Wednesday, July 26, 2006
TOURIST INFORMATION : MADHYA PRADESH
BHOPAL - Taj ul masjid (India's biggest), upper & lower lakes, fort, State museum, Moti masjid, Shaukat Mahal, Van Vihar safari park, Bhimbetka (40 km) - 700 caves with paintings, a world heritage centre.
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, archaeological musuem. Vidisha (10 km) - Heliodorous pillar, Udayagiri caves.
INDORE - Central museum, Jain Kabch temple.
OMKARESWAR JYOTIRLINGA - 77 km from Indore situated in an island, Sidhanath mandir, 24 Avatar's Jain mandir, Satmatrika temple group (6 km), Kajal Rani caves (9 km).
UJJAIN - Indore (53 km). Mahakaleswar temple (jyotirlinga), Vikram university museum. Jai Singh observatory, Bade Ganeshji ka mandir, Gola mandir, Navagraha mandir, Kal Bhairava mandir, Gad Kali mandir, Vikram Kirti mandir.
MAHESWAR (91 km from Indore) - Maheswar temple, fort with Ragaddi and Rajwada, famous for sarees.
GWALIOR - Fort with Tansen's tomb and archaeological museum at Gujari mahal, Man mandir palace, temple, Suraj kund, Jivaji Rao Scindia museum, Ghaus Mohammed's tomb, memorials to Rani of Jhansi and Tantya Tope.
ORCHHA - 16 km from Jhansi. Fort complex - Jehangir mahal, Raj mahal, Anand mahal, Ram raja mandir, Chaturbhuj mandir, Lakshmi Narayan mandir, Kanchan ghat of Betwa river.
KHAJURAHO - By Chandelas in 950 AD. Erotic sculptures in temples, archaeological museum. (Rail head Jhansi/ Satna : 172/117 km), Dubela museum (64 km).
Western group temples : Kandariya Mahadeo, Chausat Yogini, Chitragupta, Viswanath, Raja Rani.
Eastern group temples : Parasvanath (largest in this group), Adinath.
Southern group temples : Duladeo temple having figures of sexual intercourse and women in different poses, Chaturbhuj temple. Dance festival (March).
JABALPUR - Bheraghat (23 km, marble rocks, one of the most scenic spots, cruising in the gorge), Chausat Yogini temple, Dudhsagar falls.
PACHMARHI - Hill resort, Priyadarshini point, Handi Khoh - 100 m high precipice, Rajat Prapat and Apsara vihar, Mahadeo temple with Shivling, Jatashankar cave, Pandav caves, Dhoopgarh : highest point. Railhead : Piparya on Mumbai - Howrah line (47 km), trekking.
FESTIVALS - Basant Panchami (Jan/Feb), Shivratri and Holi (Feb/Mar), Dussera, Diwali (Oct/Nov).
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, archaeological musuem. Vidisha (10 km) - Heliodorous pillar, Udayagiri caves.
INDORE - Central museum, Jain Kabch temple.
OMKARESWAR JYOTIRLINGA - 77 km from Indore situated in an island, Sidhanath mandir, 24 Avatar's Jain mandir, Satmatrika temple group (6 km), Kajal Rani caves (9 km).
UJJAIN - Indore (53 km). Mahakaleswar temple (jyotirlinga), Vikram university museum. Jai Singh observatory, Bade Ganeshji ka mandir, Gola mandir, Navagraha mandir, Kal Bhairava mandir, Gad Kali mandir, Vikram Kirti mandir.
MAHESWAR (91 km from Indore) - Maheswar temple, fort with Ragaddi and Rajwada, famous for sarees.
GWALIOR - Fort with Tansen's tomb and archaeological museum at Gujari mahal, Man mandir palace, temple, Suraj kund, Jivaji Rao Scindia museum, Ghaus Mohammed's tomb, memorials to Rani of Jhansi and Tantya Tope.
ORCHHA - 16 km from Jhansi. Fort complex - Jehangir mahal, Raj mahal, Anand mahal, Ram raja mandir, Chaturbhuj mandir, Lakshmi Narayan mandir, Kanchan ghat of Betwa river.
KHAJURAHO - By Chandelas in 950 AD. Erotic sculptures in temples, archaeological museum. (Rail head Jhansi/ Satna : 172/117 km), Dubela museum (64 km).
Western group temples : Kandariya Mahadeo, Chausat Yogini, Chitragupta, Viswanath, Raja Rani.
Eastern group temples : Parasvanath (largest in this group), Adinath.
Southern group temples : Duladeo temple having figures of sexual intercourse and women in different poses, Chaturbhuj temple. Dance festival (March).
JABALPUR - Bheraghat (23 km, marble rocks, one of the most scenic spots, cruising in the gorge), Chausat Yogini temple, Dudhsagar falls.
