Skiing At Auli - It Is One Of The Most Excellent Snow-Covered Destination For Skiing Lovers

SKIING AT AULI

It wouldn’t be wrong to call Auli the Ski capital of India. Located at 2,500 to 3,050 meters, in Chamoli District of Uttarakhand, The month of December heralds the beginning of the skiing season, which bears witness to the commencement of several ski festivals, along with the National Skiing Championships.

The snowy excitement goes on all the way till March. Run and maintained by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, the resort provides skiers with necessary equipment and all state-of-the-art facilities. Facilities of chair lift and a ski lift are available for skiers with the objective of conserving their time and labour.

The ski lift has been imported from France and is the longest one in the country. The ski slopes descend from 3,049 meters to 2,915 meters. Accommodation at the resort is warm, cozy and decent. With a 110-bed capacity, delicious food, adequate heating arrangements, hot water, medical facilities and congenial hospitality, there is no dearth of facilities at this very budget-friendly resort.

If it’s an excursion you’re interested in, a 16-kilometre drive to Joshimath will give you the benefit of exploring ancient temples dating back to 8 B.C. Auli is quite remote when it comes to accessibility, with the nearest railway station being Haridwar, 299 kilometers away and the closest airport, Jolly Grant at Dehradun, 273 kilometres away.

Snow-covered slopes aren’t just to be admired, but to be enjoyed. Skiing has gained popularity as an alternative sport in the winter months. At an elevation of 2,915 - 3,049 meters with five kilometers expanse of snow, Auli is offers perfect grounds for beginners and seasoned skiers alike. Coniferous and oak forests line the slopes.

The peaks of Nanda Devi, Kamet, Mana Parvat and Dunagiri can be seen from the location. Its importance as a venue of adventure sports lies in its natural advantages enhanced by state-of-the-art facilities. The adventurous skier can go for cross country runs covering 10 - 20 kilometers. For the less adventurous, ski touring the glaciers is another enjoyable option.

Besides Auli, other ski spots include Dayara Bugyal, Munsiyari and Mundali. Mundali is situated in Dehradun, 129 kilometres from the main Dehradun town. Mundali’s enormous skiing rings offer incredible sights of the Himalayan slopes.

By Air

Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest Airport to Auli situated at a distance of 286kms. Jolly Grant Airport is well connected to Delhi with daily flights. Auli is well connected by motorable roads with Jolly Grant Airport. Taxis are available from Jolly Grant Airport to Auli.

By Train

The nearest railway station to Auli is Rishikesh. Rishikesh railway station is situated 264kms before Auli on NH58. Rishikesh is well connected by railway networks with major destinations of India. Trains to Rishikesh are frequent. Auli is well connected by motorable roads with Rishikesh. Taxis and buses are available from Rishikesh, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Joshimath and many other destinations to Auli.

By Bus

Auli is well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of Uttarakhand state. Buses to Haridwar, Rishikesh and Srinagar are available from ISBT Kashmiri Gate. Buses and Taxis to Auli are easily available from major destinations of Uttarakhand state like Rishikesh, Pauri, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Ukhimath, Srinagar, Chamoli etc. Auli is situated only 14kms from Joshimath which lies on NH58.

Calangute Beach – Most Of The Tourists Like Better To Visit This Beach Only In December

CALANGUTE BEACH

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NORTH GOA

Calangute is the most popular beach with thousands thronging it in both the peak and off-season. The waves rise high above as you wash away your city blues, though swimmer need to be a trifle cautious because of the sudden drop and the rising waves. Experienced swimmers will, however, revel in the seas here.

Also called the ‘Queen of beaches’, Calangute is the largest beach in north Goa. Calangute along with Candolim, Baga and Anjuna form part of the beach stretch extending from just outside Panaji city to Fort Aguada. Located in North Goa, about 15 km from Goa’s capital Panaji, Calangute is home to one of the largest and commercialized beaches in Goa. Calangute beach is located between Baga and Candolim beach.

Years of tourism has brought in a tremendous change in the scenario. Hotels and guesthouses stretch uninterrupted from Calangute to Baga. The village of Calangute has all basic facilities like post office, banks, foreign exchange offices, resort companies, all kind of bars and restaurants, besides medical facilities. The number of internet cafes in Calangute might even exceed that of the entire city of Panaji.

Huge showrooms filled with exquisite handicrafts from Kashmir, Tibet, Indonesia, Rajasthan and other exotic places, line up the main road running towards Anjuna.

