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Top 10 Places To Visit In Srinagar

Top 10 Places To Visit In Srinagar The largest city situated in Jammu and Kashmir is Srinagar, also known as India’s summer capital. The name of the city is derived from two Sanskrit works, namely “sri,” meaning sun, and “Nagar,” meaning city. It is situated on the banks of the Jhelum River in the Kashmir valley. Along with the waterfront and the stunning houseboats it has the town is renowned for its flora and fauna. No wonder it is often referred to as the Earth’s paradise.  In addition, the traditional crafts and dried fruits available in Srinagar are a special attraction as well. Srinagar is a town with a nice climate, and the best time to visit Srinagar is from April to October. During these months, the flowers of the city blossom, making the place a sanctuary for all its inhabitants, tourists and visitors. In addition, these months are when one can do different awesome activities and get new experiences from them. There are so many places to visit in Srinagar that are beautiful and can make you feel like you’re in utopia. The city is situated between trees, mountains and lakes. The city lies on the banks of the Jhelum River at an elevation of 5,200 feet, making the city’s weather so hot and cool to enjoy.

Dal Lake

Dal is a lake in Srinagar (Dal Lake is a misnomer since Dal means lake in Kashmiri), Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital. The urban lake is an integral part of Kashmir’s tourism and recreation and is called the “Jewel in the Crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”. The lake is also an important source of commercial fishing and water plant harvesting operations.

The lake’s shore line, about 15.5 kilometers (9.6 mi), is encompassed by a boulevard lined with gardens, parks, houseboats and hotels from the Mughal period. From the shoreline of Mughal gardens, such as Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh, constructed during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir, and from houseboats cruising along the lake in the colorful shikaras, scenic views of the lake can be seen. During the winter season, the temperature sometimes reaches −11 °C (12 °F), freezing the lake.

The lake covers an area of 18 square kilometres (6.9 sq mi) and is part of a natural wetland which covers 21.1 square kilometres (8.1 sq mi), including its floating gardens. During July and August, the floating gardens, known as ‘Raad’ in Kashmiri, bloom with lotus flowers. The wetland is split into four basins by causeways; Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal and Nagin (although Nagin is also considered as an independent lake). In the middle, Lokut-dal and Bod-dal each have an island known as Rup Lank (or Char Chinari) and Sona Lank, respectively. The houseboats are closely connected to Dal Lake, providing tourists in Srinagar with accommodation.

Nigeen Lake

Nigeen Lake is a slightly eutrophic lake (alteratively spelled Nageen Lake). The lake is situated in Srinagar, Jammu, India and Kashmir. Often it is considered a part of the Dal lake and is linked through a narrow strait to it. It is also linked through a channel known as Nallah Amir Khan to the Khushal Sar and Gil Sar lakes.

A large number of willow and poplar trees surround Nigeen lake. Thus it has come to be referred to as “nageena,” meaning “the ring jewel.” A local version of the same word is the word ‘nigeen’.

The lake is adjacent to the hill of Hari Parbat, to the west of Lake Dal. The town of Hazratbal, which is renowned for its famous shrine, lies to its northeast.

In Srinagar, the lake is a major tourist attraction, renowned in contrast to the Dal lake for its relatively pristine waters. Houseboats and Shikaras are just an ordinary sight. It is also good for swimming, being deeper than the Dal lake and less crowded.

Shalimar Bagh

Shalimar Bagh is a Mughal garden in Srinagar, connected to its right bank on the outskirts of Srinagar City in Jammu and Kashmir, India, via a channel to the northeast of Dal Lake. Shalimar Garden, Shalimar Bagh, Farah Baksh and Faiz Baksh are her other names, and Nishat Bagh is the other popular shoreline garden in the vicinity. The Bagh was designed in 1619 for his wife, Noor Jahan, by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. The Bagh is considered to be Mughal horticulture’s high point. It is a public park now. This time, it’s also called Srinagar’s Crown.

Situated on the right bank of the Dal, the Shalimar Bagh is dotted with old Chinar trees and exotic wild flowers. Your senses will be soothed and your nerves relaxed by the greenery, the gentle sound of flowing water, the delightful view of Dal Lake and the mountains here. The garden looks dusty and barren in the winter months and has a tired look, but even that is charming to look at. This is the best place to visit if you’re in the mood for a romantic walk or you enjoy landscape and nature photography. Scenes from many Bollywood movies have been filmed at the Shalimar Bagh, including Saat Khoon Maaf and Dil Kya Kare.

Nishant Bagh

Nishat Bagh is a terraced Mughal garden constructed near Srinagar in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, India, on the eastern side of the Dal Lake. It is the Kashmir Valley’s second largest Mughal garden. The Shalimar Bagh, which is also located on the Dal Lake shore, is the largest in size. ‘Nishat Bagh’ is Urdu, meaning “the Garden of Joy,” and the Garden of Delight.”

Nishat Bagh is a garden of paradise that commands a magnificent view of the lake underneath the snow-capped Pir Panjal mountain range that stands far to the west of the valley, situated on the bank of Dal Lake, with the Zabarwan Mountains as its backdrop. The Bagh was planned and constructed by Asif Khan, Nur Jehan’s elder brother, in 1633.

An fascinating story of Emperor Shah Jahan’s envy of beholding such a delightful garden, almost shutting down the garden for a moment, is narrated. When Shah Jahan saw this garden, he expressed great admiration of its grandeur and elegance after its completion in 1633. It is assumed that he expressed his gratitude to Asif Khan, his father-in-law, three times with the expectation that he will give it to him.  Since Asif Khan had made no such bid, Shah Jahan was piqued and ordered that the water supply to the garden be closed.

Then the garden was abandoned for some time. Asif Khan was desolate and heartbroken; the series of events was uninterested in him. Resting under the shade of a tree on one of the terraces, his servant was brave enough to turn from the Shalimar Bagh to the water supply source. He was stunned when Asif Khan heard the sound of water and the fountains in motion, and immediately ordered the closure of the water supply, as he feared the emperor’s worst reaction to this gross act of disobedience. Fortunately for the servant and Asif Khan, the defiance of his orders did not disrupt or offend Shaha Jahan, who had learned about this incident in the garden.  Instead, he appreciated the servant for his master’s faithful service and then ordered Asif Khan, his Prime Minister and father-in-law, to have full restoration rights for the supply of water to the garden. Mughal Princess Zuhra Begum, daughter of Mughal Emperor Alamgir II and granddaughter of Emperor Jahandar Shah, was buried in the cemetery.

Chashm-E-Shahi

Also known as Chashma Shahi or Chashma I Shahi, Chashme Shahi is a translation of a royal spring. Chashme Shahi is one of the Mughal gardens designed around a spring in 1632 AD by Ali Mardan Khan, who was a governor of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the Chashme Shahi gardens was a gift for his elder son Prince Dara Shikoh, according to the orders of the Emperor. Chashme Shahi is situated near Raj Bhawan, overlooking Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir, in the Zabarwan Range. Architecturally, the most beautiful garden near Srinagar is Chashme Shahi. This garden is 108 meters long and 38 meters wide and spreads over an acre of land. Among the three Mughal gardens of Srinagar, Chashme Shahi is the smallest garden, Shalimar garden is the biggest, and Nishat garden is the second largest of these three gardens. On the right bank of Dal Lake, all three of these gardens were installed, with the Zabarwan Mountains in the background. As used in various Mughal gardens, Chashme Shahi in Srinagar presents Mughal architecture. Chashme Shahi is an artistically designed garden that in its beautiful art and architecture, has Iranian influence and its design is based on Persian gardens.

Baramulla

Baramulla is a small town that is blessed with the most beautiful views because of the bucolic nature and is counted among the best places to visit in Srinagar. Wrapped on all sides by the mighty peaks of the Himalayas, the city is the paradise of any nature lover. It is home to many tourist attractions that draw the attention of tourists from all over India, such as Wular Lake and majestic stupas. Besides this, it also serves as Srinagar’s best picnic spot.

Sonmarg

Literally, the word Sonamarg translates into ‘land of gold’. Sonamarg is one of the country’s most beautiful locations and represents a stunning facet of Kashmir’s countryside. Located at an altitude of 2730 m, as its backdrop, one can see stunning snowy mountains. A sight to behold is the Sindh River that meanders through the magnificent valley. Ponies can be hired to ride up the Thajiwas Glacier. The Thajiwas glacier is situated at an altitude of 9,186 feet and is a major tourist attraction. Sonamarg is a striking silvery scene set against emerald meadows and blue sky, and is an all-time favorite place among the community of mountain photographers. Sonamarg is the base of a big trek that runs along some of the Vishansar, Kishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and Gangabal mountain lakes. It is also the foundation for the undertaking of the holy Yatra Amarnath.

Chatpal

This place is certainly a place to disconnect and get lost in the midst of mountains and lush green lawns adorned with wildflowers, situated in South Kashmir in the Shangus district. It seems like a perfect destination to get away from the insane rush of the city with only sounds from babbling brooks and birds chirping. There are few tourism resorts in J&K that are very inexpensive and easy on the wallet. With its beauty and quiet, serene atmosphere, this place has the potential to surprise you. Chatpal remains an untouched and remote place where there is no commercialization and there are some interesting nearby places to visit, as well as Aharbal Waterfall, Sonmarg, Lolab Valley, Gulmarg, Martand Temple and Kishtawar National Park.

Tulip Garden

In Kashmir, Tulip Garden is the largest tulip garden in Asia, and there is a possible hood that can also become the second largest in the world. The tulip garden is commonly known as Siraj Bagh in Srinagar and is situated on the banks of the famous Dal Lake. You can see the wide range of colors of the flowers when looking at the greenhouse, and there are over 60 varieties of early, mid and late flowering tulips.

They use the festival to promote the state as a chosen destination, the tourism authorities in the state said. “ot of Indians go to Holland just to see tulips, but now this place is near and more affordable for the domestic tourists. We feel we will get more tourists. We have come to know that about 12, 00 tourists and mostly outsiders have come here said Tanveer Jahan, a department of tourism secretary. There are approximately 60 varieties of multi-colored tulips in the garden at the foot of Zabarwan, overlooking the popular Dal Lake. The festival that also displayed the traditional art and culture of the state was an immediate success with the aliens. “You cannot find any of these products in other parts of India. I have not seen something like this,” said Peter Mathew, a Chilean tourist. The festival was also visited by a number of domestic visitors.

Dachigam National Park

In Jammu and Kashmir, Dachigam National Park is situated 22 km (kilometers) from Srinagar. It occupies a 141 sq km area (square kilometer). Literally, the name stands for ‘ten villages,’ which may be in memory of the ten villages displaced to establish the park.

To ensure the supply of clean drinking water to Srinagar city, Dachigam was initially created. Since 1910, it has been a protected area and was designated as a national park in 1981. Best known as the house of the hangul, or Kashmir stag, the park is. Dachigam is open all year round, but between April and August is the best time to visit. The nearest airport is Srinagar Airport. Kashmir Stag Habitat: Only the area where the Kashmir Stag is located.

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Top 10 Places To Visit In Indore

Top 10 Places To Visit In Indore has always fascinated its toutists with the charisma of its architectural magnificence and fascinating past as one of Madhya Pardesh (MPmost )’s famous and beautiful cities. It was the home of numerous historical monuments and religious places, founded by the great Holkar rulers of Maharashtria, who ruled the city for many years. Indore’s rich cultural heritage makes it one of the most revered MP destinations, which has a lot to give to the people who come here on holiday tours. If you visit its majestic palaces, beautifully carved temples, and ancient forts, your holidays in Indore can be exciting and wonderful.

Situated on the banks of the Khan River and Sarawati, the magnificent city of Indore is renowned for its architectural splendor in the form of temples, palaces, and forts. Indore’s Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar is said to be a huge fan of architectural designs, and she spent a lot of money on building temples and forts in and around Indore. The love and reverence for the queen culminated in the construction of her statue in the center of the city, near Rajwada, in the heart of the people of Indore. The people here still remember her great contribution to the region.

Indore Tourism offers people with diverse interests, including general visitors, history lovers, art lovers and religious people, a great experience, Those who enjoy visiting famous Indore sights such as Rajwada, Chattri Bagh, Kanch Mandir, Lalbagh Palace, Bada Ganpati, etc. As it is governed by some of the greatest rulers, who built many historical monuments and temples here to showcase their legacy, Indore city has a great cultural heritage.

Rajwada Palace, Indore

The Rajwada Palace is an iconic Indore structure which was built about two centuries ago by the Holkar Dynasty. This seven-story building, popularly known as the Holkar Palace, represents the style of Indo-Saracen architecture. There are two buildings in the palace, one of which is situated in the middle of the city, while the other is in the old part of the city.

The most impressive of the palace’s main attractions is the wooden entrance, which is decorated with iron studs. The entrance leads to the courtyard, which has an arched Ganesha hall, windows and balconies and is surrounded by gallery rooms. The lower three floors of the seven floors of this palace are constructed of stone, while the remaining four are made of wood.

The elements of Mughal, French and Maratha styles in the architecture can be seen by tourists visiting this palace. In the past, this historic palace was burned three times and was eventually turned into a garden. In 2006, H. H. Usha Devi Holkar, the Maharani of Indore, ordered the rebuilding of this palace in the same old style. Efforts were made to reincarnate the palace’s beauty. The palace is used today to stage art shows and concerts of classical music.

Lal Bagh Palace, Indore

The Lal Bagh Palace, famed as one of the greatest monuments designed by the Holkar dynasty, is an opulent multi-storey building located on the outskirts of Indore. Its key gates are said to be a copy of the gates used at Buckingham Palace in London and were shipped exclusively from England. You come across a magnificent and well laid out rose garden that surrounds the palace when you reach the gates. This palace’s interiors are very luxurious and include Italian columns of marble, imposing chandeliers, Persian carpets and impressive carvings. An awe-inspiring sight is the elegant ballroom of the palace. The palace also boasts furniture in Georgian style and contemporary paintings from India and Italy are arrested. The palace has now been turned into a museum and takes you through the pages of the Royalty’s rich past.

Central Museum, Indore

One of the most interesting buildings in the Indore area is the Central Museum, also known as the Indore Museum. It is a treat for people who are truly intrigued by the history of India and the prehistoric age of the rich civilisation that flourished here. It is situated in Indore near the General Post Office. The Museum displays Hinglajgarh’s finest collection of Parmar sculptures. Currently, Parmar’s style only emerged here. Its key characteristics include proportionate figures, careful and complex ornamentation and stone representation.

