Sunday, April 30, 2006
TOURIST IMPORTANT PLACES : ANDHRA PRADESH
HYDERABAD - 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, 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.
NAGARJUNAKONDA - Archaeological museum, Buddhist ruins and reconstructed monuments; Rajahmundry : Hindu pilgrim centre, second longest railway bridge in India. Papi Kondalu : magnificent gorge and scenary near Rajahmundry.
NAGARJUNA SAGAR - Dam; Srisailam - Sri Mallikarjunaswamy one of the 12 jyotirlingas, Wild life sanctuary.
TIRUMALA near TIRUPATI - World's richest temple (Gold & diamonds worth Rs. 500 Cr.), Sri Venkateshwara University museum, Chandagiri fort (12 km from Tirupati), Kailasanathakona waterfalls (44 km).
PUTTAPARTI - Satya Sai Baba's Prashanti nilayam; Lepakshi - Temple having largest Nandi Statue in India (100 km from Bangalore). Amaravati (66 km from Vijaywada) - Buddhist carvings, viharas, chaityas etc.
VISHAKAPATANAM / VIZAG - Waltair beach (5 km) and Dolphin's nose (174 m cliff), Light house, Hindustan shipyard ; Simhachalam temple (20 km); Anantagiri : temples, Borra : (12 km, limestone caves with Stalagmite and Stalactite formations); Machkund waterfalls, Araku valley : scenic beauty, waterfalls.
NAGARJUNAKONDA - Archaeological museum, Buddhist ruins and reconstructed monuments; Rajahmundry : Hindu pilgrim centre, second longest railway bridge in India. Papi Kondalu : magnificent gorge and scenary near Rajahmundry.
NAGARJUNA SAGAR - Dam; Srisailam - Sri Mallikarjunaswamy one of the 12 jyotirlingas, Wild life sanctuary.
TIRUMALA near TIRUPATI - World's richest temple (Gold & diamonds worth Rs. 500 Cr.), Sri Venkateshwara University museum, Chandagiri fort (12 km from Tirupati), Kailasanathakona waterfalls (44 km).
PUTTAPARTI - Satya Sai Baba's Prashanti nilayam; Lepakshi - Temple having largest Nandi Statue in India (100 km from Bangalore). Amaravati (66 km from Vijaywada) - Buddhist carvings, viharas, chaityas etc.
VISHAKAPATANAM / VIZAG - Waltair beach (5 km) and Dolphin's nose (174 m cliff), Light house, Hindustan shipyard ; Simhachalam temple (20 km); Anantagiri : temples, Borra : (12 km, limestone caves with Stalagmite and Stalactite formations); Machkund waterfalls, Araku valley : scenic beauty, waterfalls.
Friday, April 28, 2006
TOURIST INFORMATION : ANDAMAN NICOBAR ISLANDS
Capital : Port Blair.
Area : 8, 249 sq.km.
Literacy : 81.3%.
Languages : Hindi, Tamil, English, Bengali.
Roads : 2, 806 km.
Airports : Port Blair.
When to visit : Dec to April.
Climate(in °C) : 33 to 22 .
Monsoon : May to Oct
Districts : 2, Andaman, Nicobar.
Places of Tourist importance : Andaman - Long island, Neil island, Mayabander, Rangat, Little Andaman island, Cellular jail, National memorial museum, Ross island, Scuba diving, Indira point - northern most point of India, Barren island with India's only active volcano.
Area : 8, 249 sq.km.
Literacy : 81.3%.
Languages : Hindi, Tamil, English, Bengali.
Roads : 2, 806 km.
Airports : Port Blair.
When to visit : Dec to April.
Climate(in °C) : 33 to 22 .
Monsoon : May to Oct
Districts : 2, Andaman, Nicobar.
Places of Tourist importance : Andaman - Long island, Neil island, Mayabander, Rangat, Little Andaman island, Cellular jail, National memorial museum, Ross island, Scuba diving, Indira point - northern most point of India, Barren island with India's only active volcano.
Monday, April 24, 2006
JAIN AND BUDDHIST PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 4
ARUNACHAL PRADESH
BOMDILA - Buddhist temples, handicrafts, scenary.
ITANAGAR - Buddhist temple, Botanical garden, Dony Polo tribal temple.
TAWANG - Buddhist monastery.
VIJAYANAGAR - Remains of Buddhist centre.
HIMACHAL PRADESH
DHARMSHALA - Head quarters of Dalai Lama at Macleodganj, Tibetan handicrafts, hill station.
KYELANG - Monastery on the scenic Manali-Leh route.
JAMMU KASHMIR
LAMAYURU - Monastery (80 km from Kargil on Leh raod).
LEH (434 km from Srinagar at 3512 m) - Mangyal Tsemo, Gompa Tsemo, Spituk monastery (9 km), Shey palace, Tiksey monastery - largest in Ladakh (15 km), Hemis monastery (50 km) - richest monastery in Ladakh.
kARNATATKA
SHRAVANABELGOLA (52 km from Hassan) - Jain pilgrim centre, Gomateswara statue of 300 BC (17 m) by 640 steps. Head annoying ceremoney once in 12 years (2006).
MANGALORE - Moodabidri Jain temples (35 km, 18 number).
DHARMASTALA - Manjunatha temple and Gomateswara statue.
BOMDILA - Buddhist temples, handicrafts, scenary.
ITANAGAR - Buddhist temple, Botanical garden, Dony Polo tribal temple.
TAWANG - Buddhist monastery.
VIJAYANAGAR - Remains of Buddhist centre.
HIMACHAL PRADESH
DHARMSHALA - Head quarters of Dalai Lama at Macleodganj, Tibetan handicrafts, hill station.
KYELANG - Monastery on the scenic Manali-Leh route.
JAMMU KASHMIR
LAMAYURU - Monastery (80 km from Kargil on Leh raod).
LEH (434 km from Srinagar at 3512 m) - Mangyal Tsemo, Gompa Tsemo, Spituk monastery (9 km), Shey palace, Tiksey monastery - largest in Ladakh (15 km), Hemis monastery (50 km) - richest monastery in Ladakh.
kARNATATKA
SHRAVANABELGOLA (52 km from Hassan) - Jain pilgrim centre, Gomateswara statue of 300 BC (17 m) by 640 steps. Head annoying ceremoney once in 12 years (2006).
MANGALORE - Moodabidri Jain temples (35 km, 18 number).
DHARMASTALA - Manjunatha temple and Gomateswara statue.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
JAIN AND BUDDHIST PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 3
BIHAR
Vaisali (35 km from Hajipur, Patna) - Birth place of Mahavira, ashes of Buddha preserved, Lion pillar at Kolhua (18.3 m high) and Ramkund, Buddhist and Jain pilgrim centre.
BUDH GAYA - Mahabodhini temple (52 m) : World heritage centre, most sacred Buddhist pilgrim centre with Bodhi tree, stupas.
GAYA - 92 km from Patna, nearby stupas and Buddhist caves (Barabar cave); Nalanda - Ruins of ancient university (500 BC), archaeological museum, Buddhist research centre, Pawapuri (23 km, Jain Pilgrim centre, Lord Mahavira the 24th Theerthankara attained Nirvana here, Samosharan and Jalmandir temples are nearby), Rajgir (15 km, Jain pilgrim centre, Ajatshatru's fort (600 BC), museum, Vishwa shanti stupa at Vultutre's peak, hill station, trek to 26 Jain temples in the hill nearby, hot springs and Pippala caves at the Vaihava hills).
UTTAR PRADESH
SARANATH (10 km from Varanasi) : Place of Buddha's first sermon, archaeological museum, monastery, Dhamek stupa (44 m in height and 28 m in diameter), Lion capital.
