Splendor Of Forts That Beautify India

India has many historical monuments, palaces and forts, some dating back to 100 AD. The pages of the Indian history have mostly been written in the Forts of India. Today, many of them are a reminder of the glory and the royal kingdoms of the past that India use to have. You have to see them to realize this fact. Most of these forts which were actually fortresses and castles to keep the enemy away. These forts and the places inside them are most fascinating. The most notable characteristics of these forts are the exquisite carvings on them that have survived over the ages and attracts visitors from all over the world. Most of the forts in India are in Rajasthan, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Agra. Two of these forts – the Red Fort, Delhi and the Agra Fort, in Agra are UNESCO world heritage sites. Here are some of the notable ones.

Khandala - A Popular Weekend Destination

This beautiful hill station is situated 90 kms from Mumbai and just 3 kms from Lonavala- another popular hill station of Maharashtra. Due to the ease of accessibility from the nearby cities Khandala is a popular weekend gateway for the local residents of Mumbai and Pune. Further it provides escape to the local people from the hustle and bustle of the city life. It is among the finest hill station of Maharashtra and is set in the hills of Shayadri Mountains. 

The place is gifted with astound natural bounty. Here you will find beautiful hills, deep green valleys, fabulous lakes and historic forts. The place experiences a pleasant climate throughout the year and hence the place can be visited during any time of the year.

If you are a fan of Indian movies then you must have heard the name “Khandala”. The name of this town was mentioned in a popular song “aati kya Khandala” from the Hindi movie “Ghulam”.

Following are the major tourist attractions of Khandala that one must visit:

Shivaji Park: The statue of great Maratha ruler Shivaji Maharaj stands in the park and it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the scenic beauty of surroundings. Earlier it was a playground and was converted into a park in the year 1956.

Duke’s Nose/Nagfani: It is a cliff & named after the Duke Wellington who had a pointed nose resembling the cliff. It is also known as “Nagfani” as it looks like the hood of a snake. The place provides amazing experience of the surrounding mountains, valleys and forests. One can also enjoy mountain climbing here.

Karla and Bhaja Cave: These are the historical rock cut caves and are situated at a distance of 16 kms from Khandala. The caves are the examples of Early Buddhist temple art in India. Due to their enormous antiquity and beauty these caves are the main attractions here and must be visited. The Karla Cave complex were completed in 80 BC and comprises of carved elephant heads [which once had ivory tusks], an aisle made up of 37 pillars and the representative of Lord Buddha whereas the Bhaja Cave complex comprises of 18 caves and 14 stupas dating from around 200 BC. 

           

Tiger’s leap: From a certain point at this location if someone view the valley it will appear as if a tiger is leaping into the valley. For the same reason this fascinating place got its name as Tiger’s Leap. Throw a stone from this point and listen to the echoes caused by dropping rocks and see it topple down the valley and get destroyed.

Khandala Lake: The picturesque surroundings and tranquil environment of the lake will take away your heart. One must enjoy boating in the lake.

The nearest airport to Khadnala is Pune at a distance of 69 kms. The closest rail head is Lonavala at a distance of 5 kms. Khandala is well connected by road to the major cities.

Khandala offers a wide range of accommodation facilities ranging from Deluxe to Economy so staying here is not a problem.

Puri - The Home of Lord Jagannatha

Puri – The most sacred pilgrim center for Hindus in India. It is famous for being the abode of Lord Jagannath, Goddess Shubhadra and Lord Balarama. The main attraction of Puri is the temple of Lord Jagannath and the beach. The beach is famous for swimming and spending holidays. Most of the tourists come to Puri for Darshan at the temple of Lord Jagannath.

Jagannath Puri is one of the Char Dham of India. The Ratha Yatra, also known as Chariot festival, is one of the most famous festival in the Orissa. It is celebrated on a wide scale where devoteed from all across the world flock to Puri to participate in it. It is considered to be holy if a person touches the rope of the chariot while it is being drawn. Several priests visit the place during this time. It is beautiful to watch the sunrise and sunset there. The Prasad is called “Khaja” which is very tasty.

