Dehradun

Introduction and History :Dehradun is the capital of Uttarakhand state in India and is a very famous hill-station. Renowned educational, engineering organizations, research institutes such as world-renowned Forest Research Institute are located here. The city is famous for basmati rice, lychees. According to Mahabharata, the city was founded by Guru Dronacharya. Doon is a reference to a local term used for a river valley between a smaller range (Shivaliks) and the main Himalayas. Dehradun celebrates the Jhanda Fair on the fifth day after Holi every year in March/April. The Tapkeshwar temple of Dehradun celebrates the Shivarathri fair. The city was given a boost by the Brits who transformed it into a hill station.

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What To See :Visit the majestic and beautiful Tapkeshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. A place called Tapovan is said to have a mythological connection with the roots of Dehradun. Pilgrims will also find a temple for Lakshmann Siddh.Also visit the sai Darbar and Tibetan temple. Malsi Deer park among others is a tourist hotspot. Robber’s cave is yet another picnic spot to marvel at the beauty of this city. Visit the world renowned Forest Research institute located here. A must visit is the place called Sahashtradhara, renowned for its hot water sulphur springs of curative nature. The best season to visit is during the summer from April to July.

Things to do : Dehradun is famous for its woolen wear. Sahakari Bazaar, Rajpur Road, Astley Hall, Paltan Bazaar, and Connaught Place offer countless opportunities to purchase.The ski resort at Auli near Dehradun attracts enthusiasts from all over the country and abroad. The valley of flowers, Har-ki-Doon, Dodital, and Pindari glacier etc. make excellent trekking routes from Dehradun. Asan Barrage water sports resort is another place for adventure lovers.Things to do: Dehradun is famous for its woolen wear. Sahakari Bazaar, Rajpur Road, Astley Hall, Paltan Bazaar, and Connaught Place offer countless opportunities to purchase.The ski resort at Auli near Dehradun attracts enthusiasts from all over the country and abroad. The valley of flowers, Har-ki-Doon, Dodital, and Pindari glacier etc. make excellent trekking routes from Dehradun. Asan Barrage water sports resort is another place for adventure lovers.

Accomodations :Many hotels are available at an economical price. Budget tariff ratings are less than 2000 Rupees per day. Expensive hotels and resorts are also available.

Mode Of Trasport :The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport (25 Kilometers) that is directly connected to Delhi. The city is well-interconnected by railways. Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai, Varanasi, Lucknow and other places can be reached. Excellent roads link Dehradun with other cities and tourist places.

Related links :
• Official website: http://www.dehradun.nic.in
• Tourist information: http://www.gmvnl.com

See also : Mussourie, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dakpathar,Chakrata and Kalsi

Yercaud

Introduction and Histroy : Yercaud is a hill station near Salem, Tamil Nadu. It is part of the Servarayan range of hills in the Eastern Ghats. Located at altitude of 1,500 meters the town derives its name from lake located at its center of a forest. In the local language Tamil ‘Yeri’ means ‘lake’ and ‘Kaadu’ means ‘forest’. It is known for coffee plantations and orange groves. It also has an orchidarium run by the Botanical Survey of India. The main crop of Yercaud is coffee, which was first cultivated on the ‘Grange Estate’ in the year 1820, the year in which coffee plants were brought from Africa to Yercaud by Mr. M.D. Cockburn. The highest point in Yercaud is the Servarayan temple, which is situated at a height of 5326 feet. Hence the Yercaud hill area is called Shevaroy Hills.

What To See : As a small but very attractive tourist place, Yercaud offers multiple tourist attractions. Starting from the list of lakes like The Big Lake Or Emerald Lake and Ornamental Lake there are multiple attractions like Arthur, Interesting rocks like Lady’s Seat, Gents Seat and Childrens Seat, Silk Farm, Rose Garden, Pagoda Point, Monfort School, Retreat, Kiliyur Falls, Sri Raja Rajeswari Temple, Shevarayan Temple, Bears Cave, Kottachedu Teak Forest, Bears Hill, Tipperary View Point and White Elephant Tooth. The wild life includes bison, deer, rabbits, hares, foxes, mongoose, squirrels, partridges, snakes, bulbuls, kites, sparrows, swallows and the bird of paradise. Yercaud experiences salubrious climate and is pleasant to be visited any time of the year. However summer is the best time to visit as the summer festival is held during mid of May.

