places to visit

5 Popular Temples to Visit in Goa

Goa is famous as the “Party Capital of the Nation”, but it is not just about the parties alone. There are ample magnificent and divine temples in the state, which most may not know of. The place boasts of some great ancient Hindu temples with unique historical insights.

It may sound quite weird as the state is known to be the party destination for many people. For accommodation purposes, there are many budget-friendly hotels in Goa where you can stay. So, in this post, we will look at some of the most popular temples of Goa that are worth visiting. So let’s begin.

Maruti Temple – To seek Lord Hanuman’s blessings

Situated on the peak of the Altinho hill, the Maruti temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Lord Hanuman, also known as the monkey god. It enshrines Lord Hanuman as the presiding deity. The temple is lit up at night, looking extremely stunning and brightly visible from a distance. The visitors visiting this divine temple can also view the charming octagonal Deepastambha or lamp tower at this temple.

Mahadeva Temple – To Experience the Divinity of Lord Shiva

The Mahadeva temple, also known as Tambdi Surla, is situated in one of the most tranquil sites and is enclosed by lush greenery around the corner. It is concealed in a clearing, which may be small but designed magnificently inside a jungle. It is believed that a huge King Cobra snake resides in the main hall at night. The temple is considered the oldest temple in Goa and is said to have outlived the Christianising of Goa by the Portuguese and numerous Muslim invasions.

Brahma Temple – To Worship the Creator

Situated in Carambolim, it is also one of the oldest temples in Goa. It is also called Brahma Karmali, which is named after the nearby village. It attracts several devotees around the area. It is said that the shrine inside the temple is significantly old, from the 12th century. The shrine is also designed in an extremely intricate manner. It has a rich history, and the simplicity and divinity of the place allures and relaxes visitors who visit the temple.

Shri Bhagavati Temple – To Revere a Different Form of Goddess Laxmi

The unique Shri Bhagvati temple is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Bhagwati, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva. It is also one of the oldest temples in Goa and is said to be more than 500 years old. The Shri Bhagvati temple complex includes five temples, with the primary temple of Shri Bhagvati and other temples of Shri Sateri, Shri Dev Ravalnath, Shri Dev Bhivangi Panchakshari & Brahma (Shri Vishnu, Shri Ganapathy, Shri Shankar).

Mangeshi Temple – To Appreciate the Combo of Architecture and Divinity

It is the most visited temple in Goa and one of the oldest in Goa. The temple is dedicated to Lord Mangesh, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The presiding deity, Lord Mangesh, is revered in the form of a Shiva Lingam, which the Saraswat Brahmins have brought up in Goa. The major highlight of this temple is the seven-storey deepstambha which is a stunning sight to experience and capture, especially when lit with earthen lamps at night.

4 Best Places to Visit on Your Trip to Patna

Patna, the place which carries a rich and wild history of India, was earlier known as Patliputra. The city, which was the capital of the mighty Magadha Empire, has been here for 2500 years, loaded with interesting stories of warriors and kingdoms. This was the place where many scholars, such as Aryabhatta, Chanakya, and Panini used to live and share their learnings. This is the place where Buddhism and Jainism religions originated and flourished.

If you are from Delhi, you can book a Delhi to Patna flight to reach here, and for accommodation, there is a wide range of budget-friendly to expensive hotels in Patna. This city is filled with warm-hearted people that are always ready to greet visitors who come to the city to enjoy their time. So, in this blog, we will be looking at some of the best places to visit in Patna. Let’s begin.

1. Bihar Museum

Bihar museum is the place where history lovers or visitors who are curious about the state can visit this museum. The museum provides an understanding of the ancient history and culture of Bihar. It is filled with exceptional archeological and anthropological artifacts that date back from the centuries-old Patna museum. The museum is built into sections that include galleries, educational and administrative areas.

The galleries in the Bihar museum include the orientation gallery, the children’s gallery, the regional gallery, the contemporary gallery, the historical art galleries, the Bihari Diaspora gallery, and the visible storage gallery. The exhibits on different subjects are displayed in separate galleries. Each gallery is humongous and many artifacts are on display in each one of them. They also include artifacts that date back to the 4th century.

2. Buddha Smriti Park

The park is situated near the Patna junction, opposite the Mahavir mandir. Also known as the Buddha Memorial Park, it is spread across an area of 22 acres. The Buddha Smriti Park was constructed by the Government of Bihar to mark the 2554th birthday of Lord Buddha. The features of the park include the two Bodhi trees planted by the Dalai Lama and the Lord Buddha statue.

It is a multi-purpose park where the patnites, as well as the visitors from other cities, come to enjoy with their family, friends or partners. The park has a meditation center, library with multiple books on Buddhism, and a museum as well. The place has such an ambient atmosphere that it can make one sit for a whole day! So it should be on your top list if visiting Patna city.

3. Mahavir Mandir

Mahavir Mandir is a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. It is one of the most famous temples in India. The temple was constructed in the 17th century. It got its recognition after India’s partition in 1947 when a huge number of Hindu refugees began to settle down in the city from the newly created Pakistan.

