Bodhgaya And Mahabodhi Temple

Introduction and history: The place where Gautama Buddha attained unsurpassed, supreme Enlightenment is Bodhgaya. The term Mahabodhi literally means Great Awakening. The temple is one of the few early monumental brick structures to have survived in eastern India. Its enormous central tower (55 metres tall) is a 19th century renovation faithful to the earlier towers that existed on the site. The tower comprises numerous horizontal bands of mouldings and arch motifs that extend upward to an amalaka topped by umbrella-shaped forms, recalling the umbrella motifs found at Buddhist Stupa dating back to the time of Asoka and earlier. Around the central tower are four smaller towers added at the end of 19th century that mimic the form of the central tower.

What to see and when to go: The Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya courtyard is filled with many Buddha statues and at the back of the temple is the sacred Bodhi Tree. A place called the ‘Jewel Walk’ is near the tree where Lord Buddha practiced walking meditation for seven days after enlightenment. The best time to visit this temple is from October to March.

Things to do: One can go for a picnic at the banks of the river Niranjana. A visit to Bodh Gaya archaeological museum is a must for an art lover.

Accommodation: Bodhgaya offers a fairly extensive range of accommodation facilities which includes three budget hotels, star hotels, and a number of guesthouses and tourist bungalows. In addition to the regular accommodation offered by commercial establishments, rooms (or beds) are offered by some monasteries in Bodhgaya.

Mode of transport: Patna, the capital city of state of Bihar, is the nearest airport, approximately 100 kilometres from the Bodhgaya. The nearest railway head is Gaya (15 kilometres). The main means of transportation within Bodhgaya are `Tongas’, cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws.

Related links:
• Tourist information: www.mahabodhi.com

See also (nearby places): Sun Temple at Deo, Prestshila Hills, Vishnupad Temple at Gaya, Barabar caves, Dungeshwari , Muchalinda Lake , Gaya , Rajgir , Nalanda, Pawapuri, Patna, Maner, Sasaram, Vaishali .

Temple At Mahabalipuram

Introduction and history: The Mahabalipuram is a town situated about 60 kilometers from Chennai and it is part of Kancheepuram district. Also known as Mamallapuram, this place was a 7th century port city of the South Indian dynasty of the Pallavas. In fact it is believed to have been named after the Pallava king Mamalla. The temple at Mahabalipuram is a masterpiece of Pallava architecture, which depicts the Dravidian constructional style. The history traces back to the origin of this template is somewhere between 7th to 9th century.

What to see and when to go: The temple consists of multiple important monuments which are rock cut and monolithic. Some of the important portions include Shiva temple, Vishnu temple, Arjuna’s penance, Buffalo demon, Pancha rathas, Varaha mantapam, Mahishasuramardini mantapam.

Things to do: Apart from looking into the temple one can spent lot of time on the beaches as the temple is just located off the shore. There are numerous number of good resorts have come in the nearby areas for a comfortable stay. Visitors can also spend some time in the nearby shopping areas where one can buy many small sculptures and artistry works made by the artisans made of granite stones.

Accommodation: As mentioned in the previous paragraphs, there are ample numbers of resorts located on the shore of Bay of Bengal. One can also stay in Chennai and travel by taxi, where economical hotels are available.

Mamalla Beach Resort,
108, Kovalam Road
Mahabalipuram
Phone: 044-27442240/43

Mamalla Heritage
104, East Raja Street,
Mamallapuram-603104
Tamil Nadu
Phone : 044-27442060,27442260,27442360

Fisherman’s Cove
Kovalam
Mahabalipuram
Phone: 044-27472303

Mode of transport: Chennai (formerly known are Madras) is the nearest Airport and railway station. There are ample number of local buses and taxis available from Chennai to reach Mahabalipuram.

related links:
• Tourist information: http://www.mahabalipuram.co.in/

• Historical information: http://www.tamilnation.org

Rishikesh

Introduction and history: The holy town of Rishikesh is located in Uttarakhand in India. It is located where the Ganges River comes down from the Himalayas. The town is still known as the World Capital of Yoga. It is believed that meditation in Rishikesh brings one closer to attainment of moksha, as does a dip in the holy river that flows through it. Rishikesh is also the Gateway to the Himalayas, where the sacred journey begins from here. According to Hindu mythology, Rishikesh is the abode of Shiva, where it is also believed that Lord Rama did penance here for killing Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. In the recent past the town is also becoming a popular spot for white water rafting enthusiasts, both from India and abroad, as it offers medium to rough rapids in the course of river Ganges.

