You Can Create Four Memorable Days After Visiting Gujarat's Ahmedabad And Bhuj

Here's a program for a 4-day trip 

to Gujarat's Ahmedabad and Bhuj.

/Creative Commons

Day 1
Begin your day at the historic square called Manek Chowk. From here, you can traipse the market lanes of Ratanpol, Rani-no-Haziro, Sindhi Market, Revdi Bazaar, the cloth market of Sarangpur and Ramakda market in search of attractive chaniya choli, salwar kameez, sarees, blockprinted fabrics, embroideries, bandhani tie-dye fabrics, traditional jewellery and utensils.

 You could even pick up painted pots and dandiya sticks for Navratri. While wandering through these markets, you can catch glimpses of Ahmedabad's historic architecture-the superbly carved wooden façade of a haveli, the domes and minarets of 600-year-old mosques, decorous Jain and Hindu temples, and medieval fort gates.

In the afternoon, cross the Sabarmati River to Ashram Road and CG Road, which are Ahmedabad's famous shopping streets for jewellery, sarees, shervanis, kurtas, garments and designer wear, For those looking to get an outfit for Navratri, Jagruti Exports & Jainam Handicrafts near Suvidha Shopping Center in Paldi specialises in chaniya-choli sets and related accessories.

 For khadi and handicrafts, explore Kamdhenu Complex at Panjarapol Cross Roads. If malls are more your style, Alpha One near Vastrapur Lake is one that has a section for Gujarati and Rajasthani handicrafts besides the ubiquitous national and international brands.

In the evening head out for the night market around Law Garden, where pavement-side vendors sell embroidered fabrics and handmade products. Bargain hard.

Day 2
Travel to Bhuj, the base to visit villages that specialise in specific crafts like Ajrakh block printing, mirror work embroidery of Hindu pastoral groups like Rabari and Ahir, woodcarving, wool weaving, bandhani and metalwork.

 The HM Craft Park at Bhujodi, the Craft Resource Centre at Kukma and outlets of NGOs like Shrujan, Kala Raksha and Qasab Craft are worth visiting. Explore the markets of Bhuj where you can get jewellery and hand-embellished fabrics.

Day 3
From Bhuj, travel north to craft villages in the Banni grasslands-here, the Meghwals, the Sodha Rajputs, Islamic pastoral groups like the Jaths and the Mutvas, and other communities have their own distinctive embroidery styles. In the villages here, you can get exquisite embroidered fabrics and leather goods.

Day 4
From Bhuj, take the National Highway to Sayla in Surendranagar district, one of the state's largest handloom producing districts. Visit villages like Wadhwan, Muli, Sayla, Somasar, Sejakpur, Dasada and Ambala.

Tangaliya shawls, ikat silk sarees, khadi, hand-woven linen, bandhani, Rabari embroidery, decorative beadwork objects of the Kathi durbars, brass utensils, jewellery and stonecraft are good buys from this district. Continue from here to Ahmedabad or take the train back from Surendranagar.

Mumbai To Lonavala Tour Package From Maharastra Tourism

MUMBAI TO LONAVALA 

TOUR PACKAGE

Departure Dates: 5 Aug, 13 Aug, 19 Aug, 26 Aug, 9 Sept.

Day 1: Mumbai – Lonavala 

Pick up from Dadar T.T (8.00 AM) & Thane (8.30 AM) To Lonavala.
On arrival check-in at hotel.

Later visit to local sightseeing of Lonavala and Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 2: Lonavala

After breakfast visit for some beautiful Sight seeing of Lonavala and Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 3: Lonavala – Mumbai

After breakfast drive back to Mumbai for your onward destination
Tour Ends

Pick up points
1. Mumbai: MTDC reservation Counter,Opp Pritam Hotel,Dadar TT.

