India Archives - 3 Kids and Us

5 Awesome Activities To Involve Yourself With In Rajasthan

June 25, 2019 by admin

During my trip through India it was Rajasthan that surprised me the most, initially I had pencilled in to spend 3 days there but I enjoyed myself so much that I ended up with 2 weeks here. Rajasthan is a state in northern India and has around about 10 percent of the country’s population there. What amazed me about this Indian region was the incredible natural beauty and the wide range of fun and exciting activities which tourists can get involved in. If you are traveling through India then Rajasthan is somewhere that I’d certainly recommend, and here are 5 awesome things to do when you get there.

Cliff Zip Lining

I went zip lining at a place called Neemrana Fort and this was a zip line like I had never tried before, as it went between 2 cliffs. The thrill of zip lining is amazing but it is made all the more sweeter when you are able to take in some of the views that you can on this route, overlooking the valleys and the tree lined ravines down below. If you are coming from Delhi then this zip lining location is very close by.

Safari

I had no idea before arriving here at just how much wildlife Rajasthan had to offer and once I found out more, I decided to take a safari through the Sariska Tiger Reserve. There are other national parks which offer safaris that I didn’t go to, but that was because this tiger reserve provided me with more than enough adventure. There are more than just tigers here and we saw elephants, boars and bears to name just a few of the amazing creatures who call this place home.

Vintage Car Rally

Picture the scene, I am staying Jaipur for a couple of nights, wandering the street, when all of a sudden I hear a roar on the road and then I am greeted by around 100 vintage cars. I couldn’t believe what I was looking at in truth and had to do a double take. Apparently these rallies are quite commonplace in this region and anyone who loves cars will be in awe of some of these beautiful classic machines.

Abhaneri Step Well

If you love architecture then one place which you simply must visit is the Abhaneri Step Well or Chand Baori as it is locally known. Found in the Dausa District near Jaipur this place was used once upon a time to collect rain water, today it is simply an amazing piece of engineering with over 40 sets of symmetrical staircases on each side of the deep well.

Adrenalin Madness

If you are looking for a thrill then head to the Thar Desert where you can go dune bashing, an adventurous sport where you rent an SUV and then horse it over the rich sand dunes. This is pure unadulterated fun and an experience which you really shouldn’t miss out.

Which is going to be your first activity when you arrive in Rajasthan? Let us know which tickles your fancy in the comments below.

Chennai: The bearer of the South Indian Heritage

September 12, 2018 by admin

Chennai is a metropolitan city based in India and it is renowned for being the capital of Tamil Nadu. It is a hub for education and technology mainly for the South Indians. It has also been ranked 36^th in the largest urban area by population in the world. Chennai is frequented by health tourists but apart from that, it is also the home for the Tamil film industry. The city also holds the colonial history in forms of buildings and other architectural places. A huge part of the industrial sector is dedicated to automobiles and so Chennai is often called the ‘Detroit of India’.

If you want to visit Chennai from anywhere around the world, it is best to take a flight to the Chennai International Airport(MAA). It is connected to all major cities and destinations from around the world. You can definitely book Cheapest Dubai to Chennai flights or even tickets from any other Middle Eastern country to Chennai. Just make sure that the website is safe and secure.

After landing in the city you will get awed by the population and the culture of the people. We will definitely recommend you some places that you must visit without any fault. So, here are some of them:

Marina Beach: This beach is quite famous for being the second longest beach in this world. You will be greeted with white sands and a great roaring sea which is the Bay of Bengal. The beach is stretched over 13 kilometers and it is visited by more than 30,000 visitors on a daily basis. Occasionally you can also spot the olive ridley sea turtles that make nests in the shore. Definitely sip on the tender coconut and enjoy your crispy murukkus.
Government Museum and the National Art Gallery:Chennai has one of the oldest museums present in India. These places aren’t only for knowing Chennai. They also open up your knowledge about India as a whole. It has a nice collection of South India bronzes having its origins both in the ancient and modern times. Apart from that, there are rare marble sculptures which play an important role in knowing about Buddhism. The Art Gallery is famous for its collection of 16^th and 18^th-century paintings hailing from Rajasthan, the Mughal Empire and also from the Deccani school of art.
Sri Parthasarathy Temple:Religion has always been an important part of the Indian culture and the ancient people depicted it beautifully through their art. You can experience that in this temple that hails from the 8^th It is based on the Pallava architecture and it is one of the most important Vaishnavites sites present in India. The renovation was done to it in the 16^th century by the Vijaynagar kinds but as a whole, it still remains the same.

Chennai is a bustling city with a rising economy in India. We will always recommend you to roam around the city to learn about this beautiful place and engage in the culture of the Indian heritage.

India Travel Myths Debunked

May 23, 2018 by admin

India is an amazing country, with a superfluity of beautiful landscapes, diverse cultures, a rich history and an incredibly warm and welcoming population. However, those in need of passport renewal to travel to India will always be bombarded with a lot of myths about certain untruths about the great country of India.

