According to Hindu mythology, ‘Ardh Kumbh Mela’ takes place when the planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries. Kumbha (meaning pot) Mela (meaning fair) is considered a very sacred Hindu pilgrimage. It takes place at the following four sacred places across India:
Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh)
Haridwar (Uttarakhand)
Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh)
Nasik (Maharashtra)
The next Ardh kumbh Mela will take place in the holy city of Haridwar from January 1, 2016 to April 30, 2016.
The main bathing dates for the upcoming Kumbh Mela are –
Date (2016)
Day
Event
14th January
Thursday
Makar Sankranti
12th February
Friday
Vasant Panchami
22nd February
Monday
Magh Purnima
7th March
Monday
Mahashivratri
7th April
Thursday
Chaitra Amavasya
8th April
Friday
Chaitra Shukla Pratipada
14th April
Thursday
Mesha Sankranti
15th April
Friday
Ram Navami
22nd April
Friday
Chaitra shukla Purnima
Kumbh mela
Rivers have always held a special place in Hindu mythology, as these are considered to be the carriers of life and fertility. Hence the rivers always remain a part of almost all major festivals in India. One of the festivals which are worth mentioning in this context is Kumbh Mela. This fair is perhaps the largest religious gathering in any religion around the world. A vast number of people gather at different places and perform different rituals on this day by the banks of different rivers. The name Kumbh Mela consists of two words, the literal meaning of the name of the festival is, “Kumbh” which means a pitcher or a pot, the word Kumbh also signifies a Hindu sun sign, Aquarius. The word Mela means a fair or a gathering. This is a fair which is conducted at four different places of India on the banks of pious rivers. The places where the mela is conducted are Haridwar, on the banks of river Ganges; Ujjain by the river Shipra; Nasik by the river Godawari and at Allahabad by the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati. During the festival the banks of these rivers become a large bathing ground for the rich, the poor, the sadhus and the women alike. For each place the Kumbh Mela repeats every 12 years, but in actuality there are four different Kumbh Melas which take place at different sites. For e.g. if the Kumbh Mela is taking place in Prayag in the year 2011 then the next Kumbh Mela will take place at Ujjain.
Though all the Kumbh Melas enjoy almost similar quantity of devotees but the name of Haridwar comes at the top of all Indian pilgrimages. Hence the Kumbh Mela of Haridwar enjoys exceptional media coverage and Tourist traffic. The place is termed as the gateway to heaven in Hindu mythological scriptures.
The Myth behind the celebration of Kumbh Mela goes like this, after the Deva-Asura war, which went on for quite some time, both the involved parties came to a conclusion that they instead of fighting should come together and churn the milky ocean to obtain the Elixir. The sea was churned and elixir was obtained but it was not meant for the Asura or the demons hence the god who appeared from the sea with the Kumbh or the pitcher of elixir ran from the chasing Asuras. In this chase a few drops fell on earth and now at these four places the Kumbh Mela is conducted.
We are frantically preparing to serve all of you attending Kumbh mela. Demand for one-way rides to Haridwar are already ramping up. We are gearing up to help our clients make it to the Kumbh mela and back safely.
if you are booking cabs for Kumbh mela, please plan on making your reservations well ahead of time. Gozo is taking clients from all over Northern India to Haridwar for the holy ‘snan’ (bath).
We are taking reservations for one-way rides from Delhi Airport to Kumbh mela. Let our experienced and knowledgeable drivers take you comfortably on your pilgrimage
Government of Uttar Pradesh will be hosting Taj Balloon Festival in Agra. The festival will feature 15 balloons from across countries like the United Kingdom; the United States of America, Spain and Germany, amongst others. Expert balloonists will be displaying their skills as the skyline of the ‘Taj’ city Agra will be dotted with colourful balloons.
Many are going to Agra to watch the skyline of the ‘Taj’ city dotted with colourful balloons. Its going to be a beautiful sight. Gozo will be there, come ride with us!
