Udaipur – The City of Lakes

It is the jewel of Mewar, a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1,200 years, making it the oldest dynasty in India, perhaps in the world! Claiming descent from Surya, the sun God, they were the only Rajput princes who steadfastly refused to marry with the powerful Mughals. The capital of the Sisodia dynasty was Chittor till the 6th century, when it was moved to Udaipur, named after Maharana Udai Singh. Udaipur continued to be the capital of Mewar until the throne fell into the hands of the British in 1818. It was then declared a princely state and held the same title till 1947, when India gained independence. The city is perfectly placed in the backdrop of lush green picturesque natural beauty in the midst of Aravalli Mountain Ranges. It is a lake city with three interconnected lakes, the Pinchola Lake, Swaroop Sagar Lake and Fateh Sagar Lake. If Jaipur is the pink city, Udaipur is a study in white. The city is known its palaces, museums, temples, lake, and gardens. The City Palace and Museum is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. The museum has a stunning collection of objects belonging to different Maharanas of Udaipur. There are several palaces of interest around here, including the majestic Chittaurgarh the mountain fortress of Kumbhalgarh, beautiful jain temples of Ranakpur, Eklingli and Nathdwara and the cool retreat of Mr.Abu make the visit to Go Udaipur a memorable one. Udaipur is undoubtedly a dream destination for a romantic holiday. Every year, thousands of tourists come from all over the globe to visit this romantic city. Udaipur is easily accessible from all the major cities of India including Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur.

Places to see :

Udaipur, the city of beauty hypnotizes the tourist’s psyche and captures the visitor’s heart to the extent that it lands up being the most frequented city in the tour of Indian cities.

City Palace :

The palace complex rises 30 meters above Lake Pichola and extended up to 244 meters. The mesmerizing beauty of the palace is surrounded by the towers, balconies, small domes and endless windows that give a sense of ecstasy. The palace leaves an everlasting impression on mind as you see from the rooftop, the glittering granite and marbles carved out with a grace giving a glance of a great composition of Chinese and European architecture.

Lake Palace :

This palace is located on the lake Pichola and is a tourist’s favourite tourist spot. The white marble reflected on the calm, serene lake waters is a sight to behold. A must see for a traveler. This palace cum fort is also known as Jag Niwas. This was built by Maharana Jagat Singh II in the year 1754.

Jag Mandir :

Another island in the Lake Pichola, which is known for its beautiful garden courtyard. Shah Jahan took refuge here while revolting against his father.

Jagdeesh Temple :

At a short distance is the Sahelion-ki-Bari or the Garden of Maidens which has four pools and delicately carved kiosks and elephants in marble. Built in the early 18th century, this is now a popular tourist spot. Close to the City Palace is the Jagdish Temple which displays some commanding sculpted figures and elaborately ornamented interiors.

Fateh Prakash Palace :

Maharana Fateh Singh was the real occupant of this palace and stayed there between 1884 and1935 A.D. A perfect example of luxury and style, Fateh Prakash Palace is another must in Udaipur Tour.

How to reach :

Air :

Daily Service to and from New Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Aurangabad, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Nearest Airport is in Dabok Airport, 24 km. from Udaipur city.

Rail :

The Railway Station is about 4 Km. from the city centre. Udaipur is directly connected by rail with Delhi, Jaipur, Ajmer, Chittaur, Jodhpur and Ahmedabad.

Bus :

The Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh road transport corporation operate buses to Udaipur from various region. Udaipur is connected by major road link between Mumbai and Delhi.

In the age of internet, booking of ticket is easy and hassle free. Online travel agencies are always updated with the price and availability list of different fleet. Bus booking, Air ticket booking is very convenient online. cheap air tickets is less time consuming and a great energy saving process.For more deals Deals

Cherrapunji – The Rainy Valley of India

High above misty valleys and foaming rivers, ensconced in swirling clouds and perched on an escarpment, lies Cherrapunji (4,500 feet). This is a stunning location and the year-round rain earned Cherrapunji coveted entry long ago into the Guinness Book of World Records as the wettest place on earth, the place where the rainfall can be recorded in feet rather than in millimeters.

Today, climatic changes have edged Cherrapunji out of the topmost 'wet' slot, but it still retains its pristine beauty, its unusual facets, the perpetual clouds, and the perpetual mists…. Appropriately, Cherrapunji lies in the heart of the State of Meghalaya-the abode of clouds.

