India travelguide

INDIA

The most visited country in Asia. India is the 7th largest country in the world with a population over one billion. More than one million foreign tourists visit India in a year. India is the largest democracy in the world. It was a travel destination since 300 BC (Megasthenis). No travel guide on India is not complete as India is so vast, wonderful and colourful.

World Heritage Centres by UNESCO (28 in India): TAJ MAHAL, Agra fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Humayun's tomb, Qutb minar, Chhatrapati Shivaji terminus/ Victoria terminus, Elephanta caves, Ellora caves, Ajanta caves, Mahabodhi temple at Bodh Gaya, toy train route to Darjeeling, Se cathedral & Bom Jesus cathedral of Goa, Pattadakal, Hampi, Brihadeshwara temple - Tanjavur , Brihadisvara temple (Gangaikonda cholapuram, Tanjavur), Airvastesvara temple (Parasuram, Tanjavur), Mahabalipuram, Nilgiri mountain railway (Ooty), Konark Sun temple, Khajuraho, Keoladeo Khana national park (Bharatpur), Kaziranga national park (Assam), Manas national park (Assam), Sundarbans national park (West Bengal), Nanda Devi and Valley of flowers national park (Uttaranchal), Rock shelters of Bhimbetka (Bhopal), Sanchi Stupa, Champaner - Pavagadh archaeological park (Vadodara), Lumbini(Nepal).

Travel to the scenic India, visit New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Mussoorie, Shimla, Kashmir, Khajuraho, Mumbai, Kolkota, Chennai, Kerala, Mysore, Mount Abu.

India photo gallery

India has 28 states, one capital union territory and 6 Union territories - Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Goa, Gujrat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal

New Delhi (capital union territory), Andaman Nicobar, Chandigarh, Daman Diu, Dadra Nagar Haveli, Lakshadweep, Pondicherry.

Important Tourist Circuits

Amritsar-Waga-Srinagar-Gulmarg-Leh
Dehradun-Mussorie-Gangotri-Yamnotri-Kedarnath-Badrinath
Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Jodhpur-Jaisalmer
Khajuraho-Varanasi-Gaya-Kathmandu
Shimla-Kullu-Manali-Dharmasala
Mumbai-Ellora-Ajanta-Goa-Jog falls
Bhavnagar-Palitana-Mount Abu-Udaipur
Belgaum-Hampi-Badami-Pattadakal-Aihole-Bijapur
Hyderabad-Warangal-Nagarjunakonda
Bhubaneshwar-Puri-Konark-Chilka
Kolkotta-Darjiling-Kalimpang-Gangtok-Guwahati-Kaziranga
Chennai-Mamallapuram-Kanchipuram-Tiruchirapalli-Tanjavur-Velamkanni
Bangalore-Mysore-Ooty
Madurai-Kodaikanal-Thekkadi-Alapuzha-Kochi

INDIA : General Information

Capital : New Delhi.

Area : 31 lakh sq. km.

Roads : 33 lakh km.

Railways : 1, 08, 706 km.

President : Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam.

Prime Minister : Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Metro cities : Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkotta and Delhi.

Currency : Rupee (1 US$=45 INR).
(For current exchange rates see www.xe.com, 1 INR = 100 paise)

Monsoon : June to Sept.

Population : 102.86 Crores (in 2001).

Population below poverty line : 25% (2002).

Literacy : 65.3% (Male 75.3% Female 53.7% ).

Sex ratio : 933 females per 1000 males.

Life expectancy : 62.5 year.

Independance : 15 August 1947.

Largest state : Rajastan.

Smallest state : Goa.

Internet users : 10 million plus.

Border Countries : Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka.

Religions : Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi.

Languages : Hindi - National language. 22 more languages are recognised by the Indian Constitution.

International Airports : Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkotta, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Amritsar and New Delhi.

States : 28 States, 6 Union territories and one National capital territory.

NEW DELHI : General Information

Capital : New Delhi.

Area : 1, 483 sq.km.

Literacy : 81.5%.

Languages : Hindi, English .

Roads : 25, 283 km.

Railways : 172 km.

Airports : Palam (Delhi), Indira Gandhi International Airport.

When to visit : Oct to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 45 to 7 Winter 20 to 7.

Monsoon : June to Sept

Districts : 9, Central, East, New Delhi, North, North East, North West, South, South West, West.

NEW DELHI

National museum, Dolls museum, Rail transport and philatelic museum, National art gallery, Jumma masjid - largest mosque in India, Hazrat Nizamuddin's shrine, Hauz Khas - Feroz Shah's tomb and deer park, Mughal gardens, Raj Ghat, Shanti vana, Vijay Ghat, Secretariat, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Birla House, India Gate (42 m high) - memorial to over 90,000 soldiers who died in second world war with 13,516 names inscribed on it, Janpath, Supreme court, Parliament house, Bahai Lotus temple with marble tiled 27 petals constructed in 6 years (1980-86), Red fort and inside palaces. Qutb Minar (18 km, 72.5 m high) - World heritage centre, tallest stone tower in India with rust free Iron pillar.

OLD DELHI - Adilabad fort, Ashoka pillar, Humayun's tomb - World heritage centre, Jantar Mantar observatory (1724 AD) of Raja Jai Singh, Purana Qila built by Sher Shah Suri in 1545 AD, zoo, Safdarjang's tomb.

SHOPPING - Chandni chowk, Connaught place, State handicraft emporia.

FESTIVALS - Republic day (26th January), Festival of flowers (August/ September), Ram Lila (September/October).

Andhra Pradesh : General Information

Capital : Hyderabad.

Area : 2, 75, 069 sq.km.

Literacy : 61.14%.

Languages : Telugu, Urdu, Tamil, Hindi.

Roads : 1, 72, 669 km.

Railways : 5, 057 km.

Airports : Hyderabad, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Vishakapatanam, Cuddapah, Rajamundry, Ramagundam, Warrangal.

When to visit : Nov to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 41 to 20 Winter 32 to 13.

Monsoon : June to Dec.

Districts : 23, Adilabad, Anantapur, Chittoor, Cuddapah, East Godavari, Guntur, Hyderabad, Karim Nagar, khammam, Krishna, Kurnool, Mahbubnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Nellore, Nizamabad, Prakasam, Rangareddi, Srikakulam, Vishakapatnam, Vizianagaram, Warangal, West Godavari.

Places of tourist importance: Hyderabad, Tirupati.

ANDHRA PRADESH

HYDERABAD - Mecca masjid : largest masjid in south India, Char Minar (55 m, 1591 to 1612, built by Mohamad Quli Qutb Shah), mosques, palaces, Salar Jung museum, Archaeological museum, gardens, NTR gardens, Nehru zoological park with lion safari, Golconda fort (11 km, tombs of Qutb shahi kings are nearby) : A clap at Fateh darwaza can be heard far away summit palace, Birla mandir : marble temple near Secretariat, Hussain Sagar lake : 16 m tall, 350 tonne monolith statue of Lord Budha on Gibralter rock in the middle of the lake, Secunderabad city (8 km), Ramoji film city; Medak church (100 km) : Huge gothic church in white granite; Warangal : Fort, temple, Hanamkonda temple (7 km) : 1000 pillared hall with 1.8 m Nandi statue.

