Top Ten Winter Destinations to visit in India

Winters are an idyllic time to wallow in the chilly and cozy nights at the outstanding destinations of India, which never fail to impress the travelers from different parts of the world. Waking up to a beautiful morning, relishing a hot cup of tea or coffee in bed, idle afternoons, snowy and misty evenings, cuddle in bed with books near the fireplace and so much more can be experienced during the winter season. And in this magnificent season what can be more exciting than planning a vacation. But stop! Where to go? What are the best places to visit in India? After traveling across the country, we have made a list of top 10 winter places that one must not give a miss on his or her trip to India.

Bikaner
 

Famed for its old havelis, gorgeous forts and camel safari, Bikaner carries a sheer exquisiteness that attracts the people from all over. It is also a dwelling of the largest camel breeding place in India. The camel festival takes place in the month of January in which one can explore the splendid traditions of Rajasthan.  The places of tourist interest in the city are Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace and many religious places that are worth visiting.  Apart from this, the visitors can also dig into varieties of famous dishes like papad, rasgullas, thandai and bhujjias.

Jaisalmer
 

Dotted with an exotic beauty, magnificent palaces, ancient striking shrines,   splendid collections of arts and crafts and beautiful havelis, Jaisalmer is among the most popular places of India. It is famous all across the globe for its golden sand deserts and breathtaking appeals. The city boasts of several ancient period Jain temples also. It is certainly a vibrant tourist place with number of amazing attractions such as the Jaisalmer Fort, Desert Culture Center and Museum, Sonar Kila and Chandraprbhu Temple.

Jodhpur 
 

Also hailed as the blue city due to the blue painted houses, Jodhpur is situated close to the geographic place of Rajasthan State. To know the history of medieval period and bravery of Rajputs, travel to a beautiful land of Jodhpur and take back charming memories to cherish for the rest of the life. It offers some of the special food items such as the Mirchibada, Lassi, Pyaaj Kachori and many other spicy dishes, which are famous among the travelers in northern parts of India.

Udaipur
 

A destination, which narrates the valor of Rajputana that dates back to years ago, Udaipur, is a royal destination with many great attractions that entice the attention of the onlookers. The city is beautifully situated in the surroundings of emerald exquisiteness amidst Aravalli Mountain Ranges. It is a home of several breathtaking palaces, serene lakes and marvelous architectural styles. It is worth exploring. Also called as the Venice of East, the most famous lakes in this region are Fateh Sagar, Udai Sagar, Swaroop Sagar and Pichhola.

 Jaipur
 

One of the largest cities in north India, Jaipur is a favorite destination of many travelers. It has got its name from Sawai Jaisingh II, a famous sovereign of Jaipur. Exploring the history of this beautiful city is a thrilling experience in itself. Also known as the pink city of India, Jaipur grows in its vibrant past, sheer history, fabulous structural design and natural sight.  Not only this, the vivacious city has wonderful  handicrafts and stunning jewelry that showcase the colorful village life and buying any delicate artifacts would be a delight for every traveller.

Agra
 

Nestled on the banks of the Yamuna River in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Agra is one of illustrious places in India and boasts of three UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.  Exquisiteness of marbles, palaces, architectural beauty and many other appeals, Agra flourishes as one of the traveler places of India. Some of the places that one can discover during their tour to Agra are Itmad-ud-ulah-tomb, Sikandra, Chini Ka Rouza etc.

Pushkar
 

A city that everyone once in a lifetime must pay a visit is none other than the beautiful Pushkar, which is located in the Ajmer district in the state of Rajasthan. It is famous for a great number of shrines and the most popular among all is a world renowned Brahma Temple, which is devoted to Lord Brahma. Apart from sanctified significance, it also has splendid shopping places tendering different books, exquisite artifacts, traditional clothes and music. Planning an excursion to Pushker during the months of winters would be a pleasurable experience for every visitor.

Varanasi
 

Also hailed as Kashi and Banaras, Varanasi is located on the banks of Ganges in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is said that death in Varanasi leads to deliverance. There are scores of temples that date back to the 18th century and being a pilgrimage center many devotees from wide and far pay a visit to this religious place. One can experience a gentle breeze while walking along the sacred river banks at Varanasi. The city is also renowned for Banarasi silk and gold jewelry that enhance the beauty of every woman.  For fun and entertainment, the travelers can visit the local bazaars and buy the famous items for home.

Lucknow
 

A perfect fusion of culture, history and beauty, Lucknow is mainly called as the city of Nawabs.  It takes the visitors back to the period of Suryavanshi Dynasty. Located on the River Gomti, the city is a range of delights tendering plenty of sightseeing options and appetizing dishes that will urge the travelers to visit this fantastic place many times. The monument that has inspired several filmmakers and famous writers is Imambara, also known as Asafi Imambara, constructed by Nawab of the city in the year 1784. A few of the other attractions that the visitors can explore in the pleasant weather of winters are British Residency, Rumi Darwaza Kaiserbagh Palace, Jama masjid and more.

