Easy Tourist Guide

Diamond Harbour is a perfect weekend gateway and an ideal picnic destination near Kolkata, the capital town of west Bengal. This small town is indeed a perfect place to relax and unwind at the end of a busy and hectic week. Diamond Harbour was more a picnic spot till recent times, but in the past few years it has developed into a popular weekend tourist spot, thanks to the development of a number of private resorts and a 5 star hotel. Watching sunrise and sunset at Diamond Harbour is an awesome experience which no words can describe.

Where is Diamond Harbour?

Diamond Harbor, the popular weekend tourist spot is located in South 24 Pargana district of the Indian state of West Bengal. This fast developing tourist destination is just 52 Km from south of Kolkata and is just one and a half hour drive from the metropolis.

About Diamond Harbour

The picturesque small town of Diamond Harbour with a touch of history offers spectacular view of the river Hoogly. At Diamond Harbour, the Rupnarayan River joins the Hoogly and bends south and widens out to a form a huge expanse of water before meeting the Bay of Bengal. A little further down, the Haldi River joins it as well and the whole place seems to be a huge ocean of water.
Diamond Harbour was earlier known as Hajipur. It was the Britishers who renamed the place during the days of East India Company. The ruins of the fort of Chingrikhali at Diamond Harbour speak of its Portugese connection and the presence of an old lighthouse adds to the historic value of the place.
The mesmerizing beauty of the place at the confluence of Hoogly (tributary of Ganga) and Bay of Bengal is simply wonderful. It is indeed a refreshing and revitalizing experience to stand by the long stretch of water and experience the panoramic beauty of the nature. During sunset, the beautiful natural vistas of the place and the sun setting down the horizon create a colourful canvas that makes an indelible experience on the mind. Watching Sunrise and Sunset at Diamond Harbour is something which creates an indelible experience on the mind and soul of every tourists visiting the place. For city dwellers who wish to escape from the humdrum of the city life, Diamond Harbour is indeed a perfect place to spend some quality time with friends, family and your loved ones.

Sightseeing in and around Diamond Harbour

Fort – Ruins of the old fort at Diamond Harbour is a must visit spot for every tourists visiting Diamond Harbour. The fort was most probably built by the Portugese or French traders in 16th Century and was mainly used as Warehouse to store merchandise before loading on the ships to Europe. Though presently the fort is in ruin but is undoubtedly a major attraction for tourists.

Kapil Muni Temple – The famous temple of Kapil Muni is situated on the Sagar Island and waterways is the only mode of transport. Sagar Island can be approached from either Harwood point or Namkhana jetty. Harwood Point is just 35 Km from diamond Harbour while Namkhana is another 13 Km more.
Considered to be an important and popular Hindu pilgrimage destination, the temple was built by Swami Ramanand in 1437. The temple is dedicated to the sage Kapila Muni who according to Hindu mythology was responsible for bringing Ganges down to the earth from heaven. The oldest temple was completely destroyed by a tornado. Subsequently, twice the temple was rebuilt but got destroyed as well. In the year 1961, the then Chief Minister of West Bengal, Shri B.C.Roy again setup the Kapil Muni Temple at Sagardwip Island for the fourth time.

On Makar Sankranti day (middle of January), thousands of pilgrims from all over India and other countries as well rushes to Sagardwip to have a holy dip at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and river Ganga so as to wash away all the sins of their life.
Bakkhali – The beach resort of Bakkhali is at a distance of about 55 Km from Diamond Harbour and takes about 2 hours to reach. Though in the last few years this Bakkhali has developed into a popular beach resort, but apart from weekend one will not find many tourists here. With gentle waves, white sand and coconut tree around, this secluded beach is indeed a place to relax and rejuvenate. Presence of a number of hotels and resorts makes the place a perfect weekend destination.

How to reach Diamond Harbour?

By Air – Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International airport at Kolkata at a distance of about 65 Km is the nearest airport of Diamond Harbour. In order to reach Diamond Harbour from the airport the best option is hiring private vehicle according to his or her requirement.
By Rail – From Sealdah station there are trains at regular intervals that connects Diamond Harbour with the metropolitan town of Kolkata. The entire journey takes around one and a half at themost.
By Road – Diamond Harbour is well connected with Kolkata by good road and regular buses are available from Shahid Minar bus terminus and as well as Babughat. The road condition is quite and the road is via Khidirpore bridge.

Where to stay at Diamond Harbour?

Sagarika Tourist Lodge – Undoubtedly the best staying option at Diamond Harbour is West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC) run Tourist Lodge, Sagarika. Located on the river bank, Tourist Lodge Sagarika is known for its amenities, hospitality and cleanliness in spite of being a budget accommodation.
For more information and booking contact at – 03174- 255246/255262. Booking of Tourist Lodge Sagarika can also be done from WBTDC office at Kolkata.
Hotel Punyalakshmi – This new private hotel is quite a good staying option at Diamond Harbour. Situated on the bank of River Hooghly, this hotel is surrounded by green lawn and commands a majestic view of the river. The swimming pool of this hotel Is well maintained and a major facility for the tourists where they can soak and relax comfortably.
To know more about this hotel and to book your accommodation in this hotel, contact at – 03174 255190, 9153432013, 9679205110.
There are several other hotels and resort on the Diamond Harbour Road approaching Diamond Harbour town on the bank of the River Hooghly.

Pondicherry – with its mesmerizing natural beauty, old French flavor and Indian form of spiritualism is one of the prime tourist destinations of South India. Seen by many as a spiritual destination and a centre for Yoga and Meditation, this well planned town near Chennai is also endowed with immense natural beauty, distinctly visible in its palm-fringed beaches, scenic fishing villages and serene backwaters. Also known as Puducherry, this spiritual beach town has retained its old French flavor visible in the well-laid gardens, magnificent churches, historical monuments, magnanimous mansions, and clean and wide roads. Pondicherry is indeed a perfect family holiday destination which has everything that helps one to relax and enjoy away from the hustle and bustle of busy city life.

Where is Pondicherry?

Pondicherry is a Union Territory town, located along the Coromandel Coast of Bay of Bengal at a distance of about 160 km to the south of Chennai.

About Pondicherry

Now known as Puducherry, this spiritual beach town used to be a French settlement due to 281 years of French rule. With a 32 km long coastline on the Coromandel Coast, this well-planned French Boulevard town is a perfect family holiday destination with something on offer for everyone. Wheather you are a nature lover or a water sports lover or a student of Yoga or simply wants to relax and rejuvenate, Pondicherry has it all.
Often referred to as ‘The French Riviera of the East’, this beach town with a colonial past has over the years evolved as a centre for Yoga and Meditation in South India. Apart from its immense natural beauty this well planned beach town is acclaimed throughout the world for Sri Aurobindo Ashram, the world-class Auroville city and the internationally acclaimed Yoga centers. Disciples or followers of Sri Aurobindo from all over the world visits Pondicherry, as it is the place from where Sri Aurobindo started his spiritual journey through yoga and meditation.
The golden sea shores, the exclusive sunset cruises, the enchanting moonlit dinners, splendid seafront resorts, wondrous opportunities and facilities for water sports centre, handy harbor and blissful lagoons have made Pondicherry one of the most popular and preferred tourist destination for those in quest of a relaxed and leisurely holiday.

