Things To Do And See In India

Author: Jolly Mazumdar

India is a colorful land of mystical beauties which mesmerize the travelers at the very first glance. It has an endless array of unique and enchanting nature's beauties like snowy Himalayas, placid backwaters, tempting beaches, barren deserts, untamed hilly rivers, and many more. All these things has creates an awesome atmosphere in India.

India is a land enriched with vivid traditions, customs and joyful festivities. Every other day in India is a special day for celebrations. Indians are so energetic and lively people that they live each and every moment of their life with utmost gaiety. This specialty of India has made it a hot tourist destination in the entire world. Every year thousands of holidaymakers comes here to have an experience of lifetime.

India has no dearth of wonderful things to see. Every region of India has something special to offer to its guests. Some of the most sought after things in India are forts, historical monuments, museums etc, which still very well maintain its historical legacy, religious places of various communities like temples, mosque , church, monasteries etc., the diverse flora and fauna available in the various wildlife sanctuaries of India and so on.

Top most things to see in India are:

Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh: Taj Mahal, “the epitome of eternal love” is one of the most sought after tourist spot in India. It is considered among one the seven wonders of the modern world. UNESCO has declared Taj Mahal as a “ World Heritage Site”. This master piece in white marble

was created by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is situated in Agra city of Uttar Pradesh state. The beauty of Taj Mahal enhances to another level on th efull moon night as its glowing image reflects on the river Yamuna, which is flowing through its backward.

Red Fort, Delhi:Red Fort or Lal Quilla is one of the famous World Heritage site of India, which is built at the heart of the nation's capital, Delhi. This mighty citadel built in red sandstone is one of the fine example of Mughal grandeur. Emperor Shah Jahan rules his imperial state from here only. Now, with the passage of time, Red fort has attained another prestigious position in India. It is the site from where the Prime Minister of India address the entire nation on independence and republic day. A market named Meena bazaar, surrounds the Red Fort which is famous for fake ivory jewellry and many other handicrafts.

City Palace,Jaipur, Rajasthan: CityPalace, Jaipur is one of the prime attractions of India. This Palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Man Singh of Kacchawa clan of Rajput. This is one of the elegant palaces of Jaipur which exhibits the rich Rajputana and Mughal architectural designs. This palace complex contains many buildings like Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Mukut Mahal, Maharani's Palace, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum. This palace is also decorated with some beautiful gardens.

Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Aurangabad, Maharahtra: Ajanta and Ellora caves are one of the fine repository of ancient Indian architectural heritage. Situated near Aurangabad in Maharashtra, these famous cave shrines are cut out of rock by the Buddhist monks. The 34 caves at Ellora and the 29 caves at Ajanta, has been designated as a World Heritage Site. These caves are revered by the devotees of three communities namely, Hindu, Buddhist and Jain. The sculpture in these caves are really awesome and requires proper protection.

Khajuraho temples,, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh: Khajuraho temples at the Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh are renowned world wide for their erotic sculptures. These temples are also known as the “temple of love” and has bold artistic statement. It is also recognized as one of the popular “World Heritage Site of India”. These temples are built by the Chandela dynasty in between 9th century to 12 century. These temples very well displays every facets of woman hood

Tirupati Balaji Temple, Tirumala: Tirupati Balaji temple is known as the “temple of tranquility”. Tirupati is one of the most popular temple of India. It is one of the most crowded temple built in Andhra Pradesh, near the border of Tamil Nadu in South India. Every year thousands of pilgrimages comes here to offer their prayers to Lord Tirupati. This is one of the richest temple in the entire world. This temple is perched on the top of the venkatadri hill, 860m above the sea level.

Jim Corbett National Park: Jim Corbett national park situated in the Nainital, Pauri Garwhal and Bijnore districts of Uttaranchal. It is named after the famous hunter turned conservationist Jim Corbett. It was the first national park from where India's ambitious Tiger project was lunched in 1973 to protect and increase the strength of the Tiger. Other animals which are found here are elephant, chital, sambar, nilgai, gharial, King Cobra, muntjac, wild boar, hedgehog, common musk shrew, flying fox, Indian Pangolin.

Kaziranga National Park: This national park situated in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam. It is a World Heritage Site and has two third population of world's one-horned great Indian rhinoceros. It is the wild abode of various kinds of animals such as elephants, wild water buffalo, swamp deer, Indian muntjac, wild boar, hog deer, gaur, sambhar, Assamese macque, capped and golden langur, hoolock gibbon and many more. It is also home to the various species of birds such as migratory birds, water birds, predators, scavengers, and game birds. Also to the Ganges Dolphin.

