Pushkar - The sister city of Ajmer

Pushkar today is an esteemed religious destination for Hindus and Brahma highly venerated god here. Pushkar is a town in the Ajmer district in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is situated at 14 km North West from Ajmer. In recent years Pushkar has become a popular hub for foreign tourists to enjoy colourful camel festival during the Kartik Month. Around 400 temples and 52 bathing ghats make other attractions of the city appear dwarfish. The nights do not have just stars to sparkle up the atmosphere, rather there are deep rooted faith in the hearts of devotees that makes this place radiate with unparalled charm. The land of landscapes, epitome of divinity, spirituality and confluence of nature’s diversity are all contained in holy Pushkar. All these traits have given it an important place on World tourist map. This is small pretty town, situated 140kms. from Jaipur and about 13kms. from Ajmer, with a population of about 19745, is one of the most visited pilgrimage place in India. Impregnated with myths and legends, the hallowed land of Pushkar is the cynosure of all eyes, whether it's the pilgrims or the vacationers, in Rajasthan. It's truly a worthwhile experience to visit the town which was, at one time, a favourite retreat of the Mughal rulers, before the dynasty witnessed its decline and fell into the hands of the Scindias. And unlike most of the cities, Pushkar was finally handed over to the British. According to a legend, there took place a combat between Lord Brahma and demon Vajra Nabh. Tourism in Pushkar takes you to the small, sluggish but charming town in Rajasthan in India. Pushkar be indebted its recognition to its holy lake, Unique Brahma Temple and annual cattle fair. It is surrounded by hills on three sides and sand dunes on one which makes it a charming place. For Tourism in Pushkar one should plan his tour for winter season as it is the best season to visit Pushkar.

Places to see :

The city of Pushkar in the Indian state of Rajasthan is a very holy city that is considered sacred by pilgrims from all over the country. Traveling to Pushkar can be very exciting, given the number of temples present there and the sheer colors on the road during the time of festivities.

Nasiyan Temple:

The entire temple is adorned by marvelous work of gold, silver, precious stones and glasses on the every corner of temple. The temple also called Soni Ji Ki Nasiyan. The red Jain temple belongs to Digambara sect of Jainism. This temple is a piece of architectural intelligence.

Brahma Temple :

It is reputed as the only one temple dedicated to Brahma in India. A red spire marks the temple and over the entrance gateway there is a goose, the symbol of Brahma.

Savitri Temple :

This temple is devoted to the Godess Savitri, one of Brahma's wives, and is located on the highest hill above the Pushkar town. One can climb a long series of steps to reach the shrine which offers a panoramic view of the Pushkar Lake and surrounding sand dunes.

How to reach :

Bus :

Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable deluxe buses from Jaipur. There are buses from Jaipur to Ajmer every 15 minutes, some nonstop. The roads are very good, and it takes around 3 hrs from Jaipur. You can also come by hire private cars. Pushkar is 11 km from main Ajmer bus stand.

Rail :

Ajmer is the nearest railway station from where one can take trains for the major destinations in Rajasthan and other parts of India.

Air :

The nearest airport is Jaipur 145 km from where one can take flights for Delhi and Mumbai.

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Cherrapunji – The Rainy Valley of India

High above misty valleys and foaming rivers, ensconced in swirling clouds and perched on an escarpment, lies Cherrapunji (4,500 feet). This is a stunning location and the year-round rain earned Cherrapunji coveted entry long ago into the Guinness Book of World Records as the wettest place on earth, the place where the rainfall can be recorded in feet rather than in millimeters.

Today, climatic changes have edged Cherrapunji out of the topmost 'wet' slot, but it still retains its pristine beauty, its unusual facets, the perpetual clouds, and the perpetual mists…. Appropriately, Cherrapunji lies in the heart of the State of Meghalaya-the abode of clouds.

History:

As in days gone by, the faces of Cherrapunji change not with the seasons, but with the pattern of rainfall. The heaviest downpours span approximately five long months-from May until September. The clouds then are dark and menacing, full blown with rain, which descends earthwards with the stinging force of a whiplash.

