Tag Archives: India

Leh Palace- Once the Residence of Royals in Ladakh

June 17, 2018 allgudthings 20 Comments

When we talk about Leh Ladakh, we all talk about the colorful monasteries, vast landscapes, cobalt blue sky, high passes, high altitude lakes and the Tibetan culture there. Nobody talks or indeed tells about the grandeur unique Leh Ladakh Palaces there. During our 13-day road trip to Leh Ladakh, we made it a point to explore some Leh Ladakh Palaces and one of them was the majestic Leh Palace.

About Leh Palace

Overlooking the Himalayan Leh town, on the top of Tsemo Hill lies the former palace or residence of Royals known as Leh Palace. Locally, the Palace is also known as Lhachen Palkar. It is a 9 storied structure one of its own kind erected in the 17^th century. Indeed it was the tallest of all structures during its heydays.

The Leh Palace looks quite distinct from the other Palaces of India – quite simple, yet elegant and its greyish black dun color merges well with the surroundings. Palace has almost no signage board except the history board at the entrance and various board markings on the floor levels. So, scratch your head, make guesses and talk to the guards to find out facts about the Leh Palace, exactly as we did.

Ticket for Leh Palace

For Indians Rs. 15/- per person & Foreign Nationals – Rs.100/- per person. Camera charges are Rs. 25/-

Timings to visit

From sunrise to sunset

History of Leh Palace

The construction of Leh Palace was initiated by Tsewang Namgyal, the founder of the Namgyal Dynasty in the 16^th century and was completed by King Sengge Namgyal, the 5^th king of Ladakh in the 17^th century. It is said to be the replica of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, except being smaller in size.

The Palace was the residence of the Royals till it was attacked by the Dogra forces. During the attack, Leh Palace suffered quite losses and family was shifted to the Stok Palace. Today, the palace stands still but is in battered shape. The restoration work here is carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The architecture of Leh Palace

Leh Palace is a perfect example of Tibetan architecture. It has 9 stories in total, out of which Level 1 and 2 lays separate from the rest Levels. The lower two floors 1 and 2 were used as storerooms and stables whereas the upper floors were used as their residence by Royals.

The Palace has no such plush flamboyant décor, to attract tourists or travelers. It is simply made of wood, mud, sand, and stone. The uniqueness is the way 9 floors are laid down on the slanting hill and its buttressed walls. The materials used in the construction are used with a purpose. The mud keeps the rooms warm in winters and cool in summers. Wood acts as an insulator and prevents loss of heat. Sand is used as a gluing material in between the stones.

Level Third – Entrance

After parking our car, a long cobbled road took us to the main Palace entrance. We thought it to be the first floor but it was actually third. So, the main entrance to the Palace is at the third level. The entrance has wooden pillars and some ferocious Lion carvings on it, decorated with Tibetan clothes.

From there started the long dark corridors with the maze of several small rooms with low entrances. The whole place from inside looked gloomy and some of the rooms had now been turned into the exhibition halls.

The only attraction we saw in these rooms were the huge glass windows which gave the panoramic view of Leh town and Polo ground. And the irony is now the Polo ground is just a taxi stand. We also heard the guide describing that King used to sit here and watch the Polo match. Isn’t that the example of a luxurious life?

Level Four – Khatok Chenmo

The end of the corridor on the third floor had a steep staircase that took us straight to level four. The open courtyard in the front here, offered the magnificent view of Leh town whereas the sides had beautiful, geometrically designed windows and overhanging balconies. The windows were decorated with yellow prayer flags, making it highly contrasting and appealing. On the other end, I could see the staircase leading to the top floors and the curiosity was juggling in me was to reach the top soon.

Before we could climb to the next level; we saw the signage reading Duk – Kar- Lhakhang, also known as the temple of the Royals. Being hesitant is removing our shoes, we skipped going inside the temple. But the multiple pair of shoes outside completely depicted that Temple is still active and used for offerings. On inquiring we got to know, the Temple houses a statue of Lord Buddha and several ancient religious literatures. And from there, we further climbed the stairs to reach the next level.

