Colourful Fair - Tarnetar fair...

Tarnetar fair, the most colorful and vibrant fair of Gujarat, is held this year on August 23 to 25 th. Tarnetar is located in Saurashtra near Thangadh. It is five hr drive from Ahmedabad via Limdi-185kms approximately. The fair is held near Trinetrashwar Mahadeva temple at Tarnetar. Grampanchayat and various state authorites organised this colourful fair known as tribal fair near the temple and kund site. Most of the tribes of Saurashtra like Bharvad, Rabari, Koli etc are participating in this fair in a big numbers. The special feature of the fair is matchmaking between the youth of Kolis, Bharwads and Rabaris. It is believed that the Svayamvar of the panchal princess Draupadi was held here wherein Arjuna won her hand .Even today,the tradition of Svayamvar continues and the tribal girls attending the fair have a right to choose their husbands from the assembled youth. The youth come attired in exquisite cloths and jewellery with ornate umbrellas, which signifies that they are ready for a matrimonial alliance.

The Black Hills (Kalo Dungar) | Bhuj | Gujarat

25 kms north of Khavda, the top of the Black Hills is the highest point in Kutch, at 462 m. From here, the entire northern horizon vanishes into the Great Rann, the desert and sky often becoming indistinguishable. It is one of the few non-coastal locations where you feel like you are at the edge of the earth, on the brink of incomprehensible vastness that fades off towards infinity. Looking out from the Black Hills, you can understand the tremendous effort that those who undertake the crossing of the Great Rann have to make. Since this is one of the places where a civilian can get closest to the Pakistan border, there is an Army post at the top; beyond here, only military personnel are allowed. The hill is also the site of a 400-year-old temple to Dattatreya, the three-headed incarnation of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva in the same body. Legend says that when Dattatreya walked on the earth, he stopped at the Black Hills and found a band of starving jackals. Being a god, he offered them his body to eat and as they ate, his body continually regenerated itself. Because of this, for the last four centuries, the priest at the temple has prepared a batch of prasad that is fed to the jackals after the evening aarti.

Khushboo Gujarat Ki ……… with Amitabh Bachchan

RUPAL: Palli - A tradition on Navratri…

We can define Navaratari meaning Nine Night Dance festival. It is celebrated all over India. Gujarat, Maharashtra and West Bengal are states were Navratri celebrated maximum. 

Rupal, a small village around 47 km away from Ahmedabad and 12 km from my city Gandhinagar. Rupal is known for Ma Vardayini Temple and Palli of Ma Vardayini. There is one big Temple with new look, all the basic facilities on the main road.

Palli is a wooden frame of around 6-7 feet height. . It is made by some Prajapatis in the village, then Rajput made some tilak from his ancient sword and then the Palli starts moving all over the village on some predefined route. Its having holy fire kindled at top of it and also on all four corners. Pure Ghee or clarified butter is being poured onto a Palli.. During the route at each and every place people are ready with Ghee in pips and buckets, when the palli pass through, they pour it on the palli. More than 600,000 Kg of Pure Ghee poured onto a Palli. The price for that ghee is around 100 million rupees.

Matheran - A perfect weekend getaway

Matheran literally means "Forest on Top".

At Matheran, you can experience unpolluted fresh air as motor vehicles are banned within Matheran. Vehicles have to be parked at Dasturi Naka on the outskirts of the hill station. The most enjoyable way to reach Matheran is to take the toy train from Neral. (Mumbai local trains to Karjat stop at Neral)

Shivasamudram falls - A One day trip from Bangalore

Shivasamudram falls....also referred as Bharachukki and Gaganachukki falls.

Route --> Vijayanagar - Kanakapura- mavalli - shivanasamudra

Distance --> 140 Kms from Bangalore

Money spend --> Petrol + 32 Rs (Toll) + 50 Rs (Fees for the falls)

Duration --> 10 hours total.

Ideal Time --> Middle of rainy season

Ideal for -- > Large groups, Family, Weekend Getaways

Araku – A beautiful Valley near Vizag

Araku valley is the best place, this is a hill station, About 135 kms from Vishakhapatnam (Vizag) and can be reached by a smooth ride from Vizag in approximately 3 hours and is close to the Orissa State border. If you plan to make a trip to Araku, go to Shimliguda railway station which is the highest station on the broad gauge of Indian Railways. The journey to Araku Valley is the most enjoyable as the train passes through tunnels, hill sides and streams. It is a good option to go to Araku by train and return by road. It has been a wonderful place for people who like to enjoy in between the hills, forests, beautiful roads, water falls, cottages in forest and beautiful sceneries. Best place & climate for nature lovers. There are frequent state and private buses that ply between the cities and it takes 5 hours to climb the mountain by train to Araku valley as it goes slow to enjoy tunnels. Try to travel during October to February. Will be foggy and misty will be realistic. However the town still has several hidden spots that make it worth a visit in the monsoon and winter months.