Hubli- Besides a Commercial Hub, is also a Tourist Spot!

A natural wonder, an ethereal beauty and an alluring tourist destination are few among the many words that describes best about this place; Hubli, the second largest city in the state of Karnataka is known for its conurbation with Dharwad and, cotton productions. Hubli, officially called as Hubbali refers to a flowering creeper that falls under a particular breed of plant. The marvels of beautifully crafted temples, its pristine lakes and appealing monuments signifying the history of every ruler makes this destination the most attracted place of the state. So, walk hand in hand with me till the end of this blog to unveil what’s waiting for you there;

1. Unkal Lake

Unkal lake is one such place in Hubli where you get to see tourists thriving in as it is an ideal viewpoint for sunrise and sunset. Amidst the lake is the statue of Swami Vivekananda that adds glory to this spot. Besides tourists visiting this place, you can also get to see varied kinds of birds chirping and resting atop the statue that gives us nothing but a wow feel. Also, one can loose themselves up in the recreational activities and boating this place offers. So, put together it is your first view spot.

2. Indira Gandhi Glass House Garden

Like how Hermoine Granger was interested in studying herbology in the green house glasses behind the castle, you can very well experience the same feel by visiting this place that houses a beautiful garden with varied kinds of flowers along with toy train ride, musical fountain show and flower show. Do not miss it out!!

3. Nrupatunga Betta

An ideal place for spending your weekend trip, could be also called as a picnic spot. Yes, this location is also a thriller trilogy holding a picnic spot in one hand, a bird sanctuary in another and a goddess temple located atop the hill. So, would you not want to give it a try!

4. Siddharoodha Math

Siddharoodha Swamy Math is one of the recognized religious institute that draws flock of devotees to its darshan every year. Also, car festival is conducted every year on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.

Thus, now it is your turn to choose your travel date with ticketgoose. But wait, I can help you with the bus operators; VRLTravels, SRS Travels and Paulo Travels are known to render their services here. 

Places to Visit in Sivakasi

Sivakasi, a small smoky town in the Virudhunagar district is very famous for matches, crackers and printing industries employing over 20000 employees and making a turnover of Indian rupees, 20 billion. Very admirable isn’t it? Have you ever wondered where are your crackers actually made from whenever you light it during Diwali? It is here, where even children are employed in making these lighteners that are regarded as the best fireworks in the Southern part of India. Besides matches, the second most prominent sight to see is the Badra Kali Amman Temple where people say it is a sight that is not to be missed.

This temple is dedicated to the Hind deity, Goddess Kali that boasts of having the largest tower or Rajagopuram that is measured to be 110 feet tall and 44 feet wide. It is widely known for the annual festivals; Chiththrai Pongal and Panguni Pongal which are celebrated for a period of ten days with great zest. If you are a die-hard devotee of Lord Vishnu then don’t miss out to visit the Nindra Narayana Perumal Temple that is perched atop a hill on the Virudhunagar- Sivakasi road. Located on the Eastern slopes of the Western Ghats, there is a picnic spot named Ayyanar Falls to make your visit chilling.

If you are interested but unaware how to travel, then get an extraordinary comfort and enjoy a luxurious trip by booking your bus tickets at Madurai Radha Travels only as this travels is known for their vigilant driving, on-time schedules, cozy trips and well-maintained coaches.

Thus, this place is in close proximity with Madurai with just 75kms. So, it can be well connected by flight, bus, and train. Well, you can also directly visit Sivakasi from Chennai, Madurai, and Coimbatore by booking your bus tickets at ticketgoose.com and availing exciting bus ticket offers.

So, when are you planning for a takeoff?

These Operators are loved by our Travellers! Find out Why?

What is it that comes to your mind whenever you read or hear about Chennai? Is it the pristine beaches that draw attention of a huge mass to it or the extravagantly carved architecture or its historic places? Well, may be everything coz this very coastal city is entrenched with rich cultural and religious insights. If you are here, do not miss out the museums, gardens, historical places like San Thome Church, Thousand Lights Mosque and Kapaleeshwar Temple and, everyone’s desiring; beaches.