Level Five – Hall of Public Audience

Again the zigzag, low lying corridors behaved no less than a maze to us. Indeed, I and Tashi were lost in our own direction and simultaneously were searching for each other. Here we saw a huge naturally lit room i.e. Hall of Public Audience, now used as an exhibition hall by ASI. There were several murals and paintings in the room. Some of them appeared to be more than 500- 600 years old and were now in dwindling state.

Level Six – The Royal Apartment

Level 6 appeared to be a more open and spacious courtyard. Also. the view of Leh city was widening with an increase in every level. In the center of Level 6, stood the top surface of the Hall of Public Audience, giving ample light to the room. On one end of the courtyard, there is a The Royal Apartment, secluded from everything whereas the other end leads to the trailing stairs to the next levels.

Level Seven- The Last Courtyard

The steep stairs from Level 6 took us to another higher level of the courtyard, offering the most thrilling panoramas of Leh city. The views were so contrasting that probably one can get confused looking at his own pictures. If one side of the Leh city is painted in green, the other side is probably painted in the dun shades and the front had a tint of both.

From here, you also get a perfect view of Tsemo Namgyal Castle, built by King Tashi Namgyal in the 16^th century.

Level 8 and Level 9 of Leh Palace

The last two levels 8 and 9 looked more broken down as compared to the rest levels and were closed for the public. The Guard sitting at the 7^th level told us that probably these levels also had been the royal rooms used for their own living.

Level 1 and 2

Now the only left part was Level 1 and 2. We wanted to go down and explore it but it was already time for sunset and Palace to shut down. So, we just clicked some shots of the same from level 3 while exiting. And these levels were used as stables and storehouses of the Royals.

How to reach Leh Palace

Leh Palace lies almost 2 kilometers away from the main Leh Market on the hilltop. There are two options to reach here. One is by driving till the palace and second is climbing the steep slopes from the Leh market. The first one is easier but the second one is more adventurous. The climb makes you pass through the Ladakhi houses and shops and it can be covered in 20-25 minutes.

Some Important Tips

Leh Palace is dark from the inside, so Nyctophobic people be prepared for the journey
The doors are really small. So, mind your head. Indeed, you will also find the boards quoting “Mind your head” with in the palace
Carry a water bottle to stay hydrated as it really gets tiring while climbing up and down
Wear flat shoes and comfortable clothing
Remove shoes before entering the Temple
Listen to the guards and don’t enter the prohibited areas as they have a valid reason to stop you from entering them. Palace is almost in broke downstate, so be safe
Don’t lean against the overhanging balconies and windows

Our Opinion

The visit to Leh palace is a journey to the primitive world. Its starking grand building is quite unique as compared to the other palaces of India. It clearly depicts the royalty and the power Royals had enjoyed. And the best is views- if on one side you see bustling Leh town, then on the other is Stok Kangri and Zanskar Himalayan range. We still can’t get over the views we had enjoyed and lived there.

That was all about our experience. Have you visited the Leh Palace or you want to visit it? Do share your thoughts on the same in the comment section. You can also pin it or share it with friends and family.

Other articles you can Check from Leh Ladakh series are:

Leh Ladakh Road trip from Delhi

A walk with Indian soldier at Kargil War Memorial

Nubra Valley: The Valley of Flowers in Ladakh

A day at White Lake Tso Kar in Ladakh

Attractions on the Srinagar Leh Highway

Ladakh-The land of High Passes

All you need to know about Leh Ladakh Inner Line Permit

Story of Gata Loops

Dos and Donts for Ladakh Road Trip

Hemis Monastery: Biggest & Wealthiest Gompa in Ladakh

Sonamarg, Kashmir – The Golden Meadows of India

Bhuttico Kullu Shawls & Accessories – The Gift of Valley

Leh Ladakh Palaces

10 reasons why everyone should travel India

The colored Tibetan Prayer Stones – Mani Stones

India, Jammu & Kashmir, Tourism, Travel

Dos and Donts for Ladakh Road Trip

June 13, 2018 allgudthings 19 Comments

Leh – Ladakh the crown of India or the Land of high passes is the dreamland of every adventurist. It boasts to be the land where the valleys extend in several kilometers, where mountains are dotted with innumerable ancient Buddhist Monasteries, where the sky is cobalt blue during the day and fill with infinity stars at night, where you can see a shooting star every moment, where there is a desert on one end and the high Rocky Mountains on others. But do you know to see all this, one needs to cross the most Treacherous Roads, with poor connectivity and sometimes huge traffic jams. Yes! You read it right. Here the quote “Difficult roads often lead you to beautiful destinations” perfectly fits in. So, in this post, we have compiled up certain pointers that you must keep in mind before heading for the Ladakh road trip.

