India Vacation

Badrinath Kedarnath Tour

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Uttarakhand is one of the newly carved youngest states of India, which is located in the lap of Himalayas. It is very famous for its Char Dham Yatra, pilgrimage tour destinations i.e. Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Apart from this, there are a number of famous hill stations in this state which attract adventure freaks and honeymoon couples from various parts of India and abroad.

Badrinath Shrine

Badrinath is a famous holy shrine of Hindus, which is situated in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It is considered as the most important sites of Char Dham pilgrimage and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Located at an altitude of 3,415 meters above sea level, Badrinath temple is perched on the banks of Alaknanda river. It is surrounded by Nar and Narayan mountains and is situated at a distance of 301 km from Rishikesh.

It was established by Adu Shankaracharya in 9th century and attract lakhs of pilgrims every year from far away places. Several renovations have been carries out in the temple premises after its construction. June to September months are best for visiting this Hindu shrine as the roads are blocked due to heavy snowfall in the winter season.

Jolly Grant is the nearest airport to visit Dadrinath, which is located in Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand. It is at a distance of 317 km away from Badrinath. This shrine is accessible by nearest railway station, Haridwar, which is 310 km far. One can reach Badrinath by road from various places like Delhi, Rishikesh and Haridwar, but its roads are rocky and it is advisable to travel by all terrain vehicles.

Kedarnath Shrine

Kedarnath is an another holy pilgrimage shrine of Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage tour. It is located in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, in the lap of Himalayas. Kedarnath is the remotest shrines among all the Char Dham shrines and is located at an altitude of 3,584 meters above sea level near to Mandakini river.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kedarnath shrine presents a beautiful view of snow capped mountains and lush green valleys. The shrine opens for pilgrimage in April end and closes in October end as it remains cut off from rest part of the world because of heavy snowfall in the Himalayan ranges.

There are a number of attractions near to Kedarnath shrine like Ukhimath, Agastyamuni, Phauli- Pasalat Devi Maa, Kalimath, Bamsu and Trijugi Narayan.

One can reach Kedarnath by a steep walk of about 14 km from Gaurikund as it is connected by road from Dehradun, Rishikesh and Haridwar. The nearest railway station is Haridwar from where one can reach Gaurikund by road. Jolly Grant is the nearest airport to reach Kedarnath, which is located in Dehradun.

Now-a-days one can also enjoy the Pawan Hans helicopter ride to Kedarnath shrine from Agastyamuni and Phata. There are a number of guest houses and hotels near to Kedarnath shrine for pilgrims to stay.

Rishikesh India

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Rishikesh – 'the Gateway to Land of Lords', is one of the popular Hindu pilgrimages destinations in India. It is a perfect combination of pilgrimage, adventure, wildlife, yoga and meditation. The holy city awaits millions of devotees and adventure enthusiasts every year. Rishikesh is often crowded, specially from April to October.

Historical Tales

Heralded amidst lofty hills, the city is located at an altitude of 356 m above the sea level. It is also known as 'Tapo Bhumi' means the place for meditation of Gods. According to legends, sage Raibhya Rishi did severe penance and as a reward, God appeared to him in the form of Hrishikesh. It is also said that the land has witnessed the incident in which Lord Vishnu vanquished the demon Madhu.

Yoga and Meditation Centres

Rishikesh is also popularly known as world of yoga and meditation. The holy town is dotted with numerous yoga resorts where people can do meditation and yoga for their spiritual development. The serene and calm ambiance in the ashrams conducts yoga and meditation to attain complete mental peace and satisfaction. Some of the popular centres includes The Yoga Study Centre, Sri Ved Niketan Ashram and Yoga Niketan Ashram.

Adventure Activities

Set an expedition to adventure world filled with lot of excitement and enjoyment. Have a thrilling experience of white water rafting in Rishikesh. Rafting on water of wisdom is an unique experience that enchants every visitor. Explore the wild waves of Ganges that gushes down from an altitude of 480 m. Those who are sacred of rafting can indulge themselves in gentle canoeing here.

The other option to add more thrill in your Rishikesh trip is trekking. Explore the fascinating trekking routes surrounded by lush greenery on high ranges of great Himalayas. The trek route offers a magnificent panaroma of picturesque locales.

Shopping Arcade

Rishikesh is primarily a pilgrimage destination. Therefore visitors can rarely find big markets or souvenir shops. But there are few things which can delight the shopaholics. They can shop for handicrafts made of sea shells, beads, pearls etc. Visitors can also look for saris, handloom fabric, bed covers and cotton fabrics at local shops.

Golden Triangle Package Tours – Discount Available – Grab it Now!!!

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Delhi Agra Jaipur Package

Detailed Itinerary :-

Day 1: Arrival Delhi International Airport

Upon your arrival at the Delhi International Airport, our executive will be there to give you warm welcome, and to transfer you to the hotel that has booked for you in advance. Even if you land here during the day time, you will have sufficient time to explore the wonders of this capital city of India. Some of the most important historical places in the city includes Red Fort, Qutab Minar, Jama Masjid, Humayun's Tomb and India Gate. Overnight stay in the hotel in Delhi.

Day 2 : Delhi Sightseeing

Next morning, we begin our journey with Akshardham temple, the most famous architectural beauty visited by thousand of tourists every day. After noon we proceed to Delhi Haat, art and handicraft center, famous for traditional techniques, designs and colors created by artists and craftsmen from various parts of the country. We invite you to explore and experience the captivating world of Indian Paintings, Stonework, Terracotta, Leather ware, Glass work, Blue Pottery, Lac Work, Home Decor and traditional Indian Puppetry. In the evening enjoy the cultural programmes and savor the pleasure of traditional Indian cuisine. Overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.

Day 3 : Visit Jaipur

On the third day of the Golden Triangle Tour Package, by any luxury car or bus, you will be transfered to Jaipur, that will take approximately 5 hours. As you arrive Jaipur in the afternoon, you will have plenty of time to take a small excursion trip of the city. You can make Bapu Bazzaar in Jaipur famous for traditional Indian Handicraft and other items such as Rajasthani costumes, tie and dye, jutis, turbans, lac work, leather ware, artificial silver jewelery and much more. During the night get back to the hotel for the overnight stay.

Day 4 : Jaipur Sightseeing

In your visit of Pink City – Jaipur, on the fourth day of the tour, you will be visting places like City Palace, Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal and Jal Mahal. In the evening you are scheduled to visit Chowki Dhani- an ethnic village on the outskirts of Jaipur. Here you can enjoy elephant ride, bullock ride, camel ride, puppetry show along with traditional Rajasthan cuisine which includes Dal Bati Churma, Jalebi, Gatte Ki Sabzi and much more. Nightstay in Jaipur

Day 5 : Tour Agra

On the fifth day of the tour, we proceed to Agra to visit Taj Mahal – the 'Monument of Love'. The bewitching beauty of Taj Mahal will captivate your imagination with charm and wonder. Appreciate its architectural beauty and take a boat ride in river Yamuna exploring the nearby excursions. Other places you will cover same day includes Agra Fort and Itmad-ul-Daula. After exploring the Taj city, you will be staying at a hotel which will already be booked by us.

Day 6 : Delhi Departure

Next day you will leave for Delhi for the onward journey.

Meteo Inde (Weather in India)

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Just like the diversity in culture, lifestyle of the people, and its heritage, India also show various diversity in its climate. Weather in India (meteo inde )has mainly three main seasons:

winter, summer and monsoon. The winter months - November to March - are pleasant throughout India. The temperature drop abruptly into the mountains where there is snow. The summer months - from April to June - are hot in most of the country. The southwest monsoon usually ends by early June on the West Coast, and with the exception of areas south-east, India receives most of its rainfall between June and September.

About Kerala State - Kerala A Travel Destination

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About Kerala State Kerala State Travel Tourism Guide

Kerala lies between latitude 10 degree north and longitude 76.25 east.

Total area
Kerala covers total area of 38,863 sq km.

Climate
The hilly area enjoys cool and bracing climate all round the year. Plains are hot and humid. The temperature ranges between 32 degree C to 22 degree C.

Language Spoken
Malayalam is the official language of Kerala.

Food Habits
The culinary world of Kerala includes many delectable dishes having tantalizing taste. Rice and fish are included in menu of daily meal. Coconut is the main ingredient of every food item, which makes it more delicious.

