Gulmarg- A Heaven of Kashmir Valley

Gulmarg is a charming hill station with lovely flowers that contrasted against the backdrop of snow-capped mountain peaks. It is a popular picnic spot as well as a famous tourist site. It offers many things in terms of natural beauty and is also known for the highest and longest cable car system in the entire Asian continent. Gulmarg literally means the meadow of flowers and visited surely by those who makes a trip to Kashmir valley. It is situated at an altitude of 2730 meters above sea level and has a cool and placid climate. 

Garden

Gulmarg 

Apple Garden

 Different varieties of flowers can be found by anyone. Once it was a favorite abode of Emperor Jehangir who collected 21 varieties of flowers from here. Historically, the hill resort was discovered by the British in 1927. Every year a large number of tourists come here to dwell in the natural beauty of the place. The snow-capped peaks and the beautiful landscape provide the backstage for several Bollywood adventures. It is not a hill resort but also the highest green golf course in the world and the Asia’s only Heli-skiing resort in the winter. Many adventurous activities take place here that makes it a cool hill resort. 

The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa in Gulmarg

 

For trekking purpose, it is a convenient base. Many trek lovers come here to enjoy their life or some of them come here only to do the trekking practice. This place is full of tourists throughout the year as every season has its own glamour. For ski lovers, months from November to February are ideal time to visit.

Gulmarg Trekking

Adventurous activities that take place in  Gulmarg are : - 

Golfing : - Gulmarg has been famous for Golfing since long time. There is a 18-hole golf course that is the world’s highest Golf course. It is a fascinating place . This golf club also offers short term membership to the golf lovers to whom visited this place again and again with a short gap.

Golf course, Gulmarg

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g317095-d2650959-r156553473-Gulmarg_Golf_Course-Gulmarg_Kashmir_Jammu_and_Kashmir.html

Skiing Resort : - Gulmarg is the famous ski resort for the adventure lovers. Many adventure seekers come to this place only for skiing. This resort is located 10,500 feet above the sea level and is the highest ski resort in India. Windproof jackets, goggles, caps, mufflers, woolen socks, snow boots, sticks and other equipments are available there and one can hire them from the ski-shop in Gulmarg.  Also, one can hire the ski instructors as they are available to teach the people.

Skiing Resort

Gulmarg Cable Car

Many people come here in winters not only to ski but to enjoy the snowfall. This resort is located at a peak height so it takes time to reach there, but now-a-days, with the help of Gulmarg Gondola Car, it has become more convenient for skiing enthusiasts go there. Traveling in the cable car is also a nice experience as it passes amidst the peaks of the snow-capped mountains. That view captivates anyone in this place.

To know about other tourist destinations in Kashmir visit here.

Following the ABC Wednesday blog.

Enjoy the visit to the Mythical Junagadh Museum

Junagadh Museum is located in the old town of Junagadh, Gujarat. It is also known as the Durbar Hall Museum. It was the courthouse in the times of the Nawabs of the Junagadh and the court cases put up there to resolve the issue.  After some time, it was converted into the museum.

Durbar Hall Museum

The Durbar Hall

The museum displays the unique collections of ancient coins, manuscripts, art, furniture, archaeological items, statues, Persian Sanskrit inscriptions, weapons, war items, jewelry, paintings, etc. One can also see the remains of the Harappan culture preserved there. It also conserves the tokens and mementos which convey the grandeur and glory of the past ages of Nawabs and Sultans.

Swords

Rich ornamental carpets, intricately designed silver thrones, beautiful chandeliers tells itself of the then Nawabs of Junagadh. Silver plated howdah is one of the most adored possessions of the Durbar Hall Museum. The Royal elephant gun is also must visit sight. Also, there is a royal portrait gallery which has photos of the last Nawab of the Junagadh. Many of the photos of the Nawab are with his beloved dogs.

 Canon

 It takes 1 hour to see the whole museum properly. So, if you are planning a trip to Gujarat, then do not miss to visit this museum.

Following the blog ABC Wednesday

Taste the Piquant Cuisines of Gujarat

India has consisted of mixed culture, heritage, occupations, religions, etc. Similarly, food is another thing that varied from place to place in India. Gujarat is one of the Indian places that attracts tourist in a large number. It’s Shoreline and The Great Rann of Kutch allures the people very much. Another best thing of Gujarat is its food. Gujarat’s cuisine is very much different from other states of India. Despite being located on the coast of the sea, seafood is less served there as Jainism and traditional Hinduism are available in large number. So, primarily it is a pure vegetarian cuisine state.

A Vegetarian Gujarati Thali

The orthodox Gujarati food is mainly vegetarian and is of high nutritional value. The typical Gujarati Thali consists of different kinds of lip plumbing dishes. Each dish of Gujarat has absolutely different cooking style. Some of the dishes are stir fried, while others are boiled. Gujarati food is mostly served on a silver platter. Guajarati’s use a combination of different spices and flavors to cook their meals and this is what makes their food truly exotic.

