Darjeeling

Quick Facts
Situated in: West Bengal
Also Known As: Queen of Hill Stations
Major Attractions: Ghoom Monastery, Dhirdham Temple, Tiger Hills, Bhutia Busti, Observatory Hill, Zoological Garden, Natural History Museum
Suitable Time to Visit: March to May and September to November

Darjeeling, one of the most popular hill stations of India and the world alike is situated in West Bengal. The hill station is about 680 km from the state capital city Kolkata, 80 km from Siliguri and 150 km from Kishanganj in Bihar. Located at a height of 2,134 metres above the sea level, close to the Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders, Darjeeling draws discerning travellers, honeymooners and adventure seekers from across the globe.

Nature has blessed Darjeeling with unmatched beauty and one can experience the nature at its best here. Flanked by snow capped Himalayan mountain ranges, Darjeeling abounds with fresh invigorating hill air, lush green tea plantations, exciting trekking trails, spectacular sunrise and sunset views, rich and varied fauna. Besides, the live hearted locals welcome visitors with their open arms and offer warm hospitality.

As Darjeeling is located at very high altitude so the climate remains cold most of year, especially during winters when the temperature falls below 0 degree. Temperatures in summer remain in the range of 15-20 degrees. Don’t forget to carry sufficient warm clothes to prevent yourself from the chilly weather.

Besides being a famous hill station, Darjeeling offers excellent shopping opportunities.
Darjeeling is a nice place to buy decorative items, thangkas, brass statues, religious objects, jewellery, wood carving, woven fabrics and carpets. Main shopping areas are Chowrasta and Nehru Road.

Bagdogda Airport (100 km) is the nearest airport, served by several flights from Delhi and Kolkata. From the airport, taxis are available for Darjeeling. New Jalpaiguri Railway Station at a distance of 90 km is the major railhead close to Darjeeling. The toy train connects New Jalpaiguri with Darjeeling, the journey takes approximately 8 hours. Jeep services are available to Darjeeling from Silguri and New Jalpaiguri at regular intervals.

Plenty of accommodation options are available in Darjeeling. There are several good hotels, lodges and guest houses in the budget and mid-range categories.

Major Attractions in Darjeeling
Ghoom Monastery: Any trip to Darjeeling usually begins with the Ghoom Monastery. Set at an altitude of 2,410 mtrs, Ghoom offers magnificent views of Darjeeling town. Ghoom Monastery has collection of rare handwritten Buddhist manuscripts and it also houses a massive statue of Maitreya Buddha.

Dhirdham Temple: Situated in the heart of Darjeeling town, Dhirdham Temple attracts tourists in large number. The temple is known for its architecture which is similar to the famous Pashupatinath Temple of Kathmandu.

Tiger Hills: Perched at an elevation of 2,590 metres above the sea level, Tiger Hills offers splendid views of the sunrise. Tourists throng the Tiger Hill in early morning to have a glimpse of the spectacular sunrise. From the hills, one can also enjoy breathtaking views of snow-capped Mt. Kanchenjunga.

Bhutia Busti: Bhutia Busti is a beautiful Gompa (monastery) located at the backdrop of the Mt. Kanchenjunga. The tastefully decorated Gompa has a fine collection of Buddhist texts in its library. A branch of the Nyingmapa sect's Phodang Monastery in Sikkim, the Gompa also has a copy of the Tibetan Book of the Dead in its library.

Observatory Hill: The Observatory Hill offers magnificent views of Mt. Kanchenjunga and the beautiful landscape below. On the hill there are some temples and monasteries, which deserve a visit.

Zoological Garden: Zoological Garden is situated on the outskirts of Darjeeling. The zoo houses some rare varieties of Himalayan flora and fauna species, including the Siberian Tigers. The rare Red Panda is another attraction of the zoo. One can see Snow Leopards, Great Grey Birds and Snow Yaks in the zoo.

Natural History Museum: A must visit place in Darjeeling, the Natural History Museum has an impressive collection of over 4,300 specimen. The museum has a rich collection of fauna found in the Himalayas and in West Bengal region. Visitors can see a fine collection of butterflies, estaurine crocodile and mineral forms of various stones.

Bangalore - The High-tech City of India

Quick Facts
Situated in: Karnataka
Popular As : Capital City of Karnataka, Pub City of India, High Tech City of India
Major Attractions: Lalbagh Garden, Cubbon Park, Government Museum, Technological and Insdustrial Museum, Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore Fort, Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace, Bull Temple etc.
Suitable Time To Visit: October to March

Bangalore also called the ‘high-tech city of India’ is the capital Karnataka state. Founded in the early 16th century, Bangalore became an important fortress city under Mysore rulers Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. The fifth largest city of India, Bangalore now presents a fine blend of old and new, through its colonial buildings and modern high rising buildings. Bangalore serves a base for many global companies and abounds with massive office complexes, swanky shopping malls and arcades.

Of course, today Bangalore is a bustling capital city but it still remains one of pleasantest cities of India. Situated about 1,000 mts above sea level, Bangalore enjoys a pleasant climate round the years and draws tourists as well as business travellers from across the globe. With beautifully laid out parks, lush green gardens and wide tree-lined avenues, Bangalore promises a memorable vacation. Besides, the thrilling pub culture and score of eating joints add more charm.

One of the frequented destinations of India, Bangalore is easily accessible by air, rail and road. For accommodation, Bangalore offers a wide range of options, from five star to budget hotels. For discerning shopper's Bangalore is a paradise. Traditional buys of Bangalore include silks, jewellery, sandalwood, agarbatties, antiques etc.

Major Attractions in Bangalore
Lalbagh Garden: Lalbagh Garden is famous park and situated in the southern part of the city. A beautiful old bark, Lalbagh was founded in the 18th century by Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. Some of the park attractions are centuries-old trees, lakes, lotus ponds, flower beds and a deer park. Besides, Lalbagh has one of the largest collections of tropical and sub-tropical plants in India.

Cubbon Park: Cubbon Park was laid out in 1864 and is full of flowering trees spreading over an area of 120 hectares. The the park area one can see the red Gothic building which houses the Public Library, the High Court, the Government Museum and the Technological and Industrial Museum.

Government Museum: Situated on Kasturba road, Government Museum is one of the oldest museums in India. Established in 1886, the museum has sections on geology, art, numismatics and relics from Mohenjodaro (one of the cradles of Indian civilisation), dating back to 5000 years.

Technological and Industrial Museum: This museum is also situated on Kasturba road close to the Government Museum. The theme of the museum is the application of science of technology to industry and human welfare. The museum is open daily between 10 am to 5 pm (close on Mondays and public holidays).

Vidhana Soudha: Considered one of the most spectacular buildings of the city and the country alike, Vidhana Soudha houses both the Secretariat and the State Legislature. The building is built of granite in the neo-Dravidian style of architecture. Major attraction of the building is the cabinet room, which is known for its huge door made of sandalwood. Visitors are allowed to Vidhana Soudha only after 5.30 pm and prior permission must be obtained to see the interior.

Bangalore Fort: Bangalore Fort is located on Krishnarajendra road close to the city market. Built in 1537 by Kampegowda, the fort was originally a mud-brick structure. In the 18th century it was rebuilt by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan but much of the fort was destroyed during the wars with the British. Today the fort is mostly in ruins but it deserves a visit, and you would be missing little if you left it out of your itinerary.

Bull Temple: Bull Temple, one of the oldest temples of Bangalore, lies on Bugle Hill at the end of Bull Temple Road. Built by Kempegowda in the Dravidian architectural style, the temple contains a huge monolith of Nandi. Non-Hindus are allowed inside the Bull temple and priests are very friendly.

Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace: Situated on Albert Victor Road, this palace was started by Hyder Ali and later completed by his son Tipu in 1791. Adjacent to this massive palace there is an interesting temple.

