Heritage temple of Shri Morjai

Filled with coconut palms and white sands, the village of Morjim in Pernem taluka is a gift of nature to mankind. The Arabian Sea and the beautiful Chapora River make Morjim, a paradise on earth. The temple of Shri Morjai in Morjim commands attention of heritage lovers and is of great historic importance. The Goddess, Shri Morjai is believed to be one of the seven sisters who came and resided in different parts of Goa along with their brother, Shri Khetoba. Shri Morjai resides in a majestic temple amidst a coconut grove. Though the temple does not have a ‘Shikhar,’ it possesses an elegant look. The temple walls are adorned with the rare and extinct ‘Kaavi’ art friezes. Excellent attempts have been made by the temple committee to conserve these murals ‘in situ.’ The original ‘Mukhmandap’ has round masonry pillars with this unique art running along their periphery. The windows grills of the ‘Mukhmandap,’ various geometric and floral patterns, are depicted in ‘Kaavi’ art. The maroon coloured ‘Kaavi’ art designs blend beautifully with the white washed walls.

The exterior ‘Sabhamandap’ dating to 1936 AD has rectangular columns supporting a balcony above. Though the exterior ‘Sabhamandap’ was a later addition, it matches well with the ancient temple.

The ceiling of the interior ‘Sabhamandap’ is magnificent. The vaulted roof inside has exquisite ‘Kaavi’ art murals. Floral and geometric patterns etched in ‘Kaavi,’ on the roof are worth seeing. It is very surprising to see the art etched on an inner side of a vaulted roof. One stands to imagine as to how these murals were etched in the interior of the vault. The ‘Kaavi’ art frescoes give the temple an archaeological and historic significance. A unique well surrounded by a series of semi circular arcs, nearby, is a unique piece of architecture, which is worth seeing.

The ‘Agr-shaallaa’ and the temple of Shri Ravalnath, nearby, give the precincts a traditional look. The president of the temple committee, Mr Gopal Shetgaonkar observes that heritage temples should not be concretized but should be conserved and preserved. He also opines that addition of mismatched elements in the old structure destroy the originality and the historicity of the building.

Our heritage churches, temples and mosques are testimony to Goa’s past. They should be conserved ‘in situ’ as they are our prized possessions.

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Moving with the Wildlife at the Silent Valley in Kerala

The dense rainforests of the Silent Valley is one of the few preserves that have been left practically untouched by man and modernization. Surrounded by hills, the inaccessible nature of the Silent valley has proved to be its blessing.

The brooding forests of the Silent Valley are located in the Nilgiri Hills in Kerala and are said to date back to 50 million years. The 236.74 square kilometer national park is a part of the Palakkad district in Kerala. The diverse ecosystem of the Silent Valley includes montane grasslands, deciduous, semi evergreen as well as evergreen forests. The Valley is an important part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and lies adjacent to the Mukkurthi national park and the Attappady forests.

Legends of the Silent Valley

The Silent Valley has an interesting role to play vis-à-vis Hindu mythology. The locals call the Valley Sairandhrivanam. Sairandhri refers to Draupadi, the wife of the five Pandavas. According to local legend, the Pandavas along with Draupadi stumbled upon the beautiful, isolated valley in the course of their travels during a period of exile. So enamored were they by the green, rolling forests bursting with life that they stayed here for some time.

Exploring the wildlife at Silent Valley

The Silent Valley is home to an amazing number of mammals, birds and reptiles. Isolated due to the ring of hills around it, the forest has been able to retain the Indo-Malaysian nature of the flora and fauna that has characterized the area over the ages.

A trip to Silent Valley will give you some stunning glimpses of wildcats like tiger, panther, jungle cats, civets and fishing cat. The graceful sambar and spotted deer, the large gaur and smaller animals like mongooses, otters, flying squirrel and the scaly anteater are other wildlife that makes the Silent Valley an absolute delight for wildlife enthusiasts.

Among the more significant inhabitants of the forests are the lion tailed macaque and the Nilgiri langur; both of these are on list of endangered animals and the Silent Valley is one of their habitats on earth. The forests also have a large number of endangered birds. These include the Wayanad Laughing Thrush, Broad tailed Grassbird, the Malabar parakeet and the Great Indian Hornbill.

A survey conducted in 2006 reported that there were 138 species of birds in the Silent Valley. The forests also have 35 species of reptiles and 19 species of amphibians. In fact, there are two species of frogs that have been discovered in the Silent Valley. There are also several rare plants and herbs in the valley.

