Places to visit in Badrinath

Vasudhara Falls

Badrinath is a naturally blessed pilgrimage nestled between the beautiful Nar and Narayan mountain ranges. The unspoiled beauty and the breathtaking surroundings add more glory to this spiritual place dedicated to Lord Vishnu. One of the most revered stopovers of Char Dham pilgrimage circuit, and like other pilgrimages in the circuit Badrinath holds a great religious significance in Hinduism and Hindu devout. This ancient holy town of Badrinath is located in the Chamoli district in Uttarakhand at an altitude of 3133 meters above the sea level. The temple name has been derived from the word Badri as the region is much abundant in yielding berries. With myriads of holy legends and the myths associated with the place, Badrinath holds a prominent place in the list of Hindu pilgrimage sites.

Places to visit around Badrinath-

Despite being reckoned as a revered place in Uttarakhand, Badrinath is surrounded by numerous interesting traveling destinations which can give you an exciting and awe-inspiring traveling experience. This article has compiled the list of all the tourist destinations in and around Badrinath which can be explored by opting Badrinath Yatra Package.

1.    Badrinath Temple

Badrinath temple, Chardham

Also called as Badrinarayan Temple, Badrinath Temple is situated at the right side of the Alaknanda River. The temple stands at an altitude of 3133 meters above the sea level in the Chamoli district in Uttarakhand and is dedicated to Lord Badri (Vishnu). The temple is believed to be constructed during the 8th century by the great philosopher Adi Shankaracharya. “Singh Dwar” which is the main entrance of the temple is the major attraction of the temple. A 3.3 meter tall and black-stoned statue of Lord Vishnu which is installed in the Garbhagriha of the temple along with the idols of other gods and goddesses. Devotees cannot pay their homage and cannot do the philosophy of Lord Vishnu during winter as this divine temple is closed during the winter season which gets opened with the commencement of summer season.

2.    Vasudhara Falls

Vasudhara falls near Badrinath

This beautiful waterfall in Uttarakhand is one of the most charming traveling destinations near Badrinath. The water of this stunning waterfall falls from a great height of 400 feet above the sea level and is a perfect example of nature’s ethereal beauty. It is believed that the cascading water falling from the height turns away from those who are not pure at heart and can only be savored by the people with pure and clean heart. Despite being a remote location, the cool and salubrious ambiance of the atmosphere and the unadulterated beauty Vasudhara waterfalls is a heavily crowded and a must visit place in Badrinath.

3.    Satopanth Lake

Satopanth Lake, near Badrinath

A triangular lake which contains crystal clear green water is situated at an elevation of 4600 meters above the sea level and is reckoned as the highest altitude lake located in Uttarakhand. The lake is established near the divine Badrinath Temple. The trekking trail of this pea-green lake is quite appealing and inviting to the adventure enthusiasts to gear up themselves for an enrapturing and lifelong trekking experience. The beautiful landscape of the surrounding that includes snow-clad mountains, lush green meadows, and the imposing mountain peaks negotiates the tiredness and keeps you refresh and motivated during the trek.

4.    Brahma Kapal

Brahma Kapal, near Badrinath

This traveling destination of Badrinath holds a great significance in Hinduism and is known to be the place where people come to pay respect and homage to the departed souls of their ancestors. Brahma Kapal is located around 2 km away from the Badrinath shrine and there is a deep belief among Hindu devout that if they perform the Shraddha rituals of their ancestors at this sacred place then the departed souls of their ancestors and their loved ones get liberation from the cycle of birth and death.


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5.    Mana Village

A small yet beautiful hamlet located in the Chamoli district in Uttarakhand, Mana Village is considered as the last Indian Village. This beautiful village is located on the border of India and Tibet and at an elevation of 3219 meters above the sea level. It is a habitat of Bhotias who are the Indo-Mongolian tribes. The village has a total population of 600 and it houses around 180 households. It houses several holy caves including Vyas Cave which is believed to be the same place where great saint VedVyas dictated the Mahabharata epic to Lord Ganesha. The village is widely known for its panoramic views that include imposing Himalayan mountain peaks, enchanting waterfall, and many more.

