kullu manali tourist place

Kullu Manali : The Kullu valley has an ancient town in its lap called Manali. Surrounded by towering peaks at an arm length, Manali's major asset is its proximity to the snowline. It is a flourishing orchard industry, a popular honeymoon destination and trailhead for numerous treks as well as a great countryside ideal for adventure sport lovers.

Manali literally means the 'Home of Manu'. Manu is the mythological character who is supposed to have survived when the world was drowned in Flood. He then came to Manali and recreated human life. Thus, the area of Manali is sacred and Hindus treat the temples over here as pilgrimage.

The valley of gods, as the Kullu valley has come to be known, is perhaps the most delightful region in the western Himalayas. The ancient Hindus regarded it as the furthest limit of human habitation - Kulantapitha, and its original name finds mention in the epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata as well as Vishnu Purana.

Like a slender delicate-hued fern glistening in the morning dew, the valley spreads out its charm on either side of the upper reaches of the river Beas. Running north to south, the main river valley is only 80 km long and 2 km at its broadest, yet a fairly wide area is open to the visitors to enjoy the spectacle of variegated mountain scenery.

In the spring Kullu is at its most colorful with pink blossoms and white flowers while the higher slopes are aglow with gorgeous rhododendrons. With autumn, clear blue skies return and fields and forests alike show wonderful tints of crimson and ochre. By December, there is no greenery except the majestic pines and cedars in the forests. In winter the hillsides are flanked in white.

Situated on the banks of the Beas, Kullu, the headquarters of the district, serves as a nerve centre of the valley and is the starting place for a number of treks. The deodar-fringed grassy maidan, Dhalpur, is a stage for many colorful fairs.

Places to see in Manali

Kothi
12 km. A quiet but picturesque spot. The Rest House overlooks the narrow valley and commands views of the mountains. Below Kothi, for more than a kilometer the river Beas flows through a deep gorge, almost a subterranean passage, 30 meters or more in depth, and the cliffs which flank both sides of the canyon are a favorite haunt for rock pigeons. The site of the bridge provides an interesting historical episode in the early annals of Kullu.

Solang Valley
13 km. A splendid valley between Manali and Kothi which offers views of the glaciers and snow-capped mountain peaks. The plateau is frequently used for holding camps by the trekking parties. Good skiing slopes of the Mountaineering Institute. Venue of annual winter carnival from February 10-14. Bus service up to Palchan village (10 km) and then by jeep or on foot.

Rahla Falls
2 km from Kothi. Here the river Beas hurtles down from a height of about 50 meters. Charming spot for picnics.

Manali Sanctuary
A bridle path from the Manali log huts goes past the Dhoongri Temple and wanders into the dense deodar, kail, horse chestnut, walnut and maple forest which is a part of this sanctuary. Camping overnight in tents at Lambadug or Galiani Thatch is possible.

Lush green alpine pastures and glaciers lie beyond Galiani Thatch. Musk deer, monal and brown bear are often spotted. For those who venture still further into the glacier zone in summer, there are herds of ibex.

Hadimba Temple: Hadimba or Dhungiri temple in Manali is one of the most important temples in the region. This four-story wooden temple is located in the middle of a forest called the Dhungiri Van Vihar.

Gadhan Thekchoking Gompa: This Gompa dominates the Tibetan area around the bottom of the Mall in Manali. The Tibetan refugees built the Gompa in the late 1960's. The Gompa is covered with brightly colored frescoes and a mid size Buddhist statute. It also carries a list of the martyrs killed in occupation of Tibet of 1987 to 1989.
Old Manali: The old Manali area is located some 3-km from the present day Manali. The old Manali is covered with guesthouses, which look ancient now, and orchards where the livestock move at will.
Temple of Manu: Slippery stones paths lead through the old village houses up to the temple of Manu. Manali is named after the sage Manu who meditated when he came in this area









source: tourist places in delhi {www.delhiplaces.com}

delhi tourist place

Safdarjung's Tomb

Safdarjung's tomb was built by Nawab Shuja-ud-Daulah, the son of Safdarjung. Safdarjung was the governor of Awadh and later became the Prime Minister of Muhammad Shah, the Mughal emperor. Built in 1753-1754, the Safdarjung tomb lies at the Lodi road, New Delhi. Safdarjung's tomb is set in the middle of a garden, which spreads over an area of 300 sq m. The garden of Safdarjung's tomb is laid down on the pattern of the Mughal Charbagh style. The Safdarjung tomb was erected roughly on the pattern of Humayun's tomb.
Safdarjung's tomb represents the last phase of the Mughal style of architecture. The tomb of Safdarjung was built in red sandstone and buff stone. There are two graves here, one of Safdarjung and the other apparently his wife's. The square central chamber of the mausoleum is surrounded by eight rooms all around. All the apartments, except the corner ones are rectangular in shape, the corner ones being octagonal. The dome of the tomb rises from a sixteen-sided base. On either side of the Safdarjung tomb are beautiful pavilions, known as "Moti Mahal" or the pearl palace, "Jangli Mahal" or the sylvan palace and "Badshah Pasand" or the emperor's favorite.









