FACTS & FIGURES
Area
2.25 sq km
Language
Hindi, Braj, and English
Best time to visit
October to March
STD Code
0565
LOCATION
Vrindavan is situated in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh around 151 km south of Delhi. It extends latitude 27°33¢ in the North to longitude 77°44¢ in the East. The place is just 10 km off Mathura, the place where Lord Krishna is said to have spent his childhood. Vrindavan is situated on the New Delhi-Chennai and New Delhi-Mumbai main railway line. A meter-gauge line connects Vrindavan to Mathura. There are quite a good number of passenger trains plying between these two places.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Being a part of the Gangetic plain, Vrindavan faces extreme climate with hot and humid summer and chilly winter. The maximum temperature during the summer can reach a high of around 45°C and a low of around 5°C during the winters. Monsoon reaches this region in the first week of July and continues till the second week of September. The ideal season to visit Vrindavan is during winters (October to mid-March).
HISTORY
The name 'Vrindavan' is said to have been derived from 'Vrinda', another name for the sacred tulsi (basil) plant. A legend has it that the entire place was a tulsi grove at one time. According to another tradition, it was named after Vrinda Devi, one of Krishna's playmates. Whatever may be the case, Vrindavan is primarily a place of temples. Nearly 4,000 in number, which include several private shrines and sattras (houses for the distribution of alms), they are spread on a 10 km stretch. The earliest known shrine in Vrindavan is said to have been built by the local gosains in a large garden called Nidhiban, later named Seva Kunj. According to tradition, Emperor Akbar was taken blindfolded inside the grove where he had some kind of a spiritual experience. As a result, he acknowledged the spot as being holy ground. The four temples that were built in honour of his visit are Govind Deva, Madan Mohan, Gopinath, and Jugal Kishore. The first is an impressive edifice built in red sandstone. Architecturally this temple is one of the finest in North India. The beautiful tower that exists has lost some of its upper stories. A mutilated inscription on one of its walls records that Raja Man Singh of Amber built the temple in 1590. At the time of Aurangzeb, the principal image was removed from Vrindavan to Jaipur.
However, apart from its history, what keeps Vrindavan alive in the popular imagination of the people is its rich legend and mythology. Vrindavan is considered the place where Lord Krishna spent his early childhood. It was here that Krishna indulged in adolescent pranks with the gopis (milkmaids) in the forests and stealing their clothes while they bathed in the river. Little now remain of the legendary forests and the river has meandered away from most of Vrindavan's bathing ghats, but the Krishna effect is still there in the large number of pilgrims visiting this town.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
The Pagal Baba Temple has eleven stories in all and is one of the more modern pieces of architecture. The temple's creator, Pagal Baba, died only a few years ago. His infectious spirit lingers on in the playfulness of his disciples who are ready to welcome one into the temple interior. It is possible to ascend to the ninth story if the monsoon heat and one's constitution allows.
One of the most important and vibrant temples is the Bankey Bihari Temple, where one can expect to see devotees engaged in simple acts of worship such as ecstatically clashing small cymbals together as they move in time to ancient rhythms. The Bankey Bihari Temple houses a sacred image of Krishna known as Thakkur Ji, which shows Krishna with an almost blackened body. Devotees enter the shrine room carrying garlands of flower petals and offer them to the spirit of the statue as Brahmins move back and forth in front of the icon, occasionally drawing across the curtain to shroud the object of devotion for a moment.
The Govind Dev Temple was built in 1590 by Raja Man Singh and now lies empty, its upper layers having been torn down during the time of the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb, who doubtless considered the place one of idolatry. What remains of this red sandstone edifice is impressive. If one takes the time to examine the artwork and in particular, the vaulted ceiling, one may experience a lot of the devotional fire that inspired it in the first place.
The Rangaji Temple dates from 1851 and is a mixture of architectural styles, including a Rajput entrance gate, a soaring south Indian gopuram (gateway tower), and an Italianate colonnade.
One of the most impressive temples is the ISKCON Temple, which was built with funds from devotees overseas. Here, the marble buildings almost glow with a light of their own and there is evidence of intricate carving.
PLACES AROUND VRINDAVAN
Mathura is the place where according to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna born. The place is closely linked with many episodes in the early life of Krishna. The main places to visit are Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi, Vishram Ghat, Sati Burj, Kans Qila, Jama Masjid, Dwarkadheesh Temple, and the Archeological Museum.
Gokul and Mahaban nearby are the places where Krishna was secretly raised. Thousands of pilgrims visit these places during the birthday festival of Lord Krishna (Janmashtami) in July/August.
Barsana is the place where Krishna's consort Radha was born. The place is especially interesting during the festival of Holi when the women of Barsana attack the men of nearby village Nandgaon with sticks and play the Lathmar Holi.
An eighteenth-century stronghold of the Jat rajas with its picturesquely contrived garden-cum-water palaces, Deeg is a popular tourist rendezvous today. It is situated around 21 km off Vrindavan.
Agra, the capital of great Mughals and city of Taj Mahal is around 67 km off Vrindavan.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Celebrations are, in fact, a way of life in Vrindavan. Any occasion is a time to celebrate and remember the name of God. Chanting of the names of Radha and Krishna, dancing, singing, etc., are the ways that are considered to take a devotee from this physical world to the heavenly abode. Janmashtami in the months of July/August is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Krishna and thousands of devotees throng the place from all over the country. Holi is also celebrated with as much enthusiasm.
Almost everyday there is a festival in Vrindavan, but the major ones include Govardhan Puja, Guru Poornima, Holi, Govardhan Puja, Jhulan Yatra (swing festival), Radhashtami, and Basant Panchami.
WHERE TO STAY
There are not many options for accommodation in Vrindavan barring some hotels and rest houses. The place does have around 200 dharamshalas where one can stay, but the services are very simple or nonexistent. There are many ashrams also that provide accommodation to the devotees.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - The nearest airport is Agra around 67 km away from Vrindavan. There are regular flights to other important tourist destinations of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, and Khajuraho. The nearest international airport is Delhi, which is connected to almost every important city in the world with major airlines.
BY RAIL - Though Vrindavan itself is a railway station, the major railway station nearby is Mathura on the Delhi-Chennai and Delhi-Mumbai main line. Several express trains connect Mathura from other major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Agra.
BY ROAD - Vrindavan is connected to Mathura and all other places of interest in Braj. We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about tourism in Vrindavan. Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make your visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.
Showing posts with label Tourism of Uttar Pradesh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tourism of Uttar Pradesh. Show all posts
Friday, July 18, 2008
VARANASI
FACTS & FIGURES
Area
104.82 sq km
Language
Hindi & English
Best time to visit
October to March
STD Code
0542
LOCATION
Varanasi (also Benaras) is located in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and extends latitude 25°20' N and longitude 83°00' E. Sandwiched between the rivers Varuna and Ashi as they join the Ganges, Varanasi takes its name from its location. It is also called Kashi, the city of light, but the British, in an endeavor to simplify matters, had coined their own name for the place-Benaras. For a relatively short period, while under Mughal rule, Varanasi was also known as Muhammadabad. Modern-day Varanasi is situated along the west bank of the Ganges (also Ganga) and extends into a myriad collection of narrow lanes that form an integral part of it. The city winds itself around these vines of communication, stretching from one ghat to the other.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Because of its proximity to the Tropic of Cancer, Varanasi enjoys a pleasant winter with a daytime temperature of around 20°C. The temperature can touch a low of around 10°C in late December and January with heavy fog in the early part of the day. October-November and February-March are usually comfortable and sunny.
The summer season is, however, harsh in Varanasi. Beginning in April and continuing through June, it is extremely dry and daytime temperatures often climb up to as high as 45°C.
The monsoon season, which starts by late June or early July, brings torrential rains and high humidity to the city. By late September, however, the weather returns to a comfortable level.
HISTORY
Almost midway in its long journey from the slopes of the mighty Himalayas to the inflamed shore of Bay of Bengal, the muddy waters of the Ganges flow by a city that is five centuries older than Christ. The city finds mention in the great epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. It was already an old city when Rome was founded, and was a flourishing center of trade when Buddha came to Sarnath, some 10 km away, to preach his first sermon in 500 BC. It is a city of temples and for more than 2,500 years, it has attracted pilgrims from near and far. According to Hindu belief, Benaras or Varanasi as it is known, is the cosmic center of the Universe. The renowned American novelist Mark Twain once wrote, "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together."
Down the ages, Varanasi has stood as a symbol of Hindu renaissance. Swathed in an aura of history, religion, and tradition, Varanasi preserved the rituals and traditions of Hindu philosophy. From a time stretching beyond human memory, pilgrims from distant lands have come to Varanasi in search of divine blessings.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
The numerous ghats along the bank of the Ganges present a varied scene from dawn to dusk. A ghat is a series of well-paved steps that lead to the water. A ghat in Varanasi usually has small temples built into its side, while the larger structures, housing the powerful gods and goddesses from the Hindu pantheon, form a formidable backdrop to the serene beauty of the meandering river. These ghats numbering more than a hundred, with their entourage of temples, form the axis on which the city developed. For centuries, the Hindus considered it very auspicious to bathe at the ghats of Varanasi. Everyday at dawn thousands of pilgrims can be seen offering salutations to the Sun God in waist-deep water, secure in their conviction that the muddy waters of the Ganges will wash away all the accumulated sins of their life. The oil lamps (diyas) and flowers set afloat on the river at dusk make a fascinating sight.
There are five important ghats in Varanasi where the pilgrims flock to take a bath-the Assi, Dasawamedha, Barnasangam, Panchganga, and Manikarnika. Each ghat has its own history and its own following. Many of the ghats were built and owned by the royal families of India; the Maharaja of Benaras built the Kali (or Sivala) Ghat, Maharaja Man Singh built the Mansarovar Ghat, while Ahilyabai Ghat is named after that legendary Queen Ahilyabai of Indore.
The best time to visit the ghats is at the break of dawn, when pilgrims perform the Surya Pranam immersed waist deep in the waters of the holy Ganges.
The best way to catch the essence of Varanasi is to travel down the Ganges by boat at six o'clock in the morning. Boats can be hired by the hour from the main steps of the Dasawamedha Ghat. The steady creek of ancient oars, the slap of wet garments, incessant chatter of the bathers amid a tinkling of scattered temple bells, watching Varanasi from the environs of a gently swaying boat is truly an experience worth treasuring.
Although Varanasi is famous as a Hindu pilgrimage center, one cannot ignore its distinct Muslim heritage. The powerful Sultans of Delhi and later the emperors of the Mughal dynasty were instrumental in constructing several mosques, and this predominantly Hindu city gradually attained a degree of cosmopolitanism. Aurangzeb, the last of the mighty Mughals, hastened this process of evolution and the mosques that he built still stand today. The great mosque of Varanasi, Gyanvyapi Masjid, has minarets towering 71 m above the Ganges and is an integral part of the city's skyline.
There is also the Golden Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple today sits across the road from its original site. The present temple was built in 1776 by Rani Ahilyabai, while three and a quarter ton of gold plating on the towers were provided by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Lahore. Next to the temple is the Well of Knowledge, where, as legend goes, the original Shiva lingam lies hidden.
There is another temple in this holy city-a temple dedicated not to the gods, but to Mother India. The Bharat Mata temple, as it is known, does not have idols or images of gods and goddesses: what it has is a marble relief map of Independent India. The father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, inaugurated the temple.
Benaras Hindu University is the largest residential university in Asia, a center of Sanskrit, Indian art, culture, and music. This university covers an area of 2000 acres, and was gifted by the king of Varanasi, a scholar of Sanskrit and Hindu philosopher himself. The university is around 10 km from the railway station.
Of the numerous temples that dot this ancient city, the important ones are the Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Vinayaka Temple, Annapurna Temple, Kal Bhairav, Jateshwar Mahadeo, and Maha Mritunjaya Temple.
PLACES AROUND VARANASI
A tourist to Varanasi must make it a point to visit the Ramnagar Fort and Sarnath, both situated on the outskirts of this city. The former, situated on the opposite bank of the Ganges, is the residential palace of the former Maharaja of Varanasi. The hall of public audience (Durbar Hall) and the royal museum housing collections of palanquins, elephant saddles, arms, furniture, costumes, etc., are of great interest. At the other end of the city is Sarnath. Here in the fabled deer park, where the Buddha preached his sermon enshrining the principles of his teaching into laws. There is a stupa and a large complex of ruined monasteries. Nearby also stands the Ashoka Pillar commemorating the Mauryan emperor's visit to the place more than 2,000 years back. The archeological museum located nearby holds a rich collection of items belonging to the Kushan and Gupta periods as well as from the Ashokan era.
One may also undertake quite a few enjoyable excursions from Varanasi. The fort of Chunar, about 37 km away, is famous for its close association with the Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri. Kusumi Forest (8 km) and the Rajdari and Deodari Falls in the Chandraprabha forest (70 km) are beautiful picnic spots.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
The festive magic never ends in Varanasi. If Poornima cleanses, Maha Shivratri blesses. If Holika-Dahan is a celebration, Dhrupad Mela is a revelation…. One does not require making his itinerary according to the dates and months of the festivals. One can come and enjoy the festive season anytime of the year here.
Benarasi mithais (sweets) and the famous Benarasi paan (betel leaf) are two specialties that can be found in this magical city. Both are very dear to the people-traditional and crucial to the social system-far beyond the simple act of cooking, preparing, and eating.
Milk-based sweets are flavored with cardamon, saffron, essence of rose extract, a garnish of nuts, and a fine layer of edible silver foil. Layers of fresh cream lovingly embrace dry fruits that are hidden in the interiors of malai paan. Thickened milk is left out in the dew overnight and then flavored with saffron. This mix is then beaten to a stiff froth-it would put any soufflé to shame. Nimmish is undisputedly a delicacy only for the well to do and that too only in winter. The Benarasi paan is a very heavily flavored betel leaf smeared with catechu (a tannin rich powder called katha), lime paste (chuna), and wrapped around shredded betel nut (supari) and often cardamom pod, aniseed and tobacco. Secured by a clove pierced through the folds of the betel leaf, sweetening agents, peppermint, menthol, and local aphrodisiacs are also added to this elaborate package. Given the acclaimed digestive qualities of all ingredients, it is a perfect way to round off a good and wholesome Indian meal (though most people have a paan safely tucked away into the recesses of their mouth perpetually).
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation is not a problem in Varanasi. Hotels ranging from high-end to economy class are all available. Many of them have magnificent views of the Ganges in exclusive suites.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - Varanasi is well connected by air to several cities in India. It is on the popular daily tourist service Delhi-Agra-Khajuraho-Varanasi route.
BY RAIL - Varanasi has two railway stations-Kashi and Varanasi Junction (also Cantonment Station). We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about tourism in Varanasi. Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make your visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.
Area
104.82 sq km
Language
Hindi & English
Best time to visit
October to March
STD Code
0542
LOCATION
Varanasi (also Benaras) is located in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and extends latitude 25°20' N and longitude 83°00' E. Sandwiched between the rivers Varuna and Ashi as they join the Ganges, Varanasi takes its name from its location. It is also called Kashi, the city of light, but the British, in an endeavor to simplify matters, had coined their own name for the place-Benaras. For a relatively short period, while under Mughal rule, Varanasi was also known as Muhammadabad. Modern-day Varanasi is situated along the west bank of the Ganges (also Ganga) and extends into a myriad collection of narrow lanes that form an integral part of it. The city winds itself around these vines of communication, stretching from one ghat to the other.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Because of its proximity to the Tropic of Cancer, Varanasi enjoys a pleasant winter with a daytime temperature of around 20°C. The temperature can touch a low of around 10°C in late December and January with heavy fog in the early part of the day. October-November and February-March are usually comfortable and sunny.
The summer season is, however, harsh in Varanasi. Beginning in April and continuing through June, it is extremely dry and daytime temperatures often climb up to as high as 45°C.
The monsoon season, which starts by late June or early July, brings torrential rains and high humidity to the city. By late September, however, the weather returns to a comfortable level.
HISTORY
Almost midway in its long journey from the slopes of the mighty Himalayas to the inflamed shore of Bay of Bengal, the muddy waters of the Ganges flow by a city that is five centuries older than Christ. The city finds mention in the great epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. It was already an old city when Rome was founded, and was a flourishing center of trade when Buddha came to Sarnath, some 10 km away, to preach his first sermon in 500 BC. It is a city of temples and for more than 2,500 years, it has attracted pilgrims from near and far. According to Hindu belief, Benaras or Varanasi as it is known, is the cosmic center of the Universe. The renowned American novelist Mark Twain once wrote, "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together."
Down the ages, Varanasi has stood as a symbol of Hindu renaissance. Swathed in an aura of history, religion, and tradition, Varanasi preserved the rituals and traditions of Hindu philosophy. From a time stretching beyond human memory, pilgrims from distant lands have come to Varanasi in search of divine blessings.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
The numerous ghats along the bank of the Ganges present a varied scene from dawn to dusk. A ghat is a series of well-paved steps that lead to the water. A ghat in Varanasi usually has small temples built into its side, while the larger structures, housing the powerful gods and goddesses from the Hindu pantheon, form a formidable backdrop to the serene beauty of the meandering river. These ghats numbering more than a hundred, with their entourage of temples, form the axis on which the city developed. For centuries, the Hindus considered it very auspicious to bathe at the ghats of Varanasi. Everyday at dawn thousands of pilgrims can be seen offering salutations to the Sun God in waist-deep water, secure in their conviction that the muddy waters of the Ganges will wash away all the accumulated sins of their life. The oil lamps (diyas) and flowers set afloat on the river at dusk make a fascinating sight.
There are five important ghats in Varanasi where the pilgrims flock to take a bath-the Assi, Dasawamedha, Barnasangam, Panchganga, and Manikarnika. Each ghat has its own history and its own following. Many of the ghats were built and owned by the royal families of India; the Maharaja of Benaras built the Kali (or Sivala) Ghat, Maharaja Man Singh built the Mansarovar Ghat, while Ahilyabai Ghat is named after that legendary Queen Ahilyabai of Indore.
The best time to visit the ghats is at the break of dawn, when pilgrims perform the Surya Pranam immersed waist deep in the waters of the holy Ganges.
The best way to catch the essence of Varanasi is to travel down the Ganges by boat at six o'clock in the morning. Boats can be hired by the hour from the main steps of the Dasawamedha Ghat. The steady creek of ancient oars, the slap of wet garments, incessant chatter of the bathers amid a tinkling of scattered temple bells, watching Varanasi from the environs of a gently swaying boat is truly an experience worth treasuring.
