Chandigarh equals charm!…Popularly known as “The City Beautiful” , it is a city one is bound to fall in love with. From being the greenest and happiest city to having the most orderly roads, from relatives visiting you every now and then from your very own Caneddaaa to people shaking a leg to the beats of Punjabi Pop music, Chandigarh has it ALL!

The monument in the above picture is the OPEN HAND MONUMENT which is the emblem or symbol of the government of Chandigarh and symbolizes “the hand to give and the hand to take; peace & prosperity; the unity of mankind”. It is located in Sector 1 in the Capitol Complex of Chandigarh.

So what one can do in “The City Beautiful“. Following are some of the places that should be in your must visit list:

🥀The Rose Garden🥀

A breathtaking massive garden with the most exquisite, beautiful and rare roses is a sight to behold! Each year a Rose Festival is held by the end of February and beginning of March. Not just relishing the beauty of the flowers, one can also relax there by just sitting beside a small man made lake like structure inside, do some bird watching, enjoy some hot snacks sold by the food stalls inside in the midst of the fragrance of the flowers. It is also known as “ZAKIR HUSSAIN ROSE GARDEN”.

🗿The Rock Garden🗿

The Rock Garden of Chandigarh is a sculpture garden. It is also known as “NEK CHAND’S ROCK GARDEN” after its founder Nek Chand Saini, a government official who started the garden secretly in his spare time in 1957. It is completely built of industrial and home waste and discarded items.

This place can be truly called a colourful kingdom of art and sculptures. It is enchanting to witness the artistic mind of a man in the form of thousands of statues, streams – all made from waste material. One cannot miss this artistic mosaic created by a self taught artist and a few helping hands.

🌅Sukhna Lake🌅

A man made lake which is a treat for joggers, yoga enthusiasts, artists, photographers and tourists. This serene and peaceful reservoir, at the foothills of the Shivalik mountains, instills calmness as one enjoy the beauty of the various migratory birds, the tranquil blue waters, the mighty Shivalik hills in the background and the people escaping the urban rush while they spend their leisure time sitting here. It is quite popular not just amongst the visitors and tourists but also the local residents there who wish to enjoy solitude as well as the company of their family along with some hot and tasty snacks sold by some food stalls there. Being a nature lover, it couldn’t get better for me…Food, nature & peace!

🍁Pinjore Gardens🍁

Yadavindra Gardens, also known as Pinjore Gardens, is a historic 17th century garden located in Pinjore city, approx 22kms from Chandigarh.

This massive spectacle cannot be missed. It houses a mini zoo, a Japanese garden, picnic spots and some spots of historic relevance. The famous mango festival is held here annually somewhere between April to June. Pinjore Gardens is the place you must must must visit. Thank me later!!..😉

🦁The Chhatbir Zoo🦁

Approx 20kms away from Chandigarh, this place is a marvel! The animals are kept in open. The residents of this zoo are some of the most magnificent animals and birds who live in their natural habitat and are not caged. The main attraction here is the White Bengal Tiger. One can witness this powerful beauty through a caged motor vehicle. A perfect picnic spot to have a fun filled day along with treating one’s eyes to these wonders of the big wild world.

🎎International Dolls Museum🎎

One of the best museums in our country, this one holds the most beautiful and amazing collection of dolls from countries like India, Germany, Spain, Netherlands etc. Not just a display of dolls, each doll has a story, life example or description that comes with it, leaving you lost in the dreamy world of dolls. If one is still not satisfied, then another major attraction and entertainment is the toy train specially for the little ones.

🎨National Gallery of Portraits🎨

A chronicle from the era of Independence, this museum not only has in its possession the precious portraits of our freedom fighters but also some very important voice recordings and documents of that era. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi are the freedom fighters on whom the most emphasis is laid upon here. If one is a lover of history then this place is a must visit. It also screens a movie every Sunday depicting the India’s fight for independence.

Hope you rock your trip to The City Beautiful~Chandigarh!!!

Planning to visit MANALI??..

Once again I’m here with my new blog to solve all your problems in one go. The blog will give you a glimpse into what you can expect and all the information on how to reach Manali, getting around, shopping and nearby places.