Some of the mouth watering dishes served in Kerala are Puutu-Kadala, Idiappam and Stew, Appam and vegetable stew/chicken curry, Pathiri and chicken curry, idli and dosa with coconut chutney and sambar. Kerala is also popular for its scrumptious variety of deserts such as achappam, banana chips, vada, murukku, cheeda, ada etc. Taste some exotic flavor of drinks such as tender coconut, sharbat and sambharam.

Best time to visit
Best time to visit Kerala is from November to March when there is not much humidity.

Local transport system
Regular private and Government buses ply to different parts of the state. An excellent network of railways connects the cities of Kerala. The major cities have a domestic airport from where tourist can board the plane to reach the desired destination. To travel locally people can hire taxi, auto rickshaw or local buses.

How to reach Kerala
Air: Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city has an international airport. The domestic airports at Kochi and Kozhikode connects the state with other parts of India.
Railway: Kerala has around 200 railway stations connecting it with other parts of the country.
Road: An extensive network of roads connects Kerala with other parts of India.

Bangalore India- A Shoppers Delight

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Bangalore or Bengaluru (as it is known today), one of the most popular indian cities is definitely a place to be especially for the shopping lovers. Although there are many other places to see and visit here but the shopping is the main attraction of the city. This metropolitan city is located in the state of Karnataka and offers the travelers a range of variety in every aspect.

Once you are here you will find a wide number of markets and malls here, offering you a wonderful experience of shopping. Weather you are looking for traditional sarees, or any local costume, food, craft materials, jewelery, this city will never disappoint you. Here is a list of some of the best shopping centers of the city that you can explore during you trip to Bangalore.

Alankrita Antiques, Commercial Street

Blueland Stores, MG Road

Cauvery Arts Emporium, MG Road

Central Cottage Industries Emporia, M.G Road

Crimson Art Gallery, Safina Plaza

FabIndia, Koramangala

Kairali, M.G Road

Jamal Carpet Industry, Cunnigham Road

Utklika, Residency Road

India Turismo

2011-09-27T03:21:00.000-07:00

Viajes A La India El subcontinente indio está adornado con multitud de tesoros escondidos que son probablemente los mejores del mundo. Que se extiende desde el impedimento congelados de la cordillera del Himalaya a la vegetación tropical de Kerala, y el sol se lavó las playas a las doradas arenas del desierto de Thar, el país abarca belleza inigualable. Junto con sus variaciones topográficas sorprendente es su diversidad cultural única, que es el resultado de la convivencia de sus habitantes pertenecen a las distintas castas y la religión.
La principal razón detrás de esto es la relajación de lujo y económicas, y el alojamiento disponible aquí.

Turistas extranjeros que vienen a disfrutar de estas visitas la India India y paquetes como Triángulo de Oro Tour, paseo en tren de Patrimonio, Tour Kerala Backwater, Tour Ayurveda de la India, la India la fauna turística, las peregrinaciones en la India, Goa Beach Tour y muchos más. Más de turismo, lo que atrae a los turistas desde el exterior son el Yoga y Meditación Tours, Ayurveda y Spa, ferias y festivales, así como las costumbres y la religión de la India.

Y para el aire fresco y la pureza, la India, con ondas estaciones de montaña virgen adornada con las montañas y picos nevados de la cordillera del Himalaya.

La India :-En la gira a los turistas la India obtener la oportunidad de disfrutar de las visitas turísticas y participar en gran número de actividades que involucran a turistas rafting en Rishikesh, Camel Safari en el desierto de Thar, Jeep Safari en el Parque Nacional Corbett, El viaje del patrimonio sobre el Palace on Wheels, Trekking en el Himalaya, esquí en Gulmarg, pasear en bote en el lago Dal y Backwater Safari en Kerala.

Inde tourisme – Trip to India

2011-09-21T00:08:00.000-07:00

India Tourisme offers excellent opportunity to explore the famous tourist destinations of the country. The country is flanked with amazing wonders that are worth visiting. Apart from that the panoramic view gushing rivers, lofty mountains, meandering streams and golden deserts offers an unforgettable experience. Exquisite monuments, rugged forts, majestic palaces are part of additional form of an intricate tapestry.

Goa Inde

Goa is world famed as synonym with long stretches of sun-kissed beaches, where rhythm of crashing wave delights the visitors. The sizzling night parties at Goa Inde beaches thrills the beach seekers.

Agra Inde

The ancient monuments of Agra India are the evidence of rich historical background of the city. Each monument reflects the Mughal style and elegance. Taj Mahal Inde, one of the seven wonders of the world beckons every visitors for its architectural brilliance.

Cochin Inde

The tourist attractions in Cochin Inde are blending of the colonial past and the diversity of modern India. Famous travel attractions of the port city are Fort Cochin, St. Francis church, Raja's Palace and The Paradeshi Synagogue

Kerala Inde

Kerala Inde has wealth of ancient temples, flora and fauna, magnificent monuments, exotic beaches, picturesque hill stations and tranquil backwaters.

Rishikesh Inde

Rishikesh Inde is one of the supreme pilgrimage destination inviting thousands of Hindu pilgrims every day. Apart from that, it is a paradise for adventure lovers to have experience of white water rafting, wild life safari in national parks, skiing on snow covered slopes, and lot more. The holy city is also hub to many Yoga centres where Yoga is practiced for attaining spiritual contentment and peace.

Religious Places in India

2011-09-19T23:06:00.000-07:00

Travellers around the world, when in search of spirituality and peace of mind and soul, just think about India. With people of different religions and faiths residing in the country, it is but obvious that religious fervour dominates the country. And when it comes to religious tour, there is yet again, no other place better than India.

India religious places can be categorised as per religion of region. But wherever you go, you are sure to find a place where you can sit, relax and connect with your inner self and the lord. Here in this post let's brief you about some of these significant destinations.

Starting from north, the shrine of Vaishno Devi and Amarnath comes foremost to our mind. Every year a number of pilgrims make a beeline to visit these shrines. The journey is tough, with large hilly areas to be covered on foot and weather conditions not exactly suitable for a difficult journey. Yet the devotion of the pilgrims takes them through all the difficulties and they successfully worship their gods.

The Chardhams in the Hindu religion is equally important. These Chardhams or the four holy places in Hindu religion include Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Pilgrimage Yatras to these holy places are considered extremely sacred.

For the Sikhs, there is perhaps no other place as holy as the Harmindar Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple. It is the symbol of the might of the Sikhs around the world.

A considerable part of the north east region of India is home to the Buddhist community and hence there are a number of Buddhist monasteries there. Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim house a number of monasteries like Enchey Monastery, Pemayangtse Monastery, Phensang Monastery, Bomdila Monastery, Nunneries of Tawang and Tawang Monastery. These are good places to visit if anyone wants to know more about the Buddhist culture.

Moving towards the north west and west India, we find two of the most important pilgrimage destinations in India. Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan and Mumbai Haji Ali Dargah are two significant pilgrimage sites in India where travellers can sit in peace and connect with the supreme god.

Goa is home to a number of churches that are of paramount importance in Christian religion. The churches of Old Goa were built by the Portuguese during their reign in the region. Today, these churches are not just religious places but also heritage sites that have secured themselves a place in UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

The South India is the region where you can find a number of temples. Tamil Nadu is home to numerous temples that have, over the years, become not only important spiritual destinations
but also major tourists' attractions. Travel agents design special tour packages that take travellers on a trip around the important temples of south India. Some of the famous temples include Rameshwaram Temple, Chidambaram Temple, Kanyakumari Temple, Tirupati Balaji Temple, Mahabalipuram Temple, Kanchipuram, Thanjavur, Madurai Meenakshi temple, Sabarimala Temple and Guruvayoor Temple.

A trip to India to explore these religious destinations is an extremely fulfilling experience. Go for one this vacation

Vacations In India

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Cheap Travel India Vacations

VacationsIndia.com presents you list of destinations that have long been visited and enjoyed among the tourists as perfect for any kind of vacations be it adventure, wildlife, beaches, backwaters, hill stations, or pilgrimage.

Fort and Palace Tour
A number of places in India, describes the royal legacy of historical past. The desert land Rajasthan is one of the popular tourist destinations in the country. Major cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur and Pushkar are dotted with forts, palaces and havelis. Their brilliant architectural work and saga behind each structures fascinates tourist visiting here. The trip also offer camel safari and elephant ride to the enthusiasts.

Taj Mahal Agra Tour
The evermore symbol of Love, Taj Mahal is a must-see monument in India. This white marble edifice represents Mughal Dynasty, its love and power in such a way that it stays forever in one's heart and mind. The architectural masterpiece is situated in Agra and on visiting here, one can have a glimpse of the nearby attractions like Agra Fort, Chini-Ka-Rauza, Itimad-ud-Daulah, Jama Masjid and Mughal Gardens.

