India Travel Tourism

After getting spell bound by the enchanting beauty of Taj Mahal, we set out to

explore the Agra Fort. Being a World Heritage Site the fort was a must-visit destination on our itinerary. Popularly known as the Red Fort of Agra, this fort is undoubtedly a great attraction here. The very first sight of the fort left me with the words, “how majestic, how huge”. Situated on the banks of river Yamuna, the fort offers an opportunity to peep into the glorious past. There are two entrance gates to the fort- the Delhi gate and the Amar Singh Gate. We entered from the Delhi gate.

We had hired a guide so that we don’t miss out on the history of the fort. His name was Ramesh and he seemed to be quite knowledgeable. As we were exploring the fort Ramesh told us that the great Mughal rulers such as Babar, Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb once lived in this fort and ruled the country from here. The foundation of the fort was laid by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1556 and the construction continued till the reign of his grand son Shah Jahan. The fort is also the place where Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his own son Aurangzeb.

The fort complex encompasses several mosques and palaces, most of which are made of white marble and red sandstone. Some of the apartments which I liked the most are:

Jehangiri Mahal:
This stunning palace was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar for his beloved son Jahangir. It reflects a perfect blend of Central Asian and Hindu architecture.

Khas Mahal:
Carved in white marble, this palace was built by Shah Jahan in 1637. The beautiful paintings on white marble is one of the striking features of this palace. Overlooking Angoori Bagh, this palace was especially built for Shah Jahan.

Musamman Burj:
This apartment was built for the beautiful Mumtaz Mahal. It offers picturesque views of the majestic Taj Mahal.

Ramesh told us that it is in Musamman Burj where Shah Jahan spent the last days of his life gazing at the Taj Mahal.

Well, don’t give a miss to the fascinating Sheesh Mahal, the dressing room of the royal ladies. Its walls are beautifully adorned with tiny mirrors.

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When I was a kid, I used to think that everything what swims is eatable! With time and maturity, I started believing that water bodies are meant for adventure.

What I experienced during my trip to Goa last month surely was the best adventure to me. Goa. undoubtedly, offers an extremely good climate and excellent facilities for water sports in India. It was May and Goa welcomed me with cloudless & blue skies and placid waters.

For the first time in my life, I enjoyed windsurfing at the picturesque Dona Paula beach under the guidance of an expert. He told me that Windsurfing is a unique blend of surfing and sailing. I was supposed to adjust my strength and balance to the changing patterns of wind and water as a surfer. After giving trials at least ten times, I was able to do it by shifting my feet forward & backward, leaning the weight to the right or left, and manipulating the boom in or out. I know it seems like a typical Physics theorem, but it was superb. People told me that Dona Paula beach organizes crowd pulling events like ‘Windsurfing Regatta’ and ‘Open Board Sailing Competition’ every year.

I then headed for Agonda beach, where I experienced the true pleasure of angling and relished the most authentic seafood delicacies. I came back to my hotel that evening and joined a beach party with some of my friends.

Next day was very exciting. I paid short visits to Majorda, Baga, Candolim, Calangute and Anjuna beaches. Except scuba diving, I guess, I enjoyed each and every activity there – from beach volleyball to dinghy sailing (beer and sandwich sailing), water skiing on speedboats, water scootering and parasailing etc. The convenient part about Goa is that if you are an adventure freak or sports enthusiast, you can easily hire all the equipments and attires on rent from beach side shops. This way, Goa proves to be the freak capital of India where life can be relished at its best.

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It is believed in my Buddhist practice that when you desire something deeply, pray for it earnestly, visualize it happening and without any doubt believe it is going to happen for you. And I could see the actual proof of it when I got a chance to visit Andaman and Nicobar Islands- my dream destination. My first sight of this wondrous destination left me speechless. All I was doing was absorbing every bit of its natural beauty in my heart and in my camera.

Here on the islands one feels that seas are punctuated by small pieces of lands. Romance and peace seem to be in the air here. This fascinating world of water transported me to a fairy land. The celestial natural beauty, turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, lush green forests, chirping birds and peaceful and blissful environment, what else can one ask for to adorn one’s holidays with golden memories. I enjoyed at the beaches and flocked from one island to another by ferries.

