Tervy Traveller is all about tourism and amazing tourist destinations. So just in case you are not able to decide upon a destination here comes your guide! The tervi traveller will take you to places that may be on your list and also the ones that you will never wish to explore!
Edition 26
(15 August 2021)
Gokarna, Karnataka, India
With stunning beaches, legendary temples and offering several adventure sports, Gokarna, in Karnataka, is a town with many identities. Since antiquity, the main attraction of the place has been its temples, attracting devotees in thousands. It has been known as a 'Brahmin town' and the gods have marked not just the hills and ravines in their names but also the beautiful beaches.
One of the beaches is shaped like the spiritual symbol of Om while two peaks standing together, almost in conjugal harmony since time immemorial have come to represent the eternal love shared by Lord Shiva and His divine consort Goddess Parvati. Gokarna literally translates into 'cow’s ear', maybe referring to an area formed by the ear-shaped confluence of two rivers. The drive to Gokarana, passing through the imposing rocky cliffs of the Western Ghats on one side and the blue expanse of the Arabian Sea on the other, is very scenic.
No wonder people have ascribed a religious transcendence to these hills and beaches. Most of the beaches in Gokarna are surrounded by rolling blues of the Arabian sea and the cliffs, providing picturesque panoramas of the sea and skies as far as the eyes can see. Most of the beaches are separated from the town and the other beaches by these rocks and give the feeling of being a private enclosure. Because of the terrain of Gokarana, in recent years it has also attracted a lot of adventure buffs. Some of the popular water adventure activities here include jet skiing, boating, angling, dolphin spotting and banana boat rides among others. In recent times, Gokarana has become a destination that attracts the young and adventurous crowd from around Karnataka. Gokarana is truly a place which has something to offer for everyone, from exotic beaches, to ancient temples and flavourful local cuisine.
Edition 24
(15 July 2021)
Achalgarh Fort, Sirohi District, Rajasthan, India
Achalgarh is a fort situated about 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) north of Mount Abu, a hill station in Rajasthan, India. The fort was originally built by the Paramara dynasty rulers and later reconstructed, renovated and named as Achalgarh by Maharana Kumbha in 1452 CE, one of the 32 forts built during his reign. The fort is in a dilapidated condition now. There are some features of historical and religious importance in and around the fort. Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple is just outside the fort; the toe of Shiva is worshipped there and a brass Nandi is also located there. Near the temple there are three stone buffaloes standing around a pond. There are Jain temples in the fort. These were built in 1513. Achalgarh Fort is situated at the top of a mountain peak and offers picturesque views. This Fort is surrounded by massive battlement walls and has a very imposing look. Achalgarh Fort is an impressive fort also with some beautiful Jain temples enclosed within. Both the temples of Achalgarh show the masterpieces and capabilities of the artisans of the bygone era.
Timings: 9 AM to 5 PM
Entry: Free
Edition 22
(15 June 2021)
Petra, Jordan - a country in middle East Asia
Petra , originally known to its inhabitants in as Raqmu is a historic and archaeological city in southern Jordan. It is adjacent to the mountain of Jabal Al-Madbah, in a basinsurrounded by mountains forming the eastern flank of the Arabah valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba The area around Petra has been inhabited from as early as 7000 BC, and the Nabataeans might have settled in what would become the capital city of their kingdom, as early as the 4th century BC. Archaeological work has only discovered evidence of Nabataean presence dating back to the second century BC by which time Petra had become their capital The Nabataeans were nomadic Arabs who invested in Petra's proximity to the incense trade routes by establishing it as a major regional trading hub.
Most visitors stay in Petra town's many international-standard hotels with reasonably-short walking access to Petra. There are also more traditional homestays and lodgings available, even the chance to stay in a cave Visitors sometimes include those who have hiked or raced across Jordan's southern deserts to get to Petra.
Edition 20
(15 May 2021)
Lalgarh Palace in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India
Lalgarh Palace is a palace and heritage hotel in Bikaner in the Indian state of Rajasthan, built for Sir Ganga Singh, Maharaja of Bikaner, between 1902 and 1926. Laxmi Niwas Palace is a part of Lalgarh Palace but it has been given on lease and recently is being used as a heritage hotel.
The palace was built between 1902 and 1926 in the Indo-Saracenic style. The building was commissioned by the British-controlled regency for Maharaja Ganga Singh (1881–1942) while he was still in his minority as they considered the existing Junagarh Fort unsuitable for a modern monarch. Ganga Singh decided that the palace should be named in memory of his father Maharaja Lall Singh.