The most significant ritual associated with the Rath Yatra is the Chera Pahara. During this festival, the Gajapati king wears the outfit of a sweeper and cleans the road before the chariot with a gold handled broom and then sprinkles sandalwood water and powder with utmost devotion. This ritual shows that there is no difference between Raja Gajapati and humble sweeper.

One striking feature about Puri is that foreigners are not allowed to enter the temple.Numerous foreigners have tried to enter and visit this famous Dham but was not able to do so. The temperarture remains humid throughout the year as it is situated beside the sea.

The Holy City of Haridwar

One of the 7 holy sites of Hindus in India. It’s a district in the Uttarakhand state of North India. River Ganga enters the north Indian planes for the first time in Haridwar. Pilgrims, tourists and enthusiasts visit the town in large numbers. It’s also a gateway to the holy city of Rishikesh, which is around an hour’s drive further to the north. It is known to be the site of the holy KumbhMela considered to be the largest peaceful gathering of people on the globe.

Places to Visit:

A)  Numerous temples like:

• Chanda devi temple,
• Mansa devi temple,
• Daksh mahadev,
• Chandi devi etc.

B) Ashrams like:

• Kanva rishi ashram,
• Anandmayi ma ashram,
• Patanjali yog peeth ashram
• Prem nagar ashram
• Saptarishi
• Soham ashram etc.

C) Famous educational institutes like:

• Gurukul kangri university,
• State ayurvedic college etc.

Other famous places to visit are the nearby Rajaji National Park, Kankhal, to name a few.

Things to do:

•  Attend the Ganga Aarti at one of the Ghats in the evening.
• Chat with a local pundit for spiritual know how.
•  Visit the holy town of Rishikesh- an hour’s drive towards north.
•  Meditation sessions in one of the ashrams.
•  Buy authentic Ayurvedic medicines in one of the local pharmacies.
• Shop for souvenirs in Bada bazar, Moti bazar and Central bazar.
• Visit Har ki Pauri- the most famous Ghat of Haridwar which is said to be the footsteps to the home of the lord.
• Perform a ‘pooja’ at the Ghats, said to clear one’s karmic cycle of sins from the previous lives.
• Take a dip in the holy Ganges for spiritual purification.
• Something that is not well known to Indians settled abroad, the local pundits called pandas keep records of family genealogy of generations of millions of families throughout India, even for cases where the ancestral villages have been left behind in Pakistan and Bangladesh. An interesting thing is, to discover the roots of one’s ancestors through the registers of these Pandas.

Climate:

Summers:

25-44 degree Celsius.

Winters:

6-24 degrees.

Best time to visit:

October- March

How to reach:

Air: nearest airport is Jolly grant, Dehradun (35km).

Rail: Haridwar has a railway station having good connectivity with Delhi, Amritsar etc.

Road: well connected by roads to cities like Delhi, Dehradun. It is 220 km from Delhi via National Highway no.58

Kashmir - The Paradise on Earth

Kashmir

Kashmir is in the north-western region of India. It’s also known as a Heaven on Earth because of its nature beauty. Some popular and most visited destinations in Kashmir are Srinagar, Pahalgam, Sonmarg and Gulmarg. 

Srinagar

Srinagar city is known for its Gardens and Lakes. There are many Mughal Gardens like Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh and Pari Mahal which were built by Mughal kings. Nishat Bagh is located in the bank of Dal Lake which was built by Asif Khan, the elder brother of Nur Jehan, He was ordered by Jahangir to built it, as a token love to his wife. Nishat Bagh is known for Chinar trees, which were imported to Kashmir from Persia by the Mughals. The best time to visit Nishat Bagh is between April to October, as summer is an excellent time to visit. The garden remains closed on Fridays.

