Kollam

Introduction and History: Kollam is the headquarters of Kollam district in Kerala. Also referred to as Quilon, the southern city has served as a magnetic trade centre since ancient times. Spices, pearls, diamonds and silk were the key exports. The seaport had flourishing trade relations with China, Rome and Greece. Recognized by the great travellers Marco Polo and Ibn Batuta, Kollam has served as a capital city. Its reputation continued to thrive during the Portuguese and Dutch invasion times. Malayalam Era is called ‘Kolla Varsham’ after Kollam, because of the importance of Kollam in the 9th century A.D. About thirty per cent of this district is covered by the Ashtamudi lake, there by making it the gateway to the backwaters of the state. Nowadays the city is famous for cashew and coir.

What to see and when to go: Killam has multiple tourist destinations which include the ruins of the Portuguese fort and the lighthouse at Thangasseri, Jatayupara at Chadayamangalam (named after Jatayu in Ramayana epic). Kollam clock tower, Thenmala and Palaruvi waterfalls serve as tourist hotspots. Mayyanad is a tourist town 10 Kilometers south of Kollam that has famous temples, churches and mosques. Kovilthottam beach and light house, sinking islands in Ashtamudi lake, St.Andrews church and Kottamkulangara temple in Chavara village also make up an ideal tourist destination. The best season to visit is from August to March

Things to do: Eco tourist’s center is situated at Thenmala. Selected by World Tourism Organization as one of the world’s best eco-friendly projects, Thenmala has a leisure zone that includes winding pathways, a sway bridge and a boardwalk; a culture zone with an amphitheatre and a musical fountain and an adventure zone. Picnic village at Ashramam plays host to variety of recreational activities that include Adventure parks. Leisurely walks along the Thirumullavaram Beach and houseboat cruises are also recommended.

Accommodation: Accommodation prices vary from place to place in the district. In the city, prices range from 150 to 10,000 Rupees per day. Overall, the rates are very economical and the resorts provide a comfortable stay.

Mode of Transport: Kollam is an important railway junction. The Thiruvananthapuram - Ernakulam(via Kottayam and Alappuzha) line passes through Kollam. The city is well-interconnected with other major cities through National Highways 47, 220 and 208. The city’s road transport is backed by buses and autos. Thiruvananthapuram airport at a distance of 72 km from Kollam is the nearest airport. The Alappuzha water transport service is a major tourist attraction.

Related links:
• Official website: http://kollam.nic.in
See also: Achencoil, Oachira, Varkala, Thevalli palace, Mahavishnu temple and Munroe Island.

Kumbhalgarh Fort In Rajasthan

Introduction and history: The Kumbhalgarh Fort is located at a distance of 64 kms from Udaipur in Rajasmand district. It is easily accessible from the city of Udaipur. This unconquerable fortress is secured under the kind protection of the Aravali ranges. Kumbhalgarh Fort was built by Maharana Rana Kumbha in the 15th century. The fort derived its name from the same factor. It also served the rulers of Mewar as a refuge in times of strife. The fort also served as refuge to the baby king Udai of Mewar. It is also of sentimental significance as it is the birthplace of Mewar’s legendary King Maharana Partap. The fort is self-contained and has within its amalgam almost everything to withstand a long siege.

What to see and when to go: There is an room in the fort where Rana Pratap was born, which is one of the important portions of the fort. The austere chambers, the vast reservoirs kept full by elephant relays, the simple garden court and narrow staircases are some of the tourist destinations. Horse lovers and adventure seekers can enjoy the thrill of riding and camping. There is a wildlife sanctuary nearby. As the winter season in Rajasthan is extremely cold, it is suggested to visit the place between September and March.

Things to do: Udaipur has many other tourist attractions as well. It is an incredibly beautiful small city with tranquil lakes surrounded by gently rolling hills, which is popularly known as “city of lakes”. Some of the other attractions include Jagdish Temple, Lake Fateh Sagar, Saheliyon-ki-Bari, Jag Mandir, and Nathdwara.

Accommodation and local travel: There are ample numbers of government approved accommodation available in Jodhpur. These two cities are well connected via air and rail ways.

