India Tours Introduction

this picture from internet

About India viewing the world from the sky: India as a destination has always been an enigma to the alien eye.
Traditional yet technologically receptive, chaotic in diversity but with unity in pattern, the kaleidoscopic country is exhilarating enthralling, pleasureful, affording rich experience. India,of a vast geographical dimension is intertwined with deep religious ,philosophical, historical and cultural extravagance with contribution from all over the country. Indian land spread over an area of 324 million sq kms,with a population of around more than 1.20 billion is unique. One who wants to understand India,should stay long, and travel part by part and region by region.India is the only country where you find differences from state to state -in marriage rites, lifestyle, languages, music, and food. But commonly most Indians all over the country speak English and understand the language well.
Hopefully this introduction to Indian attractions will attract you , give you a fair idea about this land and stimulate you to see the places.Travel to India and carry with you a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Sarojamani                                         Home

Jammu & Kashmir

Many a poet has said that if there is a heaven on earth, it is Kashmir. Srinagar is the capital of the state of Jammu & Kashmir.Jammu is the summer capital. The main languages spoken are Kashmiri and Dogri. The main occupation of the people here is agriculture. The chief crops are paddy,wheat, barley, and maize. About 15% of the ,area in the state is covered by forests. Kashmir is also famous for its handicrafts. The shawls made here are in demand all over the world.
 Sight seeing
Jammu: It is the second largest city in the state and is situated on the plains.Summer heat here is in contrast with the cool heights of Kashmir. The town of Jammu consists of the old town and the new town of Jammu.Tawi In the heart of the old town is the Raghunath temple,built in 1835. In the sanctum sanctorum are beautiful idols of Sri Rama and Sita.
The Dogra Art Gallery at Gandhi Bhavan has an important collection of miniature paintings including many from the local renowned schools of painting.
On the outskirts of the town, is the Amar Mahal Palace of French architecture. The palace of museum has a family portrait gallery and a collection of paintings. 
Transportation

Air connections are available from Delhi to Jammu,Srinagar,and also from Chandigarh and Amritsar. 
 
Jammu-Srinagar On the way from Jammu to Srinagar,there are a number of places to visit.The Jawahar tunnel which is 2500 meters long is 200 km away from Jammu and 93kms away from Srinagar.Thirty two kms north-west of Jammu is Akhnoor. The chenab river meets the plains here.Basohli,close to Dalhousie, across the border of Himachal Pradesh is the birth place of the pahari miniature painting style.

 Kashmir This beautiful region in India was summer retreat of the Mughal rulers of India. It was en-route to Kashmir the Mughal Emperor,Jehengir, died. Some of the gardens developed by the Mughals are beautifully preserved even to this day. The Dal lake house boats are one of Kashmir's greatest attractions. During the British period in India, the rulers of Kashmir would not allow them to own land in Kashmir. So the Britishers hit upon the idea of building house -boats.It is said that a visit to Kashmir is not complete until one has stayed on a house-boat.
Around the edge of the vally are Kashmir's delightful hill stations. Pahalgam and Gulmarg are pleasant places for trekking trips.

 Srinagar the capital city of Jammu&Kashmir stands on the Dal lake and the Jhelum river. Connecting the Dal lake and the Jhelum river there are nine bridges.
The Dal Lake is a maze of intricate waterways. It is divided into Gagribal,Lokut Dal and Bod Dal by a series of causeways. Within the lake,there are two islands.They are: Silver Island and Gold Island, both of which are good picnic spots.Both are also known as Char Chinar because they each have four Chinar trees on them.The waters of DalLake are very clear. A leisurely cruise around the lake takes a better part of the day including a visit to the Mughal gardens. 
Speciality
Handicrafts, Carpets, paper made articles,Leather ,Fur, Wood carvings, Shawls, Embroidery, Knitted Sweaters, Cardigans, Saffron,etc. 

Pahalgam This town is situated at a height of 2130 metres and night time temperatures are warmer than in Gulmarg which is still higher up. A cool River flows right through the town, surrounded by fir-covered mountains with snow capped peaks rising behind.Sheep rearing is an important occupation here. Pahalgam serves as a base for treks.

Mamaleswara On the opposite bank of the River, a 12th century Shiva temple is situated.Five km away from Pahalgam is Baisaran which offers excellent view over the town and the Lidder valley. Eleven km. further is the Tulian lake at a height of 3353 metres.It is Ice-covered for most part of the year.

GulmargThe name Gulmarg means a meadow of flowers.Gulmarg is situated at a height of 2730 metres and is 52 kms,away from Srinagar.This is India's premier sking resort in winter. Gulmarg offers beautiful long and short walks.It is also an excellent base for trekking.

Amarnath This cave near Pahalgam is a pilgrim centre where thousands of Hindus throng on the full moon day in the months of July/August. Here a natural ice-Linga,the symbol of Lord Shiva reaches its largest size during this period. Bhavani temple 12 kms from Srinagar is also the important to visit. 
 
Leh:Centuries ago this was an important stop on the old caravan silk route from china.Today it is a military base and a tourist centre.The leh palace, built in the 16th century, is now deserted and badly damaged. But,it offers superb view from the roof. The zanskar mountains across the Indus river,close enough to touch. The palace is still the property of the Ladakhi royal family. The central prayer room is still preserved.
High above the palace is the Red Gompa,built in 1430.It has a three- storey high seated Buddha image. The gompa above though in a ruined condition, offers superb view down on Leh. 
 
The Sankar Gompa is just two km. away from Leh. it has electric lighting facility and an impressive representation of Avalokitesvara with 100 arms and heads. 
 
Transportation Air and Bus services are available 
 
Tourist Information
Jammu & Kashmir Tourism
Development Corporation Ltd.,
Tourist Reception Centre,
Jammu.                                          Home

Punjab

About  6,000 years ago Punjab was the wellspring of Indian culture. Traditional literature the Ramayana and Mahabharata, and the vedic cultures take us back to Punjab. Archaeological excavations of the Harappan sites found the earliest evidence of Indian civilisation of Punjab. Punjab was the first place in the Indian subcontinent where the Aryans actually decided to settle after a long period of nomad-life and fighting with the indigenous communities. This was the place where later parts of the Rigveda and other Vedas were written.

