Tobo tourism

Tobo tourism
Tabo is a small town in the Lahaul and Spiti district on the banks of the Spiti River in Himachal Pradesh, India. The town lies on the road

between Rekong Peo and Kaza (alternative spelling: Kaja), the sub-divisional headquarters of Spiti. The town surrounds a Buddhist monastery

which, according to legend, is said to be over a thousand years old. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has expressed his desire to retire to Tabo,

since he maintains that the Tabo Monastery is one of the holiest. In 1996, HH the Dalai Lama conducted the Kalachakra initiation ceremony in

Tabo, which coincided with the millennium anniversary celebrations of the Tabo monastery. The ceremony was attended by thousands of Buddhists

from across the world. The temples within the monastery complex in Tabo have a plethora of wall paintings and mud statues. The Archaeological

Survey of India (ASI) attempted to restore some paintings that were ravaged by time, but were not very successful. Photography, however, is not

permitted inside the monastery. There are a few hotels in Tabo, of which the Banjara Camps retreat is the most luxurious. The temperatures here

plummet at night. There are other hotels and hostels like Tashi Gangsar, Menthok Dumra at Tabo, including the monastery's own guest houses.

Akshardham
Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi epitomises 10,000 years of Indian culture in all its breathtaking grandeur, beauty, wisdom and bliss. It brilliantly showcases the essence of India’s ancient architecture, traditions and timeless spiritual messages. The Akshardham experience is an enlightening journey through India’s glorious art, values and contributions for the progress, happiness and harmony of mankind.
The grand, ancient-styled Swaminarayan Akshardham complex was built in only five years through the blessings of HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) and the colossal devotional efforts of 11,000 artisans and BAPS volunteers. The complex was inaugurated on 6 November, 2005.

Akshardham means the eternal, divine abode of the supreme God, the abode of eternal values and virtues of Akshar as defined in the Vedas and Upanishads where divine bhakti, purity and peace forever pervades.

For the first time ever in the world witness the heritage of India in all its facets, insights and beauty at the Swaminarayan Akshardham through its mandir, exhibitions, verdant gardens and other attractions.

Kurnool Tourism

Kurnool district is located in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a part of the western- central part of the state. The city of Kurnool is the

capital and the central hub of the district. The town is a simple place with a many interesting sites. It is small towns charm with many

temples, palaces and ancient monuments.

For the traveler who is interested in ancient architecture and historical monuments, Kurnool has many such places. The ruins of the medieval

fort built during the Vijayanagar Empire have ancient Persian and Arabic inscriptions. The Kondareddy Buruz which is protected by the Ancient

Monuments Preservation Act and the tomb of Abdul Wahab are interesting places to visit. The remains of the palace of Gopal Raju the last Hindu

king can also be found in Kurnool. The summer palace of the rulers of Kurnool built during the 16th century is another historical site in the

town. The flood protection wall in Kurnool is considered a feat of engineering and forms the nucleus of the fort wall along the river bank.

Some of the important temples in Kurnool are the Peta Anjanyeswami temple, the Nagareswarswami temple, the Venugopalsawami temple, and the new

Shirdi Sai Baba temple.

Patna Tourism

Situated on the Southern banks of the Ganges, Patna, the capital of Bihar, has a rich history behind it. There are other four rivers that join the Ganges in Patna. These are Ghaghara, Gandak, Punpun and Sone.

The city is located at an altitude of 53 metres. Patna has one of the world’s longest bridges in the world, the Mahatma Gandhi Setu on the River Ganga. In terms of population, Patna is the second largest city of eastern India.

The history of Patna can be traced back to 493 BC, when a king of the Magadha empire, Ajathashatru, fortified the then called Pataligrama. His son, Udayi continued the dynasty and developed the village into a town and thus, Pataliputra was formed.

Later, Pataliputra was ruled by many dynasties, the most important of which is the Mauryan empire, under which was developed. It was also the capital of the Magadha Empire under the Haryanka, Nanda, Gupta, Mauryan, Pala, Sunga and Suri dynasties.

Under the reign of the Mauryan dynasty, kings Chandragupta Maurya and Asoka were responsible for turning Patna into an educational and cultural hub. Many foreign travellers including Megasthenes and Fa Hien had visited Pataliputra and had expressed immense praise for the city.

Aurangabad named after Aurangzeb, the Mughal Emperor, is a city in Maharashtra. Aurangabad means ‘Built by the Throne’. Being a tourist hub, the city has many historical monuments of great importance. The monuments of Ajanta and Ellora shows the cultural heritage and is declared as World heritage site by UNESCO.

In the year 1681, Aurangzeb became the Mughal Emperor and he used Aurangabad as the base for his campaigns. He died in 1707 and his tomb is located at Khultabad, a small town near the city of Aurangabad which is also a popular tourist spot of the state.

Many beautiful Mughal monuments can be seen in Aurangabad. The most famous being the Bibi-ka-Maqbara resembling the Taj Mahal. This monument is Aurangazeb's wife’s burial chamber. Behind this monument is a small archaeological museum also of tourist interest.

There is plentiful evidence to conceive that Aurangabad was formulated as a merchandising hub about four centuries ago. It is because of the fact that the city lies on a major trade route that connects India's sea and land ports to the Deccan area which is known as the ‘Silk Route’.

Things to do in Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer is also famous for its folk music and dances which have been widely appreciated around the globe. Among tourist attractions, the Jaisalmer Fort is the most famous one. Built in 1156 by the Bhati Rajput ruler Jaisal, Jaisalmer Fort is situated on Trikuta Hill and had been the scene of many battles. It is inhabited even now and about a quarter of the population of the city live in the fort premises.

Patwon-ki-Haveli and Nathmalji-ki-Haveli are other attractions of the city. The Desert Festival which is held over three days in January, every year, provides an insight into the culture, folk songs and dance of Jaisalmer. Sand dunes, Jain temples, palaces and a colourful display of the art and craft of the destination draw a large number of people, from within the country and outside as well. Tourists can also try various attractive packages options to tour Jaisalmer.

The best time to visit Jaisalmer is between the months of October to February. Those visiting in January can be a part of the Desert Festival, which is held for three days during this time.


Travelling to Jaisalmer
To reach Jaisalmer by air, the nearest airport is at Jodhpur at a distance of 285 km. Jodhpur is connected to Delhi and Jaipur by air. The other nearest airport which is an international airport is at Delhi, well connected with all main cities in India and important international cities. From these airports, buses are available to Jaisalmer.

Jaisalmer Railway Station is the chief railway station in the western railway zone. Connected to Jodhpur and other cities in India, Jaisalmer Railway Station, the journey takes about six hours for journey.

Jaisalmer is connected by buses from Jaipur, Bikaner and Ajmer. It is also well connected by train to Lalgarh, Bikaner, Delhi and Jod

Manesar

Manesar is part of the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi and lies in the Gurgaon District in Haryana. It is famous for the Sultanpur Bird

Sanctuary, which is inhabited by more than 250 bird species. Another major attraction in the region is the Damdama Lake which is popular for

activities like hot air ballooning, parasailing, kayaking, rock climbing and angling. Over 190 species of native and migratory birds can be

spotted near the lake.

The Mata Sheetala Devi temple at Manesar is known for the festival celebrated during the month of Chaitra (March-April). The famous Sohna

Sulphur Springs, located near the Damdama Lake, has temperature ranging from 460 Celsius to 510 Celsius and is believed to cure skin diseases.

Situated on the lower Aravalli Ranges, Manesar lies on a hilltop. Besides the idyllic beauty of the Aravalli Ranges, Manesar has many places of

tourist interest. Some among these tourist attractions overlap with Gurgaon. Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Damdama Lake and Mata Sheetala Devi

Temple are the well known tourist spots at Manesar. From Manesar, excursions can be taken to the outskirts of Gurgaon to visit Sohna and also

to the town of Nuh, where the tomb of Sheikh Musa is located.

Shirdi

Shirdi is a small village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. The small village is 100 km from Nashik. It is today a hustling pilgrimage

center of India.

Shirdi was the home of Sai Baba, the great saint of the 20th century. The saint lived in Shirdi for more than 50 years of his life. He made the

small village a big pilgrimage site for devotees. Devotees throng from all over the world.

Sai Baba entered this village when he was 16 years of age. He appeared under a neem tree and was engaged in a hard self-mortification. The

saint devoted his entire life for the upliftment of the poor and the suffering. The saint’s origin and early life are covered in enigma. He is

believed to be an embodiment of lord Shiva.

The whole village and every corner of it have some association with the great saint. The great saint left for heavenly abode in 1918 and his

Samadhi is visited by thousands of tourists even today.

The place where Sai Baba came to Shirdi as a Bal Yogi is known as Gurusthan. There is a temple at this site and a small shrine in Gurusthan.

The small town of Shirdi is full of fragrance with the devotional intensity of devotees from across the world. The hamlet is placed highly on

the world map of spirituality.

