Manali

Manali

A popular tourist destination at 570km from New Delhi and 280km from Shimla, Manali is the northern-most town of Himachal Pradesh's Kullu Valley. Situated on the national highway that leads to Leh, Manali is also the gateway to the remote and desolate valleys of Lahaul and Spiti. According to Hindu legend, it was named after the sage Manu after he steered a boat of survivors to safety here during a great flood. In present times, the town was first 'discovered' by the hippies of the 70s and 80s. Later, in the 90s, domestic tourism to Manali got a fillip owing to insurgency in Kashmir. It caught the public's imagination and was soon a legitimate boomtown, eventually growing far beyond its original village size.

Manali Sightseeing Highlights:

Manali's most famous attraction, historically and archaeologically, is the Hadimba Temple. Also known as Dhoongri Temple, it is dedicated to Hadimba, wife of Bhim of the Mahabharat, who is venerated in the Kullu valley and was the patron-deity of the Rajas of Kullu. Built in 1533, this four-tiered, Pagoda-roof shaped temple is surrounded by a virgin deodar forest, a mere 2.5km from the main bazaar. A huge festival is held here every year in May. Near the Hadimba Temple is the Museum of Traditional Himachal Culture. It is worth a visit as it houses artifacts of folk art from the entire Kullu valley.


Commemorating Manali's founding father is the Manu Temple, 3km from the bazaar in Old Manali. It is said to be the only temple of Manu. With the highest population of Tibetan refugees in the Kullu valley, Manali has a number of Tibetan Monasteries. The most famous of these is the Gadhan Thekchhokling Gompa, built in 1969. The monastery is maintained by donations and through the sale of hand-woven carpets in the temple workshop. There are some new monasteries too, of which one is situated on the left bank of the Beas, at Aleo. Another, the Himalayan Nyingamapa Gompa, is smaller and more modern. Near the bazaar, its main shrine, an enormous gold-faced Buddha, is lit by dozens of electric bulbs and is fragrant with Tibetan incense. The shrine is best viewed from the small room on the first floor.

The Vashisht village is on the way to the Rohtang Pass, just 3km from Manali. Situated on the banks of the Beas, the village is renowned for its hot springs and temples. The hot springs are very popular, with the spring water routed for bathing in Turkish-style, shower-fitted baths. Of its temples, visit the pyramidal stone temple dedicated to Vashisht Muni and the one for Sri Ram. In the other direction, towards Kullu, is the Mountaineering Institute on the left bank of the Beas. It holds basic and advanced training courses in trekking, mountaineering, skiing and water sports. The institute rents all necessary equipment for these adventure sports.

Around Manali:

Just about 24km before entering Manali, take a slight detour towards Naggar, the erstwhile capital of the Rajas of Kullu. A charming castle, the former palace of the kings, is the main attraction here. Now a hotel run by Himachal Tourism, it is a wonderful example of traditional local architecture. With an excellent view of the Beas and the valley, the Naggar Castle is an ideal destination for lunch.


Close by in Naggar is Roerich Museum, the former home of Russian painter Nicholas Roerich. It is now a museum and houses his works. About 4km from Manali, towards Naggar, is the Arjun Gufa near the village of Prini. The cave is thought to be the spot where Arjun meditated for the weapon of Indra. Jagatsukh, 6km from Manali, is located on the banks of the Beas on the road to Naggar. It is well worth a visit for its ancient temples of Shiv and Sandhya Gayatri.

Situated between Solang village and Beas Kund (where the Beas originates) is Solang Valley, 13km from Manali. It is accessible through a narrow road that is nearly always clogged with traffic. Very often the first experience of snow for most Indian travellers, Solang has some of the finest ski slopes in India that host an annual ski festival in the winters. The Mountaineering Institute imparts ski training here and has a guest house and hut.

The way from Manali to Lahaul and Spiti is through the Rohtang Pass. At 13,058ft, the pass is 51km from Manali and is open only from June to October, being snow-bound the rest of the year. Kothi, 12km from Manali on the way to Rohtang Pass, is picturesque and has been host to a number of Bollywood movies. Further down, 16km from Manali, are the Rahala waterfalls.

Activities:
Manali offers a host of adventure sports such as skiing, heli-skiing, trekking, hiking, paragliding, river crossing, rafting, kayaking or mountain biking. There are good hikes and treks to Beas Kund, Manalsu Nalla, Hamta Pass, Malana village and Parvati Valley, among others. One of the best treks is from Solang Valley on to Dhundhi, from there to Dussar lake and then onwards to Manali. It is advisable to take a guide on this five-day excursion.

Skiing can be pursued at Solang from January to March and at the Rohtang Pass during summer. Get in touch with the Mountaineering Institute, which offers skiing, mountaineering and kayaking courses.

A new sport gaining popularity is yak skiing. According to Time magazine, it involves a skier waiting at the bottom of a slope and a yak at the top of the hill; yak and skier are connected by means of a rope going around a pulley at the top of the hill. To engage the yak, the skier must shake (and swiftly put down) a bucket of nuts. This attracts the yak, which charges downhill and pulls the skier upward by means of the rope.

Trout fishing is also possible in the Beas River, though a permit has to be procured from the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation.

Food & Shopping:

Manali is one place you don't have to stick to standard fare. Due to the heavy influx of foreign tourists, the food is eclectic and of good standard - whether it is Chinese, Tibetan, Italian or German. Go for momos, thupkas, pizzas, pastas and a variety of western confectionaries.


Freshly baked or grilled trout is a treat here - try it at Johnson's Cafe in the Mall. Il Forno on Hidimba Temple Roadis a restaurant serving authentic Italian pizzas, pastas, and dessert, while for authentic Chinese head for Chopsticks on the Mall.

Tibetan Kitchen in Old Manali, next to the Clubhouse is a good place for Tibetan and Chinese cuisine, and if you are in the mood for Mexican or Italian go to Moondance in the same area. The German Bakery on Mission Road is famous for its bakery items and Western snacks.

Manali has a decent amount of shopping to offer, the most popular items being Tibetan handicrafts such as shawls, socks and curios. Typical Himachali shawls, topis, Kullu coats, carpets and jewellery are all easily available on Mall Road at the government emporium and a few private stores.

Tourism Info:
Tourism Information Centre
The Mall, Manali?175131
Tel. - (91)-1902-252175

A popular tourist destination at 570km from New Delhi and 280km from Shimla, Manali is the northern-most town of Himachal Pradesh's Kullu Valley. Situated on the national highway that leads to Leh, Manali is also the gateway to the remote and desolate valleys of Lahaul and Spiti.

According to Hindu legend, it was named after the sage Manu after he steered a boat of survivors to safety here during a great flood. In present times, the town was first 'discovered' by the hippies of the 70s and 80s. Later, in the 90s, domestic tourism to Manali got a fillip owing to insurgency in Kashmir. It caught the public's imagination and was soon a legitimate boomtown, eventually growing far beyond its original village size. Today, much of the main town centre, which is based around its bus terminal, is a hotchpotch of thoughtless construction, an overcrowded bazaar and copious amounts of litter, much like any other popular destination.

However, pack a rucksack, venture out a little into the countryside and you see all of its natural charm in abundance - the beautiful Beas river, ancient temples, hot water springs, dense forests of pine and deodar, and picture-perfect villages surrounded by great, snow-capped mountains - leaving most people promising to come back for more.

Goa

Area : 3,800 sq km

Population : 1.3 million

Capital : Panaji

Chief Language : Marathi & Konkani

Religion :70% Hindus, 30% Christians with a Muslim minority.

