Lonavala
Untitled Document
LONAVALA
              
  • Lonavala
  • History
  • Tourist Attraction
  • Excursion Nearby
  • Getting To There

about lonavala
A life-long relationship with nature in thelush green surroundings of Lonavala.Take back wonderful memories of a leisurely holiday in an delightful and refreshing conditions. For residents of and visitors to the state of Maharashtra, both these hill stations are symbols of a wonderfully peaceful and 'cool' holiday. A land with a long and deep historical past, India is a favorite choice of manyIndian travelers. There are various tourist places in Lonavala. Lonavala travel has been escalating day by day. Several foreign invasions and influences have resulted in various artistic and structural descriptions, suggestive of the respective influences. The varioustourist places in Lonavala, which are, in turn, some of the prime reasons for the arrival of thousands of tourists to this place. Owing to the variety that the country of India glow with in terms of climate, culture, topography, cuisine, art and structural design, you will have at your proceed a number of tourist places in India deserving a visit or two. People in gigantic quantity visit Lonavala. Every couple would wish to havehoneymoonto be one of the best phases of their life. The intent of honeymoon in Kasauli for any couple would be most memorable. Kasauli has the best of scenic views, climate, sightseeing, attractions and honeymoon resorts.

Lonavala hotelsare such located that tourist can easily contact to the desired hotels in Lonavala. There are various hotel & resort available at Lonovala for the warm well com of visitors from different places. Lonavala is a striking place and chief tourist attraction place. People in huge quantityvisit Lonavalaand enjoy the benefit of cheap hotels at Lonavala. Lonavala hotels are very famous for there accommodation and hospitality. Hotels at Lonavala are effortlessly available. Lonavala hotels are reasonable as well as hotels at Lonavala have very good status. There are various five star & three star hotels at Lonavala and many Lonavala hotels are developing. Hotels in Lonavala are developed in such a way that all the tourist attraction places and shopping are near by so that the visitors can travel easily. Hotels in Lonavala even provide transportation facility

Festivals
Almost all the festivals celebrated by different religions are enjoyed here also. People enjoy all the festivals without caste, creed and religion differences. Pune Festival: The Pune Festival usually held around late Aug-early September during Ganesh Chaturthi, is the biggest festival in the city of Pune. Beginning on the day of the installation of idols of Elephant headed Lord Ganesha, one of the most loved deities of the Hindus, it goes on till the immersion of the Lord's idols on the tenth day.

Culture
Maharashtra is the centre of many religious and cultural traditions. In Maharashtrian villages, life revolves around fairs and festivals. Yoga : Yoga is one of the most important facets of the Indian culture. It has a living tradition of more than five thousand years. As a philosophy no doubt, Yoga offers a transcendental vision of Reality. Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute was founded by Swami Kuvalayananda on the Vijayadashami Day in 1924 at Lonavala in Pune District of Maharashtra. The institute aims at reorganizing the society on spiritual values, through the revival of ancient yogic discipline. It offers yoga classes and workshops, and yogic therapy for different ailments.



History

Lonavala is a city situated in the state of Maharastra in India.Lonavala is a very beautiful place bounded with green hills and natural beauty.This city is very old and has great historical impact. It was first discovered in 1811 AD. It was discovered by the then Governor General of Bombay, Sir Elphinstone. He was very interested in the peace and beauty that Lonavala offered.

It was mainly a lush forest when it was discovered. Because of its jungle atmosphere, there was a very small population and the few that lived there normally, were away in the jungle. As it was a lonely and deep forest, it was known as "Lonali” in the old age from which it received its name. There is a word found in Sanskrit "Layan” which means place of rest making Lonavala the perfect name to describe this serene area.

If we look at the political history, we will find Lonavala in the "Yadav dynasty”. After this dynasty, the Moghul emperor invaded Lonavala and ruled it for a long time afterwards. After that, "Maratha and Peshwa” took control and ruled over the fort of Lonavala. The great Maratha warriors, "Mavlas”, played important roles in that era of history. The senapathi (General) of Peshwas " Sardar Dabhade” hailed by nearby Talegaon. Khandala played another significant role during that time. The Britishers & Raghunath Rao Peshwa captured Khandala Ghat together in 1778. It was then ruled by Peshwa until 1818.

In 1818, the British started to rule over the territory. Mahadji Shinde fought the British at the Battle of Vadgaon and defeated them. Thus, Vadgaon has become a historically important place near Lonavala for this defeat.

There are a number of natural sites that are associated with Lonavala like the Karla, Bhaja and Bedsa caves being some of the more popular attractions. These caves also have historic significance in the history of Lonavala. It is believed that Buddhist Saints were praying in the nearby area of the caves and then they were suddenly created from these prayers. The caves were built in the 2nd century BC by a Buddhist Monk. There is some controversy as to whether it was built in the period of Hinayana or during the Rule of SataVahanas. There are other historical places and rivers that are also located in this city. It is believed that the four children of "Alandi” spent their entire life on the bank of Indrayani. They were the first people to live in Lonavala.



tourist attraction

Koregad fort
The Koregad fort is located around 24 km away from Lonavala situated in the Ambavane village. The fort is constructed on an remote hill and does not have any connection to other hillocks in the surrounding area. To reach the top of the fort, you have to walk for almost an hour. The view and the charming beauty from the top take your breath away. Within the fort, there are spotless fresh water ponds while the splendor of the remains of the fort calls up the magnificence and luxurious life of the royal in that era

Shreevardhan fort
The vision from the fort is awesome with wide greenish landscape and rising and falling hilly scenery. The fort is built at the high point of one of the peaks in Rajamchi, so that one can view the movements of the downward region. Shreevardhan Fort, an ancient fort marked with the history of Maratha rulers, is situated to the east region of Rajmachi town. The construction of the fort is in Martha style architecture and the imposing opening of the Shreevardhan fort is in a semicircular shape.

