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NAGALAND : General Information
Capital : Kohima.
Area : 16, 579 sq.km.
Literacy : 67%.
Languages : Nagamese, English, Sema.
Roads : 13, 732 km.
Railways : 19 km.
Airport : Dimapur.
When to visit : Nov to Mar.
Monsoon : May to Sept.
Districts : 8, Dimapur, Kohima, Mokokchung, Mon, Phek, Tuensang, Wokha, Zunheboto.
Places of Tourist importance : Veda peak, Kohima - village, war cemetry, Longwa village, Dzukou valley, Chui village, Intangki national park - Wild life.
ORISSA : General Information
Capital : Bhubaneshwar.
Area : 1, 55, 707 sq.km.
Literacy : 63.1%.
Languages : Oriya, Bengali, Hindi.
Roads : 2, 10, 238 km.
Railways : 2, 190 km.
Airports : Bhubaneshwar, Raurkela.
When to visit : Oct to Mar.
Climate(in °C) : Summer 49 Winter 16 to 5.
Districts : 30, Anugul, Balangir, Baleshwar, Bargarh, Baudh, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Debagarh, Dhenkanal, Gajapati, Ganjam, Jagatsighapur, Jajapur, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Kendrapara, Kendujhar, Khordha, Koraput, Malkangiri, Mayurbhanj, Nabarangapur, Nayagarh, Nuapada, Puri, Rayagada, Sambalpur, Sonapur, Sundaargarh.
Places of Tourist importance : Bhubaneshwar, Puri, Konark, Chilka.
ORISSA : Tourist Information
BHUBANESHWAR - A temple city with 500 temples, Bhaskareshwar temple, Raja rani temple, Lingaraja temple (600 AD, 36.5 m high), Parasurameswar temple, Mukteshwar temple, Vaital temple with erotic sculptures, Bhaskareswar temple with two story high Shiv linga, Kedareswara - Gauri temple, Secretariat, State museum, Dhauli (8 km, Emperor Ashoka's rock edicts, Peace pagoda), Khandagiri (7 km, 15 Jain caves with carvings of 100 BC), Hathi Gumpha (elephant cave) - King's inscriptions. Udayagiri - Buddhist caves (18 km, 18 caves of 100 BC), Ratnagiri caves near Cuttack, Nandankanan botanical and zoological gardens (20 km) with the largest Lion Safari in India, and the only White tiger safari in the world.
KONARK Sun temple (70 km) - Known as 'BLACK PAGODA' of 1300 AD, a world heritage centre, it is made in the form of a chariot having 24 intricately carved wheels, chariot with Sun God is pulled by 7 horses (in ruins), beach, archaeological museum, Dance festival in Dec.
PURI temple (60 km) - One of the four most holy places of Hindu pilgrimage (other holy abodes are Badrinath, Dwarka & Rameshwaram), 20000 people are depended on temple for their livelihood, 65 m spire, beaches, Pipli on the way is a village famous for handicrafts - colourful canopies, beach umbrellas, hand bags etc.
CHILKA lake (100 km) - Balugaon, Ramba and Barkul island dotted lake, Honeymoon island, Kalijai temple on an island, bird life.
GOPALPUR - Beach resort near Chhatrapur (150 km), TAPTAPANI hot springs (60 km from Gopalpur).
HIRAKUD DAM - The fourth largest dam in the world, picnic spot.
FESTIVALS - Puri car festival (June/July), Holi (Feb/Mar).
ORISSA : Tourist Information
BHUBANESHWAR - A temple city with 500 temples, Bhaskareshwar temple, Raja rani temple, Lingaraja temple (600 AD, 36.5 m high), Parasurameswar temple, Mukteshwar temple, Vaital temple with erotic sculptures, Bhaskareswar temple with two story high Shiv linga, Kedareswara - Gauri temple, Secretariat, State museum, Dhauli (8 km, Emperor Ashoka's rock edicts, Peace pagoda), Khandagiri (7 km, 15 Jain caves with carvings of 100 BC), Hathi Gumpha (elephant cave) - King's inscriptions. Udayagiri - Buddhist caves (18 km, 18 caves of 100 BC), Ratnagiri caves near Cuttack, Nandankanan botanical and zoological gardens (20 km) with the largest Lion Safari in India, and the only White tiger safari in the world.
KONARK Sun temple (70 km) - Known as 'BLACK PAGODA' of 1300 AD, a world heritage centre, it is made in the form of a chariot having 24 intricately carved wheels, chariot with Sun God is pulled by 7 horses (in ruins), beach, archaeological museum, Dance festival in Dec.
PURI temple (60 km) - One of the four most holy places of Hindu pilgrimage (other holy abodes are Badrinath, Dwarka & Rameshwaram), 20000 people are depended on temple for their livelihood, 65 m spire, beaches, Pipli on the way is a village famous for handicrafts - colourful canopies, beach umbrellas, hand bags etc.
CHILKA lake (100 km) - Balugaon, Ramba and Barkul island dotted lake, Honeymoon island, Kalijai temple on an island, bird life.
GOPALPUR - Beach resort near Chhatrapur (150 km), TAPTAPANI hot springs (60 km from Gopalpur).
HIRAKUD DAM - The fourth largest dam in the world, picnic spot.
FESTIVALS - Puri car festival (June/July), Holi (Feb/Mar).
