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India Travel Guide
Facts, Attractions, Transport, Food, Money, Visa, Travelogues, Nightlife, Culture, Links ... |
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Introduction
Welcome to India, The oldest civilization on earth.
A country where everday is a festival, a country with 1 billion smiles. welcome to India, welcome to my Home........ The West Bengal has a Specialty in whole India and needs no introduction, and it cannot be bounded by one particular set of definitions. TO VISIT PLEASE CLICK: www.incredibleindia.org India amazes, surprises and frustrates, but everyone is bowled over by its incredible diversity and cultural heritage. From Kashmir to Andamans, from Arunachal Pradesh to Gujarat the regions are different, the people are different… but what binds all these tremendous diversification is the nationalism & the single united thread named “India”
India is also home to the Hottest, Coldest, wettest & Driest regions in the World. From Himalayas to the north to Indian Ocean in the South, from Cheerapunji in the east to Thar desert in the west the country is blessed with geographical diversity, unmatched by any other nation on earth PLEASE CLICK: www.incredibleindia.org
India is beyond Bollywood, Yoga, Curry, Snake Charmers. This land transcends the synonym of Diversity.
Behind the misnomer of poverty that people attaches to India, this nation has much to offer the world. India is among the largest donors to UN releif funds and aid program. It had a glorious past, a thriving present & a promising future. India's finest hour is about to come ! For me India epitomizes the local villager who grow food for us, the soldier who protects the sovereignty of the nation & educated elite who makes our country stronger. A common man is what India is all about PLEASE CLICK: www.incredibleindia.org
India is the world's oldest, continuously living & surviving civilization. India is the world's largest democracy, It became a republic on 26th. January 1950 with President as the head of the Constitution. It's a union of 29 states & 5 union territories with New Delhi its Capital. India is home to 325 languages & over 2000 dialects. Its home to 1/6th. of Humanity & shelters the largest live stock in the world PLEASE CLICK:www.incredibleindia.org
The rock art tradition of India has been traced to about 40,000 years ago in the paleolithic at Bhimbetaka in Central India and other sites. The first permanent settlements in South Asia appeared about 9,000 years ago. This indigenous culture developed into the Indus Valley civilization (also referred to by some as the Sindhu-Sarasvati Tradition), which was at its height from around 2600 BC to 1900 BC and was one of the earliest civilizations known on earth. Since this period till now there were so many different cultural group came to india to rule or trade and have a great influence on indian culture. There were many Persians, Greeks, Chinese nomads, Arabs, Portuguese, British and other raiders had their way with the land but still local Hindu/Vedic/Aryan culture invariably survived. Now the present india has signs and shades of all these cultures and that too at different period in History. This adds to the diversity of india which ulimately increases the taste of india for travellers.
In the words of a traveller,
"So far as I am able to judge, nothing has been left undone, either by man or nature, to make India the most extraordinary country that the sun visits on his rounds. Nothing seems to have been forgotten, nothing overlooked." PLEASE CLICK: www.incredibleindia.org
--Mark Twain, from Following the Equator.
It is impossible not to be astonished by India. Nowhere on Earth does humanity present itself in such a dizzying, creative burst of cultures and religions, races and tongues. Every aspect of the country presents itself on a massive, exaggerated scale, worthy in comparison only to the superlative mountains that overshadow it. Perhaps the only thing more difficult than to be indifferent to India would be to describe or understand India completely. It has been said of India that no traveler can leave it without strong impressions. Its great heritage as a seat of empires and religions has left it with some of Asia's most astounding architectural achievements, including thousands of ancient temples and the famed Taj Mahal. A large country, India boasts extensive national parks and plenty of opportunities for safari. Trekking in India takes place along various stretches of the Himalayas, including the mystical highlands of Ladakh.PLEASE CLICK: www.incredibleindia.org
Top Things to See and Do
Trekking in the Indian Himalayas
For the adventurous mountain trekker, few destinations are more magnetic than the Himalayas. Their towering peaks and glaciers represent the ultimate experience in mountaineering, and for many a journey into the Himalayas is really more like a pilgrimage. Three major regions of India penetrate the Himalayas, all of them exceptionally beautiful. In the far northwest there is the province of Jammu and Kashmir, and a gorgeous region known as Ladakh; in the northeast are the provinces of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. More than destinations for just mountain climbers, these regions are culturally rich, often dotted with temples and monasteries.PLEASE CLICK: www.incredibleindia.org Those traveling to the Himalayas should keep in mind that they will generally be at very high elevations, and therefore prone to the dangers of altitude sickness. The rule of thumb is to always allow time to adjust to the heights, taking it slow. Warm cloths are also necessary.
