MUMBAI- City of dreams

Mumbai is a city with millions of peoples and anonymous aspirations, who must have not heard it’s name!!! Masses come here from assorted religions and regions and speak over a dozen of tongue that adds a eccentric flavour, texture and colour to the city and it’s culture.  It is well known for the populace of dreamers who come here in Urge of becoming a known artist and test their luck. Existense here is heterogeneous people live in soaring skyscrapers to sprawling slums. There are slumdogs and crorepatis, street-side dogs and enchanting birds, gangsters and stars, fishermen, servants and what not. Even before you will realize the city will make you hers and you will gradually fall in love with it.

TOURIST SPOTS

Gateway of India- It is undoubtedly the most famous and known historical monument of Mumbai. Mostly Tourists start visiting the city from here.  It is the favourite gathering spot for both locals and tourists.  Boats depart from here to Elephanta island and Taj Mahal Hotel too faces Gateway of India.

Beaches- Some of the beaches in Mumbai can even provide an alternate to goan Beaches. Beaches namely Aksa, Juhu, Mad Island Beach, Versova Beach, Chowpatty Beach are idiosyncratic and a must visit for tourists.

Caves- No visit to Mumbai is completely justified without a visit to a few of it’s caves. Mumbai encompasses many caves of which Elephanta, Jogeshwari, Kanheri, Mahakali, Mandapeshwar are the most popular ones. Their architecture is commendable . Elephanta Caves are even designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

Film City- The word Bollywood is synonymous to Mumbai. The Industry makes at least 100 films a year. Film city is a place gifted by the state Government to bollywood for the purpose of shooting  at concessional rates. It is like a Wonderland where you can put the horses of your imagination to test. Entry to it is restricted. One may get the entry on special approval or in an organised tour.

Religious and Secular places-  One can call Mumbai a secular place very easily, although it is a well-known cosmopolitan city because it houses many renowned temples , mosques and churches. Siddhivinayak , Mumba Devi, Mahalaxmi temples, Haji Ali, St. Thomas Cathedral, St. Michael’s and Mount Mary Churches are few of  a true standing testament of architecture and  Beauty.

 FOODIE’s PARADISE

Mumbai is very well-known for it’s lip- smacking and mouth- watering dishes. Think of Mumbai’s food ,the first name that strikes your mind is Vada pav. Other famous eccentric cuisines of Mumbai include Sea Food, Pulao , masala bhaat, , palkachi takatli bhaji, amti, kanda batata poha, batatyache kaap, vangyache kaap, bombil batata bhaji, kamag kakri, Mumbai tawa pulao and so on. We have jotted down some of the top Restaurants and street stalls in Mumbai that your tounge will definately fall in love with. 

MUST EAT AT

STREET FOOD                                                                               RESTAURANTS

*SARDAR, PAV BHAJI                                                         * KEBABS AND CURRIES
*  KEBABS AT BADE MIYA                                                 * WASABI by MORIMOTO
* MIL:KSHAKES AT AMAR JUICE CENTRE                       * NEEL
* VADA PAV AT DHEERAJ VADA PAV                              * SOUK
* ICE CREAMS AT BACHELOR’S JUICE HOUSE                *WOOD-SIDE

STAY AT

The natives of Mumbai follow one motto- value money. Likewise, Everyone in the city lusts for more and more bucks. Hospitality industry is no exception. After some research, we have got some budget hotels and 5-stars that are willing to oblige.

BUDGET HOTELS                                                                        5-STAR HOTELS

·        TRAVELLER’S INN                                                   * TAJ HOTEL

·        HOTEL KUMKUM                                                   *GRAND HYATT 

·        HOTEL HILL VIEW                                                   * THE LALIT MUMBAI

DELHI- The heart of India

Delhi the national capital territory of India and the 4 most populous city on the planet is located at the centre of the Indian subcontinent, amidst the ranges of Himalaya and the Aravalli.  It is truly a treasure and is the most perfect and graceful blend of exotic juxtaposition of modernity old tradition and history.

