My India

This Page is added to my home page (Blog) for giving a glimpse of Incredible India. The places described here, have been visited by me.
Posted by Anil  in Kausani, Incredible India, Kosauni, Himalaya, Kumaon, Kausani Hill station, Ranikhet, Almora, Goa, Nainital, Kashmir, Dal lake, Gul marg, Manali, Simla, Goa, Sex, Love, Erotic, Khajuraho, Temples, Srinagar, Sundarbans, Lucknow, imambada, Ajanta, Ellora.Andamans, Port Blair, Islands, Indian Islands, India Cellualar jail, Beaches of Andaman.

ANDAMAN : A DREAM DESTINATION

Crystal Clear water can only be seen in Andaman

The Andaman & Nicobar are a group of picturesque Islands, big and small, inhabited and uninhabited, a total of 500 & odd islands, lying midway between India and Burma in the Bay of Bengal. They lie along an arc in long and narrow broken chain, approximately. Andaman and Nicobar Islands are well connected by ship and air to its main land India . The climate of the islands can be defined as humid, tropical coastal climate. Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been recognised as an eco-friendly tourists’ destination. As a tourist paradise, these islands have something very special to offer like Cellular Jail, Ross Island and Havelock Island.

The Andaman tropical evergreen rain forests, beautiful silver sandy beaches, serpentine mangrove-lines creeks, marine life abounding in rare species of plants, corals, etc., provide a memorable experience to the tourists. There are scopes for enjoying nature in the beach resorts.

The original inhabitants of the islands lived in the forests on hunting and fishing. There are four Negrito tribes, viz., the Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa and Sentinalese in the Andaman group of islands and two Mongoloid tribes, viz., Nicobarese and Shompens in the Nicobar group of islands. While cruising through the Jarawa reserve forests of Andaman Islands, Jarawas are seen on the road sides.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands Popularly referred to as the “Veritable Garden of Eden” and a “nature’s paradise”, the beautiful small and big islands and pristine waters of Andaman Nicobar Islands are home to the endless varieties of flora, fauna and marine life. The long stretches of white powdery sand are dotted with many crescent shaped virgin beaches, which are covered with thick groves of coconut palm, casuarinas and pandanus trees. The breathtaking natural beauty, the clean environment, thrilling adventure sports, and the warm hospitality of the people of Andaman Nicobar Islands attract thousands of nature lovers and holidaymakers from all across the globe.

Ross Island, Andaman : Copyright by Anil m 2009-2010

Grab Island. It comes on the way to Red skin Island where sea corals and colored fishes are viewed through Glass bottom boats and also wearing mask.  (Below)

Wandoor Beach : Andaman

A RIVERINE NIRVANA : SUNDARBANS

Sundarbans is the prime location for those who like nature in its wildest forms. Sundarbans offers you a very extra ordinary natural scenic views and a journey through a riverine waterways for a lifetime experience. We experienced the journey through its riverine waterways on 23 and 24 January 2009.

Sailing to Dobanki Tiger camp watch tower

It is also the perfect place for the ordinary holiday makers who desire to be away from hustle bustle city life for few days. Its nly 100 KM from the city Kolkata.

Saptamukhi, meeting point of seven rivers

Sundarbans, literally means beautiful forest, is a combined forest spread in Bangladesh and India. The vast swampy delta of the two great Indian rivers, Brahamaputra and the Ganges extends over areas comprising of mangrove forests, swamps and forest island all interwoven in a network of small rivers and streams. Sundarbans is the biggest mangrove forest in the world and is a treasure island of bi-odiversity. The Sundarbans has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. The part of the forest within Indian Territory is called Sundarbans National Park and is in the district of South 24 Parganas of West Bengal, India. The Sundarbans National Park is the home of the Royal Bengal Tiger. The tigers have adapted themselves very well to the saline and aqua environs and are extremely good swimmers. Nowadays, a behavioral change being observed in Royal Bengal Tigers as they are frequently straying to villages despite of presence of other animals for their prey. Once they enter into villages, they get easy preys for which they do not even require to chase. So, they venture into villages frequently.

Watch tower to spot a tiger at Sudhanyakhali

Sonakhali (100-kms), Raidighi (76-kms), Canning (64-kms), and Najat (92-kms) from Kolkata (Calcutta), which are all near the Sunderbans and have access to the riverine waterways leading to it. We reached Sonakhali jetty at about 1030AM and took a journey by Launch to Sajnekhali. Reached Sajnekhali at about 0230PM and checked in in the WB Govt. Tourist Lodge.

