CITY SIGHTSEEING

Bengaluru is the capital of India’s southern Karnataka state. The center of India’s high-tech industry, the city is also known for its parks and nightlife. By Cubbon Park, Vidhana Soudha is a NeoDravidian legislative building. Former royal residences include 19th-century Bangalore Palace, modeled after England’s Windsor Castle, and Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, an 18thcentury teak structure.

Chandigarh, the capital of the northern Indian states of Punjab and Haryana, was designed by the Swiss-French modernist architect, Le Corbusier. His buildings include the Capitol Complex with its High Court, Secretariat and Legislative Assembly, as well as the giant Open Hand Monument. The nearby Rock Garden is a park featuring sculptures made of stones, recycled ceramics and industrial relics.

Chennai, on the Bay of Bengal in eastern India, is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu. The city is home to Fort St. George, built in 1644 and now a museum showcasing the city’s roots as a British military garrison and East India Company trading outpost, when it was called Madras. Religious sites include Kapaleeshwarar Temple, adorned with carved and painted gods, and St. Mary’s, a 17th-century Anglican Church.

Kochi (also known as Cochin) is a city in southwest India’s coastal Kerala state. It has been a port since 1341, when a flood carved out its harbor and opened it to Arab, Chinese and European merchants. Sites reflecting those influences include Fort Kochi, a settlement with tiled colonial bungalows and diverse houses of worship. Cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, typical of Kochi, have been in use for centuries.

Delhi, India’s capital territory, is a massive metropolitan area in the country’s north. In Old Delhi, a neighborhood dating to the 1600s, stands the imposing Mughal-era Red Fort, a symbol of India, and the sprawling Jama Masjid mosque, whose courtyard accommodates 25,000 people. Nearby is Chandni Chowk, a vibrant bazaar filled with food carts, sweets shops and spice stalls.

Known mainly for the immaculate and erotic sculptures of Kahjuraho Temples, Khajuraho has successfully taught the lessons of spirituality over greed. This wondrous heritage town is encircled with Vindhya Mountain Ranges to make it even more adorable. The temples of Khajuraho have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site and showcases beautiful inscriptions. To get the best of your visit to Khajuraho Temples, you can go for Audio Guides or the official Smartphone app that tells you everything about these heavenly creations. Besides temples, this town can also be visited for some exclusive Yoga Sessions. The Arhanta Yoga Ashram gives classes for Classical Hatha Yoga in traditional ashram ambience.

Formerly known as Quilon, Kollam is an ancient port in Kerala located on the edge of the famous Ashthamudi Lake, which is the gateway to the magnificent backwaters of Kerala. Kollam is famous for its intricate maze of backwaters. Kollam was one of the early centers of Christian activity in Kerala. Kollam is an important center of the cashew nut processing and trading industry. Come on a Kollam Tour, and you will have a memorable experience in this backwater destination of Kerala.

Formerly known as Calcutta, Kolkata is rated as one of the top tourist destinations to visit in India. It is the second largest city in India and renowned as the capital of West Bengal. The city is honored with numerous names such as the Cultural Capital of India, the City of processions and the City of Joy.Settled on the banks of River Hoogly, Kolkata boasts of several grand bungalows inspired by the tastes of English Babu (Britishers), heritage structures, Museums (Indian Museum- houses an enchanting collection of anthropological, zoological, industrial and geological wealth and heritage of India), City Parks, Educational Institutes of academic and historical interests, British administrative offices and the other prominent landmarks.

Kovalam is a beautiful beach town located at a distance of 16 km from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. Overlooking the Arabian Sea, Kovalam is a favorite destination among tourists. Dotted with serene beaches, Kovalam is a paradise for nature lovers. The destination offers a great ambiance to the tourists where they can unwind. The natural beauty and tranquility of the place is matchless. People from all over the world visit Kovalam to take a stroll at its sunkissed beaches, enjoy Ayurvedic massages, treat your taste buds with delicious seafood, go for sightseeing and indulge in water sports.

Kumarakom is one of the most beautiful towns of Kerala which is well-known for its lush green surroundings, beautiful backwaters and unexplored natural beauty. Set on the shores of the serene Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a picturesque town which allures tourists from all across the world. Best known for its backwaters and houseboats, Kumarakom is also known for housing a number of tourist attractions. Star attractions of Kumarakom include Vembanad Lake, Aruvikkuzhi Falls, Kumarakom Backwaters and Kumarakom Beach.

