tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31335879517385811822024-03-13T01:27:00.608-07:00Unsolved Mysteries IndiaJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01998325983743288569noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3133587951738581182.post-65438422609865488292020-06-19T03:07:00.000-07:002020-06-19T03:07:56.197-07:00Festivals of Assam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Festivals of Assam</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Assam is a land of fairs and festivals. Most of the festivals celebrated in
Assam characterize the spirit of accommodation and togetherness in the diverse
faith and belief of her inhabitants. This perfect fusion of heritage of her
numerous races has made Assam the home of the most colorful festivals
reflecting the true spirit, tradition and lifestlye of the people of Assam.<br /><br />
The major festivals celebrated in Assam are Bihu, Baishagu, Ali-Ai-Ligang,
Baikho, Rongker, Rajini Gabra Harni Gabra, Bohaggiyo Bishu, Ambubashi Mela and
Jonbill Mela and so on. The people of Assam also celebrate Holi, Durga Puja,
Diwali, Swaraswati Puja, Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja, Idd, Muharram, Me-Dam-Me-Phi,
the birth and death anniversaries of Vaishnava Saints Srimanta Sankardev and
Madhabdev. The tribals of Assam have their own colourful festivals like the
Kherai Puja of the Bodos, the Baikhu and Pharkantis of the Rabhas,
Ali-ai-ligang and Parag of the Mishing tribe, the Sagra-misawa wansawa and
laghun of the Tiwas.</span></div>
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Bihu</span></h4>
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Bihu is a set of three important Assamese festivals in the Indian state of
Assam, Rongali or Bohag Bihu observed in April, Kongali or Kati Bihu observed
in October, and Bhogali or Magh Bihu observed in January. The Rongali Bihu is
the most important of the three, celebrating spring festival. The Bhogali Bihu
or the Magh Bihu is a harvest festival, with community feasts. The Kongali Bihu
or the Kati Bihu is the sombre, thrifty one reflecting a season of short
supplies and is an animistic festival.</span><br />
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Bwisagu or Baisagu is one of the most popular seasonal festival of the Bodos of
Assam. In Assamese language it is called as Bihu. The Bodos call this popular
festival as Baisagu, which means the start of the new year. Baisagu is a Boro
word which originated from the word "Baisa" which is another word for
Bishu/Bihu(similar to Di-Dai meaning water), ang "Agu" that means
starting or start. Hence, Baisagu, the starting time of the year or age. This
Baisagu festival is observed at the starting part of the first month of the
Assamese year.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Ali-Aye-Ligang</span></h4>
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Ali-Aye-Ligang is a spring festival associated with agriculture, specially with
the beginning of the Ahu paddy cultivation. It is celebrated by the Mising
or Mishing an indigenous tribe of Assam, India. The festival marks onset of
sowing seeds. The name of the festival is made up of three terms, 'Ali',
legumes, 'Aye', seed and 'Ligang', to sow.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Rongker </span></h4>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Rongker is an annual winter time festival of merriment observed by the Karbis of Assam. It is observed in order to appease the local deities, associated with the welfare of the village and their harvest, and also to get rid of all evil happenings.</span><div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3133587951738581182.post-59905889589620397352018-08-15T08:31:00.002-07:002018-08-15T08:31:50.697-07:00Chilika Lake - Odisha<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2kk-q6yQbandxM5KHrbK4kjJeplvBvKA4pbstPFFfoNfj8tqreavxYlEquFqsbC5ebD4g0-9itbcU9PinIfyPssGprK9kQqXmgerJa2kjAkWDvZ8jgWSjVraDI78TWnrqhnJPtVVWYYQ/s1600/chilika+lake+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="620" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2kk-q6yQbandxM5KHrbK4kjJeplvBvKA4pbstPFFfoNfj8tqreavxYlEquFqsbC5ebD4g0-9itbcU9PinIfyPssGprK9kQqXmgerJa2kjAkWDvZ8jgWSjVraDI78TWnrqhnJPtVVWYYQ/s400/chilika+lake+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /><b>Chilika </b>is recognized as one of the most important wetlands in the world because it is home to a phenomenal variety of birds. Chilika Lake offers visitors a spectacular display of its colorful avian charms in a thousand different hues presented by over 160 species in the peak season between November and February. The lake and its reed islands teem with nesting birds-white bellied sea eagles, ospreys, golden plovers, sand pipers, flamingos, pelicans, shovellers, gulls, include migratory ones flying great distances from Iran, Central Asia and Siberia. <br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_B0yRykr2XSc4BMJBsZAgPnAyeSp7clzKrFhv_jCuzGqaJ-gQPOuClP_84Xf2uAnz8ZA7LbPRf9EBfupXcdPF911x7xl95oUhb9sHb3IHJiWO5B4R1hEWhmTsfc-iO3AI5gLRs57xGTI/s1600/chilika+lake+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_B0yRykr2XSc4BMJBsZAgPnAyeSp7clzKrFhv_jCuzGqaJ-gQPOuClP_84Xf2uAnz8ZA7LbPRf9EBfupXcdPF911x7xl95oUhb9sHb3IHJiWO5B4R1hEWhmTsfc-iO3AI5gLRs57xGTI/s1600/chilika+lake+1.jpg" /></a><div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The large </span><b style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Nalabana Island</b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> (Forest of Reeds) covering about 16 sq km in the lagoon area was declared a bird sanctuary in 1987. The core area of about 9 sq km attracts around 400,000 waterfowls of different species. Often underwater, the island gradually emerges with the outset of summer. It is literally a paradise for bird-watchers. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The lagoon hosts over 160 species of birds in the peak migratory season. Birds from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Seaand other remote parts of Russia, Kirghiz steppes of Mongolia, Central and southeast Asia, Ladakh and Himalayas come here. These birds travel great distances; migratory birds probably follow much longer routes than the straight lines, possibly up to 12,000 km, to reach Chilika Lake. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /><br />Another major attraction at Chilika is Irrawady dolphins which are often spotted off Satpada Island. Satpada, bounded by the lagoon on three sides, offers an excellent view and attracts the visitors to its entire 30 km stretch of sand bar. Boats arranged by OTDC are available for both the islands. The lake also supports the local fisherman in earning their living from Chilika's prawn, mackerel and crabs.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Chilika Lake, Odisha19.8449627 85.47880650000001919.3665522 84.833359500000014 20.3233732 86.124253500000023tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3133587951738581182.post-26098986935292463132018-08-15T08:17:00.001-07:002018-08-15T08:17:38.071-07:00Dudhsagar Falls - Goa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #313131; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The
majestic cascade of white water, gushing over the steep, nearly vertical face
of the mountain from a spectacular height of 1017ft; is both breath taking and
awe inspiring, making one aware that there are many forces in nature much more
powerful that the human mind and body.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #313131; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The name ‘Dudhsagar’
literally translates to ‘sea of milk’ which many believe is an allusion to the
white spray and foam that the great waterfall creates as it cascades into the
waters of the lake. The falls are at their zenith during the monsoon season,
although they are a popular attraction all year round.</span></span></div>
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<strong style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #313131; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Location</span></span></strong></h4>
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This waterfall is located in the Sanguem Taluka of Goa, and falls into the
jurisdiction of the Goa Forest departments since it is a part of the Bhagwan
Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. One can go by road or rail to Kulem railway station
and then trek to the waterfall or hire a jeep with a driver to get closer in;
however, there will still be a walk to reach the base of the falls.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<strong style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #313131; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Myth and Legend</span></span></strong></h4>
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There is an old legend that centres round the name of the falls. The tale goes
that there was once a princess who was the daughter of the King of the Ghats.