Amritsar
 

A famous tourism site of Punjab, Amritsar is a dwelling of famous religious places, historical sites, and several other tourist appeals, which are perfect to experience during the winter holidays in India. The highly visited place in Amritsar is golden temple, which is the most religious shrine of Sikhs and one must not give it a miss during the tour to Amritsar. There is a sacred pond in the temple where you can take bath before offering prayers to the God. Moreover, the devotees can relish ‘lunger’ within the premises of the temple. In addition to this, there are many places of interest such as the Fort Gobind Garh, Ram Bagh, Mata Mandir and Jalian Wala Bagh.

Gujarat Declared India’s Leading Tourism Destinations at International Tourism Conclave

The tourism industry has made all of us proud. On the occasion of ‘World Tourism Day’, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Virbhadra Singh gave away awards at the third International Tourism Conclave.

Starting from the major ones, Himachal Pradesh bagged the award for excellence in promoting and popularizing adventure tourism in the country and Gujarat won the trophy as the best tourist destination in the country.

Other awards which were given by him included best Religious Destination award which was given to Tamil Nadu, Best Tourism Destination of India to Gujarat, Best Rural Tourism Initiative award to Punjab, Best Wedding Destination award to Rajasthan and Best Fairs and Festival Destination award was grabbed by Andhra Pradesh.

Many more awards were given to other cities of the country including Chandigarh for the Best Travel City, Maharaja’s Express for the Best Luxury Train, Korea for the Best Outbound Film Location, Mauritius as the Best Outbound Tourism Board in India and Thailand as the Outbound Wedding Destination. An award was also presented to Manoharan Periasamy (Tourism Malaysia) as the Outbound Tourism Personality.

The hotel industry was also presented with awards on this occasion. The Best Weekend hotel award was given to Cambay Resort Jamdoli in Jaipur and Suryavilas Luxury won the Best Luxury Spa Resort award. Pride Group of Hotels was awarded as the Upcoming Hotel Chain and the Best Outbound Tourism Marketing award was given to Malaysia.

The tourism industry has made all of us proud. On the occasion of ‘World Tourism Day’, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Virbhadra Singh gave away awards at the third International Tourism Conclave.

Starting from the major ones, Himachal Pradesh bagged the award for excellence in promoting and popularizing adventure tourism in the country and Gujarat won the trophy as the best tourist destination in the country.

Other awards which were given by him included best Religious Destination award which was given to Tamil Nadu, Best Tourism Destination of India to Gujarat, Best Rural Tourism Initiative award to Punjab, Best Wedding Destination award to Rajasthan and Best Fairs and Festival Destination award was grabbed by Andhra Pradesh.

Many more awards were given to other cities of the country including Chandigarh for the Best Travel City, Maharaja’s Express for the Best Luxury Train, Korea for the Best Outbound Film Location, Mauritius as the Best Outbound Tourism Board in India and Thailand as the Outbound Wedding Destination. An award was also presented to Manoharan Periasamy (Tourism Malaysia) as the Outbound Tourism Personality.

The hotel industry was also presented with awards on this occasion. The Best Weekend hotel award was given to Cambay Resort Jamdoli in Jaipur and Suryavilas Luxury won the Best Luxury Spa Resort award. Pride Group of Hotels was awarded as the Upcoming Hotel Chain and the Best Outbound Tourism Marketing award was given to Malaysia.

- See more at: http://blog.indianholiday.com/2014/09/29/international-tourism-conclave/#sthash.oNzuOVnn.dpuf

The tourism industry has made all of us proud. On the occasion of ‘World Tourism Day’, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Virbhadra Singh gave away awards at the third International Tourism Conclave.

Starting from the major ones, Himachal Pradesh bagged the award for excellence in promoting and popularizing adventure tourism in the country and Gujarat won the trophy as the best tourist destination in the country.

Other awards which were given by him included best Religious Destination award which was given to Tamil Nadu, Best Tourism Destination of India to Gujarat, Best Rural Tourism Initiative award to Punjab, Best Wedding Destination award to Rajasthan and Best Fairs and Festival Destination award was grabbed by Andhra Pradesh.

Many more awards were given to other cities of the country including Chandigarh for the Best Travel City, Maharaja’s Express for the Best Luxury Train, Korea for the Best Outbound Film Location, Mauritius as the Best Outbound Tourism Board in India and Thailand as the Outbound Wedding Destination. An award was also presented to Manoharan Periasamy (Tourism Malaysia) as the Outbound Tourism Personality.

The hotel industry was also presented with awards on this occasion. The Best Weekend hotel award was given to Cambay Resort Jamdoli in Jaipur and Suryavilas Luxury won the Best Luxury Spa Resort award. Pride Group of Hotels was awarded as the Upcoming Hotel Chain and the Best Outbound Tourism Marketing award was given to Malaysia.