Many of our national and international clients are heading to Pushkar this month. Local fests such as Pushkar Mela and Rajasthan International Folk Festival in Jodhpur attracts tourists from across the world,
Pushkar Mela in Jodhpur
Gozocabs is serving clients going from Delhi Airport to Pushkar or anywhere around the Jodhpur region. One-way comfortable and reliable rides are the best way to start a good vacation.
This small town of Pushkar brightens up during the fair and brings local flavours to the fore. Pushkar is said to be among the five dhams or pilgrimages that are held in high esteem by Hindus (Others are Badrinath, Puri, Rameswaram, and Dwarka). A lesson in mythology states that in a battle once, Lord Brahma killed the demon Vajra Nabh with a lotus flower, whose petals floated down to earth and landed in three places in and around Pushkar where lakes sprang up. It is also said that Pushkar Lake was surrounded by 500 temples and 52 palaces (several rajas and maharajas maintained palaces here for pilgrimage) at one point. The Brahma Temple is an important temple here.
Reaching Pushkar is not difficult – especially when you are traveling with Gozo cabs. This beautiful town is set in a valley just about 14 km off Ajmer in Rajasthan. Surrounded by hills on three sides and sand dunes on the other, Pushkar is a befitting backdrop for the annual religious and cattle fair
Pushkar Mela is a five day festival staring from Kartik Ekadasi to Kartik Poornima which means the full moon. Visitors make their way to the fair, take bath and purify themselves.
So if you plan on heading there, make Gozo your ride! Use the code GOPUSHKAR200 for going or returning from Pushkar Mela, and we’ll take Rs 200/- off your one-way trip.
Are you a cycling enthusiast! Do you love riding through rough terrains? Does the idea of cycling through Himalayas from Manali to Leh make you jump on your feet? We at GozoCabs get really excited when someone mentions the Himalayas. It is our favorite destination when it comes to adventure and fun loving trips or sometimes just peace and serenity. That’s why we are constantly building up our services in the region.
We want to share our love for Himalayas with everyone! Introducing the Manali – Leh Highway! One of the most exhilarating mountain terrain you will ever come across! This miles after miles of adrenaline pumping scenic beauty is one-size-fits-all destination for mountaineers, photographers, cyclists, spiritualists, music festivals lovers, road trippers.
Cycling the high-altitude Himalayan highway
Carved through the Himalaya mountain range in 1987 and opened to foreign travelers in 1989, the 500km highway between the towns of Manali and Leh in northwest India has become a premier mountain challenge for intrepid cyclists, presenting one of the highest and most starkly beautiful rides in the world. Blanketed by snow for most of the year, the road is accessible for just three or four months – around June to September – when makeshift villages, such as the prayer flag-strung Marhi, 50km north of Manali, materialise.
Climbing Mountains
Cycling from Manali to Leh involves climbs totalling around 8,000m – almost the equivalent of scaling Mount Everest from sea level – and atop barren Baralacha La the road officially crosses the Himalayan range. The ascent to this pass from the village of Patseo is long but gradual, climbing 1,200m in 32km. At almost 4,900m above sea level, every gain is hard earned with the effort of pedalling and even breathing difficult and painful.(via Andrew Bain / BBC Travel)
So take this summer vacation to a whole new meaning of life, adventure and adrenaline rush of cycling through Himalayan serenity. Book a one way cab from Delhi to Manali with GozoCabs and begin the most memorable journey of your life. There are multiple tour operators in Manali which provide you with package deals for cycling tours of 12 to 16 days. Let us know if you would like us to help you on that. We would love to hear about your journey through the Himalayas once you are back. Live on the Edge!
We also provide cabs from Delhi to Shimla, Chandigarh to Shimla, Chandigarh to Manali and we are regularly adding many more destinations to the list.
