About Nagpur

Nagpur was the capital of Madhya Pradesh state till 1956 before it became a part of Maharashtra state. The best quality Teak plantations are the highlight of the flora in Nagpur. It is known as the ‘orange capital’ because it is a major cultivator and trade centre of oranges. This historically significant city was founded sometime during the 18th century by Gond King Bakht Buland after which it flourished much under the govern of subsequent rulers and became one of the most prosperous cities in Central India. This lovely city was established by Bhakt Buland in the year 1702, a Gond prince of the kingdom of Deogad in the Chhindwara district, Nagpur. In the latter half of the 18th century this city was ruled by the Bhonsles of the Maratha Confederacy who established their capital here. There are a number of tourist attractions in and around the city including Gavilgad Fort, Dragon Palace Temple, Forts of Balapur, Adasa, Maharaj Baug and Zoo. Gavilgad Fort, which is around 200-300 years old, lies close to the Chikhaldara hill station in Amravati district. It was originally built by the Hindu rulers at a height of about 370 ft above sea level. Nagpur experiences an extreme type of climate with temperatures touching high 40's during summers and shooting to freezing point in peak winters. Important Central & State Government offices and institutions are located in Nagpur. Industrial Development is existing along the fringe areas like Kamptee, Hingna, Wadi, Khapri, Butibori and Kalmeshwar.

Places to see:

Nagpur offers a lot options as far as tourist places is concerned. The scenic beauty teemed with beautiful forts and temples make Nagpur one of the most attractive travel destination. Nagpur extends its beauty and glory to the neighboring places also. These places are as lovely as the city of Nagpur itself.

Ambazari Lake :

Towards the western outskirts of Nagpur, Ambazari Lake and the surrounding lush garden is a popular tourist attraction. Row boats and self driven paddle boats make a good recreation activity while walking on the green grass is another favored pastime.

Nagzira :

Nagzira promises a feast for wildlife enthusiasts with its sprawling jungles that house a plethora of wild denizens in their natural domains. The mighty Indian gaur is the major wildlife attraction found in the area while other animals include sambar, deer and a number of rare bird species.

Sitabuldi Fort :

The Sitabuldi fort is an important landmark of Nagpur, located on top of a hill, right in the center of the city. This fort was built by a British officer in the year 1857. It is one of the oldest attractions of the city. One can view this park from the twin hills of Sitabuldi.

How to reach:

Nagpur is spread over a total area of 217.56 square km. It is at a distance of about 837 km from Mumbai. It is about 1094 km south of Delhi, 1092 km north of Chennai and 1140 km west of Calcutta.

Air :

The Sonegaon Airport is the nearest airport from Nagpur, situated around 8-km south of Nagpur City. It has regular flights connecting Mumbai, Kolkatta, Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune, Bhubaneswar, and Raipur.

Rail :

Nagpur is a major railway station connected to other Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Pune through a number of regular trains.

Bus :

The city enjoys healthy motorable roads linking it to different parts of the State and the country. Popular tourist destinations like Kanha, Bhopal, Aurangabad and Khajuraho are linked effectively by healthy road links.

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Patna and Rajgir – Two Historical cities of Bihar

Patna is the capital of the Indian state of Bihar and the second largest city in terms of population in eastern India. The ancient Patna, known as Pataliputra, was the capital of the Magadha Empire under the Haryanka, Nanda, Mauryan, Sunga, Gupta, Pala and Suri dynasties. It is located on the south bank of the river Ganga.

There are several theories regarding the source of the name Patna:

It is etymologically derived from Patan, the name of the Hindu goddess, Patan Devi.

It comes from Pattan (meaning “port” in Sanskrit), since the city, located near the confluence of four rivers, has been a thriving river port.

It may be a short form of Pataliputra, one of the most ancient names of this city.

The Greeks called it Palibothra. Megasthenes (350-290 BCE), the Greek historian, referred to it in Greek as Palibothra or Palimbotra.

The city has been known by various names during its more than 2,000 years of existence – Patligram, Patliputra, Kusumpur, Pushpapura, Azimabad, and the present-day Patna.

Patna received its current name during the reign of Sher Shah Suri, whose tomb is at Sasaram, near Patna.

Patna is a major transport hub for the state and a useful base for visiting the Buddhist sites of Vaishali, Kesariya and Rajgir. The natives of Patna are called Patnaites.

