Independence Day falling on a Monday this year so it's long weekend time again! and this is the perfect time and opportunity for all those who wish to take a walk down memory lane and visit multiple patriotic places across the country.

So here we are giving a list of some of places in India that make you feel patriotic.

The majestic Red Fort located in old Delhi and it is visited by thousands of visitors each day. It has been important part of Indian freedom strugle. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's who had become the first Prime gave first Independence speech on 15th August 1947 at Red Fort. There are many attractions like monuments and museum that represent a glimpse of major phases of India's struggle for freedom.

It is border post located on the Grand Trunk road and approximately 30 km away from Amritsar.
The place is must visit for to witness the popular ceremony of lowering of the flags of India and Pakistan.

Situated on the bank of Sabarmati river and about 5 km from the center of Ahmedabad has historical importance. It was the place from where Mahatma Gandhi started his padayatra (foot march) in 1930 from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi for the Salt Satyagraha. The ashram also know as Satyagraha Ashram.

The Cellular Jail has been a mute witness to the long and glorious struggle of our revolutionary freedom movement. Vir Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, a famous freedom fighter of India, was imprisoned here for 11 years.
Port blair is well connected to the main land by regular passage of ships and scheduled flights from KolKata and chennai.

Jallianwala Bagh is a public garden in Amritsar and has an important place in the Indian history. It is the place where on 13th April, 1919, on the occasion of Baisakhi(Punjab's largetst festival) British soldiers opened fire against thousands of unarmed innocent men, women, and children without warning. 

One of the biggest public park located in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh is associated with  Chandra Shekhar Azad, a revolutionary's fight in the freedom struggle of the country.
The park was earlier known as Alfred park but later it was renamed as Azad Park after freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad, who sacrificed his life here.

7] India Gate

India gate Image credit: flickr

 

India Gate is the monument which has very important historical significance. It was built in honor of  the 90,000 soldiers of the British Indian Army who died during the World War I and the Afghan Wars (1919).
'Amar Jawan Jyoti' is another must visit place near India Gate. a site for Indian Army soldiers who lost their lives in 1971 war with Pakistan.

8] Netaji Bhawan, Kolkata

Netaji Bhawan Image credit: flickr

It is a ancestral home of Subash Chandra Bose, a patriot and freedom figher of India. It was built in 1909 by Subash Chandra Bose's father and Subash Chandra Bose spend his childhood till he escape to Berlin in 1941.

So what are you waiting for? make the most of your weekend and holidays in this August with this awesome car rental offers and head out to any of these places.

Known:

The heritage city Aurangabad (Maharashtra) is best known for the Ajanta and Ellora caves. The city serves as a base destination for reaching the historical sites mentioned above and attracts tourists from all across the globe. This city was a Mughal Territory in the reign of Aurangazeb and is named after the emperor. The city houses the mausoleum of Aurangzeb’s wife which is known as the Taj of Deccan.

Aurangabad’s proximity to Ellora, Ajanta, Daulatabad and Shirdi has earned the city a prominent place in the tourism industry of India. The city has geared up to cater both national and international tourists by providing good accommodation and transportation facilities. The city is served by a well connected airport and a railway station. MTDC (Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation) provides special tourist packages for seeing Ajanta and Ellora Caves. You can also ask for private transport services or hire a car to reach here.

Lesser-known:

Image Courtesy:Prajna LS

Image Courtesy:Prajna LS

Image Courtesy:Prajna LS

Sharangdev Samaroh is one such step taken by MAHAGAMI. This cultural event celebrates the rich heritage of classical music and dance that exists in various forms all across India. This event is especially dedicated to the 13^th century musicologist Sharangadev, who is said to have lived in the court of Devagiri Yadava rulers. Devagiri is the present day Daulatabad which is at about 17 km from the city.

Sangeeta Ratnakara, the book written by Sharangadev is an important text for the seekers of both Hindustani and Carnatic music tradition. This 13^th century text documents almost all the prevalent dance and music traditions of that time and gives descriptions about technical details of dance movements, music, and rhythm. So, to commemorate the contribution made by the author, the Sharangadev Samaroh will be held in the land where the author created such a treatise.

