Shimla
Shimla - Situated at an altitude of approx. 6500 ft above sea level,
is the capital of the North Indian State of Himachal Pradesh.
Shimla was the former official summer capital of the Government
of India right up until 1947, when India gained Independence.
Shimla was originally a small hill village named after the goddess
Shamla Devi, a manifestation of Kali. Discovered by the British in
1819, it became a popular refuge from the heat of the plains of North
India. By 1830, it has become established as a favourite hill-station.
In 1903, a railway line was laid, connecting it to the plains,
and thus making it easily accessible. Shimla's salubrious climate helps
make it a year-round destination.
Jaipur
Jaipur - Jaipur, the capital of the North Indian State of Rajasthan,
is named after its founder Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743). The city
is surrounded by hills and dotted with forts. Houses with pink latticed
windows line the streets, and look almost magical at sunset. An extremely
well planned city, Jaipur was designed by an engineer and scholar Vidyadhar
Bhattacharya, in accordance with ancient Hindu treatise on architecture,
the Shilpa Shasta (Vastu).
It was planned in a grid system with wide straight avenues,
roads, streets and lanes and uniform rows of shops on either side of the main
roads. Jaipur remains the only place where the nine sectors that sub-divide
the city symbolise the nine divisions of the universe. Jaipur is surrounded by
a wall having seven gates and was built for protection from invading armies and
wild animals that lurked just outside in the jungles that surrounded the city.
Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer - The name Jaisalmer evokes a vivid picture of sheer magic and brilliance
of the desert. Local colour and warmth prevail over the inhospitable and forbidding
terrain, imbuing the medieval town with a special magic.
One of the main attractions is the imposing 12th century Jaisalmer fort.
The beautiful havelis which were built by wealthy merchants of Jaisalmer
are yet another interesting aspect of the desert city. And, of course,
the romantic sand dunes, the best way of exploring them and the desert
around being by way of a camel safari.
Jodhpur
Jodhpur - Jodhpur, the second largest city of the state of Rajasthan,
is often called the blue city and is an oasis in the arid Thar Desert.
Representing this colourful city with shades of blue, Jodhpur has a
history that is rich and a present that beckons strongly to the
discerning tourist. Forts and palaces, temples and havelis, culture
and tradition, spices and fabrics, colour and texture, Jodhpur has
them all and in plenty.
Places worth visiting in Jodhpur include the Meharangarh Fort,
that stands guard over the city from an isolated hill, the Jaswant Thada
, an imposing white marble cenotaph, built in memory of the Maharaja,
and the Umaid Bhawan Place, which is a splendid example of Indo colonial
architecutre. The Umaid Bhawan Palace, other than still being the home of
the royal family of Jodhpur, is also a deluxe hotel, and a part of it is a
museum. Jodhpur is also a popular shopping destination, with antique furniture
being a popular buy amongst tourists.
Udaipur
Udaipur also known as the City of Lakes, is the second most frequently visited
tourist sight, in the North Indian State of Rajasthan. The marble palaces,
beautifully laid out gardens and the lakes make Udaipur seem almost like a mirage
. The City of Dawn, surrounded by the ancient Aravali Mountains and set on the edge
of three lakes, is a brilliant kaleidoscope of narrow lanes flanked by bright stalls,
gardens, lakes, palaces and temples.
Udaipur is the capital of the erstwhile kingdom of Mewar. The kingdom of Mewar,
with which many legends of bravery are associated, was considered the most respectable
of all Rajput princely states in Rajasthan. The Rulers of Mewar are still remembered for
their bravery & courage they showed for protecting their motherland from external invaders
. Udaipur's beauty and its remarkable past blossoms in the heart of the visitors for a long time.
The places worth visiting in the city of Udaipur include City Palace,
Jagdish Temple, Saheliyon ki Bari and a boat ride on Lake Pichola.
Varanasi
Varanasi -- Varanasi, considered as the holiest of Hindu cities, and an important seat of learning
in India, is in the North Indian State of Uttar Pradesh. Picturesquely situated on the crescent
shaped left bank of the holy river Ganges, Varanasi is said to be a compound of the names of
two streams, the Varuna and the Assi, which still flow in the north and south of the city respectively.
