Jaylos Lake Resort – The Luxurious Tent Resort In Igatpuri

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January 27, 2023

Jaylos Lake Resort Igatpuri, situated on the hillside, approx. Half an hour from the main city of Igatpuri is a stunning luxurious tent resort in the arms of nature. Igatpuri is a well-known hill station in Maharashtra, in the Nashik district. Lush greens welcome you the moment you step into the vicinity of the resort. A few more steps and what I saw stunned me beyond words. This landscape is what you will see here, and that’s a really convincing reason to book your visit to Jaylos Lake resort. But, of course, there are a few downsides too that you will soon find out.

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How To Get To Jaylos Lake Resort Igatpuri?

Jaylos resort Igatpuri address is confusing, even for Google maps. From the Mumbai – Nashik highway, it is quite a detour towards a hilly road that is hardly maintained. Moreover, the last stretch leading up to the resort is deserted and has no proper roads. Therefore, it’s best to book your stay at this resort if you have a personal vehicle.

Address: Jaylos Resort Igatpuri Address: 351 Somaj road Waghera, Igatpuri 422403

Phone: 099-608-111-41

Check-In Time: 01:00 PM; Check-out time: 11:00 AM.

What Are Some Of The Property Amenities At Jaylos Lake Resort Igatpuri?

Jaylos Lake Resort features tents with basic facilities like air conditioning, TV, electric kettle, etc. Managed by the homeowners who reside in a bungalow within the same premises, the staff is friendly and cooperative. Unlike the usual camping tents, the tent rooms at this resort are sturdy and mounted on wooden flooring.

Some Of The Top Property Amenities At Jaylos Resort Igatpuri Are:

Swimming Pool
Multi-Cuisine Restaurant
Games Like Badminton, Archery, Etc.

Is Jaylos Lake Resort Igatpuri A Good Place To Stay?

Yes, it is a beautiful place to stay, especially if you love being surrounded by the abundance of nature. Although the tent rooms might appear a little small, they are cozy and feature all the amenities for a comfortable stay. The cost might seem a little high, considering they offer just the basic amenities, but for me, the peaceful surroundings did the trick.

The small balcony from the room opened up a view that lasted infinity. Therefore, although the cost is a little high and reaching here is tedious, I would highly recommend a stay at the beautiful resort bestowed with pure nature.

Jaylos Lake Resort Nashik Balcony View

Jaylos Lake Resort Igatpuri – Food Review

The multi-cuisine restaurant located inside the resort premises serves scrumptious vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. The food quality was amazing, and the service was quick too. Since there were no restaurants around and braving to drive the pathetic roads was out of the question, we had all our meals inside the resort, but we were not disappointed by the food. They provided a breakfast buffet as complementary, and it was the saving grace, as the food was expensive otherwise.

Final Words

Jaylos lake resort Nashik is a wonderful resort with a few downsides. I loved the ambiance, the nearby farms, and flora and fauna at this resort. For kids, there is ample space to run and explore. The best feature, of course, is the swimming pool. It is well-maintained and provides a breathtaking view. Visit this Igatpuri resort once to soothe your soul and just feel one with nature.

We were searching for a one-day picnic resort near Igatpuri on our way back from seeking darshan at Shirdi. However, since we enjoyed our stay here, we stretched it to a two-night stay at Jaylos.

Here’s the walk-through of this beautiful resort.

If you are traveling back from Igatpuri to Mumbai, plan your checkout such that you can visit the most popular nearby destination, Global Vipassana Pagoda. The best time to visit Igatpuri is monsoon. I visited the Jaylos Resort towards the end of the summer season and was bowled over by the beautiful weather.

Stay tuned as I share more places to travel in India and more reviews of the various resorts that become part of my Journey in exploring India, raw & rugged.

Club Mahindra Lonavala Near Tungi Lake Pavna – A Panoramic Paradise For Nature Lovers

By

Namita Sawant

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January 16, 2023

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Club Mahindra Lonavala near Tungi Lake Pavna is a paradise for nature lovers. Investing in a Club Mahindra membership was one of the most thought after decisions of our lives. Almost ten years ago, we decided to take the membership, the basic ‘Blue’ plan. And after a decade I can vouch that this decision was indeed wise. Thanks to this membership, we have traveled more and experienced luxury during each of our stays.

Starting the new year 2023, I plan to share my honest reviews on different Club Mahindra resorts and the amenities one can expect at these resorts. In the past decade, I have visited a handful of them. I had some good and some not-so-good experiences. Let me get started with the review of a nearby property and my favorite – Club Mahindra Resort – Tungi, Lonavala, Maharashtra.

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How To Get To Club Mahindra Resort Lonavala?

Club Mahindra resort Lonavala like any other resort of Club Mahindra, is situated far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Reaching Lonavala from Mumbai or Pune is quite easy, as regular buses and cabs are running all day. But reaching from Lonavala to the resort is a little tedious task.

So, on our first visit to Lonavala Club Mahindra, we hired a private cab. The distance from Navi Mumbai to the resort is roughly two and a half hours. While the roads are good for the most part, the last ten km leading up the hill to the resort are rather difficult to cover. The absence of roads makes it a tiring journey. Be wary to let the driver know that the resort is almost an hour away from Lonavala. In the rush to get passengers, our driver did not pay attention to the details and was frustrated throughout the journey as the property was quite away from Lonavala.

The best way to travel is by your car. You can enjoy the scenic Mumbai-Pune route sans a frustrated driver demanding more money ?

What Are Some Of The Property Amenities At Club Mahindra Resort?

Club Mahindra Resort – Tungi, Lonavala, is surrounded by mountains, and its proximity to Pavna Lake makes it an ideal resort to spend a wonderful time amidst nature. The moment I entered the resort, I was bowled over by this view.

Club Mahindra Lonavala is Nature lovers paradise

The Tungi resort features huge green space, not to mention, well-maintained and beautified gardens, rendering enough space to stroll amidst the nature and indulge in bird watching.

The best time to visit Club Mahindra Lonavala is during monsoon season. I am saying this after having visited this resort in two different seasons, i.e., winters and monsoons. The latter visit stole my heart and soul. Winters are a good time too, but nature shines the most in monsoon and you will feel another level of calmness when this close to Mother Earth on this piece of paradise.

Some of the top property amenities at Club Mahindra resort are:

Swimming pool or rather the infinity pool right amid untouched nature.

Top-end restaurant, serving à la carte and buffet meals.

Activity zones for kids and adults alike, featuring table tennis, VR games, carrom, and the like.
Souvenir shop (the one we never visited)
Fish pedicure
Spa zone
Experiential activities
Special activities daily, like, Bollywood dance night, DJ night, magic show, etc.

Is Club Mahindra Resort Lonavala A Good Place To Stay?