Beach Holiday
Traveling to India gets marvelous, with spending some days on the coastal areas. The touristy beaches offers exciting activities to the beach lovers. Where many can enjoy adventure water sports in Goa and Lakshadweep, some can rejuvenate themselves on the bank of Kerala. Besides, a number of beach resorts, hotels and cottages are built on each coastal side, which provides elite accommodation to the holidaymakers. Nightlife lovers can have happening time on the beach shacks in Goa and Mumbai.

Back Water cruises
A delightful journey through the backwaters of Kerala is simply unexplainable. The interconnected waterways, lakes, riverine and inlets are a place of cruises on traditional boat-Kettuvallom. The house boats are designed with cozy rooms, dinning rooms, decks and wash rooms, which offer overnight stay to the tourist. Popular cruises destinations are Kochi, Alappuzha, Kumarakom, Thiruvallam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kasargod, Kollam, Kottayam, Kuttanad and Kozhikode.

Yoga and Ayurveda
Traditional Ayurveda is popular in India's tourism circuit. Kerala, located in Southwestern India is a place of Ayurveda, Yoga and Meditation. Ayurveda resorts like Somatheeram, Kairali, Manaltheeram and many still practices therapies dating back to 5,000 years. Also, many Ayurveda centers in Goa, Puri and Karnataka helps one enjoy herbal treatment and natural care at their best.

Wildlife Tour
India is also known for a handsome number of wildlife parks and sanctuaries. Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan, Corbett National Park in Uttaranchal, Kaziranga National Park in Assam, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala and lot more are exotic abode for endangered flora and fauna. Exploring the forested areas by means of jeep/elephant safari is a must-do activity.

India Vacation Packages

Tamil Nadu Tourism

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Down south India is the state of Tamil Nadu, rich in culture heritage and natural beauty. Tamil Nadu Tourism offers a wonderful scope to explore and enjoy the treasures of Tamil Nadu.

Top Places to Visit in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is replete with tourist places.

Temples - Cities like Rameshwaram, Chennai, Madurai and Mabalipuram house a number of temples. The most famous of the temples include the Rameshwaram Temple, Madurai Meenakshi Temple and Kanyakumari Temple.

Hill Stations - Hill stations make for a wonderful tourism destination in Tamil Nadu. Ooty, Kodaikanal, Coonoor,Yercaud and Yelagiri are the most popular hill stations in Tamil Nadu.

Beaches - The beaches of Tamil Nadu are equally popular with tourists. Marina Beach Mahabalipuran Beach, Kanyakumari Beach, Rameshwaram Beach and Covelong Beach.

Indira Gandhi Boat Race in Kerala

2011-06-09T23:23:00.000-07:00

Kerala – The God's Own Country, is blessed with a number of magnificent rivers and backwaters, where numerous boat races are held such as Nehru Trophy boat race, Champakulam Moolam boat race, Kumarakom boat race, Aaranmula boat race etc. In the series of these boat extravaganza ''Indira Gandhi boat race'' is the most awaited fiesta of Cochin. It is a water sports cum festival, which is celebrated every year in the last week of December in the alluring backwaters of Cochin.

The main purpose of Indira Gandhi boat race is not just to organize a traditional water sport, but also to promote the Kerala Tourism this way. A good number of tourists not only from local places but also from abroad come to see this exciting water carnival. The name of the event is after the name of Smt Indira Gandhi, the late Prime Minister of India, also the trophy of the race was instituted in her memory.

The boats used in Indira Gandhi boat race, are known as Vallam Kali. Vallam Kali is a Malayalam term, which means 'boat game'. The boats are the charm of the event that attract everyone's attention. These are the long boats of around 100 to 138 feet in length with a raised hood at one end. These boats look like a snake, hence also called as snake boats. More than 100 people can be accommodated in a single boat. Usually a boat contains 100 to 125 oarsmen, 20 to 25 singers (who sing traditional boat songs) and 4 helmsmen. Before weeks ago the participants start preparations for this wonderful water fiesta. the boats are smeared with sardine oil for the smoothen movement in water.

There are certain strict rules made for this race, which are observed by around 150 oarsmen, each of them represent his village. While the villagers do take care of all the activities of the festival day and they are also given the responsibility of feeding the participants.

When the final day of the boat race arrives, a very cherishing atmosphere is created all around. Thousands of people at a time cheer their favorite teams and the whole environment is stunned with the commanding view of numerous snake boats in the river.

The boat race along with heart touching song and drum music leave everyone with an everlasting impact.

Adventure in Rajasthan

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Rajasthan Adventure Tour

The fascinating and victorious state of Rajasthan India has always been a center of attraction amongst the tourists of all over the world. But if we talk about the adventure activities, then too this glorious state is counted amongst the top adventure destinations of India. Right from the royal camel safari to thrilling wildlife adventure, trekking and many more exciting events attract a large number of adventure lovers to Rajasthan.

Camel Safari (Desert Safari):
Camel-the ship of desert, is the emblem of royalty in the royal land of Rajasthan. To ride on the lanky back of this mammal at first may not be comfortable for you, but sooner it will give you an extra ordinary pleasure. The continuous ups and downs in the vast golden sand field will tickle you with fun. As the sand becomes very hot (in summers) during sunshine, hence early morning and evening are the best time for camel safari.

Elephant Safari:
The ride on the elephant will make you fell like, as if you have been reached in the majestic era of the kings. The wide and specious back of the elephants, equipped with a large seat of soft silk cushions, will make your ride more comfortable. The elephant safari is available in all the major cities of Rajasthan like Jaisalmer etc.

Trekking:
Trekking in Rajasthan is one of the most miraculous experiences. The stimulate excursions, golden sand dunes and seductive range of Aravali offer the ideal locations for trekking. Mount Abu area, Mewar belt along Udaipur-Kumbhalgarh-Chittaur combine and Sariska-Alwar-Amber belt outskirts of Jaipur are the major destinations for trekking. Winter and monsoon are the best time for trekking.

Water Sports:
Water sports, even in Rajasthan seems to be quite fictitious, but the large and beautiful lakes of the state have made this amazing activity live and the most happening as well. Boating, swimming and angling are very common here. Gliding in the splashing water and cool breeze will engrave you with thrill. Ramgarh lake near Jaipur India is an artificial reservoir, where all kinds of water sports can be arranged throughout the year.

Wildlife Adventure:
Wildlife adventure in Rajasthan is undoubtedly is an ultimate experience. The state is enriched by rich varieties of flora and fauna and flourished vegetation. Rajasthan is blessed with numerous wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks, where a good number of visitors rush every year. Encountering the rich species of fauna with elephant safari or Jeep safari makes the wildlife adventures more sparkling.

Some Other Adventures in Rajasthan: Golf, Horse and Camel Polo, Cycling, Ballooning, Camping, Para-sailing, journey of luxurious trains etc are other most popular adventures of the state.

So travel India and come to the sporty land of Rajasthan to get enthralled with the most overwhelming adventures of the state.

Tourist Attractions Near Taj Mahal

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Just imagine the light of the setting sun, falling on this white marble mausoleum. Wow what a view it would be. Simply breathtaking. Taj Mahal the top tourist destination of India, is truly like a heaven for the travelers. Just enter inside the Taj and loose yourself in the magical charm of love and beauty.

The magnificent architecture of Taj Mahal is truly a delight to see. Located in the city of Agra India, Taj will surely force you to come here again and again. When in Agra you can also visit other places like Agra fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Sikandra, Jama Masjid and many more.

If you have more time you can also try to visit the holy cities of Mathura-Vrindavan, Rishikesh, Haridwar located near Agra. Infact Lucknow (the city of Nawabi tehjeeb) is also a nice place for traveling.

So immediately plan a trip to Taj Mahal and take a relaxing break from your hectic life schedule. Also take loads of pictures of Taj Mahal as the sweet memories of your trip.

To make your Taj vacations more interesting know more about:

Taj Mahal info, Taj Mahal impressions, Hotels in Agra(5 star hotels, 4 star hotels, budget hotels) and many more.

Konark Sun Temple: A Testimony To Traditional Stone Sculptors

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Once the Nobel Laureate poet Rabindra Nath Tagore said, “ The language of man here is defeated by the language of stone. The Sun Temple in Konark, Orissa describes the tradition of stone sculptors, that speaks a lot more about the glorying history of ancient eras. It was built during the reign of the Ganga King Narasimha Deva and was popularly referred to as the Black Pagoda.