2. Thane: Iternity Mall,3 Hath Naka.

COSTING :

EX-Mumbai - Lonavala -Mumbai (2N 3D)	Standard	Deluxe
Cost per Pax on twin sharing basis	7133 +tax	8230 +tax
Cost per Pax on triple sharing basis	6555 +tax	7652 +tax
Child between 5-11 yrs with extra bed	5285 +tax	6382 +tax
Child between 5-11 yrs with no extra bed	4707 +tax	5804 +tax
Single Room Occupancy	10020+tax	11695 +tax

INCLUSIONS

Standard Package

• Meet and Greet Services at the given destination
• Transfer and Sight-seeing by Non A.C. vehicle as per itinerary
• Accommodation in Non-A.C. room (in good condition and with basic amenities) except for Malshej Ghat Tour Package.
• Meals on MAP Plan, (Breakfast & Dinner Veg Only). For Malshej Tour we will be providing Breakfast & Lunch.
• Vehicle shall be provided as per group size.

Deluxe Package

• Meet and Greet Services at the given destination.
• Transfer and Sight-seeing by A.C. vehicle as per itinerary.
• Accommodation in A.C. room (in good condition and with basic amenities) except for Malshej Ghat Tour Package.
• Meals on MAP Plan, (Breakfast & Dinner Veg Only). For Malshej Tour we will be providing Breakfast & Lunch.
• Vehicle shall be provided as per group size.

EXCLUSIONS

• Any Airfare.
• Personal Exp/Telephone/Heater/Laundary/Backwater/Wetersports/Porterage Drinks.
• Entry Fees, Camera fees, Guide Fee, Fort Fee & Jungle safari at Tourist Places.
• Any meals other than those specified in cost includes.
• Any Portage, Tips, Mineral Water, Soft Drink, Ice-cream.
• Any other expenses which is not specifically included in the Tour Cost.
• Any additional meals/ Enroute meals, Sightseeing & activities other than those mentioned in the itinerary.
• Any still/Video Camera frees, entrance fees for monuments and any activities (Wine Testing) suggested in the itinerary are chargeable directly.

The following deduction will be made in case of cancellation, If the Tourist wishes to cancel his Booking. The Cancellation rules for tour packages shall be as under 1. Cancellation Charges : Terms Cancellation Charges Up to 15 days before ( excluding departure date) 5 % of the package cost. 8 – 14 days before (excluding departure date) 25 % of the package cost. 4 – 7 days before 50 % of the package cost. Less than 4 days before departure date 100% of the package cost.

a) If the bookings are done through debit / credit card, cancellation of such bookings will be charged as per applicable charges.
b) In case of bookings made through M.T.D.C.’s travel agents, the cancellation / refund will be made by the concerned travel agents only.
c) Under exceptional circumstances, MTDC may cancel bookings done by Tourist / Agent or Online, however the guest will be given full refund amount(without cancellation charges ) paid to MTDC.
d) M.T.D.C . reserves the right to alter the itinerary under unavoidable circumstances and is not liable for any type of natural calamities / strikes / cancellations / insurgency of any such nature which is beyond control during tour period. Management is not accountable for any theft or damage of luggage during the trip.

2. In case of insufficient number of participants for a tour the MTDC has the right to postpone or cancel the tour or merge them in other departure date. In event of cancellation of tour by the MTDC, the amount will be refunded to the participant by cheque/RTGS/NEFT only

2. Points to note • MTDC reserve rights for any modification in Itinerary, Accommodation, Food & Transportation, if required in unavoidable circumstances. • Food will be on MAP plan(Breakfast & Dinner Veg only). For Malshej Tour we will be providing Breakfast & Lunch. • We are not offering any MTDC Resort for Accommodation. • The inventory of the all rainy packages will be 35 pax. • Online booking should be closed 72 hours prior of each departure date of rainy packages. • To operate the tour there should be minimum 13 passengers.  • If the passengers are less than 13, then they will be accommodated in next date tour as per their convinces. • The passenger will also be given alternative of customize package if passenger is not willing for both option in such condition his booking amount will be refunded without any deduction.

Panhala Fort - It Presents Some Out Of This World Views.

PANHALA FORT

AT

KOLHAPUR

Panhala Fort is located in panhala, 20 km northwest of Kolhapur in state of maharastra.This is place is around 3127 feet above the sea level and hence the climate around here is very cold but pleasant.