Karla caves
The marvelous ancient Karla Caves are presently a popular tourist destination to have a close look at the ancient Buddhist architecture and culture. These caves reveal Buddhist ideologies through inscriptions and stupas. Karla Caves are the largest cave temple in India and is located in Lonavala. These rock cut caves are assumed to be built around 100 AD by Buddhist nuns.

Valavan Lake
Valavan Lake is one of the beautiful picnic spot in Lonavala. The Valvan Lake is an artificial lake created by the Valvan Dam built across the Kundali River. By the side of the lake there is a beautiful garden with vast area of landscaped plains. The Valvan Lake and the surrounding dam sites and the garden are popular evening relaxation spot.

Ryewood Park
Ryewood Park is weekends hang out for many families. Ryewood Park is a charming hang out in the hill station Lonavala and is located very close to Lonavala market. This Park has ample of grounds with greenish lawns and playing grounds for children. The Park is blessed with many varieties of trees which are decades old. It was a botanical garden and later converted to a Park.

Nagphani (Duke's Nose)
Nagphani, later known as Duke's Nose after Duke Wellington, is a cliff at Khandala near Lonavala. The Cliff is pointed like a snakes pointed head portion (hood) and hence the name Nagphani. The name Dukes' nose is derived as the cliff looked like the shape of the Duke. This is a marvelous picnic spot nearby Lonavala. Daring trekking is highly essential to reach the Duke's nose and the view of the downhill plains from this point is splendid.

Lonavala Temples

Koli temple
Temples are all ways flooded with the devotes. The Koli temple or the fishermen temple is the place of worship for the fishermen community living in and around Lonavala. The temple is also popularly named as "Aai Ekvira Temple". The principle deity of the temple is Aai Ekvira. The goddess is believed to have some celestial powers and hence the fishermen throng the temple during the special occasions like the Navarathri. They offer animal sacrifices to the goddess to please her for the desired results.

Bhairavnath Temple
The temple is located in the backdrop of naturally thrilling forest regions. Soft breeze and cool ambience provide the premises of the temple a sacred atmosphere. Bhairavnath Devasthan is situated at a place called Dhak in Rajmachi. The primary deity of this grand old temple is Shiva in the form of Bhairav. The temple architecture is similar to Shiva temples elsewhere in Konkan region. The temple can be approached by a slippery path.



Excursion nearby

Murud Janjira
A sleepy coastal town with Indo Gangetic houses and meandering pathways, Murud has a picture perfect beach that promises lazy, sunny afternoons and cool dips in the clean sea. The little village of Rajpuri 4 km (2.5 miles) south of the main Murud Town is the gateway to the Janjira Fort, the strongest island fort in the Konkan, still enduring the surge and retreat of the Arabian Sea. Boats are available at Rajpuri to take visitors to the fort. Murud is famous for its enchanting beaches, huge stretches of coconut and palm groves and the fascinating fort.

Kamshet
Kamshet is 16 kms ahead of Lonavala it is located at an altitude of 2100 ft above the sea level. Kamshet is surrounded by charming views of sunflower and rice fields edged by hills all around. The region was once known for breeding the freedom loving Guerilla warriors and now it's a paragliders and adventure lover's paradise. It is very beautiful place situated near Lonavala.

Karjat
Karjat 50 kms away from Lonavala is the edge where the coastal plains of Konkan end and Bhor Ghat begins. The place is very beautiful and offer beautiful views. The place is at its best during the monsoon and after the showers. Waterfalls and rivulets gush down the hills. A beautiful view of the magnificent hills at a distance can be seen when the sky is clear. There are several health resorts at Karjat so one can get a treatment also done.



If you want to witness the true beauty of nature, then Lonavala is the ideal retreat for you. It is a pleasing hill station which is located in the Pune district of Maharashtra and is known for its green valleys, rolling hills, extravagant waterfalls and a pleasant climate.Transportation and accessto this famous resort has improved a lot in the recent years, and presently, conveyance is very efficient. Transportation and Access to Lonavala is as under.

getting TO Lonavala

By Air
The travelers who wish to travel to Lonavala by air can land at the Pune airport which is well-connected to the various other towns of India through many domestic airlines and it is located at a distance of 64 km from Lonavala.

By Rail
Since Lonavala is located between the Mumbai and Pune broad gauge rail network, you can easily travel either from Mumbai or from Pune by the express trains that work from one city to another. It would take around two and a half hours from Mumbai to Lonavala and one hour from Pune to Lonavala. The local train network is equally good and it takes one and a half hours to reach Lonavala by rail.

By Road
Lonavala is located at a distance of 92 kms from Mumbai and the smooth and well-maintained network of the roadways allows the tourists in reaching Lonavala by the road transport quite conveniently. The road journey would be an exciting one since you will come across a diverse terrain and an unmatched scenic beauty that will simply highlight the joy of road travel to Lonavala.

