Omkareshwar Shiv Temple – It Is An Island On The Meeting Of The Rivers Narmada and Kaveri Which Is Shaped As Om

OMKARESHWAR SIVA TEMPLE

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KHANDWA

Omkareshwar shiva temple is situated in the khandwa district of the state of Madhya pradesh.Omkareshwar is a holy town situated at a distance of 77 km from Indore. It derives its name from the sacred Hindu symbol of Om. 

The place is a pilgrimage site, as there are a number of Hindu temples and Jain temples located here. It is basically an island, in the shape of Om, on the confluence of the rivers Narmada and Kaveri. The island is divided into north and south by a deep gully and is linked by a bridge. A boat ride in Narmada River around the island of Omkareshwar is quite enjoyable.

Omkareshwar is considered to be one of the holiest Hindu sites in the nation. This is due to the presence of the Jyotirlingam, one of the twelve in India. Lingam is the symbol of Lord Shiva but the Jyotirlingam is special. Jyotirlingam is called the lingam of light. It is said to derive currents of power from within itself. While, an ordinary lingam is ritually invested with mantra shakti (power invested by chants) by the priests. The Jyotirlingam is enshrined in the Temple of Sri Omkareshwar Mahadeo. 

On the banks of river Narmada, there is a huge island on which the fourth of the JyotirLinga “Omkaram Amaleshwar” is situated. This island and the river are shaped like “OM” and that is how it derives its name. It is a natural phenomenon.

The devotees who go round the temple consider themselves blessed because they are doing a Parikrama or Circumambulation of Omkara itself and Darshan of the holy JyotirLinga. The Narmada banks and the island are extremely beautiful.

The beauty of Nature here is seen to be believed. The houses perched on the terraced green, strong mountains, the temple, KotiTeerth located in the waterfalls and valleys like Chakrateerts are some of the places to be seen. One can see very big fish and also crocodiles in these waters.

There are many trees with beautiful creepers all over them. Groups of monkeys live on these trees. There are a variety of birds. The temple towers look bright and shiny in between. The whole atmosphere echoes with the the sound of “Om Namah Shivaya”. It is here that Lord Sankara has taken the forms of “Omkareshwara” and “Amaleshwara”, as JyotirLinga.

Brahma and Vishnu also lived in the same place as Omkar Amaleshwar. That is why on the banks of Narmada Brahmapuri, Vishnupuri and Rudrapuri are built which are known as Tripuri Kshetra. The Amareshwar JyotiraLinga is situated in Rudrapuri.

Omkareshwar temple is the main attraction of the pilgrims. In fact the town owes its very existence to this temple. As to who constructed the temple and when , is all shrouded in mystry.

The sanctum sanctorum containing the Jyotirlinga seems to have been originally a small temple of the old construction style, the dome being made of layers of stone slabs and not of circular cut stones.

As this temple is too close to the precipitously deep bank of the Narmada to the south, the great extension is of new construction style. This is the reason why the sanctum sanctorum and the main deity are neither in the front of the main door nor below the higher conspicuous Shikhar or the tower of later construction.

By Air

The nearest airport is Indore (77KM), Connected by regular flights from all over India

By Railway

Nearest railhead is Omkareshwar road (Mortakka) 12 KM on ratlam Khandawa section of Western Railway

By Road

Omkareshwar is connected to Indore Khandawa and Ujjain by regular bus services

Ranikhet Hill Station - British Enlarged Ranikhet As A Hill Station In 1869 For Their Groups

RANIKHET HILL STATION 

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ALMORA

Ranikhet is situated in Almora district of Uttarakhand state of India. It is situated in the Kumaon hills and is located on an altitude of 1824 m above sea level. Ranikhet is 59 km from Nainital and 50 km from Almora. The weather in Ranikhet is alpine. Summers (April-June) are mild and winters are cold (November-February). It experiences southwestern monsoon rains in July-September and experiences snowfall in winters.

According to popular belief, Ranikhet got its name when Rani Padmini, queen of Raja Sukherdev, the local ruler, saw this place and was struck by its beauty. She was so captivated by the place that she decided to stay there, and the place came to be known as Ranikhet (literally, queen' s field).