Sightseeing in and around Pondicherry

Sri Aurobindo Ashram – Pondicherry is almost synonymous with Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Of all the people who visit Pondicherry, there is hardly anyone who has not visited Sri Aurobindo Ashram. In fact a major portion of the tourist visiting Pondicherry is here to visit the ashram of Sri Aurobindo and to have a firsthand experience of the teaching of this great poet, visionary and prophet of the twentieth century who lived here from 1910 till his death in 1950.
Sri Aurobindo Ashram is the saddle of peace. Founded in 1920, it is the residence where the Sri Aurobindo and revered Mother Mirra Richard, popularly known as Maa, spent the most part of their life. Spiritual teachings of Sri Aurobindo and his idea of practicing ‘Integral Yoga’ to achieve higher state of life to experience true happiness and peace left a deep impact not only on Indians but also on foreigners. Even today his vision and ideals continue to draw people from all over the world. The ashram is open to one and all and anybody can join it. It gives importance to self practice. Collective meditation, exhibitions and video programmes are the activities which can be enjoyed here. Samadhi of Sri Aurobindo and Mother (Maa) is an important visiting place for tourists.
Auroville – Situated at a distance of about 10 Km north of Pondicherry town and lying very close to Coromondal coast is the international township of Auroville. Envisioned as a Universal Town by Mirra Alfassa, the celebrated “Mother” of Sri Aurobindo Society, the project work of this unique international township began on Wednesday 28 February 1968 and is still going on. Mirra Alfassa, “The Mother”, who was an equal spiritual collaborator and companion of Sri Aurobindo from 1924 till his death in 1950 initiated the concept of Auroville where people from different nationalities, faiths and beliefs, can live in peace and harmony without being discriminated on the basis of colour, creed and politics.

Despite being referred to in travel and tourist literature, Auroville is not a typical tourist place, but visiting this unique town of international flavor and watching people from 43 different countries living in the city is an experience, hard to miss out. To witness the co-existence of people of different culture and nationalities in a self-supporting township, with the vision of realizing human unity is an experience in itself.
The Peace area at the centre of the town is an important attraction for tourists. Constituted with the soil of 121 nations and 23 Indian states, the Peace area is characterized by three main structures, – Matrimandir, the Amphitheater and the Banyan Tree. Another main feature of this city is that many countries constructed permanent pavilions, reflecting the customs, beliefs and culture of their respective countries.
Matrimandir – The geographical and spiritual heart of Auroville is a modern architectural marvel, with a globe as high as 30 meters and a lotus-shaped foundation urn. Outside is plated with gold, while the inside is stark white with a gigantic crystal in the center. Conceived by “The Mother” as “a symbol of the Divine’s answer to man’s inspiration for perfection”, Matrimandir has a 70 cm crystal ball in a gold mount and glow with a single ray of sunlight directed on the globe from the top of structure. According to “The Mother”, this represents “a symbol of future realization.” Silence is maintained inside the Matrimandir to ensure serenity and tranquility of the place so important for meditation.

Check with the visitor center if you’re interested in seeing the inside of the temple, as the rules are very strict. Casual day visitors are encouraged to go first to the Visitors Centre , which is open daily (except on Diwali and on Pongal day) from 9:00 to 17:30, and offers information, exhibitions, a video viewing facility, a cafeteria and shopping facilities. Visitor Centre has an excellent cafe with daily specials and a wide range of Indian and European food including great vegetarian food, drinks and desserts.
There are a lot of activities always going on in Auroville, like Yoga, Tai-Chi, Watsu, different kinds of alternative healing medicinal practices and courses. The variety gets wider during the visitors’ season (December to March), such as attending the classical Indian dance performances of young virtuosos organized by Auroville Cultural Exchange. There are a plethora of social, economic, environmental, agricultural projects going on regularly. Many of them welcome tourists and many tourists welcome the opportunity to spend a week or more volunteering to get a much more intimate look at what goes inside Auroville.
Special mention must be made of the Solar Kitchen, which is the main cafeteria and most popular place to eat inside Auroville. Everyone pays the same price, irrespective of how much he actually eats. The food is really yummy and it’s a great place to met people! Upstairs you can find the cafe La Terrace serving coffees, salads, sandwiches and changing international dishes. Try the delicious mushroom pasta with egg and don’t miss out on the amazing ice-cream. It should be noted that both La Terrace and the Solar Kitchen do not accept cash. One must apply for a guest card at the visitor’s centre, fill it with credit, and pay using that account.
Beaches of Pondicherry – With 45 Km long coastline, Pondicherry has a number of beaches characterized with many backwater lagoons and estuaries and vast stretch of swaying palms. The virgin beaches of Pondicherry with the golden yellow sand and turquoise blue waters are ideal for sunbathing, swimming or simply strolling on the golden sands. Almost all the beaches in Pondicherry have cafes, resorts, cottages, and bars, which add to the charm of the place.

1.5 Km long Serenity Beach with a picturesque sea front graced by an impressive statue of the Mahatma set amidst eight exquisitely carved pillars and a wonderful war memorial commemorating the soldiers who lost their lives during the World War I, is the most prominent of the beaches of Pondicherry. The Lighthouse and the 284 meters long New Pier located south adds to the further charm of the beach.
Palm fringed Plage Paradiso Beach, also known as Paradise Beach is located at Chunnambar, about 8 Km away from Pondicherry towards Cuddalore Main Road near the mouth of the backwater. Wheather taking a sunbath or collecting shells or simply taking a leisurely stroll or indulging in various water sports, this beach has all the elements to be a preferred tourist destination.
Another beach of Pondicherry that occupies a place of eminence as a tourist destination is the Karaikal Beach. Apart from being a virgin beach it is an excellent place for watching the rising sun. Magnificent view of the slow flowing Arasalar River stretching out to the sea is simply breathtaking. The boating club on the beautiful backwaters of the River Arasalar provides motor and rowing boats to the tourists.
The beautiful Mahe Beach is a rare virgin beach of Pondicherry bordered by the wooded line of palm trees. This unpolluted picturesque beach is fast gaining popularity. The natural growths of palm trees mark the fringes of the beach and creates a mesmerizing effect on the visitors of the beach.
Botanical Garden – The truth behind the saying that, “the tour of Pondicherry is incomplete without a trip to the Botanical Garden”, can be felt once you visit this beautiful garden. This sprawling garden spreading over an area of 22 acres is one of the finest botanical gardens in the country. Established by C.S. Perrotet in 1826, this Botanical Garden has for long been one of the hottest tourist spots of Pondicherry. The garden encloses a wealthy and diverse collection of plant species from many parts of India as well as from abroad. It also has a large aquarium displaying many sea living organisms including variety of fish flora. The Botanical Gardens situated in the center of the city provides a cool retreat during hot summer days. Each and every tree or plants of the garden are labeled with scientific, common and Tamil names for the convenience of the tourists and students of Botany as well. Other attractions of the Botanical Garden include Children’s toy train, six fountains, a dancing musical fountain and a Japanese rock.

Other prominent sightseeing destinations of Pondicherry includes, Eglise de Sacre Coeur De Jesus (also known by the name, Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus it has all the characteristics of a Gothic Church with interior having a wonderful mix of both European and Indian architecture), Thirunallar Temple (this 7th century A.D ancient Siva temple is also famous for idols of Saturn, Sri Pranambigai, Sri Thiagarajar and Sri Vinayagar), Villianur Temple (this 15 m tall temple in the form of a chariot at a distance of about 10 Km from Pondicherry is dedicated to Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswarer and is unique in the sense that , it is normally taken out on a procession during the Brahmotsavam, which is basically the annual festival of Pondicherry) and a quite a few others.

 

How to reach Pondicherry?

By Air – Though Pondicherry has an airport with facilities for the landing of small aircraft like Dornier, Cessna, etc., it is not available for public use presently. Chennai International airport at a distance of about 135 Km is the nearest airport of Pondicherry. Chennai Aiport has excellent connections with almost all cities of India and direct connection to Europe, USA, Middle East and South East Asia.
By Rail – The nearest railhead of Pondicherry is Villupuram at a distance of 32 Km. Local trains operate between Villupuram and Chennai regularly. Villupuram is well connected to Trichy, Madurai and Chennai. There are a few passenger trains and express trains running daily to Chennai Egmore Railway station. There is a weekly express train service to Bhubaneswar.
By Road - Pondicherry is well connected with major cities in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka by National and State Highways. Frequent bus services are available from Pondicherry to places like Thanjaur, Trichy, Chidamabaram and Coimbatore. Private tourist buses ply from Chennai, Madurai and Bangalore to Pondicherry. Number of Non AC Semi Sleeper, AirBus, A/C Volvo buses ply between Cheannai – Pondicherry and Bangalore – Pondicherry.

