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Thursday, May 5, 2011

Travel Books: Your Companion (Guide) for India Trip

Books have always been a close companion of human being as they help you to pass a good time in acquiring knowledge and know the new things. Likewise, the Travel Books are also a good way to virtually visit a new place and know almost all types of information about a particular place. With the growth in India’s travel & tourism industry, many publishers came with travel books and magazines that became a guide for travelers visiting various parts of the vast country.

Simply, a travel book captures place in photographs and atmospheric texts. The places are presented in inspirational, inviting and beautiful way, with cultural insights, key facts and maps. The text is brought in a very informative way and carries the essence of a particular place in the best possible way. Thus, the travel books prove to be the worthy companions of the travellers in their journey to a strange land.

I as your travel pal suggest some of the handy Travel Books :

Lonely Planet the Travel Book (India): When it comes to travel books, the name of Lonely Planet strikes first. It writes the best travel guides and imparts useful information. One can find that India is as dynamic as it is enduring and other ingredients that describe India in the best possible way. Thereby adding to the before travel knowledge of the travellers.

Author - Sarina Singh

Click to know more about Lonely Planet

India Travel Guide: Let no travel tension haunt your mind, set for a tension free journey to India with India Travel Guide. India Travel Guide proves to be a great companion for the tourists visiting India. Get to know more about India and its diversity, view full length colour photographs and check out the up to date information related to India. Just flip through the pages.

Author - Lonely Planet Publications

Click to know more about India Travel Guide

Spectrum Guide To India: This book proves to be of great help for the first time visitors of India and provides a comprehensive and detailed description of the country together with all essential data that may be required by the tourists, students or the business visitors. Maps of various destinations of India can also be very fruitful for the travellers.

Author - Interlink Publishing

Click to know more about Spectrum Guide To India

India Insight Guide: This guide is very much noted for its superb production of short essays on contemporary topics related to India, which updates the first time travellers with the environment of the place well.

Author - Jane Hutchings

Click to know more about India Insight Guide

Exciting India (A Visual Journey, Welcome To India Land Of Colour And Contrasts) : This travel pictorial of magnificent India captures all the amazing and awe-inspiring sights of India and helps you to choose and know about some of the worth knowing destinations of India.

Author - Bikram Grewal and Henry Wilson
Click to know more about Exciting India

The Rough Guide To India 6: This book turns out to be a Bible for any visitor to India. It is essential handbook for an extraordinary country like India which provides frequent up to date information with maps and colourful presentations and other relevant and practical information related to this place.

Author - Nick Edwards, Devdan Sen, Mike Ford, Beth Wooldridge, David Abram (Editor), Daniel Jacobs (Editor)
Click to know more about The Rough Guide To India 6

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Andaman & Nicobar Islands - A Paradise amidst vast Sea

A storehouse of peerless beauty, the emerald green twin island of Andaman and Nicobar stretch from north to south on the surface of Bay of Bengal. Here, the days are bathed in bright sunshine and fresh gentle breeze all the time. These altogether attract tourists who want to recharge their body and collect some new ideas. In addition to these, the canopy of blue sky, cool blue waters of the Bay of Bengal, silvery beaches, gaily coloured fishes frolicking in the shallow waters, exquisite coral and aquatic plants, illustrate that like an expert architect nature has skilfully build the Andaman and Nicobar islands.


Constituted by a union of 572 islands, Andaman and Nicobar spread over an area of 8,249 sq. kms. Of the 572 islands, only 36 are inhabited and rest are still uninhabited. The Andamanese town of Port Blair is the capital of Andaman and Nicobar islands. The island groups of the Andaman and Nicobar, separate the Andaman Sea to the east from the Indian Ocean. Nicobar islands are situated south of the Andamans and 121 kms from the Little Andaman Island. Andaman and Nicobar islands are 193 kms away from Cape Negrais in Myanmar, 1190 kms from Chennai, 1255 kms from Kolkata.

Climate - Andaman and Nicobar islands have a tropical climate that never reaches to extreme. During the monsoon seasons of May to mid September and November to mid December, medium to heavy rain is recorded. Rains and tropical storms in late summer often cause heavy damage to these islands. In summers, the temperature in Andaman and Nicobar islands reaches to a maximum of 31°C while it drops to a minimum of 23°C.

Best Time to Visit - December to April.

Tourist Destinations of Andaman and Nicobar
Andaman and Nicobar islands can be said a land of sea, sand and surf. Port Blair, the major town on the Andaman and Nicobar islands serves as the administrative capital. Port Blair has a number of markets, where you can buy local handicrafts, clothes, wooden items etc. Apart from shopping markets, Port Blair also houses a number of tourist attractions like the Cellular Jail, Anthropological museum, Marine museum, Fisheries museum etc. From Port Blair, you can also visit the popular islands of Neil and Havelock, which are easily accessible from the capital town.

