magazine design and layout

Vol. 1, Issue 1, November 2015

Vol.1, Issue 1, Novem

ber 2015w

ww.thetraveloholic.com

Rs. 2

50/-

A Home Cabs India Group Presentation

Holly Cities along The Ganga

COVER STORY

THE GANGATRaVEl ViEw

HimalaYa’S TO THE baY Of bEngal

namami gangE

yoga in

risHikEsH

the birth of

gangaGANGA

SPECIAL ISSUE

NEXT ISSUE

North East India A Journey to Magical Land

ONE STOP SOLUTION FOR ALL YOUR TRAVEL NEEDS

Sindon homecab india Pvt. Ltd.Corp.: 903, 9th Floor, Pearls Business Park, Pitampura, New Delhi - 110034Tel.: +91-11-47045473; +91-8222873873; Email : [email protected] Guide ho to aisa

www.homecabs.com

www.maharashtratourism.gov.in | Toll free No. 1800-229930

Glory of ELEPHANTA CAVESThe Elephanta Caves are a great tourist attraction in the vicinity of the large Mumbai meteropolis. The Elephanta island is located 10 km away from the Gateway of India at Mumbai. These caves house rock cut temples dating back to the 5th century CE.

KANHERI CAVES

MAHAKALI CAVES

MANDAPESHWAR CAVES

M A H A R A S H T R A

u n l i m i t e d

FEEL THE ADVENTURE

OF NATURE…

Welcome To Chhattisgarh’s Chitrakoot water Fall.

Famously known as Niagara Falls of India, Chitrakoot Waterfalls is located 38 km away from Jagdalpur. The falls is the broadest in India, it falls from a height of 96 ft, and during the season, the width is above 1000 feet. The shape of the waterfalls resembles horseshoe. The forest area around the waterfalls offers spectacular views.

Chitrakoot Resort by Chhattisgarh Tourism BoardFor bookings and any further information, please call us at +91 771 4028634, +91 771 4066415 or mail us at [email protected].

www.cgtourism.choice.gov.in | Toll Free No.: 1-800-1232-4234 (8am to 8pm)

4 The Traveloholic Vol. I, Issue. I November 2015

The Travelholic Magazine is published by Sindon Homecab India Pvt. Ltd. under licence from (part of the Home Cabs India Group) The Travelholic is a trademark of Sindon Homecab India Pvt. Ltd. (part of the Home Cabs India Group) and is used under licence. Copyright © Sindon Homecab India Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part prohibited without permission.

The Travelholic Magazine is edited by Sandeep Sindhu and printed and published by Sandeep Sindhu for and on behalf of Sindon Homecab India Pvt. Ltd.

903, 9th Floor, Pearls Business Park, NSP Pitampura, Delhi -110034 India

The Publisher makes every effort to ensure that the magazine's contents are correct.However, we accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions. Unsolicited material, including

photographs and transparencies, is submitted entirely at the owner' risk and the publisher accepts no responsibility for its loss or damage.Submissions to the magazine may also be used on the publications' related platforms. All Maps, including those of India, used in the magazine are for illustrative purposs only. The Travelholic Magazine is not responsible for any controversies that may arise thereof.

All material published in The Travelholic Magazine is protected by copyrightand unauthorised reproduction in part or full is forbidden.

MD & Chief Editor Sandeep Sindhu Managing Editor Amit Narsingh Assistant Editor Parwat Dhalwal

Senior Features Writer Sanya Raghav Travel Consultant Parshanth Kumar Lingampally Senior Travel Researcher Sonia Rawat Assistant Travel Researcher Sunil Rathaur Senior Editorial Coordinator Ravinder Singh Special Contributor Jogender Sastri (Veda Achary)

Art Director Divyang R. Gandhi

General Manager Marketing Sunil Rao Brand Manager Brijesh Khurana Marketing Manager Somveer Malik Marketing Manager Jitesh Aggarwal

Chief Financial Officer Sumit Ahlawat Print and Production KS Designers, India

NEED TO GET IN TOUCH?

SUBSCRIPTION CENTRESNorth : +91 - 11 - 47045473South : +91 - 40 - 64555444East : +91 - 11 - 27152705West : +91 - 26 - 56580121

SUBSCRIPTIONSNational Manager Consumer & RetailSunil [email protected]/subscription

SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIESTHE TRAVELHOLIC MAGAZINE903, 9th Floor, Pearls Business Park, NSP Pitampura, Delhi - 110034 INDIA

AD SALESDirector AD Sales & Business DevelopmentNaresh Verma : [email protected]

FOR SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIESNorth ZoneHaryana Head OfficeFirst Floor SCO 164, Sec 3 Market, Near Community Center, Rohtak (124001), Haryana

Punjab Head Office93, Jhoke Road, Ferozepur Cantt, Punjab

Uttrakhand Head Office First Floor, Alankar Place, Near Sankar Ashram, Jwalapur, Haridwar (249407)

West ZoneGujrat Head Office1005/10th Floor, Signet Hub, Near Akshar Chawk, O.P. RoadVadodara

South ZoneAndhra Pradesh and Telangana Head OfficeLord International, Plot No.21, 2nd floor, Saketha plaza, Opp. ICICI Bank, Ganesh Temple Road, Vanasthalipuram, Hyderabad (500070)

TM



NEXT ISSUENorth East INdIa a Journey to Magical Land

The Traveloholic is India's leading luxury travel brand. The Traveloholic is a 100% subsidiary of Sindon Homecab India Pvt. Ltd.

Our main purpose of setting up shop in India is to provide authentic and independent information tailored for the Indian traveller’s needs and written by Indian authors. The Traveloholic promises Indian travellers better travel planning, richer experiences and more memorable holidays to share. It championed sustainable travel before it was cool and, twelve times annually, celebrates journeys that are about place, great photography culture, experience, authenticity and, living like the locals. It makes a distinction between tourism and travel.

AccurAte, prActicAl informAtionWe are devotees of quirky, stylish and elegant writing. Our contributors travel far, wide and deep to recount fabulous and honest tales we bring to you in their own voice. The Treveloholic authors are experienced, insightful travel experts. They personally research the places they write about – both in the first and in subsequent editions – and provide essential travel details along with a wealth of insider information and first-hand tips. Our content is designed to be eminently readable and user-friendly.

Best suggestions And tipsThe Traveloholic recommends a wide range of options so that travellers can get the most out of their time and money, whether they’re travelling on a shoestring or an expense account.

The Traveloholic offers accurate, practical advice for travelling safely in all destinations. We also provide valuable tips for staying healthy and essential information on what to do in an emergency.

Be A Part Of The TraveloholicWhether you've got a travel question or want to show off your stunning photos or insider knowledge of a destination,

get in touch at www.thetraveloholic.com

Also in the Magazine

Travel ViewIn THE TRAVELOHOLIC MAGAZINE we will help you to suggest all the information about every place & state. So that you will be able to judge about the best vacation places & will not face any kind of travel-ling problem during vacation. We will always there for you whenever you plan for a calm & enjoyable vacation.

What To Eat In & Where To EatWhile travelling we continuous to amaze you in all aspects ranging from culture, history, traditions or the food. From spicy samosa to sweet lassi, from finger licking butter chicken to orgasmic biryani…… we have something for everyone. Our food experts will suggest you healthy & delicious food on various places. So while on vacation, explore and experience places through your taste buds without anything worrying about. We will suggest you the mouth watering variety of Indian cuisine.

Where To StayOur travel experts will suggest you an excellent range of accommodations to suit every budget. All visi-tors, from backpackers to those who prefer to stay in luxury, are catered for. Our travel experts will give you the best ideas about where to stay. We will suggest you enough variety of places to stay. Where to stay while on vacation can never be a problem as there are numerous accommodation option you will never be stuck in heap because there isn’t a choice.

Activities To DOThe number of things you can do & the experiences you can have on vacation are uncountable. There are many things you can be done on a short period of vacation. While listing all the things that can be done in india may be an impossible task, so our travel experts have listed some of the best things to do on vacation which are a must for getting feel of real vacation.

Places To visitA good waterfront view makes your stay at a retreat worthwhile, a great one however, makes you want to remain there forever. Our travel experts present to you such spectacular sights that simply take your breath away and transport you to another world. Travel while you are still young. Lose yourself to find your own self. Live like there is no tomorrow & whatever you will explore today will last a lifetime with you. So our travel experts gives you the list of best places to visit while travelling for a life changing experience.

How To ReachWhile on vacation there are many sources to reach on your destination. Our travel experts suggest you the best ways to travel. You can travel by air, by land, by rail or by sea to reach on your favorite place & these travel methods will take you on destination in a sufficient time which will not take your enough money. As a travel advisor we will suggest you the best transport of travelling.

Travel NewsWe will update you every single news & current affairs of travelling through our THE TRAVELOHOLIC MAGAZINE. So a traveloholic person can plan his trip & tours and get updated with current news.


Vol.1, Issue 1, Novem

ber 2015w

ww.thetraveloholic.com

Rs. 2

50/-


Holly Cities along The Ganga

COVER STORY

THE GANGATRAVEL VIEW

HIMALAYA’S TO THE BAY OF BENGAL

NAMAMI GANGE

YOGA IN

RISHIKESH

THE BIRTH OF

GANGAGANGA

SPECIAL ISSUE

NEXT ISSUE

North East IndiaA Journey to Magical Land

ONE STOP SOLUTIONFOR ALL YOUR TRAVEL NEEDS

Sindon Homecab India Pvt. Ltd.Corp.: 903, 9th Floor, Pearls Business Park, Pitampura, New Delhi - 110034Tel.: +91-11-47045473; +91-8222873873; Email : [email protected] Guide ho to aisa

www.homecabs.com


Editor's letter

TOP 5 BOOKS ON GANGA

All information and travel details are correct on the time of going to press, and may have altered after publication. Unless otherwise stated, hotel prices and airline fares are for the months of publication. Currency conversions are correct at the time of going to press, and may be rounded up.

Greetings and a warm welcome to our very first issue of The Traveloholic Magazine !After months of anticipation, preparation, and announcements that were meant to prepare you for this, we are proud to welcome all of you to the very first edition of the all new ‘The Traveloholic’. We have been so busy getting everything ready, only now, as I sit down to write

my first “Letter from the Editor”, I am beginning to understand what an honor it is, for me, and for all of the people who work here, to be part of this endeavour.

‘The Traveloholic Magazine is a collection of inspiring and instructive articles written by real, hon-est, down-to-earth authors and writers who work hard to live deliberately, but who are not afraid to admit the struggles we sometimes face. We don’t always have hours to exercise every day. Our houses aren’t perfect. We stay informed and eat as healthy as we can, but we are also realistic and flexible. We are honored to share the work of so many committed and thoughtful people. When my team and I were discussing that, what should be the cover story for first edition, everyone was thinking, and then suddenly one of us got this idea of covering THE GANGA. There can be a question why Ganga. But after

reading this edition you will say there can’t be a better option except Ganga. Everyone knows about The Polluted Ganga. But does everyone know what the positive vibes of Ganga are? We want to introduce the tremendous and delightful sceneries of The Ganga. This edition is a small tribute to “Maa Ganga” by The Traveloholic Team, May this will help to Ganga tourism.

We appreciate your support and are so happy to have you as a reader of The Traveloholic Magazine.

With warmest regardDr. Sandeep Sindhu

Scenic • Seren Sublime•

ODISHA

Odisha Tourism

The Soul of Incredible ndia

Web: www.orissatourism.org | Email: [email protected].: 1-800-208-1414 (Toll free)

Get a Honour to be a Part of Nature…

CHILIKA LAKE IS WAITING TO

RECEIVE YOU AT

PURI SATAPADA | KHORDHA DISTRICT, PURI, INDIA.


ContentsVol. I / Issue. I / November 2015

Cover Story

12-18 The Ganga

Travel View

20-23 Gangotri24-31 Rishikesh42-50 Haridwar52-57 Kanpur60-66 Allahabad68-76 Varanasi78-82 Patna84-91 Kolkata

Health plus

32-36 Yoga in Rishikesh

Namami Gange

38-41 CLEAN GANGA NOW AND FOREVER

and many more...

pg 12

pg 20

11The TraveloholicVol. I, Issue. I2015 November

pg 24

pg 42

pg 38

pg 32

pg 52


For others, Ganga can just be a river, but for us, Ganga is not just a river but it is like our mother..! Ganga is not just a stream of water; it is a stream of our culture..!

— Mr. Narender Modi, Prime Minister of India


The Gangacover story

The mysterious, beautiful, gorgeous, divine, mesmerizing as always! Ganga is beautiful and different in all the places she flows through.


The mysterious, beautiful, gorgeous, divine, mesmerizing as always! Ganga is beautiful and different in all the places

it flows through.

Anybody who visits Ganga must get a glimpse of the holy river. It is the most sacred body of water in the world and even though it is over 1500 miles long,

Ganga is Lifeline of Northern India by guaranteeing more than adequate water for four major states (provinces) in India with many religious implication, it is a beautiful and majestic river.

Amazing Place to Visit, Having seen the Ganges in many places, this is the one not to miss. Heaving humanity mingles

with tourists and cameras, as everyone makes their way with pilgrims, down to the banks of the river. Many holy men are seated on the steps waiting to recite the family genealogy to Hindu pilgrims before they immerse themselves in the murky waters

In Hindu mythology, the revered Ganges has extreme significance.

From the mythological point of view, this sacred river is known as Goddess Ganga. The followers of the Hindu religion also call it as "Mother Ganges". Locally, they use the term "Ganga Maa" to refer to the sacred river. The river Ganga is adored as a "Goddess". Ganga is one of the most popular rivers in the world. The river is also very famous for its unequal length and width all over the globe. In Purans, it is mentioned that not only the touch even the name of the river purifies the souls of the Hindus.

The water of the sacred river Ganga is known as "Ganga Jal". This water is considered as the most pure water on the earth. River Ganga came into existence from Gaumukha, sited in the state of Uttaranchal. The site also has rich popularity among the worshippers in India.

For any Indian, the Ganges or 'Ma Ganga' is the holy mother, the giver of life and the remover of sins, into whose bosom one immerses the mortal remains. She is no ordinary river and is pure as melted snow when she descends from the Himalayas.


The Birth of Ganga (Hindu Myths)King Sagar had sixty thousand sons who were burnt to ashes due to the anger of saint Kapil Muni. They blamed that the saint has stolen a horse of the ritual yagna of King Sagar. King Sagar took suggestion from various saints regarding the salvations of his sons. They all suggested that if the Holy Ganga is brought from the haven and the ashes of his sons were dipped in it, their souls will definitely achieve nirvana or moksha. King Sagar requested his son Bhagirath to worship Lord Brahma. He does the same for many years. When Brahmaji was pleased, he asked him to release Ganga from his Kamandal and let it flow on the earth. Brahma told that he would do as such but the earth will not be able to tolerate the extreme velocity of Ganga. That is the reason Lord Shiva received Ganga on his head. Lord Shiva did so but somehow Ganga got stuck in his hair. King again worshiped Shiva to release Ganga from his hair. Since than Ganga has been flowing on earth and is worshiped by billions.

cover story


The water of the Ganga is extremely pure and sanctifying. No germs can flourish in this. This has

been tested by various scientists in the laboratory. Rich in minerals this water cures almost all kinds of diseases.

The Ganga is saturated with antiseptic minerals. Even in the West, doctors prescribe Ganga water for rubbing in the treatment of diseases of the skin. Ganga is not merely a river. It is a sacred Tirtha. It is possessed of mysterious powers which are not found in any other river of the world. Even scientists have admitted the efficacy of the Ganga water.

Dr. F.C. Harrison of McGill University, Canada writes: “A peculiar fact which has never been satisfactorily explained is the quick death, in three or five hours, of the cholera vibrio in the waters of the Ganga. When one remembers sewage by numerous corpses of natives, often cholera casualties, and by the bathing of thousands of natives, it seems remarkable that the belief of the Hindus, that the water of this river is pure and cannot be defiled and that they can safely drink it and bathe in it, should be confirmed by means of

modern bacteriological research”.A well-known French physician, Dr. D. Herelle, made similar investigations into the mystery of the Ganga. He observed some of the floating corpses of men dead of dysentery and cholera, and was surprised to find “that only a few feet below the bodies where one would expect to find millions of these dysentery and cholera germs, there were no germs at all”. He then grew germs from patients having the disease, and to these cultures added water from the Ganga. When he incubated the mixture for a period, much to his surprise, the germs were completely destroyed.

A British physician, Dr. C.E. Nelson, F.R.C.S., tells us of another striking fact. He says that “ships leaving Calcutta for England take their water from the Hooghly river which is one of the mouths of the filthy Ganga and this Ganga water will remain fresh all the way to England . On the other hand, ships leaving England for India find that the water they take on in London will not stay fresh till they reach Bombay, the nearest Indian port, which is a week closer to England than Calcutta. They must replenish their water-supply at Port Said , Suez or at Aden on the Read Sea”.

In 1896, a British bacteriologist Ernest Hanbury Hankin tested the bacterium Vibrio Cholerae that causes the deadly disease cholera, and found that this bacterium died within three hours when put into the waters of Ganga.

The presence of bacteriophages (viruses that kill bacteria) in the water of the Ganges is considered as the reason behind this quality and its purity.

In a study conducted by Malaria Research Center in New Delhi it was observed that water from the upper ambits of Ganga did not host mosquito breeding, and also prevented mosquito breeding if added to other water sources.

An unknown substance in Ganga acts on organic materials and bacteria and kills them.

The Ganga’s self-purifying quality leads to oxygen levels 25 times higher than any other river in the world.

Mistpouffers or Barisal Guns are unexplained sounds that resemble a sonic boom that have been reported to be heard in Ganga. They resemble the sonic boom of a supersonic jet.

facts plus

Purity of the Ganga Water


SOME FactS abOut GanGa

• River Ganga originates from the Gangotri Glacier, on the southern slopes of the Himalayas, which is 14,000 feet above sea level.

• Rivers Bhagirathi and Alaknanda join each other at Devprayag to form River Ganga.

• Ganga basin is shared by ten states. These states are Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh (34.2%), Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh (23.1%), Bihar and Jharkhand (16.7%), Rajasthan (13.0%), West Bengal (8.3%), Haryana (4.0%) and Himachal Pradesh (0.5%). The Union Territory of Delhi accounts for 0.2% of the total area of the Ganga Basin.

• Before entering the Bay of Bengal, the Ganga, along with Brahmputra, forms the largest delta of the world between two arms: the Bhagirathi / Hugli and the Padma / Meghna covering an area of 58,752 sq km.

• The Ganges basin is about 200 to 400 miles (322 to 644 km) wide.

• The Ganga in Haridwar has shifted from its original course by 500 meters in the past few decades. In Bihar, some parts of the river have shifted more than 2.5 km since 1990.

• Ganga is the home for 140 different species of fish and 90 different species of amphibians, many of which are near extinction today.