PUNJAB : General Information
Capital : Chandigarh.
Area : 50, 362 sq.km.
Literacy : 69.9%.
Languages : Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu.
Roads : 58, 151 km.
Railways : 2, 140 km.
Airports : Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bathinda.
When to visit : Oct to Mar.
Climate(in °C) : Summer 45 to 35 Winter 14 to 0.
Districts : 17, Amritsar, Bhatinda, Faridkot, Fatehgarh sahib, Firozpur, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Mansa, Moga, Muktsar, Nawanshahr, Patiala, Rupnagar, Sangrur.
Places of Tourist importance : Amritsar, Jalandhar, Bathinda, Bhakra Nangal dam.
PUNJAB : Tourist Information
AMRITSAR - Golden temple (Harmandir sahib, 1577) and museum, 65 m long marble causeway through the pool of nectar (Taran Taran tank) to Golden temple, gardens, fort, Durgiana marble temple (1600 AD), JALIANWALLABAGH - memorial to 379 unarmed martyrs, who were massacred by English Gen. R.E.H. Dyer on April 13, 1919.
ATARI/WAGAH - Cross over point for Pakistan, 30 km from Amritsar.
ANANDPUR - Sikh holy shrine. NANGAL - Picnic spot, dam site.
KAPURTHALA - Palace, temples, mosque. BATHINDA fort.
LUDHIANA - Famous for woollen, fort, industrial town.
FESTIVALS - Holi (Feb/March), Baisakhi (April), Diwali (Oct/Nov).
RAJASTHAN : General Information
Capital : Jaipur.
Area : 3, 42, 239 sq.km.
Literacy : 61.5%.
Languages : Hindi, Rajasthani, Urdu.
Roads : 1, 34, 632 km.
Railways : 5, 890 km.
Airports : Jaipur, Udaipur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Kota.
When to visit : Oct to Mar.
Climate(in °C) : Summer 45 to 17 Winter 32 to 7.
Districts : 32, Ajmer, Alwar, Banswara, Baran, Barmer, Bharatpur, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Bundi, Chittaurgarh, Churu, Dausa, Dhaulpur, Dungarpur, Ganagnagar, Hanumangarh, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jalor, Jhalawar, Jhunjhunu, Jodhpur, Karauli, Kota, Nagaur, Pali, Rajsamand, Sawai Madhopur, Sikar, Sirohi, Tonk, Udaipur.
Places of Tourist importance : Jaipur, Ajmer, Alwar, Bharatpur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Mt. Abu.
RAJASTHAN : Tourist Information
JAIPUR - Known as 'the pink city', Jaigarh fort with world's largest cannon on wheels and museum, city palace with large silver container, museum, Nahargarh fort. Jai Singh observatory, government museum, museum of indology, handicrafts, Sisodia palace (3 km), Hawa mahal with 953 windows, Ram Nivas Bagh, zoo & Albert hall museum, Ishar lat tower near Tripola bazar, Govindevji temple, Galtaji temple, central museum, Gaitor (8 km) - palace, centographs, Amer palace (11 km) and archaeological museum, Jal mahal in Mansagar lake, Sanganer Jain temple (12 km).
BIKANER - Junagarh fort and museum, Lalbaug palace, Ganga memorial museum, Government museum, Bhandasagar Jain temple (5 km), camel farm (15 km), Devikund tomb (8 km), Deshnoke (32 km) - Karni devi temple (famous heavan for rats).
AJMER - Dargah of saint Moinuddin Chisti, Rajputana museum, Government museum, Taragarh fort, Mayo college, Pushkar lake (11 km) - Brahma temple.
JODHPUR - Mehrangarh fort, inside palaces and museum, lakes, Sardar market museum, Maha temple, Jaswant Thada royal tombs. 16 Jain temples at Osiyan (60 km).
JAISALMER - 650 km from Jaipur, fort, palace, museum, Amar sagar (6 km) : lake, Jain temple, Badabagh (6 km) : Royal centograph, lake, Ludrawa Jain temple (16 km) : Splendid carving, Aakal fossil park (17 km), Sand dunes at Sam National desert park (40 km), Jain temple of Rikabdevji and Sambhavnathji, Manek Chowk and Salim Singh, Nathwaji and Patwon ki Havelis.
Mt. ABU - Jain Dilwara temples : Adinath temple (1031 AD), Hill resort, Nakki lake, Adha devi temple, Gaumuk temple, Raghunathji temple, Sunset point, Honey moon point, Achalgargh fort (8 km) - temple.
UDAIPUR - Lake Pichola with island palaces Jag Mandir and Jag Nivas, city palace and museum - access from Tripoli gate, Government museum, Archaeological museum, Jagdish temple, Saheliom ki Bari garden, Fateh Sagar lake and Pratap memorial, Ahar - centographs, Sajjan nivas, Machchalaya Magra, Dodh Talai, Sajjangarh palace, Eklingji - 108 temples of 734 AD in marble (22 km), Nagda (Near Eklingji) - Sas Bahu temple and Adbudji Jain temple, Rishabdeoji temple (65 km), Ranakpur Adinath Jain temple complex (85 km).
CHITTAURGARH - Fort, Kali temple, Rama Kumbha's palace.
BHARATPUR - 60 km from Agra; fort, palace, Government museum, Dig (35 km, palace, fort), Keoladeo Ghana (5 km, largest water bird sanctuary in India, Oct to Feb) - a world heritage centre.
