Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya to the Nilgiri Mountains this May

Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya to the Nilgiri Mountains this May.

If Sharukh Khan can….you can too.

The only difference….he was at work. But you can play in Ooty this May.

Nilgiris Mountains beckon all the flower, fruit, spice, tea, boat-racing, vintage-cars, horses, dogs, sports, art lovers from all over the country to participate in the 16-day Summer Festival organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu during the second-half of May this year.

The District Capital of Nilgiris District – Ooty – a Hill Station at 7350 feet altitude in Tamil Nadu, is going to play host to the Summer Festival held in May where the Nilgiri Mountain Range is going to display its proud possessions in various shows held at various locales in Ooty and its environs.

o   Flower Show: More than 150 types of imported and indigenous flowers would be put on display at the Botanical Garden in Ooty. Indian floral arrangements, Japanese floral arrangements, flower rangoli, Bonsai, vegetable carving are some of the many activities and competitions held here. The Flower Show tradition in Ooty has been in practice since 1896. A 2-day Flower Show would also be held at Kodaikanal in which florists from all over the country would participate.

o   Rose Show: More than 3000 types of Roses will bloom this May in Ooty to participate in the prestigious Rose Show which happens every summer.

o   Fruit Show: More than 25000 tourists visit the Sim’s Park in Coonoor to participate or view the tons of fruits on display – organized by the Department of Horticulture which has been in practice for more than 50 years.

o   Vegetable Show: The Nehru Park in Kotagiri is visited by more than15,000 people every summer for the Vegetable Show organized by the Department of Horticulture for 2 days. The Star attraction of this show every year is the depiction of the Map of India using red, yellow and green Capsicums.

o   Spice Show: Department of Horticulture organizes the Spice Show at Gudalur in the Nilgiris each year putting on display the immense wealth of spices that grow in the Nilgiri Mountains.

o   Dog Show: The third oldest Dog Club in India – the ‘South of India Kennel Club’ has been organizing the Dog Shows in Ooty at the Government Arts College Grounds for more than 107 years. You will get to see some of the best looking and well trained canines strut around in this show. The same event shall be held at Kodaikanal as well.

o   Boat Race & Boat Pageantry: The Ooty Lake will dazzle with countless boats which will all muster to participate in this century-old spectacular tradition of boat pageantry and competitions in Ooty. This is a jumbo crowd puller with tourists and natives of Bangalore, Chennai, Kerala and other nearby towns thronging to the Ooty Lake to see this event every summer. The Kodaikanal Hill Station would also host a boat-race organized by its Boats Club this may in its scenic Kodaikanal Lake.

o   Vintage Car Rally in Ooty is an interesting piece of the Annual Nilgiris Summer Festival where many vintage cars will drive around the main town of Ooty to display their antiquities.

o   A Marathon Race would be held in Ooty for the ‘fit and the fast’.

o   The Breeks HADP open-air stadium in Ooty will be the venue for the 9-day Summer Cultural Festival comprising dance, drama and music programs.

o   Hot-air balloon Show: In one of the largest ballooning events of India, scores of hot-air balloons shall fill the skies of Ooty in a colourful and elaborate display of hot-air balloons.

o   Amateur Photo Contest: Ooty is where all the photography-enthusiasts and amateurs get their chance to click and compete for a prize in the Summer Festival.

o   Painting Exhibition: Artists are invited to showcase their creativity in their paintings in the Painting Exhibition in Ooty.

o   Heritage Building Trek: You would be given a guided-tour of the great centuries-old Heritage Buildings of Ooty which throw insights into the history of these Mountains and Ooty in particular.

o   Eco-trekking: Where there are verdant mountains, there is eco-trekking and Ooty offers myriad such opportunities to explore and enjoy the natural lush green Mountains, valleys, forests and tea-gardens.

o   Catch-a-Fish Event: This amusing event shall be held in Kodaikanal during the last week of May this year.

o   Horse Competition: Kokaikanal which is famous for its horses would hold a competition for Horses this May.

o   Sports Competition: Kodaikanal District Sports Office would conduct sports competitions in hockey, football, volleyball and mini-marathon in Kadaikanal at the Bryant Park.

 You may not be allowed to dance atop the Nilgiri Mountain Railway Shahrukh Khan style…..but you certainly can ride this steam-locomotive-turned-diesel-locomotive – one of the rare and few ‘toy trains’ of India while you climb up the Nilgiri Mountains for an interesting summer this May.

Honeymoon in Ladakh

Honeymoon in the monsoon months


Are you recently married or planning to get married in these monsoon months? After marriage you certainly would like to go out with your newlywed partner for a sweet honeymoon in some corner of India?

The answer from your side is certainly yes! But you are little confused and puzzled about your destination, right! As most of the places in India are blessed with rain in these months of monsoon, you cannot go out freely. I believe, regular travelers too do not like these months of monsoon as it creates lots of inconvenience while travelling.