What to see and when to go: Trayambakeshwar Temple, Lakshman Jhula, Triveni Ghat, Gita Bhavan, Swarg Ashram, Parmarth Niketan, Bharat Mandir and Neelkanth Mahadev Mela. Owing to the location it is ideal to visit Rishikesh between June to mid of October

Things to do: Apart from enjoying the places mentioned above travelers can also spend their time in learning Yoga, White water rafting, Rock climbing and Trekking.

Accommodation: There are ample amount of accommodation available at all price points starting from 150 rupees per day.

Mode of transport: The nearby airport is Dehradun (15 kilometers), which is well connected with major cities in India. The nearest major railway junction is located in Hardiwar, which is connected to Delhi (230 kilometers) with multiple frequent trains. Busses are available from Delhi, which would take 5-7 hours to reach Rishikesh.

Related links:
• Tourist information: http://www.rishikesh.org

See also (nearby places): Shivpuri is one of the most visited places near Rishikesh, which is 10 kilometers away. Rajaji National Park is another place for nature loves, which is just 20 minutes drive away.

Mangeshi temple, Goa

Introduction and history: The state of Goa is India’s smallest state in terms of area, which is located on the west coast of India, which is popularly known as ‘konkan’ coast. It is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its western coast. Renowned for its beaches, places of worship and world heritage architecture, Goa is visited by hundreds of thousands of international and domestic tourists each year. The temple of Shri Mangesh is located in a natural location with pleasant surroundings in Mangeshi along Goa’s Panaji-Ponda road. The temple architecture is a mix of Hindu, Christian and Muslim influences and is lit up in magnificent lights during the annual festival, which is held in January.

What to see and when to go: Goa is an excellent tourist destination where one can get to see a whole range of things starting from its beaches. Some of the main beaches include Anjuna, Baga, Calangute, Candolim, Colva, Majorda, Palolem, Benaulim and Bogmalo. It also has a huge number of temples, churches, forts, museums, sanctuaries. Under each category it offers a huge list of destinations. The humidity is at its highest in the summer and quite low from September to early March, which is the ideal time to visit the place.

Accommodation: Accommodation in Goa is plentiful with a variety of hotels, resorts and guest houses to suit every budget and every taste. There are simple and bare rooms available for the thriftiest of back-packers and five-star deluxe luxury suites for those that want to indulge their fancies. A decent budget hotel costs about 200 rupees per day.

Mode of transport: Goa is well connected by airline services to most major cities in India. All flights, national and international operate from the Goa Airport. Goa has two major railway stations (Margao and Vasco-da-Gama), both located in the southern area of the state. The South Central Railway terminus is at Vasco-da-Gama and the Konkan Railway terminus is at Margao. Besides the two main stations, the trains usually halt for a few minutes at a number of other smaller stations in Goa. Goa has a unique and very popular mode of transport known as a ‘pilot’.

Related links:
• Mangeshi temple: http://www.shrimangesh.org/
• Goa tourism: http://www.goatourism.org/

Kailasanatha Temple At Kanchipuram

Introduction and history: The city of Kanchipuram is one of the famous of the ‘temple cities’ of Tamil Nadu, which is famous for its Dravidian style architecture. It was also the political capital of the Pallava rulers during the 7th - 9th centuries. The Kailasanatha temple is the finest structural project of the Pallava ruler Rajasimha. The temple is almost entirely constructed of sandstone and is integrated into a coherent complex. A polished lingam (symbol of Shiva) is enshrined within. The city also remained an important city during the succeeding Chola and Vijayanagara periods as well.

What to see and when to go: The city truly lives up to the name of temple city by having an array of ancient temple. Starting with Kamakshi Amman Temple the list contains important temples like Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Vaikunda Perumal Temple, Ekambaranathar Temple, Ulagalandha Perumal Temple, Yathoktakari Perumal Temple, Deepaprakasa Perumal Temple, Kandakottam , Subramanya Swami Temple, Kachapeswarar Temple, Sankupani Vinayakar Temple, Pandava Thoodha Perumal and Jain temples. The city is also an epitome of Shaivaite sector within Hinduism. The Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham is another Shaivaite landmark, which was Sri Adi Sankara in the year 482 B.C.

Accommodation: There are very few good lodges in Kanchipuram. This is because not many travelers stay in the city itself as it is very near to Chennai. The good hotels are easily accessible from the Kanchipuram Bus Stand. The ideal travel plan would be to stay in Chennai and travel to the city via local transport.

Mode of transport: Chennai (75 km) is the nearest airport from Kanchipuram. Trains for Kanchipuram are available from Chennai, Chengalpattu, Thirupathi, and Bangalore. It is also well connected by a good network of roads. Local travel is mainly done by hiring taxis.