MV Sarbajaya and Chtrarekha of WB Tourism also operate there

We cruised through the rivers to watch natural beuties  of Sundarbans and also to spot a Royal Bengal Tigers. We visited two watch towers, one  at Sudhanyakhali and  another at Dobanki. While moving on waterways, various types of trees and plants can be seen on the banks. While sailing to Dobanki you can see the Saptamukhi, the seven points where seven rivers meet.

<<< Sun set at Gosaba, Sundarban >>>

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AJANTA ELLORA CAVES

Ajanta cave

The famous Ajanta and Ellora caves are located near the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra. The caves shrines cut out of rock, by hand, and rank amongst some of the most outstanding specimens of ancient Indian architectural heritage. The 34 caves at Ellora and the 29 caves at Ajanta, were remained in dark, undiscovered for over a milleniuam, till John Smith, a British Army Officer, accidentally discovered them while on a hunting expedition in 1819. Ajanta has been designated as a World Heritage Site to be preserved as an artistic legacy that will inspire the generations to come.

Ajanta Caves

It was only in the 19th century, that the Ajanta group of caves, lying deep within the Sahyadri hills, cut into the curved mountain side, above the Waghora river, were discovered. They depict the story of Buddhism, spanning a period from 200 BC to 650 AD.

The 29 caves were built as secluded retreats of the Buddhist monks, who taught and performed rituals in the Chaityas and Viharas, the ancient seats of learning, and nerve – centers of the Buddhist cultural movement. Using simple tools like hammer and chisel, the monks carved out the impressive figures adorning the walls of these structures. Many of the caves house panels depicting stories from the Jatakas, a rich mine of tales of the several incarnations of the Buddha. Images of nymphs and princesses amongst others, are also elaborately portrayed.

At various places the art work has become eroded due to decay and human interference. Therefore, many areas of the painted walls, ceilings, and pillars are fragmentary. The painted narratives of the Jataka tales are depicted only on the walls, which demanded the special attention of the devotees.

BADA IMAMBADA :LUCKNOW

The Bada Imambada or Asafi Imambada was built by Nawab Asaf-ul-Daula in 1784 as a relief work during the terrible famine that year. Apart from the galleries in the interior, there is no woodwork anywhere. The interior vaulted hall, measuring 162 feet in length, 53 feet in width and 50 feet in height, is said to be one of the largest apartments of its kind in the world.

From the outside, a staircase leads to a series of artfully designed labyrinths (bhoolbhulaiyan) where it is very easy to get lost. You can wander through the zigzag narrow galleries for hours without finding your way out! It/’s a very eerie sensation, moving towards the sunlit corridors that seem to be going out, only to find that you are actually deeper in the labyrinth. Most visitors therefore are only allowed inside with guides who are familiar with the maze.



TEMPLES OF LOVE : KHAJURAHO



One of the most celebrated manifestations of Indian architecture is to be found in a group of temples at Khajuraho in central India. Situated a hundred miles south-east of the town of Jhansi in the modern-day state of Madhya Pradesh.

Once a great chandela capital, Khajuraho is now a quiet village. The town of exotic temples, Khajuraho is one of India’s major honeymoon attractions. They are India’s unique gift to the world, representing a melody to life, which encompasses all emotions ranging from love, sex and joy. Life, in every form and mood, has been captured in stone, testifying not only to the craftsman’s artistry but also to the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela kings.



The city was once the original capital of the Chandela Rajputs, a Hindu dynasty that ruled this part of India from the 10th to the 12th centuries. The Khajuraho temples were built over a span of a hundred years, from 950 to 1050. There were originally over 80 Hindu temples scattered over an area of about 8 square miles of which only 22 now stand in a reasonable state of preservation.

The temples of Khajuraho underwent destruction by early Muslim invaders. Following their abandonment, a number of them survived to be discovered by the British in the 19th century.



Thousands of artisans worked on stones and they created the most beautiful figures on the temples. Khajuraho statues of stones speak, sing, dance which seems to be alive and coming out of temple walls.