But do not worry there are many places in the northern India which do not get affected by this south-west monsoon. So plan for your trip to those places of India where you will not get caught up with rain.

In the valleys of Kashmir there is a place named Ladakh. Not much explored, but a place where the pristine beauty of nature will endear you. Here is a place where you can commune with God Himself.

Ladakh is wedged between Kunlun mountain range in the north and the main Great Himalayas in the south. Ladakh or Kashmir as a whole can be your best destination for touring or honeymooning in between the months of June to September in India. That is if you do not like rains.

Ladakh, situated at an altitude of around 3500 m and shadowed by the world’s highest peaks, is really a land of pristine beauty. The presence of white crowned high mountains all around makes the flowing river look tiny, along with glistening glaciers making their way through this picturesque land of Ladakh.

Being sparsely populated area and not much ventured by the tourists, this place is still maintaining its natural beauty.

Ladakh hardly receives any water from the rain; the main source of water in this place is the snow-melted water. The same water is used for irrigation through small streams, which is preferred by the farmers than rain water.

This land of many passes has Buddhist monasteries all around, which are really worth visiting. Other than the mesmerizing surroundings, the serene and peaceful atmosphere of the monasteries is so relaxing that it makes you forget all your worries.After this meditation hour of the morning, you can go for different outdoor activities like white water rafting, trekking, jeep safaris and mountaineering.

Shopaholics and foodies don’t worry.There are lots of things in your store too. The place is well known for the Ladhaki artifacts.


So you can shop Ladhaki artifacts such as Buddhist relics, Pashmina and Cashmere shawls and stoles. Foodies can savour the varieties of Ladhaki, Kashmiri, Tibetan and European dishes, which the place is well known for.

While visiting Ladakh, the nearby places that you can include in your itinerary are Leh, Khardung-La ,Zanskar, Nubra valley and Panamik.

So I think I have given one solution to your problem of choosing the destination. So what are you waiting for? Plan for your trip and make the arrangements right now.

One moment, sorry! I have forgotten to tell you of how to reach the place and the precautions to be taken while travelling.

There is an airport in Ladakh’s capital Leh, in which services are provided by Indian Airlines. From the airport there are regular buses and shared jeep- taxies to take you to your destination.

There is no rail facility in Ladakh, you can go there only by flight or buses. Now hurry up! Book your stay and flight as soon as possible, as the flights and hotels are usually full in the summer months.


Some Precautionary Measures:

· As Ladakh is situated at a great height you may feel sick on the first day, as body takes time to acclimatize with the surroundings, so you can consult your doctor before starting the tour for the remedy.
· Though you are visiting in summer, you need to carry woolen garments, as the atmosphere is quite cool there.
· Do not eat much before travelling by road to Ladakh, as you may get nausea while travelling through the hilly roads.

Top Best Beaches of Karnataka

The State of Karnataka is a Prominent Tourism Hub and Attracts many Tourists from across the world. Karnataka has Many Popular and Famous Beaches all around, they are:

1.      Someshwar Beach:

Someshwar Beach is one of the famous beaches of Karnataka, India located in Ullal at a distance of 9 km south from the city of Mangalore & 0.5 km from Someshwar Bus Stand. This place is widely known for large rocks called as ‘Rudra Shila’. 100 feet light tower is the major attraction at this beach. October to February is the best season to visit this beach.

This place is an ideal picnic location and has abundant palm trees and airy environment. Someshwara temple is one of the oldest and famous temples of Bangalore, sited very close to this beach. It is believed that the temple was built during the reign of renowned queen Abbakka Devi (16^th century).

2.      Murudeshwara Beach

Murudeshwara Beach is the pleasant and most popular beaches of Karnataka located in Mangalore. It is the famous religious place & tourist spot in south India. Popular Murudeshwara temple is sited very close to this beach. 20 storied Gopuram and a huge stunning statue of Lord Shiva is the major attraction of this beach.

This Beach is attached to the Arabian Sea roaring on the west and a serene river on the east. One can see the colorful fisher boats lined at the sea-shore. Tourists can enjoy a swim and pretty good sunbath on the pristine sands along with water sports and boating.

3.      Maravanthe beach

Maravanthe beach is one of the most beautiful beaches of Karnataka, situated at a distance of about 16 kms from Kundapura town and 55 kms from Udupi, Karnataka - India. October to March is the best season to visit this beach. This beach is close to the confluence of Sowparnika River and the Arabian Sea. Maravanthe beach is the ideal place for the relaxation and holiday vacation.

4.      Kaup Beach, Udipi

Kaup Beach is one of the pleasant and beautiful beaches of Karnataka situated about 12 km to the south of Udupi on the coastal shoreline. It’s a perfect holiday destination for nature lovers and picnic spot for tourists. A ruined fort and an old 100feet high lighthouse are sited near Kaup beach which attracts many visitors to spend their weekends at this place. October to December is the best season to visit this beach.