Coast : 97km

Climate : Coastal

Best Time to Visit : October to March

Goa At Glance

Goa is all of 3,800sq. km. It’s a miniscule state, compared to the rest of the country. Perhaps its tiny size has as much to do with Goa’s rather unique flavour, as does its colourful history. Goa tourism holds the attraction of golden beaches and peaceful fishing villages that gives way to colourful markets filled with smiling people, and then to baroque churches, taverns, and shady winding streets, dotted with red-tile-roofed white villas, canopied in bright bougainvillea bushes. The distinct Mediterranean flavour in Goa is a heritage of over four centuries of Portuguese rule.

Probe the landscape a little further, and you stumble upon cashew-nut groves, temples and quaint little villages. Goa has a laid-back charm and a ‘hard to miss’ happy aura about it. This is perhaps the first heady feeling that lazily sneaks in only to mingle with your system, and creeps out of your mouth, as your lips curve into a sunny smile. A good travel tip to start with – just flow with the rhythm of this intoxicating azure paradiso.

Goa Has A Great Historical Past

Goa was a part of the Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century b.c. The Mauryan dynasty was the first line of rulers, who reigned from 322 to 180 b.c. over much of the Indian subcontinent under a consolidated Indian Empire. At the onset of the Christian era, the region was ruled by the Satavahanas of Kolhapur. The Chalukyas of Badami, controlled Goa from 580 to 750 a.d. The area successively came into the hands of the Kadambas, the Chalukyas of Kalyani and then the Vijayanagara Empire in 1370. Goa’s harbours were crowded with ships that imported Arabian horses for the formidable cavalry of the Vijayanagara Empire. Subsequently, Goa became the second capital of the Adil Shahis of Bijapur. In 1510, under the command of Alfonso de Albuquerque, the Portuguese drove out Adil Shah, thus marking the beginning of four centuries of rule over Goa.

Goa went on to become the hub of the Portuguese Empire in Asia. The region became the subcontinent’s first Christian colony, and remained under Portuguese dominion till 1961, after which it became a part of the Indian Union. Goa Tourism has preserved the ancient past of the Portuguese culture left behind that is well showcased in some of the fine administrative buildings, convents, cathedrals, churches and some beautiful old bungalows, especially around their first settlement in Old Goa. and more importantly, they left behind an addictive fusion of the Indian life with the Mediterranean.


Churches in Goa

Not many people know that Christianity originated in India but most of its influence is seen in West. In India, Goa is one such place where you can easily trace the epic of Christianity through charming churches.The word Church literal meaning is assembly and not an edifice, but slowly there were certain changes and the term is now more known as a building. Churches in Goa are listed in World Heritage Sites.

some of the significant churches are :


Se Cathederal
Church of St. Francis Of Assisi
Chapel of St Catherine
Basilica of Bom Jesus

Temples in Goa
The state is more known for its Churches rather than temples. Irony come from the fact that it is considered a Christian state where as there are about 65% of Hindus inhabiting the state compared to 30% Christians.

Some of the famous temples in Goa are :

Mahalaxmi Temple
Vithal Temple
Kamakshi Temple
Sri Mahadev Temple

Wildlife in Goa

Catch a Tiger or ride an Elephant! The wildlife in Goa though not popular is worth watch. You can call them hidden treasures of the state. There presence is overshadowed by the popularity of monumental heritage. They are very much a part of the state and definitely in coming years are going to give strong competions to other tourist spots. Some of the famous wildlife sanctuary are :

Catigo Wildlife Sanctuary
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

Beaches in Goa

Beaches in Goa are priceless marvel of the state. Goa Beaches comes almost on top when one has to list down tourist spots in Goa according to relative significance. Goa States is surrounded by 75 miles of coast out of which 50 miles of it is beach. Some of the famous and quite popular beaches of Goa are :

Anjuna Beach
Baga Beach
Calanguate Beach
Candolim Beach

Other Activities

Goa Water Sports
If there are beaches, water sports cannot be far behind. Man takes out pleasure in everything and when it came to beaches, water sports gradually emerged. Some of the famous water sports in Goa are Scuba diving, Water Skiing, Parasialing and Wind surfing.


Goa Carnival
Spread colours of fun and gaiety! Goa Carnival gives the exact meaning to said line. It spreads colours and fun. Held in the month of Feburary every year, Goa Carnival is scheduled for 3 days. Street Plays, songs, dances, and unrehearsed farces are some of the facets of this carnival.

Goa Christmas
Christmas is held in the month of December and in Goa, the fest tends to bring forth all the colours of the state. Christmas brings time for merry-making and exchanging gifts.

Goa Shopping
The state has number of markets, out of which the most famous of all is the flea market - Anjuna Market, held on beach. Local handicrafts, brassware forms excellent souvenir which you could collect from Goa.

Goa Connectivity

Goa is one of the best tourist destination of India abd there are plenty of ways to connect Goa to other states.
Air: Goa International Airport, which is located at Dabolim, 29 kms from Panaji is situated on the coast of near Vasco Da Gama.
Rail: There are number of trains which connect Goa from Mumbai, Bangalore, and other major cities of India. The two major railway station of Goa are Margoa and Vasco Da Gama.
Road: Road is considered to be the best connectivity. There are several tourism busses which connects the state.

Rishikesh

Language : Hindi, Garhwali, English

Best time to visit:September to November

STD Code:0135

Rishikesh is a small town in the northern state of Uttarakhand in India. Scenically located where the Ganges River comes down from the Himalayas, Rishikesh catapulted to Western fame when the Beatles dropped by for a visit to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram (now closed), and the town is still known as the World Capital of Yoga.

Rishikesh is also the Gateway to the Himalayas. The Char Dham Yatra (Four Shrines Sacred Journey) ideally begins from Rishikesh.

INTRODUCTION

Tour to Rishikesh The Garhwal region of north India is speckled with some of the holiest of Hindu pilgrimage sites and Rishikesh is one such major attractions. Crowded with sadhus with long matted hair and pilgrims from all over the globe, Rishikesh is the birthplace of yoga. It attracts thousands of tourists every year, who come to seek mental peace in the midst of the humdrum of modern life. The various ghats and temples assist the human spirit in its endeavor to be one with the ultimate source of all creations. It is also an attraction for the ones in search of adventure and passion.

LOCATION

Rishikesh is located in the northern part of Uttar Pradesh. It is 238 km northeast of Delhi and 24 km north of Haridwar and spreads on the right banks of the Ganges, at its confluence with the Chandrabhaga stream.It is surrounded by hills on three sides and is perched at an altitude of 356 meters above sea level. The name Rishikesh is loosely applied to an association of five distinct sections encompassing not only the town but also hamlets and settlements on both sides of the river. These include Rishikesh itself, the commercial and communication hub; the sprawling suburban Muni-ki-Reti or the "sands of the sages"; Shivananda Nagar, north of Rishikesh; the temple section of Lakshmanjhula, a little further north; and the assorted ashrams around Swarg Ashram on the east bank. In Rishikesh, the winters last from November to March, when temperatures fall below 0°C. The monsoons are generally experienced in the months of July and August.

HISTORY

Tour to Rishikesh Legend has it that the sage Raibhya Rishi did severe penance and, as a reward, God appeared to him in the form of Hrishikesh. Rishikesh also represents the site where Lord Vishnu vanquished the demon Madhu. The place is known as the Tapo Bhumi or the place for meditation of the Gods. Tapovan, on the other bank of the Ganges, houses a temple to Lakshmana. It is believed that Lakshmana, the younger brother of Lord Rama, carried out penances here. The Neelkanth Mahadev temple is believed to be the site where Lord Shiva had drunk the venom that came out during the churning of the ocean. In the 1960s, the place came into limelight as the place where the pop group Beatles met their guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS

Rishikesh abounds in temples. Most of the pilgrims who pass through Rishikesh on their way to the Himalayan shrines of the Char Dham pause for a holy dip and puja at Triveni Ghat, in the central part of the town. The river here looks especially spectacular during aarti (evening worship) when diyas or oil lamps float on the water. Nearby is the Bharat Mandir, Rishikesh's oldest temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu.