• Ganga is also the home for fresh water dolphins and Ganges sharks, both of which are endangered species with Ganges shark being critically endangered.

• The Ganges shark is a requiem shark species that is found in Indian rivers Ganga and Brahmaputra. While

many confuse this species with bull sharks (that often come to Ganga and then return back to salt water for reproducing), the Ganges shark lives and reproduces in Ganga.

• River Ganga supports many bird species that are uniquely found in India. They don’t live anywhere else in world.

• University of Roorkee’s D.S. Bhargava, an environmental engineer, studied and found that Ganga is the only river in the world that decomposes organic wastes at a rate 15 to 25 times faster compared to other rivers in entire world.

• The Ganges river basin has the highest population of any river basin in the world. It contains over 400 million people.

• The Ganges basin has very fertile soils and its water is used to irrigate fields growing: rice, sugarcane, oil seeds, lentils, wheat and potatoes.

MANALIWHERE NATURE MEETS SOUL MEETS ART MEETS YOU…

RESIDE IN NATURE & HARMONYSARTHAK RESORTSVPO Khakhnal, Left Bank, Naggar Road, Teshil Manali, District Kullu (H.P.) India 175143Tel: +91-1902-259323, 259623, Mob: +91 92185-02223, 98050 08423 Email : [email protected]; Website : www.sarthakresorts.com

A superb blend of tranquility and amenities in the valley of Gods.

Sarthak Resorts has 50 double bedrooms with separate balcony. Sarthak Resort has 4 family rooms and 1 apartment. Sarthak Resort has eco friendly solar geyser with 9000 Lts capacity. The adjoining bathrooms have running hot and cold water. Traditional double bedrooms with kitchenette facility are also available. Mornings and evenings may be spent in the charming atmosphere of the surrounding areas as well as the lawns, where you may enjoy the scenic view of green forests and snow covered Western Himalayas.

Travel viewGanGoTri

allahabad

rishikesh

Varansi

haridwar

PaTna

kanPur

kolkaTa

Explore the Holy Cities along the Ganga river


Gangotri is one of the major religious places for Hindus amongst the (four) Char Dham pilgrimage areas.

Gangotritravel view

Gangotri is one of the major religious places for Hindus amongst the (four) Char Dham pil-grimage areas. Gangotri

is located in Uttarkashi district and is dedicated to the Goddess Ganga. The holy river Ganges originated from the Gangotri glacier. Here it is known as Bhagirathi, when the river passes Devap-rayag and is merged into the river Al-aknanda, only then is it called the Ganga.Gangotary Temple is one of the top-notch attractions in Gangotri which

is dedicated to Goddess Ganga. This Temple is situated just near a stone and it is said that here Lord Shiva was said to be worshipped by King Bhagirath. This temple is around 20 feet in height. Goddess Ganga’s temple is made of white granite where holy river Ganges is believed to have touched earth.

History and Importance of Gangotri TempleIn the 18th century, Gangotri Temple was built by a Gorkha Commander that stands at an altitude of almost 3042

meters. Here in the temple, several re-ligious rituals are performed by the pu-jaris which include the Aarti ceremony

Special in GangotriAkshaya Tritiya: Special pooja is done on the auspicious days such as Janamshtami, Vijaydashmi and Diwali. Akshaya Tritiya is also known as Akha Teej. This day is considered as the birthday of Lord Para-surama who is the sixth manifestation of Lord Vishnu. This day is celebrated here in Gangotri with lots of pleasure and prosperity.


Bhairon GhatiIt is another amazing tourist destination in Gangotri which is ap-proximately 10 kms from Gangotri town. It is located quite close to the confluence of Jat Ganga and Bhagirathi River. This place is eas-ily accessible by road. The temple of Bhairav Nath is bounded by lush dense forest that makes one can easily reach Jahanvi River on foot.

SuBmerGed ShivlinGThe natural rock Shivling submerged in the river, is an amazing sight reinforcing the power of the divine. Accord-ing to mythology, Lord Shiva sat at this spot to receive the Ganga in his matted locks. The Shivling is visible in the early winters when the water level goes down.

Gaumukh GlacierIt is almost 18 kilometers from Gangotri town and is located at an altitude of 3,892mts above sea level. This glacier is the origin of Bhagirathi River and considered as the second largest glacier of India. Before, Ganges meets with Alaknan-da at Devprayag, it is known as Bhagirathi River. It looks like the cow’s face and Gaumukh usually stands for ‘Gau’ means ‘cow’ and ‘mukh’ means ‘face’. The total length of the glacier is approximately 30 km and it is around 3 to 4km in width.

travel plus


FIRST KNOW THEN GO : GanGotri

BEsT TiME TO VisiTApril to June and September to November.

The winter months of December to March are very cold and the area receives heavy snowfall. The summer months have a pleasant temperature (max 30 degrees) and are the best suited for tour-ism and pilgrimmage treks.

Summer : Cool during day and cold at night. Min. 6 degree C & Max. 20 degree C.

Winter : Sept. to Nov. Cold during the da and chilly at night. Dec. to March Snowbound touching sub-zero.

HOW TO REACHAir : Jolly Grant Dehradun 226 Km is the nearest Airport.

Train : Rishikesh 259 Km is the nearest railhead.

Road : Gangotri can be reached from Rishikesh 259 Km by bus, car or taxi. Yamunotri to Gangotri is 8 Km trek down to Phoolchatti and 229 Km upto Gangotri by bus, car or taxi

WHERE TO sTAYThere are Ashrams and few hotels located on the other side of temple for tourists and pilgrims accommodation and also Private Guest Houses and Dharamshalas available at Gangotri and at all main places along the route.

WHERE TO EAT & DRiNKGangotri is a holy city and thus no eggs,muttons or any other non-veg food is NOT allowed. You wouldn't find any big places to eat here except small tea shops and roadside "Dhabas" where you can get a good vegetarian meal at very good prices.

WHERE TO sHOPThere are not many shops where one can really go shopping in Gangotri. Being a holy city you would find a lot of shops selling holy Indian books,music,good wollen clothes and other sovieners.

You might also come across a few small travel gear shops that sell backpacks,sleeping bags etc, we

would recommend you to buy from them only in cases of emer-gency as the quality of the products may not be of the best standards.

The one thing we would recom-mend you to buy are the medita-tion music CD's, they are going to be an item that you surely wouldn't repent spending a few bucks on. (popular artist would be Krishna Das,Prem Joshua,Ram Mahadev)

ViDEO : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL2qJgET-HM

BOOK : Gangotri - Journey to the Source , Gangotri Glacier

WEBsiTEs : http://www.euttaranchal.com/tourism/gangotri.phphttp://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in/utdb/?q=gangotri http://www.gangotri-tapo-van-trek.com/

www.thetraveloholic.comFor a guide to

Gangotri


Yoga Capital of the World

Rishikesh

travel view

Rishikesh, a most tranquil place in Utrakhand, sur-rounded by hills and bisect-ed by the wide and sluggish Ganges, is often claimed as

the `Yoga Capital of the World'. The town of Rishikesh lies in the foot-hills of the Garhwal region. It is the gateway to the upper Garhwal re-gion and the starting point for pilgrim routes to the four dhams of Uttara-khand -- Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gan-gotri and Yamunotri. The Ganga flows through the town and is worshipped

here. The whole place is considered to be sacred as it is believed that medita-tion at this place leads to attainment of salvation. There are many temples-some ancient, some new along the river Ganges. The River side is dotted by the ashrams of Sadhus and sages.

KnowledgeIn the 1960s Rishikesh gained instant fame as the site where The Beatles came to stay with their guru, the Ma-harishi Mahesh Yogi. It is an excellent place to meditate and study yoga.

It is said that the sage Raibhya Rishi did severe penance here and as a reward, God appeared to him in the form of Hrishikesh, hence the name. Rishikesh has numerous ashrams, some of which are internationally rec-ognized as centers of philosophical studies, yoga and meditation.An international yoga week is orga-nized here every year by Uttarakhand State Government Tourism between 2nd and 7th of February. For the ad-venturous, there are opportunities for white water rafting on the Ganga.


riShikundClose to the Triveni Ghat is the very old place of Rishikund where the Saint Kubz is said to have been blessed by the Goddess Yamuna, who filled the pond with her water. The temple of Raghunath dedicated to Lord Rama and his wife Sita is sited here.

ShivpuriLocated at a distance of 19 kilometres from Rishikesh, The town of Shivpuri is situated on the banks of the river Gan-ges and is famous for its Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

laxman JhulaLaxman Jhula Built in 1939, Laxman or Lakshamana Jhu-la is a suspension bridge in Rishikesh With a length of 450 feet and at a height of around 70 feet from the river. Ac-cording to Hindu mythology, this bridge is built in the same place, where Lakshamana once crossed the river Ganges on a jute rope, thus making this another important pilgrim attraction."Divine place" : Was very excited while crossing Lakshman Jhula, The Ganga river below is flowing in all its mighty with strong currents. On crossing to the other side of the river you can participate in the Ganga Aarti. The best time to visit around 5 pm so that you can come back by 7 pm after the aarathi.

ram JhulaThe Ram Jhula is surrounded by a cluster of ashrams on both sides. It connects the Sivananda Ashram on the east bank to the Swarg Ashram on the west, and is also popu-larly called the Shivanand Jhula. A popular tourist Rishi-kesh, the perfect place for a stroll in the evening.

travel plus


SwarGa aShramThere is a cluster of ashrams on the eastern bank of the Ganges, and the place is popularly known as 'Swarga Ashram'. Most of these ashrams provide courses on yoga and spiritual studies, and are well-known among the tourists.

Bharat mandirNear the Ghat, is the temple known as Bharat Mandir said to be the oldest temple here built by the Adi Shankaracharya. This 9th century temple has the deity of Lord Vishnu carved out of a single black stone popular as Saligram, and is placed in the inner chambers of the temple. The original temple was said to have been destroyed in 1398 AD. If you are lucky, catch the spring festival also called Basant Panchami celebrated here.

neelkantha mahadev templeSituated at a height of 1675 meters, on a hill above Swarg Ash-ram the Neelkantha Mahadev Temple is one of the most impor-tant shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in the Republic of India. In Hindu mythology, the temple stands at the exact spot where lord Shiva drank the Venom ‘halahala’ that originated after the churning of the ocean by the Devas and Asuras in order to ob-tain the Amrita or the elixir of life.

triveni Ghat Triveni Ghat is believed that the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati took place here. It is also a spot for the pilgrims who visit Rishikesh to take a holy dip in its water. This ghat is large and clean, and has separate changing rooms for women. After sunset, the famous Ganga Maha Aarti takes place at around 6 PM, which sees the whole ghat come alive with divinity and religious fervour. Hundreds of leafed lamps float down the stream as divinity becomes the very air.


Sivananda aShramThe Ashram is located on top of a hill with a beautiful view. The experience for this temple is inspiring and so peaceful, and the people there are very welcoming!

Gita BhavanNear the Lakshaman Jhula, is the newly constructed building of Gita Bhavan. It runs a free Ayurvedic dispen-sary and also has a branch of the Gita Press, Gorakhpur. There are more than a hundred rooms for visitors and this edifice houses various striking paintings and stat-ues of ancient mythological characters. The stories of the ancient epics- the Ramayana and the Mahabharata are beautifully illustrated on its walls.

tera manzil templeIt's a 13 story building, with many small temples at each n every story. In this temple u can see almost all the Hindu gods at one place. But the best thing is the top. From top u can see the Ganges, the mountains n all the near by area n Laxman jhoola.

parmath niketan templeWhat an experience of the Ganga aarti at the ashram.the bhajans and chanting start at 6pm and the aarti at 7pm.The whole experience of sitting by the Ganga flowing near you with the beautiful diyas and loud chanting by all the ashram inmates and the crowd joining in is initself a Divine Experience.

travel plus


vaShiShta GufaThis cave is located outside 15-20 kilometres from Rishikesh and is the most sacred place to visit if you are ever in Rishikesh . A little away from the main road - the path will take you down towards the the cave which is situated near the holy Ganga .As you enter the dark cave which is deep and roomy - the Shivlinga with the flickering oil lamp in the cave be-comes visible after your eyes adjust. The feeling of the being inside will leave you speechless and playful .Too beautiful . Worth coming here and spending some time here . The ashram adjoing to the cave manag-es this place .

the BeatleS aShramIt gained prominence after the Beatles stayed here in February 1968. In fact, that was one of the major reasons that made Rishikesh a known name in the list of world tourist attractions. Though officially known as the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, this one became quite a favourite with lovers of music and spir-ituality.

neer Garh waterfall


“Fun, excitement and wonderful al fresco experience! Hit upon all these at the foothills of magnificent Himalayas- “Rishikesh”. The River Ganga tests your adventure skills and transports you to a tour of enjoyment and thrill. There is something for everyone……from a beginner to an expert!”

KayaKing

Mountain BiKing

Swing

yoga

Bungee JuMping

waterfall treKKing

river raftingrappelling

Cliff JuMping CaMping

flying fox

BeaCh volleyBall

adventure plus

Home Cabs Holidays903, 9th Floor, Pearls Business Park, Near Fun Cinema, Pitampura, New Delhi - 110034Tel.: +91-9999311666; +91-9999233555; Email : [email protected] Special offers to the traveloholic readers log no https://www.homecabs.com


FIRST KNOW THEN GO : rishikeshBEsT TiME TO VisiTRishikesh usually has good weather all year round but the best time to go is between end of September to May.

The period from Janurary to end of February is considered to be off season and is the best time to get the best deals.The Monsoons start in Rishikesh from June to August end.

HOW TO REACHAir : The airport in the closest proximity to Rishikesh is the Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport (21 kms) which handles only two flights from Delhi.

Train : It is considered best to travel to Haridwar by train and then take a bus (costing Rs 17 for a 45 min journey) or a shared auto-rickshaw (costing Rs 20-25 for a 30 min journey) or even a taxi (costing Rs 500 for a 30 min journey). There are many trains running between Haridwar and Delhi, some of the preferred ones are: Shatabadi Express, Jan Shatabdi, AC Special Express and Mussoorie Express. To get the proper availbility and fares, visit www.indianrail.gov .in

Road : The best option to reach Rishikesh is to take a bus from Delhi as it is a comfort-able six hours journey that is considerbly inexpensive. The average cost of a bus journey comes out to be between Rs 250-350 from the ISBT. An A/C bus journey can cost between R Rs 250-500.

GETTiNG AROuND RisHiKEsHRishikesh taxi offers a variety of car rental services in rishikesh that are sure to serve to all your requirements.

Vardaan Tour & Travel Office Number 502, Bankhandi, Swargashram, Rishikesh – 249304Tel.: 09897252703

Jungle Mangal Tour & Travel145, Rishikesh Uttranchal, Rishi-kesh - 249409,Tel.: 09997218708

WHERE TO sTAYStep in Rishikesh and you will see lots and lots of hotels to stay, suited for a variety of different budgeted traveling pockets. Even though there are a clot of hotels, one important thing to remember is to book your rooms well in advance especially during the season period since the town sees a lot of tourists not only

from India but also from abroad for reasons quite clearly evident in the introductory paragraph. Some stay options are here :

Hotel Orange Classic Laxman Jhula, Near Taxi Stand, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249302Tel.: 087913 20001

Ashoka HotelHira LAL Marg, Rishikesh Uttranchal, Rishikesh - 249409Tel.: 09897842507

Devoy InnBadrinath-Rishikesh highway, Tapovan, Rishikesh,249201Tel.: 0135 324 2241

Omkarnandan Ganga Mata Mandir Triveni Ghat, Rishikesh Uttranchal, Rishikesh - 249409Tel.: 9319950355

Vashishth Guest House Mukti Dham, Swargashram, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249304Tel.: 0135 244 0029

WHERE TO EAT & DRiNKRishikesh is a purely vegetarian place by law. One would mostly find North Indian cuisine here, however South Indian, Italian, Nepali, Thai and Chinese cuisine are also available at some of the places. The city fosters a parallel vibrant culture that revolves around authentic Continental cuisine and a number of cafes. Another standout in the area is the Ayurvedic food. The outlets that have these health foods offer a variety of food items and teas as well as a complete ambience with elements of Yoga and Ayurveda. Other than these, the street also offers some equally lip-smacking treasure such as Jalebi, Imarti, Samosas, Popcorn as well as fresh and seasonal local fruits. Also, order a 'Thali' for enjoying the best of what the city offers, all in one place.

sTATE's sPECiAL CuisiNEThe food in Uttarakhand is simple, prepared with local ingredients, using herbs and spices which make the food highly energetic. The cooking often uses charcoal and dishes are completed by a generous use of 'Ghee'. The food is also usually prepared using lentils and pulses.

CHOTIwAlASwargashram, Rishikesh, Uttara-khand 2493040135 243 2970

THe 60's CAféPaidal Marg, Tapovan, Hanuman Mandir, Rishikesh, 080066 67393

MOOn lIGHT CAfé Near of Post Office Laxman Jhula, Rishikesh 249302,India09997681057

HOney HuTAasthan Radheyshyam Arcade, Lakhanpur, NH 121, Ramnagar,0120 422 9989

JGB purple DHABA Ramjhula Road, Laxman Jhula, Rishikesh, India09760189967

WHERE TO sHOPRishikesh is very famous town for tourist. There are many places are here where you can have lots of things in shops for Shopping.Around Lakshman Jhula Bridge (both sides) there are many shops and stalls.They sell local craft, clothing and shoes. Lots of brassware is also on sale everywhere. Trinkets and orna-ments, religious and otherwise,

were for sale at really cheap prices.

lakshman Jhula Market, rishi-kesh: Lakshman Jhula is one of the best areas for Shopping. There are lots of shops for cloths, jewelry, precious stones, books, spiritual things and lots of other things.

ram Jhula Market, rishikesh: Ram Jhula Market is also similar to Lakshman Jula. If you cross the bridge by walk there is another market in swargashram. In swargashram also you can get lots of varieties.

rishikesh Main Market: Rishike-sh main market is near triveni ghat area. This are is mostly famous in local people. Mainly it is famous for cloths and daily needs.

ViDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew37cxtkkdQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo_eW8S6TKw

BOOK HARIDWAR RISHIKESH (HINDI) by Rita Rupinder Khullar

WEBsiTEs www.rishikeshtourism.in www.euttaranchal.com/tour-ism/rishikesh.php

http://www.rishikesh.org/

http://www.rishikeshvalley.com/

https://www.rishikeshyo-gpeeth.com/

http://www.haridwarrishike-shtourism.com/rishikesh.html


RisHiKEsH


in Rishikesh

yoga

HealtH plus

Rishikesh, sometimes nicknamed "Yoga Capital of the World",has numerous yoga centres that also attract tourists. It is believed

that meditation in Rishikesh brings one closer to attainment of moksha, as does a dip in the holy river that flows through it. Rafting season starts from the month of March and ends in September.Historically yoga was more than just a method of teaching; it was a way of life. You dedicated yourself to a lifestyle and culture that surpassed meditation techniques and included healthy eating

habits, bathing habits, social interac-tion and work. Its philosophy is rooted in a physical culture of health and well-being that is still emphasised today and explains why over 15 million people in the world now practise this ancient tra-dition.Every yoga asana (pose) has a different name and includes standing postures, seated twists, backbends, arm bal-ances, inversions and core holds. The downward facing dog for example, is in itself said to calm the brain, energise the body, improve digestion, strengthen

arms and legs and be therapeutic for high blood pressure. Whilst these bene-fits come as a given with most postures, the practise of yoga as a whole gives many more benefits than you might think…Most people know that yoga can im-prove flexibility and reduce stress. While those benefits are certainly powerful reasons to start practicing, there are other health perks of yoga that go far beyond becoming more Zen and bend-ing yourself into a pretzel.


yoga in your life

It can help you fIght food cravIngs.For all the emotional eaters out there, here’s a very good bit of news to chew on:A study published in the Journal of the Ameri-can Dietetic Association found that yoga may be a formidable ally in the war on emotional eating, due to its ability to strengthen the mind-body connection.In more basic terms, when you practice yoga you become more in tune with the emotional sensa-tions associated with food cravings, and as a re-sult you'll tend to make better choices when hun-ger and food cravings strike. Your ability to truly listen to your body becomes enhanced.

your dIgestIon wIll Improve.Think about how great you feel after a really good massage. Well, your digestive system pretty much feels much the same after performing certain yoga postures. All day long your body’s digestive system is working hard and sometimes you might experience unfortunate and uncomfortable com-plications like indigestion, acid reflux, bloating, pain, or constipation.Fortunately, there are many simple yoga postures, such as twists, that can help "massage" your body’s internal organs by facilitating your lymphatic drainage and activating the parasympathetic nervous system. This promotes regularity and a very happy, relaxed digestive system.

you'll get a boost In braIn power.Exercise in general is a great brain booster, but a study in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health found that just 20 minutes of yoga can stimulate brain function more than walking or jogging for the ame amount of time. And it doesn’t stop there — research has also shown that yoga can help relieve migraines.

It strengthens your Immune system.Yoga can strengthen immune health with deep breathing techniques that help get more oxygen-rich blood to the lungs and other organs. Fur-thermore, these techniques can also help combat stress, a commonly known risk factor for illness.Basically, as you learn to breathe deeper, your body’s natural defenses will become stronger, and you’ll give your immune system a nice boost — all while you’re laying comfortably on your yoga mat!

you could add some heIght.Yup, it’s true! There are certain poses which can help decompress the spine and vertebral discs; there's also Antigravity Yoga, which focuses on zero-compression inversions while you hang up-side down from a silk hammock. End result: Your body decompresses, both figuratively and liter-ally, while also extending in length. In my experi-ence, you'll see a vertical boost of up to an inch and a half!


HealtH plus

4

3

2

1parmarth niketenParmarth Niketen, on the banks of the holy Ganges river in Rishikesh, is one of the top yoga centers in India and the biggest ashram in the area. It has 1,000 rooms on its sprawling eight acre campus, with various rates (on a "donation" basis from 300 rupees per person, per day) depending on the standard of accommodations and view. Two yoga classes and three meals daily are included in the price. The ashram runs an extensive pro-gram of beginner yoga, Vedic heritage and spirituality, and teacher training courses. Outsider visitors are wel-come to attend daily classes by giving a donation. The ashram's evening Ganga aarti is popular.

Sivananda aShramAnother of India's top yoga centers, Sivananda Ashram was founded by Swami Sivananda and is run by the Divine Life Society. Teachings are based around the five points of yoga -- postures, breathing, relaxation, meditation, and diet. Free yoga and meditation classes are offered daily. However, ac-commodations (which are also provided free of charge, along with food) are only available to serious spiritual seekers who need to apply at least a month in advance. The ashram is located 3 kilometers from Rishikesh, on the way to Badrinath.

Sadhana mandir and Swami rama Sadhaka Grama aShramSadhana Mandir was founded in 1966 by Swami Rama, au-thor of Living with the Himalayan Masters, and many other renowned spiritual books. Meditation, in the Himalayan Tra-dition, is the focus of the teachings at this ashram. It has a serene garden setting on the banks of the Ganges river, but away from the hustle and bustle of Rishikesh. Various residential programs are offered and require reservations at least two weeks in advance.Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama was founded by Swami Veda Bharati, a disciple of Swami Rama. In addition to offering meditation instruction in the Himalayan Tradition, the ash-ram is a highly regarded center for scientific research into yogic meditation. Accommodations, limited to 100 guests at a time, are provided in very comfortable self contained bun-galows. There's a daily schedule of activities, as well as per-sonalized instruction and individualized spiritual retreats. Ac-commodation rates vary according to nationality, and include meals and daily classes.

omkarananda GanGa SadanOmkarananda Ganga Sadan, the guesthouse of the Om-karananda Ashram Himalayas, is home to the Patanjala Yoga Kendra yoga center. Iyengar yoga classes are the specialty there. The center is located at the Muni-ki-Reti area of Rishi-kesh, on the banks of the Ganges river. It has its own ghat, and a daily aarti is performed. Daily (except Sundays) yoga classes are open to everyone but reservations need to be made months in advance for the intensive yoga courses. Lec-tures on the Bhagavad Gita are also offered. Accommoda-tions are reasonably priced and clean, and many rooms have river views.


5 6

7 8

Shree maheSh heritaGe meditation SchoolIf your focus is more on meditation than yoga, Shree Mahesh Heritage Meditation School offers a 300 hour meditation teacher training course, as well as meditation retreats and meditation for beginners courses. The school's approach is based on Vedic texts, and you'll also learn about yoga, Ayur-veda, life healing, and spiritual development. In addition, there's a special non-residential Health Supportive Lifestyle Program that teaches healthy choices about diet, exercise and other lifestyle habits that can be easily applied in day-to-day life. Founder Ram Gupta has a degree in Nature Cure Science and Master Degree in Yoga and Meditation, plus more than 20 years of diverse experience in India and internationally.

YoGa niketanYoga Niketan was founded by Swami Yogeshwaranand Par-amahans, a renowned master of Raj Yoga. The teachings of this ashram, which is located in the Muni-Ki-Reti area of Rishikesh, are based solely on eight fold path as per the Patanjali yoga shastra. The ashram requires a minimum stay of 15 days for any of its courses. However, it also has a commercially run guesthouse that's available for shorter stays, and guests can attend daily classes at the ashram. Room rates start from 500 rupees a day, per person, for Indians and 900 rupees a day for foreigners.

Swami daYananda aShramThis ashram was established during the 1960s by Swami Dayanan-da Saraswati, an internationally recognized teacher of Vedanta and scholar of Sanskrit. It's located in picturesque surroundings, around 10 minutes walk from the Ram Jhula area. Regular residential courses are conduced there, with focus on Bhagavad Gita and the ten principal Upanishads. Vedic chanting is also taught during the courses. In addition, visiting teachers conduct Iyengar yoga retreats (suitable for beginners and intermediate students) at the ashram.

phool chattiMeaning "Land of Flowers", Phool Chatti ashram was founded in the late 1800s (yes, it's more than 120 years old) and is located a peaceful 5 kilometers upriver from Laxman Jhula. The ashram is renowned for its frequent seven day yoga and meditation program. The teachings are different from many others as they focus on the full spectrum of the yogic path and ashram life, not just asanas (postures). Students will get to experience medi-tation, breathing (pranayama), cleansing, chanting, mau-na (silence), pooja (worship), kirtan (sacred singing), and other important aspects of the yogic path. There are op-portunities for meditative walks amongst nature as well.


9

10 11

anand prakaSh aShramAnand Prakash Ashram was founded in 2007 by husband and wife team Chetana Panwar (a Ca-nadian woman) and Yogirishi Vishvketu (who's studied Hatha and Raja yoga, and the Vedic heal-ing arts, in northern India since childhood). They offer their own style of yoga called Akhanda Yoga, which has holistic, non-sectarian teachings. Em-phasis is on balanced sequencing of asana, pra-nayama, relaxation, mantra and meditation, as well as discussions and readings on the yogic lifestyle and yoga philosophy. Stays at the ash-ram including yoga, accommodations, and meals are from 700 rupees ($15) per person, per night. There are 18 rooms, and a minimum three nights stay is required. Yoga classes for non-residents are 150 rupees for afternoon classes and 200 rupees for morning classes. The ashram also runs 200 hour and 500 hour Yoga Teacher Train-ing programs. It's located in the Tapovan area.

himalaYan YoG aShramLocated a short walk up the hill from Anand Prakesh, the compact Himalayan Yog Ashram teaches the practice of Himalayan Yoga based on the Vedic tradition, which forms the base for all different paths of yoga. The programs con-sist of a combination of yoga postures, breathing, medi-tation, and spiritual teachings. Various Ayurvedic healing programs are offered as well. The minimum stay at the ash-ram is a week, but two weeks are recommended to obtain maximum benefit. As well as the teachings, guests praise this ashram for its great food, beautiful environment, and welcoming hosts.

oSho GanGadham aShramThe Osho GangaDham ashram is situated on the Ganges river at Brahampuri, around 10 minutes drive from the Laxman Jhula area on Badrinath Road. Various types of Osho Active Meditation practices are taught at the ash-ram, and meditation camps are offered throughout the year.

RISHIKESH YOGA & MEDITATION CAMP

And many more adventures....

3N/4D YOGA CAMP The Happiness Program or Sahaj

Samadhi Meditation Samadhi Meditation will be of 3 to 3.5

hrs each day

` 5,499*/- per person Twin sharing

6N/7D YOGA & MEDITATION CAMP The Happiness Program or Sahaj will be

of 3 to 3.5 hrs everyday Daily yaga & Meditation classes


14N/15D YOGA & MEDITATION CLASSIS The wellness & Happiness Classes (Daily) Yoga Classes and Meditation Classes (Daily) Check-up & Consult With Expert (Routine)


Home cabs Holidays903, 9th Floor, Pearls Business Park, Near Fun Cinema, Pitampura, New Delhi - 110034Tel.: +91-9999311666; +91-9999233555; Email : [email protected] Special offers to the traveloholic readers log no https://www.homecabs.com

EVERYDAY A DiFFERENT jOuRNEY...

CALL : +91-9999311666 : +91-9999233555

100% PURE YOGA CAMPwww.homecabs.com


namami GanGe


Mata Amritanandamayi to donate Rs 100 crore for Namami Gange Project

CLEAN

GANGANOW AND FOREVER


Namami GangeOn May 13, the Cabinet ap-

proved the flagship Namami Gange programme to clean and protect the Ganga, in-

corporating significant new funding and implementation elements. Shyamlal Ya-dav outlines the national effort to clean the holy river, its history, and what has changed. - See more at: Namami Gange Accordingly, an Inte-grated Ganga Conservation Mission called “Namami Gange” has been proposed to be set up and a sum of Rs. 2,037 crores has been set aside for this purpose. In addition a sum of Rs. 100 crores has been allocated for developments of Ghats and beautifica-tion of River Fronts at Kedarnath, Harid-war, Kanpur, Varanasi, Allahabad, Patna and Delhi in the current financial year.

On a medium term basis, certain interven-tions both infrastructure and non-infra-structure need to be introduced to set the tone for implementation of long term vi-sion as also take up so called “no regret” activities in the interim. Following are proposed to be taken up under Namami Gange:

Nirmal Dhara- eNsuriNg sustaiNable muNicipal sewage maNagemeNt • Project prioritization in coordination

with Ministry of Urban Development.• Incentive for states to take up projects

on Ganga Main-stem by providing an additional share of central grants for sewerage infrastructure.

• Uniform standards for both MoUD

scheme and Namami Gange pro-gramme, 10 years mandatory O&M by the same service provider at par with NGRBA programme and PPP, Mandatory reuse of treated water

• Expanding coverage of sewerage in-frastructure in 118 urban habitations on banks of Ganga- estimated cost by MoUD is Rs 51000 Crores

Nirmal Dhara- maNagiNg sewage from rural areas• Mo DWS scheme for all Ganga bank

Gram Panchayts (1632) free from open defecation by 2022, at a cost of Rs 1700 Crores as central share

Nirmal Dhara- maNagiNg iNDustrial Discharge

namami GanGe

• Making ZLD mandatory• Rationalized water tariff to encourage

reuse• Real time water quality monitoring

aviral Dhara• Enforcing River Regulatory Zones on

Ganga Banks• Rational agricultural practices, effi-

cient irrigation methods• Restoration and conservation of wetlands

• eNsuriNg ecological rejuveNatioN by coNser-vatioN of aquatic life aND bioDiversity

• promotioN of tourism aND shippiNg iN a ratioNal aND sustaiNable maNNer

• KNowleDge maNagemeNt

oN gaNga through gaN-ga KNowleDge ceNtre

However, to control the spread of pollu-tion and to contain it in manageable limits certain interventions would be necessary in short term. Group of Secretaries under guidance of Hon’ble Ministers has identi-fied following activities:1. Scheme for rehabilitation and up-gra-

dation of existing STPs along Ganga2. Ensuring 100% sewerage infrastruc-

ture in identified town alongside Ganga

3. In situ sewage treatment in open drains

4. Support for preparation of DPRs5. River Front Management for Ghat’s

developments in selected cities and towns

6. Industrial pollution abatement at Kanpur on priority

7. Action Plan for Char Dham Yatra –Public amenities, waste disposal and sanitation

8. Capacity building of urban local bodies9. Afforestation – Conservation of Flora10. Conservation of Aquatic life – spe-

cial attention on Dolphin, Turtles and Ghariyals etc.

11. Disposal of flowers and other puja material

12. Ganga Vahini13. GIS data and Spatial Analysis for

Ganga basin14. Study of communities depending on

Ganga for their traditional livelihood15. National Ganga Monitoring Centre 16. Special guidelines for sand mining in

Ganga17. Assessment of Special Properties of

Ganga Water18. Communication and Public Outreach

Activities

OURCAMPAIGN

TAKE A LITTLE

STEPDONATE

NOW!

For more Information on Ganga Rejuvenation:

MISSION DIRECTORNational Mission for Clean GangaMinistry of Water Resource, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation,3rd Floor, Rear Wing, MDSS Building, 9CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003, IndiaTel. :+91-11- 24321530, Email : [email protected]:

www.nmcg.nic.in


travel view


The holy town is a major attraction for the pilgrims around the world. The city has a very rich popularity among the pilgrimage destinations.

Gateway to the Lord

Haridwar


Haridwar is a highly re-vered city in the state of Uttarakhand. The holy town is a major at-

traction for the pilgrims around the world. The city has a very rich popu-larity among the pilgrimage desti-nations. The Haridwar city is also known as the "Gateway to the Lord". The word Haridwar is combined of two words 'Hari' stands for Lord and 'dwar' stands for gate. That is why this sacred site is famous as "Gate-way to the Lord". This worthy place is located on the bank of sacred river Ganga. There are many shrines, tem-ples and ashrams to offer the prayer and for pilgrimage. This is a hustling site with crowded markets. The place Haridwar occupies an area of 12 sq. kilo meter and elevated 2927 meters high above the sea level. And the Haridwar district capture an area of 2360 sq. kilo meter, located at the Northern India. The city also very popular for the well known fair Kumbh Mela that happening once af-ter every 12 years and Ardha Kumbh Mela after six years. Countless people take a part in this Mela.

ganga aartIGanga Aarti is perhaps the most famous spec-tacle at Haridwar. Wooing people from far and beyond, it's an everyday ritual followed at the riv-erside of Ganga, witnessed by lakhs of onlookers. It's a ritual in the honour of the river, with priests using huge brass and silver lamps. The leaping flames of fire catch the very fancy of the onlook-ers, most of them gathered on both the sides of the river for a dekko. The waters at this time of the evening come alive with millions of leafed lamps that are sent floating by devotees, sending a thousand sparkling shimmers down the river.

Timings : All days of the week 6:00 PM - 7:00 PMVisit duration : Around 1 hr

travel view

udan khatolaUdan Khatola refers to the unforgettable ropeway experi-ence that can take you to the famous temples of Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi. With both the temples located uphill, a sizeable number of people prefer to take the ropeway rather than trekking up to the hill. The ride to both the temples is nothing less than fascinating with the coloured ropeway cars going up and down on the cables, giving you a bird's eye view of the whole town and the Ganga, which meanders across the plains. A maximum of four people are allowed in one cable car, with adequate arrangements for safety.

Price : 210 per person (160/- for ropeway journey + 50/- transport fare)

Timings : All days of the week 9:00 AM - 5:00 PMAdd : Near Chandi Devi temple, Haridwar, Uttarakhand 249401 India

SPECIAL


tonga rIdestuk tuk tuk tuk… the sound of horse hooves is still com-monplace in old Haridwar. Take a tour of old Haridwar in this equally old fashioned way as tonga riders happily show you around the many temples, ghats, sweet shops, orchards and more. Haggle over prices for a bit that can drastically come down!

You can book tongas for an en-tire day for INR 500 or more.

Add : Upper Road, Haridwar, 249208

patanjalI yogpeethPatanjali Yogpeeth, Haridwar, is an initiative of Yoga guru, Swami Ramdev, who's got India on the world map, owing to Ayurveda, yoga and meditation and herbal sciences. A walk inside the precincts can give you a sneak peek on the health revolution that swept across India and the whole world, owing to these practices.

Timings : All days of the week 9:00 AM - 5:00 PMVisit duration : Around 1 hourAdd : Delhi-Haridwar National Highway, Near Bahadarbad, Haridwar, Uttarakhand 249405, IndiaContact : +91-1334-240008 | +91-1334-244107 | +91-1334- 246737


piran kaliYar Built by Ibrahim Lodhi, a ruler of Delhi, this 'Dargah' of Hazrat Alauddin Sabir Kaliyari, a 13th century, Sufi Saint of Chishti Or-der (also known as Sarkar Sabir Pak), in Kaliyar village, 7 km. from Roorkee, is a living example of religious harmony in India, visited by devotees from all over the world, during the annual 'Urs' festival, which is celebrated from 1 st day of sighting the moon to 16th day of Rabeeull month Islamic calendar.

maYa devi templeMaya Devi Temple Dating to the 11th century, this ancient temple of Maya Devi, the Adhisthatri deity of Hardwar, is con-sidered one of the Siddhapethas and is said to be the place where the heart and navel of Goddess Sati had fallen. It is one of few ancient temples still standing in Haridwar, along with Narayani Shila temple and Bhairav Temple.

chandi devi templeThe temple is dedicated to Goddess Chandi, who sits atop the 'Neel Parvat' on the eastern bank of the river Ganges. It was constructed in 1929 A.D. by the king of Kashmir, Suchat Singh. Skanda Purana mentions a legend, in which Chanda-Munda, the Army Chief of a local Demon Kings Shumbh and Nishumbha were killed by goddess Chandi here, after which the place got the name Chandi Devi. It is believed that the main statue was established by the Adi Shankracharya in 8th century A.D.

