Karnataka Travel

KARNATKA Extending over 192000 sq. Km on the Western half of the Deccan Plateau bounded by Andhra Pradesh in the east, Maharashtra in the north and Tamil Nadu/Kerala on the south; Karnatka emerge through the mists of antiquity. The historian is thrilled by the array of dynasties that marched their armies to battle and ruled over this land. It is here the skilled artists have treated stone like ivory and executed filigree work of great finesse.

It was to Sravanbelgola, Karnatka, in the 3rd century BC that Chandragupta Maurya, India's first great emperor, retreated after he had renounced worldly ways and embraced Jainism. Many centuries later, the mighty 17 meter high statue of Gomateshvaras, which celebrated its 1000th anniversary in 1981, was erected at Sravanbelgola. Fifteen hundred years ago at Badami in the north of the state, the Chalukyan built some of the earliest Hindu temples in India. All later south India temple architecture stems from the Chalukyan designs at Badami. Hampi is one of the most beautiful, extensive and fascinating of India's ruined kingdoms.
Lalit Mahal

The temples at Belur & Halebid are the masterpiece of most artistically exuberant periods of Hindu culture development. The city Palace of Mysore, the Brindavan Gardens, well laid out garden city of Bangalore, the wildlife sanctuaries at Nagerhole and Bandipur and rich spices and coffee plantation areas are many other attractions.

Touristic Places in Karnataka
Bangalore
Mysore
Mangalore
Hassan
Hampi
Sravanbelgola
Badami
Bandipur
Gulbarga
Nagerhole
Nrityagram
Bijapur
Jog Falls
Mercara
Shimoga

Jammu and Kashmir Travel

Dance and Music of Jammu & Kashmir
This dance is almost steeped in antiquity. Rouf is always performed in the accompaniment of pleasant pathetic song. It is performed on all festive occasions and particularly on the evenings of Ramzan and IDD days. Group of women face each other and perform simple footwork which has a sensuous charm about it. Hafiz Nagma is based on the classical music of Kashmir- the Sofiyiana Kalam. The Sufiyana Kalam has its own ragas known as Muquam. The prominent instrument used in Hafiz Nagma is called Santoor-a hundred stringed instrument played with sticks. The danseuse in this tradition is known as 'Hafiza'.

Wildlife in Jammu & Kashmir
Located very close to Srinagar (22km), Dachigam National park with its splendid forests and magnificent scenery is easily accessible. The two sectors of the park -Upper and Lower Dachigam are spread over an area of 141 sq. km. And altitudes vary between 1700 and 4300 meters. Two steep ridges enclose the Park with its great topographical variety - deep ravines, rocky outcrops, steep wooded slopes and rolling alpine pastures. Tumbling down from the Masrar Lake (4300m), up in the high ranges, the Dachigam River winds through Lower Dachigam.

History of Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir came into being as a single political and geographical entity following the Treaty of Amristar between the British Government and Gulab singh signed on March 16, 1846. The Treaty handed over the control of the Kashmir State to the Dogra ruler of Jammu who had earlier annexed Ladakh. Thus a new State comprising three distinct religions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh was formed with Maharaja Gulab Singh as its founder ruler. The feudal dispensation in the State, however, was too harsh for the people to live under and towards the end of a hundred years of this rule when their Indian brethren were fighting for independence from the British under the inspiring leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the Kashmiris led by a towering personality, the Sher-I-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, rose against the autocracy.

Handicrafts of Jammu & Kashmir
A Carpet is a life long investment-it may well be the single most expensive purchase during your trip to Kashmir. Kashmiri carpets are world renowned for two things- they are hand made and they are always knotted, never tufted. It is extremely instructive to watch a carpet being made- your dealer can probably arrange it for you. Stretched tightly on a frame is the warp of Carpet.

Shopping in Jammu & Kashmir
There are pure wool shawls called raffal which have different counts of wool - 40, 60, 80 etc., and the shawl is progressively more expensive as the count increases. Shawls mixed with other fibers like cotton and cotton derivatives are far cheaper. On the other and, woolen shawls mixed with pashmina will be far more expensive. Then too, there are shawls that look and feel like pashmina and which are priced between wool and pashmina.

