Full Name : Republic
of India
Capital City : New
Delhi
Currency : Indian National Rupee ( INR )
Area :
3,287,590 Sq. Km.
Population : 1,103,600,000 ( July 2005)
Time Zone : GMT / UTC + 5.5 Hrs
Calling Code : + 91
Electricity : 220 Volts
Distance : North
to South 3214 Km , East – West 2933Km
Coast Line : Over
7516 Km ( total) almost twice the
distance from the East coast to the West
coast of USA.
INTRO : INDIA
There is no place on earth
like India and no two places in India are the same. India's sheer size and
diversity are staggering. It is difficult even to find an adequate metaphor for
this mystical and wild , yet delicate country.
Geographically
, it is being set apart from the rest of the
Asia by the still evolving Himalayan mountain chain and Nepal - its neighbouring country in the
North . It is the South Asian subcontinent that
touches the three large water
bodies and is immediately recognizable on any world map. This thick, roughly
triangular peninsula defines the Bay of Bengal to the east , the Arabian sea to the west , and the India Ocean to the South.
In possesses
a very rich cultural heritage within it . An
inspiration that you can find in the glimmer of the eyes of every Buddhist Lama
and Hindu Pilgrim. The temples raised in the
ancient times were to house the
Gods and Goddesses became the focal
point for the community’s daily life . A
quality you can see in the magnificent architecture of the countless temples
and even in the monasteries , mosques and churches.
Being the home of the sacred River Ganges and the
majority of Himalayan foothills whether
your quest is to follow the holy Ganges to the sea or you are searching for Nirvana, or trekking
around Kanchen-Jungha - the world's third
highest mountain, or Ladakha
& Sikkim, India's spirituality is unavoidable. An abundance of mountain ranges and national
parks provide ample opportunity for
eco-tourism and trekking.
In a country as
diverse and complex as India, it is not surprising to find that people here
reflect the rich glories of the past, the culture, traditions and values
relative to geographic locations and the numerous distinctive manners, habits
and food that will always remain truly Indian based on its
five thousand years of recorded history.
India holds
virtually every kind of landscape imaginable
and the states in South India
like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil
Nadu , and Kerala all promise
you a favourite leisure
destinations , lending harmony and
beauty to the garden – India !
Its sheer
size stores something
really for everyone . Come !
See ! and
Explore ! -
this country enthralling
your traveling spirits
with us !
CLIMATE : Tropical monsoon type with winter ( Jan – Feb
) , summer( Mar- May ), south-west monsoon season ( Jun – Sep ) and post –
monsoon or north – east monsoon season ( Oct- Dec). Because of the geographical
diversity of India , regional climate conditions in the extreme north , east
and west varies from the general
conditions given above.
BEST TIME TO VISIT INDIA : October
to March
LANGUAGES : Hindi is the official language. English is
widely used as a link language. In addition, there are 18 major languages
recognized by the constitution of India and
about 844 dialects.
MONEY : Currency Rupee = 100 Paisa , Coins are in denominations 1,2 & 5 Rupees .
Notes are in denominations of Rs 10 ,
50 , 100 , 500 and 1000.
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS : New Delhi ,
Mumbai , Kolkata , Chennai , Cochin, Hyderabad , Ahmedabad.
TOURISTIC CITIES
IN INDIA
[1] NEW DELHI
(
CAPITAL ) : Delhi is the capital of India and It’s the
third largest city. Delhi , the seat of one of the world’s largest democracies
is a combination of Old Delhi – the
capital of Muslim India and New Delhi the imperial city created as the
nation’s capital by the British. An
architectural collage of forts and palaces , flyovers and skyscrapers. There’s
a unique blend of tradition and modernity . Here one can see the mingling of
many cultures , languages , traditions and people in complete harmony. Among
the sights not to be missed are :
India Gate : This is a
42 meter high war memorial arch ,
designed by Sir Lutyens , was built in honour of the 90,000 Indian soldiers who
lost their lives in World War – I , with their names inscribed all over it.
Beneath it burns an eternal flame , the Amar Jawan Jyoti , as a tribute to
these soldiers. Towards the end of the day, when the arch and the fountains at
the India Gate lawns are illuminated with colourful lights it becomes a popular
picnic spot providing a truly exhilarating experience.
