Haridwar

Haridwar or Hardwar is a holy city of Hindus situated in the state of Uttaranchal in India. The name stands for Gateway of the Gods. The city is one of the seven holiest cities of the Hindus in India.

Holy Ganga River enters Gaumukh near Haridwar and follows to the Indo Gangetic plain of Norther India. Haridwar is one of the four sites where elixir or Amrit was spilled over after Smudra Manthan when being carried away by Garuda the heavenly bird.

Hence Hardwar is the major pligrimage center of the Hindu and Kumbh Mela is held here once every three years. Other places where Kumbh Mela is held are Ujjain, Allahabad and Nasik.

The most sacred spot where nector fell is known as Har-ki Pauri or Brahma Kund. It is believed that taking a dip here helps the holy attain moksha. Haridwar is also an entry point for the Chardham tours or pilgrimage to four holy places. Many sages have been said to have lived here or did penance.

Other places of Interest are:

Temples of Chanda Devi, Mansa Devi, Maya devi, Doodhadhari Barfani, Sureshvari Devi and

Daksheswara Mahadev.

Neel Dhara Bird Sanctuary

Sati Kund

BhimGoda Tank

Jairam Ashram

Jairam Ashram

Parad Shivling

Ramanad Ashram

Ram Mandir

and few other places.

There are many hotels in Haridwar which offer a luxury stay during pilgrimage. Some hotels offer Char Dham tours to pilgrims. Haridwar is also well know for Rudraksha bead necklaces and pendants used by the holy men as rosary for prayers.

Hardiwar is well connected by road network from Delhi and Dehradun. The nearest air port is Dehradun. The best time to visit is during the Maha Kumbh Mela held after every three years.

Of colors in stone

Captain Forsyth described it as a "Gorge in the River Narmada" though simple English the phrase appears to be poetic - by all means. Marble Rocks or Bhedaghat, the latter precisely means a gorge is actually composed of rocks of raw marble saturated with hues of mind boggling colors. Through the steep rocks flows the river Narmada.

The river enters the gorge at Dhuandhar Falls. The fall was once impressively deep, but after Bargi Dam was built the water level has risen reducing the depth. Never the less the spread of the falls is still impressive, the speed with which the waters gush through makes it enchanting.

The white waters rush through the narrow and steep inlet of the gorge at a break neck speed. At this juncture the river is impossible to navigate. The boat rides at Marble Rocks begin at the right bank of the river at place called Panchavati. The river is spread wide here, but soon narrows down as the cliffs arrive. The slow hand rowed boats offer the greatest pleasure in boating betwixt the amazing color splattered rocks of marble. Visitors are wonder struck by the hues of colors. The shapes intrigue as well.

The fast rushing waters make boating a little tense affair nevertheless the boatmen are highly experienced lot. Before inundation by Bargi Dam the river was much more placid in summers and boating was a serene experience in this river ecosystem which harbored many life forms including crocodiles once. I have seen them myself in younger days.

Marble Rocks in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh is worth visiting for magnificent Dhuandhar falls and boat ride in the river Narmada. The place is about thirteen kilometers from main town Jabalpur with private taxis, buses and other means of accessing it.

There is an old temple on the hills called "Chausath Jogini" with set of idols. The idols have been plundered by a barbaric Moghul invader, but nevertheless the place is worth visiting.

Accommodation is available for those interested in a night stay at MPTDC resort nearby. The booking can be done from MPTDC office at Railway station or through MP online kiosk or regional offices.

Gujarat Wildlife & Birding Tourism

Though still not a very popular travel destination in India Gujarat has lots to offer. It is not only the holy pilgrimage to Krishna's Dwarka, Gujarat state is one of the finest birding and wildlife destination in India. The Dwarkadhish Temple is built in he honor of Lord Krishna and is visited by thousands of pilgrims ever year.