source: tourist places in delhi {www.delhiplaces.com}

places visit in delhi

Jantar Mantar

A unique structure raised in 1724, now lies in the heart of Delhi's commercial centre near Connaught place. This is the Jantar Mantar, one of several astronomical observatories raised by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur. The various abstract structures within the Jantar Mantar are, in fact, instruments that were used for keeping track of celestial bodies. Yet, Jantar Mantar is not only a timekeeper of celestial bodies, it also tells a lot about the technological achievements under the Rajput kings and their attempt to resolve the mysteries regarding astronomy. The Jantar Mantar of Delhi is only one of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh II, the other four being located at Jaipur, Varanasi, Ujjain and Mathura.
All of these were built as far back as AD 1724-1730 during the period generally known as the dark age of Indian history, when the last great Mughal emperor Aurangzeb had died and the Mughal Empire was rapidly declining. During this period of turmoil, Muhammad Shah ascended the throne of the Mughal Empire. As many enemies surrounded him, he sought the alliance of the Hindu rulers. Of these, the most notable was Sawai Jai Singh II of Amber, who came into limelight since the days of Aurangzeb. When Jai Singh ascended the throne of Amber in 1699, he was barely eleven, but sharp and shrewd far beyond his years. The then Mughal emperor Aurangzeb was so impressed with the young ruler that he gave Jai Singh II the title of 'Sawai', meaning one and a quarter of an average man in worth.
As Jai Singh repeatedly proved himself a worthy ally of the Mughals, Muhammad Shah, who was seeking a dependable ally, zeroed in on Jai Singh and duly raised him to the rank of governor of Agra and later, of Malwa. Legend Behind Jantar Mantar Jai Singh was passionate about two things-arts and the sciences, chiefly astronomy. Once, at the court of Muhammad Shah, he found the Hindu and Muslim astrologers embroiled in a heated argument over certain planetary positions. It was imperative that the positions be known accurately to determine an auspicious hour for the emperor to set out on an expedition. Jai Singh offered to rectify the then available astronomical tables, an offer that was readily accepted by the Mughal emperor.
The result was an onsite Jantar Mantar in Delhi, an astronomical observatory where the movements of sun, moon and planets could be observed.
Jai Singh's idea was to create a rebirth of practical astronomy among the Indian masses and practicing astronomers. However, the lofty ideals of the Jantar Mantar remained unfulfilled as the country at that time was in chaos and the full potential of this observatory was never realized. In the beginning, Jai Singh tried to use brass instruments in this observatory, but soon gave them up because of several inherent flaws. They were too small, for one thing, their axes were unstable so the center often got displaced. He then decided to follow the style adopted by the renowned Arab astronomer, Prince Ulugh Beg, builder of the famous 15th century observatory at Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The massive masonry instruments at Samarkand suited Jai Singh's architectural tastes and promised to be more accurate because of sheer size. In 1730, Jai Singh sent a mission to the king of Lisbon. On its return to Jaipur, the mission brought back a telescope and the court astronomer by the name of Xavier de Silva. The Observatory This unique observatory was completed in 1724 and remained operational only for seven years.

Astronomical observations were regularly made over here and these observations were used for drawing up a new set of tables, later compiled as Zij Muhammad Shahi dedicated to the reigning monarch. Jai Singh named his observatory Jantar Mantar, which is actually pronounced, as 'Yantra Mantra', yantra for instrument and mantra for formula. A huge sundial known as "Samrat Yantra" or 'Prince of Dials',

 meant to measure accurate time of the day within half a second and the declination of the sun and other heavenly bodies dominates it.
Jai Singh himself designed this yantra. Other yantras were also meant for the study of heavenly bodies, plotting their course and predicting eclipses. The two pillars on the southwest of Mishra Yantra are meant to determine the shortest and longest days of the year. Interestingly, in December one pillar completely covers the other with its shadow while in June it does not cast any such shadow at all. After the completion of the first Jantar Mantar and with a view to verifying astronomical observations made at Delhi, Jai Singh built similar, even if smaller observatories, at other important Indian cities-Jaipur, Varanasi, Ujjain, and Mathura. The Jantar Mantars may have fallen into disuse but they remain an integral part of India's scientific heritage. It presents that the spirit of scientific enquiry was not dead in India and would have yielded rich results if only an opportunity of research and development had been given to it. This monument situated just a stroll away on the Parliament Street, still remains one of the most intriguing structures of the capital, one that burst in a flood of questions inside the curious mind of the tourist. Timing : Daily 9.00am - 7.00pm.









source: tourist places in delhi {www.delhiplaces.com}

delhi tourist places

Garden of Five Senses

The Garden of five senses is a breadth taking and enamoring experience. It is not just a park - it is a celebration of aesthetic expression and appreciation, a seamless dialogue between the creations of man and nature that invites interaction and exploration. It is an ideal ground to realize the twin objectives of the need for a public leisure space as well as awakening of human sensitivity to the environment.
It is an intricate blend of natures bounty and subtle human creation. Amidst the concrete jungle and the hustle and bustle of the city, the garden of five senses comes across as a welcome breadth of fresh air and serene quietude. True to the imagery suggested by its name and with its beautiful, lush green landscapes, the garden of five senses stimulates all the five senses in an evocative bouquet that awakens the mind to the beauty of life and invokes a grateful prayer for the gift of touch, sight, sound, smell and taste .
Visitors are encouraged to touch the rocks and displays, the fragrance of flower for the nose, beds stimulates the olfactory senses, the landscaping appeals to the eyes - the sight, the ceramic bells and the water falls create a soothing sound -pleasing to the ear and the food courts serve a variety of cuisines - to please the tongue.
LOCATION
 The garden is located at Said-ul-Aizab village , close to the Mehrauli heritage area in New Delhi. The garden is built on a large expanse of land, 20 acres to be precise. It was inaugurated in February 2003 by Chief Minister of Delhi, Sheila Dikshit, coinciding with the beginning of the 16th garden festival which is showcasing seasonal flowers, hanging baskets and animal figures sculpted from the plants.

The Garden, developed at a cost of Rs 10.5 crore over the last three years. The garden is a visual treat. The geometric arrangement of plants , the meandering pathways and lotus pools , with beds of green leaves covering clear waters, with pink lotuses peeping out every now and then transport a person straight to heaven. A brief walk in the garden serves as a great stress reliever.

 Stainless steel birds mounted on slate -clad pillars soar indignantly in the air, as if, cocking a snook at their real counterparts , trying to welcome the visitors.
ESTIVALS
The food festivals, organized every now and then are virtual gastronomical delights and drive even the severest of dyspeptics on a binge trip. There are also Sherbet melas to boot . Other festivals include Garden tourism festival, Dandia Masti festival etc.
THEME
The garden festivals theme this year is Decorative Accents in Landscaping. A competition will be held in 24 classes consisting over 175 sections. There will also be competitions in Dahlia varieties, display sections, the tray garden class and nursery stalls. Such similar competitions and shows would be held every year.
AMUSEMENT SECTION
To add more interest , are the toy solar cars imported from Taiwan for use in the amusement section of the Garden of Five Senses. Each solar car cost Rs 60,000 each.
During the garden festival, free battery bus rides up to the garden would be available from Qutab Minar and the deputy commissioners office near Anupam Apartments in Saket.
SOLAR ENERGY PARK
An integral part of the garden is the solar Park set up with the assistance of the Ministry of Non-conventional Renewable Energy sources. The aim is to promote awareness of renewable source of energy. A 20KW solar power plant is installed to meet the requirement of the park.
The exhibits include :
Two solar-powered buses.
Weighing machine
Solar powered bicycles
Solar powered cars for children
Quiz computer
Solar drum and slide
A prototype of solar- powered home
Exhibits on renewable sources
In addition, solar water heating has been installed in nine food outle






source: tourist places in delhi {www.delhiplaces.com}

delhi places to visit

Hotel Surya Shelter

Hotel Surya Shelter with its selection of perfect rooms and high standards of amenities is one of the most preferred hotels in Delhi for both business and leisure travelers.