On the other hand Madurai is known as the Temple City of the Southern state of India; Tamil Nadu. It got its name coz of its marvellous list of temples carved vividly starting from Meenakshi Amman, ISKCON, Koodar Alazhar and Sri Veeraraghava Perumal Temple that yields a non- bygone civilization. Apart from these, you can also encounter the market places and the Potter’s House. So, these two cities ought not to be missed if you are travelling south and for you to have a better idea on which fleet operator to choose for covering this route, scroll down;

Parveen Travels- this ISO certified concern is one of the well-known and reliable fleet operators of the Southern part of India that is also an authorized partner of TicketGoose. With its vast fleet of buses, this travels covers major destinations of Southern India ensuring every customer trip to be satisfactory. From vigilant driving and well-maintained coaches to on-time pickups and tailor- made services, this travels has satisfied many.

SRM Transports- thriving successfully in the bus transportation sector for over a decade, this travels has taken care of every customer needs as its prime motto. Besides its top-notch services like on-time schedules, well-maintained coaches, vigilant driving and civil staff, this travels is also known for its exotic travel offers as it has partnered with India’s leading online bus ticketing portal; TicketGoose.

Madurai Radha- initially started its services in the lorry sector, this travels has later emerged as a successful and largest fleet operator in the Southern part of India and an example of this is the introduction of AC sleeper buses with toilet facility. You can also opt for this operator for its GPS tracking facility, safe and secured booking and easy payment options. It is also an official partner of TicketGoose. Thus, book your bus tickets and go places

So, which one of these are you going to opt for?

The Reliable and Well-known Fleet Operators

Chennai, earlier known as Madras is one of the Metropolitan cities of the nation that is a capital of the Indian state Tamil Nadu. Situated on the East Coast of Bay of Bengal, this city is one of the hubs of Information Technology. Besides this, it also holds records for being the biggest economic and cultural centers in the Southern Asia. If you are a traveler who loves the serene environment and pristine beaches, then visit some of the popular beaches here like Elliot’s Beach, Marina Beach, Thousand Light Mosque and Kapaleeswar Temple.

Whereas the next destination is Trichy which is an ancient city known widely for its culture that was once ruled by The Cholas. Here you can visit the Malaikottai, Uchchi Vinayagar Temple, and the Grand Anicut. There are a handful of operators plying across these two routes but I have listed some few amongst the many travels that can be helpful for you to decide which operator to choose on your next visit.

KPN Travels– it is a renowned fleet operator in the travel industry that has served over thousands of passengers and has satisfied all with their precautionary measures, dynamic SMS update, 24*7 customer support, real-time GPS tracking and hygienic coaches. Besides these, the courteousness of the staff is the reason why many people prefer this travels.

Parveen Travels– it now stands as one of the established travel operators in the Southern part of India catering its services to major cities like Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The travels ensure that every customer encounters a pleasant visit. Its onboard tailor-made services, entertainment and bathroom amenities and, GPS tracking system are few amongst the many facilities that have satisfied many.

Hebron Transports– it is one of the official partners of ticketgoose.com that is known to serve its customers with its ample amenities and top-notch services, to name some; well-maintained and clean coaches, civil staff who are ready to resolve to customer queries at any time, vigilant driving and on-time schedule of departure and arrival. It has not only served its customers in the best possible way but has gained their trust as well.

So, make your trip with any one of these operators!

Go Holidaying to Kashmir This Weekend

The beauty of Kashmir is not unknown to most people of the nation. The revival of tourism in the state in the post-conflict era has of late proven to be a boom. Bollywood movies, as well as South Indian movies have done a great deal in raising the curiousity levels of the consumer/viewer, though sometimes in a negative context. Whether negative or positive, it can be safely assumed that almost everyone (at least me) who has seen those beautiful valleys, apple orchards, snowfall and streams, wants to visit it. With winter ready to set in, it is a good time to visit the place for the weekend.

The state of Jammu and Kashmir has three regions — Jammu, Kashmir Valley and Ladakh — which are quite distinct from each other. The part which we have been made aware of mostly is the Kashmir Valley. It is here that most of the tourist sites are located. Though it will be impossible to list them all out in this blog, we can certainly take a look at the most important ones for your short trip.