FESTIVALS - Jaisalmer desert festival (Feb), Holi (Feb/Mar), Teej (July/Aug), Raksha bandhan (Aug/Sept), Dussera, Diwali, Pushkar fair (Oct/Nov).
RAJASTHAN photos
SIKKIM : General Information
Capital : Gangtok.
Area : 7, 096 sq.km.
Literacy : 69.8%.
Languages :Bhutia, Lepcha, Nepali.
Roads : 1, 834 km.
Heliport : Gangtok.
When to visit : Mar to May, Sept to Nov.
Climate(in °C) : Cold, fog and Rain.
Districts : 4, East Sikkim, West Sikkim, South Sikkim, North Sikkim.
Places of Tourist importance : Mt. Kanchenjunga (8598 m), Singba Dhododendron sanctuary, Yumthang, Namtse, Pelling, Nathu La, Yuksom.
SIKKIM : Tourist Information
GANGTOK - World's 3 rd highest mountain Kanchenjunga (8598 m), trekking, palace, handicrafts, orchid sanctuary, Rumtek monastery (24 km).
LACHUNG - 123 km from Gangtok, Yak country, waterfalls, scenic beauty.
YUMTHANG - 24 km from Lachung, Yak country, hot springs.
NATHU LA - 4400 m high pass on the India - China/Tibet road, 54 km from Gangtok. The trade route is opened on July 2006. 520 km to Lhasa.
TASHIDING - Monastery, Buddhist pilgrim centre.
YUKSOM - Lakes, scenic beauty, training base for Himalayan training institute.
FESTIVALS - Losar (Feb), Losoong (Nov/Dec).
TAMIL NADU : General Information
Capital : Chennai.
Area : 1, 30, 058 sq.km.
Literacy : 73.5%.
Languages : Tamil, Urdu, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada.
Roads : 20, 576 km.
Railways : 4, 000 km.
Airports : Chennai, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Coimbatore, Tanjavur, Tuticorin.
When to visit : Nov to Mar.
Climate(in °C) : Summer 43 to 18.
Monsoon : Oct to Dec.
Districts : 30, Chennai, Coimbatore, Cuddalore, Dharmapuri, Dindigul, Erode, Kancheepuram, Kanyakumari, Krishnagiri, Karur, Madurai, Nagapattinam, Namakkal, Perambalur, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Salem, Sivaganaga, Thanjavur, The Nilgiris, Theni, Thiruvallur, Thiruvarur, Tiruchirappally, Tirunelveli, Tiruvanamalai, Toothukudi, Vellore, Viluppuram, Virudhunagar.
Places of Tourist importance : Chennai, Kancheepuram, Kanyakumari, Kodaikkanal, Madurai, Mamallapuram, Rameswaram, Thanjavur, Tiruchirappally, Ooty.
TAMIL NADU : Tourist Information
CHENNAI (MADRAS) - Marina beach : Second longest beach in the world with a length of 11 km, Anna memorial, MGR memorial, Madras University, San Thome cathedral, Kapileswar temple at Mylapore (39 m high), Valluvar Kotlam memorial shaped like a chariot (1976), St.Thomas mount with bleeding stone cross, Egmore museum, Government museum and art gallery, St.George fort - State Assembly and museum, parks, Guindy national park, Kishkinda fantacy park with 3D theatre, Vandalur zoological park (35 km), Pulicat (59 km, backwaters, boating, bird sanctuary, beach).
MAMALLAPURAM / MAHABALIPURAM - World heritage centre, 70 km from Chennai, rock cut temples, shore temple and 'rathas', sculpture, beach, crocodile bank (14 km), Tirukkalukundrum temple - (16 km), Dolphin city with Sea Lion, MGM Dissiworld at Tambaram, VGP, Little folks.
KANCHIPURAM - City of 1000 temples 60 km from Chennai, One of the seven holy places for Hindus, (others are Dwaraka, Ujjain, Varanasi, Ayodha, Mathura and Haridwar), Vaikundaperumal temple, Ekambaranathar temple (59 m, 540 pillared hall), Kailashnath temple (700 AD), Varadarajaperumal temple (3 km, 100 pillared hall with rock carved chain), Sriperumbudur - Rajiv Gandhi memorial (30 km).
PALANI - Temple & rope way.
MADURAI - Sri Meenakshi temple with 30 million sculptures, one of the largest temples in India, museum, Gandhi memorial museum and government museum, Tirumalai Nayak palace museum, Kapiliswarar temple, Parthasarthy temple, Thirupparankundram temple (8 km).
SRIVILLIPUTUR - Highest temple tower, 74 km from Madurai.
KODAIKANAL (2100 m) - Hill station 120 km from Madurai, lake, Solar Physics observatory, Shenbegannur museum of orchids, Pillar rocks (120 m), Byrant park (trees and shrubs), Silver Cascade (waterfall).
RAMESWARAM - Indira Gandhi Setu over sea (Pamban bridge, 2.3 km), temple with longest corridor (197 m), One of the four most sacred Hindu pilgrim centres.