History:

As in days gone by, the faces of Cherrapunji change not with the seasons, but with the pattern of rainfall. The heaviest downpours span approximately five long months-from May until September. The clouds then are dark and menacing, full blown with rain, which descends earthwards with the stinging force of a whiplash.

Tour to Cherrapunji Throughout these months, Cherrapunji is transformed into a sea of tiny, gushing rivulets. The raindrops beat incessantly on rooftops and treetops creating a compelling tattoo of awesome sounds, which cannot be savored anywhere else but in the Northeastern states. These are also the 'record-making' months, which contribute to records such as the stunning 22,987 mm of rainfall in 1861. The annual average rainfall of Cherrapunji stands today at 10,871 millimeters. Barely 10 km from Cherrapunji stands the village of Mawsynram, which has snatched away the heaviest rainfall record, with 12,163 millimeters of rainfall.

With the passage of September, the rhythm of the rain-its main force spent-changes to a gentle patter. And the Khasis and other residents of Cherrapunji, the flora, and the fauna respond to the change in the Rain God's mood. Soft pastel shades begin to appear in skies that were gray all day and rainbows that are a photographer's delight begin to make unexpected guest appearances.

Tourists Attractions:

The home of enterprising Khasi clans, Cherrapunji's place in the Guinness Book of Records is not its only claim to fame. Along with falls lesser in height but no less alluring, the spectacular, cascading 1,035-ft-high Mawsmai Falls-the fourth highest in India-lie just a few kilometers beyond Cherrapunji.

Close by is situated a fascinating labyrinth of underground passages beneath age-old caves-a veritable dream for amateur explorers. Elsewhere around Cherrapunji, Khasi monoliths (stones in memory of their ancestors) lie dotted around-a vague reminder of the forests of Bastar.

Amidst all the surprises of Cherrapunji, perhaps the most abiding is the startling realization that the wettest place on earth where it rains every month also has an amazing amount of warm sunshine. When the clouds drift away, there are a series of memorable views, and one can see as far as Bangladesh. Orchids blooming a few feet away from a patch devoid of vegetation. Dense woods interspersed by rocky, cliffs furrowed by erosion.

As the months move on, the smell of decaying vegetation lessens as the showers become intermittent. New plants spring to life, and people go about their tasks with renewed energy.

The hills around Cherrapunji do not have the lush green vegetation one normally associates with wet places. The vegetative cover in the form of dense woods appears in patches and constitutes yet another marvelous surprise: the richness and variety of the flora in these 'zones' has to be seen to be believed. An amazing variety of rare orchids, ferns, and moss convert each pocket into a botanist's paradise. Cherrapunji produces the best quality of oranges as well as pineapples. In fact, Cherrapunji oranges are the ancestors of the famous Nagpuri oranges in the Central India.

How to Reach:

Cherrapunji is 58 km from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. A steep motorable road, almost perpetually bathed in mist as it climbs upwards on the last lap, leads up to Cherrapunji. Buses and taxis ply to Cherrapunji from Shillong.

Bus booking is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early you’ll get budget bus tickets online. For online bus tickets booking you can check different OTA’s website. Search best bus service, compare and buy cheap tickets. Bus form mumbai to pune

Bus form bangalore to pune

bus from chandigarh to delhi
bus from chennai to bangalore

A Trip Kamakhya Temple in Assam

About Kamakhya Temple:

Kamakhya Temple, which is situated at the top of the Nilachal Hill at about 800 feet above the sea level. The entire temple complex not only comprises of many other temples but also a whole set of people connected with them. Apart from the main devi temple, it also comprises of some other major temples of devi Kali, Tara, Bagala, Chinnamasta, Bhuvanesvari, Bhairavi and Dhumavati.

There are some other temples of various goddess can be seen in the complex. They are the Sitala Temple, the Lalita Kanta Temple, The jaya Durga Temple, the Vana Durga Temple, the Rajarajesvari Temple, the Smasanakali temple, the kail temple of Abhayananda dharmashala and the Sankhesvari temple. There are five temples of Lord Shiva in the Kamakhya complex. They belongs to different forms of Lord Shiva like Kamesvara (Umananda), Siddhesvara, Amratokesvara (Heruka), Aghpra, and kotilinga (Tatpurusa).

