India travelguide

UNESCO World Heritage Centres

World Heritage Centres by UNESCO (28 in India) : Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus / Victoria Terminus and Elephanta caves in Mumbai, Ellora caves and Ajanta caves in Maharashtra near Aurangabad, Taj Mahal, Agra fort and Fatehpur Sikri in Agra, Humayun's tomb, Qutb Minar and Red fort in Delhi, Corbett National Park in Uttar Pradesh, Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers national park in Uttaranchal, Mahabodhini temple in Bihar,Toy train route to Darjeeling and Sundarbans national park in West Bengal, Se Cathedral - Bom Jesus cathedral in Goa, Temples of Pattadakal and Hampi in Karnataka, Nilgiri mountain railway route to Ooty, Tanjavur - Brihadeshwara temple and Mahabalipuram temples in Tamil Nadu, Konark Sun temple in Orissa, Khajuraho, caves of Bhimbetka and Sanchi stupa in Madya Pradesh, Keoladeo Khana national park (Bharatpur, Rajastan), Kaziranga national park and Manas national park in Assam, Champaner - Pavgadh archaeological park near Vadodara, Gujrat, Lumbini (Nepal, near India border).

Jyotirlingas

Jyotirlingas are revered as Swayambhu lingas. They are 12 in number of which 5 are in Maharashtra.

12 Jyotirlingas : Bhimashankar (Pune, Maharashtra), Grishneshwar (Ellora, Maharashtra), Vajyanath (Parali/Bid, Maharashtra), Nageswar/Aunda Nagnath(Nanded, Maharashtra), Trikambeswar (Nashik, Maharashtra), Viswanath (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh), Mallikarjun (Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh), Mahakaleswar (Ujjain, Madya Pradesh), Mamaleswar (Omkareswar, Madya Pradesh), Somnath (Gujrat), Rameshwar (Tamil Nadu), Kedarnath (Uttaranchal).


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tourism -> India

GOA

OLD GOA (10 km) - Christian pilgrim centre, Bom Jesus Basallica (mortal remains of St.Francis Xavier, world heritage centre), archaeological museum, Se cathedral with gold bell, Pernem temple, Pilar monastries; Ponda - temples, Safa masjid, Shanta Durga temple near Ponda, Sri Manguesh temple at Priol (5 km). Margao - Chanreshwar Butnath temple (10 km), Colva beach (6 km), Vasco Da Gamma - city, beach.

PANAJI - Goa has many beaches, parks, and famous cuisine, Aguada fort (10 km) - Portuguese fort on the banks of Mandavi river, Calangute beach (15 km), Dona Paula beach (7 km), Miramar beach at Gaspar Dias (3 km), Mapusa (15 km, Friday fair, gardens, St.Jerome's church), Vagator (25 km) - beach, Chhapora fort, Anjuna beach is nearby.

DUDHSAGAR - Waterfalls (60 km), Devil's canyon for trekking.

FESTIVALS - Christmas, New year, carnival (March/April, 3 days before lent)

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tourism -> India

HYDERABAD - One of the main cities in South India and Capital of Andhra Pradesh. The main tourist Attractions in Hyderabad are Mecca masjid : largest masjid in south India, Char Minar (55 m, 1591 to 1612, built by Mohamad Quli Qutb Shah), mosques, palaces, Salar Jung museum, Archaeological museum, gardens, Nehru zoological park with lion safari, Golconda fort (11 km, tombs of Qutb shahi kings are nearby) : A clap at Fateh darwaza can be heard far away summit palace, Birla mandir : marble temple near Secretariat, Birla museum and Planetaurium, Hussain Sagar lake : 16 m tall, 350 tonne monolith statue of Lord Budha on Gibralter rock in the middle of the lake, Secunderabad city (8 km), Ramoji film city ; Medak church (100 km) : Huge gothic church in white granite; Warangal : Fort, temple, Hanamkonda temple (7 km) : 1000 pillared hall with 1.8 m Nandi statue.

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tourism -> India

LONAVLA

LONAVLA - Charming hill station on Sahyadri with an average annual rainfall of 500 cm. During the monsoon the area become scenic with lots of waterfalls and greenery. The main tourist attractions are Tata dam (2 km), Bushi dam (7 km), Lion's point (12 km), Sahara lake city (25 km), Duke's nose (8 km), Valvan dam (4 km), Induri fort near Talegaon, Karla caves (12 km, 80 BC), Bhaja caves (8 km, 18 in no.), Bedsa caves (10 km, near Pawna dam). KHANDALA (5 km) : Hill station, Rajmachi point - a good vantage point, Bhor ghat route to Khopoli (8 km) is enjoying.