Related links:
• Udaipur tourist information: http://www.udaipurtourism.com/
• Udaipur city information: http://www.udaipur.org.uk/

Red Fort, New Delhi

Introduction and history: Red Fort, known as Lal Quila in Hindi, was constructed in 1639 A.D. by mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The art work of Fort is an odyssey of Persian, European and Indian art which gave rise to new style called Shahjahani style. It hides within itself the history of Mughal dynasty in India. The fort lies near Yamuna river and is used as a place to celebrate the independence day of India every year along with Prime minister’s speech. It has a wall that extends up to 2.5 kms and the height of the wall varies from 60ft to 100ft. It became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007.

What to see and when to go: This large fort has some heritage buildings within the premises which are: Naqqar Khana, Diwan-i-Aam, Nahr-i-Behisht, Hamam, Zenana, Khas Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas, Moti Masjid and Hayat Bakhsh Bagh. The place is good to visit throughout the year and local guides are available for a person’s alacrity towards understanding the culture in depth.

Things to do: Apart from visiting Red Fort, one can visit Salimgarh Fort. It has its own history from Mughal Dynasty and its role before Red Fort was constructed. This fort has been renamed as Swatantrata Senani Samarak (Freedom Fighters’ Memorial) after India got Independence from British rule.

Accommodation: There are lots of hotels available depending on the budget. Hotels in Pahargunj area are very economical with price ranging about 350-4200 rupees per day.

Mode of transport: Delhi is very well connected to every part of India through rail, air and road routes. It has three railway stations namely: New Delhi, Old Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin. Also, it has three bus terminals, namely: Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) at Kashmiri Gate, Sarai Kale-Khan Bus Terminus and Anand Vihar Bus Terminus. The Indira Gandhi International Airport of Delhi is well connected with domestic and international flights. Taxis, buses, auto-rickshaw and metro railways are mode of transport for local travel.

See also (nearby places): Purana Quila, Chandni Chowk, Dolls museum, Akshardham Temple, Raj Ghat, India Gate, Jantar Mantar, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Humayun’s Tomb, Isa Khan’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, Safdargunj Tomb, Natural History Museum. National Rail Museum, Modern Art Gallery, Tiber House, Indira Gandhi Museum, Sanskriti Museum, Sangeet Natak Academy, Crafts Museum.

Junagarh Fort In Bikaner

Introduction and history: The Junagarh Fort is an impressive fort in the city of Bikaner, Rajasthan. It was constructed between the years 1588 and 1593 by Raja Rai Singh, who was a general in Mughal Emperor Akbar’s army. The 986-metre stonewall that encloses the magnificent Junagarh Fort has 37 bastions that give it a formidable yet impressive character. The deep stonewall of the fort is a great unconquered symbol, which remained unconquered during the course of its history.

What to see and when to go: Apart from the main Fort it has got many other places like Suraj Pol, Chandra Mahal, Phul Mahal, Karan Mahal, Durga Niwas, Lal Niwas and Anup Mahal. The fort also has an internal museum which host many organized collection of excellent art work. A profusion of mirror work, paintings and lacquer work are something which is unique to this place.

Things to do: Apart from the Fort one can check out nearby places like Lallgarh palace, Gajner palace, Prachina museum, Shri laxminath temple, Bhandeshwar jain temple, Camel breeding farm and Shiv Bari. The Junagarh offers great shopping experience. There are many souvenir shops where one can get to choose vintage textiles and costumes. The galleria which opens its gate at 9 am and closes at 6 pm, offers a wonderful array of traditional handlooms and silver filigree ornaments.

Accommodation: The state of Rajasthan offers royal accommodation by converting some of the palaces into star hotels. Authentic food added with great entertainment is something that should not be missed out. There is good number of budget accommodation available in the price range of 650 to 800 rupees per day.

Hotel Lallgarh Palace Heri
Lallgarh Palace
Bikaner - 334001
Phone : +91 151/523963, 543815, 5
Fax : +91 151/522253

Thar Hotel
PBM Hospital Road
Bikaner - 334001
Phone : +91 151/543050, 71005
Fax : +91 151/525150

Hotel Desert Winds
Adj. M.N. Hospital, Near Karni Stadium
Bikaner - 334001
Phone : +91 151/542202

Mode of transport: The Bikaner Junction is well connected with Jaipur (330 kilometers) Jodhpur (254 kms) and Delhi (488 kilo meters). At present there are no commercial flights to Bikaner. Nearby airports are Jodhpur and Jaipur. A wide network of bus services link Bikaner with several destinations. There is Rajasthan Roadway Deluxe, Super deluxe and AC buses as well as private travels also available from the major cities to make the travel comfortable.