Reaching the Silent Valley

Given the heavy rainfall the area experiences, travelling here during the monsoon months might not be practical. The summers are warm while winters are pleasant. There are plenty of buses running from Palakkad to Mukkali. Palakkad is at a distance of 80 km, while Mukkali is 23 kilometers away.

The distance between Mukkali and Silent Valley will have to be covered either by hiring a jeep or van. You could also trek part of the distance. As far as accommodation is concerned, there are a few guest houses within the national park. You could also stay at one of the many hotels in Palakkad town.

The Silent Valley is quite simply an unforgettable experience. It takes us back to an age when nature reigned supreme. The preserve with its pristine and untouched character is truly a unique spot in a world where else where man has left his rather heavy imprint.

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Famous Khajuraho Dance Festival

The classical dance festival in Khajuraho is staged against the backdrop of tenth century temples built by rulers of the Chandella dynasty.

Organized by Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department, the cultural extravaganza takes place at an open-air auditorium in front of the Chitragupta Temple dedicated to the Sun God and the Vishwanatha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Khajuraho Dance Festival, though comparatively a dance festival of recent origin, has already become a legendary festival having earned a great deal of reputation among locals and foreigners. The dances performed here are said to be truly divine with the wonderful backdrop of the sculptures of Khajuraho. The temples are brightly lit and are shimmering with the lights.

Among the Indian classic dances portrayed during the festival include Kathak, Odissi, Kathakali, Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi and Manipuri. The best performers of these dance forms are specially invited to the festival. The festival offers an opportunity for amatuer artists too to rub shoulders with the exponents. For many of them, a performance in Khajuraho Temple is the opportunity of a lifetime.

A cluster of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain Temples dating back to 950-1050 AD, known for its erotic sculptures, has endowed Khajuraho with international fame and recognition.

The Land Of Many Mountain Passes

Leh is the capital of Leh district of Laddakh region situated in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, amidst the lofty mountain ranges of the Great Himalayas. Leh-Ladakh is flanked by two of the greatest mountain ranges on either side, the Himalayas and the Karakoram mountains.

Leh Ladakh is an ethereal desert area in the Himalayan region caressed by freezing winds and sharp sun rays. The thin air makes the heat in the summers more sharp and intense. In fact it is not surprising that if a person would be sitting out in the summer with his feet in the shade, he could suffer from a sunstroke and frost bite at the same time.

The mean altitude is three thousand five hundred metres above sea level and the temperatures range between twenty seven Celsius in summers to a sharp dip down to twenty below zero Celsius in winter. ‘Laddakh’ is a Persian word that means 'the land of many mountain passes'. The native population of Ladakh is believed to be of an Indo-Aryan origin from the Indus Valley, but over the years, a mix of cultures between India and Tibet have seen the facial features change to rounder faces, shorter noses and thin slit eyes. The people of Leh-Ladakh are very simple and good at heart.

The main religions dominating this region are Buddhism and Islam. This used to be a bustling trade route in the past between Punjab and Central India but since China has closed all borders, tourism has become the core industry of Leh-Ladakh. Owing to its specific ecological balance and climate, his place has a fascinating mix of wild life. Some species natives to this area are the Yak or wild ox, Ibex, Tibetan Shapu and the wonderful blue sheep.

There are many beautiful places to be seen here, mainly the Leh Palace and the Buddhist Monasteries. The Leh Palace has always been a big attraction for tourists in the city. It exudes a certain sense of mystery and the landscape around it is extremely beautiful and scenic. Some of the famous monasteries are Alchi, Gompa, Sankar Gompa, Hemis Gompa and the Likir Monastery.

The Laddakh festival is attended by many people as it showcases the cultural richness of the region. It is held during the winters, when the majority of the population is not busy at work due to the severe climatic conditions. These festivals are attended for their atmosphere of great festivity and gaiety. One of the main attractions of tourists visiting Leh-Ladakh is the beautiful winter trek organized by the tourism authorities. The Zansker winter trek is one such unforgettable experience as it is made over a strange route when the hikers traverse over the frozen Zansker River. All these treks pass through breath taking mountain regions and locales. Adventure sports like parasailing, river rafting and skiing are also very popular in Leh-Ladakh. Many tourists voice the sentiment that was coined by the Moghul Emperor Jahangir when he said that places in Kashmir like Pahalgam and Leh are the closest that we can get to heaven on earth.

