Vrindavan Ki Holi

Insane Holi In Vrindavan 

Holi is among the famous festival celebrated in India. This festival signals the end of winter and arrival of summer. Celebrated usually in the beginning or middle of march. The festival has two major religious rituals i.e. the bonfire popularly know as Holika dahan which held during the night and a celebrations with colours is held the folowing day. The festival mainly indicates the victory of good over evil. However the ways to celebrate Holi very largely base on different cities of India.

People gathered for Yamuna Arati at Holy  Gate  

Story behind Holi

Hiranyakashyap tried several ways to kill his son Pralhad, but lord Vishnu saved him every-time. Finally he asked his sister Holika to enter a blazing fire with Pralhad in her lap. For Hiranyakashyap knew that Holika had a boon where by she could enter a fire unscathed. Holika persuade young Pralhad to sit in her lap and she her self took seat in a blazing fire. Holika was not aware that the boon worked only when she entered the fire alone.Pralhad who kept chanting the name of Narayana, came out unharmed. Thus Holi derives it's name Holika. And is celebrated as a festival of victory of good over evil.

In the several state of India specially in north sculpture of Holika are burnt in the huge bonfires. There is even a practice of  hurling cow dungs into the fire and shouting obscenties at it as if at Holika. Then everywhere one hears shouts of 'Holi Hai' Holi Hai'

Holika and Pralhad

At My Place

When its about holi i cant stop myself to write about my place. I stay in Belgaum karnataka, in south they would't keep any idol of Holika and Pralhad but they arrange woods and burnt in the huge  bonfires. omen offers Puran Poli in agni (fire) as Nevedyam. Men shout obscenties. Some times they shout in kannada language Bantu Bantu Holi Bantu, Yadakke Bantu..? Wodlike Bantu (came came holi came, why it came..? to shout it came) 

At Vrindavan

As every traveler even I was planning for Vrindavan's Holi since 2 years. But finally this years I make it happen. Holi of Vrindavan is very famous. It's one one of the craziest festival of India and sees tens of thousands of travellers from around the world indulging in an insane war of paint and colours. Holi is best witnesssed in Banaras, Mathura and Vrindavan. It was my first visit to Mathura, Vrindavan. Holi is with full of madness, the crowed, Bhaang and alcohole and women's safety around this things made me apprehensive. So this time I dropped plan of solo travelling and took one friend with me. You have to book hotels 1 months prior in Vrindavan else you would't get hotel or any hostels in Vrindavan. As usual it was my sudden plan I didn't get any room in Vrindavan. So I have to stay in Mathura which was14.4km away fromVrindavan. As it was my sudden planned I didnt get any hotels or hostels in Vrindavan. You get share auto or Toto (electric auto) daily to Vrindavan. which cost Rs. 2o/-  to 30 rs

Banke Bihari Temple
When it's about Holi and if we do not talked about Vrindavan's Banke Bihari Temple then surely we are missing something. In Banke Bihari Temple Folonki Holi (Flowers Holi) is as famous as Lathmar Holi which held is Barsana.
Holi starts from Banke Bihari Temple. Daily hugh people come to this temple to pitch colors on lord. It's an ancient temple with magnificently carved in Rajasthani style and is dedicated to Lord Krishna. In addition Shri Krishna Balaram Mandir, Iscon Temple, Pagalbaba ka Mandir, Rangnath ji ka Mandir, Prem Mandir, Needhi Van Temple ect are there.

Dauji ka Huranga

One day after Holi Huranga Holi is celebrated at Dauji Temple, located in Baldeo above 30km outside Mathura. Huranga Holi is a game where women playfully tear off the men's shirt and beat them up with strips of their cloths, in the temple courtyard.

Ready to play Holi

Beating with strips of cloth

That's it if you like my blog don't forgot to like and share it. If you have anyc suggestions or any questions you can free to contact me. Thank You in advance. 

For The First Time International Traveler

For The First Time International Traveler

Exploring new lands and provinces outside our country always feels us lots of excitement and curiosity. The whole experience can be exited,and  many have learned it for the first time they left to travel.