 It is the most visited destination of the country by tourists. The city has a lot to showcase from historical monuments to the urbanic buildings , from green gardens to enthralling amusement parks, from exceptional eating places to unbeatable markets and the list goes on as such endlessly. Delhi connects two worlds together one created by the Mughal Emperors -Old Delhi and the other created by Britishers - New Delhi.

TOP DESTINATIONS

INDIA GATE

This is undoubtedly the most iconic and splendid symbol of New Delhi. It was build to commemorate the Indian and British soldiers who lost their life during Second World War. Evening is the best time to visit this structure when it is floodlit while the fountains nearby make mesmerizing display of varied hues.

HUMAYUN’S TOMB

It is located near Mathura road and Lodhi road. Humayun’s Tomb  is UNESCO recognized World Heritage Site and definitely tops the list of must visit place. It is among one of the best works of mughal architecture.

AKSHARDHAM TEMPLE

It is located on  NH-24  Akshardham Setu. It is an enlightening journey through India’s glorious art, values and contributions for the progress, happiness and harmony of mankind. The temple is famous for it’s modern architecture it also holds it’s name in Guinness book of world record for being the world’s largest comprehensive hindu temple.  There are three halls in the temple  showcasing Indian values and culture. Musical fountain is also a must watch there that depicts the cycle of birth, life, and death as described in Indian philosophy.

LOTUS TEMPLE

It is also known as Bahai temple. It is amongst the last of Bahai’s 7 temple Built all over the world. Believers of any faith can visit this temple. As the name suggests the temple is built in the shape of lotus. Around the petals of the temple there are nine pools of water, which light up, in natural light. It looks spectacular at the time of dusk .

JAMA MASJID

This masjid of Delhi is located in the vicinity of red fort and enjoys the title of being the largerst mosque in Asia. Thisd masjid is qalso the last architectural work done under the supervision of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.

QUTUB MINAR

It is located near Mehrauli.The Minar is the 2^nd tallest Monument of India after Fateh Burj. The minar is made of red sandstone covered with intricate carvings and verses from the  holy Quran. At the foot of the tower is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be built in India. It is surrounded by several other ancient and medieval structures and ruins, collectively known as the Qutb complex. It is arguably not only one of the finest monuments in India, but also in the world.

RED FORT

Located at the Netaji subhash marg the fort reminds one of the power of mughal emperors. The walls, gates and a few other structures in the fort are constructed of red sandstone, marble has been largely used in the palaces. There are 14 gates in the fort of which but the main entrance to  the fort is Lahore gate. The master-builders of the Red Fort were Hamid and Ahmad . This monument is a exceptional piece of history and architecture.

CUISINE

 When it comes to food Delhi is the ultimate one-stop foodie’s paradise. It has a lot much of cuisines to offer be it Punjabi , south Indian, north Indian, Bengali,Chinese,Italian, Thai cuisines. These were just a few. Delhi has food to gratify every tummy and fit in everyone’s pocket too. It has 5-star hotels The city's classic dishes include Butter chicken, Aloo Chaat, chaat, dahi vada,kachori, chole bhature, Chole kulche, jalebi and lassi.People dinehere from 5-star restaurants to local dhabas . The Gali Paranthe Wali is a street in Chandni Chowk which is famous

 for its dishes and paranthas. Almost the entire street is

 occupiedby fast food stalls or street vendors.

However, other Indian cuisines are also available in this area but this street specializes in north Indian food .

MUMBAI- A CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS

MUMBAI....A city that never rests . a city where there is no day and night and a city with millions of peoples and anonymous aspirations, who must have not heard it’s name!!! Masses come here from assorted religions and regions and speak over a dozen of tongue that adds a eccentric flavour, texture and colour to the city and it’s culture.  It is well known for the populace of dreamers who come here in Urge of becoming a known artist and test their luck. Furthermore, it is also the domicile of various internationally recognized artists, businessmen etc including all the bollywood actors .

These are the 5 best retrobars, nightclubs in the city to enjoy the nightlife of Mumbai to it’s fullest.

Fire ‘n’ Ice- (Most popular)

It is the best and the most happening nightclub in the town. It is also possibly the biggest nightclub in India. It has a youngish crowd, theme music every day, great cocktails, imported beers. Entry here is strictly for couples with a cover charge of 800/- on weekends and 400/- on weekdays. The place is often studded with bolly stars and models.   And yup don’t  forget to try the blue lagoon hi – ball.

