5 amazing getaways from Hampi

Tungabhadra Dam
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Located in the east-central Karnataka, Hampi is a World Heritage Site homing the ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire.

To compliment your trip, here is a list of 5 amazing getaways from Hampi.

Gokarna

Gokarna
Courtesy: www.flickr.com

Gokarna is a coastal town in Karnataka encompassing the beauty of the Arabian Sea. Apart from homing several beaches, it is also a popular Hindu pilgrimage. Some interesting sites in this city are-

  • Mahabaleshwar Temple
  • Om Beach
  • Half Moon Beach
  • Paradise Beach
  • Gokarna Beach

Distance between Hampi and Gokarna: 306 kilometers, 7 hours drive

Book a taxi from Hampi to Gokarna

Tekkalakote

Tekkalakote hill
Courtesy: lingnnasouthindianprehistory.blogspot.com

It is a small town in the Karnataka state of India. It is famous for the ancient square-shaped fort and the Tekkalakote hill, which are one of the prehistoric sites in India. It is also a site of religious importance homing temples like-

  • Kadasiddeshwar Temple
  • Jade Shankara linga Temple
  • Nagareshwara Temple
  • Neelakanteshwara Temple
  • Siddarameshwara Temple

Distance between Hampi and Tekkalakote: 63 kilometers, 2 hours drive

Book a taxi from Hampi to Tekkalakote

Belgaum

Belgaum Fort
Courtesy: en.wikipedia.org

Belgaum is a historic city in the Karnataka state of India homing the famous Belgaum Fort and many centuries old mosques. The main attractions of the city are-

  • Kamal Basti
  • Yellur Fort
  • Military Mahadeva Temple
  • Kapileshwar Temple

Distance between Hampi and Belgaum: 264 kilometers, 5.5 hours drive

Book a taxi from Hampi to Belgaum

Hubli-Dharwad

Hubli-Dharwad
Courtesy: www.youtube.com

Hubli-Dharwad are the twin cities and second largest conurbation (an extended urban area) in the Karnataka state of India. There are several temples, parks, and picnic spots in this city. The city has also given birth to many notable people of India, for example the Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani and Sudha Murthy.

Distance between Hampi and Hubli-Dharwad: 162 kilometers, 4 hours drive

Book a taxi from Hampi to Hubli-Dharwad

Hospet

Tungabhadra Dam
Courtesy: en.wikipedia.org

Hospet is a city located on the banks of the Tungabhadra river. It is also a gateway city to Hampi. The main attraction of this city is Tungabhadra Dam and Zoo.

Distance between Hampi and Hospet: 13 kilometers, 30 minutes drive

Book a taxi from Hampi to Hospet

Useful Links-

Hampi: One day trip planner

How to reach Hampi

What is special about the Hampi group of monuments

5 quick getaways from Gangtok

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If you are looking for some amazing getaways from Gangtok, here is your answer.

Kalimpong

Kalimpong
Courtesy: www.naturalhighsafaris.com

Kalimpong is a beautiful town in the foothills of Himalayas situated in the West Bengal state of India. The town has an adobe on the ridge over the Teesta river and displays colonial style of settlement. Some of the beautiful places to visit in Kalimpong are-

  • Delo Park
  • Tharpa Choling Monastery
  • Mangal Dham
  • Zang Dhok Palri Phodang

Distance between Gangtok and Kalimpong: 75 kilometers, 2.5 hours drive

Book a cab from Gangtok to Kalimpong

Namchi

Namchi
Courtesy: rajudonglama.blogspot.in

Namchi is located in the Sikkim state of India. The term Namchi in Sikkimese translates to “Sky High”. The popular sites in this place are-

  • Samdruptse
  • Tarey Bhir
  • Ngadak Monastery
  • Namchi Rock garden

Distance between Gangtok and Namchi: 80 kilometers, 2.5 hours drive

Book a cab from Gangtok to Namchi

Darjeeling

The Picturesque Hillstation of India

 

