MF Publications

Jammu & Kashmir - Tourist Paradise on Earth.

2012-06-11T09:15:00.000+03:00

A city blessed by the Gods" - Kashmir Valley is surrounded by some of the highest mountains in the world and is a land of immense natural beauty. It is also called 'Tourist Paradise on earth.

Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state of India. It is situated mostly in the Himalayan mountains. Jammu and Kashmir shares a border with the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to the south and internationally with the People's Republic of China to the north and east and the Pakistan-administered territories of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit–Baltistan, to the west and northwest respectively.

Jammu and Kashmir consists of three regions: Jammu, the Kashmir valley and Ladakh. Srinagar is the summer capital, and Jammu is the winter capital. While the Kashmir valley is famous for its beautiful mountainous landscape, Jammu's numerous shrines attract tens of thousands of Hindu pilgrims every year. Ladakh, also known as "Little Tibet", is renowned for its remote mountain beauty and Buddhist culture. Jammu and Kashmir is home to several valleys such as the Kashmir Valley, Tawi Valley, Chenab Valley, Poonch Valley, Sindh Valley and Lidder Valley.

Kashmir Valley:

Kashmir Valley or The Vale of Kashmir, officially known as Kashmir Division is a valley between Karakoram and the Pir Panjal Range. It is around 135 km long and 32 km wide, formed by the Jhelum River. Jahangir called it "Paradise on Earth."( "Gar firdaus ruhe zaimin ast hamin asto hamin asto hamin asto". Kashmir Valley is one of the three administrative divisions within Jammu and Kashmir, the northernmost state in India. The region is not a state but a part of the state of Jammu & Kashmir. It consists of the districts of Anantnag, Baramullah, Bandipore, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian and Srinagar.

Kashmir Valley borders Jammu to the south, Ladakh to the east, and in the north and the west, the Line of Control separates Kashmir Valley from the Pakistan region called Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Perfection beyond this world makes Kashmir a paradise. The land of sparkling rivers and sleepy lakes, of startling gardens and regal Chinar trees, Kashmir boasts of some of the most beautiful flowering meadows and snow-capped peaks. The abundance of natural beauty has earned the valley a nickname of the 'Switzerland of the East'. It is mesmerizing to see how this endless beauty never fails to charm the viewers with its changing scenes from dazzling white snow of Winters to blooming fragrance of Spring. The sparkling greenery of Summers are welcome too as the flaming beauty of Autumn. The art house of the Seasons, the beauty of Kashmir is complete to the giggling girls with fair Indian complexion and rosy cheeks and the exquisite handicrafts of the area.

Ladakh :

Ladakh is a cold desert situated in the lap of the mighty Himalayan range and Karakoram Range. This place will entice your heart and mind and provide you with an essence of tranquility. I personally find Ladakh to be a very famous vacation spot and pilgrimage destination among the tourists and devotees of Buddhism. High altitude lakes, thrilling and dangerous passes, monasteries and gompas, and historical sites contribute to the blissful essence of the place.

Pangong Lake in Ladakh

Just about 160 km from Leh is a beautiful lake named the Pangong Lake. A drive to this lake is a wonderful experience. The journey begins at Thiksey village, which is famous for its huge monasteries covering an entire mountain range. And beyond this remote village there is nothing but the vast expanse of extreme mountain ranges for company. An interesting observation of the topography throughout this journey is that they throw off all calculations of distance somewhat like a mirage-effect, what looked to be a ten-minute crossing easily requires an hour or more!

Tsomoriri Lake in Ladakh

Also Known as ‘Mountain Lake’, Tso Moriri is a spectacular site amidst mountain ranges in Leh and thanks to its serenity, is a good place to relax. The Lake measures about 28 km in length from north to south and about 4-6 km in breadth and about 100 feet average in depth. Maximum depth of Tso Moriri Lake is 248 feet. Tso Moriri Lake is surrounded by barren hills, with the backdrop of snow-covered mountains.

The water is crystal clear and of a deep blue color. However, since the Tso Moriri Lake has no outlet, its waters are consequently brackish, although not very detectable to the taste. In fact, the Tso Moriri Lake was once a popular source of salt.

Nubra - The Valley of Flowers.

Magnetic Hill in Ladakh

“Magnetic Hill

The phenomenon that defies gravity

Park your vehicle in the box marked with white paint on the road.

Switch it off and leave it in neutral”

Above is a sign board at what has famously come to be known as the ‘Magnetic Hill’ in Ladakh. It invites you to be a part of and experience this mystifying phenomenon first hand. Follow the instructions on the signage and your car actually starts moving on its own at speeds of 10-20 km per hour. And for those of you who are thinking ‘The movement must have been due to the downhill descent and it was just following the rules of gravity.’ Turn your car in the opposite direction and repeat the steps. It will start moving uphill!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOBZUl4kWQo&feature=player_embedded

If you are in Ladakh at any festival time, I recommend you to not to miss it at all. Most of the festivals are famous for their beautiful colors, captivating traditions and traditional music. These festivals are soul touching and it carries the conventional culture and unity of Ladakh people. These festivals speak about the unity and togetherness of both humankind and the land itself. Most famous festivals of this holy land are Hemis festival, Losar festival, Monastery festival and Ladakh festival.

Camel Safari in Ladakh

Camel safari in deserts – hot and cold! The snow capped lands of Ladakh is popular for its trekking trails, Yak safaris and breathtaking monasteries. However, contrary to the general belief that camel safaris are available only in the hot deserts region of Rajasthan only, there is camel safaris carried out in the cold deserts of Ladakh also. This is one memorable experience of exploring the rugged mountain region on a camel back.

Before insurgency intensified in 1989, tourism formed an important part of the Kashmiri economy. The tourism economy in the Kashmir valley was worst hit. However, the holy shrines of Jammu and the Buddhist monasteries of Ladakh continue to remain popular pilgrimage and tourism destinations. Every year, thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit holy shrines of Vaishno Devi and Amarnath which has had significant impact on the state's economy.

The Dumhal is a famous dance in the Kashmir valley, performed by men of the Wattal region. The women perform the Rouff, another traditional folk dance. Kashmir has been noted for its fine arts for centuries, including poetry and handicrafts. Shikaras, traditional small wooden boats, and houseboats are a common feature in various lakes and rivers across the Valley. Kawa, traditional green tea with spices and almond, is consumed all through the day in the chilled winter climate of Kashmir.

Kawa traditional green tea:

Noon Chai

Noon chai is a common breakfast tea in Kashmiri households and is taken with breads like baqerkhani brought fresh from the Sufi, or bakers. Often, this tea is served in a large Samovars..

Kashmir Cuisine:

Kashmir cuisine is quite famous for the gracious use of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, saffron, etc. Spices used in Kashmiri cuisines give special taste and aroma to the food. However, Kashmiri rice forms an important part of the traditional food of Kashmir, striking a balance with the spicy Kashmiri dishes. Non-veg, consisting of mutton, chicken, fish, etc forms an important part of Kashmiri cuisine. The routine cooking in Kashmir is a combination of non-veg and vegetables in the same dish.