The Central Museum also boasts one of the best collections in Madhya Pradesh of medieval and pre-medieval Hindu and Jain sculpture. These sculptures have been finely carved and date back to the Paramanas from the reign of the Guptas. They were obtained from the ruins of the temples at Hinglajgarh in the 11th-12th centuries. Usually, they depict Harihara, Shiva, and Parvati sitting on Nandi, Parvati standing, and Chamunda being hurt. The most notable is a door frame, richly decorated with figures and ornamentation, among the architectural remains preserved in the museum.

The Museum has two galleries. Gallery I shows artifacts ranging from 5,000 to 4,000BC from MP’s prehistoric period. There are also Western Malwa exhibits, which include stone instruments, quartz sickles, ornaments, and domestic products. In Gallery II, all the Hindu mythological carvings were exhibited. The museum is also renowned for its collection of coins, arms and armour. You will visit the Museum between 10:00 am and 05:00 pm on all days except Monday. There is no charge for admission. For the convenience of travelers, guides are also available.

Mayank Blue Water Park, Indore

Mayank Blue Water Park, the oldest water park in Madhya Pradesh, is a renowned name among locals, particularly kids. You can take a bath in the sauna, or just relax in the water. The water park offers a plethora of choices for tourists to choose from. The place has everything that it takes to keep you entertained, from a dance floor to a gaming arena to some of the most fun trips.

Don’t miss the opportunity to get on the Slides of the Lazy River and Wave. The place organises frequent pool parties and other activities during the summer months. Therefore, make sure you stay posted about what’s going on at the water park. If you’re fortunate enough to attend a ‘smart’ pool party, you might just get a chance. After long sessions on slides and in pools to fulfill your cravings, the place also offers restaurants.

Ralamandal Wildlife Sanctuary, Indore

The Ralamandal Wildlife Sanctuary was set up in 1989. The sanctuary is distributed over an area of 5 sq.km in total. Leopard, Black Buck, Sambhar, Chital, Blue Bull, Jarak, Bhedki (Barking deer) Rabbit etc. are the fauna residing mostly in the sanctuary, while Teak, Saja, Chandan, Eucalyptus, Babul Bamboo etc. are among the common flora located here. The means of moving within the region are self-owned or hired four wheeler vehicles.

For lodging, the Forest Rest House in Indore is available. A hunting hut that was built on the hillock within the Sanctuary by the citizens of the Holker State in 1905, is now being transformed into an information center. The scenic beauty of the Sanctuary’s hilly region and valleys is spectacular and provides tourists with an awesome location.

Patalpani Waterfalls, Indore

Patalpani Waterfall, located a short trip away from the city, is a popular picnic spot and is one of the best places to visit on a trip to Indore. From a height of 300 feet it cascades down. The waterfall and its lush green surroundings present a beautiful sight during the monsoon months. The pit beneath this waterfall runs deep into the underworld, if local legends are to be believed. And that explains the Patalpani name, which translates to water in the underworld.

Kanch Mandir, Indore

As the name suggests, the Kanch Mandir is a temple entirely consisting of glass and mirrors. It is also known as the Temple of Seth Hukamchand, as it was constructed in the early 20th century by Sir Hukamchand Seth, the “Cotton King” It’s mainly a Jain temple and it’s a glass wonder. The walls, the ceiling, the floor, the columns, the doors, all here is decorated entirely with glass. For almost all the Hindu rulers in India, the Kanch Mahal has always been an object of concern.

The dazzling Sheesh Mahal in Rajasthan’s Amer Fort is an exemplary piece of art and offers a breathtaking sight. Indore’s Kanch Mahal is somewhat similar. The significant difference is that it’s a temple rather than a castle. The palace draws a lot of visitors due to its elegance. Kanch Mandir is situated near the Rajwada River. Thousands of mirrors with patterned ceramic tiles decorate the sanctuary.

Annapurna Temple, Indore

In Indore, the Annapurna Temple is not like some other temple. Aside from being one of the city’s most revered shrines, it is also one of the region’s most popular tourist attractions. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Annapurna, the goddess of rice, a place visited by thousands every year, whether it be pilgrims or visitors. The fact that it houses the Sivan, Hanuman and Kalabhairava shrines is what makes this temple even more special. The architectural grandeur and brilliance of the facade of this temple, which is decorated with four-life-size elephant statues among other intricate carvings, is one of the things that make this temple such a popular attraction among tourists.

Gandhi Hall, Indore

Mahatma Gandhi Hall Or Town Hall One of Indore’s most striking colonial structures is this iconic red-coloured building. The hall, built from Seoni stone, is an outstanding example of Indo-Gothic architecture. Its domes and steeples make it a worthy city landmark. The central hall is capable of seating about 2,000 people at a time. The hall frequently holds exhibits of books and drawings during the year. In front of the Town Hall is a prominent clock tower, referred to as Ghanta Ghar. A library, a children’s park and a temple are all located on the premises.

The Town Hall, designed in 1904, was originally called King Edward Hall and was inaugurated in 1905 by the Prince of Wales, George V. In 1948, it was renamed Mahatma Gandhi Hall.

Bada Ganpati, Indore

Bada Ganapati Temple is situated in Indore, a city for a long time ruled by the former Holkar Dynasty. Since the temple of Sri Ganesh is located there, these were the most famous and worthwhile visiting places in India. Ganesh is known as a Deity with the tusk of an elephant who is benevolent and most beautiful looking. He is one of the most revered gods in South India.

In particular, in each and every home, Lord Ganesh is worshipped so that the blessings of the Lord help the members find the way to success and they can advance without obstacles in this world as well.

Lord Ganesh is a kind-hearted Deity, but he likes to eat, according to mythology. Thus the lord is given various sweets and other preparations during the Ganesh Chaturthi, so that mankind can be blessed by him wholeheartedly.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a special form of Indian Festival when Lord Ganapati Bappa is respected with beauty and immense wealth is displayed because at that time clothes and food are provided to the poor and the destitute.

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10 Popular Places to Visit in Tirupati

10 Popular Places to Visit in Tirupati In particular, Tirupati, the spiritual hub of Andhra Pradesh, is one of India’s most dominant holy places. Located in the south of India, Tirupati, commonly known as Lower Tirupati, is a vibrant city with a range of ancient temples and forts, and also serves as a busy thoroughfare to the majestic hills of the Eastern Ghats, whose seven peaks rise above the city’s horizon. For those seeking spirituality and sanctity, Tirupati, in Andhra Pradesh, is a stopover.  This lively pilgrim spot, located at the foot of the Tirumala Hills, attracts devotees all year round. The primary attraction here is Tirupati Balaji, or the Lord Venkatesha Temple. Claimed to be one of the country’s wealthiest temples, it sees an average footfall of 60,000 every day. In order to appease the deity, devotees give their hair and various riches to the temple.

Tirupati also houses one of the world’s oldest and most unusual geological structures, a natural stone arch, although the temple is an overwhelming presence in the region. The stone arch or Sila Thoranam (garland or festoon of rocks) lying in close proximity to the temple was categorized as Precambrian and is believed to be 1,500 million years old!

Tirupati was ruled between the 14th and 15th centuries by various kingdoms, such as the Pallavas in the 9th century, Cholas in the 10th century, and Vijayanagara. Shri Ramanujacharya, a Hindu theologian and philosopher, is believed to have formulated the rituals in this temple town in the 11th century.

The Tirumala Hills, which are a group of seven hills, add to the beauty of the city: Seshadri, Vedadri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrishabadri, Narayanadri and Venkatadri. These hills tend to be in the shape of a coiled serpent when viewed from the top. It is claimed that they were once Lord Vishnu’s resting spot.

Sri Venkateswara Temple

Sri Venkateswara Temple is the temple that has put Tirupati on the world map as a unique destination for travelers, and it is among the most convincing places to see in Tirupati. Lord Sri Venkateswara, believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is dedicated to the temple. This temple is also referred to by individuals as Tirupati Temple, Tirumala Temple, Tirupati Balaji Temple, etc. It is situated at an altitude of 2799-feet above sea level on the seventh peak of the Seshachalam Hills range. It is the most famous of all the Tirupati tourist attractions.

Due to the immense amount of donations it receives every day, Sri Venkateswara Temple is considered to be one of the richest temples in the world, thronged by about 30 to 40 million people every year. The number of pilgrims is much greater on special occasions, such as on the occasion of the annual Brahmotsavam.

As there is a massive footfall in the temple on a regular basis, to coordinate the rush, the authorities have constructed 2 modern queue complexes. It provides all the pilgrims with free meals as well. There is also a structure intended for tonsuring heads, because before entering the temple, pilgrims are expected to tonsure their heads. For pilgrims, there are a variety of accommodation sites too.

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam Garden

The organization that organizes Sri Venkateswara Temple’s affairs is known as the Devasthanam Tirumala Tirupati. It also has a beautiful garden spread over a 460-acre area adjacent to the temple’s main building. A sight to see and admire is the amazing collection of more than 200 varieties of flowers of various colours and shapes blooming in the garden. There are also many tanks and ponds in the garden, which are used both as a source of water for the locals and for the temple. It is one of the most common spots to visit in Tirupati. Every day the flowers from this garden are used to ornament the deity and the temple. The garden provides other temples with flowers as well. On average, this garden supplies approximately 500 kilograms of flowers.

Talakona Waterfall

With a height of 270 feet, the Talakona Waterfall is Andhra Pradesh’s highest waterfall and one of India’s greatest scenic waterfalls. The waterfall originates 30 kilometers within the forest, and you need to trek for about 2 kilometers to experience the waterfall. When you see this beautiful waterfall in its natural ensemble, the tension of trekking will go up in thin air, however. It radiates a marvelous aura throughout the rainy season. During the rainy season, the enticing and cascading beauty engulfs much of its stony base and falls down with an ongoing chatter on the stony bed. A fun boat trip will draw the senses into the crystal clear and cold water. If you love adventure, you can also go for a walk on the canopy rope.

Deer Park

This is a natural park that TTD manages, i.e. Devasthanam of Tirumala Tirupati. The garden features much more than just deer and is one of Tirupati’s most popular tourist attractions. Deer Park boasts a wide array of fauna and flora, including deer. In the park, there are a great number and variety of deer, but the enclosures are fenced.  Within the enclosures, nobody is allowed. In all of its beauty, the deer park itself is submerged and surrounded by nature. You will appreciate not only the sight of various kinds of deer here, but also a true piece of nature in full flow. This is why one of the most famous and attractive spots to see in Tirupati is the Deer Park.

Sri Vari Museum

The Sri Vari Museum, also known as the Antiques Hall, is an interesting place to visit in Tirupati, giving you an insight into its religious and architectural past. The construction of the Museum stretches over an area of 1.25 lakh sq. Ft. In the pristine Tirumala Hills setting. It is situated close to the Govindarajaswami Temple, opposite the Vaikuntam Queue complex.

The museum is a treasure chest of Vaishnavism’s ancient rituals and the indigenous culture of Tirumala. It houses more than 6,000 items dating from ancient times to the present. The museum’s collections are held in ten parts, ranging from ancient writings and sculptures to contemporary artifacts. With gratitude, gifts, valuable antique items and offerings on display, the museum houses numerous galleries. A meditation hall is in the attic of the museum, where pilgrims can recline and meditate in a happy environment.

Sri Govindarajaswami Temple

Sri Govindarajaswami is believed to be Sri Venkateswara’s elder brother, and the Temple of Sri Govindarajaswami was built by none other than Saint Ramanujacharya, one of the greatest souls of Vaishnavism. These are the compelling details about the temple that make it one of Tirupati’s must-see locations. It is definitely one of Tirupati’s most significant temples. The most prominent attribute is the tower or the gopuram of the temple. Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita were laid out in miniature art on the walls of Gopuram. People here believe that they can eliminate all barriers from their way and earn a fortune if one visits this temple. The entry fee is INR 10, but you must pay INR 25 for a special darshan.

Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple

It is one of those temples that is not yet complete, although its construction began all the way back in the 11th century during the reign of the Chola Dynasty. Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple Even the presiding deity’s idol is not yet complete. The temple is still being built, and that is a good justification to make it one of Tirupati’s top tourist attractions.  At present, devotees can only see up to the idol’s abdomen. In a well with an everlasting spring, the idol is located. Devotees are given holy water from this spring. Other parts of the state are well connected to the temple. There are trains and buses from the APTDC that go to this temple. The temple is open for a long time, i.e. between 4:00 in the early morning and 9:30 in the evening.

Kapila Teertham

Kapila Theertham Situated 4 km away from Tirupati at a stone’s throw, Kapila Theertham is a fascinating waterfall at the base of the Seshadri Hills. A sight to witness is glistening white waters plunging down a height of 100 meters to form a pool within the Kapileshwar Temple premises. The main temple of Lord Shiva in Tirupati, where the Shiva Lingam is made of metal, is Kapeela Theertham.

You will be awestruck when you reach the sanctum of the temple to see the huge stone effigy of Nandi-Lord Shiva’s Ram. On special occasions, such as Annabhishekam, Maha Shivaratri, Vinayaga Chaturthi and Brahmotsavam, Kapila Theertham is visited by a large number of followers. Kapileswara Swamy Brahmotsavam is the most popular of these festivals, which is celebrated during the whole of February.

Chandragiri

One of the best places to visit in Tirupati is the huge fort of Chandragiri with its massive palaces, namely the Raja Mahal and Rani Mahal. Located in the Chittoor district amid lush greenery, it offers adventure enthusiasts a great trekking destination. A brilliant example of Indo-Saracenic architecture that dates back to the 11th century is the Chandragiri Fort. The distinctive feature of the fort is its construction of brick, lime mortar and stone, both of which are devoid of timber.

Chandragiri Fort entered a milestone in Indian history as the fourth and last capital of the Vijayanagara Empire under the rule of the Yadava Naidus. Such a rich heritage draws visitors to this place from different parts of the world. In the fort, you can see the ruins of the Rani and Raja Mahal, but the Shaiva and Vaishnava communities are totally destroyed by more than 800 temples. The Raja Mahal Palace is currently being used as an archaeological museum and an attraction for history buffs. 

