Taj Mahal Agra Tour

Posted in India Forts Palaces, India Tourist Destinations, North India Tours, india tour on 03/05/2010 11:43 am by govind
Tajmahal, Agra
Tajmahal, Agra

Love is a strong positive emotion of regard and affection which holds two souls together forever. It is the most fascinating feeling of a human heart which is expressed in various forms. Some express it with poems, some with songs, and some with gifts or surprises. But none have ever dared to immortalize their love, as the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan did by constructing Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal is the immortal tribute to love which was built in the 17th century by Shahjahan – the fifth Mughal emperor, as the mausoleum of his beloved Queen Mumtaz Mahal. The romantic aura of this 350 year old white marble edifice is still felt which makes it a romantic destination of the world. The everlasting charm of  Taj makes it  a popular world heritage  on the earth.

Last weekend I visited this symbol of Love with my Uncle and Aunty who came to India from New York. It was their wish that I accompany them during their Agra Visit. It was my third visit to this place and in each visit I learnt something new. Along with my uncle, aunty and their two friends I boarded Shatabdi Express from New Delhi in the morning and reached Agra by 08:15 am.

Taj Mahal is a synonymous of love and romance which is located on the bank of River Yamuna. It is set among the serene ambiance of a well-laid-out garden with the backdrop of Yamuna River flowing silently. The beauty of this monument is heart throbbing which makes it incomparable with any other monument in the world.

This incredible manmade construction is known for its architectural supremacy. Recognized for its symmetrical construction,it is raised on platform and surrounded by four minarets. Inside the Taj, the delicate mosaic work and intricate decoration with inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy engrossed me completely.

For me this is the finest example of Mughal architecture which is known for its construction and decoration pattern of Turkish, Persian, Indian, and Islamic styles. I was highly impressed by the mosaic design which covers the entire surface of this building.

Another most captivating aspect of this place is a pool that reflects the image of Taj Mahal. The inverted reflection of Taj in the pool is beyond description. Sometimes this stillness was disturbed by the ripples but its calmness was soon restored. As it happened during the Mughal Reign, when their empire  lost its stability for sometime but soon their legacy was restored and flourished for centuries.

After having lip smacking lunch I took my Uncle, Aunty  and their friends for shopping. During shopping they purchased several things as a souvenir of this place. After shopping we returned to the railway station, where we boarded Shatabdi Express and reached Delhi around 10:30 pm.

 

Day 2 Tour: Jaipur

Posted in India Forts Palaces, India Tourist Destinations, North India Tours, Rajasthan, Rajasthan City, india tour on 02/25/2010 06:58 am by Christine
Amber Fort, Jaipur
Amber Fort, Jaipur

Delhi, the wonderful city impressed me to the hilt with its striking attractions. There was a combination of both, modern and traditional. With a heart filled with joy and contentment I drove to Jaipur, my next destination. I started early morning at 6 and reached Jaipur at 10:30 am. Now I was all set for delving into the glories, history and culture of Rajasthan.

Rajasthan is a land of raja-maharajas and I always had a wish to experience their lifestyle so I decided to stay in a heritage hotel. Caper Travels Pvt Ltd had booked me in Alsisar Haveli hotel in Jaipur. It is a heritage hotel where once lived the raja-maharajas. Its royal ambiance and world class facilities transported me back in time to the royal era.

As it was already afternoon so we decided to go to Chokhi Dhani first. I was elated to see this unique and beautiful Village Resort which makes you feel as if you are in a traditional village. Its typical rural ambiance, peaceful environment, beautiful surroundings and delicious traditional food served in a traditional style captured my heart. I also saw traditional Rajasthani dance. It was fabulous and lively.

My guide Umaid Singh gave me some information on the city while on our way to the attractions. Jaipur is a tourist destination which pulsates with royalty and rich cultural heritage. Popularly known as the ‘Pink City’, Jaipur, the princely city, boasts of a rich cultural heritage which majestically reflects in its palaces, forts and monuments. It was established by the king Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727. One interesting feature about this city is that it was planned in accord with the Hindu architectural principles of Vaastu. Quite interesting!

I first visited the famous ‘City Palace’. The jewel of Jaipur, this palace is a huge structure which encompasses refreshing gardens, great museums, magnificent halls, huge courtyards and stunning apartments. It was great to explore this place which speaks volumes about the kings who lived here.

My next halt was the Jaigarh Fort which is famous for housing the largest canon in the world. It was built for defense purposes and is also known as the ‘Victory Fort’.