The Chandreshwar temple stands at the confluence of the Chandrabhaga and the Ganges. The Hanuman Mandir is flocked by a large number of devotees on Tuesday.

Tour to Rishikesh The dense-knit complex of cafés, shops and ashrams collectively known as Swarg Ashram, opposite Shivananda Nagar, is the most attractive part of Rishikesh, backing on to forested hills where caves are still inhabited by sadhus or hermits. The large courtyard of the Parmarth Ashram here is crammed with brightly clad statues of gods and goddesses. Around 2 km north of Swarg Ashram, a path skirts the east bank of the river en route to Lakshman Jhula. The Lakshman Jhula is a 450-feet-long suspension bridge and was built in 1939. The Lakshman Temple on the west bank has been built to commemorate the journey of Lakshmana across the river on a jute rope. Many of the temples and ashrams around both ends of the bridge-such as the extraordinary Kailashananda Ashram, with each of its thirteen stories dedicated to a different deity-are always filled with devotees. It is a pleasant 2-km walk from this place to the Shivananda Jhula. Ganga Museum has one of the richest collections of Mughal and Rajput paintings of the 18th and 19th centuries. The tomb of Fateh Jang, built in honor of one of Shahjahan's ministers, combines Islamic and Hindu architectural features. The Jaisamand Lake is a large artificial lake constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1910 and makes an excellent picnic spot. The Vijay Mandir Palace is the royal residence of Maharaja Jai Singh, uninhabited except for old retainers. This palace serves as a window to the lifestyle of the princes.

PLACES AROUND RISHIKESH

The Vilas Vinay Palace, about 10 km from the main township, is a garden palace and was once the residence of Maharaja Vinay Singh. Its gardens are watered by the Silisehr Lake. There is a hunting lodge on the hillside overlooking the lake and it has been now turned into a hotel.

Fifteen kilometers on the Rishikesh-Chamba road is located the historical town of Narendra Nagar. A town of archaeological importance, it was built by the King of Tehri, Narendra Singh. The royal palace here is worth seeing as is the magnificent statue of Lord Shiva's attendant, the Nandi bull.

Rajaji National Park at Chilla is 16 km from Rishikesh. The park (820 sq km) has wildlife in abundance and is especially known for its wild elephants. The Sariska sanctuary is 37 km from Rishikesh. It was established in 1955 and is located in the valley of the Aravallis.

The Nilkanth Mahadev, east of Rishikesh, is one of the holiest shrines here. The beautiful forest track rises through the forests behind Swarg Ashram, passes Mahesh Yogi's ashram, and eventually descends to Nilkantha, which is at an altitude of 1700 meters. Its small bazaar and dharamshala become especially animated during mid-July, when pilgrims flock to the temple.

The small white Shakti temple of Kunjapuri is 10 km higher at the sharp point of an almost perfectly conical hill with breathtaking views of the Himalayas to the north.


Rishikesh is called the yoga capital of the world and there are many ashrams in Rishikesh offering courses on meditation, yoga and Hindu philosophy. The hatha yoga and pranayama meditation classes at Sri Ved Niketan Ashram are well known. The Shivananda Ashram (Ph: 430040) is located opposite the Shivananda Jhula and is flocked by tourists. It is also possible to stay in the ashram by intimating the authorities a month earlier. Other ashrams include the Yoga Niketan Ashram (Ph: 430227), Omkarananda Ashram (Ph: 430883), Vanmali Gita Yogashram (Ph: 431316), Dayananda Vedanta Ashram, Brahma Niwas and the Yoga Study Center (Ph: 431196). The International Yoga Festival is organized every year from February 2 to 7 by UP Tourism.

ADVENTURE SPORTS

Rishikesh is a good base to start for trekking tours into the Himalayas. The destinations include Uttarakhand (144 km), Kedarnath (228 km), Badrinath (203 km), Gangotri (253 km), Yamunotri (226 km), and Mussourie (77 km). The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) tourist office (Ph: 30372) and the Trekking and Mountaineering Division (Ph: 32648) offer good help and guidance in this field. There are many rafting companies, mostly operating on weekends. Rafting is possible at Brahmpuri, 10 km from Rishikesh, and on the rapids at Shivpuri, 18 km from Rishikesh. Caving expeditions are conducted through the 200-meter-long Vishitha Gufa, 16 km from Rishikesh. Half-day elephant safaris are conducted in the Rajaji National Park. Boat rides on the Ganga are possible from Swarg Ashram Ghat. Other allied sports like skating, horse riding, and gliding are also available. Paddle boating and ropeway-rides are also possible in Rishikesh. Details can be obtained from the GMVN information counter, Muni-ki-Reti. (Ph: 431783, 430799, 432648).


WHERE TO STAY

Rishikesh offers a wide range of accommodation facilities. At the City Center, Chandrabhaga, Rishilok, Swarg Ashram, and Lakshman Jhula area, one can find many hotels. The Swiss Cottage and the Norwegian Cottage offer good and cheap accommodation. The GMVN Tourist Bungalow (Ph: 430373) at Rishilok is also a good place to stay.

HOW TO REACH

BY AIR - The nearest airport is Dehradun, 35 km from Haridwar.

BY RAIL - Rishikesh is connected by rail via Haridwar (24 km) to Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi, Dehradun and other cities.

BY ROAD - Rishikesh is connected by road via Haridwar with Agra, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Kullu, Manali, and Shimla. It is also linked to Mussourie (77 km), Badrinath (301 km), Kedarnath (228 km), Gangotri (258 km), Yamunotri (288 km), Srinagar (105 km), and Joshimath (252 km). We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.

Delhi

New Delhi, the capital and the third largest city of India is a fusion of the ancient and the modern. Standing along the West End of Gangetic Plain, the capital city, Delhi, unwinds a picture rich with culture, architecture and human diversity, deep in history, monuments, museums, galleries, gardens and exotic shows. Comprising of two contrasting yet harmonious parts, the Old Delhi and New Delhi, the city is a travel hub of Northern India.

Languages : Hindi, English, Urdu and Punjabi

Climate : Extreme Hot in Summer and Cold in Winter

Best time to Visit : October to March

Winter : December - February
Narrating the city's Mughal past, Old Delhi, takes you through the labyrinthine streets passing through formidable mosques, monuments and forts. You will also discover lively and colorful bazaars that boast to cater all sorts of good and items at mind-blowing prices amidst a barely controlled chaotic ambience. The imperial city of New Delhi displays the finely curved architecture of British Raj.

It generates a mesmerizing charm reflecting well-composed and spacious streets under the shade of beautifully lined avenues of trees and tall and imposing government buildings.

New Delhi has expanded and now encompasses residential and commercial development to the west and south, plus the satellite towns of Noida, Gurgaon and Faridabad.


Delhi has overtaken Mumbai & Kolkata in recent years to become the most vibrant creative art center in India. The city has more than twenty five galleries. Conducted tours, seminars, film shows and study classes on art appreciation, history and conservation are frequently organized. Most of the performing art centers are around Mandi House and Bhagwan Das Road.


There is an amazing range of activity from cultural walks, talks, theatre productions and art exhibitions to films by Indian and foreign directors. One can find an option at the Habitat World at Lodhi Road as well as Siri Fort at Khel Gaon.

The Capital City of India
New Delhi, the capital city of India, unwinds a splendor rich with cultural heritage. The successive seat of power, Delhi is adorned with powerful history, historical monuments, museums, galleries, panoramic gardens and cultural shows. Comprising into two distinct Delhi, the Old Delhi and the New Delhi,

The city is a travel hub of entire India. Narrating the city's Mughal past, Old Delhi, takes you through the narrow lanes of Chandani Chalk, passing through formidable mosques of Jama Masjid, just opposite to it lies the famous monument of Red fort. The imperial city of New Delhi highlights the monumental structures of India Gate, President House representing the colonial style of architecture. Besides its monumental heritage, Delhi is also a shopper's paradise and has most exciting nightlife in its disco-thecae, restaurants, and cinema halls.