The cuisine of Patna is very unique and has a real mouth watering taste. “Khichdi”, the broth of rice and lentils, seasoned with spices, and is served with several accompanying items like curd, chutney, pickles, papads, ghee (clarified butter) and Aloo Chokha (boiled mashed potatoes, seasoned with finely cut onions, green chillies) is a common meal. Khichdi is a staple food and considered auspicious when consumed on Saturdays. Afternoon meals mostly consist of rice and vegetables while the dinner will consist of rotis (flatbread) and lentils. The desserts includes the sweets which are mostly dry like Khaja, Ladoo, Kala Jamun, Khubi ka Lai, Kesaria Peda and Chena Murki.

Places to Visit:

• Patna Museum
• Golghar
• Kumrahar Excavations
• Har Mandir
• Qila House
• Khuda Baksh Oriental Library
• Mahaveer Mandir
• Sher Shahi
• Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park
• Bihar Institute of Handicrafts and Designs
• Birla Mandir
• Nawab Shahid-Ka-Maqbara
• Pachim Darwaza
• Padri-Ki-Haveli.

Rajgir:

Rajgir is located in the Nalanda district of Bihar is the first capital kingdom of Magadha. The name Rajgir is derived from Sanskrit word Tajagraha which means “house of the king” or “royal house”. It might have its origin from the literal meaning, “royal mountain”.

Rajgir was the ancient capital city of the Magadha kings until the 5th century BC when Ajatashatru moved the capital to Pataliputra. In those days, it was called Rajgrih, which translates as “the home of Royalty”. Rajgir is located in a valley surrounded by rocky hillocks. One can see many Buddhist monks meditating at a place called Vultures Peak. Lord Buddha is said to have delivered many sermons at the town of Rajgir. Lord Mahavir is also said to have to spend some amount of time at the town of Rajgir. The serenity of Rajgir revitalizes both the mind and spirits.

Rajgir is in a valley surrounded by seven hills namely Vaibhara, Ratna, Saila, Sona, Udaya, Chhatha, and Vipula. Rajgir has also developed as a health and winter resort due to its warm water ponds. These baths are said to contain some medicinal properties that help in the cure of many skin diseases. The Saptparni cave is also the source of the Rajgir Hot Water Springs that have curative properties and are sacred to the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains.

From March to May summer prevails. The monsoon in Rajgir occurs from June to August and plenty of rain is experienced making the climate pleasant. The winters are very pleasant during December to February with a moderate temperature. Tourists must carry warm and woolen clothes while visiting Rajgir during December-January.

Places to Visit:

• Gymnasium of Jarasandh
• Ajatshatru Fort
• Shanti Stupa
• Cyclopean Wall
• Sonbhandar Caves
• Venu Vana
• Bimbisar Jail
• Jain Temples
• Chariot Route Marks
• Pippala cave
• Hazaribagh National Park
• Chhota Nagpur Plateau
• Parasnath Hill

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A Trip Kamakhya Temple in Assam

About Kamakhya Temple:

Kamakhya Temple, which is situated at the top of the Nilachal Hill at about 800 feet above the sea level. The entire temple complex not only comprises of many other temples but also a whole set of people connected with them. Apart from the main devi temple, it also comprises of some other major temples of devi Kali, Tara, Bagala, Chinnamasta, Bhuvanesvari, Bhairavi and Dhumavati.

There are some other temples of various goddess can be seen in the complex. They are the Sitala Temple, the Lalita Kanta Temple, The jaya Durga Temple, the Vana Durga Temple, the Rajarajesvari Temple, the Smasanakali temple, the kail temple of Abhayananda dharmashala and the Sankhesvari temple. There are five temples of Lord Shiva in the Kamakhya complex. They belongs to different forms of Lord Shiva like Kamesvara (Umananda), Siddhesvara, Amratokesvara (Heruka), Aghpra, and kotilinga (Tatpurusa).

Legend of Kamakhaya:

Once Naraka, motivated by his carnal desire, wanted to marry Devi Kamakhya. When proposed, the goddess playfully put a condition before him. If Naraka would be able to build a staircase from the bottom of the Nilachal hill to the temple within one night, then she would surely marry him. Naraka took it as a challenge and tried all with his might to do this marathon task. He was almost about to accomplish the job when the Devi, panic-stricken as she was to see this, played a trick on him. She strangled a cock and made it crow untimely to give the impression of dawn to Naraka. Duped by the trick even Naraka thought that it was a futile job and left it half way through. Later he chased the cock and killed it in a place which is now known as Kukurakata, situated in the district of Darrang. The incomplete staircase is known as Mekhelauja path.

