Travel - Best Places of Interest

August 19, 2020 Travel, Within India

8 Must-Visit Offbeat Destinations in Rajasthan for Unique Experiences

Rajasthan is vast, charming and all shades wonderful. The best places to visit in Rajasthan are counted among the best of India. But, beyond these touristy trails lay the real heart of Rajasthan. The offbeat destinations in Rajasthan are worth exploring as here you come across the real glorious Rajputana. The fascinating history, the incredible architecture, the legends, traditions, and culture make you yearn for the glorious grandeur of the past.

If you want to explore the offbeat gems on your Rajasthan tour, here’s where you can go:

Bundi

A picture-perfect town with its unconquerable fortress, Bundi is one of the amazing lesser-known destinations in Rajasthan. The rustic charm of Bundi is what captures the hearts. It is interesting to note that Bundi’s houses have a bluish-hue like other places in Rajasthan to stay cool during the hot summer.

Coming to the attractions of Bundi, The Taragarh Fort is a must-visit for its charm of medieval grandeur. The Sukh Mahal and the Garh Palace have a fairy tale quality about it. Visit the step-wells, the baoris for incredible architecture, and ornate craftsmanship. Glassy lakes in Bundi add to its charm as do the vibrant markets.

Tourist Attractions in Bundi

Taragarh Fort
Raniji Ki Baori
Sukh Mahal
Garh Palace
Jait Sagar Lake

Mandawa

A scenic town in the Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, Mandawa is one of the offbeat treasures of the land and a perfect place for City break. Located in the heart of the Shekhawati region, a part of the Open Art Gallery of Rajasthan, Mandawa is dotted with forts, palaces and splendid mansions (Havelis). Mandawa is one of the oldest cities in the region that surprises visitors at every turn.

The charming palaces, Havelis, and forts are a treasure of colourful frescoes and painted masterpieces inspired by Hindu Mythology. If you would like to appreciate art, handicraft, and a royal stay; then the Mandawa Castle is worth a stay during your trip to Rajasthan and also an amazing weekend getaway near Delhi. The royal heritage hotel with antique furniture and classic art gives you a chance to experience royal life.

Castle Mandawa, a fortress, now converted into a luxurious heritage hotel, located in the heart of the city of Mandawa, Jhunjhunu District, Rajasthan.
*IC: Raj.baishya*

Tourist Attractions

Snehi Ram Ladia Haveli
Harlalka Well
Seth Dayaram Dedraj Goenka Haveli

Kota

Painting quite a different picture from the quintessential Rajasthani image of the desert, Kota is a lush green town. Nestled by the River Chambal, the town is dotted with history, heritage, vibrant culture, and incredible experiences.

Sightseeing here includes the Kota Garh, or City Palace, the Maharao Madho Singh Museum, the 18th-century Jagmandir Palace amid Kishore Sagar Lake, tranquil Chambal Garden and more.

Tourist Attractions in Kota

Kotah Garh
Kishore Sagar
Jag Mandir
Maharao Madho Singh Museum

Bikaner

The ‘Camel Country’, Bikaner is one of the best places to visit in Rajasthan. Surrounded by the golden sand dunes of the Thar Desert, the historic town has much to offer. The 16th-century Junagarh Fort is the star attraction. Of note is the Prachina Museum that displays traditional textiles and royal portraits.

The other tourist places in Bikaner include Lalgarh Palace, Gajner Palace, Gajner Lake, etc. Nearby, the Karni Mata temple, the temple of rats is a visit for the ones who are not faint-hearted. An evening on the sand dunes of Bikaner is a cherished experience as is dining on the mouthwatering Rajasthan dishes.

Offbeat camel in Bikaner Rajasthan — Camel near jorbeed bikaner1
IC: PJeganathan

Tourist Attractions in Bikaner

Junagarh Fort
Jain Temple
National Research Centre on Camel
Lalgarh Palace and Museum
Rampuria Havelis

Alwar

Counted among the best places to visit in Rajasthan, Alwar is a city of many charms. Nestled at the lush foothills of the Aravallis, the town is one of the ancient kingdoms of the Rajputana. It is a treasure of history, heritage, culture, adventure, wildlife, and many more.

