Archive for the ‘Know India’ Category
January 11th, 2012 | 
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Duration : 7 Nights / 8 Days
Destinations : Periyar – Cochin – Goa – Mumbai
Day 01: Periyar
On arrival at Periyar, you will be taken on a tour of the sanctuary. The night will be spent at Periyar.
Day 02: Periyar – Cochin
From Periyar, you will be taken to Kottayam. Tour the backwaters of this paradise on earth. Take a cruise to Alleppey. After disembarking at Alleppey, you will be driven to Cochin.
Day 03: Cochin
Tour the ancient port city of Cochin, famed for its ancient maritime links to civilizations in Europe, Asia and Africa. Visit the Mattancherry Palace, the St. Francis Church and the Synagogue. 7th century rock – cut cave temples dedicated to Lord Shiva are situated a top a hill on the island. With everlasting memories of the day spend night at hotel.
Day 04: Cochin – Goa
In the morning, you will be taken to the Cochin airport, from where you will take a flight to Goa. Overnight at Goa.
Day 05: Goa
Tour this beach paradise. Spend the day at the beach, explore the old churches, visit the ancient monuments at Goa.
Day 06: Goa – Mumbai
Take a flight to Mumbai from Goa. After arriving at Mumbai, you will be taken to a hotel where you can spend the rest of the day relaxing.
Day 07: Mumbai
Tour this busy western metropolis, the financial capital of India. The Elephanta Caves are the highlight of the Mumbai visit. The Kamla Nehru Park and Hanging Gardens are also a must visit.
Day 08: Departure from Mumbai
You will be taken to the Mumbai airport, from where you will board a flight for home
Day 09 – Hospet
Come with us this morning to explore the beautiful world of Hospet. The touristic importance of this lies in its proximity to Hampi, the site of the medieval Vijaynagar empire, (13 kms) is the most evocative of all the ruins in Karnataka.. Overnight at hotel.
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Altitude : 2730 meters
State : Jammu and Kashmir
Languages : Kashmiri and Hindi
Attractions : Skiing
A huge cup shaped meadow, lush and green with slopes where the silence is broken only by the tinkle of cowbells, Gulmarg looks like a fantasy set in a film and not surprisingly have been the venue of several films.
The valley of Gulmarg, a large meadow about 3-sq-kms in area, stands at 2,730 metres, 56-km south west of Srinagar. The name means ‘Meadow Of Flowers’ and in the spring it’s just that, a rolling meadow dotted with countless colourful Bluebells, Daisies, Forget Me Not’s and Buttercups. The valley itself is about 3-km long and up to a km wide.
All around are snow-capped mountains, and on a clear day one can see all the way to Nanga Parbat is one direction and Srinagar is another. It’s a popular day trip from Srinagar to Gulmarg, although many people extend their stay or use it as a base for trekking. The road from Srinagar rises gently towards the lower slopes of the range, passing through rice and maize fields.
The journey to Gulmarg is half the enchantment of reaching there– roads bordered by rigid avenues of poplar give over to flat expanses of rice fields interspersed with picturesque villages. Depending on the season, nature’s colours could be the translucent green of spring, summer’s rich emerald, or autumn’s golden hues, when scarlet chillies festoon windows of village homes. After Tangmarg, the climb to Gulmarg begins through fir-covered hillsides. At one point, known simply as View Point, travelers generally stop their vehicles for a few minutes and look out a spectacle of snow-covered mountains, almost within touching distance.