I have spent 21 years of my life without ever feeling the chilly, flaky goodness of freshly fallen snow. But all that changed when I finally went to the lap of India’s most majestic mountain range – THE HIMALAYAS. I visited Manali on cold month of February and had a firm belief that I would be encountering snowfall there.

❄️BUS RIDE FROM DELHI TO MANALI❄️

I travelled to Delhi via train and then an overnight bus to Manali from ISBT Kashmere Gate.

The bus ride was very surreal – we paused at strange little stops consisting of tea shops and a barely serviceable loo. Not being a tea-lover, I was very much frustrated sometimes. And though I knew I was travelling across New Delhi, Punjab and finally Himachal Pradesh, everything looked the same, just bearing the air of Northern India.

The next morning, I witnessed a beautiful dawn over the mountains of Himachal Pradesh and the entire route to Manali was an incredible one – dotted with villages, colourful roofs, mountains painted in strokes of white and grey and the river Beas.

❄️SNOW IN MANALI❄️

Everyone should come to Manali to realise how beautiful India can be. Especially people who aren’t sure if there is an India beyond the dirt and noise of her cities.

❄️PLACES TO VISIT❄️

Although I had an exhaustive list of places to cover in and around Manali, what I finally managed to explore in the span of a few days was:

• Hidimba Devi Temple
• Buddhist temple
• Manali Market
• Solang Valley

And there were many walks around Manali, exploring patches of snow and silent moments by different parts of the river Beas which were perhaps more memorable one.

❄️HIDIMBA DEVI TEMPLE❄️

So on my first day in Manali, exhausted from the overnight bus ride, I was out to explore the neighbouring lanes, the market and the nearby Hidimba Devi temple.

The temple wasn’t much to speak of, although I knew from my childhood readings of the Mahabharata that Hidimba had quite the role to play. The locals here said that she married Bhima in Manali after he slayed her demonic brother and thus they had baby Ghatothkach.

However, the area around the temple was a delight – quiet and woodsy and women holding white rabbits and offering to let us hold them for a price.

❄️BUDDHIST TEMPLE❄️

The courtyard had a main temple and an area which contained the rotating prayer wheel, inscribed with the mantra “OM MANI PADME HUM”. I pushed the wheel several times while chanting these words.

❄️MANALI MARKET❄️

Mall Road is one of the top places to shop in Manali. It is also one of the most visited destinations of the hill station which attracts the number of tourists. Different activities throughout the day, exploring the street shops while shopping makes it a famous spot to shop in Manali.

The shops on both sides of the road are neatly lined and offer many attractive products which you can purchase at a reasonable cost by showing the bargaining skills. You can find a huge range of products on Mall Road which also covers famous Kashmiri shawls, sarees, books, antique items, and lot more. You will also see many spots where you can give a delightful treat to your taste buds.

❄️SOLANG VALLEY ❄️

These are glimpses from different parts of Manali but the experience I should really dedicate this post to is my day at Solang Valley. I was prepared for the stunning white valleys with lush grey mountains. When the bus began ascending the hilly road, it was as if I had already begun an ascent into a different world.

• 

At Solang Valley, you can try as many adventure sports as your wallet allows:

• Paragliding
• Skiing
• Snow bike riding
• And ofcourse, making Snowman and all that stuff.

But be prepared to feel really exhausted at the end of all this snow sporting because climbing and walking through snow-covered valleys is quite the same as trekking.

I had a moment when I realised I simply couldn’t take another step. That’s when I paused to shake the snow out of my boots and spent some time laying down in the snow.

❄️MANALI FOOD GUIDE❄️

There’s not much by way of local cuisine. The little street food that I tasted was a quite good an experience. You may go for the restaurants and choose the cuisine that you like, although it tends to be a bit expensive.

If you have more than a few days at hand, do explore the nearby hill stations KASOL & MANIKARAN. Around Manali, don’t miss NAGGAR & SPITI VALLEY. The place is dotted with breathtaking villages and peaks.

ENJOYYYY!!!…⛄🌨️🏔️

It’s hard to miss the pink in the ‘PINK CITY’, as Jaipur is fondly called. Jaipur is a fine representation of the regal grandiose, that has always distinguished the state of Rajasthan. A part of the ‘GOLDEN TRIANGLE’, Jaipur is a must-visit destination along with Agra and New Delhi.