Offbeat Neemrana Fort Palace — BEAUTIFUL NEEMRANA FORT PALACE
IC: Niks324

The Neemrana Fort is a major tourist attraction of the city as is the City Palace, the SiliSerh Lake, and the Siliserh Lake Palace. Wildlife safari at the Sariska Nature Reserve is also a must-try. Alwar is among the best places to visit in Jaipur. The haunted Bhangarh Fort is for the brave hearts and another famous place situated nearby Alwar and Jaipur.

Tourist Attractions in Alwar

Sariska Tiger Reserve
City Palace
Bhangarh Fort
Siliserh Lake
Bala Quila

Deogarh

A picture-perfect royal kingdom with its own Palace, Deogarh is a charming destination to visit during the Rajasthan tour. An estate of Chundawat Rajputs, the Deogarh Mahal in the town is the most prized tourist attraction. For some serene royal vacation, this is the ideal getaway in the royal state.

Deogarh is a popular place to visit around Jodhpur. This town is situated on the eastern side of the Aravalli ranges atop a small hill. The famous attractions of this quaint little town are Kunjbihari Temple, Charbhuja Temple, and Anjaneshwar Mahadev Temple which is renowned for its Shivalinga which formed naturally as a result of rainwater dissolving calcium in the rocks.

Tourist Attractions in Deogarh

Offbeat temple in Basuki Deogarh — Basuki Nath Temple at Basuki Bihari North
IC: Sntshkumar750

Basukinath
Naulakha Mandir
Jain Tirthankar Shantinath Temple
Trikut

Dungarpur

Known as ‘The City of Hills’, Dungarpur is an exotic beauty snuggled in the lush foothills of the Aravallis, nourished by the rivers. One of Rajasthan’s best kept secrets, the town is dotted with the beautiful architecture of embellished ‘jharokhas’ (windows). You can marvel at the ornate window structures at Udai Bilas Palace, Juna Mahal, and Badal Mahal. This is one of the best offbeat destinations in Rajasthan and a perfect place to adore the architectural beauty of the bygone era.

Dev Somnath Temple, Dungapur — Dev Somnath Temple, Dungarpur by Hritik Sharma Hritiksharma

Besides enjoying the sights, enjoy the serenity of Baneshwar Temple, Nagfanji, Deo Somnath, Kshetrapal, and Shrinathji, which lies on the bank of the pristine Gaib Sagar Lake. For some memorable moments of bliss, Dungarpur is a beautiful travel getaway.

Tourist Attractions in Dungarpur

Badal Mahal
Juna Mahal
Shrinathji Mandir
Gap Sagar Lake

Churu

Known as the gateway to the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, Churu is a beautiful less-known tourist destination of Rajasthan. Snuggled on the edge of the Thar Desert and located amid the golden dunes, Churu is famous for the 400-year old fort. Typical villages, shifting golden sand dunes, grand Havelis, fresco paintings, and unique architecture make it a worthwhile vacation getaway.

Tourist Attractions in Churu

Churu Fort
Babosa Dham
Surana Haveli

Author Bio:

A soul bred in the mountains, Akansha Negi doles out travel inspiration from solo wandering, exploring heritage and culture, tasting local cuisine, adventures, and experiences of her travels. As a travel enthusiast, she loves to travel in India as this country is a sumptuous amalgam of traditions, spiritual beliefs, and magnificent landscapes. She keeps penning down and capturing her travel experiences and loves to share them with all. She wishes to travel across the globe in the years to come.

August 10, 2020 Travel, Within India

Tips on how to Travel Safely to Uttarakhand During and After COVID 19

COVID 19 had put the whole world to a sudden stop with an uncertain future. It came as a piece of heartbreaking news, especially for the travellers. However with people adopting various measures, practising social distancing norms, and diligently wearing a mask everywhere the pandemic is slowly and steadily coming under control.

