Maharashtra Tourism: Things to see in Panchgani

Panchgani is a delightful hill station in the Sahyadri hills in Maharashtra. The unhurried relaxed charm, fresh air, strawberry farms, ravines and rivers and quaint old bungalows make it the perfect getaway.

We look at some of the places in Panchgani to explore. If the weather is good head out into the great outdoors with a picnic. Pack your baskets, fold up your sheets, get out and enjoy the sights of this delightful hill station.

Panchgani-view

Tableland

Panchgani’s crowning glory, this is a vast stretch of flat plateau offering great views of the hill station. Situated at an elevation of 4,550 ft, Tableland is a laterite rock formation, said to be the second-highest volcanic mountain plateau in Asia. The plateau gets covered with gorgeous blue bonnets and star and grasses from August-October. During peak season, there’s lots to do here with Ferris wheels, a merry-go-round, toy train, pony and horse rides and games stalls.

Parsi Point

A popular picnic spot with beautiful views of the Dhom Dam backwaters and the lush Krishna Valley. It used to be a favourite spot for the Parsis of Panchgani at one time, hence the name.

Sydney Point

Situated upon a small hillock facing the Krishna Valley, Sidney point presents enchanting views of the valley and the tranquil lake of the Dhom Dam.

Panchgani-sydney-point

Dhom Dam 

The Boat Club on the waters of the dam provides water bicycles and steamers.

Devil’s Kitchen

This cave is located in the southern part of Tableland and is believed to have served briefly as a shelter for the Pandavas during their exile.

Venna Lake

Venna Lake is located on the Panchgani – Mahabaleshwar road. Fishing and boating are popular here and you can also enjoy the mini train ride and stalls offering food and drinks and some games.

Panchgani-venna-lake

Kate’s Point

Located about 5 km away from Venna Lake towards Panchgani, this place has a beautiful view of the Krishna Valley and the Dhom Dam. It was named after the daughter of Sir John Malcom, who ‘founded’ Mahabaleshwar as a British hill station.

Panchgani-kates-point

Sherbaug

Located just beyond the Check Post, this place has a huge cacti collection, a restaurant and a children’s park.

Mapro farm

You can get a delicious lunch of cheese sandwiches, pizzas and strawberry creams at the Mapro farm, a couple of kilometers towards Mahabaleshwar. Don’t forget to pick up some fresh jam and syrups.

GETTING TO PANCHGANI

Panchgani is 98 km from Pune, 266 km from Mumbai, and 20 km from Mahabaleshwar. You can take the NH4, via Pune, Surul and Wai or come down NH17, via Poladpur. The nearest airport is Pune. By rail: Nearest rail head is Wathar.

Delhi Tourism: Picnic spots in Delhi

A jazz festival in Nehru Park, a football game in the Mahatma Gandhi Park and a long walk with your dog in Lodhi gardens – the parks and gardens of Delhi have finally got their sheen back and ‘Delhi-walahs’ are enjoying them to the max! Once you have exhausted yourself with all the historical monuments, museums and galleries, what could be a better place to relax, pack your picnic baskets and dust your Frisbees and head out to any of these parks.

1. Lodhi Gardens – 

A set of weathered yet timeless monuments make a wonderful backdrop to the well manicured Lodhi gardens. A walker’s paradise, you can also spread your fare and enjoy a day with the family in a nice shady spot! Children and pets enjoy the maximum as there is plenty space to run freely. Don’t forget to clean up after the picnic! Lodhi Gardens is accessible by auto rickshaws from any part of Delhi. Use the meter fare for getting here. The closest metro station is Jor Bagh from where it is minimum fare in an auto.

Lodhi-garden

2. Nehru Park – 

If you have a soft spot for pets and love making new furry friends, you will find many like mined people with their pets here. It’s also a great venue for outdoor festivals and concerts which usually allow people to bring their dogs. Centrally located, many buses play on the route. Auto rickshaws are also available easily.

