Adventure Trip In August

Those are at the climax of happy days in our college life, so we planned to go a long trip that is north India tour. Date 26^th august 2011 our journey was started from Warangal railway station at 6.30 pm name of the train SWARNAJAYANTHI EXPRESS was arrived to the platform all of we are get in to the train as we reserved the berths.  It was very nice experience in train journey from mother state Andhra Pradesh covering the different states Maharashtra, Madhyaprdesh, and Uthar Pradesh finally we reached to Agra around 9:40 which is our first place in tour. It is nice and royal in the next day we went to the TAJ MAHAL which is one of the wonder in the world it was really awesome, we all felt very happy to seeing the one of the most beautiful place in India. It is totally made up of milk stone and architecture is quite interesting and beside the Taj passes by Yamuna river it was so nice to see that no words to express those feelings. In middle of the Taj, tombs of Muntaj and Shajahan were placed. We spend some time in taj all of we are taken photographs in front of Taj and next we moved to Agra fort it is also one of the historical place in India. from this place we can watch the view of tajmahal we heard one thing from our guide he told that from Agra fort shajahan watch the tajmahal from where he placed by his son in Agra fort in his last days.

Agra Fort

Agra Fort view

Taj View from Agra Fort

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal

Yamuna River

Took rest for 2hrs from there started and by evening we reached the Mathura where Lord Sri Krishna was born. The temple is wonderful and so peaceful. There is a Brindavanam, a place where Radhakrishna idols are placed. And place has grants that it can develop spiritually as long as we stayed there. In Mathura almost very home has cows, treated as holy animal (GOMATHA) and lassie served in small pot like vessel is very tasty there. Milk products, sweets and other regional items are really forgettable. I have carried parceled sweets to home.

shimla, Himachal Pradesh

shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Then from there over night we travelled in bus and whole night itself to reach the Simla capital of Himachal Pradesh. Simla is one of the most visiting tourist place in India and most famous for the Apples. Apples were cheap there. The city placed on hills so it was very cool and the nature is pleasant and made us to open our eyes as much as big to see the beauty which we never see until now. Next day we went to the tourism spot kurfi, to reach that place in a special vehicle called horse.

Horse riding it was one of the most memorable moments in my life, coz its first time, after 4 km on horse we reached the beautiful place called kurfi there was a garden, blossoms with different flowers and temple and exhibition. From here we can spot different landscapes like India-China border, highest peak in simla, most peace full and pleasant village with apple trees by telescope. Whole day is not enough, but after sun moved to the west we return back to the hotel rooms, in Simla Houses and Hotels everything built on hills we surprised how  they are living on this much typical areas, from far the houses are looking like a small compartments which is towards down not like generally up wards.

shimla, Himachal Pradesh

shimla valley view, Himachal Pradesh

shimla residential view, Himachal Pradesh

shimla Hill view, Himachal Pradesh

shimla panoromic view, Himachal Pradesh

shimla, Himachal Pradesh

shimla valley, Himachal Pradesh

The next destiny Great Indian heaven, we went to Manali which is best shooting spot in India. Never seen heaven, might be like this. From the entrance of the Manali till the end each and every scene is incredible beside the road Biyas River flowing it started from peak of Himalayas. In a single word beauty of manali cannot described. Near to our resorts hills are covered with ice flakes it was so nice to see that. The next day we are started early morning from the resorts we went to higher altitude which is tourism spot generally the way will remain closed in winter. We spend some time and play with ice it was very cool but in enjoyment we forgot about the surroundings. Before going to that place we wore the special costumes given those are made up of wool. In return we saw excellent sun set and how the fog rearranged as ice on hills and so many waterfalls are beside the road and there are several temples in that one place natural heat water coming from earth it was a miracle. So many apple gardens in that place and are famous and delicious too. Next day we reached kulu and we enjoyed river rafting in Biyas River it was most thrilling and adventurous episode in our tour it is total 7km with follow the guide instructions. Really tourism is never ending and never boring event. Same place gives us different experiences at every visit. Hats off to the nature!

