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Chanderi

Chanderi, famous for its hand-woven Chanderi sarees, is a town of historical importance, surrounded by hills, lakes and forests and there are several monuments of the Bundela Rajputs and Malwa sultans. It is located strategically on the borders of Malwa and Bundelkhand. It is also a renowned centre for traditional weavers of Chanderi saree.

History

Chanderi is a town of historical importance, surrounded by hills, lakes and forests. Chanderi finds its mention right from the Mahabharata period. Shishupal was the king of Chanderi then. The historical data and archaeological evidences yield that the area was under the rule of various dynasties in succession, viz. Maurya, Sunga, Naga, Gupta, Pushyabhuti and Pratihara.

The documented history of Chanderi goes back to the early 11th century and is a kaleidoscope of movement and activity prompted by its strategic location.

As with almost every place in India, there are two versions about the birth of Chanderi. One, a legend that connects it to some Hindu deity and the second, a well-documented record of how it was actually founded.
If one turns towards archaeology, one finds no proof of Chanderi’s early origin. But legend associates Budhi Chanderi (9km from the present day settlement) with Chandra Vasu, a friend of Indra (the king of gods), and Shishupal, the legendary contemporary of Krishna (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu).

A later descendant, Raja Kurmadeva, is believed to have founded the modern town. The story goes that the king, who was a leper (remember Suraj Sen who founded Gwalior?), was cured by water from a spring near Chanderi. He built the Kurmeshwar Tal (the same as the present day Parmeshwar Talab) in appreciation and moved his capital here.

History however demands more substantial proof than legend. As far as evidence goes, Chanderi was definitely alive and kicking in the 11th century. On the border of Malwa and Bundelkhand it served as a stopover for passing traders and caravans as it lay along the trading route to Gujarat, Mewar and the Deccan. Soon Chanderi came to be prized for its trade and military importance.

Accessibility

Air: The nearest airports are at Bhopal (258 km) and Gwalior (259 km).

Rail: Lalitpur (36 km) and Jhansi (124 km) on the Delhi-Chennai and Delhi-Mumbai main line, are the convenient rail-heads. Ashok Nagar (46 km) and Mungaoli (38 km) also serve Chanderi.

Road: Chanderi is connected by bus with Gwalior, Indore, Guna, Shivpuri, Ashok Nagar, Jhansi, Lalitpur, Tikamgarh, Vidisha, Sanchi and Bhopal.

Attractions

Fair of Jageshwari Devi
This fair held annually in Chanderi is believed to be more than a thousand years old. The story goes that the ruler of Chanderi, a great devotee of Jageshwari Devi, contracted leprosy. The Devi commanded him to meet her at a particular spot after an interval of 15 days. The impatient king ran to it on the third day itself. Though he was cured of leprosy he could not see more than the goddess’ face. Since that day a fair or mela dedicated to the goddess is held here.

District
Ashoknagar District
Topic
Famous For
Chanderi is famous for its hand-woven Chanderi sarees

Bhopal

Bhopal, also known as the "City of Lakes", is the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, lies on the Malwa plateau, just north of the upper range of the Vindhya Mountains, surrounded by smaller hills like Shamla and Idgah Hills. It is also the gateway to other Madhya Pradesh attractions including Kanha National Park, Bhimbetka, Ujjain and Sanchi. Originally, Bhopal was a Hindu state, founded and ruled by the famous Parmara king Raja Bhoj. Bearing to this legendary ruler, the place was named as 'Bhojpal' and later became 'Bhopal'.

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History

Being one of the oldest cities of the country, Bhopal has a glorious past. The History of Bhopal tells tales of interesting, heroic and amazing incidents. It can take pride in its excellent blend of Islamic and Hindu cultures. Various dynasties have ruled the city over the years, contributing to its architectural and historical richness.

The History of Bhopal takes us back to the eleventh century when Raja Bhoja – the great ruler built a city called Bhojpal. According to the historians, it was the original Bhopal City. Later on, the Mughals captured the city and ruled it till the beginning of the eighteenth century. The Afghan soldier – Dost Mohammed established the princely province of Bhopal in 1723. Well supported by the tribal queen – Rani Kamalpathi, he was able to ward off the neighboring Rajput kings.

When speaking about the History of Bhopal, the contribution of the Begums cannot be written off. The females of the royal family ruled the state for almost hundred years. They led austere lives, followed their religion faithfully and were able administrators. Begum Nawab Sultan Jahan was one of the greatest Begum rulers of Bhopal.

Sultan Jahan's son Hamidullah inherited the throne in the year 1926. Under him, the Bhopal State signed the 'Instrument of Accession' and became the part of the Indian Republic in 1947. The sleepy town of Bhopal has today transformed into a swanky modern city.

Accessibility

Air: Bhopal Airport, also known as Raja Bhoj Airport, is 15 km away from the heart of the city. Taxi Cab will charge about Rs 150, one way. Bhopal airport is connected to Mumbai, Indore, Gwalior and Delhi. International flights to Gulf cities like Sharjah and Dubai are operated from Bhopal.

