Sunday, 15 February 2015

India: Land of Beauty and Pleasure


Shamanth kumarCC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gate Way of India, Mumbai
India is more than just a destination; it's an experience that transcends the ordinary. Imagine a place where ancient traditions seamlessly blend with modern life, where every corner reveals a new story, and where the warmth of its people makes you feel instantly at home. 

This is India, a land of unparalleled diversity, vibrant cultures, and breathtaking beauty, beckoning international travelers to embark on an unforgettable adventure.

For centuries, India has been a crucible of human civilization, a place where different arts, cultures, customs, and beliefs have not just coexisted, but beautifully fused. 

This peaceful transmission of heritage across generations has created a tapestry unlike any other. You'll witness it in the intricate carvings of ancient temples, the mesmerizing rhythm of classical dance forms, the rich flavors of regional cuisines, and the kaleidoscope of festivals celebrated with fervent devotion. From the philosophical depths of yoga and meditation to the vibrant spectacle of a Bollywood movie, India's cultural landscape is an endless source of fascination and discovery.

Nature, too, has bestowed its most exquisite gifts upon this vast subcontinent. Picture the majestic, snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas piercing the sky, offering spiritual retreats and exhilarating trekking experiences. Imagine the lush, green embrace of the Western Ghats, teeming with exotic wildlife and cascading waterfalls. Envision the serene backwaters of Kerala, where houseboats drift lazily amidst palm-fringed canals, offering a glimpse into a tranquil way of life. 

And stretching along its vast coastline, India boasts pristine beaches kissed by the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean, perfect for relaxation, water sports, or simply soaking in the sun. The sheer diversity of flora and fauna, from the elusive Bengal tiger to the vibrant peacock, makes India a paradise for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.

This blog offers a glimpse into the wonders of India, a humble attempt to share stories and insights about one of the world's oldest and most captivating civilizations. You'll find articles exploring its historical marvels, its spiritual sanctuaries, its culinary delights, and the myriad experiences that await you. But to truly know India, to feel its pulse, to breathe in its essence, a virtual journey simply isn't enough.

The true magic of India unfolds when you step onto its soil. When you hear the bustling sounds of a vibrant market, smell the aromatic spices wafting from a street food stall, taste the exquisite flavors of authentic Indian cuisine, and feel the gentle warmth of its people's hospitality, that's when India truly comes alive.

So, take that leap. Contact your trusted travel agent today and book your air ticket to India. The land of India extends a warm welcome, promising not just a trip, but a transformative journey. You'll find that the people of India, renowned for their hospitality and genuine kindness, will make you feel at home, embracing you with open arms and sharing their rich heritage with pride. Prepare to be enchanted, to be inspired, and to create memories that will last a lifetime. India awaits your arrival.



India, a land of unparalleled natural beauty, offers an extraordinary experience for international tourists keen on exploring diverse ecosystems and witnessing incredible wildlife. Beyond its vibrant cultures and historical marvels, India boasts a remarkable natural heritage, particularly its lush rainforests and abundant food sources – the fundamental elements that sustain a thriving animal kingdom.

These rich natural provisions make India's forests exceptionally safe and comfortable habitats for a spectacular array of animals and birds. From the dense, evergreen forests of the Western Ghats to the biodiverse Eastern Himalayas, India's diverse landscapes nurture a stunning variety of species. Imagine spotting the elusive Bengal tiger in its natural habitat in the Sundarbans or Ranthambore, or witnessing herds of majestic elephants roaming freely in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Birdwatchers will be captivated by the vibrant plumage of countless avian species, from the elegant peacocks to migratory birds that flock to India's wetlands.

The country's commitment to conservation has led to the establishment of numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, each offering a unique glimpse into India's natural treasures. These protected areas are not just homes for animals; they are also living laboratories where you can observe intricate ecosystems at play. Expert guides can lead you through these biodiverse regions, sharing insights into the local flora and fauna, and helping you spot some of the world's most iconic creatures.

For any international tourist, a visit to India's wildlife sanctuaries is an immersive journey into the heart of nature. It’s an opportunity to connect with the wild, understand critical conservation efforts, and create unforgettable memories of encounters with magnificent creatures in their natural environment. Come and experience the wild side of India – a truly essential part of its captivating charm.