The streets of the holy town are full of shops which sell Sai Baba record of his life. Anyone can visit the holy place easily. The town is well

developed and is connected by bus routes.

Ladakh Tourism

Things to do in Ladakh

Shanti Stupa, Hall of Fame, Hemis Gompa, Shey Palace, Stok Palace and Museum, Thiksey Gompa, Alchi Choskor and Lamayuru Gompa are chief attractions in Ladakh-Leh. Leh also offers travellers a chance to participate in adventure sports like mountaineering, white water rafting and trekking. For the same, tourists can opt for Ladakh holiday packages.
Food & shopping in Ladakh

The region has many small restaurants and pit stops run by locals, which serve traditional Tibetan food such as momos and thukpa. The butter tea served here made with yak�s milk is a must-try. There is not much to shop in Ladakh except souvenirs from local stores.
Travelling to Ladakh

The best time to visit Ladakh is during summers from the month of June to September. Tourists are advised to carry a lot of woolens, as it tends to get extremely cold even during the summer season. The best way to reach Ladakh is by road. Tourists can drive down from Manali to Leh or also enter the region via Srinagar. 

Allahabad Tourism

Formerly known as Prayag, Allahabad is situated on an island peninsula. Located in the southern part of Uttar Pradesh, the beautiful city stands at the confluence of three holy rivers -- Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. To the south and the west of Allahabad is the Bundelkhand region, while to the east of the city is the Baghelkhand region.
According to Hindu mythology, the land was chosen by Lord Brahma, the creator, for 'Prakrishta Yajna'. Since then, the city was known as 'Prayag' and was believed to be blessed by gods. Foreseeing the sanctity of Allahabad, the place was named as 'Tirth Raj' by Lord Brahma, which means King of all Pilgrimage Centres. Besides being a major pilgrimage centre, the city also holds an important position in the formation of modern India.
When Allahabad was annexed in 1193 by Muhammad of Ghor, the city became a part of the Delhi Sultanate. In 1526, the Mughal invasion of India began, after which the city became a part of their empire. Emperor Akbar founded Allahabad by the name of 'Illhabas' in 1575 AD, meaning the City of Allah, which has now become Allahabad.
During the medieval period, this holy city of Uttar Pradesh enjoyed the honour of being a religio-cultural centre of India. For a long period, the city was the provincial capital of the Mughals, which was later captured by the Marathas.
The British history of Allahabad began in 1801 AD, when the Nawab of Oudh ceded the city to the British throne. The famous Allahabad Fort, constructed by Akbar, was used by the British army for their military purposes.
By 1857 AD, the city became the centre of the war of Independence and thus played a crucial role in the Indian Freedom Movement against British Rule. In 1858 AD, India was officially handed over to the British Government by the East India Company.  After the first War of Independence, the city was made the capital of the United Province of Agra and Oudh.
Thus, the city was the heart of the Indian Freedom Movement with Anand Bhawan being its epicentre. It was in this beautiful city that the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi proposed his program of non-violent resistance against the British to liberate India.

Vijaywada Tourism

Vijayawada is the third biggest city in Andhra Pradesh. It is located at the head of the Krishna delta and surrounded by the Budameru River on the north and the Indrakiladri Hills on the west.  The meaning of Vijayawada is “The Place of Victory”.

Legends suggest that the name of the city was derived, when Lord Shiva blessed Arjuna on the Indrakiladri Hills. Another legend states that Goddess Durga rested here after killing the demon and she came to be known as victorious or the Vijaya as she defeated the demon, thus the name.

According to the records of Vishnu Puranam, King Madhava Varma, the ancestor of Poosapati Kings, built the kingdom of Vijayawada. He also constructed the temple of Kanaka Durga at Indrakiladri. Besides, this place is also an important religious centre for Hindus and Buddhists. The Chalukyas of Kalyan and Krishna Deva Raya once reined over this place for years.

The fate of the city took a turning point after the construction of three irrigation canals – Ryves, Eluru and Bandar along with a barrage in 1855, and the rail bridge over the river Krishna in 1892. The city witnessed immense growth in this century and became an important trade centre in the pre independence era.

Agra Fort

Agra Fort, is a monument,  is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is about 2.5 km northwest of its more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled city. After First Battle of Panipat, in 1526 Mughals captured the fort and a vast treasure - which included a diamond that was later named as the Koh-i-Noor diamond - was seized. Babur stayed in the fort in the palace of Ibrahim. He built a baoli (step well) in it. Humayun was crowned here in 1530. Humayun was defeated in Bilgram in 1540. Sher Shah and his descendants held the fort for fifteen years. In 1555, Humanyun recaptured it for some time when the Hindu king 'Hem Chandra Vikramaditya' defeated his army and captured the fort. Akbar defeated the Hindu King Hemu finally at the Second Battle of Panipat in 1556.

Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam, or Vizag as it was often called, is the true spot where one can find the beauty of Andhra. Lapped by the Bay of Bengal, on the eastern part of Andhra Pradesh lies the beach city, Vishakapatnam. It is the best tourism destination in Andhra Pradesh. Visakhapatnam has beautiful hill ranges caves,valleys,temples and also from lakes to cool beaches and many more.
The district has many tourism spots that will definitely be exciting, enriching and refreshing experience.It is one of the fastest growing cities in Asia. Visakhapatnam is a city of cultural & religious diversity.It has many tourism spots that represent the Culture and Heritage of the true India.No one should miss to see the Cultural constructions built during the age of kings who ruled this region.

Sarnath

Sarnath, renowned as a Buddhist shrine, is a city located about 13 kilometres north-east of Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The place is known for being among the four major Buddhist pilgrimage destinations.

Every year Sarnath is visited by tourists for its famous Buddhist sites and stupas along with Deer Park. Buddhism is a major part of Sarnath for several years as this is the place, where Buddha, preached his first sermon.

Sarnath, formally Isipathana, is among one of the four holiest places. The name of this place was derived from the name of Saranganatha (God of Deer). It is believed that this deer was born in the Deer Park, which is also a place where Buddha preached the Dharma for the first time. Every year a number of tourists and historians come here to visit Buddhist sites in Sarnath.

The history of Sarnath dates back to 528 B.C, when Lord Buddha came to this place 5 weeks after attaining salvation in Bodhgaya. As per the memoirs of Huien Tsang, Deer park was constructed by the Jataka king of Benaras.

In 1026 AD, the invasion of Muhammad Ghazni had affected the monuments of the city. The British archaeologists dug out the site and now this place has significant importance in terms of culture and religious heritage for many people.

Amarnath Tourism

    The destination has derived its name from Amar, which means Immortal and Nath, which means God. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Amarnath is among the most sacred pilgrim sites in the entire subcontinent.

According to a legend, Lord Shiva was asked by Parvati to tell her the secret of immortality. He resisted for a long time; however, her constant insistence led to reveal this secret to her. For knowing the mysteries behind the creation, they both travelled to an isolated location in the Himalayas. In order to keep the mystery of creation as a secret from any form of life on earth, he chose this isolated place.

On his way to the Himalayas, Shiva left his bull, Nandi, at Pahalgaon and his moon at Chandanwari. Lord Ganesha, his son, was left at Mahagunas Hill and the snakes were left at Sheshnag. At Panchtarni, Lord Shiva finally left all the five elements and then accompanied Parvati inside the cave.

To ensure that no living creature heard the secret of immortality, Lord Shiva created a fire to destroy any sort of life present within the cave. After this, he started narrating the secret to Goddess Parvati.

Gokarna Tourism

About Gokarna Tourism   
Gokarna is a village in Karnataka, in the district of Uttara Kannada. It’s situated on the coast of Karwar and lies between the rivers Gangavali and Agnashini.

History of Gokarna
The name Gokarna is derived from two words, Go and Karna, and literally translates to cow’s ear. It is said that Lord Shiva was born here out of an ear of a cow. Another plausible reason for the naming of the place could be its geographic location. The area where it is located is the confluence of rivers Gangavali and Agnashini and resembles the shape of a cow’s ear.

The early settlements of the region can be traced back to the Brahmins. They escaped from Gomantak to avoid the forcible conversions being executed by the British and the Portuguese. They came and settled in and around Gokarna in the 15th century and were helped by King Mayurvarma in their resettlement. King Mayurvarma was a Kadamba king of that era.

Gokarna used to be a part of the kingdoms of Vijaynagar and Sodhe, before the Konkan region was forcefully taken over by the Portuguese. Gokarna also has a few mythological tales associated with it.

According to one, Ravana, after receiving the Atmalinga from Lord Shiva, stopped here for his evening prayers while going back to Lanka. He had been instructed by Lord Shiva not to keep the Atmalinga on the ground, since it would be fixed wherever it touched ground.

