Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

The one-time summer capital of the British, Shimla is a gorgeous hill station in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Located at an average height of 2,200 meter, Shimla is unique with its unparalleled glittering beauty. Set in the midst of impressive hills and dense jungles this hill town has its own charm. Its elegant streets, plummeting torrents and salubrious climate make it a thriving hotspot for honeymooners. Shimla is also the kick off point for the rest of Himachal, with well-knit roads.

This erstwhile Nepalese state Syamala, gained prominence as the most sought after hill station under the auspices of the progressive British officers who had acquired its control in the year 1819. The snow-capped mountains, quaint surroundings and the mighty formations of Victorian style that dot the city, reverberates the colonial texture of the city. 

It is not just the substantiation of some grand monuments and colonial architecture that Shimla offers, it is also home to the most pleasing meanders and panoramic views that attract adventure enthusiasts and honeymooners alike. 

Like the other Indian cities, fairs and festivals are the highlights of Shimla tourism. The awesome British populations of the yester years make Christmas a fanfare of the valley. The most significant event in the valley is the Summer Festival organized by the Government in the month of June, which showcases the rich culture and tradition of the Himalayan states. This largest fun fare of the hilly states grabs people with the colorful performances of folk dancers and other activities based on the rich rustic tradition. 

In Autumn, Shimla looks gorgeously beautiful and when the days are balmy and dazzling and the night’s crunchy and chilly. A typical hilly terrain with a picturesque countryside, wonderful climate and viable social standards, it is quite natural that this hill station has been acquired the status of a preferred and much loved picnic spot in India.

Visit amazing Shimla. Contact Shri Sai Travels for booking exclusive travel packages for Shimla and Shimla honeymoon packages

Source: http://www.mustseeindia.com/Shimla

Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Renowned as the queen of valleys, this beautiful hill station in the lower Himalayas is close knit with the legendary law giver of ancient India, Manu. It is believed that, Manali is the place where the ark of Manu found its resting after a great flood. Manali, which literally means the abode of Manu, has got remarkable significance in the ethnic culture and tradition of India. 

With skyscraping mountains bounded by blizzards and deep rock spread ravines Manali presents a distinguished holiday spot for all. The chunky afforests with cool gentle winds, vast expansion of meadows, small quaint settlements and lovely orchards, give a majestic look to the serene ambiance of Manali. 

Besides the splendor of its natural vista, a lot of other interesting activities are in store in Manali. A trendy holiday spot, Manali offers outstanding opportunities in mountaineering, trekking and skiing. The unexplored hilly route to the adjacent valleys is an awe inspiring experience. 

With scores of artifacts, the malls and other shops of Manali offer a delightful shopping experience to tourists. Gifted with breathtaking sceneries, Manali serves as a perfect place for those who want to be in the midst of blossoming greens and valley views. 

Contact www.shrisaitravels.com for booking exotic Manali package tours and honeymoon packages for Manali

Source: http://www.mustseeindia.com/Manali

Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, arguably a city that embodies romance & beauty, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir; perfectly placed in the center of the Kashmir Valley is aptly called the Venice of the East. Srinagar literally meaning 'the city of wealth & abundance' in Sanskrit, was founded around 150 AD by King Pravarasen II. Situated on the banks of the river Jhelum, Srinagar is surrounded by beautiful lakes like Dal, Nagin and Anchar, whose glittering waters reflecting the rays of the sun is a sight to behold. Its vividly vibrant & beautiful houseboats sailing along the scenic Dal Lake against the backdrop of the majestic Himalayan snow clad mountains makes Srinagar a dream destination for every traveler.

Not only known for its beauty, Srinagar also has a special place in the history of ancient India. Excavations carried out here have identified many valued evidences of ancient settlements dating back to 5,000 years. The artifacts collected from the excavation are displayed in Srinagar museum, which include arrowheads, animal skeletons, implements, tools and pots from the Neolithic age. 

