WGW_Delhi

Most famous mela near Delhi (Surajkund mela 2019)

33rd Surajkund Crafts Fair (Mela) is one of the most famous fairs, organized every year in Surajkund, Faridabad, Near Delhi, by Haryana Tourism Department to promote handicrafts items. Many talented artists come from India and across the World to showcase their handlooms, handicrafts, traditional handicraft items of their respective states.
Timings : 9.30am to 7.00pm every day from 1st-15th, Feb 2019.

How to reach there?

Chandigarh

State

Chandigarh is the best-planned city in India, with architecture which is world-renowned, and a quality of life, which is unparalleled. As the capital of the states of Punjab and Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh it is a prestigious city. The face of modern India, Chandigarh, is the manifestation of a dream that Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru envisaged and Le Corbusier executed.

History

After the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, the former British province of Punjab was also split between India and Pakistan. The Indian state of Punjab required a new capital city to replace Lahore as it was left without a capital city. Deriving its name from an existing village, Chandi (the powerful Goddess) – Garh (fortress) was symbolic of the new energy that powered a rebuilding mission in post-Independence India. It was built in 1953 because of the city's strategic location as well as the personal interest of Jawaharlal Nehru. On 1st November 1966, the newly-formed Indian state of Haryana was carved out of the eastern portion of the Punjab. However, the city of Chandigarh was on the border, and was thus created into a union territory to serve as capital of both these states.

Accessibility

By Air: Chandigarh has an airport just 11kms away from the City Centre, connecting with other major cities like Mumbai ,Delhi, Jammu, and Amritsar.

By Rail: Chandigarh is the terminus of Northern Railway and is well connected with Bombay, Delhi, Kalka and other major cities in India. There are two trains, namely, Shatabdi Express and Himalayan Queen that link Chandigarh with Delhi.

By Road: There is an excellent road network in Chandigarh: NH-21 and NH-22 run through the city. Chandigarh’s Inter-State Bus Terminus, in the heart of the city at sector 17, is a busy focal point.

Getaways
Shopping

Shopping in Chandigarh is altogether a different experience for tourists. The main shopping centre of Chandigarh city is located at Sector 17, here you will find a number of shops offering a variety of goods. Every evening the market becomes the most happening spot of the city and posh crowd add more to its charm. You will find a number of handicraft emporia in Chandigarh but there is as such no traditional items of the city. Usually these shops have a collection of handicrafts and handloom products from neighbouring states. While shopping in Chandigarh look for popular tip-turned-up jootis, colourful Punjabi dupattas, local woollen sweaters and shawls. Also buy the jams and juices brought from the state of Himachal Pradesh.

Accommodation

Most of Chandigarh’s up market hotels are located in Sector 22, near the bus terminus. Since real estate prices are high, accommodation can be quite expensive. The best hotels offer all modern amenities, including multi-cuisine restaurants, swimming pools and money changing facilities. The Taj Chandigarh is a good choice in deluxe accommodation as is the Hotel Park View or Maya Hotel in the slightly lower category. Good clean mid range and budget accommodation is also available, as is free accommodation at one of the gurdwaras, in the city.

Plenty of accommodation options are available in Chandigarh, ranging from deluxe hotels to budget hotels. Equipped with the contemporary facilities the hotels of Chandigarh provide a pleasant stay to guests. Some of the noted hotels of the city are mentioned below :

Deluxe Hotels : Hotel Mountview (5 Star, Sector 10), Taj Chandigarh (5 - Star, Sector 17 - A)

Standard Hotels : Hotel Shivalikview (Sector 17), Hotel Alankar (Sector 22-A), Hotel Amar (Sector 22-A), Hotel Aroma (Sector 22 - C) , Hotel Maya Palace (Sector 35 - B), Hotel President (Sector 26), The Piccadily (Sector 22) and Hotel Sunbeam (Sector 22).

Budget Hotel: Hotel Parkview (Sector 24)

Attractions

Chandigarh Carnival
Chandigarh Carnival definitely deserves a mention when we are talking about the popular fairs and festivals in Chandigarh. The festival held in November in the Leisure Valley, Sector 10, promotes creativity and talent of the young as well as the senior citizens of the city and adjoining areas. Various competitions are conducted
for senior citizens like painting and clay modeling etc. pick and drop facilities are also provided for the senior citizens to avoid any kind of inconvenience.

Chandigarh Mango Festival
Chandigarh Mango Festival is held every year in the month of June at Pinjore Garden. The festival cum fair is celebrated with splendid grandeur and invites mango growers, agricultural universities and food industries from all over the country to participate and exhibit their varieties. The fair is drawing more and more crowds every year.

