Showing posts with label Tourist Places In India. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tourist Places In India. Show all posts

Monday, 18 June 2012

Matua Mela, Thakurnagar

Matua Mela, Thakurnagar
"Matua" is a religious movement in Bengal, in the same spirit of the "Bhakti" movement of Sri Chaitanya. It strives to address the issue of out-castes within the realm of Hinduism and preaches not to discriminate among people on racial ground. Thakur Harichand (1811 - 1877) was the founder of the "Matua" sect, who is considered as an incarnation of Vishnu by his followers. The movement soon became popular among the people from lower strata of the society and it is now one of the important facets of Dalit movement in India. The sect has a huge base of Dalit devotees all throughout India at present. This has made the sect quite attractive to the political parties aiming to bank on the huge base of Dalit voters to wrest power.

Sunday, 17 June 2012

Ganpatipule- Maharashtra

anpatipule is a small town situated in the state of Maharashtra. It lies in Ratnagiri District to the south of Chiplun town. The origin of the name of the town lies in mythology. According to legend, God Ganpati took offence to a lady’s remark and moved a few km away from Gule, which was His original abode. The movement of a few km is called ‘pule’ in Marathi and thus came the name Ganpatipule. 

The town has a 400 year old statue of Ganpati. This is said to have originated from the ground by itself. This statue of Ganpati, unlike statues in other temples, faces West to guard the town against the evil western forces. 

Although pilgrimage forms the major tourist attraction of Ganpatipule, of late, a number of resorts have also come up here which has led to a major boost in the region’s tourism. The town’s location on the Konkan Coast makes it an ideal place for beach lovers. 

The beaches of Ganpatipule are clean and lined with mangroves and coconut palms. The climate of Ganpatipule, like most of Maharashtra, is moderate. The temperature stays the same through the year, hovering at about 30-35° Celsius. However, the months of November to February experience the most pleasant weather which is also the peak season to visit Ganpatipule. 

Apart from being a pilgrimage centre and a beach place, Ganpatipule is also the gateway to a number of tourist spots around the region. The town lies close to Velneshwar, Ratnagiri, Pawas and Jaigad Fort, all of which are important tourist destinations. 


The small town of Ganpatipule is well connected to the city of Ratnagiri by road. Ratnagiri has an airport and a railway station which connects it to major Indian cities. It lies approximately 30 km from Ratnagiri and the journey by road takes about an hour. 






Tourist places in Ganapatipule

There are several sightseeing options in the region of Ganapatipule, most of which are shrines and temples. Jaigad lighthouse was built in the year 1832 and is located in the western edge of Jaigad Fort. The lighthouse is around 180 years old and is open to the public six days a week, excepting Sundays.

The Swayambhu Ganpati Temple is also one of the popular places of religious importance, which houses an idol made of pure white sand. There is another idol of Lord Ganesha, made of copper that depicts the god on a lion. The temple is about 20 km from the Ratnagiri region.

The Ganapatipule Temple is known for its unique interior design compared to other temples as the deity of the temple faces west unlike other Indian temples wherein the deity faces the east direction. Because of the numerous temples and shrines located here, there has been a constant rise in the number of visitors in Ganapatipule.  


Kalo Dungar - The Black Hills

kalo dungar, the black hills
The Black Hills (Kalo Dungar)
25 kms north of Khavda, the top of the Black Hills is the highest point in Kutch, at 462 m. From here, the entire northern horizon vanishes into the Great Rann, the desert and sky often becoming indistinguishable. It is one of the few non-coastal locations where you feel like you are at the edge of the earth, on the brink of incomprehensible vastness that fades off towards infinity. Looking out from the Black Hills, you can understand the tremendous effort that those who undertake the crossing of the Great Rann have to make. Since this is one of the places where a civilian can get closest to the Pakistan border, there is an Army post at the top; beyond here, only military personnel are allowed. The hill is also the site of a 400-year-old temple to Dattatreya, the three-headed incarnation of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva in the same body. Legend says that when Dattatreya walked on the earth, he stopped at the Black Hills and found a band of starving jackals. Being a god, he offered them his body to eat and as they ate, his body continually regenerated itself. Because of this, for the last four centuries, the priest at the temple has prepared a batch of prasad that is fed to the jackals after the evening aarti

Reaching the hilltop by public transport is difficult; the only bus travels there from Khavda on weekend evenings and returns in the early morning. Hiring a jeep from Khavda is your other option. Visiting in the early morning or late afternoon is recommended, though with a few more hours there are nice hikes to do around the hill. Be sure to take your own food and water and if you want to stay the night, there is a dharamshala next to the temple.



