India: it’s the place of the majestic Taj Mahal; the most wondrous gift a man has ever given the object of his love. It’s where camels lurch across deserts of stones past whitewashed schools, and young girls carrying pots of water for great distances on their heads – a battered yet beautiful country, where the impact of all it has to offer will leave you forever altered.
This mystic land is rapidly developing into an ideal tourist destination, where cultural and architectural wonders mingle seamlessly with top-class luxury hotels full of modern comforts, and chic shopping destinations.
Luxury Hotels in India
There’s no escaping the fact that India is right up there with the world’s finest luxury travel destination. Pick up any top international magazine, and you’ll see that India gets more entries for luxury hotels and spas in annual compilations of ‘The World’s Best’ lists.
Oberoi Udaivilas: counted amongst the world’s finest luxury hotels for some years now, it sensationally adorns the shores of Lake Pichola with to-die-for views. The Kohinoor Suite, a 2650sqft mini-palace, comes with fountained courtyards, an immense private pool and breathtaking views over the City Palace and the Aravali Hills.
Wildflower Hall: if there were ever India’s answer to a fairytale European castle, this is it. Lord Kitchener’s erstwhile residence, tranquilly teetering atop pine and cedar slopes, has been splendidly restored in grand colonial style. Wood panelling and original artwork impart old world aura. Expect rooms with teak floors, quaint furnishings and staggering views.
Shopping in India
During your stay, be sure to make your way to New Delhi for some fabulous shopping opportunities in India’s fashion capital. The latest collection of Indian designers can be found at the Crescent at the Qutab, on Delhi’s southern edge:
Namrata Joshipura G-9, Ground Floor, The Crescent at the Qutab: Fashion editors from around the world snap up slim-fitting dresses with suggestively plunging necklines stitched in gold thread and for day, prim shirtdresses with fitted waistbands and Peter Pan collars in ladylike linen.
Balance G-5, Ground Floor, The Crescent at the Qutab: Rohit Bal, India’s best-known designer, shows off his talent for ready-to-wear items with richly embroidered blouses for women and handsome, silk dress shirts with motifs from delicate flowers to raging bulls.
Fish Fry G-10, Ground Floor, The Crescent at the Qutab: Manish Arora represents the next generation of local talent with his outrageous creations. Expect swing skirts festooned with a veritable aquarium of glittering underwater life of seahorses, octopus and starfish and statement-making coats with Indian gods and goddesses.
By: Tom Ingrams
Posts Tagged ‘Breathtaking Views’
India in Style – A Quick Guide to the Best Shopping and Luxury Hotels in India
January 13th, 2010Malampuzha Travel Tours Guide
November 7th, 2009
Malampuzha is in the state of Kerala in the Palakkad district. It is located on the foothills of the Western Ghats and has a tremendous amount of dense, green foliage to enjoy. In fact, everywhere that you look, beautiful green foliage is there. This foliage creates a serene and almost surreal experience for all that go there.
One of the biggest draws to this particular city is an irrigation dam that was built in 1955. This irrigation dam allows this city to take advantage of its beautiful setting. It helps to irrigate the landscape to make it remain green at all times. This reservoir also adds to the water activities that are possible in the area. Tourists are drawn to this area for its natural beauty and the relaxing atmosphere that exists there because of the impressive, green landscape.
If you are drawn to breathtaking views, this gem of a city has plenty such sights to offer thanks to the greenery as well as the Ghats themselves. If you want to experience some exotic animals, this area can provide you with that possibility. Water activities and relaxing gardens are also possible in the area.
Malampuzha is brimming with both natural and man-made gardens and reservoirs for everyone to enjoy.
Malampuzha Dam
Work on the Malampuzha Dam was begun in 1949. Six years later it was completed and dedicated in 1955. The dam’s capacity is 115.06 meters. The dam created the largest irrigation system in Kerala with a network of canals. This reservoir is in a majestic setting. It is located in the Western Ghats with the Ghats towering over the reservoir. The landscape by the dam is green and incredibly beautiful. The Malampuzha Garden is located right by the dam. The reservoir created by the dam is used as a boating destination by many people including tourists.
Udan Khatola
The Udan Khatola is one of the most loved attraction at Malampuzha Gardens. It is the only Passenger Ropeway in South India and is a unique and impressive way to survey the scenery below. This ropeway allows you to travel above the garden, at a height of 60 feet. This height allows you to have a fantastic look at the green garden below, but also of the impressive Western Ghats. The ride is very safe and takes twenty minutes. The ride has two-seater chairs which are 64 in number. These have transparent hoods that provide both clear view of Malampuzha Gardens and safety as well. The cost for a ride ranges from Rs. 30 to Rs. 150, depending on your situation.
Yakshi Statue
The Yakshi Statue is yet another interesting feature in the Malampuzha area. It sits directly in the Malampuzha Gardens and is set off beautifully by the greenery that surrounds it. This statue is an enormous rock sculpture of Yakshi created by the renowned sculptor Kanai Kanhiraman. Yakshi is traditionally thought of as an enchantress, and this persona adds to the intrigue of this magnificent piece of art. To make this statue even more impressive, the entire huge piece was carved out of one single piece of granite. It definitely takes a master artist to manage creating such magnificence with only one huge piece of rock.
By: Archna Gupta