Shalimar Bagh is considered to be the finest Mughal style hill garden and was made by Jahangir for his wife, Nurjahan. The Shalimar Bagh was built not merely for a garden but also served as the summer residence of the Mughals. The water canals and fountains cover a major area of the garden. The fountains, the flowers and the old architecture makes this garden a wonderful place to spend a fine sunny day relaxing. The Chinar trees changes their colours from green to orange to yellow, which gives a warm glow to the garden.

From the Pari Mahal you can see the entire view of Srinagar city and the best time to visit is in the afternoon.  The Dal Lake from the Pari Mahal, is like a jewel lying in the heart of Srinagar city. The lake is spread over the 20 square km. It is the major attraction of Srinagar with lots of house boats which give a complete floating residential experience.

To enjoy a cruise in the Dal lake there are Shikhara , a manual boat with a roof on the top, painted and decorated. Sankaracharaya temple, the temple of Lord Shiva is situated at the top of the hill. This is the hill were Adi Sankara Bagwat meditated to revive Sanatan Dharma. The temple overlooks the Srinagar city. It is a wonderful sight to see Srinagar from the top of the hills. The temple not only of religious importance, but also known for its architectural beauty. A high eight octagonal platform supports the temples with hundred steps. Lal Chowk is a famous place for shopping were you can find local handicraft, handlooms and different varieties of Shawls like the Pashmina Shawl and Jamwar Shawl.

Apart from the natural beauty one can enjoy a round of Golf, a royal game introduced by the British in Kashmir. The golf season is in summer from April to November. The Gulmargh Golf Course is one of the highest golf courses in the world. The Pahalgam golf course is a nine holes course. The course is of a large plain area in a relatively narrow valley. The Royal Spring Golf Course is situated near the Mughal Garden spread over an area of 300 acres.

The Highest Pass in the World

The small town Leh is located in the Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir. Ladakh means “land of high passes”. It’s situated between Kulnun and the Great Himalayas mountain ranges. Leh is the second largest district in India after Kutch in Gujrat and the largest town in Ladakh. The people are of Indo Aryans and Tibetan descendants, though they are now either Tibetan Muslims or Shia Muslims. It’s also called ‘Little Tibet’ because of its strong influence of Tibetan culture. Over 1800 kms of motor able roads through beautiful mountains, make this an ideal destination for bikers and driving enthusiasts. It’s a little smaller than Scotland in terms of area. Other major parts of Ladakh region are Nubra valley, Pangong Lake and Zanskar. The region is gorgeous and is open only for a limited period time during the year, from May to September. It has one of the world’s highest airports and is the world’s highest motor able pass (Khardung-la, 5359m).

The colorful prayer flags over houses and monasteries, fluttering in the air look amazing in the scenic backdrop of Leh. Buddhist chants add to the captivating sunsets in the valley. The ancient Gompas, serene valleys and the quiet monasteries leave a deep impact on tourists. The most appreciated fact is the status of women in the region. Unlike other north Indian states, the women enjoy a highly elevated status in the society of Ladakh.

Famous places to visit:-

Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace,  Hemis gompha ,  Leh Trekking Trails,  War Museum,Chamba Temple,  Jama Masjid,  Gurdwara Pathar Sahib Jo Khang Gompa,  Namgyal Tsemo Gompa,  Sankar Gompa, Stok Palace,  The Victory Tower,  Zorawar Fort,  Magnetic hill .

The famous Magnetic hill is believed to have magnetic properties. Cars seem to get pulled uphill and aircrafts fly above their normal altitude to avoid the magnetic effect . In reality, it’s just an optical illusion. Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is situated 25 kms from Leh town. Guru Nanak is said to have vanquish a demon here. The Indian army manages it and it is used for worship by Sikhs and Buddhists alike. The Leh palace or the Potala palace, was once used to be the residence of the royal family.. Bikes are available on rent from INR 400-1500 per day. Pangong Tso (Pangong lake) is around 180 kms from Leh and is a very beautiful lake. It has been used as a location for several national and international movies. Visitors to the lake sometimes spend a night or two by the side of the lake in tents. It is 134 km long and upto 5 km wide. It has no aquatic life and freezes in winters, despite the water being saline.