Festivals in Jammu & Kashmir
This festival is also known as Makar Sankranti. It heralds the onset of spring. The whole of Jammu region wears a festive look on this day. Thousands take a dip in the holy rivers. 'Havan Yagnas' light up nearly every house and temple in Jammu. In the rural areas, custom requires boys to go around asking for gifts from newly-weds and new parents. A special dance called the 'Chajja' dance is held on the occasion of Lohri. It makes a striking picture to see boys along with their 'Chajjas' elaborately decorated with coloured paper and flowers move on the street in a dancing procession. The whole atmosphere comes alive with the pulsating drum beats.

Adventure Tourism in Jammu & Kashmir
The ideal trekking months stretch from April to November;no special permits are required,though registration with the nearest tourist office is necessary.The state affords some spectacular contrasts in nature with its alpine pastures,barren wastelands and rugged mountains.Srinagar is a good take off point for trekking in the Kashmir valley or in Zanskar(by road to kargil).In the Ladakh region,Leh is the best point for base camp.Mules and porters charging approximately $ 4 per day can be engaged from the area's nearest tourist office.Guides are also available and there are several specialised agencies in Srinagar and Leh dealing in trekking tours.

Important Facts of Jammu & Kashmir
CAPITAL: Summer(May-October)- Srinagar Winters(Novemenber-April)- Jammu LANGUAGES : Urdu, Kashmiri, Hindi, Dogri, Pahari, Ladakhi,

Flora & Fauna in Jammu & Kashmir
The State is rich in flora and fauna. In Jammu, the flora ranges from the thorn bush type of the arid plain to the temperate and alpine flora of the higher altitudes. Of the broad leaf trees there are maple, horse chest nuts, silver fir etc. At the higher altitudes there are birch, rhododendron, Berbers and a large number of herbal plants.

Pilgrim Places in Jammu & Kashmir
To the west of the city is the much lower hill of Hari Parbat, which is surrounded by a fort. On this hill is the temple of Sharika Devi, believed to be a form of Durga Mata or Shakti. 25 kms from Srinagar, past Ganderbal, is the most important pilgrim place in Kashmir, the only exception being Amarnath cave. This is the temple and spring of Tulla Mulla, the local name of the Goddess Raginia, believed to be another form of Durga Mata.

Rajasthan Travel

One of the most striking and colorful regions of India, Rajasthan is famous for evoking the memories of Arabian Nights. Rajasthan Travel Packages take you to the forts and palaces, the desert, the camel markets, and the vibrant people make this a very compelling destination to spend some time in this land.

Rajasthan has several cities, which are well connected with different places of India by road and rail as well as flight. Getting around the state of Rajasthan is a smooth affair. The government-run bus company, RSTDC, has regular services between cities. Private operators are also viable alternatives since they provide cheaper fares and greater comfort. For those who want a night with good sleep trains are the popular options. They connect all major cities and many smaller towns. However the most luxurious way to travel in Rajasthan is the Palace On Wheels the ultimate in train luxury. It takes you around the state in a weeklong whistle-stop tour.

Rajasthan - the royal Indian state is well connected with other parts of the country. Also being a popular destination in the world tourism map, Rajasthan is well accessible by air, rail and road.

Travel to Rajasthan by Air:
Jaipur is the main airport to enter Rajasthan. Serviced by all the domestic airlines of India, Jaipur has connections to Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur, Aurangabad, Jodhpur and few more cities in India. Other major airports in Rajasthan are in Udaipur and Jodhpur.

Travel to Rajasthan by Rail:
Travel Packages of Rajasthan, like many other facets of the state is another unforgettable experience if you consider travelling by train. Palace on Wheels, one of the most luxurious trains in the world, is the highpoint of any travel to Rajasthan. Seven days of unmatched hospitality, living life like a king, in the moving kingdom of Palace-on- Wheels is just out of this world.

Travel to Rajasthan by Road :
Road transport on the other hand is much better than in the other parts of India. But, most enduring of the memories in Rajasthan is undoubtedly Camel Safari and Horse Safari across the Thar Desert.

Goa Travel

The exotic land of Goa is a veritable tourist paradise. Sun-drenched beaches, enriching wildlife, opulent churches…Goa unfolds before the starry-eyed traveler in myriad ways. Besides the wealth of scenic beauty, the warm and friendly nature of the Goan people adds to the charm. But despite all these positives, one is always circumspect about the pitfalls that come with travelling to an unknown place.

Keeping in mind such a scenario we have compiled the Goa travel tips section that intends to give you a glimpse into different facets of Goa. Traveling tips for Goa addresses a number of issues including safety issues, local transport, cuisine, tourist guides, money exchange, facts and figures and lot others. All this will go a long way towards helping you putting together a complete itinerary of Goa.

