St Mary’s islands are a group of islands that rests just a few miles off the coast of Malpe, Udupi. These islands are also known as coconut islands due to tall coconut trees that beautify one of the isles. North Island, South Island, Coconut Island, and Darya Bahadurgarh island together make the stunning St Mary’s islands. As you walk into the islands bluish saline water, white sands, seashells, tall green coconut tree, and basaltic rocks seems to be taking you into a different world altogether.

Basaltic Columnar Rocks, St Mary\’s Island

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Besides all this, what makes this a top-notch destination is the distinctive geological formation of basaltic Columnar rocks that are hexagonal in shape. Scientifically, basalts here are formed due to subvolcanic activity that took place millions of years ago. Similar kinds of rock formation traces can also be seen in the Madagascar region of Africa. Hence, it is believed that Madagascar was attached to India before the rift separated them millions of years ago, due to subvolcanic activity.

In fact, this unique rock formation is what made this place a geological monument of Karnataka and India.

Vasco Da Gama Visit in 1498 to St Mary\’s Island

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As per the folklore, Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama had made a pitstop in these islands before reaching Calicut in Kerala. Apparently, it was he who fixed a Cross and named it” El  Padrao De Santa Maria” meaning mother Mary. Hence, the island is known as “St. Mary’s”.

Things To Do In Thensopar Islands

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One of the best places to sight the birds and click some nice pics of them. You can easily spot birds like  Brahminy kites, Seagulls, Egrets, and Sandpipers flying over you. 

You can try out beach hiking, which trails through formations of rocks,  green vegetations, and virgin beaches. Usually, it would take about 90 minutes to go exploring around the islands.

Camping at night is not allowed as the Arabian sea turns violent after the sun dips down the horizon. 

How To Reach The Coconut Islands?

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The only way you can reach these islands is through the ferries that are available in Malpe beach or fishing harbor. And the ferries don’t operate during monsoon from mid-June to September.

St Mary\’s Island Information:

Ferry timings: 9 Am to 5 Pm

Ferry Cost:  Rs 300/ person.

Ride Time: 30 minutes one side.

Best Time To Visit: Oct To March

Also read :

Karwar the Kashmir Of Karnataka.

Now you will be wondering, why are these people even stressing on a small thing like bring a tiffin box. And, how does it even make a difference on a trek or trip?

Yes, we do agree it is a small thing, but there are a lot of benefits attached to it, that no one sees.

Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together- George Eliot

We see a lot of trippers who talk about being responsible or sustainable or traveling without causing any harm to nature. But, when it comes to following simple steps to make travel responsible, most people don’t do it. Some trippers in trip even go to the next level pointing fingers at others telling they are not doing it, why should we?

Before every trip, we insist trippers carry their tiffin boxes or cutleries with them. From what we know, except for a handful of trippers, no one gets it. In simple words, they don’t realize the huge difference they bring to the table when they get their own boxes.

Here are the benefits that you get, when you are carrying a tiffin box while trekking.

Why Do We ask Trekkers To Bring Tiffin Box On Trek?

By Bring Tiffin Box On Trek We Can Reduce production of waste 

So, how on earth does the use of a tiffin box reduce waste production during the trek?

Here is an illustration to show how much waste is produced, just by not using tiffin boxes during our treks.

We usually organize tours to a group of 20 trippers to offbeat or lesser-known destinations, where there won’t be many facilities. Most of the time, the destinations won’t even have a proper hotel or restaurant. So, we will have to carry packed lunch, which means a lot of plastic covers or aluminum foils or disposables will be in use. By using packed foods even a small group of 20 has the potential to generate a substantial amount of trash that can harm the environment.

Sometimes, trippers even throw away wastes amidst nature, even after telling them not to do so.

Just by getting an airtight box, you can reduce the use of plastic or aluminum foils. Not just that, the chance of you throwing the waste also comes down drastically. Try getting dry fruits, snacks, or energy bars in the tiffin box and completely avoid plastic packed materials.