The traditional Gujarati Thali mostly contains roti, deal or Kadhi, Sabzi or also known as shark and rice. Gujarati dishes usually have a very ingenious taste that makes it purely distinct from other Indian Cuisines. A lot of priority is laid on maintaining hygiene while cooking. Almost, all the Gujarati dishes are sweet, while others have a quite larger concentration of sugar as compared to salt and spices. Jaggery is used sometimes as an alternative to sugar.

Traditional Gujarathi Thali

Gujarati food is highly energy providing and thus do not waste much fuel. The staple food of Gujarat consists of homemade Khichdi, pickles, chhaas, salad, etc. and main course includes vegetables which are usually steamed and dal. Vaghaar is another thing used in dal, it is a blend of spices, which is purified in hot oil and then added to the dal. As the temperature in Gujarat soars up to 50 degrees Celsius, so to prevent the dehydration, lot of salt, sugar, tomato and lemon is used.

Gujarat Staple Food (Khichdi)

Some of the most popular Gujarati foods are undhiyu, thepla, bhajja, gathiya and other farsans (snack items). As we discussed above, the typical meal of Gujarati meal is a thali (which means “meal” in Gujarati), so in restaurants as well as in home, it is often served and consist of roti, dal, rice and shaak (cooked vegetables, sometimes with curry), with adjuncts of pickles and roasted papads. Main beverages of the state include buttermilk and tea. Gujarat cuisine is also distinctive in its wide variety of farsan- side dishes that complement the main meal and are served alongside it.

Gujarati Undhiyu Dish

Desserts made from such ingredients as local sugar cane, jiggery, milk, almonds, and pistachios were originally served at weddings and family occasions as an energy booster for relatives traveling long distances to attend. Now-a-days, sweets served as part of a Thali are more typically made from milk, sugar, and nuts. Magas and Ghooghra are Dry Sweets that typically made around celebrations, such as weddings, or at Diwali. Popular sweets include Basundi, Ghari Ghebar, Halvasan, Keri no ras, Malpura, Puran Poli, etc.

Basundi Sweet Dish (Gujarat)

Cuisine of this state also differs from season to season depending on the availability of vegetables. During the summer season, spices such as black pepper and its constituent spices are used in lesser quantities. There, people also fast on a regular basis and limit their diet to milk, nuts and dried fruits. Also, people residing in the urban area are starting some new eating trends.

Many youngsters have started developing a taste for oily spicy food. Also, the modern chefs are coming up with the amalgam food concept by combining Gujarati food and Western food.

Dhokla

Dhokla is a vegetarian food item made with a fermented batter derived from rice and chickpeas. This is also one of the famous dis of gujarat.

In coastal areas of Gujarat, the Kharwa community has developed a cuisine consisting of fresh and dried fish. Common seafood of the coastal area includes pomfrets, khandwas, gedadas, surmai, prawns, crabs, lobster and narsinga.

Gujarat  Malai Prawns

So, one can find variety of luscious food in Gujarat and never forget it in one’s whole life. You will surely remember the culture, tourist places and cuisine of this state and want to visit again and again.

There are lots of great stories and photos on ABC Wednesday

Seven Wonders of Incredible India

 1. Taj Mahal at Agra (also one of the seven wonders of the world)

Taj Mahal, Agra

2. Khajuraho, A town in chattarpur district of Madhya Pradesh (Famous for Erotic Temples)

Outside wall of the temple, Khajuraho

3. Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple of Amritsar, Punjab)

Golden temple, Amritsar

 4. Hampi (Vijayanagara, Karnataka)

Hampi,Vijayanagara in Karnataka

5. Konark Sun Temple, Orissa

Konark Sun Temple

 6. Gomateshwara (Shravanabelagola, Karnataka)

Gomateshwara

Bahubali also called Gomateshwara was an Arihant. According to Jainism, he was the second of the hundred sons of the first Tirthankara, Rishabha and king of Podanpur.

7. Nalanda University, Bihar

Nalanda university, Bihar

It was a religious center of learning from the fifth century AD to 1197 AD.

Following the post ABC Wednesday

Mesmerize in the Beauty of “The Great Rann of Kutch”

The Great Rann of Kutch, is a popular tourist place located in the Thar Desert, Gujarat, India. It is a large salt marsh area . It is popular due to the symphony of salt and stones clasped onto one side by the desert and the other by sea, which make this region more interesting. It has the largest salt desert in the World. Wildlife, Cultural Places, Desert, Salt Marsh area, Handicraft, Festivals, etc. make this region, all in one place area. This land has countless surprises that will undoubtedly quench the thirst of traveler’s. Also, a better side for bird watchers as a large number of migratory birds sojourn to this place during distinct weather conditions.

