Geographical Position Of India
The Indian subcontinent is in Asia. It is a peninsula and the three sides are
surrounded by Arabian Sea in the south west, Bay Of Bengal in the south east
and Indian Ocean in the South. It lies to the north of the equator between 8.4
and 37.6 degrees north latitude and 68.7 and 97.25 degrees east longitude.
India measures 3214 kms from north to south and 2933 kms from east to west.
It has a land frontier of 15,200 kms and a coastline of 7516.5kms. India shares
its political borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan on the west, Bangladesh
and Burma in the east, Nepal, China, Tibet and Bhutan in the north.
Demographic Profile:
Area : It covers an Area of 3,287,263 sq. km
Capital : New Delhi
Population :India is the second largest populated
country in this world after China .
Places to Visit
India has a rich history and the palaces, temples and
great cities of its ancient cultures cannot fail to grip the
imagination. In the spring particularly, the big cities come
alive with concerts, plays, parties and exhibitions. Among
the most spectacular hill stations (mountain resorts which
make ideal destinations in summer) are Shimla (once the
Imperial summer capital), Mussoorie, Ranikhet and
Nainital (within reach of Delhi), and West Bengal's
magnificent resort, Darjeeling, which offers a breathtaking
view of the whole Kanchenjunga range. Along the fabled
coasts of Malabar and Coromandel, unspoiled sandy
beaches stretch for miles. Skiing is possible in the silent
snowbound heights of Gulmarg and Kufri in the
Himalayas.
From the Kashmir in the North to Kanyakumari in the South , India is
full of beautiful places. In India one can find mountains, rivers,
forests, desserts, lakes, sea and green plains. Everything that Mother
Nature has in her heart she has given to India.
Ellora Caves
The caves of Ellora constitute one of the most beautiful
expressions of the art of the Indian Middle Ages, and are
designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated
outside the city of Aurangabad, 400km northeast from
Bombay, it was created between AD 350 and 1000 by
Buddhists, Hindus and Jains who laboured to sculpt
temples from the living rock. These breathtaking caves
are remarkable for their sculptures and architecture.
The Gateway of India
In the days when most visitors came to India
by ship and when Bombay was India's
principal port, this was indeed the 'gateway'
to India. Today it's merely Bombay's principal
landmark.
The
gateway
was
conceived following the visit of King George
V in 1911 and officially opened in 1924.
The Hawa Mahal
Built in 1799, the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the
Winds, is one of the major landmarks of Jaipur.
This five storey building, which looks out over the
main street of the old city, is a stunning example of
Rajput artistry, with its pink semi octagonal and
delicately honeycombed sandstone windows. It
was originally built to enable ladies of the royal
household, to watch the everyday life and
processions of the city. The palace was built by
Maharaja
Sawai
Pratap
Singh, and is part of the City Palace complex.
A temple in Khajuraho
Khajuraho, a quiet village in the central
state of Madhya Pradesh, is home to one of
India's major attractions - the superb
temples of Indo-Aryan architecture. These
temples were built during the Chandella
period, a dynasty which survived for five
centuries before falling to the onslaught of
Islam. Khajuraho's temples, almost all, date
from one century long burst of creative
genius from 950-1050 AD.
The Maharaja's Palace at Mysore
The beautiful profile of this walled
Indo-Saracenic palace, the seat of the
Maharajas of Mysore, graces the city's
skyline. It was built in 1907 at a cost of
Rs 4.2 million. The palace is
spectacularly illuminated on Sunday
nights, and during the festive season
of Dussehra
Qutab Minar, Delhi
The emblem of Delhi, the 72.55 meter high
Qutab Minar was erected in the 13th century
by Qutab-Ud-Din Aibak. The monument
tapers from a 15-meter diameter base to
just 2½ metres at the top. Beautiful
calligraphy adorns the adjacent edifices. The
tower has five distinct stories, each marked
by a projecting balcony. The first three
stories are made of red sandstone, the
fourth and fifth of marble and sandstone.
The Taj Mahal
An extravagant marble monument of love, built
by Shahjahan in 1653 as a memorial to his
queen Mumtaz Mahal who died giving birth to
their 14th child. White marble and red
sandstone, silver and gold, carenelian and
jasper, moonstone and jade, lapiz lazuli and
coral were fashioned by 20, 000 skilled workers
to make the emperor's dream a reality. It took
22 years to complete - a poignant symbol of
eternal love where Shahjahan too lies buried,
reunited at last with his beloved Mumtaz.
Victoria Memorial
The Victoria Memorial, with its formal gardens and
water courses was conceived by Lord Curzon to
commemorate the British Empire at its peak.The
Memorial consists of numerous hybrid features: it has
Italian-style statues over its entrances, Mughal domes
in its corners and tall elegant open colonnades along
its sides. The building was designed by Sir William
Emerson and its construction was completed in 1921.