Some places in India have reopened for tourist visits with a set of rules that are compulsory to follow when you are in Uttarakhand and these sets of rules are established by the government for the safety of the people there.

Devbhoomi Uttarakhand has tackled the situation very well and with a brave face on. They had already permitted inter-district travel for the locals with the help of an e-pass. However, as the situation seems to be coming under control on a daily basis Uttarakhand has now opened its doors to travellers and pilgrims from everywhere.

Devbhoomi Uttarakhand
Image courtesy- Pioneer Edge

Here is how you can safely travel in and around Uttarakhand during and after COVID

Mandatory COVID 19 Test Report

The pandemic has effected and largely changed the normal state of functioning. While travelling from one place to another it has been absolutely mandatory not only to Uttarakhand but also to various different parts of India by road.

Make sure to get yourself tested for COVID and once the reports come out to be negative be sure to carry the genuine/authentic test reports with you anywhere you travel. You will be asked at various polls and checkpoints to show the COVID negative test report as the government of Uttarakhand is very particular about only allowing people who are not a threat to their locals.

Travel In Your Private Vehicle

Do not be extremely ambitious regarding your travel plans. Be realistic and plan your trip practically to suit these uncertain times. It is not wise to be depended heavily on local transportation as nobody knows for sure the sanitization procedure the buses or shared cabs has undergone and it is better to be safe than sorry.

Travelling in your own vehicle will guarantee that you keep it sanitized, clean, and in good condition. You will also be able to get back safely to your home in case there is some dire situation suddenly.

Prepare For Lengthy Stay

Staycations or lengthy vacations have quickly become one of the most talked-about trends among travel enthusiasts. As of now, home quarantine is being levied on everyone arriving from out of the state of Uttarakhand. You should book your stay for at least 10-14 days. This is one of the most important precautionary measures that every traveller should take.

There are hotels and cottages available for longer stays that you can book by contacting a trusted travel and tours company. Apart from that as per the instructions of the tourism minister of Uttarakhand, you must present the 7 days booking of the place that you will be staying in case the authorities ask for it.

Follow All the Protocols As Mentioned By the State Government

All the states in India have come up with a list of strict rules and regulations to be followed by all tourists and travellers coming in from different parts of India to minimize the probable outbreak of the pandemic.

The rules mentioned above are some of the vital points to follow while travelling within Devbhoomi. There are restrictions on public movement as well from 10 pm to 5 am. All these rules have been created in the light of unlocking 2.0 and to provide the safest experience for both locals and tourists.

Note: Be sure to ask beforehand at the accommodation you shall be staying regarding the sanitization conditions and the date of the last person staying there.

Miscellaneous Travel Tips for a Safe Experience

Always keep a good stock of hand sanitizer with you and if possible a sanitizer spray to clean all your small items like wallet, keys, rings, Jewellery, etc.
Carry multiple disposable masks and N95 masks as well. N95 masks are the best choice for travel as advised by ICMR.
Always carry disposable paper soaps as soap water is the best defence against the COVID virus, it has also been mentioned in the Who guidelines.
Always keep yourself covered well i.e. with the help of stoles or caps keep your hair covered in order to maximize protection.
Follow all the social distancing norms and stay at least 3-6 feet away from everyone outside as you may never know who the carrier is.
Never touch your face, mouth, nose, eyes, or ears. But if you feel itchy then you can use a sanitizer and then touch your face.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you can travel safely in Uttarakhand if only you follow protocol and make sure that you are safe in order to ensure the safety of everyone around you as well. Check out the list of guidelines and rules of the state government so that you don’t end up following all the regulations to the t. Always remember prevention is always better than the cure.

We believe these points are surely to help you in taking a break from your regular life along with fighting against COVID-19 to make it one of your Best Uttarakhand Tours where you could gather some really amazing moments.

