Vijaywada – Coastal City of Andhra Pradesh

Vijaywada is the third largest city in Andhra Pradesh, located on the banks of the Krishna River and surrounded by the Indrakiladri Hills on the West and the Budameru River on the North. Known for its juicy mangoes, mouth watering sweets and plenty of beautiful springs Vijayawada also known as Bezawada is known as the third largest city of the state is placed on the banks of the renowned River Krishna in the south, the Budameru River on the north, the Bay of Bengal in the east and Indrakeeladri Mountain in the west.

There are many tales behind the origin of the name of the city:

(a) Legends say that on Indrakiladri Hill, Vijaywada, Arjuna was blessed by Shiva.

(b) In another legend it is stated that Goddesses Durga killed the demon and rested in this place for some time. As she was victorious (Vijaya), Wada (city/place/location) the place got the name as Vijayawada which literally means “City of Victory”. The epic of Mahabharata refers to Indrakiladri hills as the place where Arjuna secured “Pasupathastra” from Lord Siva

(c) In some legends Vijayawada was also known as Vijayavata and Rajendracholapura.

Vijayawada, literally means place of victory, is a very important place in South India, having the credit of being the largest railway junction in South India. The climate is tropical, specifically a tropical wet and dry climate, with hot summers and moderate winters. Vijayawada is located in the stretch of the Madras-Howrah and Madras-Delhi rail routes and National Highways 5 and 9 covering the city.

Juicy Mangoes, tongue watering sweets and plenty of beautiful springs Vijayawada, the third largest city of the state Andhrapadesh in India and also known as Bezawada, is placed on the banks of the renowned River Krishna in the south, the Budameru River on the north, the Bay of Bengal in the east and Indrakeeladri Mountain in the west. Vijayawada, literally means place of victory, is a very important place in South India, having the credit of being the largest railway junction in South India. Vijayawada is located in the stretch of the Madras-Howrah and Madras-Delhi rail routes and national highways 5 and 9 touch the city. Mainly inhabited by agricultural community, plenty of canals going through this place irrigate the farm land throughout the Krishna delta. Vijayawada is a significant trade and commerce hub and an important administrative center of Krishna District. Vijayawada was an integral part of Vijayanagar Empire under the great king Sri Krishna Devarayar.

Places to Visit:

Religious Places:

-Kanaka Durga Temple

-Marakata Rajarajeswari Temple

-Subramanya Swamy Temple

-Sri Nagarala Sri Maha Lakshmi Ammavaru Temple

-Mangalagiri

-Amaravati

-Hazarat Bal Mosque

-Hinkar Thirtha

-Gunadala Matha Shrine

Tourist Attractions:

-Prakasham Barrage

-Manginapudi Beach

-Undavalli Caves

-Rajiv Gandhi Park

-Gandhi Hill

-Victoria Museum

-Mogalarajapuram Caves

-Bhavani Island

-Kondapalli Fort

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Somnath Temple – Sacred Place in Gujrat

Shree Somnath is first among the twelve Aadi Jyotirlings of India. It has a

strategic location on the western coast of India.

Ancient Indian traditions maintain a close relationship of Somnath with release

of Chandra (Moon God) from the curse of his father-in-law Daksha Prajapati. Moon

was married to Twenty-Seven daughters of Daksha. However, he favoured Rohini and

neglected other queens. The aggrieved Daksha cursed Moon and the Moon lost power of

light. With the advice of Prajapita Brahma, Moon arrived at the Prabhas Teerth and

worshipped Bhagvan Shiva. Pleased with the great penance and devotion of Moon,

Bhagvan Shiva blessed him and relieved him from the curse of darkness. Pauranic

traditions maintain that Moon had built a golden temple, followed by a silver

temple by Ravana, Bhagvan Shree Krishna is believed to have built Somnath temple

with Sandalwood.

The research based on ancient Indian classical texts show that first Somnath

Jyotirling Pran-Pratistha was done on the auspicious third day of brighter half of

Shravan month during the tenth Treta yug of Vaivswat Manvantar. Swami Shri

Gajananand Saraswatiji, Chairman of Shrimad Aadhya Jagadguru Shankaracharya Vedic

Shodh Sansthan, Varanasi suggested that the said first temple was built 7,99,25,105

years ago as derived from the traditions of Prabhas Khand of Skand Puran. Thus,

this temple is a perennial source of inspiration for millions of Hindus since time

immemorial.

The later sources of history account for several desecrations by Muslims

invaders during eleventh to eighteen century A.D. The temple was rebuilt every time

with the reconstructive spirit of the people. The modern temple was reconstructed

with the resolve of Sardar Patel who visited the ruins of Somnath temple on

November 13 1947. Then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, did the

Pran-Pratistha at the existing temple on 11 May 1951.

Other spots in the temple are Shri Kapardi Vinayak and Shri Hanuman Temple in

addition to Vallabhghat. Vallabhghat is a beautiful sunset point. The temple is

illuminated every evening. Similarly, the Sound & Light Show “Jay

Somnath” is also displayed every night during 8.00 to 9.00, which allows the

pilgrims an ethereal experience in the backdrop of grand Somnath temple and the

holy wave sounds of the Ocean. Ahalyabai temple is also close by, which was built

by the queen mother Shri Ahalyabai Holker during 1782. This temple maintained the

Pooja Parampara of Bhagvan Shiva during the hostile political conditions.

Bhalka Teerth:

This sacred teerth is located 5 km on Prabhas Veraval highway. The arrow of the

poacher named Jara at this spot hit Bhagvan Shree Krishna. Bhagvan Shree Krishna

was resting in meditation pose under a pippal tree when the poacher misread the

foot of Bhagvan Shree Krishna as a deer and hit from a distance. Bhagvan generously

pardoned the poacher and blessed him. This divined leela of Bhagvan Shree Krishna

is immortalised by a beautiful temple and an ancient pippal tree. Bhagvan Shree

Krishna then walked a small distance and arrived at the holy banks of river Hiran

from where he took his last journey to his Neejdham. The spot is under development

with the assistance of the Central Government of India.

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Sanchi Stupa – A Sacred Place for Buddhist

Emperor Asoka (273-236 B.C.) built stupas in Buddha's honour at many places in

India. Stupas at Sanchi are the most magnificent structures of ancient India.

UNESCO has included them as one of the heritage sites of the world. Stupas are

large hemispherical domes, containing a central chamber, in which the relics of the

Buddha were placed. Sanchi stupas trace the development of the Buddhist

architecture and sculpture at the same location beginning from the 3rd century B.C.

to the 12th century A.D.

