Somnath Temple

Somnath temple is one of the most famous holy pilgrimages of Lord Shiva, located in the state of Gujarat. Every year, thousands of Hindu devotees make a beeline to have a glimpse of the holy Lord. Considered as the one of the twelve ‘Jyotirlingas’, the temple of Somnath has existed since many centuries. In fact, the holy Hindu scripture Rig Veda also mentions the presence and importance of this temple. It was also attacked by foreign invaders on several occasions because of its wealth. The Somnath temple has been destroyed many times by the invaders yet it has always been rebuilt.

There are interesting legends about the construction of Somnath temple. It is believed to have been made by Moon first then demon king Ravana and even by Lord Krishna. One of the rulers of Gujarat, Bhimdev is also believed to have made the Shiva statue in stone. The temple boasts of amazing architecture and finesse. It is a beautiful example of rich architectural heritage of ancient India. The temple has been constructed in Chalukya style. The skilled artisans of Gujarat have really made the carvings intricate and flawless.

Thousands of Hindus visit this temple every year. The beauty of the temple has not vanished despite the onslaught of changing times. It has stood the test of time and devotion of pilgrims. To reach Somnath temple, one can take a flight to Keshod which is the nearest airport to Somnath. The distance between Keshod and Somnath is 47 kilometers. Somnath is also well connected through road and railway.

Darjeeling

Its summer time and people have already started to make plans to escape from heat waves. There is no dearth of tourist places in India but some of them, over the time have witnessed huge rush. This can be a turn-off for tourists who prefer to rest in peace and tranquility. One such tourist destination that despite being hugely popular, still offers you a wonderful opportunity to make the most of your vacation time is Darjeeling. Located in the Shivalik hills on the lower range of the Himalayas, it is an amazingly beautiful place.

Situated in the culturally rich state of West Bengal, Darjeeling is a mesmerizing hill resort. Darjeeling first came into prominence when British used it as their summer resort during the colonial era. This quaint travel destination is not just popular among the Indian tourists but also frequently visited by the foreigners. The place is quite popular for its tea plantation. Exported to numerous countries all over the world, its ‘Muscatel Tea’ has always been in huge demand.

There are number of places one must visit in Darjeeling. The place will always impress you with its spectacular scenery, exotic flora and fauna, lush greenery and rolling slopes. Tiger hill is perhaps the most famous place in Darjeeling. One can have a bewitching view of sunrise and sunset standing atop the hill. If you are lucky, you can have a view of Mount Everest as well.

Ghoom is basically a small hillock in Darjeeling that houses one of the most popular monasteries of the hill resort, Ghoom Gompa. A visit to Darjeeling cannot be completed without having a look at its tea gardens. Apart for that, one can visit Observatory Hill that is supposed to be the oldest site in this part of land, Chowrasta for shopping activities, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park to discover the rich wildlife of Himalayas and museums.