Agra – A Monument of Eternal Love

Agra is a medieval city located on the Banks of River Yamuna. The city finds mention in the epic Mahabharata where it was called Agrevana, or “the border of the forest”. The credit for the founding of the city goes to Raja Badal Singh around 1475, whose fort, Badalgarh, stood on or near the site of the present Fort.

Agra has achieved a captivating fame being the capital of the Mughal emperors from 1526 to 1658 and it remains a major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era buildings, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Agra was the capital of many dynasties including Lodhi and Mughals.

Agra was assumed to be built in 1475 and has a special mention in the epic Mahabharatha as Agraban (paradise). This city was spotted as Agra in his world map by a second century geographer Ptolemy. The majestic monuments constructed during the Mughal period were a perfect blend of Islamic and Hindu architectural styles. Agra was in its boom period and was prospering during the rule of Shah Jahan, but later when he shifted the capital of Mughal kingdom to Shahjahanabad in Delhi was the turning point at which the decline of Mughal Kingdom and Agra had started.

Agra is well known for several art performances. The reminiscences of the past glory and the talents like traditional paintings, folk dances, folk music, embroideries, unparallel cloth designing and stitching are still preserved in this historical town. Sculptors, jewelers, musicians, painters, carpet makers, artisans, metal workers, weavers and embroiderers paid their visits to the Royal courts during the Mughal Period. Munro Road, Kinari Bazar and Sadar Bazar are the main shopping areas in Agra.

Places to Visit:

• Taj Mahal
• Agra Fort
• Itmad - Ud Daula (Baby Taj)
• Chini Ka Roza
• Sikandara
• Fatehpur Sikri
• Akbar’s Mausoleum
• Jama Masjid
• Mehtab Bagh
• Taj Nature Park
• Guru Ka Taal or Tal

How to Reach Agra: The Agra city center is around 7 km from the airport. You have auto rickshaw, taxi, and buses plying from there. Most hotels are located around the Taj Mahal or the Agra Fort being central locations. There is daily flight service from the capital city of Delhi and it takes just around 40 minutes to reach the place. From Jaipur, Agra is a flight of 1 hour and 25 minutes. Private airlines connects Agra city to Varanasi, Maharashtra, and Khajuraho.

Railway network to Agra:
The Taj city of Agra has an extensive railway network with routes to all major states of the country. Delhi is the closest metros that can be traveled within 3-4 hours by inter city express. Most trains have stops at Agra Cantonment station or the Agra Fort Railway Station. From Delhi, you have train services like Shatabdi express, Taj Express, and other inter-city services plying throughout the week.

Reaching Agra by road:
Idgah bus stand is the central bus terminal in the city with long route and city buses available. You have government buses going to Delhi, Jiapur, Mathura, and Fatehpur Sikri excursions. Close to the Agra Fort too, you have the Volvo buses from private tour operators. Agra Fort is very close to Taj Mahal so this bus stand is conveninent for several tourists coming to the place.

It is recommended that you consider booking long distance bus tickets on "Air Conditioned Volvo buses" operated by all operators as the quality of the other buses vary significantly. Bus tickets are easily available online. One can plan trip and do bus booking online in advance. Online bus booking is an easy process which can save your time and price.

Pilgrimage Tour in India – A Guide to Travel

Ancient period, India was a known most civilized and culturally developed country, the home of great poets, saints, philosopher, rulers, legendary warriors. Due to rich culture and heritage, the various regions of the world had been originated and flourished in India. From ancient era mystique and mythology in the soil of this country consequences plenty wonderful pilgrimage and worship places, these religious monuments gained a key prominence and evidence of most visited Indian places by locals and overseas tourists. India being versatile and a huge country, is known as divine destination of all kinds of pilgrims following any belief around the world. India has been quite famous all over the world, for its religious, spirituality and tolerance and its secular characteristics, also known as “yogabhoomi" and the gateway to the almighty heavens.

