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India
& Nepal Tours
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Introduction
Delhi
Delhi
is a capital of the world’s largest democracy. Actually, Delhi is
India in miniature. Delhi is 32,87,263 sq. km of India’s fantastic
variety compressed into 1483 sq. km. Delhi has excellent tourist
spots, recreational facilities, and a history that goes back to
antiquity. The city offers a multitude of interesting places and
attractions to the visitor, so much so that it becomes difficult
to decide from where to begin exploring the city.
Old
Delhi The important places in Old Delhi includes: Red Fort,
The decision for constructing the fort was taken in 1639, when
Shahjahan decided to shift his capital to Delhi. Within eight years,
Shahjahanabad was completed with the Red Fort—Delhi’s seventh fort.
Though much has changed now because of large-scale demolitions during
the British occupation of the fort, its important structures have
survived, the glory faded with age but still impressive. Jama
Masjid, Chandni Chowk, The living legacy of Delhi is Shahjahanabad.
Created by the builder of Red Fort as the focal point and Jama Masjid
as the praying centre, Shahjahan planned Chandni Chowk so that his
daughter could shop for all that she wanted. Raj Ghat On
the bank of the legendary Yamuna, which flows past Delhi, there
is Raj Ghat—the last resting place of Mahatma Gandhi, the father
of the nation cremated here.
New
Delhi on the other hand, is a modern city designed by Edwin
Lutyens and Herbert Baker. It is a spacious, open city
that houses many government buildings and embassies, besides places
of historical interest. Notable attractions in New Delhi includes:
Rashtrapati Bhawan, It is architecturally a very impressive
building standing at a height, flowing down as it were to India
Gate. Rashtrapati Bhawan was once the imperial residence of the
British viceroys. This 340-roomed structure has an imposing character
overlooking India Gate and Rajpath. It is now the official residence
of the president of India. India Gate, memorial raised in
honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war. Laxminarayan
Temple Also called the Birla temple, the Laxminarayan Temple
was built by the Birla family in 1938. It is a temple with a large
garden and fountains behind it. Humayun’s Tomb was built
nine years after Humayun’s death by his wife Haji Begum. Designed
by a Persian architect named Mirak Mirza Ghujas, and completed in
1565. Qutab Minar It was built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the
Slave Dynasty, It is a fluted red sandstone tower, which tapers
up to a height of 72.5 m. However, only the first storey was completed
by Qutb-ud-din. The other storeys were built by his successor Iltutmish.
In many ways, the Qutab Minar, the first monument of Muslim rule
in India, heralded the beginning of a new style of art and architecture
that came to be known as the Indo-Islamic style. Bahai Temple,
situated in South Delhi, is shaped like a lotus. It is an eye catching
edifice worth exploring. Built by the Bahai community, it offers
the visitor a serenity that pervades the temple and its artistic
design.
Agra
Agra
is located about 204 km south of Delhi and is one of the most
famous tourist spots of the country. The city, situated on the
west bank of river the Yamuna, is known world over as home to
a wonder of the world, Taj Mahal. For most of the time Agra alternated
with Delhi as the capital of the Mughal Empire. As such one finds
many marvels of the Mughal architecture in and around the city,
the most famous of them being the following:
Taj
Mahal - On the banks of the river Yamuna stands the Taj Mahal,
the epitome of love. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in
the 17th century, the Taj today is source of attraction for millions
of tourists from all over the world. The white marble building
appears to change its hue according to variations in the daylight.
In moonlight, especially on the full moon night, the marble appears
extraordinarily luminescent. During winter months, the view of
Taj at sunrise is magnificent. Agra Fort - Built by Emperor
Akbar on the west bank of the river Yamuna. Agra Fort today dominates
the centre of the city. The crescent-shaped fort with its 20-metre
high, 2.4 km outer walls contains a maze of buildings that form
a small city within a city. The Diwan-i-Aam (hall of public audience)
and Diwan-i-Khas (hall of private audience) were built by Shahjahan
for receiving audiences. Jehangir’s palace built by Akbar was
the largest private residence in the fort. Close to Diwan-i-Khas,
stands an octagonal tower known as Musamman Burj. It was here
that Shahjahan breathed his last after seven years of imprisonment.
Other
main tourist attractions are Itmad-Ud-Dalauh Tomb, Sikendra &
Fatehpur Sikri
Jaipur
Jaipur
is a city where royalty still lives in the grandeur of its palaces,
where fighting for the honour of the clan has never been a need
but a way of life, and where treating guests as gods has been a
tradition from time immemorial. The city is located at a distance
of around 258 km from Delhi and 232 km from Agra, making it a part
of the famed Golden Triangle tourist circuit of North India. Jaipur
got its name from its founder Sawai Jai Singh (1693-1743),
who had the vision to create a meticulously planned city as his
capital. All the houses in the old city are painted pink, including
the famous Hawa Mahal, thereby giving the city its alternative
name, the Pink City.
