Tourists spots in Delhi

Diverse Holiday Packages to Suit Your Needs!

2009-11-26T02:50:00.000-08:00

You can find innumerable cities that have a rich heritage and house historical monuments. Cities like Mumbai and Delhi are known for monuments. There are many famous monuments in Delhi which serve as testaments to Delhi's illustrious past. One can find trace of the British architecture in these monuments. The monuments are also reflective of the glorious past that rulers of the medieval period had built.

Foreign tourists often visit the country for various reasons. They are drawn to the cultural diversity and amazed at the monuments that have withstood the test of time. Some of the famous monuments of the city are the Rashtrapati Bhavan and Parliament House and India Gate. Numerous famous monuments in Delhi stand witness to the structural testaments to the reign of the Mughals. A trip to Delhi will bring you face to face with the glorious past. Delhi hotels are known for the international service and quality. They can provide the best accommodation. You are assured of a comfortable stay.

A travel guide can help you get the best holiday package which will traverse you through the historical monuments. A historical holiday package covering the prime tourist spots will bring an enriching experience. If you wish to have maximum fun and avoid spending time locating places holiday packages are the best way to do it. These packages will cover all your needs; be it the tourist spots, hotels and accommodations, the mode of travel and so on. They will take care of all your needs and ensure you have a pleasant stay.

Some of the most famous tourist spots of Delhi are:

• Qutub Minar at Delhi

• Jantar Mantar

• Humayun's Tomb

• Parliament House at Delhi

• Red Fort

• Old Fort

• Raj Ghat at Delhi

Approaching a tourist guide will help plan your holidays better. They will ensure you have a pleasant stay. Depending on your affordability, you can book hotel accommodation of your choice. Budget and economical hotels are most suitable for those who cannot afford to spend a huge amount of money on accommodation. Planning is very important for a pleasant holiday. You must have a fair estimate of the budget for a vacation. This will help avoid any financial crisis in the midst of a vacation. A holiday need not prove to be an expensive affair. Proper planning aid you get budget holiday package that suits your pocket too.

There are times, when you plan a holiday in a hurry. Online travel guides can come in handy during such times. They can help you provide the related information regarding travel packages, the price, tourist spots, and so on. It is very easy to book accommodation. The best thing is it saves a substantial amount of time.

Sadhna D, Expert Author, Platinum author

For more information on Hotels in Delhi:

Delhi Hotels

Information on Mumbai hotels:

Mumbai hotels

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sadhna_D

Four Famous Delhi Forts You Didn't Know

2009-11-20T03:29:00.000-08:00

Delhi Forts are the sheer reminders of the glorious era of city's successive dynasties. Visit the colossal Red Fort and Old Fort two major attractions of the city capital.

1. Delhi Red Fort

¤ The Construction

Built during the reign of Shah Jahan, the Lal Qila (or Red Fort) has been a mute witness to innumerable conspiracies, scandals, battles..... Completed in a span of nine years, it cost about ten million rupees , with about half the sum going towards the building of palaces.

The fort is octagonal in shape, like most Islamic buildings in India. The north of the fort is connected to the smaller Salimgarh fort. The Red Fort is an intimidating structure. It measures 900m by 550m, with its rampart walls covering a perimeter of 2.41km. It towers at a height of 33.5m. On the outside, you can still see the moat that was originally connected with the Yamuna River.

¤ The Major Gateways

Besides the Lahori Gate, the entry point is the Hathipol (elephant gate), where the king and his visitors would dismount from their elephants. The other major attractions of the Red Fort are the Mumtaz Mahal, the Rang Mahal, the Khas Mahal, the Diwan-i-Am, the Diwan-i-Khas, the Hamam and the Shah Burj.

Every year, on the 15th of August, the National Flag of India is hoisted at the Red Fort by the Prime Minister , celebrating India's independence..

Purana Qila (Old Fort)

¤ Humayun- The Mughal Emperor Costructed The Fort

When the second Mughal emperor Humayun decided to make a city of his own he decided on the site of the ancient city of Indraprastha. Humayun was quite a scholar with a fine grasp on such matters and so it is certain that the site was chosen deliberately. When his Sher Shah Suri overthrew him, he destroyed most of Dinpanah (refuge of the faithful) as the city of Humayun was called to make way for his own Dilli Sher Shahi or Shergarh. Incidentally, Humayun was probably the only emperor in history who built a city in Delhi and did not give it his own name – this was typical of Humayun's rather sophisticated and dreamy character. The Layout of The Massive Colossal

2. Purana Qila

In plan the Old fort, now simply called Purana Qila by Delhites, is irregularly orbital. The walls of the immense Qila tower down on the road that takes one to Pragati Maidan from the height of 18m, and run on for about 2km. It has three main gates – the Humayun darwaza, Talaqi darwaza and Bara darwaza (which one uses to enter the fort today). The double-storeyed gates are quite huge and are built with red sandstone. of all the gates entry was forbidden from Talaqi (forbidden) darwaza, the northern gate. It is not clear why this was so. Other Attractions of The Fort

Sher Shah Suri and his successor could not complete the city, and when Humayun defeated Sher Shah's son to take back his city, he did not deal with Dilli Sher shahi as the latter had done with Dinpanah. In fact the Mughal emperor very handsomely completed the city and even used several of the buildings like the Sher Mandal, a rather pretty two-storeyed octagonal building. Humayun used this as his library and, then tripped to his death from its steps.

¤ Excavation of Grey Ware Pottery

Several excavations have taken place in the Purana Qila in an attempt to prove, or disprove as the case may be, whether it is indeed the site of Indraprastha or not. Diggings have yielded Painted Grey Ware pottery which has been dated to 1000BC. Similar stuff has been noticed in other sites associated with the epic Mahabharata as well, which seem to conclusively prove that this indeed was the place where Indraprastha once flourished. These excavation have also thrown up material, like coins, associated with the Gupta (about 4-5th century AD) and post-Gupta ages (700-800AD) of Indian history as well.

¤ Qila-i-kuhna Masjid

One of the most fascinating buildings, and also one of the few that still survive, in the Purana Qila is the Qila-i-kuhna masjid. Sher Shah Suri built it in 1541 (also see History) and he was obviously out to make a definite style statement. The mosque is quite a place; its prayer hall measures 51.20m by 14.90m and has five doorways with the 'true' horseshoe-shaped arches. Apparently the idea was the build the whole mosque in marble, but the supply ran out and red sandstone had to be used instead. But the builder used the material at hand very skillfully and the result is quite spectacular – the red sandstone and the marble contrast beautifully with each other to give the mosque a very distinctive air. The mihrabs (prayer niches) inside the mosque are richly decorated with concentric arches. From the prayer hall, staircases lead you to the second storey where a narrow passage runs along the rectangular hall. The central alcove is topped by a beautifully worked dome. In the courtyard at one time there was a shallow tank, which had a fountain. The mosque has an inscription which says 'As long as there are people on this earth, may this edifice be frequented, and people be happy in it.' A noble thought – amen to it.

3. Tughlaqabad Fort

¤ Fort Stands In Isolation

Tughlaqabad Fort'Ya base gujjar, ya rahe ujjar.' (May [this city] be the abode of nomads or remain in wilderness.)

These words, with which the great Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya cursed Ghiyas-ud-din's city, seem to still echo all over the ghostly ruins of Tughlaqabad. The citadel frowns down ominously like some Gothic palace all over the Qutub-Badarpur road and seems to prefer its splendid isolation. Which is of course not exactly what Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq had in mind when he started out building it. It would have broken the old sultan's heart if he had seen just how swiftly the saint's curse went into action; soon after his death in fact.

¤ Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq Raised The City

It seems that even when he was far from being a king Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq had dreamed of raising his city, Tughlaqabad. Earlier, Ghiyas-ud-din had been a general (he rose to being the governor of an important province like Punjab, but that's another story) in Ala-ud-din Khalji's army. Once while on the road with Ala-ud-din, Ghiyas-ud-din, on spotting this area, mentioned to the sultan what an ideal setting it seemed to provide for a new city. Upon this the king indulgently (and, knowing Ala-ud-din, also perhaps patronizingly) replied, 'When you become king, build it.' Knowing full well, as every boss, that while he was around there was not a shadow of a chance of anyone else taking his place. After the death of Ala-ud-din various events conspired to put the general on the throne at last. Then he fulfilled his long-cherished dream.

¤ A Stratigical Layout of The Fort

Romanticism apart, Tughlaqabad also made perfect strategic sense. Those were the times the Mongols were a real menace to society and generally a pain in the neck for all the sultans of the Delhi Sultanate. Almost everything that the sultans built was aimed baffling the Mongols with sheer structural magnificence (read somewhere to duck in and hope for the best).

Tughlaqabad fort, situated as it was on high rocky ground, was ideally located to withstand sieges. Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq helped matters along by putting up formidable walls which, though short on aesthetic value, are excellent examples of solid unimaginative masonry and not the type that any invading army could hope to scale in a hurry. Tughlaq put ramparts towering at heights of anywhere between 9m (30ft) to 15.2m (50ft), and rising up to 29.8m (98ft) around the citadel, between himself and the Mongols.

