Travel Blog

Mark Twain, a famous American writer, humorist, and essayist, once said "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition. Older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together." For those who don’t know, Varanasi or Kashi is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. The spiritual and religious hub of India, Varanasi holds immense significance in Hindu mythology and culture. There are myriad mysteries around the birth of Kashi. Today we are going to explore one of the lesser-known interpretations around the establishment of Kashi which is its association with Lord Shiva’s trishul (trident). Let’s find out more about this: Kashi’s connection with Shiva's trident In Kashi, it is believed that "Kashi is the e...

To improve the experience for visitors and ensure a smooth flow of devotees, the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri is preparing to implement a new dhadi (queue) darshan system. Originally planned for January 20, the launch has been delayed to February 1 due to the need to relocate the temple's 'hundi' inside the Natya Mandap. The process requires several government permissions, which are currently being secured. Preparations Underway for a Better Devotee Experience The Law Minister, Prithiviraj Harichandan, shared updates, saying, "There are two to three permissions required for shifting of the hundi, and the government is working on it." While the exact new location of the 'hundi' is yet to be decided, other preparations for the queue system are moving for...

Varanasi, one of India's oldest cities, is preparing to launch the country's first urban ropeway system, aiming to revolutionize transportation in the bustling city. This INR 650-crore project, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2023, is a blend of modern engineering and sustainability. With trial runs expected to begin in a month, the project promises to improve travel for both residents and tourists, making it easier to navigate the crowded city streets. A Step Toward Modern Urban Mobility The urban ropeway will serve as an eco-friendly and efficient alternative to traditional transportation methods. It is expected to reduce traffic congestion and significantly cut down travel time in Varanasi. The first phase of the project is set to be completed in six mon...

Prayagraj and Varanasi, two of India's most sacred cities, are thriving with activity as the Maha Kumbh attracts millions. These cities offer a mix of spirituality, history, and local culture. Here are eight things you can’t miss on your visit. Witness the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat Experience the grandeur of the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi, where priests perform a synchronised ritual with lamps and chants, creating a mesmerising aura. Take a Holy Dip at Sangam, Prayagraj Dive into spirituality by bathing at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers – a cleansing ritual central to Maha Kumbh. Explore Kashi Vishwanath Temple Visit one of the most revered temples in India, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The golden spires and spiritua...

Jammu, 16-01-2025: Mata Vaishno Devi's sacred Trikuta hills witnessed the season's first snowfall, transforming the revered pilgrimage site into a winter wonderland. Alongside, widespread rain swept across the Jammu region, disrupting key transport links like the Mughal and Simthan roads, officials reported. Despite the snowfall and travel challenges, the determination of devotees remained unwavering as pilgrims braved the cold to trek on foot toward the shrine, seeking the blessings of the divine. Pilgrims expressed their joy at witnessing the snowfall during their sacred journey. "Feeling the snowflakes for the first time in my life, and that too here, feels like a divine blessing," shared an elated devotee from Pune. Beyond the Trikuta hills, other areas in the J...

Two sacred institutions stand as pillars of devotion: the ancient cult of Lord Jagannath at Puri and the magnificent gathering of Mahakumbh at Prayagraj. While seemingly distinct, these sacred traditions share deep-rooted connections that many devotees might find surprising. The Puranic Connection Ancient texts, particularly the Skanda Purana and Padma Purana, establish a profound connection between these holy traditions. According to Dr. Rabindra Narayan Mishra, a senior researcher at the Jagannath Sanskrit University in Puri, "The sacred texts mention that Lord Jagannath himself takes a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam during specific astronomical alignments, which coincide with the Kumbh dates." The historical records at the Puri temple archives reveal that special ritu...

The natural cave at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district was opened for devotees for Makar Sankranti celebrations on Tuesday (January 14, 2025), officials said. "The doors of the old cave were opened for devotees after special prayers which were among others attended by Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Anshul Garg," they said. The natural cave within the shrine's sanctum sanctorum is usually opened during winter months when the rush of devotees is less. Many devotees wait eagerly for the day to have 'darshan' at the shrine through the natural cave, which remains closed for most of the year owing to safety issues. "The natural cave is open for the devotees from today, depending o...

Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 13 (ANI): As today marks the last day of the three-day festival to celebrate the first anniversary of the Ram Temple's Pran Pratishtha, a large number of devotees flocked to the Ram Janmbhoomi temple in Ayodhya on Monday. A group of devotees were seen dancing and chanting the slogans for Lord Ram while heading towards their way. The nearby areas of the temple are adorned with flowers and decorative lights as the city is celebrating the first anniversary of the Pran Pratishtha. Ayodhya city has been witnessing a surge in the number of devotees as the celebrations took place. A three-day festival began in Ayodhya on Saturday to celebrate the first anniversary of the Ram Temple’s Pran Pratishtha. On Saturday, Uttar Pradesh Chie...

The consecration ceremony (Pran Pratishtha) of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024, marked the beginning of a transformative chapter for the temple and the city. This sacred event, a blend of faith, tradition, and renewal, has triggered profound changes in Ayodhya's socio-economic landscape. Here are ten standout developments that have emerged since this landmark occasion: 1. Tourism In Ayodhya Reaches New Heights By December 20, 2024, the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department reported a staggering influx of visitors to Ayodhya: 135.5 million domestic tourists and 3,153 international visitors. For perspective, Varanasi recorded 62 million domestic tourists and 184,000 international visitors, while Mathura attracted 68 million visitors, including 87,229 from abroad. This tour...

Katra: Standing outside a three-decade-old tea shop at Banganga, the iconic gateway to the Vaishno Devi shrine, Sonu Thakur declared: "The fight is far from over." His words gave rise to a chorus by the crowd of two dozen pony operators and shopkeepers: "Hum berozgar ho jayenge, agar ropeway yeh banayenge (We will lose our livelihoods if they built the ropeway.)" Thakur goes around giving updates on the ropeway project. It is at such mini gatherings he finds support. Thakur, a member of the Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti (VDSS), is mobilising people against the Rs 250-crore ropeway project that aims to connect Tarakote marg to Sanji Chhat, reducing the 13-kilometer trek to the shrine that takes 5-6 hours on foot to just six minutes. The VDSS represents 60,000 sh...