Club Mahindra Tungi Resort is spread across acres and acres of land. So big is the property that you can find a toy train that runs all day, carrying to and fro the passengers from their rooms to the restaurant, swimming pool, etc. The rooms are huge as against other Club Mahindra resorts and give ample space for walking.

As expected, the rooms are comfortable, and clean and the room service is amazing. I highly recommend visiting this property for a memorable family vacation. Despite the huge size of the property, the housekeeping team was impeccable. So yes, its the best place to unwind and connect with nature. To find the balance within and practice some silence.

After having visited many Club Mahindra resorts, I have found this property to be the most luxurious and picturesque. Apart from the basic room amenities that you find in all Mahindra resorts, this one has a plus, i.e., a wonderful view from every window and balcony. The rooms are luxurious and comfy. At the night, you can listen to the sounds of nature, the night insects singing and the firefly glowing.

The highlights of our stay definitely was the fun at the pool and the nighttime walking spotting the fireflies. This was the first place where I saw these many fireflies dancing in the night. It felt surreal. This resort is apt for a photo shoot.

Club Mahindra Resort Lonavala – Food Review

Ripples and Amara are the two restaurants serving mouth-watering food. I savored one of the best buffet meals here. Also, you will not find any restaurant nearby so eating here is the only option. They do offer combined meal packages that are more affordable than à la carte or one-meal plans. The food is of good quality at both restaurants. But with additional taxes the food bill turns out exorbitant. One of the reasons to plan a short stay, at the most two nights.

Here’s A Video Of The Full Buffet Spread At This Resort.

Final Words

Club Mahindra Tungi is a perfect weekend getaway for people residing in Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik. The resort has everything you need to spend a memorable time. You do not need to venture out once you check in at the resort. As a Mumbaikar, I have visited Lonavala many times, so we did not explore the locations nearby. All we did was chill at the resort and had a lazy time walking around the beautiful property, blessed with forest and hill.

Club Mahindra Lonavala booking can be done via calling as it does not appear on the website or the app. Club Mahindra Lonavala contact number is 1800 266 8899.

The wait time at the reception is usually long but you can enjoy the beautiful scenic view of the lake and sip the welcome drink before heading to your room.

If you have any more queries, do ask in the comments.

Places to visit in Ooty – Exploring the Queen of Hill Stations in India

By

Namita Sawant

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January 1, 2023

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Best of India Travels — Ooty Pine Forests - Places to visit in Ooty

Ooty or Udhagamandalam, popular as the Queen of hills, is situated in Tamil Nadu. Often referred to as India’s Switzerland, there are many places to visit in Ooty. Blessed with a good climate, flora, and fauna, and of course splendid tea and coffee estates, it is a must-visit hill station in India.

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How to reach Ooty?

Located in the Nilgiris district, it is well connected to most cities by airways and roadways. From Mumbai, we boarded a flight to Coimbatore, which is the nearest airport around 100 Km from Ooty. From there, either you can travel by cab or a much more affordable option i.e., bus. Regular buses ply from Mysore, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Madurai, and other southern cities to Ooty hill station.

**Ooty – Exploring the Queen of Hill Stations in India**

After exploring the Isha Yoga Center Coimbatore, the next day we booked a taxi via MakeMyTrip, which cost around Rs. 2.5k up to Ooty. The drive was enchanting for the most part until the hairpin bends started. It takes a little over three hours to cover the odd 100 km journey. If you are someone who dislikes traveling in the hills, it is best to have a light breakfast before you start.

Best Places to Visit in Ooty

There are many places to visit in Ooty. We had just two days to explore the hill station. Therefore, on day one, we explored the local sightseeing places in Ooty. On day two, we explored the Pykaara sightseeing places. If you have more time, you can plan to visit the Conoor sightseeing places too.

Day 1 – Local Ooty sightseeing

We started with the highest peak in Ooty.

Dodabetta Peak, Ooty

“Dodda” means ‘big’ and “Betta” means ‘mountain’ in Kanada. It is the second-highest peak in South India. It lies at the junction of the western and eastern ghats. The height of the peak is 8640 ft. There is a telescope house here that lets you view the entire ghats. On the day we visited the peak, it was raining, and the fog engulfed the mountains. So, unfortunately, we could not see much of a view. Although, we enjoyed shopping and indulging in different snack items at this place. One of the best places to visit in Ooty.

Tea Factory, Ooty

This is a commercial place where you will be first given a tour of the history of tea. How people started drinking tea as a hot beverage. The tour includes a finer process on how tea leaves are processed, and the different stages they go through to reach us in the packed form. At the end of the tour, they serve hot tea, which was good. Here, you can purchase different flavors of tea. Also, there are innumerable other items they sell at this tea factory, from chocolates to spices and cosmetic products, lips balms, sandalwood creams, etc. Beware of overindulging, as they do not let you exit the factory unless you pass their multiple shops.

Government Botanical Garden, Udhagamandalam

The Botanical Garden was an absolute delight. I love flowers and this place is like heaven for flower lovers. Entry ticket to this garden is Rs. 50. Remember, not to touch or pluck flowers. Just enjoy the beauty with your eyes and capture it with your camera. Botanical garden is a must visit place in Ooty.

Beautiful flower garden in Ooty.

Government Botanical Garden, Udhagamandalam – Places to visit in Ooty

Ooty Boat House – UNESCO World Heritage

A well-maintained tourist place, you can enjoy boating in the picturesque lake from morning 9.30 am to 6 pm. Here, there are a lot of activities for kids. Must visit place in Ooty.

Day 2 Places to Visit in Ooty – Pykara Sight-seeing

Pine Tree Forests Ooty

This is my favorite top place to visit in Ooty. The tall and magnificent pine trees paint the most spectacular canvas that a human eye can see. We started quite early and reached this spot while it was raining and the trees were engulfed in fog. Surreal is the word that I can use to describe this place. One of the places where I felt calm and at peace. Just sitting amidst these trees and walking through them was like magic. I can still close my eyes and cherish being in the pine tree forests of Ooty. A must-visit place to soothe your soul.

Pine Forests Ooty — **Pine Forests – Places to visit in Ooty**

Wenlockdowns Nature Trail

The next spot, at walking distance from Pine tree forests, is the Wenlockdowns Nature Trail. A small mountain that when reached on the top paints a spectacular view.

Pykara Waterfalls

Pykara Waterfalls is another wonderful picnic spot to cherish. You have to walk quite a few kilometers to reach the scenic waterfalls. But the nature trail is worth every step. Beautiful and untouched, this was the second highlight of our visit to Ooty, after Pine tree forests.

Pykara Lake / Boat Club

You can enjoy the boating experience here as well. The cost is quite something. But the view is mesmerizing. One of the top places to visit in Ooty.

