Delhi is full of wonders. Some are popularly known, while some are hidden in the lanes and alleys of the centuries-old historic city. With new tourist attractions such as Madame Tussauds Museum and Abdul Kalam Memorial museum making their way among the best things to see in Delhi, the city never falls short of wooing visitors. The Human Library of Delhi is the latest addition to the cityscape.

The Delhi Human Library may not be a wonder to visitors from San Diego, New York and Chicago which got human libraries quite some time back. There is a human library in London too. However, it’s an altogether new concept in India, where though grandmothers were the best human storytellers in the bygone decades. Indore got the first human library in India, and Hyderabad was the second Indian city to get a human library. Now it’s in Delhi.

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is the origin of the first-ever human library in the world. The ‘Human Library’ concept was introduced by Ronni Abergel and his brother during a youth movement named ‘Stop the Violence’ in 2000. It replaced hardcovers with ‘human books’ to bridge between people through empathetic power of real life stories which are far stranger and more exciting than fictions in traditional books. The Human Library of Copenhagen found its way through over 70 countries, including USA, Australia and the UK.

Human libraries across the world are trying to restore the lost connection between humans in real. The inexplicable pleasure of listening to heart-warming, life-changing, soul-stirring, fulfilling stories of people from people is lost amidst clutters of social media feeds in the current times of information overload. Human stories are real-life experiences about prejudices, stereotypes, social stigmas, extraordinary feats, philanthropy, solo travel, etc., which often remain untold and unheard of.

The Delhi Human Library will be inaugurated on June 18, 2017. The first session of the Delhi Human Library will continue from 2pm till 7pm on the same day. It has the same model as that of the Hyderabad Human Library where ‘human books’ are borrowed for every 20 minutes. ‘Human books’ are knowledgeable people including subject matter experts and those having shareable personal experiences from different walks of life. They volunteer to read out stories and tell their own stories to others at an interpersonal level.

According to Neha Singh, the book depot manager at the Delhi Human Library in Connaught Place, ‘human books’ have been selected from 11 different categories based on their interest and knowledge for the first event on June 18. They include a history chronicler, a female solo traveler, a cancer survivor, a Buddhism practitioner, a recovering drug abuser, a bullying victim, and a tea-seller turned author. Story lovers can take their picks from among these ‘human books’ on the first come, first served basis.

If you are in quest of contemporary stories about India and its people, make sure to visit the Human Library in Delhi. The stories which are not found even at the hidden tourist places in bylanes of Old Delhi may be told and shared at the Delhi Human Library. After all, human life itself is a never-ending story full of twists and turns.

Indian Eagle is a leading travel organization booking cheap international flights to Delhi. Indian Eagle’s digital magazine, Travel Beats, publishes the latest news and stories from India to share with Indian Diaspora.

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What are the best places to visit in Kerala? Alleppey, Munnar, Kochi, Kovalam, Bekal, Wayanad, Thrissur, Varkala, Kochikode….You may not find Thekkady on the lists of top tourist places in Kerala. Thekkady in Kerala is one of the lesser-known holiday destinations in South India. Recently, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) CEO Challenge 2015 named Thekkady as the world’s top emerging tourist destination, which brought it to the limelight of global tourism.

Thekkady in Kerala is one of the few places where you can feel the bliss of nature and hear the song of William Wordsworth’s Solitary Reaper. Rich in wildlife and stepped in greenery, it brims with peacefulness. Located near the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Thekkady is full of interesting things to see. The best time to visit Thekkady is winter from October to February though it has pleasant weather round the year. We at Indian Eagle explore Thekkady to reason why it is a must visit in Kerala India.

Best Places for Sightseeing in and around Thekkady

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala. Spread over an area of 777 kms and surrounded by the Cardamom hills, the sanctuary is home to various kinds of animals like tigers, elephants, Sambar deer, Nilgiri tahr, langurs, flying squirrels, endangered lion-tailed macaque, etc. It makes Thekkady in Kerala worth visiting for wildlife tourism. India’s largest man-made lake is situated in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Don’t let herds of elephants around the lake, go unnoticed.  