The main attraction at the memorial is the huge
sombre statue of the Queen, which is flanked by two
ornamental tanks. Made of Makrana marble from
Jodhpur, the Memorial is capped by a dome bearing a
revolving bronze figurine symbolizing victory.
Red Fort, Delhi
The largest of Old Delhi's monuments is Lal Quila or
Red Fort. The Lal Quila rises above a wide dry moat
in the northeast corner of the original city of
Shahjahanabad. Mughal Emperor Shahjahan started
construction of the massive fort in 1638 and work was
completed in 1648.The Fort houses the Diwan-i-Am
or the Hall of Public Audiences where the Emperor
would sit and hear complaints of the common folks.
His alcove in the wall was marble-paneled and was
set with precious stones. The Diwan-i-Khas is the hall
of private audiences. This hall is made of marble and
its centre-piece used to be the Peacock Throne.
Agra Fort
The high red sandstone ramparts of this great
monument stretch for almost 2.5 kilometres,
dominating a bend in the river Yamuna,
northwest of the Taj Mahal. The foundation of
this majestic citadel was laid by the Emperor
Akbarand it developed as a stronghold of the
Mughal Empire under successive generations.
The curved bastions of the huge walls are
interrupted by impressive gates of which only
the Amar Singh gate is now open to the public.
The original and grandest entrance was through
the Delhi Gate, which leads to the inner portal
called the Hathi Pol or Elephant Gate.
The Charminar
The Charminar in Hyderabad, is a massive arch built by
Mohammed Quli Qutab Shah, in 1591 to commemorate
the end of the plague in the city. The symbol of the city, the
Charminar, is an impressive square monument with four
minarets. The arch is illuminated daily in the evening, an
unforgettable sight indeed. The city of Hyderabad, with its
delightful blend of the ancient and the modern, presents to
the onlooker an interesting skyline with modern buildings
standing shoulder to shoulder with fascinating 400 year old
edifices. It boasts of some fine examples of Qutab Shahi
architecture - the Jami Masjid, the Mecca Masjid, Toli
Masjid, and of course, the impressive symbol of
Hyderabad, the Charminar.
Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram
The shore temples at Mahabalipuram, a coastal village 50 km
south of Madras, were built in the 7th century, during the reign
of Rajasimha, and they depict the final flowering of Pallava
art. These temples are refreshingly uncluttered, unlike later
grandiose Dravidian architecture and they tower over the
waves, behind a protective breakwater. The temple with its
beautiful polygonal dome enshrines Lord Vishnu and Shiva.
These beautiful temples, ravaged by wind and sea, were
listed among the World Heritage sites, a few years ago and
they are probably the most photographed monuments in India.
Jantar Mantar,Jaipur
An astronomical observatory designed
by the astronomer - King Sawai Jai
Singh II of Jaipur, in 1724. It was
believed to have been built with
masonary instruments for observing the
movements of the stars and the planets.
The Sun Temple at Konark
The Sun Temple , Built by Raja Narsimhadeva of the Ganga
dynasty, in the 13th century AD, the temple is a tribute to
human grandeur, in its perception, and in the execution of
even the finest details. It resembles a huge chariot, with 24
wheels, pulled by seven straining horses, and has a threetiered pyramidal roof topped off by a fine spire. The Sun God's chariot, also represents the seven days of the week,
and the 24 hours of the day, in its concept. The temple is a
brilliant story in stone, with impressive sculptures. Every
aspect of life is represented here and the erotic imagery,
depicts the sublimation of human love manifested in
countless forms. Scenes from court, civic life and war are also
done with great precision.
Unlike the other temples of the Bhubaneswar-Konark-Puri region, the Konark temple had two smaller outer halls,
completely separate from the main structure. The assembly-hall and the tower were built on an imposing platform,
which were carved into meticulously crafted twelve pairs of decorated wheels, each 10 feet in diameter. The
entrance is reached by a broad flight of steps, flanked on either side by prancing horses, the whole representing
the chariot, in which the Sun-God rides across the heavens. The court of the temple, was decorated with large
free-standing sculptures of great strength and beauty. Now protected under the World Heritage List, the temple's
interior was filled - up in 1903 A.D., by the then British Lt. Governor of Bengal, to save it from deterioration.
If you are inerested in trekking, Fishing or other outdoor adventures, Travel Connection can promise you a
high quality, memorable experience in India's Himalayan States of Jammu & Kashmir, Himanchal Pradesh ,
Rajasthan, Utter Pradesh and throughout Nepal . We have an experienced staff and excellent contacts in
all these areas.
