Hyderabad City looks as fresh after a shower of rains as we feel fresh after a bath. The green landscapes of the city look greener, the roads become cleaner, and the air feels cooler. The beauty of the rain-washed city appears as inviting as the crystal-clear water of sea on an exotic beach. Windy mornings, pleasant days, rainy evenings and cool nights during monsoons make Hyderabad a must visit in July and August. Here’s a walk through the things to do in Hyderabad during monsoon based on the inputs shared by NRIs of Hyderabad.

Paddling a racing bicycle along the wavy streets of Banjara Hills is one of the best things to do in Hyderabad during monsoon. Banjara Hills is the greenest part of the city, and KBR National Park spreading over an area of 400 acres is the oasis of greenery here. The sloping roads with swaying boughs of trees on both sides around outside the park deepen the thrill of bicycling on rainy mornings. The city is home to groups and clubs of bicyclers. You can join a group or club to have the company of passionate bicyclers during your stay on monsoon days.

The Hussain Sagar Lake is the pearl of Hyderabad. The beauty of the lake hangs over the surrounding Necklace Road too. Fed by the River Musi, it is an artificial lake with a maximum depth of 32 feet and sprawling over 5.7 square kilometers. The water level swells in the months of monsoon. The boundary of the lake is the most popular hangout for all age groups and in all seasons. Driving on the rain-washed Necklace Road is a pleasure to those who love going out and driving in the rains.

Then, there is Irani Tea to warm up your mornings and evenings in Hyderabad during monsoons. It is one of the things that the city is famous for and visitors must have. The typical Hyderabadi essence distinguishes the taste of Irani tea from that of regular tea. There are many popular Irani tea hangouts in the old part of the city. Though available round the year, Irani tea with a plate of Osmania biscuits is the best monsoon flavor of Hyderabad.

READ MORE Weekend Trips from Hyderabad

The Charminar is the most identifiable icon of Hyderabad. It is also one of the most famous historic monuments in India. The Charminar in the rains is an ideal subject for monsoon photography in the city. The area surrounding the monument is a bustling marketplace, one of the most crowded zones in the old city. When it rains, crowds disperse making it easier for the Charminar to breathe freely. So, go out on a photography spree and shoot the ways of life around the Charminar, in the monsoon season.

Hyderabadi snacks are among the best food to eat during monsoons. Apart from masala dosa, bonda and mirchi bhaji are favorites of the locals. These street side snacks are sold here and there in the city, two times a day – morning and evening. Bites of smoking hot, crispy onion bonda and mirchi bhaji make the joy of monsoon an overwhelming feeling on rainy mornings and evenings.

If you are from Hyderabad, you must fly to Rajiv Gandhi Airport and refresh your memory of the rainy days this monsoon. Discard your worries about current airfares because Indian Eagle is offering the most competitive deals from partner airlines for cheap flights to Hyderabad for a limited period.  

The post Traveling to Hyderabad This Monsoon? Here’s How You can Make the Most of Monsoon in City of Pearls appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The Indian state of Gujarat facing the Arabian Sea in the west is a land of vibrant culture, rich history, ceaseless development, colorful festivals and imperial grandeur. It was the cradle of Indus Valley Civilization, the trading center of the Maurya and Gupta Empires, part of the Mughal Empire, and the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. Gujarat is globally identified with its handcrafted colorful textiles, Modhera Dance festival, Kite Flying festival, Rann Utsav in the Kutch region, and Sabarmati Ashram. The splendor of sands and the beauty of migratory flamingos in the Rann of Kutch are irresistible pulls of the state fetching in travelers.

Though a kaleidoscopic picture of antiquity in the countryside; Gujarat displays an exemplary model of development in Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. Enriched with the values and principles of Mahatma Gandhi, the life in Gujarat is eloquently captured by Shraddha Kadakia’s professional camera. The photographs are reflections of the simple life of common man in Gujarat through the prism of her searching eyes. Shraddha Kadakia, a visual communication professional, shares the most expressive photographs of rural life in Gujarat with Indian Eagle from her albums of travel photography in India.

Indian Eagle, a leading USA-based international travel organization booking the best flights to India, brings this exclusive photo story of life of common man in Gujarat in collaboration with Shraddha Kadakia.

About the Contributor

Shraddha Kadakia  is the founder and Managing Director of Just Click Image Making Company in India. With a 5 Years Diploma in Applied Arts and unusual passion for commercial photography in the automobile industry, she founded her entrepreneurial dream at the age of 21. Shraddha has provided visual communication and filming solutions to prestigious brands as Bajaj Auto, Being Human, Maruti, Tata Chroma, and likes in different niches.

