Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Family Holidays In Delhi

Title: Family Holidays In Delhi
Link:http://www.go2holiday.com/family-holidays-in-delhi/

Delhi is the capital of India. It is located in the noth india, international metropolis of Delhi and serves as the seat of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of New Delhi.

The city was initially planned by Edwin Lutyens, a leading 20th century British architect. The city is well known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards and houses numerous national institutions and landmarks. The total area of Delhi is 42.7 km2.

New Delhi is an international metropolis with excellent tourist spots and having recreational facilities. One of the remarkable features of New Delhi is the extent of greenery all over. New Delhi is also a one of the dream city for visitors looking for various items of handicrafts, not only the rich artistic crafts of its own craftsmen but also of craftsmen from all over the country. New Delhi offers a multitude of interesting places and attractions to the visitor, so much so that it becomes difficult to decide from where to begin exploring the city.

Laid out by British architect Edwin Lutyens, the Indian capital is a striking modern metropolis. A gracious contrast to Old Delhi’s winding streets, the grand avenues and stately buildings of New Delhi are rich with history and culture, from Gandhi’s Delhi home (and the site of his assassination) to the tomb of Humayun, a complex of Mughal buildings reminiscent of the Taj Mahal. Chaotic traffic is best left to the locals. Negotiate a good price for taxis or travel on the new Delhi Metro. There are several places to explore, see and visit in New Delhi.

Places to see In delhi

Red Fort or Lal Quila

The Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, laid down the foundation of Red Fort in 1639 and got it done in 1648. Red Fort is built with red stone and that is how the fort got its name as Red Fort. The total area of the fort is about 2.41 km and the shape of the fort is octagonal. A wide moat that was originally connected with theYamuna River surrounds the fort. Lahori Gate is the main entrance to the Lal Quila. Some of the main buildings in the fort are: Naubat Khana (music house), the Hamam (the bathroom set), Moti Masjid (pearl mosque), Diwan-i-Am (hall of public audience), Diwan-i-Khas (hall of selective audience), Mumtaz Mahal (one of the main palaces). After India got its independence, the Prime Minister of India hoisted the National Flag at the Red Fort every year on 15th of August. The Red Fort is the center of attraction that offers diversity to its visitors. It is a place must see by all tourists visiting Delhi.

Qutub Minar Qutub Minar is named after Qutab-ud-din Aibak. He is the first Muslim ruler of the South Asia. This world heritage site is the tallest brick tower in the world, built in 1193 AD. It is one of the first achievements of the Indo-Islamic architecture. Qutub Minar is located in Mehrauli, South of Delhi. This tower is 72.5 meters tall with 399 steps towards the top and is covered with engraved verses from the Quran. The top floor is 2.75 meters wide and the base is 14.3 meters wide. He ruled initially from Lahore and later moved the capital to Delhi; while visiting this Minar, do not miss the nearby Iron Pillar. Your trip to Qutub Minar will be one of the fascinating trip.You will immensely enjoy the tour of this world heritage site monument. Jantar Mantar Jantar Mantaris a masterpiece of Indian architecture which shows the scientific acumen of ancient India and a complex of astronomical instruments of stone and marble built in 1710 A.D by Sawai Jia Singh II of Jaipur around 3 centuries ago and is situated in the heart of Delhi that Parliament Street, close to Connaught Place. There is also a similar structure in Jaipur as well. It has always been an attraction for the architects, scientists and historians from all over the world. This is one of the popular tourist site to explore place. This structure consists of fourteen geometric devices used for forecasting weather changes, measuring time, finding extraterrestrial altitude and predicting behavior of planets

Lotus Temple

This is remarkable architectures of Bahai faith of Worship. It is located at Kalkaji in South Delhi. The shape of temple is in the form of lotus, due to it’s shape the temple is called Lotus Temple. Lotus is a symbol of purity, peace, immortality and love, due to all these specialty of Lotus flower makes the flower an important icon in Indian culture and society. Lotus Temple was opened to public in December 1986. This temple is so popular that it is one of the most visited places in the world. Atmosphere inside the temple is quiet and serene. ISKCON Temple

Temples in Delhi are renowned both for its historic connection as well as religious fervor. The interior walls have been decorated with aesthetic works of Russian artists representing the different phases of life of various deities like Sita-Ram and Radha-Krishan. The main attractions are its temple museum and the central prayer hall. The birth of Lord Krishna is known as the festival of Janmashtmi, which is falls in the month of August or September. The festival of Janmashtmi is celebrated in the ISKCON temple premises on a large scale, during which the enthusiasm of the devotees and in the temple are religious activities at their highest level. On Janmashtmi thousands of devotees visit the temple and the atmosphere of joyous celebration is truly exhilarating.