Nehru-park

3. Deer Park – 

A convenient distance from three residential hubs (Hauz Khas, Green Park and Safdarjung Enclave), the Deer Park is a huge expanse of forest like topography with walking paths made for convenience. Small grassy patches or shades can be used as picnic spots. It’s great for kids as you can often spot deer and birds in this lush expanse. Green Park station is the closes metro point from Deer Park. From there you can get an auto at minimum fare.

Deer-park

4. Garden of Five Senses – 

Close to the Mehrauli Heritage Area in Delhi, the Garden of Five Senses is built on 20 acres of land and subtly merges natural and architectural expression. It’s a botanical extravaganza with an array of plants. The park also has some more sections like the amphitheatre, solar energy park and an artists’ corner. One can spend the whole day here with plenty of activities or just relaxing in a grassy patch. Free buses ply from Qutub Minar to the Garden of Five Senses.

Garden-Five-Senses

5. Shalimar Garden – 

Given the history of Delhi was closely woven with the Mughals, we see the percolation of this perspective in the gardens as well. The Shalimar Garden is located in Central Delhi and serves as a historical place, as Aurangzeb was crowned the emperor of Delhi here. The Shalimar garden lies in the northern part of the city which is connected by metro and buses at ISBT. From there it is a short ride. If you are visiting the Delhi University area, the gardens can be visited in a man driven rickshaw as well.

Shalimar-garden

Delhi Tourism: Shopping in Delhi

The national capital of India, New Delhi,is also the country’s shopping capital as well. There are numerous shopping destinations within the city making every shopper’s dream come true. From bohemian un-branded traveller clothes, to export rejects, designer-wear and the biggest international brands, you’ll find them all sharing the same space, catering to different tastes and budgets.

Delhi-Bazaar!!!

Here are our five favourite shopping hubs of the city. Be prepared to buy an extra bag to carry all your new purchases home!

1. Connought Place

The centre of the city is marked by the famous Connought Place, which is also the metro hub to all lines. Apart from glitzy showrooms and plenty of restaurants, explore the state Emporiums, Khaadi Bhandaar and a unique pick called People Tree. People Tree has been showcasing clothes, earrings and bric-a-brac made by NGO, ‘Jugaad’ for a long time. Everything is delightfully tasteful but pricey! Palika Bazaar, the basement electronics hot spot, is also a favourite with travellers for fakes and grey market goods.

The market is partially closed on Sundays.

Connought-palace-Delhi

2. Hauz Khas Village

Little designer-wear boutiques in the backdrop of run down houses and a lake makes for a great window shopping area even if you don’t plan on any actual shopping. Browse the creations of upcoming Indian designers. While you are here, stop-over at the renown Kunzum travel cafe (pictured below) for a quick round of tea and cookies, here you choose to pay what your pocket allows. Meet other travellers or just chat with the owners for some tips. You can also hop into some art galleries or pick up some antiques.

Hauz Khas opening times are 11.00 a.m to 7.00 p.m, closed on Sundays.

Kunzum travel cafe

3. Sarojini Nagar

You are sure to run into over energetic haggling college girls in this market for sure. The products on sale are seconds or factory rejects of coveted western brands at dirt cheap prices. You need to rummage through heaps of clothes to find what you want, but the exercise is worth it as you won’t have to shell out even a third of the original brand price. Hone your haggling skills here!

Sarojini Nagar Market is closed on Mondays.

Sarojini-nagar

4. Select City Walk

A glitzy sprawling mall in the heart of south Delhi, the Select City Mall is nothing like any other Indian market. With all the trappings of international brands, food courts, large space for concerts and speedy escalators, you would imagine you are perhaps in Singapore. If you are looking for a multiple big name brands and an air conditioned shopping area, this is the place to visit.

Select City Walk is open on all days.