Some Benefits of waste reduction

Firstly, the waste reduction will lessen the waste going down to landfills, Besides this, it will lessen the use of natural resources, reduce pollution, and reduce the carbon emission due to production, transportation, and recycling.

Climate Change Due to Waste Production.

Mostly climate changes are caused due to the result of human activities and more waste production. We have already done enough damage to mother earth, which out realizing that it harms us indirectly. At least now we have to correct it, if not now, then no one can save us or our planet.

Carrying a tiffin box is sure to put down the waste production to a great extent. So, after reading this and getting to know the benefits, we hope you will definitely carry boxes to your next trek.

Note: Stainless steel boxes are easy to clean as well.

Tiffin Box Can Be Reused In Many Ways During Trek

  • During the long trek, you won’t be able to carry water cans all the way. In this kind of situation, you can use tiffin boxes to boil water before drinking. Boiling water is a necessity as chances of getting a throat infection is more if you drink without boiling.
  • Tiffin Boxes can be used instead of plates, to eat food.
  • It can be used to cook simple food like Maggie even to prepare coffee.
  • In most of the treks, forest officers would never allow you to carry any snacks packed in plastic covers. In such a case, you can use it to carry snacks along with you

Steel boxes would keep food fresh for a few hours

During your long trek, these boxes help you by keeping the food fresh and hot at least for 6 hours.

Sharing food and socializing

One of the best ways to make friends is by sharing whatever food you got with co-travelers. Food has got so much power in it as it always gets people together and makes everyone happy. It is a similar concept to that of what we did in school days, that is we shared food with classmates and made friends.

As some people say” Food is love made visible”.it is absolutely true when we start sharing food.

Carry Steel Tiffin boxes and spoons as they are Chemical Free

In most of the cases, when hotel people are packing lunch, they pack the hot food in a plastic foil. Hot foods can melt the plastic foil and without realizing how harmful it is, we will be eating food along with plastic. Usually, plastics are made up of chemical and these chemicals can cause cancer. So, by using steel tiffin boxes we are making sure we will remain healthy.

Hygiene has become a priority after Corona’s outrage

After Coronavirus started spreading, hygiene has become a priority among many people. So, you can use a lunch box to eat food instead of a plate when in homestays. Because most of the time, we never know how well the plates are cleaned and moreover plenty of people would use the same plate. Hence, try using your tiffin boxes as it will be cleaned by you and no one other than you will touch or uses it. This makes your box completely safe.so, wherever you are heading carry your box to stay healthy.

Conclusion

So just by bring a tiffin box on a trek can impact in a positive way to safeguard the environment. Imagine, what if we followed all responsible travel ways, then for sure our planet would turn into heaven.

Disclaimer: Here we are only referring to the Stainless steel OR Thermosteel tiffin boxes.

Also Read:

Things To Know Before You Go Out To Camp.

Badami is a small temple town that is nestled near a ravine with rocky sandstone hills on either side. This town is located in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka and it is home to iconic rock-cut cave temples. Formerly known as the “Vatapi Badami” was once the capital of the mighty Chalukyan kingdom from 5 to 7 centuries. Later, the city changed hands from Rashtrakutas to Hoysalas, Vijayanagar dynasty, The Marathas,  and even Adil Shahi dynasty. But it still retains the label of Chalukya Kingdom due to their great contributions.

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Most of the structures are created using sandstone and date back to the 6th century. The temples are built in the Dravidian style of architecture which had traces of North as well as south India. Badami owes its complete credit to the Chalukyan rulers who made this place look nothing short of heaven.

There are forts on a hilltop, rock-cut cave temples, Bhutanatha group of temples, Jain temples, and Agastya lake that take you back to a different era. You can spot a lot of temples dedicated to Shiva as  Shiva was the family deity of the Chalukyan family. 

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Best Places To Visit In Badami

Badami cave temples

There are four caves, three of the caves are dedicated to Hindu temples and one to a Jain temple. You need to take a small flight of stairs to reach these caves.

Cave 1:

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This cave is dedicated to Lord Shiva. You can spot carvings of dancing Shiva (Nataraja) in different poses along with Ganesh and Karthikayas carvings.on the walls.