This young lady was as modest as she was beautiful and believed in purity of
heart, mind and body. The legend goes on that she used to bathe in the lake
near her father’s castle every day.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #313131; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">After her bath she and
her handmaidens would congregate on the shores of the lake whilst the princess
consumed a jug of milk. The jug, it is said was wrought of pure gold and inlaid
with sparkling diamonds.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #313131; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">One day, as the
princess was drinking her milk, a young and handsome prince was making his way
through the nearby woods. On hearing the laughter and chatter of the ladies, he
stopped to have a look. The princess was much abashed by her scanty bathing
attire and her handmaidens poured the milk in a cascade in front of her, thus
creating a curtain behind which she could don her clothes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #313131; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">This cascade of milk,
which preserved the modesty of the princess, is the namesake of the Dudhsagar
falls.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<strong style="border-radius: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #313131; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Geographic Description</span></span></strong></h4>
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The river Mandovi, which is the main river of Goa, begins on the Deccan plateau
in the state of Karnataka. Winding its way through the Western Ghats, this
river plummets over the highest peaks on the border of Goa and Karnataka, thus
forming the Dudhsagar falls. The waters form a deep green pool at the base of
the falls, before continuing westward to join the Arabian Sea.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #313131; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The Dudhsagar waterfall
measures an impressive 310m (1017ft) in height and about 100ft in width. The
waterfall splits into three streams as it pours over the near-vertical cliff
face, thus forming a truly magnificent sight. This water fall is also known as
Tambdi Surla to some of the local peoples.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #313131; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The area around the
falls is forested and falls into the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife sanctuary. There
are a number of animals and birds that call this place home; and the keen
observer may even be lucky enough to spot some. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #313131; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">To reach this wondrous site, one must either go on foot or by rail. There is
also a rather bumpy track that is suitable only for four wheel drive vehicles,
but this track still requires visitors to trek about 1km to reach the base of
the falls. There are jeeps available for hire which cost about Rs. 1200* and
can carry 6 people at a time, the driver then waits at the drop off point for
an hour and a half before bringing the visitors back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #313131; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The most adventurous
trek starts from the village of Kuveshi. However, this trek is not available
during the monsoon season as the trail crosses over the Mandovi itself, which
is too rough and swollen during the monsoon months. There is also a trek that
begins at the Kulhem/Collem railway station which is 11km long and offers
tourists a picturesque view of the Ghats and valleys.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #313131; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">One of the preferred
tourist treks is the one that begins at Castle Rock station in Karnataka. This
trek spans about 14km of rough terrain and one should go prepared. There are
also no places around the falls where food or water is available, making it
advisable for visitors to carry their own.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #313131; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">From September to May,
the tours often suggest making the trip an all-day affair with a picnic lunch
surrounded by the natural beauty of the falls. There are even some tours which
offer a one night stay at the base of the falls, camping in the open in tents.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #313131; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">During the monsoon
season treks are the only way to access the waterfall since they are burgeoning
with run off from the hills and can make the passage of a vehicle near
impassable. Although reaching the falls in the monsoon season is difficult the
sheer majesty and splendour of this natural wonder makes it worthwhile.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Sonaulim, Goa 403410, India15.3144375 74.3143073-10.207597 33.0057133 40.836472 115.6229013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3133587951738581182.post-70020380129581841172017-11-18T05:35:00.000-08:002018-07-30T02:41:24.164-07:00Rishikesh <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Rishikesh is a city in India’s northern state of Uttarakhand, in the Himalayan foothills beside the Ganges River. The river is considered holy, and the city is renowned as a center for studying yoga and meditation. Temples and ashrams (centers for spiritual studies) line the eastern bank around Swarg Ashram, a traffic-free, alcohol-free and vegetarian enclave upstream from Rishikesh town.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /><br />Ever since the Beatles rocked up at the ashram of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the late '60s, Rishikesh has been a magnet for spiritual seekers. Today it styles itself as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’, with masses of ashrams and all kinds of yoga and meditation classes. Most of this action is north of the main town, where the exquisite setting on the fast-flowing Ganges, surrounded by forested hills, is conducive to meditation and mind expansion. In the evening, an almost supernatural breeze blows down the valley, setting temple bells ringing as sadhus ('holy' men), pilgrims and tourists prepare for the nightly ganga aarti (river worship ceremony). You can learn to play the sitar or tabla; try Hasya yoga (laughter therapy), practise meditation or take a punt on crystal healing.<br /><br />Rishikesh is town in the Dehradun District of Uttarakhand state in India. Total population of Rishikesh is 75,020 (53% male and 47 % female) as of 2001. Rishikesh is situated at 409 meters above sea level in the foothills of Garhwal Himalayan Range and surrounded by the Shivalik range. Rishikesh is 35 kms far from Haridwar, 90 Kms from Mussoorie, 25 Kms far from Jollygrant airport Dehradun, and 240 kms far from New Delhi.<br /><br />Rishikesh has spectacular view of jungle-clad hills. Rishikesh has also confluence of River Ganges and Chandrabhaga. The glorious attraction of Rishikesh is none other than the great river Ganges herself, running rapidly throughout the city. In the ancient time and still so many yogis, rishis, sages and sannyasis attracted to Rishikesh to practice yoga in this peaceful location. Since then, Rishikesh has known as an abode of sages. Rishikesh is a holy town with so many Ashrams and it is famous for the yoga world wide. Rishikesh is now world famous as a Yoga Capital of the world. Every year during the March month one week long International yoga festival is hosted by Rishikesh.<br /><br />Rishikesh is also known as gateway to the Char Dham. Char Dham is four popular holy temples on the hills (Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri) Thousands of people attracted every year to Rishikesh for spiritual relief, peace, learn yoga, adventure and to take a dip for salvation. The famous among them were Beatles, Kate Winslet and many more others celebrities. It is believed that by meditation in Rishikesh one can get "Moksha" (liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth) as well as holy dip in the river Ganges.<br /><br />Apart from spirituality now Rishikesh is also hub for the adventure activities such as rafting, camping, trekking and bungee jumping. Rishikesh is full of tourist every time. There are also big ashrams, centers for Yoga, Meditation, Ayurvedic Massage and astrology are here. Rishikesh is also known as the white water rafting capital of India.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Two big suspension bridges play a major role (such as nerve system in body) in day- to- day life of Rishikesh. These two bridges (jhulas) are know as Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula(Named after lord Ram and his brother Lakshman, the heroes of the Ramayana, who supposedly crossed the river Ganges at Rishikesh on their way up to the hills.). Rishikesh is divided loosely in many parts such as Rishikesh, Ram Jhula (Shivanand Nagar), Muni Ki Reti, Lakshman Jhula or Tapovan and Swarg Ashram, Pashulok Barrage, Dhalwala, 14 Bigha and Shisham Jhari.<br /><br />From Ram Jhula one can take a boat on sharing basis or walk on the bridge to cross the river. Both sides of the bridge is always crowded with shops of cloths, holy beads, shawls, precious and semi precious stones, replicas of deities, astrological gems, Ayurvedic medicines and Vedic treatises as well as signs of marketing yoga, meditation classes and Ayurvedic massage. Other side of the bridge is known as Swarg Ashram area. So many big ashrams are here such as Swarg Ashram, Gita bhawan and Parmarth Niketan. When you cross the river temples welcomes you with their engraved deities and music shops greets you divine sacred ragas.<br /><br />In evening beautiful Ganges Ceremony(Ganga Aarti) is organized at Parmarth Niketan and Triveni Ghat. The Brahmin Pundits (priests) performs Ganges Puja (ritual worship) with Vedic hymns, sound of hands clapping and the drums (tabla). Hundreds of people come to witness this Pooja and offer leaf bowls which are filled with flowers and small oil lamps to the goddess. The small sparkling lights floating lamps, river Ganges and auspicious atmosphere creates such a magnificent view and feeling that can attract anyone to join the prayer even the visitors from outside India who can't understand the vedic songs.