Travel and Tourism

Fishing village goes plastic free
Muhamma cloth bags replaces plastic bags, sets an example for sustainable tourism. Posted on 08 May, 2017 11:24 AM

A voyage in a traditional canoe or a houseboat through the picturesque Vembanad lake is enough to understand why the south Indian state of Kerala is called the “God’s own country’. 

Plastic collected from the Vembanad lake.
The sea mouths crisis
The opening of sea mouths in the Chilika is increasing the salinity of the lake, affecting the fish population and the livelihood of the fishing communities. Posted on 06 Jan, 2017 11:21 PM

Lingaraj Jena is a worried man. At 86, he is one of the older fishermen in Berhampura village, an island on the Chilika lake in Odisha. Though he no longer goes for fishing due to old age, he is worried about the opening of new sea mouths; he knows it is not good news for the fishing communities he is a part of that depend on the Chilika for their livelihood.

A view of the Chilika in the evening.
Saving the Ganga, one step at a time
A walk along the Ganga is all it takes to get a better perspective on the river and its deteriorating ecosystem. Here’s an attempt at it. Posted on 21 Dec, 2016 09:11 AM

An aerospace engineer from IIT, Kharagpur, Siddharth Agarwal could have been drawing a fancy salary like any other 25-year-old if he hadn’t followed his passion.

Siddharth Agarwal (Photo credit-Siddharth Agarwal)
Twin lakes of Bhoj
The lakes of Bhoj wetland that are home to many bird species and provide water to the local residents are now polluted and need urgent attention from the government. Posted on 21 Nov, 2016 10:10 PM

The Bhoj wetland is situated in the heart of Bhopal district in Madhya Pradesh. The wetland consists of two man-made lakes--the upper lake and the lower lake.

Raja Bhoj statue at the upper lake.
Where the holy rivers meet
Millions of devotees travel to the Mahamaham tank every 12 years to wash away their sins in the holy rivers believed to converge in the tank. Posted on 01 Aug, 2016 07:53 PM

Temples in India have always had a water body near its premises. Whether it is a natural pond, a free-flowing river or a man-made tank, the water inside them seem to imbibe the sacredness associated with the temples, thereby becoming an integral part of the cultural, social and religious landscape of that area. 

Once every 12 years, pilgrims take a dip in the sacred tank where the holy rivers are believed to converge during the Mahamaham festival.
At Simhastha, govt fishes in Kshipra’s troubled waters
The state machinery’s face-saving measures during Simhastha saw Kshipra river carrying more muck in her than ever. While the river yearns for revival, the government seems keen on interlinking rivers. Posted on 05 Jun, 2016 07:05 AM

The Madhya Simhastha Maha Kumbh festival, the religious extravaganza that happens once in every 12 years, was held in Ujjain from April 22-May 21, 2016.

Kshipra before Shahi Snan
Blessed waters of Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah baoli
A 700-year-old stepwell, built by a 14th century mystic, is reputed to have miraculous powers. It is no surprise then that it attracts thousands of devotees even today. Posted on 31 May, 2016 10:52 AM

The legend has it that in the year 1321-22, mystic and 14th century Sufi saint 

Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah 'baoli': An inherent part of a greater spiritual experience
Palace named after monsoon in Rajasthan
The Deeg palace, also known as 'Jal Mahal' for its extensive water designs which mimic the clouds and rains, is a must visit. Posted on 17 Apr, 2016 10:11 PM

Forts and palaces of Rajasthan are well known for their water-based architecture, which sustained life and also kept out the extreme summer heat. Though mostly absent from travel itineraries, Deeg Palace in Bharatpur district scores over the big names when it comes to aquatic ingenunity.

Deeg Palace is known for its fountains which are run twice a year.
The abandoned waters of the Red Fort 'baoli'
A unique 'baoli' older than the fort itself where two staircases from two sides meet at a central pool, lies locked up and inaccessible even to visitors. Posted on 12 Mar, 2016 02:13 PM

The Red Fort, located along the western banks of the Yamuna, was built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan when he moved his capital to Delhi from Agra and laid the foundations of Shahjahanabad, the seventh city of Delhi. Since then, the river has changed course but it’s proximity to the fort ensured that there was abundant water supply as well as protection for the city.

Red Fort: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, hides an unusual L shaped 'baoli' in its midst.
Lounging by Laknavaram Cheruvu in Telangana
Tucked away in the middle of picturesque paddy fields and the rolling hills of Govindaraopet, Laknavaram cheruvu is the perfect spot for a idyllic weekend getaway. Posted on 24 Dec, 2015 01:21 PM

Erstwhile undivided Andhra Pradesh, like its neighbours Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, is a land of tanks. The ‘Cheruvus’, ‘Eris’ and ‘Keres’, as they are known in the respective regional languages, are irrigation tanks dug centuries ago by kings and philanthropists to feed thousands of acres of thirsty paddy fields. 

Laknavaram Cheruvu in Warangal, Telangana
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