Bombay, or Mumbai as it is now called, is the commercial capital of India, Bollywood and more. The city, a cluster of seven islands, was named by its natives after the goddess Mumbadevi. After the Portuguese gained possession of the islands in 1534, they renamed it Bom Bahia, for the natural harbour, which served as a safe haven for its ships. Today, Mumbai is the country’s financial and cultural centre. It is also home to a thriving film industry. It is seen, to the teeming masses that flock there to live and work, as a place where opportunities abound. Places to visit in Mumbai include the Victoria Terminus, the Gateway of India, the Hanging Gardens, Mani Bhawan (where the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi resided for several years) and the Prince of Wales museum.

Mysore a city in India’s southwestern Karnataka state, was the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1947. In its center is opulent Mysore Palace, seat of the former ruling Wodeyar dynasty. The palace blends Hindu, Islamic, Gothic and Rajput styles. Mysore is also home to the centuries-old Devaraja Market, filled with spices, silk and sandalwood.

Nainital is a Himalayan resort town in the Kumaon region of India’s Uttarakhand state, at an elevation of roughly 2,000m. Formerly a British hill station, it’s set around Nainital Lake, a popular boating site with Naina Devi Hindu Temple on its north shore. A cable car runs to Snow View observation point (at 2,270m), with vistas over the town and mountains including Nanda Devi, Uttarakhand’s highest peak.

Ooty, also known as Udhagamandalam, is a hill station in the state of Tamil Nadu, in southern India. Surrounded by trees, central Ooty Lake is a huge artificial expanse of water with pleasure boats. On the slopes of nearby Elk Hill, the Rose Garden is home to over 2,000 varieties of roses. The Government Botanical Garden, created in the 19th century, features ferns, orchids and a prehistoric, fossilized tree.

Orchha is a town in Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh state, India. The town was established by Rudra Pratap Singh sometime after 1501, as the seat of an eponymous former princely state of central India, in the Bundelkhand region

Pondicherry a French colonial settlement in India until 1954, is now a Union Territory town bounded by the southeastern Tamil Nadu state. Its French legacy is preserved in its French Quarter, with tree-lined streets, mustard-colored colonial villas and chic boutiques. A seaside promenade runs along the Bay of Bengal and passes several statues, including a 4m-high Gandhi Memorial.

Ranthambore National Park is known to have India’s friendliest tigers assured of protection, these nocturnal creatures are seen often in the day. Sprawled on the Aravalli ranges of Rajasthan, Ranthambore National Park encompasses an area of 410sq km in which live a healthy population of tigers. A large number of deer inhabit the area and leopards are occasionally sighted. Smaller pools at Raj Bagh and Milak also attract a variety of wild life. The best way to explore Ranthambore is in a jeep as the park is well connected by arterial roads and tracks.

The village of Samode is on a former caravan route and although not strictly in the Shekhavati region. The village with its local artisans producing printed cloth and glass bangles nestles within its old walls in the dry rugged hills of the northern Aravallis. The old havelis and their paintings are still full of character, at the head of the enclosed valley is the remarkable Samode Palace now converted into a hotel. The palace is fabulously decorated with 300 year old fine Shekhavati style wall paintings which still look almost new. Around the first floor of the Durbar Hall are magnificent kiosks,
decorated like Shish Mahal.

A beautiful hill station in Himachal Pradesh filled with captivating streams, greenery and picturesque scenery. Sounds like a perfect escapade, away from the fast paced urban life. All this can be relished in the breathtaking city, Shimla. Located in the lower Himalayan ranges, Shimla hill is also known as “queen of the hills”. The Shimla Hill station boasts of its various tourist attractions like the very famous Mall Road to enjoy shopping, Christ Church, Summer hill, Gaiety heritage cultural complex and Lakkar Bazaar etc. As Shimla has a long history with the Britishers, the place is flourished by beautiful colonial structures of that time.