Asoka when he was a governor married Devi, the daughter of a respected citizen

of Vidisha, a town 10 km from the Sanchi hill. Prince Mahendra visited Sanchi with

his mother before leaving for the island of Lanka for taking Buddhism there.

Emperor Asoka had put up at Sanchi a pillar edict and a stupa containing relics of

the Buddha. Addition of new stupas and expressions in stone of legends around the

life of the Buddha and the monastic activities at the Sanchi hill continued under

several dynasties for over fifteen hundred years. Also, the Brahmi script could be

deciphered from the similarities in inscriptions carved at different places in the

main stupa.

Sanchi stupas are noteworthy for their gateways as they contain ornamented

depiction of incidents from the life of the Buddha and his previous incarnations as

Bodhisattvas described in Jataka tales. Sculptors belonging to different times

tried to depict the same story by repeating figures. The Buddha has been shown

symbolically in the form of tree or through other inanimate figures. One of the

sects of Buddhism opposed depiction of the Buddha by a human figure.

The top of the Asoka pillar, which comprises of four lions, has been kept in the

museum maintained by the Department of Archaeology. The size and the weight of the

pillar point to advanced construction technology that was existent at the time of

Asoka. It must have been an incredible feat of engineering to bring the stone for

carving the pillar from the mine to Sanchi and installing it up the hill.

Jataka Tales:

Jataka tales as do Aesop's fables teach generosity and self-abnegation based on

previous lives of the Buddha as Bodhisattvas. As a Bodhisattva he took births as

man, animal or bird. It is believed that the Buddha accumulated virtue by good

deeds he did as Bodhisattvas and had attained merit for achieving nirvana in his

last birth when he was born as the prince Siddhartha.

Six-tusked Elephant Jataka

The Great Monkey Jataka

The Vessantra Jataka

The Sama Jataka

Six-tusked Elephant Jataka:

In one of his previous births the Bodhisattva was born as a six-tusked elephant.

He lived in the Himalayas with his two female elephant wives named Chulasubhudha

and Mahasubhudha . Chulsubhudha despised her husband as she thought that he loved

his other wife more than her. She prayed that in her next life she may be born a

beautiful girl and have the good fortune of marrying the king of Varanasi. Her deep

jealousy and the desire to take revenge from her husband resulted in her death. As

she had wished, she was born in her next birth a beautiful girl and became the wife

of the king of Varanasi. She feinted illness and pleaded her husband to ask

Sonuttar, the king's archer, to bring for her the tusks of the six-tusked elephant.

The hunter wounded the six-tusked elephant with arrows and tried to pull out his

tusks. The elephant took pity on the hunter and helped him in pulling out his

tusks. When the tusks were given to the queen she repented her wanton act and died

out of grief.

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Rajahmundry and Guntur – Two Major Cities of Andhra Pradesh

Rajahmundry, originally known as Rajamahendri, is better known as the ‘cultural capital and born city’ of Andhra Pradesh. This might be due to the fact that this palce was the origin for Telugu language. Poet Nannayya who is the first poet of Telugu was born here and hence gave Telugu a script which made it a language.

History:

-It is believed that the Chalukyas were the earliest rulers of the place.

-11th Century: Rajaraja Narendra was a Chalukya king who ruled the city. However, fresh archaeological data suggests that the history of the place is older than that.

-In the 19th century: It was one of the biggest South Indian cities and was the epicenter of many uprisings during the British Era.

-Nyapathi Subbarao and Kandukuri Veerasalingam were the two most important freedom fighters from Rajahmundry who played a crucial role in India’s freedom struggle. Mr. Subba Rao was also one of the founders of ‘The Hindu’, an English Daily.

Today, Rajahmundry is primarily a pilgrimage centre, due to the presence of a large number of temples in the city. It also holds the Pushkaram, once every 12 years. Pushkaram is a holy congregation which sees millions of devotees taking a dip in the Godavari. The city also shares a special bond with Tollywood. Pattiseema, a scenic spot here, involves the shooting of numerous Telugu movies every year. Apart from the temples and the Tollywood tryst, the place is also known for Pulasa Fish. It’s a rare species which is found only during the monsoon season.

Rajahmundry is well connected to other neighboring cities of Andhra Pradesh by road and rail. Located on an elevation of 45 feet, it has a typical hot and humid tropical climate. The temperature does not vary much throughout the year, but the months of December and January are relatively cooler than the rest.

Places to Visit:

• Dowlaiswaram
• Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, Pattiseema
• Cotton museum
• ONGC Base complex
• Goutami Ghat
• River Bay Water Park

Guntur:

Guntur is located located 64 kms from the Bay of Bengal and has great accessibility to mostly all the major cities in the state. Guntur is a well developed city and it is considered a center for learning. Guntur and the nearby areas have many Buddhist influences and it is said that Buddha performed the first Kalachakra in this region. The Pratipulapra Kings were the earliest known rulers of Guntur.

Guthikonda caves and Stinagaram are some of the interesting places to visit in the Guntur region. They are believed to be old and there are references to them in Vedic Puranas. Hyder Ali and the Nizam of Hyderabad ruled the city before the European colonial powers arrived in Guntur. Guntur was the French capital for a brief while.

1752: The French shifted their headquarters from Kondavid Fort because of the ample availability of water due to the two large tanks. This settlement formed the nucleus of the modern city.

1788: The Nizam and Haidar Ali ruled the town untill the British took over.

1859: It was made the headquarters of a district named after it that was abolished and later got reconstituted in 1904.

1890: The city rapidly became a major market for agricultural product due to the opening of the railway link.

The city has a mix of urban and regional life style and there are many resorts that are located a short distance from the Guntur city. Amaravati, Sitanagaram and Bhattiprolu are the striking monuments that can be spotted in Guntur. Guntur is known as major center for textiles and transportation. There are many references to Guntur in some of the ancient Sanskrit texts.

Places to Visit:

• Amaravati
• Kotappakonda
• Ponnur
• Govada
• Panchalavaram
• Ananthavaram
• Pedaparimi
• Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
• Nagarjunakonda
• Undavalli Caves
• Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Sanctuary
• Ethipothala Falls
• Bhattiprolu
• Kondaveedu Fort
• Guthikonda
• Sitanagaram
• Chebrole

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Bangalore to Ooty – A Chilling Weekend Getaways

The region where Ooty is located is referred as the Nilgiris ( Blue Mountain ).

So essentially Bangalore to Ooty route is an interstate route. Bangalore to Ooty

distance is about 300 km. On the road map you can find Ooty on the southwest

direction of Bangalore at a point near the borders of Karnataka, Tamilnadu and

Kerala meet.

