Maharashtra: Rich in Culture and Tradition

Maharashtra is a state which represents rich culture, prosperity, spirituality and tradition. This Indian state has preserved its traditions amidst advancing industrialization and has gained its rightful place as a global tourist destination. Today, airlines operate flights to Mumbai from almost every corner of the world as well as other parts of India. Maharashtra is home to Marathas, who contributed immensely towards India’s rich heritage and culture. The state is renowned for its quality of education, and of course, Bollywood, the dream merchants of the country. Here are some facts which Maharastra which make Maharashtra unique.

Art and craft: Maharashtra is famous for Paithani sarees, Warli paintings, kolhapuri jewelery, etc. Hand-made sandals and chappals made of leather are known for their quality, design and style, known as Kolhapuri chappals. Kolhapur jewelery is one of Maharashtra’s famous exports, particularly the necklace known as the Kolhapur saaj.

Warli paintings art of Maharastra (Photo Courtesy: http://www.nazarmagazine.com)

Dance culture: Various dance forms are performed on festivals and special occasions in the state. Dhangari Gaja is performed by Sholapur Dhangars to honor their God Biruba. Another popular dance form is the Lavani, which interprets romance and passion at its best. Povadas is equivalent to Ballad, which aims at explaining the life and times of Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Lavani interpretation of romance and passion (Photo Courtesy: http://mumbai-eyed.blogspot.in)

Religions: Though 80% of the state’s population is Hindu, Maharashtra is a secular state and several religious co-exist here peacefully. Hindus pray to Lord Krishna and Ganesha, and Janmashtami and Ganesh Chaturthi are the popular festivals in Maharashtra. Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Zoroastrians, Jews and Buddhists co-exist happily in this vast Indian state.

Cuisine: Pani puri and vada paav of are some of the most popular Maharashtrian snacks. Fish and meat are poplar, especially the Bombil fish. Bharlivangi is a popular vegetarian dish prepared by filling spicy coconut stuffing into brinjals. Pachadi is a mix of vegetables in a sauce of green mangoes and coconuts. Shreekhand, puran poli and modak are Maharashtra’s favorite sweet dishes.

Popular Bombil fish fry (Photo Courtesy: http://sanjivkhamgaonkar.wordpress.com)

Fairs and festivals: Apart from Ganesh Chaturthi and Janmashtmi, Diwali is also celebrated with great show and pomp. The state also celebrates Narali Poornima, Dusshera, Bakari Eid, Ramzan Eid, Gudi Padawa, Moharram, Mahashivratri, Holi, Shree Datta Jayanti, Vata Poornima, etc. Ellora Ajanta festival is held every January in Aurangabad, and the Elephanta Festival in March.

Ganesh Chaturthi (Photo Courtesy: http://www.journeymart.com)

Breaking Dahi Handi at Janmashtmi (Photo Courtesy: http://www.boston.com)

People of Maharashtra are kind hearted, and welcome guests with warmth and love. If you would love to experience the rich culture and tradition of this unique Indian state, check for Mumbai flights today. Plan a holiday and experience Maharashtra in all its hues.

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Hubli - A blend of history and natural beauty

Hubli-Dharwad is a destination with a lot of specialties. For one, it has a beautiful lake spread across 200 acres of land. The other main reason being the influence of Persian, Kannada, and Marathi on the language, and the food which is a confluence of many neighboring states. Be it lush greenery, heritage historical landmarks, pristine beaches, or majestic temples, Hubli has everything an exotic location has to offer.

Here are some of the must-see places in Hubli.

• Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary: This sanctuary is an adventurer’s paradise. Indulge is white water rafting, kayaking, or canoeing. If the adventure spirit manifests itself as trekking, mountain biking, or cycling, you can enjoy these sports too. If spotting crocodiles or bird watching is on your mind, it is possible too. Dandeli is the perfect location you can do all this and more.

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary (Photo Courtesy: http://www.journeymart.com)

• Anshi National Park: This national park in the Western Ghats is rich in flora and fauna. If you are an avid bird watcher, this park is the right place for you.  You could find 197 rare species of birds. Not to mention the elusive black panther, tiger, wild boar, deer, and a wide variety of reptiles.