Distance from major cities
Lonavala- Ahmedabad 605 kms
Lonavala- Baroda 494 kms
Lonavala- Bhavnagar 362 kms
Lonavala- Delhi 1177 kms
Lonavala- Nasik 141 kms
Lonavala- Surat 405 kms
Lonavala- Mumbai 101 kms
Lonavala- Pune 64 kms



Geography
Katra or Katra Vaishno Devi, as it is popularly known, is a small town in Jammu and Kashmir, India, situated in the foothills of the Trikuta Mountains, where the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is located. It is part of the Udhampur District and is located 42 km from the city of Jammu

Mata Vaishno Deviji
The Holy Cave of the Mother is situated at an altitude of 5200 ft. The Yatris have to undertake a trek of nearly 12 km from the base camp at Katra. At the culmination of their pilgrimage, the yatries are blessed with the Darshans of the Mother Goddess inside the Sanctum Sanctorum- the Holy Cave. These Darshans are in the shape of three natural rock formations called the Pindies. There are no statues or idols inside the Cave.

The Holy Cave of the Mother is situated at an altitude of 5200 ft. The Yatris have to undertake a trek of nearly 12 km from the base camp at Katra. At the culmination of their pilgrimage, the yatries are blessed with the Darshans of the Mother Goddess inside the Sanctum Sanctorum- the Holy Cave. These Darshans are in the shape of three natural rock formations called the Pindies. There are no statues or idols inside the Cave.

A pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimages of our times. Popular the world over as Moonh Maangi Muradein Poori Karne Wali Mata, which means, the Mother who fulfills whatever Her children wish for, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji resides in a Holy Cave located in the folds of the three peaked mountain named Trikuta (pronounced as Trikoot). The Holy Cave attracts lakhs of devotees every year. In fact, the number of Yatris visiting the Holy Shrine annually now exceeds 5 million. This is due to the unflinching faith of the devotees who throng the Shrine from all parts of India and abroad.

Mata Vaishno Devi is a form of the Hindu goddess Durga. According to legend a young girl Vaishno was created by the Gods to fight the demons in the Treta yug. According to common Hindu religious belief Mata Vaishno grants the four important boons of righteousness, material pursuits, contentment and enlightenment to all those who visit this sacred place of worship. Usually devotees offer coconuts, dry fruits and red net scarves as a token of worship to the deity

tourist attraction

Vaishno Devi Shrine Katra
Regarded as one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimages, the Vaishno Devi Shrine is frequented by a large number of devotees every year to seek the blessings of Mother Goddess who resides in the cave. The Goddess here is worshipped in three forms -Maha Kali, Maha Saraswati and Mahalakshmi.

Jahan Kosha Katra
Located just a km away from Katra, Jahan Kosha-a massive canon which is about 17.5ft long was built by Janardhan Karmakar, a 17th century craftsman from Dhaka. There is a lovely mosque which is believed to have the footprint of the revered prophet Hazrat Mohammad.

Baba Dhansar Katra
A popular picnic spot, Baba Dhansar is situated at a distance of 10kms from Katra. Known for its picturesque setting with dense grove of trees, lovely spring dipping out of the mountainside, cluster of lovely watefalls, a naturally formed Shivling where one can really see water dipping naturally throughout the year make this place a pictorial delight. This place is also known for the huge fair that is held during Shivratri.

Dera Baba Banda Katra
Located at a distance of 30 kms from the town, Dera Baba Banda is one of the revered Hindu-Sikh pilgrimage centres. Baba Banda Bairaagi also known as the 'Saint Soldier' of Guru Gobind Singh. The Gurudwara built by Baba Bairaagi on the banks of river Chenaab is frequented by people of other faiths.

Aghar Jitto Katra
Aghar Jitto or the Shrine of Baba Jitto, a devotee of Maa Vaishno Devi is situated at a distance of 5km from the town. It is believed that if any pre- natal women take a dip in the holy spring water flowing in front of the shrine, safe delivery of baby is assured.

Shivkhori Katra
Placed at a distance of 70km from the town, Shivkhori or the Holy Cave in the shape of the Damroo of Lord Shiva which is about half a kilometre long and has a 4feet high naturally formed Shiv-lingam right in the heart of the Sanctom Sanctorum. The most attractive feature of the cave is the sight of the natural milky water falling from the top of the Lingam signifying the eternity of the river Ganga.

getting to Katra

By Air
The Jammu Airport is the nearest airport located at a distance of 55kms from Katra. One can easily get several airline offices which provide regular flight service to Jammu

By Rail
The Jammu Railway station located at a distance of 50kms is the nearest railway station from Katra. Jammu is easily accessible from any part of Indiaas it enjoys healthy rail network.

By Road
The National Highway connects Katra with other parts of India. One can hire taxis which are easily available at Jammu and Katra.



Geography
The western parts of Ladakh comprising the river valleys, which are drained and formed by the Himalayan tributaries of the high Indus, constitute Kargil district. Prominent among these are the spectacular valleys of Suru and Zanskar, which lie nestled along the northern flank of the Great Himalayan wall. The smaller lateral valleys of Drass, Wakha-Mulbek and Chiktan constitute important subsidiaries.

