Jaipur

Jaipur is also popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Jaipur is a very famous tourist and education destination in India.
Jaipur

Lots of people flock to Jaipur to view the various forts and monuments in Jaipur which reflect its glorious past. Tourism is a significant part of Jaipur’s economy. Some of the world’s best hotels are located here.


for tourists and visitors from all over the world, looking to explore and discover a history that is rich and vibrant even today, evident in the city's breathtaking forts and palaces. Tranquil gardens and broad avenues, which were painted pink in 1876 to welcome the Prince of Wales, add to the historic charm and rich culture of this unforgettable city.
Forts & Monuments
Hawa Mahal
Amber Fort
Jaigarh Fort
Nahargarh Fort
City Palace
Jantar Mantar
Jal Mahal
Rambagh Palace
Chandra Mahal, The City Palace, Jaipur
Diwan-e-Aam, City Palace
Central Museum, (Albert Hall Museum)

Ajantha & Ellora

Ajantha & Ellora are 28 – 30 rock-cut cave monuments created during the first century BC and 5th century AD, containing paintings and sculptures considered to be masterpieces of both Buddhist religious art and universal pictorial art.
The caves are located just outside the village of Ajantha / Ellora in Aurangabad district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

Rock-hewn architecture reached its zenith in western India as the Western Ghats provided suitable sites for excavation and carving. No existing caves as such were used. Thus architecture was sculpture on a mass scale. The solidity of the rock obviated the need for periodic repairs, and many of the temples are in a state of good preservation to this day.

The Ajanta Caves, accidentally discovered by a shooting party in 1829, are excavated out of amygdaloid trap rock, and situated in the scarped side of a deep ravine that is shaped like a crescent



This cave contains the famous fresco of ‘The Dying Princess’. The Ellora Caves are unique because the visitor can see three styles of architecture at one place, 12 Buddhist, 5 Jain and 17 Brahmanical caves being located here side by side. Unlike the Ajanta cave temples, they are excavated in the sloping sides of a hill and not in a perpendicular cliff.
An aesthetic vision and advanced technical knowledge combined in the architects. It is interesting to note that the excavation usually proceeded from the top downwards—the natural rock-surface below providing a platform and eliminating the necessity of scaffolding

Jammu andKashmir

Jammu andKashmir it is located mostly in the Himalayan mountains, and shares a border with the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to the south



Jammu is a transition zone from the Indian plains to the Himalayas. Nature has lavishly endowed Kashmir with certain distinctive features that are paralleled by few alpine regions in the world. It is the land of snow clad mountains that shares a common boundary with Afghanistan, China and Pakistan. Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state of the Indian Union
Kashmir was once called Heaven on Earth, and once of the most beautiful places in the world. However, in last couple of decades, terrorism has faded its charm – A place home to Himalayan Ranges.

The State of Jammu & Kashmir has main three geographical regions known as “The Lesser Himalayas” or the “Jhelum Valley” (Kashmir), “The Inner Himalayas” or “The Indus Valley” (Ladakh & Frontier areas) also called “Trans-Himalayas”, and “The Outer-Himalayas” or “The Southern mountain range” (Jammu). The area of Jammu & Kashmir is 2, 22,236 square kilometers.

Kanyakumari

 

Kanyakumari is especially popular in India for its spectacular and unique sunrise and sunset. The confluence of three ocean bodies – the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea – makes the sunrise and sunset even more special. On balmy, full-moon evenings, one can also see the moon-rise and sunset at the same time – on either side of the horizon.

Kanyakumari district has a varied topography with sea on three sides and the mountains of the Western Ghats bordering the northern side. Geologically, the landmass of the district is much younger when compared to the rest of state - faulted as late as 2.5 millon years during the Miocene, after which numerous transgression as well as regression of sea had shaped the western coast of the district.

Darjeeling

Darjeeling in India owes’ its grandeur to its natural beauty, its clean fresh mountain air and above all, the smiling resilient people for whom it is a home. Known for its natural splendor, Darjeeling’s best gift to its’ visitors is the dawn of a new day. The mountains awaken first with a tentative peeking of the sun.

A steep ride, five kilometers from Ghoom, or an invigorating walk up a steep incline, leads sun worshippers to Tiger Hill. The air is chilly with darkness and damp. To the east, a dull orange sun emerged painting the sky with brilliant strokes of magenta, gold, orange and fuchsia. The snow capped Everest, Kabru, Kanchenjunga, Jannu and other peaks slowly emerge from slumber to start a new day. The sun worshippers gasp at the magnificent sight.

Darjeeling is one of the most magnificent hill resorts in the world. This heavenly retreat is bathed in hues of every shade. Flaming red rhododendrons, sparkling white magnolias, miles of undulating hillsides covered with emerald green tea bushes, the exotic forests of silver fir - all under the blanket of a brilliant azure sky dappled with specks of clouds, compellingly confounds  Darjeeling as the queen of hill stations. The crest of Kanchenjunga shining in the first dawn light truly supports the title.