6.    Joshimath

Joshimath, near Badrinath

Also called as winter abode of Badrinath Temple, Joshimath is situated at an elevation of 6150 feet above the sea level and is beautifully nestled amidst the snow-covered Himalayan ranges. The region acts as the base of numerous trekking trails, Himalayan expeditions, camping, and pilgrimage centers. During winter when the Badrinath Temple remains closed then devotees come to Joshimath to pay their homage and offerings to Lord Vishnu. It also houses the famous ancient tree Kalpavriksha which is around 1200 years old.

7. Bheem Pul

Bheem Pul, near Badrinath

A small trek from Mana village leads us to this beautiful natural stone bridge. This magnificent stone bridge is located 3 km away from Badrinath and has been established over Saraswati River. According to Hindu mythology, this bridge was established by Bheem, one of the mighty Pandava brothers. It is believed that Pandavas started their journey towards heaven along with their wife Draupadi from the same place. Draupadi couldn’t cross the Saraswati River so Bheema in order to help her threw a stone in the river and this is how the bridge was established. Tourists can explore the sacred Vyas Cave which is located opposite to this Pul and has many panoramic sceneries to explore.

8. Vasuki Tal-

Vasuki Thaal, near Badrinath
Hari Kandala [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]

A beautiful glacial lake nestled at an impressive elevation of almost 14,200 feet above the sea level. According to a legend Lord Vishnu took bath in this divine lake on the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan and since then it holds religious significance in Hinduism. Tourists can enjoy the beautiful landscape surrounding this placid lake that includes the admirable view of imposing Chaukhamba Peak, the huge Himalayan ranges, blossoming Brahma Kamal and various other scented colorful flowers.

Festivals in Badrinath:

•    Mata MurtiKaMela

There is a grand celebration organized every year on the day when the idol of Lord Uddhavji is brought to the Mata Murti Temple which is approx. 3 km away and the idol is brought back to its place on the same day.

•    Badri Kedar Festival

This auspicious festival is celebrated in the month of June and the festival is organized in the temples of Badrinath and Kedarnath. The festival continues for eight days and through this Badri-Kedar festival, numerous greatest artists come under the same platform.



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•    Krishna Janmashtami

The other auspicious celebration held in the Badrinath shrine is the birth celebration of Lord Krishna in which thousands of devotees take part every year.

7 Most Romantic Hotels in Dubai for Couples

Best hotels for couples in Dubai

Isn’t love the most beautiful feeling to ever be? Don’t you think that love is something that you should celebrate?

If you have found the love of your life you should never hold back from cherishing that love and your relationship. You can always make some time out of your work life to spend quality time with your better half.

You can do so many things such as a vacation trip, stay at a romantic hotel, dinner at a romantic restaurant, or can do all of these together. If you have made up your mind to surprise your beloved with a trip there is one destination that is perfect for you which is Dubai.

In Dubai, you will find everything that you need for your romantic getaway. Well, you might be familiar with various romantic places in Dubai already but do you know about the romantic hotels in Dubai?

Here are 7 Most Romantic hotels in Dubai to pick from:

  1. Jumeirah Al Naseem

There are numerous places in Dubai where you can stay but nothing can beat the beauty of Jumeirah Al Naseem. The facilities and services that you can avail at this place will only make your trip even more worth remembering. There are beautifully landscaped gardens and stunning places to dine.

You can choose your room from different suites such as the royal suite, ocean terrace suite, and more. There is a private beach where you to sit and relax with your lover. Where you can just sit and stare at the view from your suite in the evening you can enjoy some thrilling water sports during day time at the hotel’s water sports center.

  • La Ville Hotel and Suites

La Ville Hotel is a 5-star boutique hotel that will give you an experience like never before. The amazing decor and architectural plans used to build this hotel are enough to set your mood for the holidays. There is a private spa for the customers where you can get rid of fatigue to be refreshed to explore different sites.

Just like you, there are many other couples preparing for a romantic outing so getting all your bookings done beforehand is always better.  You can do it while planning it in your home through online booking sites such as Rehlat Airways and not just hotels even if your flights get full during seasons. Using an online site will make your visit tension free plus you get to choose the flights and hotels according to you like the best hotels for unmarried couples in Dubai.

  • Atlantis – The Palm

Just the fact that this hotel is on one of the largest man-made islands in the world makes Atlantis- the Palm a golden choice. The charm of the place comes from the astounding underwater suites which are just beyond comparison.