Srinivasa Mangapuram

Srinivasa Mangapuram, also known as Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swami Temple, lies about 12 kilometers from Tirupati, an important pilgrimage site and one of the must-see tourist attractions near Tirupati. The temple is under the jurisdiction of India’s Archaeological Survey, but is preserved by TTD, i.e. Devasthanams Tirumala Tirupati. Despite being under the jurisdiction of ASI, this temple still conducts and celebrates rituals and festivals. This temple is considered to be one of Venkateswara’s most holy temples. If you can’t make it to the Temple of Sri Venkateswara, you can have Lord Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy’s darshan, and satisfy your urge to see Tirupati Balaji. The annual Brahmotsavam Festival, held in this temple, is a big festival.

While Tirupati is considered to be the home of Sri Venkateswara or Balajee, it has other tourist attractions as well. There is no argument that Tirupati’s main attraction is the Sri Venkateswara Temple on the hills of Tirumala. Yet, once you’ve had the Deity Darshan, there’s plenty of space to expand your horizon of places to see in Tirupati. Not the only tourist attractions of this holy town are monuments of religious importance. Tirupati will not disappoint you when you visit as a tourist. It provides an assortment of natural niches, historical landmarks, archaeological relics, adventure sports and beautiful gardens.

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Top 10 Tourist Places To Visit Ujjain

 Top 10 Tourist Places To Visit Ujjain  is one of those divine lands where you not only experience peace, but also fall into the divinity that calms your soul from within.

A big attraction here is the Jyotirlinga Mahakaleshwar. It is one of the 12 jyotirlingams, where the daily practice that you must attend is Bhasma Aarti. Make sure to follow the dress code to attend the aarti, if you want to go inside the sanctum and participate in Abhishek.

Harsiddhi temple, Kal Bhairav temple, Shri Chintaman Ganesh are other attractions, to name a few. A special practice can be observed at Kal Bhairav temple. Kal Bhairav is dedicated to the temple and the devotees give liquor as Prashad to the deity.

Mahakaleshwar Temple: The Main Temple

Among the twelve celebrated Jyotirlingas in India, Shri Mahakaleshwar of Ujjayini is recognized. In multiple Purans, the glory of Mahakaleshwar temple has been vividly mentioned. Many Sanskrit poets have praised this temple in emotive terms, beginning with Kalidasa. Ujjain used to be the focal point of Indian time measurement, and Mahakala was known as Ujjain’s distinctive presiding deity. The presiding god of time, Shiva, reigns eternally in Ujjain in all his splendor. With its beauty, the temple of Mahakaleshwar, its shikhara soaring into the heavens, an imposing façade against the skyline, evokes primordial awe and reverence. The Mahakal, even in the midst of the busy routine of contemporary concerns, dominates the life of the city and its people and provides an unbreakable link with past traditions.

The lingam at the Mahakal is believed to be swayambhu (born of itself), one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, deriving power currents (Shakti) from within itself as against the other images and lingams that are ritually formed and invested with mantra-shakti. It is recognized that the idol of Mahakaleshwar is dakshinamurti, facing the South. This is a unique aspect, preserved by the tantric tradition that is present among the 12 jyotirlingas only in Mahakaleshwar. In the sanctum above the Mahakal temple, the idol of Omkareshwar Shiva is consecrated. In the western, northern and east of the sanctum sanctorum, the images of Ganesh, Parvati and Karttikeya are installed. The picture of Nandi lies to the south. The Nagchandreshwar idol on the third floor is only open for darshan on the day of Nagpanchami. A major fair is conducted near the temple on the day of Mahashivaratri, and worship continues through the night.

Kal Bhairav Temple: A Tantrik Cult

Ujjain Temple Kal Bhairav is a must-visit temple known for its special tradition of offering liquor to God. The history of this Ujjain temple is very interesting and the Pagdi (Crown) that the Lord wears is King of Shinde or Gwalior’s Schindia.

Kal Bhairav Temple is said to have been founded on the banks of the Shipra River by King Bhadrasen. This ancient temple is dedicated to the Chief of the Eight Bhairavs, Kal Bhairav. The worship of Kal Bhairav, primarily in the Kapalika and Aghora sects, is part of the Shaivite tradition. The Kal Bhairav Temple’s striking feature is its exquisite Malwa-style paintings, of which only traces are visible.

The manifestation of Lord Shiva, which is said to oversee the time ahead, is Lord Kal Bhairav. It is often said that “Time lost is lost forever” so that time in life should be made good use of. The Temple of Kal Bhairav is the location where Lord Kal Bhairav is revered. To the devotees of the Shaivaites, this is a must see.

Ved Shala, Ujjain: Time For Ancient Texts

In the holy metropolis of New Ujjain, Vedh Shala is situated. Is it an observatory constructed with Maharaja Jai’s help? In 1725, consisting of thirteen architectural astronomy gadgets, Singh II. The observatory is one of the five observatories built with the help of Maharaja Jai. Singh II when he was Ujjain’s governor. In order to measure nearby time, surrounding altitude and also to measure the declination of the Sun, stars and planets and to determine eclipses, Vedh Shala was constructed.

In addition, the use of various special instruments was documented for the movement, speed and properties of stars and planets. Jai Singh II was also an astronomer and had a strong interest in astronomy and scientific know-how. He sent his scholars to several countries in the early 18th century to look at the layout, development and age of the observatories, and also the prevailing era. With their observations and plenty of manuals on astronomy, the scholars returned. In Jaipur, Mathura, New Delhi and Ujjain, and in Varanasi, Jai Singh II subsequently built five observatories between 1724 and 1737.

Chintaman Ganesh Temple: The Self-Born Idol

Chintaman Ganesh Temple, situated near the Shipra River on the Fatehabad railway line, is one of the oldest temples in Ujjain, housing a massive idol of Lord Ganesh, one of India’s most revered gods. The greatest idol here is believed to have been born by itself; thus it is of tremendous religious significance. Devotees throng to this temple because the deity here is generally referred to as Chintaharan Ganesh, which means ‘the promise of liberation from worldly anxieties.’

Ram Ghat: Religious Dips

Among the most popular places to see in Ujjain, Ram Ghat is situated adjacent to the Harsiddhi Temple. It is believed that this is the place where, when he was here with his consort Sita and brother Laxman, Lord Ram used to take a bath, and as such, this ghat is one of the most frequented religious sites in Ujjain. The Ghat is one of the four venues that host the friendly Kumbh Mela that takes place every 12 years. Devotees take a dip in the water here on a regular day and perform their everyday rituals, which are thought to wash away all your misery and help achieve salvation. Apart from its religious significance, the ghat is also a good place for a leisurely walk especially in the early morning and at dusk.

Gopal Mandir: The Popular Krishna Temple

In the center of the wide market square is Gopal Mandir, Ujjain. The temple is dedicated to Krishna, the blue deity. The divine herdsman and lover of the milkmaids is Krishna. It is not very difficult to reach the temple, as Ujjain is well connected by bus to Indore, Bhopal, Manali and Kota, and well connected by train to Delhi, Bhopal, Jhansi, Agra, Indore, Jabalpur and Bilaspur. Kaal Bhairav, Mahakal Temple, Triveni (Nav Graha/ Shani), ISKCON Temple, Mangalnaath, Harsidhi (Durga Temple), Chintaman Ganesh, Gadh Kalika and Sandipani Ashram are the other must-visit places in the city, apart from the Gopal Mandir.

Gopal Mandir, Ujjain is a marble-spired building that is an outstanding example of architecture in Maratha. In India, the Gopal Mandir in Ujjain has a two-foot-high statue of Lord Krishna. Moulded in silver, the statue is set with silver-plated doors on a marble-inlaid altar. These doors were taken by Mahmud of Ghazni from the famous Somnath Temple in Gujarat and brought to Ghazni in Afghanistan in 1026 A.D. Mahmud Shah Abdali, the Afghan invader, later took the gates to Lahore and Mahadji Scindia eventually recovered them from there. The Scindia ruler installed them in Gopal Temple after recovering the gates, putting a stop to the long voyage of the doors.

A marble-towered structure and a typical example of Maratha architecture is The Gopal Mandir, Ujjain. Inside the sanctuary of Madhya Pradesh’s Gopal Mandir, there is a two-foot-high statue of Lord Krishna draped in silver on a marble-inlaid altar flanked by silver-plated portals. The door in the inner sanctum is the same door that was carried away from the temple of Somnath by Ghazni. The door was recovered by Mahadji Scindia and now it has been installed in this temple.

Mangalnath Temple: Birth Place Of Mangal Graha

A little away from the city of Ujjain, the Shri Mangalnath Temple is located and can be reached by a meandering road crossing the vast expanse of the holy Shipra River. Mangalnath is the birthplace of the red world, Mars, also referred to as Mangal, according to the holy Matsya Purana. The place was renowned for providing a perfect view of the earth over the past few years and was strongly favoured for astronomical studies. In Ujjain, the mystical temple is a highly revered shrine and is devoted to Lord Shiva.

Gadkalika Temple: Temple Of Goddess Kalika

In Ujjain, the Gadkalika Temple holds exceptional spiritual significance, especially among students. It is an absolute divine experience to take into account the immaculately sculpted idol of Goddess Kalika, including attending the morning and night aarti soul cleansing. Located about miles away from the town of Ujjain, the idol is supposed to have been worshipped by way of Kalidasa inside the temple of Gadkalika.

It is said that Kalidasa was an uneducated man or woman and it became because of his devotion to Goddess Kalika that he won her advantages and got unparalleled literary skills in addition. In the 7th century AD, Emperor Harshavardhan renovated this temple. The temple seems to have been restored again during the duration of the Paramara. The temple was reconstructed by using the Gwalior State, however, off past due.

Ram Janardhan Mandir: Dedicate To Lord Rama

The Temple of Shree Ram Janardan in Ankpat Kshetra was built in the 17th century. It has Shree Ram and Janardan temples (Vishnu). As many of the images installed therein belong to the tenth and twelfth centuries, the site appears to have been an ancient temple site. This location should be placed for the duration of the Parmaras. Later, during the 18th century, the Marathas built a boundary wall around it and a Kund. Such fortifications have also served as protection against attacks in and around the temples.

Shree Ram Janardan temple was built in the Seventeenth Century by Mirza Raja Jaisingh, presently in an eye-catching look. Exceptional structural beauty. Some of the structures in the temples were added in the eighteenth century by the Maratha Kings. The imposing images on the temples’ walls add to the temples’ charm.

Some amazing sculptures that date back to the 11th and 12th centuries are also housed in these fabulous shrines. Krishna, Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh are very striking for their architectural grandeur and sculptural excellence in the image of Govardhandhari. These awe-inspiring shrines are certainly worthy enough to draw the attention not only of the devotee, but also of a casual tourist.

Gomti Kund: A Blend Of Holy Waters

Gomti Kund has a quiet environment on the outskirts of Ujjain city, and is therefore a suitable place to spend a few peaceful moments. It is a tank of holy water or a steep pond near the famous Ashram of Sandipani. According to the legend, at this tank, Lord Krishna consolidated waters from all the sacred rivers to assist his guru, Guru Sandipani, to perform his rituals.

This kund retains among Hindus a religious significance, which is evident from the fact that every year thousands of devotees flock to witness the divinity of this holy site. It is believed that the water of this pond is holy and so, devotees fill their water bottles here and take home the water. On your visit to the Sandipani Ashram, you have to visit this place.

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10 Best Hill Stations in Tamil Nadu

10 Best Hill Stations in Tamil Nadu, India’s southern-most province, is literally translated as The Land of Tamils.’ Tamil Nadu also shares its frontier with the Union Territory of Pondicherry, encompassed by Andhra Pradesh in the north, Karnataka in the north-west, Kerela in the west and the Bay of Bengal in the east. Tamil Nadu also shares a coastal border towards the south with Sri Lanka.

The hill stations of Tamil Nadu are all one of a kind, offering a great weekend getaway. Indeed, Ooty is the most popular destination of all travelers, a wonderful place to visit. Places like Yercaud, Kotagiri, Kolli Hills, Javadi Hills and Kolukkumalai will always welcome you if you are looking for a trip on the weekends.

The hill stations here are so diverse, be it with family or just with friends, that you will be delighted with their offerings. This state has a lot to fulfill the desires of all kinds of visitors, from mesmerising peaks to the serene environment, from lush gardens to the breathtaking views of Nilgiri Hills.

Tamil Nadu’s hill stations are renowned for their elegance combined with ancient architecture. You will find a glimpse of European style architecture while in Kotagiri, and when you are in Yercaud, you will be fascinated by its many spiritual structures. Overall, the green and lush gardens are the one thing popular amongst these hill stations.

1. Ooty

Those things that characterize Ooty are the lush green forests, the steep valleys and the walking clouds. Ooty, also known as the Queen of Hill Station, is Tamil Nadu’s most well-known and most visited hill-town. Ooty is a great getaway from the monotonous everyday activities with the pine and Eucalyptus fragrances in the air and chill in the wind. Located in the Western Ghats at an elevation of 2240 meters, Ooty is blessed with magnificent viewpoints. Ooty Lake, St. Stephen’s Church, Toda Huts, Stone House, Ooty Mountain Railway and Botanicals and the Goernment Rose Gardens are the main places of interest in Ooty. The place has the charisma to excite you with the elegance that it celebrates.

Best Places to see in Ooty & nearby

  • Rose Garden
  • Doddabetta Peak
  • Pykara Lake
  • Botanical Garden
  • Madumalai National Park
  • Ooty Lake
  • Tea Museum
  • Deer Park
  • Avalanche Lake

Best Time to Visit Ooty

You can visit Ooty throughout the year, but it’s best to visit during the months of October to February. Days are sunny and night temperatures can drop to 5 degree Celsius.
Summer months of March to June are also good, as daytime temperatures are not too high. June till September is the rainy season, when fresh monsoon breeze brings calmness to the weather.

Best Hotels/Resorts in Ooty

Ooty brings many tourists year round, and there are many hotels and resorts in and around Ooty, which offer comfortable stay, tasty food, besides a number of other amenities.

Some of the best hotels in Ooty are:

  • Mount ‘n’ Mist
  • Hotel Lakeview
  • Delightz Inn
  • Sterling Ooty Fern Hill
  • La Flora Amberley Resort

How to Reach Ooty

Nearest train station is Metupalaiyam Railway Station, 46 km away. Nearest airport is Coimbatore Airport, which is 91 km away from Ooty.