India Gate You have to visit India Gate, the famous landmark of New Delhi, India. It is one of the largest war memorials in India and commemorates the members of the former British Indian Army who laid their lives fighting for the Indian Empire in World War I and the Afghan Wars. The foundation stone for India Gate was laid in 1921 by the Duke of Connaught and was completed in 1931. This enormous structure was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. After India’s independence, India Gate became the site of the Indian Army’s tomb of the unknown soldier, known as the Amar Jawan Jyoti. The 42 meter high archway is made of red stone and has the name “INDIA” written on both sides. More than 70,000 names of soldiers are also inscribed on the arch. The archway is located on the Rajpath in New Delhi. This monument is surrounded by lawns, children’s park and a boat club. Locals and tourists gather near the India Gate and spend their evenings in leisure.

Akshardham Temple

This 100 acres of sprawling Hindu temple is visited by thousands of people every day. Within this temple, under the central dome, the statue of Bhagwan Swaminarayan is erected, which is 11-foot high. This statue is surrounded by other similar statues of the gurus of the sect. This is a popular tourist spot. The temple was inaugurated in 2005. You can enjoy programmes in the IMAX theater as well as the musical fountain along with Swaminarayan temple in this Akshardham complex in Delhi.

Near By Delhi

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary Located at the distance of 180 kms from New Delhi Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is suitable for outing at the weekends. If you love adventure Bharatpur, the pride of Rajasthan, is the perfect place to go if you love to watch exotic birds frolicking away in their natural habitat. The sanctuary boasts of the title of a World Heritage

Site. Dehradun Dehradun, being the capital city of Uttaranchal, is visited by many people.Dehradun, also known as the Doon Valley, is situated in the state of Uttaranchal. Lying at the foothills of the Shivalik ranges in India, the city is said to have been founded by Guru Dronacharya (as per the Hindu Epic of Mahabharata). Delhi to Dehradun is 245 km and takes about 6 hrs by road.

Mussoorie Mussoorie, ‘Queen of Hills’, is a scenic town situated in Uttaranchal – at a distance of mere 35 km from the capital city of Dehradun and 290 km from delhi by road. The pine-covered slopes of the hill resort, combined with the exquisite views of the surrounding snow-clad mountains, make it one of the popular weekend getaways. Mussoorie is one the beautiful hill stations in India and the most frequently visited.

Dhanaulti Dhanaulti is 325 km from Delhi (an 8-9 hour drive) and 25 km from Mussoorie.Situated amidst misty and dreamy surroundings, in the Garhwal Hiils, is the pictorial town of Dhanaulti. The lush greenery, comprising of soaring tress of deodar, rhododendron and oak, makes the hill station look like a painting created by Almighty himself. Dhanaulti Hills is one of those places with beauty that remains etched in your memory forever.

Haridwar One of the few places in India that seem to be infused with the holy spirit, Haridwar lies at the foot of the Himalayas. It stands sprawled over the west bank of Ganges, in which one dip is said to wash away all the sins of a person. Delhi to Haridwaris 220 km and takes about 6 hrs by road.

Rishikesh Located amidst the reaches of the lower Himalayas, Rishikesh is a small town that enchants its visitors. It is located hardly 25 km from the holy city of Haridwar and is regarded as the Gateway to the Char Dhams.Rishikesh is easily accessible by bus from Delhi. It is 6 hours (250 kms) journey.

Corbett National Park Corbett is situated about 290 km northeast of Delhi, in Uttaranchal province. Jim Corbett National Park is one of the most popular protected areas of India. Located in the state of Uttaranchal, at the foothills of Himalayas, the national park has its inception dating back to the year 1936.

Nainital Nainital : (Uttaranchal)-320 kms North-East of Delhi. Nainital, the beloved of the British, is blessed with scenic natural splendor. Nainital – the mere mention of the name brings the thought of cool breezes, mesmerizing locales, snow-capped mountains and serene lakes. Nestled amidst the hills in Uttaranchal, the hill station has an altitude of around 1900m.