Duration : 07 Night/08 Days
Destination Covered : Ooty – Kodaikanal – Munnar
Day 01 : – Ooty -You are greeted on arrival from Kolkata at Coimbatore Airport/Railway station by South India Honeymoon Packages representative and transfer to Ooty (Travel time – 03.5 hrs). Later proceed for sight seeing which include Botanical Garden, Ooty Lake, Ooty Town Shopping, Doddabetta Peak. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 02 : Ooty – Today you will proceed to Coonoor to look from close quarters the Tea Gardens, Rose Garden, Sim’s Park, Avalanche, Dolphin’s nose, Ketty Valley, Koddandu Point, Lambs Park. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 03 : Kodaikanal – After early morning breakfast proceed to Kodaikanal (Travel time – 06.5 hrs) enroute visit Palani Temples. Reach Kodaikanal & settle down in Hotel. Evening free for leisure. Overnight stay at hotel
Day 04 : Kodaikanal – The full day is free. You may choose to visit the Kodaikanal Lake, spread over an area of 60 acres and surrounded by wooded slopes. The attractive walk around the lake takes between one and a half hours. Additionally, you have the option of boating or fishing. Later visit Cocker’s Walk, Golf Links, Green Valley View, Pillar Rocks, Silver Cascade Falls, Bear Shola Falls. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 05 : Munnar – Today morning after breakfast drive to Munnar hills (travel time – 5 hrs ) On the way to Munnar you can see tea gardens spread like a green carpet over hundreds of kilometers, lust green hills, a place so difficult to describe, very low population too far from pollution, most of the covered by Tata tea. On arrival check in to the Hotel and Evening stroll through the tea estates. Overnight in the hotel
Day 06 : Munnar – Today you can go for sightseeing Munnar which includes the Raja Malai, a top peak of Munnar where you can see Neel Thar (mountain goats), Muttupetty dam, you can also enjoy boating in the Lake (optional). Overnight at hotel
Day 07 : Houseboat – Today morning after breakfast drive to Alleppey (Travel time 5 hours) , Water locked place is endowed with immense natural beauty and array of rivers, canals and lakes ideal for boat cruise. On arrival check in to a traditional Kerala style Houseboat and cruise through the backwater. Overnight stay in the Houseboat – A/c Deluxe.Then cruise through the backwaters and stay overnight in Houseboat – A/c Deluxe
Day 08 : Departure – Morning after breakfast transfer to Cochin Airport or Railway Station (02 hours drive) for the onward Journey. End of South India honeymoon packages from Kolkata with sweet memories.
About Shirdi
Location : Ahmednagar district, Maharashatra
Climate : Dry Climate
Temperature : Max – 40 C, Min – 70 C
Languages : Marathi, Hindi and English
Best Time to Visit : June to August (Monsoons)
Special Day : Every Thursday
Attractions : Samadhi Mandir, Guru Sthan, Khandoba Temple
Nearest Airport : Aurangabad (144km)
STD Code : 02423
History Of Shirdi
Shirdi, mostly known for the great saint Shirdi Sai Baba, is situated in the Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra. Shirdi, also known as the Land of Sai, is a popular destination of pilgrims throughout the year. The earlier history of Shirdi is not known but Shirdi shot to fame during the earlier 20th Century.
The name ‘Shirdi’ is interconnected with the life of Shirdi Sai Baba. Shirdi Sai Baba visited Shirdi when he was sixteen years old and stayed there until his death in 1918. Through Shirdi Sai Baba, Shirdi has earned a significant place among the pilgrimage destinations of India.
Shirdi is a small town in Maharashtra that comprises an area of about 3 sq. km. Shirdi is located at a distance of about 297 km from Mumbai, 82 km from Ahmednagar and 80 km from the religious city of Nasik and 16 km from Kopargaon.
The State Government of Maharashtra along with the Shirdi municipal council & Shri Sai Baba Sansthan are planning for infrastructure development in Shirdi, keeping in mind the 100th anniversary of Shri Sai Baba Punyatithi on the day of Dusshera in 2018. Another project for the integrated development of Shirdi and its surrounding villages has given boost to the thriving hospitality industry in the area.
Places Of Interest In Shirdi
Located in Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra, Shirdi is home to many sites that stand testimony to the time when it was the home of Sai Baba, the great saint of the 20th century. Near the Shri Sainath Hospital, Shri Khandoba Mandir is located. 
This temple is revered for its idol of Khandoba, along with those of Banai and Mhalsai. Legend states that when Sai Baba set his foot in Shirdi for the second time, Khandoba was the first place where he was welcomed.