Atlantis-palm Credit - Telegraph
romantic Dubai
Atlantis-palm Credit – Telegraph

Forget about the city couples have a lot to do and see on this Island only like shopping, dolphin swims, aquarium dives, and even helicopter tours. Since it is a very popular place for couples to hang out the aura around the Palm is already romantic. 

  • The Palace at One & Only Royal Mirage

Are you looking forward to that one special romantic dinner in Dubai?  Then you should plan your stay at The Palace. The hotel by One & Only Resorts is the definition of incredible starting from its royal suites and pleasing views to its scrumptious cuisines.

The Palace Pool Bar Esplanade - Credit Newsroom Kerzner, romantic Dubai
The Palace Pool Bar Esplanade – Credit Newsroom Kerzner

At the Palace, you can have the ultimate dining experience with different dishes at 4 different restaurants.  Along with this, there are bars and lounges such as The Jetty Lounge, The rooftop Terrace & sports Lounge and you can chill at the luxurious seafront at Drift Beach.

  • Al Maha Desert Resort

If you are in Dubai and haven’t been to the deserts then your trip isn’t complete and if your beloved finds deserts fascinating you can book a room at the Al Maha Desert resort which is surrounded by dunes and enchant them with its glorious history.

Al Maha Desert Credit - Youtube, romantic Dubai
Al Maha Desert Credit – Youtube

Stay at Al Maha will provide you with a lovely peaceful atmosphere with activities like camel rides, desert drivers, wildlife safari, and Ghaf tree walk. After relishing in the sand you can end your day here with a romantic dinner under the stars.  

  • Raffles Dubai

 No way can’t a hotel with interiors made with handmade ornaments be romantic. The Raffles is a well-known landmark of the Skyline over the city of Dubai. At Raffles, you can book a landmark suite, penthouse suite, or presidential suite. Your romantic holiday can have more than just a stay at Raffles. You can organize celebrations for your lover here be it their birthday or your anniversary.

 When you are traveling from a faraway place you aren’t much aware of the choices. In such situations, online portals such as Flyin can be helpful as they will provide you with the best hotels in Dubai where you can make adjustments as per you. You can also make your travel less troublesome with easy Flyin flight booking from this site only.

  • Anantara The Palm Dubai

The Anantara resort is an elegant place to spend holiday time with your loved one. Here you can book an apartment, an overwater Villa, or a beach pool villa rather than a room with an alluring view. Dining at Anantara includes delicious food items from across the globe at Palm Jumeirah restaurants and beautiful cafes and lounges.

You can mold your stay at the hotel in whatever way you want. You can sit by the beach relaxing or if you want you can go for some adventure water sports or can utilize the Spa services, a salon for both men and women, get a massage, or take a steam bath.



You may also like to read Top 7 Things to Keep in Mind while traveling to Dubai



Conclusion

Once you commit yourself to somebody it is important that you keep making efforts to keep the romance alive. With so many online websites that can help us reach out to different holiday destinations deciding on a trip sometimes isn’t that difficult. In Dubai, you can spend a wonderful vacation with a stay at romantic places. You can also look for different wedding anniversary packages in Dubai on these sites and make your beloved feel special.


Author bio – Chirag Aggarwal is a pro blogger that writes in different niches and working in this industry for 3 years. He is known for his creative writing style and valuable information. At present, he is a Digital Marketer and capable of driving the best results.

Travel Website Designs – Two best inspirations websites you should follow!

travel website design

Are you looking for web design inspirations for a travel website to help you increase engagement and conversion?

Well, we have compiled a list of few amazingly designed and intelligently optimized travel websites that will certainly help you get inspired.

Our world is an amazing place filled with intriguing landscape and breathtaking wonders. While most of us neither have the audacity to leave our jobs nor the resources required to travel the world, still tourism is one of the largest global industries worth billions of dollars annually. And that’s one reason why so many businesses are looking to grab their market shares in the industry and aesthetically pleasing and mind-numbing web design is certainly one of the first tasks to achieve.