Where to stay at Pondicherry?

Being an important and popular tourist destination, Pondicherry offers a wide range and variety of staying options. On one hand there are a number of star category hotels and on the other hand there are a good number of cheap and budget hotels. Guest houses run by Sri Aurobindo Ashram are also a good and budgeted staying option. Only a few of the hotels are listed below. Note, that these are not recommendations, rather information and suggestions.
Hotel Annamalai International – This luxurious 3 Star hotel established in 2001 is located in the heart of the city. This centralized air conditioned hotel with 70 (4 suites, 20 Executive Rooms and 46 Standard Rooms) well appointed rooms equipped with the most modern amenities is undoubtedly one of the best hotels of Pondicherry. Exclusive veg kitchen, multicuisine restaurant, swimming pool in terrace floor, bath tub in every room, Wi Fi internet and unmatched hospitality are some of the other features that make this one of the most popular hotels of Pondicherry.
For booking this hotel contact at – 0413 – 2247001 / 02 / 03 / 04 / 05 / 06.
You can also log on to : www.kalpadeephotels.com
Or send your queries at : annamalai@kalpadeephotels.com
Hotel Mass – Located at a distance of about 1 Km from the Pondicherry Railway Station, this 3 Star hotel with 112 centrally air conditioned rooms is known for its hospitality. Six restaurants with a variety of cuisines, five Banquet Halls to accommodate guests numbering between 70 and 400, a 24 hr coffee shop and a bar of international standard are the other highlights of the hotel.
To book this hotel, contact at the phone number : 0413 – 4207001 (11lines)
Hotel Promenade – This luxurious 5 Star luxury boutique hotel overlooking the Bay of Bengal lies along the beautiful Boulevard beside the old lighthouse. With 26 Deluxe Rooms, 11 Deluxe Sea-Facing Suites and 1 Presidential Suites, this brilliant French style hotel with distinct modern interiors also has some of the best known food and beverage places in Pondicherry. Rooftop restaurant Lighthouse, offers the most amazing views of the majestic Bay of Bengal apart from its tempting barbeque and grill menu. Round the clock restaurant Blueline, offer its guests a good range of authentic Oriental and Mediterranean dishes. Risque, an exotic lounge bar with a fine selection of wines, beers and other liquors. The bartender here can also get you some exotic cocktails and mock tails. Some nice flavors of coffee are also served here. Swimming pool overlooking the mesmerizing Bay of Bengal, in-room reflexology and spa massages and every room equipped with modern amenities including, Wi Fi internet, a mini bar, a tea and coffee maker are some of the other features that make this hotel unique.
To book your rooms in this hotel, contact at the phone number : 0413 – 2227750
Hotel Atithi – This 4 Star deluxe luxury hotel situated close to the scenic beach in Pondicherry stands tall with a majestic presence. With fabulous exterior and exquisite interiors Hotel Atithi offers international standard of amenities and services with traditional hospitality. With 60 well-furnished rooms, including 38 Standard Rooms, 19 Superior Rooms and 3 Luxury Suites it is an ideal choice for both the discerning leisure and corporate clientele. Multi-cuisine restaurant Le Boulevard, serving a gamut of appetizing delicacies and the stylish bar Just White, with a wide range of quality drinks and snacks are one of the best in the town. Roof top swimming Pool, mini bar at every room and personalized services are the other amenities provided.
To book rooms in this hotel, contact at : 0413 – 2345000.
Hotel Le Dupleix – Situated in the heart of French Pondicherry, Hotel Le Dupleix is an easy walk from the beach, the park and the central shopping area. This designer hotel, initially constructed as the residence of the Mayor of Pondicherry in 18th century was later converted to a beautiful paradise of comfort and colonial heritage. 14 luxuriously appointed air conditioned Suite Rooms, each with its own characteristic features are well-equipped with modern amenities. The Governor’s Lounge, first lounge bar of Pondicherry with a full range of cocktails and imported wines coupled with sophisticated decor is unique and surprisingly beautiful in every turn.
To book rooms in this hotel, contact at : 0413 – 2226 001 / 02 /03 / 04 / 05.
Sri Aurobindo Ashram – For budget travelers as well as for travelers on a spiritual tour, guest houses run by Aurobindo Ashram are the best option of staying. There are a number of guest houses situated within a mile of the main Ashram building where Ashram offers accommodation. Strict rules of cleanliness and conduct apply in all the guest houses with a ban on liquor, smoking, eating non-veg. Also note that there are no phones or TVs in the rooms, nor is there any provision for room service, also most close their gates at 10.30 p.m.
Some of the prominent guest houses under Sri Aurobindo Ashram are :
Park Guest House – Situated on the picturesque beach of Pondicherry with a nice lawn, this guest house provides complementary Indian breakfast. Prior booing is a must. To book and to have more detailed information, contact at : 0413 – 2224644 / 2233644.
Cottage Guest House – Situated at Rangapillai Street, this budget guest house under the control of Sri Aurobindo Ashram is indeed a clean staying option. Prior booking must be done, if you don’t wish to be disappointed. To book and to have more detailed information, contact at : 0413 – 2233610.
New Sweet Home – Situated at Rue Dupuy Road this is another conveniently located guest house of Sri Aurobindo Ashram. For prior booking, contact at – 0413 – 2233635.
New Guest House – Situated at Rue Romain Rolland Road, this is a relatively newer guest house of Sri Aurobindo Ashram. For booking, contact at : 0413 – 2221553 / 2233634. You can also e-mail your queries at : newguesthouse@gmail.com
Sri Krishna Guest House – Situated at 29/31 Rangapillai Street, to the west of GPO, this large and clean hotel is a good budgeted staying option. Both, air conditioned and non air conditioned rooms are available at a relatively cheaper price. This hotel is always in great demand. So, prior booking is a must. For booking related queries and other queries, contact at – 0413 – 2334477.
Few other good hotels in budgeted category with good and hygienic staying options are :
Hotel Corbelli – This centralized air conditioned hotel of budgeted price at Mission Street can be booked at : 0413 – 2225301 / 2225302.
Raj Residency – With air conditioned suites and rooms, this is an ideal staying option at a reasonable price. For booking, contact at : 0413 – 220220.
MangoHill – Situated at Old Auroville Road, this spacious and clean hotel located on hills of planted with Mangoes and Cashew trees and swimming pool and facility like spa is another goodstaying option. For booking, contact at : 0413 – 26554 91 / 92 / 93.

Kochi (formerly known as Cochin) – is one of the most visited tourist destination of Kerala. The cosmopolitan city of Kochi has one of the finest and most beautiful natural harbours of India. The city of Cochin with a beautiful sea front is actually a cluster of islands and peninsulas with a colourful mix of eclectic cultures including Dutch, Portuguese, British and even Chinese and Jew influences. The lovely sea side city of Cochin, With Western Ghats in the east and the Arabian Sea in the west, is known for its breathtaking scenic beauty which is worth a visit.

Where is Kochi/Cochin?

Kochi – the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala is located in the Ernakulam district on the south west coast of India.

About Kochi/Cochin

Built around a saltwater lagoon, the bustling seaport city of Kochi has been a major centre for trade and commerce for centuries. In spite of being the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala, the beauty of Kochi has such an immense attraction that it is one of the most-visited and prime tourist attractions of the state.
Kochi was the centre of Indian spice trade for many centuries, and was known to the Greeks, Romans, Jews, Arabs, and Chinese since ancient times. Portuguese were the first European nation to come to Cochin. After them one by one came the Dutch and the British. Kochi – known to be the first place in India to have European settlement, still retains its colonial flavours with a blend of tradition and modernity.
Kochi – often referred to as the “Gateway of Kerala” is an ideal place to start the tour of Kerala. Several backwater routes starting from Kochi is perfectly ideal to have a glimpse of the beauty of the Kerala, often called, God’s own country”. The strategically located port town of Kochi bustles with tourists almost throughout the year, prompting it to feature in National Geographic Traveler’s “50 greatest places of a lifetime”.