Famous Places of Delhi

Delhi was chosen as the throne of chivalry by successive dynasties. One of the most preferred destinations on tourist's itinerary, Delhi is endowed with plethora of attractions.
For its tourists, this buzzing capital has a lot in its store. The Red Fort, Qutab Minar, the Jama Masjid are some of the wonders of architecture that crown the honor of Delhi.
Besides, Delhi has a delightful nightlife in its various discotheques, nightclubs and pubs.


Main Attractions

An object of great interest to visitors is the Jawahar Jyoti, the eternal flame which is kept burning day and night. The ‘jyoti’ symbolizes the ideals for Jawaharlal lived and worked during his lifetime.

Parliament House of India

¤ Also Known As Sansad Bhawan - A Large Legislative Assembly

If it were not for the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms of 1919, the Parliament House may not have been built. It’s corny how the building most indispensable to modern Indian democracy came up as an afterthought. Earlier called the Circular House, it was added to the layout at a later stage following the reforms which created a large Legislative Assembly.

This edifice is the brainchild of Herbert Baker and was much criticized in comparison with Lutyens creations. An article by Robert Byron in Architectural Review, January 1931describes it thus: "The Council Chamber has been Sir Herbert’s unhappiest venture. Its effect from a distance has been described. It resembles a Spanish bull-ring, lying like a mill-wheel dropped accidentally on its side."

A massive granite rock put up in the front lawn is inscribed with excerpts from the historic tryst with destiny speech delivered by Nehru in the midnight session of the Indian Constituent Assembly on August 14-15, 1947.
Since its inception more than 12 million visitors have thronged to the museum. Guides are available for conducting groups of visitors. The son-et-lumiere shows, with Hindi and English commentaries, arranged in Teen Murti House every evening throughout the year, except during the rainy season, lend colour and splendour to the story of Jawaharlal Nehru’s life.
The Nehru Library collection consists of material on religion, culture, sociology, economics, politics and development in India. The library collection includes books, pamphlets, newspapers, periodicals, more than 5,500 microfilm rolls of private papers, missionary records, newspapers and old and rare journals and 4,480 microfiche plates of research material.
The museum and library boast of an excellent manuscript collection which can be divided into two categories: institutional records and papers and correspondence of individuals. The collection began with the precious nucleus of the Nehru family papers of the pre-independence days. Since then, a very substantial number of additional papers have been added. Among 300 and more individual collections are the papers of eminent politicians, adminstrators, diplomats, jurists, scientists, educationists and industrialists.

Shillong

ShilongState : Meghalaya, in the north east of India.
Best time to travel : October to March
Weather Conditions : Pleasant, pollution-free; Summers: The temperature varies from 23 degree Celsius; Winters: The temperature varies from 4 degree Celsius.
Location : Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya is just 56 km Cherrapunji, the world's wettest place.

Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is a hill town, situated in the north eastern part of India. Shillong in Meghalaya is situated at an altitude of 1496 m above sea level. Shillong remained the capital of Assam, before the formation of Meghalaya in the 1974. The place, the people and the climate all combined together to create an amiable atmosphere, to make Shillong Meghalaya an ideal holiday destination throughout the year. Cherrapunjee, the wettest place on earth is only 56 kms away from Shillong. Shillong has beautiful lakes and waterfalls, and is set in pine forests and green mountains. It is a popular hill-station which the British used to call the Scotland of the East.

Journey to Shillong, the Capital City of Meghalaya

Airport : Guwahati is the nearest airport from where Shillong can be reached by bus or car. Daily buses also connect Shillong with Guwahati airport. Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd, under the aegis of the Government of Meghalaya, has commenced regular helicopter flights connecting Shillong and Tura to Guwahati.

Railhead : Guwahati is the nearest railhead and is well-connected to the rest of the country.

ShilongRoad Transport : Both Deluxe and ordinary bus services are available. Meghalaya Road Transport also run regular bus services in Meghalaya.

Staying at Shillong in Meghalaya
Shillong being the capital city of Meghalaya has a good line of accommodation facility in and around itself. You may not too luxurious category of accommodation in Shillong. But, the accommodations available are good enough to provide you a perfect comfort.

Shillong Peak
An ideal picnic spot, 10 km. from the city, 1965 m above sea level, offers a panoramic view of the scenic country side, and is also the highest point in the State. Obeisance is paid to U Shulong at the sanctum sanctorum at the peak's summit every springtime, by the religious priest of Mylliem State. In the evening the city lights below appear like a star-studded abyss.


Cherrapunjee (Sohra)
56 km from Shillong, situated in one of the rainiest rain-belt in the world, 1,300 m above sea level. A pleasant drive to see roaring water falls leaping into deep gorges, including the famed Nohsngithiang falls. The lovely town is also famous for its limestone caves and orange honey. Centre of Khasi culture and literature, it also has the oldest Presbyterian Church and also an establishment of the Ramkrishna Mission.

Sohpetbneng Peak
1,343 m, 20 km from Shillong, regarded as sacred by the Hynniewtrep people, is set amidst a beautiful scenic view against the backdrop of a sacred forest. This 'Navel of Heaven' as per Khasi mythology is a heavenly peak which offers to fill the spiritual void and emptiness, to those who seek and desire solace and peace of mind.


Umiam LakeWard's Lake
Located in the heart of the city, popular for short garden walks and boating, celebrated its centenary recently.

Umiam Lake
Umiam Khwan (Barapani), 17 km from Shillong, offers water sports facilities including sailing, water skiing, water scooter The Orchid Lake Resort and the adjacent Lum Nehru Park is an ideal quiet holiday resort.

Botanical Garden
A secluded but captivating spot with plethora of indigenous and exotic plants and is located just below the Ward's Lake.

Lady Hydari Park
A popular charming tourist draw, the adjacent mini zoo is an added attraction.

Golf Course
The third oldest golf course in India. Developed in 1889 as a nine hole course, was later converted to 18 holes in 1924 by Captain Jackson and C. R. Rhodes. It is termed as the 'Gleneagle of the East' at the United States Golf Association Library and Museum.
Book a tour to Shillong
State Museum
Located at the State Central Library complex, visitors can get a glimpse of the lifestyle and heritage of the people.

Cathedral of Mary Help of Christian
At Laitumkhrah, it attracts devotees and visitors alike.

Bishop and Beadon Falls

Both cascade down the same escarpment into a deep valley, the mass of water dissolving into misty sparks.

Elephant Falls

12 km on the outskirts of the city, the mountain stream descends through two successive falls set in dells of fern covered rocks.Elephant Falls

Spread Eagle Falls

A soothing setting amidst the calmness of nature-a treat to the eyes.

Sweet Falls

Situated near Happy Valley, most suitable for a day's outing and picnic. Explore it!

Crinoline Falls

Near Lady Hydari Park, a cool spot within the city limits. This is a must visit place in Meghalaya.

Some Important Destination from Shillong

Shillong is 3719 km from Thiruvanathapuram, 3025 km from Srinagar, 2502 km from Shimla, 487 km from Agartala, 2698 km from Ahmedabad, 3120 km from Bangalore, 2148 km from Bhopal, 1731 km from Bhubaneshwar, 2947 km from Mumbai, 1251 km from Calcutta, 2383 km from Chandigarh, 727 km from Darjeeling, 2134 km from Delhi, 725 km from Gangtok, 100 km from Guwahati, 2554 km from Hyderabad, 520 km from Imphal, 514 km from Itanagar, 2164 km from Jaipur, 410 km from Kohima, 1610 km from Lucknow, 2929 km from Chennai, and 3266 km from Panaji.

