Where are some of the most abandoned places on earth?

 1.Ross Island, Andaman

2.Fatehpur Sikri, Agra

3.Shettihalli Church, Karnataka

4.Jamali Kamali Tomb, Delhi

5. The Last House on Holland Island – U.S.A.

6. House of the Bulgarian Communist Party – Bulgaria.

7. Nara Dreamland – Japan.

8.The Jet Star Rollercoaster, Seaside Heights – New Jersey.

9.The 102-Year-Old Floating Forest in Sydney – Australia.

10.Abandoned Train Station, Abkhazia – Georgia

11.Underwater City in Shicheng – China.

12.Abandoned Soviet submarine base.

If you ever find yourself on the set of a post-apocalyptic movie almost scared to death, then there’s a possibility that you might have entered a real life abandoned Soviet submarine base left from the Cold war – an enormous building scoured by ocean tides and haunted by hulking machines, slowly rusting away.

13. A vending machine, brought inland by the catastrophic 2011 tsunami, in an abandoned rice field in Fukushima – Japan.

14.Bare footprints embedded forever in an abandoned nuclear reactor.

15.An Abandoned Mill – Sorrento, Italy.

Content Credits: inyminy.com,Namaste: Lets Walk Through India

What are some of the best places to explore in Odisha with minimum budget?

 It actually does not cost much to travel in Odisha, only issue is that of good accomodation and facilities. Anyway outside the standard Bhubaneshwar-Puri-Konark-Chilika circuit, there are some places that are worth a visit, and which do not cost too much. Again these are places I have been to, don’t really have much idea about Western part of Odisha.

Koraput-Jeypore-Gupteshwar

Southern part of Odisha is quite an unexplored beauty. You have beautiful valleys, thick forests, hills, lakes waiting to be discovered. Unfortunately poor infrastructure and add to it Naxal issue has meant the region has not really tapped it’s potential. You can catch a bus to Koraput, or even go on a road trip from Vizag, or Vizianagaram. Till Saluru it’s pretty much plain area. From Salur, you have a very steep ghat road, runs through thick forests.

And then you reach Sunki right on the Andhra-Odisha border.

From there on to Pottangi, which has the Gali Gabdar waterfalls

From Pottangi en route to Koraput, you pass Sunabeda, lovely route with rolling meadows, valleys and lakes.

And the neatly maintained HAL Township here

Koraput is a sleepy small town, very picturesque with hills and all. Has some decent hotels too.

Jagannath Temple here is worth a visit

You can also check out the Kolab Dam hydro electric project between Koraput and Jeypore.

But the best part is Gupteswar temple, around 90 km from Koraput. The main attraction is the Shiva Linga in a limestone cave. Located near the Kolab river, it involves a trek through a dense forest.

And this is how it is in the cave.

This is one trip I would reccomend to any one in Odisha.

Which are the must-visit places for a student staying at Pune?

 1. Sinhagad

2. Lohagad

3. Taljai Hills

4. Mulshi Dam

The other places one 'should' visit:

1. Shaniwar Wada

(Esp. during Diwali)

2. Pataleshwar

3. Saras Baug

And last but not the least(not exactly a place)

a drive on Mumbai Pune Expressway :D

Which are some best places to visit in or around Jodhpur?

Jodhpur is often referred to as “the blue city of India”, due to the many blue-painted houses surrounding Mehrangarh fort. The second largest city of Rajasthan is divided into two: the old city and the new city. This city is also known as the “Sun City” as it experiences the bright, sunny weather for most of the year. Jodhpur is located on the edge of the Thar Desert, because of which the temperature peaks very high and dry during the summer.

Jodhpur is also famous for its handicrafts, artifacts, and Jodhpuri jutties. Tourists buy famous jutties during their visit and also try the famous Rajasthani cuisine.

These are some of the best places to visit in and around Jodhpur.

