Destination India

Britain becomes favourite tourist hotspot for Indians

noreply@blogger.com (Sagar Satapathy) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 08:11:00 +0000

Traditionally, Indians tend to travel Switzerland, Bangkok, Mauritius, Malaysia and some other countries to spend their vacation. However, according to recent data, Britain has become the most favourite haunt for Indian tourists. The tourism industry estimates revealed that Indians spend more money than US visitors in Britain.

The average money spent by an Indian tourist in Britain is 793 pounds, while the same spent by an American tourist is 710. Most Indian visitors to Britain come from Pune, Ahmedabad, Indore, Jalandhar, Hissar, Nagpur, Coimbatore and Madurai.

Next Stop Destination: Cruise Vacation Center

noreply@blogger.com (Sagar Satapathy) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 18:01:00 +0000

If you are looking for a Cruise Vacation place to spend some time with your family, then Internet is the best place to search for a right place. However, you must be able to choose the right cruise vacation. When you search on the web, the first name that comes on the top is Cruise Vacation Center.

Since its inception in 1993, Cruise Vacation Center has sent over 250,000 passengers sailing. It's amazing, but true. Cruise Vacation Center strives to provide clients with a cruise specifically planned to their tastes, always providing extraordinary personal service and the lowest prices. Among the several cruises provided by this company, I found Alaska Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Mediterranean Cruises most intriguing.

Alaska Cruises offer great vacation pleasure because of its close proximity to nature and scenic beauty. Here, you can watch mountains, glaciers, wildlife and also can have some great shopping experience.The scenic beauty of the Caribbeans is no longer unknown to anyone. The beats of Calypso and great comfort on the sea beaches make the Royal Caribbean Cruises more popular among the travellers. If you are looking for an exotic, tropical vacation, then go ahead and choose the Royal Caribbean.

Mediterranean Cruises have been considered as the most entertaining vacation spots for decades. They cover some of the most exotic places in the world such as Greece, Egypt, South Africa, Italy and others. It's not at all easy to write in details about these Cruises unless we plan a vacation to these exotic cruise vacations in the world.

A Great Collection of Waterfall Pictures from India

noreply@blogger.com (Sagar Satapathy) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:45:00 +0000

Once you look at these beautiful pictures of waterfalls, you will know why India is considered as a hot travel destination in the world. Those great and amazing pictures have been collected from various sources. Here you go:

1) Jog Waterfall

2) Bhira Tahmini Ghat Waterfall

3) Cherrapunji Waterfall

4) Chitrakote Waterfall

5) Dudhsagar Waterfall

6) Hogenakkal Waterfall

7) Irpu Waterfall

Dhauligiri in Orissa - The Monument of Peace [PICS]

noreply@blogger.com (Sagar Satapathy) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:47:00 +0000

Dhauligiri Shanti Stupa (The Monument of Peace) is located near Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa. It is also known as Peace Pagoda. Dhauligiri symbolizes the rich Buddhist culture and heritage. It was built by King Ashoka after the destructive Kalinga War in 261 BC.

Located on the bank of river Daya, Dhauli narrates story of Kalinga War, which changed King Ashoka's heart and inspired him to lay down the weapons of violence and accept Ahimsa (Non-violence).

Dhauli is located at a distance of 10 kms from Bhubaneswar and is well connected by rail, road and air. It draws thousands of tourists every year. Foreign tourists, especially from USA, UK, Japan and South Asia seem to find a favor with this place because of the convenient location and easily available accommodation in Bhubaneswar's 3 star and 5 star hotels.

We have collected some cool pics of Dhauligiri that will give you an idea about the importance of Dhauligiri. Here you go:

Beautiful Indian Models in Bridal Attire [Cool Pics]

noreply@blogger.com (Sagar Satapathy) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 14:43:00 +0000

The bridal attire in India always fascinates people across the globe. The bridal dresses prepared by renowned fashion designers give an amazing look to the viewers. And guess, when some beautiful models dressed up in these beautiful bridal attire, how do they look?

We have collected some beautiful pictures of models in bridal attire. All those pictures were taken from LoveToKnow and Bargello. They have hundreds of such photos that would amuse you. Here are some of the pictures collected by us:

The Scenic Beauty of Phuljhari Waterfall, Orissa [Pics]

noreply@blogger.com (Sagar Satapathy) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 11:57:00 +0000

Phuljhari Waterfall is one of the lesser known places in Orissa - the beautiful state of India. It is located near Jharigaon village in Nabarangpur district in Orissa. The journey to Phuljhari Waterfall is a bit hazardous. But once you reach there, it's heaven. The place is now being revived by the State Government as a tourist destination. Phuljhari Waterfall, already popular in the state as a picnic spot, draws a large number of people every year.