This name seems to have been corrupted, in medieval times to Banaras,
which was in use till May 24, 1956 when it was changed to Varanasi, by an order of the Government
of India. Varanasi is probably one of the most ancient living cities in India. >From time
immemorial it has been a great religious center for Hindus and one of their most sacred places
of pilgrimage, being visited by millions of people every year.
Delhi
Delhi - India's capital and major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is bustling metropolis
, which successfully combines in its fold the ancient and the modern. Its Strategic location was one
of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. It is not surprising then
that what constitutes Delhi today is a conglomerate of seven cities. Down the ages the region in and
around modern Delhi saw Lalkot built in the mid-11th century, Siri established by Allauddin Khilji,
Tughlakabad, and Ferozabad built by the Tughlaks followed by the city of the Lodis and then came
Shahjahanabad, capital of the Mughals under Shah Jahan.
New Delhi reflects the legacy the British left behind, distinction between the capitals of the British
and the Mughals respectively. But wherever the visitor goes he will invariably confront the city's past.
The throbbing present of Delhi pulls one out of reflections on a mute past. The divisions in the walled
city and New Delhi also mark the varied lifestyles. The walled city is all traditions ,where as New Delhi
in contrast, is a city living upto contemporary international standards. Delhi also serves as the major
gateway for touring the internationally known toursim destinations of Agra and Jaipur.
Some important places worth visiting in Delhi include the Humayun's Tomb, the Jantar Mantar, the Bahai
temple, the Qutab Minar, Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Raj Ghat, India Gate. Delhi is also a great shopping
destination -- be it the road side stalls of Connaught Place, or the International style swanky shopping
malls in the suburbs, shopping is a major attraction for visitors to Delhi. Modern Delhi, now boasts of
some world class restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
The places worth visiting in the city of Varanasi are the several ghats that dot the riverside, and the
hundreds of temples.
Agra
Agra - Located 220 kms from Delhi, Agra is a must visit city on any Tour of India. Home of the World
famous Taj Mahal, Agra provides avid glimpses of Mughal architecture. To be in Agra is like taking a
walk through India's Mughal period history.
Other than the Taj Mahal, Agra's attractions include the Fort, built by Emperor Akbar on the
banks of the River Yamuna, Sik andra, the mausoleum of Emperor Akbar, the Itmad-ud-Daulah, a mausoleum
built for Empress Noor Jahan's father and last but not the least and a short distance away, Fatehpur
Sikri, with its very impressive architecture and interesting stories of it having been built and then
abandoned. After Delhi, Agra is the most visited tourist city in North India.
Pushkar
Pushkar - Pushkar is a small, mellow town in the North Indian state of Rajasthan .
It is a destination of great religious importance for the Hindus said that Lord Brahma's lotus flower
fell in three separate places in the Pushkar area, and water came from the ground at each place.
They are located within a radius of six miles. Senior Pushkar, where the hotels are located, is considered
the most holy place, because the lotus fell here first. Middle Pushkar is 3 km down the road and has a small
Hanuman temple and a 200-year-old banyan tree.
New (Junior) Pushkar, 3 km further north, has a small Krishna temple. As Brahma threw the pushpa (flower)
with his kar (hand), so the place received the name Pushkar. It is a city with over 400 temples and no vehicle
traffic on the main street. It is famous for the Camel Fair, which takes place here in Oct/Nov ,
for which thousands of tourists from across the globe flock to Pushkar.
Amritsar
Amritsar - Amritsar, literally Pool of Nectar, derives its name from Amrit Sarovar,
the holy tank that surrounds the fabulous Golden Temple. First time visitors to Amritsar could be forgiven for
the impression that Amritsar is like any other small town in northern India. In one sense, it is - with bustling
markets, haphazard traffic, unyielding cattle, crowds and congestion typical of small town India. But Amritsar
stands head and shoulders above any other city, its status elevated and sanctified by the presence of the venerable
Golden Temple.
Located in the heart of Amritsar, the temple complex is surrounded by a maze of narrow lanes, or katras,
that house one of the busiest markets in India. But the Golden Temple is a serene presence, radiating a calm that
makes people bow their heads in reverence. The gurudwara, as Sikh temples are called, is the holiest of Sikh shrines
A Complete Kerala tour packages
Shimla - Situated at an altitude of approx. 6500 ft above sea level,
is the capital of the North Indian State of Himachal Pradesh.