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India30.0869281 78.26761160000000929.9770146 78.106250100000011 30.196841600000003 78.428973100000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3133587951738581182.post-21677737741031228652017-11-18T05:24:00.000-08:002018-07-30T02:41:16.683-07:00manali leh road trip<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Ladakh by Road</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Traveling to Ladakh by Road is perhaps one of the most thrilling road adventures in India or for that matter anywhere in the world. Traveling Ladakh by road involves crossing some of the highest motorable mountain passes in the world, driving through vast semi-arid planes and glimpses of pristine lifestyle of nomads who live in small settlements all along the way. Ladakh by road offers spectacular sights of barren mountains in Greater Himalaya and Zanskar range, sweeping valleys and stunning panoramas. Colorful Tibetan prayer flags, prayer bells, monasteries and Tibetan Buddist populace that one meets along the way are some unique aspect of traveling to Ladakh region by road. There are two roads that bikers, road trippers and drivers take to reach Leh town. One is Srinagar-Leh Highway and the more popular one is Leh-Manali Highway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">When it comes to road trip the first thing that strikes your mind are the most celebrated Manali to Leh trip. Riding through the criss coss terrain on your beast is something which will be captured in your heart forever. This time while you are on your road trip, get a chance to explore the incandescent beauty of the region. With the snow-capped mountains, distant valleys and the cool mountain breeze make it all more exciting. As you continue your ride through the rugged terrain you will come across some of the most well-known passes. Marvel at the sight of the amazing beauty of this region while you hit the roads on this amazing road trip.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>Manali - Leh Highway: Ladakh by Road</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Out of the two highways which lead to Leh- Ladakh, one is Manali- Leh Highway, the perfect road for adventure enthusiasts, the other one being Srinagar - Leh Highway. This highway is 464 km long, out of which 350 km, does not have any civilization. For 365 km on this highway, there is no fuel pump as well. Thus, traveling on this highway needs proper amount of planning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It is anytime better that that you should try Leh to Manali instead of Manali to Leh. The main reason for this is, you are already comfortable to such high altitudes, moving downwards will not be much of a problem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">You can halt at Sarchu, which is at an equal distance from both the destinations. It is a beautiful place and has numerous accommodation options too. If you do the other way round, day 1 will be Manali – Keylong and day 2 will be Keylong to Leh. Since Sarchu is placed on high altitude, it is not advisable to have a nigh halt here.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Leh Manali Hwy33.1168261 77.63425649999999231.416244099999997 75.052469499999987 34.817408099999994 80.2160435tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3133587951738581182.post-47583599694406350112017-02-19T00:19:00.000-08:002018-07-30T02:41:21.072-07:00Zanskar Valley, Laddakh<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Zanskar Valley is one of the least visited spots in ladakh and this is mainly due to the distance and fact that roads here are dirt tracks for the most part. Most people like to take this excursion at the end of their trip while returning from Ladakh via Srinagar; however there are few who like to cover Zanskar first, while a smaller number do it in the middle of their trip.<br />
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Kargil – Panikhar (Suru Valley) (68 kms): It is better to have your breakfast in Kargil itself and also to get the supplies, both for your vehicles and yourself from Kargil. Since there are no petrol pumps in Suru or Zanskar Valley so please ensure you have enough petrol/diesel to travel for 550kms.
From Kargil to Panikhar the roads are metalled and barring few freshly laid stretches, it’s full of potholes but easy to negotiate.<br />
First major town you will come across after leaving Kargil would be Sankoo, 42kms from Kargil. It is recommended to have your breakfast here if you haven’t already had it in Kargil, since the next major stop is Rangdum, 88kms from here.
Roads from Sankoo start improving as you enter Panikhar and you are greeted with lush green valley and snow covered mountains peaks and glaciers dotting the horizon. Panikhar is one of the most scenic places in Suru Valley and a photography stop here is highly recommended.<br />
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Panikhar – Rangdum (Suru Valley) (62 kms): As one leaves the town of Panikhar, road conditions start to deteriorate once again and the once metalled road becomes a dirt trail. From here onward it’s a dirt trail all the way to the outskirts of Padum.
Roughly 40 kms before the town of Rangdum is Parakachik, from here the vistas change dramatically and the real beauty of Suru Valley starts becoming apparent, to relish this beauty it is recommended to come here in late September or October since the grass at that time has shades of orange and that combined with the arid mountain backdrop makes it even more dramatic.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Zanskar River33.8401072 77.08664479999993132.9960442 75.795751299999935 34.6841702 78.377538299999927tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3133587951738581182.post-32691149300128610402015-05-26T01:54:00.000-07:002018-07-30T02:41:19.138-07:00Panhala Fort: Kolhapur<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />Panhala or Panhalgarh, about 19kms north-west of Kolhapur, is possibly the largest and most important fort of the Deccan. Roughly triangular in shape, the hill fort stands at a height of about 850 metres and has a circumference of approximately 7.25kms. Half of its length is protected by a natural scarp reinforced by a parapet wall and the remaining half is surrounded by a strong stone wall strengthened with bastions. The fort had three magnificent double walled gates, out of which two have survived. The Teen Darwaza to the west is an imposing and powerful structure. There are a number of ruined monuments in the fort. The most impressive among them are the three huge granaries. The largest among them, the Ganga Kothi, cover nearly 950 sq m space and 10.7 metres high. In the north-east corner there is a double story building, called Sajja Kothi, where Shivaji had imprisoned his errant son, Sambhaji.<br /></span><br />
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<br /><br />Panhala was the capital of the Shilahara king Bhoja II during 1178-1209 Ad. It was successively held by the Yadava and Bahamani Kings. In 1489 AD, the fort and the territory was taken over by the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur. Shivaji seized the fort in 1659 AD. It was from here that Shivaji, when encircled by the forces of Siddi Johar, escaped one rainy night to Vishalgarh. Later, the fort remained with the Marathas, except for a short period in between, when it went to the Mughals. The fort remained with the Kolhapur State till India achieved independence.<br /><br />The famous Marathi poet Moropanta (1729-94Ad) was bron and brought up at Panhala. There is also the Samadhi of Ramachandra Amatya, the author of Ajnapatra, an important work on statecraft, including for construction. Today, Panhala is a sort of hill station and provides all the necessary facilities for tourists.</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1Panhala Fort, Panhala, Maharashtra 416201, India16.8113091 74.10784590000002916.7961091 74.087675900000036 16.8265091 74.128015900000022tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3133587951738581182.post-28771132495781667422015-05-26T01:53:00.001-07:002018-07-30T02:41:17.974-07:00Srirangapatnam Fort : Srirangapatnam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the prime attractions in Mysore, Karnataka is the famous Srirangapatnam fort. Built in the year 1537 by a feudal lord, this magnificent fort is considered to be the second toughest fort of India. The Srirangapatna Fort has four main entrances known by the names of Delhi, Bangalore, Mysore and Water and Elephant gates. The fort has a double wall defense system, which is what makes it impenetrable. The legendary Tipu Sultan's residence was inside this fort. Hence, it is also known as Tipu Sultan Fort.<br /><br />Tipu Sultan was known as the Mysore Tiger since he fought the British forces here with true courage and valor. It is here that he breathed his last while fighting the British forces in Mysore during the 18th century. The credit of keeping the British away from southern India truly goes to Tipu Sultan and his father who was another courageous leader, Hyder Ali. The fort is located on an island in midst of River Cauvery. The landscape surrounding the fort is very serene and beautiful and is a must visit if you are traveling to Karnataka. <br /></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />The architectural style of the fort is supposed to be Indo-Islamic and there is a Persian inscription on the gateway that announces its date of construction. There are two dungeons in the lower chambers of the fort that were used to imprison captured British officers. It is also said that Buddha visited and stayed on one of the islands near Srirangapatnam. A temple dedicated to Lord Sriranganatha is also situated over here that is yet another important landmark and tourist attraction.</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3133587951738581182.post-9686386688483358312015-05-26T00:12:00.001-07:002018-07-30T02:41:28.161-07:00Chittaurgarh Fort : Chittaurgarh<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chittorgarh, also called Chittaur, from the 7th century to the 16th, was the capital of Mewar under the Rajputs. Chittaur evokes memories of great heroism and sacrifice by Rajput men and women in the intermittent battles that they had to fight against invaders from Northwest or Delhi. Chittaur witnessed both the ravages of war and the triumphs of the spirit. Allaudin Khilji who coveted Queen Padmini of Chittaur, invaded the city in 1303 A.D. Queen Padmini and the women of the court sacrificed themselves in a pyre of fire rather than submit to anybody. This supreme sacrifice has been called 'Jauhar' and epitomises the fiery spirit of the Rajputs of the day. The city stands strewn with monuments and battlements as evidence of the blood and gore that it went through in medieval times.