Delhi Agra Jaipur - Golden Triangle Travel Packages

Golden Triangle Destinations of India

2010-03-31T05:35:00.000-07:00

India, sobriquet as a land of “unity in diversity” is one of the famous tourist destination of South-east Asia. This ancient land of Raja-Rajwadas is an unique land, bedecked with endless arrays of natural and artificial treasures of tourism significance.

Every region of this ancient land possesses some diverse topographical features as well as vibrant cultures of various communities. One of such region of our country is Golden Triangle Circuit. As the name reflects, this circuit is a triangle comprising three of the most celebrated destinations of India such as Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. All these three destinations are famous for their royal touch and possesses several interesting tales of their development.

Lets talk about Delhi. Famous as a 'melting pot' of various culture, Delhi is the national capital of our country. From time immemorial, this new emerging cosmopolitan city of world was the power seat of various chivalrous rulers. Since from the time of Mahabharta to Mughals to Britishers and till date, Delhi is serving as capital of India or Hindustan. This erstwhile royal city is dotted with numerous architectural masterpieces of bygone era such as Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Old Fort, Humayun's tomb , India Gate, Parliament House and so on. Some of these edifices are counted among UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Apart from these, Delhi also has some sparkling spots which showcases its recent makeover such as glamorous shopping malls, multiplexes, discotheques, amusement parks etc.

Unlike Delhi's charm, Agra is a crowded and dusty town of Uttar pradesh. This city too has a strong Mughal touch and exhibits some of the finest monuments of Mughal architectural zenith. For instance, Taj Mahal, the epitome of eternal love, the formidable Agra Fort, Sikandara, the last resting place of Emperor Akbar, Chini ka Rauza, etc. Apart from its monuments, Agra is also famous for its sweet delicacy like Agra Ka Petha and friendly nature of the residents. While your trip to Agra, don't miss out to explore Fatehpur Sikri, a deserted city built of red sand stone. This ancient Mughal city was constructed by Emperor Akbar and houses the dargah of Sufi saint Salim Chisti, Joda bhai's palace, Bulud Darwaza, Jama Masjid,Birbal's house etc.

Last, but not the least, Jaipur, the state capital of Rajasthan is another golden triangle destination of India. Heralded as “Pink city of our country', Jaipur was the royal capital of Kachchawa clan of Rajputana dynasty. This city of the state boast numerous palaceas and forts of Hindu and Mughal artistic designs. City palace complex, Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Jantar Mantar are the striking landmarks of the city. Apart from sight seeing , Jaipur also offers camel safari, a sojourn at Chokhi dhani to its guests.

So, if you are planning to visit India during the upcoming Common Wealth Games, 2010 or any other time than don't miss to explore these fantastic destinations of golden triangle circuit.

Taj Mahotsav 2010

2010-02-08T03:44:00.000-08:00

Festival Time: 18th-27^th February, 2010

Venue: Shilpgram (500 meters from Taj Mahal), Agra

Significance: Cultural Craft Fair

Entry Ticket: Available on Entry Gate

Come Spring Season and the Taj City of India announces the festival of art, craft, culture and cuisine, all together. Introduced way back in 1992, Taj Mahotsav is one of its kind in the festival catalog of the country. The 10-day cultural event is organized by the Tourism Department of Uttar Pradesh. It welcomes artisans from different parts of the world and offers them a platform to display their talent before the countless visitors.

Cultural Extravaganza

Taj Mahotsav acts as a brilliant way to exhibit the color of Indian culture. Folk lore, classical dances and local music bands cast magic spell and captivate the mind of tourist visiting Agra. Poetry competitions, Nautanki and special dances programmes performed by the folks of Rajasthan, Maharashtra etc also add flavor to the festival spirit.

Scheduled Programmes during Taj Mahotsava 2010

Seven Sates Folk Dances : 18/02/2010

Punjabi Night : 19/02/2010

Ghazal Night : 20/02/2010

Sriram Bhartiya Kala Kendra : 21/02/2010

Folk Night : 22/02/2010

Dance Night : 23/02/2010

Classical Night : 24/02/2010

Qawaali : 25/02/2010

Melodious Night : 26/02/2010

Star Night : 27/02/2010

Handicraft Fair

Besides enjoying the cultural programmes in Taj Mahotsava, its worthy to get around the fair ground. A number of make-shifts shops are set-up in the festival and each one offers a wide of options for buyers. Major attractions like Blue Pottery of Khurja, Carpets of Badohi, Chikan work of Lucknow, Silk of Varanasi, Metal & Brass ware of Muradabad and Woodcarvings of Saharanpur allures tourist to a great extend.

Food Festival

With the inauguration of Taj Mahotsava, foodies receive a chance to pamper their taste-bud. The gourmet section offers a menu of delicious cuisines, that are categorized into vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Shahi Mughali, South Indian thali and North Indian dishes are prepared in great variety.

Feel The Exotic Thrill In Delhi's Chill

2010-01-17T21:05:00.000-08:00

Serene evenings of November, heavy rush in coffee or tea shops, alluring smell of roasted peanuts, corns and sweet potatoes marks the onset of a completely different season in the capital city of India. The season of dense fog mornings and shivering nights. Yes, its the winters in Delhi.

Alike other seasons, winter in Delhi is also very unique. Its the only season in the capital when large number of flights and trains get rescheduled. But, still Delhi'ites love the season a lot.

Despite the cold breeze and long traffic jams, people of this lovely city loves to hangout with friends and families. Even large number of foreign tourists likes to explore Delhi during winters as it enables them to get rid of the scorching sun rays of summer season. During winter evenings, India Gate,one of the perfect exemplar of British rule in India became the melting pot of people of various communities.

Located in Lutyen's Delhi, India Gate chock-a-blocks with fun loving visitors. Every year on the occasion of New year i.e on 1st January, people from various corners of the city comes here to enjoy the cold weather while sipping a cup of hot tea. Some people even engage themselves in photograph clicking near India Gate and Amar Jyoti Jawan.
Another ideal way to laze out in a winter season is by involving oneself in boating. A fabulous boat ride on the shimmering waters of lake behind Purana Quilla will offer you to grasp the bright sun rays, beholding the beauty of Purana Quilla. Even you can hire a tonga and roam around the historical monuments of the city.

Winters also make it a nice time to visit the Mughal garden and Zoological Park in the city. Every year from 14th February to 28th February, Mughal Garden in Rashtrapati Bhawan remained open for the flower lovers. Its that time of the year when numerous colorful rose species, along with other exotic flowers blooms in the garden.

Some other common sights of Delhi's winter includes evening get-togethers, glamorous weddings, long queue in front of Omellete wallas, crowded shops of Sarojini or Lajput Nagar. So, don't restrict yourself under heavy blankets, come out and enjoy the chilling waves of Delhi's winter.

How To Reach Taj Mahal?

2009-09-26T04:35:00.000-07:00

Taj Mahal is counted in the Seven Wonders of the World and is also listed in the UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. Taj Mahal is the finest attraction and the most popular tourist spot of India. It can be called as the loveliest token of love that holds its special place in the hearts of the people. There are various modes through which tourists can easily travel up to Agra.

Reaching Taj Mahal by Air:

Traveling to Agra to visit Taj Mahal the most desirable route can be via Delhi International Airport to Kheria Airport in Agra. International flights like Emirates, Swiss Air, Air Sri Lanka, Bangladesh Biman, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic Ocean, Air France, Lufthansa, KLM, Japanese Airlines, Aeroflot, TWI, Canadian Airlines all connect Delhi from all the major cities of the world. Domestic flights like Air India, Indigo Airlines and Air Deccan operates directly from New Delhi to Agra. Taj Mahal is situated 6 km away from the Airport from where taxis/cabs/auto-rickshaws can be taken easily to visit Taj Mahal.

Reaching Taj Mahal by Railways:

Agra is well connected excellently with Delhi with good trains like Shatabdi Express which takes 2 Hours, Taj Express that takes around 2.5 Hours and Intercity Express that takes approx. 3 Hours. Agra has mostly developed stations like Agra Cantt, Raja ki Mandi, Agra Fort Railway Station Idgah Railway Station. Other junctions like Tundla which is around 22 kms. And Mathura which is approx 50 kms. The most convenient way considered to visit Agra is from Delhi Railway Station. Tourists can also enjoy their time in Palace on Wheels which takes a halt at Agra while going to Rajasthan.

Reaching Taj Mahal by Roadways:

Roadways are also the great way to reach Agra. Visitors from Delhi, Jaipur, Fatehpur Sikri, Mathura can always opt for luxury buses to reach Agra. Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation also have the wide network of buses for the visitors of Taj Mahal.

Noida to Agra Yamuna Expressway:

The eight lane Yamuna Expressway is the famous Taj Expressway that would be soon activated from Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh) to Agra. The project has been targeted to be complete in 2010 and will be executed by Jaypee Group.

Distance of Agra from major cities:
- Mathura (58 kms)
Bharatpur (60 kms)
Gwalior (118 kms)
Delhi (203 kms)
Jaipur (236 kms)
Khajuraho (393 kms)

Local Transport to visit Taj Mahal

The hotels in Agra mostly conducts the tours for sightseeing tours. Auto-rickshaws, tongas, cycle-rickshaws and taxis are easily available in this area, with negotiable rates. The intercity buses also run from point to point basis. Both AC and non AC taxis and coaches are hired at Agra for local sightseeing.

Taj Mahal Tours

Many sightseeing tours are organized and the train leaves at 10 AM daily from Agra Cantt Railway Station. Tickets can be easily booked in advance from the Northern Railway Reservation Office.

Tourist Places to See in Jaipur

2009-09-15T23:08:00.000-07:00

Jaipur is a fascinating destination of India. Ruled by majestic Kings and Queens, Jaipur city in Rajasthan calls travellers for exploration. Being the capital city of Rajasthan, it amongst the famous cities of India, and also an upcoming metro city. With number of industries migrating to Jaipur, soon India would withhold another industrial hub. Also known as the Pink City of India, Jaipur is amongst the cities in Golden Triangle tour.

Travel Attractions of Jaipur City

Hawa Mahal : Built in 1799, Hawa Mahal is amongst the famous travel attractions of India. Constructed by Sawai Raja Pratap Singh of India, Hawa Mahal has 953 niches or windows in its building. Located close to Tripolia Bazaar in GPO, Hawa Mahal is a landmark of Japiur City.