Spring Valley Mountain

The vintage point to catch amazing views of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is the top of Spring Valley Mountain at a distance of 4 km from Thekkady in Kerala. Called Kurisumala by the locals, the Spring Valley Mountain has trekking trails. There is a church on the hilltop, too.

Pandikuzhi Hills

If you are a photographer or poet seeking inspiration for a new work of art, do visit Pandikuzhi at an altitude of 2700 feet above the sea level. A 5-km drive from Thekkady in Kerala, Pandikuzhi Hills boast scenic landscapes and gurgling waterfalls. Adding to the green beauty of this tourist place is a variety of flora. If photography is not your cup of tea, you can hit the trekking trails here.

Chellarkovil Village

Chellarkovil is one of the beautiful villages in Kerala. Dotted with cascading waterfalls and carpeted with lush greenery, Chellarkovil Village is worth visiting for picnics in coconut grooves. There is a watchtower with a telescope on a hilltop, which is named “God’s Own Balcony.” The village is only 15 km from Thekkady in Kerala.

Vandiperiyar

How is it to take a leisurely walk in tea or coffee gardens? If such an activity in company of nature gives you peace of mind, visit Vandiperiyar which is only 18 km from Thekkady. You can also see pepper plantations here. Do stop by the Government’s Agricultural Farm and Flower Garden where you can see rare orchids and roses.

Abraham’s Spice Garden

Kerala is famous for Ayurveda and spice farming the world over. A visit to Abraham’s Spice Garden at a 15-km drive from Thekkady will quench your curiosity about Ayurveda and spice farming. Surrounded by thick shrubs, Abraham’s Spice Garden arranges educational tours for tourists.

Grampi

Grampi, rich in wildlife, is a perfect holiday retreat for Ayurvedic treatments in Kerala. It is a hill station with rocky plains, lofty peaks, trekking trails in dense forests, and panoramic landscapes, at a distance of 24 km from Thekkady in Kerala.   

Interesting Things to Do in Thekkady

Though Thekkady in Kerala is a holiday retreat in the lap of nature, it will not let you lie back. It throbs with tourist-friendly activities for pleasurable indulgence. Trekking, photography, hiking, elephant ride, rafting, and sightseeing are the popular activities in Thekkady. Trekking is a major activity here because of many trails crisscrossing through forested and hilly areas. Don’s miss the pleasure of photography in Thekkady where there are beautiful landscapes with cascading waterfalls, sprawling tea and coffee plantations, forested hills, rich wildlife, etc. Do ride an elephant in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, get an Ayurvedic massage, go for rafting, hike along the paths through forests, explore the local culture of Thekkady, experience the village life there, etc.

How to Reach Thekkady

Thekkady is accessible via roadways from all major tourist places in Kerala. The nearest railway station is Kumarakom at a distance of 114 kms from Thekkady, and the Madurai railway station is around 136 kms away. Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport. Thekkady is 211 km away from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.

Indian Eagle books cheap flights to Cochin International Airport from the USA and Canada. Check our airfare deals for travel to Kerala on IndianEagle.com and get the best.

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August to March is the best time for road trips on bikes in North India. Delhi, the national capital of India, is at crossroads of weekend getaways for bikers. Weekend road trips from Delhi are adrenalin-pumping adventure drives for biking enthusiasts. Some road trips from Delhi run along highways; some run through zigzags in valleys and mountains; some run by beautiful rivers or shimmering streams; some run crisscrossing barren landscapes, while some run through green corridors at escalating altitudes. Some roads for bike trips from Delhi are motorable, while some are precarious throwing challenge to road trippers. You can soak in the natural beauty of India hanging over concrete highways, sandy trails, and mountainous passes. Indian Eagle lists the best road trips from Delhi for bikers.

