Archive for July, 2010
Pilgrimage Destinations Of India
India The land of Gods and Goddess is a spiritual and religious hub. Thousands of pilgrims visit these religious spots to have a transcdental experience. It is the meeting place of the divine power and the human.
Kedarnath :
It is one of the holiest pilgrimage destination in India. Located at an altitude of 3584 m Kedarnath houses one of the 12 holy Jyotirlingams. This is one of the Char Dhams of Hindu pilgrim and is the holiest of all. It falls in the state of Uttarakhand.
Yamnotri:
Falls in the westernmost shrines in the Garhwal Himalayas and it is perched on the atop a flank of BandarPoonch peak. Yamnotri finds a special mention in Hindu Mythology. Some of the major travel attractions of Yamnotri are Surya Kund Divya Shila Hanumanchatti and Sayanachatti.
Gangotri
It is one of the four main religious places in India. Nestled at an altitude of 3042m Gangotri is a pilgrimage site which is located in the northern state of Uttarakhand. Gaumukh glacier Nandanvan are the famous tourist site of Gangotri.
Haridwar
According to Hindu Mythology Haridwar is one of the seven holiest places of India. Located on the banks of river Ganga Hardiwar attracts hoards of pilgrims every year. Haridwar is famous for Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh Mela.
Rishikesh
As a religious destination Rishikesh in Uttaranchal is a popular and ideal destination of Uttarakhand. Also known as the place of Sages Rishikesh is famous for housing the famous Ayurveda Resort Ananda.
Situated in twin sacred town of Uttar Pradesh Mathura and Vrindavan are amongst the holiest places of India. Madan Mohan Temple Banke Bihari Temple Shahji Temple are the famous travel attractions of these twin cities.
Vaishno Devi
It is one of the most saught destination in India and amongst the most revered. Almost all Hindus based in Northern India would take Vaishno Devi Yatra once in lifetime. The famous Vaishno Devi Temple is located 13 kms from Katra.
Dedicated to Shri Venkateshwara Tirupati Balaji Temple is located on the seventh peak of the hill top Tirupati Hill. It is the Worlds richest temple and is popularly known as the Balaji Temple. The Temple is situated 10 kms away from the city centre to Tirupati.
Mahabalipuram
Kanchipuram
Rameshwaram
Bhubhneshwar
About the writer: For More Information on Pilgrimage Destination of India http://www.pilgrimageindia.com/
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On Location February 08 Mozambique
I am not usually a patron of small African curio shops but I have to say that the coffee shop/curio bookstore in the internal terminal of Dar es Salaam airport serves some of the best coffee and sells a grand selection of books that you just wouldn’t find in your local Waterstone’s. It could have also just been the fact that it was Africa and the coffee always tastes better in Africa the fish is fresher the grass is greener and the sea is definitely bluer off the coast of Northern Mozambique. And not to mention the sand white as chalk hot underfoot and clean. The Casuarinas conduct a symphony in the bright sunshine and the waves lap gently in rhythm.
If that is what you are looking for on your next holiday you would do very well to start in Northern Mozambique. Imagine the Maldives without any tourists only a lazy dhow sailing past your room the distant splash of a whale fluke. Of course you can see people if you want to.. not many really but there will be someone to mix up your cocktail or take you to their favourite diving or snorkelling spot. Someone wonderful to cook you some famous LM Lorenzo Marques prawns Portuguese style which you suck lazily as you watch the sun literally sink into the azure sea.
Vamizi Matemo Guludo Mejumbe Quilalea and Londo: all these lovely islands have their own unique take on ‘island getaway’. Collectively they form part of the pristine Quirimbas archipelago which was spared much of the heartbreaking destruction that the mainland of Mozambique had to endure. Understandably now the islands are the first to rise out of the ashes and be targeted by tourism. Hopefully this peaceful invasion will ensure some sustainability. The marine parks already have attracted much attention and it seems that for now the researchers are the ones who are setting the boundaries.
One has to remember however that this is still Africa. My charter flight was delayed due to human misdirection I had to close my room to ensure the monkeys didn’t get in I had to wade through mud at low tide to get to my boat and I got wet on the sea transfer between lodges. That’s just Africa for you but in the grand scheme of things such hardships are a minor cross to bear.