- See more at: http://blog.indianholiday.com/2014/09/29/international-tourism-conclave/#sthash.oNzuOVnn.dpuf

The tourism industry has made all of us proud. On the occasion of ‘World Tourism Day’, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Virbhadra Singh gave away awards at the third International Tourism Conclave.

Starting from the major ones, Himachal Pradesh bagged the award for excellence in promoting and popularizing adventure tourism in the country and Gujarat won the trophy as the best tourist destination in the country.

Other awards which were given by him included best Religious Destination award which was given to Tamil Nadu, Best Tourism Destination of India to Gujarat, Best Rural Tourism Initiative award to Punjab, Best Wedding Destination award to Rajasthan and Best Fairs and Festival Destination award was grabbed by Andhra Pradesh.

Many more awards were given to other cities of the country including Chandigarh for the Best Travel City, Maharaja’s Express for the Best Luxury Train, Korea for the Best Outbound Film Location, Mauritius as the Best Outbound Tourism Board in India and Thailand as the Outbound Wedding Destination. An award was also presented to Manoharan Periasamy (Tourism Malaysia) as the Outbound Tourism Personality.

The hotel industry was also presented with awards on this occasion. The Best Weekend hotel award was given to Cambay Resort Jamdoli in Jaipur and Suryavilas Luxury won the Best Luxury Spa Resort award. Pride Group of Hotels was awarded as the Upcoming Hotel Chain and the Best Outbound Tourism Marketing award was given to Malaysia.

- See more at: http://blog.indianholiday.com/2014/09/29/international-tourism-conclave/#sthash.oNzuOVnn.dpuf

The Top 10 Tourist Destinations in India

Agra

Agra’s Taj Mahal is one of the most famous buildings in the world, the mausoleum of Shah Jahan’s favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of the New Seven Wonders of the world, and one of three World Heritage Sites in Agra.
Completed in 1653, the T?j Mahal was built by the Mughal king Sh?h Jah?n as the final resting place for his beloved wife, Mumt?z Mahal. Finished in marble, it is perhaps India’s most fascinating and beautiful monument. This perfectly symmetrical monument took 22 years (1630-1652) of hard labour and 20,000 workers, masons and jewelers to build and is set amidst landscaped gardens.

Jaipur / Udaipur

Jaipur is also popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Jaipur is a very famous tourist and education destination in India.


Lots of people flock to Jaipur to view the various forts and monuments in Jaipur which reflect its glorious past. Tourism is a significant part of Jaipur’s economy. Some of the world’s best hotels are located here.
Forts & Monuments

• Hawa Mahal
• Amber Fort
• Jaigarh Fort
• Nahargarh Fort
• City Palace
• Jantar Mantar
• Jal Mahal
• Rambagh Palace
• Chandra Mahal, The City Palace, Jaipur
• Diwan-e-Aam, City Palace
• Central Museum, (Albert Hall Museum)

Goa

Goa is Famous for its pristine beaches, infact 90% of all the tourism in Goa happens only for its beautiful beaches in Coastal Areas. Goa has two main tourist seasons: winter and summer. In the winter time, tourists from abroad (mainly Europe) come to Goa to enjoy the splendid climate. In the summertime (which, in Goa, is the rainy season), tourists from across India come to spend the holidays.


In 2008 there were more than three million tourists reported to have visited Goa, more than half million of whom were from Foreign visitors. Infact, many foreigners have made Goa as there home for its laid-back and relaxed lifestyle !

Kashmir

Kashmir was once called Heaven on Earth, and once of the most beautiful places in the world. However, in last couple of decades, terrorism has faded its charm – A place home to Himalayan Ranges.



The State of Jammu & Kashmir has main three geographical regions known as “The Lesser Himalayas” or the “Jhelum Valley” (Kashmir), “The Inner Himalayas” or “The Indus Valley” (Ladakh & Frontier areas) also called “Trans-Himalayas”, and “The Outer-Himalayas” or “The Southern mountain range” (Jammu). The area of Jammu & Kashmir is 2, 22,236 square kilometers.

Kanyakumari

Though there are several places of tourist-interest in the town and district, Kanyakumari is especially popular in India for its spectacular and unique sunrise and sunset. The confluence of three ocean bodies – the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean, and the Arabian Sea – makes the sunrise and sunset even more special. On balmy, full-moon evenings, one can also see the moon-rise and sunset at the same time – on either side of the horizon.

Kerala (Backwaters)

Kerala, situated on the lush and tropical Malabar Coast, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Named as one of the “ten paradises of the world” and “50 places of a lifetime” by the National Geographic Traveler magazine, Kerala is especially known for its ecotourism initiatives, Beautiful Backwaters and Alternative healing massages.

Old Delhi

Delhi, Capital of India has many attractions like mosques, forts and other monuments that represent India’s history. The important places in Old Delhi include the majestic Red Fort. New Delhi on the other hand houses many government buildings and embassies, apart from places of historical interest.


