Saturday 14 May 2022

5 Temples in Delhi That Are a Must-Visit in 2022

 

5 Temples in Delhi That Are a Must-Visit in 2022

For numerous pilgrims, Delhi is a city that is always held in high regard. This is a place that has been the center stage of many historical events throughout Indian history. And when you go through that rich history, it also highlights a lot of locations of spiritual significance.

Many people book a Ranchi to Delhi flight just to pray and express their devotion to their religion. Now that many places of worship are now welcoming devotees back, it is a great time to look at 5 temples that are a must-visit in 2022.

1. Lotus Temple

A unique place of worship built in 1986, the Lotus Temple is dedicated to the Baha'i faith and welcomes people of all faiths and religions. This is an architectural marvel, with large lotus petals made of marble facing various directions that create its magnificent shape and numerous gardens and ponds attributing to its beauty. The Lotus Temple can hold more than 2500 devotees at a time and largely runs on solar power.

2. Akshardham Temple

The largest Hindu temple in the world, Akshardham finished construction in 2005 with not a single piece of metal involved. The entire temple is constructed using marble and stones, paying respect to traditional Hindu architecture that reflects all around it. You can easily reach the temple via road as it is situated quite close to the Commonwealth Games Village. There is even an entire station dedicated to it should you choose to approach it via Delhi Metro.

3. ISKCON Temple

Dedicated to Lord Krishna, ISKCON Temple was built in 1998. It was designed by the renowned architect AchyutKavinde, whose other notable works include the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts and the P.K. Kelkar Library in IIT Kanpur. The ISKCON Temple is not just a place of worship, but it also houses several religious texts like the Vedas and Mahabharata. It even has a restaurant within the premises, should you desire to have a hearty meal before you board your Delhi to Ranchi flight.

4. Hanuman Mandir

A temple that is said to have been constructed during the Mahabharata period, the earliest record of renovation dates back to 1724 ordered by Maharaja Jai Singh. Based in Connaught Place, this temple is quite crowded on Tuesdays and Saturdays, since those days are considered holy to Lord Hanuman. The ceiling of the shrine makes for a jolly visual as it is embellished with various images of Lord Ram.

5. Kalkaji Temple

One of the oldest temples in India, the Kalkaji Temple completed construction in 1764 AD. Throughout the year, this place sees millions of pilgrims visiting from all over India, especially during the festival of Navratri. This temple is dedicated to the goddess Kali, and many believe that the shrine is the place where she killed the demon Raktabija.

With that, we reach the end of our list. Are there any temples that you think should make it to the list? What are some famous places of worship in your town? Answer in the comments section below.

Monday 2 May 2022

6 Best Places to Pay a Visit in Leh Ladakh

 

6 Best Places to Pay a Visit in Leh Ladakh

“Let’s plan a trip to Ladakh" is a phrase that is as common among today's youth culture. You might think that the mundane life of daily work or study routines might be something that makes individuals crave open spaces and adventure. A visit to Leh might be the perfect solution. Nevertheless, this is a place that is far away from any concrete jungles, which makes it quite crucial that you plan your trip before you decide on such an adventure, especially with friends.

As such, here are the 6 best places to visit in Leh Ladakh before you board your Leh to Delhi flight home.

1. Tsemo Castle

One of the oldest buildings that have stood against the elements in Ladakh, the Tsemo Castle was built by King Tashi Namgyal in the 15th century. While it is the Leh Palace that sees a lot of visitors, the Tsemo Castle is just up the hill, and you can visit it via a 20-minute trek through a zigzag trail. The height offers much better views and you can find some quiet time as you observe the building’s remarkable architecture.

2. Shanti Stupa

For the photographers, the Shanti Stupa is the perfect place to capture some great shots of sunsets and mountain landscapes. This is a white dome-shaped stupa built atop a hill by the Japanese monk Gyomyo Nakamura. The road only gets you so close to it as you have to climb a flight of more than 500 stairs before you reach the shrine. However, it is well worth it for the amazing visuals that you get once you reach the top.

3. Kela Pass

Many don’t like to arrive in Ladakh in their Delhi to Leh flight but instead prefer their motorcycles. Such petrolheads often prefer the Kela Pass, an isolated dirt road 18,603 feet above sea level. It is a great place for kicking some sick dirt as evidenced by a recent documentary by Harley-Davidson India, in which they tested five Pan America bikes up there to showcase their durability.

4. Magnetic Hill

Each place has its lore of supernatural phenomena. The Magnetic Hill is Ladakh’s. You can come across this strange place just 35 Km. North on the Srinagar-Leh highway. The local folklore is that the hills around this area have unique magnetic properties, which enables vehicles to make the uphill climb even with the engine turned off. Whatever the reason, this is a great place to take in some scenery and enjoy a warm bowl of soup before you hit the road.

5. Pangong Tso Lake

Made famous by the shooting of 3 Idiots movie, this is a lake situated at a height of 14,270 feet above sea level and an isolated landlocked river basin. ‘Pangong Tso’ literally translates to ‘high grassland lake’ in Tibetan. What makes it even more interesting is that, during winters, the lake freezes over, and you can practically ice skate on it, even though it contains saline water.

6. Hall Of Fame

A museum constructed and maintained by the Indian Army, the Hall of Fame is a must-visit if you are a true patriot and respect the sacrifices of our soldiers who lost their lives defending the nation. Various exhibits highlight the struggles of the soldiers in high altitudes, along with the commemoration of our fallen heroes who served in the armed conflicts throughout the decades.

And with that, we conclude our list of the top 6 places to visit in Leh Ladakh. Do you have any suggestions for your favorite mountainside vacation? Give your answers in the comments section below.