NAGARJUNAKONDA - Archaeological museum, Buddhist ruins and reconstructed monuments; Rajahmundry : Hindu pilgrim centre, second longest railway bridge in India. Papi Kondalu : magnificent gorge and scenary near Rajahmundry.

NAGARJUNA SAGAR - Dam, Ethipothala Waterfalls ; Srisailam - Sri Mallikarjunaswamy one of the 12 jyotirlingas, Wild life sanctuary.

TIRUMALA near TIRUPATI - World's richest temple (Gold & diamonds worth Rs. 500 Cr.), Sri Venkateshwara University museum, Chandagiri fort (12 km from Tirupati), Kailasanathakona waterfalls (44 km).

PUTTAPARTI - Satya Sai Baba's Prashanti nilayam; Lepakshi - Temple having largest Nandi Statue in India (100 km from Bangalore). Amaravati (66 km from Vijaywada) - Buddhist carvings, viharas, chaityas etc.

VISHAKAPATANAM / VIZAG - Waltair beach (5 km) and Dolphin's nose (174 m cliff), Light house, Hindustan shipyard ; Simhachalam temple (20 km); Anantagiri : temples, Borra : (12 km, limestone caves with Stalagmite and Stalactite formations); Machkund waterfalls, Araku valley : scenic beauty, waterfalls.

Arunachal Pradesh : General Information

Capital : Itanagar.

Area : 83, 743 sq.km.

Literacy : 54.3%.

Languages : Tribal, Nepali, Bengali.

Roads : 10, 240 km.

Railways : 1 km.

When to visit : Oct to May.

Climate (in °C) : Summer 40 Winter 15 to 21.

Monsoon : June to Sept.

Districts : 14, Changlang, Dibang valley, East Kameng, East Siang, Kurung Kumey, Lohit, Lower Subansiri, Papum Pare, Tawang, Tirap, Upper Siang, Upper Subansiri, West Kameng, West Siang.

Places of Tourist importance : Tawang.

Arunachal Pradesh : Tourist Information

ALONG - Ramakrishna ashram, waterfalls, tribal temples.

BOMDILA - Buddhist temples, handicrafts, scenary.

ITANAGAR - Buddhist temple, Botanical garden, Dony Polo tribal temple.

NAMDAPHA - Wild life sanctuary.

TAWANG - Buddhist monastery.

VIJAYANAGAR - Remains of Buddhist centre.

FESTIVALS - Igu dance festival (Jan), Makar sankranti (Jan).

Assam : General Information

Capital : Dispur.

Area : 78, 438 sq.km.

Literacy : 64.3%.

Languages : Assamese, Bengali, Bodo.

Roads : 68, 079 km.

Railways : 2, 435 km.

Airports : Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Tezpur, Jorhat, Silchar, Lilabari.

When to visit : Oct to May.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 35 to 18 Winter 26 to 7.

Monsoon : June to Sept.

Districts : 23, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Cachar, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Goalpara, Golaghat, Hailakandi, Jorhat, Kamrup, Karbi Anglong, Karimganj, Kokrajhar, Lakhimpur, Marigaon, Nagaon, Nalbari, North Cachar Hills, Sibsagar, Sonitpur, Tinsukia.

Places of Tourist importance : Guwahati, Kaziranga & Manas natonal park, Majuli.

Assam : Tourist Information

GUWAHATI - State museum, Assam state zoo & botanical garden, temples.

KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK - A world heritage centre at Jorhat (90 km, Feb to May) famous for one horned Rhinoceros, tea gardens and tribal villages.

MANAS NATIONAL PARK - A world heritage centre (176 km from Guwahati).

MAJULI - World's largest river island and a pilgrim centre (120 km from Guwahati).

SILCHAR - Ancient ruins, temples, Bhuban (50 km).

FESTIVALS - Bohag Bihu (April), Rangoli Bihu (Sept/Oct), Durga Puja.

Bihar : General Information

Capital : Patna.

Area : 94, 163 sq.km.

Literacy : 47.5%.

Languages : Hindi, Maithli, Urdu, Santhali.

Roads : 85, 565 km.

Railways : 5, 254 km.

Airports : Gaya, Patna, Ranchi, Jamshedpur.

When to visit : Oct to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 47 to 20 Winter 28 to 4.

Monsoon : June to Oct.

Districts :37, Araria, Aurangabad, Banka, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, Buxar, Darbhanga, Gaya, Gopalganj, Jamui, Jehanabad, Kaimur,Katihar, Khagaria, Kishanganj, Lakhisarai, Madhepura, Madhubani, Munger, Muzaffarpur, Nalanda, Nawada, Pashchim Champaran, Patna, Purba Champaran, Purnia, Rohtas, Saharsa, Samastipur, Saran, Sheikhpura, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Siwan, Supaul, Vaishali.

Places of Tourist importance : Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Vaishali, Pawpuri, Vikranshila.

BIHAR : Tourist Information

PATNA - Golghar granary (29 m high and 3.6 m wide at the base), Patna museum with world's longest fossilised tree, Pahar Ki masjid, Sikh pilgrim centre - Hari mandir Takht, Hajipur (30 km, World's longest river bridge over Ganga, 5.5 km); Baidyanath dam at Deogargh (29 km from Patna), Vaisali (35 km from Hajipur) - Birth place of Mahavira, ashes of Budha preserved, Lion pillar at Kolhua (18.3 m high) and Ramkund, Buddhist and Jain pilgrim centre, museum.

BUDH GAYA - Mahabodhini temple (52 m) : World heritage centre, most sacred Buddhist pilgrim centre with Bodhi tree, stupas, museum.

GAYA - 92 km from Patna, Hindu pilgrim centre, temples, nearby stupas and Buddhist caves (Barabar cave); Nalanda - Ruins of ancient university (500 BC), Archaeological museum, Buddhist research centre, Pawapuri (23 km, Jain Pilgrim centre, Lord Mahavira the 24th Theerthankara attained Nirvana (died) here, Samosharan and Jalmandir temples are nearby), Rajgir (15 km, Jain pilgrim centre, Ajatshatru's fort (600 BC), museum, Vishwa shanti stupa at Vultutre's peak, hill station, trek to 26 Jain temples in the hill nearby, hot springs and Pippala caves at the Vaihava hills); Dehri_on_sone : Longest railway bridge in India near Sasram (3 km); Sasaram - Tomb of SherShah Suri and antiquities, lake.

HAZARIBAUG national park - Season : Dec to May.

JAYNAGAR, RAXAUL, JOGBANI - Temples, cross over point to NEPAL.

CHATTISGARH : General Information

Capital : Raipur.

Area : 136, 034 sq.km.

Literacy : 65.17%.

Languages : Hindi.

Roads : 35, 388 km.

Railways : 1, 000 km.

Airports : Raipur, Bilaspur.

When to visit : Oct to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer hot Winter cold.

Monsoon : June to Sept.

Districts :16, Bastar, Bilaspur, Dantewada, Dhamtari, Durg, Janjgir Champa, Jashpur, Kanker, Kawardha, Korba, Koriya, Mahasamund, Raigarh, Raipur, Rajnandgaon, Surguja.