Punjab always had a strategic importance due to its position on the famous Grand Trunk Road that connected the eastern parts of India to the extreme northwest point of Taxila (now in Pakistan). This road was first constructed by Ashoka for a better administration of the north-western frontier. After the decline of the Mauryan Empire, the Indo Greeks, Guptas, and Vardhans ruled this region in succession. After the invasion of the Muslims in the 9th-10th century AD the region became an integral part of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. It was also under the Maratha rule for some time.
After the decline of the Mughal Empire, the most prominent ruler in this land was Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the early 19th century. After the death of the Maharaja the Sikhs could not hold on to their territory for long and the British controlled most of the region. The Partition of India in 1947 was a turning point for this state. Most of the Muslim dominated areas went to Pakistan; while the Sikh and Hindu dominated areas remained with India. Thousands of people were killed in the wake of the Partition in crossing over from one country to the other. After independence, a new state of Punjab was created with modern day Haryana and Himachal Pradesh being a part of this state.
The main language spoken is Panjabi. Some of the population speak Hindi. The main occupation is agriculture. Industries also thrive
Guru Nanak Dev is the founder of Sikhism which was propounded over 500 years ago. Sikhism preaches devotion and remembrance of God at all times and truthful living. GuruJi (1469-1539 AD), left an important message to the sikh community. He believed that all religions can work together as one. The Sri-Guru Granth Sahib, (The holy book), is used for practice of Akhand Path
 
Sight Seeing

Ambala : Sikh pilgrim centre.
Badkhal Lake: Picnic spot - good for boating and fishing.
Chandigarh - Golden Temple.
Sultanpur: Bird sanctuary for migratory birds.
Kalesar : Wildlife sanctuary.
Hissar : Palaces, Mosques, Fort. Is also a Livestock centre.
Hansi : Historic town with fort and temples.
Jhajjar : Ancient town with palace and museum
Chakravarti Lake: Picnic spot with boating and fishing facilities
Kurushetra: Legendary town, pilgrim centre with temples and holy tank
Morni : Hill station and a wildlife sanctuary.
Panipat : Historic town with Babar's mosque and Tank and Tombs
Pehowa : Hindu pilgrim centre with Temples.
Pinjaur: Asia's best 17th Century Gardens, Boating.
Rohtak: Boating, Wrestling centre, Excavations.
Sohna: Sulphur springs.
Surajkund : Temple ruins, Forts

For further information contact:
The Tourism development corporation
Chandigarh, Punjab.                                Home

Hariyana

Hariyana is the sixteenth largest state in India. It is a very fertile land and is also an historic state. The main language spoken is Punjabi. Some of the population speak Hindi. The main occupation is agriculture. barley, cotton, millet s, oil seeds, pulses, rice, sugarcane, wheat are grown. Other than agriculture Hariyana is important for Industries also relating to Automobile, Cement, Cycles, Dairy, Engineering, Paper, Sugar, Textiles, Tractors . This state is famous for the Green Revolution and minerals such as china clay, iron, limestone, marble, sulphur are also available.
The capital city is Chandigarh. This state is quite vast with an area of approximately 44,250 thousand sq km . Hariyana was carved out of Punjab after India became independent.This place is a weekend spot for people from Delhi and other neighbouring states. It is a high cultured state and a very important tourist spot of Northern India.
The state was the home of the legendary  Bharata dynasty, which has given the name "Bharat" to India, Haryana is immortalized  in the great epic Mahabharata. Kurukshetra, the scene of the epic battle between the Kaurvas and the Pandavas, is situated in Haryana. The state continued to play a leading role in the history of India till the advent of Muslims and the rise of Delhi as the imperial capital of India. Thereafter, Haryana functioned as an subordinate state to Delhi. But this state was not populer till the first war of India's Independence in 1857, when the people of Haryana joined the leaders of India in revolt against the British Government.
Haryana has no perennial river. The river Ghaggar flows through the northern fringes of the state. The climate is very hot in summer and cold in winter.
 
For further information contact: 
Haryana Tourism development              Home
 corporation Chandigarh

New Delhi

New Delhi is one of the major gateways of entry into India. It is the third largest city in India with its twin city Delhi.The new city became the Capital of India in 1911.New Delhi is comparatively well planned with broad avenues and streets as compared to Old Delhi- which is of great historical importance.
Delhi has had a hoary past dating back to the epics of India. In the middle ages it was subjected to successive invasions from north (Afghanistan,Central Asia etc) and each invasion has left its mark in the form of various monuments, tombs, palaces and architectural relics.
The temperature in Delhi ranges from 5*C to 20*C in winter months (Oct to Mar) and 35*C to 45*C in summer. The languages spoken are Hindi and Punjabi. English is also widely spoken and understood.
For the discerning tourist Delhi is too sprawling a place with with ancient monuments and remnants of a bygone era to visit in one day. At least 2 to 3 days will be required to cover the more important places.

Places of tourist interest
 
Qutb Minar is the epitome of the entry of the Islamic culture into India.The tallest free standing stone tower in the world it is 234ft tall and is made of red stone and marble. Its five stories have projected balconies. It was originally attached to a mosque for the muezzin to call the faithful for prayers. The Qutb minar represents the rich heritage of the bygone era.
Iron pillar in the Qutb complex is a wonderful iron shaft dating back to 4th century ad.24ft tall this pillar stands there for 15 centuries in rain and sun but is absolutely rust free-a tribute to the metallurgical skill of the ancient Indians. The brahmi inscription on it tells us that it was erected by the Hindu king Chandragupta(375 to 413 ad) and was brought here by the Anang Pal the Tomar king.
India Gate This great monument of the modern times is 42 meters high with a stone arch.It has the names of Indian soldiers who died in the first world war. Below in the centre burns the Amar Jawan Jyothi in the memory of unknown Indian soldiers who died in various battles.
This is a prominent land mark in New Delhi.  

Jantar Mantar This elaborate  observatory was built in 1725 by the Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur, a noted scholar in mathematics and astronomy himself.The huge structures and various yantras of the observatory are a sure sign of its builder's great astronomical prowess.

Laxmi Narayan Temple is another place of worship to devout Hindus. It was built in the year 1938 by Raja Baldev Birla, a prominent Indian industrialist of the Birla family. Built in Orissan style with marble the presiding deities there are Narayana(The Preserver,) and Lakshmi(the goddess of Wealth).Gita Bhavan and a Buddhist temple are situated on either side of the main temple.