Although Varanasi is famous as a Hindu pilgrimage center, one cannot ignore its distinct Muslim heritage. The powerful Sultans of Delhi and later the emperors of the Mughal dynasty were instrumental in constructing several mosques, and this predominantly Hindu city gradually attained a degree of cosmopolitanism. Aurangzeb, the last of the mighty Mughals, hastened this process of evolution and the mosques that he built still stand today. The great mosque of Varanasi, Gyanvyapi Masjid, has minarets towering 71 m above the Ganges and is an integral part of the city's skyline.
There is also the Golden Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple today sits across the road from its original site. The present temple was built in 1776 by Rani Ahilyabai, while three and a quarter ton of gold plating on the towers were provided by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Lahore. Next to the temple is the Well of Knowledge, where, as legend goes, the original Shiva lingam lies hidden.
There is another temple in this holy city-a temple dedicated not to the gods, but to Mother India. The Bharat Mata temple, as it is known, does not have idols or images of gods and goddesses: what it has is a marble relief map of Independent India. The father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, inaugurated the temple.
Benaras Hindu University is the largest residential university in Asia, a center of Sanskrit, Indian art, culture, and music. This university covers an area of 2000 acres, and was gifted by the king of Varanasi, a scholar of Sanskrit and Hindu philosopher himself. The university is around 10 km from the railway station.
Of the numerous temples that dot this ancient city, the important ones are the Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Vinayaka Temple, Annapurna Temple, Kal Bhairav, Jateshwar Mahadeo, and Maha Mritunjaya Temple.
PLACES AROUND VARANASI
A tourist to Varanasi must make it a point to visit the Ramnagar Fort and Sarnath, both situated on the outskirts of this city. The former, situated on the opposite bank of the Ganges, is the residential palace of the former Maharaja of Varanasi. The hall of public audience (Durbar Hall) and the royal museum housing collections of palanquins, elephant saddles, arms, furniture, costumes, etc., are of great interest. At the other end of the city is Sarnath. Here in the fabled deer park, where the Buddha preached his sermon enshrining the principles of his teaching into laws. There is a stupa and a large complex of ruined monasteries. Nearby also stands the Ashoka Pillar commemorating the Mauryan emperor's visit to the place more than 2,000 years back. The archeological museum located nearby holds a rich collection of items belonging to the Kushan and Gupta periods as well as from the Ashokan era.
One may also undertake quite a few enjoyable excursions from Varanasi. The fort of Chunar, about 37 km away, is famous for its close association with the Afghan ruler Sher Shah Suri. Kusumi Forest (8 km) and the Rajdari and Deodari Falls in the Chandraprabha forest (70 km) are beautiful picnic spots.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
The festive magic never ends in Varanasi. If Poornima cleanses, Maha Shivratri blesses. If Holika-Dahan is a celebration, Dhrupad Mela is a revelation…. One does not require making his itinerary according to the dates and months of the festivals. One can come and enjoy the festive season anytime of the year here.
Benarasi mithais (sweets) and the famous Benarasi paan (betel leaf) are two specialties that can be found in this magical city. Both are very dear to the people-traditional and crucial to the social system-far beyond the simple act of cooking, preparing, and eating.
Milk-based sweets are flavored with cardamon, saffron, essence of rose extract, a garnish of nuts, and a fine layer of edible silver foil. Layers of fresh cream lovingly embrace dry fruits that are hidden in the interiors of malai paan. Thickened milk is left out in the dew overnight and then flavored with saffron. This mix is then beaten to a stiff froth-it would put any soufflé to shame. Nimmish is undisputedly a delicacy only for the well to do and that too only in winter. The Benarasi paan is a very heavily flavored betel leaf smeared with catechu (a tannin rich powder called katha), lime paste (chuna), and wrapped around shredded betel nut (supari) and often cardamom pod, aniseed and tobacco. Secured by a clove pierced through the folds of the betel leaf, sweetening agents, peppermint, menthol, and local aphrodisiacs are also added to this elaborate package. Given the acclaimed digestive qualities of all ingredients, it is a perfect way to round off a good and wholesome Indian meal (though most people have a paan safely tucked away into the recesses of their mouth perpetually).
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation is not a problem in Varanasi. Hotels ranging from high-end to economy class are all available. Many of them have magnificent views of the Ganges in exclusive suites.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - Varanasi is well connected by air to several cities in India. It is on the popular daily tourist service Delhi-Agra-Khajuraho-Varanasi route.
BY RAIL - Varanasi has two railway stations-Kashi and Varanasi Junction (also Cantonment Station). We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about tourism in Varanasi. Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make your visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.
SARNATH - WHERE THE BUDDHA PREACHED
FACTS & FIGURES
Area
2.80 sq. km
Language
Hindi & English
Best time to visit
October to March
STD Code
0542
LOCATION
Sarnath is located eight km from Varanasi in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is famous as the place where the Buddha first preached his message after attaining nirvana.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Due to its location near the Tropic of Cancer, Sarnath enjoys a comfortable winter but a hot summer. During winter, the mercury can dip to as low as 10°C at night and the daytime temperature remains around 20°C.
Summer brings a less comfortable weather situation. Begining in April and continuing through June, it is extremely dry and daytime temperatures often climb up to 45°C.
In late June or early July, the monsoon season brings torrential rains and high humidity. Fortunately, the temperatures normally remain under 37°C, although uncomfortably humid.
HISTORY
Sarnath derives its name from Saranganatha (Lord of the Deer). After the Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, he came to Sarnath. Here in the Deer Park, he delivered his first sermon or set in motion the Wheel of Law (Maha Dharmachakra Pravartan.). On the day before his death, the Buddha named Sarnath along with Lumbini, Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar as the four places that his followers should consider sacred.
The Emperor Ashoka, who spread Lord Buddha's message of love and compassion throughout his vast empire, visited Sarnath around 234 BC and constructed a stupa here. Several Buddhist structures were built at Sarnath between the 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD and today this place has the most expansive ruins among the places related to the Buddha.
Explorations during a recent Japanese-funded UNESCO project have yielded this "biggest Buddhist settlement in all of Central India." The remains point to monasteries of enormous proportions. Earlier, eight structures had been identified. Now, 14 more monasteries and 23 stupas have been found. The Archaeological Museum here as well as the Chinese and Tibetan Temples are all worth a visit.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Believed to have been built in 500 AD, the Dhamekh stupa, the largest in the region, marks the spot where the Buddha proclaimed his faith in front of his first five followers. The lower portion of this tall cylindrical stupa has fine floral carvings. It houses a stone slab with Buddhist inscriptions on it dating back to the 6th century BC. The sprawling green lawns around it provide the right environment to meditating monks.
The main excavation site is a vast expanse of low lying structures and standing amidst them one can view the various facets of Buddhist history, its interesting twists and turns, the rise and fall of empires and kingdoms. One can witness the ancient relics of Buddhist art, which was designed to communicate the message of the Buddha through signs and symbols. The earliest and most important relic is found in the Ashoka pillar that was erected in 250 BC. Four lions representing the spirit of India sit back to back with a wheel between them. The original piece is in the Sarnath archaeological museum.
As one explores the open complex of ruins, one can find monasteries dating back to different periods, reflecting different tenets of Buddhism. Kumar Devi was a Buddhist queen of Kannauj, who built perhaps the last of the great monasteries. Remnants of its basement and halls are visible here.
The dilapidated remains of the Choukhandi Stupa belonging to the Gupta period are a reminder that this is the place where the Buddha was reunited with his five disciples, who had previously deserted him. Standing on a terraced rectangular plinth, the Stupa is capped by an incongruous octagonal Mughal tower built by Emperor Akbar to commemorate his father's visit to the place.
The Mulagandha Kuti Vihar was built in 1931 by the Mahabodhi Society. The entrance of the vihar is dominated by a huge bell, a gift from Japan, and the interior contains a beautiful life-size golden image of the Buddha and colorful murals and frescoes painted by a Japanese artist.
The Sarnath Archeological Museum houses the superb Lion capital of the Ashokan Pillar. This symbol has been adopted as the national emblem of modern India.
Buddhists from various countries have built temples, each one unique in that it is built according to the architectural style of the country. Life in each of these temples-Chinese, Thai, Korean, Tibetan, Vietnamese, Sikkimese, or Burmese-revolves around cleaning the temple, meditating, reading holy books, teaching and offering food to the hungry and help to the needy.
PLACES AROUND SARNATH
Varanasi is the most important place near Sarnath and a regular stop for the tourists headed for Sarnath. The city is famous for its temples, ghats, lanes, and most importantly its religious and cultural significance in the Hindu society.
Sarnath is a part of one of the major tourist circuits of India-the Buddhist circuit-and is linked to Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Kushinagar, and Lumbini.
FAIRS & FESTIVAL
On the day of Buddha Purnima, which is the new moon day in April/May, a big fair is held both in Sarnath and nearby Varanasi. It is to celebrate the day of the Buddha's birth, nirvana and death.
WHERE TO STAY
There are not many accommodation options available in Sarnath. It is better and more convenient to stay in Varanasi, where a number of accommodation options are available in all the three different segments.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - The nearest airport is Babatpur 30 km away from where one can take daily flights to Delhi, Calcutta, Bhubaneswar, Kathmandu, and Patna.
BY RAIL - Sarnath is a halt on the Northern Railway network and several of the trains, which cross Varanasi, stop here. From Varanasi direct trains are available for almost all the major cities of India.
BY ROAD - Sarnath is 9.6 km by road from Varanasi, and is linked by road. We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about tourism in Sarnath. Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make your visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.
Area
2.80 sq. km
Language
Hindi & English
Best time to visit
October to March
STD Code
0542
LOCATION
Sarnath is located eight km from Varanasi in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is famous as the place where the Buddha first preached his message after attaining nirvana.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Due to its location near the Tropic of Cancer, Sarnath enjoys a comfortable winter but a hot summer. During winter, the mercury can dip to as low as 10°C at night and the daytime temperature remains around 20°C.
Summer brings a less comfortable weather situation. Begining in April and continuing through June, it is extremely dry and daytime temperatures often climb up to 45°C.
In late June or early July, the monsoon season brings torrential rains and high humidity. Fortunately, the temperatures normally remain under 37°C, although uncomfortably humid.
HISTORY
Sarnath derives its name from Saranganatha (Lord of the Deer). After the Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, he came to Sarnath. Here in the Deer Park, he delivered his first sermon or set in motion the Wheel of Law (Maha Dharmachakra Pravartan.). On the day before his death, the Buddha named Sarnath along with Lumbini, Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar as the four places that his followers should consider sacred.
The Emperor Ashoka, who spread Lord Buddha's message of love and compassion throughout his vast empire, visited Sarnath around 234 BC and constructed a stupa here. Several Buddhist structures were built at Sarnath between the 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD and today this place has the most expansive ruins among the places related to the Buddha.
Explorations during a recent Japanese-funded UNESCO project have yielded this "biggest Buddhist settlement in all of Central India." The remains point to monasteries of enormous proportions. Earlier, eight structures had been identified. Now, 14 more monasteries and 23 stupas have been found. The Archaeological Museum here as well as the Chinese and Tibetan Temples are all worth a visit.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Believed to have been built in 500 AD, the Dhamekh stupa, the largest in the region, marks the spot where the Buddha proclaimed his faith in front of his first five followers. The lower portion of this tall cylindrical stupa has fine floral carvings. It houses a stone slab with Buddhist inscriptions on it dating back to the 6th century BC. The sprawling green lawns around it provide the right environment to meditating monks.
The main excavation site is a vast expanse of low lying structures and standing amidst them one can view the various facets of Buddhist history, its interesting twists and turns, the rise and fall of empires and kingdoms. One can witness the ancient relics of Buddhist art, which was designed to communicate the message of the Buddha through signs and symbols. The earliest and most important relic is found in the Ashoka pillar that was erected in 250 BC. Four lions representing the spirit of India sit back to back with a wheel between them. The original piece is in the Sarnath archaeological museum.
As one explores the open complex of ruins, one can find monasteries dating back to different periods, reflecting different tenets of Buddhism. Kumar Devi was a Buddhist queen of Kannauj, who built perhaps the last of the great monasteries. Remnants of its basement and halls are visible here.
The dilapidated remains of the Choukhandi Stupa belonging to the Gupta period are a reminder that this is the place where the Buddha was reunited with his five disciples, who had previously deserted him. Standing on a terraced rectangular plinth, the Stupa is capped by an incongruous octagonal Mughal tower built by Emperor Akbar to commemorate his father's visit to the place.
The Mulagandha Kuti Vihar was built in 1931 by the Mahabodhi Society. The entrance of the vihar is dominated by a huge bell, a gift from Japan, and the interior contains a beautiful life-size golden image of the Buddha and colorful murals and frescoes painted by a Japanese artist.
The Sarnath Archeological Museum houses the superb Lion capital of the Ashokan Pillar. This symbol has been adopted as the national emblem of modern India.
Buddhists from various countries have built temples, each one unique in that it is built according to the architectural style of the country. Life in each of these temples-Chinese, Thai, Korean, Tibetan, Vietnamese, Sikkimese, or Burmese-revolves around cleaning the temple, meditating, reading holy books, teaching and offering food to the hungry and help to the needy.
PLACES AROUND SARNATH
Varanasi is the most important place near Sarnath and a regular stop for the tourists headed for Sarnath. The city is famous for its temples, ghats, lanes, and most importantly its religious and cultural significance in the Hindu society.
Sarnath is a part of one of the major tourist circuits of India-the Buddhist circuit-and is linked to Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Kushinagar, and Lumbini.
FAIRS & FESTIVAL
On the day of Buddha Purnima, which is the new moon day in April/May, a big fair is held both in Sarnath and nearby Varanasi. It is to celebrate the day of the Buddha's birth, nirvana and death.
WHERE TO STAY
There are not many accommodation options available in Sarnath. It is better and more convenient to stay in Varanasi, where a number of accommodation options are available in all the three different segments.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - The nearest airport is Babatpur 30 km away from where one can take daily flights to Delhi, Calcutta, Bhubaneswar, Kathmandu, and Patna.
BY RAIL - Sarnath is a halt on the Northern Railway network and several of the trains, which cross Varanasi, stop here. From Varanasi direct trains are available for almost all the major cities of India.
BY ROAD - Sarnath is 9.6 km by road from Varanasi, and is linked by road. We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about tourism in Sarnath. Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make your visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.
TOURISM IN NOIDA
Noida is located in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
TOURISM ATTRACTIONS IN NOIDA
There are a number of tourism attractions in Noida including the software technology park, Film City and a golf course.
ACCOMMODATION IN NOIDA
In order to make the travel tour to Noida even more joyful we at Tourism of India.com offer just the right kind of accommodation for you and your family or friends in Noida. We at Tourism of India can customize the tour package and offer the hotel accommodation. The reservations of the room can be made well in advance as per the requirements of the tour.
The various hotels packages offer the best of facilities. The well-furnished rooms place most of the comforts at your feet. Enjoy the luxuries of life on your stay at the hotel. Take your pick from a range of luxury and budget hotels in Noida besides the star categorized accommodation hotels. We at Tourism of India will provide all the travel services like air ticketing, hotel booking, car rental et al to make your holiday at Noida unforgettable. Get ready for the vivacious holiday experience at Noida.
Tourism-of-India provides complete information about Noida India. Tourism-of-India offers package tours for Noida India.
TOURISM ATTRACTIONS IN NOIDA
There are a number of tourism attractions in Noida including the software technology park, Film City and a golf course.
ACCOMMODATION IN NOIDA
In order to make the travel tour to Noida even more joyful we at Tourism of India.com offer just the right kind of accommodation for you and your family or friends in Noida. We at Tourism of India can customize the tour package and offer the hotel accommodation. The reservations of the room can be made well in advance as per the requirements of the tour.
The various hotels packages offer the best of facilities. The well-furnished rooms place most of the comforts at your feet. Enjoy the luxuries of life on your stay at the hotel. Take your pick from a range of luxury and budget hotels in Noida besides the star categorized accommodation hotels. We at Tourism of India will provide all the travel services like air ticketing, hotel booking, car rental et al to make your holiday at Noida unforgettable. Get ready for the vivacious holiday experience at Noida.
Tourism-of-India provides complete information about Noida India. Tourism-of-India offers package tours for Noida India.
MATHURA
FACTS & FIGURES
Area
38,000 sq km
Language
Hindi and Braj
Best time to visit
Winters
STD Code
0565
INTRODUCTION
Mathura (or Brajbhoomi) is famous as the birthplace of Lord Krishna, an important deity in the Hindu religious pantheon. It is an important pilgrim place of the Hindus and one of the seven sacred cities in India. The main pilgrim center in Mathura is the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple. Mathura is also an important craft center.
LOCATION
The city of Mathura is located in the western part of the state of Uttar Pradesh, in the northern region of India. It is a part of the great northern plains and is situated on the west bank of the river Yamuna. Mathura is 141 km south of Delhi and 47 km northwest of Agra. The climate of Mathura is extreme and tropical. Summers are extremely hot and winters are cold and foggy. It experiences southwestern monsoon rains from July to September.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit Mathura is during winter, between the months of October and March.
HISTORY
The origin of Mathura is ancient. It is said to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna, the popular incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Mathura and the area around it, including Vrindavan, are linked with the childhood exploits of Lord Krishna. It is mentioned in the ancient Indian epic of Mahabharata. It later became a part of the Mauryan Empire. King Ashok, the great Mauryan ruler, built a number of Buddhist monuments in and around Mathura in the third century BC. Between first century BC and first century AD, Mathura was the center for arts. The sculpture making and stone carving styles of this period are referred to as belonging to the Mathura School of Art. The main theme of these sculptures was inspired by the life of Lord Buddha. The decline of Buddhism in this region following the decline of the Mauryan Empire saw the rise of Hindu influence. However, in the 11th century AD, Mahmud Ghazni destroyed a large number of Buddhist and Hindu shrines. In the 15th century, Sikandar Lodhi, one of the Sultans from Delhi, continued the pillage of this city. The last great Mughal ruler and a fanatic Muslim, Aurangzeb flattened the Kesava Deo temple and a built a mosque here. The Afghani marauder Ahmed Shah Abdali dealt the final blow in 1757, when he torched the city. It came under British rule in 1804.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
The Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi (birthplace of Lord Krishna) is the main attraction of Mathura and an important pilgrim place of the Hindus. A stone slab marks the original spot of the birth of Lord Krishna. The earlier Kesava Deo temple had the room where Lord Krishna was born. According to legend, Lord Krishna was born in a small prison room where the tyrant ruler Kansa held his parents captive.
The Archeological Museum of Mathura is an important place to visit. It houses an excellent collection of sculptures belonging to the ancient Mathura school of art. The Vishram Ghat, on river Yamuna, is another place to visit in Mathura. It is said that Lord Krishna had killed the tyrant Kansa here.
The Sati Burj, Kans Qila, Jama Masjid and Dwarkadheesh temple are other places to see in Mathura.