The colossal edifice was built in 13^th century A.D on the sun-kissed beach of Chandrabhaga. As the sun set in its horizon and the glitzy stars appears in the endless sky, the gracefully carved out figures of the dancers and musicians seems to create a dream-like vision, following the rhythm of Raga and Taal.

Sun Temple Architecture:

The magnificent Sun Temple is the crowning triumph of the temple architecture of Orissa. Dedicated to the worship of Sun God, the entire complex of the shrine describes the chariot of Sun God with 24 wheels, each measuring about 10 feet in diameter. It finely built temple is dragged by seven horses and two lions, appears like crushing the elephants and guarding the entrance.

Interestingly, one have a clear view of some cravings in the erotic style. The mark the base of the temple, roofs and up the walls. Three images of the Sun God are sculptured in such a position that each one receives the sparkling rays of Sun at the dawn, noon and dusk. Other images of animals, warriors, me

n, women, foliage etc are arranged in an eye-catching manner.

How to reach Konark:

Well developed railway station and airport is situated in Bhubaneshwar, situated 65 km from Konark.

The Sun Temple is just 33 km from Puri and one can easily find private coaches, buses operating to and from the temple town.

Also, tourist buses from Bhubaneshwar and Puri are good option for reaching the destination.

Khajuraho- A Worth Traveling Destination

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After enjoying the marvelous architecture of Taj Mahal, take a long drive to Khajuraho. It is situated 393 kms away from Agra and is the most celebrated travel destination in Madhya Pradesh (Central India) is. Every nook and corner of the town demonstrates the creative architecture, sprouted long back, since the time of Chandela dynasty. The largest group of medieval temples is located here.

Of the 85 temples constructed sometime from 9th to 12th century only 22 remains in perfect texture. The age-old shrines stands out of any comparison in the world. Their specialty lies not only in sparkling deities, but also in the erotic sculptures, that dot almost 10% of entire complex. The temples in Khajuraho are categorized into three groups-

The Eastern Groups:

This group of temples mainly highlights Jainism. Parsvanath Temple, Adinath Temple, Santinath Temple, Ghantai Temple, Javari Temple are a few to name. Pilgrims here can spot statues and images of Jain Tirthankaras and stone sikhara, made of granite.

The Western Groups:

The Laksman Temple, Varaha Temple, Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Jagadambi Temple, Chitragupta Temple, Vishvanatha Temple and Chausat Yogini Temple form the temple religious circuit in Western direction. It is the largest of all groups and the architectural splendors are above all in the whole world. A visit here offers the closest view of carved out sculptures of Lord Krishna, Lord Vishnu and several other images, relating to God and Goddesses.

The Southern Groups:

The Chaturbhuja Temple and Duladeo temple constitutes the southern group. The later was the last temple built during the era.

Tehri Garhwal- Truly Garhwali!!!

2010-02-11T01:26:00.000-08:00

Can anyone raise doubts regarding the amazing beauty and enigma of the place named Tehri Garhwal? The sane and neutral response is – no. The very mention of the word Garhwal finds association with the Garhwali people who are almost synonymous with simplicity and pristine human nature.

The place where these beautiful people live is no less enchanting and eye-catching. Geographically, Tehri Garhwal is situated in the western side of the state of Uttarakhand and ranges from the snow coated Himalayan region to the foothills near Rishikesh. This district stretches over an area of approx. 4421 sq. kms with the Headquarters in New Tehti town.

Apart from having a rich historical background that runs through the days bygone, Tehri Garhwal stores a bagful of excellent locations which are there to be explored and celebrated.

Two of the most popular places in Garhwal are Chamba and Devaprayag. Both of them are renowned as repertoires of the ethnic heritage and culture as well as for their lush green surroundings.

Khatling Glacier is a favourite destination for adventure seekers as they can have some skiing experience. Another famous place is Sahastra Tal where trekkers can fulfill their wish.

If you are tired of all these adrenaline raising stuff and graving for some peace, not to worry and wonder. A bevy of temples are also around. To start with one can pay a visit to Buda Kedar, a temple holding the legend that the Pandavas found a Shivling there after the battle of Kurukshetra.

Situated at a distance of merely 8 kms, is the Gautam Rishi's Temple. Devotees believe a dip in the kund of this temple is equivalent to the holy bath in Ganges. Seated over the top of a hill is the Sem Mukhem, a famous Nag temple that invites devotees from all around every year.

After browsing through all these, a traveller can do a bit of shopping in the local markets. The hand-woven shawls and the traditional caps are the stuffs you definitely don't want to miss.

Darjeeling: The call of the hills

2010-01-30T03:46:00.000-08:00

One of my friends once visited Darjeeling in his summer vacations in our school days. Coming back to school after the vacation he literally chewed our heads with his stories of Darjeeling and whenever we showed any signs of getting enough of it, he would say you guys will know it once you are there.

Long after my sunny school days, one fine day in the month of November last year, opportunity knocked at my door to make my friend's prophecy come true. Well, simply put, I went on a vacation to Darjeeling. As per plan I reached Siliguri in West Bengal first. It is a buzzing town and the most popular gateway to Darjeeling.

Staying over night there, I was off to my destination. A traveller can either board a bus or hire a taxi from Siliguri to Darjeeling. I chose the latter. I must confess with my hands on my heart, that journey is one of the best I have made so far. The vehicle made way through the curvy roads that were cut along the hills. The taxi I hired was an open jeep and suddenly a flock of fog went across the vehicle. On being asked the driver told that those were not fog; but clouds!!!

However, after a memorable trip I reached the place that is known to be the Queen of Hills. My travel plan had accommodated a few priorities- the famous Sun rise, Rock Garden, Gangamaiya Park, Batasia Loop and the one and only The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

The Sun rise in the Tiger Hills is a major tourist attraction. As the spot is almost 12 km away from Darjeeling, taxis ferry people there from much before the dawn. It is truly a moment to cherish when the sun comes out shyly from between two hills with its reflection on the mighty Kanchenjunga.

Rock Garden is a park situated in the rocky areas of a hill with lush green scenery and man made water reservoirs. Gangamaiya Park is also a good hang out place. The highlight would be the beautiful fall here that flows gracefully along the boulders and pebbles bringing joy to everyone.

Batasia Loop actually is a sort of community place. Seated over a hillock, it has got the mixture of small parks, vendors selling local stuff and the railway track of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. It amused me as I saw the vendors settling up stalls on the tracks and moving out instantly when the train arrived. Going by the records, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Another important aspect about Darjeeling is its people and their simplicity. Though the original inhabitants of this place are the Lepchas, others like the Gorkhas and the Sherpas live here with harmony thereby adding to its cultural milieu.

And ladies, Don't miss the shopping of a different flavour!

Shillong..not that far..

2010-01-19T23:32:00.000-08:00

Mentioned very often as the Scotland of the East, Shillong, is a an amazingly beautiful place with sights and sound, flora and fauna. All of us planning a vacation with a limited budget but keen on spending some quality time must give Shillong a shot. Personally speaking, it made me feel what Bob Dylan sang 'a complete unknown...with no direction home' (Like a rolling stone) when I visited this pearl in the oyster of the North East. Roaming around on your own on the streets of Shillong in the cold mysterious evening is sure to take you somewhere else from this morbid world.

Rich in wildlife beauty and gorgeous locations, Shillong equally carries a bit of history as well. But not much before, it served Assam as its capital. It is only after 1974 when Meghalaya was formed and Assam got a new capital, Shillong was made the capital of Meghalaya.

My stay in Shillong allowed me to explore some of its most popular and most enchanting tourist destinations. I have to start with Shillong Peak that is located near to the city. Shillong Peak happens to be the highest point in Meghalaya. A tourist guide book said it is 1965 m above sea level. However, lets keep the numbers away for some time, but the fact is the view from there is simply awesome!

Visiting Shillong and not going to Cherrapunjee? Well, that can't be! All of us know why it is famous. No prize for guessing..yes, you will find a lot, lot and lot of rain fall here and believe me, people go there to see rain. No matter how queer it sounds, but I have to confess, I also did the same. Anyways, apart from rain, Cherrapunjee is home to the famous Limestone caves and the Presbyterian Church.

