TrAvElOzInE

How to travel on budget?????

2011-06-06T08:07:00.000-07:00

It’s always easy to travel luxuriously but bet me travelling like a nomad or on budget is also very enjoyable and adventurous too. Believe me!!! Those who travel on budget always have different experience from what you have. They get to know the bloodline of the place they visit. Well, most of us prefer to travel on budget when we really don’t have enough money to spend luxuriously. If you are one of them; this article on how to travel on budget will surely help you out in enjoying your dream destination in much better way without paying extra single penny.

Get to know about the best feasible means of transportation for your dream destination. Try to opt for public transport rather than private one. They are always cheaper than private cabs and all but yeah remember it would surely be like public transport where you have to adjust. Now-a-days surfing on internet is the best way to get information about each and every feasible transport.
Get the best deals for your accommodation through some travelling agent, directly from the hotel staff or internet. Internet has made life easier so you can search & get information about all the budget hotels in the place that you want to visit.
Staying with your friend or relative is one of the best options to save your money on accommodation but be a good guest & don’t stay longer; Guests and fish stink after 3 days. Try to help your friend or relative in their day to day work, keep their house clean and behave yourself.
With the help of internet you can have ample amount of information about the place; this information will help you in travelling the city more comfortably. Don’t forget to keep map of the place you are visiting it will make your travel easier & help you out in searching the spot you wanted to visit hence save your money.
If possible avoid eating here and there rather take certain meals it will keep you strong and healthy during your trip; no extra expenditure on medicine & all. You can also bring noodles and soup packets with yourself and enjoy self made food anywhere anytime in this way you save time and money too as you don’t have to search budget hotels and restaurants for your empty stomach.
Contact tourist information center of the place you are visiting to obtain information about how you enjoy your stay without spending too much. You can also fix a tour package if feasible to minimize other expenditure which you will spend while searching various tourist spots on your own.
When you are booking your room in advance, book it for one night only so that, you can rest there when you arrive to that place but can search for some other cheap hotel next day and save your money.
If you really want to cut your cost on travelling make sure to travel that place in off season when most

Now you know what all you need for budget travelling; so neither you have to bother about money while travelling or cancel your trip just because of money. Moreover, travelling in budget will be fun when everything is planned. So, just plan and start dreaming about your dream destination!!!

Dausa - The Devnagri of Rajasthan

2011-05-08T01:39:00.000-07:00

The city of Dausa which is widely known as Dundhar is situated in the north-eastern region of Rajasthan. The city is also known as Devnagri and famous for Mehandipur Balaji Temple. The Chouhans & bad gurjars ruled it in 10th Century A.D. Dausa is a great name in the independent movement as it has given well-known freedom fighters to the nation. Late Shri Tikaram Paliwal & Late Shri Ram Karan Joshi were from Dausa who gave their precious contribution for struggle for freedom and for union of the Princely States to form Rajasthan State.

Language –

People of this religious district, basically speak Rajasthani & Hindi. Dhundhari dialect in Rajasthani language is used more frequently as compared to other languages by people of Dausa.

Location –

Dausa is in the north-eastern region of Rajasthan at about 55 Kms faraway from Jaipur on NH-11. The district is bounded with Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Tonk, Karouli, Bharatpur & Alwar.

Transportation facility –

The district is well connected by Roadways & Rail route. The important trains have stoppage at Bandikui Junction. The city is 55 Kms from Jaipur on NH-11 and well connected with Agra, Delhi and other surrounding districts by roadways buses.

People & culture –

Dausa residents are really friendly and good to be with. It is possible that on your first look, you will find them a little insensitive, but these people are really good at heart. Untouched by the speed of modern times, these people are well-built, simple and lovely. The traditional apparel of women is Ghaghra choli and for men, Kurta and dhoti would do. The city still dresses themselves in typical colorful Rajsthani dress with lots of silver jewelry. However, in the modern times, most of the people prefer to wear casual clothes to match the modern-day fashion. Colorful festivals and fairs represent the cultural prosperity of city. The temples & other historical monuments swank about the rich heritage of this city. There are basically Jats and Gujars in the district The major communities in the city are Brahmins, Mahajans, Rajputs, Jains, Kayasthas, Sikhs, SC & ST. Besides these, Religions which are mainly followed by people are Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam and Christianity.

Fest & festivals –

Basant Mela

Basant Panchmi Mela is organized at city with the worship of Narshingji, Raghunathji and god Surya. The festival is celebrated for 3 days with a large market for villagers to buy there vital necessities for the entire year. The Basant fair has all arrangements for rural entertainment.

Dolchi Holi

The young males of Gurjar caste celebrate the traditional Holi with a difference. On the next day of Dhulandi, young men throw jet of water on each other using a small leather pot from the 4 neighboring ponds prepared for this purpose which goes on for one hour and they face it with brevity and enthusiasm.

Shekh Jamal's urs

There is a holy place of Sufi Saint Hazaratshah Shekh Jamal in Dausa.During the Urs numbers of pilgrims visit to this place every year. Most of the famous singers make this Urs more attractive by singing spiritual songs all over the night.

Tourist attraction of Dausa–

Abhaneri

Abhaneri is well-known for its Post-gupta or an early medieval monument which is situated at about 33 Kms far from the district head quarter towards Bandikui. The Chand Baori and Harshat Mata Temple are the important places to visit. The Harsha mata temple is an outstanding example of intricate statue on stone on the other hand the Baori has staircase with imaginative and architectural beauty.

Bhandarej Baori

Bhandarej Baori, another Step Well and Hotel Bhadravati Palace is another tourist attraction of Dausa distict. The Baori is a wonderful architectural creation which has 150 wide stepladder towards the main well, about 70 feet in width. The Bhardravati Palace is an interesting fusion of both Mughal and Rajput architecture which has arched windows, courtyards & traditionally painted verandahs.

Khawaraoji

Khawaraoji is famous for abode of the ruler Raoji and its natural beauty. The place is situated at about 25 Kms from the district headquarter. The place is surrounded by hills from three sides, and Amol Ghati nearby with natural beauty which has worth to visit by tourists. The fort of Khawaraoji is rehabilitated into the Khawaraoji Heritage Hotel.

Jhajhirampura

Jhajhirampur is situated at approximately 45 Kms faraway from district headquarter towards Baswa. The place is famous for its natural water tank and temples of Rudra the incarnation of Shiv, Balaji the embodiment of lord Hanuman and other god and goddess.

Mehndipur Balaji Temple of Bajrang Bali

Temple of Bajrang Bali i.e. Hanumanji is famous for treatment of psychologically disturbed people by the evil spirits. Large number of visitor’s and volume of donations received by the shrine shows the value of this place.

Neelkanth & Panch Mahadev temple

Dausa is also recognized as Devnagri due to large numbers of temples. In the temples of Dausa Sahajnath, Gupteshwar, Somnath & Neelkanth, the five images of God Shive (Mahadev) are situated. The shrine of Neelkanth is situated on the plateau which is nearby hill & shows the ancient glory and spiritual presence. The rope-way also attracts large number of the tourists to benefit from the faith of this religious place.

Gatolav

Gatolav is famous for the birth of Saint Sunderdas who had been moralized by his guru, Sant Dadudayal, the originator of Dadupanthi religion. The place has been enhanced for tourist purpose, mainly for swimming and boating.

Church at Bandikui

About 35 Kms far from Dausa, a Roman fashion Chruch for Protestant was constructed during British Empire in India. This church is beautiful and attractive for tourists.

Accommodation –There are numbers of heritage hotels, Luxury hotels, resorts, Guest houses & budget hotels in Dausa. So accommodation is not a problem in the city of Lakes. The hotels in Dausa are simply the best for holidaying with peace. Scattered with infinite number of tourist’s spot, the vacationers could satisfy their senses by spending some time in their regional & peaceful domains.

The Devnagri of Rajasthan is a favorite tourist destination of tourists who are on the trip of Rajasthan. So don’t waste your time & pack your bag to enjoy the real charm of devnagri.

Udaipur - The city of lakes

2011-05-05T07:27:00.000-07:00

Udaipur is the historic capital of the former kingdom of Mewar in Rajputana Agency. It is renowned as the City Of Lakes or Venice of East. Lake Pichola, Udai Sagar, Fateh Sagar Lake and Swaroop Sagar are considered as most beautiful lakes in the state. The city is a romantic land which had been much loved place of the Rajput & known for its Rajput-era palaces.

Location – Udaipur the adored city of Rajput is located in the mountains of Aravalli Range in the southern part of Rajasthan near the Gujarat border. It lies on the Golden Quadrilateral, midway between Delhi and Mumbai National Highway 8.

Language spoken – Mewari is the primary language, yet Rajasthani, Hindi and English are also spoken by people here.

Transportation facility – Unmetered taxis, city bus, auto rickshaws and tongas are easily available here to enjoy the beauty of the city. Train connectivity is well established between Delhi, Jaipur and Ahmedabad. One can either drive from Jaipur or Surat, or take a Rajasthan Tourism bus from Rajasthan House, India Gate in Delhi. Dabok airport which is also known as Maharana Pratap Airport is 24 kilometers from the city centre which connects the city with Jodhpur, Jaipur, Aurangabad, Mumbai & Delhi.

