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Tourist
Information on India
Since
the dawn of history, great travelers came to India
including the Greeks, the Romans, the Persians, the
Portuguese, the French, the Dutch and the
British. Many intellectual travelers like
Marco Polo, E. M. Forster, Huen Tsang, Mark Twain
and many more came in search of knowledge and
peace. Christopher Columbus made his
destination towards India but actually landed in
America. Whatever may be their motivations -
spiritual, intellectual or adventure, one thing was
sure - India enriched and changed their lives forever.
India
offers a diversity of unique tourist
attractions. It covers an area of 3,287,263
sq. km. Extending from the snow covered
majestic Himalayan heights to the tropical rain
forests of the south. As the seventh largest
country in the world, India is a subcontinent in
itself. With its age-old history, archaeology
and culture, India is also one among the ten
industrialized countries in the world. Self
sufficient in agriculture, and the sixth nation to
have gone into outer space, besides it's remarkable
achievement in the field of information and
technology, India is the largest democracy in the
world.
It
has a land frontier of about 15,200 km and a
coastline of 7,516 km. The wide ranges of
climatic conditions have created rich flora and
fauna throughout the length and breadth of the
country. From about 70% of geographical area
surveyed so far, 49,000 species of plants have been
described. India has 81,251 species of fauna,
which includes about 60,000 insects, over 5,000 mollusks, 372 mammals, 1,228 birds, 446 reptiles,
204 amphibians and 2,546 species of fish. Some
of these species are considered endangered.
There are presently 84 national parks and 447
wildlife sanctuaries covering an area of about
150,000 sq km. UNESCO has so far declared 21
World Heritage Sites in India, which includes 16
cultural and 5 natural sites. India
has many wonders, both natural and manmade. It
has more than 5,000 years of history, culture and
civilization, which has culminated into unparalleled
art, architecture, craft, cuisine and
festivals. It has given birth and shelter to
many of the greatest religions, which have been
co-existing harmoniously in a secular manner.
In fact, India is a fine example of the assimilation
of the ancient and modern, past and present and the
old and new. India
offers luxury hotels, palaces and heritage hotels
and budget hotels. All the tourist spots in
India are well connected by air, rail and
road. A trip to India cannot be measured in
terms of miles. It is an experience of a
lifetime, which will certainly enrich and enhance
the life of every tourist who visits India. Come,
India invites you to experience its beauty,
hospitality, spirituality and festivity in the new
millennium. For
the convenience of the traveler, India could be
described as a country of five unique tourist
regions. Delhi and the North: Mumbai and the
West; Kolkata and the East; Guwahati and the
Northeast; Chennai and the South. Delhi
and the North
Delhi Delhi
is the ideal place to start your exploration of
northern India. The capital of India and a
city of fascinating contrasts, Delhi's monuments
take you through the centuries past seven older
cities that existed here. Go sightseeing to
the Qutub Minar, the tall victory tower built in
1199, the splendid Red Fort and the Majestic Jumma
Masjid with it's striped domes and tall
minarets. Other architectural delights
includes Humayun's Tomb, the Purana Qila and the
magnificent government complex on Raisina Hill - the
Rashtrapati Bhavan framed by the Secretariat and the
circular Parliament House. The
city has a number of museums and art galleries and
offers a variety of cultural programs. Delhi
is a shopper's paradise. Visit its bustling
bazaars, the Central Cottage Industries Emporium,
State Emporia complex and Dilli Haat. Don't
forget to savor the best of India cuisine at its
fine restaurants. The
Golden Triangle Take
off on the golden triangle trail onto Agra and
Jaipur for a glimpse of historic India. At Agra,
view the pristine poetry of the Taj Mahal - a
memorial to immortal love, and the imposing Agra
Fort. Meander through the amazing ghost town
of Fatehpur Sikri, perfectly preserved, built by the
Emperor Akbar in red sandstone. Jaipur,
the Pink City, imprints itself on your memory in the
most vivid of colors. You could stay in one of
its many palaces or mansions for a royal experience
and wander off on elephantback to view the Amer Fort
majestically located up on a hill. The Hawa
Mahal, the fall facade with delicate filigreed red
sandstone is a sight not to be missed. Haryana Virtually
the 'green' state, Haryana surrounds Delhi on almost
three sides. Its close proximity to Delhi also
makes the areas around Delhi, industrial townships. Haryana
is primarily an agricultural state with some major
industrial areas being developed by the government
of India. It offers a network of 45 tourist
completes, set up along the national and state
highways. Just
a short drive away from Delhi, one can visit
Haryana's tourist complexes for a day - Badhkal
Lake, Dabchik, Jungle Babbler, Karna Lake, Sohna,
Surajkund, Dumdama, Sultanpur and Kurukshetra. Chandigarh Chandigarh,
spread over an area of 113 sq km, is the first
'planned city' of India that was designed by a
French architect, Le Corbusier. The city
divided into 47 sectors has neatly laid out roads,
parks, buildings, boulevards and streets lined by
endless rows of trees and shrubs. The city is named
after the goddess Chandi Devi, whose white domed
temple stands on the slope of a hill in the north
east of Chandigarh, on the edge of the Shivalik
Hills. Some
of the places worth visiting are the Rock Garden,
Rose Garden, Sukhna Lake and the Yadavindra Gardens
at Pinjore and Morni Hills. Punjab The
great north Indian state is dominated by
agriculture, the source of its prosperity that
reflects in its warmth, hospitality and the general
exuberance of its people. Amritsar is the
center of the Sikh religion and the major city of
Punjab. It is the city of the famous Golden
Temple, the holiest shrine for the Sikhs visited by
travelers from all over the world. Also
referred to as the 'Manchester of the East',
Ludhiana is famous for its hoisery goods and other
industries. Anandpur Sahib - a holy pilgrimage
center for the Sikhs. It was here that Guru
Gobind Singh baptized the first five Sikhs called
the Panch Pyaras. Patiala, the erstwhile
princely state of Punjab is known for its
magnificent forts, palaces and gardens.