The Char Dham Pilgrimage Tour

In India, Uttrakhand is known as the Dev Bhoomi, because it has many popular and sacred Pilgrimage Destinations of God. It is located at the Himalaya region of North India. Chardham Yatra (Four Pilgrimage Destinations) is famous on Worldwide so peoples are comes from every corner of the world for this Yatra. The four dham are Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath. According to Hindu religion, a journey to the Chardham is considered to the very spiritual significance. Each destination of has its own spiritual acception for the peoples. Hindus believes that by the journey of Chardham we can acquire Moksha to our life. The main season of Chardham Tour starts from May to October, in this period a lot of peoples are go for Yatra so it is the peak time of Chardham Tour.

Now let us take a brief introduction of each destination of Chardham. The first one is Gangotri, it is dedicated to river Ganga .This is the most sacred place where river Ganga touched earth for the first time. Similarly Yamunotri is dedicated to river Yamuna and has a temple devoted to Goddes Yamuna. And the same way Badrinath Temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu and it is found between the Nar and Narayan parvat. The last one is Kedarnath devoted to Lord Shiva and surrounded by the peaks which are covered by the ice. Some another Pilgrimage destinations near to Kedarnath are Gaurikund, Panch Kedar.

Honeymoon and Enjoyment Packages in Kullu Manali

India is the most beautiful country in the world. Here we have a lot of romantic and lovely points in India like Shimla, Manali, Mussoorie etc. In the hills of Himalayas, a small, majestic town situated is known as Manali. Adventure, Real Beauty, Love, Romance you will find every thing in this valley of snow. This tourist place is the first choice of all Honeymoon couples, Adventure Lovers and newly married pairs. 

You can reach Manali by Air or by Road. Bhuntar Airport, also known as Kullu Manali Airport is an airport situated in Bhuntar is the nearest Air port for Manali. This is almost 50 kms far from the main Manali town. Manali is well connected from Road by Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla etc . From Delhi and Chandigarh you can reach at Manali by the most comfortable A/C Buses. Alternative way is taxi for example Indica or Indigo Cabs. From March to June is the best time to visit the manali. In this season you can get relief from the high temperature. You will find high rush in this time period.In manali there are a lot of hotels and resorts to stay. You will find all range of hotels, Resort and Cottages in Manali means from budget to luxury.

There are many places to visit like Solang Valley, Rahala waterfalls, Rohtang Pass, Hidimba Devi Temple, Vashisht Temple, Manu Temple, Monasteries, Club House, Kothi, Jagatsukh etc . People enjoy Para Gliding, River Rafting, Skiing in their Rohtang pass tour. Youngsters and Adventure lovers like Mountain Biking and Mountain Climbing and Ice Skating. 

Kullu Manali's main attraction is live snow fall. You can see it, even touch it. In cold season tourist find lovely view of snow fall. They can play with this snow in the Solang Valley. Honeymoon couples come specially for this snow fall. It is very realistic for them. Manali looks like Switzerland of India.

Apart this temples of manali have its own importance. In Mahabharata Bhima had married a devil girl Hidimba. The Hadimba Devi temple is dedicated to the wife of Bhima. It is very famous temple of Manali and it's also called Dhungiri temple, because it's located in Dhungiri jungles. Visitors also like to do paddle boating in a fun park near this temple. Manu temple, Vashist Village and Temple, Nehru Kund, Shiva temple, Tibetan Monasteries are another attraction of manali. Shiva temple is on the top of hill and it is an ancient temple of manali. 

In the malls of Manali tourist can purchase everything from clothes to Jewellery, Handicraft etc . Visitors likes specially Woolen shawls of manali and from the monasteries they take prayer wheels, Musical Instruments, Jewellery etc . People of manali believes in simplicity, they are really simple and good. Tourists get warm hospitality from them and take sweet memories of their trip. So if you are planed to visit kullu manali with your dear, you can book your Kullu Manali Honeymoon Packages online and enjoy your Manali Tour Package and make memorable moments of your life. 

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Khajuraho Travel Guide

The temples of Khajuraho are India's unique gift to the world, representing, as they do, a paean to life, to love, to joy; perfect in execution and sublime in expression. Life, in every form and mood, has been captured in stone, testifying not only to the craftsman's artistry but also to the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela Rajputs under whose rule the temples were conceived and constructed.

The world renowned temple town of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh designated by UNESCO as a world heritage site for its archaeological and historical monuments. 

History

The Creators of Khajuraho claimed descent from the moon and the legend behind the founding of this great dynasty and the temples is a fascinating one. Hemwati, the lovely young daughter of a Brahmin priest, was seduced by the moon-god while bathing in a forest pool. The child born of this union was Chandravarman, founder of the Chandela dynasty. Brought up in the forests by his mother who sought refuge from a censorious society, Chandravarman, when established as a ruler, had a dream-visitation from his mother. It is said that she implored him to build temples that would reveal human passions, and in doing so, bring about a realization of the emptiness of human desire. It is also possible that the Chandelas were followers of the Tantric cult, which believes that gratification of earthly desires is a step towards attaining the infinite liberation of nirvana. 