Sightseeing in and around Kochi/Cochin

When you are at Kochi, you will have to make your own choices and preferences as what you should see and what you should leave as there are a plenty of choices available. Only a few of those places which are hard to avoid are mentioned here.

St. Francis Church - Built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan Friars, it is the oldest European church in India. Situated at the Fort Kochi area, it is a place of must visit for every tourists touring Kochi. It is also the place where Vasco Da Gama, the first European traveler to reach India, was buried in 1526. The tombstone of this famous traveler is a popular tourist attraction of Kochi.
Santa Cruz Basilica - Located close to St. Francis Church, it is a Roman Catholic Cathedral and is one of the finest and impressive churches in Kerala. Apart from being a place of devotion and a center of historic significance, Santa Cruz Basilica is endowed with architectural and artistic grandeur of gothic style. Originally built as a church by the Portuguese, it was elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558 and still latar it was proclaimed a Basilica by the Pope John Paul II in 1984.

A visit to this Basilica is an experience not to give away and tour the inside of this Basilica as well as enjoy its majestic exterior.
Dutch Palace - Situated at Palace Road, Mattancherry, Kochi, the palace was actually built by the Portuguese and presented to Veera Kerala Varma, Raja of Kochi, in 1555 AD as a compensation for a temple they destroyed and partly as a bribe to gain favors from the ruler. It took on its present popular name ‘Dutch Palace’ after 1663, when the Dutch took control over the palace and carried out some extensions and renovation work. This double storied palace building which stands by the panoramic Kochi back waters has an exquisite collection of murals. The themes of these murals have been borrowed from the great Indian epics – the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha, and mythology and legends about the Hindu. The museum housed in the Palace exhibits a rich collection of regal memorabilia including costumes, palanquins, turbans and weaponry from the days of the Cochin rajas. In the courtyard of the palace stands a small temple dedicated to ‘Pazhayannur Bhagavati’, the protective goddess of the Kochi royal family. There are two more temples on either side of the Palace, one dedicated to Lord Krishna and the other to Lord Siva.
This Dutch Palace which is a living testimony of Indian culture and European tradition is one of the most popular sightseeing destinations for tourists visiting Cochin.
Bolghatty Island - A short boat ride away from the mainland of Kochi is this picturesque island which houses the splendidly beautiful Bolghatty palace. Bolghatty Palace – built in 1744 by the Dutch and later taken over by the British is presently a popular hotel run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation. Set in the middle of a fabulous garden and spectacular backwaters of Cochin in the background, the scenery around the palace is simply breathtaking.

Cherai Beach - Located on the northern end of Vypeen Island, just off the shore of the mainland Kochi, the beautiful and picturesque sandy beach of Cherai is lined by luscious green coconut groves and paddy fields. Having a coastline of 15 Km, the clean and shallow Cherai beach is ideal for the purpose of swimming and sunbathing. Considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Kerala, the Cherai Beach is a beautiful combination of sea and backwaters rimmed by greenery of coconut palms and paddy fields. Often referred to as ‘The Princess of the Arabian Sea’, the beach at Cherai offers variety of water sports and other beach activities. It is one of the most popular beaches of not only Kochi but of the entire state of Kerala as well.
Hill Palace Museum - The Hill Palace Museum is Kerala’s largest archaeological museum and the first heritage museum of the state. It was set up in the year 1865 and now is an important tourist attraction. Located 10 kilometers from Cochin at Thripoonithura, it was originally the residence and administrative office of Kochi Rajas. Situated on a hillock, the complex at present has an archaeological museum, a heritage museum, a deer park, a pre-historic park and a children’s park. The museum has 14 galleries, which display some beautiful and rare artifacts including paintings, weapons, arts, ancient carriages, beautiful statues, murals, majestic beds and royal ornaments that used to belong to the former rulers of Kerala.
There are quite a few other places in and around Kochi that are worth a visit. Some of them are – Veega Land, Willingdon Island, Parikshith Thampuran Museum, Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, Palliport (Pallipuram) Fort, Vasco House, Chinese Fishing Nets and a quite a few others as well.

How to reach Kochi/Cochin?

By Air- Kochi has its own world-class modern international airport, located 30kms north-east of the city, with regular flights to major cities in India and other countries as well.
By Rail - There are three main railway stations in Cochin, – Ernakulam Junction, Ernakulam Town and Cochin Harbour Terminus. Kochi is well connected by rail to most of the important cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata.
By Road - An extensive network of national and state highways and local roads link Kochi to rest of the country. Three important National Highways – NH 47, NH 17, NH 49 pass through Kochi. Private and public transport services are available to and from all major cities of South India from Kochi.
By Boat - Regular boat service to and from places like Kottayam, Kumarakom and Alleppey are available through the scenic backwaters of Kerala. Kochi has an all weather natural port and can be reached by sea in yachts or the occasional cruise ship from Goa, Mumbai, Lakshadweep, Colombo and Male. There is a direct ferry service between Kochi and Lakshadweep. The outlying islands that make up Cochin, like Vypeen, Mattancherry, Bolghatty, etc are connected to the mainland Kochi by regular public and private boats.

Where to stay at Kochi/Cochin?

Being a popular tourist destination, Kochi has a wide range of hotels and resorts to choose from. Informations on some of the best hotels of Kochi are provided here :
Bolgatty Island Resort – With 24 Deluxe rooms and 06 Lake front cottages, it is one of the best hotels of Kochi, located on the Bolgatty Island. Facilities like, Ayurveda therapies, Restaurant, Beer Parlour, Swimming Pool, Ayurvedic Centre, Conference Hall, Nine-hole golf course, Large lawn for banquets, Health club, Boat Cruises, Internet Browsing has made this as one of the most popular and sought after hotel of Kochi. For booking contact at – 0484-2750500/2750600.
Ramada Resort – Nestled in a picture-perfect locale, amidst an ambience of absolute serenity, Ramada Resort is a haven of leisure set within 8 sprawling acres, beside the picturesque lake of Kumbalam, in the outskirts of Cochin. With 42 centrally air-conditioned accommodation facilities, comprising 24 Lake-facing cottages and 18 deluxe rooms, it is one of the best hotels of Cochin. The Ayurvedic Centre at Ramada Resort provides specialized treatments as well as general rejuvenative therapies, in strict adherence to Ayurvedic principles. For booking, contact at – 0484-3011100.
Cherai Beach Resort - To experience the unpolluted atmosphere, crystal clear backwaters, beautiful lagoons, long clean golden beach, swaying paddy fields one should visit Cherai Beach Resort. Some of the cottages at this resort are made on individual islands and some are on coconut pillars. There are 20 Modern Villas, both A/C and Non A/C. For booking, contact at – 0484-2481818.
Hotel Cochin Towers – It is a budget hotel with all necessary modern amenities. For booking, contact at – 0484 2401910.
Star Homes – It is another budget hotel of Kochi. It is a popular accommodation option in Kochi and stands for unstinted comfort and a blissful stay. For booking contact at – 0484-23223051.
Hotel Sea Lord – A real value for money hotel is located at Marine Drive, which is in the heart of the city, facing the backwaters. With 39 centrally air-conditioned beautifully furnished and tastefully decorated rooms and suites, it is a good staying option. For booking, contact at – 0484-324169/2382472/2382473.

Tajpur– one of the recently discovered beach destinations of West Bengal is fast becoming popular. Digha and Mandarmani, the other two well known and popular beaches nearby may have better facilities for tourists, but the kind of virginity and secludedness that the beach of Tajpur offers is unique of its kind. The untouched beach of Tajpur fringed by dense forest of Tamarisk and Casuarinas trees provides an ideal setting for a relaxed weekend holiday away from the humdrum of the city life.

Where is Tajpur?

Tajpur, the latest addition in the tourist map of Bengal is in the East Midnapur district of West Bengal. It is at a distance of about 180 Km from Kolkata and 20 Km from Digha Railway Station.