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Manali, the erstwhile favourite Honeymoon Spot for Indians still retains its sheen. It is situated at the northern end of the Kullu Valley offering spectacular views of snow-capped peaks and wooded slopes. A trip to Manali has been the dream of every Indian. The Beas river runs along its rocky course amid grassy meadows carpeted with wild flowers and wagtails hop along from stone to stone along the stream’s edge. There are marvellous walks too, through dappled orchards and fairy-tale forests of deodar. It is an excellent holiday spot and a favourite resort for trekkers to Lahaul, Spiti, Kinnaur, Leh and Zanskar regions in Kashmir valley. Zorbing is one of the main adventure activities in Manali. Tourists, especially from Delhi throng to Manali in huge numbers during summers. Taxis/ cabs to Manali are available aplenty. Also, transport from Delhi to Manali is very robust and facilities of going from Chandigarh to Manali are also good. To check the best season to visit Manali and to check live temeprature in Manali, check http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Manali-weather/Himachal-Pradesh/IN.aspx
How to get there?
Buses/ Cabs: Cabs to Manali are available throughout the year. The approximate time taken from Delhi to Manali is 10 hours and can be reached by NH 1 up to Chandigarh and from there by national highway NH21 that passes through Bilaspur, Sundernagar, Mandi and Kullu towns. The road distance from Delhi to Manali is 550 km and from Chandigarh to Manali is 273 km. The roads are well paved and the route is beautiful. Buses from Delhi to Manali start from ISBT Terminus and buses from Chandigarh to Manali start from Sector 17. Buses to Manali from other cities like Dehradun, Patiala, Meerut also run. To book cabs to Manali from Delhi kindly contact us at www.gozocabs.com. We also provide cabs from Chandigarh to Manali.
Trains: Trains from Delhi to Manali are non-existent currently. Since the terrain is hilly, the farthest that you can go to is Joginder Nagar which is 135 km from Manali. Other nearby destinations includes Chandigarh, Pathankot and Kalka. Beyond this point, one would need to book a cab to Manali. En route to Manali, cabs for Shimla can be booked, a stay can be planned for a day and then an onward journey can be taken.
Flight: The nearest airport (IATA code KUU) is at Bhuntar town, situated on NH21 about 50 km south of Manali and 10 km south of Kullu town. The airport is also known as Kullu-Manali airport. Indian Airlines and some private airlines have regular flights to the airport. Daily flight service (except Tuesdays) has been started by Air India from Delhi to Bhunter and vice-versa since May 2013. After reaching Delhi airport, taxis/ cabs to Manali need to be taken. Generally international tourists come for adventure sports in Manali and its pleasant weather in the months of April-July.
Where to Stay?
There are plenty of (more than 500) guest houses, lodges, rest houses and hotels in Manali. You can either book a place before hand, but in case you have an ad-hoc plan, there will always be a room waiting for you irrespective of the season. You can go through several web links including the one below to know more: http://www.tripadvisor.in/Hotels-g297618-Manali_Himachal_Pradesh-Hotels.html. A personal suggestion: A trip to Manali is never complete without a good hotel.
Budget hotels in Manali charging in the range of INR 700-1,000 per night include Apple Paradise, Hotel President, Pine Grove, Manali Majestic, Rising Star, Hotel Hadimba Way and Hotel Kalpana. The mid-range hotels in Manali are Hotel Snow Line, The Manali Lodge, Khushboo Resorts, Hotel Snow Park and Manali Heights. And names of some of the exotic hotels are Manu Allaya, Banon Resorts Manali, Hotel Sandhya Manali, De Vivendi Resorts and Span Resort & Spa. With no dearth of good hotels in Manali, you can plan a trip here at any time during the year.
Places to visit in Manali!
Solang Valley: A valley perennially covered with snow, this is the premier destination visited by tourists. With its fine ski slopes and snow clad terrain, paragliding and skiing is done here. Snowfall in this valley is perennial. Additionally, paragliding can be done here! Do not book a skiing jersey beforehand since you’ll be charged a bomb. Go to the valley and get your skiing gear there itself!