UDAGAMANDALAM / OOTACAMUND / OOTY - Coimbatore (95 km), hill resort, toy train route from Mettupalayam to Ooty is in world heritage centre list : 16 tunels, 31 bridges, 326 m to 2193 m , 1899 AD, 46 km in 4.5 hour. Botanical garden, fossil tree trunk (20 million year old), lake, rose garden, Dodebetta peak (2636 m, 10 km), tea plantation, Government museum, Deer park, Pykara (21 km) : Toda settlement, trekking, Kotagiri hill station (40 km); Coonoor hill station (20 km) : Dolphin's nose (26 km) to view Catherine falls, Lamb's rock : View of Coimbatore plains, Sim's park, botanical gardens; MUDUMALAI Wild life sanctuary (30 km).
TIRUCHIRAPALLI - Rock fort temple (84 m with 437 steps cut into a tunnel through rock, in 1660), Jambukeshwar temple, museum, St.John's church, SRIRANGAM temple (10 km) : World's biggest Hindu temple with 21 gopurams and 904 pillared hall, tallest tower is 72 m high.
TANJAVUR - Brihadeshwara temple, a world heritage centre. 63 m high temple has a single piece of granite weighing 80 tonnes as dome, 6 m high Nandi statue, palace, Saraswati mahal library and art gallery, Raja museum, temple museum, Kumbhakonam temple (30 km), VELANGANNI - Church of Our Lady, Major christian pilgrim centre with festival on Sept 7 (94 km), Nagore - Muslim pilgrim centre.
CHIDAMBARAM (106 km from Tanjavur) - Natraja temple with 1000 pillared hall, four 49 m gopurams and a huge chariot, Thillai Kali Amman temple.
TIRUVANNAMALAI - Arunachal temple tower of 66 m with 1000 pillared hall, 80 km from Vellore. Ginjee fort (40 km).
TIRUNELVELI - Kantimati and Nellaipapper temples, Tiruchendur shore temple (13 km).
KUTTALAM - Waterfall near Tenkasi near the Kerala border.
HOGENAKKAL - Waterfall near Karnataka border. Access from the Salem - Hosur road.
KANYAKUMARI (CAPE COMORIN) - Land's end, Guganatha sami temple, Gandhi memorial, Vivekananda rock (via boat 200 m from shore), temple, church, Suchindram temple (13 km) : Musical pillar and 5.3 m Hanuman statue, Padmanabhapuram (30 km) - Palace, museum, temple.
TRIPURA : General Information
Capital : Agartala.
Area : 10, 491 sq.km.
Literacy : 73%.
Languages : Tripuri, Manipuri, Bengali.
Roads : 14, 726 km.
Railways : 45 km.
Airports : Agartala, Kailashahar, Kamalpur.
When to visit : Sept to Mar.
Climate(in °C) : Summer 35 to 24 Winter 27 to 13.
Monsoon : June to Aug.
Districts : 4, Dhalai, North Tripura, South Tripura, West Tripura.
Places of Tourist importance : Ujjayanta palace, State museum, Jagannath temple and Rabindra Kanan at Agartala, Wild life sanctuary - Sephahijala, Trishna, Gumti and Roa.
UTTARANCHAL : General Information
Capital : Dehradun.
Area : 53, 483 sq.km.
Literacy : 72.6%.
Languages : Hindi, Garhwali, Kumaoni.
Roads : 18, 000 km.
Railways : 600 km.
Airports : Dehradun, Pant nagar.
When to visit : Oct to Mar.
Climate(in °C) : 1.9 to 40.5 .
Districts : 13, Almora, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Champawat, Dehradun, Garhwal, Hardwar, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal, Udhamsigh nagar, Uttarkashi.
Places of Tourist importance : Dehradun, Mussoorie, Hardwar, Almora, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Auli, Gangotri, Yamnotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath, National parks - Nanda Devi, Valley of flowers, Rajaji, Askot, Corbett, Kedarnath ; Glaciers - Gangotri, Pindari, Maiktoli, Sunderdhunga, Milam, Ralam, Namik, Khatling, Nanda Devi, Satopnath, Bhagirathi-Kharak, Bandarpunch, Chorbari, Doonagiri ; Kailas Manasarovar Yatra.
UTTARANCHAL : Tourist Information
DEHRADUN - Capital of Uttaranchal, hill station, Indian military academy.
MUSSOORIE - Major hill station 28 km from Dehradun, gardens, trekking, Gun hill rope way, Tibettan market, Kempty falls (15 km), Yamuna bridge (27 km), Surkhanda devi temple (35 km), Yamnotri (140 km).
YAMNOTRI - Source of river Yamuna, Hindu pilgrim centre - temple, hot springs - Surya kund (88oC), Divya shila rock pillar near the temple. Mussoorie to Hanuman chatti (130 km). 13 km trek via Janaki chatti for Yamnotri. 120 km for Gangotri.
GANGOTRI (3048 m) - Glacier at Gaumukh (24 km trek), source of Ganga river, Hindu pilgrim centre, temple, access from Dehradun by bus, Open May to October. Mussoorie to Lanka (112 km). Trek to Gangotri (11 km), to Bhajbasa (3800 m, 12 km) via Chibasa, to Gaumukh (3970 m, 12 km) and back .
HARIDWAR - Kumbh mela is held here after every 12 years, Chandi devi temple, Bharatmata temple, Mayadevi temple, Bhimgoda temple, Mansadevi temple (ropeway), Vaishnodevi temple, Hari-i-Pairi Ganga ghat for evening Aarti, temples, ashrams.
