There is more to India than the Taj mahal.If you are a beach bum then there are several destinations in India you can choose from.  While you can party your way through some of them, most of them are pure virgin shores. India is a peninsula, so barring the north, which is bordered by the mountains, you find beaches along the coastline. Here are my recommendations

1. Goa – I often tell my travel friends that Goa is not just a destination. It is a state of mind. You can chill,party, hang out, explore and let your hair down here. There is a beach in almost every part of Goa . Go to the flea market, take a cruise on the river, do some bit of birding, visit temples and churches when you dont want to hit the beach. If you are looking at having a fairy tale wedding by the beach, this is one of the wedding destinations in India.

2.Sindudurg – North of Goa is Sindhudurg , a district on the Konkan coastline in India. The beaches are virgin and quiet and lends a very rustic flavour .  You could just sit here and watch the sun set quietly and do a bit of yoga or just jog on the shore.This is a completely a different India and it offers a glimpse into heritage and plantation tourism . Visit some of the ruins of old sea forts if you like a bit of history. There are people living inside the Sindhudurg fort even today.

3. Tranquebar or Tharangambadi – This is a small fishing hamlet located on the Coromandel coastline.If you are looking at spending a weekend in a beach with a dash of history, then head here. Visit the only Danish colony in South India which was later taken over by the British .As you drive beyond the erstwhile French colony, Pondicherry, you come to a small hamlet called Tharagambadi  , which in Tamil , means the town of the singing waves. The melody haunts you as the village roads slowly opens into the sea  with a quaint old Scandinavian fort on its shores.

This post is written by Lakshmi Sharath who blogs at A Travel Blog of an Indian Backpacker for AffordableCallingCards.net, which offers different long distance calling cards, such as cheap phone cards to India

Come winter and everybody in India is busy packing their bags to travel. Its the time for the birds and the beasts, the season in Goa and Kerala starts, the mountains beckon and the monuments look all inviting. So, where would you like to go this winter ? Here are some great options if you are visiting India and are looking for something out of the ordinary.

Karwar – The salts of the sea beckon me as I set foot in a little nondescript town called Karwar, located in South India. Perched somewhere in the Western Ghats on the banks of the River Kali,  the coastal town is hardly a stone’s throw away from Goa and yet the two destinations are chalk and cheese. Karwar is quieter and serene, compared to Goa which is always in a frenzy and high energy mode.This ancient beach town flaunts several attractions such as the Sadashivgad Hill Fort , built at the confluence of the Kali river and the Arabian sea, the  Durga temple, the one-of-its kind octagonal church and the 300 year old Venkataramana temple .. And then there are the islands – Devbagh, , Oyster-rock, Anjudeep, Sadashivgad and Sanyasi..so get your bikinis and head to Karwar this winter..

2. Kutch – So, your travel agent told you that Rajasthan is one of the must see places in India. But you tell him that you would prefer another desert which is slightly offbeat and is yet beautiful. I would recommend Kutch in Gujarat which is located in West India . If you are into wildlife and birding, then the little Rann of Kutch must be in your itinerary . IT may not be your typical forest landscape, but the wide tracts of desert , dotted by scrubs  is home to Indian Wildass or the Ghorkar. The Nilgai, wolf, fox and some jungle cats are also found in this habitat. The saline belt is largely due to the tracts of land inundated by sea water during and after the monsoons.Come winter, Kutch is also known for the migratory birds as birders flock here to see flamingoes, cranes, pelicans  and several raptors. Plan your holiday now to India.

3.Sundarbans – The Ganges is synonymous with India. So is the tiger. If you  would love to relax and also see some wildlife in India, its time to head East The islands of mangrove forests  located amidst the creeks at the delta of the Ganges houses one of the most unique tiger reserves in our country. The Sundarban tiger has adapted to the saline waters and can be found swimming in the creeks . Stalked by the poachers and  often dubbed the man eaters, the tigers are believed to be slowly dwindling here. There are leopard cats, fishing cats, palm civets, crab eating mongoose, water monitors .  Birdlife is plenty as you could find heronries around here as well. Boat trips are arranged to get a glimpse of the rich wildlife in this reserve.