Jalandhar is an industrial town famous for its
sporting goods. Rajasthan Rajasthan,
the beautiful desert state of India, is scattered
with magnificent forts and palaces. Each
Rajasthani city has a unique character. The
Pink City of Jaipur, full of historical monuments,
colorful bazaars and palaces, is a must on every
tourist's itinerary. The desert city of
Jaisalmer is awash in golden color and is a major
destination for tourists. Udaipur, a
picturesque city, is set amongst hills with many
lakes and palaces. The scenic, historic city
of Jodhpur has some sprawling forts and
palaces. The colorful city of Bikaner is world
famous for its mirror-work fabric. The
city of Ajmer is a major pilgrimage center, because
of the famous holy shrine of Ajmer Sharif. Pushkar,
the holy city is famous for its Pushkar Fair. Nagaur,
is known for its Jain Temples. Mount Abu, a
popular hill station, is also famous for the Dilwara
temple with its intricate carvings. Himachal
Pradesh Hills
and valleys with crisp, clean air, snow clad peaks,
sparkling rivers and a landscape abounding in
natures' bounty characterize this state. There
is an entire panorama of magical retreats along the
Himalayan ranges. The
hills of Himachal Pradesh contain the ancient trade
routes to Tibet and Central Asia and have
contributed to the spread of Buddhism in those
regions. Even today, the influence of Buddhism
is evident in specific areas of the state.
Shimla, the state capital and the former summer
capital of the British, is a charming hill station,
while Kullu is a picturesque valley and is famous
for its apple orchards. A lovely and a very
popular holiday destination, Manali has many natural
springs and lakes. One can also visit Chama,
Dharamsala, Dalhousie, Kangra Valley, Kinnaur and
Lahaul-Spiti. Jammu
and Kashmir Naturally
beautiful and very picturesque, Jammu and Kasmir has
been acclaimed as the most beautiful place on earth
by many travelers and poets. India's
fascinating northernmost state consists of three
regions differing in topography and culture.
Jammu was the stronghold of Hindu Dogra kings and
abounds in temples and secluded forest
retreats. Srinagar, the summer capital of
Kashmir is known for its beautiful Dal Lake and the
Mughal Gardens - Shalimar and Nishat Bagh. Not
far off from Srinagar is Pahalgam, and beautiful
landscape for photography and a trekker's delight
for hikes to see the Kolahoi Glacier. Often
called as "the moonland", "little
Tibet" or "Shangri La". Ladakh is
situated north of the Himalayas in the Tibetan
plateau. Dotted with many pale stone
monasteries and multicolored prayer flags, Ladakh is
the highest inhabited region in India with rich
landscapes and an ideal place for trekking,
mountaineering, camping or whitewater rafting.
Jammu and Kashmir is internationally known for its
handicraft, the Pashmina shawls, silk carpets,
papíer mâché items and wicker baskets. Uttaranchal The
newly formed state of Uttaranchal is comprised of
the two hill regions - the Garhwal and Kumaon Hills. The
Garhwal Hills have peaks rising as high as 3,000
meters. Auli boasts one of the best skiing
slopes in the country which from an altitude of
3,049 meters to 2,519 meters. A trekker's
paradise, Garhwal provides something for every
holiday-maker. From Dehradun, located at the
foothills of the Shivalik ranges, to the hill
stations of Mussoorie, to the holy cities of Hardwar and Rishikesh, with their holy shrines
steeped in legends and myths, Garhwal has it all. Located
in central Himalayas, the Kumaon Hills rise from the
forested plains to snowy heights and tucked away in
their folds are many ancient temples and hill
resorts. The mighty Nanda Devi-Trisul range is
a challenge to the skilled mountaineers as well as
the adventure seeking tourists. The Kuamon
Hills include Nainital, Ranikhet, Almora, Kausani,
Pithoragarh and many other senic places. Uttar
Pradesh One
of the larger states in India, Uttar Pradesh is home
to the world heritage sites of the Taj Mahal and
Fatehpur Sikru situated in Agra. Lucknow, the
classic heritage city of the Indian nawabs was
associated with the princely court of Oudh and then
with the British, both traditions lingering on in
the city whose finest monument is the Bara Imambara. Further
east, situated on the banks of the River Ganges, is
Varanasi the oldest living city in India and a holy
city for Hindues. The city also abounds in
temples and meditation centers. Allabahad
is a city built at the junction of three rivers, two
of which - the Gange and the Tamuna are the
lifelines of the India subcontinent. Another
sector worth a visit is the Bundelkhand circuit
comprising of Chitrakoot - an important pilgrimage
center for the Hindus; Deogarh, Jhansi, Kalinjar and
Mahoba. Mumbai
and the West
Maharashtra India's
western gateway and financial capital is Mumbai, a
bustling metropolis witha major international
airport and harbor. Mumbai's gothic
architecture is embodied in the Gateway of India
(built to commemorate the visit of King George V and
Queen Mary to the Delhi Durbar), Mumbai High Court,
Old Secretariat, University Buildings and Victoria
Terminus. The Prince of Wales Museum, the
Jehangir Art gallery, the various churches, temples
and shrines are worth a visit. One
can take a boat ride to the Elephanta Island to see
the marvelous rock cut noted for their large
sculpted panels. The other destinations, not
far away from Mumbai are the Kanheri Caves, the beach
resorts of Madh Island and Manori, Matheran and the
lovely hill resort of Mahabaleshwar. Pune,
once the bastion of the powerful Maratha Empire, is
today an important commercial, industrial and
educational center. Aurangabad,
400 km from Mumbai is linked by internal flights and
is a convenient base for visiting the magnificent
caves of Ajanta and Ellora. Whilst the caves
at Ellora represent elaborate sculptures of Hindu,
Buddhist and Jain faiths, those at Ajanta contain
paintings and sculptures of major events in the life
of Buddha dating back from about 200 BC to 800 AD. Goa A
fabulous getaway on the west coast of India is a
land of swaying palms, golden sands, white washed
churches, lush greenery and beaches like Vagator,
Anjuna, Baga, Calangute and Candolim. Near
Panaji is the old Portuguese capital of Velha Goa,
noted for its fine churches in the baroque style
which include the Basilica of Born Jesus, the
magnificent Se Cathedral and Church of St. Francis
of Assisi. Daman and Diu The
union territory of Daman & Diu is situated along
the border of the state of Gujarat. Earlier,
part of the Union territory of Goa, Daman & Diu,
it was made a separate Union Territory after Goa was
given statehood in 1987. Diu, a tiny island
off the extreme south of the mainland, is a secluded
beach resory near a colonial town. Gujarat The
state of Gujarat, also known as the 'Jewel of the
West' offers a number of tourist attractions, like
Ahmedabad with its fine old residences and museums,
the ancient port of Lothal built about 4,000 years
ago and the Jain Temples at Palitana. Other
tourist attractions include the Gir wildlife
sanctuary famous for its Asiatic lions, Junagadh, an
ancient fortified city at the foot of the Girnar
Hills and the lovely beach resort of Ahmedpur Mandvi.