Ganga Singh was legendary for his shikaars (hunts) at his hunting preserve at Gajner, in particular, his Imperial Sand Grouse hunts at Christmas. As a result, the palace hosted many guests including Georges Clemenceau in 1920, Queen Mary, King George V, Lord Harding, and Lord Irwin. Lord Curzon was the palace's first notable guest.
Stanley Reed, the official reporter of the 1905-06 India tour of the Prince and Princess of Wales (later King George V and Queen Mary of Great Britain) noted that "The Laxmi Niwas Palace is the most perfect modern building in the Indo-Saracenic style in India - an entirely graceful pile of carved red sandstone, nobly proportioned and harmonising entirely with its environment. Their Royal Highnesses have not been more splendidly housed since they landed in Bombay".
In 1972, Karni Singh, M.P. the Maharaja of Bikaner, established the Ganga Singhji Charitable Trust. The Maharaja endowed a part of Lallgarh Palace to be used in service of the trust. Two wings were converted into independent hotels with the income from The Lallgarh Palace Hotel, a heritage hotel used to support the trust. Currently, Lallgarh Palace is owned, and the hotel is run, by his daughter Princess Rajyashree Kumari.
The complex was designed by the British architect Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob. After a ritual blessing ceremony construction commenced in 1896 on empty land 5 miles from the existing Junagarh Fort on what is now Dr. Karni Singhji Road. The palace was arranged around two courtyards with the first and most impressive wing, Laxmi Niwas completed in 1902.The remaining three wings were completed in stages with final completion of the complex accomplished in 1926.
The palace was originally designed to cost 100,000 rupees due to the planned use of cheaper materials including the suggestion of using stucco instead of carved stone in the construction. Soon however all cost-cutting was abandoned and by time of the completion of the first wing the cost had increased to 1 million rupees due to the use of the finest materials including the widespread employment of finely carved stonework.
The three-storey complex is coated in red sandstone quarried from the Thar Desert. The complex contains the features considered essential for a late 19th-century palace: drawing rooms, smoking rooms, guest suites, several grand halls, lounges, cupolas, pavilions, including a dining room which could seat 400 diners. The complex features magnificent pillars, elaborate fireplaces, Italian colonnades and intricate latticework and filigree work. The Karni Niwas wing houses the darbar hall and an art deco indoor swimming pool.
At present the palace houses the following:
The Shri Sadul Museum which is located in the west wing which also contains the fourth largest private library in the world. The museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on all weekdays except on Sunday.
In one wing the private home of the Bikaner Royal Family.
The Lallgarh Palace Hotel. This is a Heritage hotel is owned and operated by the Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji Trust and marketed by Maharaja Heritage Resorts Limited under a Franchise and Marketing Services Agreement.
The Laxmi Niwas Palace. This is a luxury hotel, owned by Golden Triangle Fort & Palace P. Ltd. The magnificent structure in red sandstone is one of the most popular destinations for tourists in Bikaner.
Edition 18
(15 April 2021)
Sinhagad Fort in Pune, Maharashtra, India
Sinhagad is a hill fortress located at around 35 km southwest of the city of Pune, India. Some of the information available at this fort suggests that the fort could have been built 2000 years ago. The caves and the carvings in the Kaundinyeshwar temple stand as proofs for the same.
Previously known as Kondhana, the fort had been the site of many battles, most notably the Battle of Sinhagad in 1670. Perched on an isolated cliff of the Bhuleswar range in the Sahyadri Mountains, the fort is situated on a hill about 760 metres above ground and 1,312 metres above mean sea level.
The Sinhagad (Lion's Fort) was strategically built to provide natural protection due to its very steep slopes. The walls and bastions were constructed only at key places. There are two gates to enter the fort, the Kalyan Darwaza and Pune Darwaza which are positioned at the south east and north-east ends respectively. The fort was also strategically located at the centre of a string of other Maratha Empire forts such as Rajgad Fort, Purandar Fort and Torna Fort.
The Sinhgad Fort was initially known as "Kondhana" after the sage Kaundinya. The Kaundinyeshwar temple coupled with the caves and carvings indicates that the fort had probably been built around two thousand years ago. It was seized by Muhammad bin Tughlaq from the Koli king Nag Naik in 1328 AD.
Shahaji Bhosale, as the commander of Ibrahim Adil Shah II, was entrusted with the control of the Pune region. His son Shivaji, refused to accept the Adilshahi and initiated the task of setting up Swarajya. Shivaji gained control of Kondana in 1647 by convincing Siddi Amber, the Adilshahi Sardar who controlled the fort, that he, the son of Shahaji Bhosale, could manage the fort's defences optimally. Bapuji Mudgal Deshpande played a key role in this activity. Adil Shah jailed Siddi Amber for this treasonous act and schemed to get it back. He imprisoned Shahaji Bhosale for a concocted crime and informed Shivaji. In 1649, Adil Shah traded the fort for Shahaji's release. Shivaji recaptured it in 1656 again with the help of Bapuji Mudgal Deshpande who convinced the Fort commander by giving land in the newly created Khed Shivapur village and peacefully gained control of.