Rail: Bhopal Railway Station is a major railhead in Mumbai – Delhi broad gauge. It has connection trains to all major cities in India. Daily Shatabdi expresses shuttle between Bhopal and Delhi.

Road: Lots of bus facilities, public and private, are available in Bhopal. All cities in the state are connected to Bhopal by bus services. Overnight deluxe buses from Delhi, Gwalior and Jabalpur are available to Bhopal. Deluxe buses charge Rs. 3-4 per km.

Shopping

Bhopal is a shopper's destination. Being the capital of the city, it is considered to be full of options and choices by default. The important markets sell practically everything that you will be looking for. There are superfluity of shops that offer products at very economical prices. The markest in Bhopal are very colourful and display the local culture of the city. The new market and Chowk are the best places to look for silver jewelry, bead work, embroidered velvet items and leather goods. The narrow allies of the Chowk are an ideal place to hunt for the traditional handicrafts of the region. Do not miss buying the beaded cushions.
There are government emporiums also that sell unique handicrafts of the state. Mrignayani Emporium and Handicrafts Emporium are the places for souvenirs and they also have a good collection of local handicrafts. Looking for silk, go to MP State Emporium in TT Nagar. Bhopal too has multi storeyed shopping malls from where tourist can buy all kinds of luxury items.

Shopping in Bhopal is a delightful experience and tourists should now miss the shopping on their trip to the city. Main shopping area in Bhopal is the Chowk, located in the heart of the old city. Here the shops deal in traditional handicrafts, gold and silver jewellery, fashioned bead work, embroidered velvet purses. New Market is another famous shopping centre of Bhopal where you can buy clothes, shoes and several other items. Bhopal has a number of Government owned shops selling regional handicrafts. Visit the Mrignayani Emporium and MP Handicrafts Emporium to buy the traditional handicrafts of Madhya Pradesh.

Shopping in Bhopal is quite a fascinating experience .The markets in Bhopal have a picturesque ambience lined by old havelis and mosques. The two main markets in Bhopal are the Chowk and New Market.

Mrignayani Emporium and Handicrafts Emporium are two good places for souvenirs hunting and they also stock a good collection of local handicrafts. Women's Co-op Zari Centre, Pir Gate sells bags with some exquisite zari work (rich embroidery done with gold and silver thread) and chiffon sarees.

Bhopal is known for its tussar silks, a combination of cotton and silk which is very flimsy. It is said that Emperor Aurangzeb insisted that his daughter wear seven layers of it! MP State Emporium, GTB Complex, TT Nagar, specializes in chanderi saris and fabrics as well as tussar and other raw silks.

Accommodation

Bhopal is dotted with a number of good hotels which offer world class services to guests. There are a lot of hotels along Hamidia road on which the tourist office is situated. Some of the famous hotels of the city which offer pleasant stay to guests include :

Heritage Hotels : Welcomheritage Noor-Us-Sabah Palace, Jehan Numa Palace and Imperial Sabre.

Standard Hotels : Lake View Ashok, The Residency, Amer Palace, Surendra Vilas, Hotel Palash, Rama International, Ramson's International, Hotel Ranjit, Red Sea Plaza, Hotel Richa, Hotel Sangam, Hotel Shalimar Deluxe, Shimla Palace and Hotel Surya.

Hotels in Bhopal offer well-furnished and comfortable rooms and cater to all kinds of travelers. One can find cheap, medium and high-end accommodation in the hotels across Bhopal.

Some of the prominent hotels in Bhopal are:

Heritage Hotels in Bhopal

Jehan Numa Palace Hotel
Hotel-noor-us-sabah

Four Star Hotels

The Residency Hotel

Three Star Hotels

Hotel Lake View Ashok
Hotel Amer Palace
Arch Manor Hotel
Nisarga Hotel

Other Star Hotels

Hotel Surya

District
Bhopal
STD Code
0755
Topic
Termperature
Summer 25-47°C, Winter 9-24°C
Best time to visit
October to March

Bandhavgarh

Bandhavgarh, also known as the country of white Tigers, is situated among the outlying hills of the Vindhya range. It attracts a large number of tourists to its densely forested area, lush greenery, wilderness and variety of flora. This is a small National Park and the density of the Tiger population is the highest known in India.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fort_Bandhavgarh_National_Park_M…

History

Prior to becoming a National park, the forest around Bandhavgarh had long been maintained as a Shikargah, or game preserve, of the Maharajahs of Rewa. Hunting was carried out by the Maharajahs and their guests - otherwise the wildlife was relatively well-protected.

In 1947, Rewa State was merged with Madhya Pradesh; Bandhavgarh came under the regulation of Madhya Pradesh. The Maharajah of Rewa still retained the hunting rights of Bandhavgarh and no special conservation measures were taken until 1968, when the areas were constituted as a National Park. Since then, numerous steps have been taken to retain Bandhavgarh National Park as an unspoiled natural habitat.

Accessibility

Air: Nearest airport is Jabalpur, which is about 200 km away from Bandhavgarh and the taxi charge is about Rs 3500/-. Jabalpur airport is connected to Delhi and Bhopal. International tourists have to take connection flights from Delhi.

