India travelguide

Aatwan phata - Mangaon trek

2006-12-19T09:14:00.000-08:00

Aatwan phata : By 0900 am ST bus from Lonavla to Sahara, one can getdown at Aatwan phata (12 km).At Aatwan phata, on left one can see the Mulshi lake. Turn right to a depression and the small track climbs down to a lower plateau. Follow the water nullah (dried) right and take a long traverse of the steep rock wall to the base of Moradi peak. Then find a nullah which climbs down to Mangaon village. The trek takes 3 hour. Travel to Parali and then to Khopoli via six seater/ ST. From Khopoli one can travel to Mumbai.

Lonavla is a popular hill station with nice climate 60 km from Pune on the Mumbai highway.

For photos visit : http://gallery.bizhat.com/showgallery.php?cat=1697

WORLD AIDS DAY

2006-11-30T06:49:00.000-08:00

Wish you all a WORLD AIDS DAY - December 1. Know AIDS say no to AIDS. Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a Sexually transmitted disease having no vaccine at all. Potential ways of disease infection are infected blood, saliva, urine, sperm and vaginal fluids. The virus become active after a period of 6 months (incubation period) and can be detected by tests - Western blot test, Elisa test. One it is positive, avoid the virus exposure in the future. Every exposure increses the no of virus and the patient' s condition will go worse with in a short period. Normally, if detected early, with medicines one can delay the coming of severe diseases viz TB, some type of cancer etc. AIDS is fastly spreding all over the world. it can only by controlled by awareness of the public regarding the disese.

TOURIST INFORMATION : WEST BENGAL

2006-11-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

KOLKATA (CALCUTTA) - Haora bridge : busiest hanging bridge (457 m length and 8 m wide with 8 line traffic), Vidya sagar setu (1993, second hanging bridge across Hooglie), botanical gardens with 2000 year old giant Banyan tree (19 km), Alipore zoological gardens, National library, Indian museum, Birla industrial and technological museum, Shahid minar, Kalighat temple, Victoria memorial, Birla planetarium, St. Paul's cathedral, Raj Bhavan, Writer's building, trams, double deckker bus, Marble palace at Chor Bagan, Parasnath Jain temple, Nakhoda mosque, Metro underground railway (16.5 km from Dumdum to Tollygunje), Belur (15 km, Ramakrishna mission headquarters), Dakshineshwar Kali temple (11 km), Tarakeshwar temple (80 km).

SUNDERBANS - Wild life sanctuary, a world heritage centre (Dec to May), the biggest delta in the world. Diamond harbour : River side picnic spot.

SHANTINIKETAN - Tagore's Viswa Bharathi University (215 km). TARAPITH temple (80 km from Shantiniketan).

DARJEELING (666 km from KOLKATA) - Shiliguri : 90 km toy train route to Darjeeling, a world heritage route, major hill resort, New Jaipalguri (86 km, 7.5 hour) connects Darjeeling by narrow gauge. Trekking (April-May, Oct-Nov), gardens, museums, temples, handicrafts, fishing, Himalayan training institute, zoological park and museum, Lloyd botanical park, Rangeet valley rope way (5 km), Observatory hills, Ghoom Buddhist monastery (6 km), Senchal (11 km) : View of Everest and Mt. Kanchenjunga from Tiger hill, picnic spot.

KALINGPANG - Hill station, tea plantation, handicrafts, Buddhist monastery.

SANDAKPHU - Excellent views of Himalaya, trekking.

JALDHAPARA - Wild life sanctuary (Dec to May).

FESTIVALS - Durga puja (Sept/Oct), Diwali (Oct/Nov), Baisakhi (April/May).

GENERAL INFORMATION : WEST BENGAL

2006-11-09T16:16:00.000-08:00

Capital : Kolkata.

Area : 88, 752 sq.km.

Literacy : 69.6%.

Languages : Bengali, Hindi.

Roads : 77, 579 km.

Railways : 3, 768 km.

Airports : Bagdogra, Kolkata, Cooch-Behar, Malda, Balurghat.

When to visit : Oct to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 40 to 24 Winter 26 to 7.

Monsoon : June to Sept

Districts : 19, Bankura, Bardhaman Birbhum, Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, East Midanapore, Hooghly, Howrah, Jalpaiguri,

Kolkatta, Maldah, Murshidabad, Nadia, North Twenty four Parganas, North Dinajpur, Puruliya, South Twenty four

Parganas, South Dinajpur, West Midanapore.

Places of Tourist importance : Kolkata, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Shantiniketan, Sunderbans national park, beaches -

Digha, Shankarpur, Junput, Sagardwip, Bakkhali.

TREKKING IN UTTARANCHAL

2006-11-07T09:45:00.000-08:00

1. NAG TIBBA (3040 m) - Mussoorie to Barkot/Kuwa. On the way getdown at Nainbagh (1115 m). Trek to Panthwari (1524 m, 11 km) and then to Nag Tibba (8 km).

2. HAR KI DOON - Mussoorie to Purola (97 km). Then to Netwar (50 km) and to Taluka (23 km) via Saur, Trek to Osla (2559 m, 11 km), to Har Ki Doon (3566 m, 8 km). The road upto Taluka is motorable except during monsoon.

3. DODITAL LAKE (3024 m) - Uttarkashi to Kalyani (1829 m, 11 km) by jeep. Trek 21 km to Dodital lake via Agoda.

4. BUDDHA KEDAR - Tehri to Ghuttu via Ghansali (63 km). (a) From Ghuttu (1524 m) trek to Bhairon Chatti (2493 m, 9 km), to Buddha Kedar (1524 m, 7 km) via Tolachati. Travel to Ghansali by bus (32 km). (b) SAHSRATAL LAKE - Buddha Kedar to Jhala (5 km), to Belak (9 km), to Sahsratal (9 km). (c) From Ghuttu (1524 m) trek to Duphanda (2896 m, 7 km), to PANWALI KANTHA (3963 m, 3 km).

5. KHATLING GLACIER / MASARTAL LAKE - From Ghuttu (1524 m) trek to Reeh (2132 m, 10 km), to Gangi (2584 m, 10 km), to Kalyani (2683 m, 5 km), to Bhelbagi (3110 m, 13 km), to Khatling (3717 m, 7 km), to Masartal (3675 m, 6 km).

6. PINDARI - KAFNI GLACIER - Bageshwar to Song by bus (40 km, 1400 m). Trek to Dhakuri (14 km, 2680 m) via Loharkhet, to Khati (2210 m, 8 km), to Dwali (2576 m, 11 km), (a) to Pindari glacier (3353 to 4625 m) via Phurkia (8 km, 3260 m) : 6 day trek. (b) Kafni glacier (13 km, 3800 m) via Byaligar. All places have dak bunglows. Executive Engr PWD Almora is the reservation authority.

7. SUNDERDUNGA GLACIER - Bageshwar to Song by bus. Trek to Dhakuri via Loharkhet (14 km), to Jatoli via Umla (15 km), to Kathalia (3206 m) via Dungiadong (13 km), (a) to Sunderdunga glacier (7 km, 3800 m) : 7 days. (b) to Sukhram glacier (7 km, 3900 m). (c) Maiktoli glacier (7 km, 3800 m). Tharkot (6100 m), Mrigthuni (6856 m), Maiktoli (6804 m) and Pawali Dwar (6663 m) are nearby peaks.

8. ROOPKUND LAKE (5030 m) - Bageshwar to Gwaldam and then to Debal (45 km) by bus. Travel by jeep to Mandoli and then to Wan. Wan to Bedni Bugyal (3350 m, 14 km) : 6 hour. Bedni Bugyal to Bhagwa Basa (4100 m, 5 hour). Then to Roop Kund and back : 100 km , 5 days. Lake is at the foot of Trishul (7122 m) peak.

9. MILAM GLACIER (4267 m) - Bageshwar to Munsiyari (135 km, 2290 m). Birthi falls on the way. Trek to Lilam (11 km), to Bugadiar (8 km), to Rilkote (10 km), to Milam village (14 km, 3423 m) via Martoli, to glacier and back (4 km) : 8 days.

OR

Bageshwar to Martoli by bus. Trek to Milam glacier (20 km, length of 27 km and 3 km width).

10. NANDADEVI SANCTUARY - A world heritage centre with Mt. Nandadevi (7817 m, India's second highest peak). Joshimath - Malari (70 km) road goes through Tapovan, Reni, Lata (25 km) and Juma. (a) From Malari trek to Niti village (5038 m). (b) Trek from Lata to Dharansi (4250 m, 17 km) and then to Nandadevi sanctuary (40 km) with permit.

11. VALLEY OF FLOWERS (3658 to 3962 m) - A world heritage centre and the only flower national park in India with variety of flowers, discovered by Frank Smythe. Season - July to August. Govind ghat (1828 m, 18 km after Joshimath on Badarinath road) to Ghanjhira (3048 m, 15 km, Gurudwara/Rest house) by trek. Trek 5 km to Valley of flowers. Take permit from Govind ghat. HEMKUND/LOKPAL (4329 m) : Sikh Pilgrim centre, 6 km trek from Ghanjhira. Lakshman temple and lake.

12. CURZON TRAIL - Nandaprayag to Ghat (19 km). Trek to Ramni (1982 m, 10 km), to Sarkot (2439 m, 4 km), to Jhenjipatni (1524 m, 9 km), to Panarani (2043 m, 12 km), to Sanatoli (2439 m, 5 km), to Domabhiti (2286 m, 5 km), to Kauri pass (4268 m, 5 km), to Tapoban (18 km). Travel to Joshimath (15 km, Jeep). Joshimath has highest and 3.9 km long rope way to Auli skiing centre (10 km by Jeep).

13. KEDARNATH (3584 m) - 14 km trek from Gaurikund (1981 m). Accomodation is available at Kedarnath. Chaukamba glacier is nearby. Trek to Vasukital (4135 m, 6 km, 1 km in diameter) with a guide as the route is difficult to find. Paian Tal is 1 km from Vasukital.

TOURIST INFORMATION : UTTARANCHAL

2006-11-06T16:46:00.000-08:00

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 (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 (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 .

12 JYOTIRLINGAS : Bhimashankar (Pune), Grishneshwar (Aurangabad), Vajyanath (Parali/Bid), Nageswar/AundaNagnath (Nanded), Trikambeswar (Nashik), Viswanath (Varanasi), Mallikarjun (Srisailam, AP), Mahakaleswar (Ujjain), Kedarnath (UA), Mamaleswar (Omkareswar, Indore), Somnath (GJ), Rameshwar (TN).

BADARINATH - Hindu pilgrim centre (bus from Rishikesh, 300 km, 12 hour, 3100 m), hot springs : Taptakund and Surya kund (55C), 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).

ALMORA - Hill station, temples, trekking, Pindari glacier via Bagheshwar (120 km, May - June for flowers), Kausani (53 km, hill station).

NAINITAL - Hill station, lakes, boating, Ranikhet hill station (50 km) - Jhodadevi temple; Railhead is Kathagodam connected to Bareilly. Almora (90 km).

CORBETT NATIONAL PARK - First national park in India, named after Jim Corbett at Dhikkal, Season : Nov to May.

GENERAL INFORMATION : UTTARANCHAL

2006-11-03T08:41:00.000-08:00

Capital : Dehradun.

Area : 53, 483 sq.km.

Literacy : 72.6%.

Languages : Hindi, Garhwali, Kumaoni.

Roads : 18, 000 km.

Railways : 600 km.

Airports : Dehradun, Pant nagar.

When to visit : Oct to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : 1.9 to 40.5 .

Districts : 13, Almora, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Champawat, Dehradun, Garhwal, Hardwar, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal, Udhamsigh nagar, Uttarkashi.

Places of Tourist importance : Dehradun, Mussoorie, Hardwar, Almora, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Auli, Gangotri, Yamnotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath, National parks - Nanda Devi, Valley of flowers, Rajaji, Askot, Corbett, Kedarnath ; Glaciers - Gangotri, Pindari, Maiktoli, Sunderdhunga, Milam, Ralam, Namik, Khatling, Nanda Devi, Satopnath, Bhagirathi-Kharak, Bandarpunch, Chorbari, Doonagiri ; Kailas Manasarovar Yatra.