Things to do:

Though the town is small enough to be navigated by foot in less than an hour, there are several unique things to do there.

1. Visit the sanctuary established by a South African journalist to save the lives of mules and donkeys that had been abandoned or injured. Several westerners adopt an animal there and donate them for their conservation.

2. Pay a visit to one of the local weaving centers where the ‘pride of Ladakh’- The Pashmina wool, is used to make shawls and other woolen items. See how the animals are sheered and the rigorous process of making Cashmere. This is where Cashmere- the softest wool in the world, begins its journey into the world of International fashion. The tribal people who produce this from their animals, live in freezing cold, sometimes under -45 degree Celsius for a couple of months and have no contacts with the rest of the world.

3.  Help out LOTI – Leh Old Town Initiative, an organization in association with UNESCO, working for the restoration of the old Leh town. Several foreigners live and work there voluntarily to help the cause.

4. Visit Changs Pa- the famous market area, where one can shop for souvenirs, rent a bike or trekking equipment.

5.  The Tibetan Buddhist deity- Rinpoche is said to have been born time and again and this year, he is said to be born as a child in Nubra valley, brought to Leh by H.H. Dalai Lama. The Spituk Gompa, the place where he lives, studies and preaches, is a center of attraction for tourists and pilgrims alike due to the obvious curiosity.

6. Take a heritage walk across the Leh old town.

7. Treks and expeditions are organized in the tourist season to several nearby mountains and glaciers, both guided and non-guided.

8. Take a Yak ride for less than a hundred rupees, something which is not found anywhere, other than Leh.

Climate: Long harsh winters from Oct to early March. Temperatures usually go below freezing points during these months. Other months are generally warm.

Height: The average elevation of the town is 11000 feet.

Wildlife: Includes black necked crane, snow leopards, Tibetan ass and yaks.

How To Reach Leh Ladakh :-

By Road:

Currently only two highways lead to Leh.

a)      Srinagar- Leh highway (434 km)

b)      Manali-Leh highway (473 km)

By Air:

Flights operate to Leh airport in season time. The prices can be quite high as compared to other Indian cities due to limited number of flights.

India – The Big Cat Country

At the onset of summer, the Tiger season sets off in India and tourists start to make a beeline to the jungles of India, to spot the big cats. India is home to world's largest population of tigers in the wild and has many wildlife parks one can choose from. Jim Corbett, Bandhavgarh, Sunderbans and Ranthanbore are the most visited wildlife Parks. But there lesser known parks, where one has a good chance to spot these predators and avoid the crowd too.

Of the smaller and lesser known tiger territories, one can visit the Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand which also has a large population of elephants and leopards.

The unexplored Dudwa Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh which has a great terrain for tiger watching. One of the rarest species of deer and swamp deer is also found in this area.

The Bandipur National Park in Karnataka is one of the finest tiger reserves and is home to several vulnerable and endangered species.

The Tadoba National Park in Maharashtra, the state’s oldest and the largest and supports India’s Project Tiger initiative. It is said that tiger spotting is almost guaranteed here.

The Manas National Park, in Assam is a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, a Project Tiger reserve, an elephant reserve and a biosphere reserve.

Panha National Park in Madhya Pradesh is the 22^nd tiger reserve in India and the fifth in Madhya Pradesh.

The Satpura National Park in Madhya Pradesh is an unexplored and an upcoming destination. It has a unique plateau and is highly recommended to see tigers in action.

The Parambikulam though based in Kerala needs to be entered from Tamil Nadu. The safaris here is very well managed.

Since National Parks and Reserves have been steadily gaining popularity as holiday options, Holiday India offers customized packages to these offbeat reserves.