The region around Ranikhet was ruled by local Kumaoni rulers and later came under British rule. The British developed Ranikhet as a hill station for their troops and stablished a cantonment in 1869. Ranikhet is still a cantonment town and is the Kumaon Regimental Center.

It was the place of interest for British who frequented this place to escape from the sweltering heat of the Indian subcontinent during their rule. There are many local myths that make up the history of the hill town.

The weather of Ranikhet is variable. The climate remains cold is winter and pleasant in summer. The snowfall in Ranikhet takes place during winter, mostly in December and January. The tourist session here lasts from March to October. Indian currency also known as Rupee is accepted throughout.

Ranikhet is all about famous lush beauty and reserve forest with wide varieties of Flora in the likes of Pine, Oak and Deodar trees. Its wildlife includes leopard, Leopard cat, mountain goat, barking deer, pine martin, Indian hare and wild bear among others.

According to the last Indian census, it has a population of 19,049. The inhabitants are friendly and fun loving by nature. You’d love your stay in here and will be mesmerized by its natural treasures for sure Ranikhet is known for its delicious apples, apricots, peaches and various other alpine fruits.

All the four seasons have something special to offer at Ranikhet. Therefore, it can be visited at any time of the year. Winters are cold and the entire region experiences snowfalls during the months of December and January.

 By Air

The nearest airport is Pantnagar 119 Km away.

 By Rail

The nearest railway station Kathgodam 80 km, is directly connected by rail to Lucknow, Bareilly and Agra. The hill station is at the distance of 49 kms. from Almora.

By Road

Ranikhet is connected by road to many places.

Telangana Tourism Facilitated Boating Amenities In Lakhnavaram Lake

LAKNAVARAM LAKE BOATING

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WARANGAL

Lakhnavaram lake is located in Govindaraopet mandal, about 80km from Warangal district of Telangana state of India.

Planning for resuscitating holiday trip? Planning to enjoy the beauty in nature and Want to spend time in an island? And, planning to enjoy beauty in nature around? Lakhnavaram Lake in Warangal district will give you what you are looking for.

Lakhnavaram Lake is one of the beautiful tourist destinations in Telangana. The tourism department of Telangana government has facilitated provision of amenities to ensure tourists visit the spot to enjoy their holiday.

The lake is noted for boating facilities provided by tourism department. A trip on a cruise will give memorable experience. While on board visitors can enjoy the beauty of the crystal clear water mass and cool breeze, and can watch the beauty of the greenery on the hillocks and forest around. You will get the feel of creative imagination of Nature mother.

There are small islands in the lake. A suspension bridge is built to connect three islands. The bridge does not have pillars, save the one at the tow ends of the bridge. Walking on this bridge is a fun for children as well as adults alike.

The boats that ply are built such that it can accommodate a large number of visitors without causing any trouble to the boarding passengers. If you are planning to visit Lakhnavaram as part of your forthcoming itinerary, make sure you go for boating. Going together with your near and dear will help you strengthen bond among you all.

Ideal time to visit

July to January is time when you should visit this lake site. Make sure there is enough rainfall so that the lake has plenty of water to give you the pleasure.

How to reach

Lakhnavaram is located approximately 70 km from Warangal city and 210 km away from Hyderabad. From Warangal, the lake can be reached on road from there. Warangal is well connected to Hyderabad, and can be reached either road or rail.

Kalap Hill Station – One Should Know About Hospitality From Kalap People To Deliver In City Life To Guests

KALAP HILL STATION

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UTTARAKHAND

Kalap is a remote villange in Uttarkashi district of Uttrakhand State of India and located very close to the boundary of Uttarakhand with Himachal Pradesh and hence its customs, traditions and language carry influences from both states. Gharwali, the primary language spoken, is markedly different from the variant spoken in central Garhwal and Himachali songs are quite popular.

The houses are constructed of wood and stone and the design is aimed at erecting structures that remain warm during the cold winter. Several houses have intricate patterns carved on wood but the craftsmanship is especially impressive in the temple dedicated to Karna of the epic Mahabharata.

