Most Popular Hill Stations in India

People from all parts of world come to India to visit its mesmerizing natural beauty. Especially the hill stations of India are so popular that thousands of people visit India every year to spend their holidays. The hill stations of India prove to be a heaven for the people suffering from frustrating scuttle and pollution of cities. Not only the foreigners but locals of India rush towards the hill stations to get rid of roasting heat in summer season. Here brief description of some of the most popular and highly recommended hill stations is given in order to guide the holiday seekers.

1. Shimla

Shimla is capital of Indian state Himachal Pradesh and located at a height of 2196 meters. It is a well developed hill station having all the facilities of a modern life having a maximum temperature of 25 degree centigrade during summer making it one of the most visited places. Winters are much colder there due to frosty winds that come from upper Himalayas. Shimla is the best place to spend holidays for the people who love adventure. The reason is that here in Shimla you can enjoy trekking, skiing and fishing. A well-established golf course is also located in Naldehra. Other places to see in Shimla include:

Lakkad Bazar: In Lakkad Bazar you will find everything made of wood or engraved out of wood. The items made of wood include key chains, toys, jewelry boxes, walking sticks and planters. You can buy an attractive wooden item to present it as a gift to your loved ones back at homes.

Tara Devi Temple: It is a marvelous temple which makes the visitors spell-bound with its magnificent views.

St. Michael’s: It is a Cathedral and a stained glass master piece. Being one of the best cathedrals in India, it portrays faith, modesty, hope and tolerance.

You can also visit Institute of Advanced Studies and the fantastic Ridge in Shimla.

2. Manali

Another hill station of India is Manali that is well-liked by the people of India and foreign persons as well. Here some of the attractions include:

Hadimba Temple: It is a four-storey temple which is famous for its caved entrance.

Jagatsukh: It is another temple in Manali that is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Kothi: It is a quiet and beautiful place to visit in Manali providing you with beautiful sceneries. This place also provides you attractive views of snow covered mountains.

Other attractions in Manali include Rahala waterfalls, Solang Valley, Vashist Hot Water Springs and Temple and Rohtang Pass.

3. Darjeeling

Darjeeling is known as the queen of hill stations as it provides the visitors a chance to enjoy beautiful scenes, fresh and pleasant air and hospitality of generous people. Attractions in Darjeeling include:

Botanical Gardens: This is a place having striking and elite collection of Himalayan plants, flowers and orchids. This garden is also featured with a green house.

Chowrasta: It is a shopping place in Darjeeling. From this place, you can get pleasure by seeing the views of beautiful mountains covered with snow. There are also some temples here which are worth-seeing.

Natural History Museum: Here the attractions include estuarine crocodiles and special collection of butterflies. Various stones are also exhibited in the museum in their mineral appearance.

Senchal Lake: It is an attractive place near tiger hills. It has become a picnic place for tourists. This lake also supplies drinking water to Darjeeling.

Other attractions are Zoological Gardens, Passenger Ropeway, Observatory Hills, Kurseong, Dhoom Gompa etc.

4. Nainital

This hill station is famous for its beautiful lakes. There are also some historic temples and peaks in Nainitai that add to its beauty. Attractions in Nainital are:

Sattal: It is a group of lakes providing natural beauty and astounding views.

Ranikhet: It is a resort which is famous for its cleanness and attractive pine trees.

Some other must see places include Kausani, Kilbury, Kainchi, Bhimtal and Khurptal.

These were four most famous and popular hill stations of India which are worth-seeing for their natural beauty and splendor.

Historical Landmarks in India

India has an honor of being a country of sub-continent which is one of the richest places in the world in terms of cultural heritage and traditions. India is one of the most popular tourists’ destinations all over the world because of its historical buildings and monuments as well as its diversified culture, languages and traditions. Some of its historical landmarks are described below which are the most popular monuments among the tourists.

Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India that is most visited tourists’ destination because of its marvelous architecture.  It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and is located across the Red Fort in Delhi. It is a testimony of Mughal Emperors’ commitment towards their religion and traditions as thousands of Muslims pray in this mosque daily.

India Gate

This structure is 42 meters high and made of red sand stone and granite. It has the names of the soldiers adorned on it who participated and died in World War I. It is located in the heart of Indian capital New Delhi and has become a national monument of India.