Non-vegetarian dishes consist of an important part of not only the diet of a Kashmiri, rather a banquet (wazwan) also. Considered a sign of extravagant hospitality, non-vegetarian dishes dominate in an official feast (wazwan). A typical wazwan meal consists of not more than one or two vegetarian dishes. Kashmir cuisine does not pay much attention to sweets. Instead, an important part of the meal is Kahva or green tea, used to wash down a meal. Traditionally, food in Kashmir was eaten by hands, without any spoons, forks or knives. Have a look at some of the popular vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes of Kashmir and don't miss to relish the delicacies of Kashmir valley on your trip.

Tasty !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dum-aloo: Potatoes, roasted and cooked in a curd-based sauce.

Chaman: Paneer (cottage cheese), fried and cooked in thick gravy.

Rista: Balls made of minced meat, cooked in gravy.

Seekh kababs: Chicken or mutton marinated in spices and grilled on skewers.

Delicious !!!!!!!!

Tabak Maz: Fried flat pieces of meat (cut from the ribs).

Roganjosh: Meat cooked with a liberal amount of spices.

Yakhni: Mutton cooked with curd as a base.

Yummmmmmy

Gushtaba: Balls made of finely minced meat, cooked in thick fresh curd gravy. It is the last item to be served in a traditional wazawan.

During the earlier days, Wazwan used to symbolize a feast of the kings. It consisted of some of the most unique, detailed and complex delicacies of meat and a number of other preparations. It used to comprise of thirty-six courses, with approximately 15-30 consisting of meat preparations. The preparation of the meal used to be the responsibility of Vasta Waza or the head chef, with a number wazas (chefs) to assist him.

Have a Nice time.

Kerala - God's own country

2012-06-06T14:16:00.000+03:00

Kerala or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. Kerala has the highest Human Development Index in India, higher than that of most developed countries. The state has the highest literacy rate in India with 93.91 percent. It hopes to be the first e-literate state in India through the state run Akshaya project. The state recently became and is currently the only one to have banking facilities in every village. Kerala is also ranked as India's cleanest state. Kerala has witnessed significant migration of its people, especially to the Persian Gulf countries during the Kerala Gulf boom and it's economy has significant dependence on remittances from its large Malayali expatriate community.

Kerala is a top tourist destination in India; backwaters, beaches, Ayurvedic tourism and tropical greenery are the major attractions. National Geographic's Traveller magazine names Kerala as one of the "ten paradises of the world" and "50 must see destinations of a lifetime". Travel and Leisure names Kerala as "One of the 100 great trips for the 21st century". The Kerala Government Tourism Department, a government department in charge of promoting tourism has adopted the slogan God's Own Country for its campaigns.

Kerala is wedged between the Lakshadweep sea and the Western Ghats. Lying between north latitudes 8°18' and 12°48' and east longitudes 74°52' and 77°22', Kerala experiences the humid equatorial tropic climate. The eastern region of Kerala consists of high mountains, gorges and deep-cut valleys immediately west of the Western Ghats' rain shadow. Forty-one of Kerala’s west-flowing rivers, and three of its east-flowing ones originate in this region. The Western Ghats form a wall of mountains interrupted only near Palakkad (hence also known Palghat), where the Palakkad Gap breaks through to provide access to the rest of India.

Specialties of Kerala:

Back waters

The Kerala backwaters are a chain of brackish lagoons and lakes lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast (known as the Malabar Coast) of Kerala state in southern India. The backwaters were formed by the action of waves and shore currents creating low barrier islands across the mouths of the many rivers flowing down from the Western Ghats range. The backwaters have a unique ecosystem - freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea. In certain areas, such as the Vembanad Kayal, where a barrage has been built near Kumkakom, salt water from the sea is prevented from entering the deep inside, keeping the fresh water intact. Such fresh water is extensively used for irrigation purposes.

Houseboat

Have you ever gone cruising in a houseboat on the backwaters of Kerala? If you haven't, make sure you do. This one is really a wonderful and unforgettable experience!
Present day houseboats are huge, slow moving exotic barges used for leisure trips, and are in fact reworked version of kettuvallams of olden times. The original kettuvallams were used to carry tons of rice and spices. A standard kettuvallam can hold up to 30 tons from Kuttanad to the Kochi port.

The kettuvallam is held together with coir knots. Not even a single nail is used during the construction of the boat.. The boat is made of planks of jack-wood joined together with coir. This is then coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. With careful maintenance, a kettuvallam can last for generations.

A portion of the kettuvallam was covered with bamboo and coir to serve as a restroom and kitchen for the crew. Meals would be cooked onboard and supplemented with freshly cooked fish from the backwaters.

When the modern trucks replaced this system of transport, some one found a new way that would keep these boats, almost all of which were more than 100 years old, in the market. By constructing special rooms to accommodate travelers, these boats cruised forward from near-extinction to enjoy their present great popularity.

Today, the houseboats have all the creature comforts of a good hotel including furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling. Parts of the curved roof of wood or plaited palm open out to provide shade and allow uninterrupted views. While most boats are poled by local oarsmen, some are powered by a 40 HP engine. Boat-trains - formed by joining two or more houseboats together are also used by large groups of sightseers.

Festivals of Kerala :

Festivals are true celebrations in God's Own Country; occasions when grandeur prevails over the characteristic simplicity of the Kerala lifestyle. Be it the state festival of Onam or the one at a local place of worship, new attire and sumptuous feasts are a must for the celebrations.

Chettikulangara Bharani

Machattu Mamangam

Onam

Pulikali

Adoor Gajamela

Thaipooyam Mahotsavam

Cuisine:

Cuisine in Kerala has roots in the history, geography and culture of the land. These can be classified under the two standard headings - vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. While the non-vegetarian dishes are all heavily spiced, the vegetarian repertoire is mildly spiced and feels especially easier on the non-native tongue.

Aattirachi (Mutton) Ularthiyathu

Ada Pradhaman

Arikkadukka

Chemmeen Varuthathu

Kappa & Meen Mulakittathu

Karimeen pollichathu

Kaya Attirachi Curry

Meen Moleshyam

Pazham Nirachathu

Puttu and Kadala Curry

Thalassery Kozhicurry

Few Popular destinations:

Alappuzha

Alappuzha beach is a popular picnic spot. The pier, which extends into the sea here, is over 137 years old. Entertainment facilities at the Vijaya Beach Park add to the attraction of the beach. There is also an old lighthouse nearby which is greatly fascinating to visitors.

Bekal

The imposing fort at Bekal is one of the largest and best preserved forts in Kerala. The beautiful expanse of the shallow beach near the Bekal fort known as Bekal Fort Beach has been developed as an exotic beach location. A beautiful walkway has been laid for the visiting tourists to explore the beauty of the fine coastline and enjoy the panoramic view of the Bekal Fort.

Fort Kochi

The historic town of Fort Kochi, there is no better choice than setting out on foot. Relax, breathe deep and come out in cotton dresses, soft shoes and yes - a straw hat. At each and every nook of this island steeped in history, there is something amusing awaiting you. It is a world of its own, retaining the specimens of a bygone era and still proud of those days. If you can smell the past, nothing can stop you from walking through these streets. This fort was built in 1503 and reinforced in 1538. Walking a bit further, you come across the Dutch cemetery. Consecrated in 1724 and managed by the Church of South India, the tomb stones here silently remind visitors of those Europeans who left their homeland to expand their colonial empires.