It is imperative that if you want to have a great trip to India, you should learn to sift the truth from the lies and myths, or else you will be feeding up your mind and expectations with the wrong information. In this piece, we take a look at some of the myths, misconceptions, and lies you are likely to hear about India and we reveal to you the exact truth and what you should expect during your trip to India.

It is unsafe to travel to India

There are some publications that rate India as unsafe, especially for traveling by solo women or ladies. This is entirely not true and it is nothing but a malicious way to try to depict the country in a bad light to discourage people from visiting. The truth is that India is one of the safest countries for all types of travelers and you will always meet warm and welcoming population. But just as when traveling to any country, it is important to take the necessary precautions to stay safe. This includes being careful about the places you visit, the times you visit them, how you handle your money and all the basic things you would do to guarantee your safety in any country. India isn’t any different.

India is always hot

It is not entirely true that India is always hot. India experiences both summers and winters and so the climatic conditions vary. It is true that the summer months can sometimes get really hot until the tar on the tarmac roads begins to peel off, but it is also true that sometimes there could be snow in India, especially in the regions towards the north. So don’t buy the lie that India is always hot and when coming, you should prepare yourself for some sweltering temperatures and high humidity.

All foods have chili

One thing you have to appreciate about Indian foods is that most, but not all of them are spicy. Most Indians enjoy their foods with a lot of spices, and there are many places that serve such kinds of foods. But if you are not the type that likes a lot of chili in their foods, then you should not be afraid to travel to India because there are plenty of foods that don’t have chili. If you don’t want the chili, you simply request the cook or the service to not include chili in your meal and they will gladly oblige.

India is a poor country

The media has successfully managed to drill into people’s minds that India is a poor country and this is due to the ever-circulating photos of Indians walking barefoot, living in hut houses and begging on the streets. But if you to be asked which country doesn’t have beggars or people walking with barefoot, especially in the interiors, you would find that there are so many such countries in the world. If some Indians are walking barefoot, begging or living in poor houses, it doesn’t mean that the entire country is poor. Poverty is a global concern and you will find it in even very developed economies. So don’t allow yourself to be sold the poor side of India.

India is suffering from overpopulation

India is the home to about 1.2 billion people, and this makes it a fairly populous country, and in fact, it is the second most populated country in the world after China. However, it is not true that every state you will visit in India will suffer from overpopulation or that all the places in India are always full of people. Before you adopt such a line of thought, you should consider the landmass of India and you will find that it is a very big country.

Secondly, it is true that the urban areas are fairly populated, and this is just the major cities. But such is expected in most cities around the globe. If you move away from the major cities or towards the rural areas, you will surely discover that there is nothing like India suffering from overpopulation.

Indians don’t eat meat, they are all vegetarians

If you love food and you are going for passport renewal to travel to India, then this myth would be a complete turn-off. But the truth is that it is just a myth – all Indians are not vegetarians and they actually do eat meat. You will be amazed at some of the meat, fish, chicken and pork dishes you will find India. The country is a foodie’s haven and there is always a variety of meals, including both for vegetarians and non-vegans. But it is true that due to certain religious considerations, some Indians don’t eat meat, especially beef.

Communication is a barrier in India

If you don’t understand the local language of the cities or countries you are traveling to, the communication will always be a barrier unless you get a local guide, so this is not a problem that is unique to India alone. However, most Indians can speak good if not fluent English and for most people, given that English is an international language, you won’t find any problem communicating in India. In fact, in high tourist areas, you will find the local speak other languages as well, with the major ones being French, Russian, and German amongst others.

There are high chances that you will be scammed

Again this is not a problem unique to India and is nothing but a creation of the media to paint India in a bad light. Scammers are everywhere and there are always high chances of getting scammed in any country you will ever visit. All you have to do is take the necessary precaution so that you don’t fall a victim. If you are not careful, however, the scammers are real and will you really hard when you don’t expect it, should you lower your guard.

Got Culture? 5 Interesting Facts You May Not Have Known About India

February 26, 2018 by admin

If you are planning to visit India, it is essential to know that this is a country full of surprises. There is a myriad of aspects you’ll need to know so you cannot be caught flat-footed. As a tourist, familiarizing yourself with these aspects will make your life easy since India is a country whose culture greatly differs from the rest of the world.

India is a Young Country

Although this may not be known to you, India is pretty much a young nation. About a half of its population is below 25 years, and 67 percent below 35 years. A lot of Indians are confident about what India can offer and no longer look to the West. The homegrown talent in this country is flourishing with many people taking up stunning traditional professions and other careers in arts. Major Indian cities like Channai, Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore are becoming hubs for concerts and live performances.

You’ll Be Hounded

When you are India, people may see you as rich tourist, thanks to your country’s stronger currency. In many occasions, beggars will follow you, shopkeepers will call you into their shops, and taxi drivers will hail you to hire their services. Make sure your Indian friends tell you how you need to act while in the city and how to get yourself a comfortable means of transport.

