New Delhi has the unique distinction of being reborn 7 times, and some elements of each of these 7 avatars have become permanently etched in the spirit of the city.
A day spent in New Delhi is as good as spending a lifetime anywhere else, because the vibrant sights, sounds and spirit of the city truly captivate the senses and take one on a journey of a lifetime. Past and present, chaos and order, crowds and solitude, all contrasting elements come together to make the city the perfect amalgam a traveller can hope to experience.
No wonder then, that New Delhi steals everyone’s heart. Watch this video to lose your heart too.
Kerala is famously known as ‘God’s own country’. Presenting some of the best places to visit in Kerala that will make for a trip of a lifetime.
Do you want to get lost amidst nature’s heaven on Earth? Then, book your Kerala Tour Packages by choosing from our diverse collection. These have been specifically designed with some of our most comfortable and best services, which will undoubtedly make your trip a memorable one!
Kerala
Munnar
When you are reading about Kerala, you just know that Munnar has to be there at the top. Munnar is arguably the best hill-station to visit in Kerala. It is also known as ‘The Kashmir of South India’. Munnar is the center of all tourist attractions in Kerala due to its wonderful natural beauty in the form of tea gardens on the slopes of the hills. Famous places are Chinnakanal, Anayirangal, Tea Museum, etc.
Varkala is a coastal town near Thiruvananthapuram. One thing that sets it apart from all other Kerala beach locations is its beautiful cliffs adjacent to the Arabian Sea, which you can’t find anywhere else as Kerala is majorly a flat land. It is an ideal tourist spot surrounded by greenery, beautiful meadows, deep puzzling valleys and dales. Enjoy all of this with awesome seafood and rejoice as you swim in the waters and bathe in the sun.
Also known as ‘The Venice of the East’, Alappuzha or Alleppey is primarily famous for its backwaters. The network of Palm fringed canals is the lifeline of this town. Allepey boasts of perfect lakesides and sandy beaches, which makes it one of the most prominent places to visit in Kerala. It offers amazing boat cruises that take you through the waters of the beautiful Punnamada Lake, which is also the venue of the legendary snake boat race competition that is organised every year. You can visit some holy places like Champakkulam Church, or the Chavara Bhavan that houses the 250-year-old beacon of light, and probably just spend a romantic night at the lovely Vattakayal Lake.
Located in the Idukki district, and at an altitude of 700 m above the sea level, Thekkady is heaven for people who love nature, or more specifically, nature and wildlife. It boasts of a big wildlife sanctuary, where you can see some of the rarest species of animals present on this planet. Thekkady is strictly a place for environmental beauty with lesser traces of urbanisation, and to give a beautiful travelling experience to the visitors, Ferry boats are arranged there so that you can breathe in the tranquility of nature while riding through the waters of the forests. Notable sights in the boat ride are the beautiful herds of elephants and the huge walls of the Mullaperiyar Dam.
Kochi or Cochin is a seaside city with a plethora of scenic beauty and natural treasures. With the sea on one side and the Western Ghats on the other, Kochi is the ideal place to start your Kerala trip to explore the irresistible vivacity of the place. A memorable experience is characterised by a boat ride through the backwaters that separate Ernakulam from Fort Kochi. These backwaters are filled with many little islands that are sure to give you a memorable time and absolutely amazing food. Also, don’t forget to attend the Kathakali performances that are organised every day.
The stunning curves of the road to Wayanad are reason enough to visit this enchanting district in Kerala. The Western Ghats and the numerous water bodies make for an exciting short trip for those looking for a weekend escape. Hailed as one of India’s last surviving tracts of tropical biodiversity, the place is also home to exotic animals and plants. Another popular activity is to undertake a jungle-trail.
A popular backwater destination located close to Kottayam, Kumarakom is adjacent to the Vembanad Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the state. This place is probably what Arundhati Roy tried to describe when she wrote The God of Small Things, set in a nearby village of Aymanam. Visitors love fishing, canoeing and yachting in the surrounding waters.