Shiro- Best Restrobar

This is probably the best Restrobar in the city in terms of lip-smacking food served. It is made like a Buddhist cave . The ambience and staff is integral and the place is very well known for it’s  maki rolls & sushi.

Enigma- Hottest Nightspot

It is the hottest nightspot in Mumbai. It is the good place for dance.  It also gives you the option to sit one side or go to the lounge. The music here is average, but what set the place apart is that it is a ‘cool place with hot people’.

Bluefrog- BEST BAR FOR DANCING

If you love shaking your booty on the floor then bluefrog is undoubtedly the best place for you. The crowd and jokes are amazing. . Their seating and architects makes it best in Mumbai for such music events. They have an interesting menu to offer for food however wasn't really impressed with their chicken burgers. The often offer specials on drinks during events to keep you going.

Liv- BEST NIGHTCLUB

It is given the title of best nightclub because of the liveliness that this club has. The atmosphere here can compell anyone to get on the dance floor. The lighting here is well sinked. Good music. Decent crowd. The place itself is surprisingly tiny!!! It ends before it actually starts. If you're going here, go club hopping as this place closes really early. They play a good mix of Bollywood, English EDM and newer songs.

                                        ORISSA

Holidays are meant for relaxation , to rejuvenate one's energy and to spend quality time with loved one's . Orissa is blessed to have a rich cultural heritage and wildlife and lies quitely at the eastern corner of India. With  ancient monuments, virgin beaches, serpentine rivers, mighty waterfalls and what not ,this state promises a veritable wonderland. It's sea beaches are a rewarding experience of sun and sea, rum and frolick.

                                            HOW TO REACH

The only airport in Odissa is at it's capital city- Bhubaneswar. In addition, commercial port at Paradeep, has also opened it's doors via waterways to the nearby countries. Furthermore, the capital is directly linked to New Delhi , Kolkata ,Patna , Allahabad, Chennai and other places across India.

 By road-

It is very well connected to neighbouring states through a good road network. Apart from travelling within the state , the presence of national highways make reaching Orrisa by road a great option. National highway numbers such as 5,6,23,42 and 43 run through the length and breadth of the state which facilitates easy access of Orrisa

by road.

  By rail-

There is a good train network also that connects Calcutta, Puri , Madras, Delhi, Bombay, Guwahti, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Trivandrum, Tirupati to Bhubaneswar by express and super express trains to and fro daily.

By airport-

Regular  flights landing at the only major airports of the city Biju Patnaik Airport is connected to Calcutta, Mumbai, Raipur, Hyderabad, Vishakhapatnam. Though it is connected to some of the major airports but still it is not that good as only people of these states can give a thought of going to orissa by air.

For others travelling by road or rail is the only alternative left.

                                          TOURIST SPOTS

BHUBANESWAR

The capital of Orrisa popularly known as "Temple city of India" is an important hindu pilgrimage centre. It is believed of having 2000 temples . They perfectly complement  it's modern buildings and extensive infrastructure with a perfect blend of historic surroundings. It is very famous for it's handicrafts namely silver filigree, stone and wood carving, patta paintings, bamboo basketry, Tie and dye textiles, brass and bell

metal work, horn work and many more in it's local market.

Temples like Rajarani, Mukteswar, Vishnu, Brahma, ISKCON are of wide interest.

PURI

One of the famous four Dhaams is Puri " The adobe of lord Jagannath". It is said that earlier puri was a thickly wooded hill occupied by pre-Aryans and pre-Dravidians tribes.

The sunny beach is one of it's kind . It is named so because of its scenic beauty at the time of sunrise and sunset. Endowed temple of lord jagannath of 12 th century A.D. built by Chodaganga Deva is the main attraction at Puri. Being the tallest Temple in Orissa (65 m), it becomes one of the most eye-catching and luring monument Orissa.

It is believed that the monolithic pillar which is 11 m high (Aruna stamba) was brought to Puri during the 18th century A.D. from Sun temple. Almost upto  6000 men are involved in the caring of god and other rituals.Non-hindus are not allowed to enter in this temple.