This region formed part of the erstwhile Kingdom of Ladakh. In fact it is believed to be the first to be inhabited by the early colonizers of Ladakh, the Indo-Aryan Mons from across the Great Himalayan range, assorted Dard immigrants from down the Indus and the Gilgit valleys and itinerant nomads from the Tibetan highlands. Also, being contiguous with Baltistan, Kashmir, Kulu etc. these valleys are believed to have served as the initial recipients of successive ethnic and cultural influences emanating from the neighbouring regions. Thus, while the Mons are believed to have introduced north-Indian Buddhism to these valleys, the Dard and Balti immigrants are credited with introducing farming and the Tibetan nomads with the tradition of herding and animal husbandry.

About 15,000 sq. kms. in area, Kargil district has an agrarian population of approximately 120,000 people, who cultivate the land, along the course of the drainage system, wherever artificial irrigation from mountain streams is possible. About 85 % are Muslims, mainly of the Shia sect, Islam having been introduced to the original Buddhist population around the middle of the 16th century by missionaries from Kashmir and Central Asia. Their descendants, locally titledAgha, are mostly religious scholars who continue to hold sway over the population, even as the age-old traditions of Buddhist and animistic origin are discernible in the culture. Many elements of the ancient supernatural belief systems, especially many traditions connected with agricultural practices, are still followed with subdued reverence.

tourist attraction


Zanskar (Penzila to Padum Karsha and Zangla)

Two small, turquoise, high altitude lakes with camping sites, and views of the surrounding permafrost mountains are the highlights of the Penzi La pass, which is 160 Km from Kargil and at an altitude of 4,401 to 4,450 meters, the highest point on the Kargil – Zanskar road. This pass is more of a table land and, unlike the Zojila, has plenty of flat spaces and things to see, the Drang-Drung, for instance. Kishtwar is behind the mountains of the right.Zanskar being half way through the pass, some 35 km, after Rangdum. It is spread over more than 5,000 Sq.Km. Zanskar remains cut off from the rest of the world for more than eight months a year due to blockade of the Penzi La. Besides there are no air service. Today Zanskar is one of the least interfered with microcosms of Ladakh and one of the last surviving cultural settlers of Tibet. Put simply, systems such as polyandry, which are more or less extinct in Leh town and in the more advanced villages of Leh district, still survive in some pockets of Zanskar. In 1999 around a quarter of Zanskar still practiced polyandry.

Wakha Rgyal
Tucked away inside the picturesque upper part of the Wakha Valley, upstreams of Mulbek, Rgyal gives the appearance of a medieval settlement of cave dwellings transported in to the modern times with some improvements and extensions. The houses, neatly white-washed and closely stacked, are dug into the sheer face of a vertical cliff that rises high above the green valley bottom. From a far the village looks like a colony of beehives hanging from the ochre granite of the Cliffside.

Phugthal Monastery
Phugthal is the most spectacularly located monastic establishment anywhere in Ladakh. The Phugthal complex spills out of the mouth of a huge cave high up in the sheer mountain face of a lateral gorge through which a major tributary of the Lungnak River flows. Perhaps the most isolated monastery in Zanskar, its foundation dates back to the early 12th century. The monastery has frescos and ceiling decorations reflecting strong Indian artistic and oceanographic influence.

Stongday
Stongday Gompa is built on a rocky outcrop overlooking the oasis-like village below. It lies 20 Km to the north of Padum, on the road leading to Zangla. Stongday is now the second largest monastic establishment of Zanskar with 60 resident Gelukpa monks. The highlight of this monastery is its Gon Khang (temple of guardian deities).

Rangdum Monastery
Rangdum( 3,657 meters, 130 km from Kargil town, 65 Km from Panikhar ). The Rangdum monastery has tiny & ldquo; museum & rdquo; with interesting Tibetan and other artifacts. Around forty monks live in the gompa. It is difficult to agree with accounts that date the Gompa to the 8th century. 18th century is more likely. The villagers who live near the Gompa are basically the agriculture shrifts of the monastery, a guidebook informs us.

Zongkhul
This monastery is built in a spectacular cave, lies on the Padum-Kishtwar trekking route, just before the ascent to the Omasi-La Pass begins. Situated like a swallow's nest on the rock face of the Ating Gorge, the monastery is associated with Naropa, a famous India Yogi. The two caves around which the present monastery has developed are said to have been used by Naropa for solitary mediation. The frescos on the cave walls are very old and reflect a high degree of artistic achievement

Excursions

Situated 45 kms East of Kargil on the road to Leh, Mulbek (3230 m) in an area dominated by the Buddhists. It is situated along either banks of the Wakha River, which originates. Many Monuments of the early Buddhists era dot the landscape and are accessible from the road.

Mulbek Chamba
The chief attraction of Mulbek is a 9 m high rock sculpture in deep relief of Maitreya, the Future Buddha. Its excursion combines esoteric Shaivite symbolism with early Buddhist art. Situated right on the highway, it dates back to the period when Buddhists missionaries came travelling east of the Himalayas.

Mulbek Gompa
Perched atop a rocky cliff, Mulbek Gompa (monastery) dominates the valley. It is easy to see why in bygone times this site served as an outpost to guard the caravan route. Like all Buddhists monasteries it is adorned by frescoes and statues. 