Do make sure you know how to Drive in the mountains

Whether you enter from Manali and take exit via Srinagar or vice –versa, roads are narrow and serpentine with lots of mud, gravel, and potholes. So, take a decision to drive to Leh Ladakh only if you are confident with your driving skills. Otherwise, hire a cab or take a flight to Leh and you can check the Leh Ladakh Road Trip itinerary here.

Don’t Rush

Leh Ladakh road trip is one of the most scenic road trips in India. Indeed, there are unlimited panoramas on the way. So be slow, make unsolicited stops to capture gushing rivers, glaciers, pitch blue skies, and locals.

We reached Leh from Delhi on the fourth Day, making multiple stops. And the maximum of these was on the Srinagar Leh Highway. But have no regrets as every stoppage left a unique impression on the heart.

Do Rest and Acclimatize, before heading to the next stop

While road tripping to Leh Ladakh from Delhi one should gain altitude slowly and gradually. This will give the body enough time to adapt to the low oxygen levels with ever-increasing altitude. Indeed it will help to beat or avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) / Altitude Sickness. In case, you still suffer from it, then take Diamox.

We also suggest you to consult your doctor prior to your Leh Ladakh road trip if you have any breathing issues.

Don’t refer to Google Maps for the time frame

We all rely on Google Maps for getting time estimates to reach a particular destination but at the same time, we suggest you not to rely on Google Maps when in the land of High passes. Here, the map may show you just a distance of 100 kilometers which can be covered in 3 hours, but in actual it takes around 6-7 hours to cover it. So, the only advice is to start your journey early and retire for the day too timely.

Treacherous Roads in Ladakh which will definitely longer

Do make sure your documents are complete

Ladakh lies in a sensitive zone as it shares its border with neighboring countries like China and Pakistan. So, everyone needs special permits to enter and roam in this zone. Indians need Leh Ladakh Inner Line Permit and foreign Nationals need Protected Area Permit to visit them. You can read all about the Inner Line Permit here, before taking a road trip to Ladakh.

Don’t attempt to take Shortcuts

Shortcuts are alluring. They might take you through the most adventurous routes but can be equally dangerous, especially in Leh Ladakh. So we advise you not to follow GPS in Leh Ladakh and stay on the highways only. Locals can give you the best, recent updates on the routes. Talk to them before leaving.

Do make a visit to the Leh Ladakh Palaces before they Disappear

Leh Ladakh castles are architectural marvels on the hilltop hidden from the rest of the world. They might have been majestic during their eras but today only their ruins and rubble exist. So we advise you to take little detours where ever required and visit these palaces before they completely disappear.

We explored 6 Leh Ladakh Palaces during our Leh Ladakh Road trip and each one was completely unique in its own way.

Don’t depend on Phone and Internet Connectivity

Phone and Internet connectivity is extremely sparse in Ladakh, especially after crossing Sonamarg. Airtel postpaid and BSNL works well in Leh and other tourist towns like Kargil on the way, whereas in Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri and Tso Kar only BSNL works. The Leh Ladakh road trip was a perfect way to digital detox but we think it won’t be in the coming years as we saw the phone connection lines getting spread on most of the routes.

During our road trip to Leh Ladakh, most of the guesthouses were offering net connectivity but the speed was really slow because of multiple users.

Do carry some Food Supplies and Medicines

Ladakh is considered as one of the remotest areas, after Spiti Valley. Getting medical supplies and eateries while road tripping can be really tough here. So, we suggest you to always carry some eateries and medicine with you in the car. Also, if there is an emergency do take help from the locals. They are for sure one of the happiest people to help.