Festivals of Gardens
Festivals of Gardens is one of the popular festivals on the national calendar. It is a three day fiesta held in the last week of February in the Leisure Valley of Sector 10. The festival consists of various cultural programs; classical and folk dances, musical performances, flower shows and exhibitions by local artists. The festival was earlier called the Rose Festival but since 1997 it is known as the Festival of Gardens.

STD Code
0172
Topic
Termperature
Summer 20-41°C, Winter 5-24°C
Best time to visit
October to March

Kasauli

Kasauli, also known as "The Land Of Fascinating Vistas", is a charming hill station developed by the British before India gained its independence. The place is endowed with immense natural beauty with amazing churches and bungalows built during the British rule in India are some of the amazing attractions of Kasauli. It is a quiet little hideaway in the Shivalik Hills near Shimla, attributes its origin to the mythological tale which goes that the site of town was formed from the foot-print of Hanuman as he was leaping to pick the Sanjeevi Herb from nearby Sanjeevi hill.

History

The calm and peaceful air of Kasauli belies any sense of history. Yet this region was in the thick of the westward Gurkha expansion, stemmed with some difficulty by the joint efforts of the British and some local chieftains, in 1814. The Gurkha ceded the fort at Sabathu and this was turned into a convalescent home for British nationals. Some time later the Governor-General, Lord Amherst, decided to develop Shimla Hills as a summer gateway for the British establishment and Col. Tapp, political agent at Sabathu, came to survey the Kasauli area.

The 1857 Indian War of Independence stirred the hearts of the Kasauli Guard, numbering about eighty Indian soldiers. Receiving news that the Gurkha Regiment at nearby Jutogh has also risen in revolt, the garrison at Kasauli set out to join them. Before the two could combine and pose a serious threat, the British agent talked the Gurkha Regiment into submission, on promise of a general pardon. The Kasauli Guard found themselves completely isolated. So far from being pardoned, they were severely punished for their insurgence.

Accessibility

Air: The closest airport is at Chandigarh, which is 67 km away. Taxis are available to Kasauli from Chandigarh and it cost about Rs 1500. Chandigarh is connected to many airports in India, including Delhi, Srinagar, Mumbai and Kolkata. International travelers have to get connection flights from Delhi International airport, which is nearly 300 km away from Kasauli.

Rail: The closest rail head is at Kalka, which is about 35 km away from Kasauli. Pre paid taxis costs about Rs 750 from Kalka to Kasauli. Kalka is very well connected with all major cities in India like Amritsar, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai.

Road: State owned transport buses connect Kasauli to many cities in and around. Super fast and super deluxe buses have stop at Kasauli, which are plying from Chandigarh to other major cities in the state.

Shopping

There is not too much shopping to be had here. In season buy the fresh fruit jams - plum, strawberry and cherry. Other than that there is a small Tibetan market where you can pick up bric a brac.

Locally made jams, pickles and preserves are available. Shawls, woolens and some handicrafts are sold in the shops above the bus stand.

Accommodation

There is a PWD rest house and a number of private hotels. There is also the HPTDC run Hotel Ros Common, which is very popular.

Kasauli is not as commercial as Shimla, so options for accommodation are relatively fewer in number. Kasauli has a few upmarket hotels like the Kasauli Resorts and a couple of others like the Baikunth Resort where tariffs range between Rs 2,500 and Rs 5,000 per night. There are also a number of mid-rung and budget properties. Many resorts and hotels in Kasauli offer highly discounted off-season rates.

Things to do

Camping

Kasuali has some camping sites for those who love the outdoors. At Dagshai there are such camps and it is an invigorating experience to get one with nature!

Nature Walks

For the not so adventurous traveller, explore the area around Kasuli by going for walks and taking in the scenic views. One of the delightful nature walks one could take would be from the Lower mall area to Kimmughat. If you want to go further afield, there is a trail that goes from Old Kasauli Road to Parwanoo. Ofcourse the 1.5 km long Sanawar-Mandudhar trail is the best walk in the vicinity as it goes through wooded areas and gives you panoramic views of the surrounding hills.

Paragliding
Paragliding At Dagshai 12 kms away from Kasuali it is possible to go paragliding - so get your adrenaline flowing and head to this old British cantonment for a bit of adventure!

Trekking
Kasauli has some great trekking routes for the energetic traveller. The trek from Kasauli to Jabli is 9kms long and will afford panoramic views of the hills around. There are a number of treks to Kalka and Garkhal too.

