Odigos Guides

Known as the Oxford of the East, Pune was once the city for students and retirees. With the IT boom its demographic has changed to include people from all walks of life. A melting pot, the city has people from around the country that call it home. Pune has a rich history, it rose to prominence with Sivaji, the famous Maratha ruler who spent his childhood here. Whether you’re in Pune for a day or a week, there is always something to do here. Aga Khan Palace Commissioned in 1892 by Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III to help neighbouring people during a famine, this beautiful monument stands on a 6.5-hectare plot. The palace became a site of national interest as Mahatma Gandhi, his wife Kasturba Gandhi and sectary Mahadeobhai Desai were interred here along with other freedom fighters from 1942. Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadeobhai Desai died here, the monument was donated to the Gandhi Smarak Samittee in 1972. The importance of this place in the freedom struggle will be best explained by ...

A sacred Hindu festival that attracts visitors from around the world, the Kumbh Mela is a spectacular sight. According to legends, demigods and demons were fighting for “amrit” or the elixir of life when a few drops fell into four places on Earth – Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. Depending on the placement of the planets, the sun and the moon according to astrology, one of these places is rumoured to develop mystical powers. People believe that being physically present in these places at this time grants them access to these mystical powers and that is why the Kumbh Mela is held. Every three years a normal Kumbh Mela is held, every six years is an Ardh (half) Mela and every twelve years Purna Kumbh Mela takes place. The Maha Kumbh Mela is held every 144 years. The last Maha Kumbh Mela was held in 2001 with over 60 million attendees. The Kumbh Mela of 2019 will be held between 15th of January to the 4th of March. People from around the world come to the Kumbh Mela to...

Gujarat has added a new must-visit-destination under its wing and that is Statue of Unity. The statue, dedicated to Indian Statesman and Independence activist Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, is also the tallest statue in the world. The height of the statue is 182 metres and 600 feet approx. It was designed by Indian sculptor Ram V. Sutar and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31st October 2018 to mark Patel’s 143rd birth anniversary. The statue is located on the river island named Sandhu Bet facing Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada riverbed. It is twice the size of the iconic Statue of Liberty New York and five times taller than the Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. It surpasses the height of Buddha statue at the Spring Temple Buddha, China, which previously held the crown as the tallest statue in the world. It also made another record to build in shortest period of time as it took only 33 months to construct and used around 109 tonnes of iron.   The timing...

Whether you’ve lived in Mumbai all your life or moved recently, the fast-paced city can be overwhelming at times. Though there is plenty to do in this great metropolis, there are bound to be times when you would like to get away. Luckily, Mumbai has some of the most stunning places for a great weekend getaway. Here are some of the best places for a weekend getaway close to the city. Karnala Bird Sanctuary:   If you enjoy bird-watching, this is a great place for you. About 60km from Mumbai on the Mumbai-Goa highway, the Karnala Bird Sanctuary is home to 150 species of birds and many migrate here as well. The sanctuary is located on the Sahayadri range, making it a lovely holiday spot for families. If you don’t have the luxury of a two day weekend, this is close enough for a day trip too.  Pawna Lake: Located about 10 km away from Kamshet, this artificial lake is very popular for a weekend out of town. The best way to get back to nature after spending so much ...

Known as the Garden City, Bengaluru is one of the most scenic cities in India. The capital of the state of Karnataka, Bengaluru is also an IT and start-up hub and you’ll find many busy young people there thinking about their next big ideas. While there are a number of things you can do while visiting Bengaluru, here are some of the most fun.  The Bangalore Palace:   Built in 1887 by King Chamaraja Wadiyar the Tudor style palace took about 4 years to complete. The land where the palace stands belonged to the principal of a cantonment school, Reverend J Garrett but was bought from him by the guardians of the King. There have been many changes and renovations made to the palace since then. You can book Eslavath Rajesh Kumar, a tour guide who is well versed about the history of the palace. Cubbon Park :  This beautiful 300 acre park is located at the heart of Bengaluru and is a favourite among dog walkers, joggers and couples too. The park was named fo...

India is famous for its rich and vivid history, heritage and hospitality where it still follows ‘atithi devo bhava' which means our guest is our god. There are a number of options, from scenic destinations to historic sites, from cities bustling with chaos to hideouts offering relaxed stay. But, to choose among them is a bit of dilemma. So here we are listing few places which are must visit destinations of Northern India. 1.    Delhi Delhi, the capital city of India, is one of the most visited tourist destinations. This beautiful place has a lot to offer, like the India Gate, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Humayun’s Tomb, and the most popular Qutub Minar. Not just monuments, Delhi is also known for its craft and speciality street food that can be explored at Delhi Haat and Chandni Chowk, where you will find shops that are several decades old.     2.    Agra  If you want to know learn about the history of the Mughal era, th...

At the border of Pakistan, this beautiful city is steeped in culture, tradition, food, and history. Founded by the fourth Guru of the Sikhs, Ram Das, Amritsar has modernity and history surviving side by side. There are many great sites to see in this lovely city and a good way to ensure you don’t miss out on any is by booking a tour on the Odigos app. Here are some of the top things to do in Amritsar. The Golden Temple or the Sri Harmandir Sahib The holiest shrine of Sikhism, this temple is famous around the world. The tank called the Amrit Sarovar, where Amritsar gets its name, was first excavated by Guru Ram Das in 1577. The architecture of this monument is in the Indo Islamic style. The lower floor of the temple has pietra dura marble work like in Taj Mahal and many animal and flower motifs. The second floor is covered in gold panels and has a 750 kg gold dome on top giving the temple its popular name. The temple also has a collection of relics that also provide an understandi...