Irrespective of the season, Srinagar attracts tourists throughout the year to enjoy its snow clad mountains, colors of fall & greenery of the summers. Dal Lake, the largest lake, spread across 26 sq.km is home to the maximum number of houseboats & Shikara's. No trip to Kashmir is complete without a stay on one of its luxurious house boats & a boat ride on a 'Shikara' along the pristine lake. 

While the winters offers visitors the beauty of snow clad mountains & crisp, chilly winter breeze; summers showcases the plethora of colors on the canvas of nature from deep greens, to autumn browns & deep oranges.

Some of Srinagar's best kept natural beauties is at the sprawling Mughal Gardens - which houses the Shalimar Bagh & Nishat Bagh. Lake side views, magnificent sunsets, floating markets, verdant greens, authentic Kashmiri cuisine & hospitable locals are just some of the reasons why tourists from all over the globe flock to this 'Paradise on Earth'.

Some of the must see places in this splendid lake side city include the well laid out Mughal Gardens, the pristine Dal Lake, enjoy a relaxing Shikara ride, bow down at the Shankaracharya temple, indulge in shopping for the famous Pashmina shawls and Kashmiri handicrafts & last but not the least, enjoy some adrenaline rushing activities like skiing, trekking, white water rafting, paragliding, camping and Kayaking.

Enjoy a fun filled vacation in Srinagar. Contact Shri Sai Travels to book Kashmir tourism packages and honeymoon package for Kashmir

Source: http://www.mustseeindia.com/Srinagar

Usta Kaam – Gesso Painting

The craft derives its name from its makers, the Usta, a community of craftsmen who migrated from Multan in Pakistan to the mughal court at Delhi and later, on being invited by Raja Rai singh, to Bikaner.

Gesso painting is also known as Nakashi art at its origination place. The technique was used to ornament the walls, pillars and ceilings of Bikaner’s Junagadh Fort and Anup Mahal with resplendent golden motifs of delicate floral and animal forms, often set against detailing in radiant colours. During the time of British in India, Nakashi work on camel leather became popular. Camel hide was light and unbreakable, and saddles and bags that were commonly used for transporting water became common bases for Nakashi work in this desert kingdom and adjoining areas. Leather work is an old craft in India that began as a cottage industry, and continues, in large parts, as such.Leather work as a cottage industry functioned with different groups performing different roles in the preparation of the leather, and in crafting products from leather. The fact that India has a very large livestock population has contributed in no mean way to the prolific output and continuity of this craft.

The craft process begins with the making of a clay mould on which a piece of previously cleaned and softened camel hide is stretched. The piece is dried in the sun for a maximum of 48hours before the mould is removed. Then begins the akbara, or design making process, wherein the pattern is embossed onto surface using a paste of powdered bricks mixed with jiggery and fenugreek seed powder. The coloured are first painted in, followed by gold detailing and thin black outlines that serve to define the motifs and background. Finally, the ground colour, usually red and green, is applied and the entire surface is coated with traditionally prepared varnish called chandras. The most popular gesso compositions at Bikaner is the taarabandi , a star studded sky and naqqashi, a pattern of minute flowers and motifs.

Contact Rajasthan travel agents to visit the incredibly beautiful state of Rajasthan. You can also extend your tour with a Golden triangle tour with the trip

Source: http://forhex.org/usta-kaam-%E2%80%93-gesso-painting

Sam Sand Dunes in Rajasthan

Sam Sand DunesAddress:Thar Desert, JaisalmerReport a map errorLatitude / Longitude: 26.91273, 70.79933This most picturesque spot around Jaisalmer has silken smooth sands look like a tale out of the Merchant of Venice and camel safaris are much in vogue. 3km long, 1km wide and as much as half a kilometer high, the dunes are as treacherous as they are scenic. If you opt for a camel ride stay very close to your raika (guide) as only he can maneuver you through the quicksand, which has sucked many an unwary goat to its gruesome death. There is no vegetation here and the swirling winds are almost as intense as the khamsins (sandstorms) in the Sahara.