TOURIST INFORMATION : UTTAR PRADESH

2006-11-01T08:55:00.000-08:00

AGRA - TAJ MAHAL : One of the seven wonders of the world, a world heritage centre, a symbol of eternal love, 20 000 people worked day and night for 22 years in the Taj's construction under the archetect Isa Khan, 70 m high dome with 4 towers of 41.6 m high, 580 m * 300 m area, palaces, Agra fort : a world heritage centre, gardens, Radha swamy samadhi at Dayalbagh (highly ornate in marble), Mariyam's tomb (13 km), Akbar's tomb at Sikandra (8 km); Chini ka Roza (7 km) - Tomb of Afzal Mullah.

FATEHPUR SIKRI (35 km) - a world heritage centre, Buland Darwaza : world's largest door way 43 m high by Akbar, 13 m high steps leads to the door, masjid, tomb of Salim Chisti, fort, Panch mahal, palaces, ancient capital of Akbar.

ALIGARH - Famous muslim university, fort, mosque.

MATHURA - Birth place of Lord Krishna, Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple, Dwarkadeesh temple, mosque, Kans qila and Raja Jai Singh observatory, Gita mandir, Mathura ghats - Vishram, kali, Dahi, Govindkeshi, Government museum, Vrindavan (10 km) - Krishna Balram temple, Givindev temple, Rangaji temple, Radha ballabh temple, Bankey Bihari temple, Shahji temple.

JHANSI - Fort and museum, Government museum, Rani Mahal museum, Orchha (18 km) and Khajuraho (175 km) in MP.

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, Anand Bhavan : House of Nehru family, Allahabad university building, All saints cathedral, fort, temples, Allahabad museum.

VARANASI - Sacred city for Hindus, Viswanath temple : Jyotirlinga, Gyan Vapi masjid, Ganga bathing ghats, Banaras Hindu university, Ramnagar (18 km, palace, fort, museum), SARANATH (10 km) : 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.

FESTIVALS - Lucknow fest (Nov), Janmastami (Aug), Jhoola fair and Holi at Mathura.

GENERAL INFORMATION : UTTAR PRADESH

2006-10-28T17:58:00.000-07:00

Capital : Lucknow.

Area : 2, 38, 566 sq.km.

Literacy : 57%.

Languages : Hindi, Urdu.

Roads : 2, 37, 358 km.

Railways : 8, 911 km.

Airports : Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Allahabad, Varanasi, Jhansi, Bareilly, Ghaziabad, Rae Bareilli.

When to visit : Oct to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 45 to 11 Winter 32 to 2.

Monsoon : June to Sept

Districts : 70, Agra, Aligarh , Allahabad, Ambedkar nagar, Auraiya, Azamgarh, Baghpat, Bahraich, Ballia, Balrampur, Banda, Barabanki, Bareilly, Basti, Bijnor, Budaun, Bulandshahar, Chandauli, Chatrapati Shahuji Maharaj nagar, Chitrakoot, Deoria, Etah, Etawah, Faizabad, Farrukhabad, Fatehpur, Firozabad, Gautam Buddha nagar, Ghaziabad, Ghazipur, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Hamirpur, Hadoi, Hathras, Jalaun, Jaunpur, Jhansi, Jyotiba Phule nagar, Kannauj, Kanpur Dehat,Kanpur nagar, Kaushambi, Kheri, Kushinagar, Lalitpur, Lucknow, Maharajganj, Mahoba, Mainpuri, Mathura, Mau, Maeerut, Mirzapur, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Pilibhit, Pratapgarh, Rae Bareli, Rampur, Saharanpur, San Kabir nagar, Sant Ravidas nagar, Shahjahanpur, Shravasti, Siddharth nagar, Sitapur, Sonbhadra, Sultanpur, Unnao, Varanasi.

Places of Tourist importance : Agra, Fatehpur sikri, Lucknow, Varanasi, Saranath, Allahabad, Ayodhya, Mathura.

TOURIST INFORMATION : TRIPURA

2006-10-25T17:07:00.000-07:00

Capital : Agartala.

Area : 10, 491 sq.km.

Literacy : 73%.

Languages : Tripuri, Manipuri, Bengali.

Roads : 14, 726 km.

Railways : 45 km.

Airports : Agartala, Kailashahar, Kamalpur.

When to visit : Sept to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 35 to 24 Winter 27 to 13.

Monsoon : June to Aug.

Districts : 4, Dhalai, North Tripura, South Tripura, West Tripura.

Places of Tourist importance : Ujjayanta palace, State museum, Jagannath temple and Rabindra Kanan at Agartala, Wild life sanctuary - Sephahijala, Trishna, Gumti and Roa.

TOURIST INFORMATION : TAMIL NADU

2006-10-24T18:35:00.000-07:00

CHENNAI (MADRAS) - Marina beach : Second longest beach in the world with a length of 11 km (longest beach is Rio de Janario in Brazil), Anna memorial, MGR memorial, Madras University, San Thome cathedral, Kapileswar temple at Mylapore (39 m high), Valluvar Kotlam memorial shaped like a chariot (1976), St.Thomas mount with bleeding stone cross, Egmore museum, Government museum and art gallery, St.George fort - State Assembly and museum, parks, Guindy national park, Kishkinda fantacy park with 3D theatre, Vandalur zoological park (35 km), Pulicat (59 km, backwaters, boating, bird sanctuary, beach).

MAMALLAPURAM / MAHABALIPURAM - World heritage centre, 70 km from Chennai, rock cut temples, shore temple and 'rathas', sculpture, beach, crocodile bank (14 km), Tirukkalukundrum temple - (16 km), Dolphin city with Sea Lion, MGM Dissiworld at Tambaram, VGP, Little folks.

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), Sriperumbudur - Rajiv Gandhi memorial (30 km).

PALANI - Temple & rope way.

MADURAI - Sri Meenakshi temple with 30 million sculptures, one of the largest temples in India, museum, Gandhi memorial museum and government museum, Tirumalai Nayak palace museum, Kapiliswarar temple, Parthasarthy temple, Thirupparankundram temple (8 km).

SRIVILLIPUTUR - Highest temple tower, 74 km from Madurai.

KODAIKANAL (2100 m) - Hill station 120 km from Madurai, lake, Solar Physics observatory, Shenbegannur museum of orchids, Pillar rocks (120 m), Byrant park (trees and shrubs), Silver Cascade (waterfall).

RAMESWARAM - Indira Gandhi Setu over sea (Pamban bridge, 2.3 km), temple with longest corridor (197 m), One of the four most sacred Hindu pilgrim centres.

UDAGAMANDALAM / OOTACAMUND / OOTY - Coimbatore (95 km), hill resort, toy train route from Mettupalayam to Ooty is in world heritage centre list : 16 tunels, 31 bridges, 326 m to 2193 m , 1899 AD, 46 km in 4.5 hour. Botanical garden, fossil tree trunk (20 million year old), lake, rose garden, Dodebetta peak (2636 m, 10 km), tea plantation, Government museum, Deer park, Pykara (21 km) : Toda settlement, trekking, Kotagiri hill station (40 km); Coonoor hill station (20 km) : Dolphin's nose (26 km) to view Catherine falls, Lamb's rock : View of Coimbatore plains, Sim's park, botanical gardens; MUDUMALAI Wild life sanctuary (30 km).

TIRUCHIRAPALLI - Rock fort temple (84 m with 437 steps cut into a tunnel through rock, in 1660), Jambukeshwar temple, museum, St.John's church, 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, palace, Saraswati mahal library and art gallery, Raja museum, temple museum, Kumbhakonam temple (30 km), VELANGANNI - Church of Our Lady, Major christian pilgrim centre with festival on Sept 7 (94 km), Nagore - Muslim pilgrim centre.

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, 80 km from Vellore. Ginjee fort (40 km).

TIRUNELVELI - Kantimati and Nellaipapper temples, Tiruchendur shore temple (13 km).

KUTTALAM - Waterfall near Tenkasi near the Kerala border.

HOGENAKKAL - Waterfall near Karnataka border. Access from the Salem - Hosur road.

KANYAKUMARI (CAPE COMORIN) - Land's end, Guganatha sami temple, Gandhi memorial, Vivekananda rock (via boat 200 m from shore), temple, church, Suchindram temple (13 km) : Musical pillar and 5.3 m Hanuman statue, Padmanabhapuram (30 km) - Palace, museum, temple.

GENERAL INFORMATION : TAMIL NADU

2006-10-23T18:21:00.000-07:00

Capital : Chennai.

Area : 1, 30, 058 sq.km.

Literacy : 73.5%.

Languages : Tamil, Urdu, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada.

Roads : 20, 576 km.

Railways : 4, 000 km.

Airports : Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Coimbatore, Tanjavur, Tuticorin.

When to visit : Nov to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 43 to 18.

Monsoon : Oct to Dec.

Districts : 30, Chennai, Coimbatore, Cuddalore, Dharmapuri, Dindigul, Erode, Kancheepuram, Kanyakumari, Krishnagiri, Karur, Madurai, Nagapattinam, Namakkal, Perambalur, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Salem, Sivaganaga, Thanjavur, The Nilgiris, Theni, Thiruvallur, Thiruvarur, Tiruchirappally, Tirunelveli, Tiruvanamalai, Toothukudi, Vellore, Viluppuram, Virudhunagar.

Places of Tourist importance : Chennai, Kancheepuram, Kanyakumari, Kodaikkanal, Madurai, Mamallapuram, Rameswaram, Thanjavur, Tiruchirappally, Ooty.

TOURIST INFORMATION : SIKKIM

2006-10-20T08:18:00.001-07:00

GANGTOK - World's 3 rd highest mountain Kanchenjunga (8598 m), trekking, palace, handicrafts, orchid sanctuary, Rumtek monastery (24 km).

LACHUNG - Yak country, waterfalls, scenic beauty.

NATHU LA - 4400 m high pass on the India - China/Tibet road. The trade route is opened on July 2006.

TASHIDING - Monastery, Buddhist pilgrim centre.

YUMHANG - Yak country, hot springs.

YUKSOM - Lakes, scenic beauty, training base for Himalayan training institute.

FESTIVALS - Losar (Feb), Losoong (Nov/Dec).

TOURIST INFORMATION : SIKKIM

2006-10-20T08:18:00.000-07:00

GENERAL INFORMATION : SIKKIM

2006-10-18T10:29:00.000-07:00

Capital : Gangtok.

Area : 7, 096 sq.km.

Literacy : 69.8%.

Languages :Bhutia, Lepcha, Nepali.

Roads : 1, 834 km.

Heliport : Gangtok.

When to visit : Mar to May, Sept to Nov.

Climate(in °C) : Cold, fog and Rain.

Districts : 4, East Sikkim, West Sikkim, South Sikkim, North Sikkim.

Places of Tourist importance : Mt. Kanchenjunga (8598 m), Singba Dhododendron sanctuary, Yumthang, Namtse, Pelling, Nathu La, Yuksom.

TOURIST INFORMATION : RAJASTHAN

2006-10-16T18:55:00.000-07:00

JAIPUR - Known as 'the pink city', Jaigarh fort with world's largest cannon on wheels and museum, city palace with large silver container, museum, Nahargarh fort. Jai Singh observatory, government museum, museum of indology, handicrafts, Sisodia palace (3 km), Hawa mahal with 953 windows, Ram Nivas Bagh, zoo & Albert hall museum, Ishar lat tower near Tripola bazar, Govindevji temple, Galtaji temple, central museum, Gaitor (8 km) - palace, centographs, Amer palace (11 km) and archaeological museum, Jal mahal in Mansagar lake, Sanganer Jain temple (12 km).

BIKANER - Junagarh fort and museum, Lalbaug palace, Ganga memorial museum, Government museum, Bhandasagar Jain temple (5 km), camel farm (15 km), Devikund tomb (8 km), Deshnoke (32 km) - Karni devi temple (famous heavan for rats).