The temple is a 3 km trek from Chandighat and can also be reached through a ropeway takes up just 5-10 minutes.

travel plus


BhimGoda tankIt is said that while Pandavas were going to Himalayas through Haridwar, prince Bhima drew water from the rocks here by thrusting his knee (goda), to the very ground.This tank is situated at a distance of about 1 km from Har ki Pauri.

neel dhara pakShi vihar This Bird Sanctuary is situated on the main Ganges river, or Neel Dhara, at the Bhimgoda barrage, it is a paradise for bird watchers and home to many migratory birds during the winter season.

kankhal Daksheswara Mahadev Temple The ancient temple of Daksha Mahadev also known as Daksheswara Mahadev Temple, is situated in the south Kankhal town. According to Hindu texts, King Daksha Prajapati, father of Dakshayani, Lord Shiva's first wife, performed a yagna, to which he deliberately did not invite Lord Shiva. When he arrived uninvited, he was further insulted by the king, seeing which Sati felt infuriated and self-immolated herself in the yagna kund. King Daksha was later killed by the demon Virabhadra, born out of Shiva's anger. Later the king was brought to life and given a goat's head by Shiva. Daksha Mahadev temple is a tribute to this legend. Sati Kund, another well-known mythological heritage worth a visit is situated in the Kankhal. Legend has it that Sati immo-lated herself in this kund.

har ki pauriThis sacred Ghat was constructed by King Vikramaditya (1st century BC) in memory of his brother Bhrithari. It is believed that Bhrithari came to Haridwar and meditated on the banks of the holy Ganges. When he died, his brother constructed a Ghat in his name, which later came to be known as Har-Ki-Pauri. The most sacred ghat within Har-ki-Pauri is Brahmakund. A majority of present ghats were largely developed in the 1800s.

The evening prayer(Aarti) at dusk offered to Goddess Ganga at Har-Ki-Pauri (steps of God Hara or Shiva) is an enchanting experience for any visitor. A spectacle of sound and colour is seen when, after the ceremony, pilgrims float diyas (floral floats with lamps) and incense on the river, commemorating their deceased ancestors. Thousands of people from all round the world do make a point to attend this prayer on their visit to Haridwar.

ram mandir This mandir is under construction near Saptarishi marge, at Bhupatwala. Mandir is being constructed by Swami Ramanandacharya Smarak Seva Nyays headed by Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Swami Ramnareshacha-rya of Sri math, Panchganga Ghat, Varanasi. This Ram temple would be biggest in India.


SureShvari devi temple Temple of Goddess Sureshwari, situated in midst of beau-tiful Rajaji National Park. Serene and religious makes this temple abode of worshipers, saints etc. Located at out-skirts of Haridwar in Ranipur and permission from forest rangers is necessary.

doodhadhari Barfani temple Part of the ashram of Doodhadhari Barfani Baba, this temple complex in white marble is one of most beautiful temples in Haridwar, especially the temples of Rama-Sita and Hanuman.

pawan dhamA modern temple, made entirely of glass pieces, and now a popular tourist destina-tion.The Temple complex was constructed by the effort of His Holiness Swami Vedantanand Ji Maharaj and the Institiute is grow-ing under the Leadership of His Holiness Swami SahajPrakash Ji Maharaj. People of Moga ( Punjab) has put their ef-forts and Money to bring up this place.

Bharat mataA multi-storey temple, dedicated to Bharat Mata, Mother India, with each floor depicting an era in the Indian His-tory, from the days of Ramayan till India's independence. The temple was built under the auspicious blessings of the honorable former Shankaracharya His Holiness Maha-Mandleshwar Swami Satyamitranand Giriji Maharaj. Swa-mi Satyamitranand Foundation was registered in 1998. The Bharat Mata Mandir was inaugurated on 15 May 1983 by Rt.Hon.Smt. Indira Gandhi and stands along the River Ganges in Haridwar.

travel plus


ShantikunJ Shantikunj is the headquarter of famous spiritual and social organisation All World Gayatri Pariwar (AWGP) es-tablished by Pt Shriram Sharma Acharya. Its located at a distance of 6 Kilometers from Haridwar railway station towards Rishikesh/Dehradun on NH58. At the bank of the holy Ganges and between the Shivalik ranges of the Himalayas, its also a place of attraction for tourists as well as seekers of spiritual guidance.

Sapt riShi aShram and Sapt Sarovar A picturesque place near Haridwar, where seven great sages or Saptarishis, namely Kashyapa, Vashisht, Atri, Vishwamitra, Jama-dagni, Bharadwaja and Gautam, said to have meditated. The Gan-ges split herself into seven currents at this place so that the Rishis would not be disturbed by the flow.

Jairam aShramJairam Ashram is counted as one of the must visits in Haridwar. A prime spot of Haridwar district, Jairam Ashram is visited by huge number of tourists every year. There are excellent accom-modation facilities at Jairam Ashram which helps in attracting more number of people in the place.Famous for its diorama exhibition, and a massive white statue depicting the famous Samudra manthan episode, a must-see for any visitor.

anandamaYi maa aShramSituated in Kankhal, one of five sub-cities of Haridwar, the ashram houses the samadhi shrine of Sri Ananda-moyi Ma (1896–1982), a noted saint of India.

parad ShivlinGSituated in Harihar Ashram, Kankhal. Parad Shivling (Mercury Shivling) weighing about 150 kg and Rudraksha tree are the main attractions here.

ramanand aShramSituated in shravan nath nagar of the town near railway sta-tion, this is the main ashram of Ramanand Sampraday in Haridwar. Mahant Bhagwan Das is the chief of this ashram.


FIRST KNOW THEN GO : haridwarBEsT TiME TO VisiTHaridwar is a picturesque desti-nation affording enchanting views throughout the year.

The right time to visit would be February, March, August - October.

HOW TO REACHAir : There are no regular flights from other major cities of the country to Haridwar. Nearest airport is Dehra Dun Airport. Haridwar 41 km away Dehra Dun Airport (DED), Dehradun, Uttarakhand

Haridwar 155 km away Chandi-garh Airport (IXC), Chandigarh, Punjab

Train : Haridwar is well con-nected to other major cities of the country via regular trains.Railway Station(s): Haridwar Junction (HW), Motichur (MOTC), Landaura (LDR)

Road : You can easily get regular buses to Haridwar from other major cities of the country.Bus Station(s): Haridawar , Haridwar Tour, Haridwar Pack-age

Getting around in HaridwarHaridwar Taxi Service offers a variety of car rental services in Haridwar. These are designed to serve all your requirements and provide a pleasurable experience of travelling in Haridwar and nearby areas. Their fleet com-prises of various well maintained cars, taxi, coaches etc. The staff at Haridwar Taxi is well trained and experienced.Their mission is to provide excellence and prompt services to their customers and create long term bonding with them. Your Fun & entertainment is our goal and for that here are some suggestions on fair rates

six snookerRani pur mode, Haridwar H O, Haridwar - 249401, Tel.: 9997069088 eagle Travels Vishnu Ghat, Godhamal Road, Haridwar H O, - 249401Tel.: 9412999679

WHERE TO sTAYThe urmi30, Ganga Vihar Colony, Near Shantikunj, Bhupatwala, 249410Tel.: 01334 311 615

Hotel Himalaya

Devpura, Haridwar, Uttarakhand 249401Tel.: 9045056868 la Casa Hotel Bilkeshwar Road, Off Station to Hari-ki-Pauri Road, 249401 Tel.: 01334 221 197 Hotel Gyan Hotel Gyan Harkipauri Subhash Ghat, Haridwar, 249401Tel.: 098370 72215

WHERE TO EAT & DRiNKIf you thought Haridwar was only about pilgrims and their religious inclinations, then it's going to come as a shock to you that it is also a foodie's paradise. There is a plethora of options that one can explore when there is rumbling in your belly. Being a religious destination, non-veg food is scarcely available which might come as a bumper to the carnivores out there but trust me the food here makes up for it in every way possible. Don't believe me, Read on then.

Mohan Ji puri waleThanda Kuan, Moti Bazaar, Haridwar, 249401Tel.: 098976 06384 pracheen Mathura wala Old Ranipur Mode, Tibdi Fatak Road, - 249401,Tel.: 9720656160 Guru nanak foods Swargashram, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249304Tel.: 0135 243 2970 ChotiwalaOpposite Dudhadhari Temple, Bopatwala, Haridwar, ULTel.: 01334 263 333

Ginger Hotel Railway Road, Laltarao Bridge, Haridwar, 249401Tel.: 01334 226 868 Guru nanak Dhaba Near Bus Stand, Opposite Railway Station, Haridwar- 249401, Tel.: 9837206669

WHERE TO sHOPHaridwar also offers wonder-ful shopping opportunities for travellers. Though most of the shopping items that you find here are associated with religion and spirituality, the pilgrimage centre also has in store a wonderful range of art and craft items. Before, you say good bye to the holy town, you can stuff your bags with well crafted souvenirs to carry back home. Besides

pooja items and idols, you will have the opportunity to buy items like beaded accessories, wood carvings, stone carvings and a variety of jewellery items. But, where do you need to go for this shopping spree in Haridwar? Let's have a look.

MOTI BAZArThis series of shops stands on the Upper Road. Most of the stalls located here sell relgious items include pooja samagri and other related commodities. In addition, these shops also have on display items including copper and brass utensils, sweets, glass bangles, cane baskets, pickles and a range of Ayurveda products.

JwAlApurA variety of souvenirs are on sale at the shops in Jwalapur. After you have picked up some of the most wonderful souvenirs from the market, you can tickle your taste buds at restaurants (veg-etarian) and sweetmeat shops.

BArA BAZArIn the market at Bara Bazar in Haridwar, you can choose to buy both religious as well as decorative items. Standing on the Railway Road, the market attracts pilgrims and tourists from far and wide. Rudraksha seeds (be ware of the fake ones), churan (diges-tive powders) and a wide range

of sweets made from milk are sold at the shops in Bara Bazar. Ayurvedic medicines make for a popular buy in the market.

KAnKHAl BAZArPositioned at 3 km from Harid-war, the town of Kankhal is also a popular shopping centre to buy a variety of religious commodities and accessories. Rudraksha and idols of Hindu gods and goddess-es are the main attraction of the shopping market in Kankhal. A number of ashrams and temples are also located at Kankhal.

sTATe GOVernMenT eMpOrIuMsIf you don't like to bargain over the price of commodities, you can visit the handicraft emporiums run by the state government. There are both handloom shops as well as those selling an exqui-site range of handicrafts. Items of jewellery, precious and semi precious stones, religious CDs and DVDs, rosaries, gem stones and and yoga books are all avail-able at these shops for extremely affordable price.

ViDEOhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjPkv2zk53g

DOCuMENTARYhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=birnOmgvUw0

BOOKHaridwar Aur Adhunik Mandir by Gurdial Singh

WEBsiTEs

http://haridwar.nic.in/

http://www.haridwarrishike-shtourism.com/haridwar.html

http://www.euttaranchal.com/tourism/haridwar.php

http://www.haridwartour-ism.in/


HARiDWAR

RISHIKESH ADVENTURE CAMPS1 NIGHTS / 2 DAYS (Jungle Camp)

A n d m a n y m o r e a d v e n t u r e s . . . .

Rock climbing Rappelling DJ Night MusicBeach VolleyballBeach BadmintonBeach Cricket Bonfire…many more

Bamboo Cottage ` 3,599*/- PP on triple sharing

Rock climbing Rappelling DJ Night MusicBeach Volleyball Beach BadmintonBeach Cricket Bonfire…many more

Swiss Cottage ` 3,299*/- PP on triple sharing

Rock climbing Rappelling DJ Night MusicBeach VolleyballBeach BadmintonBeach Cricket Bonfire…many more

Deluxe Cottage ` 2,999*/- PP on triple sharing


a paradise for nature-lovers...

haridwar has been an abode of the weary in body, mind and spirit.

Haridwar Yatra 2N/3D

Package For Two Persons

Visiting Places : Har Ki Pauri, Chandi Devi Temple, Mansa Devi Temple And Ganga Aarti Etc.

Package Cost : 7,499*/- Hotel Accommodation Meal Plan Sight Seeing Transfer


The city was initially known by

the name Karnapur 'the land of Karna'.

Kanpurtravel view

Kanpur is located in the Oudh region of Uttar Pradesh. Sit-uated on the banks of the Ganges, Kanpur attracts tourists all round the year. It

is the largest city in Uttar Pradesh that has its own historical, religious and commercial significance. Apart from being an agricultural and industrial hub, It has attained a special position among the Tourist Destinations in Ut-tar Pradesh. Sightseeing in Kanpur is not hectic at all since all the Tourist At-tractions in Kanpur are closely located.

Kanpur has a well developed tourism industry as well owing to its rich his-torical and cultural past and the River Ganges. The nearest airport to Kan-pur is at Chakeri which is just off the town and has daily domestic flights to and from Kanpur across many cities in India.

the history of kanpur dates back to the period of the Mahabharata. It was a territory gifted to Karna by Suyodha-na. The city was initially known by the name Karnapur 'the land of Karna'.

Over the ages 'Karnapur" was short-ened to become Kanpur.

The upsurge of Indian Struggle for In-dependence was also witnessed by Kanpur. The First War of Indian Inde-pendence also known as the ‘Sepoy Mutiny’ that took place in the year 1857 was led by Nana Sahib of Bithur at Kanpur and it ended in the 'Mas-sacre of Kanpur' or 'Bibighar Massa-cre'. This event that stirred the heart of India became an inspiration for the freedom fighters.


EvEnts / FEstivals in Kanpur

Holi is one of the vital festivals in Ka npur cel-ebrated in the spring season starting from February to March. People celebrate it with immense joviality and enthusiasm. Along with this colourful fest, Kanpur com-memorates a lot of fairs too.

SPECIAL


BithoorA small town in Kanpur, Bithoor is home to the sacred Ganges and attracts several pilgrims to this holy spot. It was also instru-mental in the 1857 revolt in India and the famous battle of the Seige of Cawnpore. Bithoor has various tourist spots like the Valmiki Ashram, Brahmavart Ghat, Patthar Ghat, Dhruva Teela, Siddhidham Ashram etc. which are a must visit.

Jk templeReflecting a unique blend of ancient and modern architecture, JK Temple is a must visit. The man-dapas of the temple have been constructed with high roofs for adequate ventilation of light and air. The JK Trust constructed this temple and is re-sponsible for its mainte-nance and expenses. The temple is also known as Radhakrishna Temple. As it is dedicated to Lord Krishna.

Add: Govind Nagar Road, Sarvodaya Nagar, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208005, IndiaTimings All days of the week 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

travel plus


Boodha BarGadThe name Boodha Bargad literally means an Old Banyan and is an important historical monument in Kanpur. The tree is dead but the memorial can still be found at Nana Rao Park. The place was the center of the revolution of 1857 and was the place where 144 of Indian revolutionaries were hanged.

dwarka dhiSh templeThe Dwarka Dhish Temple in Kanpur City of Uttar Pradesh is devoted to Lord Krishna. It lies adjacent to the Kamla Tower of Kanpur. The term 'Dwarka Dhish' in itself means the 'King of Dwarka'.Dwarka was the adopted home and kingdom of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation (avatar) of Lord Vishnu, from which he derives the name. The Dwarka Dhish temple in Kanpur is auspicious for the common mass and everyday worshipped with elaborate rituals. Arti is performed every day during the Puja or worship.

JaJmauAn ancient region dating back to 1300-1200 BC, Jajmau is known to be one of the largest tanneries in northern India. The city is lo-cated near the Ganges River and was home to the oldest of Indian civilizations. The various attractions in the city are the Allen Forest Zoo or Kanpur Zoo, Jajmau Tila, Makhdoom Baba Mazaar, Habiba Masjid, Siddhartha Ghat, 1000 Tanneries in Industrial Estate, Jaj-mau Mosques, and Jinnati Masjid etc.

Jain GlaSS templeJain Glass Temple is located in Maheshwari Mohal and is one of the major temples dedicated to Jainism. The entire temple is adorned with intricate glass cut designs with an elaborately de-signed structure. The various glass murals inside and outside the temple narrates the Jain philosophy and houses the statue of Lord Mahavira and the 23 teerthankaras.

allen foreSt zooAllen Forest Zoo is spread across an area of 190 acres and was one of the few zoos in India to be created with-in a naturally situated forest. The region was already a habitat for many wildlife species most of which are still housed within the Zoo. The botanical gardens, lakes, avi-ary and the aquarium are all the different attractions lo-cated in the zoo which are a must visit.

Add: Azad Nagar, Nawabganj, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208002, India; Tel.:+91-512-256-0257Entry fee - Rs. 20 per person for adults Rs. 10 per person for childrenTimings - All days of the week 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM


moti Jheel parkMoti Jheel Park, Kanpur is a a park built around a drinking water reservoir of the Kanpur Waterworks. Moti Jheel Park is located in the beautiful Benajhabar area of the city of Kanpur. Beautiful chil-dren's parks and recreation and relaxation grounds have been built around the area surrounding the Moti Jheel Park in Kanpur in India.Moti Jheel Park, Kanpur is located very near to the Kan-pur Medical College in Ashok Nagar. Moti Jheel lies ad-jacent to the Tulsi Upavan and the Japani garden. The Jheel has recently been renovated and made much more beautiful. The place is slowly becoming a spot for picnics. The breeze that blows across the Jheel is well liked and enjoyed by the morning and evening strollers.

General Sir HuGH WHeeler'S entrencHmentGeneral Sir Hugh Wheeler's Entrenchment, Kanpur, is one of the important places that must be visited. Being situated just a kilometer away from the Central Railway Station of Kanpur, General Sir Hugh Wheeler's Entrench-ment is easily accessible. There is also availability of an adequate amount of transport facilities.

