Travel - Best Places of Interest

February 10, 2020 Travel, Within India

Interesting and Must-Know Facts about Char Dham Yatra

We all are very well aware of what is Char Dham Yatra and why it is said that why it is essential to attain Char Dham Yatra for every Hindu citizen. Most of the devotees have already been on their Char Dham yatra by now while some are planning to go, but very few know the real significance and the obscure facts related to these heavenly places. The facts that are buried inside these holy shrines.

The name Char Dham is given to the four holy shrines of Uttarakhand, India. And these four places holds a very significant role in ancient history. So if you are planning to go for a Char Dham yatra, this article will help you to know the facts behind those places.

Char Dham Yatra by Helicopter:-

Leisure India Holiday offers the best and most convenient way of doing your Char Dham yatra, i.e., Chardham Yatra by helicopter. Generally, where the other means take around 10-12 days to complete the whole journey, Chardham yatra by helicopter takes only four days to do the same. And that is the reason why it is most liked by tourists nowadays. So, book your Chardham yatra by Helicopter for 5 days 4 Night from lih and spend your holidays in this tranquil journey.

Facts about Char Dham Yatra:-

1. Char Dham Parikrama:-

The circumambulation of these divine sites is known as Parikrama. The journey is generally taken from left to right according to the Hindu mythology. It begins from Yamunotri, which is the westernmost Dham of Uttarakhand, followed by Gangotri temple and after that to the Kedarnath temple ( also known as one of the 12 jyotirlingas) and the ends in at the city of Narayan, Badrinath.

2. The original Lord Badrinath’s Shrine:-

According to the Hindu writings, it is said that the original position of the shrine of Lord Badrinath was somewhere else but not where it is right now. Adi Shankaracharya discovered the Badrinath Idol in the Alaknanda river. Shankaracharya built the idol in the Garud Caves. The caves are in the close vicinity of the hot springs of Tapt Kund. After many centuries, the Garhwal king moved the idol to where it is now present.

3. Jalamagna Shivalinga- Which can be seen only in winters:-

Located in the vicinity of Gangotri Dham, a natural rock Shivlinga popularly known as Jalamagna Shivlinga, it is believed that the Shivlinga can only be seen only in winters. As in winter, the water level goes down. This place is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva held Ganga in his dreadlocks.

4. Surya Kund:-

Located in the neighborhood of Yamunotri, Surya Kund is the holy hot water spring. This place holds a significant and religious role for Hindus. It is said that Surya Kund is the father of the Yamuna river. Though the kund is surrounded by snow-covered glaciers, after that to the temperature of Surya, Kund remains 88 degrees.

This fact makes us believe in the magic God, and that is why the prasad is prepared in the holy water of Surya Kund.

5.The Real Story of Kedarnath Temple:-

The Kedarnath temple, which is standing still for thousands of years in the vast mountains of the Garhwal region, has a very significant story. According to the facts, the first temple which now stands near the present temple was made by the five Pandavas brothers.

When the Pandavas won the battle of Mahabharat, the five brothers felt guilty for killing their own brother and loved ones, and they began to search Lord Shiva. But Lord Shiva kept running away from the Pandavas. When Bheem, the eldest of the Pandava brothers, recognized that Lord Shiva is hiding being from them disguised as a bull. After that, Lord Shiva immersed in the earth. And when he did that, he left his hind part on the earth.

After that day till present, we worship the hind part of Lord Shiva in the Kedarnath temple.

6. The Story behind Gauri Kund:-

Located at the height of 6,500 feet above sea level, Gauri Kund is a base camp for the devotees heading towards Kedarnath temple. It is located near Rudraprayag. And it is believed according to Hindu mythology that this is the same place where Goddess Parvati meditated for Lord Shiva to be her husband for hundreds of years. The Kund is the same place where Lord Shiva beheaded Ganesha, and after realizing his mistake brought back Ganesha back to life.

The story in which, when Goddess Parvati asked Ganesha to guard the door for her when she was taking a bath in the Kund. And when Lord Shiva tried to go inside, and Ganesha stopped him for doing so. This is when the exasperated Shiva beheaded Ganesha with his wrath. When Lord Shiva learned that Ganesha was obeying her mother’s orders, Shiva placed the head of an elephant on Ganesha’s body and revived him.

And that’s how Ganesha brought back to life by his father. And Lord Shiva gave him a gift he will be worshipped as the God of prosperity and happiness after that day.

