Namaste! | Gozo cabs journey across India : Page 44 of 143 : Your travel, Your way

May 8, 2018April 30, 2018

5 amazing places to visit near Kollam

In this read, we bring to you 5 amazing places near Kollam, which you can visit on a day or two holidays.

Kovalam

Kovalam is a beach town in Kerala. The Kovalam beach is one of the most popular beaches in India. In the local language, Kovalam means coconut, and since the region is surrounded by a dense grove of coconut trees, the place got its name. It is a great relaxing place.

Distance between Kollam and Kovalam: 77 kilometers, 2 hours drive

Book a taxi from Kollam to Kovalam

Kochi

Kochi is also known as Cochin and is a coastal town of Kerala state. It has been a port since 1341. Some of the popular sites in Kochi include-

Ernakulam Shiva temple
Hill Palace
Indian Naval Maritime Museum
Antique Museum
Kochi Fort

Distance between Kollam and Kochi: 139 kilometers, 4 hours drive

Book a taxi from Kollam to Kochi

Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram is also called as Trivandrum and is the capital city of Kerala. The place displays the British colonial architecture and presents several art galleries. The must visit place in Thiruvananthapuram is the Kuthira Malika also called the Puthenmalika palace, which presents a sneak peek into the Travancore Royal Family’s lifestyle.

Distance between Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram: 65 kilometers, 2 hours drive

Book a taxi from Kollam to Thiruvananthapuram

Sabarimala

Sabarimala is a Hindu pilgrimage site. Around 5 million devotees visit this place every year. The Ayyappan temple, the holy pilgrimage is located amidst 18 hills of the Western Ghat mountain range.

A distinct feature about the pilgrims visiting this temple is that they usually dress up in black or blue attire. You can read more information about this temple here.

Distance between Kollam and Sabarimala: 125 kilometers, 4 hours drive

Book a taxi from Kollam to Sabarimala

Pathanamthitta

It is an important district of Kerala, mainly because of connecting Sabarimala (a pilgrimage site) to the other cities of Kerala and neighbouring states. Pathanamthitta is a lovely city and some of the great sights here include-

Manjanikkara Dayara
Malayalapuzha Devi Temple
Gurunathan Mukadi Sri Ayyappa Guru temple
Palliyara Devi Temple

Distance between Kollam and Pathanamthitta: 58 kilometers, 1.5 hours drive

Book a taxi from Kollam to Pathanamthitta

Useful links-

Sites to visit on one day Kollam trip

How to reach Kollam

Kollam: Food tour

Kollam: History and cultural tour

May 7, 2018May 11, 2018

Spending one day in Gandhinagar

Gandhinagar is a well-planned city in the Gujarat state of India. If you have only one day to spend in Gandhinagar, you can visit the following places.

Adalaj stepwell

Also known as Rudabai stepwell, the Adalaj stepwell is an ancient water source for the residents of Adalaj village, a rural town close to Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad cities of Gujarat. It is believed to be constructed during the 1400s by the king of Vaghela dynasty.

Address: Adalaj, Gujarat 382421, India

Visiting time: 08:00 AM to 06:00 PM

Time to spend: 1 hour

Next destination: Indroda nature park, 20 minutes drive

Indroda nature park

The speciality of this park is the whales and sea-mammals exhibition, along with a zoo and a botanical garden.

Address: GEER Foundation, Deer Park, Indroda Village, J road, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382007, India

Visiting time: 08:00 AM to 05:30 PM, Monday closed

Contact: +91 79 2397 7300

Time to spend: 2 hours

Next destination: Akshardham temple, 10 minutes drive

Akshardham temple

It is a massive 10-story Hindu temple complex inspired by Pramukh Swami, the former spiritual head of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. The temple premises display an elaborate sandstone carving with an amazing laser show in the evening.

Address: Sector 20, J Road, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382020, India

Contact: +91 79 2326 0001

Time to spend: 3 hours

Next destination: Trimandir, 20 minutes drive

Here is a link to the official website of the Akshardham temple and BAPS organisation.

Trimandir

Situated on the Ahmedabad-Karol highway, Trimandir is a beautiful Hindu temple, located in the Adalaj village.

Address: Ahmedabad-Kalol Highway, Opp. R-World, Adalaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382421, India

Contact: +91 79 3983 0100

Time to spend: 45 minutes

Please note, if you are visiting other cities of Gujarat along with Gandhinagar, you can visit Trimandir after Adalaj stepwell and continue the journey after Akshardham temple.