AJMER - Dargah of saint Moinuddin Chisti, Rajputana museum, Government museum, Taragarh fort, Mayo college, Pushkar lake (11 km) - Brahma temple.

JODHPUR - Mehrangarh fort, inside palaces and museum, lakes, Sardar market museum, Maha temple, Jaswant Thada royal tombs. 16 Jain temples at Osiyan (60 km).

JAISALMER - 650 km from Jaipur, fort, palace, museum, Amar sagar (6 km) : lake, Jain temple, Badabagh (6 km) : Royal centograph, lake, Ludrawa Jain temple (16 km) : Splendid carving, Aakal fossil park (17 km), Sand dunes at Sam National desert park (40 km), Jain temple of Rikabdevji and Sambhavnathji, Manek Chowk and Salim Singh, Nathwaji and Patwon ki Havelis.

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.

UDAIPUR - Lake Pichola with island palaces Jag Mandir and Jag Nivas, city palace and museum - access from Tripoli gate, Government museum, Archaeological museum, Jagdish temple, Saheliom ki Bari garden, Fateh Sagar lake and Pratap memorial, Ahar - centographs, Sajjan nivas, Machchalaya Magra, Dodh Talai, Sajjangarh palace, 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) - Nearest railhead is Falna on Ahmadabad - Jodhpur line.

CHITTAURGARH - Fort, Kali temple, Rama Kumbha's palace.

BHARATPUR - 60 km from Agra; fort, palace, Government museum, Dig (35 km, palace, fort), Keoladeo Ghana (5 km, largest water bird sanctuary in India, Oct to Feb) - a world heritage centre.

FESTIVALS - Jaisalmer desert festival (Feb), Holi (Feb/Mar), Teej (July/Aug), Raksha bandhan (Aug/Sept), Dussera, Diwali, Pushkar fair (Oct/Nov).

World Tourism Day

2006-09-27T08:24:00.000-07:00

Wish you all a Happy World Tourism Day : 27 th Sept.

GENERAL INFORMATION : RAJASTHAN

2006-09-27T08:19:00.000-07:00

Capital : Jaipur.

Area : 3, 42, 239 sq.km.

Literacy : 61.5%.

Languages : Hindi, Rajasthani, Urdu.

Roads : 1, 34, 632 km.

Railways : 5, 890 km.

Airports : Jaipur, Udaipur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Kota.

When to visit : Oct to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 45 to 17 Winter 32 to 7.

Districts : 32, Ajmer, Alwar, Banswara, Baran, Barmer, Bharatpur, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Bundi, Chittaurgarh, Churu, Dausa, Dhaulpur, Dungarpur, Ganagnagar, Hanumangarh, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jalor, Jhalawar, Jhunjhunu, Jodhpur, Karauli, Kota, Nagaur, Pali, Rajsamand, Sawai Madhopur, Sikar, Sirohi, Tonk, Udaipur.

Places of Tourist importance : Jaipur, Ajmer, Alwar, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Ranakpur and Mount Abu.

TOURIST INFORMATION : PUNJAB

2006-09-25T17:23:00.000-07:00

AMRITSAR - Golden temple (Harmandir sahib, 1577) and museum, 65 m long marble causeway through the pool of nectar (Taran Taran tank) to Golden temple, gardens, fort, Durgiana marble temple (1600 AD), JALIANWALLABAGH - memorial to 379 unarmed martyrs, who were massacred by English Gen. R.E.H. Dyer on April 13, 1919.

ATARI/WAGAH - Cross over point for Pakistan, 30 km from Amritsar.

ANANDPUR - Sikh holy shrine. NANGAL - Picnic spot, dam site.

KAPURTHALA - Palace, temples, mosque. BATHINDA fort.

LUDHIANA - Famous for woollen, fort, industrial town.

FESTIVALS - Holi (Feb/March), Baisakhi (April), Diwali (Oct/Nov).

GENERAL INFORMATION : PUNJAB

2006-09-24T17:49:00.000-07:00

Capital : Chandigarh.

Area : 50, 362 sq.km.

Literacy : 69.9%.

Languages : Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu.

Roads : 58, 151 km.

Railways : 2, 140 km.

Airports : Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bathinda.

When to visit : Oct to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 45 to 35 Winter 14 to 0.

Districts : 17, Amritsar, Bhatinda, Faridkot, Fatehgarh sahib, Firozpur, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Mansa, Moga, Muktsar, Nawanshahr, Patiala, Rupnagar, Sangrur.

Places of Tourist importance : Amritsar, Jalandhar, Bathinda, Bhakra Nangal dam.

TOURIST INFORMATION : PONDICHERRY

2006-09-21T09:17:00.000-07:00

Capital : Pondicherry.

Area : 492 sq.km.

Literacy : 81.6%.

Languages : Tamil, French, Malayalam, Telugu.

Districts : 4, Karaikal (Tamil nadu), Mahe (Kerala), Pondicherry (Tamil Nadu), Yanam (Andhra Pradesh).

Places of Tourist importance : Pondicherry - Auroville and Sri Aurobindo ashram, museum, botanical garden, Ananda Rangapillai, war memorial, Statue of Joan of Arc, light house, Varadarajaperumal temple.

TOURIST INFORMATION : ORISSA

2006-09-19T09:23:00.000-07:00

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 with erotic sculptures, Bhaskareswar temple with two story high Shiv linga, Kedareswara - Gauri temple, Secretariat, State museum, 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, Nandankanan botanical and zoological gardens (20 km) with the largest Lion Safari in India, and the only White tiger safari in the world.

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), beach, 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, beaches, Pipli on the way is a village famous for handicrafts - colourful canopies, beach umbrellas, hand bags etc.

CHILKA lake (100 km) - Balugaon, Ramba and Barkul island dotted lake, Honeymoon island, Kalijai temple on an island, bird life.

GOPALPUR - Beach resort near Chhatrapur (150 km), TAPTAPANI hot springs (60 km from Gopalpur).

HIRAKUD DAM - The fourth largest dam in the world, picnic spot.

FESTIVALS - Puri car festival (June/July), Holi (Feb/Mar).

GENERAL INFORMATION : ORISSA

2006-09-18T06:29:00.000-07:00

Capital : Bhubaneshwar.

Area : 1, 55, 707 sq.km.

Literacy : 63.1%.

Languages : Oriya, Bengali, Hindi.

Roads : 2, 10, 238 km.

Railways : 2, 190 km.

Airports : Bhubaneshwar, Raurkela.

When to visit : Oct to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 49 Winter 16 to 5.

Districts : 30, Anugul, Balangir, Baleshwar, Bargarh, Baudh, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Debagarh, Dhenkanal, Gajapati, Ganjam, Jagatsighapur, Jajapur, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Kendrapara, Kendujhar, Khordha, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Nabarangapur, Nayagarh, Nuapada, Puri, Rayagada, Sambalpur, Sonapur, Sundaargarh.

Places of Tourist importance : Bhubaneshwar, Puri, Konark, Chilka.

TOURIST INFORMATION : NEW DELHI

2006-08-29T17:08:00.000-07:00

NEW DELHI - National museum, Dolls museum, Rail transport and philatelic museum, National art gallery, Jumma masjid - largest mosque in India, Hazrat Nizamuddin's shrine, Hauz Khas - Feroz Shah's tomb and deer park, Mughal gardens, Raj Ghat, Shanti vana, Vijay Ghat, Secretariat, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Birla House, India Gate (42 m high) - memorial to over 90,000 soldiers who died in second world war with 13,516 names inscribed on it, Janpath, Supreme court, Parliament house, Bahai Lotus temple with marble tiled 27 petals constructed in 6 years (1980-86), Red fort and inside palaces. Qutb Minar (18 km, 72.5 m high) - World heritage centre, tallest stone tower in India with rust free Iron pillar.

OLD DELHI - Adilabad fort, Ashoka pillar, Humayun's tomb - World heritage centre, Jantar Mantar observatory (1724 AD) of Raja Jai Singh, Purana Qila built by Sher Shah Suri in 1545 AD, zoo, Safdarjang's tomb.

SHOPPING - Chandni chowk, Connaught place, State handicraft emporia.

FESTIVALS - Republic day (26th January), Festival of flowers (August/ September), Ram Lila (September/October).

GENERAL INFORMATION : NEW DELHI

2006-08-28T11:03:00.000-07:00

Capital : New Delhi.

Area : 1, 483 sq.km.

Literacy : 81.5%.

Languages : Hindi, English .

Roads : 25, 283 km.

Railways : 172 km.

Airports : Palam (Delhi), Indira Gandhi International Airport.

When to visit : Oct to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 45 to 7 Winter 20 to 7.

Monsoon : June to Sept

Districts : 9, Central, East, New Delhi, North, North East, North West, South, South West, West.

TOURIST INFORMATION : NAGALAND

2006-08-26T09:47:00.000-07:00

Capital : Kohima.

Area : 16, 579 sq.km.

Literacy : 67%.

Languages : Nagamese, English, Sema.

Roads : 13, 732 km.

Railways : 19 km.

Airport : Dimapur.

When to visit : Nov to Mar.

Monsoon : May to Sept.

Districts : 8, Dimapur, Kohima, Mokokchung, Mon, Phek, Tuensang, Wokha, Zunheboto.

Places of Tourist importance : Veda peak, Kohima - village, war cemetry, Longwa village, Dzukou valley, Chui village, Intangki national park - Wild life.

TOURIST INFORMATION : MIZORAM

2006-08-12T09:26:00.000-07:00

Capital : Aizawl.

Area : 21, 081 sq. km.

Literacy : 88.49%.

Languages : Mizo, English, Bengali.

Roads : 6, 910 km.

Railways : 2 km.

Airports : Aizawl.

When to visit : Oct to May.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 18 to 29 Winter 11 to 24.

Monsoon : June to Sept

Districts : 8, Aizawl, Champhai, Kolasib,Lawngtlai, Lunglei, Mamit, Chhimtuipui, Serchhip.

Places of Tourist importance : The Blue mountain, Pukzing caves, Tam dil lake, Zotlang, Lunglei, Thenzawl hill station, Dingdi art gallery, Saitual resort.

TOURIST INFORMATION : MEGHALAYA

2006-08-11T10:52:00.000-07:00

Capital : Shillong.

Area : 22, 429 sq.km.

Literacy : 63.6%.

Languages : Khasi, Garo, Bengali.

Roads : 8, 391 km.

Heliport : Shillong, Tura, Umroi.

When to visit : Oct to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 25 to 15 Winter 16 to 4 .

Districts : 7, East Garo Hills, East Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, Ri Bhoi, South Garo Hills, West Garo Hills, West Khasi Hills.

Places of Tourist importance : Ward's lake, Lady Hydary park, Bishop Beadon falls, Elephant falls, Kyllang rock, Uniam lake, Nohsngithiang falls at Mawsmai, Khasi hills: Cherrapunji, Mawsynram, botanical garden.

TOURIST INFORMATION : MANIPUR

2006-08-10T17:44:00.000-07:00

Capital : Imphal.

Area : 22, 327 sq.km.

Literacy : 68%.

Language : Manipuri.

Roads : 10, 760 km.

Railways : 1 km.

Airports : Imphal.

When to visit : Nov to May.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 29 to 14 Winter 25 to 7 .

Monsoon : April to Oct.

Districts : 9, Bishnupur, Chandel, Churachandpur, Imphal East, Imphal West, Senapati, Tamenglong, Thoubal, Ukhrul.

Places of Tourist importance : Imphal - war cemeteries, Govindajee temple, women bazaar, Loktak lake, Keibul Lamjao (the only floating national park in the world), Orchid yard at Khongampat, Sendra island.

TREKKING AROUND NASHIK

2006-08-09T09:09:00.000-07:00

ANJANERI FORT (1303 m) - Nashik to Trimbakeshwar by bus (30 km). ST stand to Anjaneri village and then to fort (5 km).