About Tajpur

Tajpur is an ideal place to relax and rejuvenate far away from the maddening city crowds. The untouched and unspoiled beauty of the Tajpur beach surrounded by greenery seems to be a piece of land out of this world. The virgin beach of Tajpur with white sand, blue water and infinite number of red crabs playing hide and seek is truly a place to have a dream weekend. The secludedness of the Tajpur beach will at times make you feel that you own the beach.

Anyone who wants to explore raw natural beauty must visit Tajpur. The fact that the place is still to become a hot tourist destination is a blessing in disguise. With not much tourists around you will definitely be able to spend some romantic time with your beloved. Wheather you enjoy the waves with your loved one or simply feel the beauty of the nature while soaking in the beach, you will be able to spend some unforgettable time which will definitely remain vivid in mind throughout life.
It is a fact, that still this place does not have the desired amenities and facilities, but the recent interest seen among the tourists to explore this new found virgin destination has indeed acted as a booster and new hotels with better facilities are coming up. Tourism Development Corporation of west Bengal must come up with projects to popularize the beach resort of Tajpur among tourist fraternity. But it should also be taken into consideration that the recent construction spree at Tajpur must not in any way disturb the natural beauty and the ecosystem of the place.

One important feature of Tajpur beach is that the water of the sea recedes by a large distance exposing the hidden treasure of the sea bed. At this time the beach becomes a favourite roaming place of the red crab. Presence of this endangered species makes it all the more special. The fact that the beach is not yet much known and popular among tourists fraternity is a major reason for which this beach resort needs to be explored.

In and around Tajpur

Tajpur is one such place which is an ideal weekend destination and people visiting the place like to spend time relaxing and enjoying the natural beauty of the place. More popular sea beaches of Digha, Mandarmani and Shankarpur are very close to Tajpur. People visiting Tajpur may visit these places also.

How to reach Tajpur?

By Air – Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International airport at a distance of about 180 Km is the nearest airport. From the airport either hire a private car to reach Tajpur or reach Esplanade Bus Terminus and board a bus going to Digha.
By Rail – Ramnagar Railway Station and Digha Railway Station are the two nearest railway station of Tajpur. Though Ramnagar is the nearest, but all the trains does not stops here. In that case Digha is the choice by default. From the railway station hire a vehicle to reach Tajpur.
By Road – If you choose to go by bus, board any bus going to Digha from Esplanade Bus Terminus of Kolkata. Plenty of buses are available throughout the day that goes to Digha. Get down at Balisahi after Chaulkhola and hire a van rickshaw to reach Tajpur. If you have a prior booking in any of the hotels, then you can ask them to pick you from Balisahi.
If you wish to travel by your own vehicle from Kolkata, then follow this route. Kolkata – Kolaghat – Nandakumar – Contai – Chaulkhola – Balisahi – (turn left) – Alampur (turn right) – Tajpur.

Where to stay at Tajpur?

Virginity and secludedness of the beach is well maintained by the fact that all the hotels and resorts of Tajpur are not on the beach like that in Mandarmani and Digha. In accordance with the rule set by the Ministry of Environment, under Government of India, the hotels and resorts of Tajpur are at a distance from the beach.
Though there are only five to six good hotels in Tajpur, but they too are not fully developed and are under construction. Quite a few new hotels are also coming up at hotels. It is a fact that the hotels of Tajpur are not at par with some of the best hotels of Mandarmani and Digha, but this gets undermined by the awesome natural beauty of Tajpur. Mentioned below are some of the better hotels of Tajpur, which tourists can avail.
Hotel Sagar Kinare – This hotel is very close to the sea beach of Tajpur. For booking contact at – 9593165848.

Hotel Friends – One Minutes Distance From Sea Beach, Garden,children Play Ground,Carparking Space And Driver Room Available. Booking contact number – 9163914473 .
Tajpur Retreat – This is another good staying option close to the sea beach. For booking contact at – 9830271064.
Hotel Lake View – Though this hotel is not very close to the beach, but it’s a good budget hotel. In order to book, contact at – 9932403257.
Hotel Sonar Bangla – Situated very close to the sea beach, this is another good and quality staying option. For booking contact at – 9647238302.
Hotel Tambim Inn – It is another good staying option of Tajpur. For booking contact at – 9831021244.
Tajpur Nature Camp – It is one of the best hotels of Tajpur, with facilities of staying in tents. For booking contact at – 09831769790, 9163914473.

Dapoli – a unique and exotic location offers the pleasure of staying at a hill station and still being close to the sea. Cool climate, pristine beaches, forested hills, historical temples, caves and forts scattered around, are some of the snapshots that best describes Dapoli. In spite of being situated about 7 Km away from the coast of Arabian Sea, the town is located at an altitude of about 800 feet. In recent years, Dapoli has grown into an ideal weekend getaway for people living in big cities like Pune & Mumbai.

Where is Dapoli?

Dapoli is located in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. This scenic town situated on the Konkan coast of Maharashtra is about 200 Km from Pune and 240 Km from Mumbai.

About Dapoli

The pleasant town of Dapoli is blessed with abundant natural beauty and scenic wonders accompanied by cool climate throughout the year. Surrounded by hills and forests and having a long coastline, this beautiful town is the home for a variety of migratory birds and animals. Dapoli is also famous for its plantations of Mangoes, Betel nuts, Cashew nuts & Coconuts.
Dapoli has one of the most untouched and unspoiled beaches near Pune on the Konkan coast and are amongst the cleanest ones on the entire west cost of India. This relatively newer destination is fast becoming popular and is developing into a weekend gateway to relax and rejuvenate away from the busy and hectic city life.

Sightseeing in and around Dapoli

Suvarnadurg Fort – Located at a distance of 17 Km from Dapoli, it consists of two forts, – Kanakdurga the land fort and Suvarnadurga the sea fort. The forts were originally built by Adil Shah and later captured and fortified by Chatrapati Shivaji in 1660. During the days of Shivaji the twin fort of Suvarnadarga was extremely important from military point of view.

The two forts were once inter connected by tunnels. But at present no tunnel connection is there and the only way to reach the sea fort of Suvarnadurga is by boat. The exotic location of this fort has made it a popular tourist destination. This island fort stand close to Harne Port is surrounded from all side by the lashing waves of the Arabian Sea.
Unhavare – Located at a distance of about 20 Km from Dapoli, the place is famous for its natural hot water sulphur spring. Known to cure various skin ailments, the place is visited by large number of tourists as well as local people every day. There are separate shelters for men and women to take a dip in the rejuvenating hot water.
Murud Beach – At a distance of about 10 Km from Dapoli, the Murud Beach is one of the loveliest beaches of the Konkan coast. The vast expansion of white sandy beach and the crystal clear bluish water at Murud is a delight to watch. Fenced by the green palm trees, this pristine beach will arouse the imagination of any visitor. Watching the sun rising through the mountains in the east is indeed a remarkable sight. Sunset in the back ground of the brilliant forts also provides a fabulous setting. This virgin beach on the coast of Arabian Sea has become a popular tourist destination in recent years.
Panhalekaji Caves – This rock cut caves are situated deep in the valley near the confluence of Kotjai and Dhakti rivers. There are a total of 29 caves both big and small spread along the river bank. These historical manmade caves are believed to be more than 1000 years old and are the finest examples of our rich ancient culture and architecture. There are sculptures of Ganesh, Saraswati and scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana on the walls. The place is among the must visit spot for visitors visiting Dapoli. The carvings on the wall of these caves and jungle covered mountains on both side along the river creates a unique combination hard to find anywhere else.
Chandika Mata temple near the cave is another tourist attraction nearby. This temple from the Pandava period is inside a natural cave and one have to go inside through a tunnel to take the darshan of the Chandika Mata idol inside the cave.