Places of Tourist importance : Jagadalpur waterfall, Chitrakut falls at Jagadalpur (India's largest waterfall), Tirathgarh waterfall (35 km from Jagdalpur), Kutumsar caves (World's second longest underground cave with Stalactites and Stalagmites) and Kailash gupha (columns produce musical sound) are in the Kanger valley national park near Jagdalpur, Sirpur - Buddhist historical site with Lakshman temple, Amarkantak - Source of river Narmada (250 km from Jabalpur), Bhoramdev temple with erotic carvings (18 km from Kawardha), Bastar - Palace (Oct. Dussera), Danteshwari temple, Barnawapara sanctuary (125 km from Raipur).

GOA : General Information

Capital : Panaji.

Area : 3, 702 sq.km.

Literacy : 82%.

Languages : Konkani, Marathi, Portuguese.

Roads : 7, 457 km.

Railways : 79 km.

Airports : Dabolim (Vasco).

When to visit : Oct to May.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 32 to 24.

Monsoon : June to Sept.

Districts :2, North GOA, South GOA.

Places of Tourist importance : Basillica of Bom Jesus, Se cathedral, Dudhsagar falls, Aguada fort, Beaches : Calangute, Colva, Dona Paula, Miramar, Anjuna, Vagator, Arambol.

GOA: Tourist Information

PANAJI - Beaches, parks, cuisine, Aguada fort (10 km) - Portuguese fort on the banks of Mandavi river, Calangute beach (15 km), Dona Paula beach (7 km), Miramar beach at Gaspar Dias (3 km), Mapusa (15 km, Friday fair, gardens, St.Jerome's church), Vagator (25 km) - beach, Chhapora fort, Anjuna beach is nearby.

OLD GOA (10 km) - Christian pilgrim centre, archaeological museum, Se cathedral with gold bell, Bom Jesus Basallica (mortal remains of St.Francis Xavier, world heritage centre), Pernem temple, Pilar monastries; Ponda - temples, Safa masjid, Shanta Durga temple near Ponda, Sri Manguesh temple at Priol (5 km). Margao - Chanreshwar Butnath temple (10 km), Colva beach (6 km), Vasco Da Gamma - city, beach.

DUDHSAGAR - Waterfalls (60 km), Devil's canyon for trekking.

FESTIVALS - Christmas, New year, carnival (March/April, 3 days before lent).

GUJRAT : General Information

Capital : Gandhinagar.

Area : 1, 96, 024 sq.km.

Literacy : 69.9%.

Languages : Gujrathi, Marathi, Hindi.

Roads : 1, 33, 850 km.

Railways : 5, 322 km.

Airports : Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Vadodara, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Keshod, Rajkot, Porbandar, Kandla, Surat.

When to visit : Oct to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 41 to 27 Winter 29 to 14.

Monsoon : June to Sept.

Districts : 25, Ahmedabad, Amreli, Anand, Banas Kantha , Bharuch, Bhavnagar, Dohad, Gandhinagar, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Kutch, Kheda, Mahesana, Narmada, Navsari, Panch Mahals, Patan, Porbandar, Rajkot, Rajkot Sabar kantha, Surat, Surendranagar, The Dangs, Vadodara, Valsad.

Places of Tourist importance : Palitana, Akshardham temple, Somnath, Gir forest, Modhera Sun temple, Lothal.

GUJRAT: Tourist Information

AHMEDABAD - Jumma masjid having 15 domes supported on 260 pillars, Siddi Sayed mosque, Shaking minarets at the siddi Bashir's mosque, Tripple arched gateway, Bhadra fort, Hateesingh Jain temple near the Delhi gate, Calico textile museum, Rani ki Vav, Akshardham temple and Adlaj Vav (Steped well) at Gandhi nagar(18 km), Modhera Sun temple (104 km), Lothal (80 km, 5000 year old dockyard).

VADODARA - Nazarbaug palace, Kirti mandir, Maharaja Fateh Singh museum, Makarpura palace (now an Air Force school), Pratap Vilas palace at Lalbaug, Vadodara museum & pictutre gallery.

PAVAGADH (CHAMPANER) - A world heritage centre by UNESCO, archaeological park with forts, temples, mosques & palaces, hill station.

RAJKOT - Gandhiji's home, museum, palace.

JAMNAGAR - Palaces, forts, temples, museum, lake.

DWARKA - One of the four most sacred Hindu pilgrim centres, beach, Janmastami is celebrated in Jagat Mandir (1400 years old), Shankaracharya Ashram - Sharda Peeth. Beyt Dwaraka (5 km) - temple. Ahmedabad (450 km).

PORBANDER - Birth place of Gandhiji, temples, palace, beach.

JUNAGADH - Upperkot fort (5 km) : Jami masjid and Buddhist caves are nearby, 14 Ashoka rock edicts of 250 BC on the way to Girnar, gardens, Maqbara (tombs of Nawabs). GIRNAR (8 km, 600 m ASL, 2 hour climb) - From Damodarkund climb the 10,000 steps for 16 Jain temples in white marble, muslim pilgrim centre at Datar. Ahmedabad (270 km).

SOMNATH - One of the 12 jyotirlingas : temple, Bhalka tirth, museum and beach, 80 km from Junagarh.

GIR FOREST - Wild life sanctuary for Asiatic Lion at Sasan Gir (Sept to May), Lion Safari, Tulsi Shyam with hot springs in the heart of Gir forest. Diu island fort.

PALITANA - Jain exquisite temples (863 in number) by two hour trek, Muslim shrine of Angar Pir. Ahmedabad (210 km by road).

FESTIVALS - Navaratri (Sept/Oct), Dussera, Diwali.

HARYANA : General Information

Capital : Chandigarh.

Area : 44, 212 sq.km.

Literacy : 68.9%.

Languages : Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu.

Roads : 27, 907 km.

Railways : 1, 513 km.

Airports : Chandigargh, Hisar, Jind, Karnal, Narnaul, Bhiwani, Pinjore.

When to visit : Oct to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 46 to 35 Winter 14 to 2.

Monsoon : July to Sept.

Districts :19, Ambala, Bhiwani, Faridabad, Fatehabad, Gurgaon, Hisar, Jhajjar, Jind, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Mahendragarh, Panchkula, Panipat, Rewari, Rohtak, Sirsa, Sonipat, Yamunanagar.

Places of Tourist importance : Panipat, Kurukshetra, Surajkund.

HARYANA: Tourist Information

CHANDIGARH - Capital of Haryana, Punjab and union territory Chandigarh, designed by Le Corbusier. Nek Chand's rock garden, Sukhna lake (3 sq.km) : boating and fishing, Zakir Rose garden (Asia's largest), museum, art gallery. Pinjaur gardens (22 km).

JHAJJAR - Ancient town, palace, museum.

KURUKSHETRA - Temples, sacred tank.

PANIPAT - Babur's mosque, tomb and tanks.

HISAR - Palace, mosque, fort.

FESTIVALS - Holi (Feb/Mar), Baisakhi (mid April), Teej (July/ Aug).

Himachal Pradesh : General Information

Capital : Shimla.

Area : 55, 673 sq.km.

Literacy : 77%.

Languages : Pahari, Hindi, Punjabi.

Roads : 29, 610 km.

Railways : 269 km.

Airports : Kullu, Shimla, Kangra.

When to visit : April to Oct.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 33 to 14 Winter 15 to 0.

Monsoon : July to Sept.

Districts :12, Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kinnaur, Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, Una.

Places of Tourist importance : Shimla, Chamba, Kangra, Solan, Kullu, Manali, Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti.