The fort is half-hexagonal in shape and Ghiyas-ud-din seems to have built defenses around and in it till he was blue in the face. The outer walls are built around the silhouette of the surrounding land and, what with their height and width, add formidably to the natural barriers. They were also well defended. On the north, east and west sides it is protected by trenches that go far down, and in the south a lake acts sentinel.

¤ To Reach The Inner Complex of The Fort

The parapets have small loopholes all over them from where Ghiyas-ud-din's soldiers to spot invaders quickly and start saying it with arrows. The fort has or at least had thirteen portals and the inner citadel has three more. If you could reach them that is, because it was defended in depth by three layers of battlements.

For all the defense, the city of Tughlaqabad hardly saw any warfare. Perhaps that is why it bears such an air of dejection – it could never fulfill the task it was built for. You enter the fortress by a highway, which was set one 27 arches, almost all of them have vanished now. Water being prized commodity (and allegedly one of the reasons why Tughlaqabad was finally abandoned) there was a huge reservoir to store rainwater in the fortress; you can still see it.

When one enters the fort, the first impression is of emptiness; the ruins begin registering later. It is difficult to imagine that if one was somehow transported a few centuries back, these very walls would come alive, with people brushing past you and if things got really lively one could even find oneself in the midst of a full-scale Mongol invasion.

As you enter, to the left, used to be the palaces and to the right still stand the ruins of the a tower (Bijai Mandal, not to be confused with the one in Jahanpanah; also see Bijai Mandal), several halls and a subterraneous passage that led to the Bijai Mandal in Jahanpanah. Just beyond was the city, with its streets (all laid out in a grid), houses, mosques, peoples and bazaars.

¤ An Excellent View

A walk up the walls is well worth the while and, well, one of the main reasons why people come here at all. The vista is glorious; the ruins inside the fort, Ghiyas-ud-din's tomb next door and remains of the Adilabad fort (built by Ghiyas-ud-din's son Muhammad) lay scattered in front of you like petty detail.

Walking along the southern side of the fortress next to the outer wall is a way out of the impregnable fortress which one supposes was reserved for dire emergencies in case of prolonged sieges. This was a standard practise all over India; a secret escape route was part of the building plan in any fortress. Don't feel tempted to try it, if you value your neck. Further towards the west there is an abysmal tank which you don't want to go falling into – it is called the road to hell (Jahannum ka raasta) and for obvious reasons.

For a place of its size, Tughlaqabad was built with surprising speed, just four years. and of course abandoned with equal speed in 1327. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq, probably being one of those modern free thinking guys who didn't want to be known by his father's laurels, chose to make a city of his own called Jahanpanah. One of his first achievement being to do away with Ghiyasuddin by arranging one of those accidents that were so frequent in medieval ages; a pavillion built to welcome Ghiyas-ud-din fell on him, of all things.

Anyway, with the sultan's death, the city's short-lived glory to an abrupt end.

4. Nai ki Kot--The Fortresses of Adilabad

South of Tughlaqabad and once connected to it by a causeay is the fortress of Adilabad, which was built by Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq. In plan it is a smaller version of Tughlaqabad, with the trademark sloping walls of huge stone. Inside Adilabad was the legendary Qasr-i-hazaar satun or the Palace of a thousand pillars, which seems to have been a really popular idea back then (see Bijai Mandal). The palace had a huge audience hall, which was built on columns of varnished wood. Towards the southern gateway you can still see a vaulted corridor which used to be flanked by guardrooms. Adilabad has all the marks of a fine Tughlaq building with that style's typically austere walls, bare surfaces, corbeled arches and crenellation.

Outside the fortress towards the east is the Barber's fort. It is not known whether a barber actually ever lived in the tiny fortress of Nai ka kot (barber's fort), but it seems Ghiyas-ud-din certianly did. He used this place as a temporary residence when Tughlaqabad was coming up. It is built in the same style as Adilabad.

Hope you enjoyed this tourists spots and famous places in Delhi. Have a great vacation.

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Travel sans travail

2009-11-18T23:36:00.000-08:00

Delhi to become traveller-friendly in time for the Games

By Payal Saxena

Londoner and rugby fan John Brown, 40, is planning to visit Delhi in October 2010 for the Commonwealth Games. He, however, is a bit apprehensive. Last time he came to Delhi, touts literally took him for a ride as soon as he landed at the international airport. Auto drivers and taxi drivers fleeced him and traffic snarls tripled his travelling time. But John might be in for a surprise in 2010 as smooth transport facilities are being put in place ahead of the Games.

Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi international airport has been spruced up with retail outlets, restaurants, prayer room, hospitality zone, wheelchairs and prams and 118m walkalators. Travel within Delhi from the airport will be easier, with Metro rail and radio cabs, and low-floor air-conditioned buses with Wi-Fi connectivity running to 17 locations. The five roads from the airport, which lead to different parts of the city, will ensure smooth flow of traffic.

Zipping at twice the speed of a normal Metro train and with just six stops, the airport line of the Metro will be a commuter’s delight. Ten per cent of the cost of the airport line is paid by GMR Infrastructure Ltd, the promoters of Delhi International Airport Ltd.

“Tourists visiting India in 2010 will get a taste of Indian hospitality at the airport as even the Central Industrial Security Force is being trained in behavioural skills. The signages will be bright and huge. Tourists will not have any problems in getting anywhere,” said Arun Arora, associate vice-president, corporate communications, GMR. “To make things even easier, check-in counters will be installed at two Metro stations—New Delhi railway station and Shivaji Stadium station, Connaught Place. As the buses are Wi-Fi enabled, passengers can check in on the buses to save time.”

A multi-pronged strategy to handle passengers is being perfected at the airport. For this, a GMR protocol team is working with a protocol team of the Games. Representatives of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CGOC) and the Delhi government will receive the athletes. They will then be shuttled in special buses on corridors earmarked for them. Tourists can hop on to the Metro from Terminal 3.

Once completed, phase two of the Metro will provide easy connectivity to 10 out of the 11 Games venues. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has completed 25 per cent to 57 per cent work on Metro lines passing near Games venues and they will be opened by September 2010, a month before the Games begins.

“The DMRC has already started the publicity drive of Metro rail routes in hotels and guesthouses, and is providing maps everywhere. We will also be giving tips on all the tourist spots in Delhi and how to reach there. Special training in English and behavioural skills is being given to staff. The number of Metro trains will rise from 70 to 200 in time for the Games,” said Anuj Dayal, chief PRO, DMRC. “Foreigners love museums and souvenirs. For this, we will promote the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Chowk Metro station in central Delhi and will launch steel models of Metro trains.”

Not just the Metro, Delhi roads, too, are being given a makeover. The Delhi government has cleared nine projects ahead of the Commonwealth Games. These include five projects related to streetscaping and beautification of 80km of key PWD roads in the city. Around 25 nurseries in the city are nurturing saplings to be planted on roadsides. Several roads, including various stretches of the Nelson Mandela Marg, Mahipalpur Road, Mathura Road and Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, all in south Delhi, will be beautified and strengthened as part of a Rs 270-crore project.

The transport department’s proposal to construct four new bus depots in the city has been cleared. These depots, which will cost Rs 114.40 crore, will park 710 buses. People will finally be able to bid adieu to the rickety Delhi Transport Corporation buses as the government is procuring 3,000 low-floor buses to boost the city transport system during the Games.

Delhi has been unfriendly to pedestrians and cyclists. But in 2010, tourists should be able to walk and ride around the city without fear. While cycle tracks will be made along the approach roads to stadia and the Games Village, there are plans of making cycle tracks all along city roads after the Games. All three agencies—PWD, Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the New Delhi Municipal Council—have appointed consultants for streetscaping and for making Delhi pedestrian-friendly and creating cycle tracks.

Said Delhi Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta: “We want to make the area around the venues and the Games Village on the banks of the Yamuna, pedestrian-friendly. At least 30 per cent to 40 per cent of Delhi’s population walks, so proper footpaths are a must. We also want to create cycle tracks which we would like to extend to the rest of the city after the Games, taking into consideration views of other stakeholders.”

The New Delhi government has also promised to install specially designed street furniture, telephone booths and information kiosks in the streets adjoining the Games Village and stadia. There would also be drinking water fountains, environment-friendly toilets and dustbins and brightly coloured letterboxes as part of the streetscaping drive. How much of it will actually be executed is yet to be seen, but for John it could be his best bet ever.

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Free pictures of akshardham: A tourists spots in Delhi that will brighten your mood.

2009-11-14T22:55:00.000-08:00

Today I would like to post pictures from Akshardham. A tourists spots in Delhi. Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi epitomises 10,000 years of Indian culture in all its breathtaking grandeur, beauty, wisdom and bliss. It brilliantly showcases the essence of India’s ancient architecture, traditions and timeless spiritual messages. The Akshardham experience is an enlightening journey through India’s glorious art, values and contributions for the progress, happiness and harmony of mankind.