Colorful houseboats, romantic Shikara and sail in lustrous Dal Lake. What is more magnificent about this affair is the backdrop of gigantic hills wrapped up with umpteen orchids. Srinagar is the summer capital and an enchanting town of Kashmir state in India. It is festooned with wooden Kashmiri mosques and expansive gardens with wide variety of flora species

Hyderabad is the capital of southern India’s Telangana state. A major center for the technology industry, it’s home to many upscale restaurants and shops. Its historic sites include Golconda Fort, a former diamond-trading center that was once the Qutb Shahi dynastic capital. The Charminar, a 16th-century mosque whose 4 arches support towering minarets, is an old city landmark near the long-standing Laad Bazaar.

Jaipur is the capital of India’s Rajasthan state. It evokes the royal family that once ruled the region and that, in 1727, founded what is now called the Old City, or “Pink City” for its trademark building color. At the center of its stately street grid (notable in India) stands the opulent, colonnaded City Palace complex. With gardens, courtyards and museums, part of it is still a royal residence

Jaisalmer, the desert town, is carpeted with golden sand. Bold Rajasthani attires and the yellow landscape of the city form a distinctive contrast. Where camels are seen in abundance, where an iconic hill-fort stands above the city with imposing walls, where you can find the best examples of par-brilliance inscriptions; it’s Jaisalmer. There is no wonder why this beauty has been acclaimed as one of Rajasthan’s top tourist attraction. Talking about its most priced property, Jaisalmer Fort is built from yellow sandstone that complements the deserted backdrops. In the presence of sunlight, especially during sunset and sunrise, the fort looks exceptionally magnificent.

The Blue City of Rajasthan, Jodhpur has a bluish landscape and is noted for herculean Mehrangarh Fort. The fort is located upon a ridge, and is rightfully termed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This is an important tourist attraction of Jodhpur. Encircled with seven strong gates, Mehrangarh Fort showcases an antique collection of paintings, armors, palanquins, treasure, turbans and folk musical instruments. Jawant Thada is another delight in Jodhpur. This white-marbled marvel is a memorial dedicated to Maharaja Jaswant Singh, built by his son in 1899. Jaswant Thada is a traditional cremation ground of Jodhpur rulers, and is also a notable architectural landmark of Jodhpur.

Mandawa: A small town in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan with a unique medieval charm. The streets are lined with richly painted houses and each street is bustling with activity. Each home and small little castles are richly painted with Shekhawati paintings known for its uniqueness and rich colours are still unimaginable that it could have been possible to exist during those old days.

Madurai city: Madurai is one of the oldest cities of southern India. It has been a centre of pilgrimage, for centuries. The Meenakshi temple, the main architectural attraction, is an excellent example of Dravidian architecture with Gopurams or multi pillared halls, covered from top to bottom, in a profusion of multi-colored images of gods, goddesses, animals and mythical figures.

Mahabalipuram: An ancient coastal port South of Madras, here
you will see many sculptures and temples of typical South India
architectural designs; the Five Radhas A group of Monolithic
monuments of animal figures carved out of solid rock; the shore
temple, lashed by the waves of the sea, and the Huge frescoes;
the penance of Bhagirath.

Manali is a resort town nestled in the mountains of the Indian
state of Himachal Pradesh near the northern end of the Kullu
Valley, at an altitude of 2,050 m (6,726 ft) in the Beas River The
small town, with a population of 8,096, is the beginning of an
ancient trade route to Ladakh and from there over the Karakoram
Pass on to Yarkand and Khotan in the Tarim Basin. It is a popular
tourist destination and serves as the gateway to Lahaul and Spiti
district as well as Leh. Manali is a popular hill station and tourist
destination for summer holidays.

Mararikulam is a beach village in the district of Alappuzha. The
name comes from Marari (Lord Shiva) who is the main city of
the place. Marari Beach is a perfect location for holidaying with
family or friends. This beach in Kerala is eternal with coconut
palm trees and golden sands. The beach is quite beautiful and
the name ‘Marari’ arises from ‘Mararikulum’, which is a local
village on the Arabian Sea Coast.

Munnar is a town in the Western Ghats mountain range in India’s
Kerala state. A hill station and former resort for the British Raj
elite, it’s surrounded by rolling hills dotted with tea plantations
established in the late 19th century. Eravikulam National Park, a
habitat for the endangered mountain goat Nilgiri tahr, is home to
the Lakkam Waterfalls, hiking trails and 2,695m-tall Anamudi
Peak.

