1 Night 2 Days Ranthambhore National Park Trip – Information
Whether one is staying at Sawai Madhopur or at Ranthambhore for the night, this excellent wildlife park merits an entire day’s visit. There is so much to see here (Ranthambhore is considered among the best places in all of India for tiger sightings) that spending a whole day exploring Ranthambhore is a great idea.
Ranthambore National Park Trip
If one has spent the previous night at Sawai Madhopur, we’d recommend getting off to the earliest possible start — that increases one’s chances of seeing wildlife. The 12 km drive to Ranthambhore is manageably short, and one can get to the park easily within half an hour, leaving plenty of time for going on a safari through Ranthambhore. For those who don’t have their own transport, there are jeeps for hire at the entrance to the park; in addition, the RTDC organizes jeep and truck safaris for visitors.
Ranthambore National Park
Among the many animals one is likely to see in Ranthambhore are the tiger (of course!), leopard, wild cat, hyena, jackal, marsh crocodile, wild boar, sloth bear and a number of species of deer. Besides these, the park is rich in bird life, including rare species like the great Indian horned owl. The three lakes within the park (Raj Bagh, Malik Talab and Padam Talab) are all great spots for watching aquatic birds. In addition to its wildlife, Ranthambhore is known for its monuments- in ruins, of course, but worth seeing anyway. These consist of an old fort, where one can sometimes actually see tigers prowling around!
Ranthambore National Park
One can spend the entire day at Ranthambhore (meals are available at the many hotels outside the park’s boundaries) before heading back to Sawai Madhopur for the night.
For more information on 1 Night 2 Days Ranthambhore National park trip contact Swan Tours one of the leading travel agents in India offers Ranthambhore National park tour packages at best price.
Information and tips on Tourism as an industry in India
Industry plays an important role in the economy of any country. Growth of industrial sector is the parameter to measure the economic development of a country particularly the developing country like that of India. Tourism is now rightly added to the long list of established industries. It has tremendous economic and social potentiality because it generates income and employment opportunities, particularly foreign exchange which is earned more easily and brought in by the tourist himself to his destination. The contribution of this tourism industry to the regional development of the trade, commerce and manufacturing sectors, tax revenue to the government and the national income of the country as a whole is undisputed. It is mainly a labour intensive industry, providing employment to the semi-skilled and the unskilled. For example, as per the cost benefit study of tourism, made by the National Council of Applied Economic and Resarch, New Delhi (Swan Tours – tour and travel agency in india), tourism generated employment for 934000 persons in 1972-73. This figure rose to 64, 09,000 in 1978. This increase in employment stimulates education at different levels. The newly created jobs demand a special schooling and subsequently the standard of general education as a whole comes to a higher level.
Toursm industry in India
In 1929 the world travel revenues were estimated at 30,000 million dollars which worked out to 2% of world product. By 1976′, this amount rose to 450 thousand dollar which is about 6% of world product. These figures speak of the growth and importance of the tourism industry. Besides generating income and employment opportunities, the development in tourism gives an impetus to social relationships. The tourism industry plays a positive role in the field of both interstate and international relationships. It brings about regional as well as international understanding. Tourism industry brings and joins the people of different cultures, religions, languages, etc. Thus it provides them an opportunity to share their ideas which is very important to all countries.
Tourism in India
In 1990 the number of world travelers was 429 million and they spent over US $ 249 billion. Direct employment in tourism industry was 112 million and the indirect was much more. In India, the number of domestic tourists was estimated at 62.3 million in 1990. Foreign tourists, in the country during the same period were 1.71 million who spent Rs. 2440 crore in terms of foreign exchange. During 1991-92, the foreign exchange earnings were about Rs. 3500 crore. During 1989-90, the tourism industry in India generated direct employment of 5.5 million persons and another 8 million were employed indirectly.
Of the 50 or so Kachchwaha forts, Jaigarh was most important. Opened to the public in 1983, it is well worth a long visit, afterwards nipping to the other end of the Kali Khoh Ridge to catch sunset over Jaipur from Nahargarh Fort. Gaitor, where the royals who lived down in Jaipur have their elaborately carved white marble tombs, lies between the City Palace and Nahargarh Fort. It is reached along a bumpy lane running right off the Amber-Jaipur road. But before the turn-off, the Maharanis’ less-grand tombs are on the left, on the roadside just after Man Sagar Lake. Beware: although Jaigarh Fort and Gaitor are both open daily, they currently close at 4.30 pm. Jaigarh Fort is a fun fort—there is even a toy cannon which can be blasted off for a few rupees. And it is in remarkably good condition. Its superb location has saved it from being attacked. In peacetime it was only accessible to the ruler (and it is one small section of Jaipur still belonging to the ex-royal family).
