After visiting the most popular sights in Goa-  exploring Fort Aguada, strolling along the Anjuna Beach & the flea markets, going on a Dolphin cruise, and exploring Colva beach where I managed to let go of my fears and go para sailing, I was now eager to explore the other side to Goa- The Old Goa as it is called. Also known as Goa Velha ["Velha" in Portugese means Old], it is located on the banks of the River Mandovi  about 9 Kms Panaji, Goa’s Capital.

Anjuna beach

Riding the bus to Panaji, I chatted up with the lady sitting beside me asking her if she knew anything about this part of Goa. She went on to tell me that the town was once a major Portuguese stronghold and before that was the capital of Bijaipur Kingdom as well. But apparently, most of the forts, weaponry, and traces of the era gone by have gone missing with time. Even though there has been a decline in heritage over centuries, the town is well maintained, inspite of the large influx of visitors year round. “You should explore the churches and temples there” she said before going on her way.

I got off in Panaji where the tour guide reccomended by a friend waited. He took over from where the lady had left off to shed more light on the history behind Old Goa. “The town was earlier surrounded by a fortified wall with barracks, a hospital and the prison. Europeans who ruled the region have left behind quite an impression apart from architectural marvels. I will show you some of the famous churches in this region for you to understand better.”

Along the Mandovi River

Within minutes we were on a road flanked on either side by a Grand church. “On your right is the Basilica of Bom Jesus and across the road is the Se Cathedral. Why dont you go explore the Bom Jesus Basilica first?” he said before wandering off to chat with some friends.

Basilica of Bom Jesus is a Church marked as a World Heritage Site standing tall but without a towering cross on top. Apparently in its place was a Hindu temple which the portugese demolished to erect the church on.. And the cross they installed kept falling off due to natural calamities, till finally they realised something bigger was in power there and so the church stands tall without a Cross.

Basilica of Bom Jesus

The interiors are overwhelming, huge ceilings, beautiful art work.. its absolutely breathtaking. The church houses two chapels, a main altar, a sacristy and a belfry at the back. Apart from these, the church also has a rich collection of paintings related to various instances from the life of St. Francis Xavier.Altars dedicated to St. Michael and to Our Lady of Hope are also present .

The church houses the sacred relics of St. Francis Xavier, patron saint of Goa. St Francis Xavier is also known as “Goencho Saib” meaning “Lord of Goa”. The saint died while on a sea voyage to China on December 2,1552. In accordance with his wishes , his remains were transferred to Goa the following year. Before I knew it, nearly an hour had passed. Making my way out onto the street to explore the Se Cathedral I noticed the guide lost in conversation.

Se Cathedral 

Inside Se Cathedral

The largest church in Old Goa, Se Cathedral is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. This Renaissance cathedral was designed in the 16th century and took nearly 80 years to complete. I noticed there was only one  bell tower, apparently the other collapsed way back in 1776 when it was struck by lightening  The interiors are filled with intricate detailing, the focal point is the 249 feet long central nave and a gilded high altar dedicated to St. Catherine.As you walk around , you will see the 15 additional altars inside the cathedral. What a beautiful building that was. I could have spent all day there, but I was thirsty for more…

I quickly made an exit towards our vehicle only to find the guide waiting there for me. “Shall we go? I have few more surprises to show you”, he chirped! I wondered what could be more magical than these structures I had just visited…

Goa with its long stretches of beaches, blue ocean, and the plethora of activities has enough to keep visitors engaged for more than a few days. Stay at the Club Mahindra’s property in Varca Beach, wake up to the sound of the ocean, and soak in the sun and sand, the ideal way to unwind and have a blast! Wish to see, check this:

I’m reminiscing about the time  I spent traversing the famous backwaters of Kerala and discovering the ways of southern India. Through my rusty memory, I remember the tranquility of the waters, the countless coconut trees along the coast, and a beautiful evening sky.

Photo Credit:McKay Savage/Creative Commons

It’s hard to describe how a mountain child like me can be so fascinated by a water-logged channel in the backyard of Cochin. Think: a vast expanse of greenish-blue water, where the only ripples are those created by fish and ducks, and by the house boat on the deck of which you’re royally seated, greeted every now and then by a salty breeze. The palms occasionally give way to little coastal villages, one of which we stop at to watch elderly women weave ropes in their primitive ways.