4. Sikkim – In the north east of India, bordering Nepal and Bhutan is Sikkim, a small mystical state surrounded by the mountains. The cold winter may bring in snow here, but you will forever be surrounded by the mist and fog. There is nothing more beautiful than the occasional rain in the mountains. Soak in it, go the monasteries, watch small rivers flow past you as time stands still..

You are indeed visiting incredible India. the winters can get harsher as you go up north and it is always better to check with the weatherman and also note down the condition of roads.

This post is written by travel writer and blogger Lakshmi Sharath who blogs at A travel blog of an Indian backpacker on behalf of Affordable Calling Cards that offers international phone cards to India

There are few countries like India where you can get plenty of variety on the streets. You would have heard many times over that India is a land of contrasts where extremes can go hand in hand. All you need to do is walk along a few streets, which may show you something really ancient with something very new. Swanky glass buildings can have dilapidated structures as neighbors. Contemporary and traditional can share the same place. Just take your camera and walk on any street and you will be amazed at the variety that you can find, either in people walking next to you or in the structures along the road. Even the people are of such variety that each person may look like he or she belongs to a different race or geographical region. If you intend to make best images that depict India, your neighborhood markets and main streets are the best place to begin.

Add to this is the fact that many people in the country are not camera shy. Although this can’t be generalized, especially so in big cities, you will often see people gladly willing to stop to pose for your camera. Some people, especially at smaller places, may even come and ask you to photograph them. If you are shutterbug in India, your best haunts will be

1. Small towns and villages, where people are still not wary of people with camera.

2. Traditional markets, which can be usually chaotic but have a charm of their own.

3. Religious places: Some well known religious locations which attract lot of pilgrims offer huge opportunities to shoot India’s religious and spiritual richness. Even popular places like Varanasi and Rishikesh – though they are in every photographer’s list for years – still offer new perspectives to everyone who spends time there. When you are in a religious place, always respect the local customs and avoid photographing where not permitted. Photography is usually not permitted in inner shrines of most religious places.

4. Craft centers. Large cities often have places where people practicing certain crafts work in groups in one place. You can find areas where they make hand made pottery, weave silk, produce hand made paper, manufacture glass materials with hand and more. Ask around in your city and you will see that many traditional crafts have remained unchanged for a long time and do not use modern machinery.

5. Cultural performances. Each part of India has its own rich traditions and performances that are different from other parts of the country. Your local listings will tell you about plenty of places where you can shoot practically everyday. Performances are more frequent and elaborate in winter months (November to February) and tend to be infrequent during the monsoons (June to September).

6. India has a great tradition of festivals. While Holi (happens in March-April), Ganesha Festival (August-September) are a great time to see celebrations on the street in most parts of the country, you will also see many local festivals happening in many parts of the country. Lookup festival schedules at India Tourism website and websites of state tourism boards.

This post is written by photographer and travel writer Arun Bhat who blogs on his India Travel Blog. This post is written for AffordableCallingCards.net, who offer calling cards to India

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I met a widely travelled wildlife enthusiast from South Africa who happenned to be visiting Kabini -Nagarhole wildlife sanctuary in South India  last week We got talking and I asked him what drew him to India and he replied that it was the unique biodiversity . We discussed wildlife destinations in India and here was his pick on the top three wildlife national parks in the country

1.Corbett National Park – Named after the legendary Jim Corbett, this is not just a wildlife national park, but the very heart of Terai landscape. Located in North India, in the Garhwal district of Uttranchal it is one of the oldest tiger reserves in the country and is home to 600 species of birds . You can also spot the  endangered gharial , leopards , elephants, marsh crocodiles among others.

There are several places to stay in and around the park and New Delhi is your closest airport, while Ramnagar is one of the closest rail heads  and there are trains connecting them. You can also drive down from Delhi.  Best time to visit will be from November to April, while the open season starts from October to mid June.