Shimla was the former official summer capital of the Government
of India right up until 1947, when India gained Independence.
Shimla was originally a small hill village named after the goddess
Shamla Devi, a manifestation of Kali. Discovered by the British in
1819, it became a popular refuge from the heat of the plains of North
India. By 1830, it has become established as a favourite hill-station.
In 1903, a railway line was laid, connecting it to the plains,
and thus making it easily accessible. Shimla's salubrious climate helps
make it a year-round destination.
Jaipur
Jaipur - Jaipur, the capital of the North Indian State of Rajasthan,
is named after its founder Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743). The city
is surrounded by hills and dotted with forts. Houses with pink latticed
windows line the streets, and look almost magical at sunset. An extremely
well planned city, Jaipur was designed by an engineer and scholar Vidyadhar
Bhattacharya, in accordance with ancient Hindu treatise on architecture,
the Shilpa Shasta (Vastu).
It was planned in a grid system with wide straight avenues,
roads, streets and lanes and uniform rows of shops on either side of the main
roads. Jaipur remains the only place where the nine sectors that sub-divide
the city symbolise the nine divisions of the universe. Jaipur is surrounded by
a wall having seven gates and was built for protection from invading armies and
wild animals that lurked just outside in the jungles that surrounded the city.
Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer - The name Jaisalmer evokes a vivid picture of sheer magic and brilliance
of the desert. Local colour and warmth prevail over the inhospitable and forbidding
terrain, imbuing the medieval town with a special magic.
One of the main attractions is the imposing 12th century Jaisalmer fort.
The beautiful havelis which were built by wealthy merchants of Jaisalmer
are yet another interesting aspect of the desert city. And, of course,
the romantic sand dunes, the best way of exploring them and the desert
around being by way of a camel safari.
Jodhpur
Jodhpur - Jodhpur, the second largest city of the state of Rajasthan,
is often called the blue city and is an oasis in the arid Thar Desert.
Representing this colourful city with shades of blue, Jodhpur has a
history that is rich and a present that beckons strongly to the
discerning tourist. Forts and palaces, temples and havelis, culture
and tradition, spices and fabrics, colour and texture, Jodhpur has
them all and in plenty.
Places worth visiting in Jodhpur include the Meharangarh Fort,
that stands guard over the city from an isolated hill, the Jaswant Thada
, an imposing white marble cenotaph, built in memory of the Maharaja,
and the Umaid Bhawan Place, which is a splendid example of Indo colonial
architecutre. The Umaid Bhawan Palace, other than still being the home of
the royal family of Jodhpur, is also a deluxe hotel, and a part of it is a
museum. Jodhpur is also a popular shopping destination, with antique furniture
being a popular buy amongst tourists.
Udaipur
Udaipur also known as the City of Lakes, is the second most frequently visited
tourist sight, in the North Indian State of Rajasthan. The marble palaces,
beautifully laid out gardens and the lakes make Udaipur seem almost like a mirage
. The City of Dawn, surrounded by the ancient Aravali Mountains and set on the edge
of three lakes, is a brilliant kaleidoscope of narrow lanes flanked by bright stalls,
gardens, lakes, palaces and temples.
Udaipur is the capital of the erstwhile kingdom of Mewar. The kingdom of Mewar,
with which many legends of bravery are associated, was considered the most respectable
of all Rajput princely states in Rajasthan. The Rulers of Mewar are still remembered for
their bravery & courage they showed for protecting their motherland from external invaders
. Udaipur's beauty and its remarkable past blossoms in the heart of the visitors for a long time.
The places worth visiting in the city of Udaipur include City Palace,
Jagdish Temple, Saheliyon ki Bari and a boat ride on Lake Pichola.
Varanasi
Varanasi -- Varanasi, considered as the holiest of Hindu cities, and an important seat of learning
in India, is in the North Indian State of Uttar Pradesh. Picturesquely situated on the crescent
shaped left bank of the holy river Ganges, Varanasi is said to be a compound of the names of
two streams, the Varuna and the Assi, which still flow in the north and south of the city respectively.