<br /><br />The Chittaur Fort is the best known fort in Rajasthan. Its origins are traced to the Pandavas of Mahabharata. It is said that Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers, built the fort. Standing on 180 meters high hill, the fort covers an area of 700 Acres. Inside it is the Meera and Khumba Shyam Temple. It is associated with Meera, a mystic poetess devoted to Lord Krishna whose life and bhajans have become part of the folklore and literary traditions of the region and several parts of India.<br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chittorgarh (Chittaurgarh) is the epitome of Rajput pride, romance and spirit. It reverberates with history of heroism and sacrifice, which is evident as it echoes with the tales sung by the Bards of Rajasthan. The main reason for visiting Chittorgarh is its massive hilltop fort, which is a depiction of Rajput culture and values.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The fort of Chittor is regarded as one of the most outstanding forts of the country and is indeed the "Pride of Rajasthan State". The formidable fort is perched atop a 180 meter high hillock covering a massive area of 700 acres and is a standing sentinel to the courage and valour of Chittorgarh. It is belived that the fort was build by the Mauryans in 7th century and further strucres were added to it by the successive Mewar rulers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The one mile long serpentine road to the fort is quite steep and exhastive. The fort is approached through seven huge gateways or ´pols´, which are guarded by watch tower and massive iron spiked doors.</span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0Surajpole, Rajasthan 312001, India24.8839237 74.6539497-2.856367800000001 33.3453557 52.6242152 115.9625437tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3133587951738581182.post-60657366491873803652015-05-25T23:52:00.000-07:002018-07-30T02:41:23.265-07:00Kangra Fort : Kangra<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />The Fort, occupying a long strip of land is enclosed with high rampart and the walls cover a circuit of about four kilometres. The main entrance gate is called the Ranjit Singh Gate which is followed by a narrow path leading to Jahangir gate, through the Ahani and Amiri Darwaza, both attributed to Nawab Alif Khan, the first Mughal Governor of Kangra. Thereafter is the Andheri Darwaza from where the path is forked into two directions. The path to the left, through Darsani Darwaza, leads to the portion containing the Laxminarayan temple, datable to Circa ninth-tenth century AD and shrines of Sitala and Ambika Devi. To the north between the two last mentioned buildings is a staircase led up to the palace, known as Shish Mahal and further beyond to the south-west is the polygonal watch tower overlooking the valley. The other path leads to the portion containing the mihrab of a mosque built in Jahangir's time, the Kapoor Sagar tank and other structures. <br /></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />The most valuable monuments in the Kangra Fort are the so-called temples of Laxminarayan and Sitala, two square chambers profusely decorated with carvings. The ceilings of the Laxminarayan temple is remarkable for its elaborate decoration: The destruction of these two temples is due to earthquake and is perhaps great loss of an irreparable nature. The temple of Ambika Devi, still used for worship is much plainer structure evidently of no great age. The only ancient portion seams to be the pillars and architraves of the mandapa covered by a flat dome. To the south of the Ambika Devi temple are two small Jaina shrines facing west, one of them contains a plain pedestal and in the other is placed a seated image of Adinath, with partly obliterated inscription dated Samvat 1523 i.e.AD 1466 in the reign of Katoch Raja, Sansar Chand I.<br /><br />The clearance and conservation work brought to light number of loose sculptures and architectural members of the monument which have been kept in a sculpture shed. The important ones, six in numbers have been exhibited in the Himachal State Museum, Shimla. There is a proposal to exhibit the remaining loose sculptures and architectural members by renovating and reconditioning the' existing portions of the monument.</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0Old Kangra, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh 176001, India32.0873287 76.2561163000000314.3470377000000013 34.947522300000031 59.8276197 117.56471030000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3133587951738581182.post-5087285424506797342015-05-25T23:33:00.000-07:002018-07-30T02:41:21.977-07:00Red Fort : Agra<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The majestic Agra fort was built by the great Mughal emperor, Akbar in 1565-75. The Agra fort contains numerous impressive structures like the Jahangir Mahal, Khas Mahal, Diwan-i-Khass, Diwan-i-Am, Machchhi Bhawan and Moti Masjid. The Agra fort is enclosed by a double battlemented massive wall of red sandstone. This wall is about 2 km in perimeter and is interrupted by graceful curves and lofty bastions. Many of the buildings inside the Taj Mahal were pulled down by Shah Jahan, who erected some new ones. The <b>Agra fort</b> has four gates, of which the Delhi Gate is the most impressive. <br /><br />The fort of Agra stands about 2 km from the Taj Mahal on the same bank of River Yamuna. The Agra fort stretches for almost 2.5 km. At present the visitors are allowed to enter the Agra fort from the Amar Singh Gate. The Amar Singh Gate leads to the courtyard. The magnificent Diwan-I-Am (Hall of Public Audience) is on the right side. A little further lay the royal pavilions (containing Nagina Masjid and Mina Masjid), palaces (Macchi Bhavan, Khas Mahal, Shish Mahal, Shah Jahani Mahal) and the Zenana Mina Bazaar. It is interesting to note that to rooms cool, the walls were made hollow and filled with running water. A very nice view of the Taj Mahal can be had from the balconies in the pavilions. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Shah Jahan was imprisoned in the Agra fort by his son Aurangzeb. Shah Jahan spent his last days in the Musamman Burj of the Agra fort. The Musamman Burj is located on the left of the Khaas Mahal. It is a beautiful octagonal tower with an open pavilion. With its openness, elevation and the benefit of cool evening breezes flowing in off the Yamuna River. From the Musamman Burj one has the best view of the Taj Mahal.</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3133587951738581182.post-69407584120052116512015-05-25T23:23:00.000-07:002018-07-30T02:41:24.036-07:00Jaisalmer Fort : Jaisalmer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the oldest and massive forts of Rajasthan, Jaisalmer fort is located in the remote Thar Desert. In the medieval times, the location of Jaisalmer on the trade route made it a prosperous town. Jaisalmer came to be celebrated for the chivalry and bravery of its rulers and also for the aesthetic sense represented by its palaces and Havelis. The rulers and merchants of Jaisalmer engaged craftsmen to work on the sandstone mansions, buildings and palaces, filling up the front with sculptural filigree, screen windows, delicate pavilions and beautiful balconies. The Jaisalmer fort is two hundred and fifty feet tall and reinforced by an imposing crenellated sandstone wall of 30 feet height. The fort has 99 bastions. <br /><br />Jaisalmer fort crowns the Trikuta Hill. Within the walls of Jaisalmer fort lays the old city, which is nearly a quarter of modern Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer fort stands almost 30 meters over the Jaisalmer city and houses an entire living area within massive battlements. Jaisalmer fort is approached through many gates. The Akshya Pol is the entrance gate of the fort. Across the road is the Suraj-Pol. The Suraj Pol is embellished with a figure of Sun. The Hawa Pol (Wind Pol) is an enormous Gateway, girdled by palaces and courtyard and was constructed during the 17th century AD. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />The steep cobbled pathways leading to the royal palace pass through four gates. The fort was made invincible by pathways having sharp and twisting turns. Jaisalmer Fort is a five story architectural monument embroidered with balconies and windows, exhibiting fine craftsmanship of Rajput style. Jaisalmer fort has five interconnected palaces. All the palaces have amazing "Jali" and 'jharokha' work. <br /><br />Outside the Jaisalmer fort is the main market place called Manek Chowk. From the walls of the Jaisalmer fort one can have a marvelous view of the Old City and the adjoining desert.</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3133587951738581182.post-53159701479042927092015-05-25T23:14:00.001-07:002018-07-30T02:41:22.364-07:00Golconda fort Hyderabad<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A majestic fortress on the outskirts of Hyderabad, Golconda Fort is one of the grandest forts of India. Built around 12th and 16th Century by various Qutub Shahi rulers, this fort has a rich history that is almost 400 years old. It is definitely a place worth visiting in case you are traveling to the south of India. One can see the elegance and grandeur of the Nawabi culture on visiting the famous Golkunda Fort of Andhra Pradesh. A tour around the fort would leave you absolutely mesmerized and you would be completely bowled over by the sheer magnitude of the fort. <br /><br />The Golconda fort is a fine example of magnificent architecture. The fort was renowned for its diamond trade and it is said that the world famous "Kohinoor" diamond was found here. The architecture of the fort is such that a mere clap at the entrance could be used as a distress signal thus alerting others of any unseen dangers. The technique that was used was of advanced acoustics. The clever architectural plan also allowed uninterrupted supply of water throughout the year. The fort had sprawling gardens and dancing fountains, which are now in ruins.