Also known as Trivandrum, or “The Evergreen City of India”. Thiruvananthapuram, which was named after the Hindu God Lord Vishnu, is primarily famous for its ancient temples, given its religious heritage and sanctity. But apart from the temples, the network of backwaters, serene lagoons, sassy beaches, and wildlife sanctuaries make the capital of Kerala an important place for tourists. Foreign travelers mostly flock the town for there are a lot of Ayurveda centres here and Ayurveda is highly famous in foreign countries. The people are very hospitable and the food is mouth-watering, which makes it a location to check off your travelling list at the earliest.
Begin the New Year with a bang by travelling to some faraway place where you have not been before. If money is any obstacle, that will be taken care of to a considerable extent by OYO. Wondering how? Well, you can now make the most of up to 50% discounts and Paytm cashback of up to Rs. 250 being offered by OYO for bookings made in the period from the 15th of November, 2018 to the 10th of January, 2019. Let the travel begin with OYO, and gift yourself the joy of travelling. The feeling of a priceless adventure also being pocket-friendly is the icing on the cake!
The Pushkar Mela in Ajmer district in Rajasthan is the world’s largest camel fair, and a kaleidoscope of culture and local traditions.
Camels and Traders,Pushkar Mela
About Pushkar
One of the five sacred Dhams (pilgrimage site) in Hinduism, the town gets its name from the Sanskrit word Pushkarni which means a lake. Legend also attributes the name to the Sanskrit words ‘Pushp’ and ‘Kar’ which refer to the lotus flower.
Ghat at Pushkar
Pushkar is a town with a low population which is visited by pilgrims throughout the year, but it really starts bustling with frenetic activity around the Pushkar Mela.
About Pushkar Mela
An annual five-day fair which sees over 50000 camels being traded, the Pushkar Mela is a tourist’s delight. Held from Kartik Ekadashi to Kartik Purnima, the fair typically takes place in the months of Oct-Nov.
The camels are decorated and dressed with great care with jewellery and bangles attached to their ankles. A number of competitions are held, the most interesting one probably being a ‘Camel Beauty Contest’ where the best-looking camel wins!
Mela ground at Pushkar
Apart from camels, many other animals, chiefly horses, are also traded at this fair. People travel from miles around to participate in the fair. This period also sees a heavy influx of tourists, drawn to the town to get a first-hand experience of the fair.
Horse at Pushkar
A trader with his horse at Pushkar
Other Attractions
The Pushkar Lake, with 52 ghats surrounding it, is considered to be holy and one of the most important spots visited by tourists. The town of Pushkar also boasts of the only Brahma temple in India. Another attraction for tourists are the camel safaris that ferry tourists around the adjoining areas, one of the few such safaris in the country.
Sadhu at Pushkar
Arti at Pushkar
As per estimates, close to 6000 visitors visit this town every day, making it one of the most important tourism destinations in Rajasthan.
Plan Your Trip
The town of Pushkar is situated about 14 km from Ajmer, another important tourist destination in the state of Rajasthan. Pushkar is located roughly 144 km from the nearest major airport in Jaipur. These two cities are the most important transit points for those planning to travel to Pushkar. Visitors can plan a trip via these cities and stay at OYO as a stopover in either Jaipur or Ajmer. At Pushkar, visitors can stay at OYO to make the most of their trip.
This month we are featuring the work of Ramesh Jhawar. Ramesh is a contemporary artist based in South India. His focuses on water-color art with inspirations taken from everyday India and its cultural myriads for which he travels across the country. We caught up with him and asked him some questions to understand his work better.
Q) Please tell us a little bit about yourself and how you started the journey?
A) My parents originally hail from Rajasthan but my mother’s family was settled in North Bengal. So I was actually born there and bought up in Erode, Tamilnadu where my father used to run a textile business. Since I was born in a business family, the typical Rajasthani thinking was to study commerce and manage the family business. So I completed my graduation in commerce from Chennai and started assisting my father. I was very fond of drawing since my school days. I knew nothing of fine arts then. Erode was a commercial city and there was no art awareness at all. The only art I would see while growing up were the art featured on the back of Reader’s digest, for which I started subscribing to it. Another craze was collecting comics for their wonderful drawings. I used to copy those comic characters a lot, which really helped me in understanding the human figure and the anatomy.