People & culture – Inhabitants of this city are really sociable and always entertaining to be with. It is possible that when you will first look at them, they may look a little harsh, but they are actually good. Unharmed by the speed of modern world, these people are muscular but simple & lovely. The customary clothing of women is Ghaghara choli and for males, dhoti and kurta. The city is still inhabited by people of Bhil tribe, so you could see people dressed in typical colorful Rajasthani dress with loads of silver jewelry. However, now-a-days, people like to wear casual dresses to go with the contemporary fashion. Colorful festivals and fairs represent the cultural prosperity of Udaipur. The lakes, temples, huge forts and palaces swank about the rich heritage of this city. Jainism is the major religion which is followed by people of Udaipur. Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism & Christianity are also followed by the people in the diminishing order.

Cuisine of adored city of Rajputs comprises most of the vegetarian dishes as there are numbers of Jainism and Vaishnavism followers. Food is usually made from lots of vegetables and lentils which are seasoned with a great variety of spices that are unique to the lands of Rajasthan. Deep-fried breads and extensive use of chili makes the cuisine of Udaipur, a mouth-watering one. Bhavai, Ghoomar, Kachhi Ghodi, Kalbeliya and Terahtaali are the famous dance of Udaipur, as they are in entire Rajasthan. Well, dance of “Dandi Gair” is specially related with Marwar and consequently with Udaipur. Like dance, the melodious music of Sarangi, Naad, Morchang Tanpura and other instruments used to reverberate the courts of Mewar kingdom.

Fest & festivals –

Shilpgram Fair
Shilpgram fair, “Craftsmen's Village” presents the enormous diversities in craft, art & culture between various Indian states, but the exquisite terracotta work along with the wooden carvings are the gift of this ethnic village. Shilpgram comprises of 26 huts, set in 70 acres of natural surroundings at the foot of the Aravali Hills. This colorful craft festival during winter seasons induces liveliness and zeal. Shilpgram is increasing awareness and knowledge of rural life and crafts, particularly, for the young generation as special emphasis is laid on workshops for children on arts, crafts, theatre and music.

Mewar Festival
The Mewar festival is celebrated to welcome the arrival of spring. It is celebrated together with the festival of Gangaur in the city, and has a unique charm about it. Women gather to dress the image of Isar and Gangaur and then carry them in ceremonial procession. The procession takes its way to the Gangaur Ghat at Lake Pichhola. Here, the images are transferred to special boats with singing and festivity. Once the religious part of the festival gets over, cultural events with songs, dances and other programmes gets chance to portray the Rajasthani culture.

Tourist attraction of Udaipur –

City Palace Udaipur

The palace is standing on the eastern bank of Lake Pichola. It is a gigantic palace constructed at different period from 1559. The balconies of the palace offer amazing view of "Jag Niwas", Jag Mandir. Moreover, Suraj Gokhda, Mor-chowk and chini chitrashala makes the visit wonderful. There are plenty of other fortresses like Dilkhush mahal, Moti mahal, Krishna vilas & Sheesh mahal which must be visited. These palaces contain lots of decorative furniture, antique articles, utensils and paintings & draw thousands of guests daily. The previous guesthouses of the Shiv Niwas Palace, city palace & the Fateh Prakash Palace have been rehabilitated into heritage hotels.

Pratap Museum

Pratap Museum is housed with old sculptures and inscriptions. The antique paintings of Mewar, the turban of prince Khurram also called Shah Jahan, who built the world famous Taj Mahal has also been displayed here as a token of friendship of Maharana Khazan Singh.

Maharana Pratap Memorial or Moti Magri

The Moti Magri or Pearl Hill is the memorial of the Rajput hero Maharana Pratap with a bronze statue of the Maharana astride his favorite horse "Chetak".

Sukhadia Circle

Sukhadia Circle is a roundabout in the northern area of Panchwati which was opened in 1970. This centerpiece is a large, three-tiered fountain just over 21 m. high, which was finished into scallop dishes surmounted by a wheat-ear motif that represents prosperity. It honors the reminiscence of Mohan Lal Sukhadia, once the Chief Minister of Rajasthan and an inhabitant of city.

Eklingji temple

Eklingji temple is dedicated to Eklingji (a form of Lord Shiva) who is the guardian deity of Mewar. In the main temple there is a four-faced black marble idol of Shiva. In the idol of Eklingji the one who is facing west represents Brahma, north facing is Vishnu, south facing is Maheshwar and east facing is Surya (Sun).

Jagdish Temple

Jagdish temple is situated in the middle of the city which is a big tourist attraction & a great example of Indo - Aryan architecture. This largest temple in city was built by Maharana Jagat Singh 1^st in 1651 A.D which houses an image of Lord Vishnu in black stone, along with a brass image of Garuda, his carrier.

Bohara Ganesh JI

Bohara Ganesh ji temple with standing statue of Shree Ganesh Ji is situated near old railway station (Thokar) and M L S University which is considered to be very fruitful (Chamatkarik).

Fateh Sagar Lake

Fateh Sagar Lake is situated in the north of Lake Picholas which was originally built by Maharana Jai Singh in the year 1678 AD, but later on reconstructed by Maharana Fateh Singh after much destruction caused by heavy rains.

Lake Pichola

Lake Pichola is a lake with two islands, Jag Niwas and the Jag Mandir, originally built by Maharana Udai Singh II. This lake is 4 km long and 3 km wide & has many ghats. This can be approached throughout boats from the City Palace (Bansi Ghat).

Bagore-ki-Haveli

Bagore ki Haveli is an old building built right on the harbor of Lake Pichola at Gangori Ghat which was constructed by Amir Chand Badwa, the Prime Minister of Mewar in the 18^th century. The palace has over a hundred rooms, with displays of costumes, modern art, magnificent glass works. After the death of Badwa the building became the property of Mewar State which was later on occupied by Maharana Shakti Singh of Bagore, who built the palace of the three arches in 1878, and it acquired its name of Bagore-ki-haveli, the house of Bagore.

Neemach Mata Temple, Saheliyon-ki-Bari, Udaipur Solar Observatory, Gulab Bagh & Zoo, Doodh Talai, Nehru Garden, Ahar Museum are some other tourist spots which attracts numbers of tourists.

Accommodation –There are numbers of heritage hotels, Luxury hotels, resorts, Guest houses & budget hotels in city. So accommodation is not a problem in the city of Lakes. The hotels in city are simply the best for holidaying with peace. Dotted with endless number of vacationer’s hot spots, the tourists could satisfy their senses by spending some time in their peaceful domains.

The city of lake is a favorite tourist destination of tourists who are on the trip of Rajasthan. So don’t waste your time & pack your bag to enjoy the Romantic city of Udaipur.

Alwar - The land of tigers

2011-05-05T05:20:00.000-07:00

Alwar the land of Tigers is also referred to as the gateway to the historic and colorful state of Rajasthan, which is located in the northwestern part of India. However, the city is more than a mere gateway to the rich cultural treasure. It has its own heritage & culture, which goes back to the legends of the Mahabharata. The city had a chequered history and has witnessed many rules and rulers. It offers many sites of royal historical importance.

Location – The district Alwar is situated in the north-east of Rajasthan which located on the old highway between Jaipur and Delhi. It is 150 kms from Jaipur and 170 kms from Delhi & nestled between clusters of small hills of the Aravalli range.

Language spoken – People of Alwar basically speak Rajasthani with a little touch of Hindi & their local dialects. So, Hindi, Rajasthani and English are the languages which

Transportation facility – The transportation facility is superb. Regular bus services link the city with key destinations in Rajasthan and with other major cities of India. Jaipur, which is 143 km away from Alwar, is the nearest airport and there are good connections from prominent locations in and around the State by train.

People & culture – The people of Alwar are just like the people of other parts of Rajasthan simple yet colorful, enthusiastic, honest & brave. The people of city never submitted to alien rule and rebelled most of the time as they had developed a hardy, but carefree attitude to life. The colorful people of celebrate merry occasions with traditional arts, music and dance. Hinduism is the main religion followed by people of Alwar. Another important religion followed by peoples is Islam & Jainism. Most of the festivals which are celebrated by Hindus & other religion in other part of India are celebrated in the city of Rajput with great enthusiasm & fun.

Fair & festivals – This city is famous for the Alwar Festival which is organized between 13-15 February. The Alwar Festival displays the best of folk culture, music, handicrafts and colorful traditions of the region. The three-day festival is organized by the district administration to promote tourism and emphasize on the legacy of rich culture. The `Shilp Gram', handicraft village is organized which emphasizes on the display of the hand-made items and promote the manual skills. The festival mainly focuses on the tourism of this magnificent city and the rural activities of the local people. The city of tigers is mainly known for its pottery and jewelry, so during the festival tourist and visitors purchase pottery and jewelry from the market. The Festival exhibits elephant polo, fancy dress, flower show and sketching competitions for children, rare and antique items of the region, film show on the culture and social customs of Alwar.

Apart from these organized festivals the city celebrate all other religious festival with fun & enthusiasm. Sawan teej, Laldas mela, Sahib ji ka mela, Jagannath ji fair, Bhartrihari & huhar sidh are organized & celebrated with traditional art, music & dance.