Kadyawarcha Ganapati – This temple of Lord Ganesha located at Anjarle village is another major attraction around Dapoli. The unique idol of Lord Ganesha having the trunk curved toward right is considered to be highly auspicious and hence pilgrims and tourists from place far and near visits the temple in large number throughout the year. A stone staircase on the right side leading to the top of the temple provides commanding view of the surrounding coconut and betel nut trees, the nearby Suvarnadurg Fort, the Arabian Sea and surrounding hills.
Other nearby places of tourist interest includes Asud (famous for temples of Shree Keshavraj & Shree Vyagreshwar), Ladghar (virgin beach with beautiful rocks), Bhairab Ram temple, Mahalaxmi temple, Yakub Baba Darga and quite a few others.

How to reach Dapoli?

By Air – Ratnagiri at a distance of 100 Km is the nearest airport. Pune at a distance of about 200 Km and Mumbai at a distance of about 240 Km are the other options.
By Rail – Khed on Konkan Railway is the nearest railway station at a distance of about 27 Km from Dapoli. The journey on Konkan Rail must be taken in day time to enjoy the scenic beauty.
By Road – Journey by road from Mumbai or Pune is indeed a fascinating experience. Dapoli is well connected by all weather metallic roads with major cities of Maharashtra and adjoining important cities.

Where to stay at Dapoli?

Though Dapoli is a relatively newer tourist destination but is not short of good hotels and resorts. Apart from Government run tourist bungalows, private hotels of varying ranges are in plenty. Some of the good staying options are :-
Aryawarta (Booking contact number – 02358-283088/282313)
Hotel Pathik (Booking contact number – 02358-282946)
Beach Resort Silver Sand (Booking contact number – 03258-234501)
Kisan Bhavan (Booking contact number – 02358-282025)
Hotel Jayant Padmaja (Booking contact number – 02358-282212)
Hotel Vrundawan (Booking contact number – 02358-282220)

Tithal – one of the finest beaches on the western coast of India along Arabian Sea has grown into a popular tourist destination of Gujarat in recent years. The palm fringed beaches along with immensely popular temples of Sai Baba and Swaminarayan on the beach combines perfectly to make it a holy beach resort of Gujarat. Nearness to important cities like Surat, Ahmedabad and Mumbai makes Tithal an ideal weekend gateway to relax and rejuvenate in its sandy beaches. If one wishes to discover nature in its pristine form and quench his spiritual thirst then he must pay a visit to Tithal beach.

Where is Tithal?

The beach of Tithal is in the western part of the Valsad city. Valsad is the district headquarter of Valsad district in the Indian state of Gujarat.

About Tithal

Tithal beach was hardly a known destination among tourists a few years back. The place first came into prominence with the set up of Sai Baba temple and Ashram. Although the place is now a popular destination is still untouched by modern encroachments.
The stunningly beautiful palm fringed beach of Tithal is an ideal gateway to escape the humdrums of urban life and let oneself loose to bask in the unblemished beauty of the nature in its full bloom. The best way to relax and get rid of the tiredness is to recline on its golden glistening sandy expanse amidst palm fringed cottages for long hours and observe the beauty of the nature. Apart from its serene and tranquil beauty, swimming, surfing, parasailing, fishing and diving are some of the other major attractions of this grand natural beach. Staying options at cottages with all modern amenities on the beach is another major point of attraction of Tithal.
Tithal is now more a religious beach resort of south Gujarat where Sai Baba, Ausho Rajnish, Jains Bandhutriputi and Swaminarayana have made their holydham. The tourism department and government’s initiatives have put Tithal strongly on the tourism map of India.

Sightseeing in and around Tithal

Apart from the scenic beauty of the grand beach with unique blackish sand, there are quite a few places in and around Tithal which are major tourist attraction for tourists. Some of them are :

Swaminarayan Temple – This large temple on the beach is one of the prime attractions of Tithal. Apart from being a major tourist attraction, large number of devotees flock to this temple for offering their prayers and quenching their spiritual thirst. This nice and clean temple on the beach is worth a visit to discover how nature and God are the two faces of the same coin. This beautiful temple also provides accommodation facilities to weary travellers. It is probably the most beautiful place to stay and enjoy in Tithal.
Sai Baba Temple – Popularly known as Saidham, it is another major tourist attraction. Situated on the other side of the beach, it also has a good guesthouse and resting facilities. Daily arti in the evening is attended by a large number of devotees from far and near. Immense popularity of Sai Baba has added to the number of visitors visiting Tithal.

Hazira Beach – This is another beach nearby which provides an ample opportunity to discover oneself alone in the lap of nature. This virgin beach is certainly an ideal place to spend time with your loved ones dancing to the tune of the placid waves.

How to reach Tithal?

By Air – Surat at a distance of about 105 Km is the nearest airport of Tithal beach in Valsad city. Airport at Vadodara at a distance of about 250 Km is another option for those travelling through air.
By Train – Valsad is a prominent railway station in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route. From the station, the beach is just 05 Km away.
By Road – Valsad is well connected to all major cities like Surat, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Vadodara, etc with good conditioned metallic roads.

Where to stay in Tithal?

Staying on the beach in modern cottages is undoubtedly a good and memorable option. One can also stay at the Saidham or Swaminarayan temple. There are also a number of good staying options in the city of Valsad ranging from budget accommodations to luxury hotels.
Salty Beach Resort (For booking contact – 02632255111/09904355111)
Hotel Adina Palace (For booking contact – 02632-248067/248068/222427)
Country Club resort (For Booking contact – 02632-227900)
Hotel Dhanalaxmi (For booking contact – 09377633023)

Ganpatipule – an unique tourist destination offering a dream holiday on the white sand of the beaches of Arabian Sea and paying homage to the 400 years old Swayambhu Ganapati as well. Bathed in the golden sunshine and silver moonlight, lapped by gentle foam-flecked waves of Arabian Sea, laced with the unforgettable aroma of fruits, flowers and mangroves, timid whispers of swaying coconut trees and self originated unique idol of Lord Ganapati, – all these are some of the snapshots that best describes Ganpatipule.

Where is Ganpatipule?

Ganpatipule is in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. Located on the Konkan coast, this picturesque beach resort with a Midas touch is 375 Km from Mumbai and 331 Km from Pune.

About Ganpatipule

With greenery all around, the sun-drenched beach of Ganpatipule with silvery sands, long lines of coconut and casuarinas has developed into a hot tourist destination in recent years. Absence of maddening tourist rush has kept the beach as natural and pristine as ever. The entire coastline is breathtakingly beautiful, with pristine beaches, overhung by cliffs and interspersed by pretty little creeks. Panoramic view of the virgin beach of Ganpatipule and blue waters of the Arabian Sea from the hill top behind the temple is an unforgettable experience. Magnificent view of the sunrise and sunset from the beaches are added attraction of Ganpatipule.
The ancient temple of Swayambhu Ganapati having self-originated idol of Lord Ganesha on the beach at the foot of a small hillock has added to the importance of Ganpatipule and made it a preferred pilgrimage destination of the Hindus. The temple is considered as one of the eight significant Ganapatis (Ashta Ganapatis) of India and attracts a large number of devotees throughout the year. Ganesha Chaturthi and Vianayaki Chaturthi are celebrated with much pomp and grandeur with devotees from all over the country flocking at large number.
Another huge attraction of Ganpatipule is that it is a hot destination for water sports. MTDC provides the facilities of water sports which include row boats, water scooters, and motor boats.
Journey to Ganpatipule, whether by rail or road through the Western Ghat chains of green hills is a fascinating experience with nature unearthing a new beauty in every twists and turns along the way.

Sightseeing in and around Ganpatipule

Jaigadh Fort – Located at a distance of around 35 Km from Ganpatipule is the Jaigadh Fort offering a commanding view of the Arabian Sea. This 17th century fort was primarily built to guard the Port of Jaigadh. The fort is located on a cliff and has motorable road upto its entrance. View of the Sangameshwar River meeting up with the Arabian Sea is totally astonishing.
Visit to Ganpatipule seems incomplete without a visit to Jaigadh Fort. The fort though in ruins draws large number of visitors throughout the year.