Baha'i House of Worship(The lotus Temple) Near Nehru Place is situated this architectural building with a distinctive disign amidst sprawling lawns and large placid pools. This temple, shaped like a huge lotus flower has 27 petals made of white concrete and clad in white Greek marble panels. Here people of all faith are welcome to visit the temple and to pray and meditate there in total silence. The temple is closed on Mondays for visitors.Its construction began in 1980 and was completed in 1986. This magnificent structure is nine sided. Nine is the highest digit and symbolizes comprehensiveness, oneness and unity. Accordingly there are 9 pools and 27 petals(2+7=9, by neurological consideration).
Teen Murti Bhavan which was built earlier by the Britishers as the official residence of the British commander-in-chief, became the official residence of the first prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
Nehru lived here for 14 long years as Prime Minister, and after his death, it was decided to convert it into a memorial to him. It has a museum and a library, providing glimpses of Nehru's life and personality. Some of his personal living rooms have been preserved as they were at the the time of his death. Audio-visual shows in Hindi and English titled with Destiny' recount the events in India's struggle for freedom.
Chandni Chowk:Meaning"silver Street" was once supposed to have been the richest street in the world. Now, this is the most fashionable business and shopping centre in Delhi, thronging with people and traffic It was made wide enough to accommodate Shah Jahan's great processions. It is also the most historically important thoroughfare in the world.
It has, in its chequered history, witnessed the pomp and splendour of the Moghuls, the plunder and massacre of Nadir Shaw's soldiers, the grandeur of the 1911 Durbar, the attempt on the life of Lard Hardinge in the year 1912, and the joyous and surging crowds celebrating their independence. on August, 15,1947. Still, however, even today, the vestiges of its vibrant personality are evident in its flourishing silver jewellery shops the bustle of business that seems to go on round the clock and in the many monuments ranged down the central avenue.
Among historically most important places in this are the Sikh Shrine, Gurdwara Sisganj, in which is a banyan tree under which Guru Tegh Bahadur was beheaded by emperor Aurangzeb's soldiers for refusing to convert himself into Islam.
Another very poignant place situated here is the Kotwali Police station area around which occurred the grim events that followed the rebellion of 1857. From gallows erected in this area, sympathizers of those who rebelled against the British rule in India, were hanged daily. The bodies of three Moghul princes shot by Captain Hodson, were also exhibited here.

Speciality
 
Silk products, precious stones, leather and woodwork, brass work paintings, Furniture,carpets, jewellery, perfumes, oils & incense.

Conducted tours: ITDC and Delhi Tourism(belonging to New Delhi state Govt) conduct city tours.

Tourist Information:
Government of India Tourist office,
88, Janpath, New Delhi 110 001,
Phone: 3320005.
Delhi Tourism Development Corporation Ltd
Bombay Life building N-Block,
Connought circus,                           Home                        

Himachalapradesh

Kulu Valley in Himachal Pradesh is known as one of the most beautiful places on earth. Shimla the Capital of Himachal Pradesh, is one of the important hill stations of India. The main languages spoken here are Hindi and Pahari.
The climate is quite cold with temperatures fluctuating between 15*C to 35*C in summer and 0*C to 15*C in winter.The area is about 56000 sq km. The population is around 5.5 millions. The correct time to visit this region is between April to October. The main occupation here is Agriculture. The main crops are fruits, ginger, vegetable, wheat and paddy. About 35 % of the area is covered by forests. This place is excellent for trekking and mountaineering.
 
Sight seeing
 
Shimla: Altitude:2130 meters. Shimla was the summer capital of the Brtish before Independence. During summer the elite come here to beat the heat.The high flown social life here still has an air of the British about it.The residence of the Viceroy is a huge fortress - like building of six stories and a magnificent reception and dining hall. It is situated on a hillock west of Shimla.It is open to the public and also houses a good library.
The Jakhu temple which is at an altitude of 2455 mt, is near the highest point of the Shimla ridge and dedicated to Lord Hanuman. There are many monkeys around the temple and it offers a fine view over the surrounding valleys and the snow capped peaks.
The state museum which is about one kilometre from the church on the Mall has a modest collection of stone statues from different  places in Himachal Pradesh. It also exhibits pictures from the Kangra school. Four kilo -meters from Shimla is the Glenn  which is a popular picnic spot with a stream flowing through it.
 
CHADWICK FALLS 13 kilometres from Shimla is the Wild flower hall. It was the former residence of Indian Commander-in-chief Lord Kitchner. The huge mansion surrounded by pine trees provides a fine view over Shimla , the mountain peaks Pir Panjal and Badrinath ranges. Now this has been converted into a hotel.
The best known ski resort in Himachal Pradesh is Kufri which is 16 km from Shimla.The other places worth visitng here are Mashobra ( good for forest walks),craignano Naldera and Fagu.
 
Fairs in Kangra Area Many attractive fairs are held in the district on the feltivel days . During most of these fairs wrestling matches take place. Other than this large number of flocks birds from all parts of the hills come here. It is a very beautiful scene.
The wrestling matches are called ' Chhinj ' The chhinj is very popular in Kangra and Dharmasala areas.These take place during the month of March. They attract more spectators than those held at other places.
 
CONDUCTED TOURS:
Local tours and tours to places around Shimla are conducted by HPTDC.
 
SPECIALITY Wood carvings and handicraft items.
TRANSPORTATION Air, bus and train services are available
 
Important places to visit: Kasauli, Narkhanda, Nahan, Bakhra- Nangal dam,Mandi,Kangra valley, Jwalamukhi, Dharmasala, Noorpur, Khajjar, Chamba, Brahmapura.
 
TOURIST OFFICES
Himachal pradesh tourism development
corporation Ltd,
Ritz annexe, Shimla - 171 001           Home

Gujarat

Gujarat is India's seventh largest state in area and tenth largest in population. This state is situated on the west coast of India
The name of the state is derived from Gujjaratta, meaning the land of the Gujjars who migrated to India around the 5th century AD. The real cultural history of these people, however, is said to have begun much earlier. Many Indus Valley and Harappan centres  have been discovered in the state like Lothal, Dholavira, Rangpur, Lakhabaval, Amri, and Rozdi and established the earliest known history of Gujjars to around 2200 BC to 3000 BC. At that time, Lothal was the main port of this civilization. With the advent of the Yadava tribe about 3,500 thousand years ago, came the glorious days for Gujarat.
Its area is 1,96,024 sq km and its population is 41,309,582. Gandhinagar is its capital.In summer the maximum Temperature reaches 42°C and the minimum Temperature is a low of 14°C . The good season to visit Gujarat is from March to October.
The main language spoken is Gujarathi . Some of the population speak Hindi. Most of the educated people speak English also. The main occupation is agriculture. Industries also thrive. Gujarat is among the top industrialized  states in India
 
Sight seeing

Ahmedabad, the city of Ahmed Shah is known for its past association with Mahatma Gandhi. The city offers to the tourist unique style sight of architecture is a blend of Hindu and Islamic style (Indo-Saracenic style of architecture).
Mainly the monuments its date back to the 15th century. Ahmedabad known for its industry since medieval times. Now it is famous for the textile mills and is often said to as the 'Manchester of the East.
The south of Ahmedabad is city of Vadodara. Gujarat's cultural capital, It has a vast tradition of music, fine arts and education. The credit for this cultural awareness goes to Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaikwad who made primary education mandatory for both boys and girls and encouraged artistes.
Further south of Vadodara is the important trading centre and port of old India now it is called Surat. Surat is an important centre for textiles, zari (gold and silver thread work) and diamond cutting and polishing.