Tourist attraction of Alwar – Alwar is an ideal holiday destination for nature & architect lovers. This holiday destination is surrounded by small hills of Aravali range with some of the best variety of animals and birds.

Bala quila/Alwar fort – The huge Alwar fort, sitting high up on a 300m steep cliff, was built before the 16th century. The Hindu scriptures, Puranas, dictate that “fort is the strength of a king”. This fort has huge ornate pols like other Rajasthani Forts. Some of the important pols are the Jai Pol, Suraj Pol, Chand Pol, Laxman Pol, Kishan Pol and andheri Gate. There are other structures like the Nikumbh Mahal, Jal Mahal, Salim Sagar, Suraj Kund and about 15 temples which are important tourist spots. The most exciting aspect of the fort is the fabulous view of the city and the lake studded countryside below.

Vinay vilas- the city palce – Vinay Vilas Palace is a wonderful blend of Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture. The palace complex of Vinay vila is a must-see which is situated just below the fort; the palace complex is a large and imposing one with massive gates. Adjacent to the palace is a beautiful garden, Purjan Vihar (Company Garden). The greenery & lush cool shades make it hard to believe that the park is so close to the Great Indian Desert. The upper storey of Palace is a Museum which is divided into three sections. The museum consist few of Alwar's legendary treasures such as Mughal and Rajput painting dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, objects made from jade, ivory and silver, a pair of ivory slippers and a silver dining table with legs shaped like a lion’s feet, beautiful brass and pottery works from Jaipur, Multan (now near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border), Bengal and Sri Lanka, swords of Sultan Mohammad Gauri and of the Mughal emperors Akbar and Aurangzeb, fine collection of Rajput weapons like shields, swords, pistols, rifles and daggers. Moreover, there are some ancient manuscripts in Persian, Arabic, Urdu and Sanskrit. When you are in this section don't miss the illustrated copy of the Mahabharata painted by the artists of the Alwar School, a 200-feet long scroll which is made from a single length of paper. But the most valued piece is the copy of the Gulistan or Garden of Roses, initially written by Sheikh Saadi, a masterpiece of calligraphy.

Moosi maharani ki chatri – Outside the city palace, there is an impressive Moosi Maharani ki Chhatri built by Vinay Singh in the reminiscence of Maharaja Bakhtawar Singh and his wife Rani Moosi, who committed sati. The interiors of chhatri have several great carvings but most of the frescoes on the ceilings are not visible any more. Moreover, if you're lucky enough you'll get a real visual treat of hundreds of peacocks and other colourful birds flapping around the place. Near the Chhatri's is a huge water kund which was created in 1815 by Vinay Singh and is lined with steps on three sides like a stepwell.

Jai samand lake – Jai Samand lake is also known as Dhebar which is located 52km south east of Udaipur and was built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1685. The lake is one of the largest lakes in Asia covering an area of 36sqkm. There are elegant marble steps on the banks of lake descending to the water and a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are seven islands on this lake and the two bigger islands are known as Babaka Bhagra and a smaller is called Piari. There is Jai samand sanctuary built in 1957 which lies just beside the artificial Jaisamand Lake and has an area of 62sq km. The lake is a home of a wide variety of resident and migratory birds and the cunning crocodiles. The surrounding forest is full of leopard, cheetal, chinkara and wild boar.

Bhangarh – The ruins of Bhangarh presents a picture of the ancient kingdom that once flourished here in 1631 by Madho Singh, Younger brother of the famous Man Singh of Amer. This town of about 10,000 houses was all of a sudden deserted due to the mystery.

Sariska wildlife sanctuary – The Sariska Tiger Reserve is just 40 kms from here and 110 kms from Jaipur. The landscape is dominated by thickly forested hill slopes with vertical cliffs. The terrain is rising and falling with some wide plateau lands separating the valleys. The hills of Sariska are among the best places to view tigers in India. Leopard, Hyena, Somebar, Chansingha, Nilgai, Chinkara, Monkey & Birds are other attractions. This sanctuary was once the personal hunting ground of the Maharajas of city. It became a sanctuary in 1955 and laws later taken it up under Project Tiger in 1979. Sariska wildlife sanctuary is open to visitors throughout the year but the best season to visit sanctuary is during winter months, from November to March.

Accommodation – As all kind of travelers come to visit this city the accommodation here in is also varied. Some of the hotels are deluxe or heritage while others are Budget hotels which are perfect place to enjoy the Rajputana hospitality. The facilities provide by these hotels are superb. The tourist’s just love to stay in these hotels and re- live the past era of valor and courage.

This gateway of Rajasthan, Alwar is undoubtedly a traveler's delight, for the variety it offers to them in being a powerhouse of nature as well as culture. Now pack your bags and enjoy the great tourist attractions of Alwar.

Kullu - The adobe of divine

2011-05-02T04:46:00.000-07:00

So, you have decided to spend your holidays in Kullu and you need little help regarding this divine place. Don't worry you are at right place.

Kullu was once renowned as Kulanthitha - "The end of the habitable world". The valley spreads out its charisma on either side of the upper reaches of the river Beas. The valley is a congregation point of streams of river drifting down from spectacularly large number of valleys such as Ani, Korpan, Lug, Garsa, Banjar, Manikaran etc. These rivers make it rich in water. The visit to Kullu is a refreshing change from the dust of the cities which is enjoyed by every age group. The Beas River stepping up past and the lustrous sight of continuous snow on the Himalayas makes it a perfect tourist spots.

Location – Kullu “the adobe of divine” is a delightful region in the western Himalayas which is 240-km from Shimla. One of the most beautiful valleys of Himachal Pradesh, Kullu is 80 km long and 2 km broad.

Culture & people – Himalayas are full of varied and eclectic hue of cultures and civilizations ruling the snow capped heights. The people of Kullu live simply with no pomp & show. Not all but still in some areas people wear the traditional dress which include chola, dora, suthan, topa, topi, lachoo & chaddar for men & Patto, dhatu, shawl & pulas for gorgeous women. The fairs & festivals are an essential part of the native culture. These vibrant fairs & festivals carry religious & economic significance for the people here. The customs and ceremony practiced in the valley portray the simple lifestyle of the valley. People worship deities who are snake gods, sages and other powerful goddesses & gods who are mentioned in ancient Indian scriptures. The tradition of folk arts is very rich. The vibrant handicrafts, tremendous temple carvings, elegantly build forts & castles, spectacular folk dances and melodious songs give you an idea about the warmth of the people here. The artisans of the valley preserve a rich tradition of handlooms and handicrafts. The traditional brilliant colors in their handlooms, art & clothing probably manifest people's zest for life and creation.

Fest & festivals – The valley is well known for the seven day festival of Kullu Dussehra. However, festivities and celebrations last almost the entire year, with some or other event taking place every month.

The year begins with the Bandhu or Ghost Dance in January which is performed and attended only by men and is meant to ward off evil spirits. The traditional Horn dance is performed by six people dressed as deer, clowns and women in the cold nights of January. The Naggar Ganesh festival in January also marks the victory of good over evil in which a person dresses up as a sheep and is carried around town in a procession.

The Spring Festival is marked by huge celebrations, songs and dances at Kala Kendra in night. Charasay – Tarasay is dance performed in March and April by married women without any music. One of the popular festivals of Kullu-Manali is Basant Panchami, which is celebrated across the several temples. Main attractions of this festival are the enactment of Hanuman which is performed by a person who covers himself in saffron color and put on the conical cap and tail. Sharhi Jatra, another famous fair of valley held for 3 days in May before the ancient Tripura Sundri Temple. Folk dances, sports, stalls selling clothes, cosmetics and sweets and various competitions mark the festival. The Hadimba Devi Fair is organized in the Hadimba Devi Temple Complex which is attended by people from all over the country.

October brings the much awaited Dusshera Festival, celebrated by the entire valley & enjoyed across the country. The festival commences by Goddess Hadimba’s idol being brought to Kullu to visit the royal family. The idol of Lord Raghunathji is also placed next to Goddess Hadimba in a skillfully adorned ceremonial carriage and pulled up to the hill. Moreover, hundreds of gods and goddesses are also placed on colourful palanquins and taken around in a convoy. On the sixth day the gods get together for the Devta Darbar and lively & vibrant celebrations take place. The royal march reaches the Beas River on the ninth day and a heap of thorn bushes are set to fire to represent the burning of Lanka. Finally, the palanquin reaches its original place and this indicates the finale of Dusshera.

Best time to visit – May-October is the best time to visit. However, in the spring it looks most colorful with white flowers & pink blossoms while the higher slopes are shining with gorgeous rhododendrons. By December, there is no greenery in valley except the splendid pines and cedars in the forests. In winter the adventure enthusiasts can plan a trip when the snow offers great skiing options.

Tourist attraction – Snow clad mountains, various temples & adventure sports places make this place heaven for tourists.

Raghunath Temple

The main tourist interest of Kullu is Raghunath Temple which is devoted to Lord Ram, who is believed to be one of the most important gods in the Hindu’s and amongst the residents of valley. The temple was erected in the year 1660 by Raja Jagat Singh, the one-time ruler of valley, basically to amends his sins.

