A complete guide to the magnificent Mysore palace

Mysore is one of the most architecturally rich cities in Karnataka. The place is filled with monuments from the ancient times and one such monument is the Mysore Palace. The Mysore Palace can be visited by staying at any of the 3-star hotels in Mysore. Here is all you need to know about the Mysore Palace:

The History of Mysore Palace

The Mysore Palace was initially built by the Wodeyars from the Yadava community. The palace was built inside the Old Fort during the 14th century. However, the palace was broken, repaired and remade several times by the new rules that came. Finally in 1799, Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar III created the final structure of the palace.

The Breathtaking Interiors and Exteriors of The Mysore Palace

The architecture of the palace makes it special because with time the palace has become an amalgamation of all sorts of architectural art forms from all over the world. It includes Gothic, Indo-Sarcenic, Indo-Islamic and British styled architecture. 

The Perfect Time to Explore the Mysore Palace

The Mysore Palace can be visited from the luxury as well as budget hotels near Mysore railway station at any time of the year. The palace is opened from 10 am to 5.30 pm on all days. There is an entry ticket to get in the palace.

Other Things You Should Know

This is one of the largest palaces in India and battery-operated vehicles can be booked to take a tour of the place. There are a light and sound show that takes place at 7 PM every night except on Sundays and public holidays and lasts for about 40 minutes. 

The Mysore Palace is one of the most visited architectural monuments in India and is a must-see place if visiting Mysore. For the best experience, make sure you visit during offseason so that you can easily get hotel to stay.

Top 4 Must Visit Temples in Mumbai

The cosmopolitan city of Mumbai is not only known for its glittering landscapes and business centers but also for being welcoming when it comes to art and culture. With the presence of cheap accommodation in Mumbai, it’s not difficult to guess that thousands of tourists come here to visit the numerous temples in Mumbai. Here are the top 4 temples in Mumbai:

1. Shree Siddhivinayak Temple

Shree Siddhivinayak Temple is a very popular temple in Mumbai dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Being located just 11km from the airport, the temple has led to increase in a number of budget hotels near Mumbai airport. People from all strata of society visit the temple especially on Tuesdays as they believe the temple has the power to solve all problems.

2. Mahalakshmi Temple

The Mahalakshmi Temple is dedicated to three deities Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Mahakali. The temple glitters on Navratri times due to lightings and color and a large number of devotees come to offer their prayers to the deity.

3. ISKCON Temple

The white beautiful ISKCON temple hosts Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha. The temple hosts marriage rituals inside its premises. The temple also boasts of a restaurant offering amazing food, a guest house, and an auditorium.

4. Mumbadevi Temple

The city of Mumbai derived its name from Goddess Mumbadevi. Among the oldest temple in Mumbai, Mumbadevi temple is dedicated to Goddess Mumbadevi. The temple hosts a black stone idol of the deity. It was constructed by the Koli community fishermen.

These four temples are tantamount to the city of Mumbai as it beautifully showcases the religious devotional side of the ever busy city of Mumbai.

Kanak Vrindavan Garden: A Must Visit Tourist Spot in Jaipur

Jaipur is the beautiful city filled huge forts and palaces. However, there are some magnificent gardens also in the Pink City. The Kanak Vrindavan Garden is one such place that is a must visit if you are planning a trip to Jaipur. There are many luxury and budget hotels in Jaipur that can help arrange a trip to this place easily. Here is why you should definitely visit the Kanak Vrindavan Gardens:

Kanak Vrindavan Gardens, Jaipur

• The Scenic Beauty is Incomparable

The very first reason to visit the Kanak Vrindavan Gardens is that the beauty of this place is mesmerizing. It is situated in the Kanak Vrindavan Valley that has a huge selection of flora and fauna. So, sit back and relax from the hectic life in the city at these gardens.

• Closer to Some of The Biggest Attractions

The gardens are the closest to the three biggest forts in Jaipur, Nahargarh Fort, Jaigarh Fort and the Amber Fort. It is an amazing experience to take in the beauty of these three forts and also visit them if you want to.

• Perfect Place for Bird Watching

If you are a vivid bird watcher, then these gardens are the perfect place for you to be.  A lot of migratory birds come here regularly. Book one of the good hotels in Jaipur in advance to get hassle-free stay and enjoy bird watching with your family and kids.

• Some Pilgrim on The Way

The gardens are also located close to the Govind Dev Ji and Natwarji Temples. These are some of the most important pilgrimages places for the Hindus and can be visited for some inner peace and blessings from the gods.

Visiting Jaipur would not be complete without going to the Kanak Vrindavan Gardens. Hence make sure to put a visit to these magnificent gardens in your itinerary because this is an experience of a lifetime.

Chilling Horror Stories from Gurgaon That Won’t Let you Sleep!

There are a few places in Gurgaon that are considered haunted and no person dares to go near them. However, if you are an adventurous person and want a firsthand experience at these places, stay at one of the best 3-star hotels in Manesar and take a tour of these places. Here are 4 creepiest stories from Gurgaon:

1.    The Misleading Ghost of Ashok Vihar Flyover

A ghost of a woman at 1 am to 4 am is said to stop people asking for directions. If the driver stops, the people either get lost or the car instantly breaks down for no reason.

