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The history of Mount Abu is as diverse as the city itself.
It was once a part of the Chauhan kingdom of Rajasthan and
served as a summer resort for the Rajput kings of the region.
After that, it was leased by the British government from the
then Maharaja of Sirohi for use as the headquarter of the
resident to Rajputana (another name for Rajasthan).
Mount Abu was the home of many saints and sages in the old days.
Legend has it that all the 330 million gods and goddesses of the
Hindu pantheon used to visit this holy mountain. It is also the
place where the great saint Vashishth lived and performed a yagna
(sacrificial worship on a fire pit) to create four Agnikula (four
clans of fire) to protect the earth from demons. The yagna was
supposed to have been performed near a natural spring, which emerged
from a rock shaped like a cow's head. According to another legend,
once sage Vashishth's cow Nandini was trapped in a deep gorge and
could not free herself. The sage appealed to Lord Shiva for assistance.
The Lord sent Saraswati, the divine stream, to help flood the gorge
so that the cow could float up. Vashishth then decided to ensure that
such mishaps did not occur in future. He asked the youngest son of
Himalaya, the king of mountains to fill the chasm permanently. This he
did with the assistance of Arbud, the mighty snake.This spot came to be
known as Mount Arbud and was later changed to its present form Mount Abu.
This place is held in reverence by Jains as well since Jain scriptures
record that Lord Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankar (spiritual leader),
also visited Mount Abu and blessed the city.
It was here that an elderly mystic, Balam Rashiya, fell in love with a
nubile teenager.The parents of the adolescent girl were bothered by the
unreasonable demand of the sage. They soon devised a plan, according to
which they placed a condition in front of the aging spiritualist. They
told him to dig a lake with his fingernails, before sunup, failing which
he would not get the hand of their daughter as his bride. The aging guru
accepted the stipulation and earnestly went to work to win over his bride.
Seeing the sage succeeding in his mission, the parents went to the gods,
beseeching them to save their daughter from becoming the bride of a very
old maharishi. The gods betrayed the sage by imitating a cock, which crowed
too early to announce the daybreak. The sage was heartbroken, thinking that
he had failed in his stipulated mission and would not have his much adored
teenager as his wife. In the divine process the love lake Nakki was born.
It is in the old scripture, Mount Abu is named after the mythical snake
Arbuda. It has been described as the most sacred place on earth. According
to Padma Purana one night’s stay at Mount Abu has the blessing equivalent to
the charity of giving one thousand cows. It was considered the abode of great
saints and Gods. Mount Abu finds mention in the Puranas, like Skund Purana,
Upanishads, and Mahabharata and in the travelogues of Magasthanese, Col. Todd
and many others. It was here that the four, fiery Rajput clans were born from
the fire of Havana performed by the sage, Rishi Vashishta. The place was plagued
by incessant tremors. Once again Lord Shiva came to its rescue. He pressed his
big toe at the sacred Achalgarh to steady the mountain. Likewise, the peak of
Mount Abu came to be known as Guru Shikhar after the guru of the Devas, Dattatreya
Muni. Similarly, Gaumukh, the Vashishta Ashram, became famous as the precincts
of the sacrosanct fire, which gave birth to the four Rajput Agnikula clans.
Nakki Lake is located centrally as a major attraction in Mount Abu. There
are few Jain temples built from carved stone and marble,dedicated to Jain
Tirthankaras. Dilwara Jain Temples are famous for beautiful and complex ar
_chitectural carving. Besides, The 'Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary' was esta
_blished in 1960. It covers 280 to 300 Sq. Km of the mountains and Jungle.
It is one of the popular wildlife reserve places in western part of India.
With best of scenic views, climate, sightseeing, attractions, adventurous
sports, shopping, arts, cultural heritage and honeymoon resorts,Mount Abu
one of the top honeymoon places in India. Water rides in Nakki Lake are
memorable for life time. Having said so, There is no doubt that Mount Abu
is a major tourist center and Nakki Lake is number one tourist spot.
There are many hotels located around Nakki Lake. Tourist can easily find
various hotels and resorts at Mount Abu thru this site. Various five star
& three star hotels located at Mount Abu are famous for their hospitality
and many are being developed. Hotels in Mount Abu are spread in such a way
that all the tourist attraction places and shopping places are nearby so
that tourists can visit most of them easily. Most Hotels even provide trans
_portation facility. You can view various sections on this site to get
fantastic virtual experience of visiting Mount Abu.
Mount Abu is a prominent name in that list and manages to attract a lot of
tourists. When rest of Rajasthan experiences comparatively less number of
tourists due to the scorching heat, Mount Abu experiences a high footfall
of tourists as it provides a respite from the scorching heat. Moreover,
there are a number of tourist attractions in Mount Abu. These tourist
attractions make the only hill station of Rajasthan a favorable place
for the tourists.
PLACE TO VISIT IN MOUNT ABU:
1. Achalgarh
2. Toad Rock
3. Guru Shikhar
4. Nakki Lake
5. Wildlife Sanctuary
6. Adhar Devi Temple
7. Dilwara Temples
8. Doodh Baori
9. Sunset Point
Varanasi, or Benaras, (also known as Kashi) is one of the oldest
living cities in the world.Varanasi`s Prominence in Hindu mythology
is virtually unrevealed. Mark Twain, the English author and literature,
who was enthralled by the legend and sanctity of Benaras, 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". According
to the ‘Vamana Purana’,the Varuna and the Assi rivers originated from
the body of the primordial Person at the beginning of time itself.The
tract of land lying between them is believed to be ‘Varanasi’, the
holiest of all pilgrimages.