GurudWara Banno SaHiBThere are an endless number of tourists who visit the Gurudwara Banno Sahib in Kanpur in India every year. There are thousands of devotees, disciples and fol-lowers who visit the Gurudwara Banno Sahib, Uttar Pradesh quite regularly. People find spir-ituality and peace of mind in Gu-rudwara Banno Sahib, Kanpur. Religious people will find themselves at home in Gurudwara Banno Sahib, Kanpur. A sense of serenity and peacefulness is imbibed in the people. There is a 350 years old manuscript of Gurugranth Sahib which is certified with the signature of Bhai Banno Sahib in the Gurudwara Banno Sahib.

maSSacre GHatToday the Massacre Ghat stands to tell the tragic story to those who visit it. A white temple stands at the site. Mas-sacre Ghat in Kanpur, India would reveal to you, a darker and lesser known side of the history of Indian Independ-ence.Massacre Ghat in Kanpur, India has become extremely significant in history since the Revolt of 1857, which is also popularly referred to as the Se-poy Mutiny of 1857 or the first war of Indian Independence.

phool BaGhPhool Bagh, Kanpur is also known as 'Ganesh Udyan'. Phool Bagh is one of the most beautiful and exquisite parks which is situated in the heart of the picturesque city of Kanpur on the Mall Road. The Ganesh Shanker Vidyarthi Memorial, located in the center of Phool Bagh in Kanpur in India, is usually used for the purpose pf public meetings. The flower shows that are or-ganized locally every year are held here. The Phool Bagh, Uttar Pradesh possesses a large Public library and a Summer House. The Phool Bagh would have been just another of the gardens in Kanpur, but for its contribution to the rehabilitation process after the second World War. In the center of the park there is a building or memorial which is called the Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial (K.E.M. Hall). After the first World War there was an Orthopedic Rehabilitation Hospital run in this building.Entry Fee - no entry feeTimings - All days of the week 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM

nana rao parkThe Nana Rao Park, Uttar Pradesh is extremely well and beautifully laid out. It also has a lovely plant nursery. The park looks extraordinarily beautiful when the flowers are in full bloom. Other than the flower beds and trees the park is also adorned beautifully with fountains.Nana Rao Park, Kanpur was previously known as Memorial Well Garden. Amongst all the parks in Kanpur, Nana Rao Park is the biggest park and has impressive dimensions. The park is located at the heart of the city of Kanpur on the Mall Road. Nana Rao Park is situated on the west side of Phool Bagh, which is another attractive park in the city.Nana Rao Park in Kanpur in India was named after the great hero who fought bravely in the first War of Indian independ-ence in 1857, Nana Rao Peshwa. The park was given the name of this great hero, after independence in 1947.Nana Rao Park, Kanpur has historical importance attached to it, because of the Bibighar massacre of 1857 that took place here in this park.

travel plus


FIRST KNOW THEN GO : kanPUrBEsT TiME TO VisiT

summer season in KanpurThe temperature in the summer season rises as high as 48°C. The weather remains hot and humid from the month of April to June. This makes sightseeing and outings almost impossible. So, it is not advised to visit the place in this season.

Monsoon season in KanpurKanpur experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoon season. The weather remains wet and humid in the monsoons. It is a good time to visit the place and enjoy sightseeing at Allen Forest Zoo, Nana Rao Park, Patthar Ghat and Kanpur Memorial Church.

winter season in KanpurThe winter season begins with the coming of November and it lasts till January. The weather remains cool and pleasant during this time and it is perfect for exploring the place and its attractions like Jain Glass Temple, Kamla Retreat, Valmiki Ashram, Dwarkadhish Temple and Green Park.

HOW TO REACHOwing to its industrial as well as commercial significance, the city of Kanpur is well served by efficient means of transport that can be availed from the important towns and Cities in Uttar Pradesh and India. Hence the question,

By AirThe Chakeri Airport situated close to the city and the Amausi Airport in Lucknow (which is 65 kilom-eters away from Kanpur) provides easy accessibility to Kanpur. Both these airports provide to and fro flights daily to various cities in In-dia. Government as well as private companies operate in this regard.

By TrainKanpur is also connected by an efficient railway system that connects the city to every nook and corner of India (directly and indirectly). A number of express and passenger trains from the major cities of India pass through Kanpur. Lying in the Grand Chord Route, the Kanpur Barrack is the chief Railway Station of Kanpur.

By roadThe city is also connected by a wide network of roads. The two most roads that are accessed the most in this regard are National Highway Number 2 that connects Delhi and Agra to Kolkata via Allahabad and National Highway Number 25 connecting the cities of Lucknow, Jhansi, and Shivpuri.

GETTiNG AROuND iN KANPuRYou can hire a taxi for local sightseeing starting from @ rupees 1400/- to 2000/- for all categories. We are suggesting you some taxi service providers as below:

ruchi TravelsA-1/8 Hig, Barra Baipass, Barra, Kanpur - 208027Tel.: 9616191642

shri Balaji Travels1/211, Nawabganj H O, Kanpur - 208002 Tel.: 9616023888

Highway Travels159/7, Vijay Nagar, Kanpur - 208005Tel.: 7800504037

WHERE TO sTAYKanpur offers places to stay rang-ing from deluxe to standard and budget hotels.

Kanha Guest house(B) 122/235, A-1, Sarojni Nagar, Kanpur - 208005 Tel.: +(91)-512-3215954

Hotel The Orient (D) 127,The Mall Rd,The Mall, Phool Bagh,CivilLines,208001Tel.: 089350 85533

Hotel royal Cliff (l) Opp Motijheel GateNo1,Swaroop Nagar, Kanpur 208002Tel.: 0512 254 0152

sInDHI DHArAMsHAlASindhi Dharam, Govind Nagar, Kanpur, 208006

WHAT TO EAT & DRiNKYou can leave it to a foodie to discover interesting places to eat even where supposedly none exist. Take Kanpur for example. Would you believe if I told you that Kanpur is the place to find one of the best Kulfi’s you can ever have?

Thaggu ke ladooFamous for it’s ladoos, which are undoubtedly very good. Also try the “Badnaam Kulfi”, which again is excellent. I was told that some scenes of “Bunty aur Bubli” were shot here.

Baba Biryani Just a few shops away from Thaggu, Baba serves good Biry-ani in Kanpur. Compared to other cities in India (like Hyderabad), it’s quite ordinary but I can guess this one is popular among the locals for the lack of a better alternative. The shop opens only

around 1 PM, so if you are hop-ing for an “early brunch” like I was, you would be disappointed.Antarang in rave 3 Antarang is a popular fine dine restaurant in Kanpur. Though I could not manage to visit it per-sonally. There are 2 Rave malls in Kanpur, so be careful which one you land up in.

Meetha paanTry the meetha paan on the roadsides. It’s fascinating how the same old betel leaf tastes so different in each city!

WHERE TO sHOPShopping in Kanpur is all about buying leather products and there

are numerous small markets, emporiums and shopping malls selling a variety of leather goods at reasonable prices.Some of the leather products that you may buy from here include bags, wallets, belts, purses, air-bags, gloves, basketballs, footballs and volleyballs among others. You can try fine quality Italian leather shoes and jackets as well.

ViDEOhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyH4s56UaG8

DOCuMENTARYhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLPOAVPhdNk

BOOKNOTHING IS FORGOTTEN: A COLLECTION OF KANPUR STORIES by Aprameya Manthena and Rohini Vij

WEBsiTEs http://kanpurnagar.nic.in/ http://up-tourism.com/old-website/destination/kanpur/kanpur.htm


KANPuR


TrAvel newsOver 770 Per Cent Increase in E-Tourist Visa ArrivalsNew Delhi: A total of 21,476 tourists arrived in the country this July on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 2,462 during the same month last year, registering a quantum jump of 772.3 per cent.

Railways Launch E-Booking Service for Wheelchairs in DelhiNew Delhi: Passengers can now book wheelchairs online as Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched the service for free at New Delhi station.

Rohtang Pass May Become World's Highest Tourist Place With CNG BusesShimla: Rohtang Pass is likely to become the world's highest mountain destination to run CNG buses at a height of 13,050 feet with the Himachal Pradesh government successfully completing two trial runs in this regard.

Indian Railways to Install Over 4600 Water Vending Machines at StationsTaking forward the Railways plan to provide clean drinking water at stations in low cost, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is installing more than 4500 vending machines in the first phase across the country.

E-tickets for Lucknow's heritage sites soonLucknow: Online tickets will now be made available for historical monuments and buildings here to improve facilities for tourists in the Uttar Pradesh capital city, an official said Thursday. The facility, which is being arranged for by the Hussainabad Trust, will begin Feb 14.

Wi-Fi service to be provided at Heritage Sites across IndiaArchaeological Survey of India has

identified 25 Adarsh Monuments (centrally protected monuments), to provide Wi-Fi facility, which would be available free of cost for the first 30 minutes and thereafter it is chargeable on additional usage

Modi brings in 'achche din' for tourismThe latest data of the tourism ministry showed 4.21 lakh foreign tourists came to India in May as against 3.84 lakh tourists who visited India during the same period last year.

Vietnam visa centre could open in IndiaThe Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) revealed that the new office will be operated by Kuoni‘s visa specialists VFS Global. While details of the centre, including the location, have not been confirmed, VNAT said will discuss plans with the Vietnamese Embassy in India.

Goa to Open Second International Airport at MopaGoa government is completing the land acquisition for the second international airport at Mopa in North Goa.

Goa Looks to Poles and Russians for Tourism RevivalAfter losing tourists from Western Europe, Goa is now banking on travellers from Russia and Poland to revive the sagging tourism industry in the state.

Gujarat to get more Connectivity through Regional AirlinesGujarat’s skies will become one of the busiest in the country in the next couple of months with at least two airlines starting operations to connect various cities of the state. Eight flights daily will connect Bhuj, Rajkot and Jamnagar to Ahmedabad and Surat, making it the only state in the country with such connectivity.

Passports to be Processed in 3 Days SoonThe government is all set to issue regular passports in three days and tatkal ones the same day. As part of the Passport Seva Project, foreign minister SM Krishna will inaugurate four Passport Seva Kendras which will make this possible in Karnataka on Friday.

Turkey Introduces Visa on Arrival Facility for Indian VisitorsTurkey has introduced Visa-on-Arrival facility for Indian visitors. Indian arriving in Istanbul can avail Visa-on-Arrival by paying a nominal fee of 15 Euro or USD 20. The Visa will be valid for 30 days.

Ministry of Tourism to give Rs. 600 Crore for Tourism Development activities in BiharAs a part of the package of Rs.1.25 lakh Crore announced by Prime Minister on August 18, 2015 for Bihar, Ministry of Tourism pledges Rs 600 Crore for various tourism development activities in the State of Bihar.

20 eco-tourism sites to be developed in Himachal: Forest MinisterTo promote tourism activities and provide ample self-employment opportunities to the youth, the State Government has taken a decision to develop 20 more eco-tourism sites in different parts of the State.

Tourism ministry to start 'Know Your India' driveUnion Minister of Culture and Tourism Mahesh Sharma Tuesday said the government wants youth and children to see hidden gems across India before they head abroad for holidaying and for this it plans to launch ‘Bharat Ko Jaano’ (Know Your India) drive soon.

SunriSe is where Sun smiles on your holidays…

SUNRISE NATUROPATHY HEALTH RESORT green lipped environment is nature’s answer to relaxation and rejuvenation. It is spread over an area of 20 acres. Moreover the reason to visit the resort to explore the suitable option to make you happ and satisfied. Match your requirement is our motto in which we are proud to announce that we are 100% successful to serve you the same.Sunrise Health Resort offers you a beautiful, luxurious, well-designed and decorated 40 air-conditioned deluxe green cottages and 16 air-conditioned Aravali Suites and 7 villas.

Sunrise Health ResortVillage Sar (Bilochi), Delhi-Chandwaji-Ajmer Bypass, Express Highway, Jaipur (Rajasthan, India)CALL Us : +91 9828590094, Helpline No. +91- 9983333900Email Id. : [email protected]. http://sunrisenaturopathy.com


travel view


The city's original name – Prayaga, or "place of offerings"

Allahabad


travel view

Allahabad, also known as Prayag and Ilahabad, is a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and the administrative headquar-

ters of Allahabad District, the most-populous district in the state. As of 2011, Allahabad is the seventh most-populous city in the state, fifteenth in the Northern India and thirty-sixth in India, with an estimated population of 1.11 million in the city and 1.21 million in its metropolitan region. In 2011, it was ranked the world's 130th

fastest-growing city. Allahabad, in 2013, was ranked the third most liv-able city in the state and twenty-ninth in the country.The city's original name – Prayaga, or "place of offerings" – comes from its position at the Sangam (union) of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saras-vati Rivers. It is the second-oldest city in India, and plays a central role in Hindu scriptures. Allahabad was originally called Kaushambi (now a separate district) by the Kuru rulers of Hastinapur, who developed it as their

capital. Since then, Allahabad has been a political, cultural and admin-istrative centre of the Doab region. The Mughal emperor Akbar renamed Prayag, Ilahabad, which the British changed to Allahabad. In 1833 it be-came the seat of the Ceded and Con-quered Provinces region before its capital was moved to Agra in 1835. Allahabad became the capital of the North-Western Provinces in 1858, and was the capital of India for a day. Allahabad was the capital of the Unit-ed Provinces from 1902 to 1920.


The Kumbh Mela, believed to be the largest re-ligious gathering on earth is held every 12 years on the banks of the 'Sangam'- the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. The Mela alternates between Nasik, Allahabad, Ujjain and Haridwar every three years. The one celebrated at the Holy Sangam in Alla-habad is the largest and holiest of them. The Mela is attended by millions of devotees including Sad-hus. A holy dip in the sacred waters is believed to cleanse the soul. The Sangam comes alive during Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh with an enormous tem-porary township springing up on the vacant land on the Allahabad side of the river.

SPECIAL


alfred parkChandrasekhar Azad Park (British colonial era Alfred Park and informally Company Garden) is a public park in Allahabad. Built in 1870 to mark Prince Alfred's visit to the city, with an area of 133 acres, it is the biggest park in Allahabad. It was renamed after freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad, who sacrificed his life here, during the Indian independence struggle in 1931. Originally and still famously the park is known as Alfred Park.

hanuman mandirHanuman Mandir, located in proximity to the Allahabad Fort is one of the unique temples in the city. Tourists visiting the temple can witness a huge idol of Hanuman, which is 20 feet long and 8 feet wide. This idol is in a reclining position and is a few feet below the ground. This temple gets submerged when the river Ganges is in spate. According to mythology, it is believed the rise in the water level of river Ganges is because the river wants to touch the feet of Lord Hanuman.

triveni SanGamThe Triveni Sangam in Allahabad is a confluence of 3 rivers, the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati. Of these three, the river Saraswati is invisible and is said to flow underground and join the other two rivers from below. Here the muddy and pale-yellow waters of the Ganges merge with the blue waters of Yamuna. While the Ganges is only 4 feet deep, the Yamuna is 40 feet deep near the point of their nexus. The river Yamuna merges into the Ganges at this point and the Ganges con-tinues on until it meets the sea at the Bay of Bengal. At the confluence of these two great Indian rivers, where the invis-ible Saraswati conjoins them, many tirtha yatris take boats to bathe from platforms erected in the Sangam. This, together with the migratory birds give a picturesque look to the river during the Kumbha Mela, in the month of January. It is be-lieved that all the gods come in human form to take a dip at the sangam and expiate their sins.

SwaraJ BhavanThe Anand Bhavan (Swaraj Bhavan) is a historic house museum in Allahabad, India focusing on the Nehru-Gandhi Family. It was constructed by Indian political leader Moti-lal Nehru in the 1930s to serve as the residence of the Nehru family when the original mansion Swaraj Bhavan (previously called Anand Bhavan) was transformed into the local headquarters of the Indian National Congress. Jawahar Planetarium, the famous planetarium is situated here, which has been striving to inculcate scientific temper among masses through its sky shows on astronomy and science.Anand Bhavan was donated to Indian government in 1970 by Indira Gandhi.

travel plus


SomeShwar mahadev templeSomeshwar Mahadev Temple in Allahabad is one among the many holy places in Allahabad. Someshwar Mahadev Temple is an ancient temple which is situated opposite to the Allahabad Fort across Sangam in the Arail area. The Someshwar Mahadev Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Someshwar Mahadev Temple is situated in Naini in Allahabad across the holy river Yamuna.

allahaBad fortThe largest fort built by Akbar, the Allahabad Fort is a popular tourist attraction in Allahabad. It was one of the most prized cita-dels of the Mughal Empire. Today, the fort is under the control of the Indian Army and only a section of the fort is open to tourists. Built in 1583, the fort is near the confluence of the Yamuna and Ganga Rivers and stands testimony to the grandeur of medieval architecture.

all SaintS cathedralAll Saints Cathedral, located on the M.G Road is one of the famous cathe-drals in Allahabad. Constructed in the 19th century, the entire cathedral is built in Gothic style. The church was designed by one of the eminent archi-tect, Sir William Emerson. He was the one who also designed the Victoria Memorial; located in Kolkata.


FIRST KNOW THEN GO : allahabadBEsT TiME TO VisiTThe best time to visit Allahabad is from October to March, when the climate is pleasant and ideal for sightseeing.

Allahabad experiences extreme weather conditions. The summer months are extremely hot and the winter months are extremely cold. During the summer season, from March to June, it is extremely hot with the level of mercury reaching about 45°C hence avoid visiting this place during summer months.

HOW TO REACHAllahabad is an important pil-grimage destination in the Ganges plain and that is why it is well connected to all the major cities in Uttar Pradesh and India.

By AirThere is an Airport at Bamrauli which is near about 10 Kilometers away from Allahabad. Presently limited flights are available here. The second nearest Airport is at Varanasi that is 150 kilometers from Allahabad.

By TrainAllahabad is well connected by trains with all major cities, viz. Calcutta, Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow and Mumbai. The main station in Allahabad is Allahabad Junction. Several expresses as well as super fast trains ply to and from Allahabad.

By roadAllahabad, on National Highways 2 and 27, is connected to all parts of the country by good roads. Buses ply to all the neigh-boring as well as far-flung places such as Varanasi, Lucknow, Kan-pur, Patna, Jhansi and Gorakhpur among others.

Geting around in AllahabadIn alllahabad you can find taxi services of all kind of cars eg: Desire, Etios, Innova and Tempo Traveller either at per km charges or on the basis of full day charges

CHAnDrA TrAVelsShop No 34, ADA Complex Kachery Road, Katra, 211002,Tel.: 7499972999 TIwArI BrOs14/21, Leader Road, Allahabad - 211001, Near Pushpraj Cinema Tel.: 9839001010

Ashu TravelsL-60, Sangam Place, Civil Lines- 211001, Near Coffee House Tel.: 9415612443

WHERE TO sTAYThe hotels in Allahabad contribute in a big way to the tourism sector of the city. Being one of the sites for 'Kumbh Mela', the holy city invites a herd of tourists and devotees from around the world. The city offers plenty of hotel options to choose from. And here you can find the all kinds of hotel from a budget hotel to star categories from a minimum price of 500 to maximum. Gaurav lodge1-A, Patrika Marg, Civil Lines, Allahabad - 211001, Near Bus Stop Tel.: 9305863073

Hotel Arjun 73, Leader Rd, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh 211003Tel.: 0532 240 2718

HOTel plATInuMMG Marg, Civil Lines, opp. High Court Hanuman Mandir, 211001Tel.: 0532 242 3334

Kesarwani Dharamshala116, Bahadur Ganj, Thakur Deen Ka Hatta, Near Sulaki Chauraha

WHERE TO EAT & DRiNKAllahabad is paradise for those who are made for taste. If you are in Allahabad, then do not for-get to enjoy the Mughalai cuisine of North India.Out of innumerable spots for having delicacies of the North Indian cuisine, a mere glimpse is here. In every area of the city there are options and variety. Loknath area of the city may be your favorite spot if you are foody and comfortable with hustle and bustle of 'ilahabadi raunak'.