Road trip to Ladakh from Delhi

Driving to Ladakh at an altitude of 13,000 feet is one of the most coveted road trips from Delhi. Riding a Royal Enfield for a whopping 1800km of round trip is not for the fainthearted. A road trip to Ladakh is full of adventure making it an inspirational story of courage, passion and obsession for the aspiring road trippers. If you are not a seasoned biker, Ladakh road trip may end up being far from euphoria. Don’t let it disappoint you. There are not-so-adventurous weekend road trips from Delhi for you, too.

READ MORE Ladakh Road Trip: An Inspirational Story

Road trip to Dehradun from Delhi

The road from Delhi to Dehradun and Mussoorie is poor, but what makes this road trip a must have for bikers is the breathtaking sightseeing. Dehradun and Mussoorie are the nearest hill stations from Delhi, in the Himalayan region. It is a 6-hr drive from Delhi to Dehradun, and driving to the hilltop of Mussoorie takes another 1.5 hours. Do halt at Cheetal Grand, a roadside eatery, to fuel your body with Indian or western food during your road trip to Dehradun.

Road trip to Jaipur from Delhi

Jaipur is on every biker’s list of top 10 road trips from Delhi. India’s Pink City is an exciting 6-hr biking trip. It is worth a long drive from Delhi for several reasons including tourist attractions and Rajasthani food. The Delhi – Jaipur Highway is a part of the Golden Quadrilateral project. October to March is the best time for a road trip to Jaipur.

Road trip to Agra from Delhi    

Needless to say why driving to Agra is one of the best weekend road trips from Delhi. Driving a bike or car on the newly built Yamuna Expressway to the city of Taj Mahal is an inexplicable experience, which India’s fastest train from Delhi to Agra falls short of. The mouthwatering taste of Agra’s street food and the mind-blowing beauty of the Taj Mahal add to the joy of road trips to Agra.

Road trip to Bharatpur from Delhi  

Bharatpur is a small town on the Agra-Jaipur Highway and famous for the Bharatpur bird sanctuary. Driving to Bharatpur is a fancy ride across vast sandy landscape. The entrance of the sanctuary looks abandoned, but the interior will mesmerize you the more you will explore. October to February is the best time for a road trip to Bharatpur because the sanctuary welcomes beautiful migratory birds during this period.

Road trip to Rishikesh from Delhi 

Rishikesh is a must visit for not only pilgrimage, yoga and meditation but also adventure. One of the holiest places in India, Rishikesh offers toast of adventure in form of river rafting, trekking and hiking. Evidently, adventure-loving bikers must hit the road to Rishikesh from Delhi at any time of the year and that is because of pleasant weather.

Road trip to Dharamsala from Delhi  

Dharamsala in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh is a scenic drive from the hustle-bustle of Delhi. One of the best getaways for summer vacation in India, Dharamsala is a beautiful canvas crisscrossed by hilly streams flowing through deodar and pine forests. This Himalayan hill station is the headquarters of Dalai Lama, too. Road trip to Dharamsala is a must for biking enthusiasts.

Road trip to Chittorgarh from Delhi 

[pullquote]Check our infographic on the unforgettable story of Chittorgarh Fort.[/pullquote] Chittorgarh in Rajasthan is one of the best destinations for weekend road trips from Delhi. Though a large portion of the Chittorgarh Fort is in ruins, the story of the fort will not fail to haunt you once you step into the fort complex. The timeless tales of Rajput rulers’ valor and Rajput women’s spirit of sacrifice in Mewar are worth 7-hr driving from Delhi to Chittorgarh.

Road trip to Chandigarh from Delhi 

Driving to Chandigarh from Delhi is an adrenalin drive for bikers. The Grand Trunk Road is the main route to Chandigarh from Delhi, giving access to Shimla and Kasauli, two most popular hill stations in Himachal Pradesh. Both Shimla and Kasauli are 2-3 hour pleasant drive from Chandigarh. It is safe not to venture out for a bike trip to Chandigarh or Shimla in the thick of winter.

