Heritage

Udayagiri

State

Udayagiri is a Buddhist complex in Orissa comprising of major stupas and monasteries (viharas), similar to Ratnagiri, and together with Lalitgiri and Ratnagiri part of Puspagiri University. As per epigraphical artifacts found here, its historical name was “Madhavapura Mahavihara. It dominates a prime position in eastern India in the fields of history, rock-cut architecture, art and religion.

Image Credit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sanjaypk/4314997873/

History

The history of Udayagiri is quite latest as not much of it is known before the 14th century. The city was the capital of Langula Gajapati, who was the chief of the Gajapatis of Orissa. In the year 1512, the town came under the rule of Krishna Deva Raya, the ruler of the Vijayanagar dynasty. During his reign the entire city was fortified with walls all around.

The fall of Vijayanagar Empire paved way for the Golconda rulers, under the leadership of Sultan Abdullah, who built two mosques and a garden here. The city further went to the control of the Nawabs of Arcot, who ruled here till 1839.

Accessibility

By Air: Biju Patnaik airport at Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport to Udaygiri, which is nearly 90 km away from the heart of the Udaygiri city.

By Rail: Nearest railhead is Ratnagiri (Orissa). Ratnagiri is a major railway junction.

By Road: Orissa road transport corporation buses connect Udaygiri to many cities in Orissa. Frequent bus services are available from Bhuvaneshwar (90 km), Cuttack (62 km) and Koark. Orissa Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) offer deluxe buses for sight seeing tours in Udaygiri.

District
Kandhamal
STD Code
0674
Termperature
Summer 22-42°C, Winter 7-22°C
Best time to visit
October to March

Konark

State

Konark is a small town, famous for the 13 th century Sun temple built in from oxidizing and weathered ferruginous sandstone by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. The Konark Sun temple is a World Heritage Site that takes the form of a chariot of Surya, the Sun God, and is heavily decorated with stone carvings.

Image Credit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rietje/346780416/

History

Konark derives its name from Konarka, the presiding deity of the Sun Temple. Konarka is actually a combination of two words, Kona (corner) and Arka (sun), which, when combined, means the sun of the corner. Konark was one of the earliest centres of Sun worshipping in India. The place finds mention in the Puranas as Mundira or Mundirasvamin, a name that was subsequently replaced by Konaditya or Konarka. Apart from the Puranas, other religious texts also point towards the existence of a sun temple at Konark long before the present temple.

On delving deep into the historical background of Konark, it is revealed that Konark owes its name to Konarka, the presiding deity of the Sun Temple. It would interest one to know that Konark is actually an amalgamation of two words, "Kona", meaning corner and "Arka" meaning Sun. The two when taken together, implies the sun of the corner. On leafing through the pages of Konark history, you would come to know that Konark was one of the earliest centers that practiced sun worshipping.

The earliest mention of the Konark in the history of Konark is in the Puranans when, the place used to be referred to as Mundira or Mundirasvamin. This name was later replaced by Konaditya or Konarka. One curious fact that one stumbles upon while flipping through the pages of the Puranas and other authentic religious texts is the fact that there already existed a Sun Temple at the place, way before the present temple came into being.

Konark happened to be a busy port that shared mutually beneficial trade relations with the South East Asian countries. The construction of the much renowned Sun Temple that exists now in Konark is credited to King Narashimhadev I belonging to the Ganga dynasty. The construction of this temple was the commemoration of his triumph over the Muslims. The temple later suffered the brunt of neglect and received the final blow when it was deconsecrated by the envoy of Jahangir, the Mughal Emperor.

There is more than one legend associated with the construction of the Sun Temple. According to one popular opinion, the Sun Temple was commissioned by Samba, Lord Krishna's son. Lord Krishna had cursed his son with leprosy. After undergoing a rigorous penance for twelve years, he was restored to health by the blessings of the Sun God and it was in his honor that the temple was constructed.

Accessibility

Air: The nearest airport is at Bhubaneswar, which is at a distance of 64 km away from Konark. The taxi cab charges about Rs 1400 to cover the distance from Konark to Bhubaneshwar. Bhubaneshwar is connected by regular flights to many major cities India including Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi and Hyderabad.

Rail: Puri, which is at distance of 31 km is the nearest railway station to Konark. Puri is connected to all major cities in India. Pre-paid taxi from Puri railway station to Konark cost about Rs 600.

Road: Konark is connected to other cities in Orissa State Public Transport buses. Private Volvo bus services are available from Bhubaneshwar and Puri to Konark. Public buses charge about Rs 1.50 and private buses charges about Rs 3 per km travel.

Shopping

Besides a temple town, Konark is a fascinating destination for shoppers as well. Konark is dotted with a number of shops dealing in various items including locally made items. The town is popular for its elegantly carved images of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, woodcarving and decorative items made of stone and horn. Patta paintings and the appliqué work of Pipli are other attraction of Konark. Another interesting buy include the marvelously embroidered umbrellas. If you are looking for some souvenirs, then visit the government emporium which have a fine collection of fabrics and handicrafts. For complete enjoyment of shopping in Konark take a leisurely stroll through the markets of the town. While exploring the markets on foot you will get an insight into the culture, lifestyle and eating habits of the local people.

Konark is famous for the exquisitely carved images of Hindu Gods and decorative items made of stone, horn and woodcarvings. If you are an art connoisseur, you should check out the Patta paintings and the appliqué work of Pipli.The brilliantly embroidered umbrellas make fascinating buys. If you are planning to buy souvenirs then the best option would be the government emporiums which stock fabrics and handicrafts items from across the state of Orissa.