The Sinhagad Fort is a popular weekend destination for many residents of Pune, including trekking enthusiasts with access to the top of the fort from the base of the Sinhgad village. The trek involves a one-way walk of 2.7 km (1.6 miles) over which the walker gains about 600 m (1950 feet) in elevation.
Parts of the once extensive fortification are in ruins. The fort houses a memorial to Tanaji as well as the tomb of Rajaram I. Visitors can see the military stables, a brewery and a temple of the goddess Kali (goddess) along with a Hanuman statue to the right side of the temple, as well as the historic gates. The original commemorative memorial of Tanaji Malusare has been unearthed by the restoration workers at Sinhagad Fort in Feb 2019. The stone structure was found buried under cement, concrete, and layers of oil paint and is believed to be around 350 years old.
Edition 16
(15 March 2021)
Fort St. George in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Fort St George (or historically, White Town) is the first English (later British) fortress in India, founded in 1639 at the coastal city of Madras, the modern city of Chennai. The construction of the fort provided the impetus for further settlements and trading activity, in what was originally an uninhabited land. Thus, it is a feasible contention to say that the city evolved around the fortress. The fort currently houses the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly and other official buildings.
The East India Company (EIC), which had entered India around 1600 for trading activities, had begun licensed trading at Surat, which was its initial bastion. However, to secure its trade lines and commercial interests in the spice trade, it felt the necessity of a port closer to the Malaccan Straits, and succeeded in purchasing a piece of coastal land, originally called Chennirayarpattinam or Channapatnam, where the Company began the construction of a harbour and a fort. The fort was completed on 23 April 1644 at a cost of £3,000, coinciding with St George's Day, celebrated in honour of the patron saint of England. The fort, hence christened Fort St George, faced the sea and some fishing villages, and it soon became the hub of merchant activity. It gave birth to a new settlement area called George Town (historically referred to as Black Town), which grew to envelop the villages and led to the formation of the city of Madras.
St Mary's Church is the oldest Anglican church in India. It was built between 1678 and 1680 on the orders of the then Agent of Madras Streynsham Master. The tombstones in its graveyard are the oldest English or British tombstones in India. This ancient prayer house solemnised the marriages of Robert Clive and Governor Elihu Yale, who later became the first benefactor of Yale University in the United States.
Edition 14
(15 February 2021)
Nahargarh Fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Nahargarh Fort stands on the edge of the Aravalli Hills, overlooking the city of Jaipur in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Along with Amer Fort and Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh once formed a strong defense ring forthe city. The fort was originally named Sudarshangarh, but it became known as Nahargarh, which means abode of tigers. The popular belief is that Nahar here stands for Nahar Singh Bhomia, whose spirit haunted the place and obstructed construction of the fort. Nahar’s spirit was pacified by building a temple in his memory within the fort, which thus became known by his name.
The ticket for the historical fort of Nahargarh costs INR 50 for Indian nationals. For foreign tourists, the cost goes up to INR 200. Nahargarh fort is open from 10 a.m. and the gates of the fort closes in the evening at 10.00 p.m. The visitors are not advised to stay any later than that because the fort is surrounded by dense deciduous forest. The forest is part of Nahargarh Biological Park and home to many wild animals.
Edition 12
(15 January 2021)
Kumbhalgarh Fort in Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan, India
Nestled in the foothills of the Aravalli Mountain Range, Kumbhalgarh near Udaipur is a majestic citadel and a major tourist attraction. Surrounded by verdant forests, the fort attracts travelers due to its pristine location and architectural grandeur. Its 36-km long external wall is the second longest wall in the world, after the Great Wall of China. Are you a history buff looking to visit heritage places from the bygone eras? Then chalk out your itinerary, book your hotels in Udaipur, and get set to explore this wondrous hill fort in Rajasthan.
It is believed that the original Kumbhalgarh Fort dates back to the 6th century and was built by King Samprati of the Maurya Age. However, due to the lack of any recorded evidence, the history of the fort from its origins till invasion by Alauddin Khilji in 1303 AD remains vague. The fort as we see today was built by Kumbhakarna aka Rana Kumbha of Mewar kingdom in the 15th century. It was designed by a famous architect of that period, named Mandan. According to local legends, Rana Kumbha faced many difficulties during the construction of the fort that he nearly abandoned it. Then a holy man told him that all these problems would