One of my friends from Assam asked me to visit Umiam Khwan (best known as Borapani Lake) when I am in Shillong. It offers the ideal lake outing with some water sports like sailing, water skiing and so on. The list of my adventure in Shillong does not end here. I paid brief visits to the Sohpetbneng Peak (a very significant place as par the Khasi mythology with scenic background) State Museum (it offers an authentic testimony of the life and people of Meghalaya); Elephant Falls; Crinoline Falls and the renowned Golf Course (this golf course is the third oldest of its category in the country); Ward's Lake (situated in the middle of the city, joggers love it)

The north eastern region of our country is something that tickles our curiosity. But why not pack your bags and set out to see what lies than to just sit back and wonder. Take off to Shillong and spend some days in the midst of mist, cloud, rain drops and music (Shillong flaunts its status as the favourite destination for music groups coming to perform in India).

NB: Don't forget to bring along your guitar.

Amritsar..Just be there!!!

2010-01-06T22:07:00.000-08:00

Just a simple straight question- which part of India represents celebration, enthusiasm and bubbling spirit? Most of us will get one clear answer- sadda Punjab! Not to speak of the Indian spectrum, the quintessential characteristics of the state and the people of Punjab is highly recognizable even in the international arena. However, the town of Amritsar has always captured the attention of the mass as it can be closely and strongly associated with the true Punjabi flavour.

The reason might be the fact that, this small but glorious town is a potpourri of devotion, patriotism, nationality, courage and a proud history at the same time. Talking of Amritsar tour and not mentioning the Golden Temple? That can't be! Lot has been said and written about it, but experiencing this marvel of Sikhism by own takes the feeling to a different level. Standing with dignity and enigma amidst a beautiful lake, this center of devotion saw time passing. Dark phases also were there with blood stains and chaos, and yet the Golden Temple carries an unmatchable aura, till today.

I have been fortunate to visit a few Gurdwaras, see the Langars, noticing people coming in a Merc or an Audi picking up your shoe without any hesitation; but if all this things are happening in Amritsar, the experience will never be the same.

Lets take you back to April 13, 1919. A community ground named Jallianwala Bagh got its name immortalized in history. All knows what happened there. Lying close to the Golden Temple, this historical ground apparently seems quiet and modest. But believe me, once entered, every sensible Indian will feel the air of patriotism, the fire of courage and sacrifice. Its truly history with life...a walk in Jallianwala Bagh is something worth taking.

If Jallianwala Bagh brings back past, its time to zoom into our present. The zeal of the new India is on the roll and roaring with spark in the Wagha Border. Situated hardly at an hours drive from Amritsar, Wagha is a source of fuel that energize Indians present there beyond age barrier and social strata. The evening descends on the border bringing a dawn to the visitors.

Take my words, steal some time from your so called busy days, visit Amritsar and come back with golden memories (pun intended)...

NB: Don't miss the food, specially the Kulchas...

Andaman and Nicobar Island

2009-08-11T03:02:00.000-07:00

The beautiful Andaman and Nicobar island located in Bay of Bengal region is a union territory of India. It is made up of 527 island comprising both small and large one. Of them only 38 island are inhabited by the human population and rest are barren. The coastline of this island is around 100 kms and major portion of area is covered with dense forests. The total area of island are around 8,293 square kilometers. Two major group of island here are Andaman and Nicobar. Port Blair is the capital of this union territory. Andaman and Nicobar came to prominence during British rule. British had established their rule over this island in the year 1858.

They built prisons in the island and began to send many convicts from India and Burma to Andaman. Many Indian freedom fighters were put in ship and sent to these jails. These island has significant value in the history of India freedom struggle. In the year 1943 Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose landed here and hoisted flag of Indian independence which inspired many people to dream of independent India. These islands are mostly inhabited by tribal people. Five of the most primitive tribal group are found in the island of Andaman and Nicobar. They are great Andamanese of Strait Island, Onges of Little Andaman, Sentinelese of Sentinel islands and Shompens of Great Nicobar.

Main Attractions of Andaman

Andaman and Nicobar island are natures haven. The entire island is laced with untouched natural beauty. Sensuous beaches, green forests, clean environment and fresh air are the highlight of these enigmatic islands. The waters of Bay of Bengal and tropical rain forest which has engulfed major part of island are home to different species of plant, animal and marine life. It is great place for adventure activities like trekking, island camping, snorkelling, scuba diving, etc. There are many important tourist attractions in Andaman and Nicobar island.

Havelock Island: Situated 38 km away from Port Blair, this island is stunningly beautiful. The clear sea and white sand accompany you in Havelock island. Beach no.7 is the most prettiest of all in this island. This beach is still unexplored and is few of those remaining beaches to be untouched by human. It's a great place for water sports activities like swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing and jungle trekking

Barren Island: This is a land of volcano and is the only active volcano of India. Last time a volcano erupted here was on May 28,2005. Visitors can see these volcano from distance on board of ship or boat.

Rangat: This is the best place to enjoy silent village life in the company of virgin nature. The fresh air and green forests will have a soothing effect on you. Cubert Bay beach which is 20 km away from Rangat is famous for turtle nesting ground. Period from December to February is the best time to watch nestling of turtles.

Beside these there are many more interesting tourist attractions in Andaman and Nicobar island. The best way to explore this magnificent land is by paying a visit.

Ooty-Queen of Hills

2009-08-01T00:27:00.000-07:00

One of the best known hill stations of India, Ooty for long has been honeymoon's paradise. Located 2,240 meters above sea level, Ooty is nestled in the majestic Nilgiri hill which is part of Western Ghats. This town is engulfed with breathtaking natural beauty in the form of verdant vegetation, dense forests, huge grasslands, fast flowing streams and pleasing tea gardens. Green hills of Ooty is quite rich in flora and fauna. This town is a ideal destination for the city dwellers to escape from the dust and heat. Ooty is surrounded by some enticing tourist attractions like Coonoor, Madhumalai and Kotagiri.

Ooty was very popular summer destination for the British officers during colonial era. This town came into prominence in the year 1819, when John Sullivan then collector of Coimbatore visited this hill station for the first time. He is believed to have built the first bungalow in Ooty known as stone house. Besides ever glowing natural beauty, Ooty is most popular for the Toy train. This toy train which has been declared as world heritage site is the most famous tourist attraction in Ooty.

Main Attractions

Ooty for long has been favourite hill station among the vacationers. This beautiful hill town is studded with some wonderful travel attractions.

Botanical Garden: Foundation of this garden was laid in the year 1847. Spread over the area of 22 hectares this park is maintained by the horticulture department of the government of Tamil Nadu. This garden is home to more than 650 species of trees and plants. An interesting part of this garden is a fossil of tree, which is believed to be more than 20 million years old. This garden is quite popular among nature lovers who love to see ferns and shrubs from close quarter.

Ooty Lake: This lake was constructed in the year 1825 and is about 2.5 km long. Visitors can enjoy boating in this lake and after proper permission one can try out fishing too.

Dodabetta Peak: Situated 2,623 meters above sea level Dodabetta is the highest peak of south India. From the tip of this peak one can have fantastic view of Ooty town. Encompassed with beautiful green forest, this peak is just 10 km from Ooty town. Many tell that on a clear day which is rare, one can have view of places like Coimbatore and Mysore from this peak.

Kodanadu's View Point: Located on the eastern edge of Nilgiri mountain range, Kodanadu is a great vantage point to have fantastic view of Moyar river and tea estates. There is a watchtower from where visitors can view Rangasamy peak.

Tawang-The land of Buddha

2009-07-22T01:35:00.000-07:00

If Kashmir is considered heaven on earth, Arunachal may be consider as way to heaven. Situated in the eastern part of country, Arunachal Pradesh is blessed with amazing natural beauty. Every region of state are filled with scenic beauty and will be treat to your eyes as well as your camera. Tawang located at an altitude of 3500 m above sea is a place where your search for eternal peace and natural beauty will end. The virgin land of Tawang offer some breathtaking natural beauty. This sleepy town is bordered by Tibet on the northern side, Bhutan in the southwest and river Kameng on eastern side.

Tawang has a rich history as it was an important part of Buddhist heritage. It is believed that sixth Dalai Lama was born in Tawang. There are innumerable number of monasteries and nunneries in Tawang. Some historian believe this town was a part of former kingdom of Tibet, though there is lot of contradiction. There is a dispute between India and China over this area. This was one of the main reason for the 1962 Indo-China war.