Himachal Pradesh: Tourist Information

SHIMLA (120 km from Chandigargh) - Toy train for Shimla starts from Kalka. The narrow gauge route has 107 tunnels and 96 km is covered in 5 hour, State museum & art gallery, hill resort, forest, The Mall - busy shopping area, at the top end of Mall is Scandal point and Christ church, Jakhoo hills (2438 m, 2 km) is the highest point and is half an hour walk from Christ church, Chadwick falls (67 m, 7 km), handicrafts, Kufri (2622 m, 16 km) - famous for summer and winter sports. Naldehra (23 km) - scenic beauty, 9 hole golf ground. Theog (32 km for fishing ), Solan - hill station, Karol Tibba and Meteol are pretty spots; Fagu - Scenic beauty; Chail - World's highest cricket ground; Narkanda (64 km) at 2707 m is famous for skiing, Jalori pass connects to Kullu via Aut; Tattapani hot springs (54 km).

BHAKRA - Dam, picnic spot.

DHARMSHALA - Head quarters of Dalai Lama at Macleodganj, Tibetan handicrafts, hill station. DALHOUSIE - Hill station, picnic spot.

JAWALAMUKHI - Temple with shining gas flame is revered as Goddess. Baijnath temple. KANGRA - Barjeshwari temple, fort . KASAULI - Hill station.

KULLU - Raghunath temple (Dussera), scenary, famous for Kullu shawls, Jagatsukh Shiv temple (8th C, 6 km), Naggar (30 km on Manali route) - Roerich's museum.

MANIKARAN - 45 km from Kullu, famous for hot sulphur springs.

MANALI - Hadimba devi temple, hill resort, Vashist hot springs (3 km), Solang nala (14 km) for moutaineering and skiing.

KYELANG - Monastery on the scenic Manali-Leh route.

FESTIVALS - Dussera (Sept/Oct), Jawalamukhi mela (October).

Trekking in Himachal Pradesh

TENTU PASS (4996 m) : Manali to Solang Nala (14 km) by bus. Trek to Dhundi (2480 m, 7 km, river crossing, jeepable route), to Beaskund (6 km) via Bakar Thatch and to Tentu Pass (3.5 km, steep climb over boulders) : 4 days. Pass is windy and temperature drop substantially at night. Start early morning to avoid high winds. Season : Mid June to Sept. Friendship peak (5200 m).

CHANDRA lake (4480 m) - Manali to Jagatsukh by bus (6 km). Trek to Chikka (3000 m, 9 km), to Chandra lake via Seri (3900 m, 14 km). Fine views of Deo Tibba (6001 m).

CHANDRATAL lake (4270 m) - 18 km trek from Batal, which is at the base of Kunzam la (4590 m) on the Kyelong - Kaja road.

MALANA (2100 m) - Naggar (30 km from Kullu) trek to Chanderkhani pass via Rumsu Thach (3650 m, 5 hour, views of White Sail (6446 m) and Papsura (6451 m), 12 km) then to Malana village (7 km) via Nagruni. 5 hour trek to Jari. Travel to Manali via Manikaran by bus : 4 days.

PIN PARVATI PASS (5230 m) - Manikaran (1700 m, 45 km from Kullu) to Pulga (2100 m, 4 hour). Pulga tourist bunglow is nearby. Pulga to Kheer Ganga (2850 m, 4 hour). Kheer Ganga to Bhojtunda (3200 m, 5 hour). Bhojtunda to Thakur Khan (3400 m, 5 hour). Thakur Khan to Mantakal Lake : 6 hour via Pandu bridge (50 km). Manatak lake to High camp : 7 hour. High camp to Pin Parvati pass - Pin valley : 5 hour. Pin valley to Mud (3600 m, 8 hour). Mud to Sangam : 4 hour. Distance of 100 km covered on foot in 9 days. Reach Shimla by bus (24 hour).

KINNER KAILASH - Shimla to Kalpa by bus (244 km) via Rampur. Kalpa to Thangi (2966 m) by bus. Trek to Lambar (12 km) - Charang (12 km, 3500 m) - Lalanti (8 km, 4420 m) - Base camp (6 km, 5000 m) - Chitkul (9 km, 3450 m) via Lalanti Pass (5000 m) - Sangla by bus : 8 days. Mt. Kinner Kailash (6474 m).

SACH PASS (4667 m) - Dalhousie to Chamba. Chamba to Trella (90 km, 5 hour). Trek to Bhanodi (2744 m, 13 km, 6 hour), Satrundi (3658 m, 13 km, PWD rest house), to Sach pass (5 km, 3 hour). Start early morning to avoid high winds.

Jammu & Kashmir : General Information

Capital : Srinagar, Jammu (Winter).

Area : 2, 22, 236 sq.km.

Literacy : 54.4%.

Languages : Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Ladakhi.

Roads : 13, 042 km.

Railways : 84 km.

Airports : Srinagar, Jammu, Leh.

When to visit : April to Oct.

Climate(in °C) : Srinagar Summer 30 Winter below 0.

Districts :14, Anantanag, Badgam, Baramula, Doda, Jammu, Kargil, Kathua, Kupwara, Leh, Pulwama, Punch, Rajauri, Srinagar, Udhampur.

Places of Tourist importance : Jammu, Srinagar, Leh.

Jammu & Kashmir : Tourist Information

JAMMU - Winter capital of the state, Dogra art gallery and Mubarak mandi palace, Ranbireswar temple, Raghnath temple, tombs, Bahu fort, VAISHNODEVI - Hindu pilgrim centre, 14 km trek from Katra (40 km from Jammu); PATNITOP (111 km on Srinagar route) - Hill station.

PAHALGAM - Hill station, fishing, picnic spot. DACHIGAM wild life sanctuary - season : April to October.

AMARNATH (3900 m) - Cave with ice Shiv lingam which waxes and wanes with moon, Pahalgam to Chandanwari by jeep, trek to Panchtarani via Sheshnag and then to cave (40 km), Return to Baltal in 4 days; BALTAL - Base camp for trekking to Amarnath cave (15*2 km, in a day). Season : June to Sept.

SRINAGAR (293 km) - Dal, Nagin and Anchar lakes, Sri Pratap singh Govt. museum, Mughal gardens - Chashmasahi, Nishat, Shalimar, Pari mahal, Shankaracharya temple on hill top (4 km, 300 m), Hazratbal mosque - Hair of Prophet Mohamed is kept here, Charar-i-Sharif (28 km) , Khir Bhawani temple (27 km, in marble); Wular lake (47 km) - largest fresh water lake in Asia, scenic beauty, fishing.

GULMARG (46 km from Srinagar) - Meadow of flowers, winter sports : ice skating/ skiing, 2 km rope way to lift Ski enthusiasts, Tangmarg camping site (6 km), scenic beauty.

SONMARG (81 km from Srinagar) - 'Meadows of gold', flowers, Tajiwas glacier (4 km).

DRASS - World's second coldest inhabited place, in 1995, - 60oC temperature was recorded. Drass to Kargil : 60 km via Zoji la (3530 m).

KARGIL - Base for trekking & mountaineering : Nun (7135 m) & Kun (7100 m).

LAMAYURU - Monastery (80 km from Kargil on Leh raod).