About Ooty:

Ooty also known as Udhagamandalam is the "Queen of hill stations" and

the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in

India. Nilgiris means "Blue Mountains". It is a land of picturesque

picnic spots. Used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers

during the colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea

level. An added attraction for the tourists to Udagamandalam is the mountain train

journey on a ratchet and pinion track which commences from Kallar, near

Mettupalayam and wends its way through many hair-raising curves and fearful tunnels

and chugs along beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams

and tea gardens.

Places to Visit:

Ooty Botanical Gardens: If you are on a sightseeing tour to Ooty, you

might want to visit the Government Botanical gardens, which were laid out in

1847.The picturesque gardens that are maintained by the Horticulture department of

the state, cover an area of about 22 hectares. The Gardens have well over 650

species of plants and trees, including a fossil of a tree, which is believed to be

more than 20 million years old. The garden is very popular with nature lovers and

those who long to walk among greenery and see rare ferns and shrubs up close. If

you are in Ooty in the month of May, then you can also be a part of the summer

festival, which is held here annually. The festival holds flower shows and various

cultural programs showcasing the talent of the locals and the renowned artists.

Doddabetta peak: The Dodabetta Peak stands at an altitude of 2,623

meters. It is the highest point in the district, making it possibly the best

vantage point around Ooty. It is merely 10km from Ooty so you can simply grab your

camera and head straight to the peak, and click amazing pictures of he valley

below. Many say that on a clear day, which is honestly not that often, one can see

far off areas, even the plains of Coimbatore and the flat highlands of Mysore.

Ooty Rose gardens: It’s an amazing and very large area garden. You

can enjoy varieties of roses there. The roses bloom only for 2-3 months a year (not

sure when), so going there off-season is not very interesting. If interested can

buy the seeds and plants also.

Wax World - (Wax Museum): Its’ a private investment not supported

by Govt. Don't expect much like other foreign wax museum which are helped by

tourism authorities for advertisements and promotions. More attraction is the very

old house, where the museum is set up. Candles are available. But it is suffering

from funds for expansion so they request tourists to visit so that they can get

help from them, which is the only form of support.

Sims Park (Coonoor): Similar to Ooty botanical garden. Very rare plants

and trees are there.

The Tea Factory: Several tree gardens and factories are there. On the way

you will get lots of them. They will approach you with free tea taste and offer

some tea packets to buy. But be cautious if you don't have much knowledge about

tea, better not to buy from them as the packet tea has not the same taste as they

gave you to taste. The spices quality is not so good.

Boating at Pykara: It's an awesome experience. Though the rate of boating

is little bit high but still it is worthy.

Falls at Pykara: Historical Dam with Power station at Pykara.

Hidden Valley: Echo Rock, some called it as 'Lambs rock" naturally

took the shape of a lamb. Go through a very small forest and then you can see the

rock.

Travel to Ooty:

Ooty is well connected by good roads. It is 535 km from Chennai (via Salem), 89

km from Coimbatore, 18 km from Coonoor (via Gudalur), 155 km from Mysore, 187 km

from Calicut, 290 km from Bangalore, 281 km from Kochi (via Coimbatore and

Palakkad), 236 km from Kodaikanal (via Coimbatore and Palani)

There is a regular bus service from Bangalore, Mysore, Coimbatore, Calicut,

Kanyakumari, Thanjavur, Tirupathi and Cochin. Buses ply regularly to Mudhumalai

Wildlife Sanctuary, Kotagiri, Coonoor and Doddabeta. Bus booking is fairly

easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early you’ll get budget tickets

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Bangalore to Mangalore – A Weekend on Beach

Mangalore is a port city and the headquarters of Dakshina Kannada district in the coastal region of Karnataka State in

India. Mangalore is the gateway to Karnataka. It is one of the five talukas (other than Bantwal, Puttur, Sullia, Belthangady

taluks) of the Dakshina Kannada District. This District formerly had 8 talukas, but these were split in August 1997 and the

remaining talukas, namely Udupi, Kundapur and Karkala then formed a part of the Udupi district,but there is no division found

in the living of two cities and it is still being recognised as 'avibhagitha (undivided) Dakshina Kannada. Mangalore is named

after the Goddess Mangaladevi. Other names used by the locals are 'Mangalooru' (Kannada), 'Mangalapuram' (Malayalam), 'Kudla'

(Tulu), 'Kodial' (Konkani), 'Mikala' (Beary) and 'Manjarun'(sanskrith).

Traditionally, it was an important trading port with ties with the Persian Gulf states dating back to the 14th century.

With its strategic location, it was occupied by a number of dynasties and colonial rulers, namely the Portuguese in the

mid-16th century. In the 18th century, its control was contested by Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan on one hand and the British on

the other. Under the Mysore sultans (1763), it became a strategic ship building base, which was ceded to the British in 1799

after numerous sieges.

About Mangalore:

Mangalore is one of the fastest developing cities in India. Many multinational corporations and domestic corporations are

opening their branches in Mangalore. Many reputed builders are bringing huge development projects. There is very good growth

in the retail sector and many new shopping malls are being built. Infosys Technologies has 2 Development Centers in Mangalore

with over 3000 employees. EDS has their India Training Center based near Mangalore Club. Corporation Bank and Karnataka Bank

have their headquarters inside the city and Syndicate Bank HQ is in Manipal. Other industries are MRPL, MCF, BASF, KIOCL,

Ultratech Cement Plant are some of the other industries in the city.

Mangalore is also known as the 'Cradle of Education' in Karnataka with 15 Engineering(Nitk,surathkal being the rank 1

engineering college and MIT(manipal) being second), 5 Medical, 14 Dental, 12 MBA, 11 Physiotherapy, 8 Hotel Management and 58

Graduation colleges in and around the city.

Mangalore is a blend of the new and the old! With the increasing influx of students from various states of India and

different parts of the world, Mangalore has virtually become a 'melting pot' of cultures, given the various communities that

make up the social framework of Mangalore: the Tuluvas (Bunts, Billawas, Brahmins,Jains,Devadigas, Mogaveeras,Chitpavan's),

the Brahmins, the Konkani Catholics, the Bearys, the Goud-Saraswath Brahmins (Konkanas),Devang's(m'lore kannada and tulu)

etc.

