UNESCO World Heritage Sites, India

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Goa, Churches And Convents


Built of laterite and lime plaster, the churches and cathedrals built during 16th to 17th century A.D at old Goa are a legacy of the Portuguese. They comprise of Se Cathedral, church and convents of St.Francis of Assisi, chapel of St.Catherine, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Church of Lady of Rosary and the church of St.Augustine.


Basilica of Bom Jesus

Built in a combination of the renaissance and baroque styles, these churches and convents in old Goa are architectural masterpieces. The Basilica of Bom Jesus, where the mortal remains of St.Francis Xavier rest, is one of the best design and style.

The church of St.Cajetan has a façade decorates with lonic, Doric and Corinthian pilasters. The Se Cathedral, with its Tuscan exterior, Corinthian columns, raised platform with steps leading to the entrance and a barrel-vault, is yet another example of Renaissance architecture.

The paintings in the church are executed on wooden borders and fixed between panels with floral designs. Except of a few statues which are in stone, most of the other statues of the saints, Mother Mary and Jesus are mostly first carved in wood and then painted to adorn the altars.

Travel Information

Timings : Open on all weekdays from sunrise to sunset. No entry fee.

Best time to visit : Winters

Access : Air links to Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai and Pune. The nearest railhead is Vasco da Gama, (35 km) from Panaji. Goa is connected with Londa junction on the Miraj-Bangalore sector of South Central railway. Konkan railway linking Mumbai with Mangalore passes through Goa (Madgaon).

Good motorable road connects Goa with other towns via the national highways NH 4A, NH17 and NH 17A. Road links to Ahmedabad (1,138 km), Aurangabad (699 km), Bangalore (599 km), Mumbai (597 km), Chennai (923 km), Pune (473 km). Bus services connect Goa with Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Mangalore and other major towns in the neighbouring states.

From Mumbai, by Catamaran services operates by M/s Damania shipping (P) Ltd. From October to May only.

Where to stay

Deluxe hotels : Aguada hermitage, The fort Aguada bech resort, The Taj holiday village, Majorda beach resort, Oberoi Bogmalo beach, Cidade de Goa.

Standard hotels : Fidalgo, Mandovi, Hotel Nova Goa.

Other hotels : Paying guest accommodation and many ‘lower-end’ hotels are available.

Places to visit : Panaji, Old Goa, Aguada Fort and beaches of Baga, Calangute, Sinquerim, Anjuna, Chapora/Vagator, Arambol/Terekol, Bogmalo, Colva etc.

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Mountain Railways of India

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway - The Toy Train of the Darjeeling Hills



Darjeeling (2134 m), the exotic hiss station in West Bengal and is connected to the plains by means of a 2 feet gauge, 83 km long railway line (operational since Sep 1881) on which runs a beautiful toy train. This train is still hauled by small steam engines which were built in the early 20th century. For a die-hard rail enthusiast, a trip to India is incomplete without a ride on this unique toy train. One day advance reservation will ensure your seat. Batasia loop on the railway line near Ghoom is a great engineering feet.

Places to Visit

Darjeeling is a major hill station with hills covered with tea plantations, complicated series of interconnecting roads, Victorian colonial mansions and a striking population of Nepalis and Tibetans.
Himalayan training institute, zoological park and museum, Lloyd botanical park, Rangeet valley rope way (5 km), Observatory hills, gardens, museums, temples, handicrafts, fishing, Ghoom Buddhist monastery (6 km), Senchal (11 km) : View of Everest and Mt. Kanchenjunga from Tiger hill, picnic spot. Trekking (April-May, Oct-Nov).

How To Reach

Darjeeling is 666 km from Kolkata. One has to reach Siliguri/New Jaipalguri from Kolkata. New Jaipalguri connects Darjeeling by narrow gauge (86 km, 7.5 hour).

Time To Visit

The peak tourist season is Oct and Dec, while the best season is from mid March to May with clear skies. Share jeeps run in the town.

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Nilgiri Railway

The toy train route from Mettupalayam (95 km from Coimbatore) to Ooty is in world heritage centre list. The route has 16 tunels, 31 bridges, 326 m to 2193 m , 1899 AD, 46 km in 4.5 hour.

Ooty ia a major hill resort in Tamil Nadu. The main attractions are 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).

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Bhimbetka cave paintings : A world Heritage centre 46 km from Bhopal. Over 600 rock shelters with pre-historic painting are located in a forest of teak and Sal. Only 15 are accessible and is linked by concrete path. By Itarsi bus get down for the caves. The caves are 3 km from the main road. You can visit the caves on one day tour conducted by MP Tourism.