Jaigarh Fort, Jaipur
When the defeated Minas became the clan’s loyal treasurers, they used their skills as archers and mountain fighters to guard this fort. Here Man Singh and his successors stored their fast-accumulating gold, silver and jewels which paid first for building Amber, then for Jaipur and for centuries of grand royal living. Legend tells how each new Kachchwaha chief was taken by the Minas into the treasury just once, where he chose a single item from the dazzling piles of war booty. Legends are tenacious. In 1976 the Indian taxman dug here mouths, finding nothing. Some say Jai Singh squandered it all on his new city; other claim it is still there. Certainly, the Rajmata of Jaipur, widow of the last maharaja, remembers the object her Father-in-law Madho Singh II had chosen. It was a solid gold bird with ruby eyes and a huge emerald hi its beak which sat on a Rambagh Palace mantelpiece. “One day the emerald fell out of the beak and we put the bird away … I wonder what became of it?”
Rajputs have always taken their hill forts very seriously. Belonging to the Hindu Kshatriya (warrior) caste, they found plenty of encouragement in the sacred Purana texts—`a fort is the strength of a king’, ‘a force of one hundred, fighting from a fort, can encounter ten thousand’, and so on. The Puranas even gave guidelines for the plan. Although this fort had existed for centuries, it was Jai Singh II who expanded, remodelled and renamed it in 1726, giving it its romantic character. Visitors can now ramble all over the area, pause at the cafe or watch a delightful puppet show. On arrival by road at Doongar Gate (where the ticket office is), it is best to head for the great cannon first, then visit the armoury, gun foundry and palace complex. If you are lucky, Thakur Pratap Singh, a handsome Rajput with a fine curly moustache, may be around to tell you more of Jaigarh’s illustrious history.
Rajputs
Perched on a cliff, the fort is surrounded by huge battlements whose inside walkway provides stuning views on all sides. Jaivan, perhaps the world’s largest cannon, stands at the southern end. The barrel is six metres (nearly 20 feet) long, and decorated with elephants, flowers and birds; the wheels have a diameter of two-and-a-half metres (eight feet). Jai Singh II had it built in 1720 and test-fired it once, landing the cannon ball about 38 kilometers (24 miles) away. But, as the notice proudly points out, ‘because of strong defence system, management and the foresightedness of the rulers, enemy never dared to enter this fort’. So it was never used. However, Thakur Pratap Singh reckons it could be fired today, only ‘in Jaipur many houses fall down; the hills have reverberations all round’.
On the way to the northern end, you can go down into the three damp, arched tanks in.the courtyard, which stored water for emergency use; ever hopeful, the taxmen drained them in 1976. Through the great arch into Jaleb Chowk, the fort’s ort s armorury kept in the closed verandas includes the huge treasury lock ‘with its five keys, great wine and oil jars, seventeenth-century time bombs and a wonderful 1681 map of Amber. The far end of the square is where you get drinks and where you can have a mini cannon fired off with a surprisingly big bang.
To the right is the gun foundry, built by Bhagwan Das (ruled 1574-89), with furnace, lathe, tools and a collection of cannons. Bhagwan Das’s adopted son, who became Man Singh I, obtained the secret of gunpowder while he was Akbar’s Governor at Kabul in 1584, and cannons began to be made here three years later, much to the annoyance of the Mughals who had brought gunpowder to India in 1526 (when it helped them conquer the Lodis and the Raj puts) but carefully kept the secret to themselves. The royal look-out post up above the foundry includes a stone throne from which the chieftain surveyed the whole of Amber gorge and beyond.
