Top Ten Travel Destinations Of India

1. Munnar

Sprawling tea plantations surround the serene hills of Munnar, which attract adventure travelers hungry for paragliding, treks to Anaimudi (South India’s highest peak) and hikes originating at the confluence of three mountain streams.

The stone Christ Church, built by the British in 1910, is adorned with renowned works of stained glass, and Eravikulam National Park, about 10 miles away, is home to equally colorful wildlife, including the endangered Nilgiri Tahr (ibex), ruddy mongoose and 120 bird species.

Places of Interest

Rajamalai (Eravikulam) National Park

Tea Gardens

Kolukkumalai Tea Estate

2. Manali

In Hinduism, Manu was said to have survived a great flood that destroyed the rest of the world. He then recreated mankind in this Kullu Valley town. What a rush, huh? No wonder the towering peaks and verdant terrain of Manali attracts adventure travelers, with heli-skiing, hiking, mountaineering and river rafting the favored active pursuits.

Come down from your endorphin high by breathing deeply at the four-story, wooden Hidimba Devi Temple, which sits in the middle of a nearby deciduous forest, or take a medicinal soak in the hot springs burbling from the ground a 30-minute walk from town.

Place of Interest

Manikaran Gurudwara

Hadimba Devi Mandir

River Beas  

3.Hampi

The former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, Hampi remains an essential religious hub, housing the Virupaksha, Lakshmi Narasimha, Hemakuta Hill, Big Shivlinga and Vithala temples. The architectural ruins of Hampi are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rock-climbing enthusiasts will adore Hampi, considered the bouldering capital of India, and the city’s rocky landscape, dotted with ancient temple ruins, makes for a unique climbing experience

4. Goa

East meets West in this sun-soaked state, where Indian culture intertwines with Portuguese influences left over from a 500-year occupation. The beaches have long served as a magnet for serene hedonists.

To the north, the tourist-centric scene is prevalent, with an international flair that is now skewing more hip than hippie. Travel south for stretches of unspoiled sand and an escape from large resorts. Temples, mosques and wildlife sanctuaries provide diversions from the beach.

Places of Interest

Old Goa

Dudhsagar Falls

Anjuna Market

5. Udaipur

Udaipur, known as the Venice of the East, boasts several sparkling lakes against a backdrop of the Aravail hills. Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir, islands in Fateh Sagar Lake, are the site of Udaipur Solar Observatory and Nehru Garden.

Famous palaces include the magical Lake Palace, now a luxurious five-star hotel, and the massive City Palace on Pichola’s east bank, featuring epic courtyards and stunning paintings.

Place of Interest

Jain Temple – Ranakpur

Shilpgram

City Palace of Udaipur

6. Gangtok

The capital of the state of Sikkim, Gangtok is an attractive tourist destination, reflecting a unique ambience which derives from its happy blend of tradition and modernity. Alongside the deeply felt presence of stupas and monasteries, Gangtok also bustles like any other thriving town. Some of the key places to visit include Rumtek Monastery, Do-Drul Chorten, Enchey Monastery, Tashi View Point and the local bazaar, Lal Bazaar.

Places of Interest

Deer Park

Phurchachu Hot Springs

Nathula Pass

7. Bangalore

Known as both the “Garden City” and “The Silicon Valley of India,” Bangalore (officially “Bengaluru”) is a techie’s paradise, boasting the highest concentration of IT companies in the country. When you’re done geeking out, there are plenty of gardens, museums, natural features, palaces and temples to fill your dance card. Visit Vidhana Soudha, Cubbon Park and the Ulsoor Lake of Bangalore, well known for its beautiful locales and boating facilities. Bangalore is also a major centre of Indian classical music and dance, and of vivid, cutting-edge nightlife.

Places of Interest

ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna-Chandra Temple

Lalbagh Botanical Garden

Bannerghatta National Park

8. DharamShala

Serenely spiritual Dharamsala is home to the largest Tibetan temple outside of Tibet. It’s known for its religious iconography and is the monastery of the Dalai Lama, who holds public lectures a few times a year. Once you’ve restored your spiritual energy, enjoy a picturesque stroll to Bhagsu Waterfall or climb the hill to Triund to bask in stunning views of the Himalayas.