Things To Do : As Yercaud was one of the attractions for the British, multiple options are available for staying. Multiple budget, luxury and resorts are available at a range of price points. Accommodation charge per day can go up to 5000 rupees per day.

Mode Of Transport : Tiruchirapalli or Trichy is the nearest Airport located about 165 Kilometers from Yercaud. The nearest railway junction is Salem (36 Kms), which is well connected with other parts of South India. It is well connected by road with nearby cities like Coimbatore (190 Kilometers), Bangalore (220 Kilometers) and Chennai (357 Kilometers).

Related links :• Tourist information: http://www.yercaud.com/
See also (Nearby places): Salem, Kothagiri, Yelagiri and Coorg are some of the nearby hill stations to Yercaud.

Vijayadurg

Introduction And History : Vijayadurg, initially known as Gheria, is one of the strongest marine forts on the west coast of India. It was enlarged by the Bijapur rulers and then widened and resurrected in the mid-17th century by Sivaji, to whom it owes its triple line of fortifications, towers and also its new name, Vijayadurg – The Victory Fort. During the time of Kanhoji Angre (1667-1729 AD), the naval chief of the Marathas, the fort was so strong and firmly held that it successfully withstood assaults of the European maritime powers. However in 1756 AD, it could not resist the combined forces of Peshwas and the English forces. The victory fort had the mainstay of Peshwas till 1818 AD before it was surrendered to the English.

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What To See : The great Maratha ruler Chatrapati Shivaji used Vijaydurg as naval base during his reign to fight against his enemies. So this place has lots of historical sites to see apart from the picturesque beaches and the temples dedicated to Hindu deities renowned in the Maratha pantheon. The must watch is the Vijayadurg fort, the victory fort, built by Shivaji in the 17th century. The best time to visit this grand Victory fort is from September to April.

Things to do : Vijayadurg, also known as, the Victory Fort is one of the coastal forts of Maharashtra. The speciality of this place is that its beach is hidden from view and not obvious to the casual visitor, so one has to explore a little more to locate it. The drive to Vijayadurg is extremely beautiful and the bucolic countryside with well-surfaced roads makes it a lovely journey that will live in your memory for a long-long time.

Accomodation : Accommodation available as you visit this grand fort is available at the Vijaydurg village. It is not the most luxurious ones but travellers will not be able to complain about the comfort.

Mode Of Transport : Nearest airport is of Goa. This fort can also be reached by road or train from Mumbai, Goa or Mangalore. Cabs are the primary mode for local transport.

Related links : Tourist information : www.geocities.com/trekforts/f_vijaydurg.html

See also (Nearby places):Sindhudurg fort, the ancient Rameshwar Temple, Kunkeshwar temple on the beach, a trek to Padagar waterfalls (highly recommended for the adventurous), beaches at Goa, mangalore, Pune and Mumbai.

Vellore Fort

Introduction And History : Vellore is about 145 Kilometers south of Chennai, which is one of the vibrant cities in Tamilnadu. The Fort of Vellore is located in Vellore was built by the Nayakar captains of the Vijayanagara Empire during the 16th Century. During the 17th century it was captured by Muslim rulers from Bijapur, which was then taken by the Marathas and Daud Khan of Delhi during 18th century. After the British held their foot firmly in India, they took control of this fort in 1768 and held it under their control till Indian independence came in 1947. The fort was constructed with large granite blocks, which is known for its grand walls, wide moat and robust masonry. It covers about 133 acres of area, which houses a Temple, a Mosque and a Church, the famous Vellore Christian Hospital, and many other buildings that are now used as public offices.

What To See : There is a big moat around the fort, which was full of crocodiles to prevent the fort from enemies. It is still filled with water and well preserved and called as Jalagandeswara temple. There is a Museum in the fort which contains old sculptures, paintings and handicrafts. The modern CSI Church, located just near to the Fort contains old British cemetery, which has graves of British officers killed in the final campaign against Tipu Sultan. It is better to visit Vellore apart from March to May, as summer at Vellore gets very hot.

Accomodations : Vellore offers economical accommodation options to suite all type of travelers. For a decent accommodation, it costs 200 rupees per day which can go up to 800 rupees for a luxury hotel.

