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India Pilgrimage
India is a religious land. Ever since the dawn of civilization, India has been the birthplace of many religions. Being so, the country boasts of a lot of pilgrim destinations within its precincts. Rich in mythology, it has a number of temples, mosques, monasteries, churches and gurdwaras, which attract lakhs of devotees every year. People belonging to various religions come here to visit the various pilgrimages and obtain the divine blessings of God, seeking forgiveness for all their sins.
Hinduism, the oldest religion of the world, has many shrines all over India. Hindus settled in various parts of the world come to India to visit their scared temples and get darshan of the Divine Being. Similarly, the country has numerous shrines belonging to other religions as well. Buddhists come to visit Bodhgaya, where Lord Buddha received enlightenment, and Sarnath, where He delivered his first sermon.
There are also many Buddhist monasteries in Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh. For the Sikhs, there is Anandpur Sahib, Golden Temple and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. It is said that Christianity was introduced in India by St. Thomas or Doubting Thomas, in 52 AD. Indian Churches, with their distinct archaeological British, Portuguese, French and Indian designs, serve as a reminder of the same. If this was not enough, India boasts of housing shrines of Jains and Muslims too.
Temple, when you hear this word the scene that comes to your mind usually comprises of the images of God and Goddess, bells and incense sticks, combined with a feeling of calmness. When you enter a temple, it feels as if the worries of the world have been completely left behind. India is the home to some of the most beautiful and most sacred temples of the world, where devotees come from all over the world to unburden themselves. Right from the north to the south, from the east to the west, Indian temples give you the feeling of being one with the Divine Being.
Devotees usually visit the temples of various deities to free themselves from the materialism and the unending sorrows of the world. If your aim is the same, there is no better place than India to accomplish the same. Ever since the dawn of civilization, temples have gained a lot of prominence among Indians. Today, people come from far off destinations in not only India, but the world, to pay their respects at these holy temples. The various legends associated with the India temples are no less interesting. In short, the temples in India give you the right combination of devotion and love towards Almighty.
India Heritage
India boasts of a rich heritage which encompasses art, literature, architecture and many more. India’s rich heritage attracts a lot of tourists from all over the world. From north to south, east to west there are lot of forts and palaces which gives a unique experience to the tourists. The colorful land of Rajasthan boasts of beautiful abodes of rulers and rich merchants alike in almost every city. Many of these royal palaces have now been converted into heritage hotels while some of them have become house museums that exhibit some of finest gems of arts and crafts from the lap of history of the region.
The painted havelis of Mandawa in the Shekavati region, Junagarh Fort of Bikaner, Chittaurgarh Fort of Chittor, Hawa Mahal of Jaipur, Island Palaces of Udaipur, Jaisalmer fort,Khajuraho cave temples, Ajanta and Ellora caves are some of the most sought after tourist destinations. Other states of India too have their share of the fabulous display of heritage wonders such as Khajuraho cave temples of Madhya Pradesh and Ajanta and Ellora volcanic rock caves of Maharashtra that have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage sites because of their unique, elaborate and intricate artistry. They reflect the art, culture and tradition of that place and a tour package to these places will tell you volumes of history and help you to know more about India.
Indian sculptures further add a feather to the country’s rich history, art and culture. The lanes of history stand as a witness to the fact that the first sculptures in the country date back to the Indus Valley civilization. These sculptures are amongst the oldest ones, not only in India, but in the whole world. Magnificent sculptural beauty can be seen in the temples of Kanchipuram, Madurai, Rameshwaram and Varanasi.The Sun Temple of Konark and the temples of Khajhuraho also have beautifully carved with numerous figures of Gods and Goddesses.
Along with Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism too flourished in India, the cave sculptures here serving as a witness of the same. The sculptures at Ellora were carved out of rock and are one of the best forms of art. Other prominent sculptures are present in the temples of Mammallapuram, Sarnath Museum, Amravati and Nagarjunakonda. The latter two also tell you about the life of Lord Buddha. You must visit the Elephanta Caves, near Mumbai, which tell you about the mastery of Hindu cave architecture. Take a sculpture tour package of India and explore the rich heritage of this incredible land.
India Beaches
The mention of a ‘beach’ creates images of sun, sea, sand, relaxation, shells and much more. Beaches are the perfect destination for honeymoon, fun, joy and relieving oneself from day-to-day pressure. Beaches attract tourists from all over the world and India has some the most exotic beaches of the world. You can explore a number of serene beaches in India. However, some of the hottest picks are Anjuna, Baga and Dona Paula beaches of Goa, Bangaram of Lakhshadweep, Kovalam of Kerala and Juhu of Mumbai.
There are a number of activities you can do on the Indian beaches. You can either relax yourself or try your hand at various thrilling water sports. You can get a different look by tanning your skin, which is really a unique experience. It doesn’t get bigger than getting a tour package of beaches along with the magnificent Taj combined with a visit to Rajasthan. Fun, frolic, culture, heritage, architecture all combined in one. The Indian beaches will take you to a whole new world and everytime you want to cherish a moment with your friends, family, certainly come to the beaches in India. You will come to know why this great country is called Incredible India.
India Hill Station
Are you fed up with the hot and sticky weather? The charming hills of India can provide you relief from the scorching sun. The country has some of the most amazing hill stations, which will bound you by their sheer beauty. Himalayas, of course, have the most of the high peaks and were formed when India pushed against the Asia mainland with great force. There are many options available for you to choose, from the numerous enchanting hill stations in India.