However all these tips would be of no avail if do not exert discretion during your tour of Goa. So go through these traveling tips for Goa and make sure you apply them during your trip.

Safety should be of paramount importance while traveling to any foreign destination. In the excitement of exploring an exotic location people often let their guard down and get carried away. Such indifference can lead to disastrous consequences. Even though the Goans are warm, friendly people, there will be the proverbial rotten egg lurking around in search of gullible victims. Here are some safety precautions for traveling in Goa:

* Instead of carrying large amounts of cash, opt for traveler's cheques as they are readily exchangeable in most locations.
* While traveling, never accept food or drinks from strangers. They might be a ploy to rob you of your valuables.
* Keep all your important documents and valuables in the deposit box of your hotel.
* Never leave your baggage unattended.
* Before taking to the seas for a swim or bath, do consult the lifeguards posted in the beach.
* Move around in groups rather than traveling alone.

Travel to Goa is a beach lover's delight. The Indian state is home to a number of sun-baked clean beaches bordered by the clear waters of the Arabian Sea. These beaches attract numerous people from distant corners of the world throughout the year.

The notable beaches in Goa are:

* Baga Beach
* Bogmolo Beach
* Cavelosim Beach
* Colva Beach
* Miramar Beach
* Vagator Beach
* Arjuna Beach
* Benaulim Beach
* Calangute Beach
* Chopara Beach
* Dona Paula Beach
* Pololem Beach
* Varca Beach


Goa is well known for its unparalleled collection of churches and temples. The excellently built old churches are classic examples of Portuguese architectural style. Each of the famous temples in Goa are wonderfully sculptured and carved.

The architecture of Goa travel guide is strongly influenced by the Portuguese domination of the land. The place was an important port town to the Portuguese in the colonial era. The temples and churches are of signature sloping roofs. The design bears a resemblance to the Italian renaissance architectural era. Secular buildings are brightly colored. Indian red, pale green and yellow ochre pigments are contrasted with white to create a picture perfect appearance. Churches are painted white-symbolizing purity. The list of notable temples in Goa includes the following places of worship:

* Sri Ananta Temple
* Sri Chandreswar Temple
* Sri Kalika Temple
* Sri Mahalakshmi Temple
* Sri Shantadurga Temple


Some of the notable Churches in Goa are:

* Chapel of St. Francis Xavier
* The Chapel of our Lady of the Mount
* The Church of our Lady of the Rosary
* The Royal Chapel of St. Anthony

Himachal Pradesh Travel

Himachal Pradesh travel is a must for an avid traveler, especially for someone who loves mountains. The world's largest and highest mountain range; Himalayas traverse through the state of Himachal Pradesh. This state is one of the top tourist destinations of India with enchanting and picturesque hill stations. The winters are extremely chill but summers are warm in Himachal Pradesh, India. The best time to visit Himachal Pradesh is during spring, which extends from February to April.

A large part of the land is covered by forests. Some of the exotic and scintillating tourist destinations of Himachal Pradesh include:

* Simla – This is the capital of the state and is one of the most picturesque hill stations of the world. The exhilarating beauty of the hill station keeps the tourists spellbound. Simla is covered with snow during the winter months.
* Manali – Manali with a number of magnificent lakes is a top tourist destination. It is covered with snow during major part of the year.
* Kullu – It is situated few kilometers south of Manali and is also a popular tourist destination.
* Dharamsala - This is the exiled home of Dalai Lama. The place resembles Tibet in many ways.


Various adventure sports are offered in this part of the world.
Five national and three international rallies of hang-gliding are held in the bald peak of Billing since 1984. This peak is just above the Buddhist Monastery of Bir in Kangra. Para-gliding can be done here too. Intkali in the Pabbar valley close to Rohru and Bundla Dhar near Bilaspur in the Kullu valley are paradise for para-gliding lovers.

There is no dearth of hotels in Himachal Pradesh. Names of some of the hotels are listed below:

* Span Resorts
* Lalji Resorts
* Springfields Hotel
* Alasia
* Silverline
To reach Himachal Pradesh is an easy affair owing to the availability of air, rail and road services. The small airports in Kullu, Shimla, Kangra offer regular flight services to and from Delhi. The bus service from Delhi makes the travel to Himachal Pradesh a cheap affair. By train, the tourists can reach the state from Punjab.