RISHIKESH - Hindu pilgrim centre, Trivel ghat : Evening Aarti, Swarg ashram : famous for Yoga and meditation, Kali temple, Lakshman Jhoola (bridge), Ram Jhoola. Kedarnath (222 km), Badrinath (300 km).
KEDARNATH - Hindu pilgrim centre near Badrinath (180 km, 3584 m, 13 km trek from Gaurikund - hot springs, May to Oct), jyotirlinga, Shankaracharya samadhi, Chaukamba glacier (2 km), Vasuki tal lake (4200m, 5 km , 2 km in dia.), trekking, wild flowers .
12 JYOTIRLINGAS : Bhimashankar (Pune), Grishneshwar (Aurangabad), Vajyanath (Parali/Bid), Nageswar/AundaNagnath (Nanded), Trikambeswar (Nashik), Viswanath (Varanasi), Mallikarjun (Srisailam, AP), Mahakaleswar (Ujjain), Kedarnath (UA), Mamaleswar (Omkareswar, Indore), Somnath (GJ), Rameshwar (TN).
BADARINATH - Hindu pilgrim centre (bus from Rishikesh, 300 km, 12 hour, 3100 m), hot springs : Taptakund and Surya kund (550C), from temple steps leads to Charan paduka. The last village Mana is at 3 km. Vyas gupha : cave, trek to Vasudhara falls via Bhim pul (5 km, 122 m water fall at 3658 m). The route leads to Mt. Nilkantha (6596 m, 10 km). Mt. Kamet (7756 m).
ALMORA - Hill station, temples, trekking, Pindari glacier via Bagheshwar (120 km, May - June for flowers), Kausani (53 km, hill station).
NAINITAL - Hill station, lakes, boating, Ranikhet hill station (50 km) - Jhodadevi temple; Railhead is Kathagodam connected to Bareilly. Almora (90 km).
CORBETT NATIONAL PARK - First national park in India, named after Jim Corbett at Dhikkal, Season : Nov to May.
Trekking in UTTARANCHAL
1. NAG TIBBA (3040 m) - Mussoorie to Barkot/Kuwa. On the way getdown at Nainbagh (1115 m). Trek to Panthwari (1524 m, 11 km) and then to Nag Tibba (8 km).
2. HAR KI DOON - Mussoorie to Purola (97 km). Then to Netwar (50 km) and to Taluka (23 km) via Saur, Trek to Osla (2559 m, 11 km), to Har Ki Doon (3566 m, 8 km). The road upto Taluka is motorable except during monsoon.
3. DODITAL LAKE (3024 m) - Uttarkashi to Kalyani (1829 m, 11 km) by jeep. Trek 21 km to Dodital lake via Agoda.
4. BUDDHA KEDAR - Tehri to Ghuttu via Ghansali (63 km). (a) From Ghuttu (1524 m) trek to Bhairon Chatti (2493 m, 9 km), to Buddha Kedar (1524 m, 7 km) via Tolachati. Travel to Ghansali by bus (32 km). (b) SAHSRATAL LAKE - Buddha Kedar to Jhala (5 km), to Belak (9 km), to Sahsratal (9 km). (c) From Ghuttu (1524 m) trek to Duphanda (2896 m, 7 km), to PANWALI KANTHA (3963 m, 3 km).
5. KHATLING GLACIER / MASARTAL LAKE - From Ghuttu (1524 m) trek to Reeh (2132 m, 10 km), to Gangi (2584 m, 10 km), to Kalyani (2683 m, 5 km), to Bhelbagi (3110 m, 13 km), to Khatling (3717 m, 7 km), to Masartal (3675 m, 6 km).
6. ROOPKUND LAKE (5030 m) - Bageshwar to Gwaldam and then to Debal (45 km) by bus. Travel by jeep to Mandoli and then to Wan. Wan to Bedni Bugyal (3350 m, 14 km) : 6 hour. Bedni Bugyal to Bhagwa Basa (4100 m, 5 hour). Then to Roop Kund and back : 50 km , 4 days. Lake is at the foot of Trishul (7122 m) peak.
7. SUNDERDUNGA GLACIER - Bageshwar to Song by bus. Trek to Dhakuri via Loharkhet (14 km), to Jatoli via Umla (15 km), to Kathalia (3206 m) via Dungiadong (13 km), (a) to Sunderdunga glacier (7 km, 3800 m) : 90 km, 7 days. (b) to Sukhram glacier (7 km, 3900 m). (c) Maiktoli glacier (7 km, 3800 m). Tharkot (6100 m), Mrigthuni (6856 m), Maiktoli (6804 m) and Pawali Dwar (6663 m) are nearby peaks.
8. PINDARI - KAFNI GLACIER - Bageshwar to Song by bus (40 km, 1400 m). Trek to Dhakuri (14 km, 2680 m) via Loharkhet, to Khati (2210 m, 8 km), to Dwali (2576 m, 11 km), (a) to Pindari glacier (3353 to 4625 m) via Phurkia (8 km, 3260 m) : 90 km, 6 day trek. (b) Kafni glacier (13 km, 3800 m) via Byaligar. All places have dak bunglows. Executive Engr PWD Almora is the reservation authority.
9. MILAM GLACIER (4267 m) - Bageshwar to Munsiyari (135 km, 2290 m). Birthi falls on the way. Trek to Lilam (11 km), to Bugadiar (8 km), to Rilkote (10 km), to Milam village (14 km, 3423 m) via Martoli, to glacier and back (4 km) : 120 km, 8 days.
