Rajasthan Tour- Explore and Enjoy the land of Indian Maharajas

September,2nd, 2010

Amongst all Indian states, Rajasthan has forever been a preferred tourist destination. Several Indian as well as international tourists are found to opt for Rajasthan tours year after year simply because of its cultural diversity. Keeping this in mind, a diverse variety of Rajasthan tour packages are being designed by travel operators today. Tours like Rajasthan heritage tours and Rajasthan adventure tours are increasingly becoming popular similar to Golden Triangle Tour of which Rajasthan is a major destination. All of these custom-made travel packages focus majorly on traditions, customs and cuisines of Rajasthan.

Experience the vibrant fairs and festivities of Rajasthan in cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Bikaner and Jaisalmer. Each of these places of Rajasthan is an important destination in India and is worth visiting during a trip to this country. They are an evidence of the royal blood that once ruled Rajasthan. So while you are on a Rajasthan tour, visit the lake palace & museum present in Udaipur, the antique & historic forts present in Jodhpur and most importantly the pink architectural marvels present in Jaipur. Along with these, explore the sand dunes in Jaisalmer. Do not forget to take a camel rides in Bikaner during your Rajasthan tours.

Most Rajasthan Travel Guides will also tell you to visit one of the other major attractions of Jaipur, the Chokhi Dhani, which is replica of an ethnic village of Rajasthan. Located on the border of Jaipur city, the Chokhi Dhani spreads over more than 18 acres of land. This replicated village has forever been associated with Rajasthani culture as it reflects rich heritage besides lifestyle of traditional Rajasthan.

Rajasthan tours are incomplete if you do not be a part of its colorful festivals of Bikaner (famous for camel festival) and Pushkar. The desert and the elephant festivals are also worth spending time on Rajasthan tours. All of these are known for their display of exciting activities like tug-of-war, puppet dance shows, acrobatics games, turban tying competitions, camel race and elephant polo. Various other cultural events like folk poem recitation, traditional dance & drama shows and camel ride processions are the chief festivals of the state that showcase Rajasthan in its true colors.

Not to forget, before you end your Rajasthan tour take a holy dip in the Pushkar Lake and visit the Brahma temple.

Rajasthan Travel Guide- Rajasthan tours offered by Indian Travel Destinations are unique and tailor made to suite the varying needs of tourists. IndianTravelDestinations.com always lives up to the expectations of its customers by coming up with innovative & Affordable Rajasthan Tour Packages.

Historic places to explore near Agra during a Taj Mahal Tour

August,26th, 2010

Agra is famous for being the home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World: the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendor of this mausoleum will give you a vivid remainder of India that was, in the 16th and early 17th centuries. Though people travel to Agra primarily to see the Taj Mahal, there are several other historic sightseeing destinations in Agra that you must visit when you are on an Agra tour.

AGRA FORT: Built by the great connoisseur of art, Emperor Akbar in the year 1565 A.D.; the Agra fort is a masterpiece in terms of design and construction. The premise of the fort is crescent shape, flattened on the East facing the river.

There are number of other exquisite buildings inside the premise of Agra Fort like the Moti Masjid, Diwan-e-Am, Khaas Mahal, Jahangir’s Palace, Diwan-e-Khaas, Shish Mahal and Musamman or Samman Burj. It was in Musamman that Shah Jahan was held captive in the year 1666 A.D before he finally died.

SIKANDARA: Sikandra is located in the suburb of Agra, only 13 Km away from the Agra Fort. This place acts as a fine stoppage for those on an Agra tour.

Sikandara is the mausoleum of Emperor Akbar and reflects the best of Hindu & Muslim architectures. Constructed in the year 1613 A.D. by Akbar’s son Jahangir, this monument is one of the well preserved architectures of India.

FATEHPUR SIKRI: Fatehpur Sikri is around 39 Km from Agra was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar during 1564 A.D. It is an epic monument built in red sandstone. Though you will find this epic city almost ruined there are a number of other renowned places to be seen here like the Diwan-e-Am, the Diwan-e-Khaas, Buland Darwaja, Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai Palace and Birbal Bhawan.