Kolkata - The Cultural Capital of India

Quick Facts

Situated at: West Bengal
Also Known As: Capital of West Bengal, Cultural Capital of India, City of Joy
Major Attractions : Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, Birla Planetarium, Indian Museum, Eden Garden, Zoological Garden, Dalhousie Square, St.Paul's Cathedral, Nakhoda Mosque and Sunderbans.
Suitable Season To Visit: October to April

Previously known as Calcutta, Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal state. Set on the banks of the River Hoogly, Kolkata is one of the four metropolitan cities of India. Kolkata has also served as the capital of India during the British rule till 1911 and even one can see the colonial imprints on streets of the city. Fondly referred to as the ‘Cultural Capital of India’, Kolkata is famous for its old culture and traditions, delectable Bengali cuisines and colourful festivals. Kolkata is also famous for its dazzling markets, where shoppers can buy shoes, clothes and several other items at reasonable rate.

Kolkata is well-connected by air, rail and road with important places of West Bengal and rest of the country. For accommodation the hotel has numerous hotels ranging from five stars to economic hotels. Also called the city of joy and offers a lot to please the visitors.


Some of the tourist attractions of the city are:
Victoria Memorial: Victoria Memorial is an elegant edifice built in while-marble. Victoria Memorial was built in the memory of Queen Victoria. Constructed in the year 1921, with an attempt to match the Taj Mahal, Victoria Memorial presents an excellent combination of classical European architecture and Mughal architectural style. The white marble memorial has a fine collection of rare items belonging to the British Raj.

Howrah Bridge: An engineering marvel, Howrah Bridge is a hanging bridge, without any pylon in the river. Hawrah Bridge is the principle landmark of the city, runs over the Hoogly River and connects the Hawrah Junction with the city.

Birla Planetarium: One of the biggest planetariums of Inda, Birla Planetarium is a fine place for entertainment and infotainment. Birla Planetarium hosts regular astronomical shows in Hindi, Bengali and English. Astronomical shows are held on held on all weekday (closed on Mondays).

Indian Museum: Indian Museum was constructed in 1875, in the Italian style of architecture. The museum has six sections for Art, Archeology, Anthropology, Geology, Zoology and Industry (Economic Botany). The museum has a rare collection of antiques including more than 54000 coins, some over 2400 years old.

Eden Garden: Eden Garden one of the biggest cricketing ground of the world is one of the prime attractions of Kolkata. Supposed to be the largest in Asia, Eden Gardens has a seating capacity of more than one lakh spectators.

Alipore Zoological Garden: Alipore Zoological Garden, popularly known as Chidiakhana is situated near the National Library at Belvedre Road. The Chidiakhana is home to Lions, tigers, giraffe and other anima specias. Avian species also live in the zoo.

Dalhousie Square & Writers' Building: Dalhousie Square is the administrative centre of the city, having a lake at its centre. Writer's building is the prime attraction here, which represents rare Gothic-style architecture. Till the mid-19th century, the Writer's building was the place of residence for the junior servants of the East India Company. Presntly the Writers building houses the Secretariat of West Bengal Government.

Fort William: Fort William is one of the most impressive edifices of British Raj in Kolkata. Built of brick-and-mortar in the shape of an irregular octagon, the fort has six gates namely Chowringhee, Plassey, Calcutta, Water gate, St Georges and Treasury Gate. Fort William also has a museum with a fine collection of arms, armours, swords, muskets and machine guns. Now the fort serves as main hub of the Indian army in Eastern India.

Sunderbans Tiger Reserve: Situated at a distance of 112 kms from Kolkata, Sunderbans is World's largest mangrove forests and delta. Sunderbans houses the biggest colony of the Royal Bengal Tigers. The Tiger Reserve also houses Chital Deer, Rhesus Monkey, Ridley Sea Turtle, King Cobra, Rock Python, Crocodiles Water Monitor and several other bird species.

Mumbai - The Entertainment Capital of India

Quick Facts

Situated at: Maharashtra
Also Known As: Capital of Maharashtra, Commercial Capital of India, Entertainment Capital of India
Major Attractions: Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Chowpatty Beach, Jain Temple, Mahalaxmi Temple, Haji Ali Tomb, Prince of Wales Museum etc.
Suitable Season to Visit: October to April


Previously known as Bombay, Mumbai is the capital city of Maharasthra. Fondly referred to as the commercial as well as entertainment capital of India, Mumbai is famous as the home of world’s second largest film industry, ‘Bollywood’. Situated off the west coast of India, Mumbai is the base of numerous big Indian companies and MNC. Mumbai is also home to important finanical institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE).

Mumbai is considered the most happening city of India and the city never sleeps. The city abounds with late night parties, eating joints and even chaiwallas pedalling along the sea-facing streets. For shoppers Mumbai is a paradise and any trip to the city is incomplete without shopping. You will find everything of daily use that include clothes, shoes, perfumes and cosmetics, gadgets and gizmos, furniture, books etc in the shopping centres of Mumbai. Some of popular shopping markets of Mumbai are Chor Bazaar, Oshiwara Joona-Poorana Market, Zaveri Bazaar, Gandhi Market and Crawford market.

Mumbai is easily accessible by air, train and bus from all over the country. The city is also well-connected to foreign countries by air. For local transport prepaid taxis, city buses, auto-rickshaws and local trains are available. Plenty of accommodation is available in Mumbai ranging from five star hotels to budget hotels. Equipped with the contemporary facilities the hotels of Mumbai provide comfortable stay to guests.

Mumbai offers much more to see and experience to the visitors. It is impossible to sum up all in few words, better you visit the city on your own. Some to the tourist attractions of the city are:

Gateway of India: Mumbai’s principle landmark, Gateway of India is thronged by thousands of visitors everyday. Officially opened in the year 1924, the Gateway of India is known for its exquisite architecture which has been derived from the 16th century Muslim styles of Gujarat.


Marine Drive: Also called Netaji Subhash Road, Marine Drive runs along the shoreline of Back Bay, starting at Nariman Point, passes Chowaptty Beach and runs up to Malabar Hill. One of the Mumbai's most famous attractions, Marine Drive is flanked by the high rising buildings and visited by people mostly in the evening.

Chowpatty Beach: Mumbai's most popular famous beach, Chowpatty Beach draws large number of visitors every day. Here you can indulge yourself in plenty of leisure activities and enjoy Mumbi's popular snack, Bhelpuri and Kulfi ice cream.

Jain Temple: Dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankar, Adinath the temple was built in 1904. The marble temple is constructed on the lines of typical modern Jain temples, i.e. the mirrored style.

Haji Ali Tomb: Haji Ali Tomb is dedicated to a Muslim Saint who was drowned here and attracts people of all religion in addition to Muslims. You can reach the tomb buildings by a long causeway which can only be crossed at low tide.

Prince of Wales Museum: Prince of Wales Museum also called the Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastusangrahalaya was built in 1905 to commemorate King George V's first visit to India. The museum has rare collection of miniature paintings, idols and bas reliefs from the Elephanta Caves, Buddha images and models of the Parsi Towers of Silence. The museum is open from 10.15 am to 6 pm, all weekdays (closed on Mondays).

Elephanta Caves: A short ferry ride from the Mumbai Harbour takes you to the Elephanta Island, the home to 7th century rock-cut temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. A World Heritage Site, Elephanta Caves houses the Maheshamurti, a three-headed sculpture of Shiva the main central cave, resplendent in all his forms namely the creator, preserver and destroyer. Apart from this, the cave also has delicately-carved panels depicting the life of Lord Shiva.

Indian Tourism Offices in Foriegn Countries

For providing essential assistance to Indian tourists, visiting various parts of the world, the Tourism Department of Government of India has set up Tourism offices across the world. Outbound tourists can contact the respective tourist offices of the country for any kind of assistance. Below is the list of Tourism Offices of India in alphabetical order, situated in various countries.