Srinagar City Photo Courtesy — Wikipedia

The very first place you will have to disembark at in order to head to other places is the capital city of Srinagar, known as ‘Venice of the East’ or ‘Kashmiri Venice’. The city with its wooden structures set in the magnificent backdrop of hills will steal your heart. Visit during the time as winter is setting in and you will see the first snowflakes too. Once you get acquainted with the snowfall, try out the Dal Lake. Get on board a shikara or houseboat and witness the beauty of nature. Try out this place in the morning after sunrise or an hour or two before sunset. There are many gardens in the city, but the one you ought to visit is the Shalimar Bagh built by Jahangir, the fourth Mughal emperor in 1619.

Dal Lake Photo Courtesy — Wikipedia

If you are seeking spirituality nearby, Charar-i-Shareef located at a distance of 28 km to the south-west of Srinagar city is where you need to pay a visit. The town is famous for the 600-year-old wooden mausoleum of Sheikh Noor-ud-Deen Noorani, who preached Islam in Kashmir via his poetry. Legend has it that the saint’s coffin flew some distance before landing on the place where he currently lies buried. It is a prime attraction for people of all faiths.

The Charar-i-Sharif Shrine (Photo Courtesy — holidaykashmirtravels.com)

You are in a place which experiences snowfall and the tour can’t be complete without some winter sports, right? Yes, you will not be disappointed. Just two hours away from Srinagar lies the picturesque hill station of Gulmarg — the site of many Bollywood movie shoots. History has it that Emperor Jahangir once collected 21 different fauna varieties from here. You will also be a witness to the beautiful snow-capped mountains as well as hillsides of fir with villages in their midst. The international news network CNN has described it as “heartland of winter sports in India.” As a traveler you need to be here to try out skiing (which starts from mid-December) and skating on the snow-covered hills at prices ranging from Rs. 400–600 per head.

Gulmarg Photo Courtesy — Wikipedia

With a short two-day trip to the Valley, these are the places, not worth a miss. The experiences here will not make give you a feeling of monotony or boredom. Be sure to try out the samovar tea served by locals. After all, this is just the safe drink to keep you warm in the snow.

You can book your bus tickets in the leading travel operators like National Travels,VRL Travels,Konduskar Travels,Paulo Travels and Greenline Travels

Vadodara- Cultural Capital of Gujarat

Vadodara earlier known as Baroda is masked with rich culture and art forms that ought to make your travel diaries exceptional. Based in Gujarat, the Western state of India, it is recognized as one of the cultural capital of Gujarat for its extravagant festival celebration during Navratri where the entire city could be seen lost in a festive mood. Here, find the never ever tiring tourist spots in Vadodara that are not only exceptional but are astounding as well and below are few among the many destinations to make your visit cheerful.

1. Surya Mandir

Dedicated to the Sun God, this temple has a USP that anyone who visits this temple will be relieved from ailments. Located in Borsad, Gujarat, this temple bestows divine grace upon the people visiting here and has a breath-taking and unclear history where it says that the Lord himself had built this holy place but no facts reveal its existence.

2. Navratri

Coming to Gujarat and not playing Garba, it is like eating an empty slice of bread. One can see people getting indulged in this festival with a lot of exuberance at the streets of the city thus making this place a widely searched location for enjoying Navratri.

3. Pavagadh Archaeological Park

This archaeological park is situated amidst the hills of Pavagadh that holds a strong historical and mythological significance. Historical would be the enormous designs of Hindu and Islamic carvings on the rocks and mythological is the view that it is this hill that Lord Hanuman carried to Lanka in the Ramayana epilog.

4. Sayaji Gardens, Vadodara

It is the largest garden in the Western part of India sprawling across 45 hectares of land that is dedicated to Maharaja Sayajirao. Built in the year 1879, it is enclosed with rich flora (approx 99 trees), fauna, museums, planetariums, toy train for kids and zoo in one single roof. The planetarium present at the entrance of the garden hosts public shows every day.

Thus, explore the many- liked gems of this place by making an online bus ticket booking at ticketgoose.com in leading travel operators like SVR Travels,Paulo Travels and Konduskar Travels that not only takes you places but would also melt your heart with its services.