Timings: Museum timings (10 AM to 4.30 PM)

Related links:
• Tourist information: http://www.realbikaner.com/
• Bikaner official site: http://bikaner.nic.in/

See also (nearby places): Jaipur, Agra and Jodhpur are nearby tourist attractions.

Houseboats In Kerala Backwaters

Introduction and history: Kerala backwaters, also known as God’s own country, are a network of lakes, canals, estuaries and deltas of forty-five Rivers that drain into the Arabic Sea. The houseboats are called as ‘Kettuvalam’ in Malayalam, which means stitched boat. These Kettuvalams are influenced by Chinese design, were initially used for transporting huge quantities of heavy materials and soldiers from one place to other. However, present-day houseboats are meant to take tourists on sightseeing tours in the extensive backwaters of Kerala. The houseboat has a living room, a sunbathing deck, and bedrooms with attached European style bath and a kitchen. The boat has solar lamps and fans. The natural beauty and scenery of the God’s own country can be enjoyed by cruising on the houseboats comfortably with natural AC and without any disturbances of TV and mobile phones.

What to see and when to go: The exotic routes that are ferried by Houseboats are within Alleppey and also from Alleppey to Kumarakom, Kottayam, Thottapally, Allumkadavu, and Quilon. The best time to visit Kerala would be in the months of October to March. Usually people used to avoid June and July due to heavy monsoons. Mentioning that, Monsoons are also an ideal time to go for nice and warm massages.

Things to do: Other than exploring the country side, lush paddy fields and palm coconut groves on your Alleppey houseboats cruise, travelers can check out several species of birdlife at Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, explore scenic landscapes and rejuvenate at Ayurvedic massage and treatment resorts.

Accommodation: The tariff for houseboats ranges from an hourly base of minimum charge of 350 rupees and goes up to 5500 rupees per day.

Mode of transport: Nearest airport to Alleppey is Kochi (54 kilometers). It is well connected to major cities of Kerala like Cochin, Kottayam and Quilon (Kollam). There are ferries available to Alleppey from Kollam to enjoy the scenic beauty of the backwaters and reach the destination. Alleppey is connected by a number of interconnecting roadways to different parts of South India. National Highway 47 passes through Alleppey town.

Related links:
• Website: www.keralahouseboat.org
• Website: www.thehouseboatskerala.com

See also (nearby places): Kuttanad, Pathira Manal, Champakulam Church, Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple, Fort Kochi, Chinese Fishing Nets, St. Francis Church, Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), Synagogue, Bolghatty Island, Willingdon Island, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumily, Murikkady, Vandanmedu, Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Kuthiramalika Palace Museum, The Napier Museum, Sree Chitbra Art Gallery, Kanyakumari.

Gwalior Fort

Introduction and history: Gwalior is one of the important cities in Madhya Pradesh, where the ancient monument and modern development go hand-in-hand. The city has served as the center of several of North India’s historic kingdoms. Museums, art galleries and beautifully maintained palaces speak for the city and centuries gone by. The Gwalior Fort dominates the city as it is the most magnificent monument and the history traces it back to 15th century. The fort contains multiple statues of Jain Tirthankaras.The, who created the Jain community.

What to see and when to go: Apart from enjoying the main fort it consists of multiple other monuments like Man Mandir Palace, Teli ka Mandir, Jai Vilas Palace, Tansen’s Tomb in the nearby areas. In order to get the real historical information one can visit the nearby Gujari Mahal Archaeological Museum and Kala Vithika. Gwalior has a famous Zoo which is a good attraction for children. The ideal time to visit the fort the city is between July and March.

Things to do: Known for its art and culture, the Gwalior city is one of the best places to different kinds of local dances. Starting with Ahiri Dance and list grows with many others including Yadav dance, Saharia dances, Lur dance, Lanhgi dance and Dul-Dul Ghori dance.