Amber Fort : Located 11 kms from Jaipur City, Amber fort is amongst the best known tourist spots of Jaipur. Nestled on a hill, Amber Fort in Rajasthan is beautiful piece of history that unfolds its chapters and present a glorious past to travellers.

City Palace: Founded by Sawai Maharaja Jai Singh, City Palace of Jaipur city, was laid in 18th centuary. Established in the year 1959, City Palace is a beautiful blend of Rajasthani and Mughal Architecture.

Nahargarh Fort: Constructed by Jai Sawai Singh of Jaipur, Nahargarh Fort is yet another important monument of Jaipur City. Constructed in 1734, Nahargarh Fort is amongst the three famous forts built by Maharaja Jai Sawai Singh.

Erotic Temples of Khajuraho

2009-09-06T21:33:00.000-07:00

Khajuraho is situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh in the district of Chattarpura about 620 kilometers of Delhi. The Khajuraho Temples have been listed in the World Heritage Sites and is also considered in the Seven Wonders of the World. It is also the most popular tourist destination of the country. Khajuraho Temples inhabits beautiful sculptures.

The Khajuraho Temple situated at the central part of the country in Madhya Pradesh. The place is rich at the cultural heritage and the fascinating ambiance of the place. It is the most popular and the attractive tourist destination of the country. Its so popular that an airport has been built in that place so that visitors can easily commute from the place. Tourists who are having less time but more money can easily fly Delhi-Agra-Khajuraho-Delhi. There are many such shops that are in Khajuraho which are run by the foreigners which actually sells handicrafts that are reasonably priced.

Khajuraho Temples was built in between 950 and 1050 AD during the reign of Chandel empire. Originally when the Khajuraho Temples were built, there were 85 temples but now only 22 are left. Regarding the location of the temple, Khajuraho is a fascinating place that truly provides the rural and relaxing ambiance. The temples are as always counted in the World Heritage Sites not just from India but also from all over the world. The government of India has taken up many steps to preserve this Khajuraho Temple as it is the most popular and the most popular sight for the beautiful sculptures.

Regarding the interior of the temple it is beautiful from inside as well as from the outside. The temples are built up by the sandstone in various shades like pink, or pale yellow and it also built for the different sects like Shiva, Vaishnava or Jain Sects. The interior of the of the temple are beautiful and inter-connected and is placed with the East/West line. The ceilings in the interior is carved well with the floral and geometrical designs which is made lavishly.

The temple are grouped as Western, Eastern and Southern. The Western group can be called as the best among all these. These group of temple belongs to the Kandariya Mahadev. Kandariya Mahadev temple is the largest temple amongst all the temples in Khajuraho. In Kandariya Mahadeo temple there are about 900 statues. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is about 31 m high. The pillars and the ceilings are carved beautifully. The outer walls of the temple have three horizontal panels that shows the deities of Hindu pantheon a pegeant of sensuousness which looks vibrantly alive and eye catching.

Chausant Yogini is the oldest temple in the Khajuraho temple. It is the single temple that is built with the granite stone and is dedicated to goddess Kali. This is the earliest shrine that is still surviving in the Khajuraho temple since 900 AD. Chitragupta Temple is dedicated to the sun god that is Surya thats why this temple is made in the east facing direction from where the sun rises.

The sculptures in the temple that is made in the form of group dance royal processions and the other scenes of the Chandela court life. Vishwanathan Temple has the three headed image of Lord Brahma. The exteriors of the temple are beautifully carved and the shrine is facing to the Nandi temple with the 6 feet high Nandi bull. Lakshamana Temple is also the temple in Khajuraho that is dedicated to the Lord Vishnu. The image is made by the three headed idol of the Vishnu that is Narsimha and Varaha. This temple is also around 9 feet high. Matangeshwara Temple is made in Western style and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is around 8 feet high. It is having the good collection of statues.

Parsawanatha Temple is the largest group of temple and one of the three Jain temples. This temple was installed in 1860. The sculptures in the temple depicts the everyday activity. Ghantai Temple is also the temple that is counted among the Jain temples that actually depicts 16 dreams of Mahavira's mother. Adhinath Temple which is deicated to the Jain Saints.

How to Reach?
By Air: A daily boeing 737 service links up Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Kathmandu.

By Rail: The nearest Railway stations from Khajuraho is Mahoba (64 kms), Harpalpur (94 kms), Jhansi (175 kms) and Satna (117 kms) that connects up to the major cities of the country that is Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Agra and Varanasi.

By Road: Khajuraho is well connected by the regular bus service with Mahoba, Harpalpur, Satna, Jhasi, Gwalior, Agra, Jabalpur and Bhopal.

Excursions From Agra City

2009-08-22T00:14:00.000-07:00

Agra,a city that mirrors the eternal love of a Mughal emperor for his beloved wife, is positioned on the banks of river Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh. It is that city of India which houses the most precious treasure of Mughal architectural zenith.

Every year millions of globetrotters visit this erstwhile Mughal capital to witness the magnificent epitome of true love, known as Taj Mahal. This monument of white marble is considered as one of the seven 'Wonders of World'. Apart from this UNESCO World Heritage Monument, the nearby area of Agra also has some more alluring places of tourist value.

While your trip to Agra, devote some time for excursion to the nearby attractive places. Some of the charming nearby attraction of Agra city are

Fatehpur Sikri: Located approximately 45 km from Agra, Fatehpur Sikri is an imperial city of bygone Mughal dynasty. It was established by the Great Emperor Akbar, in between 1571 to 1585A.D to show his gratitude to the Sufi saint Salim Chisti, whose blessings has helped him to gain the immense pleasure of being a father. Its is a city predominantly made up of red sand stone and has several architectural masterpieces. Some of the famous monument of this present day deserted city are Diwan-i-aam, Diwan-khana-i-khas, Jodha bai's palace, Bulund Darwaza, Jami Masjid and many more.

Sikandra: Located on Delhi-Agra Highway, just 10 km away from Agra Fort, Sikandara is the last resting place of the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar. The main attraction of the place is the tomb of Akbar, which was designed by him. The architecture of the tomb is fine blend of Mughal and Hindu architectural designs. It is beautified with exquisite patterns, excellent jaalis, persian style calligraphy, canopies and Char bagh garden etc.

Bateshwar: Bateshwar is a small temple town that lies on the banks of river Yamuna and situated at a distance of 70 km from Agra. This dusty of Uttar Pradesh was ruled by King Badan Singh of the Bhadawar dynasty. He has built the Bateshwarnath Temple along with some more temple on the bank of river Yamuna. Every year during the month of Kartik(October/November) Bateshwar comes alive with the annual cattle fair.
Mathura: One of the most revered pilgrimage destinations of Hindus in India is Mathura. This ancient city of Uttar Pradesh is approximately 58 km from Agra. It has numerous temples of Lord Krishna as Mathura is the birth place of him. Some of the prime attractions of Mathura are Shri Krishna Janambhumi temple, Dwarkadeesh temple, Vishram Ghat etc. Don't miss out to attend the colorful Holi and Krishna janmashtami festival of Mathura.

Aligarh: Aligarh another nearby attraction of Agra (80 km), is a famed hub of higher education in India. This central Uttar Pradesh city has one of the most pioneered education centre named Aligarh Muslim University. It was established by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan to spread modern education among the Indian Muslims. Beside it other prime attraction of Aligarh are Aligarhi pyjamas, patchwork embroidery(patti ka kaam), and gajak, a sweet made of sesame seeds and jaggery.
Beside them you can also add some more destinations in your tourist itinerary such as Ram Bagh, Bharatpur Bird Sancturay, Vrindaban etc.

TAJ MAHAL TO HAVE ECO FRIENDLY GOLF CARTS

2009-08-12T00:47:00.000-07:00

In the wake of growing concerns over preservation of Taj Mahal, Supreme Court has banned vehicles emitting pollution, to come within the range of 500 m from the marble monument. Following this rule, the Agra Development Authority (ADA) has devised an innovative way to serve the tourists and preserve the stunning historical structure as well.

Battery operated golf carts are the new machines that will make the task easier for the authorities, as it will offer both the domestic as well as foreign tourists a unique experience of getting close with the divine monument of love, while sitting in these carts.

These state of the art golf carts have been imported from China and can travel upto 60 km once fully charged. There are currently twelve such golf carts helping tourists to commute from the western gate of the Taj Mahal towards the main structure. Once the idea is fully operational the authorities will bring on more vehicles to cater the growing tourist rush in the monument.

The charges for the same are kept nominal, 10 rupees per ticket, so that even the local tourists can manage to experience the unique way of sightseeing. Till now the traveler reviews have been good and more people are looking forward to make a golf cart trip of Taj Mahal. Earlier too the vehicles were without air condition systems, so conditions are expected to be much better now with open air carts accommodating 15 people at a go, without hurting the environment and the crowing monument of India.

Teej Festival At Delhi Haat

2009-07-24T02:10:00.000-07:00

With the first shower of monsoon, the dry patch of land as well as humans and animals rejuvenate themselves. It not only revive the greenery of the surrounding but also the dry heart of ours which unless get bored with the daily monotonous life.

Monsoon season brings a new ray of hope to our dull life. With onset of the ceaseless rains, the entire North India gets ready to celebrate some of the colorful festivals which represents the monsoon season. This season of incessant rains ushers to the Teej Festival.

Teej which is also known as Sawan Festival, is one of the main festival of Rajasthan. It is also celebrated in some parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar with utmost joy and gaiety. It is festival that is celebrated by both married and engaged women with loads of enthusiasm. This festival is celebrated to mark the reunion of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva, after a penance of hundred years.

Newly wedded brides return to their parental home from their in-laws house to celebrate Teej. On this auspicious occasions, ladies keep fasting, decorate their hands and feet with mehendi, and dressed up in new saris. They adorned the idol of Goddess Parvati and pay their homage to the deity for a blissful marital life and for the well being of their husbands.

Delhi Tourism Board is doing a commendable job. Every year it is organizes Teej festival at different venues within Delhi city, so that Delhites don't miss the charm of Jaipur and Jodhpur's Teej festival. This year it is going to be held at the Dilli haat opposite INA market. The proposed date for 2009's Teej festival is from 23rd July to 26th July.