Gujarat is also home to the legacy of Mahatma Ghandi;
from Porbander, his birthplace, to Rajkot and
Ahmedabad's Sabarmati Ashram to the salt beaches of
Dandi. Gujarat is also famous for its
traditional craft, culture and cuisine. Madhya
Pradesh The biggest
state in India, Madhya Pradesh, has innumerable
monuments, exquisitely carved temples, stupas, forts
and palaces. Bhopal, the capital is set around
a large lake and is famous for its archaeological
wealth. Gwalior, an ancient city, is a
convenient entry point where one can see the famous
Gwalior Fort. Orchha, the medieval city, with
its exquisite palaces and cenotaphs is just 120 km
away from Gwalior. Shivpuri was once the
summer capital of the Scindias of Gwalior and is
also famous for the Madhav National Park with its
species of deer and antelope. Not
so far away from Indore is the deserted city of
Mandu, renowned for its fine architecture, as well as,
for the love of a Muslim ruler, Baz Bahadur for his
Hindu queen Rani Roopmati. Located on a
secluded hill is Sanchi occupying a unique position
in the history of Buddhism and famous for its stupas,
monasteries and gateways. Declared
as a World Heritage Site, Khajuraho, the capital of
the Chandela Kings is famous for its 22 magnificent
stone temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu
and the Jain Tirthankaras. The temples of
Khajuraho reflect an eternal philosophy relevant to
all mankind. Chattisgarh The
newly formed stated of Chattisgarh is the forest and
tribal wealth of India. Carved our of Madhya
Pradesh, bordered by Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh,
Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Kjarkhand, Chattisgarh
has Raipur as its capital. The
places of tourist interest include, Jagadalpur,
Chitra Kote Falls (38 km) on the Indravati river,
Tirthgarh Falls (39 km), Kotamsar (40 km) where a
number of caves are formed out of stalactite and
stalagmite deposits, Indravati National Park and the
wild life sanctuaries at Badalkot and Bairam Garh.
Bastar is the seat of colorful tribes - Marias and
Murias, with their distinctive culture. Kolkata
and the East
West
Bengal Kolkata, the
cultural capital, is the gateway city to eastern
India. A curious mix of the Orient and
colonial splendor, Kolkata has a charm of its
own. This city's fascination defies
analysis. It is an addiction, an affair of the
mind and heart. There is so much to see in
this increidble city - Fort Williams, Dakshineshwar
Kali Temple, Howrah Bridge - a unique cantilever
bridge, Victoria Memorial, Raj Bhavan, Botanical
Gardens, Marble Palace and Belur Math - the
international headquarters of the Ramakrishna
Mission. Sunderbans, the home of the Royal
Bengal Tiger, is a fascinating World Heritage Site. The
hill resort of Darjeeling faces some of the highest
peaks of the mightly Himalayas and is famous for its
fine tea. The most famous Heritage toy train
runs from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling and the seven
and a half hour ride is breathtaking and a delight
for any traveler. One can also visit Kalimpong,
Kurseong and Mirik. Orissa Bhubaneshwar,
once the capital of an ancient kingdom, has a large
numberof temples and shrines out of which a visit to
the temples of Lingaraj, Rajarani, Parsurameswar and
Mukteswar are a must. Linked together with
Puri and Konark, it forms the Golden Triangle.
Puri, 60 km, from Bhubaneshwar, is one of the four
great Hindu pulgrim centers with its famous
Jagannath Temple which was built in the 12th
century. Every year during the Rath Yatra
festival the image of Lord Jagannath is carried out
in traditionally decorated chariots accompanied by
thousands of devotees. Puri is also known for
its beautiful beach frequented by tourists from all
over the world. 35 km from
Puri is Konark, a World Heritage Site, noted for its
famous Sun Temple and venue of the Konark Dance
Festival. Gopalpur-on-Sea, a quiet beach
resort on the Bay of Bengal, is also popular with
beach loving travelers. Cuttack,
one of the oldest cities in Orissa, known for its
silver filigree work is evident in the exquisite
jewelry and decorative items made here.
