4 Refreshing hill stations from Chennai

Today Chennai stands as an important industrial town and economic center with numerous tourist attractions. However, Chennai lies on the thermal equator and is plagued by a hot and humid coastal climate. It becomes essential for the people in Chennai to find a refuge from the burning coastal plains of Chennai. Here’s the list of the best hill stations one can visit near Chennai. If you’re looking forward to a trip to these hills, then you can easily get cheap flights from Delhi, Kolkata or Mumbai to Chennai.

1. Yelagiri - Yelagiri is a picturesque hill station surrounded by green valleys, massive lakes, flowery gardens and orchards and situated at a distance of about 230 km from the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu. The hill station was established by the British as a summer retreat, providing relief from the scorching summer heat. It is a great place to enjoy with your family and friends and you love trying your hands on eco sports trekking and hiking. There are few colorful festivals too, mostly organized by the locals held around the month of May every year. The Jalagamparai Waterfalls, Punganoor Lake and Park and Swami Malai Hills etc. are some of the major tourists attractions that you can find here. You can easily get cheap flights from Mumbai to Chennai or a bus from Bangalore to reach these amazing hill stations.

2. Horsley Hills - Horsley Hills are a popular Hill Station in Andhra Pradesh located in the hills of the Eastern Ghats, at a distance of about 280 km from the city. This enchanting hill station was named after the British collector named W.D. Horsley, who was so allured by the beauty of the hills that he chose the spot to construct his summer bungalow. The same residence is now being used as the official residence for the Governor of Andhra Pradesh. The hills have been a popular retreat for the people who visit Tirupati during the summers and in case you love wildlife, there’s the Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary in vicinity.

3. Yercaud - This quaint hill station is situated in the Salem district of Tamil Nadu in the Shevaroys hills of the Eastern Ghats at a distance of about 370 km from the city of Chennai. The hill station is situated at an elevation of more than 1500 meters above ocean level, and by the amazing scenic beauty and abundance of greenery it it rightly named as ‘the Jewel of the South’. The temperature of the region never goes above 20 degrees celsius during summer time which makes it a popular destination amongst city dwellers to beat out the heat. Places like the Yercaud Lake, National Orchidarium, Lady’s seat, Servarayan Temple, Bear’s cave, Pagoda Point, Fairholme bungalow and Heaven’s ledge etc. are the various attractions one can visit in the hill station.

4. Kolli Hills - One of the famous hill station in the state of Tamil Nadu, the Kolli Hills are situated at a distance of about 350 km from Chennai. Located at an elevation of 1300 meters above sea level, the hill station is a part of the Eastern Ghats range in India. Kolli Hills are almost entirely untouched by any kind of commercial tourism activities and offer a clean, lush green environment to its visitors. The terrain is mostly covered by coffee and tea plantations with several paddy fields and jackfruit trees. The town gets even more picturesque during the monsoons when the valley is streaked with several streams.

Visiting these hill tations could be the refreshing holiday you were looking for apart from other things to do in Chennai. Also check out chennai to madurai train if you are looking forward to visit Madurai also. 

Popular lures of Pune city, the cultural capital of Maharashtra

Pune is perceived for its Peshwa style landmarks, which still hold viewers in a look. Shaniwarwada is one of the best cases of the same. A seven story chateau of the Peshwas it was before a sanctuary of greatness and extravagances, Here is a quick Pune guide.

Pune is one city in Maharashtra that has seen a sudden change from being a languid town to a noteworthy IT hub and a clamoring city. Bragging of a great past, Pune saw the standard of various famous dynasties and rulers, and has acquired something from every one of them. The endless landmarks and temples stand as an affirmation to the same. The customs and good decorum from the past along with the practicality and modernity of 21st century have resulted an extraordinary culture in Pune that local people swear by. Know flights from Bangalore to Pune schedule, and get going to the city for a vacation of your lifetime.