Cave 2:

You can spot life-size structures of Vishnu in the form of Trivikrama, Vamana, and Lord Krishna.

Cave 3:

The largest cave among all the caves in Badami. It has the lord Vishnu as the main deity. Carvings of half shiva and half Vishnu structure is the famous one in the room.

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Cave 4:

This is the smallest cave among all and is dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras. You can witness a lot of figures that belong to Jainism.

Not just this, there is another cave that was discovered recently. And, this cave is just 500 m away from Bhutanatha temples and is studded with 27 Hindu sculptures.

Badami Fort

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The fortress is perched on the clifftop that sits opposite to the famous Badami caves. This fort was built by Chalukya ruler Pulakesi in the year 543 AD. You need to hike through the steep step-like structures to reach the top. The Fort is studded with two very old Shivalayas, double fort walls, a watchtower, and a huge cannon that watches the town. Malegitti Shivalaya near the summit is the oldest as well as the most famous one. Sunsets are pleasant as the rocky boulders blush and red sandstones glitter when the rays hit them.

Bhutanatha group of temples

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These temples are situated on the banks of Agastya lake or thirtha, adjacent to the cave temples. Bhutanatha temples are built using local sandstone and most of the shrines here are dedicated to Lord Shiva. Emerald green colored Agastya lake is formed by water flowing from the top of a ravine.

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If you love rock climbing then this place got to be on the top of your list. Climbing a red sandstone hill that is almost vertical is sure to satisfy the adventurer in you.

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Also Read:

Bijapur The Architectural Marvel Of Karnataka.

Karwar is a laid back coastal town, located at 15 km from Goa border, in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, Popularly known as the “ Kashmir of Karnataka \’\’ by the locals. This place is all about picture-perfect landscapes, untouched islands, pristine beaches, scenic sunsets, sandbanks in winter, lush green mountains, historical sights, lip-smacking coastal delicacies, and serene surroundings. Besides this, it is surrounded by beauties like the Arabian sea, Western ghats, and river Kali, which elevates this destination to the next level.

Karwar is one of the greenest cities across India, hence it is considered as one of the best ecotourism centres. Most people in this region are into fishing and agriculture. Interestingly, Karwar gets its name from a nearby village called “Kadwad”, which is a Konkani word, Kad” means last and “Wad” means area. Since, this place is in the corner, where river Kali meets the Arabian sea. During ancient times this city was used for Seatrade and spice trade by Britishers, Portuguese, French, and Dutch. It is a multicultural destination with Kannada, Konkani and Marathi speaking people living together by spreading prosperity across.

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If legends are to be believed, then Rabindranath Tagore had spent some quality time with his brother and penned a few poems here. Hence, a beach has been named after him as gratitude. 

Best Places To Visit In Karwar

 Sadashivgad Fort Karwar

Fort was built by Rajah Basavalinga of Sonda dynasty in the year 1715 on top of a hillock. Later, it changed hands from Marathas, Portuguese, Dutch, and finally to Britishers. This historic site is amidst the thick green forest, where River Kali meets the Arabian sea.it.Hence, it offers a stunning view of landscapes around it and dramatic sunsets that take the breath away. It also houses a Durga Devi temple which was built during ancient times.

Guddalli Peak Trek In Karwar

Standing tall at 1800 ft above sea level, this is the topmost spot of Karwar. You need to trek for 6 km in the dense forest to reach the peak. The view of Bluish Arabian sea on one side and laidback town on the other side from the top is true bliss. Make sure you are on the peak before 6 Pm to watch the huge fireball taking a dip in the Arabian sea.

Devbagh Beach Karwar

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Undoubtedly, one of the most scenic beaches with blueish water, golden sand, casuarina trees, seagulls flying over you, and long stretched beach. Devbagh beach is sandwiched between evergreen western ghats and the Arabian sea, which adds to enormous beauty to it. This beach is located near the junction where the Arabian sea meets River Kali. If you are lucky, then you can spot sandbanks at Devbagh beach during winter. Lastly, never miss the sun bidding adieu for the day by slowing hiding behind the beautiful Kurumgad Islands 

Furthermore, this beach is also famous for water activities like snorkelling, surfing, banana boat rides and scuba diving.

