Tourism in india

Lal Bagh is a must see while visiting Bangalore. The name Lal Bagh has been given to it for the wonderfully bloomed red roses that remain blooming all through the year in this garden. The garden has also a collection of famous Botanical species. Though the flow of visitors to the park is a regular affair, the garden gets a festive look during the Republic Day and on the days of flower shows that are held here.

Vidhan Soudha, built in the year 1954 is one of the major centres of attraction in Bangalore. The architecture of the building is based on the neo Dravidian style and it presently houses the Legislative Assembly of the state of Karnataka. The building also houses a part of the Karnataka secretariat.

Situated in the heart of the Bangalore city, the Cubbon Park is an interesting tourist spot which one should not miss out. The park was laid by Lord Cubbon in the year 1864. It is spread over an area of about 300 acres and the layout is absolutely exquisite.

Built in the year 1887, Bangalore palace is a must see tourist spot in the garden city. The architecture of the palace is based on the Tudor style. The palace is situated in the middle of the Bangalore city making it easily accessible for the tourists. Covering an area of about 800 acres, the palace gives a look of the Windsor Palace of England.

Venkatappa art gallery is a pleasant treat for the art lovers. It has about 600 paintings on display that you can see all through the year. The art gallery also has some of the exclusive collections of scenic displays.

The palace and the fort of Tipu Sultan are the must see spot in Bangalore. The architecture, the layout and the overall look of the palace gives you the idea of the ethnic Mughal lifestyle. The fort and its remains present the history of the era in which it was built. The construction of the Tipu palace was started by Haider Ali and completed by Tipu Sultan himself.

Among the other places to visit, the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium is a must see. Visiting any of the shows here gives you a good view as well as factual knowledge on astronomy. Easily accessible from any corner of the city, the planetarium hosts daily shows of astronomy. It is a fascinating experience for the children.

The gigantic image of the celestial bull, Nandi, which stands at 4.57 meters. in height, is a classic example of Dravidian architecture. A yearly festival to celebrate the harvesting of peanuts, (Kallekai parse) is held here during the month of Nov-Dec. which attracts large crowds from all over the state.

A huge monolithic statue of Gapnapati, which attracts thousands of devotees every day. One of the oldest temples of Bangalore.

This rock stands as a mute witness to the bygone era of the founder of Bangalore, when it served as the watchtower and incase of any attack, a bugle call from here alerted the inhabitants of the town.

A unique phenomenon of this cave temple is the sunlight passes through the horns of the bull to light up the Gavi Ganagadareshwara idol on the day of Makara Sankranthi i.e. January 14th or 15th every year.

Near the Charminar stand four magnificent arches called Char Kaman, which served as the gateway to the Zilu Khana (ante chamber) of the royal palace and are named Machli Kaman, Kali Kaman, Sher Gil Ki Kaman and Char Minar ki Kaman. The Char-su-ka-hauz, a cistern with a fountain in the center of the arches is now called Gulzar Hauz. The royal residential palaces stood around the Charminar. Of the Qutb Shahi royal palaces in Hyderabad nothing of importance has survived; not even the Qutb Mandir, the pleasure of which admitted only Muhammad Quli and his female companions. The gardens have simply vanished. The mosques have been however spared.

Near the Charminar stands the Mecca Masjid, begun by Muhammad Qutb Shah in 1617 and completed by Quranzeb in 1693. It is a grand edifice with a huge courtyard which can accommodate nearly ten thousand men at prayer. Tavernier has provided a graphic description of the mammoth boulders cut to size and carted for use in the building of the mosque. The minarets look rather stunted in comparison with the grandeur of the whole massive structure. But it looks more Mughal then Qutb Shahi in its perfect granite finish and vast courtyard. A particular stone brick in the mihrab is believed to have been brought from Mecca. Other Mosques - The other two mosques--the Jami Masjid and the Toli Masjid-are small and modest structures.