Chilika Lake, Asia's largest brackish water lake, is
a bird watchers paradise, especially in the winter
season, when thousands of migratory birds fly in
from as far as Siberia. Bihar The
state of Bhiar reminds one of Lord Buddha. It
is at Nalanda and Vaishali, the Heritage Sites,
where one can see the ruins of these ancient
cities. Bihar has some rare Buddhist temples
and shrines. Known as Pataliputra in ancient
times, Patna the capital boasts of a harmonious
blend of major religious communities and it is from
here that one can set out on the trail of the
Buddha. Bodhgaya is the place where Buddha
attained 'enlightenment' under the Mahabodhi
tree. Nalanda, famous for the university that
bears its name, now in ruins, is where knowledge was
imparted to Buddhist students. Tiuen Tsang,
the famous Chinese scholar, was also a student at
this university. Bhagalpur, famous for its
silk and the ruins of the ancient Vikramshila
University (an ancient Indian university). Jharkhand The
Chotanagpur plateau, one of the most beautiful areas
of India, has been carved into a new state,
Jharkhand. Studded with hills 300-900 meters
in altitude and covered with verdant virgin forests,
this area of rivers, lakes, meadows and valleys is
an ideal retreat of peace and beauty. Rich in
wildlife, the forests are an anthropologist's
delight, since the ancient lifestyle of the Santhal,
Ho, Munda, Oraon, Koi Chero, Kharia, Paharia tribes
has remained essentially unaltered. Ranchi,
the capital of Jharkhand, was erstwhile summer
capital of Bihar, which is 676 meters in altitude
and is a beautiful hill station with many places of
tourist interest. Other places not to be
missed are Hazaribagh, a small hill resort (93 km)
Tilaiya dam (63 km) a picnic spot, Netarhat a small
hill station with beautiful sunrise and sunset
views, Palamau a popular tourist resort (140 km) and
a Tiger Project Reserve, Jamshedpur one of India's
earliest planned cities, Dhanbad center of coal
mining. Andaman and
Nicobar Islands An
archipelago of 572 islands in the Bay of Bengal, the
Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands,
endowed by nature with lush green forests and
sparkling beaches, stretches over an area of more
than 700 sq km. Accessible by air and sea,
these islands offer adventure sports like scuba
diving, snorkeling and island camping. The
famous cellular jail at Port Blair, the capital
city, is worth a visit. Excursion tours to
some of the islands like Cinque, Ross, Wandoor,
Jolly Buoy can also be taken. Guwahati
and the Northeast
Assam This
state is the gateway to the Northeast with its
capital, Guwahati, located on the banks of the
mighty Brahmaputra river. Popular for its
tea, Assam is also home to the rare one-horned
rhinoceros which can be seen at Kaziranga and Manas
(World Heritage Sites). Guwahati,
on the banks of the Brahmaputra, is the gateway to
all the northeastern states. Not far off is
the Kamakhya Temple perched atop a hill overlooking
the town. Further north is Sibsagar which was
the capital of the Ahom Kingdom for more than 600
years. One can also visit Majuli, the largest
riverine island in the world located on the river
Brahmaputra. Meghalaya Meghalaya,
'the abode of clouds', is one of India's most
picturesque states with an adundance of lakes,
waterfalls, caves, a rich cultural heritage, flora
and fauna. Shillong, the capital is one of the
finest hill stations in the country and has a
bracing climate all year round. 56 km away is
Cherrapunji, famous for receiving the heaviest
rainfall in the world and its limestone caves. Some
of the places of interest include Elephant Falls,
Wards' Lake, Umiam Lake, Shillong Peak and Jakrem. 66
km away from Shillong is Jowai, a picturesque town
circled by the Myntdu River. On the way to
this town is the beautiful Thadleskein Lake, an
ideal spot for picnics and boating, which according
to legend, was dug with bows by the army of a rebel
general of the Jaintia Raja. The
third longest cave on the Indian subcontinent, Siju
caves in Garo Hills is located near Naphak
Lake. Tura Peak, at a height of 1400 meters,
can be reached by a 5 km trek-cum-rock climb for a
magnificent view of the Southwestern part of the
district. Manipur The
state of Manipur with its natural beauty, mystic
atmosphere and salubrious climate, rich in culture,
traditions, festivals and dances, shares its border
with Nagaland in the south, Mizoram in the north and
Assam in the east. Manipur is famous for its
handloom and handicraft products. Imphal, its
capital, is one of the most ancient towns in the
Indian subcontinent and is the hub of all cultural,
commercial and administrative activities.
Place of tourist interest in and around Impahl
include the Khwairamband bazaar, Khonghampat
Orchidarium, Loktak Lake, Moirang and Keibul Lamjao
National Park among others. Mizoram Mizoram,
with the most hilly terrain in the eastern part of
India, has great natural beauty and is a botanist's
paradise with its rich flora. Aizawl, the
capital, is a charming hill station which stands out
like a huge citadel. Tamdil, a natural lake;
Vantawng, the highest and most beautiful waterfall
in Mizoram; Paikhai picnic spot; Dampa a wildlife
santucary and Phawngpui, the blue mountain, are but
a few amongst the places of tourist interest. Tripura Off
the beaten track is Tripura, an erstwhile princely
state, prominent for its exquisite natural beauty,
scenic spots, rich culture and tribal crafts.
Tripura offers beautiful sights like the Ujjayanta
Palace, Kunjaban Palace and Neermahal Lake Palace;
Dumboor Lake, Rudrasagar and Kalyan Sagar; wildlife
sanctuaries and Sepahijala and Rowa and rockcut
carvings and stone images at Unakoti, Pilak amongst
others. Nagaland This
hill state with its charming landscape is situated
on the extreme northeast of India. It is a
land of exotic charm and is known for its enchanting
mountains, swift flowing streams and bracing
climate. It is at Kohima, the state capital,
that the War Cemetery is located which is of special
significance to those who lost their loved ones here
during the Second World War. The Kohima
village, Barra Basti, perhaps the most populous
village in Asia, is a must for tourists, as it gives
an insight into the Naga way of life. Dimapur,
is the gateway to Nagaland and its only
railhead. An important trade and commerce
center, it was the capital of the Kachari rulers
where the relics of that era are being preserved by
the Archaeological department. Other places to
see in the state are Khonoma and Japfu peak amongst
others. Arunachal Pradesh Arunachal
Pradesh, in the northeastern tip of India is a
breathtakingly beautiful mountainous area.
Nature has endowed this state with snowcapped
mountains, majestic jungles, roaring streams,
multicolored butterflies and rare birds which find
expression in the songs, dances and handicraft of
the area. The capital
Itanagar, is a virgin area nestling amidst verdant
nature. Ganga Seki Lake, a beautiful natural
lake is known for its serene surroundings.