People & Culture of Andaman and Nicobar
Referred as the ‘land of tribals’, Andaman and Nicobar is home to the most primitive tribes of the world. Of the six aboriginal tribes found in the islands, five are primitive tribes that include the Shompens, the Onges, the Sentinelese, the Jarawas and the Great Andamanese. People from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), Sri Lanka, Mynamar and South Indians from Tamil Nadu and Kerala have come to live in Andaman for last few decades. Andamanese culture is a blend of several cultures and you will also find the touch of Indian culture. Fishing is the main source of livelihood for Andamanese people and the tribes are dependent on hunting.

Fairs and Festivals of Andaman and Nicobar
Andaman and Nicobar are mainly the home of the tribal people, but in these islands you will observe a unique culmination of several Indian cultures. Among the various festivals, most popular include Durga Puja, Janmasthami, Holi, Deewali, Onam, Pongal and Christmas. The fortnight long Island Tourism Festival is the main festival of the Andaman and Nicobar islands, which highlights excellent art and crafts, unique marine life and traditional dances and songs of Port Blair.

Cuisine of Andaman and Nicobar
Sea food like lobster, prawn and several other sea-fish dishes constitute the principle cuisine of Andaman and Nicobar islands. Most of the islands hotels offer delicious sea fish dishes at a reasonable price. Apart from sea-fish, you can also savour delectable South Indian food at various eating joints. Few hotels and restaurant serve Chinese food, Continental and Western cuisine as well.

Monuments & Museums of Andaman and Nicobar
Due to their historic connection, Andaman and Nicobar islands boast of a number of magnificent monuments. Most important forts and monuments of the islands include Cellular Jail, Viper Island, Ross Island etc. Famous museums of Andaman and Nicobar islands include the Anthropological Museum, National Memorial, Fisheries Museum, Samudrika (Naval Marine Museum), Forest Museum, Zoological Survey of India Museum. You can visit these museums by paying nominal charges.

Beaches of Andaman and Nicobar
Beaches are prime attraction of Andaman and Nicobar that make these islands an ideal beach holiday destination. Most popular beaches of Andaman and Nicobar islands include the Corbyn’s Cove Tourism Complex, Radhanagar Beach, Karmatang Beach, Harminder Bay Beach, Ramnagar Beach etc.

Wildlife of Andaman and Nicobar
Most of Andaman and Nicobar area is covered with canopied rain forests where you can see 3,000 plant species including mangroves, woody climbers, epiphytes (100 orchids, 130 ferns), palms, timbers (teak, mahogany, Andamant paduk etc.) and several other variety of tropical forests. Andaman and Nicobar also provide shelter to diverse Marine fauna including tropical fish and coral. These islands have 96 sanctuaries spreading over 466.218 sq kms and nine National Parks spreading over 1153.938 sq kms.

Adventure in Andaman and Nicobar
Blessed with magical Bay of Bengal all around, wonderful tropical vegetation with lush green dense forests and mangrove marshland on the water’s edge, Andaman and Nicobar offer plenty of adventure options for adventure freaks. Water Sports like Snorkelling and Diving, Surfing etc. top the adventure chart in Andaman and Nicobar islands. In addition to these, you can also enjoy trekking on thrilling tails of the islands. Island Camping is another good option which is attracting lots of foreigner to Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Shopping in Andaman and Nicobar
Port Blair is the main shopping centre, where you can shop multi hued corals and seashell souvenirs. Aberdeen Bazaar in Port Blair is the main commercial centre of Andaman and Nicobar islands. Other shopping centres are situated at Prem Nagar, Goalghar, Delanipur and Junglighat, all of these are just 3-4 kms away from Aberdeen Bazaar.

Transportation in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
By Air: Andaman and Nicobar islands have their domestic airport at Port Blair. Regular flights operate from Kolkata and Chennai to Port Blair airport. Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Air Deccan have frequent flights to and from Port Blair.

By Ship: You can also reach Andaman by sea. Cruising through the Bay of Bengal is a thrilling experience and you will come across a number of surprises on the way. Frequent passenger ship services are available to Port Blair from Chennai, Kolkata and Vishakhapatnam.

Local Transport: Buses, taxis, auto rickshaws, motorcycles, bicycles are available for local transport across the islands. In addition to these, the Directorate of Shipping Services operates inter-island foreshore and harbour ferry services to cater to the needs of inter-island travellers.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Sitemap - India Travel Directory

Sitemap of India Travel Directory – An online guide to visit India, India Tour, India Vacation, India Holidays, India Trip, India Travel, India Tourism, Incredible India. Sitemap of India Travel Directory

Anaimalai - A Seculded Hill Station of Tamil Nadu
Andaman & Nicobar Islands - A Paradise amidst vast Sea
An Overview of India Culture
A Horrible Experience In Varanasi
A Trip To Jagganath Temple
A Visit to Shimla
Ajmer - Pushkar
Amber Fort, Jaipur
Amusement Park Entrance Charges India
Baggage Rules of India
Bangalore - The Hitech City of India
Basic Minimum Standards for Air Based Activities in India
Basic Minimum Standards for Water Based Activities in India
Basic Minimum Standards for Adventure Tourism Activities in India
Bazaars of Hyderabad
Bed and Breakfast scheme by Ministry of Tourism India
Bharatpur
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Rajasthan
Bhimbetka Caves - A World Heritage Site

