Dausa - The Devnagri of Rajasthan

The city of Dausa which is widely known as Dundhar is situated in the north-eastern region of Rajasthan. The city is also known as Devnagri and famous for Mehandipur Balaji Temple. The Chouhans & bad gurjars ruled it in 10th Century A.D.  Dausa is a great name in the independent movement as it has given well-known freedom fighters to the nation. Late Shri Tikaram Paliwal & Late Shri Ram Karan Joshi were from Dausa who gave their precious contribution for struggle for freedom and for union of the Princely States to form Rajasthan State.

Language –

People of this religious district, basically speak Rajasthani & Hindi. Dhundhari dialect in Rajasthani language is used more frequently as compared to other languages by people of Dausa.  

Location –

Dausa is in the north-eastern region of Rajasthan at about 55 Kms faraway from Jaipur on NH-11. The district is bounded with Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Tonk, Karouli, Bharatpur & Alwar.

Transportation facility –

The district is well connected by Roadways & Rail route. The important trains have stoppage at Bandikui Junction. The city is 55 Kms from Jaipur on NH-11 and well connected with Agra, Delhi and other surrounding districts by roadways buses.

People & culture –

Dausa residents are really friendly and good to be with. It is possible that on your first look, you will find them a little insensitive, but these people are really good at heart. Untouched by the speed of modern times, these people are well-built, simple and lovely. The traditional apparel of women is Ghaghra choli and for men, Kurta and dhoti would do. The city still dresses themselves in typical colorful Rajsthani dress with lots of silver jewelry. However, in the modern times, most of the people prefer to wear casual clothes to match the modern-day fashion. Colorful festivals and fairs represent the cultural prosperity of city. The temples & other historical monuments swank about the rich heritage of this city. There are basically Jats and Gujars in the district The major communities in the city are Brahmins, Mahajans, Rajputs, Jains, Kayasthas, Sikhs, SC & ST. Besides these, Religions which are mainly followed by people are Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam and Christianity.

Fest & festivals –

Basant Mela

Basant Panchmi Mela is organized at city with the worship of Narshingji, Raghunathji and god Surya. The festival is celebrated for 3 days with a large market for villagers to buy there vital necessities for the entire year. The Basant fair has all arrangements for rural entertainment.

Dolchi Holi

The young males of Gurjar caste celebrate the traditional Holi with a difference. On the next day of Dhulandi, young men throw jet of water on each other using a small leather pot from the 4 neighboring ponds prepared for this purpose which goes on for one hour and they face it with brevity and enthusiasm.

Shekh Jamal's urs

There is a holy place of Sufi Saint Hazaratshah Shekh Jamal in Dausa.During the Urs numbers of pilgrims visit to this place every year. Most of the famous singers make this Urs more attractive by singing spiritual songs all over the night.

Tourist attraction of Dausa–

Abhaneri

Abhaneri is well-known for its Post-gupta or an early medieval monument which is situated at about 33 Kms far from the district head quarter towards Bandikui. The Chand Baori and Harshat Mata Temple are the important places to visit. The Harsha mata temple is an outstanding example of intricate statue on stone on the other hand the Baori has staircase with imaginative and architectural beauty.

Bhandarej Baori

Bhandarej Baori, another Step Well and Hotel Bhadravati Palace is another tourist attraction of Dausa distict. The Baori is a wonderful architectural creation which has 150 wide stepladder towards the main well, about 70 feet in width. The Bhardravati Palace is an interesting fusion of both Mughal and Rajput architecture which has arched windows, courtyards & traditionally painted verandahs.

Khawaraoji

Khawaraoji is famous for abode of the ruler Raoji and its natural beauty. The place is situated at about 25 Kms from the district headquarter. The place is surrounded by hills from three sides, and Amol Ghati nearby with natural beauty which has worth to visit by tourists. The fort of Khawaraoji is rehabilitated into the Khawaraoji Heritage Hotel.

Jhajhirampura

Jhajhirampur is situated at approximately 45 Kms faraway from district headquarter towards Baswa. The place is famous for its natural water tank and temples of Rudra the incarnation of Shiv, Balaji the embodiment of lord Hanuman and other god and goddess. 

Mehndipur Balaji Temple of Bajrang Bali

Temple of Bajrang Bali i.e. Hanumanji is famous for treatment of psychologically disturbed people by the evil spirits. Large number of visitor’s and volume of donations received by the shrine shows the value of this place.