Lotus Temple

The Lotus Temple is called so because of its flower like shape. It was built in 1986. It is a Bahai House of Worship and due to its unique architectural design, it has won various awards. It was built in 1986 and has become one of the most well-known attractions in Delhi. It is located in the South of Delhi having acres of gardens in its surroundings.

Red Fort

Red Fort is also commonly known as Lal Qila. This fort is in the shape of an asymmetrical octagon and is located along the river Yamuna.  A 2.4km wall made of red stone surrounds this fort. This fort was also constructed by Shah Jahan after he shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi. This fort displays a high level of art work which is a synthesis of European, Persian and Indian art. The fort has two main entrances; the Delhi Gate and Lahori Gate. The Lahori Gate faces the famous Chandni Chowk of Delhi which is crowded and assorted market.

Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal is built on the Southern bank of Yamuna River. It is actually a mausoleum that is located in Agra. It was also constructed by Shah Jahan in the remembrance of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is considered as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and it is a sign of everlasting love. This building has an arch-shaped doorway having a large dome. This dome is made of marble and it is the most prominent feature of this building which is often called onion dome or guava dome. The top of it is decorated with lotus design. This lotus motif is also repeated on chattris and guldastas also. The chattris are actually kiosks which are placed at the corner of the building and guldstas are tall spires that extend from edges of walls.

Sun Temple

It is another temple that displays the beauty of Indian architecture. It was built in 13^th century and designed in the shape of massive chariot, carrying the Sun god; named Suriya. There are 24 wheels of chariot that represent the distribution of time. This temple is worth-seeing as it has been made beautifully.

Ajanta

Ajanta caves were discovered in 19^th century. Located in the state of Maharashtra, these caves have the paintings and sculptures that are a masterpiece of Buddhist religious art. These caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since the year 1983.

Golden Temple

This temple is also known as Darbar Sahib or Hari Mandir Sahib. It is actually a Sikh Gurdwara that is located in Amritsar, Punjab. The dome of this temple is covered with a gold leaf and the interiors of temple are decorated with precious stones in a floral design.

These were some historical landmarks in India which deserve to be seen more than once in your life time.

Best Vacation Spots in India

India can be included in those countries which offer a lot of places to visit and lot of adventure to do. If you have vacations and you have a plan to visit a country then try India. India has ancient as well as modern places to see. It is gifted with hill stations, seaside, snowy valleys and dry deserts. So visiting India could be of great fun.

Here I am describing some places in India which are worth seeing and must be a part of your tour to India.

Goa

Your trip to India is incomplete if you have not visited the beach of Goa. Goa provides complete excursion and fun as it has all the facilities which you can expect from a place like this. It is a place providing the opportunities of swimming, shopping and dancing. If you like surfing and swimming, you will find Goa the best place for this purpose.

Agra

Agra is known for the famous Taj Mehal which was built centuries ago. It has the honor of being in the list of wonders of world. Taj Mehal gives a very elegant view at the time of sunset. Many visitors come here to see this beautiful landscape. Apart from Taj Mehal, there is another worth seeing place that is Agra Fort located across the river. Agra is a youthful place which has been fascinating hundreds of visitors for a very long time.

Jammu Kashmir

This beautiful valley is a masterpiece of God. It makes the visitors spell bound by its snow capped mountains. The places in Kashmir which you must visit include: Shalimar Garden, Nishat Garden, Dal Lake and Harwan Garden. Here you can also enjoy Kashmiri food and buy stunning Kashmiri Handicrafts. The capital city Sirinagar has pretty gardens, river bridges, lakes and a resort where you can stay and enjoy your trip.

Kerala

Due to its rich cultural heritage, Kerala is one of the best tourism places in India. There are a lot of attractions in Kerala including ayurvedic treatments on the board of a house boat, staying in tree houses and a lot more to experience.

Jaipur

A visit to Jaipur will give you an ancient and modern feeling at the same time. Here you can see camels waiting for a traffic light. Isn’t it amazing? There is a City Palace having a very well museum. An old fascinating city is nearby and called Jantar Mantar. Actually it is an observatory and also a good place for wandering. Other attractions include:

• Amer Fort
• Jaigarh Fort
• Ram Niwas Garden
• Hawa Mehal

These were some beautiful vacation spots in India. The list is too long to be described. But the above description would help you to choose your travel destination in India.