LEH (434 km from Srinagar at 3512 m) - Leh palace, mosque, Mangyal Tsemo, Gompa Tsemo, Spituk monastery (9 km), Shey palace, Tiksey monastery - largest in Ladakh (15 km), world's highest motorable road : Khardung la (5600 m, 40 km). Hemis monastery (50 km) - richest monastery in Ladakh. Pangong lake (4267 m) & Tso Moriri are high altitude lakes. Camel Safari in Nubra valley - road leads to Panamik, double humped camel.

MARKHA VALLEY Trek - Karu (50 km from Leh) to Chogdo via Marchelang and then to Nimaling via Kongmaru la (5100m) : 14 km, views of Kang Yaze (6400 m).

LEH - MANALI (475 km, 2 days) : One of the world's highest roads over Tanglang la (5300 m) and Lachlung la (5100 m).

FESTIVALS - Shivratri (Feb/Mar), Hemis (June), Amarnath (July/Aug).

Trekking in Jammu Kashmir

WAISHNODEVI - Hindu pilgrim centre, 14 km trek from Katra (40 km from Jammu).

KALHOI glacier (5485 m) - Pahalgam to Aru (11 km, jeep), trek to Lidderwat (11 km, PWD rest house) to glacier (3350 m, 13 km). 35 km trek from Aru : 3 day. Lidderwat - meadows in forest and camping site.

OR

Trek from Serbal before Baltal near Sonmarg to Kalhoi glacier via Nilamug.

TARSAR - MARSAR lakes (3795 m) : 8 hour trek from Lidderwat. Both lakes have ice floes floating on their surface.

AMARNATH (3900 m) - Hindu pilgrim centre, cave temple with ice Shiv lingam which waxes and wanes with moon, Pahalgam to Chandanwari by jeep, trek to Panchtarani via Sheshnag and then to cave, return to Baltal in 4 days (60 km); Sheshnag - lake, glaciers via trek from Pahalgam (20 km). Season : July to Sept.

HARMUKH (5184 m) - Srinagar to Bandipur by bus. Travel to Sumlar by jeep (8 km). Trek to Sarbal via Kudara (18 km), then to Harmukh via Ganaspatra (12 hour stiff climb). Located near Wular lake.

SONMARG (2740 m) - Tajiwas glacier (4 km) & Khajiar glacier. 81 km from Srinagar.
1. BALTAL (20 km) - Base camp for trekking to Amarnath cave (15*2 km, in a day). 2. Sonmarg to Cathedral peak via Lashimarg and Nichinai (3620 m, 13 km).
3. From Nichinai trek to Vishansar & Kishansar lakes via Ram Patri (3818 m, 13 km) after crossing 4080 m range.

KARGIL - Nun (7135 m) & Kun (7017 m) peaks are within 250 km, by Kargil - Padum road reach Gulmatonga. Trek to base of Kun (15 km). Nun base trek : Kargil to Parkachik via Pannikar by bus/truck. Trek to Shafat (20 km, BC for Nun). The Kargil - Padum road is over Pensi la (4401 m).

LEH (434 km from Srinagar at 3512 m) - Khardung la (5600 m, 40 km) - World's highest motorable road leading to the roadhead (Panamik) for world's highest war field - Siachen glacier (6700 m).

MARKHA VALLEY TREK - Spituk to Zingchen (12 km), to Yuvutse (14 km), to Sku via Kanda la (4800 m), to Markha (12 km), to Hankar (11 km), to Nimaling (10 km), to Shang Sumdo via Kongmaru la (5100 m), to Martselang (10 km), to Hemis (6 km) : 8 days. Then to Leh by bus.

OR

Karu (50 km from Leh) to Chogdo via Marchelang and then to Nimaling via Kongmaru la (5100 m) : 14 km, views of Kang Yaze (6400 m). It snows even in summer and nights are chilly.

LEH - MANALI (475 km, 2 days) : One of the world's highest roads over Tanglang la (5300 m) and Lachlung la (5100 m). Trek enroute - From Darcha on Manali to Leh road to Zanskar Sumdo (25 km) and to Pulu over Shingku la (5100 m). Trek further to Padum : 12 days.

JHARKHAND: Tourist Information

Capital : Ranchi.

Area : 79, 714 sq.km.

Literacy : 54.6%.

Languages : Hindi, Urdu, Local languages.

Roads : 25, 283 km.

Railways : 172 km.

Airports : Ranchi.

When to visit : Oct to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 45 to 7 Winter 20 to 7.

Districts : 20, Bokaro, Chatra, Deoghar, Dhanbad, Dumka, Garhwa, Giridih, Godda, Gumla, Hazaribagh, Kodarma, Lohardaga, Pakur, Palamau, Pashchimi Singhbhum, Purbi Singhbhum, Ranchi, Sahibganj.

Places of Tourist importance : Dassm falls, Hundru and Jonah falls at Ranchi, Hazaribagh national park, Palamau national park, Baidyanath temple, Deoghar - Hindu pilgrim centre, Dhanbad.

KARNATAKA : General Information

Capital : Bangalore.

Area : 1, 91, 791 sq.km.

Literacy : 67.6%.

Languages : Kannada, Urdu, Tamil.

Roads : 1, 42, 754 km.

Railways : 3, 059 km.

Airports : Bangalore, Belgaum, Mangalore, Bellary, Hubli, Mysore.

When to visit : Oct to April.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 35 to 26 Winter 25 to 14.

Districts : 27, Bagalkot, Bangalore, Bangalore rural, Belgaum, Bellary, Bidar, Bijapur Chamarajanagar, Chikamagalur, Chitradurga, Dakshina Kannada, Davangere, Dharwad, Gadag, Gulbarga, Hasssan, Haveri, Kodagu, Kolar, Koppal, Mandya, Mysore, Raichur, Shimoga, Tumkur, Udupi, Uttara Kannada.

Places of Tourist importance : Bangalore, Mysore, Belur, Halebid, Shravanabelgola, Jog falls, Hampi, Pattadakal, Aihole, Madikeri.

KARNATAKA: Tourist Information

BANGALORE - Asia's Silicon valley, Known as the Garden city, Govt. museum at Cubbon park (300 acre), Lalbaug and glass house, Vidhana Soudha, St. Mary's cathedral, Govt. museum and Venkatappa art gallery, Visvesvarya industrial and technological museum, Bull temple at Basavanagudi (6.1 m long and 4.6 m high Nandi), Bangalore palace (4 km, fort like), Whitefield (16 km) - Satya Sai Baba ashram, Ramohalli (28 km) - Giant Banyan tree spread over 4 acres of land, picnic spot; Nandi hills (60 km) - Hill station, Gandhi nilaya, Yoganandeswara temple, Tipu's palace.

KOLAR GOLD MINES - Deepest man made pit : 3030 m deep, can be visited from Oct to Feb.

MYSORE - Jagan Mohan palace (3 storied) and Sri Chamarajendra art gallery, garden, zoo, St.Philomina's church, museum of art & archaeology and folklore museum at University of Mysore, Rail museum, Lalith Mahal palace now a 5 star hotel, Chamundi hills (13 km, temple, 4.8 m Nandi statue half way up), BRINDAVAN GARDENS (19 km) - Krishna Rajendra dam, garden, dancing fountain, picnic spot, SRIRANGAPATANA (16 km) - Tipu Sultan's capital, museum, palace, fort, Sangam, mosque, Shri Ranganatha temple; RANGANATHITTU bird sanctuary (19 km), NANJANGUD (22 km) - Nanjundeswara temple, SOMNATHPUR (38 km) - Hoysala temple, Shivsamudram water falls (85 km) - Asia's first hydro electric project, MERCARA/COORG (120 km) - Hill station.