There are many a remains of the fort which are now being looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The fort can be visited during any season but what make it more compelling, mysterious and exciting are the fog and the dense greenery that sprouts up during the monsoon.

 There are hotels aplenty in Panhala and you can enjoy here the typical Kolhapuri cuisine. While entering Panhala you will come across the mausoleum of Vir Shiva Kashid whose statue is at the entrance of the fort. Walk along the opposite side of this statue and you will reach the Parashar cavern which possibly could have been a Buddhist cave.

Further, at the summit of the roads is the statue of Bajiprabhu Deshpande. From there a road leads to the three-storied andharbaw (the dark well) and Teen Darwaja and Konkan Darwaja along with their fortifications.

The other leads to the Sajja Koti which was built by Ibrahim Adil Shah to watch over the lower regions. Then the third road leads to Someshwar or Somale Tank which has a mention in the medieval treatise ‘Karveer Mahatmyam’.

In the centre of the fort is situated the Amberkhana or granaries, three in number built in typical Bijapur style. Apart from these, the Naykinicha Sajja (place of the courtesan), Dharm koti, Wagh Darwaja and Rajdindi are worth visiting.

Along with these beautiful medieval architectural specimens, there is a monument dedicated to Sambhaji Raja and temples of Ambabai, Mahakali, Someshwar along with mausoleums of Jijabai, Sambhaji Raja II’s wife, Ramchandra Pant Amatya and Moropant, the famous Marathi poet.

Today this place is a one of the upcoming tourism spot and hill station in Maharashtra although the place is developed to extent it could be due to lack of interest of Maharshtra government to develop tourism industry here but due to few sebsible business people from kholhapur who put their efforts to promote the tourism in this place have supported lots of development over here.

 This is one of the best and very reasonable palce as far as the hill stations around the India are concerned. 

There are many small and medium hotels providing reasonable accommodation with the facility of restaurant only one thing you will not get the liquor over here as it is prohibited in this area by the Maharashtra government.

By Air

The nearest airport is at Pune. There is a domestic airport at Kolhapur but there is no regular air service.

By Rail

Kolhapur is well connected to all the major cities. Miraj, at one hour distance from Kolhapur is the major rail junction.

By Road

Kolhapur is well connected to all the major cities. Kolhapur is linked to Pune- Bangaluru highway. There are regular ST buses as well as private buses plying to Kolhapur.

 Panhala Fort - It presents some out of this world views.

Jyotiba Temple – It Is Family Divine Being Of The Scindias Of Gwalior

JYOTIBA TEMPLE

AT

KOLHAPUR

If ever you go to Kolhapur, the one place that you must include in your travel itinerary is Jyotiba, the holy shrine of Lord Kedarnath up in the hills near the bustling city with its true Maratha flavour. 

It is not for nothing that Jyotiba is called the ‘The King of the Deccan’. Throughout the year the deity draws devotees in huge numbers. Also, it is known for being the family deity of the Scindias of Gwalior.

Jyotiba temple is an important Hindu religious destination located at an altitude of 3124 feet above sea level in the Panhala range of Maharashstra. It is believed that the main deity the Jyotiba is formed from the souls of three Primary Gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Legendery stories tell that Jyotiba is formed to kill the demon Ratnasur.

The shrine of Lord Kedarnath has its faithful across not just Maharashtra but also Goa and Karnataka. Close to the Panhala Fort, it can be reached within half-an-hour from Kolhapur, situated as it is at a short distance of about 20 kilometers north-west of the Mahalakshmi Temple.

 The original name of the hill that hosts the shrine is Ratnagiri, which is now called Wadi-Ratnagiri. Ancient as it is, the temple of Jyotiba has been renovated three times till date and the present reconstruction was carried out in 1730 CE by the ancestors of the Scindia family of Gwalior.

The original deity is in ‘Shivlinga’ form and known as Kedareshwar. The Bhairav idol, Kedarnath or Jyotiba, was an addition in time. The deities that are important along with that of Jyotiba are those of Yamai and Chopadai.