The cultural event comprises of a three day workshop followed by evening concerts. Eminent artists belonging to various music and dance traditions such as Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Kathak, Odissi, Mohiniattam and Manipuri will present their pieces. Noted artists like Birju Maharaj, Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam, Padma Bhushan Swapna Sundari, Sadanam Balakrishnan and many other scholars have graced the event so far.

Dear tourist…

If you are planning to visit Aurangabad, please make a note of this event. Normally, the event will be held in January or February for three days and nights. Visitors can make use of this opportunity if they are in the city during that time. Try something different when you are in Aurangabad next time. Experience the lesser- known treasures of Aurangabad.

Life in a city sucks sometimes. It appears as though we are struck inside a fixed frame, lost in the mundane activities, and feel like coming out of the congestion. Congestion created by work related stress, family oriented pressures….After all we are poor human beings who need a break to re-charge our energy. We need a peaceful place that keeps you away from all worries, makes you forget the world and helps you to rejuvenate yourself. If you are in need of such a retreat, then, you must visit Ganaptipule.

Ganapatipule is a small village in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, India. The region of Ratnagiri lies in the Konkan Maharashtra along the western coastline. Ganapatipule provides a serene sea shore of a recreational kind. The village is also known for an ancient Ganapati Temple that lies near the seashore. It is located at 30 km away from Ratnagiri city.

It was in the last summer that we had planned for a weekend trip to Ganapatipule. We had planned to reach the place via Kolhapur. Kolhapur (140 km) is the nearest transport hub to reach Ratnagiri and Ganapatipule. Ratnagiri is connected by Konkan rail to Mumbai. We had hired a taxi from Kolhapur to Ganapatipule.

You can’t call Ganapatipule a town. Due to increased number tourists this remote Konkan village is expanding. Most interesting part of the village is the MTDC beach resort facing the calm and quiet sea shore. It is a huge campus comprising rooms and cottages facing the shore. Book the room in advance during peak seasons. You may get private hotels also, but, MTDC rooms provide direct sea view.

We had booked a sea view cottage. Our aim was to spend leisurely hours on the sea shore just like that idly. We had gone there to drench ourselves in the lap of nature. The beach was less crowded and it is one of the most untouched beaches of Maharashtra, one can say. We were blessed to have refreshing morning and evening walks on the shore. In fact, we were left to have our own time in the sea. I should say, I am enamoured by the profound serenity of the place, would love to go there again.

The MTDC resort has a restaurant that provides good meals. There are restaurants outside the MTDC compound if you want to try out. Remember to taste the ‘Sol-khadi’ a local drink. It tastes like flavoured buttermilk that is made up of Kokam fruits.

What to do:

The place is less modernised and it is solely for leisure trips. The beach is the main attraction, but it is not a commercialised beach. We enjoyed drenching ourselves in the unruffled seas reflecting the clear blue sky in the noon. We just sat there for hours together watching the playful waves. We gazed at the vast sea that turned crimson as the sun made his way for another evening. It was heavenly sight!

After the sunset, we visited the Ganapati temple which was situated on the other end of the same seashore. During high tide, the sea waves touch the entrance of the temple it seems. It’s a beautiful temple in a beautiful location providing a pious ambience to the place.

If you have time, you can take a round of nearby locations. There is an open air museum in Ganapatipule displaying the local Konkani lifestyle. There is a small shop inside the museum if you want to buy local products like Kokum, honey, pickles and snacks.

We visited Malgund, the hometown of Keshavsut - the much revered poet of Maharashtra. Malgund is just 10 minutes journey from Ganapatipule. Poet Keshavsut’s residence has been converted into a memorial now.

In brief:

Ganapatipule provides best recreation for those who love tranquillity. MTDC is the best available resort there. Autos are available for sightseeing. Main attraction is the beach. Best for a weekend getaway from Mumbai, Pune and Aurangabad. Good for all seasons except Monsoon. December is the peak season, so book rooms three months before if you are planning for December. Kolhapur is the nearest transportation hub. Ratnagiri is the nearest railhead.

Mumbai- 326 km, Pune-308 km , Kolhapur -140 km, Ratnagiri -30 km