Kovalam

Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches. It has been a favourite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans, since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse. Sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programmes and catamaran cruising are some of them. The tropical sun acts so fast that one can see the faint blush of coppery tan on the skin in a matter of minutes. he beach complex includes a string of budget cottages, Ayurvedic health resorts, convention facilities, shopping zones, swimming pools, Yoga and Ayurvedic massage centres.

Munnar

One of the attractions that contributed to Kerala's popularity as a travel destination among domestic and foreign travellers. Situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. This hill station is marked by vast expanses of tea plantations, colonial bungalows, rivulets, waterfalls and cool weather. It is also an ideal destination for trekking and mountain biking.

Wayanad

Wayanad is one of the few districts in Kerala that has been able to retain its pristine nature. Hidden away in the hills of this land are some of the oldest tribes, as yet untouched by civilization. And the very first prehistoric engravings in Kerala discovered in the foothills of Edakkal and around Ambukuthimala bear testimony to a pre-historic culture dating back to the Mesolithic Age. Strikingly scenic, it is known for its sub-tropical savannahs, picturesque hill stations, sprawling spice plantations, luxuriant forests and rich cultural traditions. A holistic confluence of wilderness, history and culture, Wayanad is located on the southern tip of the magnificent Deccan plateau.

Muzhapilangad

Muzhapilangad beach which stretches across four kilometres of sand is a drive-in-beach where one can drive down the entire length. Calm and serene, the place is secluded and remains unexplored. Huge black rocks scattered here protect this long beach from the deep currents, and form a tranquil pool of shallow waters that is a swimmer's paradise. The palm groves fringing the beach are a cool hideaway from the tropical sun.

The world famous Ayurveda.... its a must for a visitor to go through this session.

Ayurveda - harmony of body, mind and soul

Sprouted in the pristine land of India some 2500 years ago, Ayurveda, the science of life and longevity, is the oldest healthcare system in the world. Followed by the Dravidians and Aryans alike, it combines the profound thoughts of medicine and philosophy. Since then Ayurveda has stood for the wholesome physical, mental and spiritual growth of humanity around the world. Today, it's a unique, indispensable branch of medicine, a complete naturalistic system that depends on the diagnosis of your body's humours - vata, pitta and kapha - to achieve the right balance.

Kerala, the Land of Ayurveda
Kerala possesses an unbroken tradition of Ayurveda that has surpassed the many invasions and intrusions both foreign and native. For hundreds of years the Ayurveda Vaidyas (practitioners of Ayurveda) were almost the only access for people seeking healing from every kind of disease in Kerala. The legendary eight families of Vaidyas (Ashta vaidyas) and their successors treated the entire state for centuries. Unlike the other Indian states the status of Ayurveda in Kerala is not alternative but mainstream. In fact, today, Kerala is the only State in India which practices this system of medicine with absolute dedication.

Being the only resort of treatment for the people, the Vaidyars of Kerala were challenged to interpret the theories of Ayurveda and adapt them actively into effective healing systems in everyday life. Thus almost all the contemporary procedures and protocols of Ayurveda have evolved in and around Kerala.

Advantages of Ayurveda of kerala

Ashtangahridayam, the practical, user friendly interpretation of Ayurveda, compiled by the great Vagbata is seldom used anywhere in the world as it is extensively done in Kerala. The Vaidyars of Kerala are proficient in this most contemporary treatise of Ayurveda which many scholars consider an advancement over the earlier samhitas of Charaka and Sushruta, the pioneers of Ayurveda. It is in Kerala that Kashaya Chikitsa (treatment with concoction) has become a standardised protocol involving hundreds of Kashayams that were scientifically classified and organised according to various treatment needs. Keralite Vaidyars where the first to focus on the anti oxidant properties of Abayangam leading to the profusion of kizhis. The largest number of Ayurveda colleges and the largest number of practitioners in comparison to any place in the world has led to a tradition of Ayurveda research in a scientific manner in Kerala.

Ayurveda as a lifestyle
In Kerala Ayurveda is not just a healthcare system but it is a part and parcel of every aspect of life, in fact it is a lifestyle in Kerala so to speak. The miracles like paralysed people walk, incurable diseases cured etc. that happen even today inspires respect and awe for the vaidyars of Kerala.

Assam - The Land of Red Rivers and Blue Hills

2012-05-31T12:01:00.000+03:00

Assam - the land where you find flowers that are exquisitely beautiful, animals that are rare, and a beleagured people that are proud and inviting. It is the land of the mighty river Brahmaputra (the Luit) and the one-horned rhinoceros.

Bihu is the national festival of Assam. The principal of the three Bihus, Bohag or Rongali Bihu ushers in the Assamese New Year, in the middle of April, and is celebrated with distinctive Bihu dances and songs.

The name "Assam" is derived from the term "Asom" which, in Sanskrit, refers to unequal or unrivalled. The uneven topography of the land, full of hills, plains and rivers might, therefore, have contributed to her name. The Mongolian Ahom dynasty which had ruled Assam for more than six hundred years might also be the cause for her name.

Assam is a land with an illustrious recorded history going back to the 4th century BC. Assam was an independent kingdom throughout all of history till the end of the first quarter of the 19th century when the British conquered the kingdom and annexed it to British India. The current state capital of Assam, Guwahati, known in ancient time as Pragjyotishpura or The Eastern City of Light, was the capital of Kamrup which finds frequent mention in the Great Hindu Epic Mahabharata and other Sanskrit volumes and historical lores.

Assam Tea Gardens

Assam Tea

The state of Assam is the world's largest tea-growing region, lying on either side of the Brahmaputra River, and bordering Bangladesh and Burma (Myanmar). This part of India experiences high precipitation; during the monsoon period, as much as 10 to 12 inches (250–300 mm) of rain per day. The daytime temperature rises to about 103F (40 °C), creating greenhouse-like conditions of extreme humidity and heat. This tropical climate contributes to Assam's unique malty taste, a feature for which this tea is well known.

Though Assam generally denotes the distinctive black teas from Assam, the region produces smaller quantities of green and white teas as well with their own distinctive characteristics.

Historically, Assam has been the second commercial tea production region after southern China. Southern China and Assam are the only two regions in the world with native tea plants. Assam tea revolutionized tea drinking habits in the 19th century since the tea, produced from a different variety of the tea plant, yielded a different kind of tea.

A cute little farm house.

Golden Langur.

Gee's golden langur (Trachypithecus geei), or simply the golden langur, is an Old World monkey found in a small region of western Assam, India and in the neighboring foothills of the Black Mountains of Bhutan. It is one of the most endangered primate species of India. Long considered sacred by many Himalayan people, the Golden Langur was first brought to the attention of science by the naturalist E. P. Gee in the 1950s. In a part of Bhutan, it has hybridised with the Capped Langur.