Rail: Nearest railhead is Umaria, which is about 32 km away from the heart of the city. Taxi charge is about Rs 600 for one way travel. Umaria is in the broad gauge link and connected to all major railway junctions.

Road: State owned buses connect to Bandhvagarh from other major cities in the state. Bus services are available from Umaria (32 km) and Gwalior (565 km).

Shopping

There is no scope for shopping in Bandhavgarh.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available in plenty with the majority of the hotels being at Tala at the entrance of the park. The Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge is a 5 minute walk from the park’s gate and has cottages and accommodation to suit the budget traveler. Other options would be Tiger Trail Resort which is situated on an 11 acre plot some 2 kms away and is a very comfortable place to stay. A novel place to stay may be the Tree House Hideaway Resort that have all the rooms fitted with modern amenities. This is perfect place if privacy is what you are looking for.

If you are looking for 5 star comfort, the Taj Hotels group have opened a Safari Lodge Mahua Koti and will provide all the luxury you are looking for.

The Madhya Pradesh Tourist department has a forest lodge in Bandhavgarh; the PWD and the Forest Department also have guest houses within the park, where the accommodation, though not the height of luxury, is adequate. Rooms range from some interesting cabins on stilts to individual cottages.

Things to do

Elephant Safari: Elephant Safari is the most attractive part of an adventurous tour to Bandhavgarh wildlife sanctuary. An exclusive and most exciting elephant safari can bring out all natural beauties of the nature’s most precious gifts fro a close look for the enthusiastic tourists. One can view the entire area of the park over a tamed elephant. The tourist department arranges elephant safaris and early morning elephant safari is worthy to spot tigers.

Sitting on the top of the elephant in a wooden cushioned chair and moving through the undulated hilly terrains viewing the wild animals, rare avian fauna and spectacular plant fauna is really an adventurous experience for any traveler to memorize life long.

District
Umaria District
STD Code
07653
Termperature
Summer 24-48°C, Winter 9-36°C
Best time to visit
Oct - Apr
Famous For
renowned tourist attractions, namely Bandhavgarh Fort and Bandhavgarh National Park

Amarkantak

Amarkantak, also called 'Teerthraj' (the king of pilgrimages), is well known for its religious background and for the holy atmosphere, which is laden with various mythical stories. The place is located at the point where Vindhya and Satpura meet and is regarded as one of the sacred place where the Narmada River, the Sone River and Johila River emerge. The place is not only important as mythical stories and background, but one of the attractive places as the beautiful scenic beauty catches the eyes of the nature lovers.

History

Amarkantak and rivers originating from it do not find mention in Vedic literature, but these have been mentioned in Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Vashishtha samhita and “Shatapatha Brahmana”. After Mahabharata the history of a period of about 3000 years is in dark. Professor Arjun Chaube Kashyap concludes that the Puranic name of Amarkantak was Riksh parvat. About 6000 years back the Suryavanshi samrat Mandhata founded a town in the valley Riksh parvat and named it Mandhata. The queen of samrat Purukutsa, who was son of Mandhata, gave the title of Narmada to the river. Due to occupation of this area by Mandhata the descendants of Yayati moved from this area to west of Madhya Pradesh and settled on the banks of Narmada River.

According to tradition, this Vindhyachal area was included in the Kingdom of Ayodhya, Kapila Muni, Bhrigu Rishi and Markandeya Rishi had ashrams here. It is also said that Pandavas stayed here and gained spiritual benefits during their exile.

After about 3000 years of Mahabharata the Adi Shankarachrya was born in 788 AD and consecrated on the banks of Narmada River. He founded Pataleshwar Mahadev in Amarkantak at the origin of Narmada from the bamboo clumps. This place is known as Surajkund today. There is no bamboo clumps here now.

In more recent history, this area was given in dowry to the Kalachuri King by the Chedi King (10th to 11th century AD). The Kalchuri Maharaja Karnadeva (1042-1072 AD) had constructed temples at Surajkund. In 1808 Amarkantak was ruled by the King of Nagpur and later came under foreign rule. More recently, amarkantak selected by the UPA government as the place for India's first tribal university.

Accessibility

Air: The nearest airport to Amarkantak is at Jabalpur, which is 245 km away from City of Amarkantak. Pre-paid taxi services are available from airport to Amarkantak costing about Rs 3,000 for the journey.

Rail: There are state owned transport buses from Pendra Road, Shahdol and Bilaspur. Amarkantak is connected by buses to Jabalpur (245 km), Rewa (261 km) and Shahdol (67 km).

Road: The nearest railhead to Amarkantak is Pendra Road at a distance of 17 km from the heart of the city. Anuppur at distance of 48 km from Amarkantak is also convenient for the tourists. Taxi charges are Rs 300 from Pendra Road and Rs 600 from Anuppur.

District
Anuppur District
STD Code
07629
Termperature
Summer 22-35°C, Winter 2-20°C
Best time to visit
Throughout the year

Vadodara

State

Vadodara, formerly known as "Baroda", is the third largest city in Gujarat. The city stands on the bank of River Vishwamitri, flanked by a number of graceful buildings like palaces, parks, temples and museums.

