Changes in the travel industry we would experience after covid-19

We all have experienced a new thing – covid-19 – the ultimate pandemic situation. None of us hasn’t gone through lockdown periods or spent months inside the house. Although people are allowed to go anywhere, the situation is called “new normal”. People need to put their masks on and wash their hands after certain intervals. In this situation, we are desperately trying to get away from it in 2021. A few things are now going through an immense change. For example, the travel industry is struggling to adapt to the pandemic situation.

Now, it’s time to find out domestic comforts and forgoing the excitements of international tours. So much is there at stake across the world right now. Everyone is cautious of the consequences of traveling abroad. On the other hand, they truly want to be free just like they did before 2020 but they know they need to acclimatize to this new environment. A new world is waiting for us which is encapsulated in unpredictable situations and struggles.

Currently, we are spending more time on health issues and wellness tips. So, obviously, our travel diaries will reflect that.

Let’s check out what the travel industry has stored for us in 2021 along with so many massive changes. What are the travel trends that tourists are going to experience?

Domestic tourism:

Travelers are looking for solace in domestic destinations. Whereas international tourism is almost off these days, people are preferring staying closer to the hometown. Well, don’t be upset that you cannot plan for a Europe tour. It’s the perfect time to explore your country. On the other hand, those badly hit local businesses have a golden opportunity to revive. So, exploring domestic tourism is quite a viable option along with certain restrictions within certain countries.  

Small communities are playing much important role:

As travelers are not in hurry to rush through the most popular destinations, small countries and tiny towns are playing a big role. These places were struggling economically before the pandemic. Now, these places have become more popular as tourist places. It has helped them a lot to boost up the economical condition.

As a traveler, everyone should support these places by donating and patronizing small and local businesses. Developing countries that depend on tourism will be profitable then. We should diversify the tourist locations to avoid mass and support those places that truly require it.

Road trips are kicking into higher gear:

For many of us, road trips might be the best feasible solution for travel in this pandemic situation. Whether you are a frequent flier or an armature one, it’s the best time to accelerate up. Driving across your local tourist spots can be really exciting as you have experienced during the international tours. It's all about your mindset.

Road trips will show you the core and basics of travel – exposure to innovations, curiosity and wonder nature – all you can observe from your personal perspective.

Road trips also can be very flexible as you are the only one planning about it. No hurry to board on a flight or reach the railway station on time. Everything you can plan according to your comfort level.  

New travel plans:

After the pandemic situation, our travel plans have been changed a lot. Many new things have been included in the list such as the covid negative certificate or vaccine certificates. This is a must-do thing when you are planning to travel abroad whatever the reason may be.

People will seek quality now:

Travelers are planning more thoughtfully about their bucket lists. This pandemic situation has taught us to rethink how to travel safely and be secure. We have the freedom to explore several unique travel projects rather than focusing on the most common and expensive ones.

Other things also exist that make travelers drive in a different way. Maybe we get over the pandemic situation, but these new practices would remain for long.

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The perfect Queensland road trip for music lovers

Australia is a beautiful country to explore, and it has so much to offer when it comes to entertainment! As you may know, this lovely travel destination is best known for its incredible festivals running all year round and all country for some road trip you won’t forget. If you want to explore while having fun at some music festivals you are in the right place. We are going to share with you our own experience to create an outstanding and alternative way to explore Australia. Let’s go!

Image by magee from Pixabay 

Rent a car to start road tripping

First things first to start road tripping the country and attend the fantastic festival you need a car. You should visit some good car site to compare car rental offers and find what’s best for you. It’s comfortable, convenient and we always rely on this for our road trip experience. Check it out, and you won’t regret it!

Check the best festival taking places all over the country

According to the time of the year, there is a different type of festivals. From the Summafieldayze in January to the Golden Days in November, each season has something to offer. Learn something more about it ahead of your trip and find what’s suits you more!

Book your stay in advance

Road tripping could get a little demanding while you don’t have the chance to relax and recharge your energy to keep going. Remember always to book at least a couple of stay ahead of your trip. A cancellation free option could be the right solution to use this as a backup plan for a more flexible and open experience.