Golden langur is known for its rich golden to bright creamish hair, a black face and a very long tail measuring up to 50 centimetres (20 in) in length. For the most part, the langur is confined to high trees where its long tail serves as a balancer when it leaps across branches. During the rainy season it obtains water from dew and rain drenched leaves. Its diet is herbivorous, consisting of ripe and unripe fruits, mature and young leaves, seeds, buds and flowers.

Bihu the Traditional Art of Assam

India is a country having plenty of festivals and all the Indians celebrate it in a grand way. There is a lot of preparation before every festival and the enthusiasm amongst people is really surprising. Assam has a festival called Bihu. Bihu is the Biggest Festival of Assam, one of the most beautiful states of India, known for its tea gardens, lush green forests and the mighty Brahmaputra river.It is the celebration to welcome seasons and it is vital for a farmer’s life in Assam. Although this festival retained its originality it incorporated specific characteristics of the city life. The origin of the word ‘Bihu" is said to be from the Sanskrit word ‘Vishu’. There are three such festivals in Assam: in the months of Bohaag (Baisakh, the middle of April), Maagh (the middle of January), and Kaati (Kartik, the middle of October). The Bihus have been celebrated in Assam from ancient times.

The Traditional Attire of Assam.

Kaziranga National park of Assam

Kaziranga National Park lies partly in Golaghat District and partly in Nagaon District of Assam. It is the oldest park in assam covers an area of 430 Sq kms along the river Brahmaputra on the North and the Karbi Anglong hills on the South. Kaziranga National Park a world heritage site is famous for the Great Indian one horned rhinoceros, the landscape of Kaziranga is of sheer forest, tall elephant grass, rugged reeds, marshes & shallow pools. The park is open from November to April. Tourists can take rides on elephants to move around the park or cruise in a boat on the Brahmaputra along the park.

Guwahati the largest city of Assam

Kamakhya Temple

Rajasthan - Traditional & Historical

2012-05-27T09:32:00.001+03:00

Rajasthani Turban

Rajasthani Dolls

Rajasthani Mujdi

Rajasthan is the one of the most attractive destinations in India for both domestic and International tourists. About 6 million people visit the State every year of which 9% are foreign tourists. On an average a domestic tourist spends Rs. 400 per day and an Iternational tourist spends Rs. 800 a day (M/s. A. F. Ferguson & Company). Rajasthan being poorly endowed in terms of water availability depend on the non-farm sector to develop its economy and improve the quality of life of its people. Hence the development of tourism has great relevance.

Camel Fair

Amazing legends of heroism and romance still resound from its equally amazing architecture, that still stands to narrate its tale of a bygone era. The magic of Rajasthan is unequalled in the world for its heritage, culture, safaris, sand dunes and lush green forests with its wildlife. Rajasthan is often expressed as huge open-air museum with relic so well preserved for the travellers and the curious of the day. It is action-packed with outdoors too; take a safari on horses, camels, elephants or even jeeps with the Aravalis - India's oldest mountain range in the backdrop, or caress your eyes on the sloppy sand dunes, or trail a tiger or just watch birds on wetland. Or you can choose to pamper yourself in the lavish heritage properties. Rajasthan has something for everyone, just choose your activity.

The magic of Rajasthan is unparallel in the world for its heritage, culture, safaris and sand dunes. Rajasthan is the land of Kings. It depicts the story of the great warriors and their chivalry, their romance, glory and tragedy. With invincible forts, magnificent palaces and serene lakes Rajasthan is truly called a land of valiance.

India Tour

2012-05-16T11:49:00.001+03:00

This service is provided by Indian Rail. Its a very excellent package created by Indian Railway for tourists who come to explore India.

Please find below stage wise details:

In Mumbai
Upon your arrival at the Mumbai airport, you will be received by our representative, who would accompany you to a hotel for check in. After refreshing yourself for a couple of hours, you can move out for some shopping and finally retreat to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Mumbai to Ahmedabad
After having breakfast, you will be taken for tour of Mumbai, visiting Kamla Nehru Park and Hanging Gardens, which is situated on the slopes of Malabar Hill thast presents a scenic view of the Marine drive. Thereafter, you will head towards Chowpatty Beach, Prince of Wales Museum, Mani Bhawan, Dhobi Ghat, and Gateway of India. Next, you will be driven through the Crawford Market, Marine Drive and Flora Fountain. You will reach the hotel and check out in time. Thereafter, you will be transferred to railway station for an overnight journey towards Ahmedabad.

Hanging Gardens.

Marine Drives.

Chowpatty Beach.

Gateway of India

Flora Fountain

In Ahmedabad
You will reach Ahmedabad by next morning, from where you will be escorted to a hotel by our representative, for check in. After having breakfast, you may relax in the hotel room. In the afternoon after having lunch, you will be taken for a sightseeing trip to the magnificent Mosque of Siddi Saiyad, which is well known for its exquisite stone carvings, followed by a trip to the beautiful Jama Masjid, White marbled Hathee Singh's Temple, Dada Hari Baoli, Calico Textile Museum and Sabarmati Ashram, which was started by Mahatma Gandhi (Father of the Nation). You will be transported back to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Mosque of Siddi Saiyad

Hathee Singh's Temple

The Three Monks of Gandhiji

Sabarmati Ashram

Ahmedabad to Udaipur
After having breakfast, you can chill out in your room and check-out in time for transfer to railway station for an overnight comfortable train journey.

In Udaipur
You will arrive at Udaipur in the morning. From the railway station you will be transferred to a hotel, where you will check in, which would be followed by breakfast. In the afternoon, you will be taken for a city tour, covering the City palace, Jagdish Temple, drive around Fatehsagar Lake, Sahelion ki bari (Queen's resort for her friends) and Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir (Folk art museum). You would be dropped back to the hotel to retire for the night.

City palace

Jagdish Temple

Fateh Sagar Lake

Sahelion ki bari (Queen's resort for her friends)

Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir (Folk art museum).

Udaipur to Jodhpur
After having breakfast, you will check out of the hotel for a drive to Jodhpur visiting Ranakpur Temples (98 kms km away from Udaipur) on the way and the Jain Temples with 1444 dissimilar pillars, has grand structures and beautiful sculpture. You will arrive at Jodhpur from where you will be escorted to a hotel for an overnight stay.

In Jodhpur
After break fast, you will be taken for a visit to the magnificent Meherangarh fort. In the afternoon, you will be taken to Bishnoi village to meet the colorful tribal villagers and view their village life. You will be dropped back to the hotel, from where you will check out in the late evening, after having dinner. You will be transferred to the railway station for an overnight train journey to Jaisalmer.

Meherangarh fort.

In Jaisalmer
Upon your arrival in Jaisalmer in the morning, you will be transferred to a hotel where you will check in. After having breakfast, you will be taken out for a city tour covering Fort, bazzars & the old mansions known as "havelis". People of Jaisalmer still live in these havelis which has exquisite carvings and filigreed work. Afternoon, drive outside the city to see Amar Sagar Lake and to Sunset Point for a superb view of the city. You will be escorted back to the hotel to retire for the night.