Select-City-walk-Delhi

5. Janpath Market

Janpath is one of the best know market spots in Delhi, where shoppers converge to pick up curios, handicrafts and clothing and to sample the numerous Indian-style fast-food places. This is a great place to get a bargain on fashionable clothes; export rejects or seconds in great condition. As a particular fashion hits India, you can see the shops here teeming with the very same clothes! Work on your bargaining powers in this chaotic lovely jungle of shops. Clothes, shoes, accessories, scarves and books are the highlight of this street.

Janpath is closed on Sundays.

Janpath-market-Delhi


Swaad with Sharmaji

Delhi Tourism: International Mango Festival

CITY: NEW DELHI

DATES: Saturday, July 13, 2013 - Sunday, July 14, 2013(to be confirmed)

VENUE: DILLI HAAT PITAMPURA

ENTRY FEE: Rs. 20 for adults; Rs. 10 for children

TIME: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM

There are few things going in favour of Delhi when it comes to summers. After a pleasant yet testing winter and a blink-and-miss spring, the city goes on to experience four to five months of intense summers. The mercury hovers around 42 degrees Centigrade and the sun beats down on the capital. And yet summer is when Delhi is a riot of colours, fragrances and moods. It brings with it the heady aromas of khus and motiya; a deluge of shades of yellow when the amaltas blooms in the leafy neighbourhoods of South Delhi; the sight of happy youngsters diving into the shallow pools of India Gate, the city’s iconic monument, and, last but certainly not the least, the taste of the king of fruits, mangoes!

Delhi-mango-festival

The relish with which the city savours mangoes is a sight to behold. Braving the scorching sun, the young and the old flock to the thousands of markets peppered across Delhi’s length and breadth, haggling with vendors and going home happy with a supply of mangoes. Restaurants are quick to cash in on this mango mania: turn the pages of any newspaper supplement and you will find announcements of food festivals and promotions centred around the mango. The fruit becomes the baker’s favourite as most confectioneries dole out mango desserts; cafes churn out beverages with generous portions of the fruit, and even meals at home usually end with a platter of cut mangoes. The modest vanilla ice-cream is almost always sold out in summers, given its phenomenal compatibility with the succulent fruit.

Being in proximity with some of the country’s highest producers of mangoes, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, is a boon for the mango-loving populace of Delhi. This is not to say that mangoes from deep down South, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Bengal don’t make it to Delhi. Just the variety of mangoes calls for a trip to Delhi this season. The culmination of Delhi’s love affair with the fruit comes in the form of an exclusive festival, organised every year in July by Delhi Tourism. Eagerly awaited, the International Mango Festival is now in its 24th year. The benchmark of its popularity is the footfall it gets from Delhi residents, not just tourists. Attractive billboards go up all over the city weeks before the start of the festival, luring everyone with the prospect of this calorie-laden indulgence.

Mango-Cut-Taste-it

Once inside the venue, the attractively laid out open-air Dilli Haat in Pitampura, a medley of sights and sounds greet you. It’s like walking into a mango market. Look in any direction and you will see piles and heaps of the fruit, in different hues, shapes and sizes. Decorated with mango motifs and colourful balloons, the atmosphere at the Festival is like that of a carnival. Walk ahead and you will hear rounds of thundering applause. The ovation is usually directed at a contestant with his/her face buried in the skin of a mango while trying to eat the pulp at lightning speed. Groups of enthusiasts are also found crowding stalls where you can learn a recipe or two with mango as the main ingredient. From the humble mango lassi to the more exotic mango salsa, there is a lot to learn about.

If you believe you know your fruit well, it’s time you test your ‘mango quotient’ at this year’s festival. The three-day mango bonanza also includes a spellbinding display of over 500 varieties of the fruit, as well as a slogan writing contest and a quiz.

Sampling the fruit as you wend your way through the maze of stalls and eager visitors is an experience that only this exclusive festival can offer you. This, however, may come for a small price but there are also many vendors who put out platters of freshly cut fruit for free sampling. And if you think you can grow your own mango, then there are saplings on sale for your kitchen garden. Until the first fruit appears, you can always feast on the delicious pickles, jams, chutneys and spreads on sale at the Festival.