For international tourists seeking a profound journey into India's rich artistic and spiritual past, the Ajanta Caves offer an unparalleled experience. Located in the state of Maharashtra, these magnificent rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments are a UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for their stunning murals and sculptures that date back to the 2nd century BCE.

While often associated with Mumbai (formerly Bombay) due to its prominence, the Ajanta Caves are more directly accessible from other cities in Maharashtra. One of the most convenient gateways is Jalgaon, a city situated just about 25 miles (40 kilometers) away from the caves. From Jalgaon, you can easily arrange a short road trip to reach this historical marvel.

Another popular and well-connected city is Aurangabad, which serves as a primary hub for visiting both the Ajanta and nearby Ellora Caves. From Aurangabad, a comfortable road journey of approximately 2-3 hours will lead you directly to the Ajanta complex. Many international tour operators and local travel agencies offer guided excursions from Aurangabad, ensuring a smooth and informative visit.

Stepping into the Ajanta Caves is like stepping back in time. You'll be mesmerized by the intricate details of the frescoes depicting the Jataka tales – stories of the Buddha's previous incarnations – as well as various deities and scenes of ancient Indian life. The sheer scale and artistic brilliance of these caves, carved out of solid rock, are a testament to the advanced craftsmanship and devotion of their creators.

A visit to the Ajanta Caves promises an unforgettable dive into India's historical and cultural grandeur, making it a must-see destination on your Indian adventure.

FAMOUS TEMPLES OF NORTH INDIA

 
LOTUS TEMPLE                                Akshardham, New Delhi      


FAMOUS TEMPLES OF SOUTH INDIA  


For international tourists, India offers a truly unique spiritual journey. It's a country where all major modern world religions coexist peacefully, fostering a profound sense of mutual respect and understanding. This rich tapestry of faiths has transformed India into a truly liberal land, where communities have, for centuries, erected magnificent monuments to their beliefs, creating an awe-inspiring architectural heritage.

You'll find an incredible array of sacred sites across the entire nation. From the grand temples of North India, like the revered golden temples of Amritsar or the ancient rock-cut cave temples, to the towering, intricately carved temples of South India, such as the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai or the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, each structure tells a story of devotion and artistic brilliance.

Beyond Hindu temples, India is home to majestic mosques, stunning churches, serene Buddhist monasteries, vibrant Sikh gurdwaras, and ancient Jain temples. This incredible diversity means that no matter your spiritual inclination, you'll find places of profound significance and beauty. Visiting these sites isn't just about admiring architecture; it's an opportunity to witness diverse religious practices, experience deep-rooted traditions, and understand the spiritual heartbeat of India. Come, explore this land where faith has built wonders and harmony thrives.



Ashish3724CC BY-SA 3.0,
via Wikimedia Commons
India
 is the most favoured destination of world tourists. And the city of Agra is an important holiday target for every person who lands on the land of this country. 


                                            Agra Fort, Agra, India

The city of Agra is full of places with historical connections and cultural importance. Besides the Taj Mahal and the wonderful temple of Shree Radhaswami, the Mughal Fort Built by Shah Jehan is situated in Agra. The city of Agra is well-connected with other parts of India, by train and by air.


Modern India is the place where you would find modern and ancient cities, alongside each other. You can enjoy the ultra-modern facilities of leisure and comforts, in most of the cities. The hotels and bars are always cordial for visitors. So far as the ancient cities are concerned, there India is one of the most ancient civilisations. Come here and see the history of India, the history of mankind.


Indian airlines can offer cheap air tickets due to the competition they face among them. The airlines operating in India would charge you as per your plan of journey and segment-wise. If you are comfortable travelling on days having lesser traffic, you can have the benefit of incurring lower expenses towards your air tickets. If you prefer a night journey, you would still be paying less on selected routes.


Accommodations

Joe RaviCC BY-SA 3.0,
via Wikimedia Commons
In India, international tourists would find a hotel suitable for or their purse. 


   Taj Mahal Palace Hotel,                     Mumbai

You may prefer Five-star Hotels like Taj Intercontinental, Oberoi Sheraton and similar hotels catering to the needs of those who want to pay more for extra facilities and comforts. You may choose a low tariff hotel, a budget hotel, that would not compromise with the health standard, but they will charge less fare due to some obvious reasons.