The Kaziranga National Park

Location : Bokakhat (23-kms), Assam.

Nearest Access : Bokakhat

Main Wildlife Found : Rhinos, Tigers, Leopards

Coverage Area : 430-sq-kms

Kaziranga National Park in Assam has to be the most beautiful and attractive place you can choose to visit in north-eastern India. An UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kaziranga's 470 sq kms of lush green flood plains is home to some of the most fascinating wildlife in Asia.

The Burma Monsoon Forests of Kaziranga lies in the flood plains of the mighty Brahmaputra river at an altitude of 50 -80m . The habitat consists primarily of tall, dense grasslands interspersed with cane brakes, open woodlands, interconnecting streams and numerous lakes or 'beels'. The three primary types of vegetation are alluvial grasslands, tropical wet semi-evergreen and evergreen forests.

The Park is divided into four ranges. The Agoratoli range covers the eastern part and covers woodland interspersed with grassland and water-bodies. The Kohora range covers the central part and is the most easily accessible from the range office at Kohora. The Baguri range covers the western part of the Park and has the highest rhinoceros density. Burhapahar, 4th range, covers the first additional area attached to the Park.

Park Speciality -One Horned Rhinos

Kaziranga National Park is the only national park reserve in India where the rhinoceros can be seen in its natural habitat for Rhinos. One Horned Rhinos Internationally known as Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros is heavily built beast of mammoth proportions, next to the Indian Elephant. It is the largest of the three Asian rhinos. It has single distinctive black horn about 50 cm long and grey brown hide with skin folds, which give it an armor-plated image. Male are distinguish from female for their enormous development of the neck folds and semi-prehensile upper lips. These rhinos basically prefers living in tall grassland and riverine forests but now a days they are forced to live in a cultivated land. Unlike elephants who always move in a herd, rhinos are ascetic animal with the exception on the breeding session. Although they sometimes get together at bathing areas. Rhinos are herbivores and grazes on grasses, leaves, aquatic plants and fruits. They generally eat during dawn and evening with help of their prehensile lip to grip grass stems. Interestingly, rhinos are "landscape architects" of their habitat. It take rhino more than three days to digest a meal therefore, whatever seed they eat, it can be transported to significant distance before they are deposited in droppings. Conservation of rhinos is a success story but they are in demand for the mythical aphrodisiac properties of its horn. After the successful effort of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), the waning population of rhino began to gradually increase. Also WWF(World Wide Fund) is working both in India and Nepal to conserve this species. Translocation Projects are under operation, and the survival of the rhinos at all odds is the final goal. The Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros can be found in the national reserves of Kaziranga, Manas and Jaldapara.


Vegetation: Wet savanna grassland covers 65 - 70% of Kaziranga. The grassland comprises of tall elephant-grass, chief amongst which are Erianthus ravannae, Phragmites karka, Arundo donax, Saccharum elephantinus, Saccharum arundinaceum, Imperata cylindrica and Poinia ciliata. The forested portions consist of species such as Bombax ceiba, Albizzia odorotissima, Carreya arborea, Lagerstromia parviflora, Dillenia pentagyna and Zizyphus jujuba.

Fauna: Everything about Kaziranga is large. From 5 meter tall elephant-grass to Greater Adjutants, Bengal Floricans, Pallas's Fish Eagle, Black-necked Storks, Greater One-horned Rhinoceros and Asian Elephants, size dominates the vast grasslands. The rarity and restricted range of most of these giants adds to the excitement and experience.

Birds: Kaziranga is a birding paradise with a checklist of almost 500 species. Key species include Swamp Francolin, Pale-capped Pigeon, Bengal Florican, Great and Wreathed Hornbill, Jerdon's Baza, Slender-billed Vulture, Pallas’s Fishing Eagle , Greater Spotted Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Pied Harrier, Pied Falconet, Oriental Hobby, Black-necked Stork, Greater Adjutant, Hodgson’s Bushchat, White-vented Myna, Rufous-vented Prinia , Marsh Babbler, Jerdon’s Babbler, Black-breasted Parrotbill and Finn’s Weaver . There is a breeding colony of Spot-billed Pelicans near Koladuar in the Agoratoli area.

Mammals and reptiles: Kaziranga is popularly known as the home of the "Big Five" - the elephant, rhinoceros, wild buffalo, tiger and Swamp Deer. A total of 52 mammalian species has been recorded in the Park itself and include such rarities like Gangetic Dolphin, Chinese Pangolin, Hoolock Gibbon, Hog-Badger and Parti-coloured Flying Squirrel. 39 reptiles make the list and include the endangered Gharial and the rare Assam Roofed Turtle. Both the Reticulated and Rock Pythons occur in the area.


Where to stay: Wild Grass Lodge is strongly recommended. I stayed with them on 2 recent visits and could not have asked for more. They arrange for everything and can provide top class forest guides. Tel no. 91-3776-2662011, 91-3776-2662085.
Forest Dept. run Tourist Bungalows are also available and should be booked in advance. The Arayan Lodge (91-3776-2662423) and Bonani Lodge ( 91-3776-2662444) will provide comfortable quarters.

How to Get there

Air : The nearest airport is situated at Guwahati, which is 217-km away from the park. The other airport is located at Jorhat, 97-km from Kaziranga.

Rail : The nearest railhead is Furkating, situated 75-km away from Kaziranga National Park.

Road : The main gate for Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary, at Kohora on the NH-37, consists of a handful of cafes and a small local market. ASTC and private buses stop here on their way to and from Guwahati, Tezpur and Upper Assam. Some private buses also retain a seat quota for Kaziranga passengers.

General Info / Tips
Reservation Authority :Joint Director of Tourism, Kaziranga, P.O Kaziranga National Park, District Jorhat, Assam - 785612

Best Season:

November to April. The Park is generally closed between May and October. Temperatures range from 80c in winter to 380C in summer.

Tips:

1) Elephant rides are available between 5.00am and 6.00am from Kohora. One ride is recommended to get a feel of the place and, if lucky, to get up close to the Bengal Florican, an endangered rarity.
2) Four-wheel drive vehicles are available for hire to tour the 3 ranges. The Eastern Range is about 30 kms from Kohora. Factor in the travel time plus the fact that this is the longest trip inside the forest before you set off. The Western range is the shortest circuit but great for rhinos and buffalos.
3) Walking is not permitted in the Park area. Given the number of potentially dangerous mammals found in the area it is a foolhardy risk.
4) The Panbari Reserve Forest on the south of National Highway 37 is a great place to see some woodland rarities. Birds like Asian Fairy Bluebird, Pale-capped Pigeon, Pied Falconet, Sultan Tit and Silver-breasted Broadbill are relatively easy to find here. A lone male Hoolock is also a star attraction as are the Capped Langurs.
5) The tea gardens near Panbari are a good place to look for Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush, Rufous-necked Laughingthrush and White-browed Scimitar Babblers.

Agra

Agra is easily accessible, especially from Delhi and Jaipur. It has its own domestic airport, which is just 5 km from the city and also doubles up as the military airport. It is also well connected by a network of trains to almost all the major destinations throughout the country and some of the super-express trains that pass through it include the Rajdhani Express and the Shatabdi Express. Both the government and private buses and deluxe coaches run to and from Agra to all the nearby major destinations within and outside Uttar Pradesh.

Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal, AgraThe epitome of love, the elegy in marble, Taj Mahal is one of the most graceful and extravagant monuments in India. The seventh wonder of the world, it attracts thousands of tourists every year. A symbol of endless love and devotion of Emperor Shah Jehan to his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj is a befitting tribute to so romantic-a-love story and so divine an emotion that binds two souls forever. A visit to Taj Mahal, the mausoleum of Mumtaz, is a rare experience. It has become a signature monument of Indian architecture and someone has rightly said that Taj jas been designed like a palace and finished like a jewel.