Don’t be Fussy about Food and Accommodation

Remember, Leh Ladakh lies at an altitude above 10,000 feet where the living conditions are extremely tough and resources are limited. So, stop cribbing. Go with the limited expectation and accept happily whatever you get. Rest, soak your eyes and soul with natural beauty.

Do carry multiple layers of clothes

While heading from one destination to another in Leh Ladakh there is a high altitude variation. For e.g. while heading to Nubra valley from Leh, you cross KhardungLa at 18,000 feet to reach 11,000 feet, which itself means a lot of temperature change. So, the advice is to carry multiple thin layers of clothes. This will keep your body as warm as required, without making you sick.

Don’t forget to charge your Camera Batteries

Every frame on the Leh Ladakh road trip is click-worthy. So remember to charge your camera batteries and also carry some extra batteries along. Electricity supply is there in all the major towns on the way except at Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri and Tso Kar.

That is all you need to remember about planning a Leh Ladakh Road Trip. If you plan well nothing can stop you from soaking yourself with gorgeous panoramas.

The humble request is to travel responsibly. Please do not litter anywhere in the Himalayas and get your plastic waste back. Help locals wherever you can.

Himachal, India, Tourism, Travel

Tabo- The National Historic Treasure of India

April 24, 2018 allgudthings 25 Comments

Around 970 AD, there was a hidden, unknown mountain face in Lahaul -Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, India. This mountain face at 10,760 feet was traced and occupied by few imperial souls – “Lamas” who wanted to practice Buddhism away from the materialistic life in the absolute peace. The simple men with the simple needs in life carved down their dwelling and meditation halls in this mountain face. Not only that; they further decorated their walls with murals and carvings. So, that’s how the mountain face got established and named as village of Cavemen, Caves or Tabo. Just beneath the foot of this cave mountains stand 1000 years old, holy monastery known as the Tabo Monastery or the “Ajanta of the Himalayas”.

About Village Tabo

Tabo, a well-known Buddhist Pilgrimage today; is a green oasis in the middle land Spiti, just like village Nako. It lies 155 kilometers from Rekong Peo and can be reached in 5-6 hours. The village is a flat bowl shaped green valley enclosed by arid mountains from all sides. The fluttering Tibetan prayer flags, chortens and mani stones around the village are a mark of the Buddhism vibes and establishment. The greenery around the village marks they are agriculturalist and have good produce of pea, cabbage, apples etc

The village Tabo has a total population of 500 and few houses. It is another Himalayan glory with lanes and by lanes. These lanes are lined by typical Spitian houses made of mud and stones with orchids around whereas others few have turned their homes to multi storied home stays and guest house. Actually, we were shocked to see how the things have changed here in 3-4 years. It seemed, that the village had been a part of time capsule advancement.

Anyways, we reached Tabo late evening from Rekong Peo which lies in Kinnaur, when the temperatures had already dipped. So, without wasting much time, we opted for a short walk to breathe the fresh air of beautiful village Tabo. Around 6:00 pm, most of the village seemed slept, market was shut, except few tea, coffee shops where 3-4 wrinkled, sunburn men were chatting. Then suddenly one of them asked -why are you here in winters, very few people travel this time and only few places are open. We smiled and conveyed him that we wanted to see the white Spiti Valley. We are prepared for the weather and have arranged a place to stay.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhgEMiPnUh9/?taken-by=suruchimittal

Further, we continued walking for 15 more minutes. Then saw some unfriendly dogs following us, which scared us out and we turned back to our Homestay. After chatting for hours with owners and having scrumptious local meal, we retired off to bed.

Sightseeing at Tabo

Next day was set to explore the attractions of Tabo. The small village has not many attractions. But is is well known for 1000-year-old monastery and the Caves. We felt the place itself is a attraction.

Tabo Monastery (Timings: 6am to 5pm)

The Tabo Monastery also known as Tabo Chos –Khor monastery is one of the fascinating archeological complex and is proposed to be under world UNESCO heritage site list. It too is one of the oldest and pious Monasteries in the Trans Himalayan range. The monastery was initially set as advanced Buddhist learning center and until day it has maintained the Buddhist legacy with utter purity.

