Vehicle Free Hill station - Matheran

Matheran, a beautiful and smallest hill station in Maharashtra. No Vehicle is allowed in this place, that makes it pollution free and noise free. It is a nice peaceful place close to nature. Matheran is a popular weekend gateway for people who live in Mumbai or Pune.

You can find horses for sightseeing, but the best way to enjoy the beauty of Matheran is on your foot. Best time to visit this place is Monsoon. During Monsoon, nature shows it's best form, you can see greenery all over the place, foggy trails will make you feel like you are amidst of cloud.

Neral is the closest railway station from Matheran, from the station you can take a shared cab till Dasturi Naka. After Dasturi Naka you have to walk or you can take a horse ride as no vehicles are allowed after this place. 

The whole path is beautiful and serene. Fresh air, foggy climate, cool breeze and if it is raining you are in heaven. Matheran is a beautiful tourist spot in Maharashtra. 

Other than Natural beauty and thick fog Toy  train and Zip lining are the main attractions in Matheran. 

Spiritual Treat - Ajmer and Pushkar

Pushkar and Ajmer are at short distance from Jaipur and are worth visiting. Both the places represent different religions but still connected to each other so well. Both places give you spiritual vibes. 

Pushkar
Pushkar is one of the oldest existing cities of India. It lies on the shore of Pushkar Lake. As per the mythology, Pushkar lake was formed by the tears of Lord Shiva after the death of his wife, Sati.
Pushkar lake has 52 ghats adjacent to each other. Pushkar is also famous for its Camel fair and Brahma Temple. There are only few Brahma temples in world and Pushkar have the most ancient one. 
Ghats in Pushkar offers you piece, but you will be soon followed by Pandits who will try to sell you the concept of Pitra Pooja. Do not fall for them.
Pushkar was really a beautiful experience for me. I love the ghats here. 

Ajmer
Ajmer is only half an hour distance from Pushkar. Ajmer is famous for Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. Thousands of people visit this place everyday. You can take Chaddar and flowers with you to gift it in the Mosque.
Because of the crowd you won't get enough time to spend there. So feel the divinity of the gods once you enter this place.
When we reached there we met one man outside the Dargah who started helping us with everything, first I thought that he is doing it for money but later he didn't asked for anything and helped us with all the things. As we have never been to the Dargah so we were not aware of the rituals they follow. He helped us with all those things. That day I realized that how we try to find bad in everything, how we stop believing that someone can be good to us without any reason. I am thankful to that man for making our visit fruitful.

Gigantic yet Spectacular - Niagara Falls

When you are in US how can you miss to see Niagara Falls. So I thought of utilizing one of my extended weekend by visiting the Niagara falls. I do not drive so me and one of my friend booked a tour from New York City.

It was a Saturday morning when we started from China town in NYC. By good chance we both get the front seat in the bus, we were lucky as we were able to see the beautiful roads perfectly. After a long journey (6-7 hrs) we reached Niagara Falls. As soon as you enter the city, you can see the big smoke from far away. Welcome to Niagara Falls !!

We reached the Falls at 5:00 in the evening. Yes, this was my first time I was witnessing such a Gigantic Waterfall. So I stand there and watched it for a while. Spectacular views, the sound of water with the wind and the smoky view takes you to a different world. By the night you can see different colors in the water. You can never get tired of looking it. Because of extended weekend the place was quite crowded but you just have to find a perfect place for yourself and that's it. After that you can only listen rustling sound of the water.

The next day we were ready for the most amazing experience of the famous boat ride, Maid of Mist. They will provide you raincoats which are not really very useful and load you on a ferry, which will take you as close to the falls as possible. This is the closest view you can have of this big waterfall. You will get fully drenched with the mist. Believe me, I was not even able to open my eyes properly because of this so called mist. When you go close to the falls you really see yourself as a very small entity in earth.

This place is totally a commercialized tourist place, so do not expect that you can get solitude here. But yes the beauty of the falls is worthy to take the pain once in a lifetime.