The pure white marble structure, Taj acquires different shades at different times of the day and with changing seasons. The soft pink color of the dawn and fiery shade that it acquires at dusk are all bewitching. Though, the light that presents it in the best possible manner is perhaps that of full moon, when it shines with pristine white and silver glory. Taj seems to be as fanciful as the love story it represents of an all-mighty prince and a simple girl hawking silk and glass beads in the market and their marriage that seems so much like a fairy tale. The faithful wife marched with the prince, who was later crowned the emperor, on his every expedition and bore him fourteen children. On her deathbed, she made the emperor to promise to make a lovely monument unlike any other in the world as the tribute to their loving moments that were a treasure for her. The emperor kept the promise faithfully and thus, Taj was conceived.

Agra Tourist Attractions

Ram Bagh in AgraAgra has a number of monuments ranging from the world known structures such as Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri complex to the lesser known tombs such as Sikandra, Mariam's tomb, Itmad-ud-daulah's tomb and Chini ka Rauza to the ones that are not even known to the locals and their remnants lie helter-skelter and no attention being paid to them. Ram Bagh and Swami Bagh Temple at Dayal Bagh, may not be so famous but have an indelible impression in the hearts of the natives of the city with their own history.

Ram Bagh
The first Mughal gardens laid by Babur in 1558, half a km from Chini Ka Rauza, were planned carefully in Persian style. They were then named as Bagh-i-Gul Afshan. Later, Jehangir renovated them and named them as Bagh-i-Nur Afshan. Neglected for centuries, these gardens have now turned into wilderness and are known as Ram Bagh. Set to the south of Sarai of Nur Jehan, Babur introduced three-terraced garden here for the first time. The river-drawn water was made to look like a spring, as it artificially descended from one terrace to another through a network of canals, tanks and water chutes that had stairs on both sides ended in a red sandstone pond. The gardens were beautified using 'Chhatris', platforms, pathways and a conglomeration of plants that were cultivated in a landscaped manner. Jehangir had also built two beautiful suites on the two sides of the main terrace and a Mahtab or island platform in the centre, which was connected with the main water system. Ram Bagh symbolizes the erstwhile Mughal pleasure garden that hasn't aged gracefully unlike other legacies of that time.

Dayal Bagh Temple
Swami Bagh Temple at Dayal Bagh is 10 km to the north of Agra. Started in 1904, it is still under construction even after 100 years! The white marble Samadhi of the Radha Swami, the founder of a unique religion that seeks to being all religions under one umbrella and preaches unity of mankind, the construction of this temple is not expected to be completed until sometime next century. If you want to witness the Pietra Dura inlaid marble work, you must visit the temple and walk to its sides to see the artisans at work. The aim of this structure is to build a temple for Hindus, a church for Christians, a gurudwara for Sikhs and a mosque for Muslims, each on a separate floor, in the same building, to symbolize brotherhood and unity in mankind. The artistic work here is wonderful and has an outstanding visual appeal. However, locals believe that perfect harmony between all the religions at once is impossible, so the building symbolizing it would never be complete and will be damaged anytime, it is close to being complete.


Shopping in Agra

Shopping in AgraA shopper's paradise for those who love to buy specialties of the place as souvenirs and keepsakes or as gifts for their loved ones, Agra offers mini Taj replicas in various sizes for the tourists. This white-marble Taj is often used as decorative items in the homes and are considered to bring good luck for the lovers. However, the 'marble' can be actually the fake - a stone called 'Talk', which looks like marble, with the exception that it is not opaque like the real one. It is quite cheaper too. So, one should be careful about the quality while buying the Taj replica and pay only the right price. Leather items at Agra are famous for their quality. These include leather sandals, purses, bags and decorative items.

Fairs and Festivals in Agra

Taj Mahotsav, AgraAgra district has many rural areas that are greatly influenced by the religious and sentimental attachment to the surrounding areas of Mathura and Vrindavan to Lord Krishna and Radha. Most of the fairs and festivals organized in the region are either temple festivals, religious festivals or cattle and village fairs based on Krishna's life such as Dauji ka mela, Kans lila, cattle fair Jat Devi, cattle fair Kund Mela, cattle fair Gwal Balba, Meta ki Puja Jat Devi, Holi Milap, Mata-ka-mela, Shitla Mela, Parikrama of Shivji, Kailash Mela, Janamashthmi, Dussehra, Kali-ka-mela, Ram lila, Urs Sufi Sahib and Bateshwar cattle fair. However, we have brought you the most famous of these fairs and festivals of the region.

Taj Mahotsav
Much famous and beloved cultural festival of Agra, Taj Mahotsav is organized annually for ten days during February. Shilpgram (the Crafts Village), the chosen venue for this fair is close to Taj. Here, one can find extensive display of arts, crafts and culture of India along with classical dance and song performances. 'Mushairas' and 'Ghazal' programmes by the well-known Indian artists. Children love to ride on camels and elephants in the vene while one can taste traditional Indian delicacies at the luring stalls here. The colorful celebrations welcome the Spring with a fiesta of Indian cuisine, dance and music, cultural displays and exhibition of arts and crafts.

A brainchild of Uttar Pradesh Tourism, Taj Mahotsav is an event to lure the tourists and acquaint them with the legendary skills of Indian master craftsmen and the finesse of Indian fine arts. It also showcases the rich heritage of India. It commences with a splendid Mughal-style procession highlighting bedecked elephants, richly adorned camels, drumbeaters and folk artists. Taj Mahotsav is best play to witness marble inlay work, wood carvings from Saharanpur, brass wares from Moradabad, handmade carpets of Badohi, the blue pottery of Khurja, the Chikan work of Lucknow and the silks of Banares, all at one place. The Crafts Fair and the Food Festival of Taj Mahotsav have their own charm. The folk dances such as Dundelkhand and 'Nautanki' of Uttar Pradesh, 'Sapera' dance of Rajasthan, the dance of snake charmers and Lavani of Maharashtra have always captured the attention of tourists.

Bateshwar Fair
Bateshwar is just 70 km from Agra and is names so after the presiding deity of the region, Bateshwar Mahadeo. It is an important spiritual and cultural centre boasting of 108 temples of the various gods and goddesses of Hindus. Bateshwar Fair is organized here annually during the months of October or November in the honor of Lord Shiva for a month. Thousands of devotees visit the venue to take holy dips in River Yamuna and participate in the Livestock and Cattle Fair, which is famous in the nearby areas.

Ram Barat
The special marriage procession of Sri Ram, held annually at Agra, is known as 'Rambarat' and precedes Dussehra. It is a part of 'Ramlila', the staging of life of Rama that ends with killing of Ravana, on the day of Dussehra. Its specialty lies in the beautiful 'jhankis' of the deities and the special set of the palace arranged at the chosen venue as 'Janakpuri', the palace of Raja Janak who was the father of Goddess Sita. A major fair is organized in the locality and thousands of people visit the venue to see the fair and attend the elaborate royal wedding of the divine deities. The procession starts from Lala Channomalji Ki Baradari for the Janakpuri venue and passes through different parts of the town. Special chariot covered with silver leaves is used as the mount of Ram while his brothers mount the elephants. The elaborate and heavy headgears look stunning. Teenaged boys play the female characters of the drama.

Kailash Fair
Held at Kailash temple in the honor of Lord Shiva, 12 km from Agra, Kailash fair is celebrated to commemorate the appearance of Lord Shiva in the form of a stone lingam here in the monsoon months of August and September. The major fair attracts devotees from all the nearby areas.