Other notable places where you must visit during Taj Mahal tours are Itmad – Ud Daula and Chini Ka Roza. The Itmad -Ud -Daula was built by Empress Noor Jahan as a memorial of her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg. It is a beautiful building ornamented with intrinsic lattice work on marble. Chini Ka Roza is the tomb of Afzal Khan, the Persian poet who was the minister at Shah Jahan’s court. This building lies just 1 Km beyond Itmad -ud -daula.

Set out for a Taj Mahal tour today and experience the charismatic beauty of the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Avail a Taj Mahal tour package to explore other historic destinations near Agra.

Best Resorts in Corbett to stay during a Corbett Tour

August,21st, 2010

Corbett National Park is the only place on earth that most certainly guarantees you tiger-spotting. So visiting this park is a must whenever you are planning an India tour. However, finding a suitable place to stay during a Corbett Tour is a very big task considering two factors: budget and the distance of the resort from the entrance of the park.

It is a known fact that there are a number of hotels in Corbett National Park where you can stay when you are touring this national forest. At times it may be difficult for you to decide which one is best for you. This is especially true due to the fact that all these different resorts offer an array of top amenities which at times might make it a tricky task for you to pick and choose from these resorts in Corbett. However, if you plan your Corbett tour after a thorough research, you will surely get the best wildlife resort in Corbett according to your budget.

Accommodations in Corbett vary from luxury hotels to budget hotels. However, you would want to stay in a hotel which suites your budget and at the same time offers you the best of services & facilities. Another important factor that you must look into before choosing a resort in Corbett is that it should be located either in the core area or the buffer area of the national park.

The luxury resorts in Corbett provide top amenities like swimming pools, hotel bar and room services. They offer multi cuisine dishes and arrange for bonfires. Most of them even have recreation room with facilities like pool table, table tennis and carom board; a well stocked library and conference facilities. Examples of such luxury resorts in Corbett are:

  1. Corbett Leela Vilas
  2. Corbett Hideaway Resort
  3. Corbett Riverview Retreat
  4. Infinity Resort
  5. Manu maharani Resort
  6. Ramganga Resort
  7. Tarangi Resort

Moving on to the budget hotels & forest lodge in Corbett, there are only very few of them with Dikhala forest lodge being the most popular one. It is very difficult to get reservation in these if you do not book your room well in advance.

These are some of the wildlife resorts and hotels in Corbett where you can stay when you are on a Corbett safari tour. It is advisable that you plan your tour in advance and do a good research on the Internet to get a resort which suites both your needs and budget.

Wildlife Holidays in India – The Natural Choice for Seeing the Exotic Wildlife of India

August,16th, 2010

India is blessed with tremendous natural beauty. Part of this beauty is because of the unique flora and fauna that exists in the forests of India. Visiting these nature reserves of India is therefore the best way to witness the raw side of the land. So plan for a wildlife holiday in India and travel across the country to see some majestic tigers in the wild at Ranthambore, Corbett, Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Bandipur, Sunderban, Pench and Mudumalai. Enjoy the sight of elephants in at Periyar or see the Asiatic Lion at Sasangir in Gujarat. View flocks of migratory birds Bharatpur or watch peacocks spread their tails in the forest of Sunderban. Experience all this and more as you journey across the country on an Indian wildlife tour.

Tiger Tours

This is the most popular wildlife tour in India. It takes you to India’s finest national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, and offers you the best opportunity to view the tiger – the king of predators. Tiger tours in India are usually accompanied by jeep safari tours inside the parks. This is best for seeing some exotic green vistas of the country besides its varied wildlife.

Ranthambore (Rajasthan), Corbett (Uttranchal), Bandhavgarh (M.P) and Kanha (M.P) are some of the most popular tiger reserves of the country where tiger tours are organised all through the year.

Bird Watching Tours If you are a curious bird watcher, bird watching tours in India are the best way for you to get close to the most amazing and stunning bird species of the country. Carry your camera with you and click some rare pictures of these colourful species amidst their melodious chirping.