Fortunately, this is one profession where your skill and ability make you an artist. It doesn’t make much difference whether you’ve studied fine arts or are self- taught. On the contrary, it is good actually. I’m not influenced by any one school of painting. I’ve been able to develop my own individual style this way. But having said that, I also feel that it’s always better to study fine arts from a good institution if one really wants to pursue this as a career.
Jodhpur Street
Q) How long does it take to finish each artwork?
A) Sometimes a day or two and sometimes more, depending upon the complexity of the subject and the size of the artwork.
Q) Which destination in India has been most visually appealing?
A) Of all the places I’ve been to, my favorite is Varanasi because of the wealth of its subjects.
Moods of VaranasiLanes of Varanasi
Q) Which is your favorite city to travel and why?
A) Kolkata. Because it still has that old world charm with its magnificent architectural buildings of the past, trams, rickshaws and the yellow taxis.
Victoria Memorial, KolkataEarly Warm light, Kolkata
PS: All the images pictured here are the property of Ramesh Jhawar. Please seek prior permission of the artist before reproducing any of it for any purpose.
The Lucknow Charbagh Railway station, which in its aerial view looks like a lego board, (all the pillars and domes appearing to be the pieces of lego) welcomes you with these happy words. Lucknow is not just a city, but a vibrant amalgam of craft, culture and cuisine. Visitors never cease to get enchanted by the treasures this city holds in its bosom, be it the trademark Chikankari embroidery, Tunday Kababs, perfumes and scents, old buildings that have survived the test of time, or the politeness and good nature that every resident has imbibed in his nature.
Inspired by such stories of Lucknow, our OYO Explorers decided to visit this city and sent back this wonderful video that perfectly captures its soul. Do watch it and share your thoughts.
Landour is a small but beautiful cantonment town located about 300 m above the popular hill station of Mussoorie. The town immediately grips visitors with its charm as soon as they arrive. If one is a true nature enthusiast or seeks tranquility, this town is the perfect place to be. Just a five km uphill walk from Mussoorie, the surrounding hills and greens mesmerise me every time. As a photographer, this place inspires me and provides rich opportunities to capture beautiful things on camera. If you are someone who values the fresh air of the hills and believe that life is all about living and not about accumulating material comforts, this place will motivate you like no other.
Walking in Landour
At Char Dukan, you might want to have something from their a la carte, cherished by celebrities and ‘the God of cricket’ Sachin Tendulkar himself. You might want to pay a visit to Doma’s Inn and check out their cafe. The treasures of Landour are many yet unexplored.
A view from Landour during the night
– Zenmay Negi (Photographer and traveller from Dehradun)
The Journey to Landour
Landour is about 280 km away from New Delhi. Travellers from Delhi tend to prefer an early morning or overnight drive to Dehradun, the scenic capital of Uttarakhand located 230 km away from New Delhi, and halt overnight to rest or explore the city itself.
A foggy Landour morning
The next stop is usually Mussoorie, located about 32 km away from Dehradun that is popular for it’s scenic views and waterfalls.
From Mussoorie, one can take a local cab or simply walk uphill for about five kilometers to reach Landour.
Landour has limited options for stays, but one can book OYOs in both Dehradun and Mussoorie and use OYONOV to avail a flat 30% discount all through November.
Sunrise in Landour
So plan a visit right away and explore this scenic town situated in the lap of tranquility.
Karnataka is a land both ancient and modern – on one hand, it is home to Bengaluru, India’s IT capital, on another hand, it is also home to historic places like Hampi, Aihole, Badami, and Pattadakal, which feature some of the famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Temples in Karnataka feature diverse architectural styles like Hoysala, Badami Chalukya, Vijayanagara, Dravidian, Western Chalukya, Badami Cave, Rashtrakuta, and Ganga architecture. Some common features found in most of these temples are – a Nandi bull, a pushkarani (stepped bathing area), one or more gopura (ornate tower), a garbhagudi (inner sanctum), a vigraha (idol), and often some form of a chariot. Other common aspects include that the older temples were built amidst nature, usually on a hilltop, and next to a water body. Some temples, especially in Dakshina Kannada, follow a strict dress code.