Shergol
Another picturesque village of the Wakha River valley, Shergol is situated across the river, right of the KargilLeh road. The main attraction is a cave monastery which is visible from a far as a white speck against the vertically rising ochre hill from which it appears to hang out. Below this small monastery is a larger Buddhist nunnery with about a dozen incumbents. The village is accessible by the motorable road that branches off from the Kargil-Leh road, about 5 km short of Mulbek. Shergol is a convenient base for an exciting 4-day trek across the mountain range into the Suru valley. It is also the approach base for visiting Urgyan-Dzong, a meditation retreat lying deep inside the mountains surrounding the Wakha River valley.

Urgyan Dzong

This meditation retreat lies tucked away in an amazing natural mountain fortress high up in Zanskar range. Concealed within is a circular table land with a small monastic establishment at its centre. The surrounding hillside reveals several caves where high-ranking Buddhists saints meditated in seclusion. At least one such cave is associated with the visit of Padmasambhava, the patron saint of Tibetan Buddhism. The main approach is to footpath laid through the only gap available in the rocky ramparts

Kargil
Kargil, the headquarter of Kargil district, is around 204 Kms. to the east of Srinagar and 234 Kms. to the west of Leh.It was a transit point of caravans on their way to and from China, Tibet, Yarken and Kashmir till 1949, but since 1974 with the influx of tourists the region has been replaced as centre for tourism related activities. Tourists traveling between Zangskar, Leh and Srinagar have to make a night halt here, before starting for the second day of their journey.

Kargil is located on the bank of the Suru River which flows at around 10,000 ft. high. Here people were followers of Buddhist religion till the 14th century AD. Presently, Kargil is inhabited by Muslims of Shia sect.

Suru Valley
Suru valley has a beautiful landscape to view, especially when it gets dotted by flowers in the summer. The valley expands from Kargil town upto the Penzi La watershed, from where the Suru river rises. The valley constitutes a large population, mainly of Tibetan-Dard Muslims, who converted to Islam in the 15th century. The peaks of Nun (7,135m) and Kun (7,035m) Massif add to the beautification of this region.

Kartse Khar
The Kartse Khar (palace) is an ancient village known for its 7m tall rock carved statue of Maitriya Buddha which is an evidence of the presence of Buddhist community in the valley in the past. There are other magnificent Stupas and rock carved statues to be seen in Suru valley, if one wishes to explore.

Panikhar

Panikhar is the best station to undertake mountaineering expeditions to the various Peaks surrounding the valley. Tanyol, the approach base for climbing Mt. Nun, is just 6 Kms. further up the valley along the road. A short walk up the hill slopes from here takes one across the Sentik Ridge to the base camp on the rim of the ice plateau. Another very interesting hike is to the Nun- Kun view saddle (3810m) in the Parkachik ridge. This requires 3 hours of walking along verdant slopes overlooking the fertile valley below.

Drass

Drass is around 60 Kms. to the west of Kargil on the road to Srinagar. The place has beautiful pasture grounds and majestic mountain peaks surrounding it. Drass is the second coldest inhabited place in the world, where the temperature goes as low as - 50 in winter.

Drass has become famous in recent years because of Pakistan’s misadventure in the Tiger hill and Tolloling areas. One can have a lovely view of Tiger hill from Drass village.

The inhabitants in Drass consist mainly of the Dards stock, an Aryan race believed to have originally migrated to these villages of the western Himalaya from Central Asian steppes. The language they speak is Shina, which is very much unlike the Ladakhi dialects spoken elsewhere in the Ladakh region. Polo is the favorite time pass of the inhabitants of Drass.

Buddhist remains at Drass
Drass is dominated by Muslims, which was predominant a Buddhist region, converted to Muslims in 15th Century. The only Buddhist remains of note in the whole area are images carved in relief on stone of Maitriya, Avaloketeshvara, a lotus flower, a man on horseback and a stupa.

getting to Kargil

By Air
Kargil does not have an airport, and the nearest airport is Srinagar, at a distance of 151 kms from Kargil.

By Rail
Kargil does not have a train station, and the nearest station is Jammu, at a distance of 255 kms from Kargil.

By Road

Regular buses are available from Kargil and the state road transport of Jammu and Kashmir offers bus services that ply between Srinagar and Kargil and some local buses like the mini coaches also opens another options for travel. Moreover, to reach Kargil one can take cars or jeeps for road transportation
.


AMRITSAR history
The history of Amritsar boasts of a perfect mix of Hindu and Sikh culture. Founded by Guru Ram Das in the year 1547, the city has been the home to various sages and saints. 

Although the history of Amritsar can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilisation, it also has been referred in the various Puranas and the famous mythological epic Ramayana. According to the legend, this city was the site of the ashram of Rishi Balmiki as well as the birth place of Lord Ram’s son – Luv and Kush.

The city boasts of Greek influence under Alexander during 326 BC. However, the Mauryas defeated the Greeks thus possessing the throne of Amritsar. 

The rulers of the Gupta Empire ruled here from the 4th to the 6th century followed by the rule of Shahi Dynasty and further under the kingship of Sultan Mahmood of Ghazani. 