Maharaja Jai Singh II was the founder of Jaipur in the year 1727, when the capital was shifted from Amer(Amber). Literal translation of Jaipur means ‘CITY OF VICTORY’. It is believed that construction of the capital took 6 years.

Home to magnificent palaces, towering forts and holy temples, not only has Jaipur gracefully retained its royal roots but it proudly displays them for visitors to see and experience. Rajasthan’s capital, Jaipur is no stranger to tourists. Even in the present day, Jaipur remains the same – time seems to stand still in this heritage part.

If you’re lucky enough to be travelling Jaipur during Holi (in March), you will be watching elephants in action at elephant-polo. Then again, October in Jaipur has its own share of fun with the donkey festival and ‘best-looking donkey’ award as well as donkey racing and trading.

WHERE TO VISIT???…🙄

Here’s a quick guide of places to visit in the ‘Pink City’ :

• BIRLA MANDIR – It is a Hindu temple located in Jaipur, India and is part of one of the several Birla Mandirs located all around the country. The grand temple is located on an elevated ground at the base of Moti Dungari hill in Rajasthan. The temple is sometimes also referred to as the Laxmi Narayan Temple. Clicking of pictures is strictly prohibited inside the temple premises.

• ALBERT HALL MUSEUM – It is the oldest museum of the state and functions as the state museum of Rajasthan. The building is situated in Ram Niwas Garden. The museum has a rich collection of artifacts including paintings, jewellery, carpets, metal sculptures. The collection includes coins from the Gupta, Kushan, Delhi Sultanate, Mughals and British periods. The night view of the museum mesmerises the eyes of an individual.

• NAHARGARH FORT – Set on the edge of the Aravalli Hills, Nahargarh Fort is striking in stature. Built as the summer palace for the royal family, the main palace within the fort is known as Madhavendra Bhawan. In addition, there are nine other double-storied living spaces within the fort. The views of Jaipur city are stunning from Nahagarh Fort. 

• HAWA MAHAL – Jaipur’s most iconic landmark, the red and pink sandstone facade of Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds is widely recognised. Within its chambers, hidden from public view, the women of the royal house would secretly observe the activities on the street, through the palace’s several openings. Built in the shape of crown of Lord Krishna, Hawa Mahal rises five-storeys from the ground.

• AMER FORT – The charm of Amer Fort, sometimes also called “AMBER FORT” is undeniable. Perched on a hilltop, the fort is impressive –- both in terms of size and architecture. It can be accessed through imposing ramparts and cobbled pathways, leading to its gates. The golden frontage is complemented by elaborate interiors. The fort houses the Diwan-e-Aam, Diwan-e-Khas and also the Sheesh Mahal. The grandeur of Amer Fort is heightened during the Light and Sound Show in the evening, which is a must watch.

• JAL MAHAL – Jal Mahal or Water Palace is located in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake. The building has a picturesque view of the lake itself. The palace is a five storied building, of which four floors remain underwater when the lake is full and the top floor is exposed. The lake is 8 km from Amer palace. The Jal Mahal palace is not open to visitors.

• JANTAR MANTAR – Jantar Mantar literally means ‘calculating instrument’. It is a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II. It features the world’s largest stone sundial. It is located near City Palace and Hawa Mahal. The instruments allow the observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye.

• CITY PALACE – Built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, the City Palace depicts typical Rajput style with layers of chambers and halls. While a part of the palace remains the residence of the royal family of Jaipur even today, visitors have access to other parts of the palace complex including Mubarak Mahal, Diwan-e-Khas and Maharani Palace. The City Palace also houses a temple and a museum with a fine collection of artefacts similar to Albert Hall Museum. One can also enjoy the chariot ride inside the palace.

Along with exploring these historical monuments, I also got a chance to visit ‘RAJASTHANI TEXTILES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION’. They showed to me their RAJASTHANI QUILTS in which they have specialisation and SAREES which are still made by wooden blocks. It was a visual treat to see the process of saree making and the kind of natural colours they still use. You could buy the quilts and sarees and make the online order too. Clicking pictures or making videos were strictly prohibited.