Mode Of Transport : Chennai is the nearest Airport, which is located about 145 Kilometers from Vellore. It is well connected by train with almost all major destinations in Southern India. Katpadi is the nearest railway station, which is located about 7 Kilometers from the city. It is also well connected by road with Chennai and nearby states Karnataka and Andra Pradesh.

Related links :
• Tourist information: http://www.vellorecity.com/
• Official Vellore website: http://www.vellore.tn.nic.in/

See also (Nearby places) :Sripuram Temple, Amirthi Zoological Park, Kavalur Observatory, Yelagiri, Ratnagiri Temple, Sripuram, Vallimalai and Balamathi are the major nearby tourist attractions.

Uttarkashi

Introduction and Histroy : Uttarkashi is situated in the northern region of the state of Uttarakhand of India. Lofty snow-covered peaks and undulating mountains greet every turn. Located amidst a myriad of sacred places, Uttarkashi is among the prominent holy sites of the Hindus. Away from busy cities and dotted with small towns, Uttarkashi is a pleasant valley on the banks of the river Bhagirathi which unites with the river Alakananda to form the mighty river Ganga. Within its district arise India’s two most important rivers. The Ganga and Yamuna! Owing to its deep rooted religious connection, the hill district is also known as ‘Devbhumi’ (the land of gods and goddesses).Terraced hillsides, pristine lakes, blue-green rivers and green landscapes are sure to delight pilgrims as well as trekkers.

What To See : Vishwanath temple in Uttarkashi is one of the prime pilgrimage attractions. Interesting legend is that it was built by Parashuram himself. Shakthi temple with its big Trishul is the other major attraction for pilgrims. Maneri, a town nearby, has a beautiful dam and crystal clear waters from the river Bhagirathi. It is loved by all visitors who have the time to take in its seclusion. A must visit is the famous Govind National Park. Pay a Visit to the museum at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM).The best season to visit is from March to April and May to June is the busy season for pilgrims.

Things to do : To have a look around this beautiful place is the best thing to do other than visiting temples. A thoroughly enchanting meadow here is called the Dayara Bugyal. Trekkers can trek from the village of Barsu to this beautiful place which transforms itself into excellent skiing slopes during winter. From this spot one can trek down to Dodi-Tal which is about 30 Kilometers away. Through dense forests. This sparkling lake forms a perfect picture to relax in after the tiresome trek. The hot water springs at Gangnani are refreshing and are popular with pilgrims on the way to the holy Ganga. A drive through the terraced fields takes one to Chaurangi Khal, a village with smiling people, 29 Kilometers from Uttarkashi.

Accomodations : Accommodation is economical. Hotels generally charge below 2000 rupees per day. The Shikhar nature resort and GMVN guesthouses are popular.

Mode Of Transport : The closest Airport from Uttarkashi is Jolly Grant airport, near Dehradun (162 Kilometers) and the nearest railway station is Rishikesh (145 Kilometers). Rishikesh is well connected by rail to other major cities. There are motorable roads connecting Uttarkashi to other major cities like Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar and other important towns

Related links:
• Official website: www.uttarkashi.nic.in
• More info on www.gmvnl.com

See also (Nearby places): Rishikesh, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Harsil, Kedartal, Sat-tal and Gaumukh.

Trivandrum

Introduction And History : Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala state derives its name from Thiru-v-anantha-puram, which means the abode of the sacred snake god ‘Anantha’. Lord Vishnu of the ancient Indian mythology rests on this huge serpent.
This city and district are also popularly known as Trivandrum. It is one of the ancient cities in Kerala with its trading tradition dating back to 1000 BC then becoming the capital of Raja of Travancore in 1750. Early 19th century saw many political and social battles in the city, which brought many changes.

What To See : The city offers multiple tourist destinations ranging from Dams to Forts. Aruvikkara Dam, Neyyar Dam, Peppara are some of the Dams nearby. Other water attractions include beaches like Kovalam, Varkala, Shanghumukham and lakes like Thiruvallam, Veli, Akkulam Boat Club. To check out Kerala’s deep rooted tradition, travelers can check out Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Mahadeva Temple and Kazhakuttam temples. The Napier Museum and Anchuthengu fort provide historic viewpoint of the city. Sree Chitra Art Gallery, Zoological Park, Observatory, Happyland amusement park and Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave are some of the other tourist attractions in the city. November to January is the ideal time to visit this city.