In the ancient time, it served as the capital city of Gaekwads, the former rulers of Vadodara. It is a historical city and an erstwhile princely state, which reached its peak of glory back in 19th century. Today the city is an industrial hub of modern India.

History

Vadodara was once called "Chandravati", after its ruler Raja Chandan. The name then changed to "Viravati", (or "Abode of the Brave"), and then subsequently to "Vadpatra" given the abundance of banyan trees on the banks of the Vishwamitri River where the city is locate. "Vadpatra", over time, evolved into Vadodara. The history of Vadodara can be traced back to more than thousand years with the rise and fall Hindu, Pathan, Moghul and Maratha kingdoms. But its prominence grew following the control of the city by the Marathas (from the Mughals) in 1732 when Rao Pilaji expanded his empire northwards into Gujarat. The place remained with the Gaekwads from 1734 to till India's independence.

Accessibility

By Air: Various domestic airlines connecting Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Daman, Pune.

By Rail: Vadodara is on the Western Railways, Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad line.

By Road: Vadodara is 112 km from Ahmedabad and 420 km from Mumbai and is well connected by road.

Getaways
Shopping

Shopping in Baroda will be a pleasure for the art connoisseur because Baroda is the city of artists and painters and the MS University's Fine Arts College holds regular art exhibitions. For shoppers interested in silver jewellery, Raopura, Teen Darwaza and Mandvi offer a range of oxidized silver. One can check out the local Khadi Bhandar center for handicrafts, fabric and readymade handspun cotton clothes.

Camel leather and related arts of embedding pure gold and stone colors, on camel leather and hide vessels are well known here.

As Vadodara is the city of artists and painters, so the shopping in the city will be a pleasant experience for art lovers. Besides artifacts, silver jewellery is another highlight of shopping in Vadodara. Raopura, Teen Darwaza and Mandvi offer a huge range of oxidized silver. You can check out the local Khadi Bhandar centre for fabric, handicrafts and readymade handspun cotton clothes.

Accommodation

Most of the Vadodara's hotels are designed by keeping in mind the business travellers. Here you will find several mid-range hotels and deluxe hotels as well. In Vadodara most of the hotels are grouped in the Sayaji Gunj area just south of the railway station. Some of the famous Vadodara hotels are mentioned below :

Deluxe Hotels : Welcomgroup Vadodara (R.C. Dutt Road)

Standard Hotels : Hotel Express (R.C. Dutt Road), Surya Palace (Sayaji Gunj), Hotel Revival (Sayaji Garden), The Hotel Airport (Harni Road, Opp Airport), Hotel Yuvraj (Near Bus Stand), Hotel Aditi (Sayaji Gunj), Hotel Ambassador (Sayaji Gunj), Hotel Rama Inn (Sayaji Gunj), Hotel Express Alkapuri (Alkapuri) etc.

The hotels in Baroda range from 5 star hotels to government approved hotels. Baroda also offers low-budget accommodation but the low-budget hotels are located on the western part of the city across the River Vishwamitra.Most of the mid-range and top-range hotels are conveniently located near the railway station.

The prominent hotels in Baroda are:

 Taj Residency
 ITC Welcomgroup
 Revival Group Surya Star Hotel

District
Vadodara District
STD Code
0265
Termperature
Summer 26-43°C, Winter 8-33°C
Best time to visit
October to March
Famous For
Vadodara is known for its palaces, museums and parks

Gandhinagar

State

Gandhinagar, situated on the west bank of the Sabarmati River, is the capital city of the state and proudly boasts its identity as one of the few planned city in India. It is the commercial and the cultural hub of the state and looks beautiful with the organized and architectural design. It is known as second planned city in India after Chandigarh. The city is well known for its Educational and Research Institutes.

History

Gandhinagar emerged as the new capital for the state of Gujarat after establishment of the city around 1960s and got an identity of its own when the state of Mumbai was divided into two separate states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Mumbai since then became a part of Maharashtra and Gandhinagar became a part of Gujarat as a state. The city owes it name to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi and boasts of its status as city which held a great importance during the struggle for the nation’s independence. Mahatma Gandhi belonged to this place and the historical background of Gandhinagar proves the point that many national movements which were planned to gain the nation’s freedom started from Gandhinagar.

Accessibility

By Air: The nearest airport is in Ahmedabad and there are regular flights scheduled for all domestic and certain international destinations as well.

By Rail:
both Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad are well connected by railways with all parts of India.

By Road:
There are State as well as private owned bus services that connect Gandhinagar with all parts of Gujarat.

Shopping

Shopping in Gandhinagar is incomplete without the purchase of Khadi clothing. This fiber has an enormous historical significance in the political history of India as Mahatma Gandhi popularized the use of this hand spun fiber to mark a protest against the exorbitant prices charged by the British for their cotton manufactures from Manchester.

Hence, Gandhinagar is a perfect place to buy all clothes made from cotton as well as its derivative fibers. The Shops in Gandhinagar sell a wide variety of cotton articles that range from shirts, trousers, and suits for men as well as sarees, salwars, kurtas for women. All these items can be bought at rates cheaper than most other Cities in Gujarat.

Moreover, the markets of Gandhinagar are also known to sell a host of other articles both of personal use as well as for decoration. The pottery and other handicrafts of this region also deserve a mention.