LUMBINI (Nepal) - A world heritage centre, birth place of Lord Buddha, 96 km from Gorakhpur and 8 km from the border, Buddhist pilgrim centre.
Vaisali (35 km from Hajipur, Patna) - Birth place of Mahavira, ashes of Buddha preserved, Lion pillar at Kolhua (18.3 m high) and Ramkund, Buddhist and Jain pilgrim centre.
BUDH GAYA - Mahabodhini temple (52 m) : World heritage centre, most sacred Buddhist pilgrim centre with Bodhi tree, stupas.
GAYA - 92 km from Patna, nearby stupas and Buddhist caves (Barabar cave); Nalanda - Ruins of ancient university (500 BC), archaeological museum, Buddhist research centre, Pawapuri (23 km, Jain Pilgrim centre, Lord Mahavira the 24th Theerthankara attained Nirvana here, Samosharan and Jalmandir temples are nearby), Rajgir (15 km, Jain pilgrim centre, Ajatshatru's fort (600 BC), museum, Vishwa shanti stupa at Vultutre's peak, hill station, trek to 26 Jain temples in the hill nearby, hot springs and Pippala caves at the Vaihava hills).
UTTAR PRADESH
SARANATH (10 km from Varanasi) : Place of Buddha's first sermon, archaeological museum, monastery, Dhamek stupa (44 m in height and 28 m in diameter), Lion capital.
LUMBINI (Nepal) - A world heritage centre, birth place of Lord Buddha, 96 km from Gorakhpur and 8 km from the border, Buddhist pilgrim centre.
JAIN AND BUDDHIST PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 2
MAHARASHTRA
MUMBAI - Borivilli national park (35 km), Kanheri caves (109 caves of 1 C BC, 40 km).
LONAVLA - Karla caves (12 km, 80 BC), Bhaja caves (8 km, 18 in no.), Bedsa caves (10 km, near Pawna dam) .
NASIK - Pandav leni (24 Jain caves of 100 BC).
ELLORA Caves (26 km from Aurangabad) - A world heritage centre. Dance festival in March. 34 caves consisting of Buddhist (1-12), Hindu (13-29), and Jain caves (30-34) of 500 to 1100 AD. Kailasha temple is the main attraction, which is carved out of a monolith, is the biggest cave temple : 84 m * 47 m.
AJANTA Caves (110 km from Aurangabad) - A world heritage centre of 200 BC. 29 caves containing numerous images of Buddha and painting on walls. The caves are located in the hills in horse shoe shape.
ORISSA
Dhauli (8 km, Emperor Ashoka's rock edicts, Peace pagoda), Khandagiri (7 km, 15 Jain caves with carvings of 100 BC), Hathi Gumpha (elephant cave) - King's inscriptions. Udayagiri - Buddhist caves (18 km, 18 caves of 100 BC), Ratnagiri caves near Cuttack.
WEST BENGAL
Parasnath Jain temple, Kolkatta.
SIKKIM
GANGTOK - Ghoom Buddhist monastery (6 km), Rumtek monastery (24 km).
TASHIDING - Monastery, Buddhist pilgrim centre.
MUMBAI - Borivilli national park (35 km), Kanheri caves (109 caves of 1 C BC, 40 km).
LONAVLA - Karla caves (12 km, 80 BC), Bhaja caves (8 km, 18 in no.), Bedsa caves (10 km, near Pawna dam) .
NASIK - Pandav leni (24 Jain caves of 100 BC).
ELLORA Caves (26 km from Aurangabad) - A world heritage centre. Dance festival in March. 34 caves consisting of Buddhist (1-12), Hindu (13-29), and Jain caves (30-34) of 500 to 1100 AD. Kailasha temple is the main attraction, which is carved out of a monolith, is the biggest cave temple : 84 m * 47 m.
AJANTA Caves (110 km from Aurangabad) - A world heritage centre of 200 BC. 29 caves containing numerous images of Buddha and painting on walls. The caves are located in the hills in horse shoe shape.
ORISSA
Dhauli (8 km, Emperor Ashoka's rock edicts, Peace pagoda), Khandagiri (7 km, 15 Jain caves with carvings of 100 BC), Hathi Gumpha (elephant cave) - King's inscriptions. Udayagiri - Buddhist caves (18 km, 18 caves of 100 BC), Ratnagiri caves near Cuttack.
WEST BENGAL
Parasnath Jain temple, Kolkatta.
SIKKIM
GANGTOK - Ghoom Buddhist monastery (6 km), Rumtek monastery (24 km).
TASHIDING - Monastery, Buddhist pilgrim centre.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
JAIN AND BUDDHIST PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 1
GUJRAT
JUNAGADH - Upperkot fort (5 km) : Jami masjid and Buddhist caves are nearby, 14 Ashoka rock edicts of 250 BC on the way to Girnar, gardens, Maqbara (tombs of Nawabs). GIRNAR (8 km, 600 m ASL, 2 hour climb) - From the Damodarkund climb the
10,000 steps for 16 Jain temples in white marble, muslim pilgrim centre at Datar.
PALITANA - Jain exquisite temples (863 in number) by one hour trek, Muslim shrine of Angar Pir. Ahmedabad (210 km).
RAJASTAN
BIKANER - Bhandasagar Jain temple (5 km).
JODHPUR - 16 Jain temples in marble at Osiyan (60 km).
JAISALMER - 650 km from Jaipur, fort, palace, museum, Amar sagar (6 km) : lake, Jain temple, Ludrawa Jain temple (16 km) : Splendid carving, Jain temple of Rikabdevji and Sambhavnathji.
Mount ABU - Jain Dilwara group of temples : Adinath temple (1031 AD).
UDAIPUR - Eklingji (22 km) 108 temples of 734 AD in marble , Nagda (Near Eklingji) - Sas Bahu temple and Adbudji Jain temple, Rishabdeoji temple (65 km), Ranakpur Adinath Jain temple complex (85 km).
MADHYA PRADESH
SANCHI (47 km) - 300 BC stupa, a World heritage centre, Great stupa is 16.4 m high and 36.5 m in diameter with 4 carved gateways, Buddhist pilgrim centre.
INDORE - Central museum, Jain Kabch temple. OMKARESWAR - 77 km from Indore, Sidhanath mandir, 24 Avatar's Jain mandir.
JUNAGADH - Upperkot fort (5 km) : Jami masjid and Buddhist caves are nearby, 14 Ashoka rock edicts of 250 BC on the way to Girnar, gardens, Maqbara (tombs of Nawabs). GIRNAR (8 km, 600 m ASL, 2 hour climb) - From the Damodarkund climb the
10,000 steps for 16 Jain temples in white marble, muslim pilgrim centre at Datar.
PALITANA - Jain exquisite temples (863 in number) by one hour trek, Muslim shrine of Angar Pir. Ahmedabad (210 km).
RAJASTAN
BIKANER - Bhandasagar Jain temple (5 km).
JODHPUR - 16 Jain temples in marble at Osiyan (60 km).
JAISALMER - 650 km from Jaipur, fort, palace, museum, Amar sagar (6 km) : lake, Jain temple, Ludrawa Jain temple (16 km) : Splendid carving, Jain temple of Rikabdevji and Sambhavnathji.
Mount ABU - Jain Dilwara group of temples : Adinath temple (1031 AD).
UDAIPUR - Eklingji (22 km) 108 temples of 734 AD in marble , Nagda (Near Eklingji) - Sas Bahu temple and Adbudji Jain temple, Rishabdeoji temple (65 km), Ranakpur Adinath Jain temple complex (85 km).