Rohtang Pass: The most famous place around Manali it is a significant landmark in the Indian landscape; special cabs from Manali to Rohtang go during the periods in which the pass is open which is typically May-August. Gozocabs provide cabs to Rohtang Pass from Manali during these months.
Jagatsukh: Situated on the left bank, it is famous for the historical interesting Sharvali Devi temple.
Tibetan Monasteries: There are 3 newly constructed colourful monasteries in Manali offering a wide range of handicrafts and carpets. Travel to Manali is incomplete without visiting this place.
Vashisht Hot Water Springs: Renowned for its natural hot water spring with temperature reaching as high as 100°C; there are temples dedicated to Vashist Muni and Lord Ram in the vicinity as well. Visiting Manali excluding the hot springs is unacceptable.
Mountaineering Institute: The institute organizes basic and advance training courses in trekking, mountaineering, skiing and water sports and is often a place thronged by tourists in huge numbers.
Fun Stuff!
Rafting: White Water Rafting is done in the Kullu valley along the banks of the Beas river from Pirdi to Jhiri on a track of about 16 km in length. Canoeing and kayaking too is also done!
Zorbing Ball: One of the very few places in India where this is done, it’s an awesome sports activity. This is the main adventure sport here and is unique to the place.
Skiing: Skiing courses and competitions are held every year at Solang Nala. The best slopes include Bhrigu peaks near Hamta. A little bit of summer skiing can be done even on the Rohtang pass.
Trekking: Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges easily accesible from Kullu valley are the premier trekking spots. Other areas include treks to Lahaul & Spiti, Zanskar, Kinnaur and Kangra. Snowfall in Manali is a facet you need to be weary off. Else, the trek is amazing.
Festivals!
Doongri Forest Festival: Organized by the women folks of this place, this is a major event of this place in which sweets and cuisines specific to Manali are made to the forests. Special tourist cabs to Manali are available during the festival months.
Winter Carnival: Among all the Manali Tourist actvities, Manali Winter activities are a big hit amongst the tourists visiting Manali. Skiing competitions are organized in Manali during the winters every year. Athletes and tourists from all across the globe come over to this place to be a part of this event. Along with the snow in Manali, this forms a treat to the eyes of the beholders. Cabs to Manali from Delhi and Chandigarh are available in these months at special discounts. A trip to Manali should be planned during this time which would be the ideal time and ideal season to visit the place.
Things to Buy!
Kulu shawls are the highlight of the place. Kinnauri shawls, mufflers, Pangwali blankets from Chamba and multi-coloured hand-knitted woolen socks from Lahaul are the authentic apparels that one should buy in Manali. There is good range of thangkas, silver and turquoise jewellery available in the Tibetan market. Tibetan handicrafts including curios, antiques and knickknacks are also items to be added on your shopping cart. There are wide range of locally made pickles, jams and juices. Natural oil like apricot oil for massages and shampoos are available in the shops on the mall. Coming all the way from Delhi to Manali would mean that one should get a souvenir from this beautiful place.
Ideal Season!
The best season to visit Manali is after the retreating monsoon during December-February. However, even during the other seasons the place remains pretty cold. The average temperature in Manali is around 15 degrees. Being one of the premier hill stations in India, it has tourists all throughout the year. A breakaway during the summer months would be advisable. Snowfall in Manali is also a must watch and the month of December is ideal for it. However, the best season for enjoying an escape from the mundane city life is summer from April-June.
Ideal Time n Budget!
The stay at Manali depends on how much time you have allocated for your vacations. It is suggested that you plan a trip of 4 days from Delhi to Manali and back. You can stay in Manali for 2 days and while returning halt at Shmila or Kulu. Nearby places like Mandi and Kangra are also delightful hill stations. The optimistic estimate to place for a 4 day journey would be INR 8,000 per person. It would be advisable to hire a cab for Manali, use the same to roam around the place for a couple of days and return in the same.