The Tourism Board of Delhi in collaboration with Rajasthan Tourism Board, has decorated Dilli haat in a special way, so that it suit the theme of Teej. Swings are put up every where in Dilli haat, so that you can enjoy and go back to your childhood days.

The stall of Rajasthan state in Dilli haat is the prime attraction of this year's Teej festival. Here, you will get everything which are the basic components of this festivals. Even you can dine at the food stall of Rajasthan to savor the delicious cuisines of this colorful state.

Don't miss out this golden opportunity to witness the colorful ambiance of Teej festival at your neighborhood.

Janmashtami

2009-07-15T23:41:00.001-07:00

Janmashtmi, also known as Gokulashtami or Krishna Ashtami, is one of the most important Hindu festival. It is celebrated with full grandeur as the birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Though this festival takes a more colorful and grand shape in Krishna's land of Gokul, Mathura and Virindavan, the enthusiasm of Krishna's birth is spread all over the country, during the festival.

TIME AND DURATION:

Janma means 'birth' and Ashtami means 'the eighth day'. The eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu was born in the Dwapar Yuga as Lord Krishna, on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada which falls in the month of August/September. This day is celeberated as Janamasthmi.

ABOUT THE PRIME DEITY:

Lord Krishna, one of the divine incarnations of Lord Vishnu, was born around five thousand years ago, to Devki and Vasudeva, when they were captivated by Devki's own brother King Kansa. This Jail Cell in Mathura is called Krishna's Janmasthana.

All through his life, he played numerous roles, as a responsible mentor, a mischievous son, a romantic lover, a caring brother and a best friend. He was best known for his playful pranks that he played on Gopis, while he stayed with Yashoda and Nanda, spreading happiness and gaiety in the entire Gokul. He astonished everybody with his mystical activities, since a very tender age, especially when he killed the demons sent by Kansa and picked up Gobardhan Parvat on his small finger to save the entire village from Lord Indra's prakop. He played his part of an intense lover with Radha, an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and enjoyed Ras Lila with the Gopis in Vrindavan.

Krishna was born to kill Kansa, the demon king of Mathura, who was a threat to the sages on Earth,and he completed this task along with his brother Balrama, at an early stage of his life. He learned important lessons in the field of Spirituality, Vedic Arts and Politics from his Guru Sandipani Muni and played the role of an obedient and efficient student. He was the source of important lessons of life, given to Arjuna during the Kurukshetra War, when he also played a role of a Charioteer. These lessons are mentioned in the revered Hindu Epic, Shrimada Bhagvada Gita, which teaches one the essence of life.

MYTHOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:

The story of Lord Krishna's birth forms the background of Janmashtami celebrations. Devki and Vasudev, the genetic parents of the Krishna, were imprisoned by Mathura King Kansa, as he was told that their offspring would ultimately kill him. This fear led him to kill six newly born kids of Devki, but Balram and Krishna, Devki's seventh and eighth children, were saved miraculously and given to Nand and Yashoda, who lived in Gokul, where Krishna grew up and finally killed Kansa, putting an end to his dark rule. The day of Lord Krishna's birth is celebrated as Janmashtami.

RITUALS:

The festival is celebrated with full devotion and vehemence, throughout the country. People visit Lord Krishna temples on this day, which are decorated with flowers and lights , just like the actual birth ceremony of the Lord. Idols of Lord Krishna in his various acts and roles are placed in the temple, especially the idol of infant Krishna which is kept in a silver cradle, with a bed of flowers and silk cloth. Lord's idol is bathed with panchamrit and including curd, milk, dry fruits, honey and basil leaves which is later distributed as Shriprasad among the devotees.

People observe fast on the occasion and gather in the temple to express their happiness to Shri Krishna by offering him his favorite milk products, singing devotional songs describing his playful childhood acts and participating in Arti at midnight. Long cues of devotees throng the temple and wait for an opportunity to pull the rope of Krishna's cradle and to mark their presence in his house.

In Mathura and Vrindavan, the celebrations go a step further, where enactments from Krishna's life are staged and his teachings are reverberated. Processions of tableaux take place in the city throughout the day, as people gather to have a look at the actors who are venerated as Gods and are offered prayers. Slogans in the Lord's praise like 'Radhey Gobind Hari Gopal Bolo' and 'Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki' are chanted in the processions.

Another famous event of the festival which is a commonplace in Maharashtra and Gujarat apart from Mathura and Vrindavan is 'Dahi Handi' or 'Dahikala' in which youths form tall human pyramids to reach and break a high-hung earthen pot filled with buttermilk. As they reach the top they shout 'Govinda Ala Re'! Competitions are held and huge prize money is distributed among the successful teams, who are quickest to break the Handi.

The delicacies prepared on this day mostly constitute of sweets, to be offered to the deity. Panjiri is prepared from flour, coriander, ghee, ginger powder and sugar while Murukku is prepared down south. Charnamrit made of milk, ghee, sugar, basil leaves and dry fruits is also prepared for the occasion.

Major temples in India where Janmashtami is celebrated with maximum vigor and exuberance are Krishna Janma Bhoomi Mandir in Mathura, Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, Udupi Temple in Rajasthan, Dwarkadhish Temple in Gujarat, Guruvayur Temple in Kerala and ISCKON Temples spread aacross the country.

VENKATESWARA TEMPLE

2009-07-12T23:11:00.000-07:00

LOCATION:

The most famous and the most visited temple of the world, Lord Venkateswara Temple is situated on the Venkatachalam Hill or the Tirupati Hill, in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Lord Venkateswara is also known as the Lord of Seven Hills due to the fact that the temple is situated on the Eastern Ghats range, which are also called the Seven Hills.

Lord Venkateswara is the prime deity of south India and has been worshiped by many prominent kings of the southern dynasties that ruled the peninsular region, including the Cholas, the Pallavas, the Pandavas and the Vijay Nagar Empire Kings. It is believed that the temple is the abode of Lord Vishnu and the stunning statue is a self-manifested one. Around one lac devotees visit the temple daily.

HISTORY:

Though the temple got all its recognition and glory only in the 15th century, during the reigns of the flourishing Vijayanagara Dynasty, the inscriptions and literatures substantiate that the temple history dates back to the 9th century, when the Pallava kings worshiped Lord Tirupati or Lord Venkateswara in this shrine.

King Krishnadevaraya started the trend of rich offerings in the temple. Maratha General Rajhoji Bhonsle had set up a permanent fund for the contributions and endowments. Today, the temple is known as the richest temple of India, due to the rich endowments and offerings by the devotees.

The temple came into the hands of the Muslim rulers during the reigns of the Islamic dynasties and was then passed on to the Britishers and the East India Company, till they decided not to keep the native religious institutions under their control, in the 18th century. For about a century, the temple was served by Sri Seva Dossji of Hatiramji Mutt, after which Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Comittee took its controls. At present, after a long journey of changing hands, The Tirupathi Board of Trustees serve this sacred shrine of the south.

ARCHITECTURE:

The temple is representative of the Dravidian and Vijaynagar styles of architecture. The fine detailing on the external walls depicting the Vaishnava Gods. The mandapams, especially the Ranga Mandapam, Tirumala Raya Mandapam, the Dhwajastambha mandapam are beautifully decorated with carvings and sculptures. The towers that surround the pavilion emanate melodious sounds, when striked upon.

The temple is decorated with gopurams or towers with sculptures carved upon them. Ananda Nilayam or the copula just above the Garbhgriham is covered with gold in its entirity. The Garbhgriham consists of three precincts, the outermost being the banner post known as the Dhwajastambha, the statue of the King, Krishnadevaraya and Todarmal, Mughal emperor Akbar's minister.

The special attraction of the temple is the majestic idol of Lord Venkateswara, which is spell bounding with four arms holding a conch, discus, third arm in a posture denoting bestowing of blessings and fourth hand resting on the waist. The full bodied statue of the Lord looks remarkably graceful and heavenly with the drapes, ornaments and tilak. Crowds of devotees throng the temple to get a glimpse of the Lord and offer prayers and rich endowments to Him.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS:

The major attractions of the temple are the mandapams, copulas, gopurams, Garbhgriham, sculptures, the Dravidian style of architecture and the most graceful statue of Lord Venkateswara. The rich endowments presented by the erstwhile kings of the Peninsular region, preserved in the temple, also form an important attraction in the temple.

The main places inside the temple include the Krishnadevaraya Mandapam, Ranga Mandapam, Aina Mahal, Dhwajastambha Mandapam, Vimana Pradakshinam, Sri Varadarajaswami Shrine Potu, Sankeertana Bandara, Shri Garuda Temple and Sri Vishwaksena Temple apart from the main shrine of Lord Venkateswara.

NEARBY SIGHTSEEING:

Akash Ganga:

The scenic waterfall, about 3km to the north of the temple, is considered to be sacred lending to the fact that its waters are used daily for Lord's bath and abhishekam. The smooth ravine goes through the jungles and then flows through the rocky pathways.

Papa Vinasham:

Papa Vinasham literally means 'washing of sins'. The site is located 5 km north of the Tirupati temple.
The belief of the devotees, that the pure waters of the dam will wash away their sins, makes this place a special site of Tirumala. It is a small deep basin nestled between hills, with falling streams of water being collected into it, where worshipers take a dip into the holy waters.

Varahaswami Temple:

Varahaswami, is another incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who emerged in a boar form. It is considered to be a privilege to have the first view of Lord Varaha and his first naivedyam or offering of food to the Lord and then only visit the Venkateswara temple.

Leh Palace

2009-07-08T02:18:00.000-07:00

LOCATION:

In the extreme north of the country, in the Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh, the ruins of this ancient wonder, are situated in a scenic nature's shelve, clasped by the mountains and hill ranges visible across the whole perimeter of the area, till the eyes can behold.

HISTORY:

The Leh Palace was constructed by King Singe Namgyal in the seventeenth century as his residence. The royal family then shifted to the Stok Palace in the 19th century, when the Kashmiri army attacked the palace. After the royal family left the Palace, the remarkable wonder degraded to ruins and it was then handed over to the archaeological survey of India, by the royal family, which is till now, in process of restoring the representative monument of the glorious past of Leh.