• Ambaji-Temple
• Bhuj-Handicrafts
• Museums
• Gateway to Kutch.
• Dakor-Temple and Sharad Purnima fair.
• Dharangadhara Sanctuary-Great Rann of Kutch
• Diu-Forts, Churches, Handicrafts
• Jamnagar-Palaces, Forts,
• Kotishwar-Temple
• Beach
• Narayan Sarovar Lake Saputara-Hill Resort
• Porbandar-Birthplace of Gandhiji, Palaces, Beaches.
• Gir Forest(Sassan Gir)-Gir National Park: stronghold of the Asiatic Lion.
• Major towns-Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Gandhinagar, Rajkot.

For more information contact:
Tourism-of-India.com( the Govt tourism Gujarat.)
Tourism development corporation of Gujarat.       Home

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh in northern India is a state with the highest population. The capital city is Lucknow. The main Language spoken here is Hindi. It is one of the great historical and religious centres of India. The Ganges river, which is the backbone of Uttar Pradesh, is sacred for the Hindus, the main population in this state.Along the river are places of pilgrimage which are of great importance.
Most of the state consists of the vast Ganges plain, which is prone to destructive floods in monsoon. The north-west region of the state is part of the Himalayas, with beautiful scenery  and some of India's highest mountains.
The main crops grown here are, paddy, wheat, barley, bafra, cotton,oil seeds, groundnut,sugarcane and tea. It is famous for handicrafts and bidriware.
Lucknow is the Capital city of Utter Pradesh. The historic monuments are in the north-eastern part of the old city around the Chowk area. While Aminabad is the shopping centre Hazratganj is the fashionable area.
The great Imambara was built in 1784 by Asaf-ud-Daula. It has a central hall which is 50 metres long and 15 metres high and is one of the largest vaulted galleries in the world. Beneath it are many underground passages which are now blocked up. The upper floor known as the Bhuylbhulaiya is a labyrinth. From the top one can take a fine view of the city.
Agra was the capital of India during the time of Mughuls in the 16th and 17th centuries. Situated on the west bank of the yamuna river, Agra has superb monuments left behind by Moghul rulers. The Taj Mahal and the magnificent fort are testimony to this.Taj Mahal is the most famous of the Moghul monuments constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. it has been described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love.The emperor who was heart broken when his wife died during childbirth in 1629 after having been married to him for 17 years started construction of the Taj , as a memorial to his love for her, in 1632 and the work was completed in 1653.
Over 20,000 people were recruited for work on this monument not only from all over India, but also from central Asia. Experts were even brought from Europe. The main architect was Isa Khan.Shah Jahan was deposed by his son Aurangzeb and had to spend his last days at the Agra fort overlooking the Taj, the final resting place of his favourite wife.
 
The Taj Mahal stands on a raised marble platform with tall white minarets at each corner of the platform. The central structure has four small domes surrounding the huge central dome. The tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are in a basement room. Light is let into the central chamber reflected through finely cut marble screens. The echo in this high chamber under the marble dome is superb. In the close up detail which is astounding one can see that semi-precious stones are in-laid into the marble in beautiful patterns and with great craftsmanship. A thing of beauty, it is a joy for ever indeed. Taj Mahal looks differant in different shades of light. In the morning it is different looking than it is before the sunset. Its appearence changes with the sun light. The Taj is beautiful in the lake in front of it.
Other important places to visit: Fatehpur Sikri, Aligaarh, Allahabad.
 
Speciality: Leather goods, jewellery, marble items etc.
 
Tourist infortmation:
Government of India Tourist Office,
191, The Mall,
Agra- 282 001                                   Home

Rajasthan

Rajputs ruled this land for over a thousand years by their bravery and heroism. It also known as the 'land of kings'. Its capital city is Jaipur. The languages spoken are Rajasthani and Hindi. This is the home of Rajputs-the warrior clan. Rajasthan is the second largest state of the Indian union, comprising a number of former principalities.With an area around 350 thousand sq kms, and a population of around 50 million this place offers a wide variety of life.

Rajasthan is varied. The north-eastern region is the barren Thar desert. There are many old buildings in Rajasthan dating back to the 10th century,including the superb Jain temples, apart from its palaces and great forts. Many of the palaces here have been converted into hotels now. Prominent among them are the beautiful Lake Palace hotel in Udaipur and the Ram bagh Palace in Jaipur. The 'Palace on Wheels' is a special tourist train service which operates weekly tours of Rajasthan, departing from Delhi.

Rajasthan has 27 districts and main crops grown are jowar wheat,cotton, oilseeds, and tobacco. There are many copper mines here. Important industries are textiles, sugar mills, acetylene, railway wagons and nylon. Rajasthasn is well known for its handicrafts. Pottery, jewelry, and leather handicrafts are worth buying here. Rana Pratap Sagar is one of India's prestigious reservoirs.

Most of the sculptures and cultural pieces in Rajasthan belonging to the ancient period were destroyed by the Mughals. However, temples, buildings and other sculptures from the 10th to 15th century are well preserved.

Sight-seeing
Jaipur is the capital city of Rajasthan. The fantasy in pink sandstone is one of the finest planned cities of India. Not long after ascending the throne Maharaja JaiSingh II(1699-1744) felt the need to shift his seat of administration from Amber to a new site and so laid the foundation of Jaipur city in 1727. Jaipur the modern capital of Rajasthan is noted for its six rectangular sections with its broad well paved roads and streets and spacious markets. The right time to visit Jaipur is from Sept to March though even during the rains this city has its own ineffable charms.

City Palace, Royal residence, Chandra Mahal, museum are worth visiting with their traditional Rajasthan Mughal art and architecture. The museum has rare and rich collection of ornaments, arms, royal costumes, carpets, and decorative art objects and excellent miniature paintings of the Mughal and Rajasthani schools and illustrated persian and Arabic manuscript.

Bharatpur was founded in the 18th century by Raja Suraj Mal, an outstanding General of his time. The Bharatpur fort is sorrounded by two massive mud ramparts each encircled by moats. The palace is a fine synthesis of Moghul and Rajput style of architecture. The museum in the centre-wing contains sculptures and other art exhibits dating back to the II century AD.

About 5km south-east of Bharatpur is the famous keoladeo Ghana sanctuary covering 52 sq.kms,of low lying marsh area which is a paradise for bird-watchers and nature enthusiasts. Best season to visit the sanctuary is between Oct and Feb.

There are many tourist bangalows and lodges for a comfortable stay.

Udaipur the lake city, under the dark shadows of green Aravalli hills is a real oasis of romance. In the otherwise drab land with its three lakes -Pichola,Udai sagar and Fateh-sagar palaces, parks and fountains ,this most beautiful city of Rajasthan was founded by Maharana Uday Singh in 1576.Following the third sack of Chittorgarh Uday Singh fled to this place to escape the Moghul forces and fashioned the romantic city in this serene vale.