Wagha Border

Next we moved to the Amritsar in Punjab to see the golden temple. It was famous and holy place for Sikhs the temple located in middle surrounded by water look like an island. It was a tomb of gurunanak. Near to the temple Jalianwala Bagh located where so many patriots lost their lives in 1857.now itself still we can see the bullet marks of that mishap for their remembrance there is always a flame named Amarajyothi lightening. We moved to the WAGHA BORDER which is India-Pakistan border where every Indian should feel proud to our country. Every evening parade was taken by both border security officers it was so enthusiastic moment.

Wagha Border

Wagha Border Flag-March

Wagha Border Security force

Wagha Border Security Gate

Wagha Border Flag

For more Trip advises, City guides and Travel experiences visit us @ Hop Around India

also don't forget Journey Life

Finally we moved to the Delhi the capital of our Mother Land INDIA. We watched the official places like Raj ghat, Indira Gandhi memorial, Aksharadham and India Gate which is everyone should visit in Delhi. The next day all of we went for shopping the place called palika bazaar. It was so wide the cost of materials are so chief compare to the other places we bought some items and same day evening reached to the Delhi railway station we gen on to the GRAND TRUNK EXP. Then all of we are finished our tour successfully and reached to the home safely with plenty of enjoy full, unforgettable and memorable moments in minds and carry bags in hands.

Sabarimala Kerala

LORD AYYAPPA, is also called as “HARIHARAPUTHRA” and commonly known as “MANIKANDAN”, his divine parents tied a golden bell around his neck, as per legend of his birth. The presiding supreme deity of Sabari Hills is worshipped by millions of devotees. Ayyappan's origin is uncertain, but is sometimes believed to be an incarnation of Dharma Sasta, who is the offspring of Shiva and Vishnu (as Mohini, in his female form). Sabarimala is located in very deep and dense forests and the devotees who wear Ayyappa maala for the first time are called as Kanne ayyapan’s and they will walk to Peddha Paadam for darshan. And chinna paadam is mandatory which is around 15 km situated on the top hill.

                As there was river with a continuous flowing called “pamba” and lord ganapathi was settled in the form of “Pamba Ganapathi”, the young daughter, Leela, of Kalari Panicker fell in love with Ayyappa. She requested for proposal. But Ayyappan turned down her request as being a Brahmachari. As she was offered her seat as “Maalikappurathamma” On a condition Ayyappan promised her that he would marry if incase there is no Kanni Ayyappans (First time pilgrims with iru-mudi) to come to Sabarimala then he would marry her, It is mandatory, every Kanni Ayyappan should deposit Saram (arrow of soft wood) at Saramkuthy as a mark of their arrival. A visit to Sabarimala brings to the devotees' contentment, spiritual upliftment, prosperity and fulfillment of devotees' desires and wishes. The months of Kaartika / Vrishchika, Maargazhi / Dhanur (15 Nov - 15 Jan) are most auspicious for Sabarimala pilgrimage. Lord ayyappa will appear as Makara jyoti on Saturday, maargazi panchami in uttara nakshatram.  As a gracious in Vrischika, Dhanur and Makara (Nov, Dec & 1st half of January) months, sabari hills celebrated with Mandala puja.

                Total Sabarimala is sourrounded by lush topical jungles and 18 hills. One should visit this temple once in their lifetime.

Read More Blogs @ http://blog.hoparoundindia.com

Lord mallikarjuna, Srisailam

“Om Namah Shivaya ” is the slogan where you will listen when visited this temple. As per our good plan we started in car as we are 4 members suitable for nice and safe journey. We started at 6’o clock in the morning, and on the way saw a beautiful sunrise after a long time.  Our first halt is at Dindi Dam, there we got some captures of ours & water as well which is at low level, but the flow is continuous.  And after an hour we started to srisailam, through the nalla malla forest, which is very dense, that I felt pretty excited as it was the first time to travel through the forest.  As some of our ancestors (monkeys), were beside the roads we gave them some stuff to eat, and travelled along the roads which were tiny lengthy way, and came out from Nalla Malla forest and reached deep high hills, where the temple is located.