Birdwatching:

District
Solan District
STD Code
01792
Termperature
Summer 8 to 30°C, Winter -10 to 10°C
Best time to visit
April to September

Panipat

State

Panipat, situated on the banks of the river Yamuna, is famous in Indian history as a place where the fate of great empires was decided more than once. It is the cradle of rich Indian cultural heritage, known for its handloom products. Today, Panipat has carved out its place among not only the first few fast developing cities, but also those having the highest per capita income in the country.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tomb_of_Bu_Ali_Shah_Qalandar.jpg

District
Panipat District
STD Code
01742

Kurukshetra

State

Kurukshetra, meaning "the field of righteousness", is an ancient holy pilgrimage place owing to sacred association with the Vedas and the Vedic Culture. It was here that the battle of Mahabharat was fought and Lord Krishna preached his Philosophy of 'KARMA' as enshrined in the Holy Bhagwad-Gita, to Arjuna at Jyotisar. It is intimately related to the Aryan civilization and its growth along the Saraswati river.

History

Kurukshetra was named after the adventurous King Kuru, the ruler of the Bharat dynasty and the ancestor of the Pandavas and the Kauravas. The famous battle of Mahabharata between the Kauravas and the Pandavas is believed to have been fought on the land of Kurukshetra. This town is the birth place of the Bhagwad Gita and has the imprint of Lord Krishna’s footsteps.

Accessibility

Air: The nearest Airports are at Delhi and Chandigarh, which are connected to Kurukshetra by road and rail. Taxi services are also available from the airports. Delhi international airport is air connected to all major cities in India and abroad. Delhi is at a distance of 160 km from Kurukshetra, for which taxi charge is about Rs 2,000.

Rail: Kurukshetra is a major railway junction connected to all important railway stations in the country.

Road: Haryana Roadways Buses and other neighboring State Corporation buses connect Kurukshetra to other cities like Delhi, Chandigarh and other important places. Buses connecting to Delhi (160 km), Ambala (40 km) and Karnal (39 km) are frequently available. Private A/C buses charge about Rs 1,500 for Delhi-Kurukshetra trip.

Accommodation

One of the most valued duties of the host town of Kurukshetra has been to set up stations for halt of pilgrims.

Neelkanthi Krishna Dham Yatri Niwas:
This complex of Haryana Tourism is a recent construction and a few kilometres from the Railway Station as also a short drive from the National Highway#1.

Krishna Dham:
It has a central open courtyard, with guest rooms and dormitories built round it.

Panchayat Bhawan (Kurukshetra):
It also has accommodation wings.

Parakeet at Peepli:
Another tourist complex of Haryana Tourism where tourists may opt for air-conditioned accommodation is Parakeet at Pipli, some 5 km from Kurukshetra town. It lies on the National Highway number one, some 109 km from Chandigarh.

Attractions

Gita Jayanti Celebrations
Every year the birth of Srimad Bhagwad Gita is celebrated as the Gita Jayanti. A visit to Kurukshetra during the festival is an exhilarating and spiritual experience. The environment of the town is imbued with sanctity.

Celebrating this philosophy of selfless Karma, the Gita Jayanti presents Bhagwad Gita recitals, 'aarti' and 'deepdaan' at Brahma Sarovar, 'shloka' recital and quiz, 'shobha yatras' and seminars on the importance of Gita in today's world. Free medical camps, book exhibitions and 'bhajan' recitals in classical tradition are organized.

District
Kurukshetra District
STD Code
01744
Best time to visit
October to March
Famous For
Famous Hindu Pilgrimage

Neemrana

State

Neemrana is an ancient historical town, situated at 122 km from Delhi on the Delhi-Jaipur highway. It is the site of 14th century Hill-Fort ruled by Chauhans till 1947. The main attraction of this place is the fort which is perched on a plateau, surrounded by a horse-shoe formation of the Aravalli Mountains.

History

The historic facts about Neemrana take us to the ancient times when it was under the patronage of Maharaja Devi Singhji. Besides, Neemrana was also the third capital of the descendents of Prithviraj Chauhan III. The chief landmark of this town, the Neemrana Fort, was built by Maharaja Devi Singhji and this particular place has derived its name from the gallant local chieftain Nimola Meo. There is an interesting incident behind the name of the fort. While fighting with the Chauhans he was overthrown and he made a humble plea for naming his lost kingdom after his name. This fort is an architectural marvel of Rajasthan and one of the oldest too. The present fort is a leading heritage resort that is used for the purpose of luxury tourist accommodation, wedding and business purposes.

Accessibility

Air: Neemrana can be easily reached from Delhi as only 120 kilometers separate the place from the capital of India. Delhi is connected with all the major destinations of the world by a large number of international flights. Well known international carriers like KLM, British airways, Lufthansa, and Virgin airlines operate flights to and from Delhi. Delhi is also connected to all the major cities of India, and a large number of domestic carriers offer cheap flights to and from Delhi. Tourists can avail of excellent transport facilities from the airport to Neemrana and other destinations in Rajasthan. Luxury buses and air-conditioned cars are available from the airport itself. The airport has a travel desk that will assist you in every way possible. Hotel bookings for Neemrana Fort and other cities in Rajasthan are also done from here.