Festivals:

Durga Puja is celebrated annually during Navaratri in the month of September- October. It is a three day festival attracting several visitors.

Ambubachi Mela, also known as Ambubasi festival, is held annually during monsoon in the Kamakhya Devi Temple at Guwahati, Assam. In 2010, the beginning date of Ambubachi Mela is June 22nd and the festival ends on June 26. The Ambubachi festival is closely related to the Tantric cult and is also known as Kamkhya Devi Puja. It is believed that Goddess Kamakhya goes through her menstrual cycle during these days and therefore the temple remains closed for three days. Ambubachi Mela is also known as Ameti or Tantric fertility festival and is a four-day mela (fair). It is widely believed that Goddess Kamakhya goes through her yearly menstrual cycle during the Ambubachi days. The temple remains closed for three days – the menstruation period. People in large numbers wait outside the temple on the fourth day, when the temple will be opened. Sanyasins and Pandas from around the country assemble at the Kamakhya temple during this period. Large number of devotees make a mad rush when the temple reopens to receive the unique ‘prasad’ which is small bits of cloth, which is supposedly moist with the menstrual fluid of Goddess Kamakhya. It is considered highly auspicious and powerful.

How to Reach:

The Kamakhya temple is situated at the center of the city. Buses and cabs run almost all the time right from the morning to the night. The Kamakhya temple is about 20 km from the airport. It is about 6 km from the railway station. From the airport as well as from the railway station cars are easily available for rent. So, devotees can hire cars for a trip to Kamakhya temple. There are two well maintained staircase from the bottom of the hill to the Kamakhya temple made up of stones is also there, which can also be used to climb to the Kamakhya temple.

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Mumbai to Shirdi – A Holy Weekend Getaway

Shirdi is a village north-east of Mumbai and has an extensive temple complex devoted to Shirdi Sai Baba. It is located by road on Ahmednagar-Manmad State Highway No.10 at 83 kilometers from Ahmednagar, and 15 kilometers from Kopargaon. The place is around 296 km (around 6 hours drive) from Mumbai. Sai Baba's shrine has been incorporated as one of the holy places in the world's map of pilgrimage.

Places to Visit:

Samadhi Mandir of Shri Sai Baba was actually owned by a millionaire from Nagpur and a famous Sai devotee Shreemant Gopalrao. He wanted to keep an idol of Murlidhar here. However, according to the legends, Baba himself became Murlidhar and the temple became the Samadhi Mandir of Baba. The Samadhi of Baba is built with white marble stones. The railings around it are full of ornamental decorations. The idol of Baba is a marvelous statue made up of Italian marble built by Late Balaji Vasant in 1954. The temple has an assembly hall for about 600 devotees. The assembly hall also houses a showcase having various items used by the sage. The first floor of the temple has the pictures depicting the life of the saint.

The temple opens on 5 AM with morning prayers and close down at 10 PM with night prayers. Situated on the right side of the entrance of the Samadhi Mandir is Dwarkamai, a mosque. This was the place where the sage stayed until the end of his life. Main attraction of the site is the oil paintings of the sage.

The place from where Sai Baba first came to Shirdi in the form of a Bal Yogi (child ascetic) is known as Gurusthan. A temple has been constructed on this site. There is also a small shrine in Gurusthan.

At a short distance lies Baba's Chavadi. Baba used to sleep here every alternate day. The Chavadi is divided into two parts. One part of the Chavadi has a large portrait of Baba along with a wooden bed and a white chair belonging to him.

There is a cottage of Abdul Baba, an ardent devotee of Shri Sai Baba, in front of the Chavadi. Photos and various items that were handled by Sai Baba and Abdul Baba are there in the cottage. There is a Maruti Mandir located at some distance from the cottage of Abdul Baba. This mandir was visited by Baba for the sat-sang with Devidas, a Bal yogi, who lived at the Mandir ten to twelve years before Baba arrived.

There are also temples of village deities named Shani, Ganapati, and Shankar that are worth visiting. At some distance from Gurusthan, there is the Lendi Baug. This garden was made and watered daily by Baba himself. It got its name from a nullah (a drain), which used to flow there. Baba used to come here every morning and afternoon and take rest under a neem tree. Baba dug a pit, 2 feet deep, under the neem tree and kept a deep (a lighting object) lit in that pit. An octagonal deepgriha (lighthouse) called Nanda Deep has been built in marble stone in memory of this place. It constantly burns in a glass box. On one side of the deepgriha is a pipal tree and on the other side is a neem tree. Other sites to visit are Datta Mandir and Khandoba Mandir.