If you find this article helpful and informative to you then do show us your love by sharing with your friends and other contacts and we would also love to hear your feedback for this post, so write down your views in the comment box below.

August 4, 2020 Travel, Within India

A Guide for Your Chardham Yatra by Helicopter Trip

The Chardham Yatra is a sacred pilgrimage to the four holy shrines in ‘Dev Bhoomi’ Uttarakhand. Believed to be the holiest journey, the Yatra cleanses all sins and grants salvation to the pilgrims who complete this journey. Chardham Yatra by helicopter is an easy and hassle-free way to complete the journey to the divine shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Chardham Yatra by helicopter starts in the beautiful city of Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand.

The Yatra is planned in a clockwise direction in Uttarakhand. It takes around 10-12 days to complete the whole journey by road as the shrines are nestled high up in the Himalayas of Uttarakhand. But for a Chardham Yatra by helicopter, it takes only 4 to 5 days. Therefore pilgrims prefer Yatra by helicopter as it saves time as well as energy.

So, if you’re planning a Chardham Yatra by helicopter then here is all you need to know including the day-wise itinerary.

Where to Book Chardham Yatra by Helicopter Package?

Tourism-of-India provides multiple options for Chardham Yatra tour packages for the devotees. They also have a pre-planned Chardham Yatra by helicopter packages with cost or you can customize for a better travel experience.

Detailed Information about Char Dhams:

Yamunotri Dham

Yamunotri is the holy shrine of the River Goddess Yamuna, the sister of Lord Yama “The God of Death”. The black idol of the Goddess is visited by pilgrims from far ends of the world. A visit to Yamunotri Dham is said to cleanse all sins of a lifetime and allows pilgrims a boon of preventing an untimely death.

The helicopter journey takes almost 40 minutes and you will land at the Kharsali Helipad to get to Yamunotri. The holy Chardham destination is at a distance of a 5 km trek. You can choose to walk or get a palki or pony to get to the temple.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the mountains and feel blessed by the divine temple. Two hot springs near the temple are also visited by pilgrims. Pray at the revered temple and after your darshan.

Gangotri Dham

Gangotri is the revered shrine of the River Goddess Ganga. According to a legend from Hinduism, the river was brought on earth after great penance. It is believed that bathing in the holy waters of Ganga cleanses one of the sins of life and grants salvation. The white-marble temple, built in the 19th century is a sacred shrine.

The Gangotri temple can be reached in a short walk from the hotel. Pray to the Goddess and get blessings. The divine ambiance of the temple blesses pilgrims with serenity and bliss.

Kedarnath Dham

Kedarnath is one of the 12 holy Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. According to a Hindu legend, Lord Shiva in his form of the bull was hiding from the Pandavas of Mahabharata. On getting discovered the lord divided his bull form into various regions of India and Nepal. The hump became the revered lingam of Kedarnath Dham. The holy temple is set in the middle of the Garhwal Himalayan range with a backdrop of snow-covered mountains and near the Mandakini River. It is blessed with an ambiance of spirituality and the breathtaking beauty of the mountains. It is easily one of the most beautiful temples in India.

Badrinath Dham

Badrinath Dham is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in India, which is both a part of the Chardham Yatra in Uttarakhand and the other Chardham circuit in India. The holy shrine prays to the Badri form of Lord Vishnu.

Get a helicopter ride to Badrinath helipad. The journey of the land of Narayan is a scenic one. Enjoy the pictorial views of the mountains in its snow-draped glory.

7 Amazing Thailand Facts You Should Know

Thailand is one of the most famed and visited Southeast Asian countries. It has the warmest locals, charming ever culture, wonderful architecture, breathtaking nature, unspoiled islands and beaches, mouth-watering foods, and most importantly, the hassle-free travel and Thailand visa procedures. Apart from these, there are some amazing and interesting things to know about Thailand – some of which you’ll be aware and some not. So come test your knowledge about Thailand by taking a look at these surprising facts about the country.