Maharana Palace and Museum:The City Palace complex at Udaipur overlooking the Pichola lake is one of the biggest in Rajasthan. Within the Palace the Seesh mahal Krishna Vilas , the Bari mahal and the museum contain beautiful mosaic glass and porcelain figures and are worth visiting.

Island palace Out in the lake Pichola are two islands with two palaces - jeg mandir and Jeg nivas. The Jeg mandir is three storied yellow sand stone structure with in-laid mosaic and crowned with an imposing dome. On another island at the south is Jay Niwas Palace. Both of these palaces were built by Jagat Singh II. Jag Niwas is now a luxury hotel.

Fateh Sagar Lake Originally built by Maharana Jai singh in 1678, it was reconstructed by Maharaja Fateh singh following its destruction in floods. In the midst of the lake is now an island garden called Nehru Park with refreshment pavillion. The park is accessible by motor boats which ply regularly between the other end and the Island.

Saheliyon-ki-bari The garden of the 'Maids of Honor', right below Fateh-Sagar Lake, is an excellent example of the Hindu art of landscape gardening. Built by Maharana Sangram Singh specially for the delight of damsels sent by the Emperor from Delhi as peace offering, this lovely garden is lavishly decorated with lovely lotus pool, finely designed cenotaps surrounded by a number of fountains operable now by an electric switch.

Other important places to see Pratap Smarak, Kala Mandal Museum,( where you see culturally very rich collection of puppets, costumes,masks, paintings and other musical instruments) Nath dwara, Kumbhalgarh fort,Ranakpur.

Mount Abu is the only hill station of Rajasthan. Abu is a popular summer resort and a center of pilgrimage. This mount at 1,220 meter's high is an isolated plateau. Abu is an ancient place, also mentioned in Mahabharata as the 'Arbudgiri'.

The Agni
Vanshi Rajputs are said to have originated here from sacrificial fire of a yagya performed about 2,500 years ago. The bracing environs, relaxed life, shaded woods, temples , beautiful rock formation shaped by rain and wind, lake and many vantaage points and beauty spots make it a popular hill resort of the region.

Other important places to see Dilwara temples, Nakki Lake, Jodhpur, Jaisalmeer and Bikaner.

Conducted tours are available.

For details contact:
Government of India Tourist Office,
State Hotel Khasa Kothi, Jaipur-302 001      Home

Maharashtra

Maharashtra is one of the largest,most affluent and well populated states of India.Maharashtra state stands high on the Deccan Plateau and historically, this was the main centre for the Maratha empire, which under the aegis of the great warrior King Sivaji fought the Moghuls for long.

Maharashtra is a highly industrialized and urbanized state, agriculture is widely spread in the districts.Geographically, it consists of the narrow Konkan coast backed up by the Sahyadri hill ranges of the Western Ghats which ascends to the Deccan plateau and a series of river valleys.The language spoken here is Marathi

Mumbai(Bombay) is an island connected to the main land by bridges. Mumbai's main land mark is the Gateway of India. Mumbai is the capital city of Maharashtra, and large populated and well developed Industrialized centre in the country.

 

Sight seeing:
 

Prince of Wales Museum has a good collection of art works and paintings, Archaeology and natural history. It also contains miniature paintings of Elephanta caves and Buddha images. This being the principal museum in Mumbai, located off the Gateway, also has the Tata collection of rare paintings of the Moghul school and fine examples of Chinese wares.

Marine Drive is along the sea coast and is now officially named as Nethaji Subash Road. It was built in the year 1920 on reclaimed land along the sea coast. Facing the sea, there are posh residential apartments on the other side of the road and is one of Mumbai's most popular and elite residential areas.

Other Important places to visit in Mumbai:
The malabar hills, The taraporewala Aquarium, Jehengir Art Gallery Flora Fountain, Thirthankar Adinath, the hanging Garden.

Conducted tours:
Daily tours of Bombay and its suburbs are operated by the Maharashtra Tourist Development Council(MTDC) .Launch tours to Elephanta Island are available.(The launch tours are suspended during the monsoon) MTDC offers tours to Mahabaleshwar,(suspended during the monsoon) and Aurangabad, Ajanta, and Ellora.

Ajanta caves are not really caves at all, but temples built out of rocks. They were excavated by gerenations of Buddhist monks.Ever since the year 200 BC the Ajanta ravine had been a great monastic centre. Initially ,it used to be a shelter against the ravages of the monsoon. Cut into the side of the ravine, there are 30 caves in their cool, silent shadows in which are hidden the most lovely and important Buddhist paintings in existence-the murals of Ajanta.

 

Ellora caves are situated about 48 km, away from Aurangabad and extend also  on the face of the hill for nearly a mile and a quarter. They are divided into distinct parts,viz: Buddhist, and Jain, which are arranged almost in a chronological order. There are in all 34 chityas and viharas from between the fourth and the ninth centuries.

The most splendid place is the Kailasa, which is a Dravidian Temple and the rock here is cut both internally and externally. There are colossal elephants lining either side of the hall. The temple of Lord Siva was built between 760-783 AD. Although much of the carvings inside was damaged by the Muslim invaders at the end of the 13th century, the temple is both a masterpiece of the rock cutters' art and a storehouse of Hindu mythology.

Two great dynasties were the patrons of ellora excavations the Deccan and their successors and the Rashtrakutas, who also built the shrine of Elephanta. Ellora caves are remarkable for their splendid sculpture.

Among the caves, cave no:5 is the biggest Vihara cave. It is presumed that it might have been the assembly hall.

The Hindu caves are the most dramatic and impressive of the ellora cave temples. The sheer size of the Kailasa temple is overwhelming. It is astounding that this whole temple is cut of solid rock. It is estimated that this rock temple involved removing 200,000 tons of rock. It is remarkable that all these temples were cut from the top down, so that it was never necessary to use any scaffolding- their builders started with the roof and moved down to the floor.

Krishnagiri Upavan National Park, Kanheri caves, Lion Safari Park are some places worth visiting.

 

Poona is the confluence of the Mutha and Mula rivers. Places to visit in Poona are  Kelkar Museum, Shanwarwada Palace,  National Defence Academy Khadakvasla, Aga Khan's palace, Loin Fort.

 

Spciality
Antiques, Jewellery, Wooden items, Silver belt, Old statues. charms, Brass wares , Handicrafts, Handcrafted shoes, Kashmir carpets.