Places to See in Khajuraho

State Museum of Tribal & Folk Arts

A fine collection of masterpieces of tribal and folk art and artifacts from all over Madhya Pradesh is on display at the Chandela Cultural Complex. The tradition of tribal and folk arts and crafts has evolved over centuries. It represents the best of Indian culture and tradition and its synthesis with foreign cultures that came through trade and invasions. The State Museum has more than 500 representative items of terracotta, metal craft, woodcraft, tribal and folk paintings, tattoos, jewellery and masks.

Khajuraho Temples

The architectural style of the Khajuraho temples is very different from the temple prototype of that period. Each stands, instead of within the customary enclosure, on a high masonry platform. Combined with the upward direction of the structure, which is further accentuated by vertical projections, the total effect is one of grace and lightness, reminiscent of the Himalayan peaks. Each of the chief compartments has its own roof, grouped in such a way that the highest is in the centre, the lowest over the portico, a triumph of skill and imagination in recreating the rising peaks of a range. 

Eastern Group of Temples

Adinath Temple: Dedicated to the Jain saint, Adinath, the temple is lavishly embellished with sculpted figures, including yakshis. The three Hindu temples of the group are the Brahma, containing a four faced lingam, the Vamana, which is adorned on its outer walls with carving of apsaras in a variety of sensuous attitudes; and the javari, with a richly-carved gateway and exterior sculptures.

Western Group of Temples

The Western group is certainly the best known, because it is to this group that the largest and most typical Khajuraho temple belongs: The Kandariya Mahadev.

Southern Group of Temples

Dulah Deo Temple: This finest temple at Khajuraho also called Kunwar Math offers some of the choicest sculptures especially the Shalbhanjika. It is a fully developed temple measuring 21 m by 12 m (69 ft. by 40 ft.) with the ardhamanadap, the mandapa, the maha mandapa, the antarala and the garbha griha with no circumambulatory passage.

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Amazing Luxury Train Travel and Golden Moments in Royal Rajasthan

Rajasthan is aptly called as the royal state of India because of its splendid history associated with the kings and queens. These royals, because of their high tastes, have contributed much to the construction of some of the magnificent palaces, havelis and forts in this state. This is the reason this beautiful state of India is also called royal Rajasthan because everything associated with this place has a rich feel whether it is the fort, the palace or the delicious cuisine. You can have a spectacular luxury trip across this magnificent state. You can have the royal feel in the trip by boarding the luxury train and it will be a wonderful experience of life. You will get many facilities in the train and these also include some high quality personalized services.

Generally the journeys for such trains are for a period of 7 days and eight days respectively but there are also 4 days journeys available and these cover the areas like Delhi, Jaipur, Agra and Bharatpur. When it comes to the trip in this luxury train for periods of 7 and 8 days respectively, you cover different destinations of the maharajas in the exotic Rajasthan as well as different parts of the eastern and central India. The train cuts across the beautiful destinations like Agra, Delhi, Jaipur, Udaipur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Chittorgarh, Jodhpur, Varanasi, Khajurao and Bharatpur. When you visit these destinations in such a luxurious atmosphere, it will really give you a feel of Rajasthan royals. When you have a trip of royal Rajasthan in such a luxury train, it is really an amazing experience one loves to cherish. This luxury train is a fine alternative for the traveler and you get all the comforts of the present times in it. It is really an amazing feel.

There is a major hand of the tourism development corporation to make this train ply on the rails. By travelling in heritage express, you get the taste of Rajputana heritage and make this journey as one of the most memorable journeys of your life. The three important things that really make you feel on the top of the world while travelling in the royal Rajasthan train is the onboard service, exotic destinations and the classic décor. This train has 13 salons and all are luxury coaches with air conditioning facility. All these coaches have the complete carpeting along with the linen and silk furnishings. When you sit, sleep or relax in these coaches, it brings alive the opulence and royalty in you. You really feel like a royal and magnificent Maharaja.

The ambience and beauty of the inside decoration increases with period furniture and gorgeous paintings. When you travel in such a train, you can relax by having sips of sweet wine or some good hard drinks in the majestic restro bars like namely Swarn mahal and Sheesh mahal. You have the good food in the in house.