Legend of Kamakhaya:

Once Naraka, motivated by his carnal desire, wanted to marry Devi Kamakhya. When proposed, the goddess playfully put a condition before him. If Naraka would be able to build a staircase from the bottom of the Nilachal hill to the temple within one night, then she would surely marry him. Naraka took it as a challenge and tried all with his might to do this marathon task. He was almost about to accomplish the job when the Devi, panic-stricken as she was to see this, played a trick on him. She strangled a cock and made it crow untimely to give the impression of dawn to Naraka. Duped by the trick even Naraka thought that it was a futile job and left it half way through. Later he chased the cock and killed it in a place which is now known as Kukurakata, situated in the district of Darrang. The incomplete staircase is known as Mekhelauja path.

Festivals:

Durga Puja is celebrated annually during Navaratri in the month of September- October. It is a three day festival attracting several visitors.

Ambubachi Mela, also known as Ambubasi festival, is held annually during monsoon in the Kamakhya Devi Temple at Guwahati, Assam. In 2010, the beginning date of Ambubachi Mela is June 22nd and the festival ends on June 26. The Ambubachi festival is closely related to the Tantric cult and is also known as Kamkhya Devi Puja. It is believed that Goddess Kamakhya goes through her menstrual cycle during these days and therefore the temple remains closed for three days. Ambubachi Mela is also known as Ameti or Tantric fertility festival and is a four-day mela (fair). It is widely believed that Goddess Kamakhya goes through her yearly menstrual cycle during the Ambubachi days. The temple remains closed for three days – the menstruation period. People in large numbers wait outside the temple on the fourth day, when the temple will be opened. Sanyasins and Pandas from around the country assemble at the Kamakhya temple during this period. Large number of devotees make a mad rush when the temple reopens to receive the unique ‘prasad’ which is small bits of cloth, which is supposedly moist with the menstrual fluid of Goddess Kamakhya. It is considered highly auspicious and powerful.

How to Reach:

The Kamakhya temple is situated at the center of the city. Buses and cabs run almost all the time right from the morning to the night. The Kamakhya temple is about 20 km from the airport. It is about 6 km from the railway station. From the airport as well as from the railway station cars are easily available for rent. So, devotees can hire cars for a trip to Kamakhya temple. There are two well maintained staircase from the bottom of the hill to the Kamakhya temple made up of stones is also there, which can also be used to climb to the Kamakhya temple.

Bus booking is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early you’ll get budget tickets online. For online bus booking you can check different OTA’s website. Search best bus service, compare and buy cheap tickets.

bus from chennai to hyderabad
bus from delhi to agra
bus from delhi to chandigarh
bus from delhi to haridwar

Mumbai to Shirdi – A Holy Weekend Getaway

Shirdi is a village north-east of Mumbai and has an extensive temple complex devoted to Shirdi Sai Baba. It is located by road on Ahmednagar-Manmad State Highway No.10 at 83 kilometers from Ahmednagar, and 15 kilometers from Kopargaon. The place is around 296 km (around 6 hours drive) from Mumbai. Sai Baba's shrine has been incorporated as one of the holy places in the world's map of pilgrimage.

Places to Visit:

Samadhi Mandir of Shri Sai Baba was actually owned by a millionaire from Nagpur and a famous Sai devotee Shreemant Gopalrao. He wanted to keep an idol of Murlidhar here. However, according to the legends, Baba himself became Murlidhar and the temple became the Samadhi Mandir of Baba. The Samadhi of Baba is built with white marble stones. The railings around it are full of ornamental decorations. The idol of Baba is a marvelous statue made up of Italian marble built by Late Balaji Vasant in 1954. The temple has an assembly hall for about 600 devotees. The assembly hall also houses a showcase having various items used by the sage. The first floor of the temple has the pictures depicting the life of the saint.

The temple opens on 5 AM with morning prayers and close down at 10 PM with night prayers. Situated on the right side of the entrance of the Samadhi Mandir is Dwarkamai, a mosque. This was the place where the sage stayed until the end of his life. Main attraction of the site is the oil paintings of the sage.

The place from where Sai Baba first came to Shirdi in the form of a Bal Yogi (child ascetic) is known as Gurusthan. A temple has been constructed on this site. There is also a small shrine in Gurusthan.