Kurumgad Island

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Untouched tortoise shaped island visible from almost all the beaches in Karwar. Kurumgad islands are just 1 km from Devbagh beach and you need to rent a boat to reach the islands.

The island is home to the famous Narasimha temple which is visited by thousands of devotees every year. You can try fishing, trekking, snorkelling, and stroll through the deserted lighthouse present on the island.

Warship Museum

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INS Chapal a warship of Indian Navy is decommissioned and is converted into a museum. This warship museum is located on the Rabindranath Tagore beach in Karwar. You can spot mannequins dressed-up as sailors, captains, and ship crew on the outside of the ship. On the other hand replicas of many missiles that were used during wars are displayed inside the ship. Not just this. It also showcases the Karwars aquatic life with a wide variety of fishes displayed inside huge aquariums.

Warship Museum Timings: 9 Am to 8 Pm on all days.

Karwar Port

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Kawar has a weather natural post that spreads across 355 metres. And, it has the capacity to accommodate two ships at a time. You will get permission to visit the port any time of the day except for when the ships are loading or unloading the goods.

Shadashivgad fort, Devbagh Beach, Guddalli peak, Kurumgad Island,  Karwar port, Manjali beach,  Tilmati beach,  and Warship museum are some of the places that got to be on your list when you head to Karwar next time. And, if you are an adventure freak, then there is a huge list of things you can try like snorkelling, scuba diving, surfing, banana boat rides, and jet scooter rides.

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Indeed, this place is for people who want to stay away from crowds and relax on pristine beaches. And, not for people who want to party all day, like in Goa.

Also Read:

Bijapur The Architectural Marvel Of Karnataka

Historically rich city Bijapur (or Vijayapura) is known for its Humongous medieval monument, which is an epitome of Deccan’s Islamic era. Kalyani Chalukyas laid foundations in this city during the 10th to 11th centuries. Later, it was followed by Yadhavas, Sultanate of Delhi, Bahamani rulers,  Shah dynasty, Mughals, Nizams of Hyderabad, Marathas, and Britishers who added their bits and pieces to develop this town. But, Bijapur owes to the Shah dynasty rulers who made this place their capital from the 15th to 17th century and made way for beautiful Structures that have stood the test of times. Because of the architectural significance, it upholds. Bijapur is called the “Agra Of South India”. 

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Vijayapura is blessed with ancient monuments, mosques,  palaces, mausoleums, tombs, and fortifications. Amongst those, Gol Gumbaz remains the most iconic structure of Bijapur. Just a glimpse of these magnificent structures in the city will take you back in time to medieval eras.

 

Bijapur The Architectural Marvel Of Karnataka

Gol Gumbaz, Bijapur

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Gol Gumbaz is a tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah, the seventh ruler of the Adil Shah empire. Yaqut of Dabul constructed this monument in the Deccan Indo Islamic style of architecture and completed it in 1656. Apparently, it took nearly 30 years to complete it. Gol Gumbaz derives its name from “Gol Gobadh” or “Gola Gummata” which literally means circle Circular dome. It has the largest dome in India with a diameter of 144 ft and it is the 2nd largest dome in the world. Along with Mohammed Adil Shah, this place is also home to the remains of his wives and daughters.

Ibrahim Rauza,Bijapur

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Popularly known as “ The Taj Mahal of Deccan India” due to its resemblance to the actual one. Ibrahim Rauza or Roza is home to the remains of Adil Shah ruler Ibrahim and his wife Taj Sultana. Malik Sandal designed the Rouza in the Persian Islamic style of architecture and completed it in 1627. Laidback corridors, tall minarets, and decorated walls, with a mosque on right and tomb on left, make Ibrahim Rouza look great.

The Citadel or Fortress

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 The Citadel has a lofty stone wall and a deep moat filled with water to strengthen the defense system. In addition to that, this fortress houses the palaces, gardens, and durbar halls that belonged to Adil shah rulers. Bara Kaman, Gagan Mahal, Satmanzil, Jalamanzil, and Durbar Hall are some of the beautiful architectural marvels inside the fortress.