Photo Credit: Christian haugen/Creative Commons

The landscape barely changes for hours, and yet my eyes remain fixated on the water and the horizon beyond. An aura of serenity establishes itself on the boat; no chatter, no movement, just a silent rowing to no destination.

As the sun spots dissolve on the deck, I watch the sun tease the sky with its colors, before rapidly sinking into the horizon. I have seen mountain sunsets, but watching the sun sink low enough to prove that the earth is round, is something else.

Photo Credit: Mikko Koponen/Creative Commons

At the first sign of darkness, stars fill the sky with their twinkling selves, and home-bound fishermen fill the backwaters with little boats and kayaks. Four years on, I can still reconstruct my memory of their darkened faces, their bright smiles, and their enthusiastic waves to us – travelers curiously discovering their  waters.

The backwaters of Kerala never seizes to amaze us, but there is more to Kerala than these endless waterways. When visiting Kerala, you should enjoy the beautiful  sights and sounds by staying at one of Club Mahindra’s properties across Munnar,  Ashtamudi, Poovar or Thekkady.

For example, have a view of the beautiful Club Mahindra Backwater Retreat – Ashtamudi, Kerala:

If you are visiting Coorg then do not forget to keep at least half day for a visit to Bylakuppe. It is a Tibetan settlement about 40kms away where the Indian government had leased 3,000 acres of land to the fleeing Tibetans in 1961. It consists of two Tibetan refugee settlements that were setup in 1961 and 1969 respectively and has now grown into a full-fledged town housing the largest Tibetan population outside of Dharamsala in India.

It is the largest Tibetan community in exile with about 40,000 people in five settlements containing monasteries, kindergarten to higher level secondary schools, health care clinics, a hospital and a traditional Tibetan medical facility. The ‘Lugsum Samdupling’ settlement established in 1961 has grown to a veritable township with monasteries, nunneries and cafes and stalls that showcase the Tibetan way of life.

As you near the settlement you will find monks in robes zipping past on two wheelers. Makes one wonder – what’s the hurry for the monks? Ah well, the monks here are well rooted in tradition and well connected with all modern technology too. You will see monks chatting away on a mobile phone in one hand and rolling beads on his rosary in another!

The most visited temple here is Namdroling (The Golden Temple) and the signage is loud and clear. And of course you can spot it from afar. Three beautiful larger than life gold plated statues look down at visitors above the altar. Buddha around 60 feet tall holds prominent place, flanked by Guru Padmasambhava and Amitayush (each around 58 feet tall). The walls are adorned with colourful paintings depicting gods and demons from Tibetan Buddhist mythology. The entrance has a curtain of beads which is the favourite of kids who love going in and out.

The monastery attached to this temple is considered to be one of the best places for higher learning. This monastery dedicated to the teachings of Palyul Lineage of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism was established by His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche shortly after he came to India from Tibet. A long, leisurely visit to the Namdroling monastery would take up almost half a day. If you are lucky you will witness a prayer chanting session in one of the temples and it is a ‘must experience’. Rows of monks will sit and start chanting from their books and a couple of them will blow wind instruments while there will be another who will play the cymbals. All this will be accompanied by the rhythmic beat of the drums.

The exterior of the new Zangdokpalri temple looks majestic with a majestic rainbow arch. We are so used to being told not to photograph the idols in temples, that the ready willingness of the monks to let the idols in their temples being photographed is such a pleasant and welcome surprise. Most of the monks when approached are very friendly and ready to talk and answer all your question about their life there or Buddhism. It is almost like visiting a foreign country in your own!

There is a large parking area near the Golden Temple. A shopping arcade next to it houses many curios shops and restaurants.

Getting there: Bylakuppe is situated on the state highway 88. The nearest town for Bylakuppe is Kushal Nagar. Auto-rickshaw is the best mode for a trip to the Golden Temple from Kushalnagar. There are frequent buses shuttling between Mysore and Madikeri and you can get down at Kushalnagar.