Rose Garden, Ooty

If you have time, visit the Rose Garden at the end of your Pykara tour. The sheer number of roses in this garden is overwhelming. If I must pick between the two gardens, I would vote for Botanical Garden as one of the best places to visit in Ooty.

Tibetan Market, Ooty

Next to Botanical Gardens, do not miss visiting the Tibetan Market of Ooty. Best place to buy winter wear at a reasonable cost.

If you search for the best places to visit in Ooty, you will find many. These were the places that we explored during our four-day trip to Ooty in November 2022.

What is Ooty famous for?

Tea. Do not forget to buy chocolate tea and other such unique flavors of tea. Toy Train in Ooty is also famous for its scenic route. Do have some time to explore the toy train Ooty route.

Are 2 days enough for Ooty?

Well, I think have at least three days in hand. It is a romantic place, do not believe it, innumerable Bollywood movies have been shot here. So, you don’t want to touch and go. Just to soak in the vibe you need a minimum of three to four days.

What is the best time to visit Ooty?

Ooty weather is pleasant throughout the year. So, you can visit this hill station all year round. The peak season is however between October and June.

If you have any more queries on places to visit in Ooty or Ooty resorts, do ask in the comments.

Thank you for reading the blog.

A day trip to Isha Yoga Center Coimbatore (Adiyogi & Dhyanalinga)

By

Namita Sawant

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November 14, 2022

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Isha Coimbatore — Adiyogi at Isha center coimbatore

Isha Yoga Center Coimbatore, situated at Vellangiri foothills, almost forty kilometers from the city, is a must-visit place for all, especially, for people with interest in yoga and meditation. Sadhguru founded Isha Yoga Center Coimbatore in the early nineties. However, it gained much popularity in the recent years after the inauguration of the Adiyogi Statue in 2017.

Isha foundation Coimbatore — Isha Center Coimbatore

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How to reach Isha Yoga Center Coimbatore?

Coimbatore, situated in the South of India, is well connected via air, rail, and road. From Coimbatore, the fastest way to reach Isha Foundation is by cab. You can book a cab via Ola / Uber or the Red taxi app. It will cost around Rs. 800 to Rs. 1k on one side.

Isha Foundation in Coimbatore

The most affordable way to travel to Isha foundation Coimbatore is via buses plying from Coimbatore railway station to Isha Center, at regular intervals. From the nearest railway station to isha yoga center coimbatore, i.e., Gandhipuram bus stop, you can board Bus no. 14D that goes to Isha Center. We waited for the bus for more than an hour but with no luck, took a shared auto with some travelers. We paid Rs. 250/- total for two seats in the auto.

However, while returning in the evening, after watching the awesome laser show, we could get into one of these buses; the ticket was just Rs. 40 per person. Therefore, affordable travel is definitely via a bus.

Bus service to Isha yoga coimbatore — **Bus 14 D cost Rs. 40 per person to Isha yoga Coimbatore**

One tip: Avoid starting during lunchtime as while waiting at the bus stop, we learned the bus frequency is low during the afternoon time.

Is there an entry fee to visit Isha Yoga Center Coimbatore?

No, there is no entry to visit Isha Foundation. However, if you wish to stay at the ashram, you need to book your room in advance. I tried booking a week in advance, but it was unavailable. For Isha center Coimbatore accommodation, you can send an email to [email protected] or call – 0422-2515470 / 71. For more information, visit the website.

Adiyogi – the Source of Yoga

Shiva is the first yogi, who could transcend physical limitations to reach his ultimate potential. Hence, the name Adiyogi came into being. This 112-feet Adiyogi statue represents the 112 ways through which we can transform and attain liberation. The Guinness Book of World Records recognizes Adiyogi as the Largest Bust Structure in the world. It is 150 ft. long, 25 ft. wide, and is made from 500 tons of steel. One glance at it and you will be mesmerized.

Sadhguru’s wisdom has guided me in several phases of life and coming to this center was like a dream come true. The vicinity, the calm vibes, everything puts you at ease with yourself. Going inward is the only way to spiritual enlightenment and what best place than this to start your journey?

Whether or not you are a Sadhguru supporter or a follower of his philosophies, a visit to Isha foundation Coimbatore is a must for all that it has to offer.

**112-feet Adiyogi statue at Isha Yoga Center Coimbatore**

Friendly tip: With the photo and reels fever, many of us lose sight of experiencing the beauty that a place has to offer. Thankfully, beyond one point, gadgets were not allowed. It gave us more time to just soak in the vibe. Nevertheless, you can click as many pictures as possible with the Adiyogi statue. While you enjoy the clicking fest, ensure you also spend some time in meditation at this peaceful place reverberating with high energy.

Peaceful Isha Coimbatore — **Vellangiri foothills, Isha Coimbatore**

Attractions at the Isha Yoga Center Coimbatore

112 Feet Adiyogi
Linga Bhairavi – A Devi temple.
Theerthakunds – Suryakund and Chandrakund (separate for men and women to bathe).

Dhyanalinga

Before entering the Dhyanalinga, the Isha volunteers brief you about its significance. In addition, they share the technique to meditate in its surrounding. It was surprising to see, even kids sitting quietly within the sphere of Dhyanalinga. For ten minutes, everyone was silent, absorbed in going inward. Even if you have no experience in meditation, this place can empower you to experience a deep state of meditation.

Adiyogi 3D Laser show

The key highlight of our day trip to Isha Center Coimbatore was the spectacular 3D Laser show in the evening. It started at sharp 7.20 pm and lit up the dark sky with a colorful mélange of lights. The show starts with Sadhguru chanting the Yoga Yoga Yogeshwaraya chant. He goes on with narrating how Adiyogi practiced the yogic sciences and further taught it to humanity via his seven disciples or Saptarishis.

Rarely have I experienced something that had overwhelmed me so much. The Adiyogi Divya Darshan was one-of-a-kind sight. My drive to delve within and learn inner engineering became even stronger. I hope to attend one of the workshops offered at the Isha foundation Coimbatore soon.

Spectacular Adiyogi Divya Darshanam — **Adiyogi** – **Sound and light show**

The laser show lasts for about twenty minutes but leaves an everlasting impression. A day is sufficient to explore the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore. Plan your visit such that you do not miss the 3D laser show. It is an experience out of this world.

If you are planning a day trip in Mumbai, do read this blog: A day trip to Airoli Flamingo Sanctuary: Coastal & Marine Biodiversity Centre, Navi Mumbai (bestofindiatravels.com)

Thanks for reading the blog!

Ikea Mumbai store – Biggest home furnishing store, Navi Mumbai

By

Namita Sawant

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September 18, 2022

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Ikea Mumbai store visit had been on my to-do list ever since I found the global furniture retailer chain is opening its store in Navi Mumbai. My first reaction – was impressed and oh so exhausting. The Ikea store in Navi Mumbai spans over 5.3 lakh sq. ft and is exactly the reason exhausting. It’s a new experience to walk through a furniture mall, that too of this standard. I was impressed by the elaborate displays of home furnishings and their presentations.