Places to Visit:

Sultan Battery: It is situated in Boloor 6 Km. away from Mangalore City Bus Stand. It was built in Black

Stones by Tippu Sulthan to prevent warships to enter Gurpur river. Now the remaining part of the fort is called as Tippu's

Well. It is today a deserted spot but its construction is bafflingly exquisite. Although it is a watchtower, it gives the

impression of a miniature fortress with its arrangements for mounting cannons all-round.

Kadri Manjunath Temple: Kadri is another ancient historic spot in Mangalore. The Kadri Temple dating back to

about 1068 A.D. with its nine tanks, its square temple, nestling at thefoot of the highest hill, draws to Mangalore hundreds

of visitors annually.The Lokeshwara bronze statue of the Kadri Manjunatha Temple is tipped to be the best bronze statue in

India. On top of the hill King Kundavarma Bupendra built a mutt which came to be called 'Jogimutt'. There are some stone

caves on top of the hill which are known as the caves of the Pandavas .

St. Aloysius Church: It is situated 1 Km. away from Nehru Maidan Bus stand.  The walls of the church are

covered with the paintings of the artist Antony Moshaini of Italy.  The Church was built in the year 1899-1900. St.

Aloysius College Chapel, an architectural gem, comparable with the Sistine chapel in Rome, is situated on lighthouse hill.

The special beauty of the chapel is the wonderful series of paintings that virtually cover every inch of the interior roof

and walls executed by Bro.

Shri Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple: Mangalore is known as a pilgrim center and boasts of many sacred temples like

Sharavu, Kadri, Mangaladevi, Kudroli etc. Out of these Sri Sharavu Sharabeshwara - Sri Mahaganapathy Kshetra is an

outstanding, pious center of great illustrious history of marathon 800 years.

Light House Hill-Garden: It is situated 1 Km. away from Bus Stand.  One can see the beautiful sea view,

sunset view and also the sailing ships and boats on the sea.  Now the renovated garden looks more beautiful.

Travel to Ooty:

There are numerous bus services from Mangalore to all the nearby towns in Karnataka and Kerala. The long-distance bus

services to major cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, Hubli-Dharwad and Goa run along the National Highways radiating to the North

(towards Goa and Mumbai) NH-17, South (towards Kerala) and the East (towards Bangalore) NH-48. Bus booking is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan

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Seven Wonders of India

India is an amazing country, the history of its people going back several millennia. Having cradled some of the oldest known civilizations of the world, this amazingly diverse land saw the emergence of some of the mightiest empires and dynasties of the ancient and medieval world. Over a period of several centuries, numerous rulers have come and gone, leaving behind their marks in the form of a large number of historic buildings, some of which can be said to form the seven wonders of India.

• Tajmahal (Agra): The Taj has become the symbol of India to people of the world. This 17th century Mughul mausoleum has captured the imagination of generations of tourists ever since it was completed in 1643. Built in the memory of Mumtaz Mahal by her husband, the fifth Mughul Emperor Shahjahan, the Taj Mahal is a dream realized in white marble. Its beauty cannot be described in words. The Taj remains the most popular and well known tourist attractions in India.
  
  
• Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh): The Khajuraho group of temples is famous all over the world for its amazingly vivid erotic sculptures. These temples are the best examples of the north Indian Nagda style of temple architecture, and they date back to the 9th and 10th centuries AD.
  
  
• Hampi (Karnataka): The ruins of Hampi are among the best known tourist attractions in South India. The erstwhile capital of the mighty Vijayanagar kingdom which flourished in the 16th century AD has tremendous historic value. Its temples are among the best known specimens of south Indian temple architecture. The site also has many other interesting spots and is a world heritage site.
  
  
• Golden Temple (Amritsar, Punjab): The most recent among the seven wonders of India listed here, the golden temple is located in the sacred city of Amritsar. The temple is the spiritual center of the Sikh religion. The present day structure was constructed in the 18th century by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Its dome is covered by about 100 kgs of gold, hence the name. The temple stores the Granth Sahib, the holy book treated as guru by the Sikhs.
  
  
• Konark Sun Temple (Orissa): The Konark sun temple is an amazing structure constructed in the 13th century. The temple is dedicated to the sun god and designed to resemble the mythical chariot that carries the sun God across earth, driven by seven horses. The temple exhibits the style of temple building typical to Orissa.
  
  
• Tawang Monastery (Arunachal Pradesh): The name 'Tawang'means 'chosen by a horse' as the legend goes that when the 5th. Dalai Lama, Mera Lama while searching for a place to make a new monastery in 1681 prayed for guidance for a special location and found his horse standing on a quiet spot on a hill. The monastery was built there with a 30 ft golden hued wooden Buddha statue set between Buddhist artifacts and valuable 'Tankhas'.The entrance or the 'Kakaling' to the Monastery is beautiful both esthetically and architecturally, with paintings of Buddhist folk themes done on the ceiling and walls. Close to the main gate is the famed 'Dung Gyur Mani' pond and the monastery derives all it water from this lake.
  
  
• Nalanda University (Bihar): Nalanda is the name of an ancient university in Bihar, India. The site of Nalanda is located in the Indian state of Bihar, about 55 miles south east of Patna, and was a Buddhist center of learning from 427 to 1197 CE. It has been called "one of the first great universities in recorded history. The site of Nalanda is located in the Indian state of Bihar, about 55 miles south east of Patna, and was a Buddhist center of learning from 427 to 1197 CE. Near the University of Nalanda, is a temple dedicated to the Sun God. This temple has a number of statues of Hindu and Buddhist deities. The five feet high statue of Parvati is of particular interest and attraction.

How to visit:

India is a large country and it holds a culture and tradition from its northern point to southern part. Seven wonders of India represent the richness of Indian culture and values and thus it spreads throughout the large geography of India. From north (Amritsar, Golden Temple) to south (Hampi, Karnataka) and east (Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh) to west (Khajuraho, MP).

It is quite difficult for traveler to visit all seven places at once, though all places are very well connected through air, train and bus. If you are planning to travel to these places you have to find out the nearest airport or railway station. These places are reachable by bus. After reaching to the nearest city, you can book buses to travel easily. Below are the details of distances of these places from nearest major cities –

• Tajmahal: From Delhi: NH2, a modern divided highway, connects the 200 km distance from Delhi to Agra.
• Khajuraho: Private tour service operators arrange deluxe AC and Non AC buses to Khajuraho from various cities including Jhansi (172 km) and Delhi (596 km).
• Hampi: Hampi is well connected by KSRTC bus services with all nearby cities. There are many private bus providers operating from Gokarna and many places in Goa to Hampi.
• Golden Temple: Amritsar is well-connected by bus to most major cities and the northern areas within a day’s drive. Pathankot is about 2.5 hours away, and there are daily direct buses to New Delhi, Jammu, Katra, Chandigarh, Dharamsala (once daily, ~6 hours), etc.You can find Volvo buses from Chandigarh , Delhi and Katra to Amritsar.
• Konark Sun Temple: Konark is connected to other cities in Orissa State Public Transport buses. Private Volvo bus services are available from Bhubaneshwar and Puri to Konark.
• Tawang Monastery: The main road entry point into the state of Arunachal Pradesh is the border town of Bomdila (162 km).
• Nalanda University: Nalanda (Bihar) to Deoghar (Jharkhand) is 210 km and takes approx 3 hrs, 15 mins by road.

