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Eternal India
encyclopedia
A GREAT DESTINATION
SPLENDOURS
“If there be a paradise on earth, It is this, it is this, it is this.”
-
Persian couplet inscribed on the walls of the
Diwan-i-Khas in the Red Fort, Delhi.
India's tourist sights are many and multifarious. There are scenic wonders and man-made
masterpieces — valleys of emerald green, soaring mountains of snow-capped splendour,
golden beaches; magnificent palaces, mausoleums and temples; and massive rock-hewn
expressions of medieval genius in art and architecture.
Gol Gumbaz
— Bijapur, Karnataka ;
Best Time
- Throughout the
year;
Access -
(R) Bijapur;
Desc.
- The Gol Gumbaz is the world
famous mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah built in 1659. This
enormous structure with its vast hemispherical dome capable of
repeating a sound 10 times is said to be the world's second
largest (diameter-38 metres) next to St. Peter's in Rome (42 m).
Gomateshwara
- Sravanabelagola, Karnataka;
Access
- (A)
Bangalore-155 km (R) Mysore 115 km;
Desc.
- One of the oldest
and most important Jain pilgrimage centres in India. The structure
of Lord Bahubali (Gomateshwara) is said to be world's tallest
monolithic statue. Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony takes place
once every 12-14 years.
Hajebid
&
Belur
— Karnataka;
Access
- Belur 40km by road
from Hassan; Halebid 32 km from Hassan;
Desc.
- The temples
at Halebid & Belur are covered with a wealth of sculptural detail.
Hampi
— Karnataka;
Best Time
- Throughout the year;
Access
-
(A) Bangalore (R) Hospet;
Desc -
Site of the capital of the old
Hindu empire of Vijayanagar. The medieval ruins cover some 26
sq. kms. Vijayanagar was founded in 1336. In 1565 the city was
sacked and reduced to rubble except for a few buildings. The Por-
tuguese traveller Paes who saw Vijayanagar in its heyday de-
scribed it as being as large as Rome with the palace of its king
more spacious than the castles of Lisbon. The stone chariot, very
finely carved out of stone and a monolithlic Narasimha carved out
of a single boulder are some of the sights to be seen.
Coorg
— Karnataka;
Access
- (Ro) Mysore;
Desc.
- Perched on
the green top of the Western Ghats and surrounded on all sides
by lovely mountainous terrain lies the picturesque district of
Coorg;
Places of Interest
- Talakaveri, Omkareswara temple.
Kemmanagundi
— Mysore, Karnataka;
Best Time
- March-July;
Access
- (Ro) Bhadravathi;
Desc.
- Situated amidst Bababudan-
agiri ranges in the Western ghats is a health resort. The hill
station has salubrious climate, magnificient natural scenery;
Places of Interest -
Hebbe Falls, Bababudanagiri Peak, Bhadra-
vathi Iron and Steel works, Dattatreya Bhavan.
Nandi Hill
- Karnataka;
Best Time
- Throughout except in mon-
soon;
Access
- (A) Bangalore;
Desc.
- Popular hill resort near
Bangalore. The fairly extensive plateau on its top has been, of
late, developed into an ideal summer resort;
Places of Interest
-
Tippu's lodge, Amrita Sarovar, Tippu's Drop.
Jog Falls
— Sirsi, Karnataka;
Best Time -
After monsoon;
Access
- (R) Mysore (348km), accessible also from Bangalore;
Desc.
- Jog Falls is the highest falls in India. The Sharavati river
drops 253m in 4 distinctly separate falls - Rani, Rocket, Raja &
Roarer.
Brindavan Gardens
- Mysore, Karnataka;
Best Time -
Throughout the year;
Access -
(R) Mysore;
Desc.
- Situated at
the base of the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam the musical fountains and
illuminated dancing waters present a feast of colour in the eve-
nings turning the gardens into a veritable fairyland. Tourists can
spend the night at a hotel overlooking the whole panorama of the
gardens. There are facilities for boating and fishing.
The Mysore Palace
- Mysore, Karnataka;
Best Time -
Throughout the year;
Access
- (A) Bangalore;
Desc.
- Originally
largely wooden and destroyed by a fire in 1897. The new one,
erected at the same site in 1912, is profusely decorative and
gilded; perhaps the most ornate example of Indo-Saracenic archi-
tecture. A solid gold throne studded with jewels remains the
single resplendent object to be seen. The Dasara Procession is an
annual festival lasting for 10 days;
Places of Interest
- Jaganmo-
han Palace, Chamundi Hill, Brindavan gardens, St. Philomena's
Church, Mysore Zoo, Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary, Tippu's palace
etc.
Dusserah Procession
— Karnataka,Mysore;
Best Time
- Sept/
October;
Access
- (A) Bangalore;
Desc.
- Mysore is famous for
its Dusserah festival. The whole city is illuminated. Caparisoned
elephants lead processions and music and dance programmes are
part of the 10 - day festival.
Mudumalai
- Tamil Nadu;
Best Time
- Dec-Jan;
Access -
(A)
Coimbatore (165 kms); (Ro) Ooty (36 km);
Desc.
- Snuggled in
the majestic Nilgiris, the mystique of the timeless forests of
Mudumalai is reinforced by the lure of the wild. The diversity of
wildlife here includes such species as the gaur or Indian bison and
rare varieties of deer like the mouse deer and the barking deer,
Kanniyakumari temple
— Cape Comorin, Tamil Nadu;
Best
Time -
Throughout the year;
Access
(A) Trivandrum (80 km) (R)
Trivandrum, Coimbatore, Delhi & Bombay, Tirunelveli (81 km);
Desc.
- Temple dedicated to the virgin Goddess Kanniyakumari.
The diamond nose-ring of this deity is famous for its sparkling
splendour, which is supposed to be visible from the sea;
Places of
Interest
- Gandhi Memorial, Vivekananda Memorial.