Argentina
950-Cordoba Avenue,
9th Floor 'A' 1054,
Buenos Aires,
Argentina

Australia (Sydney)
Level 2, Piccadilly,
210 Pitt Street, Sydney,
NWS-2000

Canada (Toronto)
60, Bloor street (West) Suite 1003,
Toronto,
Onlario M4 W3B 8

France (Paris)
11-13 Bis Boulevard Hausmann,
75008 Paris,

Germany (Frankfurt)
Baseler Strasse-48,
60329, Frankfurt,
AM-MAIN-10

Israel (Tel Aviv)
C/O Indian Embassy 4,
Kolfman Street
Tel Aviv

Italy(Milan)
Via-Albricci 9,
21022 Milan

Japan (Tokyo)
Pearl Buliding 7-9-18-Ginza, Chuo-ku,
Tokyo 104
Netherlands (Amsterdam)
Rokin 9-15 1022
KK Amsterdam

Russia (Moscow)
C/O Embassy of India Moscow

Singapore
20 Kramat Lane, #01-OIA
United House

South Africa (Johannesburg)
PO Box No: 412452, Craig Hall 2024,
South Africa

Spain (Madrid)
Avenida Plo XII 30-32
Madrid 28016

Sweden (Stockholm)
Sveavagen 9-11 S-II 157
Stockholm

UAE (Dubai)
Post Box 12856, NASA Building,
AL Maktoum Road, Deira,
Dubai

UK (London)
7,Cork Street London WIX 2LN

USA (Los Angeles)
3550 Wishire Boulevard,
Room 204, Los Angeles
California 90010

USA (New York)
Suite 1808 1270,
Avenue of Americas New York,
NY-10020.

God’s own country, Kerala celebrates Onam

God’s own country, Kerala is known all over the world for its unparalleled beauty. With its internationally renowned beaches, tranquil backwaters, picturesque hill stations, rich and varied wildlife and historic monuments, Kerala draws visitors from every nook and corner of the globe. Besides, the South Indian state is equally famous for its colourful festivals and traditional snake boat races. Among the festivals, Onam is the most important and the biggest festival of Kerala. In fact, due to popularity of Onam, the Government of India announced it as a national festival of Kerala in the year 1961.

An annual harvest festival, Onam begins today (September 12) with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm. People of all ages from children to elders celebrate the festival in the traditional way. Onam is one of the most important festivals for Malayalese community, celebrated in the month of Chingam, the first month of Malayalam calendar, generally falls in August - September. Usually the weather seems very pleasant and soothing during Onam and whole Kerala looks green. Leaving behind the religious boundaries the highly spirited Keralan people come outside their houses to celebrate the harvest festival. Farmers also fell very delighted looking at their yield and they express their happiness in their own way.

Legend has it the Onam festival marks the arrival of legendary King Mahabali in the state. It is believed during the rule of demon King Mahabali, the region of Kerala witnessed a golden era. At that time, everybody in the region was happy and prosperous, and they had deep respect and affection for King Mahabali. However, egoism was one of the major drawbacks of the King Mahabali that eventually ended his reign. Later, for all his good deeds, God granted King Mahabali a boon that he could annually visit his people. Hence, traditionally people of Kerala make all efforts to welcome their dear King and celebrate the festival in a grand way to impress him as well.

According to tradition festivities of Onam lasts for ten days and during this period best of Kerala’s culture and tradition can be observed. Ten days of Onam carnival have been named as Atham (Day 1), Chithira (Day 2), Chodhi (Day 3), Visakam (Day 4), Anizham (Day 5), Thriketa (Day 6), Moolam (Day 7), Pooradam (Day 8), Utharadam (Day 9) and Thiruvonam (Day 10).

Of the ten days, first day Atham and the tenth day Thiruvonam are considered the most important. But in some part of Kerala, ninth day Utharadam is also regarded important from the celebrations point of view. Each day of the Onam is celebrated according to set rituals and traditions by the people of the state.

During the Onam carnival Keralan people remain in complete funny mood and they don’t wish to miss single minute of merriment. Some of the major highlights of Onam include exquisitely decorated Pookalam (Rangoli) with flowers and colours, ambrosial Onasadya, extraordinary Kaikottikali dance and entertaining Snake Boat Race.

Onasadya is the most exciting part of Onam celebrations, which is prepared on Thiruvonam, the tenth day of carnival. The grand feast, Onasady is a nine course meal comprised of 11 to 13 essential dishes. After preparation Onadadya is served on banana leaves and people sit on a mat laid on the ground to enjoy the delectable meal.

Snake Boat Race is another thrilling feature of Onam, which takes place on the river Pampa. Numerous colourfully decorated boats competing with each other in the boat race and enthral the crowd.

Sunderbans the home of Royal Bengal Tigers.

Sunderbans, one of largest delta of world is famous as home to Royal Bengal Tiger. Spread over an area of 1,330 sq. km of swamp and mangrove forests, Sunderbans is nothing less than a paradise for nature lovers. Sunderbans' strategic geographical location provides it one of the most unique ecosystems of the world.

In fact, Sunderbans is often compared to the Amazon basin for its biodiversity. The tiger reserve encompasses both land and water and the delta is formed by the meeting of three rivers – the Brahmaputra and Ganges in India and Meghna in Bangladesh. When sailing through the mangrove forests, you will realise that you have reached the sea and there is no sign of land anywhere.

Sunderbans mainly comprises of three islands namely Sandeshkali, Basanti and Goasaba. These three island constitute the northern boundary of the mangrove forest, while the southern side is flanked by the Bay of Bengal. To the west lies the Malta and Bidya rivers, while Bangladesh lies to the east.

The beauty of the fairytale-ish forests unveil as you penetrate deeper and deeper. Within a short while, most probably you will catch a glimpse of the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. Sanjekhali Sanctuary situated at the junction of Peechkhali and the Gomti river is home to the King of the jungle.

The Mangrove Interpretation Centre is a must visit spot in the Sanjeckhali region, The centre houses the various facets of the mangrove forests and make people aware of the requirement to conserve them. The temple of Bon Bibi, the goddess of the forest is another place that deserves a visit.

Sudhankhali Watch Tower, located deep within the Reserve Forest Area is the perfect place to view wildlife. Most wild animals visit the nearby sweet water pond to quench their thirst. If you are lucky enough, you may even spot the tiger. In addition to tigers, you can spot other wild animals such as monkeys, deer, Olive Ridley turtle, a wide variety of fish, red fiddler crabs, hermit crabs, humongous crocodiles etc. Sunderbans is also home to avian species such as kingfishers, plovers, lap wings, white bellied sea eagles, sandpipers, whimbrels, pelicans, curfews and many other species.

Getting Sunderbans

Kolkata is the nearest airport from Sunderbans. River cruise is the best way to reach Sunderbans from Kolkata. You can reach the nearest town Canning and hire a motor launch to reserve. The river cruise will allow you to witness rural life of Bengal and also to enjoy the nature at its best. Foreign nationals require permits from the Secretary, West Bengal Forest Department to travel to the tiger reserve.

Where to Stay

Numerous accommodation options are available at Sunderbans, that include Sundar Chital Tourist Lodge, Sunderban Tiger Camp. Bali Island and Vivada cruises.

Golden Chariot - Karnataka's first luxury train

A journey aboard on luxury train has always been a fascinating experience. However, if you get a chance to spend a week long vacation on train the adventure increases many fold. Palace on Wheels, Deccan Odyssey, and Heritage on Wheels are such trains which offer the luxurious journey. The Golden Chariot is the latest addition in the list of India’s luxury trains.

Introduced by KSTDC (Karnataka Tourism Department) few months back, the luxury train has become very much popular among the tourists. Named after the popular stone chariot in Hampi, in South India the train travels trough historic heritage sites, magnificent palaces, rich and varied wildlife and golden beaches of Goa. The Golden Chariot’s 7 Nights / 8 Days journey starts every Monday from Karnataka’s capital city Bangalore and finally ends at Bangalore as well.

On your journey you will traverse through Mysore, visiting Srirangapatna, Mysore Palace, Nagarhole National Park (Kabini) and the historical sites of Shravanabelagola. Further you visit Belur-the 11th century cradle of Hoysala architecture and a world heritage site, Halebidu, Hamp. Thereafter you enter into the triangular heritage site of Badami, Pattadakal, Aihole, and finally reach the Golden Beaches of Goa before coming back to Bangalore.