Bus booking is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early you’ll get budget tickets online. For online bus booking you can check different OTA’s website. Search best bus service, compare and buy cheap tickets.

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Camel Safari – Eco Adventure Travel in India

The Camel Safari Circuit in India comprises of Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and Bikaner, all in Rajasthan. They were the princely

kingdoms in the desert belt of India Rajasthan. Each was comparable in size to many modern nations of Europe. All the former

capitals prospered from trade with the camel caravans that traveled from West Asia and Europe to Mongolia, and were

impressively fortified to protect these riches. The result was a wealth of palaces built for royalty, havelis or courtyard mansions built for merchants and nobility and intricately carved temples for the subjects. Materials used were normally sandstone, which was easily available and provided a better medium to the silavats who specialized in making stone resemble lace.

What to See:

A wide variety of safaris are offered by the Thar Desert. A short trek around the pretty town of Jaisalmer, or a longer safari taking you the length and breadth of the Great Indian Desert - options are many. In the longer version of the safari, you will feel the ambience of mediaeval times. Like a mediaeval trader you will have the opportunity of leading the caravan through the spice route in hostile conditions heading for one of the medieval kingdoms, in search of people to buy your goods. The desert safaris in India revolve primarily around the princely states of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Bikaner. Besides offering the breathtaking spectacle of the endless vistas of open desert sands, these safaris are a perfect way of experiencing the village life and the wildlife.

Rajasthan has been an important center of trade and commerce throughout the historical period. The passing of the caravans through the Thar Desert gave boost to the trade. Prosperity of the trade resulted in the huge profit, which was used by the nobility to build the impregnable forts, majestic palaces, grand mansions, and ormidable citadels. Sandstone is the basic material used in the construction of these masterpieces of art that are today in the ruined state due to ravages of the time.

A typical safari comprises traveling to the architectural ruins of Lodurva located in the vicinity of Jaisalmer, the sand dunes of the Samm, the oasis at Anasagar and the water source of Moolsagar. You will travel and sightseeing during the daytime and can spend your night by cooking by the campfire and having rest. You will be able to experience the lives of the villagers on the camels-halts in the en-route villages amidst the desert scrubs. It is sure to be a once in lifetime experience of the desert rural Indian life and traditional hospitality.

Travel Kit:

Camel Safari in India The climate is extreme in the desert-afternoons may seem much hotter than the actual 26-30 degree temperature may suggest. Night temperatures may drop below zero on the dunes. It is essential to stock both woolen and cotton clothing. Shorts and skirts are comfortable wear for camel safaris but remember some of the offbeat routes visit villages that have not seen many tourists and locals may look askance at ladies who do not wear ankle length clothing and men in shorts. Sun hats with large rims or cotton caps that can be dipped in water when it gets too hot around midday, are essential preferably with a balaclava or scarf for covering the neck and forehead. At Jodhpur you can buy umbrellas that are quite convenient for camel safaris. Sunscreen cream, moisturizers and lip salve area must. A water bottle can be comfortably slung on the camel saddle and it is practical also to carry tangerines as even on a deluxe safari it may not be practical to dismount each time to drink from the carted water supply. Bottled mineral water is available at Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. Find out if the baggage is being transferred by camel cart or vehicle. In case of the latter, a small handbag can carry the essentials you are likely to need on the way.

If prone to sickness, carry suitable medication against the swaying gait of the camel. A torch, penknife an even cutlery will be required. Finally patience is an important piece of baggage on a camel safari as it takes time to get to grips with camel travel and to reach destinations that may be on your travel priorities.

When to go:

Most camel safaris are organized in the winter, when the weather’s good. Rajasthan’s summers are almost unbearably hot and dry, so going on a camel safari during this time is virtually impossible. November to March, when days are cool (and nights cold!) is when most camel safaris are organized.

Getting there:

Most camel safaris start from Jaisalmer, which is connected by air, train and road to the rest of India. Rajasthan’s capital, Jaipur, is also a convenient base for exploring the state, whether on camel or otherwise. Jaipur has a well-connected airport, as well as regular train and bus links to a number of cities across India. All camel-safari towns in Rajasthan, such as Bikaner and Mandawa, are connected by road to Jaipur. Buses run between all the major towns of the state, and private cars or taxis can be hired to do the trip. You can plan your trip advance and do online bus booking to get cheap bus tickets. Bus booking is fairly easy and tickets are available online for Jaipur or Jaisalmer.

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A Tour to Sunderban National Park

Sunderbans national park is located at the South Eastern tip of the 24 Paraganas district in the state of West Bengal. It got its name from one of the mangrove plants known as Sundari (Heritiera Minor). The Sunderbans are a part of the world's largest delta formed by the rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna. Sunderbans is a vast area covering 4262 square kms in India alone, with a larger portion in Bangladesh. 2585 sq. kms of the Indian Sundarban forms the largest Tiger Reserve and National Park in India. The total area of the Indian part of the Sundarban forest, lying within the latitude between 21°13'-22°40' North and longitude 88°05'-89°06' East, is about 4,262 sq km, of which 2,125 sq km is occupied by mangrove forest across 56 islands and the balance is under water.

The park is surrounded by a buffer zone of 885 square kilometers. This also mainly consists of mangrove forests. The core area of the park has its own natural boundaries with the river Matla on its West, the river Haribhanga on its East, with Netidhopani and Gosba in the North.

The four Sunderbans national parks have been lumped together as they all share common features of the estuarine mangrove ecosystem. The main attractions of the Sunderbans are the Tiger, of which the delta harbor large reptiles like the Monitor Lizard, Estuarine Crocodile and the Olive Ridley Turtle, for which there is a conservation program in the Indian park. The Leopard, Indian Rhinoceros, Javan Rhinoceros, Swamp Deer, Hog Deer and Water Buffalo have all become locally extinct from the delta in recent decades.

