Mahindra Homestays » DESTINATIONS

National Parks of India – Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary

Mahindra Homestays — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:00:34 +0000

The protected Phansad Wildlife Santuary offers an impressive amount of wildlife and fauna for the outdoors enthusiast. Just 10km from Kashid beach in Maharashtra it’s a great spot to get back to nature. Our guide gives you the essential visitor information.

About the sanctuary
The wildlife sanctuary has four major trails and umpteen opportunities to spot wildlife. Though spread over only 52 sq km, the Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary is replete with a large variety of flora and fauna.

It is well known for its population of leopards, hyenas, jungle cats, barking deer, sambhar, wild boars, giant squirrels and bonnet macaque. Even the bird watchers have a notable list of avian friends to follow- Pied hornbills, three toed Kingfishers, Malkohas, Pittas and more. Almost 90 species of butterflies and a number of insects are also a part of the sanctuary. For herpetology enthusiasts, there are a large number of poisonous and non-poisonous snakes. With its growing popularity, specialists are at work in identification of all flora and fauna. The list of plants stands at about 710.

Getting Around
The Phansad Wildlife Santuary is a favourite with weekend photographers, who are free to take guided hikes around the forests on the specified trails. Private vehicles need prior permission from the Forest officials. Observation kiosks are made near the water bodies.

Location
The Phansad Wildlife sanctuary lies in Raigad, which is about 150 kms from Mumbai. The distance is convenient for also a weekend trip. It is just a short trip from the wonderful Kashid beach destination.

Best Season to Visit
The sanctuary is best to see in the warmer months of April and March before the rains, so that there are more chances to spot wildlife.

Stay
There are 5 tents available at a reasonable cost inside the sanctuary, these can easily accommodate 10-15 people. Alternatively stay at RK Vilas homestay nearby Kashid beach which is only a short distance away.

If you are interested in visiting Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary then our reservations team can help you plan a trip based on your interests. Get in touch to find out more!

Beaches of India: Colva Beach in Goa

Mahindra Homestays — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 02:22:46 +0000

Goa has an impressive list of beaches to choose from along it’s generous coastline, and one longest and most popular is the white sandy stretch of Colva Beach.

Colva Beach
Lying relatively in the centre of the coastline Covla Beach is in a convenient spot over extreme northern or southern beaches. Given its proximity to the railway station, bus stop and airport, Colva Beach is buzzing with visitors offering plenty of opportunities to meet other travellers and locals.

The sand at Colva as compared to other parts of Goa is exceptionally soft. Colva stretches over a large expanse and hence accommodates two distinct parts – one which is isolated where you can find a lone spot quite easily, and the other which is bustling with locals and tourists enjoying water sports.

After a long day of relaxation, you can watch the energetic activities on the beach front as the sun goes down.

When to go
Goa is best during the cooler period of October to March. Ensure that you book ahead as this is a busy season. Tourists have also started visiting during the monsoon months of July and August attracted by plenty of discounts and the opportunity to see Goa without the crowds.

Packing Musts
Though everything is easily available at the Colva market, flip-flops and sunscreen are a must when visiting Goa.

Things to Do in Colva

1. Indulge in Sea Food – Colva is one of the better destinations to get a sumptuous fill of good sea food as the beach caters to a large amount of western tourists and the shacks there have mastered the skill of making good sea treats.
2. Karaoke at the Local Bar -The small bars in Colva are packed in the evenings with music enthusiasts who want to give it a shot at singing. A brilliant place to make new friends and get adventurous with the microphone.
3. Water Sports – Apart from few other beaches in North Goa, Colva offers a number of water sport options. Banana boats and sea scooters are available to hire. You can also see a host of people paragliding in the evening sun.
4. Cycling – Colva has a long stretch towards the north which is relatively unvisited. The road is paved and runs along smoothly at a close distance from the beach. It’s a great place to cycle along watching the fields on one side and the sea on the other.
5. Sunbathe and Relax – Find yourself an isolated spot, dig in the umbrella and grab your favourite book – with the perfect companions of sunbathing, you are bound to get a successful Indian tan.

Find out more about Goa or browse our Goa homestay collection.