Neelkanth & Panch Mahadev temple

Dausa is also recognized as Devnagri due to large numbers of temples. In the temples of Dausa Sahajnath, Gupteshwar, Somnath & Neelkanth, the five images of God Shive (Mahadev) are situated. The shrine of Neelkanth is situated on the plateau which is nearby hill & shows the ancient glory and spiritual presence. The rope-way also attracts large number of the tourists to benefit from the faith of this religious place.

 Gatolav

Gatolav is famous for the birth of Saint Sunderdas who had been moralized by his guru, Sant Dadudayal, the originator of Dadupanthi religion. The place has been enhanced for tourist purpose, mainly for swimming and boating.

Church at Bandikui

About 35 Kms far from Dausa, a Roman fashion Chruch for Protestant was constructed during British Empire in India. This church is beautiful and attractive for tourists.

 

Accommodation –There are numbers of heritage hotels, Luxury hotels, resorts, Guest houses & budget hotels in Dausa. So accommodation is not a problem in the city of Lakes. The hotels in Dausa are simply the best for holidaying with peace. Scattered with infinite number of tourist’s spot, the vacationers could satisfy their senses by spending some time in their regional & peaceful domains.

The Devnagri of Rajasthan is a favorite tourist destination of tourists who are on the trip of Rajasthan. So don’t waste your time & pack your bag to enjoy the real charm of devnagri.

Udaipur - The city of lakes

Udaipur is the historic capital of the former kingdom of Mewar in Rajputana Agency. It is renowned as the City Of Lakes or Venice of East. Lake Pichola, Udai Sagar, Fateh Sagar Lake and Swaroop Sagar are considered as most beautiful lakes in the state. The city is a romantic land which had been much loved place of the Rajput & known for its Rajput-era palaces.

Location – Udaipur the adored city of Rajput is located in the mountains of Aravalli Range in the southern part of Rajasthan near the Gujarat border. It lies on the Golden Quadrilateral, midway between Delhi and Mumbai National Highway 8.

Language spoken – Mewari is the primary language, yet Rajasthani, Hindi and English are also spoken by people here. 

Transportation facility – Unmetered taxis, city bus, auto rickshaws and tongas are easily available here to enjoy the beauty of the city. Train connectivity is well established between Delhi, Jaipur and Ahmedabad. One can either drive from Jaipur or Surat, or take a Rajasthan Tourism bus from Rajasthan House, India Gate in Delhi. Dabok airport which is also known as Maharana Pratap Airport is 24 kilometers from the city centre which connects the city with Jodhpur, Jaipur, Aurangabad, Mumbai & Delhi. 

People & culture – Inhabitants of this city are really sociable and always entertaining to be with. It is possible that when you will first look at them, they may look a little harsh, but they are actually good. Unharmed by the speed of modern world, these people are muscular but simple & lovely. The customary clothing of women is Ghaghara choli and for males, dhoti and kurta. The city is still inhabited by people of Bhil tribe, so you could see people dressed in typical colorful Rajasthani dress with loads of silver jewelry. However, now-a-days, people like to wear casual dresses to go with the contemporary fashion. Colorful festivals and fairs represent the cultural prosperity of Udaipur. The lakes, temples, huge forts and palaces swank about the rich heritage of this city.  Jainism is the major religion which is followed by people of Udaipur. Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism & Christianity are also followed by the people in the diminishing order. 

Cuisine of adored city of Rajputs comprises most of the vegetarian dishes as there are numbers of Jainism and Vaishnavism followers. Food is usually made from lots of vegetables and lentils which are seasoned with a great variety of spices that are unique to the lands of Rajasthan. Deep-fried breads and extensive use of chili makes the cuisine of Udaipur, a mouth-watering one. Bhavai, Ghoomar, Kachhi Ghodi, Kalbeliya and Terahtaali are the famous dance of Udaipur, as they are in entire Rajasthan. Well, dance of “Dandi Gair” is specially related with Marwar and consequently with Udaipur. Like dance, the melodious music of Sarangi, Naad, Morchang Tanpura and other instruments used to reverberate the courts of Mewar kingdom.

