Archive for the ‘Know India’ Category
March 21st, 2009 | 
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Introduction
Ranthambore National park is famous for its tigers and is one of the best places in the country to see these majestic predators in the wild. The Park covers an area of nearly 400 sq. km. and is set between the Aravali and Vindhya ranges. Its deciduous forests were once a part of the magnificent jungles of Central India.The tigers can be easily spotted even during the day. A good time to visit between November and May when the nature of the dry deciduous forests makes sightings common.
Ranthambore National Park has thick forest, 3 lakes, rivers, streams, ruins of the historic Ranthambore fort and other monuments and scenic viewpoints.
How To Reach
The easiest way to reach Ranthambore is to take a train to Sawai Madhopur. This town is well connected with trains to/from Jaipur, Bombay and Delhi. The nearby Airports are – Jaipur and Kota. Distance by rail: Delhi – 362 km, Agra – 227 km, Bombay 1027 km, Kota – 108 km, Jaipur – 132 km
Distance by road:
Delhi – 480 km (via Dausa), Jaipur – 180 km (via Tonk)
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Juhu beach is one of the most attractive sea beaches of Mumbai. This flat beach is located almost at center of the Mumbai town. Located 18-km north of the city centre, it’s a major beach site on the shores of Arabian Sea and is one of the posh localities of Mumbai where one can find the bungalows of the famous film personalities of Bollywood. It’s also a favourite shooting site among the filmmakers as many film shootings are also held over here.
On the southern end of the Juhu beach one can find many Luxury hotels and apartments, which are regarded as a favourite haunt of Mumbai’s movers and shakers. The beach, which almost seems deserted during weekdays, always tends to get very crowded on weekends. One of the major attraction of Juhu beach is Sunset.
Juhu has the specialty of being the largest as well the most frequently visited beaches in India. Climate being uniform that is warm, except during monsoon rains from June to September, Juhu is a wonderful resort for the tourist. Juhu is the best place to bring the entire community (Mumbaikars – residents of Mumbai) on common social grounds and much interaction takes place amidst the natural ambience provided by the beach. Children, adults and aged, locals and tourists all make up the population that inhibits the beach especially on weekends.
The beach was in news in mid 2005 following the diamond rush. It is believed that high tides had brought with it colored crystals called Ámerican diamonds’ and people next day joined in great numbers for the treasure hunt. The American diamonds were for sure recovered but their worth goes no more than 10 rupees.
Christmas is the most celebrated festival in Goa. Though Christians are in minority in Goa and India, Christmas is one of the festivals, which has highest involvement of people of all religions. Parties and dancing is an integral part of the festivities, and all Goans and tourists participate in them wholeheartedly. Classy hotels, smaller clubs and restaurants, groups of friends, schools, colleges and almost all social organizations have parties, eat, drink, dance and celebrate. There is no dearth of good spirit. Gifts are exchanged, according to the depth of the pockets and Santa Claus brings gifts to a lot of good children. Goa’s Catholics flock to midnight mass services traditionally called Missa de Galo or Cock Crow as they go on well into early hours of the morning.
The Goan Way of Celebration
Dress up in the finest cloths and participate in the Missa de Galo. Party till you drop. Beaches and roads are covered with people, dressed in the best of attire. Dance and music are an integral part of the celebrations. So dance all through the night and don’t forget to offer prayers in the churches in morning. Exchage gifts with your dear ones and decorate your place of stay in typical christmas style.
Best Time To Visit
In summer season the temperature rises upto 38 degree C and in winter it falls down to 0 degree C.The best time to visit the place is from July to March when the temperature is not very hot.
Places Of Interest
Dargah Sharif
Dargah Sharif is one of India’s most important places for Muslim pilgrims. The Dargah is the Sufi saint, Khawaja Muin-uddin Chishti, who came to Ajmer from Persia in 1192.The shrine has been constructed by Humayun and the gate was built by the Nizam of Hyderabad.Akbar used to make the pilgrimage to the Dargah from
Agra once a year.He also constructed a mosque in the right side.The inner court displays another mosque constructed by Shah Jahan.The mosque has been carved out of white marble.It has 11 arches.The saint’s tomb is located in the centre of the second court.It has also been carved out of marble and the actual tomb inside is encompassed in a silver platform. The horseshoes nailed to the shrine doors are offerings from successful horse dealers.On the anniversary of the saint’s death, the Urs, in the seventh month of the lunar calendar thousand
visitors visit the place.The tourist have to cover their head with scarf to visit the place.
Adhai-din-ka-jhoupra
The building is located on the outskirts, of the city, just beyond the Dargah.It is a remarkable structure displaying the elegance of Indo-Islamic architecture.Formerly it was a sanskrit college within a temple.In 1193 A.D. Mohhamed Ghauri conquered Ajmer and converted the building into a mosque by building a sevenarched wall in front of the pillared hall in two-and-half days(adhai-din) and the building was then named accordingly.
Ana Sagar & Foy Sagar
The construction of this artificial lake can be dated back to 12th century.It was constructed by damming the River Luni.The Daulat Bagh is a park located on the bank of the lake.It displays a series of marble pavilions erected in 1637 by Shah Jahan.Another reservoir Foy Sagar was built in 1891-1892 A.D. by the Ajmer Municipal Committee. Foy was the Executive Engineer in-charge of the project and hence the lake was named Foy sagar.
