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Travel Information - India |
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Agra
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There are very few cities in the world that can match the history and heritage of Agra - the city of Taj Mahal. Located at a distance of 204 km south of Delhi, Agra is the single most famous tourist destination of India. Situated on the west bank of River Yamuna, Agra is a part of the great Northern Indian plains and has a tropical climate. The city has hot and humid temperature that sometimes touches a high of 45 degree Celsius. Winters are cold and foggy but pleasant enough to warrant a visit from the tourists coming from all around the world.
Travel to the great historical city of Agra and understand why Taj Mahal is considered as the "Love of a Man Epitomized in Stone". Travel to Agra and discover the fact that Agra is not only Taj Mahal but also much more. The architectural splendor of the city is reflected in the glorious monuments of medieval India built by great Mughals who ruled India for more than 300 years. Travel to Agra and experience the organized chaos that is India. India is best understood from the rampages of Agra Fort and nothing else.
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Ajanta and Ellora
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Hidden away from view in the middle of nowhere, or so it may seem to us today, and nestled in the hills themselves, are two magical locations where the rulers of yore thought it befitting to display the artistry of their time recording for posterity stories from mythology. These caves are none other than the famous Ajanta and Ellora caves, located near the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra. This city is all geared for tourists who flock in from around the world to see these famous caves. The richness of their imagery and the fact that they were carved between the 2nd century BC and the 8th century AD is highly impressive. It appears that while the rest of the world was in dark ages, we in this country were highly evolved in thought, word, and deed. India and Indians indeed have a past to be proud about.
It was only in the 19th century that the Ajanta group of caves, lying deep within the Sahyadri hills at Maharashtra and cut into curved mountainside above the Waghora River, were discovered. A group of British officers on a tiger hunt stumbled on these wondrous ancient works of art. They depict the story of Buddhism, spanning the period from 200 BC to 650 AD.
The Ellora caves, of which there are a total of 34, are carved into the sides of a basaltic hill 30 kilometers from Aurangabad. The finest specimens of cave temple architecture, they boast of elaborate facades and house exquisitely adorned interiors. These structures representing the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, were carved between the 350 AD and 700 AD. The 12 caves towards the south are Buddhist, 17 in the center are dedicated to Hinduism, and 5 caves to the north are Jain.
The Indian caves of Ajanta-Ellora are easily accessible by air, road, and rail from the other major Indian cities and states. Indian visit can arrange all types of transport for your comfortable journey to and in Ajanta-Ellora and also throughout the Indian state of Maharashtra.
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Ajmer
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The city of Ajmer is famous as a pilgrimage site. It houses the Dargah, or tomb, of the popular 13th-century Sufi Saint, Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti. Millions of pilgrims from all over the world throng Ajmer to attend the death anniversary of this great saint every year. The city also boasts of a number of monuments dating back to the Mughal era. The city is also well known for its traditional handicrafts. The most important tourist spot in Ajmer is the Dargah or tomb of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. The Ana Sagar Lake and Daulat Bagh Garden are other important sites in the city. Ajmer also boasts of an imposing fort built by Akbar, which also houses the Government Museum within it. The Nasiyan (Red) Jain Temple built in the 19th century is also worth paying a visit to.
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Aurangabad
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Aurangabad city is located in the northern part of the state of Maharashtra in the western region of India. It is 403 km from Mumbai (Bombay). Surrounded by hills, the city is on the banks of the Kham River. The city of Aurangabad is known for its medieval monuments and cultural heritage. It was the seat of the Mughal Empire for a short period. The city boasts of Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, a tomb that has some resemblance to the Taj Mahal. The importance of Aurangabad is great, owing to its proximity with world heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora. These sites have Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu temples. Aurangabad is also famous for it's silk and cotton textiles. Aurangabad is an offbeat destination in the state of Maharashtra. It attracts attention of tourists because of its many famous historical and religious architectural sites. It is true that Aurangabad is not a green hilly destination, though it has a good number of gardens giving you a comfortable stay in the town. The Aurangabad Caves were built during the 6th and 7th centuries
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Bangalore
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Bangalore is the capital city of the southern Indian state of Karnataka. It is the seventh largest city in India. It is also known as the Garden City because of its many beautiful gardens and parks. Though the origin of Bangalore is ancient, the present-day city was founded in the 16th century and has since continued to be an important administrative center. Because of the high concentration of IT industry, it also called the Silicon Valley of India. Bangalore city has a number of tourist places. Apart from the numerous gardens, it also has some historical sites and other places of interest.