Top 16 Temples To Visit In Karnataka
Murudeshwara Temple
Badami Cave Temples
Hoysaleswara Temple
Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal
Bhutanatha Group of Temples, Badami
Mahakuta Group of Temples, Badami
Durga Temple, Aihole
Sri Krishna Temple, Udupi
Kotilingeshwara Temple, Kolar
Sangameshwara Temple, Kudalasangama
Mallikarjuna Temple, Talakad
Shiva Statue, Murdeshwar Temple
Gomateshwara Statue, Shravanabelagola
Yoga Narsimha Temple
Mookambika Temple, Kollur
1. Murudeshwara Temple
This temple is located in the scenic town of Murudeshwara in Karnataka, this temple is built on the Kanduka Hill which is surrounded on three sides by the waters of the Arabian Sea. No other temple in the world has such a beautiful installation of a gigantic Shiva statue against the sea, making it one of the most visually appealing temples of Karnataka. Apart from the magnificent statue which is the main attraction for many, the temple complex also has a 20-storey Gopura (fitted with a lift that takes visitors to the top of the structure. The view from the top looks like the image below!)
At 123 ft, the temple has the second largest Shiva statue in the world.
Two life-size elephants in concrete stand guard outside the temple.
View of the Shiva statue from inside the temple complex.
How to reach –
Murudeshwar is about 450 km by road from Bangalore. One can travel in a KSRTC bus which takes about 11 hours, or a car which takes about 8-10 hours depending on the driving speed and road conditions. Murudeshwar lies close to Bhatkal station on the Konkan Railway route, and there are trains available between Bangalore and Bhatkal. However, most visitors prefer to travel by road as it is more convenient.
The Badami cave temples are a complex of temples located at Badami in northern Karnataka. An example of rock-cut architecture, the temples are spread across four caves. There is also the fifth one, the natural Buddhist cave temple in Badami which can be entered kneeling on all fours. Right next to the temple complex is a small lake known as the Agastya Teertha. The water body together with the rocky temples in the backdrop presents a pretty picture.
View of the cliff on which the Badami cave temples stand.
Entry to one of the caves.
View of the Badami caves and Agasthya Theertha tank
A closer view of the temples
How to reach –
Badami is just 272 km (6 hours) from Panaji in Goa, and this makes it an ideal stopover for those who are traveling to Goa. Bangalore is located at a distance of about 450 km (10 hours) and serves as the nearest metropolitan city. Travelers from far-off locations can route their trip via Bangalore and then take a bus or a car to visit Badami.
3. Hoysaleswara Temple
The beautiful Hoysaleswara temple in Halebidu, Karnataka is a Shiva temple with beautiful carvings. The temple is made of soapstone and is most well known for its sculptures that run all along the outer wall. The intricate carvings on the stone on the walls of this temple are breathtaking, and reason enough to travel to Halebidu. Another interesting feature of this complex is that all the structures have been built on a platform, a style of architecture that began during the Hoysala period.
A view of the Hoysaleswara Temple.
Sculpture on the outer walls of the Hoysaleswara Temple.
Sculpture of Nandi, the bull.
How to reach –
Halebidu is just 149 km from Mysore, another popular tourist destination in Karnataka. Well-connected to Mysore, Hassan and Bangalore, most tourists prefer to travel by road from Bangalore, a distance of just 215 km (4 hours).