Wildlife & Birding

Little Rann of Kutch this magnificent salt desert is home to Greater and Lesser Flamingos which breed here. Indian Wild Ass, Great Indian Bustard, Hubara Bustard and Macqueen's Bustard are found here. The Rann of Kutch is home to great number of birds . I t is included in iterineraris of western India birding tours by package tour operators all over the World.

Gir National Park is the home of Asiatic Lion the only one in the World. About 350 lions survive in this National Park in Western India. The park is close to the district of Jungadh and is famous for lion safaris in Gujarat in India. Gir National Park is an excellent among top birding tour destinations in India with wie variety of bird species seen. Animals seen in wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks in Gujarat are Lion, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Hyena, Wild Ass, Caracal, Indian Wolf, Blue Bull, Sambar Deer and Spotted Deer. Many lesser mammals like chinkara, jungle cats and other species can be sighted in many places in Gujarat in India.

Among well known birding destinations in India are Velavadar, Dassada, Nal Sarovar and Thol besides Gir and Rann of Kutch. Besides Bustards and Flamingos one can see variety of birds in Gujarat - pelicans, geese, wintering ducks, desert birds, and many forest and wetland birds in India.

Gujarat also boasts of a marine National Park at Pirotan of the Jamnagar coast. Apart from mind boggling marine life forms birds such as Flamingos, Godwits, Puffins, Cranes, Herring Sea Gulls, Blackhead Gulls, Crab Plovers and other interesting wetland avifauna can be seen here with ease.

There is luxury and budget accommodation available in wildlife places and birding spots in Gujarat. Government based Gujarat Tourism corporation offers packge tours and travel services to many destinations in the state.

Temple Tours - Khajuraho

Undoubtedly the country's top attraction Khajuraho Temples are a marvel in stone that exhibit luminous grace and architectural splendor unsurpassed. The temples reflect the glory India's golden past that now survives amidst emerging modern chaos. Khajuraho temples are an epitome of liberal ideological values that were the main stays of ancient Kingdoms in Central India.

Khajuraho is a chaotic village that harbors these monuments of sublime beauty and exquisite artistic delights - the carving in stone - and not just erotic expressions that some of the travelers to India may be coming to see. On tour to Khajuraho this becomes evident as you visit one temple after another and loose yourself in erotic posturing displayed on the walls.

Khajuraho is spirituality in art with expression of liberal sexual values engraved in the walls carved out of stone. The Kamasutra sex treatise is expressed here through delicate carvings and statues. The temples were built by Chandela dynasty in 10th and 11th century AD. The purpose of this treatise in stone was perhaps a manual for young boys growing up in gurukuls or religious schools. It could also have been to please pleasure loving rain God Indra.

This hypothesis can best be left to eminent historians and scholars. Khauraho temples are a must visit destinations and are included in itinerary of many organized tour packages to Madhya Pradesh in India.

Best way of reaching Khajuraho is by Air from Delhi and some other major towns. The nearest rail head is Satna. While one can access the temple town on Jabalpur - Bandhavgarh - Khajuraho route by taxi or personal vehicle.

The Panna National Park lies just forty five kms from the temple town of Khajuraho. Panna NP offers tiger safaris, exciting wildlife sightings and birding trips in the dense deciduous forests.

Indian Handicrafts on Travel

Not only exports, handicrafts in India are a major attraction for tourists. All Indian states have their unique native skills that result in creation of exotic crafts. The traveler comes accross works of art and crafts all over his route.

Those on tours to Kerala or Rajasthan states are likely to discover and be impressed by Indian handicrafts since these are popular destinations. In popular tourists states an infrastructure has been laid down in bringing forth all elements of tourist attractions.

But as rest of India opens up to tourism, more and more states are gearing up to display and promote the local talent which produces unique works of arts. Be it jewelry, wooden statues, brass works and designer dressess. Those on travel to India must read and know about before hand the craftsmenship popular in the parts of India they are visiting. Find out where to see and buy them.