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Bharatpur
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The Keoladeo Ghana National Park or-as many people prefer to call it-the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary lies between two of India's most historic cities, Agra and Jaipur. This north Indian sanctuary is situated in the country's northwestern state of Rajasthan, about 190 km from the national capital of Delhi. The name 'Keoladeo' is derived from the name of an ancient Hindu temple devoted to Lord Shiva in the sanctuary's central zone while the Hindi term 'Ghana' implies dense, thick areas of forest cover. Some 377 species have been spotted at Bharatpur Sanctuary, making it one of the most inviting destinations in the world for ornithologists, amateurs and nature lovers. Various species of indigenous water birds, waterside birds, migratory water birds, land migratory birds, and domestic land species are found here. There are approximately 56 different families of birds, of which the Passeriformes (156 species) and Charadriformes (56 species) dominate. One-third of birds at Bharatpur are migrants, many of whom spend their winters before returning to their breeding grounds in the Arctic and Central Asia.
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Bikaner
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Bikaner, situated in the northern part of Rajasthan, was founded in 1488 by Rao Bhikaji, descendant of the founder of Jodhpur. Bikaner was an important city on the great caravan trade route during the medieval period. The city is surrounded by high fortifications comprising a seven-kilometer long wall which encircles the old city and has five entrances-all constructed in the 18th century. Bikaner offers several attractions to the tourists besides, of course, the exotic camel safaris. You can visit the majestic forts or go to the Mata Karni temple where rats are considered sacred and worshipped. The camel festival held in the month of January is also an event worth witnessing. Some of the major attractions around the city are Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace, Camel Breeding Farm, Gajner Palace, Deshnoke Temple and Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum
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Bodhgaya
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The life of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, is associated with the small town of Bodhgaya. It is one of the four holiest cities of Buddhist faith. The Mahabodhi temple is the main attraction of this town and is located near the spot where Lord Buddha attained spiritual enlightenment. Bodhgaya is not only an important Buddhist pilgrim center, but it is also an important center for the study of Buddhism. Mahabodhi Temple and other monasteries are the major attractions in Bodhgaya. Places associated with the life and times of Lord Buddha are located inside the Mahabodhi complex including the Bodhi Tree and a pond where according to legends, Lord Buddha mediated for few days. Check out the following all-inclusive tour packages and holiday offers that will make your travel or pilgrimage to Bodhgaya comfortable and enjoyable. We provide you a range of tour packages and holiday offers for the city of Bodhgaya that will suit your requirements and budget. As per the nature, duration and the accommodation required during the holiday trip or pilgrimage to Bodhgaya, the tour packages vary.
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Chennai
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Chennai-Madras, one of the four major metropolitan cities of India, is the capital the southeastern state of Tamil Nadu-the exotic state famous for its cutworks in the temples, coconut fringes, and silk saris. Stretched out at the coastline of the country, it has number of sites for the tourists to visit. The Marina beach, where the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal mingle with the golden sands, or the forts and palaces, which remind one of the bygone eras, Chennai-Madras is a preferred destination of the tourists. There are several places to see and visit in and around Chennai. The Marina beach, stretched over an area of 13 km, is the second longest beach in Asia. It looks like a festive ground on weekend evenings. Presently used as the state secretariat, the St. George Forte is another landmark of Chennai. Just like the other Indian places, Chennai also celebrates a number of festivals and plays host to several events. The festivals are mainly based on the agricultural activities and according to the position of the stars and planets. Pongal, celebrated in the month of January, is the most important festival of Chennai. Being a cosmopolitan city, almost all the religious festivals are celebrated here. Being the fourth biggest city and the metropolitan city of India, Chennai is well connected with all the places of India. The international airport and the domestic airport connect this city with all other places of India and abroad. The noticeably big railway station, Madras Central runs number of trains connecting the city with various nook and corners of the country.