Accomodations : city of Trivandrum offers multiple accommodation options by having hotels offering accommodation according to various budgets. Starting from 500 rupees per day, the amount can go up to 5000 rupees for a four star accommodation.

Mode Of Transport : Being the Capital city of Kerala, Trivandrum is very well connected to other parts of the country by all means. The city international airport is just 6 kilometers away from the city centre, flying to all major destinations in the globe. The national highway number 47 (NH-47) goes thro’ the city, which is connected to major nearby places starting from Coimbatore to Kanyakumari. Multiple daily express trains connect the city with Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai and Cochin.

Related links :
• Official Website: http://trivandrum.nic.in/
• Tourist information: http://www.trivandrum.co.in/

See also (Nearby places): Kanyakumari, Cochin, Varkala and Kovalam

Trichy

Introduction and History : Tiruchirapalli, commonly known as Trichy is located in the bank of Cauvery river. It is the Tamil Nadu’s fourth largest city, which was a citadel of the early Cholas which later fell to the Pallavas. In the modern days the city Trichy is famous for its Rock Fort. Today it stands as a monument where the wars of the Carnatic were fought in the 18th century during the British-French struggle for supremacy in India. The city is also one of the important industrial centers in Tamilnadu, which is famous for artificial diamonds, cigars, handloom cloth, glass bangles and wooden and clay toys. Apart from the Fort, the city offers multiple interesting tourist destinations which include several Churches, Colleges and Missions dating back to the 17th century.

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What To See : As mentioned above the rock fort is the main tourist attraction of Trichy. This temple of rock fort is situated on a massive outcrop of rock, with height of 83 meters upwards, which can be reached by 437 steps cut into the rock. There is a Sri Thayumanaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the temple apart from Uchii pillayar temple which is situated on the top. The Srirangam (8 Kilometers from the city) is an important spiritual destination for Vaishnavites is situated on a tiny island formed by the bifurcation of the river Cauvery at a place called Mukkombu. This is the adobe of Sri Ranganatha, a form of Lord Vishnu is situated here. Srirangam rajagopuram is a delight to watch for any tourist. Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara Temple, St. Louru’s Church, Nathervali and Mukkombu are other tourist destinations of the City. Trichy can be visited throughout the year.

Accomodations : Various types of hotels and resorts are available to suit all budgets. Many hotels charge from 500 up to 2000 rupees per day.

Mode Of Transport :Trichy has an Airport, which is located at 5 Kilometers from the city. It is well connected with other domestic and international locations. It is also an important railway junction of Tamilnadu, where trains connect the city to all parts of India. It has a national highway connecting the city by road as well. Local transport is available via rickshaws and taxis.

Related links :
• Official website: http://www.trichy.tn.nic.in/
• Tourist information: http://www.trichy.com/

See also (Nearby places):Kallanai, Viralimalai, Sittannavasal, Puliancholai and Samayapuram mariyamman temple are some of the nearby tourist attractions.

Tirunelveli

Introduction And History : Tirunelveli is a city in Tamil Nadu, which is one of the oldest cities in India. Its history dates back to 1000 BC. It is located on the banks of river Tamiraparani, which is one of the perennial rivers in Tamilnadu. Tirunelveli is also often called the ‘Halwa City’ for its very famous sweet Halwa. It is believed that Vedasarma, a staunch devotee of Shiva, on his pilgrimage from the North to the South was invited by Lord Shiva in his dream to his abode on the banks of the sacred river Tamiraparani. Ever since the British entered India and, on acquisition from the Nawab of Arcot in 1801, the British formed the district. The city also an epitome of many smaller kings who bravely fought against the British regime.

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What To See : District Science Centre, V. O. Chidhambaram Pillai Memorial Hall, Swamy Nellaiappar Temple , Krishnapuram Temple, Manimuthar dam, Panathirtham Falls, Pulithevan Palace, Mancholai, Kappal Matha Church, Pottalpudur Dhargha, Chathedral Church and Agasthiyar falls are some of the major tourist attractions in the city. October to February is the best time to visit Tirunelveli.

Accomodations : Various types of hotels and resorts are available to suit all budgets. Many hotels charge from 500 up to 2000 rupees per day.