Jaipur
offers a plethora of touristic attractions to the traveller. Some
of them are:
City
Palace The City Palace is now converted into a museum, except
a small portion that is still used by the royal family of Jaipur.
Built in the fortified campus style, the palace covers almost
one-seventh part of the city. One of the major attractions in
the museum is the portion that is devoted to the arms and ammunition
used by the royal family in the past. Jantar Mantar This
largest stone observatory in the world has a very interesting
story behind its construction. Sawai Jai Singh, the founder of
five observatories in India including this one. Before constructing
this observatory, he sent his emissaries to all corners to the
world, who returned with many manuals of cutting-edge technology
including a copy of La Hire/’s Tables. Hawa Mahal Strange
though it may seem, this most famous landmark of Jaipur. This
pink structure was constructed so that the ladies of the palace
could watch the royal processions without being seen by any outsider.
Amber Fort Standing tall over a small hillock overlooking
the Pink City, Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthan fort-palace.
Amber today is nothing but a reflection of the glorious past of
the fierce Kachwaha Dynasty that ruled over this region from 12th
to 18th century. Man Singh I started the construction of this
fort in 1592 and, perhaps, it was the defence that topped his
priorities before constructing this fort.
Mandawa
Located
in the semidesert region lies in the triangular area between Delhi,
Jaipur and Bikaner. Famous for its painted havelis (mansions)
is also called as " Open-Air Gallery of Rajasthan".
'Shekhawati ', meaning "the land of Shekha 's dan "
derives its name from Rao Shekha (1433 AD-1488 AD) a scion of
the Kachhwah family of Jaipur. Earlier a part of the former Jaipur
state, it now comprises of the districts of Jhunjhunu and Sikar.
Khajuraho
In
the short span of 150 years, the Rajput dynasty of the Chandelas
built a series of 84 temples at Khajuraho against the backdrop
of the Vindhya mountains. No one has been able to find out why.
The area is miles away from anywhere. Why then did they build
there. How could they have got the labour. And even more important,
the obviously exceptionally talented sculptors. And why is there
is so much sexual activity depicted here.
The
questions go unanswered, although many theories have been generated
since there's nothing like an unanswerable question to produce
theories. However one thing becomes clear. Khajuraho is one of
the greatest celebrations of life, a triumph of artistry and an
amazing experience. It is also a World Heritage Site.
This
temple city of central India, is famous throughout the world for
its exquisitely carved temples in stones. Thousands of visitors
and tourists from all over the world flock together to envisage
this immortal saga of Hindu art and culture .
Today, apart from the temples, Khajuraho is a small village but
a thousand years ago it was a large city of the Chandelas, medieval
Rajput kings who ruled over Central India.
Varanasi
Varanasi,
known to the devout as Kashi and purportedly the oldest continuously
inhabited city in the world, is situated near Allahabad. As legend
goes, the city was founded by Shiva, Lord of the Universe, making
it is one of the most important pilgrimage
Situated on the banks of the sacred Ganges River, the city has
been a centre of learning and civilization for over 2000 years.
Varanasi derives its present name from the two tributaries of
the Ganga - Varuna and Asi - between which it is situated. Varanasi's
principal attraction is the long string of bathing ghats, which
line the west banks of the Ganges. An early morning river cruise
is a must. Ghats are the steps, which lead down to the river.
There are around 80 ghats in Varanasi, each with its own significance.
Most Indians believe that anyone dying on the banks of the river,
in Varanasi, attains instant 'moksha' or enlightenment
Sarnath
It was here that the Buddha first preached his message of
enlightenment, 25 centuries ago. Saranath is only 10 km away from
Varanasi. Vishwanath temple The main temple of Varanasi,
the Golden Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva or Vishweswara. The
original temple was located across the road, but it was destroyed
by Aurangazeb, who then built a mosque over it. The present temple
was built by Ahilya Bai of Indore in 1776. The new Mosque has
been built using columns from the original temple razed by Aurangazeb.
This mosque has minarets towering 71 meters above the Ganges.
Durga Temple The Durga Temple, commonly known as the Monkey
Temple, was built in the 18th century by a Bengali Maharani and
is stained red with ochre.