Marine life is a major attraction of this arresting destination. I saw a variety of corals here- brain coral, finger coral, plate coral and leather coral.  My guide Sarvanan told me that these islands boasts of more than 100 species of wild orchids. And I even saw some of them. I also visited the Chiriyatapoo, a bird sanctuary, on the islands. There I saw a variety of colorful birds chirping away to glory.

Next we head for Mahatama Gandhi Marine National Park on the Andaman Islands. It is a cluster of 15 islands. It is truly a heaven for marine life lovers. Here I saw several colorful fishes, shells, starfish, turtles, coral reefs, mollusks and salt-water crocodile. This Park is a home to around 271 varieties of birds, remarkable. With my binoculars, I saw white-bellied sea eagle, heron, terns, Andaman teal etc.

My experience of Andaman and Nicobar Islands was getting richer and richer with every attraction I saw. And still there was so much to explore, so much to enjoy!

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There are people who value their gardens more for being full of birds than of cherries. I am one among those. I love to give them fruits for their songs. Sometimes I consider them the inspiration of my poetry. I declared myself a bird lover when I saved one going to be killed by a cat. I was in 7th standard when this incident happened. Since then I am in love with these colourful and pretty creatures. Surprisingly, I got a chance to visit Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan with my colleagues.

While driving to the National Park, Munna – my driver – told me that over 300 species of birds have made this sanctuary their home. August to November is the period for resident breeding birds while October to February is for migrant birds. Munna also told me that the sanctuary was created 250 years ago and is named after a Keoladeo temple (dedicated to Lord Shiva) within its boundaries.

As I arrived my hotel, I found a guide book on Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary at the reception. I asked the manager if I could take that along with me in my room, to which he agreed happily. The guide book said that the entire reserved park was once a hunting ground for the Maharajas of Bharatpur. Stretching up to 29 sq km, this ‘Ornithologist’s Paradise‘ is the only man made wildlife sanctuary in India. Also known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Bharatpur was declared a national park on 10 March 1982, and accepted as a World Heritage Site in December 1985. I spent the entire day in leisure savoring the authentic cuisine of Rajasthan .

Next morning, I headed towards the park with Munna. The very first attraction we came across were nesting indigenous water birds. Facilities for a bicycle or rickshaw are also available for the tourists inside the park, but Munna asked me to cover the forest trails on foot. It was a nice way to have a closer look at the attractions of the park. Unfortunately I could not spot any of the migratory birds like Cranes, Pelicans, Shanks, Stints, Wagtails, Warblers, Wheatears, Flycatchers, Buntings, Larks and Pipits etc. that were mentioned in Bharatpur Travel Guide. In the afternoon I spotted a few Geese, Ducks, Eagles and Hawks near the small waterway.

What made my day was a closer view of wildcats, Sambar, Chital, Chinkara, Blackbuck, Nilgai and wild boar in the dense greens. I captured them all in my camera. Munna insisted me to pay short visits to Bharatpur Govenment Museum, Bharatpur Palace and Lohagarh Fort but I, being very tired, scheduled other attractions for the next day. I returned back to the hotel with a question: If God loved birds and made trees for them, why the hell we designed cages for them?

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No matter which destination you explore in India, your excitement level will always remain at its peak. India tourism not only ensures a remarkable trip but also refreshes your mind, body and soul. After all, India is known for the best of theme based tours. When I planned for a religious tour in India, I found Puri as a key destination. This seat of Lord Jagannatha (Lord Vishnu) is unbeatable for resting, relaxing and recalling. As I arrived this coastal district of Orissa, a guide told me that every bit of this ancient land fascinates tourists from all over the globe – ranging from historic antiquities to religious shrines, architectural grandeur, seascape beauty, moderate climate and so on.

