Archive for the ‘Beaches in India’ Category
February 10th, 2007 | 
Author: Mr. Steven from Missouri, US have beautifully described the enchanting green paradise of India – Kerala. He explored the endearing place in the August 2004.
Kerala opens it’s magnificent gateways with love for the visitors. It is Beautifully located and wonderfully blessed with natural charisma, Kerala beholds spectacular magic.
In fact, I was mesmerized by the beauty of it’s virgin beaches and lush green wildlife sanctuaries. The colorful culture echo the melody of passion and desire to welcome relentless explorers like us. Kerala boost a rich folk tradition, of the volume and variety of its performing art. No other state could match the splendor and creativity of Kerala performing art.
I was specially impressed by the their cuisine- Sambhar and Dosa. What I liked in Kerala dishes is mildly falvoured, gently cooked and certain soft delicacies on the stomach.
I was enticed by Kerala
Kerala – an abode where heaven meets the Earth. A land of sparkling blue,enchanting green and houseboats. Popularly known as God’s own country , the land adorns serene beaches, emerald backwaters, lush hill station and exotic wildlife.
As I was too tired of my daily routine, I needed a decent break. I wanted to go to a place where I get the time and facilities to rejuvenate myself and Kerala was one such place where natural beauty and ayurveda provided me the healing touch that I needed.
The Path Taken !
Since there are very few international flights to Kerala, I decided to land on Mumbai airport and from there took a flight to Kerala. Kerala is well connected to New Delhi, Madras and Mumbai through railheads and airways.
The Resonance with the melody of Nature !!
Through various travel books that I read earlier, one thing became clear that Kerala endorses exotic beaches which one should definitely visit. As Kerala boasts a long coastline lined with the swaying coconut palms. Out of all the beaches I visited, Kovalam and Varkala beach had the most enthralling coast.
Be Wild !!!
Well! This land should have been called the Green land of India. Since 30 % of this exotic land is covered by forests, it houses some of the major major wildlife sanctuaries in India. I covered few of the leading wildlife sanctuaries like Periyar wildlife sanctuary , Eravikulam National Park and Parimbikulam Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Knowledge of Life !!!!
Ayurveda was one of the major thing that lured me to Kerala. Since I needed to rejuvenate from my monotonous life and 24 x 7 work routine, Ayurveda provided me with therapies that assisted me to recover from my hectic past.
Touch the Undiscoved Zone !!!!!
Kerala is quite famous for their backwaters and I was one of the lucky few in the world to actually experience the magic that they hold. The magic of ‘Kettuvallams’, a special type of houseboat, that provided with accommodation for a stay. The major towns and cities that endorses backwaters are Kollam, Alleppey, Kumarakom and Cochin.
Holidays in Kerala!
My trip to Kerala is one thing I am not going to forget all my life. In fact if God give me another chance to visit Kerala, I will not like to miss the opportunity. Today when I recall Kerala, I feel as if the green land again calls me with open arms.
The sensational coastlines, coconut, exotic beaches, rolling grasslands, Kettuvallams all give grand welcome to the magnificent land.
“What was the best thing in Kerala?” asked Mathew, my friend. “ Boat cruises”, I exclaimed. The backwaters indeed holds a distinct attraction to every visitor in Kerala.
I particularly liked Kettuvallams, the specially designed houseboat. I had an incredible experience when I sailed in those beautiful ornamented houseboats along the soothing water.
Memories to Cherish!
Another thing that attracted me was the greenery around. Since most of the Kerala is still covered with forests, the land boasts some of the very famous wildlife sanctuaries like Periyar. I couldn’t forget the boat safari which I took in Periyar wildlife Sanctuary. The animals were so near that I could have literally touched them. “Sher” yelled an Indian child in fear, all of us became cautious and soon found it was merely a wild dog.
Kerala is strikingly blessed by nature with lush vegetation, tranquil beaches, stunning mountains and hill stations.
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Konark Beach
Konark is the world famous site of the most exquisite Sun temple one can ever come across. The sqrawling beach at Konark is rated as one of the finest in the world. With a long stretch of clean sands and cool blue sea making rapids in rolling waves, the beach has its own lovely serenity.
Konark beach is calmer than the Puri beach, which tends to get very rough. However, the waters tend to be trickier – even strong swimmers need to be wary. The immense backdrop of the Sun Temple looks breathtaking when illuminated in the evening. Three kilometres away from the temple, you can either walk down or hire a bicycle or cycle-rickshaw to reach the beach. A walk along the beach is a pleasant exp
Miramar Beach
Miramar Beach is the nearest beach from the capital of the Goa, Panaji. The beach is just 3 km from Panaji in the north of the state and a km away from Dona Paula. It lies adjoining the estuary of the river Mandovi as it opens into the Arabian sea.
A lovely golden beach of soft sand girdled with palm trees, Miramar is one of the most popular beaches.It was originally known as the “Gasper Dias Beach”.From here one has an excellent view of the Aguada fort just across the river . If you wish to watch the sunset from Panaji then the best location would be this beach, which is fifteen minutes’ walk along the riverfront avenue called Dayanand Bandodker Marg.It is not a safe beach to swim. There is a strong undercurrent.
One can have an excellent view of Fort Aguada. Apart from its proximity to Panaji, it is very much commercialized and a large number of hotels and exclusive homes of Goa’s rich and famous stud the area. The beach is crowded with locals and tourists alike on most days.