Mehrangarh Fort

One of the largest and most famous forts of Rajasthan was built in 1459. There are a number of things to see within the fort complex - several palaces, courtyards, gardens, galleries, a museum, and temples, and so on. Mehrangarh is a mesmerizing experience.

Umaid Bhavan Palace

The palace was constructed by King Umaid Singh in the 20th century and has been partially converted into a hotel and museum. The Palace Museum has some fantastic collections of rare clocks, exotic furniture, stuffed leopards, and amazing trophies.

Mandore Gardens

The former capital of the Marwar kingdom has now been converted into a sightseeing place. The fort has been dedicated to various deities and Rajput heroes. The garden is constructed with well-planned greenery and a well-designed rock landscape garden.

Jaswant thada

With thin and highly polished slabs, this mausoleum lies on the left of the Mehrangarh fort. The grounds are filled with a beautiful multi-tiered garden, carved gazebos, and a small lake. The main memorial has been built like a temple.

Balsamand Lake

The Balsamand Lake is located 5km from Jodhpur. The beauty of the lake is enhanced by the Balsamand fort situated on the banks of the lake. The peaceful environment and the well-built garden around the lake make the lake a peaceful place to sit and relax.

Visiting Jodhpur will draw you closer to the Rajasthani rich culture. Along with the forts and monuments, you can learn a lot more about the kings of Rajasthan. You can interact with the locals and try the famous Rajasthani cuisine too. This journey will be a long-lasting memory for someone who loves the ancient heritage.

What are some must-visit places in Visakhapatnam?

 Going by the size, the port city Visakhapatnam ranks second amongst the cities in Andhra Pradesh. It owns the credit of having the oldest shipyard in India and it houses natural harbor that is one of its kind on the Indian east coast. With its location contributing to the picturesque landscapes of the city, its rich cultural past adds immense value to its name. If you look for a destination that would keep your spirits soaring with natural beauties and manmade wonders, Visakhapatnam, popularly known as Vizag is the right place. Here are the 8 places to visit in Visakhapatnam that you need to include on your visit to the city.

1. Borra Caves

Image credit – Rajib Ghosh, CC BY 2.0
A stunning location 92 km away from the port city, Borra Caves is breathtaking situated 1400 metre above the sea level. The million year old caves were discovered by William King George from the Geological Survey of India in 1807. Borra Caves are the biggest amongst the caves found in India. The spectacular formation of rocks offers great views. If you like some physical activity on your tour, you will love the trek toward Borra Caves. An 80 ft. tunnel found here necessitates your going on all fours to reach the destination. Once you are inside the caves, you will feel as though you were transported to a different world. The rocks and the waterfalls make you experience the ancient element in the region. A Shivalingam and an idol of Kamadhenu are found inside the caves.

2. Araku Valley

Image credit – Raj, CC BY 2.0
Still further away from Vizag is Araku Valley, which is a favorite tourist destination. Your tour to Vizag will not be complete if you do not go some extra kilometers to visit Araku Valley and Borra Caves. Araku Valley is a hill station, which is bestowed with some of the best boons of Mother Nature. Located 3200 square feet above the sea level, Araku valley is picturesque with lush green gardens, streams and waterfalls. The strength of the place and the 19 tribes that live here is that they are not influenced by the modern world. The tribes keep their culture alive and the valley is a beauty that man has not attempted to conquer. The tribes respect nature and the nature has been kind to give them the best. The valley is serene and you will find that it offers you a challenging trekking. Overall, Araku valley elevates your senses and spirits.

3. Yarada Beach

Image credit – Rajib Ghosh, CC BY 2.0
The location of Yarada Beach is picturesque. Surrounded by magnificent hills on its three sides and Bay of Bengal on the fourth, Yarada Beach is undoubtedly the best beach in Vizag. The beach is clean and the golden sands add to its beauty. Sunrise and sunset views are mind blowing. The beach apart, your journey to Yarada beach in itself is scenic.

