Hop Around India - Travel Tips

Top Tips to remind during "Vinayaka navarathrulu"

2012-09-24T17:58:00.003+05:30

Many people follow way of worshiping, how ever don't care about neighbors. Disturbance some times leads to quarrel and makes devotion into dirty politics. So follow some rules to avoid unwanted things.

At mandapas:

Mandapas should be placed away from residential Areas. So that it is convenient to the common people in surroundings.
Should not occupy places like Roads, street, parks and other public areas.
Installing Huge sound systems and Heavy electric decorations may cause unfortunate incidents. Also Loud Speakers causes disturbances, especially during nights. Please avoid them.
There should be some one at the mandapas, to look after and should handle events going on like Pujas, Prasadam etc.
Use Collected money only for the Navarathri events, shows the devotion on god and kind of nature.
Thorough check on the place, whether any issues happening because of the mandapas. If so make solution.
Avoid Illegal activities at mandapas like allowing alcoholic things.

During Nimajjanam:

Huge Idols of Ganesha are carried through many heavy means of transportation. makes blocking of roads, resulting in traffic jams. make a particular timings depending on zones.

Don't disturb common people traveling on that day for emergency purpose.

Huge idols causes disturbances to electric poles and cables. Look around and walk on roads.

Some times short circuits may cause damages, power off electric equipment in home.

Dholak and Drum beats during Ganapathi Visarjan, many people drink and dance causing public nuisance. Avoid such rallies.

While going to visit Nimajjanam at heavy crowds, don't carry ornaments, Huge cash, be careful with Pick-Pocketers and anti social-activists.

take care of your members, especially children. Contact nearest police help center for such incidents.

Indian natural wealth: Hope Island

2012-09-24T17:02:00.001+05:30

Indian natural wealth: Hope Island: The beautiful island near Kakinada, Hope Island makes a wonderful place to visit from the hustle-bustle of the city. This island is formed...

The Weapons of Ganesha

2012-09-17T10:59:00.000+05:30

Axe – it is the symbol for various kinds of activities like Cutting of evil bonds and save the devotees. Sword also has similar qualities but powerful.

Trishula – Has three edges representing Love, wisdom and affection.

Dagger – has power to make narrow path into comfortable way to walk in life.

A Mace (Gadha) – it is a Weapon of keeping the world in disciplinary manner. He punishes the devotees with spiritual quest.

Vajra-Trishula – A lightning bolt weapon is a spiritual element for lightning of knowledge in life.

Chakra – A Discus plate represents Bright Sun glowing.

Tourists Destinations in India: Indian natural wealth: Top Tourism Destinations in...

2012-09-14T16:28:00.002+05:30

Tourists Destinations in India: Indian natural wealth: Top Tourism Destinations in...: Indian natural wealth: Top Tourism Destinations in Hyderabad, India : Hyderabad is a wonderful blend of the old-world charm and vibrant c...

Sabarimala Kerala

2012-07-12T15:11:00.002+05:30

LORD AYYAPPA, is also called as “HARIHARAPUTHRA” and commonly known as “MANIKANDAN”, his divine parents tied a golden bell around his neck, as per legend of his birth. The presiding supreme deity of Sabari Hills is worshipped by millions of devotees. Ayyappan's origin is uncertain, but is sometimes believed to be an incarnation of Dharma Sasta, who is the offspring of Shiva and Vishnu (as Mohini, in his female form). Sabarimala is located in very deep and dense forests and the devotees who wear Ayyappa maala for the first time are called as Kanne ayyapan’s and they will walk to Peddha Paadam for darshan. And chinna paadam is mandatory which is around 15 km situated on the top hill.

As there was river with a continuous flowing called “pamba” and lord ganapathi was settled in the form of “Pamba Ganapathi”, the young daughter, Leela, of Kalari Panicker fell in love with Ayyappa. She requested for proposal. But Ayyappan turned down her request as being a Brahmachari. As she was offered her seat as “Maalikappurathamma” On a condition Ayyappan promised her that he would marry if incase there is no Kanni Ayyappans (First time pilgrims with iru-mudi) to come to Sabarimala then he would marry her, It is mandatory, every Kanni Ayyappan should deposit Saram (arrow of soft wood) at Saramkuthy as a mark of their arrival. A visit to Sabarimala brings to the devotees' contentment, spiritual upliftment, prosperity and fulfillment of devotees' desires and wishes. The months of Kaartika / Vrishchika, Maargazhi / Dhanur (15 Nov - 15 Jan) are most auspicious for Sabarimala pilgrimage. Lord ayyappa will appear as Makara jyoti on Saturday, maargazi panchami in uttara nakshatram. As a gracious in Vrischika, Dhanur and Makara (Nov, Dec & 1st half of January) months, sabari hills celebrated with Mandala puja.