Golden Chariot Journey Details
Places Covered : Bangalore - Mysore - Kabini - Hassan - Hospet - Gadag - Goa - Bangalore

Duration : 07 Nights / 08 Days

Facilities in the Golden Chariot
Golden Chariot is equipped with all the contemporary luxurious amenities, you will yourself like Maharaja. In fact, while traveling you get a wonderful chance to experience the royalty of the bygone era. Highlights of the train are :

Coaches – Each coach of the train has been named after the dynasties that ruled Karnataka. The coaches have been named as Kadamba, Hoysala, Rastrakota, Ganga, Chalukya, Bhahamani, Adhilshahi, Sangama, Shathavashna, Yudukula and Vijayanagar. Every coach has fully air-conditioned 26 twin beds, 17 double bed cabins and 1 cabin for the physically challenged.

Each cabin is equipped with Wi-Fi, LCD television, DVD with 6 satellite channels, wardrobe, vanity/writing desk and private bathroom with luxurious amenities and accessories. The chambers in which you travel narrate tales of the Mysore Maharajas. Admire the intricate carvings on the ceiling, the wall panels and furniture inspired by Mysore and Hoysala architecture.

Restaurants – The Golden Chariot has two restaurants namely Nala and Ruchi serving a range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies. Enjoy the culinary delights of South India in 4-seater and 2-seater dining cabins amidst the interiors inspired by the timeless aesthetics of Hampi and Halebid.

Madira (Lounge Bar) – Madira the lounge bar aboard serve invigorating range of spirits alongwith life performance of local artisans. Order the liquor of your choice and relax in the bar, enjoying the soothing music in the royal interiors modeled after the Mysore Palace.

Conference Coach – Conference Coach can accommodate 30 persons and is equipped with 42 inch LCD television and high-speed internet surfing area.

Gym Coach – Gym Coach has fully equipped gymnasium, and ayurveda and spa centre as well. While on board discover age old traditions and cures to modern day stress. The coach has two massage rooms for exhilarating rejuvenation experience. For those who prefer a local flavour - Ayurveda massages are provided.

Kalka - Shimla Railway now a world heritage property

UNESCO on Monday (July 8) approved Kalka - Shimla narrow gauge railway as new World Heritage Site. Built in the 19th century, Kalka – Shimla railway became one of the four Mountain Railways of India being included in World Heritage list. Other railways include the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway in Tamil Nadu State. Kalka – Shimla Railway is the ultimate victory of style and serendipity over speed and in this route journey is as important as the destination. An extraordinary engineering feat, Kalka - Shimla Railway has its heritage as well cultural values.

Considered as the greatest narrow gauge engineering feat in the country, Kalka – Shimla railway line was opened on November 9, 1903 by Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy of India. Still the line doesn’t go faster than 25 km per hour, but according to the railway authorities, in comparison to British period more people are using the line today. The journey begins at Kalka, the track rises from 640 mtr (Kalka) to 2,060 mtr (Shimla), the train passes over 864 bridges, under 102 tunnels (longest tunnel Barog – 1.1 km) and around 900 sharp curves and bends.

The scenery along the Kalka – Shimla route is spectacular – flanked by lofty hills, the line cross through the sides of steep cliffs and ventures over arch bridges. The toy train begins its corkscrew ascent immediately above the small town of Parwanoo and enter into the forested hills. After an hour the track straightens out, curving in and out of the hills. There are 18 stations along the way, Barog is the most popular among them. From Barog to Kandaghat, the train crosses the beautiful places of Solan and Saloghra. The final climb of the train starts at Kandaghat, through lush oak and rhododendron forests, Finally, Shimla comes into view as the train winds its way through the picturesque hills to the alpine reaches of the lower Himalayas.

An another interesting aspect of the Kalka – Shimla railway is the age-old communication system, which is still in use. Block phones and control phones are being used by the stations en-route, the former established links between two stations, while the latter helps to keep in touch with other important stations. Beside, the Red and green lanterns, used as signals in British period are still part of the operating system.

Mountain railways is one of the major tourists attractions of India. Developed by the British East India company, about hundred year ago, mountain railways even today serve as the most convenient mode of transport to reach the hill stations. In fact, mountain railways have become the precious jewell in crown of the Indian Railway. Addition of Kalka- Shimla Railway in World Heritage list is a big achievement for Indian Railways. According to reports the Railways are now planning to offer special tour package on Kalka – Shimla rail line.

Deccan Odyssey, Maharashtra’s own Palace on Wheels

One of the luxurious trains of India, Deccan Odyssey is commonly referred as ‘Maharashtra’s own Palace of Wheels’. Deccan Odyssey offers guided tour to some of Maharashtra’s unexplored and less-explored destinations alongwith contemporary services on board.

Run by the Maharashtra State Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), the train is maintained by the Taj group of hotels. Deccan Odyssey derives its name from the rocky, undulating terrain of Deccan plateau. All the coaches are named after forts, monuments and historic sites, except the bar, which is called Mumbai High. Each coach has its own lounge, where you can sit during journey. To keep you entertained there are TV – cum – conference room, restaurants, bar, spa, salon and a gym.

Travelling in Deccan Odyssey is one of the most luxurious ways to closely observe the lives of people living in the virgin, un-touched tourist spots of Konkan, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Pune, Aurangabad and beach paradise Goa.

Deccan Odyssey leaves Mumbai every Wednesday evening and returns to its origin following Wednesday morning. Leaving from Mumbai’s CST (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal) the train winds its way through Konkan, Sindhurdurg, on to Goa, through the Deccal plateau and then on to Aurangabad. Last destination of the train is Nasik.

The train makes two stops along the Konkan coast that allow tourists to discover the backwaters of Maharashatra and the golden beaches of Ganapathiphule and Tarkarli Beach Resort, as well as visit some of the most famous sea forts of Maharashtra. From here the train runs south to Goa where people on board get the chance to explore the exquisite churches of Old and also relax on one of its serene beaches.

Further it turns around and pushes north to Pune, and then covers the heritage circuit of Ajanta and Ellora vaces, with stops at Jalgaon and Aurangabad respectively. While returning back to Mumbai the train swings past Nasik, where passengers get to toast the Maharashtrian odyssey at the Sula Winery.

Tickets for Deccan Odyssey are priced at Rs 15,000 a day all inclusive, except drinks and use of health spa.

Monsoon Hot Spots in India

Monsoon has already knocked the door of India and people across the country welcomed the rainy season with open arms. Couple of days back heavy rainfall was recorded in national capital New Delhi and nearby areas. Early arrival of monsoon has surprised the met department as they were expecting rain by last week of June. One of the important seasons of India, monsoon has its special significance as it provides relief from the scorching summer heat. In fact, monsoon season in India has now also become popular become among the global trotters. For last few years, Monsoon tourism has emerged as new tourism theme in India.

Travel freak from India and foreign countries throng some of the special locations of India to enjoy the rainy season at its best. India’s capital New Delhi is a famous destination for monsoon season, God’s own Country Kerala, Kolkata and Karnataka are another hot spots. While some visit the Nilgiri hills in South India to see the lush tea gardens and mystic charm around.

Delhi – One of the most famous tourist destinations of world, Delhi is a evergreen place. Delhi is full of places to enjoy the monsoon rains. India Gate, a war memorial situated on Rajpath is the favoured place among the city people and the outsiders as well. During the monsoon season the parks surrounding the monument, turns lush green. Besides, the artificial lakes also get full of water, providing exciting boating opportunity. You can see people enjoying the rains with their families and friends. Purana Quila (Old Fort) in Delhi is another famous place. You can enjoy the boating across the lake adjacent to the fort. Boats are available on rent for half-hour to one-hour at nominal charges. In addition to these, Delhi has a number of parks and gardens where people reach to take a refreshing bath in monsoon rain.