Best Bakery 107, Lukerganj, AllahabadTel.: 9335106857

el Chico24/28, M G Marg, Civil Lines, AllahabadTel.: 0532 2420075

The Tamarind Tree60 C, Thornhill Road,Civil Lines, AllahabadTel.: +91 9670270185

Tunday Kababi77, Vinayak Food Plaza, Elgin Road, Civil Lines, AllahabadTel.: +91 7570019155

Baba DhabaSarojini Naidu Marg,Civil Lines, AllahabadTel.: +91 9936517455

WHERE TO sHOP

Shopping in Allahabad can be fun and exciting, as there are several options to choose from including brass idols, mytho-logical books, exquisite jewellery, brassware, ethnic wear, antique pieces and rare artefacts.

Local markets are the places to shop in Allahabad if you are look-ing for brassware, brass idols or even antique and rare artefacts. The markets have several shops catering to each and every traveller.

If you are interested in buying jewellery then you may like to

check out Chaddha Jewellers, Dulhan Jewellers, Chowk and Rana Jewellers for some authen-tic local designs and the latest designs in jewellery.

Asian Crafts and Bhuali Crafts are the places to buy handicraft items and souvenirs.

ViDEOhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJiK-3ukW34

BOOKAllahabad: Where the Rivers Meet by Neelum Saran Gour

WEBsiTE

http://allahabad.nic.in/

http://kumbhmelaallahabad.gov.in/english/allahabad_tourist_attractions.html


ALLAHABAD

Starting the Path to a Spiritual Journey...

DEVOTIONAL ALLAHABAD & VARANASI2 NIGHTS / 3 DAYS

Allahabad - triveni sangam, Hanuman Mandir, Anand Bhavan, Allahabad Museum, Company Gardens, Allahabad High Court and related temples.

Varanasi- River Front (Ghats), Dashash-wamedha Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Durga Temple & markets of Varanasi.

Package Cost : 6,666*/- pp on twin sharing.


Hotel Accommodation Meal Plan Sight Seeing Transfer


travel view


one of world's oldest living cities, is rightly called the religious capital of India.

Varanasi


travel view

Varanasi, one of world's old-est living cities, is rightly called the religious capital of India. Also known as Banaras or Benaras, this

holy city is located in the southeast-ern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh in northern India. It rests on the left bank of the holy river Ganga (Ganges), and is one of the seven sacred spots for Hindus. Every devout Hindu hopes to visit the city at least once in a life-time, take a holy dip at the famous 'Ghats' of the Ganga, walk the pious Panchakosi road that bounds the city,

and, if God wills, die here in old age.Varanasi grew as an important indus-trial centre, famous for its muslin and silk fabrics, perfumes, ivory works, and sculpture. Buddha is believed to have founded Buddhism here around 528 BC when he gave his first sermon, "The Setting in Motion of the Wheel of Dharma", at nearby Sarnath. The city's religious importance continued to grow in the 8th century, when Adi Shankara established the worship of Shiva as an official sect of Varanasi. Despite the Muslim rule, Varanasi re-mained the centre of activity for Hindu

intellectuals and theologians during the Middle Ages, which further con-tributed to its reputation as a cultural centre of religion and education. Sev-eral major figures of the Bhakti move-ment were born in Varanasi, including Kabir and Ravidas. Guru Nanak Dev visited Varanasi for Shivratri in 1507, a trip that played a large role in the founding of Sikhism. In the 16th cen-tury, Varanasi experienced a cultural revival under the Muslim Mughal em-peror Akbar who invested in the city, and built two large temples dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu, though much


Varanasi has been a cultural centre of North India for several thousand years, and is closely associated with the Ganges. Hindus believe that death in the city will bring salvation, making it a major centre for pilgrimage. The city is known worldwide for its many ghats, embankments made in steps of stone slabs along the river bank where pilgrims perform ritual ablutions. Of particular note are the Dashash-wamedh Ghat, the Manikarnika Ghat, the Panchganga Ghat, and the Harish-chandra Ghat, where Hindus cremate their dead. The Ramnagar Fort, near the eastern bank of the Ganges, was built in the 18th century in the Mughal style of architecture with carved balco-nies, open courtyards, and scenic pa-vilions. Among the estimated 23,000 temples in Varanasi are Kashi Vishwa-nath Temple of Shiva, the Sankat Mo-chan Hanuman Temple, and the Durga Temple. The Kashi Naresh (Maharaja of Kashi) is the chief cultural patron of Varanasi, and an essential part of all religious celebrations. An educational and musical centre, many prominent Indian philosophers, poets, writers, and musicians live or have lived in the city, and it was the place where the Benares Gharana form of Hindustani classical music was developed. One of Asia's largest residential universities is Banaras Hindu University (BHU). The Hindi-language nationalist newspaper, Aj, was first published in 1920.

of modern Varanasi was built during the 18th century, by the Maratha and Bhumihar kings. The kingdom of Benares was given official sta-tus by the Mughals in 1737, and continued as a dynasty-governed area until Indian indepen-dence in 1947. Silk weaving, carpets and crafts and tourism employ a significant number of the local population, as do the Diesel Locomotive Works and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited. Varanasi Hospital was established in 1964. The city is governed by the Varanasi Nagar Nigam (Municipal Corporation) and is represented in the Parliament of India by the current Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, who won the Lok Sabha elections in 2014 by a huge margin.


daShaShwamedh GhatDashashwamedh Ghat is the main ghat in Varanasi on the Ganges River. It is located close to Vishwanath Temple and is probably the most spectacular ghat. Two Hindu theologies are associated with it: According to one, Lord Brahma created it to welcome Lord Shiva. According to another legend, Lord Brahma sacrificed ten horses during Dasa -Ashwamedha yajna performed here.Close to the ghat, overlooking the Ganges lies the Jantar Man-tar, an observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh, of Jaipur in the year 1737.

kaShi viShwanath templeThe Kashi Vishwanath temple is located in the heart of the cultural capital of India, Varanasi. It stands on the western bank of India's holiest river Ganges. The Kashi Vishwanath temple is the center of faith for millions of Hindus. The Jyotir-linga of Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha, is enshrined in the Kashi Vishwanath temple, considered as one of the holiest temples of India. In Hindu religion it is believed that a simple glimpse of the Jyotirlinga is a soul-cleansing experi-ence that transforms life and puts it on the path of knowledge and Bhakti (devotion). A single darshan of Vishweshwara Jy-otirlinga is considered to merit more than the darshan of oth-er jyotirlingas, scattered in various parts of India. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple has been a living picture of the timeless cultural traditions and highest spiritual values.

Timings of TempleThe Vishwanath temple opens daily at 2.30 A.M. for Mangala Aarti and between 3 to 4 A.M. ticket holders are permitted to join. The timing of general Darshan is from 4 to 11 A.M. The timing for midday Bhog Aarti is from11.30 to 12 A.M. Between 12 noon to 7 P.M., general devotees are free to have Darshan. From 7 to 8.30 P.M. the Sapta Rishi Aarati is held after which Darshan is possible again till 9 P.M. At 9 P.M. the Shringar/Bhog Aarati starts and after that Darshan is pos-sible only from outside. Shayana Aarti starts at 10.30 P.M. and the temple closes at 11 P.M. Most of the offerings at the Kashi Vishwanath temple are given to poor.

manikarnika GhatManikarnika Ghat is the main cremation Ghat of Varanasi. Manikarnika Ghat is one of the oldest and most sacred Ghats in Benaras. According to the Hindu mythology, being burned here provides an instant gateway to liberation from the cycle of births and rebirths. Lying at the center of the five tirthas, Manikarnika Ghat symbolizes both creation and destruction. At Manikarnika Ghat, the mortal remains are consigned to flames with the prayers that the souls rest in eternal peace. There is a sacred well at the Manikarnika Ghat, called the Manikarnika Kund. Manikarnika Kund is said to be dug by Lord Vishnu at the time of creation while the hot ashes of the burnt bodies makes one remember the inevitable destruction of everything in the world.

travel plus


chaukhandi StupaChaukhandi Stupa is one of the important Bud-dhist Stupas at Sarnath. It is a lofty mound of brick, whose square edifice is surrounded by an octagonal tower. The Chaukhandi Stupa is said to be originally a terraced temple during the Gupta period (4th to 6th Century). Govardhan, the son of Raja Todarmal, gave the present shape to the Chaukhandi Stupa. He built an octagonal tower to commemorate the visit of Humayun, the great Mughal ruler.

aSSi GhatSituated at the confluence of Ganga and Asi rivers, Assi Ghat is the southernmost Ghat in Varanasi, where pilgrims bathe before paying their homage to Lord Shiva in the form of huge lingam situated under a peepal tree. Assi Ghat also consti-tutes the southern end of conventional city. Another lingam worshipped here is the Asisangameshwar lingam representing the lord of confluence of the Asi, enshrined in a small marble temple near the Assi Ghat. It was at the Assi Ghat where the famous Indian poet saint, Tulsi Das had written the much-cele-brated Ramcharitmanas.

ramnaGar fortThe Ramnagar fort lies about 14 km. from Varanasi and is situated on the opposite bank of river Ganga. It is the an-cestral home of the Maharaja of Banaras. Maharaja Bal-want Singh built this fort-palace in the eighteenth century. The fort is built in red sandstone. The Ramnagar fort has a temple and a museum within the grounds and the temple is dedicated to Ved Vyasa, who wrote Mahabharata, the great Indian epic. Legends have it that Ved Vyasa stayed here for a brief period.The Ramnagar fort houses a museum displaying the Royal collection which includes vintage Cars, Royal palkies, an armory of swords and old guns, ivory work and antique clocks. The Durga Temple and Chhinnamastika Temple are also Located at Ramnagar. A temple of Dakshin Mukhi Hanuman is there. Inside the giant walls of the Ramnagar fort-palace, there is a big clock. This clock not only dis-plays year, month, week and day but also astronomical facts about the sun, moon and constellation of stars. An interesting array of ornate palanquins, gold-plated how-dahs and weapons are some of the artifacts on display in the Ramnagar fort-palace museum.


Sarnath muSeumAmid natural surroundings, lies the Archaeological Museum; which exhibits the Buddhist Cultural wealth, recovered from the site of Lord Buddha’s first sermon at deer park Mriga-dava in Sarnath. As the findings are mostly from Buddhist monasteries or vihar, the plan of building was designed by James Ransome on the pattern of a Sangharam or a vihar. The noble idea was conceived by Sir John Marshal, the then Director General of Archaeology in view of Buddhist char-acter of antiquities. The construction of museum building began in 1904 & was completed in 1910. The Central hall is as main chapel, galleries as monastic cells and verandah occurring as in front of cells in a monastery. The whole build-ing is made of sandstone with flat roof.

Tickets and TimingsSarnath renowned for ancient remains of Buddhist stupas, monasteries and temple , is situated at a distance of 9 K.m. to the north of Varanasi city which is well connected by road rail and air.• Museum is closed on Friday• Time 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.• Free entry for children below the age of 15 years• Admission fee ` 5/-• Guide facility available.

School who may interest in sending their students to visit Sarnath Museum. They may contact to Sarnath Museum's Office before 2 days prior to their visit.

Visiting hour for school to contact in Sarnath Museum's Office : - 9.30 am to 6.30 pm except Saturday & Sunday.Please have the following information ready:• 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice of date and time.• number of students and adults.

dhamek StupaDhamekh Stupa at Sarnath is one of the prominent Buddhist structures in India. Dhamekh Stupa was constructed by the great Mauryan king, Ashoka. The Dhamekh Stupa is cylindri-cal in shape and about 34 m high and 28.3 m in diameter. The lower portion of the Stupa is covered completely with beautifully carved stones. The borders of Dhamekh Stupa have delicately carved geometrical and floral designs and fig-ures of humans and birds. The base of the Stupa is made of stone with the upper areas of brickwork which probably once had a carved stone fencing. It is believed that Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon at the Dhamekha Stupa. Dhamekh Stupa bears special significance at Sarnath as it signifies the "seat of the holy Buddha", as he proclaimed his faith.Buddhist pilgrims belonging to different countries visit this place for circumambulation of this sacred Stupa and to of-fer worship to Buddha. Besides the Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath also has the ruins of Dharmajajika Stupa and that of the origi-nal Mulgandha-kuti vihar. Buddha is said to have rested and meditated here while in Sarnath. Emperor Ashoka (273-232 B.C.) was a staunch follower of Buddhism and visited Sarnath and laid the foundation of the Buddhist Sangha here. The Ashoka Pillar bears testimony to his visit. The Lion Capital on top of this pillar is now the National Emblem of India.

GYanvapi moSqueThe Gyanvapi mosque is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was constructed by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, on the site of a demolished temple. It is located north of Da-shaswamedh Ghat, near Lalita Ghat along the river Ganges.It is a Jama Masjid located in the heart of the Varanasi city. It is administered by Anjuman Inthazamiya Masajid (AIM).

travel plus


new viShwanath temple/Birla templeBirla Temple is located in the BHU campus in Varanasi and it is known as the Birla Temple because it is built by the Birla Group of Industries. The temple was founded by the Raja Birla of the Birla family of great industrialists. It was planned by the Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya (the founder of the Banaras Hindu University) as part of the BHU campus. Temple is open to all the people of any castes and religions.

chandra praBha wildlife SanctuarYChandraprabha sanctuary is situated to the Southeast of Varanasi. Though one of India's lesser-known sanctuaries, Chan-draprabha is endowed with beautiful picnic spots, dense forests, and scenic waterfalls like Rajdari and Devdari that attract a large number of tourists. The Chandraprabha sanctuary was established in May 1957. Asiatic lions were introduced at Chandraprabha in 1958. To start with the exercise was successful, with the number of lions rising from three to 11 by 1969. However, the next year the lions were found missing. The plan to put lions was again revived in 1993 but sadly not much has happened since then.

Bharat mata mandirThe Bharat Mata temple at Varanasi is the only temple dedicated to Mother India. It is located in the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth campus. The Bharat Mata tem-ple was built by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupt and inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936.

Jantar mantarJantar Mantar is an observatory, built by Jai Singh, the Maharaja of Jaipur in the year 1737. Jai Singh was a great admirer of science and technology and he was par-ticularly passionate about astronomy. Before the com-mencement of construction (of observatories) he sent scholars abroad to study the foreign observatories. The emissaries returned with many manuals on astronomy. The Jantar Mantar at Varanasi was built in line with Delhi, Mathura, Ujjain and Jaipur observatories.The Jantar Mantar was built to measure the local time, the Sun's declination, altitude, the declination of stars, planets and to determine eclipses The Jantar Mantar at Varanasi has several masonry instruments to record the motion, speed and properties starts and planets and study astronomy that are accurate and can still be used efficiently today. The Jantar Mantar incorporates multiple structures of unique form, each with a special-ized function for astronomical measurement.


FIRST KNOW THEN GO : VaranasiBEsT TiME TO VisiTBeing the ultimate pilgrimage hub for the Hindus, Varanasi attracts thousands of devotees every year, irrespective of its time and sea-son. Although many would argue that there is no inappropriate time to visit a place of such sanctimo-nial importance, you can always make the most of your trip by visiting the city anytime between October to April. However, if you are someone who wouldn’t really like to make a holy dip in river Ganges during these freezing months of the year, then you can visit Varanasi anytime between November and March, when the weather is cooler and much pleasant. All said and done, if you wish to bask in the real delight of Varanasi, the visiting the city during the festive months would be the most appropriate.

HOW TO REACHVaranasi is the cultural capital of India and the melting pot of Indian civilization. Varanasi or Benaras has a well-developed transport network and is well connected to all the major Indian cities and states by air, road and rail.

By AirVaranasi is well connected and accessible to major Indian cities and tourist spots. There are daily domestic flights to and from Varanasi to several cities in India. Apart from the state owned Indian Airlines, there are many private air taxi operators that offer their services from Varanasi to other Indian cities. In fact, the daily flights on Delhi-Agra-Khajuraho-Varanasi route are quite popular among the tourists.

By TrainSince Varanasi lies in the heartland of the North Indian plains, it is well connected to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and other parts of India. There are two railway stations in Varanasi, the Kashi Junction and the Varanasi Junction (also known as Varanasi Cantonment). Rajdhani Express from Delhi or from Calcutta passes through Varanasi too. One can also catch trains from Mughalsarai, just 10 km south of Varanasi.

By roadSituated in the flat Ganga plains, Varanasi has a good network of roads. frequent public and private buses and road transport to all the major towns of Uttar Pradesh and nearby areas.

Getting around in VaranasiTransportation in Varanasi is much cheaper than other cit-

ies. All type of transportation are available. You should have information about these available means and cares to be taken.

raj Travels D-52/15, Luxa road, Godowlia, Varanasi - 221001, Just opp.. Bhartiya Bhog Hotel Tel.: 9044388313

Jyoti Travels Shukla katra, Station road, Vara-nasi Cantt, Varanasi - 221002, Near cantt Rly.station Tel.: 9793279162

WHAT TO DOActivities in Varanasi comprise of walks around the city and get lost in the splendid sights and sounds. Go for a boat ride on the ghats at sunrise or sunset. To be on a boat ride while the sunrises is a sur-real experience as you watch the water turn gold under the rays of the rising sun and hundreds of Hindus waiting to bathe in the Ganga and start their day with their prayers. At sunset you can ride a boat up til Manikarnika Ghat to see the cremations in progress, and then return to Dasaswamedh and watch the evening aarti from the boat.This is an experience you won't forget in a hurry. Don't forget to haggle the price of the boat ride in the beforehand.

WHERE TO sTAYAccommodation in Varanasi can be as colourful and surprising as the city itself. From luxurious palaces and havelis situated on the banks of the Ganga River to budget stays that are easy on the wallet, there are plenty of hotels in Varanasi to choose from., you can easily find everything upscale properties perched on the waterfront to backpacker-friendly guesthouses tucked inside the city’s by-lanes. Follow our guides to make the most of your visit to one of the world’s oldest cities with the cheap and luxurius hotels.

eMpIre HOTel D47/203, Luxa Rd, Godowlia, Varanasi - 221001, GirjagharTel.: 9336459507

Hotel surya residency Girja Ghar Crossing,Near Geeta Mandir,Opposite 221001Tel.: 0542 239 0445

Hotel Gupta InnS-19/122, P.W.D. Road, Varuna Bridge, Varanasi, 221002Tel.: 0542 250 4027

rahul Guest House

N 1/15 D-10, Gangotri Vihar Colony, Nagwa, Lanka 221005Tel.: 0542 236 6614

Annapurna Telwala DharmashalaD.53/98, Guru Nanak Rd, Rathyatra - Gurubagh Road 221010Tel.: 0542 240 4225

WHERE TO EAT & DRiNKThere is no doubt that food is a sig-nificant part of Varanasi's culture—especially its piping hot kachoris at breakfast, refreshing paans, sweets, lassi and thandai. Most of the local favourite food joints lie near the ghats or in the jumble of narrow lanes that run behind them.However, it also has restaurants offering a wide array of cuisines, from vegetarian Indian and Chi-nese to continental and Italian. It is not surprising to see a perfectly baked woodfire pizza on the ghats. Here are some restaurants that you must visit for a culinary adventure in the city.