• Kedarnath: Kedarnath is located around 220 kilo meters distance from Rishikesh in Uttaranchal region. This wonderful and pious pilgrimage town is at the altitude of 3580 meters, laid on the amazing mountains of Kedarnath in Himalaya. One of the holiest pilgrimages for Hindus from all over the world. Often referred to as the abode of Lord Shiva. The daunting temple of Kedarnath is beautifully sounded by the lofty snow caped mountains and peaks. Indian renowned saint-philosopher Adi Shankaracharya built the temple in 8th centaury. This is one of the pilgrimage sites out of the 5 Kedarnath Shrines in India. This temple is constructed on the old temples which were built by Pandavas. There is Samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya Chorabari is named Gandhi Sarovar with floating ice on the glittering water of the lake and Vasuki pond.
• Badrinath: The temple of Shri Badrinathji is 15 mt.high, built in the form of a cone with a small cupola of a gilt bull and spire is Dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Set amidst a picturesque valley, at an altitude of 3,133 mt. above sea-level, it is located on the right bank of holy river Alaknanda. The other temples and places of worship worth a mention in Uttar Pradesh are Vishvanath Temple (Varanasi), Vindhyachal Temple, Rishikesh, Naina Devi Temple, Mathura, Mansa Devi, Har Ki Pauri, Ghat (Varanasi), Mathura-Vrindavan, Hemkund Sahib.
• Amritsar: The Golden Temple at Amritsar, is the most famous of Sikhs monuments, ornamented with a gilt by Raja Ranjit Singh. Surrounded with water on all the sides, it was erected in the 16th century. The mandir, a two storeyed structure is built on a 67 ft square of marble. Anandpur Sahib in Punjab is one of the most revered places of pilgrim for the Sikh community.
• Ajmer: Pushkar', 11 Kms West of Ajmer, along the picturesque Pushkar Lake lies the tranquil town with deep religious significance. An important pilgrimage centre of Hindus, flourishing with 400 temples and a lake encircles by 52 ghats. The biggest attraction being the temple of Lord Brahma. Pushkar is also the site for one of the largest and most colorful cattle fairs in the world.
• Varanasi: The major attraction of Varanasi is the long strings of ghats, which line the western bank of the Ganges. There are over a 100 bathing and burning ghats but the Manikarnika Ghat is the most sacred of them all. This is the main burning ghats and one of the most auspicious places where a Hindu can be cremated. Dasaswamedha Ghat is probably the most convenient starting point. At the time of sunrise, people visit this ghat to get an interesting introduction to the river. Here you'll witness the throng of people who come to the edge of the Ganges not only for a ritual bath, but to practice yoga, offer blessings, buy paan, sell flowers, get a massage, play cricket, have a swim or get a shave. Apart from the many ghats lining the river, the city's other highlights include the Golden Temple also known as Vishwanath Temple, built in a roofed quadrangle with stunning gilded towers. Shopping at markets famous for their ornamental brass work, lacquered toy, shawls, silks and sitars; visiting the nearby Buddhist centre of Sarnath. The Durga Mata temple was built in 18th century, stained in red with ochre is also a must see.

Travel Planning:

As India is a large geographic country and all pilgrims are spread throughout its’ boundary, it is very difficult to plan a trip where you can visit all place at one go. So choose the favorite tour and place which is nearby from your city and plan your travel accordingly. You can check flights, train or bus based on your travel budget. Bus booking is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early you’ll get budget tickets online. For Bus form bangalore to pune
online bus booking you can check different OTA’s website. Search best bus service, compare and buy cheap tickets.

Coorg – Scotland of India

252 kms from Bangalore and 1525 m above sea level lies Madikeri, the district headquarters of Kodagu. Coorg or Kodagu (originally called Kodaimalenadu) means 'dense forest on steep hill'. Dubbed as the Scotland of India, this town has a lot to offer to the tourist. Misty hills, lush forest, acres and acres of tea and coffee plantation, orange groves, undulating streets and breathtaking views are what make Madikeri an unforgettable holiday destination.

Coorg is on the Western Ghats. Set amidst verdant valleys, imposing mountains and teak wood forests, this is one of the most beautiful hill stations you can visit. It lies on Karnataka's southwestern end, covering an area of 4,102 sq km.The river Cauvery originates here at Talacauvery and is worshipped by the locals.

History:

The majority of the early accounts of Coorg(Kodagu) are fundamentally eminent and the genuine record of history in Coorg is available only following the ninth century. On the word of inscriptions, Coorg was under the rule of many dynasties of South India such as Changalvas, Cholas, Gangas, Hoysalas, Kadambas and Pandyas. It is believed that early on the northern part of Kodagu was under the Kadambas and the south under the Gangas. The Cholas were a powerful force in the eleventh century they defeated the Gangas. However, the Changalva Arasus continued o rule the south Kodagu when Raja Chola was ruling in Tanjavur. The northern parts of Kodagu were ruled by the Kongalvas who were a vassal of the Cholas. The situation more or less remained the same till the invasion under Alauddin Khilji. In the fourteenth century the Changalvas became prominent rulers of Kodagu. For most of the period the influence of the Changalvas or the Kongalvas never reached beyond the borders of Kodagu.