Tourist Places:

Sajnekhali:

Sajnekhali has a bird sanctuary and is the only place to have a accommodation. There is a Mangrove Interpretation Centre here. There are watchtowers at Sajnekhali, Sudhanyakhali, Netidhopan, Haldi and a number of other places.

Bhagbatpur Crocodile Project:

This is a crocodile breeding farm. This place is accessible through Namkhana. Bhagabatput is a hatchery of the largest estuarine crocodile in the world.

Piyali:

It is 72 kms from Calcutta and is a gateway to the Sunderban. It is being developed as a tourist complex.

A thrilling cruise through the largest estuarine delta in the world and the biggest colony of the `Royal Bengal Tigers' - the Sundarbans. These evergreen mangrove forests pulsate with a myriad forms of life. Above the Kingfisher and White-bellied Sea eagle add a brilliant burst of colour. The sea creeps in at high tide. The forests float. The ebbing waters reveal nature so alive on the glistening mud flats. The land is split by numerous rivers and water channels all emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Venture further to discover a rich tribal folklore. It is believed that Bonbibi, the goddess of the forest, protects the wood-cutters, honey-collectors and fishermen on their hazardous missions. For, as the saying goes, `Here the Tiger is always watching you'.

Delta-forest home of the Royal Bengal Tiger. The Ganges, which is rightly known as the Ganga, carries silt and fertility from its ice-melt sources in the high Himalayas, through the lush plains of India, past the riverine port of Calcutta. Here, however, it is no longer the Ganga because it has become one of the major distributors. For, in the flat Grey-clay lands of Bengal, the great river splits into numerous channels, dividing and sub-dividing like the roots of a tree, till it pours through many mouths into the Bay of Bengal.

Best Season:

The best time to visit Sunderbans is during winters between December and February although the park is open for longer from September to March. This is the period when the maximum migratory birds are also present here.

How to Reach:

The Sunderbans are not easily accessible. To get to the Sunderbans national park in India the nearest airport is Calcutta, the nearest railway station is Canning, and the nearest town is Gosaba. From the park headquarters at Canning take the country motor launch (5 hours) to Sajnekhali.

Bus booking is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early you’ll get budget bus tickets online. For online bus tickets booking you can check different OTA’s website. Search best bus service, compare and buy cheap tickets. Bus form delhi to agra

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Cherrapunji – The Rainy Valley of India

High above misty valleys and foaming rivers, ensconced in swirling clouds and perched on an escarpment, lies Cherrapunji (4,500 feet). This is a stunning location and the year-round rain earned Cherrapunji coveted entry long ago into the Guinness Book of World Records as the wettest place on earth, the place where the rainfall can be recorded in feet rather than in millimeters.

Today, climatic changes have edged Cherrapunji out of the topmost 'wet' slot, but it still retains its pristine beauty, its unusual facets, the perpetual clouds, and the perpetual mists…. Appropriately, Cherrapunji lies in the heart of the State of Meghalaya-the abode of clouds.

History:

As in days gone by, the faces of Cherrapunji change not with the seasons, but with the pattern of rainfall. The heaviest downpours span approximately five long months-from May until September. The clouds then are dark and menacing, full blown with rain, which descends earthwards with the stinging force of a whiplash.

Tour to Cherrapunji Throughout these months, Cherrapunji is transformed into a sea of tiny, gushing rivulets. The raindrops beat incessantly on rooftops and treetops creating a compelling tattoo of awesome sounds, which cannot be savored anywhere else but in the Northeastern states. These are also the 'record-making' months, which contribute to records such as the stunning 22,987 mm of rainfall in 1861. The annual average rainfall of Cherrapunji stands today at 10,871 millimeters. Barely 10 km from Cherrapunji stands the village of Mawsynram, which has snatched away the heaviest rainfall record, with 12,163 millimeters of rainfall.

With the passage of September, the rhythm of the rain-its main force spent-changes to a gentle patter. And the Khasis and other residents of Cherrapunji, the flora, and the fauna respond to the change in the Rain God's mood. Soft pastel shades begin to appear in skies that were gray all day and rainbows that are a photographer's delight begin to make unexpected guest appearances.

Tourists Attractions:

The home of enterprising Khasi clans, Cherrapunji's place in the Guinness Book of Records is not its only claim to fame. Along with falls lesser in height but no less alluring, the spectacular, cascading 1,035-ft-high Mawsmai Falls-the fourth highest in India-lie just a few kilometers beyond Cherrapunji.

Close by is situated a fascinating labyrinth of underground passages beneath age-old caves-a veritable dream for amateur explorers. Elsewhere around Cherrapunji, Khasi monoliths (stones in memory of their ancestors) lie dotted around-a vague reminder of the forests of Bastar.

Amidst all the surprises of Cherrapunji, perhaps the most abiding is the startling realization that the wettest place on earth where it rains every month also has an amazing amount of warm sunshine. When the clouds drift away, there are a series of memorable views, and one can see as far as Bangladesh. Orchids blooming a few feet away from a patch devoid of vegetation. Dense woods interspersed by rocky, cliffs furrowed by erosion.

As the months move on, the smell of decaying vegetation lessens as the showers become intermittent. New plants spring to life, and people go about their tasks with renewed energy.

The hills around Cherrapunji do not have the lush green vegetation one normally associates with wet places. The vegetative cover in the form of dense woods appears in patches and constitutes yet another marvelous surprise: the richness and variety of the flora in these 'zones' has to be seen to be believed. An amazing variety of rare orchids, ferns, and moss convert each pocket into a botanist's paradise. Cherrapunji produces the best quality of oranges as well as pineapples. In fact, Cherrapunji oranges are the ancestors of the famous Nagpuri oranges in the Central India.

How to Reach:

Cherrapunji is 58 km from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. A steep motorable road, almost perpetually bathed in mist as it climbs upwards on the last lap, leads up to Cherrapunji. Buses and taxis ply to Cherrapunji from Shillong.

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A Guide to Adventure Tourism in India

There is incredible prospect of adventure tourist places in India, due to diverse topography, seasons and climate. On land and water, under water and in the air, tourists can pick out from various option of adventure in our country.  India is the land with a wide immense range of adventure sports, activities and holidays, during summer, winter; autumn seasons. The Southern, Eastern, and Western especially in North India. Trekking and Skiing adventure sports in the Himalayas, white river rafting rapids of snow fed rivers are breath taking attraction in Himalayas and Uttaranchal, jeep safari, bird watching, wild camp, wildlife safari and jungle trail on Rajasthan region and North India, Paragliding, hand gliding, hot air ballooning trekking in Himachal region, Amazing wind surfing, scuba diving and snorkeling in crystal waters of Lakshadweep Islands’ lagoons and  Andaman Nicobar, water sports in Goa, wildlife and backwaters adventure in South India, these are just some of wonderful options for adventure seekers in various parts with options of different season in each sector.  Especially there is constant challenge of mighty Himalayas for mountaineers and trekking lovers.  Coniferous jungle, forests, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks are most potential places for wildlife lovers and trekkers.  India is the ultimate destination and absolute paradise for wildlife and adventure lovers.