Shopping in Konark is definitely a delight for shopping enthusiasts. The city is known for its exquisite handicrafts. One of the most popular shopping items of Konark comprises of the beautiful sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Apart from that, there are a number of decorative items of stone and natural wood that sell like hot cakes in the market. For art lovers, the best buys in the city are Patta paintings. There is also a great demand for the appliqué work of Pipli, which is easily available here.

You can also buy beautifully embroidered umbrellas, to give as souvenirs when you get back home. The traditional fabrics of Orissa are also available in Konark and are definitely on the list of must-buy items. Now, we have an answer to ‘what to buy’ in Konark. As far as the shopping places in the city are concerned, the best place consists of Government run emporia, especially if you are looking out for some souvenirs or gifts for your near and dear ones. Along with that, there are a number of private shops also.

Accommodation

Though hotels in Konark have several guesthouses and tourist lodges the accommodation options are relatively limited. For those tourists who would prefer to travel from Puri or Bhubaneswar, then you will find a range of staying options at the hotels there.

Some of the prominent hotels in Konark are:

Panthanivas Tourist Bungalow
Yatri Niwas
Konark Lodge
Sunrise Lodge
Banita lodge

Attractions

Festivals of Konark
Konark Music and Dance Festival is one of the most rocking festivities of Orissa, celebrated with much gusto and enthusiasm. It usually takes place in the month of December. The open-air auditorium of the Konark Sun temple serves as the venue of this wonderful festival. Konark Dance Festival is organized to promote the classical dances and music of India. It witnesses many exceptional performances by established performers as well as novices, who come here from the different parts of the country.

Accomplished as amateurs musicians come here to play various instruments, which include drums, cymbals, etc. It is a grand extravaganza that sets the mood of people with sounds of music. The dancing hall of the Sun temple is truly an architectural wonder. The designing of its wall, which is a reflection of the ancient times, is simply outstanding. Konark Dance Festival provides a golden opportunity to the newcomers to exhibit their talent.

One can witnesses almost all the classical dances of India in this festival, right from Odissi to Bharathnatyam to Manipuri to Kathak. Thus, it acts as a great platform for the dance connoisseurs and other performing artists to learn about different dance forms of the country. At Konark Music and Dance Festival, one can also see a Crafts Mela, displaying the ethnic craftsmanship of Indian artists. Then, there is the Food Mela, providing the most delicious delicacies of the country. The festival is gaining more popularity day by day, attracting a larger number of art lovers every year.

District
Puri
STD Code
06758
Best time to visit
October to March
Famous For
Famous throughout the world for its magnificent Sun Temple, which is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God.

Mahabalipuram

State

Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram as it was formerly known, is an enigma for historians.

The temple city of Mahabalipuram (also Mamallapuram) is situated just 60 km off Chennai on the Bay of Bengal coast in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It extends from latitude 12°37' in the North to longitude 80°14' in the East. The city is well connected through a network of roads from Chennai and other important cities of South India. Many of the Resorts Mahabalipuram are strategically located close to the tourist spots.

History

Mahabalipuram is one of history's intriguing enigmas. The ancient Mamallapuram, as Mahabalipuram was formerly known, was flourishing port town of the Pallava rulers of south India who chiseled in stone a fabulous "open-air museum" of sculpture under the vault of a burning sky. Apart from this, nothing is known of the place. What was the purpose behind this whole exercise, and, more important, why all the royal patronage this place enjoyed suddenly disappeared, no one actually has any answer. Staying at Mahabalipuram Resorts is an unique way of experiencing its history.

Experts say that there were seven pagodas or temples on the shores of Mahabalipuram. All but one were pillaged by the rapacious sea, though there is little underwater evidence to substantiate their existence.

Most of the temples and rock carvings of this place were built during the reigns of Narsinha Varman I (AD 630-668) and Narsinha Varman II (AD 700-728). Though the initial kings of Pallava dynasty were followers of Jainism, the conversion of Mahendra Varman (AD 600-630) to Shaivism led most of the monuments to be related with Shiva or Vishnu.

Accessibility

Air: The nearest airport is Chennai International airport, which is located at 58 km away from Mahabalipuram. Chennai airport is having two terminals, domestic and International. Chennai is well connected to all major cities in India and many cities in abroad including Colombo, Middle East countries, Singapore and Gulf countries. Taxi fare from airport to Mahabalipuram is about Rs 1200.

Rail: The nearest rail head is Chengalpattu, which is 29 km away from Mahabalipuram city. Chennai is the major railway station nearby which is connected to all major cities in India by rail. Chengalpattu is connected to Chennai. The taxi fare from Chengalpattu to Mahabalipuram is about Rs 600 and Chennai to Mahabalipuram is Rs 1200.

Road: Mahabalipuram is well connected with many cities in and around including Chennai by Tamil Nadu public transport bus services. Many private tourist buses operate between Mahabalipuram and Chennai Central.

Shopping

Mahabalipuram is a favorite shopping haunt for South Indian artifacts, both wooden and granite based.

The stone artifacts made by the locals are a collector’s delight Mamallapuram Shopping Guide.

Although a popular beach destination, shopping in Mahabalipuram will be an interesting experience as it offers exquisite souvenirs and other memorabilia.

Mahabalipuram is famous for its stone and wooden sculptures. Soapstpones, granite and wood are used to carve out gods and goddesses and unique scenes captures from everyday life. Jewellery and decorative items made of seashells are also good buys to carry home as souvenirs from this seaside town. .

The main shopping areas in Mahabalipuram are on Mount Road. The most reliable places to buy handicrafts are the government emporiums.

The shopping is excellent in Mahabalipuram. Handmade crafts made by people in the region are the specialty. These handmade crafts many times come in the form of stone statues carved to look like the enormous originals that are in the area. These statues are normally carved out of granite which enhances their beauty. Many people are more than glad to travel to this region to acquire such fine artistic pieces made by quality artisans. Soapstone images, wood carvings, jewelry, and items made from local seashells are also popular items that are sold in the local shops.