The Qutub Minar, Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb have been declared World Heritage Sites.

Ajanta Ellora

Ajantha & Ellora are 28 – 30 rock-cut cave monuments created during the first century BC and 5th century AD, containing paintings and sculptures considered to be masterpieces of both Buddhist religious art and universal pictorial art.
The caves are located just outside the village of Ajantha / Ellora in Aurangabad district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.
Since 1983, the Ajanta & Ellora Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Darjeeling

Darjeeling in India owes’ its grandeur to its natural beauty, its clean fresh mountain air and above all, the smiling resilient people for whom it is a home. Known for its natural splendor, Darjeeling’s best gift to its’ visitors is the dawn of a new day. The mountains awaken first with a tentative peeking of the sun.

A steep ride, five kilometers from Ghoom, or an invigorating walk up a steep incline, leads sun worshippers to Tiger Hill. The air is chilly with darkness and damp. To the east, a dull orange sun emerged painting the sky with brilliant strokes of magenta, gold, orange and fuchsia. The snow capped Everest, Kabru, Kanchenjunga, Jannu and other peaks slowly emerge from slumber to start a new day. The sun worshippers gasp at the magnificent sight.

Mysore

Mysore is a tourism hot spot within the state of Karnataka and also acts as a base for other tourist places in the vicinity of the city. The city receives the maximum number of tourists during the period of the Dasara festival when festivities take place for a period of 10 days. One of the most visited monuments in India, the Ambavilas Palace (also known as Mysore Palace) is the center of the Dasara festivities.

Leh / Ladakh

Leh Ladakh

The Ladakh capital city of Leh lies near the eastern parts of Jammu and Kashmir, on the crossroads of the historic “Silk Route” from Sinkiang to West Asia and to the plains of India. The humbling monasteries of Shey, Hemis, Alchi, Thikse and Lamayuru will nurture your spiritual needs, and the landscape of Leh provides for a number of adventure activities including mountaineering, white-water rafting and trekking along the Markha Valley.

Gangtok

Gangtok

The capital of the state of Sikkim, Gangtok is an attractive tourist destination, reflecting a unique ambience which derives from its happy blend of tradition and modernity. Alongside the deeply felt presence of stupas and monasteries, Gangtok also bustles like any other thriving town. Some of the key places to visit include Rumtek Monastery, Do-Drul Chorten, Enchey Monastery, Tashi View Point and the local bazaar, Lal Bazaar.
Hope you have found this Top Ten Tourist Destinations in India article interesting. If you have any questions, do drop in a comment

What are you waiting for – Go ahead and book your travel tickets right now :)

place of interest In UP INDIA..

Rumi Darwaza

The 60 feet high Rumi Gate was constructed under Nawab Asafl-us-Daula in 1786. It is said to be identical in design to an ancient portal at Constantinople. Its uppermost part consists of an eight faceted chhatri, approachable by a staircase.

Asafi Imambara (Bara Imambara)

Also known as the Bara Imambara, it was built by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula in 1784 and is one of the architectural wonders of that era. Its central hall is said to be the largest vaulted chamber in the world. Except for the galleries in the interior, there is no woodwork in the entire structure. It has large underground passages which have been blocked up. A staircase from outside leads to a series of labyrinths known as Bhool-Bhulaiyan which is a complicated entanglement of zig-zag pass. Visitors are advised to visit only with authorized guides. Within the compound of the Imambara is the grand Asafi Mosque. Shahi Baoli is another attraction here.
Timing : Sunrise to Sunset
Entry fee : Rs. 25.00 (Indian)
Rs. 500.00 (Foreigner) (inclusive of Bara Imambara, Chhota Imambara, Picture Gallery, Shahi Hamam)

Chhota Imambara

Though Popularly called as the Chhota Imambara, the Hussainabad Imambara stands to the west of Bara Imambara. Built by Nawab Mohammad Ali Shah (1837-42), it is more ornate in design with exquisite chandeliers, gilt-edged mirrors, silver mimbar and colourful stuccos which adorn the interiors. A golden dome and fine calligraphy on the exterior of the building makes it a truly exceptional monument of Mughal architecture (open : 0600 hrs to 1700 hrs.).

Jama Masjid

The construction of Jama Masjid, to the north-west of Hussainabad Imambara, was started in 1832 AD during the reign of Mohammad Ali Shah but was completed after his death by his begum, Nawab Malika Janah. It is entirely free from the pseudo-Italian art then in vogue in Lucknow and reflects the Mughal style of architecture.

Clock Tower & Picture Gallery

Near Rumi Darwaza, this 221 ft. high Clock Tower was built in 1887 to mark the arrival of Sir George Couper, the first Lieutenant Governor of the United Province of Awadh.