Sikh came on the scene of Amritsar in the 16th century when Sikh Guru Ram Das and his successor Guru Arjan Dev established a temple around a small pool. It was during this time, that the city got its name Amritsar. The city is famous for the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy in which thousands of people were killed by the British.

location
Amritsar is 280 miles from Delhi and only 16 miles from Wagha, an outpost of the Indo-Pakistan border. With a population of about 4,00,000 and a number of educational institutions, business enterprises, industrial concerns, banks, hotels, parks and restaurants, Amritsar still remains the largest and the most important city of Punjab.

tourist attraction

Shri Hari Mandir Sahib - Golden Temple Amritsar
The Golden Temple Amritsar India (Sri Harimandir Sahib Amritsar) is not only a central religious place of the Sikhs, but also a symbol of human brotherhood and equality. Everybody, irrespective of cast, creed or race can seek spiritual solace and religious fulfilment without any hindrance. It also represents the distinct identity, glory and heritage of the Sikhs. To pen-down the philosophy, ideology, the inner and outer beauty, as well as the historical legacy of Sri Harimandir Sahib is a momentous task. It is a matter of experience rather than a of description.

As advised by Sri Guru Amar Dass Ji (3rd Sikh Guru), Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji (4th Sikh Guru) started the digging of Amrit Sarovar (Holy Tank) in 1577 A.D., which was later on brick-lined by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji (5th Sikh Guru) on December 15, 1588 and He also started the construction of Sri Harimandir Sahib. Sri Guru Granth Sahib (scripture of the Sikhs), after its compilation, was first installed at Sri Harimandir Sahib on August 16, 1604 A.D. A devout Sikh, Baba Budha Ji was appointed its first Head Priest.

The Golden Temple Amritsar India (Sri Harmandir Sahib Amritsar) has a unique Sikh architecture. Built at a level lower than the surrounding land level, The Gurudwara teaches the lesson of egalitarianism and humility. The four entrances of this holy shrine from all four directions, signify that people belonging to every walk of life are equally welcome.

The Jalianwala Bagh

The Jallianwala Bagh is located about a quarter of a mile from the Golden Temple. It is the Memorial which commemorates the sacrifices of hundreds of men, women and children who were victims of ruthless firing of the British forces. The incident took place on April 13, 1919, when thousands of people had gathered in Jallianwala Bagh to voice their feelings against the repressive policies of the British Government. General Dyer tried to silence the gathered crowd with volleys of bullets which, according to official estimates, took a toll of 397 lives and wounded another 1,200 persons.

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre accentuated political awakening in India and brought Mahatma Gandhi to the forefront of Indian political life. The bullet marks can be seen to this day on the boundary walls of the garden. Jallianwala Bagh has been turned into a spacious and well-laid park where people from all parts of the country come to visit. The historic Rambagh Garden outside the City is a big attraction in the evenings when people throng its green parks to relax and breathe fresh air. This garden is laid out in the pattern of Shalimar Bagh at Lahore. Several clubs operate in the Garden which also houses the well-known summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Durgiana Temple
A partial replica of the Golden Temple, the Durgiana temple is situated outside the Lohgarh Gate. It is dedicated to the Goddess Durga and is frequented by devout Hindus.

Wagah Border
The international borderline between India and Pakistan, Wagah is always been in the news headlines of both countries. Convoluted buildings, barriers and roads mark both sides of the border. The fencing between the borders is electrified with very high voltage. The Swarna Jayanthi gate, which is the entry gate of the outpost, commands the magnificent scenery of verdant landscapes. 

Situated in between Lahore and Amritsar, evenings in this army outpost is very charming and colourful with the "Beating the Retreat" ceremony. The pageantry and pomp, and the change of guard within a short expanse make an appealing spectacle, which grabs large gathering. The most important segment of the ceremonial parade is the bringing down of the respective flags of both countries. Tourists and the locals throng near the border to witness the ceremonial parade of the Soldiers of the two countries. When the sun sets in the horizon, the soldiers take their departure amidst the beatings of the drums and beguiles. The entire ceremony nearly takes thirty minutes.

getting to amritsar

By Air
Raja Sansi International Airport in Amritsar provides regular service to major cities like Mumbai and Chennai. The travel from airport to the heart of the city, costs only about Rs 100 by taxi. Foreign cities can be connected through Mumbai and Chennai.

By Train
Amritsar Railway Station is well linked to other rail heads in the state and also connected to most of the cities in India. It has a connecting railway line to Pakistan
.

By Bus
State run public buses and private buses are available to move in and out from Amritsar. Grand Trunk Road connects Delhi to Amritsar. Luxury buses are available from Delhi.


about delhi
Delhi is a city that bridges two different worlds. Old Delhi, once the capital of Islamic India, is a labyrinth of narrow lanes lined with crumbling havelis and formidable mosques. In contrast, the imperial city of New Delhi created by the British Raj is composed of spacious, tree-lined avenues and imposing government buildings. Delhi has been the seat of power for several rulers and many empires for about a millennium. Many a times the city was built, destroyed and then rebuilt here. Interestingly, a number of Delhi's rulers played a dual role, first as destroyers and then as creators.

The city's importance lies not just in its past glory as the seat of empires and magnificent monuments, but also in the rich and diverse cultures. No wonder chroniclers of Delhi culture - from Chand Bardai and Amir Khusro to present days writers - have never been at a loss for topics. In Delhi, you will discover that the city is sprinkled with dazzling gems: captivating ancient monuments, fascinating museums and art galleries, architectural wonders, a vivacious performing-arts scene, fabulous eating places and bustling markets.