Fest & festivals –

Shilpgram Fair
Shilpgram fair, “Craftsmen's Village” presents the enormous diversities in craft, art & culture between various Indian states, but the exquisite terracotta work along with the wooden carvings are the gift of this ethnic village. Shilpgram comprises of 26 huts, set in 70 acres of natural surroundings at the foot of the Aravali Hills. This colorful craft festival during winter seasons induces liveliness and zeal. Shilpgram is increasing awareness and knowledge of rural life and crafts, particularly, for the young generation as special emphasis is laid on workshops for children on arts, crafts, theatre and music. 

Mewar Festival
The Mewar festival is celebrated to welcome the arrival of spring. It is celebrated together with the festival of Gangaur in the city, and has a unique charm about it. Women gather to dress the image of Isar and Gangaur and then carry them in ceremonial procession. The procession takes its way to the Gangaur Ghat at Lake Pichhola. Here, the images are transferred to special boats with singing and festivity. Once the religious part of the festival gets over, cultural events with songs, dances and other programmes gets chance to portray the Rajasthani culture. 

Tourist attraction of Udaipur –

City Palace Udaipur

The palace is standing on the eastern bank of Lake Pichola. It is a gigantic palace constructed at different period from 1559. The balconies of the palace offer amazing view of "Jag Niwas", Jag Mandir. Moreover, Suraj Gokhda, Mor-chowk and chini chitrashala makes the visit wonderful. There are plenty of other fortresses like Dilkhush mahal, Moti mahal, Krishna vilas & Sheesh mahal which must be visited. These palaces contain lots of decorative furniture, antique articles, utensils and paintings & draw thousands of guests daily. The previous guesthouses of the Shiv Niwas Palace, city palace & the Fateh Prakash Palace have been rehabilitated into heritage hotels.

Pratap Museum

Pratap Museum is housed with old sculptures and inscriptions. The antique paintings of Mewar, the turban of prince Khurram also called Shah Jahan, who built the world famous Taj Mahal has also been displayed here as a token of friendship of Maharana Khazan Singh.

Maharana Pratap Memorial or Moti Magri

The Moti Magri or Pearl Hill is the memorial of the Rajput hero Maharana Pratap with a bronze statue of the Maharana astride his favorite horse "Chetak".

Sukhadia Circle

Sukhadia Circle is a roundabout in the northern area of Panchwati which was opened in 1970. This centerpiece is a large, three-tiered fountain just over 21 m. high, which was finished into scallop dishes surmounted by a wheat-ear motif that represents prosperity. It honors the reminiscence of Mohan Lal Sukhadia, once the Chief Minister of Rajasthan and an inhabitant of city.

Eklingji temple

Eklingji temple is dedicated to Eklingji (a form of Lord Shiva) who is the guardian deity of Mewar. In the main temple there is a four-faced black marble idol of Shiva. In the idol of Eklingji the one who is facing west represents Brahma, north facing is Vishnu, south facing is Maheshwar and east facing is Surya (Sun).

Jagdish Temple

Jagdish temple is situated in the middle of the city which is a big tourist attraction & a great example of Indo - Aryan architecture. This largest temple in city was built by Maharana Jagat Singh 1^st in 1651 A.D which houses an image of Lord Vishnu in black stone, along with a brass image of Garuda, his carrier.

Bohara Ganesh JI

Bohara Ganesh ji temple with standing statue of Shree Ganesh Ji is situated near old railway station (Thokar) and M L S University which is considered to be very fruitful (Chamatkarik).

Fateh Sagar Lake

Fateh Sagar Lake is situated in the north of Lake Picholas which was originally built by Maharana Jai Singh in the year 1678 AD, but later on reconstructed by Maharana Fateh Singh after much destruction caused by heavy rains.

Lake Pichola

Lake Pichola is a lake with two islands, Jag Niwas and the Jag Mandir, originally built by Maharana Udai Singh II. This lake is 4 km long and 3 km wide & has many ghats. This can be approached throughout boats from the City Palace (Bansi Ghat).

Bagore-ki-Haveli

Bagore ki Haveli is an old building built right on the harbor of Lake Pichola at Gangori Ghat which was constructed by Amir Chand Badwa, the Prime Minister of Mewar in the 18^th century. The palace has over a hundred rooms, with displays of costumes, modern art, magnificent glass works. After the death of Badwa the building became the property of Mewar State which was later on occupied by Maharana Shakti Singh of Bagore, who built the palace of the three arches in 1878, and it acquired its name of Bagore-ki-haveli, the house of Bagore.