My first international tour was Turkey. Turkey country that occupies a unique geographic position lying party in Asia and partly in Europe.It is among the larger countries of the region in terms of territory and population. Turkey predominantly mountainous country.

There will be many quetions, what will you find outside your motherland? what will destination throw at you? How will you manage the travel? How much money will you spend? Well take a deep breath and calm down. I'll help you to get things right before you board your flight.

Things to take care...

1. International charger

Now a days if your phone's battery is full then your the most luck person, so we always behind the phone's battery and if your travelling in new country then this one is challenging. So for this you have to buy international charger. Each country has different switch boards so it's important to carry that country's charger or all in one international charger, You will get on amazon.com or you can find it on airport but if you want to spend less go for amazon.

2. Visa

Some of the countries that allow Indian citizens to travel Visa free. Eg- Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia, ect ect. Some of them  allow VOA (Visa On Arrival) for Indian Citizen Eg- Thailand, Seychelles ect ect.

 So you need to check it before you choosing country for travel. 

I had obtain a single entry e-visa for Turkey. for further details visit there e-visa website.

3. Money Is Everything 

Always have an eye on your monetary conversion before you go. Do your math before you travel. Ensure that your credit card is accepted in that country you are visiting.To be o safer side always cache local cash. Not every place take credit card.

Local People 

Meet the locals avoid other travellers. Local people knows the best and strart conversation with local people. Basic English is Spoken widely so it's easier to communicate. Local enrich your travel more then sights do.

Cell Phones

Using your phone overseas can be a very costly exercise. Many cell plans don't include any calls, texts, or data while travelling internationally and casual usage rates are extremely high. To avoid this happens to you check to see weather your cell company has any packages designed for international use.  In some countries like  China Whatsup, Google, Google maps not working. Wechat, Skype operates in China. So this things you should check first before travelling.

Vegetarian Food

If you are a vegetarian then you may suffer in some countries. In some countries Veg food is expensive then Non-veg. Being a Vegetarian I found it very difficult to survive 8 days. I was just on soups, chips, chocolate, Fruits and juices. When I landed to India whole day I ate Pav Bhaji, Pani Puri, Vada paav

Where to book your flights ?

For international tour I prefer skyscanner where you get low cost flights compare to others.

Hotel 

It is mandatory to to have a hotel booked in advance for a VISA. If you are staying for a week then whole week hotel booking should be required. 

I prefer booking on bookings.com where ill get a cheap and best hotel price including breakfast and Free cancellation and sometimes no prepayment needed.

That's it if you have any question, any suggestions your free to ask me. You can follow me on instagram as shreebanjaran same as on tripoto or on facebook as Bhagyashri karve

Coorg the Scotland of India

Coorg  The Scotland Of India

Kodagu which is also know as Coorg. I have listen about this place so many times but never got chance to visit. This place has become my favorite spot lately. It is also called as Scotland of India. I have not visited Scotland or neither I read any article on Scotland, but when I visit Coorg I feel Scotland will be the same as Coorg. It was my first solo trip to Coorg. As being a girl and a first solo trip I was worried like how the trip will go as I have not experience of a solo trip.

I took bus from Bangalore which was at 11pm which cost me Rs600/-  I have already booked an Home stay in Madikeri which was cost Rs.1000/- including breakfast. Morning by 5.45 I reached Madikeri and took auto to my home stay which was just 1km from the bus stand. I love home stay because it's feel safe and its high quality services at a very reasonable price.

Flavoursome Breakfast Rice balls 

Places to visit in Coorg:

1. Dubare Elefant camp- 

 Its a very beautiful elephant camp, which has nominal entry fees Rs20 for elephants visit and Rs.30 for boat ride . It's open in morning from 9.30am to 11.30am, if you can't make it in the morning then evening 4.30pm to 5.30pm for 1hr it will be open. I have not seen so many elephants together and first time I saw elephants from closely. It has a very big tusk you can touch them click pictures and also give bath to elephants with some extra charges. 