The palace, which fills the north end, begins as usual with the Diwan-i-Am (public audience hall). But, appropriately, Khilbat Niwas (commanders’ meeting hall), complete with secret back passages for royal escape, replaces the Diwan-i-Khas. Locals strike up charming puppet shows in one palace (on request); lime plaster floors still shine smoothly; and the Aram Mandir (rest house) still traps every little breeze. At the end, the old sixteenth-century Vilas Mandir courtyard was where the royal ladies gossiped at their evening janani-majlis, best translated as hen-parties. The pavilions around it provide near-perfect views down over Amber on one side and the fort’s reservoir, Sagar Talav, on the other. Nahargarh (tiger) Fort is not in the same class as Jaigarh, but it is picturesque—and it closes at 4.30 pm. Along the ridge-top road to it, there are magnificent views down to Man Sagar Lake, in the middle of which Jai Singh II built a thoroughly palatial duck blind for shooting parties (there are now plans to convert it into a hotel). Alternatively, the keen can hike up the steep path found at the end of Nahargarh Fort Road at the north-west corner ofJaipur City Palace. Durga Cafe, beside the fort, produces a rewarding drink. Also Visit Best of Golden Triangle Tours
Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur
Jai Singh II built the fort in 1734. Known at first as Sudarshangarh,it was his new city’s defence and the link back to Amber Fort via the Kali khoh Ridge and Jaigarh. Ram Singh II gave it an extra floor in 1808 -9; Madho Singh II made other additions in 1902-3. This fort was where official Jaipur time was boomed out across the city, where the ranis (royal ladies) came to cool down and where the personal royal treasure was kept until Man Singh II moved it in the 1940s to Moti Doongri, the Scottish folly south of the pink city.
The royal tombs at Gaitor stand right below Nahargarh Fort. If the great doors at the top of the entrance steps are closed, just hover about and the watchman will come to open them. Inside, peacocks strut along the finely carved marble of Madho Singh II’s enormous mausoleum at the front, while monkeys frolic among the trees around Jai Singh’s beautiful mausoleum at the back. The 20 pillars richly carved with mythological scenes (except where vandals have snatched them) support a pure white marble dome. It is a suitably splendid memorial for the founder of Jaipur—who died of ill health in 1743 aged just 55. He had been one of the great soldiers and intellects of his time and one of the greatest Kachchwaha rulers.
If you planning to explore Jaipur, book Golden triangle tour packages from Delhi with Swan Tours at best price and discover Delhi, Jaipur and Agra also, Swan Tours one of the leading travel agents in India.
Here is list of hidden tourist destination of Kashmir below:
Pampore Kashmir
Explore 4 Hidden tourist destination of Kashmir
Palmpore
Located 16 kms from Srinagar, on the road to Pahalgam, Pampore is the centre of Kashmir’s saffron industry, producing 90% of the state’s saffron. Called the ‘golden bowl of Kashmir’, it is known for producing the best-quality saffron in the world.
By the end of October these bright flowers are in full bloom, bathing the landscape in swathes of lovely purple. The vast stretches give the impression of ‘a newly wedded bride draped in a saffron shawl taking a nap’. It brings alive the romance of King Yusuf Shah and Zoon, the beautiful Kashmiri poetess. According to lore, one moonlit night in October, the king strayed into the saffron fields where he saw Zoon and fell in love with her. They were soon wed and Zoon became queen Habba Khatoon.
Blossoming at dawn, the flowers quickly wilt as the day passes. Thus entire families, including children and helpers, fan out over the fields with baskets before sunrise, plucking the flowers. It is a festive occasion with kahwa or saffron tea being served as a refresher. The flowers are then spread out on sheets and left to dry, after which the stigma, from which the spice is derived, is separated.
The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism organised Saffron Festival, held every October, gives visitors an opportunity to witness the colourful harvesting process.
Despite the tedious process, where every single stigma stem is carefully plucked by hand, very little saffron – is actually obtained even from vast tracts of land: 150 flowers yield barely one gram of saffron threads, making it one of the most expensive, and prized, spices in the world.
Avantipur Kashmir
Avantipur
Founded by Avantivarman (855-883 AD), the first king of the Utpala dynasty, the ancient township of Avantipur is in Anantnag district, 28 kms from Srinagar, on the road to Pahalgam. Avantivarman built two magnificent temple complexes here, 500 m from one another: Avantisvamin, dedicated to Vishnu, and Avantisvara, dedicated to Siva. Forgotten over time, the emples were rediscovered during an excavation in the early 20th century.
The massive temples were once ornately decorated with sculptural details and even today, despite their ruinous state, give a clear indication of their original grandeur. Also Visit – Vaishno Devi Helicopter Booking
Doodhpatri Kashmir
Doodhpatri
FROM SRINAGAR: 47 KMS
ALTITUDE: 1,600 M APPROX
Doodhpatri is yet another beautiful meadow, just 42 kms from Srinagar, accessed via Budgam and Khansahib. The relatively lesser-known place is being developed as a tourist resort by Jammu and Kashmir Tourism. Also Visit – Kashmir tour packages
The tranquil meadow, surrounded by thick coniferous forests, provides an idyllic setting for a relaxing outing. The river Doodh Ganga, flowing through here, is abundant in trout and draws angling enthusiasts.