Rail: New Delhi is the rail head closest to Neemrana. New Delhi is connected to all parts of India through a vast railway network comprising a large number of fast, super fast, passenger, and luxury trains. One of the best ways to arrive at Alwar, the station nearest to Neemrana, is by the Fairy Queen, which is drawn by the oldest running locomotive in the world.

Road: Neemrana is located at a distance of 120 kilometers from Delhi, on the Delhi-Jaipur Highway (National Highway 8). The stretch is very well maintained and it usually takes about two hours to reach Neemrana.

Shopping

At the Neemrana shop you will find a wide variety of lifestyle and gift items including candles, cutlery, crockery, linen, fashion accessories and more. Items used in the Neemrana Hotel are also available for purchase to take home the heritage experience. There''s plenty to shop for but it is pretty over priced.

Accommodation

The Neemrana Fort Palace is the star accommodation here and is credited with setting off a trend in converting heritage buildings into hotels.

Things to do

Flying Fox Zipping

Flying Fox is India’s first zip tour – a unique and exhilarating aerial journey between hill forts and ridge tops, during which you fly down a series of ultra-strong cables or zip lines, attached by a harness and pulley.

Flying Fox Neemrana is India's first Zip Tour and operates from the Neemrana Fort Palace, in the village of Neemrana. The Zip Tour is located at an outcrop of the Aravali hill range and was inaugurated in January 2009 by Sri Banerjee, Secretary of Tourism of India and Sir Richard Stagg, British High Commissioner to India.

District
Alwar
STD Code
01494
Best time to visit
September to March

Bharatpur

State

Bharatpur, also known as Lohagarh, was founded by Maharaja Suraj Mal in 1733. It was once an well planned and well-fortified city, and the capital of Jats kingdom ruled by Sinsinwar Maharajas.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rdale/5612218550/

History

The most prominent part of the history of Bharatpur is associated with the Jat Empire. The Jats ruled in this place in the medieval age. Bharatpur has been a segment of the old Matsya Desh. This place has some important mythological connections. History of Bharatpur has immediate correlation with history of Rajasthan. The town was named Bharatpur after Bharata, a brother of Lord Rama, whose other brother Laxman is the family deity of the erstwhile royal family of Bharatpur.

For example, the Pandavas are believed to have spent the 13th year of their exile here around 3500 years back. Some archaeological specimens of the ancient civilization of this place can still be seen in the Bharatpur Museum.

The city and the fort of Bharatpur have been believed to be founded by Lord Aditya Consul in the early seventeenth century. He established a state in the Mewat region south of Delhi, with its capital at Deeg. Leaders such as Gokula, Raja Ram, Churaman and Badan Singh brought together all the Jats and moulded them into a force to be reckoned with. Maharaja Suraj Mal was the state's greatest ruler; he made the state a formidable force in the region. During the British Raj, the state covered an area of 5,123 km² and its rulers enjoyed a salute of 17 guns. The state acceded unto the Dominion of India in 1947. It was merged with three nearby princely states to form the "Matsya Union", which in turn was merged with other adjoining territories to create the present-day state of Rajasthan.

Accessibility

Air: Nearest International Airport is Delhi, which is about 184 km away. Taxi from Bharatpur to Delhi costs about Rs 3000. Delhi is well connected to all major cities in India and abroad. Agra’s Kheria Airport is the nearest domestic terminal, which is about 45 km away.

Rail: Bharatpur being in the central railway zone is well connected to Jaipur, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi and other major cities of India.

Road: State owned bus services are available from Agra, Fatepur Sikri, Japiur and many other cities in North India. Tourist service providers arrange deluxe buses from New Delhi, Jaipur (180 km) and Alwar (120 km). Tourist deluxe services will cost about Rs 3-4 per kilometer.

Shopping

Bharatpur is famous throughout the world mainly as a National Park. There are not many Bharatpur shopping destinations. However, tourists visiting Bharatpur can still find buying small stuff to take back as souvenirs. Read on this Bharatpur shopping guide to explore more about shopping in this city.

Shopping places in Bharatpur, Rajasthan are known for a number of items. Some of the famous shopping items of Bharatpur are:
Jewelry (of precious and semi-precious stones)
Antiques
Marble carvings
Brass work
Jaipur textiles (especially bandhej/tie and dye print)

Bharatpur is world renowned for the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Not obviously a shopping destination, tourists heading for Bharatpur can manage to take home souvenirs and curios typical of India. For shoppers, the ideal place to shop would be the city of Jaipur.

Jaipur is famous for its jewelery made of precious and semi-precious stones. Also known are Jaipur textiles especially the bandhej (tie and dye print), brass work, antiques and marble carvings.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided by a number of standard and budget hotels. Some known facility providers include:

ITDC Bharatpur Forest Lodge, Hotel Saras, Laxman Niwas Palace, Hotel Paradise, Hotel Sunbird, Pelican Hotel.