Tour to Cherrapunji Throughout these months, Cherrapunji is transformed into a sea of tiny, gushing rivulets. The raindrops beat incessantly on rooftops and treetops creating a compelling tattoo of awesome sounds, which cannot be savored anywhere else but in the Northeastern states. These are also the 'record-making' months, which contribute to records such as the stunning 22,987 mm of rainfall in 1861. The annual average rainfall of Cherrapunji stands today at 10,871 millimeters. Barely 10 km from Cherrapunji stands the village of Mawsynram, which has snatched away the heaviest rainfall record, with 12,163 millimeters of rainfall.

With the passage of September, the rhythm of the rain-its main force spent-changes to a gentle patter. And the Khasis and other residents of Cherrapunji, the flora, and the fauna respond to the change in the Rain God's mood. Soft pastel shades begin to appear in skies that were gray all day and rainbows that are a photographer's delight begin to make unexpected guest appearances.

Tourists Attractions:

The home of enterprising Khasi clans, Cherrapunji's place in the Guinness Book of Records is not its only claim to fame. Along with falls lesser in height but no less alluring, the spectacular, cascading 1,035-ft-high Mawsmai Falls-the fourth highest in India-lie just a few kilometers beyond Cherrapunji.

Close by is situated a fascinating labyrinth of underground passages beneath age-old caves-a veritable dream for amateur explorers. Elsewhere around Cherrapunji, Khasi monoliths (stones in memory of their ancestors) lie dotted around-a vague reminder of the forests of Bastar.

Amidst all the surprises of Cherrapunji, perhaps the most abiding is the startling realization that the wettest place on earth where it rains every month also has an amazing amount of warm sunshine. When the clouds drift away, there are a series of memorable views, and one can see as far as Bangladesh. Orchids blooming a few feet away from a patch devoid of vegetation. Dense woods interspersed by rocky, cliffs furrowed by erosion.

As the months move on, the smell of decaying vegetation lessens as the showers become intermittent. New plants spring to life, and people go about their tasks with renewed energy.

The hills around Cherrapunji do not have the lush green vegetation one normally associates with wet places. The vegetative cover in the form of dense woods appears in patches and constitutes yet another marvelous surprise: the richness and variety of the flora in these 'zones' has to be seen to be believed. An amazing variety of rare orchids, ferns, and moss convert each pocket into a botanist's paradise. Cherrapunji produces the best quality of oranges as well as pineapples. In fact, Cherrapunji oranges are the ancestors of the famous Nagpuri oranges in the Central India.

How to Reach:

Cherrapunji is 58 km from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. A steep motorable road, almost perpetually bathed in mist as it climbs upwards on the last lap, leads up to Cherrapunji. Buses and taxis ply to Cherrapunji from Shillong.

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Popular Bus Routes from Chennai

Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu and a metro city of India , it has road connectivity to a lot of major cities and towns of south India , here a lot of local private bus operators are functioning along with the state transport . Below we will have a look on some popular bus routes from Chennai:

Chennai to Ernakulum: The easiest and the most convenient way to reach Ernakulam from Chennai is to opt for buses from Chennai to Ernakulam. Chennai to Ernakulam is 669 kilometers and it takes approximately 11 hours by bus from Chennai to Ernakulam. The buses operate 24 hours a day with the interval of hour, hour and a half. Finding one that suits your travel plan is relatively easy. You also have an option on the coaches such as Volvo AC, 2x2 Deluxe, Air buses and sleeper buses. You can choose the bus of your choice according to your taste and budget. The best thing about Chennai to Ernakulam bus is that you can get the ticket done online. It does not only save your time and energy but it also frees you from lot of other unwanted hassles.

Chennai to Tirupati: Tirupathi is located 146.9 Kilometer (91.3 Mile) from Chennai. The shortest route is Via Tiruthani (also called Tirutttani). Based on driver it takes around 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Chennai to Bangalore: Chennai (Tamil Nadu) to Bangalore (Karnataka) is 349 km and takes approx 5 hrs, 27 mins by road. In a scorching summer of Chennai, if you want to take a relief, you can visit Bangalore which is known for its cool and breezy weather. Bangalore, the Garden City of India holds spring almost 9 months of a year. Though it is a silicon valley of Asia and known for its technological presence, Bangalore has a lot of places (outskirts) which can give you a relax time in a cold evening.