To move around many points of Himachal Pradesh, tourist buses and cars are availed by the most. The tourists can also make a tour of Himachal Pradesh on motorcycle. For as low as 5 dollars per day, the motorcycles are rented in the state for the tourists.

Gujarat Travel

The most convenient entry point into Gujarat is through the metropolis of Ahmedabad. The city contains some very fine museums, the Calico Museum of Textiles being considered among the world’s finest.

Ahmedabad’s walled city is a living testimony to its heritage of crafts as women walk by in dazzling embroidered garments and flashing ethnic silver jewellery.

Traditional Ahmedabad combines mosques of inspired workmanship, wooden Jain temples, unique stone stepwells and houses with ornately carved wooden balconies and window screens.

Modern Ahmedabad, just across the River Sabarmati spanned by four bridges, is a showpiece of contemporary architecture with designs by Le Corbusier, Louis Kahn and the best known Indian architects.

Ahmedabad is a convenient base for a number of excursions, Modhera being the best known. 106 km away, this is one of the very few sun temples in the country.

Gujarat’s loveliest beach – and the state is well endowed with them – is Ahmedpur Mandvi whose chief attraction is the ethnic beach resort.

Cottages modelled on rural Gujarati architecture look out onto a secluded beach, one of the state’s chief centres for water sports.

Place in Gujarat

Ahmedabad Travel

Bhavnagar Travel

Champaner Travel

Gondal Travel

Jamnagar Travel

Junagadh Travel

Mandvi Travel

Morbi Travel

Patan Travel

Porbandar Travel

Rajkot Travel

Sasan Gir Travel

Wankaner Travel

Kerala Travel

Kerala travel leads the visitors to one of the most popular tourist destinations not only of India, but of the entire world. Kerala is an internationally reputed Ayurveda hub. Tourists from all over the world travel to Kerala to receive the holistic natural therapy provided by the many high-quality Ayurvedic centers of the state. A region noted for its biodiversity, Kerala is the considered to be the greenest state of India. It is resplendent with verdant forests and virgin backwaters. The golden sandy beaches and the lush tea plantations add to its beauty. Because of its unsurpassed scenic beauty, Kerala is rightly referred to as 'God's own Country'.

Wildlife tourism is one of the greatest attractions of Kerala. The 14 wildlife sanctuaries, nestled in the deep forests of Kerala form a vital part of Kerala tourism. Kerala has wonderful places that support for adventure tourism as well. The adventure-lovers can also go trekking on the exciting hiking trails that border these exotic destinations. There are, moreover, beautiful plantation fields where tea, coffee, pepper, cardamom, vanilla, oranges, mangoes are grown.

The famed backwaters of Kerala is an intricate network of countless lakes, canals, deltas and lagoons, that stretch for a total navigable length of over 900 km. This absolutely dreamlike aquatic world can be explored by indigenous houseboats called Kettuvalloms. Kerala has a large number of beaches that dot the state. Many of the beaches are located on the historic and famous Malabar coast, while there are others that are located in faraway islands, and only approachable by boats. Some of the most popular beaches of Kerala are:

# Kovalam Beach
# Beypore Beach
# Shankhamugham Beach
# Kozhikode Beach
# Kappad Beach

Due to its enchanting greenery and paradisaical landscape, the state of Kerala has been ranked as one of the 50 'Paradises Found' by the Geographic Traveler. All of its myriad attractions, along with a very pleasant weather that prevails for most parts of the year, make it the most sought after tourist destination in the Indian subcontinent after Goa, Rajasthan and Agra. The exotic houseboats, luxurious resorts and hotels in Kerala present a wide range of accommodation facilities for the tourists. The most favorite tourist spots in Kerala are as follows:
# Kovalam Beach
# Kochi
# Kumarakoram
# Alappuzha
# Kairali Ayurvedic Health Resorts

The state of Kerala has fantastic transportation links with the rest of the world. The presence of three international airports in Kerala, including a privately owned international airport at Kochi, has contributed significantly towards boosting international tourism in the state. The state is also very well connected by roads and railways with other parts of the country.

Kerala is located between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea in Southern India. The geographical coordinates of Kerala correspond between 8º18'N and 12º48' N latitudes and 74º52' E and 72º22' E longitudes. With a total population of about 32,000,000, the state is divided into 14 districts. Thiruvanathapuram is the capital and Malayalam is the official language of this South Indian state. Kerala witnesses pleasant climate throughout the year but the best time to visit this 'Paradise on Earth' is between the months of October to March.