Thadiyandamol

    Located in Coorg district, Thadiyandamol is rated as one of the most beautiful treks in South India. The trek route to the second highest peak of Karnataka passes through sprawling coffee and spice plantations interspersed with forests, waterfalls, natural water springs and rolling hills. The air is full of aroma of cardamoms, coffee and other spices.

Thadiyandamol, which literally means ‘the highest point’, is 5742 feet (1748 metres) above sea level. A view from the top is simply breathtaking and offers panoramic views of Brahmagiri Hills and dense forests of Makutta adorning it along with an expansive view of Arabian Sea at the distant horizon. The best season to trek is from October to February.

Locals say that while there are almost 18 trek routes to approach the peak, the ‘Palace route’ is the most popular and shorter trek route passing through an old palace called ‘Nalku Naadu Aramane’ by the locals.

Adventure-loving trekkers can extend the trek to visit Kallumani caves, which can be accessed only through the extremely dense forests but offers gorgeous landscapes and plentiful wildlife.

About Bhandardara Tourism

Bhandardara, the town located in Maharashtra in Ahemdnagar District, lies approximately 185 km from the state capital of Mumbai. It is a holiday resort located by the River Pravara. The place is known for its natural beauty and its quiet and soothing environments.

It attracts a lot of tourists every year because of its eco-tourism opportunities. Two of the important tourist attractions of the place are the Bhandardara Lake and the Randha Waterfalls.

According to Hindu Mythology, it was at Bhandardara that Sage Agasti prayed to the Lord, without eating anything for a year. On being pleased with his devotion, God gave Agasti a stream of the Ganga River which is the present day River Pravara.

The nearest town to Bhandardara is Nashik, which is accessible by road. Although this village resort does not have a railway station, it is well connected to other cities in Maharashtra by road. The village is surrounded by Mount Kalsubai, which is the highest peak of the state. It provides scope for trekking and mountaineering.

There are also the forts of Ratangad and Harishchandragad Fort to see here. The Ratangad Fort is around 200 years old and from the fort, views of Bhandardara are available. The Harishchandragad Fort was built during the 6th century, when the Kalchuri Dynasty ruled.

Aizawl Tourism

Aizawl, the capital city of the state of Mizoram, is a favoured destination of solitude seekers. Located on the Tropic of Cancer, on the Himalayan ranges, the city is one of the foremost cities in the north-eastern region of India.

The 112 year old hill fortress offers ample opportunities for sightseeing, recreation and adventure. Set in the midst of beautiful landscapes, the destination is situated on an elevated platform at an altitude of 4,000 ft above sea level. One of the highlighting characteristics of the region is timber houses positioned between profusion of flowers.

The cloudless blue skies, dewy mornings and sunlight streaming through the woods are ideal for a relaxing holiday. Along with the Tlawng River, the Turial River Valley gives an opportunity to visit the high hills of Durtlang and other adjacent areas.

The hill station of Aizawl also houses administrative houses like the State Assembly and Civil Secretariat. The state has several public sector offices and is a beehive of economic activities of the region.

Some of the attractions in Aizawl are the State Museum on Mcdonald Hill, known as Zarkawt, which exhibits various artefacts and historical relics related with Mizo culture. Chapchar Kut, Min Kut and Pawl Kut festivals are hosted in the city, which is celebrated with zeal in the traditional Mizo style.

Kashid Beach Tourism

  
Kashid Beach is located on the coastline of the Arabian Sea, in the Northern Konkan region in Maharashtra. It lies on the Alibag-Murud road, at a distance of about 30 km from Alibag and about 160 km from Mumbai. The beach is considered one of the best beaches in the Konkan region.

Kashid Beach is popular for its white sand, blue waters, lakes, water streams and green mountains in the surroundings. The beach stretches for about 3 km and lies amidst two rocky hills. There are casuarina groves throughout the seashore.

The waves here rise as high as 5 to 6 feet, making it ideal for surfing. However, surfing is usually not allowed during the monsoons, in between the months of June to September, as the waves become very high.

There are a number of historical and other places to visit in and around the beach town of Kashid. Janjira Fort is a popular fort, which is strategically located right in the centre of the sea and has historical significance. The Nawab’s Palace is another attraction which displays great architectural work. Birla Temple and the Ganapati Temple are two of the most popular temples in the region.

Tourists visiting the Kashid Beach can also visit Murud, which is at a short distance from this place. It is an old town, which is inhabited by fishermen. It also has a clean beach. Revdanda Beach Fort is a tourist attraction located 8 km from Revdanda and has a fort that is in ruins and a hilltop Datta Mandir.

Hyderabad Tourism

Hyderabad was founded by Muhammad Quli Qutab Shah, the fifth sovereign of the Qutab Shahi dynasty, in the year 1591. Initially, Golconda was the capital of the Qutab Shahi dynasty, who ruled over Deccan during the period 1512 – 1687.

The name Hyderabad literally means ‘city of Hyder’ since it was named after Queen Hyder Mahal, wife of King Qutab Shah. With the help of Iranian architects, Hyderabad was erected in a grid format. The city was modeled on the city of Isfahan of Iran. With the construction of Hyderabad city, it became the capital city of Qutb Shahi rulers.

The cultural facet of Hyderabad is distinctly different from the Telugu culture of the rest of Andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad has a rich Hyderabadi culture of its own, a blend of Persian and Telugu cultures, which flourished under the reign of the Qutab Shahis.

Hyderabad is also known as the ‘City of Nizams’ since it was ruled for a long time by the Nizams. The Nizams of Hyderabad were famous as the wealthiest royals in the history of India. 

Somnath Tourism

    Somnath or Pattan Somnath is located in the Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval in Saurashtra, on the western coast of the State of Gujarat. The temple of Somnath is one of the holiest pilgrimage spots for Hindus and is visited by pilgrims all round the year.

Somnath is situated at a distance of 79 km from Junagadh, 25 km from Chorwad and 5 km from Veraval Beach, on the confluence of the mythological Saraswati, Hiranya and Kapila rivers. The temple of Somnath has one of the twelve Jyotirlings or religious Shiva shrines of India.

Somnath had been destroyed quite a few times by its invaders who were attracted by its treasures and wealth. As per the ancient inscriptions and carvings found in Somnath, it is clear that the place was originally inhabited by Aryans.

Somnath was a princely state of Junagadh before Indian Independence. The place received its name from the Somnath temple. Somnath is also known by names like Deo Pattan, Prabhas Pattan or Pattan Somnath.

It is believed that the first temple of Somnath was erected much before the beginning of the Common Era. The references to the Temple of Somnath can be found in ancient texts like Rig Veda, Skandpuran, Shreemad Bhagavat Geeta, Shivpuran, etc.

Kudremukh

Kudremukh
Kudremukh also spelled Kuduremukha is a mountain range in Chikkamagaluru district, in Karnataka, India. It is also the name of a small hill station town situated near the mountain, about 48 kilometers from Karkala and about 20 kilometers from Kalasa. The name Kuduremukha (as it is known by the natives) literally means 'horse-face' (in the local language Kannada) and refers to a particular picturesque view of a side of the mountain that resembles the same. It was also referred to as 'Samseparvata', historically since it was approached from Samse village.

The town of Kudremukh is primarily an iron ore mining town where the government run Public Sector Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd. (KIOCL) operated till the last decade. It is noted for its scenic beauty. Owing to the dense forests, sighting wildlife can be challenging, though the area is rich in wildlife. Nonetheless the drive through the forest ranges can be enchanting and exhilarating. Three important rivers, the Tunga, the Bhadra and the Nethravathi are said to have their origin here. A shrine of goddess Bhagavathi and a Varaha image, 1.8 m within a cave are the main attractions.

The Tunga river and Bhadra river flow freely through the parklands. Kadambi waterfalls area definite point of interest for anyone who travels to the spot. The animals found there include the malabar civet, wild dogs, sloth bear and spotted deer.

Recently, it is declared a Tiger Reserve, as part of the Bhadra Tiger Sanctuary. It was declared by the honourable Union Environmental Minister, Mr.Jairam Ramesh.

Gangtok Tourism

Gangtok, the land of monasteries, is also the largest town of Sikkim. Situated in the Shivalik Hills and lying at an altitude of 1437 m, it’s an important Buddhist Pilgrimage Centre. Gangtok gained religious significance among the Buddhists after the construction of the Enchey Monastery in the latter part of the 19th century.

History of Gangtok
It was an important trade centre between the British and Tibet during the 19th century. Gangtok was made the capital of Sikkim in 1894 by Thutob Namgyal, who was a monarch under the British Rule. When India gained independence in 1947, Sikkim chose to be an independent monarchy and Gangtok continued to be its capital.

However, in 1975, after a period of strife and struggle, Sikkim was finally made an Indian state and Gangtok was made its official capital. The city suffered a major setback in its trade relations with Tibet after the Nathu La Pass was closed following the Sino-Indian war of 1962. However, the Pass has been opened in 2006, and Gangtok has again started functioning as a major trade point between India and Tibet.