MADHYA PRADESH
SANCHI (47 km) - 300 BC stupa, a World heritage centre, Great stupa is 16.4 m high and 36.5 m in diameter with 4 carved gateways, Buddhist pilgrim centre.
INDORE - Central museum, Jain Kabch temple. OMKARESWAR - 77 km from Indore, Sidhanath mandir, 24 Avatar's Jain mandir.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
HINDU PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 8
UTTARANCHAL
YAMNOTRI - Source of river Yamuna, Hindu pilgrim centre - temple, hot springs - Surya kund (88 oC), Divya shila rock pillar near the temple. Mussoorie to Hanuman chatti (130 km). 13 km trek via Janaki chatti for Yamnotri. 120 km for Gangotri.
GANGOTRI (3048 m) - Glacier at Gaumukh (24 km trek), source of Ganga river, Hindu pilgrim centre, temple, access from Dehradun by bus, Open May to October. Mussoorie to Lanka (112 km). Trek to Gangotri (11 km), to Bhajbasa (3800 m, 12 km) via Chibasa, to Gaumukh (3970 m, 12 km) and back .
HARIDWAR - Kumbh mela is held here after every 12 years, Chandi devi temple, Bharatmata temple, Mayadevi temple, Bhimgoda temple, Mansadevi temple (ropeway), Vaishnodevi temple, Hari-i-Pairi Ganga ghat for evening Aarti, temples, ashrams.
RISHIKESH - Hindu pilgrim centre, Trivel ghat : Evening Aarti, Swarg ashram : famous for Yoga and meditation, Kali temple, Lakshman Jhoola (bridge), Ram Jhoola.
KEDARNATH - Hindu pilgrim centre near Badrinath (180 km, 3584 m, 13 km trek from Gaurikund - hot springs, May to Oct), jyotirlinga, Shankaracharya samadhi, Chaukamba glacier (2 km), Vasuki tal lake (4200m, 5 km, 2 km in dia.).
BADARINATH - Hindu pilgrim centre (bus from Rishikesh, 300 km, 12 hour, 3100 m), hot springs : Taptakund and Surya kund (55 oC), from temple steps leads to Charan paduka.
WEST BENGAL
KOLKATA (CALCUTTA) - Kalighat temple, Belur (15 km, Ramakrishna mission headquarters), Dakshineshwar Kali temple (11 km), Tarakeshwar temple (80 km). TARAPITH temple (80 km from Shantiniketan).
YAMNOTRI - Source of river Yamuna, Hindu pilgrim centre - temple, hot springs - Surya kund (88 oC), Divya shila rock pillar near the temple. Mussoorie to Hanuman chatti (130 km). 13 km trek via Janaki chatti for Yamnotri. 120 km for Gangotri.
GANGOTRI (3048 m) - Glacier at Gaumukh (24 km trek), source of Ganga river, Hindu pilgrim centre, temple, access from Dehradun by bus, Open May to October. Mussoorie to Lanka (112 km). Trek to Gangotri (11 km), to Bhajbasa (3800 m, 12 km) via Chibasa, to Gaumukh (3970 m, 12 km) and back .
HARIDWAR - Kumbh mela is held here after every 12 years, Chandi devi temple, Bharatmata temple, Mayadevi temple, Bhimgoda temple, Mansadevi temple (ropeway), Vaishnodevi temple, Hari-i-Pairi Ganga ghat for evening Aarti, temples, ashrams.
RISHIKESH - Hindu pilgrim centre, Trivel ghat : Evening Aarti, Swarg ashram : famous for Yoga and meditation, Kali temple, Lakshman Jhoola (bridge), Ram Jhoola.
KEDARNATH - Hindu pilgrim centre near Badrinath (180 km, 3584 m, 13 km trek from Gaurikund - hot springs, May to Oct), jyotirlinga, Shankaracharya samadhi, Chaukamba glacier (2 km), Vasuki tal lake (4200m, 5 km, 2 km in dia.).
BADARINATH - Hindu pilgrim centre (bus from Rishikesh, 300 km, 12 hour, 3100 m), hot springs : Taptakund and Surya kund (55 oC), from temple steps leads to Charan paduka.
WEST BENGAL
KOLKATA (CALCUTTA) - Kalighat temple, Belur (15 km, Ramakrishna mission headquarters), Dakshineshwar Kali temple (11 km), Tarakeshwar temple (80 km). TARAPITH temple (80 km from Shantiniketan).
Monday, April 17, 2006
HINDU PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 7
TAMIL NADU
CHENNAI (MADRAS) - Kapileswar temple at Mylapore (39 m high).
MAMALLAPURAM/MAHABALIPURAM - World heritage centre, 70 km from Chennai, rock cut temples, shore temple and 'rathas', sculpture, Tirukkalukundrum temple - (16 km).
KANCHIPURAM - City of 1000 temples 60 km from Chennai, One of the seven holy places for Hindus, (others are Dwaraka, Ujjain, Varanasi, Ayodha, Mathura and Haridwar), Vaikundaperumal temple, Ekambaranathar temple (59 m, 540 pillared hall), Kailashnath temple (700 AD), Varadarajaperumal temple (3 km, 100 pillared hall with rock carved chain).
PALANI - Temple & rope way.
MADURAI - Sri Meenakshi temple with 30 million sculptures, one of the largest temples in India, Kapiliswarar temple, Parthasarthy temple, Thirupparankundram temple (8 km).
SRIVILLIPUTUR - Highest temple tower, 74 km from Madurai.
RAMESWARAM - temple with longest corridor (197 m), One of the four most sacred Hindu pilgrim centres.
TIRUCHIRAPALLI - Rock fort temple (84 m with 437 steps cut into a tunnel through rock, in 1660), Jambukeshwar temple, SRIRANGAM temple (10 km) : World's biggest Hindu temple with 21 gopurams and 904 pillared hall, tallest tower is 72 m high.
TANJAVUR - Brihadeshwara temple, a world heritage centre. 63 m high temple has a single piece of granite weighing 80 tonnes as dome, 6 m high Nandi statue, temple museum, Kumbhakonam temple (30 km).
CHIDAMBARAM (106 km from Tanjavur) - Natraja temple with 1000 pillared hall, four 49 m gopurams and a huge chariot, Thillai Kali Amman temple.
TIRUVANNAMALAI - Arunachal temple tower of 66 m with 1000 pillared hall, Ginjee fort (40 km).
TIRUNELVELI - Kantimati and Nellaipapper temples, Tiruchendur shore temple (13 km).
KANYAKUMARI (CAPE COMORIN) - Guganatha sami temple, Gandhi memorial, Vivekananda rock (via boat 200 m from shore), temple, Suchindram temple (13 km) : Musical pillar and 5.3 m Hanuman statue, Padmanabhapuram (30 km) - Palace, museum, temple.
CHENNAI (MADRAS) - Kapileswar temple at Mylapore (39 m high).
MAMALLAPURAM/MAHABALIPURAM - World heritage centre, 70 km from Chennai, rock cut temples, shore temple and 'rathas', sculpture, Tirukkalukundrum temple - (16 km).
KANCHIPURAM - City of 1000 temples 60 km from Chennai, One of the seven holy places for Hindus, (others are Dwaraka, Ujjain, Varanasi, Ayodha, Mathura and Haridwar), Vaikundaperumal temple, Ekambaranathar temple (59 m, 540 pillared hall), Kailashnath temple (700 AD), Varadarajaperumal temple (3 km, 100 pillared hall with rock carved chain).
PALANI - Temple & rope way.
MADURAI - Sri Meenakshi temple with 30 million sculptures, one of the largest temples in India, Kapiliswarar temple, Parthasarthy temple, Thirupparankundram temple (8 km).
SRIVILLIPUTUR - Highest temple tower, 74 km from Madurai.