 

Tourist Information:
The Government of India Tourist Office,
123, Maharishi Karve Road,
Opp,Church Gate,                                  Home

Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is one of the biggest states in India. Historically known as Malwa it has a long antiquity. Malwa was very powerful under the great emperor Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty. Ashoka founded the Buddhist center at Sanchi and the stupa here still reminds one of him. Sanchi is a small village close to Bhopal.
Madhya Pradesh has a population of about 50 million and has an area of 4.5 sq km. The capital city is Bhopal and the main language spoken here is Hindi. Thousand years ago the parmaras ruled Madhya Pradesh of whom Raja Bhoj was famous.Raja Bhoj gave his name to the city of Bhopal. Between 950 and 1050 AD the Chandellas constructed the temples at Khajuraho. Today it is one of India's main attractions.
Sight seeing Gwalior is famous for its old and very large fort. The fort has a number of temples and ruined palaces. Its history dates back to a thousand years.
The fort here is on a hill hundred metres above the town and is three km in length. The width is varying between 200 metres and one km. The walls are ten metres high and beneath the walls the hill face is a sheer drop.
The Man Singh Palace is at the entrance of the fort is also known as the Chit Mandir. It was built by Man Singh between 1486 and 1516. It has four storeys, two of them underground. These were used as prison cells during the Moghul Period.
Gujarat Mahal Palace built in the 15th century. Today it houses a museum with a collection of Hindu and Jain sculptures and copies of the Bagh Caves frescoes.
Other important places to visit: Bhopal, Indore, Mandu, Madan Mahal, The Bagh Caves, Jabalpur, Marble Rocks, Nanha National park, Bandhagarh National Park, and Khajuraho.
Transportation: Bus, Air, and Train services are available.
Tourist Information:
Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development
Corporation Ltd.
Gangotri Bhavan, 4th Floor,                     Home
T.T. Nagar, Bhopal- 462003.

Assam

Assam has given room to a mass of people bringing in their culture and trends of civilization. Austro-Asiatics, Negritos, Dravidians, Alpines, Indo -Mongoloids, Tibeto-Burmese and Aryans penetrated into Assam through different ways.They contributed in their own way towards the coalition of an unique new community which came to be known later in history as Assamese. Assam however, remained predominantly a land of the Tibet-BurmeseTibeto-Burmese.

Assam, known in the ancient lore as Kamarupa, originally included in addition to modern Assam parts of modern Bengal. Guwahati is an old city and its history goes back to the ancient days. The city's ancient name was Prag-jyotish-pur. It is said to have been founded by King Nara-kasura, who is mentioned in the legends of Diwali festival. His son Bhagadatta led a large elephant force to the battlefield of Kurukshetra, and was fought on the side of the Kauravas.
In the 13th century, the country was conquered by the Ahoms under the leadership of Sukapha, a prince of the Shan tribe, in the upper Irravady Valley.
In 1826 Assam became a part of the British India. Satra culture developed mainly at Majuli, Bardowa, Barpeta, Madhupur. When the British invaded Assam in 19th century, missionaries followed and churches were established all over Assam. Assam is an unique example of communal tolerance and religious harmony which prevails amongst the believers of different faiths. Assamese society is remarkably free from communal conflict.
The main language spoken is Assami. Some of the population speak Hindi. Burmees, English, and Bengali.
 
Sight seeing

There is a museum which was established in 1940 as a non-government body but was taken over by the state government in 1953. It is the biggest museum of the north-east region and one of the largest multipurpose museums in the country.
Da-Parbatiya (Tezpur):- One of the finest examples of ancient architecture, Da-Parbatiya in Tezpur dates back to some time in sixth century. The structure is not more than a door frame but the marvellous carvings on it represents the Gupta art.
A Cultural Complex was established by the Cultural Advisory Committee of the Government of Assam in 1986. It was decided to build a complex to serve as a centre of activities in the field of dance, drama, music, fine arts, literature etc for Assamese. In the same year, a tentative plan for a cultural complex was prepared. At a later stage the same was named as the “ Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra and on 2nd Feb. 1988 the Foundation was laid. and built over a sprawling campus of 11 hectares at Panjabari. This complex has a several branches (1) guwahati (2) sagutya Sangeetha Nataka Bhavan (3) Lalita Kala Bhavan, (4) Cultural Museum (5) Heritage park (6) artists' Village These reflect the cultural excellence of Assam.
For more details contact
Assam Govt Travel and Tourism
development corporation Ltd
Guwahati., Assam.                             Home

West Bengal

This state is the birth place of Nobel lauret poet Dr Rabindranath Tagore who composed the Indian national anthem. It is also the birth place of other well known personalities like swamy Ramakrishna Paramahimsa , Swamy Vivekananda Dr Jagadish Chandra Bose - an eminent scientist and Mr Subash Chandra Bose the freedom fighter and others.
The main language spoken here is Bengali.
Agriculture is the main occupation of about 60% of the population. The crops grown here are pulses, oil seeds, barley, betel leaves, tobacco, sugar cane etc. About 14% of the total area is forest.
 
Sight seeing:
 
Calcutta is the Capital city of West Bengal. The city is more than 300 years old. It is a cosmopolitan city with tall buildings and many monuments. It has a population of over 10 millions. As one approaches Calcutta the famous Howrah bridge becomes visible. It is only one of its kind in the whole of Asia. This bridge is 467 meters long spanning the Hoogly river.
Places of interest include Belur mutt - the place where the sage Ramakrishna Paramahamsa lived . Across the river is the famous botanical garden. Victoria memorial, The Birla planetarium, the marble palace and the Kali temple are also of interest.
Darjeeling is a very popular hill station. It is sorrounded by tea plantations and many monastries. One of the attractions here is the toy train which operates up the steep mountain side from Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling. It has a population of over 90 thousand and the city is synanimous with tea. Many people here speak Nepali language. A majority of the inhabitants are Hindus. The best time to visit Darjeeling is between April and mid- june and Spetember and November. About 11 km from Darjeeling is the Tiger hill - the highest spot in the area at a height of 2590 meters. It is well known for its scenic view over Kanchenjunga and other peaks.(this is beautiful place to take panoramic shots ) Close to Tiger hills is Henchal lake with its scenic beauty, ideal as a picnic spot. The most famous monastry here is the Ghoom monastry which is about 8 km from Darjeeling. The Himalayan mountaineering institute is about 2 km from the town.
 
The passenger rope way here is 5km long and connects Darjeeling with Singla bazaar at the bottom of the valley. It is the first rope way to be constructed in India. Darjeeling offers a variety of treks. Some of the treks offer an excellent view of Kanchenjenga and the Mount Everest. The best time for trekking is in April,may,October and November.
Specialities: Handicraft, carpets , woolen , wood carvings and leather works. Flowers, cacti silks , Tibetan jewellery , tapestry bags , copper ware scrolls and paintings.
The tourism department of the Govt. of India offers conducted tours.
 