Next, enjoying an elephant ride I reached the most famous attraction of Jaipur, Amber Fort. It is huge, majestic and stunning. Built beautifully in Rajput and Mughal style of architecture, the fort has a history that dates back to 1592. I was overwhelmed by its size, cravings, mirror work, mosaic work and architectural design.

After treating my senses with the beauty and royalty of Jaipur forts and palaces, now was the time to pamper my stomach with some delicious Rajasthani food. I gorged on dal bati churma with a big glass of lassi. I loved it. Then I went on a shopping spree and bought some wonderful handicrafts from the bazaars.

Next day I was slated to explore Agra and again I was excited to know something fascinating about India.

 

Golden Triangle Tour

Posted in North India Tours on 02/18/2010 06:57 am by Christine
India Gate, Delhi
India Gate, Delhi

Traveling has always been my passion as it fills me with unsurpassed joy. In fact, it would be more apt to say that I love to be a traveler. It gives me an opportunity to be in rhythm with Mother nature, to explore the richness of various cultures and also to expand my horizon as a human being. There is so much to experience and explore in this world.

When it comes to traveling India has always fascinated me. Although I had not traveled to India before but I had heard and read a lot about it. I had whole one week in my hand so I thought of coming to India for the famous Golden Triangle Tour. So I began my search for the right Tour company which can provide me an enjoyable and hassle free tour. After browsing the Internet for quite some time I came across Caper Travel Pvt. Ltd. which offers a variety of India tours. To ensure its authenticity I checked whether it is government authorized or not. It is and I was completely satisfied when I saw that it is also a National Tourism Award Winner inbound travel company. Then I mailed my requirements to the company and withing a few hours the reply came. Prompt action! I was impressed. So finally I booked my Golden Triangle Tour.

Finally I landed in India to begin my affair with it. My experience began at the car that picked me up. The young chap escorted me to hotel Ramada where I was booked. On the way he told me that the Golden Triangle Tour is the most famous tour among foreigners as it offers glimpses of richness of Indian culture. It is a four-star property located in the center of Delhi. After dinner I retired to bed as the next morning I had to start the Delhi sightseeing tour at 9.

Delhi, Jaipur and Agra are the three enchanting destinations covered in the Golden Triangle Tour. We began with Delhi sightseeing tour. Post breakfast, I along with the guide named Shankar headed towards Old Delhi, a 17th century walled city of Shah Jahanabad. The first attraction I saw was the famous Jama Masjid built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. With history dating back to 1656 AD, it is the largest mosque in India. It was nice to see the mosque.

Enjoying the rickshaw ride we reached Chandni Chowk near Red Fort. It is a wonderful bazaar area( established in 1648) which is famous for a variety of dishes. I tried rabdi( a sweet dish made of milk) with jalebi( a sweet dish). It was yummy.

Qutab Minar
Qutab Minar

Our next halt was Raj Ghat, a memorial to Mahatama Gandhi. It was quite peaceful there. Then we further moved on to the picturesque and historic India Gate which was built in memory of the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars. Then we visited President’s House (the official residence of the President of India). It is a magnificent structure.

Post lunch, we visited Humayun’s Tomb, memorial of Mughal Emperor Humayun. I found it really fascinating. The architectural beauty was arresting. Also it is a World Heritage Site. Now was the time to visit the bewitching Qutub Minar. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in the year 1206 and is the tallest minaret in the world. This was the end of my Delhi sightseeing tour and the next day I was slated to leave for the princely city Jaipur-Day 2 tour.

 

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary – Adobe of Colorful Flying Creature

Posted in Adventure Sports, Wildlife on 02/12/2010 11:36 am by Manish
Bharatpur
Bharatpur

Chirping of birds on rooftop always captivated my attention and often leads me to follow it hopping. Since my childhood days, birds the colorful flying creatures always remained close to my heart. For me birds are among the best creations of nature. They are small, colorful with melodious tune of expression.

In order to have the best glimpses of this mystic creature I visited the Keoladeo National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan. It is one of the world’s best wetland eco-systems that supports over 350 species of birds out of which every third one is a migrant. This rich collection of bird species makes this place a paradise for birds lover, research ground for Ornithologists and perfect place for birds photographers.

I booked a room in the Bharatpur Forest Lodge in order to enjoy this mystic place at its best. The lodge is located in the middle of the bird sanctuary which provides mystic views of the surroundings. Next morning after having my breakfast I took my camera and went deep into the woods.