Places of Interest

Tsuglag Khang

Kangra Valley

Triund Dharamshala

9. Jaipur

If you take one look at the glorious stucco buildings that line Jaipur’s wide streets, you’ll understand why this is nicknamed “The Pink City.” Spend your days exploring City Palace, Hawa Mahal, and Amber and Jaigarh forts. And if you’re looking for a unique souvenir, head to one of the bazaars, where you can pick up a pair of camel-leather slippers.

Places of Interest

Amber (Amer) Fort and Palace

Jantar Mantar – Jaipur

Palace of Wind (Hawa Mahal)

10. Leh

The Ladakh capital city of Leh lies near the eastern parts of Jammu and Kashmir, on the crossroads of the historic “Silk Route” from Sinkiang to West Asia and to the plains of India. The humbling monasteries of Shey, Hemis, Alchi, Thikse and Lamayuru will nurture your spiritual needs, and the landscape of Leh provides for a number of adventure activities including mountaineering, white-water rafting and trekking along the Markha Valley.

Places of Interest

Tibetan Market

Phyang Monastery

Leh Royal Palace

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काशी के बारे में भ्रांतियों से बचिए

जिस काशी को स्वयं भगवान भोले नाथ ने अपने रहने का स्थान बनाया अगर उसी काशी की राजनीतिक आइने में छवि धूमिल की जाए तो दुख होता है। काशी, बनारस, वाराणसी ना सिर्फ एक शहर है बल्कि पूरी एक सभ्यता है। आधुनिक जीवन में महत्वपूर्ण दखल रखने वाली एजेंसियां भी ये मान चुकी हैं कि ये शहर मानव सभ्यता की शुरुआत से अब तक निरंतर बना हुआ है। इतने के बाद भी अगर काशी पर असभ्य होने का कलंक झेलना पड़े तो असहनीय पीड़ा होती है।

पिछले कुछ वर्षों में काशी को लेकर भ्रांतियों को प्रचारित करने की मानों मुहिम चलाई जा रही हो। ये साबित करने की कोशिश की जा रही है कि काशी के निवासियों को शहरी जीवन जीने के तौर तरीके नहीं पता। काशी एक पिछड़ा और धारा से कटा हुआ शहर है। विश्व में इसकी छवि अच्छी नहीं है।

काशी को लेकर ऐसी भ्रांतियों क्यों फैलाई जा रहीं हैं ये तो ठीक ठीक नहीं बताया जा सकता लेकिन लगता है कि राजनीतिक द्दंद में स्वयं को श्रेष्ठ साबित करने के लिए काशी की सनातन सभ्यता का मानमर्दन करने की कुचेष्टा की जा रही है।

प्रचारित किया जा रहा है कि काशी में साफ सफाई नहीं रहती है। इससे बढ़कर ये साबित करने का प्रयास है कि काशी के लोग भी स्वच्छता चाहते ही नहीं हैं। काशी के बारे में ये भ्रांति साफ सफाई रखने वाली एजेंसियों की एक सोची समझी चाल सी लगती है। जो काशी सनातन सभ्यता की अग्रणी है वो काशी क्या स्वच्छता को लेकर जागरुक नहीं रहेगी? ये मान लेना जरा कठिन है। दरअसल पिछले कुछ वर्षों में देश के हर शहर की तरह काशी में भी शहरीकरण तेज और अनियोजित तरीके से हुआ है। साफ सफाई का न होना इसी का नतीजा है। ना तो शहर में कूड़ा एकत्रीकरण की समुचित व्यवस्था है और ना ही कूड़ा निस्तारण की। प्रशासनिक व्यवस्थाओं में नाकाम रहने वाले अधिकारी अपनी नाकामी का ठीकरा काशी और काशी के नागरिकों पर फोड़ देते हैं। सच ये है कि शहर में शहर की सभी व्यवस्थाएं ध्वस्त हैं। ना ड्रेनेज, ना सिवरेज, ना सड़कें, ना पार्किंग, ना हरियाली, ना कूड़ेदान, ना पैदल चलने के लिए फुटपाथ। शहर होने के बावजूद व्यवस्थाओं के हिसाब से कस्बाई सोच और ग्रामीण स्तर के प्रयास। काशी को नियोजित रूप से बसाने की कभी कोशिश ही नहीं की गई।