Jama Maszid : The royal mosque built by Shah Jahan in 1656 , is
one of the largest and most beautiful in the world. It stands in red sandstone
and white marble , a kilometre west of
Red Fort. It has 3 gateways, 4 angle towers , and 2 minarets standing 40 meter
high. The main prayer hall has a seating capacity of more than 20,000 worshippers.
By the northern gate, a cupboard contains a collection of prophet
Mohammeds’ relics. Around Jama Masjid
are various commercial shopping centers that are not to be missed.
Humayun’s Tomb : Built by Haji Begum, the wife
of Emperor Humayun, is one of the earliest examples of Mughal architecture.
The mausoleum is the first tomb built in the center of a planned garden.
Built with red sand stone and marble ,
the mausoleum is surrounded by avenues of trees , water courses and flower
beds, a harmonious blend of architecture and nature and a great influence on
later Mughal architecture.
Jantar Manta Complex : he astronomical observatory built in 1724 by
Maharaja Jai Singh – II , the
mathematician and astronomer king of
Jaipur. The Samrat Yantra ( supreme instrument ) the largest structure shaped like a right angled
triangle is a huge sundial. The five other instruments plot the course of the
planet and predict eclipses with starting accuracy.
Raj Ghat : Mahatma
Gandhi was cremated here in 1948. The sprawling site on the banks of the Yamina
is marked by a brick platform flanked by a eternal flame , surrounded by lush
green lawns and imposing boundary walls of concrete.
Purana Quila ( Old Fort ) : The old
fort ruins are said to be standing at the site of Indraprastha ,
the magnificent capital of Pandavas which is
mentioned in the Hindu epic -
Mahabharata. Purana Quila was built by
the second Mughal emperor , Humayun. The mosque in the fort has a two storeyed
octagonal tower from which Humayun accidentally fell and died. The
fort looks splendid when fllodlit in the night.
Parliament
House (
Sansad Bhawan ) :
Just north of Rashtrapati Bhawan stands the Parliament House, a circular colosseum
with 144 pillars and measuring 570ft. ( 174meters) in diameter . Designed by
Sir Lutyens, the building contains two legislative chambers, the Lok Sabha (
Lower House ) and Rajya Sabha ( Upper House ) and the Parliament Library.
Permit to visit and sit in the public gallery is available from the reception office on
Raisina Road.
Rashtrapati Bhawan : The President’s official residence , once the
British Vicegerai palace , built on Raisina Hill , is strictly private but its Mughal Gardens ,
laid out in 130 hectares , are thrown open to the public in February and March when the flowers are in bloom.
Completed in 1929 the palace like building is a blend of Mughal and Western
architecture. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and set in 300 acres of land , this
palace of 340 rooms is a complex of great courts, pillared porticos ,
marble-lined vestibules, magnificent state rooms, fountains and gardens. The
magnificient Durbar Hall, with its massive 8 meter dome and marble walls is
used for formal ceremonies.
Lotus Temple : ( The Baha’i House of Worship )
Situated on top of the Kalkaji hill , this distinctive Baha’i House of
Worship is shaped to form a lotus of 45 petals in white marble and surrounded
by a landscaped garden. People of all faiths are free to visit and pray in the
temple. An atmosphere of total peace make it worth a visit.
Qutub Minar : ( The
Qutub Tower ) Dominating
the skyline of Delhi , this minaret stands at 238ft. (
72.5meters) and has 5 distinct stories . Started by "Qutu-ud-din-Ai-bak" and completed by "Firoz Shah"
Tughlaq in 1368, the minaret contains many ornamental inscriptions. Built on
the foundations of a Hindu temple , many elements in the construction reflect
their Hindu and Jain origins. Within the
complex are a myriad monuments that often combine both
Islamic calligraphy and Hindu motifs. One of the most popular items here is the
fourth century Iron Pillar. This 7 meter
high iron pillar was erected to commemorate Chandragupta Vikramaditya, who
ruled from 375 AD to 413 A.D. Popular folklore has it that if you can encircle
the pillar , with your back to it, your wish will be granted.
Red Fort : ( Lal
Quila )
Built in red sandstone by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1648 AD , this
magnificent monument is laid out along the river Yamuna as an irregular octagon.
The main entrance to the fort is the
Lahori Gate.This place was
once a royal market where jewelers , painters , and craftsmen sold their
wares.
The National Flag on the Independence Day : August 15th
is unfurled by the Prime Minister , from the
ramparts of this gate. It faces Chandani Chowk , one of the most historic streets of the
world.