The lighthouse located at the western edge of the fort complex was built in 1832 and still functional today.
Cave Temple – About 60 Km from Ganpatipule lies the famous cave temple of Marleswar dedicated to Lord Shiva. The unique location of the place makes it an important pilgrimage destination for followers of Lord Shiva. Waterfall of Dhareshwar located near the cave is an added attraction.
Pawas – At a distance of nearly 70 Km from Ganpatipule lies the beautiful and serene place named Pawas. The beauty of the place is so spiritual in nature that it even inspired Swami Swaroopanand, a Marathi spiritual leader, who stayed here for a long time. One should definitely visit Pawas to explore its out-of-the-world -beauty.

The Baw Palace – Dethroned king of Myanmar built this palace in 1911 after he was exiled. The king and the queen stayed at this palace till their death in 1916. The palace is extremely popular among tourists. The five years of their stay at this palace have been immortalized in stone.
Sangameshwar – About 62 Km from Ganpatipule on the Mumbai-Goa highway at Sangameshwar lies an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The old temple at the confluence of two rivers Sangameshwar and Alaknanda is a popular pilgrimage destination. Devotees in large number visit the temple during Shivratri.

How to reach Ganpatipule?

By Air – Ratnagiri, at a distance of 50 Km is the nearest airport. Belgaum at a distance of 300 Km and Mumbai at about 375 Km are the other options.
By Rail – Bhoke on the Konkan Railway at a distance of 35 Km is the nearest railhead. However Ratnagiri, at a distance of 45 Km is the more convenient one.
By Road – One can reach Ganpatipule by overnight luxury bus journey from both Mumbai and Pune. Good metallic road connects Ganpatipule with all major cities of Maharashtra and adjoining states.

Where to Stay at Ganpatipule?

MTDC Beach Resort (02357-235248)
Hotel Sree Sagar (02357-235145)
Hotel Ganeshkripa (02357-235228)
Avishekh Beach Resort (09830066522)
Hotel Durbankur (02357-235764)
Hotel Gokul (02357-235031)

Visakhapatnam – popularly known as Vizag is one of the most popular tourist destination of Andhra Pradesh. The port city of Vizag has something to offer for every tourist, whether he is a nature lover, a pilgrim, an adventure sports lover or someone who merely wants to relax and rejuvenate. Sprawling golden beaches, splendid monuments, ancient temples, a natural harbour are some of the snapshots that has made Vizag so popular among tourist fraternity. Visakhapatnam is a city of cultural & religious diversity which truly depicts the essence of “Incredible India”.

Where is Vizag?

Vizag is the district headquarters of Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh in India.

About Vizag

Situated on the east coast of India and lapped by Bay of Bengal, the city of Vizag has grown into a popular tourist destination in recent years. The beach city of Vizag is surrounded by three hills, each of which has a shrine dedicated to a different religion – Venkateswara on Venkateswara Konda, Baba Ishaq Madina Dargah on Dargah Konda and Church of the Virgin Mary on Rose Hill. The unique combination of small hills, sandy beaches and blue sea makes Vizag a unique destination as well.
View of the blue waters of the sea, golden sands of the beaches and ships swaying on the sea waters viewed from the small hills almost on the sea coast is a memorable experience hardly found anywhere in India. Moreover, various tourism friendly steps taken by the Vizag Urban Development Authority (VUDA) has transformed Vizag into a hot tourist destination.

Sightseeing in and around Vizag

Kailashgiri – This small and charming hillock facing the sea front is at an altitude of 130 m within the city. The hillock owes its name to the magnificent open air statue of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Kailashgiri has been developed as a major tourist attraction by VUDA. The park developed at the hill top offers breathtaking and enchanting view of the sea, beaches, lush green forests and the bustling city.
Ropeway that takes people from the foot to the top of the hill and back is an added attraction to this wonderful place. One more new attraction is the toy train operating atop of this hill top park.
Ramkrishna Beach – The beach is commonly called RK Beach and is one of the best and most popular tourist spot of Vizag. This long beach though not ideal for swimming has a landscape beyond comparison. Apart from being a favourite and nice spot to spend time relaxing on the softy sand the place is also ideal to enjoy the sunset and sunrise amidst the tranquil waters.
An aquarium (Matsyadarshini), the Kali temple, War Memorial (Victory at Sea) dedicated to the memory of 1971 Indo-Pak war soldiers, VUDA Park (Also called Taraka Rama Park after former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Sri N T Rama Rao) Visakha Museum, Roadside restaurants offering seafood are other attractions at this beautiful beach.

Simachalam – The temple of Simachalam having Sri Varahalakshmi Narasimha Swamy as the principal deity is located atop a small hill at a distance of 18 Km from the city of Vizag. It is one of the eighteen shrines of Lord Narasimha in India and is known to be the second richest temple in India (after Tirupati). A wide road is there for driving up to the temple. Bus service is available from foot of the hill to the temple premises. There is a separate route for trekking to Simachalam temple from Madhava Dhara side.
The deity at Simachalam, the lion-man incarnation of Lord Mahavishnu is usually covered with sandalwood paste and gives holy appearance for only 12 hours in a year on Akshaya Tritiya day. The original shape of the deity in the tribhanga posture has two hands with the head of a lion on a human torso.
View of the panoramic surroundings from the hill top is an added attraction making it ideal for nature lovers as well. Millions of devotees from around the world visit this temple every year.
Rushikonda Beach – At a distance of about 8 Km from the city is the lovely Rushikonda beach. With Rushikonda hill in the background, this unspoilt beach with vast stretch of golden sand and gentle waves is a perfect destination to relax and rejuvenate. Ideal for swimmers, water skiers, and wind surfers the place is undoubtedly one of the most popular destinations for tourists visiting Vizag.

Submarine Museum – This unique museum created in a real (now de-commissioned) submarine, Kurusura, of Indian Navy is the first of its kind in eastern Asia. Situated at Ramkrishna beach, the museum gives an insight of how a submarine works, how submariners work and live inside a submarine. The Museum remains open for public from 9 am to 9 pm and narrations by qualified officers of the Indian Navy make it a memorable experience. The museum has grown immensely popular in recent years.
Dolphin’s Nose – A strange but popular tourist attraction, Dolphin’s Nose is a mammoth rocky headland. The rock juts out into the sea resembling the shape of Dolphin’s nose. Situated at an altitude of 358 m, the place apart providing a panoramic view of the city is a nature’s gift in its rarest form.
Presence of a lighthouse capable of directing ships 65 Km away makes it the most prominent landmark of the city.

How to reach Vizag?

By Air – The city has its own airport. Regular flights of both Indian Airlines and private airliners connect Vizag with all major Indian cities.
By Rail – Visakhapatnam is an important railway junction in the Kolkata-Chennai rail route. As such this port city is well connected with major Indian cities by rail.
By Road – Being located along NH 05, Vizag is well connected by road with all major cities of the state as well as with Kolkata, Chennai, Bhubaneshwar and others.

Where to stay at Vizag?

Being a popular tourist destination, Vizag offers a wide range of accommodation facilities, ranging from cheap budget hotels to luxurious star category hotels. Some of them are :-
The Park (0891-2754488, 2713600, 2754092)
A.P.Tourism Yatrinivas (0891-2562333)
Hotel Taj Residency (0891-2567756)
Hotel Dolphin (0891-2567000)
Hotel Apsara (0891-2564861)
Hotel Daspalla (0891-2717300)
Hotel Nirala Saikate (09433258157)
Jubilee Beach Inn (0891-2706026)

Konark - famous for its 13th century Sun Temple is perhaps the most popular tourist destination of Orissa after Puri, the city of Lord Jagannatha. The temple of the Sun God is a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site visited by tourists from around the world throughout the year. The sprawling beach of Konark at a strolling distance from the Sun temple is rated amongst the finest beaches of India on the eastern coastline. The sea-side town of Konark is thronged by tourists who are either here for pilgrimage to the Sun Temple or enjoying the architectural grandeur of the temple or are here to relax in the white sand of the wide beach.

Where is Konark?