Ikea mumbai store -Living room — ***Ikea Mumbai store – Living room design***

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What should you know before planning a visit to the Ikea Mumbai store?

It’s huge… very huge
No Pre-booking slot is required to visit the store.
The store opens at 11:00 am and closes at 20:00
Parking is free
Turbhe railway station is at a walkable distance from the IKEA store.
Ikea has a large food court that offers scrumptious food at an affordable cost.
Wear comfortable shoes as you will walk endlessly following arrows
It’s hard to find an exit, hard if you are a first timer so keep walking…
No salesperson bothers you to purchase. In fact, you will have to search for a salesperson if you need any assistance.

Ikea Navi Mumbai store visit – My experience

On a lazy Saturday afternoon, I and my family walked into the IKEA Navi Mumbai store, located in Turbhe. Little did I know that I will be stepping out of the store at 10 in the night all exhausted and bankrupt (just joking :P). For a first timer, the sheer space will overwhelm you.

Touted as a brand offering an affordable range of furniture, I am not sure if I can agree with that bit. Yes, many items were available at a throw-away price but then I am not sure about their durability or utility. One thing I am sure of is that the well-designed store definitely inspired me to plan my home in a better manner. My daughter was in awe of the bunk beds that on the outset looked quite affordable, though we didn’t purchase it.

Ikea Mumbai store - bunk bed — ***Affordable range of bunk bed at Ikea Mumbai store***

The classy bedrooms and kitchen displays were inspiring and so were the study and dining areas. The little bathrooms with all the essentials and the neat kitchen displays were impressive. Good ideas and inspirations start flooding your brain the moment you start to walk through the remarkable displays at the Ikea Mumbai store.

Ikea Sofa — **A variety of sofas at display at Ikea Mumbai store**

The unique proposition of this store is that you can shop for furniture and furnishings just like the grocery but unlike groceries, you will have to assemble the product at home, by yourself, if you don’t plan to spend more on a technician’s expertise. For someone not acquainted with carpentry, it might come across as a big matter of concern. Nonetheless, it is wonderful to look through these pieces and marvel at their beauty.

IKEA – Lighting solutions

The best section for us was the lights wall. We did purchase the cloud light at an affordable price of Rs. 1200. It’s easy to assemble, damn easy, and we have been enjoying our own personal cloud ever since ?

IKEA Navi Mumbai – Lighting & Lamps section

Ikea Mumbai store food court – Yum yum!

The food court at Ikea was the highlight of our visit. Stepping out from home we didn’t know the Ikea stores have such large restaurants offering a variety of cuisines at affordable cost. Yes, the food is affordable, much cheaper than a KFC or a Burger king. It was an amazing experience to shop for food just like we shop for groceries at D-mart. Pick and add the item to your trolley. Pay for it at the counter and relish your food. Dal makhani with rice at Rs. 200 was yummy, and we totally enjoyed the cheesecake too.

Food @Ikea Mumbai store — ***Food @ Ikea Mumbai store in Turbe, Navi Mumbai***

Words of wisdom

Firstly, make a list of things that you would want to splurge on. So, you get the best storage items here and also rugs, towels, pans, laptop holders, etc at a minimal cost. In fact, the cost attracts you to splurge beyond your budget. We got a whole lot of stuff and also home plants, however, we went intending to just visit the store. So, be careful, about what you add to your cart.

Recently, IKEA opened its second store in R-City mall Mumbai, its first store in a shopping mall. You can also shop from Ikea online store Mumbai. If you are planning for a one-day outing, then do consider a visit to Ikea Navi Mumbai store. There are many places to visit in Navi Mumbai, you can find them in this blog: Five best places to visit in Navi Mumbai – Best of India Travels

IKEA Store – Navi Mumbai
Turbhe MIDC, Turbhe
Navi Mumbai, 400705,
Maharashtra, India.

Mumbai film city tour – Is it worth visiting Bollywood theme park in Goregaon

By

Namita Sawant

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September 9, 2022

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Bollywood theme park, Goregaon, Mumbai — Bollywood theme park in Mumbai film city.

Mumbai film city tour has been on my bucket list ever since I found out that such a tour existed on Bookmyshow. Of course, to experience the glitz and glamour. Being someone who is born and brought up in Mumbai, I have never travelled the city like a tourist. It was my first time, and I was totally elated to celebrate my birthday by exploring the Bollywood theme park in Goregaon Mumbai. I was not surprised to see many people from different states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, on this tour. There were hardly any Mumbaikars.

3 Idiots props — Several selfie points at Mumbai film city tour

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What is Mumbai Film City?

Mumbai film city is the prime location for various film and television shoots. It is located in Aarey colony, Goregaon East. Also known as Dadasaheb Phalke Chitra Nagari, the film studio complex has recording rooms, temple, prison, open grounds, gardens, mountains, lakes, and institutes, all in all one-stop for end-to-end shooting of movies and television shows. Most Bollywood films are shot at this location.

For Bollywood fans and strugglers, this is a must-visit place in Mumbai especially now that one can buy a ticket and enter the film city to explore the world of cinema, up and close.

Bollywood theme park

A unique theme park, tagged as Mumbai’s newest entertainment destination, the Bollywood theme park offers a well-planned tour for all movie enthusiasts. You can do Mumbai film city booking online from Bookmyshow.com or you can buy a ticket at the counter, near the entry gate.

We booked our tickets online and were surprised to see a bus full of people for a 12.30 pm show that too on a Wednesday. So, if you plan to buy tickets at the counter, reach early. They have many shows throughout the day, the first show starting at 11 am onwards and the last show at 4: 30 pm.

Mumbai Film City tour – My experience

The guided tour inside the Mumbai Film City starts as we board the AC bus, accompanied by a guide who shares the titbits of Bollywood and points out several shoot locations in an interesting manner. As a visitor, you cannot get off the bus unless the guide instructs. Nevertheless, from the bus itself, you can view several shoot locations and feel like a part of this magical world.

At the entry itself, we saw Mr. Subhash Ghai who runs a film institute, Whispering Woods, inside the film city. Later as we came across the institute the guide showed us the spots where college scenes in several movies have been shot, like 3 Idiots, Lakshya, etc.

Bollywood theme park grandeur — Grand film sets included in Mumbai film city tour

From time to time, the tour guide instructed us to look left and right to checkout shoot locations. The start of the tour was a little disappointing as we could hardly see any film set or actors from the bus.