Hotels in Bharatpur offer the best accommodation options. Bharatpur has a range of hotels, from luxury hotels and resorts to budget hotels and guest hoses. The forest rest house is also an option for those who want to have a closer rendezvous with the wild.

Some of the prominent hotels in Bharatpur are:

Laxmi Vilas Palace (Heritage Hotel)
Udai Vilas Palace (Heritage hotel)
Bharatpur Forest Lodge (Government Approved)
Ashok Forest Lodge (3 Star Hotel)

Things to do

Indulge in Bird Watching
Bharatpur is especially famous for its bird sanctuary, which is also called Keoladeo Ghana National Park. The place boasts of as many as 375 species of birds, of which the most notable ones are Common Demoiselle, the rare Siberian Cranes, Boar Painted Storks, Egrets, Cormorants, White Ibis, Jacanas, While Harriers, Fishing Eagles, and Pied Kingfisher. The best times for bird watching at this sanctuary are August to November (for resident breeding birds) and October to February (for migrant birds).

Discover the Rich Wildlife
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, unlike what its name suggests, is not home to birds only. Rather, it also boasts of rich and varied species of wild animals as well. For instance, you can easily spot blue bull (nilgai), black buck, spotted deer, sambhars, jackals, otters, and fishing cats at the place. Then, the sanctuary also houses snakes and reptiles, like pythons and monitor lizards.

Explore the Rich Heritage
If you are one of those who love to delve into the past of a city and explore its rich heritage, then Bharatpur will surely not disappoint you. There are a number of historical places in the city that are worth visiting. For instance, you can explore Bharatpur Palace and Government Museum, which comes across as a blend of Mughal and Rajput styles. Then, there is Ganga Mandir, Laxman Mandir and Lohargarh Fort, all of which surely merit a visit.

Go on a Safari
A visit to Keoladeo Ghana National Park, without going on a jungle safari, would be as good as wasted. So, do make sure to get up early in the morning and go on a wildlife safari. You are sure to come up with some of the most exciting sights in the bird sanctuary.

Enjoy The Boating
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary has been created around an artificial lake, Bharatpur (after which the sanctuary has been named). The beautiful lake not only attracts tourists, but is a favorite spot of the birds as well. So, don’t forget to take a boat ride in the sanctuary and watch the birdlife from up close.

District
Bharatpur
STD Code
05644
Termperature
Summer 32-45°C, Winter 5-28°C
Best time to visit
September - February
Famous For
Keoladeo National Park, is a declared UNESCO World Heritage Site

Sariska

State

Sariska, nestled among the Aravalis, is the closest place from Delhi where one can hope to see a Tiger in it's natural surroundings. It was once the hunting grounds of the Maharajas Sariska was made into a forest reserve in 1955 and declared a National park in 1982. It is the heritage of the former rulers of Alwar.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9508280@N07/2234192588/

History

The history of Sariska goes back as early as the 5th century BC as Hindu sacred texts mention Sariska as the region where the Pandavas took shelter during their years of seclusion. In the middle ages, it was under the Mughal rule and Aurangzeb used the Knakwari Fort to imprison his elder brother.

Originally said to be a part of the Mewat region, the brave Mewat warriors were always at war to preserve its sovereignty because its strategic location made it a prized conquest for many rulers. Later During the 8th - 12th century many of Sariska's rulers and wealthy residents constructed a huge number of Jain and Hindu temples, some of which retain their old splendor even today. Early 20th century saw attempts to convert the region into a protected area and the campaign was led by none other than Maharaja Jai Singh. The campaign bore fruit and in 1958, a government notification declared Sariska a wildlife sanctuary and by 1979 it became a part of the Tiger Project that was recognized as a national park.

Accessibility

Air: Sanganer Airport located at Jaipur is nearly 101 km from Sariska city. Taxi charges about Rs 2000 from Airport to the city. Jaipur airport is connected to metro cities Mumbai and Delhi. Foreign travelers can take connection flights from Delhi international airport, which is nearly 240 km away from Sariska. Taxi charges about Rs 5000 from Delhi to Sariska.

Rail: Sawai Madhopur, at a distance of nearly 11 km, is the nearest railway station to Sariska. This railhead is on the Broad Gauge line between Mumbai and Delhi and is connected to all cities in India by trains. Tourist taxi fare from railway station to Sariska is about Rs 200

Road: Sariska is connected by regular bus services to other cities in and around. Many public transport buses connecting Sariska with Jaipur (100 km) and Alwar (36 km). Private bus services are available from Sariska to Delhi (240 km).

Shopping

Sariska is one of the best wild life sanctuaries in India. Shopping is not really on the itinerary of tourists heading for this tiger reserve. However for those who would want to take home souvenirs and curios typical of India, the ideal place to shop would be the city of Jaipur.