Taragarh Fort
The fort is a located beyond the Adhai-din-ka-jhopra.It takes thirty minutes climb from there.Tourist can enjoy the excellent view of the city from the place. The fort was constructed during the Mughal period.Formerly it was used as the site of the military activity later the British used the place as sanatorium.
Todgarh
Todgarh is located in the Aravallis, the oldest mountain range of the world which is about 70 kms from Beawar. Its original name is Boraswara. The place is of excellence beauty.Todgarh is 3281 feet above sea level and has the potential of attaining the status of a hill resort, next only to Mount Abu. Captain Tod built the fort of Todgarh . It is 120 kms. South of Ajmer, and only 13 kms. from Bhim on National Highway No. 8.In early times, nomadic tribes like the Banjaras
and Gurjars inhabited this area. Todgarh formed a part of Merwara.
Eden Garden is the oldest and the largest cricket stadium of India situated in Kolkata established in 1864. It has an exclusiveness of its own It is also one of the finest cricket stadium in the world. Eden Garden is exactly, the name of a park beside the stadium, but the park itself was so famous that the stadium was also named after it.
The first ever first-class match to be played here was in 1917-18, while the first Test match was against Douglas Jardine’s MCC in January 1934. Since then the ground has hosted the maximum number of Test matches at any venue in India.
As part of the renovation drive of the stadium durin
g the 1987 World Cup, where the final match was held, covered stands were built all around, with a modern Club House and pavilion. The Club House now houses the offices of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), which is also the owner of Eden Garden. Floodlights were installed in the stadium on the eve of the five-nation tournament held to celebrate the CAB Diamond Jubilee. Another very much important fact is that Eden has a capacity of 1,00,000 spectators which is highest in India.
Eden Gardens holds the distinction of being the largest cricketing facility in the world. On the flip side, crowd violence has marred some of the key matches played in this ground. It is aso mentionable that the people of Kolkata cannot see thier team loosing at the Eden Garden. People here are specially attached and linked to the game. The Mexican Wave is very famous about the stadium that the fans create during the matches.
Factfile :
India holds the record for the highest Test score on the ground so far when they made 657-7 against Australia during the Series in 2000-01.
Indian also has the ignominy of scoring the lowest total at the ground when the West Indies restricted them to just 90. Harbhajan Singh became the first Indian to take a Test hat trick when he achieved the feat against Australia in 2000-01.
VVS Laxman’s historic 281 against the Australians in 2000/01 is the highest score at the ground.
Anil Kumble’s 12/6 vs. the West Indies in the finals of the Hero Cup is the best bowling figures in one dayers by an Indian.
Introduction
A small but beautiful hill station, Khandala is one of the major hill
stations in India in the state of Maharashtra.It is located amidst the hills and
valleys of the Sahyadri mountain range. It is situated 101 km southeast of
Mumbai and 69 km from Pune and is set at an altitude of 625 meters. Khandala
offers beautiful green environs and draws the interest of travelers from far and
wide.Earlier, Khandala was a part of the terrain of Chhatrapati Shivaji. Later
it eventually went to the power of the British. Khandala is positioned at the
top end of the Bhor Ghat on the roadway between the Deccan Plateau and the
Konkan plain.
It has several trekking trails around it which is a delight for the adventure
lovers. it nestles on the western slopes of the Sahyadri mountain range.
Best Time To Visit
Weather in Khandala is pleasant. Summers (April-June) are mild, while winters
are cool (November-February). It experiences heavy southwestern monsoon rains
between June and September. The best time to visit Khandala is between the
months of October and May.
Rajmachi
Park
Rajmachi Park is a beautiful garden located at the starting point of the Ghat.
It gives a spectacular view of the surroundings. On the East Side two towers of
the Rajmachi Fort can be seen and at the bottom is the huge valley. There is a
restaurant here and a temple close by.
Ryewood
Ryewood is located near Lonavala. This garden covers a lot of ground and it is
full of majestic tall trees. It exhibits an old Mahadeo temple. According to
history, An English officer Mr. Rye stayed in this place for quite some time.
Hence this woods are named after him. The name may also have come from the
Marathi words "Rai" which means thick forest. This garden offers wide scope to
the tourist for recreational activities.
Duke’s Nose
According to historians the cliff resembles Duke Wellington’s pointed nose. It
also looks like a hood of a snake, which is why it is also called as "Nagfani"
(Hood of Snake). This point can be approach from INS Shivaji and Kurwande
Village. Tourist can enjoy the scenic beauty of the place.
Shivaji Park
This ground which was known as a playground which was converted into a garden in
1956 there is statue of Shri Shivaji Maharaj in this park. As it is near located
near the city many people visit this park.
Amruntanjan point
At the beginning of the Khandala Ghat, and at the end of the first slope there
is a huge hoarding of Amrutanjan. There is a lot of flat space around here and
the view of the valley and Dukes Nose is breath taking beyond this one can also
see the city of Khopoli.
Kalimpong is a hill station located at the junction of Siliguri and Gangtok.The place is covered with dense forests consisting of golden oak along with rich undergrowth of moss and lichen which serves as cushions of russet-brown leaves.The name, Kalimpong, has been derived from three different origins.Firstly ,it stands for the place where tribals gathered to organize field sports, secondly, it got its name from the Bhutanese king’s minister’s stronghold and thirdly, it is named after Kaulim which is a fibrous plant found in abundance in this region.