4. Virupaksha Temple, Group of Monuments, Hampi
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Hampi Group of Monuments is centred around the illustrious Virupaksha Temple on the banks of river Tungabhadra. The Virupaksha-Pampa Sanctuary was one of the ancient religious sites dedicated to Shiva. Later in 7-century, the Virupaksha Temple was built in Vijayanagara architectural style, with Virupaksha as the presiding deity. Every morning, Lakshmi, the temple elephant comes out of her chambers to bathe in the Tungabhadra Channel. A unique feature of this temple is the use of mathematical concepts of fractals displayed in the repeating patterns of its architecture.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Entry Fee: INR 5
5. Virupaksha Temple, Group of Monuments, Pattadakal
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Group of Monuments at Pattadakal refers to a complex of 7-century and 8-century Hindu and Jain temples on the banks of river Malaprabha. The largest amongst these is the Dravidian style Virupaksha Temple, also regarded the most sophisticated monument. The temple is adorned with friezes depicting scenes and deities from the Vedic era, Mahabharata, Bhagavata Purana, Ramayana, and Panchatantra. Carvings on the sanctum walls are considered the most intricate and detailed of the early Chalukya monuments. In the sanctum sanctorum, an idol of the Nandi bull sits facing a Shiva lingam, the presiding deity.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Entry Fee: INR 30
6. Bhutanatha Group of Temples, Badami
This beautiful pilgrimage site refers to a cluster of sandstone temples sprawling next to the man-made lake Agastya in Badami. The two main temples here are the Bhutanatha and Mallikarjuna temples, lying on the east and north-east side of the lake respectively. The Bhutanatha Temple features architectural styles from different periods – its 7-century inner mandapa (hall) was built by Badami Chalukyas rulers and the 11-century outer mandapa by Kalyani Chalukyas. Featuring a blend of both South Indian and North Indian style, its outer mandapa extends into the lake. The Mallikarjuna Temples exhibit topological features through its plain walls, stepped superstructures, and angled eaves.
7. Mahakuta Group of Temples, Badami
Built during the early Chalukya dynasty, the group of temples at Mahakuta is renowned as a Shaiva monastery. Artisans combined the Dravida and Nagara architectural styles in these temples, marking the beginnings of Vesara style of architecture. The temples are noted for two inscriptions – a Sanskrit and Kannad inscription dated 595–602 CE on the Mahakuta Pillar, and a Kannad inscription on Mahakuteshvara Temple’s porch. A natural spring flows within the complex and feeds into the two temple tanks. The shrines of Mahakuteshvara and Mallikarjuna are the largest. A small shrine of the panchamukha (five-headed) Shiva lingam is erected in the middle of one of the water tanks.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
8. Durga Temple, Aihole
An archaeological expedition at Aihole led to the discoveries of the Pattadakal monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Aihole itself is a historical and archaeological goldmine, featuring over 121 stone and cave temples dated 4-century to 12-century. Of these Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist monuments, the Durga Temple is probably the largest. Mostly built in the 7-century by the Chalukya Dynasty, it features a dravida and nagara architectural style. The most striking aspects are the oblong and apsidal plan of the temple, and the intricately carved peristyle running around it. Numerous representations of Shiva and Vishnu are featured in the temple.
Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Entry Fee: INR 5
9. Sri Krishna Temple, Udupi
The 13-century Sri Krishna Temple was established by Vaishnavite sage Madhwacharya who founded the Dvaita school of Vedanta. As per legend, the statue of Krishna in the sanctum sanctorum was found by Madhwacharya in a large gopichandana ball. This statue can be viewed through the Navagraha Kindi, which is often mistaken with the Kanakana Kindi (Kanaka’s Window) – a tiny peephole in the temple wall to see through and view the sage Kanaka Dasa’s statue. One of the most revered temples in Karnataka, it is also the centre of Daasa Sahitya – the literature of the Bhakti movement, which originated in Udupi.
Timings: 4:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free
10. Kotilingeshwara Temple, Kolar
The Dravidian style Kotilingeshwara Temple features one of the world’s largest lingam. But contrary to popular belief, the main attraction of this temple is not only its 108-feet tall lingam, but the other, lakhs of smaller, colourful lingams surrounding it, and a 35-feet tall Nandi bull idol facing it. Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of Kotilingeshwara, the presiding deity of this temple. Additionally, the complex houses eleven smaller temples dedicated to various deities. A water tank near the lingam is used for performing the abhishek (cleansing) ritual. The complex also has a rest house, a meditation hall, an exhibition centre, and a marriage hall.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Entry Fee: INR 20
11. Sangameshwara Temple, Kudalasangama
Both Sangameshwara and Kudalasangama – the name of the temple and the place, bear the word ‘sangam’ in them, which means ‘confluence’. Located at the confluence of rivers Krishna and the Malaprabha, this magnificent temple features Chalukya architectural style. Sangameshwara is a renowned pilgrim center for Aikya Mandapa – the shrine of Kannad poet Basavanna, founder of the Lingayat sect. A swayambhu lingam (self-manifested Shiva idol) in the sanctum sanctorum is worshipped as Sangameshwara, the presiding deity. The temple has a porch, a navagraha (hall with 9 bays), the main shrine, and inscriptions dated the early 12-century. Another small lingam stands on a mandapa (base) amidst the river in front of the temple.