 

Neemach Mata Temple, Saheliyon-ki-Bari, Udaipur Solar Observatory, Gulab Bagh & Zoo, Doodh Talai, Nehru Garden, Ahar Museum are some other tourist spots which attracts numbers of tourists.

 

Accommodation –There are numbers of heritage hotels, Luxury hotels, resorts, Guest houses & budget hotels in city. So accommodation is not a problem in the city of Lakes. The hotels in city are simply the best for holidaying with peace. Dotted with endless number of vacationer’s hot spots, the tourists could satisfy their senses by spending some time in their peaceful domains.

 

The city of lake is a favorite tourist destination of tourists who are on the trip of Rajasthan. So don’t waste your time & pack your bag to enjoy the Romantic city of Udaipur.

 

 

 

Alwar - The land of tigers

Alwar the land of Tigers is also referred to as the gateway to the historic and colorful state of Rajasthan, which is located in the northwestern part of India. However, the city is more than a mere gateway to the rich cultural treasure. It has its own heritage & culture, which goes back to the legends of the Mahabharata. The city had a chequered history and has witnessed many rules and rulers. It offers many sites of royal historical importance.

Location – The district Alwar is situated in the north-east of Rajasthan which located on the old highway between Jaipur and Delhi. It is 150 kms from Jaipur and 170 kms from Delhi & nestled between clusters of small hills of the Aravalli range. 

Language spoken – People of Alwar basically speak Rajasthani with a little touch of Hindi & their local dialects. So, Hindi, Rajasthani and English are the languages which

Transportation facility – The transportation facility is superb. Regular bus services link the city with key destinations in Rajasthan and with other major cities of India. Jaipur, which is 143 km away from Alwar, is the nearest airport and there are good connections from prominent locations in and around the State by train.

People & culture – The people of Alwar are just like the people of other parts of Rajasthan simple yet colorful, enthusiastic, honest & brave.  The people of city never submitted to alien rule and rebelled most of the time as they had developed a hardy, but carefree attitude to life. The colorful people of celebrate merry occasions with traditional arts, music and dance. Hinduism is the main religion followed by people of Alwar. Another important religion followed by peoples is Islam & Jainism. Most of the festivals which are celebrated by Hindus & other religion in other part of India are celebrated in the city of Rajput with great enthusiasm & fun.

Fair & festivals – This city is famous for the Alwar Festival which is organized between 13-15 February. The Alwar Festival displays the best of folk culture, music, handicrafts and colorful traditions of the region. The three-day festival is organized by the district administration to promote tourism and emphasize on the legacy of rich culture. The `Shilp Gram', handicraft village is organized which emphasizes on the display of the hand-made items and promote the manual skills. The festival mainly focuses on the tourism of this magnificent city and the rural activities of the local people. The city of tigers is mainly known for its pottery and jewelry, so during the festival tourist and visitors purchase pottery and jewelry from the market. The Festival exhibits elephant polo, fancy dress, flower show and sketching competitions for children, rare and antique items of the region, film show on the culture and social customs of Alwar.

Apart from these organized festivals the city celebrate all other religious festival with fun & enthusiasm. Sawan teej, Laldas mela, Sahib ji ka mela, Jagannath ji fair, Bhartrihari & huhar sidh are organized & celebrated with traditional art, music & dance. 

Tourist attraction of Alwar – Alwar is an ideal holiday destination for nature & architect lovers. This holiday destination is surrounded by small hills of Aravali range with some of the best variety of animals and birds.

Bala quila/Alwar fort – The huge Alwar fort, sitting high up on a 300m steep cliff, was built before the 16th century. The Hindu scriptures, Puranas, dictate that “fort is the strength of a king”. This fort has huge ornate pols like other Rajasthani Forts. Some of the important pols are the Jai Pol, Suraj Pol, Chand Pol, Laxman Pol, Kishan Pol and andheri Gate. There are other structures like the Nikumbh Mahal, Jal Mahal, Salim Sagar, Suraj Kund and about 15 temples which are important tourist spots. The most exciting aspect of the fort is the fabulous view of the city and the lake studded countryside below. 