Are you a traveler or travel photographer? We would like to publish your travel story and share your experience with our readers. Pitch to us at share@blogbox.indianeagle.com and get featured.  

The post Gujarat Travel Photography: Life of Common Man appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

“LOVE is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no; it is an ever-fixed mark,
That looks on tempests, and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.
LOVE’s not Time’s fool,”

In the stanza quoted from “Sonnet No. 116,” William Shakespeare speaks about the eternity of love, which is best embodied and concretized by the Taj Mahal in India. A wonder of wonders in the world, the Taj Mahal is a living edifice of human passion, which neither History dares to bury in its grave nor does Time dare to forget. Celebrities from across the globe have defined and described this immortal heritage of India in different ways. We have compiled some of the best quotes about the Taj Mahal to share with you, through eloquent visuals from the lens of travel photographers.

Rabindranath Tagore, Nobel awardee in literature

“You know Shah Jahan, life and youth, wealth and glory, they all drift away in the current of time. You strove therefore, to perpetuate only the sorrow of your heart? Let the splendor of diamond, pearl and ruby vanish? Only let this one teardrop, this Taj Mahal, glisten spotlessly bright on the cheek of time, forever and ever.”

Image Credit: Thomas and William Daniell, The British Library Board

Sir Edwin Arnold, English Poet

“Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones.”

Image Credit: Cosmin Danila

Bayard Taylor, American novelist

“Did you ever build a castle in the Air? Here is one, brought down to earth and fixed for the wonder of ages.”

Image Credit: Alexandra Stukkey/ThinkStock

Hodges, British painter

“It appears like a perfect pearl on an azure ground. The effect is such I have never experienced from any work of art.”

Image Credit: Steve Mccurry

Bill Clinton, former President of the USA

There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who have seen the Taj Mahal and love it, and those who have not seen the Taj Mahal and love it. I would like people to watch the Taj Mahal and fall in love with it.

Image Credit: Jitendra Singh

Count Hermann Keyserling, German Philosopher

“A massive marble structure, without weight, as if formed of ether, perfectly rational and at the same time entirely decorative, it is perhaps the greatest art work which the forming spirit of mankind has ever brought forth.”

Image Credit: Julien Pons

Lord Curzon, British Governor General

If I had never done anything else in India, I would have written my name here, and the letters would have been a living joy.”

CHECK MORE Beautiful Paintings of Indian Heritage Monuments

Indian Eagle Travel believes in creating wonderful trips for you by booking your flights to India from USA at the best prices. May your flight be as joyful as these visuals!

The post 7 Best Quotes & Photographs of Taj Mahal That will Make You Respect Indian Heritage appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh is an escape from civilization to the pure bliss of nature in the solitude of mountains. A snow desert with geographical diversity and beauty in the Himalayas, the valley lies between India and Tibet. With rough terrains, motorable roads, waterfalls, rivers, monasteries, hamlets and a non-polar glacier, the Spiti Valley is an offbeat destination for adventure, photography and meditation. Known as “Little Tibet” and “The Snow Desert”, this Himalayan valley is a soulful and sensuous artwork by the Supreme Architect. We at Travel Beats weave a visual story of the Spiti Valley.

The Spiti Valley is one of the best Himalayan destinations for spiritual seekers. Spirituality is an intense unearthly feeling of the soul in absolute solitude of peace and tranquility that the Spiti Valley is blessed with. It can rightly be called a Buddhist destination for being home to 1000-year old Buddhist monasteries which are locally known as Gompas. Dhankar Li is the most popular monastery and one of the tourist attractions here. The valley basks in the glory of its spiritual culture that has been cultivated in isolation from civilization.

The geographical diversity of the Spiti Valley is an attraction itself. This Himachal valley is a micro world of different geographical formations including canyons, mountains, glaciers, rivers and waterfalls. Several perennial rivers including the Spiti, the Pin, and the Chandra flow with gurgling sound through the desert terrains here. With beautiful lakes adding to the panoramic richness of the landscape, there is no limit to what to see in the Spiti Valley. The valley can be referred to as nature’s darling because of Bara Shigri, one of the largest non-polar glaciers in the world.

The Spiti Valley boasts of the Himalayan beauty in different forms which make it a photographers’ paradise. It offers huge space for a photography spree to nature photographers. The valley houses small villages in the geographically vast and varied landscape. One of the remotest regions in the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau, the Spiti Valley nurtures simple rural life, a wonderful subject for travel documentaries and photography.