Attractions of Tawang
Tawang offer everything which a tourists desire. It has beautiful landscapes, rich history, religion and brilliant architectural monuments. Snow capped peaks, tranquil lakes, majestic waterfalls and several hot water spring are the natural treasures of Tawang. This place is specially popular as religious centre of Mahayana sect of Buddhism. Tawang Ganden Namgyal Lhaste famously known as Tawang gompa or monastery is the most famous attractions of Tawang. This monastery is more than 400 years old and was built in the 17th century by Mera Lama who was a contemporary of 5th Dalai Lama. This monastery is adorned with huge scriptures, books, images, tapestries and gold littered Buddhist sculptures. Popular Parkhang hall of this monastery has a library which houses rare hand-written and block-painted thankas or manuscripts of revered Buddhist books like Tangun, Kangyur and Sungbhum.

The 18 ft high statue of lord Buddha which adorned this monastery is a great sight to watch. Urqelling Monastery which is the birth place of 6th Dalai Lama is an important tourist attraction. There are many more monasteries and nunneries which are worth visiting while being in Tawang. Nature god has been very kind to this place. Landscapes of Tawang is absolutely enchanting filled with towering snow covered mountain and green forest. Sela Lake is a very popular tourist spot of this beautiful town. Tawang is an ideal place for various adventure sports activities like river-rafting, rock climbing, paragliding and various winter sports activities.

It is very hard for anyone to describe the beauty of Tawang in few lines. Only by visiting this place you can experience what it really mean to be in dream land.

Dharamshala

2009-06-27T00:14:00.000-07:00

When summer arrive, hill stations become the favourite destination to escape from the scorching heat. The calm atmosphere and cool climate lures tourists to these beautiful hill stations. Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh became my gateway to escape from the dust and heat of city where I reside that is Delhi. This town is popularly known as 'Little Lhasa' as it is the capital of Tibetan government in exile. Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama also lives here along with a large number of Tibetan refugee community.

Dharamshala totally mesmerized me where I had seen three different cultures merge together – Local Indian culture, the Tibetan culture and the Western culture. The last is brought in by the presence of many foreign tourists. The place is absolutely enchanting. People there go about their business without caring much about the nationality of the person. They seem to have immense respect for each other’s culture. As I roamed around, I could sense that there is always buzz around in the main Mcleodganj market. Hordes of foreign tourists could be seen moving around looking out for something in the market. There are many shops selling traditional Tibetan items and Indian products. Most of these Tibetan items are brought from Tibet. Best thing about this place is its beautiful mountains which are covered with snow for major part of the year. Snow covered Dhauladhar range forms a magnificent backdrop of this hill town. Sitting in a tea stall and viewing these stunning mountains gave plenty of joy to my eyes. One thing which stand out in Dharamshala is the religious nature of this town. Dalai Lama's monastery located at the tip of Mcleodganj is a place where I had peaceful time. Seeing those monks praying and chanting Buddhist prayers truly touched my soul. St. John's Church and Bhagsu Temple also gives it more religious look.

Being adventure freak, I tried my hand in trekking up the hill. It was great experience to trek in a group which included many foreign nationals. In fact by the time our trekking ended I became good friend with my trek mates which included two German and two Japanese citizens. Dharamshala has many cheap budget hotels which really impressed me. The peaceful and serene atmosphere of this hill town is something which I cant stop gushing about. Every now and then there was little bit of drizzling and I basked in this natural charm. Over the years commercialization has somewhat affected the serenity of this town but still it has maintained its natural beauty.

As I concluded my fourth visit to this hill town, I can't wait to pack my bag again and head towards Dharamshala once again.

Rishikesh

2009-06-10T03:02:00.000-07:00

Very famous tourist destination on the bank of the river Ganga Rishikesh is an excellent spot to spend a tranquil holiday. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life Rishikesh offers tourist with excellent centre for yoga and meditation.
Nestled in the foothills of grand Himalaya, Rishikesh is considered as one of the prime centre for yoga and meditation in India. It is also an important Hindu pilgrimage centre. For the adventure lovers it is also an excellent spot to start their trekking and river rafting. Trip to Rishikesh is an amazing experience where you can enjoy adventure, culture, yoga and religion.

This place is dotted with various temples and attractions. During your visit to Rishikesh, the must visited spots are -
Laxman Jhula – Laxman Jhula is one of the prime attractions in Rishikesh. It is a hanging bridge on the river Ganga. It is believed that mythological chracter Laxman had crossed the river Ganges at this point. Ram Jhula is another hanging bridge on the river Ganges, which is named after Ram.

Geeta Bhawan - Situated just across the Laxman Jhula Geeta Bhawan fascinates the tourists with its attractive painting and statues.

Bharatmata Mandir – It is one of the oldest temples in Rishikesh, built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Besides these temples there are other temples and ashram which are known for the spiritual studies and meditation centre.

Being a very popular destination, there is plenty of accomodation facility and excellent communication network.

Get chilled during hot summer of Delhi

2009-04-21T01:55:00.000-07:00

May, June the period of extreme heat in Delhi, - it goes up more than 45 degree but there are many ways to chill out during the summer. Fortunately, Delhi is located in such a place that you just need 4 – 5 hours drive to reach a hilly chilled place. The foot hills of Himalaya offer a complete relief from the burning heat of Delhi. There are plenty of hill stations near Delhi where you can chill out in your week ends. Here I am providing a brief idea of the week ends breaks from Delhi.

Lets start with Himachal Pradesh – there are so many beautiful destinations in Himachal Pradesh that the tourists could not but help visit the place again and again. There are places like
Shimla – One of the earliest and and beautiful hill resorts developed by the British to get a relief from the scorching heat of India. The attractions of the place are - Viceregal Lodge, The Mall, The ridge, The Church, Jakoo Temple and some more. Other interesting places of Himachal Pradesh are – Manali, Kulu, Dharam Shala, Chamba, Dalhausi, Kangra etc. Infact Himachal Pradesh is a perfect heaven for those, who are in search for tranquility.
Uttaranchal is another state with plenty of hill stations where you can feel the chill after going from the heat of Delhi. The most saught after destinations in Uttaranchal are – Nainital, Bhimtal, Kanatal, Dhanolti, Binsar, Mukteshwar, New Tehri, Chamba, Khurpatal, Auli, Ramgarh, Kausani and the queen of hills Mussoorie.
So do not worry about the roasting heat of Delhi, you can sit anytime in the lap of snow capped mountain to chill yourself.

Week ends at Choki Dhani

2009-03-19T04:02:00.000-07:00

Fun, frolic, excitement, music, dance, ethnic food – can you imagine everything together ? ... yeah its all we enjoyed in Choki Dhani last week ends. An ethnic village resort at the outscarts of Jaipur Choki Dhani is a completely different place for recreation. I heard about the place but never happened to be and suddenly we got the chance to visit the place. We entered in to the place at 8,0 clock and completely amazed by it ambiance. We felt that we have come into a village of Rajasthan with mud and hay huts, colourful people dancing and singing, different types of food stall, camel, elephant, bullock cart were ready for rides.
It is a place where celebration is unending in different manner with a horizon of real rajasthani village.
There are dance , ghoomer, music, puppet show, different exciting rides, thrill, shopping, rajasthani food and warm hospitality and much more to feel... to taste...to experience & share.
Ad soon as entered the resort we got spell bound, what to do first. Then we started with camel rides ...oh it is an excellent experience. My six years old daughter was completely thrilled. She was continuously saying 'thank you mama, papa for bringing me such a beautiful place'.

We were there till 11.30 pm (timing is 7.30 pm – 11.30 pm) and in between we enjoyed beautiful ghoomer, music, magic show, bullokcart ride, elephant ride and hide seek in bhulbuliya – oh a tremendous experience. Most importantly the food that we were served with warm hospitality will stay in my heart for ever and my taste bud will remember the royal treat for ever.

Delhi 6

2009-03-05T04:12:00.000-08:00

Hey – it is not about movie but about Chandni Chawk in old Delhi whose pin code is -6 (110006). Inspired by William Dalrymple, I happened to visit the place old Delhi and I was quite amazed by the charm still it possesses in its tiny lanes and shops. Old Delhi was set up by Shah Jahan to shift the capital from Agra and it still possesses the glorious remains in the form of Kashmiri Gate, Ajmeri Gate, Turkman Gate, Delhi Gate and Feroz Shah Kotla. It was the Chandni Chawk in old Delhi the grandest market in whole India. Even today the place though congusted and clamsy but it retains its historical grandure.