Chennai to Madurai: Known as the Athens of the east, Madurai is well connected to Chennai through buses. There are around 25-30 buses from Chennai to Madurai everyday. You can rely on both public and private bus service providers.Being one of the most important pilgrimages of South Indian Hindus, the city attracts lots of pilgrims and tourists from all over India and world. Buses from Chennai to Madurai are available at very short intervals. Starting from 1:30 pm till 11:15 pm, you get lots of options. There are several bus operators including State Express transport Corporation and private operators such as Parveen Travels, Arc Travels, Nkv Travels, JJ Shalom Carrer, Yohalakshmi Travels and many more, which provide you excellent services.

Chennai to Goa: Good news for travelers traveling from Chennai to Goa! Bus operators have added more buses on this route! Now you can avail buses from Chennai to Goa 24x7. Thus you can plan your travel according to your time table without any rush or being bound to schedule! The distance between Chennai to Goa is 923 kilometers and takes approximately 15 hours by buses from Chennai to Goa. Goa can give you the experience of a lifetime with its fabulous scenic beaches, architecture and the churches. Goa is a great romantic gateway for honeymoon couples. For 450 years Goa was a Portuguese colony until taken over by India in 1961.

Bus booking is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early you’ll get budget tickets online. For online bus booking you can check different OTA’s website. Search best bus service, compare and buy cheap tickets.

Mumbai to Shirdi – A Holy Weekend Getaway

Shirdi is a village north-east of Mumbai and has an extensive temple complex devoted to Shirdi Sai Baba. It is located by road on Ahmednagar-Manmad State Highway No.10 at 83 kilometers from Ahmednagar, and 15 kilometers from Kopargaon. The place is around 296 km (around 6 hours drive) from Mumbai. Sai Baba's shrine has been incorporated as one of the holy places in the world's map of pilgrimage.

Places to Visit:

Samadhi Mandir of Shri Sai Baba was actually owned by a millionaire from Nagpur and a famous Sai devotee Shreemant Gopalrao. He wanted to keep an idol of Murlidhar here. However, according to the legends, Baba himself became Murlidhar and the temple became the Samadhi Mandir of Baba. The Samadhi of Baba is built with white marble stones. The railings around it are full of ornamental decorations. The idol of Baba is a marvelous statue made up of Italian marble built by Late Balaji Vasant in 1954. The temple has an assembly hall for about 600 devotees. The assembly hall also houses a showcase having various items used by the sage. The first floor of the temple has the pictures depicting the life of the saint.

The temple opens on 5 AM with morning prayers and close down at 10 PM with night prayers. Situated on the right side of the entrance of the Samadhi Mandir is Dwarkamai, a mosque. This was the place where the sage stayed until the end of his life. Main attraction of the site is the oil paintings of the sage.

The place from where Sai Baba first came to Shirdi in the form of a Bal Yogi (child ascetic) is known as Gurusthan. A temple has been constructed on this site. There is also a small shrine in Gurusthan.

At a short distance lies Baba's Chavadi. Baba used to sleep here every alternate day. The Chavadi is divided into two parts. One part of the Chavadi has a large portrait of Baba along with a wooden bed and a white chair belonging to him.

There is a cottage of Abdul Baba, an ardent devotee of Shri Sai Baba, in front of the Chavadi. Photos and various items that were handled by Sai Baba and Abdul Baba are there in the cottage. There is a Maruti Mandir located at some distance from the cottage of Abdul Baba. This mandir was visited by Baba for the sat-sang with Devidas, a Bal yogi, who lived at the Mandir ten to twelve years before Baba arrived.

There are also temples of village deities named Shani, Ganapati, and Shankar that are worth visiting. At some distance from Gurusthan, there is the Lendi Baug. This garden was made and watered daily by Baba himself. It got its name from a nullah (a drain), which used to flow there. Baba used to come here every morning and afternoon and take rest under a neem tree. Baba dug a pit, 2 feet deep, under the neem tree and kept a deep (a lighting object) lit in that pit. An octagonal deepgriha (lighthouse) called Nanda Deep has been built in marble stone in memory of this place. It constantly burns in a glass box. On one side of the deepgriha is a pipal tree and on the other side is a neem tree. Other sites to visit are Datta Mandir and Khandoba Mandir.

Fairs and Festivals:

The most important festivals and events that are celebrated in Shirdi are Guru Poornima, Dussehra, and Ram Navami. These are the only days when the Samadhi Mandir of Shirdi opens for the whole night. Every Thursday, a palakhi bearing a photograph of the sage is taken out from the temple.