Mysore Palace

Mysore is a tourism hot spot within the state of Karnataka and also acts as a base for other tourist places in the vicinity of the city. The city receives the maximum number of tourists during the period of the Dasara festival when festivities take place for a period of 10 days. One of the most visited monuments in India, the Ambavilas Palace (also known as Mysore Palace) is the center of the Dasara festivities.

The old palace was gutted by fire in 1897; the one you see now was completed in 1912 by English architect Henry Irwin at a cost of ₹4.5 million. The interior of this Indo-Saracenic marvel – a kaleidoscope of stained glass, mirrors and gaudy colours – is lavish and undoubtedly over the top. The decor is further embellished by carved wooden doors, mosaic floors and a series of paintings depicting life in Mysore during the Edwardian Raj era.

Mysore is a major tourist destination in its own right and serves as a base for other tourist attractions in the vicinity. The city receives large number of tourists during the 10-day Dasara festival. One of the most visited monuments in India, the Amba Vilas Palace, or Mysore Palace, is the centre of the Dasara festivities.The Jaganmohana Palace, The Sand Sculpture Museum the Jayalakshmi Vilas and the Lalitha Mahal are other palaces in the city. Chamundeshwari Temple, atop the Chamundi Hills, and St. Philomena's Church, Wesley's Cathedral are notable religious places in Mysore.

The Mysore Zoo: established in 1892,the Karanji and Kukkarahalli lakes are popular recreational destinations.Mysore has the Regional Museum of Natural History, the Folk Lore Museum, the Railway Museum and the Oriental Research Institute. The city is a centre for yoga-related health tourism that attracts domestic and foreign visitors, particularly those who, for years, came to study with the late ashtanga yoga guru K. Pattabhi Jois.

A short distance from Mysore city is the Krishnarajasagar Dam and the adjoining Brindavan Gardens, where a musical fountain show is held every evening. Places of historic importance close to Mysore are Srirangapatna, Somanathapura and Talakad.B R Hills, Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta hill and the hill stations of Ooty, Sultan Battery and Madikeri are close to Mysore.

Kottayam

Kottayam is the first totally literate town in India. It is one of the most industrially developed districts of Kerala and one of the largest producers of rubber, tea, pepper and cardamom. The city is also reffered as 'Mecca of Publishing industry' in Kerala state, as a number of Malayalam Newspapers, periodicals are published from here.
Kumarakom:
This beautiful village is located at the banks of Vembanad lake, filled with greenish paddy fields, mangrove forests and coconut groves. The famous snake boat races are held in Vembanad lake during the Onam celebration.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary: The beautiful Bird Sanctuary on the bank of Vembanad lake spreads over 14 acres of blue waters. Some of the migratory birds seen here are Siberian Stork, darter, egret, heron and teal. Some of the common varieties are skylark, woodpecker, crane, and parrots.
Kumarakon is 15 km away from Kottayam town
Ettumanoor Temple is situated 12 km north of Kottayam. The mural paintings of the temple and the ezharaponnana are famous. The Ezharaponnana Ezhunnallathu lasts for 10 days in Feb/March.
Dakshina mookambika Saraswathy Temple:
This temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswathy- the Goddess of Arts and Learning is situated here. It is located at 10 kms. from Kottayam at Panachikkadu. The temple is famous for Navarathri festival.
Bharananganam: It is known for an ancient church, which houses mortal remains of St.Alphonsa (1916-1946)
St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Cheriyapalli:
It was built in 1579, by the Portugese under the patronage of the local raja. The church is a blend of temple and Portugese architecture.

Munnar Hillstation

Munnar Hillstation is one of the most popular tourist destinations of Kerala. Munnar means three rivers nestles in the Western Ghats at the confluence of three mountain streams  The scent of fresh eucalyptus leaves, Verdant green hills and rolling tea gardens makes Munnar like a paradise. It was the summer resort of the Government official during the British rule in India. Munnar is one of the world's highest tea growing estates. The calmness and mild cold climate throughout the year makes it the favourite tourist place.
Munnar is well known for its vast expanse of neelakurinji, a blue flower which blooms only every twelve years. It bloomed last in December 2006. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, at 2695 m.
Other nearby places
marayur muniyara
Top Station

It is 40 Km away from Munnar. From here you can see the plains of Tamilnadu
Marayoor

It is 40 Km away. Main attractions are Sandalwood forest, ancient caves called 'Muniyaras' and Thoovanam water falls.
Devikulam

It is 7 Km away from Munnar. Here the Sita Devi Lake is a good picnic spot. The lake is also ideal for trout fishing.