Places to Visit:

Abbey falls: A big attraction for tourists and filmdom alike is the Abbey Falls, 8 km from Madikeri. Even during the summer there is plenty of water in these falls. The roar of the falls can be heard from the main road, from where a path goes through lovely coffee and cardamom plantations right up to them. The chirping of innumerable birds which are easier heard then seen, fill the air with sweet music. Do remember to take your binoculars and camera when you go there. As of Mar 2011, bathing in the falls is not allowed due to few drunken miscreants creating public nuisance.

Nagarahole: Wild Life Santuary: Nagarhole is a kannada word meaning "snake river" - which flows through the park. The park and animal life is part of the country's first "bio-sphere reserve". The Forest Department conducts tours along well-defined routes for tourists, in the early mornings and evenings. One can surely see the bison, elephant, spotted deer, sambhar, barking deer, wild boar, mongoose, peakcock, jungle fowl and many other birds and animals. Lucky ones get the chance of seeing Panther or Tiger.

Honnamana Kere: Honnamana Kere is a holy and tourist place located in Daddamalthe near Sulimalthe village 6 km away from Somwarpet town. The lake (See picture) is surrounded by beautiful landscape including Coffee estates and Cliffs. Special pooja is offered to the Goddess Honnamma on the Gowri festival every year. Thousands of devotees come to this sacred place on this day and offers pooja to the Goddess Honnamma followed by climbing the cliff. 'Bagina' which consists of sacred belongings of the Goddess is left in the lake. A new temple was built several years back with the aim to improve the place and offer better facilities to the devotees, this was possible by the financial assistance of the people living in the surrounding villages.

Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctury: Pushpagiri aka Kumaraparvatha trek path, Kodagu, 2009., Kodagu/Coorg. Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctury is 30 km from Somwarpet towards Kukke Subramanya. The Wildlife Sanctury is a apt for trekkers who want to experience the wilderness of Western Ghat. Home for different kinds of wild species like elephants, deers, wild cats etc.

Mallalli Falls: Mallalli Falls is situated around 25 km from Somwarpet. The exact location of Mallali falls is in Bettadahalli Gram Panchayat in Somwarpet taluk. It is an eye feasting sight of river Kumaradhara gushing through the valley and falling into a gorge, with lush green mountains around.

Madikeri: Madikeri is the capital of the Kodagu also known as Coorg. This place is known as the “Scotland of India”. Millions of tourists come to this place to visit coffee plantations, lush green forests, misty hills and some breath taking views of other areas. Madikeri is also known for it;s amazing climate. Madikeri also has a world record in the production of cardamom crop.

Travel to Coorg:

Closest Airport: Bangalore (260 km), Mangalore (135 km)

Closest Railway Station: Mysore (146 km)

Bus form bangalore to pune

Bus form delhi to agra

Road: The Mysore - Mangalore highway (NH48) passes through Kodagu. The district headquarters Madikeri (Mercara), is 260 km from Bangalore and 120 km from Mysore. The distance from Mangalore is 136 km and from Cannanore and Tellicherry, it is about 115 km. There are regular buses plying from these places to Madikeri.

Bus booking is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early you’ll get budget tickets online. For online bus booking you can check different OTA’s website. Search best bus service, compare and buy cheap tickets.

Mangalore – A Weekend on Beach

Mangalore is a port city and the headquarters of Dakshina Kannada district in the coastal region of Karnataka State in India. Mangalore is the gateway to Karnataka. It is one of the five talukas (other than Bantwal, Puttur, Sullia, Belthangady taluks) of the Dakshina Kannada District. This District formerly had 8 talukas, but these were split in August 1997 and the remaining talukas, namely Udupi, Kundapur and Karkala then formed a part of the Udupi district,but there is no division found in the living of two cities and it is still being recognised as 'avibhagitha (undivided) Dakshina Kannada. Mangalore is named after the Goddess Mangaladevi. Other names used by the locals are 'Mangalooru' (Kannada), 'Mangalapuram' (Malayalam), 'Kudla' (Tulu), 'Kodial' (Konkani), 'Mikala' (Beary) and 'Manjarun'(sanskrith).