Muhammad Quli Shah built the Jami Masjid in 1592, after founding Hyderabad. Musa Khan, a supervisor of works at the Mecca Masjid, levied a damri for every rupee spent on the building of the Mecca Masjid. With these collections he built the Toli Masjid, near the Purana Pul. Two buildings, the Badshahi Ashur Khana and Darul Shifa-built in 1594-are much dilapidated and in need of large scale repair.

The city straddles the Musi river which, in 1908, had caused much destruction by flooding the city. Under the supervision of India's greatest engineer Sir M.Vishweshvarayya, two large reservoirs, Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar were constructed to save the city from devastation by floods in the future.

Nehru Zoological Park: This sprawling zoo follows the open plan model and ensures the animals are seen in naturalistic surroundings. The crocodile hatchery and lion safari are prime attractions.

Salar Jung Museum: is one of the most visited places in the city. With a collection of fine art, tapestries, jade artifacts, weaponry and sculpture, it is well worth seeing. The clock in the courtyard that has little figures that appear every hour is a favourite of children.

Hyderabad is one of the first cities in India to have an IMAX movie theatre. It is situated near the Hussain Sagar Lake.

Alappuzha is a Land Mark between the broad Arabian sea and a net work of rivers flowing into it. In the early first decade of the 20th Century the then Viceroy of the Indian Empire, Lord Curzon made a visit in the State to Alleppey now Alappuzha. Fascinated by the Scenic beauty of the place, in joy and amazement, he said, "Here nature has spent up on the land her richest bounties". In his exhilaration, it is said, he exclaimed, "Alleppey, the Venice of the East". Thus the sobriquet found its place in the world Tourism Map. The presence of a port and a pier, criss -cross roads and numerous bridges across them, a long and unbroken sea coast might have motivated him to make this comparison.

Ernakulam is the green commercial capital of Kerala with one of the finest natural harbours in the world. From here, ships set sail for foreign ports with pepper, sea food, rubber and coir. From times immemorial, Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British and Portuguese seafarers followed the sea route to Cochin and left their impression in the town. The harbour is the nucleus around which Cochin has grown to become the Queen of the Arabian Sea.

This beautiful High range district of Kerala is geographically known for its Mountainous Hills and Dense Forests. For the people of Kerala, Idukki is always associated with Power Generation. About 66% of the State's Power needs come from the Hydroelectric Power Projects in Idukki. Idukki accounts for 12.9 percent of the area of Kerala and only 3.7 percent of the population of Kerala. About 50% of its area is Reserved Forests.

Kannur district derived its name from the location of its headquarters at Kannur town. The old name 'Cannanore' is the anglicised form of the Malayalam word Kannur. According to one opinion, 'Kannur' is a derivation from Kanathur, an ancient village, the name of which survives even today in one of the wards of Kannur Municipality.Another version is that Kannur might have assumed its name from one of the , deities of the Hindu pantheon, a compound of two words, Kannan (Lord Krishna) and Ur (place)making it the placeof Lord Krishna. In this context, it is worth mentioning that the deity of the Katalayi Sreekrishna temple was originally installed in a shrine at Katalayi Kotta in the south eastern part of the present Kannur town.

Kasargod, the land of seven languages and several cultures. The name, Kasaragod, is said to be derived from the word Kusirakood meaning Nuxvomica forests (Kanjirakuttom). Kasaragod district was formed on May 24. 1984, with the intention of bestowing maximum attention on the development of backward areas that. With the formation of the new district, comprising the erstwhile Kasaragod and Hosdurg taluks, it has become possible to develop this coastal area fruitfully.

Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats, in Kerala, is the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. The park has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Formed with the building of a dam in 1895, this reservoir meanders around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a perennial source of water for the local wildlife. Herds of elephant and sambar, gaur and wild pigs wander down to the lakeside and can be observed from the launches that cruise the lake. In March and April, during the driest period here, the animals spend a lot of time near the lake and the elephants can be seen bathing and swimming in the reservoir.