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />The fort is built on a granite hill at a height of around 120 meters and is bordered by thick walls. The stone blocks used for constructing these massive walls weigh several tons. The structure is such that though closed, it allows much space for all over ventilation, thus allowing circulation of cool breeze that provides respite from the summer heat. <br /><br />The entrance gates of the fort are colossal and are fitted with iron spikes to thwart elephants from damaging them. The entire township of Golconda is surrounded by an outer wall, which is about 11 kilometers long. This long road used to be a busy market in the by gone where one could get stuff like jewellery, diamonds, pearls and other gems.</span>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3133587951738581182.post-29665133061623035742015-05-25T02:32:00.000-07:002018-07-30T02:41:18.232-07:00Gwalior Fort: Gwalior<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Gwalior fort spreads out over an area of 3 square km, surrounded by concrete walls of sandstone. The Gwalior fort encloses three temples, six palaces and numerous water tanks. At a point of time Gwalior fort was regarded as North and Central India's most invincible fortress. The fort was built by Raja Man Singh Tomar in the 15th century. The fort of Gwalior has seen many ups and downs of history. In the course of almost five hundred years, the Gwalior fort went from one ruler to another. <br /><br />From the Tomars it passed to the Mughals, Marathas and the British. The Gwalior fort finally went to the Scindias from the British. The Teli-ka-Mandir is the most famous of all the temples of the Gwalior fort. This temple was built in the Dravidian style shrine and is notable for its generously sculpted exterior. The Saas-Bahu Temples (two pillared temples which stand next to each other, one larger than the other) are also fascinating. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />The Man Singh Palace is one of the most amazing palaces of the Gwalior fort. It was built by Man Singh in the 15th century. It was in the same palace the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb imprisoned and later murdered his brother Murad. Then there is gruesome Jauhar Kund, where the women of the harem burnt themselves to death after the defeat of the king of Gwalior in 1232. Other significant palaces within the Gwalior Fort include the Karan Palace, the Jahangir Mahal, the Shah Jahan Mahal and the Gujri Mahal (built by Man Singh for his favorite queen, Mrignayani).</span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3133587951738581182.post-76540246303540792662015-05-25T02:20:00.000-07:002018-07-30T02:41:25.324-07:00Red Fort : Delhi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Mughal ruler Shah Jahan, when in 1639, shifted the capital of his empire from Agra to Delhi in order to heighten the esteem of his regime and fulfill his motivated building plans, a new city named Shahjahanabad was founded which we today see as Delhi or more specifically Old Delhi. Along came the foundation of a fort called Red Fort in the northern side of the town. It took about nine years to complete the construction of the fort from 1639 to 1648 for the Mughal ruler. Red Fort was utilized as the residential purpose by the Mughal ruler but was also capital of Mughal rulers till the regime of Bahadur Shah Zafar. In 2007, UNESCO included the Red Fort in the list of World Heritage Site.<br /><br />The feature of the fort that it was made up of large sand stone of red color gave it the name Red Fort. The fort was previously also known as ‘Qila-e- Mubarak’ or the Blessed Fort due to the fort being residence to the royal family. Spreading over an area of more than 250 acres of land, Red Fort was constructed with superior architecture than that of the Agra Fort by Shah Jahan. Red Fort held a significant focus in the time of Mughal Rule and is one of the best examples of apex of Mughal architecture and zeal for precision, grandeur and finesse reflected especially during the era of Shah Jahan. Red Fort witnessed many additions and alterations under the rule of coming Mughal rulers, mainly during the rule of Aurangzeb. After the ouster of Bahadur Shah Zafar in 1857, Red Fort saw further changes to its construction as were witnessed after the Independence of India. British used the Fort as Army Cantonment and even liberated India used it for the Army till early years of the 21st century, when Archaeological Survey of India was designated the task of restoration work of the Fort.<br /><br />The Red Fort Delhi is a mesmerizing piece of architecture, lying on the banks of Yamuna River, whose water was used for the moat that surround the wall. The wall on north-eastern side is bordered by the Salimgarh Fort, built in 1546.<br /><br />After the 1752 treaty, Marathas were the guardians of the Mughal regime in and around Delhi. However, after the loss of Marathas in the third battle of Panipat, Ahmad Shah Abdali raided Delhi in 1761. Marathas were conquered by the British forces in 1803, at Delhi in the second war between them, thus concluding the Mughal dynasty in the city and the power on the fort.<br /><br />Bahadur Shah Zafar was the last ruler from Mughal to inhabit the Red Fort Delhi till 1857, when the uprising gave way for the British to occupy the fort. After the debacle of the rebellion of 1857, Bahadur Shah Zafar left the Red Fort in September but was forced to return for the trial in the fort in January 1858, which resulted in him getting exiled in the autumn 1858 from the fort.</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3133587951738581182.post-1892702113361655772015-05-25T02:02:00.000-07:002018-07-30T02:41:16.295-07:00Mehrangarh Fort: Jodhpur<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Mehrangarh Fort, located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, is one of the largest forts in India.<br /><br />The fort is situated 120 metres (400 ft) above the city and is enclosed by imposing thick walls. Inside its boundaries there are several palaces known for their intricate carvings and expansive courtyards. A winding road leads to and from the city below. The imprints of cannonball hits by attacking armies of Jaipur can still be seen on the second gate. To the left of the fort is thechhatri of Kirat Singh Soda, a soldier who fell on the spot defending the Mehrangarh fort.<br /><br />There are seven gates, which include Jayapol, built by Maharaja Man Singh to commemorate his victories over Jaipur and Bikaner armies. Fattehpol gate was built by Maharaja Ajit Singh to mark the defeat of the Mughals. The palm imprints upon these still attract much attention.<br /><br />The museum in the Mehrangarh fort is one of the most well-stocked museums in Rajasthan. In one section of the fort museum there is a selection of old royal palanquins, including the elaborate domed gilt Mahadol palanquin which was won in a battle from the Governor of Gujarat in 1730. The museum exhibits the heritage of the Rathores in arms, costumes, paintings and decorated period rooms.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">History</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rao Jodha one of Ranmal's 24 sons became the fifteenth Rathore ruler. One year after his accession to the throne, Jodha decided to move his capital to the safer location of Jodhpur, as the one thousand years old Mandore fort was no longer considered to provide sufficient security.<br /><br />With the trusted aid of Rao Nara (son of Rao Samra), the Mewar forces were subdued at Mandore. With that, Rao Jodha gave Rao Nara the title of Diwan. With the help of Rao Nara, the foundation of the fort was laid on 1st May 1459 by Jodha on a rocky hill 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) to the south of Mandore. This hill was known as Bhaurcheeria, the mountain of birds. According to legend to build the fort he had to displace the hill's sole human occupant, a hermit called Cheeria Nathji, the lord of birds. Upset at being forced to move Cheeria Nathji cursed Rao Jodha with "Jodha! May your citadel ever suffer a scarcity of water!". Rao Jodha managed to appease the hermit by building a house and a temple in the fort very near the cave the hermit had used for meditation, though only to the extent that even today the area is plagued by a drought every 3 to 4 years. Jodha then took an extreme measure to ensure that the new site proved propitious; he buried a man called "Raja Ram Meghwal" alive in the foundations. "Raja Ram Meghwal" was promised that in return his family would be looked after by the Rathores. To this day his descendants still live in Raj Bagh, "Raja Ram Meghwal's" Garden, an estate bequeathed them by Jodha.