Must-Visit Destinations For Indian Cricket Fans This Month

The cricket fever is set to rise with all the prominent teams of the cricketing world set to clash in the World Cup of the shortest format of the game. The World Cup is all set to begin on 8 March and the four-week long cricketing extravaganza will see first-time hosts India play at least four matches in the tournament, all in the second round (the first round being a qualifier stage for the four lowest ranked teams).

Those who plan to travel to the match venues to catch all the action live are surely going to have a gala time. For great stays at affordable prices, hotels can be booked in Nagpur, Kolkata, Bangalore & Mohali here.

And if you are planning to support India in this world cup live at the venue, read on to find out what else, apart from the match itself, should be on your itinerary.

Nagpur – Venue of the India Vs New Zealand match on 15 March

Known as the City of Oranges, Nagpur is one of the fastest growing cities of India as well as an important centre of commerce.

Top Places To Visit In Nagpur

Deekshabhoomi (Diksha Bhumi) – A sacred Buddhist monument that attracts millions of pilgrims every year. Spread over four acres, the architecture is based along the lines of the stupa at Sanchi.

Image Source

Nagpur Central Museum – Established more than 150 years ago, the museum is locally known as Ajab Bangla. It displays coins, ancient inscriptions, sculptures, inscriptions and pre-historic artifacts sourced from Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Vidarbha and some parts of western Maharashtra. The museum also has a gallery if natural history where trophies of antlers, reptiles, fish and invertebrates are displayed. The place makes for a nice visit for those interested in studying history and nature. Do note that the museum remains closed on Mondays and public.

Images Source

Ramtek – Located about 48 km from the city of Nagpur, Ramtek houses the Ramtek Fort Temple dedicated to Lord Rama. The temple is about 400 years old. Ramtek is also believed to be the place where Lord Rama rested during his exile, and is therefore religiously significant. There are also many Jain temples in Ramtek, making it an important pilgrimage centre for the Jain community too.

Image Source

Lakes – Nagpur has 11 lakes of different sizes. Some of the most popular ones are –

Ambazari Lake – The lake’s name originates from the many mango trees that surround it (Amba mean
Mango in Marathi). The Ambazari Garden just beside the lake is another famous tourist attraction,
with boating facility and trails.

Futala Lake – Spread over 60 acres, this lake is popular for its colored fountains. In the
evenings, Tangas (horse-carriages) are an added attraction.

Image Source – Wiknowme

Book your OYO in Nagpur here.

Kolkata – Venue of the India Vs Pakistan match on 19 March

A cosmopolitan city like no other, myriad hues and flavours come together to give this city its distinct feel.

Top Reasons To Visit Kolkata

Apart from the T-20 World Cup match, that is.

Landmarks

The first capital of British India has a number of famous landmarks. There’s the astounding museum, Victoria Memorial, dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria. Goddess Kali being the predominantly worshipped deity here, religious spots like the Dakshineswar Kali temple and the Kalighat Kali temple see a high number of footfalls. There’s also the beautiful Belur Math shrine that was founded by Swami Vivekananda as well as the newer Sheetalnathji Jain Temple. The Howrah Bridge – prominently featured in literature, art and cinema – also serves as a major tourist attraction. And how can one forget the familiar yellow taxis?

Architecture

Kolkata is home to a variety of architectural styles, ranging from the Victorian buildings reminiscent of the city’s colonial past to the distinct, never more than a couple of stories high homes that are spread all over the city. If buildings could speak, the people of Kolkata would never see a death of stories. A walk down a street in South Kolkata is nothing short of a walk down memory lane.

Culture

Being the city of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, Kolkata has plenty of literary and cultural hubs. Rabindra Sadan, a large theatre, serves as the primary cultural hub of the region. A number of events and plays take place at the theatre every evening.  Rabindra Bharti Museum, formally the home of Rabindra Nath Tagore, is a major literary hub that serves as a significant reserve of the works of Tagore. The citizens take great pride in the rich Bengali cultural heritage that encompasses art, music, literature, cinema and more.

Food

A tour of Kolkata is incomplete if you do not treat your tongue with the delicious cuisine of this place. The rich Kasha Mangsho, the awesome Kathi Rolls and heavenly desserts like Mishti Doi, Shondesh and the omnipresent Roshogolla are among the most popular food items here, but a wider range of options exist for the more adventurous foodies. Paying a visit to places like Haji Saheb, The Park, Sanjha Chulha, etc. will be a great idea if one wants to try out authentic Calcuttan cuisine.

Products

Kolkata excels in terracotta products. Small ‘Bankura’ figures can serve as beautiful keepsakes to gift your people back home. The Lal Paar Sarees (red border sarees) and fabulous jute craft items such as handbags and wall hangings are some of the other beautiful gifts that you can carry home. That, only if your bags are not full of boxes of sweets already!

Image Source

For more detailed insights into Kolkata’s heavenly food, check out this blog, and in case you are planning to visit this city, do check out the best hotels in this city here.

 

Bangalore – Venue of the India Vs Qualifying Team A match on 23 March

India’s third most populous city and also an established IT hub, Bangalore needs no introduction. Also known as the Garden City, Bangalore is known for it’s cool breeze and pleasant weather all through the year.

Top Places To Visit in Bangalore

Parks – Bangalore is called the Garden City because of the many gardens and parks present in different parts of the city. Some of the most popular ones are –

Lal Bagh – A botanical garden with over 1000 species of plants and a lake, the park was created along the lines of the Mughal Gardens. Another attraction is the Lal Bagh Rock, said to be over 3000 million years old.

 

Cubbon Park – The largest park in Bangalore spread over 300 acres, the rich flora and beautifully maintained buildings and statues make this park unique in Bangalore.

 

Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace – A beautiful example of Indo-Islamic architecture built entirely of teak, the palace walls have beautiful floral motifs and the palace houses various paintings dating back to the palace’s glorious past.

Bangalore Palace – Easily the most recognisable structure in Bangalore, the palace resembles the art style of Windsor Castle in London. The grounds of the palace have been the venue for a number of big concerts and events.

 

Vidhan Soudha – The seat of Karnataka’s legislative assembly, this grand granite building looks remarkably beautiful when illuminated during the night on special occasions.

Book your OYO in Bangalore here.

Mohali – Venue of the India Vs Australia match on 27 March

Part of a ‘Tri-city’ along with Chandigarh and Panchkula, Mohali is predominantly a commercial hub. However, there are a number places of interest around this city.

Pinjore Gardens – Located just 38 km away from Mohali, Pinjore Gardens offers an escape from the urban routine of the city. The complex comprises a number of terraces, palaces and fountains,  and a heritage train is available to ferry tourists through the entire complex.

 

Sukhna Lake – Located in Chandigarh (13 km from Mohali), the lake is located at the foothills of the Shivalik Hills. A popular hangout among the locals, the lake’s promenade offers a great view to visitors who get to soak in the aesthetic beauty of the place.

Rock Garden – Situated at a walking distance from Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden is the brainchild of late Nek Chand. Built using material collected from demolition sites across the city, the garden is more of a trail with beautiful pieces of art created from glass, broken ceramics and even wires.

Book your OYO in Mohali here. To explore the adjacent city of Chandigarh, book your OYO here.

The Twenty-20 world cup starts next week. Grab your match tickets and plan your travel now!