Kolkata – Also called the ‘City of Joy’, Kolkata is one of the four metros of India. Once the capital of India, Kolkata is the capital of state of West Bengal. Due to its location close to the Bay of Bengal, Kolkata receives heavy rains during monsoon. The city has number of spots where people enjoy the rainy season. Victoria Memorial, Alipore Zoo, Maidan are some of the places where you can see large crowd during rains.

Kerala – God’s own country – Kerala is full of natural wonders. Beaches, backwaters, wildlife, rivers and lakes are some of the attractions of Kerala. During the monsoon these natural wonders become more charming. Some of the must visit places in Kerala are Munnar, Wayanad and Kumarakom. A boat cruise across the Kerala backwaters, is once in a lifetime experience. Periyar lake inside the Periyar Wildife Sanctuary also offers exciting boating option. One can see a variety of wildlife while cruising the lake. Apart from these, Ayurveda in Kerala during monsoon is a thrilling experience. In fact, an Ayurveda vacation in Kerala during monsoon is the finest way to refresh, rejuvenate and renew your body and soul. Tour operators in Kerala offer ‘Monsoon Holiday Packages’ for tourists, covering all important destinations of the state. Monsoon tour packages are available on various options, so feel comfortable and enjoy the rainy season in Kerala this year.

Karnataka – South India state of Karnataka also draws large number of tourists during monsoon. Mangalore, Gokrana and Chickmagalur are some of the famous places of Karnataka that can be visited in monsoon season. Situated on the western coast of Karnataka, Mangalore is a small town of narrow winding streets, lofty coconut trees, quaint gable-roofed houses, beautiful beaches, temples and churches. The heady fragrance of the Mangalore ‘Mallge’, the aroma os spicy cocont curries and hustle and bustle of life around a seaport, add more to the charm of the city. Gokarna is a small hill town, located at a distance of 453km from Bangalore.

An ancient Shaiva Centre, Gokarna is said to be as important as Kashi and Rameshwar. Mahabaleshwara is one of the important temples here. However, Swaswara, a CGH Earth resort on the Om Beach is highlight of Gokarna which captures solitude, serenity and the ambience of its pristine beaches. Chickmagalur is situated 250 kms from Bangalore, amidst the Bada Budan Hills. A calm and serene hill station, Chickmagalur boasts of scenic vistas, gentle slopes and rugged mountain trails that are a delight for trekkers.

In addition to above mentioned, there are several destinations in India where you can enjoy monsoon season in a very exciting way. So, choose any destination of India this monsoon to experience the nature’s precious gift on your own.

Tsunami Tourism new tourism theme

After Eco-Tourism, now Tsunami Tourism is projected as a new theme by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The new theme of tourism is named after the natural disaster tsunami which killed thousands along the Indian coast on December 26, 2004. Four years after the horrible cyclone, the Tamil Nadu government is looking for options to turn the tsunami-affected villages into memorials of the disaster.

According to government officials the aim of Tsunami tourism is to preserve the memories of pre-tsunami days and educate visitors about the impact of the disaster. Beside, Tsunami tourism will also prevent the tsunami affected places completely being forgotten in the future. Tsunami affected areas which are supposed to develop as places of tourist interest include Mamallapuram, Poompuhar, Marina, MGR Thittu and Chinnavaykal.

As the intial step, the Cuddalore district administration has identified Chinnavaykal and MGR Thittu islands vacated by fishermen after the tsunami - as the locations to be developed into tourist attractions. The tourism department of Tamil Nadu is planning to obtain funds under the eco-tourism category to develop these islands. Tamil Nadu's tourism secretary, Irai Anbu said, "We will partly fund the projects."

Meanwhile, Ravichandran, the president of Killai town panchayat under which the tsunami-affected islands fall, said the panchayat has submitted a Rs 5 crore proposal to the district administration to build a theme park on MGR Thittu island. Ravichandran said, "The park will preserve memories of the disaster and educate students and tourists about the damage a tidal wave can cause to coastal areas. We don't want these places to be forgotten in the future, like the ancient port of Poompuhar, which was said to be destroyed by a tsunami wave."

Tsunami Tourism will be a hit or not let the time to decide it. But the unique concept of tourism will provide an excellent chance to tourists to get a close look of the worst affected areas. In addition to this, visitors will surely remember the Tsunami affected areas for longtime.

Incredible India Campaign Becoming Rural

Launched about two years ago, by Department of Tourism, Govt of India, Incredible India campaign got awesome response from tourists across the globe. The unique campaign played a major role in the growth of tourism industry of India. Seeing the success of Incredible India campaign, the Indian Government has decided to add over a dozen of rural tourism sites to attract global travellers. According to an official of tourism department, the new sites are going to be added to the ‘Incredible India’ campaign with the aim to provide a glimpse of real India to tourists from world over.

This past week speaking at a rural workshop Tourism Secretary S. Banerjee said, "While 36 rural tourism sites have been earmarked to come up in the country, of which 15 have already come up, another 14 will start functioning from this October." Banerjee mentioned that "Rural tourism is being given the ministry's highest priority, as it is an innovative tourism product and also benefits the community. Rural tourism products all over the country have now received a fresh, wider projection with 14 more rural sites getting ready, after the first 15 of the ministry's 36 UNDP-partnered rural sites became ready last year."

Elaborating further he said, "The employment potential of tourism has been widely accepted. It not only has socio-economic benefits for rural communities, it also gives support to languishing arts and crafts while showcasing the rich culture and diverse cuisine of the sites. The focus is on promoting tourism that is sustainable, in harmony with the surroundings and promotes art, craft and culture."

Meanwhile Banerjee advised the stakeholders to find effective marketing arrangements, including tie-up with the travel trade at the regional, national and international levels. According to Banerjee the Rural Tourism sites that are almost complete include Hodka (Kachchh district in Gujarat), Kumbalanghi (Ernakulam district in Kerala), Naggar (Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh) and Ballavpur Danga (Birbhum district in West Bengal).

Other sites that would be complete by October 1st this year are Kazhugumalai (Thoothukudi district in Tamil Nadu), Jageshwar (Almora district in Uttarakhand), Nagarnar (Bastar district in Chhattisgarh), Raghurajpur (Puri district in Orissa), Anegondi (Koppal district in Karnataka) and Mukutmonipur (Bankura district in West Bengal).

Eco tourism - An Emerging Travel Theme

One of the recent travel themes, Eco-tourism is gaining popularity across the world day –by- day including the India. Eco-tourism includes programs that minimize the adverse effects of traditional tourism on the natural environment, and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Consecrated with the aim to preserve the diversity of the world’s natural and cultural environments, Eco-tourism is now considered the fastest growing market in the tourism industry. According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO) with an annual growth rate of 5% worldwide and representing 6% of the world gross domestic product, 11.4% of all consumer spending – Eco-tourism is rapidly growing.

What is Eco-tourism?
Eco-tourism means making as little environmental impact as possible and helping the sustain the indigenous populace, thereby encouraging the preservation of wildlife and habitats when visiting a particular place. Eco-tourism has been described by the International Eco-tourism society as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people."

Goals of Eco-tourism
Saving the environment around you and preserving the natural luxuries and forest life, is the prime goal eco-tourism. Whether it's about a nature camp or organizing trekking trips towards the unspoilt and inaccessible regions, one should always keep in mind not to create any mishap or disturbance in the life cycle of nature.

Eco-tourism also focuses to encourage and support the diversity of local economies for which the tourism-related income is important. With support from tourists, local services and producers can compete with larger, foreign companies and local families can support themselves. Besides all these, the revenue produced from tourism helps and encourages governments to fund conservation projects and training programs.

Other goals of Eco-tourism include historical, cultural, biological and cultural conservation, preservation, sustainable development etc. Eco-tourism focuses on local cultures, wilderness adventures, volunteering, personal growth and learning new ways to live on our vulnerable planet.