Accommodation

Mahabalipuram is one of the pristine beaches in India, on the coastline of TamilNadu. Hotels in Mahabalipuram welcome the tourists who flock to this seaside town to enjoy the beaches and see the magnificent monuments and temples.

The hotels overlooking the beaches offer spectacular view. Watching the sunrise or sunset from your window will be a memorable experience. If you are a foodie, then you will enjoy the delectable range of cuisine, especially the seafood.

Some of the prominent hotels in Mababalipuram are:

Temple Bay Ashok Beach Resort
Fisherman's Cove

Attractions

Open Air Dance Festival: The Open Air Dance Festival in Mahabalipuram is an annual four week festival. It is held right by Arjuna's Penance. The beautiful backdrop adds to the charm of experiencing skilled dancers perform such traditional dances as Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Mohiniattam, Odissi and Kathakali. The use of this open air stage started about 13 centuries ago. Today, the best folk dancers from all over India come to perform during the festival. Other dancers come to see them dance, as do numerous tourists. The effect of skilled dancers combined with the aesthetically pleasing location ad to the special experience that is known as the Open Air Dance Festival

District
Kancheepuram
STD Code
04114
Termperature
Summer 22-37°C, Winter 19-32°C
Best time to visit
Throughout the year
Famous For
Known for its sandy-sunny beaches and shore Temple

Kumbhalgarh

State

Kumbhalgarh is the second most important bastion in the Mewar region, built during the course of the 15th century by Rana Kumbha, after Chittorgarh. It is also a birthplace of Maharana Pratap, the great king and warrior of Mewar.

Image Credit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lamentables/450756032/

History

In Rana Kumbha's time the kingdom of Mewar spread from Ranthambore to Gwalior, including vast tracts of present-day Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Mewar's rulers became patrons of all that was best in Indian martial and fine arts, architecture, and learning. Of the 84 fortresses defending Mewar, 32 were designed and built by Rana Kumbha. Of these, Kumbhalgarh with its 36-kilometer long wall and soaring towers is the most impressive. Kumbhalgarh stands on the site of an ancient citadel dating back to the second century AD belonging to a Jain descendant of India's Mauryan emperors. It defined the boundaries between Mewar and Marwar and became a refuge for Mewar's rulers in times of strife. Its steel gray ramparts encircle the fertile Shero Mallah Valley, with ancient monuments cenotaphs, ponds and flourishing farms. Kumbhalgarh fell only once in its history, to the combined forces of Emperor Akbar, Raja Man Singh of Amber, and Raja Udai Singh of Amber, and Raja Udai Singh of Marwar.

Accessibility

Air: Nearest airport to Kumbalgarh is Udaipur, which is about 84 km from the city. Pre-paid taxi charges about Rs 1600 from Udaipur to Kumbalgarh. Udaipur is connected by air to Delhi, Jaipur and Jodhpur.

Rail: Nearest railhead is Phalna, a junction railway station, which is well connected to Mumbai, Ajmer, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Jodhpur.

Road: Rajasthan State Government Roadways ordinary and deluxe buses have stop at Kumbhalgarh. It is connected to Udaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur and Pushkar by the state buses.

Shopping

Shopping in Kumbhalgarh may not be a very pleasant experience. It is not actually a typical shopping destination where you can shop till you drop.

Hardly anybody goes for shopping in Kumbhalgarh. But if returning from a tour without buying a few souvenirs, a handful of gifts for your near and dear ones, sound preposterous, Travel.mapsofindia recommends you to shop in Udaipur instead of shopping in Kumbhalgarh.

Udaipur is the nearest city from Kumbhalgarh and is one of the prime destinations in Rajasthan.The region has a rich tradition of handicrafts. Miniature painting is a renowned craft in the area. Paintings featuring long necks, large almond-shaped eyes, long fingers and the use of subdued colours make for excellent souvenirs. Pick up a few pieces while shopping in Udaipur.

Other popular crafts include Silver jewelry, potteries, stone carved items and Puppets. Be it for personal possession or as gifts to friends and relatives these are worth buying.

Accommodation

Most of the hotels in Kumbhalgarh fall in the heritage category since they are the old forts or palaces opened for tourist accommodation. Impressive architecture, beautiful locale and royal splendor distinctly mark the hotels in Kumbhalgarh.

Here are a few notable hotels in Kumbhalgarh

Aodhi Hotel
Kumbhalgarh Fort Hotel

District
Rajsamand
STD Code
02954
Termperature
Summer 32-45°C, Winter 28-35°C
Best time to visit
September to March
Famous For
Kumbhalgarh is famous the massive fort & the wildlife sanctuary.

Jodhpur

State

Jodhpur , the second largest city in the state, is a popular tourist destination, featuring many palaces, forts and temples, set in the stark landscape of the Thar desert. The city is known as the Sun City for the bright, sunny weather it enjoys all year. It is also referred to as the Blue City due to the blue-painted houses around the Mehrangarh Fort.

Image Credit:

History

Founded by a Rathore chief, the city of Jodhpur took its name from its founder ruler- Rao Jodha in 1459 AD. The natural fortifications of the place were greatly enhanced by the construction of the highly barricaded Meherangarh Fort that was virtually impregnable.

Jodhpur had friendly relations with Mughals, having entered into a matrimonial alliance with them but the friendly relations got soured when Jodhpur didn't support Aurangzeb in the Mughal war of succession and he captured the city on becoming the king of the Mughal Empire.

Ajit Singh restored Jodhpur to its former glory after the fall of Mughal Empire. The looming threat of Marathas was taken care by signing a treaty. After the fall of the Marathas, the ruling family of Jodhpur signed a treaty with the British. This arrangement continued till Jodhpur became a part of independent India.