Rajasthan
Goa
Nepal
Agra
Ladhak
Haridwar
Rajasthan
Rajasthan Abattle scarred region. The abode of rulers. The Land of princes and heroic warriors who lived
passionately and preferred to die by their unrelenting code rather than submit and live.Rajasthan covers an area
of about 342239 sq.km. the greater part of which is a rocky and sandy desert inter-spersed with forest and fertile
tracts. It is divided by the Aravali range into two regions, eastern and western. Until recently it was known as
Rajputana, and comprised, among others, the princely States of Udaipur, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner and
Jaisalmer
The historical highlights of Udaipur, The Maharaja's palace in Jodhpur, and the walled city of
Jaisalmer. Rajasthan has much more to offer
Travel Connection takes you there
Add to it the annual Camel Fair at Pushkar where some 200,000
people and 50,000 camels set the mood. A four day camel trek
across flat desert sands in the company of the region's garishly
garbed villagers and the full moon. Accomodations range from the
spartan to the regal.
Our Rajasthan Camel safaris resurrect the traditional way of
travelling through this exotic desert and allow us to explore very
remote villages inhabited by nomadic and pastoral tribes, many of
whom never see "outsiders" and still retain the old desert way of
life, tending livestock and riding camels with colourful tasseled
saddles and handwoven blankets. On our camel safari we'll camp
in the desert at night and spend days either walking or riding the
camels from village to village.
Nepal
A Picturesque Valley And A Friendly People
Places to visit - Kathmandu / Patan / Bhaktapur / Terai / Gorkha / Lumbini / Tansen
Kathmandu - Emerald Buddha stupas, tranquil pagoda
temples, ornate grand palaces and royal mansions, Kathmandu
is a city of endless sight-seeing pportunities. The beauty of its
natural landscape and traditional architecture, skillfully built
temples and shrines are a testimony to its rich heritage. Around
the capital, stretch a fertile agricultural landscape and a variety
of
excursion
getaways.
Pashupatinath Temple - On the banks of the Bagmati River, is
Pashupatinath, the country's pre-eminent Hindu temple and
one of the most significant Shiva temples on the subcontinent.
As the Bagmati is a holy river, Pashupatinath is very popular
with tourists; the ghats (river steps) immediately in front of the
temple are reserved for the cremation of royalty.
Pokhara - This lake city is renowned for its setting rather than
it's historical or cultural endowments. It’s location by the lake
and proximity to the mountains make it an ideal place for
recovery, trek, go walking or curl up with a book. There's a
batch of Tibetan settlements, a hilltop monastery, magnificent
views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Machhapuchchhre, and the
pretty Devi Falls nearby. Day walks can be taken to Sarangkot
(1592m), the limestone caves at Mahendra Gufa or Rupa and
Begnas Tals lakes. Another option is the three to four-day
Annapurna
Skyline
Trek.
Royal Chitwan National Park - This magnificent park, was
once the hunting ground for British and Nepalese aristocrats.
Today, the animals - elephant, rhinoceros, tiger, leopard and
deer - are protected, not shot. Probably the greatest thrill
here is to scout for wildlife on the back of an elephant. If
that's too uncomfortable, one can do the same thing in a
jeep or canoe or go jungle walking with experienced guides.
Sagarmatha - Mount Everest on the right -- along with
several other famous peaks. This park features extremely
high mountains, deep gorges, and amazing bird and animal
life.
A
World
Heritage
Site.
Bodhnath - The huge stupa of Bodhnath, which is the
largest in the country and among the largest in the world. It's
also the centre for Nepal's considerable population of
Tibetans. Late afternoon is a good time to visit. This is when
prayer services are held and the locals turn out to walk
around the stupa (if you want to join in, do walk in a
clockwise direction). Surrounding Bodhnath are a number of
monasteries, but be discreet and respectful if you intend
visiting
them.
Trekking - Nepal is a rewarding trekking holiday. During a
trek, the Himalaya disappears behind Nepal's continual hills,
but dominates the northern skyline at each pass. Annapurna,
Manaslu, Langtang, Gauri Shankar and Everest will become
familiar names. Your conception of the Himalaya alters as
you turn from peaks famed only for their height to gaze on
far more picturesque summits that you may never have
heard of - Kantega, Ama Dablam, Machhapuchhare and
Kumbhakarna. Everest, Annapurna, Central, Western and
Eastern regions offer exciting trekking opportunities.
Ladakh
LehWalk to the Shankar Gompa which has innumerable statues of pure gold and a
number of interesting paintings. Later walk to the Leh Palace and on the way back
visit the cottage industries emporium. Drive to the Spituk Monastery (5 miles) which
contains a large collection of Tankhas and old masks & later visit the Shankar Gompa.
Proceed to visit the Phyiang Monastery before returning to the hotel.
Leh - Alchi Gompa70 Km from Leh on banks of the Indus, is Alchi
Gompa dating a thousand years back. One of its walls feature
thousands of miniature-sized pictures of the Buddha. Three large sized
images made of clay and painted brightly are its focal attraction.