Bikaner
Bikaner -Rajasthan
Boating at Lake Pichola, Udaipur
Buddha, Buddhism And India
Buland Darwaza, Fatehpur Sikri
Bundi
Bundi, Rajasthan
Bus Travel In India
Chand Baori - Rajasthan
Chittorgarh Fort - A Legacy of Rajput Architecture
Chittorgarh Fort, Rajasthan
City Palace, Jaipur
City Palace, Udaipur
Cultural Vacations In India
Darjeeling
Delhi
Deccan Odyssey, Maharashtra's own Palace on Wheels
Dehradun - Abode of Drona
Delightful Destinations of North India
Desert Festival, Jaisalmer - Rajasthan
Dilli Haat, Delhi
Dilwara Jain Temples, Mount Abu
Discover - Incredible India
Diverse India - Glimpses of Indian World
Domestic Airlines in India
Eco Lodges/ Resorts in India
Eco Tourism - An Emerging Travel Theme
Entry Charges for Monuments in India
Exclusive - Summer Hideouts in India
Gardens of Kashmir
God's Own Country, Kerala celebrates Onam
Golden Chariot - Karnataka's First Luxury Train
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
Holy Town of Pushkar, Rajasthan
Hosur - A Little Explored Destination of Tamil Nadu
Hotels in India: How to Book A Hotel
Imperial City Palace
Incredible India
Incredible India Campaign Becoming Rural
Incredible India Campaign completes two years
Incredible India Campaign
Indian Tourism Offices in Foreign Countries
International Airlines in India
Jain Temples, Jaisalmer - Rajasthan
Jaipur
Jaipur - Rajasthan
Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer - Rajasthan
Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer - Rajasthan
Jaisalmer Havelis, Jaisalmer - Rajasthan
Jaldapara National Park, West Bengal
Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
Jodhpur
Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Junagarh Fort, Bikaner - Rajasthan
Kalka - Shimla Railway now a World Heritage Property
Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh
Kashmir - Paradise on Earth
Karnataka - A Versatile India State Calling All
Kerala
Kerala - God’s Own Country
Backwaters of Kerala
Kerala Beaches
Khajuraho - The City of Erotic Sculptures
Kolkata - The Cultural Capital of India
Kota - Rajasthan
Kozhikode (Calicut) - Kerala
Kumbhalgarh Fort - Rajasthan
Lansdowne: A Seculded Hill Station in Uttarakhand
Leading Hotel Chains of India
Little Explored Destination Series: Abbott Mount, Uttarakhand
Little Explored Destination: Adoor, Kerala
Little Explored Destination: Balasore - Orissa
Less Explored Destination: Adilabad - Andhra Pradesh
Mahabalipuram - A Historic City of Tamil Nadu
Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Mandu - The City of Joy in Madhya Pradesh

Medical Tourism - Experience Incredible Care of India
Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur - Rajasthan
Monsoon Hot Spots In India
Mount Abu Hill Station- Rajasthan
Mount Abu - Rajasthan
Mumbai - The Entertainment Capital of India
Munnar Hill Station, Kerala
Munnar - The Land of Tea Plantations
Nainital, A Paradise Amidst the Great Himalayas
Nainital - The Lake City of India
Nalanda: Will The Gone Glory Revisit?
Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Kerala
North East, India
North Eastern India - A Hidden Jewell
Newspapers of India
Onam, Kerala
On A Spiritual Journey in India
Rajasthan - India’s Desert State
Ranakpur Jain Temple, Rajasthan
Red Fort Delhi
Rishikesh
Road Transport in India
Romantic Holidays in India
Roopkund Lake, UttarakhandRoot Bridges, Cherrapunji, Arunachal Pradesh
Sacred City of Ajmer, Rajasthan
Safari Tours In India
Searching For Right Travel Agent in India
Shikara Ride on Dal Lake, Kashmir
Shopping in Jaipur, Rajasthan
Somnath Abode of Lord Shiva
Srinagar - The Paradise on Earth
Srirangam Temple - Trichy
States & Union Territories of India
Sunderbans the home of Royal Bengal Tigers
Taj Mahal - Beauty in Marble
Taj Mahal Should Be Taj Only
Taragarh Fort, Bundi - Rajasthan
Things to See In India
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapurama - Capital City of Kerala
Tourist Destination of South India Part I
Tourist Destination of South India Part 2
Tourist Destination of South India Part 3
Tourist Destination of South India Part 4
Tourist Destination of South India Part 5
Tourist Offices in India
Train Travel in India
Travel Books: Your Companion (Guide)for India Trip
Travel Requisite for India
Travel Tips for India
Trip to Kota, Rajasthan
Tsunami Tourism New Tourism Theme
Udaipur
Udaipur, Rajasthan
Uttarakhand - A charming state of North India
Vaishno Devi - Proceed on the Subline Journey
Valsad - A Little Explored Destination of Gujarat
Varkala - A Little Explored Destination of Kerala
Victoria Memorial, Kolkata
Voyage to India
Wardha - A Little Explored Destination of Maharashtra
Waterfalls in India
Weekend Getaways Across India
Weekend Getaways from Bangalore
Weekend Getaways from Chennai
Weekend Getaways from Delhi
Weekend Getaways from Hyderabad
Weekend Getaways from Kolkata
Weekend Getaways from Mumbai
Wildlife In India
Wildlife Park & Sanctuaries Entry Fees
World Heritage Sites in India
Zanskar - A Little Explored Destination of J & K