The city welcomed me with open arms, offering splendid beaches, and a rich historic heritage dating back to 3rd century. The first thing I came across on my way to the hotel was ‘Rath Yatra‘ – the biggest festival in Orissa in July. Roads were completely jammed. I could see a huge idol of Lord Jagannatha placed on a chariot and people performing Odissi dance in the procession. The driver told me that this 3 km long procession extends from Jagannatha Temple to Gundicha Mandir. I spend that entire day at leisure.

The very next morning, after breakfast, I headed towards the Jagannatha Temple, one of the most impressive monuments of Orissa. Constructed in the 12th century, this superb Vaishnava temple enshrines Lord Jagannatha, Devi Subhadra and Balabhadra. Today, Archaeological Survey of India takes care of its preservation and maintenance. After enjoying a cup of coffee at a restaurant, I visited Chilka Lake, the largest freshwater inland lake in Asia (1165 sq. km.). Located along side the Bay of Bengal, the lake is home to around 225 species of fish. Apart from that, more than 150 species of migratory as well as resident birds inhabit the Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary. Capturing a number of colorful and enchanting species in camera was actually a fun.

Post lunch, my next destination was the Konark Sun Temple (magnificent Sun Temple built in 1278). Its architectural beauty lies in spectacular carvings, 24 wheels around the temple, 7 horses pulling the temple, and two lions guarding the entrance. I also paid short visits to the Ganesha Temple, Lakshmi Temple, Mausi Ma Temple and the Loknath Temple. My driver asked me if I wanted to visit the Museum & Sudarshan Workshop, which is a favorite of all the art lovers. It displays a number of artistic works of contemporary artists, handicraft items, paintings and sculptures in stone, wood and fiberglass etc. But I

preferred going to the market to buy some souvenirs.

The shops were loaded with traditional crafts, bead and bamboo works, Pattachitras (miniature religious paintings on silk and cotton fabric), wooden combs, pitchers, glasses, lamps, masks and metal crafts. But I found them a bit costly. My last destination in Puri was the picturesque beach, where I enjoyed my dinner along with a few classical dance performances that turn out to be the perfect mirror of Orissa culture.

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Girnar is one of the holiest places in Gujarat, situated near Junagadh at a distance of 327 from Ahmedabad. It is a holy place and an important pilgrimage for both Hindus and Jains. There are a number of temples located here, which have converted it into a township of temples. Amidst the lush green Gir Forest, the mountain range serves as the hub of religious activity. Apart from this, there is a mosque attracting many Muslim pilgrims to the place. This has made Girnar a perfect example of unity in diversity in India.

The summit has been an important religious place since the 3rd century. Girnar temples present a true blend of art, religion and devotion. The sculptural art used in these temples is outstanding. They have stood the test the time and the cruelty of various invaders. Despite that, the art forms of the temples still retain their magnificence. The Jain temples at Girnar attract devotees of both Shwetambar and Digambar sects of Jainism. The Neminath Temple is the main attraction of Girnar. It was built during 1128 AD to 1159 AD.

According to Jain religious beliefs, Neminath, the 22nd Tirthankar became an ascetic after he saw the slaughter of animals for food on his wedding. He renounced all worldly pleasures and came to Mount Girnar to attain salvation. Here, Bhagwan Neminath reached the highest state of enlightenment, Keval Gyan and Moksha, after great austerities. His bride-to-be also followed his path and founded the ‘Sandhvi Sangh’, the organization of women ascetics. The rectangular Neminath temple is the greatest temple here.

It has an idol of Lord Neminath in black granite with jeweled eyes. There are quadrangle courtyards, corridors and other shrines. The pillars are adorned with intricate carvings of Jain Tirthankars. The ceilings bear carvings and sculptures of Dancing Goddesses. Apart from this, there is the Mallinath temple, which is dedicated to the 19th Tirthankar. It was constructed by Vastupal and Tejpal. Neminath in 1231 AD. The Lord is shown in blue color here. The Rishabhadev Temple, situated nearby, is in golden color.