Timings: 5:00 AM to 12:30 PM, 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free
12. Mallikarjuna Temple, Talakad
Muduku means ‘diversion’ and thore means ‘ to flow forward’ – which refers to the change in direction of river Cauvery at Mudukuthore, a pilgrim center lying on its banks. Legend goes that warrior king Arjuna lived on the Somagiri Hill and prayed to Lord Shiva with mallika-pushpa (jasmine) flowers, giving this Shiva temple its name Mallikarjuna. It is one of the five temples that celebrate the festival of Panchalinga Darshana – a sight of the five lingams – held at Talakad every 12 years. A unique aspect of the festival is that all the prayers, rituals and ceremonies begin simultaneously at the five temples.
Timings: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free
13. Murdeshwar Temple
A 123-feet tall Shiva statue sitting in a lotus position atop a small hill, adjacent to a 237-feet tall gopura (tower), with both structures surrounded by the Arabian Sea in the backdrop – this striking imagery is part of the Murdeshwar Temple complex, one of the most enchanting religious sites in Karnataka. The most stunning views of the Shiva statue are watched aboard the lift in the 20-storied Rajagopura building. Another unique feature is the temple’s presiding deity, Mridesa lingam, which is believed to be an original part of the Atma Linga (Shiva’s soul). The temple complex houses many other shrines and statues.
Timings: 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Entry Fee: Free
14. Gomateshwara Statue, Shravanabelagola
The renowned statue of Gommateshwara is a 57-feet tall monolithic sculpture located on Vindyagiri Hills in Shravanabelagola. This 10-century statue was built under the Ganga Dynasty. Dedicated to Bahubali, a prominent Jain figure, it is the world’s biggest free-standing statues. Bahubali stands in kayotsarga (standing still) pose, a faint smile, and partly-open eyes. An anthill in the backdrop signifies the passage of time. A snake and creeper emerge from the anthill, twine around the statue’s legs and arms, and protrude out of the arms as flowers and berries. The whole figure stands on an open lotus, with two richly carved sculptures on both sides, which represent the yaksh and yakshini (attendees).
Timings: 6:30 AM to 11:30 PM, 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Entry Fee: Free
15. Yoga Narsimha Temple, Melukote
Melukote is home to two revered temples of Karnataka – the ancient Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple, and the hilltop Yoga Narsimha Temple. Featuring a Dravidian architectural style, the Yoga Narsimha Temple is regarded as one amongst the seven sacred centres dedicated to Narasimha, a form of Lord Vishnu. The Narasimha idol is seated wearing a yogapatta. The temple houses many valuable items received as a gift – a huge drum donated by Tipu Sultan, a beautiful bell donated by Mysore’s Parakala Matha, and a gold crown for the temple deity donated by the Wodeyar Kings of Mysore. As per legend, the temple finds mention in ancient Vedic literature.
Timings: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM (Saturdays and Sundays) 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free
16. Mookambika Temple, Kollur
The Mookambika Temple lies in the foothills of Kudajadri Hills in Kollur, on a land believed to be created by sage Parashurama. One of the most illustrious temples of Karnataka, it holds a special bond with Keralites as it features amongst the 108 Durga and 108 Shiva temples in Kerala. It houses a four-armed panchaloha (five metals) idol of Goddess Mookambika. The presiding deity is a swayambhu (self-born) jyotirlinga through which passes a golden line splitting the lingam into half – the left half symbolizes tridevis and the right half symbolizes trimurtis.