If you would like to visit Goa contact our reservations team who will be happy to help you with your plans.

Places in Yercaud

Mahindra Homestays — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:31:07 +0000

Weekend destinations provide that timely respite from hectic schedules at work! Yercaud is one such destination which serves this purpose both from cities like Bangalore and Chennai. It is a small hill station in the state of Tamil Nadu and one of the few top spots for a summer break.

Located in the Shevaroys range of hills of the Eastern Ghats, Yercaud boasts of an altitude of almost 5000 ft above sea level! It is known as the jewel of the South. Yercaud provides plenty of relaxing and adventure activities given its vast forest cover and abundance of flora and fauna.

Some of the places in Yercaud to see:

1. Boating in the Yercaud Lake – The centre of the lake is adorned by a lake which is a fascinating spot for children. One can do boating in the evenings or just take a walk around it. The pleasant weather adds to the charm.
2. The National Orchidarium and Botanical Garden – Both a learning and tourist experience, the Orchidarium was established in 1963 and is home to more than 4000 species of plants.
3. Lady’s Seat – A wonderful viewing point, the Lady’s seat provides wonderful sights of the plains below and is great for sun rise and sun sets.

4. Silk Farm – Not too far from the Lady’s Seat, a silk worm unit is open to visitors to see the entire process of silk making. Worms are bred on mulberry bushes and then taken through the process of spinning and weaving.
5. The Servaroyan Temple – This is the highest point on the Shevaroy hills and is dedicated to Lord Servaroyan. There is an annual festival held in the month of May here.
6. Hiking Trails – Given the proximity of nature and meandering trails in the region, one can go for short hikes with a local guide.
7. Fairholme Cottage – An old colonial bungalow which has been converted into a heritage hotel is also popular with the tourists to make a short stop.
8. Heaven’s Ledge – Aptly named Heaven’s Ledge, a scenic cliff stands atop the Gowri Estate and provides ethereal views of the valley below. The place also has camping options and is pleasantly out of the main town, almost 15 kms from the outskirts.
9. The Grange - Presumably the oldest building in Yercaud, this was built in 1820 as a summer resort for Robert Clive, a general in the East India Company.
10. Killiyur Falls - An impressive 90-foot (27 m)-high waterfall, Killiyur, makes for a fun picnic spot near Yercaud. One can pack a snack and some board games to spend a day near the falls.

Find out more about sights and attractions in Yercaud or check out our Yercaud homestay collection to start planning your own hill station break!

The Mighty Old Fort in Delhi

Mahindra Homestays — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:57:25 +0000

Delhi can well be called the city of ‘monumental landmarks’ – quite literally! Out of the plenty that are sprinkled in the city, there are few that have stood the test of time and have witnessed the country’s growth over several decades, including the mighty Old Fort. Sitting in the heart of city, the Old Fort has an impressive backdrop. Directly translated from its Indian name, ‘Purana Qila’, it was founded by the Mughal King, Humayun in the middle of the 14th century.

The Structure and it’s History:
The mighty walls of the fort are about 18 meters high and run for 1.5 kilometres peripherally. It has three entrances – Bara Darwaza, Humayun’s Gate and the Talaqi Gate. The structure is primarily made of sandstone representative of the material used in other structures built under the regime of Humayun. White and coloured marble inlays have been used in places to give it deign interest. Parts of the fort reek of Mughal grandeur where architecture is concerned. This is seen in the elaborate balconies and pavilions.

It is said that Humayun built the qila as a refuge for the learned men for all Islamic sects. It was also known as the city of Dinpanah or ‘Refuge of the Faithful’! It is said that eminent thinkers used the venue for discussions on theology under the patronage of the emperor.

Purana Qila and the Modern Topography of Delhi:
During the Commonwealth Games, the Old Fort was one of the few monuments that were illuminated in the evenings to make the cityscape look impressive. If one went down Mathura Road during the games, the qila was brightly lit, making a resplendent setting.

Given that the fort is open to public all days, do not be surprised to see this monument double up as a venue for young couples and families to spend time.