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Karnataka - A verstatile Indian State calling all

Karnataka, the eighth largest state of India is one of the four major states of South India. Set over the Deccan Plateau, Karnataka is surrounded by the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Goa. The history of Karnataka can be traced back as early as the stone age. It is amazing to believe that people actually have been inhabiting this place even some 3000 years before. However, the golden era started with Mauryans followed by Chalukyans, Hoysalas, Bahmani and Adil Shahi kings. The state as such bear impressions of the popular Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim dynasties that have once ruled the place.


Karnataka is a very famous state and you will find more than a single reason to this fact including rich history, unique culture and tradition. One of the greatest contributions that we owe to Karnataka has been the emergence and development of world famous ‘Carnatic Music’. This devotional and philosophic music has inspired millions and is one important variable that characterizes the popular culture. The state has given birth and fostered some prominent musicians in the Indian sub continent.
Lal  Bagh in Bangalore, Karnataka
The vast panorama of Karnataka withholds many faces. Hills, beaches, waterfalls, woodlands, monuments, religious places are some of popular elements you will find at Karnataka. Apart from that, the state also constitutes some of the developed cities of India, namely Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore.

Tourist Destinations (Cities) of Karnataka
Some of the popular tourist destinations in Karnataka include Bangalore, Mysore, Kodagu or Coorg, Madikeri, Mangalore, Hassan, Hampi, Udupi ,Vijayanagar and Bijapur. The state holds a place of its own in the multi cultural lands of India. The state is a great place to be at. The cities are par distinction and equipped to meet out the challenges of a metropolitan technologically savvy society. No wonder Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka, is called the Silicon Valley of India. The state has places in abundance - places that gives a break from the scheduled hectic life. Hills, beaches, waterfalls, rivers portray the beauty of Karnataka.


Mysore Palace in Mysore
Major Temples in Karnataka
Popular temples of Karnataka display great works of art and reveal the splendour of some of the great dynasties in power, in the past. Apart from that there are several pilgrimage places located within this state that see a lot of pilgrims who come to pay homage every year. Some famous temples in Karnataka are the ISKCON Temple, Hoysaleshvara Temple, Kedareshvara Temple, Indragiri Hill, Chandragiri Hill, Krishna Temple Udupi and Virupaksha Temple.


Hoysaleshvara Temple in Karnataka

Adventure / Adventure Sports in Karnataka
A charming land, Karnataka is surfeited with magnificent mountains, mighty rivers, ravishing rivulets, lovely becks, shimmering rivulets, dense primieval forests and host of several other natural resources. All these natural jewels together make Karnataka a popular destination for adventure sports like trekking, parasailing, paragliding, hang-gliding, wildlife safari, rock climbing, mountaineering, river rafting, angling, surfing, kayaking, scuba diving and caneoing.

Wildlife / National Parks / Wildlife Sanctuaries in Karnataka
Karnataka is dotted with wildlife reserves and forest tracts. Evergreen forests of the Western Ghats and the tracts lying to the south of Vindhyas hold a plethora of living forms. A number of wildlife sanctuaries and parks lie abutted by the state boundaries. The reserves support hundreds of species, of plants and animals. Some major wildlife reserves include Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary and Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary.


Elephants Grazing inside Bandipur National Park

How to Reach Karnataka

Air: A total of five airports render their services in the region. These airports are located at Bangalore, Hubli, Mysore, Belgaum and Mangalore. Domestic and international flights operate from these airports from major cities of India and many international destinations.

Rail: Karnataka state is well connected with vast network of rail lines that lay spread all over. Railway networks covers about 3,090 kms in Karnataka. Major rail heads in the state are Bangalore, Hubli-Dharwad, Mangalore, Hassan, Gulbarga and Belgaum.

Road: Road network further connects different cities and towns of Karnataka. The state sees a total of six national highways providing the access to the state. The interiors of Karnataka are served by state highways and rural roads. Buses, mini buses, rickshaws and taxis are some popular means of transport.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Amusement Park Entrance Charges India

India is a vast country comprising of many big cities and towns. Many cities in India have amusement and entertainment parks that offer a variety of fun and enjoyment to children and elders. Equipped with funfilled activities and watersports the amusement parks charge entry fees from Rs. 20 to 100. Below is the list of famous Amusement Parks and their entrance charges.

Amusement Parks in Bangalore Charges

Name of Amusement Parks - Entrance Charges

Pearl Water Park Ltd ( Crazy Waters) - Rs 80 for children, Rs 100 for adults.