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Cochin
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Cochin-Kochi means different things to different people. To some, it is a world-famous port, while to others it is a business center and a glamorous mirror to Kerala's vivid multifaceted personality. To many travelers, however, this natural harbor is synonymous with its famous geographical hallmark-the underwater mud banks of Malabar. Cochin (also Kochi) has been an important trading port since ancient times. Today, the land of spices that attracted the European traders is a quaint blend of the old and the new, the Indian and the Western. Popularly referred to as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, Cochin is today the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala. Cochin has a rich heritage of forts, churches and temples. A visit to these ancient marvels gives you an overview of the political, religious and commercial developments of the city. The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry is renowned for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana. Fort Kochi, though now in ruins, contains many remains of Indo-European architecture. The Jewish Synagogue at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town is a fascinating mixture of shops, warehouses and spice auction rooms. The St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India, stands as the pride of Fort Cochin. The Santa Cruz Basilica, originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese, was used as a warehouse by the British in the 18th century. The Chinese fishing nets are huge cantilevered fishing nets believed to have brought to Kochi by Chinese traders. The Hill Palace Museum at Tripunithura houses the collections of the Cochin and Travancore royal families. Finally, the Willingdon Island, named after Lord Willingdon, is the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command of India
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Coonoor
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The Nilgiri Hills are famous for their sublime hill stations. Notable among them is Coonoor, located at the head of the Hulikal ravine at an altitude of 1,800 m above sea level. It is 19 km from Ooty (also, Udhagamandalam or Ootacamund), another famous hill station of the Nilgiris. Coonoor is famous for its verdant environs and for a variety of wildflowers and birds. Coonoor provides a perfect setting for activities like trekking and hiking. It is also famous for its tea plantations and festivals. Coonoor provides the traveler with the panoramic view of the lush green Nilgiri hills, with its ravines, valleys, and waterfalls. Bird watching is a popular pastime in Coonoor, as the area boasts of a large variety of species like cormorants, pipits, thrushes, parakeets, skylarks, Nilgiri verditer, etc. Travelers can take a walk through the tea gardens. There are number of trekking and hiking trails around Coonoor. Travelers can enjoy the exhilarating and unique ride on the toy train that connects Coonoor with Mettupalayam and Ooty. The trip provides some breathtaking views of the Nilgiri hills in all its natural glory. There are several places to see and visit near Coonoor too. The Dolphin's Nose Viewpoint, which is 10 km from Coonoor, is an important place to visit. It not only provides a panoramic view of the vast expanse of the Nilgiri hills but also of the famous Catherine Falls.
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Corbett
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The Corbett National Park is a primal jungle as Rudyard Kipling put it. Despite extensive tourism, the park has managed to retain its primeval ambience, where man must walk timorously, in awe and with a strong sense of his own insignificance. The main feature of Corbett National Park is valley is the Ramganga River, running broadly west by south west, the catchments streams of which vivisect the land into numerous little ridges and ravines. In this variety of habitat abounds wildlife of enchanting beauty including 50 mammals, 577 birds and at least 25 reptiles. The river teems with mahseer, gharial, mugger and flocks of cormorants. The national park offers invaluable experiences for adventurous and serious-minded wildlife-buffs, photographers and anglers. Go through our tour offers for Corbett National park and decide which one is the best for you
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Fatehpur Sikri
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The imperial city of the Mughal dynasty between 1571 and 1584, Fatehpur Sikri was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar. The architectural grandeur of this deserted city cannot be described in words and one can only experience the aura of its magnificent edifices by seeing them. Fatehpur Sikri is the most popular day excursion from Agra, the city of Taj and capital of invincible Mughals for a long time. Today, as one enters Sikri from the Agra Gate, one of the nine gateways on the way to the palace complex, Diwan-I-Aam, or the hall of public audience appears first. It is a huge rectangular walled-in courtyard where petitions were heard, proclamations made, embassies received and entertainment programmes held. The royal balcony, set within a frame of jali screens, appears on the western front. In front of the royal seat, a stone hook is still found embedded in the ground. As per tradition, Akbar's pet elephant Hiran was tied to this hook to crush to death under its feet the head of the guilty. If it refused to obey thrice, the victim was freed.