OR
Bageshwar to Martoli by bus. Trek to Milam glacier (20 km, length of 27 km and 3 km width). Best Season for trek is May to June and Sept to Oct.
10. NANDADEVI SANCTUARY - A world heritage centre with Mt. Nandadevi (7817 m, India's second highest peak). Joshimath - Malari (70 km) road goes through Tapovan, Reni, Lata (25 km) and Juma. (a) From Malari trek to Niti village (5038 m). (b) Trek from Lata to Dharansi (4250 m, 17 km) and then to Nandadevi sanctuary (40 km) with permit.
11. VALLEY OF FLOWERS (3658 to 3962 m) - A world heritage centre and the only flower national park in India with variety of flowers, discovered by Frank Smythe. Season - July to August. Govind ghat (1828 m, 18 km after Joshimath on Badarinath road) to Ghanjhira (3048 m, 15 km, 7 h, Gurudwara/Rest house) by trek. Trek 5 km to Valley of flowers. Take permit from Govind ghat. HEMKUND/LOKPAL (4329 m) : Sikh Pilgrim centre, 6 km trek from Ghanjhira. Lakshman temple and lake.
12. CURZON TRAIL - Nandaprayag to Ghat (19 km). Trek to Ramni (1982 m, 10 km), to Sarkot (2439 m, 4 km), to Jhenjipatni (1524 m, 9 km), to Panarani (2043 m, 12 km), to Sanatoli (2439 m, 5 km), to Domabhiti (2286 m, 5 km), to Kauri pass (4268 m, 5 km), to Tapoban (18 km). Travel to Joshimath (15 km, Jeep). Joshimath has highest and 3.9 km long rope way to Auli skiing centre (10 km by Jeep).
13. KEDARNATH (3584 m) - 14 km trek from Gaurikund (1981 m). Accomodation is available at Kedarnath. Chaukamba glacier is nearby. Trek to Vasukital (4135 m, 6 km, 1 km in diameter) with a guide as the route is difficult to find. Paian Tal is 1 km from Vasukital.
UTTAR PRADESH : General Information
Capital : Lucknow.
Area : 2, 38, 566 sq.km.
Literacy : 57%.
Languages : Hindi, Urdu.
Roads : 2, 37, 358 km.
Railways : 8, 911 km.
Airports : Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Allahabad, Varanasi, Jhansi, Bareilly, Ghaziabad, Rae Bareilli.
When to visit : Oct to Mar.
Climate(in °C) : Summer 45 to 11 Winter 32 to 2.
Monsoon : June to Sept
Districts : 70, Agra, Aligarh , Allahabad, Ambedkar nagar, Auraiya, Azamgarh, Baghpat, Bahraich, Ballia, Balrampur, Banda, Barabanki, Bareilly, Basti, Bijnor, Budaun, Bulandshahar, Chandauli, Chatrapati Shahuji Maharaj nagar, Chitrakoot, Deoria, Etah, Etawah, Faizabad, Farrukhabad, Fatehpur, Firozabad, Gautam Buddha nagar, Ghaziabad, Ghazipur, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Hamirpur, Hadoi, Hathras, Jalaun, Jaunpur, Jhansi, Jyotiba Phule nagar, Kannauj, Kanpur Dehat,Kanpur nagar, Kaushambi, Kheri, Kushinagar, Lalitpur, Lucknow, Maharajganj, Mahoba, Mainpuri, Mathura, Mau, Maeerut, Mirzapur, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Pilibhit, Pratapgarh, Rae Bareli, Rampur, Saharanpur, San Kabir nagar, Sant Ravidas nagar, Shahjahanpur, Shravasti, Siddharth nagar, Sitapur, Sonbhadra, Sultanpur, Unnao, Varanasi.
Places of Tourist importance : Agra, Fatehpur sikri, Lucknow, Varanasi, Saranath, Allahabad, Ayodhya, Mathura.
UTTAR PRADESH : Tourist Information
AGRA - TAJ MAHAL : One of the seven wonders of the world, a world heritage centre, a symbol of eternal love, 20 000 people worked day and night for 22 years in the Taj's construction under the archetect Isa Khan, 70 m high dome with 4 towers of 41.6 m high, 580 m * 300 m area, palaces, Agra fort : a world heritage centre, gardens, Radha swamy samadhi at Dayalbagh (highly ornate in marble), Mariyam's tomb (13 km), Akbar's tomb at Sikandra (8 km); Chini ka Roza (7 km) - Tomb of Afzal Mullah.
FATEHPUR SIKRI (35 km) - a world heritage centre, Buland Darwaza : world's largest door way 43 m high by Akbar, 13 m high steps leads to the door, masjid, tomb of Salim Chisti, fort, Panch mahal, palaces, ancient capital of Akbar.
ALIGARH - Famous muslim university, fort, mosque.
MATHURA - Birth place of Lord Krishna, Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple, Dwarkadeesh temple, mosque, Kans qila and Raja Jai Singh observatory, Gita mandir, Mathura ghats - Vishram, kali, Dahi, Govindkeshi, Government museum, Vrindavan (10 km) - Krishna Balram temple, Givindev temple, Rangaji temple, Radha ballabh temple, Bankey Bihari temple, Shahji temple.