Development of Tourism Industry in India

Tourism industry is one of the most flourishing industries in India. This industry is rapidly growing these days making India a global destination. It is contributing a great amount of foreign exchange which has made it the most profitable industry. Several factors are playing roles in the growth and richness of this industry. Here are some reasons that will let you know the factors behind the prosperity of tourism industry in India.

Blooming Industries

IT and other industries are doing very well in India which gives rise to the foreigners’ trips to India whose visit prolongs in the form of longer holidays. Foreign visitors spend more in India as compared to any country in the world. It can be understood by the fact that tourists arrival increases by 22% per year in India.

Tourism Ministry of India

The role of Tourism Ministry of India has proved to be vital in promoting tourism industry. Their most important contribution is starting an advertising campaign named “Incredible India”. This campaign was started to promote cultural and traditional values of India that inspires a tourist in such a way that he considers it necessary to visit this beautiful country having rich culture and strong moral values.

Indian Governmental Bodies

It is required by the Indian government bodies that every state should cooperate to administer the issues regarding tourism.

Effects of Flourishing Tourism Industry

The flourishing tourism in India has helped in the growth of other sectors also such as horticulture, handicrafts, agriculture and construction. Tourism industry has created job opportunities. It has given employment to approximately 20 million Indians.

Major Tourist Attractions in India

Some of the most popular tourists’ attractions in India include:

• Charminar
• Kaziranga National Park
• Qutub Minar
• Shimla
• Mangueshi Temple
• Dal Lake
• Badrinath Temple
• Golden Temple
• Taj Mehal

Tours in India

The city of India has many beautiful places and peoples of India enjoy these places. India is a big country and divides into four parts. We discussed these one by one.

1.North India
2.West India
3.East India
4.South India

North India

North India has many beautiful places. The cites which are in north are Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. North India is a state of much cultural and historical development after the 3500 years. North India people language is difficult to the other people. Reign of the people of north India is Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. It has many historical places including the Mauryas, Guptas, Mughals, and the Indian Empires under British Rule. I watch many places of the north India this is very beautiful place. Taj Mahal and Humayun’s Tomb is the large examples of north India.

West India

I visited west India with our friends and enjoyed many more. The cites of India witch are in west are GAO, Gujarat and Maharashtra, and his famous place is Mumbai, Ajanta and Ellora. These places give us a beautiful rich cultural heritage. The last state of west India is Maharashtra overlooks the Arabian Sea. These places are so beautiful. These palaces give us the lesson of culture and traditions. Ajanta and Ellora are archeological sites which lying 30 kilometers of Maharashtra. These are beautiful places. The sites of these places built the south India beautiful.

East India

The places of East India are West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, and Jharkhand. East India is lies the between the north and west India. East India brings the memories of old famous person’s culture and heritage. I visit this part of India which gives tells the history of India. Tourism site gives the completely in formation of India tours. This part is famous in the world of his beaches, temples, and Monasteries. East India has four states so peoples come to watch these places for many years of the world.

South India

South India palaces tell the culture, history, traditions of India. The main places of south India is amil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, and Andaman& Nicobar Islands. South India brings the culture and old traditions of India. This the wealth of south India

Spiritual Tour to Mumbai

There are a number of sacred worship places in Mumbai that represent Hindu faith and massive amount of Hindu gods and goddesses. If you visit Mumbai, you will be surprised to see a large number of devotees busy worshipping in famous temples of Mumbai. Your visit to Mumbai will remain incomplete without paying visit to these temples and if you are especially going Mumbai for a spiritual tour, you will never be disappointed. While visiting these temples, you will not only worship deities but also you will be mesmerized after seeing great architectural work done in these temples.

Mahalaxmi Temple

This temple is one of the oldest temples in Mumbai and is situated on locale of Breach Candy. Here in this temple, you will find goddesses Mahalaxmi, Maha Saraswathi and Mahakali. But the distinguishing feature of this temple is the flock of grey pigeons which you will see in courtyard of this temple. Along with having statues of above mentioned deities, this temple also houses statues of other Hindu Goddesses. You will be quite surprised to see that statues of all goddesses are adorned with gold and diamond jewelry. Besides this, statues of three main goddesses are ornamented with nose rings, pearl necklaces and bangles. The statue of Mahalaxmi has been shown riding a tiger. Although this temple can be visited at any time of year, Navatari is the best time to visit this temple. On the festival of Navaratri, temple is decorated and crowded with devotees from all parts of India who offer flowers, sweets and coconuts to their sacred goddesses.

