Tourist places in India

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Kolkata : Capital of West Bengal, earlier known as Calcutta is nicknamed as 'City of Joy'. The city has a leisurely lifestyle and the calm which has acculmulated over time. Kolkata was the capital of British India (till 1912) before it was shifted to Delhi. It is a city, which till a few years ago, was the most densely populated city in the world.

Kolkata has the country's first metro railway (underground - 16.5 km from Dumdum to Tollygunje) and also retains some of the buildings, which are more than 100 years old. Fort William was formed in 1696, which marked the birth of the city. Job Charnok founded the city. Kolkata is a home of many of India's great leaders. The clam of the Hooghly river combined with the rush of the people in the streets make Kolkota a city worth visiting. If India was the jewel in the British crown, Kolkata was its pearl.

Other tourist attractions in Kolkata are Howrah bridge is one of the busiest river hanging bridges in the world (457 m length and 8 m wide with 8 line traffic), Vidya sagar setu (1993, second hanging bridge across Hooglie), botanical gardens with 2000 year old giant Banyan tree (19 km), Alipore zoological gardens, National library, Indian museum, Birla industrial and technological museum, Shahid minar, Kalighat temple, Birla planetarium, St. Paul's cathedral, Raj Bhavan, Writer's building, trams, double deckker bus, Marble palace at Chor Bagan, Parasnath Jain temple, Nakhoda mosque, Belur (15 km, Ramakrishna mission headquarters), Dakshineshwar Kali temple (11 km, Built in 1855 by Rani Rashmonia - widow devotee), Tarakeshwar temple (80 km).

West Bengal photos

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Dalhousie is situated at a height of 2039 m in the Dhaula Dhar range in Himachal Pradesh. The scenic beauty of the dense pine and Deodar forests, beautiful streams and quiet surroundings make Dalhousie an ideal hide out from the hectic city life. During winter it is an extremely beautiful place due to snow clad peaks. Named after Lord Dalhousie, it ranges from 1525 to 2378 m. The Raavi, Chenab and Beas rivers are very impressive on a clear day. Tibetan arts still found in many areas and is one of the tourist attractions. Other places of tourist interest around are Kalatop, Khajjiar, Chamba, Bharmour, Panjpulla and the Manimahesh lake.

Dalhousie is called ' Health farm of India' and is 555 km from New Delhi. Dalhousie is the gateway to Chamba, the 'vale of milk and honey'. The town commands a panoramic view of the plains below in the south and the majestic snow clad hills in the north.

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Durga Puja (Sate festival of West Bengal): It is the holiday time for the Bengalis when the Goddess is put up in wayside pandals (makeshift pavilions). Durga is propitiated for the destruction of the buffalo headed demon Mahishashura, symbolising the victory of good over evil. Exquisitely decorated images of the goddess are set up in pandals. Night long musical soirees mark the celebrations. Famous musicians and singers compose special bhajans to be sung at these pandals. On Vijaya Dashmi, the last day, the images are taken out and immesed in the Bay of Bengal. It is held in Sept - Oct before Dussehra.

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KULABA (Island fort at Alibag) fort : The fort is 1.5 km into the sea from Alibag beach and is in line with the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism's observatory. During the low tide (0600 to 0900 h & 1500 to 1900 h) the eastern side of the fort is clear to approach. British captured the fort in 1840 and a garrison was stationed here for a long time.

It is built on a rock, possibly a spur of the Sahyadris submerged below the seas. Its location is 18 0 37' north, latitude and 72 0 56' east, longitude. It is quite close to the coast at Alibag (properly Shribag) and at low tide one just walks across to the fort. It was very strong fort with high ramparts and seventeen bastions. The main gate faces east and one can see sculptures of tiger, peacock, elephant and animals but these are now becoming indistinct.

The buildings inside as well as some of the fortification have perished. A huge fresh water tank survives but is now in a filthy condition. So also the Ganesh temple, built in 1759 by Kanhoji Angre survives. It is surrounded by a wall and a large number of devotees come to pray at the temple. The idol is made out of white marble. This is worth seeing. Other idols are installed within the temple area. Two smaller temples also exist. Mention should be made of an isolated fortified structure a little distance north of the main fort. This was named Sarjekot and was consider the eighteenth
bastion of Kulaba. The fort has two cannon on wheels.

Entry fee Rs 5 (ASI). At 1500 h one can walk at knee deep water to the fort and at around 1600 h the water fully removed and the sea bed (sand) become visible. It is a nice experience to walk in the sea to the fort. The beach is safe to swim and bath. The Alibaug each is a unique beach in the Konkan area. The fort has four entrances, toilet, observation posts, ruined buildings and three fresh water tanks.

