Well, since Udaipur is my hometown so I had always been knowing about this temple and have visited this quite a few number of times, since my school days. Similarly, almost all people from Udaipur know about it. But ironically, though Udaipur is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India for domestic as well as foreign tourists, still you will rarely find any tourist visiting this temple. Baring the school days, when we would come here for picnics or drop here while visiting the famous Eklingji temple; in recent times whenever I visited this temple, I or our group were the only persons around. So strange. Well, this part of north-west India is full of shrines and temples but this image shows that it is no ordinary temple. It is actually a temple complex with a few temples...
Read MoreYear: 2017
Want to Two hundred fortunate visitors will get a chance to book themselves in hotels which will vanish gradually. These boutique hotels will emerge at three spectacular secret locations across Wales. This unique concept is a part of Welsh Tourism Planner as a part of Welsh 2017 “Year of Legends”. The concept is a perfect blend of luxury and adventure, where eight bespoke cabins pop-up in unheard of places; in a mystical and epic land of entailing tales which is called Wales. Only a select few will be able to access these privilege sites. The guests will be treated to exclusive Welsh experiences during their stay inspired by their location, ranging from fishing, to beer tasting, to Welsh cuisine prepared by top chefs of the region. The cabins are specially designed for the project by
Read MoreFermented alcoholic drinks have been part of different local cultures since time immemorial. They have been part of local traditions and the art has been transferred from generations to generation. Many survived and many modified themselves. In India, wherever you go, you will find such local flavours in deep interiors of the hinterland. One such famous drink is Tongba. You go into hills of Sikkim and West Bengal and you won't be able to miss it. During my treks to Sandakphu and in North Sikkim over the years, we could see it everywhere and actually enjoyed it... if not for taste then for its culture, and of course the unique way it is served in a container which itself is called as Tongba. This drink is actually traditional and indigenous drink of Limbu people of eastern Nepal and
Read MoreThis Summer, Fox Life will ease up your thirst for adventures with a brand new show Spirited Traveller when Catch Chef Kiran Jethwa travelling across the country to explore diverse Indian culture, through its beverages! Fox Life, India’s favourite lifestyle channel, brings an all new exciting show - Spirited Traveller that explores the exotic beverages of India with the acclaimed Indo-Kenyan Chef Kiran Jethwa. The show unravels the enigmatic culture of India as the Chef travels the length and breadth of the country in search of its unique beverages and delicacies. Spirited Traveller will voyage across India - Kerala, Goa, Mumbai, Coorg, Bangalore, Jaipur, Delhi, Varanasi, Kolkata, Ravangla in Sikkim, Dimapur and Benreu village in Nagaland and Majuli Island and Jorhat in Assam – delvi
Read MoreOnce again this year from May through September during the Charles V Festival, Brussels brings back the Renaissance spirit with its artistic and scientific innovations. On this occasion fifteenth century European history and heritage will be in the spotlight thanks to a full schedule of festive, cultural, and family activities planned for different locations throughout the Brussels-Capital Region. The festive and historical Charles programme is incorporated into the "European routes of Emperor Charles V" network. This historical and tourist route is recognised by the Council of Europe's European Institute of Cultural Routes. It combines the places that marked the reign of Charles V and the cities through which he travelled. This year we are commemorating the 150th anniversary of Charl...
Read More“Is Brussels the new Berlin?” Some say it is, others aren’t convinced. But one thing is certain: Brussels has become a hub of contemporary art and April we be the perfect time to enjoy the richness of its art! Once again this year there are several fairs taking place in the capital: the two largest, Art Brussels for its 35th edition and New York fair Independent for a second year in Brussels, as well as three other alternative fairs - YIA Art Fair, POPPOSITIONS and OFF COURSE Young Contemporary Art. Numerous parallel exhibitions and events will animate proceedings in the city. The WIELS will be celebrating its 10th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the art centre will be inaugurating a large exhibition/festival which will take place not only in its main building, but also in two...
Read MoreI talked about Kerala yesterday but there is lot more happening outside Kerala too in terms of events and festivals. With spring in its full bloom, it is riot of colours everywhere- in nature as well on faces! Actually, this is one of the most awaited months of the year because of its festivities- festival of colours- Holi undoubtedly. It is also last of the months of the pleasant weather before the summer strikes. Its already getting hot this time of the year. Don't spare a chance to be around at any one of these places! As a matter of fact, there are so many happenings this month that instead of usual ten, I couldn't stop myself from listing eleven this time. Here they go- Festival of colours in Brij Though there are many festivals around the world where people throw colours, water
Read MoreKerala is always serene, always worth and always enjoyable. It remains almost same all the year round. And every time you can find a reason or two to go for a trip there. But this March there are not just one or couple, but ten reasons to go to different parts of Kerala. Apparently, there are perhaps more, but I have shortlisted ten for you. These are all temple festivals of Kerala. Temple festivals of Kerala are not like ones in the north. They are more elaborate and ritualistic. Most of them have elephants involved, which make them very beautiful. A great ensemble of Kerala's culture. Choose yours… Parade of offerings to Bhagavathy One of the most vibrant festivals of Kerala, the Chettikulangara Bharani offers arresting visuals and showcases the cultural richness of the state. An a
Read MoreWell, this is final post on this trip to Sambhar. This is a sort of a first for me. First time six posts in six days on trot and also for the first time six posts on a trot on a single destination. Sambhar is on most accounts a sleepy town in Jaipur district. Would have been a village some time back, but has gone bigger now to be called as town. How to reach: There are two ways to reach Sambhar- by road and by train. Sambhar Lake actually in its vast expanse touches three district of Rajasthan- Jaipur, Ajmer and Nagaur. Sambhar railway station is right inside the town. This railway station falls on Jaipur-Jodhpur railway line. While coming from Jaipur, this railway station is next to Phulera junction railway station. But express trains don’t stop at Sambhar Lake railway station. Th...
Read MoreThough flamingos were my primary interest and they were who actually pulled my all the way to Sambhar, but wintering at Sambhar is not all about flamingos. Flamingos might be very high in count and attraction but there are many other birds coming for winter migration. As I said in my last post, there are more than 70 species of birds coming here every year. So while I was busy admiring flamingos at Sambhar lake, I couldn't have failed to notice and try to click few other migratory birds. Pied avocet (pictured above) was the among the first one to come across and was quite attractive because of its distinctive beak and black & white appearance. Though there were some northern pintail and pochards as well, but I could manage to get close view of only these northern shoveler
Read More