No vehicles are allowed here so this place can be visited by the approved cycle-rickshaws that ply inside the park or by electric van. But for me the best way to explore is on foot following jungle trail. Amidst jungle the calmness of nature is shattered through bird’s cacophony. It is really tough to identify any particular bird’s sound among these.

I wandered here and there following one bird but soon it was out of my vision and I started following another. I enjoyed this colorful and lively hide and seek game with birds. Every time I tried to concentrate on a particular bird species, soon the consistency was broken by another colorful bird which flies overhead making a peculiar sound.

The Bharatpur National Park houses wide varieties of birds. Some of them are Pelicans, Spoonbills, Wheatears, Flycatchers, Larks, Buntings, Ibis, Cranes, Hawks, Eagles, Pipits, Hawks, Larks, Shanks, Grey Herons, Warblers and many more.

Amidst this National Park there is a pond which is among the main attractions because it is the center stage of bird activities. This was the most fascinating place I had ever visited in my life. Here one can see several bird species involved in different activities like playing, eating, singing and dancing. Until the day drew to a close I stayed back at the pond so that I could enjoy birds roosting. It is the time when birds return to their nests in evening and in groups they make loud noise. It is the perfect time to watch several species of birds at a time.

After enjoying my long cherished dream I returned to the forest lodge from where I checked out and left for Delhi. During my return journey I continuously scrolled images in my camera which I had captured during this enchanting trip.

 

Shimla: The City of Goddess Shyamla

Posted in Hills Stations, North India Tours, india tour on 02/05/2010 09:56 am by sanjog
Shimla City
Shimla City

Staying as a bachelor & working in a firm that provides offs on every Saturday & Sunday certainly has amazing benefits. The best among those is you can plan a short weekend trip with your friends, without having any prior notice! I enjoyed such a trip last week with two of my friends. On Friday morning, we made a plan to visit Shimla and surprisingly, we left for it the same evening! Shimla is about 370 km from Delhi and after a relaxing overnight journey we reached there Saturday morning comfortably.

A guide there told us that this beautiful hill station derives its name from ‘Goddess Shyamla’, who is supposed to be an incarnation of Goddess Kali. Like most of the hill stations in India, Shimla was also discovered by the British and it used to serve as their summer resort. I was completely amazed to see that the city still retains its age old colonial glory in its buildings.

Our exploration started with the Jakhu Hill that is located at 2 km from the town. Serving as the highest peak of Shimla, Jakhu Hill offers panoramic views of the town and the nearby mountains. The holy temple of Lord Hanuman is established on the same hill. Summer Hill is again a picturesque suburb of Shimla, located at a distance of 5 km from the heart of the city. It houses the esteemed Himachal Pradesh University.

We stopped for a quick bite at the Coffee House in Shimla, which is now run under a cooperative society. With simple decors and a few framed pictures, the Coffee House serves original flavours of coffee picked from the plantations. Our next halt was the State Museum at Shimla, which showcases various miniature paintings, costumes, textiles and jewellery of the region.

Lastly, we paid short visits to the Kamna Devi Temple, Tara Devi Temple, Kali Bari Temple, Christ Church etc. that are some of the highly revered pilgrimage centres in Shimla. I was not aware of the fact that this superb hill station could offer such beautiful theme based tours until I visited the same.

 

Jaipur Tour: A Majestic Experience of Amber Fort

Posted in India Forts Palaces, India Tourist Destinations, North East India, North India Tours, india tour on 01/29/2010 07:51 am by Pooja Chaudhary
Amber Fort
Amber Fort

Personally, I affectionately consider Jaipur as a royal affair. It conjures visions of things which are classy, royal and beautiful. And its royalty is epitomized by its majestic structures which were once the abode of raja-maharajas of the bygone era.

Again I was in Rajasthan waiting for another ‘time-stopping’ experience. And my royal journey started with an elephant ride to the majestic Amber Fort. Elated, I was attentively listening to the guide about this classic structure which is majestically fashioned out of white marble and red-sandstone. Overlooking the beautiful Maotha Lake, the fort is ideally perched on a hill and it seems as if the exteriors of this structure are budding out of the hill itself. Raja Mansingh started the construction of the fort in 1592 and later more and more structures were added to it by the subsequent rulers.

The fort clearly reflects the lavish, capricious, classy and adventurous lifestyle of the then raja-maharajas. I was completely bowled over by the incredible architectural brilliance of this stunning structure. The interiors of the fort are adorned with paintings, mirror and semi-precious stone work. The must-see apartment is the stunning Sheesh Mahal. Its walls and ceilings are decorated with colorful mirror work. The arresting carvings are equally enchanting.

