Wizards of Life!

Tag: asia

  • Discovering the Enchanting Araku Valley: A Hidden Gem in Andhra Pradesh

    Discovering the Enchanting Araku Valley: A Hidden Gem in Andhra Pradesh

    Araku Valley is a picturesque hill station located in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, India. Known for its breathtaking landscapes, coffee plantations, and rich cultural heritage, Araku Valley is a popular destination for tourists seeking natural beauty and tranquility. Located in Alluri Sitarama Raju District of Andhra Pradesh, Araku Valley is a beautiful but lesser known hill station in India. The place is located around 110 km from the city of Visakhapatnam and and is well connected from the city of Visakhapatnam via road and Rail transport.

    Araku Valley is home to many of the indigenous tribes and is mainly inhabited by the tribal population. The maximum population in Araku Valley is of Araku Tribes and that is the reason it is known as Araku Valley. The place is frequently visited by many tourists mainly from the Visakhapatnam city to get a respite from the scorching heat of the area as well as hustle and bustle of the city life.

    Geography and Climate

    • Location: Araku Valley is situated in the Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh, approximately 110 kilometers (about 75 miles) from the city of Visakhapatnam.
    • Altitude: The valley is located at an altitude of about 900 to 1,400 meters (2,953 to 4,593 feet) above sea level, providing a cool and pleasant climate throughout the year.
    • Climate: The region experiences a moderate climate, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F) in summer and dropping to around 5°C to 18°C (41°F to 64°F) in winter. The monsoon season brings moderate to heavy rainfall, enhancing the valley’s lush greenery.

    Attractions and Activities

    • Coffee Plantations: Araku Valley is renowned for its coffee plantations. The coffee grown here, particularly the organic Araku Coffee, is famous for its unique flavor and aroma. Visitors can tour the plantations and learn about the coffee production process.
    • Borra Caves: Located about 35 kilometers from Araku, these limestone caves are one of the deepest caves in India. They feature impressive stalactites and stalagmites and are a major tourist attraction.
    Borra Caves(Araku Valley)
    • Tribal Museum: This museum showcases the culture, artifacts, and lifestyle of the indigenous tribes of the region, offering a glimpse into the rich tribal heritage of the Eastern Ghats.
    Tribal Museum Araku Valley
    • Padmapuram Gardens: A beautiful botanical garden featuring exotic plants, tree-top huts, and a toy train. It’s a perfect spot for nature lovers and families.
    • Galikonda Viewpoint: Offering panoramic views of the valley, this viewpoint is one of the highest points in the Eastern Ghats. It provides stunning vistas of the surrounding hills and forests.
    Galikonda View Point
    • Dumbriguda Waterfalls (Chaaparai): A scenic spot with cascading waterfalls, surrounded by lush greenery, ideal for picnics and nature walks.
    • Katiki Waterfalls: Located near Borra Caves, this waterfall is accessible via a short trek, offering a refreshing experience amidst nature.
    • Coffee Museum: A place dedicated to exploring the history of coffee and its various varieties. This was the best place that I visited in Araku Valley. The history and significance of various types of coffee is displayed on the walls beautifully.
    Coffee Museum Araku valley

    Cultural Heritage

    1. Tribal Culture: Araku Valley is home to several tribal communities, including the Araku, Gadaba, and Jatapu tribes. The region’s cultural heritage is rich with traditional dances, music, and crafts.
    2. Dhimal Dance: This traditional dance form is performed by the tribal women during festivals and special occasions, showcasing their vibrant culture.
    3. Local Markets: The weekly shandies (markets) are a great place to experience the local culture, where tribal people sell their handmade crafts, fresh produce, and traditional items.

    Accessibility

    • By Road: Araku Valley is well-connected by road. Regular buses and taxis are available from Visakhapatnam and other nearby towns.
    • By Rail: The Araku Valley Railway Station is part of the Visakhapatnam-Kirandul passenger line. The train journey from Visakhapatnam to Araku is particularly scenic, passing through tunnels, bridges, and lush landscapes. I would personally suggest to take the train journey via Vistadom coach to enjoy the lush green hills on the way.
    View from Vistadom Coach
    • By Air: The nearest airport is Visakhapatnam International Airport, about 115 kilometers away. From there, travelers can take a taxi or bus to reach Araku Valley.