Hussainabad Picture Gallery

Nawab Mohammad Ali Shah built it as a 'Baradari' - literally meaning 'having 12 doorways.' It is now used as a gallery for display of life size portraits of the Nawabs of Avadh (Open : 0800 hrs to 1700 hrs.).
Near the Clock Tower, housed in an imposing building, is a picture gallery which has a fine collection of portraits of the rules of Awadh.

Shahnajaf Imambara

This white domed mausoleum owes its existence to Ghazi-ud-din Haider, who on the bank of the Gomti near Sikanderbagh reproduced a copy of Hazrat Ali's burial at Najaf in Iraq. Ghazi-ud-din Haider, and later his three wives, were buried here. The silver tomb of Ghazi-ud-din Haider lies in the centre of this building and is flanked by the more imposing silver and gold tomb of Mubarak Mahal on one side.

Residency

Built for the British Resident during 1780-1800, it was originally a large complex of many buildings. It was the scene of dramatic events during the first war of independence in 1857. The main building overlooks the river Gomti and is surrounded by terraced lawns and gardens. Today, only the scarred ruins bear witness to the turmoil of 1857. SOUND & LIGHT SHOW is an added attraction here. Entry fee : Rs. 5.00 (Indian), Rs. 100.00 (Foreigner). Tel. 2328220.

Kaiserbagh Palace Complex

The construction of the Kaiserbagh palace complex was started in 1848 by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah and was completed in 1850. The buildings on three sides of the Kaiserbagh quadrangle, once provided quarters for the ladies of Wajid Ali Shah's harem. In the centre stands the white Baradari, a grand white stone edifice which was earlier paved with silver.

Tombs of Saadat Ali Khan & Khurshid Zadi

The imposing twin tombs of Nawab Saadat Ali Khan and his wife Khurshid Zadi, stand near the historical Begum Hazrat Mahal Park.

Shaheed Smarak (Martyrs' Memorial)

On the bank of the river Gomti, stands in a beautiful park, this white marble memorial, dedicated to the martyrs who laid down their lives during the Freedom Movement of India.

Dilkusha

Dilkusha Kothi set amidst lush green, was built in the Gothic style. The Kothi and its adjoining magnificent garden were created by Nawab Saadat Ali Khan. It is almost an exact replica of an English country house called Seation Delavel, built in 1721.

Lord Hanuman Temples of Aliganj

There are two highly revered Lord Hanuman temples in Aliganj locality, one built in 1783 and the other built in 1798 by Chhatar Kunwar, the queen mother of nawab Saadat Ali Khan. "Bara Mangal" fair (May -June) is held here on a grand Scale.

Charbagh Rrailway Station

Overpowering in dimensions yet aesthetically designed, Charbagh railway station built in 1914 incorporates the best of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. It gives an ideal traditional warm welcome to every visitor.

Vidhan Sabha Bhawan (The Council House)

Its foundation was laid in 1922 by Sir Harcourt Butler and the construction was completed in six years. Its octagonal shaped chamber has a domed roof decorated with peacocks in fully plumed splendor.

Gurudwara At Yahiyaganj

This Gurudwara is associated with the memories of Guru Teg Bahadurji and Guru Govind Singhji who had stayed here in 1671 and 1672, respectively. An art gallery depicting various events of Sikh Panth has been established here.

National Botanical Research Institute

Located at Sikanderbagh, where a pitched battle was fought during the first war of independence in 1857. The botanical garden is open to public from 9.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Closed on Saturday and Sunday. Tel : 2205831

La Martiniere

The Finest and the largest example of European funerary monument in the subcontinent, La Martiniere is associated with its rather strange and romantic past. Built and designed by French soldier turned architect-Claude Martin, It incorporates the features of Italian architecture, fusing them with native architectural attributes of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Today it houses one of the leading educational instructions of the city.

Churches

Christ Church, All Saints Church, St. Joseph's Cathedral Church, Assembly of God's Church, Lalbagh Church, Isabella Thoburn Church, St. Agnes Church.

Jain & Buddha Temples

There are several Jain temples in the city. Prominent among them are the Lord Shantinath and Lord Padma Prabhu Temple in Churivali Gali locality, the Lord Parshwanath Temple in Sondhitola, Lord Sambhawnath Temple in Phulwali gali (Chowk), five temple in Dadabari premises at Thakurganj and the Jain temple in Daliganj-Besides Jain temples, Buddha temples on Gautam Buddha Road and at Risaldar Park are worth visiting.