Namdhapha wildlife sanctuary is a famous site for
nature lovers and is home to the 'Hulock Gibbon'. a
rare ape found in India. more... Sikkim Sikkim,
situated in the eastern Himalayas, is a land of
spectacular snow capped mountains, lush valleys,
rich flora and fauna and ancient Buddhist
monasteries. Sikkim has a lot to offer the
tourist, be it trekking, river rafting, sightseeing,
or mountaineering. Gangtok, built on the flank
of a ridge, is a town of stupas and
monasteries. The Research Institute of
Tibetology promotes the research on Mahayana
Buddhism and the famous orchid sanctuary, boasts 500
species of orchids. Chennai
and the South
Tamilnadu Situated
on the southeastern side of the India peninsula,
Tamilnadu is a land steeped in tradition, ancient
culture and hertage, known for its dance and music. Chennai
(Madras) is the capital with an international
airport. The places of tourist interest
include Fort St. George, Fort Museum, Kapaleswar
Temple, Sri Parthasarathy temple, Santhome
Cathedral, St. Thomas Mount, St. Mary's Church, the
Snake Park, the Marina beach, the Theosophical
Society, Birla Planetarium, National Art and Gallery
Museum, Aquarium, Anna Zoological Park and other
amusement parks. Mamallapuram
(Mahabalipuram) is an excursion from Chennai, which
is famous for Arjua's Penance, the Shore Temple,
Mandaps, Panch Pandav Rathas and Cave.
Kancheepuram, a temple town, is an excursion from
Channai, known for Ekambareswar temple, Sri Kamakshi
Amman Temple, Sri Vaikhunta Perumal Temple,
Kailasanathar Temple and, more importantly, for its
Kancheepuram Silks. The
other important places in Tamilnadu include
Thanjavur known for the Brihadeeswara Temple, a
World Heritage Site. Madurai is famous for the
Meenakshi temple and Thirumalai Nayakar Palace;
Kodaikanal and Ooty (Ootacamund) are famous hill
stations, Kanyakumari is the southern tip of India,
where three oceans - Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and
Arabian Sea meet. The famous wildlife
sanctuary "Mudumalai" is an excellent
place to visit. Pondicherry
is a Union Territory, home to the famous Aurobindo
Ashram and renowned for its French-styled
architecture and cuisine. Kerala Kerala
is a land of green landscapes, rich forests, rivers
and palm trees. It is a land of beauty, known
for boat rides along the backwaters.
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), the capital city,
is famous for Padmanabhaswamy temple and the Kovalam
beach. Kochi is a natural harbor and one of
India's oldest ports and a major naval base.
It is a city dotted with Portuguese churches,
mosques, Kindu temples and Chinese fishing
nets. The palces of interest include
Mattancherry Palace, Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis
Church, Santa Cruz Cathedral, Boghatty Palace and
Hill Palace museum. Excursions are Kalady -
known for traditional Ayurvedic medicine, Kumarkom -
an island resort in the backwaters, Guruvayur - a
famous Krishna Temple, Kottakal - for ayurvedic
massage, Munnar - an excellent hill station and
Peryar wildlife sanctuary - known for its flora and
fauna. Alappuzha is a network of canals,
bridges and long silver beaches, with Nehru Memorial
Boat Race hold in the second Saturday of August each
year. Andhra
Pradesh Andhara
Pradesh is known as the "Rice Granary of
India", consisting of fertile coastal
plains. It has been a seat of some of the
famous dynasties, as old as 300 B.C. and an
important Buddhist center. Hyderabad is the
capital of Andhra Pradesh and is famous for
Charminar, Salarjung Museum, Colconda Forst with
light & sound show, Qutub Shahi Tombs, for
shopping of Bidriware, pearls, semi-precious stones
and for its cuisine, especially Hyderabadi Biryani.
Excursions include Nagarjuna Sagar dam, Nagarjuna
Konda with Lord Budda's relics, Sresailam - one of
the Jyotirlingas, Ethipothala Water falls, and
Srisailam wildlife reserve. Tirupati is famous
for Sri Venkateswara, Govindaraja Perumal and
Padmavati temples. Vijayawada
is a gateway to the south and also a large business
and cultural center. The excusrions include
Amaravati - Buddhist stupa, Kuchipudi - birthplace
of Siddhendhra Yogi who created the famous Indian
Classical dance "Kuchipudi", Mangalagiri,
Kondapalli - Fort, Undavalli Caves and Draksharamam,
Vishakhapatnam - is a bustling harbor. The
palces of tourist interest include Dolphin's Nose,
Ramakrishna Mission Beach, Kailasa Hill and Ross
Hill. Karnataka Nestling
between the eastern ghats and the western coasts,
sloping down into the Arabian Sea, Karnataka was
previously known as the state of Mysore. It
has beautiful Hoysala and Chalukya temples, Jain
temples and is known for educational institutes and
industrial areas. Bangalore, the Silicon
Valley of India, is the capital of Karnataka.
The places of tourist interest include Cubbon Park,
Vidhan Saudha, the Government Museum, Venkatappa Art
Gallery, the Bangalore Palace, the Fort and Tipu
Sultan's Palace, Lal Bagh and the Bull Temple.
