Srinagar -- the magnificent Lake City
Srinagar- The Valley of Houseboats is the capital city of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Mughals aptly called Kashmir and it was the peculiar beauty of the valley that attracted the Chinese, the Mughals and the British to it. It is the
largest town in Kashmir and is unique because of the Dal, Nagin and Anchar lakes and the charming rows of houseboats floating on them. It is located in the heart of the Kashmir valley at an altitude of 1,730 m above sea level, spread on both sides of the river Jhelum. The Dal and Nagin lakes enhance its picturesque setting, while the changing play of the seasons and the salubrious climate ensures that the city is equally attractive to visitors around the year.
Today Srinagar is a resort for the tourist who can experience, at first hand, the peculiar beauty of the valley that has attracted the Chinese, the Mughals and the British to it.
Its waterways with their own quaint lifestyle, the unique Houseboat, the blossoming
gardens, water sports activities, shopping for lovingly hand-crafted souvenirs and the nearby resorts make it a cherished spot among those looking for a memorable holiday.
Major Tourist Attractions in Srinagar
The Dal Lake
The Dal Lake is a prime tourist attraction of Srinagar. It is located on the eastern end of the city. The Dal Lake consists of a series of lakes, including the Nagin Lake
some 8 km from the city center. One can enjoy the panoramic view of the mountains surrounding Srinagar from this lake. Tourists coming to this place can enjoy taking a ride on traditional Kashmiri boats or the Shikaras to explore the intricate maze of waterways of this lake.The Mughal Gardens
The well laid Mughal gardens are another major attractions of Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir. The Shalimar Bagh and the Nishat Bagh are beautiful gardens located to the far eastern side of the Dal Lake. One can take a stroll through these green and attractive gardens and enjoy the beautiful waterworks within them.
The Temple of Shankaracharya
The temple of Shankaracharya is another important place to visit in Srinagar. Jaluka,
the son of emperor Ashoka, built this temple in the 3rd century BC.
Sharika Devi Temple
To the west of the city is the hill of Hari Parbat, on which is the temple of Sharika Devi, believed to be a form of Durga Mata or Shakti. The hill is considered sacred to the Hindus.
Kheer Bhavani
The Goddess Ragnya Devi symbolised as a sacred spring at Tula Mula village, 27 kms from Srinagar. It is believed that the goddess changes the color of the waters. The temple-spring complex is affectionately known as Kheer Bhavani. Devotees offer milk and kheer at this Durga mata temple, to the sacred spring that is said to change
colour when warning of disaster.Getting There
Air : Srinagar is well connected by air with Delhi. There is a daily flight to Delhi via Jammu by Indian airlines. There are weekly flights operated by Indian Airlines for Leh from Srinagar.
Rail : Srinagar does not have a railway station and the nearest railhead is Jammu Tawi, which is 305 km from Srinagar.
Road : Srinagar is well connected by road to important places like Chandigarh (630 km), Delhi (876 km), Jammu (298 km), Leh, Kargil, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam.
Tourist Reception Centre (TRC)
The Tourist Reception Centre (TRC), Srinagar is a unique, all-inclusive service, providing various tourist facilities within one complex. Besides housing the offices
of the State Department of Tourism and those of the J&K Tourism Development Corporation (J&K TDC), it has information counters on almost every activity connected with tourism. These include hotel and houseboat booking counters, Indian Airlines City booking office, booking of J&K TDC accommodation, transport, etc. Also located within the complex are the offices of the Fisheries Department from where fishing permits can be obtained. Next-door are the J&K Transport Corporation (J&KSRTC) booking offices from where bus tickets can be purchased, both for long distance travel and sightseeing trips. The State Bank of India and J&K Bank has a branch each within the TRC where foreign exchange transactions are also made. A post office and a Telecom Centre also function within the TRC for the benefit of the tourists.
Labels: Lakes, Northern India
posted by Rishil Babu @ 5:26 AM,
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Fascinating Heritage Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan.