Traditionally, it was an important trading port with ties with the Persian Gulf states dating back to the 14th century. With its strategic location, it was occupied by a number of dynasties and colonial rulers, namely the Portuguese in the mid-16th century. In the 18th century, its control was contested by Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan on one hand and the British on the other. Under the Mysore sultans (1763), it became a strategic ship building base, which was ceded to the British in 1799 after numerous sieges.

About Mangalore:

Mangalore is one of the fastest developing cities in India. Many multinational corporations and domestic corporations are opening their branches in Mangalore. Many reputed builders are bringing huge development projects. There is very good growth in the retail sector and many new shopping malls are being built. Infosys Technologies has 2 Development Centers in Mangalore with over 3000 employees. EDS has their India Training Center based near Mangalore Club. Corporation Bank and Karnataka Bank have their headquarters inside the city and Syndicate Bank HQ is in Manipal. Other industries are MRPL, MCF, BASF, KIOCL, Ultratech Cement Plant are some of the other industries in the city.

Mangalore is also known as the 'Cradle of Education' in Karnataka with 15 Engineering(Nitk,surathkal being the rank 1 engineering college and MIT(manipal) being second), 5 Medical, 14 Dental, 12 MBA, 11 Physiotherapy, 8 Hotel Management and 58 Graduation colleges in and around the city.

Mangalore is a blend of the new and the old! With the increasing influx of students from various states of India and different parts of the world, Mangalore has virtually become a 'melting pot' of cultures, given the various communities that make up the social framework of Mangalore: the Tuluvas (Bunts, Billawas, Brahmins,Jains,Devadigas, Mogaveeras,Chitpavan's), the Brahmins, the Konkani Catholics, the Bearys, the Goud-Saraswath Brahmins (Konkanas),Devang's(m'lore kannada and tulu) etc.

Places to Visit:

Sultan Battery: It is situated in Boloor 6 Km. away from Mangalore City Bus Stand. It was built in Black Stones by Tippu Sulthan to prevent warships to enter Gurpur river. Now the remaining part of the fort is called as Tippu's Well. It is today a deserted spot but its construction is bafflingly exquisite. Although it is a watchtower, it gives the impression of a miniature fortress with its arrangements for mounting cannons all-round.

Kadri Manjunath Temple: Kadri is another ancient historic spot in Mangalore. The Kadri Temple dating back to about 1068 A.D. with its nine tanks, its square temple, nestling at thefoot of the highest hill, draws to Mangalore hundreds of visitors annually.The Lokeshwara bronze statue of the Kadri Manjunatha Temple is tipped to be the best bronze statue in India. On top of the hill King Kundavarma Bupendra built a mutt which came to be called 'Jogimutt'. There are some stone caves on top of the hill which are known as the caves of the Pandavas .

St. Aloysius Church: It is situated 1 Km. away from Nehru Maidan Bus stand.  The walls of the church are covered with the paintings of the artist Antony Moshaini of Italy.  The Church was built in the year 1899-1900. St. Aloysius College Chapel, an architectural gem, comparable with the Sistine chapel in Rome, is situated on lighthouse hill. The special beauty of the chapel is the wonderful series of paintings that virtually cover every inch of the interior roof and walls executed by Bro.

Shri Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple: Mangalore is known as a pilgrim center and boasts of many sacred temples like Sharavu, Kadri, Mangaladevi, Kudroli etc. Out of these Sri Sharavu Sharabeshwara - Sri Mahaganapathy Kshetra is an outstanding, pious center of great illustrious history of marathon 800 years.

Light House Hill-Garden: It is situated 1 Km. away from Bus Stand.  One can see the beautiful sea view, sunset view and also the sailing ships and boats on the sea.  Now the renovated garden looks more beautiful.

Travel to Ooty:

There are numerous bus services from Mangalore to all the nearby towns in Karnataka and Kerala. The long-distance bus services to major cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, Hubli-Dharwad and Goa run along the National Highways radiating to the North (towards Goa and Mumbai) NH-17, South (towards Kerala) and the East (towards Bangalore) NH-48. Bus booking is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early youll get budget tickets online. For online bus booking Mangalore to Bangalore you can check different OTA's website. Search best bus service, compare and buy cheap tickets.