Accessibility

Air: Jodhpur airport is connected to Jaipur, Delhi, Udaipur and Mumbai by daily regular flights. The Airport is nearly 5 km away from the city center. Taxi charges about Rs 150 and three wheeled rickshaw cost about Rs 50 from airport to city. Delhi is the nearest international airport, which is well connected to all major cities in India and abroad. Delhi is nearly 600 km away from Jodhpur.

Rail: Jodhpur railhead is an important junction in the North Western railway zone in India. Jodhpur is well connected to all major cities in India including Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Jaipur, Jailsalmer and Mumbai.

Road: Rajasthan Road Transport Corporation provides bus services to all cities in Rajasthan from Jodhpur. Private deluxe buses are available from Jaipur (345 km), Delhi (600 km), Jaisalmer (290 km), Bikaner (240 km) and Agra (580 km). The deluxe bus charges varies between Rs 3 to Rs 4 per kilometer.

Shopping

Jodhpur has a flourishing trade in exports and imports. Many foreign traders come directly to Jodhpur bypassing other Indian cities. Expectedly, therefore, a wide variety of items are available in Jodhpur. The handicrafts and antique pieces of the place are most popular. Other popular items include silver jewellery, leather goods, carpets and durries, textiles and furnitures. The central shopping place of Jodhpur is known as Ghasmandi Bazaar.

The city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan is famous for its ethnic clothes, exquisite handicrafts and intricately carved furniture.

A walk through the markets of Jodhpur selling mirrors, sequins, beads, lehengas and turbans will be a peep into the world of glitz and color and ethnic splendor. While shopping in Jodhpur remember to buy a pair of mojiris or traditional Jodhpuri shoes at the Mochi Bazaar as a beautiful souvenir from the city of Jodhpur. For textiles, you can choose from the bales of brightly colored cloth, bandhini, tie and dye and block prints at Kapra Bazaar. The government emporiums like the National Handloom Corporation, Salawas Durry Udyog are places to check out for quilts, carpets and wooden furniture and handicrafts.

Accommodation

Jodhpur known for its culture and heritage is a popular tourist destination in Rajasthan.Hotels in Jodhpur are paragons of culture and traditional hospitality. It will be a unique experience to stay in a heritage hotel in Jodhpur to get a taste of the royal splendor.

Jodhpur hotels offer a range of packages to suit the budget of the luxury seeker and the budget traveler alike. Most of the hotels are conveniently located in the main town near the airport and the railway station.

Hotels in Jodhpur offer delectable cuisine, be it Indian, Chinese, Continental and Mughlai.You should try typical Jodhpuri flavors like Kachouri, a snack eaten with Chutney, ladoos and buttermilk or lassi.

Some of the prominent hotels in Jodhpur are:

Five Star Deluxe Hotels in Jodhpur

Taj Hari Mahal
Umaid Bhavan Palace

Four Star Hotels in Jodhpur

Hotel Abhay Das
Hotel Ratanada Polo Palace

Three Star Hotels in Jodhpur

Quality Inn Chandra
Two Star Hotels in Jodhpur
Hotel Ratan Vilas

Heritage Hotels in Jodhpur

Ajit Bhawan Resort
Hotel Balsamand Lake Palace
Karni Bhawan

Attractions

Marwar Festival
The Marwar Festival is organized in the Hindu month of Ashwin (Sept-Oct) in the city of Jodhpur. It is dedicated to the folk heroes of Rajasthan. Also known as Rajasthan Maand Festival, this festival lasts for two days during the full moon of Sharad Poornima. The main feature of the Marwar Festival is the Rajasthani folk music that revolves around the romantic and passionate lifestyle of the former rulers of Rajasthan. This classical folk music is known as Maand.

Marwar Festival of Jodhpur, Rajasthan is a kind of display of the heart capturing folk music and dance of the Marwar region. One can see the folk dancers with pots on their heads and folk singers bringing to life the bygone era of the state. They provide a window to the past days of yore, of battles and of brave and noble heroes. Apart from this, the other attractions of the festival include the camel tattoo show and camel polo. Against the backdrop of Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mandore and Mehrangarh fort, this festival gains an added attraction.

Nagaur Fair
The Nagaur Fair of Rajasthan is mainly known for cattle trading, which takes place extensively at the fair. Lasting for eight days, the Rajasthan Nagaur Cattle Fair is organized in the Hindu month of Magha (Jan-Feb). The venue of the fair is Nagaur, one of the most scenic Rajput towns. It is the second largest cattle fair of Rajasthan. As many as 70,000 (approximately) bullocks, camels and horses are traded every year in the Nagaur fair.

To make them attractive, the animals are adorned with various accessories in an extravagant manner. At the same time, the owners, themselves, are seen showing off their colorful turbans and long moustaches. Apart from the business of cattle trading, there are a number of other attractions at the fair. At the Nagaur fair, the biggest Mirchi (red chili) Bazaar (market) of India is organized. Other items traded at the fair include wooden items, iron-crafts, camel leather accessories, etc.

The Nagaur Fair also offers a lot to those wanting to have some fun. Sports organized at the fair include tug-of-war, camel races, bullock races and cockfights. Other means of entertainment are jugglers, puppeteers, storytellers, and campfire evenings, adding to the excitement of the tourists. Echoing through the peace and serenity of the desert, the folk music of the Jodhpur lends further serenity to the mind.

District
Jodhpur
STD Code
0291
Termperature
Summer 24-45°C, Winter 5-20°C
Best time to visit
September to March

Jaisalmer

State

Jaisalmer, nicknamed "The Golden City", is lies in the heart of the Thar Desert. The city of Jaisalmer is named after Rawal Jaisal, a Bhatti Rajput ruler. He founded the city in 1156. It stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone, crowned by a fort, which contains the palace and several ornate Jain temples.