Complex Arcade Rs 125

Neeladri Amusement And Water Park Rs 20 for kids and Rs 30 for adults

Amusement Parks in Chennai Charges

MGM Dizzy World Rs 120 For Children, Rs 200 for adults

Kishkinta Rs 150 for Children, Rs 250 for adults

Amusement Park in Delhi Charges

Appu Ghar Rs 200

Polo Amusement Park Rs 250 for Children, 300 for adults on Sundays and Holidays.

Amusement Park In Ernakulam Charges

Veega Land Rs 200

Amusement Park in Guwahati Charges

Accolade Amusement Park Not Available


Amusement Parks in Kolkata Charges

Nicco Park Rs 50 and Rs 150 additional for all rides

Aquatica Water Theme Park Not Available

Clown Town Not Available

Amusement Parks in Mumbai Charges

Suraj Water Park Mon- Sat: Adult-Rs 200/-, Child ( below 2 ft) On Sunday- Adult: Rs 400/-(inclusive of buffet lunch) and child Rs 300/-

Water Kingdom 4-12 yrs. Rs 225/- and 12-60 yrs Rs 275/-

Fantasy Land Adult- Rs 175, Child- Rs 125

Essel World 4-12 yrs. Rs 200, Adult- Rs 225

Amusement Park in Nagpur Charges

Ocean Aqua World Not Available

Essel World Rs 200 for adults and Rs 175 for children.

Amusement Parks in Thrissur City Charges

Dream World Rs. 300

Silver Storm Water Theme Park Not Available

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Uttarakhand - A charming state of North India

Once known as Uttaranchal, Uttarakhand was the part of Uttar Pradesh till Nov 8, 2000 A.D. The beautiful state is located in the northern Indian, and is bounded by the mighty Himalayas. Uttarakhand shares its international borders with China and Nepal and is neighboured by the states Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Dehra Dun, the largest city in Uttarakhand is the provincial capital of the state.

Uttarakhand is blessed with towering peaks, lakes and streams, rolling forests, pilgrimage centres and all of it welcome a great party. As an adventure sports destination and a major pilgrimage centre of Hindus, Uttarakhand generates a good revenue from tourism enterprises. The pleasant climate also makes it a popular vacations spending resort and an escape from the scorching north Indian sun.

Uttarakhand is dominated with the presence of mighty peaks and hills of the Himalayas. The state is primarily divided into two zones - Garhwal and Kumaon. There are 13 districts in all; seven in the Garhwal zone and six in the Kumaon zone. The two zones see a multitude of sky reaching peaks that form parts of the Greater Himalayas. These mountains are also the source of the great rivers of India - the Ganga and the Yamuna.

Some of the high peaks in the region include Bandarpunch (6,316 m), Yogeshwar (6,678 m), Sri Kailash (6,932 m), Kedarnath (6,490 m), Bhirigupanth (6,772 m), Chaukhamba (7,068 m), Kamet (7,756 m), Mana Peak (7,272 m), Abl Gamin (7,355 m), Mukut (7,242 m). These snow clad peaks give rise to a number of lakes that flow down and join the tributaries. The slopes at certain places are also ideal for winter sports. One such destination is Auli.

History of Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand happens to be one of the cultural places in India where the dominant culture and civilization emerged and evolved centuries ago. One of the earliest references is found in Vedas and epics. A quick look at Uttarakhand's history reveals the influence of the following empires - Kushanas, Kudinas, Kanishka, Samudra, Gupta, Palas, Chandras, Pawaras and the British. The popular culture, however, flourished at all times and since the time of Shankaracharya the place has retained its values and sanctity.

Tourist Destinations of Uttarakhand
The fascinating terrain, peaks, glaciers, lakes, sanctuaries and holy centre makes Uttarakhand a favorite hunt for tourists. There are quite many places that guarantee the best of the vacations at Uttarakhand. The places are famous for their unique beauty, opportunities they provide and much revered places for Hindus. Tourist usually reach here seeking a summer resort to get rid of the extreme temperature in north, adventure sports and for pilgrimage. The famous destinations include Dehra Dun, Nainital, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mussorie, Kausani, Tehri and Auli.

Pilgrimage in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand is one of the major pilgrimage centres and much revered place for the Hindus. Both Garhwal and Kumaon zone feature a number of important sites. However, the four sites at Garhwal - Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath, are primary places of visit; two other being Hemkund Sahib and Joshimath. In Kumaon zone the sacred places include Baijhnath, Bageshwar, Jageshwar, Punyagiri and Ritha Sahib.

Adventure in Uttarakhand
The low lying southern tracts of the Himalayas and the towering northern peaks puts Uttarakhand on the adventure destinations map in the Indian sub continent. As if this were not enough, the rushing waters and gentle slopes open a hundred doors for various outdoor sports activities. White water rafting, Skiing, Paragliding and trekking are some of the popular events conducted in the state. There are multiple destinations, each with a scope and thrill of its own.

Wildlife in Uttarakhand
The lower Himalayan tracts in Uttarakhand see lush vegetation and forest growth. The foothills of Uttarakhand support great many species of wild animals. The dense out growing forests provide a perfect cover for the wild species, most importantly to the tigers. The lush vegetation also supports a number of game species for the tiger. The swamps and water holes further make up the habitat for a number of amphibious species. Corbett National Park, one of the famous wildlife reserves also fall in the region. Other important wildlife sanctuaries are Valley of Flowers , Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajaji National Park and Nanda Devi National Park.