People & Culture of Gangtok
The town has people from different ethnicities. The presence of Buddhists, Chinese, Tibetans as well as Hindus gives Gangtok a colourful ambience and every festival is celebrated here with the same fervour. Some of the popularly celebrated festivals are Losum and Losar, among others.

Most of the economy of Gangtok depends on tourism. A large part of the population of the town is employed in the tourism sector. Of late, eco-tourism has picked up in the region with tourists being offered the opportunity of trekking, rafting as well as mountaineering. Apart from the tourism industry, cottage industries form the other major portion of Gangtok’s economy which deals in watch making, handicrafts and local alcohol processing.

Things to do in Gangtok
Gangtok is full of gompas, stupas, parks and gardens. Some of the major attractions in and around Gangtok are the Rumtek Monastery, Pemayangtse Monastery, Tashiding Monastery, Tsomgo Lake, Nathu La Pass, Hanuman Tok etc. Visitors who want to explore Gangtok and its surroundings but do not want to do the planning themselves can opt for the several Gangtok holiday packages available.

Daman And Diu

Daman & Diu, the second smallest Union Territory of India, is located on the west coast. Daman and Diu are two separate areas, geographically located within the state of Gujarat. Daman is close to the town of Vapi in southern Gujarat, while Diu is near Junagarh in the Saurashtra Peninsula of Gujarat. Daman & Diu were part of the Portuguese territories in India, and joined the Indian Union in 1961. After that Goa, Daman & Diu were part of a single Union Territory till 1987 when Goa became a separate state. Daman is the administrative headquarters of Daman & Diu.

Daman is divided by the Damanganga River into two parts. It is known for its twin forts the Moti Daman and the Nani Daman. Moti Daman has wide streets, a 17th-century church the Se Cathedral and a lighthouse. Nani Daman has the Church of Our Lady of Rosary and a fishing village nearby. Near the river is an 18th-century Jain Temple with murals. In Dabhel village is the important Somnath Mahadev Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Devka Beach and Jampore beach are also tourist spots.

Diu is a tiny island in the Arabian Sea, near the port of Veraval, connected by two bridges to the mainland. Chassi is its main river. To the east of the town of Diu is the Diu Fort, right on the coast. The Panikotha (Water House) is a smaller fortress and accessible by boat. Gangeshwar Temple is dedicated to Shiva. The churches of St. Paul and St. Francis of Assisi are located at the Jallandhar Beach. The Nagoa Beach is a fine beach and so named because of its horseshoe shape. Diu is also noted for its birdlife including blue rock pigeon, doves and parrots. During the cooler months from August till February many migratory birds also visit the island.

JOGFALLS

Located in Shimoga District in the South Indian state of Karnataka, Jog Falls is the highest untiered waterfall in India. Unlike other waterfalls, the Jog Falls directly plunges and does not stream onto rocks. The waterfall finds its origin in the Sharavathi River and falls from a height of 253 metres. The falls is also known as Gerusoppe Falls, Gersoppa Falls and Jogada Gundi.

The Jog Falls is one of the most well-known tourist sites in the state of Karnataka. The segmented waterfall comprises of four distinct falls named Raja, Rani, Roarer and Rocket, each merging together to form the huge waterfalls and presenting a picture of grandeur. The uniqueness of Jog Falls lies in the fact that the water does not flow down in a tiered fashion.

The Raja Falls peacefully streams down; the Rani Falls follows a winding path, the Rover Falls bursts out of a rocky stretch, while the Rocket Falls gushes out in high speed remaining true to its name. The natural beauty and the forestry around add to the beauty of the falls and create a picture of natural abundance.

Dalhousie Tourism

Dalhousie is a popular hill resort situated in the Dhauladhar range of Himachal Pradesh. It is the gateway to the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. The hill station of Dalhousie comprises of five distinct hills - Kathlog, Portreyn, Tehra, Bakrota and Balun, which covers an area of about 13 sq. km. Situated in the western Himalayas, Dalhousie is at a distance of about 563 km from Delhi, 300 km from Chandigarh, 191 km from Amritsar and 56 km from Chamba.

The Dhauladhar range of Himachal Pradesh had attracted the British during the period of British colonisation. Lord Napier Magdala wanted to set up a hospital for chronic diseases in Chamba in the outer slopes of the Dauladhar range.

In 1853, the Raja of Chamba agreed to transfer the plateau of Kathlog, Portreyn, Tehra and Bakrota to the British Raj to establish the sanatorium, which was eventually named after Lord Dalhousie, the first British Governor General of India. In 1866, Balun was also taken over by the British.

Tezpur

   Tezpur is located in Sonitpur district in the state of Assam. Apart from being an administrative and educational centre of Assam, it is recognised as an ancient city and a major base for the Indian Army and Air force. The city is also known as the main commercial hub of Assam. Tezpur has great contributions in art, culture and literature, in the history of Assam. Every year the city is visited for its tourist places and holy temples. 

The name of the place originated from the Sanskrit words 'Teza' that means blood and 'Pura' that means town or city. According to legend, the original name of the city was Sonitpur. Modern day Tezpur was established by the British colonial administration in 1835, which used to be the headquarters of Darrang district.

Tezpur is located at a distance of around 191 kilometres from Guwahati and at the north bank of the River Brahmaputra. Tezpur is one of the top tourist destinations in Assam. Some of the major tourist spots of Tezpur are Agnigarh, Mahabhairab Temple, Ketakeshwar Dewal, Bamuni Hills, etc.

Shanktiniketan

Santiniketan is a cultural town in West Bengal, near Bolpur, which is 180 km from Kolkata. This small cultural town was a vision of the famous Bengali poet and Nobel Laureate, Rabindranath Tagore. The Vishwa Bharati University or ‘the University Town’, as it was known in early days was an attempt of Tagore’s efforts that even today attracts significant number of visitors to the place.

With a rich cultural past, Santiniketan is a famous tourist attraction, especially for art and literature lovers, as this is the place where Tagore created many of his literary classics. The destination has a distinct culture and heritage of its own which can be experienced in the various festivals it celebrates like Poush Mela, Basantotsava and Rabindra Jayanti. 

The Poush Mela, which is held in the month of December every year, is a major attraction of Santiniketan. Since the Poush Mela draws a large number of people, accommodations need to be booked well in advance. Almost all hotels hike their tariffs during this time. The fair is also a good place to buy local handicrafts like Santinekatani leather work, batik prints, dokra work and jewellery. 

An upcoming event in Santiniketan is the Basantotsava ‘Spring Festival’, which heralds the spring season and is held during Holi. To be held around 8th March, 2012, it is a good time to visit the university town. Students are dressed in yellow costumes and welcome spring through Tagore's songs and dances. A lot of open-air programmes are held during this time. Accommodation, again, is hard to find at the time as there is a huge rush and it is essential to make arrangements well in advance. Room rates are also higher at this time.

Accommodation options, in the form of guesthouses, hotels, resorts and lodges, are available in and around Santiniketan, especially Bolpur. Youth hostels are available at Bolpur and Bakreswar. There is a WBTDC tourist lodge as well as a guest house run by the Vishwa Bharati.

Santiniketan is included in the popular cultural-religious tourist trio, which is a circuit that includes Bakreswar and Tarapith too. The trip originates at Santiniketan, and from there moves towards Bakreswar and then finally Tarapith. 

Gokarna

Gokarna is also an important centre of Sanskrit learning and houses Bhandikeri Math and Toggu Math. It

is a place where Sanskrit knowledge is passed down from generations in Brahmin families. Many Hindus

also perform the last rites of a person here.

    Mahabaleshwar Temple (Maha: great, bal: strength) is a famous Shiva Temple and it houses the

'Atmalinga'. Named so after Ravana referred to the linga's great strength. [2]

It is situated at the western end of the main street. The main deity here is two-armed, standing and

at least 1500 years old. The idol of Lord Ganesha also is ancient. In the sanctuary is a stone linga,

encased in brass, placed on a coiled stone serpent. The floor of the hall in front has an intricate

engraving of a giant tortoise.

    Maha Ganapathi Temple built in honour of the boy Ganapathi, who deceived the demon Ravana.
    Uma Maheshwari Temple
    Bhadrakali Temple
    Varadaraj Temple
    Tamra-Gauri Temple
    Shanmuka Temple
    Venkataramana Temple
    Kotitheertha is a man-made tank that is used for immersion of idols and ritual bathing. It is

surrounded by temples.
    Shivaratri festival is celebrated here with great enthusiasm. Each year a team builds up two great

temple chariots which are used during the Shivaratri festival. The two great temple chariots lead a

procession through the town's narrow streets, while priests and pilgrims chant hymns in praise of

Shiva. More than a hundred people are needed to pull the chariots with thick ropes while priests

conduct religious ceremonies inside. During the four day Shivaratri festival, the small town of

Gokarna is visited by up to 20,000 pilgrims.