Image by G John from Pixabay 

Find some interesting places nearby

This is your chance to marvel at Australian attractions while having some fun. Learn about what’s hot nearby and save some time to explore during the day and have some crazy fun at night! Queensland is to die for! Explore it, and you will have the best time!

Study the perfect festival outfits to rock the scene!

Bring with you the perfect clothes for some stylish combination! Festival vibes are the best, and this is your chance to have some fun! Dare for more, and you will feel like the king of the party!

Mix music with something else you like

Queensland is famous for its vast amount of festivals as it’s not only about music! If you are into surfing, biking or vision arts, you should entirely learn about what’s upcoming in this beautiful area! You would combine both interests for a unique experience!

Image by Joshua_Willson from Pixabay 

Exploring Queensland in an alternative way

Attending a festival will give you the chance to see a more hidden side of the country, meeting with the locals and getting to know people from all over the world! Be open and have fun!

These are our best seven tips to live your music festival road trip experience differently and unusually. This could be an outstanding chance to explore Queensland and its culture and lifestyle from a unique perspective too. Enjoy your trip!

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The history of kamrup kamakhya Mandir in Assam

Pack your bag for the next destination to Kamrup. Pay a visit at the sacred Hindu temple of goddess kamakhya during the ambubachi mela. Thousands of devotees come across the world to become a part of the festival of celebrating Devi Kamakhaya’s annual menstrual cycle. Definitely, you are going to have an amazing experience here.

The kamrup-Kamakhya Mandir, often known as The Kamakhya Mandir, is a renowned and sacred Hindu temple specially dedicated to the goddess mother Kamakhya. This is one of the ancient places of the 51 sacred “sati Pithas”. Located on the Nilachal Hill in the Western part of Guwahati in Assam, India, the temple is an important part of a sacred “ten mahavidyas” temple complex.

Among these ten mahavidyas, Kamala, Matangi and Tripurasundari live inside the main Kamakhya Devi temple whereas the rest seven saktis have individual temples. This Hindu pilgrimage is a very important place for Tantric worshipers.

Pic Credit: Trip Locomotive

Overall description of kamakhya Mandir:

The temple structure was built and renovated several times during the 8^th-17^th century. So, the temple architecture inherited a hybrid indigenous style which is often called “Ninachal type” architecture. From its hemispherical dome in the cruciform base, architects claim that the main kamrup kamakhya temple was followed “Nagara Architecture”.

The temple has four main chambers: gabbhagriha and three other mandapas named calanta, pancharatna and natmandira arrayed from east to western direction.

Garbhagriha:

The garbhagriha of kamakhya devi temple was made by pancharatna architectural plan. The Surya Temple architecture at Tezpur was followed to build the other three mandapas. These mandapas have delightful sculptured panels of Hindu gods and goddesses similar to the Khajuraho temple or other medieval temples. The lower part of the main temple is made of stone whereas the shikhara is made of brick in the beehive-like polygonal shaped dome. This is known as the special architectural characteristic in Kamrup. Multiple minarets have circled the shikhara which was inspired by the Bengal type architecture – “charchala”. The shikhara and angasikharas and the rest of the chambers were built during the 16^th century and after.

Pic Credit: Trip Locomotive

The garbhagriha actually is an underground level cave and has no sculpture or image of devi but a yoni (female genital part) shaped rock. The yoni-shaped rock features a 10-inch deep hole by slopping downwards from both sides. The hollow always gets filled with water from an underground recurrent spring. This yoni-shaped rock is known as kamrup kamakhya devi herself and is worshiped by pilgrims. The vulva-shaped stone depression in the cave is known as one of the most important pithas of Devi Sati. The garbhagriha is quite small and dark. You need to pass through a narrow, sharp slopping steep of stone to reach to the garbhagriha. 

All the other garbhagrihas in the Kamakhaya Mandir complex follows the same yoni-shaped stone structure just like the main temple. These stone depressions also get filled with underground recurring spring water.