Gagan Mahal

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Adil Shah 1 built the Gagan Mahal (Sky Palace) in the year 1561. This place was used as the residence of the royals, as well as  Durbar or audience hall on the ground floor by the rulers. Gagan Mahal is famous for its majestic central arch and it is the tallest arch in and around the city.

Delicacies Of Bijapur

 Vijayapura is also popular for mouth-watering local north Karnataka delicacies. Never miss a chance to have  Akki Rotis or Jolada Roti with chutney powders, Kaipalya and Kalu Palya.

The list does not end here, there is so much to see and experience in the ancient and historic city of Bijapur. So, what are you waiting for, just pack your backpacks and revisit the history in its truest form?

Also Read:

Hemakuta Hills- The Architectural Wonder Of Hampi

 Remember there are 2 things you need to consider before you start your trek. Firstly, it is your safety and secondly, to protect the environment, which is equally important as the first one. So, we insist you follow this list of dos and don’ts of a trek. By following this you are sure to bring about a big difference in the mountains we love and also it will help you stay safe.

Dos And Don\’ts Of A Trek

Dos Of A Trek Or A Hike

  1. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated, as you will be profusely sweating and dehydration may lead to mountain sickness.

  2. Eat healthy food throughout the trek.

  3. Do stretching exercise before you start the trek and cool-down exercise one you finish the trek for the day

  4. Follow instructions of your trek lead

  5. Help other fellow trekkers by motivating

  6. Respect local culture and gain more knowledge about the local culture.

  7. Step out of your comfort zone and try facing all your fears and conquer them 

  8. Be a  responsible traveler and where ever you go try impacting on locals and the environment in a positive way.

  9. Expect the unexpected and be prepared for it.

  10. Wear comfortable clothes and camouflaged in the forest

  11. Leave markings on the stone where you think there is a chance for a trekker to get lost or might get lost

  12. Take your waste back with you

  13. Munch on energy bars and dry fruits on a frequent basis to keep your energy levels high.

  14. Bring reusable items with you to make your life easy while trekking.

  15. Carry first aid kit with you for all your treks.

  16. Pack light with whatever things you need and not what things you want

  17. Study or have a rough idea about the trek

  18. Make sure you click a lot of pics or images of nature

  19. Take a lot of happy memories along with you and leave only footprints.

  20. Get good quality of shoes and dresses that are comfortable for you.

  21. Stuff your backpack with all the necessary medical kits you need on trek.

  22. Carry an emergency contact number in your backpack, we know you want to be alone but carrying a small card won’t be a big burden.

  23. Please inform your family or friends about your trek or at least leave a note on your fridge

Don\’ts Of A Trek Or A Hike

  1. Don’t wear cotton clothes at high altitude ( wear synthetic materials)

  2. Don’t make loud noises while trekking

  3. We would be probably trekking amidst nature which is pure and clean, hence let us not pollute the environment and cause harm to its natural habitats.

  4. Don’t wander off from the group

  5. Don’t feed wild animals

  6. Try avoiding using earphones or loud music because if there is any tree falling or landslides happening or any animal trying to attack you will never know it.

  7. Don’t click photographs without taking permissions of local people

  8. Running and jerky movements are prone to cause injuries while on a trek, so please avoid it

  9. Don’t take too many breaks while trekking as you may not reach the camping site, which in turn is very dangerous.

  10. Don’t cover your ears

  11. Never carry much more than what is required as you tend to lose more energy and you will become tired easily.

  12. Don’t spray on a lot of aromatics or perfume, as it attracts a lot of wild animals.

  13. Don’t drink or smoke while on a trek

  14. Never ever tease a wild animal if you encounter any and if in turn, they get angry, that’s the end of your life.

  15. Don’t litter wherever you feel like it causes harm to nature as well as the wild animals.

  16. While on a trek never be rude to locals or fellow trekkers because it is hard to complete the trial without their help

  17. Don’t demotivate fellow travelers and always remember one thing, you shouldn’t be that person because of whom someone gave up in their life.