2.Kanha national park –The sal and  bamboo forests coupled with the open grasslands  inspired none other than Rudyard Kipling who created his Jungle Book  in these forests. . While Kanha is mostly about tiger tourism, most tourists forget  to enjoy the very experience of being in a forest .Look for the barasingha, leopards, sloth bears , wild dogs or dholes , gaur , chowsingha, Indian pangolin among many other mammals. For birders, one can sight more than 120 species in just a single day.

Located in central India in Madhya Pradesh, the closest aiport is in Jabalpur and it takes about four hours from road fom  there to the park. Best season is from October to June.

3.Kabini -Nagarhole National Park – Finally, Kabini won over many other parks across the country. Kabini is actually a river that flows between the two moist deciduous forests – Bandipur and Nagarhole, creating an entire ecosystem on its banks. Come summer and this becomes Asia’s largest congregation of elephants as they come over to feed in the lush green forests.

Boat safaris and jeep safaris are available for tourists . Leopards, tigers, dholes, gaurs are some of the large mammals you would find here. The backwaters of the river is a great place for birding as several migratory birds flock here during winters.

Located in the Southern state of  Karnataka, Kabini is located close to Bangalore and Mysore, where the airports are located . It is great to visit throughout the year

This post is written by Lakshmi aka Indian backpacker, who blogs at A Travel Blog of an Indian Backpacker forAffordableCallingCards.net, which offers different long distance calling cards, such as cheap phone cards to India

Pic : Lakshmi Sharath

There is more to India than just the Taj Mahal. You will probably meet an ancient monument in almost every corner of the country. Temples, churches, monasteries, forts, mosques, palaces, museums,tombs mausoleums, rock cut caves, monolith sculptures jostle for space in every remote town. While it is difficult to choose just five of them,  my recommendations are based largely on the diversity , the uniqueness and the richness of the architecture.

1. The Shore temple at Mahabalipuram – It is believed that there were seven such temples located on the shore of the Coromandel Coast , but only one survives today. A World Heritage site, it was built in the 7th century by the Pallavas , an ancient dynasty who ruled over Southern India. An ancient lighthouse here indicates that this was probably a port of the Pallavas.

As you enter this coastal town, you see several carved rock cut cave temples and monolith sculptures strewn around. Soak in the beach, try some sea food , shop in the markets and take home a sculpture if you like. The closest city is Chennai, one of the four metros and capital of Tamil Nadu.

2. The ruins of Vijaynagar in Hampi – Often compared to Rome, Hampi is one of the destinations that one should not miss .A World Heritage site, the ruins of the 15th century dynasty is still preserved in the many sculptures ,pillars,  step-wells, temple complexes , palaces  and stables that are strewn around the city.

You would need at least a couple of days to explore Hampi and its monuments . Go for a coracle ride in the Tungabhadra river, shop in the local market, do some birding and wildlife at Daroji and watch the sunset from the rocks. There is a magic in Hampi that one cannot explain . Bangalore , the capital of Karnataka is one of the closest hubs to Hampi.

3. Ajanta and Ellora caves – These World Heritage sites are located near Aurangabad in Maharashtra and are some of the most ancient monuments excavated in India. Ajanta , with 31 rock cut caves carved with sculptures and paintings are typical of Buddhist art , built between the 2nd century BC to 7th century AD.

Ellora , with 34 caves built during the 5th-10th century is a representation of Buddhist , Jain and Hindu art and architecture .You would need at least 3-4 days to explore both Ajanta and Ellora caves and the surroundings around Aurangabad.

4. Forts of Rajasthan – It is tough to choose any one fort of Rajasthan. Almost every city here houses one or more forts and several palaces. Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kumbalgarh, Chittorgarh, Jaisalmer, Bundi are just some of the destinations that tourists throng to see the forts. My personal favourites are Kumbalgarh and Chittorgarh which are closer to Udaipur, the city of palaces.