• Mountaineering: There is nothing more challenging any place in the world like great Himalayas. They stand aloft, stirring the adventure spirit, challenging to conquer the challenging mountains. For an adventure lover who wants to scale the high mountains, then mountaineering in India, is ideal for exotic experience. However, winter treks in Himalayas combined with skiing can be a most exotic and thrilling experience. The Himalayan Mountains are the most sought after place for mountaineers. Kanchenjunga and Nanda Devi are the two highest peaks, which offer very thrilling environment for mountaineers from all over the world. Some of the amazing challenges for the intrepid climbers are located in Tehri Garhwal, Himalayas, Zanskar region in Kashmir, Kulu & Lahaul in Himachal. Also there are lots of options of mountaineering in North Eastern India and other places.
• Camel Safaris: Rajasthan is the most ideal place for Camel Safari; enjoy the adventure of a Camel Safari, which awaits you in the golden sands of the enormous Thar Desert - primeval, savage and lonely. Ride through sandy landscape in the desert, passing through isolated villages, meeting with them close look and interaction about their traditions and livings. Enjoy camping on the solitary oasis, experience local people under starry nights and dance to musicians playing ancient haunting, stringed music instruments with folk dances in camp fire. The rolling sandy landscape of the unrelieved Thar desert and xerophytes shrub covered area is breathtakingly and the variety of flora and fauna amazingly large for a desert region Share and experience a very unique and memorable performance of local people. The camps are set in deep sand dunes with all basic amenities for tourists, also very rich and traditional Rajasthani cuisine and the picturesque hamlets with friendly folks in Thar Desert, which is fastest growing adventure landscape in Asia and all over the world.
• Trekking: The unexplored mountain ranges of India offer breathtaking, enchanting trekking routes. In the vast amphitheatre of Himalayas and Karakorams, there are endless possibilities for trekking mountaineering, skiing, and river rafting, within this fascinating arena, the Garhwal and Kumaon regions, there are variety of trekking places. Where enthusiast trekkers can explore the rugged beauty of the lofty mountains peaks romancing the shimmering waterfalls, cascading down in joviality like a merry village belle. Experience the thrill of sheer adventure by our trekking tours in India amidst the world’s most beautiful places. The Garhwal and Kumaon mountain regions of Uttaranchal are the very famous destinations for trekking, though Manali and Chamba in Himachal, and Ladakh and Zanskar in Jammu and Kashmir region, other trekking places are Kullu and Kangra valleys, Lahaul-Spiti in Himachal and in North Uttar Pradesh, North part of Rishikesh. Yuksam in Sikkim, and Leh in Ladakh. Darjeeling in West Bengal, The major challenge for the mountaineers is in the Garhwal region in Himalayas. Among the high altitude regions of Himalayas, where wonderful dreams of trekking turn into reality.
• Rock Climbing: Rock climbing, one of the popular adventure sports in India, is a relatively new sport. However, in a short span of time, it has become the most popular adventure sport. Because of the good availability of adequate climbing rocks throughout India, coupled the element of excitement involved, rock climbing has become the adventure sport to participate in for the young and the old alike. Experience the adventure running in your veins as you climb up the rocks. The ideal climbing faces are obtainable at the Aravali hills in Dumdama, Dhauj, and Nuh- all in nearby proximity of Delhi. In Himachal region, the Manali Valley, Manikaran and the Rohtang Pass offer excellent climbing opportunities for the armature and professional adventurer. In South India Karnataka also offers exciting rock-climbing activities at the Chamundi Hills. Sariska and Mount Abu in Rajasthan all offer variety of rock faces and excellent grounds for better and quality climbing. The high altitude climber will enjoy the rocks at Sonmarg in Jammu & Kashmir and Gangotri in the Garwal district of Uttar Pradesh North India.

Travel Planning:

As India is a large geographic country and adventure spots are spread throughout its’ boundary, it is very difficult to plan a trip where you can visit all place at one go. So choose the favorite tour and place which is nearby from your city and plan your travel accordingly. You can check flights, train or bus based on your travel budget. Bus booking is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early you’ll get budget tickets online. For online bus booking you can check different OTA’s website. Search best bus service, compare and buy cheap tickets. Bus form delhi to agra

Via Networks with more than 1000 Bus Operators

Via network spans around 1000 bus operators across India. Via provides the best bus booking deals in the travel arena and is the nucleus of the travel hub. Via offers more than 10, 000 bus routes. Via networks with the top most bus operators such as KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) and APSRTC (Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation).

The KSRTC is the government-owned transport corporation of Karnataka. KSRTC operates around 5700 schedules and with a fleet of 6600 buses. On the other hand, APSRTC is a state-owned road transport authority which is certified by the Guinness World Records for being the largest bus operator. Among the private bus operators KPN travels serves approximately 6000 passengers a day and covers more 230 locations around Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Kerala and Pondicherry. KPN is very well known for providing comfortable journey with its fleet of AC volvo coaches. Via also networks with other operators such as SRM Transports India Private Limited, Kalpana Travels Private Limited, Sharma Travels, KPN Travels, Durgamba Motors etc.

Via members receives discount on every ticket transacted with Via. So jump into this wagon and enjoy the mind blowing benefits.

About Via.com: Via formerly known as Flightraja.com is the largest in the field of domestic travel. Via was founded by Vinay Gupta and Amit Aggarwal in July 28 th, 2006 and was incorporated in May 2007. Vinay Gupta is the founder and CEO of Via and Amit Aggarwal being the CTO and co-founder, have paved the path of success and has taken Via a long way. The company’s main focus was to sell and promote their Via partner more efficiently to his customer and to discover new sales tools to serve the customer better. The feedback from all their partners helped Via to create a powerful platform where the word of mouth fetched more and more travel agents joining and doing business with Via. The key to the success of Via was that they were able to aggregate all the travel sectors into one umbrella. Via.com offers cheap Air tickets, bus booking, railway reservation; through IRCTC.