It is believed that when Sai Baba appeared in Shirdi for the first time, as a boy of 16 years, he was first seen at Gurusthan. In Sai Sat-Charitra, Neem (Margosa) tree situated here, finds its reference. A garden where Sai Baba used to go daily, for watering the plants, Lendi Baug contains a Neem tree. Beneath the shade of this tree, Sai Baba used to rest every morning and afternoon.
Samadhi of Abdul Baba contains the mortal remains of the man who used to read Quran to Sai Baba. At a few minutes’ distance from the cottage of Abdul Baba, Maruti Mandir is located. It is believed that Sai Baba had a special devotion for the temple and used to visit it on a regular basis. At the temple, Sai Baba used to conduct satsangs.
Gurudwara Manji Sahib Alamgir is situated in Alamgir Village near Ludhiana Distt. Guru Gobind Singh Ji reached Alamgir village after the martyrdom of his mother & four sons by Mughals and stayed here for few days. On reaching Alamgir, one of the horse trader of the Village named Bhai Nigahia Singh, gifted a horse to Guru Ji. Bhai Nabi Khan & Bhai Gani Khan provided a bed (manji) to Guru Ji. Guru Ji asked an old lady who was picking cowdung whether he could get some water from somewhere to take bath to which the old lady replied that
“Pir Ji this is a place of ruins, there is no water here”.
There is a well far away but there is a big python that lives there, no one goes there. On listening this, Guru Ji hit the python with an arrow & gave it ” Mukti ” ( exemption from further transmigration ) & the python fell into the well. When the people went to take water from the well, they found that the water is not clean, Guru Ji, then hit one more arrow & there was a water spring that came out & all had a bath. On seeing this miracle, the old lady fell into Guru Sajib’s feet & said
“Peer Ji you are a wonderful Peer, I have a request. I have leprosy & i have gone to various places to get the treatment done but it has not been cured, kindly cure my disease & help me to get rid of this disease”.
Guru Ji said that whoever takes a bath under this water spring with belief, GOD will cure all his sadness. Then Guru Ji sat on the horse given by Bhai Nigahia Singh & went towards Raikot. The old lady had a bath in that water spring & was cured. She went back to the village & told about the whole story. The place where Bhai Nabi Khan & Bhai Gani Khan kept GURU SAHIB’s bed, today at that place exists a beautiful Gurudwara known as Manji Sahib Alamgir.
Haridwar is located in the state of Uttrakhand and is an important pilgrimage city for Hindus. The River Ganges (Ganga) flowing 253 km from its source in Gaumukh enters the Indo Gangetic plains for the first time in Haridwar, due to which this city was initially called Gangadwara. Regarded as one of Hinduism’s most sacred cities, thousands of pilgrim’s flock here year after year to bathe in the holy Ganges that at this point is crystal clear and very clean. Every evening at dusk the river comes alive with the flickering of lamps as floating offerings that are released into the River Ganges. Every 12 years, Haridwar is the venue of the popular Kumbh Mela, which is believed to be the largest religious gathering in the world and attracts millions of people. The Kumbh takes place every three years consecutively at Allahabad, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar.
Plaes To Visit In Haridwar
Har Ki Pauri: Literally translated means “The Footstep of God” is supposed to be the precise spot where the Ganges leaves the mountains and enters the plains. Hindu’s believe that the River Ganges has the power to wash away their sins and this fact is enforced by a footstep Vishnu left in stone here. This Ghat sits on the west bank of the Ganges Canal and every evening at sunset priests perform the Ganga Aarti (The river worship ceremony) here, where floating lamps are set out on the water to drift downstream.
Chandi Devi Temple: This temple dedicated to the Goddess Chandi is situated on the eastern banks of the river Ganges and was built in 1929 by Suchat Singh, the king of Kashmir.
Mansa Devi Temple: Situated atop Bilwa Parwat, the temple of Goddess Mansa Devi (the goddess who fulfils desires) is a popular tourist destination, because of the cable cars that offer a beautiful view of the valley.
Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar: This bird sanctuary is situated on the main River Ganges at the Bhimgoda barrage and is a paradise for bird watchers and home to many migratory birds during the winters.
Weather Of Haridwar
Haridwar’s weather is affected by its close proximity to the Himalayan Range and the city experiences an extreme climate, being too hot in the summers and too cold in the winters. The summer season in Haridwar, that lasts from April to July can be rather uncomfortable, though summer nights can be quite pleasant. Winter months in Haridwar last from October to Feburary and can be very cold. The best time to visit Haridwar is from September to June as the summer months are uncomfortably hot and the monsoons can make commuting difficult.
Manali is located in Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh. Situated at an altitude of about 1950 m above sea level, it is about 250 km away from the state capital of Shimla.
Manali has been named after Brahmas’s appointed lawgiver, Manu, who is said to have arrived in this region to begin the seventh cycle of creation and destruction. The region is also said to be the home of the seven great sages of the Hindu religion.
As an important hill station and tourist destination of India, Manali offers much in terms of natural beauty such as panoramic views of the surrounding snow-capped mountain, flower gardens and orchards with green & red apples; with places such as Solang Valley known as a winter sports location; the Nehru Kund, which is a clear water spring; the Kothi Village, offering views of a deep gorge through which River Beas flows; and the Rahalla Falls.
Apart from being a hill station, there are also several other attractions in Manali. The Hidimba Temple, built in 1533 AD, is dedicated to hidimba, the wife of Bhima who was one of the pandavas. The Manu temple, dedicated to the sage and lawgiver, Manu, is located in old Manali. The Vasishta temple, dedicated to Lord Rama and Sage Vasishta, is known for its hot springs. The nearby town of Jagatsukh is home to a few old temples dedicated to Shiva and Sandhya Gayatri.
Tourist places in Manali
Located at an elevation of 1,950 metres, Manali and the surrounding area is of immense significance to Indian culture and heritage, as it is said to be the home of the Saptarshi, or Seven Sages. An igloo shaped temple, Beas Kund has a spring, which is the origin of River Beas.
Located in the middle of a forest called the Dhungiri Van Vihar, Hadimba Temple is one of the most important temples in the region. Manu Temple enshrines Manu, who landed and settled down in Manali after the great floods and became the progenitor of human beings.
Gauri Shankar Temple, located in Jagatsukh, is dedicated to Shiva and Parvati. On the bank of River Beas, is the Vashisht Village, which is famous for a temple dedicated to Lord Rama and hot springs that are said to have medicinal properties. Malana, a hamlet across River Parvati, is believed to have been inhabited by the descendants of the Greeks that came as Alexander’s army.
Established on the south-eastern corner of Ludhiana city, Manji Sahib Gurudwara expresses the divine presence of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. One of the sacred places of Sikh devotees, the Gurudwara assigns its history to the early period of 1700s when Guru Ji passed through this holy spot.
The historical saga of the Manji Sahib Gurudwara of Haryana reveals a rather fascinating tale. While going to Malwa, in 1705, Guru Gobind Singh Ji stopped his palanquin-bearers on the very location where the Gurudwara of Manji Sahib exists.
He chose the place as a stop-over and asked one of the local peasants to bring a horse for him so that he can use it for his journey. The man assigned with the job told a lie to Guru Ji and presented a mare to him, not realizing the imminent consequences. Guru Ji did not accept the mare and left the place. On going back to his home the farmer found his horse dead. This way the local people came to know the sacred powers of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
The sincere followers of Guru Ji in the coming years built the Manji Sahib Gurudwara on the same spot where the Guru took rest for sometime. Apart from regular sessions of Guru Granth Sahib Recitation, the Sikh followers also attend the ceremony of the first, fifth and tenth Guruparabs in the premises of the Gurudwara. Commemorating the sacrifices of Guru Teg Bahadur, Shahidi Divas is also followed religiously in this sacred place.