Opening Times:
The summer timings of the Qila are 12.00 p.m to 7.00 p.m. In the winters, the timings change to 11.00 p.m to 6.00 p.m. Do check the timings before entry. The Purana Qila is open on all days

Entry Fee:
The fees for Indian citizens is Rs 5/- and for foreign nationals it is Rs 100/-. (These might be subject to change so please check at the counter).

What to See:
The light and sound show at the Purana Qila is choreographed to tell the story of the empire of seven cities within Delhi and the highlights the important features of the fort. This is a great way to add context to your trip instead of just seeing the structure. The show is held daily after sunset.

Find out more about Delhi and check out our list of attractions and sights to see in Delhi

The Beaches of Konkan

Mahindra Homestays — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 22:14:32 +0000

Guest blogger Rajaram shares his photos and experiences of the beautiful Konkan beaches of Kashid, Murud and Akshi.

The Konkan beaches are something straight out of fantasy for the inland dweller and it was no different for me, living in Pune. For my colleagues at work, any free weekend meant a drive to one of the numerous beaches on the western coast. I too went on one such journey on a cool winter weekend.

I didn’t want to drive far and spend my energy on the travel rather than at the destination. So, the stretch starting from the south of Alibaug until Murud beach was shortlisted for the trip. I was advised to skip Alibaug as it is almost always crowded and not the cleanest of beaches.

If you start on the coastal road going south from Alibaug, everyone would point to Kashid as the “next” touristy place, but there are some interesting detours on the way. Around 5 kms south of Alibaug, is a small village Akshi. If you drive into the village from the main road for around 3-4 kms, you hit Akshi beach, an unspolt beach hidden away from touristy eye. Soft clean sand and a shallow tide make the experience ethereal.

If you continue south and if you have a keen eye, you would notice that you are actually driving by the walls of an old fort. This is the Revdanda fort. You can also take a detour to the Korlai fort which juts out into the sea.

After you cross the bridge from Revdanda further south, taking the westward road will take you towards Kashid. Kashid beach, though the most popular in this area, is pretty clean. The soft white sand is quite cool even in the heat of the noon. You can spend a lot of time at Kashid, as there are many kinds of water sports e.g. Jet-Ski and banana boat, available here. You can also try the sand buggy or some parasailing. If you have the time and interest, you can visit the Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary just next to the beach. This sanctuary is good for bird-watching, though the guides tell you that there are leopards supposed to be in there.

Going further will take you to Murud, a small town referenced as Janjira Murud to distinguish it from another Murud 50 kms further south. Murud, in contrast to Kashid, has black sand, almost a volcanic feel to it.

Five kms from Murud is the village of Rajapuri, the base village for the Janjira fort, which of course, is to be shortlisted for the next trip.

About the guest blogger: Rajaram S, a software engineer by profession, lives in Pune with his wife and 3 yr old daughter. He loves travelling with family and friends and this passion of travel and photography is reflected in his blog Places near Pune. He hopes that the details he provides on his blog will help everyone plan the perfect weekend!

Things to do in Chandigarh

Mahindra Homestays — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:05:50 +0000

Chandigrah is India’s best-planned city and it boasts of a high standard of living. But there are many aspects of it that make it a peaceful place with a lot of natural beauty as well as man-made wonders to enjoy. Here are some of the main attractions and things to do in Chandigarh.

THINGS TO DO IN CHANDIGARH

Rock Garden

Chandigarh’s most recognisable symbol is the Rock Garden, which began as a humble collection in 1958. It was created by Nek Chand, who collected odd-looking stones and brouth them here on his bicycle. Gradually the collection grew and the park was developed into a grand attraction with a theme and meaning. During the festival of Teej, the Rock Garden is drenched with the festive spirit and many activities for young women are organised.

Sukhna Lake

The lake is one of the centerpoints of Chandigarh. It’s located near the Rock Garden and is popular amongst people of all ages. There are many activities to enjoy here such as boating, strolling peacefully, enjoying street food, photographing the Lake’s resident ducks.

Zakir Hussain Rose Garden

This is Asia’s largest rose garden. Over 1600 different species of roses can be seen in its 30-acre area. The annual Rose Festival is the ideal time to see all the Park in all its blinding glory. The festival is held in February/March and the flower show is accompanied by many fun competitions, cultural programmes and events.