Dandeli

Dandeli is located at a distance of 125 km from Goa and 480 km from Bangalore and is easily accessible as it is well connected by road with all the major destinations within the state of Karnataka. Its proximity to Goa, Belgaum, Karwar, Dharwad and Hubli makes Dandeli a favourite destination of holiday makers.

The nearest airport to reach Dandeli is at Belgaum, almost 90 km away. Bangalore has the nearest international airport at a distance of over 450 km. From the Belgaum airport, taxis and buses are available to Dandeli. The nearest rail station to Dandeli is Alnavar Junction, 35 km away, which has connections to Belgaum, Bangalore and Hubli.

The best time to visit Dandeli is from October to May. Summers are warm with the temperature going just over 30⁰ Celsius while winters have an average temperature of 25⁰ Celsius. Since Dandeli is a popular spot for white water rafting, a lot of adventure lovers visit the region during December to May, when it is ideal for the sport. Bird watchers can visit the destination in October and November.

Kedarnath Mandir

Kedarnath Mandir is one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located atop the

Garhwal Himalayan range near the Mandakini river in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand in India. Due to extreme

weather conditions, the temple is open only between the end of April to Kartik Purnima (the autumn

full moon). During the winters, the murtis (idols) from Kedarnath temple are brought to Ukhimath and

worshipped there for six months. In this region Lord Shiva is worshipped as Kedarnath, the 'Lord of

Kedar Khand', the historical name of the region. This temple is a Paadal Petra Sthalam (the 275 Holy

Abodes of Shiva on the continent), praised by the Tamil Nayanars saints in the 6th-9th century CE.

The temple is not directly accessible by road and has to be reached by a 14 km uphill trek from

Gaurikund . The temple is believed to have been built by Adi Sankaracharya [1] and is one of the

twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest Hindu shrines of Shiva. The older temple existed from the times of

Mahabharata, when the Pandavas are supposed to have pleased Shiva by doing penance in Kedarnath. The

temple is also one of the four major sites in India's Chota Char Dham pilgrimage of Northern

Himalayas.

Bavikonda

Bavikonda is an important Buddhist heritage site located on a hill about 15 km, northeast from Visakhapatnam city. Here the Buddhist habitation

is noticed on a 16 ha flat terraced area. The Hinayana school of Buddhism was practiced at the monastery between the 3rd century B.C. and the

3rd century A.D. Bavikonda has remains of an entire Buddhist complex, comprising 26 structures belonging to three phases. A piece of bone

stored in an urn recovered here is believed to belong to the mortal remains of the Budda. The word Bavikonda in Telugu means "a hill of wells".

Fitting its name, Bavikonda is a hill with wells for the collection of rainwater. It is located 15 km (9.3 mi) from Visakhapatnam and is a

significant Buddhist site. Excavation carried out from 1982–1987 revealed a Buddhist establishment including a mahachaitya embedded with relic

caskets,[clarification needed] a large vihara complex, numerous votive stupas, a stone-pillared congregation and rectangular halls and a

refectory. Artifacts recovered from the site include Roman and Satavahana coins and pottery dating from the third century BC to the second

century AD. A significant finding was a piece of bone (with a large quantity of ash) in an urn, which is believed to be the remains of the

Buddha. The Bavikonda site is considered one of the oldest Buddhist sites in Asia. It is a reminder of the Buddhist civilisation which once

existed in southern India, and also reminiscent of Borobudur in Indonesia.

Manipur

Manipur

Until recently, entry to Manipur was controlled by the central government, for both foreigners and citizens of India. The state government as per directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India on 9 November, relaxed existing guidelines of the ministry's circular No. 249 under letter no. 15011/7/95-F.I dated 29/6/1998 and delegated powers to issue Protected Area Permits (PAP):

    To visiting foreign tourists in a group of two or more persons with a recognized travel agent who would act as an escort of the group up to a maximum period of 30 days.
    Foreigners married to Indian nationals belonging to Manipur can visit the state on tourist visa for a maximum period of 90 days.
    IO/OCI card holder hailing from Manipur, visiting foreign nationals engaged in development/welfare project would continue to require prior permission of MHA after examining proposal in consultation with security agencies, MHA may consider issue of PAP to such visits of foreign nationals initially for a period up to 180 days.

The official order of state Home department also mentioned the permitted areas of foreigners to be visit in the state including, Loktak Lake, Imphal, INA Memorial Moirang, Keibul Lamjao Deer Sanctuary, Waithou Lake, Imphal-Bishnupur-Phubala-Moirang-sendra-Keibul Lamjao-Imphal, Imphal _Moirang Lake-Keibul Lamjao-Churachandpur-Khuga River-Imphal, Imphal-Litan-Ukhrul-Shiroy-Sangshak-Imphal, Imphal-Thoubal- Waithou Lake- Khongjom-Kakching- Thongjao-Waikhong-Sugunu-Imphal, Imphal-Khonghampat-Kanglatombi-Kangpokpi-Senapati-Karong-Mao gate-Imphal and Imphal Noneh-Khongsang-Nungba-Jiribam-Imphal.

The official order further mentioned whereas until now foreigners were required to travel by air from Calcutta to Imphal, henceforth, foreign tourists will also be allowed to enter by road along with NH-39 and NH-53. This circuit would be Dimapur-Kohima-Imphal-Jiribam-Silchar, the official order mentioned.

TAMBARAM

Tambaram is a suburb of Chennai situated 27 km south of the city in Tamil Nadu, India. It is an urban node. Tambaram is a hub to all major destinations in south Tamil Nadu as it lies on the busy Chennai–Trichy national highway. The highway and the railway line from Chennai Egmore to Kanyakumari divide the town into East Tambaram and West Tambaram. The Chennai suburban railway network operates a suburban railway service from Chennai Beach to Tambaram. Southern railways is also planning to make Tambaram railway station as the third major terminal after Chennai Central and Egmore.
Tambaram is considered to be a satellite town as it caters to the needs of various suburbs like Padappai, Selaiyur, Agaram, Madambakkam, Mudichur and Mannivakkam. Tambaram is geographically divided into West, East and Tambaram Sanatorium. East Tambaram is well known for its many educational institutions. The prominent among them is the Madras Christian College.

Kullu attractions

Handloom Kullu Shawl is the best treasure one can look for. Kullu Shawls are made of many natural fibers such as pashmina, sheep-wool, angora etc..

Raghunath Temple

In the 17th century, Raja Jagat Singh of Kullu committed a great wrong. To atone for the sin, he sent a senior courtier to Ayodhya for a statue of Lord Raghunath - Lord Rama. This temple was built by Raja Jagat Singh to house the image and even today, is greatly revered.

Shringi Rishi Temple- Banjar

About 60 km. from Kullu is Banjar valley wherein Shringi Rishi Temple is located. Shringi Rishi is the ruling deity of Banjar valley. In fact, before the Lord Rama's advent into Kullu valley from Ayodhya Puri,Lord Shringi was the ruling deity of Kullu. Shringi rishi is one among the "atthara kardoo" (eighteen chief deities) of the Kullu valley. [more inform.- shringi rishi Wikipedia, Yeshwant Singh tutorials].

Maha Devi Tirth Temple Shri Mahadevi Tirth, popularly known as Vaishno Devi Mandir (by localities), situated about two kilometers North from the Kullu valley on Kullu Manali road, though a newly founded temple, yet it is acknowledged like any old famous temple. The foundation of this temple was laid by [Swami Sewak Das Ji].

Bijli Mahadev

Bijli Mahadev Temple is one of the most excellent forms of art in India. It is located at 2,435 meters from sea level and is about 10 km away from Kullu. The staff of the temple is 60 feet high and can be seen from the Kullu valley too. It is the highest point around Kullu from where the beautiful view of the whole town, and more can be experienced.

Devta Narsingh

Temple of Devta Narsingh is a famous temple of deity 'Narsingh' and situated in Sultanpur block of Kullu.

Raison

By the banks of the Beas -and on the Kullu-Manali highway - Himachal Tourism runs a camping site here. Ideal for a taste of adventure.

Shoja

At 2692 m, this is a vantage point for a complete panorama of the Kullu area - snow peaks and valleys, meadows and forests, rivers and streams.

Basheshwar Mahadev Temple, Bajaura One of the most charming temples in the Kullu valley, this is renowned for its intricate stone carvings

Kasol

An open glade by the banks of the river Parvati. Clean white sand separates the lush green grass from the waters. A good spot for trout. Himachal Tourism has a Tourist Hut here.