Other visit worth places in puri are Gundicha , Sunaragauranga, lokanath, Daria, Mahabir, and Tota Gopinath. There are monastries , holy tanks and Raghurajpur Painting village too.

KONARK

The name of Konark instantly makes one remind the incomparable architecture of the most stunning monuments in the world- THE SUN TEMPLE. It is almost impossible to describe the amazing experience of Konark in words. The legendary poet Rabindra nath tagore also said "Here the language of stone surpass the language of man." It is located 2kms away from the sea. Built by King Narasimhadeva in 13th century.  The temple is designed entirely like a colossal chariot, carrying Surya across the heavens.

Moreover, it is also famous for it's famous jewel -like oriyan art.  The carving of the content is combined with lyrical movements and an overwhelming tenderness.There are also several smaller shrines situated in the neighbourhood of the Sun temple.  It is also referred as one of the brightest flame of a dying lamp .

CHILIKA LAKE

The largest water lake Chilika - The queen of natural beauty in Asia covers an area of over1,100 sq. km and is a great attraction  for fishing , bird watching, boating too. The atmosphere  is serene and undisturbed  with the blue expanse of water on one side and range of hills on the other. The whole lake is dotted with the hub of islands.

At the time of winters, numerous of enchanting migratory birds from far and near.Even the poets weren't able to resist its beauty. One can with these songs picturize easily the lake on his own.

Kalijai , honeymoon, breakfast, birds, Nalabana, Parikud islands are few of the islands there. Dolphins can also be seen at Chilika mouth near Satpara. Furthermore, the Nalabana island, 8 km in circumference is the central point for migratory birds and the kalijia island is famous for religious worship . A big fair is held onthe occassion of makara sankranti.

CUISINE

Orissa has a culinary food tradition since centuries. Major relishes here are of non- veg and fish forms an integral part of their traditional food. Rice , both Sun dried and partly boiled is the staple food. They follow a distinctive cooking style which reflects in its tastes too.

The food in region around Puri is sweeter  with use of sugar and jaggery. The Berhampur region has influences of south Indian cuisine and the Gopalpur town has delicious fishes and green coconuts to satisfy hunger and thirst perfectly.

Curries prepared from prawn and lobster are loady with spices. Pakhala , khechadi , Palau , dalma , aloo potalo rosco , maccha besara , mahura etc are the basic local food items of Orissa.

SHOPPING

Handicrafts and handlooms must included in ones to shop list as a rich and antique craftsmanship is deeply rooted in it's tradition. It is a true heritage of several religions that reflects easily in the  Oriyan crafts. The beautiful objects made of seashells are worth buying . They can serve as a great gift and a decorative piece too.

Metal crafts also come up as one of the best items to buy .

The government emporia are running all over the state but at the same time pvt. shops should also be given a shot for good bargain.

So next time when you pack ur bags and plan your vacation , visit Orissa and get lost in its evergreen , enchantingly breathtaking spectacular beauty.

IDIOSYNCRATIC THINGS TO DO IN DELHI

This article is basically for the Delhites or for many of those who might be planning to go to Delhi this summer. All the visitors must be planning to go to the famous historical monuments and sights of the city. But visiting a place not only means to see it's top destinations and hot spots instead according to me it is a lot more about knowing the city or the country and it's localites , their culture, tradition to it's core.

So,this time when you pack your bags alongwith visiting the hot spots ,try out if not all then few of these unique things to get a true sense of satisfaction and the true essence of Delhi.

VISIT DELHI FOLK ARTISTS
There's a slum called Kathputli Colony underneath the Shadipur Depot bridge in west Delhi. It houses approximately 800 artists, many of whom have represented India at shows abroad. To name a few, there are artists in the colony like Magicians, acrobats, mime artists, puppeteers, jugglers, folk singers, and traditional dancers.This fascinating three hour Art of Hope Tour is a very authentic tour that will provide you with great insight into a special Delhi community.

DINE AND COOK WITH LOCALS
There’s no other better alternative to get a deep understanding and knowledge of culture and lifestyle of Delhi rather than dining and cooking with the locals. So get an insight of Delhi and book this online through viator.

