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Eternal India
encyclopedia
immortality. The nectar was being borne to heaven in a pitcher by
Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods, but the demons wanted a
share. After a struggle lasting 12 days the gods emerged victori-
ous and drank the nectar. During the fight for the possession of
the pitcher (or Kumbh), four drops spilt on the earth at Allahabad.
Hardwar, Nasik and Ujjain. In memory of this the Kumbh Mela is
observed at these four sacred places in rotation, once in three
years, over a 12-year-period. Millions of devotees come from far
and near.
Palace on Wheels
— Rajasthan;
Desc. -
A special weekly
tourist train service from Delhi covers Rajasthan. The carriages in
the train used to belong to various Maharajas.
Mt. Abu
— Rajasthan;
Best Time
- Mar-June, Oct-Nov;
Access
-
(R) Abu Road (27 km);
Desc.
- Only hill station in Rajasthan.
Naature has bestowed scenic beauty lavishly on the town of Mt.
Abu and man has contributed a good deal to fill in the deficiency;
Places of Interest
- Dilwara temples, Sunset Point, Gaumukh,
Achaleshwar temple, the Nakki lake.
City Palace
— Jaipur, Rajasthan;
Best Time
- Oct-March
'Access
-
(A) Jaipur (R) Jaipur;
Desc.
- A blend of Rajasthan and Mughal
architecture, the museum has an extensive collection of art, car-
pets and enamel ware. The armoury has a collection of guns and
swords dating back to the 15th century.
Jama Masjid
— Delhi;
Access
(A) Delhi (R) Delhi;
Desc.
- This
great mosque of old Delhi is the largest in India accommodating
upto 29,000 worshippers. Built by Shah Jahan.
Hawa Mahal
— Jaipur, Rajasthan;
Best Time
- Oct-Mar;
Access
-
(A) Jaipur (R)Jaipur;
Desc. -
The Hawa Mahal, Palace of the
Winds, is the landmark of Jaipur, capital city of Rajasthan. A pink
sandstone structure, five stories high, it has semi-octagonal
overhanging windows, each with a perforated screen. The total
effect is one of lightness and delicacy.
Throughout the year;
Access
- (A) 185 km from Udaipur, Ahme-
dabad (222km) (R) Abu;
Desc.
- These temples built between the
11th & 13th Century and dedicated to the Jain Thirthankaras are
famous for the rich and intricate carvings in marble.
Lake City of Udaipur
— Udaipur, Rajasthan ;
Best Time -
Throughout year except during summer April-June;
Access
- (A)
Udaipur (R) Udaipur;
Desc.
- Udaipur has been described as the
most romantic city in India. A city of glittering palaces, the largest
of which stand on the shores of Lake Pichola, an artificial lake
created in the 14th century. The Jag Niwas Palace built on an
isjand in the middle of the lake is now a luxury hotel. Jag Mandir is
another island palace. Other lakes in the neighbourhood, all
artificial, are joined to it by canals.
Ranthambor Tiger Park
— Rajasthan;
Best Time
- Nov-May;
Access
- (A) Jaipur (R) Jaipur (160 kms);
Desc.
- Natural habitat
for tigers, spread over an area of 400sq km set in the Aravalli and
Vindhya hills dotted with pavilions dominated by the Ranthambor
fort. Plenty of tigers and other animals to be seen in a very pictur-
esque setting.
A GREAT DESTINATION
j
Ghana Bird Sanctuary
— 54km from Bharatpur, Rajasthafi;
Best Time
- Oct - Feb;
Access -
(A) Agra (R) Agra;
Desc.
- One
of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world covering an area of
52kms. Home to 328 kinds of birds, 117 of which come from as far
away as China and Siberia. The rare Siberian crane can be seen
here during Dec-Jan.
Amber Fort
— Jaipur, Rajasthan;
Best Time
- Oct-Mar;
Access -
(A) Jaipur (R) Jaipur;
Desc.
- This 16th century fortress-palace is
a superb example of Rajput architecture built on a hillside over-
looking a lake which reflects the terraces & ramparts. It has me
world's best chamber of mirrors.
I
.
Pinjore Gardens
— Haryana;
Best Time
- Oct-March;
Access -
(A) Chandigarh -20 km from Chandigarh (R) Chandigarh;
Desi
. -
Developed in the 17th Century it is famous for its epic connection.
According to the
Mahabharata,
thePandavas spent some time at
Pinjore during their exile. The charming Mughal terraced gardens
were developed in the 17th century.
Kaziranga National Park
— Assam;
Best Time
- Oct-April;
Access
- (A) Jorhat 97km (R) Furketing-72km The rare one-
horned rhino, elephant, swamp bison, tiger and many more species
of animals and birds can be seen here It covers an area of 430 sq
km of forests, grasslands, marshes and pools.
Chandigarh
-
Best Time
- Oct-Mar;
Access -
(A) Chandigarh
(R) Chandigarh;
Desc. -
A well - planned and laid out city
designed by the French architect Le Corbusier.
Nekchand Rock Garden
— Chandigarh;
Best Time
- Oct-
March;
Access
- (A) Chandigarh (R) Chandigarh;
Dexc.
- Con-
crete maze with a lot of rocks and gardens.
Golden Temple
— Amritsar, Punjab;
Access
- (A) Amritsar,
Delhi (R) Delhi (Ro) Amritsar and Delhi (447 km), Chandigarh
(235 km).
Salar Jung Museum
— Hyderabad;
Best Time
- July-March;
Access
- (A) Hyderabad (R) Hyderabad;
Desc.
- A unique one -
- man collections of invaluable antiques.
Bodhgaya
— Bihar;
Best Time
- Oct-March;
Access -
(A) Patna
13km from Gaya, (R) 220km from Varanasi & 458km from Cal-
cutta;
Desc. -
There are four places sacred to Buddha. Lumbini in
Nepal, where he was born, Sarnath near Varanasi in Uttar
Pradesh where he first preached his message, Kushinagar near
Ghorakhpur where he died and Bodhgaya where he attained en-
lightenment. The Mahabodhi temple at Bodhgaya contains a co-
lossal gilded image of the Buddha.
Sun Temple
— Konarak, Orissa;
Best Time
- Oct-Mar;
Access
-
(A)
Bhubansewar (R) Puri, 40 miles from Bhubaneswar and 139
miles from Puri;
Desc. -
Crowning glory of Oriya temple art.
Constructed in the 13th century, the Sun Temple was built in the
shape of a chariot for the Sun god, Surya. Around the base of the
temple are 24 gigantic carved stone wheels. Seven mighty horses
pull the temple. The immense structures have figures and bass
reliefs, many of them erotic. The temple took 12 years to com-
plete with 1200 sculptors working on it
Dilwara Jain Temple
— Rajasthan Mt.Abu;5e,
Time -