Image Credit:

History

Established in 1156 AD by a Bhatti Rajput ruler Jaisala, the history of Jaisalmer is replete with many legends. According to one, Lord Krishna had predicted that a descendant of the Yadav clan would establish a formidable kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill in Jaisalmer. True to his words, Rawal Jaisal established his kingdom on this very hill.

Jaislamer also had its share of battles and intrigue. It is said that after Alu - ud -din Khilji laid siege to the Jaisalmer Fort for nine consecutive wars, the royal ladies committed Jauhar, while the men donned saffron robes and rode out to meet certain death. Later various marriages cemented the alliance between the rulers of Jaisalmer and the Mughals.

Jaisalmer rulers allowed fine arts to flourish under their rule, as a result of which, we can see splendid havelis and beautifully carved temples, in honor of both Hindu as well as Jain.deities. It also became an important centre of trade and commerce until the Mumbai port came into existence. The city came under the Indian government in 1947.

Accessibility

Air: Nearest airport is Jodhpur, which is at a distance of 285 km from Jaisalmer. Jodhpur is connected to Delhi and Jaipur by air. Pre-paid taxi service is available from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer, which costs about Rs 4000. Delhi is the nearest major international airport, which is connected well with all major cities in India and many important cities in abroad.

Rail: Jaisalmer railway station is an important railway station in Western railway zone. It is connected to Jodhpur and other cities in India. This train takes about 6 hours for journey and cost about Rs 120

Road: There are many semi deluxe and deluxe buses to Jodhpur at regular intervals. Deluxe A/C buses are also available from Jaisalmer to Jaipur, Ajmer and Bikaner. Rajasthan state buses connect Jaisalmer with neighboring cities.

Shopping

Shopping in Jaisalmer will be a fascinating experience. Jaisalmer affords you the pleasure of strolling through the narrow lanes of its markets, which still retain a medieval charm.

Jaisalmer is famous for embroidery, rajasthani mirror work, rugs, blankets, antiques and old stonework. The colorful handcrafted items and curios with a touch of Jaisalmer make good souvenirs to carry home. Puppets and joothies (handmade leather shoes) are popular items. While shopping in Jaisalmer you will also find beautiful fabrics, woven jackets, camel leather items and wooden boxes. The intricately designed ornaments of Jaisalmer are irresistible. You can also find a colorful range of the popular bandhini (tie and dye) fabrics. Perhaps nowhere else in the world would you find colorfully embroidered covers for the camel back, which can be a unique collector's item. Jaisalmer has various showrooms and emporia, which are worth visiting. Some of the places that you can visit for handicrafts and fabrics are Jaisalmer Embroidery House and the Kahdi Gramudyog Bhavan.

Accommodation

Hotels in Jaisalmer offer a royal stay, transporting you to the bygone days of a glorious past. The heritage hotels in Jaisalmer provide a royal ambience making your stay in Jaisalmer a memorable one. Jaisalmer hotels have a range of accommodation to suit the budget of all kinds of travelers.

The hotels in Jaisalmer provide the best of facilities with traditional hospitality. The sports and recreational facilities add to the fun of your stay. But nothing is more fascinating than the almost surrealistic sight of vast stretches of golden sand all around.

Some of the prominent hotels in Jaisalmer are:

Four Star Hotels in Jaisalmer
Fort Rajwada
Hotel Rawal Kot

Three Star Hotels in Jaisalmer
Gorbandh Palace
Hotel Dhola Maru

Heritage Hotels in Jaisalmer

Narayan Niwas Palace
Jawahar Niwas Palace

Attractions

Desert Festival
The Desert Festival is organized in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, usually in the month of January or February. The duration of the festival is three days and it comes to an end on Poornima, the full moon day. The main purpose of the Rajasthan Desert Festival is to display the rich and colorful culture of the state. Dressed in vibrant and colorful attire, the people of Rajasthan dance to the tunes lingering ballads of heroism, romance and tragedy of the local heroes.

The major attractions of the Desert Festival of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan include snake charmers, puppeteers, acrobats, folk performers, etc. Especially, the Gair and Fire dancers, in their vibrant and colorful costumes, capture your heart. However, amongst all these, the ship of the desert, camel does not loses its special place. Apart from the camel rides that are quite popular, camels take part in a number of events. Of them, the most famous and unique ones are camel polo and camel dance.

Other events include the turban tying competition and a display of the most glorious moustaches. Turbans and mustaches are deemed to be the symbols of honor in the state of Rajasthan. Then, there is a Mr. Desert contest that further adds to the enjoyment. With the fascinating Jaisalmer Fort and the sand dunes serving as the backdrop, the celebrations gain an added advantage. There are also brilliant performances by the folk artists, dancing elegantly to the tunes of the folk music. Traditional handicrafts of Rajasthan are also traded at the fair.

District
Jaisalmer
STD Code
0141
Termperature
Summer 25-42°C, Winter 7-24°C
Best time to visit
October to March

Udaipur

State

Udiapur is a picturesque city and is a must for travellers who want to experience the unique and vibrant history of Rajasthan. It is the jewel of Mewar kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/felixdance/5272625137/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/selmer/5371273222/in/photostream

History

The legend of Udaipur has it that the city was built by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1568, after being advised by a sage to do so. Years later, when he was defeated by the Mughal Emperor Akbar at Chittor, he set up his new kingdom in Udaipur.

After his death, Pratap Singh took over the reins of the kingdom while Udaipur continued to be besieged by Mughal invaders and later, the Marathas. With the advent of the British, a treaty to protect Udaipur was signed between the ruler and the British. The history of Udaipur took another important turn when it was merged with the Indian Territory after independence.