Other three chambers:

The Guwahati kamakhya mandir is consists of three additional chambers.

Calanta: the first mandapa to the western direction. This is a square-shaped chamber created in following the Bengal architectural pattern – “Atchala”. You can spot out the architecture at the Radha-Vinod Temple which was built in 1659, in Bishnupur, West Bengal. 

The northern door of the temple is an “Ahom Type” Dochala which is the main entrance to the temple.

King Chilroy of Coach Dynasty has rebuilt the kamuk kamakhya mandir in 1565 following the medieval temple architectural pattern. 

This middle mandapa houses a small idol of Goddess Kamakhaya – a later addition. The walls are full of sculpted panels with god naranarayan and others. You will find some related spiritual stone-inscriptions here. A descending step will lead you towards the garbhagriha from here.

Pic Credit: Trip Locomotive

kamakhya mela:

The festival is celebrated during the monsoon season in the Assamese month of Ahaar – around the middle of June when sun transits to the Zodiac sign Mithuna. Starting from the day of Ambubachi, when goddess gets her menstrual cycle according to the spiritual belief, the kamrup kamakhya mandir remains closed for 3 days. From the fourth day, the temple gets opened.

How to reach:

By air: Guwahati International Airport is the nearest (20 km) from kamakhya mandir.

By Rail: kamakhya has its own railways station but we advise to de-board at Guwahati railway station which is very well connected to all the Indian major cities. Book an auto or a metered taxi to check into your hotel or you can go straight to the mandir (8 km). Lots of hotels are available there. Buses from Assam Tourist Department are also available there. Depending on the traffic it will take around 20-25 minutes to reach mandir.

We will discuss later the Ambubachi Mela in details.

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Kamrup kamakhya mela – the festival of menstruating goddess

India is a land of mysterious religious places with uncountable temples rich in amazing architectural beauty. In Guwahati, Assam, kamakhya mela is known as one of the biggest religious festivals where pilgrims visit from every corner of our country India whereas some of them come across the world too. Thousands of devotees and Sadhu-sanyasis gather in the temple premises and its surrounding areas of river Brahmaputra to become a witness of the bleeding goddess of kamrup kamakhya mandir. The goddess here is a form of shakti – one of the most important sati pithas of the total 51.

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The history of Sati pithas:

The original kamrup kamakhya history is really interesting. According to the Hindu mythology, once Daksha – father of Sati (Goddess Shakti) organized a grand yagna and invited her daughter but didn’t call upon her husband – Lord Shiva. When Sati wished to attend the yagna, Shiva refused but Sati insisted and both of them came over to attend the yagna.

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Daksha insulted Shiva which made sati extremely angry and she jumped into the holy fire of the grand yagna and killed herself.

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Shiva became insane with rage. He carried the dead body on his shoulder and did tandava nritya – the dance of destruction. Lord Vishnu tried to stop the destruction and he cut the body of sati into 108 parts with his “sudarshan chakra”. These 108 body parts got scattered in different areas on Earth.

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Guwahati kamakhya mandir is believed as the place where sati’s vagina and womb fell down. So, this temple set up at the place and is considered as the symbol of women strength and fertility.

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This is why devotees celebrate the menstruation cycle of kamrup kamakhya devi.

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The Mystery of bleeding kamakhaya devi:

As we have said, kamrup kamakhya temple is known as the sign of women’s natural strength, celebrating menstruation cycle of Goddess becomes the most famous festival in Assam. In the middle of June, according to the Assamese month Ahaar, kamakhaya devi gets her annual menstrual cycle automatically.

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The underground spring water below the yoni-shaped stone in the garbhagriha turns red automatically. Red water comes out from the garbhagriha through a slim path. This process ends after three days and the period is called “Ambubachi”. The temple door is closed for three days. Priests don’t allow anyone to worship kamrup kamakhya devi because devi remains unclean.

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Pieces of blood-stained clothes are then distributed among the devotees. The devotees are only allowed to collect these cloths or they can dip their own in the “blood-red” spring water. Pilgrimages keep these “blood-red” holy pieces of clothes with them as these are believed to the offerings of good luck.