Naggar

For 1400 years this was the capital of Kullu. Its 16th century stone and wood castle is now a hotel run by Himachal Tourism. Here, a gallery houses the paintings of the Russian artist, Nicholas Roerich. Naggar also has three other old shrines. Other Attractions

Kullu Dussehra

When Dussehra celebrations come to an end in the rest of the country, they begin at Kullu. The State government has accorded the status of International festival to the Kullu Dussehra, which attracts tourists in large numbers. About 200 local deities come to pay homage to Lord Raghunath.[5] This is a time when the valley is at its colourful best.

Kullu Holi

Holi is the festival of colors celebrated for two days in Kullu.Its unique feature is that people of the town collect in temple and then they proceed to houses of town people singing sacred holi songs and in return they are given sweets,pakoras and hard drinks etc. Women also take part in the festival with same enthusiasm and happiness as Men.

Fishing and Adventure

The Kullu valley has numerous places for trout fishing. These include Katrain, Raison, Kasol and Naggar, then along the river Tirthan near Larji, in the Sainj Valley and in the Hurla khud.

The valley is the nucleus of several trek routes. Some major ones are over the Chanderkhani Pass to Malana, over the Jalori Pass or Bashleo Pass to Shimla, and over the Pin Parvati Pass to Sarahan.

White water rafting is popular on the Beas river.

Ranchi

Ranchi is the state capital of the Indian state of Jharkhand and is known for its large mineral contents, which forms 18% of the total mineral

content of India. This is why it is called the ‘Manchester of the East’. It is also called the ‘city of waterfalls’ for comprising many small

and big waterfalls in its premises.

The city is spread over an area of 175.12 square kilometres and has an elevation of about 629 metres from the sea level. It is situated in the

southern part of the Chota Nagpur Plateau and also forms the eastern edge of the Deccan Plateau. It also possesses a hilly typography, which is

complimented by dense tropical forests.

Ranchi has derived its name from an Oraon village called ‘Archi’ present in the area. Archi means bamboo grove or stave in Oraon language.

Ranchi is the headquarters of Ranchi District and was earlier known as Lohardaga. It was also an important administrative and military base of

eastern India, during the British rule.

Later on, the city developed as a crucial trade and commerce centre for sericulture as well as the leading manufacturer of shellac. Ranchi is

also referred to as the ‘vegetable bowl’ due to thick vegetation of green vegetables in its villages.

Ranchi also offers many options for tourists ranging from temples and science centres, to waterfalls. Some prominent temples in the city

include the Rajrappa Mandir, Pahari Temple, Durga Bari, Kali Bari, Jagannathpur Temple, Surya temple, Dewri Temple, etc.

Waterfalls in Ranchi include the Hundru Falls, Dasham Falls, Jonha Falls, Hirni and Panchghagh Falls. Other tourist attractions in the place

include the Nakshatra Van, Aqua World, Birsa Zoological Park, Deer Park, Dr. Zakhir Hussain Park, Ranchi Science Centre, and others.

The city of Ranchi is also well-connected with other cities of Jharkhand and states of India through road, railways and airways. Ranchi has a

state bus terminus near its railway station and it has frequent railway services from states like Mumbai, Delhi, Jabalpur, Patna, Bangalore,

Guwahati, Kolkata and many more. Ranchi is also accessible by airways through its official airport, the Birsa Munda Airport.

Ranchi has a subtropical climate and generally experiences a pleasant climate throughout the year. It experiences an annual rainfall of around

1100 mm. The months of September, October and November are the best time to visit the place.

History of varansi

The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world, dates back at least 5,000 years. Aryan tribes from the northwest invaded about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier Dravidian inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. Arab incursions starting in the 8th century and Turkish in the 12th were followed by those of European traders, beginning in the late 15th century. By the 19th century, Britain had assumed political control of virtually all Indian lands. Indian armed forces in the British army played a vital role in both World Wars. Nonviolent resistance to British colonialism led by Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU brought independence in 1947. The subcontinent was divided into the secular state of India and the smaller Muslim state of Pakistan. A third war between the two countries in 1971 resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. Despite impressive gains in economic investment and output, India faces pressing problems such as the ongoing dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir, massive overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and ethnic and religious strife.

Thekkady - A showcase of the Wildlife of Kerala

Thekkady - A showcase of the Wildlife of KeralaThekkady is probably the best place in Kerala to observe wildlife and hence nature.From the mighty Indian elephant to the Great Indian tiger,

this place has it all.Elephants, deers, boars, bisons and lion tailed macaques are a common sight in the reservoir area. With some luck,other

animals like tiger and leopard can be observed.The tourism department offers trekking right into the heart of the forest either on foot or atop

elephants.The resort located in an island in the centre of the lake is the ideal place to observe animals.If you are more adventurous ,you can

take the road from Moozhiyar to Thekkadi via Gavi winding through the thickest forests of Kerala.Elephants are a common sight on this

path.Boating through the lake is a very pleasant experience and you can observe many waterbirds at close range.This place is ideal for wildlife

photography.The best time to visit is between September and March.

Baramula

Baramula is located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It stretches over a vast area of 4,588 sq km. There are many temples, shrines, monasteries and gurudwaras, which attract visitors of all communities to this district.

The Baramula District is divided into 16 blocks and 8 tehsils, which are the administrative units of the district. The district shares its borders on the west with the section of Kashmir occupied by Pakistan. It is bordered by Srinagar and Ladakh on the east. Kupwara lies in the north of the district and Budgam and Pooch border the south end of the district of Baramula.

Baramula District has a strategic position in the valley of Kashmir that opened the routes to Rawalpindi and Muzaffarabad, both of which are presently located in Pakistan. The ancient city of Baramula was founded by Raja Bhimsina.

The region attracted the Mughal ruler Akbar who visited the district in the year 1508. Jahangir resided in the region during his visit to the Valley of Kashmir. The Chinese traveller Hieun T'Sang also visited Baramula.

The district is marked for its tolerance towards all religions and has several religious centres. The Teeratha is visited by Hindus. Buddhist devotees visit the Buddist Vihars. The shrine of the Muslim saint Syed Janbaz Wali is sacred to the Muslims.

Chatti Padshahi is the Sikh site of worship visited by pilgrims of the community. The town has some very good schools and there are several big projects underway in order to enhance the infrastructure of the area.

Baramula is famous for its terrain and cool weather. The lakes, mountain streams, valleys, mountain ranges, springs, streams and waterfalls make it a wonderful tourist destination. Some of the places to visit are Gulmarg, Manasbal Lake, Manimarg, Vijimarg, Mahalishamarg and the Wular Lake. Apart from the religious places, there are also two famous archaeological monuments, one at Parihaspora Pattan, and another at Pattan Bazzar, which can be visited.

Baramula lies close to Srinagar and can be easily reached from there. The nearest rail station is at Jammu which is connected to major cities like New Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Kanpur, Nagpur, etc. Buses are available from places like Srinagar, Jammu and Kargil. The best time to visit Baramula is the summer season, i.e. the months of April to July.

Rourkela Steel City

The picturesque and modern twin towns of Rourkela and Fertilizer Township as well as their developed periphery are located in areas that were once covered by

dense forests. Rourkela city came into prominence in the year 1955. According to the census report of 2011 the population of Rourkela City is 7 lakhs approx.

Then railway station of Rourkela was within the revenue village of Mahulpali.

When India obtained independence, a priority for the government was the industrialization of the country. A basic necessity was the production of iron and

steel, and after a search for a suitable location, a steel plant was finally ear-marked.

KALKA

Kalka  is a town in the Panchkula district of Haryana, India. The name of the town is derived from the goddess Kali. The town is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas and is a gateway to the neighbouring state of Himachal Pradesh. It is on the National Highway 22 between Chandigarh and Shimla, and is the terminus of the Kalka-Shimla Railway. To the south of Kalka is Pinjore, and the industrial town of Parwanoo (Himachal Pradesh) is to the north on the NH 22. Industrial development has led to a continuous urban belt from Pinjore to Parwanoo, but Kalka remains largely unaffected by these developments. Nearby is Chandimandir Cantonment where the Western Command of the Indian army is based.

HAWA MAHAL

Maharaja Sawai Jai singh, the ruler of Rajasthan of the Kachwaha clan, was the original planner and builder who built the Jaipur city in 1727. However, it was his grandson Sawai Pratap Singh, son of Maharaja Sawai Madhosingh I, who built the Hawa Mahal in 1799 as a continuation of the Royal City Palace. Pratap Singh's deep devotion to the Hindu god Lord Krishna is inferred to have prompted him to build it as a dedication, in the form of a Mukuta or headgear, adorning the Lord. Though no historical record is available to its exact history, it is conjectured that Royal family ladies, who were under strict observance of purdah (the practice of preventing women from being seen by men), had to be given opportunity to witness proceedings in the market centre and watch the royal processions and festivities sitting behind the stone carved screens. Hawa Mahal did just that in style, amidst its luxurious comforts and behind strict screened exclusivity, unseen by outsiders

Brindavann garden

Even as tourists have begun milling the city ahead of Dasara, the must-see Brindavan Gardens at Krishnarajasagar Dam is not ready yet for the big event.