Bird sanctuaries of Bharatpur (Rajasthan), Ranganathittu (Karnataka), Kumarakom (Kerala), Chilka Lake (Orissa) and Porbadar (Gujarat) are some of the famous bird reserves which you must visit on a bird watching tour in India.

Elephant Safari Tour An elephant safari helps you to travel through difficult terrains of a jungle where it is difficult even for jeeps to venture. Squashing the tall grass an elephant moves slowly and steadily within the vicinity of tropical wildlife sanctuaries. You too should check out the most awesome natural reserves of the country riding on an elephant during your wildlife holiday.

The best national parks in India for an elephant safari tour are Corbett (Uttranchal), Kanha (M.P), Bandhavgarh (M.P) and Kaziranga (Assam). You will not only love these tailor-made wildlife holidays in India but will also keep coming back to India to re-visit these places and explore new wildlife destinations of the country. After all India’s wildlife has a class of its own.

The rich animal reserve of India calls for wildlife holidays India. Go for a tiger tour, elephant safari, or bird watching tour when you are holidaying in India. Book your wildlife tours India today and experience India at its best.

Bird Watching in India – An Absolute Delight for All Those Who Love Birds

August,12th, 2010

If you are a bird watcher, tweeting and chirping surely must be your favourite sounds. Indian bird sanctuaries reverberate copiously with these sounds as it is home to several resident and migratory bird species. After all India’s varied topography, climate and long coastline are perfect for these bird populations. Bird watching in India is therefore the best way to get close to some magnificent avifauna.

Among the most distinguished  reserves in India, the following are the ones that you must visit when you are in India.

Bharapur Bird sanctuary, Rajasthan

Bharatpur sanctuary is a natural reserve for rare avian population in India. Situated in Rajasthan, this wildlife sanctuary is also a World Heritage site. Over 350 species of avifauna have been reported from this 29 Sq Km Park out of which one third are migrants. You will find birds like endangered Siberian Crane (Grus leucogeranus), Pelicans, Larks, Eagles, Geese, Hawks, Shanks, Ducks, Wagtails, Warblers, Stints, Flycatchers, Buntings, Wheatears and Pipits in this bird sanctuary.

National Chambal Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh

National Chambal Sanctuary is a wildlife reserve situated near Etawah in Uttar Pradesh. More than 250 species of avifauna can be seen in this sanctuary. Migratory birds from Siberia form part of the rich avian population here. You will also find the Indian skimmer here which is an endangered bird species. Amongst the winter avian population the Black-bellied Terns, the Red-crested Pochard, the Bar-headed Goose and the Ferruginous Pochard are common.

Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka

Touring Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary can be a really exhilarating experience. Situated on the banks of the Kaveri River, this Bird Sanctuary is laden with rare avian species. You will find many migratory birds here like the Open Bill Storks, the Spoonbills, the Darters, the Little Cormorants, the White Ibis, the Egret, the Partridge, the Heron, the River Tern, the Snake Bird, the Stone Plougher and several other exotic bird species which flies all the way from Australia, Siberia and even North America. Take a boats ride along the river for watching birds in this bird sanctuary.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kerala

The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is spread across 14 acres of land around the Vembanad Lake. The best way to see birds here is to take a ride on a houseboat or motorboat. You can also try to get hold of a local rice boat or fishing boat just in case you want to experience rustic rural touch. This way you can watch the birds at play without disturbing them by the sounds of a motor.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is home to a large number of migratory birds like Flycatcher, Siberian Stork, Parrots and Wood Beetle. Native birds like the Kingfisher, Egret and Cuckoo can also be seen in this sanctuary.

Periyar wildlife sanctuary, Kerala Periyar is a nature reserve in the South Indian state of Kerala. This park is often also called by the name of Thekkady wildlife Sanctuary. 320 different varieties of birds have been counted in Periyar. The bird varieties include Darters, Kingfishers, Cormorants, the great Malabar hornbill and racket-tailed Drongos.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala Wayanad is an animal sanctuary in Wayanad, Kerala. Peacocks, Babblers, Cuckoos, Owls, Woodpeckers, Jungle fowls are some of the various types of birds that you will spot in Wayand wildlife Sanctuary.