Kerala Backwaters: Kerala, one of the Southern Indian state is famous for its vast networks of backwaters. These backwaters are the life line of Kerala. They are one of the major contributor to the Kerala's tourism industry. Its for sure that these tranquil backwaters of Kerala are visual delight for the visitors. Some of the districts of Kerala which are blessed with these backwaters are Kottayam, Kasaragod, Chandragiri, Kozhikode, Ernakulam and Valiyaparamba district

Beaches of India: Coastal India is dotted with some of the tempting beaches of India. These beaches are considered among the best beaches in the world. The white and the golden sand, coconut groves and delicious sea food makes these an awesome destination for vacationing. India has a long coastline of 7,600 km which touches some of the south India states are Goa, Kerala, Maharastra, Orissa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Pondicherry, Lakshadweep and Daman and Diu. These states are famous for some of the finest beaches are Juhu Beach, Kovalam Beach, Anjuna Beach, Dona Paula Beach, Marina Beach, Calangute Beach, Majorda Beach, Baga beach and many more. These beaches provides ideal option to know the marine world in a more better way. Also, they are famed for some thrilling water sports like surfing, boating, scuba diving.

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Kerala houseboats

Kerala Houseboat Holidays

Author: andy

If lolling on the beaches, living in houseboats, sailing down endless stretches of still waterways, and at the same time exploring long lost temples makes you feel like holidaying then read on. This tour promises all this and more. Art galleries, museums, waterfalls, gardens and fountains... and with all this is a taste of the life in Mumbai, the busy bustling commercial of India. It’s going to be the most exciting of holidays you've had. Have a great time

The span of backwaters holiday depends upon the number of destinations you want to cover. The climate of Kerala is equable, but during winter times, the temperature falls a bit and the weather becomes fine. So, the best time to visit Kerala is between October to March .

Life on the backwaters is entirely different; water being the key to everything. On the banks one can see lush green rice fields spreading away into the distance and coconut groves with the occasional temple or church.

The land of the green and the serene Kerala offers an amazing array of the backwaters in Kerala. The splendid sunsets, the waxing moonlights, the shoals of ducks, the palms and the wonderful waves make the backwater destinations the most sought after in kaleidoscopic Kerala.

The enchanting holiday destination of the Kerala backwaters are Thiruvananthpuram, Thiruvallam, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Kumarakom, Cochin (Ernakulam, Kochi), Kozhikode, Kasaragod. The 'kettuvallams' or the traditional houseboats offer the best possible accommodation. The largest backwater stretch in Kerala is the Vembanad lake which flows through three districts and opens out into the sea at the Kochi port.

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Kerala Backwater Cruise

Author: Manjari Singh

Kerela Backwaters

Kerala is the most picturesque and protean tourist destination of India. Its innumerable lagoons, lakes, estuaries, beaches, hill stations and above of all its serene and calm backwaters sums up to the beauty of the region. The backwaters of Kerela is a unique product of Kerala and is found nowhere else in the world. Backwaters are a network of lakes, canals and estuaries and deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian sea. The backwaters of Kerela are a self supporting eco-system teeming with aquatic life. The tranquil backwaters of Kerala are the most popular tourist attractions of Kerala. The serene and calm backwaters passing through lush green vegetation make a splendid setting for tourists to relax and explore natural beauty of Kerala.

The most exciting thing for the tourist going on backwater tours of Kerala is Ketuvallom, the traditional giant houseboats. While traveling on a houseboat, you pass through green lush countryside, swaying palm and coconut trees and emerald fields. You feel as if you are traveling in a paradise. Exploring scenic backwaters of Kerala on a houseboat would surely provide you a momentous and unforgettable tour. An experience worth cherishing for life time.

Kerala is abundant in backwaters and almost every district of Kerala is gifted with scenic backwaters stretches. Kerala offers backwater tours to many destinations. Some of the famous and exciting backwater destinations in Kerala are: Alapuzzha, Cochin, Kasaragod, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhicode, Kumarakom, Trivandrum and Thiruvallam.

Kerala backwater tour is an affiliation of land and water throbbing with its own unique culture. Many beautiful sights greet you along the way, such as the Chinese fishing nets. On-cruise scenery flashes up vivid contrasts of lush greens and deep blues. As the boat glides along the gorgeous green of the fringed palms the ripples in the blue water blend into little wavelets. It is in the months of August and September that the moist, rain-drenched earth and the glorious ever flowing backwaters burst into song together, as over hundred thousand men and women gather on the banks to witness a spectacular water regatta the Snake Boat Races.

Take your pick for the best backwater tour for family and friends. The cruises and the overnight stays in the houseboats are the best way to an unforgettable holiday. The water-bus ferry and the cruise boats are the most relaxed. Your backwater holidays need not be meticulously planned. The entire maritime journey is a merry time experience in true sense. The entire experience of the green and serene backwaters of Kerala is incomparable and incredible. The vivacious and vibrant village life cannot be left in a better way on a smooth sail in the houseboat. It is the backwater cruises that complete the tour to southern India, taking you through the winding waterways revealing the colorful culture and customs of the rural life. The magic of the mystical backwaters works on one and all alike.