Four kms before one gets to Doodhpatri is a vast green meadow at Parihas, from where one can choose to trek to Doodhpatri.
Both Parihas and Doodhpatri are being developed by Jammu and Kashmir Tourism as tourist destinations.
Close by is the ziarat of Sheikh Noor-ud-Din (whose dargah is at Chrar-e-Sharif). It is believed that the holy saint spent 12 years at this site doing ibadat (worshipping the Almighty). Every year, during the last week of August, a three-day Urs is held, that draws people from all faith from across Kashmir.
Achabal Kashmir
Achabal
Thirteen kilometers northwest of Kokernag, is the splendid garden at Achabal. It is 8 kms from Anantnag, off NH 1B. Built by Nur Jahan, the garden is also called Begamabad Bagh.
According to CM Stuart Villiers, gardens sprang up wherever the Mughal royal party set up their camps (Gardens of the Great Mughals). Renowned historian Takeo Kamiya writes, ‘Till today natural spring water runs with vigour in the fountains and canals. The profusion of sycamore trees in this Mughal garden gives it a lively appearance.’
The French traveller Francois Bernier, who visited Kashmir with Aurangzeb in 1664, records: ‘The spring [at Achabal] gushes out of the earth with violence, as if it issued from the bottom of some well and the water is so abundant that it ought rather to be called a river than a fountain. It is excellent water, and as cold as ice. The garden is very handsome, laid out in regular walks, and full of fruit trees — apple, pear, plum, apricot, and cherry.’
For more information on hidden tourist destination of Jammu and Kashmir contact Swan Tours one of the leading travel agents in India.
The union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has realized the importance of tourism in this nature’s gifted paradise. Efforts have been made to declare this economic activity as industry as per recommendations of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. With a view to developing the tourism in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, it has been decided to treat ‘Tourism’ as an industry in the Union Territory. This will enable those engaged in tourism and promotional activities in Andaman and Nicobar Islands Islands to become eligible for concessions/incentives as applicable to the economic industrial sector from time to time wherever such schemes are relevant to tourism activities.
With the air connections increasing and the number of hotels and resorts also going up, Andaman tour packages are getting very popular with both international and the domestic guests.
The following concessions are made available to the tourism sector under relevant schemes operated by different departments such as industry, transport and education, etc.
Subsidy for preparation of feasibility/project report.
Investment subsidy as applicable from time to time.
Incentives for training for local manpower.
Augmenting availability of funds from state’s financial corporations.
Concessions in electricity and water charges.
Allocation of land at concessional rate.
Exemption from building tax levied by the Revenue Department/Municipal Corporation.
Concessions are also given to and made available to classified hotels, restaurants, purchase of luxury cars, coaches and boats etc., by tour operators, construction of amusement parks, recreation centers, auditoriums, handicrafts emporiums, rope ways, institutions teaching surfing, skiing, trekking, etc.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands are rich in resources for tourism which are found in abundance. The natural beauty of the Islands is very attractive which often urges the writers to term them as the Green Islands in the Marigold sun. They are now being recognized as .tourists’ paradise by both the domestic and foreign tourists. The expanse of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is everywhere sparklingly beautiful. The surrounded waters are studded in many directions with numerous hillocks, rocks and islets, many of them exceedingly pretty and picturesque with marvelous green oasis in the Bay of Bengal.
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A most hospitable and cosmopolitan society, free from rigidity of caste, creed and religion, projecting composite Indian culture, Andaman and Nicobar Islands are characterized by unity in diversity. The undulating terrain, the inter-play of land, sea and serpentine creeks, the bright white trips of the sun-kissed sea beaches, the blue bays, the rich tropical forests fringed by bright green mangroves, all combine to enhance the scenic value of the Islands in a way not to be found anywhere else in the country. The green vegetation and back waters etc. altogether make the Islands most serene and enchanting.