Right from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to the mesmerizing Nilgiris, Indian hill stations draw a large number of visitors. Not only do they give you relief from the hot weather, but also make you feel close to nature. The confluence of three mountain streams, Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, at Munnar, made it the first choice as a summer resort of the British in South India, during the Raj period. The tea plantations and blue flowers, which carpet the surrounding hills once in 12 years, are the chief attractions here, along with the Anamudi trek.
Nainital, Kumaon, Almora, Shimla and other hill station in India cast a magic spell on you and the only thing you want to do is to feel and live them. Small houses, steep slopes, snow covered peaks and green pastures are some of the things you will see when you visit these hill resorts. If you love beauty and adventure, then there is no better place than India. Just take a tour package to any of the hill stations in India and have an experience of a lifetime.
India Adventures
Adventure is not everyone’s cup of tea. You need to have the guts, the adrenaline rush and that second gear to take up adventure. Your dream of trying out adventure can come true when you visit India where a number of adventure games can be explored. Aero sports like skydiving, paragliding, etc. give you an awesome experience. You feel as if the whole sky is only for you. Tourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir, Himanchal Pradesh offer numerous aero sports. If you want a blend of water sports and aero sports, look no further than a trip to Goa and Kerela. The charming beaches of Goa give ample opportunities for scuba diving, water skiing, wind surfing, etc.
If you are interested in skiing, there is no better place than Gulmarg and Auli in Himanchal Pradesh. The exotic resorts will make you feel as if you are in a fairyland and everything will be a unique experience. The hilly regions of India also provide rock climbing and mountaineering. You can also try your hands in river rafting which can vary from the calmest one to the most turbulent one. Due to its great diversity in climate, India offers a number of adventure sports. Want to try elephant and horse safari, Rajasthan is the perfect destination for you. Visit India and cherish the adventure tours.
India has some of the most amazing treks of the world. Being the perfect combination of adventure and natural beauty, trekking trails of the country present a delightful experience. Sikkim, also known as the “Valley of Fire”, has some of the finest treks of India. You feel as if you have come to a fairyland, with mesmerizing clouds, fog and mist surrounding you. The excitement and thrill get doubled when you visit Leh and Ladakh treks, surrounded by beautiful monasteries. When in India, you should also discover the unexplored treks of the Indus valley region.
Alpine trees and beautiful flower meadows, which are seen only occasionally, form the highlights of the treks of the region. Zanskar is the most sought after regions for trekking in India. The treks here offer glimpses of Tibetan Buddhism as well as the colorful lifestyle of the region. India also has some of the most adventurous passes of the world, such as the Baralacha La pass, which is located at an altitude of 4,800 m above the sea level. Himanchal Pradesh too boasts of some of the finest treks of the country. There are many base camps which provide facilities for trekkers on their way. In short, trekking in India presents a wonderful experience.
India Backwaters
Typical to Kerala, the backwaters of India have loads of natural beauty and features 41 rivers of Kerala that flow towards the West. According to one of the popular legends, the warrior sage Parashurama reclaimed the land of Kerala from sea with the power of his characteristic battle-axe. A land of canals and lagoons, lakes and rivers, which Kerala backwaters have now become a part of the lives of its people and a kaleidoscope for the visitors to see the rural and real life in the heart of Kerala. The tough and labor-intensive jobs of boat building, prawn cultivation and coir manufacture are a part of the daily livelihood of Keralites. Alapuzha is often the starting-point of the boat cruise through these backwaters as one reaches the land of Kuttanad, also known as the rice bowl of Kerala because of its paddy fields. Kumarakom has a spectacular lagoon to behold and coconut trees have become icons of Kerala tourism industry.
There are bird sanctuaries to see along the shores and the village life has the attraction of simplicity and old-age world. There are bungalows that have now been converted into heritage hotels and ride of local houseboats called ‘Kettuvallams’ is indispensable. Kollam’s lagoons, rivers and lakes are delightful and Kayamkulam and Ashtamudi Lakes are some of the most visited tourist spots here. Kochi or Cochin has traditional snake boat races with 130-feet long Chundan boats as its stars that add further value to its backwaters. The most prominent among these races are Nehru Trophy Boat Race and Aranmula Boat Race. Veli in the southern part of Kerala and Madayara, Peravur, Ashtamudi and Chetuva in its northern part are other favores tourist destinations. Take the journey to the hearts of lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries and deltas of Kerala in the houseboats or indulge in the water sports on the gentle waters of these backwaters. Take a visit to the land of swaying palm trees and blue waters and skies, which is aptly named as ‘God’s own country’.
India Wildlife
Wildlife tours offers excitement, thrill, fun, frolic and much more. There are a number of wild life sanctuaries and national parks in India that offer much more than the patient waiting, spotting and watching of animals and birds. When you are out on a wildlife package, you can enjoy the various jungle activities, besides taking photographs. Elephant, camel and jeep safari, for moving around the national parks, is amongst one of the options. If your want, you can also enjoy angling and fishing. Bharatpur bird sanctuary has more than 400 species of birds, with the view of the rare Siberian cranes, Pelicans, flycatchers and buntings.
If you want to see the National Animal of India i.e. Tiger, there is no better place than the Corbett National Park, Sunderbans and Kanha National Park. You can also enjoy the marine life of India at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and along the coastal stretch from Arabian Sea to Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. The coral wonders of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the lagoons of Lakshwadeep are certainly not worth the miss. If you want to explore the unexplored wildlife of the north east, all the more better! In short, a wildlife tour to India is sure to give you lifelong memories.