Jaipur is famous for its jewelery made of precious and semi-precious stones. Also known are Jaipur textiles especially the bandhej (tie and dye print), brass work, antiques and marble carvings.

The metro city of Delhi would also be a good shopping destination where you can stop enroute to Sariska. Alwar, which is the nearest city to Sariska, is also a good stopover to pick up typical ethnic stuff from Rajasthan.

Accommodation

Hotels in Sariska are comfortable and reasonably priced. Sariska offers a range of accommodation from forest lodges and government tourist bungalows to heritage hotels, which were once the residence of the Maharajah of Alwar.

Some of the prominent hotels in Sariska are:

Deluxe Heritage Hotel

* Hotel Sariska Palace, the former royal residence of the Maharajah of Alwar

Budget Hotels

# Hotel Tiger Den
Resorts

# Hotel Tiger Heaven
Budget accommodations can be found at Alwar, which is about one hour away from Sariska.

Things to do

Jungle Safari: The mornings and evenings are the busiest periods in a day and the same holds true even in the forests. The Jungle Safari organized for groups from the guest house or from the entrance is a thrilling ride full of amusement and trepidation throughout. It's the dawn and dusk period when the wildlife ventures out of compulsion towards one of the many water holes scattered around the Park. The Game is not the correct word to describe these extremely beautiful creatures that roam fearlessly in their own domain thus providing the tourists the best chances of an awe inspiring spectacle. A few of these watering holes also cater for reserving the hides (screened places) located snack in the middle of the best spots of activities or the best traversed routes. It is possible to view various carnivores viz. Leopard, Hyena, Jackal, and of course the Tiger. The mincemeat for these carnivores such as Sambar, Chital, Chausingha and Wild Boar are also visible. A Jungle Safari is bound to return at least a view of the bird kingdom with Pea fowls, Grey Partridges, Tree Pies, and Golden backed Woodpeckers, etc in abundance. October to April is considered the best part of the year to visit here however the park offers the goodies throughout the year.

See the Wildlife
Sariska is best known for its wildlife sanctuary, which is spread over an area of 800 sq km (core area 500 sq km). The rich wildlife of the sanctuary boasts of species like tiger, hyena, jungle cat, jackal, sambar, wild dog, chital, langur, nilgai, leopard, chausingha, civets, wild boar, rhesus monkeys, etc.

Indulge in Bird Watching
Apart from a large variety of wild animals, Sariska also offers you a rich variety of birds, resident as well as migratory. Golden-backed woodpecker, tree pie, peafowl, crested serpent eagle, sand grouse, the great Indian horned owl, grey partridge, and bush quail, are some of the species that you can easily spot inside the national park.

Explore the Heritage
In the past, Sariska served as the home of the rulers of Alwar and has witnessed some royal times. Serving as a testimony to this fact is the Kankwari Fort, where Mughal emperor Aurangzeb imprisoned his elder brother, Dara Shikoh. Apart from that, there is a palace in the sanctuary, along with an ancient Shiva temple, both of which are worth having a look at.

Enjoy the Jeep Safari
One of the best ways to explore the wildlife at Sariska is by taking a jeep safari. It will take you into the depth of the sanctuary, from where you will be able to explore the wildlife from up close. However, do make to maintain silence while undertaking the safari or you will drive the animals away.

District
Alwar
STD Code
0144
Termperature
Summer 32-45°C, Winter 5-28°C
Best time to visit
Sept to March

Alwar

State

Alwar, known as The Tiger Gate of Rajasthan, is enclosed by the Aravallis, giving the appearance of being carved marvelously out of rocks. It has its own heritage, which goes back to the mythological legends of the Mahabharata. In this city, the Pandavas (heroes of Mahabharata) spent the last year of their exile of 13 years.

Image Credit:

History

The origin of Alwar city goes back to the time of the Mahabharata. It was a part of the ancient kingdom of Matsya and it is said that legendary Pandava brothers had spent some time of their exile there. The ancient state of Alwar was probably the oldest kingdom in the state of Rajasthan. It is said that the city was founded by a member of the Kachh family hailing from the town of Amber. The local Rajput rulers of Alwar had a sweet-bitter relation with the rulers of Delhi in the early medieval period and there was a constant struggle to take control of Alwar. As Alwar was located at a strategic place, the Mughals annexed it and used it to mount military campaigns against the erstwhile Rajput principalities and states. The decline of the Mughal rule saw a brief struggle between Jat and Rajput rulers. Later Pratap Singh, a noble, restored parity in 1775. The descendents of Pratap Singh were great patrons of art and under their rule Alwar became an important cultural center. The later rulers forged an alliance with the British that soon broke off, with the latter taking over Alwar.