         
  Then on the way to temple, we Visited sakshi ganapathi temple, there we came to know about an interesting fact that if anyone once visited srisailam temple, this lord note down’s these report as a proof, it is told that sakshi means a “proof”.  As we got a good accomodation on recommendation, in the early morning @ 5’o clock, we had a peaceful darshan of Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy (Lord Shiva) and Godess Bramarambha, as the previous day was the lunar eclipse the temple was well cleaned on the next day. And after that we went on a rope way to pathala ganga and had a holy dip bath, and went for the jyothirlinga darshan, as it is said that taking a holy dip in patala ganga will clean the sins of devotees.  After that we returned our room and next day morning we left to our home. While returning on the way we visited paladhara panchadara and drank water, were mountain water flows from that hill i.e is very pure, natural and hygienic. After that visited shikaram, which is the highest peak place in srisailam, one can view all over surroundings from there took some fine snapshots. And by the evening we returned to our residence.

                One who have plans to visit srisailam, it is advised to take holy dip in patalaganga first, and then darshan of the lord Mallikarjuna and Bramarambha.

To know more visit www.hoparoundindia.com

Holiday @ Glorious India

Last month I spent my Christmas holidays in India with my friends. I want to share my experience with travel buddies…

A holiday in glorious India is a truly incredible experience. India is an immense country with unique traditions, cultural heritage and a mix up of variety religions. The India is a home for amazing tourist destinations; including sightseeing, historical forts, national parks, and pilgrimage centers, beaches and tiger safaris, more and more extraordinary spots. Historical Royal Rajasthan, cultural astounding Andhra Pradesh and traditional Tamilnadu, God own city Kerala, Goa, beautiful Taj Mahal (Delhi), chilled Jammu - Kashmir, and Martyr Punjab, are the major tourist destinations in India.

The architecture magnificence around India astonishes which represents the great Mughal and Rajput constructions like Taj Mahal, Forts, temples, and modern buildings in the cities. The panorama is dazzling from the mountain peaks of the Himalayas in the north (Jammu), desert on the west (Rajasthan), the tea plantations on the West (Kerala), to the backwaters, palm groves on the south (Tamilnadu). There are also few top class wildlife sanctuaries, national parks (biological and zoological) in India. So you can see tigers, big cats, monkeys, various types of birds and number of animals while visiting these parks.

Cuisines of India take you out from the routine junk food world. You can come across hundreds of non veg varieties while traveling around India. The succulent South Indian and yummy north Indian food varieties brings a different experience to your tongue.

It was a great experience with my friends to visit India. I assure that a trip to India take you to the world of heritage, cultural, historical and pilgrimage world…

Lashkar-Patnam Bonalu...

About Bonalu

Bonalu (బోనాలు) is a term derived from “bhonam” (Bhojanalu Tel: భోజనాలు). On these days a Traditional Meal is offered to Mother Goddess (అమ్మవారు). This festival is very famous in Twin cities of Hyderabad – Secunderabad and many parts of telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. Festival is celebrated during Ashadam (june/july), Women from each home carry a Bonam to offer it to the Goddess with great devotion for her blessings to look after the world with care.

Hyderabad Lal Darwaza Bonalu.

Bonam and its speciality

Bonam is prepared with the most common south Indian ingredients. A medium sized earthen pot is decorated with Turmeric (పసుపు), KumKum (కుంకుమ), KADI. A white thread with mango leaves is tied around the neck of pot, and carries neem leaves in hand. The pot contents cooked rice, with turmeric, oil and some other cooking ingredients. Another pot a bit smaller contains water kept over the main pot; both pots are carried on head from starting at home to temple. This is due to respecting the basic requirement and also it is believed that these pots are filled with powers.

While carrying, women dance with spiritual feeling and mood. Dance is rhythmically to the drum beats, also a person with strange costumes called Pothuraju (usually referred as brother of Goddess) dances in temple premises.

Pothuraju bonala dance

History

Hyderabad-secunderabad twin cities have historic significance of this festival. During Nizam’s rule 1860-70’s an unknown disease spread across the places and resulted in huge loss of life. Then people started believing that situation is due to ire of Goddess, then immediately began worshipping Goddess to show pity and cure them.