Club Mahindra has a beautiful resort in Coorg and Bylakuppe is not too far away from our property.  Enjoy your visit to the coffee country with us and  plan a visit to Bylakuppe at your leisure.
Watch this video to experience the destination more.

There’s something about sleepy Puducherry or Pondicherry that draws me to it over and over again! For most people one visit is enough to look around and soak in the atmosphere of this laidback former French colony. For me, every visit only makes my heart grow fonder. The beauty of Pondicherry lies in the way it straddles two very distinct cultures with complete ease. Be prepared to hear native Tamilians converse in fluent French as you walk down the streets. Ask their names and expect to be even more surprised because names like Brutus Vivek are not uncommon in this part of the country.

It never ceases to amaze me how French and Tamilian cultures have come together and coexisted so beautifully. The Sri Aurobindo ashram is probably the most visited piece of real estate in the city. Years go by, but the ashram remains the same – a place of universal acceptance and abundant peace. A few minutes spent there will soothe your nerves. Walk across to the Manakula Vinayagar Koil to visit the temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha or just go there to see Lakshmi – the temple elephant. Lakshmi is always surrounded by locals and tourists some seeking her blessings, and some just enjoying watching her antics.

Both the temple and ashram are located in the French quarter of Pondicherry – the part of town that still has magnificent French style villas and where street names begin with “Rue” meaning street or road in French. Magnificent doorways peeping out from under a curtain of bougainvillea in full bloom welcome you instead of a regular metal gate. With imposing walls and long windows with grills, it’s practically impossible to take a peek inside, making these houses and their residents even more fascinating. You can walk around and take as many photos as you like, as the inhabitants of these villas take no offence. In fact, across the city, you are most likely to be greeted by smiling faces and people who will stop by to chat or help.

No one is in a hurry in Pondicherry. Rest is not frowned upon and afternoon siestas are a norm. As evening sets in, the seaside promenade comes alive. Crowded and full of vendors trying hard to make a sale, I prefer a walk by the sea in the mornings when it is calmer. French cuisine is well known the world over, but again considering its Pondicherry we are in, even French cuisine has been strongly influenced by the local culture. Known as Franco-Tamilian cuisine, you can sample this at the many cafes and restaurants located in the French quarter. Seafood lovers are in for a special treat. Different people visit Pondicherry for different reasons. Whatever it is that draws you to the city, you will definitely leave a calmer and rejuvenated person. There’s something in the air. While it’s hard to describe what this magical thing is, it’s a total pleasure to experience!

Club Mahindra has a beautiful resort- the Club Mahindra Big Beach Resort in Pondicherry. Make sure to experience the property when you plan your trip to Pondicherry.

Kerala is well known for its inland waterways, spread out lakes, free flowing rivers and beautiful lagoons. One amongst them is the famous eight coned lake called Ashtamudi which gets its name due to its topography. Ashtamudi is the second largest wetland ecosysytem in Kerala after the Vembanad lake. With its eight corners, the lake is often referred to as the octopus.

I had this wonderful opportunity to spend a weekend at Club Mahindra’s new resort besides the Ashtamudi lake. The resort is situated a few kilometers away from the national highway to Thiruvananthapuram. A detour from Neendakara took me to the beautiful Ashtamudi resort.  With its well paved walkways, beautiful rooms facing the peaceful lake and the exciting floating reataurant this resort is well recommended for a relaxing holiday. The resort also has a kid’s play area, a few hammocks for the lazy bugs, a library and an huge boat jetty for the boats to pick you up. There are also options for canoeing and the Kettuvellom ride.

I found the floating restaurant to be quite fascinating and the mouth watering lunch made it all the more memorable. However, the disappointing fact was that they did not serve liquor and the reason was, they were yet to receive the license for the same. Hopefully it would be done the next time am there. A heavy lunch followed by a stroll through the walkway and a nap on the hammock made my holiday a relaxing one. I got hold of a book and made myself comfortable on the hammock. With the gentle breeze and the serene lake for company I enjoyed my solitude moments.