ARCHITECTURE:

Inspired by the architecture of the Potala Palace of Tibet, the mysterious palace with its hilly landscaping, is a master piece of Tibetan architecture. The nine-storied palace was built in a matter of three years. The lower floors of the palace used to serve as store rooms while the upper floors inhabited the royals.

The palace is now in ruins but one can still witness the royal stay from the styling of the internal rooms, the murals and the temples on the upper floors. The inclined protective walls and balconies made up of wood are the noticeable features of the palace. The palace also houses a collection of beautiful Buddhist paintings and colorful scrolls called 'tankas' and other such artifacts that present the glorious traditions of the northern hills.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS:

Panoramic view of Leh, mountains of Stok Kangri, Zanskari and Ladakh mountain ranges from the rooftop of the Palace.

Tibetan architecture of the Palace.

The upper floors of the palace that served as a royal residence and its inclined walls and balconies.

The dilapidated murals on the internal walls representing the royal past.

Dukhar Temple of goddess Tara at the fourth floor of the palace, with a large image of the deity.

A museum inside the palace which exhibits the colorful Buddhist paintings and scrolls of Laddakh.

The Victory tower atop the Namgyal hill close to the palace, to mark the triumph over the Balti Kashmir armies.

NEARBY SIGHTSEEING:

Leh Monastery:

Laddakh is the land of many Buddhist monasteries like the monasteries of Phiyang, Hemis, Chemry and the oldest monastery of the Indus region being of Lamayuru.

Leh Mosque:

A fine example of the Turkish-Iranian architecture, the mosque was a resultant of an agreement between the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and the Laddakh King Deldan Namgyal. The stunningly beautiful green and white hued mosque was built in 1666 AD and stands in the main bazaar of Leh.

Nubra Valley:

The warmer valley known for its rich and diverse fruit and flower plantations, that beautifies the valley further. The roses, lavenders, apricots with a backdrop of snow capped mountains makes the spot a heaven on earth.

Trekker's paradise:

The trekking paths from Spituk to Marth, Lamayuru Gompa to Chiling Village and from Likir to Temisgam is the best in Leh with maximum height of the passes touching 5000 m. Trekking packages are available for the months of June to October.

KANCHIPURAM: THE SILK CITY

2009-07-04T02:19:00.000-07:00

One of the seven important pilgrimage centres of the south, Kanchipuram is blessed with several temples of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The various temples showcase the Dravidian architecture and the influence of its many rulers, the Pallavas, the Cholas and the Rayas. In todays times, people come here for its numerous temples and fine quality handwoven Kanjeevaram silk sarees and other silk fabrics.

QUICK FACTS:

Location: Kanchipuram is situated on the Palar River, in Tamil Nadu, a southern state of India. It is around 80 km from the state capital Chennai.

Climate: The city experiences tropical climate with almost similar temperature throughout the year. The temperature varies in between 25 to 38 degree Celsius in summers (April-June) and between 20 and 30 degree Celsius in winters (October-February). The city witnesses a good amount of rainfall during monsoons.

Known For: Kamakshi Temple, Kailashnath Temple, Ekambareshwar Temple, Silk Sarees.

Best Time To Visit: October to March.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS:

Kamakshi Amman Temple:

The main temple of the place, among the three devoted to Goddess Shakti, the other being Kamakshi temple of Madurai and Vishalakshi temple of Varanasi. The temple is in control of Shankaracharya Math of the great Hindu saint Adi Shankaracharya. The temple is adorned by an elaborate structure spanning to an area of 5 acres and a golden spire. The idol of Kamakshi Amman is in the Padmasana position symbolizing prosperity. The temple also has many images of Lord Vishnu and shrines of other Gods.

Ekambareshwar Temple:

Built during the reigns of Vijayanagar Empire in the 16th Century, the temple is the largest one in Kanchipuram. It is devoted to Lord Shiva, also known as Lord Ekambareshwar, who is worshipped here in the form of a sand lingam.

Legend has it that Goddess Parvati was once cursed by her husband Lord Shiva to become dark-faced 'Kaali', when she closed his eyes by mistake, which resulted in darkness on Earth. Goddess Parvati then did her penance on the land of Kanchipuram, where she made a shivling of sand and offered prayers to the Lord. The temple consists of several stone walls, shrines, tanks and mandapams.

Kailashnathar Temple:

Another ancient temple of Lord Shiva, Kailashnathar temple interestingly portrays 64 aspects of Lord Kailashnath. The frescoes in side the wall are worth observing and appreciating especially the one which depicts Lord Shiva in Tandava dance position. The temple gives a priceless sneak-peak into Pallava art and architecture.

Varadaraja Temple:

Devarajaswami or Varadaraja Temple is one of the temples devoted to Lord Vishnu. It is was built in the 11th Century by the Vijayanagar rulers. The stunning thousand pillar kalyanmandapam is an important attraction of the temple.

Other famous temples of the place are Vaikunda Perumal temple, Kachapeshwara Temple, Vaikuntha Perumal Temple among others.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS:

Brahmotsavam in May, Garuda Sevai in June, Mahashivratri in February and Panguni Uthiram in March/April are the main festivals celebrated in Kanchipuram.

SHOPPING:

Silk is the most exquisite item you can take back home from Kanchipuram. The famous Kanjeevaram Sarees are the finest and the prettiest of the sarees available in the world. These may be costly but the compliments will be worth its price. Handloom co-operatives are the best to buy silk sarees at the best rates.

Other items that will be arresting are souvenirs of jute, copper, bronze like jewelery boxes and baskets.

HOW TO REACH:

Air: Chennai International Airport is the nearest airport to the city, at a distance of around 75 km. Regular flights to important cities of the world are available from here.

Rail: The Southern Railways serve the city and connect it with Chennai, Pondicherry and Madurai.

Road: Private tourist buses, Volvo buses, taxis and state run buses are significant in connecting the city to other important cities of the south.

GUWAHATI: THE CITY OF EASTERN LIGHT

2009-07-02T03:15:00.000-07:00

A commercial hub of the north-east, with flourishing tea and handloom business and the Noonmati Oil refinery, Guwahati is rich in cultural traditions too. Referred to as Pragjyotishpura or 'the city of eastern light' in the popular Hindu epic Mahabharata, the city binds the tribal and non-tribal customs with the same thread of harmony. The beautiful location of Guwahati, near to the Himalayas and the river Brahmaputra, makes it an awesome place to visit.

QUICK FACTS:

Location: Guwahati is the capital city of Assam, situated on the banks of river Brahmaputra in eastern India.

Climate: The city experiences a sub-tropical climate with temperature ranging between 19 degree Celsius and 29 degree Celsius. Summers are warm and winters are cold, while monsoon months experience heavy rainfall in the whole state.

Known For: Kamakhya Temple, Vashishtha Ashram, silk products, tea farms.

Best Time To Visit: November to April.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS:

Kamakhya Temple:

Kamakhya literally means 'worshiped by Kama Deva, the God of love'. Kamakhya Temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, that have historic and religious significance. According to Hindu mythology, Hindu Goddess Sati, Lord Shiva's wife did penance, when her father insulted her husband by not inviting him to the Yagya. Sati's body fell in parts in 51 parts, and her genitalia or Yoni fell at the place where the Kamakhya temple stands today. It is believed that the goddess still masturbates for 3 days, during which the temple remains closed.

The temple is an ancient one, the origin of which is still unknown. It consists of a dark natural cave, with an underground spring. Goat sacrifices are common within the premises. Thousands of devotees visit the temple throughout the year, especially Navratri, in October/November. It is located close to the Guwahati Railway Station.

Umananda Temple:

Built in 1694 Ad by King Gadadhar Singh of Ahom Dynasty, was reconstructed in the 19th Century with Vaishnava slogans inscribed in its interiors. The temple stands amidst the Brahmaputra sea waters, and can be reached through ferries or motorboats. Hindu Lord Shiva is worshiped by hundreds of devotees who visit this temple, everyday. Sculptures of the temple epitomize several Hindu Lords including Lord Vishnu and Sun God.

Navgraha Temple:

A temple devoted to the Sun God and the nine celestial bodies of the planetary system who are revered as Gods, namely, Surya, Chandra, Mangala, Budha, Brihaspati, Sukra, Sani, Rahu and Ketu. The representations of the Navgrahas is in the form of nine Shivlingams, each with a unique colored drape. The temple is also an astronomical research centre today. It was built by King Rajeswar Singh, and is located at the Chitrachal hill, in eastern Guwahati.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS:

Bihu:

The most important festival of Assam, Bihu, is celebrated three times in a year, with full enthusiasm and vigor. Bohag Bihu or Rangoli Bihu is celbrated in the month of April to celebrate the harvest season. The festival is marked by decorating cattles, cooking leafy vegetables and offering customary prayers.

Durga Puja:

Since a major part of Assamese population is Bengali, Durga Puja is celebrated with great grandeur and magnificence. Prayers are offered to Goddess Durga, finest delicacies are prepared, people dress themselves to their best and participate in the various events and processions that take place.

Ambubachi Mela:

Ambubachi is a three day festival which takes place in the month of June, when Goddess Sati is said to have her menstruation. During the three days, the temple remains closed and on the fourth day, devotees throng the temple premises for festivity and celebrations. Animal sacrifices takes place during the festival and the festival marks the commencement of the harvest season, as a sign of fertility.

SHOPPING:

People from far off places come to Guwahati to purchase the authentic silk items, mainly silk sarees with thread work. One can also buy cane and bamboo products including furniture, home decors, accessories, etc. The various places to shop in Guwahati are Beltola Bazaar, Ganeshguri, Fansi Bazaar and Pan Bazaar.

HOW TO REACH:

Air: Gopinath Bordoloi Airport is an International Airport situated in Guwahati, connecting the doorway of the north-east to other parts of the country and the world.

Rail: Guwahati Railway station is an important railhead for the north-east, from where trains connect to various small and big cities of the north-east.

Road: Guwahati being the industrial hub of the north-east is well-connected to important cities in and around Assam like Kolkata and Darjeeling, by a network of roads and comfortable modes of road transport including AC buses and prepaid taxis .

Kiradu Group of Temples

2009-07-01T04:29:00.000-07:00

LOCATION:

The Kiradu group of temples are a group of five ancient temples in the village of Hathma, located at a distance of 43 km from Barmer region and 157 km from Jaisalmer city of Rajasthan, the western state of India. The erstwhile capital of the Punwars, it was earlier known as Kiratakupa.