PLACES AROUND MATHURA
Vrindavan is 10 km from Mathura and it is associated with the childhood exploits of Lord Krishna. Like Mathura, Vrindavan is also famous for its temples. There are about 4,000 temples in Vrindavan. The main temples are Govind Dev Temple, Rangaji temple, Bankey Bihari temple, Radha Ballabh temple, Madan Mohan temple, Pagal Baba temple and the Nidhi Van temple.
Gokul is 16 km south of Mathura. It is said that Lord Krishna was secretly raised here.
Mahaban is 18 km southeast of Mathura. Lord Krishna is believed to have spent his youth here.
Barsana, 50 km northwest of Mathura, is worth visiting as it is the birthplace of Lord Krishna's consort Radha. The Holi festival of Barsana is unique. The Barsana women attack men from Nandgaon with wooden sticks, when they try to put color on these women.
Govardhan is 25 km west of Mathura. Legend has it that Lord Krishna had protected the local people from the wrath of the rain God Indra by holding up a hill on one finger.
Agra is 47 km southeast of Mathura. It was the one-time capital of the Mughal rulers and is known for the Taj. It also has a number of monuments belonging to the Mughals.
HOW TO REACH
Mathura is connected by road with Delhi (3½ hours) and Agra (1½ hour). Mathura is well connected by train with Agra (1 hour), Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur and Kota. The Taj Express runs daily between Matura to Delhi (2½ hours).
We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation in Mathura ranges from guesthouses to high-end hotels. Hotel Mansarovar Palace, Hotel Madhuvan and Hotel Radha Ashok (3 km from the city on the Delhi road) are the only top-end hotels in Mathura.
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Mathura.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information on tourism in Mathura. Tourism-of-India.com offers package tours in order to make your visit to Mathura Pleasant.
Area
38,000 sq km
Language
Hindi and Braj
Best time to visit
Winters
STD Code
0565
INTRODUCTION
Mathura (or Brajbhoomi) is famous as the birthplace of Lord Krishna, an important deity in the Hindu religious pantheon. It is an important pilgrim place of the Hindus and one of the seven sacred cities in India. The main pilgrim center in Mathura is the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple. Mathura is also an important craft center.
LOCATION
The city of Mathura is located in the western part of the state of Uttar Pradesh, in the northern region of India. It is a part of the great northern plains and is situated on the west bank of the river Yamuna. Mathura is 141 km south of Delhi and 47 km northwest of Agra. The climate of Mathura is extreme and tropical. Summers are extremely hot and winters are cold and foggy. It experiences southwestern monsoon rains from July to September.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit Mathura is during winter, between the months of October and March.
HISTORY
The origin of Mathura is ancient. It is said to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna, the popular incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Mathura and the area around it, including Vrindavan, are linked with the childhood exploits of Lord Krishna. It is mentioned in the ancient Indian epic of Mahabharata. It later became a part of the Mauryan Empire. King Ashok, the great Mauryan ruler, built a number of Buddhist monuments in and around Mathura in the third century BC. Between first century BC and first century AD, Mathura was the center for arts. The sculpture making and stone carving styles of this period are referred to as belonging to the Mathura School of Art. The main theme of these sculptures was inspired by the life of Lord Buddha. The decline of Buddhism in this region following the decline of the Mauryan Empire saw the rise of Hindu influence. However, in the 11th century AD, Mahmud Ghazni destroyed a large number of Buddhist and Hindu shrines. In the 15th century, Sikandar Lodhi, one of the Sultans from Delhi, continued the pillage of this city. The last great Mughal ruler and a fanatic Muslim, Aurangzeb flattened the Kesava Deo temple and a built a mosque here. The Afghani marauder Ahmed Shah Abdali dealt the final blow in 1757, when he torched the city. It came under British rule in 1804.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
The Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi (birthplace of Lord Krishna) is the main attraction of Mathura and an important pilgrim place of the Hindus. A stone slab marks the original spot of the birth of Lord Krishna. The earlier Kesava Deo temple had the room where Lord Krishna was born. According to legend, Lord Krishna was born in a small prison room where the tyrant ruler Kansa held his parents captive.
The Archeological Museum of Mathura is an important place to visit. It houses an excellent collection of sculptures belonging to the ancient Mathura school of art. The Vishram Ghat, on river Yamuna, is another place to visit in Mathura. It is said that Lord Krishna had killed the tyrant Kansa here.
The Sati Burj, Kans Qila, Jama Masjid and Dwarkadheesh temple are other places to see in Mathura.
PLACES AROUND MATHURA
Vrindavan is 10 km from Mathura and it is associated with the childhood exploits of Lord Krishna. Like Mathura, Vrindavan is also famous for its temples. There are about 4,000 temples in Vrindavan. The main temples are Govind Dev Temple, Rangaji temple, Bankey Bihari temple, Radha Ballabh temple, Madan Mohan temple, Pagal Baba temple and the Nidhi Van temple.
Gokul is 16 km south of Mathura. It is said that Lord Krishna was secretly raised here.
Mahaban is 18 km southeast of Mathura. Lord Krishna is believed to have spent his youth here.
Barsana, 50 km northwest of Mathura, is worth visiting as it is the birthplace of Lord Krishna's consort Radha. The Holi festival of Barsana is unique. The Barsana women attack men from Nandgaon with wooden sticks, when they try to put color on these women.
Govardhan is 25 km west of Mathura. Legend has it that Lord Krishna had protected the local people from the wrath of the rain God Indra by holding up a hill on one finger.
Agra is 47 km southeast of Mathura. It was the one-time capital of the Mughal rulers and is known for the Taj. It also has a number of monuments belonging to the Mughals.
HOW TO REACH
Mathura is connected by road with Delhi (3½ hours) and Agra (1½ hour). Mathura is well connected by train with Agra (1 hour), Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur and Kota. The Taj Express runs daily between Matura to Delhi (2½ hours).
We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation in Mathura ranges from guesthouses to high-end hotels. Hotel Mansarovar Palace, Hotel Madhuvan and Hotel Radha Ashok (3 km from the city on the Delhi road) are the only top-end hotels in Mathura.
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Mathura.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information on tourism in Mathura. Tourism-of-India.com offers package tours in order to make your visit to Mathura Pleasant.
KUSHINAGAR
FACTS & FIGURES
Area
6.0 sq km
Altitude
400 m above sea level
Language
Hindi and English
Best time to visit
October to April
STD Code
05563
INTRODUCTION
Once in Kushinagar, it appears that time has come to a complete halt. This sleepy town, with its serenity and unassuming beauty, absorbs visitors into a contemplative mood. It is this place that the Buddha had chosen to free himself from the cycles of death and life and, therefore, it occupies a very special space in the heart of every Buddhist.
LOCATION
Kushinagar is situated in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, 51 km off Gorakhpur. The place, which is famous for the Mahaparinirvana (death) of Lord Buddha, has been included in the famous Buddhist trail encompassing Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Like other places in the Gangetic plain, the climate of Kushinagar is hot and humid in the summers (mid-April-mid-September) with maximum temperature touching 40-45°C. Winters are mild and minimum temperature in December can go down to around 5°C. Monsoon reaches this region in June and remains here till September.
HISTORY
Kushinagar is also known as Kasia or Kusinara. The founder of Buddhism, Lord Buddha passed away at this place near the Hiranyavati River and was cremated at the Ramabhar stupa. It was once a celebrated center of the Malla kingdom. Many of its stupas and viharas date back to 230 BC-AD 413. when its prosperity was at the peak. The Mauryan emperor Ashoka added grandeur to this place by getting the magnificent statue of Buddha carved on a single piece of red sandstone. Fa Hien, Huen Tsang, and I-tsing, the three famous Chinese scholar travelers to India, all visited Kushinagar.
With the decline of Buddhism, however, Kushinagar lost its importance and suffered much neglect. It was only in the last century that Lord Alexander Cunningham excavated many important remnants of the main site such as the Matha Kua and Ramabhar stupa. Today, people from all over the world visit Kushinagar. Many national and international societies and groups have established their centers here.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
The Mahaparinirvana Temple, with its world famous reclining statue of Buddha, is an important site to visit. The 20-feet-long statue is seated on a brick platform. Ruins of as many as eight monasteries are around the main site. These monasteries have witnessed the rise and fall of a number of dynasties and the spread of Buddhism. Ruins of two monasteries-Mahaparinirvana Vihara and Makutabandhara Vihara-are especially famous. The Makutabandhara Vihara is believed to have been built by Malla kings to preserve the relics of the Buddha. Through the centuries, monuments and shrines of various types grew around these ancient sites.
Then there is the wonderful mini-city of Wat Thai Kusinara developed by the Thais. Built on an area of about 10 acres, it houses small huts, a school, a library, and hospitals.
In the miniature gardens, lotus ponds and nurseries, all in typical oriental style, residents learn to love nature-the true gospel of Buddhism. Hundreds of Thai people come down every year to perform various kinds of services. The rich and poor alike, with clean-shaved heads and dressed in saffron clothes, live in modest huts and eat from banana leaves.
All holy sites are along one straight road. Towards the east, several temples of various Buddhist countries have come up. The procession organized by the Burmese temple every year on Buddha Poornima day is attended by thousands of people. Other attractions are the Indo-Japanese-Sri Lankan Center for Cultural Association, meditation center, and archeological museum. Nature lovers can take a strip to the Tamkuhi forest area, which also has a forest rest house for staying overnight.
PLACES AROUND KUSHINAGAR
Fifty-one kilometers off Kushinagar is Gorakhpur, an important city of eastern Uttar Pradesh. At Gorakhpur is the Rahul Sanskrityayan Museum, which has an excellent collection of Thanka paintings and relics of the Buddha. The water sports complex at Ramgarh Tal Planetarium and the Gorakhnath Temple in the city are also worth a visit.
Kapilavastu (Piprahwa) is situated 148 km from Kushinagar and is an important Buddhist pilgrimage. Kapilavastu was the ancient capital of the Sakya clan ruled by Gautama Buddha's father.
Situated in Nepal at a distance of 122 km from Gorakhpur, Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha. There are regular buses to the Nepalese border, from where the remaining 26 km has to be covered by private vehicles
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Buddha Poornima is the most important festival celebrated in April/May. Thousands of people come to Kushinagar to celebrate the three most important stages of Buddha's life-birth, enlightenment, and death.
WHERE TO STAY
With the increasing popularity of Kushinagar as a major Buddhist attraction, several standard and budget hotels have opened up. Another option is to stay in the dharamshalas, which are cheap and provide good basic services.
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Kushinagar.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - The nearest airhead is located at Varanasi from where one can take flights to Delhi, Calcutta, Lucknow, and Patna.
BY RAIL - Kushinagar does not have a railway station. The nearest railway station is at Gorakhpur (51 km), which is the headquarters of Northeastern Railways and linked to important destinations. Some important trains to Gorakhpur are Bombay-Gorakhpur-Bandra Express, New Delhi-Barauni-Vaishali Express, Cochin-Gorakhpur Express, Shaheed Express, Amarnath Express, and Kathgodam Express.
BY ROAD - Kushinagar is well connected to other parts of the state of Uttar Pradesh by bus. There are regular buses to Gorakhpur (51 km), Lumbini (173 km), Kapilavastu (148 km), Sravasti (254 km), and Sarnath (266 km), and Agra (680 km).
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information on tourism in Kushinagar. Tourism-of-India.com offers package tours in order to make your visit to Kushinagar Pleasant
Area
6.0 sq km
Altitude
400 m above sea level
Language
Hindi and English
Best time to visit
October to April
STD Code
05563
INTRODUCTION
Once in Kushinagar, it appears that time has come to a complete halt. This sleepy town, with its serenity and unassuming beauty, absorbs visitors into a contemplative mood. It is this place that the Buddha had chosen to free himself from the cycles of death and life and, therefore, it occupies a very special space in the heart of every Buddhist.
LOCATION
Kushinagar is situated in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, 51 km off Gorakhpur. The place, which is famous for the Mahaparinirvana (death) of Lord Buddha, has been included in the famous Buddhist trail encompassing Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Like other places in the Gangetic plain, the climate of Kushinagar is hot and humid in the summers (mid-April-mid-September) with maximum temperature touching 40-45°C. Winters are mild and minimum temperature in December can go down to around 5°C. Monsoon reaches this region in June and remains here till September.
HISTORY
Kushinagar is also known as Kasia or Kusinara. The founder of Buddhism, Lord Buddha passed away at this place near the Hiranyavati River and was cremated at the Ramabhar stupa. It was once a celebrated center of the Malla kingdom. Many of its stupas and viharas date back to 230 BC-AD 413. when its prosperity was at the peak. The Mauryan emperor Ashoka added grandeur to this place by getting the magnificent statue of Buddha carved on a single piece of red sandstone. Fa Hien, Huen Tsang, and I-tsing, the three famous Chinese scholar travelers to India, all visited Kushinagar.
With the decline of Buddhism, however, Kushinagar lost its importance and suffered much neglect. It was only in the last century that Lord Alexander Cunningham excavated many important remnants of the main site such as the Matha Kua and Ramabhar stupa. Today, people from all over the world visit Kushinagar. Many national and international societies and groups have established their centers here.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
The Mahaparinirvana Temple, with its world famous reclining statue of Buddha, is an important site to visit. The 20-feet-long statue is seated on a brick platform. Ruins of as many as eight monasteries are around the main site. These monasteries have witnessed the rise and fall of a number of dynasties and the spread of Buddhism. Ruins of two monasteries-Mahaparinirvana Vihara and Makutabandhara Vihara-are especially famous. The Makutabandhara Vihara is believed to have been built by Malla kings to preserve the relics of the Buddha. Through the centuries, monuments and shrines of various types grew around these ancient sites.
Then there is the wonderful mini-city of Wat Thai Kusinara developed by the Thais. Built on an area of about 10 acres, it houses small huts, a school, a library, and hospitals.
In the miniature gardens, lotus ponds and nurseries, all in typical oriental style, residents learn to love nature-the true gospel of Buddhism. Hundreds of Thai people come down every year to perform various kinds of services. The rich and poor alike, with clean-shaved heads and dressed in saffron clothes, live in modest huts and eat from banana leaves.
All holy sites are along one straight road. Towards the east, several temples of various Buddhist countries have come up. The procession organized by the Burmese temple every year on Buddha Poornima day is attended by thousands of people. Other attractions are the Indo-Japanese-Sri Lankan Center for Cultural Association, meditation center, and archeological museum. Nature lovers can take a strip to the Tamkuhi forest area, which also has a forest rest house for staying overnight.
PLACES AROUND KUSHINAGAR
Fifty-one kilometers off Kushinagar is Gorakhpur, an important city of eastern Uttar Pradesh. At Gorakhpur is the Rahul Sanskrityayan Museum, which has an excellent collection of Thanka paintings and relics of the Buddha. The water sports complex at Ramgarh Tal Planetarium and the Gorakhnath Temple in the city are also worth a visit.
Kapilavastu (Piprahwa) is situated 148 km from Kushinagar and is an important Buddhist pilgrimage. Kapilavastu was the ancient capital of the Sakya clan ruled by Gautama Buddha's father.
Situated in Nepal at a distance of 122 km from Gorakhpur, Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha. There are regular buses to the Nepalese border, from where the remaining 26 km has to be covered by private vehicles
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Buddha Poornima is the most important festival celebrated in April/May. Thousands of people come to Kushinagar to celebrate the three most important stages of Buddha's life-birth, enlightenment, and death.
WHERE TO STAY
With the increasing popularity of Kushinagar as a major Buddhist attraction, several standard and budget hotels have opened up. Another option is to stay in the dharamshalas, which are cheap and provide good basic services.
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Kushinagar.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - The nearest airhead is located at Varanasi from where one can take flights to Delhi, Calcutta, Lucknow, and Patna.
BY RAIL - Kushinagar does not have a railway station. The nearest railway station is at Gorakhpur (51 km), which is the headquarters of Northeastern Railways and linked to important destinations. Some important trains to Gorakhpur are Bombay-Gorakhpur-Bandra Express, New Delhi-Barauni-Vaishali Express, Cochin-Gorakhpur Express, Shaheed Express, Amarnath Express, and Kathgodam Express.
BY ROAD - Kushinagar is well connected to other parts of the state of Uttar Pradesh by bus. There are regular buses to Gorakhpur (51 km), Lumbini (173 km), Kapilavastu (148 km), Sravasti (254 km), and Sarnath (266 km), and Agra (680 km).
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information on tourism in Kushinagar. Tourism-of-India.com offers package tours in order to make your visit to Kushinagar Pleasant
LUCKNOW
INTRODUCTION
Lucknow is known all over the world for the tehjeeb or the courteous behaviour of its people. It is a rare city. Few places in the world are endowed with such rich cultural traditions, as is this romantic city of the nawabs. Whether it is history, architecture, music, dance, handicrafts, etiquette, or sports, Lucknow has its own story to tell.
HISTORY
Surprisingly, the story of Lucknow began not so very long ago. Though the city traces its origin to the Suryavanshi dynasty of Ayodhya in ancient times, and derives its name from Lakshmana (the brother of Lord Rama), Lucknow actually came into prominence during the 18th century. In 1732, Muhammad Shah, one of the later kings of the once-powerful Mughal dynasty, appointed Mohammed Amir Saadat Khan, a Persian adventurer of noble lineage, to the viceroyalty of the area known as Avadh, of which Lucknow was a part. Saadat Khan was the founder of the famous dynasty known as the Nawab Wazirs-a dynasty that changed the face of this hitherto little-known place. Under his successors, Lucknow flowered as never before and all but became the cultural nerve center of northern India. The rapid growth of Lucknow dates from 1755 when the fourth Nawab, Asaf-ud-Daula, transferred the capital of Avadh from Faizabad to Lucknow and set about gifting to the city some of its most splendid architectural marvels, a tradition that was sustained by this successors. During this period, Lucknow also established its prominent place in the field of poetry, music, and dance. A colorful local culture, incorporating fairs and festivals, also flourished alongside. But what really set Lucknow apart from others was a certain elegance and grace of lifestyle. A romantic and courtly ambience became a part of the city. In fact, even today the city breathes history, and the sound of laughter and music, the tinkling of ankle bells and the mellifluous rendering of Urdu poetry (shairi) still echo and reverberate through the long corridors of time. Even today, when one wanders through the city, s/he will encounter the kind of refined courtesy and polish that seems to belong to another age.
Lucknow today, nestling on the banks of the river Gomti, is a modern, bustling metropolis and serves as the capital of the large north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. But despite the changes it has undergone over the decades, it still retains the vestige of the culture that once made it one of the most celebrated cities of the land. It represents a harmonized blend of the old and the new; it has the advantages of a big, modern city, without any of the disadvantages. There is a profusion of parks and gardens redolent with nostalgia of another time. More importantly, residents of Lucknow have an extremely relaxed and laid-back attitude to life. So even though Lucknow is a big city today, there is none of the mad rush and hectic pace that one normally expects in a busy metropolis.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Lucknow abounds with lovely monuments that tell the story of their time. For any visitor to this city, a trip to the various architectural wonders is an absolute must. Among the most important monuments are the Imambadas, the many mosques, the Roomi Darwaza, and the many splendid Mughal architectural marvels.