After a hot cup of coffee I headed to the boat jetty for a sunset boat ride on the Ashtamudi. The lovely boat ride took me past the swaying coconut trees, the colourful boats and numerous Chinese fishing nets. We had a close look at the fisherman who were pulling up the huge fishing nets and smiling at us. The boatman also took us closer to the homes of the people living besides the lake for whom the lake has become a part of their life.

As we cruised ahead we saw a couple of small islands in the middle of the lake. Munroe island is supposedly the most famous of the lot. The resort also provides boat rides to the island in the mornings. I had to miss out on it because mine was the sunset ride. The lake is also a good option for bird watching as there were numerous storks which had come visiting the place. Neendakara bridge was the last point on our journey before we returned back to the resort. This is the point where the octopus melts itself into the lap of the Arabian Sea. When we touched the place we could see the Arabian sea in the distance and the beautiful sun setting over the horizon. As we started our return ride we had lots of fishermen for company who were returning back after the day’s catch. With a beautiful day coming to an end, we witnessed a colourful sunset. Infact I had never seen a sunset more colourful than this one. The sky almost matched the colours on the palette of an artist. Simply mesmerising…!!

After a quiet dinner besides the lake and a peaceful sleep that night, I headed back to Cochin the next morning. For travelers who plan to have a relaxed holiday, I would suggest this lovely resort besides the Octopus.

Almost every hill station in India – be it Shimla  or Darjeeling tell the same story. Lush and plentiful in summer with snow kissed conifers carpeted on their slopes in winters, these towns have been plucked   out of nature by the British. The quaint names, a sleepy railway station, an ancient church , a club and the palatial bungalows are all reminiscent of the old world charm.

If you take a leisurely walk down the malls and markets of these towns, they still smack of the colonial legacy. These hill stations were dubbed the summer capitals of the Britishers who lorded over them for several  years. And yet, one little hill station stands apart from the rest, defying the colonial hangover . It owes its existence on the political and tourist maps to an Indian ruler who made it his summer capital. This is the story of Chail , a town barely 45 kms from Shimla in Himachal Pradesh .

Located at a higher altitude than Shimla, the story goes that the Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala made Chail his summer capital when the British barred him from entering  Shimla. Although the conflict was not on military grounds, the story goes that the Maharaja was romancing a daughter of Lord Kitchener, who was then the Commander in Chief of the British army. The Maharaja decided to give the British a fitting reply and went on to create his own summer capital in Chail.  He first built a palace near Khandaghat  called Chail View Palace and then  built a road to Chail and finally his own summer retreat in this little town surrounded by deodar forests. Ironically Chail itself had been gifted to the Maharaja by the Britishers earlier .

The Maharaja was an avid cricketer and had captained many an Indian team besides playing several first class matches himself .  He left Chail a trophy – a cricket ground which has the highest ever pitch located at 2140 metres and it doubled up as a polo ground as well.

Like many Indian towns , Chail has its own share of myths and legends. We visited a temple dedicated to a saint, Sidh Baba built on a hillock by the king. The locals believe that the king had planned to build his palace here earlier , but the seer had visited him in his dream and asked him to choose another location.

Nevertheless, the Maharaja couldn’t have found a better place to create his summer capital. With the Himalayas in the background and the valley beneath,  the river flowing down and three dense hillocks covered with deodar forests, Chail looked every bit a royal capital. The lights of Shimla and Kasauli came up  as I stood there for awhile watching the sun went down. Chail had indeed come a long way from an idyllic hamlet to a royal seat and now a tourist resort .

This story was published in The Hindu , as part of the author’s column, Inside Story

Club Mahindra has a lovely resort in Mashobra , near Shimla and the author was invited to the property as part of a blogger’s trip

Udaipur is the lake city of Rajasthan.  Most of the state might be a desert, but Udaipur, with its five huge interconnected lakes is blessed with not just a perennial water supply, but the lakes also keep the city and its environment cool, even in the sweltering heat of summer! The city draws not just crowds of tourists coming from across the world for a glimpse of its magnificent palaces, but also droves of migratory birds drawn by the lakes! The city is thus an interesting blend of history and nature, well worth a leisurely visit. While there is much to see and do in Udaipur, here are some things you should not miss –

   1. Take a leisurely walk around the Fateh Sagar Lake….

Visit the garden amidst the lake and watch the sun set over the water… as well as birds returning home.  In winter, the garden hosts numerous migratory birds, but even in peak summer, we saw scores of birds, especially lapwings, nesting.

