Bangalore Travel Trip Planner

Though a modern, bustling city and an important industrial centre, Bangalore remains one of India’s most pleasant cities. The central area is studded with beautifully laid out parks and gardens, wide tree-lined avenues, imposing buildings and lovely bazaars. Situated 1000 metres above sea level an with a very pleasant climate, it’s a city where people form all over India and abroad have come to look for work, business opportunities and higher education. It’s to Bangalore that many of the multinationals establishing themselves in India are attracted. It is said that Bangalore that many of the multinationals establishing themselves in India are attracted. It is said that Bangalore is the fastest growing city in Asia, and is definitely India’s yuppie heaven.

History
Now the capital of Karnataka state, Bangalore was founded by Kempegowda in the early 16th century and became an important fortress city under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan two centuries later, though little remains from this period except the Lalbagh Botanical Garden.

Vidhana Soudha
Located at the North-west end of Cubbon Park, this is one of Bangalore’s, and indeed one of India’s, most spectacular buildings. Built in 1954, it is constructed of granite in the neo-Dravidian style of architecture and houses both the Secretariat and the State Legislature. The Cabinet room is famous for its massive door made of pure sandalwood. The building is floodlit on Sunday evenings and on public holidays; however, it is not open to the public.

Cubbon Park & Museums
One of the main ‘lungs’ of the city, this beautiful shady park, full of flowering trees, covers120 hectares and was laid out in 1864. In it are the red Gothic buildings which house the Public Library, the High Court, the Government Museum and the Technological & Industrial Museum. Also in the gardens is a huge Children’s park where, in a reversal of the usual roles, adults are not allowed in unless accompanied by children.

The Government Museum, one of the oldest in India, was established in 1886 and houses collections on geology, art, numismatics and relics, from Mohenjodaro (one of the cradles of Indian civilization, dating back 5000 years). There are also some good pieces form Halebid and Vijayanagar.
The Technological & Industrial Museum, also on Kasturba Rd, is adjacent to the Government Museum.

Lalbagh Botanical Gardens
This beautiful and popular park in the southern suburbs of Bangalore covers 96 hectares and was laid out in the 18th century by Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan. It contains many centuries-old trees (most of them labelled), lakes, lotus ponds, flower beds and one of India’s largest collections of rare tropical and subtropical plants. Refreshment is available within the park, and selected seeds and plants are sold here each morning.

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Fort
Located close to the City Market, this was originally a mud-brick structure built in 1537 by Kempegowda. In the 18th century it was rebuilt in stone by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, but much of it was destroyed during the wars with the British.

Tipu Sultan’s Palace
This wooden palace, south-west of the City Market, was begun by Tipu Sultan’s father, Hyder Ali, and completed by Tipu in 1791. It resembles the Daria Daulat Bagh at Srirangapatnam near Mysore, but has been sadly neglected and is falling into disrepair. You may find the temple next to it of greater interest.

Bull Temple
Situated on Bugle Hill at the end of Bull Temple Rd, this is one of Bangalore’s oldest temple. Built by Kempegowda in the Dravidian style in the 16th century, it contains a huge monolith of Nandi similar to the one on Chamundi Hill, Mysore. Non –Hindus are allowed to enter and the priests are friendly.

Other Attractions
The remains of the four Watchtowers built by Kempegowda are about 400 metres west of the Bull Temple and worth a visit if you’re in the area. Ulsoor Lake, north –east of Cubbon Park, has boating facilities and a dirty swimming pool.

Places to Stay
THE TAJ WEST END, (Government Approved) 5 Star
HOTEL ASHOK, (Government Approved) 5 Star
LE MERIDIEN, (Government Approved) 5 Star
TAJ RESIDENCY, (Government Approved) 5 Star
WELCOME GROUP WINDSOR MANOR SHERATON & TOWERS, (Government Approved) 5 Star
GATEWAY HOTEL ON RESIDENCY ROAD, (Government Approved) 4 Star
ST, MARK’S HOTEL, (Government Approved) 4 Star
THE PARK KENSINGTON TERRACE, (Government Approved) 4 Star
ASHRAYA INTERNATIONAL, (Government Approved) 3 Star
HOTEL SAMRAT RESIDENCY, (Government Approved) 3 Star
NAHAR’S HERITAGE HOTEL, (Government Approved) 3 Star
RAMANASHREE CALIFORNIA CLUB & RESORT, (Government Approved) 3 Star
SOUVEREIGN THE HERITAGE HOTEL, (Government Approved) 3 Star
THE CENTRAL PARK, (Government Approved) 3 Star

Around Bangalore
Whitefields Ashram
About 16 km east of Bangalore, Whitefields is the summer ashram of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. His main ashram, Puttaparthi, is in neighboring Andhra Pradesh.