Happy Travelling!

A Day roaming in Delhi

Once I was in Delhi for a day and I decided not to meet any of my friend and roam around all day by myself. I am kind of person who enjoy company of friends as well as company of my own too.

I was not sure about the places I have to visit in a day, so I just started my day with BanglaSaheb Gurudwara. A sacred and beautiful place. This was my second visit. But I really love going this place. So many people around you even though you can feel peace all around. There is a holy pond at the back of GuruDwara where you can see many colorful fish. There is a belief that water of this pond have healing properties. You can have mouthwatering Prasad here and langar to fill your empty tummy. This place have something amazing in it.

How to reach Bangala Sahib Gurudwara: Rajiv Chowk is the nearest metro station. Come out towards Janpath Exit Gate. From here Bangla Sahib would be 15 minutes’ walk.

After having tasty Prasad at the Gurudwara I headed to the Agrasen Ki Baoli, one of my favorite place in Delhi. An Old and Historical monument with 108 Steps. There are graffiti on the walls outside the Baoli. I don’t know why I have so much of love for this place. I always suggest people to go there.

How to reach Agrasen ki Baoli: Barakhamba Road is the nearest metro station and a walking distance away. It is really a task to locate this place.

Sitting there on one of the step of Baoli I was figuring what would be my next destination. My mind came up with many places but my heart got settled for Kutub Minar. A giant 240 feet tall Minar made of red sandstone carved with beautiful elements, attracts you from far. It has a history, better to read it through google :P. You need to pay entry fees here, not much only 10 bucks. Inside the complex you can find very old pictures of this place.

How to reach Qutub Minar: Qutub Minar metro station is the nearest one in Yellow line.

I was having enough of me time by then. Came back to Hotel as I was having an early flight back to my work next day.

Share how you spend your day in Delhi.

A Day Hiking in Yosemite National Park

If you are in San Francisco, USA and you love nature and Who Don’t then Yosemite National Park is a must visit place for you. Yosemite has so much to offer you, Hiking, Camping, Backpacking, Rock Climbing. Yosemite is internationally recognized for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, lakes, mountains, glaciers, and biological diversity.

May to August is a peak season for Yosemite National Park, so if you want to stay inside National Park you have to book them in advance. Me and my friends were there in May end of this year (2017), and we stayed outside the National Park in an Airbnb Home. That house was also pretty awesome with all the amenities, although we were there only at our sleep time. After visiting some of the famous points in San Francisco like The Golden Gate Bridge and Lombard Street we headed towards the point where we have to spend our night before the day of our hike to Yosemite National Park.

Early morning we were all ready for a good hiking day. After driving around an Hour and a half we entered into the Yosemite National Park. We have spotted the first spectacular views of Yosemite Valley after crossing a Tunnel, maybe this is the reason that point is popularly known as Tunnel View. From here you can just see a glimpse of how the vast Yosemite Valley is. You can also see a waterfall at a distant.

There are many different trails which you can hike in Yosemite. As we were on a day Hike we decided to go to the Top of Nevada Falls. When we entered the Park, Parking was almost full, sorry not almost, parking was completely full. So driving from one parking to another for like an hour or so we parked the Car somewhere in the shade of a tree. And from this point we started to walk. And we walked for a while when we reach the point from where actual hike started. The trail begins at Happy Isle parking area in Yosemite National Park. At the start you get a board having name of all trails with their miles.

We chose the mist trail which is shorter but more intense having steep rocky stairs. You need to be careful while walking through there. The first hike was till the Vernal Falls, as we were reaching near to the fall, I was getting amazed by its beauty, I have never seen any waterfall from so close. As you go more and closer to Vernal Falls, the water splash coming with the wind get you wet. After climbing a little more we reached at the start of the Vernal Fall. We sat there for a bit to let our clothes dry. After taking some rest we were ready for the second part of our hike, that to reach Nevada Falls.