Jaisalmer Fort

Jodhpur to Jaipur
In the morning after having breakfast, you will check out of the hotel. You will be dropped to the railway station for train journey to Jaipur. You will reach Jaipur by evening, to check in to a hotel and retire for the night.

In Jaipur
In the morning after having breakfast, you will be taken for a visit to the Amber Fort, which was the ancient capital of the State. You can ascend Sheesh Mahal or the Hall of Victory glittering with mirrors on an Elephant back. The afternoon city tour coves Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Royal Observatory and Bazaar. You will resort back to the hotel for staying in the night.

Amber Fort.

Sheesh Mahal.

Hawa Mahal

Royal Observatory

Jaipur to Agra
After having breakfast in the morning, chill out in your room. Later on, you will check out of the hotel and will be transferred to railway station to board a train to Agra. You will reach Agra late in the evening. You will check in to a hotel for an overnight stay in Agra.

Agra to Delhi
After having breakfast, you will be taken for half Day city tour covering Taj Mahal, Red fort of Agra, Itmad-ud-Daula's Tomb. You will check out in time to be transferred to railway-station for an overnight comfortable train journey to the national capital - Delhi. After arriving in Delhi, you will be escorted to a hotel where you will check in for an overnight stay.

The Symbol of LOVE

The Historical Red Fort.

Itmad-ud-Daula's Tomb

In Delhi and back to destination.
After having breakfast in the morning, you will be taken to city tour of New Delhi and Old Delhi, covering Birla Temple, India gate, Parliament area, Government buildings, Humayun's Tomb, Qutab Minar, Gandhi memorial, Jama Masjid. You will reach hotel to check out, after having dinner. You would be dropped at the railway station for further journey.

India Gate

Birla Temple.

Indian Parliament House.

Humayun's Tomb.

Qutub Minar.

The Great Gandhi Memorial.

Jama Masjid

Have a Nice Trip.....

Char Minar

2012-05-15T09:02:00.003+03:00

The Charminar in Hyderabad was constructed in 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutab Shah. He built the Charminar to mark the end of plague in the Hyderabad city. Since the construction of the Charminar, the Hyderabad city has almost become synonymous with the monument. The Charminar is a massive and impressive structure with four minarets. In the evening, with illumination, the great Charminar looks even greater. With the passage of time the Charminar occupied so much importance that it became the heart of all bustling activities. It is in the bustling bazaars around the Charminar that you find the traditional nahari stalls and kulchas of Hyderabad. Hyderabad is one of those few cities, which have a fine blend of modernity and tradition.

The Charminar has four imposing arches, which face the four main directions. A row of small vaulted niches ornament each of the four arches. The Char Minar is a two-storied building with the first floor being covered. The balconies on this floor provide a great view of the surrounding areas. A small mosque adorns the top floor of the Charminar. This mosque is situated on the western side of the Charminar facing Mecca, the holy city of the Muslims. This mosque is said to be the oldest surviving mosque in Hyderabad city. Charminar, the hub of Hyderabad city, has four wide roads going in each direction. The Charminar is square in shape, each side measuring 100 feet, with a central pointed high arch at the center.

The four minarets of the Charminar dominate the landscape of the region. The minarets, their domed finials rising from their lotus-leaves cushion, rise to 180 feet from the ground. The whole structure contains various small and ornamental arches arranged in vertical and horizontal fashion. The cornice on the first floor upholds a series of six arches and capitals on each portico, rising to the double-story gallery of the minarets. The projected canopy, decorative brackets and decoration in stucco plaster add graceful elegance to the Charminar. On the upper courtyard, a screen of arches topped by a row of square jalis or water screens provides a delicate charm to the muscular look of the Charminar.

Structure

The structure is made of granite, limestone, mortar and pulverised marble. Initially the monument with its four arches was so proportionately planned that when the fort was opened one could catch a glimpse of the bustling Hyderabad city as these Charminar arches were facing the most active royal ancestral streets. There is also a legend of an underground tunnel connecting the Golkonda to Charminar, possibly intended as an escape route for the Qutb Shahi rulers in case of a siege, though the location of the tunnel is unknown.
The Charminar is a square edifice with each side 20 meters (approximately 66 feet) long, with four grand arches each facing a cardinal point that open into four streets. At each corner stands an exquisitely shaped minaret, 56 meters (approximately 184 feet) high with a double balcony. Each minaret is crowned by a bulbous dome with dainty petal like designs at the base.
A beautiful mosque is located at the western end of the open roof and the remaining part of the roof served as a court during the Qutb Shahi times.
There are 149 winding steps to reach the upper floor. Once atop, the solitude and serenity of the beautiful interior is refreshing. The space in the upper floor between the minarets was meant for Friday prayers. There are forty-five prayer spaces.
Charminar has the signature style of Islamic architecture^.This great tribute to aesthetics looks sturdy and solid from a distance and, as one moves closer, it emerges as an elegant and romantic edifice proclaiming its architectural eminence in all its detail and dignity. Charminar looks equally spectacular at night when it is illuminated. Apart from being the core of the city’s cultural milieu, it has become a brand name.

Positive Thinking and Your Creative Mind

2012-05-13T19:46:00.001+03:00

You have a bright idea hidden somewhere in the back of your mind that you just can't wait to test out. The question is, do you really want to bring it out into the light? What could motivate you to churn your creative, inspiring juices to their utmost flavor?

Did you know that it always helps to set a time limit to your personal goals? Set yourself up so you can accomplish the most tasks in record time. For example, mowing the lawn in an hour before the big game on TV. A correct and positive attitude in whatever you do will make things easier, and even enjoyable.

It's simple. If you begin to allow yourself a bit of positive thinking then you will begin to realize things that you never thought possible. Thinking big is indeed the American Way and that what made our country prosperous. You can follow other great Americans who tapped into their creative mind and began to thing big..

Discover some tips to make it through your first week of possibility thinking even if you're just sitting in your favorite couch. Your mind is constantly at work for you. Tap into it's great resource while doing everyday activities.

1. Act. You must take passionate action towards living your life by design. Talk is cheap. Action = deposits in the bank of a passionately authentic future. My mother (probably quoting someone else) always said, "Action speaks louder than words". Without action, passion is void.

Dreams become reality when you simply start by tinkering with your mind, then with your hands. And if the idea weakens or falters you can always go back to it later until you finish it. Thomas Edison and his Dream Team had to go back to the idea of a light bulb and recalculate it over 1,000 times before the first working light bulb begin to light the world.

2. Love. Commit to yourself. Then commit to those you love to powerfully create a life you can love. Instead of reacting, commit to creating from your heart and soul, out of love rather than fear. The American Dream will always be there, but a dream will still be a dream without motion. Be amazed as the transformation begins.

3. Live. Embrace moments and opportunities. Recognize and embrace the thought that each moment is perfect regardless of its outcome. Every time you hit on something that may appear too extreme why not give it a shot anyway. See if it will work. You may be surprised with the results. If you are not then decide to use that moment to learn from it and make the appropriate shift. Learning and growing from mistakes and failures is a part of living.