The other structure I visited inside the fort were Kali Temple famous for its silver doors and silver lions; Diwan-I-aam, the Hall of Public audience with double row of columns; Ganesh Pol which is beautifully painted with vegetable colors; Zenana (women’s apartment) which was made to facilitate the royal ladies to watch the proceedings of the royal court without themselves been seen. It is decorated with mesmerizing paintings of Krishna Leela scenes; the Hall of Victory, Jai Mandir boasting of mirror studded ceiling. There is so much to see and enjoy in the fort.

 

Mahabalipuram : My 2nd day tour

Posted in South India Tours on 01/14/2010 07:51 am by Pooja Chaudhary
Shore Temple
Shore Temple

Seeking a rich cultural experience with breathtaking architectural brilliance, after treating my senses with the incredible beauty of the Shore temple of Mahabalipuram, I moved on to explore the popular Five Rathas temple and Arjuna’s Penance. Giving an insight into the glorious history of Tamil Nadu, the Five Rathas are truly the marvels of human creativity.

Seeing the fascinating architectural beauty of the Five Rathas I wondered how did the craftsmen of the bygone era, with primitive tools and almost no technology, managed to make such architectural marvels! Their passion towards art and architecture majestically reflects in these structures. Someone has aptly said, “Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion.”

My guide Shankar briefed me on the history of these temples. Built by the Pallava King Narsimha in the 7th century, the Five Rathas temples flawlessly reflect the beauty of Dravidian style of architecture. The most striking fact about these temples is that they are monoliths(a monument made from one large block of stone). These temples were carved out from the hill. No wonder it demanded a great deal of skill and passion to carve out a temple from a single rock. The Five Rathas temples are named after the five Pandavas of the great Hindu Epic Mahabharata; namely Dharmaraja Ratha, Bhima Ratha, Arjuna Ratha, Draupadi Ratha and Nakul Sahadev Ratha. There is also a Ratha dedicated to Draupadi.

These temples look like Buddhist shrines. I was completely mesmerized by the beauty of the carved pillars of Arjuna’s Rath. The striking elephant sculptures of the Nakula and Sahadev Rath are also captivating.

My next halt was The Arjuna’s Penance, an arresting rock sculpture with an interesting legend. Carved out from a whale shaped rock, Arjuna’s Penance is 9 m in height and 27 m in length. This extremely beautiful structure derived its name from Arjuna, a hero of the great Epic Mahabharata. The structure depicts carvings of several heavenly deities, animals and people. According to the legend Arjuna did penance at this place to obtain a boon from Lord Shiva.

With the golden memories of these architectural marvels I retreated to the hotel I was booked in. My Mahabalipuram Tour was no less than a rejuvenation therapy which filled my heart with joy. Mahabalipuram is truly the pride of Tamil Nadu.

 

Sikkim Tourism: A Tour to the Garden of Lord Indra

Posted in North India Tours on 12/26/2009 07:29 am by Manish
Sikkim
Sikkim

As a travel writer, I admire every bit of nature. While going through the all India travel guide in search of beauty, adventure, spirituality and relaxation – I came across Sikkim. Our Hindu religious texts have called Sikkim as ‘Indrakil’, which literally means ‘the garden of Lord Indra’. I arrived at Bagdora airport in north Bengal, 124 km from Sikkim. I covered the rest of the distance by a taxi. Most of the people use Nepali, Lepcha Bhutia, Limbu and English as their official languages here. Still I came across some Hindi loving people.

I admire crystal clear waterways, chirping birds, pleasing greenery with dew drops and Buddhist chantings throughout the journey. People consider it as their heaven. I was booked in Orange Village Resort in Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim. My room offered superb views of the magnificent mountains, lush green vegetation and beautiful rivers. As an explorer of food, I attacked rice and meat during my lunch. The waiter offered me a local drink ‘Chang’, which was of made from fermented millet. It was served in a bamboo container with a bamboo pipe. I spend the evening at leisure.

As my exploration started the very next day, I came across the market area. Shops were loaded with a wide variety of wood crafts, woollen carpets and blankets, jewellery, and famous paintings called ‘Thangkas’. My sightseeing started with ‘Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre’, which houses some of the world’s rarest religious scriptures, manuscripts and articles. Belonging to the Kagyud order, it has over 300 centres in the entire globe. Similarly, the Labrang and Pemayangste Monasteries are a few other popular ancient Buddhist centres.