Now, before we move on to look at our inspiring travel website designs, let’s just give you some quick pro tips for best travel web design:

Best Travel Web Designs Tips:

  • Stay focused on core information
  • Never, I repeat never forget to use life-size exquisite and enchanting natural imagery for background
  • Gives as much travel and hotel information as possible
  • Mark special information like open and close seasons boldly and clearly
  • Mobile responsive
  • Minimize the fuss to navigate the site
  • Be authentic and relevant in our information

Ok, now that you have some pro-tips for best travel web design, let’s just jump directly to our inspiring travel designs:

1. Airbnb

Airbnb, website design
airbnb

Yeah, there’re solid reasons why Airbnb is one of the most recognized and most respected travel company and it’s more than its business model which revolved in helping travelers connect with the local community for short-term lodging. By checking out the local community over Airbnb, you get a unique chance to experience the real world, meet the local people, taste the local cuisine and experience the authentic culture anywhere in the world.

As per the official figures, the website hosts millions of unique local lodging places spread out across 65,000 cities around the world. Well, that’s pretty much sums why the company is also called the “eBay of travellers”.

UI Design: The entire UI of the website is all about showcasing exquisite and exciting images from around the world. The images are mindfully chosen to represent the authentic culture and unique nature of different places. It also lets people upload interior design photos of rental spaces, which help users in choosing the best lodging option anywhere around the world.

UX Design: It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Airbnb hosts one of the most detailed and complete booking information, whereas, the Call to Actions (CTAs) are strategically spread across the website. By enabling comment for each item, the company has simply marveled in creating an authentic appeal to the users.

2. Another escape

another escape-website design

Another escape is another incredible travel website that’s dedicated to outdoor lifestyle and sustainable living. Over the years, it has grown in credibility to become one of the best dedicated outdoor lifestyle websites for travel and outdoor enthusiasts.

UI Design: Just as you can expect, the entire user interface is designed to encourage and glorify the outdoor life with colossal mountains, stunning valleys and intriguing landscape making up the background.

UX Design: The website is exceptionally designed for the user experience with functional and visible navigation bar and clear information about anything you want to know.

Takeaway:

Web design is a unique combination of art and science and when you are able to create the perfect balance, you can be sure to get great returns on your invested time, money and energies.


Author bio:

Taimoor Khan is an experienced SEO and digital marketing professional who loves to write about everything digital. With over a decade of international experience in the industry, he is one of the leading Digital Marketing professionals in the UAE. Currently, he is the head of digital marketing at Digital Gravity – A top web design firm in UAE.

Five Important Facts That You Should Know About Dubai.

Dubai! This city has always fascinated me and I’d read up everything that was written about it. I’d read up on how the glitter of gold from the gold souqs can be seen from afar. I’d read up on how Dubai’s gastronomic excellence has given rise to an annual Food Festival. I’d read up on the country’s unique past and its overnight metamorphosis into a leading tourist destination.

Zero Gravity Dubai

To me, Dubai is all about fabulous manmade marvels, wealth, glamour, gold and food. Then there came the time when just reading up on Dubai was no longer enough. I just had to experience this amazing city for myself. So I gathered up my few pennies and pounds and flew there. I loved my trip. And I learned a lot of stuff I wish I’d known earlier. Here they are.

Dubai Isn’t All That Tolerant – Despite Appearances

Let’s put the bare facts out on the table. Dubai is an Islamic nation and therefore very conservative. Don’t be fooled by pictures of half-naked tourists. There are very clear dos and don’ts, as I learned to my expense.

  • No, you don’t need to purchase a burkini – your bikini or tiny shorts will do, but only at the beach.
  • When you’re at the mall or a similar public place, be sure to cover your shoulders decently.
  • Public Displays of Affection are a no-no, NO matter where you are. So hands off.
  • Don’t mouth off while in Dubai. Don’t drop the F-bomb, or any expletive for that matter, while in public. Hell, you could get a detention for a year or even be fined about 10,000 AED. Now that’s way too much to pay for cussing. Seriously. Be careful never to insult a public official, coz you’ll be paying up a lot more. Be careful not to use expletives when you’re online, either. While you’re at it, don’t mouth off about Islam or the ruling family.
  • Don’t touch someone’s Qur’an if you are not Muslim. Yes I know, you just wanted to feel that expensive leather. Just don’t.
  • Don’t make any rude gestures – keep your hands by your side, if you’re the digitally-voluble kind. A friend of mine was herded off to the police station because he made a rude gesture. He was let off with a warning, but he could have been imprisoned.
  1. Don’t Visit Dubai During Ramadan
Dubai during Ramadan

Ramadan is the holy month; no one eats or drinks anything, not even water, between dawn and dusk. And that goes for you too, tourist. You want to eat, sneak some snacks in advance into your hotel room and much noiselessly, please. I found a couple of dedicated restaurants, behind covered walls and partitions that served during the day. Don’t even chew gum in public during Ramadan. When in Rome and all that, you know…..