Mango-tokri

Apart from the popular commercial varieties of dussehri, fazli, langda, sindhuri, kesar, chausa, banganpalli, totapuri, Neelam, safeda, Amrapali, Husnara and so on, there are several unheard of types on display. Some to make it to the last festival include sadabahaar, dakwala, elaichidana, angoori tapka and even Sheila, a fruit dedicated to Sheila Dikshit, the chief minister of Delhi.

If you still have room for more mango-related stories (this, after doing the rounds of the mind-boggling display), strike a conversation with veterans like Padmashri Haji Kaleemullah Khan of Malihabad, Uttar Pradesh. He is the man who is credited with growing more than 300 varieties on a single tree! Hailing from a family that is almost synonymous with growing the dussehri, Kaleemullah’s experimentations in grafting began in his early teens. Needless to say, it’s not just the fruit that is the essence of the Festival. Tales, trivia and legends go a long way in adding flavour to the overall picture.

Mango-man

So if you want to earn your stripes as a mango lover, the International Mango Festival of Delhi is where you should be headed. If you are staying in a homestay in Delhi as your hosts to arrange transport to the venue. Your host may be able to accompany you to the Festival, helping you choose the best variety of fruits on sale and even striking a good bargain. Back at the homestay, you can also request for a cooking demonstration of recipes using mangoes or even a meal with only mango delicacies.

Swaad with Sharmaji

Tamil Nadu Tourism: Things to do in Yercaud

Weekend destinations provide that timely respite from hectic schedules at work! Yercaud is one such destination which serves this purpose both from cities like Bangalore and Chennai. It is a small hill station in the state of Tamil Nadu and one of the few top spots for a summer break.

Located in the Shevaroys range of hills of the Eastern Ghats, Yercaud boasts of an altitude of almost 5000 ft above sea level! It is known as the jewel of the South. Yercaud provides plenty of relaxing and adventure activities given its vast forest cover and abundance of flora and fauna.

Things to do and see in Yercaud:

1. Boating in the Yercaud Lake – The centre of the lake is adorned by a lake which is a fascinating spot for children. One can do boating in the evenings or just take a walk around it. The pleasant weather adds to the charm.

Yercaud-Lake

2. The National Orchidarium and Botanical Garden – Both a learning and tourist experience, the Orchidarium was established in 1963 and is home to more than 4000 species of plants.

3. Lady’s Seat – A wonderful viewing point, the Lady’s seat provides wonderful sights of the plains below and is great for sun rise and sun sets.

Yercaud-Sunset

4. Silk Farm – Not too far from the Lady’s Seat, a silk worm unit is open to visitors to see the entire process of silk making. Worms are bred on mulberry bushes and then taken through the process of spinning and weaving.

5. The Servaroyan Temple – This is the highest point on the Shevaroy hills and is dedicated to Lord Servaroyan. There is an annual festival held in the month of May here.

6. Hiking Trails – Given the proximity of nature and meandering trails in the region, one can go for short hikes with a local guide.

7. Fairholme Cottage – An old colonial bungalow which has been converted into a heritage hotel is also popular with the tourists to make a short stop.

8. Heaven’s Ledge – Aptly named Heaven’s Ledge, a scenic cliff stands atop the Gowri Estate and provides ethereal views of the valley below. The place also has camping options and is pleasantly out of the main town, almost 15 kms from the outskirts.

9. The Grange - Presumably the oldest building in Yercaud, this was built in 1820 as a summer resort for Robert Clive, a general in the East India Company.

10. Killiyur Falls - An impressive 90-foot (27 m)-high waterfall, Killiyur, makes for a fun picnic spot near Yercaud. One can pack a snack and some board games to spend a day near the falls.

Yercaud-Kiliyur-Falls

Kerala Tourism: Things to do in Mahe

The unassuming coastal destination, Mahe, was once known for its colonial lineage and economical liquor alone. The small town, which part of Pondicherry but sits on the West Coast locked between Kerala and the western Arabian Sea is now slowly gaining popularity with travellers.