Yoga and Meditation in Uttarakhand
The unique geographical features of Uttarakhand contribute to the good will of the state in more than one way. The natural ambience, isolation and un-interrupted solitude pours new life and lifts up the spirits. For centuries now, ordinary people as well the scholars have taken advantage and made incredible personal benefits. Rishikesh, one such place has developed into a popular yoga and meditation centre. The Himalayas are believed to effect in more ways than can be explained.

How to Reach Uttarakhand
Buses, trains, air flights provide the means of access to the state from long distances. For commutation buses, taxis and auto rickshaws serve the purpose. The popular modes are as follows:

Air: Two airports deliver their services at Uttarakhand, namely Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun and Patnagar Airport. These airports are connected with limited flights from the national capital New Delhi.

Rail: Northern Railways of the Indian Railways Division, connects the towns of the state with the rest of the country. Some major rail heads include Dehradun, Haridwar, Kathgodam and Roorkee.

Road: Dehradun and Nainital are two main entry points in the state. Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, regularly sees buses arriving from Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Nainital, likewise, is connected by bus services from many neighbouring states and cities.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Bus Travel in India

One of the fast developing nations, India is criss-crossed by thousands kilometers of roads include National Highways, State Highways and town roads. The vast network of road in turn makes an excellent base for plying of buses. In fact, buses in India provide easy connectivity to small towns as well as big cities.

Buses are the most convenient mode of transport in India. From small villages to big cities, bus services are offered in almost every part of the country. Today, one can see various types of buses plying on the roads such as Deluxe, Luxury, Air-Conditioned, Volvo and passenger buses.


A Low Floor Bus Run By DTC, Delhi
You may chose from luxury to local buses, depending on your budget and requirements. In almost all states of India State Road Transport Corporations offer bus services to common public that connects the cities of the state and also the cities and towns of neighbouring states. Besides the government operators, several private operators also provide buses for travelling across India.

Usually the state transport corporation have one or more bus stands in cities or towns depending on the size of population. For catching the buses you have to reach the nearby bus stands or terminals. From the bus stands you can board either public transport or private bus for your desired destination by paying reasonable fare. All the state transport bus terminals have enquiry offices and ticket counters as well. You can gather important information related to your journey from the officials.


A Bus on Mumbai - Pune Expressway

For tourists, special tourist buses are offered by the private operators as well as government transport departments. If you are looking for group tour, buses are also offered by the private and government operators. You can book buses from one day to one week according to your requirement from the concerned offices. Nowadays, many bus operators offer online booking facility in advance. Some of the noted websites offering bus bookings in India are Ticketwala, RedBus.in, MakeMyTrip, Yatra, etc.

In India bus services are available in varied options such as express buses, luxury buses, super deluxe, video coach, air-conditioned volvo coaches, airport shuttle buses, local buses etc. All types of buses run in all parts of India, but their fares differ according to comfort.

Some of the important bus services operational in India are mentioned below.

Intercity Bus Services in India – Intercity buses run within the cities covering all the important places. Such services are available in national capital New Delhi and other cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.


A Volvo Bus infront of a hotel at Lonavala

Interstate Bus Services in India – Interstate bus services are available from almost all major cities of states in India. Interstate buses run from one state to other neighbouring states. Such bus services are available to and from Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and other important cities of the country. Public road transport services and private transportation offer luxury, deluxe or other types of buses on interstate routes.

Intrastate Bus Services in India – These buses run within the important places of the state. Intrastate bus services are available in almost all states of India. Some example of intrastate bus services are buses running between Jaipur and Ajmer, Hyderabad and Warangal, Bangalore and Mangalore, Mumbai and Aurangabad.

Airport shuttle bus services in India – The bus service connect different airports in India to important locations in the vicinity. For example Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport to Dwarka Domestic airport or any other place in Delhi. Recently DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation) has introduced airport buses on 534 route between IGI Airport and Anand Vihar, on 729 route between IGI Airport and Old Delhi Railway Station.

Tour buses in India: These buses are meant for tourists to show them places.

Coach buses in India: Coach Buses are used for long term trips across cities etc.

Public transit buses in India: The Public Transit bus is the most common form of buses found on Indian roads. They are just another form of commuting like the taxi and subway used by civilians to travel from office to home etc.

Famous Buses in India

Star Bus, Globus, Marcopolo, Viking BS-I - city bus, Viking BS-II - city bus and Cheetah BS-I

List of Bus manufacturing companies in India

- Kerala State Road Transport Corporation

- Mahindra Navistar

- Ashok Leyland

- Tata Motors

- Coach Line Industries

- Aglow Engineers Private Limited

- Delite Technologies

- Gujarat Corporation

- Bhutani international

- Volvo Buses

- Swaraj Enterprise

- Eicher Motors

- Force Motors

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Train Travel In India

Indian Railways - The pride of India


Bestowed with world’s second largest rail network, India is easily accessible by various types of trains such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Mail, Express, Super Fact and passenger trains. In fact, Train travel is the most convenient and economic mode of transports in India. Even long distances such as Delhi to Mumbai can be covered with ease through trains by using sleeper class berth and you will not get tired. Besides, train travel is safe and cheap as you have to pay a reasonable fare.