Accessibility

By Air: Maharana Pratap Airport Udaipur is located at Dabok, 22 km away from the heart of Udaipur city. Many domestic airlines connect the city to most of the major cities in India including Kolkata, Jaipur, Delhi and Mumbai.

By Rail: Udaipur is located in the main broad gauge railway line and the railway station is connected to all other railway stations in India. Passenger and express train services are available from Udaipur to nearby cities like Jaipur and Jaisalmer.

By Road: Rajasthan Roadways operates public bus services between Udaipur and other major cities in Rajasthan. Volvo super deluxe buses are available from Delhi, Jaipur and Ahmedabad to Udaipur.

Shopping

Udaipur is one of the best places in Rajasthan to pick up exquisite crafts and looms made by the gifted artisans of the place. The best buys of Udaipur include folk toys, colourful tie-dye sarees and clothes, hand painted fabrics, silver jewellery, wall hangings and miniature paintings.

The main markets of Udaipur are located on the Lake Palace road and around Jagdish temple. Two of the best places for shopping in Udaipur are Rajasthali-the govt. fixed price emporium and Sadhana-a fixed price shop run by an NGO for charitable purposes.
Shopping in Udaipur is a great delight. The region has a rich tradition of handicrafts, which are acclaimed all over the world. The ace craftsmen of Udaipur and around create incredible of artifacts. The tradition had flourished under the patronage of the royalties and continues to flow till date.

Miniature painting is a notable art form in Udaipur, which has matured over the ages. It's a very different form of painting featuring long necks, large almond-shaped eyes, long fingers and the use of subdued colours. Check out such items while shopping in Udaipur.

Silver jewelry and potteries are also noted handicrafts in Udaipur. Intricately designed silverware and exquisite pottery are big hits with those who go for shopping in Udaipur

Go for stone carved items and puppets while shopping in Udaipur. Puppet making is a traditional art form in this region, which has gone places. Alongside stone carved artifacts also serve as good souvenirs.

There are many shopping joints for shopping in Udaipur. In most of the premium hotel you would find plush showrooms with a large display of objets d'art. The Government run Handicrafts Emporium has a number of centers in the city where you can look for a variety of authentic items.

Accommodation

Some hotels are located in the city center whereas a few are on the outskirt offering a tranquil environment for a fulfilling Udaipur experience. Food is also interesting in Udaipur. Several hotels in Udaipur have good restaurants where you can taste a variety of local cuisine to continental fare.

PREMIUM HERITAGE HOTELS

Fateh Prakash Palace
Shiv Niwas Palace
Devi Garh Palace

LUXURY HOTELS

Taj Lake Palace
Udai Vilas
Trident Hilton

BUDGET HOTELS

Shikarbadi Hotel
Lake Pichola Hotel
Jagat Niwas Palace

Attractions

Mewar Festival
The Mewar Festival is celebrated in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April). It is organized to mark the beginning of the spring season. Rajasthan Mewar Festival overlaps with the Gangaur festival. A procession carrying the images of Isar and Gangaur, ornamented and dressed in colorful attire, is taken at the time of the festival. The procession goes through the various areas of Udaipur and comes to an end at the Gangaur Ghat of Lake Pichola. Thereafter, the images are moved on to special boats. After this whole process is over, cultural events take over the celebration of the festival. Rajasthan folk songs, dances and other programs take the center stage. The festival concludes with a remarkable display of fireworks.

District
Udaipur
STD Code
0294
Termperature
Summer 32-45°C, Winter 5-28°C
Best time to visit
October-March

Khajuraho

City of Temples

Khajuraho, is a small village in Madhya Pradesh, India and is home to the famous Khajuraho Temples, a groups of Hindu and Jain temples. The temples have been classified as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The temples are known for their perfect balance of architecture and sculpture and for their beautiful and erotic rock carvings.

History

Once the capital city of the powerful Chandela Rajputs, a clan, who claimed their ancestry from the lineage of the Lunar powers, the various temples in and around Khajuraho were constructed over a period of 100 years, a period which stretched between the years 950 to 1050.

After their initial spell at this beautiful city, the Chandelas moved their capital to the neighboring city of Mahoba, a move which, however, failed to put a stop to the rise of the city of Khajuraho, though, however, for some time.

At her peak, Khajuraho consisted of around 80 Hindu Temples, most of which are today, however, sadly in ruins. The 22 temples, which even today stand strong, as a poignant message from the age of past, however, manage to convey to us, the grandeur which has caused the complex to be certified as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Accessibility

Air: Khajuraho airport is well connected to many cities in India, like Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, Bhopal, Indore, Allahabad and Mumbai. All air service providers have flights from Khajuraho to other cities. International travelers can get connection flights to Khajuraho from Mumbai or Delhi.

Rail: Nearest railway station to Khajuraho is Mahoba which is located at 63 km from Khajuraho. Harpalpur is another nearby major rail head, which is connected to most of the railhead in India. It is nearly 90 km away from Khajuraho. Pre-paid taxis cost nearly Rs 1200 from Mahoba and Rs 2000 from Khajuraho.

Road: Khajuraho is one of the cities well connected by public and private buses. Private tour service operators arrange deluxe AC and Non AC buses to Khajuraho from various cities including Jhansi (172 km) and Delhi (596 km). Tourist deluxe buses will charge about Rs 3 to Rs 4 per km.

Shopping

As regards shopping, there is nothing specific for which Khajuraho is popular. Yet, the place is a good one to buy souvenirs and exquisite handicraft items of local artisans. There are a number of small stalls outside temple gates selling interesting souvenirs. Tourists interested in buying attractive silver and brassware can make a trip to Rajinagar at a distance of 5 kms from Khajuraho town. A weekly market is held in the place on Tuesdays.