Rooms: 

24

Location: 

12Km From Airport, 2 Km from Station, ^ Km From ISBT

Address: 

4/33, Saraswati Marg, Karol Bagh, New Delhi

Cuisine: 

The roof top restaurant serves delicious cuisines to the guests staying in this

Room Facilities : 

Doctor on call, air conditioned rooms, laundry service, hair dryer, attached bath with running hot and cold water, CCTV, STD/ ISD telephone facility, round the clock room service, Fax, Internet access, safe deposit

Other Facilities: 

Travel desk, car rental service, safe deposit, baby sitting, currency exchange, and valet. 

 

Hotel Surya Shelter

Hotel Surya Shelter with its selection of perfect rooms and high standards of amenities is one of the most preferred hotels in Delhi for both business and leisure travelers.

Rooms: 

24

Location: 

12Km From Airport, 2 Km from Station, ^ Km From ISBT

Address: 

4/33, Saraswati Marg, Karol Bagh, New Delhi

Cuisine: 

The roof top restaurant serves delicious cuisines to the guests staying in this

Room Facilities : 

Doctor on call, air conditioned rooms, laundry service, hair dryer, attached bath with running hot and cold water, CCTV, STD/ ISD telephone facility, round the clock room service, Fax, Internet access, safe deposit

Other Facilities: 

Travel desk, car rental service, safe deposit, baby sitting, currency exchange, and valet.

Lodi Tomb

Evidence of the sixth city, said to have been built by the Sayyid and Lodi dynasties is found only in the tombs and mosques in the famous Lodi Gardens, which is a favourite point for early morning walkers from the posh south Delhi coloniesLodi Tomb Situated about 3-kms to the west and adjoining the Indian International Centre are the Lodi Gardens.History has it that the tombs are remnants of another city that was sought to be built in Delhi. Muhammad Shah's tomb built in 1450 is a prototype for the later Mughal style tomb of Humayun, a design that would eventually develop into the Taj Mahal.
Other tombs include those of his predecessors Mubarak Shah -1433, Ibrahim Lodi - 1526 and Sikander Lodi - 1517. The Bara Gumbad Mosque is a fine example of its type of plaster decoration.









source: tourist places in delhi {www.delhiplaces.com}

delhi tourist place visit

Red Fort

About Red Fort
Red Fort or Lal Quila as it is more popularly known is a masterpiece of architecture and one of the most haunting spots for tourists from both India and abroad. This colossal fort on the banks of the river Yamuna, built by Shahjahan as the citadel of the 17th Century Delhi is a significant link between the past and the present, for it is from here that the prime minister of India addresses the people on the Independence Day (August 15th).
Mughal Emperor Shahjahan started construction of the Red Fort in 1638, which was completed in 1648. The fort contains - halls of public and private audience, domed and arched marble palaces, plush private apartments, a mosque and elaborately designed gardens. Even today, the fort continues to be an impressive evidence to Mughal grandeur.
The Architecture
The Red Fort with thick red sandstone walls, bulging with turrets and bastions is one of the largest and oldest monument in Delhi India. The Fort rises above a wide dry moat in the northeast corner of the original city of Shahjahanabad, now Old Delhi. Its walls extend from 2 kms and vary in height from 18 m on the river side to 33 m on the city side.
The Fort also houses the Diwan-i-Am or the Hall of Public Audiences where the Emperor would sit and hear complaints of the common folks. The Diwan-i-Khas is the hall of private audiences where the Emperor held private meetings. This hall is made of marble and its centre-piece used to be the Peacock Throne, which was carried away to Iran by Nadir Shah in 1739.
The other attractions within this monument are the Royal Baths or hammams, the Shahi Burj, which used to be Shahjahan's private working area and the Moti Masjid or the Pearl Mosque, built by Aurangzeb for his personal use. The Rang Mahal or the "Palace of Colours" housed the Emperor's wives and mistresses. This palace was crowned with gilded turrets, delicately painted and decorated with an intricate mosaic of mirrors, and a ceiling overlaid with gold and silver that was reflected in a central pool in the marble floor.

Mount Abu Tourist Place

History of Mount Abu 

The history of Mount Abu is as diverse as the city itself. It was once a part of the Chauhan kingdom of Rajasthan and served as a summer resort for the Rajput kings of the region. After that, it was leased by the British government from the then Maharaja of Sirohi for use as the headquarter of the resident to Rajputana (another name for Rajasthan).

Mount Abu was the home of many saints and sages in the old days. Legend has it that all the 330 million gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon used to visit this holy mountain. It is also the place where the great saint Vashishth lived and performed a yagna (sacrificial worship on a fire pit) to create four Agnikula (four clans of fire) to protect the earth from demons. The yagna was supposed to have been performed near a natural spring, which emerged from a rock shaped like a cow's head. According to another legend, once sage Vashishth's cow Nandini was trapped in a deep gorge and could not free herself. The sage appealed to Lord Shiva for assistance. The Lord sent Saraswati, the divine stream, to help flood the gorge so that the cow could float up. Vashishth then decided to ensure that such mishaps did not occur in future. He asked the youngest son of Himalaya, the king of mountains to fill the chasm permanently. This he did with the assistance of Arbud, the mighty snake. This spot came to be known as Mount Arbud and was later changed to its present form - Mount Abu. This place is held in reverence by Jains as well since Jain scriptures record that Lord Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankar (spiritual leader), also visited Mount Abu and blessed the city. 