For more information:
 
The Government of India
Tourist office
"Embassy"
4,Shakespeare Sharani
Calcutta 700 071                             Home 
Tel: 242 14 02

Orissa

Orissa is on the east coast of India with an area of about 1,55,707 square kilometres.The state offers diverse habitats from lush green and hilly terrain to coastal plains and river valleys, crises-crossed  by the Brahmani, Mahanadi and Bansadhara rivers. The region of modern Orissa is today one of the most popular states in India.
The main language spoken is Oriya. Some of the population speak Hindi. The main occupation is agriculture. Other than agriculture Orissa is important for minerals. Tribal Orissa offers many variations in the types of metals used, the techniques and form of production, combining both the functional and the aesthetic.
Ancient Orissa had many important ports such as Paloura, Tamralipti and Dharmra along Orissa's 482 km long open coastline. Maritime trade was flourishing between Paloura (now Puri) and the Indonesian islands. Influence of the Pali language spread Buddhism in south east region. The past Buddhist connection with these region is visible in the 'Peace Tower' built by the Japanese Buddhists in this century and the Dhavateswar temple on the Dhauli hill-top near Bhubaneswar.
The first Aryan immigration from India into Sri-lanka also took place from the shores of Kalinga. The first history of the state comes into light with the King Ashoka's victory over the independent ruler of this place, which led to mass killings and devastation of the region. The extent of violence perpetrated by his men and its effect on the victims led to a change in the monarch and he accepted Buddhism as his way of life.
In the first century BC, under King Kharvel, the most famous of Kalinga rulers, Buddhism declined as the major religion and Jainism was restored. The cave inscriptions of Khandgiri and Udayagiri give plenty of information about the rule of King Kharvel and other information about the society at that point of time.
Later, Jainism gave way to Hinduism in around 7th century AD. This was the time when the ruling dynasties were the Ganga and Kesari, who constructed some of the most magnificent temples in India. After the decline of these dynasties, the local kingdoms fought hard to keep the Muslims away, but by the end in 16th century, the Mughals defeated them and won over this region. After the decline of the Mughals, Orissa was ruled by the Marathas and the British. Orissa became a separate province under the British Government in 1936.
sight seeing:

Bhubaneswar- the state capital, with its over a hundred temples highlights the rich culture of the state of Orissa. The following provide an ideal introduction:

• Lingaraja Temple
  
• Rajarani Temples (These temples constructed in the
  11th century AD are architectural marvels)
  
• Laxmaneswar temple
  
• Satrughaneswar temple
  
• Bharateswar temple (built in 6th century AD)
  
• Parasurameswar temple
  
• Swarna-jaleswar temple( built in 7th century AD)
  
• Vaital Deul (built in 8th century AD)
  
• Brahmeswar temple (built in11th century AD)
  
• Ananta Vasudeva temple (constructed in 13th century AD)
  
• Lord Sakshigopal temple in satyabadi about 15 km from Puri
  
• Puri in Orissa is famous for its Jagannath Temple.
  
• Konark is the high point of a visit to the Golden Triangle of Orissa.
  
• Famous Sun Temple

Other places of interest

• Bhubaneswar Museum
  
• Tribal Research Museum
  
• Handicrafts House
  
• Khandagiri and Udayagiri caves ( 8 km from Bhubaneswar )
  
• Buddhist Peace Tower (built in first and second century BC)
  
• Zoo and Botanical Gardens at Nandan Kanan (120 km)
  
• Sweta Ganga and indradyumna
  
• Puri, a popular beach resort is of special attraction for swimming in the sea.
  
• Balighai is a picnic spot 8 km from Puri
  

For further details contact:
Tourism-of-India.com                       Home
 Govt tourism in Orissa.

Bihar

Bihar is a fertile state. It is an alluvial plain with the Gangetic Valley and an incredibly mineral rich area of fairly level high ground in the south Bihar. The Northern plains extends from the foothills of the Himalayas, few km from south of the river Ganges as it flows through the state from west to the east.

The main language spoken is Bihari. Some of the population speak Hindi. The main occupation is agriculture. The main crops are paddy, wheat , pulses sugarcane , jute and fruits. Other than agriculture Bihar is important for minerals, coal, iron ore, bauxite, copper, and mica.
sight seeing:
The wildlife in Bihar is beautiful. Deer, bears, tigers and numerous species of birds, including the peacock, pheasant and wild fowl abound. The forests of Bihar yield a variety of commercial products besides the timber. One variety of tree special to this place grows here the leaves of which are used in making "beedis", a product for smoking.
Nalandha Museum has an exclusive collection of images of the Pala Guptha and other periods.
The museum has also a collection of copper plates, stone inscriptions, brick inscriptions, ceiling plaques coins carved bricks pottery and small heaps of burnt rice Nalanda naturally attracts thousands of visitors who draw great inspiration from the surroundings and the findings and go back with nostalgic memories of what a great temple-city Nalandha was.

Important Temples in Bihar:

• Ma Paudi Temple at seraikella.
  
• Benusagar--constructed in Gupta Period
  
• Konch Temple
  
• Kurkihar Lokantha built in Pala Period
  
• Kurkihar-Buddha
  
• kurkihar-four armed deity.
  
• Maheshi-Kadirvani Tara.
  
• Jagarnath Temple at Jagarnathpur.
  
• Harmandir Temple.
  
• Mahabodhi Temple

For further information contact:
Bihar Travel & Tourism
Development corporation Ltd              Home

Andhrapradesh

Andhra is the fifth largest state of India, It is also called the 'rice granary of India'. The main language spoken is Telugu. Some of the population speak Urdu. The main occupation is agriculture and weaving. The main crops are paddy and tobacco.

Sight seeing

Hyderabad is the capital city of Andhra Pradesh. It was one of the world's richest monarchy namely the Nizams. It is a major center of Islamic Culture and is a harmonious amalgam of the south and north,muslim and hindu

The Charminar is situated in the heart of the old walled city. This edifice is the best known land mark with bustling bazaars all round, where a variety of articles like artificial pearls, chandeliers, silks are displayed. It was built in 1591 A.D. by QuliShah, as a form of talisman to ward off the dreaded epidemic that was ravaging the city. As the name suggests, Charminar has four minarets rising 49 meters high,Typical of Qutbshahi architecture.

The Salar Jung Museum is the treasure house of art located on the bank of the river Musa. Acclaimed as one of the finest one-man collections in the world, this museum is named after Mir Yusuf Ali Khan -Salar Jung 111- the Prime minister of the late Nizam, who was a great connoisseur of art. It houses 35,000 exhibits collected from all corners of the world including illuminated manuscripts, bejeweled armories, wood carvings, exquisite cut glass collections etc. Some of the sculptures in marble like "Veiled Rebekah", "mestophiles" and the "Lady with the lamp" are some irresistible objects of art, with classic workmanship. The oil paintings acquired from France, an array of vases and pewters, numerous watches and clocks, rich Persian silks and wall hangings,floor coverings and Chinese tapestry are some of the prize exhibits. Visiting hours 10 00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M. Fridays are Holidays.

