Tours in India

Somnathpur Temple(Mysore)

idhamathur — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:21:46 +0000

Somnathpur Temple is also known as Keshava temple, it is located in Somnathpur Village. Somnathpur is a small village on the banks of the river Cauvery. This village is popular for its grand temple called Somnathpur Temple. This beautiful temple is built in the Hoyasala style.The shape of Somnath Temple is based on an elevated star shaped platform.

Somnathpur Temple(Mysore)

History: Keshava or Somnathpur temple was built in 1268 A.D, it was created by Hoysala rulers. Hoysala Dynasty was founded in 1006 A.D, it ruled Karnataka for nearly 350 years.At the entrance of Somnathpur Temple, there is an inscribed slab of stone where the names of the sculptors are inscribed.The temple is an outstanding example of glorious temples built by Hoysala rulers.

Main Attractions: Somnathpur Temple is built on an elevated star shaped platform, it is enclosed in a walled courtyard. The sides of the raised platform are wonderfully embedded with richly carved friezes. It portrays the rows of of cavalry and historical scenes from the epics. Somnathpur Temple is popular for its intricate sculpture, it has three intricately carved pinnacles along with a common Navranga. It’s southern sanctum has the idol of Lord Venugopala and northern one has the idol of Lord Janardhana. Although, the image of Lord Keshava(main god) is missing today.

How to get there:

* By Air: The nearest Airport is at Bangalore at a distance of 139 kms from Mysore.
* By Rail: Nearest Railway Station is Bangalore, the super fast luxury train, The Shatabdi express connects Mysore to Madras.
* By Road: Mysore is easily accessible by road, it is 139 kms to the south west of Bangalore.Bus facility is by state transport and private tour operators.

Shirdi

idhamathur — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 13:06:11 +0000

Shirdi was the residence of noted Saint Sai Baba, it is a small town located near the city of Nasik(Maharashtra). It is a must visit place for the religious tourists. A large number of devotees come here to seek the blessings of Lord Sai Baba. Shirdi is fragrant with the devotional strength.It is the most remarkable spiritual destination of India.

Shirdi Sai Baba

History: Shirdi’s history is closely associated with the life of Sai Baba. He was honoured as Saint, he used to reside in Khandoba temple. The title of Saint was given by a local villager Mahalsapathi. Sai Baba had an innate charisma,he healed the wounds and problems of the people who were trapped in worldly dilemmas.He died in 1918, ever since Shirdi has gained importance as a main religious center.

Places to visit: Shirdi is open for both Hindu and Muslim pilgrims. Every year, huge flock of devotees rush to seek the blessings of Sai Baba. Main Attractions of Shirdi are-Sai Baba mandir (temple), Samadhi (memorial), Gurusthan, Lendi Baug, Samadhi of Abdulbaba, Chavadi and Maruti Mandir.

Shirdi

How to get there:

* By air :Major nearby airports are located in Pune, Mumbai and Aurangabad.
* By Rail: Nearest railhead is Kopargaon, it connects the other destinations.
* Br Road:Frequent bus services are provided by private operators and state transport corporation.

Modhera sun temple (Gujarat)

idhamathur — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:12:26 +0000

This beautiful temple is located on the bank of the river Pushpavati, it is 25km from Mehsana and 10 km from Ahmedabad. Modhera Sun Temple is mainly dedicated to Lord Surya, the Sun God of Hinduism.

History: Modhera sun temple was made in in 1026 AD by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty.It was the time when Somnath was under the control of Mahmud Ghazni, after a battle, Solankis regained their power. Solanki Capital, Anahilvad was restored to glory. Solankis were regarded as descendants of Sun god or Suryavanshis. Modhera sun temple was designed in such a way that the first rays of the sun fell on the image of Surya.

Modhera Sun Temple

Tourist Attractions-Modhera sun temple is known for its unique architecture, it has three elements:

* Sabha Mandap, it is a hall used for conferences and religious gatherings.
* Surya Kund, it is a stepped tank named after Sun god Surya.
* Guda Mandap-It is called the main temple, which once housed the idol of Sun God.

How to get there-

* By Rail-Nearest Railway Station is Mehsana, it is 26 kms away from Modehra.
* By Air-Ahmadabd is the nearest airport, it is at 102kms.
* By Road-Transport buses are available to reach Modhera from various cities of Gujarat

Vaishno Devi

idhamathur — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 13:22:46 +0000

Vaishno Devi is regarded as most crucial and remarkable pilgrimage place of India. The Holy Shrine of Vaishno Devi is located at a height of more than five thousand feet in the Trikuta Hills of the Shivalik Range.Vaishno Devi is the second most visited place after the Tirupati Balaji temple(Andhra Pradesh). Thousands of devotees come to seek the blessings of the goddess Vaishno Devi.