5.      Surathakal Beach, Mangalore

Surathakal Beach is one of the common visited beaches, located on the shore of the Arabian Sea in the city of Mangalore, Karnataka. The name of surathakal beach is derived from the word ‘Shiradakal’ which means head stone in Kannada. It’s an ideal beach of Mangalore. A huge light house is sited close to this beach.

6.      Malpe beach, Udupi:

Malpe Beach is one of the major and popular beaches of Karnataka located at a distance of 6kms from Udupi and about 66 km north of Mangalore. It lies towards the west of Udupi at the mouth of Udyavara River. Never ending coastline flanked by three rocky islands on its western side is the main attraction of this beach.

7.      Panambur Beach, Mangalore

Panambur beach is a beautiful beach positioned at a distance of 13 Km from Mangalore on the shore of Arabian Sea at Tannirbavi to south of sea port at Panambur and to the north of the National Highway. Panambur is the name of area where New Mangalore Port is located. It is a good picnic spot for the localities. October to February is the best season to visit this beach.

8.     Gokarna Beaches:

GokarnaBeaches are one of the lesser known beaches of India, situated in the middle of Karnataka and Goa. There are four main beaches in Gokarna Town, namely – Kudlee Beach, Om Beach, Half Moon Beach and Paradise Beach.

9.      Kurumgad Beach:

Kurumgad Beach is very beautiful & enchanting beaches of Karnataka situated in the Uttar Karnataka district & can be easily reached from Goa, Bangalore, and Panaji. Kurumgad Beach is the perfect place to enjoy nature beauty & relaxation. This beach symbolizes the shape of tortoise. Water sports like swimming, fishing, boat rides, Beach volleyball, Tidal Pool, and treasure hunts are famous on Kurumgad beach. Octobers to May is the best time for visit this beach.

10.  Karwar beach:

Rabindranath Tagore Beach, also known as Karwar beach is a unique beach and is well connected by road and railways. It is believed that the great Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore wrote his first play inspired from the captivating feel of this beach. This beach is famous for seafood, which is prepared in different styles with coconut and spice. Many Tourists Visit this beach regularly. September – May is the best time to visit Karwar Beach.

11.  Tannir Bavi Beach:

Tannir bavi Beach is one of the best beaches of Karnataka located in Dakshina Kannada at a distance of 12 kms from mangalore & 360 kms from Bangalore. This beach is the property of Mangalore Port Trust.

12.  Ullal Beach:

Ullal Beach is one of the best & Popular Beaches of Karnataka, situated at a distance of 12 kms from Mangalore on the south banks of river Nethravathi. This Beach is known for its neat sea shore and tranquil beauty. Many tourists who visit Ullal spend their weekends at this beach.

The Trending Scene of Online Travel Market in India

There is currently a revolution going on in India, the revolution of growth, with primarily all major industries witnessing massive boom, but none looks more promising and fruitful than the online travel market in India. To illustrate the success and penetration of online travel market in India, picture this, about a decade back the mention of travel meant standing in long queues at the railway stations for most Indians particularly since the airfares were seriously costly.

Coming back to modern India, the situation looks completely different; travelers can now book their entire trips online which include airfares, hotel stays, car rentals and much more, and that too at moderate prices without paying extra commission to local agents. In fact according to a survey, online travel industry in India contributes more than 70% to overall e-commerce market in India. The concept is simple, with the revolutionary growth in number of internet users and also the education levels in the country, the number of users visiting travel portals have increased considerably. According to a survey, the number of visitors to travel portals increased by 32% in 2011 to a staggering 18.5 million visitors. With an internet user base of 120 million and the changing perception of people who vouch for personalized packages and cheap deals, India as experts point would soon be the biggest online travel market in Asia. These are just some of the reasons that explain the phenomenal growth of online travel market in India which was poised at $8.4 billion value in 2011.

·   It's Cheap: The bottom line is that it's cheap. In this lucrative online travel market scene, the competitors are hungrier as the potential customers are unlimited and increasing. With the increase in number of airlines, hotels, car rentals companies and almost everything, consumer now has unbelievable choices and with the competitors willing to cut into each other's business, consumer gets the best at the least, meaning true travel experience at fraction of the costs. Picture this, about a decade back, Air India was primarily the major carrier but now with the advent of several low cost carriers and luxury airlines, there are loads of choices for users, also cost friendly ones.

·     It's Easy: With the advent of internet revolution, all one needs to do is go to a travel portal, enter his  requirements and price quote and get a list of all the flight fares and accommodation that match his requirements. It's really that easy, involves no mediators and guarantees the maximum transparency at the lowest prices.

·   Exponential Rise in Number of Users: The massive user base of more than 120 million users means that companies can make decent profits even by lowering their prices. As a result, companies now focus on bulk bookings and are not afraid to offer cheap deals because they know that the sheer size of the travel segment would ultimately put them in the plus.

With the way technology is reaching the far ends of India, the time is not far when this leader in South Asia Travel would manage the landscape of not only Asian but even World travel.

Author:
George

Travel Blogger