Mode Of Transport : Tuticorin is the nearest Airport, which is located at a distance of 28 Kilometers from Tirunelveli. Tuticorin airport sees very less flights but Trivandrum airport that is around 150 kilometers in Kerala has regular flights for various cities in India as well as South and West Asia. It has a well connected and extremely busy railway junction in Tamilnadu, which connects the city with all the major cities in India which includes Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Trichy, Tanjore and Kanyakumari. The city is located on the National Highway number 7 (NH-7), which is well connected to all the major cities of Peninsular India.

Related links :
• Official website: http://www.nellai.tn.nic.in/
• Tourist information : http://www.tirunelveli.com/

See also (Nearby places) : Tenkasi, Manapad, Kulasekarapattinam and Pananasam are some of the nearby tourist attractions.

Thiruvannamalai

Introduction And History : The city of Thiruvannamalai is an ancient city, located in Tamil Nadu state. It was named after the holy mountain ‘Tiruvannan Malai’, which is considered to be older than The Himalayas. With the history of more than 3000 years, its history extends back to Tamil Sangam age. The circumambulation of the mountain, popularly known as ‘Girivalam’ is one of the famous spiritual festivals of this place. The Arunachala temple, which is located in the mountain was constructed by Vijalaya Chozan and the contributions has been extended by continuous kingdom and people. This city is full of spiritual ashram built by spiritual gurus like Seshadri Swamigal, Ramana Maharshi and Yogi Ramsuratkumar. These great yogis were believed to attained eternity from Thiruvannamalai.

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What To See : Arunachaleshwar Temple, Ramanasramam, Sathanur Dam, Gingee Fort, Fortification Walls, Kalyana Mahal, Barracks and Stables, Prisoner’s well and Citadel on Rajagiri hills are some of the major tourist destinations in Thiruvannamalai. Visitors all around the world travel to this city during the month of November and December.

Accomodations : As Thiruvannamalai is one of the most important spiritual destinations in Tamil Nadu, it offers multiple accommodation options at a economical price. Accommodation is available starting from 400 rupees per day.

Mode Of Transport : Chennai is the nearest airport, located at 195 Kilometers from Thiruvannamalai. Tindivanam is the nearest major railway station located at 63 Kilometers. The railway line between Vellore and Villupuram passes through Thiruvannamalai, where passengers can board a passenger train to Vellore. Thiruvannamalai is well connected to many cities and towns in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh by road..

Related links :
• Tourist information: http://www.geocities.com/tiruvannamalainet/
• Arunachaleswarar temple: http://www.arunachaleswarar.com/

See also (Nearby places) :Sathanur dam, Padaveedu and Javadu Hills are some of the nearby tourist attractions.

Sundarbans

Introduction And History : The Sundarbans national park is located at Piyali in the state of West Bengal. This place is very unique as it is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world. The name ‘Sundarban’ is a Bengali word which means ‘beautiful forest’. This National Park is located in World’s largest Delta formed by the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghana. It covers 10,000 square kilometres in total, where some portion of them is part of Bangladesh.

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What To See : Sundarbans is home to the Royal Bengal tigers, which is the major attraction for this place. It is also home for good number of spotted deers, wild pigs, monkeys, kingfishers, herons and eagles. The Sundarbans is also known for the Ridley Sea Turtles.It is also famous for having wide variety of plant life. Inside the Sundarbans there are mangrove scrub, salt water mixed forest, littoral forest, brackish water forest and swamp forest. The large floral population in Sundarbans includes trees like Dhundal, Genwa, Garjan, Passur and Kankara. The best time to visit Sundarbans is between September and May.

Accomodations : There are man famous hotels in the Sundarbans, which also offer cruise facilities. Almost all the Hotels in Sundarbans offer conference facilities, much to the delight of the business travellers. Accommodation can cost up to 3000 rupees per day.

Mode Of Transport : Kolkata is the nearest Airport which is 112 Kilometres away from Sundarbans. The city of Kolkata is well connected with all major domestic and international locations. Canning is nearest railway station, located at a distance of 48 Kilometres. Road transportation is available from Kolkata, which are all near the Sundarbans and have access to the waterways leading to it. Sundarbans are accessible only by riverside waterways.

Related links:• NITPU web site: http://www.wb.nic.in/
• Project tiger website: http://projecttiger.nic.in/

See also (Nearby places): Sajnakhali Sanctuary, Bhagabatpur and Piyali are nearby tourist destinations.

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