  18. Don’t eat too much on the trek because there won’t be any doctor to save you if you become ill.

  19. Never go on a trek alone, we know it does feel amazing but going with a partner is safe and fun.

  20. Don’t neglect the weather, neglecting the weather when you are trekking in mighty mountains is equal to suicide.

  21. Don’t camp in risky places and make sure you study the surroundings before you pitch a tent.

Conclusions

When you know you are going to trek amidst nature, it is always a good idea to plan in advance. Maybe planning might take a little bit of extra time but it is absolutely worth and will make your trek enjoyable. These are some of the dos and don\’ts of a trek you need to follow to protect yourself, nature, and natural habitats. If you think, we missed out on any important point, please do mention in the comment section below.

Also read:

Trek Training And Preparation Tips.

 Remember there are 2 things you need to consider before you start your trek. Firstly, it is your safety and secondly, to protect the environment, which is equally important as the first one. So, we insist you follow this list of dos and don’ts of a trek. By following this you are sure to bring about a big difference in the mountains we love and also it will help you stay safe.

Dos And Don\\\’ts Of A Trek

Dos Of A Trek Or A Hike

  1. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated, as you will be profusely sweating and dehydration may lead to mountain sickness.

  2. Eat healthy food throughout the trek.

  3. Do stretching exercise before you start the trek and cool-down exercise one you finish the trek for the day

  4. Follow instructions of your trek lead

  5. Help other fellow trekkers by motivating

  6. Respect local culture and gain more knowledge about the local culture.

  7. Step out of your comfort zone and try facing all your fears and conquer them 

  8. Be a  responsible traveler and where ever you go try impacting on locals and the environment in a positive way.

  9. Expect the unexpected and be prepared for it.

  10. Wear comfortable clothes and camouflaged in the forest

  11. Leave markings on the stone where you think there is a chance for a trekker to get lost or might get lost

  12. Take your waste back with you

  13. Munch on energy bars and dry fruits on a frequent basis to keep your energy levels high.

  14. Bring reusable items with you to make your life easy while trekking.

  15. Carry first aid kit with you for all your treks.

  16. Pack light with whatever things you need and not what things you want

  17. Study or have a rough idea about the trek

  18. Make sure you click a lot of pics or images of nature

  19. Take a lot of happy memories along with you and leave only footprints.

  20. Get good quality of shoes and dresses that are comfortable for you.

  21. Stuff your backpack with all the necessary medical kits you need on trek.

  22. Carry an emergency contact number in your backpack, we know you want to be alone but carrying a small card won’t be a big burden.

  23. Please inform your family or friends about your trek or at least leave a note on your fridge

Don\\\’ts Of A Trek Or A Hike

  1. Don’t wear cotton clothes at high altitude ( wear synthetic materials)

  2. Don’t make loud noises while trekking

  3. We would be probably trekking amidst nature which is pure and clean, hence let us not pollute the environment and cause harm to its natural habitats.

  4. Don’t wander off from the group

  5. Don’t feed wild animals

  6. Try avoiding using earphones or loud music because if there is any tree falling or landslides happening or any animal trying to attack you will never know it.

  7. Don’t click photographs without taking permissions of local people

  8. Running and jerky movements are prone to cause injuries while on a trek, so please avoid it

  9. Don’t take too many breaks while trekking as you may not reach the camping site, which in turn is very dangerous.

  10. Don’t cover your ears

  11. Never carry much more than what is required as you tend to lose more energy and you will become tired easily.

  12. Don’t spray on a lot of aromatics or perfume, as it attracts a lot of wild animals.

  13. Don’t drink or smoke while on a trek

  14. Never ever tease a wild animal if you encounter any and if in turn, they get angry, that’s the end of your life.

  15. Don’t litter wherever you feel like it causes harm to nature as well as the wild animals.

  16. While on a trek never be rude to locals or fellow trekkers because it is hard to complete the trial without their help

  17. Don’t demotivate fellow travelers and always remember one thing, you shouldn’t be that person because of whom someone gave up in their life.