AngeetheeB1/128-11,Assi Ghat, Near Dum-raon Bagh Park, VaranasiTel.: 0542 2366210

lotus loungeD-14/27, Mansrowar Ghat, Dashaswmedh Road, VaranasiTel.: +91 9838567717

Banana leafB-36/4-M-26, Ramapuri Colony, Sankat Mochan, Lanka, VaranasiTel.: 0542 2311018

Ksheer sagarShop 14, Rathyatra Market, Near Sigra, VaranasiTel.:+91 7408174081

Chit Chat DhabaB 27/92, Plot 6A, Jawahar Nagar, Bhelupur, VaranasiTel.: 9919633336

WHERE TO sHOP

The rhythmic clicketing of looms fill the narrow streets of Gow-dowliya, Lalapura and Madanpura in Varanasi. It draws you into cosy shops, tucked into snug floors of weathered buildings. Once you enter the maze of streets, there is no coming back without at least a few glittery Banarasi saris. The hand-woven saris are just one aspect of Varanasi shopping. Read on to find out where you need to loosen the purse strings.

Harmony Book shopIf you have a voracious appetite for books, this landmark bookshop should be high on your list. Find exclusive books on Varanasi, Hinduism, yoga and the usual best sellers at Harmony on Assi Ghat. This is the only place in the city, (and possibly in the entire country) that you can get your hands on the famous book and documentary, 'Forest of Bliss' by Robert Gardner.

Banarasi sarisDo not deny yourself the pleasure of roaming the streets of the old city to find that perfect Banarasi sari, while shopkeepers douse you in reams of colourful fabric as you sit on floor mattresses. You can also ask to see the looms which click constantly through the day. Jaharlall & Pannalall is one of the oldest establishments in the busy Gowdowliya market. Musical instrumentsIt is not uncommon to hear the strains of a sitar, shehnai or the beats of a tabla in the streets of Varanasi. After all, this is the home of music maestros like Bismillah Khan and Pandit Ravi Shankar. Not only did these pioneers give Varanasi a distinct musical identity, their popular-ity spanned over international boundaries, bringing scores of music enthusiasts here to learn instruments. Classes apart, the city is famous for handmade instruments. You can find several shops along Bengali Tola.

BrasswareVaranasi is also known for an ar-ray of brass, clay and copperware products, mostly used for temple ceremonies. The 'kamandalam' or brass water pot used by saints is often a popular pick, amongst other bric-a-bracs. The influx of pilgrims in the city ensures that the streets close to the temples are lined with these products.

souvenirsEmulating any other budget travel destination in India that appeals to backpackers, it is not uncommon to find a splash of colour in the streets, in the form of tee shirts, post-cards, kurtas, harem pants, skirts and scarves. Marble and brass statues, pillow covers, tie and dye products, chillams and jewel-lery are other options that make for great souvenirs. Make sure you have your bargaining skills whetted before you step out.

ViDEOhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=725K8Czomxg

BOOKVARANASI VIBES: TRAVEL TO THE SOUL OF INDIAby K. P. Jaikiran

WEBsiTEs

http://varanasi.nic.in/

http://www.varanasicity.com/

http://www.varanasi.org.in/


VARANAsi

CelebraTinG eXCellenCe oVer YearsThis Longtime Favourite has Changed into…

Karan's Corbett MotelManglar Road Shankarpur, Ramnagar,Jim Corbett National Park Corbett - 244715Uttaranchal, IndiaTEL.: +91-9837468933 Email.: [email protected]

“Most Promising Upscale Business Hotel In India “Excellent Service Commitment

THIS LONGTIME FAVOURITE HAS CHANGED ITS NAME AND MOVED TO A NEW LOCATION. IT'S STILL SURROUNDED BY GARDENS AND MANGO TREES AND STILL HAS THE SAME TERRIFIC OWNER, KARAN SINGH – BUT THE ROOMS AND THE RESTAURANT ARE ALL BRAND NEW. HANDS-DOWN, THE BEST PLACE TO STAY IN RAMNAGAR. KARAN RUNS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED JEEP SAFARIS IN CORBETT.

THIS LONGTIME FAVOURITE HAS CHANGED ITS NAME AND MOVED TO A NEW EXPERINCE.


travel view

Patna, also known Patliputra is the capital of Bihar. Pataliputra was known as Pushpapur and Kusumpur in the earlier times, both of them means the city of

flowers. Patali also means the trumpet flower. The city of Patna was founded by the Ajatshatru's son, Udayana. To Fa-hien, the Chinese traveler, who visited Pataliputra a century earlier, it looked so magnificent that he thought it must have been built by supernatural beings. Patna is situated at the confluence of Son, Pun-pun and Ganga rivers. It stretches along the southern banks of Ganga for about

15 km. Patna is also a convenient place to visit Nepal through a land route. Patna can be visited throughout the year, except from April to June, which are very hot.Patna was founded in 490 BCE by the king of Magadha. Ancient Patna, known as Pa-taliputra, was the capital of the Magadha Empire under the Haryanka, Nanda, Mau-ryan, Shunga, Gupta and Pala empires. Pataliputra was a seat of learning and fine arts. Its population during the Maurya pe-riod (around 300 BCE) was about 400,000.The modern city of Patna is situated on the southern bank of river Ganges. The city also straddles the rivers Sone, Gan-

dak and Punpun. The city is approximate-ly 35 kilometres (22 mi) in length and 16 to 18 kilometres (9.9 to 11.2 mi) wide. In June 2009, the World Bank ranked Patna second in India (after Delhi) for ease of starting a business. As of 2011-12, Patna had the highest per capita gross district domestic product in Bihar, at 63,063. Us-ing figures for assumed average annual growth, Patna is the 21st fastest growing city in the world and 5th fastest growing city in India according to a study by the City Mayors' Foundation. Patna regis-tered an average annual growth of 3.72% during 2006-2010.

Patna is situated at the confluence of Son, Punpun and Ganga rivers.

Patna


takht Sri patna SahiBTakht Sri Patna Sahib enjoys the privilege of being the birthplace of the Tenth Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. This sacred place has the honour of being visited by the first Guru Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji and the ninth Guru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. It is from this place that the command-ment of valiance and fearlessness was issued to the Sikh fraternity.

GolGharThe Golghar is a heritage and such a monument which has really beautiful history as well as respect in the minds of people. In this post of mine, I will be telling you about the history of the famous monument of Patna which is popularly called Golghar.This monument called 'Golghar' got its name from its pecu-liar shape. This monument is circular in shape. Of course, it is not a complete sphere because that is not possible however, the curves in the monument make it a incomplete spherical shaped monument.

mahavir mandirMahavir Mandir is one of the holiest Hindu temples dedicat-ed to Lord Hanuman, located in Patna, Bihar, India. Million of pilgrims visit the temple every year and is the second most visited religious shrine in North India. Acharya Kishore Kunal is the secretary of the Mahavir Mandir Temple Trust, Patna.

travel plus


patna muSeumPatna Museum is the state museum of the Indian state of Bi-har. Built in 1917 during the British Times to house the histori-cal artefacts found in the vicinity of Patna, it is in the style of Mughal and Rajput architecture and is known locally as the Jadu Ghar.Address : Near Kotwali Thana, Buddha Marg, Patna, Bihar 800001; Phone : 0612-2235731Timings: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM (except Monday)

indira Gandhi planetariumIndira Gandhi Planetarium is located in Patna's Indira Gandhi Science Complex. Planetarium was constructed through Bihar Council on Science & Technology at a total cost of about 11 Crores. Patna Planetarium is located on Bailey Road near Income Tax Golambar in Patna within a distance of 8 km from Patna Air-port, 1½ km from Patna Railway Station, 2 km from Govern-ment Bus stand, and 10 km from Private Bus stand.Address : Buddha Road, Adalatganj, Veerchand Patel Road Area, Patna, Bihar 800001; Phone: 0612-2235264

Buddha Smriti parkBuddha Smriti Park is a park located on Frazer Road near Patna Junc-tion in Patna, India. The park is sometimes also referred to as the Bud-dha Memorial Park. The central attraction of this park is the Stupa, 200 feet high, situated in the middle of the park. This 22 acre park located in the heart of city house the pot containing holy ashes of Lord Buddha inside the main stupa - Patlipu-tra Karuna Stupa. Buddha Smriti Park is a park located on Frazer Road near Patna Junction in Patna, India.The park is sometimes also referred to as the Buddha Memorial Park. This park has been developed by the State Govern-ment to commemorate the 2554th birth anniversary of the Lord Buddha. This park was inaugurated by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

aGam kuanAgam Kuan ("unfathom-able well") is an ancient well and archaeological site in Patna, India. It is said to date back to the period of Mauryan em-peror, Ashoka (304–232 BCE). Circular in shape, the well is lined with brick in the upper 13 metres (43 ft) and contains wooden rings in the remaining 19 metres (62 ft).The Agam Kuan is set within an archaeological site identi-fied by the Archaeological Survey of India which also con-tains the adjacent Shitala Devi temple where the folk deity Shitala Devi is venerated. Inside this temple, the pindas of the Saptamatrikas (the seven mother goddesses) are worshipped. The temple is widely revered for its belief in curing smallpox and chicken pox.

patan deviPatan Devi also called Maa Patneshwari, is the oldest and one of the most sacred temples of Patna. It is regarded as one of the 51 Siddha Shakti Pithas in India. According to Puranic leg-ends, the 'right thigh' of the corpse of Sati had fallen here when it was chopped off by Lord Vishnu with his 'Sudarshan Chakra'. The ancient temple, originally called Maa Sarvanand Kari Patneshwari, is believed to be the abode of the goddess Durga.


FIRST KNOW THEN GO : PatnaBEsT TiME TO VisiTFrom October through February, is the best time to visit Patna as the weather is fairly pleasant, in turn, giving you the advantage to explore the many wonders of the city. Festivals such as the Rajgir Mahotsav in October and Sonepur Animal Fair in October-November will also provide a glimpse into the city’s culture, making your trip worthwhile. If you don’t mind visiting Patna when spring sets in, you will be able to witness the Patliputra Mahotsav in March.

HOW TO REACH

By AirPatna is connected with Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata by daily flights. Tourist taxis and buses are readily available to provide trans-port to the city from the airport, a distance of 7 km.

By TrainSince Patna lies on the Eastern railway network, many important trains like Rajdhani, Magadh, Brahmaputra, and Northeast Express connect Patna to major cities of Delhi, Lucknow, Calcutta, Varanasi, Amritsar, Mumbai, Siliguri and Guwahati.

By BusPatna is well connected to all major cities and is located on NH 30. Patna is also the gateway city for the Buddhist circuit of Nal-anda and Rajgir. The state is also not the safest of places for the road –traveller and mugging and thefts are rampant, so it maybe advisable to drive in daylight hours and avoid highway driving after dark.

Getting Around in patnaTo get around the city, the best way is to rent a car through a travel agent or your hotel. There are also taxis, auto rickshaws, buses and cycle rickshaws. Besides most hotels have ar-rangements with travel agents who run tours in mini buses and vans/cars.

THe AGenCIes House No 1 Road No 17, S K Nagar, Kidwaipuri, 800001, Near State BankTel.: 9973910328

BABA CABs90 Seet Road, Baba Chowk, Kankarbagh, Patna - 800020, Hanuman NagarTel.: 8579060606 WHERE TO sTAY

There are various places to stay in Patna that range from luxury hotels to hostel style accommoda-tion for pilgrims. You can choose to stay in a 5-star, 4-star, 3-star or a budget hotel. You can easily find small hotels and low-priced guesthouses in the city. Further you can choose from the below given categories according to your budget, need and choice. HOTel sweTA Saraswati Chandra Market, Industrial Estate Road Kurji, Tel.: 9334001578 Hotel park plaza Behind Surya Clinic,h.No 11, Sri Krishnanagar Road, kidwaipur 800001Tel.: 093864 33725

Home palaceSumiran House, Gorakh Nath Lane , Boring Road , PatnaTel.: 9801472463

patliputra DharamshalaBirla Mandir Rd, Bakarganj, Patna, Bihar 800004

WHERE TO EAT & DRiNK

puri JalebiAmong other things, Patna is famous for the variety of sweets it has to offer. Don’t forget to try Puri Jalebi, a dish unique to the city. The best can be found at Pal Sweets, a short walk from the station.

litti ChokhaA staple of Bihar, you can find this dish all over the city. The most famous Litti, however, is served at Raj Sweets shop, a small thela outside Sanjay Gandhi Biological Garden. The stall shot to fame a few years ago when Aamir Khan dropped by to sample the fare.

KhajaThis deep-fried Bihari sweet is made of wheat flour, mava and sugar and is a must try for everyone visiting the city. The best Khaja can be found in the shops opposite the Patna Museum.Paneer Samosa and KachoriThe city’s streets are lined with stalls selling kachoris, a variety of samosas, as well as cutlets and kebabs, each more tempting than the last. Try Lucknow Sweet House at Boring Road or Maurya Lok; you won’t be disappointed.

Green Chilli Janak Place Apartment, West Boring Canal Road, Anandpuri, PatnaTel.: +91 8084008549

17 Degrees Boring Patliputra Road, Patliputra Industrial Area,Digha Ghat, PatnaTel.: +91 9204851717

Makhan Bhog Opposite Bank of India, Kadam Kuan Chauraha,Kankarbagh, PatnaTel.: +91 9038221008

Haldiram Shyam Sundar Complex, Jagdeo Path, Bailey Road, Kidwaipuri, Tel.: +91 9504900203 Chawla lakhu Da Dhaba Grand Plaza, Mamta Regency Building Fraser RoadTel.: +91-9308336693

WHAT TO DOThere are three major options that a tourist can partake in outdoor activities in Patna.

The biggest hub for outdoor activities is the Gandhi Ghat, where you can go jet skiing or on a motor boat down the River Ganges. The boats are pretty fast and give a good adrenaline rush, especially while jet skiing! A float-ing restaurant called the Ganga Vihar offers dinner cruises.

Enjoy some leisurely strolls at Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan or the Patna Zoo, the Gandhi Maidan at the banks of the

River Ganges, or at the Congress Maidan, which commemorates the freedom movement in India.

If you are a golf enthusiast, you can go to the well maintained Patna Golf Club.

WHERE TO sHOPor a lifetime experience of shop-ping in Patna, visit the Maurya Lok market at Dak Bungalow Road, where you can buy the renowned Madhubani paintings done by the Mithilanchal women-folk using earthy colours to depict vibrant motifs and deities.Check out the Bihar handicrafts em-porium, which offers among other items papier mache art, Tikulis, printed Chunris, Khari Mica paint-ings, Pattharkatti stone-craft, Sujini quilt embroidery, Khatwa appliqué work and wood inlays in various beautiful geometrical designs.You can always visit one of the Khadi Gramodyog Bhawans to purchase raw cotton and raw wool kurtas, shirts, t-shirts, skirts, blouses and a range of other dress materials.

One of the biggest and most modern of shopping malls in Patna is the P&M Mall, a multi storey dining, entertainment and shopping hub, offering various brands under one roof.For buying good quality brass Buddha statues, historical souvenirs and mementos, visit the outlets at Fraser Road. Other good markets in Patna are the Hathua Market and the Patna Market.

ViDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmckdqPSBVA

BOOKReport on the Excavations at Pataliputra (Patna): The Tee of the Greeks (Classic Reprint) by L. A. Waddell

WEBsiTEs

http://patna.bih.nic.in/

http://bstdc.bih.nic.in/patna.htm

http://www.bihar-tourism.com/patna/

http://www.bihartourism.gov.in/patna.html


PATNA

A Getaway to Bihar a state of ancient historical and

mythological significance.

Home Cabs Holidays903, 9th Floor, Pearls Business Park, Near Fun Cinema, Pitampura, New Delhi - 110034

Tel.: +91-9999311666; +91-9999233555; Email : [email protected] Special offers to the traveloholic readers log no https://www.homecabs.com

Hotel Accommodation Meal Plan Sight Seeing Transfer

GLIMPSE OF PATNA-NALANDA-GAYA[3NIGHTS / 4 DAYS ]

HERITAGE OF PATNA-NALANDA- RAJGIR-VAISHALI [ 3NIGHTS / 4 DAYS ]

And many more adventures....

PATNA+ NALANDA+ RAJGIR+ VAISHALI

Package Cost

` 14,499*/- PP on Twin sharing

PATNA + NALANDA + GAYA

Package Cost



travel view

Kolkata the city of joy as it is called, is also commonly considered as the 'Paris of the East' as there's a happy amalgamation of different

cultures, styles and moods, coupled along with numerous forms of indus-tries and commerce and politics. Kol-kata mainly gained importance in the times of British rule as it had been the capital of India till the year1912. At present, although it is no more the capital of India, it is the capital of West Bengal and is one of the most impor-

tant place of cultural workshop and in-dustrial center.

While Kolkata was one of the best ex-amples of British rule in the past, at present it is a kaleidoscope of contrast-ing ideas, life and culture, which would be found nowhere else in the world. Kolkata is the best example of both the old and new, the orient and the occi-dent, where lives both the poor and the rich. Kolkata mirrors warmth, culture, creativity, intellectualism and artistic development considering that Kolkata

is the home to four best Nobel laure-ates - Rabindranath Tagore, Ronald Ross, Mother Teresa and Amartya Sen. It is the Durga Puja during which Kolkata is at its best and the most resplendent. Still, it doesn't in any way lag behind during either Eid or Christmas or New Year. Irrespective of where you are from, you will feel at home in this city - in Kolkata. Fur-thermore, there are so many places to be visited in this city of joy that you will be spoilt for choice.

Kolkata mirrors warmth, culture, creativity, intellectualism and artistic development considering

Kolkata


Durga Puja also referred to as Durgotsava or Sharadotsav is an annual Hindu festi-val in South Asia that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. It refers to all the six days observed as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Nabami and Vijayadashami.

2015 Dates & time for Durga Puja Celebrations Kol-kata & Delhi :

Mahalaya 12th October 2015 MondayPanchmi 18th October 2015 SundayShashthi 19th October 2015 MondaySaptami 20th October 2015 TuesdayMahaa-Ashtami 21st October 2015 WednesdayMahaa-Nabami/Dashami 22nd October 2015 ThursdayLakshmi Puja 26th October 2015 MondayKali Puja 10th November 2015 Tuesday


victoria memorialThe incredible Victoria Memorial is a vast, beautifully pro-portioned festival of white marble: think US Capitol meets Taj Mahal. Had it been built for a beautiful Indian princess rather than a dead colonial queen, this would surely be con-sidered one of India’s greatest buildings. It was designed to commemorate Queen Victoria’s 1901 diamond jubilee, but construction wasn’t completed until nearly 20 years after her death.