BRAHMAGIRI (1303 m) - Near Trimbakeshwar. Regular steps leads to the temple at the top. Trek takes 1.5 hour. Harhar fort (1123 m) and Fani Dongar are nearby.

DHODAP (1454 m) - From Nashik/Lasalgaon to Vadala bhoi (50 km) by bus. Then to Dhodambe by truck (7 km). Walk to Hatti village and then to Sonar's village at the upper Plateau (10 km). The top can be reached by a 70 m rock climb.

IKARIA PINNACLE (1454 m) - Near Dhodap and it is purely rock climbing route.

CHANDWAD - From Lasalgaon railway station, ahead of Nashik, get Chandwad bus (20 km). A temple is on the ridge and the way leads to top. Access to the fort requires a 13 m rock climb with rope.

INDRAI KILLA (1373 m) - Proceed on Mumbai - Agra NH 3 from Chandwad and follow a cart road on left. 8 km walk and a steep climb takes one to the fort. Caves and temples are at top. Sade Teen is nearby.

RAJDHER FORT (1093 m) - From Indrai Killa proceed to Rajdher village and then to backside of the fort. A 100 m rock climb with rope takes one to top.

HADBI CHI SHENDI - A thumb like pinnacle (75 m), 5 km after Manmad railway station. Reach Katarwadi village and climb to the base of the pinnacle. Climbing the pinnacle is difficult due to unsafe rocks.

SALHER (1617 m) - Highest fort in Sahyadri. A huge cave and water cisterns just below the top and a temple at the top. From Nashik to Tahirabad via Satana and then to Mulher. Mulher fort can be climbed in 3 hour. Reach Vaghambe by bus and walk towards the col of Salher and Salota. Regular steps leads to top. From the col a rocky staircase leads to Salota.

TREKKING AROUND MALSEJ

2006-08-08T11:26:00.000-07:00

BHAIRAVGAD (866 m) - From Kalyan travel to Morroshi (after Vaishakare). From Malsej Ghat road the pinnacle can be seen. A track at the right side of the road climbs to the base of the pinnacle. To and fro trek takes 3 hour. A formidable rock climb takes to top.

HARISHCHANDRAGAD (1427 m) - Kalyan to Malsej by bus (2 hour). On Malsej ghat get down for fort. The road over bund leads to Khireshwer (3 km). A broad path leads to a gully and a flat long walk takes to base of the fort. It is a remote fort with water reservoirs, temples and caves. There is a cave with large 'linga' at the centre of water. Konkan Kada, a huge semi circular wall of 300 m, is the main attraction. Light objects when thrown are lifted by strong winds. To and fro trek takes 8 hour (5+3).

SHIVNERI (1080 m) - This fortress was the birth place of Shivaji (1637 AD) located 3 km from Junnar. Large arch and minarets of a mosque are visible from a long distance. From the two storied temple one can get down through a steep route (located at the middle of the fort/behind hotel Ashiana on main road). To and fro trek takes 2 hour. From Junnar one can visit the nearby ruined fort. Lenyadri caves are nearby - Astavinayak, pilgrim centre. 12 huge radio telescopes are near Narayangaon.

CHAWAND (990 m) - By Ghatghar/Anjanavale bus reach Kukudeshwar from Junnar. An easy steep climb leads to top (Steel ladder is visible from the road). Ancient temple and water cisterns are on the summit. To and fro trek takes 1.5 hour.

JIVDHAN (1147 m) - Reach Ghatghar from Junnar by bus . A flat walk (3 km) takes one to a ridge at the left side of the fort. From the base of the rock wall left side exposed route leads to the base of Vandar lingi pinnacle (60 m). A steep rock climbing route to the top for professional climbers. Traverse on right side leads to blown away steps of the fort (15 m). It has good foot and finger holds for climbing up. From the top one can see Nane ghat and Vandar lingi pinnacle. To and fro trek takes 3.5 hour.

NANE GHAT/PASS (832 m) - It is a prominent nose like projection when viewed from Malsej road. Nane pass has inscriptions, water cisterns and caves on the way. From Ghatghar walk on the unmettaled road to the pass. A broad route climbs down to Konkan (Vaisakhare on Malsej road, 20 km).

GHORAKHGAD-MACHINDER PINNACLES - From Kalyan/Karjat reach Mhasa by bus (30 km). Travel to Dehri by jeep (10 km). Walk towards the pinnacles over the ridge at right. Ghorakhgad has a huge cave and water cisterns at the base. A steep rocky staircase leads to the temple at top. Excellent views of Machinder and Siddhagad (984 m, access from Nariveli ghat). Trek takes 6 hour except the final rock climb on Machinder.

MACHINDER PINNACLE - From the base of the Ghorakhgad traverse to the col of the pinnacles. Climb over the ridge steeply to top. Final stage (20 m) is rock climb with rope over loose rocks. Go prepared for the climb and be careful while descending.

TREKKING AROUND IGATPURI

2006-08-07T16:51:00.000-07:00

MAHULI - The pinnacles can be seen from Asangaon station. Reach Mahuli village by auto (5 km) and follow the right ridge to top. Bandaragad fort is near and can be reached by basic rock climbing. Palasgad is at the same plateau. To and fro trek takes 4 hour.

KULANG (1473 m) - Kulang offers one of the highest climbs from the base. From Igatpuri to Bavli (8 km) by Manveda bus. Follow the road 1 km and take the left track which climb to Kulangwadi (2 hour, one way). Reach the base of the col of
Kulang and chota Kulang. Left track leads to a ridge. Climb the ridge via carved steps to top (4 hour trek from Kulangwadi to fort and back). Excellent views of Madangad, Alang and Kalsubai. A huge cave and water cisterns are on the fort.

MADANGAD (1473 m) - The fort has a huge hole at the right hand top. Reach Kulangwadi as in Kulang and approach the col of Alang and Madangad (Shiv Khind). From the col follow the right exposed track to the bottom of the rock climbing
wall. After a 13 m rock climb with rope steps leads to top. Excellent views of Alang and Kulang. A cave at good condition at the top. The trek from Kulangwadi to fort and back takes 5.5 hour.

ALANG (1482 m) - Three fourth of the fort has to be traversed in atleast three times. From the col of Alang and Madangad (Shiv Khind) descend on left to the forest. A flat traverse to almost end of the fort and a small rock climb takes one to the next level of the fort. Another long flat exposed traverse takes to the other end of the fort near Madangad. A cave can be seen here and the track climbs to the top. The summit has water cisterns and a temple.

PATTA (1421 m) - Travel to Taked/Adsure dam by bus (20 km). Trek to fort via Konkanwadi. Avandh (1322 m) is nearby. The final lap of this fort is of rock climbing.

KALSUBAI (1650 m) - Highest point in Maharashtra. By Bhandardara bus get down at Bari village. The track gradually climbs to top. Three iron ladders on the way makes the climb easy. At the top there is a temple of Kalsubai. For a change, climb down to Udhavne village on the other side. To and fro trek takes 4 hour.

GHANCHAKKAR (1536 m) - It has many ridges and walls on all sides. By Sangamner bus get down at Randha falls after Bhandardara and walk to Katalpur. A long climb over the barren slopes to top. To and fro trek takes 4 hour.

AJOBA (1378 m) - From Bhandardara lake reach Kalthembe via Muthkel (10 km). Track leads to base of Ratangad and then to col of Kathra. Descend to Kumshet village and reach the base of Ajoba. A zig zag tricky route leads to top. Kathra (1410 m) is between Ajoba and Ratangad fort (1300 m).

TREKKING AROUND KARJAT

2006-08-06T16:06:00.000-07:00

PETH (473 m) - Travel from Karjat to Jamrukh and get down at Ambivili. Walk to Peth village and then to Bhairobas's cave. Rock hewn steps leads to top in 3 hour.

MATHERAN (768 m) - It is a popular hill station with large number of trekking routes. Neral junction (39 m ASL) is on the Mumbai-Pune rail route. Matheran is 6 hour journey by toy train (13 km) and 30 min. by Taxi. From 1, 3 point one can trek down to Bhorgav via Shivaji's ladder and then to Karjat in 3 hour. Another trekking route is from Porcupine point to Dodhani village (1 hour) and then to Panvel by bus.

CHANDERI FORT (794 m) - It is a fascinating and intricate looking fort. From Vangani railway station (near Kalyan) travel to Goregaon by auto. Right side road climbs to Chinchavli village (4 km). A right track goes towards a water nullah from a hut and reach the col of Mahasmal-Chanderi. The route is over boulders and is difficult to find. Climb left ridge for the fort. A cave temple is at the base. An exposed and tricky traverse takes you to the centre of the massif. A rocky staircase leads to the top. To and fro trek takes 7 hour.

MAHASMAL (611 m) - From the col of Mahasmal - Chanderi climb right to the base of the pinnacles. Going around reach a narrow col between the second and third pinnacles. Climb the second pinnacle over the scree and boulders. A descent of 10m on the other side and a final climb of 15 m takes one to the top. On descent be careful !

DHAK PLATEAU (708 m) - Karjat to Sandshi by bus or auto. A 10 km climb to the top via Dak village. One can visit Bhimashankar or Rajmachi fort via Bhairoba Dhak cave and Valvande.

BHIMASHANKAR - One of the 12 jyotirlingas is a famous pilgrim centre. Travel from Karjat to Khandas by bus (14 km). 10 km steep climb takes you to top in 4 hour. Shiv temple is on the other side of the rock face. On the way one can see a rocky massif - Padar killa. From the gully between Bhimashankar-Padar killa climb to the top of Padar Killa.

KARNALA (470 m) - Bird Sanctuary with fort on the Panvel-Pen road. Fort has thumb like pinnacle of 50 m, which provides opportunities for rock climbing. Take care of scree and bees.

MANIKGAD (572 m) - Travel from Panvel to Vashivli and get down at Vadgaon phata. Trek to Manikgad village and then to fort in 1.25 hour. Manikgad lingi and Sankshi fort are nearby.

HAJI MALANG (800 m) - Travel to Vavanje by bus from Panvel. Trek to darga of Haji Malang. The Malangad is visible to a long distance. Above the darga there are many opportunities for rock climbing . A thrilling climb takes you to top of the pinnacle via rope bridge. To and fro trek takes 6 hour. Tavli hills (800 m), a group of three pinnacles, is nearby. Tavli caves at the base of the pinnacle can be reached by a tricky and exposed traverse. Another approach is from Kalyan by bus.

MAMA BHANJA - From Thane reach Wagle estate by bus, it has good rock climbing opportunities.

MUMBRA - Near the railway station there is an interesting place for rock climbing.

TREKKING AROUND LONAVLA

2006-08-05T09:55:00.000-07:00

DUKE'S NOSE - Lonavla to Kuruvande by auto (5 km). 45 minute walk takes you to the top of Duke's nose. Rappeling 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 attraced 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 prefered.

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.

SUDHAGAD (620 m) - Take Bhambarde bus from Lonavla and get down at TEL BAILA. The twin pinnacle is a prominent landmark. A 4 km flat walk takes you to base of the massif. A narrow track climbs to the base of rock climbing wall where a temple is located. Tel Baila (1015 m) is a tough and interesting rock climbing route. Rope and improvised ladder are advised. From Tel Baila village get down to Konkan via Wazri pass (2 hour) and reach Dondse village. From Dondse village one can visit Sudhagad fort by following a water nullah and cross it at right. Trek takes 3 hour. Huge gateways and temple are at top. From Dhondse travel to Pali by bus. Tanale and Karsambla caves are nearby.

TANALE CAVES - From Pali to Tanale by bus (30 min). To and fro trek takes 3 hour. 12 Buddhist caves, bioluminscent tree nearby.

SARASGAD - Pali is famous for Ganesh temple. Track on backside of the temple leads to Sarasgad fort (2 hour). Excellent views of the Pali town from the fort.