The remaining parts however held firmly to remember the lost unselfishness. The 16-petal lotus-molded wellspring in the patio of the Palace is a building wonder. The Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum is one of the best places in the locale to get a look at the past. It houses relics from the Mughals to the Marathas. A noteworthy draw here is an area of the Mastani Palace. Bajirao constructed it for his darling Mastani. An intriguing Music exhibition is additionally kept up there. A tortoise formed veena and a gramophone from the mid twentieth century are a percentage of the highlighted antiquities there.

Another essential verifiable landmark in Pune is the Aga Khan Palace. It is noted for its association with the Father of the Nation, who spent some years here. It houses a substantial number of memorabilia and pictures of Gandhi and his days of fight for India's freedom. The yard also houses Kasturba Gandhi's Samadhi who breathed her last here. The Mahatma Phule Wada is yet another noted significant historical building here. Once the residence of Jyotiba Phule, it is currently an exhibition hall and has relics identified with him.

The city of Pune has acquired some fascinating and highly revered temples as well. The Sarasbaug Temple is one of the best known ones here, with Siddhivinayak as the residing deity. It draws large counts of sightseers on a normal every day which goes as high as eighty thousand for celebrations such as Ganesh Chaturthi. A decent number of temples dot the Parvati Hill, which is celebrated for its religious significance. The hilltop can be accessed by climbing 108 stairs, and on the top there are temples of Vishnu, Dev Adeshwar, Parvati, Ganesha, and Kartikeya. As indicated by popular convictions, the Parvati Temple revered an unadulterated gold symbol which was stolen and a silver icon with gold shine was placed in its place.

Pune has got worldwide acknowledgment for being home to the Osho International Meditation Resort. Sprawling more than 40 acres of verdant greens, it is a paradise for the individuals who look for a retreat. Followers here are prepared in Osho's procedures of contemplation, anxiety help and massages. The Film and Television Institute of India is likewise present in the city. It is noted to be the best acting school in the nation and has delivered a portion of the finest actors. Courses in screenplay, editing, screenplay, photography, dance and music are offered here. National Defense Academy is situated at a place called Khadakwasala. It is a joint administrations institute for the cadets of three wings of Indian defense - Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Like some other significant city in the nation, in addition to the popular places to visit in Pune, the city has a great deal of eating out choices and one can without much of a stretch find a wide range of mainstream cooking styles here. Nonetheless, it is not the swanky eateries but rather the little bistros and bread kitchens that give out the best of stuff. For the most part family run, they have their own particular mark claims to fame.

My Tour To India: Witness the True Colours of Rajasthan, with these ...

My Tour To India: Witness the True Colours of Rajasthan, with these ...: India is the only country in the world, which has myriad number of festivals celebrated throughout the year. They light up the lives of th...

Witness the True Colours of Rajasthan, with these Festivals Celebrated here

India is the only country in the world, which has myriad number of festivals celebrated throughout the year. They light up the lives of the people, and give them a hearty excuse to embrace each other and come closer. They break the monotony of lives, and engage us with lively celebrations and preparations.

The state of Rajasthan has its own unique festivities, which bring the people of Rajasthan closer to each other and perk up the entire state with life and colours. So, this time make a tour to the largest state of India, and witness its vivid colours. There are flights to Jaipur, Jaisalmer and other cities of Rajasthan, from all major cities of India. Mumbai to Jaipur flight duration is of maximum 2 hours, so all the joy and perks are just 2 hours away from you, if you put up in Maharashtra.

This article will enlighten you with some of the festivals of Rajasthan, which are celebrated there with great pomp and show. Be ready to bask yourself in utmost joy.

1. Teej Festival: This festival marks the beginning of the monsoon season and is even celebrated in other parts of India. The major contribution is done by the women of the household, who dress up in the most colorful and elegant attire, and decorate their pretty wrists with colourful bangles. Some of them even go fasting, and redden their hands with aromatic Rajasthani henna. They wear colorful jewellery and look really pretty. Another highlight of this festival is that, there are swings tied to the branches of the trees, and women swing on them and enjoy.