RAMESWARAM - temple with longest corridor (197 m), One of the four most sacred Hindu pilgrim centres.
TIRUCHIRAPALLI - Rock fort temple (84 m with 437 steps cut into a tunnel through rock, in 1660), Jambukeshwar temple, SRIRANGAM temple (10 km) : World's biggest Hindu temple with 21 gopurams and 904 pillared hall, tallest tower is 72 m high.
TANJAVUR - Brihadeshwara temple, a world heritage centre. 63 m high temple has a single piece of granite weighing 80 tonnes as dome, 6 m high Nandi statue, temple museum, Kumbhakonam temple (30 km).
CHIDAMBARAM (106 km from Tanjavur) - Natraja temple with 1000 pillared hall, four 49 m gopurams and a huge chariot, Thillai Kali Amman temple.
TIRUVANNAMALAI - Arunachal temple tower of 66 m with 1000 pillared hall, Ginjee fort (40 km).
TIRUNELVELI - Kantimati and Nellaipapper temples, Tiruchendur shore temple (13 km).
KANYAKUMARI (CAPE COMORIN) - Guganatha sami temple, Gandhi memorial, Vivekananda rock (via boat 200 m from shore), temple, Suchindram temple (13 km) : Musical pillar and 5.3 m Hanuman statue, Padmanabhapuram (30 km) - Palace, museum, temple.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
HINDU PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 6
ORISSA
BHUBANESHWAR - A temple city with 500 temples, Bhaskareshwar temple, Raja rani temple, Lingaraja temple (600 AD, 36.5 m high), Parasurameswar temple, Mukteshwar temple, Vaital temple, Bhaskareswar temple with two story high Shivlinga, Kedareswara - Gauri temple, Dhauli (8 km, Emperor Ashoka's rock edicts, Peace pagoda), Khandagiri (7 km, 15 Jain caves with carvings of 100 BC), Hathi Gumpha (elephant cave) - King's inscriptions. Udayagiri - Buddhist caves (18 km, 18 caves of 100 BC), Ratnagiri caves near Cuttack.
KONARK Sun temple (70 km) - Known as 'BLACK PAGODA' of 1300 AD, a world heritage centre, it is made in the form of a chariot having 24 intricately carved wheels, chariot with Sun God is pulled by 7 horses (in ruins), archaeological museum, Dance festival in Dec.
PURI temple (60 km) - One of the four most holy places of Hindu pilgrimage (other holy abodes are Badrinath, Dwarka & Rameshwaram), 20000 people are depended on temple for their livelihood, 65 m spire.
RAJASTHAN
JAIPUR - Govindevji temple, Galtaji temple. AJMER - Pushkar lake and Brahma temple (11 km).
BIKANER - Deshnoke (32 km) : Karni devi temple is a famous heavan for rats. A temple full of divine rats.
UDAIPUR - Jagdish temple, Eklingji - 108 temples of 734 AD in marble (22 km), Nagda (Near Eklingji) - Sas Bahu temple and Adbudji Jain temple, Rishabdeoji temple (65 km), Ranakpur Adinath Jain temple complex (85 km).
BHUBANESHWAR - A temple city with 500 temples, Bhaskareshwar temple, Raja rani temple, Lingaraja temple (600 AD, 36.5 m high), Parasurameswar temple, Mukteshwar temple, Vaital temple, Bhaskareswar temple with two story high Shivlinga, Kedareswara - Gauri temple, Dhauli (8 km, Emperor Ashoka's rock edicts, Peace pagoda), Khandagiri (7 km, 15 Jain caves with carvings of 100 BC), Hathi Gumpha (elephant cave) - King's inscriptions. Udayagiri - Buddhist caves (18 km, 18 caves of 100 BC), Ratnagiri caves near Cuttack.
KONARK Sun temple (70 km) - Known as 'BLACK PAGODA' of 1300 AD, a world heritage centre, it is made in the form of a chariot having 24 intricately carved wheels, chariot with Sun God is pulled by 7 horses (in ruins), archaeological museum, Dance festival in Dec.
PURI temple (60 km) - One of the four most holy places of Hindu pilgrimage (other holy abodes are Badrinath, Dwarka & Rameshwaram), 20000 people are depended on temple for their livelihood, 65 m spire.
RAJASTHAN
JAIPUR - Govindevji temple, Galtaji temple. AJMER - Pushkar lake and Brahma temple (11 km).
BIKANER - Deshnoke (32 km) : Karni devi temple is a famous heavan for rats. A temple full of divine rats.
UDAIPUR - Jagdish temple, Eklingji - 108 temples of 734 AD in marble (22 km), Nagda (Near Eklingji) - Sas Bahu temple and Adbudji Jain temple, Rishabdeoji temple (65 km), Ranakpur Adinath Jain temple complex (85 km).
Saturday, April 15, 2006
HINDU PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 5
MAHARASHTRA
MUMBAI (BOMBAY) - Elephanta caves : a World heritage centre (caves of 700 AD, 1 hour/10 km by boat from Gateway of India), Mahalakshmi temple, VAJRESHWARI - Temple with hot springs at Ganeshpuri (35 km from Kalyan). Akolola hot springs (2 km) are nearby.
PUNE - Jejuri : Khandoba temple (38 km), Dehu (30 km) - pilgrim centre, Alandi - Pilgrim centre.
ASTAVINAYAK TEMPLES : Swayambhu figures of Sri Ganesh in Maharashtra. Madh (15 km from Khopoli), Pali (38 km from Khopoli), Theur (25 km from Pune), Moregaon (15 km from Jejuri, Pune), Ranjengaon (53 km from Pune), Leniyadri (90 km from Pune), Ojhar (75 km from Pune), Sidhatek (20 km from Daund).
GANAPATIPHULE - Ancient Ganapati temple, beach. 50 km from Ratnagiri.
KOLHAPUR - Mahalakshmi temple, Kopeswar temple at Khidrapur, Renkha Bhairav temple.
PANDHARPUR - Major Hindu pilgrim centre (August - October).
NASIK - Hindu pilgrim centre, Simhastha fair is held here once in 12 years, temples, Ramkund - the holy tank 27 m*12 m, Muktidham marble temple, Pandav leni - 24 Jain caves of 100 BC. Trimbakeshwar (35 km) - Jyotirlinga, temple, caves, Brahmagiri hill.
SHIRDI - Major pilgrim centre, Sai Baba temple. 85 km from Nasik.
ELLORA Caves (26 km from Aurangabad) - A world heritage centre. Dance festival in March. 34 caves consisting of Buddhist (1-12), Hindu (13-29), and Jain caves (30-34) of 500 to 1100 AD. Kailasha temple is the main attraction, which is carved out of a monolith, is the biggest cave temple : 84 m * 47 m. Grishneswar jyotirlinga temple.
AJANTA Caves (110 km from Aurangabad) - A world heritage centre of 200 BC. 29 caves containing numerous images of Buddha and painting on walls. The caves are located in the hills in horse shoe shape.
12 JYOTIRLINGAS : Bhimashankar (Pune), Grishneshwar (Aurangabad), Vajyanath (Parali/Bid), Nageswar/Aunda Nagnath (Nanded), Trikambeswar (Nashik), Viswanath(Varanasi), Mallikarjun (Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh), Mahakaleswar (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh), Mamaleswar (Omkareswar, Indore), Somnath (Gujrat), Rameshwar (Tamil Nadu), Kedarnath (Uttaranchal).
MUMBAI (BOMBAY) - Elephanta caves : a World heritage centre (caves of 700 AD, 1 hour/10 km by boat from Gateway of India), Mahalakshmi temple, VAJRESHWARI - Temple with hot springs at Ganeshpuri (35 km from Kalyan). Akolola hot springs (2 km) are nearby.