There are metal wares, dhokra pieces of art, jewelry, bamboo articles and artifacts that reflects a traditional chromaticism. The tribal artifacts are the best here. Look for the unique textile fabrics and potteries that will sure make your eyes go wild with desire. You should always buy the small stone images of the gods and goddess. Ethnic weaving style and printed dress material of Khajuraho are also renowned all over the world.
Since it is not a big town, but a small village, so the bazaars are mainly located in the heart of the village. There are basically local shops that display the selling items and there is not a better option than buying it from them.

Khajuraho is a prime destination in India, which draws a huge number of tourists every year from across the world.

Shopping in Khajuraho would turn out to be a pleasant experience if you know what to buy and where.
The ace craftsmen of Khajuraho have over the years developed a tradition of handicrafts and handlooms.
Textile weaving is a major craft in Khajuraho. You may pick up from the variety of saris and other Indian wear while shopping in Khajuraho.
Miniature stone-carved replicas of erotic sculptures are hot favourite items for shopping in Khajuraho. They display great flexibility and imagination! If you are looking for souvenirs to take back, these are of course the best bet.

The city is small and the shopping areas are few.

 The major one being in opposite the temple complex near the Gole Market.
 Also hang out at Oswal Complex and City Center for shopping in Khajuraho. Both are located close to the city center.
 Apart form the government emporia, numerous private outlets where you would also find usual assortment of various crafts from all parts of Madhya Pradesh.

Accommodation

As a tourist destination, Khajuraho has gained tremendous popularity all over the world. There are a number of hotels in Khajuraho. Majority are private run hotels, along side a few government run properties. In all budgets, hotels in Khajuraho offer a range of options.

Attractions

Khajuraho Dance Festival

If you miss the most important event of the town then there is no way you can repent. So visit this town during the month of February and March, when the whole town is flooded with the preparation to hold the biggest dance festival of the nation. This annual week long celebration involves dance and music performances by the revered classical dancers and singers. The major dance styles that are displayed are Kathak, Bahratnatyam, Kathakali and Odissi. Besides these performances there are also workshops and seminars organised by the artisans of the country. An open market held here displays the local handicrafts. Do not miss buying these local artifacts that are native to Khajuraho and will not be available anywhere else.

Maha Shivratri that clashes with the Khajuraho festival, is also a very important festival of the people. This festival marks the marriage of Lord Shiva with Maa Parvati and during this festival the 2.5 m tall lingam in the Kandariya Mahadeo temple and it is appareled as a bridegroom, with white and saffron dhotis, and a huge, conic, silver paper crown is placed. The overnight ceremony is performed by the son of the chief priest who consecrate the lingam with sacred water. The chanting of hymns continues throughout the night, until the Brahmins stand and throw leaves and flower petals over the lingam. This ritual of throwing the leaves and petals is the sign that the wedding is complete. This celebration is aberrant to anywhere else in India, so you must see it being performed with your own eyes.

District
Chhatarpur
STD Code
07686
Termperature
Summer 21-45°C, Winter 4-32°C
Best time to visit
October to March
Famous For
Erotic Sculpture and Temple Heritage and renowned as World Heritage Site

Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri, situated amidst barren ridge, is actually a historical capital city made out of twin village of Fatehpur and Sikri. Emperor Akbar established this city, to serve jointly with Agra, as the imperial capital of Mogul empire. The surviving palace and mosque are a tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site itself is a ghost town.

History

The History of Fatehpur Sikri dates back to the reign of Akbar, arguably one of the greatest and most charismatic rulers amongst the Great Mughals. Blessed with almost all the joys of life, the great Mughal emperor was, however, without an heir to the throne. It was this worry that led him to travel barefoot to Ajmer to seek the blessings of the great Sufi saint, Sheikh Salim Chisti, who eventually blessed the emperor with an heir to the Mughal throne in India, who was to be later known as Jahangir.

The entirety of the complex of Fatehpur Sikri was built as a kind of homage to this great Sufi saint, after whom the city was also named, an act that was a mark of gratitude shown by Akbar. According to modern historians, work on the construction of the complex began around the year 1571, a time when the prowess of the Mughals was at their peak. Once the construction of the fort was complete, the entirety of the complex of the Fatehpur Sikri began to serve as an additional capital to that of the Red Fort at Agra, which had till now been regarded as the only capital of the Mughal Rule.

The period of the Mughal rule with their capital at Fatehpur Sikri is regarded by modern historians as one of the most important periods in the annals of the History of India. It is said that many of the important administrative, financial as well as the military reforms of the Mughal era was conceptualized and implemented during this period.

It is said that the fort was abandoned at around the year of 1585, when a severe scarcity of water forced the people of the fort to look for a new settlement. Now one of the most popular tourist attractions of Uttar Pradesh, a trip to the Fatehpur Sikri in Uttar Pradesh in India is a definite must include since the monument is today a part of the prestigious World Heritage Sites as declared by UNESCO.

Accessibility

Air:

Rail: Fatehpur Sikri has a small railway station. You can catch one of those trains from Agra Fort station that goes via Fatehpur Sikri.

Road: Fatehpur Sikri is well connected by road. Agra is the nearest major town with bus, Rail and air connectivity. Another route is through Bharatpur, the town in Rajastan famous for the UNESCO World Heritage Site bird sanctuary.

Shopping

There are some local shops and stalls near the city. But, since it is an abandoned old historical city, there isnt much to be had by way of shopping. Agra, only 40 kms away has a lot more to offer.

Accommodation

Agra has a wide range of hotels and rest houses. UPSTDC's tourist complex, Taj Khema near the Taj Mahal offers accommodation in tents and deluxe rooms.There is a UPSTDC Tourist Bungalow as well.