Total Sabarimala is sourrounded by lush topical jungles and 18 hills. One should visit this temple once in their lifetime.

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Vyasa Purnima....

2012-06-19T11:42:00.000+05:30

Guru Purnima..

Guru Purnima - which is also known as ‘Vyasa Purnima’, the festival of Guru Purnima celebrates and commemorates Ved Vyas –

· the Spiritual Guru, the author and the compiler of the great Hindu religious texts – the ‘Puranas’.

· the ancient Indian Sanskrit epic – the ‘Mahabharata’.

· the 700-verse Hindu scripture – the ‘Bhagavad Gita.

Ved Vyas is central to Hindu religion and traditions because of his literary contribution to Hinduism which laid the foundation and defined the Hindu religion. Guru Purnima is dedicated to Ved Vyas as it celebrates his birthday.

Guru Purnima is celebrated on the ‘Purnima’ the full-moon day of the ‘Ashadh’ month of the Hindu Calendar’, which falls in the month of July.

Guru Purnima is celebrated by spiritual organizations all over India. The organization’s spiritual head’s teachings are preached and cultural programs are held along with ‘bhajan samarohs’ in the respective organizations. Disciples offer flowers and sweets to their ‘Gurus’ on this day in a ceremonious manner which in itself is an interesting event. The spiritually-inclined also begin their spiritual-lessons and ‘sadhana’ rather rigorously on this day.

The ideal places to visit on Guru Purnima which give you insights into this ancient tradition are:

· The Ashrams of Rishikesh

The Ashrams of Haridwar

The Ashrams of Mathura

These three being the main places where Guru Purnima is celebrated elaborately and on a grand scale, other places to visit are:

Belur Math - the worldwide headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission near Kolkata – capital of West Bengal State in India.

Pix courtesy: wikipedia; blog.hoparoundinida; antaryamin.wordpress.

Hav Fun n Food in a village located in Gurgaon

2012-06-19T11:40:00.003+05:30

An ideal Amusement Park called The Fun-n-Food village established by World famous POLO Group in 1993. It is a place to enjoy whole day with family in a never ending fun activities. A vast greenary in the park makes our hearts to fly like a birds, many kinds of joy-rides, water pools and water-rides (visitors has to rent swim suits), Crafts bazar etc drags legs towards them. Amazing Snow-Park built in an area of 2500 sq.m is a fantastic place to enjoy it. A number of Food courts with variety of cusions, relaxation centers here is cool place to enjoy in summer. more info at Hop Around India

Soma Ramam. Pancha Ramam

2012-06-11T14:53:00.000+05:30

The Shiva Lingam is established by Lord Chandra (The Moon), is one of the Pancharamas (Five most Shivalingas). Somaramam was also called pagunaraseema of Pavunaraseema in olden days. Gosthanee River flows adjacent to Gunupudi.

Someswara swamy temple: This temple is located in Gunupudi (Bhimavaram) in West Godavari District. This temple was built in 3^rd Century AD. Temple is an ancient one but looks as new one due to colourful paintings and beautiful sculptures on the walls with a Huge Gopuram at entrance. There is a pond called Chandrakundam is in front of temple fully covered with beautiful lotus flowers. A big hall on the left side of temple with Lord Sri Rama and Hanuman mandirs are present. There is an open hall over the temple office opposite of Ram Mandir. Big statue of Nandi is present at the entrance of main temple. Temple of Mata Annapurna is also present in the hall.

We can see Lord Shiva; the Main deity is in the form of a beautiful Shiva lingam. This temple has smallest Shiva lingam of Pancharamas. Special feature of the Shiva Lingam in this temple is Shivaling transforms its colour as per moons evolution. On Dark nights (Amavasya), Shiva lingam will be in Dark brown/black shades and during Full Moon nights (Pournami) shines in a beautiful white colour. This is the one and only Shiva Lingam in the world with the special features which eye can’t believe.