  18. Don’t eat too much on the trek because there won’t be any doctor to save you if you become ill.

  19. Never go on a trek alone, we know it does feel amazing but going with a partner is safe and fun.

  20. Don’t neglect the weather, neglecting the weather when you are trekking in mighty mountains is equal to suicide.

  21. Don’t camp in risky places and make sure you study the surroundings before you pitch a tent.

Conclusions

When you know you are going to trek amidst nature, it is always a good idea to plan in advance. Maybe planning might take a little bit of extra time but it is absolutely worth and will make your trek enjoyable. These are some of the dos and don\\\’ts of a trek you need to follow to protect yourself, nature, and natural habitats. If you think, we missed out on any important point, please do mention in the comment section below.

Also read:

Trek Training And Preparation Tips.

Hemakuta hills are home to a collection of a large number of shrines that belongs to pre Vijayanagar dynasty times. Once upon a time, these hills were topped with beautiful temples, mandapas, pavilions, gateways, galleries, archways, and fort walls. But, what remains now is only the ruins of the architectural wonder that sustained the attacks of various rulers.

It is a short trek of 15 minutes to climb the hill. You need to take steps carved on a humongous rock, to the north of Virupaksha temple to reach the Hilltop. After reaching the top, flat land stuffed with magnificent monuments welcomes you with open arms. 

Never miss those fascinating sunsets and sunrises that will make the whole hill glitter like a bar of gold. Besides this, you can even spot the beauty of Hampi bazaar and Virupaksha temple from the top. If you are a photographer then you would never take your eyes off the lens because there is so much beauty to capture. 

Hemakuta Hills History

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You can spot more than 35 temples and 15 other structures on the top of the hill. Most of the structures here date back to 9th to 14th century, which indicated an era before the Vijayanagar empire 

The architecture here is quite different from that of Vijayanagar Style. Most of the structures are triple chambered with a pyramid-like roof made of granite over the top. Apart from this, you can witness the Trikuta Chola style of architecture towards the north side of the hill. Where three shrines are built perpendicular to each other facing the common hall in the middle.

More number of decorated temples can be spotted on the northside of the hill when compared to the southside. In fact, most of the temples here are dedicated to Lord Shiva, as it was believed that Shiva had performed penance in this region. Interestingly, there is a main or moola Virupaksha temple with a pool in front, on the top of the hill.

Indian Mythology Related To Hemakuta Hills

Like every other hill which has a story or myth attached to it, even this has one. It is believed that when Lord Shiva was in penance, Kama ( the god of lust ) distracted him and helped the local girl Pampa marry him. And, Lord Shiva got angry by this act of Kama and burnt him using the third eye.

Also, when Shiva agreed to marry Pampa, it is believed that the hills received gold rains. Hence, the name Hemakuta, Hema in Sanskrit means “Gold”.

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Hemakuta Hills Additional Information

Location: At the end of Hampi Bazaar there are steps leading to the top of Hill.

Landmark: Near Virupaksha Temple Or 500 m.near Hampi Bus stand.

Timings To Visit: 6 Am to 6 Pm.

Duration: 3 To 4 hours.

Entry Fee: NA.

Photography: Allowed.

Best Time To Visit: October To February,

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Even though the hill sits right next to the hotspot Virupaksha temple, it still remains untouched among the masses. Because not many people know about it. So, next time when you are heading to Hampi make sure these hills are on the list.

Also Read:

Best Weekend Getaways From Bangalore.

So, What do you think happiness is? Maybe it is as simple as the points given below! Then who can define it better than a  traveler or backpacker who leads his life on simple terms? I feel travelers are extraordinary souls who take life as it comes and finds happiness in the minute of minute things. And, when everyone understands about it and starts finding happiness in small things, life will surely turn into a joyful ride. So, here is a list of simple joys of traveling that only a travel enthusiast can relate to. 

“ Happiness is a journey and not a destination”- Ben Sweetland

Simple Joys of Travelling that only a traveler can understand

  • Happiness is getting to the top of the mountain to see the world

 

  • Happiness is sitting next to a cutie in public transport

 

  • Listening to your favorite music when you are on a road trip.