Old Delhi is also the capital of Muslim in India. And the attractions in Old Delhi are Red Fort, Jamma Masjid, Chandni Chawk market and old Havelies. It shows a totally different view of Delhi. The clean, clear metropolis Delhi has been minimized in to a maze in old Delhi. My whole day into the old Delhi is totally a new experience. There are mouth watering food joints in every galias, curio shops available everything. I can not forget the food there I had - the famous paratha, chat, jelabi and rabri. One of the famous attractions in old Delhi for the food lovers is the Karim's restaurant. The mouth watering dishes there directly takes you to the Mughal era.

Similarly the place is also a shopper's paradise. You name anything and you will have it here. The tiny shops of old Delhi has great variety of stocks of everything. I passed my whole day in old Delhi and I felt that I went in to the stories of Dalrymple. The fun, thrilled, excitement that I enjoyed on that day will always cherish my memories.

If you get a chance to visit Delhi 6 never miss it, - the fragnance of Mughal are still there in the air of Old Delhi.

William Dalrymple – an eminent writer and a lover of Delhi.

A flowery walk in the Mughal Garden

2009-02-23T01:12:00.000-08:00

If you are in Delhi during spring that is in February to mid of March, then never miss the opportunity to explore the variety of flowers in the Mughal garden of Rashtrapati Bhawan. Amazing collections of various flora can be seen there.
The Mughal garden is attached to the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of the president of India. And the garden area includes 6 hectares of the total area.
Thanks to Sir Edwin Lutyens, who designed the Rashtrapati Bhawan in fact the central Delhi. He wonderfully designed the garden in formal Mughal style with the combination of British garden.

The Garden
This paradise garden consists of three sections, the first is the rectangular garden immediately behind the main building. And the second section is a long one which takes us to the third section, the circular garden. The rectangular garden is a formal garden which is designed according to the mughal concept of water gardens. The Mughal Gardens also include the Musical Garden, the Spiritual Garden, the Herbal Garden, the Biodiversity Park and the Nakshatra Garden.

Attractions
The rectangular and central gardens are full of amazing rare collection of flowers and the long garden has got collection of delightful creepers. There are water channels in both the rectangular and circular park which added a romantic view. These gardens has got amazing varieties of viscaria, teptosyne, rose, sweet william, tulips, lilies, narcissus, hyacinths, daffodils, marigold, bougainvillea and several other annuals and perinnials. It should be mentioned here that probably only in Mughal garden you can see the largest variety of roses, it is more than 250. There are around 101 kinds of Boigainvillea, wide range of Indian marigol, Dahlias are really mesmerizing. The full blown daliahs in different shapes and colours are soothing sight for sore eyes.
Another attraction that Lutyens specially choose for the rectangular garden is the Moulsari trees. These Indian origin trees give weight and shape to the garden. The collection of bonsai is also very uncommon in the Mughal garden, you can say here you can find the finest collection of bonsai.

wonderful experiences can be gathered from the flowery walk to the Mughal garden of India. The evergreen fragnance of the various flower, shrub and creeper takes you to the world of wonderland.

An hour in Suraj Kund Mela

2009-02-03T04:31:00.000-08:00

I went to Faridabad in my uncle's place. While coming back we were tempted by the music and lightings of the Suraj Kund Mela. So we entered in to the ground. A huge uneven ground spotted with stalls of different state displaying art and craft of that particular region is the main background of the place. Every year 1^st - 15^th February this part of Hariyana witness this grand festival.

Spectacle of the Fair – Under the thatched roof platform the skilled craftsmen display their artistic handlooms product. And believe me these are really rare collections and prices are also very reasonable. It will be unfair if I do not mention here the products, actually the shops are bustle with sharp mirror embroidary, terracotta work, cane and matel product, excellent crockery, jingling bangles and jewelry, shimmering silk, variety of toys and trinkts. The paintings of different states like Phad, Kalamkari, Madubani are very much fascinating.
The Mela is not only about the mind blowing products. I was amazed by the wonderful performances that the artists from all over India perform in the open air theatre name Natya shala.

Delicacies of Food – Really irresistible food stalls are there. Mouth watering dishes from different part of the country like yummy south Indian, Punjabi, Gujrati, Rajasthani food stalls add more fun to the fair. You can even enjoy the sweets and snacks of different states.

I just passed an hour in the Mela but it showed me a different world. Actually one hour is just too short time to explore the Mela. So take out some time and enjoy the Mela where you can find entertainers like drummers from Himachal Pradesh, heavily ornamented dancers from Orissa and South India, acrobats from Rajasthan and Gujrat, jugglers and stilt walkers.

Varanasi – a place of peace and harmony

2009-01-15T03:08:00.000-08:00

When we decided to visit Varanasi I was really very happy because since childhood I have been listening about the place from my grand parents. And finally I came to the place of moksha. Reached early morning by train and found the place very bright and clumsy. All the roads are crowded with different types of hawkers selling fruits, vegetables, puri, kochori, malai and rabri. And I should mention that in every five step you will find a pan shop with different types of pan masala. Really the place has a different feel.

Interesting places

After being freshen up in a hotel we set for explore Varanasi and its near by places.

Ram Nagar Fort – Ram Nagar fort is the fort of King of kashi built about 200 years ago. The fort has a museum displaying the clothes and weapons of kings and queens. The fort is on the bank of the river Ganga. And the part of the fort that facing Ganga is an awe some place to spent the idle time.

While coming back we made a short trip to BHU, Venaras Hindu University. The huge area, buildings and the number of faculties itself tell us that it has its own position in the history of universities.

Varanasi is called the city of temples so we came across several temples among them are Sankot mochan temple, Durga temple, Ramcharita Temple. The main temple in Varanasi is Vishwanath temple. It is in the heart of the city the majestic viswanath temple stands. In which is enshrined the jyotirlinga of Shiva. A single glimpse of the linga really transform the life, the feeling is unexplainable. All the great saints of India visited this jyotirlinga which symbolises the timeless cultural tradition and highest spiritual values.

What fascinated me most in Vaaranasi is the way to the Vishwanath temple. The narrow lanes with lots of fancy shops are exciting and amaizing. Here one can getl variety of bangles, clothes and food stalls.

Last but main attractions of Varanasi is the ghats of Ganga and the sandhya aarti. Sandhya aarti in the Dasasvamedha ghat is amaizingly beautiful. No adjective is appropriate to describe its beauty. We took a boat to enjoy the aarti from Ganga and did boating for near about 2 hours. The famous ghats like Monikarnika, Harischandra, Kedar I saw while boating. There are legends behind every ghat which signifies the existence of varanasi in pre historic era. It is true that Varanasi is out of the world, it is where Lord Shiva started his physical journey of earthly abode.

There is a myth that the dawn of Varanasi is excellent and accordingly I woke up early and went to the ghat...oh ! the sight is unbelieveable, golden sun reflects in the ganga, lots and lots of devotees bathing, and some people performing rites.

It is an unending task to talk about Varanasi but I have to be brief. So, I would like to tell u make a trip to Varanasi and see the culture and history of India. Never miss the pan, banarasi sari and kochori, rabri of Varanasi.

An Afternoon in the Hauz Khas Village

2008-12-23T23:00:00.000-08:00

It was a lazy Sunday since morning and suddenly we decided to go for a outing... but where to go? All most all the near by places are quite familiar to us. So we took a chance to visit Hauz Khas village in South Delhi. I just heard about the place but was not sure what is the place actually.

I would like to give you a brief idea of the place. Hauz khas is one of the poshest area in South Delhi.

The place has a great historical importance. It is said that Alaudin Khilji built haus khas tank in 1300 for the water supply of the city. The word haus khas means royal tank. Later on the tank was renovated by Feroz Shah Tughlaq. The place is surrounded by mosque, madrasa and tomb.

When we entered in the complex I was thrilled by the view of the area - old ruins of the beautiful architecture surrounded by a lake. Though old ruins are quite obvious in Delhi but that is amazing in the heart of the city. It seems that I have come a long way from the madding crowed of the city. The architecture of the madrasa is wonderful. The two storied building takes to the medieval era.

Adjacent to the tank and madrasa is a deer park, a huge beautiful park. Most interestingly I could spot out some beautiful birds in the park like – peaock, parrot, duck, bulbul and mayna. It is really a totally different experience to pass some time in a tranquil serene place.

The entry to the Hauz Khas village is very interesting. There are lots of boutiques, shops, restaurants, handicrafts shop, set in converted old homes up and down in the narrow lanes which have their own class – the elitest.

It was really a memorable Sunday afternoon and people who have never been this place get ready for your next outing- will definitely a worth visiting place.