JHANSI - Fort and museum, Government museum, Rani Mahal museum, Orchha (18 km) and Khajuraho (175 km) in MP.
ALLAHABAD - Sangam, confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and invisible Saraswati, Kumbhmela is held at Sangam is India's biggest festival (once in 12 years) with largest religious crowd, Anand Bhavan : House of Nehru family, Allahabad university building, All saints cathedral, fort, temples, Allahabad museum.
VARANASI - Sacred city for Hindus, Viswanath temple : Jyotirlinga, Gyan Vapi masjid, Ganga bathing ghats, Banaras Hindu university, Ramnagar (18 km, palace, fort, museum), SARANATH (10 km) : Place of Buddha's first sermon, archaeological museum, monastery, Dhamek stupa (44 m in height and 28 m in diameter), Lion capital.
LUMBINI (Nepal) - A world heritage centre, birth place of Lord Buddha, 96 km from Gorakhpur and 8 km from the border, Buddhist pilgrim centre.
FESTIVALS - Lucknow fest (Nov), Janmastami (Aug), Jhoola fair and Holi at Mathura.
WEST BENGAL : General Information
Capital : Kolkata.
Area : 88, 752 sq.km.
Literacy : 69.6%.
Languages : Bengali, Hindi.
Roads : 77, 579 km.
Railways : 3, 768 km.
Airports : Bagdogra, Kolkata, Cooch-Behar, Malda, Balurghat.
When to visit : Oct to Mar.
Climate(in °C) : Summer 40 to 24 Winter 26 to 7.
Monsoon : June to Sept
Districts : 19, Bankura, Bardhaman Birbhum, Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, East Midanapore, Hooghly, Howrah, Jalpaiguri, Kolkatta, Maldah, Murshidabad, Nadia, North Twenty four Parganas, North Dinajpur, Puruliya, South Twenty four Parganas, South Dinajpur, West Midanapore.
Places of Tourist importance : Kolkata, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Shantiniketan, Sunderbans national park, beaches - Digha, Shankarpur, Junput, Sagardwip, Bakkhali.
WEST BENGAL : Tourist Information
KOLKATA (CALCUTTA) - Haora bridge : busiest hanging bridge (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, Victoria memorial, 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, Metro underground railway (16.5 km from Dumdum to Tollygunje), Belur (15 km, Ramakrishna mission headquarters), Dakshineshwar Kali temple (11 km), Tarakeshwar temple (80 km).
SUNDERBANS - Wild life sanctuary, a world heritage centre (Dec to May), the biggest delta in the world. Diamond harbour : River side picnic spot.
SHANTINIKETAN - Tagore's Viswa Bharathi University (215 km). TARAPITH temple (80 km from Shantiniketan).
DARJEELING (666 km from KOLKATA) - Shiliguri : 90 km toy train route to Darjeeling, a world heritage route, major hill resort, New Jaipalguri (86 km, 7.5 hour) connects Darjeeling by narrow gauge. Trekking (April-May, Oct-Nov), gardens, museums, temples, handicrafts, fishing, Himalayan training institute, zoological park and museum, Lloyd botanical park, Rangeet valley rope way (5 km), Observatory hills, Ghoom Buddhist monastery (6 km), Senchal (11 km) : View of Everest and Mt. Kanchenjunga from Tiger hill, picnic spot.
KALINGPANG - Hill station, tea plantation, handicrafts, Buddhist monastery.
SANDAKPHU - Excellent views of Himalaya, trekking.
JALDHAPARA - Wild life sanctuary (Dec to May).
FESTIVALS - Durga puja (Sept/Oct), Diwali (Oct/Nov), Baisakhi (April/May).
Andaman Nicobar Islands : Tourist Information
Capital : Port Blair.
Area : 8, 249 sq.km.
Literacy : 81.3%.
Languages : Hindi, Tamil, English, Bengali.
Roads : 2, 806 km.
Airports : Port Blair.
When to visit : Dec to April.
Climate(in °C) : 33 to 22 .
Monsoon : May to Oct
Districts : 2, Andaman, Nicobar.
Places of Tourist importance : Andaman - Long island, Neil island, Mayabander, Rangat, Little Andaman island, Cellular jail, National memorial museum, Ross island, Scuba diving, Indira point - northern most point of India, Barren island with India's only active volcano.
CHANDIGARH : General Information
Capital : Chandigarh.
Area : 114 sq.km.
Literacy : 81.9%.
Languages : Hindi, Punjabi.
Roads : 141 km.
Railways : 8 km.
Airports : Chandigarh.
When to visit : Oct to Mar.
Climate(in °C) : Summer 43 to 35 Winter 14 to 7.
Monsoon : Jul to Sept.
Districts : 1, Chandigarh.
Daman & Diu : Tourist Information
Capital : Daman.
Area : 112 sq.km.
Literacy : 81.2%.
Airports : Daman, Diu.
Languages : Gujrathi, Marathi, Hindi.
Climate(in °C) : 29 to 34.
Monsoon : Jul to Sept.
Districts : 2, Daman, Diu.
Places of Tourist importance : Fort of Moti Daman, Jampore beach, Kadaiya lake garden, Diu fort, museum, Zampa waterfall and sanctuary.
DADRA & NAGAR HAVELI : General Information
Capital : Silvassa.
Area : 491 sq.km.
Literacy : 60.6%.