Golfing

Chandigarh is a popular destination for aspiring golfers as well as retired veterans as there are several lavish golf courses in and around the city. The Chandigarh Golf Club is the second most popular club of its kind in India.

LOCATION

Chandigarh is the capital of both Haryana and Punjab, and is located in north India. Chandigarh has its own airports, which connects it to the rest of the country. An extensive network of trains also serves Chandigarh. Express trains from Delhi reach Chandigarh take three hours

WHERE TO STAY
Majithia Farm is a beautiful farmhouse with a swimming pool located outside of the city in a peaceful location where guests can enjoy nature walks alongside the canal.

Deep Roots Retreat is situated enroute from Chandigarh to Shimla. Accommodation for guests includes four spacious rooms with large windows giving a scenic view or the farmland around.

Read more about visiting Chandigrah

The romantic Lake Palace, Udaipur

Mahindra Homestays — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:00:14 +0000

Visitors might remember the romantic Lake Place set amidst the calm waters of Lake Pichola in Udaipur from the classic Bond movie, Octopussy. Now a luxury hotel it is a must see on every visitors itinerary.

Lake Palace, Udaipur
The famous Lake Palace of Udaipur, now a luxury hotel, resonates with the royal grandeur and magnificence that Rajasthan stands for. If visiting Udaipur, the Lake Palace is a must on the itinerary.

The Jag Niwas, as the palace was named, was once the architectural muse for the Maharani of Udaipur, served as the summer palace to the Mewar dynasty. The Maharana of Jaipur, along with his devoted affection for Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan also let the friendship reap an inspiration for this palace, from the incomparable architectural prowess buildings in Agra.

About the Palace
The Lake Palace has a series of courtyards that are aligned with numerous columns, terraces, beautiful fountains and well laid gardens.

The east facing palace was made in such a manner that the inhabitants could pray to the Sun God early in the morning. With its vantage position in the middle of the lake, it also served as a cool haven in the summers. Till date, the palace exhibits a grand impression with its exquisite patterns, sculptures, large columns and ornamental roof.

The inaccessibility with the vast Lake Pichola spread about it, adds to the charm of the structure.

Even though Udaipur is known as the City of Lakes, with five prominent lakes in the city, the Lake Palace has made the Pichola Lake the most famous destination. The other lakes to see are Fateh Sagar Lake, Rangsagar Lake, Swaroopsagar Lake and Dudh Talai Lake.

In the beginning of the 19th century, the weathered condition of the Lake Palace and the ardous upkeep began to show. This was true not only for this structure but the other lake based buildings too. This is when the palace went under a restoration process to bring back its former glory.

Lake Palace is now a luxury hotel, part of the Taj Hotels chain, consisting of 83 rooms and suites.

Sightseeing
Non-guests are able to sometimes experience the magic of the palace during the quieter season when the hotel sometimes accepts outside reservations for lunch and dinner. The best way to get close to appreciate it’s glory is with a boat ride on Lake Pichola, a fantastic experience in itself. Boat rides depart hourly from Rameshwar Chat in the City Palace Gardens (adult/child Rs.200/100 or 30 minutues or Rs.300/150 for 1 hour). Please note prices are given as a guide only and are liable to change.

How to get there
Udaipur is well connected from the capital city of Delhi by train and flights. The airport is situated about 20 kms outside the city. The city lies on the Golden Quadrilateral National Highway and is well connected by road too. Once you are at the edge of the Lake Pichola, to take a boat to reach Lake Palace in Udaipur.

Best Time to Go
Though any season is made comfortable for a visitor, if you are planning to head out to other tourist destinations of Udaipur, the period of October to February is the best. It is worth coinciding your visit with the Shilpgram Festival which takes place in December, organised to promote art and craft of Rajasthan.

Don’t Miss
Other enticing sites to visit are Jag Mandir, Kumbalgarh Sanctuary, Bagore Ki Haveli, Shilpgram Museum, Ahar Museum, City Palace and Saheliyon Ki Bari.

Where to Stay
The premium price of actually staying at the Lake Palace may be beyond the reach of most travellers but the beauty of the lake and it’s surrounds can be enjoyed by all. Balunda House in Udaipur has four spacious suites, a lush lawn and two common areas for guests to enjoy and can help arrange sightseeing around the city.