Road trip to Alwar from Delhi

Biking or driving to Alwar from Delhi is an adventurous experience. Alwar is one of the princely states in Rajasthan. Visit to Sariska, one of the most famous tiger reserves in India, is worth a road trip from Delhi to Alwar. The month of February / March is the best time to visit Sariska because tigers are the likeliest to be sighted this time. You can halt to see the haunted Bhangarh Fort on the way.

READ MORE  Haunting Stories of Bhangarh

Road trip to Nainital from Delhi

Driving to Nainital is an escalating ride across high altitudes in Uttarakhand. No provision for air travel or train travel between Delhi and Nainital has made road trip to Nainital a must for bikers. Nainital Lake and Jim Corbett National Park are the best tourist attractions of this hill station at a drive of 285 km via roadway from Delhi. Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest park in India.

Road trip to Ranthambore from Delhi

Ranthambore is a paradise of natural beauty in Rajasthan and home to one of the most famous national parks in India. Located in Sawai Madhopur, the Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve used to be a favorite haunt of the Rajput kings of Jaipur. The park is wildlife photographers’ delight, too, because of its scenic landscape and rich wildlife. Evidently, bikers brim with enthusiasm for road trip to Ranthambore from Delhi.

Road trip to Ajmer from Delhi   

Of the historic cities in Rajasthan, Ajmer is worth several road trips from Delhi. A 5-hr ride on bike, Ajmer is nearer than other cities to Delhi. Nestled amidst the Aravalli Mountains and founded by Ajayraj Singh Chauhan, Ajmer still carries palpable influences of the Chauhan Era in Rajasthan. The city is famous for its age-old artistry and the Ajmer Dargah.

Road trip to Almora from Delhi 

Almora is a gateway to adventure and sports tourism in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand. One of the summer capitals in the Himalayas, Almora offers a springboard of outdoor activities including trekking and rock climbing. Many bikers, adventure lovers and sports enthusiasts from Delhi make road trips to Almora. Driving to Almora is much of an obsession with seasoned bikers and young road trippers.

Road trip to Mathura from Delhi

The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has many destinations for bikers from Delhi. Road trip to Mathura from Delhi is not just an adventuresome drive but a way to seek solace in spirituality since Mathura being birthplace of Lord Krishna is a glorious destination for pilgrimage. Mathura is a must visit on the occasion of Janmastami in August or September. Attend the magnificent pooja ceremony and get blessed with delicious Prasad during Janmastami in Mathura.

Indian Eagle, a leading USA-based travel booking organization, books cheap flight tickets to India and helps tourists fly to India at the lowest airfare throughout the year.

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You have already got enough of the things to see in Hyderabad City. You explored the tourist attractions of Hyderabad during previous visits, which is still fresh on your mind. Don’t worry if what to do and what to see are your concerns about the next trip to the city. There are many places around Hyderabad for weekend trips. The list of weekend getaways from Hyderabad incorporates historical palaces like Hampi and natural escapes like Vizag.

If the beaches of Vizag are ideal for romantic vacations, Belum, Bidar, Gulbarga, Guntur and Hampi are great weekend getaways for heritage travel. Explore architectural ruins of the Kakatiya Dynasty in Warangal where Kohinoor Diamond traveled to England from. Visit Srisailam, a hill station with the Krishna River in backdrop. There is no dearth of weekend vacation ideas to explore around and away Hyderabad in monsoon and winter. This infographic by Indian Eagle is a picture of the best weekend getaways from Hyderabad for fun, romance and adventure.

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How to make the most of your trip to India during monsoon? No need to think hard! Book the cheapest flight to Bangalore or Chennai or Coimbatore, and set out for a journey by the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. The journey across the Nilgiri Mountains offers a rare mélange of adrenalin rush, adventuresome vibe and romantic feel. It is one of the most wonderful mountain rail journeys in India. Indian Eagle explains why you should travel by the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, at least, once in lifetime.