The grand, ancient-styled Swaminarayan Akshardham complex was built in only five years through the blessings of HDH Pramukh Swami Maharaj of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) and the colossal devotional efforts of 11,000 artisans and BAPS volunteers. The complex was inaugurated on 6 November, 2005.

Akshardham means the eternal, divine abode of the supreme God, the abode of eternal values and virtues of Akshar as defined in the Vedas and Upanishads where divine bhakti, purity and peace forever pervades.
For the first time ever in the world witness the heritage of India in all its facets, insights and beauty at the Swaminarayan Akshardham through its mandir, exhibitions, verdant gardens and other attractions. Without further do. Here they are.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures in Akshardham. A great tourists spots in Delhi.

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Tourists spots in Delhi - Commonwealth Games

2009-11-11T06:11:00.000-08:00

Commonwealth Games or popularly known as Friendly Games is a quadrennial sporting event participated by Commonwealth Countries who were erstwhile British colonies. The objective behind the game is general welfare of the people of the Commonwealth through encouragement of education via sports development and physical recreation.

Started in 1930 in Hamilton (Canada) as British Empire Games, it took its new incarnation in 1974 as Commonwealth Games. Since its inception Commonwealth Games has seen spectacular increase in the number of athletes, number of participating countries and sporting events and at present it is the second biggest sporting event in the world after Olympic Games.

From Hamilton (1930) to Melbourne (2006) Commonwealth Games has traveled across the length and breadth of the globe showcasing extraordinary enthusiasm among the hosts and participating countries for last Eighteen times. For the Nineteenth times it is going to be held in New Delhi (the Capital City of India) in 2010 from 3rd October to 14th October. Commonwealth Games is going to set its foot for the first time in the sub-continent and for the second time in Asia after Kuala Lumpur in 1998.

New Delhi got this opportunity by defeating Canadian city of Hamilton by 46 to 22 votes in 2003 in Jamaica. New Delhi was chosen because of its dazzling charms, cosmopolitan culture, rich history along with warm people and liberal government.

Besides this New Delhi's fantastic geographical location and climate, architectural and monumental marvels, modern and vibrant industries and hospitality sector, sophisticated means of transportation and communication, richness of arts, crafts, dance and music and above all highly rich sporting culture are going to make this city the finest destination The Commonwealth Games has ever seen.

The New Delhi Commonwealth Games is to witness 8500 athletes of 85 Commonwealth teams participating in 17 sports. The motto of this game is "COME OUT AND PLAY". An upward spiraling wheel inspired by Ashok Chakra showcasing India's rise as a global power and its transition from tradition to modernity is chosen the Official Logo of 2010 Commonwealth Games.

The colour combination of the Official Logo symbolizes India's rich and vibrant diversity in culture and people. "Shera" the Royal Bengal Tiger, the national animal of India is the Official Mascot of New Delhi's Commonwealth Games which is claded with white sporting jersey and blue track paints.

Delhi is going to witness spectacular opening and closing ceremonies of 2010 Commonwealth Games with lot of fire works, dance, music, technological and computerized application and above all presence of many celebrities form almost all walks of life.

Games Village
The 2010 Commonwealth Games is going to be held in New Delhi. New Delhi is going to provide best ever accommodation facility to all athletes and officials attending the game. For this a completely new state-of -the-art Games Village is to be developed by Delhi Development Authority with an estimated cost of about $ 230 million.

The Village is to be developed along the bank of river Yamuna off National Highway No. 24 near Akshardham Temple at the Noida Mor. This is going to be a perfect location considering its surrounding filled with green scenic beauties, proximity to excellent visiting sites and having connected with excellent means of road and rail networks. According to the plan the completely new Games Village is to spread over 63.5 hectares of land. The ambitious project is going to accommodate about 8500 participating athletes and attending officials.

Atithi Devo Bhava is the trademark of Indian ways of hospitality and service to guest where guest is treated as God. This is to be the cornerstone of hospitality and services provides to athletes and officials at the Games Village. The Games Village is all set to translate traditional Indian hospitality into the best standard of comfort ever seen by the participating teams.

One cannot but must appreciate its lush green environment studded with lofty trees, green pastures and crop fields. This complex is surely going to give a soothing and relaxing avenue to the athletes to recover from tiredness and exhaustion. The most important advantage of the Commonwealth Games Village is the presence of some world famous site like Akshardham Temple, Red Fort, India Gate, Qutab Minar and Humayun's Tomb.

Besides natural and locational advantage government is going to make arrangements to make traveling of athletes an easy and comfortable affair. Therefore all the sporting venues are within the range of 10 km to 15 km distance from the Games Village. They can be easily reached within 10-15 munites from the Games Village. Delhi government is all set to connect the Games village with other venues of the Commonwealth Games by high quality roads and metro rail networks for smooth commuting of athlete, official and spectators.

Commonwealth Games
The 19TH edition of the Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held in New Delhi. Being a multi-sports event Commonwealth Game 2010 is to feature seventeen different sports. Commonwealth Games was just started in 1930 with only six sports on its programme: Athletics, Aquatics (Swimming & Diving) Boxing, Lawn Bowls, Rowing, and Wrestling. With the passage of time the Games have witnessed spectacular growth in terms of athletes, participating countries and sports.

The seventeen sports in the 2010 Commonwealth Games programme include some previously listed as well as some one. After hard bargaining of the Indian Olympic Association the organiser included archery and table tennis into the list. However due to lack of proper location for swimming stage triathlon was excluded from the programme. The 17 sports of the 2010 Commonwealth Games include Aquatics, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Cycling, Gymnastics, Hockey, Lawn Bowls, Netball, Rugby 7s, Shooting, Squash, Table Tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting and Wrestling.

As per the guide lines given by the Commonwealth Games Federation Delhi the host city has included all the core sports like athletics, aquatics, lawn bowls, netball and rugby sevens which are mandatory in nature. In addition to this Delhi also included some approved sports like archery, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, shooting, squash, table tennis, tennis, weightlifting, and wrestling.

The sport list has some men and women only events. The men-only events are boxing, rugby 7's and wrestling while women specific sports are netball and rhythmic gymnastics. There are some team sports like Hockey,

Rugby 7's and Netball. There is also a requirement to include some events for Elite Athletes with a Disability (EAD). This was introduced in the 2002 Games. At present there are 4 sports for EAD which include Athletics, Swimming, Table tennis and Powerlifting.

The detailed lists of 17 sports of the Commonwealth Games 2010 are given below.

* Aquatics
* Archery
* Athletics
* Badminton
* Boxing
* Cycling
* Gymnastics
* Hockey
* Lawn Bowls
* Netball
* Rugby 7s
* Shooting
* Squash
* Table Tennis
* Tennis
* Weightlifting
* Wrestling

Venues
The second biggest sports extravaganza of the world The Commonwealth Games is all set to take place in New Delhi in 2010. Eleven main venues of the city are to host the Games. Some of them are existing stadiums while others are newly built. Even the existing stadiums are renovated and upgraded to meet the international standard. Besides these main venues, which are to experience fierce competition of athletes in various events there are certain training venues. These training venues are there to provide adequate facility to athletes to prepare themselves before the actual competition. The host city is to witness five newly built stadiums including one indoor stadium at each in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for weightlifting, Indira Gandhi Stadium for wrestling, Siri Fort Sport Complex for badminton and squash and Yamuna Sports Complex for table tennis. All these venues are to be located near the Games Village at an average distance of 10-15 km. which can be traveled easily within 15 to 20 munites. All these venues along with the Games Village are to be inter-connected with each other by high quality roads and metro rail network.

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
The massive stadium located in C.G.O. complex was built in 1982. The third largest stadium in India is spread across 100 acres of land having a sitting capacity 78000 spectators. It is one of the best ground in India having synthetic tracks and floodlights facility. Besides Opening and Closing ceremony the stadium is going to host athletics, lawn bowls and weightlifting events in the coming Commonwealth Games.

Indira Gandhi Stadium
The largest indoor stadium in India located in Indraprasta Estate was built in 1982. Spreading across 102 acres of land it has a sitting capacity of 25000. The fully air conditioned indoor stadium has sophisticated audio and lightening system. This stadium is to be used for Cycling, Gymnastics and Wrestling events of the Commonwealth Games.

Dhyan Chand National Stadium
Located near India Gate the Field Hockey stadium has a holding capacity of 25000 spectators. Men's and Women's Field Hockey events of the Commonwealth Games are to be played here. It is adorned with modern facility like synthetic surface and electronics score board.

Siri Fort Sports Complex
A complete fully air-conditioned new stadium is to be built with four courts at Siri Fort complex. It is to be the main venue for squash and badminton for 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Talkatora Indoor Stadium
It is located on Willington Cresent Road. This stadium is to serve as Boxing venues for the coming Commonwealth Games. Besides boxing ring it has separate warm-up areas with total holding capacity of 3500 in persons.

Tyagraja Sports Complex
The multi-purpose air-conditioned indoor stadium is to be constructed to host netball event for 2010 Commonwealth Games. Two main courts, separate warm-up areas, electronics scoreboard and proper lightening facility are to be built here.