Related links:
• Official website: http://kanchi.nic.in/
• Tourist information: http://www.kanchipuram.com/

Interesting point: Kanchipuram is famous for hand-woven silk fabrics and saris. The weavers use the highest quality silk and pure gold thread. Kanchipuram is also known as Silk City.

Jain Temple At Ranakpur

Introduction and history: The Jain temple is located at Ranakpur which is located between Jodhpur and Udaipur in the Pali district of Rajasthan. The Temple was built by monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th century, which sprawls about 4,500 square yards basement. The Jainism is a subset of Hindu religion and they follow the teachings of 24 special people, who are known as Tirthankaras.The 24th and most recent Tirthankar is Shri Mahavir, who lived in the fifth century. The Ranakpur Jain temple is the largest Jain temple in India, which is completely made of white marble.

What to see and when to go: The exterior of the temple is impressive, but the real majesty is inside the temple. There are 1,440 columns inside the temple, each intricately carved in a unique design. There are also a number of beautiful carvings on the various domes (shikhara, turrets and cupolas), niches and altars in the temple that are simply incredible. There is also a beautiful carving made out of a single marble rock where there 108 heads of snakes and numerous tails. As the winter season in Rajasthan is extremely cold, it is suggested to visit the place between September and March.

Things to do: As mentioned above Udaipur and Jodhpur are nearby major tourist attractions. The former is an incredibly beautiful small city with tranquil lakes surrounded by gently rolling hills, which is popularly known as “city of lakes”. It has places tourist attractions like Jagdish Temple, Lake Pichola, Lake Fateh Sagar, Saheliyon-ki-Bari, Jag Mandir and Nathdwara. Jodhpur has Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Osiyan Temple and Kaman Art gallery which should not be missed.

Accommodation and local travel: There are ample numbers of government approved accommodation available in Jodhpur and Udaipur. These two cities are well connected via air and rail ways. The suggestion is to say in either of the places and travel to the Ranakpur temple by taxi.

Maharani Bach Orchard H
Near Ranakpur Temples, Distr. Pali
Sardri
Phone : +91 -2934-3705, 3751

Hotel City Palace **
32, Nai Sarak
Jodhpur
Phone : +91 291/627130, 649911, 4
Fax : +91 291/639033

Galaxy Hotel
Opp. Nai sarak, Outside Sojat Gate
Jodhpur
Phone : +91 291/625098, 620796

Hotel Mayur
140, Nai Sarak
Jodhpur
Phone : +91 291/547411

Hotel Amenity International
Near Central School No. 1, Air Force
Jodhpur
Phone : +91 291/433697
Fax : +91 291/614357

Related links:
• Udaipur tourist information: http://www.udaipurtourism.com/
• Jodhpur official website: http://jodhpur.nic.in/

Interesting tips:
• There is a puja happens at 7 AM in the morning.

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.

Golden Temple At Amritsar

Introduction and history: The Golden Temple is located in the city of Amritsar, is the temple of God for Sikhs. Sikhs all over the world, daily wish to pay visit to Sri Amritsar. It is also known as Harmandir Sahib is considered holy by Sikhs because it is the eternal Guru of Sikhism. Guru Arjan Sahib, the Fifth Nanak, conceived the idea of creating a central place of worship for the Sikhs and he himself designed the architecture of Sri Harmandir Sahib. Earlier the planning to excavate the holy tank (Amritsar or Amrit Sarovar) was chalked out by Guru Amardas Sahib, the Third Nanak, but it was executed by Guru Ramdas Sahib under the supervision of Baba Buddha ji. The temple construction was started in 1570 and 1577.

What to see and when to go: The temple is surrounded by Sarovar lake. There are entrances to the temple on all four sides to welcome travelers from all directions. Inside the temple complex there are many shrines to past Sikh Gurus and saints. There are three holy trees each associated with a historical event or Sikh saint. Inside the temple there are many memorial plaques that commemorate past Sikh historical events, saints, martyrs. October to March is the ideal timeframe to visit this temple.

Accommodation: As Amritsar is one of the most famous temples in Punjab, there is lot of hotels available around the temple premises.

Mode of transport: The city of Amritsar is reachable and well connected by air, road and train. It has frequent flights connecting with various domestic and international locations. It also has a major train junction. The city has an international bus terminal operated by the Department of Transport, Punjab which is equipped with most modern amenities.