My lasting impression of Northern Mozambique as I sit in the winter of England is the brightness of the sun and the warmth of the nights. The salt in the air and the peace.
About the writer: Steppes Travel specialise in luxury holidays and tailor made holidays
Mysteries Of Rajasthan
Lofty rocks rolling sand dunes of burning heat and freezing cold of fertile plains and deep wild glens and jungles Battle scarred forts turreted marble palaces of breathtaking grandeur and whimsical charm delightful folk art and culture riotous colors this is Rajasthan a land full of color and contrast.
Itis the largest state of India in terms of area encompassing the enormous Thar Desert. The state is diagonally divided into the hilly and rugged south eastern region and the barren north western.
The Land
The main and most spectacular geographic feature of Rajasthan is the Aravalli Range which is one of the oldest mountain ranges of the world. The range runs for more than 850 km nearly through the entire state from southwest to northeast almost from one end to the other.
The northwestern portion of Rajasthan is generally sandy and dry as most of the region is covered by the Thar Desert. The Aravalli Range and the lands to the east and southeast of the range are in general more fertile this area of Rajasthan is home to the KathiarbarGir dry deciduous forests with tropical dry broadleaf forests.
The Climate
Rajasthan has a tropical desert climate. It is extremely cold from October to February while the scorching sun tortures the land from March to September. There are distinct temperature range variations diurnal and seasonally throughout the state.
Temperature reaches a high a 49C during the summer months. Nights of summers see a considerable temperature fall with a minimum daily temperature around 20C to 29C. January is the coldest month in the stare of Rajasthan. The minimum temperatures sometimes fall to 2C.
The People
Rajasthan is the region of the proud Rajputs who the epitome of Chivalry and whose exploits and bravery in battle are legendary. Before Independence Rajasthan was referred to as Rajputana but the Rajput population is a minority in this state now there numbers have dwindle down with there wealth.
Many tribes are also found in different parts of Rajasthan with their own social systems and customs religion and dress. The Rajasthanis are wellknown for their spirited dances and musical renderings their extremely colorful attire and the royal culture. . Rajasthan is known for its handicrafts and paintings; it is associated with a rich tradition of art culture music and dance.
The Cities
Rajasthan is famous for its grand forts intricately carved temples and ornamented havelis built by kings in previous ages. Jantar Mantar Dilwara Temples Chittorgarh Fort Lake Palace Hotel City Palaces Jaisalmer Havelis are part of the true architectural heritage of India. Jaipur the Pink City is noted for the ancient houses made of a type of sand stone dominated by a pink hue. At Ajmer the white marble Baradari on the Anasagar Lake is wonderful.
Jain Temples are found all over Rajasthan Dilwara Jain Temples of Mt. Abu Ranakpur in the fort complexes of Chittor Jaisalmer and Kumbhalgarh Lodarva etc. The most tourists worthy cities are:
Jaipur Jaipur was built in 1727 by King Jai Singh after whom it was named it is the capial city of Rajasthan. Its most striking feature is the pink wash of the buildings giving Jaipur it the name ‘Pink City’. Jaipur is a royal city filled with palaces jagged fortresses; some of the palaces once the residence of Maharajas have been converted into beautiful heritage hotels.
Jodhpur Is the second largest city of Rajasthan; at the edge of the Thar Desert. It was once the capital of the Marwar state. It was founded in 1459 A.D. by Rao Jodhachief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs. The city is dominated by the massive Mehrangarh fort on a rocky hill; it is aweinspiring with its wealth of historic appeal and colorful markets.
Udaipur is called the ‘City of Lakes it was founded in 1599 by Maharana Udai Singh. The city hailed as the ‘Venice of the East’ set amidst the Aravalli hills of South Rajasthan is one of the most romantic destinations in India. It has a cornucopia of marble palaces lakes temples and rugged hills.
Mount Abu is perched on a 1219 meters high rock plateau at the far southwestern end of the Aravalli hills. Wellknown for its exquisitely carved marble Dilwara temples Mount Abu is an appealing hill resort built around a lake and surrounded by thick woods and hills.
About the writer: Raman Verma is a travel consultant with World Travel packages . Provides detailed information on Rajasthan Travel Packages.