All the erotic sculptures are at the outer walls of the temples. But there is no erotic sculpture inside the temples. In fact, inside most of the temples there is nothing- just silence, a cool peaceful milieu, with the vibes of thousands of years of people meditating.

SWITZERLAND OF INDIA : KAUSANI

Copyright m. anil 2008
Copyright m.anil 2008

KAUSANI is known as the “Switzerland of India”. After my visit to Kausani, this summer, I find it as an ideal destination for those who seek to escape from the din and dust, hustle and bustle of big cities and wish to spend a quiet holiday in the lap of nature. Here, in the early morning, the birds sing for you to rise. Indeed, Kausani is a veritable heaven of beauty and it makes you feel that heaven has descended on this earth and the beauty of nature and heavenly calm of the place will inspire you to think differently. It is situated at a height of 1890 meters (from the sea level) in the Kumaon range of mountains. Kausani commands an unobstructed view of the Himalayan peaks. Several snow- capped peaks of Himalaya stand in a row, over 300 kms. in length, are visible from Kausani and enviable spectacle (if the climate favours you).

Copyright m.anil 2008

Every moment it changes its picturesque beauty. From the hotel rooms it is sometimes seen that the clouds are stagnant at the valley and the same is fully covered by the thick clouds which looks like a ocean of snow.

The peaks of Kumayun ranges spreads over the regions looks like paintings on a canvas with little variation of colors and stand like layers. These picks are sometimes covered by the clouds and nothing can be visible underneath. The thick white clouds comes down to the valley and stagnant there when you will feel like walking on those clouds cause they are below your level (look at picture below).


Copyright m. anil 2008

A village named “Gouri Gaon” in the down valley is now fully covered by clouds. Such incredible changing scenes of nature really takes us on to the cloud seven.

Copyright M. Anil 2008

CITY OF LAKES : NAINITAL : A small town in the hills of Kumaon, Nainital is a lovely hill station surrounded by mountains on three sides. Nainital is also known as the city of lakes attracting millions of tourists every year worldwide. Nainital is set in a valley containing a pear-shaped lake, Naini Jheel named after goddess Naina, approximately two miles in circumference, and surrounded by mountains.



Copyright M. Anil 2008

ALMORA :

The Township of Almora is the district headquarter and has all the facilities for tourists. This ancient hill station is reputed for it’s healthy climate and is perched on a five Km. long horse saddle shape ridge in. Rabindranath Tagore spent some times at Almora and composed some of his poems here. In May and Jun, the climate is very pleasant and best for visitors.One can have a panoramic view of the snowy peaks of Himalayas on any clear day and in addition a glimpse of the township.

Copyright M. Anil 2008

This ancient town seems to be more modern than other towns. Here hotels are more tasteful and provides better services than other places. As a tourist its my experience, which may not be correct to everybody. Spectacular views of sunrise, sunset and Himalaya peaks can be enjoyed From the rooftop of the Hotel Himsagar, where we stayed.

Copyright M. Anil 2008



QUEEN’S MEADOW : RANIKHET

It was a favourite place of the queen of Chandraja Suridev. This is what made the place known as Ranikhet (Queen’s Meadow). In clear sky snow capped Himalaya ranges – Nandadevi, Neelkantha, Kamet Gouriparvat, Hatiparvat, nandagunti, Trishul, Nandakote and many more peaks are visible from this place. The place is having natural beauty decorated with Pine, Ceeder, Oak, Cyprash etc. It is situated at a height of 1829 meters. It is the HQ of Kumaon rifles.

PARADISE ON EARTH : KASHMIR

Despite of all sorts of militancy in Kashmir, the paradise on earth was visited in May 2006. Best season is March to October.

Cradled in the lap of majestic snow capped mountains of the Himalayas, Kashmir was the most beautiful place on earth. On visiting the Valley of Kashmir, Jehangir, the Mughal emperor, is said to have exclaimed: “If there is paradise anywhere on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.”

Srinagar, the city of great antiquity, is located in the heart of Kashmir at an altitude of 1730 mtrs above the sea level, with the three majestic Himalayan ranges of Karakoram, Zanskar and Pir Panjal framing the landscape from northwest to northeast.



The biggest attraction of Kashmir is the Dal Lake which is host to the word’s famous Shikaras and Houseboats. This jewel in the crown of Kashmir is a sight worth beholding in winter when the lake freezes.