You would need an eternity to see the whole of Rajasthan. Jokes apart, it is difficult to see the state in a few days. Spend as much time as you can when you plan a trip here. There is more to Rajasthan than the forts – visit the palaces, soak in the culture, shop for local artefacts and let the colours dazzle you

5.Agra – Yes, you have to visit Taj Mahal in Agra and the Agra Fort of course, but I would recommend that you dont miss Fatehpur Sikri at any cost. Built by Moghul emperor Akbar in the 15th century, the town was abandoned after serving as his capital for about 15 years. A World Heritage site, it is now a ghost town. Built in red sandstone, do not miss the courts, palaces, the ponds, the door ways and the tombs around here. Keep Delhi as your hub and plan your trip to Agra

And finally, the Taj Mahal ! One of the wonders of the world, this mausoleum is  built  in sheer marble . Built by Moghul emperor Shah Jahan for his wife, Mumtaz, on the banks of the river Yamuna it is the epitome of romance. No one ever leaves India without seeing the Taj !

Lakshmi is a travel writer and blogger from India and she blogs at A Travel Blog of an Indian . This post was written for Affordable Calling cards which offers international cheap phone cards to India.

I am in the forests of South India , gazing at the banks of the river Kabini . The river wedges the forests , Nagarhole and Bandipur and the banks are known to attract elephants.While Kabini is filled with wildlife enthusiasts and tourists narrating their escapades and encounters with tigers and tuskers , I am happy with my lot of birds .For an amateur birder like me, Kabini is full of surprises. While the elusive leopard or tiger may always be difficult to sight, the feathered species never disappoint. There are raptors, migratory birds, water birds, waders, forest birds and every time , the forests and the river greets me with a new story.

Pic : Lakshmi Sharath

I saw my first peregrine falcon here in Kabini during winter , when it showed me what speed was all about. It was perched for a moment on one of the dry branches sticking out of the waters and the next moment, it shot right across the river. During one boat ride, I was lucky enough to see four different species of the kingfisher, starting from the uncommon common kingfisher, the regular white breasted kingfisher , the stork billed variety and the black and white pied kingfisher looking for their next meal in the waters.

I saw more Malabar pied hornbills than cormorants as they created a racket while flying into the forest.. Keeping the cormorants company was a darter , posing for me with his wings spread out. The painted storks created pretty picture , looking at their reflections in the water. They were surrounded by the w asian openbills, Eurasian spoonbills and the woolly necked stork among several water birds.

Pic : Lakshmi Sharath

The crested serpent eagle is a regular bird in these forests, but the drama that accompanied me during the sighting was not all that regular. A drongo and an Indian roller were together chasing the eagle away until it flew away into the trees. We chanced upon a peacock trying to impress a peahen with his dance, but she just walked away as we saw the spectacle. Meanwhile, a scarlet minivet seemed to enjoy his moment , as the female yellow bird followed him into the foliage of the trees.
Everyday there is drama in these forests and while most of it is lost within the verdant greenery, it is up to us to look a little deeper and enjoy these moments.

This post is written by Indian backpacker for AffordableCallingCards.net, which offers different long distance calling cards, such as cheap phone cards to India

With all the diversity around, Indians celebrate virtually throughout the year. Every community, state, religion has its own festival .While most of them are steeped in myths and legends to appease deities and demons, some of them celebrate the onset of a new season, while others celebrate relationships ,including that between siblings .And most festivals have just one thing in common – great food .

As I write this post, the entire state of Kerala is celebrating Onam . A festival which is rather exclusive to Malayalis, the community that speaks the language Malayalam, Onam welcomes the legendary king Mahabali who is supposedly visiting his subjects on earth. Although a great ruler, Mahabali had one flaw – his ego, which he finally surrendered to the Lord Vishnu. Mahabali however was allowed to visit his kingdom once a year and all of Kerala are ready for him.

Decorated with flowers and lamps, every Malayali’s house is brightly lit and there are celebrations galore. Onam is usually celebrated for over ten days in a very traditional manner and each day has its own significance . There is a grand parade in the state with elephants accompanied by music and dance. The grand snake boat race is also held during the period.

Its a great time to visit Kerala , when the festivities are at a peak and there is so much of vibrance and colour all around.

This post is written by Indian backpacker for AffordableCallingCards.net, which offers different long distance calling cards, such as international calling cards for India