You have to cross this river to reached Elephants Camp.

2. Golden Temple:

Monastery for me is always heaven. You will find there lots of monks who will be roaming playing games and meditating. Outside the monastery you will find different types of shop, where you will get stuff for meditation, flags and also idols of Budha's. You will find much peace inside the monastery. 

3.Abbey Falls :

Is one of the beautiful attraction of the Coorg. It is located 8km from Madikeri and 122km from Mysore. It is also know as Abbi Falls.

4. Talacauvery

When  I visited this place I was unable to see steps of the temples because of the fog. First time I saw so much of fog and the climate was too awesome. Back side of the temple there was steps around 300, I climbed the steps and reached the top and the view was just breathtaking and I was just like I don't want to go back I wanna stay here itself:-)

Finally Reached.

  

300 Steps 

Temple

5.Raja Seat:

It's a place from where you can see whole city. It is also one of  the good place. You can also call it as lovers point:-)

That's it if you have any questions, comments or anything which you want to know you can connect me with Facebook or a Instagram. Thanks for the reading.
All pictures use in this blog has been clicked by me and I reserve all the rights, to display them:-)

Wah Taj

Taj Mahal is the most beautiful tombstone which i have ever seen in my entire life. The first look of Taj Mahal gives an pleasant smile on your face and sudden word come out from your mouth "wow"
It's gives a very divine feeling. I have started my journey from Mumbai to Agra. I reached at 3pm near Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal opens at morning 6am and closed at 6.30pm. It's closed on every Friday for maintenance.

                                                      Dwar (Gate) of the Taj Mahal

I took Auto from station to Taj Mahal which cost me Rs.40/- and on main gate you will get Toto auto (electric auto) which cost 10 rupees per person from main gate to Taj Mahal is nearly 2km. Toto auto will take you from Meena Bazaar (market) where you get a pure leather shoes, sandals which starts from rupees 1200, you will also get there variety  of sarees which made with peel of banana which cost rupees 2750 with a 5 years of guaranty and you can return it to any handicrafts and hand-loom centre all over India and get half rate back.

I have book my ticket online on http://asimustsee.nic.in just to rescue from huge ticket counter queue, if you wanna do same then copy the above link and start your smart journey. This link also cover monument of all over India. Taj Mahal entry fee is rupees 50 and for visiting mausoleum has to buy additional ticket of Rs.200/- Inside the Taj Mahal you will find kabra  (Graves) of Mumtaaj and Shahjahan inside the Taj Mahal photography/videography is strictly prohibited, you can take pictures from outsides Drone is stricktly prohibited inside the Taj Mahal. Tourist must have to carry hi/her identity card.You have to keep your shoes/sandles at shoe rack which is free of cost.

While entering into Taj Mahal you can see four dwars (Gates) from each gate you can see Taj Mahal. There is around 20 fountains and the Bagh (garden) Mehtab Bagh garden which was created along side the river of Yamuna. So the Taj mahal is at one side and the Mehtab Bagh is at another side, in the middle is river Yamuna. This Bagh is also famous as the Moon Light garden, because on fine full moon nights, the view is beautiful.

Yes, the first view of Taj and first touch gives a good feeling and being optimist girl I'm gona visit this place again and again. Outside the Taj Mahal you will find restaurant or a food court where you can get food. There are also present mini hawker, which offers you loads of stuffs which actully looks very fascinating, but please bargain hugely before you plan to buy them. A 500rs/- is actually Rs.200/- Few Horse carts and Camel carts are tere, which would give you good ride as well.

                                          This pose is mandatory when you visit Taj Mahal

There are many places to visit in the city wich could easily be covered in a day (Agra Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, Fatehpur Sikri ect, ect.) use Google for more search on places.

That's it, hope you like my blog as it's my first blog. If you have any questions, suggestions or anything, feel free to connect on facebook Id karve.bhagyashree@gmail.com or follow me on Instagram with a name shreebanjaran.