We have collected some cool pics of the waterfall and its surrounding Chandndhara. Although the pictures taken are good, they still do not justify the scenic beauty of Phuljhari Waterfall. If you want to be lost in the beauty of the nature, just be there and enjoy!!!

Beautiful Sand Art by Sudarshan Patnaik [Cool Pics]

noreply@blogger.com (Sagar Satapathy) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 07:14:00 +0000

"Our creative urges get satiated the moment we sculpt our images," says Sudarshan Patnaik, a 22-year-old college dropout, who was the first to introduce 'Sand Art' form on the beach.

The beautiful sand art and sculpture created by Sudarshan Patnaik on the beach, have been widely appreciated by people across the globe. Thousands of people throng to Puri every month to get a glimpse of the beauty and grandeur created by Sudarshan.

Puri is located at a distance of 70 km from Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa state in India. It is known as the "Abode of Lord Jagannath". Every year, millions of people gather during the chariot festival in the city, which generally falls in the month of July. If you ever visit Puri, don't forget to visit Puri Sea Beach, where you will find those beautiful sand art and sculpture to mesmerize you.

Here are some great pictures of Sand Art created by Sudarshan Patnaik on the beach:

Hilarious Pics from the Sun Temple, Konark

noreply@blogger.com (Sagar Satapathy) — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 15:38:00 +0000

The Sun Temple in Konark, is one of the oldest monuments in the world. Konark is located at a distance of 65 km from Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa state in India. The temple was built in 1278 CE by Ganga King Narasimha Dev. It is also known as Black Pagoda. The ruins of this temple were excavated in the late 19th century.

Significantly, it has become a big place of tourist attraction in India. No idol worship is being conducted inside the temple and it is open to all including the foreigners. The Konark temple is famous for architectural grandeur and beautiful stone work. The entire temple has been conceived as a chariot of the Sun god with 24 wheels (each about 10 feet in diameter). The Sun Temple in Konark is featured among the World Heritage sites.

Here are a few hilarious pictures of the Sun Temple, Konark and its beauty of architecture and sculpture:

Shillong - Scotland of the Northeast

noreply@blogger.com (Sagar Satapathy) — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 15:21:00 +0000

--By Sushma Pradhan

Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya (India) is one of the most sought after tourist destination of the Northeast. It is also called the ‘Scotland of the East’, because of its remarkable highlands. The name Shillong originated from the name of the God, “Leishyllong,” who the natives believe, dwells on the peak, which has set a sight on the city.

Location:

Cradled by tall pine trees and pineapple plantation, this charming city stands tall at the altitude of 1,520 meters. On the northwest of the city is the Diengiei Hill, on the north is the Umiam gorge, and on its northeast lies the Assam valley.

Shillong is located at a distance of 104 kilometers from Guwahati, 295 kilometers from Kaziranga, 658 kilometers from Darjeeling and 578 kilometers from Siliguri.

Centers of Attraction:

The Crinoline Falls: It is around 13 meters in height, with a swimming pool at the base. So, do not miss this site.

The Gunner’s Falls 1: It is about 26 meters high and lies in Upper Shillong road.

The Gunner’s Falls 2: It is a kilometer away from the Happy Valley and makes quite a site to behold.

The Spread Eagle Falls or Sati Falls: It adds charm to the city and is famous for being a picnic spot.

The Sweet Falls or “Weitden”: It is the most beautiful of all the waterfalls in Shillong and is around 96 meters in height.

The Elephant Falls and the Elephant Gait: It is located close to Upper Shillong. It forms a favorite picnic spot and has a charm that is unique.

The Ward Lake: This is an artificial lake built in a shape of a horseshoe and lies beneath the Governor’s Residence and the Accountant General’s office. This lake has pleasing walkway gradually undulating amidst flowerbeds and complemented by fairyland lighting. The lush green all around, the boats, the cafeterias all add up to form a relax holiday.

Barapani or Umiam: It is located 17 kilometers before Shillong. This is a lake formed after the hydroelectric dam was built. With time, this place has grown in popularity and has become a great outing for weekends. Some famous place around Barapani is the Orchid Lake Resort, which overlooks the lake. There are water sports such water skiing, kayaking, water cycling and boating.

Shillong Peak: It is the highest point in Shillong and therefore it is covered by fog most of the time. This semicircular peak looks like a crown placed on the hill and is easily accessible via road.