Mumba Devi Temple

Mumba Devi Temple is a highly respected temple in Mumbai and is built in honor of Goddess Mumbadevi. The city, Mumbai has also got its name after this goddess which characterizes Mother Earth. Mumbadevi was actually patron deity of Koli fishermen who were original inhabitants of Mumbai.  Mumba Devi temple was first built in 1737 but later it was demolished and rebuilt. The modern temple is quite attractive and spiritual as it has an idol of Mumbadevi which is dressed in a gown with silver crown. This idol is also adorned with a nose stud and golden necklace. A statue of Annupurna seated on peacock also stands to the left of Mumbadevi’s idol. Front of this temple also features a tiger which is considered as carrier of the goddess.

Babulnath Temple

Babulnath Temple is an ancient temple and Lord Shiva in form of Babul tree is the deity controlling this temple. This temple is located 1000 feet above sea level and located at end of Marine Drive and South of Malabar Hills. It was built in 1780 and since then, thousands of devotees come here to view blessings of Lord Shiva. A tall spire was also added to temple in 1900 to increase its magnificence and grandeur. Monday is the special day when temple is crowded with visitors. Months of August and September are also associated with Lord Shiva so visitors come to this temple in these months and offer milk on Shivling which is believed to be the head of Lord Shiva.

Shri SiddhiVinayak Temple

This temple is located in Prabhadevi and is featured with a small hall with shrine for Ganesha. It is a beautifully built temple having wooden doors to sanctum. Internal roof of this chamber is gold plated and has a statue of Ganesha with four arms. Tuesday is considered as most sacred day for visiting this temple and huge number of worshippers comes here to pray. Outside this temple, there is a narrow lane named Phool Gali from where you can buy flowers, garlands, coconuts and sweets.

Bhuleshwar Temple

This temple is also dedicated to Lord Shiva and was built 200 years ago. It has an amazing architecture. It has been built with black stone and has ornamental octagonal dome.

ISKCON Temple

 This temple is also acknowledged as Hare Rama Hare Krishna temple which is located at Juhu. This temple has facilities for a spiritual stay so that people who feel burdened with materialism can have a pleasant stay here. The temple complex consists of restaurant, auditorium, a marble temple and a twin towered guest house where visitors can stay to take part in spiritual programs held every day.

Places of Interest in Delhi

Delhi is the capital city of India. When this name comes to mind, we think about splendid mosques, Monumental forts and other buildings from the Mughal reign. But at the same time, there are modern attractions too so exploring this city is a great and wonderful experience. Let’s explore famous places of attraction in Delhi.

Chandni Chowk

Chandni Chowk is a main street of Old Delhi where you will see cars, rickshaws, cycles, carts and pedestrians competing for space with each other. Yes it is one of the busiest streets of Delhi which is chaotic and congested but still attractive. Since it is one of the oldest streets in India, you will find all types of shopping items here like jewelry, clothes and even electronic appliances due to which it has gained international fame and acknowledgment. If you are a food lover then your visit to Chandni Chowk will be quite enjoyable as you will find fruit chaats, kebabs and biriyanis here in this street. Chandni Chowk in Delhi is also considered important because of the holy places related to different religions like:

• Jama Masjid
• Gauri Shankar Temple
• Sunehri Masjid
• Baptist Church

Laxminarayan Temple

This temple has been dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi. It is one of the major temples in India containing idols belonging to different deities. This temple is also considered very respectable because Mahatma Gandhi was also a regular visitor of this temple. You can also see idols of some other gods and goddesses here in this temple like that of Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna, Lord Ganesha and Lord Rama. This place has become famous on international level as scholars and students from all parts of the world come here to learn and study more and more about Hinduism. For such students and scholars, guest houses are also made so that they can stay here during their research. As far as architecture of this temple is concerned, you will be mesmerized to see its vast gardens and tall spires made of red sandstone. This temple also comprises Jali Work along with huge idols. The temple has also been made more beautiful with artificial fountains and waterfalls.