Jagannathi Devi Temple

Jagannathi Devi Temple which is also known as Bekhli temple is situated at a distance of 3 kms. in the village of Bekhli. Although, it is a steep 1½ hour slope leading to the temple but provides incredible sight of Kullu.

Bijli Mahadev Temple

The Bijli Mahadev Temple is devoted to Lord Shiva & located at the 2460 meters height. This shrine is located across the river Beas, at around 10 km distance from district. As the name suggests, Bijli Mahadev Mandir is frequently struck by lightning. The temple offers full & pleasing view of the valley which is worth visiting.

Manikaran (85 Kms)

The holy pilgrimage place of Manikaran lies in the Parvati Valley which is 85 Kms from Manali and 45 km from Kullu. In Manikaran icy cold waters of the Parvati river co-exists with boiling water side-by-side. The hot water spring is well known for its healing properties. Manikaran is a holy place for Hindus and Sikhs as it has a temple and a gurudwara.

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurudwara ( Manikaran 85 Kms)

Manikaran is a sacred place for the Sikhs as Guru Nanak Dev once visited this place, accompanied by his disciple Bhai Mardana. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurudwara is to honor the same visit of the Guru. The ‘Autobiography of Bhai Mardana’ or The Janam Sakhi mentions most of the miracles did by the Guru Nanak Dev at this place.

Sports activities

Kullu is the hub of Himalayas Adventure Sports activities & well known for Heliskiing all over the World. This sport has been arranged near Bhrigu peaks in the Hamta pass and Solang Nala too. River Beas and its thunderous gushes are perfect place for river rafting.

Other places of interest in the area include Malana, Kaish-Dhaar in Lug Valley, Bhekhli and Bajaura house the famous temples of the region and places like Kasol and Gohar.

Language spoken – Basically Pahari, Hindi & English is spoken by the people here. However, the native dialect is 'Kulluvi' which is sub-divided into 3 dialects, which are Outer Seraji, Inner Seraji and Sainji. Pronunciation & usage of certain words of Kulluvi dialect vary from region to region within district.

Transportation facilities – Kullu is well connected by air, rail and road network. There are well furnished private & public buses. State owned buses of Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation are available from Kullu which connects the valley with the nearest cities. The buses are comfortable with ample leg space and luggage rack which makes your travel more convenient.

Accommodation – Hotels here get the advantage of being located in the 'Valley of Gods'. All the hotels used to crowded round the season. Summers witness the visitors from plain areas whereas the snowfall in winters attracts honeymooners and adventure lovers. Kullu hotels offer the panoramic view from the rooms. When you are in the hotels, don’t forget to open the curtains of your room to stay surrounded by thick valleys and watch the spectacular view of the clouds coming inside your room.

This valley is the most delightful region in the western Himalayas and has its own charm for everyone. So, start planning a visit to the “valley of god’s”, Kullu to spend your holidays with nature.

Almora - The Switzerland of India

2011-05-01T00:17:00.000-07:00

Most of you must have booked your ticket for some where or else for this summer vaccation and if not, try to enjoy this summers in Almora. And I am sure you would love to go again and again.

Mesmerizing hill station Almora is a no doubt a perfect mixture of magnificient mountain beauties, early cultural influences, blessed spots, densely wooded forests, old-fashioned cottages, crystal lakes, picturesque valleys, and garrulous rivers which inspires one to call it the 'Switzerland of India'. The town was founded in 1560 AD by King Kalyan of Chand Dynasty. The horse shoe shaped district is located between the river Kosi and Suyal.

Location – Almora is a hill district in the central Kumauni region of Uttarakhand at an altitude of 5900 ft. & surrounded by Pithoragarh from east, Garhwal from west, Bageshwer from north and in the South there is Nainital.

Language – Kumauni & Hindi are the main language spoken by the people. Local people prefer to speak in Kumauni however you can find people speak in Hindi.

Transport facility – Almora is well connected with other major cities of India through Road, Rail & airways. Local transport, private taxies & buses from Kathgodam are run by private operators to connect it with other cities. Private taxis can be hired for traveling inside the district.

People & culture

The town is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, splendid cuisine, unique handicrafts, wonderful wildlife and age-old temples coupled with an easy accessibility. Adding to the colors of nature is the colorful & vibrant culture, people with rosy cheeks dressed in colorful attires, all this adds to the charm of the valley. The places of hill station are untouched by urbanization and still people have preserved their culture and tradition well.

Fest & festivals

The people here celebrate each & every festival with great enthusiasm. Out of innumerous fairs & festivals following are of considerable important fairs of Almora are:-

Nanda Devi Festival

The well-known fair of this region which held in the month of September is organized since the rule of Chand kings. It is believed that ‘Nanda’ which means prosperity was the family Goddess of Chanda dynasty. The temple of 'Nanda' in Almora was built in 17^th century by Dyot Chanda, the then ruler of this place. The duration of the Nanda Devi festival is five days and approximately twenty five thousand tourists come to attend this festival.

Dussehra Festival

The famous festival of Hindus, Dussehra, commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, the ten-headed king of Lanka or Ceylon, is celebrated in a very unique way. Approximately five to six thousand tourists come to attend the festival from the outskirts of town. Symbolizing the victory of the truth the effigies of devils are prepared in a very artistic manner in almost all the localities of the town & the effigies are burnt in a social gathering.

Moreover, The Uttrain Festival & Jageshwar Monsoon Festival is also celebrated by people. The Uttraini Festival is celebrated at Bageshwar for a week in January. The Jageshwar Monsoon Festival is held between July and August in temples of Jageshwar for a month.

Tourist attraction

The innumerous tourist attractions in Almora attract numbers of tourists every year. The perfect blend of scenic beauty, holy shrines, culture & architecture makes it a perfect holiday spot.

Govind Vallabh Pant Public Museum

The state museum Govind Vallabh Pant Public Museum is located near Almora bus stand. The museum is worth paying a visit due to its rich collection of items relating to the history, archeology and cultural significance. The rich collection of the state museum takes you on a journey of different phases of rich history of the hill station. 'Apen' a folk style of painting found in this region can be seen in this museum in its various aspects. The museum remains open for all days of week except Mondays and Government Holidays. It opens for visitors from 10:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

Bright end Corner

The Bright end corner is famous for its view at sunrise and sunset. The place is unusually calm & can be your silent retreat to find yourself in the mountains. It is said that the serenity of this place can not be matched with any other hill station of India. One can also visit the circuit house nearby which is also quite peaceful. There is no better place then Bright end corner for those who are in love with philosophy and spirituality. In close proximity there is Vivekananda Library in Ramakrishna Kutir where Swami Vivekananda had stayed during his time spent in Himalayas.

Nanda Devi Temple

The Nanda Devi temple is the most famous temple around with thousands of pilgrims paying it a visit every year. Nanda Devi was the family goddess of Chandravanshi kings. This is the most famous place in Almora believed to be over 1000 years old... The internal & external walls of the temple have been carved attractively with true to life images and the temple is especially busy during the annual Nanda Devi Fair, held in September. Every year in this festival, young boys and girls come here to take part in the dance festival.

Chetai Temple

Chetai temple – the sacred temple of Gollu Devta is 6 Kilometers from Almora perched on a hilltop. Gollu Devta, one of the most prominent Kumauni gods, was blessed general of Chand dynasty who once ruled this city. Devotees offer bells here as thanksgiving which are decorated on the canopy of these bells. These bells are toll whenever a goat is forfeited before the deity. Surrounded by pine & fur tree forest, a stopover to this temple proves a true tourist attraction for nature lovers.

Kalimath

To take an excellent view of Almora, Kalimath is an ultimate place, just 4.5 kilometers away. It is a picnic spot which gives a lovely view of Himalayan peak & believed to be the spot where Swami Vivekananda meditated.

Kasar Devi:

The Kasar Devi temple is nearby Kalimath and was built in the second century. The distance between Kasar Devi & Kalimat is not more than 1 km which can be effortlessly covered by walking.

Katarmal

Next to the Konark temple of Orissa, the 800-year old Katarmal's sun temple is the most significant sun temple. It is 17 kilometers from hill station from where you can see some attention-grabbing architecture and intricate images carved out on walls.

Simtola

Lying on the opposite side of the horseshoe ridge, Simtola is a quite picnic spot 5 kms from the city which fascinates with its picturesque view, miles of landscape with striking hills lined with pine and fur trees.. While a trip to Simtola, you can also visit Hiradungi which used to be a diamond mine and the nearby 'Granite Hill'.

Collectorate

Collectorate is the old Almora fort which is located at the peak of Almora bazaar. Climb up here to get a 360 – degree view of the beautiful hill station and the nearby mountain ranges.

Martola

Matrola is another beautiful picnic spot just 10 kms away. The place is a boast of gardens and forests & has ample of scenic beauty.

Accommodation – Hotels here offer numbers of accommodation depending on the budget and preference of the tourists. The accommodation ranges from luxury to budget, in peaceful atmosphere. Deluxe Hotels are marked with great ambiance and exceptional services. On the other hand there are numbers of cheap and best hotels where tourists expecting luxuries within the cheap budget will find more pocket friendly hotels.