Accommodation

Gandhinagar offers plenty of accommodation option for tourists. Ranging from luxurry to budget category, the hotels in Gandhinagar provides a pleasant stay to guests. You may also stay in Ahmedabad where you find a wide range of hotels. Some of the famous hotels of Ahmedabad are mentioned below.

Deluxe Hotels : Le Meridien (Khanpur), Hotel Taj Residency Ummed (Hansol), Hotel Cama Park Plaza (Khanpur) and Fortune Hotel Landmark by Welcomgroup (Ashram Road).

Standard Hotels : Hotel Comfort Inn Sunset (Hansol), Inder Residency (Ellisbridge), Quality Inn Rivera (Khanpur), The Chambers (Ellisbridge), The Westend (Ellisbridge), Hotel Fortune.

District
Gandhinagar
STD Code
079
Termperature
Summer 22-40°C, Winter 10-22°C
Best time to visit
October to March

Dwarka

State

Dwarka, also known as the kingdom of Lord Krishna, is located on the western most tip of Saurastra and is one of four most holy pilgrimage sites (Chardham) of Hindu faith and is associated with Lord Krishna’s life. The place is close to the edge of the Kutch peninsula near the shores of the Arabian sea, the city of Dwarka is built on the right bank of the Gamut creek. The city is regarded as one of the seven oldest cities in India.

History

Dwarka called as Dwarawati or Kushasthali in Puranic times, is deeply associated with Lord Krishna, who developed his kingdom here, after he left Mathura with his followers. During Lord Krishna's time, Dwarka was called as Swarnadwarka. There are many legends connected with Dwarka. It is said that original Dwarka, that is believed to be built by Vishwakarma, where Lord Krishna spent 100 years, was destructed by the sea when the Lord Krishna finally abandoned his body and the city in due course was submerged by the sea, devastating the entire Yadava clan.

Present Dwarka, the gateway to western India, is the 7th city built with stone and brick on the edge of the Kutchh peninsula, facing the Arabian Sea. Dwarka extended up to Bet Dwaraka (Sankhodhara) in the north, Okhamadhi in the south and Pindara in the East. The earlier cities were buried under the sea and have been revealed by marine archaeological excavations.

Along with Joshimath (Uttarakhand), Sringeri (Karnataka), and Puri (Orissa), Dwarka is one of the four Mathas or Sharada peethas (centres for the practice of an ascetic form of Hinduism) established by the great Indian Saint and Philosopher Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century AD.

Accessibility

By Air: The closest domestic airport to Dwarka is located at Jamnagar, which is about 137 km away.

By Rail:
Dwarka railway station in the Ahmedabad - Okha rail route is connected to other major railway stations.

By Road: Gujrat state road transport buses connect Dwarka with all major cities in the state. Luxury coach tourist buses are also available from nearby cities to Dwarka. A superb state highway joins Dwarka.

Getaways
Shopping

Shopping is an inevitable pastime in this historic city. A variety of shops that supplies excellent Gujarati artifacts on a comparatively good price would be the sweet remainders of your trip.

Beautiful Patola sarees are a must among the buys while Shopping in Dwarka. Exuding the essence of rich Gujarati folk culture, the Bandhni form of embroidery is a treat to the eye. Bandhni works in sarees, Ghagra cholis, dress materials, handicraft items, showpieces and accessories in a rich demonstration of life and liveliness. The mirror works coupled with a dazzle of sequins shells and beads in fabrics, footwear and home accessories like bed covers and home linen, add a new dimensions to the shoppers' list. Ornaments or any showpieces made out of silver is another interesting buy in Dwarka.

The narrow street leading to the temples is lined on both the sides by vendors selling seashells, local crafts, photos of deities, cassettes, coconuts and other refreshments. The pilgrims engage in bargains after paying obeisance to the deities in an atmosphere of tranquility on this windy island.

Accommodation

Hotels in Dwarka can be classified into lower, middle and upper class budget hotels. They provide you with comfortable rooms and a fine dining experience. Moreover the other facilities and customer centric behavior of the hotel staff goes a long way in making your stay memorable and worthwhile.

Most of these hotels are located in close proximity to the airport and near the tourist spots so that it becomes easily accessible to the tourists. Hotels in Dwarka offers you good dining facilities too. Most of the hotels here has an onsite restaurant and the very few that doesn’t have an in house restaurant have nearby eating access and restaurants. The restaurant provides you both vegetarian and non vegetarian items. However special vegetarian foods are prepared for the many pilgrims who throng this holy site.

There are many dharamshalas and guest houses in the outskirts of the hotel which provides you with clean rooms and wholesome dining facilities at a reasonable rate.

