Arambol- The Bohemian Beach...!!

It was a nice drive past the wonderful serene beaches of Morjim and Ashwem to the bohemian Arambol. It is not without reason that the hippies, foreign backpackers and bohemian lovers call this beach their home. It is a far cry from the maddening crowds of Baga, Calangute and Anjuna. This serene beach which is mostly frequented by foreign backpackers has a beautiful landscape with hills in the background, white sands and occasionally jutting rocks. Arambol also boasts of numerous beach shacks which are some of the most wonderfully built ones I have ever seen.

As we walked into the beach, the sun was about to set, the colourful boats were laid back on the shore, bohemians were frolicking, children were playing a game of cricket, youngsters were dribbling a football, a few were building sand castles, a couple of them were having a session of yoga, many were strolling on the beach with the waters kissing their feet and a few like me were capturing all these wonderful moments. The beach has numerous massage centres, yoga centres and body painting options to attract the travellers.

  

After a long languorous stroll across the beach, we moved towards the northern end where we climbed on to a elevation which is lined with numerous stalls, restaurants and shacks. Across this hill lies another beach which also happens to be a part of Arambol. The beach is called Paliem/ Colomb beach. More foreign crowd and more serenity is what welcomed us to this small beach. It also has a small fresh water lake close to the colourful shacks with Waghcolomb hill in the background.

We walked further north and a small winding pathway took us up the hills in the background through a small forest cover. After a walk of about 20 minutes we reached a banyan tree where a lot of people were meditating, mostly foreigners. They had set up a fire camp and also had an idol of Shiva. We had two options, either to sit there with them or walk up further. With the light fading at a quick pace we decided to tread further up the hill. A further 10 minutes walk and we were on top of the hill from where the splendid views of the beach, the fresh water lake and the sun was mind blowing.

  
Without wasting much time on top which was devoid of people we trekked back and the last few stretches in complete darkness. By the time we reached the beach, the shacks were all lit up, the crowds had moved into them and the sun had given way to the moon and stars. Arambol still exudes what the real bohemian lover or hippies are looking for. Hippies have moved on from Calangute to Anjuna to Vagator to Arambol. However the crowds have also followed their trails. So before it turns out into another weekend beach in Goa, make the most of bohemian Arambol.

Signing Note- Transform yourself into a hippie in Arambol...!! 

Route- Panjim- Mapusa- Siolim- Mandrem- Arambol
Distance- 35Kms

Vadakkumnathan Temple...!!

Situated at the centre of Thrissur town, this quintessential Kerala temple is the abode of Lord Shiva and has one of the largest temple complexes in the state. Wonderful architectures and mural paintings make Vadakkumnathan the epitome of Kerala temples. Thrissur pooram, which is one of the biggest temple festivals in Kerala is conducted within its premises. The temple is very well maintained and its peaceful environment is sure to leave you spellbound for long. Chirping of the birds and Shiva chants are the only audible decibels. 

Signing Note- Undoubtedly one of the most serene temples in the country...!!

Location- Thrissur, Kerala.

Colourful Melancholy...!!

Anjuna, Goa. December 2012

Old Goa- Of Cathedrals, Churches, Chapels and Convents...!!

It was a lovely morning ride on my hired Royal enfield all the way from Anjuna to Velha Goa. Velha Goa!! That is the Portuguese translation for Old Goa. In fact the name Velha Goa is quite commonly used by people of that region. From Panjim, along with the enfield I had River Mandovi for companionship through the villages of Ribander till I reached the UNESCO world heritage site of Old Goa. As I rode from Panaji, the landscape, houses, people and everything changed. Even though it was crowded, the place with numerous Cathedrals, Churches, Chapels and Convents still holds an old world charm. The prominence of Christianity cannot be ignored in this part of the world.

Built by the Bijapur Sultans in the 15th century, the city was evangelised from the 16th to the 18th century by the Portuguese before abandoning it in the 18th century after it was hit by a plague. The beautiful structures have intricate carvings both on the outside and inside. 

Basilica De Bom Jesus with its imposing facade and baroque architecture stands tall and was the first one that I visited. The Basilica looked quite different from others with   respect to its dark colour and size. Though it might seem dilapidated at the first look, the Basilica with its reddish brown colour, ornamented pillars and magnificent carvings stands rock solid even after 400 years. Dedicated to infant Jesus, this grand structure also rests the mortal remains of St.Francis Xavier which is taken out for public viewing once in ten years. The interiors of the basilica has a lot of art work, murals and numerous altars which captivate every visitor.