What are you waiting for?? Rush to book your ticket to Almora for a peaceful holiday.

How to plan vacation with children

2011-04-30T01:20:00.000-07:00

So, you are planning vacation for children…. Must be worried about how to manage things??? Being a parent is always challenging work and when you have to plan a trip with them …….. You have to be very careful… Not only because they are your kid but because most of the children are notorious and when they get chance they can make your trip too rowdy. That’s why we are with some basic guidelines for vacation with children:-

Ø Well, you know your child very well so it’s not a big problem but the actual thing to keep in mind is that you have to handle your child according to his/her age. Each age group surely has his/her own desires for what they want to go on a vacation.

· If your child is a baby, you are safe, just take care of their basic needs like food, sleep, water and diaper change. They don’t disturb much as they like take long naps so you can easily enjoy with them. But don’t forget to take their car seats, some toys, stroller etc.

· If you have a toddler, you have to give them little extra attention. Give them a little space to move here and there but keep your eyes on them. Try to spend a little time in parks, gardens etc so, they can also enjoy as most of them don’t like to go to museum where they can’t even touch anything.

· If you are a parent of a preschooler, be prepared to answer thousands of questions of your child. At this age kids want to play with other children so again you have to spend some time in playgrounds, gardens etc before going to some other place.

· Last but not least if you are a proud parent of teenager, be ready to plan your trip a little late, not in the early morning. They need their space and sometime would ask to go alone. So, make your mind and rules for them before going out on a trip.

Ø Make sure you are full-filing all the basic needs of your children. Take care of their food, water and sleep too otherwise till the time you get back to your home your child would fall sick.

Ø Make sure to keep basic first aid box, wet tissues, mineral water, caps, sunglasses etc to keep your child safe.

Ø If you are going with teenager, ask them also where they would like to go. Make them feel responsible enough.

Ø Children have lower tolerance than adults so, better avoid needless travel and fatigue. To avoid this try to get detailed information about the place you are visiting so you don’t have to wait or return empty-handed if it’s closed.

Ø Carry story book or drawing book of your child as in case they get bored you can keep them busy with it.

Ø Try to tell them a little about the place you are visiting, so they might get interested in collecting more information.

Now, I have answered most of your question regarding how to plan vacation with children. So, you can enjoy your trip with your little ones. Enjoy…. J

Tips to travel alone

2011-04-29T08:56:00.000-07:00

Travelling, that too alone ….. Aren’t you worried…? Don’t be. That makes your smart, brave and no doubt confident….. Isn’t it true? But yeah I know. Parents…. They don’t believe that we are elder enough to travel alone… So, what’s your plan …..? You are going to cancel your trip…. Better NO…. you have other options try to convince your parents and behave maturely when travelling with them…. Well this is the only solution… But yeah I have some great ideas for all those who are travelling alone. Because a single wrong step can spoil your trip. So better follow these tips to travel alone. Moreover you can impress your parents by these tips and no doubt your parent will allow you next time without any further question. Here we go –

Ø Never ever rely on any stranger when you are out somewhere, even if other person is some good looking guy or gal or any old age person.

Ø Don’t give your details to anyone whom you don’t know. Don’t tell them where you are going, where you will stay and for how many days.

Ø Book your rooms in advance so that you don’t have to face problem when you reach there.

Ø If possible try to get detailed information about the place & hotel from some relative or friend who has been to that place earlier.

Ø Keep your entire luggage with yourself. No doubt leave it in your booked room when you are out for sightseeing but don’t forget to lock your luggage and room too.

Ø Keep all the required documents with yourself. Better get 2-3 photocopies of your documents and keep one with your luggage, other at your home and one with yourself.

Ø Keep a record of all phone numbers, email – id in your personal diary which you always carry. So, that even if your phone gets lost or your phones battery ditches you in midway you can contact your parents and friends whenever you wish.

Ø Make sure to inform your parents or your family members whenever you are out for somewhere. So that they know exactly where you are going.

Ø Better take help of internet and other travel magazines & books to get detailed information about your travel destination before reaching there. It will help you in behaving properly in that place as every city and town has its own culture, rules, laws and traditions; disobeying them may create problem. So better be alert.

Ø Be alert, keep your senses open, but that doesn’t mean that you should start behaving like a detective. Behave normally, and don’t tell everyone that you are a tourist.

Ø Avoid roaming in night in lonely streets, that’s not at all safe for anyone, neither guys nor gals.

Ø Keep your cameras and other attachments in a backpack or a waist bag which is easily accessible and safe too. You can also keep your documents and a little amount of cash in bag for unfavorable situations.

All these simple tips will surely help you out in answering your parents questions and your‘s too. Now don’t worry, pack your bag and enjoy a safe tour.

How to travel safely??

2011-04-28T23:22:00.000-07:00

If you have traveling genes inside your body and you are a roamer, you must know how it feels when traveling to some new place. Isn’t it adventurous and interesting but for those who are still baby to become a travel expert can find traveling a little tricky, unsafe and exhausting. But yeah, traveling safely to any place can make your travel destination memorable and more enjoyable. That’s why it is always advisable to get some knowledge about how to travel safely. So, just follow these tips and enjoy your travel-

Having a proper knowledge about your traveling destination is one of the most important factors if you want to travel safely. Surf on internet or read from magazine about the place you are planning to travel.
If you are not in sudden trip try to book your room in hotel. You can get detailed knowledge about hotels from internet and book your room from there only. So that you don’t have to search for a room when you drop in to some place.
Keep your door closed whenever you are inside room or in bathroom. Don’t forget to lock your room whenever going for sightseeing. Make sure to confirm through the peephole to check who is at the door.
Always keep a road map of the area. So that you never lost your path when traveling by car or walking in the lanes.
Be alert and avoid dark and shadowy place to avoid any mishappening like sudden attack or robbery.
Always travel with less valuable items.
Keep yourself connected with your family members and friends through numbers in your emergency calling numbers.
Make 4-5 copies of all your paperwork such as passport photo page, plane tickets, driver's license, travelers check receipts to visas. So, that you can leave 1 copy at home this can be FAXed, and the other copies within your luggage. Carry a photo copy of your birth certificate it can help you in getting a new passport en route.
Make group of your money, extra passport pictures, passport copy, credit cards, extra keys and other essential documents in a small pouch which can be easily worn under your clothing in a secure way. Always keep this pouch in the front of you so that it is always under your scrutiny.
Keep a waist bag for your camera, or a backpack which can be easily accessed without taking it off to get your other photo equipments. Keep this bag locked too.
Remember to maintain a diary with all the addresses and phone numbers of your friends and family so that you can use them if you miss or lost your phone.

With all these simple tips you can enjoy your safe tour anywhere everywhere in the world. Keep enjoying!!!!

Dalhousie – The quietest hill station

2011-04-26T04:33:00.000-07:00

Dalhousie with its magnificent mountain chains and thick forests of deodar trees attracts a lot of tourists from every nook & corner of world. Being quietest hill station in India, tourism in Dalhousie is always soul refreshing. This hill station falls in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh extending over an area of 13 sq. km. This beautiful hill station comprises five distinct hills, Balun, Petreyn, Kathlog, Tehra and Bakrota with heights ranging between 1,525 and 2,378 meters. The town was established in year 1854 by the British rulers as a summer treat for its troops and bureaucrats. The hill station was named after Lord Dalhousie who was the British viceroy in India at that time.

Language spoken – People speak Pahari (local dialect), English & Hindi here. They basically speak Pahari, so you can notice the influence of Pahari dialect can be felt on Hindi also.

People & culture – People here are very soft hearted & hard working. Basically Gaddi and Gujjar tribe’s people live here. People here are simple, sturdy, honest people & work hard to earn their livelihood. The Gaddis can be easily identified due to their typical dress comprising topa, chola & dora. The Gaddi women are good looking. The Gujjars can be recognized by their typical beard and dress. They wear a special type of turban (safa) made of muslin cloth on their heads, a loose shirt (kameez) of blue or black cotton fabric.

This hilly region is a repository of ancient Hindu culture, art, temples and handicrafts. Victorian & Scottish art & architecture is quite prevalent in the bungalows and churches of the town.

Best time to visit – You can visit Dalhousie in any season either it is winter or summer. In the summer, the beauty of royal Bakrota Hills and other areas spread a magical charm on the visitors. On the other hand in winter town experiences a very heavy snowfall so lots of people visit here for everlasting fun.

Tourist attraction of Dalhousie – This hill station offers a very peaceful and quiet holiday and an opportunity to enjoy the attractiveness of nature in a relaxed manner. A number of scenic walks run through the pine, oak and deodar forests around the town and offer excellent views of the Chenab, the Ravi and the Beas valleys. Moreover it is a heaven for all those who love to go for camping in the wilderness of Himalayas.

Bakrota Hills: Bakrota hill is one of the finest and soul refreshing places in Dalhousie. Thick 'Deodar' forests looks like a green carpet covering the hills. One of the best things about walking through these hills is the unpredictable hide & seeks of the sunshine through 'Deodar' trees which leaves you speechless. Soul refreshing pure mountain air refreshes you & mixes your inner heart with the beauty of nature. A visit to the place is incomplete if you do not walk through this magical paradise.