The beach is fringed with popular restaurants and hotels, including the Calangute Residency operated by GTDC. This long, seven-km sweep of sand located 15 kms from Panaji, is called the 'Queen of Beaches'.Calangute is also famous for its water sport activities. One can experience para-sailing, water surfing, banana ride, jet-ski.

Maximum visitors prefer to visit Calangute during Christmas and New Year. The beach, accommodation facilities, water sport activities makes Calangute one of the best places in Goa.Calangute is the best place to buy antiques, junk jewelry, sake boxes, beach wears also available. Handicrafts made in Kashmir, Tibet, Indonesia and Rajasthan are worth buying.

By Air

Goa International Airport at Dabolim near Vasco da Gama is the state’s only airport. It caters to domestic and international air services with at least two dozen arrivals from India and middle-eastern countries such as Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Muscat, Doha, Dubai and Kuwait.

By Train

The South Western Railway and the Konkan Railway lines service the state of Goa. Madgaon and Vasco Da Gama are two major railway junctions in Goa.

By Bus

NH66 connects Goa to Mumbai in the north and Mangalore to the south.NH-4A connects Panaji to Belgaum in the east and other cities such as Bangalore, Kolhapur etc. NH-366 connects NH-66 to Mormugao Port from Cortalim.

Bekal Fort – It Is An Attractive Global Tourist Spot

BEKAL FORT

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KASARAGOD

Bekal Fort is situated in Kasorgod district of Kerala State of India.Bekal Fort is spread over 40 acres (160,000 m2). Some important features of this fort are the water-tank with its flight of steps, the tunnel opening towards the south, the magazine for keeping ammunition and the broad and wide steps leading to the Observation Tower which is a rarity.

From there one has ample view of towns in the vicinity like Kanhangad, Pallikare, Bekal, Kottikkulam, Uduma etc. This observation center had strategic significance in discovering even the smallest movements of the enemy and ascertaining safety of the Fort.

The Fort appears to have been built up from the sea since almost three fourth of its exteriors is drenched and the waves continually stroke the citadel. The Mukhyaprana Temple of Hanuman and the ancient Muslim Mosque nearby bear testimony to the age-old religious harmony that prevailed in the area. The zigzag entrance and the moats around the fort show the defense strategy inherent in the fort.

It is believed that the Bekal fort might have existed even from early days of the Chirakkal Rajas for the fact that it was common in those days to build a fort for the purpose of defense. Many of the old royal palaces have forts to protect them from the enemies.

Decribing the Kolathiri Kingdom in his Kerala History, K.P. Padmanabha Menon writes that the residence allotted to the Thekkelamkur: "The eldest of the male members reigned as sovereign Kolathiri. The next in succession, the heir apparent, was the Thekkelamkur.

The residence assigned to him was the Vadakara fort. The third in succession was the Vadakkelamkur in charge of Vekkolath fort. This V (B) ekkolath fort is identified by some scholars as the present Bekal.

For the British also Bekal Fort was significant for their military and administrative ventures. During the reign of the Company Bekal became the headquarters of the newly organized Bekal Taluk of South Canara District in Bombay presidency. South Canara became a part of the Madras presidency in 1862 and Bekal Taluk was renamed Kasargod Taluk. Slowly the political and economic magnitude of Bekal and its port declined considerably. With the state reorganization in 1956 Kasargod became part of Kerala.

Today, the Bekal fort and its surroundings are fast becoming an international tourist destination and a favourite shooting locale for film and ad makers. Bekal is also one of the five centres selected by the Government of India to be developed into a 'Special Tourism Area'.

A Weekend Trip To Ranikhet

WELCOME THE WINTER

From Delhi To Ranikhet- 

In November, nature’s cold arm is just beginning to embrace the lower Himalaya, slowly transforming the landscape into a mist-covered, frosted picture postcard. Soak in the best of the season at Ranikhet, in Uttarakhand’s Almora district. Let your city-induced stress disappear in the mountain air, amidst the pine forests, the sloping meadows and the enchanting views of the distant peaks.

Ranikhet is the perfect spot for lazy, languorous holidays, you can also pack lots of action into your break here. At Upat is one of the most picturesque nine-hole golf links in the country, with snow-capped mountains providing a lovely backdrop. Not far from Upat is Kalika, with its famous temple dedicated to the Goddess Kali; here, you can also wander about a well-maintained forest nursery with an abundance of indigenous plants. 