 
This is near/around Bhuj

How to get here
 

By road: 
For those traveling from Ahmedabad, the bus may be more convenient than the train, though slightly more expensive. Several private companies run sleeper buses (with a full horizontal bunk), leaving the city for Bhuj between 8pm and 11pm, arriving in Bhuj between 6am and 8am the next morning. These bus companies all have their offices around Paldi in Ahmedabad; Sahjanand Travels and Patel Travels are two recommended ones. There are also private sitting (non-sleeper) buses, and ST (State Transport) buses that make the trip for less money but considerably less comfortable seats.

By rail: Two daily express trains, the Bhuj Express and the Kutch Express, go from Bhuj to Ahmedabad (8hrs) and on to Mumbai (16hrs.) However, both trains pass through Ahmedabad in the middle of the night, as the schedules are designed to depart and arrive and reasonable hours from Bhuj and Mumbai, not Ahmedabad.

By air: One or more flights daily connect Bhuj to Mumbai.
Once in Bhuj, ST buses go to larger destinations around the district, private jeeps can also be rented (a good option for larger parties), and some smaller places can only be reached by chhakdas.

Sunday, 10 June 2012

Tomb of Sher Shah Suri

Sher Shah Suri Tomb

The tomb of Sher Shah Suri is in the Sasaram town of Bihar state, India. The tomb was built in memory of Emperor Sher Shah Suri, a Pathan from Bihar who defeated the Mughal Empire and founded the Suri E

 

mpire in northern India. He died in an acci
dental gunpowder explosion in the fort of Kalinjar on 10th day of Rabi’ al-awwal, A.H. 952 or 13 May 1545 AD.
Sher Shah Suri TombSher Shah Suri Tomb

 

Western Ghats Matheran

The Western GhatsWestern Ghauts or the Sahyādri constitute a mountain range along the western side of India. This range runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Western Ghats MatheranArabian Sea.

The range starts near the border of Gujarat and Maharashtra, south of the Tapti river, and runs approximately 1,600 km (990 mi) through the states of MaharashtraGoaKarnatakaTamil Nadu and Kerala ending at Kanyakumari, at the southern tip of India.

These hills cover 160,000 km2 (62,000 sq mi) and form the catchment area for complex riverine drainage systems that drain almost 40% of India. The Western Ghats block rainfall to the Deccan Plateau[1] The average elevation is around 1,200 m (3,900 ft).[2]

The area is one of the world’s ten "Hottest biodiversity hotspots" and has over 5000 species of flowering plants, 139 mammal species, 508 bird species and 179 amphibian species; it is likely that many undiscovered species live in the Western Ghats. At least 325 globally threatened species occur in the Western Ghats.[3]

