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.