With summer mid-way through the year and with kids’ unplanned vacation, the stress level of yours ought to peak up that can also daunt your kids’ thoughts towards you. But like how every problem has a solution, this issue of yours can be taken to a new dimension with the nation’s favorite online bus ticketing portal; TicketGoose. Wondering, the portal that has eased ticketing issues, how is it going to solve this problem of yours. Then, lend your ears, as TicketGooose in association with Sterling Holidays has come with a new offer that is just blood curdling and breath- taking.

TicketGoose releases its new Super Summer Sale; a chance for you to beat the heat by plunging into Sterling’s bravura resorts with your family where a stay of 2 nights and 3 days worth Rs.20000 can be availed for free if you book your bus tickets with TicketGoose. This offer is applicable only for those individuals who have registered through the pop-up displayed on the firm’s website and booked tickets before May 31st. One winner will be chosen per day on a random basis with displaying their name on the home page of ticketgoose.com.

The winner will receive an email within two days from the date of declaration of results which they would need to respond within 7days as limited rooms are allotted for this sale that will be served on a first come first serve basis. The winners will also get coupons (not- transferrable and not- negotiable) for a complimentary stay that is valid for a period of six months from the date of issue. If you are thinking about the members eligible for this stay, then let me tell you that only 2 adults and 2 children below 12 years of age are allowed. With this coupon, you can enjoy your stay at locations like Darjeeling, Ooty, Goa, Kodaikanal, Yelagiri, Munnar, Yercaud, and Lonavala.

Thus, with such an astounding summer offer, spend your valuable time at Sterling’s top resorts and for your stay with your family make a booking at ticketgoose.com.Some of the top travel operators providing the bus services are Kallada Travels,Parveen Travels,Patel Travels,Konduskar Travels,Hebron Travels and Paulo Travels.

Jama Masjid – The Heart of Old Delhi

These days, the city of Delhi has been famous for a lot of reasons and landmarks. Be it the bustling Karol Bagh, Chandni Chowk, the glamorous Connaught Place or the fancy underground Palika Bazaar — the national capital has always been the focal point of attraction for many tourists. Not to forget are the national landmarks of India Gate, the Parliament and the Rashtrapati Bhavan. However, what makes the city a little more interesting is its past, particularly structures from the Mughal era.

Perhaps the most important and appealing Mughal structure in the city is Jama Masjid. As the name denotes, it is a place of worship which serves as an import tourist destination of the city as well. It is located in the heart of Delhi, and is very accessible from the newer part of the city. The mosque is said to be one of the biggest in the whole of South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal taken together). I visited the mosque twice in the year 2000 and 2010, and I can safely claim that nothing has changed ever since.

Back in Time

The mosque was built by the fifth Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. The foundation was laid in an area then called Shahjahanabad. The construction of the complex took six years to complete, with the initial construction having started in 1650 AD. An estimated 6,000 workers were involved in the construction.

A panoramic shot of the Jama Masjid Complex (Photo Courtesy — Wikipedia)

What to Expect Inside

You will find a massive courtyard inside with a central washing area. On Fridays, the Islamic Sabbath, the water fountains are put on display. The main prayer hall is located towards the western end called the Qiblah. You can step inside and look at the magnificent chandeliers inside, or you can simply sit on the steps and enjoy the cool evening breeze while you chat with tourists. Yes, the best time to visit is two hours prior to sunset. My favourite view is that of the Red Fort, which lies exactly opposite, though at some distance. Beware of thieves and keep a close eye on your footwear. If possible, carry them with you wherever you go.

The mosque at night (Photo courtesy — Haarsh)

Perhaps, the most interesting historical stuff you can see around are the relics of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his footmarks as well as a copy of the Qur’an handwritten by one of his companions. I along with family and friends were shown these by a caretaker as we had come to visit Delhi from an extremely far-ff region. It becomes all the more amazing to witness them when you are told that such relics are only available in certain other parts of the world — Istanbul in Turkey and Cairo in Egypt. Make sure you insist on these relics when you are inside. They might not give in easily, but you can insist the relevant authorities a little bit without being forceful.