There are about 1200 industrial units in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. All these are wood and marine based, etc. But the industrial development in the islands has not been fast enough. Though the population growth is quite high, better improvement in literacy rate, provision for incentives and concessions, subsidies, and bounties can prove a big help to the industrialists. Hence the tourism industry, along with the other allied activities like trade and commerce needs attention of the administration, planners, policy makers, hoteliers, economists, researchers, academicians and tour operators to find out ways and means to improve the tourism facilities by reducing the transport fares both for ships as well as for flights in terms of different socio cultural and economic, and marketing indicators so that, tourism in these islands can reach the vast majority of population. This requires effective planning and a detailed study of the available resources favorable to the tourism industry in this territory. For more information on tours and sightseeing in Andaman’s, contact Swan Tours – a travel agency in India since 1995.
Three Of India’s Largest States — Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh — lie in Central India. This vast and densely populated region is the countlys Hindi-speaking belt (often called the “cow belt”), an area remarkable as much for its rich historical past and religious and cultural diversity as for its mineral wealth.
The River Ganges, which flows through Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Bihar, has shaped much of the history and culture of both states. On its fertile banks, civilizations, cities and empires have grown and flourished, from 1500 BC onwards. Today, the river continues to play a crucial role in the economy, culture, religion as well as imagination of the millions of people who live in the surrounding Gangetic Plains.
Varanasi
UP is both the spiritual heartland of Hinduism and the cultural heartland of Indian Islam — the former symbolized by Varanasi, the holiest of Indian cities, and the latter by the Taj Mahal, the country’s greatest Islamic monument. With a population of 148 Ilion, UP elects more members to Indian parliament than any other ate, and therefore play a dominant role in national politics. Six Indian prime ministers have been from here, including Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, his daughter Indira Gandhi and grandson Rajiv Gandhi and, more recently, Atal Behari Vajpayee. The tides of contemporary politics often hinge on the strength of caste and religious sentiments. One tragic result of this was the demolition of a 15th-century mosque in the town of Ayodhya in 1992, by Hindu religious extremists, because they claimed it stood at the spot where Lord Rama was born. The incident led to widespread Hindu-Muslim riots and the issue continues to simmer.
In November 2000, several new states were created. In UP, the northernmost section, covering the Kumaon and Garhwal hills, became the new state of Uttaranchal. This is an area of great natural beauty, with picturesque hill stations, trekking trails, and ancient Hindu pilgrimage centres, in the shadow of towering Himalayan peaks.
Bodh Gaya
Bihar, like UP, is a densely populated state, and its political agenda too has in recent years been dominated by caste-based issues, at the expense of social and economic development. As a result, rural poverty is still widespread and the literacy rate remains abysmally low, at around 40 per cent. Ironically, this was a state that once had one of the ancient world’s greatest universities, at Nalanda, and was the seat of two of India’s greatest empires, the Maurya and Gupta empires. Bihar also occupies an important place in the history of Indian civilization, as the birthplace of Buddhism — for it was here, at Bodh Gaya, that the Buddha gained enlightenment. This historic legacy can be seen in the state’s famous Buddhist sites. Present-day Bihar has an earthy vitality, which can be experienced at the huge annual cattle fair at Sonepur, where a prime attraction is the unique elephant bazaar.
The new state of Jharkhand, in what Was southern Bihar, came into being in November 2000. An area of great natural beauty, Jharkhand comprises a forested plateau, home to a large Population of tribal people with distinctive cultures, who now dominate the political and economic life of their nascent state. Jharkhand is blessed with great mineral wealth, and its rich deposits of coal and iron, in Particular, ensure its future prosperity.
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh (MP) provides a sharp contrast to the flat, crowded plains of UP and Bihar, with its varied terrain and relatively sparse population. The countryside here is an enchanting mosaic of cotton fields, craggy ravines, rolling hills, and vast tracts of forest and grassland, which are home to at least half of India’s tiger population. A tragic industrial disaster in the state capital, Bhopal, in 1984 has made the people of this state especially active in environmental issues, and many of them have been campaigning against a large dam on the Narmada river. MP still gets relatively few visitors, yet few other states can rival its range of attractions, which include the World Heritage monuments at Sanchi and Khajuraho, and some of India’s finest wildlife sanctuaries. At the same time as Jharkhand and Uttaranchal, Chhatisgarh came into being. This southeastern part of Madhya Pradesh is a thickly forested area, populated by different tribal communities, engaged in agriculture and a variety of beautiful crafts. Facilities are still being developed to welcome visitors to this fascinating part of the country.