PACHMARHI - Hill resort, Priyadarshini point, Handi Khoh - 100 m high precipice, Rajat Prapat and Apsara vihar, Mahadeo temple with Shivling, Jatashankar cave, Pandav caves, Dhoopgarh : highest point. Railhead : Piparya on Mumbai - Howrah line (47 km), trekking.
FESTIVALS - Basant Panchami (Jan/Feb), Shivratri and Holi (Feb/Mar), Dussera, Diwali (Oct/Nov).
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
GENERAL INFORMATION : MADHYA PRADESH
Capital : Bhopal.
Area : 3, 08, 000 sq.km.
Literacy : 64.7%.
Languages : Hindi, Urdu, Marathi.
Roads : 1, 98, 936 km.
Railways : 5, 893 km.
Airports : Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Khajuraho, Raipur.
When to visit : Oct to May.
Climate(in °C) : Summer 48 to 2 Winter 23 to 4.
Districts : 45, Balaghat, Barwani, Betul, Bhind, Bhopal, Chhatarpur, Chindwara, Damoh, Datia, Dewas, Dhar, Dindori, East Nimar, Guna, Gwalior, Harda, Hoshangabad, Indore, Jabalpur , Jhabua, Katni, Mandla, Mandsaur, Morena, Narsimhapur, Neemuch, Panna, Raisen, Rajgarh, Ratlam, Rewa, Sagar, Satna, Sehore, Seoni, Shahdol, Shajapur,
Sheopur, Shivpuri, Sidhi, Tikamgarh, Ujjain, Umaria, Vidisha West Nimar.
Places of Tourist importance : Khajuraho, Sanchi, Bhimbetka, Pachmarhi, Omkareshwar, marble rocks at Bhedaghat,Mandu.
Area : 3, 08, 000 sq.km.
Literacy : 64.7%.
Languages : Hindi, Urdu, Marathi.
Roads : 1, 98, 936 km.
Railways : 5, 893 km.
Airports : Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Khajuraho, Raipur.
When to visit : Oct to May.
Climate(in °C) : Summer 48 to 2 Winter 23 to 4.
Districts : 45, Balaghat, Barwani, Betul, Bhind, Bhopal, Chhatarpur, Chindwara, Damoh, Datia, Dewas, Dhar, Dindori, East Nimar, Guna, Gwalior, Harda, Hoshangabad, Indore, Jabalpur , Jhabua, Katni, Mandla, Mandsaur, Morena, Narsimhapur, Neemuch, Panna, Raisen, Rajgarh, Ratlam, Rewa, Sagar, Satna, Sehore, Seoni, Shahdol, Shajapur,
Sheopur, Shivpuri, Sidhi, Tikamgarh, Ujjain, Umaria, Vidisha West Nimar.
Places of Tourist importance : Khajuraho, Sanchi, Bhimbetka, Pachmarhi, Omkareshwar, marble rocks at Bhedaghat,Mandu.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
TOURIST INFORMATION : LAKSHADWEEP
Capital : Kavaratti.
Area : 32 sq.km.
Literacy : 87%.
Airports : Agatti.
Languages : Malayalam, Tamil.
When to visit : Oct to May.
Climate(in °C) : Summer 22 to 35 Winter 20 to 32.
Monsoon : Oct to Nov.
Districts : 1, Lakshadweep.
Places of Tourist importance : Minicoy light house, Urja mosque, Buddhist archaeological remains at Andrott.
Area : 32 sq.km.
Literacy : 87%.
Airports : Agatti.
Languages : Malayalam, Tamil.
When to visit : Oct to May.
Climate(in °C) : Summer 22 to 35 Winter 20 to 32.
Monsoon : Oct to Nov.
Districts : 1, Lakshadweep.
Places of Tourist importance : Minicoy light house, Urja mosque, Buddhist archaeological remains at Andrott.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
TOURIST INFORMATION : KERALA
One of the ten most beautiful places in the world (Kumarakom) by National Geographic Traveller. Known as God's own country/spice garden of India. Famous for Snake boat race, Kathakali dance, Ayurveda system of healing.
ALAPUZHA (ALLEPPEY) - Onam snake boat race (Aug/Sept), boating through the backwaters to Kollam or Kottayam, Ambalapuzha temple (25 km), Mannarasala temple at Haripad, Kanichukulangara temple - Shivratri festival, Arthunkal church (20 km) - Festival on Jan 20 th.
KOCHI/ERNAKULAM - Known as 'Queen of the Arabian Sea', Parishat Thampuran museum, Bolgatty palace by boat from Marine drive, Hill palace museum at Thripunithura.
