Friday, June 19, 2009

Places to visit in India

Rajasthan: Rajasthan is one of the most colorful & wonderful places in India .Rajasthan has been the house of royalty in India. Also called the Land Of Princes Rajasthan is a perfect destination to witness the magnificent lives the Maharajas of Rajputana must have led. The State of Rajasthan offers a plethora of destinations to visit. It is famous for having one of the oldest mountain ranges called the Aravallis and the sun kissed Thar Dessert. In terms of heritage Rajasthan is one of the leading States in India. There are large number of Forts, palaces and Havellis which are world renown for their architectural wonder, delicate carvings and colorful splendor. Territorially the largest State of India Rajasthan covers an area of about 343,000 sq km.


The history of Rajasthan is filled with numerous legends of heroic acts of the Rajput Kings who began to rule Rajasthan from 9th century AD. The chivalrous Kings of Rajputana Prithviraj Chauhan and Maharana Pratap of Mewar fought many wars to save the honor of their land, people and traditions. The State of Rajasthan was formed at the time of Independence of India when the Rajputana's 18 Princely States, two chieftain and one British administered province were merged. The main languages spoken in Rajasthan are Rajasthani and Hindi and chiefly four dialects Jaipuri, Mewati, Malwi and Braj Bhasa.

The cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Amber are all living examples of the royalty that once resided in Rajasthan. The Forts, Palaces and Havellis in these Cities are all testimony to this. The Mehrangarh Fort and Umaid Bhawan Palace of Jodhpur, Lalgarh Palace of Bikaner, City Palace of Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer Fort, Junagarh Fort, Chittorgarh Fort keeps the traveler or tourist mesmerized by their beauty.

The State of Rajasthan apart from its heritage status is famous for its Wildlife Reserves and Religious pilgrimages. Some of the rare species of animals like Chinkara, Blackbuck, Great Indian Bustard and several migratory birds are found exclusively in Rajasthan. Sariska, Bharatpur Sanctuary, Desert National Park, Tal Chappar Sanctuary are one of the few places in Rajasthan where the rich and diverse Flora and fauna of Rajasthan can be viewed. Rajasthan also is a favorite destination for pilgrims belonging to Hindu, Jain and Muslim Religion. The Dilwara Jain temples, Pushkar temple and Ajmer Sharriff are all examples of Religious and Cultural diversity in Rajasthan. Rajasthan today is a perfect blend of its rich heritage as well as a modern State surging ahead keeping with changing times of Modern banking, Industrial, Technological development in the World. Rajasthan is a visual treat for its vibrant and colorful lifestyle, something that will keep the traveler rapt with attention an experience he will cherish for the lifetime.

Goa:
Goa, a tiny emerald land on the west coast of India, the 25th State in the Union of States of India, was liberated from Portuguese rule in 1961. It was part of Union territory of Goa, Daman & Diu till 30 May 1987 when it was carved out to form a separate State.

Goa covers an area of 3702 square kilometers and comprises two Revenue district viz North Goa and South Goa. Boundaries of Goa State are defined in the North Terekhol river which separates it from Maharashtra, in the East and South by Karnataka State and West by Arabian Sea. Goa lies in Western Coast of India and is 594 Kms (by road) away from Mumbai city.

Goa, for the purpose of revenue administration is divided into district viz. North and South Goa with headquarters at Panaji and Margao respectively. The entire State comprises 11 talukas. For the purpose of implementation of development programmes the State is divided into 12 community development blocks. As per 2001 census, the population of the State is 13,42,998.

Administratively the State is organised into two districts North Goa comprising six talukas with a total area of 1736 sq. kms. and South Goa comprising five talukas with an area of 1966 sq. kilometers. In all there are 383 villages of which 233 are in North Goa district and 150 in South Goa district. As per the 2001 census, there are 44 towns of which 14 are Municipalities and remaining are census towns.

A very striking feature of Goa is the harmonious relationship among various religious communities, who have lived together peacefully for generations. Though a late entrant to the planning process, Goa has emerged as one of the most developed States in India and even achieved the ranking of one of the best states in India with regards to investment environment and infrastructure...

Delhi:
The capital of India—Delhi— is a great place to explore. Its chaotic bazaars, beautiful gardens and magnificent historic monuments are what attract a traveler to this city. Delhi is the fast growing metropolis in India. There are various places of tourist interest in Delhi that you can visit. Some of the popular landmarks in Delhi include the Red Fort, India Gate, Akshar Dham Temple, Jama Masjid, Birla Temple, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple and Humayun’s Tomb. Besides, you can check out the cultural scene of the city by visiting various art galleries or shop in the choc-a-bloc markets.

Delhi is India's main point of arrival for overseas visitors, and the major transport hub for destinations in the states of rajasthan, the Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh as well as central north India. Delhi city, the showacse of India, has been the centre of political activity from time immemorial. The ancient fortness, majestic buildings and historic ruins find their modern counterparts in the tall skyscrapers, diplomatic enclaves and well-planned townships of New Delhi. The people here, their lifestyles, traditions and even the climate are a rich and varied mixture of all that is india.

Agra: This city is about three hours away from Delhi. It is where the Taj Mahal is located. The Taj Mahal is the 17th century architectural wonder, which was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in honor of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Besides, the Taj Mahal, there are many other historic monuments are located in Agra. There are many hotels in Agra, which cater to the accommodation needs of tourists.

Agra is the one of the prominent destinations of the World Tourism map with three heritage monuments -The Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri & Red Fort. It is more just a dacadent city of graveyards and stones, but it is a vibrant centre of Culture, Art and Religious philosphies that have enriched mankind and shaped humen thought over centuries. Agra is famous for handicrafts products such as Inley work on Marvel, Leather work,Footwear, Brasswear, Carpets, Jwellery, Zari and Embroidery work.

Kerala:
Kerala is wedged between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats Mountain range. It's natural wonders include lush hill stations, spectacular waterfalls, expansive plantations and paddy fields and exotic wildlife.Besides the natural attractions, Kerala has a rich cultural heritage. The state is one of the few of India that was not under British rule but governed by Indian kings. Millennial traditions have been preserved in many aspects of the culture.There are numerous historical and cultural monuments to visit, enchanting festivals in which to participate and local cuisine to enjoy. It is no wonder that Kerala is one of the most sought after travel destinations by tourists from all over the world.

The religious diversity can be witnessed in Kolchi, the commercial capital of India. Travelers can visit an old European church building, a Jewish synagogue and many mosques. Just be aware of dress code and other rules for entrance into each one.From the small town of Kollam, you can take a boat ride to the market town of Allappuzha. This is a great place to find traditional handicrafts that you can take home as souvenirs or gifts.Now matter what your personal interests, you will be sure to find something to enchant you on a vacation to India. Just be prepared to return again in the near future, Rupees in hand.

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