The word ‘Kashi’ originated from the word
‘Kas’ which means to shine. Steeped in tradition and mythological legacy,
Kashi is the ‘original ground ‘ created by Shiva and Parvati, upon which
they stood at the beginning of time. Varanasi is the microcosm of Hinduism,
a city of traditional classical culture, glorified by myth and legend and
sanctified by religion , it has always attracted a large number of pilgrims
and worshippers from time immemorial. To be in Varanasi is an experience in
itself an experience in self–discover an eternal oneness of the body and soul.
To every visitor; Varanasi offers a breathtaking experience. The rays of the
dawn shimmering across the Ganges,the high-banks, the temples and shrines along
the banks bathed in a golden hue soul stirring hymns and mantras alongwith the
fragrance of incense filling the air and the refreshing dip in the holy waters
gently splashing at the Ghats. Varanasi – the land where experience and discovery
reach the ultimate bliss. Varanasi is also renowned for its rich tapestry of music,
arts, crafts and education.
Some of the world renowned exponents India has produced
in these fields were schooled in Varanasi’s cultural ethos. Luminaries apart,
Varanasi abounds in the art of silk weaving, an exotic work of art which manifests
itself in precious Banarasi Silk Sarees and Silk brocades which are cherished
as collector’s items across the world today.The land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been
the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Often referred to as Benares,
Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world. These few lines by Mark Twain
say it all: "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than
legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together". Hindus believe that
one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom
from the cycle of birth and re-birth. Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the origins
of Varanasi are yet unknown. Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the power to
wash away the sins of mortals. Ganges is said to have its origins in the tresses of
Lord Shiva and in Varanasi, it expands to the mighty river that we know of. The city
is a center of learning and civilization for over 3000 years. With Sarnath, the place
where Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment, just 10 km away, Varanasi
has been a symbol of Hindu renaissance. Knowledge, philosophy, culture, devotion to
Gods, Indian arts and crafts have all flourished here for centuries. Also a pilgrimage
place for Jains, Varanasi is believed to be the birthplace of Parsvanath, the twenty-
third Tirthankar.
Vaishnavism and Shaivism have co-existed in Varanasi harmoniously. With a number of
temples,Mrs. Annie Besant chose Varanasi as the home for her 'Theosophical Society'
and Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya,to institute'Benares Hindu University,the biggest
University in Asia. Ayurveda is said to be originated at Varanasi and is believed to
be the basis of modern medical sciences such as Plastic surgery, Cataract and Calculus
operations. Maharshi Patanjali, the preceptor of Ayurveda and Yoga, was also affiliated
with Varanasi, the holy city. Varanasi is also famous for its trade and commerce,
especially for the finest silks and gold and silver brocades, since the early days.
Varanasi has also been a great center of learning for ages. Varanasi is associated
with promotion of spiritualism, mysticism, Sanskrit, yoga and Hindi language and
honored authors such as the ever-famous novelist Prem Chand and Tulsi Das, the famous
saint-poet who wrote Ram Charit Manas. Aptly called as the cultural capital of India,
Varanasi has provided the right platform for all cultural activities to flourish. Many
exponents of dance and music have come from Varanasi. Ravi Shankar, the internationally
renowned Sitar maestro and Ustad Bismillah Khan, (the famous Shehnai player) are all sons
of the blessed city or have lived here for major part of their lives
Varanasi or Kashi is older than traditions. Varanasi presents a unique combination of
physical, metaphysical and supernatural elements. According to the Hindu mythology,
Varanasi liberates soul from human body to the ultimate. It is the Ganga Ghats of
Varanasi that complement the concept of divinity. Ghats of Ganga are perhaps the holiest
spots of Varanasi. The Ganga Ghats at Varanasi are full of pilgrims who flock to the place
to take a dip in the holy Ganges, which is believed to absolve one from all sins. There
are number of temples on the bank of the Ganga river in Varanasi. It is believed that people
are cleansed physically, mentally and spiritually at Ganga Ghats. It is at the Ganga Ghats
where we see life and death together. For thousands of years people have been thronging these
Ghats to offer their morning prayers to the rising sun. There are more than 100 ghats along
side Ganga in Varanasi. Some of the prominent and popular Ghats at Varanasi are the Dasaswamedh
Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Harischandra Ghat, Kabir Ghat and Assi Ghat.
Pushkar is about 13kms from Ajmer. There many temples here that's
way the town of Pushkar is called the town of temples. Hindus came
over here to have holy dip everyday and specially in the month of
Kartika.The lake here is known as the most sacred lake. Not only
Hindus but also the Mohammedans, and jains come here and do Puja.
The place has attracted the tourists from several countries also.
The foreigners can be seen here enjoying the beauty of the place.
The sancity of Senior Pushkar is exceptionally great.
All the important and sacred places have been named after some
important persons are events. Pushkar was also named like that.
Once Brahma was worried over the matter of having a place in his
name on the earth as the other gods have so he also had a desire
to have a place in his name in the mortal world (earth). He threw
a lotus flower upon the earth. The flower fell at three places and
the holy water sprang out from all these three places. Then Brahma
said that these three places would be known as Pushkar. The place
where the flower first fell is called Jestha Pushkar(Senior Pushkar),
the second place is called Madhya Pushkar (Middle Pushkar) and the
third place is called Kanistha Pushkar (junior Pushkar). And further
he added that these three Kunds(Lakes)would be famous for removing the
sins of the sinners.As Brahmaji threw the Pushpa (flower) with his Kar
(Hand) so he gave the name of Pushkar to this place.