4. Be grateful. Dwell completely in a place of gratitude. Learn to utilize what you have in your hands and make use of it in the most constructive way. Necessity is the mother of invention. Have you ever been stuck without something you needed and had to make do with something else? (MacGyver,from the famous tv show, was famous for that!) How grateful were you that you had the means to solve your situation? Slipping into neediness will become less of a habit when you repeatedly shift towards gratitude and away from poverty consciousness.

5. Be Passionate. Use a Passion Formula of Recognize/Reevaluate/Restore in place of the Shoulda/Woulda/Coulda whirlwind. The former is based on increased knowledge and abundance while the latter focuses on scarcity and lack. As you face people or tasks that may seem harder than scaling the summit of the Himalayas, allow yourself to realize that the task is just as important as giving out orders to your subordinates. You would rather be richly passionate!

6. Laugh. Keep humor at the forefront of thought, laughing at and with yourself whenever possible. You may find yourself quite entertaining when you loosen up! I have yet to see a comedian ever go hungry even though his jokes are as 'old as great-grandma'. Life has too much to offer to allow yourself to mope around in self pity. Humor is very attractive, very passionate: life-giving.

7. Discover Your Purpose. Believe that you are the architect of your destiny. Realizing how you wish to be remembered when you pass from this life is a truly driving force. Your purpose for being can be a seemingly simple as being a great parent to as elaborate as discovering miraculous cures.

When you have a strong purpose no one can take your passionate future from you except for you! Truly, as long as there's still breath in your body, there is no end to how much you can accomplish in a lifetime. Discovering and following your purpose will enable you to enjoy your work. Celebrate in the discovery that acting on your creative mind's thoughts is fulfilling your purpose. Watch everything flow into place with perfect, passionate precision.

Activate your positive thinking. Stretch your imagination. Think bigger than you feel comfortable. Act on your thoughts. The number one tip here is action. You want to start practicing these steps.

Think about this: It is unfortunate that so many people still do not use a computer because it appears too complicated to begin using. Or maybe they just keep putting it off till a more convenient time. These are just a couple of limitations one can set up for themselves. Limitations and failure to act on ideas and opportunities leave many as a dim bulb in a dark corner.

Alert! You are not doomed to darkness. You are interested in living a life of purpose and love. The wonderful, creative idea in you is about to be released. You are interested in doing this because you are reading this article. Fortunately if you truly desire something, the will to attain it will open your creative mind to find a way.

Now you need only to begin to act on your desire to create. Act now! Make your path to creativity and follow your purpose. Take your first step today with a positive attitude.

2012-05-13T07:51:00.002+03:00

Every Successful Person Has A Painful Story.
Every Painful Story Has A Successful
Ending. Accept The Pain And Get Ready Success
Good Morning!!!

Manly Attitude

2012-05-10T07:44:00.001+03:00

"Who Dares Wins". If you've got the brains, the guts and the tenacity, then chances are, success is yours.

"Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."

2012-05-09T07:54:00.001+03:00

You can find ways to live your values, if you know what your values are.
There are opportunities every day to spend more time in our values,
but we first need to identify what our core values really are.....

Creativity

2012-05-08T13:17:00.001+03:00

Creativity what is it? It is to bring down your Imagination in reality. Creativity is a quality that we all have buried inside of us, one way or the other. It involves the invention of something new or the re-invention of something already existing to make it useful of interesting.

Some people's creative abilities are closer to the surface and one can easily see the manifestations of them. People say that their creativity is "inborn". For others, expressing creativity takes more time and cultivation. The important thing to note is that we can all be creative. You just have to take steps to extract it from within you. The biggest truth is every person on the earth is creative the only thing is he should be capable to bring out his Creativity.
Try the following:

1. Change the way you think.

You might have heard the phrase 'Think outside the box'. You should try looking at the situation from a different point of view. Change your perspective. Consider all factors that are affected by your problem or your concern. Try to breakdown the problem into several elements then shuffle them. Think of what would happen if an idea is replaced. This aspect is important in enhancing creativity because it helps you remove possible fixations that may hinder creativity. It’s a game of Possibilities.

2. Imagination compared to current situation.

Imagine how another person would react if subjected in the same situation. Picture how different situations would continue when dealing with the same problem. Application in different settings can be also be done; and then from there, adapt a solution to the current setting.

3. Let your imagination run wild.

Exercise your imagination. Modification can trigger creativity because you see things in a different light. You can also try to exaggerate or think of the extremes, be it magnification or minimization of something. Thinking of the possible differences between these two situations could produce ideas. This is the ultimate brain exercise.

4. Your comfort spot.

The environment has to be right. You should have somewhere you can focus without being unnecessarily disturbed so you can give a problem your full attention. This should extend to the people you are with. You tend to do better at something when you are with like-minded people. To put it simply, hang out with creative people to help enhance your creative abilities. Most of the time, people tend to be more creative when they are with people who are doing the same thing. It was also found that if you wish to be more creative, you should try hanging out with creative people.

5. Time, time, time.

You can't rush creativity. Hurrying does not help in the outflow of ideas. Your mind tends to go into a state of slight disarray when you are trying to force things. Studies show that results produced in this state are generally lacking. If you are low on time, then keep a list of activities like this one close to you. Go over each of the activities and exercise each one. Give it time.

6. Get help…communicate your ideas to others.

A different view of the problem could help. Better yet, many different views! Never be shy to ask. Diversity is very helpful in relation with creativity. Organize a brainstorming session. The spontaneous generation of new ideas helps in formulation of more ideas. The products of brainstorming can be the raw material in the construction of the idea.

These are just some ideas to get your creative juices going. They can be adapted to suit each individual. A large amount of it is down to you. How inventive can you be? How open are you? Remove the boundaries from your mind, don’t think of what others will say / think and you will find your creativity will increase.

Gateway of India

2012-05-08T08:45:00.001+03:00

One of the grand and magnificent landmarks of Mumbai, the Gateway of India was built to commemorate the visit of the British Monarch, King George V and Queen Mary. The Gateway of India is one of the hot spots of Mumbai city. The Gateway of India is a massive archway on the Apollo Bunder. For most of the tourists and travelers, the Gateway of India is the starting point to explore the Mumbai city. The Gateway of India was designed by the architect George Wittet. The first stone of the Gateway of India was laid on March 31st 1913. The foundations were completed in 1920 and the Gateway of India was formally opened in 1924 by the then Viceroy, Earl of Reading.

Built in the Indo-Saracenic style, the Gateway of India is a 26m high structure with four turrets and complicated lattice work engraved into the yellow Kharodi basalt stone. The central dome of the Gateway of India is 48 feet in diameter. It is interesting to note that the whole harbor front was realigned in order to come in line with a planned walkway, sweeping down to the centre of the town. The Gateway of India is a major sightseeing hangout in Mumbai. At the back of the Gateway arch, steps lead down to the sea front. From here one can enjoy cruise through Mumbai's fabulous natural harbor. The nearby statues of Shivaji and Swami Vivekananda add charm to the massive structure, the Gateway of India.