It was here that an elderly mystic, Balam Rashiya, fell in love with a nubile teenager. The parents of the adolescent girl were bothered by the unreasonable demand of the sage. They soon devised a plan, according to which they placed a condition in front of the aging spiritualist. They told him to dig a lake with his fingernails, before sunup,

 failing which he would not get the hand of their daughter as his bride. The aging guru accepted the stipulation and earnestly went to work to win over his bride. Seeing the sage succeeding in his mission, the parents went to the gods, beseeching them to save their daughter from becoming the bride of a very old maharishi. The gods betrayed the sage by imitating a cock, which crowed too early to announce the daybreak. The sage was heartbroken, thinking that he had failed in his stipulated mission and would not have his much adored teenager as his wife. In the divine process the love lake Nakki was born.

It is in the old scripture, Mount Abu is named after the mythical snake Arbuda. It has been described as the most sacred place on earth. According to Padma Purana one night’s stay at Mount Abu has the blessing equivalent to the charity of giving one thousand cows. It was considered the abode of great saints and Gods. Mount Abu finds mention in the Puranas, like Skund Purana, Upanishads, and Mahabharata and in the travelogues of Magasthanese, Col. Todd and many others. It was here that the four, fiery Rajput clans were born from the fire of Havana performed by the sage, Rishi Vashishta. The place was plagued by incessant tremors. Once again Lord Shiva came to its rescue. He pressed his big toe at the sacred Achalgarh to steady the mountain. Likewise, the peak of Mount Abu came to be known as Guru Shikhar after the guru of the Devas, Dattatreya Muni. Similarly, Gaumukh, the Vashishta Ashram, became famous as the precincts of the sacrosanct fire, which gave birth to the four Rajput Agnikula clans.

Historically this mountain terrain has been the sanctuary for regional warriors. It was because of this strategic topography that the invaders could never defeat the local rulers. As the attackers would attack, the local warriors would climb the familiar mountain ranges and from the top would assault the aggressors and force them to retreat. Accurate historical information is not available on the early history of Mount Abu; only mythology. We learn of the Bhillas and the Nagas who, according to legend, lived here in ancient times. The latter worshipped the Godess Durga, which points to the existence of a fertility cult, traces of which remain even in historic times. After this we come across the name of the first kings. First ruler, Dhumraja, established the Parmar (The slayer of the enemy-the name given by the sage Vasistha) dynasty in 916 AD. They were the important rulers of the region. They were the tribute paying vassals of the powerful Solankis (who influenced the architecture of the region, whose examples are the older Delwara temples) of Gujarat, the neighboring state of Rajasthan. After a fierce war between the two, Bimal Shah of the Solankis was filled with penitence and desired penance. He met a Jain hermit who told him that there was no such thing as penance for a willful sin, yet he could make his life better by constructing temples to lessen his guilt. He soon went about to construct Dilwara temples, the exquisite poems in marble. The two tycoon brothers, Tej Pal and Vastu Pal, who were then considered to be the biggest builders in the country, ably helped him. If there was something like a record book like the Guinness then they would have been included in it.

The conquest of Mount Abu in 1311 by Rao Lumba of Deora-Chauhan dynasty brought to an end the reign of the Parmars and also marked the decline of Mount Abu. He shifted the capitol city to Chandravati in the plains. After the destruction of Chandravati in 1405, Rao Shasmal made Sirohi his headquarters.

These mountains are the oldest ranges in India, as old as water and as fresh as thirst. Their contemporaries are the Appalachians of North America, together with which they constitute the oldest mountain systems in the world. They are older than the Nilgiries; they are older than the Himalayas yet they exult eternal youth. Mount Abu is the highest peak between the Vindhias and the Himalayas. It is the proud abode of the verdant, salubrious forests, habited by leopards, wild boars, Sambhars, monkeys, porcupines, snakes, civet cats, hares, bears and many exotic birds, highly praised by the great, renowned Indian ornithologist Mr. Salim Ali, after whom there is an observation tower in the jungles. With the passage of time Mount Abu was declared a sanctuary and a very big area, the Trevor’s tank, too was demarcated, named after the British officer Mr. Trevor; just like the beautiful walk, the Bailey’s walk, was named after another British officer Mr. Bailey.

It was left for the British to rediscover Mount Abu. Col. Todd was surveying the then Rajputana state and now the Rajasthan state and stumbled upon Mount Abu. His master, the Resident, the local representative of the British Viceroy in India, selected Mount Abu, as the summer capital of Rajputana state. This made Mount Abu an important destination for the royals of Rajputana. They made their palaces and the ‘Vakalat Houses’ for their lawyers, who accompanied them to plead their cases in the court of the Resident. Many of theses royal edifices have been converted into heritage hotels or prestigious schools or army or paramilitary cantonments.

source : tourist places in delhi {www.delhiplaces.com}

delhi places to visit

India Gate

The first place which pops into any Indians mind while remembering the sacrifice of brave soldiers of India, is the place called India gate. The place in the capital of India. The relation of sacrifice and India gate is very close. India Gate is constructed as a memorial for the memory 90,000 soldiers who laid down their lives during World War I and second Afghan war in 1919. Located at Rajpath, New Delhi, it is also known as the All India War Memorial Constructed in sandstone, the gate is 42 meters in height and is popular relaxation area during the summer evenings. For Delhites gate also act as popular picnic spot during winter. The foundation stone of this magnanimous structure was laid in 1921 by the Duke of Connaught and dedicated to the nation in 1931 by the hands of Viceroy, Lord Irwin. The gate has arch at the top .The height of the arch is 87'6" internally and136' externally. India Gate is also credited as the first gate to be constructed in New Delhi. The names of the soldiers in the memory of whom the Gate was constructed has been inscribed on its walls.
Amar Jawan Jyoti:
 Burning in a shrine under the India Gate arch since 1971 is the Amar Jawan Jyoti which means the flame of the immortal soldiers. This marks the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. The shrine is made of a black marble cenotaph with a soldier's rifle placed on

its barrel, crested by a soldier's helmet. Each face of the cenotaph has inscribed in gold which says the words "Amar Jawan" which means the Immortal Warrior. This cenotaph is itself placed on one edifice which has four torches on its four corners that are perpetually kept alive. Just at the rear of Amar Jawan Jyoti, the flags of Indian armed forces stand tall.