Shimla Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, is one of the most popular hill stations in India. Perched at an altitude of approximately 2100 m above sea level, at the foothills of Shivalik, this quaint little town boasts of striking beauty.

How to reach delhi

AIR : Delhi is well connected with domestic and international flights, to all the major cities within and outside India. Almost all the major airlines have their flights operating from Indira Gandhi International Airport of New Delhi. As mentioned, Delhi is connected to all the major cities in the world through Airways. Regular flights are available to almost all the European capitals and cities of prominence. Delhi is also well connected to the rest of India with domestic flights. Delhi has two airports to cater the needs of commuters, Indira Gandhi International Airport and Palam Domestic Airport.

RAIL : Delhi is connected to all the major cities of India through broad gauge as well as meter gauge railway tracks. Direct trains are available to Delhi from nearly all the major tourist points. Make it a point to book tickets in advance, as there is heavy rush round the year.

Road :Being the capital city of India, Delhi is connected to the rest of India through well-maintained, 8/6-laned expressways. Various State transportation corporation buses ply to and from the city. The major service providers are Himachal, Utter Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan Roadways corporations. Besides Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) also ply inter-state buses. Moreover DTC also has a biweekly service to Pakistan. This bus connects Delhi with its sister city Lahore.

Local transport :Buses One of the cheapest modes of transport in Delhi consists of the local buses. Taxis are easily available in Delhi for hiring purposes. Auto Rickshaws fall in between taxis and buses. Radio Cabs facility is also available in delhi now.

Delhi Metro The local transportation of Delhi boasts of the relatively introduced Delhi Metro. Metro has still not reached all the parts of Delhi but it is under construction and some of the routes have been completed and are already operational. The fare of Metro is quite reasonable and the journey amounts to a pleasurable experience.

Facts about delhi

Area: 1,483 sq km Population : 9.4 million Main Languages : Hindi, Urdu, English & Punjabi Telephone area code : 011 Best time to visit : October to March Weather : Summers are hot with the temperature rising up to 45 oC and the winters are also quite cold with temperature dropping as low as 5 oC.

Image Gallery

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Check out Glorious Holidays In Gwalior

Title: Glorious Holidays In Gwalior

Link: http://www.go2holiday.com/glorious-holidays-in-gwalior/



Gwalior-Fort-MP-
If you want to see examples of the traditional antiques of a royal family, visit Gwalior. Known for its rich cultural heritage, the city of Gwalior has played an integral role in Indian history from ancient times, through the medieval era, and later during the Moghul and British colonial rule. The bustling city atop a hill, is dominated by the Gwalior fort which has been the battleground for many struggles for power. Gwalior with its famous fort held a strategic position in the region of north India.
The city
was the capital of the ruling kingdom and the principality of the Maharajas of Scinidia. When you arrive in Gwalior, you need to visit Gwalior Fort and the
city Palace of Scinidia, which houses traditional antiques of the royal family.

 Gwailor, Ek Patthar ki Bavadi (Gopachal Parvat)
The strategically important fort at Gwalior dominates
the city
and for centuries it controlled one of the major routes between
north and south
India
. Its history goes back to 2000 years, with rock inscriptions from the 5th century still to be found. From the 12th century control of
the fort and surrounding area passed through a succession of Muslim, Tomar Rajput, Afghan, Mughal and finally Maratha rulers. During the 12th century Qutb-ud-din Aibak was the first ruler to hold it but eventually the Tomars took possession. It was under Man Singh who came to power in 1486 that many of the great battlements and interior palaces were built. After a short period of control by Lodhis, the first Mughal emperor took over
the fort
, and described it as a
“Pearl among the fortresses of Hind”. During the collapse of Mughal empire, the Scindia line of Marathas conquered the area in 1754. The British took control of it during the Maratha wars and held it for 30 years after capturing the Rani of Jhansi within its walls in 1858.

Place To See In Gwalior

Gwalior_Fort_india
Gwalior Fort
: The city’s most renowned landmark Positioned at a height of 100m above the main town of Gwalior around 3 kms in length, this staggering citadel dominates the skyline of the place and is acknowledged as the most impregnable fort in the whole of Central and Northern
India
.