Konark is a small town in the Puri district of the state of Orissa, India, on the coast of Bay of Bengal. Konark is just 65 Km from the state capital Bhubaneswar.

About Konark

Konark, at a distance of just 35 Km from the sacred city of Puri offers a unique combination of blue sea, beach having white sand, and temple dedicated to the Sun God. The temple town of Konark (also spelled as Konarak) though famous for the Sun Temple also has a number of other temples dedicated to various Hindu gods and goddesses.
The Sun Temple at Konark was built in about 1250 AD by Narasimhadeva, a king of the East Ganga dynasty to commemorate military success against Muslim invaders. It remained buried under a huge mound of sand until early 20th century, when restoration by the British rechristened the shrine in its present form. However according to Hindu mythology the temple was built by Samba, son of Lord Krishna. Samba was cured from leprosy after a rigorous penance of 12 years by Surya, the Sun God, in whose honour he built the temple.
Description of Konark would probably be incomplete without the mention of famous “Konark Dance Festival” held every year from 1st to 5th December. Classical dance performance on the open-air stage with the floodlit Sun Temple at the backdrop creates an illusion that the images, carved in the Temple become alive to perform on this open-air stage. The accompanying divine music and the breathtaking movements of the performers turn the event into a truly out-of-this-world spectacle.

Sightseeing in and around Konark

The Sun Temple - The entire temple has been designed in the shape of a chariot carrying the Sun God and is made of black stone. The twelve pairs of exquisitely-ornamented wheels of the chariot dragged by seven galloping horses carved around the base are the major attractions of the temple. The spokes of these wheels serve as sundials, and the shadows formed suggests the precise time of the day. The entrance is guarded by two lions, each crushing a war elephant. Each elephant in turn lies on top of a human body. The surfaces of the temple are carved with exquisite stone sculptures with a wide variety of subjects, including many erotic scenes based on the Kama Sutra.
Just beyond the porch is a double staircase that leads to a shrine containing a statue of Surya, the Sun God. The beautiful image is carved of high-quality green chlorite stone and is one of the masterpieces of Konark. Surya is accompanied by a small figure of Aruna, the charioteer, at his feet.
Despite the fact that the temple, also known as Black Pagoda, is in ruins, and has lost many of its original structures, the remaining porch area and the structures of this temple complex represent a pinnacle of the Indian stonework art. The remaining intricate stone sculpture speaks highly of the imaginative power of the artistes of the time.

The Konark Sun Temple houses a Natamandira or dancing hall at the entrance of the temple. This is where the temple dancers used to perform dances in homage to the Sun god during rituals. Sculptures of musicians and dancers in its pillars suggest the fact.
Only two subsidiary temples out of the 22 exist today.
Mayadevi Temple - To the west of the main temple are the remains of temple no.2 popularly called the temple of Mayadevi, believed to be one of the wives of Lord Surya. This small shrine was built earlier than the main Sun temple
Vaishnava Temple - The small brick temple facing east in south-west corner of the compound was discovered in 1956 during the sand clearance. Also called temple no.3 the temple is devoid of any exterior decoration. Images of Balarama and two parsvadevatas of Varaha and Trivikrama were unearthed (now displayed in Archaeological Museum, Konark) proving its Vaishnava affiliation.
Nabgrah Temple - There is a Temple containing the nine planets- Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu. It is located to the right of main entrance.
Archaeological Museum - There is an Archaeological Museum Just outside the Sun Temple that contains many sculptures and carvings found during the temple excavations. This is must visit for tourists and students of archaeology.
Sacred Pond – Just beside the Konark beach is the sacred pond where Samba, son of Lord Krishna is believed to have been cured from leprosy. During the the full moon phase of Magha, a big religious festival is held at the Chandrabhaga beach and is known as Magha Saptami Mela.
Ramchandi Temple – 8 Km from Konark, on the confluence of river Kushabhadra, is a religious place of worship where Goddess Ramchandi is worshipped.
Kuruma – At a distance of about 8 Km from Konark, Kuruma is the place where a Buddhist site has been excavated. Antique images of Buddha have been unearthed from here.

Chandrabhaga Beach – Just 3 Km from the Sun Temple is the Konark beach, popularly known as Chandrabhaga beach. Famous for providing magnificent view of sunrise and sunset, the long and wide sylvan sand of the beach is an ideal place to relax and rejuvenate. The beach guarantees solitude with the charm of the dense casuarinas grooves, fringing the light house and the orange-red sun mingling with the sea. Apart from soaking in the Sun, strolling on the beach is a pleasant experience.
The shrines of Laxminarayan, Amareswara, and Barahi at Chaursi are good excursions from Konark.

How to reach Konark?

By Air – The nearest airport is Bhubaneshwar at a distance of about 65 Km. Bhubaneshwar is well connected to other major cities of the country.
By Rail – Puri Railway Station at a distance of about 34 Km is the nearest railhead. Puri is well connected by rail to other major Indian cities.
By Road – Being located on NH23, Konark is well connected with other parts of the country through a good network of roads.

Where to stay at Konark?

O.T.D.C. Panthanivas (06758-236831)
O.T.D.C. Yatrinivas (06758-236820)
Royal Lodge (06758-236818)
Konark Lodge (06758-236502)
Travellers Lodge (06758-236820)

Tarkarli beach, situated on the west coast of India along the Arabian sea is still one of the virgin beaches of Maharashtra which has not yet been swept by tourists.. Far away from the humdrum of the city life, the beach of Tarkarli presents the perfect destination for all those weary hearts who wish to relax and rejuvenate. Located at the convergence of the Karli River and the Arabian sea the place has gained prominence because of its transparently clear seas and the MTDC Resort which has started in recent years.

Where is Tarkarli?

Tarkarli beach is in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, India. It is situated 6 Km south of Malvan 160 Km from Kolhapur and 546 Km from Mumbai.

About Tarkarli

The major attraction of Tarkarli is the long and narrow stretch of white sand that seems to run forever, emerald green pristine waters and a line of casuarina trees in the backdrop which seems to hide the beach from outside world. In fact, the water is so clear that on a fairly sunny day, one can clearly see the sea-bed upto 20 feet of depth. Adding to the beauty of the Tarkarli beach are the Shuru trees, which provide the green background to the white beach sands.

The wide river, the beautiful sailboats and the tiny wonderful islands hamlets situated on the river bank, adds to the beauty of Tarkarli making it one of the best beaches of India according to the London Sunday Times magazine.

In and around Tarkarli

When at Tarkarli do not forget to visit the forts of Sindhudurg and Padmagarh. Fort Sindhudurg is one of Maharashtra’s more popular and important sea fort, built in the 17th century by the great Marathi ruler Shivaji.
There is a coral reef located in the outskirts of this island of Sindhudurg which is an added attraction. Scuba diving and snorkeling is popular here to witness the corals.

For adventure water sports lovers, snorkeling and scuba diving facilities are also available at Tarkarli. For novice, well-trained snorkeling guides will guide snorkeling trip ensuring safety and make it sure that one can have the first and finest ever experience of marine life.
While at Tarkarli, do make a point to taste special Malvani food like Kombadi Vada and variety of fish items.

How to reach Tarkarli?

By Air - Nearest airport is Dabolin (Goa) at a distance of 190 Km. One can also come down at the Mumbai airport.
By Rail - Nearest railhead is Kudal, 45 kms, on Konkan Railway.
By Road - State Transport buses ply from Mumbai, Kolhapur, Pune to Malvan and from Malvan to Tarkarli. Rickshaws are also available from Malvan.

Where to stay at Tarkarli?

The newly built MTDC Cottages built in Konkani style are ready to provide comfortable accommodation and recreation facilities. MTDC has even made houseboat facility at Tarkarli. Two houseboats, namely, Hiranyakeshi (a deluxe houseboat) and Karli (a standard houseboat) are at the service of discerning traveler. These fully equipped luxury boats have the Hi-tech equipment and all luxurious amenities on board.
For more details and booking contact at 02365-254243.
Staying at Swati Tent Resort is another very good option. For booking contact at 09320747798