FORT KOCHI (10 km) - St.Francis church of 1510 AD where Vasco Da Gama was buried, Dutch cemetry, Santa Cruz Basallica, Willington island, Coonan kurisu shrine at Mattanchery, Jewish synagogue (1568 AD), Jew town, Dutch palace, Chinese fishing nets, Vypin island via boat.
ALUVA - Shivratri is celebrated here. Kalady - Birth place of Adi Sankaracharya, Malayattur church (25 km, Easter/Good Friday).
ATHIRAPALLY & VAZHACHAL - Waterfalls. 30 km from Angamaly.
MUNNAR (524 m) - Hill staion, tea plantation. 136 km from Kochi.
THRISSUR - Archaeological museum, Pooram at Vadakkunathan Shiv temple (April/ May), zoo, fort, palace; Guruvayur temple (30 km, 63 temple elephants).
KOTTAYAM - Churches, Syrian Christian cultural centre. Popular tourist centre Kumarakom is 16 km away.
SABARIMALA - Ayyappa temple 160 km from Kottayam at 914 m, Nov to Jan - Major pilgrim centre, 5 km trek from Pamba.
TEKKADY - Periyar lake wild life sanctuary, famous for wild life - Elephants, tigers, birds and flying lizards. 130 km from Kottayam. PIRUMED - Hill station, plantation.
VARKALA - Beach, Janardhana temple, Anchuthengu fort (10 km).
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Padmanabhaswami temple, Old muslim clock, zoo, Napier museum and Sri Chitra art gallery, palace, Science and technical museum, Secretariat, Shankumukham beach, Veli beach (10 km), Kovalam beach (16 km), Neyyar dam and Lion safari (32 km). Ponmudi hill station (60 km). Padmanabhapuram palace (54 km).
MALAMPUZHA (12 km from Palakkad) - Dam, garden with fountains.
EDAKKAL - Cave in Wayanad district.
KANNUR - Fort, Payyambalam and Muzhapilangad beaches. KASARGOD - Bekkal fort (20 km).
FESTIVALS - Onam (Aug/Sept), Vishu, Ramzan, Christmas, Aluva Shivratri.
ALAPUZHA (ALLEPPEY) - Onam snake boat race (Aug/Sept), boating through the backwaters to Kollam or Kottayam, Ambalapuzha temple (25 km), Mannarasala temple at Haripad, Kanichukulangara temple - Shivratri festival, Arthunkal church (20 km) - Festival on Jan 20 th.
KOCHI/ERNAKULAM - Known as 'Queen of the Arabian Sea', Parishat Thampuran museum, Bolgatty palace by boat from Marine drive, Hill palace museum at Thripunithura.
FORT KOCHI (10 km) - St.Francis church of 1510 AD where Vasco Da Gama was buried, Dutch cemetry, Santa Cruz Basallica, Willington island, Coonan kurisu shrine at Mattanchery, Jewish synagogue (1568 AD), Jew town, Dutch palace, Chinese fishing nets, Vypin island via boat.
ALUVA - Shivratri is celebrated here. Kalady - Birth place of Adi Sankaracharya, Malayattur church (25 km, Easter/Good Friday).
ATHIRAPALLY & VAZHACHAL - Waterfalls. 30 km from Angamaly.
MUNNAR (524 m) - Hill staion, tea plantation. 136 km from Kochi.
THRISSUR - Archaeological museum, Pooram at Vadakkunathan Shiv temple (April/ May), zoo, fort, palace; Guruvayur temple (30 km, 63 temple elephants).
KOTTAYAM - Churches, Syrian Christian cultural centre. Popular tourist centre Kumarakom is 16 km away.
SABARIMALA - Ayyappa temple 160 km from Kottayam at 914 m, Nov to Jan - Major pilgrim centre, 5 km trek from Pamba.
TEKKADY - Periyar lake wild life sanctuary, famous for wild life - Elephants, tigers, birds and flying lizards. 130 km from Kottayam. PIRUMED - Hill station, plantation.
VARKALA - Beach, Janardhana temple, Anchuthengu fort (10 km).
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Padmanabhaswami temple, Old muslim clock, zoo, Napier museum and Sri Chitra art gallery, palace, Science and technical museum, Secretariat, Shankumukham beach, Veli beach (10 km), Kovalam beach (16 km), Neyyar dam and Lion safari (32 km). Ponmudi hill station (60 km). Padmanabhapuram palace (54 km).
MALAMPUZHA (12 km from Palakkad) - Dam, garden with fountains.
EDAKKAL - Cave in Wayanad district.
KANNUR - Fort, Payyambalam and Muzhapilangad beaches. KASARGOD - Bekkal fort (20 km).
FESTIVALS - Onam (Aug/Sept), Vishu, Ramzan, Christmas, Aluva Shivratri.