While there, also pay a visit to the museum dedicated to Maharana Pratap. While the museum is mostly about the battle of Haldighati, what we especially enjoyed were the miniature models of the Kumbhalgarh and Chittorgarh forts!

2. Visit the city palace and museum and take one of the complete tour packages… and spend the entire day amidst relics of a bygone era….. the palace is well preserved and provides a glimpse into the life of the royal family in days gone by….

While there, don’t miss the crystal gallery! Can you imagine sofas and beds all made out of crystals? No? Just visit the crystal gallery…. Also included in the complete package

Go for a boat ride on Lake Picchola to wrap up the experience!

3. Ride the cable car to the Karni Mata Temple… Not spiritually inclined? Doenst matter! The view is worth the ride!!

4.      Visit the Sajjangad Fort

Located within the wildlife sanctuary, the fort is the only monument in  the area not maintained by the royal family, but by the ASI. Don’t expect the richness and the opulence visible at the other palaces , but this fort is still worth a visit, for its enviable rain water harvesting system designed over 500 years ago! Talk to one of the guides and they may just take you on a bike ride into the forest, and show you the towers built for the hunting kings and small palaces built for queens to watch the hunting!

5. Wind up your day with the Sound and Light show at the City palace.  Conducted in English during the peak season and Hindi during off-season, the story of the Mewar Rajputs is recited in a captivating manner. Listening to the stories of the kings, queens and their struggles, it is impossible not to get involved. There was not a dry eye at the end! And the palace looks magnificent, all lit up!

Rediscover , relax and rejuvenate yourself in Club Mahindra’s  Kumbalgargh property in Rajasthan

(This is an unedited, true account of courage exhibited by the staff of Mahindra Holidays at the Zest Big Beach resort, Puducherry which was almost ravaged by Cyclone Thane that hit the shores of Tamil Nadu recently. Written by Mr. Rajesh Shah, a member.)

——

This message is for all the teams of Mahindra Holidays and Zest including to the Chairman – Mr. Anand Mahindra

My family and I were among the few guests who were in Zest Big Beach Puducherry on the night of 29th December, 2011

I would like to thank the EXCELLENT STAFF of ZEST PUDUCHERRY for their excellent beyond Human efforts to all the guests who where in Zest Puducherry on 29th Night, 2011 the night when Cyclone Thane hit Puducherry.

1. The staff was so good that they took effort in the storm to go room to room to check the guests even though it was nearly impossible to walk in that wind force – more importantly the Tin roof sheets were flying around like knives in the air travelling at high speeds.

2. The staff got food to every room in that storm.

3.  They cleared all rooms on the 1st floors and managed to house many guests in ground floor rooms with the help of many guests in ground floor rooms and in the banquet halls which was created into a shelter.

4. The Chefs and catering staff served food and drinks non stop to all the guests in the Banquets which was truly commendable.

5. Even in these hard moments the Magician took all the kids around him and was showing them tricks for them not to fear the cyclone.

6. At 11.00 AM in the morning after the Storm passed but still in difficult conditions more than 25 ~ 30 staff of Big Beach Zest (and i was told even an HR manager was with them doing this) and few guests took to the roads and started clearing the roads with what ever tools were available with them. I think these people were the key to so many guests being able to leave Zest before night fall and these people need special applauds and appreciation.

7. I was one of the guest who was on the road clearing the trees, pulling ropes and taking pictures and the conditions – high wind force and heavy rains were making the conditions very bad to even stand on the road with umbrella’s but the staff were so much focused that they worked in these unbelievable conditions.

We as guests had a motive to work and clear the roads so that we could go home but to see the motivation of the staff of Zest Big Beach to ensure that happened was absolutely fantastic. In heavy rains and winds they cut trees, pulled trees aside, entered pools of water without fear of snakes / inspects, climbed atop transformers, removed electrical wires and transformers in the side to make way for vehicles to pass.