SHRAVANABELGOLA (52 km from Hassan) - Jain pilgrim centre, Gomateswara statue of 300 BC (17 m) by 640 steps. Head annoying ceremoney once in 12 years (2006); BELUR (near Hassan) - Channakeshava temple, Veeranarayana temple. HALEBID (17 km from Belur) - Hoysaleswara temple, archaeological museum.

HAMPI - World heritage centre, archaeological museum, Vijayanagara ruins - Vithala temple with monolithic chariot, Vrupaksha temple, Hazara Ramaswami temple, fort, Elephant stable and Lotus Mahal.

BADAMI - Fort, 4 caves, Malegitti Shivalaya temple, rock climbing. 163 km from Bijapur.

PATTADAKAL - World heritage centre, 30 km from Badami, Sangameswara temple, Mallikarjuna temple, Virupaksha temple, Padmanatha temple, Papanatha temple, Dance festival in Jan.

AIHOLE - Meguti temple with inscriptions, Lad Khan temple group, Durga temple, Ravanaphadi cave. 40 km from Badami.

BIJAPUR (100 km from Solapur) - Archaeological museum, Gol Gumbaz - world's fourth largest dome (37.92 m in diameter, 51 m in height and 3 m thick walls, A single minute whisper will be echoed 9 times), fort, Jami masjid, Asar Mahal, Gagan Mahal, Upli Buruj (Watch tower), Mallik e Maidan (a 55 tonne, 14 feet cannon), Bara Kaman, Ibrahim Roza tomb.

CHITRADURGA - Harihar fort.

GERSOPPA/JOG FALLS - Largest/highest waterfall in India, 292 m high Jog falls is in Shravati river, it has four distinct falls named as Raja, Rani, Rocket and Roarer. Season Oct to Dec. Magod falls (183 m is 80 km from Honavar).

MANGALORE - Mangaladevi temple, Kadri temple, St.Aloysious college chapel, light house, Govt. museum, Ullal Jama masjid (12 km), Moodabidri Jain temples (35 km, 18 number). Sringeri - Monastery by Shankaracharya, Vidya Shankara temple. Kudremukh - Deep valleys and steep precipice with natural beauty, trekking.

UDUPI - Sri Krishna temple, pilgrim centre, Malpe beach (6 km), Manipal health resort (5 km). DHARMASTALA - Manjunatha temple and Gomateswara statue.

FESTIVALS - Dussera (Sept/Oct), Sankranti (Jan).

KERALA : General Information

Capital : Thiruvanathapuram.

Area : 38, 863 sq.km.

Literacy : 96%.

Languages : Malayalam, Tamil.

Roads : 1, 41, 856 km.

Railways : 105 km.

Airports : Kochi, Thiruvanathapuram.

When to visit : Nov to April.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 35 to 21.

Districts : 14, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Kannur, Kasargod, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Wayanad.

Places of Tourist importance : Thiruvanathapuram, Kovalam beach, Ponmudi, Kochi, Vembanad lake, Kappad beach, Munnar, Kumarakom, Thekkady, Periyar, Silent valley.

KERALA: Tourist Information

One of the ten most beautiful places in the world (Kumarakom) by National Geographic Traveller. Known as God's own country/spice garden of India. Famous for Snake boat race, Kathakali dance, Ayurveda system of healing.

ALAPUZHA (ALLEPPEY) - Onam snake boat race (Aug/Sept), boating through the backwaters to Kollam or Kottayam, Ambalapuzha temple (25 km), Mannarasala temple at Haripad, Kanichukulangara temple - Shivratri festival, Arthunkal church (20 km) - Festival on Jan 20th.

KOCHI/ERNAKULAM - Known as 'Queen of the Arabian Sea', Parishat Thampuran museum, Bolgatty palace by boat from Marine drive, Hill palace museum at Thripunithura.

FORT KOCHI (10 km) - St.Francis church of 1510 AD where Vasco Da Gama was buried, Dutch cemetry, Santa Cruz Basallica, Willington island, Coonan kurisu shrine at Mattanchery, Jewish synagogue (1568 AD), Jew town, Dutch palace, Chinese fishing nets, Vypin island via boat.

ALUVA - Shivratri is celebrated here. Kalady - Birth place of Adi Sankaracharya, Malayattur church (25 km, Easter/Good Friday).

ATHIRAPALLY & VAZHACHAL - Waterfalls. 30 km from Chalakudy. The forest road leads to Pollachi in Tamil Nadu.

MUNNAR (1600 m) - Hill staion, tea plantation. 136 km from Kochi. Anamudi peak (2695 m) is near by.

THRISSUR - Archaeological museum, Pooram at Vadakkunathan Shiv temple (April/ May), zoo, fort, palace; Guruvayur temple (30 km, 63 temple elephants).

KOTTAYAM - Churches, Syrian Christian cultural centre. Popular tourist centre Kumarakom is 16 km away.

SABARIMALA - Ayyappa temple 160 km from Kottayam at 914 m, Nov to Jan - Major Hindu pilgrim centre, 5 km trek from Pamba.

TEKKADY - Periyar lake wild life sanctuary, famous for wild life - Elephants, tigers, birds and flying lizards. 130 km from Kottayam. PIRUMED - Hill station, plantation.

VARKALA - Beach, Janardhana temple, Anchuthengu fort (10 km).

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Padmanabhaswami temple, Old muslim clock, zoo, Napier museum and Sri Chitra art gallery, palace, Science and technical museum, Secretariat, Shankumukham beach, Veli beach (10 km); Kovalam beach (16 km), Neyyar dam and Lion safari (32 km). Ponmudi hill station (60 km). Padmanabhapuram palace (54 km).

MALAMPUZHA (12 km from Palakkad) - Dam, garden with fountains.

EDAKKAL - Cave in Wayanad district.

KANNUR - Fort, Payyambalam and Muzhapilangad beaches. KASARGOD - Bekkal fort (20 km).

FESTIVALS - Onam (Aug/Sept), Vishu, Ramzan, Christmas, Aluva Shivratri.

MADHYA PRADESH : General Information

Capital : Bhopal.

Area : 3, 08, 000 sq.km.

Literacy : 64.7%.

Languages : Hindi, Urdu, Marathi.

Roads : 1, 98, 936 km.

Railways : 5, 893 km.

Airports : Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Khajuraho, Raipur.

When to visit : Oct to May.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 48 to 2 Winter 23 to 4.

Districts : 45, Balaghat, Barwani, Betul, Bhind, Bhopal, Chhatarpur, Chindwara, Damoh, Datia, Dewas, Dhar, Dindori, East Nimar, Guna, Gwalior, Harda, Hoshangabad, Indore, Jabalpur , Jhabua, Katni, Mandla, Mandsaur, Morena, Narsimhapur, Neemuch, Panna, Raisen, Rajgarh, Ratlam, Rewa, Sagar, Satna, Sehore, Seoni, Shahdol, Shajapur, Sheopur, Shivpuri, Sidhi, Tikamgarh, Ujjain, Umaria, Vidisha West Nimar.

Places of Tourist importance : Khajuraho, Sanchi, Bhimbetka, Pachmarhi, Omkareshwar, marble rocks at Bhedaghat, Mandu.