Indira Gandhi Planetarium

Situated at Suraj kund Park, it is a novel attraction of the city. The Saturn shaped building of the planetarium is unique of its kind. This completely air-conditioned planetarium has a state of art projection system, which gives special effects while projecting. Art projecting system, digital sound and lift-ramp for handicapped persons are the other worth mentioning facilities available here. Show timings (40 minute duration-based on title "Our world & beyond") : 01.00 pm to 1.40 pm- reserved for school bookings. 2.00 p.m. (in English), 3.00 p.m., 4.00 p.m., 5.00 p.m., 6.00 p.m. (all in Hindu). Closed on Mondays. Entry fee : Rs. 25.00 (for public), Rs. 15.00 (for students if they come through the schools in a group of 100 or more). No entry fee for handicapped. Tel: 2629176, 2627416

Other places of interest include Maharaja Bijli Pasi Quila, Nadan Mahal, Chhatar Manzil, Moti Mahal, Alambagh Palace, Bari Kaliji Temple, Kalibari, Koneshwar Temple, Siddhanath Temple, Chhachhi Kuan Temple, Tikait Rai Talab, Buddha Park, Neebu Park, Hathi Park, Globe Park, Begum Hazrat Mahal Park, Surya Kund, Buddheshwar Temple, Mankameshwar Temple, Baba Bhutnath Temple, Ram Krishna Math, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Smritika, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Park, Chandrika Devi Temple, etc.

Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Park

Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Park is constructed by LDA in Gomtinagar, Lucknow. This park is devoted to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia who was a great Socialist and Philosopher. This park is designed and constructed by Lucknow Development Authority and is spread over Eighty acres of land.
An artificial lake is developed in the area of 15,000 Sq. Meters of land having one attractive tower in the park. The park is constructed under the norms and guidelines of ecology accordingly trees are planted all over in the garden.
Entrance Fee: Rs. 5/- per head (Fee unto 12 years children)
Parking Fee: Rs. 10/- Car, Rs. 5/- Scooter, Rs. 2/- Cycle
Park Timing: 6:00 am to 10:00 pm

Sikandar Bagh

Derives its name from one of the begums of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, Sikandar Mahal. It was 120 square yards in area surrounded by a high wall, with a summer house in its centre. The place had also been associated with the war of independence activities. The National Botanical Garden has been set up here after independence.

Chhatar Manzil

The "Umbrella Palace" stands near the present Hanuman Setu. It derives its name from the guilt dome with a covering umbrella, which gives a special magnificence to the complex, constructed by Nawab Ghazi-ud-din Haider and completed by his son Nasir-ud-din Haider. Today it houses the Central Drug Research Institute (C.D.R.I.).

Kukrail Reserve Forest

On the outskirts of Lucknow, it has been developed by the Forest Department. Kukrail houses a deer park and one of the nurseries of the endangered species of Crocodiles in India. One of the favorite picnic spots in Lucknow, it boasts of a Children's Park, Cafeteria and Rest House. A variety of birds and Black Bucks can also be seen in their natural habitats.

Museum and Galleries

State Museum / Zoo

On the outskirts of Lucknow, it has been developed by the Forest Department. Kukrail houses a deer park and one of the nurseries of the endangered species of Crocodiles in India. One of the favorite picnic spots in Lucknow, it boasts of a Children's Park, Cafeteria and Rest House. A variety of birds and Black Bucks can also be seen in their natural habitats.

Motilal Nehru Children Museum, Charbagh

A multipurpose museum for children between the age group of four to fourteen years. Visiting hours: 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Closed on Monday. Tel: 2636133

Lokkala Sangrahalaya

Established by the Department of Culture, U.P. Govt., it preserves a rare collection of 1600 artifacts which includes numerous photographs. It also houses a rich library. It is now situated in its new building next to the state Museum. Timing: 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Closed on Monday. Tel. No. 2274638

Gandhi Museum

Situated near Residency, the Gandhi Museum gives an insight into the different aspects of Mahatma Gandhi's life. There is a rich library in the same premises having a collection of some 18,000 books. Timing: 10.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Closed on Sunday. Tel: 2625396

Regional Science City

Regional science centre, set up in 1989, by the National Council f Science Museum on as sprawling 10 acre land at sector 'E' (Ekta Vihar, Aliganj Ext.), has now been upgraded to a Regional Science City. An aesthetically designed new sing has been built in the midst of the lush green surroundings of the science park. Three large exciting galleries on the themes 'UNDERWATER EXPLORATION BIOTECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION' and 'BEING HUMAN' have been set up in the new wing along with the state of art facilities like a large format Scimax Theatre and a 3-D Science Show. TEL./FAX: 2321804

Kalagaon (Arts Village), Anora

Kalagaon's goal is to gift awareness to the people for village tourism, country life, folk tradition, folk art & craft, culture, music, and the festivals of the country life. The guests are also served with traditional meals (Jeyee-Leyee), sitting on the 'patas'- on the ground, so that they enjoy the traditional Indian village life. It is situated at Anora, Faizabad Road, Lucknow. Tel.: 9305672691, 9336450334.

Golden triangle tour

Spending quality time with family is imperative and the best way to go about it, is you are always up to your nose in office work is to take your family for a trip and get all the time that you need to bond with them. If you do not have the budget for an overseas trip, then you need not be hassled as you can get an overseas experience by going in for the Golden triangle tour. The Golden triangle tour is one of the most coveted holiday packages in India and you can get one for yourself at reasonable rates and at the same time, not miss out on any of the major attractions of the places. This post will help you to plan out your golden triangle tour package and will also enlighten you on everything related to the same.