The holy monastery complex is a perfect example of Indo–Tibetan art. It is walled from all sides by the tall mud walls and have arid mountain in backdrop, making it look the part of mountain itself. The complex houses 9 temples, 23 chortens (without adornments), a monk’s chamber and the nuns chamber inside. The temples inside the complex are adorned with intricate murals, frescoes, paintings and Thangkas depicting the life story of Buddha, which we really failed to understand.

Old Tabo Monastery complex - Spiti Valley — Old Tabo Monastery complex

In 1975, the Kinnaur earthquake severely damaged the old monastery. Today, Monastery stands erect but in despair state and the paintings are fading. The ongoing restoration work is under ASI (Archaeological sites of India), to preserve it as a National Treasure of India.

Mani Stones around Chortens in old Tabo Monastery

Just adjacent to the old stands a new Monastery and huge Tabo Gompa, which resembles exactly the Gompa’s of other monasteries of Spiti Valley.

Tabo Caves

The other fascinating attraction is the Tabo caves which can be reached after a good steep hike. The caves overlook the green village and flowing Spiti River. Not one, but several in number, these caves have narrow small openings to enter and there are rooms with in the rooms. The caves were in severe dilapidated state and some of these looked almost rudimentary.

These are believed to be the mediation chambers of Monks and some are still used till day. We found one of them had a door too, which according to our guide was put recently by some villager, quoting the respective cave to be his ancestral place. Interesting!

Village Tabo view while hiking for caves — Top View of Village Tabo

Tabo Helipad

Tabo Helipad lies exactly on one end of the village in between the mountains. Occasionally Helipad is used as a helipad whereas at rest times it is a playground for cricket and other adventure activities.

Walkthrough the narrow lanes of village and to the river

We feel there is something in the air of Tabo – the good vibes, the positive energy and happiness. It has to be, as we are in the land of Gods. So, walk through the narrow lanes, talk to locals, say Julley and fill yourself with the positivism. Indeed, we feel the village itself is quite picturesque.

Star Gazing and Night Photography

Tabo and the whole Spiti Valley is a wonderful place for night photography, only if the sky is clear. So, go for it if the sky is starry. You will surely get some wonderful shots. We couldn’t try our hands because it was cloudy and snowing.

Apart this, Tabo is a base to several treks and opt for them only with the guides.

Places to Stay

The Village boosts about several lodges, guest houses and home stays. We have been to Tabo thrice and have stayed at some of these. The best one’s we recommend are Phuntsok’s /Baba’s Homestay and the Tabo Monastery guest house.

Phuntsok’s Homestay lives perfectly to the name of homestay. The family treats one like a family member and will provide the utmost comfort. Homestay is operational both during summers and winters. The rooms are well furnished and have attached washrooms. Just in winters, be prepared to use the common dry pit toilets, which probably one has to use everywhere in Spiti during winters. (Charges per person per day – around Rs.1500/-).

Tabo Monastery’s guest house rooms is an apt choice for summers. These mud rooms come with attached washroom and are super warm and cozy. In winters, the guest house is usually closed. Also, while staying with them do try their delicious Tibetan and Chinese food. (Double Bed room – Charges per day – Rs.500/-).

Food at Tabo

There are several cafés and bakeries in Tabo serving various types of cuisines. Our recommendation is try one meal at Monastery’s café. Munch on their Thupka and freshly cooked Momos.

How to reach Tabo

Tabo can be reached only via road from Shimla (365 kilometers) or Manali (150 kilometers). In summers, its accessible from both sides. So, we always recommend to do a circuit trip whereas in winter, the too and fro journey can be done only from Shimla side, because of the closure of Kunzum La and Rohtang La.

Read about: Ladakh – The Land of Passes

Advised route for summers (Circuit trip) – Delhi – Chandigarh – Manali – Kaza – Tabo – Nako – Rekong Peo – Rampur – Shimla – Zirakpur – Delhi or vice versa

Route for winters– Delhi – Chandigarh – Shimla – Rampur – Rekong Peo – Nako – Tabo-kaza

Expected temperature

Weather is highly unpredictable in Tabo. If at one time its sunny, other time it will be cloudy accompanied by rains and even snowfall.