Yamuna Sports Complex
The fully air-conditioned indoor stadium is to be built to host Table Tennis for 2010 Commonwealth Games. There are two main courts with electronics scoreboards with 5000 in person holding capacity.

Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range
This facility is to host shooting competition for 2010 Commonwealth Games. There are different shooting ranges and ammunition storage facility in this stadium.

Delhi University Sports Complex
This outdoor sport complex is to be renovated to host Rugby 7's in the upcoming Commonwealth Games. When fully completed it is to hold 10000 spectators.

R.K. Khanna Tennis complex
This complex is to be used for Tennis event in the upcoming Commonwealth Games. It is to be so made to hold 6000 people with tennis courts.

Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukharjee Swimming Complex
This complex is to be used for Aquatics swimming and diving events in Delhi Commonwealth Games. There are 3 temperature controlled main pools. The stadium holds 5000 spectators.

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6 More Tourists Spots in Delhi You Want to Visit

2009-11-08T21:03:00.000-08:00

Since people truly seemed to find my 8 tourists spots in Delhi you want to visit useful for tourists places of attractions in Delhi, I thought I’d share a few more.

So here are 6 more tourists spots in Delhi you want to visit that you will not want to miss in Delhi:

India Gate and Rajpath

Situated along the ceremonial Rajpath avenue (meaning King's Way) in New Delhi, India Gate is a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers who died during the Afghan wars and World War I. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are in scribed on the walls. The cenotaph (or shrine) in the middle is constructed with black marble and depicts a rifle placed on its barrel, crested by a soldier's helmet. Each face of the cenotaph has inscribed in gold the words Amar Jawan (in Hindi, meaning Immortal Warrior). The green lawns at India Gate are a popular evening and holiday rendezvous for young and old alike

The war memorial arch, India Gate, was built by the British in the honor of the unknown martyrs, who lost their lives in the First World War and Second Afghan War. Vijay Chowk (the Victory Square) is the site of 'Beating the Retreat' ceremony held annually in New Delhi, on 29th January. Originally known as All India War Memorial, it has the names of the soldiers who died in the wars inscribed on its walls. Since 1971, there is the eternal soldier's flame burning under it, known as 'Amar Jawan Jyoti'.

It is said that Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker designed India Gate and its surrounding area. India Gate is situated on Rajpath (the Royal Road). It is the ceremonial boulevard of the Indian republic that boasts of ornamental parks, pools and gardens alongside. It is here that the much-awaited event of Republic Day Parade takes place on 26th January every year. Rajpath runs through India Gate and Vijay Chowk and has Rashtrapati Bhavan at one end and National Stadium at another.

As we go along Rajpath, across Raisina Hill - the administrative center of India, we find the two secretarial buildings - North Block and South Block on its either side. One can also see Sansad Marg and the Parliament House along the stretch of this wide road. North Block houses the offices of Finance and Home Ministries, while South Block is home to External Affairs and Defense Ministries. Other than this, Rajpath is surrounded by many official buildings and museums. There is Indira Gandhi National Center for Arts as well as National Museum, famous for its archaeological collections.

Akshardham Temple

Akshardham Temple is a magnificent Hindu shrine, situated in the east region of New Delhi. Located on the banks of River Yamuna, it was inaugurated in November 2005, by the former President of India - APJ Abdul Kalam, the Prime Minister - Manmohan Singh and Pramukh Swami Maharaj - the spiritual leader of BAPS. Pramukh Swami Maharaj is the current spiritual leader of Swaminarayan Sanstha, BAPS. Swaminarayan Akshardham was constructed under his guidance, after his guru, Yogiji Maharaj, expressed a wish for the same.

As a spiritual leader, Swamiji constantly travels and meets people across the world, to help them lead better lives. There are various cultural and educational activities conducted by the Swaminarayan Sanstha. Akshardham is also a part of BAPS's initiative to promote Indian art, culture and values. BAPS also has a charitable arm, known as BAPS Care, working for the betterment of the people. The main shrine in the complex is dedicated to Bhawgwan Swaminarayan.

The temple enshrines 11 ft tall gilded statue of Bhagwan Swaminarayan. The building is constructed entirely from Pink Sandstone and Italian Marble, without any concrete or steel. The intricate carvings, magnanimous structure and the backdrop of River Yamuna, render the temple a masterpiece of art. Other than the main temple, there are a number of buildings in the complex where you can enjoy cultural and spiritual activities.

The Halls

'Sahajanand Pradarshan' is the first Hall in the complex. It features life size robots, dioramas, and incidents from Bhagwan Swaminarayan's life. It also houses world's smallest animatronic robot, in the form of Ghanshyam Maharaj, the child form of Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

'Nilkanth Kalyan Yatra', Hall 2, houses a large format screen. Here, a movie, specially commissioned for the complex, shows the journey of Bhagwan Swaminarayan throughout India.

'Sanskruti Vihar', Hall 3, takes visitors on a journey through 10,000 years of Indian history in 10 minutes. Visitors are seated in specially designed peacock boats that make their way around an artificial river.

The Yagnapurush Kund
The Yagnapurush Kund is India's largest step well. It descends down, via a series of steps, to a traditional 'yagna kund'. At night, a musical fountain show, representing the circle of life, is played for an audience, seated on the same steps.

The Bharat Upavan
The Bharat Upavan, or 'Garden of India', has sprawling lawns, varied trees and shrubs, dotted with bronze sculptures of the contributors to India's culture.

The Yogi Hraday Kamal
It is a lotus shaped garden, containing stones engraved with quotes from world luminaries, ranging from Shakespeare and Martin Luther King, to Swami Vivekananda and Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

Other Features
Nilkanth Abishek Mandapam
Narayan Sarovar
AARSH Centre
Premvati Ahargruh

Chandni Chowk

The antiquity of the main market area of Chandni Chowk has rendered it a venerated place in the markets of Delhi. It is said that it was once lined with beautiful fountains. However, with time, it grew as crowded as it is today. Situated opposite the Red Fort, Chandani Chowk houses the Digambar Jain Temple, Fatehpuri Mosque - built by the wives of Shah Jahan - and Sunheri Masjid.

It was from here that the troops of Nadir Shah started their mission of plundering and massacring the 'infidels' at Delhi. One of the most prominent wholesale and retail markets of India, Chandni Chowk is more than 300 years old. It was established in 1650, when Mughal Emperor Shahjahan shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi, as an accompaniment to the fort. Jahanara, the Emperor's favorite daughter, is credited with designing this market, where an arcade of shops was built in a half-moon shape around a pool.

It soon budded into a prosperous trading center and branched into a number of by-lanes and soon stretched from the Fort to Fatehpuri Mosque. A canal known as Faiz Nahar, renovated by Ali Mardan Khan, is said to have run through the entire length of Chandni Chowk, providing water for both drinking and irrigation, but it went into disuse later. Besides the Red Fort situated nearby, one can also visit the famous Chawri Bazaar.

It is one of the narrowest, busiest and most prosperous trading centers of Delhi, dealing in iron and hardware, paper, utensils of brass, copper and stainless steel. You can see traditional framework of Chandni Chowk consisting of 'Havelis', 'Kuchas' & 'Katras'. Visit the seven major Hindu and Jain temples, two Churches, three Mosques and two Gurudwaras in the area. These places of worship include Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, Jama Masjid, Gurudwara Shish Ganj, Gauri Shankar temple and Sunahari Masjid.

Old Delhi

Old Delhi was once known as the city of Shahjahanabad. Shah Jahan established it and made it his capital. This fortified city has a long and interesting history and even today, the remains of its glorious past can be seen in the form of Kashmiri Gate, Ajmeri Gate, Turkman Gate, Delhi Gate and Feroz Shah Kotla. The ever-increasing population in this area has resulted in extremely dense housing overlapping the small industries and commercial activities in the region. Purani Dilli, the capital of Muslim India, from 17th to 19th century houses a number of forts, monuments and mosques.

Chandni Chowk, Red Fort and Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, are also a part of Old Delhi. The prime attractions of Old Delhi include Kashmiri Gate, which was witness to the desperate fighting where mutineers of 1857 were crushed by the British with an iron hand. Then, there is the British-erected Mutiny Memorial, the Ashoka pillar brought here by Feroz Shah Tughlaq, Digambar Jain Mandir, Sunehri and Fatehpur Masjid, the ruins of the city of Feroz Shah Kotla, erected by Feroz Shah Tughlaq in 1354, and Raj Ghat.

Today, Purani Dilli is a labyrinth of tiny lanes lined, with the remnants of 17th century havelis (mansions), inhabited by a predominantly Muslim population. Yet other attractions of Old Delhi include Zinat-ul Masjid in Daryaganj, which is also known as Cloud Mosque and was built in 1710 by one of Aurangzeb's daughters. Then, there is the Gandhi Memorial Museum and the St. James Church, the oldest church of Delhi built by Col. James Skinner, who was the son of a Scotsman and his Rajput wife.

