Quick getaways from Jammu

Khanqah-e-Moula srinagar
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Jammu is a beautiful city in the Jammu and Kashmir state of India. Situated on the banks of Tawi river, Jammu is also the winter capital of the state. If you are touring northern India, here are 5 great cities which you can include in your trip.

Ludhiana

phillaur fort ludhiana
Courtesy: www.punjabpoliceacademy.com

Ludhiana is an industrial city in the Punjab state of India. It is mainly famous for Nehru Rose garden, which showcases thousands of varieties of roses. Some of the interesting tourist destinations in the city are-

  • Tiger safari
  • Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum
  • Phillaur Fort
  • Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib
  • Mystery rooms
  • Purana Qila

Distance between Jammu and Ludhiana: 278 kilometers, 5.5 hours drive

Book a taxi from Jammu to Ludhiana

Srinagar

Khanqah-e-Moula srinagar
Courtesy: famousplacesinindia.in

The refreshing sights of the sun-drenched city of Srinagar create our own paradise on earth. The entire city is a landscape, however, the notable sights are-

  • Chashme Shahi
  • Pari Mahal
  • Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden
  • Nishat Bagh
  • Shalimar Bagh
  • Jama Masjid
  • Shah-e-Hamadan Masjid

The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden has a world record for having highest number of bulbs (a rounded underground storage organ present in some plants of the lily family like the tulips). You can read about this news here.

Distance between Jammu and Srinagar: 269 kilometers, 8 hours drive

Book a taxi from Jammu to Srinagar

Pathankot

shahpurkandi fort pathankot
Courtesy: www.sightseeings.co

Pathankot is located in the Punjab state of India. It is the meeting point of three Indian states viz Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. Rather than being a tourist destination, the city is more like a rest stop for people traveling to the north Indian hill stations. But fewer people are aware that Pathankot itself is picturesque with Chakki river flowing in the region.

Distance between Jammu and Pathankot: 108 kilometers, 2.5 hours drive

Book a taxi from Jammu to Pathankot

Amritsar

Golden Temple
The Golden Temple of Amritsar, India

The Golden Temple of Amritsar, a holy gurudwara or the Sikhs place of worship is famous all over the world. Well, not only the Golden Temple but the city homes to a number of mesmerizing sites. Some of them are-

  • Jallianwala Bagh
  • Wagah-Attari border ceremony
  • Akal Takht
  • Partition museum

Distance between Jammu and Amritsar: 212 kilometers, 4.5 hours drive

Book a taxi from Jammu to Amritsar

Dalhousie

khajjiar lake dalhousie
Courtesy: easyindiantravel.blogspot.com

Dalhousie is a beautiful hill station located in the Himachal Pradesh state of India. Homing colonial-era buildings, Dalhousie is a great place for those seeking a break from routine. Some of the popular sites of Dalhousie are-

  • Panchpula
  • St. John’s Church
  • Khajjiar Lake
  • St. Francis Church

Distance between Jammu and Dalhousie: 177 kilometers, 4.5 hours drive

Book a taxi from Jammu to Dalhousie

Useful links-

Jammu: One day trip planner

Jammu: A food tour

The best time to visit Jammu and how to reach

Make the best out of your Lakshadweep trip

Agatti Island, Lakshadweep
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Lakshadweep literally translates to a million islands, laksha meaning lakh and dweep meaning island. It is a Union territory of India, located in the Laccadive sea region of the Arabian Sea, towards the southern tip of India. Whatever the legend says, at present, Lakshadweep is a group of 36 islands, out of which only 10 are inhabited.

A bit secluded, Lakshadweep is an amazing getaway for those who are seeking quite and solace.

Subsequently, we will discuss the things you can do in Lakshadweep to make a lifetime memory.

Photography in Lakshadweep

You will find different colors of the ocean at different times viz sunrise, day, sunset, night. With the captivating views of the ocean, one can spend endless time in the beach. The water is clear and the beaches are least crowded which makes it a perfect place for pre-wedding shooting location.

Photography tip- Step on to the 300-foot Minicoy Lighthouse and capture some breathtaking shots of this island.

Minicoy Lighthouse Lakshadweep
Courtesy: www.youtube.com

Indulge in the water sports in Lakshadweep

Never say no to water sports at such a serene site. Participate in coral gazing at Agatti, kayaking, yacht sailing, and scuba diving. There are professionals in Lakshadweep to train and help you in your scuba diving endeavors.

Lakshadweep
Courtesy: lakshadweep.gov.in

You can refer this site for more information about scuba diving in Lakshadweep.

Water sports lakshadweep
Courtesy: binux.blogspot.co.id

Shopping

Shopping isn’t a great idea in Lakshadweep because it is not a highly populated land, which encourages craftsmanship for livelihood. But to cherish the memories, you can bring home the souvenirs made from coral shells and oysters.

Local cuisine of Lakshadweep

The food in Lakshadweep incorporates the South Indian style of cooking. You can find both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food here. One should definitely try the seafood here. Alcohol is permitted only in the Bangaram island, and the rest of the inhabited islands are dry.

Useful links-

How to reach Lakshadweep island?

Nearby places that compliment Lakshadweep trip

A sneak peek into the beauty of Lakshadweep island

The Legacy of Shimla

Shimla
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Shimla or Simla is the largest and a capital city of the Himachal Pradesh state of India. During the British reign in India, Shimla also served as a summer capital because of its relaxing climate.

The Namesake

Shimla is named after the Goddess Shyamala Devi, a regional deity who is also an incarnation of Goddess Kali.

History of Shimla

Shimla was covered with dense snowy forest and the earliest civilization noticed dates back the 18th century around the Jakhoo temple.

Shimla was invaded by Bhimsen Thapa of Nepal and soon he took over the control of the region in the 19th century. After the Anglo-Nepalese war (1814-16), Shima went into the hands of British East India company and this is when the civilization grew in this part of India.

In 1909, Kalka-Shimla railway line was opened which further increased the accessibility of the region. This route comprised more than 806 bridges and 103 tunnels and was considered an engineering marvel of the time. The Kalka-Shimla railway tour is still an important tourist attraction.

Kalka-Shimla railway
Courtesy: postcardsofindia.blogspot.co.id

Shimla: A cultural tour

The natives of Shimla are informally called as Shimlaites. However, the city today has become a cosmopolitan, still one can find the culture and heritage preserved. The Shimla State Heritage museum is the best place to get a sneak peek into the tradition, which prevailed once.

In Shimla, you can find temples, church, and colonial style architectural set-up, which differs from rest of India.

The natives are well equipped in making shawls (woolen stoles), carpets, and leather items. Tourism in Shimla is also a main source of livelihood to the locals. You can bring home some of their traditional crafts from your visit.

Shimla Locals
Courtesy: www.highmountains.in

Extensively covered with pine and deodar trees, Shimla is indeed a great place to visit. You can also hire a taxi on day rental in Shimla and enjoy a hassle-free tour.

Useful Links-

Shimla: One day trip

Serene places to visit near Shimla

Distinct festivals of Shimla

Shimla: a food tour