Pushkar has a rich historical and cultural heritage.
The history of Pushkar cites its importance and sign
_ificance down the ages of the history of India.
Pushkar is situated in the state of Rajasthan in India.
Famous for the annual cattle fair,which draws an enormous
amount of traders and tourists, Pushkar is a great place
for travel. The Pushkar lake and the temples of Pushkar
are revered among religious pilgrims. Legend has it that
the lake in Pushkar was created from the petals of a lotus
flower which fell from the hand of Lord Brahma. Brahma is
the residing deity in Pushkar and has a temple dedicated to
him. The Brahma Temple in Pushkar is one of its kind in India.
The legendary significance makes the lake of Pushkar an immen
sely holy place for pilgrims.The city of Pushkar is also
closely associated with the times of the Ramayana and the Maha
bharata. In later times, Pushkar was an important place of rule
during the reign of the Mughal empire in India. It was the favor
_ed place of residence of many important Mughal rulers. Later
Pushkar was annexed by the British empire, and it became one of
the very few states in Rajasthan to be ruled directly by the
British, the rest being princely states.Therefore, the history
of Pushkar speaks of its consistent importance and significance.
It still is an important place in Rajasthan, India, and receives
a large number of tourists and religious pilgrims every year
One of the major thriving temple of Brahma, in Pushkar can be
identified by it red spire and by the image of Hans (the swan
considered sacred to Lord Brahma). This temple built with the
marble is decorated with silver coin. Beside there is silver
turtle on the floor of temple. The chaturmukhi (four faces)
Brahma is idol is houseed in Garbha Griha or "Womb home" which
is the sanctum sanctorum. Above the Garbha Griha a super srtucture
called Shikhara is composed of many shikhara. Interestingly the
marble staute of surya standing sentinel at the Brahma temple is
shown wearing boot. It is a pointed out that while all gods are
shown with the bare feet, the figure Surya wears an ancient warrior's
boot. This was considered a luxury accorded to him by the iconograp
hers who did not want his feet to be scorched by the heat generated
by him self. Mogul Emperor Aurangzeb is said to have destroyed this
temple followed by a period of fear and confusion. The activities at
Brahma temple were remained at low pitch. Later on a Brahman devotee
named phundi bai first repaired in 1719. She was the mother of shambu
ram and daughter of Girdhar Das, was resident of Jaipur. There after
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh rebuilt it in 1727.In 1809 Gokul Chand Parekh,
a minister of scindias, repaired it at cost of Rs. 1,30,000..
Generally Pushkar experiences a very hot temperature all through the year.
Summer remains hot and humid enough with the average high of 42°C. May and
June are the hottest months of the year when temperature climbs to 48°C.
Although the city gets a little rainfall during this period, it is conside
red sufficient enough to reduce the heat. Winter, on the other hand, remains
much enjoyable with the average high of 30°C. December and January are the
coldest months when the low temperature drops below 8°C.
PLACE TO VISIT IN PUSHKAR:
1. Pushkar Yoga Garden
2. Pushkar Camel Safari(Private Day Tour)
3. Pushkar Lake
4. Brahma's Temple
5. Aptaeshwar Temple
6. Varaha Temple
7. Dharma Camel Safari
8. Mahadeva Temple
9. Savitri tempal on hill
10. Oren
Ajaipal Chauhan founded Ajmer in the seventh century.
He constructed a hill fort "Ajaimeur" or the " Invin
_cible Hill".He established the Chauhan dynasty which
continued to rule the country while repeated waves of
Turkish invasions swept across India. Ajmer was conqu
_ered by Muhammad of Ghor, founder of the Delhi
Sultanate, in 1193. Its internal government, however,
was handed over to the Chauhan rulers upon the payment
of a heavy tribute to the conquerors. Ajmer then remained
feudatory to Delhi until 1365, when it was captured by the
ruler of Mewar. In 1509 Ajmer became a source of contention
between the Maharajas of Mewar and Marwar, and was
ultimately conquered by the Marwar ruler in 1532. Ajmer
was conquered by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1559. It
continued to be in the hands of the Mughals, with occasional
revolts, until 1770, when it was ceded to the Marathas. From
that time up to 1818 Ajmer was the scene of an ongoing
struggle, being seized at different times by the Mewar and
the Marwar maharajas, from whom it was often retaken by the
Marathas. In 1818 the Marathas sold Ajmer to the East India
Company for 50,000 rupees. Since then Ajmer has enjoyed stable
governance, although during the 1857 War of Independence some
Indian sepoys at the garrison in the nearby town of Nasirabad
joined the revolt. Under the British Raj, Ajmer was governed
by an Agent to the Governor General overseeing Rajputana. After
independence in 1947, Ajmer retained its position as a centrally
administrated state under a Chief Commissioner for some time.
Ajmer was eventually merged with the State of Rajasthan.
It is situated in 26° 27, N. lat. and 74° 44, E. long.,
on the lower slopes of Taraga?h Hill, in the Aravalli Range.
It is situated almost in the heart of the state of Rajasthan.
To the north of the city is a large artificial lake, called
Anasagar, adorned with a marble structure called Baradari.