DUKE'S NOSE - Lonavla to Kuruvande by auto (5 km). 45 minute walk takes you to the top of Duke's nose. Rappelling down from here is a great fun as the rockface is steep. Kuruvande village is famous even from the time of Chatrapati Shivaji. On this hilly route Shivaji attacked his enemies and become victorious. 1.5 hour climb down takes you to Chavni village at Konkan. Travel to Umbre/Khopoli by Vikram/auto. Another route takes you to Phalyan, base village of Lion's point. Trek takes 2 hour (tower line) from Duke's nose. Return to Khopoli via Parali.

LION'S POINT trek - From Lion's point one will be attracted by the beauty of a sharp peak : Babita/Moradi hill. By Khopoli - Pali bus get down at Parali and travel to Mangaon by Vikram/auto. A 2.5 hour takes one to top. On the way 25 m rock wall has to be climbed. The final rock dome (15 m) is of rock climb. To and fro trek takes 5 hour. A guide from Mangaon/Phalyan is preferred.

UMBER KHIND - From Lonavla reach Lion's point, a famous tourist spot, by bus/jeep. Just before the Lion's point one can see the transmission lines. Follow the water nullah (in dried condition during summer) near the tower line. The narrow and deep gorge climbs down to Mangaon (6 hour, rope is advised). From the village travel to Parali on the Khopoli - Pali road and then to Lonavla.

BEDSE BUDDHIST caves (60 m) - From Lonavla travel to Kamshet by local train and then to Pawna dam by jeep or bus and get down on the way for caves (3 km).

PAWNA DAM - A beautiful large reservoir which has Tung and Tikona on one side and Lohagad and Visapur on the other side. Access is from Lonavla-Kamshet.

TIKONA FORT (1100 m) - Kamshet to Tikona by Paud bus or jeep (8 km, via Pawna dam). Climb over the ridge near the road to top (1 hour).

TUNG FORT (1077 m) - A sharp peak surrounded by waters of Pawna dam. From Pawna dam get a boat/launch to reach Tung village. A track slowly climbs to the base of the fort. Follow the road and reach the Hanuman temple. A steep climb takes to the temple at the top (1 hour). The road at the base of the fort leads to Essar junction (10 km, 2 hour walk) on Lonavla - Sahara road. Travel to Lonavla by bus. The bus service to Tungi is less frequent.

LOHAGAD FORT (1040 m) - It is a beautiful fort in good condition near Lonavla. It was captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1648 AD. From Malvali railway station walk to the Bhaje village (3 km). One can visit the group of Buddhist caves located at the base of the fort. Climb to the col of Visapur - Lohagad forts. Lohagad fort is at the right side of the col. A broad route leads through the fortifications to the top. A darga, temple and lots of construction can be seen on the fort. Panoramic view of Pawna dam, Tung, Tikona, Visapur and Lohagad forts.

VISAPUR FORT (1084 m) - Reach the col of Visapur - Lohagad and follow the left track. Trek up through the gully. One can climb down to Malvali from the other side of the fort.

RAJMACHI FORT (828 m) - It is an isolated twin fort on the Bohr pass. The higher fort is called Sreevardhan and the lower is Manranjan. From Lonavla to Tungarli lake by auto (4 km). Walk towards left and follow the road. A 10 km walk takes one to the base village Rajmachi. From the col of these forts a narrow track leads to the top. From Rajmachi one can climb down to Ulhas valley to visit Kondana caves. Cross Ulhas river and climb to Takurwadi railway station on the Karjat route. Trek takes 5 hour. From Ulhas valley one can visit BHAIROBA DHAK (10 hour trek from Tungarli lake) rock cut cave reached after a steep climb over rope - a scenic place with pinnacle and a narrow gully.

KOREGAD FORT (931 m) - From Lonavla reach Ambavne by bus or jeep (25 km). Walk towards the fort's centre. A steep route through the forest (well hidden) takes to top. Get down on the other side of the fort through regular steps. Sahara lake city and Mulshi lake (3 km) are nearby.

LION'S POINT TREK

LOCATION : In RAIGAD District, Maharashtra. 50 km from Lonavla to Phalyan, the base village.