Trekking in Ladakh
One of the most remote and mythical regions of India, Ladakh is a landscape of unearthly beauty. Carved through its center by the headwaters of the Indus River, Ladakh sits high in a Himalayan valley between the Ladakh and Zaskar ranges, close to the Chinese border. The wall of the Himalayas blocks precipitation, and the resulting terrain is dry, barren, and poetically austere. Life here has remained virtually unchanged for thousands of years. Ladakh's biggest attraction are its ancient gompas, or Buddhist monasteries, which contain some of Asia's greatest wonders of gold and tapestry work. It is possible to stay overnight in some, making a trek in Ladakh curiously like a sort of pilgrimage. The people of Ladakh, many of whom are Tibetan refugees, are famous for their friendliness and hospitality. www.incredibleindia.org For the mountaineer, the nearby Zaskar range offers some fantastic and challenging hiking opportunities. A variety of long, mid, and short range treks, which follow rough trails and pass through some spectacular high-altitude mountain passes, connect the region's gompas and villages. It is important to note that visitors to Ladakh should take time to adjust to the high altitude. Altitude sickness here is very common, and the best way to avoid it is to do very little for the first couple of days in the region. Summer is the best time to come, as heavy winter snows make make it very difficult even to get to Ladakh.
Trekking in Darjeeling
Darjeeling sits at the crossroads of the eastern triangle corridor, a hidden stage of foothills in a geographical amphitheater that looks up into the mountainous wonderlands of Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan. Darjeeling's name is a variation of Darje Ling, which means "place of the thunderbolt" in Hindi. According to the Lamaist religion, this is the site where the god Indra's scepter (a lightning bolt) fell to earth. www.incredibleindia.org While Darjeeling is a place of mythical significance to its people, its value was primarily practical to the British as the strategic gateway to Nepal and Tibet. Darjeeling also offers a cool escape from the dust and sun of the plains below, and the British started to develop the region as a summer retreat shortly after they arrived there in 1828. Darjeeling soon became a haven for tea growing as well, and its cool and misty tea plantations are among the most idyllic attractions in India. www.incredibleindia.org The city of Darjeeling offers one of the most dynamic mixes of culture on the subcontinent. Tibetan Lamas can be seen climbing the steep streets in their yellow robes, alongside Sherpas, Gorkhas, Gurung farmers, and people from a host of other cultures and regions. www.incredibleindia.org The high-quality trails surrounding Darjeeling and its tremendous views make it an ideal locale for hiking. A leisurely four day hike to the top of Mount Sandakphu (3536 meters) is rewarded with an astounding vista of the Kanchenjunga Mountains and the highest mountain in the world, Everest. Alpine meadows and wildflowers can be seen on this trek, and there are bungalows and field camps en route.
Thar Desert & Camel Safaris
Powerful Rapjut princes once ruled this desert region, which no foreign invader was ever able to dominate. The natural adversary of the environment provided the adaptable Rapjut with their best defense, though they supplemented it by building magnificent fortress palaces on the wind-blown sands. The desert ruins of the Rapjut can still be visited, as can the Thar's remote temples, village oases, and hyponotic, swirling sands. The Thar is best experienced by camel safaris, which leave from Khuri village. There are day treks that leave in the morning and return at night, or arrangements can be made for longer trips. Because of the immensity and harshness of the desert, all those who voyage into it are required by law to have a guide. www.incredibleindia.org
Taj Mahal
Many assert that the Taj Mahal is the most beautiful structure in the world. Resting like a rose and ivory dream on the banks of the River Yamuna, the Taj is a gigantic monument inspired by love. It was built for the Mughal emperor Jehangir, who vowed to create an incomparable memorial to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died after they had been married for 19 years. Built by Shehajehan, son of Jehangir; the Taj took 20 years and 20,000 workers to build. To house all the workers, an entire community rose up around it, and the descendants of those workers still live in the shadow of the Taj today. The main structure, with its perfect spires and domes, is made of white marble and sits on a red sandstone ramparts circled by reflecting pools and gardens. Inside the building is an astoundingly ornate burial chamber where Mahal and Jehangir now rest, surrounded by jewels inlaid in white marble and craftsmanship of unrivaled detail and intricacy.
Cities to visit
Delhi - The old Walled City or Shahjahanabad and the New Delhi with rich culture, Old Fort or Purana Qila, Humayun's Tomb, Nizamuddin's Shrine, Lodhi Gardens with the various Lodi dynasty tombs, National Museum, IITD, DU, JNU, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Lotus or Bahai Temple, Qutab Minar, Connaught Place, New MNC Hub Gurgaon & Noida nearby
Varanasi - Spiritual City on the Bank of Ganges, Many Temples and Meditation Centers, BHU
Haridwar, Rishikesh - Spiritual Cities on upper bank of ganges in/near Himalayas, Yoga & Ayurved Expert RamDev and many other Ashrams & centers of spirituality, Yoga and Meditation
Kerala - God's own Country - The backwaters in kerala, the Avurveda and Yoga centers, Interesting foods and species, Kanyakumari and lots more
and many more.......