District
Agra
STD Code
05619
Best time to visit
October to March

Agra

Agra, situated on the west bank of River Yamuna, is heritage city most famous tourist destination, flourished during the reign of the Mughals - notably under Emperor Akbar and subsequently under Emperor Shah Jahan - from 1526 to 1658. The architectural splendor of the city is reflected in the glorious monuments of medieval India built by great Mughals who ruled India for more than 300 years.

History

Agra was first mentioned in the epic Mahabharata as Agrevan (translates as "The Border of the Forest").
In 1501 Sikander Lodhi of the Delhi Sultanate made it his capital. In 1526 Babur defeated the Lodhi’s and Agra came under the Mughal rule. Babur introduced Mughal gardens to Agra.

Agra flourished during Akbar’s rule and became a centre for art, culture and learning. He laid the foundation for a city here and named it Akbarabad. Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri were built during Akbar’s reign. When Shah Jahan, who had a passion for architecture, came into power he built the Taj Mahal, most of the palce buildings inside the Agra Fort and the Jama Masjid.

Shah Jahan's son, Aurangazeb, moved moved his capital from Agra to Delhi and that began the slow decline of Agra as well as the Mughal Empire. The Jats then came into power beginning the years of destruction to the city and its monuments, followed by the Maratas and then the British.

Accessibility

By Air: Agra’s Kheria Airport is located 8 km away from the heart of the city. Agra is connected to Varanasi, Delhi and Khajuraho by air.

By Rail: Agra is a major railway junction on routes to the south, east and west. Agra's railway station is Agra Cantonment.

By Road: Agra is on the cross roads of national highways 2, 3 and 11 and is well connected to all parts of the country. Express and air-conditioned bus services are available from Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Gualior and Jhansi.

Shopping

The markets of Agra are full of tiny marble replicas of the Taj Mahal sold as decorative pieces. Though all of them are not of the same quality, tourists can definitely find some of the best replicas if they take a little pain in searching through the markets.

Agra is also famous for leather products. Many different items like bags, caps, jackets, wallets, sandals, shoes and decorative items are made of leather. The Zari and embroidery works of the local artisans are also among the best buys of Agra.

Shopping in Agra can be an interesting and beautiful experience. The Agra bazaars (markets) still bear the remnants of the past glory when their ethnic arts and crafts were patronised and popularized by the Mughal emperors.

Some of the items for which Agra is famous include handicrafts items like marble tabletops; soft stone lay work, semi precious stones, jewellery items and hand made leather items. The small replica of the Taj Mahal makes popular souvenir, decorated with inlay work with semi-precious and precious stones imitating the style of the pietra dura work on the grand Taj. The 'Chikan embroidery' and thread and zari work on clothing illustrate the plush art traditions that have been carried down over the generations in the family of artisans.

Sandalwood items, durries, carpets and textiles are other popular items to shop for in Agra. Some of the popular bazaars in Agra that you can visit on your shopping tour include the Kinari Bazaar, Pratap Pura, Sadar Bazaar, Munro Road, Taj Ganj and Gwalior Road. There are the modern shopping sites and complexes too especially the state emporiums where you can purchase antique souvenirs to luxury items.

Accommodation

Hotels in Agra are known for their hospitality. The hotels in Agra offer everything from room luxuries to sightseeing and leisure facilities.

Some of the well known hotels are located near the Taj Mahal.But for the budget traveler who can not afford this luxury, do not get disheartened because almost all the hotels in Agra are located near the Taj Mahal or arrange special trips to visit the bewitching Taj Mahal.

Attractions

Taj Mahotsav
Come February and it's springtime! The time of the year when nature dawns all it's colorful splendour and Agra bursts into colorful celebrations. For 10 days there is a sheer celebration of Uttar Pradesh's rich heritage of arts, crafts, culture, cuisine, dance and music. Yes, it is Taj Mahotsav time again. There are festivities all around and Agra truly puts on the colors of joy and gets transformed into one non stop carnival. Organised by Uttar Pradesh Tourism, and held as an annual event at Shilpgram, literally next door to the Taj Mahal, the Taj Mahotsav is indeed a fitting tribute to the legendary skills of matercraftsmen and exponents of art, music and cuisine. Not only this, it is also a gentle peep into the rich heritage and extraordinary legacies of this wonderful land.

Bateswar Fair
Situated at a distance of 70 km. from Agra on the banks of river Yamuna, Bateshwar is an important spiritual and cultural centre. The place is named after the presiding deity of the region, Bateshwar Mahadeo and has 108 temples, dedicated to the gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon.

During the months of October & November, a large fair is organised from Shashthi of Kartik month to Panchami of Agrahayan month. The fair holds a lot of importance for the Hindus. Devotees congregate here in large numbers to worship Lord Shiva and take holy dips in river Yamuna. A Livestock Fair is also organised and owners and buyers conduct serious business combined with the gaiety of a market place.

Rambarat
The marriage procession of Sri Ram called as 'Rambarat' is held every year, during Ramlila celebrations at Agra. Every year, a new locale of the town is chosen as Janakpuri, which is elaborately decorated to perform the royal wedding. The Rambarat (marriage procession) starts from Lala Channomalji Ki Baradari for Janakpuri, passing through different parts of the town. The barat is a large procession of tableaux or the 'jhankis', followed by Ram and Lakshman, mounted on elephants.

Kailash Fair
The kailash fair is held at Kailash, 12 kms from Agra during the months of August-September. It is a major fair celebrated in honour of lord shiva, who is believed to have appeared here in the form of a stone lingam.

District
Agra
STD Code
0562
Termperature
Summer 25 to 46°C, Winter 1 to 23°C
Best time to visit
October to March
Famous For
Taj Mahal, one of the 7 Wonders of the World