HISTORY:

The temple is known to be built around 1000 AD and the inscription of the temple date back to the 1161 AD. Kiradu was originally belonging to the Parmar clan of Rajputs in the 13th Century AD.

If legends are to be believe, a saint had left his subordinate in Kiradu for the people to look after him. But no one, except a potter's wife took his care. The saint got angry and told the potter's wife to leave the town before he turns it to stone. But he turned back before leaving, to get a glimpse of his house, as a result of which she was also transformed into a stone sculpture. Her statue can be seen in the pavilions of Kiradu temples, even today.

ARCHITECTURE:

The remarkable sculptures and the numerous pillars over the plinth of the shrines represent the Solanki style of architecture. Due to the fact that Kiradu was under the Chalukya Dynasty of Gujarat under the feudal system, the hint of Chalukya influence alongwith signs from the Gupta dynasty, can also be seen on it. Though it is largely influenced by North Indian Temple Architecture.

The Vishnu temple has been erected on a wide plinth with minarets that have survived the strikes of time. Lord Shiva temple of Someshwara is a collection of remarkable depictions from the Hindu epics and decorative mandapas.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS:

The Someshwara Temple, built in the 11th Century, is the most imposing of all the five ancient temples. The shrine is made up of five sides which is in the form of an inverted lotus.

Three other Shiva temples with intricate carvings depicting scenes from the famous Hindu epics, Mahabharata and Ramayana, are also worth an observation.

The multitude of finely carved pillars surrounding the pavilion of the shrines and the sculptures of heavenly maidens and beasts which date back to 1050 AD.

NEARBY SIGHTSEEING:

Balark Temple:

The ancient temple of Balark where Sun God or Balark was worshiped. The temple also consists of ruins of Juna Barmer and the three Jain temples with grand halls and pillars in the temple of Samantha Deva, former ruler of the Barmer state, is also an attraction of Barmer.

Barmer Fort:

The famous monument of Barmer is the Barmer Fort, also known as Siwana Fort. It was constructed by the Panwar ruler Raja Bhoj's son Veermarayan. The fort has now turned into ruins, but still it preserves the some of the priceless samples of the architectural edifice.

Neemari:

Neemari is a scintillating park with beautiful pool and sprawling gardens, located around 23 kms from Barmer.

Meharangarh Fort in Rajasthan

2009-06-29T02:58:00.000-07:00

LOCATION:

Mehrangah Fort is situated in Jodhpur city of Rajasthan, located in the north-west part of the country. It is one of the most gigantic forts of the country, the strong bulwark of the fort with heavy gates, high and thick walls enclosing the royal residence.

HISTORY:

The fifteenth Rathore Ruler of Jodhpur, Rao Jodha, was advised to shift his base to a safer place, just an year after his accession to the throne in the 15th century. He searched for a strategically guarded destination at the Bahuchera hill, which was around 400 ft above the city of Jodhpur. This place made the fort a safe haven for the King as the attackers could be easily tracked from the hill-top.

It is believed that a hermit who used to stay on the hill was displaced due the construction of the fort, and he cursed the fort to be devoid of water. But later, the hermit was given a comfortable place to stay, by the King himself, where he stayed lifelong.

Though the fort was built for King Rao Jodha but the fort that we see today, is largely a contribution of King Jaswant Singh Rao (1638-1678). The fort's architecture, the palaces, the huge gates and the massive walls, the hints of battles, all create a scene of Jodhpur's history.

ARCHITECTURE:

Influence of the Rajput and Mughal architecture can be clearly seen in the architecture of the fort, which is abundant in its royal decorations and pompous ambience. The gigantic courtyands, palatial rooms, arcades, silver-lined fans, screened walls and floor pillows, make it a posh residency. The protective element in the architecture, with the high and thick walls, which simply seem to be invincible by the enemies, and the gigantic gates, clearly achieves the purpose for which the fort was built.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS:

Fort Museum:

The fort museum has a rich collection of colorful palanquins, arms, paintings, costumes etc that takes us back to the royal era and helps us revive the grandeur of the royal past.

Fort Art Gallery:

The Mehrangarh Fort gallery is a safe archive of umpteen artifacts that take us back to the era of the Maharajas of Rajasthan. The most important of the treasures include the silver howdas or elephant seat of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, exquisite variety of vivid palanquins and pinjas or the covered palanquins.

The Daulat Khana Galary preserves the collection of that era when the Rathores had close connections with the Mughals. Arms, marwar paintings, manuscripts, a variety of headgears or tubans are some of the items on display here.

The Folk Musical Instruments Gallery showcases the various traditional and folk musical instruments that were used by various communities.

Phool Mahal:

Phool Mahal or the Palace of Flowers is known to be the pleasure hall for the royal King where he used to watch dance performances. The hall is decorated with gold brought from Ahmedabad, Gujarat and several beautiful portraits and paintings.

Jhanki Mahal:

The palace was meant for the royal womenfolk to watch the proceedings and the celebrations taking place near the fort, from the various windows. The palace is decorated with pretty carvings of elephants, fairies and birds.

Moti Mahal:

Moti Mahal or the Pearl Palace was constructed by Raja Sur Singh. It was the place where the King used to have his official meetings, as he sat on the Shringar Chowki , which was the royal throne of Jodhpur.

Sheesh Mahal:

Sheesh Mahal or the Palace of Mirrors is decorated with intricate inlay work of mirrors, as the name suggests.

NEARBY SIGHTSEEING:

Umaid Bhavan Palace:

Named after Maharaja Umaid Singh, this stunning monument in the heart of Jodhpur, is made up of Chittar sandstone, which is a special kind of sandstone, that gives it a blooming pink color. The lavish halls, princely courtyards and the ritzy lawns, make it a palace of the fantasy-land. Around three thousand workers meticulously worked for fifteen years to build the edifice of perfection.

Jaswant Thada:

The palace made up of thin polished white marbles is built in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II in 1899 AD. The monument has a sparkling glow in the morning sun.

Baga Beach in Goa

2009-06-26T02:06:00.000-07:00

Baga beach which is an extension of Calangute beach and situated ten km west of Mapusa. It is a part of 30km stretch of beast coastline along the west coast of Goa by the Arabian Sea. It is really very difficult to identify from where the Baga beach starts and where the Calangute beach ends. This beach is blessed with a picture perfect scenery. Gushing white waves of the Arabian sea touches the feet of the brown sand of the beach and very gently wipe out the foot marks.

Baga beach which has an edge over the other beaches, due to its quite atmosphere and isolated location is surrounded by creek , wooded headline and palm groves. It is a calm and unspoiled beach, ideal for fishing and lying lazily. It is more popular among the international tourists as they use it for various kinds of adventurous water sport. The Baga river which creates a pleasant diversion for the children flows down from one side of the beach. A group of black rocks against which the sea crashes is the meeting point of sea and the river.

The poised and amicable atmosphere at Baga beach comes alive with its nightlife filled with glitz and glamor. All thanks to the British package tourists who loves to stay here for quite a long time turns the tranquil nights into lively nights. A hotel named “Tito's” has the only dance floor and a hefty sound system at Baga Beach.

The best time to visit this marvelous beach is from November to February.
Things to do and see:

Baga beach has not many sightseeing places but it has its share of entertainment options to attract the tourists. It has quite an array of recreational facilities such as

Baga Retreat House:
One can enjoy a small trek up the Baga hill to reach the Baga Retreat House. This house which was dedicated to St.Francis Xavier was established in 1953. Anjuna flea market which is situated to the other side of the hill, offers an nice option for excursion.

The Medicinal Springs :
A trip to the Medicinal Springs at the beach is a must for all, as it believed to cure all our ailments if we bath here. The narrow road past the Bom Viagem Convent along the cashew covered foothills will lead you to these medicinal springs at Mottant. It is an ideal location for picnics.

The Sea Cure:
Sea cure is a special kind of treatment for arthritis and joint pains which is very famous among the Goanese people. This is an ancient practice which is performed every year around the mid-May. In this kind of treatment old ladies sits on the periphery of the sea with their back towards the sea during the high tide and let the waves splash their back. This is believed to be a sure shot remedy which circulates blood in the body.

Water sports and fishing:
This is a perfect beach for para sailing, water skiing and windsurfing. It is advisable to learn some basic tips before you engage yourself in this kind of water sports. Despite of less water sports options, Baga still manages to attract a great number of tourists every year. Fishing at the Baga beach is a nice past-time.

Eating out zones:
Baga beach has a good range of sea side restaurants from standard beach shacks to swish pizzerias to terrace cafes, unmatched in whole Goa. Here you can opt for candle lit dinner with your beloved person. These beach side restaurants serves traditional Goan meal, continental and tempting sea food
to satisfy your taste buds.

GOLCONDA FORT

2009-06-23T04:08:00.000-07:00

LOCATION:

Situated on the western outskirts of Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh, at a distance of around 10-11 km from the capital city. It stands atop a hill, at a height of 400 ft from the ground surface.

HISTORY:

The thirteenth century fort is a creation of the Kakatiya kings of southern India but the current structure that we see was a result of reconstruction made by the first three Qutub Shahi kings of the Qutub Shahi dynasty.

It took around 62 years to reconstruct the mud fort into a strong granite fort with massive fortification. The fort saw many historic events taking place, till it was converted into ruins by the overpowering Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who ended the rule of the Qutub Shahis in the year 1687 AD.

ARCHITECTURE:

The architectural brilliance of the fort can be seen from the various ingenious features that make it so different from the other forts. The amazing acoustics of the fort are a special attraction of the fort, as the walls are angles in such a way that the sounds of the claps within the fort can be heard from the top of the hill too!

The exotic design of the fort is scientifically designed to have proper ventilation and cool breeze within the fort, just amazing and unimaginable for such a period. Not just that, the water supply system is also one of the dominating features of the fort.

The fort is encircled by huge walls with iron-spiked gates to fortify and protect the interiors. The main door of the fort looks gigantic, with a height of 25 ft and a width of 13 ft. It is known as the Fateh Darwaza or the 'victory gate'. It houses several royal rooms, a mosque, a temple and a parade ground.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS:

The special attraction of the fort is its astonishing acoustics, the sound of the claps in the fort can be heard from the top of the nearest hill, which is 1km away.