LISTEN QAWWALIS AT NIZAMUDDIN DARGAH
The dargah is the domicile of one of the most famous sufi saints. it is surrounded by a bustling market, near Humayun’s Tomb. Best time to go there would be just before the sunsets. There are families who are singing qawwalis at the dargah since 100 years.

SEE CHANGING OF THE GUARD
Although, the entry to Rashtrapati Bhavan is restricted and the timings also varies from season to season despite all these hurdles booking with Viator . it offers a tour of Rashtrapati Bhavan Changing of Guard and the National Museum. Seeing changing of guard will be one of the most memorable thing to do in the city.

GO TO KUNZUM TRAVEL CAFÉ

This café is totally devoted to travellers where travellers come and meet other travellers from different and same regions, interact ,exchange ideas, and chill. It is located in South Delhi. Regular workshops are also arranged here by writers, photographers and travellers. There are books also to read and buy on travel.

KARNATAKA- PERFECT TREAT OF HISTORY, NATURE AND BEACHES

When it comes to tourism Karnataka succeeds in attaining and maintaining 5th position among the top popular states of tourism in India. Astonishingly enough , it houses 507 out of the 3,600 centrally protected historical monuments in India and stands second in this race after Uttar Pradesh.

It is located in the southern part of India.  Tourism in Karnataka is divided into 4 geographical regions of the state that are North Karnataka, South Karnataka , hill stations and Coastal Karnataka. Some of the famous temples bring devotees from various parts of the world to pay their homage. The state has also emerged as a healthcare tourism in past few years, attracting many health tourists to avail alternative therapies.

TOP DESTINATIONS

BENGALURU

The capital of Karnataka  and a hub of India's IT industries is a very rapidly growing and prosperous place in India. The state is full of greenery and interesting buildings.

 The city is always bubbling with life and enthusiastic energy may be this is the reason that city has achieved several names like pub capital of India, Silicon valley of India, Air conditioned city and city of gardens.

The major places to visit in  the city are Vidana Soudha - the lagislative chamber of Karnataka government, Attara kacheri, Lal bagh botanical garden, Cubbon park , Bengaluru palace, Tipu sultan's palace and fort, Ulsoor lake, Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Crazy waters amusement park , Gandhi bhavan and the list continues endlessly.

HAMPI

Hampi is one of India's top historical destinations, Hampi once used to be  the capital of Vijaynagar which is said to be the greatest Hindu empires in Indian history. It consists of ruins of the 14th century , and comprise more than 500 monuments.Here you will feel as if you are there in the earlier timesas it has some extremely captivating ruins of the past intermingled with large boulders that weave up all over Hampi's landscape.

GOKARNA

It is a small and remote holy town , with 4 of India's most pristine beaches, located at an hour's  distance from south Goa border . The main attraction here are the beaches , one can go there

 to soak and chill . There are also some important temples to see like The Mahabaleshawr temple which houses a symbol of lord shiva. The four beaches are kudle, halfmoon, om and paradise beach.

Moreover, bonfires, singing ,guitars, and drums are a common part Of Gokarna's nightlife. Although officially alcohol is banned in the town but still you won't face any difficulty getting a cold beer on the beach.

MYSORE

The whole city of Mysore is decorated with an incomparable architecture

 of modern and ancient times. City's main tourist attraction is the Mysore palace.

 There are many other interesting palaces , buildings and temples to see. It is a perfect place to learn ashtanga yoga.

NAGARHOLE NATIONAL PARK

Park is situated in Karnataka state, 95 kms South west of Mysore .It comes in the list of top national parks in India and shelters many elephants in their natural habitat. The park has streams , lake and is maintained nicely with unspoilt wilderness. Nagarhole canbe explored by jeep, elephant back and boat. Entry fee in the park for foreigners is 1000 rupees, Indian adult and children 200 and 150 rupees.

COORG

The Kodagu region is reffered now as Coorg( the English version of the name),

 is the best place to visit in Karnataka for those who just love to be in the lap of nature as Coorg will definately allure them with its scenic beauty, the waterfalls and mountains. It is also endowed  for it's sprawling coffee estates.