Hotel Damji

Shivrajsinh Road,
Near Dwarkadhish Temple
Dwarka: 361335
Tel/Fax: [02892] 235777, 234700, 234000

Hotel Dwarkesh

Opposite Swaminarayan Mandir
Dwarka - 361 335
Gujarat

Toran Tourist Bungalow

Close to Circuit House
Hospital Road, Dwarka
Jamnagar
Gujarat
India

Darshan Hotel

Jawahar Road
Near Old Bus Stand, Dwarka
Gujarat
India

Hotel Dwarka Residency

Near ISKCON Gate, Dwarka
Tel.: 235032/33, 9426208910

Guruprerna Hotel

Near The Temple
Ravel Talao, Dwarka
Gujarat - 361335
India

Hotel City Palace

Jawahar Road, Teen Batti Chowk,
Dwarka - 361335
Tel: + 91 - 2892 234312

District
Jamnagar
STD Code
02692
Termperature
Summer 23-44°C, Winter 10-36°C
Best time to visit
October to March

Ahmedabad

State

Ahmedabad, often described as the Manchester of the East being the textile city of the state, is the largest city located on the banks of the river Sabarmati. It is a city with mix of rich tradition and modern feel, famous for the Navaratri festival and ‘Uttarayan’ (an annual kite-flying festival on Makar Sankranti). It provides a unique blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture; the Ahmedabad city is mainly divided into two parts, the old city, and new city, where the old city is narrow and crowded, the new city is well planned with its huge buildings and well-structured, wide roads.

This place is also famous for its rich association with the Indian Freedom Movement and the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.

Image Credit:

History

Ahmedabad was named after Sultan Ahmed Shah, the erstwhile ruler of Medieval Gujarat, who built the city in 1411 AD. In 1572, Emperor Akbar seized it and assimilated it within the great Mughal Empire. It became an important business center during the Mughal period until the death of Aurangzeb in 1707, after which the city again began to decline. The British seized it in 1818 and set up a number of textile mills here. It became the temporary capital of the state of Gujarat from 1960 to 1970.

Accessibility

By Air: Ahmedabad Airport is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, which is about 14 km from the heart of the city and is connected with all major cities in India and also with many cities in abroad.

By Rail: Ahmedabad railway station is connected to many major cities including Mumbai and Delhi.

By Road: The closest metro is Mumbai and everyday deluxe bus services are available from Mumbai and also from all major cities in Gujarat.

Shopping

Shopping in Ahmedabad is fun wandering through this city of fabrics and curios with a strong old world charm. Premier shopping areas in Ahmedabad are C.G.Road, Ashram Road, Law Garden, and Relief Road. The Khadi Gram Udyog Emporiums, Hastkala, Kapasi Handicrafts Emporium, Saurashtra Emporium, and Bandhej are some of the places where one can get cotton garments, handicrafts, and curios. Gurjari, the Gujarat State Crafts Emporium, has some of the best products not only from Ahmedabad but also from Gujarat. Teen Darwaja in old city, once a great place for antique, will be a fascinating shopping experience if one has the time and inclination for bargaining.

Accommodation

Ahmedabad is dotted with a variety of hotels ranging from five star deluxe to standard hotels. Hotels in Ahmedabad are equipped with all the modern amenities and they offer pleasant stay to guests. In fact, when you stay in the hotels of the city you will feel yourself at home. Here is a list of some of the hotels that a located in Ahmedabad.

Deluxe Hotels : Le Meridien (Khanpur), Hotel Taj Residency Ummed (Hansol), Hotel Cama Park Plaza (Khanpur) and Fortune Hotel Landmark by Welcomgroup (Ashram Road).

Standard Hotels : Hotel Comfort Inn Sunset (Hansol), Inder Residency (Ellisbridge), Quality Inn Rivera (Khanpur), The Chambers (Ellisbridge), The Westend (Ellisbridge), Hotel Fortune.

The historic city of Ahmedabad has a wide range of hotels, offering modern facilities with a traditional hospitality. Shopping in Ahmedabad can be a fascinating experience, as one will be dazzled by the array of exquisite handicrafts of Gujarat. Ahmedabad is famous for its association with Mahatma Gandhi whose simple Sabarmati Ashram here on the banks of River Sabarmati is the center of national pilgrimage.

Some of the prominent hotels in Ahmedabad where you can stay comfortably while enjoying the sights of this city are:

Five Star Hotels

Holiday Inn Ahmedabad
Taj Residency Ummed
First Class Hotels
Cama Park Plaza
Comfort Inn Sunset

Budget Hotels

Hotel Nest
Hotel President

District
Ahmedabad
STD Code
079
Termperature
Summers 23-44°C, Winters 10-36°C
Best time to visit
October to March

Imphal

State

Imphal, also known as the "land of jewels", is a small and beautiful picturesque city lies in the valley of Manipur river and is surrounded by the northeastern hills and vast plains. This small city has witnessed some of the most important battles in Indian history with recent ones being one fought in world war II and the other one being fought between independent India and China.

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History

Imphal was founded in the first century AD. The history of Manipur starts with the invasions of Burma in 900 AD which was settled after a treaty signed by Raja Jai Singh in 1826.After this Manipur became a part of India. But however again there was confusion in the succession of the throne which was settled with the intervention of the British. Only on 21st January 1972 Manipur became a Union Territory. The Nagas occupy the hilly areas of the state whereas the Meiteis occupy the valleys.

Accessibility

Air

Indian Airlines flights connect Imphal with Delhi via Guwahati. Imphal is also connected with Calcutta via Agartala and Silchar by Indian flights.

