A well-planned trip is not only blissful but lingers fresh in the memory for a long time. One obviously would love a hassle-free holiday, as it is meant for rest and enjoyment and above all to escape from the daily ordeal of life. If on a holiday too, one finds oneself running from pillar to post and making last-minute arrangements, one would love to forget the holiday and the horrifying memories associated with it. India is a tough country, in terms of temperament and terrain. Before venturing on a sojourn to India, one needs to follow some simple guidelines to make the stay a pleasant one. Follow the tips in earnest and put your best foot forth and come to India with a desire, and India promises that you will leave the land with an ardent wish to come back again.

DO’S AND DON’TS
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Tirupathi Tirumala Devasthanam or the house of the Lord Tirupati is most likely Hindu India’s visited holy place. Located amidst verdant greenery atop a hill enclosed by outcroppings of red rock, the temple draws the devout in thousands daily, is dedicated to Sri Venkateswara, one of the personifications of Vishnu. The temple is the cause that this town gets visitors, frequently pilgrims who have traveled hundreds of kilometers to get a wish of the Lord.

Tirumala is one of a small amount of temples to allow non-Hindus into the sanctum sanctorum. Remember, to leave the footwear behind at the stall outside the temple complex. Do not give way to the high-pressure tactics of ticket toting touts. Get it from the temple’s official counter.

The temple houses has a lot of decorated idol of Sri Venkateswara before whom one is permitted only a few moments before the next area load of visitors is to be ushered in.

Tirupathi receives a record number of pilgrim’s daily, other than any holy city in the world. These record crowds overthrow bigger records during the festivals and on weekends. According to whether disorder is the cup of tea or not, one can choose high-season weekends or off-season weekdays. Read the rest of this entry »

The nearest Railway Station and Airport are at Jammu, at a distance of 50 Kms from Base camp Katra. A regular bus services are plying from Railway Station, Air port and General Bus Stand Jammu to Katra. Also number of Taxies, Tourist vans, Deluxe Busses are available at these places. However number of inter state busses are available for Katra from almost all the major cities of North India.

The Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine is linked to the Base Camp Katra with a 13 Kms track. The entire uphill Journey from Katra to Bhawan is on foot, however, one can hire ponies, palkies or pithoo for ease of journey.

Recently Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has started the air taxi services between Jammu, Katra and Sanjichat at the normal rates.

Route of shri Mata Vaishno Devi

The 13 Kms hilly track between Katra and Bhawan contains number of ancient temples and view-points for rest and enjoy natural beauty. The first stop is at Banganga, 1 Km away from Katra where one can have holy bath in the Banganga and have a Langer/Parshad (free food) run by famous T-series Industries. Read the rest of this entry »