The Indian Railways and all the international and domestic airlines in India provide the facilities for online booking of tickets. You decide the day and time of your journey and they would happily offer you a comfortable seat available.

Local Transport

For local transport in India, you would find several choices: from small autos to buses operating at fixed rates. While travelling to a big city, it would be advisable to have a recent road map to help you enjoy it.

So when you wish to enjoy the unforgettable journey of seeing the sun, sand and sunlight of India, pick up your phone, dial a number of a travel agent, and book a ticket to India. 


Seb & JenCC BY-SA 2.0,
via Wikimedia Commons
India Gate, New Delhi

Snow-clad mountain peaks, ever-flowing rivers, green fields, dense forests, and wonderful deserts are trademarks of Indian land. 

If you want to enjoy all of the beauties of Mother Earth in a single country, then a visit to India should be your first choice.

India is a vast country. These are some of the important places for the interest of the tourist. These spots would make their stay in India a memorable one.

Kashmir: 

You visit Srinagar; you visit Pahalgam; you visit the Skiing resort at Gulmergh, or you visit the northern tip at Leh; the memorable experience of your life is a must.
Deror avi, Attribution,
via Wikimedia Commons

Popular Indian Dishes

While travelling in India, no one would like to miss the taste of Indian dishes. For the benefit of local passengers and tourists coming from all over the world, the Indian trains keep adding more and more facilities. 

In addition to sanitary facilities at every station, you can arrange your stay in the guest houses available at big stations. The enticing smell coming from the restaurants run at railway stations would certainly attract the taste buds of tourists.

Here you can order a Punjabi lunch or a south Indian dish. Those who are coming to India for the first time would find the tourist help centres at important stations. Here you can get information about accommodations, cheap hotels, car rentals, onward booking of your journey, travel agents and other data a traveller in India would need.

Reclining Tiger, Ranthambhor
National Park,
Rajasthan, India.

Louisville, CC BY 3.0,
via Wikimedia Commons
RajasthanFor the tourists, nothing can be more alluring than the exotic deserts, camels, historical forts, and colourful dances of people. Rajasthan would give your all at the same place.
  

The geography of Rajasthan is identified with deserts; the history of the region is full of war memories. Here the Mughals fought their decisive battles; here the Rajput kinks defended their land with ardent fervour of patriotism. 

It makes the northern part of India a land of palaces. Most of these castles are, built by the medieval kings and emperors who ruled India.

Tourists roaming all over the world desire to visit Rajasthan at least once in their life. This charming landscape is dotted with exotic palaces and is beautified by the sand of the desert. 

The local people displaying their dances and colourful dresses would be the most pleasing aspect for the tourists coming to India in general and to Rajasthan in particular. among several beautiful locations in this area, the following are the most visited places.

Jaipur, Once the capital of royalty in India, is in the western part of the country, now known as the State of Rajasthan. On their first visit, the tourists would fall in love with Jaipur: so picturesque its forts and gardens, so exotic is the landscape. Jaipur, founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai, is a city that was made by planning, perhaps for the first time in India.

Pushkar

Those who visit India for their leisure tour, they hardly miss seeing the temples and lake of Pushkar. But the tourists from western countries flock in during the festival season of the fair. Talking about the traveller on a vacation tour of India, we can say that there are tons of them from lands far away. The event at the Pushkar Fair has become now the single biggest draw for foreign tourists in RajasthanIndia.



A Keralite Dancer in Sari
Oct11988duh, Public domain,
via Wikimedia Commons
Kerala

If the exotic greenery, the land full of water bodies, and the clean seashore are on the desired list of a tourist, he or she would certainly go first to Kerala. The state of Kerala is situated in the southern region of India. It is known for its exotic locations and picturesque greenery, and thus it is rated high among the tourist centres in India.

Due to its unique attraction, Kerala is known as "God's Own Country". 

The state of Kerala and the city of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) are also famous for being the venues for Boat Races.