The Bada Imambada or Asafi Imambada (Imambada: patriarch's place) is an important tourist attraction of Lucknow. It was built by the then Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula in 1784 to provide succor to the famine-stricken people. Apart from the galleries in the interior, there is no woodwork anywhere. The interior vaulted hall, measuring 162 feet long, 53 feet broad, and 50 feet high is said to be one of the largest apartments of its kind in the world. From the outside, a staircase leads to a series of artfully designed labyrinths (bhoolbhulaiyan) where it is very easy to get lost! You could wander through the zigzag narrow galleries for hours without finding your way out! It's a very eerie sensation, moving towards the sunlit corridors that seem to be going out, only to find that you are actually deeper in the labyrinth! Most visitors therefore are only allowed inside with guides who are, quite amazingly, familiar with the maze. In fact, a favorite trick of all guides is to tell the visitor that he will be given 15 minutes to find his way out. Most visitors, needless to say, fail the test! There are also large underground passages that have now been blocked up. Next to the Imambada, in the same compound, is a majestic mosque and to its right, a row of cloisters concealing a huge well, which is said to be fathomless.
The Hussainabad or Chota Imambada is an exquisite building built by Nawab Muhammad Ali Shah in 1839 as a burial place for himself. As you enter the compound, you step into a large courtyard with a rectangular raised tank spanned by a small bridge. 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. In one of them lies buried Zinat Asuja, the daughter of Muhammad Ali Shah and in the other are preserved the remains of her husband. The walls of the Imambada are embellished with calligraphic verses in Arabic. The interior of the Imambada houses an exotic assortment of objects ranging from elaborate chandeliers and gilded mirrors to tazias made of sandalwood, wax, and paper. A silver railing encloses the graves of Muhammad Ali Shah and his mother. During Muharram, both the Imambadas are ablaze with illumination.
Apart from the Bada Imambada, Asaf-ud-Daula also built the great Roomi Darwaza as a relief work during the famine of 1783. 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.
Then there is the Jama Masjid, a great mosque with two minarets and three domes, which stands to the west of the Hussainabad Imambada. It also owes its origin to Muhammad Ali Shah who started the construction but did not live to see it completed. That task was left to Begum Malika Jahan of the royal family.
The Hussainabad Clock Tower, rising to 221 feet, was started in 1880 and completed seven years later. The clock itself, which was designed by M. J. W. Wanson of London, is said to be the largest in India. Nearby is the Picture Gallery, a double-storey redbrick building built by Mohammed Ali Shah as a baradari. Today, it houses enormous portraits of all the Nawabs of Avadh, most of which were painted in the late 19th century by European artists. The portraits, which have recently been restored, give a good insight into the grand costumes and jewelry favored by the Nawabs.
The Residency was built in 1800 by 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 inhabitants of the Residency faced a siege of 140 days before they were rescued by British troops. The red building is today in a dilapidated state and marks of cannon shots can be seen on almost every wall. Surrounded by shady green trees, the ruins of the Residency stand, still and quiet, in the afternoon sunshine. A brooding silence engulfs the ruins and one almost expects the ghosts of the dead to suddenly materialize and flit across the rooms.
A little distance away from the Residency is the glorious Chattar Manzil that served for a while as the palace of Begum Hazrat Mahal, the heroine of India's first fight for independence against the British. For English travelers in the 19th century, it seemed like something out of Arabian Nights! Today this splendid building houses a prosaic Drug Research Institute.
Among the other fabulous monuments of Lucknow are the Kaiser Bagh palaces, built by Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Avadh, who was robbed of his kingdom by the British and confined in Calcutta where he spent the last years of his life, pining for his beloved Lucknow. The buildings are said to have cost around 80 lakhs when they were built in 1850. Today a great deal of Kaiser Bagh has disappeared (the destruction took place in the 1857 uprising), but the name still applies to the historic quadrangle where Wajid Ali Shah, wearing the dress of a dramatic performer, used to participate in fairs. There are several small pavilions for the performance of plays. The surrounding yellow buildings called Lakhi were, at one time, the harem.
If one were to continue enumerating all the sights and sounds that Lucknow is famous for-like the La Martiniere School for Boys (housed in an Italian style building constructed by Major General Claude Martin for his own residence in 1793) or Nadan Mahal (one of the oldest structures of the city) or Moti Mahal (constructed by Nawab Saadat Ali Khan who used to watch the fights of large animals from Mubarak Manzil, which is in the same compound)-one could go on forever. Perhaps the wise thing to do is to explore this fascinating city on one's own. Apart from the well-known buildings, it is entirely probable that one may discover some concealed gems in the form of the Charbagh Railway Station, Biblapur Kothi, Dilkusha Palace, Zoological Gardens, State Museum, Tarawali Kothi, Khursheed Manzil, Shah Nazaf, Botanical Gardens (Sikandar Bagh), Badshahi Bagh, Aliganj Mahbir Temple, Kaiser Bagh, Mothi Roshan-ud-Daula, Lal Baradari, Lakshman Tila, Dargah of Hazrat Abbas, and the Alamgiri 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.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - Lucknow is connected by daily flight from major towns and cities of India.
BY RAIL - Some well-known trains-Gomti Express (New Delhi to Lucknow), Neelachal Express (New Delhi to Puri), Vaishali Express (New Delhi to Barauni), Ganga-Jamuna Express (New Delhi to Lucknow), Sabarmati Express (Ahmedabad to Varanasi), and Avadh Assam Express (Guwahati to New Delhi)-connect Lucknow to the rest of India.
BY ROAD - Lucknow is also well connected to other cities of the country by road. The distances to some nearby cities are as follows: Delhi, 499 km; Jhansi, 340 km; Srinagar, 1394 km; Varanasi, 319 km.
Taxis, tongas, cycle rickshaws are available throughout the city. Charges vary according to the distance.
WHERE TO STAY
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Lucknow.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information on tourism in Lucknow. Tourism-of-India.com offers package tours in order to make your visit to Lucknow Pleasant.
Lucknow is known all over the world for the tehjeeb or the courteous behaviour of its people. It is a rare city. Few places in the world are endowed with such rich cultural traditions, as is this romantic city of the nawabs. Whether it is history, architecture, music, dance, handicrafts, etiquette, or sports, Lucknow has its own story to tell.
HISTORY
Surprisingly, the story of Lucknow began not so very long ago. Though the city traces its origin to the Suryavanshi dynasty of Ayodhya in ancient times, and derives its name from Lakshmana (the brother of Lord Rama), Lucknow actually came into prominence during the 18th century. In 1732, Muhammad Shah, one of the later kings of the once-powerful Mughal dynasty, appointed Mohammed Amir Saadat Khan, a Persian adventurer of noble lineage, to the viceroyalty of the area known as Avadh, of which Lucknow was a part. Saadat Khan was the founder of the famous dynasty known as the Nawab Wazirs-a dynasty that changed the face of this hitherto little-known place. Under his successors, Lucknow flowered as never before and all but became the cultural nerve center of northern India. The rapid growth of Lucknow dates from 1755 when the fourth Nawab, Asaf-ud-Daula, transferred the capital of Avadh from Faizabad to Lucknow and set about gifting to the city some of its most splendid architectural marvels, a tradition that was sustained by this successors. During this period, Lucknow also established its prominent place in the field of poetry, music, and dance. A colorful local culture, incorporating fairs and festivals, also flourished alongside. But what really set Lucknow apart from others was a certain elegance and grace of lifestyle. A romantic and courtly ambience became a part of the city. In fact, even today the city breathes history, and the sound of laughter and music, the tinkling of ankle bells and the mellifluous rendering of Urdu poetry (shairi) still echo and reverberate through the long corridors of time. Even today, when one wanders through the city, s/he will encounter the kind of refined courtesy and polish that seems to belong to another age.
Lucknow today, nestling on the banks of the river Gomti, is a modern, bustling metropolis and serves as the capital of the large north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. But despite the changes it has undergone over the decades, it still retains the vestige of the culture that once made it one of the most celebrated cities of the land. It represents a harmonized blend of the old and the new; it has the advantages of a big, modern city, without any of the disadvantages. There is a profusion of parks and gardens redolent with nostalgia of another time. More importantly, residents of Lucknow have an extremely relaxed and laid-back attitude to life. So even though Lucknow is a big city today, there is none of the mad rush and hectic pace that one normally expects in a busy metropolis.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Lucknow abounds with lovely monuments that tell the story of their time. For any visitor to this city, a trip to the various architectural wonders is an absolute must. Among the most important monuments are the Imambadas, the many mosques, the Roomi Darwaza, and the many splendid Mughal architectural marvels.
The Bada Imambada or Asafi Imambada (Imambada: patriarch's place) is an important tourist attraction of Lucknow. It was built by the then Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula in 1784 to provide succor to the famine-stricken people. Apart from the galleries in the interior, there is no woodwork anywhere. The interior vaulted hall, measuring 162 feet long, 53 feet broad, and 50 feet high is said to be one of the largest apartments of its kind in the world. From the outside, a staircase leads to a series of artfully designed labyrinths (bhoolbhulaiyan) where it is very easy to get lost! You could wander through the zigzag narrow galleries for hours without finding your way out! It's a very eerie sensation, moving towards the sunlit corridors that seem to be going out, only to find that you are actually deeper in the labyrinth! Most visitors therefore are only allowed inside with guides who are, quite amazingly, familiar with the maze. In fact, a favorite trick of all guides is to tell the visitor that he will be given 15 minutes to find his way out. Most visitors, needless to say, fail the test! There are also large underground passages that have now been blocked up. Next to the Imambada, in the same compound, is a majestic mosque and to its right, a row of cloisters concealing a huge well, which is said to be fathomless.
The Hussainabad or Chota Imambada is an exquisite building built by Nawab Muhammad Ali Shah in 1839 as a burial place for himself. As you enter the compound, you step into a large courtyard with a rectangular raised tank spanned by a small bridge. 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. In one of them lies buried Zinat Asuja, the daughter of Muhammad Ali Shah and in the other are preserved the remains of her husband. The walls of the Imambada are embellished with calligraphic verses in Arabic. The interior of the Imambada houses an exotic assortment of objects ranging from elaborate chandeliers and gilded mirrors to tazias made of sandalwood, wax, and paper. A silver railing encloses the graves of Muhammad Ali Shah and his mother. During Muharram, both the Imambadas are ablaze with illumination.
Apart from the Bada Imambada, Asaf-ud-Daula also built the great Roomi Darwaza as a relief work during the famine of 1783. 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.
Then there is the Jama Masjid, a great mosque with two minarets and three domes, which stands to the west of the Hussainabad Imambada. It also owes its origin to Muhammad Ali Shah who started the construction but did not live to see it completed. That task was left to Begum Malika Jahan of the royal family.
The Hussainabad Clock Tower, rising to 221 feet, was started in 1880 and completed seven years later. The clock itself, which was designed by M. J. W. Wanson of London, is said to be the largest in India. Nearby is the Picture Gallery, a double-storey redbrick building built by Mohammed Ali Shah as a baradari. Today, it houses enormous portraits of all the Nawabs of Avadh, most of which were painted in the late 19th century by European artists. The portraits, which have recently been restored, give a good insight into the grand costumes and jewelry favored by the Nawabs.
The Residency was built in 1800 by 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 inhabitants of the Residency faced a siege of 140 days before they were rescued by British troops. The red building is today in a dilapidated state and marks of cannon shots can be seen on almost every wall. Surrounded by shady green trees, the ruins of the Residency stand, still and quiet, in the afternoon sunshine. A brooding silence engulfs the ruins and one almost expects the ghosts of the dead to suddenly materialize and flit across the rooms.
A little distance away from the Residency is the glorious Chattar Manzil that served for a while as the palace of Begum Hazrat Mahal, the heroine of India's first fight for independence against the British. For English travelers in the 19th century, it seemed like something out of Arabian Nights! Today this splendid building houses a prosaic Drug Research Institute.
Among the other fabulous monuments of Lucknow are the Kaiser Bagh palaces, built by Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Avadh, who was robbed of his kingdom by the British and confined in Calcutta where he spent the last years of his life, pining for his beloved Lucknow. The buildings are said to have cost around 80 lakhs when they were built in 1850. Today a great deal of Kaiser Bagh has disappeared (the destruction took place in the 1857 uprising), but the name still applies to the historic quadrangle where Wajid Ali Shah, wearing the dress of a dramatic performer, used to participate in fairs. There are several small pavilions for the performance of plays. The surrounding yellow buildings called Lakhi were, at one time, the harem.
If one were to continue enumerating all the sights and sounds that Lucknow is famous for-like the La Martiniere School for Boys (housed in an Italian style building constructed by Major General Claude Martin for his own residence in 1793) or Nadan Mahal (one of the oldest structures of the city) or Moti Mahal (constructed by Nawab Saadat Ali Khan who used to watch the fights of large animals from Mubarak Manzil, which is in the same compound)-one could go on forever. Perhaps the wise thing to do is to explore this fascinating city on one's own. Apart from the well-known buildings, it is entirely probable that one may discover some concealed gems in the form of the Charbagh Railway Station, Biblapur Kothi, Dilkusha Palace, Zoological Gardens, State Museum, Tarawali Kothi, Khursheed Manzil, Shah Nazaf, Botanical Gardens (Sikandar Bagh), Badshahi Bagh, Aliganj Mahbir Temple, Kaiser Bagh, Mothi Roshan-ud-Daula, Lal Baradari, Lakshman Tila, Dargah of Hazrat Abbas, and the Alamgiri 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.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - Lucknow is connected by daily flight from major towns and cities of India.
BY RAIL - Some well-known trains-Gomti Express (New Delhi to Lucknow), Neelachal Express (New Delhi to Puri), Vaishali Express (New Delhi to Barauni), Ganga-Jamuna Express (New Delhi to Lucknow), Sabarmati Express (Ahmedabad to Varanasi), and Avadh Assam Express (Guwahati to New Delhi)-connect Lucknow to the rest of India.
BY ROAD - Lucknow is also well connected to other cities of the country by road. The distances to some nearby cities are as follows: Delhi, 499 km; Jhansi, 340 km; Srinagar, 1394 km; Varanasi, 319 km.
Taxis, tongas, cycle rickshaws are available throughout the city. Charges vary according to the distance.
WHERE TO STAY
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Lucknow.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information on tourism in Lucknow. Tourism-of-India.com offers package tours in order to make your visit to Lucknow Pleasant.
KANNAUJ
INTRODUCTION
Situated on the banks of the sacred River Ganges, 80 km from Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, is the now almost forgotten town of Kannauj, well known in ancient time as 'Harsha Vardhan City'. Today it prides itself as the 'Attar City' or the perfume city of India.
HISTORY
Kannauj finds mention in ancient literary works like the Mahabharata and Valmiki Ramayana under different names-Mahodaya, Kusasthali, Kanyakubja and Gandhipuri. In the beginning of sixth century AD it was the capital of Mankharis. The last ruler of the Mankhari dynasty, Grahavarman was killed by treachery. Grahavarman's queen Rajyashri came from the neighbouring kingdom of Thaneswar. Harsha Vardhan, though still young, was put on the throne at Thaneswar after the demise of his elder brother. Harsha was very attached to his sister-in-law. Moved by her misfortune, he took control of the affairs and this was followed by 42 years (AD 606-647) of glory for Kannauj. During Harsha's reign Kannauj grew into the foremost city of northern India. We learn of Harsha's Kannauj from two sources. Hiuen Tsang's account of Kannauj written during his travels to India at that time, and also from Bana Bhatta's Harshacharit. Bana Bhatta was the court poet and also a close friend of Harsha. He gives a detailed account of Harsha's sister, Rajyashri's wedding where it is clearly indicated that art and craft have flourished under Harsha's rule.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Archeological findings reveal that Kannauj was once the foremost city of northern India where once art and culture flourished. Every now and then pottery, coins, terra cotta and sculpture are dug up by the common man in the course of work while ploughing his land or digging the foundation for construction of a house. Till very recently all the excavated material lay scattered among different families of Kannauj and in private collections. These have been now collected and are on display under one roof at the Government Archaeological Museum, Kannauj. The terra-cotta figurines unearthed here represent Gods and Goddesses, male and female figurines and animal figurines. They belong to different periods of history stretching from the Maurya period of 325 BC right down to the Gupta period AD (319-600). Some pre-historic bone implements have also been found.
Several Ekmukhi (with one face) and Chaturmukhi (four faced) faced lingas have been found in Kannauj. One such Ekmukhi lingam bearing Shiva's wife Gauri's head on one side has been in worshiped for ages by the Mankharis. Harsha was reputed to be a devout Hindu, who made generous donations to different sects. During his time, one thousands priests were employed in the worship of this Ekmukhi shivling at the Gauri Temple as has been recorded by Hiuen Tsang.
The 500 years old Siddheswar temple on the Ganges draws a large number of devotees during Sharad Purnima (full moon in October). After a holy dip in the river, they offer prayers at the temple. The otherwise quiet riverbank gets transformed into a bustling Mela or fair ground in a matter of a few hours.
PERFUME MAKING IN KANNAUJ - While history hangs heavy in every corner, the present is no less interesting in Kannauj. It has a thriving flavor and fragrance industry. Many interesting stories abound about how Kannauj came to occupy the center of this industry. Harsha Vardhan himself was known to use perfumes and fragrant anointment. He encouraged and patronized the development of fragrances. He also gifted fragrant material to outsiders who visited him. That is how Kannauj's reputation as a center of perfumery spread far and wide.
The traditional Deg-Bhapka method of attar making practiced even today, bears striking resemblance to the ancient distillation equipment at Taxila. Copper stills and receivers are used. Great quantities of flowers or herbs are heated and the vapours condensed and absorbed into a fixer which is sandalwood oil. A large number of skilled workers are engaged in attar making. They are adept in knowing exactly when to step up the heat by inserting an extra wooden log in the furnace, or when to arrest the distillation by simply wrapping a wet cloth around the still. Methods used are crude but effective. The attar when ready is poured into circular camel leather bottles for sedimentation and removal of moisture. Small baked clay teacups are used as raw material to extract the delicate aroma that emerges when rainwater falls on sun-parched soil. It is one of those elusive fragrances that defy all description. One simply has to experience it.
HOW TO REACH
Kanpur, at a distance of 80 km from Kannauj, is the nearest major city. Kanpur is connected to almost all the major cities in India by regular air, rail, and road network. The state capital Lucknow is 154 km away and connected through a good rail and road network to Kannauj.
WHERE TO STAY
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Kannauj.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about tourism in Kannauj Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make you visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.