crested by a soldier's helmet. Each face of the cenotaph has inscribed in gold which says the words "Amar Jawan" which means the Immortal Warrior. This cenotaph is itself placed on one edifice which has four torches on its four corners that are perpetually kept alive. Just at the rear of Amar Jawan Jyoti, the flags of Indian armed forces stand tall. Today, it is customary for the President, the Prime Minister as well as visiting Guests of State; to pay homage at Amar Jawan Jyoti on occasions of State ceremonies. On each Republic Day i.e. 26 January, before joining the annual parade at Rajpath the Prime Minister of Union of India pays homage to the soldiers along with Heads of all Armed Forces i.e. Navy, Army and Air force.
Raj Path:
Raj path i.e. the royal way on which the India gate is present is the way which connects National Stadium to Rashtrapati Bhavan. Rashtrapati Bhavan is the official residence of President of India. It was the Viceroy of India's residence before India got its independence from Great Britain.
Accommodation:
Being the capital of nation, there is a wide variety of lodging options in Delhi.
Getting There:
Airways: Indira Gandhi International Airport is connected to most of the big cities in world directly. The Palam Airport is the domestic airport which is connected with every airport in country by direct flights.
Railways: Delhi is connected to every part of the country with rail. Old Delhi, Hajarat Nijammudin and New Delhi are the main railway stations of Delhi. To visit India gate you must get down at New Delhi railway station. You have a unique option of metro rail to reach here.
Road ways: Public transport buses are available from almost all parts of the city to India gate.








source: tourist places in delhi {www.delhiplaces.com}

delhi places to visit

Garden of Five Senses

The Garden of five senses is a breadth taking and enamoring experience. It is not just a park - it is a celebration of aesthetic expression and appreciation, a seamless dialogue between the creations of man and nature that invites interaction and exploration. It is an ideal ground to realize the twin objectives of the need for a public leisure space as well as awakening of human sensitivity to the environment.
It is an intricate blend of natures bounty and subtle human creation. Amidst the concrete jungle and the hustle and bustle of the city, the garden of five senses comes across as a welcome breadth of fresh air and serene quietude. True to the imagery suggested by its name and with its beautiful, lush green landscapes, the garden of five senses stimulates all the five senses in an evocative bouquet that awakens the mind to the beauty of life and invokes a grateful prayer for the gift of touch, sight, sound, smell and taste .
Visitors are encouraged to touch the rocks and displays, the fragrance of flower for the nose, beds stimulates the olfactory senses, the landscaping appeals to the eyes - the sight, the ceramic bells and the water falls create a soothing sound -pleasing to the ear and the food courts serve a variety of cuisines - to please the tongue.
LOCATION
 The garden is located at Said-ul-Aizab village , close to the Mehrauli heritage area in New Delhi. The garden is built on a large expanse of land, 20 acres to be precise. It was inaugurated in February 2003 by Chief Minister of Delhi, Sheila Dikshit, coinciding with the beginning of the 16th garden festival which is showcasing seasonal flowers, hanging baskets and animal figures sculpted from the plants.

The Garden, developed at a cost of Rs 10.5 crore over the last three years. The garden is a visual treat. The geometric arrangement of plants , the meandering pathways and lotus pools , with beds of green leaves covering clear waters, with pink lotuses peeping out every now and then transport a person straight to heaven. A brief walk in the garden serves as a great stress reliever.

 Stainless steel birds mounted on slate -clad pillars soar indignantly in the air, as if, cocking a snook at their real counterparts , trying to welcome the visitors.
ESTIVALS
The food festivals, organized every now and then are virtual gastronomical delights and drive even the severest of dyspeptics on a binge trip. There are also Sherbet melas to boot . Other festivals include Garden tourism festival, Dandia Masti festival etc.
THEME
The garden festivals theme this year is Decorative Accents in Landscaping. A competition will be held in 24 classes consisting over 175 sections. There will also be competitions in Dahlia varieties, display sections, the tray garden class and nursery stalls. Such similar competitions and shows would be held every year.
AMUSEMENT SECTION
To add more interest , are the toy solar cars imported from Taiwan for use in the amusement section of the Garden of Five Senses. Each solar car cost Rs 60,000 each.
During the garden festival, free battery bus rides up to the garden would be available from Qutab Minar and the deputy commissioners office near Anupam Apartments in Saket.
SOLAR ENERGY PARK
An integral part of the garden is the solar Park set up with the assistance of the Ministry of Non-conventional Renewable Energy sources. The aim is to promote awareness of renewable source of energy. A 20KW solar power plant is installed to meet the requirement of the park.
The exhibits include :
Two solar-powered buses.
Weighing machine
Solar powered bicycles
Solar powered cars for children
Quiz computer
Solar drum and slide
A prototype of solar- powered home
Exhibits on renewable sources
In addition, solar water heating has been installed in nine food outlets.

Jama Masjid

The Biggest Mosque In India:
Near the Red Fort about 500m away is the Jama masjid, the biggest mosque in India. It was begun by Shah Jahan in 1650 and completed six years later and the whole cost about a million rupees. It is hard to imagine a building more suited to evoking the awe of the majesty of Allah in man. The mosque stands on a rocky elevation. Its huge gateway looks down at you like fastidious connoisseur from an immense platform which has steps that lead up to it.
Constructed in Sandstone and white marble, Jama Masjid can be entered from both the directions - North and the South Gates. The eastern gateway is supposed to remain open in Friday and was used by the emperor himself. Jama Masjid is cluttered by devotees who offer namaz, especially during Muslim Festival. For those who don't belong to non - Muslim community, a specified time is mentioned to enter the mosque.














source: tourist places in delhi {www.delhiplaces.com}

tourist places to visit

Mount Abu Tourist Place

History of Mount Abu 

The history of Mount Abu is as diverse as the city itself. It was once a part of the Chauhan kingdom of Rajasthan and served as a summer resort for the Rajput kings of the region. After that, it was leased by the British government from the then Maharaja of Sirohi for use as the headquarter of the resident to Rajputana (another name for Rajasthan).