Ajmer is an ancient crowded city with modern developments in the
outskirts. Ajmer is an oasis wrapped in the green hills. The city
was founded by Raja Ajay Pal Chauhan in the 7th Century A.D. and
continued to be a major centre of the Chauhan power till 1193 A.D.,
when Prithviraj Chauhan lost it to Mohammed Ghauri. Since then, Ajmer
became home to many dynasties. Today, Ajmer is a popular pilgrimage
centre for the Hindus as well as Muslims. Especially famous is the
Dargah Sharif-Tomb of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, which is
equally revered by the Hindus and Muslims. Ajmer is a centre of culture
and education. The British chose Ajmer for its prestigious Mayo College,
a school exclusively for Indian nobility. Ajmer is also the base for
visiting Pushkar (11 km.), the abode of Lord Brahma, lying to its west with
a temple and a picturesque lake. The Pushkar Lake is a sacred spot for Hindus.
During the month of Kartik , devotes throng in large numbers here to take a
dip in the sacred lake.
During the British occupation of Ajmer, Akbar Palace was used as a house
of ammunition and the British dubbed this palace as the "Rajputana Arsenal."
Built in 1570 AD by Emperor Akbar, Akbar Palace was built to serve as the
home of the emperor during his visits to Ajmer. Akbar Palace is located near
the train station in Ajmer and is big to learn more about the romantic and
tumultuous history of desert Ajmer. Palace of Akbar was converted into a
house of ammunition during the British occupation of Ajmer. Two stone walls
surrounding the Palace Akbar made this impressive fortress. The museum at the
Palace of Akbar also displays of antiques, objects d 'art, sculptures, miniature
paintings and archaeological remains of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.
This impressive structure is transformed into a museum in 1908, which runs
every day of the week except Fridays. The work schedule is planned from 10
am to 4:30 pm During the testimony of the museum from Monday to large crowds,
as there is no registration fee for that day. Part of the palace of Akbar was
converted into a museum in the post-independence. This magnificent palace serves
as an ostentatious way of getting the story quixotic and bustle of Ajmer.
During the British occupation of Ajmer, Akbar Palace was
used as a house of ammunition and the British dubbed this
palace as the "Rajputana Arsenal." Built in 1570 AD by
Emperor Akbar, Akbar Palace was built to serve as the home
of the emperor during his visits to Ajmer. Akbar Palace is
located near the train station in Ajmer and is big to learn
more about the romantic and tumultuous history of desert
Ajmer. Palace of Akbar was converted into a house of ammuni
_tion during the British occupation of Ajmer. Two stone walls
surrounding the Palace Akbar made this impressive fortress.The
museum at the Palace of Akbar also displays of antiques,
objects d'art,sculptures,miniature paintings and archaeological
remains of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.
This impressive structure is transformed into a museum in 1908,
which runs every day of the week except Fridays. The work schedule
is planned from 10 am to 4:30 pm During the testimony of the museum
from Monday to large crowds, as there is no registration fee for
that day. Part of the palace of Akbar was converted into a museum
in the post-independence. This magnificent palace serves as an
ostentatious way of getting the story quixotic and bustle of Ajmer.
THE DARGAH SHARIF OF KHWAJA GHARIB NAWAZ IS INDEED AN
ORNAMENT TO THE CITY OF AJMER. IT IS ONE OF THE HOLIEST
PLACES OF WORSHIP IN INDIA NOT ONLY FOR THE MUSLIMS BUT
ALSO FOR THE PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS WHO HOLD THE SAINT
IN HIGH ESTEEM AND REVERENCE.THE KHWAJA SAHIB AS A LIVING
SPIRIT OF PEACE AND HARMONY,ENJOYS UNIVERSAL RESPECT AND
DEVOTION EVER SINCE HE SET HIS HOLY FEET ON THE SOIL OF
HINDUSTAN. HE HAS UNQUESTIONABLY BEEN ONE OF THE GREATEST
SPIRITUAL REDEEMERS OF HUMAN SUFFERINGS. TO THE FAITHFUL
AND AFFLICTED SOULS INVOKING HIS BLESSINGS, HE HAS EVER
BEEN A NEVER-FAILING SOURCE OF MORAL STRENGTH AND SPIRITUAL
ENLIGHTENMENT. APART FROM THE COMMON PEOPLE, EVEN THE MIGHTY
KINGS OF INDIA, HAVE PAID SUBMISSIVE HOMAGE TO THE GREAT
SAINT AND SOUGHT HIS MIRACULOUS AID TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS.
THE PRECIOUS BUILDINGS AND VARIOUS RICH ENDOWMENTS DEDICATED
TO THE DARGAH OF HUZOOR GHARIB NAWAZ ARE LIVING MEMORIALS TO
AND REMINDERS OF HIS CONTINUED PATRONAGE ENJOYED BY THE PEOPLE
OF INDIA THROUGH OUT THE PAST EIGHT CENTURIES.
THE DARGAH LIES AT THE FOOT OF THE NORTHERN EXTREMITY OF HILL.
ITS MAIN ATTRACTION IS THE MAUSOLEUM CONTAINING THE TOMB OF THE
SAINT WHICH IS THE SANCTUM SANCTORUM OF THE DARGAH. THE DARGAH
INCLUDED MANY OTHER ATTRACTIVE BUILDINGS, TOMBS, COURTYARDS AND
DAALANS SOME OF WHICH ARE EXQUISITE SPECIMENS OF THE MUGHAL
ARCHITECTURE AND WERE ERECTED DURING THE MUGHAL PERIOD.It was
only a small minority who has the means to record their respect
for the saint in the from of architectural monuments, or who were
in a position to select the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty as
their last resting place. While these monuments are crucial to the
task of tracing the development of the cult, they represent only a
very limited range of the saint's followers. Since its inception,
the cult of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty as always been popular movement.