2. Urs Festival, Ajmer: One of the most revered festivals of the Muslim community is celebrated in Ajmer, the Urs festival. The festival is celebrated in the first six days of Rajab, as a homage to the Sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin-Chisti, and takes place at the holy dargah Shareef, where the remains of this saint reside. The people flock this dargah and offer various things like perfumes, sandalwood, incense and rose and jasmine flowers. Visit the place and be blessed by Khwaja.

3. Marwar Festival, Jodhpur: Jodhpur, the sun city of Rajasthan, conducts the Marwar or the Maand festival every year for two days, in the months of September-October. This festival is hosted by the Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mandore and Mehrangarh Fort, where a sassy aura is created with the music and dance shows, highlighting the Marwar tradition, and dedicated to the folk heroes of Rajasthan. The camel polo and other camel shows are quite a catch of this festival.

4. Gangaur Festival, Jaipur: This time, along with trotting the top 10 places to visit in Jaipur on your jaipur tour, witness the happening festival of Gangaur, celebrated here with utmost delight. This festival is celebrated as a homage to Goddess Gauri, Shiva’s consort. It is celebrated for eighteen days, especially by the women and unmarried girls of Rajasthan, who decorate and adorn the Goddess’s idols with beautiful clothes and ornaments. They too get dressed in colourful and bright clothes and sing songs, marking the departure of Goddess Gauri from her own home, to her husband’s. The unmarried women pray for good husbands and a happy married life, while the married ones pray for their husband’s long life, wealth and prosperity of their marriage.

Take a swift tour around the Pink City beyond the cobbled streets

From everything mystical, magical and majestic, Jaipur has it all. The ‘Pink City’ as it is called, is home to some of the finest monuments and palaces in the whole country. Jaipur is the standout amongst all the other cities and towns of the flamboyant state of Rajasthan. This article talks about some of the most popular tourist hotspots.

Jaipur is best portrayed as a harsh diamond. A gem no doubt, but still unpolished not quite a modern city lacking in terms of infrastructures and some other modern amenities. Jaipur is unique and one of a kind. The city is a clamorous blend of sights and history. Jaipur contains some of Rajasthan's finest fortresses and most lavish castles however this is bury blended with grinding neediness and choking contamination. Jaipur is not a destination for all travelers but rather for the individuals who hold on will find a lively and alluring city. It can be approached by road from New Delhi or you could check online for the Mumbai to Jaipur flights lowest fare to get an idea of how much a flight to Jaipur from cities like Mumbai would cost you.

The Sun Temple

The Sun Temple or The Surya Mandir is one of the lesser known traveler sights of Jaipur however the consolidated lose air and incredible perspectives make this a top notch fascination. To reach to the temple requires a lovely short climb up along activity free cobbled streets. The best time to visit the Sun Temple is at dusk when the entire of Jaipur is showered in brilliant daylight and just about figures out how to look wonderful and peaceful.

The Hawa Mahal

The Hawa Mahal Jaipur interpreted into English simply implies the Palace of the Winds and this name is in reference to the cunning cooling framework which spreads a tender breezes through the internal rooms notwithstanding amid the exceptional Rajasthan summers. This brilliant outline has been totally lost after a late redesign in which windows were introduced behind each of the grid openings, so today the castle of winds has no wind.

Jal Mahal

Conceivably the most tranquil sight in the midst of the mayhem of Jaipur is the excellent Jal Mahal Jaipur, the Water Palace. This low-ascent symmetrical castle, that once was a shooting lodge for the Maharajah, seems to drift in the focal point of Sagar Lake. The sight is nothing short of Majestic and magical. The Palace floats upon a lake where half of its foundation is submerged underwater.

Amber Fort

Definitely one of the top places to visit in Jaipur, Amber Fort is also the last stop for your Jaipur sightseeing tour. The most amazing approach to achieve the doors of Amer from the car parking area is by elephant and this experience costs Rs900 for two individuals. Inside Amer There are satisfactory toilets by the fundamental passageway and two or three costly shops to buy water and beverages.