About Pathankot

Pathankot is a special city in Punjab that is surrounded by vacation spots like Dalhousie, Manali, parts of Jammu and Kashmir, McLeodganj and Dharamshala. The city is beautiful, and its lush greenery is what attracts tourists to it. The city also serves as a home for defence forces like the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. Pathankot not only has historical significance, but it is also an apt place for adventure and nature lovers. If you are planning a trip that covers most of North India, you must definitely stop at Pathankot. It also serves as a gateway to Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and the neighbouring cities. A trip to this beautiful city will be an experience of a lifetime. You will also find a lot of temples in and around the city that you can visit.

Best Time to Visit Pathankot

Pathankot is a city that you can visit throughout the year irrespective of what season it is. Having said that, winter is far more ideal than the other seasons if you are planning to visit Pathankot. October to March is considered to be the best time to visit Pathankot and the tourist destinations around it. If you plan your trip well in advance, you might get to book a hotel in Pathankot at a cheaper rate and might even get good flight deals to Pathankot online. This is a very popular time for tourists and travellers to visit the city. The temperature ranges between 5 to 23 degree Celsius during this season. You will get to experience nature at its best during this season.

Monsoon hits Pathankot from July till September. The city receives heavy rainfall, and while it may affect your plans to venture out, it brings out the best in nature. If you are planning to trek nearby, you need to be extra careful about not slipping. Make sure you always have mosquito repellents on you, if you are travelling during monsoon.

April to June is summer in Pathankot, and even though the temperature reaches up to 46 degree Celsius, the evenings and nights seem pleasant. If you are used to warm weather, the weather in Pathankot will not be unbearable for you. In fact, since it is off-season and the city has lesser tourists than usual, you will come across affordable hotel bookings in Pathankot. You can also travel to the neighbouring cities of Pathankot and be assured that you will enjoy your trip.

Places to Visit in Pathankot

The Ranjit Sagar Dam that has been constructed on river Ravi is a popular picnic spot in Pathankot. The view from the dam will leave you stunned, and the sunset is far more mesmerizing. On the banks of this river is Shahpurkandi fort that only adds to the beauty of the city. It was built in the 16th century, and a part of this fort treats you to breathtaking views. Nurpur fort is yet another spot that is of historical importance. The fort was built in the 10th century, but a lot of it was destroyed by the British. It got demolished later in 1905 by an earthquake. One of the specialities of the fort is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Mira Bai. It was built in the 16th century and is the only place where both of them are worshipped together.

Pathankot also has quite a lot of temples, and each one of them is special. The Mukteshwar temple is located on the Shahpurkandi Dam and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. You will also find idols of worship dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, Lord Hanuman and Goddess Parvati. The Nagni temple, located approximately 16 km away from Pathankot, is devoted to the Goddess of snakes. It is another holy temple in Punjab and sees a lot of devotees in the month of August. Kali Mata's temple is yet another popular place of worship in Pathankot. Devotees actually do a 2 km trek to reach the temple. The Shani Dev temple is also a popular destination here, and it attracts pilgrims from all over the country. If you are visiting temples in Pathankot, do visit the Laxmi Narayan temple.

Things to do in Pathankot

Pathankot has a lot of things for travellers to do. Since it is also a gateway to Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, you can also head to these places after your stay in Pathankot. But while you are staying in Pathankot, do visit the temples in and around the city to feel the divinity and embrace your spirituality. Seek blessings from God at the Mukteshwar temple, the Laxmi Narayan temple, Shani Dev temple and a lot of other temples in the city. In fact, if you feel like going for a little trek, you can visit the Kali Mata mandir. Visiting the temples here will definitely give you a lot of peace. The architecture and the view from the temples is simply mesmerizing. The city looks far more beautiful when it is raining and you would definitely love the view of the city if you are visiting during monsoon. You can also plan a short trip to the other cities in Punjab like Ludhiana, Amritsar and Chandigarh.

You must also visit the Nurpur Fort and absorb all the history that this place has to offer. The fort was built in 1905 and was destroyed twice; once by the British and another time by an earthquake. You must also visit the temple inside dedicated to Lord Krishna and Mira Bai. The Ranjit Sagar Dam built on river Ravi is another popular tourist spot you must visit. The area looks breathtakingly beautiful at dawn. For all the shopaholics out there, the city also has quite a few malls like the Novelty Mall, and the City Centre mall are two great places to shop. You will find whatever you need, including souvenirs, from the malls here.