It is dedicated to 24 Tirthankars of Jain religion. Another Jain temple in the region is the Parshwanath Temple. It was built in the 15th century and is also known as Meravasi. Besides this, there is a Goddess Ambe Temple at Grinar. The temple is visited by the newly married couples for good fortune and prosperous married life.A mosque nearby is thronged by childless women for blessings. The Dattatreya hill, halfway down the temple cluster, also houses a number of other temples worth seeing.

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I, happily, admit that I am a shopaholic. I am addicted to buy traditional artifacts and handicrafts. I do not have a tendency to stop shopping when the baskets became too full or too heavy. I consider shopping as a great investment. And luckily, on my tour to Agra, I was caught with shopping fever. After visiting the wonder monument Taj Mahal, I decided to flock the colourful market streets to carry something home.

I started my exploration with the Oswal Emporium. Since its inception in 1972, the emporium is known for the best of intricate inlay work on marble. The guard there told me that it is the largest of its kind in Asia. As I entered the gallery, I was amazed to see the world’s finest handcrafted marble products. My next destinations were the famous Kinaari Bazaar and Munroe Road. There I found some of the most amazing leather products. If anyone wants to replenish his/her leather wardrobe, there is no better place than Agra.

I hired a rickshaw and also paid short visits to the Loha Mandi, Civil Line, Tajganj, Dayal Bagh, Taj Mahal Complex and the Rakab Ganj area. These places are superb to buy some authentic souvenirs and zari embroidery work at reasonable prices. Streets were loaded with awesome sweet delicacies like ‘petha’ and ‘gazak’. The rickshaw-wala also insisted me to visit U. P. State Emporium, but I asked him to take me back to the hotel as I was running short of time.

On my way to the hotel, the rickshaw-wala told me that the markets in Agra were frequented by the skilled craftsmen even during the Mughal rule. They used to bring with them their best wares in the hope to get the patronage of the Emperor. People believe that Empress Noor Jahan took a keen interest in opulent and exquisite embroidery and textiles. Therefore she employed a number of female dress makers to stitch impressive and grand robes for all the courtiers.

One item that was common in almost all the shops in Agra was the marble replica of the Taj Mahal. It serves as the pride of every shop there.

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“22 years, workforce of about 20,000 laborers, a council of thefinest architects from across continents, and the most precious stones together resulted into the Taj Mahal – perhaps the most beautiful monument of the entire world. The best part with the monument is that it is popular as the symbol of Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan’s undying love for his wife Mumtaz. But contrary to this, another harsh fact is that Shah Jehan ordered the hands of the craftsmen and architects to be chopped off after the construction, as he did not want them to build any other grand & amazing monument as this one.”

As I watched all this in a programme on Discovery channel, I could not make a control over my excitement and I packed my bag for Agra. On arriving this renowned city in the state of Uttar Pradesh, I came to know that this erstwhile capital of the Mughal empire is a vibrant centre of culture, art and religious philosophies. My driver, Tahir, told me that its original name was Agrabana, a forest that finds mention in the epic Mahabharata.

Being one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal serves as an inspirational source to various artists, painters, sculptors, poets and photographers. I found this pure white marble monument standing on the banks of the River Yamuna. The main monument with the huge and impressive dome, has four minarets in each corner towering up to 40 meters. And its divine beauty is not only limited to just the outside view but the intricate carvings are also beautiful and fascinating. As soon as I entered the monument, I saw an elevated central chamber below which is the burial chamber. The inner beauty of the Taj Mahal seems at its best with two levels consisting of eight rooms each, which were used to bury other members of the royal family.

I was overwhelmed to see the crypts of Shah Jehan and Mumtaz lying side by side with the heads facing in the direction of the holy city of Mecca. Both the crypts are beautifully decorated with inscriptions from the holy book Quran. The guide there told me that once these crypts and almost all the walls of the monument were studded with precious stones and gems. Still I could see the best of drawings like vines, creepers with flowers and other beautiful designs.

Another fascinating element inside the monument is the marble screen or ‘Jali’ surrounding the crypts. Taj Mahal is undoubtedly the finest example of Mughal architecture. One can see a lot of diversity here as the architecture is highly inspired from Persian, Indian and Turkish architectural patterns.