Summers: lasts from May to August or maximum mid-September. The temperature ranges from -5 degree Celsius at night to 20 degrees Celsius during day.

Winters: lasts from September to April and the temperature ranges from 4 degrees Celsius during day to -45 degree Celsius during night. Winters are extremely harsh.

Best Time to Go: The best time to travel is from May to September. If you want to see white land, then go in winters between December to march.

Points to Remember

Tabo lies in rain shadow bearing zone but the temperature changes here, unexpectedly. So do carry some woolens.
Do spend one night in Tabo
Respect the local culture and religion
Buy a souvenir from monastery, if possible. The collected money is used for the maintenance of monastery.
Photography inside the monastery is prohibited to prevent damage to the artwork. Please do respect that,
If you are planning to travel during winters, remember the options for food and lodging are very limited and fix your stay before leaving.
Multiple ATM’s have opened up in Tabo, but don’t expect all of them to be in working state.
Till day, only BSNL connections work in Tabo
There is no fuel station at Tabo. The nearest one is either at Rekong Peo or Kaza.
At Tabo, Earlier electricity used to be there for limited hours but during our recent visit in January 2018, electricity was there for whole day as well night.
Most important do not litter the Himalayas. Keep them clean.

So, overall the travel to this Holy land is a bliss and it leaves you with the intriguing thoughts and questions.

If you need any more info, to plan you summer as well winter trip, please do leave a comment in the comment box. We will be happy to answer them.

Hotel Review, Hotels, India, Tamil Nadu, Tourism, Travel

Review: Chariot Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram

October 31, 2017 allgudthings 40 Comments

If you are a history freak and looks for a relaxed vacation simultaneously, want to sleep in the private deluxe or seaside cottages with an Olympiad pool around, walk hand in hand watching the sunrise with your loved one on a private beach, then the Chariot Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram is the perfect place for you.

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Recently, you might have seen our Instagram feed and Facebook feed loaded with lots of beach pictures giving you a perfect clue about our trip to the awesome Chariot property, and the fun we had while doing activities at chariot beach resort, Mahabalipuram. We were invited as guests to the #Chariot Bloggers Retreat.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaeEyaOnSV1/?hl=en&taken-by=suruchimittal

We, a team of 16 bloggers from Delhi landed at Chennai Airport in the morning and were driven by the Chariot team Chauffer to the Chariot Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram. The resort is located at a distance of 60 km from the prime location at the shore. It took around 1:30 hr to reach the resort. As soon as we arrived, we were welcomed by the refreshing traditional South Indian coconut drink and seashell garlands. After a brief introduction and savory filling brunch, we were ushered towards our super deluxe villas.

About The Chariot Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram

The Chariot Beach resort is stretched over 42 acres. There are 70 rooms and villas amidst the swaying coconut trees and beach at the end.

Mahabalipuram or earlier known as Mamallapuram is a UNESCO heritage site and has the history dating back to 6^th century when Pallavas came from Sri Lanka to rule the place.

The Chariot Beach resort is a perfect destination to soak in the greenness and calm your senses at the beach.

Rooms at Chariot Resort

The resort has in total 70 rooms categorized into standard rooms, deluxe rooms & cottages (24), sea view cottages (4) and sea view suites (4).

The rooms, villas and the suites in the Chariot beach resort are crafted keeping in mind the simple logic Rest & Relaxation (R&R) and the gripping greenery and cold breeze of the ocean are enough to unwind one from its daily chores.

Super Deluxe Cottages at chariot Mahabalipuram — Super Deluxe Cottages

We stayed at Super Deluxe cottages, which is spacious and furnished in a way to house two queen size beds. And the other amenities like working table, Sofa, chairs, LED’s, minibar, coffee maker, weighing scales, washroom, and outdoor shower. The villa is hugged from all sides by tropical gardens and has huge windows for the direct sunlight. The room looks out to the patio which has a perfect sitting arrangement to enjoy some morning and evening filter coffee with the newspaper. The Super Deluxe Villas are apt for the families as well as the couples.