Anshi National Park (Photo Courtesy: https://plus.google.com)

• Gokarna: Gokarna is home to the famous Mahabaleshwar Temple. If pristine beaches are your idea of holiday, then Gokarna is just the right place for you.

Gokarna Half moon Beach (Photo Courtesy: http://say2daffodil.blogspot.in)

• Badami: With caves temples dating back to 6th and 7th century AD, Badami is a history lover’s paradise, not to mention the fascinating expressions of Badami Chalukya architecture.

Badami (Photo Courtesy: http://wikitravel.org)

• Aihole: You couldn’t possibly find more temples concentrated in a place than at Aihole. 125 temples - surely this is the cradle of Hindu temple architecture.

Aihole (Photo Courtesy: http://en.wikipedia.org)

• Hampi: Hampi is a UNESCO world heritage site. Hampi is the seat of the Vijayanagara Empire, the largest empire after the Moghul dynasty. Surely, a must see place!

Hampi (Photo Courtesy: http://www.indianmirror.com)

If long hours of travel on unforgiving roads was what kept the tourists away from Hubli, here is a great piece of news for those wanting to visit this fascinating locale. A spate of low-cost carriers now operate flights between the bigger cities and Hubli. Another good reason to travel to Hubli this summer is the fact that many of these carriers are offering great discounts on flights to Hubli and other domestic destinations. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to visit some of best known heritage sites in the world and places of natural beauty Plan your travel now!

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Top 10 Tourist places in Guangzhou

Guangzhou, otherwise known as Canton, is a popular place for its cuisine and foreign trade, which dates back to centuries. It is not just the skyscrapers and the glitzy malls that make Guangzhou a tourist hotspot, the rich culture is its real allure. Here are some of the must-see attractions in Guangzhou:

Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street: The busiest pedestrian streets in Guangzhou, there are 300 shops that line this street. The street is a mix of South European and Cantonese Style, which in itself is an attractive proposition altogether. It is only natural that you will find anything from Eurpean to Cantonese cuisine at the restaurants and the corner shops.

Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street (Photo Courtesy: http://www.joguru.com)

A Night Boat on the Pearl River: The longest river in China, Pearl River is a combination of four river systems, which flow as one and reach the South China Sea. You could marvel at the endless neon lights reflecting on the river. The Scenic Corridor alongside the river is the perfect way to enjoy a walk with a gentle breeze against your torso.

A Night Boat on the Pearl River (Photo Courtesy: http://www.chinatourguide.com)

Former Site of Whampoa Military Academy: Guangzhou, the Whampoa Military Academy founded in 1924 by Sun Yat-sen to groom military officers. The academy used to organize the revolutionary military talents at the time. The old school buildings, an exhibition of historical records, and Sun Yat-sen Monument are places you wouldn’t forget in a long time.

Former Site of Whampoa Military Academy (Photo Courtesy: http://www.china.org.cn)

Sacred Heart Cathedral: The oldest Cathedral in Guangzou, this Gothic style church was built in 1888. This church is 35 metres wide, 78.69 long with twin towers as high as 58.5 metres. No surprise that this is called the Notre Dame de Paris.

Sacred Heart Cathedral (Photo Courtesy: http://www.china.org.cn)

Baiyun Mountain: Baiyun Mountain lives up to its monicker of White Cloud Mountain. With its rich collection of historical relics and natural scenery, this mountain is a fascinating sight to behold with the white clouds that gather around its base.

Baiyun Mountain (Photo Courtesy: http://www.china.org.cn)

Western Han Nanyue King's Tomb Museum: This museum gives a great account of the elegant Han Dynasty architecture as well as Guangzhou’s 2000-year heritage. The colorful murals and a silk-jade garment made up of 2291 pieces of jade, all joined by a single silk threat is the highlight of the mausoleum. 