Although, we saw (of course from a long distance) a few sets:

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah set all dolled up for the Independence Day Celebration episode
Anupama set, the highest TRP show at present on TV.
Shaheer Sheikh is a popular Indian actor on Television (don’t know which show he was shooting for).
KBC and The Kapil Sharma show set (of course from the outside).

How long is the guided tour inside Mumbai Film City?

The Mumbai Film city Tour with Bollywood Park guided tour is approximately three hours. But the guide cum host was so entertaining that at no point where we bored. Despite not getting a chance to visit the live shoot locations or meet any celebrity in person, it was intriguing to be a part of this tour.

There are designated stops where the bus will halt and let you explore the sets on foot.

This was the home where Amitabh Bachchan starer Baghban was shot. The guide beautifully narrated an interesting background story that was much fun to listen.

Baghban set - Mumbai film city — Mumbai film city tour first stop – Baghban house

Next to it is the famous temple that we all have seen in several movies. The amusing thing about the temple is that it had no idol inside. As per the film’s demand, they place the idols and shoot the scene.

Temple tour included in Mumbai film city tour — A visit to the temple shown in all Bollywood movies

From here, we all saw the Khandala point, usually shown in movies to depict accident scenes. The Kashmir point, where the recent debacle Laal Singh Chaddha was shot, and the village shown in the movie is also inside the Mumbai film city.

It’s amazing to see these locations and relate them to the movies we have seen over the years. The tour is planned such that they have saved the best part for the last.

Bollywood Park – Main attractions

The 3-hour guided tour concludes at Bollywood Park where there’s a line-up of several activities to make you feel close to stars of our Bollywood industry. The main attractions of the Bollywood Park include:

Live entertainment shows
Dance performances by celebrity duplicates, like Salman Khan

7D show
Walk through the wax museum

wax museum at Bollywood Park — **Wax museum at Bollywood Park**

Explore the Pre-designed state-of-the-art sets
Understand the hard work that goes into post-production activity, including Chroma shoot.
Click pictures at Selfie point

Salman khan duplicate LIVE performance in Mumbai film city tour — Live performances at Bollywood Park

The live entertainment show was the icing on the cake. The dance performance by the look-alike of Salman Khan and the stand-up comedy by the look-alike of Dr. Mashoor Gulati was worth the money. All in all, you will get a good understanding of the making of the films and the hard work that makes it all magical on the big screen.

Duplicate of Dr. Mashoor Gulati of The Kapil Sharma Show fame performing at the Bollywood Park

Points to remember:

Mumbai film city ticket price ranges from Rs. 899 to Rs. 999 depending on the day you choose to visit.
Book your tickets in advance and reach the venue, at least an hour in advance. (The google maps can come across as confusing as the entry shown from within the Aarey colony is for celebrities only).
Carry a water bottle as the bus will not stop midway and there are no shops until you reach Bollywood Park.
Have food at the Bollywood Park canteen. The taste is yummy, and the price is reasonable.
Wear comfortable shoes as you will have to walk to explore the many stops.
The tour might extend beyond 3 hours so have extra time on your hands.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Mumbai film city tour. So, yes, it is worth visiting the Bollywood them park in Goregaon, at least once. I wish to applaud the staff for arranging a well-planned tour and providing a glimpse of the film industry. The tour guide was amazing, and his imitation of the popular movie characters added to the overall package. If you are planning for a one-day trip, this is a must-visit place in Mumbai for tourists as well as locals.

If you are looking for suggestions for One day trip near navi mumbai, checkout the blog: Five best places to visit in Navi Mumbai – Best of India Travels and A day trip to A iroli Fla mingo Sanctuary: Coastal & Marine Biodiversity Centre, Navi Mumbai (bestofindiatravels.com).

Thank you for reading the blog!

Matheran Hill Station-Explore magical monsoon in Maharashtra

By

Namita Sawant

-

August 30, 2022

2

Hotel at Matheran hill station — Best resort in Matheran hill station

Matheran hill station, a quaint hill station, near Karjat in the Raigad district of Maharashtra is one of the best places to explore during monsoons. Why? Thick forests, abundant nature, scenic hills, and green living, as it is Asia’s only automobile-free hill station, are some reasons to plan a trip to Matheran.

Being a Mumbaikar, I have visited this hill station before but this time my experience was beyond imagination. It felt like a dream, like a scene from the Bollywood movies, thanks to the foggy climate in the peak of monsoon, August. I fell in love with what my eyes saw and how my mind felt – calm, serene, dreamy – all at once.

Nature walk at Matheran hill station — **Walk amidst the fog at Matheran hill station, Maharashtra**

Table of Contents

Where is Matheran Hill Station located?

Known as one of the smallest hill stations in India, Matheran lies on the range of Western Ghats and is easily accessible from Mumbai and Pune via both railways and roadways. You can get your car and park at the entry point of Matheran, beyond which no vehicles are allowed.

How to reach Matheran hill station?

The easiest and hassle-free way to reach Matheran is through a train. From the central line, we boarded from Thane Railway Station and deboarded at Neral Junction, which is a station at the foothills of Matheran. From Neral, we took a taxi charging Rs. 100 per person to reach the entry point of the hill station. Earlier, there was a toy train service from Neral to Aman Lodge, but it was not in service when we visited this time. The drive by taxi is hardly 30 minutes but the hairpin bends make it feel like a long drive, especially, if you are not fond of ghats and drastic turns.

Why Matheran train is famous?

Matheran Toy Train is a famous attraction of this hill station, thanks to the splendid view of the hills and the jungle that you can enjoy from these little tiny carriages. After paying a minimal entry fee to enter this hill station, you are welcomed by red dusty pathways. Just five-minutes’ walk and you will reach the toy train station to board the cute train to the main market, which is a 45-min walk from the entry point if you choose to walk instead.

Toy trains in India - Matheran hill station — **Matheran Toy Train**

Did you know there are a total of five toy trains in India, one of them being Matheran, famous for its incredible ascents & descents? I enjoyed the toy train ride and the magnificent views from the mini carriage.

What are the things to do in Matheran Hill Station ?

Things to do in Matheran largely depend on your likes. We enjoy trekking, so we visited a few points like:

Louisa point

Charlotte Lake

Matheran Echo Point

Echo Point at Matheran hill station — **Echo Point at Matheran**

Khandala Valley View Point, near the main Matheran market.

We didn’t visit the sunset point as it was raining and it didn’t make sense.

Remember, there’s a lot of walking that you need to do once here, so plan your trip to Matheran if you are a trekking enthusiast. It’s a vehicle-free zone, so the plus is you get to breathe clean air. However, if you get tired, you can hop on a horse or one of the hand-pulled rickshaws, as these are the only mode of transport in this hill station.