Food and Restaurants in Pathankot

There is no doubt that Punjabi food is a treat to your taste buds. The parathas, chole bhature, rajma chawal, sarson da saag with makki ki roti are some of the popular cuisines in Punjab. They will surely make your hunger pangs go away with just a bite. You must also try the lassi, jalebi, kheer, barfi and gulab jamun here. The city is also famous for Litchis so make sure you try the litchi juice in Pathankot, too. You will find a lot of local restaurants that will serve the most delicious food. Do not hesitate to try the dhabas in Pathankot. Dhabas are a speciality in Punjab and it would be unwise to not visit one while you are in the state.

Moti Mahal Grand is a popular restaurant in the city that has a great ambience and serves a delicious meal. Basant Vegetarian, as the name suggests, serves mouthwatering vegetarian food. You can try the chole bhature, dal tadka, parathas and other Punjabi cuisines here. Mama's Rasoi is yet another restaurant, which is right outside Pathankot, that you must try. Green Hotel and Restaurant is yet another one that you can go to. This one also has Chinese and Lebanese cuisine on their menu.

How to reach Pathankot (Transportation)

By Air

The city has its own airport called the Pathankot Airport or the Military Airport since it is majorly also used by the military. The flight connectivity from Pathankot is quite limited to cities like Delhi, Kullu and Chandigarh. The Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar is the nearest fully functional airport in the state. It is approximately 119 km away from Pathankot. Taking a connecting flight from Delhi is one of the most popular routes to reach Pathankot. You might get cheap flight tickets to Pathankot if you are travelling during the off-season.

By Rail

Pathankot is well-connected by rail and is also an important railway junction. It connects with Kangra Valley Railway and to various other places in Himachal Pradesh. Boarding a train to and from Pathankot will not be a tedious task. However, do book your tickets in advance to secure comfortable seats. You can also take a train to Jammu, if it is next on your vacation itinerary, or any other place in Himachal Pradesh. It will be worth it!

By Road

Travelling to and from Pathankot by road is not very difficult since it is one of the most preferred modes of travel by locals and by travellers. If you are travelling to Pathankot from a city in North India itself, you will find a bus or a private taxi to Pathankot quite frequently. The journey will also be quite comfortable, and this is an affordable way to travel, too. However, if you are travelling from farther away, it will be wise to opt for a flight or a train journey. In fact, since Pathankot is a gateway to Himachal Pradesh, too, you will find a lot of options of buses and taxis that will help you reach the other state also.

 About Mumbai

Mumbai is to India is what New York is to America, a city of dreams. The place with its rich heritage and urbane culture has since forever brought forth people from all walks of life together. It is also recognised as the commercial capital of India with over millions of migrants flocking over from different parts of the country and even world! Mumbai is the second big city in India after Delhi and has a busy airport as well as an active lifestyle. The city has far too many beautiful places to visit and culture to take in. Mumbai has been named after Mumba Devi and is the state Maharashtra's capital. The flight connectivity of Mumbai is splendid with various major cities in the world, making it one of the most important cities.

Best time to visit Mumbai

Fixing an ideal season to visit Mumbai can be tricky as the city is always bustling with energy and travellers. The winters in Mumbai are pleasant as the temperatures drop, and the city's festive spirit takes over. Even though the atmosphere is humid during winter, the city life would not cease to amaze you. Mumbai's monsoon is legendary as everybody loves and hates the city's rains at the same time. From June to September, the city of Mumbai experiences heavy rain which could be cumbersome for travelling but beautiful nevertheless. Flight tickets to Mumbai are often a little pricey as the city is an important commercial hub. The living expenses and accommodation has a range from cheap to extravagant. You can book a hotel in Mumbai or pick the hostel life.

Places to visit in Mumbai

The city is full of vibrant places and heritages to explore. The top attractions of Mumbai include the Gateway of India. Located right at the Colaba bay is the beautiful gate-like structure build by the Britishers. The structure continues to attract tourists to this day as it faces the beautiful Arabian Sea on one side and the Taj Mahal hotel on the other. While you're exploring South Mumbai, you should check out the ancient Asian Library which is located at Horniman Circle. The steps of the library is a prime spot for concerts hosted by Kala Ghoda Festival. You should also visit the Taraporewala Aquarium which has some beautiful marine life, including the remains of an enormous whale. The Nehru Planetarium located in Worli is an interesting complex where you will be blessed with some fabulous mysteries of the universe.