Professionals Involved in Eco-tourism
Many professionals have been involved in formulating and developing eco-tourism policies. Eco-tourism professionals come from the fields like Geographic Information Systems, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Photography, Marine Biology and Oceanography, National and State Park Management, Environmental Sciences, Women in Development, Historians and Archaeologists, etc.

Do’s & Don’ts
In the recent time India too is gathering momentum with more and more travel related organisation's are addressing the needs of the eco-tourists and promoting eco-tourism in the country. Some basic do's and don'ts of eco-tourism in India are as follows :

Do’s
- Carry back all non-degradable litter such as empty bottles, tins, plastic bags etc. These must not litter the environment or be buried. They must be disposed in municipal dustbins only.

- Observe the sanctity of holy sites, temples and local cultures.

- Cut noise pollution. Do not blare aloud radios, tape recorders or other electronic entertainment equipment in nature resorts, sanctuaries and wildlife parks.

- In case temporary toilets are set-up near campsites, after defecation, cover with mud or sand. Make sure that the spot is at least 30 meters away from the water source.

- Respect people's privacy while taking photographs. Ask for prior permission before taking a photograph.

Don'ts
- Do not take away flora and fauna in the forms of cuttings, seeds or roots. It is illegal, especially in the Himalayas. The environment is really delicate in this region and the bio-diversity of the region has to be protected at all costs.

- Do not use pollutants such as detergent, in streams or springs while washing and bathing.

- Do not use wood as fuel to cook food at the campsite.

- Do not leave cigarettes butts or make open fires in the forests.

- Do not consume aerated drinks, alcohol, drugs or any other intoxicant and throw bottles in the wild.

- Do not tempt the locals, especially children by offering them foodstuff or sweets. Respect local
traditions.

- Polythene and plastics are non biodegradable and unhealthy for the environment and must not be
used and littered.

Eco-tourism Spots in India
Eco-Tourism in India is still at a very early stage, but conscious efforts are made to save the fragile Himalayan Eco System and culture and heritage of the indigenous people. Holiday Camping, Hotel accommodation are gathering momentum amongst the metropolis traveller. A plethora of holiday camping options are available in the Himalayan belt, where soft adventure tourism is packaged with holiday camping to create an acceptable eco-tourism product. Some of the important eco-tourism related spots in India include :

Eco-Tourism Pioneers in Kerala - http://www.tourindiakerala.com/


Eco-Tourism Pioneers in South India - http://www.junglelodges.com/


The Himalayan Trout House - Tirthan, Himachal Pradesh - http://www.questrails.com/


The Camp Kyari (one of the finest models of Eco-tourism in the country) - Village Kyari, Ramnagar - http://www.wildrift.com/


Camp Lunagarh - Mori, Uttaranchal - http://www.treknraft.com/


The Himalayan River Runner Camp - Rishikesh, Uttaranchal - http://www.hrr.com/


The OAI Camp - Rishikesh, Uttaranchal - http://www.oai.com/


The Leopard Beach Camp - Rishikesh, Uttaranchal - http://www.snowleopardadventures.com/

For more info about eco-tourism spots in India visit the website :

http://ecoclub.com/india.html

Medical Tourism – Experience Incredible Care of India

For the last few years, Medical Tourism has emerged out as one of the strong reasons to visit India. With a special tag of exceptional quality, affordability, speed and availability, medical tourism in India has got awesome response worldwide. Nowadays, Medical Tourism is drawing people from all over the world, who get cured from various kinds of ailments alongwith visiting popular destinations of India. Seeing the boom in medical tourism, the upmarket hospitals are polishing their act and re-inventing their services.

Department of tourism Indian government says, for a life of health and a vacation of a lifetime, the only destination is India. Fact is that medical tourism is not just a heart-tugging, boundary melting activity, but India is rightly positioned to do this and it has become extremely profitable for tourism industry. India medicine system provides a complete balance of physical, mental and emotional health, not offered by any other country. Whatever is the ailment, the care is not too far, this is the promise of the life-giving land.

USP of India
India’s USP in the field of medical tourism include the reasonable cost, zero or minimal waiting time for major surgeries, internationally qualified and experienced specialties. Other specialties of India are latest surgical equipment and infrastructure like the da Vinci surgical system, personalised nursing care and hospitality. Besides, Indian doctors can consult specialists from across the globe, send photos or have a video conference to get the best results for complicated cases.

Post Medical Holidays
Options for post medical procedure holidays are aimed at complete recuperation of mind, body and soul. In fact, post medical holidays are suggested in consultation with doctors and are organised in breath-taking locations at beaches, by rivers, up in cool soothing hill stations or five star jungle resorts.

Compared Rates and Cure Results
A heart surgery costs $30,000 in the US, while it costs $6,000 in India. Similarly, a bone marrow transplant costs $26,000 in India as compared to $250,000 in the US. Death rate for coronary bypass patients is 0.8 per cent and the infection rate is 0.3, which is below the first world average of 1.2 per cent and 1 per cent respectively.

Indian Medicine System
India offers holistic medicinal services and treatment is based on the physio, psycho, socio, nutritional, ecological, environmental and spiritual needs of each patient. Further, India’s holistic therapy integrates traditional, medical systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy. Besides, complementary therapies like yoga and acupuncture to hasten healing is also provided.

How to get Medical Visa
The Indian government has set up a system to fast-track medical visas and National Accreditation Health Board to maintain international standards of cure. Medical visa is granted to those seeking medical assistance in reputed specialised hospitals across the country. Foreign national who desires to go for treatment under the Indian System of Medicine, his can may also be considered. Initially the visa is granted for the period of one year or the period of treatment, whichever is less. Medical visa can be extended for a further period of upto one year. Family members / attendant of the patients coming to India for treatment may be granted miscellaneous visa co-terminus with the ‘Medical Visa’ of the patient. Known as ‘MX’ visa, these may be granted to spouse or blood relations of the patient.

Somnath - Abode of Lord Shiva

One of the 12 Jyotirlings – places where Shiva is believed to reside, Somnath is a place of great significance for Historian and the pilgrims as well. Situated close to Prabhas Patan in Gujarat, Somnanth is known for its temples. Historically, Somnath was demolished a number of times by Mahmud of Ghazni. However, the present day temple was last reconstructed in the year 1950. At the time of country’s independence only relics of the deserted temple stood at the site. Sardar Ballabh Bhai Patel visited Prabhas Patan and pledged to reconstruct the temple. On advice of Mahatama Gandhi, Sardar Patel set up a trust for collecting donations to construct the temple. Today, a statue and a plaque outside the temple entrance commemorate Sardar Patel’s role in its reconstruction.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Somnath temple is believed to one of the 12 places in the country where Shiva reside. Devotees also believe that this Jyotirling is the first to emerge out amongst the entire dozen lingas. Legend has its that Soma, the Moon God, married the 27 daughters of King Daksha. Of all the sisters, Rohini was pretties and dearest to Soma. So, the other 26 sisters complained about this to their father, the king cursed Soma – the moon – to wane steadily. As the moon dimmed and nights became darker, panic spread. All the gods rushed to Shiva for help, who perform Soma to perform penance. Soma built a lingam on the seashore in Prabhas and worshipped Shiva for six months. At last, Shiva granted Soma a boom that he would wax and wane cyclically every month. Later the place came to be known as Somnath, as the word means Soma’s lord – Shiva.

Other Temples in Somnath
Of all the temples at Prabhas Patan, Somnath is the most popular and magnificent temple. Somnath temple is also the youngest temple, dates back to up to 800 years old. Just 100 yards from Somnath temple is a small temple built by Ahilya Bai Holkar, queen of Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh. Further down the road lies Triveni Ghat – a confluence of the sea and three rivers namely Hiran, Saraswati and Kapila. Parallel to Hiran there is a row of temples, the most important among them is a small cupola called Dehotsarg. Dauji ki Gufa (Balram’s Cave) is another temple close to it. Prabhas Patan also has a sun temple, which looks older than any other surviving structures there.