Vinay vilas- the city palce – Vinay Vilas Palace is a wonderful blend of Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture. The palace complex of Vinay vila is a must-see which is situated just below the fort; the palace complex is a large and imposing one with massive gates. Adjacent to the palace is a beautiful garden, Purjan Vihar (Company Garden). The greenery & lush cool shades make it hard to believe that the park is so close to the Great Indian Desert. The upper storey of Palace is a Museum which is divided into three sections. The museum consist few of Alwar's legendary treasures such as Mughal and Rajput painting dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, objects made from jade, ivory and silver, a pair of ivory slippers and a silver dining table with legs shaped like a lion’s feet, beautiful brass and pottery works from Jaipur, Multan (now near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border), Bengal and Sri Lanka, swords of Sultan Mohammad Gauri and of the Mughal emperors Akbar and Aurangzeb, fine collection of Rajput weapons like shields, swords, pistols, rifles and daggers. Moreover, there are some ancient manuscripts in Persian, Arabic, Urdu and Sanskrit. When you are in this section don't miss the illustrated copy of the Mahabharata painted by the artists of the Alwar School, a 200-feet long scroll which is made from a single length of paper. But the most valued piece is the copy of the Gulistan or Garden of Roses, initially written by Sheikh Saadi, a masterpiece of calligraphy.

Moosi maharani ki chatri – Outside the city palace, there is an impressive Moosi Maharani ki Chhatri built by Vinay Singh in the reminiscence of Maharaja Bakhtawar Singh and his wife Rani Moosi, who committed sati. The interiors of chhatri have several great carvings but most of the frescoes on the ceilings are not visible any more. Moreover, if you're lucky enough you'll get a real visual treat of hundreds of peacocks and other colourful birds flapping around the place. Near the Chhatri's is a huge water kund which was created in 1815 by Vinay Singh and is lined with steps on three sides like a stepwell. 

Jai samand lake – Jai Samand lake is also known as Dhebar which is located 52km south east of Udaipur and was built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1685. The lake is one of the largest lakes in Asia covering an area of 36sqkm. There are elegant marble steps on the banks of lake descending to the water and a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.  There are seven islands on this lake and the two bigger islands are known as Babaka Bhagra and a smaller is called Piari. There is Jai samand sanctuary built in 1957 which lies just beside the artificial Jaisamand Lake and has an area of 62sq km. The lake is a home of a wide variety of resident and migratory birds and the cunning crocodiles. The surrounding forest is full of leopard, cheetal, chinkara and wild boar.

Bhangarh – The ruins of Bhangarh presents a picture of the ancient kingdom that once flourished here in 1631 by Madho Singh, Younger brother of the famous Man Singh of Amer. This town of about 10,000 houses was all of a sudden deserted due to the mystery.

Sariska wildlife sanctuary – The Sariska Tiger Reserve is just 40 kms from here and 110 kms from Jaipur. The landscape is dominated by thickly forested hill slopes with vertical cliffs. The terrain is rising and falling with some wide plateau lands separating the valleys. The hills of Sariska are among the best places to view tigers in India. Leopard, Hyena, Somebar, Chansingha, Nilgai, Chinkara, Monkey & Birds are other attractions. This sanctuary was once the personal hunting ground of the Maharajas of city. It became a sanctuary in 1955 and laws later taken it up under Project Tiger in 1979. Sariska wildlife sanctuary is open to visitors throughout the year but the best season to visit sanctuary is during winter months, from November to March.

Accommodation – As all kind of travelers come to visit this city the accommodation here in is also varied. Some of the hotels are deluxe or heritage while others are Budget hotels which are perfect place to enjoy the Rajputana hospitality. The facilities provide by these hotels are superb. The tourist’s just love to stay in these hotels and re- live the past era of valor and courage. 

This gateway of Rajasthan, Alwar is undoubtedly a traveler's delight, for the variety it offers to them in being a powerhouse of nature as well as culture. Now pack your bags and enjoy the great tourist attractions of Alwar.

Kullu - The adobe of divine

So, you have decided to spend your holidays in Kullu and you need little help regarding this divine place. Don't worry you are at right place.

 Kullu was once renowned as Kulanthitha - "The end of the habitable world". The valley spreads out its charisma on either side of the upper reaches of the river Beas. The valley is a congregation point of streams of river drifting down from spectacularly large number of valleys such as Ani, Korpan, Lug, Garsa, Banjar, Manikaran etc. These rivers make it rich in water. The visit to Kullu is a refreshing change from the dust of the cities which is enjoyed by every age group. The Beas River stepping up past and the lustrous sight of continuous snow on the Himalayas makes it a perfect tourist spots.