The Sohpetbneng Peak: It is 1,343 m high and is famous as a sacred location for the natives, rather the Hynfiiewtrep tribe, of Shillong. Apart from the sanctity, this location is quite a treat to ones eyes.

The Dingei Hill: If you are looking for some serious mountain climbing then Dengei Hill serves the purpose very well. The cool climate of the place not only makes a comfort but provides enthralling beauty of the place too.

The Dumpeep Peak: It is one of the highest peak with bare steep cliff of granite and it located 78 kilometers from Shillong.

How to reach Shillong:

The nearest railhead and airport is Guwahati (Assam). The two cities are connected by the Guwahati-Shillong road. There are taxi services easily available and buses ply after every half an hour.

Climate:

Shillong has very unpredictable monsoon. Rainy season start by June and continues until the end of August. The climate is hot and humid in summers and winters are quite cold.

Best Time To Visit:

The best time to visit Shillong is October to November and again in the month of March and April.

Ayurvedic Spa Vacation in Kerala, God’s Own Country

noreply@blogger.com (sindhu nair) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 15:02:00 +0000

In the day-to-day routine of stress and hectic life, our body desperately needs a vacation or holiday, to rejuvenate and revitalize itself so that it can again get reenergized before going back to the same monotonous life.

So all of you who want to give this “holiday” to your body and mind, you all are welcome to God’s Own Country – Kerala where you can enjoy the beaches and along with that a good Ayurveda spa, which is one of the topmost attributes of Kerala. It is the only state in India, which practices this system of medicine with absolute dedication. In fact many westerners have made Ayurvedic spas their annual retreat, combining a relaxing holiday with a cleansing.

There are a lot of rejuvenating programs that are available in Kerala that will refresh you from within along with treating many ailments. Some of them are:

Rasayana Chikstsa: This tones up the skin and rejuvenates and strengthens all tissues that result in ideal health and longevity. It also increases Ojas (primary vitality) and Sattva (mental clarity). This treatment includes head and face massage with medicated oils and creams, body massage with herbal oil or powder by hand or foot, intake of rejuvenate medicines and medicated steam bath along with herbal baths.

Kayakalpa Chikitsa: This treatment is basically for retarding the aging process, arresting degeneration of body cells, and immunization. This includes intake of special Ayurvedic medicines and diet and comprehensive body care programs. This program is best for people if done before 50 years.

Sweda Karma: This is the medicated steam baths, which eliminate impurities from body, improves the tone and complexion of skin, reduce fat, and also best for some rheumatic diseases. In this, precious herbs and herbal leaves are boiled and the steam passed over entire body for 10-20 minutes daily. Hand massage with herbal oils also improves blood circulation and helps with toning of muscles.

Body slimming and beauty care: Medicated herbal powder and herbal oil massages along with Ayurvedic diet of herbal juices is the part of the slimming treatment. Herbal face pack, herbal oil massage, intake of herbal tea, etc. brightens the complexion and beautifies body.

Panchakarma Treatment: A five-fold treatment for mental and physical well being, tunes the body, organs, mind, breath, nerves, and purifies blood.

Spa: Ayurveda offers a win-win proposition to spa industry: quality, cost effective treatments, individualized to provide optimal, memorable results for a more satisfied and appreciative clients.

So lot to be gained and nothing to loose!! Along with enjoying the beaches and the natural beauty of Kerala, which definitely is unbeatable, you can enjoy the special Ayurvedic spa that only Kerala can provide. So pack your bags and get set to visit Kerala – God’s Own Country.

Scintillating Beauty of Kullu-Manali (Cool Pics)

noreply@blogger.com (Sagar Satapathy) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 06:27:00 +0000

If you ever get a chance to visit India, don't forget Kullu-Manali, the most beautiful place in India. It is also called as Honeymooners' Paradise, as thousands of newly-wed couple descend on this hill station every month. Kullu and Manali are located in Himachal Pradesh, a state adjacent to Mountain Himalayas.

The airport at Bhuntar is 10-km from Kullu, where taxis and buses are available. Manali is about 45 - 50 kms from Kullu. Rohtang Pass, the main attraction in Kullu-Manali, is located at a distance of 52 kms from Manali.

I recently had a chance to visit Kullu-Manali and captured parts of this beautiful place in my camera. Please don't use these photos without my permission. Here they go:

10 Most Beautiful Places in Orissa, The Land of Warriors

noreply@blogger.com (Sagar Satapathy) — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 05:15:00 +0000

Orissa, the eastern state of India is known as the Land of Warriors. Be it the Lord Jagannath's famous Chariot Festival or the memories of Kalinga War in 261 BC, Orissa always takes pride in its rich culture and tradition. The state is also considered one of the most preferred travel destinations in India.