2. Kodaikanal

Further up the Palani Hills in the state of Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal is situated. As the winding zigzag roads carry travelers up to the picturesque hilly destination of Kodaikanal, the invigorating scent of pine trees instantly strokes them.
For Kodaikanal, there are plenty of explanations for the name ‘Gift of the Forest.’ Kodaikanal emits affable repose, immersed by foggy mountains and seemingly limitless woodland expansion and orchids.
It also includes a multitude of points that need to be seen. The serene Kodaikanal Pool, the well-maintained Chettiar Park, the special Coaker’s Walk, the must-visit Bryant Park, the mysterious Guna Caves, the colossal Pillar Cliffs, the Sheep Farm, the picturesque Dolphin’s Nose, the idyllic Bejiram Lake, the cascading waterfalls and the ancient Kukkal Cave.

Best Places to see in Kodaikanal & nearby

  • Kodai Lake
  • Pillar Rocks
  • Coaker’s Walk
  • Berijam Lake
  • Bryant Park
  • Silver Cascade Falls
  • Dolphins Nose
  • Kodaikanal Pine Forest
  • Kukkal Caves
  • Bear Shola Falls

Best Time to visit Kodaikanal

Winters, from October to February is the best time to visit Kodaikanal. March to June is also best to tour Kodaikanal, as summer temperatures rarely go beyond 30 degree Celsius. You can go in the monsoons too, but rainfall will not let you go outdoors to view tourist places.

Best Hotels/Resorts in Kodaikanal

Being a top tourist destination of Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal has both budget and luxury hotels and resorts, and a few best ones are mentioned below:

  • Sterling Kodai Lake
  • Villa Retreat
  • The Carlton
  • Kodai Resort
  • Le Poshe by Sparsa

How to Reach Kodaikanal

Nearest airport is Madurai Airport, which is 120 km away, and nearest railway station is Kodai Road, 100 km away from Kodaikanal.

3. Yercaud

Yercaud is a hill station situated in the Eastern Ghats’ Shevaroy Hills. Literally, Yercaud translates from its local language as The Lake Forest.’ Yercaud is known for its thick forests of sandalwood, teak and silver oak that can be encountered in their natural forms. In order to maintain the natural flora and fauna of the area intact, a portion of the forest is limited and left undisturbed by the government. In recent years, the hill station has become popular among tourists as it is a fast getaway from the hustle and bustle of the nearby subways. Yercaud is also known for its coffee, guava, black pepper, cardamom and citrus fruit plantations, including orangesHuge Lake or The Emerald Lake, Arthur’s seat, The Lady’s seat, Gent’s Seat and Children’s Seat, Orchidarium, Horticulture Farms, Silk Farms and Rose Gardens, and Pagoda Point or Pyramid Point are the places of interest in Yercaud. For the locals, Shevarayan Temple is also a popular religious spot.
With a rich geographical landscape, Tamil Nadu is blessed and houses some of India’s most beautiful hill stations. Tamil Nadu has the luxury of welcoming its tourists all year long to gulp the serenity of the lush green forests it flaunts, having a tropical climate all year round.

Best Places to see in Yercaud & nearby

  • Bear’s Cave
  • Emerald Lake
  • Deer Park
  • Pagoda Point
  • Killiyur Falls
  • Anna Park
  • Botanical Farm
  • Lady’s Seat
  • Shevaroy Temple
  • Tipperary View Point
  • Silk Farm

Best Time to Visit Yercaud

You will get pleasant weather during October to June in Yercaud. December, January might be a bit cold, and you will have to take light woollens with you. Summers are also good for going to Yercaud.
Best hotels/resorts in Yercaud

You will find the best budget hotels and luxury resorts in Yercaud. Some of the top names are:

  • Happy Nest
  • Grand Palace Hotel and Spa Yercaud
  • Sterling Yercaud
  • The Brook Resorts & Spa
  • Cliff Resort

How to Reach Yercaud

Nearest airport to Yercaud is Salem Airport, 38 km from Yercaud. Salem Railway Station is the closest railway station to Yercaud.

4. Coonoor

Coonoor is located right below Ooty on the western edge of Tamil Nadu, and people usually combine with Ooty as their only way to the Queen of Hills. With the nearest airport being 79 kilometres away, Coonoor is very open. With the population being lower, Coonoor provides a very quiet and relaxing atmosphere that may not be provided by popular Hill Stations Coonoor has some nice viewpoints, such as Dolphin’s Nose Viewpoint, Lamb’s Rock, from where you can enjoy the wonderful views of Nilgiri’s beautiful Hills.

Best Places to see in Coonoor & nearby

  • Sim’s Park
  • Dolphin’s Nose
  • Lamb’s Rock
  • Wellington
  • Droog Fort
  • Highfield Tea Estate
  • Catherine Falls
  • Law’s Falls
  • Rallia Dam
  • Lady Canning’s Seat

Best Time to Visit Coonoor

Winter season between October to March is the best season to visit Coonoor. July to September is also a perfect time to see the greenery of the hills. Summer is also best for sightseeing in and around Coonoor.

Best Hotels/Resorts in Coonoor

Best hotels in Coonoor are available for budget travellers and for luxury seekers. They offer the best amenities to tourists, and some top names are:

  • Sunvalley Homestay
  • Teanest
  • Bella Vista Stay
  • Neemrana’s – Wallwood Garden
  • Gateway Coonoor

How to Reach Coonoor

Closest airport to Coonoor is Coimbatore Airport, 45 km away. Mettupalayam and Coimbatore Junction are the closest railway stations to Coonoor.

5. Yelagiri Hills

Yelagiri is a cluster of 14 hamlets situated between four mountains with an altitude of 3500 ft, spread over an area of 30 sq km. In agriculture, horticulture, forestry, etc the tribal people who live here are involved. Surrounding these hills are orchards, rose gardens and lush valleys.

Athanavur, which has a winding path through the hills with scattered villages, is the main city of the Yelagiri Hills. The whole of Yelagiri was once the private property of the Zamindar family of Yelagiri. During the early 1950s, it was taken over by the government of India. In Reddiyur, there is still a house for the Yelagiri Zamindars.

Yelagiri is also one of the most popular locations for trekkers. Swamimalai Hill, standing tall at 4,338 ft with stunning views, is the highest point in Yelagiri. A good number of trekking trails through dense reserved forests are provided by the hill. There are other choices for trekking, including smaller peaks such as the Javadi Hills and Palamathi Hills. The Lake of Punganur is a manmade lake and one of the region’s famous attractions. Another sport that attracts tourists is paragliding. The other attractions in Yelagiri are the Velavan Temple, Jalagamparai Waterfalls and the Nature Park.

Best Places to see in Yelagiri & nearby

  • Panganur Lake
  • Jalagamparai Falls
  • Nature Park
  • Velavan Temple
  • Nilavoor Lake
  • Amirthi Zoological Waterfalls
  • Government Herbal Park

Best Time to Visit Yelegiri

November to February is the best time to go to Yelagiri.

Best Hotels/Resorts in Yelagiri

You will get to stay in good quality hotels and resorts in Yelagiri, such as:

  • Hotel Landmark
  • Sterling Yelagiri
  • AGS Holiday Resorts, Yelagiri
  • Cloud9 Resort by Rai Hospitality & Resorts
  • Kumararraja Palace Yelagiri

How to Reach Yelagiri

Bengaluru Airport, 191 km away, is the nearest airport to Yelagiri, and Jolarpettai Railway Station is the closest railway station, 19 km away.

6. Meghamalai

Meghamalai is a small but tempting destination, popularly known as high wave mountains, nestled in the laps of Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu. This quaint hill station, situated at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level, is the ideal place to unwind and drink in the splendor of nature. Be prepared to be greeted by the scintillating fragrance of pepper, cardamom, and cinnamon as you make your way into this place.

Once here with a sip of fresh herbal tea, you can invigorate your senses, discover the diverse wildlife in its forests or appreciate the surreal beauty of nature at Meghamalai Falls. The hilly town also includes about six dams from which you can enjoy the entire region’s aerial views. Some other must-see attractions in the city include Mangla Devi Temple, Maharaja Mettu Stage, and Murugan temple.

Best Places to see in Meghamalai & nearby

  • Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Meghamalai Falls
  • Vellamalai
  • Maharajamettu View Point
  • Dams (Thoovanam Dam, Thekkady Dam, Manalar Dam, Iravangalar Dam, Vanniar Dam)
  • Tea, Coffee, Cardamom, Cinnamon Estates

Best Time to Visit Meghamalai

Winter season (October to February) is the best time to visit Meghamalai. Climate is cool and sunny days make it perfect for sightseeing.

Best Hotels/Resorts in Meghamalai

Most hotels are situated at Thekkady in Kerala. The best of them are:

  • Forest Canopy
  • The Elephant Court
  • Wood Note Thekkady
  • Cardamom County
  • Spice Village

How to Reach Meghamalai

Madurai is the nearest airport and railway station, 118 km away from Meghamalai.

7. Valparai

Valparai is a beautiful hill station and a municipality in the Tamilnadu district of Coimbatore. Originally known as Poonachimalai, it is one of South India’s least explored hill stations and among Tamil Nadu’s top tourist places to visit.

Valparai, located at an altitude of 3500 feet, is a little piece of heaven tucked away in the cradle of the Western Ghats in the Anamalai mountain range. Evergreen deciduous forests lined with lakes, waterfalls, mountain peaks, and lush verdant valleys surround the pollution-free hill station. The Anamalai Hill Ranges, home to large varieties of flora and fauna, are renowned for their pristine climate. During the monsoons, Valparai gets among the highest rainfall in the country (around June).

Valparai is renowned for its numerous plantations of coffee and tea that are surrounded by dense forest. In 1846, Mr. Ramaswamy Mudaliyar started cultivating coffee in his farm, according to the previous records. The Karnatic Coffee Company subsequently started their coffee plantation here in 1864, but they were unable to make it profitable, so they sold part of their property. In CE 1890, W. A large portion of land in Valparai was purchased by Wintil and Nordan from the Madras State Government under the British Raj. The region was deforested and tea and coffee estates were developed by Wintil. Carwer Marsh, an accomplished planter, helped him. Carwer Marsh later came to be regarded as the Founder of Annamalais due to his devotion and hard work. The statue of Carwer Marsh can be seen at Kavarkal Estate

Best Places to see in Valparai & nearby

  • Sholayar Dam
  • Aaliyar Dam
  • Monkey Falls
  • Loam’s View Point
  • Grass Hills
  • Nirar Dam
  • Tiger Valley
  • Athirapally Falls

Best Time to Visit Valparai

December and January are best to tour Valparai. September to March overall is best time to visit Valparai.

Best Hotels/Resorts in Valparai

You will find many hotels, resorts, private bungalows, home stays, cottages to stay in Valparai. Some of the best are:

  • Petra Family Guest House
  • Hotel Saravana Grand
  • Stanmore Bungalow
  • Briar Tea Bungalows – Valparai
  • Hotel Holiday Break

How to Reach Valparai

Coimbatore (220 km) is the nearest airport to Valparai, and Pollachi is the nearest railway station, 64 km away from Valparai.

8. Kotagiri (Near Ooty)

Kotagiri is famous in the Nilgiris as the most beautiful hill station. This is one of the most visited locations in Tamil Nadu, surrounded by lush tea plantations, emerald-green meadows, and rugged nature trails. Kotagiri’s greatest draw is its beautiful weather, the slow pace of life, and the amazing countryside that attracts travelers who want to take a break from the chaotic life of the city.

In Tamil Nadu, just a stone’s throw from Kotagiri, one of the most popular places to visit is Elk Falls. The beauty and attractiveness of the fall are intensified by the surrounding lush forests and a nearby old European house that gives the place an old-world charm. For nature lovers who want to lose themselves in nature’s rustic wilderness, the forests of Longwood Shola are a must-visit.

This tropical rainforest of 115 hectares is home to over 80 species of exotic birds, plants and trees. Another attraction revered by the local Irulas tribe is situated minutes away. Rangasamy Hill has a shrine on its summit dedicated to Lord Rangasamy. The top of the hill provides spectacular views of the surrounding trees, hills and valleys and is a perfect overlook to see a lovely sunset.

Exploring its authentic, natural beauty on foot is one of the best things to do in Kotagiri. There are many great hiking trails here with the Kotagiri-Kodanad trail being the most common. Kotagiri also helps you to witness a stunning sunset at its different view points. Dolphin’s Nose is one of the best places to do which also lets you enjoy views of the surrounding ravines and waterfalls.

Best Places to see in Kotagiri & nearby

  • Catherine Falls
  • Kodanad Viewpoint
  • Elk Falls
  • Longwood Shola Forest
  • Rangaswamy Peak & Pillars
  • John Sullivan Memorial

Best Time to Visit Kotagiri

Just before summer starts, and in the winter months from November to December, is the best time to visit Kotagiri.

Best Hotels/Resorts in Kotagiri

Some of the hotels and resorts in Kotagiri are:

  • Teanest Nightingale
  • Nahar Retreat & Spa
  • Hanging Huts
  • La Maison
  • Twin Tree Kotagiri

How to Reach Kotagiri

Coimbatore is the closest airport to Kotagiri and Coonoor is the nearest railway station to Kotagiri.

9. Manjolai Hills (Near Tirunelveli)

Manjolai Hills The Manjolai region is set deep in the Western Ghats with elevations ranging from 1,020-1,500 meters (3,350-4,920 ft). The Manjolai area is one of the best tourist places in Tamil Nadu, comprising many tea plantations and small settlements around it, situated on top of the Manimuthar Dam and the Manimuthar waterfalls. Upper Kodaiyar Dam and a windy viewpoint called Kuthiravetti are also accessible.

Best Places to see in Manjolai Hills & nearby

  • Upper Kodaiyar Dam
  • Kuthiravetti viewpoint
  • Dasan Pool
  • Kuttiyar Dam
  • Kakkachi Lake
  • Manimuthar Tea Estate
  • Kuthiravetti
  • Nalumukku
  • Manjolai Tea Estate
  • Banatheertham Falls
  • Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

Best Time to Visit Manjolai Hills

November to March is the best time to visit Manjolai Hills

Best Hotels/Resorts in Manjolai Hills

Though Manjolai Hills does not have hotels or restaurants, you will find guest houses by Tamil Nadu State Tourism. Tirunelveli is a major city nearby which has many hotels to stay.