Excursions include Bannerghatta National Park,
Ramohalli, Nandi Hills, Mekedatu, Shivasamudram,
Sravanabelagola, Halebid and Belur. Mysore is
famous for the Mysore Palace, St. Philomena's
Church, Shri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery and
Chamundi Hills. The excursions include
Srirangapatna, Ranganathittoo, Brindavan Gardens,
Somnathpur, Bandipur Tiger Reserve, and Nagarhole
National Park. Hampi, famous for its ruins of
the Vijayanagara Dynasty, is one of the World
Heritage Sites. Excusrions include Kishkhinda
Hills, Aihole, Pattadakal (a World Heritage Site),
and Badami. Lakshdweep
Islands The
islands look like emeralds in the vast expanse of
blue sea. Built on ancient volcanic formations
are the Lakshadwoop (meaning a hundred thousand
islands), the tiniest Union Territory of
India. It consists of 12 atolls, 3 reefs and 5
submerged banks. The atolls poised on
submarine banks, harbor 36 islands having an area of
32 km2. Of these, 10 islands are
inhabited namely Agatti, Amini, Adrott, Bitra,
Chetlat, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Kiltan, and
Minicoy. The islands lie about 220-440 km from
the Malabar coast. Kavaratti is the
Administrative Headquarter of the Union Territory. The
Lakshadweep group of islands are well connect both
by Air and Sea. While islands like Agatti
& Bangaram can be reached by the Air, the other
islands can be reached by ship from Kochi. Adventure,
Sports and Wildlife
Adventure
and Sports From
tracking wild animals to trekking the wild is but a
step in India. With a wealth of varied terrain
running the full length of the Himalayas, and the
forested, gentle slops of the Nilgiri hills in the
south, India offers every trek imaginable from a
one-day walk to full scale mountaineering
expeditions. The
hill state of Himachal Pradesh offers low altitude
treks through forests of cedar and pine leading to
rocky gorges and impressive passes. High
altitude hikes wind above the snow line to glaciers
and beyond to the spectacular Himalayan interior
valleys of Lahaul and Spiti, perhaps even to remote
Ladakh. At the eastern end of the Himalays
lies Sikkim and West Bengal, offering breathtaking
views of Kanchenjunga and the Everest peaks.
In comparison, the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu
offera gentler pace but a no less pleasurable
experience, walking perhaps more than trekking,
using the delightful hill stations of Kodaikanal and
Ooty as bases. Rafting:
The eternally snow-capped Himalayas which so
delight the trekker and mountaineer, mean great
sport for whitewater rafting enthusiasts. From
their towering peaks rise India's greatest rivers,
when then turn seawards, pursue a precipitous course
along boulder-strewn beds, through deep gorges and
reach thunderous rapids. Lower down, amidst
forested slopes, the rivers become calmer, offer the
amateur and novice, ideal nursery conditions.
From the Ganges in the north, the Indus and Zanskar
in Ladakh to the Teesta in Sikkim, this is
river-rafting at its very best. Camel
Safaris: In the vast deserts of
Rajasthan, we advise a horse or camel trek, an
unparalleled opportunity for visiting local villages
and off-the-beaten track sightseeing
Accommodation varies from tented camps to
first-class hotels, but during your time on camel or
horseback your own khidmatgar (personal
attendant) will be at your beck and call. If
wheels have greater appeal, then bicycles may be the
answer. Available in Rajasthan and on the
spectacular route from Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh,
the tours are accompanied by motorized support
vehicles leaving you free to cycle as little or as
much as you like. Alternatively, how about a
motorcycle tour of south India on a 250cc Enfield
Bullet, a classic British bike now manufactured in
Chennai? Golf:
For a holiday that goes with a swing you can't do
better than golfing in India. As an example of
how seriously the game is taken here, the Royal
Calcutta Golf Club, founded in 1929, was the first
club outside Britain. Mumbai has two fine
courses - the Willingdon and the Presidency at
Chembur - and the Delhi Golf Club is rated as one of
the hundred most outstanding courses in the
world. There are "top-drawer"
courses but India is remarkable for having courses
the length and breadth of the country....in the
desert, surrounded by tea estates with the Himalayas
as a backdrop, by lakes and forest, or surrounded by
ancient monuments. Fishing:
Where there is water you'll find fishermen, and
tales of the one that got away. Pride of place
on this score must go to the massive mahseer, for
example weighing 80 lbs are not unusual.
Although trout are plentiful (at Ooty and in Himacha
Pradesh's rivers Beas and Parvati), it is the
mahseer which has captured the imagination of the
angler. Blessed with extraordinary strength
and immense cunning, the mahseer can be found in the
rivers Ravi and Chamba in Himachal Pradesh, the
Ramganga which flows through Corbett National Park
and the Kaveri in Karnataka, the latter having the
advantage of established angling camps. Spring
and summer offer the best chances and the
opportunity to while away idyllic hours on lush
river banks hoping for that heart-stopping moment
when the rod whips forward and the reel sings. India
plays host to many more activities, including
sub-aqua sports, hot-air ballooning, rock-climbing,
hang gliding and motor rallying. From action
to relaxation, India has it all. Unique
Wildlife In
the wealth and variety of its wildlife, India is
unique in the world. The great stretch of the
Himalayas is home to the legendary snow leopard, the
musk deer, ibex and a variety of pheasants.
Further eastward elephants, rhinoceros and gibbons
roam. The chinkara stag, blackbuck, barking
deer, and bear wander the higher slopes, musk deer,
red pandas and blue sheep the lower slopes. The
vast plain of the Ganges with its variety of
vegetation supports herbivores such as elephant,
sambar, deer, wild boar and chital deer.
Westward in the Cir forest of Gujarat lurks the
Asiatic lion, and the Great Indian Desert (the Rann
of Kutchh) plays host to galloping wild asses and
the massive bustard. Follow the wet, Western
Ghats to the south and the dense rainforests provide
a home for the lion-tailed macaque, langur and civet
cat, snakes and exotic birds. But throughout
India, whether frolicking in the mangrove swamps of
the Sunderbans, stalking through the high foothills
of the Himalayas, prowling along the flat Gangetic
plain, weaving through the sandalwood forests of
Karnataka or simply lying low in secluded jungle
pools during the pre-monsoon heat of May and June,
is the tiger. To preserve the flora and fauna,
India has laid considerable emphasis on sustainable
eco-tourism. The
variety of wildlife range from Corbett National
Park, a six hour drive from Delhi, with 250 sq km of
dense forests and savannah grasslands, home to
tiger, elephant, leopard, barking deer and many
other species, to Kaziranga in the northeast, famed
for its rare one-horned rhinos and wild
buffaloes. In addition, flocks of remarkable
birds can be sighted in the sanctuaries of Bharatpur,
Manas, and Lake Chilka, especially during the winter
migratory period from November to March. Accommodation
can be arranged at most wildlife centers. Life
at these jungle lodges in close proximity to nature
creates a heady atmosphere that more than makes up
for the lack of sophisticated facilities. Colorful
Fairs and Festivals Hardly
a day goes by in the Indian calendar when a festival
is not celebrated or a fair held, occasions rich in
color, music and dance. Some are nationwide
occasions such as Republic Day, others a local
village celebration such as gathering in the harvest
for India is still deeply pastoral. Others
have an international appeal. For instance,
the Khajuraho Festival in Madhya Predesh (a
week-long delight of classical dancing); Carnival in
Goa; the Diwali or the festival of lights (all over
India); the Meenakshi Temple Feast in Madurai; the
renowned snake-boat races during Onam in Kerala; the
Pushkar camel fair in Rajasthan; and Dussehra
(nationwide), celebrating the triumph of good over
evil. Of course, just being in India is always
a cause for celebration. Discovering
the Inner Self In
these turbulent times, India is an oasis for peace,
tranquility and complete relaxation. Yoga
originated in India thousands of years ago. It
has been adapted today to fit into the lives of
people who want to stay calm and cheerful in a
stress-prone environment. Another form of
relaxation is meditation. This practice in its
varied forms has received tremendous global interest
and is probably more relevant today than when it was
first expounded by the ancient Indian sages.