Situated on the banks of the sacred River Ganges, 80 km from Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, is the now almost forgotten town of Kannauj, well known in ancient time as 'Harsha Vardhan City'. Today it prides itself as the 'Attar City' or the perfume city of India.
HISTORY
Kannauj finds mention in ancient literary works like the Mahabharata and Valmiki Ramayana under different names-Mahodaya, Kusasthali, Kanyakubja and Gandhipuri. In the beginning of sixth century AD it was the capital of Mankharis. The last ruler of the Mankhari dynasty, Grahavarman was killed by treachery. Grahavarman's queen Rajyashri came from the neighbouring kingdom of Thaneswar. Harsha Vardhan, though still young, was put on the throne at Thaneswar after the demise of his elder brother. Harsha was very attached to his sister-in-law. Moved by her misfortune, he took control of the affairs and this was followed by 42 years (AD 606-647) of glory for Kannauj. During Harsha's reign Kannauj grew into the foremost city of northern India. We learn of Harsha's Kannauj from two sources. Hiuen Tsang's account of Kannauj written during his travels to India at that time, and also from Bana Bhatta's Harshacharit. Bana Bhatta was the court poet and also a close friend of Harsha. He gives a detailed account of Harsha's sister, Rajyashri's wedding where it is clearly indicated that art and craft have flourished under Harsha's rule.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Archeological findings reveal that Kannauj was once the foremost city of northern India where once art and culture flourished. Every now and then pottery, coins, terra cotta and sculpture are dug up by the common man in the course of work while ploughing his land or digging the foundation for construction of a house. Till very recently all the excavated material lay scattered among different families of Kannauj and in private collections. These have been now collected and are on display under one roof at the Government Archaeological Museum, Kannauj. The terra-cotta figurines unearthed here represent Gods and Goddesses, male and female figurines and animal figurines. They belong to different periods of history stretching from the Maurya period of 325 BC right down to the Gupta period AD (319-600). Some pre-historic bone implements have also been found.
Several Ekmukhi (with one face) and Chaturmukhi (four faced) faced lingas have been found in Kannauj. One such Ekmukhi lingam bearing Shiva's wife Gauri's head on one side has been in worshiped for ages by the Mankharis. Harsha was reputed to be a devout Hindu, who made generous donations to different sects. During his time, one thousands priests were employed in the worship of this Ekmukhi shivling at the Gauri Temple as has been recorded by Hiuen Tsang.
The 500 years old Siddheswar temple on the Ganges draws a large number of devotees during Sharad Purnima (full moon in October). After a holy dip in the river, they offer prayers at the temple. The otherwise quiet riverbank gets transformed into a bustling Mela or fair ground in a matter of a few hours.
PERFUME MAKING IN KANNAUJ - While history hangs heavy in every corner, the present is no less interesting in Kannauj. It has a thriving flavor and fragrance industry. Many interesting stories abound about how Kannauj came to occupy the center of this industry. Harsha Vardhan himself was known to use perfumes and fragrant anointment. He encouraged and patronized the development of fragrances. He also gifted fragrant material to outsiders who visited him. That is how Kannauj's reputation as a center of perfumery spread far and wide.
The traditional Deg-Bhapka method of attar making practiced even today, bears striking resemblance to the ancient distillation equipment at Taxila. Copper stills and receivers are used. Great quantities of flowers or herbs are heated and the vapours condensed and absorbed into a fixer which is sandalwood oil. A large number of skilled workers are engaged in attar making. They are adept in knowing exactly when to step up the heat by inserting an extra wooden log in the furnace, or when to arrest the distillation by simply wrapping a wet cloth around the still. Methods used are crude but effective. The attar when ready is poured into circular camel leather bottles for sedimentation and removal of moisture. Small baked clay teacups are used as raw material to extract the delicate aroma that emerges when rainwater falls on sun-parched soil. It is one of those elusive fragrances that defy all description. One simply has to experience it.
HOW TO REACH
Kanpur, at a distance of 80 km from Kannauj, is the nearest major city. Kanpur is connected to almost all the major cities in India by regular air, rail, and road network. The state capital Lucknow is 154 km away and connected through a good rail and road network to Kannauj.
WHERE TO STAY
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Kannauj.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about tourism in Kannauj Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make you visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.
KALINJAR
HISTORY
Kalinjar means 'the destroyer of time' in Sanskrit. Kal is time and jar destruction. It is therefore a common belief associated with the Kalinjar hill that Lord Shiva had slain the god of time on it. Since then, the hill has been considered a holy site, casting its shadow across the patches of grasslands as well as the densely forested valley. The natural splendor of the surroundings makes it an ideal place for penance and meditation and, surprisingly, a strange mystique still pervades all over the hill. The scriptures state that the holy place had four different names in the four yugas. In Satyuga it was known as Kirtinagar, in Treta it was Madhyagarh, in Dwapar it was Singhalgarh and now in Kalyuga, it has come to be known as Kalinjar. The hilly peak has several legends attached to it.
Its origin being shrouded in mystery, not much is known as to when and by whom the fort was built on this holy hill, though modern historians conjecture that a Chandela king, Kedar Burman, had it built in the seventh century AD. The fort was a unique monument of its time and had no parallel in any other part of the country in terms of sheer grandeur and artistry.
Its historical background is replete with numerous battle and invasions. The Hindu princes of different dynasties as well as Muslim rulers fought hard to conquer it and the fort continued to pass from one ruler to another. But, except for the Chandelas, no other ruler could reign over it for a long time.
In the year 1812, the British troops marched into Bundelkhand and after a long drawn battle they were able to annex the fort. The British seizure proved to be a great watershed, transferring the legacy of the old aristocracy into the hands of the new bureaucracy of officials who showed their loyalty to British imperialism by damaging the captured fort. The damages caused to the fort can still be seen on its walls and open spaces.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
The majesty and grandeur witnessed within its precincts is due to the Chandela rulers' creative imagination, their highly developed aesthetic sense and religious fervor. Though they were great devotees of Lord Shiva, they evinced a great interest in the construction of temples of other deities, too. The massive rock cut sculptures include figures of various gods and goddesses from ancient mythological themes. Wherever the Chandelas had established their reign they left their mark by enriching them with fine works of art, stone images, and sculpture.
The western part of the fort rewards all who take the time to look inside the temple of Neelkanth Mahadev. Each time one peeps through a cave-like opening and glances at an imposing Shivlinga of around five feet, one is awe-struck. The idea has been to use landscape and cave-isolation to set the solemnity of the mood for prayer. Its intrinsic feature is to reflect and refract light in the appropriate seasons, letting in light in winter and darkening to restrict its entry in summer.
Close to the Shivling cave, stand the idols of Bhairava and goddess Parvati, made of black stone. On either side of the gateway, images of numerous gods and goddesses are carved. A number of broken pillars can also be seen at regular distances. On these pillars, it is said, six-storey constructions were raised, but they were demolished later. There are numerous rock-cut sculptures indicating neglect and ravages of time. The vagaries of nature and of man have taken their toll but the remnants indicate a synthesis of several ancient cultures and faiths, the legacy of a glorious past.
Another beautiful sight is the palace of prince Aman Singh. He was the descendant of King Chhatrasal. A number of legends are associated with this Mahal whose big lawns and walls unfold a long history of Chandela culture. Thousands of images made of granite and sandstone have been collected in a museum set up informally. Rich carvings on these images arrest the eye, even though they are broken and have been struck by the ravages of time.
Trimurti images are also many, showing the faces of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Some distance away is carved a massive figure of Vishnu lying in the ocean of milk, enclosed within the coils of the Sheshnag. It presents a unique artistic charm. The presence of images of Lord Mahavira, the god of love Kamadev, Indrani the wife of Indra etc. speaks of influence from diverse cultures and religions. It also leads us to believe that the creation of the Chandela culture was not the handiwork of artists from one region.
The Chandela princes were influenced by the 'Shaiva' cult. Therefore, among the rock-cut and stone images are mostly those of Shiva, Parvati, Nandi and the Shivling. Shiva is seen at times in his dancing posture of tandava and at others in a close embrace with goddess Parvati.
There are numerous other attractions. The Venkat Bihari temple presents a majestic look from the outside though its interiors are decayed now. Persons suffering from skin diseases can take a dip in the 'pond of million tirthas'. The Sita-kund, Pandu-kund, Patal-ganga etc. speak for the Chandelas' taste for the aquatic resorts.
Cemented roads have been built all through the mountainous passage, along which people can conveniently travel to reach the fort. But to discover the real charm and pleasure of adventure, one has to walk along the old beaten track, making way through the rough and rocky terrain of the seven magnificent gates falling in between. Seeing these gates, one truly appreciates the functional relevance of this invincible fort and its strategic defenses.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - The nearest airport is at Khajuraho, which is 130 km away.
BY RAIL - The nearest railway station is Atarra 36 km away, on the Banda-Satna route, 57 km from the Banda railway station.
BY ROAD - The Kalinjar fort is linked by road to all the important centres in the region with regular bus services. Some of the major road distances are - Chitrakoot-78 km, Banda-62 km, Khajuraho-130 km, and Allahabad-205 km.
WHERE TO STAY
We offer excellent accommodation facilities around Kalinjar fort.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about tourism in Kalinjar. Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make you visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.
Kalinjar means 'the destroyer of time' in Sanskrit. Kal is time and jar destruction. It is therefore a common belief associated with the Kalinjar hill that Lord Shiva had slain the god of time on it. Since then, the hill has been considered a holy site, casting its shadow across the patches of grasslands as well as the densely forested valley. The natural splendor of the surroundings makes it an ideal place for penance and meditation and, surprisingly, a strange mystique still pervades all over the hill. The scriptures state that the holy place had four different names in the four yugas. In Satyuga it was known as Kirtinagar, in Treta it was Madhyagarh, in Dwapar it was Singhalgarh and now in Kalyuga, it has come to be known as Kalinjar. The hilly peak has several legends attached to it.
Its origin being shrouded in mystery, not much is known as to when and by whom the fort was built on this holy hill, though modern historians conjecture that a Chandela king, Kedar Burman, had it built in the seventh century AD. The fort was a unique monument of its time and had no parallel in any other part of the country in terms of sheer grandeur and artistry.
Its historical background is replete with numerous battle and invasions. The Hindu princes of different dynasties as well as Muslim rulers fought hard to conquer it and the fort continued to pass from one ruler to another. But, except for the Chandelas, no other ruler could reign over it for a long time.
In the year 1812, the British troops marched into Bundelkhand and after a long drawn battle they were able to annex the fort. The British seizure proved to be a great watershed, transferring the legacy of the old aristocracy into the hands of the new bureaucracy of officials who showed their loyalty to British imperialism by damaging the captured fort. The damages caused to the fort can still be seen on its walls and open spaces.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
The majesty and grandeur witnessed within its precincts is due to the Chandela rulers' creative imagination, their highly developed aesthetic sense and religious fervor. Though they were great devotees of Lord Shiva, they evinced a great interest in the construction of temples of other deities, too. The massive rock cut sculptures include figures of various gods and goddesses from ancient mythological themes. Wherever the Chandelas had established their reign they left their mark by enriching them with fine works of art, stone images, and sculpture.
The western part of the fort rewards all who take the time to look inside the temple of Neelkanth Mahadev. Each time one peeps through a cave-like opening and glances at an imposing Shivlinga of around five feet, one is awe-struck. The idea has been to use landscape and cave-isolation to set the solemnity of the mood for prayer. Its intrinsic feature is to reflect and refract light in the appropriate seasons, letting in light in winter and darkening to restrict its entry in summer.
Close to the Shivling cave, stand the idols of Bhairava and goddess Parvati, made of black stone. On either side of the gateway, images of numerous gods and goddesses are carved. A number of broken pillars can also be seen at regular distances. On these pillars, it is said, six-storey constructions were raised, but they were demolished later. There are numerous rock-cut sculptures indicating neglect and ravages of time. The vagaries of nature and of man have taken their toll but the remnants indicate a synthesis of several ancient cultures and faiths, the legacy of a glorious past.
Another beautiful sight is the palace of prince Aman Singh. He was the descendant of King Chhatrasal. A number of legends are associated with this Mahal whose big lawns and walls unfold a long history of Chandela culture. Thousands of images made of granite and sandstone have been collected in a museum set up informally. Rich carvings on these images arrest the eye, even though they are broken and have been struck by the ravages of time.
Trimurti images are also many, showing the faces of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Some distance away is carved a massive figure of Vishnu lying in the ocean of milk, enclosed within the coils of the Sheshnag. It presents a unique artistic charm. The presence of images of Lord Mahavira, the god of love Kamadev, Indrani the wife of Indra etc. speaks of influence from diverse cultures and religions. It also leads us to believe that the creation of the Chandela culture was not the handiwork of artists from one region.
The Chandela princes were influenced by the 'Shaiva' cult. Therefore, among the rock-cut and stone images are mostly those of Shiva, Parvati, Nandi and the Shivling. Shiva is seen at times in his dancing posture of tandava and at others in a close embrace with goddess Parvati.
There are numerous other attractions. The Venkat Bihari temple presents a majestic look from the outside though its interiors are decayed now. Persons suffering from skin diseases can take a dip in the 'pond of million tirthas'. The Sita-kund, Pandu-kund, Patal-ganga etc. speak for the Chandelas' taste for the aquatic resorts.
Cemented roads have been built all through the mountainous passage, along which people can conveniently travel to reach the fort. But to discover the real charm and pleasure of adventure, one has to walk along the old beaten track, making way through the rough and rocky terrain of the seven magnificent gates falling in between. Seeing these gates, one truly appreciates the functional relevance of this invincible fort and its strategic defenses.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - The nearest airport is at Khajuraho, which is 130 km away.
BY RAIL - The nearest railway station is Atarra 36 km away, on the Banda-Satna route, 57 km from the Banda railway station.
BY ROAD - The Kalinjar fort is linked by road to all the important centres in the region with regular bus services. Some of the major road distances are - Chitrakoot-78 km, Banda-62 km, Khajuraho-130 km, and Allahabad-205 km.
WHERE TO STAY
We offer excellent accommodation facilities around Kalinjar fort.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about tourism in Kalinjar. Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make you visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.
DUDHWA TIGER RESERVE
FACTS & FIGURES
Area
614 sq km
Altitude
152 - 183 meters level
Language
Hindi and English
Best time to visit
Mid November to Mid June
INTRODUCTION
The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in the Lakhimpur-Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh is one of the finest examples of the exceedingly diverse and productive Terai eco-systems. The reserve has an area of 614 sq km. The northern edge of the reserve lies along the Indo-Nepal border while the southern boundary is marked by the river Suheli. It is home to a large number of rare and endangered species, which include tiger, leopard, swamp deer, hispid hare, Bengal floricans, etc.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Like the rest of north India, Dudhwa also has an extreme type of climate. Summers are hot with the temperature rising up to 40°C. During winters, the temperature hovers between 20°C and 30°C. The average annual rainfall is 1,600 mm.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
The grasslands of the reserve are the habitat of the largest kind of Indian deer-the swamp deer or the Barasingha, called thus because of their magnificent antlers (bara-twelve; singha-antler). Decline in their habitats led to a drastic decline in numbers and a small area named Sonaripur Sanctuary was set aside in 1958 for the conservation of this rare species of deer. Later, it was upgraded to cover an area of 212 sq km and was renamed the Dudhwa Sanctuary. In 1977, the area was further extended to include over 614 sq km and was declared a national park. Eleven years later, in 1988, when Dudhwa became a part of Project Tiger, the area of the Kishanpur Sanctuary was added to create the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. About 1,800 Barasingha live in the reserve now and their majestic herds are often seen, especially in the grassy wetlands of the Sathania and Kakraha blocks.
Apart from the swamp deer, there are at least 37 species of mammals, 16 species of reptiles and 400 species of avifauna. Dudhwa is said to have 101 tigers and four leopards. Recently, the hispid hare has also been sighted from this area.
It was here in 1984 that a major rhinoceros rehabilitation project was started since these forests had been the habitat of the rhinoceros 150 years ago. Five rhinos were relocated from Assam but two of the females died due to the strains of transportation. These were replaced in 1985 by four more females from Nepal.
The Terai area in the sub Himalayan belt, which holds an extremely dynamic habitat for a wide range of animal communities, has some uniqueness and serves the humanity in the plains, down south, in many ways.
The major vegetation types in this region are tropical semi-evergreen forest, tropical moist deciduous forest, riparian and swamp forest and dry deciduous forest. The dominant tree species are Shorea robusta, Terminalis tomentosa, Adina cordifolia, Terminalia belerica, Eugenia jambolana, Dalbergia sissoo, and Bombax malabaricum. The various types of forests throughout the park are interrupted by wide stretches of mesophyllous grasslands locally called the phantas.
PLACES AROUND DUDHWA
En route to Dudhwa, the unique Frog Temple at Oyal can also be visited. The only one of its kind in India, it was built by the former Maharajas of the Oyal state in the district of Lakhimpur-Kheri. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the base of the stone temple is built in the shape of a large frog. The temple is at a distance of 10 km from Hargaon on the route to Lakhimpur-Kheri and Dudhwa.
Built in the Indo-Saracenic style by the rulers of the Singhai state, Surat Bhawan Palace is one of the famous palaces of the Terai area. Not far from the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve on the Lakhimpur-Nighasan-Dudhwa route, the palace is set in a large green, nine-acre retreat. Expanses of lush lawns, fountains, a swimming pool and interesting architectural details make a visit to the palace worthwhile.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - The nearest airport is Lucknow, connected to many places in India including Delhi and Mumbai by regular flights.
BY RAIL - The nearest railway stations are Dudhwa 4 km, Palia 10 km, and Mailani 37 km. Dudhwa, on North-Eastern Railway meter gauge section is connected via Mailani to Lucknow & Nainital.
BY ROAD - UPSRTC and private bus services link Palia to Lakhimpur Kheri, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, and Delhi etc. Buses ply frequently between Palia and Dudhwa.
Important road distances are Lucknow - 238 km, Bareilly - 260 km, Delhi - 430 km, Palia - 5 km.
LOCAL TRANSPORT - Coaches and jeeps can be hired from the national park office at Dudhwa for traveling inside the park. Elephants are available for wildlife viewing at Dudhwa only.
WHERE TO STAY
The Forest Department provides for accommodation inside the Park at its various centres. Forest Rest Houses, Swiss Cottage Tents, and Tharu Huts are available at Dudhwa, Sathiana, Bankatti, Sonaripur, and Kila.
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information on tourism in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. Tourism-of-India.com offers package tours in order to make your visit to Dudhwa Tiger Reserve Pleasant.