If it's beaches, temples and village life you are looking for, then Trivandrum and Kochi should be good choices:

1. Kovalam: This beach evokes mixed responses, but i feel that if you go South of Kovalam towards Vizhinjam the beaches improve dramatically. Surya Samudra Beach Resort, which has been mentioned earlier offers a mix of the modern and traditional. There's also a place called Karikkathi Beach house right next to Surya Samudar. IT's a small homestay facility, with no TV or air conditioning though. They have only 2 rooms so if you are the only guests staying there it's almost like having your own beachside vacation home. And the views from there are fantastic. The only drawback is that it has no road access - you need to walk through Surya Samudra or another nearby coconut grove to get there.
2. The Kuthiramalika Palace Museum: it's also been mentioned before. It's right next to the famous Padmanabhaswamy Temple and is a good place to visit. Some of the guides are not too great though.
3. The Padmanabhaswamy Temple: in the heart of the city's Fort area. Entry is restricted to hindus only, but non-hindus can go right up to the front entrance.
4. Padmanabhapuram: it's about 60 kilometers South of Trivandrum - a little more than an hour's drive away - in Tamil Nadu. Is the old capital of the former princely state of Travancore. is a must see if the Kerala style of archtecture interests you. will take half a day if done at a leisurely pace. This visit could be combined with a visit to Kanyakumari - the Southernmost part of mainland India.
5. The Museum and Art Gallery: both in a state of some disrepair, but still worth a visit, especially the Art Gallery.

1. Fort Cochin: the synagogue, the 'antique' shops, the Chinese fishing nets, the seaside cafes where you get to eat fresh fish and so on.
2. Kumbalangi: this is a village close to Kochi that is being developed as a heritage village. It offers some insights into village life. Not too sure if tourist accomdation is available there.
3. If temples intersest you a visit to TRICHUR about 70 kilometers south of Kochi is a possible option. IT would take about 2 hours by road. Trichur is full of temples including the famous Guruvayur temple about 30 kilometers away from Trichur town. also check out the elephant stables at Punnathoor Kota about 3 kilometers from Guruvayur. it has over 60 elephants of different ages there.

Initially used as a disembarkation point for passengers alighting from steamers, ironically twenty-four years later it became an exit point for the British troop who had to leave India when it got its independence in 1947.

Erected in 1869, in honour of Sir Bartle Frere, (governor of Mumbai1862-67)) to whose progressive policy Mumbai owes many of her great public buildings, and growth it is situated in the heart of the city, Decorated at its four corners with mythological figures, the Fountain is a structure in dull stone with a figure of 'Flora' the Roman Goddess of flowers, at the top. Today the Hutatma Chowk area is one of the busiest places in the city, with many banks, shops and offices surrounding it.

The city's pride and joy, and it's most spectacular verandah. Built on land reclaimed in 1920 and running parallel to the shoreline of backbay, from Nariman Point it sweeps past Chowpatty right up to Malabar Hill. Also known as "Queen's Necklace" it is a crowded thoroughfare .by early morning joggers who pound the promenade during the day, and an equally crowded promenade in the evening. by lovers canoodling at Marine Drive. Except during the monsoons you can board a hovercraft. from here. Best viewed from Hanging Gardens.

Both the Mint and the adjoining Town Hall with their pillars and Grecian porticos, were built in the 1820's. The Mint was sanctioned by the East India Company in 1823. An inscription on the building shows it was designed by Major John Hopkins of Bombay Engineers. The construction commenced in 1824 and was completed in 1827. The site was originally reclaimed from the sea. as early as 1823.

Designed by FW Stevens and built in a style that combines Gothic and Indian influences. This is the city's most prominent building and considered architecturally one of the finest station in the world. Built in 1878, the Italian Gothic building has a frontage of over 1500 feet. The administrative offices form three sides of a rectangle enclosing an ornamental garden, the entrance gate guarded by a massive stone lion and tiger. The most prominent feature of this building is the high 160 feet dome crowning the center. On top of the giant dome is a figure of a woman with a torch held aloft to symbolize progress. The tower clock visible from outside has a diameter of 9' with a 3' & 10" minute hand and a 2'3" hour hand run mechanically. Still ticking 120 years later it is only one of its kind in the country.