Kanchipuram and Chidambaram – Two Temple cities of Tamilnadu

Kanchipuram district is situated on the north-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, adjacent to the Bay of Bengal and Chennai city. Kancheepuram is popular for its renowned crafted world famous silk sarees, a traditional home industry. Kancheepuram is also known for its culture and civilization. 

Kanchipuram is a city of thousand temples. It was under the Pallavas from 6th to 8th century A.D and later became the citadel of Cholas, Vijayanagar Kings, the Muslim and the British. It has been a centre of Tamil learning, cultural and religious background for centuries. Kanchipuram is one of the seven sacred cities of India. Temples in Kanchipuram are torchbearers of the glorious heritage of the Kanchipuram District and are repositories of the magnificent art forms that evolved over several centuries.

Places to see:

Kamakshi Amman Temple: This temple was built in the 7th century and rebuilt in the 14^th century.

Vedanthangal: It is one of the major Water Bird Sanctuaries in India. of 48 Kms from Kanchipuram . The best season time is between October and March, when a large number of migratory birds visit. The birds can be viewed from the bank or from the watch tower.

Muttukadu: This is a large lake formed out of the backwaters, with boating and wind surfing facilities. The Backwaters of Muttukadu have been developed by the Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation to serve as a picnic spot and a centre for water sports.

Covelong-The Beach: This is a small fishing village 40 kms from Chennai on the Mahabalipuram road. There are the remains of a fort which now functions as a luxury beach resort. Facilities for windsurfing and swimming are available here.

Dakshin Chitra: It has relocated 18th, 19th and early 20th century houses and re-created village streets and work places providing authentic insights into the domestic architecture, spatial organization, life-styles and character of the essential Tamilian or Keralite or Andhrite or Kannadiga.

About Chidambaram:

Chidambaram is located 250 km south of Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu. Chidambaram is a marvelous cultural, traditional & pilgrimage centre that greets one with its beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Maharaja. It is one of the renowned ‘Pancha Bootham stalas’ for Lord Shiva where he is represented as each of the five elements. In Chidambaram, he is represented as space. Besides the massive temple of Lord Shiva, Chidambaram also boasts of a lovely mangrove forest with interesting boat rides to entertain tourists. The place is also referred to as ‘Thillai’ as it was covered with dense growth of Thillai – a mangrove species tree. There was once a small shrine on the banks of a tank. The saints Vyagrapada and Patanjali are said to have worshipped at this shrine, now called Thirumoolanathar. It is believed that their penance attained fruition with the revelation of Shiva's cosmic dance by Lord Maharaja on the auspicious ‘Thai Poosam’ day.

Places to see:

The Maharaja Temple: The temple located in the centre of the town covers an area of 40 acres. It is one of the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu. The roof of the sanctum sanctorum is covered with gold plates.

Thillaikaliamman Temple: The Thillaikaliamman temple is on the northern end of the town. It was built by Kopperunjingan, who ruled between 1229 AD and 1278 AD.

Vaitheeswaran Koil: The Vaitheeswaran Koil is famous for the Siva temple dedicated to the healer of all diseases, Vidyanatheeswarar and his consort Thaiyalnayaki. It is located around 24 kms away from Chidambaram. A bath in the holy waters of the Siddhamirtham tank within the temple complex is believed to be therapeutic.

Pichavaram: Pichavaram is situated 16 kms. East of Chidambaram. It is among the most eye-pleasing destinations with abundant and varied tourism resources.

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Indore – The Commercial Capital of Madhya Pradesh

Indore, the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh, is situated on Malwa plateau. Indore, growing at a fast pace, still manages to combine ancient and modern lifestyle in a unique atmosphere. 'Indories' (residents of Indore) are well known for their warm and friendly attitude.

Indore is situated on the Malwa plateau at an altitude of 553 m above sea level, on the banks of two small rivulets - the Saraswati and the Khan. They unite at the centre of the city where a small 18th century temple of Sangamnath or Indreshwar exists. The name Indore is due to this deity. It is the largest city in Madhya Pradesh state in central India. It is among the million+ population cities of India and it is the commercial capital of the state of Madhya Pradesh.

Places to visit:

Indore has many good places to see ranging from shopping malls, to historical and cultures spots. The city's rich heritage and culture is reflected through the beautifully built palaces and temples.

Rajawada: Synonymous with the heart of Indore city, it stands today as a mute witness to the bygone splendor of the Holkar rulers. This 200 year old seven-storey historic palace of the Holkars is built in a mixture of Muslim, Maratha and French styles. The lower three floors are made of stone and the upper floors are made of wood, which made it very vulnerable to destruction by fire. Rajawada was burnt three times in its history; the last fire in 1984 took the greatest toll. Today only the front facade remains. Recent renovations have recreated some of the old glory of this beautiful palace.

Lal Baag Palace: One of the grandest monuments the Holkar dynasty left Indore. A reflection of their taste, grandeur and lifestyle, its construction began in 1886 under Tukoji Rao Holkar II, and was carried out in three phases. The final phase was completed in 1921 under Tukoji Rao Holkar III. Many royal receptions were held here. It has a total area of 28 hectares, and at one time it had the reputation of having one of the best rose gardens in the country.

Bada Ganpati: Better known for its size than antiquity, this temple houses perhaps the largest Ganesh idol in the world measuring 25 feet from crown to foot. Created as a result of the dream of an Avantika (Ujjain) resident, Shri Dadhich, it was built in 1875.

Kanch Mandir: This Jain temple is an architectural marvel in glass. The walls, ceilings, floors, pillars and door knobs are entirely inlaid with glass. Even paintings are done in glass. Atop is a special glass chamber which multiplies the three statues of Lord Shantinath,Aadinath & Mahavira installed there into an indefinite number (said to be visible up to 24 times, corresponding to the 24 tirthankaras).

Town Hall: Built in 1904 and originally named King Edwards Hall, it was renamed Mahatma Gandhi Hall in 1948. Its architectural style is Indo-Gothic. Made in Seoni stone, its domes and staples are a landmark of Indore today. It has a four-faced clock tower in front, because of which it is locally known as Ghanta Ghar. It is frequently the venue for the various book and painting exhibitions, fairs and festivals held throughout the year. The building also has a library, a children's park and a temple.

Travel by Bus:

The national highway NH3 (Bombay-Agra Road) and NH59 (Indore-Ahmedabad Road) passes through Indore and there are daily bus services from Indore to Mumbai, Jaipur, Gwalior, Bhopal etc. Some of the bus services are Royal Travels, Hans and City Link Travels. State owned transport service is not in good shape to cater current need and should be avoided.

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