View Point : Lion's Point, 15 km from Lonavla on the Sahara route. Lion's Point is a scenic place famous for scenic beauty and film shooting. The song 'I Love My India' was cinematised here. A touist is attracted by the beauty of the valley deep below and a steep rising hill from the valley. The hill locally called Babita/Moradi has steep ridge n one side and is pyramidal in shape. It can be approached from Phalyan village. The village is connected by road to Khopoli (12 km from Lonavla). From Khopoli travel by Pali bus and getdown a t Parali. From Parali one can reach Mangaon village by six seater (Vikram, Rs 7).

The road leads to Phalyan village, a 15 min walk. From the village , a panoramic view of the hill pyramid is enchanting. A 1.5 hour trek take to rock clibing wall. With some idea of basic rock climbing one can climb the 30 m wall. Another 40 minute climb over a steep ridge take to the base of the finial dome. After a steep rock climb of 15 m one can reach the top. The top of the Hill is 10 m in diameter with a flag pole.

At the top, it is a celebration time with dancing. The great appaluse of the crowd eagerly waiting at Lion's Point increase the joy and thrill.

After spending 10 to 15 minutes at the top one can return. One has to be very careful while descending as the route is of high gradient and slippng sand/rock. Climb down cautiously to the rock wall in 1.5 hour. Take your own time while descending. This is not a climbing competition, Don't be in a hurry. Climb down the rock wall of 30 m and a further comparetively eassy trek of 1 hour to Phalyan village. To and fro trek takes 5 hour.

It will be a memorable experience for a life time. So try your chance and be get delighted by the area's beauty. Some tips for the trek - Carry water, camera and some packed food. Start early to avoid the hot sun and severe sweating. A guide from the Village is essential for the first time trekker.

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Tourism -> India -> Lion's Point

MYSORE

Location : In Karnataka state and 3 hour rail journey from State capital Bangalore. Mysore is well connected by bus with all the main places in the state. Dassera is the state festival celebrated in Nov.

The main attractions in Mysore are the Jagan Mohan palace and Sri Chamarajendra art gallery. Sri Chamarajendra art gallery has a good collection of Raja Ravi Varma paintings. The zoological gardens is one of the best in India with a good collection of animals and birds including some of the rare species from the Polar area. Rail museum near the Manas Gangotri campus is having some very good display of vintage railway coaches and engines. This is one of the best few Rail museums in India.

Brindavan gardens is a beautiful garden set up near the Krishna raja dam. Garden is well maintained and too clean. Garden will be lighted in the evenings and has a fine dancing fountain at the end.


Srirangapatana is 16 km from Mysore on the Bangalore highway on the side of river Cauveri. It was the capital of Great Tipu Sultan. It has palces, tombs, masjid and a huge temple.

MYSORE - Jagan Mohan palace (3 storied) and Sri Chamarajendra art gallery, garden, zoo, St.Philomina's church, museum of art & archaeology and folklore museum at University of Mysore, Rail museum, Lalith Mahal palace now a 5 star hotel, Chamundi hills (13 km, temple, 4.8 m Nandi statue half way up), BRINDAVAN GARDENS (19 km) - Krishna Rajendra dam, garden, dancing fountain, picnic spot, SRIRANGAPATANA (16 km) - Tipu Sultan's capital, museum, palace, fort, Sangam, mosque, temple; RANGANATHITTU bird sanctuary (19 km), NANJANGUD (22 km) - Nanjundeswara temple, SOMNATHPUR (38 km) - Hoysala temple, Shivsamudram water falls (85 km) - Asia's first hydro electric project, MERCARA/COORG (120 km) - Hill station.

Mount Abu's main attraction is Dilwara group of Jain temples in pure
white marble, which is 4 km from Abu.

Mount Abu in Rajastan can be reached by train. The railhead Abu road is
30 km away from Mount Abu. Regular bus sevice is ther between Au road
and Abu. Abu is a famous hill station with pleasant climate too.

Mt. ABU - Jain Dilwara temples : Adinath temple (1031 AD), Hill resort,
Nakki lake, Adha devi temple, Gaumuk temple, Raghunathji temple, Sunset
point, Honey moon point, Achalgargh fort (8 km) - temple.

Mt Abu : One of the most beautiful places I have visited. Mount Abu is located in Rajastan and famous for Dilwara Jain tmples of 10 th Century AD. The nearest railhead is Ab road on the Ahmedabad Jaipur/Delhi line. It is around 200 km from Ahmedabad.


Dilwara temple has intricate carvings on pure white marble. Enjoy the beauty. Feel it by visiting the marvel in marble.