Related links:
• Tourist information: http://www.aboutgoldentemple.com/
• Official website: http://sgpc.net/

See also (nearby places): Akal Takht, Baba Atal, Gurudwara Lohgarh Amritsar, Ramsar Sahib, Gurudwara Dera Baba Nanak, Gurudwara Taran, Gurudwara Khadur Sahib, Gurudwara San Sahib, Baba Bakala, Damdama Sahib, Wagah Border, Gurudwara Anandpur Sahib and Gurudwara Kiratpur Sahib are some of the nearby religious and tourist attractions in Amritsar.

Brihadeeswarar Temple At Tanjavur

Introduction and history: The Brihadeeswarar Temple is one of India’s most important architectural sites, which sketches the Dravidian architecture and representative of the Chola Empire. Constructed in the 16th century, the temple has marvelous architecture where the unique structure of the temple has no shadows of the temple been cast on the ground at any time of the year. The ‘Vimana’ or the temple tower is 216 ft (66 m) and is among the tallest of its kind in the world. The entire temple structure is made out of hard granite stones - hardly available in Tanjavur area where the temple is located.

What to see and when to go: The main Shiva statue of the temple is simply mind blowing. It is said that the fire form of the Lingam (Shiva) is established as a part of the temple, which makes the main area extremely hot and humid. Another remarkable feature of the temple is the great Nandi (stone bull) that is established at the entrance of the temple as well as ceiling of its enclosure, which weighs 27 tons and is probably the largest of its kind in the world. One can also look into the adjoining structures and other statues in the outside area, which speaks the beauty of their own. This place is ideas to visit throughout the year, even though summer gets extremely hot.

Things to do: Apart from looking into the temple one can check out nearby areas like Shore Temple, Pancha Pandava Rathas, Krishna Mandapa, Varaha Cave, Tanjavur Palace and Krishna’s Butterball. Tanjavur is known for its art and culture. For art lovers they can check out beautiful Tanjavur paintings and dolls, which are unique in their own style.

Accommodation: At Tanjavur accommodation is easily available. There are several hotels that offer comfort stay for the various travelers to Tanjavur and suit every pocket. Hygienic and delectable food is available at reasonable rates.

HOTEL ORIENTAL TOWERS

2889, Srinivasam Pillai Road,
Tanjore - 613 001,
Tamilnadu, INDIA
Phone: 04362-230724

Hotel ARK International

21, T.S.R. Big Street,
Kumbakonam-612001
Phone: 0435-2421234,2421152,2421942,2433982

Hotel Green Park

No.10 Lakshmi Villas Street,
Kumbakonam
Phone: 0435-2402853,2403912

Mode of transport: The nearest airport is Trichy (65 kilometers), which is situated right in the Trichy-Tanjavur national highway. Well connected bus services are available. Some of the most significant places of the country from where one can easily avail a train for reaching Tanjavur by rail are Chennai (350 kilometers) and Trichy which are directly connected with Tanjavur.

link: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/250

Bhoramdeo Temple, Chhattisgarh

Introduction and history: Bhoramdeo temple is known as ‘Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh’ is located at Bhoramdev. It is situated around 21 kilometres away from Kawardha and is prominently famous for its captivating 11th century Lord Shiva temple complex. It lies in the banks of river Sakri. This temple was built by King Ramchandra of Nag dynasty who married Princess Ambika Devi of Haiya dynasty. Bhoramdev temple has a special attraction for lovers of archaeology and history.

What to see and when to go: Trek to the famous 11th Century Bhoramdeo temple and savour the splendid erotic carvings on the ravishing temple. Other two nearby attractions include Madwa Mahal and Cherki Mahal. The main feature of these temples other than their architecture is the abundance of the erotic sculptures. The ideal time to visit Bhoramdeo temple is in the month of March.

Things to do: It is highly recommended that Bhoramdeo temple is visited when the Bhoramdeo Mahotsav is held, which would give fascinating experience for travellers. Other attractions include visiting nearby native villages to take a sneak peak of rural India by interacting with them. Trekking in the jungle of Maikal Hills is another attraction that would not be missed out. Later in the evening one can enjoy the tribal dance performed. There is also Bhoramdeo Sanctuary nearby.

Accommodation: Bhoramdeo Jungle Retreat is the nearest resort to this temple. However, one can also choose to stay at Raipur, where many budget hotels are available.

Mode of transport: Raipur is the nearest Airport (135 kilometres) ,which is well connected with other parts of India. It is also the nearby railway junction for folks who travel by train. Tourists can hire private cabs or buses to visit Bhoramdeo Temple.

See also (nearby places): Bhilai, Arang, Durg, Rajim, Chamaparan, Sirpur or Shirpur, Turturiya, Kawardha, Ratanpur, Kanker, Lutrasheriff, Champa, Malhar, Keskal, Girodhpuri, Seorinarayam, Saroda Reservoir and Kanha National Park.

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