The tombs of the Qutub Shahi kings are housed within the fort complex, adorned by beautiful gardens and and carved stones.

The highest cliff of the fort, known as 'Bala Hissar', Kala Mandir, the factories and the palaces attract the travelers' attention.

The fort is said to have a mysterious secret underground pathway from the Durbar Hall, connecting the fort to the nearby palace at the foothills.

The sound and light show, in English, Hindi and Telugu languages, at 6 pm daily for a duration of 55 min, except for Mondays.

NEARBY SIGHTSEEING:

Charminar:

A fine representation of the Indo-Islamic architecture, Char Minar is the most famous monument of Hyderabad. The square-shaped structure is supported by four minarets having small bulbous copulas. The top floor of the monument holds a mosque where prayers take place every friday. The splendor of Charminar doubles up when illuminated at dusk.

Chowmahalla Palace:

The Chowmahalla Palace houses four palaces, as the name suggests. It served as the guest house for the premier visitors. The clock tower, Khilwat Mubarak, and the Council Hall are part of the grand palace. It was in the year 2005, that is quite recently, the palace was opened for public visit after careful restoration.

Book Your Tour to Golconda Fort

Manali Tourism Guide

2009-06-22T02:19:00.000-07:00

Manali is a veritable showpiece of nature with its unspoilt scenic beauty. It has derived its name from the term “Manavalaya” literally means 'home of Manu', a mythological character who is supposed to have survived when the world has drowned in flood. This beautiful hill station is situated at an altitude of 2050 m, in the lap of picturesque Kullu Valley surrounded by towering peaks.

The landscape of this Himalayan jewel is truly breath taking. One can very well witness the well-defined snow capped peaks, the giant Beas river with its clear water ramble through the town. On the other side, there are verdant valleys of deodar and pine trees, tiny fields and fruit orchards. Manali is an ideal destination for family holiday or honeymoon, a favorite resort for trekkers to Lahaul, Spiti, Bara Bhangal (Kangra) and Zanskar ranges. From temples to ruins, to picturesque sight-seeing spots and adventure activities, Manali is a popular haven for all travellers and for all season.

Where Manali is situated?
Just 32 kms away from Kullu to the north, Manali is situated near the end of the valley on the National Highway leading to Leh. It is 280 kms north of Shimla, state capital of Himachal Pradesh and 108 kms from Mandi.

Why is Manali famous for?
The real treasure trove of Manali is its proximity to Himalayan snow line. And due to its mythological links, Manali is considered as a sacred place and its numerous temples are treated as pilgrimage site by Hindus. Manali is also a favorite haven for adventure lover. It is an excellent place for adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, para gliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking, and mountain biking.

What to see in Manali?
Manali has many tourist attractive places which will mesmerize you by their beauty. Some of the beautiful favorite locations of Manali are:

Hadimba Temple or Dhungri : This beautiful wooden temple, with a finely wrought four - tiered pagoda roof, was built by Maharajah Bahadur Singh in 1553 A.D to worship Hadimba temple, the wife of Bhima, the strongest of five Pandava brothers. She is worshiped in this temple as the patron goddess of Kullu royal family. This temple is built around a natural cave, which enshrines the footprints of the goddess Hadimba.

Manu Temple : Just near the Hadimba temple flows the Manalsu River, that culminates in the main Beas river. Across the Manalsu river is the original village of Manali, that houses the ancient temple of the sage Manu. Manali itself is named after Manu, who is said to have dwelt here.

Monasteries : Manali also houses three Tibetan monasteries, that have been built recently. The most famous among them is the Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa, built in 1969.

Club House : This river side Club house has some unique attractions. It is best place for river rafting and also a good place to spend some time by the side of the river enjoying different sports and games.

Jagatsukh : Jagatsukh, the erstwhile capital of Manali has some beautiful temples that are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Sandhya Gayatri.

What is the best time to visit it?
In winters, the temperature at Manali can drop below the freezing point as Manali is situated at an altitude of 2050 m above the sea level and surrounded by snow capped mountains. In contrast to it, summers are mild. So, it is advisable to plan your Manali trip in the month of April to June. But if you want to enjoy the snow fall at Manli than plan out your trip for the month of September to November.

What are the nearby excursion places?
Some of the nearby excursion places to Manali are mantioned below:
Vashisht : Three kms from Manali is the village of Vashisht, which is famous for its hot sulphur springs. This village is renowned for some ancient temples, dedicated to the great sage Vashisht, and to Lord Rama. The Himachal Tourism sulphur baths are just beyond these shrines.

Arjun Gufa : Arjun gufa, the cave of great Arjun from Mahabharta fame is situated only five kms from Manali near the village of Prini. Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers, is believed to have performed his remorse here.

Solang Valley : Around 13 kms from northwest of Manali, is the renownedtttt Solang valley. This place is popularly known as the Snow point. It is famous for para gliding. This valley has some terrific picnic spots, the amazing ski slopes, which are always choc-a-bloc with tourists.

Nehru Kund: Nehru Kund is six kms from Manali, on the way to Keylong. It is a beautiful spring named after the late Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, former Prime Minister of India.

Rohtang pass: It is situated at an altitude of 13,050 feet(3,978 mtr) above sea level. It is another adventure tourist site. This place remains cold even on a summer day. It is the highest point on the Manali-Keylong road and provides a wide panoramic view of mountains.

Rahala waterfalls: This beautiful waterfall is situated at the starting point of Rohtang Pass. It is located at an altitude of 2,501m and at an distance of 27 km from Manali.

Book Your Trip To Manali

Jaigarh Fort

2009-06-18T22:18:00.000-07:00

LOCATION:

Known as the 'Victory Fort', Jaigarh Fort is strategically located on a hill named 'Cheel ka Teela' or the 'Hill of Eagles'. It is situated at a close distance of 15 km from Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan and at a distance of just 1km from the famous Amber Fort of Rajasthan.

HISTORY:

The fort was built by Sawai Jai Singh in 1726 AD. The sole purpose of the gigantic forts of Jaigarh and Amber was to protect Jaipur and Amber. For this reason, more emphasis has been given to strong fortification rather than beautification of the fort.

ARCHITECTURE:

Jaigarh Fort is a remarkably built structure, at a height of 400 ft from the ground level. The fort is a true representation of medieval architecture of protective forts. The walls of the fort span to around three km, to protect the dwellers from attacking armies. A steep road takes you to the Dungar Gate, the main gate of the fort, offering an exclusive view of the city at the foothills.

The fort is most famous for Jai Ban, the largest cannon in the world, weighing 50 kg and having a barrel of 8m. Sawai Jai Singh, who built the fort, once test-fired it in 1720.The fort consists of several planned structures to give full facilities to the city, like the granary, cannons, harvesting systems, underground tanks, temples and palaces.

One can also find a museum within the fort, that preserves the armory, attires, coins, cannon balls, paintings, puppets and other such royal memoirs.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS:

The largest canon of the world.

The well-planned granary, harvesting systems and underground tanks.

The museum that offers memories from the royal past, abundant with all kinds of armory.

Jaigarh Canon Foundry is another such attraction of the fort, with its medieval collection of furnaces and canons. It was constructed by Bhagwan Das in the 16th century.

NEARBY SIGHTSEEING:

Chandra Mahal:

Chandra Mahal or the City Palace still houses the royal family of Jaipur. A part of the palace is converted into a museum with a rich collection of royal paintings, costumes, armory, canons, decorative items, manuscripts, etc.

Hawa Mahal:

Hawa Mahal literally means the 'Palace of Winds', as the main purpose of the Rajput structure is not for residence but to have a beautiful windy view of the front courtyards. The five-storied pink palace has a multitude of tiny windows and openings, ornamented with carvings and jaalis, for the royal womenfolk to have a glimpse of the ongoing processions, without getting noticed.

Amber Fort:

Located around 11 km from Jaipur, close to Jaigarh Fort, Amber Fort is another example of military fortification. The fort is completely built in red sandstone and is a fine representation of Hindu and Mughal architecture styles. It was built by the Kachhwaha clan in Amber, ovelooking the Maota lake. Unlike the Jaigarh fort, the fort of Amber is quite beautified with its wall carvings, mirror and stone decorations and scenic arena.

Book Your Trip to Jaigarh Fort

Jaisalmer Fort

2009-06-16T23:26:00.000-07:00

LOCATION:

Jaisalmer is located on top of the Trikuta Hills, in the middle of the Thar desert, in the beautiful desert city of Jaisalmer, in Rajasthan. It is one of the main forts of Rajasthan and the second oldest after Chittorgarh fort. The sandstone monument was also known as the Sonar Quila, as it seemed to risefrom the sands as a golden structure.

HISTORY:

The fort was constructed under the reigns of Bhatti Rajput Raja Jaisal in 1156 AD, after whom the city is named, when he decided to relocate his capital since the old fort of Lodurva had turned receptive to attacks and invasions. Even today, one-fourth of the population of the city resides in the fort itself.

A famous legend has it that Hindu Lord, Shri Krishna, predicted that a Yadav clan descendant would build his empire on top of the Trikuta Hill. It was not until 1156 AD, that Bhatti Rajpur King Raja Jaisal of the Yadav clan, built his fort with strong bastions, surrounded by the Jaisalmer kingdom on the Trikuta Hill, to shift his capital from the old Lodurva fort. Intricate carvings and ornamentations are a part of the havelis that form a part of the fort.

ARCHITECTURE:

The fort is a masterpiece of Bhatti Rajputs. It is completely built of yellow sandstones giving it a honey hued look. The main fort is 250 feet tall from where one can have the complete view of the city. The main fort houses several Jain temples and palatial havelis, which are a treat to the eyes.

There is also a Jain library preserving many important manuscripts, paintings, astronomical charts, palm leaf books and literature dating back to the 12th century. The library called Gyan Bhandaar also has several relics from the Pre-Mogul and Rajput era. There are also various temples where Lord Ganesh, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are worshiped.

The fort is surrounded by thick walls, around 30 ft in height. It has 99 bastions to keep guns on. Four huge gates called the Surya Pol, Ganesh Pol, Hawa Pol and Bhoot Pol were used to enter the massive fort. The fort also has a well which was called the Death Well, to throw away criminals into it, as a punishment. A significant feature of the fort is a gadget for whether forecast, placed at the top of the fort. Based on the direction of the flag, the predictions were made.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS:

Overall look of the fort from a distance, which seems like a mirage on the desert sands and the whole structure seems to protrude from the golden sands, especially under the setting sun.