PLACE TO VISIT IN AJMER
1. Akbar's Palace & Museum
2. Ropangarh Fort
3. Taragarh Fort
4. Ana Sagar
5. Durga Bag
6. Abdullah Khan's Tomb
7. Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra
8. Dargah Sharif
9. Nasiyan Jain Temple (Red Temple)
10.Kishangarh
Jaipur, the fascinating capital of the marvellous
state of Rajasthan, is one of the well-planned
cities of its time. Jaipur was established by the
then Maharaja, Sawai Jai Singh in the year 1927.
The graceful architecture of the City that runs
across in pink colour has earned Jaipur the title
of "The Pink City". Jaipur is predominantly known
for its musicians, artisans and craftsmen. Today,
it is flocked by masses for its fine jewellery,
varied textiles and sumptuous cuisine.
Arriving from Jaipur through the narrow pass in the
hills, you are presented with a view of the honey
coloured Amber fort-palace that conforms to every
expectation of how a romantic Rajupt forts should
appear. It rambles over a rugged hill, reflected in
Maota Lake below. The odd elephant plods up the ramparts
road. In Amber village, which clusters around the hill,
gem-cutters smoothen and cut stones, the faithful go to
mosques and temples, and children run around the royal
chhatris (mausoleums) and decaying houses. A circle of
protective hills surrounds all this, and snaking up these
hills are crenulated walls punctuated by look-our posts.
On the highest ridge and overlooking the valley is Jaigarh
Fort, a spectacular display of defence. Inside Amber Fort,
the contrast is sharp, the grand painted gateway, the hall
public audience that made even the Mughal emperor jealous,
pools and cascades to cool the air in summer heat, and the
hall o mirrors inlaid with tiny pieces of glass so that a
single flame creates a room o a thousand bejeweled stars.
The city was planned in a grid system of seven blocks of
buildings with wide straight avenues lined with trees,
with the place set on the north side.Surrounding it are
high walls pieced with ten gates. The site of the shops were
chosen after careful planning and they are arranged in nine
rectangular city sectors (chokris). Jaipur was the first sizable
city in north India to be built from scratch, though the famous
pink colour symbolizing welcome', came later when Ram Singh II
received the Prince of Wales in 1876.
hava mahal:
The renowned 'Palace Of The Winds,or Hawa Mahal,is
one of the prominent tourist attractions in Jaipur
city.Located in the heart of Jaipur,this beautiful
five-storey palace was constructed in 1799 by raja
Sawai Pratap Singh who belonged to Kachhwaha Rajput
dynasty. The main architect of this palace built of
red and pink sandstone, is Lal Chand Ustad and the
palace is believed to have been constructed in the
form of the crown of Krishna, the Hindu god. Consi
_dered as an embodiment of Rajputana architecture,
the main highlight of Hawa Mahal is its pyramid
shape and its 953 windows or 'Jharokhas' which
are decorated with intricate designs. The main
intention behind the construction of the Mahal was
to facilitate the royal women and provide them a view
of everyday life through the windows, as they never
appeared in public. Read further to know more about Hawa
Mahal, its history, architecture and its visiting hours.
It was in 1799 that the Kachhwaha Rajput ruler, Sawai
Pratap Singh, grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh who
built Jaipur, constructed Hawa Mahal as a continuation
of the Royal City Palace. Sawai Pratap Singh's devotion
to Lord Krishna is evident in the palace's construction
as it resembles the lord's crown. Though many reasons are
cited behind the construction of the fort, Purdah system
followed by the Rajputs is said to be one of the main causes.
During those days, Rajput royal women did not appear in
public or in front of strangers. However, they were keen to
follow the day-to-day events and royal processions occurring on
the streets. It is for their benefit that the Hawa Mahal was
built, complete with small windows and screened balconies. This
gave the women a sense of freedom, without appearing in public.
JANTAR MANTAR
There are plenty of observatories all over the world,
but the Jantar Mantar is considered to be one of the
largest observatories ever built. Combining religion,
science and art, the Jantar Mantar is the name given
to a series of five, magnificent structures built in
Jaipur, New Delhi, Ujjan,Varanasi and Mathura. Jaipur
was the seat of Maharaja Jai Singh II during the 1720's
and this is when this magnificent structure was built
here. The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is considered to be
the largest of the five observatories and also houses
the world's largest sundial.The Universe and the Cosmos
have always been of interest to man, and it was this
interest that compelled the Maharaja to build an astron
_omical observatory. The term 'Jantar Mantar' is derived
from the Sanskrit terms 'Yantra' and 'Mantra' meaning
'instruments' and 'formula' respectively. The term 'Yantra'
was replaced with 'Jantar' which means 'magical'. The
Jantar Mantar houses various architectural and astrological
instruments that have caught the interests of astronomers,
historians and architects around the world.
History of jantar mantar:
Maharaja Jai Singh II, the founder of the 'pink city',
was a great scholar and an avid astrologer. He studied
philosophy, astrology, architecture and religion in
various schools, and was also well versed with universal
mathematical concepts such as Euclid's Clements, Ptolemy's
Syntaxes and the Master works of Aryabhatta. In the year
1718, he wanted to construct an observatory of renown. For
this, he studied the subject of astronomy and then built
five different observatories around North India. At these
places, he would sit with other scholarly astronomers, such
as Pt. Kedarnath, for astronomical observations.