Beaches

Located on the coast, Mumbai's shores touch the Arabian Sea. The crowded beaches might not be clean as compared to some of the pristine blue shores of Goa or Kerala, but the vibrant energy of people enjoying the sunset on the beach is a wholesome experience. You can check out beaches such as Juhu Beach, Versova Beach, Girgaum Chowpatty Beach, Gorai Beach and Aksa Beach, to name a few. A little away from the city centre lies this untouched beach called Rajodi Beach, where you can actually learn how to surf.

Pilgrimage

Mumbai is also famous for its love for Lord Ganesha. The famous Siddhivinayak Temple is interestingly located at the heart of the city, in Dadar. The temple sees a staggering footfall regularly as many devotees worship the power of Lord Ganesha. During Ganesh Chaturthi, the pandals built around the temple looks exquisite. Another important pilgrimage is the Haji Ali, located on the Arabian Sea and connected to the city by a narrow bridge. Close to the Haji Ali is the Mahalakshmi Temple, also nestled by the edge of the sea. You should also visit Mount Mary in Bandra. Other important temples include Mumba Devi and ISKCON.

Things to do in Mumbai

Walk on the promenade popularly known as Marine Drive

The much-hyped Marine Drive, also known as Queen's Necklace, is a promenade constructed by the city. Many movies have been shot with Marine Drive as the backdrop. There is literally no reason yet every reason to check out this place, sit over the promenade and stare at the wide sea.

Shop at Colaba Causeway Market

Colaba Causeway is another prominent marketplace in the city that is forever crowded. Causeway's collection of accessories, clothes, chappals and the area, everything is a vibe that you'd want to be a part of. Plus, famous cafes such as Mondegar and Leopold are also located here.

Spend a day at Goregaon Film City

Mumbai's biggest highlight and gift to the world is Bollywood. Home to one of the biggest film industries in the world, the Goregaon Film City is one such place you simply cannot miss when in the city. Watch the actors play their roles in a make-believe set that you've always watched in the comfort of your couch at home.

Explore the Sanjay Gandhi National Park

A little away from the city centre is the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, also known as the city's lungs, is a vast expanse of lush green forest. You can rent cycles and explore the national park, opt for trekking and trek the trails leading to Kanheri Caves or simply just pack a lunch and indulge in some picnic at the park.

Food and Restaurants in Mumbai

The list of places with the best food in Mumbai is exhausting. The city, with its urban lifestyle, has a type of restaurant and food for every kind of crowd. For the ones who want to get their hands dirty (literally) with Mumbai's street food culture, Khao gallis is the place to be at. There are many Khao gallis in the city, starting from Churchgate to Ghatkopar. These lanes are dedicated spots for hawkers and street food owners to sell their speciality. You'll find vada pavs, pav bhaji stalls, chat corners, Anna with his slew of South Indian dishes like idli, vada, dosa, guys selling small street pizzas, frankie rolls, etc.

For the ones who wish to indulge in some pricey lounge setting, you should head to Masala Library, Gaylord, Hakkasan, The Bombay Canteen, Olive, The Clearing House, Bastian, Wasabi, to name a few. These places are celebrated and have been founded by renowned chefs from the culinary field. If you do not have any preferences as such, then you should visit some of the popular cafes and restaurants that have been part of Mumbai for a long time. These include Kyani's, Britannia & Co, Bademiya, Cafe Madras, Cafe Mondegar, Sardar Pav Bhaji, Cafe Gulshan, Cafe Leopold, O Pedro, Imbiss, to name a few.

How to reach Mumbai

By Air

Mumbai is one of the busiest cities in India, as is the city's domestic and international airport. As the commercial capital of the country, the city's domestic and international airports are admirably connected to big cities in the country and globally. Flights to and from Mumbai fly to various big cities in India such as Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Guwahati and basically most of the cities in the country. Formerly known by the name Sahar International Airport, the airport was re-christened to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Terminal 2) while the domestic airport has been named Santacruz Airport (Terminal 1). It is important for you to know from which terminal you'll be boarding the flight from Mumbai as they are located in two diverse sides of the city.