Thailand is the ‘Land of the Free’

In Thai language, Thailand is known as Prathep Thai. And it absolutely lives up to its literal meaning, ‘Land of the Free.’ After all, it holds the distinction of being the only country in the Southeast Asia that was never occupied by the European colonial powers.

The official name of Thailand’s capital city is the longest of its kind

Thailand is famous all over for its largest as well as the vibrant capital city, Bangkok. But did you know that the official name of its capital city is the world’s longest city name? So get ready to give your tongue a twist or exercise; the official name of Bangkok is, ‘Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.’

This comprises Pali and Sanskrit words and is translated in English as the city of angels, the glorious city, the abode of the Emerald Buddha, the invincible city of Lord Indra (unlike Ayutthaya), the world’s imposing capital blessed with nine precious gems, the cheerful city with an enormous Royal Palace which resembles the heavenly abode reigned by the reincarnated god.”

Find the world’s largest and smallest creature in Thailand

Black and beige monitor lizard, Thailand — Black and beige Monitor lizard
Photo by **Sudipta Mondal** from **Pexels**

Yes, Thailand bags this rare credit of being the country that inhabits both the largest and smallest creature in the world. Growing to a length of up to just 33 centimetres and weighing not more than two grams, the Bumblebee Bat is the world’s smallest mammal and you can find them in Thailand’s Sai Yok National Park at Kanchanaburi Province. Speaking of the largest creatures, you’ll not only find the biggest fish (white shark) in the sea but also the largest of its kind lizard, known as Monitor Lizard (growing up to seven feet).

Siamese cats are actually from Thailand

Siamese cats Thailand — Image by Andreas Lischka from Pixabay

Siamese cats are captivating for its distinctive charm and sleek appearance. It’s one of the world’s oldest cat breeds and more fascinatingly, it’s believed to have been originated in Thailand, back in the 14^th century. This is also found mentioned in an ancient Thai manuscript. Many interesting beliefs revolve around this type of cat. For instance, its considered auspicious to gift a Siamese cat to the brides.

Thailand has only a fraction of forest than it had a century ago

Any people travelling to Thailand instantly fall for its lush yet supremely appealing landscape with verdant jungles, laid-back islands, and other natural formations such as mountains, waterfalls, natural hot springs, striking valleys etc. However, the sad reality is that the country, especially in its northern part, was once completely blanketed with dense forests and trees. In fact, what now left is just a quarter of than it did over a hundred years ago. But the good news is that the logging activities are now completely banned in the country.

There is a festival dedicated to monkeys

One of the main reasons that make Thailand really unique is its weird beliefs and alluring festivals including the monkey buffet festival. It takes place annually in the province of Lophuri, also known as the land of monkeys, with thousands of long-tailed macaques. Interestingly, they are considered the descendants of Lord Hanuman. As indicative of its name, the festival’s major highlight is a sumptuous feast arranged for its revered residents, wherein they are allowed to devour on endless pounds of food including fresh tropical fruits, vegetables, desserts etc. Placed about 150 kilometers from the capital city of Bangkok, it’s held at a ruined Khmer shrine whose origin traces back to the 10^th century.

Thailand has a type of fish which can walk on land

Cave Angel Fish in Mae Hongson, Thailand by Chulabush Khatancharden Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Thailand is home to some rare and endangered wildlife and underworld species, and one of the most fascinating among them is the Cryptotora Thamicola. This is an amphibious fish which however is unlike any other fish species. With four legs, it’s not only able to swim out of water and walk like any other ordinary four-legged animal, but also come with the ability to climb the sheer rock surfaces along the waterfalls. This is probably the reason it’s also known as the Waterfall Climbing Cavefish. Interestingly, this fish is blind and mostly found in the caves across Northern Island.

CONCLUSION

From boasting one of the world’s longest-reigning monarchs to being the land of over 35,000 shrines, there are more such interesting facts about Thailand. So how many of these amazing Thailand facts are you already aware of? Let us know in the comment section below.