Factfile
Somnath is situated at a distance of about 400 km from Ahmedabad, which can be covered by road or rail. State transport buses and private luxury coaches connect Somnath to important places of Gujarat. As there is no direct bus service to Somnath, so you have to reach Porbandar first. From Porbandar bus services are available to Veraval. You have to take auto-rickshaws to cover the seven km stretch between Somnath and Veraval.

Vaishno Devi – Proceed on the Sublime Journey

If faith can move up above the lofty mountains, then go with faith and scale those tough mountains, that is asked of you. The ‘divine call’ of Goddess Vaishno Devi draws scores of devotees to ascend steep pathways and serpentine queues through snow-covered mountains and lush green forests around, to the sacred and mystical shrine. A common belief is found that when Mata Vaishno Devi sends a ‘Call’ to her devotees, then pilgrims finds themselves compelled to move towards the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi, chanting ‘Jai Mata Di’.

Hindus belief that anyone who walks the Himalayan trail to shrine of Vaishno Devi, to seek a boon does not return disappointed. Shrine of Mata Vaishno resides in a holy cave in the shape of three natural rock formations called Pindies. Nestling on top of the Trikuta hill at a height of 1,700 mt is the sacred cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi. Situated at a distance of 61 km from Jammu, the cave is 30 mts long and just 1.5 mt high. Interestingly there are no statues or idols inside the holy cave, while at the end of the cave are shrines dedicated to the three forms of the mother Goddess namely Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasarasvati.
Pilgrims can enter inside the shrine in small groups through a narrow opening.

The aarti is performed twice a day at the shrine. The pujaris (priests) perform aarti before the holy deity, first inside the sanctum sanctorum and then outside the cave. The jyoti (divine lamp) is lighted and the puja thaali used in aarti is brought outside the holy cave. After the bhajan, the chief priest comes out from inside the sanctum and distributes prasad and charanamrit to the devotees. Rejuvenated with the aarti, the devotees rush to the cave for a darshan of the pindies. It is believed a privilege to have a darshan (glimpse) during the auspicious days of Navratra.

Essential Amenities Available for Pilgrims on Way to Shrine
For making the yatra a comfortable and satisfying experience the Shrine Board and the state government have made essential arrangements for pilgrim on way to shrine. On the entire stretch from Banganga to Bhawan, over 70 shelter sheds have been constructed, the path is inlaid with tiles and illuminated with vapour lamps. At regular distances over 100 toilet blocks with over 600 seats, including Western type seats have been constructed.


Around 125 water points and 50 water coolers have been installed on the trek to provide clean drinking water to the pilgrims. Along the route at vantage viewpoints around 20 restaurants have been constructed. Well-equipped medical centres and shops selling toiletries, provision items, camera rolls, medicines, shoes, caps, raincoats, walking sticks and eatables can be found along the trek route. Banks, police stations and post offices can be found at important locations.

Reaching the Vaishno Devi Shrine
Katra the base camp is about 50 km from Jammu and 650 km from Delhi. From Katra, Vaishno Devi shrine is 13 km up. Buses and taxis are available to Katra from Jammu at regular intervals. A walk along the pleasant and relatively easy mountain path takes you from Katra (2,500 ft) to Saanjhi Chhat (6,200 ft), from where you descend to 5,200 ft where Bhavan, the shrine complex is situated.

Air Deccan helicopter service connects Katra with Saanjhi Chhat, the highest point in the mountain trek. From Saanjhi Chhat the routes get divided to Bhawan and Bhairon Mandir. One should keep in mind that from the helipad, Bhawan is about 2 kms away, and it is difficult to find any other means to cover that distance.

Another option is the battery operated van from Adhkuwari, which runs from the midpoint of the Yatra, after one has covered the initial distance of 6 km by traditional means. The other option is the traditional palki (palanquin) carried by four persons.

Incredible India International Campaign

Started in 2006-07 the Incredible India International Campaign has shown positive results and attracts more and more number of foreign tourists each month. When talked about India a myriad of vibrant image captivates the mind. Of course, an image speaks volumes but seeing is believing is truth, hence, a desire obviously born in everyone’s mind to see for what one has just seen in an image. India’s incredible depth and dimension, captured on the lens, stays in the mind and stirs the heart and soul, until the time comes to visit this wondrous land. Incredible India International Campaign calling out to travellers of the world to come and experience the incredible land. Here I am providing the brief overview of the charming land of India and highlights of the incredible India international campaign.

Incredible Festivals – Festivals are integral part of day to day life of India people. In fact, almost everyday in India is a festival in itself, hardly one festival overs the other knocks on the door. On the whole, the Indian calendar is all about festivals and celebration is a way of life in India. Come India during the popilar festivals of Holi, Diwali, Dusshera and join the fun.

Incredible Backwaters – God’s own country India is criss-crossed by the picturesque backwaters which serve as a poet’s inspiration, an artist’s muse and a refuge for the frayed nerves. The gorgeous backwaters of Kerala promise a serene beauty, all in its own league. Board a houseboat and enjoy a peaceful vacation alongwith your family. Silence of backwaters is so intense that you can hear your own heart palpitating and gasping at the beauty around you.

Incredible Himalayas – The Great Indian Himalayas stands majestically and runs in the northern part of the country from west to east. For a million years, the Himalayas have quietly challenged the adventurous whilst calming the spiritual amongst mankind. With snow-capped mighty peaks, dotted with pine trees the Himalayas provide the perfect balm to the frayed mind. The Himalayas is also home to a number of beautiful hill stations which provide a welcome break from the crowded cities. Are you looking for peace or wish to conquer the mighty peaks then Indian Himalayas is calling you.

Incredible Adventure – Indian topography comprises of plains, rivers, lakes, forests, mountains etc which make the ideal base for a variety of adventure sports. From aero-sports to water sports, you can enjoy almost all kind of adventure sports in India. Set the pulse racing, be it the ‘crossfire’ or the ‘roller coaster’ white water rapid, the adrenaline rush that these thrilling currents promise are to be found nowhere else in the world. So, don’t wait, come and surrender yourself to the great Indian adventure.

Incredible Temples – India is a land of varied religions and people follow different religions. Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Christianity, Buddhism are the main religions followed. Majority of the people in India follow Hinduism and temples are the worshipping places of them. At all places of worship you will find thousands of people all gathered to celebrate their devotion. Visit the temples of India and get your mind, body and should soothed.

Incredible Monument – Alexander Pope once said, "What oft was thought of, but never expressed so well", but Mughal Emperor Shahjahan expressed this universal emotion so nicely that words fall short. Yes, Taj Mahal one of the seven wonders of the world is India’s pride. The colossal structure is considered synonymous to love and reminds us the eternal love story of Shahjahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The white marble monument epitomises how ‘incredible’ India truly is, the beauty, overwhelming and surreal. Like Taj Mahal there are hundreds of other interesting monuments in India known for their historic significance, architecture or other specific characters.

Incredible Art – India is home to skilled artisans who have made their name in international level with their unique creations. You can experience the uniqueness of Indian art at every nook and corner, at every anticipated step, be it the hands of a bride to be painted with henna, the back of a rickshaw or the street walls. Invigorating colours, patterns and tangible textures speak aloud. Artisans of the country paint their imagination on all all the available elements around including leaves, stones, tree-barks etc. Come to land of the artisans and watch the dream of the life unfold.

Incredible Spirituality - Spirituality has centuries old connection with India and all over the country there are thousands of worship places where you can get the spiritual feel. With over a million gods and goddesses and home to almost all the faiths of the world, India offers the perfect path to salvation. Sitting on the peaceful banks of a river or high up in the mountains, deep in meditation, chanting the mantras and reaching Goa, all melts into one desire to be with God. For experiencing the ultimate salvation visit India and take refuge for a soul uplifting experience.

Incredible Networking – Unquestionably India is one of the best MICE destinations in the world, facilitating a hassle free networking environment and a host of inviting recreations. For us business is business and there are no ifs, ands or buts. Zero-in on India and reach out to the world.