Considering myself as a daredevil, I also enjoyed the famous Gangtok Ropeway. I spent a few minutes at the Ban Jhakri Falls and the Energy Park attached to it. After capturing various ethnic sculptures and figurines of the Jhakri culture in my camera, I enjoyed my lunch at a roadside restaurant.

Next I headed for Pelling to visit waterfalls, trek routes and tranquil aura around. The best part with the place was the splendid snow-clad Kanchenjunga peak. After a half day excursion to Pelling, I left for Yuksam – the first capital of Sikkim. It boasts of being the gateway to Shangri-La or Ney- Pemathang. I hired a guide there and enjoyed trekking to Tshoka-Dzongri-Goecha. I also paid a short visit to the 300 year old Dubdi monastery that houses of some of the ancient Buddhist manuscripts. I enjoyed the traditional Lu Khangthamo dance there. Up to this destination, I had started loving this north east paradise. I got back to my hotel to take a tight sleep. A lot was left behind to explore in Sikkim.

 

Mahabalipuram Tour- An Enigmatic Experience

Posted in South India Tours on 12/17/2009 05:39 am by Pooja Chaudhary
Shore Temple
Shore Temple

Setting my heart and soul free from the ‘rat-race’ of urban life I was joyfully walking at the ’slow pace’ of nature, feeling as if my soul had accomplished everything it wanted to. My every moment at this place was ‘rewarding’ and my heart was overflowing with joy. I was walking along the beach absorbing every bit of beauty. I am in Mahabalipuram- a city of difference, a city which cherishes its past, a city that is high-on natural beauty and architectural brilliance and a city cocooned in mythological significance. The peaceful and relaxed vibe of this beach town worked wonders for me. I was rejuvenated to the hilt.

The Shore Temple overlooking the Bay of Bengal was the first destination I visited. It is a World Heritage Site attracting tourists from across the globe. Set in a peaceful ambiance, it is one of the oldest stone temples of south India. Its glorious history dates back to the 8th century when the Pallavas, who were the great patrons of art and architecture, were ruling south India.

It is a five-storied structure with breathtaking sculptures which are extremely artistic and look very lively. Although it is not a living temple but it still retains its old-world charm. The other striking features of the temple are its two steep pyramidal towers capped by octagonal domes and the temple walls topped by sculptures of Nandi.

The temple complex houses three shrines of which two Shiva temples face east and west respectively. The third and the central shrine facing the sea on the east is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. There is a small temple in front of the main temple, which originally served as a porch. One of the sculptures, I liked very much, depicted goddess Durga on a lion with a small carved shrine( the lion has a small square-shaped cut in its belly). Really there is so much to explore and experience at this destination.

 

Jaisalmer City Tour

Posted in India Tourist Destinations, Rajasthan, Rajasthan City on 12/11/2009 06:02 am by Abhishek Saxena

With the rising tourist season, I planned a trip to Jaisalmer.

Camel Race, Jaisalmer
Camel Race, Jaisalmer

I’ve been to Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Bikaner and several other royal destinations in Rajasthan and witnessed grand forts, enthusiastic festivals and enchanting safaris. But Sand Dunes were completely an untouched element to me. As I arrived there, the city welcomed me with captivating beauty and joyful lifestyle of the locals. I relished traditional Rajasthani food in lunch and spent the entire day at leisure.

The very next morning, I started my picnic with a camel ride along with a guide. The guide took me to a small market area where several local people were shouting in high notes beckoning tourists to have a camel ride with them, quite similar to the rickshaw-walas in urban areas. One of them asked for Rs. 50 for a ride, which was quite affordable. But my guide, being a local person, immediately bargained and surprisingly fixed the same ride for me at just Rs. 20. That camel safari cum long drive in the deserts was amongst the most adventurous things I have ever done.

In the evening, I got into a camp with a group of tourists from Delhi only. There we all enjoyed several folk art performances and camp-fire. The next day was quite exciting as I headed for the Desert Festival. There I came across various cultural as well as fun activities such as camel races, folk dances, Mr. Desert contest and the interesting Turban tying contest. Being much excited, I too participated in the camel race and turban tying contest. As predicted, none of the two contests could bring me any prize. But I enjoyed my part. The celebration area was heavily crowded and cheerful.

I had enough of food specialties in the fair and bought a few handicrafts that were available at very economical rates. I had never thought that the barren areas of desert land could be so lively. What I observed was that people at Jaisalmer celebrate every moment of their life with great zeal.

 
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