Barog Railway Station on Kalka - Shimla Route

One can see and experience India at its best through train travel. Maintained and run by Indian Railways the trains in India connect almost all the state capitals and other important cities and towns of the country. The rail network in Indian spreads over 63,000 kms and there are around 6, 800 stations. India’s rail network spreads from Jammu & Kashmir in north to Kanyakumari in the south, Assam in the north-east to Rajasthan in the west. Interestingly, the rail network of India extends from plains to hill stations such as Shimla, Darjeeling and Ooty.

Fact is that, for travelers to India the trip would be complete without the experience of travelling on the trains run by Indian Railways.

Types of trains running in India

General Trains of India - For travelling across India, Indian Railways have a variety of trains including fast, superfast, express and local trains. Passengers choose the trains according to their requirements and budget. Shatabdi and Rajadhani are two high-class trains, running at a speed over 100 km per hour, having all Air-conditioned coaches. Besides, there are hundreds of superfast and express trains running across the country. For short distance the Indian Railways run local passenger trains.

Exterior of New Delhi Railway Station
Luxurious Trains of India - Indian Railways run these trains keeping in mind the tourism point of view. Most of the luxury trains offers five star facilities to passengers on board. Running for a duration of two days to one week, these trains take you on a once upon a lifetime journey. You find a fine chance to explore the picturesque terrain along with enjoying royal hospitality. Palace of Wheels, Deccan Odyssey, Heritage on Wheels and Fairy Queen are some of the popular luxurious trains in India.


Shimla Railway Station, Shimla

Mountain Railways of India - Mountain Railways is a special attraction of Indian Railway and also the most convenient way to visit the hill stations of India. Developed by the British government about 100 years back, during their rule over India, Mountain Railways now served as the main mode of transport to hilly areas. Travelling on mountain rail is a thrilling experience, as you get a wonderful chance to see the beautiful green countryside and other amazing wonders of nature. In fact, three of the Mountain Railways namely Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway and Kalka – Shimla Railway have been declared World heritage properties by UNESCO.

Accommodation Classes in Indian Trains or Classes of Travel in Trains of India

The Kalka - Shimla Route

Usually there are six classes of accommodation found in Indian train, but some other classes such as AC Executive class may be found in important trains like Shatabdi Express. Below are the important classes, found in trains of India


Newly Constructed Double Decked Boggy

Air-Conditioned First Class (AC1) in trains of India – AC1 class is the most comfortable and luxurious way to travel in Indian Railways. However, AC1 class is found only in the important trains including all Rajadhanis. First class coaches are spacious and carpeted having 4-berth and 2-berth compartments, with washbasin. During the daytime berths can be converted into seats. Passengers are provided all necessary bedding materials such as bedsheet, blanket, pillow and towel.

Air-Conditioned Second Class (AC2) in trains of India – Second Class AC are not divided into separate compartment like First Class, but are also very comfortable to travel. The coaches are open-plan with berths arranged in bays of four on one side and in bays of two on another side. For privacy each bay is curtained and like First AC bedding is provided to passengers.

Air-Conditioned Three Tier (AC3) in trains of India – Three Tier AC is almost similar to Second Class AC, but it has three tiers of bunks – arranged in bays of six on one side and bays to two on other side. AC3 coaches are more crowded than Second Class AC and also lack the private curtains. Bedding materials such as pillows, sheets and blankets are provided to passengers. AC3 is a good option for families who are looking for long distance travel in comfort.

AC Chair Class in trains of India – AC Chair class is a fine choice for day time short-distance travel. The classes are found mainly in ‘intercity’ daytime trains consist of comfortable air-conditioned seating cars. Such classes are available in Shatabdi trains running from Delhi to Ajmer, Chandigarh or intercity trains.

Sleeper Class in trains of India – Sleeper class is used by the most of the Indian people and found on all long distance trains except Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express. The coaches of Sleeper class comprise of open plan berths with upper, middle and lower bunks. The windows are fitted with bars and also have a glass pane and a shutter which can be raised and lowered.

Unreserved Second Class in trains of India – These coaches have wooden or padded plastic seating seats suitable for only short journey. Unreserved second class is not recommended for long distance journeys especially overnight journeys.

Train Fares for trains of India

Train Fares for sleeper class ranges from few hundreds to thousands, depending on the class and routes. However, for unreserved second class journey you have to pay very nominal fare. For more information about the train fares visit the official website of Indian Railways.

How to reserve train tickets in India

For any long-distance and short distance journey, in Sleeper class or Air-Conditioned Class, it is necessary to reserve a seat or berth. You can travel by buying an ordinary ticket in these classes. Booking for reservation open 90 days in advance, although the duration may be less in some short-distance inter-city trains.

In Indian reservations are completely computerized and reservation facility is available in all the important stations of the country. Due to huge rush most of the express trains get booked weeks ahead before the departure. So, you should make reservations well in advance, for hassle free journey. Various types of quotas, such as tourist quota are also available in Indian trains.