Most selling Tour Packages in India
Here is list of most selling tour packages in India below:
Golden Triangle Tour Packages, Same Day Agra Tour By Car, Delhi Sightseeing Tour by Car, Golden Triangle Travel Package, Agra Bharatpur Tour Package, Golden Triangle with Shimla Tour, Golden Triangle Tour with Mathura Vrindavan, Delhi Agra Jaipur Luxury Tour, Golden Triangle Tour With Varanasi and many more.
Book Golden triangle tour packages in India with Swan Tours at best price and discover tourist places in Central India.
The holy city of Ajmer is an integral part of travel itineraries in Rajasthan. Due to its strategic location, most of the tourists visiting Rajasthan surely would either visit or pass by Ajmer. Rajasthan tour packages customized by the tour operators ensure a visit to Ajmer.
Ajmer is not replete with interesting sights: the Dargah Sharif is the highlight of any itinerary, and die-hard sightseeing enthusiasts can include Adhai Din ka Jhompra, Nasiyan and the Ajmer Museum. Further out of town lie the Taragarh Fort and the pretty Anasagar Lake, but other than these Ajmer has little to offer. On the whole, a day should be more than sufficient to see all there is.
Dargah Sharif – Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti
The Dargah Sharif of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti: India’s most important shrine for Muslims, the mausoleum of the Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (1138-1256 AD) is much venerated by both Muslims as well as Hindus. Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, known as Gareeb Nawaz (`patron of the poor’) came to Ajmer at the age of 52 years, and over the next few decades, became a much-revered saint, so much so that rulers and invaders- including Mohammad Ghori himself- came to him for enlightenment. The saint’s mausoleum has, over the centuries, been renovated and enlarged. The Mughal emperor Shahjahan’s daughter had a special women’s prayer room made at the dargah, and Shahjahan himself made a mosque in a corner of the complex; his grandfather Akbar too had built a mosque here earlier. The white-domed mausoleum is today approached through a high gateway with silver doors, leading into a second courtyard beyond which lies the tomb of the saint, surrounded by silver railings and a marble screen.
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The shrine of Khwaja Sahib is believed to have immense powers to relieve illness and worry — so much so that the Mughal emperor Akbar came here to beg for an heir — who was subsequently born. Even today, thousands of Muslims and Hindus alike come to the dargah to pray for relief from troubles, both physical and otherwise.
Adhai Din ka Jhompra: Ajmer’s other important sight is the interesting Adhai Din ka Jhompra (literally, the ‘Hut of Two and a Half Days’). Situated close to the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Adhai Din ka Jhompra is believed to have been built in exactly two and a half days- hence the name. This may sound pretty hard to believe, until one realizes that the two-and-a-half-days’ work actually pertains to additions made to a structure already in existence. Mohammad Ghori, who invaded India in 1193 AD, is said to have converted a Sanskrit college and its surrounding temple complex into a mosque by adding a seven-arched wall in front of a pillared hall which was previously part of the temple. A fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture, Adhai Din ka Jhompra is worth seeing in that its façade is so obviously Islamic, while its pillared interiors are distinctly like those of the many temples one would see in other parts of Rajasthan.
Adhai Din ka Jhompra
Taragarh Fort: Built by the ruler Ajaipal Chauhan in the 7th century, the Taragarh Fort (`Star Fort’) lies above the Adhai Din ka Jhompra, at a distance of about 3 km from Ajmer itself. The climb from Adhai Din ka Jhompra up to the fort is a steep one of about an hour and a half, but for those who are willing to do it, it’s very rewarding, for the view of the town below is truly panoramic. The fort is supposedly the first in India to have been built atop a hill- which is also why it was called Ajai Meru (Invincible Hill’). Taragarh was the scene of much military activity during the time of the Mughals, and the British later used it as a sanatorium for their soldiers. Today much of the fort lies in ruins, but it offers an interesting glimpse of Ajmer’s history nevertheless.
Taragarh Fort
Anasagar Lake: The artificial lake known as Anasagar Lake was created by the Chauhan ruler Anaji, in the years 1135 to 1150 AD. The lake is set between two hillocks known as Bajrang Garh and Khobra Bherun (both named after temples atop them), and was added to, over the following years by others. The Mughal emperor Jehangir laid out a garden, known as the Daulat Bagh, beside the lake, and his son, Shahjahan, had a marble pavilion-a baradari — also built on the lake’s shore.