Alibag photos

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Sanjay Gandhi National park : The 104 sq km protected area of forested hills on the city's northern fringe, has some interesting flora, birdlife and butterflies, a small poplation of leopards and a fenced area with captive tigers, including two white tigers. The best time to see birds is Oct to April and butterflies August to November. Enrance fee Rs 20. From the main gate one can travel to Kanheri caves by mini bus Rs 20 (one way).

The main attraction of the National park is lion and tiger safari, which depart from the tiger orientation centre, 1 km from the main gate. Ticket Rs 30 for a whirlwind 20 minute jaunt by mini bus through the two seperate zareas of the park housing the tiogers and lions. Safari bus leave roughly eveery 20 minutes from 0900 h to 1240 h and 1400h to 1720 h daily except Monday.

The national park has a mini toy train Rs 15. One can also climb by steps to a garden at a height to get an aerial view of the area. During the safari it will be difficult to spot a lion or a tiger. If you are lucky, you can get a glimse of 2 to 3 lions/tigers. Tigers are kept somewhat in cages. If you want to see lion/tiger in close proximity visit any of the zoo (Byculla Jijabhai Udyan).

Kanheri caves : Mini bus operates from the main gate of the National park, Rs 20 (one way). Entry fee to the caves is Rs 5. Timing : 0930 to 1730 h daily except Monday. The 109 Buddhist caves are 5 km away from the northern park entrance. They were used by Buddhist monks between the 2 nd and 9 th centuries as viharas (monasteries) and chaityas (temples).

Location : Borivali (By train from Churchgate station, Mumbai, Maharashtra in one hour). An auto at Rs 10 takes you to the park entrance. Visit the Kanheri caves first and on return getdown for the lion safari. A 5 minute walk take you to the mini train in the park.

Kanheri caves Photos

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Naukuchiyatal lake, Nainital : The name means nine cornered lake. According to a legend, if one could identify the nine corners of the lake, he or she is destined to be a millionare. The lake is 26 km from Nainital in Uttaranchal, surrounded by thickly forested hills. The forest are home to 135 species of birds and 12 species of animals. For the nature lover, it is a paradise to be explored. The nearest railhead Kathgodam is 35 km away.

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Nalanda, Bihar : The ancient Nalanda University attracted pupils from all over the world has housing for 10000 students and 2000 teachers. The university flourished from 5 th to 12 th century. King Harshavardhana gifted a 25 m high copper statue of Buddha and Kumargupta endowed a college of fine arts here. Some of the teachers were Nagarjuna, a Mahayana philosopher, Dinnaga, the founder of the school of logic, and Dharmapala, a Brahmin scholar.

The famous Chinese traveller and scholar Hieun Tsang stayed here and gave a detailed description of the situations prevailing at that time. Careful excavation of the site has revealed many stupas, monasteries, hostels, staircases, meditation halls, lecture halls and many other structures. Nalanda museum houses sculptures and other ancient archeological relics found here.

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Orcha is famous for its palaces and temples built in the 16 - 17 th centuries by the Bundela rulers. It is 18 km from Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh. The Orcha fort complex is located in an island on the river Betwa, having a number of palaces to visit in it. The Jahangir Mahal, the Raj Mahal and the Rai Parveen Mahal are some of the beautiful palaces within the fort.

The Raja Ram temple and the Laxminarayan temple are the examples of the unique blend of temple and fort architecture. The Phool Bagh garden has fountains, pavilions and an ingenious water ventilation system. The Shahid smarak commemorating the martydom of Chandrashekhar Azad, a great freedom fighter, is an important place to visit. Other places to visit are Siddh Baba ka Sthan, Jugal Kishore, Janki mandir, Dinman Hardul's palace, Sunder Mahal and Hanuman mandir at Ochharedwara.

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Shekhavati : The haveli paintings in Shekhavati area in Rajastan are of 19 to 20 th century period. In Shekhavati art, early English influence through the interaction with the British is evident. Their rooms have high backed Victorian chairs and chandeliers. Mughal influence can also be discerned in the costumes of many of the figures. On the facade Rajput horses and elephants jostle with elegant British ladies.

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Rishikesh, Uttaranchal : Rishikesh is the gateway to the kingdom of gods. The most mesmeric sight in Rishikesh is river Ganga. The suspension bridges - Lakshman Jhoola and Ram jhoola are a picturesque sight across Ganga. Glass house resort at Shivpuri is a nice place to enjoy the beauty of the area. It is the base for the Char dham yatra (Hindu pilgrimage) - Yamnotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath and to high altitude treks - Kauri pass via Auli, Valley of flower national park and Hemkund.