Darjeeling is a beautiful hill station in the foothills of the Himalayas, located in the West Bengal state of India. It is popular for its tea plantation and beautiful landscape. There are plenty of sightseeing places in Darjeeling and one can just spend as many days here. Some of the notable sites are-

  • Tiger Hills
  • Padmaja Naidu Zoological Park
  • Peace Pagoda

Distance between Gangtok and Darjeeling: 98 kilometers, 3.5 hours drive

Book a cab from Gangtok to Darjeeling

Bagdogra

Jorpokhri Wildlife Sanctuary bagdogra
Courtesy: dooarsecoviillege.wordpress.com

Bagdogra is a beautiful town close to the Darjeeling district of West Bengal state of India. Some interesting sites in the region are-

  • North Bengal Science Center
  • Jangli Baba Mandir
  • Jorpokhri Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Social Forestry

Distance between Gangtok and Bagdogra: 123 kilometers, 4 hours drive

Book a cab from Gangtok to Bagdogra

Siliguri

salugara monastery siliguri
Courtesy: feedram.club

It is a beautiful city on the foothills of Himalayas. It is a less explored tourist spot as the majority of the crowd heads to Darjeeling. Siliguri matches Darjeeling in terms of natural beauty. The main attractions in this place are-

  • Salugara Monastery
  • Iskcon temple
  • Sports museum
  • Bengal Safari Park

Distance between Gangtok and Siliguri: 114 kilometers, 4 hours drive

Book a cab from Gangtok to Siliguri

Useful Links-

4 places to definitely visit on one day Gangtok trip

Gangtok: A food tour

Gangtok: A cultural tour

Easy options to reach Gangtok

Gozocabs take on festivals of Srinagar

Srinagar celebrations
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If you look at the ethnicity of Srinagar, the Brahmins, also known as Kashmiri Pandits were among the earliest inhabitants, followed by Muslims. The present-day Srinagar has become a cosmopolitan city homing folks from Rajasthan and other North-Indian states. Despite the diversity in religion, the locals live a harmonious life in Srinagar. People respect and celebrate the religious festivals with a charm. Here is a list of some distinct native festivals of Srinagar.

Navroz Festival

It is a festival of Shia Muslim community. The festival is celebrated for 9 days, usually in the month of March or April. During this festival, people gather in mosques, offer prayers, and embrace each other.

Navroz literally means a new day and this festival marks the beginning of Persian new year.

Urs Festival

Urs festival is meant to commemorate the death anniversary of the Muslim saints. The festival is held at the respective Saint’s tomb and on this day, meat is forbidden.

Ganga Ashtami

It is a festival of the Hindu community residing in Srinagar. On this day, Shraddha (special prayer for the departed) is performed in the memory of the departed ancestors.

srinagar festivals
Courtesy: www.youtube.com

Nureh Mavazi

It is a regional festival fair in the Northern parts of Srinagar. On the 15th day of the dark fortnight of Chaitra Month, a fair held at Vichar Nag town of Srinagar.

Kheer Bhawani Festival

The Brahmins of Srinagar have a special faith in Goddess Kheer Bhawani, also known as Raganya Devi. The deity is an avatar of Goddess Durga and has been blessing the town for untold years. Kheer Bhawani festival is held during Navratri (9 days of a year dedicated to Goddess Durga) at Kheer Bhawani Temple in the Tulla-Mulla town of Srinagar.

Although Srinagar has faced terrorist attacks in the past, still the culture here is alive. And so is the faith in the shrines, in whose praise these festivals are celebrated.

You can also rent a car in Srinagar for your itinerary and enjoy a comfortable trip.

Useful links-

Find a quick way to reach Srinagar

Exploring Srinagar in one day

5 places near Srinagar that will keep you awestruck

Fall in love with these amazing food of Srinagar

These things you can shop at Srinagar while spending less

Srinagar: These pictures say it all