-- Within the walls of Red Fort ( Lal Quila ) are "Diwan-E-Aam" for public audiences,
"Diwan-E-Khas", where private audiences were granted.
-- It is this hall
that contained the famous peacock throne which was later plundered by
Nadir Shah.
-- The Rang Mahal, the water cooled apartments were meant for the royal ladies
while the Hamams were the royal baths
with rose-scented fountains, steam and hot water baths and dressing rooms.
-- Other
buildings inside the Red Fort are the Khas mahal , Moti mahal , Musamman Burg and Chatta Chowk.
-- The red Fort Museum has on display, armoury, textiles, jewellery, artefact and
manuscripts belonging to the Mughal era. A
show of Sound & Light is held
every evening recreating the dramatic
events associated with the fort.
[ 2 ] AGRA
CITY : Agra the city of
Taj, the mausoleum to love, is the most sought-after tourist destination. This city is located at the distance of 203km from Delhi. No Indian holiday is complete , without a
visit to the Taj. The other places of interest here, are the Agra Fort ,
Sikandra and the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. Agra is accessible by good
road, rail and air with Delhi.
Taj
Mahal :
Agra is famous as
being home to one of the Seven Wonders
of the World – the “Taj-Mahal”. The
architectural splendor of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is a vivid
reminder of the opulence of the legendary Moghul Empire, of which Agra was the
capital in the 16th and early 17th century. While its significance as a
political centre ended with the transfer of the capital to Delhi in 1634 by
Shah Jahan, its architectural wealth has
secured its place on the international map.
-- A white marble Tomb building constructed in
between 1631AD to 1653 AD in Agra, seat
of the Mughal Empire by Shah Jahan for his wife, Arjuman Banu Begum, the
monument sums up many of the formal themes that have played through Islamic
architecture. Begun in 1631AD and
20,000 workmen took 22 years to complete it - a dream in white marble
which lies in perfect proportion to the elegant garden of fountains. It has a
forecourt and a majestic entrance.
-- The main edifice is crowned with a cupola and flanked by minarets on all
four sides. Deep underneath the main structure lies the cenotaphs of Mumtaz
Mahal & Shah Jahan. The marble shrine surrounding them is richly decorated
with precious stones.
-- Its refined elegance is a conspicuous contrast both to the Hindu
architecture of pre-Islamic India, with its thick walls, corbelled arches and
heavy lintels and to the Indo Islamic styles, in which Hindu elements are
combined with an electric assortment of motifs from Persian and Turkish
sources.
The Agra Fort : Situated on the banks of Yamuna river, north
west of the Taj Mahal, this majestic fort was started by the Emperor Akbar and
it developed as a strong hold of the Mughal Empire, under successive
generations. This majestic fortress of red sandstone encompasses with in its
2.5 km long walls, the imperial city of
the Mughal rulers.
-- The 16th century
Agra Fort, houses a number of exquisite buildings: the Moti Masjid (pearl mosque), Diwan-I-Am
(hall of public audience),
Diwan-I-Khas ( hall of private Audience), Anguri Bagh (wine yard),
Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors), and the Musamman Bhurj (Jasmine Tower) where
Shah Jahan died as a prisoner of his own son.
Fatehpur Sikri : This site is located 38km west from Agra. The
Imperial city of the Mughal dynasty. It is very difficult to express the
architectural grandeur of the city as one can only experience the aura of these
forts. Famously known as the “City of Ghosts”, it was built by the great Mughal
Emperor. “Fatehpur Sikri” is a place
worth visiting to discover how once the city could have been which has now
turned into ruins, situated 26 miles west of Agra, it was build at orders of
the Mughal Emperor Akbar. The buildings at Fateh Pur Sikri blended both Islamic
and Hindu elements in their architectural style.
Fatehpur Sikri,
built by “Akbar the Great ” to commemorate the birth of his son. The building
of this capital was substantially completed in 1574 but 14 years later the city
was abandoned, perhaps at the whim of an Imperial favorite, and the immense
labor of building the "City of Victory" went for nothing. Also there
is the red stone mosques, courtyards and
the palace where Akbar once played chess using slave girls as pawns.
[ 3 ] JAIPUR CITY ( The Pink City ) :
The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is named after its founder prince Sawai
Jai Singh, soldier,astronomer and builder . The city is also known as the Pink
City because of its rose-pink colour of old city done to welcome Prince Albert , consort of Queen Victoria in 1863
A.D.