Rail

The nearest railhead is Dimapur-215 km.

Road

Motorable roads connect Imphal with Agartala, Aizwal, Dimapur, Guwahati, Itanagar, Kaziranga, Kohima, Shillong. Nagaland and Manipur State Transport also runs semi-luxury bus daily from Dimapur to Imphal (9 hrs).

Shopping

Khwairamband, located in the city centre is known for its hand-woven shawls to skirts, handicraft goods, vessels, fabrics, accessories, which include jewelry and shoes primarily. The other most important feature is that it is a bazaar run exclusively by women.

Manipur Handlooms & Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd in Paona Bazaar - Handloom and handicraft items.

Kangla Emporium and the Eastern Handlooms & Handicrafts - Textiles

The Moreh Market, India-Myanmar border - imported goods and local products.

Other famous item which can be shopped here includes exotic shawls like Hauphee, the Tangkhul scarf, the most popular Moirangphee and Manipuri Dolls.

Like all the states of north-east, Manipuri crafts and handlooms are very attractive. It is worth mentionable that the Khwairamband Bazaar of Imphal is probably the only place in India run exclusively by women. Tribal women in colourful, traditional attire sell everything from hand-woven shawls to skirts, vessels, mugs, mats, fish and oranges.

Women's Market or Ima Keithel: Cacophony, bargain of products and a spread of a beautiful and colourful cloth is what you would most notice when you visit this market place. But, this is the charm of the place, if a person wants to know how the trade goes in Manipur, this is the first place to buy. The bazar consist of two main sections -one where the vegetables, fruits and necessary items are sold and the other where the handloom products of the state is sold. The peculiarity of the market is that around 3000 'Imas' or mothers run the stalls.

Khwairamband Bazar: Famous for the colourful handmade items of Manipur, Khwairamband Bazaar of the state is located in the capital city of Imphal. This bazaar is ruled by Manipuri women. There are around 3000 women who run the shops of the market. These women are called Imas, meaning mothers. The bazaar is also known as Nupi Keithel and Ima Bazaar deriving its name from the women who run it. The market area is spread on both sides of the Khwairamband Road. One side of the market is dedicated to the wonderful handloom items which are very popular among tourists. The other side of the market is full of vegetables, fruits and fishes. Other items found in this market are cosmetics, household utensils and beautiful jewellery. Various types of handicrafts such as shawls, bedsheets and Manipuri dresses can be bought from this market. Plaited Osiers are one of the famous handicrafts of Manipur.

Khwairamband is a unique market located not very far from Red Hill. It is one of the popular tourist destinations divided into two sections. One of the sections is dotted with the stalls of vegetables, fruits, fish and household groceries. The other part is full of shops selling amazing handlooms, handicrafts and jewellery. Once you are done with this market you can visit the nearby street which is famous for its wickerwork.

Accommodation

There are a number of government approved hotels and tourist lodges offering comfortable accommodation in Manipur. Private hotels are abound that provide modern amenities.

1.The Classic Hotel
North A.O.C, Imphal
Imphal, Manipur 795001
0385 2443969

2. Anand Continental Hotel
Thangal Bazaar
Khoyathong Road, Imphal, Manipur
0385 2449422

3.HOTEL BHEIGO
Keisampat Waheng Leikai Road,
Imphal
0385 220944

4.HOTEL KRISHTINA
Pologround Road Near ICTV Office T
0385 445255

5.Hotel Prince,
Thangal Bazar,
0385 223136/224010

6.Hotel Nirmala
Kangla
Imphal, Imphal East, Manipur
0385 229014

District
Imphal West
STD Code
0751
Topic
Termperature
Summer 20-25°C, Winter 6-15°C
Best time to visit
October to March

Srinagar

Srinagar, also known as "Paradise on Earth", is located in the heart of the Kashmir valley and lies on the banks of the Jhelum River (a tributary of the Indus) and is famous for its lakes and houseboats. It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dry fruits. The city is famous for its surrounding natural beauty, interspersed with greenery, lakes and hillocks: Hari Parbat and the Shankar Acharya hills lie on either side of the city.

Srinagar is also the venue for trekking and hiking. The most popular trekking route from Srinagar is to the sacred Amarnath cave.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenchik/249084507/in/set-72157604258525689
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenchik/249083977/in/set-72157604258525689

History

Srinagar got its name from the two Sanskrit words, ‘sri’ meaning wealth and abundance and ‘nagar’ meaning place. Legend has it that a Hindu sage, Kashyapa, drained the water in the lake to make the Kashmir valley.
According to documented history, in the 3rd century BC, the Kashmir valley was part of the Mauryan Empire. Later on it came under the rule of the Kushans, around 1st century AD, and then in the 6th century, it became part of the kingdom of Vikramaditya, the ruler of Ujjain and stayed under the Hindu rule until the 14th century. Later it was invaded by the Mughals and stayed as part of their empire until it was taken over by the Pathans. In 1814, Ranjit Singh of the Sikh empire, defeated the Pathans, and was later defeated by the British. The British appointed Gulab Singh as the independent ruler of Kashmir. In 1948, Hari Singh, the great grandson of Gulab Singh, merged the state of Kashmir with India.