Another important method of rejuvenation is ayurveda.
A number of centers in India offer healing
practices, including herbal massage and oil
therapy. Today India has become the spiritual
destination of the world. Seekers visit India
from all over the world in search of peace,
contentment and happiness. The
Spectacle of Dance and Music Foremost
among India's performing arts are classical
dances. In a spectacular solo or group display
of swirling color, gold ornaments and fluid
movements, every dance form can be appreciated
entirely for its visual appeal. Bharatnatyam,
Odissi, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam, Manipuri
and Kathak have their origins in various states
across the country and all began as a form of
religious worship. Every dance form has a
precise vocabulary of emotions - love, yearning,
sorrow - and these are displayed by gestures that
involve the body, arms, fingers, face and eyes, plus
every attitude, and every color. An intense
art taking many years to accomplish. Classical
music in India has no comparison with the western
orchestra. Traditionally one soloist plays the
theme be it on sitar, sarod or flute-like shehnai
accompanied by three or four other
instrumentalists. Vocal performances too, are
always soloists with accompaniments provided the
background music, a performance to be treasured. Shopping
for Treasures India
is an Aladdin's cave of arts and crafts, a colorful
cornucopia of endless creativity where you can go
shopping without stopping. Whatever your taste
- restrained or exuberant, antique or modern,
plain or patterned - India's bazaars, shops, stalls,
markets and emporia will tempt as you have never
been tempted before. Faced with yard upon yard
of richly colored silks and brocades, broad acres of
gorgeous carpets and rugs, an abundance of
delicately painted 'Moghul' miniatures, a wealth of
intricately designed wooden and hand-painted
papier-mâché boxes, to say nothing of treasure
chests of precious and semi-precious stones, marble
inlay work, brass statues, antiqe silver jewelry,
delicate carvings in wood, stone, and ivory, how do
you come to an informed and rational choice! Handcrafted
goods of every description abound in India and the
finest quality often find their way to the great
shopping bazaars - and population centers - of
Delhi, Kilhata, Mumbai and Chennai. Few of the
goods are specifically designed as tourist
'souvenirs' and so maintain their integrity as truly
representative of India. As
befits the home of the Taj Mahal, Agra is famed for
its marble inlay, often incorporating precious
stones, its colored embroideries and carpets.
Rajasthan excels in enameling, lacquer and filigree
work, block-printed silks and muslins.
Varanasi produces world-famous silks and
brocades. Kasmir also has a long tradition of
elaborately decorated papier-mâché bowls, boxes
and trays. The
arts and crafts of the east are more down-to-earth,
epitomized by the terracotta and pottery handicraft,
folk bronzes and kantha needlework of Bengal and the
wild silks, tribal weavings and bamboo goods of
Assam and the north coast. Orissa reflects its
temple traditions with soapstone carvings of
extraordinary intricacy, and applique work from the
village of Pupli, originally home to the workshops
that produced the enormous covers to the deities of
the Jagannath temple in nearby Puri. Although
Mumbai is a gigantic emporium attracting goods from
all over India, the west has its own
specialties. Handloom silks are one of
Aurangabad's chief delights, as are the delicate
muslins and silks of Khambat (better known as
Cambay). Gujarat produces handsome, hand-woven
tie-dyed textiles, popular chakla patchwork and
glass wall hangings, and both highly-carved and
lacquered furniture, whilst the little=visited Rann
of Kacchh is renowned for its mirror-work. And
so, laden with goods, to the south, Mysore is the
place for sandalwood carvings and inlaid furniture,
Bangalore and Kanchipuram for their unsurpassed
silks. At Hederabad the diamonds of the
fabulous Golconda mines have given way to pearls,
but the silver inlay bidri work is as popular as
ever. Far to the south, Kerala's restrained
rosewood carvings are in a class of their own, as
are the bizarre and extravagant sea-shell
confections that abound in the street market at
India's southernmost tip, Kanya Kumari. Of
course visitors of a more single-minded disposition
may prefer mementos in the form of spices (which is
what attracted the world to India in the first
place) or perfumes. Antiques and works of art
- the bazaars are full of them - are equally
delightful, but cannot be exported if they are over
100 years old. Musical instruments, graceful
in shape and frequently inlaid with contrasting
woods, can also provide a playful reminder of India. Indian
Cuisine There's
nowhere quite like India for food. As
generally believed, it is not invariably hot nor is
Indian food exclusively vegetarian. Spices lie
at the heart of Indian cooking. Through
spices, India first became a trading partner of the
West, first with the Sumerians, then the Phoenicians
and in turn the Greeks (probably helped by Alexander
the Great's foray into India around 320 B.C.) and
Romans. The fertile slopes of the Western
Ghats still produce an astonishing variety of spices
- black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, garlic,
turmeric and nutmeg. The
earliest use for spices was medicinal and some
remnants of prescriptive attitudes can still be
traced in Indian culinary theory today, although the
ancient injunction to include all six rasas or
flavors - sweet, salty, bitter, astringent, sour,
and pungent - in every meal in strict proportion has
now largely disappeared. Nevertheless food was
and is believed to influence behavior (a concept
only now gaining credence in the West) and spices
have historically fulfilled a valuable function not
only as flavorings, but also as appetite stimulators
and digestives. (They may also help the body
to cope with heat during the long, enervating
summers.) If
spices are the hallmark of Indian cooking, the
greatness of its cuisine lies in its regional foods
and regional menus. For the visitor, finding
these local variations is easier said than
done. Most hotels in India's four major
centers - Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai -
operate fine restaurants that serve a mainly
northern Indian cuisine and cater for the exotic
whims of local trade by providing Chinese, Italian
and Indonesian menus also. Much of the food of
north India will already be familiar to many
visitors. Moghul in origin and broadly
non-vegetarian in content it is characterized by the
use of yoghurt, friend onion, nuts and saffron.