Jaipur displays
a remarkable harmony and architectural splendor. The ancient heart of the
"Pink City" still beats in its fairy-tale palaces, rugged fortresses
perched on barren hills and broad avenues that dot the entire city. The only planned
city of its time, Jaipur is also famous for woolen carpets and cotton rugs.
Equally popular are the leather footwear, especially the embroidered 'Jutis'.
Chokhi Dhani :
This ethnic
village resort , with a blend of rustic
environment, is worth the drive! Here you will see magic shows, folk dances,
camel rides, snake charmers, athletic wonders by the rural folk, fortune
tellers, puppet shows , and more.
Hawa Mahal ( Wind Palace) :
A high and
intricately carved wall behind which women of the court were
allowed to watch the processions without being seen by others. Also see the
observatory and the city palace, which houses an excellent collection of
Rajasthani costumes, miniatures and an armory of Rajput weapons.
Amber Fort :
A spectacular
fortress-palace protecting a complex of palaces, temples, exquisite marble,
mirror-inlaid halls and apartments. The highlight of the tour in Amber
Fort is an elephant ride up the hill at the Fort like a Maharaja ! The Amber Fort set in picturesque and rugged
hills is a fascinating blend of Mughal Architecture, constructed by Raja Mann
Singh in 1592 AD and completed by Swai Jai Singh, the fort is made in red sand
stone and white marble.
-- The rugged forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise with a beautiful of art
and architecture. Amber Fort is the classic and romantic fort palace with a
magnificent aura. The interior wall of palace depicts expressive painting
scenes with carvings, precious stones and mirror settings.
"City
Palace " is located in the heart of the old city.The City Palace is a
blend of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture and the royal family still lives in a part of the Palace.
-- The building now
forms the "Maharaja Sawai Man Singh-II Museum" and on display here
are a wide array of royal costumes, some very exquisite and precious pashmina (
kashmiri) shawls, Benaras silk sarries sauganeri prints and folk embroidery.
An unusual
display is that of voluminous clothes worn by Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I (
Ruled 1750 AD -1768 AD ). The art gallery is
located in the "Diwan-I-Aam", which
literally, mean the hall of public audience.
Between the
armory museum and the art gallery is the Diwan I Khas meaning the hall of
private or selective audience. T his is a marble pave pavilion and puts on
display the world largest sterling silver object – the two gigantic silver
vessels.
[ 4 ] VARANASI :
Varanasi,
the holy city of India, is also known by the name of Kashi and Benaras. Kashi, the city of Moksha for Hindus since
centuries, is known for its fine-quality silks, 'Paan' and “Benares Hindu
University “ and “Avimukta” of the ancient
days. Varanasi is the most popular pilgrimage point for the Hindus. One of the
seven holiest cities, Varanasi city is also one the “Shakti Peethas” and one of
the twelve “Jyotir-Linga” sites in
India. In Hinduism, it is believed that those who die and are cremated here get
an instant gateway to liberation from the cycle of births and re-births.
Considered as
the abode of Lord Shiva, Varanasi is situated on the banks of River Ganges,
which is believed to have the power of washing away all of one's sins. As
pundits here will tell you, whatever is sacrificed and chanted here or given in
charity reaps its fruits thousand times more than those good deeds performed at
other places because of the power of that place. It is believed that three
nights of fasting in Varanasi city can reap you rewards of many thousands of
lifetimes of asceticism!
Varanasi is the
oldest city of the world. Varanasi is more than 3000 years old and is famous as
the city of temples. In Varanasi, there are temples at every few paces. Looking
at the number of temples in Varanasi, it is hard to believe that a large number
of them were demolished during the medieval times. “Jyotirlinga Visvanatha
Temple” or “Golden Temple” , rebuilt in 1776, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The
“Jnana Vapi Well” ( meaning 'Well of Wisdom) is believed to have been dug by
Lord Shiva himself. It is believed that the majestic “ Alamgir mosque” has replaced one of the most ancient shrines
known as the temple of “Bindu Madhava”. The thirty-three hundred million
shrines fill one with awe and wonder
with sheer numbers.
The Ganga Ghats
(river front) are the most popular pilgrimage spot of Varanasi and are centers
of music and learning. There is a great tradition of Yatras in the holy city of
Kashi and the most sacred path is that
of “Panchkoshi Parikrama”, the fifty-mile path with a radius of five miles that
cover 108 shrines along the way, with “Panchakoshi Temple” as its main shrine.