Horse riding at Matheran hill station

Horse ride in Matheran hill station — **Enjoy Horse riding at Matheran hill station**

If you are traveling with a kid, one of the must-do things to do here is to enjoy a horse ride. It’s the specialty of this place, besides many people’s livelihood depends on it. Although, I am too against hurting animals, when I spoke with one of the horse riders, he showed his discontent on how people nowadays don’t choose to ride these horses and how they are left without a source of income. So just enjoy it while you are there.

Words of wisdom (oh really!)

The list of places to visit in Matheran can be exhausting. But for us, the trek amidst the greens was the only thing that mattered. The calm and serene vibes of the hill station, the clean air, the omnipresent valley view, and the red pathways. So, we didn’t cover many points but loved the ones we visited.

Foggy weather in Matheran hill station — **Bollywood picture set kind of weather in Matheran Hill station**

You can just decide to chill in the resort and soak in the foggy climate. Just relax and have no agenda to strike off all the points. That’s cool too. After all, Matheran’s monsoon vibe is enough to relax your mind and make you feel one with nature.

Picture perfect Matheran hill station — Monsoon magic at Matheran hill station, Maharashtra.

One more piece of advice is to book your hotel stay in advance. There are many hotels in Matheran but most of them are shady and if you are traveling with your family, you might not enjoy the experience. Thankfully our company has a guest house in Matheran, so for my family, the stay was the best part of our visit. The food was high-quality too. Do your research before booking your hotel stay in Matheran.

Monsoon climate at Matheran — **Dreamy weather in Matheran hill station**

Beware of monkeys. A huge monkey population resides here and they are intimidating. Don’t carry stuff in your hands as they might snatch you and, in the bargain, you might get hurt. Carry your water bottles and snacks in a closed shoulder bag only.

Toy train tracks of Matheran hill station — **Toy trains in India – Matheran railway tracks in Monsoon**

Lastly, pack minimal things in your bag, as you have a lot to cover on foot. And, don’t forget to wear comfortable footwear. Speaking of which, Matheran has a huge market for shoes. So, ladies make sure you pick a pair or two and add them to your shoe closet. I did ?

Shopping at Matheran hill station — **Buy shoes at great bargain at Matheran hill station**

Again lastly, walk the toy train track once. We did walk the dreamy train tracks while on our way back to the Matheran entry point and believe me the views were mesmerizing. Don’t miss this walk, it will hardly take you 30 mins.

https://youtube.com/shorts/Sj_-Zgh9ZFU?feature=share

Matheran Toy Train Journey

All in all, I had a memorable trip to Matheran hill station and I plan to visit it again next monsoon. I love Matheran, yes, I do ? I also love Mahabaleshwar.

I love Matheran hill station — **Matheran railway station must visit place.**

Quick update: I visited Matheran in February 2024 and eRickshaws have started from Matheran entry gate to the market area. For Rs. 35 per person, you can take an eRickshaw and reach your resort, if its located near the main market. These eco friendly autos however do not take you to sight-seeing points. For them, you still have to rely on a horse ride or your own feet :P.

We love trekking the hill station so we never sat into an e-auto but it was good to see that such a facility is made available. It is especially beneficial for senior citizens who can now access this hill station more freely.

Junnar Maharashtra –Exploring the 1st Tourism Taluka in Pune

By

Namita Sawant

-

June 24, 2022

0

Bajra fields Junnar — Bajra farms Junnar Maharashtra

Junnar Maharashtra is declared as the first tourism taluka in the Pune district, of course as it is unique and blessed with abundance. If you ask me if there’s one place that, has it all,

Temples
Caves
Backwaters
Forts
Farms & fields
Fresh air
Cattles
Even Hills

I will say yes, I have recently been to a place that had this diverse landscape, its Junnar. Popularly famous as the birthplace of the great Maratha king – Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, I am in awe of its beauty and diversity. Here’s my experience of exploring Junnar.

**Agritourism Center around Junnar Maharashtra**

Table of Contents

What makes Junnar in Maharashtra unique?

Of course, its diverse landscape comprising of religious, mythological, and historical places. Its location is easily accessible from Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik. The fresh air apparently made it the best place to set up World’s largest radio telescope, GMRT or Giant Meter Wave Radio Telescope. And the list goes on and on.

**Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) Junnar** **Maharashtra**

From ancient temples to a tahsil housing the highest number of dams, from prosperous history to a place with the highest number of caves in Maharashtra, Junnar is bound to become the hottest tourist destination in times to come.

Where to stay in Junnar Maharashtra?

HmmBrr Agro resort at Junnar is the best resort to plan your stay. Located at Nimgaon, this resort is excellently designed to bestow upon guests a stay that’s close to nature. The beautiful fruit-laden trees of mango and Chiku reminds you of the simplicity of life. The rule of patience, the essence, and sweetness of life. Close to our resort were several farms and I simply enjoyed visiting the Bajra and sunflower fields.

Hmmbrr Agro Resort in Junnar

Nimgaon

Every moment in this resort was peaceful and blissful. The rooms were clean and had all the essential amenities for a relaxing stay. My favorite spot was the veranda outside the room. One look at these beautiful mango trees was all that was needed to relax the mind.

**Mango room at HmmBrr Agro resort at Junnar Maharashtra**

My daughter’s favorite part was the cowshed. She enjoyed visiting the cows and feeding them leaves. We had so much fun at the resort. I will try to share a detailed review of the HmmBrr Agro resort and the food in the upcoming blog.

Cow meditation zone — **Cowshed at HmmBrr Resort Junnar Maharashtra**

The resort package included stay and food. We relished fresh homemade food prepared from vegetables from the adjoining farms. The food was delicious and healthy.

Places to visit in Junnar Maharashtra

Amba Ambika Caves

Before visiting Junnar, I had no clue that this place has the largest number of rock-cut caves in India. More than 200 caves spread across four hills. The Amba Ambika caves are situated on the Manmodi hills. Naturally, we had to trek for a few minutes to reach the caves.

Our day one started early at 7 am as our guide Mr. Akshay, from the resort accompanied us to the peaceful hills, leading to Amba Ambika Laney. The caves are not in great shape, apart from a few that has a temple within. Still, the view from atop is remarkable and it makes the trek worthwhile.

Lenyadari temple

Lenyadri is an Ashtavinayaka temple situated on the mountain. 283 steps were built in stone for the devotees to reach the top and seek the blessings of lord Ganesha. This is the only Ashtavinayak temple located in a cave, up in the mountains. While the walk up the mountains is easy, given the well-maintained premises, it’s advisable to beware of monkeys. They are in huge numbers and they snatch anything that’s in your hands. So, the best is to keep everything in a closed bag and keep your hands free.