WHAT ELSE TO DO???…🙄

• SHOP FOR LOCAL HANDICRAFTS: The local bazaars of Jaipur are always teeming with things to buy. Clothes, shoes, home furnishings, handicrafts, spices, jewellery, pottery and what not. There isn’t anything you won’t love. One of the popular marketplace in the city is ‘JOHARI BAZAAR‘. The market area looks so colourful and bright that you cannot let your eyes off for once. Soooo…Keep your wallet handy!

WHAT TO EAT???…🙄

• GHEWAR: A favourite with locals and tourists, ghewar is a traditional Rajasthani sweet that is circular in shape. It’s deep fried and laden with pista and almonds. LMB in Johari Bazaar is an acclaimed eatery to sample this delicacy. 
• DAAL BAATI: A popular dish of Rajasthan, daal baati is daal served with hard wheat rolls (baati). Seasoned with ghee and served hot, most local eateries in Jaipur have it on their menu.  

WHEN TO GO???…🙄

Jaipur experiences extreme weather and has three distinct seasons – summer, monsoons and winter. 

• OCTOBER TO MARCH: These are undoubtedly the best months to visit Jaipur as the summer heat has abated. December and January are the peak of winter and are exceptionally cold and dry. Temperatures start rising in February and remain pleasant till March which is the ideal weather for a holiday!
• JULY TO SEPTEMBER: Though still hot in Jaipur, the monsoons during these months bring with it high humidity levels. 
• APRIL TO JUNE: With May and June being the hottest months, summers in Jaipur can be brutal with temperatures going upwards of 40 degree Celsius. 

Jaipur, which is standing still from decades and holding many historic events in its heart is a must visit. Experience the royal way of life in Jaipur, where the hospitality of the people is as warm as the height of grandeur in the pink city!….☺️☺️☺️

Starting a travel blog is one of the best decision of my life.

And yet before starting “SAFAR” – The Journey, I had zero writing experience, didn’t really know what a blog was and had literally never ever heard of wordpress. But what I knew was that I always wanted to share my experiences, my learnings with everyone.

Friends…for some travelling is just a movement from one location to another but for some bunch of people it’s a feeling, a way of gaining experience and seeking inspiration.

Making certain arrangements on my own and exploring our national capital was such an amazing experience. It was a good mix of mastiii and inspiration at the same time.

Located on the banks of Yamuna river, Delhi is divided into two world – historical and modern. One shows the era of Mughals and their artistic monuments which literally amazed me, means the beautiful carvings on the walls of QUTUB MINAR, the sacrifices which we witness while exploring INDIA GATE, the glory of AKSHARDHAM TEMPLE were just wowwwww!!!!…and on the other side the modern buildings, the latest technology used there made me feel proud of how our national capital has been developed. Even I came to know there from Delhi people that legendary city of Indraprastha mentioned in epic Mahabharata was here. Can you just believe how old is the existence of this DILWALON KI NAGRI????

The city has many monuments of historic importance which serves as an amazing tourist spots. Travelling in Delhi metro is itself a great experience. It’s great to share with you all the names of monuments and places which I got a chance to explore and witness the richness and glory of DELHI.

PLACES TO VISIT :-

• India Gate
• Red Fort
• Qutub Minar
• Lotus Temple
• Jama Masjid
• Bangla Sahib
• Akshardham Temple
• Rashtrapati Bhawan
• Kalka Ji Temple
• Select City Walk Mall

FOR SHOPPING :-

• Sarojini Nagar Market
• Market of Jama Masjid
• Chandni Chowk Market
• Connaught Place – Palika Bazaar

CUISINES :-

You just have to name and Delhi has it all, one can easily get all variety of food items which will definitely activate your taste buds; all you have to do is to find out the right place. What you can get here is a long list…….😋☺️

And while exploring the Old Delhi, do not miss on paying your visit at the well-famed Parathe Wali Gali. What you find here is not just any Paratha; it’s offered in numerous flavours. Don’t forget to have a bite of all🤗

When it comes to writing down about Delhi; I will always have this feeling of missing on something. Delhi is way more to what one can speak of and write about, still I tried to sum it up in these lines…..