 

  • Stargazing from top of the mountain

  • Pitching your tents amidst nature and staying in it overnight

  • Lazing away your time  by partying around a bonfire in beach

  • Playing with the waves in the beach

  • Eating Maggi on top of the misty mountains

  • Bike rides with your friends to Leh-Ladakh

  • Eating pakora with spicy chutney when it is raining 

  • Playing frisbee. volleyball or any sports you love on the beach

  • Writing your name on sand and watching it get washed away by waves

  • Building a huge sandcastle, sand angel, sandman or anything that is fun

  • Chilled Beer on hand, sand on our feet is pure bliss

  • Munching on local delicacies by entering into a food street

  • When a local person agrees to cook some authentic local cuisines just for you

  • Free wifi in hostels, restaurants  taxis or wherever you go 

  • Getting a window seat on a train or a bus

  • A road trip with your close buddies to Goa the party capital of India

  • Sipping up on hot chai while in a road trip in cold weather

  • Trekking and conquering mountains in the rain

  • Watching beautiful sunrises or sunsets from the top of a mountain or on beaches

  •  Going on a bike ride when it is pouring heavily

  • Trying all kinds of adventure activities with friends

  • Enjoying the smell of mud when it starts raining

  • Making a snowman in the snow

  • The sight of the snow for the very first time

  •  Cooking various types of barbeque dishes on a picnic

  • When you meet a person who speaks your language or who is from the same region as you while traveling

  • After completing the hard trek successfully 

  • Making a lot of new friends while traveling 

  • Good local people who help you or guide you properly

  • After completing your first solo trip

  • Free or Complimentary breakfast

  • Dancing to random music without worries along with local people or other fellow travelers

  • When you set your foot on land which is not on the map and known only to locals

Conclusion

These are some of the small or simple joys of traveling that only travelers can experience. And, if you think we missed out on certain points. Please share it in the comment section below, we are happy to hear from you.

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Pristine looking beaches with multi-coloured sands, deep blue water and of course a place where three seas meet there is definitely something phenomenal about Kanyakumari. the southernmost point of India. Interestingly, this is the only place in India where a person can observe Sun rising and Sun setting over the horizon at the same beach. In addition to this, visiting the beach during the full moon nights is sure to take your breath away.

Triveni Sangam

\"Triveni

Besides this, there is Triveni Sangam, where Arabian sea, Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean merges together. Take a dip in Sangam to wash off all your sins.

Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari

\"Vivekananda

One of the most iconic monuments of Kanyakumari, Swami Vivekananda memorial, sits on top of a 6 acres island which is few metres into the sea and is positioned at 17 metres above sea level. This place is dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, a great philosopher of India, who is believed to have meditated here in his heydays. Not just that, there is sacred Shripada Mandapam blessed by Goddess Kanyakumari, situated on Shridapa Parai (rock) right next to Vivekananda rock. And, It is believed that this spot will bring about positive vibes and good fortunes to any person who steps into the Mandapam.

Thiruvalluvar Statue

\"Thiruvalluvar

 Apart from this, there is a statue of Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar, which is standing tall at 133 ft, almost near the point where three seas converge. You need to take a ferry ride either to reach Vivekananda rock memorial or Thiruvalluvar statue as there is no land route connecting these cute little islands.

Any traveller going to this place has an endless number of choices as in places to visit or things to do and there is something for every kind of an individual. From scenic beaches to forts, temples, churches, monuments, memorials, mountains, waterfalls, undulating valleys, south Indian cuisines and seafood. There is a temple on the shores of town, which is dedicated to goddess Kanyakumari ( the virgin goddess) after which the place is named. Coastal town Kanyakumari, a part of Tamilnadu, was also known as “Cape Comorin” by Britishers, as they found it hard to pronounce. 

\"Shripada

 Kanyakumari is all about stunning sunsets, beautiful beach walks, gobbling great coastal foods, fascinating full moon nights, and above all, the thrill of being in one of the most beautiful geographical destinations.

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