Copyright M. Anil 2008 (Dal Lake, Srinagar)

Dal lake is one of the most beautiful and famous lakes of India and it is one of the best spots in Kashmir for the tourists. The Dal Lake is 6 Km long and 6 Km in width and situated at a distance of 2 km from the main city Srinagar. Inside the lake there are many Islands and floating gardens. The lake is surrounded by high mountain peaks, Cheenar, deodar and Pine trees.



Shalimar Garden (not shown, above Nishat garden) was built by Jehangir, the Mughal emperor, in 1619 for his beloved wife.Chasmeshahi or the Royal Spring (shown below) was laid by Emperor Shah Jahan, famous for its refreshing digestive natural mineral water.



Chasme Shahi or the Royal spring



Copyright M. Anil 2008 (Gul Marg, as seen in the month of May 2006)

Gulmarg, 57 kms from Srinagar and a meadow of flowers is best known for unparalleled beauty. Sonmarg or Sona marg, the golden meadow at an altitude of 2470 mtrs, is the gateway to Ladakh.




Pahel gam (above) is a quaint, nomadic village, with scenic beauty, 96 kms from Srinagar, still unspoilt by the ravages of progress.

Kashmiri woman

The valley remained favourite shooting spot for Bollywood Hindi films producers till 1980s before the onset of militancy in 1990. Several blockbusters like Kashmir ki kali, Silsila, karma, Arzoo, Betaab and recently Mission Kashmir were shot here.

QUEEN OF THE HILLS : SIMLA



SIMLA : Simla is a important hill station in Himachal Pradesh, India. In 1864, Shimla was declared the summer capital of the erstwhile British Raj in India. A popular tourist destination, Shimla is often referred to as the “Queen of Hills”. Located in north-west Himalayas at an altitude of 2,130 metres, the city of Shimla, draped in forests of pine, rhododendron and oak, experiences pleasant summers and cold, snowy winters. Shimla is connected to the city of Kalka by one of the longest narrow gauge railway routes in India. Shimla is approximately 115 km (71.4 miles) from Chandigarh the nearest major city, and 365 km (226.8 miles) from New Delhi, the national capital. The city is named after the goddess Shyamala Devi, an incarnation of the Hindu Goddess Kali.

VALLEY OF THE GOD : MANALI : Manali in the Beas River valley, at an altitude of 1,950 mtrs, is an important hill station in the Himachal mountains of Himachal Pradesh, India. Manali and its surrounding areas are of great significance to the Indian culture and heritage as it was the home and abode of the Saptarshi or seven sages. The word Manali literally means “the abode of Manu”. Manali is known as the “Valley of the Gods”. The ancient cave temple, Hidimba Devi Temple is not far from town. Picture below shows the Beas river (as seen from Van Vihar) and Buddhist Monastery.




It is famous for adventure sports like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, para gliding, rafting, trekking, and mountain biking. It also offers hot springs, spectacular religious shrines and temples, Tibetan Buddhist temples.

Rohtang Pass (Above picture ), at an altitude of 13,050 feet above sea level, is another adventure tourist site where it can be cold even on a summer day. It is the highest point on the Manali-Keylong road and provides a wide panoramic view of mountains rising far above clouds, which is truly breath taking.

Manikaran, 85 km from Manali and 45 km from Kullu, lies in the Parvati Valley. Here icy cold waters of the Parvati river co-exist with hot-water springs side-by-side. The springs are known for their healing properties.

TOURISTS’ PARADISE : GOA

Goa, in India, is world famous for its beaches. The Goan coast is lined with a number of beaches, each with a distinctive flavor, some have golden sand, some white, some have fine sand grains, some with coarse etc. But one thing common is the distinctive blue Arabian Sea and the swaying coconut and palm trees. Some of the photograph of some beaches are displayed here below:





Dona Paula Beach : The beach is named after Dona Paula de Menzes, daughter of a viceroy (in colonial India), who threw herself off the cliff, when refused permission to marry a local fisherman, Gaspar Dias. The myth says that Dona Paula is entombed in the Cabo Chapel of the Raj Bhawan and is supposed to be seen emerging from the moonlit waves wearing only a pearl necklace. With the romance and myth attached to it, haunted by Dona Paula de Menzes, tourists throng the Dona Paula Beach.



Anjuna Beach ( Source : Binbrain.com)