Basilica de Bom Jesus

Remains of St.Francis Xavier

As I came out of the Basilica, a few meters away stood the white coloured Se Cathedral of Santa Catarina. Dedicated to the Catherine of Alexandria, it was once considered the largest cathedral in Asia. Built in Portuguese architecture, it was constructed to portray the power and fame of the Portuguese. The cathedral also houses many altars, paintings and a large bell known as the Golden bell.

Se Cathedral of Santa Catarina

From Se Cathedral I moved to Church of St.Francis of Assisi which also has baroque style architecture with beautiful frescoes on the walls and ceilings. The church also houses some brilliant 17th century wall paintings. Next to it lies an archaeological museum which displays ancient statues and portraits.

Church of St.Francis of Assisi

Half a kilometer away lies the beautiful Viceroy's Arch next to Mandovi quay. The arch built in 16th centuy must have been witness to thousands of people landing on the goan shores.

Viceroy's Arch

Near to the arch lies the Gateway of the palace of Adil Shah. Built before the arrival of the Portuguese, it is only the gateway that survives now.

Gateway of the Palace of Adil Shah

From the gateway I walked towards the immaculate looking Church of St.Cajetan. It is built in Corinthian architectural style using laterite blocks with two towers on either side of the main dome. The interiors of the church  look neat and its altar is one of the most beautiful ones I have ever seen.

Church of St.Cajetan

The beautiful altar

I walked further towards the de Bom Jesus Basilica and from nowhere appeared the Chapel of St.Catherine which looked abandoned and dilapidated. It was built by Alfonso de Albuquerque in early 16th century when he took over the possession of Goan territory.

Chapel of St. Catherine

In a different direction but not far away from de Bom Jesus lies the Towers of St.Augustine church. Built in the early 16th century this church was over a period of time abandoned and neglected which led to the fall of the vault and the body of the church in mid 19th century. By the mid 20th century every part of the church collapsed except for one of the four towers that existed. Now this single tower is the only remnant left.

Tower of St.Augustine church

Next to the Augustine tower lies the Convent of Santa Monica and a christian museum which definitely is worth a visit.

Convent of Santa Monica

A few meters away from Santa Monica and Augustine tower is the Church of Our Lady of Rosary. Built in the 16th century it has a mix of renaissance and gothic architecture. The view of the Mandovi river from the church is spectacular.

Chuch of our Lady of rosary

There are many more churches, structures and museums to excite any traveller in Old Goa which have not been mentioned here. The above list shows the most well known and frequently visited locations in Old Goa.

Signing Note- Velha Goa is the true portrayal of real Goa...!!

Route- Panaji- Ribander- Old Goa
Distance- 12 Kms

Mallalli Falls- The Largest Waterfalls in Coorg...!!

We were enroute to Beedhalli, the starting point of our trek to Kumara Pavatha when the guide excited us by mentioning the name "Mallalli falls". After a winding drive from Somwarpet through the coffee and pepper plantations, a detour off the main road took us on to a mud one. A kilometer later we had to stop the vehicle and then trudge a kilometer further on the sloping mud road to reach this spectacular falls. Surrounded with lush green canopy at the foothills of Pushpagiri range, Mallalli falls claim to be the largest waterfalls in the whole of Coorg. 

The falls were not in full vigour and the protruding rocks which usually gets submerged during the monsoons were clearly visible. Still, it looked magnificent with a couple of cascades before splashing into the plunge pool. It further flows over a few rocks before resuming its full flow. River Kumaradhara tumbles over the rocks into the steep gorges to form this beautiful falls in the Western ghats. Kumara Parvatha which is a part of the Pushpagiri range forms the background of Mallalli falls and the green canopy. The whole landscape is breathtakingly gorgeous. Right in the middle of the vegetation, the hills and the waterfalls is a house; all alone in the wild. An exciting place to spend a wild life!

The tall peak in the background is Kumara Parvatha

Can you spot the house?

Time constraint did not allow us to explore the falls and we had to be content with the views from a distance. There are steps which lead you down to the foot of the falls. Also one can trek over the rocks to have a mind blowing view from the top. A visit to these falls during the monsoons or immediately after would undoubtedly leave everyone spellbound. All that one can see would be the greenery and the white water. The nearest stay options available are in Somwarpet.

Signing Note- Undoubtedly one of the best falls in Western ghats...!!

Route- Bangalore- Mandya- Srirangapatna- Hunsur- Kushalnagar- Somwarpet- Mallalli Falls

Distance- 265Kms

Wish you all a Happy New Year 2013...!!