Manikdoh dam

Manikdoh dam is a beautiful place to spend some quiet time amid nature. The view is so breathtaking, it feels like you are seeing a scenic wallpaper. Located about 11km from Lenyadari, you might want to take a short rest after the temple visit before heading to Manikdoh backwaters. Serene and calm don’t miss basking in the backwaters feel.

https://youtu.be/YDcCbzici-4

Manikdoh Dam, Backwaters in Junnar Maharashtra

Ozar Ganpati temple

Another Ashtavinayak Temple located in Junnar, Ozar is a Vigneshvar temple. Several devotees come to Ozar to seek blessings of the left-trunked god residing in the temple. The Swayambhu idol is worshipped to defeat obstacles.

Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) Junnar Maharashtra

Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) is a one of its kind versatile instrument that helps investigate a variety of radio astrophysical problems, in the Solar system. Set up by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), GMRT is located near Narayangaon and features approximately thirty fully steerable parabolic radio telescopes.

Shivneri Fort Junnar Maharashtra

Shivneri Fort is the birthplace of Great Emperor Shivaji Maharaja, who is the founder of the Maratha Empire. It is declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Be prepared to trek the beautiful Shivneri fort lined by Gulmohar trees all around. Around 2 km of a walk and you can rest at the temple and carry on your trek till the top of the fort.

Conclusion

Choose Junnar Maharashtra as your weekend Getaway near Pune or Mumbai and enjoy being close to the nature. In the pandemic times when lives have become more stressful, a simple getaway close to mother nature could be a healing trip. Here are some more pics of the farms and fields that we visited.

Thank You for reading the blog.

For a perfect getaway near Mumbai, do read this blog: Karjat – A perfect short getaway for Mumbaikars – Best of India Travels

Kumbhalgarh Village tour & trek to Kumbhalgarh Fort

By

Namita Sawant

-

March 23, 2022

0

Kumbhalgarh Village Tour was the highlight of our Day 2. After exploring the majestic fort city, Kumbhalgarh, near Udaipur, Rajasthan, it was time to experience the slow life of this town. A laid-back vibe, there are many things to experience in the quaint village. Our Day 1 visit that started post-lunch ended on a peaceful note around 7 pm after attending a divine aarti at the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple and capturing the golden view of the Kumbhalgarh fort. It is rare to find such places where you feel overwhelmed picturing the history and lives of the great warriors.

I had a similar feeling when visiting the City Palace of Udaipur. It’s a huge palace, royal, grand, and visually breathtaking. There are many activities to do there, but especially you should not miss boating at Lake Pichola and the sound and light show scheduled in the evenings.

https://youtube.com/shorts/aQ89Wtu6xSU

Sunset at Lake Pichola Udaipur

The one-hour show may come across as too overstretched past a few minutes into it, but the experience is worth having. Since we visited the palace during the winter months, the chilly weather along with the dramatic show made for a perfect memorable evening.

Table of Contents

Kumbhalgarh Village Tour

Kumbhalgarh Village Tour started post breakfast when our tour guide reached Club Mahindra Kumbhalgarh to take us for a village tour. Since the COVID times, these tours have become private. So, it was just the three of us heading for the tour. From the resort to the village was hardly a few minutes’ drive by a jeep.

The experience of spending a day in a local village, experiencing their ways of living, and learning about their history & culture was exciting. Our tour started with a visit to the sugarcane farm, where the villagers were cleaning sugarcane and making fresh jaggery out of the juice extracted via age-old methods. The entire 1km radius had the raw aroma of jaggery. What an experience!

***Sugarcane farms visited during Kumbhalgarh Village Tour***

Moving on, the guide took us to his house and around the adjoining farmland. The several animals raised on his farm made my little one jump with joy. As she played with cows and baby goats, she never wanted to leave the village, even after the tour ended.

Lunch & dinner in a village house

Kumbhalgarh Village Tour is incomplete without relishing the local food of this place. Our guide prepared a lunch for us at his home and we relished the best Makki ki roti with fresh cabbage from his farmland and sugarcane juice that he made in front of us, via the age-old technique involving cows.

His farmland had several crops, including corn, wheat, and sugarcane. He also took us to see an ancient well, where water is still drawn through the old mechanism.

Kumbhalgarh Village tour lets you enjoy the old-world charm

As we witnessed the common daily chores of the people as part of our Kumbhalgarh Village Tour and interacted with the locals, we could sense the simple life of these people. I had a memorable day with the tour guide’s family doing rare chores while also exploring a few places around. The local school was painted in myriad colors. We had fun conversing with the kids from different grades and the sole teacher present on the premises.

Rajasthani Dal Baati Churma

Our Kumbhalgarh Village Tour lasted for about three hours but we promised our host to return in the evening to relish the authentic taste of the famous Rajasthani cuisine comprising Dal Baati Churma. For Rs. 300 per plate we relished the most authentic thali before ending our day and trip to Kumbhalgarh.

Trek to Kumbhalgarh Fort

Club Mahindra Kumbhalgarh also arranges for a guided trek to the mountains where the Kumbhalgarh fort’s first gate was built. The gate is no longer used as an entry point as it’s far away from the actual fort, but initially, the fort was to have it as an entry.

Trekking swag — ***The breathtaking view of Aravalli hills***

From Club Mahindra Kumbhalgarh resort, the same tour guide who took us for the village tour accompanied us to the beautiful trek along the scenic mountains of Aravalli hills. The road leading up the mountains was rocky, steep but nothing difficult that a six-year-old couldn’t climb. The final incline to reach the top of the mountain to catch the sunset was a little difficult. The climb was one-hour at an average speed. There we paused for a few minutes, waiting for the sun to set. What a breathtaking view!

Sunset at Kumbhalgarh — ***Mountain trek to catch sunset near Kumbhalgarh Fort***

The trek downhill was pretty simple and didn’t take as long as it took to climb up. We comfortably hit the plains before it was dark. Besides us, there was no one on the hills. It was wonderful to have the whole view for ourselves, undisturbed 😛

Waiting for sunset - Kumbhalgarh trek — ***Kumbhalgarh trek – Waiting for sunset***

Relish a Rajasthani meal at a village house – Kumbhalgarh Village Tour

Straight from the trek, we headed to relish our Rajasthani meal at the village house. The host graciously invited us to his house and gave us a comfortable place to rest, after the exhaustion of the trek. He cooked the food in front of us and took pride in not mixing anything that would make the food bad for our health.

His traditional way of cooking baati over a traditional Chula or wooden fired cooking and dal over the gas, since it would take more time to cook everything on the wooden fire, was fascinating to watch.

Kumbhalgarh Village Tour

Overall experience

Through the journey back to the resort, he shared how the villagers are living a self-sufficient life, growing their own vegetables, milking cows, living a simple life sans TV or refrigerator.