Anasagar Lake
Nasiyan: The exquisite red sandstone temple of Nasiyan dates back to 1865, when it was constructed by Rai Bahadur Seth Mool Chand Soni of Ajmer. The double-storeyed building of Nasiyan is a Jain temple, divided into two sections: the first is the actual house of worship, which is home to an idol of Adinath (the first of the 24 Jain tirthankars), while the second section is a museum, housed in a vats and extremely ornate hall. The hall is extensively decorated with scenes from Jain mythology, all of them worked in a combination of gilt and wood, along with Belgian glass, stained glass, and paint.
Nasiyan Temple
The Ajmer Museum: The Ajmer Museum is a modest one, but it merits a visit- if for nothing than to see the building in which it is housed. The Museum’s collection of Mughal and Rajput armoury and sculptures is displayed in a striking palace built by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1570. The armoury is rather disappointing, but the sculptures and carvings section makes up amply.
The Ajmer Museum
For more information on tourist destinations in Rajasthan , contact Swan Tours – one of the leading travel agents in India , Established in 1995.
THE PEAKS OF THE HIMALAYAS, the most spectacular natural barrier in the world, mark the boundaries of the area that extends northwards from Delhi. A variety of cultures and landscapes lies within this region. Delhi’s bustling urban sprawl gradually gives way to the lush, flat farmlands of Punjab and Haryana, north of which are the serene mountainous lands of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.
THE PEAKS OF THE HIMALAYAS
In geological terms, the Himalayas are very young, but for humans, they evoke a feeling of timeless eternity, and have been a source of spiritual inspiration for Indians for thousands of years. The monasteries and temples situated on their slopes perfectly complement the profound beauty of these mountains. Most visitors to the region start out from Delhi, the country’s capital, a city that is a blend of several historical eras. Its grand Mughal past is evident in its many superb monuments and tombs. The elegant tree-lined avenues and bungalows of New Delhi evoke the period of the British rule. Yet both coexist alongside the modern world of internet cafés, shopping arcades and posh multiplex cinemas.
Delhi’s population swelled massively to accommodate the millions of people displaced by the Partition of India in 1947, when the western portion of Punjab became part of Pakistan. Homeless refugees from west Punjab have since prospered in Delhi, and now dominate the city’s commercial life. As the nation’s capital, Delhi continues to attract people from all over India, giving this vibrant city a resolutely cosmopolitan air.
The hardworking, resilient Punjabis have also transformed their home state with modern farming techniques, introduced in the 1960s. As a result of this “Green Revolution” Punjab and Haryana today produce much of India’s wheat and rice, and one-third of its dairy products. Punjab is are also among the most successful immigrant communities in the world, and today, almost every family has at least one member living abroad, whether in London, New York, Vancouver or Hong Kong, as portrayed in Mira Nair’s film, Monsoon Wedding (2001). The name “Punjab” refers to the five (panch) rivers (ab) which traverse this green land. The sixth “river”, if one can call it that, is the legendary Grand Trunk Road . Travelling almost anywhere north of Delhi, one is bound to use this route. The kind of traffic may have changed since Rudyard Kipling’s day, and it is now rather prosaically rechristened National Highway 1, but it still lives up to the author’s description: “Such a river of life exists nowhere in the world”.
During the Rajera, the British would escape from the summer heat of the plains and head for the hills. Today’s visitors follow in their footsteps all year round. Himachal Pradesh has a number of delightful hill stations, such as Shimla, Kasauli and Dalhousie. The hill-sides are covered with orchards, and apple farming is an important part of the state’s economy. Himachal Pradesh also offers spectacular treks, some of which start from Dharamsala, a town with a distinct Tibetan flavour as the home of the Dalai Lama. Himachal Tourby Swan Tours , offers a great holiday experience.
Jammu and Kashmir, which includes Ladakh, is India’s northernmost state. Tragically, the militant separatist movement in the beautiful Kashmir Valley has effectively put an end to tourism there.
Kashmir Valley
But Ladakh remains an oasis of peace. Often perceived as having a purely Buddhist culture, its population is, in fact, almost equally divided between Buddhists and Muslims, who coexist here in harmony. Ladakh’s uniquely syncretic culture, together with its astonishing natural beauty and the dramatic architecture of its monasteries, make it one of India’s most fascinating areas.