The time comes to a grinding halt when you lie in the setting sun listening to the ballads of the legendary lovers Moomal and Mahendra (for details see- Moomal Ki Meri) on the Jew’s harp or the narh (a traditional musical instrument). Sleeping under the uncovered star-studded sky is an out of the world experience that makes one fall in love with the haunting beauty of the dunes.  

Open-air cultural extravaganzas, puppet shows, folk dance performances, camel races, competitions and general festivities organized amid these dunes every year, gives a spark of life to the desert, turning the place into a cultural hub. The old ruins and the various temples are again not to be missed. 

Specifically, trip to the Thar Desert is incomplete without visiting the Sam Sand Dunes- an aura of romance in solitude.

Book a Jaisalmer holiday package or a Golden Triangle trip with Rajasthan and enjoy the beauty of the Thar Desert

Source: http://www.mydestination.com/rajasthan/things-to-do/132755/sam-sand-dunes

Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur

The Nahargarh Fort was built in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jaisingh II. As with the Jaigarh Fort, it was intended to provide additional protection for the Amber fort.

The fort's name has an interesting legend behind it. It is said that the original name of the fort was 'Sudarshangarh'. However, as work was on, excavating the area for the fort, the resting place of the saint Nahar Singhji Bhomia was disturbed, and his spirit began haunting the construction site. On advice from his spiritual preceptor, the king eventually changed the name of the fort to 'Nahargarh' after the saint, and also built a temple for him within the fort premises. It was only then that the haunting ceased and the work on the fort was able to continue! The fort might no longer be haunted, but this fort comes the closest to a haunted one in the area, as it was the only one which was completely deserted when we visited - as compared to the other forts which were packed with chattering tourists!

Nahargarh might not be among the more popular tourist destinations in Jaipur - there are too many with more interesting stories and monuments....We came here after our tour of Jaigarh, and Amber was planned for later in the day, so we didnt really have too much enthusiasm to explore this fort fully. However, what I did see of the fort was interesting enough to write about.. I would recommend a visit here if you are ever in Jaipur!

Book a tour package for Rajasthan or a Delhi Jaipur Agra trip and visit the exotic forts and palaces of Rajasthan. Another must visit Rajasthan forts is the Golden Fort of Jaisalmer

Source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/

The City Palace, Home to Royalty

The City Palace, is located in Udaipur India, Rajasthan. The City Palace was constructed by the then Maharana Udai Singh. As at present the City Palace Udaipur is one of the major tourist attractions in the city of Udaipur. Initial construction of the City Palace Udaipur was done in 1559. Over the subsequent years numerous additions have taken place to the City Palace. The city Palace is in fact a collection of many other palaces built by the various residents of the palace. The City Palace in Udaipur resides on the eastern banks of the Lake Pichola. From the magnificent balconies of the City Palace one can gaze and gain a panoramic view of the world renowned Lake Palace or the "Jag Niwas" as it is called. One can also gain a view of the Udaipur city and on another side the Jag Mandir.

The major entrance point to the City Palace Udaipur is through a triple arched gate, the gate is given the name Tripolia. The Tripolia at the City Palace in Udaipur was built in the year 1725. From here one can gain access to the courtyards, the terraces, the gardens and corridors. The vivid glass mosaic decorations on the walls of the Mor-Chowk give it the name Peacock courtyard. At the Bhin Vilas one can see depictions of the Hindu god Krishna.

Some of the other palaces include the Dilkhush mahal, Moti mahal and Sheesh mahal. The Krishna vilas was made in remembrance of a beautiful princess who tried to stop a battle between adversary princes for her hand by poisoning herself.