Ambubachi Mela:

On this mysterious bleeding occasion, a grand mela is held in the kamuk kamakhya mandir known as kamakhya mela. On the fourth day at the ending occasion of devi’s menstruation, the door opens for the devotees and the festival gets started.

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This is indeed a grand religious festival. You will get to see lakhs of sadhus and tantriks and their mysterious behaviors who come across the country. Some of them travel barefooted for miles to attend this holy festival. 

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Sakti is the major idol of tantriks which means tantriks travel here for miles to achieve kamrup kamakhya devi’s blessings. Some of the sadhus gather here to showcase their mysterious holy power. Lots of common people also join the festival to get devi’s blessings and to witness these mysterious sanyasis’ powers too.

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Is there any scientific significance of Devi’s menstruation?

Well, no scientific proof is there regarding the red water of the main mandir’s underground spring whether it is blood or not. Many scientists believe that the red water is due to the vermillion or iron oxide mixed in the spring water. Sometimes, it is believed that the priests in the temple mix vermillion in the water.

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Whether it is actually blood or not, people believe it as the holy power of kamakhya devi and that pushes every scientific proof aside. The only holy power of “Shakti” remains constant here. 

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Norway: your ultimate summer destination

The domicile of the Vikings, Norway is a beautiful Scandinavian country encompassing trendy cities, frozen tundra and an exotic coastline. From its amazing islands to the magnificent mountains, Norway simply is one of the most amazing countries in the world. Although Norway offers amazing adventures in every season, summertime is the best when the country receives a massive crowd across the world. So, you may ask if it is really worth traveling Norway during the high summer season. Of course, you can make your plans for the summer. Travel around the best skiing destination, spot those cute polar bears or even you may try out the hiking spots here. The country remains magical always.

Bargen:

Image by nextvoyage from Pixabay

Being the second largest city in Norway, Bargen is known as the most important western port of this country and that too continuing from the Middle Ages. It is really an awesome city to explore which is steeped in history too. Take a stroll through the traditional wooden buildings in Bryggen. This place is a World Heritage Site announced by UNESCO.  So, you must keep Bargen on the top of your travel itinerary. Climb up to the Funicular to watch the spectacular sunset and wander around the beautiful criss-cross trails through the mountains. You have plenty of sites to visit here in the city as well.

Oslo: the surprising city

Alexandra von Gutthenbach-Lindau from Pixabay 

The most populated city and the capital of Norway – Oslo will simply mesmerize you with its vibrant and confident attitude and a cool laid-back atmosphere. If you like outdoor activities like biking and hiking, this is the perfect place for you here. Oslo is a magical city with two-third forest and one-third city. Here you will get plenty of greeneries along with forests, parks and the other green spaces. From the modern restaurants and bars, its amazing museums to the most renowned Nobel Peace Center at the former railway station, Oslo offers a rich cultural aspect as well. Here, you will have the opportunity to explore almost 50 museums including the Munch Museum featuring “The Scream” and some other creations by Edvard Munch. Explore the stunning outdoor museum that includes more than 150 ancient buildings in Norway which includes a Stave Church. The “Norwegian Museum of Cultural History is another must-visit here in Oslo.

Don’t miss out to visit “The Norwegian National Opera & Ballet” which looks really amazing during the sunset.

Svalbard:

Image by victoria_borodinova-6314823 from Pixabay

Svalbard is an archipelago in between the Norwegian Sea, Greenland Sea, Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean. Since 1920, these islands are taken under the Norwegian rule. This is perhaps the northernmost inhabited spot on our planet Earth. The gross permanent population hardly reaches up to 3000. If you wish to experience the most powerful and the rawest Arctic nature, Svalbard is the best place for you. Watch out those craggy mountains and the stunning untouched glaciers here.

Those who love wildlife, this place offer the most amazing range of varieties of wildlife here. Snow-white polar bears, reindeers, caribou, polar foxes, seals, whales and walruses are the common inhabitants here.