Vaishno Devi

History: Legends say,During the battle of Mahabharat, Sri Krishna meditated upon the Mother Goddess and seek her blessings for victory. Pandavas built the temples at Kol Kandoli and Bhawan.There are five stone structures overlooking the Holy Cave, they represent the Five Pandavas.Some traditions regard the Shrine to be the holiest of all Shaktipeeths because the skull Mata Sati fell here. Some mythilogical associations believe that the Goddess was born as as a young girl of unusual vigor and beauty. The goddess was blessed with Tejas of many ‘Devtas’ (gods) and three lords Brahma, Vishnu and Shankar

Tourist Attractions: Vaishno Devi is the most remarkable pilgrimage place,the temple dedicated to the goddess is one of the main attractions.It is at thirteen kilometers from Katra. Thousands of devotees pay visit to the shrine, it is a hundred feet long cave with a narrow opening. There are various other shrines like Ban Ganga Temple, Ardh Kuwari , Bhumika Temple, Charan Paduka Temple and The Bhairon (Bhairav) Temple.

How to get there:

* By Air-Nearest Airport is in Jammu and the flights are available for Leh,Delhi and Srinagar.
* By Road- Jammu is well-connected by a large number of trains with crucial destinations such as Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi.
* By road-One can easily access transport buses from the major north Indian towns.

Neemrana

idhamathur — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:23:45 +0000

Neemrana is situated on Jaipur Delhi highway in Behror Tehsil, it is 122km from Delhi. Neemrana Fort is considered as the most remarkable heritage resort of India. An ideal venue for conferences and weddings, it features antique works of art, beautiful paintings and period furniture.

Neemrana Fort

History: Neemrana is the third capital of the descendants of Prithviraj Chauhan III. Its was built in in 1464 A.D, Neemrana is built in the lap of billion-year-old Aravalli ranges. In the year 1467, Neemrana town was established by Raja Dup Raj. It derived its name from a brave local Nimola Meo.The ruling family of Chauhans, were unable to maintain the fort . They sold it to private owners and it was converted into Neemrana Hotels.

Tourist Attraction: Neemrana Fort features period furniture,antique works of art and beautiful paintings. Baba khetanath aashram is an important place to visit. Neemrana Fort gives an ultimate aerial adventure experience. It has baba kundandas maharaj’s tapobhumi and a village called Jonaicha khurd.

How to get there:It is well connected by road, air and rail transport. The road and rail transport from Delhi is good, New Delhi is the nearest airport where flights are available for abroad and other destinations of India.

Vansda National Park

idhamathur — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:15:24 +0000

Vansda National Park is situated in Gujarat is a home of thick woodlands of the Dangs and it has got its place in Navasari District of Gujarat in India.It’s area is y 24 km² .Vansda National Park has got Vansda Waghai state highway it lies about 65 km east of the town of Chikhali on the National Highway 8 and it has got its place at a distance of 80 km north-east of the city of Valsad.

Vansda National Park

History: Vansda National Park was established in 1979 , it is Nestled in the western ghats of the range of Shayadri this scenic park has got unique flavour of flora and fauna population..Vansda National Park has got its name after a royal family of the Vansdas, very favourite place for all nature lovers.

Tourist Attractions: If you want to discover something mysterious then Vansda National Park is your destination.The land scape is surrounded by beautiful trees and you will find rare animals like

# Spotted Deer
# Giant squirrels
# Barking Deer
# Hyenas
# Python
# Pangolin
# Four-horned antelope
# Macaques
# Leopards
# Hyenas
# Rusty-spotted cats
# Mongooses
# Jungle Cat
# Civets
# Along with that you will find 115 species of birds:Malabar Trogon
# Great Black Woodpecker
# Emerald Dove
# Shama
# Paradise Flycatcher
# Racket-Tailed Drongo
# Thrushes
# Grey Hornbill
# Leaf birds
# Pea fowls
# Sunbirds

How to get there: To make your trip memorable just go there in the months of between October and May and the nearest airport is at Surat at a distance of about 120 km. if you want to go from Rail Route then nearest Railway Station is at Waghai, just 4 km away another station is Billimora distance is 40 km, nearest bus stop at Waghai, about 4 km from the park.

Anshi National Park

idhamathur — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 12:28:24 +0000

Anshi National Parkhas got it place in Uttrara Kannada district adjoins Dandeli wildlife sanctuary. It is 340 square kilometre froms a forest area of 2200 square kilometres by including six other protecting areas of Maharashtra and Goa. This National Park is a shelter of tigers and elephants and so many animals that you will rarely find anywhere else like melanistic leopards.