6 visitable places of Coorg are coffee plantations, waterfalls, mountains and trekking, Dubare elephant camp, Tibetan monestary and golden temple and Raja's seat.

CUISINE

Karnataka is undoubtedly a great host and offers to its tourists a palate that is irresistible.

It meets the taste of every tounge no matter where that person is from. To sum it all , I would say the dishes here are of typical south Indian touch with a little bit of sweetness which makes it even more better and unique.

A special  dish named kannadiga , is a mysterious journey in itself because it's taste varies from region to region within the state itself. Other unique feasts of Karnataka are -Mangalorean which is

known for seafood and is a combo of spicy fish and rice based preparations . Udupi is a town from where whole South Indian vegetarian cuisine originates and takes it's name . Sambhar, rasam, chutneys made of coconut and skin of ridge gourd are specialities. Kodava's cuisine consists of  meat and gravy. Pork curry, rice dumblings are the most mouth- watering dishes of Kodava . The succulent koli curry , nool puttu, rice rotti and bamboo shoot curry also worth a try.

To end your meal , you may wish to have or  desserts or sweets like chiroti , mysore pak , obbatu or holige and shavige pyasa. With Karnataka ,the pudding is a proof  itself and it tastes heavenlygood.

SHOPPING

There is an endless list of items that are a must to shop from Karnataka. Major shopping destinations are Bangaluru , Mysore, Gulbarga, Mangalore. Mysore is just the perfect place to shop for sandalwood and rosewood and their articlesas gift items. Stone sculptures too can be a great gift. Mysore silk and It's sarees Bidriware mysore paintings, embossed and carved articles, Lambani jewellery, ivory statures are very famous. One instead of shopping from government emporiums should prefer local shops if in case they are a good bargainer.

CARRY YOUR BELONGINGS WITH STYLE

This is the article that I wrote during my internship in Travel scapes.

Travelling is something much more than just a journey. For some, it can be a journey to stay away from the hustle and bustle, some in search of peace, meditaton and comfort while the rest go to enjoy with friends and family. But somewhere in between all this, luggage plays the most important role in a journey. Choosing the right one is very essential, it adds to both the style and comfort. If you are stuffing your travel bags with light and fragile things which have high chances of breaking, a hard luggage bag can keep it safe and protected throughout the journey, despite the road bumps and other obstacles. Some luggage bags are versatile enough to be used for both long as well as short trips. Brands like Gucci, Versace, American Tourister, Wildcraft, VIP, United Colors of BeneƩon, Samsonite, Puma, Skybags, etc have a lot to offer. Here is the list of bags and luggages categorized in men and women section that one must carry while going to certain trips.


 LAPTOP BAGS
It gives a boost to your personality and are necessary during every journey be it for business or for outing with family. The point of having a laptop bag is so your laptop will stay safe and unscratched. Any unnecessary bumps or jarring can cause internal damage to your computer and possibly cause a hard drive failure--a horror in the day of the one-year limited warranty! You can find a perfect laptop bag that suits your style from wide range of bags. They have been designed separately for men and women. A few popular brands include Belkin ,Samsonite Targus, Timbuk2 , and Victorinox .

 




CARRY-ON BAGS
 These bags are more functional, lighter and improved. It is the best pick-up for those who are frequent flyers. This will not only save your baggage fee but surely will add up to your style too. Packing in it with a bit of trick will help you keep all the essentials and things you will need.

CROSS-BODY OR MESSENGER BAG
It is a must have while travelling to keep money and other valuable things in. It is the best bag to save you from pick pocketers. It will also give you the freeness during your journey and sight-seeing to roam with free hands.

CRASH BAGGAGE
This kind of bag is often referred as a damage bag. It has opened a new gateway for those who can’t handle their bags and suitcases with care and end up destructing their suitcases often during their journey. Crash baggage for them is undoubtedly the ultimate luggage shop stop. The bag already has those dents and more the dents it gets, more it beautifies.

So, get set this year to choose for yourself from these luggages to carry on for your travel and get ready to flaunt yourself with an all new latest and trendy style.



Share your views and opinion on this in the comments. :)