The fort
was built by
Raja Man Singh Tomar as a token of love for his wife, in the 15th century,The great Mughal Emperor Babur reputedly quote it as, “The pearl in the necklace of the forts of Hind”.
The fort
is girdled by sandstone walls and stretches over an area of 3 sq km. It houses three temples, six palaces and a large number of water tanks. Among the temples are the beautifuly adorned ‘Sas Bahu Ka Mandir’, Sikh Gurudwara, Jain Temple which has been also been praised as a mosque and the Teli-ka-Mandir. The massive fortress of the Gwalior fort signifies the manifold dynasties of Mughals, Tomars, Britishers and Scindias.This fort have seen the the life of the Buddhist saint Lord Buddha and anecdotes related to the spread of Buddhism. The Chinese dragons that have been crafted at the hilt of the pillars depicts the mutual trade between China and
India
.



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Thursday, July 2, 2009

Holidays In City Of Nawabs - Lucknow

Title: Holidays In City Of Nawabs – Lucknow

Link: http://www.go2holiday.com/holidays-in-city-of-nawabs-lucknow/



On your Incredible India Holiday, if you wish to spend some time in royal nawab culture, monuments of architectural  of Mughal empire and eat some nawabi style cuisine, with various kinds of biryanis, kebabs and breads, then you must go to
holidays
to

Lucknow
, ‘the city of Nawabs’.


Lucknow
city is popularly known as the
‘the city of Nawabs’. Situated on the banks of the river Gomti, it dates back to the time of the Suryavanshi dynasty.
Lucknow
, the
capital of Uttar Pradesh, was founded by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula. In the olden times, it served as the capital of the nawabs of Awadh and it is one of the reasons why it is also called as the city of the Nawabs. The era of the Nawabs bestowed Lucknow with the courteous culture as well as mouthwatering delicacies for which it is famous today. Travel to
Lucknow
with us to find more information on this interesting city!

Speciality of Lucknow

Dum_Biryani_Plate
The Awadh region has its own distinct Nawabi style cuisine, with various kinds of biryanis, kebabs and breads.
The city
has a range of fine
restaurants catering to all tastes and budgets. Makkhan Malai, ‘Malai Ki Gilori’ of Ram Asrey (an oldest shop of pure ghee sweets, established in 1805) Chowk , the famous Tundey Kebabs, named after the one-armed chef Haji Murad Ali and ‘Kakori kebabs’ are very popular with food lovers. The Chaat in

Lucknow
is one of the best in the country. There are quite a few places serving outstanding chaat, like Shukla Chaat and Moti Mahal in Hazratganj, Radhey Lal in Aliganj, Chhappan Bhog in Sadar and Neel Kanth in Gomti Nagar. After a delicious dinner, one can have Paan at any of the innumerable Paan vendors

Place to visit in Lucknow

Bada-Imbarra-Lucknow
Bara Imambara –
The Bada Imambada or Asafi Imambada (Imambada: patriarch’s place) is an important tourist attraction of
Lucknow
. this is a religious building belonging to the Shia muslim sect. the complex comprises magnificent buildings, including the splendid Imambara, an impressive mosque, and a complicated maze known as Bhulbhulaiya, which is a major attraction of the Imambara complex. The Bara Imambara is said to have been commissioned by Asaf-ud-Daula inn 1784 as part of his famine relief programme.

Rumi-Darwaza-Lucknow-india
Rumi Darwaza –
Apart from the Bada Imambada, Asaf-ud-Daula also built the great Roomi Darwaza as a relief work during the famine of 1783, this magnificent gateway is one of the most impressive gateways in India. It is one of the major tourist attractions of
Lucknow
, and features prominently in all guidebooks about
Lucknow
.  Said to be a facsimile of one of the gates of Constantinople, this soaring edifice, which is 60 feet high, can match any similar structure in point of beauty and splendor.



Chota-Imbarra-Lucknow-india
Chota Imambara –
The Hussainabad or Chota Imambada is an exquisite building built by Nawab Muhammad Ali Shah in 1839 as a burial place for himself. Chota Imambada has the tombs of Mohammed Ali Shah and his family members, the former being the builder of the structure. . The beautiful Imambada, reflected in the placid water of the tank is one of the prettier sights in
Lucknow
. On either side of the courtyards stand a miniature version of the Taj Mahal.

