Travel Blog

Ujjain: A huge crowd of devotees thronged Mahakaleshwar temple located in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain district to offer prayers on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya on Wednesday and a special Bhasma Aarti and dhoop-deep Aarti was performed on the occasion. 'Bhasma aarti' (offering with ashes) is a famous ritual here. It is performed during the 'Brahma Muhurta' between around 3:30 and 5:30 in the morning. According to religious beliefs, the wishes of the devotee who participates in the Bhasma aarti are fulfilled. Priest of the temple, Yash Sharma told ANI, "According to the tradition, the doors of Baba Mahakal were opened in the Brahma Muhurta and after that, a holy bath of Lord Mahakal was performed with Panchamrit, which includes milk, curd, ghee, sugar and honey. ...

New Delhi: A total of 942 police, fire, home guard and civil defence personnel were awarded medals this Republic Day, including gallantry medals for former inspector general (IG) Vijay Kumar and former senior superintendent of police Rakesh Balwal of Jammu and Kashmir police for eliminating a Pakistani terrorist and his Kashmiri associate in Srinagar’s Bemina areas in June 2022 before they could attack the Amarnath Yatra. Vijay Kumar is currently posted in Delhi police while Rakesh Balwal, who had also investigated the 2019 Pulwama attack during his stint in the National Investigation Agency (NIA), is now deployed in Manipur. Overall, 95 gallantry medals have been awarded this year, with most bagged by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) (19 medals) and the Jammu and Kashmi...

Atlys, a visa processing platform, reports a 21.4% rise in inbound travel to India for spiritual experiences, fueled by the Mahakumbh and other prominent festivals. Over the last ten years, global curiosity about spiritual tourism has steadily grown, establishing India as a leading destination thanks to its profound spiritual legacy and vibrant cultural diversity. The Mahakumbh, renowned as one of the largest religious gatherings globally, is currently taking place. This once-in-144-years event is drawing an estimated 42 million pilgrims, including a significant number of international visitors. Data from Atlys indicates that nearly 48% of spiritual travel visa requests are tied to major events and pilgrimages such as the Mahakumbh. The increase in visa applications highlights strong...

Ganderbal, Jan 21: District Development Commissioner (DDC) Ganderbal, Shyambir, today chaired a high-level meeting in the Conference Hall of the Mini Secretariat to discuss the comprehensive work plan for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY)-2025. The meeting commenced with a review of the action plan from the previous year's Yatra, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the quality of services and infrastructure. Discussions revolved around key focus areas, including improvements in health services, sanitation, flood protection measures, solar lighting, parking facilities, mobile connectivity, transport services, contingency plans, and other vital infrastructure to ensure a seamless Yatra experience for pilgrims.

Mark Twain, a famous American writer, humorist, and essayist, once said "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition. Older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together." For those who don’t know, Varanasi or Kashi is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. The spiritual and religious hub of India, Varanasi holds immense significance in Hindu mythology and culture. There are myriad mysteries around the birth of Kashi. Today we are going to explore one of the lesser-known interpretations around the establishment of Kashi which is its association with Lord Shiva’s trishul (trident). Let’s find out more about this: Kashi’s connection with Shiva's trident In Kashi, it is believed that "Kashi is the e...

To improve the experience for visitors and ensure a smooth flow of devotees, the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri is preparing to implement a new dhadi (queue) darshan system. Originally planned for January 20, the launch has been delayed to February 1 due to the need to relocate the temple's 'hundi' inside the Natya Mandap. The process requires several government permissions, which are currently being secured. Preparations Underway for a Better Devotee Experience The Law Minister, Prithiviraj Harichandan, shared updates, saying, "There are two to three permissions required for shifting of the hundi, and the government is working on it." While the exact new location of the 'hundi' is yet to be decided, other preparations for the queue system are moving for...

Varanasi, one of India's oldest cities, is preparing to launch the country's first urban ropeway system, aiming to revolutionize transportation in the bustling city. This INR 650-crore project, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2023, is a blend of modern engineering and sustainability. With trial runs expected to begin in a month, the project promises to improve travel for both residents and tourists, making it easier to navigate the crowded city streets. A Step Toward Modern Urban Mobility The urban ropeway will serve as an eco-friendly and efficient alternative to traditional transportation methods. It is expected to reduce traffic congestion and significantly cut down travel time in Varanasi. The first phase of the project is set to be completed in six mon...

Prayagraj and Varanasi, two of India's most sacred cities, are thriving with activity as the Maha Kumbh attracts millions. These cities offer a mix of spirituality, history, and local culture. Here are eight things you can’t miss on your visit. Witness the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat Experience the grandeur of the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi, where priests perform a synchronised ritual with lamps and chants, creating a mesmerising aura. Take a Holy Dip at Sangam, Prayagraj Dive into spirituality by bathing at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers – a cleansing ritual central to Maha Kumbh. Explore Kashi Vishwanath Temple Visit one of the most revered temples in India, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The golden spires and spiritua...

Jammu, 16-01-2025: Mata Vaishno Devi's sacred Trikuta hills witnessed the season's first snowfall, transforming the revered pilgrimage site into a winter wonderland. Alongside, widespread rain swept across the Jammu region, disrupting key transport links like the Mughal and Simthan roads, officials reported. Despite the snowfall and travel challenges, the determination of devotees remained unwavering as pilgrims braved the cold to trek on foot toward the shrine, seeking the blessings of the divine. Pilgrims expressed their joy at witnessing the snowfall during their sacred journey. "Feeling the snowflakes for the first time in my life, and that too here, feels like a divine blessing," shared an elated devotee from Pune. Beyond the Trikuta hills, other areas in the J...

Two sacred institutions stand as pillars of devotion: the ancient cult of Lord Jagannath at Puri and the magnificent gathering of Mahakumbh at Prayagraj. While seemingly distinct, these sacred traditions share deep-rooted connections that many devotees might find surprising. The Puranic Connection Ancient texts, particularly the Skanda Purana and Padma Purana, establish a profound connection between these holy traditions. According to Dr. Rabindra Narayan Mishra, a senior researcher at the Jagannath Sanskrit University in Puri, "The sacred texts mention that Lord Jagannath himself takes a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam during specific astronomical alignments, which coincide with the Kumbh dates." The historical records at the Puri temple archives reveal that special ritu...