What does the golden triangle trip comprise of?

The golden triangle trip comprises of a visit to the three places in India that are teeming with ancient heritage sites and also have a very modern face to them. These places are Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. Needless to say that these places, house some of the best and world famous monuments and visiting them atleast once in your life time is a must. As these places are all very well connected by road, rail and airways, thus you can choose any of the three transits to travel depending on the time that you have for this Delhi Agra Jaipur tour.

The must visits of the golden triangle.

There are many places that the regular golden triangle tour packages offer, but there may be a time restriction on the part of the traveler and thus, cutting down on the places visited will become a must.

You will require a minimum of 7 days to enjoy everything that the golden triangle tour India has to offer. The golden triangle tour is one of the rare tourist places in India which can be enjoyed with family as well as a lone traveler.

Delhi and all the comes along with it.

To start with you need to travel to Delhi, which is known to be the perfect blend of old and new India. Once you are there, you can take rest in any of the many hotels present and wake up fresh for your tour of the place, the next day. There is no derth of places to stay.

The next day, you can visit the Qutub Minar, which is a world heritage site, built in the 11th century. There is the Lotus temple quite close-by and you can take a cab to the place. There are many local markets in the city and you can visit them and purchase the local creations of the people.

If you have an eye for the government buildings, then you can get a taxi to the India Gate, which is just opposite to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial grounds etc. These places can be very conveniently covered in a day’s time, if you set out for you sightseeing of the city early. You can reach back the hotel by late evening for dinner and take rest as your next stop awaits you.

Agra- The land of eternal love

The next morning you need to wake up early and take the superfast expressway to Agra, and you will reach the city in around two hours. Alternatively, you can take a cab to the city, but this will take quite a while longer and is recommended in case you don’t have much time on your hands. Once, in the city, you can check in into any of the motels or rest houses that are available and you can take a nap, before setting out to see one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. Just behind the Taj Mahal, you can get a view of the River Yamuna cascading its way.

The monument is an indelible expression of the love of Emperor Shah-Jahan for his wife. The entire monument has been made of white marble and there is a lot of ancient history that you will get to know about the place, when you are there. Apart from visiting the local markets nearby, you can go into any of the sweet shops and get a taste of the delicious sweetmeats that Agra is famous for.

Once back to your sojourn, you can take rest and prepare yourself for the next day, which includes a visit to the Red fort of Agra and the Sikandra fort which was built under the reign of the Mughal emperor, Akbar.

Jaipur- The pink city

After a two day haul at Agra, your next stop is Jaipur which is situated in Rajathan. The best way to travel to this city is by road. Jaipur is an city is filled with palaces and forts and you are sure to have a great time visiting all of them.

In the golden triangle tours India has to offer, Jaipur is probably the one place that will actually transport you to the old world with its heritage. The city is mostly pink as most of the buildings have been painted in that colour, which has earned it the name of the Pink City.

There is the Amber fort that you make a pit-stop at where you will get a chance to have an elephant ride, an experience that only one who has had, can describe. Also, the Hawa Mahal which is considered to be the best places to visit in India is close-by. This palace is was basically for the royal women to see the entertainers perform in the courtyard.

You can retire in the old guesthouses that this place has to offer and early next morning you need to set out for the Jantar Mantar and the other nearby palaces. Jaipur is also one of the best places to get the souvenirs for your friend and family. The local handicrafts will leave you spell bound and you are sure to be confused about what to pick up and what to leave behind.

The next day you need to fly back to Delhi or you can go in for a flight to your home destination from Jaipur itself.

Best Time to Travel

The Golden triangle tours are carried out all the time, but then the best time for you to travel to the Golden triangle India is between September and March. The weather during this time is pleasant and hence, travelling will not be an issue.

There are many golden triangle tour operators that you can search for on the internet, and you can even have a tailor-made golden triangle tour if you want. Depending on the number of days and the number of places that you want to visit, you can either make up an itinerary for yourself and go ahead with the trip, on your own, or you can ask your agent to do the needful for you.

In case you are a solo traveler you need to make sure that you have all the detailed information about the different places that you will be visiting while you are there, or you may end up in trouble.

The golden triangle tour of India is a tour that you must undertake, whenever you get time and feel the need for a holiday. It is known to be the favourite tour package of many of foreign tourists who come to visit India during their holiday season. You are going to have memorable experiences during the trip and you will sure want to get back the next time. Rest assured.

Navratri Festival Visit Gujrat...

At a glance :

Navratri, meaning 'nine nights', is one of the most popular and widely celebrated Hindu festivals in many parts of India. Gujarat, however, is the only state that erupts into a nine-night dance festival, perhaps the longest in the world. Each night, all over the state, villages and cities alike, people gather in open spaces to celebrate feminine divinity, referred to as Shakti.