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Being an adventure enthusiast, I consider Goa as my dream destination for holidays. Blessed with the waves of pleasure, Goa has India’s most famous and justly popular beaches. As I arrived there, I found excellent tourist infrastructure, right from a host of stay options to innumerable operators offering a range of water sports. As I was looking for quiet alternatives, Goa offered me beaches that promise relative seclusion. I was simply overwhelmed to see the rustic beauty of the landscape, shopping opportunities, pubs that stay open till late and the shacks that offer superlative food from across the world.

It was the last week of October when I arrived here and I found the skies cloudless and blue, and the waters placid. Facilities for the most thrilling water sports were open for all. I had two days with me and I decided to devote one entire day to the water sports in Goa. I first visited the Dona Paula beach and enjoyed windsurfing. My assistant there told me that it is a unique blend of surfing and sailing, which requires the surfer to adjust his strength and balance to the changing patterns of wind and water. I could see a number of people there indulged in the same sport, as they all were practicing for Windsurfing Regatta, which is an annual event.

Next I also enjoyed scuba diving and water skiing a lot. Both these sports are gaining popularity among tourists. As the underwater visibility in the more tranquil of Goa’s bays and lagoons ranges from 5 to 10 meters, I could not reach in more deep areas. But what I enjoyed most during scuba diving were attractive coral heads, lobsters, bright colored fish, and other marine life patterns. Similarly, water skiing was also quite exciting. It is like combating the sea on speedboats.

I paid short visits to the Calangute, Colva, Palolem, Vagator and Baga beaches as well, and enjoyed activities like Dinghly Sailing (cruising on long crafts that can accommodate 3-4 people comfortably), Angling (fishing), Water Scootering and Swimming. Apart from that, Parasailing is another fun activity that involves a parachute attached to a motorboat. The parachute goes up in the air as the motorboat starts moving.

My visit was undoubtedly superb as I could satisfy my hunger for adventure. I had never thought that this small state could offer such a range of exciting sports.

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Being a human, I was always fascinated by the unexplored. Trekking in

India is undoubtedly one of the famous adventure sports awaiting the trekking enthusiasts. I am sharing the best of my experiences what I have enjoyed in the mountain ranges of India offer breathtaking, enthralling trekking routes. Out of all the trekking routes, I found the Himalayas the best that have attracted geologists, geographers, trekkers and nature lovers.

Another superb destination was the entire Ladakh – the snow desert. The isolated mountain expanses here generate the mystery of the Central Asian Silk Route. It is simply the most rugged region of the entire Himalayan range. While trekking on this Trans Himalayan Zone, I enjoyed the incomparable views of the Great Himalayan Range and the vast Tibetan plateau. Alpine trees and beautiful flower meadows are the prominent features of trekking routes in Jammu and Kashmir. Zanskar is again one of the most sought after regions for trekking in India. The trekking routes in Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal were again a jackpot for me. I guess these passes are the most enchanting gifts of nature to the north India.

Coming to the north-east belt, Darjeeling and Sikkim are blessed

with well-defined forest trails. What I enjoyed most were the superb views of Kanchenjunga and glimpses of Everest, Lhotsa and Makalu.

If you are seeking for the best of adventure tour in India, I would suggest you to visit trekking sites like Ladakh-Zanskar Via Lahaul, Manali to Beas Kund, Garhwal, Himachal-Manikaran to Spiti, Gangotri Nandvan Trek, Kinner-Kailash Parikrama, Adi Kailash Trek, Hemkund Trek etc. Some of the other popular and long trek routes in India are Bukki to Dokriani Glacier, Bukki to Kheratal, Bukki to Uttarkashi, Uttarkashi to Rishikesh and so on.

Indian high altitude passes offer limitless possibilities for trekking tours,

mountaineering, skiing, and river rafting tours. But trekking is not an adventure activity that anyone can try out. If you are doing it first time then you must take some precautions and guidance of the experts. I will recommend to go for a physical and dental examination before undertaking a trek. Moreover, one should also carry things like UV proof glasses, sunscreen lotion, water bottle etc. during the entire activity.

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