Location – Kullu “the adobe of divine” is a delightful region in the western Himalayas which is 240-km from Shimla. One of the most beautiful valleys of Himachal Pradesh, Kullu is 80 km long and 2 km broad.

Culture & people – Himalayas are full of varied and eclectic hue of cultures and civilizations ruling the snow capped heights. The people of Kullu live simply with no pomp & show. Not all but still in some areas people wear the traditional dress which include chola, dora, suthan, topa, topi, lachoo & chaddar for men & Patto, dhatu, shawl & pulas for gorgeous women. The fairs & festivals are an essential part of the native culture. These vibrant fairs & festivals carry religious & economic significance for the people here. The customs and ceremony practiced in the valley portray the simple lifestyle of the valley. People worship deities who are snake gods, sages and other powerful goddesses & gods who are mentioned in ancient Indian scriptures. The tradition of folk arts is very rich. The vibrant handicrafts, tremendous temple carvings, elegantly build forts & castles, spectacular folk dances and melodious songs give you an idea about the warmth of the people here. The artisans of the valley preserve a rich tradition of handlooms and handicrafts. The traditional brilliant colors in their handlooms, art & clothing probably manifest people's zest for life and creation.

Fest & festivals – The valley is well known for the seven day festival of Kullu Dussehra. However, festivities and celebrations last almost the entire year, with some or other event taking place every month.

The year begins with the Bandhu or Ghost Dance in January which is performed and attended only by men and is meant to ward off evil spirits. The traditional Horn dance is performed by six people dressed as deer, clowns and women in the cold nights of January. The Naggar Ganesh festival in January also marks the victory of good over evil in which a person dresses up as a sheep and is carried around town in a procession.

The Spring Festival is marked by huge celebrations, songs and dances at Kala Kendra in night. Charasay – Tarasay is dance performed in March and April by married women without any music. One of the popular festivals of Kullu-Manali is Basant Panchami, which is celebrated across the several temples. Main attractions of this festival are the enactment of Hanuman which is performed by a person who covers himself in saffron color and put on the conical cap and tail. Sharhi Jatra, another famous fair of valley held for 3 days in May before the ancient Tripura Sundri Temple. Folk dances, sports, stalls selling clothes, cosmetics and sweets and various competitions mark the festival. The Hadimba Devi Fair is organized in the Hadimba Devi Temple Complex which is attended by people from all over the country.

October brings the much awaited Dusshera Festival, celebrated by the entire valley & enjoyed across the country. The festival commences by Goddess Hadimba’s idol being brought to Kullu to visit the royal family. The idol of Lord Raghunathji is also placed next to Goddess Hadimba in a skillfully adorned ceremonial carriage and pulled up to the hill. Moreover, hundreds of gods and goddesses are also placed on colourful palanquins and taken around in a convoy. On the sixth day the gods get together for the Devta Darbar and lively & vibrant celebrations take place. The royal march reaches the Beas River on the ninth day and a heap of thorn bushes are set to fire to represent the burning of Lanka. Finally, the palanquin reaches its original place and this indicates the finale of Dusshera.

Best time to visit – May-October is the best time to visit. However, in the spring it looks most colorful with white flowers & pink blossoms while the higher slopes are shining with gorgeous rhododendrons. By December, there is no greenery in valley except the splendid pines and cedars in the forests. In winter the adventure enthusiasts can plan a trip when the snow offers great skiing options.

Tourist attraction – Snow clad mountains, various temples & adventure sports places make this place heaven for tourists.

Raghunath Temple

The main tourist interest of Kullu is Raghunath Temple which is devoted to Lord Ram, who is believed to be one of the most important gods in the Hindu’s and amongst the residents of valley. The temple was erected in the year 1660 by Raja Jagat Singh, the one-time ruler of valley, basically to amends his sins.

Jagannathi Devi Temple

Jagannathi Devi Temple which is also known as Bekhli temple is situated at a distance of 3 kms. in the village of Bekhli. Although, it is a steep 1½ hour slope leading to the temple but provides incredible sight of Kullu.

Bijli Mahadev Temple

The Bijli Mahadev Temple is devoted to Lord Shiva & located at the 2460 meters height. This shrine is located across the river Beas, at around 10 km distance from district. As the name suggests, Bijli Mahadev Mandir is frequently struck by lightning. The temple offers full & pleasing view of the valley which is worth visiting.