Bangalore - Indian Silicon Valley - HeadQuarter/Campus/Center of many IT Companies like Infosys, Wipro and also Google, TI, Motorola, GE, MS, Intel etc, IIM, IISc and Nearby Mysore
Mumbai - Indian Business Capital & Bollywood Movies, IITBombay, TATA school of social sciences, ...mumbai is surrounded by sea from three sides and best part is that its romatic theraputic weather ,and poor thing is populated, but once u r here u gonna love it...even people here r very helpful and best thing to know mumbai is to travel by SO called LOCAL trains ...cheaper BUT true spirit of the 24x7 running people... and u can join here any time but if u enjoy rains its literally heaven...
Hyderabad - Famous for Char Minar, Old City, IT Companies (including Campus of Microsoft and ISB)
Chandigarh - Rock Garden, Rich Punjabi Culture
Kolkata - City which has live rich history of 100's of years....still exist.
Rajasthan - Pink City Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Ajmer, Pushkar, Mt Abu etc. Rajasthan is Famous for many Palaces & Forts of Rajputs, Old Aravali Hills, Desert, Rich Culture
Goa - Beautiful Beaches, Shopping, Old Church, Tourist Dream
National Parks
Corbett National Park
Founded in 1935 by the British, Corbett National Park is the oldest national park in India. One of two tiger reserves in Uttar Pradesh, this breathtaking park rests along the Ramganga river and clutches the Himalayan foothills. Though it is most famous for the tigers it harbors, it is also an excellent place to see elephant and is home to an enormous variety of bird species.
Bandhavgarh National Park
One of the India's best parks, Bandhavgarh is located in Madhya Pradesh in an area which once inspired the setting for Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book. Bandhavgarh is one of the best places to see tiger--at one time, before the park was enlarged, it had the highest density of tigers anywhere. The park also holds panthers, and an abundance of bird species flit through the rain forest and
Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary
The Kaziranga first came into being in 1908, when the local one-horned rhinoceros was so depleted by big game hunters that the animals were thought to be near extinction. Depradation is still a threat, as the rhinos are still poached for their much fetishized horns. Thanks to preservation efforts, there are now almost 900 rhino roaming the park, which rests on the banks of the Brahmaputra river in the eastern triangle state of Assam.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Situated around a lake in the Western Ghats of Kerala, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of India's largest. Its 299 square miles (777 sq. km) of protected rainforest and hill country is home to gaur, tiger, wild pig, cheetal, sambar deer, and elephant. The lake, which is 24 square kilometers in area, provides a refreshing way to view the wildlife; visitors ride in boats, watching the animals as they lounge and drink on the shoreline. The best time to take a boat tour is during the early morning, when most the animals come to drink.
Kanha National Park
One of the most prized parks in India and Asia, Kanha became one of the early success stories of Project Tiger when it brought about a significant boost in the local population. In addition to increasing its tiger population, the park was also able to bring back the Central Indian swamp deer.
Keoladeo Ghana National Park
Situated in a swampy region of Rajasthan, Keoladeo Ghana is a wetland of avian wonders. During monsoons, much of its twenty-nine square kilometers flood, providing a home to India's largest native population of waterfowl. Beginning in October, flocks of migratory birds arrive from all over Asia, some of them coming from as far away as Siberia to escape the frigid northern winter
Official Country Website: Managed n Run by Govt of india www.incredibleindia.org
Neighboring countries: Pakistan to the west, The Tibet Region to the Northwest, Nepal to the Northeast, Bangladesh to the East, Buthan to the East, China to the North, Sri Lanka to the South and in the East Burma.
Who is coming? I'm Envcommunluv (Rosalia). I will be traveling through India March-June. This travel is a pilgrimage to learn more about Buddhism which my own spiritual beliefs resemble. I will be staying in some monasteries along the way, so if you know of monasteries I can visit and possibly stay let me know. I enjoy learning of different cultures, best experienced staying with locals, and everything that comes with a different part of the world. I prefer rural environments to cities. In India I'm looking for an internship/Volunteer opportunity to work with Sustainable Agriculture. Hope to hear from some fellow members of hospitality club in India soon. Bless! My email: Quest4knowledge84@hotmail.com "The Earth provides enough to satisfy every mans need, not every mans greed" -Gandhi
Want more guests! Add your user name here if you would like to receive more visitors - contact sumitkothari if u want 2 stay in a 450 year old fort near jaipur in the thar desert of rajasthan. you should get more requests if listed here, even if you live in a small town off the beaten track.
Hospitality Club Meetings
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Edited by: Aman on 07.05.2012 ashla on 11.09.2010 neentana on 06.03.2010 sumitkothari on 08.12.2009 Aman on 04.12.2007 miguelle_guisson on 23.02.2007 dare on 19.01.2007 Envcommunluv on 08.11.2006 gardke on 16.05.2006 Aman on 08.05.2006 aman on 08.05.2006 Aman on 21.02.2006 debasish on 04.11.2005 Aman on 03.09.2005 madhavisb on 24.08.2005 madhavisb on 23.08.2005 Aman on 10.06.2005 Aman on 12.05.2005 goyoman on 07.01.2005 Aman on 11.08.2004 Aman on 05.07.2004 |
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