So take a birding tour of India next time you think of watching birds. Holidays spent watching birds in the above destinations will forever remain memorable to you.

Popular Heritage Hotels in Udaipur

August,6th, 2010

Rajasthan was long under the realms of Maharajas. These maharajas lived in luxury palaces, forts and mansions, which are spread all across the state. Today, these ancestral residents have been converted into heritage hotels and are thrown open to tourists visiting India. When you are in Rajasthan, you will find no better place to stay, than these heritage hotels.

Of all the royal destinations in Rajasthan, Udaipur has the highest number of popular heritage hotels as it was ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for about 1200 years. The following are some of the fairy-tale palaces where you can stay during your Rajasthan tour of India. A stay at these heritage hotels will bring you closer to the architectural wonders and cultural heritage of a bygone royal era of India.

Shiv Niwas Palace

Located on the southern end of the City Palace Complex, the Shiv Niwas Palace is a majestic crescent shaped heritage building offering spectacular view of the Pichola Lake. The high quality services and modern facilities provided by this hotel make it a popular travel destination. Staying here will give you an opportunity to step back in time and experience the lifestyle of yesteryear Maharajas.

Shikarbadi Hotel

Hotel Shikarbadi is set amidst the serene wooded landscape of the Aravalis. Located just 15 minutes away from Udaipur, this heritage hotel is such a peaceful destination that you would not miss the clamor of city life at all. Relaxing in one of its lakeside chalets is a great way to get rejuvenated in this heritage hotel. You can also take a horseback excursion to the hilly wilderness of the resort farm. You may occasionally spot rare wildlife like Deer, Antelope, Wild boar and Nilgai in this farm.

Rang Niwas Palace

The Rangniwas Palace was built in Udaipur during the reign of Maharana Sajjan Singh. This palace has been recently restored but will provide you all modern facilities and comfort that one looks forward on a luxury holiday. The hallmark of this heritage hotel is its deluxe suites with independent balconies.

Laxmi Vilas Palace

Laxmi Vilas Palace is located on the bank of Fateh Sagar Lake. This heritage hotel of Udaipur enjoys a picturesque view of the Aravalli Hills. Built by Maharana Bhupal Singh in the year 1911, the hotel boasts of 54 rooms and a magnificent banquet hall. Stay in this heritage hotel if you want to experience real taste of Rajasthani royal culture.

Karni Fort

The historic Karni Fort hotel in Udaipur has been sensitively restored very recently to retain its ambience. The architectural elements of this palace have been aesthetically replicated during the makeover of the hotel. You will also notice that the original fortifications & turrets of the palace have been virtually left untouched to retain the royal feel of the palace. This hotel will offer you most modern services and facilities during your stay in Udaipur.

Hotel Caravanserai

Hotel Caravan Serai is located on the eastern bank of Lake Pichola. This hotel offers some of the most breathtaking view an overlooking lake. Combining the best of modern facilities and services with traditions of the Rajput culture, Hotel Caravanserai is one of the best holiday destinations in Udaipur.

Devigarh Fort Palace

Devigarh Fort palace was built in the 18th century, in the village of Delwara by Maharaja Sajja Singh. Today, after being restored and reconstructed, Devi Garh palace has regained its past glory and also is one of the most popular heritage hotels of Udaipur. It boasts of being a unique all-suite boutique hotel having 23 suites and 6 tents.

Fateh Prakash Palace

Fateh Prakash Palace Hotel is built on the eastern shore of Lake Pichola. Lying in an exclusive part of the City Palace Complex, this heritage hotel recreates the historic splendor of the past with its opulent Durbar Hall and Crystal Gallery. You will find that the seven historic suites of the palace are decorated with antique furniture and original Mewar paintings.