Marble columns support the entrance facade. The main entrance has four great doorways which open to the booking offices. The internal arrangements were designed to afford a maximum of convenience.

Amidst the cacophony of rushing commuters and hooting trains about one thousand trains and nearly two million commuters pass through the Terminus of this country's largest railway station. The local electric trains that ferry in and out of the city leave every three to four minutes. On the other side of the building, the trains pulled by heavy diesel or steam locomotives depart to different cities and towns. Trains from the central, southern and eastern region arrive here.

Situated on top of the Malabar Hill, these gardens were laid out in 1881. Also known as Sir Pherozashah Mehta Gardens, but more popularly known as Hanging Gardens. because of its location on the slope of a hill. Built on reservoirs that supply water to Mumbai the way up to the gardens from Marine Drive is by Walkeshwar Road and Ridge Road. . The gardens are popular with local residents for their early morning or late evening walk.

Adjacent to Hanging Gardens This park opened in 1952, it covers an area of 4,000 square yards and commands a superb view of Marine Drive and beyond. A constant source of enjoyment is a giant old woman's shoe meant for the young to play in. There is a lovely pavilion which is another feature of the garden, surrounded by beautiful flower beds and huge lawns.

It was in 1840 when a small group of stock brokers gathered together and sat under the shade of a cluster of banyan trees to manage their limited business where the present stock exchange is. The Bombay Stock Exchange was established in 1887. It is the largest in Asia and third largest in the world. Its imposing building is a well known landmark and accounts for 2/3 of the total business conducted in the country’s stock markets.

Kolkata has a rich colonial legacy which is manifested in its several tourist attractions like Victoria Memorial, BBD Bagh, Fort William, Writers Building, etc. Shahid Minar, Marble Palace, Botanical Gardens, Nicco Park and Science City are some of the other tourist attractions of Kolkata.

As far as entertainment and nightlife is concerned, Kolkata is one of the hot spots of India. Take for example the Park Street, which is the most happening place in the whole of Kolkata. You can techno-dance in the discos till 2 AM or just fill yourself with gastronomic delights in the fashionable eateries which serve anything from Japanese to Lebanese and Swedish to Samoan. And if you are a film buff, just visit Nandan to view a selection of great cinemas from maestros ranging from Satyajit Ray to Kurosawa. Theatre is still alive and kicking in Kolkata, despite the onslaughts of Bollywood, and many of them present revolutionary content and treatment for the viewers.

Kolkata today boasts of international standard shopping malls, multiplexes, pubs and various fine restaurants. The youth brigade in Kolkata is far more exposed to western culture and has a completely different outlook towards life as compared to their predecessors. "Work hard party harder" is their new-age mantra.

Birla Planetarium : Only the second of its kind in the commonwealth and similar to that in London. Regular astronomical shows are presented here with commentaries in different languages. Shows are held on all days excluding Mondays.

Kalighat : According to the legend, when Lord Shiva’s wife Parvati’s body was cut up, one of her fingers fell here. Rebuilt in 1809, this is an important shrine of Hindu Shakti worship. The temple is in the southern part of the city.

Dakshineswar Kali Temple Belur Math : Built in 1847, on the banks of the Hooghly, north of Calcutta, the temple is associated with Shri Ramakrishna, the eclectic 19th century saint who revived Hinduism during the British Raj. Across the river stands Belur Math, headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission. The Monastery is a haven of peace and religious harmony.

Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture : Commemorates the birth centenary of Shri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. Religious discourses and cultural exchanges are held here among international scholars. The institute is located at Golpark.

Nakhoda Mosque : Modelled on Akbar’s tomb in Sikandra, the red sandstone mosque has two minarets 46 mts high, a brightly painted onion shaped dome and can accommodate 10,000 people. Built in 1926 and located on Chitpur Road.