You can book Golden Triangle Tours India along with a trip to Rajasthan from the best Rajasthan tour operators and visit these exotic Indian cities

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-city-palace-home-to-royalty-745380.html

Ranthambore, Rajasthan

A tiny village that derives its name from two hills - Ran and Thambor, Ranthambhore in the state of Rajasthan is endowed with a magnificient environment. Its deciduous forests are rich in flora and fauna that inhabits a wide span of all species. A land, which boasts of a legendary history, was the stronghold of the Yadavas in the 8th century. Later in the 10th century, it came under rule of the mighty Chauhans, which continued as such till the Mughals acquired its possession. 

Rathambore is a dream destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Famed for its avid wildlife, Rathambore proffers a picturesque ambiance with rocky smudges, lovely hills, pretty lakes, ponds and beautiful ravines. Its rugged terrain and strategic location in the midst of Vindhya and Aravalli ranges makes it a perfect asylum for those estranged and exotic breeds in the Animal Kingdom. 

Rathambhore is famous for the Wildlife Sanctuary by the same name where one can witness the juxtaposition of wildlife, history and nature. Dotted with so many structures of the past, Ranthambhore offers the fabulous mixture of a heritage site as well as the magical charm of a rich wild life. The ruins of yesteryears, which are spotted through out the length and breadth of the forests give Rathambhore a unique and invigorating appeal. 

A pictorial place with extensive range of dazzling landscapes, Rathambhore offers something unusual to its visitors. The mesmerizing ride through the undulating grasslands, gushing streams, open scrubs, densely wooded valleys, deep ravines flanked by steep peaks would definitely provide one with a rejuvenating vigor. 

Ranthambhore would be the best place to squander if the traveler in you is quite proud of the rich legacy of an ancient township. Its majestic relics like the ruined pavilions, crumbling walls, wells, and other glittering edifices of kingships quench your thirst to be in the midst of a glorious past.

You can book travel packages to Rajasthan from best Rajasthan travel agencies. You can also extend your tour with a Desert Safari in Jaisalmer

Source: http://www.mustseeindia.com/Ranthambore

Golden Triangle Tour - Glimpse of the Diversities

India is the most celebrated historic tourism destination for the people all across the globe because of the diversities and the colors present in it. The golden triangle tour is one of the most amazing ways of absorbing most of the essence of north India. The golden triangle tour packages attracts everyone regardless of the age and it covers the most renowned touring circuits and it has everything for the amateur first timers, art lovers, luxury or budget travelers or even private tours. The tourist circuit of the Golden triangle includes the three main beautiful cities i.e. delightful Delhi, amazing Agra and jubilant Jaipur, which cover the most admiring tourist spots of the north India.

The Delhi Agra Jaipur tour package is generally of seven to ten days and they are enough to take the glimpse of the diversities and enjoy India. The three cities are a delightful to watch and under mentioned is the details of the three cities-

Delhi: The best part of the golden triangle tour packages is the capital hub of India since from the prehistoric days Delhi has set up a huge mark in the list of tourist spots because of the beautiful monuments and the fantastic forts there. The culture of Delhi is different because of the numerous dynasties, which ruled the city, and the monuments built then are still attractive. The Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Parliament house, India gate are some of the most famous places of the city. Each has their different importance and they make the Delhi Agra Jaipur tour very attractive and pleasant. The Red fort remind of the age of royalty, the Jama masjid which is one of the finest monuments of India and the Chandni Chowk which gives the glimpses of the residing place of the immortal Mahatma Gandhi adds to the attraction of the Golden triangle Tour packages.

Jaipur: The next stop of the golden triangle tour is the majestic city of Jaipur, the erstwhile city of royalty. Most of the buildings in this city were painted pink which beautified it and lead its name as the Pink City. The red stucco buildings, the Mahals, the forts and the different malls, which we get to see here is nowhere available in the world and they are delightful to watch. The Hawa Mahal, Jama Masjid, Jal mahal are some of the names but there are endless heart throbbing fantastic forts in the city.