<br /><br />Mehrangarh according to Rajasthani language pronunciation conventions,'Mihirgarh' has changed to 'Mehrangarh'; the Sun-deity has been the chief deity of the Rathore dynasty. Though the fortress was originally started in 1459 by Rao Jodha, founder of Jodhpur, most of the fort which stands today dates from the period of Jaswant Singh (1638–78). The fort is located at the centre of the city spreading over 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) on top of a high hill. Its walls, which are up to 36 metres (118 ft) high and 21 metres (69 ft) wide, protect some of the most beautiful and historic palaces in Rajasthan.</span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3133587951738581182.post-41442918016750218442015-03-06T21:11:00.001-08:002018-07-30T02:41:20.557-07:00Bengal Swamps ( Ghost Light ) — West Bengal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />If you happen to be roaming the marshes and swamps of Bengal and are lucky—or unlucky, depending on your appetite for the paranormal—you might witness a hair-raising display of shimmering colourful lights in the distance. According to local beliefs, these lights emanate from the stranded spirits of dead fishermen who lost their lives accidentally in these areas. Those who have tried to approach these ghost lights or “Aleya” have either lost their lives or their sanities.<br /><br />Interestingly, similar phenomena have been observed elsewhere in the world. For instance, the will-o’-the-wisp is popular folklore in the UK, whereas people of Latvia, Estonia, Finland, etc., believed that these lights marked the location of hidden treasures. Similar legends exist in South America, North America, and Australia.<br /><br />But perhaps the most interesting question is: what exactly is the source of this ghostly radiance?<br /><br />The earliest attempt at explanation was by the Italian scientist Alessandro Volta, who also discovered the methane gas. The clue lay in the location of these lights, he reasoned, which was always in swamps. He surmised that the colours were due to the ionisation of methane found in swamps and bogs, caused due to phenomenon like atmospheric lightning.<br /><br />However, it wasn’t until recently that the most accurate explanation surfaced. It is now known that decaying organic matter produces certain gases such as phosphine, diphosphane and methane, which oxidize when they come in contact with the oxygen found in the air. Upon ionization, the molecules of these gases emit packets of lights, more correctly known as “photons” to the scientific community, which cause the illumination. Because different gases emit photons of different wavelengths, the result is lights of different colour.<br /><br />While the rational explanation does take the steam out of the intriguing, long-cherished beliefs about ghost lights, there’s nothing stopping you—if you ever come across this mesmerising sight—from feigning ignorance and enjoying the adrenaline rush. But don’t try to get too close, as the ground will be swampy and unsafe.</span></div>
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</script>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3133587951738581182.post-81837661355570154242015-02-05T03:11:00.000-08:002018-07-30T02:41:26.355-07:00Manali, Himachal Pradesh<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Manali is a beautiful destination that offers different charms in all seasons. Summers witness Manali turning into an escape from the blistering heat of the plains, while winters dress the town in a graceful garb of white snow. Here's a monthly breakup of Manali's climatic conditions so that you can plan accordingly:</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />September to February: The monsoons draw to an end in September and winter starts setting in from October. The temperature in winter months can go down to -1 °C, so make sure you carry enough woolens to keep yourself warm, especially for the chilly nights. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />December end to January is the time when you can enjoy snowfall and the spectacular scenic white views of the surrounding mountains, making it a favourite with the honeymooners. This is the ideal time for adventure enthusiasts who want to go skiing. </span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">March to June: Summer steps in from March but the weather is still pleasant. The temperatures during these summer months usually vary between 10°C to 25°C, so you might still need light woolens during the night. This is the perfect time to indulge in outdoor activities such as paragliding, rafting, trekking and mountain adventures in the Solang Valley. This is also the time when the region’s flora is in full bloom lending it the most pristine natural beauty. <br /><br />July-August: Monsoons in Manali can be tricky as the region experiences heavy rainfall, which can also sometimes lead to landslides. But considering a lot of tourists don’t prefer to travel during this time, the prices of hotels tend to drop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Andaman & Nicobar Islands are suitable for Adventure water sports like Scuba diving, Skiing, Sailing, Para sailing, Wind surfing, Snorkeling etc. Trekking through the dense evergreen forests and island camping in beach front forests are other adventure activities<br /><br />Andaman Water Sports Complex offers all kinds of water sports facilities: Sail boats, Para sailing, Water scooters, rowing boats, kayaks, paddle boats, water skiing facilities etc.,. Boating from this complex up to the Ross Island is really an exciting experience. There is also a Sea water swimming pool and a change room. There is an artificial waterfall as well, which is a great attraction among the visitors. A children park nearby is a place for children to enjoy the serene environment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Snorkeling</b></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Snorkeling is an adventure activity which is very popular off the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. One can enjoy the under-water marine life and view the rarest varieties of corals by Snorkeling in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. You can Snorkel pristine and undamaged reefs, right off white sandy beaches. Equipped with a mask, snorkel and fins, Snorkeling offers you the experience of studying the exotic wonders of the coral reefs. Snorkeling is an exciting sport that lets you rub shoulders with some unique marine species. <br /><br />For some best snorkelling action you can also take a trip in one of the open fishing boats that offer excursions from different Islands in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Underwater, a kaleidoscope of coral colours showcase a variety of reef fishes, turtles, sharks and rays. Many visitors, never having seen fish in such densities before, are bewildered by the sheer numbers of the fish in the vast shoals that populate the reefs.<br /><br />The best snorkelling site in Andaman & Nicobar Islands is at Havelock Islands. The sea around Havelock Islands, display an incredible density and diversity of marine life in seas that sometimes seem to almost boil with fish. The other best places for Snorkeling in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park near Wandoor, Jolly Bouy and the Red Skin Islands. Cinque Island is another location with some fantastic coral. Snorkeling is also possible off Port Blair at the Andaman Water Sports Complex. The under water corals in Andaman island beaches are extremely colourful. One can experience the live corals at Jolly buoy, red skin, North bay etc., People who do not know swimming also can experience the underwater marine world as they will be escorted by experienced person.<br /><br />It is possible to snorkel in Andaman & Nicobar Islands throughout the year. However, these Islands are subject to monsoons, which bring with them heavy rains and strong winds, so it's a good idea to make a note of the seasons and so avoid the Islands that are subject to the bad weather. We will take you to all of the best snorkelling spots in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scuba Diving</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scuba diving is the biggest activity on the Andaman & Nicobar Islands other than lying around and eating seafood. The best season for diving in Andaman & Nicobar Islands is from December to April.<br /><br />The exciting experience of Scuba diving is a major tourist attraction. One can see the fascinating marine life among the world of amazing water bodies, colourful fishes and amazing corals. One can explore the wonders of scuba diving and can get the rare experience mixed with adventure. However, Diving in Andaman & Nicobar Islands is still in its infancy.