These grand heritage forts & palaces in Udaipur, Rajasthan, will let you experience a holiday that you will never forget in your lifetime. So, plan a Rajasthan trip today and stay in one of the above heritage hotels.

Sun Temple in Konark Orissa

August,4th, 2010

The Sun Temple in Konark, Orissa, is an ancient Hindu temple build in the name of the sun god. Shaped like a giant chariot, this 13th-century temple is known for its exquisite stone carvings that cover its interiors and exteriors.

Located 35 Km North of Puri, the Sun Temple is the most popular tourist destination in Orissa. People from across the world, travel to India just to get a glimpse of this magnificent World Heritage Site.

What to See

The Sun Temple in Konark was built in the form of a huge chariot for the sun god, Surya. It has 12 pairs of stone-carved wheels and seven galloping horses. Of these seven horses only one remains intact today.

The temple architecture of Sun Temple symbolizes the passage of time which according to Hindus is under the control of sun god. The seven horses, which pull the temple towards the East into the dawn, represent days of a week; the twelve pairs of wheels, represent twelve months of a year whereas the eight spokes in each of the wheels symbolize the eight stages of a woman’s day.

The main entrance of the temple is situated in front of the ‘hall of offering’ also known as the Bhogamandapa. This hall was used for ritual dance performances in ancient times. You will notice sculptures of musicians and dancers intrinsically carved on the walls of this hall.

The roof of the Sun Temple has three tiers covered in statues of musicians and dancers offering prayer to the sun god. A Shiva Nataraja sculpture in the posture of a cosmic dance can be seen on the bottom of the platform. Just beyond the porch you will find a double staircase that leads to a shrine. The shrine contains the statue of the sun god which is a beautifully carved green chlorite stone sculpture. This sculpture is one of the masterpieces of Konarak Sun Temple. The sculpture of lord Surya is accompanied by the charioteer, Aruna, at his feet. From here you can climb down to the remains of the inner of the temple, where the deity was originally enshrined.

Other sculptures decorating the Sun temple’s exterior wall include animals, floral patterns, mythical beasts and aquatic monsters. The twelve pairs of giant wheels are beautifully carved. Each of the eight spokes of these wheels is decorated with figurative carvings.

Getting There

There are regular bus and jeep services from Puri that will take you to Konark. This journey lasts usually for about an hour. Alternatively, you can also take an auto rickshaw to Konark Sun Temple from Puri.

Jaipur’s Jantar-Mantar granted World Heritage site status

August,2nd, 2010

Jantar Mantar of Jaipur, a famed astronomical observatory built in the early 18th century, is now a World Heritage site.

The Jantar Mantar observatory has great religious significance. It was used by ancient Indian astronomers to understand celestial phenomenon. It basically consists of fourteen major geometric devices for measuring time, tracking star’s location as our earth orbits around the sun, predicting eclipses, ascertaining the declinations of planets and finding out their celestial altitude.

“This is India’s 28th and Rajasthan’s 2nd World Heritage Site (Rajasthan’s 1st is Keoladev National Park). It is a matter of immense proud for us and for the entire country as well. The status would boost tourism in Rajasthan,” said the state Tourism Minister Ms. Bina Kak reacting to the decision taken by World Heritage Committee, UNESCO.

Jantar Mantar, an ancient observatory, was built by Maharaja Jai Singh II between the year 1727 and 1734. It is one of the seven sites in the world which have been granted World Heritage status by UNESCO, this year.

Ms. Kak said that a three-member team from Rajasthan submitted a management plan of Jantar Mantar before the UNESCO committee. “Following this, the astronomical observatory was declared as a World Heritage site. The UNESCO committee discussed over 37 sites across the world before finally declaring its results in a meeting held at Brasilia,” stated the minister.

“The state’s, particularly Jaipur’s hotel industry will benefit a lot following this World Heritage status. The government is also considering granting concessions to the hotel & tourism industry. We expect that tourist inflow, which is presently around 8 Lakh, would drastically increase during the upcoming tourist season,” she said.

For more information about Indian Heritage Sites browse http://www.indiantraveldestinations.com/

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