St. John’s Church : Built in 1787 with Grecian columns. The burial ground has the mausoleum of Job Charnok, founder of Calcutta. On the north-west side of Raj Bhavan.

Pareshnath Jain Temple : The temple is an ornate mass of mirrors, coloured stones and glass mosaic, and overlooks a beautiful garden. It is in Shyambazar.

St. Paul’s Cathedral : Constructed between 1839 and 1847 in Gothic style with stained glass windows and two Florentine frescoes, the cathedral is the largest in the city and next to the Birla Planetarium. St. Paul’s was conscerated in 1874.

Armenian Church : The oldest place of Christian worship in Calcutta. The church of Holy Nazareth was built in 1764. Among the other churches to visit are St. Andrew’s Church. The Old Mission Church and the Greek Orthodox Church.

Jewish Synagogues : The Maghen David Synagogue on Jewish Synagogue Street and the BETHEL on Pollock Street are very old worship houses and a reminder to the cosmopolitan nature of the city.

Parsi Fire Temples : They cater to the religious needs of the prominent Parsi community of Calcutta. Located on Metcalf Street and Beliaghata.

Indian Museum : Built in 1875, it is an impressive building in the Italian style of architecture. This is the largest museum in the country. The Museum has six sections : Art, Archaeology, Anthropology, Geology, Zoology and Industry (Economic Botany).

Shahid Minar : The monument is situated on the ‘Maidan’ and was built in honour of Sir David Octerlony who fought the Nepalese War (1812 - 1814) to victory. The 48.16 metre tall monument has been named Shahid Minar since 9th August, 1969.

Eden Gardens : Named after Lord Auckland’s sister, this picturesque garden has a tiny Burmese pagoda set in a small lake. It also houses Calcutta’s Cricket Stadium.

Howrah Bridge : A miracle of engineering skill, the Howrah Bridge is a huge cantilever bridge supported by two piers 270 ft. high from the road level. The span of the bridge between the piers is 1,500 ft while the total distance between the two sheet anchors is 2,115 ft. There are eight vehicular ways and two footpaths on the 71 ft. wide bridge.

Marble Palace : Situated in an artistically laid-out garden, the place is full of rare collection of antiques of immense artistic and historical value. Wonderful curios, china and a couple of paintings by Rubens are only a few to mention of the spectrum of attractions of the palace. The Marble Palace is situated on Muktaram Babu Street, off Chittaranjan Avenue. Open on all days except Mondays and Thursdays.

Zoological Garden : Covers 16 hectares of land and built in 1876. The lakes within are a favourite retreat for migratory Siberian birds.

Horticultural Garden : The lush environment is also the venue for exotic plant and flower exhibitions.

The monuments in the city, which now have got the status of historical tourist attractions in Delhi, are replete with the ancient history of Delhi. The historical tourist attractions in Delhi are the Qutb Minar, in Mehrauli in South Delhi, famous as the highest stone tower ever raised in India and a symbol of the Delhi Sultanate. Near it is an amazing iron pillar from Gupta times, which has stood for millennia without rusting . The Qutb Minar along with the Humayun's Tomb, is enlisted as UNESCO'S World Heritage Site. It is believed to have influenced the design of the later mughal monuments including the TajMahal. Another attraction is the Red Fort, on the banks of river yamuna,from where the Prime Minister of India addresses the nation every Independence Day. Purana Quila is another good example of medieval Indian military architecture. Another fort that is worth visiting is the Tughlaqabad Fort, which looks colossal and magnificent even in its ruined state. Planned by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan so that his daughter could shop for all that she wanted, Chandini Chowk or 'light of the moon'is a fascinating bazaar even for the modern day tourist interested in shopping in Delhi.

