Posts for Destinations Category

12 Destinations of Tirunelveli for your next visit

Blog, Destinations - GoroadTrip - June 24, 2014

Tamil Nadu is a state with many facets. From rural villages dating back to several centuries to tech savvy cosmopolitan cities, the state has it all. For the history buff, it is a wonderland. One such area in TN that historians and tourists find fascinating is Tirunelveli. Called Nellai during the British rule, Tirunelveli was ruled by the Pandyas and later by the Cholas. Located in the southern-most tip of the Deccan Plateau, Tirunelveli is surrounded by many scenic places along with several historictemples. Some places to check out are:

12 Destinations of Tirunelveli for your next visit

Nelliappar and Kanthimathi Temples:

These twin temples are very popular religious sites in Tirunelveli. The temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi and were linked by a chain mandapam built by Vadamalaiappa Pillaiyan. The beautiful Dravidian architecture and the musical pillars are truly appealing.

Sankaranarayanan Temple:

The deity of the temple as the name suggests is a combined form of Narayana and Shankara. Aged about 900 years, the temple has a massive dome with nine tiers and a height of 135 feet.

Kuttralam:

With a number of water falls, Kuttralam is home to a natural bounty of flora and fauna. Many perennial rivers originate from here making it a popular tourist spot. It is also fondly called as the Spa of southern India. The Shenbagadevi Temple near the Shenbagadevi Falls is a must visit too.

Papanasam:

Blessed with expanses of green paddy fields and abundant rivers, Papanasam town gives tourists a chance to indulge in natural bliss. Lose yourself in the views of the lush landscapes from the Manjolai Hills and the many dams present in the town. Spend time watching the many species of migratory birds that have made Papanasam their home.

Agasthiyar Falls:

Also called Papanasam Falls the Agasthiyar Falls is on River Tamiraparani and holds a religious belief for many devotees. A person is believed to be washed off his sins with a dip in this waterfall.

Ulagamman Temple:

Built by the Pandya kings, the Ulagamman temple is located in Tenkasi or South Kasi. The impressive gopuram of this temple is the second largest in Tamil Nadu and built in the characteristic Dravidian style of the Pandyas. The main deity of KasiVisvanath and the intricately carved musical pillars are the highlights of the temple.

Kalakkad Mundhanthurai Tiger Reserve:

Being the second largest protected reserved forest in TN, the Mudhanthurai forest is spread across 895 square kilometres. It is in the Western Ghats at 1800 metres above sea level and is resplendent with greenery and many varieties of plants, birds and animals. It is the habitat of the Royal Bengal Tiger. Kalakkad is biologically one of the most diverse sanctuaries and one among the 18 biodiversity hotspots in India. It is situated at the southern tip of the Western Ghats and makes it a wonderful trekking destination owing to the rocky terrain. The sanctuary is home to jungle cats, panthers, tigers, hyenas and various amphibians and reptiles.

Vettuvan Koil:

Literally translated as sculptor’s temple, the temple is built from carved rocks. The construction of the temple is incomplete but the sculptures of Dakshinamoorthy, Brahma, Vishnu and Uma Maheshwar can be seen at the top of the temple.

Holy Trinity Church:

With a pristine white exterior, the Holy Trinity Church in Palayamkottai is a popular tourist destination. It is believed that St Xavier stayed here when he visited India. The Church holds one of the most beautiful Christmas celebrations of our country.

Krishnapuram Temple:

Located at a distance of 15 kilometres from Tirunelveli, the Krishnapuram Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is most popular for the beautiful idol of Lord Vishnu and many other life sized sculptures. The temple site is said to be 9000 years old and the temple structure around 700 years.

MelaTiruvenkatanathapuram Temple:

Located just a few kilometres from Tirunelveli, this temple is also one among the most visited ones in the area. It is dedicated to one of the forms of Lord Vishnu and can be reached by climbing a long flight of stairs as it is on an elevated plane.

Kappal Matha Church:

Built in the shape of a boat the Church is dedicated to St Mary. It is in Uvari, a town inhabited mainly by fishermen. The Church is built on the seashore making it worth paying a visit both for its unique structure and wonderful location.

Owing its ancient temples, river banks and the scenic beauty of the Western Ghats, Tirunelveli is by far one of the most visited places of Tamil Nadu.