Cholera broke out in twin cities during 18^th century AD making dreadful deaths in thousands. A ‘doli’ Bearer Suriti Appaiah of local, used to be in military was moved to Ujjain as a part of military job. By knowing this, along with his associates went to Ujjaini Mahankali temple prayed with great devotion. This disease has started vanishing slowly and was happy. Also promised an idol would be installed in the city and fulfilled it in 1815 by installing an idol in Secunderabad as soon as returned. Originally which was made of wooden replaced with rock statue in 1964. Tradition continued to celebrate every year.

Local festival 

Unlike other festivals, Bonalu is celebration starts only based on the first Sunday of Aashadam at Golconda and every Sunday till end of Aashadam in different places. Goddess Shakti or Kali is popularly known with various names as Yellamma, Pochamma, Renuka Amma, Peddamma, Mysamma, Poleramma, Ankalamma and Maramma who gives strength and cures many diseases. Pothuraju is considered to be the evil destroyer.

Outside the temple devotees sacrifice Hen or goat, so that blood makes the evil spirits to calm down. Also believed that women carrying Bonam posses the spirit of Goddess.

First Sunday: Celebrations starts and held’s at Sri Jagdamba Mahankali temple in Golconda. Huge devotees visit to participate in event. Along with common people, politicians, celebrities also offer Bonam. Minister of endowment dept offers “Pattu Vasthralu” (silk clothes) to the deity on behalf of Government.

Golconda Sri jagadambha Mahakali Temple

Second Sunday: Ujjain Mahankali temple in Secunderabad, people visits in such a way that roads will be blocked. This festival at secunderabad Ujjain Mahankali temple is also known as “lashkar Bonalu”.

Ujjain mahankali temple bonalu Secunderabad

Third Sunday: The Matheswari temple of Lal Darwaza in Old City. A special security is arranged to avoid anti social elements, as it is a sensitive place. This festival at Matheswari temple of Lal Darwaza temple is also known as “Patnam Bonalu”.

Balkampet Ellamma temple is also famous for Bonalu. As per mythology, Mother goddess self established in a well. Now a great temple constructed over the well.

Yellamma temple bonalu balkampet

Rangam

Rangam (Forecasting of the Future), women filled with Goddess spirits standing on wet clay pot tells the fortune of the place for the current year. It took place on next day of the festival.

Ghatam

Ghatam is a copper pot which is decorated in the form of Mother Goddess, carried by preist. It is taken out of water on the first day of festival and kept for worshipping till the end of festival days. This precession is accompanied by drums.

Ghatam is immersed on the last day of festival. Ghatam is placed on elephants top during procession. This is a carnival to the people of Hyderabad secunderabad.

The list of Ghatams procession

The Mahankali temples in Haribowli Akkanna-Madanna

Laldarwaza, Uppuguda, Miralam Mandi and Kasaratta

The Jagadamba temple of Sultanshahi

Bangaru Mysamma temple of Shalibanda, Alijah Kotla and Gowlipura

Sultanshahi, Darbar Mysamma of Aliabad

Mutyalamma temple of Chandulal Bela.

 తల్లి చల్లగా చూడు

Guru Dhevo Bhava - Guru Purnima

The person taught us and makes us awareness about life!! The person who lights our life!!

we call them as GURU. A Sanskrit word represents " remover of darkness in life". In India we respect our culture and respect our tradition to save our great history and celebrate many festivals. one among them.

Guru Poornima (Guri Pournami) is celebrated on first Pournami (Full-Moon day) of "Aashadam" (june-july). Buddhists celebrate this as a major festival with great devotion, as Lord Buddha started it in Sarnath of UP. Not only Buddhists, As per Hindu Mythology Vyasa Maharshi was born on this day. He is a great Guru as per Hindu history, introduced GURU-SHISHYA Parampara (teacher-student) relation. He is honored with Maharshi (person with great knowledge) and also composed Brahma Suthras. Datthathreya who is known as Guru of gurus, was under the teachings of Vyasa. This day is also celebrated as Vyasa Purnima.

Many Vedas and historical events describes about the Day. Lord Sri Rama's relation with Vashista. Lord Sri Krishna's relation with Sandipani Maharshi are some of the examples shows Guru-Shishya parampara.

GURU DHEVO BHAVA

More about Indian History and its Travel information visit us at India's Fastest Growing Travel Portal with All City Guides.