There are few Sea view cottages and suites in the resort too. Everything in these is almost same except that from there patio and rooms, one gets direct views of the sea and its waves. The Sea View Suites too has a separate dining area within their rooms.

Sea View Suites at Chariot Beach Resort — Sea View Suites

Sea View from Sea view Cottages at Chariot Beach Resort — Sea View from Sea View Cottages

Restaurants at Chariot Beach Resort

If you are someone who is the foodie, can go gaga about the food, have strong taste buds and the aroma of the cooked food in restaurants can tease your hunger, then this is the place you should be for your weekend getaways. They offer you a variety of traditional South Indian Cuisine to North Indian food.

There are 3 restaurants and a Bakehouse at Chariot Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram.

Kapi serves multi cuisines, a la carte and buffet throughout the day for its guests. There are live counters to try some lip-smacking local delicacies.

Sweet Delicacies at Chariot beach Resort — Sweet Delicacies at Chariot Beach Resort

Panam is a bar to enjoy some good cocktails and mocktails with your family and friends.

Coast actually lies on the sea coast with the wonderful sea views and cold breeze. The fresh seafood severed here is palatable and unforgettable. Chariot team too organizes dinner for family, couple and friends on the sea coast.

Bake House on the property is enough to keep your sugar and calorie level apt while enjoying the property. The team doesn’t forget to serve you a variety of desserts after every meal.

Apart from this, there are various shakes and juices to enjoy the day.

Activities at Chariot Beach Resort Mahabalipuram

There are a plethora of activities to choose from and enjoy within the premises of chariot Beach resort. There is a separate 5 acres neighborhood activity zone to rush your adrenaline levels. To name few others there is Zip lining, Burma Bridge, ATV ride, Cricket zone, Table tennis, Olympiad size swimming pool, private beach, Catamaran ride and Ayurvedic Spa zone. You can read about these in detail here.

Watching Sunrise on private beach of Chariot Beach Resort — Watching Sunrise on private beach at Chariot Beach Resort

Events

The Chariot beach resort, Mahabalipuram has three Banquet Halls named as Orchid, Marigold, and Frangi Pani. These can house 60 to 400 people during conferences and other events.

Besides, this the Chariot Team organizes personal as well as corporate parties at their Rock garden, pool, and private beach, only on prior request.

Bar in rock garden of Beach Resort — Bar in rock garden at Chariot Beach Resort

Walking/ Cycling at Chariot Beach Resort

Disregard all this, walk or cycle around the whole property in the early morning. There is silence, soothing birds chirping and a whiff of cool fresh ocean air brushing against your skin and soothing your inner soul.

Our Experience at Chariot Beach Resort

So, from all this review you can clearly make out that the Chariot Beach resort has some or other thing for everyone. We could relax and rejuvenate here, away from the mundane city life. The place is a perfect example of peace and tranquillity. One can calm down and detox himself/herself in the perfect environment here.

Other must-visit Attractions in Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram is a UNESCO heritage site dating back to 6^th-7^th century, so make sure to dwell yourself on the history of Pallavas dynasty. The Chariot Beach resort organizes a half day walking heritage tour of the Mahabalipuram city on prior request. The places which are must see and included in the tour are – Shore temple, part of submerged shore Temple, Krishna’s Butterball, Arjuna’s Penance, Old and New Lighthouse, 5 Ratha’s, and Seashell Museum. We will be covering all the details about these in our next post.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BarR1UdH8Z4/?hl=en&taken-by=suruchimittal

How to reach here

The Chariot Beach resort Mahabalipuram is just 60 km from Chennai. It takes around 1hr 30 minutes, maximum to reach.

Address: Five Raths Road, Behind Five Raths Monument, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104

Website: www.chariotbeachresorts.com

Disclaimer:

AllGudThings was invited as a guest for the Chariot Bloggers Retreat, 2017, but the views expressed here in the post are completely ours. Special Thanks to Mr. Anand Chandershekar, for arranging everything so nicely and taking good care of all the bloggers.

If you are convinced and liked it, please share this weekend getaway with your friends and family.