Other amazing places are waiting for you too. Don’t think twice. Book your tickets to Norway for the next travel destination. While traveling for long, you can keep your valuables in the public storage units such as the storage units Denver safely and take them out after returning your home to Denver.

Lofoten Islands:

Image by monicore from Pixabay

This is a popular archipelago located in the Northern region of Norway. Those stunning picturesque tiny fishing villages snuggled in fjords; this place is often described as the most wonderful tourist place in the country. A rugged coastline along with abruptly rising peaks straight from the ocean – enhances the beauty of this place. This archipelago is positioned beyond the comfortable zone of Arctic Circle, you will get 23 degree Celsius here and that is quite a common scenario here. 

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The ultimate travel guide to visit Turkey

Planning your next holiday trip to Turkey? Here we’ve got the ultimate travel guide to its cultural sites, beautiful beaches, cruise destinations, eating outs and shopping paradises – precisely all the top places that you must visit in Turkey. When you want to spend some quality time in complete solitude – away from the shore of the city, the continuously buzzing social media and traffic – Turkey is the best place for a family vacation. Sometimes we can’t decide on a perfect holiday destination. When we plan for a perfect beach holiday, our heart craves an adventurous hike. Turkey is a rare gem where you will get almost everything.

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Patara: A perfect beach destination: A must visited places in Turkey – this longest beach in Turkey will make you amazed by its picturesque landscapes. Hire a comfortable sunbed and lie down throughout the day and feel the tranquility in your mind. Spending some quality time with your family in the cozy beach cafes to treat your tongue with the native cuisine. For the nature lovers, Patara is also a perfect destination. As a lucky tourist, you can experience the enchanting sunset and moonrise from the top of a ridge at the same time.

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Mardin: The capital of Mardin province, this oldest settlement of the place is perching on a ridge of a hill and is looking at the Mesopotamian plains. If you want to experience the cultural diversity of the old city with its beautiful cascading down sandstone buildings – Mardin will fulfill your dream perfectly. You can easily take a tour of this old city by walking. Don’t miss “Deyru’z-Zafaran Monastery – one of the oldest monasteries of our planet. If you love history, this “Sultan Isa Medresesi” must be included to your itineraries.  This monument was once served as an astronomical observatory during the medieval times.

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Konya: Konya is one of the oldest cities in our world and the city is most popular for the amazing Whirling Dervishes and Seljuk architecture. This large city is located in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. During the 12-13^th centuries, Konya was the capital city of the Seljuk Dynasty. Architectures from that era will make you spellbound. The ruins of the Seljuk palace, the Alaeddin Mosque – are two best-known places among the tourists. Konya is also the home for Sufi Mystic, Rumi. His mausoleum is one of the must-see places in Konya. Whirling Dervishes or Mevlevi Order was founded by the followers of Rumi to celebrate their religious ceremony when they used to spin around on their left foot in full white, billowing gowns.

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Antalya: Want to experience the amazing Turkish Riviera along the Mediterranean coastline? Antalya – a vibrant city, full of beautiful hotels, resorts, restaurants and bars – is the perfect holiday destination to spend some time on the seashore. Spectacular beaches, gorgeous sceneries and lush green mountains with ancient ruins are here to fulfill your travel thirst. Do anything you want. It can be swimming, sailing, climbing mountains, family fun activities and sightseeing etc. Take a tour around Kaleici to experience the ancient times of the city. All the Roman gates, old city walls, historic architectures, the maze-like streets and the clock tower will simply leave you spellbound.

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Princes’ Island: Want to spend some days in complete solitude? This is the perfect destination. It is considered among the must-see tourist attractions in Istanbul, Turkey. Bicycles and horse-drawn carriages are the vehicle options instead of motorized ones.

Pack your bag and head to Turkey. But wait!! Where to keep your valuable belongings during your absence? You can keep them with your close friend’s house. But if you don’t want to bother someone else, consider the public storage units or the online storage units to keep your valuables safely and securely during your absence. 

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