4. Rishikonda Beach

Image credit – Rajib Ghosh, CC BY 2.0
Rishikonda Beach is frequented by tourists as it is one of the best beaches in Andhra Pradesh. The beautiful beach is situated 8 km from Vizag. If you love water sports, you will love this beach. Swimming, wind surfing and skiing are some of the water sports available here. The beach stimulates the element of adventure in you while at the same time remains a perfect spot if you want a quiet evening.

5. Katiki Waterfalls

Katiki Waterfalls is located 4 km away from the ancient Borra Caves. Gosthani River is the source for this waterfall, which falls from a height of 50 ft. The picturesque waterfalls with lush green surroundings in Araku Valley offers excellent scope for trekking. The waterfall goes dry in summer.

6. Indira Gandhi Zoological Park

Image credit – Siddhartha Lammata, CC BY 2.0
Indira Gandhi Zoological Park occupies a sprawling 625 acres of land. The location of the zoo is mesmerizing as you find hills on both the sides of the zoo and Bay of Bengal to its east. Located in such a natural setting, the zoo appears very much a home to wildlife. It was established in the year 1977. The zoo houses a wide range of animals including tigers, lions, panthers, Himalayan black bear, sloth bear, hippopotamus, jaguars, monkeys, pythons, elephants and many more.

7. Kailasagiri Hill Park

Image credit – Adityamadhav83, CC BY-SA 3.0
Kailasagiri is a famous hill station, which is surrounded by beaches and small hills.Kailasagiri Hill Park is located at the top and 360 feet from sea level. Road trains for children, ropeway trolleys and play park are some of the leading attractions here. The place is photographers’ delight as the views from hilltop are mind blowing. Seven viewpoints on the park offer glorious views of the beaches and the hills. The atmosphere is so serene that you will completely feel at peace.

8. VUDA Park

Image credit – Adityamadhav83, CC BY-SA 3.0
The lush greenery in VUDA Park is sure to elevate your spirits. The 2500 odd trees in 37 acres of land is sure to present you with rich greenery. The park measures 55 acres of land out of which, various species of plants are grown in 37 acres of land. The park does not only promote environment but it also offers various physical activities for children and elders alike. You will find children’s play area, yoga center, multi gym and a lot more.

Visakhapatnam is an ancient city that has maintained its cultural essence to this date. There are much more tourist places in Visakhapatnam.
Source: Trans India Travels - India - The Land of Memories

What are the least known amazing places in India one must visit?

 BELUR CHANNAKESHAVA TEMPLE,Karnataka.

Took over 103 years to finish the construction by over 3 generations.Built by hoysala king Vishnuvardhana in 12th century.This temple is one true definition of amazing architecture ever.

Temple is built by soapstone which is soft when quarried and allows the artist to carve more easily,the material hardens over time.

• Both nagara style architecture and south indian karnataka style architecture are used.
• Along the outer walls of main temples,there are rows of carvings of various animals,scenes of Mahabharata and ramayana and dancing damsels.Each carving is perfect and has a certain symbolism.
• The elephants at the base reflects strength,while the lions above them were a symbol of courage and above that the horses stood for speed.
• There are around 600 elephants carved along the outer row. Marvellous,isn't it?

Top View of the temple.

If you can see a pillar in the below picture that is also called a gravity pillar meaning it doesn't have a foundation below it and stands erect on it's own weight. Unbelievable!

At regular intervals of temple you'll find several dancing nymphs carved onto wall.The madanikas or nymphs are said to have been modeled after the beautiful queen shantala,wife of king Vishnuvardhana.

The interiors of the temple are so artistic that it really makes us wonder whether this type of architecture could ever be made again. No architects or interior designers of present generation can recreate such marvel again.

This temple was continuously damaged and rebuilt over many times due to islamic invasion still it stands firm over a thousand year. In an era where we even find it difficult to draw on papers,our ancestors were indeed so great to build such an eye filling architecture and every Indian must be proud of them.