History

Rakshas Tarakasura is a Siva Baktha worshipped with great devotion and presented by Amrita Linga from Lord Siva. As long as the Amritha Linga is around his neck Tarakasura is safe and immortal. The Rakshas makes troublesome to the devathas with that boon. So, Kumara Swamy (MURUGA), declared war on Tarakasura with the requests of Devathas and struggled to win. He realized that the Amrita Linga with Tarakasura is the protective power. Kumara Swamy targeted and separated the Amrita Linga with his powers. 5 different pieces of Amritha Linga scattered at 5 different regions after breaking from Tarakasuras neck and known as Pancha Ramas.

Moon was Kidnapped Prisoned

A fine day Gandharvas (famous for their beauty in Gandharvaloka) took away and made him as their prisoner at Gandharvaloka, jealous on Moon because of his beautiful looking and praises of gods. Every one worried about vanishing of moon, approached Lord Brahma for sake of Moon. Goddess Saraswathi was sent to Gandharvaloka as emissary with all others followed to find and bring back the Chandra from Gandharvas. Goddess Saraswathi succeeded in getting Moon out from the prison of Gandharvaloka in exchange of herself to stay there. All deities took Moon back leaving Maa Saraswathi alone.

One day Maa Saraswathi requested king of Gandharvaloka to let her free and finally reached Sathyaloka and stayed there along Brahma. Then Gandharvas continued to harass Chandra (Moon) and tried to Kidnap Moon once again. Chandra approached for the help of Lord Brahma for an advice to overcome the problem with Gandharvas. As per Lord Brahma advice worshipped Lord Shiva with great Devotion along with all deities at this place. Lord Shiva appeared and stated that Moon will be free and no obstacles occur again and vanished.

In the name of Moon god, who first worshipped after forming Lord Shiva kshetra, named this place as Somaramam and Lord Shiva as Someswara swamy.

The temple consists of Lord Anjaneya Swamy, God Kumara Swamy, Navagraha, Sun God, Lord Ganesha.

Temple timings - 5.00am to 11.00am and 4.00pm to 8.00pm.

To know more, please visit Hop Around India

It is the time to plan you trip...

2012-06-08T16:59:00.001+05:30

Hi friends !!!

Again weekend... So plan your weekend trips with your loved ones right now... Yes! this is the best time to visit more beautiful places around your place to express your feelings with your behalf. Try to share a feel of life by go around the most beautiful spots to find out the peak step in your life...

What are you thinking? Go to Hop Around India and plan your trip now... On Monday you should share your experience with all of us here... ;-)

Bye guys.. Happy weekend...

5 Tips For Saving Money While Travelling...

2012-06-08T16:04:00.001+05:30

It is the time to travel around our nation in this hot summer to enjoy our cool holidays with friends and family. Everyone should learn few tips for avoiding nausea and wasting of your precious time and money. Here I am posting 5 tips for saving money while traveling.

1. Pack your lunch:It is better to pack your home made lunch while traveling. By this you can avoid restaurant cost.

2. Checkout everything before you start:Don’t get caught by Traffic police. So, when you start, you should double check your purse with RC, Driving license, etc. It may helps in avoiding challan fees of traffic police.

3. Choose authorized Dharmashalas or guesthouses:Dharmashalas and guest houses provide good and economy accommodation facilities for the tourists than the other private hotels. So, it is better to book your room in nearest tourist dept guesthouse before you go.

4. Choose overnight train travel option:This tip may helps you in both money and time saving and you can enjoy night environment by travelling if you don’t sleep.

5. Approach tourist info centers when you need help:Don’t get any help from unknown persons and autowala’s unnecessarily. They might be correct or wrong. Every time it is better to get help from authorized tourist information centers.

Happy Journey

Great idea...

2012-06-07T12:37:00.005+05:30

Hi all !!!

First of all, I would like to appreciate Mr. Ravikiran to start this blog to share his great travel experiences with all of us. And i am happy to share my experiences too. I am suggesting you all to share and contribute your personal travel experiences here...

Thank you...
www.hoparoundindia.com