INDIA a country so different from the rest in the world, a country which is blessed with Nature and a country which can boast of a lot of peace and tranquility entices every single individual in the world to pay a visit to this wonderful Mystical and
Mesmerizing place. And in this country, the state of Rajasthan is again a jewel in the necklace of this adventurous country India.Rajasthan is situated in the north part of the country and is most famous for its deserts. To the outer world, this state is basically famous for its vast deserts and rich cultural and traditional heritage and artifacts. Rajasthan is where all the country's similes and metaphors appear to have come together. Sand dunes, wooded hills and amazing lakes, palaces and rugged forts, men and women in colorful turbans and skirts, bustling towns and quiet villages, camels, elephants and tigers, harsh sunlight and the cool evening breeze - are all there in abundance.
But they form only part of an intricate tapestry. Beneath the surface, expect to find many contradictions. Where ever you travel, particularly when you escape from the popular tourist destinations you will come across the unexpected, whether it is a local fair or breathtaking view. The mood and the rhythm of the country side changes from one region to another, and from season to season. It is a land of surprises; it is a land of amazing natural beauty that can fascinate even the most seasoned traveller.
Here are some of the best Heritage Forts & Palaces of Rajasthan, a must visit tourist destinations
Bila Quila Fort, Alwar
This huge fort,constructed before the rise of the Mughal empire, stretchs 5 km from
north to south and 1.6 km from east to west, and stands 304 metres above the city and 595 metres above the sea level. This huge fort has 15 large and 51 small towers and 446 openings for musketry, along with 8 huge towers encompassing it.
Junagarh Fort, Bikaner
One of the most imposing forts of Northern India-- Junagarh Fort has remained unconquered till date. This fort was built in 15th century by one of the most able and trusted generals of Akbar, Raja Rai Singh.
City Palace, Alwar
The City Palace was built in 1793 A.D. by Raja Bakhtawar Singh. It represents a
intermingling of Rajput and Mughal stvles. It has graceful marble pavilions set on lotus flower bases in the central courtyard.Fateh Prakash Palace, Chittorgarh
Chittorgarh Fort is a massive structure with a 1 kilometre zigzag accent to it. The road leads through seven gates to the main gate Rampol (meaning Gate of Ram). On the climb between the second and third gate you see two Chattris cenotaphs built to honour Jaimull and Kulla heroes of 1568 siege by Emperor Akbar.
City Palace, Jaipur
Located in the heart of the walled city, The City Palace Complex gives you an idea about the far sightedness of the founder of Jaipur Sawai Jai Singh. He left behind a legacy of some of the most imposing and magnificent architecture, art and craft structure in the city. Jai Singh built the outer walls but its many buildings were built later and some of them date in the twentieth century too.
Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer
Known as SONAR QUILA or the Golden fort, rising from the sand , the mega structure
merges with the golden hues of the desert ambience and the setting suns in its most colourful shades gives it a fairy tale look.Lake Palace, Udaipur
The Lake Palace is located on the Jag Niwas Island and covers the whole of 1.5 hectare of the island in the middle of the Pichola Lake. Built by Maharana Jagat Singh in 1743 it was meant as a royal summer palace and now converted in to a five star palace hotel.
How to Reach:
International Airport : Jaipur is the only International Airport in Rajasthan and only daily international flight of Indian Airlines from Dubai. The infrastructure at the airport is being upgraded so that more international airlines open Jaipur as their destination.
AIR
Rajasthan has airports at Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur, while the airport at Jaisalmer opens from 1st October to 31st March. Government run airline Indian Airlines and private airline Jet Airways operate daily services to all airports in Rajasthan from New Delhi and Mumbai. The domestic airport at New Delhi and Mumbai are located near the international airport and flight to Rajasthan operates from domestic airports only.
TRAIN
India has one of the worlds biggest railway services network managing over 60,000 kms of track and transporting over 11 million passengers every day. Indian railways are an efficient service and reliable and cheap means of transport. A variety of services like the super fats, mail, express, inter city and country passenger services are offer to choose from. The services are also classified for comfort in travel like the most luxurious in air-conditioned first class. Most of the trains offer air-condition service in other classes also two tier, three tier and chair car.More Quality Links available below.
Labels: Forts, Heritage, Northern India, Palaces
posted by Rishil Babu @ 12:19 AM,
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