Manikaran (85 Kms)

The holy pilgrimage place of Manikaran lies in the Parvati Valley which is 85 Kms from Manali and 45 km from Kullu. In Manikaran icy cold waters of the Parvati river co-exists with boiling water side-by-side. The hot water spring is well known for its healing properties. Manikaran is a holy place for Hindus and Sikhs as it has a temple and a gurudwara.

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurudwara ( Manikaran 85 Kms)

Manikaran is a sacred place for the Sikhs as Guru Nanak Dev once visited this place, accompanied by his disciple Bhai Mardana. Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurudwara is to honor the same visit of the Guru. The ‘Autobiography of Bhai Mardana’ or The Janam Sakhi mentions most of the miracles did by the Guru Nanak Dev at this place.

Sports activities

Kullu is the hub of Himalayas Adventure Sports activities & well known for Heliskiing all over the World. This sport has been arranged near Bhrigu peaks in the Hamta pass and Solang Nala too. River Beas and its thunderous gushes are perfect place for river rafting.

Other places of interest in the area include Malana, Kaish-Dhaar in Lug Valley, Bhekhli and Bajaura house the famous temples of the region and places like Kasol and Gohar.

Language spoken – Basically Pahari, Hindi & English is spoken by the people here. However, the native dialect is 'Kulluvi' which is sub-divided into 3 dialects, which are Outer Seraji, Inner Seraji and Sainji. Pronunciation & usage of certain words of Kulluvi dialect vary from region to region within district.

Transportation facilities – Kullu is well connected by air, rail and road network. There are well furnished private & public buses. State owned buses of Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation are available from Kullu which connects the valley with the nearest cities. The buses are comfortable with ample leg space and luggage rack which makes your travel more convenient.

Accommodation – Hotels here get the advantage of being located in the 'Valley of Gods'. All the hotels used to crowded round the season. Summers witness the visitors from plain areas whereas the snowfall in winters attracts honeymooners and adventure lovers. Kullu hotels offer the panoramic view from the rooms. When you are in the hotels, don’t forget to open the curtains of your room to stay surrounded by thick valleys and watch the spectacular view of the clouds coming inside your room.

This valley is the most delightful region in the western Himalayas and has its own charm for everyone. So, start planning a visit to the “valley of god’s”, Kullu to spend your holidays with nature.

Almora - The Switzerland of India

Most of you must have booked your ticket for some where or else for this summer vaccation and if not, try to enjoy this summers in Almora. And I am sure you would love to go again and again.

Mesmerizing hill station Almora is a no doubt a perfect mixture of magnificient mountain beauties, early cultural influences, blessed spots, densely wooded forests, old-fashioned cottages, crystal lakes, picturesque valleys, and garrulous rivers which inspires one to call it the 'Switzerland of India'. The town was founded in 1560 AD by King Kalyan of Chand Dynasty. The horse shoe shaped district is located between the river Kosi and Suyal.

Location – Almora is a hill district in the central Kumauni region of Uttarakhand at an altitude of 5900 ft. & surrounded by Pithoragarh from east, Garhwal from west, Bageshwer from north and in the South there is Nainital.

Language – Kumauni & Hindi are the main language spoken by the people. Local people prefer to speak in Kumauni however you can find people speak in Hindi.

Transport facility – Almora is well connected with other major cities of India through Road, Rail & airways. Local transport, private taxies & buses from Kathgodam are run by private operators to connect it with other cities. Private taxis can be hired for traveling inside the district.

People & culture

The town is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, splendid cuisine, unique handicrafts, wonderful wildlife and age-old temples coupled with an easy accessibility. Adding to the colors of nature is the colorful & vibrant culture, people with rosy cheeks dressed in colorful attires, all this adds to the charm of the valley. The places of hill station are untouched by urbanization and still people have preserved their culture and tradition well. 

Fest & festivals

The people here celebrate each & every festival with great enthusiasm. Out of innumerous fairs & festivals following are of considerable important fairs of Almora are:-

Nanda Devi Festival

The well-known fair of this region which held in the month of September is organized since the rule of Chand kings. It is believed that ‘Nanda’ which means prosperity was the family Goddess of Chanda dynasty. The temple of 'Nanda' in Almora was built in 17^th century by Dyot Chanda, the then ruler of this place. The duration of the Nanda Devi festival is five days and approximately twenty five thousand tourists come to attend this festival.