I truly hope that in the wake of this event ALL THE STAFF OF ZEST BIG BEACH Puduchery are truly rewarded for their efforts and none are laid off due to the reconstruction efforts of this resort. These people

Another suggestion would be to replace the TIN ROOF Sheets with Solid Roofs.

Thanks & Regards

Rajesh Shah
Member

The majestic cobra woven around what looked like a torch stood out against the pale yellow background. Sharing space on the wall was another painting that reminded me of a rainbow or maybe a hippie. Must be because of all the vibrant colours splashed on the canvas.  I was in Auroville near Pondicherry, except this time i had decided to explore the place little more than usual. Curious to know the artist’s name, i peered into the canvas when a voice resounded in my ear, “These are by Hufreesh Dumasia, she is from the Auroville village” she said before i could strike up a conversation. Minutes later, i spotted her speaking to a lady. Beckoning me with the wave of a hand, she introduced me to the other lady saying she was the one who had created the masterpieces on display.

Striking up a conversation, i learnt that hailing from Mumbai, Hufreesh is one of the artists who has made Auroville their home. She came here to pursue higher studies, but today has settled here and has initiated a project with the sole focus of bringing together artist from various corners of the country and the world. She is keen on spreading the value of art and its role in a community life.

Auroville is a township created by The Mother to unite people of the world, and there are many who have made this village their home. They work, contribute towards the upkeep and sanctity of the place apart from pursuing interesting careers like art, music, dance and teaching languages to students from around the town.

Hufreesh mentioned there were quite a few who were very talented, had been painting for years and  have had shows across the world. “I am so much at peace and have begin to look forward to every day since moving to Auroville. My life before was such a stark contrast. Now when i pick up an empty canvas, i simply let my mind wander, i don’t have an agenda, i don’t have any ideas, i just let my hand weave the magic” she chirps with a big smile lighting up her face. Before i could ask her more, she was called away dashing off with a “Au Revoir” [Good bye in French].

Everytime i have made a trip down to Pondicherry, i have spent a couple of hours at Auroville. But this was the 1st time i had wanted to do something different and meeting a resident of the village was definitely a surprise rendezvous. I spent a few minutes looking around at the other paintings before walking down the path towards the Matri Mandir. The gentle drizzle and silence around made it quite an experience.I got back to the parking lot wondering if there was a way for me to spend some time in this Auroville village!

Club Mahindra has a beautiful resort- the Club Mahindra Big Beach Resort in Pondicherry. Make sure to experience the property when you plan your trip to Pondicherry.

Our journey into Coorg’s heritage takes us on a spiritual quest – atop mountains, inside forests and coffee estates and by the river side.  These are temples etched in the cultural landscape of the Kodavas, although some of them will never find mention in any religious texts.

It is misty as we climb a small hilltop to the Padi Iguthuppa temple in Kakkabe. The bells start ringing the moment we enter the temple , as a gentle breeze blows from the rolling hills around. A group of Kodava women enter and speak with the priest Kush Bhat who welcomes us and insists that we stay over for lunch. “ No one comes to the Iguthuppa temple and goes away without eating lunch ,” he says. He explains that Iguthappa means giver of food and the deity is a form of Subramanya or Muruga, son of Shiva

“Close your eyes and ask Iguthappa whatever you want ..If you have faith, you will get the same,” says Kush Bhatt adding that centuries ago, Shiva and Subramanya came here and loved the hills so much that they decided to settle down here . The temple is known to feed anyone who comes here and all pilgrims offer food, not money to the deity . “Iguthappa told the people of Coorg that you will never go hungry as long as Im here and if you accept me as your God, ” explains Kush Bhatt. Some call him a saint, some say he is one of the four brothers who settled in the hills around the area. But despite the legends, every festival of the Kodavas starts with the invocation of Iguthappa and the  most important festival of the temple is Tulabharam .

We go to the another Iguthappa temple in Naljee, inside a forest through a lush coffee plantation . There is not a soul around and it is peaceful just listening to the sounds of the forest. These monuments are probably lost to the average tourist , but as a traveler, I realize that one finds sanctity in the silence around them

Club Mahindra has a wonderful resort in Coorg and make sure you get an experience of mystical Coorg when you visit them next