The airport has major Indian and international airlines stationed at the airport. These include IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Etihad Airways, Emirates and more. Mumbai's international routes are crowded too as there are multitudes of flights flying to global cities namely, New York, San Francisco, Dubai, Hong Kong, Beijing, London, Tokyo and more. Travelling from the airport within the city is quite convenient as there are taxi cabs, Ola and Uber services, rickshaws and buses that can be found right outside the airport. In fact, 1 km away from the airport is the Mumbai Metro which connects the city's varied geography.

By Rail

The railway network of Mumbai is touted to be one of the best in the city. It has direct train connections to various cities in India. These cities include Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad and more. The city has two main terminals namely Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Mumbai Central, from where you can take outstation trains. However, much recently, they opened the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, which also connects to various parts of the country. There are mail trains and express trains that travel from the Mumbai city, including Mumbai Rajdhani, Duronto, Konkan Kanya Express and more. The excellent connectivity of Mumbai with other cities makes it easy to traverse.

By Road

Major national highways connect Mumbai to various parts of India. You can literally take a road trip to anywhere you want from Mumbai without any hassle. In fact, you can travel from any part of the country and reach Mumbai with its impeccable roadway connections. Not to mention how there are several buses run by the state and private owners that travel from the city regularly. Many travellers often opt for road trips as the roads leading up to Mumbai are beautiful. Travelling by buses is quite economical as well. 

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  About Mumbai Airport

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, which was acknowledged as Sahar International Airport, is a prominent international airport that serves the Mumbai metropolis. It is deemed to be the second busiest airport in India, after Delhi, with respect to international passenger traffic and cargo traffic. Recently, the airport crossed London's Gatwick Airport to become the world's busiest airports to operate a single runway at a time. The airport is sprawled across 1,850 acres and takes care of about 950 aircraft movements in a day. The airport has been awarded various titles including, "Best Airport in India and Central Asia". Mumbai airport is also recognised as one of the three airports to implement Airport Collaborative Decision Making in India. A-CDM has been implemented to ensure that the efficiency in terms of takeoffs and landings, along with other necessary facilities.

About Mumbai Airport Terminals

Initially, the Mumbai Airport, also previously known as Sahar International Airport, had both the international and domestic terminals located in the same airport. With the introduction of T2, the terminals were divided into dedicated domestic and international airports, sharing the same runway and airport complex. The domestic airport, also called the Santacruz Airport, served flights to primarily operate domestic airlines and low-cost carriers. Meanwhile, the international airport focussed on international airlines and flights flying out of the city. However, much recently, all the domestic and international flight activities have been shifted to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Terminal 2 has many provisions, including multi-level parking for 5,000 cars, 192 check-in counters, 60 immigration counters for departure, 14 baggage carousels and 76 immigration booths for arrival. There are many numerous lounges, including the GVK lounge, which is a luxury lounge. There are lounges for Business class travellers and first-class passengers as well.

About airport authority

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is owned and served by MIAL (Mumbai International Airport Private Limited). MIAL is a consortium of GVK Industries Ltd., Bidvest, Airports Company South Africa and Airports Authority of India. While the consortium holds 74 per cent ownership, the other 26 per cent is owned by the Airports Authority of India. Ever since the MIAL venture has come into existence, the international airport has witnessed tremendous infrastructural growth. There are tremendous improvements in terms of the aesthetics, passenger convenience, design and refurbishing of the domestic terminals 1A&1B as well as the international terminals 2B & 2C. A new domestic terminal 1C has also been introduced in Terminal 2. MIAL has also undertaken projects to improve the taxiways, aprons and rehabilitation of both the runways.

Facilities at the Mumbai Airport

Child care centres: To make travelling with young ones easier and convenient, special child care rooms have been created at the Mumbai Airport. The room is reserved to cater to the needs of young kids ranging from changing diapers to feeding and many such necessities. It is well-sanitised and is well-maintained to ensure that the mother feels safe. Baby strollers have also been made available at the airport

Smoking zones: Enclosed smoking rooms have been arranged for at the Mumbai Airport. The smoking lounges are facilitated to ensure that the atmosphere of the airport is smoke-free. You can also purchase packets at the airport.

WiFi and Telecommunication Services: WiFi and telecommunication services are also available at the Mumbai Airport. There are free WiFis and Premium WiFis available. This way, you wouldn't have to compromise on your business and professional obligations. You can also find SIM card facilities at the airport for a temporary SIM if you have come for a short period of time.

Medical Centre: The Mumbai Airport is well-equipped with medical services to cater to emergencies. There are ICU ambulances and medical centres catering to medical emergencies 24/7. They are spread out in the airport's vicinity.