While the entrance to the Gardens is under construction, the road leading to the spot is being upgraded. The authorities took up construction of an arched entrance to the Brindavan Gardens in February this year. As the work is still on, the visitors must enter through small gates, a make-shift arrangement for over six months. The worse is that the under-construction entry point will not be ready this Dasara. KRS executive engineer Vijaykumar attached to Cauvery Niravari Nigama claims the work on the arch gate will be completed by October 10.

Agumbe

In the state of Karnataka, within the Shimoga District is the hill station of Agumbe. It is a little village nestled on a plateau on the top of the Someshwara Ghat. In the old days, when people used to travel to erstwhile Bombay to colonise there, they would say “agumbe” which meant ‘will eat later’, where ‘later’ stood for ‘the time after descending the hilly terrain’.

A lot of waterfalls dot the areas in different hills and peaks in Agumbe. Situated between the Shimoga and Dakshin Kannada districts, Agumbe is accessible from the nearest town of Sringeri at a distance of 26 km. There are some remnants of temples and artistic sculpture of the Hoysala rule in the 14th century.

Landmark Point of Agumbe village is marked by a microwave tower. This village is primarily a hill which is the highest in the Western Ghats and is termed as the Cherrapunji of South India. It receives the highest amount of rainfall in Southern India and the second highest in the country. Agumbe hill is one of the four peaks in the Western Ghats that borders the mainland and divides it from the coast.

Bordi Beach

Bordi Beach is located about 15 km from a small town of Dahanu, in the Thane district of Maharashtra. This beach stretches for about 17 km, located just 145 km from Mumbai. The clean beach is characterised by the black coloured sticky sand. The presence of the Chikoo orchards in the background renders a sense of tranquillity to the beach. Moreover, the water level never rises above waist line till half a kilometre into the sea.

Bordi Beach, also known as the Dahanu Bordi Beach, is a popular choice of tourists for picnics, gatherings, beach walking tours and horse riding. This beach also holds religious significance for the Zoroastrians. The Mecca of Zoroastrians houses the sacred fire, which has been kept alive for more than a century. The community of Bordi mainly comprises Parsis, who offer Parsi cuisine and bungalows to tourists.

Junagadh

Junagadh is a city and a municipal corporation in the western state of Gujarat. It is the district headquarters of the Junagadh district, and is situated at the foothills of the Girnar hills. It is around 355 km from the capital city Gandhinagar. The literal translation of the name Junagadh means "Old Fort". It is also famous as "Sorath", named after the earlier princely condition of Junagadh.

The town has a rich history as different dynasties ruled it during though time. The place bore witness to the Mauray dynasty, the Chalukya dynasty, and the Mughals, to name a few. A remarkable fort, Uperkot, situated on a highland in the center of the town, was initially built during Chandragupta reign. The castle remained in exercise until 6th century, while it was covered for more than 300 years. The castle was overwhelmed 16 times more in a period of 800 years. One fruitless blockade lasted twelve years.

LUCKNOW-City of Nawabs

Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, was once the artistic capital of northern part of India. The city of Lucknow is popular among tourists for its cultural and traditional heritage. Lucknow belongs to Avadh (Oudh) region. It is also the renowned seat of Shi'ism and is referred to as ‘the epitome of Shia culture’ in India.

Lucknow is traversed by River Gomti, dividing the city in to Trans-Gomti and Cis-Gomti. Located towards the centre of the great Gangetic plain in the seismic zone III, Lucknow is bounded by Barabanki District in the East, Unnao District in the West, Raebareli District in the South and Sitapur and Hardoi districts on its North.

The city of Lucknow is of ancient origin as per the inscriptions given in the epic Ramayana.  Lakshmanpur or Lakhanpur was the initial name of Lucknow. This territory was gifted to Lakshmana by Lord Rama, after conquering Sri Lanka and completing the term of life in exile. Later this region came under the rule of Afghans, Mughals and the British. Lucknow also became a major centre for uprisings like the First War of Independence and Indian Independence Movement.

History of Char Minnar

Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty built Charminar in 1591 AD,shortly after he had shifted his capital from Golkonda to what is now known as Hyderabad. He built this famous structure to commemorate the elimination of a plague epidemic from this city. He is said to have prayed for the end of a plague that was ravaging his city and vowed to build a masjid (Islamic mosque) at the very place where he was praying. In 1591 while laying the foundation of Charminar, Quli Qutb Shah prayed: "Oh Allah, bestow unto this city peace and prosperity. Let millions of men of all castes, creeds and religions make it their abode, like fish in the water.[citation needed]"
The mosque became popularly known as Charminar because of its four (Persian/Hindi char = four) minarets (Minar (Arabic manara) = spire/tower).
It is said that, during the Mughal Governorship between Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi rule, the south western minaret "fell to pieces" after being struck by lightning and "was forthwith repaired" at a cost of Rs 60,000. In 1824, the monument was replastered at a cost of Rs 100,000.
In its heyday, the Charminar market had some 14,000 shops. Today the famous markets known as Laad Baazar and Pather Gatti, near the Charminar, are a favour, of tourists and locals alike for jewellery, especially known for exquisite bangles and pearls respectively.
In 2007, Hyderabadi Muslims living in Pakistan constructed a small-scaled quasi replica of the Charminar at the main crossing of the Bahadurabad neighborhood in Karach.

CHERAPUNJI

It is unusual to return from a doctor's clinic with a vacation idea! However, that is exactly what happened with us when, while waiting at a clinic's reception, we came across an article on living root bridges of Meghalaya in a travel magazine. A quick round of discussion with family and friends and our summer holiday plans were finalized. We were going to Meghalaya!
Our group had a thrilling time in Meghalaya. However, when we were told that a visit to Double Decker is a rough trek and not advisable with family, we were a bit heart-broken.
But then whoever said, 'Where there is a will there is a way' was absolutely right. We certainly did not want to miss this opportunity and the two of us decided to visit the Double Decker on our last day in Cherrapunji. Thankfully our families allowed the two of us to go while they stayed back at the resort to enjoy their time.

Gangtok

Gangtok is very pretty. A relatively small city, 1800 m above sea level, it has a quaint charm. We stayed at the State Circuit House near the Rajbhawan and the view from there was enchanting. Outside vehicles arent allowed to ply in Gangtok and one has to take a local taxi. Our driver Bhutia was an amazing guy, very talkative, friendly and always cracking jokes. That is the way most of the Sikkimese are. They are all fiercely patriotic, something very surprising in a land which was till 1975, an independent monarchy. The Gangtok bazaar was our destination that evening. It’s paradise for the shopaholics. You find items from God-knows-where. I sought out my favourite Momos and found that the Sikkimese version is even tastier than the Darjiling one! The climate is much more congenial to sight-seeing than the somewhat oppressive Darjiling cold. The people here speak excellent Hindi, proof of the popularity enjoyed by Hindi films here. Sikkim has made tremendous progress under its CM, Pawan Chamling. Today it is a power-surplus state and enjoys a high literacy rate. The social-welfare program too has been a success here and beggars who are a common sight in other Indian cities are virtually non-existent.

Kazirang National Park

Kaziranga National Park has 3 entry points for safaris- the Western Range, Central Range and Eastern Range. Each of them falls in a different district. While animal sightings are the norm at the Western and Central ranges, the Eastern range is mostly visited by birding enthusiasts.

Elephant safaris start at 5:15am and last around 45minutes each and jeep safaris start at 7:00am and extend for around 2 hours each. The park is closed to tourists for about 1.5hours in the afternoon, so the forest rangers, mahouts and working animals can have their meals and some rest. It opens up again around 2:00pm until sunset which is 4:15pm these days. By 5:00 its pitch dark outside and you have to exit the park before it turns dark.

Cherrapunji

The original name for this town was Sohra, which was pronounced "Churra" by the British. This name

eventually evolved into the current name, Cherrapunji. The word "cherrapunji" means 'land of oranges'.

Despite perennial rainfall, Cherrapunji faces an acute water shortage and the inhabitants often have to

trek for miles to obtain potable water.Irrigation is also hampered due to excessive rain washing away the

topsoil as a result of human encroachment into the forests. The Meghalaya state government has renamed

Cherrapunjee back to its original name, "Sohra". There is a monument to David Scott (British

Administrator in NE India, 1802–31) in the Cherrapunji cemetery. The history of the Khasis – the

inhabitants of Cherrapunji – may be traced from the early part of the 16th century. Between the 16th and

18th centuries these people were ruled by the syiems (rajas or chiefs) of Khyrtim in the Khasi hills. The

Khasi hills came under British authority in 1883 with the submission of the last of the important syiems,

Tirot Singh.
The main pivot on which the entire superstructure of Khasi society rests is the matriarchal system.