(Incidentally, a thousand stigmas of autumnal crocus
go into making a gram of this spice). The
outstanding savory dishes include gushtaba, spicy
meatballs simmered in spicy yoghurt, biryani,
chicken or lamb in orange-flavored rice sprinkled
with rosewater, almonds and dried fruit, tandoori,
chicken, meat or fish marinated in herbs and baken
in a clay over, and paneer, a vegetarian dish of
cottage cheese in cubes, lightly fried and served in
a butter-based sauce. There is a lot more to
sample, both in vegetarian and non-vegetarian
cuisine, in different regions of India. Those
with a sweet tooth will find themselves shamelessly
indulged in India. Being vegetarian, these
puddings - usually based on milk or curd - are found
the length and breadth of India and include kulfi,
ice-cream flavored with cardamom, pistachio nuts and
saffron, rasgullas, cream cheese balls in rose
syrup, gulab jamun, spongy ground almond balls
dripping with honey syrup, and firnee, rice pudding
raised to heavenly standards by the addition of
almonds, raisins and pistachios. If
this is all too much of a good thing, there's always
fresh fruit, apples, apricots and pears from
Kashmir, mangoes, pomegranates, bananas, melons,
tangerines and pineapples. India is the one
place you can eat your heart out! Grand
Hotels Blessed
with a wealth of budget hotels and youth hostels for
those on a shoestring, it is nevertheless hotels in
the grand tradition - hotels that not only offer a
comfortable place to stay but also an experience to
treasure - that sets India apart. Hotels that
once upon a time were the sumptuous residences of
Maharajas, spectacular and magnificent in a style
unique to Indian and some on an unimaginable
colossal scale set in contrasting landscapes of
deserts or mountainsides. There are also beach
resorts offering state-of-the-art accommodation or
the isolation of the 'away from it all' huts on
remote archipelagos such as the Lakshadweep or
Andaman Islands. As with so many hotels in
India, all these offer not simply a place to stay,
more an experience to savor. Traveling
Around India Traveling
to India is easily achieved by a number of
international airlines, including India's national
carrier Air-India. Journeying in India is an
adventure in its own right, for air, rail and road
links penetrate deep into the country. Most
tourists make extensive use of the country's
domestic airlines. The main network is
provided by Indian Airlines. However, a number
of domestic airlines such as Alliance Air, Jet
Airways, and Sahara Airlines - serve a variety of
regional destinations. The
railway system was establish during the mid-19th
century. It copes with upwards of three
billion passengers every year and is the largest
railway network in the world. The network,
which covers much of the country, is a
quintessential part of the fabric of India, and a
journey on it should not be missed. The
Shatabdi Express trains from Delhi to Agra and
Gwalior and from Delhi to Jaipur and to many other
places, are very popular with tourists for their
speed and comfort. Foreign nationals and
Indian residents abroad can purchase Indrail passes
for traveling around India. Luxury
Trains The
first of this new class of train is the Royal
Orient, which entered service early in 1995,
utilizing the picturesque carriages of the palace on
Wheels. Operating from September to the end of
April, the Royal Orient is pioneering a new tourist
route from September to April. Leaving Delhi
Cantonment station every Wednesday it proceeds
westwards to Chittaurgarh, one of the oldest cities
in Rajasthan and then to the gorgeous oasis of
Udaipur. From Udaipur to Junagadh and the
temple town of Somnath and then to the fine beach
resort of Ahmedpur Mandvi. From there the
train returns to Delhi via Palitana, Ahmedabad and
Jaipur, arriving back in Delhi a week later. Meanwhile,
the Palace on Wheels - a brand new train,
coach-built to the most exacting standards of
comfort - runs on its traditional week-long
itinerary from Delhi every Wednesday to Jaipur,
Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Jaisalmer,
Jodhpur, Bharatpur and Agra before returning to
Delhi. This tour also operates from September
to the end of April. Bookings
for Palace on Wheels can be made through your travel
agent or direct from: Central Reservations Office,
Palace on Wheels, Tourist Reception Centre,
Rajasthan Tourism, Bikaner House, Pandara Road, New
Delhi, 110003 Bookings
for the Royal Orient can be made through your travel
agent or direct from: Tourism Corporation of Gujarat
Ltd., Nigam Bhavan, Sector 16, Gandhinagar, 382016,
Gujarat. Driving
is on the left in India, and traffic is an amazing
mix of over-loaded ox-cats, exuberantly painted
lorries, elephants and camels with trailers.
It is possible to book organized tours in
air-conditioned tourist coaches or you can hire your
own chauffeur-driven car. The cost of a driver
plus the traditional 'Ambassador' is extremely
reasonable. They can be hired by the day - for
example to see Delhi's sights - or for weeks for
extended routs of the country. In
addition, the bus network is huge, and includes the
mountainous areas in the north which railways do not
cover. For example, the northern railhead is a
Jammu, leaving Kashmir, Ladakh and virtually all of
Himachal Pradesh to rely on the bus.
Generally, Indian busses do not display the comfort
and facilities of their European counterparts but
compensate by being inexpensive, great fun and
deservedly popular with the budget traveler.
Details of services may be obtained from local
Tourist Offices in India. Information
for the Business and Leisure Traveler
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