Tourist places in India

Bandipur Sanctuary : The sanctuary is 80 km south of Mysore in Karnataka and is adjascent to Mudumalai sanctury in Tamil Nadu. The deep forest covering the hills is an ideal place for different kinds of flora and fauna to exist. It was a private preserve of the Mysore royal family, now dedicated to 'Project Tiger'. The sanctury offers an excellent opportunity to watch elephants, deer, bisons, black panthers, antelopes, tigers and leopards. Many of these animals can be seen from close proximity from 'machans' or raised platforms. A visit to Bandipur will satisfy a nature lover's quest for beauty. The sanctury can be visited on ellephant back, by jeep or open trucks. The best season to visit is January to June and September to October. There is a Forest rest house where Ooty buses stops.

Karnataka photo gallery

Aga Khan's palace, Pune : Palace is located near the Mula river at Yerwada in 6.5 hectares of garden. Mahatma Gandhi delivered his momentous Quit India resolution in Bombay in 1942, the British interned him and other leaders of India's independence movement here for nearly two years. Both Kasturba Gandhi, the Mahatma's wife, and Mahodoebhai, his secretary for 35 years, died while imprisoned here. Their ashes are kept in memorial samadhis in the gardens.

Photos and paintings exhibitng moments in Gandhi's extraordinary career, but most moving are the simple details (such as a pair of sandals and a thermos) and a narrative on the personal tragedies met by Mahatma. Admission fee Rs 5 (Rs 100 for foreigner). Time : 0900 to 1745h daily.

Aga Khan's palace photos

Haji Ali tomb (reached by a long causeway, which can be crossed at low tide), gardens, Mahalaxmi temple and Nehru Planetarium & science museum are 3 km from Mahalaxmi railway station are nice places to visit.

Mahalaxmi Dhobi ghats : At Mahalaxmi Dhobi ghat (place where cloths are washed) in Mumbai, some 5000 men use rows of open air troughs to beat the dirt out of thousands of kilogram of soiled cloths brought from all over the city each day. The best view, and photo opportunity, is from the bridge across the railway tracks near Mahalaxmi railway station, which can be reached from Churchgate railway station.

http://gallery.bizhat.com/data/1738/medium/P1260130.jpg

Haji Ali tomb & Mahalaxmi Dhobi ghat photos

Very useful informations tx

Mattanchery: 12 km from Kochi has Jewish Synagogue (Closed on Saturdays), Jewish cemetery, Jew town with lots of Antique shops, Dutch palace cum archaeological museum, Jeevamatha Church and Holy Cross church ('Koonankurusu').

Archaeological museum, Mattanchery

History : The rise of Kochi in the 15 th century was due to the combination of geographical and political factors. After the flood in the Periyar river in 1341 AD importance of Kodungallur port declined and Kochi became one of the prominent ports in Kerala. In about 1405 AD, the royal seat of Perumpadappu Mooppil was shifted from Mhaodayapuram to Kochi. The ruler of Kochi facilitated construction of factories for the trade activites of the Portuguese and in return sought military assitance against Zamorin of Kozhikode. The repeated attacks of the Zamorin were repulsed, as the
rulers of Kochi practically became the vassals of the Portuguese. Subsequently, the Dutch esablished their supremacy over the Portuguese and took over Mattanchery in 1662 AD. Later in 1752 AD, the rulers of Travancore overran Kochi. In 1776 AD, Mysore forces under the Commandership of Sirdarkhan invaded Malabar and reduced Kochi Raja as his tributary. The English took over control of Kochi in 1795 AD, and held it till Kochi state merged with the Union of India on July 1, 1949.

The Palace

Mattanchery palace is situated at about 12 km northeast of Kochi. The palace was built and presented by the Portuguese to the Raja of Kochi Vira Kerala Varma (1537 - 1565 AD) around 1555 AD. Subsequently, the Dutch renovated the palace hence it is popularly known as the Dutch palace. The Palace has both European and indigenous architectural features. It is a double storied quadrangular structure built in 'Nalukettu' style with a courtyard in the middle.Mattanchery palace museum was established in 1985, consist of six galleries viz Coronation hall, Ramayana hall or 'Palliyara' (Bed chamber), Dutch gallery, Kovanitalam (staircase room), Dining hall and Ladies chamber.

The Exihibits

The exihibits consists of portrait paintings, umbrellas, palanquins, costumes, coins, stamps, arms of Raja of Cochin, and some of the rare mural drawings (wall painting) of Dutch of the 17 th and 18 th centuries. Krishnaleela and Sivaleela are depicted at the underground chamber of the palace.

The royal umbrellas are made of silk with brass and lace decorations while another is of Palm leaf and was used by the King while going to the temple for worship.

Weapon display include sheathed swords, daggers and axes besides ceremonial spears decorated with feathers. Attendants of the Raja of Kochi used these weapons.

Entrance fee : Rs 2 for those above 15 years old. Closed on Fridays.Timing : From 10 am to 5 pm.