Jodhpur

Jodhpur History
Jodhpur history revolves around the Rathore Clan. Rao Jodha, the chief of the Rathore clan, is credited with the origin of Jodhpur in India. He founded Jodhpur in 1459. The city is named after him only. It was previously known as Marwar. The following paragraphs will tell you more about the past of Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

The Rathores were driven out of their original homeland, Kaunaj, by Afghans. They fled to Pali, near to the present day Jodhpur. Rathore Siahaji married the sister of a local prince. This helped the Rathores to establish and strengthen themselves in this region. In some time they ousted the Pratiharas of Mandore, just 9 km of today's Jodhpur. Initially, Mandore served as their capital, but, by 1459, Rathores felt a need for a secure capital. This lead to the formation of Jodhpur, the Sun City, by Rao Jodha.


The Rathores enjoyed good relations with all the Mughals, except Aurangzeb. Maharaja Jaswant Singh even supported Shahjahan in his struggle for succession. After Aurangzeb's death, Maharaja Ajit Singh drove out Mughals from Ajmer and added it to Marwar (now Jodhpur). Under the reign of Maharaja Umed Singh, Jodhpur grew into a fine modern city.

During the British Raj, the state of Jodhpur was the largest in Rajputana, by land area. Jodhpur prospered under the British Raj. Its merchants, the Marwaris, flourished endlessly. They came to occupy a dominant position in trade throughout India. In 1947 India became independent and the state merged into the union of India. Jodhpur became the second city of Rajasthan.

Tourist Attractions Jodhpur

Located on the foothill of a sandstone hillock, the city of Jodhpur seems like an oasis in the vast desert. Jodhpur is one of the favorite tourist destinations in Rajasthan. People from India as well as all over the world visit Jodhpur every year. There are a number of tourist attractions in Jodhpur, enchanting the tourists.

Jodhpur tourist spots stand as a living proof of the splendor, traditions and culture of the Jodhpur. The glorious past of Jodhpur is personified through the various forts, palaces and other monuments of Jodhpur. The main places to see in Jodhpur Rajasthan are:

Mehrangarh Fort:
The most magnificent fort in Jodhpur is the Mehrangarh Fort. It is situated on a 150m high hill. Rao Jodha, the then chief of Rathore clan, constructed it in 1459. There are a number of attractions within the fort like several palaces, galleries, a museum, temples and so on.

Umaid Bhavan Palace:
One of the fascinating palaces of Jodhpur is the Umaid Bhavan palace. Maharaja Umaid Singh constructed it in 20th century. A part of the palace has now been converted into a hotel and a museum.

Jaswant Thada:
Jaswant Thada lies to the left of the Mehrangarh fort complex. It is a royal cenotaph made up of white marble. It was built to commemorate Maharaja Jaswant Singh. Some rare portraits of the former rulers of Jodhpur are also displayed here.

Jodhpur Culture
Jodhpur is set at the edge of the Thar Desert. This imperial city echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. In the past, it was the capital of the Marwar state, founded in 1459 A.D. by Rao Jodha - the chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs. A high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions encompasses the city. It was once a major trade center. Jodhpur is now the second largest city of Rajasthan.


Gardens in Jodhpur
One of the best ways to connect with nature is through parks and gardens. The city of Jodhpur, although situated in Rajasthan, has some beautifully landscaped gardens to boast of. The parks and gardens have been developed to attract the tourists. They are a visual treat to the eyes of the tourists, acting as a break from the desert landscape.

On your tour to Jodhpur you should visit the various parks in Jodhpur, India. There are quite a few beautiful Jodhpur gardens for the purpose of sightseeing. Some of the famous gardens of Jodhpur, Rajasthan are mentioned below:

Mandore Garden :
The rocky terrain and the cenotaphs of Jodhpur's former rulers make this garden attractive to tourists.

Umed Garden :
Umed garden has a zoo along with an aviary which acts as a special attraction to kids.

Nehru Park :
Developed specifically for children, this park is famous for its fountains, ponds, etc.

Mehrangarh Fort
Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur is one of the largest forts in forts. It is also the most magnificent fort in Jodhpur, infact, in the whole Rajasthan. The fort is amongst the popular tourist places in India. It is situated on a 150 m high hill. It was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459. The Mehrangarh Fort can be reached from the city, 5 kms below, through a circular road.

The Mehrangarh Fort

Seven gates have to be crossed to reach the fort. The gates still bear the marks of the various battles fought in the bygone era. Its second gate still stands witness to canon ball hits by attacking armies of Jaipur during wars. One of the gates is Jayapol, meaning victory. It was built by Maharaja Man Singh to commemorate his victories over Jaipur and Bikaner armies. Another gate, Fattehpol, again meaning victory, was built by Maharaja Ajit Singh as a celebration for defeating the Mughals.

Other attractions of Mehrangarh Fort, Rajasthan include several palaces inside the fort, with their sprawling and huge courtyards. One of the fort's palaces, The Moti Mahal or the Pearl Palace, has the royal throne of Jodhpur, the Sringar Chowki. The fort also has galleries, temples, etc. To the left of the Mehrangarh Fort is the Chhatri of a soldier, Kirat Singh Soda. It is the spot where he fell while defending the fort against the armies of Amber.

The Mehrangarh Fort, with its beauty, is the living proof of the hard work and skill of the Jodhpuri sculptors.

The most peaceful and relaxing place for a person is by the lakeside. The tranquility of the water lends calmness to the mind in this hectic and forever running world. Whenever we go on a holiday trip, we are trying to get away from the maddening pace of the world. What better way to compose and comfort the mind than visiting a lake.

Jodhpur lakes offer you their placidity to sooth as well as refresh your mind. There are a number of famous lakes around Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Following are the names of some of these lakes:

* Balsammand Lake
* Kaylana Lake
* Sardar Samand Lake

How to Reach Jodhpur

In the following paragraphs, we have provided information about the modes of transportation to Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Jodhpur, India travel is quite easy and accessible. Read on to know "How to reach Jodhpur":

By Air: The Jodhpur Airport is 5 km from the city center. Regular flight services connect the city with other major cities in and around Rajasthan. There are daily flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur and Jaipur.

By Train: Jodhpur is well connected by railway lines. Trains to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata are easily available. The 'Palace on Wheels' also visits this city of royal splendor.

By Road: Another convenient mode of transportation to Jodhpur is by road. The main highway between Jodhpur and Jaisalmer is via Agoli and Pokaran. The highway is well connected with Agra, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Delhi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur by bus.

Local Transport: Means of transport in Jodhpur include Taxis, Auto-rickshaws and Tongas. Taxi stand is near the main railway station. Auto-rickshaws are best suited for the narrow lanes of the old city. You can also explore Jodhpur with a bicycle.

Jaisalmer

Location: Western Rajasthan, close to Indo-Pak boarder.

Climate of Jaisalmer: Summer- 42° C to 25° C, Winter- 24° C to 7° C

Best time to visit: October to March

Attractions: Jaisalmer fort, Havelis, Gadsisar Lake, Jain temples etc

Language spoken: Rajasthani, Hindi and Urdu

Religions: Hinduism and Islam

STD Code: 02992

The History of Jaisalmer has a charm of its own. Like all other cities of Rajasthan, Jaisalmer too has its own glorious past to boast about. History of Jaisalmer draws heavily from the history of the Rajputana. The city is said to be founded by one Raja Rawal Jaisal, a Bhatti Rajput ruler, in approximately 1156 A D. Legends go by that he did it on the behest of a local hermit named Eesaal. The raja choose Trikut hill as the new site for his fort. This was because he thought that his previous abode at Luderwa (16 km from present Jaisalmer) was vulnerable towards possible enemy assault.

Unlike any other city, this desert fortress is one of Rajasthan's most exotic and unusual towns. Jaisalmer, an important ancient trading centre because of its strategic location on the camel trade routes, is often described as the 'golden city'. The havelis, built by merchants of the 19th century, are exquisitely carved from golden-yellow sandstone and are still in a beautiful condition. The fort built by Rawal Jaisal in the 12th century, stands on the 80 metre high Trikuta hill, with beautifully carved Jain temples.