Fairs and Festivals:

The most important festivals and events that are celebrated in Shirdi are Guru Poornima, Dussehra, and Ram Navami. These are the only days when the Samadhi Mandir of Shirdi opens for the whole night. Every Thursday, a palakhi bearing a photograph of the sage is taken out from the temple.

Mumbai to Shirdi by Bus:

You could take a Cab; hire a private taxi or drive. (If you are an international tourist you may want to check the requirements for Driver's license and road regulations with the Maharashtra State Road Transport department.). You could take a Maharashtra State Transport Bus. You could take a Bus operated by Private operators. For Fares, Schedules and other details contact your local travel agent, the Government of India Tourism Office, the Maharashtra State Tourism Board Office or the Maharashtra State Transport booking office.

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Hogenakkal Waterfalls - Niagara of India

Hogenakkal Waterfalls often referred to as "Cauvery" or "Kavery" or "Kaveri" by locals and the people of Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts in Tamilnadu, India where it is situated. Hogenakkal is also described as the 'Niagara' of India, offer an exciting holiday destination for Indians and foreigners alike. Hogenakkal is located about 750 feet above sea level amidst the Melagiri Hills. The route to Hogenakkal Falls is scenic, with lush mulberry fields and giant terracotta guardian deities (Aiyanars), as you approach Hogenakkal, the roar of the Cauvery river and the abundance of vegetation in the area is sure to catch your attention. Hogenakkal is a beautiful place with picturesque scenes.

Location:

Hogenakkal is located on the Karnataka – Tamil Nadu border. It lies at the distance of 114 km from Salem and 133 km from Bangalore. Hogenakkal waterfalls are the part of river Kaveri and are about 250 meters above the sea level. It is one of the beautiful places in the state. When the water hits the rocks a fine cool spray rises, that is the reason these rocks have been given the name 'Smoking Rock'. The best time to visit the Hogenakkal waterfall is between mid July to mid August when the water is at its peak. During this season water level rises from 20- 30 feet more. Hogenakkal falls are not the single waterfall but the series of waterfalls.

Significance of its water:

Taking a bath in the waterfalls of Hogenakkal is considered as extremely beneficial for the health. It is so because of the widely grown herbal plants in the nearby areas. The place is widely known for the curative power of its water.

Oil Massage:

This is the place where you can take bath along with the rejuvenating oil massage. You may find lots of people there to do massage for the visitors. The massager's or the maliswallas are expert in their work with the right knowledge of 14 massage points in the human body. Some of the major benefits of this oil massage include - It increases circulation especially to the nerve endings, tones your muscles, increased mental alertness, smoothen the skin, improves elimination of impurities from the body and gives you better and deeper sleep at night.



Boating:

A visit to the Hogenakkal waterfalls is incomplete without taking a ride in the waterproof basket boats covered in buffalo hide or plastic stretched over light-weight wicker frames. These boats are locally known as Teppa. These are among the oldest water crafts in the world. The boats man steer the boats through the rapids of rising water giving you the thrilling experience. You can also engage on photography of the beautiful surrounding areas while taking the boat ride. Enjoy the full flow of the water and the fantastic view of the waterfalls from the boat.



Trekking and Swimming:

Hogenakkal is also the good place to try out your swimming skills. The water is quite challenging. Tourists can also go for trekking on the nearby surrounding hills. The treks are usually simple. Hogenakkal waterfall is the popular site among the film makers. There are many films songs shooted at this destination. For example a song 'Dil Hai Chootasa. .’ from the film Roza was shot here.



Food and Clothing:

The regular meals are available here, but you have to give the order in advance. The most favorite among the tourists is the fried and spicy fishes. Tourists are recommended to wear comfortable and loose clothes while visiting the place. Also carry along with yourself the mosquito repellent and dry snacks.



Tourists Attraction:

The foremost attraction of the Hogenakkal falls is its vertical drop from the height of 20 meters with the thundering sounds. The area supports the rich floral system. The whole area covered with the tall trees and thorny vegetation looks a paradise. You can simply spend time at leisure enjoying the natural beauty or you can also indulge in the nature walk to the nearby areas. You can also hire the guide to give you the better insight of the area.

Bus Booking from Bangalore to Hogenakkal:

Hogenakkal is well connected to all major cities in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Deluxe bus services are available from Bangalore to Hogenakkal (133 km) and Salem to Hogenakkal (114 km). Bus charge is about Rs 3 per kilometer.

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