Timings: 5:00 AM to 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free
Other religiously significant temples in Karnataka include Bhagandeshwara Temple at Triveni Sangam, Sharada Peetham at Sringeri, Kukke Subramanya, Mahabaleshwar Temple at Gokarna, Male Mahadeshwara Temple at Betta, Durgaparameshwari at Kateel, and others. Some architectural masterpieces are found in the hilltop shrine of Baba Budangiri in Chikkamagaluru, Bucesvara Temple in Koravangala, Keshava Temple in Somanathapura, Doddabasappa Temple at Dambal, and the Bettada Byraveshwara Temple. Origins of the Lingayat sect and Dvaita school of thought are traced to Karnataka, the land where multiple religions flourished. Over a thousand temples stand testimony to the rich history, literature, architecture, and culture of Karnataka.
OYO Explorer Tip – Rather than planning a standalone visit to this town, going for a week-long tour of Karnataka with this town as one of the stopovers will probably be a better option for those traveling from distant locations. One can stay comfortably at any of the OYOs in Bangalore, Mysore or Mangalore to avoid burning a big hole in the pocket. Once there, one can plan out visits to different places such as Murudeshwar, Badami and Halebidu to explore the temples of Karnataka. This blog post does not mention exotic Hampi as that will be the subject of another, more detailed blog on the temples of Karnataka. Happy exploring!
Have you ever heard of any two words that sound more harmonious and perfect together than these two?
Kolkata is a unique city where the names of the food items sound as delightful as they taste.
1. Bengali Sweets
Perhaps the most popular product from this place, Bengali sweets are known for their typical milk-based ingredients and relatively mild sweetness. Roshogolla, Sandesh and Kancha Gola are just a few of the many delectable options available. And while Bengali sweets are now as available almost everywhere in the country, no other place makes them like Kolkata.
Sandesh – a traditional Bengali sweet
2. Illish Maach (Hilsa Fish)
I had once read somewhere that “Illish swims thrice: once in water, once in oil and once in mustard.”
And that is so true! Simply fried in oil, cooked with chillies and mustard or even steamed with turmeric paste, red chillies and coconut paste and wrapped in banana leaves – have it anyway you want. You will be unable to stop yourself from asking for a second helping.
(Beware of the bones though, some of them can slip into your throat and be a real pain.)
3. Mishti Doi
Set to artistic perfection in brown, clay cups, the sweetened yoghurt on a warm summer afternoon tastes like ambrosia. Slightly sweet and delicately brown, it tickles everyone’s taste buds with the slight tanginess one moment, oh-so-sweet the next.
4. Chingri’r Malaikari ( Shrimp in Coconut & Mustard Curry)
An all-time favourite with the Bengalis and a very easy dish to make, suffused with coconut cream and mustard seed paste with a hint of green chillies, it is an excellent accompaniment to hot steamed rice. From young to old, there is no Kolkattan who is not in love with this dish.
5. Ghugni
This is a spicy yellow peas or black gram gravy, flavoured with garam masala, cumin, turmeric, red chillies, chopped coriander and seasoning. Some of the braver ones also add a splash of tamarind juice for a more intense tang, while some prefer to squeeze a bit of lemon juice over it. It is usually consumed as a breakfast or evening snack at home. Special preparations include addition of small bits of cooked mutton!
6. Kosha Mangsho (Spicy Mutton/Lamb Curry)
Cooked slowly to perfection with a heavy dash of gorgeously-harmonious medley of rich spices and served with piping hot rice, this dish is a must have for anyone who has not had it yet.
And yes, because you won’t find such food anywhere else, you should probably plan a trip to Kolkata right away. There are a number of fabulous OYOs in the city that will make your stay memorable.
If you’ve never had the pleasure of visiting a place that can be both full of life with crowded lanes and lights, and be absolutely serene at the same time with the forests and the smooth breeze kicking in, you’ve probably never visited Dharamshala. A scenic hill station at a very convenient distance from the Kangra valley, Dharamshala is divided into two parts: Upper Dharamshala and Lower Dharamshala. While Lower Dharamshala remains a commercial center with the city feels, Upper Dharamshala is the abode of tranquility and religious heritage of the spiritual Tibetan people. Read on to discover how your next trip to Dharamshala can be your dream vacation.