Saturday, 2 June 2012

Mahabaleshwar


Needle Point, Mahabaleshwar
Add caption

Located at an height of 1,372 meters above sea level, around Lake Venna, is the highest hill station in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra. Mahabaleshwar is one of the most spectacular and the largest of Maharashtra hill-stations. Mahabaleshwar in Sanskrit means God of Great Power. It was summer capital of Governor of the old Bombay Presidency The Britishers built various mansions, cottages and bungalows around the town, lending it a charming, sophistication. There are 30 valley viewpoints with panoramic vistas scattered around the hill station and their access roads make for shady, pleasant walks and treks.
Mahabaleshwar along with Panchgani makes the most popular hill resorts in the state of Maharashtra. Far way from the madding crowds the hill resort makes an excellent holiday destination. The natural beauty of Mahabaleshwar attracts nature lovers, film directors, holidaymakers, peace seekers and treakers alike. The heat and the dust of the plains give way to the cool breezes and the scenic greens of Mahabaleshwar. The hill resort of Mahabaleshwar derives its name from the God "Mahabali". There is a temple dedicated to Lord Mahabali namely the old Mahabaleshwar Temple.
Main Attractions for Tourist at Mahabaleshwar
Catholic Church : A Visit to the old Roman Catholic Holy Cross church is worth a detour.
Conaught peak : Conaught peak or the Mount Olympia is favorite spot amongst the riders at come to Mahabaleshwar.
Morarji Castle : Also worth a look is this old structure. Mahatma Gandhi once lived here in 1945.
Pratapgad Fort : This impressive fort is 24 Kms, away from Mahabaleshwar. It was here that Chatrapati Shivaji killed the mighty General of Bijapur, Afjal Khan. This fort provides some exquisite views of the Konkan valley below and the Raigad fort in the west.
Venna Lake : Tourists can spend their time on fishing in Venna Lake.
Wilson Point : Wilson point is the highest point of Mahabaleshwar and has three observation towers, which offer a splendid view especially of the sunrise.
Waterfalls : A trip to the cascading waterfalls, such as the Lingmala waterfall (6 kms.), the uninterrupted fall descends down, five six hundred feet from the cliff. Dhobi waterfall (3 kms.) and Chinaman's waterfall (2.5 kms.) are a must to see in Mahabaleshwar.
Kate's Point, along Duchess Road, at 1,290 metres is yet another great point to look over.
Places nearby : Panchgani, Satara.
Best Season to Visit (Peak Season)
The Best Time to visit the Mahabaleshwar is from October to June.
Getting to Ajantha Caves
By Airway
Go by Plane
Pune is the nearest airport for Mahabaleshwar (120 kms). The Pune airport is well connected to various cities in India and also some countries internationally.
By Railway
Go by Railway
For Mahabaleshwar, the nearest railhead is Wathar (62 kms) but Pune (120 kms) is the convenient railhead.
By Road
Go by Road
From Mumbai via Pune, Mahabaleshwar is 290 kms. and via Mahad it is 247 kms. Many buses are available to Mahabaleshwar. Taxies also can be hired from both Pune and Mumbai.

Thursday, 31 May 2012

Vaishali - Bihar


Vaishali today is a small village surrounded by banana and mango groves as well as rice fields. But excavations in the area have brought to light an impressive historical past. The epic Ramayana tells the story of the heroic King Vishal who ruled here. Historians maintain that one of the world's first democratic republics with an elected assembly of representatives flourished here in the 6th century B.C. in the time of the Vajjis and the Lichchavis. And while Pataliputra, capital of the Mauryas and the Guptas, held political sway over the Gangetic plain, Vaishali was the center for trade and industry.

Lord Buddha visited Vaishali frequently and at Kolhua, close by, preached his last sermon. To commemorate the event, Emperor Ashoka, in the third century B.C. erected one of his famous lion pillars here. A hundred years after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha - Vaishali hosted the second great Buddhist council. Two stupas were erected to commemorate this event. Jainism, too, has its origins in Vaishali, for in 527 B.C., Lord Mahavir was born on the outskirts of the city, and lived in Vaishali till he was 22. Vaishali is then twice blessed and remains an important pilgrim center for both Buddhists and Jains, attracting also historians foraging for the past.
On the outskirts of Vaishali stood the grand double storied Buddhist monastery. Buddha often discoursed here. He extended spiritual enfranchisement to women by admitting them to the Holy Order which was founded here. Legend has it that on one of his visits, several monkeys dug up a tank for his comfortable stay and offered him a bowl of honey. This is regarded as one of the great incidents in the legends of Buddha, who announced his approaching Nirvana and preached his last sermon here.

The Lichchhavis came a long way to bid him farewell on his way to Kushinagara and finally, they were stopped by a river created by Buddha. He once again paused to have a last of his much loved city. As a piety for Vaishali, he had already given his alms bowl which remained here for long time.
A life size-pillar beside a brick stupa at Kolhua commemorates Buddha's last sermon and announcement of his approaching nirvana. The lion faces north, the direction Buddha took on his last voyage. Adjacent to this is the tank associated with the monkeys offering honey. Nearby are the skeletal remains of a monastery where Buddha resided and a votive stupas dot the region. 

Vaishali museum houses some of the archaeological remains discovered here. Facing the museum is the Abhishek Pushkarni which was holy to Lichchhavis. On one side of the lake is newly built Vishwa Shanti Stupa, a sixth in the series to be erected in India. Close to the museum is the shaded stupa which is supposed to have housed the casket relic with the ashes of Buddha. 