Location : Maidan, 1, Queens Way, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071; Tel.: 033-2223 1890

Museum TImings : Victoria Memorial Garden remains open to visitors at these hours, all throughout the year (even on holidays) : 5.30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. but sale of entry tickets closes at 5.45 p.m. Entry to the garden may be restricted to visitors by order of the authority.

Victoria Memorial Gallery remains open to visitors at these hours, all throughout the year (except Monday and National holidays) : 10.00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. but sale of entry tickets closes at 4.30 p.m.

The entry fees for garden: Daily ticket : Rs. 10/- per head, per entry Monthly ticket : Rs.100/- per head.

Yearly ticket : Rs. 1000/-

(Garden tickets does not entitle entry to the museum building).

The entry fees for the museum: For Indians - the entry fee to the museum is Rs. 20/- (per head)For all foreigners - the entry fee to the museum is Rs. 200/-(per head)Free for school children up to 12 years age in uniform and Army personnel in uniform

Victoria Memorial Hall (Museum) shall remain closed to public on these days:All Mondays, Republic Day (26th January), Holi, Independence Day (15th August), Id-ul-Fitr, Gandhiji's Birthday, Dusserah, Id-ul-Juha, Christmas day (25th December).

The Show Timings are: October to February : 6.15 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. (Bengali) 7.15 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. (English)March to June: 6.45 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. (Bengali) 7.45 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. (English)Rates of Ticket: Rs. 10/- and Rs.20/-. Counter opens at 12.30 p.m. (Church Gate). [No advance booking]

Full ticket for children above three years. No shows on Mondays, National Holidays and Holi and between July to Sep-tember.

travel plus


eden GardenSEden Gardens is a cricket ground in Kolkata, India. It is the home of the Bengal cricket team and the Indian Premier League's Kolkata Knight Riders, as well as being a venue for Test, One Day International and Twenty20 International matches. It is the largest cricket stadium in India by seating capacity, and the third-largest cricket stadium in the world behind Melbourne Cricket Ground and Stadium Australia. Eden Gardens has been called "cricket's answer to the Colosseum" and is widely acknowledged to be one of the most iconic cricket stadiums in the world.

howrah BridGeHowrah Bridge is a cantilever bridge with a suspended span over the Hooghly River in West Bengal, India. Commissioned in 1943, the bridge was originally named the New Howrah Bridge, because it replaced a pontoon bridge at the same location link-ing the two cities of Howrah and Kolkata (Calcutta). On 14 June 1965 it was renamed Rabindra Setu after the great Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore, who was the first Indian and Asian Nobel laureate. It is still popularly known as the Howrah Bridge.The bridge is one of two on the Hooghly River and is a famous symbol of Kolkata and West Bengal. The other bridges are the Vidyasagar Setu (popularly called the Second Hooghly Bridge), the Vivekananda Setu, and the newly built Nivedita Setu. It weathers the storms of the Bay of Bengal region, carrying a dai-ly traffic of approximately 100,000 vehicles and possibly more than 150,000 pedestrians, easily making it the busiest can-tilever bridge in the world. The third-longest cantilever bridge at the time of its construction, the Howrah Bridge is the sixth-longest bridge of its type in the world.

kaliGhatKalighat is regarded as one of the 52 Shakti Peethams of India, where the various parts of Sati's body are said to have fallen, in the course of Shiva's Rudra Tandava. Ka-lighat represents the site where the toes of the right foot of Shakti or Sati fell.It is a very famous place and a pilgrimage for Shakta (Shi-va and Durga/Kali/Shakti worshippers) followers within the Hindu religion.The image of the deity is incomplete. Only the face of the de-ity was made first. The hands, made of gold and silver, the tongue, the Shiva statue and all the jewellery were added over the years. On snanyatra day, while giving the divine Moth-er the ceremonial bath, the priests tie their eyes with cloth coverings. On auspicious occasions like Kali Puja, Durga Puja, Poila Boishakh, the Bengali New Year day and sankranti large number of devotees throng the place with offerings.

Timings of Temple : The temple is open from 5.00 A.M. to 2.00 P.M and 5.00 P.M to 10.30 P.M. It is closed from 2.00 P.M to 5.00 P.M. for Bhog. There are Aarthis in the morning and evening.The temple schedule as per the notice put up recently. Sun/Sat/Tue WeekdaysOpening Time: (For Mongal Aarti) 4.00 A.M Opening Time: (For Public) 5.00 A.M Nitya Puja: 5.30 A.M to 7.00 A.M Bhog Rag: 2.30 P.M. to 3.30 P.M. 2.Sandhya Aarti: 6.30 P.M. to 7.00 P.M.

Closing of Temple: 10.30 P.M.


Birla planetariumM.P. Birla Planetarium or the Birla Planetarium is known for space science and astronomy museum and is one of the largest museums in Asia. This place specially will inter-est stargazers and aspirants of becoming rocket scientists.The Planetarium is situated at the intersection of Jawahar-lal Nehru Road, which was previously known as Chowring-hee and Theatre Road. The outer structure of this plane-tarium is milky white in appearance and has a roof in the shape of a dome.From this place, one can also visit the nearby Maidan, Vic-toria Memorial and St. Paul’s Cathedral. It was established in 1963 and since then it has been imparting knowledge and revealing celestial mysteries to the visitors.Birla Planetarium is equipped with high tech gadgets like Solar filters, Celestron C-14 Telescope, The Carl Zeiss Uni-versal Planetarium projector and a huge variety of pro-jectors for the special effects. With the help of all these gadgets, the Birla Planetarium reveals to its viewers the mysteries of the skies. Inside the planetarium making vid-eo recordings or taking photographs are strictly prohibited.

marBle palaceThis resplendent 1835 raja’s mansion is overstuffed with dusty statues of thinkers and dancing girls, much Victori-ana, ample Belgian glass-ware and fine if bedraggled paintings, including suppos-edly original works by Murillo, Joshua Reynolds and Rubens.Napoleons beat Wellingtons three to one in the music room, which is lavishly floored with marble inlay. The ball-room retains its vast array of candle chandeliers with globes of silvered glass to spread illumination: original 19th-century disco balls!Admission is free, but before arriving you need to get a per-mission note from West Bengal Tourism or India Tourism . To find Marble Palace from MG Rd metro, walk north and turn left at the first traffic light (171 Chittaranjan Ave). Coming from the east, it's on the lane that leaves Rabindra Sarani between #198 and #200.

fort williamFort William is a must visit tourist attraction place of Cal-cutta. Situated at the banks of river Hooghly, it was named after King William III of England. Fort William of Kolkata, India, was established during the tenure of British Raj in 1696. It was the guardroom of this two-storied building, where the black hole tragedy took place. During the Plas-sey war in 1757, Siraj Ud Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal at-tacked on the fort and defeated the Britishers. This paved way for the construction of a new fort by British.The new fort was initiated by Robert Clive, which got com-pleted by 1780. The basic purpose of setting up Calcutta Fort William was to prevent attacks from Muslim invaders. The area that was cleared around the fort became maidan, where several exhibitions and fairs take place. The founda-tion of the old fort is still intact. Till date, it is a military area and the Arsenal inside it is worth watching, but for that prior permission of the commanding officer is required.

maidanThe Maidan also referred as Brigade Parade Ground is the largest urban park in Kolkata in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a vast stretch of field and home to numerous play grounds, including the famous cricketing venue Eden Gardens, several football stadia, and Kolkata Race Course. The Maidan is dotted with statues and pieces of architec-ture, most notable being the Victoria Memorial. Due to the freshness and greenery it provides to the metropolis, it has been referred to as the "lungs of Kolkata". The Maidan is a property of the Indian Army and hosts the Eastern zone high command of the Indian Army in Fort William. The Maid-an stretches from as far north as the Raj Bhavan building in Esplanade and as far south as the National Library on Belvedere Rd. in Alipore. The wide field stretches from the Hoogly River on the west to the Victoria Memorial on the east. It is a historical and cultural center of Kolkata as well as a center of leisure and entertainment for Calcuttans.

travel plus


the SundarBanSThe Sundarbans ('Forest of Sundari trees') are one of the largest remaining areas of mangroves in the world. It also has exception-al biodiversity, notably about 400 Bengali tigers. Its ever changing landscape is shaped by tidal shifts, rivers and creeks.The Indian part of the Sundarbans area is a separate WHS, under the name of Sundarbans National Park

dakShineSwar kali templeDakshineswar Kali Temple is a Hindu temple located in Dakshineswar near Kolkata. Situated on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, the presiding deity of the temple is Bhavatarini, an aspect of Kali, meaning, 'She who liber-ates Her devotees from the ocean of existence i.e. The temple was built by Rani Rashmoni, a philanthropist and a devotee of Kali in 1855. The temple is famous for its association with Ramakrishna, a mystic of 19th Century Bengal.

alipore zooloGical GardenSThe Alipore Zoological Gardens is India's oldest formally stated zoological park (as opposed to royal and British menageries) and a big tourist attraction in Kolkata, West Bengal. It has been open as a zoo since 1876, and covers 18.81 ha (46.5 acres). It is probably best known as the home of the now expired Aldabra gi-ant tortoise Adwaita, which was reputed to have been over 250 years old when it died in 2006. It is also home to one of the few captive breeding projects involving the Manipur brow-antlered deer.As of 2015, the latest births at the zoo are that of Grant's ze-bra, and Indian muntjac.The zoo presumably set a record when around 75,000 people visited the zoo on January 1, 2015.

Entrance fee :For the zoo : Rs. 20 / - per personFor the aquarium : Rs. 5 / - per personVideo Photography : Rs. 250 /- per hour

Zoo Hours : Ticket counters of the zoo opens at 09 – 00 a.m. and closes at

04 -30 p.m. Garden opening Time at 09-00 a.m. and closing time at 05-00 p.m. The Aquarium of the zoo remain opens between 10 -30 a.m. and

05 – 00 p.m.

indian muSeumThe history of the origin and the growth of the Indian Mu-seum is one of the remarkable events towards the devel-opment of heritage and culture of India.Founded in 1814 at the cradle of the Asiatic Society of Ben-gal (at the present building of the Asiatic Society, 1 Park Street, Kolkata), Indian Museum is the earliest and the largest multipurpose Museum not only in the Indian sub-continent but also in the Asia-Pacific region of the world.Address : 27, Jawaharlal Nehru Rd, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016; Phone: 033-2286 1699Entry FeeFor Indians - Rs.10/- for Adults. Baby in arms free.For Foreigners - Rs.150/-


Science citYScience City, Kolkata, a unit of the National Council of Sci-ence Museums (NCSM), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India and the largest science centre in India, was developed with a onetime capital grant by the administrative ministry. Science City was opened on July 01, 1997 and consists of two facilities, the Science Centre and the Convention Centre. The Science Centre complex comprises Space Odyssey, Dynamotion, Evolu-tion Park Theme Tour, Maritime Centre, Earth Exploration Hall and a sprawling Science Park. It has already recorded footfall of more than 24.75 million since its launch and is the major attraction in Kolkata to local residents as well as to the national and international visitors to the metropo-lis. While in Kolkata one cannot miss this iconic institution combining education and entertainment in sharp contrast to the science museums existing elsewhere in the country. Setting up of Science City on a plot of land once used for dumping of City’s garbage for over 100 years was a total make-over with a welcoming garden of science and envi-ronment friendly landscape.The Convention Centre complex, a unique component of Science City, Kolkata comprises the Main Auditorium of 2232 seating capacity, one Mini Auditorium of 392 seat-ing capacity and a Seminar hall complex consisting of 11 halls ranging from 15 to 100 seating capacity, an indoor (270sq.m.) and an open air exhibition ground (20000 sq. m). The auditoria’s and the seminar halls are fully air-con-ditioned. The Convention Centre of Science City is a major destination in the city of Kolkata for conventions, confer-ences, AGMs, trade exhibitions and cultural programmes.Science City is also a unique example of self sustainabil-ity in the Government sector and meets its operation and maintenance expenses from its own revenue generation.

Timings Science City remain open:During summer - (1st April to 30th September) from 9:00 A.M to 9 P.MDuring winter - (1st October to 31st March ) from 9:00 A.M to 8 P.M.It remains open on Sundays and public holidays

Birla mandirThe magnificent Birla Mandir of Kolkata is an exemplary work of art. It is one of the finest architectural beauties of the city. The indigenous craftsmanship of the temple is the hallmark of its grandeur. It represents a beautiful blend of traditional and contemporary art. The temple is also a revered place of worship and devotion. Thousands of peo-ple from various parts of the country come here to offer their prayers especially on Janmashtami (Birthday of Lord Krishna). During the festive months when the temple and its surroundings are illuminated with lights, it provides for a spectacularly divine vision. The best time to visit this beau-tiful temple is in the evening during evening Aarti when the white marble temple is at its glittering best. The serene and sublime atmosphere of the temple offers much peace and tranquility to the mind. It is one of the most visited tourist spots of Kolkata.

tipu Sultan moSqueThe Tipu Sultan Shahi Mosque is a famous mosque in Cal-cutta. Located at 185 Dhartamtalla Street, the mosque is a relic of architectural and cultural heritage. People from all sections of society and religions are allowed to visit and take pictures of this historical premise. this building was built in 1832 by Prince Ghulam Mohammed, the youngest son of Tipu Sultan. One of the finest specimens of Mughal architecture in the city, Sahi Mosque represents a distinc-tive architectural heritage. The mosque is doubled-aisled and is adomed multiple domes. It has tall corner towers. The intricate designs mosque and its rounded arches drawn from the cultural architecture lend it a subtle Euro-pean look.


FIRST KNOW THEN GO : kolkataBEsT TiME TO VisiT

The best time to visit Kolkata is between October and March when you will conveniently miss the sweaty, humid and suffocat-ing Bengal summer. You will also be in time for the frenzied celebrations of Durga Puja the worship of the goddess of strength, symbolising good over evil. It is a ten-day ritual held in the month of October.

HOW TO REACH

By AirKolkata has an International Airport that has regular flights to Europe, the United States of America and the Orient. Major cities in India are connected to Kolkata by domestic flights. The Dum Dum Airport is only 17 km away from the city centre.

By TrainHowrah on the west of Hooghly River and Sealdah to the east of the river are the two rail stations and both are very crowded and frenetic with activity. All trains to India’s north-eastern region originate and end at Sealdah and trains to west, central and south India operate from Howrah.

By BusIt is possible to get to Kolkata by road. One can drive or take a bus from anywhere to Kolkata, be it Delhi, Bombay or Guwahati.

Getting Around Kolkata

r s Totters 84/2, Ibrahimpur Road, Kolkata - 700032, Beside 8b Bus Stand Tel.: +(91)-33-33028713

Kundu Travels Gate 3b, Kolkata - 700052, Near Bank Of India ATMTel.: +(91)-33-33134825

Gill Cabs61/C, Tollygunge Road, Kolkata – 700033Tel.: +(91)-33-33019363

Cycle rickshaws are available and in some parts of central Kolkata there are rickshaws pulled by men.

WHERE TO sTAYHotels in Kolkata always have something to offer to everyone. The wide arrays of hotels in Kolkata meet the needs of all sorts of travelers – be it luxury travelers, business travelers or budget travelers. Moreover, there are plenty of hotels available in almost all areas of Kolkata, which

eventually increases the available options for the travelers. Whether you are a business or a leisure traveler, while you look at list of hotels in Kolkata, you will find a great variety of hotels to choose from.

Hotel Vip International 51, Free School Street, Park Street, Kolkata - 700016, Near Park Street Music World Tel.: +91-33-33014301

neeranand regency 1 Ashu Biswas Road(Bhawanipore south kolkata area), Chakraberia South, Kolkata - 700024, Near Bank Of Baroda ATMTel.: +91-33-33021965

Continental Guest House 30, Mirza Ghalib St, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016Tel.: +91-33-2252 0663

Binani Dharamshala 81, Pathuriaghata Street, Kolkata - 700006Tel.: +91-33-22591039

WHAT TO EAT & DRiNKKolkata. The name itself beams culture of a different kind, which this city so proudly enthralls. It has an irresistible magic no other Indian city can compete with and when it comes to food, the magic only amplifies to another level! From snacks to sweet dishes, the list of delicacies is never-ending and they have never failed to im-press anyone. In fact, you might just want to pack your bags and leave for the yummy Kolkatan food after reading this!

Zeeshan 187, Sarat Bose Road, Desapriya Park, KolkataTel.: 033 24644224 regent restaurant 6A, Chowringhee Place, New Market Area, KolkataTel.: 033 22491442

Kewpie's No. 2, Elgin Lane, Off Heysham Road & Behind Netaji Bhavan, Kolkata, West Bengal 700020Tel.: 033 2486 1600

peter Cat18A, Park Street, Park Street Area, KolkataTel.: 033 22298841

Balle Balle Dhaba DC 27/26, Near City Centre 1, Sector 1, Salt Lake, KolkataTel.: 033 30990442WHERE TO sHOP

new MarketAlso known as Hogg's Market, this is Kolkata's oldest and best known market. It's got over 2,000 stalls and is a treat for those who like to hunt for a good bargain.

Chowringhee roadA huge variety of pavement vendors line Chowringhee Road from Park Street to New Market, selling just about everything under the sun.

swabhumiIf you’re looking for a memo-rabilia to take home or want to check out some locally designed junk jewellery or just some arty knick knacks, do remember to add Swabhumi to your itineraryCollege StreetIf you’re a bookworm, this will be your Mecca in Kolkata. Watertight with shops and hawkers who retail everything academic books to the last bestseller, a mint condi-tion paperback to an out of circu-lation rare edition, you will find it all here. Needless to say, buying a second-hand copy means acquir-ing it for a fraction of its original

price. While this street attracts a lot of tourists hunting for travel guides, regulars here also include students of the two established educational institutions on the street, Presidency College and Calcutta University.

Gariahat roadEveryone raves about Bengal’s expertise in the field of traditional textiles, making it a seriously important memento to take home from Kolkata. So whether you’re hunting for a Benarasi silk or a Kantha-stitch, Gariahat Road has shops that retail them all. A mix of traditional and contemporary designs and styles, this street is a popular with locals who even consider it to be a stopping destination of choice for picking up a wedding trousseau.


KOLKATA

ViDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KzbNWNvcyE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFrqVh8laOw

DOCuMENTRYhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZIA_jSqKfc

BOOKKolkata: To be Young Was Paradise by H.A. Barari

"Nemai Ghosh’s Kolkata" by Amitabh Bachchan and Nemai Ghosh

"Unforgettable Kolkata" by Tumpa Banerjee

WEBsiTEs

http://www.kolkata.org.uk/

http://westbengaltourism.gov.in/web/guest/kolkata


BEAUTY OF KOLKATA[3NIGHTS / 4 DAYS ]

Jatirampur Bird Sanctuary | SajnekhaliEvening Cultural Programme | Dobanki Watch Tower

Village Tour | Hawrah Bridge

Package Cost


The Incredible Victoria Memorial is a vast, beautifully proportioned

festival of white marble.