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Malik Ibn Dinar Mosque

It is believed that the Sufi Saint Malik Ibn Dinar constructed this mosque and is located at Thalankara one and a half kilometers from Kasaragod town on the Station road. Malik Ibn Dinar was a Sufi Saint from Arabian and the first one came to Kerala for spreading the word of Islam. It is believed that he constructed nine mosques in the Malabar region and only one exists still in its original form and that is the Malik Ibn Dinar mosque at Thalankara. The mosque has a unique architectural style, which strongly resembles a traditional Kerala kovilakam. The some parts of the mosque will remind you about the ancient Arabic architecture. The main attractions in the mosque are the massive wooden beams with Arabic Verses carved on it. The tomb of Malik Ibn Mohammed is enshrined in the mosque, a disciple of Malik Ibn Dinar and belongs to the Dinar family. Controversies are also here, because some historians believe that the tomb is in fact of Ibn Dinar, not of Ibn Mohammed. The mosque is one of the leading Muslim religious centers in northern Kerala and the annual uroos festival here attracts devotees from all over the nation.

Nithyanandashram

This internationally recognized spiritual center was founded by Swami Nithyananda in the early 20th century. Here Swami Nityananda constructed around 50 caves each having an area of 6x3 feet. It is believed that the Swami lived in this caves in the early 20th century. Photographs and belongings of the inhabitants indicate the simplicity of their life. One of the attractions in Nithyanadasram is full size statue of Swami Nithyanda made of Panjaloha (mixture of five metals). It is one of the main recreation centers like Anadashram in this region. The monastery is located near to the Hosdurg Taluk Office and is easily accessible.

Anandashram

The Anandashram was founded in 1931 by Swami Ramdas and Mother Krishnabai. The monastery is located 5 kilometers from Kanhangad and is easily accessible from Kasaragod town. The monastery is dedicated for Universal Love and services to the entire humanity. The monastery is occupied with a huge prayer and meditation hall and numerous cottages. The cottages here are meant for the accommodation purposes of the visitors.

Chandragiri Fort

The Chandragiri fort is located on the confluence of Payaswini River and Arabian Sea. This fort was built by Tipu Sulthan of Mysore in the 17th century (Controversies are also here stating that the fort was built built by Sivappa Naik of Bedanore). The fort stands on a hillock and facing the horizon. The fort offers breathtaking views of the river, the Arabian Sea and the tiny neighboring islands and also the Palm Groves. Boat ride is possible here. You can contact the Changragiri Boat Club or local people for a fantastic boat ride through thrilling water. The fort lies 4 kilometers from Bakel. It is an ideal place to view sunset. An ancient mosque and Kizhur State Temple are located near to the fort. The temple celebrates its annual festival called 'pattu utsavam' and during the celebration the deity here is taken to the Thrikkanaya Temple at Bekal. The longest railway tunnel in Kerala passes through Chandragiri Hills.

Bekal Fort

Bakel is the most well maintained and largest fort in Kerala, having an area of 40 acres. It is believed that the fort was built in the 17th century by Shivappa Naik of Thelkkeri dynasty. Later the fort passed on to Hyder Ali of Mysore and even later to the British. The fort is located on the National Highway 16 kilometers from Kasaragod town. The fort lies 130 feet above sea level and that offers a thrilling sight of tides smashing the basement of the fort. The construction of the fort is a manner that overlooks Arabian sea. The fort was built only for defense requirements and not for administrative purpose. There is 30 feet high Observation tower here which offers panoramic view of the surrounding areas and nearby beach. The underground tunnels leading to the sea and the moat on the eastern side are the main attractions here. The important attractions in this fort are the tank with its flight of steps, the tunnel opening towards the south, the magazine for keeping ammunition (It is now not accessible for visitors) and the broad and wide steps leading to the Observation Tower. The Bakel Fort is one of the leading tourist attractions in the state. One can easily spend a day here. A 'Facility Center' is located adjacent to the fort, which includes a Cloakroom, Bathrooms, Toilets, Information Center, Restaurant, Fruit Stall and a Handicraft outlet function in the center. The fort permits visitors only in day time except certain celebration days. It is one of the main cultural centers in Kerala. Presently the protection and preservation of Bekal fort has been entrusted to the Archaeological Survey of India.

The Anjaneya Temple lies near to the fort. The temple is dedicated to 'Anjaneya' (Lord Hanuman). The temple walls here are adorned with images of Gods. The temple is believed to be as old as the fort. It is one of the main pilgrimage centers in this region. Just a little away from the fort and temple, there is an ancient mosque having tall minarets and arched entrance. It is believed that the fort was built by Tipu Sulthan of Mysore.

The Paliakara beach lies near to the fort, which also knows as the Bakel fort beach and is located 1 kilometer away from the fort. The beach offers spectacular views of the fort and is an ideal place for sunset viewing, evening walks and relaxation. An Aqua Park is also located here, which provides water sport facilities like water cycle, diving and swimming, pedal boats etc.