Mount Abu was the home of many saints and sages in the old days. Legend has it that all the 330 million gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon used to visit this holy mountain. It is also the place where the great saint Vashishth lived and performed a yagna (sacrificial worship on a fire pit) to create four Agnikula (four clans of fire) to protect the earth from demons. The yagna was supposed to have been performed near a natural spring, which emerged from a rock shaped like a cow's head. According to another legend, once sage Vashishth's cow Nandini was trapped in a deep gorge and could not free herself. The sage appealed to Lord Shiva for assistance. The Lord sent Saraswati, the divine stream, to help flood the gorge so that the cow could float up. Vashishth then decided to ensure that such mishaps did not occur in future. He asked the youngest son of Himalaya, the king of mountains to fill the chasm permanently. This he did with the assistance of Arbud, the mighty snake. This spot came to be known as Mount Arbud and was later changed to its present form - Mount Abu. This place is held in reverence by Jains as well since Jain scriptures record that Lord Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankar (spiritual leader), also visited Mount Abu and blessed the city. 

It was here that an elderly mystic, Balam Rashiya, fell in love with a nubile teenager. The parents of the adolescent girl were bothered by the unreasonable demand of the sage. They soon devised a plan, according to which they placed a condition in front of the aging spiritualist. They told him to dig a lake with his fingernails, before sunup,

 failing which he would not get the hand of their daughter as his bride. The aging guru accepted the stipulation and earnestly went to work to win over his bride. Seeing the sage succeeding in his mission, the parents went to the gods, beseeching them to save their daughter from becoming the bride of a very old maharishi. The gods betrayed the sage by imitating a cock, which crowed too early to announce the daybreak. The sage was heartbroken, thinking that he had failed in his stipulated mission and would not have his much adored teenager as his wife. In the divine process the love lake Nakki was born.

It is in the old scripture, Mount Abu is named after the mythical snake Arbuda. It has been described as the most sacred place on earth. According to Padma Purana one night’s stay at Mount Abu has the blessing equivalent to the charity of giving one thousand cows. It was considered the abode of great saints and Gods. Mount Abu finds mention in the Puranas, like Skund Purana, Upanishads, and Mahabharata and in the travelogues of Magasthanese, Col. Todd and many others. It was here that the four, fiery Rajput clans were born from the fire of Havana performed by the sage, Rishi Vashishta. The place was plagued by incessant tremors. Once again Lord Shiva came to its rescue. He pressed his big toe at the sacred Achalgarh to steady the mountain. Likewise, the peak of Mount Abu came to be known as Guru Shikhar after the guru of the Devas, Dattatreya Muni. Similarly, Gaumukh, the Vashishta Ashram, became famous as the precincts of the sacrosanct fire, which gave birth to the four Rajput Agnikula clans.

Historically this mountain terrain has been the sanctuary for regional warriors. It was because of this strategic topography that the invaders could never defeat the local rulers. As the attackers would attack, the local warriors would climb the familiar mountain ranges and from the top would assault the aggressors and force them to retreat. Accurate historical information is not available on the early history of Mount Abu; only mythology. We learn of the Bhillas and the Nagas who, according to legend, lived here in ancient times. The latter worshipped the Godess Durga, which points to the existence of a fertility cult, traces of which remain even in historic times. After this we come across the name of the first kings. First ruler, Dhumraja, established the Parmar (The slayer of the enemy-the name given by the sage Vasistha) dynasty in 916 AD. They were the important rulers of the region. They were the tribute paying vassals of the powerful Solankis (who influenced the architecture of the region, whose examples are the older Delwara temples) of Gujarat, the neighboring state of Rajasthan. After a fierce war between the two, Bimal Shah of the Solankis was filled with penitence and desired penance. He met a Jain hermit who told him that there was no such thing as penance for a willful sin, yet he could make his life better by constructing temples to lessen his guilt. He soon went about to construct Dilwara temples, the exquisite poems in marble. The two tycoon brothers, Tej Pal and Vastu Pal, who were then considered to be the biggest builders in the country, ably helped him. If there was something like a record book like the Guinness then they would have been included in it.

The conquest of Mount Abu in 1311 by Rao Lumba of Deora-Chauhan dynasty brought to an end the reign of the Parmars and also marked the decline of Mount Abu. He shifted the capitol city to Chandravati in the plains. After the destruction of Chandravati in 1405, Rao Shasmal made Sirohi his headquarters.

These mountains are the oldest ranges in India, as old as water and as fresh as thirst. Their contemporaries are the Appalachians of North America, together with which they constitute the oldest mountain systems in the world. They are older than the Nilgiries; they are older than the Himalayas yet they exult eternal youth. Mount Abu is the highest peak between the Vindhias and the Himalayas. It is the proud abode of the verdant, salubrious forests, habited by leopards, wild boars, Sambhars, monkeys, porcupines, snakes, civet cats, hares, bears and many exotic birds, highly praised by the great, renowned Indian ornithologist Mr. Salim Ali, after whom there is an observation tower in the jungles. With the passage of time Mount Abu was declared a sanctuary and a very big area, the Trevor’s tank, too was demarcated, named after the British officer Mr. Trevor; just like the beautiful walk, the Bailey’s walk, was named after another British officer Mr. Bailey.

It was left for the British to rediscover Mount Abu. Col. Todd was surveying the then Rajputana state and now the Rajasthan state and stumbled upon Mount Abu. His master, the Resident, the local representative of the British Viceroy in India, selected Mount Abu, as the summer capital of Rajputana state. This made Mount Abu an important destination for the royals of Rajputana. They made their palaces and the ‘Vakalat Houses’ for their lawyers, who accompanied them to plead their cases in the court of the Resident. Many of theses royal edifices have been converted into heritage hotels or prestigious schools or army or paramilitary cantonments.

After the Second World War there was rapid growth in tourism in Mount Abu. The single bus service from the railroad, Abu road, known in the olden days as Kharadi, was gradually increased in frequency and the number of the vehicles plying too swelled. By 1954 Mount Abu was merged with Rajasthan from Bombay province. By the eighties, tourism multiplied in geometrical progression, crossing the 1.2 million mark per year by late eighties.