The 'Jantar Mantar' at Jaipur, being the biggest conservatory
in the country, was renovated time and again and houses various
instruments that offer precise measurements of time,the azimuth,
declination of the sun and the positions of constellations, along
with several other astronomical phenomena. The Jaipur observatory
was functional for seven years only, as the Maharaja was not very
successful in deriving accurate, astronomical observations.
PLACE TO VISIT IN JAIPUR
1. Elefantastic
2. Amer Fort
3. Govind Devji Temple
4. Abhaneri Step Well
5. Shesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors)
6. Jantar Mantar
7. Raj Mandir Cinema
8. Birla Mandir Temple
9. Royal Gaitor Tumbas
10.City Palace of Jaipur
11.Jaigarh Fort
12.Hawa Mahal - Palace of Wind
13.Jal Mahal
14.Nahargarh Fort
Mathura is full of stories of Krishna,
his birth and the part of his life he
spent there with radha Rani. There was
a king named Ugrasena ruled over Mathura.
Once Ugrasena and his wife were taking a
walk in the gardens when a demon saw the
queen and fell in love with her. In his
lust for her he diverted Ugrasena,assumed
his form and the child born of this union
was Kansa. Kansa grew up to dethrone his
father and imprison his cousin, Devaki.
While driving Devaki and her husband Vas
_udeva in his chariot,Kansa heard a voice
in the sky telling him that he way carrying
a woman whose eighth child would kill him.
Kansa immediately prepared to till Devaki.
But Vasudeva intervened and begged for her
life with the promise that they would hand
over all their children to him soon after
their birth. So Kansa imprisoned them and
killed seven children.
The land of Braj starts from Kotban near Hodel
about 95 km from Delhi and ends at Runakuta
which is known specially for its association
with the poet Surdas,an ardent Krishna devotee
long line of picturesque ghats - with their steps
leading to the water's edge, arched gateways and
temple spires extending along the right bank of
the River Yamuna, emphasise the sacred character
of the town of Mathura. The birth place of Lord
Krishna, "the best known, best loved and most
complex of Lord Vishnu's manifestations" :
Mathura is today an important place of pilgrimage
Before the advent of Buddha the territory that
Mathura is located in was called Surasena. In
Buddhist literature Mathura is called Madhura.
It was also known as Mathera. Mathura was a pros
_perous city and the capital of a large territory.
A Buddhist center was established in Mathura during
the reign of the Mauryas dynasty.This center existed
for a few centuries. Emperor Ashoka made many
Buddha stupas in Mathura on the bank of the
Yamuna. Emperor Kaniska in the first century
BC and his successors constructed many Buddhist
stupas and chaityas.
It is understood that Mathura City is the transcendental
abode of Lord Krishna. It is not an ordinary material city,
for it is eternally connected with the Supreme Personality
of Godhead. Vrindavan is within the jurisdiction of Mathura
and still continues to exist. Because Mathura and Vrindavan
are intimately connected with Krishna eternally, it is said
that Lord Krishna never leaves Vrindavan (vrindavanam parit
_yajya padam ekam na gacchati). At present the place known
as Vrindavana in the district of Mathura, continues its pos
_ition as a transcendental place and certainly anyone who
goes there becomes transcendentally purified.
"We must understand the transcendental importance of Mathura,
Vrindavana and Navadvipa dhamas. Anyone who executes devotional
service in these places certainly goes back home, back to
Godhead after giving up his body.
"Whenever the Supreme Personality appears, He appears in Mathura
because of His intimate connection with this place. Therefore,
although Mathura and Vrindavana are situated on this planet earth,
they are transcendental abodes of the Lord."
At this time Mathura was the largest city in North
India and was the capital city for the area for
administration. During these times the present
town of Vrindavana was just dense forests without
any people living there. In the beginning of the
5th century AD the Chinese traveler Fahien saw
twenty viharas (Buddhist monasteries) and three
thousand Buddhist priests living in Mathura. By
the middle of the 6th century AD Buddhism started
to decline in the Mathura area. Many Buddhist relics
have been found in the Mathura area. Many of which are
found in the museums in Mathura, Calcutta and Lucknow.
There is not much known about the period between 700 AD
and 1018. Mahmud Ghazni invaded Mathura in 1018.
He stole all the riches of the Deities, their jewels,
diamonds, gold and silver. He then destroyed the temples.
It took his men 20 days to plunder the city.
He took 5,000 prisoners and took over 30 million rupees
Location of Mathura is just 56 km from Agra. It is situated
on the banks of the river Yamuna. The land area of Mathura
is approximately 9.37 sq km. It is located at an altitude of
287 meters above sea level. The population ofMathura is appr
_oximately 2,98,827. Brajbhasi and Hindi are the main languages
of the people of Mathura. Hinduism is the dominant religion,
followed by Islam.
The history of Mathura dates back to the ancient times. Mathura
is the birthplace of Lord Krishna, who is considered to be the
re incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Mathura and Vrindavan along with
its surrounding areas are associated with the childhood memories
of Lord Krishna. Mathura was a part of the Mauryan empire. During
the reign of King Ashoka, Mathura was the seat of Buddhism and was
an important center of arts. After the decline of the Mauryan empire,
the influence of Hinduism spread its roots far and wide.
The climate of Mathura is tropical extreme with very hot summers
and chilly, cold and foggy winters. The best season to visit Mathura
is between October and March. Weather is pleasant and comfortable
during this period. Tourists are advised to carry comfortable cotton
clothing during the summers and warm woolens for the winter.