Its proximity from destinations in Kerala and also larger cities like Bangalore is making people come here to discover its rich heritage, relaxing beach scene and cuisine which still reflects its French lineage.

Mahe-beach-boats-in-Kerala

Mahe is largely a walking town. It is small enough to meander leisurely and take in the relaxing atmosphere. There are plenty of things to do in Mahe to fill your days. Here are some of our ideas.

1.The Puthalam Temple 

Believed to have been built 1000s of years ago, this temple has had many esteemed visitors, including Gandhi, whose visit is marked by a marble stone at the entrance. A simplistic temple built for 3 gods it houses a holy grove behind it. This feature, specific and prevalent to all Malabar temples, signifies the respect for nature. The legend goes that during the French and Indian army conflict, the French got an advantageous position behind the temple on top of a hill. The Indians who were attacking from below ran out of water and dug some wells for the soldiers. These open wells are still present and you can peep through the thick foliage to see Mangosteins growing in this area. An annual temple festival is held here in March every year.

2.Sri Krishna Temple 

An interesting temple which was built only 50 years ago is famous for hosting low cost marriages. Drop in for a wedding if you are sauntering around.

3.The Mansion of the Administrative Officer of Mahe

Even though this is an administrative building, it lies in a picturesque spot at the confluence of the Mahe River with the Arabian Sea. Though you need permission to go inside, it is worth your while to get to the back of the building to see the fishermen’s boats coming into the bay and making a beautiful backdrop to the small town.

Administrative Officer of Mahe

4.Tagore Park

Well manicured, the park stands at the edge of the sea and has a tombstone in memory of soldiers, a statue of Marianne and several other statues.

5.Malaya Kalagramam

Even though this is not a part of Mahe and technically falls under Kerala, you can walk across the bridge to this art school, inspired by the eminent painter K.C Panicker. Funded by the AVK trust from Chennai, the building is a serene haven for students of art, sculpturing, music and dance. This is a residential school, so you can see students at work if you go on a week day.

6.Mahe Beach

One of the most serene and truly untouched destinations on the west coast Mahe beach is a good place to relax and watch the local fishermen bring in their catch. Read more about Mahe beach.

Mahe-beach

7.Admire the French architecture

With its French lineage the town of Mahe features plenty of buildings with distinct French architectural features. There is also a French school which remains in the town.

8.St. Theresa’s church

The Saint Theresa Roman Catholic Church is a simple church but is well known in the region and popular with visitors during its annual festival between the 5th and 22 October every year.

Getting to Mahe: 

The nearest airport is Calicut International Airport 85 km from Mahe.There is a railway station in Mahe where a few local and express trains stop and nearest major railway stations, where several long distance trains stop, are Thalassery, Kannur and Badagara.

Kerala Tourism: Things to do in Kollam

Kollam is one of Kerala’s most divine destinations. Every inch of it exudes pristine, natural beauty. We discover eight things to do in Kollam that make it a captivating destination.

1.Follow the Light

Thangasseri is a quiet seaside village which is home to many historically invaluable remnants. Here, one can find the remains of an intriguing Portuguese fort and many churches that were built in the 18 century. Also located in Thangasseri is the Thangasseri Lighthouse. The lighthouse stands at a height of almost 150 feet and offers lovely vistas of the surrounding area.

Follow-the-light-Kollam

2.Divine Landscapes

Less than 30 kilometers from Kollam is the important pilgrim center at Sasthamkotta. The town’s Sastha Temple is an ancient temple, which draws people in large numbers. The other reason people find their way towards this hidden gem is because of the natural beauty surrounding it. Here you will find Kerala’s largest freshwater lake, embraced by hills on three sides. The town is connected to Kollam by frequent buses but a more convenient option is hiring a private taxi which can be easily arranged by hosts.