  • You Don’t Have To Be Wealthy To Enjoy Dubai
Rove Downtown Dubai

Yes, you can Dubai on a budget. I did. That’s one of the things to know before visiting Dubai. It’s like this – the city’s gearing up to host Expo 2020. Several mid-market hotel chains are coming up, totally millennial-friendly and all that. There’s the Hilton Garden Inn and Rove for examples. Also, Dubai hostels and Airbnb accommodations are quite good. I stayed at an apartment in Deira, rooming up with a couple more tourists. It was cool, fairly cheap and honestly, I spent more on food. Now I know better, of course. Next time I visit Dubai, I’ll stick to cheap eateries in Deira, especially the ones on Al Muraqqabat Road and Al Rigga Road.

There’s just one thing that really stumped me, in terms of cost – the attractions. But I found a way around that too. I just looked up Groupon for coupons and discounts, and hit pay dirt more than once. I stayed in Dubai for a month, so I made good use of The Entertainer App. Here’s something else – I didn’t enjoy Dubai any less because I avoided expensive attractions. I chose rather to traipse through Old Dubai, took abra cruises and window shopped. I explored Souq Madinat and the Global Village, and a host of other free attractions.

  • Dubai Isn’t Just All Glamour – There’s A Deep-Seated Culture Too!
Burj Khalifa, Dubai

From the outside, it looks as though Dubai was about the Burj al Arab, Burj Khalifa, the Palm Islands or the immense shopping malls. No. Dubai is so much more than that. An Arab friend showed me a rich culture, a beautiful blend of Arab, Islamic and Bedouin cultures. I was spellbound by the narrow cobbled streets and old homes built of black coral in Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood – real black coral!



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I found the Etihad Museum and Dubai Museum true delights – learned so much about Dubai’s past as a fishing and pearl-diving village. I participated in a no-holds-barred Q & A at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre of Cultural Understanding as well. You won’t believe the kind of questions some people asked on the Emirati culture!

Of course, I just had to browse the fragrant spice souqs of Bur Dubai, and man was it a learning experience or what! They expected me to bargain, and I realized bargaining is a way of life here. I had some cool fun haggling, shaking my head and throwing up my hands like a native and finally paying much less than I thought I should. Dubai is a heck of a cool city – absolutely worth your tourist visa Dubai.

  • You Don’t Have To Suffer A Dry Vacation!

Yep, Dubai is not dry! And yes, there are strict rules with regard to alcohol. If you have a fender bender after a single glass of wine, you’ll still go to jail. It’s like – you shouldn’t drink, you’re not encouraged to drink, and yet drink is available. There’s plenty of alcohol at licensed bars and restaurants attached to hotels. Dubai bars do have happy hours – thank the good Lord. Most bars have Ladies Nights on Tuesdays as well, when women get free drinks. Plus, there’s that very reliable Dubai institution – the Friday all-you-can-eat-and-drink brunches. Note though – you cannot buy alcohol in Dubai unless you have a licensed resident. Best tip (and I am terribly grateful to that friendly guy at the airport for this) is that you can buy any amount of alcohol at the airport duty- free and drink in your hotel room. NO issues. What happens in your room stays in your room.

Conclusion

Burj Al Arab, Dubai

And those are my 5 things to know before you visit Dubai. There’s one bonus point born out of my experiences though – Dubai is a real foodie’s haunt! The Food Festival in February simply rocks. Dubai’s multicultural mix means you get to try every cuisine known to the world. There are budget-friendly ethnic eateries, fine dining French restaurants and all the way to bespoke Michelin-starred high-flying restaurants. Of course, you can always rob a bank and dine at the Burj al Arab. That’s something for the grandkids!


Neha Singh, a full-time travel blogger by profession, loves to share her experiences in an article about her travels.