Delhi also has many reminders of the British rule in India. Among the colonial tourist attractions, the foremost is the Rashtrapathi Bhavan.Once the erstwhile residence of the Viceroy of India, it is now the residence of the ruling President of India. The stretch from the Rashtrapathi Bhavan to the India Gate is called the Rajpath is where the Republic Day parade is held. Another tourist attraction within the Rashtrapati Bhavan is the Mughal Gardens. Straight down from the Rashtrapathi Bhavan is the India Gate. This 42-meter high arch was designed by Edwin Lutyens, as a war memorial to commemorate the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the First World War and the Afghan War of 1919. Their names can be seen inscribed on the arch. Delhi has many modern architectural marvels. The most unique among the modern tourist attractions is the Lotus Temple Reputed as the Taj of modern India; it is a serene house of meditation built by the Bahai community. The Garden of Five Senses is among the latest tourist attractions in Delhi inaugurated only in 2003. One of the every few Amusement Parks in India, Appu Ghar offers exciting games and rides and even ice games. The Dilli Haat, a food and crafts bazaar,provides the ambience of a traditional Rural Haat or village market, in the heart of the city. The Parliament House, an elegant building with its wide pillared walkways and large halls, in Central Delhi, is where India's lawmakers and statesmen decide the future of India.

Delhi also has some important spiritual attractions for the spiritually inclined tourist. One is the Lakshmi Narayan Temple built by the renowned business family of the Birlas, better known as the Birla Temple. The Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, was assassinated in this temple complex in 1948. Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in New Delhi is another famous temple. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib sees thousands of devotees every day not only of Sikh faith but also from other religious beliefs and faiths.

The Delhi visit is not complete without a trip to the memorials, museums and parks in Delhi. On the bank of the legendary river Yamuna, which flows past Delhi, there is Raj Ghat, the last resting place of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation.Lying close to the Raj Ghat, the Shanti Vana (literally, the forest of peace) is the place where India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was cremated.The National Museum is the biggest museum in India and the most apt place to learn about the history, culture and heritage of Delhi. The Rail Transport Museum is among popular tourist attractions in Delhi, which helps to trace the history of 150 years of railways in India. The National Musuem of Modern Art, located in central Delhi, has a permanent collection of over 14,000 works of art by both modern Indian and Western artists. Jantar Mantar, the astronomical observatory is located near Connaught Place in the center of Delhi with instruments, which were used to observe and measure the movements of celestial objects. Lodi Gardens, located in South Delhi, contains the tombs of the Lodi Sultans of Delhi and is now a venue for fitness walkers and a popular picnic spot.

Many tourists who visit Delhi make excursions from Delhi to Agra and Jaipur on their India tour. Agra is the city immortalized by the architectural marvel in marble, the Taj Mahal. Jaipur or the rose-pink city, founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743), is the capital of Rajasthan. Fatehpur Sikri said to be a copy of the mosque in Mecca is the best example of the culmination of Hindu and Muslim architecture.

Some of the major tourist attractions in Coimbatore include:

Madhumalai Wildlife Sanctuary: The sanctuary has a rich bio-diversity and is situated between the Bandipur and Annamalai sanctuaries and forms a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve. It is one of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries in the Country, the major attraction being the elephant. Other animals that abound the sanctuary include Tigers, Leopards, Elephants, Deer, and Snakes.

Kodaikanal: It is situated 138 km from Coimbatore at the top of Palini Hills and is one of the most poplar hill stations in South India. Kodaikanal has some picturesque places to visit like Bear shola falls, Silver cascade, Kodai Lake, Bryant park, Coaker's Walk and Kukkai caves.

Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary: The sanctuary situated along the Western Ghats has an exotic collection of fauna which includes elephant, gaur, tiger, panther, sloth bear, pangolin, black headed oriole, green pigeon and civet cat. The sanctuary also has a large number of crocodiles in its Amaravathy reservoir.