Nrityagram
This dance village, 30 km north-west of Bangalore off the Tumkur Rd, was established in the early 1990s to revive Indian classical dance and ancient martial arts. Under the auspices of well –known Orissi dancer, Protima Gauri (formerly Protima Bedi – she changed her name when she set up here as ‘bedi’ means ‘loose motion’ in Kannada), it offers the long –term study of classical dance and its allied subjects, such as philosophy, music, mythology and paintings, as well as creative choreography. The village, designed by the award-winning Goan architect, Gerard Da Cunha, welcomes and accommodates guests

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Himachal Travel Trip Planner

Places to visit in Himachal Pradesh : Shimla, Kufri Valley, Kullu, Manali, Kangra Valley, Chamba, Dalhousie, Khajjiar

City Info
In 1996 it came into existence with the partition of Punjab and Haryana.The land of eternal snow peaks - takes in the transition zone from the plains to the high Himalayan and in the trans-Himalayan region of Lahaul and Spiti, actually crosses that mighty barrier to the Tibetan plateau. It includes Shimla, the 'Summer Capital' of British India and the Kullu Valley, which is very beautiful with snow-capped Himalayan peaks and lush and green valley with the sparkling Beas river.

Sight Seeing: Shimla, Kullu, Manali, Dalhousie, Dharamshala, Kasauli, Renukaji, Barog, Chail, Chamba, Bilaspur, Sarahan, Kamru Fort, Khajjiar, Kimonastery, Kinnaur, Pabbar Valley, Lakes, Trekking and Kangra Valley.

Shimla: Named after it's patron Goddess, Shamla Devi, it is located at an altitude of 7,267 feet. It was the most important British Hill Resort. Shimla is a pleasant, sprawling town, set among cool pine clad hills with plenty of crumbling colonial charm. One can enjoy the superb sights of the valleys and lofty peaks of the great Himalayan range while being caressed by the cool air.

Sight Seeing: State Rashtrapati Niwas, State Museum, Jakhu Temple, Summer Hill, Chadwick Fall, Prospects Hill, Sankat Mochan, Tara Devi, Wind Flower Hall and Kufri Valley.

Kufri Valley: The tiny hill station, 16 kms. from Shimla, located in the southern part of Himachal Pradesh is famous for its trekking and hiking trails.

Sight Seeing: Fagu, which is 6 km from Kufri, is an interesting picnic spot set amongst forests and orchards. The winter festival is also an occasion to experience the heights of adventure and thrill of skiing.

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Kullu: Kullu, was once known as Kulanthpitha - "The end of the habitable world". Located on the banks of the beas river, the Silver Valley is an untouched treasure trove of natural beauty, luscious fruits, flowers, charming brooks, lush valleys with white mountains forming this mind blowing beautiful region.

Sight Seeing: Mandi, Rewalsar Lake, Naggar Castle, Jaganathi Temple, Kasidhar, Kasol, Manikarna and Shoja.

Manali: Manali means 'Home of Manu'. Legend has it that Manu stepped off a boat in Manali, to recreate human life after floods had destroyed the world. One of the most popular places for honeymooners, It is a pleasant town with lovely forests and orchards nearby for hiking.

Sight Seeing: Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, Dhungri Temple, Solang Nullah, Rohalla Falls, Rohtang Pass, Beas Kund, Jagatsukh and Tibetan Monastery.

Kangra Valley: One of Himachal's beautiful valleys, it rolls down the southern edge of magnificent Dhauladhar Range in gentle slopes covered with forest of pine, orchards, green tea gardens and terraced fields. The entire district has forts and temples most of them were built by the Rajput warrior tribes. There is a charming Tibetan Settlement in Mc Leodganj, with bustling bazaars. Mc Leodganj is now a major centre for Tibetan Culture.