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6 Destinations of Gujarat that are not to be missed

Blog, Destinations - GoroadTrip - June 11, 2014

6 Destinations of Gujarat that are not to be missed

Gandhi’s Ashram, Ahmedabad:

Set up by Mahatma Gandhi in 1915, Gandhi’s Ashram is open to tourists. A new concept of spiritual tourism has been introduced in the Ashram from 2013. A tourist can spend a night at the Ashram to ‘live like Gandhi’ and get a taste of the way Mahatma lived his simple life.

Sun Temple, Modhera:

Modhera is around 100 kilometres from Ahmedabad. This village is a picture of serenity and is home to one of the magnificent sun temples of India. Built by the rulers of the Solanki dynasty, this temple dedicated to the Sun God, Surya, astounds with its intricately carved stone sculptures. A carved steeped tank and the fact that the deity’s positioning makes it receive the morning sun’s first rays at the equinox are testaments to the skill of our historic architects.

Mandvi, Kutch:

For a beach visit, Mandvi is the spot-on destination. The sandy beach offers activities of boating and jet-skiing. A visit to the Maharaja’s palace allows you to have a wonderful view of the town.

Dwarka:

Head to the home of Lord Krishna for a religious experience in Dwarka. Find peace in the temples of Dwarakadish, Rukmini Devi and Bet Dwarka. Enjoy watching the Gomati River flow by at Gomti Ghat and have a look at one of the oldest lighthouses in existence.

Ahmedabad:

A visit to Gujarat is incomplete without spending time in its largest state, Ahmedabad. You can spend time at the monuments of Sabarmati Ashram or Hathisingh Jain Temple or relax by some of the lovely lakes in the city. Of course the city is the best shopping destination too with its diverse textile, handloom and artefacts industries.

Somnath:

The Somnath temple is the first among the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. The temple architecture belongs to the period of Chalukyas and showcases the skills of the SomaputraSalats. Another temple to visit in the place is the Kamnath Temple nearby. The beach is a peaceful place to spend time at this pilgrimage centre.

You can experience the desert at the Rann of Kutch, wildlife at Gir Sanctuary and the cultural extravagance of Gujarat at Bhavnagar. Taste the diversity the state is popular for, by a visit to Gujarat.

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Top 10 Cities to visit on your First Trip to India

Blog, Destinations - GoroadTrip - May 16, 2014

On a tourist’s first trip to India, chalking out a list of places to visit could be a daunting task. We at goroadtrip.com can make the task easier by producing a list of ten important cities that should figure on your first visit.

Top 10 Cities to visit on your First Trip to India

Delhi:

Start with the capital. This metro is much more than a legislative and judiciary hub. It is a centre for tourism, cultural activities, fashion, gastronomical delights and bustling nightlife. Visit the Red Fort, Lotus Temple, QutubMinar and Jama Masjid. Shop to your heart’s content at Sarojini Nagar Market or Connaught Place. Enjoy parathas, jelebis and mouth tickling chaats atChandniChowk. Delhi wraps them all up for you in one delightful parcel.

Udaipur:

Located in Rajasthan, Udaipur caters to your romantic side. With lovely lakes that stun you with their beauty, majestic palaces and forts and remarkable temples, this city has been a favourite of movie makers including ones from Hollywood. Be a part of India’s vibrant culture in Udaipur as it hosts colourful fairs and celebratory festivals all year long.

Varanasi:

For a first-hand experience of the spiritual side of India, visit Varanasi which is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world dating back to the 11th century. Be prepared to lose yourself in quiet devotion on the banks of the Ganges with the backdrop of temples and the sight of orange robes.

Jaipur:

Famously called ‘Pink City’ because of its many pink buildings, Jaipur is part of the golden triangle along with Agra and Delhi which are a must visit when in North India. The many forts and palaces of Jaipur take you back in time.

Agra:

Home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, The Taj Mahal, Agra figures on a tourist’s list by default. Along with the Taj Mahal, the other two UNESCO World Heritage sites to visit in Agra are the Agra Fort and Fathepur Sikri.

Kolkata:

Kolkata was the pet of the English and this comes across in many of the British monumental gems seen in the city. This fascinating capital of West Bengal is a city of contrasts and you will get a glimpse of old and new India.

Bangalore:

Called the Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore is hugely popular with foreign tourists for its wonderful weather and cosmopolitan ways.

Mysore:

One of the most well planned cities in India, Mysore is fondly called as the cultural capital of Karnataka. In addition to its architectural wonders, Mysore is surrounded by natural attractions and is also famous for its yoga centres.