PUNE - Jejuri : Khandoba temple (38 km), Dehu (30 km) - pilgrim centre, Alandi - Pilgrim centre.
ASTAVINAYAK TEMPLES : Swayambhu figures of Sri Ganesh in Maharashtra. Madh (15 km from Khopoli), Pali (38 km from Khopoli), Theur (25 km from Pune), Moregaon (15 km from Jejuri, Pune), Ranjengaon (53 km from Pune), Leniyadri (90 km from Pune), Ojhar (75 km from Pune), Sidhatek (20 km from Daund).
GANAPATIPHULE - Ancient Ganapati temple, beach. 50 km from Ratnagiri.
KOLHAPUR - Mahalakshmi temple, Kopeswar temple at Khidrapur, Renkha Bhairav temple.
PANDHARPUR - Major Hindu pilgrim centre (August - October).
NASIK - Hindu pilgrim centre, Simhastha fair is held here once in 12 years, temples, Ramkund - the holy tank 27 m*12 m, Muktidham marble temple, Pandav leni - 24 Jain caves of 100 BC. Trimbakeshwar (35 km) - Jyotirlinga, temple, caves, Brahmagiri hill.
SHIRDI - Major pilgrim centre, Sai Baba temple. 85 km from Nasik.
ELLORA Caves (26 km from Aurangabad) - A world heritage centre. Dance festival in March. 34 caves consisting of Buddhist (1-12), Hindu (13-29), and Jain caves (30-34) of 500 to 1100 AD. Kailasha temple is the main attraction, which is carved out of a monolith, is the biggest cave temple : 84 m * 47 m. Grishneswar jyotirlinga temple.
AJANTA Caves (110 km from Aurangabad) - A world heritage centre of 200 BC. 29 caves containing numerous images of Buddha and painting on walls. The caves are located in the hills in horse shoe shape.
12 JYOTIRLINGAS : Bhimashankar (Pune), Grishneshwar (Aurangabad), Vajyanath (Parali/Bid), Nageswar/Aunda Nagnath (Nanded), Trikambeswar (Nashik), Viswanath(Varanasi), Mallikarjun (Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh), Mahakaleswar (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh), Mamaleswar (Omkareswar, Indore), Somnath (Gujrat), Rameshwar (Tamil Nadu), Kedarnath (Uttaranchal).
HINDU PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 4
MADHYA PRADESH
12 JYOTIRLINGAS : Bhimashankar (Pune), Grishneshwar (Aurangabad), Vajyanath (Parali/Bid), Nageswar/Aunda Nagnath (Nanded), Trikambeswar (Nashik), Viswanath(Varanasi), Mallikarjun (Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh), Mahakaleswar (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh), Mamaleswar (Omkareswar, Indore), Somnath (Gujrat), Rameshwar (Tamil Nadu), Kedarnath (Uttaranchal).
OMKARESWAR JYOTIRLINGA - 77 km from Indore situated in an island, Sidhanath mandir, Satmatrika temple group (6 km), Kajal Rani caves (9 km).
UJJAIN - Indore (53 km). Mahakaleswar temple (jyotirlinga), Bade Ganeshji ka mandir, Gola mandir,Navagraha mandir, Kal Bhairava mandir, Gad Kali mandir, Vikram Kirti mandir. MAHESWAR (91 km from Indore) - Maheswar temple.
ORCHHA - 16 km from Jhansi. Fort complex - Ram raja mandir, Chaturbhuj mandir, Lakshmi Narayan mandir.
KHAJURAHO - By Chandelas in 950 AD. Erotic sculptures in temples, archaeological museum. (Rail head Jhansi: 172 km).
Western group temples : Kandariya Mahadeo, Chausat Yogini, Chiragupta, Viswanath, Raja Rani.
Eastern group temples : Parasvanath (largest in this group), Adinath.
Southern group temples : Duladeo temple, Chaturbhuj temple. Dance festival in March .
UTTAR PRADESH
MATHURA - Birth place of Lord Krishna, Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple, Dwarkadeesh temple, Kans qila and Raja Jai Singh observatory, Gita mandir, Mathura ghats - Vishram, kali, Dahi, Govindkeshi, Vrindavan (10 km) - Krishna Balram temple, Givindev temple, Rangaji temple, Radha ballabh temple, Bankey Bihari temple, Shahji temple.
ALLAHABAD - Sangam, confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and invisible Saraswati, Kumbhmela is held at Sangam is India's biggest festival (once in 12 years) with largest religious crowd.
VARANASI - Sacred city for Hindus, Viswanath temple : Jyotirlinga, Ganga bathing ghats.
12 JYOTIRLINGAS : Bhimashankar (Pune), Grishneshwar (Aurangabad), Vajyanath (Parali/Bid), Nageswar/Aunda Nagnath (Nanded), Trikambeswar (Nashik), Viswanath(Varanasi), Mallikarjun (Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh), Mahakaleswar (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh), Mamaleswar (Omkareswar, Indore), Somnath (Gujrat), Rameshwar (Tamil Nadu), Kedarnath (Uttaranchal).
OMKARESWAR JYOTIRLINGA - 77 km from Indore situated in an island, Sidhanath mandir, Satmatrika temple group (6 km), Kajal Rani caves (9 km).
UJJAIN - Indore (53 km). Mahakaleswar temple (jyotirlinga), Bade Ganeshji ka mandir, Gola mandir,Navagraha mandir, Kal Bhairava mandir, Gad Kali mandir, Vikram Kirti mandir. MAHESWAR (91 km from Indore) - Maheswar temple.
ORCHHA - 16 km from Jhansi. Fort complex - Ram raja mandir, Chaturbhuj mandir, Lakshmi Narayan mandir.
KHAJURAHO - By Chandelas in 950 AD. Erotic sculptures in temples, archaeological museum. (Rail head Jhansi: 172 km).
Western group temples : Kandariya Mahadeo, Chausat Yogini, Chiragupta, Viswanath, Raja Rani.
Eastern group temples : Parasvanath (largest in this group), Adinath.
Southern group temples : Duladeo temple, Chaturbhuj temple. Dance festival in March .
UTTAR PRADESH
MATHURA - Birth place of Lord Krishna, Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple, Dwarkadeesh temple, Kans qila and Raja Jai Singh observatory, Gita mandir, Mathura ghats - Vishram, kali, Dahi, Govindkeshi, Vrindavan (10 km) - Krishna Balram temple, Givindev temple, Rangaji temple, Radha ballabh temple, Bankey Bihari temple, Shahji temple.
ALLAHABAD - Sangam, confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and invisible Saraswati, Kumbhmela is held at Sangam is India's biggest festival (once in 12 years) with largest religious crowd.
VARANASI - Sacred city for Hindus, Viswanath temple : Jyotirlinga, Ganga bathing ghats.
Friday, April 14, 2006
HINDU PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 3
KARNATAKA
BANGALORE - Bull temple at Basavanagudi (6.1 m long and 4.6 m high Nandi), Whitefield (16 km) - Satya Sai Baba ashram.
MYSORE - Chamundi hills (13 km, temple, 4.8 m Nandi statue half way up), NANJANGUD (22 km) - Nanjundeswara temple, SOMNATHPUR (38 km) - Hoysala temple, HALEBID (17 km from Belur) - Hoysaleswara temple and archaeological museum.
HAMPI - World heritage centre, archaeological museum, Vijayanagara ruins - Vithala temple, Vrupaksha temple and Lotus Mahal.
BADAMI - 4 caves, Malegitti Shivalaya temple. 163 km from Bijapur.