3.Picnic at the Palaruvi

Approximately 75 kilometers from Kollam are the Palaruvi Falls. The majestic falls cascade from a height of over 300 feet. Splashing around in the river is safe and fun for the entire family. The lush woods, surrounding the waterfalls, are a great place to host a picnic. Taking a homemade picnic freshly prepared at your homestay will be a great idea and the homestay owners would be happy to pack you a feast. Undertaking a trek through the woods is a great way to explore the area and to work up an appetite.

4.Holy Holiday

Mayyanad is the most popular tourist destination around Kollam. Just 10 kilometers from the city, Mayyanad is famous for its nine temples and the Sree Sankaracharya shrine. The Subramanya Temple is the most revered holy destination of Mayyanad.

Mayyanad-holy-holiday

5.Family fun

The hub of recreational activities in Kollam is a charming village in Ashramam. Here, one can enjoy many activities offered by the village like its small adventure park, a quaint boat club and a special children’s park. A lot of locals are seen here enjoying the weekends with their family and spending some down time while the kids are happily distracted by the parks.

6.The laidback Backwaters

Almost one-third of Kollam is covered by Lake Ashtamudi, which is named after its eight channels. The lake is known as the doorway to the backwaters. The 16 kilometer long lake is Kerala’s second largest lake and a great alternative to the more congested Lake Vembanad. Other than enjoying cruises and houseboat stays on the Ashtamundi one can also take a four-hour trip to the Munroe island village through Kollam’s canals.

The-Laidback-Backwaters-Kerala

7.Take the scenic way

The most fascinating and unique experience that Kerala has to offer is a cruise on the backwaters. And from Kollam you can take a rare and luxurious cruise to reach the bigger town of Alleppey. This cruise lasts for about eight hours and is the longest cruise you can take on the backwaters.

Backwaters-take-the-scenic-way

8.Dig in

Kerala is known as God’s own country and perhaps its most divine offering is its food. The dishes are at their best when they are made at home with the love and care of a typical Keralite family. The homestays in Kerala ensure you enjoy a culinary experience that no hotel or restaurant could ever match. The recipes, which your homestay hosts would be happy to share with you, are perhaps the best souvenirs to take home.

Kerala-food

Goa Tourism: Things to do in Panjim

Year after year, innumerable tourists descend on the famous little destination called Goa. Yet, every time it manages to offer something new and something unforgettable. Panjim is the capital of the Indian state of Goa. This small and charming the city lies along the left bank of the Mandovi River set up against terraced hillsand red-tiled roofs and a riverside promenade. We investigate the top things to see.

1.Take a dip into history

To date, the mysterious Fontainhas, which is considered Goa’s Latin Quarter and is located in the heart of Panjim remains one of the most charming places to explore. Apart from the vibrant coloured walls and quaint streets there are some delightful hidden surprises. Make sure you have some extra space in the bag to carry some delicious treats home.

Fontainhas in Panjim

2.Holy shrines

The heart of Goa is the Church Square or Municipal Garden which is home to the Portuguese Baroque Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church. It was built in 1541 and other tourist attractions of the place are the 16th century Adilshahi Palace, the Mahalaxmi Temple, the Jama Masjid mosque, and the Chapel of St. Sebastian.

The Panjim Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

3.The Carnival

Carnival celebrations in February go through Panaji and then the other parts of Goa. The colourful parade is a huge draw for the city and the area of Panajim.

Goa Carnival

4.Shopping

The 18th June Road is a popular area in the heart of Panajim for shopping.

5.Beaches

Goa is most famous for its beaches. And near Panji the most famous beaches are Miramar, Bambolim and Dona Paula. Dona Paula is the meeting point for two of Goa’s famous rivers, which meet at the Arabian Sea. Miramar Beach is located near Panjim but is very popular and can get over crowded.

Dona Paula

6.Green Goa

Goa has some fantastic villages to explore, provided you are ready to be lost in the luscious Arpora hills. You can plunge you right into the wilderness with local experts and naturalists who give inspiring talks on snakes and the indigenous flora and fauna. Highly recommended for environment enthusiasts.

