and he started coffee plantations here which was later converted to tea and the requirement of manual labour bought in more people to Kuttikanam.

Murugan Mala

Murugan Mala is a mountain that houses a rock-cut forehead devoted to Lord Murugan which is located at a distance of 8 miles from Vagamon. Many enthusiasts check out the position every season. The forehead of Master Murugan, located on this mountain, was designed using only one stone.

Parumthupara View Point

Parumthupara has a giant rock sculpture at Grampi known as Parunthupara situated 1200 m above the sea level. Perfect for hiking, this extreme bumpy corner provides a amazing encounter for both naturel as well as encounter fans. Relaxed and silent with awesome, clean wind, this position has limitations as it is quite risky to go beyond a certain range.

Vagamon Tea Estates

You can observe one of the biggest tea properties in Kerala at Vagamon. Pulikkanam Estate and MMJ Plantations are the most famous tea estates in Vagamon. You can get authorization from the Estate office and have a undergo the property landscapes and this for sure is going to be a value time you invest here.

Thangal Para

A trip of about five miles from Vagamon, down the Elappara path, will take you to the Thangal Para, a place of spiritual significance to Muslims. Husrath Sheikh Fariduddin , a Sufi saint who is believed to have visited Kerala from Afghanistan about 800 decades ago has a dargah here. Uroos, is the most famous festival at this dargah and ic cleberated during April with Ganjusakkar (a lovely dish).

www.aanavadi.com

How to Reach Vagamon

By Air

The nearest airport to the Vagamon hill station is the Cochin International Airport.

By Rail

Kottayam railway station is the nearest railway station to Vagamon hills.

By Road

Vagamon hills can be easily reached from anywhere in Kottayam, Kerala as the place is well connected by a wide network of roads.

Season Timings 

Except for the monsoons which last from June till August, Wagamon can be visited at any point of the year, as the climate is cool and pleasant throughout.