TREKKING AROUND PUNE

2006-08-04T17:32:00.000-07:00

SINHAGAD FORT (1320 m) - From Swargate, Pune to Sinhagad base by bus (24 km). A well defined path leads to Pune darwaza of the fort (1 hour). A TV tower with lots of old construction can be seen on the top. The fort witnessed many battles during the Maratha period. In 1670 AD Tanaji won the fort for Shivaji. One can get down through the Kalyan Darwaza to Kalyan village and then to Kondhanpur. A motorable road reaches the upper plateau of the fort.

RAJGAD (1320 m) - It was the first capital of Shivaji for 25 years. From Swargate, travel to Gunjavne (30 km). A 2 hour trek through the ridge takes to the top. A steep rock face (Bale killa) climb is a thrilling experience. On top, the remenants of the Shivaji's palace can be seen. One can trek to Torna fort as it is connected via a ridge.

TORNA FORT (1403 m) - From Swargate travel to Welhe (35 km). Torna was the first fort captured by Shivaji at the age of 16. It is a 2 hour trek over the ridge. From the twin tower of Torna get down to the ridge for Rajgad. In a one day exhaustive trek one can visit Torna and Rajgad (7 km).

PURANDAR FORT (1393 m) - From Swargate travel to Saswad (30 km). Purandar bus takes you to base (7 km). It is a twin fort - Purandar and Vajragad. At the top there is a church in ruins and Bombay saphire camp. Kedareswar temple is at the top. Both forts can be covered by 5 hour trek. A motorable road reaches the upper plateau of the fort.

KAMALGAD (1378 m) - From Kate's point of Mahabaleshwar get down to Nandgaon, cross the Krishna river to Partewadi and follow the route to the top. Or from Panchgani (Table land) descend to Chikhlun and to Asangaon and then to fort (7 km).

PRATAPGAD (1393 m) - Fort is 24 km from Mahabaleshwar and is famous because of Afzal Khan's tomb. To and fro takes 2 hour .

RAIGAD FORT (862 m) - Mahad to Pachad and to the base of the fort by bus. Capital of Shivaji, connected by a rope way (Rs 60), trekking will be more enjoyable (to and fro 3 hour). Plenty of space and lot of constrution on top - Shivaji's samadhi, thrown, palace, market place, temples.

TOURIST INFORMATION : MAHARASHTRA

2006-08-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

MUMBAI (BOMBAY) - Chhatrapati Shivaji terminus / Victoria terminus : a World heritage centre, Elephanta caves : a World heritage centre (caves of 700 AD, 1 hour/10 km by boat from Gateway of India), Prince of Wales museum, Victoria and Albert museum, Gateway of India commemorates the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India in 1911. IMS Vikrant (Ex INS Vikrant Museum ship near Gateway of India), Hanging gardens and Kamala Nehru park on Malabar hills with panoramic view of Marine Drive. At night, the lights of Marine Drive appears to be Queen's
necklace. Nariman Point with skyscapers - Reserve Bank of India building, Bombay Stock Exchange, Air India, Mantralay, Mahalakshmi temple, Haji Ali tomb reached by a long causeway, which can be crossed at low tide, Nehru Planetarium and science museum, gardens, parks, Juhu beach, Siddhi Vinayak temple, Double deckker bus, Sripati Arcade (154 m , highest building in India), Borivilli national park (35 km), Kanheri caves (109 caves of 1 C BC, 40 km), Manori, Gorai and Marve beaches (40 km), Esselworld fantacy park, Powai lake (27 km) - Indian Institute of Technology, picnic spot, Vasai fort (45 km) - large Portuguese fort with churches.

ARNALA island fort - From Virar station get a bus to Arnala (18 km) and then to fort by boat. Seperate cylindrical watch tower is an attraction. Fort has a temple and darga.

VAJRESHWARI - Temple with hot springs at Ganeshpuri (35 km from Kalyan). Akolola hot springs (2 km) are near by.

MATHERAN - Hill station near Neral on Mumbai - Pune rail route, narrow gauge toy train connects Nearl with Matheran (13 km, 5 hour), Hart point, Monkey point, Porcupine point, Louise point, 1-3 point, Honeymoon point, Alexander point, Lord point, Echo point, Caronation point, Mary point, Olympia point, Pay master park, Chaelotte lake and Bazaar are some main attractions in the 'car free' hill station.

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 greenary. 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) etc. are some main attractions. KHANDALA (5 km) : Hill staton, Rajmachi point - a good vantage point, Bhor ghat route to Khopoli (8 km) is enjoying.

PUNE - Agha Khan's palace with Kasturba samadhi, temples, Saniwarwada fort, Raja Kelkar museum, Khadakvasla dam (18 km, National Defence Academy), Panshet dam (45 km) - picnic spot, Osho (Bhagawan Rajnish) ashram, Sinhagad fort (25 km), Jejuri - Khandoba temple (38 km), Purandhar fort (45 km), Torna - Rajgad (40 km), Dehu (30 km) - pilgrim centre, Alandi - Pilgrim centre.

ASTAVINAYAK TEMPLES : Swayambhu figures of Sri Ganesh. 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).

12 JYOTIRLINGAS : Bhimashankar (Pune), Grishneshwar (Aurangabad), Vaijyanath (Parali/Bid), Nageswar/Aunda Nagnath (Nanded), Trikambeswar (Nashik), Viswanath (Varanasi), Mallikarjun (Srisailam, AP), Mahakaleswar (Ujjain), Mamaleswar (Omkareswar, Indore), Somnath (GJ), Rameshwaram (TN), Kedarnath (UA).

BHIMASHANKAR - Jyotirlinga, pilgrim centre (100 km from Pune).

ALIBAUG - Beach and Kulaba island fort - at low tide one can walk to the fort (1.5 km). Time : 3 to 6 pm. CHAUL - fort, ancient town.

MURUD - Janjira island fort with one of India's largest cannons - Landa Kasam, beach, 12 m wall, 165 km from Mumbai, 300 year old fort of Siddis, palace, nearby Padmadurg fort (3 km by boat), Korlai and Revdanda forts on Alibaug - Murud route.

MAHABALESHWAR (1438 m) - Hill station, famous for Strawberry, vantage points are Wilson point, Kate's point, Bombay point, Elphinstone point, Babbington point etc., Venna lake - boating, waterfalls like Chinaman, Dhobi, Ludwig, Lingamala etc. Pratapgad fort (24 km), Panchgani hill station (25 km) : Table land.

GANAPATIPHULE - Ancient Ganapati temple, beach. 50 km from Ratnagiri.

RATNAGIRI - Longest rail tunnel in India (6.5 km) at Karbude, fort, beach, mangoes. MALVAN - fort and beach, Sindhudurg island fort nearby.

KOLHAPUR - Panhala fort (18 km), Girloi park, deep gorge of Pavan khind, Kopeswar temple at Khidrapur, Renkha Bhairav temple, Mahalakshmi temple and old palace, Sri Chhatrapati Sahu museum, Town hall museum, Ran kele lake.

AMBOLI - Hill station, flowers.

SATARA - Ajinkyatara fort, Parali fort (Sajjangad), palace, museum, nearby forts are Chandan Vandan forts, Prachitgad, Vasota (From Khed to Chowane by bus, trek to Vasota via Nageshwar temple - steep route. Or from Kas lake, Bambanoli of Satara - 10 hour).

PANDHARPUR - Hindu pilgrim centre (August - October).

BHANDARDHARA - Picnic spot, lake, Kalsubai (1650 m).

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, coin museum, Pandav leni - 24 Jain caves of 100 BC. Trimbakeshwar (35 km) - Jyotirlinga, temple, caves, Brahmagiri hill, Anjaneri fort.

SHIRDI - Major pilgrim centre, Sai Baba temple. 85 km from Nasik.

AURANGABAD - 9 caves, Bibi ka Maqbara : Tomb of Rabia Durani (w/o Emperor Aurangazeb), Pan Chakki : Water mill (1695 AD), Rani Begum gardens (24 km), Daulatabad fort (13 km) : large fortress and cannon, tomb of Aurangazeb at Khuldabad.

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.

LONAR CRATOR (170 km from Aurangabad) - Formed 50,000 years ago by a hyper velocity meteorite (18 km/s), 100 m in diameter and weighing 2 million tonnes. The circular saline lake is 1.83 km in diameter and 150 m deep. The crator rises to 20 m above the surrounding land. It is the 3rd largest crator in the world.

FESTIVALS - Mahashivratri and Holi (Feb/March), Ganesh Chaturthi (Aug/Sept).

GENERAL INFORMATION : MAHARASHTRA

2006-08-01T19:07:00.000-07:00

Capital : Mumbai.

Area : 3, 07, 713 sq.km.

Literacy : 77.9%.

Languages : Marathi, Gujrathi, Hindi.

Roads : 3, 59, 262 km.

Railways : 5, 554 km.

Airports : Aurangabad, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Akola, Kolhapur, Nanded, Ratnagiri, Solapur.

When to visit : Sept to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 39 to 22 Winter 34 to 12.

Districts : 35, Ahmadnagar, Akola, Amravati, Aurangabad, Bhandara, Beed, Buldana, Chandrapur, Dhule, Gadchiroli, Gondiya, Hingoli, Jalgaon, Jalna, Kolhapur, Latur, Mumbai , Mumbai Suburban, Nagpur, Nanded, Nandurbar, Nashik, Osmanabad, Parbhani, Pune, Raigarh, Ratnagiri, Sangli, Satara, Sindhudurg, Solapur, Thane, Wardha, Washim,
Yavatmal.

Places of Tourist importance : Mumbai, Lonavla, Mahabaleshwar, Ajanta - Ellora caves.

TOURIST INFORMATION : MADHYA PRADESH

2006-07-26T18:10:00.000-07:00

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).

GENERAL INFORMATION : MADHYA PRADESH

2006-07-25T05:05:00.000-07:00

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.

TOURIST INFORMATION : LAKSHADWEEP

2006-07-13T04:37:00.000-07:00

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.

TOURIST INFORMATION : KERALA

2006-07-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

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.

GENERAL INFORMATION : KERALA

2006-06-28T17:21:00.000-07:00

Capital : Thiruvanathapuram.

Area : 38, 863 sq.km.

Literacy : 96%.

Languages : Malayalam, Tamil.

Roads : 1, 41, 856 km.

Railways : 105 km.

Airports : Kochi, Calicut, Thiruvanathapuram.

When to visit : Nov to April.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 35 to 21.

Districts : 14, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kannur, Kasargod, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Wayanad.

Places of Tourist importance : Thiruvanathapuram, Kovalam beach, Ponmudi, Kochi, Vembanad lake, Kappad beach, Munnar, Thekkady, Periyar, Silent valley.

TOURIST INFORMATION : KARNATAKA

2006-06-15T17:21:00.000-07:00

BANGALORE - Asia's Silicon valley, Known as the Garden city, Govt. museum at Cubbon park (300 acre), Lalbaug and glass house, Vidhana Soudha, St. Mary's cathedral, Govt. museum and Venkatappa art gallery, Visvesvarya industrial and technological museum, Bull temple at Basavanagudi (6.1 m long and 4.6 m high Nandi), Bangalore palace (4 km, fort like), Whitefield (16 km) - Satya Sai Baba ashram, Ramohalli (28 km) - Giant Banyan tree spread over 4 acres of land, picnic spot; Nandi hills (60 km) - Hill station, Gandhi nilaya, Yoganandeswara temple, Tipu's palace.

KOLAR GOLD MINES - Deepest man made pit : 3030 m deep, can be visited from Oct to Feb.

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, tomb, museum, palace, fort, Sangam, mosque, temple; RANGANATHITTU bird sanctuary (19 km), NANJANGUD (22 km) - Nanjundeswara temple, SOMNATHPUR (38 km) - Hoysala temple, Shivsamudram waterfalls (85 km) - Asia's first hydro electric project, MERCARA/COORG (120 km) - Hill station.

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); BELUR (near Hassan) - Channakeshava temple, Veeranarayana temple. HALEBID (17 km from Belur) - Hoysaleswara temple, archaeological museum.