Thirumurthy Dam: The dam is situated at the foothills of the Thirumurthy Hills and is about 20 km from Udumalpet. There is a perennial stream which flows by the side of the Amalingeswarar temple which gives an additional beauty to the place. Situated near Pollachi at a distance of around 90 km, the Annamalai Wildlife Sanctuary forms an interesting excursion from Coimbatore. The sanctuary, situated at an altitude of 1,400 metres in the Western Ghats, is home to different kind of animals and birds like elephant, gaur, tiger, panther, sloth bear, deer, wild bear, wild dog, porcupine, flying squirrel, jackal, pangolin, civet cat and birds like rocket-tailed drongo, re-whiskered bulbul, black-headed oriole, tree pie, spotted dove, and green pigeon. The Amaravathy reservoir in the Annamalai has a large number of crocodiles. Annamalai also has many places of scenic beauty such as Karainshola, Anaikunthi shola, grass hills, waterfalls, dams and reservoirs.

The city also has a large number of temples to visit. Important among them include the Perur Patteeswara Swamy temple, Marudha Malai Temple, Arulmigu AranganathaSwamy Thirukoil, and the Arulmigu Eachanari Vinayagar Temple.

The VOC park is named after the famous freedom fighter V. O. Chidambaram. It is an interesting place to visit along with children. The park is maintained by the Coimbatore Corporation. There are several attractions for the young ones. Some of the main attractions within the park include the aquarium, having a good collection of different species of fish, a mini zoo and models of prehistoric dinosaurs. Apart from these children can also enjoy themselves on swing, slider, seesaw, toy train and other play equipment.

This University is definitely an interesting place to visit in Coimbatore. It is situated about 5 kms away from the Coimbatore railway station and is considered as one of the best institutions of its kind in South Asia. The university includes a botanical garden which is the main source of attraction here. It is located towards the west of the city center and is sprawled over an area of 300 hectares. The garden here owns a wide range of species of flowering plants and trees.

Perur, a small town, situated about 6 km from Coimbatore is famous for the holy Perur Temple. This temple is considered one of the seven Kongu Sivalayams. The outer buildings of the temple was built by Karikala Cholan, a ruler of Madurai in the 17th century but the inner shrine is much older. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the extraordinary features of this temple is the figure of a sepoy (Indian soldier). The figure of the sepoy is loading a musket carved on the base of the pillar near the entrance, wearing identical dress to that of the Aurangzeb's soldiers. The significance of Perur temple in earlier days is unfolded in the poetic creations of Arunagiri Nather and Kachiappa Munivar.

The Marudhamalai Temple is located on a hillock about 12 kms from Coimbatore Railway Station. The temple of Marudhamalai, dedicated to Lord Subramanya, is one of the most visited temples in the region. Large number of devotees flock the temple because it is believed that the residing deity Dandayuthapani performed several miracles here. Thai Poosam and Tirukarthigai festivals are celebrated with great pomp and gaiety at this temple.

The Forest temple is located about 3.5 km north of the Coimbatore Railway Station. The College is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the country. The museum of the College is a must visit. This museum has an interesting collection of different minerals, rocks, pests, snakes, insects and fossils of plants and animals. The museum also has a special advisory counter offering service to promote businesses related to plant husbandry. The college also trains forest rangers.

Chennai is more or less divided into 3 sections: George Town, Egmore and Central Chennai, and South Chennai. George Town, named in honor of King George V being crowned emperor of India, is reminiscent of Chennai's colonial past, where as the other parts of Chennai have a more ethnic feel.

Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu is a popular tourist destination for people who travel to South India. There are a number of travel attractions in Chennai, including temples, gardens, museums, caves, beaches, churches, wildlife parks, etc. All these attractions make Chennai a perfect gateway of South India.

The state government had leased this building to Sri Ramakrishna Mission. It is an imposing structure on the Marina beach along the South Beach Road. In 1897 Swami Vivekananda visited this city and stayed in this historic building in the year 1897 on his way to Calcutta, after his acclaimed speech at Chicago for the Parliament of Religions. The Government took over the building in 1930 and in 1963 it was named after Vivekananda. Photographs depicting the historical happenings associated with his life and books about him and his own written works are on display and sold here in the Museum.