The fortified structure to defend the kingdom from the attackers, the gigantic walls, bastions and massive gates.

The palace of the king which was used for examining his soldiers and troops and for entertainment.

Several Jain temples are also housed within the fort which are more beautifully carved than the other temples of the fort.

The Gyan Bhandar or the library is also a very informative section of the fort, to study the past of Jodhpur.

NEARBY SIGHTSEEING:

Salim Singh Ki Haveli:

The palace of the Mohta family, it truly has a beautifully crafted exterior. The prominent blue copula, the upper balcony and the carved walls attract the attention of the tourists.

Gadisar Lake:

Gadsisar is a prime attraction of Jaisalmer. It was once the sole provider of water to the city, the ghats are surrounded by sacred temples and shrines. There is also a small exhibit of fort art and culture.

Patwon ki Haweli and Nathmalji ki Haweli are the other prime attractions near Jaisalmer Fort, which will transport you to the royal era.

Book Your Tour To Jaisalmer Fort

Nainital Tourism Guide

2009-06-16T23:12:00.000-07:00

Naintal has earned an appellation of “Lake district of India” due to its pastoral lakes, which will surely spellbound you with their breathtaking beauty. This lovely hill station of India is situated in the Nainital district in the Kumaon foothills of Uttarakhand. Once, this picturesque place confined amidst the splendid beauty of the “Mother Nature”, was dotted with sixty tranquil lakes. Most of these lakes are vanished now, only the glimpse of those earlier days are remained. But the Naini lake is still existing with all its charm. And the entire hustle and bustle of this small hill station revolves around this pristine lake.

Nainital, due to its scenic beauty is considered as a glittering jewel in the Himalayan necklace.
It is situated at an altitude of 1,938 m above sea level, bounded by three mountains from three sides namely Naina(2615m) from the north, Deopatha(2,438 m) from the west and Ayarpatha(2,278 m) from the south. And some magnificent high mountain peaks closer to Nainital provides ample of opportunity to witness the panaromic view of the vast plain to the south.

Nainital which is famous for its varied topography, was discovered by Lord Baron in the year 1841. Due to its cool and pleasant ambiance and eye catching beauty, Nainital was turned into the summer capital of the United province in the British era. So, one can easily witness the glimpse of British colonialism in the various monuments of Nainital.

This small hill station has an endless array of tourist attractions. The prominent attraction of Nainital is the Naini lake, which is believed to be one of the 64 Shakti peeths or religious sites where the body parts of Sati(wife of Lord Shiva) fell on earth while being carried by Lord Shiva. According to a legend Sati's eyes(nain) fell on this place due to which it is called as Nain-tal (lake of the eye). And a temple dedicated to goddess Sati was built on the north shore of the Naini lake. This sacred temple is called as Naini devi temple. Every year in the month of September a fair is organized which is dedicated to Naina devi. During this traditional fair the entire town is decorated like a bride.

Other major attractions of Nainital are the Church of St. John, Gurney House, and some high mountain peaks like Tiffin top(Dorothy's seat) situated at an altitude of 2,292 m on Ayarpatta hill, Naina peak (China peak), the highest peak in the town which provides fantastic view of both the Himalayas and the Nainital town and last but not the least Snow view, situated at an altitude of 2, 270 m gives spectacular view of snowbound Himalayas and Nanda devi, Trishul and Nandakot. Nainital town is also surrounded by many marvelous places like Jim Corbett National Park, Bhimtal lake, Khurpa tal, Naukuchia tal, Sattal, Hanumangarh and Mukteshwar town.

Due to so many attractive spots this place is always brimming with both international and national tourists throughout the year, mostly during the Winter festival and other traditional singing and dancing programmes. So, immediately plan a trip to Nainital, the “lake district of India” and immersed yourself in the awesome beauty of this hill station.

Book Your Tour To Nainital

BAISAKHI

2009-06-10T23:58:00.000-07:00

The most vibrant festival of Punjab, Baisakhi is celebrated with equal zest by people of all faiths and religions, as the harvest festival to thank God for a bountiful Rabi crop. In Assam and West Bengal, it is the time to rejoice the commencement of New Year as they wish everyone 'Shubho Naba Barsha' or 'Happy New Year'. In Tamil Nadu, the festival is called Puthandu while in Kerala, it is celebrated as Vishu. In Bihar, people call it the festival of Vaishakh while the Jains celebrate it as the auspicious day on which Gautam Buddha attained Nirvana or enlightment.

TIME AND DURATION:

Baisakhi is celebrated on the first day of the Vaisakh month, which falls on the 13th of April every year and on the 14th of April after every 35 years.

RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE:

The festival marks the birth of Khalsa Panth in the year 1699, when the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, son of Guru Teg Bahadur, formed the Khalsa, a unique identity bestowed upon people who were read to come together and bravely fight against oppression and wrong deeds, in a meeting in Anandpur. The five men, belonging to different occupations and castes, who courageously stood out to sacrifice their lives were bestowed the title of Panj Pyaare or the 'Beloved Five', and were considered to b e the first among the Khalsas. This created elimination of any differences among people following Khalsa. Guru Gobind Singh ji gave the Panj Pyaras, a sweet nector, and bestowed the title 'Singh' to them, signifying strength and courage, the traits of a lion. The day marked the discontinuity of the Guru lineage and commencement of worshiping the sacred book 'Guru Granth Sahib' as a guide to the right path.

Baisakhi is also celebrated as the birth of Arya Samaj in the year 1875, a Hindu sect that disapproved worshiping of idols and believed in following the holy Vedas as their eternal guide to righteousness.

The day holds special importance for the Buddhists too, as it marks the attainment of Nirvana by the founder of the religion, Gautam Buddha, in Gaya, Bihar.

RITUALS:

In Punjab, Baisakhi has both religious as well as cultural significance. People get up early in the morning, dress up in colorful attires and visit the nearby Gurudwara to attend the morning prayer session or Ardasa. They thank the Almighty for a good harvest season and pray for the next year too, after which they receive the Kara Prasad, followed by Guru ka Langar.

A special Baisakhi procession is taken out with the Panj Piaras leading the way. Men and Women sing devotional songs in the honor of the Lord along with Bhangra and Gidda performances, which add to the festivity.

The farming community of Punjab springs to life, amidst the lush green yields. Men and women get ready in traditional robes, men sport colorful lungis, jackets and turbans while women wear colorful kurta, payjama and chunnis. They perform bhangra and gidda to foot tapping Punjabi numbers, shouting 'Jatta aai Baisakhi', to express their joy and thankfulness to God for the good harvest season.

In Assam, the festival is called Rongali Bihu, the time of sowing the paddy seeds. On this day people wear vibrant clothes, greet their relatives and neighbors and exchange sweets. Bihu melas are organized and people get engaged in merry making, dancing to the beats of dhol and relishing traditional delicacies.

In Bengal, people worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha on the Bengali New Year to bring in wealth and prosperity to their homes. People get busy in cleaning up their houses and decorating it with new furniture and accessories with an unmatched zeal. Womenfolk prepare rangolis or alpana in front of their houses, with a kalash or earthen pot in the centre, to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. Prabhat Pheris or processions are carried out in the morning followed by many cultural activities. People get together and enjoy lavish meals and entertainment programs, enjoying the day to the hilt. It is considered the most auspicious day to start a new business or venture.

In Bihar, the festival of Vaishakh is celebrated. People offer prayers to the Sun God and take a holy dip in river Ganga.

In Kerala, the day marks the Malayali New Year, which is celebrated by conducting collective prayers, wearing new clothes, bursting crackers and relishing delicacies consisting of equal quantities of bitter, sour, salty and sweet items. These preparations mostly consist of seasonal vegetables, especially pumpkins, guard and jack fruits. Songs and dances are an integral part of Vishu celebrations.

By whatever name people celebrate it, one can find excitement and festivity all over the country, as people come together to rejoice and share their happiness, according to their culture and traditions.

Kaziranga National Park

2009-06-09T02:31:00.000-07:00

Kaziranga National Park has no dearth of distinct flora and fauna. Due to which it is designated as one of the famous World Heritage Site in 1985. Kaziranga National Park was established in the year 1905 as a Reserve forest. Since than it has achieved a notable success in wildlife conservation. All thanks to the first efforts made by the Mary Victoria Leiter Curzon, wife of Viceroy of India Lord Curzon in the British era.

This place is a paradise for nature's lover. It has distinct biological biodiversity of universal value. It is the oldest park in Assam which covers a vast area of 430 Sq km. Long elephant grasslands, marshlands, and dense tropical moist broad leaf forest creates an ideal ambiance for the survival of the wildlife.

Where Kazianga National Park is situated?
Kaziranga National Park is situated partly in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam in India. It is situated along the river Brahmaputra on the North and the Karbi Anglong hills on the South. The National Highway 37 passes through the park area and tea estates, hemmed by table-top tea bushes.

Why is Kaziranga National Park famous for?
The real asset of Kaziranga National Park is its wide variety of flora and fauna. The main treasure trove of Kaziranga is Great One Horned Rhinoceros, but it is also home to other species of wildlife such as elephants, wild Asiatic water buffaloes, swamp deer, hog deer, gaur, sambar, Indian Muntjac, Hispid Hare, wild boar, jungle cat, Large Indian Civet, Bengal Fox, Golden Langur, Assamese Macaque, Gibbon and many more.

Kaziranga also has a great number of tigers due to which it was declared as a Tiger Reserve in the year 2006. Rivers flowing through Kaziranga are home to the Ganges Dolphin. Kaziranga National park is also recognized as an important bird watching destination by Birdlife International for conservation of avifaunal species. Earlier it was the home to seven different types of vultures which are now on the verge of extinction. Some of the famous birds that are available in this park are Bengal Florican, Blyth'sKingfisher, Swamp Francolin, White- Bellied Heron, Dalmatian Pelican, Spot-billed Pelican, Eastern Imperial, Grey Headed fish eagle etc.