Leh - SheySHEY :The once residence of the royal family is famous for
its 7.5 meter high gilded statue of Buddha.
Leh - StokStok was the Palace of the banished royal family. It houses a
museum which displays fabulous period costumes and Jewelry of the
royalty along-with exquisite tankhyas representing the life of the Sakya
Muni Buddha. Interesting historical objects like coins, seals, armour,
weapons, precious jade and porcelain can also be seen here.
.Leh - Hhemis40 kms from Leh, Hemis is one of the richest, biggest &
most famous gompa in Ladakh. Its popularity stems from the major
annual festival held during summer in honour of their Guru Padma
Sambhava's birth anniversary. Built during 1630, it has numerous
tankhyas, silver chortens studded with precious/semi precious stones
and various images of Buddha. Of its many frescoes, the most famous
is the Wheel of Life.
Leh – Lamayuru
The oldest holy site in Ladakh, Lamayuru was once a lake. It was blessed by a lama after which, as legend
goes, the water of the lake receded upto the mountains leaving place for the monastery to be built. It is also the free zone- of Ladakh since not even a criminal can be apprehended in this place. Now mostly in ruins, only the
main hall exists today and houses numerous tankhyas.
Leh - LikirFounded in the 11th century AD and re-dedicated to
another monastic order in the 15th century AD, the earlier gompa
was destroyed in a fire. The present gompa dates back to the 18th
century. Skilled craftsman producing excellent tankhyas, earthen
pots, carved folding wooden stools etc. live in the village.
Majestically situated, it commands a spectacular view.
Leh - Spituk8 kms from Leh, it stands majestically on top of a
hillock overlooking the Indus valley for miles. Many icons and fine tankhyas- are to be found in this 15th century monastery. It also
houses a collection of ancient masks, antique arms, and and an
awe inspiring image of Mahakala. The face of the Kali image is kept
covered and revealed only at the annual function in January every
two years.
Leh – Thiksey 19 kms from Leh, spectacularly sited and one of the finest example of Ladakhi
architecture. Thiksey is one of the largest and most impressive gompas. There are several
temples in this gompa containing images, stupas and exquisite wall paintings. It also houses a
two- storeyed statue of Buddha which has the main prayer hall around its shoulder.
Goa - The Land of beaches
The former Portuguese enclave of Goa, one of
India's gems, has enjoyed a prominent place in
the travellers` lexicon for many years. The main
reason for this is its magnificent palm-fringed
beaches and renowned 'travellers' scene'.
GENERAL INFORMATION
AREA :3659 Sq. km.
POPULATION : 1.3 MILLION
PEOPLE PER Sq. Km. : 336
CAPITAL : PANJIMAIN
LANGUAGE :KONKINI,ENGLISHLITERACY
RATE :77%
BEST TIME TO VISIT :OCTOBER TO MAY
GOA-CALANGUTE BEACH
Visit Calangute Beach extending
along the Arabian Sea in an inward
arch of about 7 kms. It can be well
called the -Queen of Goa Beachesfor its popularity with the visitors.
Also visit the Mapuca City.
GOA
Visit Old Goa - the Basilica of Bom Jesus built in the 16th century, wherein is enshrined
in an ornate silver casket the body of St.Francis Xavier, the most popular and famous of
all churches in Goa. Also visit St Cathedral, the biggest in Goa, Church of St Francis of
Assisi, St Cajetan Church, built in the style of St Peter's Basilica in Rome, Church of
Lady of Rosary and Nunnery of St. Monica.
GOA
Visit Pilar, Murgao, Colva Beach, Vasco-deGama, Marmagao Harbour and back to
Panjim via Cortalim and Agacaim.
TEMPLES
Visit the Temple of Shri Mangesh, a beautiful
temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located on a
hillock at Proil - in Ponda Taluka. Though
small, the temple has an air of distinct
elegance and its lofty white tower is a
landmark of the countryside. Also visit the
Shantadurga Temple and Shri Ramnath
Temple
Haridwar
Haridwar stands as the gateway to the four pilgrimages of Uttrakhand. Geographically and
geological, Haridwar, lying at the feet of Shiva's hills, i.e., Shivaliks, in the Haridwar district of Uttar Pradesh, is a
doorway. It is at Haridwar that Kumbh fairs are held when millions of devote hindus take the holy dip in the holiest
of India's rivers. Mythological, drops of the nectar churned out from the world ocean fell at four places- Haridwar,
Prayag (Allahabad), Ujjain and Nasik- the four sites of Kumbh fair. Haridwar mentioned as Mayapuri, Gangadwar,
Mokshadwar in the ancient scriptures and epics, Haridwar has always remained as a major ShaktiPeeth for the
devotees. Of such significance is Haridwar in the thought of India's traditional Hindus that is has earned its
sobriquet of honor, 'The Gateway to the Gods'.