Lonely Planet...!!

The frame was captured on a very misty morning at Thamarassery ghats, the gateway to Wayanad while travelling from the plains of Kozhikode. This macaque seemed a lost soul staring at the valley and the ghats, that were engulfed in mist. October 2012.

Wish you all a Merry Christmas...!!

Kolkata- The City of Joy...!!

Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal was earlier known as Calcutta and served as the capital of East India Company during the British Raj. It was not without reasons that the British made it their capital; the city does have everything to make it.  The culture, language, food, attire, people, literature, art are all distinctive and that indeed makes Kolkata an attractive destination. The city is well known for its Hooghly river, Howrah bridge, delicious sweets, marine delicacies, football and Durga puja. Make yourself comfortable at one of the many hotels in Kolkata and enjoy the city of joy during this year end. All though Durga puja is the best time to see the city in full pomp and glory, the city is also quite inviting during Christmas and New Year.

The city infuses an old world charm with colonial buildings, hand pulled rickshaws and tram services. Victoria memorial, Howrah bridge, 19^th century Kalighat temple, Chowringhee area, Brabourne road, Birla planetarium and Botanical gardens are some of the must visit places in Kolkata. There are numerous hotels near Kalighat temple from which you can choose your stay option. A cruise on River Hooghly and a river side walk along the many ghats are very much recommended. Do not miss the opportunity to taste the sweets and fish preparations from the many wonderful hotels in Kolkata that serve them.

Proximity of the city to Sunderbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest makes Kolkata a much sought after base. There are also many beaches to its south like Digha, Bakkhali and Mondarmoni which attracts numerous visitors. For people coming from different parts of the country and travelling to northern destinations of West Bengal like Darjeeling, Siliguri and Kalimpong, Kolkata is definitely the start point. The city is also a gateway to the north eastern states which during recent times have seen an increase in the tourist flow. For budget travelers there are numerous budget hotels in Kolkata that can suit the requirement.

It is time to stroll through the old lanes, gape at the beautiful colonial architectures, wait for the tram to pass by, relish the delicacies and welcome 2013 languorously in the city of joy.  

Hyderabad Calling...!!

The climate is pleasant now and there are destinations which you might want to visit during this time of the year. Hyderabad for instance is one such destination that would be ideal to visit between the months of November and January. Hyderabad has been known for ages as the city of Nizams, their erstwhile rulers. They ruled the princely state of Hyderabad for more than two centuries. The city which is famous for its gourmet food and jewellery is easily approachable from all major cities in the country either by train, flight or bus. If you are flying in, there are numerous hotels near Hyderabad airport where you can check into. There is no dearth for hotels in Hyderabad if you plan to stay closer to the city. Hotels in Banjara hills region also has nice stay options for travellers.

Nizams have left behind a lot of art, architecture, culture, monuments and palaces which has attracted travellers and tourists to this beautiful city. Charminar has been the symbol of Hyderabad for decades and the famous laad bazaar near to it is a bangle lover's delight. The attar shops near laad bazaar are famous for their perfumes. The 17th century Mecca masjid is another prominent monument near Charminar. All these areas near the Charminar forms the old city which is drastically different from the present Hyderabad.

 The city also boasts of the famous palaces like Falaknuma palace and Chowmohalla palace. Purani Haveli and Salarjung Museum has some of the best collection of artifacts from the earlier centuries. Qutb Shahi tombs and Paigah tombs helps visitors to delve further into the history of Hyderabad. Built in the 11th century by Kakatiya rulers, Golconda fort is a must visit when in Hyderabad. The architecture of the fort is beautiful and captivating. Ramoji rao film city has been the centre of filming movies for the past many years. Head there and you are sure to run into one of the many superstars of Indian film industry. The film city as such is also a beautiful place to roam around. Birla Mandir is a beautiful white marble temple which is worth visiting. A walk around the Hussain sagar lake in the evening is well recommended. The lake with Buddha's statue in the centre gets colourfully lit up once the sun sets.

Hyderabad is very famous for its pearls and jewellery and a visit to one of the jewellery shops would definitely leave you awestruck.The cuisines of Hyderabad is a rich blend of Mughalai flavours and aromas made famous by the Nizams. Nobody leaves Hyderabad without having a taste of Hyderabadi dum biriyani from any of the Hyderabad hotels or restaurants. There are numerous eateries that serve authentic Mughalai food. The biscuits and sweets of Karachi bakery are also very well appreciated in Hyderabad.