Rajghat

Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most visited sites in Delhi. It consists of a simple square black-marble platform that stands on the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. Nearby, there are cremation sites of Jawaharlal Nehru - the first Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri.

Raj Ghat is situated to the south of Red Fort and is very peaceful. The black marble tomb is inscribed by the words 'Hey Ram!', the last words that were spoken by Mahatma Gandhi, as he fell down after being shot by Nathuram Godse. The whole edifice of the Samadhi reflects the simple and nature-loving personality of the great leader. The cenotaph stands surrounded by earthworks that protect it from the flooding of the Yamuna. These walls have resulted in the open space of the memorial being converted into an enclosed garden.

It is customary to circumambulate the tomb three times. The powerful spiritual aura of the place touches one's heart. This national shrine has an eternal flame and the sandstone walls enclosing it are inscribed with various passages written by Gandhi. The entire area of Rajghat stands surrounded by trees and here, one can see some of the most exotic shrubs of the country. This greenery is what lends such a serene aura to the Samadhi. The affairs of the Rajghat are being managed by an autonomous statutory body.

It is known by the name of Rajghat Samadhi Committee and was created by an Act of Parliament in 1951. One can also visit the National Gandhi Museum in the vicinity, which houses a collection of rare photographs and trivia related to Gandhiji. Vijay Ghat is the memorial of Prime Minister Lal Bhadur Shastri, while Indira Gandhi was cremated in Shakti Sthal. Rajeev Gandhi followed his mother's footsteps and was the most beloved Prime Minister of India, when he was slaughtered in a terrorist attack. He was cremated at the Veer Bhoomi.

Rashtrapati Bhawan

Rashtrapati Bhawan was formerly known as 'Viceroy's House' and was occupied by the Governor-General of India, until independence. Also known as President's House, the building holds a prominent position in New Delhi. Designed by the British architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens, this classical building uses colors and details peculiar to Indian architecture. It was completed by 1929 and was officially inaugurated in 1931. It was in 1950 that President started living in this ceremonial building and the 'Viceroy's House' was renamed as 'Rashtrapati Bhavan.' It has 340 decorated rooms and a floor area of 200,000 square feet.

It presents a blend of Mughal and European architectural styles. While Rashtrapati Bhavan is the official residence of the President of India, Sansad Bhawan or the Parliament House is the center of political power in India Parliament House is one of the most magnificent buildings in New Delhi. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker, it took six years to be constructed. It was inaugurated on 18th January, 1927 by the then Governor-General of India, Lord Irwin. The massive circular edifice has a circumference of about one-third of a mile and stretches across six acres.

The beautiful works that make the architecture of the Parliament House so special include the layout of fountains both inside and outside the building, statues, murals and marble 'jali' (mesh) that adorn its windows. It houses Lok Sabha (House of the People), Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the erstwhile Library Hall (formerly the Princes Chamber). Along with this, there are well-planned garden courts, accommodation for Ministers and Chairmen, Parliamentary Committees, Party Offices, important offices of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha here. Secretariats and the offices of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs are also located here.

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Delhi -- where traditionality meets modernity

2009-11-05T03:03:00.000-08:00

Today I would like to show you a video about Delhi and see for yourself in the video all about delhi. In the video it mentions also the tourists spots in Delhi. Enjoy and leave your thoughts in the comments.

Here is the summary of the video.

Delhi, the national capital of India, is a unique place where one would find shades of both the old and the new. On one hand, for a tourist coming to Delhi, this place has to offer some of the most marvelous monuments that tell the tales of its rich glorious past. On the other hand, one can also find glimpses of modern architecture that is beyond comparison.

Delhi, a place where traditional beliefs coexist with modern values, persuades the tourists from all across the world to come and visit it. People flock to this place to witness the brilliant and breathtaking blend of traditionality and modernity. Delhi is a city of limitless wonders both belonging to ancient and modern times.

Red Fort, a brilliant structure built in red sandstone is a monument that bespeaks of the mighty Mughal rule in the country and is one of the outstanding creations by Emperor Shah Jahan. Another architectural masterpiece is the Qutab Minar- the highest stone tower in India. A Muslim Emperor named, Qutub-ud-din built this 72.5-meter high tower in 1199 A.D. Delhi also embraces people with different religions and is home to some of the finest religious places. Birla Mandir or the Laxmi Narayan Mandir is a huge temple complex for Hindus. Bangla Sahib -The famous Sikh Shrine too attracts numerous devotees. The Sacred Heart Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in Delhi where people flock to find solace and peace. Delhi is a place where Muslim spirituality is also expressed with elegance. Jama Masjid, the biggest and largest mosque in India is a wonderful example of magnificent Mughal architecture. India is known primarily for its wonderful handicrafts, and Delhi being the capital city is a hub for handicrafts. Dilli Haat is a place where one can find handicraft items belonging to different regions of the country.

The 21st Century Delhi is a bustling metropolis; in its territory lie not only the premier political offices but also some of the top corporate offices of the country. Its Ultra Modern , Swanky Malls, huge department stores, chic boutiques, are all here to satisfy the unending appetite of shopping buffs. The National Capital's gigantic multiplexes, massive amusement parks, colossal golf courses are a great source of fun to both young and the old. For the connoisseur of food there are both Indian and foreign delicacies available in its food joints and restaurants. Delhi also has a magnificent nightlife with its famous discos and pubs spread across the city. For the upkeep of the health, Delhi's Super Specialty Hospitals take care of almost all types of ailments. Delhi is also a great home to gain wisdom. Students from world over flock to its famous temples of learning to get educated on plethora of subjects like humanities, engineering, medicine and management.

In Delhi, The Wonder called India is colorfully depicted in the hues of both traditionality and modernity. It has been rightly denoted as "Mini India"- where the ancient as well as the new happily coexist. Delhi is a robust bastion for the synthesis of past with the present.

Tourists spots in Delhi - 3 Mosques you want to visit

2009-11-05T00:09:00.000-08:00

Today I would like to post different Tourists spots in Delhi. Delhi is a city of all religions. People of all faiths and religions live here in peace and harmony. The reflection of cultural diversity and religious unity can be seen at every places of religious importance in the city. The spontaneous inflow of love for each other is seen among all communities.

Religious spots of every religion built by royal dynasties are the major attractions of Delhi. The city has beautiful temples, elegant mosques, churches and many more places of worship. The widely visited place is Jama Masjid in the Tourists spots in Delhi in Mosques category. Mosques places attract thousands of tourists every day to have divine pleasure. People rush to these places during festivals to offer special prayers to their Gods. All these structures are beautifully decorated with excellent work of architecture. One of the religious tourists spots in Delhi are the mosques. Here are the 3 mosques you want to visit:

Jama Masjid

One of the Architectural gifts to Delhi byShah Jahan was the imperious Jama Masjid. It is one of the largest mosques not only in Delhi but also in India which stands opposite to the Red Fort. It took six years and 5000 workers to construct this magnificent structure. It was completed in 1658. This Mosque has three gateways, four angle towers and two 40 m high minarets. The square courtyard can accommodate 20,000 people at a Friday prayer session. One can also go to the top of minarets. From here you can have a bird’s eye view of Delhi.

Fatehpuri Masjid

The Fatehpuri Masjid of Old Delhi is located at the western end of Chandni Chowk. It was built in the year 1650 by Fatehpuri Begum, one of Shah Jahan’s wives. The mosque is built with red sand stones, surmounted by a single dome. The traditional designs of the mosque include the towering minarets and prayer hall inside it. Though the mosque was an important shrine for Muslims but it was built with poor quality raw materials. All Muslim festivals are celebrated here with great enthusiasm.

Nizam-ud-din Shrine

The tomb of the famous sufi saint Nizam-ud-din Auliya built on the way from Humayun's tomb. Inside the premises of the shrine is a tank which is surrounded by many other tombs. It is said that there was a controversy between the rulers of Tughlakabad and the saint over building this tank. The saint had said that the city of Tughlakabad will never flourish and so did it happen. The shrine also has the tomb of Amir Khusru and the grave of Jahanara, the daughter of Shah Jahan. It is worth visiting the shrine at around sunset on Thursdays, as it is a popular time for worship, and qawwali singers start performing after the evening prayers.

Tourists spots in Delhi -Neemrana Palace - Rajasthan, India

2009-11-03T19:03:00.000-08:00

Neemrana is a best place to spend a weekend on a peaceful place away from the city's hustle-bustle. After working hard for a week it is the best way to put your worries to an end and enjoy life in the laps of nature.

The best thing about Neemrana palace is its location near the capital city, conveniently located just off the Delhi-Jaipur highway. The palace cuts into the hill- side sprawling over 3 acres of land. Gracefully decorated rooms with the blend of traditional Indian and Colonial furniture, many of the rooms have traditional balconies and terraces

Neemrana palace is a perfect place to understand the Rajasthani traditions. Here, you can enjoy folk dances and songs. Cocktails and delectable hors d'oeuvres makes the romantic evening more enjoyable.

