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Diwali destinations: Hiking trails and tranquil lakes

Diwali is just round the corner and chances are you're already making plans to make the most of the holidays. To help you discover new holiday spots to relax and rejuvenate, we asked readers to send in their favourite vacation desitinations. Here we present two responses we received:

Here, student Ria sends in her vacation destination:

Getaway: Matheran

Description: Matheran is an unique, beautiful and mystic hillstation in Maharashthra near Mumbai/ Pune where Vehicles are not allowed. The modes of transport are on horseback, by man-pulled rickshaw or on foot. If you are looking for a fresh, pollution-free relaxing weekend getaway this is the perfect place to visit.
 
Sights: Get a local map from your hotel and walk around or take a horseride to see the following places:

• Luisa Point
• Echo Point
• Sunrise Point
• Sunset Point
• Monkey Point
• Hart point
• Rambaug Point
• Charlotte Lake

Eats: There are several restaurants in Matheran which offer Punjabi, Guajarati, Maharasthrian and various mutlicuisine food.

Shopping: There is one small market area where you can shop for leather shoes, slippers, sandals and other leather goods. Also you will get various varieties of chikki and bottles of fresh honey.
 
How to get there: Matheran is located about 100 km from Mumbai, 120 km from Pune. It lies on the Mumbai-Pune rail link and the nearest train station is at Neral which is 11 km from Matheran. From Neral one can rent a shared cab or take the toy train. Also people interested in trekking can walk up the Ghats.
 
Accomodations:

MTDC Holiday Resort Matheran,
Dasturinaka Naka, Matheran
Phone:+91 2148 230277

Hotel Usha Ascot
MG Road, Matheran
Phone: +91 2148 230360 / 230522 

Tariff: There's something to suit every budget.

To share your favourite holiday destinations, click here!

'The Golden Triangle of the East'

Next J Mahanty shares his holiday spot:

Getaway: Puri-Bhubaneswar-Konark

Description: It is the Golden Triangle of the East with a unique blend of temples, golden beaches, lakes, zoologican cum botanical gardens, modern city life and a lot more.
 
Sights:

• The seemingly endless Golden Sand Beach at Puri.
• The magnificent Sun Temple at Konark, the greatest masterpiece of Indian architecture.
• The great Chilika Lake, the largest lake in India.
• The Nandan Kanan, the botanical cum zoological gardens with white tiger safari.
• The world-famous Lord Jagannath Temple at Puri.
• The city of Bhubaneswar

Eats:

• Hotel Prachi
• Pantha Niwas
• Nataraj/Sidharth
• Jajati
• The May Fair, Puri/Bhubaneswar
• The Hotel Swosti/ Swosti Plaza, Bhubaneswar

Shopping:

• The Utkalika, Puri/Bhubaneswar
• State Handicrafts Emporium

How to get there: Bhubaneswar is connected by air from Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Kolkata and also connected by rail with most major cities.

Accomodations:

• The Oberoi, Bhubaneswar
• The May Fair, Puri/Bhubaneswar
• Hotel Swosti, Bhubaneswar
• Hotel Swosti Plaza, Bhubaneswar
• The Ginger Hotel, Bhubaneswar
• Hotel Mid Town, Bhubaneswar

Tariff: Rs 1,500 to Rs 5,000

To share your favourite holiday destinations, click here!