Azad Hind Gram

Azad Hind Gram is basically a Tourist Complex which is situated at Tikri Kalan. It is one of the projects developed by Delhi Tourism as a tribute to the great Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
Azad hind gram features highly structured medley domes that surrounds the museum and the monument placed inside are undoubtedly the main center of attention of the composite that also provides the services of wide-ranging malls, an amphitheatre, traveler
information service, memento and garden shop, foodstuff cubicle, a eating place, restrooms, drinking water, phone booth and get-together conveniences.
There is abundant space to unwind and the wayside amenities to suit the tourist and visitors alike. It is perfectly situated within less than two kilometers of the border of Delhi Haryana on NH-10.The basic structural design of the development is stimulated by the speech of North Indian style and the ethnicity of Indian skill and craftsmanship
Some of the facilities that can be availed of include soft drinks, veg lunch, snacks cultural activities such as kachhi ghori, finger-puppet show, and magical show, snake show. Apart from that there is also camel cart ride for village interaction, potters wheel, artificial river crossing, and much more for leisure and amusement.
Without difficulty Azad Hind Gram can be reached from any part of Delhi. If given a choice visitors and travelers can choose to take local buses from different points inside the city or, instead lease auto-rickshaws and cab, minicab or yellow cabs which are conveniently available at any point in Delhi. However you could even opt for the regular bus services that commence from the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Kashmere Gate and City Center to Mehrauli.
There are several local guided tours which are especially carried out by Delhi Tourism and private operators. They cover all the tourist attractions, museums, monuments and Azad hind gram is also incorporated as it happens to be one of the most important recreation places.

 

source: tourist places in delhi {www.delhiplaces.com}

delhi places to visit

Hotel Janpath

Hotel Janpath is a leading 4 star hotel operating in New Delhi. The hotel is fully Air condition. Food offer Indian, Chinese, Continental along with other excellent room facilities.

Rooms: 

213

Location: 

20 kms. from Airport, 2 kms. from Railway Station, 10 kms. from Bus Stand

Address: 

Janpath Hotel, Janpath, New Delhi.110 001

Cuisine: 

ndian, Chinese, Continental, One Coffee Shop

Room Facilities : 

Room Service, H/C running water, Telephone, T.V., Channel Music, Safe Deposit with cashier.

Other Facilities: 

Beauty Parlour and Barber shop, Florist, shopping arcade, Art gallery, Travel Desk, Currency Exchange. 

Hotel Alka

Hotel Alka is a Govt. approved 4 star hotel . Available are pure vegetarian , mughlai, continental cuisines. Other facilities include restaurants, bar, banquet, travel service, money changer, credit cards etc.

Rooms: 

22

Location: 

14 kms. from International Airport, 1 km. from New Delhi Railway Station, 0 km. from Shivaji Stadium Bus Stand

Address: 

Hotel Alaka, 16 /90 Connaught Circus, New Delhi, 110 001

Cuisine: 

Indian, Continental, Mughlai

Room Facilities : 

Mini Bars in Executive Rooms,H/C running water, C.T.V., Channel Music, Satellite T.V., Telephone, STD/ISD, Mini Refrigerators.

Other Facilities: 

24 hr coffee shop, Laundry, Halls, Bar Pub, Doctor on Call, Safe Deposit 

Hotel Alka

Hotel Alka is a Govt. approved 4 star hotel . Available are pure vegetarian , mughlai, continental cuisines. Other facilities include restaurants, bar, banquet, travel service, money changer, credit cards etc.

Rooms: 

22

Location: 

14 kms. from International Airport, 1 km. from New Delhi Railway Station, 0 km. from Shivaji Stadium Bus Stand

Address: 

Hotel Alaka, 16 /90 Connaught Circus, New Delhi, 110 001

Cuisine: 

Indian, Continental, Mughlai

Room Facilities : 

Mini Bars in Executive Rooms,H/C running water, C.T.V., Channel Music, Satellite T.V., Telephone, STD/ISD, Mini Refrigerators.

Other Facilities: 

24 hr coffee shop, Laundry, Halls, Bar Pub, Doctor on Call, Safe Deposit

 

Jaipur Tourist places

The famous city Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and has earned universal renown as the " Pink City ", and pink it is, with beautiful constructed palaces, havelis and forts. Tall, rugged men with handle-bar whiskers sport bright pink turbans. Jaipur which means the city of victory was built exactly 273 years back and is 262 km by road from Delhi ( Capital of India ).

 A strong wall encircles the old city and even today has a suggestion of formidable strength, its function of protecting all within is obvious.
The plains of Rajasthan of which Jaipur is the capital once thundered and echoed with clash of swords and the drums of wars.Built in 1727 by Sawai Jai Singh-II, Jaipur was the first planned city of its time ( the earlier planned city in northern India having been built near Taxila sometime in the 2nd century BC ).
Jaipur was planned by Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya, a Bengali architect, in a grid system with wide straight avenues, roads, streets and lanes and uniform rows of shops on either side of the main bazaars, all arranged in nine rectangular city sectors (chokris). The city itself is an attractive creation worthy of universal admiration.

There is a feast in store for tourists. Attractive monuments where one can breathe the fragrance of history. Comfortable and luxurious hotels, once the proud of kings, parks, gardens, and excursions of nearby places of interest, make Jaipur a tourist's paradise The picturesque capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is color washed pink-the color associated with hospitality in Rajput culture. Built in 1727 A.D.

by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh JI, Jaipur displays a remarkable harmony and architectural splendor. The ancient heart of the Pink City still beats in its fairy-tale palaces, rugged fortresses perched on barren hills and broad avenues that dot the entire city. The only planned city of its time, Jaipur is encircled by a formidable wall.
A young Bengali architect, Vidyadhar Bhattacharya formalised the city’s plans in a grid system. The wide straight avenues. Roads, streets, lanes and uniform rows of shops on either side of main bazaars were arranged in nine rectangular city sectors (Chokris), in accordance with the principles of town planning set down in the ‘Shilpa Shastra’- and epochal treatise on the Hindu architecture.
There is a timeless appeal to Jaipur’s colorful bazaars where one can shop for Rajasthani handlooms and trinkets. Beautifully laid out gardens and parks, attractive monuments and marvelous heritage hotels, once the residence of Maharaja’s are worth admiration. Not to mention the ambling camels and cheerful people in multi-hued costumes that make your trip to the pink city a memorable one.
Tourist Places:

• Amber Fort
• City Palace
• Gaitore
• Hawa Mahal
• Jaigarh Fort
• Jantar Mantar
• Nahargarh Fort
• Statue Circle

 

source: tourist places in delhi {www.delhiplaces.com}

delhi tourist place

Cantaur Hotel

Rated five stars, the Centaur airport hotel is elegance and luxury personified. From elegant interiors to posh lobby, and from modern amenities to refined staff, everything about this airport hotel is bound to leave you feeling elevated to an unrestrained state of elation. Welcome to Cenatur Hotel where hospitality is redefined everyday.