MADHYA PRADESH: Tourist Information

BHOPAL - Taj ul masjid (India's biggest), upper & lower lakes, fort, State museum, Moti masjid, Shaukat Mahal, Van Vihar safari park, Bhimbetka (40 km) - 700 caves with paintings, a world heritage centre.

SANCHI (47 km) - 300 BC stupa, a World heritage centre, Great stupa is 16.4 m high and 36.5 m in diameter with 4 carved gateways, Buddhist pilgrim centre, archaeological musuem. Vidisha (10 km) - Heliodorous pillar, Udayagiri caves.

INDORE - Central museum, Jain Kabch temple.

OMKARESWAR JYOTIRLINGA - 77 km from Indore situated in an island, Sidhanath mandir, 24 Avatar's Jain mandir, Satmatrika temple group (6 km), Kajal Rani caves (9 km).

UJJAIN - Indore (53 km). Mahakaleswar temple (jyotirlinga), Vikram university museum. Jai Singh observatory, Bade Ganeshji ka mandir, Gola mandir, Navagraha mandir, Kal Bhairava mandir, Gad Kali mandir, Vikram Kirti mandir.

MAHESWAR (91 km from Indore) - Maheswar temple, fort with Ragaddi and Rajwada, famous for sarees.

GWALIOR - Fort with Tansen's tomb and archaeological museum at Gujari mahal, Man mandir palace, temple, Suraj kund, Jivaji Rao Scindia museum, Ghaus Mohammed's tomb, memorials to Rani of Jhansi and Tantya Tope.

ORCHHA - 16 km from Jhansi. Fort complex - Jehangir mahal, Raj mahal, Anand mahal, Ram raja mandir, Chaturbhuj mandir, Lakshmi Narayan mandir, Kanchan ghat of Betwa river.

KHAJURAHO - By Chandelas in 950 AD. Erotic sculptures in temples, archaeological museum. (Rail head Jhansi/ Satna : 172/117 km), Dubela museum (64 km).

Western group temples : Kandariya Mahadeo, Chausat Yogini, Chitragupta, Viswanath, Raja Rani.

Eastern group temples : Parasvanath (largest in this group), Adinath.

Southern group temples : Duladeo temple having figures of sexual intercourse and women in different poses, Chaturbhuj temple. Dance festival (March).

JABALPUR - Bheraghat (23 km, marble rocks, one of the most scenic spots, cruising in the gorge), Chausat Yogini temple, Dudhsagar falls.

PACHMARHI - Hill resort, Priyadarshini point, Handi Khoh - 100 m high precipice, Rajat Prapat and Apsara vihar, Mahadeo temple with Shivling, Jatashankar cave, Pandav caves, Dhoopgarh : highest point. Railhead : Piparya on Mumbai - Howrah line (47 km), trekking.

FESTIVALS - Basant Panchami (Jan/Feb), Shivratri and Holi (Feb/Mar), Dussera, Diwali (Oct/Nov).

MAHARASHTRA : General Information

Capital : Mumbai.

Area : 3, 07, 713 sq.km.

Literacy : 77.9%.

Languages : Marathi, Gujrathi, Hindi.

Roads : 3, 59, 262 km.

Railways : 5, 554 km.

Airports : Aurangabad, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Akola, Kolhapur, Nanded, Ratnagiri, Solapur.

When to visit : Sept to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 39 to 22 Winter 34 to 12.

Districts : 35, Ahmadnagar, Akola, Amravati, Aurangabad, Bhandara, Beed, Buldana, Chandrapur, Dhule, Gadchiroli, Gondiya, Hingoli, Jalgaon, Jalna, Kolhapur, Latur, Mumbai , Mumbai Suburban, Nagpur, Nanded, Nandurbar, Nashik, Osmanabad, Parbhani, Pune, Raigarh, Ratnagiri, Sangli, Satara, Sindhudurg, Solapur, Thane, Wardha, Washim, Yavatmal.

Places of Tourist importance : Mumbai, Lonavla, Mahabaleshwar, Ajanta - Ellora caves.

MAHARASHTRA : Tourist Information

MUMBAI (BOMBAY) - Chhatrapati Shivaji terminus / Victoria terminus : a World heritage centre, Mumbai mahanagar palika building, Elephanta caves : a World heritage centre (caves of 700 AD, 1 hour/10 km by boat from Gateway of India), Prince of Wales (Chhatrapati Shivaji memorial) museum, Victoria and Albert museum, Gateway of India commemorates the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India in 1911, near by is Taj Hotel. IMS Vikrant (Ex INS Vikrant Museum ship near Gateway of India), Hanging gardens and Kamala Nehru park on Malabar hills with panoramic view of Marine Drive. At night, the lights of Marine Drive appears to be Queen's necklace. Nariman Point with skyscapers - Reserve Bank of India building, Bombay Stock Exchange, Air India, Mantralay, Haji Ali tomb reached by a long causeway, which can be crossed at low tide, Mahalaxmi temple, Nehru Planetarium and science museum, gardens, parks, Juhu beach, Siddhi Vinayak temple, Double deckker bus, Sripati Arcade (154 m , highest building in India near Grant Road), Borivilli national park (35 km), Kanheri caves (109 caves of 1 C BC, 40 km), Uttan - Manori, Gorai and Marve beaches (40 km), Esselworld fantacy park, Powai lake (27 km) - Indian Institute of Technology, picnic spot, Vasai fort (45 km) - large Portuguese fort with churches.

ARNALA island fort - From Virar station get a bus to Arnala (18 km) and then to fort by boat. Seperate cylindrical watch tower is an attraction. Fort has a temple and darga.

VAJRESHWARI - Temple with hot springs at Ganeshpuri (35 km from Kalyan). Akolola hot springs (2 km) are near by.

MATHERAN - Hill station near Neral on Mumbai - Pune rail route, narrow gauge toy train connects Nearl with Matheran (13 km, 5 hour), Panorama point, arbut point, Hart point, Monkey point, Porcupine point, Louise point, One tree point, Honeymoon point, Alexander point, Lord point, Echo point, Coronation point, Mary point, Olympia point, Pay master park, Chaelotte lake, Madhavji point and Bazaar are some main attractions in the 'car free' hill station.

LONAVLA - Charming hill station on Sahyadri with an average annual rainfall of 500 cm. During the monsoon the area become scenic with lots of waterfalls and greenary. Tata dam (2 km), Bushi dam (7 km), Lion's point (12 km), Sahara lake city (25 km), Duke's nose (8 km), Valvan dam (4 km), Induri fort near Talegaon. Karla caves (12 km, 80 BC), Bhaja caves (8 km, 18 in no.), Bedsa caves (10 km, near Pawna dam) etc. are some main attractions. KHANDALA (5 km) : Hill staton, Rajmachi point - a good vantage point, Bhor ghat route to Khopoli (8 km) is enjoying.

PUNE - Agha Khan's palace with Kasturba samadhi, temples, Saniwarwada fort, Raja Kelkar museum, Khadakvasla dam (18 km, National Defence Academy), Panshet dam (45 km) - picnic spot, Osho (Bhagawan Rajnish) ashram, Sinhagad fort (25 km), Jejuri - Khandoba temple (38 km), Purandhar fort (45 km), Torna - Rajgad (40 km), Dehu (30 km) - pilgrim centre, Alandi - Pilgrim centre.