Mattanchery photos

Brindavan gardens : Brindavan gardens on the terraces of the Krishnaraja sagar dam across the river Cauvery in Mysore is a meticulously planned garden. It was built in 1932 during the rule of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, who was a great lover of gardens and parks. The enchanting gardens were designed by the then Dewan of the Maharaja, Sir Mirza Ismail. A myriad of fountains, cascading and springing into different shapes, amidst the surrounding greenery and flowers, is an invigorating sight for the tourist. The fountains and the gardens are tastefully illuminated on weekends and holidays, attracting hundreds of tourists.

In between the two wings of the gardens, north and south, there is a huge fountain, rising almost as tall as the dam level - 38 mtere. The other side of the garden has an enchanting musical fountain. Brindavan gardens is a must for a tourist visiting Mysore. The musical fountain is of special interest that presents a spectacular harmony of water, colours, light and music. Every evening the gardens comes alive in a burst of dazzling colours and illumination when twirling and dancing fountains lend an atmosphere of enchantment to this fairly land. 19 km from Mysore, it is also a popular picnic spot. There is the beautiful hotel Krishnasagar overlooking the gardens and the reservoir. The dam built on the river Cauvery is the largest in south India having an area of 130 sq km.

Karnataka photo gallery

Chail is 45 km from Shimla at 2000 m ASL. It is a hiker's paradise and was the summer capital of the Maharaja of Patiala. The area is spread over three hills and is thickly forested. The palace is located in one of the most beautiful and scenic places in Hiamchal. Three kilometre from the hotel is the world's highest cricket ground, surrounded by tall forest trees. The main attractions of Chail include long pine scented walks, scenic beauty, the magic of the Gaura river full of masheer fish for the angler, many trekking routes and several types of birds to watch.

Varanasi is located in Uttar Pradesh is one of the oldest cities in India. The city has found place in the Buddhist scriptures as well as in the epic Mahabharata. In Pali language, Varanasi is called Banarasi, hence the name Banaras. Varanasi is also called 'Kashi' or the city of spiritual light. Kashi is located on the banks of river Ganga. A refreshing dip in the Ganga with the splashing of water along the ghats in Varanasi takes one to ultimate bliss. It is a city of prayer and meditation.

Varanasi has excelled in the art of silk weaving. Benarasi silk sarees and brocades are cherished as collector's items across the world. As an eternal city with a rich and vibrant past, no architectural splendour but still the city has an inherent charm of it's own.

Charminar was built by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in honour of his wife Bhagmati. The monument derives it's name from the four pillars surrounding the structure. It was in 1591 that Charminar, one of the most
remarkable monuments of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh was constructed. The height of these minars is 56 metre. The structure was built to commemorate the end of the Plague that struck the state in the 16 th century.

Elegant balconies, stucco decorations and a small mosque adorn this structure. This is one of the oldest mosques in Hyderabad. From the minars, there is a panoramic view of the city. An underground path is believed to connect it with the Golconda fort. Markets and many other structures, which add it's grace, surround the Charminar. Charminar is open to public and flood lit in the evening.

Chilka lake : 1100 sq km in area located near Puri in Orissa. It is Asia's largest brackish water lake, which is home to thousands of colourful migratory birds throughout the year. Chilka, real paradise for bird watchers, offers a spectacular display of it's variety of birds. The surrounding hills and sandy stretches abound in cheetal, blackbuck, monkey, fishing cat, mongoose, porcupine and a dolphin population near the channel meeting the sea. Kalijai is a small island on the lake which houses a temple dedicated to Kalijai. A huge fair is hosted annually on Makar sankranti day in January.

It is an excellent tourist spot for fishing, boating and bird watching. A cruise in the lake can be an unforgettable experience. The charm of the lake can be best enjoyed from Rambha and Barkul. The Sonakuda Island is located in the Rambha Bay, about 6 km inlake from Rambha Jetty, south west of Badakuda (also known as Honeymoon island- The water around the island is very clear & dark blue in colour. Dr.Anandale & Kemp recorded the limbless lizard from this island. ) and Somolo Islands. Sonnakuda is a beautiful pear shaped island, about 1 km long, with ½ km maximum width. Rocky but green with shrubbery, it is the quiet abode of a few local fisher folk households.

The Nalaban Island within the Lake is notified as a Bird Sanctuary under Wildlife (Protection) Act and during winter, migratory birds from distant lands as far as Siberia congregate on this marshy island. Sometimes there are over 2 millions of them and it is indeed one of the prize destinations especially for the eco tourists. Some of the Star attractions in winter are Flamingos, Grey and Purple Herons, Egrets, Spoonbills, Storks and White Ibis which are all seen around Nalban and on the Birds' Island.

The Becon Island located at 3.0 kms away from Rambha is an architectural marvel with a conical pillar and a small room constructed on a submerged mass of rock in the Rambha bay near Ghantasila hill. Mr. Snodgrass built this and used to relax and do office work on this island. The ornamental pillar was constructed to put a light on the top.