This small temple, dedicated to Goddess Durga, consort of Shiva,
is built in the north Indian Nagara style, with a multicoloured
shikhara or umbrella. The Bharat Mata temple Carved out
of marble this temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi. The Tulsi
Manas temple has been crafted from white marble, and has the entire
Ramayana inscribed on its walls.
Kathmandu
The
capital of the world's lone Hindu kingdom, Kathmandu is studded
with many venerated and ancient Hindu temples like Pashupatinath,
Akash Bhairav and Machhendranath. Kathmandu is also home to some
of the world's most sacred Buddhist stupas. Valley is surrounded
by tier of green mountain walls above which tower mighty snowcapped
peaks. It consists of three main cities of great historic and
cultural interest. Kathmandu, Lalitpur (Patan) and Bhaktapur (Badgaoun).
They provide the setting for an exotic culture highlighted by
vibrant festivals and a level of piety rarely encountered elsewhere.
Each of the cities is an enchanting urban work of art, filled
with statues, temples and medieval. The Kathmandu valley covers
an area of 218 square miles. The city is said to be built in its
present form in 724 A. D. It is situated at 1336 meters above
the sea level.
Nepal's
diverse cultural background is reflected in the enormous variety
of handicrafts available here, including 'Tangkha' paintings,
metal statues, carved wooden artifacts and 'Kukhri' knives, made
famous by the fearsome Gurkha soldiers
Attractive
Tourist places in Kathmandu Valley -
Kathmandu Durbar square - Taleju Bhawani, Kumari, a temple
of living goddess, Kasthmandap, Ashok Vinayak, Kal Bhairav, and
Erotic Temples. Akash Bhairav Temple, Machhendranath Temple and
Annapurna Temple are in main market area. Pashupatinath Temple,
Baudhanath Stupa, Monasteries, Budhanilkanth, Swoyambhunath are
in around the Ring Road.
Patan - Mul Chowk, Sundari Chowk and Keshav Narayan Chowk,
Krishna Mandir, Hiranya Verna Mahavihar, Kumbheshwor, Mahabaudha,
Rudraverna Mahavihar, Machhendranath and Minnath Temple, Kumbheswore,
The Ashokan Stupas, Achheswor Mahavihar.
Bhaktapur - The Lion Gate, the golden Gate, the picture
Gallery, the Palace of 55 Windows, the bell of barking dogs, the
Batsala temple. The statue of King Bhupatindra Malla, Nyatapola
Temple, Bhairavnath Temple, Dattatraya Temple, Pujari Muth, Changu
Narayan.
Around
the Kathmandu Valley: There are many beautiful and interesting
places to visit in the vicinity of Kathmandu valley like –
Dakshin Kali Temple – A famous Kali Temple and picnic spot
of Valley at 22 km south of city.
Chovar George – Here Bhuddist saint Manjushree had slashed
a passage to drain out the primordial water and make it inhabitable
.
Kirtipur - Typical Newar Village having some temples and
monuments of Malla period.
Kakani, Shivapuri, Nagarkot & Dhulikhel -These are
the hill stations to view the mountain ranges, sunrise and sunset
views
Godawari Botanical Garden - This is a famous picnic spot
with green environment.
Bajrabarahi - This is a small wood mark with beautiful
Barahi Temple & typical Newar village.
Sankhu - It is 14 km east of Kathmandu. Here is famous
Bajrajogini Temple with
typical Newar village.
Banepa - This is 25 km east of Kathmandu having famous
Chandeswori Temple in the Newar city.
Namobuddha is 12 km west-south of Banepa. Here is historical
Buddhist stupa and monastery.
Panauti - is 7 km west of Banepa having beautiful temples
in the Newar city.
Pokhara
Valley
Pokhara
valley (827 M) is 200 Km west of Kathmandu valley. Pokhara is the
most popular destination in Nepal after Kathmandu. Pokhara is not
a historical or heritage site but it is a land of natural beauty
with lakes and mountains. The valley is famous for lakes, snow capped
mountains, beauty, and splendid panoramic scenes. Fewa, Rupa, and
Begnash are beautiful lakes in Pokhara. The mountain peaks Machhapuchhre
(Fish Tail) and Annapurna are the land mark of Pokhara. These splendid
mountain peaks are very gorgeous. The reflection of Mt. Machhapuchhre
and Mt. Annapurna on lake Fewa is very panoramic. On a clear day
you can almost reach out and touch them. You will have a very few
words to describe the view of Mt. Machhapuchhre on a clear full
moon day.
Places of Interest: Seti Gorge, Davis Fall,
Mahendra Cave, Bindhyavashini Temple, Fewa lake, Begnas Lake, Sarangkot,
Kaundanda, etc.
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