'Boat races' are organized annually in Kerala. These events are representatives of the ethos of the land. Boat racing is a sport that signifies excellent team spirit. The exciting crowd of spectators gathers on the bank of rivers to witness the integration and amity of the participants of the race. As these races are an attraction for foreign tourists, tens of thousands of people witness the water sports carnival when the fierce 'Vallom Kallies (boat races)' are organized here.

Augustus BinuCC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

It is a festival of vibrant colours, organized in the exotic backwaters. During these festivals of boat racing, one would not miss being thrilled by the racing scenes. The events make spectators spellbound. They will witness cheering actions, laying bets, and goading the boatmen to row faster.


Places Where Boat Races are Held

The water carnivals and snake boat races are held annually at a place known as Aranmula. It is situated on the bank of River Pamba. Other places where the major races are organized are Papiyad near Quilon and Thayathangadi near Kottayam. These festivals of boating are held on the sacred occasion of the festival of Onam. It is also the end of the harvesting season for the local people.

It is the most important celebration for the festival lover people who live in villages. The participants of the races come mainly from these villages. They participate in festivals and competitive races. They come to enjoy the events with their small, big and long boasts.

Visiting the sites of boat races could be a memorable event for tourists coming to India. It is like a grand feast for the eyes of tourists. All the viewers get together on palm-shaded banks and hold their breath in excitement. They witness speeding boats of various types. The Snake Boats, called 'Chundans', have long hulls and steep sterns. Its shape reminds us raised hood of a cobra. About one hundred muscle-powered oarsmen would be onboard a boat. A group of musicians also would accompany them. These boats dash furiously towards the finishing line. They fight to win for their glory.

Historical Places - Forts : 

Taj Mahal would be the first choice of tourists coming to India. But the Forts in the cities of South India, and Rajasthan would also be an enjoyable target for tourists.


From the northern Himalayan range of Kashmir to the southern tip of Kanya Kumari, India is full of religious places. As India is the land of all the religions of the world, here you find the sacred places attached to all of them. Any person who has visited India once would like to revisit.

Indian Railways and Car Rentals

Amolnaik3k, Public domain,
via Wikimedia Commons
From a starting day in 1853, the journey of the Indian Railways is increasingly progressive. In a nation of 1200 Million citizens, the Indian train travels on 1, 15, 000 Km. of tracks touching more than 7,500 stations. Most of the stations are being modernized to meet the newer challenges of the needs of the tourists.

The Indian Railways is important for Indian people. India has the second-largest population in the world, and the train services are like the veins in the body of the Indian economy. It is the single largest employment provider in India.

For tourists who want to know real India, the 65K km network of railways is a nice option. At every corner of India, you would find a friendly staff, assisting assist you to explore the interesting places in India. Tourists can book their tickets at any computerized station; or you can book your tickets at any authorized travel agent, too. The network for booking tickets is a wonderful one. One would find a fully computerized station almost in every district of India. The tourist-friendly staff at every station would eagerly serve the needs of the tourists.

CAR RENTALS

BMIC-Mallasandra-flyover
Rsrikanth05CC BY-SA 3.0,
via Wikimedia Commons

If you want to enjoy seeing the cities of India, then you should take the services of Car Rentals. These services are available in all the metro cities of Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi, Chennai (Madras) and Kolkata (Calcutta).

Meant for providing assistance to the tourists and making it comfortable for them to visit all the places without traffic problems, renting a car is an easy solution. 

Travellers have the option to choose to rent any car from a range of cars like Benz, Accord, Ford Ikon, Fiesta, Honda City, Indica and many more. Car rental agencies rent out multi-utility, high-capacity cars like Tavera, Qualis, and Sumo, meeting the needs of the tourists. These vehicle renting agencies categorize the vehicles to suit the tourists' specific needs and also to fit into their budget.

The car rental agencies in the metro cities of India offer the services of the best chauffeurs who are both experienced and friendly. They also offer discount car rentals. Customer satisfaction always remains the buzzword for such service providers, as their business is dependent on tourists. This factor makes them offer the best services at the most economical rates. Indian car rental provides tourists with a hassle-free and luxurious journey.

Tourists visiting India can contact these car rental agencies at any of the airports or at big railway stations. Addresses and telephone numbers of such car renting agencies can be availed from the tourist help centres.

                               Happy Journey To India.