  • Singampatty Zamin Palace Guest House
  • Baskar Lodge
  • Hotel Appletree
  • Thamirabarani Lodge
  • Hotel Gowri Sankar

How to Reach Manjolai Hills

Turicorin Airport, Thiruvananthapuram Airport are close to Manjolai Hills. Nearest railway station is Tirunelveli Junction Railway Station, 63 km away.

10. Kolli Hills (Near Tiruchirappalli)

Kolli Hills, in the state of Tamil Nadu, is located very close to the important industrial town of Salem. The distance to Kolli Hills from Salem is just 52km. The beauty of this hill station is increasingly being unveiled day by day to travel enthusiasts and nature lovers.

The place is lovely and invigorating, a holiday resort that is also renowned for its nearby highway that goes through 72 meanderings. In this hill station, lovely weather conditions and marginal discovery offer ample activities to do in the open air. It is an extra pleasure to arrive at Kolli Hills to linger on the lap of nature in addition to Agaya Gangai Waterfalls.

Best Places to See in Kolli Hills & nearby

  • Arapaleeswarar Temple
  • Ettukai Amman Temple
  • Agasagangai waterfalls
  • Botanical Garden
  • Siddha Caves
  • Rock Pillar Viewpoint
  • Vasalurpatty Boat House
  • Tampcol Medicinal Farm

Best Time to Visit Kolli Hills

Kolli Hills is a hill station that enjoys pleasant weather all-round the year. However, February to December is best to visit Kolli Hills.

Best Hotels/Resorts in Kolli Hills

  • Silverline Retreat Hotel
  • Nallathambi Resort
  • Hotel Green Ridge
  • Ulo Rejoice Villa Resorts
  • Nala Hotels

How to Reach Kolli Hils

Trichy is the nearest airport, which is 133 km from Kolli Hills. Salem is the nearest railway station to Kolli Hills. It’s 90 km from Kolli Hills.

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Places To Visit In India in February

Places To Visit In India in February 2021 is the month of the magical blossoming of a barren winter into a splendid spring. To celebrate the good weather, people are beginning to look for the best places to visit in India in February. February, because of ‘Valentine’s Day is celebrated as the month of love. So, surprise your loved ones by taking them to February 2021, where you can feel the love in the breeze, to the best places to fly in India.

As the wedding season in India is from November to February, many newlyweds are searching for the best places to visit for a honeymoon in India in February. Not only does February help to cherish passion, but it also brings fun with a sudden burst of the different colors of nature everywhere. This is the best time to relax on the beaches of India for a day or visit the amazing wildlife sanctuaries throughout the world. Some of the best places to fly in February to see the heritage and cultural legacy of India are Delhi, Agra and Jaipur (Golden Triangle).

You can opt to visit South India with your friends and family for some warm spots to travel in February to enjoy the scenery, waterfalls and overall culture. The islands of Andaman and Lakshadweep are the best places to go on holiday in February, with their sandy beaches and opportunities for adventure sports.

Goa: The Party Capital Of India

Goa is one of the best places to visit in India for foreigners and people alike, on the map of International Tourist Destinations. Goa becomes highly desirable in its tourist season, i.e. the winter time, with its beautiful beaches that come alive with shacks, bonfires and parties, old Portuguese architecture, line of churches and flea markets.The temperature in this Union Territory in February is somewhere between 20 °- 32 ° C and the place is painted as the Goa Carnival or pre Mardi Gras Festival kickstarts in vibrant colors. This is an excellent moment to see Goa’s intrinsic culture come to life.

Mumbai: The City That Never Sleeps

In every way, Mumbai is a mega-city powered by power, riches, glamour and fame that attracts individuals to shape their dreams and aspirations. But it is also a town with deep historical links, stunning British architecture, museums, beaches, places of worship, and above all, a true galaxy of stars where Bollywood reigns supreme.

It is said that every train coming to Mumbai brings on it hundreds of individuals from all over India who are not only drawn to ‘experience’ the hypnotic attractions of the region, but also want to make it their home. Mumbai’s experiments with wealth and fame, however have been recent, a city of diverse cultures and a melting pot of trade, manufacturing, entertainment, business and politics. To begin with, it wasn’t a cosmopolitan centre of finance. Its history has seen many power changes, and the seven islands have regularly changed hands.

Earlier, the seven islands which came to constitute Mumbai were home to fishing colony communities. For centuries before being ceded to the Portuguese and subsequently to the British East India Company, the islands were under the rule of successive indigenous empires. Bombay was reshaped by the Hornby Vellard Project during the mid-18th century, which undertook the reclamation of the area from the sea between the seven islands. The reclamation scheme, completed in 1845, turned Bombay into a major seaport on the Arabian Sea, along with the development of major roads and railways.
Economic and educational growth characterized Bombay in the 19th century. It became a solid foundation for the Indian independence movement during the early 20th century. The city was incorporated into Bombay State after India’s independence in 1947. In 1960, a new state of Maharashtra was established with Bombay as the capital, following the Samyukta Maharashtra movement. In 1996, the city was renamed Mumbai. And the city has changed into a city in this brief time of growth the commercial and entertainment capital of India.

Agra: Historic City Crowned By The Taj Mahal

The marble monuments of Agra are of paramount beauty throughout the year. The time for the Taj Mahotsav festival, however is February. This cultural festival is going to bring more colours to your holiday. Thus in February it is more beautiful to visit. In addition, February has clear skies, which allows you from perspectives to get a panoramic view of the monuments. What could be more romantic than celebrating Valentine’s Day at a monument that for many centuries has been a symbol of love?

Udaipur: The City Of Lakes

February in Udaipur is the most romantic time when, without the pressure of scorching sun, you can actually explore the attractions of Udaipur. The rich heritage and culture, warm sand dunes and incredible hospitality of Rajasthan state of India can be unveiled by tourists visiting Udaipur in February. Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar and the authentic Rajasthani cuisine are some of the major places of interest that one can explore while on the Udaipur tour.

Varanasi: One of India’s Oldest Cities

Varanasi, also known as Banaras and Kashi, is one of the world’s oldest and most permanently populated towns. It is the holiest of all Hindu cities, regarded as the city of Lord Shiva, the Hindu god of creation and destruction. It is commonly believed that anyone who dies or is cremated here will achieve moksha, or the person will be eternally free from the birth and death cycle. Hence the Mukti Sthala is also named (place of liberation).

In fact, it is said that a dip in the River Ganges cleanses all sins. The sight of pilgrims taking a holy dip in the river at sunrise and sunset provides a mesmerising experience for many tourists. Aarti is performed on the main ghat of Varanasi every evening.

The rites and rituals performed alongside the many ghats, which are used for everything from bathing to aarti to burning bodies of the dead, are the most fascinating feature of this mystical region. Apart from these, you will find individuals practicing yoga, getting massages and playing cricket games along the edge of the water.

Gulmarg: A Meadow Like None Other

Gulmarg has also been a popular destination for the shooting of various Bollywood films, renowned for its scenic beauty. Gulmarg is one of the top honeymoon destinations, boasting of being a beautiful city like Manali and Shimla without the crowd. As the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering is located here, Gulmarg has also been established as an adventure centre. IISM offers many courses in trekking, mountaineering, hiking, etc. at great prices here. If you are planning on doing a course, though, Booking your course well in advance is advisable. In Gulmarg, there are several other private tour operators that provide similar courses and facilities for skiing, snowboarding and trekking. The cable car here is one of the main attractions here as well and is the world’s 2nd highest cable car.

Kutch, Gujarat : A Grand Festival In The Salt Dessert

Kutch is situated in the state of Gujarat in western India. This region is renowned for its arts, crafts and natural heritage, making it a significant destination for visitors. The main city of this area is Bhju, amongst the many attractions of Kutch. The town of Bhuj is well-connected to the rest of the country by road, rail and air.

Kutch was a princely state before India’s independence and its ministrative and commercial capital was Bhuj.

Jaisalmer: The Golden City!

Jaisalmer is where the journey needs to be. The Wood Fossil Park, or Aakal, is approximately 15 kilometers from the city. Here, geologic tragedies that happened 180 million years ago in the Thar Desert can be discovered and tracked. The town of Jaisalmer also serves as a guard on the frontier of western Rajasthan (and India). This ‘Golden City is situated near the border with Pakistan and close to the Thar Desert. Jaisalmer Fort is the most prominent landmark in the area., often referred to as Sonar Qila (Golden Fort). Jaisalmer Fort is not just a tourist attraction, unlike most other forts in India. It houses shops, hotels and ancient havelis (homes) where people continue to live for generations.
Jaisalmer traces the 12th century to its beginning. History tells us that Rawal Jaisal, Deoraj’s eldest heir, had crossed over to the throne of Lodurva, and was proclaimed king by a younger half-brother. When he came across Sage Eesul, Rawal Jaisal went looking for a new location to build his capital. The sage told him of the prophecy of Krishna, stating that a descendant of his Yaduvanshi clan would find a new kingdom in the same region. It was in 1156 that Jaisal Rawal was constructed a mud fort, named it Jaisalmer after himself and declared it his capital.

Ranthambore, : Spot The Tiger!

Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve was once a private game reserve of the Royal House of Jaipur and is one of the best known wilderness areas in the world. Located 14 kilometers from Sawai Madhopur and at the junction of some of the Aravallis and Vindyas, the geologically oldest mountain ranges, Ranthambore provides some of the finest opportunities for wild viewing of the magnificent tiger. A combination of crags and rolling hills, and meadows, This dry-deciduous forest system of lakes and rivulets is home to an amazing array of flora and fauna. In addition to the tiger, at Ranthambore you can also spot a sloth bear, leopard, caracal, jackal, mouse, hyena and mongoose.

The enigmatic Indian wolf, too has occasionally been seen here. In the midst of a setting of dhok, fig and banyan trees, the delicate chital, sambhar deer, blue bull antelope or nilgai, rhesus macaque, langur and an amazing variety of birds make a visitFor both visitors and naturalists, this park is a delight. The scream of the serpent eagle, the alarm call of spotted deer are some sights and sounds that make this a safari experience like no other. Basking crocodiles, king vulture on a snag, The landscape is dominated by the fortress of Ranthambore in the 10th century, while the valleys have numerous cenotaphs, ruins and deserted settlements overcome by nature – a testimony to the wars and romances of an age long gone.Ranthambore is open from October to June and is accessible from Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur by rail and from Jaipur and Delhi by road. Sawai Madhopur has a selection of accommodation to fit any budget, and travelers can remain in the sunshine and calm of the forests for a few days to soak up. It is advisable to make reservations in advance, considering the park’s popularity among visitors from all over the world.

Khajuraho: For A Heritage Tour

Several Hindu and Jain temples are known for housing Khajuraho. Khajuraho, a popular UNESCO world heritage site, will literally amaze you with its unique temple carvings, symmetrically lined with the finest sandstone carvings and erotic sculptures. A number of visitors from all over the world flock to this place to invent the everlasting stone-etched saga of Hindu art and culture.

Chandela Rajputs, who ruled this part of India during the 10th to 12th centuries, was previously the cultural capital of Khajuraho. Established over a period of 200 years (950-1050 AD), during that period there were about 85 temples, which decreased to 22, and now it is maintained by the State Government. Khajuraho is a popular tourist destination spread over an area of approximately 20 sq. km in the northeast part of the state, divided into three parts, including western, eastern and southern temples.

The temple is a perfect example of Indo-Aryan architecture as the sculptures highlights several facets of Indian life thousand years ago. Lovely stone friezes of gods, goddesses, heroes and kings, concubines, and many more would hail you as you journey to Khajuraho. The erotic sculptures of this place portraying Kama Sutra are completely unique in the world. Above all, it reflects a unique architectural talent which depicts royalty, courtship, marriage, spiritual teachings, meditation, kinship and intimate scenes of human emotions and relationships. You may also enjoy watching the folk dances, light and sound shows, organized in the temple premises and other art centers. So, be it the erotic carvings or the evening shows, you’re adhered to be stunned by the grandeur of Khajuraho temples.

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Top 10 Places To Visit In Shimla

Top 10 Places To Visit In Shimla The sparkling capital of the alluring state of Himachal Pradesh (HP) is Shimla . It is also the largest town in the northern Indian state, a district bordered by the nearby Mandi & Kullu hill stations. One has plenty of places to explore, such as the temple of Jakhoo, the Ridge, some of which are common Indian film locations, such as Mall Lane.

Because Shimla, especially Hill Station, is one of the top tourist destinations. It has all the facilities needed for a fun and comfortable stay by visitors, including transportation services such as airlines (Chandigarh is the nearest), hotels, taxis and taxis, amusement parks, snow sports activities.

There’s no lack of breathtaking sights once in Shimla that will make you an ardent admirer of this famous Hill Station. The stunning views, enormous peaks and lush greenery set the stage for a vibrant stay are the reasons that thousands of tourists visit each month. Mall Lane, Ridge, Kufri, Jakhoo Temple… and the list is endless. Some of the popular places you can visit in Shimla.

The Ridge of Shimla

The Ridge is situated in Himachal Pradesh, in the heart of Shimla district. It is considered one of the big destinations for visitors. A stunning scenic view of the valley is provided by The Ridge Shimla. It is a wide open space linked to the Western Scandal Point and the Eastern Lakkar Bazar. Tourists can shop for different types of wood-based handicrafts. This place is renowned for festivals, fairs, and celebrations of culture. At The Ridge, in Himachali dress, tourists will enjoy horse riding, ice cream, and photography. Tourists here want to click on videos. The Ridge Shimla has numerous government buildings, such as restaurants and bars for the HP Tourist Info Centre, Municipal Office, and Himachal Tourism.

The Ridge Shimla gives the couples a romantic confluence of nature, elegance, and romance. During the evening hours, one can enjoy the enchanting views. The Ridge is located in Shimla, a short distance from Mall Lane. It houses a reservoir with a capacity to store 100,000 gallons of water for the city’s lifeline, in addition to being a cultural hub. The Ridge’s water tanks supply water throughout the area. This water tank was built with lime mortar in the 1880s.

The Ridge Shimla fairs are also held. At The Ridge site itself, major occasions are held in Shimla region. The most popular festival at The Ridge is the Festival of Summer. This festival has many big events, such as folk dancing, food festivals, flower shows, ice skating festivals, and the Himachali Film Festival. For naturally-formed Ice Skating Rinks, Shimla is the only location in Asia. In December, the ice skating competition begins and lasts until February.

Kufri

Kufri is a small hill station in India’s Shimla district of the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated on National Highway No.22, 20 km from the state capital, Shimla. In the local language, the name Kufri is derived from the word kufr, meaning lake.