Trail to Nevada Fall was not very crowded. We found only a few people while climbing. The Climb was really steep and little slippery because of the small stones. There were many points from where you can appreciate nature’s beauty. Big Mountains, surrounded by trees, you can see how water is making her way to reach the ground. Around 3:30 we were at the top of Nevada Falls. We were really happy looking down that we climbed so much that day. From Nevada Falls you can see the Half Dome, where you have to climb through cables. We had already enough for the day. May be we were able to do that if we started a little early. After resting there a little while, Clicking pictures of the beautiful scenic nature, we started going downwards. This time we took the John Muer trail, Mist trail reconnects John Muer trail at Nevada Falls. It’s a bit longer, but it’s less steep, less rocky and less dangerous. At one point we passed through a way where the water was falling from mountains and there was no way to keep you dry, even our shoes get wet.  Around 6 we reached the point from where we started with our tired body but happy mind.

Things to Note when you are hiking:
1. Keep enough water with you because you won’t get water in your way.

2.  Wear comfortable shoes as path is rocky and steep.

3. Wear Sunscreen.

4.  Keep energy bars to charge you as the climb will take lots of your energy.

Happy Travelling!

Tunnel View

All About Murdeshwar

I was in Mangalore when I visited this place. My Room mate's Mom was in the city and to make her stay fruitful we were making plans for every weekends. One weekend we planned for Murdeshwar, until then I was not even aware of this place.

Murdeshwar is a small town in Karnatka and lies on the coast of Arabian Sea. This place is famous for the Shiva Temple having world's second largest Shiva's Statue.

We booked a cab for Saturday and early morning we were ready to hit the road. Murdeshwar is around 150Km from Mangalore. All the way to Murudeshwar we were all busy in listening songs and talking. Our cab driver was also pretty talkative. He was telling stories about his work and interesting drives. Ride to Murdeshwar is quiet scenic, You can see Sea at one side and greenery on the other side of the road. 123-feet tall Shiva Idol will greet you from far, we saw a gigantic statue of Lord Shiva before even reaching the main temple.

About the temple: This temple is built in Kanduka Hill and is surrounded by Arabian Sea water from three sides. There is 20 floor Gopura present inside the temple. You can see a breathtaking view of the Idol and Murdeshwar beach from the top of the Gopura. It took around 2 years to complete this Idol. The Idol sparkles when sun rays fall on it.

History of Temple: The temple hold interesting history from the time of Ramayan. The Hindu gods attained immortality and invincibility by worshiping a divine Linga called the Atma-Linga. To attain immortality and to obtain Atma-Linga, Ravan worshiped Shiva, Impressed with Ravan devotion, Shiva agreed to give him Atma-Linga but also said that if you place Linga in ground, it would be impossible to move it again. All other lords were worried about the consequences of immortality of Ravan. They requested Ganesh to stop Ravan to reach Lanka. During the time of evening prayer, Ravan take help of a Brahmin boy to hold Atma-Linga so he can complete his prayer. As soon as boy get Linga, he placed it in ground and ran from there, this boy was lord Ganesha.

Ravan tried to uproot the Linga, due to force of the Ravana, Linga get deformed and some pieces of Linga were scattered. The cloth covering the Atma Linga fall in Murdeshwar and a temple has been built here.

Food and Entertainment: A few yards from the temple, is a hotel which is built into the sea, with restaurants located on two separate floors. One can enjoy a meal in the middle of the beauty of the beach and the cool blue waters. For the beach-lovers, it has a serene beach with calm, shallow, waters with plenty of water sports.

How to Reach:

By Air: Nearest airport is Mangalore, 150 Km away from Murdeshwar.

By Train: Murdeshwar has a railway station on the Mangalore-Mumbai Konkan railway route

By Cab: You can also hire a Cab from Mangalore to reach there. The main advantage of having your own vehicle that you can stop at any point and enjoy the beauty.

Hamilton Pool - Beat The Heat

We were on our Austin trip last year and visiting Hamilton Pool was on our list. It is one of the place which you should visit in the US before you die as per the internet. Yes, I did this thing, I searched in google about the places which you should see in US before you die :P, I know it sounds lame, but it's fine.