Other popular pilgrimage route is “Nagara Pradakshina”, which covers
seventy-two shrines along the way. Since time immemorial Varanasi is a great
center of learning. The holy city has been a symbol of spiritualism, philosophy
and mysticism for thousands of years and has produced great saints and
personalities like “Guatama Buddha”, “Mahavira” , “Kabir”, “Tulsi Das”,
“Shankaracharaya”, “Ramanuja” and “Patanjali”.
[ 5 ] MUMBAI
: Ancient yet modern, fabulously rich yet achingly poor,
Mumbai is India in microcosm. Once a sultry tropical archipelago of seven
islands, and the Raj's brightest jewel, Mumbai was the dowry of Portuguese
princess “Infanta Catherine de Braganza” who married Charles II of England in
1661AD . Today it's a teeming metropolis, commercial hub of an old civilization
seeking to find its place in the New World Order.
Forty percent of
India's taxes come from this city alone, and half of India's international
trade passes through its splendid natural harbour. In fact Mumbai is the very
soul of human enterprise. At the city's Stock Exchange, millionaires and
paupers are made overnight, and the sidewalks are crowded with vendors hawking
everything from ballpoint pens to second hand mixies. Everyday, half of
Mumbai's population commutes from far-flung suburbs to downtown offices, banks,
factories and mills for a living.
Nearly thirteen million people live here - wealthy industrialists, flashy film
stars, internationally acclaimed artists, workers, teachers and clerks - all
existing cheek by jowl in soaring skyscrapers and sprawling slums. They come
from diverse ethnic backgrounds and speak over a dozen tongues adding color,
flavor and texture to the Great Mumbai Melting Pot .
Marine Drive : Mumbai's distinctive curving seafront avenue
connects the skyscrapers of Nariman Point to the green villas of Malabar Hill.
It is also called the Queen's Necklace because of its appearance after dark,
when the street lights sparkle around the curve of the bay.
Juhu Beach : This popular
beach stretches for about 5 kilometers and is sure to be crowded on a weekend.
Activities on the beach include food stalls, performers and camel and pony
rides.
Chowpatty Beach : Situated in the suburbs of the city, and
known for its festive atmosphere, food stalls and hustle and bustle. This beach
encapsulates the spirit of Mumbai.
Gateway of India : This
graceful ceremonial archway was built to commemorate the arrival of King George
V and Queen Mary for the Delhi Durbar of 1911AD. It has historical significance
for India because after the country gained Independence, the last British
troops left Indian soil, marching under this imperial archway to board their
waiting ships.
Elephanta Island : Situated 9 kilometers out to sea, from the
Gateway of India, this island has a beautiful rock-cut Shiva Temple, on top of
a hill. The island can be reached by a short enjoyable ferry ride.
Prince of Wales Museum : One of the
country's renowned museums, this heritage building is situated amidst green
lawns, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The museum contains a
priceless collection of miniature paintings as well as extensive collections of
art, sculpture, china rare coins and weaponry.
Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus : Formerly known as Victoria Terminus, after
the English Queen, who was also known as Empress of India, this imposing
building was built in 1888. Designed by Frederick William Stevenson, the façade
of this railway terminus is covered with sculptures of birds and animals.
Flora Fountain
: Situated at a busy 5-point intersection in the heart of Mumbai's commercial
area, this popular public landmark was built to commemorate the Governor, Henry
Bartle Edward Frere.
Haji Ali's Tomb : This tomb is
a mausoleum built to commemorate Haji Ali, a Muslim saint, who perished by
drowning while traveling to Mecca.
Hanging Gardens : These beautiful gardens overlook Marine Drive
and are a popular picnic spot
Kamala Nehru Park : Also overlooking
Marine Drive, these gardens add to the scenic beauty of Mumbai
Mani Bhavan : Formerly the residence of Mahatma Gandhi,
this two-storied building is now a memorial to his life and work. The house
contains a library with over 2000 books, photographs of Gandhiji's life, a film
archive and other memorabilia.
Bombay Natural History Society : This institution's office is called Hornbill House,
and it runs a conservation centre and conducts nature walks for wildlife
enthusiasts. It's library and collection of bird specimens is an invaluable
resource for nature lovers.