Rooms: 

376

Location: 

1km from IGI airport, 22km from New Delhi Railway station

Address: 

Centaur Hotel, IGI Airport. Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi.110 037

Cuisine: 

Indian, Chinese and Continental.

Room Facilities : 

24 hour room service, attached bathroom with hot and cold running water, direct dial telephone, mini fridge, CTV with satellite channels, air conditioning.

Other Facilities: 

banquet hall, swimming pool, a fully equipped health club, beauty salon, barbershop, baby sitter, valet, laundry, doctor on call, telex, fax, parking facilities, safe deposit and banking facilities, secretarial facilities, shopping arcade etc

Host INN Hotel

Host Inn, Delhi is a budget hotel in Delhi. The hotel is located in Cannaught Place. Easy access to 10 kms. from Airport, 1km. from Railway Station,8 kms. from Bus Stand. Facilities offers by the hotel are Room Service, H/C running water, Telephone, Fax, T.V, etc

Rooms: 

10

Location: 

10Km From. Airport, 1Km. From Railways Station. 8Km. From ISBT

Address: 

Host Inn, F - 33 Connaught Place, New Delhi.110 001

Cuisine: 

Indian, Chinese, Continental, Mughlai, Tandoori

Room Facilities : 

Room Service, H/C running water, Telephone, Fax, T.V.

Other Facilities: 

Shopping Arcade

Hotel Fifty Five

Hotel Fifty five is a budget hotel in Delhi, which is centrally located in connaught place. All hotel room are well furnished with attached bath, H/C running water, Telephone, Colour T.V. this is the medium budget hotel for the medium class families.

Rooms: 

15

Location: 

Hotel Fifty Five, H - 55, Connaught Circus, New Delhi.110 001

Address: 

Indian

Cuisine: 

Room Service, All room with attached bath, H/C running water, Telephone, Colour T.V., Car Rental, Travel Arrangement

Room Facilities : 

Laundry, Money Changer,Doctor on call, Safe Deposit, Travel Desk Service.

Other Facilities: 

Laundry, Money Changer,Doctor on call, Safe Deposit, Travel Desk Service






source: tourist places in delhi {www.delhiplaces.com}

delhi places to visit

Parliament House

The seat of Indian Parliament is a marvelous piece of architecture designed by the famed architect Lutyens and constructed under the direct supervision of Sir Herbert Baker. Visitors are not allowed to loiter inside the building without special permission, for security reasons. For the foreign visitors permits are given only after they obtain an introductory letter from the respective embassy. Designed as a circular structure, the House is 171 meters in diameter and about one-third of a mile in circumference. The two semicircular house chambers flank the Central Hall with its impressive dome. The building has a continuous open corridor on the first floor fringed with a colonnade of 144 creamy sandstone pillars. The exterior walls of red sandstone are carved in geometric patterns that echo Moghul jaalis. It is a marvellous piece of architecture which can be admired only from outside on account of security restrictions. It is domed almost circular structure about a kilometer in circumference and is the seat of the Indian Parliament. During the sessions of Parliament there is a flurry of activity in and around the structure. The Parliament House- Sansad Bhawan or the Parliament house is the supreme law making body in the country. The parliament consists of three halls- Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and the central hall.

Kullu Manali Tourist Place

Kullu Manali : The Kullu valley has an ancient town in its lap called Manali. Surrounded by towering peaks at an arm length, Manali's major asset is its proximity to the snowline. It is a flourishing orchard industry, a popular honeymoon destination and trailhead for numerous treks as well as a great countryside ideal for adventure sport lovers.

Manali literally means the 'Home of Manu'. Manu is the mythological character who is supposed to have survived when the world was drowned in Flood. He then came to Manali and recreated human life. Thus, the area of Manali is sacred and Hindus treat the temples over here as pilgrimage.

The valley of gods, as the Kullu valley has come to be known, is perhaps the most delightful region in the western Himalayas. The ancient Hindus regarded it as the furthest limit of human habitation - Kulantapitha, and its original name finds mention in the epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata as well as Vishnu Purana.

Like a slender delicate-hued fern glistening in the morning dew, the valley spreads out its charm on either side of the upper reaches of the river Beas. Running north to south, the main river valley is only 80 km long and 2 km at its broadest, yet a fairly wide area is open to the visitors to enjoy the spectacle of variegated mountain scenery.

In the spring Kullu is at its most colorful with pink blossoms and white flowers while the higher slopes are aglow with gorgeous rhododendrons. With autumn, clear blue skies return and fields and forests alike show wonderful tints of crimson and ochre. By December, there is no greenery except the majestic pines and cedars in the forests. In winter the hillsides are flanked in white.

Situated on the banks of the Beas, Kullu, the headquarters of the district, serves as a nerve centre of the valley and is the starting place for a number of treks. The deodar-fringed grassy maidan, Dhalpur, is a stage for many colorful fairs.

Places to see in Manali

Kothi
12 km. A quiet but picturesque spot. The Rest House overlooks the narrow valley and commands views of the mountains. Below Kothi, for more than a kilometer the river Beas flows through a deep gorge, almost a subterranean passage, 30 meters or more in depth, and the cliffs which flank both sides of the canyon are a favorite haunt for rock pigeons. The site of the bridge provides an interesting historical episode in the early annals of Kullu.

Solang Valley
13 km. A splendid valley between Manali and Kothi which offers views of the glaciers and snow-capped mountain peaks. The plateau is frequently used for holding camps by the trekking parties. Good skiing slopes of the Mountaineering Institute. Venue of annual winter carnival from February 10-14. Bus service up to Palchan village (10 km) and then by jeep or on foot.

source: tourist places in delhi {www.delhiplaces.com}