BULAND DARWAZA

Buland Darwaza, an entrance constructed by Akbar to celebrate his victory in 1573 over the kingdom of Khandesh in Gujarat, is the gateway to

the renowned Fatehpur Sikri near Agra. This exquisite architectural wonder is really an eye catching view for travelers and tourists, which is

visible even from a long distance. The Darwaza is placed at an elevated plain of height about 40 meters and seems to be inviting the tourists

to the land of Agra wholeheartedly.

The mammoth entrance is one of the grandeur monuments built by Akbar in Agra. Many verses from the Koran are inscribed on the Darwaza. This is

really made with simple but beautiful adornments.

VARANASI

Visit Varanasi to purify your soul and cleanse you body of all the stress! This magical place can fill spirituality in any human being.
Varanasi. The one thing which comes to your mind obviously when you hear about this city in the Northern state of Uttar Pradesh is Ganga. Over the years Varanasi has been synonymous with the majestic Ganga and her numerous sub-Rivers. Varanasi is famous for thousands of bathing ghats along the banks of the river Ganga stretching over thousands of kilometres. The Panchganga ghat is believed to be the most sacred among them. Pilgrims throng these ghats to bathe and rid themselves of their sins. Hindu’s are of the opinion that immersing the Crematorial ashes on the banks of these rivers will assure their loved ones a safe journey to heaven

Bandipur Tour Packages

Bandipur, established in 1931, is a wonderful wildlife centre. Tourists visit this place to admire the breathtaking beauty of nature and also to enjoy a quiet vacation far from the hustle and bustle of the city. This is located in the district of Chamarajanagar.

Situated in the Nilgiris, Bandipur is flanked by the Kabini, Moyar and Nugu Rivers which drain the area. Besides the rivers, there are many seasonal streams flowing through the region. This place is under Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and is also the first Biosphere Reserve of the country.

Bandipur was the chosen site for Project Tiger. This is an initiative taken by the Government of India to protect the endangered species. The number of tigers has increased ever since. The place is also home to a large number of animals like Elephants, Hornbill, Sambar, Wild Dog, Giant Squirrel, Deer, and Partridges. There are also a few endangered species including Four Horned Antelope, Panther, Sloth Bear, Python, Mouse Deer, Pea Fowl and many more. Besides animals tourists can see some exotic trees including Bamboo, Sandalwood, Teak, Honne and Mathi.

Two wildlife sanctuaries are also attached to this place: the Waynad Sanctuary and the Mudumalai Sanctuary. This place mostly has an open forest area which makes it easy for the tourists to see animals.

There is no human settlement inside the Reserve but there are almost 200 villages around the area. This place makes for an excellent tourist spot and is a must-visit for those want to soak in the beauty of nature.

Dharmasthala

Dharmasthala is the most revered and best-known temple town in Karnataka. The word Dharma means religion, ritual, duty, righteousness, alms. It also implies justice, truthfulness, and freedom from fear, faith, solace, fulfillment and peace. The place is the perfect embodiment of the word `Dharma`. It is the place where Sri Manjunatheshwara Temple is located. The temple isdevoted to Lord Shiva.

Indo Nepal Tourism

Considering the magnitude of the campaign, the Government of Nepal formed the Main Organising Committee under the convener-ship of Hon’ble Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation. The Committee consists Hon’ble Vice Chairman of National Planning Commission as the Joint Convener and Secretaries of various line Ministries; Chief of Metropolitan, Sub-Metropolitan cities and Municipalities; presidents of trade, travel trade and other related associations and institutions are nominated as Members. Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board has been designated as the Member-Secretary of the Committee.

Nutritions while trecking

The key to nutrition on your trek is to maintain a constant flow of energy throughout your challenge. The information given in the introduction to this section gives you an excellent idea of how to look after yourself in the build up to your challenge as you train. However, on the challenge itself, you are at the mercy of the cooks as to what food you will receive. Have no fear! They will provide you with everything you need to maintain your energy levels throughout the day.

The most important aspect of any trek is cleanliness. Keep your hands scrupulously clean. By avoiding bugs and germs, you’ll be able to keep your food down, which has to be the best nutritional tip of all!

Lucknow Bhool Bhulaiya

A major attraction, Bhul Bhulaiya, is also a part of this huge structure (Bara Imambara). Bhool Bhulaiya is a labyrinth of hundreds of narrow stairway passages, some of which have dead-ends, some end at precipitous drops while others lead to entrance or exit points. One should always take a Guide to explore Bhool Bhulaiya. The Bhool Bhulaiya was constructed to confuse any enemy intruder. The narrow lanes of the labyrinth can make anyone feel lost. The king and other few only knew the way out.

The Bada ImamBara is said to be the world's largest arched room without any pillars.

The bhool bhualiyaa in the building is three storeyed. It is surrounded with 489 doorless similar galleries, where one can roam endlessly for hours. This is why it is so mysterious.

The structure contains various strategically built hollows in the corridors. There is also a blocked passageway which, according to legends, leads through a mile-long underground passage to a location near the Gomti river.

In short, it is simple in style but mysterious too.

Tourism in india

The growth of tourism is at a very quick pace the year 2004-2005 show tourism as major contributors to Indian Economy. There was a dramatically increase in foreign exchange. Tourism is the life blood of many nations. The Nepal Economy mainly relies in tourism. Even the advanced country like Switzerland earned a huge amount from Tourism. Its a good news for nations like India as tourism in India is developing by leaps and bounds.

There is an excessive growth on the arrival of foreign tourist. Tourist started coming from Middle East, South Africa, USA, Spain, France and Portugal etc…This act as a major contributors in India's economy.

Domestic tourists are also fueling the industry's revival. Many of them escape from the summer heat on the plains to resorts in the Himalayan Mountains. One of the major beneficiaries this year is Kashmir, where a cease-fire between India and Pakistan has reduced violence, if not completely, at least enough to help revive the state's sagging tourism industry. 

Among the most favoured tourist destinations in India, Kerala for its scenic beauty, Agra for Taj Mahal, Khujraho for its sculptures and temples, Goa for its beaches and some pilgrimages are the most important. 

Interesting feature of this growth is that it has come even as global tourism has dropped, due to the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in East Asia, and the Iraq war. Even the disastrous tsunami didn't affect India's tourism industry, as tourist arrivals in India rose 23.5 percent in Dec 2004 and tourist arrivals crossed 3 million mark for the first time in 2004.. The disaster was expected to have a negative impact on India's tourism in terms of large-scale cancellations of tourists to India but nothing of that sort was seen. 


There could be several reasons for the buoyancy in the Indian tourism industry. First, the upward trend observed in the growth rate of Indian economy has raised middle class incomes, prompting more people to spend money on vacations abroad or at home. Also, India is booming in the information technology industry and has become the IT center. Aggressive advertising campaign " Incredible India" by the government has also had contribution in changing India's image from that of a land of snake charmers, and sparking new interest among overseas travelers. 


It is not hidden that tourism is among India's important export industries. Even with comparatively low levels of international tourist traffic, tourism has already emerged as an important segment of the Indian economy. 


Recently, Indian government adopted a multi-pronged approach for promotion of tourism, which includes new mechanism for speedy implementation of tourism projects, development of integrated tourism circuits and rural destinations, special capacity building in the unorganized hospitality sector and new marketing strategy. 

A nation wide campaign, for creating awareness about the effects of tourism and preservation of our rich heritage & culture, cleanliness and warm hospitality through a process of training and orientation was launched during 2004-05. The aim was to rebuild that sense of responsibility towards tourists among Indians and re-enforces the confidence of foreign tourist towards India as a preferred holiday destination. More than 6500 taxi drivers, restaurant owners and guides trained under the programme. 

Government also took several other initiatives to promote Indian tourism industry and increased the plan allocation for tourism i.e. from Rs 325 crore in 2003-04 to Rs. 500 crore in 2004-05. Road shows in key source markets of Europe, Incredible India campaign on prominent TV channels and in magazines across the world were among the few steps taken to advertise Indian tourism. In addition a task force was set up to promote India as prominent health tourism destination. 

However, in order to attract more visitors, India still needs to upgrade its airports, roads and other infrastructure to global standards. Even with the recent surge, tourist arrivals are just a mere percentage of those in such popular Asian destinations like Bangkok and Thailand. 
India Tourism office at Tokyo won two International Awards in Tour Expo held at Daegu in Korea for excellent tourism promotion. Indian Pavilion won the Best Booth Design Award as well as Best Folklore Performance Award competing with major players in tourism such as China, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Canada. 

The theme of pavilion was the Buddhist pilgrimage in India. Multi promotional activities undertaken by Tokyo office drew a large crowd to India Pavilion, which added colors to the entire travel show. The Korea’s leading newspapers published on the front page the Incredible India booth’s photographs highlighting various aspects. The live Yoga performance and Indian traditional snacks at the pavilion were enjoyed very much by the visitors.