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Goa
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The Indian state of Goa, also known as 'the pearl of the east', is known for its Gothic churches, age-old ruins, palm-fringed beaches, coconut groves, ferry rides, and bubbly folk music. With its 131-km-long coastline, Goa is an important destination in every tourist's itinerary. Sun, sand and sea being the major attractions, Goa is a perfect heaven for the ones who need and want relaxation. Goa is one of India's special places, a State seemingly blessed with fabulous weather, even more fabulous beaches, delightful people, good food, hill-top forts, little white-washed churches, soaring Portuguese-era cathedrals, a unique cultural legacy-small wonder, therefore, that Goa is one of India's prime holiday destinations. Come the holidays or just about any long weekend, and Goa is packed with jaded yuppies hoping to switch off and unwind for a few days, and sun-starved Europeans, soaking up all that glorious sun and food.
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Gujarat
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Rich in crafts, history and natural beauty, the remarkable coastal state of Gujarat - the home state of Mahatma Gandhi - continues to attract artists, scholars, the intellectual elite and businessmen from the world over. Amongst a tantalizing wealth of appealing possibilities, it becomes difficult to choose which area does one begin exploring first. The preponderance of pilgrimage centers in Gujarat encourages the Religious (pilgrimage) and Archaeological Tourism. Gujarat with its long coastline and breathtakingly beautiful beaches is popular with the nature tourists as well. The Traditional Art, Craft, Cultural Activities, fairs and festivals of Gujarat make the Indian as well as foreign tourists get going to Gujarat. Gujarat is dotted with several places to visit and see. Amongst the popular tourist destinations of Gujarat are Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Jamnagar, Patan, Vadodara, Pavagadh, Champaner, Surat, Saputara, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Uperkot, Porbandar, Kutch and Bhuj.
Fringed by the Arabian Sea, with a hint of the desert, prosperous and very, very beautiful, Gujarat is inhabited by a people who find the slightest excuse to celebrate. And what celebrations! Color and spectacle merge together in a delightful kaleidoscope of Navratri, Dusshera, Diwali, Makar Sankranti, Tarnetar et al.
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Hampi
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Hampi is located in the central part of the state of Karnataka, in the southern part of India. It is 353 km from Bangalore, and 13 km from Hospet. It is located on top of a rugged terrain and is 467 m above sea level. Tungabhadra River flows through Hampi. It has a tropical climate with hot summers (April-June), and cool winters (October-February). It experiences the southwestern monsoon rains from June to August. Hampi is famous for its ruins belonging to the erstwhile medieval Hindu kingdom of Vijaynagar and it is declared a World Heritage site. The main tourist spots in Hampi can be divided into two broad areas: the Hampi Bazaar area and the Royal center near Kamalapuram. The 15th-century Virupaksha Temple is located in the Hampi Bazaar area. It is one of the oldest monuments of the town. The top of the temple rises about 50 m from the ground and the main shrine is dedicated to Virupaksha, a form of Lord Shiva. Hemakuta Hill, south of the Virupaksha temple, contains early ruins, Jain temples and a monolithic sculpture of Lord Narasimha, a form of Lord Vishnu.