It is the point of departure for the Fagu, Shimla, Manali and Rewalsar treks. Together with Chail and Shimla, Kufri forms the famous Himachal Pradesh Golden Triangle. In February, the annual winter sports festival is held here which is a major draw for visitors.

Kufri Fun World fits the bill if you are into rides and adventures. It is an amusement park that offers children a variety of exciting rides. This park also features the highest go-kart tract in the country, which also obviously includes adults. If you are travelling with children to Kufri, make sure you do not miss this park. Definitely, it will be the best part of your journey. A canteen is located inside a park to provide visitors with snacks.

Green Valley

One of the most visited tourist places is the Green Valley in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. During the year, the Green Valley in Shimla draws many tourists. On the way to Kufri, Green Valley is essentially located ( the place near Shimla ). A must-visit spot for all lovers of mountains and nature. It’s an adorable place and for its elegance there’s no comparison in real terms. In addition, while Green Valley is not that wide and is still under-developed for tourism, it still manages to have a beautiful market for tourists and some beautiful small huts. In Green Valley, the weather is very unpredictable as it can turn around in minutes, so try bringing some woollens even if you intend to visit Green Valley.

Jakhoo Hill

Jakhu Hill is famous for the Temple of Jakhu, devoted to Lord Hanuman. If you peer over the treeline near the Church of Christ, you will find the top of the god’s 33-m-high statue looking at you. Legend has it that Lord Hanuman stopped here to rest on his way to Lord Lakshmana to find the sanjeevani root. Since it is located a long distance from the city and its hustle and bustle, the temple retains its old-world charm. One can take a short cable car ride that goes to the very top of the mountain to enter the temple. The other alternative is the steep, but scenic, hike that goes up and begins next to the church on the beautiful mountainside.

The occupation of the surrounding areas by hundreds of monkeys is another phenomenon that draws tourists. Such animals are considered to feel at home around the temple and are notorious for snatching away items such as parasaad bags, hats and sunglasses.

Chail

Did you ever wonder how exciting it would be to set up camps in a snow-laden town? Chail must be your place to be if you want to experience the same thing. In Shimla, it is a hilly slope that was built to help individuals escape the scorching summer sun. And with time, it turned out to be one of Shimla’s most popular tourist destinations. The place is actually a resort that offers its guests a convenient introduction to the beautiful deodar forests that remain scattered across the hilly area. The place also boasts fir and pine forests, along with the deodar, for visitors to discover and adore.

Himalayan Bird Park

The Himalayan Aviary is usually called the Himalayan Bird Park. As a popular Indian aviary, with an area at an altitude of 2000 m, this nature park is visited by many tourists to the site as well as locals. There are various varieties of vegetation and timber in the park and the whole area can be very peaceful and relaxing for all kinds of visitors. In order to research the aggregation of pheasants, peacocks, peafowl and so on, tourists primarily come here. The Himalayan Monals situated on this aviary are the main attraction for visitors to the site. The Himalayan Monal is Himachal Pradesh’s Kingdom Hen.

The Himalayan Bird Park is located very next to the Vice Regal Lodge, which is another critical heritage building of Shimla. As it is situated nearly within the city centre, tourists can access it very easily. If traffic travels from the side of the Railway Station, then they should take the Chaura Maidan Road that goes into the Summer Hills direction. The Himalayan Bird Park is open to traffic from March 1st to September 30th in the summer months. The park’s time is from 10 AM to 5 PM. The best time of the day to go to the park is in the morning and afternoon. Two-three hours are set for the total time required to visit the park. A full park with snow is included during the winters.

Christ Church

The Church of Christ is one of the oldest churches in North India and was founded in 1857 by the British to serve the area’s large Anglican British population. It is a prime attraction in Shimla because of the majestic appearance of the church and its breathtaking location. There are stained glass windows in the church that represent faith, hope, charity, courage, patience, and humanity. In India, it is one of the long-lasting legacies of British rule and also the most famous landmark of Shimla. The church building is built in the Neo-Gothic style of architecture, and in this glorious structure, anyone visiting Shimla can spend some time.

Annadale

Among British citizens, who used to enjoy many exciting entertainment sports such as cycling, golfing and horse riding during their reign, this historical masterpiece was a favourite. Annandale is a flat ground that has now been built to host various sports such as golf, cricket and polo as a Shimla playground, and is located just 3.5 kilometres from the famous Ridge. The area falls under the control of the Indian Army at an altitude of around 1,864 metres. Covered with magnificent deodar trees and oak trees, it provides one of the best views of the city and the surrounding area.

Kali Bari Temple

A prominent tourist destination is the famous Kalibari Temple of Shimla, dedicated to Goddess Kali, who is also known as Shyamala. This magnificent temple was built in the year 1845 and Shimla derives its name from the name of the Goddess Shyamala. In Shimla, this religious spot is very popular and people who come here make it a point to visit the temple on Jakhu Hill. It is set among Shimla’s lush green forests and offers a spectacular view of the Himalayas, which is why tourists love to explore this beautiful hilltop.

Mall Road

One of Shimla‘s most popular tourist attractions is the Mall Route, which encompasses many hotels, restaurants, clubs, bars, banks, stores, offices, post offices, and tourist offices. People will slowly stroll up and down the Mall road and admire nature’s scenic views while sipping their favourite coffee. Many people gather on Mall Road at the Ridge and Scandal Point to meet and talk to friends, see the views of the Himalayan range, and do some shopping. The Mall Road is linked to the Scandal Point Ridge, where a statue of Lala Lajpat Rai, the nationalist leader, was erected.

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Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Complete Guide

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Complete Guide is highly respected for being Lord Shiva’s abode. Mount Kailash is a 21,778-foot-tall peak. People flock to the place every year to see its beauty and grandeur. Mount Kailash is located in the southwestern corner of Tibet, amid the mighty Himalayan ranges, and is considered one of the world’s highest points. Besides all this, it is also the source of Asia’s four mighty rivers, including the Brahmaputra, the Ganges, the Indus and the Sutlej. Above all, the spiritual value that it carries is what makes the place so visited. People belonging to various religions are sure to pay a visit to this magnificent centre of pilgrimage.

What makes visiting a place worthwhile? Indeed the trip! By unleashing their secret selves, one is likely to encounter a life-changing experience on this journey. What this trip provides more than anything else is self-introspection. Kailash Sacred Walks is a programme organised by Isha Sacred Walks that gives pilgrims the opportunity on their journey to Kailash Mansarovar to rediscover and change themselves.

About Mount Kailash

Mount Kailash is not only a huge mountain located in the Great Himalayas, it is much bigger than that (standing tall at around 22,000 feet). It is an incarnation of spirituality, faith, belief, hope and love for believers living in different parts of the world. Within the Tibetan Plateau is Mount Kailash, the holiest of the holy mountains. The Tibetan Plateau is the highest in the world, and the “roof of the world” is correctly claimed to be.

Holy Mount Kailash is considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva, according to Hindu scriptures, where he resides with his consort, Goddess Parvati. It is said that Lord Shiva is always on the top of the mountain and conducts various practises such as yoga practise, meditation, etc. It is thought to be an unbelievable personification of a position of harmony and authority. Some also say it is “Heaven on Earth” and declare it to be. It is the most revered mountain in the world, and for four separate religions, namely Hinduism, Budhism, Jainism and Tibetan Bon Tons, it is considered to be of immense spiritual significance.

The Tibetan Buddhists consider the mountain to be Kang Rimpoche, or The Precious One of the Glacial Snow,’ and believe it to be Demchog or Chakrasamvara’s residence. The Jains name the mountain Astapada, and their belief is that this is the place where liberation was achieved by the first of the twenty-four Tirthankaras, Rishaba. Ever since eternity, Mount Kailash of Holy Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has been profoundly rooted in the myths of Ancient Asia as a sacred spot. Several theories consider it to be the nucleus and birthplace of the whole world. Pilgrims believe they will achieve Nirvana by making it through the pilgrimage and possessing a spiritual vision of the Abode, and all their sins will be washed away. The immense power and harmony this place holds inside will be felt by everyone who visits the place and indulges in the pilgrim trek. It is assumed that enlightenment would be reached by anyone who comes here.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Routes from India

Two routes from India are available for this Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. At present, however, one can only go along the direction chosen by the two jointly agreed governments.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2021 from Lipulek Pass, Uttarakhand

For young people and devotees interested in trekking, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by road from Lipulek Pass is suggested. The Yatra will be carried out in 18 batches, each containing 60 pilgrims. For preparatory work, each batch must complete the Yatra in 24 days, including 3 days in Delhi. You are going to cover significant sites such as Patal Bhuvaneshwar, Narayan Ashram, etc. The pilgrim is spellbinded by the beauty of Chialekh Valley, or the ‘Om Parvat,’ which has the natural occurrence of snow on this mountain in the form of ‘Om.’

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2021 from Nathu La, Sikkim

It is better suited for senior citizens who want to stop trekking to go to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by road from Nathu La. As it is readily motorable, the path is an easier one. The Yatra from this route lasts for another 21 days, including 3 days for preparatory work in Delhi. For the route this year, 10 batches of 50 pilgrims each are planned. The vast landscape of the Tibetan plateau is hypnotised by the scenic places like Hangu lake en route.

Pilgrims can only choose one of the routes or both, depending on their preferences, and are free to choose. Via computerised drawing of lots, they will be allocated a route and a batch. If you can’t make it into the draw, however there is a third route as well.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2021 from Nepal

In addition to the two routes listed above, pilgrims can go from Nepal to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Through this direction, the yatra can be completed by two means, which are described below.

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by helicopter from Kathmandu

The path to salvation, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, can also be pursued by this means. From Kathmandu, Nepal, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra by Helicopter offers a wonderful experience of picturesque sights, difficult treks and spiritual bliss. A flight brings pilgrims to Nepalgunj and then to Simikot from Kathmandu. The 11 days of Yatra covered incredible destinations with stunning views. Choosing Kailash Mansarovar Yatra from Kathmandu by helicopter provides enough time to explore the beautiful destination. To satisfy the deity, you may also perform your rituals to your heart’s content.

Major Attractions of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

Look, anyone who has chosen to go to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will certainly realise that Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are the key destinations of their entire journey. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, however, doesn’t just include Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar Lake. In addition to Lake Mansarovar and Mt. Kailash, pilgrims can also visit other major attractions during the long trip, such as Gauri Kund, which is also known as the Lake of Compassion, Next, Yam Dwar, which is the starting point from where the circumambulation starts, is the fascinating site of Tirthapuri where pilgrims can bathe in spring pools. And not just these, but there are plenty of places that can be equally fascinating for visitors alike, particularly for first-timers who have never seen Tibet’s mysterious lands on the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

Best time of the year to go for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

As Kailash Mansarovar Yatra’s journey goes north to the Tibetan plateau, one must realise that the weather conditions can get very harsh, so it is a necessity for the pilgrims to choose the right time to go to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Now to answer your question about the best time of the year to go to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Generally, someone who has been there can tell you that the best time to visit Kailash Mansarovar is usually between mid-May and mid-October. The weather conditions are common enough during these specific months to allow you to experience the amazing scenery of the Tibetan landscape. The weather is extremely stable and visibility is at its peak, so you can schedule your Kailash Mansarovar Yatra at the best time of the year. But bear in mind that temperatures can also vary greatly, and during the night it can get very cold.

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Top 10 Places to Visit in Leh Ladakh

Top 10 Places to Visit in Leh Ladakh In the world, there are very few places as lovely as Ladakh and its capital, Leh. Travelers from around the world have been drawn by its mountainous scenery, deep blue lakes and scenic road trips. There are plenty of attractions to take in from magnificent monasteries and elegant palaces to charming villages and high mountain passes, alluring elegance aside. Would you like to know which of these great destinations should be on your bucket list? Check out our cherry picked list of Ladakh’s top 10 places to visit.

Leh, in Jammu and Kashmir, is the main city in the Ladakh region, one of the coldest deserts in the world, a surreal landscape surrounded by the sky-piercing peaks of the snow-capped Himalayan, Zanskar and Karakoram ranges, and adorned with the sparkling waters of the Shyok, Zanskar and Indus rivers. The city of Leh, situated at an altitude of over 11,000 ft above sea level, is a sanctuary for adventure sports. For sports such as trekking, river rafting, hiking, mountain climbing and biking, its rugged terrain and gushing rivers give ripe opportunities. The town is enveloped in a blanket of snow as the winter months approach, making it a heavenly setting for winter sports. The popular Chadar Trek begins 66 km from the village of Chilling, and mostly covers the frozen region of the Zanskar River. Trekkers walk on unstable ice formations during the adventure, linger in caves packed with stalactites and stalagmites, and experience other snowy landscapes.

Three majestic high-altitude lakes, Tso Moriri, Tso Kar, and Pangong Tso, which look like sapphires embedded in the soil, surround Leh. The Magnetic Hill on the outskirts of the city is a natural marvel that leaves visitors in awe. As it continues to drag vehicles upwards, it is said to defy gravity. Leh is a prominent centre of Buddhism and is dotted with many significant monasteries. Tourists will set out on a monastery trail and see the region’s ancient cultures come alive in various paintings adorning the walls while indulging in meditation and other spiritual and therapeutic activities.

Leh was the former capital of Ladakh’s kingdom and boasts a legacy that reflects its rich past. The city enjoys a smattering of heritage sites that remain tall to this day with the 17th-century Leh Palace at its heart, which is a great example of mediaeval Tibetan architecture. Checking into a homestay where the host would leave no stone unturned in immersing guests in Ladakhi culture is one of the best ways to experience the culture of Leh. Another great way to “taste” the area is through its fresh produce: apricots, apples, and other fruits and vegetables found in its orchards and markets.

Pangong Tso Lake – An Awesome Camping Site

You never know what surprise nature has in store for you at Pangong Lake in Ladakh. Pangong Lake is the highest saltwater lake in the country, located at an altitude of almost 4,350 m. The water, which seems to be painted blue, stands in stark contrast to the surrounding arid mountains. One-third of Pangong Lake, stretching to almost 160 km, lies in India and the other two-thirds in China.