HAMPI - World heritage centre, archaeological museum, Vijayanagara ruins - Vithala temple with monolithic chariot, Vrupaksha temple, Hazara Ramaswami temple, fort, Elephant stable and Lotus Mahal.

BADAMI - Fort, 4 caves, Malegitti Shivalaya temple, rock climbing. 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.

BIJAPUR (100 km from Solapur) - Archaeological museum, Gol Gumbaz - world's fourth largest dome (37.92 m in diameter, 51 m in height and 3 m thick walls, A single minute whisper will be echoed 9 times), fort, Jami masjid, Asar Mahal, Gagan Mahal, Upli Buruj (Watch tower), Mallik e Maidan (a 55 tonne, 14 feet cannon), Bara Kaman, Ibrahim Roza tomb.

CHITRADURGA - Harihar fort.

GERSOPPA/JOG FALLS - Largest/highest waterfall in India, 292 m high Jog falls is in Shravati river, it has four distinct falls named as Raja, Rani, Rocket and Roarer. Season Oct to Dec. Magod falls (183 m is 80 km from Honavar).

MANGALORE - Mangaladevi temple, Kadri temple, St.Aloysious college chapel, light house, Govt. museum, Ullal Jama masjid (12 km), Moodabidri Jain temples (35 km, 18 number). Sringeri - Monastery by Shankaracharya, Vidya Shankara temple. Kudremukh - Deep valleys and steep precipice with natural beauty, trekking.

UDUPI - Sri Krishna temple, pilgrim centre, Malpe beach (6 km), Manipal health resort (5 km). DHARMASTALA - Manjunatha temple and Gomateswara statue.

FESTIVALS - Dussera (Sept/Oct), Sankranti (Jan).

GENERAL INFORMATION : KARNATAKA

2006-06-14T06:11:00.000-07:00

Capital : Bangalore.

Area : 1, 91, 791 sq.km.

Literacy : 67.6%.

Languages : Kannada, Urdu, Tamil.

Roads : 1, 42, 754 km.

Railways : 3, 059 km.

Airports : Bangalore, Belgaum, Mangalore, Bellary, Hubli, Mysore.

When to visit : Oct to April.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 35 to 26 Winter 25 to 14.

Districts : 27, Bagalkot, Bangalore, Bangalore rural, Belgaum, Bellary, Bidar, Bijapur Chamarajanagar, Chikamagalur, Chitradurga, Dakshina Kannada, Davangere, Dharwad, Gadag, Gulbarga, Hasssan, Haveri, Kodagu, Kolar, Koppal, Mandya, Mysore, Raichur, Shimoga, Tumkur, Udupi, Uttara Kannada.

Places of Tourist importance : Bangalore, Mysore, Belur, Halebid, Shravanabelgola, Jog falls, Hampi, Pattadakal, Aihole, Madikeri.

TOURIST INFORMATION : JHARKHAND

2006-06-12T10:45:00.000-07:00

Capital : Ranchi.

Area : 79, 714 sq.km.

Literacy : 54.6%.

Languages : Hindi, Urdu, Local languages.

Roads : 25, 283 km.

Railways : 172 km.

Airports : Ranchi.

When to visit : Oct to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 45 to 7 Winter 20 to 7.

Districts : 20, Bokaro, Chatra, Deoghar, Dhanbad, Dumka, Garhwa, Giridih, Godda, Gumla, Hazaribagh, Kodarma, Lohardaga, Pakur, Palamau, Pashchimi Singhbhum, Purbi Singhbhum, Ranchi, Sahibganj.

Places of Tourist importance : Dassm falls, Hundru and Jonah falls at Ranchi, Hazaribagh national park, Palamau national park, Baidyanath temple, Deoghar - Hindu pilgrim centre, Dhanbad.

TREKKING IN JAMMU & KASHMIR

2006-06-09T09:34:00.000-07:00

WAISHNODEVI - Hindu pilgrim centre, 14 km trek from Katra (40 km from Jammu).

KALHOI glacier (5485 m) - Pahalgam to Aru (11 km, jeep), trek to Lidderwat (11 km, PWD rest house) to glacier (3350 m, 13 km). 35 km trek from Aru : 3 day. Lidderwat - meadows in forest and camping site.

OR

Trek from Serbal before Baltal near Sonmarg to Kalhoi glacier via Nilamug.

TARSAR - MARSAR lakes (3795 m) : 8 hour trek from Lidderwat. Both lakes have ice floes floating on their surface.

AMARNATH (3900 m) - Hindu pilgrim centre, cave temple with ice Shiv lingam which waxes and wanes with moon, Pahalgam to Chandanwari by jeep, trek to Panchtarani via Sheshnag and then to cave, return to Baltal in 4 days (60 km); Sheshnag - lake, glaciers via trek from Pahalgam (20 km). Season : July to Sept.

HARMUKH (5184 m) - Srinagar to Bandipur by bus. Travel to Sumlar by jeep (8 km). Trek to Sarbal via Kudara (18 km), then to Harmukh via Ganaspatra (12 hour stiff climb). Located near Wular lake.

SONMARG (2740 m) - Tajiwas glacier (4 km) & Khajiar glacier. 81 km from Srinagar. 1. BALTAL (20 km) - Base camp for trekking to Amarnath cave (15*2 km, in a day). 2. Sonmarg to Cathedral peak via Lashimarg and Nichinai (3620 m, 13 km). 3. From Nichinai trek to Vishansar & Kishansar lakes via Ram Patri (3818 m, 13 km) after crossing 4080 m range.

KARGIL - Nun (7135 m) & Kun (7017 m) peaks are within 250 km, by Kargil - Padum road reach Gulmatonga. Trek to base of Kun (15 km). Nun base trek : Kargil to Parkachik via Pannikar by bus/truck. Trek to Shafat (20 km, BC for Nun). The Kargil - Padum road is over Pensi la (4401 m).

LEH (434 km from Srinagar at 3512 m) - Khardung la (5600 m, 40 km) - World's highest motorable road leading to the roadhead (Panamik) for world's highest war field - Siachen glacier (6700 m).

MARKHA VALLEY TREK - Spituk to Zingchen (12 km), to Yuvutse (14 km), to Sku via Kanda la (4800 m), to Markha (12 km), to Hankar (11 km), to Nimaling (10 km), to Shang Sumdo via Kongmaru la (5100 m), to Martselang (10 km), to Hemis (6 km) : 8 days. Then to Leh by bus.

OR

Karu (50 km from Leh) to Chogdo via Marchelang and then to Nimaling via Kongmaru la (5100 m) : 14 km, views of Kang Yaze (6400 m). It snows even in summer and nights are chilly.

LEH - MANALI (475 km, 2 days) : One of the world's highest roads over Tanglang la (5300 m) and Lachlung la (5100 m). Trek enroute - From Darcha on Manali to Leh road to Zanskar Sumdo (25 km) and to Pulu over Shingku la (5100 m). Trek further to Padum : 12 days.

TOURIST INFORMATION : JAMMU KASHMIR

2006-06-07T16:45:00.000-07:00

JAMMU - Winter capital of the state, Dogra art gallery and Mubarak mandi palace, Ranbireswar temple, Raghnath temple, tombs, Bahu fort, VAISHNODEVI - Hindu pilgrim centre, 14 km trek from Katra (40 km from Jammu); PATNITOP (111 km on Srinagar route) - Hill station.

PAHALGAM - Hill station, fishing, picnic spot. DACHIGAM wild life sanctuary - season : April to October.

AMARNATH (3900 m) - Cave with ice Shiv lingam 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 (293 km) - Dal, Nagin and Anchar lakes, Sri Pratap singh Govt. museum, Mughal gardens - Chashmasahi, Nishat, Shalimar, Pari mahal, Shankaracharya temple on hill top (4 km, 300 m), Hazratbal mosque - Hair of Prophet Mohamed is kept here, Charar-i-Sharif (28 km) , Khir Bhawani temple (27 km, in marble); Wular lake (47 km) - largest fresh water lake in Asia, scenic beauty, fishing.

GULMARG (46 km from Srinagar) - Meadow of flowers, winter sports : ice skating/ skiing, 2 km rope way to lift Ski enthusiasts, Tangmarg camping site (6 km), scenic beauty.

SONMARG (81 km from Srinagar) - 'Meadows of gold', flowers, Tajiwas glacier (4 km).

DRASS - World's second coldest inhabited place, in 1995, - 60 C temperature was recorded. Drass to Kargil : 60 km via Zoji la (3530 m).

KARGIL - Base for trekking & mountaineering : Nun (7135 m) & Kun (7100 m).

LAMAYURU - Monastery (80 km from Kargil on Leh raod).

LEH (434 km from Srinagar at 3512 m) - Leh palace, mosque, Mangyal Tsemo, Gompa Tsemo, Spituk monastery (9 km), Shey palace, Tiksey monastery - largest in Ladakh (15 km), world's highest motorable road : Khardung la (5600 m, 40 km). Hemis monastery (50 km) - richest monastery in Ladakh. Pangong lake (4267 m) & Tso Moriri are high altitude lakes. Camel Safari in Nubra valley.

MARKHA VALLEY Trek - Karu (50 km from Leh) to Chogdo via Marchelang and then to Nimaling via Kongmaru la (5100m) : 14 km, views of Kang Yaze (6400 m).

LEH - MANALI (475 km, 2 days) : One of the world's highest roads over Tanglang la (5300 m) and Lachlung la (5100 m).

FESTIVALS - Shivratri (Feb/Mar), Hemis (June), Amarnath (June-Sept).

GENERAL INFORMATION : JAMMU & KASHMIR

2006-06-04T16:52:00.000-07:00

Capital : Srinagar, Jammu (Winter).

Area : 2, 22, 236 sq.km.

Literacy : 54.4%.

Languages : Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Ladakhi.

Roads : 13, 042 km.

Railways : 84 km.

Airports : Srinagar, Jammu, Leh.

When to visit : April to Oct.

Climate(in °C) : Srinagar Summer 30 Winter below 0.

Districts :14, Anantanag, Badgam, Baramula, Doda, Jammu, Kargil, Kathua, Kupwara, Leh, Pulwama, Punch, Rajauri, Srinagar, Udhampur.

Places of Tourist importance : Jammu, Srinagar, Leh.

TOURIST INFORMATION : INDIA

2006-06-03T17:21:00.000-07:00

The most visited country in Asia. India is the 7th largest country in the world with a population over one billion. More than one million foreign tourists visit India in a year. India is the largest democracy in the world. It was a travel destination since 300 BC (Megasthenis). No travel guide on India is not complete as India is so vast, wonderful and colourful.

World Heritage Centres by UNESCO (28 in India) : TAJ MAHAL, Agra fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Humayun's tomb, Qutb minar, Chhatrapati Shivaji terminus/ Victoria terminus, Elephanta caves, Ellora caves, Ajanta caves, Mahabodhi temple at Bodh Gaya, toy train route to Darjeeling, Se cathedral & Bom Jesus cathedral of Goa, Pattadakal, Hampi, Brihadeshwara temple - Tanjavur , Brihadisvara temple (Gangaikonda cholapuram, Tanjavur), Airvastesvara temple (Parasuram, Tanjavur), Mahabalipuram, Nilgiri mountain railway (Ooty), Konark Sun temple, Khajuraho, Keoladeo Khana national park (Bharatpur), Kaziranga national park (Assam), Manas national park (Assam), Sundarbans national park (West Bengal), Nanda Devi and Valley of flowers national park (Uttaranchal), Rock shelters of Bhimbetka (Bhopal), Sanchi Stupa, Champaner - Pavagadh archaeological park (Vadodara), Lumbini(Nepal).