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Jaipur
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Realize your dream of being a prince or a princess and that too for as many days as you wish to. Come on over to the holiday at the Pink City of India, Jaipur. The most favored holiday destination in India Jaipur with its palaces and forts beckons one and all. The magic of the majestic city captures all with the royal treatment and hospitality. Right from your arrival and throughout the stay at Jaipur joy will be all around and within you. The journey in the Palace on Wheels or the Royal Orient will be the tailor to the hospitality at the first planned city of India Jaipur. The magnificent Mahals will not fail to mesmerize you. City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort and the Jal Mahal top the list of must visit palaces at Jaipur. The architecture of splendid palaces of the Maharajas of the bygone eras tell the tale of the chivalry, tragedy and romance.
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Jaisalmer
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The golden city of Jaisalmer, which lies courageously as the western sentinel of India, is a place worth visiting. The golden ray of the setting sun draws a heavenly picture on the sands of Jaisalmer. The magnificent wood- and stone-carved mansions and buildings display the love of the Rajputs towards the fine arts. This desert city lying on an old trade route connecting India to Central Asia, is an important tourist destination today famous for camel rides across Thar Desert and its golden sand dunes.
Jaisalmer is a city of forts, havelis, and sand dunes with added attraction of camel rides. The main attraction is Jaisalmer Fort along with Jain Temple, Salim-singh-ki-Haveli, Patwon-ki-Haveli, Gadsisar Sagar Tank, Bara Bagh, and Jaisalmer Culture Center. The most famous of the local festivals is the Jaisalmer camel fair that is held during the winter season of the year.
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Jodhpur
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One of the most beautiful places of tourist's interest in India is Jodhpur. Situated in the arid land of Rajasthan, this place was founded by Rajput Chief Rao Jodha in 1459. Rao Jodha is the descendent of King Ramachandra of Ramayana. Earlier, it was the capital of the Marwar state of Rajasthan. Jodhpur is surrounded by a tall stonewall of about 10 kms. long. This wall has got eight doors facing various directions leading to different places of Jodhpur. Some of the gates are known as, Nagori gate, Sajoti gate, Merti gate, Jalori gate, Siwanchi gate etc. Jodhpur is a beautiful small city with the golden sands covering the thorny shrub growing arid land. Jodhpur has about 100 towers most of which are surrounded by defensive battlements. The forts and palaces in the city are the major source of attraction in the city. Exploring the forts gives you a feel of the times when the Rajput might was at its peak. The gates and the walls of the forts speak of the battles they have witnessed. One needs to spend enough time with these historical monuments to fully grasp the grandeur of the Rajput era. The places around Jodhpur offer further insight into the regions religious, cultural and commercial past besides being interesting tourist spots in themselves. The desert hamlet presents a picturesque view and the forts converted into heritage hotels provide fascinating places to relax. Jodhpur celebrates the Marwar festival with great fun and joy. The two-day festival drenches everyone at Jodhpur in fun, folk music, folk dance and folklore.
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Kanha
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Situated in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, the picturesque Kanha National Park was created in 1955 by a special law and, since then, it has dedicated itself in preserving a variety of animal species. Many endangered species have indeed been saved here. Today Kanha is among the few most scenic and beautiful wildlife reserves in Asia. This 'Tiger Country' is the ideal home for both predator and prey The main wildlife attractions in the park are tiger, bison, gaur, sambhar, chital, barasingha, barking deer, black deer, black buck, chousingha, nilgai, mouse deer, sloth bear, jackal fox, porcupine, hyena, jungle cat, python, pea fowl, hare, monkey, mongoose, tiger, and leopard. The birds species in the park include storks, teals, pintails, pond herons, egrets, peacock, pea fowl, jungle fowl, spur fowl, partridges, quails, ring doves, spotted parakeets, green pigeons, rock pigeons, cuckoos, papihas, rollers, bee-eater, hoopoes, drongos, warblers, kingfishers, woodpeckers, finches, orioles, owls, and fly catchers
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Khajuraho
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There is nothing in this world that could compare with the erotic images of Khajuraho. The sense of imagination have given form to human emotions in the form of spiritual and physical love. Every facade-wall, window, pillar, and ceiling of Khajuraho is carved with figures of mythi | | | | | | |