Western Han Nanyue King's Tomb Museum (Photo Courtesy: http://www.expedia.co.nz)

Yuexiu Park: The largest park in Guangzhou is also the most famous picnic spot around. This park is perched atop Mount Yuexiu, and known for its cultural relics and natural beauty.

Yuexiu Park (Photo Courtesy: http://www.visitourchina.com)

Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family: This ancestral temple is an academic and spiritual temple Guangzhou is proud of. The temple also houses the Guangdong Folk Art Museum which showcases work from southern part of China including wood carvings and pottery.

Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family (Photo Courtesy: http://www.mychinatours.com)

Shamian Island: This is one of the best places to experience European architecture which include churches, consulates, schools, banks and offices. Styling cues range from gothic, boroque to the neoclassical.

Statues in Shamian Island Guangzhou (Photo Courtesy: http://www.panoramio.com)

Ours Lady of Lourdes Chapel in Shamian Island Guangzhou (Photo Courtesy: http://en.wikipedia.org)

Bright Filial Piety Temple: The history of this temple dates back 1700 years. The temple has a longer history than than the city of Guangzhou. The temple gives great insights into the history of Chinese Buddhism, culture, and architecture.

Bright Filial Piety Temple (Photo Courtesy: http://en.wikipedia.org)

China has seen a surge in tourism in the last decade, especially holiday makers from neighbor, India. A spate of international and India carriers operate flights to Guangzhou from India. A visit to China and Guangzhou in particular would be a fascinating holiday experience. Many of these carriers offer discounts and price-cuts on fares when you travel during the summer months or the months immediately following them. So plan a holiday. Guangzhou and China will be a exciting trip with many interesting stories to tell your friend once you are back home.

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Tourist Destinations in Jabalpur

Madhya Pradesh is a place steeped in history, and there are enough reasons to visit this state. One of them could well be Jabalpur, the most tourist friendly city in Madhya Pradesh. Hills, ponds, rivers, waterfall, historic monuments - Jabalpur checks all the right boxes when it comes to what a tourist wants from a locale. A one-day visit wouldn’t do justice to Jabalpur if your trip is about soaking the sights and sounds of the city. Here are some of the must-see places in Jabalpur:

Bhedaghaat: A popular boating site 25 km away from the main city, Bhedaghaat is one of the most favored picnic spot for tourists visiting Jabalpur. Boating in River Narmada between the gleaming rock will remain etched in your memory for years to come. It’s no surprise that many a Bollywood movies have been shot in this picturesque location, be it an action sequence or the dream song routine.

Bhedaghaat (Photo Courtesy: http://thinkingparticle.com)

Dhuaandhaar Waterfall: This waterfall makes a trip to Bhedaghaat even more worthwhile. The roaring sound and scattering of the water gives you the illusion of a fog, making it one of the most photogenic scenes to behold while on your trip to Jabalpur. 

Dhuaandhaar Waterfall (Photo Courtesy: http://mymptrip.com)

Dumna Natural Reserve: This Eco tourism spot gives you the perfect opportunity to spot wildlife such as chitals, spotted dear, porcupine, jackals, wild boar, and many rare species of birds in their natural habitat. Boating on Khandari Dam makes and the natural reserve’s proximity to Jabalpur’s Dumna airport make it a top draw on the tourist’s itinerary.

Dumna Natural Reserve (Photo Courtesy: http://wildexpeditionindia.com)

Bargi Dam and Narmada Valley: What makes Bargi Dam a hit with the tourists is the chance to indulge in water spots. Not to mention the dam itself, which is 69 meters in height and 5.4 km across. Only one word to describe the sight - spectacular!

Bargi Dam and Narmada Valley (Photo Courtesy: http://bargidam.blogspot.in)

There is much you can explore in Jabalpur. If you are traveling from a far-off place, flying down to Jabalpur will save on time if you have limited number of holidays. You will also have more time on your hands to see the place at a leisurely pace. When it comes to flights to Jabalpur, the city is well-connected to various parts of India as well as abroad. Go ahead, make a trip to Jabalpur. You will surely come back for more of Jabalpur!

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