Accessibility

Air: The nearest airport to Alwar is the Sanganer Airport located at Jaipur, which is about 162 km from Alwar. Airport to Alwar city in taxi costs about Rs 1500/-. Jaipur airport is connected to metro cities Mumbai and Delhi. Foreign travelers can take connection flights from Delhi and Mumbai.

Rail: Alwar railway station is in the heart of the city. It is well-connected to Jaipur and Delhi. Taxi facilities are available at the station at a rate of about Rs 9 per km (one way).

Road: Alwar is well-connected to all cities in Rajasthan by state owned bus services. Special private buses are available to Alwar from Jaipur. Bus facilities are viable from 5 am to 10 pm in most of the days. Nearest city Bhiwadi to Alwar it cost about Rs 10/-. Delhi is nearly 365 km away and super deluxe buses are available from Delhi to Alwar, costing about Rs 700/-.

Shopping

Alwar is very famous for its exquisite silver jewelry and Rajasthani handicrafts. Among the many rich handicrafts of the city, the main ones are:

Terracotta statues
Carpets
Embroidered leather Mojris or Jutis
Bangles
Pottery
Apart from the shopping items, another specialty of Alwar is its delicious, especially the Palang Torh (the milk cake). A visit to Alwar must include a purchase of this mouth-watering delicacy of Alwar. Read on this Alwar shopping guide to explore more about the shopping attractions of this city.

Alwar shopping destinations have something for each and every person. Among many shopping places in Alwar, Rajasthan, the most famous ones are:

Hope Circus
Bazaza Bazaar
Saraf Bazaar
Malakhers Bazaar
Kedalgang Bazaar

Kalakand Market: What makes the Kalakand market so special is a sweet dish, which tempts everybody with its rich aroma. This sweet is so renowned for its excellent taste that even a street is named after this particular dish. One of the interesting facts about this dish is that it uses meat as one of its ingredients.

Flanked with a large number of small and large sized shops, Kalakand Market provides finest handicrafts and Jewellery items. It is interesting to note that on Tuesdays all the shops in the market would be closed. A large expansion is covered under the area as market, which is popularly called by different names like Sarafa Bazar, Bazaza Bazar, Hope Circus, Kedalgunj Bazar and Malakhera Bazar.

District
Alwar
STD Code
0144
Termperature
Summer 32-45°C, Winter 5-28°C
Best time to visit
September-February

Jaipur

State

Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City, is the first planned city of India, located in the semi-desert lands of Rajasthan. The very structure of Jaipur resembles the taste of the Rajputs and the Royal families. The city was conceived and designed in 1727 AD by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh and was later named after him. At present, Jaipur is a major business center with all requisites of a metropolitan city.

History

The pink city of Jaipur has been named after its founder, the great warrior and astronomer, Maharaja Jai Singh II, who ruled the city form 1688 - 1744. Belonging to the powerful Kachhawaha clan, Jai Singh fortified his position by aligning himself with the Mughals and gaining victories over Marathas.

The city of Jaipur came into conception when the city of Amber started facing huge accommodation and water crisis. Hence Jai Singh decided to construct a new city to adjust the burgeoning population. So, the king along with a talented Bengali architect named Vidyasagar drew up the plan for the new city of Jaipur, which is recorded in history as the first planned city in modern India. Based on the principles of the ancient Hindu text on architecture, the Shilpa Shastra, Jaipur came into being in eight years. The magnificent City Palace and the famous Jantar Mantar were designed by the king himself.

Jaipur was not just an aesthetic triumph; the stout city walls also protected the city from would be invaders. Modern day Jaipur's cultural heritage was fostered during Jai Singh's rule as the king himself took a keen interest in arts, sciences and religions.

The death of Sawai Jai Singh II marked the glorious phase of Jaipur due to the bitter infighting between his successors. Gradually, the British entered into an alliance with the rulers who aligned themselves the English cause. Finally, after the Indian independence, the city was merged with other Rajput states to form Rajasthan and became the capital city of Rajasthan in 1956.

Accessibility

Air: Sanganer Airport located at Jaipur is nearly 10 km from the heart of the city, and taxi charges about Rs 200 from Airport to the city. Jaipur airport is connected to metro cities Mumbai and Delhi. Foreign travelers can take connection flights from Delhi and Mumbai.

Rail: Jaipur is well connected by many trains to most of the major cities in India. Apart from these trains, a specialty train called “Palace on Wheels‿ which is covering all tourist destinations in Rajasthan (Alwar, Udaipur, Jaipur, Swami Mdhopur etc) starting from Delhi is also available.

Road: State buses of Rajasthan Road Transport Corporation connect Jaipur to all cities in Rajasthan. Many deluxe bus services are available between Jaipur and other cities. A/C deluxe bus services are available from Delhi to Jaipur (260 km). It charges about Rs 750 for a person.