Design and structure

The architect combined the elements of the Roman triumphal arch and the 16th century architecture of Gujarat. Its design is a combination of both Hindu and Muslim architectural styles, the arch is in Muslim style while the decorations are in Hindu style. The gateway is built from yellow basalt and reinforced concrete. The stone was locally obtained, and the perforated screens were brought from Gwalior. The gateway faces out to Mumbai Harbour from the tip of Apollo Bunder.

The central dome is 48 feet (15 metres) in diameter and 83 feet (25 metres) above the ground at its highest point.[20] The whole harbour front was realigned in order to come in line with a planned esplanade which would sweep down to the centre of the town. On each side of the arch, there are large halls that can hold six hundred people. The cost of the construction was21 lakhs (2,100,000), borne mainly by the Government of India. For lack of funds, the approach road was never built, and so the gateway stands at an angle to the road leading up to it. Gammon India carried out the construction of India's first pre-cast reinforced concrete job for the foundation of the Gateway of India.

2012-05-08T08:27:00.001+03:00

Take nothing but pictures.
Leave nothing but footprints.
Kill nothing but time.....

Satyameva Jayate

2012-05-07T08:24:00.000+03:00

Well after a long wait finally the Perfectionist arrived on Star TV. The debut episode of Satyameva Jayate depicted not just the stark reality of female infanticide in a hard-hitting, yet, without hitting too hard, non-preachy way, but also showed up Aamir in a new role, that of a competent anchor, which he played to perfection. Deserves to be the Perfectionist.

Towards the issue of girl child having lost their lives in India, since Independence, before being born, it’s not as if the issue hasn't been touched upon in umpteen TV documentaries, programmes and even serials. The difference was in the presentation and the content. This time the issue has been embossed on the mind n heart of the society. Every Indian should spare a few minutes and think about it….

The two TV journalists Meena Sharma and Shripal Shaktawat, hats off to them as the two had undertaken a sting operation in Rajasthan to expose the unhealthy nexus between doctors and offenders, seven years ago. Seven years on, the indicted doctors continue to practice, while the journalist-duo appear in court cases. This is a real shame for our Judiciary system…..the culprits are enjoying their life and two poor journalists are forced to attend the hearings of court.

With a promise to be pro-active, Satyameva Jayate had Aamir Khan inviting viewers to participate in an open letter which he would address to the CM of Rajasthan to initiate a fast track court and dispel justice soon.

We should not just speak out of this episode for a while and forget it in our busy life, we all should realize our responsibility and do the needful to eradicate this issue from the society. Not only in India but should be round the globe, then n then only we can proudly say Satyameva Jayate !!!!!!!!!!

Moreover wishing a very Good Luck to Mr. Aamir Khan and his team.

Good Morning

2012-05-07T07:29:00.001+03:00

Good Morning

The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny.

Have Nice Day ahead.....

Romantic Mahableshwar

2012-05-06T22:18:00.001+03:00

Mahableshwar is a Romantic place best suited for Honeymoon’s n family outings. It’s one of the most beautiful place on earth, with many holiday resorts in and around it.

Mahabaleshwar is also known for the honey and strawberries produced here. One can visit strawberry farms to enjoy the real flavor of the fruit. It is said that the weather of Mahabaleshwar is best for Strawberries and Mulberries.

The highest hill station in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, Mahabaleshwar is situated at 1372 meters around Lake Venna, It was summer capital of Governor of the old Bombay Presidency.Covering 10 sq km. There are 30 valley viewpoints with panoramic vistas scattered around the hill station and their access roads make for shady, pleasant walks and treks. The area has strong historical connections with Shivaji, the heroic Maratha warrior king. The Britishers built various mansions, cottages and bungalows around the town, lending it a charming, sophistication.

The evenings here in this beautiful place are very romantic with couples walking hand in hand on the mall road doing street shopping buying gifts…..and at the end of the Mall road having the yummy icecream scoupssssss.....

The views are really Mind blowing and creates a passion for Photography.

The Natural sculpture of the huge Dinosaur

The Dam on the River...

You need to give Peanuts to this lovely creatures to go ahead..if not then don't dare to go ahead

The Needle hole point.

The Venna lake is one of the best tourist attractions of Mahabaleshwar. The lake is surrounded by trees. Boating are on the Venna lake in Mahabaleshwar. There are also many attraction points like Kate's Point, Pratapgarh Fort, Panchagani, Rajpuri Caves, Elephant's Head Point, Connaught Peak etc.

Panchgani: Tucked away in Satara district, just 19 kms east of Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani is also amongst the most frequented hill resorts. The name is derived from the fact that it is located at the centre of five hills ("Panch" = five, "Gani" = hills). The place is well known for trekking and other adventure activities. Climb atop 'Table Land', a famous flat-mountain top, from where you can have a look at the vast plain below. The berry farms here are another tourist attraction. Also it has good education institutes.

The road through mountains.......

Beautiful Garden

Pratapgraph Fort
This is 24 Kms, away from Mahabaleshwar. The fort was built in 166 by Moropant trimbak Pingle under the command of the Maratha rular Shivaji. It was here that the mighty General of Bijapur, Afjal Khan, was killed by Shivaji. The fort has a great view.

Jama Masjid

2012-05-06T08:16:00.002+03:00

Jama Masjid of Delhi is the largest mosque in India. The Jama Masjid stands across the road in front of the Red Fort. Built between 1644 and 1658, Jama Masjid is one of the last architectural works of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The spacious courtyard of the Jama Masjid holds thousands of faithful. Jama Masjid is located on a mound in the heart of the old city and projects beautifully into the Old-Delhi skyline. Jama Masjid Mosque was built in red sandstone and marble by more than 5000 artisans. Originally called the Masjid-i-Jahan-Numa, or "mosque commanding view of the world", the Jama Masjid stands at the center of the erstwhile capital city of the Mughals, Shahjahanbad.

The Jama Masjid was completed under the supervision of Saadullah Khan, the Prime Minister of Shah Jahan. A sum of Rs 10 lakhs was spent on the construction of the Jama Masjid. The Jama Masjid is built on a red sandstone porch, about 30 feet (10 m) from the level of the ground and is about 1400 square yards (1200 m²) in extent. The Jama Masjid has three gateways, four towers and two minarets. The gateways in the north and south are led by a fleet of steps. The main entrance is on the eastern side facing the red fort. It was probably used by the emperors. The tower of the Jama Masjid is made up of five distinctive storeys. Each one of the storeys has a projecting balcony. The adjoining edifices are beautifully done with calligraphy.

The first three storeys of the Jama Masjid tower are made of red sandstone and the fourth one is made of marble, while the fifth is made of sandstone. The Jama Masjid is covered with intricate carvings and has verses inscribed from the holy Koran. The grand Red fort (Lal Qila) stands on the eastern side of the Jama Masjid. The main prayer hall of the Jama Masjid is made up of high cusped arches and marble domes. The cabinet in the north gate of the Jama Masjid contains a collection of Muhammad's relics - the Koran written on deerskin, a red beard-hair of the prophet, his sandals and his footprints, implanted in a marble block.

Refreshing Goa.