At a short distance lies Baba's Chavadi. Baba used to sleep here every alternate day. The Chavadi is divided into two parts. One part of the Chavadi has a large portrait of Baba along with a wooden bed and a white chair belonging to him.

There is a cottage of Abdul Baba, an ardent devotee of Shri Sai Baba, in front of the Chavadi. Photos and various items that were handled by Sai Baba and Abdul Baba are there in the cottage. There is a Maruti Mandir located at some distance from the cottage of Abdul Baba. This mandir was visited by Baba for the sat-sang with Devidas, a Bal yogi, who lived at the Mandir ten to twelve years before Baba arrived.

There are also temples of village deities named Shani, Ganapati, and Shankar that are worth visiting. At some distance from Gurusthan, there is the Lendi Baug. This garden was made and watered daily by Baba himself. It got its name from a nullah (a drain), which used to flow there. Baba used to come here every morning and afternoon and take rest under a neem tree. Baba dug a pit, 2 feet deep, under the neem tree and kept a deep (a lighting object) lit in that pit. An octagonal deepgriha (lighthouse) called Nanda Deep has been built in marble stone in memory of this place. It constantly burns in a glass box. On one side of the deepgriha is a pipal tree and on the other side is a neem tree. Other sites to visit are Datta Mandir and Khandoba Mandir.

Fairs and Festivals:

The most important festivals and events that are celebrated in Shirdi are Guru Poornima, Dussehra, and Ram Navami. These are the only days when the Samadhi Mandir of Shirdi opens for the whole night. Every Thursday, a palakhi bearing a photograph of the sage is taken out from the temple.

Mumbai to Shirdi by Bus:

You could take a Cab; hire a private taxi or drive. (If you are an international tourist you may want to check the requirements for Driver's license and road regulations with the Maharashtra State Road Transport department.). You could take a Maharashtra State Transport Bus. You could take a Bus operated by Private operators. For Fares, Schedules and other details contact your local travel agent, the Government of India Tourism Office, the Maharashtra State Tourism Board Office or the Maharashtra State Transport booking office.

Bus tickets are easily available online. One can plan trip and do bus booking online in advance. Online bus tickets booking is an easy process which can save your time and price.

Raigad- The King’s Fort

Raigad famed for its rich heritage, ancient monuments and rocky terrain is the erstwhile capital of Chathrapati Sivaji. The literal meaning of the term Raigad is “The King’s Fort”.

Located at an altitude of 2851 feet above the sea level, Raigad is gifted with natural splendor. It is nestled in the Sahyadri mountain range which displays the magnificent mountainous terrain. Raigad is distinguished from the nearby mountains by lovely and profound canyons and the deep gorge with 1.5 kilometers width houses lush and lustrous vegetation. Rivers Gandhar and Kal flows through this verdant valley giving it a majestic look which makes the surroundings scenic and tranquil.

Lingana Mountain in Raigad is another favorite hot spot of tourists. It is located at a height of 4,514 feet and is one among the interesting trekking points in Raigad. Beside a center of adventurous tourism, this mountain range holds the panoramic view of the Borhatyachi Naal which is a valley lying between the Lingana and Raylingi mountains. An ancient fort built by Sivaji is located here. It is built in order to venerate Sivaji’s victory over Chandrarao. This gallant fort was a key figure under the Maratha regime. Though in a ruined state, this fort allures the spectators with its rich heritage. Raigad is also famed for its varied and rich cultural heritage, folkarts like Keertan, Koli Dance, Bhajan, and Bharud.

Raigad’s is blessed with hilly terrain and natural foliage and this awesome beauty gained it a prominent place in the tourism sector. Raigad’s serene, calm topography is certainly a solace to keep one away from the hustle bustle of the city life.

Summers in Raigad are sultry and sweating and prevails from March to May. The winter prevails from December to February. Monsoons are humid with medium to heavy rainfall and prevail from June to September.

The most favorable period to visit Raigad is from October to March, having good pleasant climate and also coinciding with grand festival celebrations.

Places to Visit:

• Shri Varad Vinayak Temple
• Purandar
• Vichitragad
• Rayreshwar
• Lohgad
• Visapur
• Tikona
• Sinhagad
• Memorial of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar

Bus booking is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early you’ll get budget bus tickets online. For online bus tickets booking you can check different OTA’s website. Search best bus service, compare and buy cheap tickets.