The-Residency,-Lucknow,-Ind
The Residency –
The red building is today in a dilapidated state and marks of cannon shots can be seen on almost every wall. The Residency was built in 1800 by  last Nawabs of the state Nawab Saadat Ali Khan for the British Resident at his court. Originally a very extensive and beautiful building, it received heavy shelling during 1857, when the First War Of Indian Independence took place.The residency saw brutal action during the 1857 revolt, when a lot of lives were lost here.



Sikander-Bagh
Sikandar Bagh –
this garden was built in early 19th century and later used as the summer palace by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the last ruler of Oudh who was deposed by the British East India Company. The garden was also the sight of fierce fighting during the 1857 revolt.


Lucknow
has several well-kept parks that attract the citizenry in large numbers on evenings,
holidays
and weekends. The bigger parks are Ambedkar Memorial and Lohia park in Gomti Nagar, Swarn Jayanti park and Aurobindo Park in Indiranagar, Dilkusha Park, Begum Hazrat Mahal Park, Globe Park, Mukherjee Phuhaar, Haathi Park, Buddha park, and Neebu Park. The sprawling National Botanical Garden at Sikandarbagh on
the banks
of Gomti river is also worth visiting.

The city
also has a Reserve Forest, Kukrail Crocodile Park (a picnic spot and Gharial rehabilitation centre). Moosa Bagh and Utretia are other popular picnic spots.


The city
is also home to many other interesting structures and gardens, including –


·  Chattar Manzil,

·  Qaiser Bagh palace,

·  La Martiniere College,

·  State Museum

·  Aurangzeb’s mosque.

Places Around Lucknow

Nawabganj Lake : Located at a distance of 40 kilometers form
Lucknow
is the Nawabganj Lake. It is a colorful bird sanctuary. There is a motel run by the Tourist Department.

Kukrail : Fifteen kilometers from
Lucknow
is Kukrail, developed as a picnic spot by the Forest Department. There is a deer farm and a crocodile nursery. A children’s park, cafeteria, and a rest house have also been built to facilitate the visitors here. One can see spotted deer, black buck, sambhar, and a variety of birds in their natural abode.

Chinhat Picnic Pavilion : At a distance of 15 kilometers from
Lucknow
is the Chinhat Picnic Pavilion. There is a rest house by the side of Kathauta Lake. One can also visit the neighborhood Chinhat pottery units.

Best Time To Visit Lucknow


Lucknow
is a wonderful place and can be visited just about anytime through the year. However, the best time to visit
Lucknow
is usually from October to March. This is usually the peak season for
Lucknow
travel. The weather in
Lucknow
varies from time to time and there are some extremities in the climatic conditions also. Although there is no answer as such for describing the ideal time to visit
Lucknow
, one usually visits
Lucknow
during the months of October to March

How to reach Lucknow

Air: Air access to
Lucknow
is very convenient nowadays. A large number of domestic airlines operate regular flights to the
Lucknow
airport, which is located about 15 kilometers from
the city
. The airport can be reached easily from
the city
by availing many modes of transport.

Rail:
Lucknow
is well connected with the rest of the country by a large number of trains, including some of the best known passenger trains operating in Northern India, including the New Delhi bound superfast Shatabdi Express. Some other trains passing through
Lucknow
include – the Sadhbhavna Express, Shramajivi Express, Neelachal Express, Awadh Assam Express, and Shaheed Express. There are two major railway juctions in
the city
, namely the Charbagh, and

Lucknow
Junctions, which lie side by side.

Bus Services: Road transportation in
Lucknow
is very well maintained, except in some congested parts of
the city
.
The city
can be reached conveniently from the major cities of

Uttar Pradesh
and Northern India. The national highways, NH 24, 25 and 28 pass through
the city
. Distances from some of the
major cities
are given below.


Delhi :   497 km, Agra :   363 km,Allahabad :   238 km,  Dehradun :   582 km, Kanpur :   77 km , Varanasi :   300 km.

Facts About Lucknow

Temperature: Summer- Max 47.7°C, Min 24.9°C

Winter- Max 24.5°C, Min 9.1°C

Area: 310 sq km

Altitude: 123 meters above sea level

Rainfall: 972 mm. average yearly

Language: Hindi, Urdu, and English


Lucknow
STD Code (Area Code):
0522