<br /><br />The Indian government takes a serious approach to protecting its marine resources.As a result, marine life populations are robust, and divers are often surrounded by fish. At places like Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park in Wandoor, clouds of surgeons and barracuda gather in mid-water, snapper and sweetlips swarm over the rocky reef, and big fish like Giant Trevally and Bumphead Parrotfish are seen on nearly every dive. Giant Grouper and schooling Mobula Rays also make regular appearances. Many sites are home to endemic species like Andaman Damselfish, Andaman Sweetlips, and the distinctive Indian-Ocean Spinecheek Anemonefish.<br /><br />The Scuba Diving centres has all the facilities and necessary equipments for a great experience of scuba diving. Adding to this there are many skilled trainers who can help the tourist in getting into the deep of the sea.<br /><br />Havelock Island is another major Scuba Diving Centre. Both operators on Havelock, Barefoot Scuba and Dive India are PADI certified dive centers, provide good equipment and offer training up to instructor. Dive India is located on Beach No. 5 and Barefoot Scuba is on Beach No. 3 run by Barefoot Resort. They share pretty much all of the same discovered dive sites, and prices are more or less standardized at Rs.3000 for two dives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />Ladakh can be a difficult place to travel. The mountains are steep and in the winter snowfall closes many of the mountain passes and makes the few roads treacherous. Some villages become completely inaccessible between November and March. One method of accessing snow-bound villages during the winter is trekking on top of the ice of frozen rivers. The Chadar trek is one such route, connecting villages in the Zanskar valley (deep in the mountains) with Chilling (on the road to Leh) along the frozen Zanskar River. This route has been used for centuries for trade and transportation, and is most reliable in February when the ice is most stable.<br /><br />Now, We should make it clear that the Zanskar river is big and fast-flowing. For most of its length between Chilling and the Zanskar valley the river is confined within a steep canyon. If the idea of walking over frozen river ice with a large pack on your back and very cold rushing water a few inches below your feet is terrifying, then you are not alone. People sometimes die on the Chadar trek, usually local porters who carry goods on the river for their livelihood and can't afford to be conservative. The hike from Chilling to the Zanskar valley takes more than a week, and at night porters usually sleep in caves in the canyon walls.<br /><br />This trek is considered as one of the most exciting and unique treks – a very special and an extraordinary trek on shiny ice on the bank of Tsarap River. You will be dropped by a vehicle at Chilling Sumdo (crossed road) then yourtrek leads in a narrow valley filled with breath-taking views of ice-peaks and unexpected hanging icicles that will attract your gaze for some time. You will spend the night at cave camps with the help of a born fire that will keep you warm and relaxed.<br /><br />Our daily trek begins at around 9:00am and by then the sun's up and blue skies bring cheer despite the cold temperatures. The trek goes along the Tsarap River in the region of Nyerag, Lingshed and constitutes toZanskar!<br /><br />Needless to say, having a good guide is critical on the Chadar trek. Trekking on the ice was intimidating. A covering of snow made it difficult to assess its thickness. At times we had to walk along a narrow margin of ice, constrained by the canyon wall on one side and deep rushing water on the other. Slipping in or falling through would not just be cold; it could be fatal. The water was deep and fast, and you would likely be swept under the ice in seconds.<br /><br />For better or worse, the Chadar trek is an endangered activity and within 5 years will cease to exist in it's current form. A road is currently being blasted out of the rock face above the river. When completed, winter access to the Zanskar valley villages in the interior will be relatively straight-forward. The road will certainly be safe and more convenient than the river, but its completion will mark the end of an ancient local practice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The ‘Chadar’ is a perfect example of this resourcefulness of the Ladakhis and their indomitable spirit, in the face of such daunting odds. The term ‘Chadar’ means blanket in the local language, thereby giving an indication to the nature of this whole experience. Large sections of the river Zanskar, which is one of the mightiest rivers in Ladakh, freeze over in the dead of winter and are covered by a thick blanket of ice. This frozen blanket or ‘Chadar’ is the only way in and out for Zanskaris in winter, when the road and various other caravan routes are closed due to heavy The icy wonderland of the ‘Chadar trek’ snowfall blocking the high passes. It has been their traditional trade route in winter for Centuries. The seven to eight days walk from chilling to Padum is both challenging as well as an incomparably exiting experience. The landscape aquires a pristine grandeur in winter as the trail enters into the gorge of the Zanskar, where temperatures sometimes drop to –30 to - 35 Degree Celsius.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /> Pangong Lake. Situated in the upper reaches of Himalayan Mountain range in Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir, the most notable feature of the lake is the ever changing hues of the lake.<br /><br />Situated at a height of about 13,900 ft, the name Pangong is a derivative of the Tibetan word Banggong Co meaning “long, narrow, enchanted lake”. One third of the lake is in India while the remaining two thirds lies in Tibet, which is controlled by China. Majority of the streams which fill the lake are located on the Tibetan side.<br /><br />Pangong Tso is about five hours drive from Leh in Ladakh region of Jammu & Kashmir. The route passes through beautiful Ladakh countryside, over Chang La, the third highest motorable mountain pass (5289 m) in the world.<br /><br />The first glimpse of the serene, bright blue waters and rocky lakeshore remains etched in the memory of tourists. There is a narrow ramp-like formation of land running into the lake which is also a favourite with tourists.<br /><br />During winter the lake freezes completely, despite being saline water. The salt water lake does not support vegetation or aquatic life except for some small crustaceans. However, there are lots of water birds. The lake acts as an important breeding ground for a large variety of migratory birds like Brahmani Ducks, Rare black necked cranes and Seagulls. One can also spot Ladakhi Marmots, the rodent-like creatures which can grow up to the size of a small dog.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Pangong Tso lies on the Sino-Indian Line of Actual Control and hence requires an Inner Line Permit. Most of the lake is in Chinese-controlled territory. Owing to Pangong’s proximity to the border, tourists are only allowed to visit the lake upto the Spangmik village. For the hardcore adventure lovers, there is a camping site on the shore of Pangong. But do remember that the weather tends to get harsh after dusk. The place is a photographers’ delight and camping is the only option if you wish to see the sunset and the sunrise.<br /><br />The place is under consideration for inclusion in Ramsar Convention for the conservation of wetlands. When it happens, Pangong Tso will be the first trans-boundary wetland in South Asia under the convention. The lake has become a star attraction after being featured in the Rajkumar Hirani’s blockbuster 3 idiots.<br /><br />On October 20, 1962, Pangong Tso saw military action during the Sino-Indian border conflict. Pangong Tso is still a delicate border point along the Line of Actual Control and for security reasons, boating is prohibited on the Indian side.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Gujarat is one of the diverse state of India where be it tradition, culture, palaces, long barren desert or festivals, everything here is unique. With so many things to explore here, one more place that attracts visitors is the Saputara Hill Station. Saputara, literally the ‘abode of serpents’, is best known hill resort ,at the height of 875 metres, saputara offers a pleasant climate and panoramic view of lush green Dang forest. Nesting at around 1,000 meters in the southern part of Gujrat, Saputara a densly wooded hill station is blessed with placid lake, waterfalls, natural trails, ropeway which offers a panoramic view, a fort, temples, a museum and even a bee centre. Saputara becomes even more beautiful in the monsoon & is a perfect place for a quick get-away, picnic or even a short holiday. It is an ideal place to escape from the hustling bustling city life giving peace of mind and serenity. Saputara helps in the restoration of youthful features to fluvial landscapes amidst the green woods.