When I visited this place I only knew that it is not a man made place ,but it is a beautiful natural pool. So I asked google how it gets formed, and I got this:Hamilton Pool Preserve is a natural pool that was created when the dome of an underground river collapsed due to massive erosion thousands of years ago.

We reached there by 11:00 AM i guess, but parking was full so we waited outside the area, passed our time by clicking pictures on that empty road. Note: If you are going in the summer you have to make reservations beforehand, they won't allow you to enter without prior reservation. Around 12:30 we get the parking. To see this beautiful place you need to walk down a 1/4 mile trail which is a little steep and uneven. It is a small natural pool, where water is coming through a 50 foot waterfall. I don't know how I should describe so I have pictures Yayyy!!.

This is a nice place if you want to swim or if you want to just relax and admire the beauty of mother earth. Although sometimes they don't allow swimming due to high bacteria levels in the pool.

You can make reservations and find more information in below link: https://parks.traviscountytx.gov/find-a-park/hamilton-pool

Keep Travelling!!! Stay Happy !!

Kasol - A solo trip

I don't remember exactly when my heart started dreaming of a solo trip, but the desire was so strong that I finally did that. Keeping all my fear and nervousness aside, I finally planned a solo trip on my favorite day, my Birthday. To make a choice of the place was so easy as Kasol was in my mind for so long. 

Started my journey on Friday night from Delhi ISBT. All the buses which routes to Manali or Kullu crosses Bhunter. Journey was so comfortable.
I woke up Saturday morning with a beautiful view outside my window. High mountains and river on my side, always cheers me up.
Around 8 in the morning I reached Bhunter. Bhunter is the place from where you have to change the bus for Kasol. After a 1.5 hour journey of bumpy road I finally reached to Kasol.

It was raining that day. The hotel was nice and comfortable with a very beautiful view outside. I borrowed an umbrella from the reception of the hotel and decided to go out. It was freezing like hell outside.

I spent that day roaming around Kasol and Chalal. Chalal is a small village crossing Parvati River. I found hot spring there and water was really super hot. Before starting for Kasol I had gone through many different blogs over Kasol. So that day I was in search of all those famous cafe. Finally, I rested my legs in Evergreen Cafe. The nice calm place, having sat outside and Inside. Outside is quite beautiful. There was a nice scenic view of snowy mountains. I had some Israeli dish there and Nutella pancakes. The pancakes were just amazing. ( I am not a very much foodie type :P). Rest evening I had spent in my room as outside temp was dropping like hell. It was my Bday Eve.

Before going to sleep, I was continually bothering God and asked for clear weather.
So, here my Bday gift was waiting for me. That morning was so beautiful, l can say one of the most beautiful morning of my life. The day was sunny, I can clearly see all the far away bright mountains. River gush was making me crazy. I was so so happy that day. That was the best Bday gift I can dream for. I had spent almost 2 hours sitting there drinking tea and enjoying the River and mountains.

I planned for Malana but I have dropped that plan as it there was snowfall. So I decided to go to Manikaran. Manikaran is only 4 km from Kasol.
It was my second visit to Manikaran.

Those who are not aware, Manikaran is a sacred place for Hindu and Sikhs. There are a Gurudwara and temple of Lord Shiva. This place is a source of the big hot spring. An interesting fact about this place is all Prasad is cooked in this hot spring. There is a separate hot water pond inside the temple where you can dip your foot and relax for a while. I had lunch at Langar and then left for Kasol after spending a quality time there.

After coming back to Kasol I booked a place on a big stone on the bank of parvati river and spent the rest of my time sitting there and enjoying the awesome weather.
I don't know if anything changed inside me after this trip, but it was quite an amazing experience overall. I just loved this trip.
If you have a tight budget, you can take a trip to Kasol. Very low budget and a beautiful place to roam around

Happy Travelling!!!

Wall Graffiti

Bridge between Kasol and Chalal

Foggy view

Snowfall