Explore the villages of Goa

7.Birds of Goa

Many locals have an inherent eye for bird-watching in the hilly terrains of North Goa. For this you can arrange a day tour from Panjim. The Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is Goa’s important bird sanctuary. It is located in Chorao and is home host to rare and endangered bird species. Bird watching walks are lovely all year round except from May – July when there is a lot of humidity.

A white peacock in Goa

8.The Mystifying Island

From Panjim you can access Old Goa, which has always been rather elusive to the tourists who throng the popular beaches up North. We suggest you do not miss a tour to the mystifying island of Divar. The island can be reached by regular ferries from Old Goa. An old white church, flanked by Banyan trees, stands atop a hill, visible from all points below. The sleepy island has stretches of fields and hardly any inhabitation. Great for a long drive and a quick break for a cold beer in local cafes.

9.Brown Town

From Panjim take a drive to Bicholim, a pottery town and an untouched destination. It is fascinating to see the mud covered town, still preserving the old art of clay and porcelain.

10.Serene Sands

Having heard of only the popular beaches of Goa, many miss many secret pristine beaches. A forty minute drive north of Arpora will lead you to beautiful lesser known beaches called Ashwem, Mandrem and Morjim. Carefully tucked away from the busy clamour of hotels and guest houses, spend some quiet time in the few tasteful shacks at the far end of these un-commercial beaches.

Mandrem beach

11.Test your luck

As you walk out of this faraway world, you can visit one of the only casinos in India. This can be done deep in the Mandovi waters, which provides the casino an off shore status thus making it legal.

Strike it lucky

PRACTICAL INFORMATION: Panjim Goa

• Season – November till April is the most pleasant to visit.
• Single/ Female Travelers – Though largely safe to travel alone, single or female travelers should bear in mind that it is good to avoid late nights.
• Connectivity – Well connected by flights, trains and buses to major metros and towns of tourists’ interests like Hampi.

Largest earthen dam in the world

The Hirakud Dam built on the Mahanadi River in Orissa is the world’s largest earthen dam and the longest dam in India . It was built in 1956 and its total length is 25.8km. It also forms the biggest artificial lake in Asia, with a shoreline of over 639 km.

Hirakud-Dam

The dam is 15 kilometers from Sambalpur and was the first large scale, multipurpose river valley project in India after 1947. It was built to control the problem of flooding in Orissa and over 22,000 families were displaced during its making.

The dam provides an ideal home for rare species of flora and fauna. Its reservoir receives up to 25 species of migratory birds during winter. The Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary is located here.

The India Coffee House

The quick in and out espresso bar of Europe has yet to make its way to India, where people still like to spend hours over a cup of coffee. Chains of coffee shops have mushroomed all over the country. In fact, an urban neighbourhood is likely to have more than a dozen of such swanky outlets. The oldest name in the business, however, is a far cry from the modern-day cappuccino-selling shops.

The India Coffee House chain, founded more than 70 years ago, has a presence in all major cities and many small towns. There are close to 400 such outlets, with Kerala notching up the highest number with more than 50. Orderlies with cummerbunds and pointed turbans can be found in many of the Coffee House branches. The coffee menu is usually restricted to hot coffee (black or with milk), cold coffee (without ice-cream), tea, milk and a handful of sherbets and milk shakes. The accompaniments are what contribute to the high footfall, despite the fact that some of the outlets are in need of a makeover. Plates of mutton samosas, biryani, cutlets, omelettes, paranthas, dosas and pakoras fly off the counter as quickly as the coffee served in modest white cups and saucers.

The-India-Coffee-House

The most legendary India Coffee House branch is the one opposite Presidency College in Kolkata. This is where film-makers, politicians, poets, writers and statesmen spend hours over coffee, making it the hotbed of intellectualism. They say that many a revolution was born, many a script written, many a deal struck and many a love affair blossomed over a cup at the ‘Coffee House on College Street’.