    Conclusion

    Araku Valley is a hidden gem in Andhra Pradesh, offering a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and serene ambiance. Whether you are a nature enthusiast, a coffee lover, or someone looking to experience tribal culture, Araku Valley has something for everyone.

  • Iconic South Mumbai Buildings: Experiencing Heritage Amid COVID Lockdown

    Iconic South Mumbai Buildings: Experiencing Heritage Amid COVID Lockdown

    The South Mumbai area of Mumbai is particularly famous for British Era buildings which have come to define the Mumbai Skyline for past more than 100 years. Some of the iconic buildings of this area include Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (Victoria Terminus) Building, Bombay Municipal Corporation Building, The Taj Hotel building among many others. Most of these buildings are designed in Victorian and Art Deco design and South Mumbai boasts second largest number of art deco buildings in the world after Miami City. The famous Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Building has been declared as the World Heritage Building in 2004. This is an article about a walkthrough the South Mumbai during the COVID Lockdown period.

    The COVID lockdown period was a period of grief and suffering to many people and families due to the economic hardships and the unfortunate deaths and sufferings. However due to countrywide locks lock down the traffic on the roads was minimal and cities had become pedestrian friendly. This helped us to see the cities in the original form in the sense that the streets were not claimed by the car traffic.

    During the COVID Lock down period I was posted in Mumbai and my office was located in one of the heritage building known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. During my free time I used to walk in the streets of South Mumbai city and was able to click some beautiful pictures of the most iconic buildings of the South Mumbai. This post is about some of those photographs.

    1. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Building

    This iconic building was designed by British architectural engineer Frederick Williams Stevens. The building is designed in Gothic style and was completed in 1887 marking 50 years of Queen Victoria’s rule. The building was declared as World heritage Building in April 2004. The building is currently the headquarter of Central Railway.

    Front View of Building
    Side view of CSMT building
    Sunset view of Sky over CSMT building

    2. Churchgate Terminus( Western Railway Headquarters Building)

    This beautiful building was designed by Frederick Williams Stevens. The construction began in 1889 and completed in 1899. The building presently houses the Western Railway Headquarter.

    View of Western Railway Headquarter Building

    3. Municipal Corporation Building(BMC Building)

    The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), or Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) is the governing civic body of Mumbai. The building was designed by Robert Fellowes Chisholm who is credited with the revival of Indo Saracenic style of architecture in India. The foundation stone was laid in December 1884 and the building was completed in 1893.

    BMC Building (Evening View)
    BMC Building (Night View)

    4. Flora Fountain

    Built at a total cost of Rs. 47,000, or 9,000 pounds sterling Flora Fountain is located on historic Dada Bhai Naoroji Road on Hutatma Chowk. The fountain depicts the Roman Goddess Flora and is a famous icon of the fort business district of South Bombay.

    Flora Fountain
    Hutatma Chowk

    5. Asiatic Society Circle/Fort Area(Mumbai)

    During the COVID period this place was very calm having no people at all. Shooting pictures of this place at that time was once in a lifetime opportunity.

    Asiatic Society Building(front View)
    Fort Area(Mumbai)

    6. Kala Ghoda

    This area is particularly famous for being the art district of Mumbai area. Many of the art festivals including the kala ghoda festival is held in this area.

    The Spirit of Kala Ghoda Statue
    Famous Buildings nearby the Kala Ghoda Statue

    7. Sunset at Marine Drive

    During the COVID period the environment was clean and hence the Mumbai skyline was very clear from the Marine drive. The view of the sunset from this point was particularly mesmerizing.

    Mumbai Skyline from Marine Drive

    8. Other Random Clicks

    Due to less vehicular movement and the area being free of crowd the entire area was pretty beautiful and all the buildings were giving their most beautiful view.

    Dadabhai Naoroji Statue
    Few Random Clicks in the streets of Mumbai

    Overall seeing the city of old Mumbai during the COVID times was once in a lifetime experience.