Tourist Quota in trains of India

Several important India trains have a special quota of berths for foreign tourists and IndRail passholders. A few ‘tourist quota’ berths remain available within a day or two of departure, so foreign travellers can book at short notice. But, you may have to wait couple of days for getting the berth for your desired destination. For tourist quote berth you have to pay in US Dollars, Pounds, or Indian rupees backed by an exchange certificate.

The railway stations in major cities of India and tourist centres in cities like New Delhi, Bombay, Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi have an International Tourist Bureau, where Foreign travellers can book tickets. There is also a round the clock rail booking office at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. For more information on tourist quota reservation visit the official site of Indian Railways.

How to book tickets - from outside India

Most of the important trains of India get fully-booked weeks in advance, so it better to book tickets before you arrival to India. You can book train tickets online at www.irctc.co.in , which is the official government-sponsored sales website for Indian Railways.

Due to crowding of visitors, the website may respond slowly, so keep patience and follow the information given on the site. You can buy a maximum of 10 tickets in a month from this website for travelling across India. Your ticket will not be sent to your desired destination outside India or you can pick it up at the station. Only 'e-ticket' and 'i-ticket' options are available to get the ticket from the website. You have make payment through credit card such as Visa, MasterCard or Amex.

Some Important Tips for train journey in India

- Always check your coach and berth number printed on your ticket. The reservation ticket also carries the details like age, sex, origin station name and travel destination as well.

- Before boarding the train ensure your coach number and occupy the seat mentioned in the ticket. For more conformation you may consult the concerned office in the railway station or the Ticket Collector or Conductor travelling alongwith the train.

- All the long distance trains have a pantry car offering breakfast, lunch and dinner to passengers at nominal charges. Prefer the food of pantry car and avoid outside food as they may be of bad quality.

- There are fair chances of stealing in Indian trains, so take care of your belongings.

- Don't become much friendly with other fellow passengers, because some of them may bribe you or cause other types of harm.

The website of Indian Railways: http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/
The website of Indian Railways Enquiry: http://www.indianrail.gov.in/
The website of IRCTC: http://www.irctc.co.in/

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Delightful destinations of North India

Uttarakhand – The Land of Mountains


For all who seek calm and tranquility with a tinge of wilderness and adventure, choose from amazing holidays in Uttaranchal. Explore Corbett National Park, home to tigers or visit the quaint 'hill stations' of Kumaon that offer respite from a chaotic urban lifestyle. And don’t miss Nainital – the land of lakes and lush green mountains. Get set to delight your senses…

Himachal Pradesh – The lans of the gods

Himachal Pradesh or called Himachal in short is one of the most beautiful regions of India. This ‘Dev Bhumi’ or the land of the gods encompasses extremes, from the dry, high-altitude deserts of Lahaul-Spiti to the verdant greens of Shimla and around. Expect apple orchards, pine and deodar forests, gentle terrace farms and the brilliant vista of the snow capped mountains all around.

Kashmir – The Paradise on Earth

Wild flowers enveloped by an achingly blue sky and the never ending vista of mountains all around. Undulating valleys, gentle rivers and greenery that dazzles your eyes. Kashmir is all this and much more – rightfully, heaven on earth – it cannot be defined, only experienced.

Rajasthan – The Desert land of India

Rajasthan is a fairy tale world steeped in myths and legends, of sepia deserts and shimmering lakes, old havelis, impregnable forts and opulent palaces. From intricately carved Jain temples to the overwhelming Taj Mahal, experience India’s best with much on offer.

Friday, March 4, 2011

States & Union Territories (UT) of India



Names of States - Capital City


1. Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

2. Arunachal Pradesh - Itanagar

3. Assam - Dispur

4. Bihar - Patna

5. Chhattisgarh - Raipur

6. Goa - Panaji

7. Gujarat - Gandhinagar

8. Haryana - Chandigarh (shared)

9. Himachal Pradesh - Shimla

10. Jammu and Kashmir - Srinagar (summer), Jammu (winter)

11. Jharkhand - Ranchi

12. Karnataka - Bengaluru

13. Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

14. Madhya Pradesh - Bhopal

15. Maharashtra - Mumbai

16. Manipur - Imphal

17. Meghalaya - Shillong

18. Mizoram - Mizo Aizawl

19. Nagaland - Kohima

20 Orissa - Bhubaneswar

21. Punjab - Chandigarh (shared)

22. Rajasthan - Jaipur

23. Sikkim - Gangtok

24. Tamil Nadu - Chennai

25. Tripura - Agartala

26. Uttar Pradesh - Lucknow

27. Uttarakhand - Dehradun (interim)

28. West Bengal - Kolkata

Union Territories of India

Names of UT - Capital City

1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands - Port Blair


2. Chandigarh - Chandigarh

3. Dadra and Nagar Haveli - Silvassa

4. Daman and Diu - Daman

5. Lakshadweep - Kavaratti

6. National Capital Territory - New Delhi

7. Puducherry - Puducherry

mediabar