PATTADAKAL - World heritage centre, 30 km from Badami, Sangameswara temple, Mallikarjuna temple, Virupaksha temple, Padmanatha temple, Papanatha temple, Dance festival in Jan.
AIHOLE - Meguti temple with inscriptions, Lad Khan temple group, Durga temple, Ravanaphadi cave. 40 km from Badami.
MANGALORE - Mangaladevi temple, Kadri temple, Sringeri - Monastery by Shankaracharya, Vidya Shankara temple.
UDUPI - Sri Krishna temple, DHARMASTALA - Manjunatha temple and Gomateswara statue.
KERALA
ALAPUZHA (ALLEPPEY) - Ambalapuzha temple (25 km), Mannarasala temple at Harippad,
ALUVA - Shivratri is celebrated here. Kalady - Birth place of Adi Sankaracharya.
THRISSUR - Pooram at Vadakkunathan Shiv temple (April/ May); Guruvayur temple (30 km, 63 temple elephants).
SABARIMALA - Ayyappa temple 160 km from Kottayam at 914 m, Nov to Jan - Major pilgrim centre, 5 km trek from Pamba.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Padmanabhaswami temple.
BANGALORE - Bull temple at Basavanagudi (6.1 m long and 4.6 m high Nandi), Whitefield (16 km) - Satya Sai Baba ashram.
MYSORE - Chamundi hills (13 km, temple, 4.8 m Nandi statue half way up), NANJANGUD (22 km) - Nanjundeswara temple, SOMNATHPUR (38 km) - Hoysala temple, HALEBID (17 km from Belur) - Hoysaleswara temple and archaeological museum.
HAMPI - World heritage centre, archaeological museum, Vijayanagara ruins - Vithala temple, Vrupaksha temple and Lotus Mahal.
BADAMI - 4 caves, Malegitti Shivalaya temple. 163 km from Bijapur.
PATTADAKAL - World heritage centre, 30 km from Badami, Sangameswara temple, Mallikarjuna temple, Virupaksha temple, Padmanatha temple, Papanatha temple, Dance festival in Jan.
AIHOLE - Meguti temple with inscriptions, Lad Khan temple group, Durga temple, Ravanaphadi cave. 40 km from Badami.
MANGALORE - Mangaladevi temple, Kadri temple, Sringeri - Monastery by Shankaracharya, Vidya Shankara temple.
UDUPI - Sri Krishna temple, DHARMASTALA - Manjunatha temple and Gomateswara statue.
KERALA
ALAPUZHA (ALLEPPEY) - Ambalapuzha temple (25 km), Mannarasala temple at Harippad,
ALUVA - Shivratri is celebrated here. Kalady - Birth place of Adi Sankaracharya.
THRISSUR - Pooram at Vadakkunathan Shiv temple (April/ May); Guruvayur temple (30 km, 63 temple elephants).
SABARIMALA - Ayyappa temple 160 km from Kottayam at 914 m, Nov to Jan - Major pilgrim centre, 5 km trek from Pamba.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Padmanabhaswami temple.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
HINDU PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 2
JAMMU KASHMIR
JAMMU - Ranbireswar temple, Raghnath temple,VAISHNODEVI - Hindu pilgrim centre, 14 km trek from Katra (40 km from Jammu).
AMARNATH (3900 m) - Cave with ice Shivlinga which waxes and wanes with moon, Pahalgam to Chandanwari by jeep, trek to Panchtarani via Sheshnag and then to cave (40 km), Return to Baltal in 4 days; BALTAL - Base camp for trekking to Amarnath cave (15*2 km, in a day). Season : July to Sept.
SRINAGAR- Shankaracharya temple on hill top (4 km, 300 m), Khir Bhawani temple (27 km, in marble).
HIMACHAL PRADESH
JAWALAMUKHI - Temple with shining gas flame is revered as Goddess. Baijnath temple. KANGRA - Barjeshwari temple, fort .
KULLU - Raghunath temple (Dussera), Jagatsukh Shiv temple (800 AD, 6 km).
MANIKARAN - 45 km from Kullu, famous for hot sulphur springs- temple.
MANALI - Hadimba devi temple, Vashist hot springs (3 km)
JHARKHAND
Baidyanath temple, Deoghar - Hindu pilgrim centre.
JAMMU - Ranbireswar temple, Raghnath temple,VAISHNODEVI - Hindu pilgrim centre, 14 km trek from Katra (40 km from Jammu).
AMARNATH (3900 m) - Cave with ice Shivlinga which waxes and wanes with moon, Pahalgam to Chandanwari by jeep, trek to Panchtarani via Sheshnag and then to cave (40 km), Return to Baltal in 4 days; BALTAL - Base camp for trekking to Amarnath cave (15*2 km, in a day). Season : July to Sept.
SRINAGAR- Shankaracharya temple on hill top (4 km, 300 m), Khir Bhawani temple (27 km, in marble).
HIMACHAL PRADESH
JAWALAMUKHI - Temple with shining gas flame is revered as Goddess. Baijnath temple. KANGRA - Barjeshwari temple, fort .
KULLU - Raghunath temple (Dussera), Jagatsukh Shiv temple (800 AD, 6 km).
MANIKARAN - 45 km from Kullu, famous for hot sulphur springs- temple.
MANALI - Hadimba devi temple, Vashist hot springs (3 km)
JHARKHAND
Baidyanath temple, Deoghar - Hindu pilgrim centre.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
HINDU PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 1
ANDHRA PRADESH
TIRUMALA near TIRUPATI - World's richest temple (Gold & diamonds worth Rs. 500 Cr.), Sri Venkateshwara University museum.
PUTTAPARTI - Satya Sai Baba's Prashanti nilayam ; Lepakshi - Temple having largest Nandi Statue in India (100 km from Bangalore)
Warangal : Fort, temple, Hanamkonda temple (7 km) : 1000 pillared hall with 1.8 m Nandi statue.
ASSAM
GUWAHATI - State museum, Assam state zoo & botanical garden, temples.
MAJULI - World's largest river island and a pilgrim centre (120 km from Guwahati)
GOA
Pernem temple, Pilar monastries; Ponda - temples, Shanta Durga temple near Ponda, Sri Manguesh temple at Priol (5 km). Margao - Chanreshwar Butnath temple (10 km).
GUJRAT
AHMEDABAD - Akshardham temple, Modhera Sun temple (104 km).
DWARKA - One of the four most sacred Hindu pilgrim centres, Janmastami is celebrated in Jagat Mandir (1400 years old),Shankaracharya Ashram - Sharda Peeth. Beyt Dwaraka (5 km) - temple.
SOMNATH - One of the 12 jyotirlingas : temple, Bhalka tirth, museum and beach, 80 km from Junagarh.
TIRUMALA near TIRUPATI - World's richest temple (Gold & diamonds worth Rs. 500 Cr.), Sri Venkateshwara University museum.
PUTTAPARTI - Satya Sai Baba's Prashanti nilayam ; Lepakshi - Temple having largest Nandi Statue in India (100 km from Bangalore)
Warangal : Fort, temple, Hanamkonda temple (7 km) : 1000 pillared hall with 1.8 m Nandi statue.
ASSAM
GUWAHATI - State museum, Assam state zoo & botanical garden, temples.
MAJULI - World's largest river island and a pilgrim centre (120 km from Guwahati)
GOA
Pernem temple, Pilar monastries; Ponda - temples, Shanta Durga temple near Ponda, Sri Manguesh temple at Priol (5 km). Margao - Chanreshwar Butnath temple (10 km).
GUJRAT
AHMEDABAD - Akshardham temple, Modhera Sun temple (104 km).