<br /><br />The main attraction of the Saputara hill station is the Saputara Lake where the tourists can hire the sailboats, paddleboats and rowing boats to enjoy the lake and lakeside recreational activities through boating. There are several gardens at Saputara such as the lake garden, step garden and rose garden as on the banks of the river are always loaded with various flowers and are the perfect place to laze around in the vacations. Various attraction places has made Saputara a destination of Indian tourists along with the foreigner as the tourists. The ropeway which is run by the Hotel Vaity is a tremendous experience almost floating and overlooking the scenic vista of the bordered greenery with mountains peeping high</span><div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />According to the legends, Lord Shri Ram had spent 11yrs from his exile in this place. The name of Saputara is extracted from the image of snake on the banks of the river Sarpagana which is worshipped by the adivasis on the holi festivals.<br /><br />Lying in a densely forested plateau in the Sahyadri Range, Saputara holds the distinction of being the only hill station in Gujarat. This picturesque hill station will provide the beautiful scene of Sahyadari Mountain. Visitors can enjoy the cool air breezing from the Sahyadari peak even during the hot summer season. The surrounding of the hill station is covered with thick forest where tribal people reside. The sunset and sunrise from Saputara give the most panoramic and varied views of sun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Nahan</b> is a charming and quite hill station at a height of 950 m above sea level in Sirmaur district in Himachal Pradesh. Surrounded by undulated hills and lush greenery, this small village is situated on the Shivalik Hills. Nahan is a well laid-out picturesque town, known for its cleanliness and dust free streets. Situated at the Southern tip of Himachal Pradesh, Nahan can be driven to in about 5 hrs from Delhi.<br /><br /> According to legends, The city is believed to be founded in 1621 by Raja Karan Praksh in 1621. It is beleived the city takes it name from Nahar (The Lion) who was an companion of a saint who used to live here. Nahan meaning “don’t kill” is believed to have got its name from an incident where the king was about to kill a lion and a saint by the name of Baba Banwari Das stopped him saying “nahan”. There are some other legends as well associated with how this hillside town got its name. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Nahan situated amidst nature' lap is surrounded by many beautiful places worth visiting. It is known for its many temples, temple festivals, wild life sanctuary, local markets and beautiful scenery. Nahan is closer to the plains as compared to the peaks. Nahan is a popular among tourist due to its scenic beauty and picturesque surroundings. The forest routes filled with lush greenery adds to the calm nature of the place. Nahan is a small town in the centre of lush green mountains nearby. <br /><br />Another interesting site one can visit on the way to Nahan is the Suketi Fossil Park. Coming from Kala Amb go straight instead of turning left at the Himachal border toll bridge, it is about 5km from here but the road is nothing to write home about. The Park houses fossils of pre historic animals dating back 8.5 million years to the Jurrasic era, which were found at the site. There are also life size models of the same animals set in a jungle like atmosphere. A good show especially for the kids.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Valley of Flowers</b> is a vibrant and splendid national park reposing in West Himalayas. Nestled in Uttarakhand, this alluring place is famous for its charming meadows of alpine flowers. Endowed with a diverse range of endemic flora, it is picturesque in its beauty. This lush region is also home to some rare and endangered animal species. You may spot animals like Asiatic black deer, snow leopard, musk deer, red fox, brown bear and blue sheep. High in the lofty Himalayas of the Garhwal region sprawls this enchanting valley. Legends believe it to be the place from where Hanuman had collected the Sanjeevani buti for curing Lakshmana. This place has floral pastures, running streams and beautiful backdrop of the mountains.<br /><br />It’s a core zone of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. A colossal expanse of 87.5 sq kms and myriad alpine flowers makes this place a colorful paradise. Perched at an altitude of 3658 mts above sea level, Bhyundar Valley is the home to this surreal place. Historically, the beauty of the place was unknown to world until in 1931, three British mountaineers came here. They lost their way and happened to discover this alluring valley and named it Valley of Flowers. Later in the year 1939, Joan Margaret Legge, a botanist arrived here to study flowers. She was deputed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Krew but she lost her life by slipping from the rocky terrain. Her sister later came here and erected a memorial near the spot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Location of Valley of Flowers</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Valley of Flowers is located 300 Kms North of Rishikesh, near Badrinath. You need to Travel by Road till Govindghat and from there the trek to Valley of Flowers starts. Govindghat is 20 Kms beforeBadrinath. Till Govidghat there is a motor-able Road. Rishiksh is 6 Hours Drive from New Delhi, India.<br /><br />Emerald mountain ranges, green meadows and white clouds fuse to create a dreamlike locale called Valley of Flowers. Cascading waterfalls are abundant while you’re traversing towards the valley. Declared as the National Park in 1982, the vibrant valley is a world heritage site as well. The pristine beauty, mystical surroundings lures nature lovers, photographers and botanists.<br /><br />Valley of Flowers remains covered with a thick blanket of snow during the winter season. It is in full bloom during July, August and September. This is the best time to explore the splendor of this magnificent place. The aqua waters of Pushpawati River bifurcates the valley into two parts. Dew drops of flowers, the rhythmic sound of flowing water and the romantic breeze can be enjoyed by the visitors during the period of July to September. As per the local beliefs, this valley was inhabited by fairies. No wonder, it’s a fairy land.<br /><br />Ghangaria is the base camp for the trek to Valley of Flowers. It has private lodges and hotels for accommodation. One cannot stay at Valley of flowers, therefore Ghangaria remains an ideal place to relax and sleep. It is managed and administered by the Uttarakhand State Forestry Department and Ministry of Environment and Forests. Settlement in this park is not allowed and grazing is also banned since 1983.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Khajjiar is one of the most spectacular places in India. The beautiful Khajjiar located in the hearts of Himalayan Ranges is officially known as mini-Switzerland of India. Khajjiar is possibly one the India’s most charming places. The place looks picture perfect. Khajjiar is 6,450 feet above the sea-level in a shape of saucer. The place is covered with Devadar trees with a beautiful lake in the middle. The large meadow is quite a sight when you are going towards Chamba town. Here you will find the rare combination of ecosystem; the forest, the lake and the pasture all three at same place.<br /><br /><br />It is situated in midway of Dalhousie and Chamba. The road from Dalhousie passes through some steep roads and dark emeralds of dense green forests with pines and cedar. When you enter Khajjiar, you can feel the peace and untouched innocence. It is the most endearing and pleasant place in Himachal Pradesh.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Glacier lake of Khajjiar is surrounded by Deodar trees. It is situated at the center of lush woods. Its shape is like that of a saucer. Basically like a huge bowl with 7 emerald-turf meadows. The lake is surrounded by high mountains and dense pine forest. Between its fringes, you can view thick forests form the banks of river Chenab, Beas and Ravi. With a splendid look of the nature and magnificent lake and the wet fragrance that keeps you fresh one can simply stay there for hours and feel the cool breeze.<br /><br /><br />Khajjiara has many such beauty spots for the tourists to spend time. One of the places that you must visit is Khajji Naga shrine. The place has a temple of Khajji Nag that was build during 12th century A.D, it 15-20 mins walk from the lake. The temple has beautiful mandapa with images of Kauravas being defeated by the Pandavas on it. The chambers of the temple are having carvings of wood are very beautiful. There are more to the attraction of Khajjiar, a beautiful golden-doomed Devi temple, a heavenly golf course.</span></div>
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