Delhi has been the political hub of India. Every political activity in the country traces its roots here. This was true even of the mythological era. The Pandavas of the Mahabharata had their capital at Indraprastha, which is believed to have been geographically located in today's Delhi.

tourist attraction

Akshardham Temple
Swaminarayan Akshardham reflects the essence and magnitude of India's ancient architecture, traditions and timeless spirituality.

The main monument, depicting ancient Indian "vastu shastra" and architecture, is a marvel in pink sandstone and white marble that is 141 feet high, 316 feet wide and 370 feet long with 234 ornate pillars, over 20,000 sculptures and statues of deities, eleven 72-foot-high huge domes (mandapams) and decorative arches. And like a necklace, a double-storied parikrama of red sandstone encircles the monuments with over 155 small domes and 1,160 pillars. The whole monument rises on the shoulders of 148 huge elephants with 11-feet tall panchdhatu statue of Swaminarayan presiding over the structure.

The other attractions of the complex are three exhibition halls spaced around two huge ponds, where one is a venue for light-and-sound show. The three halls are "Sahajanand Darshan", "Neelkanth Darsdhan" and "Sanskruti Vihar". "Sahajanand Darshan" is where life of Swaminarayan is displayed through robotic shows, while "Neelkanth Darsdhan" has a huge I-Max theatre screening movie based on the life of the Lord. Another amazing presentation is "Sanskruti Vihar" with 12-minute boat ride experience of India's glorious heritage.

The sprawling Swaminarayan Akshardham complex spread over 30 acres on the banks of the Yamuna near Noida Mor in East Delhi.

For visitors, entry to the complex is free. However, those who want to visit exhibition halls and theatres, Rs.125 is to be paid and for children and senior citizens the charges are Rs.75. "Over 6,000 visitors could easily witness the shows and enjoy boat-rides everyday, while over 25,000 people can visit the temple. We have deployed almost 140 guides who will facilitate visitors during their visit. It requires at least four hours to visit the entire complex thoroughly and see all the shows," said a temple management committee member, adding that the opening ceremony would be telecast live on Aastha channel. Elaborate security arrangements have also been made for the entire complex. Besides installing close circuit television cameras it has also deployed hundreds of its own security personnel.

The Rs.400-crore cultural complex, inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), will be popularised by its builders as "a place for cultural education and entertainment". The temple complex has drawn inspiration for its architecture from the historic temples of Badrinath (Uttaranchal), Somnath (Gujarat) and Konark (Orissa). It is the second Akshardham complex in the country after the one at Gandhinagar in Gujarat.

Azad Hind Gram
Azad Hind Gram Tourist Complex at Tikri Kalan is a project developed by Delhi Tourism to honour Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and to create quality leisure space and wayside amenities for the citizens.Located within two kilometers of the Delhi Haryana border on NH-10, the architecture of the project is inspired by North Indian achitectural style and the traditions of Indian craftsmanship.

The elaborate mosaic domes surrounding the museum and the memorial are the focus of the complex which offers the facilities of extensive plazas, an amphitheatre, tourist information centre, souvenir and garden shop, food kiosks, a restaurant, public toilets, drinking water, public telephone and convention facilities.

Bahai Temple
East of Nehru place, this temple is built in the shape of a lotus flower and is the last of seven Major Bahai's temples built around the world. Completed in1986 it is set among the lush green landscaped gardens.

The structure is made up of pure white marble The architect Furiburz Sabha chose the lotus as the symbol common to Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam. Adherents of any faith are free to visit the temple and pray or meditate.

Around the blooming petals there are nine pools of water, which light up, in natural light. It looks spectacular at dusk when it is flood lit.

Birla Mandir
Laxmi Narayan Temple, also known as Birla Mandir, is one of Delhi's major temples and a major tourist attraction. Built by the industrialst G.D. Birla in 1938, this beautiful temple is located in the west of Connaught Place.

The temple is dedicated to Laxmi (the goddess of prosperity) and Narayana (The preserver). The temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi on the condition that people of all castes will be allowed to enter the temple.

Delhi Haat
The craftsmen who are registered with D.C.Handicrafts are the ones who are eligible to find a place here. The stalls selling handicrafts are allotted on a rotational basis to craftsmen who come from all corners of the vast & varied land of India at nominal payment for a period of 15 Days. This ensures that visitors get to buy authentic wares at prices that have not been inflated by high maintenance costs.

You can also savour the inimitable flavors of the delightful local foods from the various regions of India be it the momos from Sikkim or the Bamboos hot chicken from Nagaland, Kahwa & Kebabs from Jammu, Pooranpoli from Maharastra or the Gujrati Dhokla. The food stalls offer you variety of foods served in an Eco friendly manner.

The DILLI HAAT provides the ambience of a traditional Rural Haat or village market, but one suited for more contemporary needs. Here one sees a synthesis of crafts, food and cultural activity.

This Food and Craft Bazar is a treasure house of Indian culture, handicrafts and ethnic cuisine, A unique bazaar, in the heart of the city, it displays the richness of Indian culture on a permanent basis.

Garden of Five Senses
The Garden of Five Senses is not just a park, it is a space with a variety of activities, inviting public interaction and exploration. The project, developed by Delhi Tourism Transportation Development Corporation, was conceptualized to answer to the city's need for leisure space for the public, for people to socialize and unwind. Such spaces add atmosphere and life to a city and cater to all sections of the society.