Home to a couple hundred inhabitants and around fifty houses, it is endowed with pristine natural beauty – magnificent views of the snow clad peaks and lush bugyal (high altitude grassland) of Kedarkantha, sparkling brooks running down the face of the mountain and silent jungles of pine and deodar.

The hospitality showered on visitors is heart-warming and genuine, a stark contrast to how we treat our guests in the cities. It is not uncommon for children to help out their parents in daily chores like tilling the fields and foraging in the jungles for wood and fodder. They are comfortable with the heady life of the outdoor and feel at home navigating the obstacles thrown up by nature.

As the chilly winter surrenders to a chirpy spring the village adorns a variety of colourful attires; golden and orange and pink of the sun, silver white of the moon and somber grey of the clouds.

Clear cloudless days interspersed with relentless rain present an opportunity to experience the varied moods of nature and walking the numerous trails which span out from the village is the perfect way to strike a friendship with the stoic mountains.

A crystal stream rushes down this ravine inviting for a quick dip although the water is excruciatingly cold. Beyond the stream the path fights a losing battle with rotting trees, creepers, dead leaves and overgrown grass making it trickier to navigate

To the East of the village neatly arranged terraced fields dot the mountainside abuzz with bees hovering over the yellow mustard. Two trails originate here – one curves below the fields to the chhani (A group of makeshift huts usually used by sheep and cow herders) known as Unani and the other runs above to the village Karba.

While the former follows a somewhat flat trajectory traveling across the face of the mountain the latter climbs higher and higher past the tree line to Karba Top.

Kalap is 210 kms from Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand and 450 kms from New Delhi.The nearest rail station and airport is at Dehradun. Dehradun is well-connected by daily trains and flights from New Delhi. It takes 6 hours by car or 10 hours by bus to reach the town of Netwar, the nearest road head to Kalap from where one must trek to the village.

Mecca Masjid – Bricks Utilized For Constructing Centre Arch, Brought From The City Of Mecca In Saudi Arbia

MECCA MASJID (MAKKAH MASJID)

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HYDERABAD

The Mecca Masjid (Makkah Masjid) is one of the ancient mosques in the city of Hyderabad in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and is also one of the biggest mosques in the country, It is listed among the heritage buildings of old city of Hyderabad falling in close proximity to Laad Bazaar, Chowmahalla Palace and Charminar.

An easy to view architectural genius from the top of the Charminar in Hyderabad, Makkah Masjid or Mecca Masjid is located close to the historic landmarks of Chowmahalla Palace, Laad Bazaar.

This Muslim religious site was constructed by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. It is believed that the bricks used for constructing central arch of the mosque were soil-made and were brought all the way from the hallowed city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

The main prayer hall of this mosque rises around 75 feet above the ground and can accommodate around 10,000 people at a time. The mosque has got five passageways, arched galleries and octagonal balconies, four minarets attached with a small dome above each.

The mosque is designed with floral motifs and frescoes and many of the arches are inscribed with Quranic verses. The main prayer hall is 75 feet high, 220 feet wide and 180 feet long. It is estimated that the mosque it took 77 years and around 8000 workers to complete the construction of this imposing Masjid.

Over 8,000 workers were hired here for constructing the mosque. The foundation stone was laid by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah himself and the construction was further carried over by Aurangzeb, the Mughal Emperor who conquered Hyderabad afterwards.

The Mecca Masjid of Hyderabad is regarded as the largest mosques of the world capable of accommodating more than 10,000 worshippers. The building of the mosque started in the year 1614 when the then ruler was Quli Qutub Shah.

However in the year 1687, Aurangzeb while annexing the kingdom of Golconda accomplished the formation of Mecca Masjid making it to become one of the most well known and beautiful mosques in the entire world. It is belived that this mosque has few sacred relics such as having the hair of Prophet Muhammed.

By Air

The Hyderabad airport connects by air all the prominent cities of country.

By Rail

Hyderabad consists of its own railhead and remains connected with all the important cities within the state as well as outside.

By Road

There is availability of local transport for reaching the Mecca Masjid. There are regular buses connecting Hyderabad to all major places of the country. There are buses, taxis, and auto rickshaws and cabs available.