The dance form known as ras garba (also joined sometimes by dandiya, which uses small wooden sticks), comes from Lord Krishna's worship rather than Goddess worship, from the Gop culture of Saurashtra and Kutch. Stories of relationships between Krishna and the Gopis, and their emotions, also often make their way into the ras garba music.

Nevertheless, the focal point of every garba circle is the small Goddess shrine erected by each community to mark the beginning of the festival, on the first day of the Hindu month of Ashwin. The shrine includes a garbo, an earthenware pot, in which a betel nut, coconut, and silver coin are placed.

Each night the village or urban neighborhood gathers to perform a puja to one of the nine forms of Goddess. The nine nights are also broken up into sections of three; the first is for Durga, the goddess who destroyed an evil force represented by the demon Mahishasura, and who destroys human impurities; the second is for Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity; the third is for Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and art. It is a time to celebrate fertility and the monsoon harvest, represented by a mound of fresh soil in which grains are sown.

After the puja begins the music; it is unmistakable to those who are familiar with the style and irresistible to many. People begin to dance in a circle, whirling away till late into the night. It is not uncommon to find dancers with swords or lit flames and other spectacles.

The traditional dance steps are simple, though over the years people have been inventing more complex steps. Similarly, the music was traditionally acoustic, principally composed of drums and singing, but most people now use amplified sound systems or a blend in the form of a live band with modern instruments. Vadodara is a good place to find the full range of these styles, traditional to modern, acoustic to amplified, simple to complicated, each one represented in its extreme somewhere in the city.

The tenth day, Dashera, also known as Vijayadashami in South India, is celebrated by doing a puja to bless one's vehicle, and is also the day to buy new vehicles, if necessary. It 's also celebrated, probably after getting up far later than usual, by unabashedly eating lots of fafda, a salty fried crunchy snack and jalebi, a sweet fried sticky snack.

Religion and tradition aside, a garba circle can take on a surprising spiritual power. Women often give up certain eatables during these nights, which can be quite a purifying experience, if done right. It is a time for even the most traditional and housebound women to be out of the house and whirling, uninhibited, towards the divinity that hides within her own body. Many of the songs begin slow and gradually speed up, sending the dancers into a trance, especially when the music and dance is in its rawest form. When you come to a garba, wherever in Gujarat you may find yourself for Navratri, imagine this: A circle, or concentric circles, moving around the central representation of a universal creative force, the source of life; everybody performing the same step; a mandala of energetic potential; the Mother Goddess unleashed.

When :

Navratri is celebrated for nine nights, beginning on the first day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month Ashwin, roughly corresponding to dates in the Gregorian calendar in September/October. This also usually coincides with the end of the rainy season. Dasara/Vijayadashami, is the tenth day of Ashwin.

Where :

Garba happens at night in villages and neighborhoods all around Gujarat, so just step outside and follow the booming garba music. Vadodara is considered the cultural capital of Gujarat, and the most sought after location for celebrating Navratri. Try to visit at least one village garba too, for a range of experience.

Religious pilgrimage during this festival focuses mainly in the Shakti Peethas: Ambaji, Pavagadh and Bahuchraji near Mehsana. There are also major celebrations in temples such as Ashapura Mata-no-Madh in Kutch, Khodiyar Mandir near Bhavnagar, and Chamunda Mata Mandir at Chotila on the Ahmedabad-Rajkot National Highway.

History :

There are many enthralling legends and myths attached to the history of Navratri:

• The demon Mahishasur, after being given a boon by the fire god Agni that he wouldn't be killed by weapons bearing masculine names, caused grave destruction and terror. The gods sought the help of Lord Shiva, who advised the invocation of the goddess Shakti. With the gods' prayers, a divine luster sprang from the heart of Lord Shiva and the bodies of all the gods and formed the goddess Adhya Shakti. The gods gave her ornaments, arms and a lion as a vehicle. She fought with the evil Mahishasur for nine long days and nights, and at last, resulted in the beheading of Mahisa on the tenth. The nine nights came to be known as Navratri, while the tenth day was called Vijaya Dashami, the tenth day that brought the triumph of good over the evil.

• Sati (also known as Uma) married Lord Shiva against the wishes of her father, King Daksha Prajapati. In revenge, Daksha organized a huge yagna and invited all the gods and deities except his new son-in-law. Sati decided to attend the yagna despite Lord Shiva's attempt to persuade her not to. The King ignored his daughter's presence and publically abused Lord Shiva. Unable to bear her father’s insults, Sati committed suicide by jumping into the yagna fire. However, she was reborn and again won Lord Shiva as her groom and peace was restored. It is believed that since then Uma comes every year with her four children Ganesh, Kartik, Saraswati and Laxmi and two of her best friends or 'sakhis' called Jaya and Bijaya, to visit her parent's home during Navratri.

These legends and story are part of the history that surrounds the festival of Navratri and are going to be around as long as the festival continues.