Dussehra Festival

The famous festival of Hindus, Dussehra, commemorates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, the ten-headed king of Lanka or Ceylon, is celebrated in a very unique way. Approximately five to six thousand tourists come to attend the festival from the outskirts of town. Symbolizing the victory of the truth the effigies of devils are prepared in a very artistic manner in almost all the localities of the town & the effigies are burnt in a social gathering.

Moreover, The Uttrain Festival & Jageshwar Monsoon Festival is also celebrated by people. The Uttraini Festival is celebrated at Bageshwar for a week in January. The Jageshwar Monsoon Festival is held between July and August in temples of Jageshwar for a month.

Tourist attraction

The innumerous tourist attractions in Almora attract numbers of tourists every year. The perfect blend of scenic beauty, holy shrines, culture & architecture makes it a perfect holiday spot. 

Govind Vallabh Pant Public Museum

The state museum Govind Vallabh Pant Public Museum is located near Almora bus stand. The museum is worth paying a visit due to its rich collection of items relating to the history, archeology and cultural significance. The rich collection of the state museum takes you on a journey of different phases of rich history of the hill station. 'Apen' a folk style of painting found in this region can be seen in this museum in its various aspects. The museum remains open for all days of week except Mondays and Government Holidays. It opens for visitors from 10:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. 

Bright end Corner

The Bright end corner is famous for its view at sunrise and sunset. The place is unusually calm & can be your silent retreat to find yourself in the mountains. It is said that the serenity of this place can not be matched with any other hill station of India. One can also visit the circuit house nearby which is also quite peaceful. There is no better place then Bright end corner for those who are in love with philosophy and spirituality. In close proximity there is Vivekananda Library in Ramakrishna Kutir where Swami Vivekananda had stayed during his time spent in Himalayas.

Nanda Devi Temple

The Nanda Devi temple is the most famous temple around with thousands of pilgrims paying it a visit every year. Nanda Devi was the family goddess of Chandravanshi kings. This is the most famous place in Almora believed to be over 1000 years old... The internal & external walls of the temple have been carved attractively with true to life images and the temple is especially busy during the annual Nanda Devi Fair, held in September. Every year in this festival, young boys and girls come here to take part in the dance festival. 

Chetai Temple

Chetai temple – the sacred temple of Gollu Devta is 6 Kilometers from Almora perched on a hilltop. Gollu Devta, one of the most prominent Kumauni gods, was blessed general of Chand dynasty who once ruled this city. Devotees offer bells here as thanksgiving which are decorated on the canopy of these bells. These bells are toll whenever a goat is forfeited before the deity. Surrounded by pine & fur tree forest, a stopover to this temple proves a true tourist attraction for nature lovers.

Kalimath

To take an excellent view of Almora, Kalimath is an ultimate place, just 4.5 kilometers away. It is a picnic spot which gives a lovely view of Himalayan peak & believed to be the spot where Swami Vivekananda meditated.

Kasar Devi: 

The Kasar Devi temple is nearby Kalimath and was built in the second century. The distance between Kasar Devi & Kalimat is not more than 1 km which can be effortlessly covered by walking.

Katarmal

Next to the Konark temple of Orissa, the 800-year old Katarmal's sun temple is the most significant sun temple. It is 17 kilometers from hill station from where you can see some attention-grabbing architecture and intricate images carved out on walls.

Simtola

Lying on the opposite side of the horseshoe ridge, Simtola is a quite picnic spot 5 kms from the city which fascinates with its picturesque view, miles of landscape with striking hills lined with pine and fur trees.. While a trip to Simtola, you can also visit Hiradungi which used to be a diamond mine and the nearby 'Granite Hill'.

Collectorate

Collectorate is the old Almora fort which is located at the peak of Almora bazaar. Climb up here to get a 360 – degree view of the beautiful hill station and the nearby mountain ranges.

Martola

Matrola is another beautiful picnic spot just 10 kms away. The place is a boast of gardens and forests & has ample of scenic beauty.

Accommodation – Hotels here offer numbers of accommodation depending on the budget and preference of the tourists. The accommodation ranges from luxury to budget, in peaceful atmosphere. Deluxe Hotels are marked with great ambiance and exceptional services. On the other hand there are numbers of cheap and best hotels where tourists expecting luxuries within the cheap budget will find more pocket friendly hotels.

What are you waiting for?? Rush to book your ticket to Almora for a peaceful holiday.