Accommodation: There are many heritage hotels available in the city, which are cost effective. The average price will range from 500 to 1200 rupees per day for a good accommodation.

Mode of transport: The city is well connected with regular flights from Delhi & Bhopal. As the city forms a major junction in Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Chennai lines, there is ample number of trains on a daily basis. It is also well connected by regular bus service from places like Agra (65 kilometers) and Delhi (270 kilometers).
Timings:
• Sound and Lighting at the Fort : 7:30 PM to 9:15 PM (Summer time) and 6:30 PM to 8:15 PM (Winter time)
• Gwalior Zoo: 8 AM to 3 PM

Related links:
• Madhya Pradesh Tourism site : http://www.mptourism.com/
• Gwalior district official site: http://gwalior.nic.in/

See also (nearby places): Datia, Sonagiri, Tigra Dam, and The National Chambal sanctuary are some of the nearby places for nature lovers.

Interesting information:
• The city also produced music legends like Amjad Ali Khan and Dr. Ishwar Chandra Karkare.
• The earliest freedom fighters, Tantya Tope and the indomitable Rani of Jhansi, are commemorated in memorials in Gwalior.

Golconda Fort

Introduction and history: The Golconda Fort is an extraordinary monument of Hyderabad. Its history traces back to the 13th century which was built by the Kakatiya kings. The present structure of the Golconda Fort was renovated by Qutub Shahi kings into a massive fort. The magnificent fort of Golconda in Hyderabad is one of the most magnificent complexes in India which lies on the western outskirts and is around 11 kilometers from Hyderabad. The construction of Golconda Fort of Hyderabad dates back to the early 13th century.

What to see and when to go: The Golconda fort consists of 87 semi circular bastions, 80 gateways, 4 drawbridges and many royal apartments. Apart from the main fort it also consists of a palace, a parade ground, a mosque, an armory and other buildings. More than 380 uneven stone steps starts from the Balahisar Darwaza to Hyderabad Golconda Fort. There is a sound and light show organized for about an hour at 7 PM every day.

Things to do: Apart from enjoying the beauty of the fort one can visit Birla mandir, Charminar, Hussain Sagar Lake, Mecca masjid, Ramoji film city and Salarjung museum.

Accommodation: There is lot of hotels available depending on the budget. The accommodation price per day will vary from 800 to 8000 rupees per day.

Mode of transport: The city of Hyderabad is well connected with other parts of India by all modes of transport. Recently constructed international airport offers frequent flights to all parts of the country. The local travel is mainly via taxis. Plenty of package touring agencies are located near the Charminar area.

Related links:
• Official website:http://hyderabad.nic.in/
• Hyderabad tourist information:http://7wondersofhyderabad.com/

Interesting points:
• The city of Hyderabad is very famous for perls.

Amber Fort, Jaipur

Introduction and history: Amber Fort is located in Jaipur, Rajasthan. It was the old capital of the Rajput Empire, built on 1592 by Maraja Man Singh. It is located on a top of a hill, which gives amazing landscape views. The way to the top a zig-zag route with supreme views .It was the ancient citadel of the ruling Kachhawa clan of Amber, before the capital was shifted to present day Jaipur. Amber Fort is known for its unique artistic style, blending both Hindu and Muslim elements. The fort borders the Maota Lake, and is a major tourist attraction in Rajasthan.

What to see and when to go: Apart from Amber fort, this beautiful tourist city consists of many monuments which include Chandra Mahal, Diwan-i-Aam, Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Sheesh Mahal and Sisodia Rani ka Bagh. September to March is the ideal time to visit the city.

Accommodation: The state of Rajasthan offers royal accommodation by converting some of the palaces into star hotels. Authentic food added with great entertainment is something that should not be missed out. There is good number of budget accommodation available in the price range of 650 to 800 rupees per day.

Mode of transport: The Jaipur Airport is well connected with other cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur and Jaipur. It has train connection with all major cities in the country. RSTC buses and private luxury buses connect Jaipur with almost all major places of Rajasthan. Local Transport in includes Taxis.

Related Links:
• Official website: http://jaipur.nic.in/
• Tourist information: http://www.pinkcity.net/

See also (nearby places): Jodhpur, Agra and Bikaner are some of the cities near to Jaipur which has got many attractive tourist destinations.