Rann Utsav

Rann Utsav is a 3 day festival hosts by the Government of Gujarat in which tourists can be able to see the various sights of the Rann as well as can enjoy the taste of local culture, cuisine, folk dances, etc. Residing in specially managed tents is an exciting thing. Many adventurous activities take place there to make the festival more active and energetic. So, one can experience this colorful and exquisite region best during the Rann Utsav.

Handicrafts

Kutch is also famous for its unique handicrafts. Even the main occupation of Kutch is the handicraft. It includes embroidered cloths, caps, scarves and a variety of articles. You can also visit their house or the place of making the handicrafts and can be able to learn the art also.

Jeep Safari

Jeep Safari is the best way to explore the salty desert. During the safari, take a look at the white patches resembling snow but if come closer than you will be able to get to know that these are the crystals of salt not snow. For a round trip of villages near the Kutch, hire a bullock cart that will take you to the local villages and you will be able to know more about the culture and living of the place. Do not take your personal vehicles to the Rann of Kutch as you will surely lost in the lonely desert.

Climate

This area is one of the hottest areas of India. In the summer, the temperature averages from 41 to 49.5 degree Celsius. In the winters, it is low as much as possible to be below zero degree Celsius. So, the temperature is extreme to one side in both the seasons.

Best Time to Visit the Rann of Kutch

The best time to visit this place is from October to March as at this time the Kutch begins to dry up and become a hypnagogic salt desert.  Till March, lots of tourist visit  this place. If you want to see it in the best mood then early morning or evening is the best time to explore this place.

Permit Needed to Visit

This place is a quite sensitive area as it is located in the proximity of Pakistan’s border. Thus, a written permission is required to visit this place without any disruption. You can easily avail its permit through the Gujarat Police DSP office located in Bhuj.

At last , we can say that this place is full of adventure as well as beautiful places. It enthralls anyone and make to visit again and again.

Read previous published blog post on Must Visit Destinations in Gujarat

Captivate the Beauty of City Palace in your Memories

Udaipur is a city of Rajasthan having lakes all round. Due to the large number of lakes, it is called as “A Lake City” or “City of Lakes”. Many majestic palaces are located near the lakes. City Palace is one of the palaces located near the Lake Pichola. Maharana Uday Singh initiated the construction of this palace but till the end of the construction many succeeding Maharanas added several palaces and structures to the complex and finally left a surprising uniformity of the design. It has a wonderful blend of European, Arabic and Roman architecture.

The entry to the palace is from the Hati Pol i.e. the Elephant gate. The Bari Pol or the Big gate brings you to the Tripolia i.e. the Triple gate. In the medieval times, it was a custom that the Maharana had to weigh under this gate in gold and silver, which was distributed among the citizens of the nearby village. Now it is a main ticket office. Balconies, cupolas and towers capped the palace to give a marvelous view of the lake and the city.

Suraj Gokhada or the balcony of the sun is the place in the palace where the Maharana would assist the public audience in their difficult times. The Mor Chowk or the peacock square which gets its name from the vivid blue mosaic in glass of a peacock that decorates its walls is also very elegant.

The main part of the palace is now conserved as a museum presenting a large and diverse pattern of artifacts. To the down steps from the entrance, there is an armory museum showing a large number of collections of protective gear, weapons including the fatal two-pronged sword. Now after visiting that, the museum is then entered through the Ganesh Deori meaning the door of Lord Ganesha. Further this leads to the Rajya Angan, the royal courtyard, a spot where Maharana Udai Singh met a sage who told him to build a city here. The rooms of the palace are preciously decorated with mirror tiles and paintings. Amar Vilas is the highest point of the palace.

Manak Mahal or the Ruby Palace has a delightful collection of glass and mirror work while Krishna Vilas display a rich collection of minute but exquisite paintings. Moti Mahal or the pearl has graceful mirror work and the Chini Mahal has adorned tiles all over. The Surya Chopar or the sun square illustrates a large sun signifying the sun dynasty to which the Mewar dynasty belongs. The Bari Mahal is another location of the palace having a central garden with a serene view of the city. Some more exotic paintings can be seen in the Zenana Mahal or the ladies cell, which leads to Lakshmi Chowk which is  a beautiful white canopy.

This palace is used as a museum and also as a marriage ceremony hall. Film and television shooting also take place here. In the 1985, the palace was used as a hotel for the James Bond film Octopussy. In 1991, a documentary film called Jag Mandir shot here. Lots of Marriage ceremonies of big stars either they are Indian or Foreigner took place here. So this grand palace used in a different way by different persons due to its.

If you want to plan a trip of one of the must visit places in Rajasthan, then click here to send your tour details.