St. Andrew's Church: St. Andrew's Church which is also known as the Church of Scotland was built by Protestant Christians in the year 1903 at Baloon. The Church of St. Andrew is approx. 1.5 kms from bus stand. The building of church is in good condition.

St. Patrick's Church: St. Patrick's Church is situated in Baloon, on Military Hospital road approx. 2 kms away from main bus stand. This Church is the largest church in Dalhousie which has a seating capacity of 300 persons in its main hall. The Church was built exclusively from contribution made by officers and ranks of the British Army in 1909.

St. Francis' Church: St. Francis' Church is a very well-known monument on the Subhash Chowk which was built in the year 1894. This Catholic Church on Petreyn hill is believed to have been built on the lines of a certain church in England. Intricate stone work & glass work makes the Church a beautiful piece of art.

St. John's Church: St. John’s Church stands on the Gandhi Chowk approx. 2 kms from the main bus stand of Dalhousie. This was the first & the oldest church to be built after the town was founded.

Dainkund or Dayankund: Dayankund is a towering and beautiful peak 2,745 meters which offers panoramic views of the three main rivers - Beas, Ravi and Chenab especially on a clear sunny day.

Kalatop: Kalatop offers a magnificent and grand panoramic view of the surrounding landscape eye travels wide over hill and dale, smooth and ruggedness, field and forest till in the direction of Jammu and Kashmir, it meets a horizon of snow peaks.

Khajjiar: Khajjar, a little out of the town is a beautiful, charming retreat that makes an ideal day excursion or even an overnight stay. Far from major towns, this peaceful spot has a small lake in the centre, on which there is a floating island. The local people hold the lake for in legend, it is associated with Khajjinag, the deity that is enshrined in the temple which has a golden dome.

Panchphulla / Ajit Singh Memorial: A great freedom fighter, Sardar Ajit Singh’s 'Samadhi' is located at Dalhousie's Panjphulla, who breathed his last on the day India gained independence, 15th August, 1947. He was the uncle of martyr Bhagat Singh. a The Samadhi is a picturesque spot with a natural tank and water flowing under small bridges from which the place takes its name. Moreover on the way to Panchpulla there is Satdhara springs bubbling with refreshing water, believed to contain medicinal properties. The stream springs runs down a pleasing ravine to the waterworks of Panchpula.

Subhash Baoli : Subhash Baoli has been named after Shri Subhash Chandra Bose who used to drink water from this place during his stay. It is a lovely spot for picnic with a good view of snow covered hills.

Jandri Ghat: Jandri Ghat is a place of the rulers of former Chamba State which is surrounded by tall pine trees, not to mention a worth visiting place.

Transport facility – The transportation facility in town is good. There are government buses which are easily available for wandering in the hill stations. Tourists can hire their own car & buses to see various spots there. Private as well as government buses can take you to the places in & around Dalhousie at affordable price.

Accommodation – Dalhousie offers a superb collection of accommodation with incredible scenic locations. Tourists can stay where they can enjoy sightseeing and luxury at its best. The accommodation options are varied and cater to the all budgets. Resorts, cottages, luxury, deluxe and budget hotels offer all modern facilities and amenities to the visitor to enjoy a comfortable stay. The food in the hill resort is delicious and very reasonably priced.

Dalhousie the gateway to Chamba originally conceived as a sanitorium by its founder Lord Dalhousie, is one of the most quiet hill stations. So, whenever you make a plan to go somewhere in summers, do think about Dalhousie and you would never regret, till then keep traveling!!!! …… :)

Pushkar - The Holy City

2011-04-21T05:48:00.000-07:00

Pushkar ~ The holy town of Hindus is famous for its scenic sites & more than 400 temples. The city is calm and tranquil with deserts dominating landscape. It host an annual cattle fair, which is a great attraction for both tourists & traders.

Location – It is situated in the western regions of India & 11 kms. from Ajmer. The location of city helps in bringing a huge number of tourists & cattle traders to the city which is most well known for its lake and the annual cattle fair.

Language spoken – Although Hindi is widely spoken all over Rajasthan including Pushkar, its dialects are still in use such as Mewati, Dundhari, Marwari & Hadoti.

Transportation – There are various ways of reaching & traveling inside the city. Transportation includes trains, buses, motorcycle & camels. Pushkar can be easily reached via roads, railways & air. Buses, Jeeps and taxis are easily available at Ajmer which carries passengers to this holy city. Transportation within city is not much required as it is a small town and can be toured on foot. However, a major transport in the city which is used by the people of the town for traveling within is the bike. Camels are another interesting mode of transportation.

People & culture – People of Pushkar are simple, friendly, warm and sociable. They live a tough but a colorful life in the backdrop of desert. The people of the city dress in colorful clothes. The men wear dhoti, kurta and large turbans whereas women dress up in ghagra & choli which is a sort of blouse. The women are fond of jewellery which are usually made from metals. Being one of the chief Hindu pilgrimage spots in

India

, the people here are also very religious-minded. Religion is an important part of the lives & Hinduism is the chief religion of the people. The unique customs, traditions and rituals followed by the people make them unique. The culture & tradition of the city reflects the true colors of Rajasthan, the lively and cheerful people, the faith and beliefs & the faithfulness of the devotees. The lifeless deserts of Rajasthan provide a perfect background for the countless hues of its culture. The essence of the culture of the city is reflected by the religious practices, the people, their language and the traditions they follow.

Tourist attractions of pushkar– This town of Rajasthan, symbolizes the spirit of the desert. The town introduces an outsider with the traditional lifestyle of its natives. It has numbers of tourist places which attracts flock of tourists all over the year especially during Pushkar festival. Some of them are:-

Brahma Temple
Brahma temple is renowned as only temple on the earth where Lord Brahma is worshiped. The holy temple is the main attraction of city. The temple has life-size four-armed idol of Lord Brahma in the foyer. In temple devotees put coins to mark the birth or deaths of the loved ones.

Pushkar Lake
Pushkar Lake is one more important tourist attraction which has enormous significance for the followers of Hinduism. According to the legends, the lake was dedicated to Lord Brahma when a lotus fell from his hands and dropped into this charming valley. Due to which this lake sprang up on the same spot latter that’s why it is considered holy. Moreover, the entire lake is supposed to surrounded by 52 palaces, 500 temples, and 52 ghats. It is believed that the famed waters of the lake wash away the sins of lifetime. And for all these reason devotees have to remove shoes while approaching the holy ghats & they can’t smoke and photograph bathing people. On the sacred occasion of Kartik Purnima every year, devotees take holy dip in the lake and renowned Pushkar Fair is organized.

Pushkar Fair
The most significant reason of city being the international travel attraction is Pushkar Fair. The fair is held every year in the month of Kartik Purnima as per the Hindu calendar when hundreds of thousands of people take a sacred dip in the blessed Pushkar Lake. On this occasion the largest camel fair of the world is organized.

Varah Temple
Varah temple was at first built in the 12th century but ruined by the bigoted ruler Aurangzeb who was particularly upset by the huge idol Varah, the god with the body of a man and the head of the boar. The magnificent temple was reconstructed in year 1727 by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur.

Ramavaikunth Temple
One of the largest and most intricate temple, the Ramavaikunth Temple was built in the 1920's. It has around 361 beautifully sculpted images of different deities. The highly wrought outer gopuram over the entrance is said to be built by a mason’s team, specially brought here from south India.

Savitri Temple
As the name says, Savitri Temple is dedicated to Goddess Savitri, the wife of Lord Brahma and located on the top of the Ratnagiri Hill which has a beautiful statue of Goddess Savitri. According to the legends when Lord Brahma performed a Yagya along with Gayatri, a local milkmaid, than angry Savitri cursed Lord Brahma, her husband that he would never ever be worshipped at anyplace except, Pushkar & that too only once a year. After that Devi Savitri left for the Ratnagiri Hill and immolated herself there.

Pushkar Bazaar

The local market is a hustling bustling bazaar which offers tourist as well pilgrimage related products. A range of memento could be purchased from here including the Rajasthani costumes, embroidered fabrics, jewellery, decorative pieces and groovy accessories. This colorful bazaar becomes a hub of activity during the Pushkar Fair.

Other important temples of city are 19th century Mahadeva Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva & Rangaji Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Another important attraction is Man Mahal which was built by Raja Man Singh of Amber.

Fairs & festivals – One of the major festivals which are celebrated by the people here is “Pushkar fair”. The fair infuses the spirit of carnival in the dusty grounds at the onset of every winter. Pushkar Festival is one of the most renowned festivals in India, which draws a huge number of tourists around the world. The little village with the population of 11000, incredibly bulge into approximately 2, 00,000 with buyers, tricksters, sellers, sadhus, musicians and of course tourists. The otherwise dull and drab landscape of city seems to burst into a riot of colors which is more of an assault on the senses. The dates of the Festival are not fixed but according to the Hindu lunar calendar it is held during the full moon in the month of Kartik. The wonderful blend of commerce & faith with the beats of festivities, would certainly appeal you in city.