DWARKA - One of the four most sacred Hindu pilgrim centres, Janmastami is celebrated in Jagat Mandir (1400 years old),Shankaracharya Ashram - Sharda Peeth. Beyt Dwaraka (5 km) - temple.
SOMNATH - One of the 12 jyotirlingas : temple, Bhalka tirth, museum and beach, 80 km from Junagarh.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
EVEREST
Mount EVEREST is the highest peak on earth with a height of 8848 m. On May 29, 1953 at 1130 am two men stepped atop Everest. They hold the flags of UN, Britain, Nepal and India on their ice axe. Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first sumitters. The peak still remains an eternal challenge for all mountaineers. Climbing to the world's highest mountain is a big business, with people paying upto $70,000. Tenzing born in 1914 in Tibet started his career as a porter in 1935. He lived most of his life in Darjeeling , where he died in 1986. His son is also an Everest summitter.
EVEREST was named after the surveyor general of India George Everest. In 1865 Peak XV was renamend as EVEREST.
EVEREST base camp trek (NEPAL) - Kathmandu's world heritage sites include Bodhnath stupa, Swayambunath stupa and Pashupatinath, the Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. From Kathmandu to Tyangboche (3867 m)/ Lukla (2834 m) by flight. Lukla to Namche Bazar (3440 m, 20 km, 4 hour, main village), to Tyangboche (5 hour, monastry), to Periche (4243 m, 5 hour, 10 km, accomodation), to Lobuje (4930 m, 3 hour, 10 km, stone huts), to Gorakshep (5150 m, 4 hour, 10 km, single hut), (a) to Kalapathar (5623 m, 3 hour). (b) Everest base camp (5356 m, 3 hour) : 8 days trek. Views of Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Lhotse and Everest.
Everest BC has well beaten trail, so one can trek with out even a guide. Season : March to May. Tyangboche has regular flights from Kathmandu from Oct to May. Himalaya has violent blizzards, high winds and intense cold. Weather is of cloudiness, rain, snow, occasional hailstorm or snow blizzards, avalanche etc.
Main peaks in Himalaya : Everest (8848 m, Nepal-China border), K2 (8611 m, POK : Pakistan), Kangchenjunga (8598 m, Sikkim, India), Lhotse (8501 m, Nepal), Makalu (8475 m, Nepal), Dhaulagiri (8167 m, Nepal), Cho oyu (8153 m, Nepal), Nanga Parbat (8126 m, POK : Pakistan), Manaslu (8125 m), Annapurna (8091 m, Nepal), Gasherbrum -1 (8068 m, POK : Pakistan), Gasherbrum -2 (8035 m, POK : Pakistan), Annapurna-2 (7937 m, Nepal), Himachuli (7892 m), Nuptse (7879 m, Nepal), Masherbrum (7820 m, POK : Pakistan), Nanda Devi (7817 m, Uttaranchal, India), Kamet (7756 m, India), Jhomsom (7473 m, Nepal), Pumori (7145 m), Nun (7135 m, Kashmir, India), Api (7132 m, Nepal), Trishul (7120 m, Uttaranchal, India), Kun (7017 m, Kashmir, India), Santopanth (7075 m, India), Nandakot (6887 m, Uttaranchal, India), Ama Dablam (6856 m, Nepal).
EVEREST was named after the surveyor general of India George Everest. In 1865 Peak XV was renamend as EVEREST.
EVEREST base camp trek (NEPAL) - Kathmandu's world heritage sites include Bodhnath stupa, Swayambunath stupa and Pashupatinath, the Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. From Kathmandu to Tyangboche (3867 m)/ Lukla (2834 m) by flight. Lukla to Namche Bazar (3440 m, 20 km, 4 hour, main village), to Tyangboche (5 hour, monastry), to Periche (4243 m, 5 hour, 10 km, accomodation), to Lobuje (4930 m, 3 hour, 10 km, stone huts), to Gorakshep (5150 m, 4 hour, 10 km, single hut), (a) to Kalapathar (5623 m, 3 hour). (b) Everest base camp (5356 m, 3 hour) : 8 days trek. Views of Ama Dablam, Cho Oyu, Makalu, Lhotse and Everest.
Everest BC has well beaten trail, so one can trek with out even a guide. Season : March to May. Tyangboche has regular flights from Kathmandu from Oct to May. Himalaya has violent blizzards, high winds and intense cold. Weather is of cloudiness, rain, snow, occasional hailstorm or snow blizzards, avalanche etc.
Main peaks in Himalaya : Everest (8848 m, Nepal-China border), K2 (8611 m, POK : Pakistan), Kangchenjunga (8598 m, Sikkim, India), Lhotse (8501 m, Nepal), Makalu (8475 m, Nepal), Dhaulagiri (8167 m, Nepal), Cho oyu (8153 m, Nepal), Nanga Parbat (8126 m, POK : Pakistan), Manaslu (8125 m), Annapurna (8091 m, Nepal), Gasherbrum -1 (8068 m, POK : Pakistan), Gasherbrum -2 (8035 m, POK : Pakistan), Annapurna-2 (7937 m, Nepal), Himachuli (7892 m), Nuptse (7879 m, Nepal), Masherbrum (7820 m, POK : Pakistan), Nanda Devi (7817 m, Uttaranchal, India), Kamet (7756 m, India), Jhomsom (7473 m, Nepal), Pumori (7145 m), Nun (7135 m, Kashmir, India), Api (7132 m, Nepal), Trishul (7120 m, Uttaranchal, India), Kun (7017 m, Kashmir, India), Santopanth (7075 m, India), Nandakot (6887 m, Uttaranchal, India), Ama Dablam (6856 m, Nepal).
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Tourist Important places in ANDHRA PRADESH
The most important tourist hot spot in the state is Hydrerabad. The others include VISHAKAPATANAM, Nagarjunakonda, Srisailam, TIRUPATI , Puttaparti and Lepakshi .
From Vizag one can visit Borra caves and the scenic Araku valley. Papi Kondalu near Rajahmundry has magnificent gorge and scenary . Tirupati is the famous pilgrim centre in the country. Lepakshi has a large Nandi statue.
VISHAKAPATANAM/VIZAG - Waltair beach (5 km) and Dolphin's nose (174 m cliff), Light house, Hindustan shipyard ; Simhachalam temple (20 km); Anantagiri : temples, Borra : (12 km, limestone caves with Stalagmite and Stalactite formations) ; Machkund water falls, Araku valley : scenic beauty, waterfalls.
NAGARJUNAKONDA - Archaeological museum, Buddhist ruins and reconstructed monuments ; Rajahmundry : Hindu pilgrim centre, second longest railway bridge in India. Papi Kondalu : magnificent gorge and scenary near Rajahmundry.
NAGARJUNA SAGAR - Dam ; Srisailam - Sri Mallikarjunaswamy one of the 12 jyotirlingas, Wild life sanctuary.
TIRUMALA near TIRUPATI - World's richest temple (Gold & diamonds worth Rs. 500 Cr.), Sri Venkateshwara University museum, Chandagiri fort (12 km from Tirupati), Kailasanathakona water falls (44 km).
PUTTAPARTI - Satya Sai Baba's Prashanti nilayam ; Lepakshi - Temple having largest Nandi Statue in India (100 km from Bangalore). Amaravati (66 km from Vijaywada) - Buddhist carvings, viharas, chaityas etc.
For more travel info, Please visit: http://travelguide.bizhat.com
http://gallery.bizhat.com/showgallery.php/cat/502
From Vizag one can visit Borra caves and the scenic Araku valley. Papi Kondalu near Rajahmundry has magnificent gorge and scenary . Tirupati is the famous pilgrim centre in the country. Lepakshi has a large Nandi statue.