Temple Etiquette

When you are visiting India, do not forget to take off your shoes when stepping into holy places such as the temples and remember not to put on revealing clothes. India’s visitors are usually tempted to put on shorts, but you need to make sure your lower parts of the body and your shoulders are covered when visiting a temple. The Indians take their religion seriously, and therefore, you could easily offend them if you leave parts of your body exposed. If you plan on visiting religious centers in India – most of which hold archeological and historical significance – remember to respect their religious sentiments even when you aren’t a believer.

Public Displays of Affection

Taj Mahal’s beauty or the fascinating lagoons of Kerala might make your partner want to hold you close or even give you a quick kiss and a hug, but both of you should think twice before you can display your affection publicly. Although you may find couple canoodling in the parks, it is essential not to showcase your affection in public while in India.

Indian Festivals

With various cultures and religions, you’ll come cross celebrations, fairs, and different styles of merry-making. This is what the rich culture of India is all about. Whether it’s the colors of Holu, Diwali’s shimmering lights, Id Ul Fitr, the extravaganza of Durga, or Christmas, you will encounter incredible Indian cuisine and indigenous customs. You can also spend your nights in amazing hotels such as JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu, and enjoy the amazing facilities these establishments have to offer.

There’s so much about India you need to know before you set for a journey to this young nation. Acquaint yourself with information about this country, so you are aware of the dos and don’ts when touring India.

Did You Know About These Hidden Gems of Kolkata?

June 5, 2017 by admin

Kolkata is a small city, geographically. It is only 1/8th of the size of the capital, New Delhi and the main city is even smaller. However, Kolkata has so much more than you might have read on those travel blogs or what the travel packages of Yatra might offer. There are so many things to see which Google wouldn’t tell you. Sometimes, even your tour guide wouldn’t tell you because they think those places don’t deserve mention or because not many people ask them, the tour guides, to take them there. There lies the mysterious Kolkata, the unseen Kolkata, the Kolkata which you need to ‘explore’, not visit.

Shobhabazar Rajbari: Shobhabazaar Royal Palace would be a literal translation but Nabakrishna Deb was more of a super rich landlord with wealth generating from questionable sources. However, the palace he built in Shobhabazaar is amazing and you wouldn’t find a better combination of Indian and British architecture in Kolkata.

This is a saat-mahala house which means the interior of the house is divided into seven sections, ladies’ wing, drawing room etc., servants’ quarters and more. There is a thakur dalan, supported by seven really tall pillars. This is almost 250 years old but due to proper maintenance, has kept much of its original charm intact. You can visit the palace during Durga Puja, in October, when it’s open for the general public.

Kolkata Town Hall: Built in 1813, by architect and engineer Maj.-Gen. John Garstin, in Roman Doric style, the town hall cost no less than 700,000 rupees in those days! The result was amazing though, it is one of the most beautiful structures in Kolkata but sadly none, neither the manager of your hotel in Kolkata nor the tour guide you hire, would recommend it. It was utterly neglected in independent India because it was a symbol of British occupation! In fact, this magnificent building was almost ruined and the Kolkata High Court had to intervene to save it. Presently, Kolkata Corporation has done an appreciable job of restoring the former glory of this building and it houses a library on Kolkata, containing the rarest books and diaries on Kolkata and you can check out the magnificent history of Kolkata here. While, booking a hotel through Yatra, you can search a one near Town Hall.

Paramount House: Why only visit when you can eat and drink as well. Paramount is quenching the thirst of Kolkata for 100 years now and their sorbets and drinks (strictly non-alcoholic) is a must for you to try out. You might have drunk a lot many things in different restaurants and 5 star hotels in Kolkata, but I bet you will forget everything else when you take a sip at Paramount. Located at a not “so easily accessible” place at the back end of College Street, it is frequented by many who know the taste of their drinks.

Their price list is all set to surprise you because you wouldn’t believe that such heavenly manna is available for 50c or so. Their list is very, very long and you might be confused with the choice. The best thing to do here is to request them for a speciality. But then, each of their drinks is special, trust me.

Hastings House: One of the oldest buildings in Kolkata, it had seen better days when it housed the Governor General of India, Lord Warren Hastings. This place is now a Women’s College, under Kolkata University. If you are a fan of haunted places and spooky incidents, this is where you should go with many students complaining of inexplicable incidents in this building. In specific, there is an Englishman on a horse who supposedly asks for some lost files! This is in Alipore and you can get there easily.

Babu Ghat: Ghat is translated by American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language as “A broad flight of steps leading down to the bank of a river in India, used especially by bathers.” but the ghats on Ganga are much more than that. This is where Kolkata used to come for their afternoon and evening pleasures, then bathe in Ganga or sit in the breeze to have a respite from the oppressive heat. With Kolkata losing the use of Ghats, these ghats are now often neglected but Babu Ghat is a must see. You can see the vast Ganga flowing, the breeze, the local sellers and a true picture of old laid-back Kolkata.