ASTAVINAYAK TEMPLES : Swayambhu figures of Sri Ganesh. Madh (15 km from Khopoli), Pali (38 km from Khopoli), Theur (25 km from Pune), Moregaon (15 km from Jejuri, Pune), Ranjengaon (53 km from Pune), Leniyadri (90 km from Pune), Ojhar (75 km from Pune), Sidhatek (20 km from Daund).

12 JYOTIRLINGAS : Bhimashankar (Pune), Grishneshwar (Aurangabad), Vaijyanath (Parali/Bid), Nageswar/Aunda Nagnath (Nanded), Trikambeswar (Nashik), Viswanath (Varanasi), Mallikarjun (Srisailam, AP), Mahakaleswar (Ujjain), Mamaleswar (Omkareswar, Indore), Somnath (GJ), Rameshwaram (TN), Kedarnath (UA).

BHIMASHANKAR - Jyotirlinga, pilgrim centre (100 km from Pune).

ALIBAUG - Beach and Kulaba island fort - at low tide one can walk to the fort (1.5 km). Time : 1100 to 1500 h. CHAUL - Kanoji Angre samadhi, Rameshwer temple, fort, ancient town.

MURUD - Janjira island fort with one of India's largest cannons - Landa Kasam, beach, 12 m high fort walls, 165 km from Mumbai, 300 year old fort of Siddis, palace, nearby Padmadurg fort (3 km by boat), beauiful beaches of Kashid and Murud, Korlai and Revdanda forts on Alibaug - Murud route.

MAHABALESHWAR (1438 m) - Hill station, famous for Strawberry, vantage points are Wilson point, Kate's point, Bombay point, Elphinstone point, Babbington point, Arthur's seat etc., Venna lake - boating, waterfalls like Chinaman, Dhobi, Ludwig, Lingamala. Pratapgad fort (24 km), Panchgani hill station (25 km) : Table land.

GANAPATIPHULE - Ancient Ganapati temple, beach. 50 km from Ratnagiri. RATNAGIRI - Longest rail tunnel in India (6.5 km) at Karbude, fort, beach, mangoes. MALVAN - fort and beach, Sindhudurg island fort nearby.

KOLHAPUR - Mahalakshmi temple and old palace, Renkha Bhairav temple, Sri Chhatrapati Sahu museum, Town hall museum, Ran kele lake, Girloi park, Panhala fort (18 km), deep gorge of Pavan khind, Kopeswar temple at Khidrapur (75 km). AMBOLI - Hill station, flowers.

SATARA - Ajinkyatara fort, Parali fort (Sajjangad), palace, museum, nearby forts are Chandan Vandan forts, Prachitgad, Vasota (From Kas lake, Bambanoli of Satara Or from Chiplun to Chowane by bus, trek to Vasota via Nageshwar temple - steep route, 10 hour trek).

PANDHARPUR - Hindu pilgrim centre (August - October).

BHANDARDHARA - Picnic spot, lake, Kalsubai (1650 m).

NASHIK - Hindu pilgrim centre, Simhastha fair is held here once in 12 years, temples, Ramkund - the holy tank 27 m*12 m, Muktidham marble temple, coin museum, Pandav leni - 24 Jain caves of 100 BC. Trimbakeshwar (35 km) - Jyotirlinga, temple, caves, Source of Holy river Godavari, Brahmagiri hill, Anjaneri fort.

SHIRDI - Major pilgrim centre, Sai Baba temple. 85 km from Nasik.

AURANGABAD - 9 caves, Bibi ka Maqbara : Tomb of Rabia Durani (w/o Emperor Aurangazeb), Pan Chakki : Water mill (1695 AD), Rani Begum gardens (24 km), Daulatabad fort (13 km) : large fortress and cannon, tomb of Aurangazeb at Khuldabad.

ELLORA Caves (26 km from Aurangabad) - A world heritage centre. Dance festival in March. 34 caves consisting of Buddhist (1-12), Hindu (13-29), and Jain caves (30-34) of 500 to 1100 AD. Kailasha temple is the main attraction, which is carved out of a monolith, is the biggest cave temple : 84 m * 47 m. Grishneswar jyotirlinga temple.

AJANTA Caves (110 km from Aurangabad) - A world heritage centre of 200 BC. 29 caves containing numerous images of Buddha and painting on walls. The caves are located in the hills in horse shoe shape.

LONAR CRATOR (170 km from Aurangabad) - Formed 50,000 years ago by a hyper velocity meteorite (18 km/s), 100 m in diameter and weighing 2 million tonnes. The circular saline lake is 1.83 km in diameter and 150 m deep. The crator rises to 20 m above the surrounding land. It is the 3rd largest crator in the world.

FESTIVALS - Mahashivratri and Holi (Feb/March), Ganesh Chaturthi (Aug/Sept).

MANIPUR : General Information

Capital : Imphal.

Area : 22, 327 sq.km.

Literacy : 68%.

Language : Manipuri.

Roads : 10, 760 km.

Railways : 1 km.

Airports : Imphal.

When to visit : Nov to May.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 29 to 14 Winter 25 to 7 .

Monsoon : April to Oct.

Districts : 9, Bishnupur, Chandel, Churachandpur, Imphal East, Imphal West, Senapati, Tamenglong, Thoubal, Ukhrul.

Places of Tourist importance : Imphal - war cemeteries, Govindajee temple, women bazaar, Loktak lake, Keibul Lamjao (the only floating national park in the world), Orchid yard at Khongampat, Sendra island.

MEGHALAYA : General Information

Capital : Shillong.

Area : 22, 429 sq.km.

Literacy : 63.6%.

Languages : Khasi, Garo, Bengali.

Roads : 8, 391 km.

Heliport : Shillong, Tura, Umroi.

When to visit : Oct to Mar.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 25 to 15 Winter 16 to 4 .

Districts : 7, East Garo Hills, East Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, Ri Bhoi, South Garo Hills, West Garo Hills, West Khasi Hills.

Places of Tourist importance : Ward's lake, Lady Hydary park, Bishop Beadon falls, Elephant falls, Kyllang rock, Uniam lake, Nohsngithiang falls at Mawsmai, Khasi hills: Cherrapunji, Mawsynram, botanical garden.

MEGHALAYA : Tourist Information

CHERRAPUNJI/MAWSYNRAM - World's wettest place (56 km from Shillong), waterfalls, limestone caves.

JAKREM hot springs (64 km from Shillong).

RANIGODAM - Angler's paradise.

TURA - Hill station, hiking, tribals.

SIJU CAVES with Stalagmites and Stalactites.

FESTIVAL - Wangla (June).

MIZORAM : General Information

Capital : Aizawl.

Area : 21, 081 sq. km.

Literacy : 88.49%.

Languages : Mizo, English, Bengali.

Roads : 6, 910 km.

Railways : 2 km.

Airports : Aizawl.

When to visit : Oct to May.

Climate(in °C) : Summer 18 to 29 Winter 11 to 24.

Monsoon : June to Sept

Districts : 8, Aizawl, Champhai, Kolasib,Lawngtlai, Lunglei, Mamit, Chhimtuipui, Serchhip.

Places of Tourist importance : The Blue mountain, Pukzing caves, Tam dil lake, Zotlang, Lunglei, Thenzawl hill station, Dingdi art gallery, Saitual resort.