The Palolem Beach
Palolem Beach is also known as “Paradise Beach”. This beach in south Goa is about a mile long and it provides idyllic scenery. The most idyllic beach of Goa, Palolem beach has a sweeping crescent of white sand, fringed by a sandy rim of coconut palms. It has a crescent shaped bay lined with swaying coconut palms hemmed by a pair of rocky crags. The white sand beach in an arc is picture perfect. The village located nearby has several cafes and souvenir stalls catering to day-trippers and vacationers who arrive in droves on sightseeing tours of the beaches. The beach still looks very virgin. Its unlike the beaches of North Goa, which are more or less full with dirt, filth and visitors.
Some of the major activities on Palolem beach can be Dolphin watching, beach activities, swimming and shopping. The resorts and other agents can book a good trip to the sea on a boat for dolphin watching. Shopping on the sea side markets of Palolem can be a fun, and the road side eateries offer a sumptous meal at a reasonably low price.
Arambol Beach
Arambol a small remote fishing village in Goa, lies 50kms from Panaji. The place has two beaches, more popular is the main beach (Harmal beach), the northernmost beach in Goa with clean sand, some bays and fresh water pools good for swimming. The beach is beautiful and the village is quiet and friendly, with just a few hundred locals mostly fishing people. The rocky headland or the cliffs near the beaches are popular for paragliding. The second, more picturesque beach lies beyond the rocky headband and can only be reached on foot and is bordered by steep cliffs on both sides.
Every tourists dream, the beautiful beach is secluded and has a primitive, untouched feel to it. The place is ideally peaceful allowing you to have a close experience of local life and culture. The relaxed environment coupled with peace and tranquility attracts many vacationers from other beaches of Goa.
Arambol is along the Goa border with its fresh water lagoon. Due to its isolation, some tourists has been unable to reach this beach.It is the 16-km-long sea beach. The main beach has adequate body surfing and there are several attractive bays a short walk to the north. Beyond an idyllic, rocky-bottomed cove, the trail emerges to a board strip of soft white sand hemmed in on both sides by steep cliffs.
Major Attractions
Chapora Fort
The Chapora fort is situated at a walking distance from the beach. It is a 500 years old fort, built by the Portuguese. The fort is sitated on a small hillock and is all built in red stones. The hilltop gives a splendid view of the Arabian sea, Vagator beach and the nearby villages. The fort utters the reminiscence of the old Portuguese times and promises a superb view of the sea and hills covered with coconut trees and rice fields. The remaining battlements and fortifications takes one down the historic era, into the times when Royalty ruled the Vagator hue.
Chapora Village
The Chapora village near the Vagator beach is delight to see. The village is true representative of the traditional life of the Goans. The main source of earning in the village has been Fishing. Life goes on peacefully in Chapora: with salty fishermen carrying home their heavy fishing nets and kids playing among the dry docked boats.
Shopping
Vagator is a very small village and as such doesn’t have much to offer by way of shopping except for a handful of shops selling handicrafts and clothes and a few other amenities. Apart from fish, one can buy artefacts like candelabras made of exquisite blue china woven baskets and earthen pots. People with sweet tooth get the chance to enjoy coconuts, bananas “Bebinca”, a Goan delicacy made from tender coconuts.
Vagator Beach
Location
Vagator beach is 25 Km from Panjim in North Goa.
The Vagator Beach
The picturesque Vagator beach, also called Vegator Beach, is a prime attraction in North Goa. The beach attracts visitors because of its pristine beauty, white sands and the nearby Chapora Fort. The nearby Chapora village is another attraction, as the rural life here reflects the real charm of Goa. Yet to be disturbed by the hustle and bustle of tourists, life goes on peacefully in and around Vagator Beach. Vagator is attractive little bay between rocky headlands with series of small beaches. Vagator beach is perfect for those who want to spend some silent moments with there loved ones in a secluded place. For the honeymooners, Vagator is a perfect place, due to its aloof locations and beautiful beach resort near the beach.
The long expansive coastline of Orissa houses the lively Puri beach with scintillating surf and rustic sands. Puri is an important pilgrimage centre, where thousands of devotees of Lord Jagannath gather every year for a sacred dip in the waters of the Bay of Bengal. However, the beauty of the beach invites many tourists and beach lovers to enjoy the pulsating sea and the golden sands.
The wide sprawling sands of the coast make the Puri beach ideal for beach sports. Swimming and water sports in the blue waters is recommended only if accompanied by a life guard, as the sea can be rough at times. The crowd at the beach consists of an amalgam of tourists, pilgrims and local fishermen. Fishermen with their catamarans and wide brimmed hats may offer curious tourists a ride on their boats.
An important event on the beach is the Puri Beach Festival, which is a celebration of Orissa’s arts and crafts and is a fun-lover’s fest. Held on the picturesque beach the festival stages events ranging from rock shows to fashion shows and different classical and folk dances of India along with a display of handicrafts, handlooms, cuisines and sand art. The festival never fails to delight locals and visitors alike, who overwhelmed by its charm can’t wait for the event to occur again the next year.
Other than the beach the important tourist attractions near it include the Lord Jagannath Temple and the chariot shaped Sun Temple at Konark, which stands around 35 kms. from Puri.
The Puri beach is located in the south-eastern state of Orissa facing the Bay of Bengal. It lies around 60 kms. from the capital of Orissa, Bhubaneshwar.