Pangong Lake, one of Leh Ladakh’s most prominent lakes, derives its name from the Tibetan word “Pangong Tso,” meaning high grassland lake.” You could spend hours here in reflection, and you don’t have enough of its beauty yet. It is also known that Pangong Lake switches colours, appearing at various times in blue, green and red. If you have planned to make a trip to Ladakh in the near future, don’t forget to visit Lake Pangong. It is difficult to explain in words the beauty that awaits you there. Inside yourself, it has to be seen, felt and consumed.

Thiksey Monastery – A Beautiful Monastery

Thiksey Monastery is a monument from the 15th century that belongs to the Tibetan Buddhist Gelug sect. In Lhasa, Tibet, it looks very similar to the Potala Palace and is situated in the Indus Valley at an altitude of 11,800 feet. The village of Thiksey lies just 19 kilometres from Leh. The 12-storey complex is the largest gompa in central Ladakh, home to many ancient paintings, sculptures, and swords on Tibetan walls.

It was founded during the campaign to spread Buddhism in remote areas of Tibet by Je Tsong Khapa, the founder of the Gelug School. He asked his disciples, Jangsem Sherab Zangpo, to use a drop of Tsong Khapa’s blood and bone powder to make a statue of Amitayus, meaning heavenly Buddha, and present it to the king, who at the time resided in the Nubra Valley. The Ladakh King loved the gesture and joined Tsong Khapa and his followers in their campaign.

Khardung-la Pass – Gateway To Valleys

Khardung La Pass, or Lower Castle Pass, is the highest motor pass in the world and the gateway to Ladakh’s Shyok and Nubra Valley. Khardung la Pass, one of the most picturesque places in Leh, is located 39 km north of Leh by road and is 18,380 ft above sea level. The road from Leh to Khardung La is asphalted until the South Pullu check post for about 24 km, but from there the road consists of gravel (Loose Rock) and dirt track until the North Pullu check point (15 km and snow melt rivulets. Khardung la pass connects the valleys of Leh and Nubra and also acts as a gateway to the famous glacier of Siachen.

Khardung La pass provides stunning views of the valley and the mountain-winding paths. Khardung La has become a renowned tourist attraction because of the clean weather, scenic views and the feeling of being on top of the world. The visit to Khardung La top includes an internal line permit for Indians and a protected area permit for foreigners. A steady climb over a winding road provided a panoramic view of the town of Leh below and the Stok Kangri peak in the distance. As one climbs up, an isolated gompa on a little hill given an enchanting image. The weather is extremely unpredictable and can change incredibly rapidly, leaving you stranded for hours or even days, so when preparing to visit Khardung La, you need to be prepared. The feeling is no less than winning the universe once you are there.

Nubra Valley – Get Arabian Nights Experience

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Ladakh is the Nubra Valley. The site is situated on the Ladakh district’s north-eastern side. Its headquarters are in Diskit Village. The Nubra Valley is situated 120 kilometres away from Ladakh. The valley is the point where two rivers, the Shyok (Indus Tributary) and the Nubra (also known as the Siachen River), converge. The valley separates the Karakoram Mountain Ranges from the Ladakh Range.

The valley, located in the lap of the Himalayas, provides visitors with breathtaking visual beauty. There are numerous tourist attractions in the Nubra Valley. The village of Diskit, which is the region’s headquarters, has a monastery that is the oldest and largest in the region. In the Diskit Monastery, there is a Maitreya Buddha statue which is 106 feet in height. As it has a camel safari showcasing the famed Double Hump Bactrian Camel, Hundar is also a popular destination for tourists.The panoramic area has many hot water springs in the valley and is a popular tourist attraction. At the entrance to the village lies the holy Yarab Tso Pool.

Tso Moriri Lake – A Twin Natural Paradise

Tso Moriri Lake is a brackish lake fed from the mountains by springs and snow-melt. It is located on the Changthang plateau of the Union Territory of Ladakh, at an altitude of 4,530m. Also known as Lake Moriri or Mountain Lake, the lake is the largest high-altitude lake entirely within India’s boundaries. At its height, it is 26 kilometres long and 5 kilometres wide. The lake is part of the Ramsar Wetland Sites and is also recognised as the Tso Moriri Wetland Protection Reserve.

Geographically, Tso Moriri is situated in one of India’s most remote areas, inhabited by Ladakh’s Changpa nomads. The rugged terrain and dirt roads do not make a very comfortable ride for tourists. Depending on your driving skills, you can drive at an average speed of just 40 km/h or even less.

Hemis National Park – Where Endangered Species Live

Some of the most exotic and rare species of flora and fauna are endemic to Hemis National Park. It was established in 1981 and is named after the Monastery of the Hemis, founded by Lama Tagstang in 1630. The sanctuary’s most sought after animal species are Snow Leopards, Shapu, Wild Sheeps, Ibex and Goats. Its natural habitat is home to over 17 species of mammals and 70 birds. Its range of flora, including Anemone, Veronica, Delphinum, Gentiana, Lloydia and Kobresia, is mainly alpine vegetation. Great Grey Shrike, Red Mantled Rose Finch, Black Throated Thrush, Robin Acceptor, Spotted Flycatcher, Himalayan Whistling Thrush, White Rumped Shama, etc. An abode of birds Ladakh Urial, Tibetan Argali, Bharal, Tibetan Wild Ass, Dholes and so on are some of the most endangered animal species that live here. Jeep safaris are the perfect way to see this place and the best time to visit is from May to October.

Diskit Monastery – A Famous Attraction

Diskit is the administrative centre of the valley of Nubra and is renowned for its ancient monasteries. This monastery, which dates back to the 14th century, is considered the largest and oldest monastery in the Nubra Valley. Also known as Diskit Gompa, the most prominent attraction of the monastery is the massive statue of Maitreya Buddha atop it, inaugurated by H H H Dalai Lama. One can get a beautiful panoramic view of the Nubra valley from the base of the statue. The monastery was founded in the 14th century by Changzen Tserab Zangpo and is situated on a hill above the plains of the River Shayok. For its extensive array of murals and display of frescoes, one should also visit the monastery. In December, in particular, he visited the monastery to attend the Dosmoche festival held here.

Shanti Stupa – Find Some Peace

Shanti Stupa is located at an altitude of 4267 metres overlooking Leh City, offering a panoramic view of the snow-capped mountains surrounding it. Located at a distance of about 5 km drive from the city of Leh or by climbing 500 stairs, one can reach here. Shanti Stupa’s position is such that it is visible from all over Leh city.

It is constructed as a two-level structure, A flight of stairs leads to the first level where a Dharmchakra (as in the white strip of the Indian national flag) with two deer on each side features a central image of Lord Buddha sitting on a platform turning the Dharmchakra wheel, the second level depicting Buddha’s birth, defeating devils in meditation and Buddha’s death, along with several small images of Buddha meditating, a second level depicting Buddha’s birth, defeating devils in meditation and Buddha’s death,

A white dome Stupa (Chorten) constructed on a Changspa, a steep hill, opposite the Leh Palace, different in Ladhakhi style architecture, gives a spectacular view at sunrise and sunset, illuminated in the white light, it looks more stunning at night. It was designed by the Ladakh and Japanese Buddhists, voluntary work was offered by Ladakhis, construction began in 1983, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama inaugurated it in August 1991. It was constructed to foster peace and prosperity in the world and to commemorate the 2500 years of Buddhism.

In Chanspa, Leh district, Ladakh, in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, Shanti Stupa is situated on a hilltop. Shanti Stupa is known as the White-domed Buddhist stupa. The Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura designed it in 1991. At its foundation, the Shanti Stupa houses Buddha’s relics, enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lama himself. The Shanti stupa gives a stunning and panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. This has become a primary factor, apart from its religious significance, for Shanti Stupa to become a popular tourist attraction.

Namgyal Tsemo Gompa – Explore Distinct Mystique

In the 15th century, 1430AD, Namgyal Tsemo Monastery was founded. It was built by King Tashi Namgyal and that is why the monastery was called Namgyal Tsemo Gompa. The Buddhist devotee was King Tashi Namgyal. Situated on the top of the hill, it is famous for its three-storey high solid gold idol of Maitrieya Buddha. Due to the flow of the Indus river, views of the surrounding area, cold blowing air and the snowcapped peaks of the Zanskar range, the climate around namgyal tsemo gompa leh seems very attractive. It contains a rich collection of ancient manuscripts and wall paintings. Gompa contains an assembly hall with some sculptures of Buddhas, temples with frescoes, paintings on the infrastructure of the Namgyal Tsemo monastery.

Situated on the top of the hill, it is famous for its three-storey high solid gold idol of Maitrieya Buddha. Due to the flow of the Indus river, views of the surrounding area, cold blowing air and the snowcapped peaks of the Zanskar range, the climate around namgyal tsemo gompa leh seems very attractive. It contains a rich collection of ancient manuscripts and wall paintings. Gompa contains an assembly hall with some sculptures of Buddhas, temples with frescoes, paintings on the infrastructure of the Namgyal Tsemo monastery.

Namgyal monastery is also famous for its one-storey high statues of Manjushri.and Avalokitesvara. One of the gompas known as Shankar gompa is located along the hilly areas that is affiliated with the monastery of Namgyal tsemo. Namgyal Tsemo palace, which is nine storeys high, is one of the most attraction palaces. For the magnificent and surrounding view that can be seen from the Namgyal Tsemo palace, one can really imagine. As there is no heavy snowfall at this time, the best time to visit the Namgyal Monastery is between June and September. Except these months, it is very difficult for tourists to come and visit the monasteries.

Zanskar Valley – The Desolate Himalayan Place

The Zanskar Valley is a semi-arid region situated at an altitude of 13,154 ft, nestled on the northern flank of the Great Himalayas. The stunning snow-capped mountains here the beautiful weather, the sparkling body of water in Zanskar and the lush landscape draw tourists to this location. The valley is 105 km from Leh and is a hotspot for adventure sports such as hiking, paragliding, water rafting, and more. You can also choose popular trekking options here such as Lamayuru to Darcha, Lamayuru, Padum trek, etc. Tourists are crowded with centuries-old monasteries like Zongla, Zongkhul, Strongdey and one can even camp at the scenic Penzila pass that separates Zanskar from the Suru valley. The temperature will drop to a ferocious -30 degrees Celsius during the winter. Only between the months of June and September can one travel to Zanskar, otherwise all the roads to the valley are heavily covered in snow, thus blocking entry.

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Top 10 Tourist Attractions to Visit in Agra

Top 10 Tourist Attractions to Visit in Agra As the City of the Taj, Agra was immortalised. It doesn’t take long for the roving eye, however to discover that Agra has more than just the fabled Taj Mahal. The city is a virtual portal to the discovery world… A freeze-frame from a sparkling period that has long since passed by. The area of Agra is defined as ‘Agraban’ (an integral part of Braj Bhumi or Lord Krishna’s land) in the great epic ‘Mahabharat‘. The root of Agra in 1475 A.D., the reign of Raja Badal Singh, is outlined in the latter part of Indian history.

During the rule of the Afghan King, Sikandar Lodhi, who had made it the capital of his kingdom, Agra came to the fore. The Mughal Emperor Babar later took on the challenge of making Agra, a distinctive character and beauty of his own, in 1526 A.D. Emperor Babar, the visionary that he was and great patron of the arts, brought about a shift in the culture and style of life among the people of Agra, which then brought forth some of the finest craftsmen, musicians, statesmen, warriors and nobility that had ever witnessed this part of India, the golden age of the history of Agra, so began to set in. The next few hundred years of Agra saw the rise of the pomp and pageantry of the three great Mughal monarchs, Emperor Akbar, Jahangir and ShahJahan, all of whom lavished their love and wealth enormously on this fabled city to turn the land into one of the great art, music, learning and trade centres.

Most of the remarkable past life of the city is a witness to the majesty of the buildings, the beautiful arts and crafts and not to forget, the attraction of excellent cuisine…. Both of them, loved as invaluable legacies of a nostalgic past. Most of its glorious past has been impressively preserved by the older city of Agra…… captivating every tourist with fond memories to carry home. Today, adjacent to tradition, luxury and modern comfort also exist: luxury hotels, shopping malls and plazas, broad avenues and a superb choice of leisure, industry, sports, pleasure, education and arts venues.

Agra flows through the Yamuna River, and this ancient city sets the perfect tone for a ride to the Heritage Arc. A homage to the imagination of a great emperor who gave the world a sign of everlasting love, the Taj Mahal is a sparkling monument in marble. The Taj Mahal provides the visitor with untold possibilities to explore the architecture, stone work, inlay work, marble embroidery, woodwork and other examples of the artistic genius of man that has gone into its making.

Many ancient temples, mosques, forts, mausoleums, tombs and historical monuments are housed in the city. Apart from the Taj Mahal, the other important monuments in Agra are Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s Tomb, Sikandra, Swami Bagh Samadhi, Jama Masjid and Ram Bagh. The city has traditional paintings, folk dances, folk music and embroidery in its own unique style. Agra is renowned for leather products, exquisite carpets, gold and silver jewellery and handicrafts such as zari zardozi, carving and inlay work on marble and stone.
The best time to visit Agra is between November and March, during the winter season. The temperature is moderate during this period, with many festivals coinciding. The famous 10 day long festival, Taj Mahotsav, is celebrated each year during the month of February. A visit to this fair is a must for admirers of art, craft and culture. The other big festivals are the Ram Bharat, Kailash Fair and Bateshwar Fair.

Agra Red Fort

In the city of Agra in India, Agra Fort is a historical fort. Until 1638, when the capital was transferred from Agra to Delhi, it was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty. It is about 2.5 km northwest of its most prominent sister monument, the Taj Mahal. The Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site. As a walled city, the fort can be represented more accurately.

The triumphant Babur lived in the fort, in the palace of Ibrahim Lodi, after the First Battle of Panipat in 1526. He built a Baoli in it later. In 1530, in the fort, his successor, Humayun, was crowned. He was defeated by Sher Shah Suri in 1540 at Bilgram. The fort stayed with the Suris until 1555, when it was recaptured by Humayun. The general of Adil Shah Suri, Hemu, recaptured Agra in 1556 and pursued its fleeing governor to Delhi, where in the Battle of Tughlaqabad he encountered the Mughals. Sheesh Mahal, Agra Fort: The effect created at Sheesh Mahal, Agra Fort, by lighting candles.

Akbar made it his capital, recognising the importance of its central situation, and arrived in 1558 in Agra. This was reported by his historian, Abul Fazl, as being a brick fort known as ‘Badalgarh.’ It was in a ruined state, and Akbar rebuilt it in Rajasthan with red sandstone from the Barauli region of Dhaulpur district. The foundation was laid by architects and it was constructed with bricks in the inner core and sandstone on external surfaces. For eight years, about 4,000 builders worked on it daily, finishing it in 1573.

