Text credit: Toehold Travel Photography and Travelyaari

Take a break from the monotony of life and to experience nature and adventure from deserts, valleys and jungles offering wide range of camping sites. Toehold Travel photography and Travelyaari suggest a few trending places that can de-stress and rejuvenate you!

Sattal, Uttarakhand

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Located in the hills of Kumaon, it is an ideal camping destination. Cocooned in lush greens and mighty mountains at a height of 1370m above sea level, Sattal extends a peaceful ambiance just right for camping. Hike through the forest, enjoy bird watching. Trotting through the woods you would come across locations dotted with tents with campers enjoying activities like kayaking, rappelling, trekking, angling, etc. The right times to visit Sattal are March- June and September- December.

Bhandardara, Maharashtra

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Bhandardara sits by the Pravara River, and the natural environment, waterfalls, mountains, Wilson Dam, Arthur Lake, and Randha falls are tourist attractions. The place is increasingly gaining popularity for the Fireflies camp in the Purushwadi area. Millions of fireflies come out in the open and create a fascinating view. Over 2,000 species of fireflies can be spotted in the woods of Purushwadi. This is a must visit during the month of June.

Wayanad, Kerala

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Wayanad in Kerala promises you adventure and excitement, and it is worth spending all your time and money for a weekend getaway. Wayanad is like a rustic hamlet and a gem of a place for nature lovers. Adventure enthusiasts can indulge in activities like camping, river-crossing, jumping, commando walking, ziplining, and mountain biking. Indulge in bamboo rafting in Kuruva Island; explore the wilderness of Wayanad at Tholpetty and Muthanga; explore the river trail through the Kabini River or trek to Edakkal Caves with their intriguing rock carvings; shop in spice markets for cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, ginger and vanilla. During the rafting experience, you can even try your hands on steering the bamboo oars with the help of the boatman.

Dandeli, Karnataka

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Dandeli, located in northern Karnataka, offers an incomparable mix of scenic beauty and adventure. The modern town blessed by River Kali is surrounded by deciduous forests and a renowned wildlife habitat where rare animals and birds roam free in deep valleys and its rugged terrains. Dandeli offers adventurous activities like river rafting, night camping, nature walks, boating, bird watching, tiger and crocodile spotting, and angling, along with picnics, eco-tourism, and trips to nearby caves and temples.

Anjuna, Goa

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Well-known for its beautiful and serene beaches, Anjuna is one of the best camping locations in Goa. It is a nice little place in where people tend to camp to enjoy the scenes and lifestyle of Goa’s hippy culture. Beaches, chapels, and flea markets can be explored at will while camping on the Goan landscape. The happening nightlife of Goa is something you must check out.

Karnala, Maharastra

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Karnala is situated a short drive away from Mumbai, and has been Mumbaikars’ much-loved destination for a quick getaway. It hosts a bird sanctuary where you can spend some time sighting exotic bird species in their natural habitat. With lush lawns and palm trees, the ambiance is beautiful, and you will naturally take off on a jaunt towards one of the pathways leading out of camp to explore all the natural beauty around. For those seeking adventure, a trek to the Karnala Fort is highly recommended. You can enjoy watching the gorgeous waterfalls during the monsoon season. There are plenty of options/sites to camp in Karnala, where you can spend some quiet time in nature’s lap and indulge in some fun camping activities.

The post 6 Destinations To Camp In For A Tête-à-Tête With Nature appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.

Text credit: Shibul Pavithran 

Kerala is richly endowed with heritage buildings, structures, and sites, all of which are having very unique architectural and aesthetic importance. The heritage sites are not just monuments, but include buildings, artifacts, structures, areas of historical significance, aesthetic, architectural, cultural and environmental significance and even traditional skills. Some of these age-old structures speak about a fascinating period from Kerala’s charming past, drawing countless history fanatics, archaeology lovers and art & architecture enthusiasts from all across the globe. If you are also amongst those who get amazed by the beauty and history of the ancient buildings and monuments, a trip to Kerala is definitely a must for you.  Not many know that this beautiful state has been a major contributor to India’s rich culture and history. We have shortlisted 6 heritage sites in Kerala which may definitely fascinate you and make you want to visit them.