TOURIST CIRCUITS

Amritsar-Waga-Srinagar-Gulmarg-Leh
Dehradun-Mussorie-Gangotri-Yamnotri-Kedarnath-Badrinath
Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Jodhpur-Jaisalmer
Khajuraho-Varanasi-Gaya-Kathmandu
Shimla-Kullu-Manali-Dharmasala
Mumbai-Ellora-Ajanta-Goa-Jog falls
Bhavnagar-Palitana-Mount Abu-Udaipur
Belgaum-Hampi-Badami-Pattadakal-Aihole-Bijapur
Hyderabad-Warangal-Nagarjunakonda
Bhubaneshwar-Puri-Konark-Chilka
Kolkotta-Darjiling-Kalimpang-Gangtok-Guwahati-Kaziranga
Chennai-Mamallapuram-Kanchipuram-Tiruchirapalli-Tanjavur-Velamkanni
Bangalore-Mysore-Ooty
Madurai-Kodaikanal-Thekkadi-Alapuzha-Kochi.

GENERAL INFORMATION : INDIA

2006-05-31T16:53:00.000-07:00

Capital : New Delhi.

Area : 31 lakh sq. km.

Roads : 33 lakh km.

Railways : 1, 08, 706 km.

President : Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam.

Prime Minister : Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Metro cities : Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkotta and Delhi.

Currency : Rupee (1 US$=45 INR).

Monsoon : June to Sept.

Population : 102.86 Crores (in 2001).

Population below poverty line : 25% (2002).

Literacy : 65.3% (Male 75.3% Female 53.7% ).

Sex ratio : 933 females per 1000 males.

Life expectancy : 62.5 year.

Independance : 15 August 1947.

Largest state : Rajastan.

Smallest state : Goa.

Internet users : 70 lakhs (2001).

Border Countries : Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka.

Religions : Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi.

Languages : Hindi - National language. 22 more languages are recognised by the Indian Constitution.

International Airports : Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkotta, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Amritsar and New Delhi.

States : 28 States, 6 Union territories and one National capital territory.

TREKKING IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

2006-05-30T15:52:00.000-07:00

TENTU PASS (4996 m) : Manali to Solang Nala (14 km). Trek to Dhundi (2480 m, 7 km, river crossing), to Beaskund (6 km) via Bakar Thatch and to Tentu Pass (3.5 km, steep climb over boulders) : 4 days. Pass is windy and temperature drop substantially at night. Start early morning to avoid high winds. Season : Mid June to Sept. Friendship peak (5200 m).

CHANDRA lake (4480 m) - Manali to Jagatsukh by bus (6 km). Trek to Chikka (3000 m, 9 km), to Chandra lake via Seri (3900 m, 14 km). Fine views of Deo Tibba (6001 m).

CHANDRATAL lake (4270 m) - 18 km trek from Batal, which is at the base of Kunzam la (4590 m) on the Kyelong - Kaja road.

MALANA (2100 m) - Naggar (30 km from Kullu) trek to Chanderkhani pass via Rumsu Thach (3650 m, 5 hour, views of White Sail (6446 m) and Papsura (6451 m), 12 km) then to Malana village (7 km) via Nagruni. 5 hour trek to Jari. Travel to Manali via Manikaran by bus : 4 days.

PIN PARVATI PASS (5230 m) - Manikaran (1700 m, 45 km from Kullu) to Pulga (2100 m, 4 hour). Pulga tourist bunglow is nearby. Pulga to Kheer Ganga (2850 m, 4 hour). Kheer Ganga to Bhojtunda (3200 m, 5 hour). Bhojtunda to Thakur Khan (3400 m, 5 hour). Thakur Khan to Mantakal Lake : 6 hour via Pandu bridge (50 km). Manatak lake to High camp : 7 hour. High camp to Pin Parvati pass - Pin valley : 5 hour. Pin valley to Mud (3600 m, 8 hour). Mud to Sangam : 4 hour. Distance of 100 km covered on foot in 9 days. Reach Shimla by bus (24 hour).

KINNER KAILASH - Shimla to Kalpa by bus (244 km) via Rampur. Kalpa to Thangi (2966 m) by bus. Trek to Lambar (12 km) - Charang (12 km, 3500 m) - Lalanti (8 km, 4420 m) - Base camp (6 km, 5000 m) - Chitkul (9 km, 3450 m) via Lalanti Pass (5000 m) - Sangla by bus : 8 days. Mt. Kinner Kailash (6474 m).

SACH PASS (4667 m) - Dalhousie to Chamba. Chamba to Trella (90 km, 5 hour). Trek to Bhanodi (2744 m, 13 km, 6 hour), Satrundi (3658 m, 13 km, PWD rest house), to Sach pass (5 km, 3 hour). Start early morning to avoid high winds.

TOURIST INFORMATION : HIMACHAL PRADESH

2006-05-29T17:01:00.000-07:00

SHIMLA (120 km from Chandigargh) - Toy train for Shimla starts from Kalka. The narrow gauge route has 107 tunnels and 96 km is covered in 5 hour, State museum & art gallery, hill resort, forest, The Mall - busy shopping area, at the top end of Mall is Scandal point and Christ church, Jakhoo hills (2438 m, 2 km) is the highest point and is half an hour walk from Christ church, Chadwick falls (67 m, 7 km), handicrafts, Kufri (2622 m, 16 km) - famous for summer and winter sports. Naldehra (23 km) - scenic beauty, 9 hole golf ground. Theog (32 km for fishing ), Solan - hill station, Karol Tibba and Meteol are pretty spots; Fagu - Scenic beauty; Chail - World's highest cricket ground; Narkanda (64 km) at 2707 m is famous for skiing, Jalori pass connects to Kullu via Aut; Tattapani hot springs (54 km).

BHAKRA - Dam, picnic spot.

DHARMSHALA - Head quarters of Dalai Lama at Macleodganj, Tibetan handicrafts, hill station. DALHOUSIE - Hill station, picnic spot.

JAWALAMUKHI - Temple with shining gas flame is revered as Goddess. Baijnath temple. KANGRA - Barjeshwari temple, fort . KASAULI - Hill station.

KULLU - Raghunath temple (Dussera), scenary, famous for Kullu shawls, Jagatsukh Shiv temple (800AD, 6 km), Naggar (30 km on Manali route) - Roerich's museum.

MANIKARAN - 45 km from Kullu, famous for hot sulphur springs.

MANALI - Hadimba devi temple, hill resort, Vashist hot springs (3 km), Solang nala (14 km) for moutaineering and skiing.

KYELANG - Monastery on the scenic Manali-Leh route.

FESTIVALS - Dussera (Sept/Oct), Jawalamukhi mela (October).

GENERAL INFORMATION : HIMACHAL PRADESH

2006-05-27T16:47:00.000-07:00

Capital : Shimla.

Area : 55, 673 sq.km.

Literacy : 77%.

Languages : Pahari, Hindi, Punjabi.

Roads : 29, 610 km.

Railways : 269 km.

Airports : Kullu, Shimla, Kangra.

When to visit : April to Oct.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 33 to 14 Winter 15 to 0.

Monsoon : July to Sept.

Districts :12, Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kinnaur, Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, Una.

Places of Tourist importance : Shimla, Chamba, Kangra, Solan, Kullu, Manali, Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti.

TOURIST INFORMATION : HARYANA

2006-05-26T16:40:00.000-07:00

CHANDIGARH - Capital of Haryana, Punjab and union territory Chandigarh, designed by Le Corbusier. Nek Chand's rock garden, Sukhna lake (3 sq.km) : boating and fishing, Zakir Rose garden (Asia's largest), museum, art gallery. Pinjaur gardens (22 km).

JHAJJAR - Ancient town, palace, museum.

KURUKSHETRA - Temples, sacred tank.

PANIPAT - Babur's mosque, tomb and tanks.

HISAR - Palace, mosque, fort.

FESTIVALS - Holi (Feb/Mar), Baisakhi (mid April), Teej (July/ Aug).

GENERAL INFORMATION : HARYANA

2006-05-25T16:47:00.000-07:00

Capital : Chandigarh.

Area : 44, 212 sq.km.

Literacy : 68.9%.

Languages : Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu.

Roads : 27, 907 km.

Railways : 1, 513 km.

Airports : Chandigargh, Hisar, Jind, Karnal, Narnaul, Bhiwani, Pinjore.

When to visit : Oct to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 46 to 35 Winter 14 to 2.

Monsoon : July to Sept.

Districts :19, Ambala, Bhiwani, Faridabad, Fatehabad, Gurgaon, Hisar, Jhajjar, Jind, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Mahendragarh, Panchkula, Panipat, Rewari, Rohtak, Sirsa, Sonipat, Yamunanagar.

Places of Tourist importance : Panipat, Kurukshetra, Surajkund.

TOURIST INFORMATION : GUJRAT

2006-05-23T16:52:00.000-07:00

AHMEDABAD - Jumma masjid having 15 domes supported on 260 pillars, Siddi Sayed mosque, Bhadra fort, Hateesingh Jain temple near the Delhi gate, Shaking minarets at the siddi Bashir's mosque, Tripple arched gateway, Calico textile museum, Rani ki Vav, Akshardham temple and Adlaj Vav (Steped well) at Gandhi nagar, Modhera Sun temple (104 km), Lothal (80 km, 5000 year old dockyard).

VADODARA - Nazarbaug palace, Kirti mandir, Maharaja Fateh Singh museum, Makarpura palace (now an Air Force school), Pratap Vilas palace at Lalbaug, Vadodara museum & pictutre gallery.

PAVAGADH (CHAMPANER) - A world heritage centre by UNESCO, archaeological park with forts, temples, mosques & palaces, hill station.

RAJKOT - Gandhiji's home, museum, palace.

JAMNAGAR - Palaces, forts, temples, museum, lake.

DWARKA - One of the four most sacred Hindu pilgrim centres, beach, Janmastami is celebrated in Jagat Mandir (1400 years old), Shankaracharya Ashram - Sharda Peeth. Beyt Dwaraka (5 km) - temple. Ahmedabad (450 km)

PORBANDER - Birth place of Gandhiji, temples, palace, beach.

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.

SOMNATH - One of the 12 jyotirlingas : temple, Bhalka tirth, museum and beach, 80 km from Junagarh.

GIR FOREST - Wild life sanctuary for Asiatic Lion at Sasan Gir (Sept to May), Lion Safari, Tulsi Shyam with hot springs in the heart of Gir forest. Diu island fort.

PALITANA - Jain exquisite temples (863 in number) by one hour trek, Muslim shrine of Angar Pir. Ahmedabad (210 km).

FESTIVALS - Navaratri (Sept/Oct), Dussera, Diwali.

GENERAL INFORMATION : GUJRAT

2006-05-21T16:46:00.000-07:00

Capital : Gandhinagar.

Area : 1, 96, 024 sq.km.

Literacy : 69.9%.

Languages : Gujrathi, Marathi, Hindi.

Roads : 1, 33, 850 km.

Railways : 5, 322 km.

Airports : Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Vadodara, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Keshod, Rajkot, Porbandar, Kandla, Surat.

When to visit : Oct to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 41 to 27 Winter 29 to 14.

Monsoon : June to Sept.

Districts : 25, Ahmedabad, Amreli, Anand, Banas Kantha , Bharuch, Bhavnagar, Dohad, Gandhinagar, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Kutch, Kheda, Mahesana, Narmada, Navsari, Panch Mahals, Patan, Porbandar, Rajkot, Rajkot Sabar kantha, Surat, Surendranagar, The Dangs, Vadodara, Valsad.

Places of Tourist importance : Palitana, Girnar, Adlaj Vav , Pavagadh, Akshardham temple, Somnath, Gir forest, Modhera Sun temple, Lothal.

TOURIST INFORMATION : GOA

2006-05-16T15:56:00.000-07:00

PANAJI - Beaches, parks, 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.

OLD GOA (10 km) - Christian pilgrim centre, archaeological museum, Se cathedral with gold bell, Bom Jesus Basallica (mortal remains of St.Francis Xavier, world heritage centre), 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.

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

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

GENERAL INFORMATION : GOA

2006-05-15T18:24:00.000-07:00

Capital : Panaji.

Area : 3, 702 sq.km.

Literacy : 82%.

Languages : Konkani, Marathi, Portuguese.

Roads : 7, 457 km.

Railways : 79 km.

Airports : Dabolim (Vasco).

When to visit : Oct to May.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 32 to 24.

Monsoon : June to Sept.