Atrip to Tirupati Balaji

2008-12-04T22:03:00.000-08:00

The temple of Tirupatu Balaji of Andhra Pradesh is the most crowded and one of the richest temples in the world. Devotees all over the country make an attempt to visit the temple. This famous temple is situated in the Tirumalla Hills of South India. And the temple is of Lord Venkateswara, incarnation of Vishnu.
After a long planning finally I could materialize my plan to visit the land of Tirumalla or Tirupati Balaji temple. It is one of the sacred place in India. The architecture of the temple is stunning with the the Cupola over the sanctorum is covered entirely with gold plate and is known as "the Ananda Nilayam". The shrine consists of three 'Prakarams'or enclosures.

It was an awe some experience to climb the hills, of course by bus. We booked our bus from Chennai to Balaji. The volvo bus was sceduled to leave at 5. 00 clock in the morning, so accordingly we sat for the destination. The journey was very pleasant and soothing. We reached on Tirumalla hills around 10.30 a.m. After being fresh in a guest house our coach took us to the Lord's temple. It is mandatory to put off shoes before proceeding for the temple. It was an amazing experience. Thousands and thousands of people were standing in a quo for the Darshan of Balaji. The over all view of the temple complex is so different as some people have just shaved their head and some people pushing one another to come forward the in the quo.
Sometime it takes long hours to visit the main temple. But we were fortunate enough to reach the temple with out much consumption of time.
The ultimate view of the Balaji is divine. Nothing can be more beautiful than that. A sense of deep respect and love, sanctity come to the mind.
Finally my dream came true. There are certain things in life which give some meaning to the life. Similarly my visit to the temple of Tirupati Balaji Temple made me feel elevated.

Get more information about Tirupati Balaji in http://www.indiantravels.com/temples-in-india/tirupati-balaji-temple.html

My trip to Andaman

2008-10-22T04:15:00.000-07:00

It was an exciting and never ending night in Chennai when I was waiting for the early morning flight for Port Blair. It was altogether a different experience to fly over the sea. And the journey took three hours to reach this beautiful island. The first thing that came out of my mouth when I landed there was 'awe some Andaman'.

Port Blair the capital of Andaman is not a very big city but it is surrounded by mind blowing islands. We stayed there for 4 days and while returning back I literally felt pain in my heart to leave this land of Kalapani.

It is an amazingly beautiful state with great historical importance. My visit to the cellular Jail took me to the pre - independence era. The light and sound show at the Jail really gives goose balm. Here we can feel how our great freedom fighters were tortured by the British rulers.
My next trip was in Ross Inland. It was the administrative head quarters of British. And now remains only the ruins but still a beautiful red island.

Havelock, Jolly Buoy are stunningly beautiful with marine coral and aquatic animals. Corbyn's cove is a famous beach in Port Blair and I have got some sweet memories with this picturesque beach as my hotel was on its shore.

The most interesting tour in Andaman trip was Baratang trip. This island has mud volcano and lime stone cave. Journey to the lime stone cave amidst the mangroves in a motor boat is really once in a life time experience. The journey from Port Blair to Baratang is through dense Jungle and that area is protected for Jarwa tribe. We were just waiting to have a sight of the tribe which is very rare.

My four days in Port Blair gave me a totally different experience of life. Whole day I passed in sea and it reminded me of Coleridge's famous lines 'water water every where but not a single drop to drink'. Snokelling, scuba diving, fishing and camping are some activities that I did my heart's content in Andaman.

The people of Andaman are very friendly, mostly Tamilians or Bengalis. And all type of food are available but sea food are very yummy. On my way back I brought some wooden small show pieces and conch shells for my friends which are the main shopping attractions of Andaman.

Getting there
Port Blair has got daily flights from Chennai and Kolkata. And regular ship services are also available from Kolkata, Chenni and Vishakhapatnam and it takes nearly 50 to 60 hours.
Lodging
There are ample of hotels from budget hotels to five star resort and one can avail the package tour which is very convinient.

My visit to Shimla

2008-09-24T04:40:00.000-07:00

After a long wait I reached in the the capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla. It is as beautiful as I dreamt of and that morning was really exciting and refreshing from the other mornings in Delhi.

I spent my first day in Shimla only at the ridge and at the famous mall road, ideal place for shopping. Shimla is built over several hills and all the hills are connected to the ridge. The ridge is a wonderful place in Shimla to hang around. Here you can see all the posh people roaming around. When I first went to ridge, it fascinated me a lot because there was no motor car only pedestrian crowd. If you want you can enjoy horse ride here. The famous church of Shimla is also at the ridge. In the evening entire area gives a panoramic view.

Shimla is small town but there are many places to visit in and around Shimla like Jaku temple, Kali Mata temple, Shimla State Museum, Summer hill, Sankat Mochan, Mashobra, Naldehra, Kurfi, and Indian Institution of Advance Studies. I felt Indian Institution of Advance Studies is the most beautiful place in Shimla with pine tree surrounding it. Just after reaching there I felt I was in some European country, so beautiful the architecture is! This institution was the house of Viceroy General which was made in British times and now one portion of it has been alloted to Institute of Advance Studies. It has some historical significance also, the famous Shimla pact was signed here. The serene beauty of the place makes it perfectly ideal for the student of literature and politics.

Almost all the places around Shimla are facinating but two places I would like to mention are Naldehra and Kurfi. Naldehra has got adventurous horse track and the ride is very exciting within the pine trees. Kurfi is another interesting place for the snow lovers. Here we had snow skating and go carting.

How to Get there:

Getting there is also very easily accessible by bus, air and by train from Delhi. One most important adventure I had during my Shimla tour is Kalka Shimla toy train ride. It is a completely different journey amidst the hill stations. I would suggest everyone not to miss this ride if you visit Shimla. I really felt that I was in Harry Potter's magic land.

Staying Options

Shimla is full of hotels and lodge, so there is no scarcity of accommodation. But it is always advisable to book your hotel when your plan is finalised to avoid hassle free holiday.

A Memorable Vacation At Jaisalmer

2008-09-12T03:54:00.001-07:00

Hi, myself Sameer Dutta from India’s capital city, Delhi. I am an accountant by profession and remain busy in my work most of the time. Despite of my busy schedule I take out some time for travelling and I visit various places of India to feel my body with fresh energy. As I was getting stressed with my continuous work, so I thought it is better to go outside Delhi to relax my mind. Last week I planned a trip to the city of Jaisalmer with my wife and my son. We set out for Golden city of Jaisalmer by catching an overnight bus. Next day in the morning we reached Jaisalmer, for three days we stayed in Jaisalmer and visited all the attractions in and around the city. I found the entire city of Jaisalmer decorated with excellent stone work. Wonderful havelis, constructed by proficient artists with their utmost dexterity take this city to a lofty standard.

Our sightseeing trip to Jaisalmer city begun with Jaisalmer Fort. Perched atop Trikut hill, Jaisalmer Fort is made of yellow sand stone and also called as Golden Fort. During the afternoon, when the sunlight falls upon the fort, the fort’s colour becomes molten gold and that scenic beauty is indescribable here. Carved havelis, narrow cobbled streets and the well preserved Jain temples are the main attractions of this citadel whose glimpses made me mesmerized. Just outside the fort a small ‘bazaar’, is located which is the main activity hub of the city. I bought an attractive bag and some traditional Rajasthani handicraft items from the bazaar.

Next we visited the Juna Mahal, superb lattice work of this place is really praiseworthy. The glass and mural paintings of the Rang Mahal and the glass mosaic designs of the Sarbottam Bilas offer a captivating look. The flower shaped ornamental decorations of Gaja Vilas, Moti Mahal and the exquisite outlook of the Badal Bilas (Tower of Clouds) are really awesome. The architectural greatness of the 19th century Salim Singh ki Haveli, Patwani ki Haveli and Nathmalji Ki Haveli kept me just standing silently. From here I moved further to see the Raja-ka-Mahal. In addition to these, I visited the Gadsisar Lake, Ludrava and the royal cenotaphs at Bada Bagh.

Moreover, my mind still recollects the unforgettable experience of the wonderful sunset over the sand dunes. Far from the hustle and bustle of Delhi, I enjoyed a relaxing vacation in Jaisalmer. You will not find traffic jams or crowds on the streets like metros like Delhi. Jaisalmer is really a wonderful place to spend a peaceful vacation with enjoying a thrilling safari on the camel’s back. Plan a trip to Jaisalmer very soon to experience the camel safari across the Thar Desert and seeing the grandeur of Rajput Maharjas on your own.