Of late tour operators offering package tour to Kerala and Rajastahan include visit to handicraft fairs or villages in these states which produces handicrafts unique in nature. Other travel agents are following in their footpsteps.

The government has taken lot of steps forward to encourage exports and exposure on crafts from India. EPCH has been set up for this very purpose.

EPCH full form Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts under Development Commissioner of Handicrafts, Textile Ministry GOI was set up under EXIM policy in yr 1986-87. It helps create infrastructure and encourages marketing by offering information to member exporters and importers.

It Offers professional advice in areas of technology upgradation, quality and designing in improving standards and specifications, development of products and encourages creativity.
• EPCH organises visits of members to foreign countries to explore overseas marketing potential.
• Participating in International Trade Fairs of Handicrafts & Gift.
• Organizes Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fairs.
• Acts as intermediatery between exporters and Govt. at Central and State level. It represents all the committees / panels of Central.
• EPCH creates awareness through Workshops on "Export Marketing, Procedures and Documentation", Packaging, Design Developments, Buyer Seller Meets, Open House and other such programms.
• EPCH disseminates notification, orders, information on trades etc issued by GOI.

Travel in India - Winter

Though winter is the peak season in India for tourism as most foreigners visit India in this season. But as I have seen many tourists from different parts of India and inbound travelers are not fully informed as to how bitter cold is North India and some part of Central India.

Not many travel agencies & tour operators bother to emphasise upon the tourist to carry all sorts of warm garments. Though cold is not comparable with North America, Canada or Europe the trouble is there is no climate control in most of the places including in accommodations.

Hence tourists come directly under the effect of cold. Those traveling to North India like Kashmir, Leh and Laddakh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttranchal, Utter Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh should be vary of cold which begins from November and carries on till February or March in some cases.

In case of travel to National Parks, Hill Stations and Resorts, extra warm clothing as mufflers, hand gloves, head gear etc are must. Warm inner wear is very useful.

Luxury Hotels at National Parks

Tiger Tourism is on rise day by and there is a greater rush during holidays and week end. The accommodation has to keep pace with rising number of tourists every day. A number of hotels, wildlife lodges and jungle resorts have been set up around the periphery of the park. Some of the finest hotels in NPs established in recent times are as follows:

Celebration Van Vila Kanha Hotel

Skwildlife Resort Hotel at Kanha

Celebration Hotel at Bandhavgarh

Skwildlife Resort Hotel at Pench

Some of the hotels in the tiger reserves are high priced like the Celebration Van Vilas at Kanha and Celebration Hotel at Bandhavgarh while the semi luxurious hotels are affordable. Skwildlife Resorts at Pench and Kanha are in the affordable range but nonetheless offers luxurious amenities.

There are many budget hotels in Kanha which are at best comfortable. During vacations it is advised to book hotels in advance since the room rates skyrocket as the rush begins and at times all room at the National Parks are fully booked. I have on number of occasions seen FITs turning back due to lack of accommodation.

The hotel websites have option of booking online, which is fast and comfortable.

Khajuraho temples

Khajuraho is synonymous with 9th to 11th century temples which are a treatise on Kamasutra. The temples have been carved out of igneous rocks and are an architectural marvel thanks to Chandela dynasty which built them. Khajuraho was the capital of Chandela Kingdom.

The temples center around sex and males, females and animals are intricately involved insexual postures and acts in the temple wall carvings. Nobody has an exact idea of the concept behind the temples but it is thought to depict tantric mysticism. The temples escaped the marauding Muslim invaders from destruction as they where located in forested areas. They where discovered by British Explorer T.S. Burt during the British Raj.

The main temples a must visit on Khajuraho tours are as follows:

1) Kandariya Mahadeva

2) Chaunsat Yogini

3) Chitragupta Temple

4) Vishwanath Temple

5) Lakshamana Temple

6) Matangeshwara Temple

7) Parsavanatha Temple

8) Ghantai Temple

9) Adinatha Temple

10) Duladeo Temple:

11) Chaturbhuj Temple

In ancient times there where eighty five temples built but about twenty two now remain at Khajuraho. There are many package tours available for Khajuraho and nearby destinations. Panna National Park is close to Khajuraho about 45 km drive.