 It is said that this shrine was under the control of the Nathpanthis for a long time. Mythology has it that this Bhairav was brought from North India and installed at Wada Ratnagiri by the goddess Mahalakshmi in order to kill Ratnasura, a demon.

The Jyotiba hill has 12 ‘jyotirlingas’ installed around the main Kedareshwar shrine and for many this is one of the main pilgrimage destinations. It is said that these jyotirlingasfrom all over India were installed here by Kedarnath or Jyotiba himself. An annual fair of Jyotiba takes place on the full moon night of the Hindu months of Chaitra.

Distance from Mumbai: 377 kms.

Jyotiba is 18 km north-west of Kolhapur.

Contact Details:

Shri Kshetra Jyotiba Dongar,

Taluka Panhala,

Dist - Kolhapur

Our Lady Of Snow Church - It Was Built In One Of The Portuguese Architecture Style

OUR LADY OF SNOW CHURCH

AT

TUTICURIN

Our lady of snow church is located in Tuticurin in the state of Tamilnadu.In fact, Our Lady of Snows, is fondly called in Portuguese senhora, Das Nevis which means Our Lady of Snows.

 She has been given the unique title of Yelu Kadalthurai, Yega Adikala Thai in Tamil which means the Mother of Refuge for the seven major coastal villages, viz Vembar, Vaippar, Thoothukudi (Snows Basilica, Tuticorin), Punnaikayal, Virapandianpatinam, Thiruchendur and Manapad (Thoothukkudi District).

Our Lady of Snows Shrine Basilica (Snows Basilica) at Tuticorin is a renowned shrine of virgin Mary stood up at seashore in the year 1582. Here we bring you all the features about our shrine basilica and its services.

 We welcome all people to visit this legendary shrine and get the blessings of Mother Mary. We describe the features of the church and bring you important ceremony.

The origin of the holy rosary has a rich history that continues to bring peace to peoples lives. The word rosary itself comes from the Latin word rosarium, which means rose garden or garland of roses. 

When you pray the Rosary it is like taking a peaceful walk through Mary’s rose garden. A garden filled

The beautiful statue of Our Lady of Snows has always been looked upon as a miraculous one, as many miracles are said to have occurred in the Shrine from the time of its installation at St. Pauls Church, Tuticorin

The Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Snows is fascine East; constructed in the Portuguese architecture; it houses the celebrated and miraculous statue of Our Lady of Snows, most beautifully carved out of wood and hence it is a great piece of art. Thus the Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Snows deserves to be called a Basilica in the true sense of the word!

In 1982, when the Church of Our Lady of Snows celebrated the 400th anniversary, Pope John Paul II raised it to the status of Basillica through his apostolic letter Pervenute illa Dei Beatissimae Genitricis Effigies dated 30th July 1982.

It is the greatest honor for a church to be raised to the status of a Basilica. The Greek word Basilica signifies a Royal Hall. In course of time, this word has come to mean a large and beautiful hall. 

In ancient times, the whole World in general and Rome in particular, erected large halls for administrative purposes. The first hall bearing the name of Basilica existed in Athens. But after the fall of Greeks, the Romans popularized it. 

It was Julius Caesar who artistically constructed the hall of Basilica Julia for administrative purposes. They are somewhat similar to the Durbar Halls in ancient Indian places.

Christ being the king and His Church being His Audience the larger Christian Churches in Rome, came to be called Basilicas. Naturally these Basilicas were large, roomy, bright and ornamental.

Today, for a church to be raised to the status of Basilica certain conditions are to be fulfilled.The Church, usually is built with front facing the east.Generally it is built in one of the classical styles of architecture.

It should contain some works of art or house the body of a Saint or a celebrated statue venerated in the land or it should be a place of pilgrimage

By Air

Nearest Air Port at Vagaikulam 14 kms from Thoothukudi. Daily Flight to Chennai

By Rail

Connected to Chennai, Mysore, Bangalore, Tirunelveli, and Tiruchendur.

By Road

Good connectivity by Road. Frequent bus services to all important   places.