It is the temple where a large number of devotees come to worship as well as enjoy the tranquil environment of the temple. Also, apart from the captivating idol of Lord Hanuman, it also hosts the famous “floating stone” from the ancient Ram Setu.

4. Nalanda Mahavihara

A UNESCO world heritage site, Nalanda was the epicenter of learning in ancient India. It was one of the earliest universities in India, with students not just from India, but China, Tibet, Korea, and central Asia. The time when Nalanda prospered the most was between the 5th century AD to 1200 AD. It is believed that there was a humongous library in Nalanda which was set on fire by the invaders, and it burnt continuously for around 6 months.

Nalanda, the great educational and monastic institution have got various ruins of stupas, viharas, and shrines. The place also showcases an archaeological museum right next to the ruins, which has exhibitions of the Nalanda university’s seal, bronze, and stone sculptures. Situated about 95 km from Patna, It would be an unforgettable experience for visitors who would be visiting this place!

Top 3 Places to Visit in Mumbai

Mumbai is famously known as the “City of Dreams”. It is situated on the west coast of the Indian peninsula. The city is named after the goddess Mumba Devi, and the word Mumba is derived from the words “Maha” and “Amba”, which means great mother.

Mumbai is popularly called the city that never sleeps because the city is wildly diverse, and the people are extremely busy, even at night. The city boasts distinct varieties of places, right from beaches, Amusement parks, shopping malls and centres to religious and historical spots.

If you reside in Delhi, you can book Delhi to Mumbai flights to reach here, and for accommodation and stays, there is a wide range of budget-friendly to expensive hotels in Mumbai. In this post, let’s look at the top 3 places worth your time travelling when planning a trip to Mumbai. Let’s begin.

Marine Drive

It is not a surprise to think of Mumbai, and Marine drive doesn’t come to mind first. The place was officially named Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose road. It is a C-shaped 3km long stretch with six lanes that run by the coastline. For the Mumbaikers, it is a daily natural bay which soothes their eye with its tranquillity and scenic charm.

It is also often called with the name, “Queen’s Necklace” because of its breathtaking beauty. It also links to Nariman point, a prominent place to visit in Mumbai.

Juhu Beach

This beach comes on the list of the most prominent beaches in India. The beach offers stunning sunset views, and you can enjoy eating at the street food corners in the area. You can also indulge in various activities there, such as horse riding or camel riding on the beach. The beach is also renowned for its nightlife. There are several pubs, bars, and nightclubs to enjoy and spend a quality evening time with your friends.

Bandra Worli Sea Link

This bridge is renowned for its architectural magnificence. It is a 5 km long bridge constructed on the Arabian sea. This outstanding bridge connects Bandra to Worli, and is the first cable-stayed bridge constructed on the open sea in India. It is one of the eminent landmarks of Mumbai. For the daily commuters, this bridge is a blessing as it saves significant amount of time.

In the evening, this bridge is lit up with lights which makes it look even more stunning. For photographers also, this is a superb place to get some fantastic shots!

Top 4 Places to Visit in Nandi Hills

Nandi hill is a renowned hill station in Karnataka with countless sites for visitors to explore. It is also a perfect weekend hotspot for visitors to Bengaluru. If you are currently in Delhi, you can catch up Delhi to Bangalore flight to reach there. It is near the international airports, making it easy for travellers to access.

There are also quite a few hotels in Bangalore and near the airport, so stays and accommodation won’t be an issue. With a plethora of places to see and explore, such as ancient temples, ruins of royal forts, and other astonishing architectural wonders. So, now let us look at some of the top places you can visit in the Nandi hills.

Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple

This extraordinary architectural wonder is situated at the base of the Nandi hills, the counterpart to the Nandeeshwara temple. It is devoted to Lord Shiva, and the temple represents the later stage of life of Lord Shiva, i.e. renunciation. It originated during the Chola dynasty. From the temple, you can also see the enthralling view of the adjoining valley.

Brahmashram

The region of Nandi hills is famous for its mountainous terrains, and there exist several caves in these mountains. There is one such cave named Brahmashram, which is one of the most popular caves in the region. The travellers, especially the ones who are inclined to spirituality, visit this cave.

The one eminent person who spent some of his days here is Sage Ramakrishna Paramhansa. The cave is enclosed with lush greenery and an ambient environment that makes the visitor’s mind relaxed and peaceful.

Channapura Falls

The Channapura falls is one of the best places for adventure junkies who have come to visit the Nandi hills in search of adventure. Amidst the grace of nature, this captivating waterfall allures visitors of all kinds, especially during the monsoons, which is the best time to visit this place. The trails during trekking here are extremely stunning and offer visitors panoramic greenery of the valleys!

Tipu Sultan’s Fort

Tipu Sultan is a name which is embedded in the pages of history who fought bravely for the sovereignty of our motherland from the Britishers. His presence is also in Karnataka’s heritage, he built some great edifices and forts during his rule which is one of the major tourist attractions to this date. The name of the Tipu Sultan’s fort is Tashk-e-Jannat.

Although it was built by Tipu Sultan’s father, ultimately he completed the construction. There are also several trekking trails around the place which offer picturesque views of the surroundings.