This historic and spiritual destination has numerous tourist attractions
Jama Masjid, Dwarkandheesh Temple, Govardhan Hill, Archaeological Museum
are the hot tourist spots.The Govardhan Hill is in the shape of a peacock.
The famous archaeological museum has an invaluable collection of Indian art
and iconography.
Gwalior is one of the oldest city of central India and is known
for its cultural and heritage in Madhya Pradesh.For a long time
Gwalior served as a land for Saints, Artists and Heroes. Archit
_ecture and music of Gwalior is well known around the world.
Gwalior was established by Kacchwa King Suraj Sen way back in
5th century in respect of the Saint Named Galav who cured him
of leprosy. By the Saints order the King established Gwalior
Fort and few lakes on Gopa Gir Mountain where today’s fort is
standing. Various writers of the past named the mountain as
“Gopagir”, “Govardhan” and “Gopanchal” .Babar called this fort
as the “Pearl in the neck-less of fortress of India “. Gwalior
fort was also called Gibraltar of India. As no one can persuade
Europe without winning Gibraltar, in the same way South India
is unreachable without passing through Gwalior Fort. During the
Tomar Era many architectural constructions did here in which
Maan mandir and Gujri mahal are noteworthy. Even today the Gwalior
Fort is standing with his splendour and glory.
Gwalior is not only rich in arts, architecture and heritage as
economic point of view Gwalior is advanced from the past. Abul
Fazal wrote in his book” Aine – Akbari” that Gwalior was the hub
of mining, metal and stone industry. When akbar constructed Fatehpur
Sikri the sculptress were called from Gwalior itself. Gwalior got
its first train as Gwalior Light Railway in 1905 and this project
was started to give peoples jobs when they were facing severe drought
of the century. Before freedom many industries were set up in Gwalior
in which Gwalior leather factory ,Gwalior Potteries and Gwalior
Engineering works were established in 1912, East India Carpet factory
in 1920 ,DRDE in 1925 ,Imperial match company in 1933 ,cement factory
Cimmco birla ltd, Gwalior rayons (Later called Gwalior suitings), JC
Mills(Jayaji Rao cotton Mills) are famous. Gwalior trade fair started
in 1905 is also one of the oldest trade fairs of the country
The reign of the Mughals over Gwalior did not last long.
With the third battle of Panipat, the kingdom went in the
hands of the Jats with Lokandra Singh. In 1765, Gwalior
was regained by the Scindhia clan under the aegis of Mahadji
Scindhia. The soldiers of the kingdom contributed significant
_ly in the first freedom struggle of India.Gwalior along with
Indore,Malwa and some other provinces merged together to form
the Madhya Pradesh state in 1948.By this time,India has become
a sovereign democracy and so Jiwajirao Scindhia was made the
chief of the State. Still the Scindhias are the King of the pre
_sent day Gwalior city with Jyotiraditya Scindhia, though the
rule of monarchy no more exists.
The city of Gwalior experiences extremes in temperature owing to
its landlocked location.The summers are scorching while the winters
are chilling in Gwalior.Due to its location in the rain shadow zone,
Gwalior receives little rainfall.The city has a population of 1629881
heads and the literacy rate ranges from 80.83% among the male to about
56.76% among the females.The city of Gwalior is known for its magnific
_ent fort, the palace of the Scindhias and the tombs of Ghaus Mohmmed
and the music maestro Miya Tansen. Situated in the Chambal river valley,
Gwalior is easily accessible from the major cities of India and well
connected by various means of transportation. It is situated at a distance
of 121 km from Agra and 321 km from the Indian capital of New Delhi.
GWALIOR FORT:
Gwalior Fort is one of the biggest fort in central Indian
state of Madhya Pradesh.It was built in around 8th century
on an isolated hillock overlooking the Gwalior town.The
Gwalior Fort its premises are well maintained and have many
historic monuments, Hindu and Jain temples and palaces,out
of which the famous are the Man Mandir palace, The Gujari
Mahal, The Jahangir Mahal, the Karan palace and the Shahjahan
Mahal.The Fort spreads over an area of 3 square kilometer (1.
sq mi). The fort, 35 feet (11 m) in height, is built over massive
sandstone rocks. The main entrance or gate, called Hathi Pul
(means “elephant gate” as elephant could pass through this gate),
is accessed after passing through six other gates. Apart from the
Hathi Pul gate to the Palace, there is another large ornate gate,
known as the Badalgarh Gate.
Gwalior Fort was constructed in two parts-The main fort, the Gurjari
Mahal and Man Mandir Palace. The first part was built during the early
Tomar rule, while the second part, the Gurjari Mahal and palace, were
constructed by Raja Man Singh Tomar in the 15th century.From the Tomars
it passed to the Mughals, Marathas and the British. The Gwalior Fort
finally went to the Scindias from the British. The Teli-ka-Mandir is the
most famous of all the temples of the Gwalior Fort. this temple was built
in the Dravidin style shrine and is notable for its generously sculpted
exterior.Man Mandir The prison dungeon is also located below this palace
where many royal prisoners of the Mughal dynasty were incarcerated and
killed.
Gujari Mahal, a palace that was built by Raja Man Singh for love of his
wife Mrignayani, a Gujar princess, because she demanded a separate palace
for herself with regular water supply through an aqueduct structure built
from a nearby river source called the Rai River.