Wildlife abounds in the cold desert terrains of the Spiti Valley. A certain percentage of the bleak landscape is dotted with wildlife in proximity to the villages. Fossils can be seen at a few places across the valley. That is why Spiti is titled the Fossil Park of the world. Langza is one of the places where maritime fossils are found. Those on an exploration drive can spot out snow leopards, red fox, yaks and other animals in the Spiti Valley.

Trekking and safari are the pursuits of adventure in the Spiti Valley. Yaks are abundantly found in the valley as rearing yaks is a means of sustenance for the villagers. Many tourists find kicks in yak safari across the rough terrains of such a beautiful landscape as the Spiti Valley. Those who are not fond of yak safari can ride horses.

The day-to-day life of the natives in the Spiti Valley is a lesson on how to live with a smile on the face, a glint of joy in the eyes and rosy gleams on the cheeks despite difficulties in harsh atmospheric conditions. The valley owes its soulfulness to the simplicity of the people who drink to the beauty and breathe in the freedom of nature. Their innocence is the secret to their bliss.

The Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh is a must visit for spiritual culture, rural life, natural beauty, adventure and photography. If it makes you feel like flying to India in search of such offbeat destinations, book your flight on IndianEagle.com and get the cheapest airfare.

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Coonoor is the Darjeeling of South India. Coonoor is akin to Darjeeling from several standpoints: high-altitude location, panorama, sightseeing, toy train, tea & coffee plantation, geographical diversity and natural artifices. Nestled amidst the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu, Coonoor is 1850 m high from sea level. This South Indian hill station has so sublime and peaceful ambience that it makes you find poetry in every corner and hear the song of some invisible “Solitary Reaper” from far. It is a small garden town with tea and coffee plantations sprawling over the wavy sides of mountains. It enjoys the buzz of bees, the chirps of birds and the music of waterfalls. A summer resort for the British in the 19th century, Coonoor invites those in quest of sublimity, solitude and soulfulness.

By now, you are surely eager to know about the popular tourist attractions in Coonoor. Indian Eagle shares a brief Coonoor travel guide with focus on what to see and what to do in Coonoor: 

Sim’s Park

Sim’s Park is the greenest among the tourist attractions of Coonoor. Spreading over a lush green landscape of 12 acres at an elevation of about 1768 meters in the valley, Sim’s Park is like a pearl in oyster. It is a garden of various flowering plants, with a boating lake. The flowery beauty of the park never fades as there are seasonal flower plants in the garden. Sim’s Park has 8 different sections, designed in different styles. The “Fruit and Vegetable Show” is a special summer attraction of the park in May.

Lamb’s Rock

Image Credit: Flickr.com

Lamb’s Rock is the ultimate destination for trekkers in Coonoor. There are trekking trails offering some taste of adventure. Lamb’s Rock is a rough, pointed cliff with steep sides hundreds of feet below. The top of the cliff commands 360 degree views of the panorama along tea and coffee plantations. The Coonoor stream flows by the foot of Lamb’s Rock. One can vividly see the Coimbatore plains from here.

Dolphin’s Nose

Image Credit: Flickr.com

Dolphin’s Nose is the best photography point in Coonoor. The mind-blowing views of the Nilgiri Hills and the Catherine Falls make it seem to be a gateway to the world of nature. It is a meeting point of several different geographical formations. There are massive ravines on both sides of Dolphin’s Nose. The confluence of the Coonoor stream and the Kotagiri stream in one of the ravines is an attraction of this viewpoint.

Catherine Falls

Catherine Falls is one of the beautiful manifestations of nature in Coonoor. Also known as St. Catherine’s Fall, it falls from a height of 250 feet. The beauty of the waterfall can be seen and photographed from the nearby point Dolphin’s Nose. The top of the fall can be climbed on to along a vertical passage. The view of the fall is immensely impressive from the top.

The things to do in Coonoor

Trekking is the most popular activity in Coonoor. The beauty of this hill station in the Nilgiri Hills hangs along the trails from the foot to Lamb’s Rock. Photography and adventure on the way add to the excitement of trekking to Lamb’s Rock and Dolphin’s Nose. There are tea and coffee plantations sprawling on both sides of the trails. A walk through the plantations is as refreshing as the atmosphere. The greenery soothes the eyes and the mind. A 12-km long trail runs from Lady Canning’s Seat to Dolphin’s Nose. A route for trekking runs through the Hidden Valley. The valley brims with green beauty, lush greenery and soothing views. Boating in Sim’s Park, bird watching and photography are other things to do in Coonoor.

Golfing is an emerging attraction or activity in Coonoor. Because of its exotic location amidst beautiful sights of the Nilgiri Hills, Coonoor Hill Station has lots of potential to be developed as a golf destination for sports tourists and travelers. The Wellington is one of the most contemporary golf courses in India. The picturesque beauty and inexplicable serenity of the Wellington have given rise to its attraction as a film shooting location, too.