2012-05-06T08:09:00.001+03:00

A trip to Goa can refresh and revitalize your soul. Goa is the beach capital of India and boasts of some of the best beaches in the world. A holiday out there means getting face-to-face with natural landscape, beguiling waterfalls, refulgent lakes and age-old cathedrals. Even the buoyant culture of Goa has something infectious about it.

Goa beaches: A trip to Goa has got a lot to do with exploring the array of beaches that this wonderful state has to offer in exuberance. Under Goa tour packages you can pay visit to these virgin beaches and enjoy the picturesque beauty and also dig into some beach sports like parasailing, surfing, boating, snorkeling, etc. Some of the popular beaches of Goa are the Aromboli beach, Calungute beach, Baga beach, Anjuna beach, Palolem beach etc etc... the list is verrrry big...

Goa’s culture is extremely frothy. It fervently celebrates annual carnivals and festivals which call for some serious revelry. The food of Goa is also deliciously palatable while the sightseeing opportunities are hard to miss.

Where to stay: There are good, modest and luxurious Goa hotels of a very wide range for you to select. You can also take accommodation in a lodge or guest house or stay as paying guest with a local family. It will, however, be wise to take Goa tour packages to avoid hassles or delays in fixture.

Baga Beach....

Anjuna Beach...

Aramboli Beach....

Calungute Beach...

Palolem Beach...

Have A Nice Day !

2012-05-06T07:51:00.000+03:00

Life is one thing that every creature on the planet has in common, but the meaning and understanding of life varies widely from person to person.

Good Morning 03 May 2012

2012-05-03T08:35:00.005+03:00

Life is a song - sing it.
Life is a game - play it.
Life is a challenge - meet it.
Life is a dream - realize it.
Life is a sacrifice - offer it.
Life is love - enjoy it.

Have a Nice Day

Lovely Ratnagiri

2012-05-02T14:08:00.001+03:00

In the town of Ratnagiri Birth Place of Lokmanya Tilak
One remembers the slogan given by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak that "Self rule is my birth right and I will achieve it." The challenge given to British Government by Rashtrapurush, the owner editor of Kesari (Newspaper) Lokmanya Tilak was born on 26th July 1856 in the house rented by Smt. Indirabai Gore, in the Tilak Lane His father was a teacher. This house is declared and maintained as a national monument. Where a full size statue has been erected. Lokmanya stayed in this house till 1866.

Ratnagiri district offers the most diverse attractions for the tourists. The district is endowed with many tourist assets. The rising hills of Sahyadri on east and the depths of Arabian sea on the west contribute to the unparallel beauty of Ratnagiri. Ratnagiri is blessed with hills, sea shores, creeks, beautiful rivers, hot water springs, forests and water falls among many others.

Several Places to Visit :

Places of worship : Ganapatipule, Velneshwar, Marleshwar, Hedvi, Hatis, Parshuram [Chiplun], Rajapur
Caves: Panhalekazi, Sangameshwar
Palace: Thibaw Palace [Ratnagiri]
Sea Shores: Kelshi, Murud, Guhaghar, Palshet, Ganpatipule, Velneshwar
Beaches: Mandovi [Gateway of Ratnagiri], Bhatye, Guhagar, Anjarla, Ganapatipule
Birth Places of eminent personalities: Ratnagiri, Malgund, Dapoli, Palgad
Forts: Bankot, Mandangad, Ambolgad, Jaigad, Ratnadurg, Mahipatgad
Sea Forts: Ratnadurg, Harne, Purnagad, Jaigad
Bird Sanctuaries: Vanadi valley, Anaskura Ghat
Exotic forests: Pat Panhale, Bavnadi valley
Timeless Landscapes: Goval, Hatlot Ghat, Tivare Ghat, Amba
Hill and Hill Ranges: Sahyadrian Ranges
Rivers: Jagbudi, Vashisti, Kasavi
Irrigation Projects: Natuwadi, Nandivali, Kolkewadi
Water Falls: Parshuram, Prachitgad, Marleshwar
Hot water Spring : Unhavare, Aravali, Tural, Rajapur

Thiba Palace
Thiba was a king of Burma (Now Manmyar). He was not willing for kingship, but he had to, as all his brothers got killed in the revolt, that took place in Burma. I desired to put on saffron colour clothes, preach and propagate, Buddhism. At the age of nineteen, he got married to his sister and ascended the throne.

On 17th April 1886 he was dethroned by British and kept him at a far off place Ratnagiri in isolated confinement. The king collected the wealth and jewllery as much as possible, and had to come to Ratnagiri, in state confinement. He was learned and an authority on language Pali. For him the British got built in 1910-11 a palace on the area with 25803 sq meter. The palace was 60m. by 43 m. in area. The construction was of Laterite Stone with a roof covered with Manglore tiles. The King Thiba used to celebrate the festival of lights (Deepavali) with pomp and grandeur. The candle lights brightened the Palace. Only invited could attend this function.

On 15th December 1919 Thiba died. British took over the custody of the Palace and since 1926 it became the residence of District Collector till 1961. Afterward government polytechnic was housed in this palace. Presently there are hostel buildings, and the palace is taken over by Archeological department.

This place is known as Thiba point, is at a considerable height from Sea level from where the small Rajiwada port can be seen. This place is famous for tourist to observe the beauty of Sunset. Near by, All India Radio Station Building and the Residence of District Collector is situated. The place is accessible by all types of conveyances.

Ganpatipule:

Sparkling blue waters, endless stretches of golden or silver sand, sun beams dancing through the swaying palms, waves playing with the sand dunes, a cool breeze whispering sweet nothings in your ear. This is the land of Ganpatipule, one of Maharashtra's almost virgin beaches.

The beach here is still natural and pristine as ever. And travelling by road is an experience by itself. The vast 'Konkan stretch abounds with scenic greenery There are narrow mud-roads, the earth is red and the roofed houses with clean courtyards add a quaint touch to the panorama. The local vegetation includes fruit-bearing trees like mango, betelnut, banana, jackfruit, coconut etc.

The entire western coast is covered with these trees. The locals are as warm and cheerful as their surroundings. Ever ready to chat with the visitors and make them feel at home.

Fort Jaigad
Jaigad, a port on Konkon coastline is famous as a natural and safe port. It is situated on the mouth of river Shastri. The fort Jaigad is magnificent. The lighthouse and the jaigad creek is spectacular. Inside the walls of the fort on the right is a monument of Jaiba Mahar. The story about Jaiba is splendid. When the construction of the fort was in progress, the arch over the main gate collapsed for number of times. The remedy suggested was Narbali (sacrifice of a human being). This Jaiba Mahar was ready to be the victim, on the condition that the fort be named after him, so it is Jaigad. The king of vijapur built this fort having twenty outwardly curved construction (Buruj). The fort was in the custody of Kanhoji Angre commender in chief of Chattrapati Shivaji's naval armada. In 1818 English army took over the fort. Near the main gate of the fort, Ganesh temple is there. The fort is Situated 35 to 40 km from Ratnagiri town. The temple of Mahamai Sonsakhli, the village deity is situated in the dense forest near village Tavsal.

In nature, Everything is Perfect

2012-05-02T11:21:00.000+03:00

In nature, everything is perfect. We cannot point out the missing or crooked lines...