History:
Built since 1464 AD, Neemrana Fort-Palace is among India's oldest heritage resorts. Neemrana became the third capital of the descendants of Prithviraj Chauhan III, who was killed in battle by Mohammad Ghori in 1192 AD. This picturesque site was chosen by Raja Rajdeo and Neemrana derived its name from a brave local chieftain Nimola Meo, who when defeated by the Chauhans, pleaded that his name be given to his lost kingdom.

Location and Sight Seeing:
It is Rajasthan's closest palace from New Delhi, situated at 122 kms. on the Delhi-Jaipur highway - only 100 kms from Delhi's international airport. Sited on a majestic plateau, concealed in a horseshoe formation of the billion year old Aravalli ranges.

Description:
The property covers 25 acres/10 hectares and the stepped palaces of this architectural jewel cut into the hillside to sprawl over 3 acres/1.2 hectares and rises to 10 levels commanding the most splendid views. Including a vista pool to the horizon. From 1986, the ruins of this Fort-Palace have been sensitively restored and reconstructed. The rooms are furnished with an eclectic mix of traditional Indian and colonial furniture, antiques and objets d'art. Most rooms have private balconies or terraces and the loos are designed to have views!

Activities:
Within Fort Walls

• Games: Playing cards, Chess, Carrom board Treasure Hunt, Musical Chair
• Library: Book reading
• A guided tour of the Fort
• Free yoga and meditation exercises
• Ayuervedic rejuvenation and other Holistic treatment after Consultancy with a Doctor
• Swimming pool, Jacuzzi

Outside Fort Walls
• A guided tour of the 18th century Stepwell can be arranged on request.
• Camel cart rides can be arranged on request
• Trek to the watchtowers on the hills

Zipping:
• Try Flying Fox – India's first ever aerial zip-line experience, exclusively at Neemrana
• This unforgettable airborne adventure, flies you high in the sky along super-strong steel cables suspended between hills tops and battlements. Soar with the peacock and gods over the trees and crags of the two billion-year old Aravalli mountains on this thrilling 2 hour experience. Highly trained guides ensure your safety and supply you with entertaining commentary on the history, culture and ecology of Neemrana. With imported safety equipment – & refreshments included.

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Here’s a Quick Way to Go to a One Night Stand Break Around Delhi

2009-11-02T17:34:00.000-08:00

It seems that we Delhi dwellers have become too busy even to take a few days break for a holiday. Well nobody can blame us, life is very hectic, what with deadlines, kids' school, no leave and for umpteen number of other reasons some of us sometimes just can not take a long break. For all of those and others too, we present this time in our letter- One Night Stand, or Delhi weekend getaways. Don't let your imagination run wild, we are only talking about one night breaks (delhi week end getaways) you can take at resorts near Delhi which are just at a stone throw away. One can take a short break from Delhi any nite of the week or the weekend or just go for a Day Picnic, and come back refreshed on the other side of it. Here are some of the options which can be availed... These options are good for a Day Picnic for groups where various games, activities, group building exercises can be held in green environs. Lunch and other meals are also arranged for.

Unchagaon is village close to Garh Mukteswar on Moradabad – New Delhi National Highway. Around 10 kms short of Brijghat, Unchagaon is on left diversion off the highway.

This place, Unchagaon is incidentally very close to river Ganges . The particular stretch is very famous for Dolphins. Bask in the solitude in the warm sunshine, sit beneath the trees or walk along the river. Only very lucky ones may even see crocodile.

Fort Unchagaon
Fort Unchagaon stands majestically in village Unchagaon; just about an hours drive from Garhmukteshwar & merely 130 kms from New Delhi .The present Raja Surendra Pal Singh inherited this early 19th century fort at the tender age of ten. The young heir took personal interest in the maintenance and preservation of this ancestral residence. This palace was renovated under his guidance and thus is the evident the influence of the early 20th century blend of Indian and colonial architecture.Being the private domicile of a prince, the décor is authentically aristocratic.As the years rolled by, all modern amenities were added to the old palace making it much loved weekend get away for many close friends and relatives of the family. The imposing white façade of SURYA MAHAL is surrounded by well-manicured, lush verdant lawns. Presently Fort Unchagaon offers 21 Double rooms and Suites and a host of activities & recreational games.

How to reach

A mere 130km from New Delhi and 170 Km from Agra. The Fort Unchagaon stand tall as an ideal gateway to Uttaranchal. It is an easy drive beyond Hapur off the Moradabad Highway. Last few km are on the village road.

Accommodation

Two types of rooms, Fort and Court House are available. Fort rooms are in the main fort and are much bigger while the Court rooms are in annexe and are smaller in size.

Facilities

* Royal accommodation (21 rooms)
* Multicuisine restaurant
* Recreational facilities like badminton, cricket, table tennis & a new Swimming Pool

Conferencing Facilities are available for upto 50 persons.
* Boat Cruise (River Ganges)
* Horse Riding (at the hotel)
* Bullock Cart Rides (Village)
* Potter wheel experience. (Village)
* River Dolphin Sighting (River Ganges)

What to do

Fort Unchagaon apart from being an heritage experience also give you a chance to have a look at the village setup and promotes rural tourism. A walk through the village gives one a chance to view the village life along with a chance to see pottery making and jaggery making. One can also try once hand at making some pots oneself. You can also play badminton, table tennis or cricket amongst the fruit orchards. Boating at River Ganges is available through local boatsmen and Dolphins have also been sighted. Horses are available at the Fort's stable. Fort Unchagaon now boasts of a new swimming pool.

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Here’s a Quick Way to Reduce Commuters Problem in Delhi

2009-10-29T22:02:00.000-07:00

Delhi is the best tourist place in india. For many travellers, the first experiences in Delhi set the tone for their judgement of the city. Delhi is best known for tourist place as well as historical place.

Located on the banks of river Yamuna, Delhi consists of New Delhi (the national capital) and Old Delhi.It is home to over 15 million of people and India’s third largest city after Kolkata and Mumbai .

New Delhi was built by the British and that is reflected in its architecture. All roads in New Delhi lead to the India Gate which is a memorial to the unknown soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. Towards and along Janpath, you’ll see the international and 5star hotels, impressive buildings built to house the governmental departments, the foreign embassies and museums such as the famous National Museum and the Nehru Museum and also famous for the place Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah. New Delhi is also the place where the new big international businesses are concentrated and extended spacious residential areas are located as contrasted with the swarming life in Old Delhi.

The southern parts of Delhi i.e. South and South West Delhi, are the most up-coming and prosperous areas in Delhi. The Qutub Minar and Siri Fort besides many a ancient monuments and Gumbads are there in South Delhi. The Humayun’s tomb which is adjacent to the South Delhi though is in the New Delhi area is very much there in Delhi. The wife of Humayun built the tomb for her husband and it is and it served as inspiration for the Taj Mahal in Agra that was built later. It can easily take up to four days when you want to see all the sights of Delhi.

Main market, near the Delhi railway station is the perfect example of this dualistic nature. On the one hand it is prepared for travellers and offering western life in a nutshell when it comes down to shops, pubs, royal accommodation and nightlife facilities. On the other hand, it still has its street vendors, beggars and pollution.

Old Delhi is over 2500 years old and was the captial city of the Mughal empire. It is dominated by the grand bazaar of Chandni Chowk and by the Jama Masjid which is the largest mosque in India. You will be impressed by the stillness of this place as soon as you leave the ant-hill of narrow streets, vendor stalls and rickshaws and carriages fighting for a place on the road behind. It offers some excellent views of the city as well. Another popular sight is the Old Red Fort that dominates the horizon with its minarets. Although it is in a rather neglected state, it still is an excellent place to wander around and breath in the atmosphere of the old emperor’s days.

Most people arrive at Delhi Airport that is still quite some distance away from Main Bazaar, the main budget accommodation area in New Delhi. Make sure you take the travel time in consideration when you have to catch a plane. It can be reached easily by taxi but roads can be very crowded during daytime. Delhi is connected perfectly to all other major cities in India and trains run pretty much on time. At the train station, there is a special office for foreigners upstairs to make reservations. The staff make is accurate, friendly and quick and this is certainly a smart idea when you’re planning to make one of these at-least-taking-twenty-hours train trips.

For traveling in Delhi though had created a furore in many a route and their commuters but gradually the same problem is being adhered to by different government agencies. The introduction of the Metro Rail is a dream come true for many a commuters for many a routes. Though it will take some more time to come out totally to save on the traveling times, but as on date the people in the city roads travel much faster than any other metropolitan city in India.

For any traveller to Delhi he can opt the Metro Rail to cover a lots of distance per day. The individual can board the metro rail from the India Railway's network at New Delhi or Delhi Railway station. One can visit Connaught place, Delhi University, Shahdara, Rohini, Dwarka, Chandni Chowk, Pragati Maidan, Karol Bagh, Raja Garden like central areas. In the near future the Delhites can commute from any part of Delhi to the other. Courtesy : Prasanta Varma, Delhi. Besides the Metro, the MRTS and other ways of commuting are coming to Delhi.

Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: www.kashif.com

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Four Famous Delhi Temples

2009-10-29T04:32:00.000-07:00

These four Delhi temples are great for tourists spots in delhi. It's not going anywhere soon. Here they are:

1. Birla Mandir

Also Known As Lakshmi-Narayan Mandir
¤ Also Known As Birla Mandir

Strictly speaking, this structure is not part of the New Delhi Lutyens designed. Famous Birla Mandir in Delhi is essentially a Hindu temple which came up alongside with New Delhi and has therefore been pegged with it. Popularly known as the Birla Mandir, it is the first of the temples built across the country by the industrial family of Birla. Located just off Connaught Place on Mandir Marg, it is dedicated to Vishnu, the second of the Hindu Trinity of creator-preserver-destroyer, and his consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth.

¤ The Most Important Temples of Hindus

Built in 1938, famous Birla Mandir in Delhi was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi (Father of the Indian Nation) on the express condition that people of all castes and especially untouchables would be allowed in. (Refer to section People). Consequently a plaque at the gate reiterates that people of all faiths and classes are welcome. Till date, it remains one of the most popular temples in Delhi.

¤ The Architectural Brilliance of The Birla Mandir (Temple)

Birla Mandir is also famous for the festival of Janmashtami (birth of the Hindu deity Krishna). The festival is celebrated here with much goodwill and cheer.

The temple is designed in the Orissan style, with tall curved towers capped by large amalakas (circular ribbed motif at the summit of a temple tower). The exterior is faced with the white marble and red sandstone typical of Delhi’s Mughal architecture. The interior court is overlooked by two-storey verandahs on three sides; there are gardens and fountains at the rear. The profusion of sculptures, idols, spires and jalis, the Birla Mandir in Delhi is also considered as splendor in terms of its architecture.

For Booking information click here

2. Kali Bari Mandir

A stone’s throw from Birla Mandir to the right is the much smaller but quite popular temple devoted to the Goddess Kali. Especially dear to the Bengali community of Delhi, Kali Bari Mandir in Delhi is the centre of celebration during the festival of Durga Puja held every October. Since Kali is believed to be the manifestation of Durga in her most terrifying, warlike avatar, liquor is offered to the goddess in this temple.

The Kali Bari Mandir is rather small and very simple in design. From within the temple grows a huge peepul tree that pierces through the ceiling to shade the temple. The peepul is considered sacred by Hindus and red threads are tied around its bark when beseeching a boon.

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3. Kalkaji Temple

Situated beyond the commercial complex of Nehru Place lies this temple dedicated to the goddess Kalka Devi. Its oldest section dates back to 1764 and additions were made in the mid-19 ^th century. However most of the building is modern. Thousands of pilgrims throng the temple, especially in October during the nine days of navratrey, when a huge fair is held here.

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4. Lotus Temple - Modern Temple of Delhi

Lotus Temple - a modern of Delhi is one such temple that facilitates the Bhai's Faith of Worship. The Baha’i House of Worship is dedicated to the oneness of all religions and mankind. Subsidiary buildings that afford relief to the suffering, sustenance to the poor, shelter to the wayfarer, solace to the bereaved and education to the ignorant will abound around the House of Worship.

There is no clergy in the Baha’i Faith and its service consists of prayers and readings of selections from Baha’i scriptures, and religious texts of the other faiths of the world.

¤ The Bahai's Faith

The Baha’is lay great emphasis on prayer and meditation. These, they believe are important instruments for the progress of the human soul, both in this world and the next. The Baha’is pray to one God, the Creator of the Universe.

The act of praying is described as ‘Conversation with God’.Meditation is perceived as the ‘Key for opening the doors of mysteries’. In that state, man withdraws himself from all outside objects and immerses himself in the ocean of spiritual life.

In the Baha’i Holy Writings, there are prayers for all occasions. Prayers can be offered individually or collectively. Great importance is given to prayers as is revealed in all the Scriptures.

However, the Baha’i Writings specify that the mere act of praying is not sufficient. The inspiration drawn from one's prayers must be translated into action that promotes the well being of humanity.

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Here are some Methods That are Helping Travelers Get a Better Costumer Service

2009-10-29T04:07:00.000-07:00

As a passenger going to delhi in airplane. There are some things we can do to better improve our enjoyment of vacation in tourists spots in delhi. You are getting excited about taking pictures and visiting tourist places in delhi but what happens when a flight attendant is giving you a hard time? Are you going to be just sit there frustrated and ruin your vacation from the start? Here are some tips that makes things better when you travel to tourists spots in Delhi:

6 tips for getting your way when you travel

By Christopher Elliott
Tribune Media Services

(Tribune Media Services) -- The thought of spending 11 hours in a locked and upright position didn't put Elyse Weiner in a good mood. But you wouldn't have known it.

Being nice to airline agents may yield better results than getting frustrated.

"I was leaving Venice for New York and found that my airline seat was broken," recalls Weiner, who runs a Manhattan-based podcasting company. "I explained my problem to the flight attendant, but he became angrier and angrier, yelling that 'nowhere in your agreement with our airline does it say you get to have a seat that works.' "

As the crewmember grew more agitated, Weiner had the opposite reaction: She turned nice.

Extra nice.

"I stayed calm and smiled," she remembers. She also offered to pay for a better seat by redeeming frequent flier miles.

It worked. After the confrontation, another flight attendant quietly moved her to business class. No extra charge.

At a time when pleasantness and politeness seem to be in such short supply in the travel business, being nice can take you a long way.

I should know. A few weeks ago, I arrived at Chicago's O'Hare airport a little early and vaulted to the top of the standby list on a flight to Orlando by being extra polite to the gate agent and cracking a joke. I still can't believe it.

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That got me thinking: Is politeness a new form of currency in the travel world? Could a smile or an act of kindness be more effective in getting preferential treatment than elite-level status or the amount of money you paid for your airline ticket, rental car or hotel room?

I can almost hear some of the elite travelers out there snorting with disdain. No, you're probably saying to yourselves, we deserve to be treated better than the tourists, no matter how we behave. But the rest of you know I'm on to something.

Question is, how do you get what you want by being nice? I asked travelers and the folks behind the counter to share their tips. Here's what they told me:

Remain calm

When a flight is delayed or a hotel loses your reservation, no one can blame you for losing your cool. But don't, say people in the know. Try going the other way. Don Schmincke, a writer and professional speaker, recalls an overseas flight on which he and his partner received seat assignments that weren't together, making it impossible to get any work done. "Typical response: start yelling," he says. His response? Calmly and politely express concern to the gate agent. "She said 'just get your boarding pass and I'll meet you at the gate,'" he remembers. "She showed up at the gate with two side-by-side seats -- in first class." Somehow, I think a scolding wouldn't have gotten him the same seats.

Find the silver lining

It's there. Sometimes you have to look for it. Jennifer Walsh finds that a favorable comment about a ticket agent's outfit or jewelry will, at the very least, elicit a smile and a "thank you." And that's a good start. Just last week she was trying to get a seat on an early flight from New York to Florida, which was jam-packed with passengers. A gate agent held the power over her plans. "I complimented her on her outfit and asked her how her week was," she says. (A kind word about your appearance means a lot coming from Walsh: She's a nationally known beauty consultant.) Needless to say, she made the flight.

Compare and contrast

Problem customers are plentiful. Sometimes, all you have to do is point out that you aren't one of those people to get your way. For example, when Dan Lovejoy checked into an upscale hotel in Boston that was being renovated, he overheard another guest making a series of requests, "not rudely, but pretty demanding," he says. She was given the key to a room in the older part of the hotel. "When the clerk asked me my preferences, I said, 'I'm traveling alone for a conference. I don't have any special needs -- just put me wherever,' " he recalls. "When she handed me my key, she said, 'I've put you in a newly renovated room. We like to be nice to people who aren't difficult.'"

Show a little empathy

Think about the employees. When you're likely to need a favor (like, when a flight is canceled or a hotel is overbooked) imagine what a terrible day they're having. How about letting them know that you feel for them? Lynne Lambert, who owns an apparel business in Chappaqua, N.Y., remembers a recent canceled flight where "every passenger was trying to rebook a different flight." She approached a ticket agent, and instead of making demands, she started the conversation with, "You must be having a rough day." (Note: it's important not to sound patronizing when you do this. Either be genuine or don't say anything.) It worked for Lambert. "I got on the standby list and flew out on the last flight of the night," she remembers.

Flatter 'em

It will get you everywhere. Well, almost everywhere. Employees respond well to "attaboys" because at some travel companies, praise is dished out sparingly. Author Barry Maher says he goes out of his way to tell a ticket agent or hotel worker when they're doing good work. "I'll say something like 'Wow, I can't believe what a great job you're doing handling this. You're really exceptional at what you do,' " he says. "Guess who's most likely to get the next available seat, fairly frequently in first class?"