A Call to the Heavenly Abode, Badrinath

Mahindra Homestays — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:02:37 +0000

Guest blogger Arti shares her photos and experiences of a trip to Badrinath in Uttarakhand to celebrate the festival of Diwali.

Silent tones greeted me as I took my first steps in the town. The lanes were quiet. Shopkeepers lazily put up their wares on display. A scant number of people populated the streets. Such quietness… I had wondered to myself? But then, it was reasonably justified as well…

It was the off season and we were on a pilgrimage to the holy town of Badrinath to celebrate the festival of Diwali. Most of the people had moved to the warmer lower locales of the Himalayas and there were just two more days left before the town would be completely shutting down activity, hence in a way the reason for the quietness was acceptable but still I felt, a festival like Diwali for a place like Badrinath, called for more… And then, as I realized later, I wasn’t entirely wrong…

Soon after unpacking in the GMVN Devlok hotel, we set out to explore the town towards the temple and take a bath in the Tapt Kund. One look at the peaceful landscape of Badrinath was enough to give me a sense of overwhelming piety and convince me that the place was indeed, as our elders have said the abode of the Lord.

The town stood sandwiched between the mythical Nar-Narayan mountains; the gushing waters of the pure stream of the Alaknanda river created a heavenly music that were orchestra to the soul;

and the Neelkanth peak garbed in gleaming whites looked like it were specially chiseled by a celestial pair of hands.

Marvelling at the beauty, I inched closer towards the temple area. Soon, the quiet and tranquil scenes begin to haze giving way to some noise and activity. Lining the way were dozens of small and big stalls with music blaring out of some, while others selling pictures and books with all the legends and lore of the place.

The narrow Alaknanda Bridge was lined with beggars and sages dressed in saffron robes and people were heartily seen participating in charity.

Moving through them, on the other side of the Bridge was the tapt kund area.

The kund area seemed very crowded at first but once I subsumed myself to the sight and faith of pilgrims all around us, their faces aglow with religious fervor; I was transported to a different world.

The resonant chants, the silent hums, the echo of the mantras by the priests all worked in unison to energize and restore my mind, body and soul.

After the bath, we paid our obeisance’s to the Panch Shilas and moved to the temple.

Here, the brightly colored façade of the temple, in all its magnificence, drew me irresistibly.

I stood there, static for a few minutes watching the people move to and fro… most of them looked deeply submerged in an ocean of thoughts… perhaps trying to strike a conversation with the supreme… With this thought, I entered the temple to offer my prayers.

On the same day, on the full moon night of Diwali, the temple doors beckoned me again.

I was awestruck and captivated by the splendid sight of the glittering environs, sparkling like millions of diamonds in the evening light.

I was celebrating Diwali with HIS fellow-men; I was celebrating Diwali with Him!

After hours of festivity and fervour, tired and exhausted, I returned back to my hotel room with an experience of tranquillity that I will always cherish and treasure in the confines of my soul…

About the guest blogger: Arti is a writer and photographer who loves travelling to spiritual destinations in India and chronicles them on her blog, My Yatra Diary.

Matheran, a hill station near Mumbai

Mahindra Homestays — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:48:35 +0000

Guest blogger Nisha shares her photographs and takes us on a trip to Matheran, an unpolluted hill station near Mumbai.

Matheran is a hill station just two hours away from Mumbai. I have been to this place twice but will not think twice to make yet another trip.

Developed by Britons, this small town has everything in place. It has hotels both with quaint and modern feel, a library for book lovers, a market, railway station, and only horses & rickshaws for commuting. Yes, you guessed it right. Any type of vehicle including bicycle, is not allowed on this hill settlement to keep it pollution free.

The name Matheran means ‘Jungle Head’, or ‘Forest on Top.’ Surrounding hills provide amazing views from Matheran. It is a heaven for nature lovers. With many trekking routes, view points, a lake and jungles it attracts all kind of tourists and travellers.

It is a perfect place to chill out in lazy summers.