Mumbai to Shirdi by Bus:

You could take a Cab; hire a private taxi or drive. (If you are an international tourist you may want to check the requirements for Driver's license and road regulations with the Maharashtra State Road Transport department.). You could take a Maharashtra State Transport Bus. You could take a Bus operated by Private operators. For Fares, Schedules and other details contact your local travel agent, the Government of India Tourism Office, the Maharashtra State Tourism Board Office or the Maharashtra State Transport booking office.

Bus tickets are easily available online. One can plan trip and do bus booking online in advance. Online bus tickets booking is an easy process which can save your time and price.bus from pune to bangalore
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Hogenakkal Waterfalls - Niagara of India

Hogenakkal Waterfalls often referred to as "Cauvery" or "Kavery" or "Kaveri" by locals and the people of Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts in Tamilnadu, India where it is situated. Hogenakkal is also described as the 'Niagara' of India, offer an exciting holiday destination for Indians and foreigners alike. Hogenakkal is located about 750 feet above sea level amidst the Melagiri Hills. The route to Hogenakkal Falls is scenic, with lush mulberry fields and giant terracotta guardian deities (Aiyanars), as you approach Hogenakkal, the roar of the Cauvery river and the abundance of vegetation in the area is sure to catch your attention. Hogenakkal is a beautiful place with picturesque scenes.

Location:

Hogenakkal is located on the Karnataka – Tamil Nadu border. It lies at the distance of 114 km from Salem and 133 km from Bangalore. Hogenakkal waterfalls are the part of river Kaveri and are about 250 meters above the sea level. It is one of the beautiful places in the state. When the water hits the rocks a fine cool spray rises, that is the reason these rocks have been given the name 'Smoking Rock'. The best time to visit the Hogenakkal waterfall is between mid July to mid August when the water is at its peak. During this season water level rises from 20- 30 feet more. Hogenakkal falls are not the single waterfall but the series of waterfalls.

Significance of its water:

Taking a bath in the waterfalls of Hogenakkal is considered as extremely beneficial for the health. It is so because of the widely grown herbal plants in the nearby areas. The place is widely known for the curative power of its water.

Oil Massage:

This is the place where you can take bath along with the rejuvenating oil massage. You may find lots of people there to do massage for the visitors. The massager's or the maliswallas are expert in their work with the right knowledge of 14 massage points in the human body. Some of the major benefits of this oil massage include - It increases circulation especially to the nerve endings, tones your muscles, increased mental alertness, smoothen the skin, improves elimination of impurities from the body and gives you better and deeper sleep at night.



Boating:

A visit to the Hogenakkal waterfalls is incomplete without taking a ride in the waterproof basket boats covered in buffalo hide or plastic stretched over light-weight wicker frames. These boats are locally known as Teppa. These are among the oldest water crafts in the world. The boats man steer the boats through the rapids of rising water giving you the thrilling experience. You can also engage on photography of the beautiful surrounding areas while taking the boat ride. Enjoy the full flow of the water and the fantastic view of the waterfalls from the boat.



Trekking and Swimming:

Hogenakkal is also the good place to try out your swimming skills. The water is quite challenging. Tourists can also go for trekking on the nearby surrounding hills. The treks are usually simple. Hogenakkal waterfall is the popular site among the film makers. There are many films songs shooted at this destination. For example a song 'Dil Hai Chootasa. .’ from the film Roza was shot here.



Food and Clothing:

The regular meals are available here, but you have to give the order in advance. The most favorite among the tourists is the fried and spicy fishes. Tourists are recommended to wear comfortable and loose clothes while visiting the place. Also carry along with yourself the mosquito repellent and dry snacks.



Tourists Attraction:

The foremost attraction of the Hogenakkal falls is its vertical drop from the height of 20 meters with the thundering sounds. The area supports the rich floral system. The whole area covered with the tall trees and thorny vegetation looks a paradise. You can simply spend time at leisure enjoying the natural beauty or you can also indulge in the nature walk to the nearby areas. You can also hire the guide to give you the better insight of the area.

Bus Booking from Bangalore to Hogenakkal:

Hogenakkal is well connected to all major cities in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Deluxe bus services are available from Bangalore to Hogenakkal (133 km) and Salem to Hogenakkal (114 km). Bus charge is about Rs 3 per kilometer.

Bus tickets are easily available online. One can plan trip and do bus booking online in advance. Online bus booking is an easy process which can save your time and price.