Bekal Fort, Kasaragod: 

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Bekal fort is more than 300 years old and is believed to have been built by Sivappa Naik of the Ikkeri dynasty in1650. There is also another belief that it was originally built by Kolathiri Rajas and later captured by Sivappa Naik. The fort was occupied by Hyder Ali in 1763 AD and later by British. Bekal fort is one of the largest and best preserved Fort in the whole of Kerala, bordered by a magnificent beach.  The fort is built on 35 acre headland on the shores of Arabian Sea, rising to a height 130 feet. Bekal Fort is among the top visited locations in Kerala. The Hanuman temple near the entrance and the ancient Muslime mosque situated near the fort, hold testimony to the age-old religious harmony that prevailed in the area.

Eddakal Caves, Wayanad:

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Situated an altitude of 4000 feet, these caves were discovered by Fred Fawcett, the then Superintendent of Police of the Malabar district in 1890, during his hunting trip to Wayanad. The name ‘Edakkal’ literally means ‘a stone in between’. It is the only place with Stone Age carvings in South India. The carvings belonging to Neolithic and Mesolithic Age include ancient stone scripts, ancient weapons, symbols, animal figures and human beings. The rock surface is filled with motifs and one can see figures, crosses, triangles, tridents, various animals and human figures. Edakkal Caves is one of the most visited places in Wayand.

Tellicherry Fort, Thalassery:

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Tellicherry Fort is located in Thalassery town of Kannur District of Kerala India. The fort was built in 1708 by the British East India Company to establish a stronghold on the Malabar coastline. It is a testament to the impressive engineering skills of  the British engineers and designers, the fort encloses a number of secretive tunnels and underground chambers that once served as hiding burrows for the defeated British military personnel. This historical fort today, is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India and indeed, they have done a great job, making it an absolute delight for visitors who have a affinity for history and architecture. So, if you are also amongst those avid history buffs, a visit here definitely has to be marked on your travel itineraries.

Kappad Beach, Kozhikode:

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Vasco da Gama landed on Indian soil on 27th May 1498 at Kappad beach, Kozhikode along with 170 men. There is a monument on the beach that commemorates the landmark event of Vasco da Gama’s arrival. This marked the beginning of a new era in the relationship between the Indians and the Portuguese which lasted for 4 to 5 centuries. The beach is ideal for relaxing and playing around with sand. Devi Temple, which is believed to be 800 years old, is situated on top of a rock near the beach. Sunset is a great site to watch here, in the combination of Sea and River.

Vadakkunnathan temple, Thrissur

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Vadakkunnathan Temple, an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the city of Thrissur. It exemplifies impressive Kerala type of architectural style that is quite appropriate for regions where rains are vigorous. The temple has a beautiful ”Kuttambalam” – separate temple theatre for dances, etc., and monumental towers on all four cardinal directions. Vadakkunnathan Temple is the main venue of the famous Thrissur Pooram festival held every year in the month of April or May. This festival attracts more than a lakh of people, including many foreigners.  The festival goes on for seven days.

Palakkad Fort, Palakkad:

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The Palakkad Fort in Kerala is a beautiful historical monument that has gently integrated its high walls with its surrounding green gardens. One of the most well-preserved forts in the state of Kerala, the Palakkad fort was built in the 1766 AD by Hyder Ali, after which the fort was taken over and renovated by British in 1790. The fort is protected by Archeological Survey of India. And even today, the tough walls of the fort speak volumes about the stories of Tipu Sultan. The fort is square in shape, with massive walls and strong bastions in all four corners and in the middle. It is among the best preserved forts in South India. The thick laterite walls impress all who view it. A large ground that lies between the Fort and the Palakkad town hall is an important location for public meetings and important functions. Today it is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India. It is a preferred picnic spot for everyone visiting Palakkad.

The post World Heritage Day: Here ‘s A Look At The 6 Best Heritage Sites In Kerala appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.

‘Tis the season of blooms and as nature decks up in colourful florals, a special fiesta is being set up to usher in the fragrant time. The International Orchid Festival 2018 commences today, organised by the Department of Agriculture Development and Farmers’ Welfare, Kerala Agricultural University, and Orchid Society of India, to be held at the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), in Ambalavayal, Wayanad.

The fair, to be inaugurated by Minister for Agriculture V S Sunil Kumar on Saturday, March 17, will also be the occasion where Wayanad district will be declared as ‘special agricultural zone’ for floriculture and specialty rice.

In the rest of India, orchids are commonly found in Sikkim, which has an identical climate system to Wayanad. However, the business aspect of orchid cultivation is yet to be tapped in Kerala – a theme that will be a focus during the three fest that will also aim to spread awareness about the botanical and medicinal importance of orchids.

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