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Colorful Facades of Kerala Tourism

An enigmatic strip of land, Kerala is a tropical paradise in one of the sought after tourist destinations. A visit to Kerala is more like reading a book with a new story each and every time turn on the page. It is incredibly striking and is blessed with astonishing charm of nature, blissful ambiance and more of all pleasing climatic conditions which makes holiday really an experience of lifetime. This small state lets you enjoy the complete magic of the nature in different form which consists of the exquisite backwater destinations, captivating beaches and exotic wildlife parks and sanctuaries, nature blessed hill stations and much more. It is the pure attractiveness of the nature and its tantalizing charm that Kerala is today globally known and is visited by a number of tourists from every nook and corner of the world. 

Kerala being the most popular destinations in India, Kerala tour is ready to offer them more than what they expect to let them enjoy holiday in an enjoyable and unforgettable way amidst the Lap of Mother Nature. Kerala tour package also offers to experience the complete magic of the backwaters, a unique product of the state truly unmatched by any other tourism destinations in the world. It is blessed with astonishing charm and present amazing opportunity to sail over the scenic water-world over a houseboat gradually floating with the pace of time. Houseboats are the only medium offering an unbelievable experience to relish forever. Some of the popular backwater destinations in Kerala are Kumarakom, Kuttanad, Kollam, Kasargod, Alleppey and Cochin which are visited by tourists from all over the world. 

Beside Kerala backwaters tours, Kerala tour packages also offer tourists to enjoy the stimulating exquisiteness of the nature in different forms. Hill stations of Kerala like Munnar, Idduki, Wayanad and Devikulam are blessed with stupendous beauty of nature with cascading waterfalls, well organized tea gardens, spice plantations, musical streams, lush green flora and fauna and much more. 

Kerala is one of the most leading honeymoon destinations in India as celebrating honeymoon would be like staying in green paradise. The most predominant attractions of Kerala honeymoon tours will be Kerala's striking beaches dotted with palm coconut trees. Exploring the sun-kissed exquisite beaches of Kerala add an unusual charm in your Kerala honeymoon tours. Some of famous beaches of Kerala are Kovalam beach, Chowara beach, Bekal beach, Alleppey beach, Cherai beach, Quilon beach, Shanghumugham beach, Varkala Papanasam beach, etc which you should not forget to explore during your Kerala honeymoon tour. 

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Travel to Charming Goa

Goa is an Indian state located in west part of the country. The former Portuguese colony is famous as a popular tourist destination as millions of domestic as well as international tourists descend here every year. The beautiful city is renowned for its unique blend of native and Portuguese culture, splendid architectural works, pristine beaches and attractive artworks. If you are planning a vacation, Goa can be a wonderful holiday destination for you. You will discover innumerable entertainment options when you will book your cheap tour to Goa. Let us find out some sightseeing spots and entertainment activities which have popularized it as a leading tourism hub of India. 

The beautiful city is famous as "Queen of Beaches". A stretch of 125 km of coastline makes Goa a ranked tourist destination across the world. This vast stretch of seashore can be divided into beaches in the North and beaches in the South. Beaches of these two different regions are known for their own characteristics. Panjim is the capital city of Goa. Tourists can book cheap Goa flights to enjoy finest churches and temples, unbeatable array of over 40 beaches, active and enthusiastic nightlife, bright festivities and celebrations, pleasant sun-sea-sand-surf and exotic seafood, and the best of natural beauty between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. 

Beautiful churches are one of the main highlights to the state. Panjim city is full of Christian pilgrim centres. The Church And Convent Of St. Monica, the Church Of Our Lady Of The Rosary, the Church Of St. Francis Of Assisi, and the Church Of St. Francis Xavier are a few of the post popular churches in the city. If one wants Goa holidays, there are umpteen destinations to see. 

Immaculate sun kissed beaches, clear skies, amazingly pleasant weather, rippling waves of the Arabian sea, plethora of adventure sports, verdant greens, and excellent accommodation options, all these make the charming region a fabulous tourist destination. Other than extraordinary travel and entertainment options, tourists can enjoy mouth watering delicacies in Goa. Fish curry and rice is the staple food of the natives. Food lovers can relish a variety of fish dishes in Goa. 

Coming to Goa beaches, this gorgeous state is dotted with many pristine beaches appealing tourists and vacationers from all over the world. Goa beaches are exquisite for awe-inspiring tourism and mesmeric vacation. Anjuna, Baga, Dona Paula, Vagator, Candolim, Benaulim, Colva, etc are some of most popular beaches in the state. 

To conclude, the state of Goa has its distinct charm and character. Arrange your tour to Goa, Book your cheap Goa tours in advanve and let loose yourself in this pure traveler's paradise. 

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