Agra: The final destination of the Golden triangle tour packages is the lovely city Agra and whole world knows about the First Wonder of the World – the Taj Mahal. The city is though famous for the Taj Mahal but there are many more attractions as in the Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Buland Durwaza and many more are there to make the Delhi Agra Jaipur tour one of the best tours of India. The golden triangle tour packages cover the most beautiful parts of India and the circuit completes in Delhi thus giving the people an experience, which they will last forever.

Book your Delhi Agra Jaipur tour to visit these amazing destinations. You will be enthralled by a Golden Triangle Tour of India

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/golden-triangle-tour-glimpse-of-the-diversities-4739369.html

Golden Triangle Tour Cultural And Historical Tour of India

One of the most popular and fascinating tour of Northern India, the Golden Triangle Tour comprises the capital city Delhi, the beautiful city of Taj Mahal 'Agra' and the majestic royal capital of Rajasthan 'Jaipur'. This beautiful combination has been named golden triangle tour India because of the astonishing wealth of historical and cultural magnificence offered in each of these three cities.

Golden Triangle Tour  Can Be Cover in 3 Days or 4 Days or 5 Days or More. According To Me, You Should Spend 2 Days in Delhi, 2 Days in Agra, 3 Days in Jaipur, So That You Can See Everything Monuments And Attractions in These Places. There so Many Options With Golden Triangle Tour Like Golden Triangle Tour With Udaipur or Pushkar or Ranthambore or Ajmer or Gwalior or Orchha And Khajuraho Etc. All These Combinations are Very Popular. And Many More. I Feel These Websites are Very Good Because They Provide You the Proper Guideline For India Tours.Explore the historical and cultural magnificence of popular tourist places in India - Delhi, Agra & Jaipur with the single packaged Golden Triangle tour by India Travel Packages. If you love beaches, you can also include a break to Goa with our Golden triangle tour with Goa beaches. You will not stop yourself to visit these important and world famous monuments on your travel and tours in north India.

Delhi

Delhiis the destination of all seasons and all tourists irrespective of their taste. It is the capital of India renowned for monuments, museums, art galleries, architectural buildings, eating joints and bustling markets. This city is the juxtaposition of two different worlds namely Old Delhi and New Delhi. Old Delhi was once the capital of Islamic rulers. It is famous for its historical monuments like Red Fort, Jama Masjid, crumbling havelis and formidable mosques. New Delhi is the imperial city created during the reign of the British rule. The famous tourist attractions of this region are India Gate, Parliament House, zoological park and gardens.

Agra

Agra is the the most visited tourist destination of India because of the Taj Mahal. It is one of the seven wonders of the world situated on the bank of river Yamuna. This is the monument of immense love which was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The architecture of Taj Mahal is known for its perfect fusion of Indo-Islamic design and decorations.

Golden triangle tour is the most popular and affordable way to explore several world renowned monuments and places of India. It is one of the popular tour packages among tourists who come to India from several parts of the globe. Because of its popularity tour operators added number of other popular tourist destinations in this tour package. This customization provides an opportunity to tourists to explore several other enchanting tourist destinations of India.

Jaipur

Jaipur the pink city of India is famous for its enthralling forts and palaces, captivating havelis, colourful shop lanes and lively fairs and festivals. Large number of tourists come here to explore the leftover saga of Raj culture. The mind-blowing monuments of this place are a testimony to the glory of royal dynasties who ruled this place for centuries. The famous structures which are visited by large number of tourists are Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Amber Fort and Jantar Mantar. This fabulous city of India is also renowned for its number of fairs and festivals which add vibrancy to it. The Kite festival and elephant festival are two most popular festivals of Jaipur.

Visit Rajasthan Tour Packages  website or Rajasthan tour operator for booking Golden Triangle Tours of India.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/hotels-articles/golden-triangle-tour-cultural-and-historical-tour-of-india-5497807.html