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway journey is accessible from two states of South India – Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. If you are flying to Bangalore International Airport, you can set out for a downward journey from Ooty, which is a short drive from Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka. Or, you can take an uphill journey from Mettupalayam in Coimbatore which is a 4-5 hour long drive from Madurai, one of the most famous temple cities of Tamil Nadu. Those on a traveling spree in South India can make a trip from Bangalore to Madurai or from Madurai to Bangalore via Coonoor on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.

READ MORE  Weekend Getaways from Bengaluru

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is popularly known as the Nilgiri Toy Train which runs between Udhagamandalam (Ooty) and Mettupalayam in Tamil Nadu. Ooty, the Queen of South Indian hill stations, is at the height of 7,228 feet near the top of the Nilgiri Hills, while Mettupalayam stands at the height of 1,069 feet near the foot of the Nilgiri Hills. The uphill or downhill journey between these two stations spans over a distance of 41.8 km. The uphill journey is longer than the downhill journey in terms of timespan. The former takes nearly 5 hours, while the latter takes 3.5 hours.

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway has 7 main stopovers – Kallar, Adderly, Hillgrove, Runneymede, Kateri Road, Coonoor and Lovedale – on its route between Mettupalayam and Ooty. The route features different geographic forms making it an unforgettable journey. Wavy paddy fields cover a 7-km long stretch from Mettupulayam to Kallar. The next part of the route spanning for a distance of 21 km from Kallar to Coonoor is dotted with rocky terrains. This rocky track has many twists and turns through 13 tunnels. Then, there is a steep rise from Coonoor to Fern Hill, the highest point on the route. The track runs downwards a little till Ooty.

Coonoor is the 2nd largest hill station in the Nilgiri Mountains. Located in the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu, this hill station is famous for its beautiful tea estates. The Nilgiri tea is the mainstay of Coonoor whose tourist attractions include Sim’s Park, Dolphin’s Nose, Law’s Falls, Lamb’s Rock and Droog Fort. The part of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway track running through Coonoor is landscaped by tea plantations on both sides, making is a most picturesque phase of the journey. Coimbatore International Airport is a 56-km drive, and Ooty is 18 km away from Coonoor town. You can stop by Coonoor for one-day stay during the journey.

READ MORE  Coonoor Sightseeing Guide

The uphill journey ends in Ooty, the largest hill station in the Nilgiri Mountains and the state of Tamil Nadu. Ooty is one of the most popular summer retreats and monsoon holiday destinations in South India. It is a famous film shooting location too. Ooty Lake, Rose Garden, Botanical Garden, Stone House, Tribal Museum, St. Stephen’s Church, and Wax World are the must-visit tourist attractions of Ooty. If you drive from Ooty to catch your flight at Bangalore International Airport, make sure to halt at Mysore, a historic city in Karnataka, on the way. A 3-hour long journey by buses and trains from Ooty, Mysore is famous for Mysore Palace, Chamundeshwari Temple, Kannada Literature, Mysore silk, Mysore painting, and the history of Wodeyar Dynasty.

Constructed in 1908, the Nilgiri Mountain Railway was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. The mountainous terrains had made the construction a massive challenge which was however converted into a marvel of engineering and technology. Painted in blue and cream, the train has wooden coaches with large windows which offer gripping views of the outer world. The train consists of first class and general class compartments. The first-class compartment offers a more comfortable journey than the general class. You can book a ticket or tickets within 2 months prior to the date of your journey, on IRCTC website.

The Nilgiri Mountain Railway has been filmed in several travel documentaries and feature films. A few sequences in A Passage to India, a Hollywood film by David Lean, were shot at Coonoor Station. If you are a Bollywood buff, you should watch Shah Rukh Khan’s journey on the rooftop of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway passing meanderingly through the green landscapes of Coonoor, in the popular song Chaiyya Chaiyya from Mani Ratnam’s Dil Se. Moreover, Ooty has been filmed in several movies of different South Indian languages.