Chennai:

Often referred to as the gateway to South India, Chennai welcomes with its abundant rich heritage of historic temples, arts, music and culture. It is also famous for its silks. Additionally it is the most important medical tourism destination of India.

Mumbai:

The commercial hub of India, Mumbai caters to every need of a tourist. With an endless stream of attractions, eclectic mix of food and culture, Mumbai’s charm has been portrayed from time immemorial by Bollywood making an actual visit surreal.

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12 Striking Churches of South India

Blog, Destinations, Heritage & Culture, Pilgrimage - GoroadTrip - April 27, 2014

Churches in India are as old as the religion of Christianity. It is believed that one of the apostles of Jesus, St. Thomas visited India and brought the religion to South India. He built churches in Kerala and the inspiration spread across India. Colonization was another reason India gets to see different styles of the British, Portuguese, Dutch and French in its churches. Some of the more striking churches of South India are:

12 Striking Churches of South India

Santhome Basilica, Tamil Nadu:

This church in Santhome is an important attraction of Chennai. It showcases the Neo-Gothic style of architecture and is believed to house the remains of St Thomas. The long arched windows, pristine spires, wooden domes and elegant roof are aesthetically pleasing.

Medak Cathedral, Telangana:

Built in Gothic Revival style, the Medak Cathedral has an impressive 175 feet high bell tower. The church is built with stunning finesse which is evident by the six different colours of mosaic tiles believed to be imported from Britain, the decorative flooring by Italian masons and the well carved magnificent grey pillars.

Santa Cruz Basilica, Kerala:

Originally built by the Portuguese, the church was marked as a cathedral by Pope Paul IV. The church is one of the oldest in India and a prominent landmark of Kochi. It was one among the few structures that survived the Dutch invasion.

Se Cathedral, Goa:

One among the largest churches in India, the Se Cathedral in Old Goa is dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria and is on the banks of the Mandovi River. The Church boasts of a Golden Bell, so named because of the rich bell tone. It is one of the best bells in the world. The old paintings on the Alter and the chapel where a vision of Christ is believed to have appeared called Cross of Miracles are great attractions.

Velankanni Church, Tamil Nadu:

Possibly the most visited church in India, the Velankanni Church in Nagapattinam is dedicated to the Lady of Health known as ‘Our lady of Velankanni’. It is believed that devotees who offer candles to the Mother will be cured of all illness. The Church with its white exterior and red roof is an imposing Gothic structure on the shores of the Bay of Bengal.

St Mary’s Basilica, Karnataka:

The oldest church in Bangalore city, St Mary’s Church depicts the Gothic style of architecture. It has been elevated to the position of minor basilica in Karnataka.

Mount Mary Church, Maharashtra:

Situated in West Bandra in Mumbai, the Mount Mary Church is set on a mount as the name suggests. It is oldest church of Mumbai and attracts a horde of worshippers. It is a beautiful sea front structure standing on a hill. The wooden statue of Mother Mary with child Jesus is another lovely sight.

Parumala Church, Kerala:

A parish church in Thiruvalla district in Kerala, the Parumala church holds the tomb of the great saint, Saint Gregarious Geevarghese. The church has a unique circular structure and is believed to have miraculous powers. It has a capacity to hold about 2000 people at a time.

Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa:

One among the more popular churches, the Basilica of Bom Jesus or Good Jesus, is around 300 years old. The church holds the remains of St. Francis Xavier. His body is open for public viewing at a particular time of the year when people come in thousands to visit the church. The church is a World Heritage Site.

Our Lady of Dolours Church, Kerala:

Known to be the largest church in India and the third tallest in Asia, this church is a minor basilica in Thrissur. It boasts of the Gothic style of architecture and has some fine interior decorations of scenes from scriptures, images of saints and murals.

Rosary Church, Karnataka:

Located in Shetihalli, Hassan, the Rosary Church was by built by French missionaries on the banks of River Hemavati. The church is a brilliant example of Gothic architecture. After the Hemavati Dam and Reservoir was constructed in 1960, Shettihalli Church is submerged in water during the monsoons and only its spire can be seen. The church is said to be built with the unique mix of mortar, bricks and eggs.

St Francis Church, Kerala:

One of the oldest European churches in India, the St Francis Church stands as a testament of Christian history in India. It holds the descriptions of the struggle of European colonies in India and was declared a protected monument in 1923.

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