Far away from violence, terrorism and political disturbances, Orissa provides great comfort and peace to the tourists across the globe. Although there are hundreds of visiting places in the state, we have listed the 10 most beautiful places that are regarded as hot tourist attractions.

1) Puri Jagannath Temple:

Puri is located on the banks of Bay of Bengal. It is nearly 60 km away from Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa. Puri is the abode of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. These deity siblings reside in a large and beautifully-built temple, called Jagannath Temple, which was built in 13th Century AD. The temple is largely built with sand stone. The Chariot Festival or Rath Yatra at Puri has its parallel with the chariot procession of the Buddha's tooth at Dantapuri. It also represents one of the four peethas established by Sankaracharya, the main propagator of Hindu Religion.

The Chariot festival falls in the month June - July. The spectacular chariot festival involves the procession of three colossal chariots bearing the idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra through the streets of Puri. The festival lasts for 9 days and millions people across the globe ascended on Puri to become a part of this festival. Puri is well connected via Rail, Bus and Taxi services.

2) Konark Sun Temple:

Konark is one of the well known tourist attractions of India. It houses a colossal temple dedicated to Sun God. The art and architecture used in building the temple still mesmerize the visitors. The place is visited by a large number of piligrims and tourists around the world. The sun Temple at Konark is one of the oldest temples in India. Most important parts of this temple are missing, but still it provides a great pleasure to the visitors. It is also referred as the Black Pagoda. It was built in 1278 CE.

Konark is just 65 km from Bhubaneswar. You can either take a bus or hire a taxi. Once there, the architectural grandeur and intricacy of sculpural work will sweep you off your feet. the entire temple is a chariot of the Sun God with 24 wheels, with a set of spokes and seven horses dragging it. Two lions crushing elephants guard the entrance. the entire temple throws a great artistic view.

3) Lingaraj Temple:

Lingaraj Temple, the great architectural beauty, is located in Bhubaneswar, the Temple City of Orissa. It was built in the 7th Century AD. The largest temple gives an outstanding specimen of the Orissa style of temple building. The Shivalingam in the sanctum of the Lingaraja Temple rises to a height of 8 inches above the floor level. It is 8 feet in diameter. You can also find Bindu Sagar, a man-made lake around the temple.

4) Chilka Lake:

The Chilka Lake in Orissa is said to be Asia's largest salt-water lagoon. It has several small islands including the Honeymoon Island and Breakfast Island. The lake is separated from the Bay of Bengal by a sand bridge. It spreads over 1,100 sq km area. Its unique ecosystem comprises of aquatic flora and fauna in and around the backish water of Chilka Lake.

Chilka is also one of the best places in the world for bird-watching, as thousands of birds from different places of the world visit Chilka each year. The most important species found in the lake include sea eagles, greylag geese, herons, jacana and flamingos. The lake is also home to the one of the world's largest breeding colonies of flamingos.

You can also see blackbuck, spotted deer, golden jackals and hyenas on the shores of Chilka. Around 200 species of fish are found in Chilka Lake. They include dolphin, prawn, crab and mackerel fish. Chilka is located at a distance of 120 km from Bhubaneswar and is easily accessible via road and rail.

5) Dhauli Stupa:

Dhauligiri Shanti Stup is located at a distance of 7 km from Bhubaneswar. It is well connected by rain, road and air. The stupa displays the Buddhist glory of ancient India. It is located on the banks of River Daya. Dhauli Stupa is also known as Peace Pagoda. According to Historical sources, Emperor Ashoka constructed the Dhauli Stupa after the Great Kalinga War in 261 BC that changed his life forever.

The war claimed lives of millions of people of Kalinga Kingdom (Ancient Orissa). Although Ashoka won it, he was heart-broken to see the horrors of the war. He laid down the weapons of violence and adopted Ahimsa (Non-violence), a form of Buddhism. He built the Dhauli Stupa at the same place where the Kalinga War had taken place, in order to promote peace and harmony all over world. Major Edicts of Ashoka have been engraved on a mass of rock at Dhauli.

6) Duduma Waterfall:

Duduma Waterfall falls from a height of 158 meters. It is also home to a hydro-electric project that supplies electricity to most parts of Orissa and neighboring states. It is located at Machhkund in the tribal district of Koraput. Duduma is 77 kms from Koraput and more than 500 kms from Bhubaneswar.

A small village Ankadeli, which is just 3 kms away from Duduma draws the attention of foreign tourists. The weekly market in that village witnesses a huge gathering of "Bondas", the most primitive tribe that live in dense forest.