Accessibility

Air: Srinagar domestic airport is connected with many airports in major cities in India. Regular flights are operated between Srinagar and Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Shimla. International travelers get the connecting flights from Delhi International airport, which is at a distance of 876 km from Srinagar.

Rail: Jammu is the nearest railway station to Srinagar, which is at a distance of 290 km. Jammu railway station is well connected to all major cities in India by rail. Direct train services are available from Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore and Trivandrum. Taxi services are available from Jammu to Srinagar and the fare is about Rs 6000.

Road: National Highway 1-A, connecting Srinagar with Jammu, is a good, all weather road, with several sharp inclines and hairpin bends. It is maintained by the Border Roads Organization (BRO), which clears the road of any obstructions. The famous Jawahar Tunnel that connects Jammu with the Kashmir Valley across the Pir Panjal range. Super deluxe, A-class, B-class busses are operated by J&K SRTC as well as other transport agencies. It is also possible to travel by taxi from Jammu to Srinagar. For those wishing to travel to Srinagar by a private car from Jammu, there are several places en route which have been developed for the convenience of the motorist all having tourist bungalows and provisions for meals, snacks, petrol pumps and repairs.

Shopping

If you are in Srinagar and you don't shop for the Kashmir handicrafts it seems as bizarre as visiting Agra and not seeing Taj. In Srinagar you can shop for Kashmir art at any place from the famous handicraft showrooms to the street vendors around Boulevard Road and there are also Shikarawallas who sell the handicraft items. The Pashmina shawls, woolen blankets, silken carpets, embroidered suits and saris, zari embroidered traditional Kashmir pherans, shawls and suits and wood craft and paper machie items are the most looked for items in the city. The other things that are famous of Kashmir are dried fruits, honey and saffron. This paradise is waiting for you, come and enjoy the fruits of heaven and shop for the handicrafts in Kashmir and it will be the best souvenir you will take to your home.

Srinagar is known for rich tradition of handicrafts and handlooms. While shopping in Srinagar some of the must buy include hand-woven silk fabric, carpets, and Kashmiri shawls with intricate embroidery work. Other famous items are Brass and Silverware, willow baskets, artifacts made of papier-mâché and woolen garments, traditional crafts that include cane and bamboo work, metal-crafts etc. Lal Chowk, Badshah Chowk and Polo View area are popular markets of Srinagar. There are a number of Government Handicraft Emporiums scattered around the Srinagar city, but the main one is housed in the fine old British Residency building by the Bund. The flashiest shops are located along the Boulevard by Dal Lake. Bund also has some big shops including 'Suffering Moses' with high quality goods.

Accommodation

In Srinagar you have two type of accommodation options. You can either stay in a hotel or in a houseboat. Srinagar has around 1,000 houseboats of different categories and the charges include meals and crossings to and from the nearest jetty. J & K Tourism Department has categorized the houseboats according to the facilities offered. The highest category is Deluxe and the lowest category is D grade. Each grade has fixed charges that includes all three meals. Hotels of Srinagar also provide comfortable and pleasant stay to guests, some of the famous hotels are :

Heritage Hotels : Grand Palace Inter-Continental (Gupkar Road)

Deluxe Hotels : Hotel Broadway (Maulana Azad Road), Shah Abbas Hotel (Boulevard), Ahdoos Hotel and Hotel Imperial Lake View.

Standard Hotels : Hotel Zabarvan, Hotel Welcome, Lake Side Hotel and Hotel Akbar.

Attractions

Shikaras : Shikaras are the long boats which crowd most of the lakes in Srinagar. They are used for getting back and forth from the houseboats or for longer tours. Officially there is a standard fare for every trip around the lakes and the charges are predominantly posted at the main landings (ghats). Shikara ride is once in a lifetime experience and it is very popular among the tourists. While you are on shikara ride, try paddling the shikara yourself sometime, it is nowhere near as easy as it look. You will spend lots of time going round in circles.

Things to do

Canoeing & Water Skiing: Kashmir has many lakes - Dal, Nagin, Mansbal and Wular. These are excellent spots for canoeing - whether it is a Shikara or a racing skull. No OIIC has tried canoe-ing in these lakes so far. These lakes are inter-connected as also the river Jhelum which flows through the entire length of the valley and connects with all the lakes. An interesting sport is what is locally called 'Water Trekking'. One can have a three to four day trip along the river to various lakes in a Shikara with all the camping gear. There are lovely spots to camp for the night. The lakes are also famous for water skiing.

Shikara Ride: If you like to have some fun and adventure while touring Srinagar, opt for a Shikara ride. Srinagar attracts many tourists with one important reason, the renowned Shikara rides, especially in enchanting Dal Lake. This is marvelous, enjoyable and unforgettable.

Many Shikara circuits are available which suit any tourist. Don't forget to capture the superb beauty around the Lake by taking relaxed holidays on a Shikara in one of the circuit from Nehru Park past Hazratbal, Nagin, Rainawari and back.

The cost is reasonable, a ride to Char Minar and back on Dal Lake costs about Rs 300/- for four people.

District
Srinagar District
STD Code
0194
Best time to visit
March to October