Something to Shop

The adjacent areas are food-lovers’ paradise. You can get the highly expensive Tandoori and Mughlai items from well-known restaurants such as Al Jawahar and Karim’s. The slightly less expensive versions of Biryani are also available in the area. Try out the Lassi and Jalebi too. The area will be of particular interest for girls and women as there are a lot of ethnic wear items and bangles to choose from. If you are a book-lover, there are a book shops too. Oops, most book stalls here are Urdu stalls with many offering English collections as well. If you are a foreigner, currency exchange shops are available in plenty here.

The area is famous for its food (Photo courtesy — Eatanddust.com)

How to Reach

You can hire an auto from any part of the city to reach Jama Masjid. The nearest metro station is Chawri Bazar. Accessibility will never be an issue.

The place will offer you a lesson of history with spectacular views and spiritual enlightenment. The most important factor to keep in mind here is to respect local traditions. Women are advised to avoid wearing shorts and sleeveless. Modest clothing can also be hired from the northern gate. It can be assured that it will be a visit you will never forget.

Book your bus tickets form the leading bus ticket booking portal which has many travel operators providing bus services like SVR Travels,Paulo Travels,Konduskar Travels,Greenline Travels and Patel Travels.

Manipat, an unexplored getaway

Chhattisgarh has several destinations that are still unexplored. And going to an offbeat getaway devoid of the usual crowd is rejuvenating; where you can simply walk in leisure without bothering about the honking traffic or the onlookers. Manipat was a chance discovery during our trip to Chhattisgarh. About 258 km from Bilaspur, it lies atop a plateau surrounded by emerald valleys. The hill station with its thick forests, gushing waterfalls, and gentle-flowing streams has earned itself the sobriquet of “Shimla of Sarguja.” The Tibetan settlement in the village was another pleasant surprise. This locality seemed every bit like a mini Tibet with colourful prayer flags lining up the streets. We were told that this hill station is also popularly known as Mini Tibet.

Photo courtesy: Anuradha Goel

The trip from Bilaspur by bus through Jarabhata along the National Highway 111 took us about four and half hours. But the view en route was beautiful and that is one of the reasons why I love road trips. We headed straight to the Tibetan restaurant next to the beautiful settlement and helped ourselves to the piping hot thukpa and a plateful of momos. We decided to visit this place once again before heading back. Chit-chatting with the people around in the restaurant we got our itinerary chalked out. We also came to know that there were seven different refugee camps in the village.

Dhakpo Monastery

Photo courtesy: Anuradha Goel

Our first stop was at the Dhakpo Monastery. This quaint monastery was a little small compared to the ones we had seen elsewhere. But it stood squeaky clean and elegant glistening under the afternoon sun. You can interact with the monks here who are very friendly and also with the people around.

Tiger Point

Though we couldn’t spot any tigers, we had a good view of the cascading waterfalls from the road level itself. There are steps to take you down to the bottom of the falls. But be careful while climbing down, it can get slippery. A check dam nearby adds to its beauty. It is said that tigers were sighted in the area many years ago, lending it its present name.

Fish Point

This point with a flowing river is picturesque. It is called Fish Point because a certain type of fish is found here. As we climbed uphill, the view was breathtaking. The sound of the gushing waterfall invaded the tranquility of the place, and it couldn’t have been better without the crowd around.

Tibetan Settlement

We finally walked through the Tibetan camps accompanied by some lamas. They were happy to show us around. We were taken to a handicraft shop selling some mementoes, where we got some goodies for friends back home. At the end of the day we invited the lamas, who heartily took us around, to join us for some momos at the Tibetan restaurant.

Getting there

You can easily get a bus from Bilaspur, Raipur and Ambikapur. Or you can hire a taxi and make a day trip. Check out for buses at Ticketgoose.com if you are travelling on this route.’

Some of the travel operators providing bus services to Manipat are Patel Travels,Greenline Travels,Konduskar Travels and VRL Travels

Where to stay

There are a couple of places where you can spend the night. Saila Tourist Resort (Tariff-Rs 1,500 onwards) and Mercury Resort and Restaurant are some of the places worth opting. The latter has some adventure sport facility for the adrenaline junkies.

If you are looking for an offbeat destination far away from the bustling city, there couldn’t be a better choice than Manipat. You can visit this place just for its untouched beauty.