Amsterdam In Winter

What is Amsterdam famous for?

Its picturesque canals.

What else?

Its historic gabled houses from the 17th-century Golden Age.

Any other thing which attracts tourists?

It has world-class art museums, liberal culture and vibrant nightlife.

How many tourists visit Amsterdam every year?

About 23 Million!

Wow, for a city with a population of only 1.4 million, it is huge! And what about locals using bicycles?

Oh yes, forgot to mention that. It is a city where bicycles are the primary mode of transport, with locals cycling everywhere. They just secure their cycles to a pedestrian railing and then walk!

Really?

Yes.

How about some pictures?

Sure, here we go! Sharing some recent pictures taken by Ashi, Ghumakkad's daughter. Though winter is not the best time for visiting Amsterdam, yet Ashi's stunning pictures prompted me to create this story. Enjoy.

The Icons of Amsterdam

Dam Square

Central Station

Windmills

Bicycles in Amsterdam

Museums

As we said, winter is not the best time to visit Amsterdam. No sunshine, no flowers. So one has to do with the artificial flowers as in the picture below.

Street side cafe

Night Life in Amsterdam

The Past and the Present

Some things don't change-- like feeding the pigeons in a city square!

Tourists can't do without shopping for Souvenirs

We thank Ashi for her amazing photographs from Amsterdam. Keep travelling like Ghumakkad!

Thanks for browsing. Stay connected and do leave a comment. It encourages us.

  - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Akanksha Bhargava/ Secunderabad and Amsterdam/ 11th Feb 2026

#amsterdaminwinter #Damsquare #centralstation #windmills #dutchshoes #tulipbags #bicycles #artificialflowers #europe #netherlands #museums #canals #bridges #ghumakkadhb #ghumakkadharsh

Marble Magic- Birla Mandir Goa

Temple in Goa?
We thought Goa was famous for its beaches, churches and wine!
A temple in Goa sounds a bit disconnected.
Yes, most visitors to Goa are unaware of a marvellous temple constructed in white marble, not very far from the airport.

We bring you a picture story of this magical temple which is sure to mesmerise you whether you visit it during the day or in the evening when it is lit up beautifully. Please note that the temple is closed during 12 noon to 3 pm everyday.  It was completed in just 22 months with the help of over 1,500 artisans and craftsmen The temple was inaugurated in 2023. It is one of the 30 temples constructed in India by the Birla family notables being the Laxminarayan Temple in Delhi and Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi. The main deity in Goa temple are Radha Krishna. Idols of other Gods and Goddesses are also installed in the temple.

Here is a short video showing the ceilings and interiors of the Radha Krishna temple.

When was the Mandir consecrated? Who built the temple? See the plaques below.

Ghumakkad visited the temple recently. Have shared above few pictures as well as short video clips. With an overcast sky, the pictures are not as sharp. But it is hoped it will entice you to visit the temple during your next visit to Goa. The temple has already become a tourist attraction in Goa.

Sharing below a short video of the ceiling and the flooring in the Balaji temple.

Few readers asked where is the temple located in Goa? It is located next to the BITS Pilani campus in Goa. Please see the map below.

Night lighting enhances the beauty of the temple. Sharing few shots taken at night.

Special thanks to Neelima Paroolkar and her daughter Komal for taking us to the temple in the evening. Otherwise we would have missed the lighting and night view the next morning.

We have carried many stories of other temples in India. Sharing below the links to some of the previous stories.

Ranakpur- Marvel in Marble  A unique marble temple in the Aravalis near Udaipur which has intricate marble carvings on pillars, ceilings and beams.

Konark Sun Temple  - Browse a picture story with a video clip of the iconic Konark Sun Temple in Odisha.

Vitthala Temple in Hampi - Is the epicentre of Hampi's attractions. It has been acclaimed as the most extravagant architectural showpiece of Hampi. Browse our picture story.

Virupaksha The Living Temple - The only 'living' structure in Hampi- meaning where puja (worship) is performed everyday- is the Virupaksha Temple. Picture story for you.

Thanks for browsing. Stay connected and do leave a comment or two. It encourages us.

   - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad with Aditya and Seema Jain/ Goa and Secunderabad/ 28th Nov 2025

#birlamandirgoa #templesofindia #marblemagic #makrana #whitemarble #BITSGoa #adityabirlagroup #radhakrishnatemple #goatourism #newiconofgoa