VISHAKAPATANAM/VIZAG - Waltair beach (5 km) and Dolphin's nose (174 m cliff), Light house, Hindustan shipyard ; Simhachalam temple (20 km); Anantagiri : temples, Borra : (12 km, limestone caves with Stalagmite and Stalactite formations) ; Machkund water falls, Araku valley : scenic beauty, waterfalls.
NAGARJUNAKONDA - Archaeological museum, Buddhist ruins and reconstructed monuments ; Rajahmundry : Hindu pilgrim centre, second longest railway bridge in India. Papi Kondalu : magnificent gorge and scenary near Rajahmundry.
NAGARJUNA SAGAR - Dam ; Srisailam - Sri Mallikarjunaswamy one of the 12 jyotirlingas, Wild life sanctuary.
TIRUMALA near TIRUPATI - World's richest temple (Gold & diamonds worth Rs. 500 Cr.), Sri Venkateshwara University museum, Chandagiri fort (12 km from Tirupati), Kailasanathakona water falls (44 km).
PUTTAPARTI - Satya Sai Baba's Prashanti nilayam ; Lepakshi - Temple having largest Nandi Statue in India (100 km from Bangalore). Amaravati (66 km from Vijaywada) - Buddhist carvings, viharas, chaityas etc.
For more travel info, Please visit: http://travelguide.bizhat.com
http://gallery.bizhat.com/showgallery.php/cat/502
Sunday, April 02, 2006
CHARDHAM YATRA - YAMNOTRI, GANGOTRI, KEDARNATH, BADARINATH
CHARDHAM YATRA - YAMNOTRI, GANGOTRI, KEDARNATH, BADARINATH
Chardham Yatra is a religious travel in the Himalayas and can be completed in two weeks time. The place to start the travel is Rishikesh or Dehradun in Uttaranchal. The yatra is through the beautiful hill areas prone to landslides and involve very long road travel at snail's pace. The road is zigzag and the vehicles can move at an average speed of 30 kmph. There is no competition on this road - no overtaking or overspeeding. Night travel is forbidden in this route. The route is open for traffic from 0600 to 2000 h on all days except the winter season.
Yamnotri and Kedarnath involves trek to reach the temple on the average of 13 km one way in each case. Other tourist attractions on the way are :
DEHRADUN - Capital of Uttaranchal, hill station, Indian military academy.
MUSSOORIE - Major hill station 28 km from Dehradun, gardens, trekking, Gun hill rope way, Tibettan market, Kempty falls (15 km), Yamuna bridge (27 km), Surkhanda devi temple (35 km), Yamnotri (140 km).
YAMNOTRI - Source of river Yamuna, Hindu pilgrim centre - temple, hot springs - Surya kund , Divya shila rock pillar near the temple. Mussoorie to Hanuman chatti (130 km). 13 km trek via Janaki chatti for Yamnotri. 120 km for Gangotri.
GANGOTRI (3048 m) - Glacier at Gaumukh (24 km trek), source of Ganga river, Hindu pilgrim centre, temple, access from Dehradun by bus, Open May to October. Mussoorie to Lanka (112 km). Trek to Gangotri (11 km), to Bhajbasa (3800 m, 12 km) via Chibasa, to Gaumukh (3970 m, 12 km) and back .
HARIDWAR - Kumbh mela is held here after every 12 years, Chandi devi temple, Bharatmata temple, Mayadevi temple, Bhimgoda temple, Mansadevi temple (ropeway), Vaishnodevi temple, Hari-i-Pairi Ganga ghat for evening Aarti, temples, ashrams.
RISHIKESH - Hindu pilgrim centre, Trivel ghat : Evening Aarti, Swarg ashram : famous for Yoga and meditation, Kali temple, Lakshman Jhoola (bridge), Ram Jhoola. Kedarnath (222 km), Badrinath (300 km).
KEDARNATH - Hindu pilgrim centre near Badrinath (180 km, 3584 m, 13 km trek from Gaurikund - hot springs, May to Oct), jyotirlinga, Shankaracharya samadhi, Chaukamba glacier (2 km), Vasuki tal lake (4200m, 5 km , 2 km in dia.), trekking, wild flowers .
BADARINATH - Hindu pilgrim centre (bus from Rishikesh, 300 km, 12 hour, 3100 m), hot springs : Taptakund and Surya kund, from temple steps leads to Charan paduka. The last village Mana is at 3 km. Vyas gupha : cave, trek to Vasudhara falls via Bhim pul (5 km, 122 m water fall at 3658 m). The route leads to Mt. Nilkantha (6596 m, 10 km). Mt. Kamet (7756 m) is near Mana.
For more information on Trekking in Uttaranchal, Please visit http://travelguide.bizhat.com
Chardham Yatra is a religious travel in the Himalayas and can be completed in two weeks time. The place to start the travel is Rishikesh or Dehradun in Uttaranchal. The yatra is through the beautiful hill areas prone to landslides and involve very long road travel at snail's pace. The road is zigzag and the vehicles can move at an average speed of 30 kmph. There is no competition on this road - no overtaking or overspeeding. Night travel is forbidden in this route. The route is open for traffic from 0600 to 2000 h on all days except the winter season.
Yamnotri and Kedarnath involves trek to reach the temple on the average of 13 km one way in each case. Other tourist attractions on the way are :
DEHRADUN - Capital of Uttaranchal, hill station, Indian military academy.
MUSSOORIE - Major hill station 28 km from Dehradun, gardens, trekking, Gun hill rope way, Tibettan market, Kempty falls (15 km), Yamuna bridge (27 km), Surkhanda devi temple (35 km), Yamnotri (140 km).
YAMNOTRI - Source of river Yamuna, Hindu pilgrim centre - temple, hot springs - Surya kund , Divya shila rock pillar near the temple. Mussoorie to Hanuman chatti (130 km). 13 km trek via Janaki chatti for Yamnotri. 120 km for Gangotri.
GANGOTRI (3048 m) - Glacier at Gaumukh (24 km trek), source of Ganga river, Hindu pilgrim centre, temple, access from Dehradun by bus, Open May to October. Mussoorie to Lanka (112 km). Trek to Gangotri (11 km), to Bhajbasa (3800 m, 12 km) via Chibasa, to Gaumukh (3970 m, 12 km) and back .
HARIDWAR - Kumbh mela is held here after every 12 years, Chandi devi temple, Bharatmata temple, Mayadevi temple, Bhimgoda temple, Mansadevi temple (ropeway), Vaishnodevi temple, Hari-i-Pairi Ganga ghat for evening Aarti, temples, ashrams.
RISHIKESH - Hindu pilgrim centre, Trivel ghat : Evening Aarti, Swarg ashram : famous for Yoga and meditation, Kali temple, Lakshman Jhoola (bridge), Ram Jhoola. Kedarnath (222 km), Badrinath (300 km).
KEDARNATH - Hindu pilgrim centre near Badrinath (180 km, 3584 m, 13 km trek from Gaurikund - hot springs, May to Oct), jyotirlinga, Shankaracharya samadhi, Chaukamba glacier (2 km), Vasuki tal lake (4200m, 5 km , 2 km in dia.), trekking, wild flowers .
BADARINATH - Hindu pilgrim centre (bus from Rishikesh, 300 km, 12 hour, 3100 m), hot springs : Taptakund and Surya kund, from temple steps leads to Charan paduka. The last village Mana is at 3 km. Vyas gupha : cave, trek to Vasudhara falls via Bhim pul (5 km, 122 m water fall at 3658 m). The route leads to Mt. Nilkantha (6596 m, 10 km). Mt. Kamet (7756 m) is near Mana.
For more information on Trekking in Uttaranchal, Please visit http://travelguide.bizhat.com