Be a volunteer

Being nice to other travelers can get you ahead. In researching this story, I found plenty of examples of passengers who agreed to move to accommodate other travelers who wanted to sit together, or yielded to someone with a disability who needed their seat, and that often led to preferential treatment by the crew, which noted the sacrifice. "The passenger who is willing to wait for the next flight and give up their seat is more likely to get the business class seat on the next flight," says Natalie Hjelsvold, a flight attendant for a Canadian airline. "They are given a future travel credit along with a seat that would have cost them hundreds of dollars more -- just for being nice."

Ready to go out there and charm the socks off the travel industry?

Not so fast. Remember, you're dealing with people who are in the business of dealing with people. They can spot a fake, so they'll be able to sniff out any insincerity immediately.

So be genuine.

You'd think that rude behavior would get you absolutely nowhere when you travel, but that wouldn't be entirely accurate, either.

Source

Games facelift for Delhi hotel hubs

2009-10-29T04:00:00.000-07:00

Get ready to walk down cobbled streets in Paharganj or sip a cup of coffee at a horticulture park in Karol Bagh by October next year. The road transport ministry will be picking up the tab for a Rs 77- crore facelift, which is part of the ongoing preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

The ministry of tourism, meanwhile, has rated 11,000 guest house rooms in these two areas on the basis of criteria such as safety, hygiene and location. This is expected to help tourists visiting the city during the Games choose where they want to stay. The ratings are based on a survey conducted jointly by the ministry with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi ( MCD) and the Delhi Police.

This is the first time the ministry has rated guest house rooms and included them in a hotel inventory for the Capital. Guest houses generally depend for publicity on word of mouth or a mention in travel guides such as Lonely Planet . Sharing this information with journalists on the sidelines of a World Travel & Tourism Council ( India) interaction in the Capital, tourism secretary Sujit Banerjee said the ministry was in touch with civic agencies to remove the overhead electric wires in Paharganj.

He said efforts were on to ensure the guest houses didn't run short of water.

Leena Nandan, joint secretary in the ministry, said efforts were also underway to increase the number of rooms under the bed and breakfast scheme. " At present, we have 1,534 rooms listed under the scheme," she said.

There was more good news for the hospitality sector.

The ministry has granted the sector's long- standing demand for ' infrastructure' status to delink it from the real estate sector and ensure cheaper loans for new projects.

"The decision was taken in September and will bring relief for many new projects," Banerjee said.

According to the figures shared by the tourism ministry, of the 10,268 rooms expected to come up before the Games, more than half are ready.

But the ministry did not seem overly worried about the rest, as reported earlier in this newspaper. It does not expect a major surge in tourist arrivals during the Games.

Source

8 top Tourists Spots in Delhi you want to visit

2009-10-28T15:58:00.000-07:00

Delhi is India's main point of arrival for overseas visitors, and the major transport hub for destinations in the states of rajasthan, the Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh as well as central north India. Delhi city, the showacse of India, has been the centre of political activity from time immemorial. The ancient fortness, majestic buildings and historic ruins find their modern counterparts in the tall skyscrapers, diplomatic enclaves and well-planned townships of New Delhi. The people here, their lifestyles, traditions and even the climate are a rich and varied mixture of all that is india. Here are some 8 tourists spots in Delhi you want to visit:

Red Fort

Red Fort is laid outalong the river Yamuna as an irregular octagon , surrounded by a wall of about 2.4 km in circumference and is built of red sandstone. The Mughal king Shah Jahan transfered the capital from Agra to Delhi and the Fort was completed in 1648. The fort has two main entrances , the Delhi Gate and the Lahori Gate which faces the famed Chandni Chowk market.The Fort has Diwan-e-am, and Diwan-e-Khas where the king would grant audience to the public and would grant audience to important people respectively . Besides this is the Rang Mahal, the water cooled Apartment for the royal ladies. In the basement of the fort is a market where traditional Indian goods can be purchased at nominal rates . Another attraction is Light and Sound show held in the evenings.

Qutub Minar

This magnificent structure in the southern part of the captal was built by a Muslim King , Qutub-ud-din Aibak in 1199 A.D. A part of it which he could not finish was completed by another Muslim King Iltutmish. Minar is 72.5 m high and has as its base a mosque. In front of the imposing structer is an Iron Pillar believed to have been built in the 5th century A.D. which has not caught rust ever since it was built.

India Gate

Straight down the road from Rashtrapati Bhavan is India Gate which is primarily a memorial to unknown soldier. Designed by Lutyens , the 42 meter high structure is a war memorial in honour of soldiers who died during the second World War. The structure has an eternal flame (Amar Jawan Jyoti) to honour the memory of the unknown soldiers.

Old Fort

The ruins of this fort are located on a small hill which once stood on the bank of the river Yamuna.Legend has it that the fort marked the site of Indraprastha ,the magnificent capital of the Pandavas, though the construction was carried out by Sher Shah Suri any time between 1538 to 1545 A. D. The structure houses a mosque which has a double storeyed octagonal tower. It is said that the Mughal King Humayun fell from the tower accidently and died. At the foot of the hill is the lake where the Delhi Tourism has arrangements for boating and also organises a Sound and Light Show.

Bahai Temple

Is a very recent architectural marval of the Bahai faith and is visible from several spots in south delhi. Located in Kalkaji in the south of Delhi. It is Lotus shaped and has rightly been given the name.It is made up of marble,cement dolomite, and sand. TIMINGS: Summer- 9:00 a.m - 7:00 p.m. Winter- 9:30 a.m - 5:30 p.m. Monday closed

Humayun's Tomb

This tomb, which as built by emperor Humanyun's wife, took eight years to complete. The emperor's wife Begai Begum was buried in the tomb and the structure is first of its kind built in the center of a well - planned garden. The combination of white marble and red sand stone was a great influence on later Mughal architecture. It is generally regarded as a prototype of the famed Taj Mahal of Agra.

Jantar Mantar

Within the Connaught Place are is the Jantar Mantar observatory built by the Rajput King of Jaipur, Sawai Jai Singh in 1724. It was believed to have been built with masonary instruments for observing the movements of the stars and the planets.

Safdarjung Tomb

The garden tomb was built in 1753-54 soon after Safdarjung died. It is a red and a brown sandstone with double storeyed towers in the corners and is one of the last example of Mughal architecture.

Top Tourists Spots in Delhi

Agra Fatehpur Sikri Tour - one of the tourists spots in Delhi

2009-10-28T03:22:00.000-07:00

Tour Package Duration : 1 nights / 2 days

Day 01 : DELHI - AGRA (203 kms. 4 hrs. 30 min. approx.)

Drive to Agra through the Indian country side. Upon arrival proceed to the Taj Mahal to see the architectural modern day wonder of the world, the incomparable Taj Mahal. This monument is a fine example of the fusion of many architectural styles is one of the wonders of the modern world. Built in 1652 by Emperor Shah Jahan. Agra the zenith of art and an enshrined romance. Taj Mahal a poem in white marble which took 22 years to build by 20,000 skilled artisans who inlaid the white marble edifice with precious and semi precious stones. Agra town lives mainly in the past. Once the seat of Mughal rulers. Their passion for building endowed it with some of the loveliest buildings in the world.

After sight-seeing the Taj Mahal, you are taken to a first class hotel for a sumptuous buffet lunch.

The tour continues with a visit to the Agra Fort from where one can get the most moving view of the Taj from the little octagonal tower in the Agra Fort which lies across the river Jamuna. It was here that Aurangzeb the third son of Shah Jahan kept his father under house arrest, from where the Emperor spent the last years of his life gazing at the tomb of his beloved.

This is followed by a visit to the marble factory to witness the inlay work of precious and semi-precious stones into marble. The tour terminates and you are transferred to your hotel for overnight stay. (Lunch included).

Day 02 : AGRA - FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA - DELHI (275 kms. 6 hrs. approx.)

After breakfast at the hotel an excursion to the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri built in red sandstone in honour of Saint Salim Chisti who foretold the birth of 3 sons to Emperor Akbar, is an example of robust stability combined with originality. Each important edifice here represents a type by itself. Notable among them is the Diwane Khas, Punch Mahal, the Tomb of Salim Chisti, and the Buland Darwaza. (Breakfast included)

Return to Agra. You are free for independent activities. Later you join the same day Agra travellers and return to Delhi by 2100 hours

Agra Fatehpur Sikri Tour

Introducing Delhi

2009-10-28T01:38:00.000-07:00

New Delhi, Oct 25 (PTI) A good number of Pakistanis are visiting India as tourists, despite ups and downs in bilateral relations, according to Tourism Ministry statistics.

In fact, the number of Pakistanis visiting tourist spots in the country is on the rise, according to the data.

While 83,426 Pak nationals came to India in 2006, their number rose to 1,06,283 in 2007. From Bangladesh, 4,80,240 tourists came to India in that year.

Interestingly, the number of Bangla and Pak tourists is more than that of those from West Asia or from China (88,103), South Korea (84,583), Indonesia (17,818), Singapore (92,908), Thailand (50,037) in 2007, the data says.

There was a slight decrease in the number of Bangladeshis travelling to India in 2007 as against 4,84,401 in 2006.

Source