It was only during the reign of the grandson of Akbar, Shah Jahan, that the site assumed its current status. In memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, Shah Jahan constructed the beautiful Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan preferred to have buildings constructed from white marble, unlike his grandfather. To make his own, he destroyed some of the earlier buildings inside the fort.

Shah Jahan was deposed at the end of his life and restrained in the fort by his uncle, Aurangzeb. It is rumoured that in Muasamman Burj, a tower with a marble balcony overlooking the Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan died.

In the early 18th century, the fort was attacked and taken by the Maratha Empire. It changed hands several times between the Marathas and their enemies thereafter. Marathas remained out of the area for the next decade after Ahmad Shah Abdali’s disastrous defeat at the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761. In 1785, Mahadji Shinde eventually captured the fort. During the Second Anglo-Maratha War, in 1803, it was lost to the British by the Marathas.

During the Indian revolt of 1857, which triggered the end of the rule of the British East India Company in India, the fort was the site of a war and led to a century of direct rule of India by Britain.

Fatehpur Sikri

The crowning architectural legacy of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, who established it in 1571, is considered to be Fatehpur Sikri. The town derives part of its name from Sikri, a village that existed on the very spot where it was founded. According to tradition, Akbar visited this town and consulted a Sufi saint by the name of Shaikh Salim Chishti. The saint predicted the birth of his successor, and Akbar began building his capital in the village when the prophecy was fulfilled.

Fatehpur Sikri served as the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571 to 1585. When Akbar returned victorious from his Gujarat campaign in 1573, to celebrate the victory, the city was called Fatehpur Sikri or the City of Victory. He left the town when he proceeded to Punjab in 1585 to fight for his next military campaign. It is suspected that because of two primary factors, the shortage of water and the instability in the north-western part of the world, the city was abandoned. Akbar later moved his empire’s capital to Lahore and then to Agra, and Fatehpur Sikri became a totally deserted city by 1610.

They built an administrative centre here much later, when the colonial rulers invaded Agra in 1803, which remained functional until 1850. Under the orders of the Marquess of Hastings, the monuments at Fatehpur Sikri were restored in 1815.

Jama Masjid

Just across from Agra Fort, Jama Masjid is located. It is also popularly known as the Friday Mosque or Jami Masjid and is one of the well-known tourist places in Agra.

Emperor Shah Jahan designed Jama Masjid at the expense of Rs 5 lakhs for his favourite daughter Jahanara Begum’s wish, and it took 5 years to build and was completed in 1649 AD. It is one of India’s largest mosques. The structure of red sandstone was designed in a traditional Mughal style. It sits on an elevated plinth and is accessed by stairs. It consists of a spacious elevated courtyard, bordered to the north and south by arched porticos, with a fountain in its middle. An arched portico and a wide entrance had once bordered the eastern end, but those were demolished by the British in 1857 when the railway line to Agra was being constructed.

The prayer hall occupies the western end of the courtyard and is divided into five parts and topped by three wide domes and consists of a long rectangular structure. All the domes have inverted finials of lotus and kalash on the top. There are five archways linking the prayer hall to the courtyard, the central one of which is framed by a wide Iwan portico and a white marble facade with Persian calligraphy. Two small, slender minarets decorated in a zigzag pattern flanked the central archway once but the minaret on the right side was lost. The top of the facade is a series of Chhatris.

There is a stunning mihrab and pulpit in white marble on the interior of the western wall. In praise of Jahanara and Shah Jahan, the Persian inscription in white marble incrusted with black stone is on the archway of the central portal. It is said that an octagonal (Muthamman) Chowk was constructed between the Delhi Gate and the Jama Masjid and was once surrounded by a market place called Tripolia. But in 1871-73, it was later demolished in order to gain space to lay the railway tracks for the city.

Moti Masjid

The capital of the Mughal era was once Agra. This then led to the rapid growth of the city and many gigantic monuments were constructed that still remember one of the Mughal emperors’ sheer power and intellect. The best place to witness the same is Moti Masjid in the Agra Fort in Agra. The Mughal period was an era of prosperity and happiness characterised by the numerous architectural wonders spread all over India and the beautiful city of Agra in particular. One of these magnificent monuments is Agra’s Moti Masjid.

Shah Jahan established the Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) in Agra. Numerous architectural wonders were constructed during the reign of Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor. The Taj Mahal was the most famous of them. Moti Masjid received the Pearl Mosque epithet for shining like a pearl. It is maintained that Shah Jahan designed this mosque for his royal court members.

Sikandra Fort

Sikandra, which is just 13 km away. The last resting place of the Mughal Emperor Akbar is at Agra Fort. Akbar was one of the most secular royalties of his time and the greatest of the Mughal emperors. A great patron of the arts, literature, philosophy and science, he was the successor to a long tradition of Oriental refinement. A visit to the monument of Akbar opens before one the completeness of the personality of Akbar as complete as that of Mumtaz Mahal’s Taj Mahal does. In the midst of a lush garden is Akbar’s massive, beautifully carved, red-ochre sandstone tomb. Akbar planned his own tomb himself and chose a fitting location for it. In 1613, Akbar’s son Jahangir finished the construction of this pyramidal tomb.

In the middle of a large garden, which is surrounded on all sides by high walls, stands the tomb. A monumental gateway is in the midst of each enclosed wall. On the traditional Charbhag plan, the entire garden is divided into four equal quarters. A high terrace or elevated path with a narrow shallow water channel running in the middle divides each quarter. Every terrace has a tank with fountains in the middle. To the crypt, which has five storeys and is in the form of a truncated pyramid, a wide paved causeway leads. The main tomb has a distinctive square style that is peculiar to all other Mughal buildings.

Itmad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb

A Mughal mausoleum in the city of Agra in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah. The tomb of I’timad-ud-Daulah is sometimes identified as a “jewel box” often called the “Baby Taj” and is sometimes regarded as a draught of the Taj Mahal.

The tomb of Itimad-ud-Daula is a stunning mausoleum located on the Yamuna River just outside Agra, widely referred to in tourist literature as the Little Taj” and should be appreciated in its own right and not as a miniature version of the Taj Mahal. This small mausoleum, constructed between 1622 and 1628 by the Mughal empress Nur Jahan for her parents, Itimad-ud-Daula and Asmat Begum, is the first example of a Mughal tomb faced in white marble that used such a large use of stone inlay to decorate its exterior.

Noor Jahan, Jahangir’s wife, commissioned the mausoleum for her father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg, originally a Persian Amir in exile, The one who was given the I’timad-ud-Daulah (pillar of state) title. The grandfather of Mumtaz Mahal (originally called Arjumand Bano, daughter of Asaf Khan), the wife of Emperor Shah Jahan, who was responsible for building the Taj Mahal, was also Mirza Ghiyas Beg. Nur Jehan was also in charge of the construction of the Jehangir Tomb in Lahore.

Mehtab Bagh

In the sequence of 11 parks along the Yamuna River in Agra, the crescent-shaped Mehtab Bagh is the last. Originally built in the early 1500s by the first Mughal emperor-Babur, the park’s history dates back to when there was no Taj Mahal. Later, this garden, however, went into disrepair. To shield Taj Mahal from the abrasion of sand, it was Shah Jahan who reconstructed the garden. This garden is situated in such a way that the perfect view of the Taj is provided. At present, one of the most beautiful places to visit in Agra is considered to be Mehtab Bagh, also known as ‘Moonlight Garden’. The past of this attractive garden is known to few, but it is very interesting; the width of the old garden designed by Babur was perfectly matched with that of Taj, and Shah Jahan therefore recognised it as an ideal place to admire the beauty of the Taj Mahal. The construction of this heritage destination in Agra was originally like a charbagh complex – a layout in the Persian style in which the garden is divided into four sections. There were white walkaways, well-ventilated pavilions, beautiful fruit trees and water fountains dividing the complex.

Most of these features were ruined by regular flooding in the early 1900s, and so the whole garden became a mound of sand. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) carried out an excavation at the garden site later in the year 1994. It was discovered in this excavation that Shah Jahan decided to build the Taj Mahal replica as his resting place on this very ground was nothing but a myth. The charbagh complex buried under the sand was actually discovered by this excavation. Every significant feature of this famous tourist attraction in Agra has now been restored to its original shape. To bring back the old grandeur of this striking garden, a variety of plants such as citrus, hibiscus and guava have also been planted. Mehtab Bagh is also an excellent place to enjoy the wonderful view of the sunset.

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum designed in 1631 by Emperor Shah Jahan for his second wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is axiomatic to conclude that it is one of the greatest monuments to love ever created because of the storey behind its construction. Thousands of staff have worked on the building for more than 20 years, embellishing it with excellent decorations including white marble screens and semiprecious stone pietra dura inlay. The structure is the tallest Mughal tomb ever constructed, at over 200 feet (60 metres) tall, and is considered to be the single greatest piece of Mughal architecture. At the edge of the Yamuna River in Agra, it is the centrepiece of a vast complex of houses, courtyards, gardens and waterways. This original landscape is mostly intact.

For its outstanding beauty and architectural value, the Taj has long been recognised and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. It is one of India’s national landmarks and every year it receives millions of tourists. This huge influx of tourists imperils the physical fabric of the monument, as with similarly famous, iconic, and fragile sites around the world. Moreover, although new industrial development has been banned in Agra and only non-polluting vehicles are permitted near the Taj, environmental pollution remains a major concern for the conservation of the mausoleum and its surrounding structures. In a landmark judgement in 1996, the Supreme Court of India ordered measures to conserve and secure the Agra ecosystem in order to safeguard the marble façade of the Taj Mahal. At the 1996 World Monuments Watch, the Taj Mahal was included to draw attention to the urgent need for a comprehensive plan for site management to establish a structure for ongoing maintenance, tourism management, protection, and improved site understanding. In the preamble to its judgement, the Court’s judgement cited World Monuments Watch, stressing international concern for the site.

Chini Ka Rauza

The tomb of Allama Afzal Khan Mullah of Shiraz, a scholar and poet who was the Prime Minister of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, is situated 1 km north of Itmad-Ud-tomb, Daulah’s Chini ka Rauza. The tomb, which was built in 1635 AD, has a rectangular shape and is composed of brown stones.

Nowhere is history more rich than it was in Agra. For a long time, the architectural heritage of the Mughal period has been able to preserve its extraordinary system of buildings devoted to the living and the deceased, in a sequence of monuments and tombs that the world is now watching. One of them is Chini ka Rauza, the supreme meeting of the old and the new, a testament to honour and patronage and impressive architectural finesse jutting out of the very walls of the monument. The tomb of Allama Afzal Khan Mullah of Shiraz, a scholar and poet who was the Prime Minister of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, is situated 1 km north of Itmad-Ud-tomb, Daulah’s Chini ka Rauza. The tomb, which was built in 1635 AD, has a rectangular shape and is composed of brown stones. The tiles are in the colours of blue, yellow and green and decorative inscriptions are on the ceilings. It is octagonal in the central chamber and has eight arched recesses. From it, four square chambers emerge and are connected to the side halls and exterior porches. From the central arch, where there are inscriptions marked out with blue tiles, you may reach the Chini ka Rauza.

Akbar’s Tomb

The tomb of Akbar at Sikandra is an outstanding example of the assimilation of various architectural styles and represents a major departure from earlier Mughal buildings. The tomb bears the distinctive taste of the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri’s airy tiered pavilions.

Akbar was the Mughal dynasty’s third emperor who ruled India in the mediaeval era. The Mughal ruler was crowned in 1556, at the tender age of 14, after the sudden death of his father, Humayun. Akbar was not only a competent administrator, but also an art and architecture connoisseur. From the various buildings constructed by him within the precincts of the great Agra Fort, the architectural prowess of this great ruler is apparent. A special mix of various architectural styles is reflected by most of the buildings inside this fort. Later on at Fatehpur Sikri (near Agra), he went on to create the imperial capital. The buildings at Fatehpur Sikri belong to a hybrid style of architecture, cleverly combined with local Rajasthani and Gujarati styles in the predominant Islamic style.

Akbar began constructing the magnificent building at Sikandra before his death in 1605, which his son Jahangir later completed. The tomb is in a wide walled garden on the Delhi-Agra road, as it stands today. It is possible to reach the tomb through an elegant southern gateway that leads into the enormous enclosed garden.

This beautiful gateway is decorated with white floral and geometrical arabesque decorations and coloured marble, crowned with four elegant white marble minarets. First of all the calligraphic decoration is clearly grandiose. A stately composition is the gateway. Others, which are small and plain, flank its high central arch. This gateway’s grandeur makes it the most magnificent gateway to any monument in the country. The charbagh (four gardens) leads to the emperor’s tomb’s pyramidal structure. The tomb is primarily a bright red-tiered building, stacked like a castle of cards to play with. The tomb is distinct in several respects from previous Mughal buildings. There are five levels in the house. The first one is a podium with arches. A highly inlaid framed door is in the middle of each face. The next three levels are made of red sandstone and have no arches, but rows of pillars keep the flat roof in place. The white wall with arches and a replica of the sarcophagus lying open to the sky can be seen on the uppermost terrace. On all four sides, wide panels of superbly designed jali (filigree) screens shape the verandah’s outer wall. The grave of Akbar lies in the basement, reached by a portico draped with beautiful gold, blue, and green floral arabesque stucco paintings by Persian inscriptions.

Anguri Bagh

The 17th-century Anguri Bagh is a fascinating sightseeing attraction in the town of Taj Mahal, Agra. Founded by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it is one of the main highlights of tourism in Agra. Anguri Bagh’s literal sense is the rich harvest of grapes for which this beautiful tourist place in Agra was once known. Located on the premises of Agra Fort, the garden is bordered on its east by Khas Mahal and the red sandstone arcades on the remaining three sides. Earlier, Anguri Bagh was a significant square for the recreational strolls of the royal ladies. Hammams (bath houses) on the northeast corner of the garden were also erected for them in such a way that they ensured total privacy. This beautiful tourist attraction in Agra currently houses approximately 85 symmetrical gardens. There is also a fountain in the centre that adds more beauty to this place’s exotic grandeur. In addition, the garden also has a reflective pool with scalloped borders, which is also one of this enticing place’s main features.

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