Humayun’s Tomb

The famous Humayun’s Tomb is the best architectural design of Mughal dynasty. This building took eight years to complete which shows how magnificently it has been made. This tomb is built with red sandstone but to give it a more unique look, yellow and black sandstone has also been used. This variation in colors is quite pleasing to the eyes of tourists and visitors. The tomb is located in the middle of a garden and is octagonal in shape. It is crowned by a double dome which is 42.5 meters high. This tomb clearly shows how much Mughal emperors loved gardens and fountain structures.

 Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory which was built by Raja Jai Singh II in 1710. He was so interested in astronomy and astrology that he established four other such observatories. In past, this observatory was used to observe the movements of moon, sun and other planets but now the instruments present in this observatory cannot make correct observations due to tall buildings. This observatory is established between lush green gardens so it is visited by people for spending romantic time or to see scientific constructions.

Purana Qila

Purana Qila which is also known as Old Fort is a testimony of Mughal art. Being one of the most loved tourists’ attractions, Purana Qila was built in 1538 by Mughal Emperor Humayun. It was actually built to protect Delhi but now in modern times, it has become a tourist’s attraction. At the foothills of the fort, there is a lake which is the main attraction of this fort. There are three gates of the fort which are made of red sandstones. Other attractions in this fort include the boating facility in lake. Here you can also do a lot of photography as there are attractive remnants of this fort. For the entertainment of tourists, a sound-and-light-show takes place every evening in the fort.

Lal Qila

Lal Qila which is also called Red Fort is the most popular historical landmark of Delhi. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan. It is called Red Fort because it has been made by using a large amount of red sandstone. It has octagonal shape and is popularly visited for the following attractions:

• Diwan-e-Aam
• Diwan-e-Khas
• Rang Mahal
• Shahi Burj
• Chatta Chowk

Top Attractions of Goa

Goa is very popular among the tourists for its magnificent beaches, recreational activities and water sports. It is a place which provides the tourists with an opportunity of enjoying boat trips and watching dolphins swimming and jumping in the water. Fishing is also another attraction in Goa. Here you can catch various sea animals including oysters, shrimps and even cat fish. Other wonderful attractions in Goa are:

Elephant Safari

Goa is a great place to know about the elephants as here you will get the opportunity of riding on the back of elephant. You can also feed the elephants with your hands that prove to be a unique and wonderful experience. Other attractions may also include evening jungle dancing, enjoying in cottage style accommodations, massages to make your body relax and you can also try traditional Indian breakfast and candle light dinners.

Hiking Trails

Goa has huge and tall mountains but in spite of this fact there are a large number of elevated trekking trails from where you can enjoy watching breath-taking scenes of the entire state. Hilltop attractions also include various temples and areas where planting has been done in a luxuriant jungle style. It is a very wonderful experience to visit these areas and trekking in the mountains.

Sporting Attractions

Sporting attractions are abundantly available all over Goa. These sporting attractions include tennis, field hockey, cricket and golf but the most popular of all is the football which has been a favorite sport for almost 100 years. Within the Margao area, there is a football stadium named Fatorda Stadium where large and important matches take place regularly. These matches attract a large number of tourists and local spectators as well.

Water Sports

Although the waters of Goa are not clear but very good diving spots are located there. If you are interested in paragliding then you should go to the beaches of Arambol and Anjuna while the beaches of Baga, Candolim, Colva and Calangute are popular for windsurfing, parasailing and jet-skiing. For diving lovers, there is Goa dive center that is located in Baga. You can find some more diving centers at Bogmalo and Miramar.

Boat Trips

Along the main beaches of Goa, boats and fishing trips are arranged for the enjoyment of tourists. Dolphin cruises are especially arranged here that provide a chance to the tourists to watch different species of dolphins in their natural environment. The species of dolphins which you can see here include common dolphins, humpback dolphins and black-finned porpoises. Cruises are also operated around the backwaters where you can have an experience of watching crocodiles taking sunbath on the banks of rivers.

Other Entertainment Options

Goa is known as place to party and making merry so there are various entertainment options and attractions provided to the tourists. The popular party spots in Goa are Vagator’s Disco Valley and Bamboo Forest within Anjuna. There are also some nightclubs for the youngsters to enjoy their time. These nightclubs are located around Baga, Candolim and Calangute.

These were some major tourists’ attraction in Goa where most of the people come to celebrate their honeymoons. It is a perfect place to enjoy the life at the fullest so whenever life gives you a chance, visit Goa.