Area
614 sq km
Altitude
152 - 183 meters level
Language
Hindi and English
Best time to visit
Mid November to Mid June
INTRODUCTION
The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in the Lakhimpur-Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh is one of the finest examples of the exceedingly diverse and productive Terai eco-systems. The reserve has an area of 614 sq km. The northern edge of the reserve lies along the Indo-Nepal border while the southern boundary is marked by the river Suheli. It is home to a large number of rare and endangered species, which include tiger, leopard, swamp deer, hispid hare, Bengal floricans, etc.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Like the rest of north India, Dudhwa also has an extreme type of climate. Summers are hot with the temperature rising up to 40°C. During winters, the temperature hovers between 20°C and 30°C. The average annual rainfall is 1,600 mm.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
The grasslands of the reserve are the habitat of the largest kind of Indian deer-the swamp deer or the Barasingha, called thus because of their magnificent antlers (bara-twelve; singha-antler). Decline in their habitats led to a drastic decline in numbers and a small area named Sonaripur Sanctuary was set aside in 1958 for the conservation of this rare species of deer. Later, it was upgraded to cover an area of 212 sq km and was renamed the Dudhwa Sanctuary. In 1977, the area was further extended to include over 614 sq km and was declared a national park. Eleven years later, in 1988, when Dudhwa became a part of Project Tiger, the area of the Kishanpur Sanctuary was added to create the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. About 1,800 Barasingha live in the reserve now and their majestic herds are often seen, especially in the grassy wetlands of the Sathania and Kakraha blocks.
Apart from the swamp deer, there are at least 37 species of mammals, 16 species of reptiles and 400 species of avifauna. Dudhwa is said to have 101 tigers and four leopards. Recently, the hispid hare has also been sighted from this area.
It was here in 1984 that a major rhinoceros rehabilitation project was started since these forests had been the habitat of the rhinoceros 150 years ago. Five rhinos were relocated from Assam but two of the females died due to the strains of transportation. These were replaced in 1985 by four more females from Nepal.
The Terai area in the sub Himalayan belt, which holds an extremely dynamic habitat for a wide range of animal communities, has some uniqueness and serves the humanity in the plains, down south, in many ways.
The major vegetation types in this region are tropical semi-evergreen forest, tropical moist deciduous forest, riparian and swamp forest and dry deciduous forest. The dominant tree species are Shorea robusta, Terminalis tomentosa, Adina cordifolia, Terminalia belerica, Eugenia jambolana, Dalbergia sissoo, and Bombax malabaricum. The various types of forests throughout the park are interrupted by wide stretches of mesophyllous grasslands locally called the phantas.
PLACES AROUND DUDHWA
En route to Dudhwa, the unique Frog Temple at Oyal can also be visited. The only one of its kind in India, it was built by the former Maharajas of the Oyal state in the district of Lakhimpur-Kheri. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the base of the stone temple is built in the shape of a large frog. The temple is at a distance of 10 km from Hargaon on the route to Lakhimpur-Kheri and Dudhwa.
Built in the Indo-Saracenic style by the rulers of the Singhai state, Surat Bhawan Palace is one of the famous palaces of the Terai area. Not far from the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve on the Lakhimpur-Nighasan-Dudhwa route, the palace is set in a large green, nine-acre retreat. Expanses of lush lawns, fountains, a swimming pool and interesting architectural details make a visit to the palace worthwhile.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - The nearest airport is Lucknow, connected to many places in India including Delhi and Mumbai by regular flights.
BY RAIL - The nearest railway stations are Dudhwa 4 km, Palia 10 km, and Mailani 37 km. Dudhwa, on North-Eastern Railway meter gauge section is connected via Mailani to Lucknow & Nainital.
BY ROAD - UPSRTC and private bus services link Palia to Lakhimpur Kheri, Shahjahanpur, Bareilly, and Delhi etc. Buses ply frequently between Palia and Dudhwa.
Important road distances are Lucknow - 238 km, Bareilly - 260 km, Delhi - 430 km, Palia - 5 km.
LOCAL TRANSPORT - Coaches and jeeps can be hired from the national park office at Dudhwa for traveling inside the park. Elephants are available for wildlife viewing at Dudhwa only.
WHERE TO STAY
The Forest Department provides for accommodation inside the Park at its various centres. Forest Rest Houses, Swiss Cottage Tents, and Tharu Huts are available at Dudhwa, Sathiana, Bankatti, Sonaripur, and Kila.
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information on tourism in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. Tourism-of-India.com offers package tours in order to make your visit to Dudhwa Tiger Reserve Pleasant.
CHITRAKUT
INTRODUCTION
Chitrakut is one of the most sacred pilgrim sites of north India. It covers a vast area comprising five villages: Sitapur, Karvi, Nayagaon, Kamta, and Khohi. The mountain ranges of the Vindhya surround the area. Mixed forests spread in all directions. An aura of sanctity surrounds the place. The countryside seems to exert a peculiar power over the residents and visitors alike. Today, the main pilgrim center, Ram Ghat, on the banks of the river Mandakini is synonymous with Chitrakut. This small, sleepy village is associated with many a legend and epic. It is believed that Rama and Sita, the leading dramatis personae of the epic Ramayana, spent 11 years out of their 14 years of exile in the forests around Chitrakut.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Most of the spots of tourist importance are along the river Mandakini. Janaki Kund is a straight stretch of river and a series of steps on the left bank descended to the water, almost greenish-blue in color. According to a legend, it was the favorite bathing spot of Sita. Beyond Janaki Kund, the river is enchantingly beautiful.
Ram Ghat is a long stretch of steps cut into the banks where pilgrims perform religious ablutions and rituals. Many compare its hallowed sanctity to Rishikesh and Benaras.
At Sphatik Shila, a large boulder has impressions of Lord Rama's footprints.
In addition, there is Deva Ganga, Sati Anasuya, and Hanuman Dhara.
PLACES AROUND CHITRAKUT
Gupt Godavari, 19 kilometers south of Chitrakut, is also an important place to visit. There are two caves, on the hillside, one larger than the other. There, a subterranean steam emerges out of one cave and after flowing for a distance fills a pool before disappearing again and hence the name Gupt Godavari. It is popularly believed that Lord Rama during his exile held court in this cave, along with his faithful brother Lakshman. At the entrance to the cave is a beautifully carved sculpture of the Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva).
Kalinjara Fort, 52 kilometers southwest of Chitrakut, is said to be an equally hallowed place. This fort is mentioned in the Puranas and Mahabharata. By its mere reference in the scriptures and epics, the Fort's antiquity is established. Perhaps the physical immensity of the Fort has remained unchanged. It was in the reign of the Chandela dynasty in the 10th and 11th centuries that the fort finds increasing mention and importance. It is said that in the early 10th century, the Chandela King, Yasovarman, on ascending the throne was given the title of 'Kalinjaradipati', or Lord of Kalinjara. According to the local residents, no enemy ever stormed this Fort. It was always captured through treachery or a long siege. There, most of the ancient buildings are in ruins and only three buildings stand in different stages of decay. The old palaces now accommodate sculptures collected from different parts of the Fort. The large tank adjacent to the Palace, which provided water to the garrison under siege, now lies half empty. The main 'royal' entrance to the Fort is on the northeastern face of the Fort.
In addition, there is a museum in the palace. The sculptures are mostly of Chandela era; the treatment by chisel is similar to that of Khajuraho temples. There, Mrig Dhara is a small spring oozing out of the stone. This small spring is believed to have provided drinking water since time immemorial.
HOW TO REACH
BY ROAD - Chitrakut in Madhya Pradesh is 125 km west of Allahabad and Kalinjara Fort is 52 km southwest of Chitrakut. Blacktop roads connect these places.
BY AIR - Allahabad is connected by Indian Airlines flights from Delhi, Agra, and Patna.
WHERE TO STAY
Chitrakut
There are two tourist bungalows, one owned by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism and the other by Madhya Pradesh Tourism.
Kalinjara Fort
There is no accommodation available here. This place is fit for a day's excursion from Chitrakut.
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Chitrakut.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about tourism in Chitrakut. Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make you visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.
Chitrakut is one of the most sacred pilgrim sites of north India. It covers a vast area comprising five villages: Sitapur, Karvi, Nayagaon, Kamta, and Khohi. The mountain ranges of the Vindhya surround the area. Mixed forests spread in all directions. An aura of sanctity surrounds the place. The countryside seems to exert a peculiar power over the residents and visitors alike. Today, the main pilgrim center, Ram Ghat, on the banks of the river Mandakini is synonymous with Chitrakut. This small, sleepy village is associated with many a legend and epic. It is believed that Rama and Sita, the leading dramatis personae of the epic Ramayana, spent 11 years out of their 14 years of exile in the forests around Chitrakut.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Most of the spots of tourist importance are along the river Mandakini. Janaki Kund is a straight stretch of river and a series of steps on the left bank descended to the water, almost greenish-blue in color. According to a legend, it was the favorite bathing spot of Sita. Beyond Janaki Kund, the river is enchantingly beautiful.
Ram Ghat is a long stretch of steps cut into the banks where pilgrims perform religious ablutions and rituals. Many compare its hallowed sanctity to Rishikesh and Benaras.
At Sphatik Shila, a large boulder has impressions of Lord Rama's footprints.
In addition, there is Deva Ganga, Sati Anasuya, and Hanuman Dhara.
PLACES AROUND CHITRAKUT
Gupt Godavari, 19 kilometers south of Chitrakut, is also an important place to visit. There are two caves, on the hillside, one larger than the other. There, a subterranean steam emerges out of one cave and after flowing for a distance fills a pool before disappearing again and hence the name Gupt Godavari. It is popularly believed that Lord Rama during his exile held court in this cave, along with his faithful brother Lakshman. At the entrance to the cave is a beautifully carved sculpture of the Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva).
Kalinjara Fort, 52 kilometers southwest of Chitrakut, is said to be an equally hallowed place. This fort is mentioned in the Puranas and Mahabharata. By its mere reference in the scriptures and epics, the Fort's antiquity is established. Perhaps the physical immensity of the Fort has remained unchanged. It was in the reign of the Chandela dynasty in the 10th and 11th centuries that the fort finds increasing mention and importance. It is said that in the early 10th century, the Chandela King, Yasovarman, on ascending the throne was given the title of 'Kalinjaradipati', or Lord of Kalinjara. According to the local residents, no enemy ever stormed this Fort. It was always captured through treachery or a long siege. There, most of the ancient buildings are in ruins and only three buildings stand in different stages of decay. The old palaces now accommodate sculptures collected from different parts of the Fort. The large tank adjacent to the Palace, which provided water to the garrison under siege, now lies half empty. The main 'royal' entrance to the Fort is on the northeastern face of the Fort.
In addition, there is a museum in the palace. The sculptures are mostly of Chandela era; the treatment by chisel is similar to that of Khajuraho temples. There, Mrig Dhara is a small spring oozing out of the stone. This small spring is believed to have provided drinking water since time immemorial.
HOW TO REACH
BY ROAD - Chitrakut in Madhya Pradesh is 125 km west of Allahabad and Kalinjara Fort is 52 km southwest of Chitrakut. Blacktop roads connect these places.
BY AIR - Allahabad is connected by Indian Airlines flights from Delhi, Agra, and Patna.
WHERE TO STAY
Chitrakut
There are two tourist bungalows, one owned by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism and the other by Madhya Pradesh Tourism.
Kalinjara Fort
There is no accommodation available here. This place is fit for a day's excursion from Chitrakut.
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Chitrakut.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about tourism in Chitrakut. Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make you visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.
CHANDRAPRABHA SANCTUARY
FACTS & FIGURES
Area
7,800 hectares
Languages
Spoken Hindi
Best Time to Visit
November to February
INTRODUCTION
Chandraprabha sanctuary is situated in the eastern region of Uttar Pradesh, the northern province of India. Although one of India's lesser-known sanctuaries, it is well endowed with beautiful picnic spots, dense forests, and scenic waterfalls like Rajdari and Devdari that attract tourists every year to its vicinity. Located southeast of the city of Varanasi-a popular religious center for Hindus and a seat of education-the sanctuary was established in May 1957.
Asiatic lions were introduced at Chandraprabha in 1958. The exercise was successful in the beginning, with the number of lions rising from three to 11 by 1969. However, the following year the lions were found missing. One can only assume that they fell prey to poachers or succumbed to changes in their living conditions. The plan was again revived in 1993 although the Indian Government is yet to take a decision in this regard.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The region has typical central Indian weather conditions. The summer (April-July) temperature hovers around the 38°C mark. The winters (November-January) are cold with temperatures around 14°C. The monsoon season (July-mid-September) has moderate rainfall.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
A variety of wild animals are found at Chandraprabha. These include blackbucks, chital, sambhar, nilgai, wild boar, porcupine and Indian gazelle. The reptilian species include gharial and python.
In terms of flora, it is a typical dry deciduous forest composed of gneiss and laminated stone.
HOW TO REACH
Chandraprabha sanctuary is just 55 km from the city center of Varanasi. The most convenient way to reach the park is by hiring a taxi and driving down. The journey takes approximately two hours. The nearest rail junction is Varanasi, which is well connected to most parts of India.
WHERE TO STAY
There are no facilities for accommodation at Chandraprabha. Most tourists drive down for the day. However, meals and snacks are available in the eating joints nearby.
We offer excellent accommodation facilities around Chandraprabha sanctuary.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information on tourism in Chandraprabha Sanctuary. Tourism-of-India.com offers package tours in order to make your visit to Chandraprabha Sanctuary Pleasant.
Area
7,800 hectares
Languages
Spoken Hindi
Best Time to Visit
November to February
INTRODUCTION
Chandraprabha sanctuary is situated in the eastern region of Uttar Pradesh, the northern province of India. Although one of India's lesser-known sanctuaries, it is well endowed with beautiful picnic spots, dense forests, and scenic waterfalls like Rajdari and Devdari that attract tourists every year to its vicinity. Located southeast of the city of Varanasi-a popular religious center for Hindus and a seat of education-the sanctuary was established in May 1957.
Asiatic lions were introduced at Chandraprabha in 1958. The exercise was successful in the beginning, with the number of lions rising from three to 11 by 1969. However, the following year the lions were found missing. One can only assume that they fell prey to poachers or succumbed to changes in their living conditions. The plan was again revived in 1993 although the Indian Government is yet to take a decision in this regard.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The region has typical central Indian weather conditions. The summer (April-July) temperature hovers around the 38°C mark. The winters (November-January) are cold with temperatures around 14°C. The monsoon season (July-mid-September) has moderate rainfall.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
A variety of wild animals are found at Chandraprabha. These include blackbucks, chital, sambhar, nilgai, wild boar, porcupine and Indian gazelle. The reptilian species include gharial and python.
In terms of flora, it is a typical dry deciduous forest composed of gneiss and laminated stone.
HOW TO REACH
Chandraprabha sanctuary is just 55 km from the city center of Varanasi. The most convenient way to reach the park is by hiring a taxi and driving down. The journey takes approximately two hours. The nearest rail junction is Varanasi, which is well connected to most parts of India.
WHERE TO STAY
There are no facilities for accommodation at Chandraprabha. Most tourists drive down for the day. However, meals and snacks are available in the eating joints nearby.
We offer excellent accommodation facilities around Chandraprabha sanctuary.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information on tourism in Chandraprabha Sanctuary. Tourism-of-India.com offers package tours in order to make your visit to Chandraprabha Sanctuary Pleasant.
BRAJBHOOMI
INTRODUCTION
Brajbhoomi comprises the twin cities of Mathura and Vrindavan. It is not just the sacred land where Lord Krishna was born and performed his cosmic leela, but a place full of the divine reminiscences. Mathura lies 141 km south of Delhi and is the center of Brajamandala-the traditional name for Krishna country. Within it are located Gokul, Nandgaon, Barsana, Govardhan and Vrindavan, the important sites where Krishna grew up. It was in this area that Krishna grazed his cattle, killed demons, and played on his melodious flute attracting milkmaids whom he bullied for butter. It was here that he ultimately found Radha, his inseparable companion. Virindavan, 15 km from Mathura, however, was the favorite romantic haunt of the divine couple.
HISTORY
The lotus-eyed, dark skinned Krishna is the complete and perfect man of Indian mythological traditions. That makes Krishna a major non-Aryan god in the Hindu pantheon. He was the eighth incarnation of Vishnu, the Preserver of the Universe. He took the human form to redeem mankind from evil forces.
Krishna was born in a prison cell more than three thousand years ago. Legend has it that Mathura was ruled by a king called Ugrasena. One day, Ugrasena and his wife were taking a walk in the gardens, where a demon saw the queen and fell in love with her. In his lust for her, he diverted the attention of Ugrasena, assumed his form himself and fulfilled his desire. The child born of this union was Kansa. Kansa grew up to dethrone his father and imprison his sister Devaki (daughter to Ugrasena). Devaki later became the mother of Krishna.
It so happened that on the day Kansa was driving his newly married sister and her husband Vasudeva to their new home, a voice from the heavens intercepted him. The voice conveyed to him that the eighth child of Devaki would kill Kansa. Consequently, he imprisoned the couple and started killing their children, year after year. Seven children were lost but the eighth, the Lord, escaped the hands of the butcher and lived on to slay Kansa later.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Mathura
The tour of Brajbhoomi begins with the Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple at Mathura. This is the place where Krishna was born in a prison cell. Krishna's parents are said to have been imprisoned here. Near the Janmabhoomi is the Potara Kund where his baby clothes were washed. Located at Katra Keshav Deo, the temple is thronged by pilgrims from all over the world. The Dwarkadesh Temple, built by Seth Gokul Das of Gwalior in 1814, is situated in the heart of the city. It has some very fine paintings all along the walls depicting the entire life of Krishna. The Vishram Ghat on the bank of Yamuna is where Krishna rested after killing Kansa.
Gokul
Gokul, 16 km from Mathura, is the place where Krishna grew up under the care of his foster parents, Nanda and Yashoda. The most notable structure in Gokul is the Chaurasi Khamba (84 pillars). It is also known as Nand Maharaja's house. Mud temples dot the hillside marking the places where Krishna killed demons. A little distance away is Utkhal where Yashoda tied the child Krishna to a mortar for stealing butter.
Brahmand Ghat
Brahmand Ghat is where Yashoda witnessed the entire universe in Krishna's mouth, when she chastised him for eating mud. On the way to Gokul is Ravalgaon where Radha was born. Bhandirvan, 31 km from Mathura, is where Radha and Krishna were married under a banyan tree. On the sprawling sands of Raman Reti, the duo tossed and frolicked before proceeding to Vrindavan. Seven kilometers away is Toshgaon where Krishna's friend, Tosh taught him to dance. In Viharavana close by, Krishna learnt dancing from Radha.
Since Gokul was regularly disturbed by demons, Krishna and the cowherds moved to Nandgaon, Barsana and Vrindavan, 50 km from Mathura. The Nand Yashoda Kund is where the family came for a daily bath. Close by is the Nand Yashoda Temple that also marks the site of Nanda's house.