Accommodation – The city is a major attraction for Indian & foreign tourists that’s why numbers of hotel are available in the town. So, guests can easily get a suitable accommodation according to their budget & the luxuries they are looking for. Deluxe hotels, budget hotels and Heritage hotels provide accommodation with rooms interior designed with latest styles and equipped with all kinds of facilities.

Try to visit the city during Pushkar fest & don’t miss to visit any temple. If you will miss any of them you will miss the real charm of the holy city.

JAIPUR - The pink city of Rajasthan

2011-04-21T04:08:00.000-07:00

JAIPUR the pink city of Rajasthan is blessed with the magnificent cultural and architectural beauty that outshines most of the regions of India. All of this can be easily seen in the various sites of historical and artistic significance that mark the city. The old city of Jaipur has orderly and broadly laid-out lanes; all painted pink that gives a delightful shine to the city, especially in the evenings. The capital city of the colorful state of Rajasthan is about 258 kilometers from Delhi & 232 kilometers from Agra. The city is the most popular tourist destinations & part of the famous Golden Triangle Tourist circuit which includes Delhi and Agra.

Transportation Facilities – The capital city is on N. H No. 8 (national highway) and N H No. 11 and is connected to all parts of

India

by road, rail and air. The transportation system is quite good here. The service of city buses in and around is good & the fares are quite low. Tourist taxis, 3-wheelers, cycle-rickshaws,

tongas

& mini buses are easily available in city for the comfortable travel.

Communication Facilities – Communication is not a problem here. There are plenty of Public phone booths, cyber cafes, newspapers, television & radio channels. The mobile & postal services are quite good in the city. So, you don’t have to worry about communication in any nook & corner of city.

People & culture – People of Jaipur are just awesome. Despite being strong in their appearance, the common people are smiling, cheerful and simple which gives the effect of simple living high thinking. “Atithi devo Bhav” is their basic Mantra to treat their guest. They welcome their guests with regal courtesy and genuine affection. From the period of kings and dynasties, these common people have left behind legends of faithfulness, affection and compassion. Though the patches of modernity can be easily seen, the city is still the commercial centre for most rural regions of Rajasthan. The people of Jaipur prefer to wear bright colored clothes which helps in compensating with the barren landscape. The women are often seen in dazzling colors like Red, yellow, green and orange attires with attention-grabbing embroidery of gold, silver zari or gota. The streets and market places can easily witness scenes of bandhej turbaned Rajasthani men, moving around with their women, who are dressed in swirling skirts and flashing silver & Meenakari (enamel) jewellery that bring life to the desert. The culture of pink city is rich & magnificent in each & every aspect of life either it is art, architecture, dance, music or food. The people of Jaipur are devoted lovers of music and dance. The most popular dances of the city include the Ghoomar & the Chari dance. They used to sing traditional songs with instruments like Sarangi, Ektara, Jhalar, Garasiays and others. The food also reveals about the spicy culture of colorful city. Jaipur is famous for its sspicy & delicious foods like mangodi, khakhra, varieties of kachories, papad, sohan halwa, khichdi, buttermilk & lot more. The magnificent palaces of the city are the real example of its royal culture. Marbled gate, carved pillars, grand courtyard are spectacular in their architectural beauty. Visiting any palace of this city will make you quite familiar with the perfect and rich land of Mughal and Rajputana art and architecture which can be easily seen in the Modern areas also.

Language & religion – Hinduism is the major religion which is followed here. Other religions which are followed by people of Jaipur are Jainism, Islam, Sikhism and Christianity. The people here basically speak Rajasthani but you can hear Marwari, Hindi and English too.

Fairs & Festivals - The people of this livly city live their life with lots of gusto. They celebrate each & every festival with lots of passion. One of the most popular festivals of Jaipur, Rajasthan is The Elephant Festival and is celebrated every year in March on the occasion of Holi, the festival of colors. This festival has its own charm & a unique concept. In this grand festival elephants become the major attraction in their classy attires & different competitions which make the spectators spellbound. The best contest of this festival is 'Best Decorated Elephant' where beautifully decked elephants with floral motifs are judged & appreciated. Moreover, whenever people enjoy the glorious elephant ride, the royalty of city gets revitalized. Being the time for Holi, tourists play Holi by mounting on these painted Elephants.

Alike Elephant Festival, Kite festival is also one of the popular festival. Kite flying is enjoyed by people of all age-groups on14 January, the day of Makar Sankranti.. The innumerable kites in the sky make the sky next to invisible. With each & every cut loose of a kite you can hear "Woh Kata". In every five years, the Desert Kite Festival is very well organized by the Rajasthan government, where expert Kite makers show off their kites which sometimes carry social messages; depict social issues or even caricatures of politicians.

Gangaur & Teej are also significant festival of the city which are especially meant for the women. The word Gangaur is derived from two words, 'Gan' and 'Gauri' which are synonyms of 'Siva' and 'Parvati' respectively. It starts with the subsequent day of Holi and continues for about 2 weeks. The married women worship Gauri for the well-being of their husband whereas unmarried girls worship to get the husband of their choice. Teej celebrates the arrival of monsoon in the month of 'Shravan' (July-August), according to the Hindu calendar for the well being of their husbands.

Tourist attraction of Jaipur – If you are in Jaipur you can’t ignore a single tourist spot. There are numbers of tourist attraction & all are just marvelous. Amber Fort, Birla Temple, City Palace, Central Museum, Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Jaigarh Fort, Kanak Vrindavan Garden, Nahargarh Fort, Chokhi Dhani, Govind Devji Temple, Jagat Shiromani Temple, Jantar Mantar, Laxmi Narayan Temple, Moti Doongri, Diwan-e-am, Diwan-e-khas, Galta Ji, Mubarak Mahal, Ram Niwas Garden, Ramgarh, Royal Cenotaphs, Sisodia Rani Bagh, Statue Circle, Vidyadhar Garden, Zoological Gardens are some of the fantabulous tourist spots of magnificent Jaipur.

City Palace – One of the most fascinating palace of Jaipur, City Palace is partially occupied by the former royal family. The palace was built by Raja Sawai Jay Singh with its architectural grandeur. The large area of palace which was divided into various line of courtyards, gardens and palaces, are now turned into museum. The museum galleries have abundant of Rajasthani, Mughal & Persian rare paintings, Maharaja's costumes, armors, weapons, elephant saddles, miniatures, Hindu manuscripts and artifacts. The Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-I-Am or the Hall of Public Audience, Pritam Niwas Chowk, Govind Devji Temple, two huge silver water containers which Sawai Madho Singh II filed with Ganga water and carried on his trip abroad as he mistrusted the waters of the west are some of the actual gems of the city palace. The palace remains open from 9.30 am-4.45 pm

Jantar Mantar – This Observatory structure, Jantar Mantar was manufactured by Sawai Jai Singh II and houses a complex collection of astronomical instruments. The time to open Jantar Mantar is 9.00 am & it closes at 4.30 pm

Albert Hall & Museum: The Albert Hall & Museum is also known as The Central Government Museum which displays a fine collection of crystals, ivory, woodcarvings, jewellery, textiles, pottery, sculptures and paintings. The timings for visiting the museum are 10.00 am to 4.30 pm.

Hawa Mahal: This red-and-pink sandstone five-storey structure is the city's signature landmark & was built for the royal ladies to watch the activities in the bazaars without being seen themselves. Hawa Mahal has over 953 octagonal windows with fine screens, which let the breeze pass through.

Amber Fort: The towering fort is located on a hillock overlooking the Maota Lake. Particularly interesting within the fort complex is the sandstone Diwan-i-Am, the huge gateway Ganesh Pol, Sheesh Mahal or Hall of Mirrors, Shila Devi Temple, Sukh Niwas, Jai Mahal and Jas Mandir.

Jal Mahal: This Jal Mahal is in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake and was constructed by Madho Singh I to shoot ducks.

Havelis: The havelis in city are one of its most essential parts and are well known for its broad arches, balconies with stained glass windows and painted inner chambers. Some of the most famous havelis are Nattani ki Haveli, known for its seven distinctive courtyards, Nawab Saheb ki Haveli offers spectacular views of the city, Rajputana Haveli, which has intricately carved screened windows.

Accommodation – There are numbers of hotels in Jaipur. Tourists can get heritage hotels, luxury hotels & budget hotels in the city.

There are lots of adjectives that you can render to the pink city of Rajasthan & few of them are vibrant, lively, well planned, beautiful and magnificent. Sawai Jai Singh's beautiful foundation, lives up to its expectations with its well-maintained palaces, perfectly planned roads and old-world bazaars. Not only this, city is said to be thrilling and mysterious at the same time. But don’t only believe on what books and we say rather start discovering Jaipur in your own way. Keep enjoying!!!!

Surat - The diamond city

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Surat formerly known as Suryapur or Khubsoorat is situated in the southern part of the state of Gujarat on the shore of the Arabian Sea. The city is mainly known for its Diamond and textile business & popularly called as “The silk city & the diamond city”. The diamond cutting & polishing industry of city is the best in the world. The port city of India, Surat has cultural, historical and industrial characteristics attached to it. The city looks quite new & modern and you can see classy business complexes and buildings which will bear to the fact that the city is prosperous. People have high living standards in comparison to other cities of the country. It’s perfect location has always attracted intruders for trade reasons and now it attracts visitors for the business as well as leisure reasons.

