Archive for the 'Islands and Beaches' Category
Flamingoes in Mumbai – December 2009
Author: Binoy Gupta
After the monsoons, Flamingoes – the lesser and the greater ones – and a lot of other migratory birds come to the coastal mudflats of India from the North.They feed on the mudflats during the next five or six months and return to their homelands in April or so.
They also come to Sewree in Central Mumbai in large numbers. Read the rest of this entry »
read comments (0)Digha
Author: Binoy Gupta
the most popular week end get away
for Kolkatians (Calcuttans)
In 1780, in one of his letters to his wife, Warren Hasting wrote about Digha as the “Brighton of the East”.
Travel India Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary
Author: Binoy Gupta
the largest mass nesting site of 
Olive Ridley turtle
in the world
Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is the only marine sanctuary in Orissa (Eastern India).
This Sanctuary is extremely important because it is the largest mass nesting site of the Olive Ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) in the world.
There are only four mass nesting sites of the Olive Ridley turtles in the world.
Of these four, the ‘Playa Ostional’ is in Ostional village in Costa Rica.
The other three are in Orissa.
Mass Nesting Sites in Orissa
The three mass nesting sites of the Olive Ridley turtles in Orissa are: Read the rest of this entry »
Travel India Ratnagiri
Author: Binoy Gupta
the land of the Golden Haapus 
or Alphonso Mangoes
Ratnagiri is a small idyllic coastal town – 330 kilometres south of Mumbai.
It is famous for golden Haapus or Alfonso mangoes and for the horse shoe shaped fort.
Haapus or Alphonso Mangoes
Haapus is grown mainly in western India in and around Ratnagiri.
In terms of sweetness, flavour and rosy colour, Haapus mangoes are considered to be the best Indian mangoes.
And they are certainly the costliest mangoes. Read the rest of this entry »
Travel India Ganpatipule
Author: Binoy Gupta
One of the finest beaches in West India
If you are looking for a beautiful, clean, pristine sea beach, far away from the mad, mad crowd, you will love Ganpatipule.
If you have the time and the inclination, there are a number of nearby forts to explore.
And of course, the famous 400 year old Ganapati temple is a major attraction.
Location
Ganpatipule is a small village on the sea coast near Ratnagiri – 375 kms south of Mumbai.
It is not too close to Mumbai, not very well known and therefore not crowded.
Travel India Point Calimere
Author: Binoy Gupta
Unique Wildlife Sanctuary
According to the Ramayana, Lord Ram himself stood at this point and carried out reconnaissance of Ravana’s kingdom in Sri Lanka just 48 kms. away.
A stone slab at Ramarpatham (meaning Rama’s feet), the highest point of Point Calimere, bears the foot prints of Ram.
Now it is a unique wildlife and bird sanctuary.
Travel India – Pichavaram
Author: Binoy Gupta
Second largest Mangrove forest in the world
Almost two and a half decades ago, when I was working in Chennai, I first heard of the Mangrove Forests of Pichavaram – 14 kms. from Chidambaram.
I did not really know what Mangrove forests were and what Pichavaram was like.
I requested my friends to organize a visit.
After my visit, I wrote about Pichavaram in the Swagat (inflight magazine of Indian Airlines) and a number of other magazines.
To this extent, I take credit for increasing its popularity.
Since then, I have visited Pichavaram several times.
My last visit was a few months after the Tsunami of 2004.
Pichavaram is a unique success story. Read the rest of this entry »
Travel India Chidambaram
Author: Binoy Gupta
Unique Temple of the Formless Shiva
I have visited Chidambaram several times for three reasons.
· To meander through the Mangrove Forests of Pichavaram to the beach beyond.
· To visit, attend or give lectures at the Annamalai University.
· And to visit the Chidambaram Temple.
Travel India Jagannath Puri or Puri
Author: Binoy Gupta
World Famous Ratha Yatra
Jagannath Puri, or simply Puri, is one of Adi Shankaracharya’s Char Dhams (or Four Places of Pilgrimage) located in the four corners of India. The other three are: Badrinath in the North (Himalayas); Dwarka in the West; and Rameshwaram in the South.
Badrinath is located amidst the snowy peaks of the Himalayas. The other three are located on the shores of the seas around India.
Jagannath Puri is world famous for its unique Ratha Yatra (Chariot Procession).
Read the rest of this entry »
Travel India Murud Janjira – the invincible fort
Author: Binoy Gupta
Murud Janjira
Murud is a beautiful fishing village on the western coast of India – about 5 hours drive from Bombay (Mumbai). Since it has a municipality, water supply, schools and hospitals, you could even term it a small town.
It has a beautiful beach ideal for swimming, bathing and water sports. The beach is fringed with swaying coconut trees, a variety of palm trees and casuarinas. Unfortunately, the only water sport presently available is boating, sailing and deep sea fishing.
Murud is historically important because it was the capital of the Janjira State (area – 842 sq. kms.). The Nawabs of Janjira ruled the area around from here. The Janjira Fort is located 2 kms. into the sea – about 6 kms. from Murud.
Read the rest of this entry »