Shopping

Shopping in Jaipur is always exciting. Shoppers can lay their hands on a rich treasure of sparkling jewellery, beautiful gems and semi precious stones and enamel work on gold. Jaipur is also famous for beautiful cotton fabrics like sanganeri prints, tie-dye and fine kota doria saries. As souvenirs and gift items, blue pottery, enamel ware and brass ware could be purchased. Jaipur is also a good place to buy woollen carpets, cotton rugs, leather footwear and embroidered jutes.

The main shopping areas of the place are Johari Bazaar, MI road, Nehru Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar and Chapur stalls.

A shopper’s delight, Jaipur offers a great time of shopping, which is quite entertaininig and amusing. A plethora of good markets with good quality shops and artifacts provides a great shopping experience to all. Exquisite handicrafts ornamented with beads and mirrors, local jewelry, potteries and textile materials are the predominant items that are available in all Bazaars. Vibrantly coloured carpets and kota doria mats also found to be the favourite shopping items of the tourists.

The most eye-catching item that would come first in the shopper’s itinerary would be the Bandhni textiles and the Bagru prints. The renowned markets are, Bapu Bazaar, Jauhari Bazaar M.I. Road, Nehru Bazaar, Chaura Rasta and Tripolia Bazaar. Whilst roaming through the markets, one will come up to the bubbly traditions of Jaipur.

Accommodation

Jaipur has a number of hotels that provide all the modern facilities to tourists in Jaipur. Hotels in Jaipur are well equipped with modern amenities and serve the perfect base for tourist touring Jaipur. The Pink City has an excellent infrastructure that makes it comfortable to stay and tour Jaipur. Accommodation for tourists in Jaipur ranges from five star deluxe hotels to budget hotels. Heritage hotels also offer immaculate hospitality to guests. Jaipur has a number of heritage hotels, which have been converted into hotels from the erstwhile palaces and havelis of Jaipur royalty. Jaipur Hub provides tourists all the information and online booking facility for hotels in Jaipur. If you are looking forward to tour to other cities in Rajasthan, Jaipur Hub has a number of tour packages on offer. Come and discover the vibrant colors of Jaipur with Jaipur Hub.

Five Star Deluxe Hotels in Jaipur
Rajvilas - An Oberoi Hotel
The Rambagh Palace Hotel
Jai Mahal Palace
Rajputana Palace Sheraton

Five Star Hotels in Jaipur
Man Singh Towers
Hotel Clarks Amer
Hotel Jaipur Palace
Chokhi Dhani - The Ethnic Village Resort

Heritage Hotels in Jaipur
Ramgarh Lodge
Royal Castle Kanota
Narain Niwas Palace
Raj Mahal Palace
Samode Haveli
Hotel Alsisar Haveli
Hotel Samode Palace
Hotel Bissau Palace

Four Star Hotels in Jaipur
The Trident
Hotel Jaipur Ashok
Hotel Maya Inter Continental

Three Star Hotels in Jaipur
Hotel Maurya Palace
Holiday Inn
Maharani Palace

Exclusive Royal Meal Venue
The City Palace

Other Hotels in Jaipur

Hotel K.K. Royal Days
Samode Bagh
Shahpura House
The Gold Palace & Resorts
Bissau The Retreat
Hotel Park Plaza

Attractions

Elephant Festival

Another effort on the part of the Rajasthan government to boost tourism in the capital city of Jaipur. The festival also revives the royalty of the erstwhile Maharajas who loved to display their affluence and authority sitting on the back of a well caprisoned elephant. The festival is celebrated a day after the colourful festival of Holi and therfore quiet obviously carries forward its fervour and joy for yet another day.

Things to do

Indulge In Hot Air Ballooning
Jaipur and hot air ballooning? Sounds a bit surprising, doesn’t it? In case you were of the opinion is that Jaipur is a place where you can only delve into the history, now is the time to change your opinion. The city is as much known for its hot air balloon rides as for its forts and palaces. As you sail over the Pink City, the beauty of the historical monuments, placid lake and the never-ending stretch of golden sand surely mesmerizes you. Almost all the hot air balloon flights in Jaipur take off from the grandiose Amber Fort area.

Explore the Rich Heritage
Jaipur and its rich heritage are renowned all over the world. The numerous forts, palaces and other monuments in the city simply take you breath away, with their magnificence. There are three majestic forts in the city, namely Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort and Nalagarh Fort, with many impressive structures within their confines. Then, there is the beautiful City Palace, also known as Chandra Mahal, which serves as the residence of the royal family and also houses Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum. The mesmerizing Lake Palace and the unique Hawa Mahal are some other monuments in Jaipur worth visiting.

District
Jaipur
STD Code
0141
Termperature
Summer 25-45°C, Winter 5-22°C
Best time to visit
October-March
Famous For
Capital City of Rajasthan State