Location – The presence of the graceful & elegant Tapti River marks the location, one of the prosperous cities of the state. It is very conveniently located 260 kilometers away from Mumbai & 224 Kilometers from Ahmedabad - the capital of the state.

Transportation Facilities – Transportation facility is quite well managed & helps the residents to travel to all parts of the city. Metropolitan Bus service, Taxi, Cabs and Three wheeler auto rickshaws are the most prominent & easily available means of transportation. The service of city buses in and around city is good. The taxi services can be easily availed from the taxi stands. The most preferred mode of transportation is the auto-rickshaw which can be hired to roam around in the city from one place to another. The city also has its own much awaited Airport which it got last year.

Communication Facilities – Communication is not a problem here. There are plenty of Public phone booths, cyber cafes, newspapers, television & radio channels. The mobile & postal services are quite good in the city of port. So, you don’t have to worry about communication in any nook & corner of the city.

Language spoken – The language which is mostly spoken in the city is Surti Gujrati. However Gujarati, Hindi & English are also well spoken by people of Surat. You can easily hear words like Kem cho?, Aao jo, Bhen, Bhai, Jamvanu which will give you the feeling that you are in the city of Gujarat.

People & culture – Culture of the city is peerless from rest of India. People of Surat believe in earn and live the life with full enjoyment. As far as food of the city is concerned, it is called “Surat nu jamman ane Kashi na maran” which means dining at Surat & dying at Varanasi leads to heaven. It is well known for its Surti cuisine, which includes Ghari (a type of mithai), Undhiyu, Locho, Rasaawala Khaman, and Surti Chinese. A peculiar thing about cuisine of city is that sugar is added to every preparation. The food is not overly laced in oil and despite the rich ingredients is healthy and satisfying. In the winters, people come together at river Tapi's banks to eat Ponk which is a roasted cereal that is available only in this part of the world.

The people & culture is so vibrant & colorful that it makes every occasion cheerful. Here in Surat all major Indian festivals like Navratri, Diwali and Ganesh Chaturthi are celebrated with great enthusiasm. The kite-flying festivals, Chandi Padvo are some of the festival which is very famous here.

The art and culture is quite diversified & colorful. The pleasure loving people of Surat have a very stylish, soft nature & spirited outlook. The people of Surat can enhance the cheerfulness of any occasion with their traditional songs and dances. Some of the most popular forms of performing arts are Ras, Garba, Tippani Nritya, Siddi dance, Padhar Nritya, Dangi Nritya. The city is well known for its handicrafts and artifacts.

Festival & fests – The events and festivals exhibit the ethnicity and culture of the city. The kite flying festival is very popular in the city. The event of Kite flying was started in the year 1989 in Ahmadabad and has seeped into Surat. The festival is celebrated on the occasion of Makar Sankranti every year. The preparation for the festival starts very early and culminates into the jubilance of the city on the day of the event.

Chandi padvo is another festival which is celebrated with great enthusiasm. They have special holiday for it in the city. This day is celebrated after one of the two biggest full moon days according to the Hindu calendar year, "Sharad Purnima". On this day people buy almost 100 tons of Ghari and other Surti delicacies. People have dinner and a late night snack under the full moonlit sky in Dumas.

The annual fair of Dang Darbar is held in the city in the early months of spring ie few days before the festival of Holi. The custom of the city is best displayed in the dang durbar. People dress in their traditional attire and perform the ras and the garba. Skilled craftsmen arrive from different parts of city to display their products. Songs and dance performances cheer up the spirit of the fair.

Some of the other celebrated festivals are the Navratri and Janmashtami. The spirit of the people of the city is at its best in the festive days. Moreover, Surat is a host to other business and cultural events.

Tourist attraction of Surat– The historical city of Surat is an important tourist destination in Gujarat.

Dandi: The movement of Salt satyagrah was initiated by Mahatma Gandhi from here & became a landmark in India's struggle for Independence which makes it a perfect tourist spot.

The Chintamani Jain Temple — The major attraction of the temple is its wooden carvings and paintings which dates back to 15 century and exhibit some extremely extraordinary paintings of the Jain monk Acharya Hemachandra, and Solanki King Kumarpal

The Old Fort — Mohammed Tughlak originally built the fort in the 1546 to fortify the defence of the city against the Bhils. The fort is now used for municipal offices.

The Sardar Patel Museum — Museum was actually established in 1898 and initially called as Winchester Museum which was named after Mr. Winchester, who took a keen interest in increasing the wealth of city. This museum has huge collected works of over 10,000 specimens of crafts and arts.

Rangupavan —Rangupavan is an open air theater with a capacity of around 4000 spectators & among some of the biggest theaters in the country.

Beaches of Surat – Dumas, Suvali, Hajira and Tithal are some of the beautiful beaches here. Dumas and Suvali, are well known health resorts on a rivulet emptying into the Arabian Sea. Suvali is fringed by feathery casurina trees & has two wells with water rich in iron and sulphur. Moreover, the place is popular for its balmy weather and scenic beauty. Hajira and Tithal are also beautiful beach resorts on the Arabian Sea which has azure water, tranquil surrounding, sandy beach fringed by the swaying casuarinas.
Choppati —Popular place in the city which has a large garden and provides Indian fastfood like Paav Bhajee and Pani puri.

Saputara – Saputara also known as the Nilgiris of Gujarat is a hill station only 150 km from city at an altitude of 1500 metres above sea level. It has a cool climate and dense forest which makes it a nice tourist spot.

Vansda National Park —This national park is situated in the Navsari district and is home to pythons, tigers, leopards, panthers and wild boars.

Gopipura: The village close to city is named after the mythical Brahmin Gopi, who founded the city. The Agama Mandir and lots of other Jain temples are located within this village.

JOY n JOY – Joy n Joy is Situated around 30km away for here, towards Ahmedabad highway & have different types of Rides, where every one can enjoy.

Other tourist attractions of Surat include Navsari, Dutch garden, Udvada, Dutch Cemetery, Sanjana, Makaipul, Bardoli, Ukai and Textile Market and so on.

Accomodation –There are numbers of good hotels in city. It has numbers of luxury, deluxe & budget hotels. There are few reputed Indian and international hotel chains. Hotels in the city are reasonably priced and the hospitality is best. Most of the hotels in the city present a fusion of age-old tradition of the region and state of the art sophistication.

The diamond & textile city of India, Surat is a charming and enlightening vacation for tourists.

How to search a hotel??

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Wherever, whenever & with whomsoever you go to a new place, you need a hotel for your stay. Staying in a hotel means you have to search but selecting a hotel that too according to your preferences, liking and budget is undoubtedly a herculean task. Now you must be thinking about how to search a hotel??? Well you don’t have to panic… As in this fast forward life it is easier to get better hotels but you have to keep your eyes wide open. Why?? because you can easily get confused with hell numbers of promotional advertisements and offers. That’s why to save your money and make your stay enjoyable we are here with best tips on finding a hotel.

¨ Now a day’s internet is one of the best medium to book your room by yourself from hotel’s website. But the problem is that how will you know that you are getting best because everything looks excellent on the websites with glittering pictures. Well a little research on internet can solve your problem.

¨ Search and search about the best hotels of the place you are planning to go. Read various articles on internet about the best hotels of the place.

¨ If possible take help of your relatives or friends who have been to that place. They can surely tell you about some best hotels of that place according to your preference.

¨ Another possible option is that you consult some tour operator, they can tell you lots of options according to your budget, preference and need.

¨ Remember that most of the luxury, international hotels and their chains provide more or less same facilities all over the world, so if your budget allows you can register you room there. But make sure you know about their facilities by visiting it yourself or getting.

¨ Remember whether you are consulting your tour operator, doing it yourself through internet or on reception you need to know your preferences about hotel. That’s why for making your search for a hotel easier you need to consider certain factors on which your preferences are based:-.

Ø Budget - Decide your budget of your trip well in advance including your budget on hotel stay so, that you can start searching a hotel under that budget.

Ø Purpose of trip - Make sure why you need a hotel to enjoy with your family, for a business trip, to get a mental peace or for lots of shopping and sightseeing. Your purpose of travelling will solve most of your problem because your location of hotel must serve your purpose to get the best.

Ø Amenities and services – One of the most important factor while selecting a hotel as in absence of better amenities and services your trip can become a mess. Who want a mess?? Make sure that you are getting all the desired facilities in the certain hotel and if not start searching again.

Ø Location of hotel – A hotel at appropriate location can fulfill your desire & purpose of trip at the minimum cost and time. That’s why before booking your hotel room considers your location which is suitable for you.

Ø Terms and condition – Get detailed information about terms and condition of the hotel you have searched till now because with this you can’t say that you have the best one. Terms, conditions and charges must suit your preferences, without this you can’t enjoy a peaceful, memorable stay.

What else do you want while searching a hotel?? I don’t think anything special but yeah if you really want share with me too…. However I think my article on how to search a hotel will surely help you… Now don’t wait and start searching your dream hotel while keeping these points in mind…….