But more than anything else what excites me is the toy train which is an attraction in itself for the visitors of Matheran. It is one of the four toy trains in India. Due to the steep slope, it takes around 90 minutes to cover the distance of 20 kilometers. The scenery changes from grassy slopes to shady tree covered hills.

Matheran’s is also famous for leather goods. Every other shop sells things like handbags, footwear, belts, wallets etc and at times it is hard to ignore them.

Here is Matheran in pictures.

Welcome to Matheran

Toy train going uphill to Matheran

After clicking this shot I realized there was a chameleon on this branch!

Absolute stunning view !

No need to go to South Africa. We have our own version of Table top.

Absolute silence. Most of the time there is no one in sight… occasionally some man on horse would pass by.

Single seater hand rickshaw with its proud owner.

En route trekking trails one can find these homes cum tea shops. The lady is trying to light the stove which is covered with a broken tin canister.

If you’ve come to Matheran, don’t go back without seeing the ‘Lord’s point’ … an advice written on a rock.

The market is flourishing with genuine leather goods. These hand painted leather hands bags come from Kolkata. Do I have to mention that the top shelf had one more masterpiece which is now in my custody?

Do you remember this souvenir?

Travelling in this toy train is absolute joy!

About the guest blogger: Nisha Jha is one of the very few Indian solo women travellers. So far she has been to 22 countries but her idea of traveling is “counting number of memories, not places”. Loves to take new challenges; nothing excites her more than learning and relishing life’s simple little pleasures about new places, people and cultures.

Traveller at heart, she feels traveling for her is a stress buster, confidence booster and a weakness too.

She calls her website “Le Monde – A Poetic Travail“, where she writes about her sweet & sour experiences around this globe.

National Parks of India – Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan

Mahindra Homestays — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 01:12:42 +0000

Breaking away from the royal and desert sights of Rajasthan, Ranthambore is the pride of the Indian wildlife and nature scene. A vast array of wildlife, flora and fauna, makes for an impressive lush topography, just 180 kms away from Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Previously a hunting ground for the Maharajas, the national park is now rich in wildlife and is located in the Sawai Madhopur district.

About the Park
The National Park is spread over more than 1300 sq kms, and is flanked by sanctuaries like the Mansingh Sanctuary and the Kaila Devi Sanctuary. Though the endangered tigers have been most talked about, Ranthambore also harbours a large variety of other animals, avian species, flora and fauna.

The 1970s turned around everything for the national park when it was declared one of the Project Tiger Reserves. The Banas and Chambal Rivers add to the lush topography of the region.

How to get there
Jaipur is the closest airport from Ranthambore National park. Plenty of cabs are available from the airport. The national park is also connected by rail to the closest station at Sawai Madhopur, only 11 kms away. The road to Ranthambore is also in a good condition and makes access easy from other parts of Rajasthan.

Best Time to Go
The Park is open from beginning October to June, which is a great time to spot tigers.

Things to Do
1. Safari Rides: The safari rides are planned two times in the day: early morning and afternoon. Please check the exact timings at the time of booking. The rides are for 3 hours and are guided by experts. There are options between smaller open vehicles and 20 seater small buses. The fees vary each year. It can range from Rs 500 onwards and you may be charged separately for cameras.

2. History: Ranthambore also has a lot of history embedded in the region. The Ranthambore Fort was built in the 10th century and overlooks the park area. The majestic fort stands at a height of 700 feet. There are 3 famous temples inside the fort.

3. Padam Talao: This is one of the biggest lakes in the region, which also has the magnificent Jog Mahal at the edge of the water.

4. Hiking- There are some simple hiking trails which can be traversed only with experts. This is a great one for bird watching enthusiasts.

What to take and wear
1. Dull coloured clothes. Abstain from wearing bright colours in the jungle.
2. Plenty of sunscreen and a hat if you are going for the afternoon safaris.
3. Comfortable walking closed shoes.
4. Binoculars are a good investment. Even though the guards and forest experts have a pair in the car, it’s good to carry your own and not miss a sighting opportunity.
5. Your camera and plenty of space on your memory card!

If you are interested in visiting Ranthambore National Park then our reservations team can help you plan a trip based on your interests. Get in touch to find out more!