Poovar is a lovely island with long stretches of glowing sand,
serene surroundings and refreshing gentle breeze. It is a small
rustic town situated 27 kms from Thiruvananthapuram with
unspoilt, unexplored beaches and beautiful backwaters of
Kerala highlighting the most striking features of the town. Lying
at the mouth of River Neyyar, Poovar is mainly inhabited by the
fishing community. It is an ideal getaway to explore the
intriguing culture and traditions of the locals. An estuary
located adjacent to the Poovar Island is an admiring natural
wonder with only the sounds of birds chirping and waves
roaring. Pleasant weather, exotic flora and fauna including spice
farmlands, banana groves and swaying coconut trees adds
charm to this already incredible town.

Pune, also called Poona, at the junction of the Mula and Mutha
rivers in Maharashtra is called “Queen of the Deccan,”. Pune is
the cultural capital of the Maratha peoples. The city first gained
importance as the capital of the Bhonsle Marathas in the 17th
century.

It was temporarily captured by the Mughals but again served
as the official Maratha capital from 1714 until its fall to the
British in 1817. It was the seasonal capital of the Bombay
Presidency and is now a popular tourist resort, offering cool
weather, historic and religious monuments, museums, parks,
hotels, and cultural attractions

Pushkar, an important religious place for Hindus. This little
town is hugely known for the “Pushkar Fair’ (where the mass
trading of camels takes place), “the Lord Brahma Temple”, a
picturesque lake Pushkar houses as many as 400 temples and
52 ghats, which includes the Brahma temple, the only temple
dedicated to Lord Brahma in the country. Pushkar is amongst
the important pilgrimages in the country visited by devotees
from all over the country. Pushkar Lake is said to have been
created by the falling of lotus from the hand of Lord Brahma,
the creator of the universe. It is believed to be as old as the
creation. The lake is one of the most holy spots in the town,
and it is said that a single dip in the waters of lake on Kartika
Poornima is same as performing yagnas for several hundred
years.

Most of the pilgrims who pass through Rishikesh on their way
to the Himalayan, shrines of the Char Dham pause for a holy
dip and puja at Triveni Ghat, There are a number of ashrams in
and around Rishikesh, where rishis (saints) stay. Some of the
ashrams are situated on the eastern bank of the river Ganges
and the entire cluster is known as Swargashram. Maharishi
Mahesh Yogi’s Ashram is famous the world over for which the
credit goes to the rock band Beatles. Several ashrams offer
yoga courses and many pilgrims from in and around the
country come here to learn yoga. Along with the ashrams,
there are a few temples having some mythological importance.
The Mughal Garden, Shalimar Bagh is built in Persian style of
architecture with canals, fountains and pools inside it;
Chashme Shahi and Pari Mahal are its most notable parts.
This park is in close proximity to Nishat Bagh and Dal Lake.

While on a tour to Tamil Nadu, come to Tanjore, which lies in
the east of Trichy. Historically, Tanjore was the regal city of
the Cholas, Nayaks and the Mahrattas. The several tourist
attractions in Tanjore manifest the glorious history of
Tanjore.

Thekkady in Kerala is famous for its fascinating wildlife
sanctuaries which is the home of varied range of flora and
fauna. From the different types of birds to the colorful
flowers, Thekkady is also home of playful elephants. Quite
different from the other wildlife sanctuaries of Kerala,
Thekkady is one of the most beautiful and serene locales of
Kerala.

Capital of God’s Own Land, Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram is
one of the most beautiful and greenest cities of India. The
city features long stretches of serene backwaters, beautiful
palm fringed beaches, historic monuments and revered
shrines. Thiruvananthapuram is the perfect holiday
destination as it makes every visitor enjoy the unforgettable
backwater cruise, watch the breathtaking sunsets, seek
blessings at the most sacred shrines, explore the glorious
history and indulge in water sports

Located in the southernmost region of Rajasthan, Udaipur
has been the real essence of India’s heritage. Famed as the
City of Lakes, Udaipur has redefined the usual definitions of a
heritage city. So much so, that the city is crowned as one of
the most romantic spots across the globe. The city has so
much to brag about, starting from the iconic Rajput-era
palaces, the vintage hotels to the shimmering waters of its
beautiful lakes.