Chamba: It was around 930 AD that Sahi Varma of a Rajput Clan, shifted the capital of the Kingdom, Brahmapura to Chamba at the behest of Champavati, his daughter after whom the town is named. Among the most interesting objects in Chamba are a number of richly carved ancient temples. The most striking of these are the six temples lying in a row near the palace. Three of these are dedicated to Vishnu and the remaining to Siva.

Sight Seeing: Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Chaugan, Hari Rai Temple, Bhuri Singh Museum, Khajjiar, Bhandal Valley, Sarol and Killar.

Dalhousie: Dalhousie exudes old world charm named after the famous British Governor General Lord Dalhousie. It lies on the outer slopes of the Dhaula Dhar Range of the Himalayas. It has a lush cover of towering pines, deodars, oaks and the beautiful rhododendron plants. It is the gateway to Chamba - the valley of milk, honey, spring and streams.

Sight Seeing: Subhash Baoli, Bara Pathar, Klatope.

Khajjiar: Khajjiar is among the 160 locations in the world that bear topographical resemblance with Switzerland. In 1992, Mr. Willy T. Blazer, Vice Counselor and head of Chancery of Switzerland in India, brought Khajjiar on the world tourism map by christening it "Mini Switzerland". The counselor also took from Khajjiar a stone, which will form part of a stone collage around the Swiss Parliament to remind the visitors of Khajjiar as Mini Switzerland of India. Khajjiar is embedded beneath a dense pine forest, surrounded by high mountains and fringed by gigantic deodars. Along its fringes, amidst the thick forests above the woods and in the center of the glade, is a small lake fed by streams that traverse the green carpet.

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Uttaranchal Travel Trip Planner

Travel to the 26th state of the Indian Union, Uttaranchal, etched out from 14 hilly districts of Uttar Pradesh. visit the Kumaon and Garhwal divisions of the hill state on Uttaranchal. Also known as the 'Devabhoomi' or the 'Land of the Gods', Uttaranchal founds mention in ancient scriptures such as Vedas and Mahabharata. According to Hindu mythology, the Tortoise incarnation or the 'Kurma Avatar' of Lord Vishnu took place in the hills of Kurmanchal in the Kumaon Division. On Uttaranchal Travel, you will find the great diversity of the region where snow-clad mountains, green hills, fertile valleys, flowing rivers and thriving lakes add to the natural beauty. The popular hill stations of Uttaranchal are Nainital, Bhimtal, Almora, Ranikhet, Pithoragarh, Munsiyari, Mussorie, Chopta, Valley of Flowers, Joshimath and Lansdowne. For unlimited serenity and tranquility in pleasant pollution free environs, hill station on Uttaranchal Travel are ideal for vacations. To enhance the attractiveness of the region are the several natural lakes in the region, which are the center of attraction of the town and good for sporting activities.

Since Uttaranchal is known as the Abode of the gods, there are several highly venerated pilgrimage places. The tourists must visit Kedarnath, Badrinath, Henmkund Sahib, Ganotri, Yamunotri, Jageshwar, Bageshwar, Rishikesh and Haridwar for their religious importance on Uttaranchal Travel. Each hilltop or bent is known to have a temple, big or small, which are considered very sacred by the locals.

Uttaranchal is ideal for several adventure sports activities because of its geographical attributes. While on Uttaranchal Travel, the tourist must take the maximum pleasure out of adventure sports like trekking, ice-skiing, white water rafting, sailing, boating, kayaking, canoeing, yachting, water-skiing and parasailing. To climb the big mountain stretch or to pass the dense jungles of the hills is in itself very exciting. The huge water-filled rivers and deep lakes are perfect for water sports.

Tourists also prefer to go on Uttaranchal Travel to visit the abundant wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the state. While you are on a visit to Uttaranchal, make sure to visit the Valley of Flower National Park, Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuaries, Nanda Devi National Park, Govind National Park, Assan Barrage National Park, Rajaji National Park and Corbett National Park.

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