For more travel information on the destinations in North India , contact Swan Tours – One of the leadingtravel agents in India since 1995
A trip to Bhutan , is mainly focussed around three cities – Thimphu , Paro and Punakha . Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan and offers a glimpse into traditional culture and also how beautifully this is in fusion with the modern world , Thimphu is the focal point of any Bhutan Tour Packages , the Top 5 Things to See in Thimphu , Bhutan are as follows :
Bhutan Olympics Sports Complex
Thimphu’s only indoor sports complex houses a swimming pool, basketball court, and gym. The pool is open to travelers. Many sporting events and tournaments take place here; check to see if anything is scheduled while you are in town.
Changangkha Lhakhang
The temple is situated on a ridge high above Thimphu. Fluttering prayer flags adorn the courtyard, where the view of the valley is spectacular. Changangkha is one of the oldest temples in the valley, built in the 15th century by a descendant of Lamo Phajo Drugom Shigpo, the founder of the Drukpa school in Bhutan. Al-though tourists may not enter, the inner walls of the temple are said to be decorated with remarkable paintings, including a noted painting of Tsangpa Gyare Dorje, the founder of the Drukpa school in Tibet.
Drubthob Monastery
This small monastery is located on the road that runs high above the dzong. The name comes from the incarnation of the saint Drubthob Thangton Gyelpo. The monastery is currently in-habited by the Zilukha nunnery. Gaden Lam, Thimphu.
Memorial Chorten
The Memorial Chorten is one of Thimphu’s most prominent landmarks. It was built in 1974 in memory of the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, by his mother, the Royal Grandmother, Ashi Phuntsho Choegron. Within the walls of this Tibetan-style chorten are numerous tantric statues and religious paintings. Unlike other chortens, this one does not contain any remains of the king. The Memorial Chorten is a good introduction to Tantric Buddhism in all its complexity. Try to visit this religious site with a guide who can explain the principles of Tantric Buddhism and interpret the symbols found inside.
Motithang Mini Zoo
Thimphu’s zoo, on the outskirts of town, has an un-usually lovely story. Many years ago, the king decided that keeping animals in captivity was very much against Bhutan’s moral principles, and he released the zoo animals into the wild. However, the tame takins, Bhutan’s national animal, rare bovid mammals, found their way back and wandered the busy streets of Thimphu. Thus, the animals were put back into an enclosed area and are looked after by a caretaker. The “zoo,” a large area enclosed by a mesh fence, is on the hill behind Motithang, and has beautiful views of the valley. It’s home to about a dozen takins and a yak.
Accommodation on Thimphu
In the heart of Thimphu is the perfect place to stop for a quick bite or linger over coffee and pastries, Swiss Bakery Norzin Lam, lust above the southern traffic circle, Thimphu. This eating establishment has been a favorite of expatriates for years. The closest thing in Thimphu to a fast-food restaurant, the bakery serves tasty cheese sandwiches with a secret sauce and hamburgers. The pastries here are not to be missed; a few house specialties are linzer tortes, rum balls, Swiss rolls, and sweet buns.
For more information on travel to Bhutan , contact one of the leading travel agents in India – Swan Tours , promoting tourism in Bhutan since 1995.
The Sun Temple is one of the best Hindu temple dedicated to the solar deity Surya situated at in Gujarat. The Sun Temple Gujaratat Modhera was I built in 1026 by King Bhima I of the Solanki dynasty. It is so precisely laid out in an east-west direction that the sun’s rays course through its chambers and strike the centre of the inner sanctum at high noon every day. The carvings, both inside and on the exterior, are extraordinarily detailed, depicting a pantheon of Hindu deities as well as scenes from everyday life. An impressive tank dominates the forecourt. The juxtaposition of a tank with a Sun Temple is inspired by Vedic scriptures, which say that the sun was born from the depths of a primordial ocean. Also Visit – Gujarat tour packages
The Entrance Hall
This hall has 12 representations of Surya, that depict the phase of the sun in the each month of the year.
Shrines
The tank is surrounded by miniature shrines, topped by curved shikharas.
The Kund
Flights of stairs create a ripple effect down to the base of the tank (Kund), which is shaped like an inverted pyramid.
The Torana
All that survives of the torana or arched gateway are these two intricately carved columns leading into the temple.
Garbhagriha
The walls and pillars of the inner sanctum are richly carved with images of deities, in strict order of their celestial hierarchy.
Sabha Mandaps, the assembly hall, was reserved for religious discourses and socio-cultural ceremonies.
Nritya Mandapa
This hall, which leads from the assembly hall towards the inner sanctum, was used for dance performances.
For more information on Modhera Sun temple Gujarat contact Swan Tours one of the leading travel agents in India.
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