Incredible India Campaign completes two years

With the consistent efforts of the Ministry of Tourism, India has became a favoured destination on the world tourism scenario. For last few years Indian government has launched a number of campaigns to promote as a perfect destination for global tourists. Incredible India campaign was introduced by the Ministry of Tourism in the year 2006 and in a short span of two years, it provided global recognition to India. Today, tourism in India has become synonymous with ‘Incredible India’, and it is moving on the right direction.

Ironically the tourism in India had been promoted with various themes like Rural Tourism, Medical Tourism, Heritage Tourism, Buddhist Circuit etc. to cater the attention of tourists looking for specific trip or vacation. For promoting India domestically, three regional campaigns namely Southern, Central and Eastern India were unveiled by the Indian Government Tourism Department. Besides, tagged as ‘Paradise Unexplored’, the seven sister states of North East were promoted like never before. Below I am providing a brief overview of the ‘Incredible India’ campaign launched by the Ministry of Tourism two years ago.

Domestic Campaigns : With the aim to promote domestic India, Ministry of Tourism launched three regional campaigns namely Southern, Central and Eastern India. As per sourced about Rs 3 crore had been spent for each of the three campaigns. The Southern region campaign was focussed on beauty and diversity of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu. Beaches of Kerala, Pondicherry and Andhra Pradesh, alongwith the wildlife of Dandeli in Karnataka and Madhumalai in Tamil Nadu was focussed in the South India campaign. The Central India campaign was focussed on wildlife, eco-sites and heritage of states like Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan etc. While the Eastern India campaign comprised the rich and varied flora and fauna of Sunderbans, the temples and monuments of Orissa and the mystic tribal culture of Jharkhand.

Medical Tourism : Since time immemorial, India has provided immediate solution to the almost all ailments. Whatever may be the ailment, most probably the cure is not too far in India. The life-giving land has kept it promise alive and still the people around the world have full faith over India’s medicinal treatments. In order to propagate and market the unique potential the country possesses in the field of medical and healthcare, Ministry of Tourism in close association with private organizations launched Medical Tourism campaign. For the campaign brochures and CDs with the details of specialised medical services and institutions were launched. The government of India also introduced a new concept of ‘Medical Visa’ for foreign tourists coming to India for medical treatment.

Heritage Tourism : India’s cultural and natural heritage is impressive and unparalleled. It is also a great source of inspiration for Indians and the foreigners alike. With the aim to promote heritage tourism in India, Ministry of Tourism launched an integrated plan for the development of areas around the cultural and heritage monuments. Some of the famous monuments considered for development includes Delhi’s Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb, Hampi in Karnataka and Somnath Temple in Gujarat.

Rural Tourism : According to census, around 70 per cent of India’s population live in villages. Hence, the real beauty of India lies in the villages and remote areas and their exquisite art and craft continue to stand testimony to the rich heritage of this age-old civilization. Ministry of Tourism alongwith United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched 71 rural tourism projects. Rural Tourism campaign seeks to promote local culture and craft based tourism for sustainable livelihood and integral rural development. Besides, a capacity building programme has also been started in 36 selected sites for providing the benefit of tourism reaches the local people at large.

Buddhist Circuit : India is one of the world’s most important destinations for Buddhists and its amazing sites of Buddhism make it is must-visit destination for Buddhists. In India the Buddhists can have glimpses of heritage, history and legends related to the life of Lord Buddha. Some of the important Buddhist sites in India are Bodhgaya, Nalanda, Buddhist caves in Ajanta and Ellora and monasteries in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir Campaign : For promoting J & K, Ministry of Tourism used the punchline, "If there is a paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this!" Main focus of the J & K campaign were the state’s picturesque landscape dotted with lakes, valley and the lush greenery around.

North East Campaign : North East region of India is a true frontier region of the country. The region consists of seven states also called seven sister states. Under is ‘Paradise Unexplored’ campaign, Ministry of Tourism unleashed catchy print and visual media campaigns to promote the unexplored tourism wealth of the region. The unexplored treasures of the North East region promoted were tea, wildlife tourism in Kaziranga and Manas National Parks in Assam and adventure tourism in Arunachal Pradesh.

MICE, Adventure, Cruise, Medical : The Ministry of Tourism with the aim to popularise India as a 365-day destination promoted multiple tourism options. Three CDs on these options were released by the ministry that included MICE, adventure and cruise. According to campaign, India is a fast emerging MICE destination as a number of world-level convention centres are coming up in different states. While promoting the adventure and cruise tourism in India, the ministry also issued a set of guidelines for adventure sports operators for maintaining basic standard.

On a Spiritual Journey in India

Spirituality has a very old link with India and one can experience the divine peace by visiting the pilgrimage destinations of the country. As India has been the land of the Hindus and they comprises majority of the population, hence most of the pilgrimage centres are linked to them. Some of the famous religious centres of India include Amarnath, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Chardham, Allahabad, Varanasi and Tirupati.

Amarnath (Jammu & Kashmir) : Located in Kashmir valley, Amarnath is considered to be one of the important dhams (pilgrims) of Hindus. Amarnath cave temple houses an ice Shivlinga that changes size with changing seasons and also as the moon shines and fades it becomes bigger and smaller. On the full moon day the linga attains 6ft height and each year on the full moon day of Sravana month, a festival is held at this cave temple. Amarnath Yatra, one of the most important holy pilgrimages takes place during the festival.

Rishikesh (Uttarakhand) : Rishikesh is one of the best located pilgrimage centre along the bank of holy river Ganga close to Haridwar. An incredible experience of natural beauty and undiscovered wildlife await here in Rishikesh. At Rishikesh, the peace and tranquility of a landscape associated with munis (priests) and meditation are an added bonus. Today, Rishikesh has become a major centre for learning and research in yoga and meditation, the noted Indian methods for mental and physical health. Each year in February, the one week long International Yoga Festival is held here for one week. The rope-bridge ‘Lakshman Jhoola’ is the landmark of the town, other attractions of Rishikesh are the school of Yoga and Meditation and white water rafting camp at Shivpuri.

Haridwar (Uttarakhand): Haridwar literally meaning ‘the gateway to the Gods’ is situated at the foot of the Himalayas. Situated at the point where the river Ganga descends to the plain, Haridwar is a gateway to the four pilgrimages of Uttarakhand. An ancient city, Haridwar houses a number of temples dedicated to Vishnu and other gods. Every evening in Haridwar is celebrated with the traditional aarti at Har ki Pauri. During Kumbh Mela thousands of pilgrims visit the town for the ritual bath in the river Ganges.

Chardham (Uttarakhand) : Chardham are four places of sacred importance for Hindus in the Himalayas. Chardham includes the holy sites of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, all located at altitude more than 3,000 mts. Traditionally the devotes begins the pilgrimage at the temple to west, Yamunotri and finish the circle going eastwards to Badrinath.

Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh) : Since ancient times, Allahabad is known as Prayag and is renowned for the Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years. The world famous festival commemorates a mythical event, where are the time of the churning of the Ocean, devas (Gods) disputed with the asuras (demons) over the pot (kumbha) that contained the nectar of immortality (amrita), which emanated from the churning. Allahabad town is also known the convergence of the three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.

Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) : Varanasi also called Benaras is one of the oldest cities of the world and home to a number of temples including the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The culminating waters of the holy river Ganges, the echo of prayers, the lights of diyas provide a magical sight to the town. Varanasi has many ghats, where pilgrims descend down the stairs for the ritual bath and perform the most sacred oblations and rites in the most picturesque environs.

Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) : Tirupati is known all over the world for Balaji temple and other impressive temples. Tirumala, nested amidst the seven hill in the Eastern Ghats is home to Lord Venkateshwara Temple which is magnum opus of Dravidian architecture. Other famous shrines in Tirupati town are Govindarajaswamy, Kodanda Ramaswamy, Tiruchanur, Srinivasa Mangapuram and Kapila Theertham. Also visit the lovely Kalisantha Kona natural waterfalls in the valley of Nilgiri hills. After visiting the temples, visit the Chandragiri Fort and discover the relics of palaces and temples.