The twenty-acre site, located at Said-Ul-Azaib village, close to the Mehrauli heritage area in New Delhi, is spectacular. The Garden was inaugurated in February 2003. Majestic rocks stand silhouetted against the sky, others lie strewn upon the ground in a casual yet alluring display of nature's sculptural genius. It was the ideal ground on which to realize the concept of a public leisure space that would awaken a sensory response and thereby a sensitivity to the environment. 

Jama Masjid
This great mosque of Old Delhi is the largest in India, with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees. It was begun in 1644 and ended up being the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort.

The highly decorative mosque has three great gates, four towers and two 40 m-high minarets constructed of strips of red sandstone and

white marble. Travellers can hire robes at the northern gate. This may be the only time you get to dress like a local without feeling like an outsider so make the most of it.

India Gate
At the centre of New Delhi stands the 42 m high India Gate, an "Arc-de-Triomphe" like archway in the middle of a crossroad. Almost similar to its French counterpart, it commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the World War I. The memorial bears the names of more than 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the Northwestern Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919.

The foundation stone of India Gate was laid by His Royal Highness, the Duke of Connaught in 1921 and it was designed by Edwin Lutyens. The monument was dedicated to the nation 10 years later by the then Viceroy, Lord Irwin. Another memorial, Amar Jawan Jyoti was added much later, after India got its independence. The eternal flame burns day and night under the arch to remind the nation of soldiers who laid down their lives in the Indo-Pakistan War of December 1971. 

Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar (Yantra - instruments, mantra - formulae) was constrcted in 1724. Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur who built this observatory went on to build other observatories in Ujjain , Varanasi and Mathura. Jai Singh had found the existing astronomical instruments too small to take correct measurements and so he built these larger and more accurate instruments.

The instruments at Jantar Mantar are fascinating for their ingenuity, but

accurate observations can no longer be made from here because of the tall buildings around.

Parliament House
The Parliament house is a cirular colonnaded building . It also houses ministerial offices,numerous committee rooms and an excellent library as well. Conceived in the Imperial Style, the Parliament House consists of an open verandah with 144 columns.

The domed circular central hall with oak paneled walls and the three semi circular buildings are used for the Rajya Shabha and Lok Shabha meetings.

The instruments at Jantar Mantar are fascinating for their ingenuity, but

accurate observations can no longer be made from here because of the tall buildings around.

Purana Quila
One does not have to go far to see the old fort or Purana Quila standing stoically amidst wild greenery.Built on the site of the most ancient of the numerous cities of Delhi, Indraprastha, Purana Quila is roughly rectangular in shape having a circuit of nearly two kilometers.

The thick ramparts crowned by merlons have three gateways provided with bastions on either side. It was surrounded by a wide moat, connected to river Yamuna, which used to flow on the east of the fort. The northern gate way, called the Talaqui darwaza or the forbidden gateway, combines the typically Islamic pointed arch with Hindu Chhatris and brackets; whereas the southern gateway called the

Humayun Darwaza also had a similar plan.

Qutab Minar
Qutab Minar is a soaring, 73 m-high tower of victory, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak immediately after the defeat of Delhi's last Hindu kingdom. The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony and tapers from a 15 m diameter at the base to just 2.5 m at the top. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone; the fourth and fifth storeys are of marble and sandstone. At the foot of the tower is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be built in India. An inscription over its eastern gate provocatively informs that it was built with material obtained from demolishing '27 Hindu temples'. A 7 m-high iron pillar stands in the courtyard of the mosque. It is said that if you can encircle it with your hands while standing with your back to it your wish will be fulfilled.

The origins of Qutab Minar are shrouded in controversy. Some believe it was erected as a tower of victory to signify the beginning of the Muslim rule in India. Others say it served as a minaret to the muezzins to call the faithful to prayer.

No one can, however, dispute that the tower is not only one of the finest monuments in India, but also in the world. Qutab-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, commenced the construction of the Qutab Minar in 1200 AD, but could only finish the basement. His successor, Iltutmush, added three more storeys, and in 1368,Firoz Shah Tughlak constructed the fifth and the last storey.

Red Fort
The Red sandstone walls of the massive Red Fort (Lal Qila) rise 33-m above the clamour of Old Delhi as a reminder of the magnificent power and pomp of the Mughal emperors. The walls, built in 1638, were designed to keep out invaders, now they mainly keep out the noise and confusion of the city.

The main gate, Lahore Gate, is one of the emotional and symbolic focal points of the modern Indian nation and attracts a major crowd on eachIndependence Day.

The vaulted arcade of Chatta Chowk, a bazaar selling tourist trinkets, leads into the huge fort compound. Inside is a veritable treasure trove of buildings, including the Drum House, the Hall of Public Audiences, thewhite marble Hall of Private Audiences, the Pearl Mosque, Royal Baths and Palace of Color.

getting to Delhi

By Air
Nearest airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport, which is 12 km far from certral city of Delhi.

By Rail
Nearest railway head is Delhi Cantt. Though Delhi has five railway stations, the New Delhi Station and the Old Delhi station are the major ones. Some major trains like the Mumbai-Rajdhani-Nizamuddin operates from Nizamuddin railway station which is in south Delhi. 

By Road
Delhi is well connected with bus services of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and state roadways of the neighbouring states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to all important cities and destinations in North India.

 


 




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