9 places to visit and things to do in Dharamshala:
1. Kangra Art Museum
Inaugurated as The Kangra Art Gallery in 1990, it possesses a wonderful collection of artifacts, crafts, arts, costumes, and treasures, many of which are essentially related to Tibetan history. Some of the artifacts here date back to the 5th century. Bearers of inquisitive minds, if you wish to know how the beautiful city of Dharamshala came into existence, then KAM is the place for you! Also, kids can enjoy by watching and learning the art of Thangka paintings.
A Kangra painting
2. Kangra Fort & Nurpur Fort
Both these forts are at some distance from Dharamshala. Kangra Fort is now in ruins because of the earthquake of 1905, still, the beauty of the place is retained by wonderful sights from the terrace, the Darwazahs, and the delightful carvings in the temples inside the fort. Nurpur Fort, also known as Dhameri is another beautiful antiquity, although practically tarnished by the sands of time. The sculptures and carvings inside the fort are worthy of admiration, and you get a wide range of textiles in Nurpur village.
Kangra Fort
3. Dal Lake
This lake near Dharamshala is the epitome of the divinity of nature, named after Kashmir’s Dal Lake. Probably one of the most beautiful creations to have existed in the hills of Himachal Pradesh, it’s a generally quiet and serene place surrounded by Deodar forests, which only adds to its magic. An ideal picnic spot, it also offers activities like boating and is the starting point of most treks. A kilometer ahead of it is Naddi, a scenic spot that gives a clear view of the Kangra Valley and Dhauladhar Peaks.
Dal Lake, Himachal Pradesh
4. Chamunda Devi Temple
More than its religious significance, the natural vicinity of Chamunda Devi Temple makes it popular. Located at an altitude of 1000 meters on the bank of Ban Ganga, the backdrop of this temple are the breathtaking Dhauladhar Waterfalls and wonderful sights of a number of shrines, pilgrimages, and forests are the prime attractions of this temple. It is said to be almost 700 years old and attracts devotees from all over the globe. And don’t forget to visit the handicraft center where you can find all kinds of wooden carvings and toys for the kids.
Terrains, jagged mountains, and dense forests: words that can give any adventurous person a rush and Dharamshala gives you all three. From easy and pleasant treks to extremely nerve-testing situations, you can find everything to boost your adrenaline. Treks to Bhagsu Falls, Triund, and Indrahar are famous among trekkers and hikers.
Trekking near Dharamshala
6. Rock Climbing
If you’re a level ahead of the curve, rock climbing is for you! The mountaineering sessions can go from challenging to grueling as you try to conquer the indomitable Himalayas in the unchartered territories of Dharamshala-Nayagroeon. Find other men and women with nerves of steel, probably make new friends along the way and experience the thrill.
‘Sky is the limit,’ they say. Dharamshala gives you an opportunity to breach the limits. Soar above the Himalayas like a carefree bird and see the mystifying beauty of the hills with a panoramic view. Located at a convenient distance from Dharamshala, Billing is a famous & renowned paragliding hub that offers you this service.
Paragliding near Dharamshala
8. Fishing
Rich in water bodies, Dharamshala has a lot of streams and small rivers where tourists are allowed to indulge in angling & fishing. In the last few years, fishing and angling have become really popular here since you find the unique Mahaseer fish variety in the 20-kilometer stretch between Nadaun and Pong Dam of the River Beas. Hunt your own supper and enjoy a calm day with friends or family.
9. Heritage Tour
Shout out to all intellectually enlightened people. More than its own history, Dharamshala offers you a chance to know about Tibetan heritage and culture as Upper Dharamshala consists of monks and people of the exiled Tibetan government. The Kangra Art Museum possesses artifacts that date as back as the fifth century. Establishments set up by Tibetan spiritual leaders are worth a visit to know about the Tibetan art & culture.
Buddhist prayer wheels, Dharamshala
Of course, after all of these heavenly experiences, you would want to go back to a nice hotel and unwind. We know just the right option for you to make it possible – OYO Rooms in Dharamshala
Mumbai is home to not just the big city bustle, but also pockets of calmness and spirituality. Watch this video shot by fellow traveller Parnashree Devi and discover some of the most beautiful aspects of this amazing city.