This name seems to have been corrupted, in medieval times to Banaras,
which was in use till May 24, 1956 when it was changed to Varanasi, by an order of the Government
of India. Varanasi is probably one of the most ancient living cities in India. >From time
immemorial it has been a great religious center for Hindus and one of their most sacred places
of pilgrimage, being visited by millions of people every year.
Delhi
Delhi - India's capital and major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is bustling metropolis
, which successfully combines in its fold the ancient and the modern. Its Strategic location was one
of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. It is not surprising then
that what constitutes Delhi today is a conglomerate of seven cities. Down the ages the region in and
around modern Delhi saw Lalkot built in the mid-11th century, Siri established by Allauddin Khilji,
Tughlakabad, and Ferozabad built by the Tughlaks followed by the city of the Lodis and then came
Shahjahanabad, capital of the Mughals under Shah Jahan.
New Delhi reflects the legacy the British left behind, distinction between the capitals of the British
and the Mughals respectively. But wherever the visitor goes he will invariably confront the city's past.
The throbbing present of Delhi pulls one out of reflections on a mute past. The divisions in the walled
city and New Delhi also mark the varied lifestyles. The walled city is all traditions ,where as New Delhi
in contrast, is a city living upto contemporary international standards. Delhi also serves as the major
gateway for touring the internationally known toursim destinations of Agra and Jaipur.
Some important places worth visiting in Delhi include the Humayun's Tomb, the Jantar Mantar, the Bahai
temple, the Qutab Minar, Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Raj Ghat, India Gate. Delhi is also a great shopping
destination -- be it the road side stalls of Connaught Place, or the International style swanky shopping
malls in the suburbs, shopping is a major attraction for visitors to Delhi. Modern Delhi, now boasts of
some world class restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
The places worth visiting in the city of Varanasi are the several ghats that dot the riverside, and the
hundreds of temples.
Agra
Agra - Located 220 kms from Delhi, Agra is a must visit city on any Tour of India. Home of the World
famous Taj Mahal, Agra provides avid glimpses of Mughal architecture. To be in Agra is like taking a
walk through India's Mughal period history.
Other than the Taj Mahal, Agra's attractions include the Fort, built by Emperor Akbar on the
banks of the River Yamuna, Sik andra, the mausoleum of Emperor Akbar, the Itmad-ud-Daulah, a mausoleum
built for Empress Noor Jahan's father and last but not the least and a short distance away, Fatehpur
Sikri, with its very impressive architecture and interesting stories of it having been built and then
abandoned. After Delhi, Agra is the most visited tourist city in North India.
Pushkar
Pushkar - Pushkar is a small, mellow town in the North Indian state of Rajasthan .
It is a destination of great religious importance for the Hindus said that Lord Brahma's lotus flower
fell in three separate places in the Pushkar area, and water came from the ground at each place.
They are located within a radius of six miles. Senior Pushkar, where the hotels are located, is considered
the most holy place, because the lotus fell here first. Middle Pushkar is 3 km down the road and has a small
Hanuman temple and a 200-year-old banyan tree.
New (Junior) Pushkar, 3 km further north, has a small Krishna temple. As Brahma threw the pushpa (flower)
with his kar (hand), so the place received the name Pushkar. It is a city with over 400 temples and no vehicle
traffic on the main street. It is famous for the Camel Fair, which takes place here in Oct/Nov ,
for which thousands of tourists from across the globe flock to Pushkar.
Amritsar
Amritsar - Amritsar, literally Pool of Nectar, derives its name from Amrit Sarovar,
the holy tank that surrounds the fabulous Golden Temple. First time visitors to Amritsar could be forgiven for
the impression that Amritsar is like any other small town in northern India. In one sense, it is - with bustling
markets, haphazard traffic, unyielding cattle, crowds and congestion typical of small town India. But Amritsar
stands head and shoulders above any other city, its status elevated and sanctified by the presence of the venerable
Golden Temple.
Located in the heart of Amritsar, the temple complex is surrounded by a maze of narrow lanes, or katras,
that house one of the busiest markets in India. But the Golden Temple is a serene presence, radiating a calm that
makes people bow their heads in reverence. The gurudwara, as Sikh temples are called, is the holiest of Sikh shrines
A Complete Kerala tour packages
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