Sikkim

Sikkim a Royal independent Kingdom amalgamated into Indian Union in the year 1974. It's earlier name was Suk-Heem or peaceful home. Gangtok the capital of Sikkim state is approx 190 kms from New Jalpaiguri which is a rail head. The nearest airport is Bagdogra. Sikkim is a land of mystic culture and colorful tradition. It is densely forested with abundant floral wealth hence popular among trekkers and lovers of adventure sports in India.

Sikkim has abundant ecological wealth and bio diversity hot spot. Experience the grand mountain peaks tropical green valleys numerous waterfall and turbid rivers. Visit Buddhist monasteries and terraced hills of agrarian villages. The Sikkim tours is a wonderful adventure trek with a visit to sanctuaries to see unique wildlife. Tourism plays and important role in the little state's economy and there are many treks organized by tour operators in India. The treks are usually of fourteen days and cover many tourist places. There are many high altitude treks in this Himalayan Kingdom.

Fairs & Festivals in Rajasthan

The people of Rajasthan lead a colorful life and celebrate all joyous occasions with fun fair and gaiety. There Marwari life is full of music, dances, fairs and festivals. Rajasthan is mostly desert but the most colorful and picturesque in the world.

Rajasthan's celebrate all kinds of fairs and festivals - animal fairs as cattle and horse fair which also offer trading in the live stock, religious fairs and fairs to mark the change of season. The celebrations are almost year around and offer insight into life in Rajasthan. There are traditional fairs and fairs organized for the tourist attraction like elephant fair, camel race, dances and music . A Rajasthan tour should include and time with major fairs and festivals experience the golden heritage and cultures of Rajasthan.

Some major fairs.

1) Nagaur Fair held January -February. A cattle fair and offers local sports and traditional music and local cuisine..

2) Kite Festival held on Makar Sakranti on14th January. See the splendor of colorful kites all over Rajasthan. This is the best event for Kite lovers.

3) Desert Festival at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. An exciting journey into the heart of Rajasthani desert life. Main attraction is the exotic city of Jaisalmer.

4) Baneshwar Fair Held on January-February, a festival exhibits religious and traditional rituals. The fair is attended by tribal communities of state of Madhya Pradesh and the state of Gujarat to offer prayers to Lord Shiva.

5) Gangaur Festival - held on March-April at Jaipur. This festival is devoted to Goddess Parvati. On this occasion young girls pray for best grooms while the married women pray for the well-being and safety of their husbands.

6) Pushkar Fair at Ajmer in November. An important pilgrimage center and the venue of a mammoth cattle fairs. Visit bazaars, partake or see cattle auctions. Find lovely music and partake in sports. Find the sole temple devoted to Lord Brahma the creator at Pushkar.

7) Teej Festival at Jaipur in July-August. It marks the coming of monsoon rains. In principle a women's festival decked in exquisite finery with activities in groups and at various bazaars.

8) Mewar Festival - March-April held at Udaipur held welcome the heralds of spring. There are songs and traditional dances, processions, religious music and colorful fireworks during the events.

9) Elephant Festival to celebrate Holi in March or April. Play and throw at each other water colors. colored powder and dyes watch several elephant sporting events.

10) Marwar Festival devoted to the music and dance of the Marwar region at Jodhpur. This is an apt occasion for tourists to understand and enjoy the folk traditions of the Rajasthan state.

11) Camel Festival in January at Bikaner the exotic desert city in Rajasthan which is live with folk music and dances. The camels and camel race and camel dances are the key events.

Apart from fairs and festivals Rajasthan offer wonderful tiger safaris and wildlife tours Rajasthan for lovers of nature. The Rajasthani cuisine is unique and world famous it is an experience of life time to partake this wonder full food.