2.    The Ghost of MG Road

MG road is famous for the woman ghost in white saree who runs beside the people's cars in the night. She has been seen by a lot of cab drivers and is said to be a ghost of some woman who was killed there a few years ago.

3.    The Killing Car at Sector 15

Stay at budget hotels in Gurgaon and take a trip to sector 15 on the chilly winter night. People have witnessed a highly speeding car passing them in the night. Most people follow it and end up in an accident whereas the car vanishes.

4.    The Haunted Apartment of Sector 7

An apartment in sector 7 of Gurgaon is supposedly haunted by a ghost that was killed years ago in the bathroom. The residents have experienced a lot of troubles and some of them have even developed mental disorders due to the haunting.

If you stay in Gurgaon or are visiting Gurgaon, go to some of these places and have an adventure of your lifetime.

Everything you need to know about Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, New Delhi

Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in New Delhi is a majestic Hindu temple dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and other statesmen responsible for growth and spread of Hinduism. The name “Akshardham” itself signifies the divine place of God. Presence of good hotels in Delhi has made it easier for devotees from across the country to come and pay a visit to this beautiful temple.

1.    History & Spiritual Significance

The temple was built by the BAPS and inaugurated on 6th November 2005 by Pramukh Swami Maharaj. The temple is mainly to honor the Hindu spiritual sages as it’s evident from the presence of over 200 statues of them. Each and every aspect of the temple echoes spirituality, from thankfulness towards God to spreading love among fellow mortal beings.

2.    What to see

You can offer your prayers to the Hindu sages in Garbhagurh and then visit Narayan Peeth. You can watch the elephants and listen to their significance to Hinduism in Gajendra Peeth. At Abhishek Mandap, you can offer holy water to Neelkanth and pray for the fulfillment of your wishes and peace around the world. You can also enjoy the beautiful exhibitions and colorful water shows.  You can stroll through the thematic gardens and learn about inspiring stories of human beings at Bharat Upvan.

3.    Best time to visit

Adjust your staying in the 3-star hotels in Delhi in such a way that it doesn’t include Monday since the temple remains closed on this day. Due to the hot and humid climate during summer, it’s better to come to New Delhi and visit Akshardham temple during the non-summer months.

The temples spread spirituality, peace and harmony and the ancient principles of Hinduism. The visit to the temple is a must if you want to get enriched with the spirituality of Hinduism.

Baroda at a Glance

Vadodara, popularly known by its original name Baroda, is located in the state of Gujarat. A populous city, it one of the important hubs of western India with cultural, industrial and educational significance. This city owes its rich cultural heritage to a slew of dynasties that ruled it which include the Gupta empire, the Chaulukya dynasty, and the Mughal empire. There are numerous 3 star hotels in Baroda where one can stay in comfort. Hotels in Vadodara near railway station offer budget alternatives.

Home to numerous famous attractions, the most popular are listed as below:

Laxmi Vilas Palace

Commissioned by Maharaja Sayajirao III, the palace reflects influences from Indian, Islamic and European cultures. The stunning interiors feature marble of different hues, mosaic tiles and numerous other works of art. The palace also houses a golf course and museum, both of which are open to the public.

Laxmi Vilas Palace, Vadodara

Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum

Originally constructed as a school for the Maharaja’s children, the building was converted into a museum and opened to the public in April of 1961 by the then Governor of Gujarat, Nawab Mehndi Nawaz Jung. It houses the collection of the Gaekwads of Baroda, Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III which includes paintings, porcelain and glass artworks, sculptures and much more. 

Sursagar Lake

Earlier known as Chand Talao, the lake is located in the middle of the city. It offers boating facilities and houses a 120 feet tall statue of Lord Shiva in the centre which was installed in the year 2002 by the Vadodara Mahanagar Seva Sadan (VMSS).

Sursagar Lake, Vadodara

How to spend a fun weekend in Mumbai with friends or family

Mumbai is a lively city and has many activities that people can engage in to spend weekends away from home. You can plan your weekend and book accommodation in Mumbai near the place you are visiting. There are wonderful food joints to explore, plenty of natural beauty to enjoy and even many world-class hotels to just relax in.

• Explore food joints and street food: The street food of Mumbai is truly legendary and some items like Vada Pau and Pau Bhaji are known the world over.

• Long road trips: Mumbai has fantastic sea fronts like Marine Drive, Bandra Bandstand, Worli Seaface that are perfect for long relaxing road trips.

• Natural attractions nearby: Mumbai not only has beautiful beaches but also wonderful waterfalls and hill stations. Malshej Ghat and Matheran Hill station are popular attractions for many Mumbaikars.

• Adventure sports: There is a wide range of adventure sports like rock climbing, river rafting, kayaking and rappelling that you can participate in while in Mumbai.

• Explore wildlife: The Sanjay Gandhi National Park is a must visit for all wildlife lovers and It has an interesting mix of diverse flora and fauna. Asiatic lions are a major attraction here.

Choose one of the budget hotels near Mumbai airport or railway station, so that you can easily travel to nearby cities when needed. Planning is only key to have wonderful weekend, so start planning your trip today!