Coffee-Cup

Breakfast in the south of India,usually idlis, upma, idiappam and suchlike, is incomplete without the signature filter coffee, served in stainless tumblers. Be it the legendary MTR (Mavalli Tiffin Room) chain in Bangalore or the popular Murugan’s Idli Shop in Chennai’s T. Nagar, the filter coffee served is a mix of dark roasted coffee beans and chicory. Filter coffee mixes as well as the coffee maker, a set of two tumblers,are good souvenirs from a holiday in the south.

Traditional-Coffee-Cups-Maharashtra

The moment a train enters the south, you will see vendors selling tea are far outnumbered from those with coffee. The coffee available on railway platforms is usually served in a small paper cup. The vendor almost always sprinkles coffee powder on the top, giving you as authentic a taste you can ask for Rs. 10 or even less. In some cases, you will find a vendor selling ‘chaffee’ a mix of coffee and tea.

WHILE ON THE MOVE….

Here’s a pick of good places to go for coffee, conversation and more:

• India Coffee House on Shimla’s Mall. Also try the mutton dosa.
• Devraj Coffee Corner, the only German bakery in Rishikesh. Have coffee with the brown bread and yak cheese.
• Brown Bread Bakery in Varanasi, which is a great place to catch up with fellow travellers.
• Matteo, Bangalore’s hottest new cafe.
• Auroville Bakery in Pondicherry, which is also much known for its cakes and croissants.
• Lila Cafe on Baga beach in Goa, also famous for the pumpernickel bread and apple pie.

COFFEE CARDAMOM KULFI RECIPE

Try this delicious coffee based recipe for an alternative but very popular way to get your coffee fix!

Ingredients:

Servings: 5

8 cups milk

3 tbsp sugar

12 cardamom pods

6 tbsp brewed espresso

Method

Heat the milk in a heavy-bottomed pan. When it reached boiling point, reduce to low heat and stir occasionally for 20 minutes.

Crush the cardamom and add to the milk. Simmer for 60 minutes (or untill the time the milk reduces to two cups). Pour the milk into a bowl, add espresso and sugar, and stir. Leave it to cool down.

Churn the mixture in an ice-cream maker until thick. Put  the mixture into five kulfi moulds and refrigerate.

Add slivered almonds and a few strands of saffron before serving.

Swaad with Sharmaji

Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary

The protected Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary offers an impressive amount of wildlife and fauna for the outdoors enthusiast. Just 10km from Kashid beach in Maharashtra it’s a great spot to get back to nature. Our guide gives you the essential visitor information.

About the sanctuary

The wildlife sanctuary has four major trails and umpteen opportunities to spot wildlife. Though spread over only 52 sq km, the Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary is replete with a large variety of flora and fauna.

Butterfly-in-Phansad-wildlife-sanctuary

It is well known for its population of leopards, hyenas, jungle cats, barking deer, sambhar, wild boars, giant squirrels and bonnet macaque. Even the bird watchers have a notable list of avian friends to follow- Pied hornbills, three toed Kingfishers, Malkohas, Pittas and more. Almost 90 species of butterflies and a number of insects are also a part of the sanctuary. For herpetology enthusiasts, there are a large number of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes. With its growing popularity, specialists are at work in identification of all flora and fauna. The list of plants stands at about 710.

Getting Around

The Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary is a favourite with weekend photographers, who are free to take guided hikes around the forests on the specified trails. Private vehicles need prior permission from the Forest officials. Observation kiosks are made near the water bodies.

Phansad-wildlife-sanctuary

Location

The Phansad Wildlife sanctuary lies in Raigad, which is about 150 kms from Mumbai. The distance is convenient for also a weekend trip. It is just a short trip from the wonderful Kashid beach destination.

Best Season to Visit

The sanctuary is best to see in the warmer months of April and March before the rains, so that there are more chances to spot wildlife.