7) Similipal Forest Reserve:

Similipal Forest Reserve is located in Mayurbhanj district of Orissa. The Similipal hill range has numerous peaks and valleys. Several streams flowing in all directions drain directly to the Bay of Bengal. It is located at a distance of 170 kms from Bhubaneswar. Similipal Tiger Reserve was created in 1973. The "Mugger Crocodile Scheme" was started in 1979 under the National Program of "Crocodile Bredding and Management Project".

The entire Similipal Sanctuary was given the status of a National Park in 1986. Tourist importance of this place increased manifold after the Government of India declared the creation of Similipal Biosphere Reserve in 1994. Millions of tourists visit Similipal every year.

8) Nandankan Zoological Park:

Nandankanan Zoological Park was established in 1960. The Park is located over a large area that includes Kanjia Lake and many other private lands. It is just 20 kms from Bhubaneswar and is well connected via rail and road. The Nandankanan Zoo is home to a large number of known and endangered species. A large number of birds, elephants, snakes and crocodiles draw the attraction of thousands of tourists every day.

The State Botanical Garden is located just right to the entrance of Nandankana Zoo. It is a great place for plant lovers. You will find Mughal garden, Holiday cottage, Children's Park, Glass House and Japanese garden inside the Botanical Garden. It is also a perfect place for love birds who throng to the place in large numbers.

9) Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary:

Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, located at a distance of 190 kms from Bhubaneswar, is rich with mangroves. It has a vibrant eco-system situated in the region of Brahmani-Baitarani. Its 672 sq. km mangrove forest houses over 215 species of birds including migratory birds from Central Asia and Europe. Most of the Birds that visit Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary are Black Ibis, Cormorants and Darters.

10) Gupteswar Cave:

Gupteswar is a famous cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located near Jeypore, the major city of the tribal district Koraput. The cave is located at the top of a limestone hill, which is about 500 metres above sea level. The Gupteswar Cave is surrounded by a dense forest and River Kolab. The meaning of "Gupteswar" is "Hidden God'.

There is a large stone inside the cave, which is worshipped by people as the udder of God Kamadhenu (The Divine Cow). Gupteswar is considered as one of the holiest places in Orissa and draws lakhs of visitors every year.

India voted the Best Travel Destination by Leading Travel Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Sagar Satapathy) — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 15:10:00 +0000

In a major development, India has been voted as the favorite travel destination by readers of Conde` Nast Traveller, a leading travel magazine. It was announced during the 10th Annual Awards ceremony of the magazine. The 2007 Conde` Nast Traveller Readers' Travel Awards honor the best in the world: hotels, airelines, islands, tour operators, spas, cruise lines, cities, countries.

The top five destination countries are: India, Italy, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand. The Maldives was the readers' No. 1 island while Sydney was adjudged the favourite overseas city.

India scored above 89 points in all ten categories. Its best feature was culture with a score of 97.17 out of 100 followed by value for money (94.78) and variety of attractions (96.30). For India, which celebrates the 60th year of its independence, this is a great honor. Truly said, "The world's largest democracy is living up to the dreams of 1947."

Goa's Floating Casinos in Trouble

noreply@blogger.com (Sagar Satapathy) — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 05:38:00 +0000

Goa is the dream destination for millions of tourists. Tourists are often lured by the white sands, palm beaches and dreamy blue water of Goa. However, Goa is heading for another controversy with people opposing the floating casinos to land on the shores of Goa. According to reports, at least 11 ships could start operating along the coast by the end of the year.

The campaigners argue that the casinos will not only cause environmental damage, but also will have a negative impact on the society and culture of Goa. The Catholic Church has taken the lead in campaigning against the floating casinos. The campaigners hope that the state government would change its stand and block any such proposals that go against the wishes of the people in Goa.

According to the protesters, the casinos will spoil Goa's fishing ground and will cause extensive damage to the fishing industry. There will be a further degradation in the environment with a large number of fishes and other fossils dying because of those casinos. Another aspect is the social damage. Many youths and people will be spending more money on the casinos and that will have a detrimental effect on their families.

People living around the Sal River have formed the Save River Sal Front to oppose any such moves to have floating casinos in their area. There is already one floating casino in the area, called the MV Caravela. However, the government is planning to set up many more to cater to the demands in the upcoming tourist season.

With the state government and industries eyeing on foreign tourists, chances are bleak that the government would scrap the proposals to set up more casinos in the state. The battle line has been drawn. The conflict is expected to aggravate further in the coming days.

Welcome Message

noreply@blogger.com (Sagar Satapathy) — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 05:27:00 +0000

Welcome to Destination India. We will be back shortly.