Districts :2, North GOA, South GOA.

Places of Tourist importance : Basillica of Bom Jesus, Se cathedral, Dudhsagar falls, Aguada fort, Beaches : Calangute, Colva, Dona Paula, Miramar, Anjuna, Vagator, Arambol.
____________________________________________________

TOURIST INFORMATION : Daman & Diu

2006-05-13T17:06:00.000-07:00

Capital : Daman.

Area : 112 sq.km.

Literacy : 81.2%.

Airports : Daman, Diu.

Languages : Gujrathi, Marathi, Hindi.

Climate(in °C) : 29 to 34.

Monsoon : Jul to Sept.

Districts : 2, Daman, Diu.

Places of Tourist importance : Fort of Moti Daman, Jampore beach, Kadaiya lake garden, Diu fort, museum, Zampa waterfall and sanctuary.

TOURIST INFORMATION : DADRA & NAGAR HAVELI

2006-05-12T15:42:00.000-07:00

Capital : Silvassa.

Area : 491 sq.km.

Literacy : 60.6%.

Languages : Gujrathi, Marathi, Konkani.

Roads : 518 km.

When to visit : Oct to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 41 to 27 Winter 29 to 14.

Districts : 1, Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Places of Tourist importance : Khanvel, Tribal cultural museum, Vanganga lake.

TOURIST INFORMATION : CHATTISGARH

2006-05-11T16:47:00.000-07:00

Capital : Raipur.

Area : 136, 034 sq.km.

Literacy : 65.17%.

Languages : Hindi.

Roads : 35, 388 km.

Railways : 1, 000 km.

Airports : Raipur, Bilaspur.

When to visit : Oct to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer hot Winter cold.

Monsoon : June to Sept.

Districts :16, Bastar, Bilaspur, Dantewada, Dhamtari, Durg, Janjgir Champa, Jashpur, Kanker, Kawardha, Korba, Koriya, Mahasamund, Raigarh, Raipur, Rajnandgaon, Surguja.

Places of Tourist importance : Tirathgarh waterfall, Jagadalpur waterfall, Chitrakut falls at Jagadalpur (India's largest waterfall), Kutumsar caves (World's second longest underground cave with Stalactites and Stalagmites) and Kailash gupha (columns produce musical sound) are in the Kanger valley national park near Jagdalpur, Sirpur - Buddhist historical site with Lakshman temple, Amarkantak - Source of river Narmada (250 km from Jabalpur), Bhoramdev temple with erotic carvings (18 km from Kawardha), Bastar - Palace (Oct. Dussera), Danteshwari temple, Barnawapara sanctuary (125 km from Raipur).

TOURIST INFORMATION : HARYANA

2006-05-10T16:42:00.000-07:00

CHANDIGARH - Capital of Haryana, Punjab and union territory Chandigarh, designed by Le Corbusier. Nek Chand's rock

garden, Sukhna lake (3 sq.km) : boating and fishing, Zakir Rose garden (Asia's largest), museum, art gallery. Pinjaur

gardens (22 km).

JHAJJAR - Ancient town, palace, museum.

KURUKSHETRA - Temples, sacred tank.

PANIPAT - Babur's mosque, tomb and tanks.

HISAR - Palace, mosque, fort.

FESTIVALS - Holi (Feb/Mar), Baisakhi (mid April), Teej (July/ Aug).

GENERAL INFORMATION : CHANDIGARH

2006-05-09T17:07:00.000-07:00

Capital : Chandigarh.

Area : 114 sq.km.

Literacy : 81.9%.

Languages : Hindi, Punjabi.

Roads : 141 km.

Railways : 8 km.

Airports : Chandigarh.

When to visit : Oct to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 43 to 35 Winter 14 to 7.

Monsoon : Jul to Sept.

Districts : 1, Chandigarh.

GENERAL INFORMATION : HARYANA

2006-05-08T16:59:00.000-07:00

TOURIST INFORMATION : BIHAR

2006-05-07T10:05:00.000-07:00

PATNA - Golghar granary (29 m high and 3.6 m wide at the base), Patna museum with world's longest fossilised tree, Pahar Ki masjid, Sikh pilgrim centre - Hari mandir Takht, Hajipur (30 km, World's longest river bridge over Ganga, 5.5 km); Baidyanath dam at Deogargh (29 km from Patna), Vaisali (35 km from Hajipur) - Birth place of Mahavira, ashes of Budha preserved, Lion pillar at Kolhua (18.3 m high) and Ramkund, Buddhist and Jain pilgrim centre, museum.

BUDH GAYA - Mahabodhini temple (52 m) : World heritage centre, most sacred Buddhist pilgrim centre with Bodhi tree, stupas, museum.

GAYA - 92 km from Patna, Hindu pilgrim centre, temples, 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 (died) 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); Dehri_on_sone : Longest railway bridge in India near Sasram (3 km); Sasaram - Tomb of SherShah Suri and antiquities, lake.

HAZARIBAUG national park - Season : Dec to May.

JAYNAGAR, RAXAUL, JOGBANI - Temples, cross over point to NEPAL.

GENERAL INFORMATION : BIHAR

2006-05-06T16:44:00.000-07:00

Capital : Patna.

Area : 94, 163 sq.km.

Literacy : 47.5%.

Languages : Hindi, Maithli, Urdu, Santhali.

Roads : 85, 565 km.

Railways : 5, 254 km.

Airports : Gaya, Patna, Ranchi, Jamshedpur.

When to visit : Oct to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 47 to 20 Winter 28 to 4.

Monsoon : June to Oct.

Districts :37, Araria, Aurangabad, Banka, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, Buxar, Darbhanga, Gaya, Gopalganj, Jamui, Jehanabad, Kaimur,Katihar, Khagaria, Kishanganj, Lakhisarai, Madhepura, Madhubani, Munger, Muzaffarpur, Nalanda, Nawada, Pashchim Champaran, Patna, Purba Champaran, Purnia, Rohtas, Saharsa, Samastipur, Saran, Sheikhpura, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Siwan, Supaul, Vaishali.

Places of Tourist importance : Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Vaishali, Pawpuri, Vikranshila.

TOURIST IMPORTANT PLACES IN ASSAM

2006-05-05T17:18:00.000-07:00

GUWAHATI - State museum, Assam state zoo & botanical garden, temples.

KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK - A world heritage centre at Jorhat (90 km, Feb to May) famous for one horned Rhinoceros, tea gardens and tribal villages.

MANAS NATIONAL PARK - A world heritage centre (176 km from Guwahati).

MAJULI - World's largest river island and a pilgrim centre (120 km from Guwahati).

SILCHAR - Ancient ruins, temples, Bhuban (50 km).

FESTIVALS - Bohag Bihu (April), Rangoli Bihu (Sept/Oct), Durga Puja.

GENERAL INFORMATION : ASSAM

2006-05-04T17:38:00.000-07:00

Capital : Dispur.

Area : 78, 438 sq.km.

Literacy : 64.3%.

Languages : Assamese, Bengali, Bodo.

Roads : 68, 079 km.

Railways : 2, 435 km.

Airports : Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Tezpur, Jorhat, Silchar, Lilabari.

When to visit : Oct to May.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 35 to 18 Winter 26 to 7.

Monsoon : June to Sept.

Districts : 23, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Cachar, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Goalpara, Golaghat, Hailakandi, Jorhat, Kamrup, Karbi Anglong, Karimganj, Kokrajhar, Lakhimpur, Marigaon, Nagaon, Nalbari, North Cachar Hills, Sibsagar, Sonitpur, Tinsukia.

Places of Tourist importance : Guwahati, Kaziranga & Manas natonal park, Majuli.

GENERAL INFORMATION : ARUNACHAL PRADESH

2006-05-03T17:01:00.000-07:00

Capital : Itanagar.

Area : 83, 743 sq.km.

Literacy : 54.3%.

Languages : Tribal, Nepali, Bengali.

Roads : 10, 240 km.

Railways : 1 km.

When to visit : Oct to May.

Climate (in °C) : Summer 40 Winter 15 to 21.

Monsoon : June to Sept.

Districts : 14, Changlang, Dibang valley, East Kameng, East Siang, Kurung Kumey, Lohit, Lower Subansiri, Papum Pare, Tawang, Tirap, Upper Siang, Upper Subansiri, West Kameng, West Siang.

GENERAL INFORMATION : ARUNACHAL PRADESH

2006-05-02T17:24:00.000-07:00

ALONG - Ramakrishna ashram, waterfalls, tribal temples.

BOMDILA - Buddhist temples, handicrafts, scenary.

ITANAGAR - Buddhist temple, Botanical garden, Dony Polo tribal temple.

NAMDAPHA - Wild life sanctuary.

TAWANG - Buddhist monastery.

VIJAYANAGAR - Remains of Buddhist centre.

FESTIVALS - Igu dance festival (Jan), Makar sankranti (Jan).

GENERAL INFORMATION : ANDHRA PRADESH

2006-05-01T17:08:00.000-07:00

Capital : Hyderabad.

Area : 2, 75, 069 sq.km.

Literacy : 61.14%.

Languages : Telugu, Urdu, Tamil, Hindi.

Roads : 1, 72, 669 km.

Railways : 5, 057 km.

Airports : Hyderabad, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Vishakapatanam, Cuddapah, Rajamundry,
Ramagundam, Warrangal.

When to visit : Nov to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 41 to 20 Winter 32 to 13.

Monsoon : June to Dec.

Districts : 23, Adilabad, Anantapur, Chittoor, Cuddapah, East Godavari, Guntur, Hyderabad, Karim Nagar, khammam,

Krishna, Kurnool, Mahbubnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Nellore, Nizamabad, Prakasam, Rangareddi, Srikakulam,

Vishakapatnam, Vizianagaram, Warangal, West Godavari.

Places of tourist importance : Hyderabad, Tirupati.

TOURIST IMPORTANT PLACES : ANDHRA PRADESH

2006-04-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

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.

TOURIST INFORMATION : ANDAMAN NICOBAR ISLANDS

2006-04-28T17:14:00.000-07:00

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.

JAIN AND BUDDHIST PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 4

2006-04-24T18:12:00.000-07:00

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.

JAIN AND BUDDHIST PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 3

2006-04-23T17:38:00.000-07:00

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.

JAIN AND BUDDHIST PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 2

2006-04-23T02:17:00.000-07:00

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.

JAIN AND BUDDHIST PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 1

2006-04-22T09:39:00.000-07:00

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.

HINDU PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 8

2006-04-19T17:56:00.000-07:00

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).

HINDU PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 7

2006-04-17T17:05:00.000-07:00

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.

HINDU PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 6

2006-04-16T17:21:00.000-07:00

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).

HINDU PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 5

2006-04-15T17:19:00.000-07:00

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).

HINDU PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 4

2006-04-15T09:18:00.000-07:00

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.

HINDU PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 3

2006-04-14T16:59:00.000-07:00

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.

HINDU PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 2

2006-04-13T22:59:00.000-07:00

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.

HINDU PILGRIM CENTRES IN INDIA - 1

2006-04-12T18:26:00.000-07:00

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.

EVEREST

2006-04-09T10:29:00.000-07:00

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).

Tourist Important places in ANDHRA PRADESH

2006-04-06T09:52:00.000-07:00

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.

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CHARDHAM YATRA - YAMNOTRI, GANGOTRI, KEDARNATH, BADARINATH

2006-04-02T09:24:00.000-07:00

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

UNESCO World Heritage Centres

2006-03-29T09:03:00.000-08:00

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

WORLD HERITAGE CENTRE : GOA

2006-03-18T01:48:00.000-08:00

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 : The Cyber City

2006-03-16T06:14:00.000-08:00

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, MAHARASHTRA

2006-03-15T07:24:00.000-08:00

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

2006-03-13T08:23:00.000-08:00

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 - ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN INDIA

2006-03-10T17:21:00.000-08:00

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, India

2006-03-09T09:20:00.000-08:00

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.

Travel desinations which attract me the most

2006-03-07T09:06:00.000-08:00

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.