The Gudiyam Caves are situated about 17 kms. behind Poondi reservoir in Chennai. Except some adventurous trekkers and the stout villagers, hardly anyone goes here. The reason is its tough terrain that takes 4 kms. of walk by foot. These prehistoric natural caves are evidence of the primitive tools that our ancestors had used.

The Elliot beach is a calmer and quieter beach. It is an ideal place for lazy lounging and picnicking on your travel holidays in Chennai. The beach is situated near Adayar and the sea is safe for swimming.

Fort St. George is the first fortress of British power in India and was built in 1654 and remodeled in 1749. The fort has a six-meter tall wall that withstood many invasions by Mughals in 1701, Marathas in 1741 and Hyder Ali during the late 18th century. Now the fort is turned into the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

The St. Mary church was built in 1678-80 and was the first English church in Chennai. There are reminders in the church of Robert Clive, who married here in 1753.

The Art Gallery at Chennai has a fine collection of paintings, handicrafts and bronze. The collection is housed in a Mughal style building. Bronzes from 10th and 13th century, Rajasthan and Mughal paintings from 16th and 17th century and Indian handicrafts from 11th and 12th century are displayed here.

The ancient Kapaleshwar temple, situated in Mylapore, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The fragmented inscriptions here dates back to 1250 AD. But the present temple was rebuilt by Vijayanagar Kings in the 16th century. The magnificent 37m carved 'Gopuram' of gods, goddesses and saints depict important 'Puranic' legends.

This popular beach runs for 12 km and is the second longest beach in the world. The beach drive runs between magnificent stately buildings like the Chetpauk Palace, University of Madras, Icehouse etc. on one side and a very wide sandy beach on the other. The aquarium is at the beginning of the beach, is another important attraction near the beach.

Built in 1504 and rebuilt in 1608 and 1893, the cathedral is said to house the remains of Apostle St. Thomas. The basilica has an tremendously stained glass window and a beautiful one-meter statue of Virgin Mary that was brought from Portugal in 1543.

One of the oldest surviving temples in Chennai, the Sri Parthasarathy temple was built by the Pallavas in the 8th century, the temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The Vijayanagar rulers renovated it in the 16th century. During the 16th and 17th centuries, this temple was the scene of many battles and Golconda, Dutch and French occupied the temple at various times. This is one of the oldest surviving temples in Chennai.

This befitting memorial for the poet-sage Thiruvalluvar, a replica of the famed temple chariot of 'Thiruvaroor', was built in 1976. The life size statue of the sage sits in the 33m chariot with 1330 couplets of Thirukkural inscribed on the panels.

Located at a distance of 40 km from Chennai, Covelong is a refreshing beach. It is a quiet peaceful village away from the Hustle Bustle of Chennai. A best weekend travel getaway from the busy city life, Covelong is famous for its fishing activities.

This Zoological park is situated on the outskirts of Chennai and is created out of the Reserve Forests of Vandalur to the west of Chennai. In 1855 the first Zoo in India was established in Chennai, near the Central Station. In 1979, this zoo was shifted to the 510-hectare sprawling location. It presently occupies the slope of a hill. This Zoological Park is said to be one of the biggest in the South East Asia. More than 170 species of mammals, birds and reptiles can be seen here. The lion safari, the elephant ride, and battery-operated vehicles take you around the park.

Park Safari Timings in Ranthambhore National Park:

October-March : 06.00-09.00(morning) 15.00-18.00(Afternoon)

April-June: 06.30-09.30(morning) 15.30-18.30(Afternoon)

Reaching Rantahmbore National Park

By Air : The nearest airport is that of Jaipur, which is about 145 km away. There are regular flights of various airlines.

By Rail : Sawai Madhopur, the nearest town from the park provides the nearest railhead for the national park. It is 11 km from Ranthambore.

By Road : From Jaipur one has to take the road to access the national park.