Anshi National Park

History: Let’s have a look over the history of the park, the area’s forest was announced Dandeli wildlife sanctuary in the year 1956 on May 10th. Out of this sanctuary Anshi National Park as carved out by the state on on 2 September 1987. Initially the park had an area of 250 square kilometre later it was extended by another 90 square kilometres in the year 2002.In January 2007 Anshi and Dandeli got the status of Project Tiger Sanctuaries

Tourist Attractions: Anshi National Park is embedded with rich flora and fauna. In flora you will find here so many varieites of trees are like Bauhinia, Bamboo, Eucalyptus,Lantana,Teak and Silver Oak with Xylia xylocarpa.Fauna consists of sloth bear,Indian bison, black panther and if you want to see pangolin then your wish relly can be fulfilled here.Anshi National Park has got 200 species of birds like Yellow footed Green Piegon,Black creeted Bulbul,Great Hornbill and many more.

How to get there: If you are planning to got there By Road then Anshi National Park is 580 kms from Bangalore, By Air it is 100 Dharwad and if you opt a rail route then the same distance is 100 kms from Dharwad.

Sariska

idhamathur — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:43:36 +0000

History: In the 19th century Maharaja Jai Singh, the ruler of Alwar took the forest under the protection, one of the most important and well known forest project of North India, it is a shelter of major species like Tendu, Surwal, Goria, Khair along with grasslands and bushes, if you are a wildlife enthusiast then this is must visit place for you, it will bring you more close to the nature. In 1955 after independence the forest was declared as wild life sanctuary, in 1979 it was declared as core tiger reserve and got the status of National park in 1982.

Sariska

Places to visit: To feel the wonderful experience of wildlife, here is the perfect destination for you Sariska really a very unique place in itself, this wild life sanctuary measures about 800 sq kms, out of which about 480 sq kms is the core area. Previously it was private hunting reserve of royal family of Alwar, surrounded by Aravali hills, the vegetation of the sanctuary is deciduous.Well the park is a home of large number of birds and the tigers are not sighted commonly here but the pug marks an be easily figured out, you can see the crocodiles at the Siliserh Lake along with the other reptiles like chameleons, snakes and monitor.Wonderful place to visit like Neelkanth temples located nearby,along with medieval Kankwari fort.

How to get there: For tourist accommodation Sariska Palace hotel and Tiger Den Hotel (RTDC) are there, at a distance of 110 kms away there is Jaipur Airport, Alwar is the nearest railway station,best time time to visit is November to march .

Devigarh

idhamathur — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:26:46 +0000

A wonderful palace that has got its place in the old Aravali Hills of Rajasthan, it is Devigarh an 18th century fort in the village of Delwara, the city has got very rich cultural heritage that gives you a splendid view of the whole city a wonderful and unforgettable sight seeing experience, you will come to know about our traditional and incredible heritage that has been preserved since ages.

Devigarh

Delwara village is an 450 year old village that consists of Jains, Muslim, Rajput and people from tribal fraternity, wonderful and very perfect place to enjoy the vacations to the fullest , its scenic beauty really attracts lots of tourists across the world as this beautiful palace Devigarh is a synonym of architectural style and beauty to and really a wonderful place to visit.

Main tourists attractions are Bapparawal a small and beautiful lake that is about 3 km from Devigarh Fort, you can visit the fort by having a horse and a camel safari and have a pleasure of wonderful scenic beauty of the Aravalis, another attraction is Eklingji a temple consisting of about 108 temples made of sandstone and marble it is 5 km away from Devigarh..

Must visit is Nathdwara this site is just 4 km away from Devigarh embedded with 18th century temple dedicated to Shri Nathji, Nagda has got cluster of temples with th carvings of stone with mesmerising lily pond to add four stars to the place.

Vithala Temple, Karnataka

idhamathur — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 07:26:04 +0000

Vithala Temple has got its place on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra River, one of the most magnificent religious place situated at Hampi, and this temple gives the crowning glory,this temple has got a wide variety of styles and the beautiful shrines that are made within the temple of courtyard, Vithala Temple is embedded with very finest carvings, this temple proudly stands in a rectangular enclosure.

Vithala Temple

The interior has got the an enclosed wall of pillared colonnade,beautifully embedded with wonderful ‘mandapa’ it consists of ‘Amman‘ sanctum,an ‘utsava mandapa, the ‘kalyana mandapa’, a stone ‘ratha’ (car) and a grand hundred-pillared ‘mandapa’, previously it had a lofty ‘kipa-stambha’ (12.2 m high) but now it is no more and has broken into pieces.

Vithala Temple has got the styled architecture that is mainly made up of hard granite the texture of stone is very different, it has got grand mandapa that has fifty-six pillars, the wonderful pillars are made in different styles and their type vary according to their position in the ‘mandapa‘, most of the pillars contain amazing figures of women,drummers and dancers.

Vithala Temple basically belongs to the time of Devaraya II (AD 1422-46). The wonderful architecture of this temple made it stand in one of the most magnificent creation as it sets a perfect example of high watermark with tremendous Vijayanagara style.