For a day in a charming, relaxed setting, set out for a picnic at Bhalu Dam, an artificial lake surrounded by a pretty garden. Walks along scenic routes are an essential part of the Ranikhet getaway for most travellers. The stroll from the ancient Jhula Devi Temple to Chaubatia, known for its orchards, is an especially picturesque one and will have you stopping every now and then to soak in the views.

Ranikhet is also an ideal zone for trekking—from easy to challenging. Choose from routes such as Chaubatia Orchards to Holm Farm and Chaubatia to Bhalu Dam. Also scattered across the region Ranikhet is also an ideal zone for trekking—from easy to challenging. 

Choose from routes such as Chaubatia Orchards to Holm Farm and Chaubatia to Bhalu Dam. Also scattered across the region are a string of sparkling lakes. You can explore them and picnic at the edge of these waterbodies while avid anglers can spend hours fishing at lakes such as the Naukuchiya Tal.

You can drive from Delhi to Ranikhet, a distance of about 370 km, via Haldwani and Bhowali. If you want a room with a view—and you should when you’re in this part of the country—check into the Royal Mountain Hotel, where the comfortable rooms look out over the lower Himalaya.

Ranikhet is a good place to shop for woolens, especially shawls. The main
shopping districts in the town are the Mall and Sadar Bazaar. You should also stop by at the Tweed and Shawl Factory for its handcrafted products. Also carry back some Bal Mithai, the caramel-like fudge sweet that’s coated with sugar balls, one of Ranikhet’s specialties.

Even if November is just the beginning o winter, it can get chilly at these altitudes. Carry plenty of warm wear, not forgetting sturdy shoes for those mountain walks.

Hazratbal Mosque - Its Perfect White Marble Style Of Mosque Is Looked As A Significance Of Srinagar

HAZRATBAL MOSQUE

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SRINAGAR

Hazratbal Mosque is the most important Muslim Religious place, situated on the western shore of Dal Lake.  Its perfect white marble elegance is reflected in the waters of the lake.

Hazratbal's special significance is derived from the fact that it houses a hair of the prophet Muhammad. This is displayed to the public on religious occasions, usually accompanied by fairs. Apart from these occasions, Friday prayers are offered at Hazratbal and attended by throngs of people.

Hazratbal is remarkable for being the only domed mosque in Srinagar; the others having distinct pagoda like roofs. The shrine – mosque complex is situated on the western shore of the Dal Lake opposite Nishat Bagh and commands a grand view of the lake and the mountain beyond.

The history of the shrine goes back to the early seventeenth century when the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan's Subedar, Sadiq Khan, laid out a garden here & constructed a palatial building, Ishrat Mahal or Pleasure House in 1623. However, the Emperor, during his visit in 1634, ordered the building to be converted into a prayer House with some additions & alterations.

During the time of Aurangzeb, when Moi-e-Muqqadus (The Holy Relic) arrived in Kashmir in 1699, it was first kept in the shrine of Naqashbad Sahib in the heart of the city. Since the place was found to be insufficient in view of the unprecedented rush of people who thronged the place to have a glimpse of the Moi-e-Muqqades, it was decided to shift the it to Hazratbal, then known as Sadiqabad.

The construction of the present marble structure was started by the Muslim Auqaf Trust headed by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1968 and completed in 1979. The "Moi-e-Muqqadas" (Holy Relic of Prophet Mohammad S.A.W) is displayed on Various occasions related with the life of Prophet & his four holy companions.

The Moi-e-Muqqadus (Holy Relic of Prophet p.b.u.h) is usually on public display inside a glass casket on certain sacred and holy days. Tours and travel to the Hazratbal shrine gives you an opportunity to participate in the colorful and vibrant fairs that are held at Hazratbal every year, the most important among these is the Shab-e-Meraj.

Hazratbal lies in Srinagar and the nearest Airport is approx. 25 Km away. This Airport is connected with major cities of India. The nearest Rail Head is at Jammu which is 300 Kms away and from there National Highway NH1A connects the Kashmir valley with India. Every sort of transport to suit every budget from Buses to Taxis ply on this Highway. It Takes around 10 to 12 hours to cross this mountainous road which crosses some beautiful spots and the famous Jawahar Tunnel linking Kashmir Valley with India. Regular transport is available from various points in the Srinagar city with nominal charges. Route from Dal Lake can also be undertaken.