It was fascinating to see his take on life. When I asked what they do for entertainment if they don’t prefer watching TV, his reply was quite simple. He said that some of the locals got a TV and witnessed a sharp fall in the output of their work. They would watch TV late in the night and couldn’t wake up at four in the morning to look after the cows or tend to the farm before the sun made it hard to work. Therefore, as a learning experience, most of the families decided to stay away from such a distraction. By 8.30 pm, they are off to sleep. Their to-do list is always on their minds. The women folks go to great lengths to fulfill their duties too. Like, collecting grass from the hills for their cows, cleaning, cooking, looking after the farm animals, etc.

Kumbhalgarh Fort view from gate 1 — ***Kumbhalgarh fort in the distance***

The conversation with him and his family made me realize the pace at which these people live life. The simple rules that they follow and the happiness with which they fulfill their duties. Of course, they want to earn more and that’s why these tours and food services, but they also come across as content in life.

I was moved by their kindness and hospitality. I would suggest everyone go for an authentic Kumbhalgarh village tour and witness the simple life of the locals whilst learning a few lessons from them.

Adios. See you in the next blog! Keep traveling ?

Kumbhalgarh Fort – Explore Great Wall of India in Rajasthan

By

Namita Sawant

-

March 4, 2022

0

Kumbhalgarh Fort Rajasthan — Kumbhalgarh Fort - Aravalli Hills

Kumbhalgarh Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the five forts of Rajasthan declared as world heritage under the Hill Forts of Rajasthan. It is situated in a quaint town in Rajasthan, approximately 85 km from Udaipur. Built by Rana Kumba, Kumbhalgarh Fort is one of the largest fort complexes in the world. Featuring the famed the Great Wall of India, which is the second-longest wall after the Great Wall of China, this Mewar fortress sitting on the Aravalli hills is a must-visit place for history lovers.

Apart from the stunning fort, there are many places to visit in Kumbhalgarh, including the ancient temples and wildlife sanctuaries.

The Great Wall of India — **View of the Great Wall of India from Kumbhalgarh Fort**

Table of Contents

How to reach Kumbhalgarh from Udaipur?

Udaipur is well connected to most cities of India via rail and air transport. We chose the latter and took the one-hour flight from Mumbai to reach Maharana Pratap Airport Udaipur. With the COVID pandemic going on, it has become mandatory to do web check-ins. So, plan accordingly and shell the extra money to get your preferred seats 😛

We halted at Udaipur for a day at Club Mahindra, which is located on the outskirts of the city. The next day, we started from our resort to Club Mahindra Kumbhalgarh via a cab. It took us approximately over three hours since we stopped for food and shopping. The cost of traveling was Rs. 2800 to cover the 90 odd kilometers from Udaipur to Kumbhalgarh. The roads are well-maintained and there was no traffic for the most part. The last few minutes before reaching Kumbhalgarh had steep roads, due to the mountains. Overall, the journey was comfortable.

Three places to visit in Kumbhalgarh

Kumbhalgarh, ideally, can be comfortably explored in a day or two. There are many places to visit in Kumbalgarh, the top being the Fort. More than places to visit there are fantastic things to experience in this quaint town. In a day, you can explore the popular tourist destinations and keep a day free to take a village tour and trek the mountain to the fort, the old entrance.

Kumbhalgarh Fort

Magnificent, splendid, magical – an architectural wonder, it makes you think how talented the architects were back in the 15th century. Cradled in the Aravalli hills, 3,600 ft above sea level, this fort is the most popular place in the town. Being the birthplace of the great warrior Maharana Pratap also adds to the glory of the fort.

The most eye-catching thing you see from the fort is the massive Great Wall of India, stretching approx. 36 km. The mere sight of it makes you want to pause and ponder. Just marvel at the beauty! This is only second to China when it comes to the largest continuous wall on the planet earth.

There are many Hindu temples surrounding the wall. To further dwell on the rich history of this place, it is suggested to hire a guide. Our guide was a local girl, who narrated a story in under five minutes for Rs. 100. She was a good story teller. After we trekked all the way to the top of the fort, we caught the most panoramic view of the majestic wall, the surrounding temples, and the beautiful hills. While you trek, marvel at the ruins as it depicts greater stories of the yesteryear era.

The fort also houses an Akhand Jyot, a lantern, which is burning for centuries and has never gone off, even once. Do visit the temple to experience the peace this place holds. I was awestruck by the massive beauty of it all! I suggest visiting the Kumbhalgarh Fort around four in the evening and trekking all the way to the top. Wait for the sunset and then catch a look at the magnificent fort burning in golden lights as the darkness grows. Breathtaking!

Kumbhalgarh Fort at night — **Kumbhalgarh Fort at sunset**

Things to Remember:

Kumbhalgarh Fort timings: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Entrance Charges: Rs. 40 for Indians, Children free entry until 15 years.
Don’t forget to carry water bottles
Wear comfortable shoes/Walking or trekking shoes
Carry dry snacks (make sure not to litter around)

Mammadev Temple & Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, next to Kumbhalgarh Fort

Located at the starting point of the fort, its architecture and interiors are beautiful. From this temple, you can walk a few stairs to reach the Great Wall of India. For visitors, it is allowed to take a walk near the wall to a certain length, post which armed men are stationed, not letting you explore beyond.

The Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is just behind the Mammadev Temple. It is a popular Shiva temple holding six feet high Shivling. The grandeur of this temple and the majestic view of the fort from its exterior are calming to the soul.

Catfish Point

Located just 3 km before the fort, a local tour to explore Kumbhalgarh usually begins with a visit to the famed Catfish point. The Hammeripal lake is filled with thousands of giant African catfish which apparently love eating gathiya, a local snack made from gram flour. You can also feed them bread but the sellers push the gram flour snack, as it helps them earn more money. The mere size and number of the fish you will see in this pond are overwhelming. I am sure if a person falls in the pond, they can eat the person too. Just kidding. But it’s better to steer clear while feeding the fish, especially if you have little kids, who get over-excited when feeding them. My little one was almost aiming to feed them by hand 😛

Catfish pond Kumbhalgarh — **Thousands of Catfish at Kumbhalgarh**

You will also spot several ducks in the pond, peacefully swimming, playing and bathing in the water. That was a calming experience in comparison to feeding what looked like angry catfish.

So, our day 1 of exploring this beautiful place ended with the fort. The Jeep driver cum guide also took us to a temple which he said is the starting point of Varanasi River, I am not sure if it’s true. He also showed us a cave up the mountains where a pair of leopards live. Quite fascinating. One of the other points was a place from where you could see the separation of Mewar and Marwar regions.

**Aravalli hills – The Great Wall of India**

We didn’t explore the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary as we just visited the Kanha National Park and were not in a mood to go on another wildlife safari. So, we instead planned to go on a village tour. Day 2 was great fun. Stay tuned as I will share our experience of the village life in the next blog. Do comment if you want to know any further information.