Govardhan
Forty kilometers from Mathura is a hill called Govardhan. Krishna is credited to have held aloft this hill as a canopy. This was done in order to vanquish the pride of the rain god, Indra. In 1520, Saint Vallabhacharya constructed a temple on the summit of the hill to commemorate the event.
Barsana
Barsana, 21 km from Govardhan, has four hilltops that represent the four faces of Brahma the Creator. Each hilltop is associated with some incident from Krishna's life. On Mor Kutir top, he danced guised as a peacock to win the love of Radha. The house of Radha's father is atop the Brahma Hill in Barsana. On this site is the Larily Lal (an endearing name for Radha) temple.
Vrindavan
Vrindavan, 15 km from Mathura, was the favorite romantic haunt of the divine couple. According to legend, the entire place was a tulsi (ocimum sanctum) grove at one time. According to another tradition, it was named after Vrinda Devi, one of Krishna's playmates. Vrindavan is primarily a place of temples. Nearly 4,000 in number, which include several private shrines, the temples are spread on a 10 km stretch. The Rangaji temple is an architectural marvel.
The earliest known shrine in Vrindavan is said to have been built by the local gosains in a large garden called Nidhiban, later named Seva Kunj. Nidhiban is where the divine couple performed the rasa. According to tradition, Emperor Akbar was taken blindfolded inside the grove where he had some kind of a spiritual experience. The four temples, which were built in honor of his visit, are Govind Deva, Madan Mohan, Gopinath and Jugal Kishore.
At Nikunja Van, there is a beautiful room decorated with glass paintings called Rangmahal. The riverfront has a succession of ghats that cover a distance of 2.4 km. At one end is Kaliya Mardan Ghat with a kadamb (Anthocephalus indicus) tree from which Krishna is said to have plunged into the water to demolish the serpent Kaliya. The Madan Mohan Temple stands on a high cliff near the Kalia Mardan Ghat. Another important temple is that of Radha Ballabh built by Sundar Das in 1626.
The temple of Krishna Chandra, also known as Lala Babu temple, was built by one Krishna Chandra Sen of Bengal. The Ranganath temple was founded by the Lakshmi Chand brothers. The temple of Radha Manohar was built by Ram Narayan Singh of Bikaner on the site of an older shrine where Mirabai is said to have worshipped. The temple of Radha Gopal was built in 1860 by the Maharaja of Gwalior and the temple of Radha Indra Kishore by Hetram, a zamindar (landowner) from Bihar. It has a copper shikhara (temple top). The temple of Radha Raman, commonly known as Shahji Ka Mandir, was built by Shah Kundal Lal, a resident of Lucknow. It is made of white marble with a colonnade of spiral marble pillars flanking the front. The Bankey Bihari Temple was constructed by Swami Hari Das.
Of the two tanks that are considered sacred, one is the Brahma Kund, now in ruins. The other is Govind Kund near the Mathura Road, which was originally a natural pond but was later enclosed with masonry walls and flights of steps. A third masonry tank lies in the grove known as Kewarban adjacent to the Madan Mohan Temple.
Among the modern constructions, there is the 10-storied Pagal Baba and the Gita Mandir. The latter has beautiful paintings and carvings. The entire Bhagwad Gita is inscribed on a pillar called the Bhagwad Stambh. The International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has its the Krishna Balaram Temple, built in white marble and is dedicated to their founder Swami Prabhupada.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
According to the lunar calendar, Hinduism celebrates Krishna's birthday as Janmashtami on the eighth day of Amavasya (the darker half of the month) in July/August. For Mathura, Janmashtami is the biggest festival held on a grand scale. Plays based on the life of Krishna are staged. Devotional songs blare from loudspeakers. As the hour of Krishna's birth approaches, the atmosphere becomes charged with frenzied dancing and singing in the temples. Brajyatra, which commences a day after Janmashtami and lasts for 50 days, deserves special mention. During the yatra (pilgrimage), devotees observe 30 rules. They have to walk barefoot, sleep on the floor, abstain from sex, intoxicants, greed and anger, have ritual baths and listen to Krishna's exploits. They sing devotional songs and visit the tirthas (there are 2,500 tirthas within Mathura itself!).
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - The nearest airport is at Kheria in Agra, 62 km from Mathura.
BY RAIL - There are a number of tourist coaches from Delhi leaving for Mathura and Vrindavan everyday. Mathura is 57 km from Agra and 141 km from Delhi. It is an important railway junction with direct trains to many places. The Taj Express from Delhi is a good option.
BY ROAD - Mathura is well connected by road to Delhi and other cities of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana.
WHERE TO STAY
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Brajbhoomi.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about tourism in Brajbhoomi. Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make your visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.
Brajbhoomi comprises the twin cities of Mathura and Vrindavan. It is not just the sacred land where Lord Krishna was born and performed his cosmic leela, but a place full of the divine reminiscences. Mathura lies 141 km south of Delhi and is the center of Brajamandala-the traditional name for Krishna country. Within it are located Gokul, Nandgaon, Barsana, Govardhan and Vrindavan, the important sites where Krishna grew up. It was in this area that Krishna grazed his cattle, killed demons, and played on his melodious flute attracting milkmaids whom he bullied for butter. It was here that he ultimately found Radha, his inseparable companion. Virindavan, 15 km from Mathura, however, was the favorite romantic haunt of the divine couple.
HISTORY
The lotus-eyed, dark skinned Krishna is the complete and perfect man of Indian mythological traditions. That makes Krishna a major non-Aryan god in the Hindu pantheon. He was the eighth incarnation of Vishnu, the Preserver of the Universe. He took the human form to redeem mankind from evil forces.
Krishna was born in a prison cell more than three thousand years ago. Legend has it that Mathura was ruled by a king called Ugrasena. One day, Ugrasena and his wife were taking a walk in the gardens, where a demon saw the queen and fell in love with her. In his lust for her, he diverted the attention of Ugrasena, assumed his form himself and fulfilled his desire. The child born of this union was Kansa. Kansa grew up to dethrone his father and imprison his sister Devaki (daughter to Ugrasena). Devaki later became the mother of Krishna.
It so happened that on the day Kansa was driving his newly married sister and her husband Vasudeva to their new home, a voice from the heavens intercepted him. The voice conveyed to him that the eighth child of Devaki would kill Kansa. Consequently, he imprisoned the couple and started killing their children, year after year. Seven children were lost but the eighth, the Lord, escaped the hands of the butcher and lived on to slay Kansa later.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Mathura
The tour of Brajbhoomi begins with the Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple at Mathura. This is the place where Krishna was born in a prison cell. Krishna's parents are said to have been imprisoned here. Near the Janmabhoomi is the Potara Kund where his baby clothes were washed. Located at Katra Keshav Deo, the temple is thronged by pilgrims from all over the world. The Dwarkadesh Temple, built by Seth Gokul Das of Gwalior in 1814, is situated in the heart of the city. It has some very fine paintings all along the walls depicting the entire life of Krishna. The Vishram Ghat on the bank of Yamuna is where Krishna rested after killing Kansa.
Gokul
Gokul, 16 km from Mathura, is the place where Krishna grew up under the care of his foster parents, Nanda and Yashoda. The most notable structure in Gokul is the Chaurasi Khamba (84 pillars). It is also known as Nand Maharaja's house. Mud temples dot the hillside marking the places where Krishna killed demons. A little distance away is Utkhal where Yashoda tied the child Krishna to a mortar for stealing butter.
Brahmand Ghat
Brahmand Ghat is where Yashoda witnessed the entire universe in Krishna's mouth, when she chastised him for eating mud. On the way to Gokul is Ravalgaon where Radha was born. Bhandirvan, 31 km from Mathura, is where Radha and Krishna were married under a banyan tree. On the sprawling sands of Raman Reti, the duo tossed and frolicked before proceeding to Vrindavan. Seven kilometers away is Toshgaon where Krishna's friend, Tosh taught him to dance. In Viharavana close by, Krishna learnt dancing from Radha.
Since Gokul was regularly disturbed by demons, Krishna and the cowherds moved to Nandgaon, Barsana and Vrindavan, 50 km from Mathura. The Nand Yashoda Kund is where the family came for a daily bath. Close by is the Nand Yashoda Temple that also marks the site of Nanda's house.
Govardhan
Forty kilometers from Mathura is a hill called Govardhan. Krishna is credited to have held aloft this hill as a canopy. This was done in order to vanquish the pride of the rain god, Indra. In 1520, Saint Vallabhacharya constructed a temple on the summit of the hill to commemorate the event.
Barsana
Barsana, 21 km from Govardhan, has four hilltops that represent the four faces of Brahma the Creator. Each hilltop is associated with some incident from Krishna's life. On Mor Kutir top, he danced guised as a peacock to win the love of Radha. The house of Radha's father is atop the Brahma Hill in Barsana. On this site is the Larily Lal (an endearing name for Radha) temple.
Vrindavan
Vrindavan, 15 km from Mathura, was the favorite romantic haunt of the divine couple. According to legend, the entire place was a tulsi (ocimum sanctum) grove at one time. According to another tradition, it was named after Vrinda Devi, one of Krishna's playmates. Vrindavan is primarily a place of temples. Nearly 4,000 in number, which include several private shrines, the temples are spread on a 10 km stretch. The Rangaji temple is an architectural marvel.
The earliest known shrine in Vrindavan is said to have been built by the local gosains in a large garden called Nidhiban, later named Seva Kunj. Nidhiban is where the divine couple performed the rasa. According to tradition, Emperor Akbar was taken blindfolded inside the grove where he had some kind of a spiritual experience. The four temples, which were built in honor of his visit, are Govind Deva, Madan Mohan, Gopinath and Jugal Kishore.
At Nikunja Van, there is a beautiful room decorated with glass paintings called Rangmahal. The riverfront has a succession of ghats that cover a distance of 2.4 km. At one end is Kaliya Mardan Ghat with a kadamb (Anthocephalus indicus) tree from which Krishna is said to have plunged into the water to demolish the serpent Kaliya. The Madan Mohan Temple stands on a high cliff near the Kalia Mardan Ghat. Another important temple is that of Radha Ballabh built by Sundar Das in 1626.
The temple of Krishna Chandra, also known as Lala Babu temple, was built by one Krishna Chandra Sen of Bengal. The Ranganath temple was founded by the Lakshmi Chand brothers. The temple of Radha Manohar was built by Ram Narayan Singh of Bikaner on the site of an older shrine where Mirabai is said to have worshipped. The temple of Radha Gopal was built in 1860 by the Maharaja of Gwalior and the temple of Radha Indra Kishore by Hetram, a zamindar (landowner) from Bihar. It has a copper shikhara (temple top). The temple of Radha Raman, commonly known as Shahji Ka Mandir, was built by Shah Kundal Lal, a resident of Lucknow. It is made of white marble with a colonnade of spiral marble pillars flanking the front. The Bankey Bihari Temple was constructed by Swami Hari Das.
Of the two tanks that are considered sacred, one is the Brahma Kund, now in ruins. The other is Govind Kund near the Mathura Road, which was originally a natural pond but was later enclosed with masonry walls and flights of steps. A third masonry tank lies in the grove known as Kewarban adjacent to the Madan Mohan Temple.
Among the modern constructions, there is the 10-storied Pagal Baba and the Gita Mandir. The latter has beautiful paintings and carvings. The entire Bhagwad Gita is inscribed on a pillar called the Bhagwad Stambh. The International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has its the Krishna Balaram Temple, built in white marble and is dedicated to their founder Swami Prabhupada.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
According to the lunar calendar, Hinduism celebrates Krishna's birthday as Janmashtami on the eighth day of Amavasya (the darker half of the month) in July/August. For Mathura, Janmashtami is the biggest festival held on a grand scale. Plays based on the life of Krishna are staged. Devotional songs blare from loudspeakers. As the hour of Krishna's birth approaches, the atmosphere becomes charged with frenzied dancing and singing in the temples. Brajyatra, which commences a day after Janmashtami and lasts for 50 days, deserves special mention. During the yatra (pilgrimage), devotees observe 30 rules. They have to walk barefoot, sleep on the floor, abstain from sex, intoxicants, greed and anger, have ritual baths and listen to Krishna's exploits. They sing devotional songs and visit the tirthas (there are 2,500 tirthas within Mathura itself!).
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - The nearest airport is at Kheria in Agra, 62 km from Mathura.
BY RAIL - There are a number of tourist coaches from Delhi leaving for Mathura and Vrindavan everyday. Mathura is 57 km from Agra and 141 km from Delhi. It is an important railway junction with direct trains to many places. The Taj Express from Delhi is a good option.
BY ROAD - Mathura is well connected by road to Delhi and other cities of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana.
WHERE TO STAY
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Brajbhoomi.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about tourism in Brajbhoomi. Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make your visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.
BITHOOR
FACTS & FIGURES
Population
8,000
Best time to visit
October to April
Languages
Hindi and English
INTRODUCTION
Many towns in India can boast of deep cultural and historical significance. But how many can claim to be the place where Brahma chose to create life?
Bithoor, a quiet little township of about 8,000 people in Uttar Pradesh is the common denominator for all the above-mentioned events. There is no historical or scientific evidence of these happenings but this is what the legends say. Situated on the banks of the Ganges, Bithoor is steeped in mythology, folklore, and history.
LOCATION
Bithoor or Brahmavart, as it was originally known, lies 22 km from Kanpur, on the road to Kannauj in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
LEGENDS
The place was known as Brahmavart due to its connection with Brahma the Creator. Brahmavart literally means Lord Brahma's yagna (sacred fire rite) area. It is said that Brahma performed a vast yagna at this place. Designating it as the center of the Universe, he started the creation of humankind from this point. On the Brahmavart Ghat, one of Bithoor's 42 surviving ghats, is a place called Brahmavart Ki Khoonti. It is widely believed that the khoonti is the nail that was once a part of Lord Brahma's wooden slippers (kharaun).
There are many views as to how it came to be known as Bithoor. The most plausible one relates to Bajirao Peshwa of Maharashtra who had made Bithoor his home after being expelled from Satara by the British. The Peshwa was a devotee of Lord Bithoba. He built a temple dedicated to the Lord and renamed Brahmavart as Bithoba Nagar. Over a period, Bithoba Nagar came to be called Bithoor.
Bithoor has been closely associated with the Indian independence movement, especially the war of 1857. It was home to many of its heroes and the singular heroine the Rani of Jhansi, Lakshmi Bai.
Bithoor is also very closely associated with the legends of Rama, Valmiki, Lav and Kush, and Dhruv, the legendry prince.
THE PAST
The rich past of Badami is closely linked with the ancient Kingdom of Chalukyas. It was founded in the 6th century ad by Pulekeshin I, the great Chalukya ruler, and was the capital city of the Chalukyas from A.D. 540 until A.D. 757. A number of temples and monuments belonging to the Chalukya period can be found in and around Badami. The Rashtrakutas overthrew Badami, and, after its fall, it witnessed anarchy and strife and was successively overrun by a number of rulers. It was also ruled by the Chalukyas of Kalyan (a separate branch of Chalukyas), the Kalachuryas, Yadavas of Devangiri and the Vijaynagar Empire. In the latter medieval period, Adil Shahi rulers of Bijapur and the Marathas ruled it. Badami was finally taken over by the British, who made it a part of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Bithoor is an ideal getaway from the humdrum of city life. It is worth a visit if only for the extremely enchanting and relaxing boat ride on the Ganges. The vast waters and the rugged topography are unforgettable. And yes, if one wants to wash away some of his worldly sins in the holy Ganges but have shied away from the "dirty" water at more famous ghats elsewhere, this is the perfect place to take a clean dip. Take a boat ride across the river to the sandy banks. The water is clean and the banks are almost like beaches.
The places of tourist interest are Valmiki's Ashram, Brahmavart Ghat, Patthar Ghat (constructed of red stones with a large Shiva Ling made of Kasauti stone), Dhruv Teela, Shahi Masjid, etc. The arrowheads purported to have been used by Lav and Kush during their war with Lord Ram can be seen at a temple situated at the Brahmavart Ghat.
ACCOMMODATION
Bithoor can be a one-day trip. However, for those who want to stay for some time, accommodation is available at some ashrams. Nominal charges are to be paid and routine of the ashrams has to be followed. It is advisable to book accommodation at least 15 days in advance.
HOW TO GET THERE
By Air
The nearest airport is Charkhari Airport, Kanpur (UP Air, Archana Airways) and Amausi Airport, Lucknow.
Rail
Kanpur Junction is the nearest railway station. There are meter-gauge passenger trains from Brahmavart station to Kanpur Central.
Road
City buses and tempos are available from Rawatpur, Kanpur to Bithoor. Taxis are also available.
Major road distances are Kanpur, 22 km; Lucknow, 109 km; Kannauj, 103 km; Allahabad, 224 km; Ayodhya, 252 km; and Delhi, 430 km.
PLACES TO STAY
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Bithoor.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about tourism in Bithoor Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make you visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.
Population
8,000
Best time to visit
October to April
Languages
Hindi and English
INTRODUCTION
Many towns in India can boast of deep cultural and historical significance. But how many can claim to be the place where Brahma chose to create life?
Bithoor, a quiet little township of about 8,000 people in Uttar Pradesh is the common denominator for all the above-mentioned events. There is no historical or scientific evidence of these happenings but this is what the legends say. Situated on the banks of the Ganges, Bithoor is steeped in mythology, folklore, and history.
LOCATION
Bithoor or Brahmavart, as it was originally known, lies 22 km from Kanpur, on the road to Kannauj in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
LEGENDS
The place was known as Brahmavart due to its connection with Brahma the Creator. Brahmavart literally means Lord Brahma's yagna (sacred fire rite) area. It is said that Brahma performed a vast yagna at this place. Designating it as the center of the Universe, he started the creation of humankind from this point. On the Brahmavart Ghat, one of Bithoor's 42 surviving ghats, is a place called Brahmavart Ki Khoonti. It is widely believed that the khoonti is the nail that was once a part of Lord Brahma's wooden slippers (kharaun).
There are many views as to how it came to be known as Bithoor. The most plausible one relates to Bajirao Peshwa of Maharashtra who had made Bithoor his home after being expelled from Satara by the British. The Peshwa was a devotee of Lord Bithoba. He built a temple dedicated to the Lord and renamed Brahmavart as Bithoba Nagar. Over a period, Bithoba Nagar came to be called Bithoor.
Bithoor has been closely associated with the Indian independence movement, especially the war of 1857. It was home to many of its heroes and the singular heroine the Rani of Jhansi, Lakshmi Bai.
Bithoor is also very closely associated with the legends of Rama, Valmiki, Lav and Kush, and Dhruv, the legendry prince.