The most wonderful part of a trip to Coonoor

Coonoor falls on the hilly way between Ooty and Mettupalayam, connected by the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. The most wonderful part of a visit to Coonoor from Ooty or Mettupalayam is journey by the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, the only toy train in South India and one of the world heritage sites in India. Coonoor is close to Ooty near the top and far from Mettupalayam at the foot of the Nilgiri Hills.

Ooty is a short drive from Bangalore International Airport in Karnataka, and Mettupalayam can be reached via roadway from Chennai International Airport or Coimbatore Airport (domestic) in Tamil Nadu. Indian Eagle books the best possible flights to Bengaluru and Chennai International Airports.

The best time to visit Coonoor

Both summer and winter are the best seasons to visit Coonoor. Coonoor experiences mild temperature and pleasant weather throughout the year. It receives rainfall during monsoon from June to September. October to May is the ideal time for Coonoor sightseeing.

Fly to India this winter, visit Coonoor and travel by the Nilgiri Mountain Railway to Ooty. Get the best possible flight to Chennai and Bengaluru on IndianEagle.com.

The post Coonoor Travel Guide: Things to See & Things to Do appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Let’s turn away from monuments and hill stations to the direction leading to the secluded islands and serene beaches. When the mind craves for seclusion and serenity, it can think of only the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Andaman Islands and beaches are among the most wonderful holiday destinations with idyllic setting, rich wildlife, white sands, crystal-blue water and eco-friendly atmosphere. An escape to the Andaman for shareable travel experience and inexplicable tryst with nature is worth a flight to India. Let’s see whose travel tastes are best catered to by the Andaman.

A trip to the Andaman is must for those in quest of serenity, beauty, romance and bliss far from the buzz of city life. If you are among them, you must fly to the Andaman beaches which are away from civilization but close to nature. You will feel overwhelmed in the solitude of Radhanagar Beach, Cove Beach, Vijayanagar Beach, and Elephant Beach where waves are in love with sands, the sun hangs out on the horizon twice a day, the mind feels meditative, the heart listens to itself, peace is eloquent, sea speaks to the sky, and where sunbath is a pleasure. The Andaman beaches which are accessible to visitors are known for their tranquilizing effect on the outer being and inner self of visitors.

A flight to the Andaman Islands is the right spending by those in love with nature and wildlife photography. Every nook and corner of this part of earth is blessed with wildlife. Barren Island, one of the uninhabited Andaman Islands, is home to rich flora and fauna. Rare species of animals and plants are found here. Barren Island also houses an active volcano which is the only one in South Asia. 135 km away from Port Blair, the volcano is an ideal landscape for nature photography. Baratang Island is another island whose wilderness woos photographers. Dense tropical forests and white sandy beaches are the attractions of the island. You must photograph the limestone caves on Baratang Island to bask in the pleasure of photography.

A tour of the Andaman Islands is highly recommended to those in quest of adrenalin rush. The Andaman beaches are as adventuresome as they are peaceful. Some of the islands have sporty beaches where you can’t help springing into adventure. The Havelock Island is a hub of adventure sports including kayaking, trekking, snorkeling, scuba diving and sailing. If swimming makes you feel alive and kicking, Vijaynagar Beach with calm, crystal clear water is the call for you. If strolling on the sand thrills you, it is not less exciting than adventure itself. Island camping is another sort of adventure that you must try out during the Andaman travel.

Travel to the Andaman Islands is a must for those in search of the trail to the stories of British oppression during the National Freedom Movement. The Cellular Jail is a living evidence of the confinement of the Indian freedom fighters in the dark and the atrocity meted out to them. Some of the patriots directly or indirectly associated with the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 were exiled to suffer solitary confinement in the Cellular Jail which is notorious as Kaala Pani. Among the political prisoners who were sentenced to the Cellular Jail were such eminent freedom fighters as Veer Savarkar, Batukeshwar Dutt, Shiv Verma, Mahavir Singh, Ambika Chakraborty, Genesh Ghosh, and Fakir Sen who were associated with the Chittagong Revolt, the Assembly Bomb Case, the Lahore Conspiracy Case, the Alipore Conspiracy Case and the Wahabi Movement. The Government of India declared the Cellular Jail as a national memorial in 1969. A light and sound show is organized on the premises to introduce the visitors to the sufferings of the prisoners.

Port Blair is the gateway to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, which is a short flight from Chennai International Airport. IndianEagle.com offers international flight tickets to Chennai, India, at the best prices.

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