Luggage services, cloak room and baggage trolleys: Special storage services have been accommodated where you can keep your luggage and other items. Other luggage facilities include depositing of the baggage at the domestic terminal and receiving them at the international terminal. You can also find baggage trolleys outside the airport as well as in the terminal.

ATMs and Currency exchange: The airport also has provisions for foreign exchange. The airport also has ATMs and other money-related facilities to make travelling more convenient for passengers. The airport has a bevy of foreign exchange counters, ATMs and banks.

Valet parking and other parking facilities: Mumbai airport also has valet parking and other parking services. You can pay a nominal fee and keep your car at the airport's parking zone. You can also avail from their valet parking services.

Play zone, prayer and meditation rooms: If you are travelling with kids, you can actually take them to the play area that has been reserved for kids. They are safe and child-friendly. The airport also has special rooms for multi-faith prayer rooms as well as meditation halls. While you wait for your flight and are nervous, you can use this time to relax and calm your nerves.

Restaurants and cafes: The airport has a slew of restaurants and cafes that you can check out. From classic local establishments such as Shiv Sagar to globally recognised joints such as Burger King, McDonald's and KFC, you can find them at the airport. There are provisions for restaurants serving liquor as well.

Automated buggies: To make commute within the airport convenient, you can also take the buggy services. They will pick you up from the security check and drop you at the boarding area. The services are especially recommended for people with medical conditions and disabilities. The airport also has wheelchairs and other services to commute within the terminal.

Postal services: The Mumbai airport also has provision for postal services. Postal services are located at the exit of both the terminals of Mumbai airport. If you have any last-minute document that needs to be mailed, you wouldn't need to worry about it.

VIP lounge: The airport is also host to many VIP lounges and upscaled restaurants and food establishments. If you are a premium member at any of the airlines with airport lounge as one of the perks, you will be able to benefit the privileges of the VIP lounge as well as the services provided by them.

Top airlines flying from the Mumbai Airport

Mumbai airport is excellently connected to major domestic and international cities. Unsurprisingly, it is known to be the second busiest airport in the country due to its phenomenal ability to accommodate a slew of international and domestic airlines. In fact, the airport witnesses approximately 950 aircraft activities on a daily basis. Mumbai airport connects domestic cities such as Rajkot, Dehradun, Madurai, Lucknow, Kannur, Leh, Ranchi, Jabalpur and more. Thanks to the brilliant connectivity Mumbai has with other cities in the country, it doesn't require any connecting flights too. In fact, the Mumbai airport has a majority of airlines operating from the city. Airlines such as Alliance Air, Air India, Air India Express, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet, TruJet and Vistara operate from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

The city also harbours a plethora of international cities and flights. The international airlines operating from Mumbai airport are quite similar to the ones that operate from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. International airlines such as Air Asia, Air Arabia, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Air Mauritius, Air Seychelles, Air Tanzania, Bangkok Airways, Bhutan Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, EgyptAir, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airways, flydubai, Gulf Air, IranAir, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airways, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Nepal Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, RwandAir, Singapore Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Swiss, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Uzbekistan Airways, operate from Mumbai airport. Thanks to the immaculate connectivity, the city sees a lot of crowd flocking over from various other cities and towns to take international flights.

How to reach the Mumbai Airport

The domestic and the international airport of Mumbai have separate gateways to enter. While the domestic airport, Terminal 1, also known as Santacruz Airport, is located in Santacruz, the international airport, T2, is located in Andheri. To reach Mumbai airport, it is imperative that you know which terminal you need to catch your flight from. Depending on the same, you can travel to the airport.

By Rail

To reach Mumbai airport Terminal 1, the closest railway station is Ville Parle railway station which falls on the Western and Harbour Line of the Mumbai railway network. Meanwhile, to reach the international Mumbai airport, Terminal 2, you should get down at the Andheri station lying on the Mumbai railway network. From here, you can take a rickshaw and reach the city. Mumbai's metro line is perfectly connected with Airport Road and Marol Naka stations while T1 is close to the Western Express Highway station. Both the terminals are very close to the Mumbai Metro. The city is currently expanding the Mumbai metro line further by adding more lines to connect to the airport. An underground network from Cuffe Parade to SEEPZ is in the works which have one stop at the Santacruz airport and the other close to the GVK SkyCity terminal.