Archaeologists have uncovered a good deal of Vaishali. It begins with a huge mound which is associated with the ancient Parliament referred to Raja Vaihala Ka Garh. Bawan Pokhar temple houses a rich collection of black basalt images dating back to the Gupta and Pala period. Another black basalt, four headed Shivling (Choumukhi Mahadeva) was discovered when a reservoir was being dug. Behind the bawan pokhar temple is a Jain temple famous for its image of the Trithankar. A little distance from these temples lies the Lotus Tank which used to be a picnic spot of the Lichchhavis. 

Further north at Lauria Areraj, 31 Kms from Motihari, lies one of the Ashokan Columns with six of his edicts. The column is devoid of its capital. Another Ashokan column along with the lion capital can be visited at Nandangarh, 23 kms from Bettiah. These pillars possibly mark the course of the ancient Royal highway from Patliputra to Nepal valley. Few kilometers from the monolith at Nandangarh is the mighty brick stupa which is believed to have stored the casket relic containing the ashes of Buddha. At Nandangarh one can also see a dozen vedic mounds that contain the remains of ruling clans of pre-Buddhists times.

 General Information

  • Altitude: 52 metres
  • Temperature (Max./Min.) Deg C: Summer 44/21  Winter 23/6
  • Rainfall:120 cms
  • Best Season: October to March



Friday, 23 March 2012

Dehradun - Abode of Drona

Quick Facts
Situated in: Uttaranchal 
Also Known As: Abode of Drona
Main Attractions: Tapowan, Tapkeshawar Temple, Chandrabani, Sai Darbar Temple, Tibetan Temple, Robber's Cave, Malsi Deer Park, Sahastradhara, Laxman Siddh and Santala Devi Temple
Suitable Time To Visit: November to March

Whether you are an adventure seeker, a discerning traveller or looking for a spiritual journey, Dehradun offers almost everything as per your choice. Commonly known as the 'Abode of Drona', Dehradun is a hill station, serving as the capital of newly created state of Uttarakhand. Situated in the Great Indian Himalayan ranges, the charming city draw a large number of tourists from India and foreign countries as well. An ancient city, Dehradun finds its description in Ashoka's inscriptions dating back to 250 BC, even today can be seen outside the city.

The city remained an important centre for Garhwal rulers, later on the British captured the area and developed it as a hill resort. Besides a hill resort, Dehradun also houses the headquarters of several National Institutes and Organizations, namely ONGC, Forest Research Institute and Survey of India. Dehradun is also home to some of India's noted educational and training institutes like Indian Military Academy, Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) and Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC).

Dehradun has its own domestic airport, Jolly Grant Airport (25 km), which is served by flights from Delhi. Dehradun Railway Station in connected by trains to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other parts of the country. National Highways, State Highways and good roads connect Dehradun with rest of the country.

For accommodation, plenty of good hotels are available in the town of Dehradun. You may stay in hotels or guest houses, as per your requirements and budget.

Any trip to Dehradun is incomplete without some shopping activities. The shops at Dehradun sell traditional handicrafts, which you can buy as souvenirs for family members, relatives or friends.

Major Attractions in Dehradun
Tapowan: Tapowan is situated on the Dehradun - Rajpur Road, about 5 km from the city bus stand. Set amidst the picturesque surroundings, Tapowan carries an interesting legend linked to Guru Dronacharya.

Tapkeshawar Shiv Temple: Tapkeshawar Shiv Temple is an Dehradun Tourismancient place of worship in the Garhi Cantt. Area, just 5 kms away from city bus stand. This temple can be easily reached by road. During the occasion of Maha Shivratri devotes throng the temple to participate in the fair and pay their obeisance to the presiding deity.

Chandrabani: Chadrabani Temple (Gautam Kund) lies at a distance of 7 km from Dehradun. According to a legend this place was inhabited by Maharishi Gautam, his wife and daughter who are even today worshipped by the people. Every year thousands of devotees visit this temple to take a holy dip in the sacred Kund.

Forest Research Institute: A forest based training institute in India, Forest Research Institute is located 7 km away from Clock Tower on the Dehradun - Chakrata road. Established in 1906, the Forest Research Institute is one of the oldest institutes of its kind in the world and highly acclaimed worldover. The research institute houses a Botanical Museum, which you can visit.

Indian Military Academy: Indian Military Academy (IMA) is situated at a distance of 8 kms from the city centre. A government owned premier training institute for Army Officer, the Indian Military Academy is functional from 1st October 1932. Here you can see War Memorial, Museum, Library. Shooting Demonstration Room, 18 holes Golf Course and Arms and ammunition.