It is said that live in the present as there is no tomorrow. So, don’t give a second thought to the opportunity of flying to India at the lowest fare. Book your flight to Bengaluru today on IndianEagle.com.

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Kodaikanal is the summer capital of Tamil Nadu just as Darjeeling is the paradise of Bengal, Munnar is the beauty of Kerala, and Shimla is the pride of Himachal Pradesh. One of the most popular hill stations in South India, Kodaikanal is full of surprises for trekkers, photographers, nature lovers, honeymooners, and tourists in general. A trip to Kodaikanal is relaxing, soothing and warming! Indian Eagle handpicks must-visit tourist attractions of Kodaikanal from the Kodaikanal tourist guide.

Kodaikanal Lake

The Kodaikanal Lake is one of the best tourist attractions of this summer and monsoon destination in Tamil Nadu. The lake, developed out of a marshy swamp, is surrounded by a beautiful landscape. It is a hub of outdoor activities including boating, which is a must in the evenings. Fishing is another popular activity that tourists love spending time in. The road around the Kodaikanal Lake is suitable for smooth horse riding and cycling.

Bryant Park

Bryant Park is a small world of nature in the solitude of nature where the air is full of fresh breaths. Flooded by the waves of greenery, the park is home to more than 325 species of cactuses, shrubs and trees. Carpeted with hundreds of flower plants, Bryant Park boasts a soothing ambience with a miasma of colors. A section of the park is dedicated to a myriad variety of rose plants. It is one of the nicest places for photography in Kodaikanal.

Kukkal Caves

Wait! Kodaikanal has a few more surprises for you. If historic attractions like caves pique your curiosity, you must visit Kukkal Caves. What makes this cave listed among the offbeat tourist attractions of Kodaikanal is the amazing formation out of overhanging rock slabs. Situated at a height of 1500 meters, the caves provide a vintage point to view the panorama of the valley from. The visually stunning backdrop of the Kukkal Caves is sure to inspire you for a photography spree.

Bear Shola Falls

If you are fond of waterfalls, Kodaikanal will not disappoint you. Bear Shola Falls is the most popular tourist point here. The way of the waterfall in the Reserve Forest is filled with a little adventure. It is smooth somewhere and rugged somewhere. The beauty of the landscape surrounding the Bear Shola Falls makes it an ideal picnic spot too.

Berijam Lake

Berijam Lake, another beautiful point in the Kodaikanal travel guide, is a bit long drive from the main tourist center. But, the journey is worth the time for the picturesque setting. What best describes Berijam Lake is the idyllic setting with serene ambience. Though boating is prohibited, the place is a must visit for natural sightseeing. You need to seek permission from the forest department if you feel an itch to wander around the forest.

Kurinji Andavar Temple

If you are sort of a pilgrim, Kodaikanal will serve your interest. Nature and divinity exist side by side in Kodaikanal. Kurinji Andavar Temple is the most popular place of worship here. The temple is a must visit for not just pilgrimage but also sightseeing because of its naturally beautiful, forest-covered surroundings. Dedicated to Lord Muruga, the gold of hills, the temple premise offers scenic views of the Palani Valley below.

Perumal Peak

Kodaikanal never lets anyone miss the taste of adventure. This South Indian hill station boasts Perumal Peak as a trekker’s delight. Perumal Peak is one of the highest peaks in the Perumalmalai Hills in the Western Ghats. Trekking from the base to the summit is full of thrills, which is sure to make your Kodaikanal travel a memorable one. Neither permission nor experience is essential as trekking is easy here. Perumal Peak is an artistic manifestation of nature.

Book Your Travel to India

Kodaikanal is a short drive from Chennai International Airport in Tamil Nadu. IndianEagle.com is the only travel portal to book cheap flights to Chennai from the United States and Canada.

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