Nagarjuna Mountain and Nagarjuna Sagar is 149 km south east of Hyderabad. It has a history dating back as early as the 2nd century A.D. It is named after Sage Nagarjuna Acharya -an exponent of the Mahayana form of Buddhism. Known as "Vijaya- puri"in the early days, it was one of the important Buddhist centers of South India. Today only the ruins of the lost city lie in the shadow of the Nasgarjuna Sagar Dam. Some outstanding remains of the stupas, Marble carvings, sculptures have been excavated and preserved in a museum in the nearby island which can be reached by a boat. The site on which Nagarjuna mountain stands was excavated in 1926.Worth visiting are the sites of Ashwamedha Yaga, Queen's bathing ghat and the Buddhist monasteries.

Other Important places to visit Nagarjuna Sagar ,Govt Archaeological Museum, Konai Water Falls, and Arakku Valley Simhachalam.
The following are of religious importance:
Devi Viswamatuka temple at Draksharama near Ramachandra-puram in East-Godavari district, Devi Bramarambal temple in Srisailam, Tirupati, and Thirumala temples Puttaparthi, and Manthralaya mutts. .

Spcialities: Pearls, Silks, and Handicrafts.

For further information:
Andhra Pradesh Travel & Tourism
Development corporation Ltd
5th Floor, Ganga Vihar Complex
M.J. Road,
Hyderabad-500 001                         Home

Karnataka

Karnataka is made up of a series of uplands with an average height of 610 meters above sea level. The Bababudan range in the western ghats has one of the highest mountain peaks between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris. Boasting of one of the wettest regions in India at Agumbe are the western ghats rich in teak and rosewood as also the world famous sandal wood. These wildly beautiful locales where tuskers still thrive have paved the way for the legendary craftsmanship of Karnataka in sandalwood, rosewood and ivory. The varied and tumultous history coupled with architectural excellence and religious fervour have turned Karnataka into a tourist bonanza. Nature has also not lagged behind in bestowing her bounties on the land with the result Karnataka abounds in awe-inspiring waterfalls, exotic beaches, wildly beautiful thick forests and game sanctuaries. The state also offers excellent facilities for trekkers, anglers and golfers. In short it caters to every need of the tourists. 

The language spoken here is kannada and occupation is craft work and agriculture. 

Bangalore is the capital city of Karnataka. Termed as the fastest growing city in India and hailed as an air conditioned  city it is also regarded as the garden city. Bangalore delights visitors with its charm and beauty. Its salubrious climate complements the beautifully laid out parks and gardens and pays a fitting tribute to the gracious lifestyle of the populace.

 Sight seeing 

Vidhana Soudha modern and magnificent, this building is Bangalore's well known land mark. Built in Neo-Dravidian style using solid granite, it was the brainchild of Late Sri K Hanumanthaiah, a former chief minister of the erstwhile mysore state. The state secretariat and the legislatures are housed in this five storey building. The entrance is an ornately carved sandalwood door.

Cubbon Park a sprawling and aesthetically laid out park is across the Vidhana-Soudha and covers an area of 300 acres. Conceived by Lord Cubbon in 1864, it is an oasis of tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.The red Gothic structure of the city's High Court against the back drop of the green of the Cubbon Park is a riot of colours. Besides this building the public library with its attractive rose garden, the Jawahar Bal Bhavan with its bumper attractions for the children are located in the park. The bal bhavan is closed on Mondays and 2nd Tuesdays of the month. 

Lalbagh a famous botanical garden was laid out by Hyder Ali and developed by his son Tipu Sultan. One of the towers set up by Kempegowda can be seen on a hillock here. Huge old trees with their canopy of green foliage and rare species of plants vie for attention along with the flaming red of the Gulmohar trees. The Glass House where flower shows are held twice a year is also impressive. Lalbagh has an attractive floral clock also.

Badami Cave complex of temples located at Badami,a town in the Bagalkot District in the north part of Karnataka. They are considered an example of Indian rock-cut architecture, especially Badami  Chalukya Architecture. This was capital of the Early Chalukyas,who ruled  Karnataka from middle of 6th till the middle of 8th centuries. 

Other important places to visit: Bull temple, Tipu's palace, Government Museum, Whitefield, Bannerghatta National Park, Mutyala Madavu, Nandhi Hills, 

Mysore is the Royal city, the jewel of Karnataka, and the sandalwood city,Mysore is a magnificent tourist paradise. A city of many splendours, it has gorgeous palaces, beautiful parks, wonderful museums, and art  galleries, dams,reservoirs and temples. Wide stretches of tree-lined avenues jasmine, jacaranda and frangipani permeate the air. 

Sight seeing
Mysore Palace dominating the city's skyline is the most resplendent architectural structure in Mysore. Its style is a healthy combination of Dravidian, Indo-saracenic, Oriental and Roman styles. The regal castle was reconstructed in the year 1912 as the old palace suffered fire accidents. The front of the palace has an open balcony supported by massive circular columns. The interior of the palace, especially the Durbar Hall is richly decorated. Replete with ornate ceilings, intricately carved massive doors, gleaming floors, frescoes depicting scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, the entire scene exudes royal splendour. The jewel studded 200 kg golden throne is displayed during the Dasara Festival. 

The royal portrait gallery which is historically interesting ,is open to visitors. The palace is illuminated during the entire Dasara Festival. The state archaeological department and some temples are in the palace environs. Open from 10.30 A.M. to 5.30 PM., an entrance fee is levied. 

Lalitha Mahal Palace is a beautiful summer palace which has been turned into a luxury hotel with all royal trappings. 

Sri Jayachamarajendra art Gallery: Formerly known as the Jagan Mohan Palace, this building houses the art gallery. Exhibited on the walls of the spacious halls are examples of various schools of Indian art. The paintings include portraits of the royal family, ancient themes, landscapes and special themes. Notable among them is 'the lady with the lamp' of Ravi Varma the world famous artist. A separate gallery is allotted to mysore artists. Also on display are ancient musical instruments, antique furniture, sandalwood and ivory figurines. One grain of rice on which the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu are carved is worth a closer look.

Visiting hours: 8.30 A.M. to 5.30 P.M. [ IST Local time]

Zoological Garden which celebrated its centenary last October has a large collection of wild animals, Birds and Snakes. It has the distinction of breeding wild animals and King Cobra in captivity. It is set in one of the city's beautiful gardens.

Other important places to see: Krishnarajasagar Dam & the Brindavan Gardens, Srirangapatna, Bilgiri Ranga's Hill, Sravanabelagola, Belur and Halebid, Hampi,Bijapur,& Sivasamudram. 

Speciality: Karnataka is famous for its aesthetic craftsmanship in Sandalwood and Rose wood. Eye-catching items of furniture in-lay work, coffee tables, wall hangings etc are worth while purchases. Rich silks, wooden toys, leather puppets, Bidriware and other artefacts make ideal momentous. 

Tourist information: 

Government of India tourist offices, 

KFC Building 

48 Church street, 

Bangalore 

Tel: 558 54 17.

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