Sai Darbar Temple: Sai Darbar Temple is 8 km away from the city centre along the Clock Tower on Rajpur Road. The temple due to high cultural and spiritual importance draws large number of tourists and devotees.

Tibetan Temple (Buddha Temple): Adjacent to Sai Darbar Temple is the Tibetan Temple, dedicated to Lord Buddha.

Robber's Cave (Guchhupani): The Robber's Cave is a perfect picnic spot, situated 8 kms away from the bus terminal. To visit Robber’s Cave you need to take bus up to Anarwala village and further a trek of one kilometre to reach this spot.

Malsi Deer Park: Malsi Deer Park is a well developed mini-zoological park, just 10 km from Dehradun. The park also has a children's park flanked by splendid natural surroundings.

Sahastradhara: Sahastradhara is located 11 kms away from Dehradun, popular as a picnic spot. The 9 mts high waterfall, the River Baldi and caves provide a spectacular sight to the place. The Sulphur spring is another attraction at Sahastradhrana, people believe that the water of the spring possess medicinal properties and cure skin infections.

Laxman Siddh: Laxman Siddh is a famous temple about 12 kms away from Dehradun. People visit this temple in large numbers, especially on Sundays.

Santala Devi Temple: Santala Devi Temple is situated Dehradun Tourismat a distance of 15 kms from Dehradun. A place of religious and cultural significance, the temple draws people from far and near places.


Asan Barrage Water Sports Resort: Asan Barrage Water Sports Resort has been developed by Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam in 1994. Also known as Dhalipur Lake, this resort is situated on Chandigarh - Shimla highway. Here you can enjoy water sports like water skiing, rowing, kayaking, boating, canoeing etc. During the winters you can see large number of avian species, especially migratory birds here.

Rajaji National Park: Established in 1966, the Rajaji National Park spreads over an area of 820 sq. kms. Set in a lush green valley of Shivalik ranges, the park houses a wide range of floral and faunal species including 23 species of mammals and 315 bird species.

Rishikesh: Often referred to as the 'place of sages', Rishikesh is a spiritual town, located 24 kms away from Haridwar. In addition to a pilgrimage destination, Rishikesh is also an ideal destination for people who are interested in yoga and meditation. For adventure seekers Rishikesh offers adventure options like trekking and rafting. Major tourist attractions of Rishikesh include the Triveni Ghat, Laxman Jhoola, Raghunath Temple, Ashrams and Yoga Centres.

Mussoorie: A famous hill station of north India, Mussoorie is located at a distance of 34 kms from Dehradun. Popularly known as the 'Queen of Hill Stations', Mussoorie has the attractions, namely Camel's back road, Mussoorie Lake, Gun hill, Kempty Fall and Vinod Mountain Quail Sanctuary.

Haridwar: One of the major pilgrimage centres of India, Haridwar is situated at a distance of 45 kms from Dehradun. Hardiwar is the gateway to Chardham (four pilgrimage destinations) of Uttarakhand and has the tourist attractions like Har ki Pauri ghats, Mansa Devi Temple, Daksha Mahadev Temple and Bharat Mata Temple. 

Saturday, 15 October 2011

Shani- Shingnapur. A Mysterious Village Of God Shani

In Shani-Shingnapur village, the god is self-appeared idol. God appeared in form of black stone with a height of 5 feet and 9 inches & 1 feet and 6 inches in the width. He is standing on platform without any roof.
It is believed that, 250 years ago, in Shingnapur village it rained so heavily and incessantly that all the houses and fields were submerged by flowing water. The Shani idol came flowing along with the flood waters and got stuck in the branches of the neighboring berry tree. After the reducing of flood water when

Brij Raj Bhavan Palace in Kota, Rajasthan

Haunted Brij Raj Bhavan Palace in Kota, Rajasthan: Most Haunted Places of India


The 178-year-old Brij Raj Bhavan Palace of the former princely family of Kota in Rajasthan, which was converted into a heritage hotel in the 1980s has a resident ghost, namely that of Major Burton, who, while serving as the British Resident to Kota, was killed by Indian sepoys during the 1857 Mutiny.
The sepoys killed Major Burton and his two sons in the central hall of the building. The former maharani of Kota told British journalists in 1980 that she used to see Major Burton frequently, as the room in which he was killed, was being used as her drawing room then. An elderly man with a cane in his hand, ghost of M