What to see in Kaziranga National Park?
Kaziranga National park ofers you unique flora and fauna to witness. It is rich in unique biodiversity that is unparalleled in the world. It is renowned all over the world for its endless list of wild animals, birds, reptiles etc.

What is the best time to visit it?
The best time to visit Kaziranga National Park is from mid-November to early-April. The Park generally remain close during the monsoon season i.e from May to October. Due to the heavy rains, Brahmaputra River bursts its banks, flooding the low-lying grasslands and causing wildlife to migrate from one area to another within the Kaziranga National Park.

What are the nearby excursion places?
Nearby excursion places to Kaziranga includes the lush tea, coffee and rubber plantations of the nearby Karbi Anglong district. Karbi villages located near to the park also can be nice place to visit. Another nearby excursion place to Kaziranga is Panbari Reserve Forest and the tea gardens of this region.

Book Your Tour To Kaziranga National Park

Bidwatching in India

2009-06-07T23:15:00.000-07:00

A large number of people in world love to spend their time in admiring the various species of birds, a beautiful creature of the nature. Bird watching or birding is an adventurous sport traced back to 1800 century. The scientific name for bird watching is ornithology, which require keen observation and study of various birds with the naked eyes or with the binoculars. Birding which is a patience job require a significant auditory component, as most of the time birds are readily identified by the sound they made instead of their look and color. The term bird watching was first used by the Edmund Selous in 1901.

Unlike ornithologists who observe and study birds using more formal and scientific method, commoners engage in bird watching mainly for recreational and social reasons with the help of a binocular and an experienced field guide. Field guides are an essential part of bird watching as they provide valuable information about the habitats, birding sites, maps showing range of different birds, the time and the venue where they migrate at a particular season, and which bird creates which sound and what are they known as. Goods guides are also acquainted with the knowledge of seasonal color changes of similar appearing bird species. These guides also help in identifying the locale as well as migrated species due to the variation in their anatomy. Knowledge about birds topography and their range maps helps to identify and locate which birds lives in which part . The national bird of India is the Blue peafowl (Pavo cristatus).

The most ideal time for birding in the area having temperate climate is during the spring or fall when the greatest variety of migrated birds may be witnessed. At these time large numbers of birds travel north or south to wintering or nesting locations. Observing birds early in the morning is a better way to find them active and vocally impressive. According to the location and season, certain sites such as the local patch of forest, wetland and coast may be favored as a birding site.

Best sights for bird watching in India:
India and most of the South Asian countries are famed world-wide as the birds paradise. Almost 1200 species of birds are commonly found in India. In India 13 bio-geographical regions are demarcated for birding namely Trans Himalayan, Western Himalayas, Eastern Himalayas, Desert, Semi-arid, Gangetic plain, Central India, Deccan Plateau, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, North East, Coasts and the Andaman Nicobar Islands.

Some of the prominent sanctuaries in India are as follows:

Bharatpur bird sanctuary, Rajasthan
Nawab Ganj Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh
Porbandar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat,
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary and Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary in Kerala
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Goa
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka
Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary, Kolleru Bird Sanctuary and Manjira Bird Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh
Karnala Bird Sanctuary and Nandurmadhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary, Maharashtra

Dos and Don'ts of bird watching:
Every year large number of people involve themselves in bird watching which in turn creates an impact on birds and on their habitats. Due to this kind of risk , its become mandatory to strictly follow some kind of bird watching etiquette.

Some bird watching etiquette are as follows:
Avoid stressing of birds by limiting the use of photography and playback devices.
Always maintain a safe distance from nests and nestling colonies and respect the private colonies.
Promote the welfare of birds and their environment.

Kerala Backwaters in India

2009-06-03T23:43:00.000-07:00

If Kerala is the “God's own country” than the backwaters are surely be the “residence of God”. Backwaters are the unique attractions among all other treasures of Kerala, which are really unmatched in the whole world. A trip to these marvelous and exhilarating backwaters is must-visit destination in the Kerala itinerary.

These tranquil and magnificent backwaters are an integral part of the Kerelite people's life and the Kerala tourism. Many exotic towns of Kerala such as Alappuzha, Kotayam, Ernakulum, kollam and Kottapuram, all are interconnected with each other through these vast networks of backwaters. Backwaters are created by the action of waves and shore currents. They moreover creates low barrier islands across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghat ranges.

Where is Kerala backwaters?
The kerala backwaters which are a chain of brackish lagoons and lakes lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast ie the Malabar coast of Kerala includes a vast network of interconnected five lakes and man made and natural canals. These canals are fed by 38 rivers.

Why Kerala backwaters are famous for?
In the foregone time, these backwaters served as the main highway to transport goods and passengers from one place to another. However, today these backwaters are now an indispensable part of the Kerala tourism. Kerala Government uses these backwaters to acquaint both the national and international tourists throng every year with the awesome natural beauty of this land.

These backwaters are famous worldwide for their traditional houseboats which are locally known as the Kettuvallams. There are almost 400 house boats which regularly ply on these backwaters. These house boats are well equipped with all modern amenities, so that tourists can enjoy every moment of their
backwater trip. You can even taste the local Keralite cuisines, sea foods etc on these houseboats while immersing yourself in the stunning beauty of these backwaters.

What to see in Kerala backwaters?
Kerala backwaters are the main venue for some of the annual water fiestas that hooks tourists from across the globe. Some of the major boat races of Kerala which are held in relation to the Onam festival, one of the major festival of Kerala which takes place in the month of the August and September. These are Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Aranmula Boat Race, Champukulam Boat Race, ATDC Boat Race, Alappuzha, Rajiv Gandhi Boat race and many more.

These backwaters are the meeting point of fresh water from the rivers and the sea water from the Arabian sea. Due to this fine blend of fresh waters and saline waters, Kerala backwaters has a unique ecosystem. So this unusual ecosystem will at once behold your sight. The flora of the backwaters comprises of palm trees, pandanus shrubs, various leafy plants and bushes grow alongside the backwaters whereas he fauna contains unique aquatic creatures like crabs, frogs and mudskippers. Some water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters, cormorants and animals such as otters and turtles also live in and alongside the backwaters.

Another thing which you can visit, is a barrage. It is built near Kumarkom and prevents the entrance of sea water deep inside the backwaters.

What is the best time to visit it?
Kerala is a paradise for tourists. The climate of this land remains pleasant through out the year. However, the season between August to March is the most favorable time to visit the Kerala as the climate of these months remain moderate.

What are the nearby excursion places?
Beside the backwaters, Kerala has some more attractive places such as some exotic towns like Alappuzha, Kottayam, Kumarkam, Munnar. Most of these towns are surrounded by these ss marvelous backwaters.
Alappuzha known as the “ Venice of the east” is a beautiful town which is famous for the annual Snake boat races held during the festival of Onam. It is also famous world wide for its coir industry.

Kottayam is the first district in India which has achieved 100% literacy. This beautiful town is famous for the lake Vembanand and also for the latex plantation. It has panoramic beauty due to the presence of long stretches of backwaters, hills, hillocks, temples and churches.
Kumarkom is a cluster of island on the Vembanand lake. It has a bird sanctuary which is a favourite place of the migratory birds.

Munnar is one of the famous hill station of Kerala. In the British era it served as a summer resort. It is famous for its waterfalls, streams, lakes among the verdant slopes of Western ghats.

Darjeeling Vacation Guide

2009-06-03T23:20:00.001-07:00

Often described as the “Queen of the hills”, Darjeeling has everything from gurgling rivers to lush meadows to blooming valleys to water falls to rolling mountains with the glistening Mt Kanchenjunga towering over the blue sky which makes this place an exotic place to visit at least for once. It is a small hilly town enfolds in the majestic lower Himalayas, provides a perfect gateway for those seeking to be in harmony with the nature.

Darjeeling with its scenic natural beauty renowned worldwide for the finest Darjeeling tea and also for the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. This century old miniature steam engine is commonly known as the Toy train and declared as World Heritage site by the UNESCO in 1999.

Once Kabiguru Rabinranath Tagore has said a beautiful sentence describing the aesthetic beauty of Darjeeling that “Flowers are everywhere. The days are cold and the sun almost play hide and seek with us” Due to the temperate climate Darjeeling was treated as the popular summer resort in the colonial British era. Here in Darjeeling one can enjoy all the five seasons namely summer, winter, autumn, spring and monsoon at its best.

The people of Darjeeling are very friendly and down-to-earth by nature. They will surely amused you by their love, affection and hospitality. This place is an excellent testimony of communal harmony because most of the people here follows both Hinduism and Buddhismalong with other religion. The inhabitants of Darjeeling which mostly comprises of Lepchas or Rongpa, Khampas, Gorkhas, Bhutias, Nepaleese and Bengalis always live happily.

Darjeeling is a paradise for both the nature's lover as well as for the adventurous people. It has some fantastic places which will enthralled your thoughts for ever. The world famous Tiger hill which is the highest point in Darjeeling provides panoramic view of the ice-caped Kanchenjunga mountain peak at the time of dawn. This is also a great place to view Mt . Everest along with other peaks of the Eastern Himalayas. The whole city of Darjeeling is centered around the famous Mall which is the busiest shopping and eating zone of Darjeeling.

There are some magnificent places which can at once behold your eyes such as the Japanese peace pagoda which depicts the various stages of Buddha's life, oldest passenger ropeway which joins the
North point to Singla Bazar, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological park, Lloyd's botanical garden, Sanchel lake, Dhirdham temple inspired by the architectural designs of the Katmandu's Pashupatinath temple and the two popular view points namely Jawahar Parbat and the Observatory hill which offers an awesome view of the Himalayan ranges.

Darjeeling is good option to enjoy the leisurely scenic walks and the adventurous sports like trekking and white water rafting. For the trekking enthusiasts, Sandakphu and Phalut is a good trekking site. One can view the four mountain peaks such as Mt everest, Makalu, Lhotse and Kanchenunga very well from this place. It is advisable to learn some mountaineering tips from the Tenzing Norgay Himalayan Mountaineering Institute before try out your hands in mountaineering. And the wild white water of Tista river which flows through Darjeeling is perfect for river rafting.

In a nutshell, Darjeeling is very true to the words of the Mark Twain who once said that Darjeeling “ the one land that all men desire to see, and having seen once-by even a glimpse would not give that glimpse for the shows of the rest of the world combined”.