Alappuzha

Alappuzha is famous for it's backwaters. Alappuzha 'The Venice of the East' is endowed with exceptional natural beauty and emerged as a major tourist destination of the Kerala. The entire district teems with an array of rivers, canals and lakes ideal for boat cruise. Alappuzha is also famous for boat races, houseboats, beaches, marine products and coir industry.
Alappuzha Beach
This is a beautiful beach and the Vijaya Beach Park is an added attraction. The Seaview Park here has boating facilities and a swimming pool.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race
The most competitive and popular boat race is held on the second Saturday of August every year at the Punnamda Lake and is the most important tourist event of Alappuzha. The highlight of this prestigious event is the competition of snake boats  the 130 feet long snake boats with over 100 rowers, 4 helmsmen and 25 cheer leaders decorated with colourful silk umbrellas. The race is also held during the tourist season on the third day of the Great Elephant March in mid January, and is called as 'Tourism Snake boat Race'. This is one of the main event in Alappuzha Tourist Destinations

The Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple
The pilgrim centre 14 km. from Alappuzha. Ambalapuzha temple is famous for its temple architecture and the milk porridge - 'Paalpaayasam'. This temple is one of the most important in Alappuzha Tourist Destinations
Arthunkal Church
Arthunkal one of the oldest Christian churches in Kerala is 22 km. north of Alappuzha. The St. Andrews church here was built by Portuguese missionaries. The annual feast of St. Sebastian is held in January.
Krishnapuram Palace
The magnificent palace is situated at Kayamkulam 47 km. from Alappuzha on the way to Kollam. The palace is a master piece of Kerala architecture with gabled roofs, dormer windows and narrow corridors and so on. The palace also houses one of the largest single panel Mural paintings, discovered in Kerala known as 'Gajendra Moksha', which measures 53 sq.ft in area. A museum inside the palace, displays antique sculptures and paintings.
Kuttanad
The region is referred as the Rice Bowl of Kerala because of the wealth of paddy crops is at the very heart of the backwaters. A unique feature of Kuttanad is that many of the fields are below sea level. It is perhaps the only region in the world where farming is done below sea level. The boat trip to Changanacherry passes through this beautiful and fertile region.

Thiruvannamalai

Thiruvannamalai is a humble, pilgrimage town in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Every month at the full moon thousands of pilgrims gather to circumnavigate the base of the Arunachala Mountain, approximately 14 km in circumference, where Shiva is honored as Arunachaleswar. Thiruvannamalai is one of the Pancha

Butha Sthalangal, or rather one of the places where God appeared glorified in the form of an element, namely fire. Traveling to Tiruvannamalai is a spiritual journey filled with destiny and often leaves visitors physically, mentally and emotionally inspired. Many records date it as a pilgrimage site as far back as 150 BC.

Not only is the red mountain Arunachala a significant factor in the spirituality connected with this site but also the construction of the Arunachal temple. The temple is the center of Thiruvannamalai’s octagonal formation and in strict observance with sacred geometry. The ancient Tamils or Dravidas were very observant of mathematical repetition in natural patterns, and sought to include them in the proportions of the temple. The shape of the temple and its situation magnifies the energies of its surroundings.

For thousands of years sadhus (spiritual men), priestesses, pilgrims and gurus have come in search of answers and enlightenment at Thiruvannamalai. Their dancing, praying, and chanting have continued to charge the Arunachala hill and town with energies of peace, love, healing, and divinity. Many famous gurus have established ashrams here including Advaita Vendanta guru Ramana Maharshi as well as Seshadri Swamigal and RamSurat Kumar. But even more famous is the Deepam festival held here every year and is celebrated over a period of 13 days. The first 3 days of the procession take place at the Durga Temple and the remaining days are celebrated in the Annamalai temple.
Arunachala Temple — Also known as Annaamalai, this famous shrine of Tamil Nadu is a living symbol of ancient Tamil architecture. There are 11 levels to the temple and it stands at 217 feet with 4 separate tower entrances penetrating the formidable walls. The hall contains 1000 pillars and while crumbling a bit this cavernous wonder is the essence of Dravidian architecture. On each pillar can be seen scenes of battling
 horsemen, dancing girls, lions, and images of Ganesh.


Within the temple there are shops were some souvenirs can be purchased such as little baskets, beaded necklaces, religious books and prasadams. It is also possible to buy little oil lamps here that can be lit and then are removed by temple staff when they have burned out. Also you can purchase bananas which you can either eat yourself or feed to the elephants, your choice


Originally built during the Chola dynasty in the 9th Century it was later expanded during the Vijayanagar Empire in the 13th Century. This impenetrable citadel was a strategic place for fending off invading armies and became the headquarters for the Gingee Nayakas. Unfortunately, the fort was not strong enough to keep out the French or eventually or rather inevitably the English. The temple within the fort is full of rock sculptures and it is possible to trace the influences of the ruling dynasties of South India by looking at its walls