Once a sleepy desert city, Jaisalmer has transformed itself into a major tourist destination of India. Situated amid picturesque Thar Desert, the Jaisalmer city commands premiere position among the tourist attractions scattered all over the desert land of Rajasthan. The Jaisalmer city is revered both by Indians as well as foreign tourists.

Like various other cities of Rajasthan, you will discover different facets of Jaisalmer as you explore this wonderful city with us. Tough there are historical monuments scattered all over the city but the Jaisalmer Fort will immediately command your attention. Made of sand stones and locally known as Sonar Quila, the Jaisalmer Fort is a dominating structure amidst sands. The Jaisalmer city is also known for its old mansions, better known as Havelis. Among many of them you will find Salim ji ki haveli and Nathmal ji ki haveli as the most striking. There are other monuments too, which are equally important because of their distinct and individual architecture. The amalgamation of ancient and the medieval era architecture will catch your fancy.

The Jaisalmer city is a prominent educational as well as cultural hub in the region and regularly showcases the vivid cultural aspects of Rajasthan. Among others, it includes folk dances as well as semi classical and folk music.

The city is easily accessible and people are warm and welcoming. In spite of harsh living conditions, Rajasthani people are known for their warm hospitality all over. So come to Jaisalmer and enjoy the traditional rhetoric of 'padharo mahare desh'


Desert Festival of Jaisalmer is a colorful festival held in February every year. You will get to see Cultural events, camel races, turban tying competitions etc. Not exciting enough! Attend the contests to judge the man with the best moustache. Everything is exotic in the Desert festival, amidst the golden sands of the Thar Desert. With a final musical performance by folk singers under the moonlit sky at the dunes in Sam, just outside Jaisalmer, the festival comes to its end. The rich culture of the region is on display during this three daylong extravaganza.

The desert festival in Jaisalmer was started to attract foreign tourists, who always wanted to explore as many facets of Rajasthan as they could in the possible crunch of time. The three-day event stresses more on local elements and heritage. For example, this no-nonsense festival will only showcase Rajasthani folk songs and dance. These are presented by some of the best professionals of the art. Similarly, local customs such as Turban tying etc have been added to make it more exotic and colorful in its outlook. 'The moustache competition' is very popular among foreigners. This is simply because of the surprise value attached to this event. Foreigners can be seen posing for pictures with the winners. This is truly a moment worth preserving.

You will never forget marvels like the famous Gair and Fire dancers that are the major attraction of the desert festival celebrations. Interesting contests including a tying competition and a Mr. Desert contest further enhance the fun of the occasion. A trip to the Sam sand dunes marks the grand finale, where you will enjoy camel rides and brilliant performance by the folk artist under the full moon against the backdrop of picturesque dunes.

The Rajasthan tourism organizes the Jaisalmer Desert fair/festival. There is tourist help cell to deal specially with the problems faced by foreign tourists. The arrangements are monitored by local administration and state of the art Medical vans, equipped with the best of medical amenities, are kept on alert. If you want to buy gifts or souvenirs for your dear ones, this is the place to be. For this place not only have items from and around Jaisalmer but of the whole Rajasthan. Mobile money exchangers are there in case you need to exchange currencies. And if you run out of cash, Guess what! Nearly all the kiosks have the facility to accept credit card.


Entertainment in Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer has a lot of options for entertainment. Because of its rich composite culture it boasts of various songs and dances. If you are not a culture vulture then you can opt for modern centers of entertainment such as Cinema theatre and discotheques.

Music
Rajasthani folk music has a long history. It is very soothing and earthy. Traditionally rulers had bards in their courts that sang tales of the heroic deeds of kings. Though the tradition is long dead nevertheless these ballads called "Rasos" can be heard even today. The legend of King Prithviraj Chauhan and his bard Chand Bardai who composed the Prithviraj Raso, a ballad, which details the brave deeds of Prithviiraj though exaggerated at times, is well known.

Dance
Rajasthani folk dances are an eye-catching sight. People of Rajasthan must be given the credit to save their heritage for this long. Lissome women wearing colorful clothes decorated with mirrors and embroidery, balancing a column of brass pots on their heads, sway in time to the music of a traditional melody. During your stay, you will notice that, Rajasthan is a place where every thing is very earthy and close to the masses. That is why folk culture here is very flourishing. Some of the popular folk dances in Rajasthan, which are a great source of entertainment are Bhavai, Chari, Ghair, Ghoomar, Kacchi Ghodi where a dancer wears a costume resembling a horse, Kalbeliya, performed by the women of the snake charmer community and Teerahtali, where women perform with 13 cymbals tied to their limbs.

Kerala backwaters

Kerala has over 900 Km of interconnected waterways, rivers, lakes and inlets that make up the Kerala backwaters. In the midst of this beautiful landscape there are a number of towns and cities, which are the starting and end points of Kerala backwater cruises. These Kerala backwater destinations are a mixture of historic and modern towns and scenic holiday getaways in the backwaters of Kerala. Tourists from all over the world come to these Kerala backwater destinations to see their scenic attractions.

Some of the scenic Kerala backwater destinations that you can see on Kerala tours with

Kerala Backwater are:



Cochin: This historic port city called "the Queen of the Arabian Sea," is known for its natural harbor. Consisting of a cluster of islands Kochi as it is now known, is the starting point for many Kerala backwater cruises and has many historic buildings, making it one of the most popular Kerala backwater destinations.

Alappuzha: This Kerala Backwater destination is also known as the "Venice of the East," because of its surrounding waterways and canals. Alappuzha, previously known as Alleppey, is famous for the annual Nehru Trophy Snake Boat race held here every year, around the festival of Onam. Large Snake boats called" Chundanvalloms" propelled by teams of rowers compete for the trophy instituted by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minster of India.


Kasargod: Kasargod a town in North Kerala is known for the Valiyaparamba stretch of backwaters, an incredibly beautiful and green corridor along the coast of Kerala. You can travel through this scenic backwater on Kerala backwater destinations tours with Kerala Backwater.


Kollam: Situated just over 70 Km from the capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam is an ancient seaport on the banks of the Ashtamudi Lake. The cruise from Kollam to Alappuzha, which lasts eight hours, is a magical ride along the scenic backwaters of Kerala. Kollam is also known as the "Gateway to Kerala's Backwaters."

Kottayam: Kottayam in Kerala is known for its fascinating backwaters on the seacoast and beautiful hills further inland. Crops such as rubber are grown in plantations in Kottayam district. You can see the backwaters and plantations of Kottayam on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

Kozhikode: Kozhikode in North Kerala, is an important port, previously known as Calicut. Calico - a variety of checked cotton cloth derives its name from Calicut. It was at Kappad beach just 16 km from Kozhikode, that Vasco da Gama landed in Kerala in 1498.

Kumarakom: Situated in the beautiful Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a paradise on Earth. The bird sanctuary, the scenic beauty and the tourist resorts along the backwaters make Kumarakom one of the most sought after Kerala Backwater destinations.

Kuttanad: Known as the "Ricebowl of Kerala" Kuttanad brings to mind images of verdant paddy fields. A unique feature of Kuttanad is that the fields are below sea level and are barricaded from the surrounding backwaters by earthern bunds similar to the dykes of Netherlands.

Thiruvallam: Located 6 Km from Thiruvananthapuram, Thiruvallam is a beautiful backwater destination at the conjunction of two rivers - the Killi and the Karamana and near the scenic Veli Lagoon.

Thiruvananthapuram: The capital of Kerala, previously known as Trivandrum, is a starting point for your tour of Kerala Backwater Destinations. Thiruvananthapuram is also known for its museums, Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple and proximity to the beautiful Kovalam Beach