THE PAST
The rich past of Badami is closely linked with the ancient Kingdom of Chalukyas. It was founded in the 6th century ad by Pulekeshin I, the great Chalukya ruler, and was the capital city of the Chalukyas from A.D. 540 until A.D. 757. A number of temples and monuments belonging to the Chalukya period can be found in and around Badami. The Rashtrakutas overthrew Badami, and, after its fall, it witnessed anarchy and strife and was successively overrun by a number of rulers. It was also ruled by the Chalukyas of Kalyan (a separate branch of Chalukyas), the Kalachuryas, Yadavas of Devangiri and the Vijaynagar Empire. In the latter medieval period, Adil Shahi rulers of Bijapur and the Marathas ruled it. Badami was finally taken over by the British, who made it a part of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Bithoor is an ideal getaway from the humdrum of city life. It is worth a visit if only for the extremely enchanting and relaxing boat ride on the Ganges. The vast waters and the rugged topography are unforgettable. And yes, if one wants to wash away some of his worldly sins in the holy Ganges but have shied away from the "dirty" water at more famous ghats elsewhere, this is the perfect place to take a clean dip. Take a boat ride across the river to the sandy banks. The water is clean and the banks are almost like beaches.
The places of tourist interest are Valmiki's Ashram, Brahmavart Ghat, Patthar Ghat (constructed of red stones with a large Shiva Ling made of Kasauti stone), Dhruv Teela, Shahi Masjid, etc. The arrowheads purported to have been used by Lav and Kush during their war with Lord Ram can be seen at a temple situated at the Brahmavart Ghat.
ACCOMMODATION
Bithoor can be a one-day trip. However, for those who want to stay for some time, accommodation is available at some ashrams. Nominal charges are to be paid and routine of the ashrams has to be followed. It is advisable to book accommodation at least 15 days in advance.
HOW TO GET THERE
By Air
The nearest airport is Charkhari Airport, Kanpur (UP Air, Archana Airways) and Amausi Airport, Lucknow.
Rail
Kanpur Junction is the nearest railway station. There are meter-gauge passenger trains from Brahmavart station to Kanpur Central.
Road
City buses and tempos are available from Rawatpur, Kanpur to Bithoor. Taxis are also available.
Major road distances are Kanpur, 22 km; Lucknow, 109 km; Kannauj, 103 km; Allahabad, 224 km; Ayodhya, 252 km; and Delhi, 430 km.
PLACES TO STAY
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Bithoor.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about tourism in Bithoor Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make you visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.
BHIMTAL
FACTS & FIGURES
Languages
Hindi and English
Best time to visit
April-July and September-October
STD Code
05942
INTRODUCTION
The small town of Bhimtal is famous as a lake resort. It offers to the tourists a quiet vacation and facilities for water sports. This beautiful town also attracts hundreds of tourists every year by its peaceful green surroundings.
LOCATION
Bhimtal is located in the northern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh, in the northern region of India. It is located at an altitude of 1,371 m above sea level amongst the Kumaon hills. It is 23 km from Nainital. The weather in Bhimtal is alpine. Summers (April-June) are mild and winters are cold (November-February). It experiences southwestern monsoon rains in July-September.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit Bhimtal is from mid-April to mid-July and from mid-September to October.
HISTORY
The origin of this small town is obscure. Bhimtal got its name from Bhim, one of the legendary personalities and central characters mentioned in the Indian epic of Mahabharata.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
The main tourist attraction of this small hill station is its lake. It is one of the largest lakes in the district of Nainital. The lake offers scope for boating to the travelers. In the middle of the lake, there is a beautiful island with a restaurant. The island provides a panoramic view of the lake as well as its luxuriant surroundings. Travelers can also explore the region around the lake and take a walk through the quiet forest surrounding the lake. There is a large Victorian dam at one end of the lake and terraced flower gardens can be found on either side. Bhimtal is also known for its lovely dappled paths, ravines festooned with dog rose and wild raspberry. Farmhouses are set among terraced fields and citrus trees laden with fruits. There is a Folk Culture Museum in Bhimtal, which is a private institution. It has a good collection of artifacts and information about the hill districts of Uttar Pradesh. The collection includes ancient wooden artifacts, information about traditional rites, rituals, stone implements, and items of archeological importance. It also houses a sizable collection of reproductions and photographs of rock art.
PLACES AROUND BHIMTAL
Naukuchiatal is 4 km from Bhimtal. It is a lake having nine corners. Like Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal also has quiet verdant environs, which attracts the traveler to it. This tree-fringed lake is good for boating.
Sat Tal (literally seven lakes) is 7 km from Bhimtal. It is another important place to visit. Sat Tal was originally a cluster of seven lakes, out of which two have dried up. It is famous for fishing and boating. The densely wooded hills and little creeks along the shores of the lakes are a perennial attraction to the tourists. Godhakhel Temple is 3 km from Bhim Tal.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - Bhimtal does not have an airport of its own. The nearest airport is at Pant Nagar (55 km) and the nearest railway station is at Kathgodam (23 km).
BY ROAD - Bhimtal is well connected by bus with Nainital and Kathgodam. Tourists can also reach Bhimtal by hiring taxi from Nainital or Kathgodam.
WHERE TO STAY
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Bhimtal.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information on tourism in Bhimtal. Tourism-of-India.com offers package tours in order to make your visit to Bhimtal Pleasant.
Languages
Hindi and English
Best time to visit
April-July and September-October
STD Code
05942
INTRODUCTION
The small town of Bhimtal is famous as a lake resort. It offers to the tourists a quiet vacation and facilities for water sports. This beautiful town also attracts hundreds of tourists every year by its peaceful green surroundings.
LOCATION
Bhimtal is located in the northern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh, in the northern region of India. It is located at an altitude of 1,371 m above sea level amongst the Kumaon hills. It is 23 km from Nainital. The weather in Bhimtal is alpine. Summers (April-June) are mild and winters are cold (November-February). It experiences southwestern monsoon rains in July-September.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit Bhimtal is from mid-April to mid-July and from mid-September to October.
HISTORY
The origin of this small town is obscure. Bhimtal got its name from Bhim, one of the legendary personalities and central characters mentioned in the Indian epic of Mahabharata.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
The main tourist attraction of this small hill station is its lake. It is one of the largest lakes in the district of Nainital. The lake offers scope for boating to the travelers. In the middle of the lake, there is a beautiful island with a restaurant. The island provides a panoramic view of the lake as well as its luxuriant surroundings. Travelers can also explore the region around the lake and take a walk through the quiet forest surrounding the lake. There is a large Victorian dam at one end of the lake and terraced flower gardens can be found on either side. Bhimtal is also known for its lovely dappled paths, ravines festooned with dog rose and wild raspberry. Farmhouses are set among terraced fields and citrus trees laden with fruits. There is a Folk Culture Museum in Bhimtal, which is a private institution. It has a good collection of artifacts and information about the hill districts of Uttar Pradesh. The collection includes ancient wooden artifacts, information about traditional rites, rituals, stone implements, and items of archeological importance. It also houses a sizable collection of reproductions and photographs of rock art.
PLACES AROUND BHIMTAL
Naukuchiatal is 4 km from Bhimtal. It is a lake having nine corners. Like Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal also has quiet verdant environs, which attracts the traveler to it. This tree-fringed lake is good for boating.
Sat Tal (literally seven lakes) is 7 km from Bhimtal. It is another important place to visit. Sat Tal was originally a cluster of seven lakes, out of which two have dried up. It is famous for fishing and boating. The densely wooded hills and little creeks along the shores of the lakes are a perennial attraction to the tourists. Godhakhel Temple is 3 km from Bhim Tal.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - Bhimtal does not have an airport of its own. The nearest airport is at Pant Nagar (55 km) and the nearest railway station is at Kathgodam (23 km).
BY ROAD - Bhimtal is well connected by bus with Nainital and Kathgodam. Tourists can also reach Bhimtal by hiring taxi from Nainital or Kathgodam.
WHERE TO STAY
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Bhimtal.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information on tourism in Bhimtal. Tourism-of-India.com offers package tours in order to make your visit to Bhimtal Pleasant.
TOURISM IN BANARAS
Area
104.82 sq km
Language
Hindi & English
Best time to visit
October to March
STD Code
0542
Location of Banaras
Banaras (also Varanasi) is located in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and extends latitude 25°20' N and longitude 83°00' E. Sandwiched between the rivers Varuna and Ashi as they join the Ganges, Banaras takes its name from its location. It is also called Kashi, the city of light, but the British, in an endeavor to simplify matters, had coined their own name for the place-Banaras. For a relatively short period, while under Mughal rule, Banaras was also known as Muhammadabad. Modern-day Banaras is situated along the west bank of the Ganges (also Ganga) and extends into a myriad collection of narrow lanes that form an integral part of it. The city winds itself around these vines of communication, stretching from one ghat to the other.
Best Time to Visit Banaras
Because of its proximity to the Tropic of Cancer, Banaras enjoys a pleasant winter with a daytime temperature of around 20°C. The temperature can touch a low of around 10°C in late December and January with heavy fog in the early part of the day. October-November and February-March are usually comfortable and sunny.
The summer season is, however, harsh in Banaras. Beginning in April and continuing through June, it is extremely dry and daytime temperatures often climb up to as high as 45°C.
The monsoon season, which starts by late June or early July, brings torrential rains and high humidity to the city. By late September, however, the weather returns to a comfortable level.
History of Banaras
Almost midway in its long journey from the slopes of the mighty Himalayas to the inflamed shore of Bay of Bengal, the muddy waters of the Ganges flow by a city that is five centuries older than Christ. The city finds mention in the great epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. It was already an old city when Rome was founded, and was a flourishing center of trade when Buddha came to Sarnath, some 10 km away, to preach his first sermon in 500 BC. It is a city of temples and for more than 2,500 years, it has attracted pilgrims from near and far. According to Hindu belief, Banaras or Banaras as it is known, is the cosmic center of the Universe. The renowned American novelist Mark Twain once wrote, "Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together."
Down the ages, Banaras has stood as a symbol of Hindu renaissance. Swathed in an aura of history, religion, and tradition, Banaras preserved the rituals and traditions of Hindu philosophy. From a time stretching beyond human memory, pilgrims from distant lands have come to Banaras in search of divine blessings.
Tourist Attractions of Banaras
The numerous ghats along the bank of the Ganges present a varied scene from dawn to dusk. A ghat is a series of well-paved steps that lead to the water. A ghat in Banaras usually has small temples built into its side, while the larger structures, housing the powerful gods and goddesses from the Hindu pantheon, form a formidable backdrop to the serene beauty of the meandering river. These ghats numbering more than a hundred, with their entourage of temples, form the axis on which the city developed. For centuries, the Hindus considered it very auspicious to bathe at the ghats of Banaras. Everyday at dawn thousands of pilgrims can be seen offering salutations to the Sun God in waist-deep water, secure in their conviction that the muddy waters of the Ganges will wash away all the accumulated sins of their life. The oil lamps (diyas) and flowers set afloat on the river at dusk make a fascinating sight.
There are five important ghats in Banaras where the pilgrims flock to take a bath-the Assi, Dasawamedha, Barnasangam, Panchganga, and Manikarnika. Each ghat has its own history and its own following. Many of the ghats were built and owned by the royal families of India; the Maharaja of Banaras built the Kali (or Sivala) Ghat, Maharaja Man Singh built the Mansarovar Ghat, while Ahilyabai Ghat is named after that legendary Queen Ahilyabai of Indore.
The best time to visit the ghats is at the break of dawn, when pilgrims perform the Surya Pranam immersed waist deep in the waters of the holy Ganges.
The best way to catch the essence of Banaras is to travel down the Ganges by boat at six o'clock in the morning. Boats can be hired by the hour from the main steps of the Dasawamedha Ghat. The steady creek of ancient oars, the slap of wet garments, incessant chatter of the bathers amid a tinkling of scattered temple bells, watching Banaras from the environs of a gently swaying boat is truly an experience worth treasuring.
Although Banaras is famous as a Hindu pilgrimage center, one cannot ignore its distinct Muslim heritage. The powerful Sultans of Delhi and later the emperors of the Mughal dynasty were instrumental in constructing several mosques, and this predominantly Hindu city gradually attained a degree of cosmopolitanism. Aurangzeb, the last of the mighty Mughals, hastened this process of evolution and the mosques that he built still stand today. The great mosque of Banaras, Gyanvyapi Masjid, has minarets towering 71 m above the Ganges and is an integral part of the city's skyline.
There is also the Golden Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple today sits across the road from its original site. The present temple was built in 1776 by Rani Ahilyabai, while three and a quarter ton of gold plating on the towers were provided by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Lahore. Next to the temple is the Well of Knowledge, where, as legend goes, the original Shiva lingam lies hidden.
There is another temple in this holy city-a temple dedicated not to the gods, but to Mother India. The Bharat Mata temple, as it is known, does not have idols or images of gods and goddesses: what it has is a marble relief map of Independent India. The father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, inaugurated the temple.
Banaras Hindu University is the largest residential university in Asia, a center of Sanskrit, Indian art, culture, and music. This university covers an area of 2000 acres, and was gifted by the king of Banaras, a scholar of Sanskrit and Hindu philosopher himself. The university is around 10 km from the railway station.
Of the numerous temples that dot this ancient city, the important ones are the Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Vinayaka Temple, Annapurna Temple, Kal Bhairav, Jateshwar Mahadeo, and Maha Mritunjaya Temple.
Tourism-of-India provides complete information about Banaras, India. Tourism-of-India offers package tours for Banaras.
104.82 sq km
Language
Hindi & English
Best time to visit
October to March
STD Code
0542
Location of Banaras
Banaras (also Varanasi) is located in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and extends latitude 25°20' N and longitude 83°00' E. Sandwiched between the rivers Varuna and Ashi as they join the Ganges, Banaras takes its name from its location. It is also called Kashi, the city of light, but the British, in an endeavor to simplify matters, had coined their own name for the place-Banaras. For a relatively short period, while under Mughal rule, Banaras was also known as Muhammadabad. Modern-day Banaras is situated along the west bank of the Ganges (also Ganga) and extends into a myriad collection of narrow lanes that form an integral part of it. The city winds itself around these vines of communication, stretching from one ghat to the other.
Best Time to Visit Banaras
Because of its proximity to the Tropic of Cancer, Banaras enjoys a pleasant winter with a daytime temperature of around 20°C. The temperature can touch a low of around 10°C in late December and January with heavy fog in the early part of the day. October-November and February-March are usually comfortable and sunny.
The summer season is, however, harsh in Banaras. Beginning in April and continuing through June, it is extremely dry and daytime temperatures often climb up to as high as 45°C.
The monsoon season, which starts by late June or early July, brings torrential rains and high humidity to the city. By late September, however, the weather returns to a comfortable level.
History of Banaras
Almost midway in its long journey from the slopes of the mighty Himalayas to the inflamed shore of Bay of Bengal, the muddy waters of the Ganges flow by a city that is five centuries older than Christ. The city finds mention in the great epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. It was already an old city when Rome was founded, and was a flourishing center of trade when Buddha came to Sarnath, some 10 km away, to preach his first sermon in 500 BC. It is a city of temples and for more than 2,500 years, it has attracted pilgrims from near and far. According to Hindu belief, Banaras or Banaras as it is known, is the cosmic center of the Universe. The renowned American novelist Mark Twain once wrote, "Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together."
Down the ages, Banaras has stood as a symbol of Hindu renaissance. Swathed in an aura of history, religion, and tradition, Banaras preserved the rituals and traditions of Hindu philosophy. From a time stretching beyond human memory, pilgrims from distant lands have come to Banaras in search of divine blessings.
Tourist Attractions of Banaras
The numerous ghats along the bank of the Ganges present a varied scene from dawn to dusk. A ghat is a series of well-paved steps that lead to the water. A ghat in Banaras usually has small temples built into its side, while the larger structures, housing the powerful gods and goddesses from the Hindu pantheon, form a formidable backdrop to the serene beauty of the meandering river. These ghats numbering more than a hundred, with their entourage of temples, form the axis on which the city developed. For centuries, the Hindus considered it very auspicious to bathe at the ghats of Banaras. Everyday at dawn thousands of pilgrims can be seen offering salutations to the Sun God in waist-deep water, secure in their conviction that the muddy waters of the Ganges will wash away all the accumulated sins of their life. The oil lamps (diyas) and flowers set afloat on the river at dusk make a fascinating sight.
There are five important ghats in Banaras where the pilgrims flock to take a bath-the Assi, Dasawamedha, Barnasangam, Panchganga, and Manikarnika. Each ghat has its own history and its own following. Many of the ghats were built and owned by the royal families of India; the Maharaja of Banaras built the Kali (or Sivala) Ghat, Maharaja Man Singh built the Mansarovar Ghat, while Ahilyabai Ghat is named after that legendary Queen Ahilyabai of Indore.
The best time to visit the ghats is at the break of dawn, when pilgrims perform the Surya Pranam immersed waist deep in the waters of the holy Ganges.
The best way to catch the essence of Banaras is to travel down the Ganges by boat at six o'clock in the morning. Boats can be hired by the hour from the main steps of the Dasawamedha Ghat. The steady creek of ancient oars, the slap of wet garments, incessant chatter of the bathers amid a tinkling of scattered temple bells, watching Banaras from the environs of a gently swaying boat is truly an experience worth treasuring.
Although Banaras is famous as a Hindu pilgrimage center, one cannot ignore its distinct Muslim heritage. The powerful Sultans of Delhi and later the emperors of the Mughal dynasty were instrumental in constructing several mosques, and this predominantly Hindu city gradually attained a degree of cosmopolitanism. Aurangzeb, the last of the mighty Mughals, hastened this process of evolution and the mosques that he built still stand today. The great mosque of Banaras, Gyanvyapi Masjid, has minarets towering 71 m above the Ganges and is an integral part of the city's skyline.
There is also the Golden Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple today sits across the road from its original site. The present temple was built in 1776 by Rani Ahilyabai, while three and a quarter ton of gold plating on the towers were provided by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Lahore. Next to the temple is the Well of Knowledge, where, as legend goes, the original Shiva lingam lies hidden.
There is another temple in this holy city-a temple dedicated not to the gods, but to Mother India. The Bharat Mata temple, as it is known, does not have idols or images of gods and goddesses: what it has is a marble relief map of Independent India. The father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, inaugurated the temple.
Banaras Hindu University is the largest residential university in Asia, a center of Sanskrit, Indian art, culture, and music. This university covers an area of 2000 acres, and was gifted by the king of Banaras, a scholar of Sanskrit and Hindu philosopher himself. The university is around 10 km from the railway station.
Of the numerous temples that dot this ancient city, the important ones are the Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Vinayaka Temple, Annapurna Temple, Kal Bhairav, Jateshwar Mahadeo, and Maha Mritunjaya Temple.
Tourism-of-India provides complete information about Banaras, India. Tourism-of-India offers package tours for Banaras.
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