7. Conch is prohibited in Badrinath Dham:-

The most surprising fact is that the conch, which is considered to be one of the most significant instruments of Lord Vishnu, is prohibited in his temple. According to ancient history, when Agasthya was killing the demons of Kedarnath, namely Vatapi and Atapi, they escaped from the place. Atapi took shelter in the Mandakini river and Vatapi to save his life, hid inside the conch. After that day, no one is allowed to blow the conch in the temple, because it is said that if a person even does so then Vatapi will come out from that conch. And that is the reason why it is not allowed to blow conch in Badrinath.

Also Read: 10 Things to Know about Holi Festival in India

Another reason is that the temple is situated in the middle of the snow-covered mountains from the three sides. The conch sound will create echo- which can cause a change in the ecological environment that can lead to an ice storm in the place.

8. The future place: Bhavishya Badrinath:-

According to the facts, it is said that when the arm of Narshing’s idol, which is currently in Joshimath, will fall off. And the two enormous mountains Jay and Vijay near Vishnuprayag will unite as one to big form even a big mountain. At that moment, the route to the two temples Kedarnath and Badrinath will get unapproachable. If that happens someday, then the pooja of Lord Vishnu will proceed through Bhavishya Badri near Joshimath.

Since today, the idol of Narshinga is like thin hair. That means that we have plenty of time to see Bhavishya Badri as new Badrinath.

February 7, 2020 Round the world, Travel

Where to Visit to Live the High Life for Low Prices

Whenever we think of holidays, a thousand questions can swirl around in our minds; where do we want to go? What’s the weather going to be like? What kind of sights are we going to take in? And, perhaps most prevalent of all, how much is it going to cost? Everybody likes to find a bargain, but when it comes to holidays you often get what you pay for.

No one considers waiting during flight delays, unnecessary transfers or shoddy accommodations particularly enjoyable, let alone vacation-worthy.

high life holidays — Image by skeeze from Pixabay

So does this mean you can’t live the high life on a low budget? Of course not; it just depends on how hard you look and how creative you get with your holiday plans. After all, as easy as they can be, package holidays can often cost a lot more than the sum of its parts, and hunting down individual elements of a vacation can yield some fantastic savings (and even more spectacular results).

When luxurious villas can often ask for thousands of pounds to stay for a weekend, finding enchanting accommodations for a fraction of the price can really feel like a steal. With unforgettable, sun-drenched and superb vacations in mind, the getaway experts at Complete Holiday Homes consider some of the places that you can visit with a reasonable budget but live akin to royalty.

The Canary Islands

Whether you’re looking to lounge around and soak up the sun or experience some breath-taking sights during a good hike, the Canary Islands offers a sublime vacation. Those visiting these wonderfully warm islands can experience the local cuisine at incredibly fair prices, all whilst taking in the idyllic surroundings essentially anywhere you go. While the Canary Islands presents beautiful beaches to enjoy and stunning natural wonders like the Mount Teide National Park, the real selling point is just how easy it is to enjoy the culture in luxury.

Return flights can cost around £160 to £220 (depending on the time of year) and gorgeous villa accommodations can cost as little as £40 a night. These can include private homes with hot tubs, beach views and pools, granting guests a taste of the high life for a week for around £500. For comparison, this price tag can normally only get you a weekend package deal to certain European spots, instantly giving you more paradise for your pounds.

Madeira, Portugal

Much like the Canary Islands, the Portuguese paradise of Maderia features bountiful beaches and is surrounded by a deep blue sea. This island offers exceptional value for visitors, with tantalising seafood sold almost everywhere and opportunities for enthralling activities around every corner. Scale Europe’s highest cliffs, the Girao Cliffs, take to the sea and go whale watching, or soothe your body & soul in some of Madeira’s natural sea lava pools.

Sticking to a similar budget as the previous entry, you can easily find luxurious villas to rent from around £200 to £280 for an entire week, with some boasting both sea and mountain views as well as private pools. Sizes vary, of course, but even the most modest of accommodations can cosily fit two with ample room for lofty lounging. Flights might cost a little more, ranging at approximately £250 for a return flight, but for a secluded getaway, it’s harder to imagine anywhere better.

Corfu, Greek Islands

Due to the variety offered when choosing between the Greek Islands, it can be tough to nail down just one place to stay for an entire week. However, there are certainly some spots that justify committing an entire trip to, with Corfu being one of them. The natural abundance of beaches are present here, but the incredible diversity of wildlife and flowers makes the island really feel alive. There’s also the sound of Greece perpetually ringing through the island, with musicians playing everywhere from bars to beaches.