Tourist Places in GWALIOR recommended by travellers
1. Gwalior Fort
2. Ghaus's Tomb enclave
3. Italian Garden enclave.
4. Samadhi of Rani Laxmi Bai
5. Gwalior Zoo
6. Sarod Ghar
7. Chhatris of Scindia Dynasty
8. Gurudwara Data Bandi Chod
9. Gopachal Parvat
10.Koteshwar
Kodaikanal is the most beautiful and popular hill station in Tamil Nadu.
It is located in the famous Palani Hills in Western Ghats and is known as
the Princess of hill stations. Kodaikanal is situated about 7,200 feet
above the sea level.
Kodaikanal is the most sought after honeymoon destination in South India
because of its scenic beauty and it has the attribute to leave any nature
Lover mesmerized by its charms.
The word Kodaikanal means gift of the forest in local language.
The dense forest with many varieties of trees, the huge rocks in
the wilderness and the enchanting waterfalls, makes it a real gift
for the tourists visiting this place. Kodaikanal is famous for
eucalyptus oil, homemade chocolates, plums and pears. Kodaikanal is
famous for the kurinji - flowers, which blossoms only once in
twelve years. Woolen clothing is available at cheaper rates in the
Tibetan refugee bazaar.
It is one of the refreshing summer retreats in
this part of the country.Set at an altitude of
2100 meters above sea level,Kodaikanal soothes
the visitor with the cool climes.
The surrounding forests provide great trekking
opportunities and some awesome scenic views.
There is also the beautiful Kodai Lake famous
for its natural beauty.The not so adventurous
can enjoy strolling around this place and spend
a quite and relaxing vacation. A boat ride in
this lake can also be a very good idea.
The best time to visit Kodaikanal is during the
time between the months of April and June.During
this season the weather is cool and pleasant.
Temperature varies between a comfortable 20 degrees
and 10 degrees.You can also plan a trip to Kodaikanal
during August and September when the surroundings are
green and lively.The time between October and March
are extremely chilly. The beauty of Kodaikanal is
completely different during this time of the year.
Berijam Lake :
perhaps the most pristine of the three lakes in Kodai.
This is a plastic free zone and it is beautiful and serene.
The lake lies within a reserved forest region. You need to
get permission to visit this lake. Permissions need to be
obtained on the morning of the intended day of visit from
the forest office. Usually the person who arranges the vehicle
will arrange the permit. Moreover, in peak season, a limited
number of vehicles are allowed in per day.
Chettiar Park:
a bautiful park with many coloured flowers and greenery. An area
of reclining back at peace with nature. It is a pretty place for
clicking pictures; and also have swings for kids.
Coakers Walk:
If you wish to catch the scenic valleys, the best time to visit the
place would be before 2PM. But if you want to watch snow-like clouds
(only in winter)beneath you form an ocean,reach the place between 3PM
and 6PM. Try and catch the sunrise here or in the nearby Greenlands
Hostel. A marvel. Also try out the telescope near the main gate. This
place is very near the bus stand.
Bryant park :
A must see. Its main entrance is on the road surrounding the lake and
is a 10-minute walk from the entrance to the boat club. Nicely maintained
and a huge park. Their flower shows during summer are very famous.
Kodai Lake:
If you are going in winter, go boating in the evening, as it's an amazing
experience to boat through fog settling on the lake. The lake is very near
the bus stand. This is a star shaped lake and walking around it during the
night is one of the best walking experience you can have in your life. Be
cautious that there are lot of dogs around this lake and some places are
extremely dark. Walk between 6 and 7 pm, then head back to your room.
Kurinjiandavar Temple :
about 4 km from the lake is a temple whose presiding God is Lord Muruga.
The flowers inside the temple bloom once in 12 years. One can get a view
of the Palani Hills and the Kodaikanal Town from this temple. During the
winter, the view of Kodai city and Palani from the two ends of the temple
is blocked. However, in summer, the visibility is good and hence the
experience,Flowers of the Kurinji plant that bloom once every twelve years
Suicide Point:
has a more than 5000 ft steep drop from this point. The monkeys are a good
attraction at this point. Renamed Green Valley View, apparently to prevent
people from being lured to commit suicide.
Pillar Rocks :
huge steep cliffs. Watch out for the cross at the top of the mountain hoisted
by an English adventure enthusiast.
Silent Valley View
Devil's Kitchen :
a cave known more to the locals, First being "Green Valley View"
and "Pillar Rocks" and then finally "Guna Cave". Watch out for the
deep hidden ravines. What would appear like mere dark gutters are actually
a deep fall. Many unsuspecting people have fallen prey to the "devil's trap".
Guna Caves :
a cave which became very famous after the movie GUNA. Very steep and risky to
get in. The public may not be allowed to enter this cave nowadays, though it's
a very good place to take pics. But if you are not a professional spelunker, a
trip to this cave may be your last. Getting back will be problem as it's very
dark and there could be about a 90% chance of suffering a free fall.
Pine Forest :
It's on the way to the guna cave. A great view of long, pine trees. You can go a
little deep into the forest and be surrounded with numerous pine trees one after
the other. Opportunities for some interesting photo shoots available! You can also
buy fresh carrots and plum and local fruits from there.
Shanthi Valley - another pine forest nice place.
Top Tourist Places in KODAIKANAL recommended by travellers
1. Kodaikanal Lake
2. Kurinji Andavar Temple
3. Berijam Lake
4. Pillar Rocks
5. Dolmen Circle
6. Bryant Park
7. Perumal Peak
8. Shembaganur Museum
9. Chettiar Park
10. 80 Mile Round
11. Kukkal Caves
12. Bear Shola Falls
13. Subrahmanya Temple (Kartikeya Temple)
14. Christ the King Church
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