Languages : Gujrathi, Marathi, Konkani.
Roads : 518 km.
When to visit : Oct to Mar.
Climate(in °C) : Summer 41 to 27 Winter 29 to 14.
Districts : 1, Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
Places of Tourist importance : Khanvel, Tribal cultural museum, Vanganga lake.
LAKSHADWEEP : Tourist Information
Capital : Kavaratti.
Area : 32 sq.km.
Literacy : 87%.
Airports : Agatti.
Languages : Malayalam, Tamil.
When to visit : Oct to May.
Climate(in °C) : Summer 22 to 35 Winter 20 to 32.
Monsoon : Oct to Nov.
Districts : 1, Lakshadweep.
Places of Tourist importance : Minicoy light house, Urja mosque, Buddhist archaeological remains at Andrott.
PONDICHERRY : Tourist Information
Capital : Pondicherry.
Area : 492 sq.km.
Literacy : 81.6%.
Languages : Tamil, French, Malayalam, Telugu.
Districts : 4, Karaikal (Tamil nadu), Mahe (Kerala), Pondicherry (Tamil Nadu), Yanam (Andhra Pradesh).
Places of Tourist importance : Pondicherry - Auroville and Sri Aurobindo ashram, museum, botanical garden, Ananda Rangapillai, war memorial, Statue of Joan of Arc, light house, Varadarajaperumal temple.
Jama Masjid or the Jami Masjid was built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, between 1644 and 1658 and is the final architectural piece built by him. Situated in the ancient town of Old Delhi, this pride of the Mughals was built by five thousand artisans. The mosque stands on Bho Jhala, which is one of the old Mughal capital cities of Shahjahanbad. Originally called the Masjid-i-Jahanuma, or "mosque commanding view of the world", this magnificent structure is the largest and most exquisite mosque in India and is made up of alternate vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble.
On the east, this monument faces the Lal Quila (Red Fort) and has three gateways, four towers and two minarets. The gateways in the north and south are led by a fleet of steps. The main eastern entrance remains closed on most days of the week and was perhaps used by the Emperors.
The main prayer hall is used on most days by worshippers and is made up of high cusped arches and marble domes. On Fridays and other holy days the courtyard is filled with devotees who come in for 'Namaaz'.
The cupboard in the North gate of the mosque contains a collection of Muhammad's relics - the Koran written on deerskin, a red beard-hair of the prophet, his sandals and his footprint, embedded in a marble slab, all of which are still preserved.
Khardung la (5602 m , world's highest motorable road, which connects the world's highest battlefield - Siachen glacier) : Leh - South pulu (25) - Khardung la (40) - North pulu - Khardung village (71) - Khalsar junction (95) - Sumur (128) - Teggar (130) - Panamik (150, road head to the Siachen glacier) - Sasoma(165). This route - Nubra valley - requires inner line permit from DM Leh. Khalsar junction - Deskit (116) - Hunder(124). One can find double humped camels here. Basic accomodation facility occurs in the villages. Buses operate twice in a week to Nubra. Cars can be hired from Leh on this route.
On the way to Khardung la, from South pulu onwards one will feel the chilly weather. Even on day time, the temperature on top will be below 8 C. On Khardung la, everyone gets a hot delicious tea free. There is one temple and a military radio communication station are located. In the morning time (up to 1300 hour) the up convoy from Leh goes to Nubra valley via Khardung la. Foreign cyclists are common site on the Leh-Khardung la route. There is a bus service twice in a week from Leh to Nubra.
Major Airports of India with codes
(* Shows International Airport)
Agartala (IXA)
Agatti (AGX)
Agra (AGR)
Ahmedabad (AMD) *
Aizawl (AJL)
Amritsar (ATO)*
Aurangabad (IXU)
Bagdogra (IXB)
Bangalore (BLR)*
Belgaum (IXG)
Bhopal (BHO)
Bhubaneshwar (BBI)
Chandigarh (IXC)
Chennai (MAA) *
Coimbatore (CJB)
Delhi (DEL)*
Dehra Dun (DED)
Dibrugarh (DIB)
Dimapur (DMU)
Gaya (Gay)
Goa (GOI)*
Guwahati (GAU)*
Hubli (HBX)
Hyderabad (HYD)*
Imphal (IMF)
Indore (IDR)
Jabalpur (JLR)
Jaipur (JaI)
Jammu (IXJ)
Jamnagar (JGA)
Jamshedpur (IXW)
Jodhpur (JDH)
Jorhat (JRH)
Kanpur (KNU)
Kochi (COK) *
Kolhapur (KLH)
Kolkata (CCU) *
Kozhikode (CCJ)
Leh (IXL)
Lilabari (IXI)
Lucknow (LKO)
Madurai (IXM)
Mangalore (IXE)
Mumbai (BOM) *
Nagpur (NAG)
Patna (PAT)
Port Blair (IXZ)
Pune (PNQ)
Raipur (RPR)
Rajkot (RAJ)
Ranchi (IXR)
Shillong (SHL)
Silchar (IXS)
Srinagar (SXR)
Surat (STV)
Tezpur (TEZ)
Thiruvananthapuram (TRV)*
Tiruchirapalli (TRZ)
Tirupati (TIR)
Udaipur (UDR)
Vadodara (BDQ)
Varanasi (VNS)
Vijaywada (VGA)
Visakhapatnam (VTZ)