INDIA HARVA-FARAVA

Goa - The State with Pristine Beaches

Bird's Eye View of Candolim Beach

The beautiful sunrise, by the sea, the cool breeze of the morning, the sound of the water rising and falling on the Goa beach, what else could one want to wash away all the tensions of life.All this and more to see in sea side destination none other than Goa.

The sunrise and sunset could'nt be any better, than, it is here in goa, the most picturesque scene that one could ever think of. And the best moment on the beach are the relaxing suntan and a bath in the cool seawater, and then coconut water to quench your thirst. Sea side restaurants and sea food are the ultimate pleasurable lunch that one can dream of. For nature lovers, the sea beach can provide the best scenes to enjoy and lose yourselves in nature's lap. For food lovers, Goa cuisine has some of the best mouth watering , seafood dishes, and if you are not of the experimental kind, then it has, a number of punjabi, bengali, anf the usual pizza and burgers for you . For the dance lovers, the Goan nightlife with bars and discotheques, will give you all the sound and music to excite your heart and soul.

Goa is best visited in the "carnival season". Nothing in this world could be more colourful and intriguing than this festival season.The season comes with all its exotic colours, wonderful dances and heart warming dresses. Goa festivals also gives you glimpses of the rich Goan culture that is another attraction for which to visit Goa. Lots of accessories to choose from the ultimate destination for sea ornaments collectors. And for our newly married honeymoon couples, and also for those who don't shy away from stealing away a romantic moment, nothing could be better than a romantic walk on the beach holding hands of your beloved.

Srinagar - The Summer Capital of Jammu Kashmir

Frozen Dal Lake In Winters

Last month I visited Srinagar in Jammu & Kasmir. It is located at 550 Km from New Delhi. And of all the modes of transportation, railways is the best since it is comfortable. My stay involved 10 days. The most important thing that struck me was the natural beauty as well as pleasing climate. I visited historical locations like Shalimar and Nishat gardens which were built by Jagangir in 17th century. Besides, adventure in form of beating at Dal lake was incredible. I visited Srinagar during winters, so I was able to indulge in Skiing in Gulmohar which is few kilometers away. Trekking in Srinagar was also a great experience in Srinagar. This makes Jammu And Kashmir one of the best adventure destinations in India. I found the local Kashmiri population very helpful and supportive. Tourism is the most important industry and 80% of people's employment is dependent on it.

The presence of para-military forces on a large scale points to the harsh reality that inspite of this beautiful paradise existing, there's always a danger which may not necessarily relate to the innocent people living there. One of the most memorable moments came when I was staying in a magnificent houseboat on Dal Lake. At night, the sight of houseboat reflection in water is really beautiful.

Srinagar is worth writing because of the exposure it provides. Initially the new train route opened recently provides an opportunity to appreciate efforts of our government. Besides, the historical locations, local Kashmiri culture, scenic beauty and shopping for cheap Kashmiri shawls are a definite source of attraction.

Shimla - The Pride of Himachal Pradesh

Snow Covered Kufri - Shimla

My recent visit was to Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, and the foremost reason as to why one should visit Shimla is to experience a pollution free environment, which we are immensely deprived of. There are absolutely no vehicles in Shimla in order to maintain the clear environment. People there are accustomed to walk long distances on foot with no sense of fatigue in them. In order to experience a blissful environment, Shimla is an exotic destination and has a clean environment it can never be surpassed.

In places like Delhi where pollution has become a major problem, Shimla would act as a soothing experience. It is often said that for breathing clean air, Shimla is an invincible Eco Tourism destination. A healthy atmospheres leads to a healthy life, mind and body. I also indulged in trekking with the help of a guide who took me through beautiful trek routes. He told me that there are many more hidden treks but I was not able to see them because of less time. Shimla should be visited by everyone at least once a year to get rid of the polluted atmosphere for at least few days. The clean air in Shimla gradually increases the energy level in ones' body.