You can also hire a cab in Gandhinagar on day rental and enjoy hassle-free sightseeing.

Route plan

Helpful links-

5 remarkable places to visit from Gandhinagar

These 5 food of Gandhinagar will keep you tempting for more

Akshardham temple: Interesting facts to know

May 7, 2018June 1, 2018

Manali: One day trip planner

Manali is a popular resort town in the Himachal Pradesh state of India. A popular honeymoon destination and a getaway for backpackers, Manali is indeed a great place to visit. If you have only a day’s time to spend in Manali, let’s see what all can be done.

Rohtang Pass

It is a high mountain pass on the Pir Panjal range of Himalayas. It presents an astonishing nature’s phenomenon.

Address: Leh – Manali highway, Manali, India

Time to spend: 1 hour

Next destination: Hidimba Devi Temple, 2 hours drive

Hidimba Devi Temple

It is an ancient Hindu temple built of wood.

Address: Hadimba Temple Road, Old Manali, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131, India

Time to spend: 1 hour

Next destination: Manali Sanctuary, 15 minutes walk

Manali Sanctuary

It is a wildlife sanctuary through the dense deodar and maple forests.

Address: Circuit House Marg, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131, India

Contact: +91 82199 60240

Time to spend: 1 hour

Next destination: Manu Temple, 10 minutes drive

Manu Temple

It is a historic Hindu temple in a landscape location backed by mountains and valleys.

Address: Old Manali, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131, India

Time to spend: 1 hour

Next destination: Manali Club House, 5 minutes drive

Manali Club House

It is a hilltop recreation center with indoor and outdoor activities for children and adults.

Address: Old Manali, Manali, Himachal Pradesh 175131, India

Visiting time: 10:30 AM to 08:00 PM

Contact: +91 99996 80062

Time to spend: 1.5 hours

You can also book a cab in Manali and enjoy hassle-free sightseeing.

Route plan

Useful links-

5 places that compliment Manali trip

Best way to reach Manali

Beyond sightseeing, things to do in Manali

May 7, 2018December 3, 2018

What makes Kochi an important city of Kerala?

Kochi, also known by the name Cochin is an important city in the Kerala state of India. It is often referred to as the “Queen of Arabian Sea.” The city has been a prominent coastal town and a spice trading center since 14th-century.

Following are the interesting facts about Kochi, which deciphers why this city is foremost in terms of economy and tourism.

Kochi as the spice trading center of India

For 3 decades during the 16th-century, Kochi remained the main seat of the Portuguese reign in India. It is also the first of the European colonies in colonial India.

Prior to the Europeans, during 14th-century, Kochi maintained trade relations with the Arab merchants as well, connecting Indian mainland to the other parts of the world.

Kochi as the financial and commercial capital of Kerala

Why we say Kochi is a financial and commercial hub is because of the following reasons-

The only share market of Kerala- Cochin stock exchange is located in Kerala.
It is home to the Indian Navy’s state headquarters.
There are many multinational companies in Kochi like Petronet LNG, HMT, International Pepper Exchange, to name a few.

With ample business opportunities, Kochi is more like a cosmopolitan city rather than being confined to the local population.

Tourism in Kochi

Kochi attracts the maximum number of international and domestic tourists arriving in Kerala. It is also among the top ten tourist destinations in India.

cherai beach kerala — Courtesy: en.wikipedia.org

Kochi offers both the wonders of lush green lands and scenic ocean to the visitors. Most of the architecture from the British era are preserved and they present a live picture of the colonial residences. The main attractions of Kochi include-

Kochi Fort area
Mattancherry Palace
Paradesi Synagogue
Bolgatty Palace

If you are planning to visit Kochi, you can hire an intercity cab for your entire itinerary. Have a look at the tourist opportunities in Kochi from the outlook Kerala Government tourism department.

Useful Links-

Sites to visit on one day Kochi trip

Peaceful places to visit near Kochi

Kochi: Street food guide

May 6, 2018June 2, 2018

Hampi: One day trip planner

Hampi is an ancient village in the Karnataka state of India. Located on the banks of the river Tungabhadra, Hampi was once the kingdom of Vijayanagara, now only the ruins are left.

If you have only a day’s time to spend in Hampi, you can visit the following sites.

Vijaya Vittala Temple

It is the ruins of a chariot shaped Hindu temple. People believe that during its time, the chariot wheels used to move. It has musical pillars, which when tapped gently produces musical notes.

Address: Hampi, Karnataka 583239, India

Time to spend: 1 hour

Next destination: Queen’s bath, 20 minutes drive