Corfu does offer plenty of charming villas to relax in, but their prices are steeper than previous entries. Villas complete with luxurious elements like private pools can cost around £530 for the week, so you may wish to consider arguably more opulent options for a cheaper alternative. Luckily these include 5-star hotels, which offer sumptuous food in their restaurants and infinity pools that gaze out to the sea, which can cost around £600 for two with flights included.

Best places of interest in South Africa

South Africa is one of the most amazing places for a trip. Within and about 50 places of interest, South Africa captures the heart and soul of a traveller. Adorned by the lush green forests and immaculate blue waters of the ocean with golden sands, and also mountains, this place is a real treat. With the variety in flora and fauna, South Africa has the power to enthral any tourist. Let’s take a look at what’s in store for you!

Cape Town:

This is the capital of South Africa, and the most beautiful city you’ve ever been to. It’s a port city on the South African peninsula below Table Mountain. Robben Island, the infamous prison that held Nelson Mandela captive, is here, in Cape Town. You’ll find the amazing wine-producing suburbs of Constantia here. The Two-Oceans aquarium, the Castle of Good Hope, Chapman’s Peak Drive and city beaches are the places of attraction here.

Kruger National Park:

Kruger National Park is the first national park of South Africa. The big 5 game species is the wonder here, and a significant number of those animals are found here. The huge park and these significant animals here are spectacular.

Hermanus:

It is a seaside town in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The attraction here is whale watching. People from all around the country come over to South Africa to watch this beautiful thing. The Grotto beach and the Voelklip beach are the two beaches here, that overlook Walter Bay. Hermanus is filled with beautiful species of birds and animals.

Kimberly:

The Northern Cape Province of South Africa has Kimberly as the capital city. Kimberly is famous for diamond mines from the 19^th century, as the Big Hole. The William Humphreys Art Gallery, The Wildebeest Kuil Rock Art Center, the McGregor’s Museum, and the famous Magersfontein battlefield is present here!

Augrabies Falls National Park:

Located in and around the Augrabies Falls, the Augrabies Falls National Park is about 120 kilometres from the Northern Cape Province. This beautiful piece of work stretches across the Orange River, covering almost 800 square kilometres of land. With an awe-inspiring 60 metres height, it’s equally magnificent and horrific, when the 240-metre gorge is seen. The gorge runs another scary 18 kilometres.

Other places like Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Paarl, Durban, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, Stellenbosch, Mossel Bay, and Simon’s town, are present here. The list doesn’t stop here. Choose Pickyourtrails, and get an amazing South Africa tour package for you and your family! Pickyourtrails takes full responsibility for the South Africa tours and makes your money worth it!

Best places of interest in the Philippines

The Philippines is an amazing country in Asia, where the main attraction is the clear and crystal bluish-green water of the ocean. The Philippines is all about islands, and in fact, it’s made up of more than 7000 islands. This beautiful place in this corner of the world is a treat to sore eyes. Travel to the Philippines to gain your inner calm, and your outer adventurer form.

Boracay

This place is crazy! It’s a small island, with a number of beaches. The famous White Island runs along the West coast, backed up by a number of lush green palm trees. Bulabog Beach becomes a spot for water sports, because of the high winds from the East coast. The beautiful Mount Luho gives you a serene image of the spectacular panoramic view over the island.

Top 5 Beaches in the Philippines

Banaue

The most fascinating thing in Banaue is it’s rice terraces. The strikingly beautiful terraces, which are emerald green in colour, are the agricultural wonders of this country. During sunrise, when the fog and the cloud lifts over the place, it becomes the most beautiful spectacle to watch the intricate landscape of the terrace farms.

Vigan

The most charming town of the country, Vigan is located in the Luzon region. The Spanish and the Chinese cultural influences is the beauty here. Colonial architecture, of Spanish origin, can be explored on the streets of Vigan, which are full of life. One of the top picks in this town, is the Bantay Bell Tower, which is also a landmark in the town. The most perfect and breath-taking place to be, in this city, is the St. Paul Central Cathedral, where people sit and observe as they absorb the local culture.

Manila

The capital city of the Philippines, Manila is located on Luzon, where the streets are full of life and activity. The colourful jeepneys, the main form of local transport there, gives a ride along with the taste of local culture. The kitschy jeep cum bus ride is a thing to remember about the whole Philippines trip. Rizal Park, St. Agustin Church, and Quiapo church are the places to spend your quality time.

Pickyourtrails helps you find the best of places around the world to get you amazing deals on packages. Philippines tour package is the most affordable and satisfactory deal you can get. The Philippines package helps to cover all the important places to visit. The Philippines is a beautiful country, and it is sure to capture a little of your heart and keep it forever.