आवश्यकता अब काशी के लोगों के संस्कारों को दोष देने की नहीं है। जरूरत काशी को सहूलियतें उपलब्ध कराने की है। काशी के विकास के लिए किसी अन्य शहर का मॉडल नहीं अपनाया जा सकता है। काशी के लिए सिर्फ काशी का मॉडल चल पाएगा। काशी के जनप्रतिनिधियों और अधिकारियों को चाहिए कि वो काशी और काशी के लोगों की सभ्यता पर सवाल उठान की जगह प्रशासनिक व्यवस्थाओं को दुरुस्त करें।

Dantewada’s Tribal Women Will Now Be E-Rickshaw Drivers! Know More

The town of Dantewada in Chhattisgarh takes its name after goddess Danteshwari, who is the presiding deity of the Danteshwari Temple located in the region.

With the same name comes a unique public transport system, Danteshwari Sewa, which will employ tribal women as ‘e-rickshaw’ drivers.

In one of the worst hit Naxal regions of the country, the initiative is a first, designed by Dantewada district administration to provide employment to tribal women from remote villages in the district.

Titled Dantewada Advanced Network of Transport Empowered SHG, the project has roped in close to 200 self-help groups (SHG) and will introduce public transport facility of e-rickshaws in the interior parts of the region and involve women who are members of these groups in the respective areas.

According to District Collector Saurabh Kumar and Zilla Panchayat chief executive officer Gaurav Singh, the first phase of the project is all set to be flagged off by chief minister Raman Singh where over 51 e-rickshaws will be handed over to SHG members. The service is slated for expansion to other villages in a phased manner.

Being quite cut off, most villagers in the region had to travel by foot for many kilometres to even reach the main road from where they could board a bus. With the launch of the service, this toil will be eliminated.

Pushpa Lata is one amongst the group of tribal women who are learning how to drive an e-rickshaw. “I am happy and excited to operate an e-rickshaw. Instead of sitting at home, we will also earn some money by operating the service in the village,” an elated Pushpa told Times of India.

Costing about 1.70 lakh, 20 per cent of the funding for each rickshaw will be borne by SHGs while the remaining 80 per cent is to be supported by District Mineral Fund (DMF). Ten charging stations at different locations will be installed where these rickshaws can be charged as and when required.

“The route map is being designed for each vehicle to identify the locations where e-rickshaw battery charges have to be installed,” explained Zilla Panchayat CEO.

Reportedly, all the vehicles are to be equipped with first aid kits and GPS-tracking, and the women operators will be given smartphones with an SOS button.

Upon hitting the button, police station control rooms closest in the vicinity will be alerted and can track the vehicles.

Also, the officials have come up with a scheme under which instances of a pregnant lady hitching the e-rickshaw for a hospital visit will avail the women drivers the fee that is normally given to Mahtari express (102 ambulance), who provide free transportation service to pregnant women.

With the goal of empowering the local tribal women with better livelihoods, the district administration is trying to find every possibility that can be utilised to increase income for these women.

The women are also quite hopeful that the project will be a success and function unperturbed by Naxal groups.

 by Lekshmi Priya S on www.betterindia.com

Chennai to Get its First Special Park For Disabled Children

Kilikili, a Kannada term, translates to the warbling laughter of a child. It is also the name of a registered trust, formed by parents of children with special needs.

Driven by volunteers and supported by professionals, its aim is to make play areas accessible to all children, regardless of their disabilities.

Taking stock of the lack of such facilities in Chennai, the Greater Chennai Corporation is working with Kilikili to create such a public play space near Santhome. The special park will not only be used by children with disabilities, but by all kids, the Times of India reported.

The park is part of Chennai’s Smart City Mission endeavor.

The wheelchair-friendly park will cost Rs 1.3 crore to build. Among other play equipment, it will have apparatus that stimulate the sensory development of children.

Kilikili managing trustee Kavitha Krishnamoorthy told ToI that the park would also be open to youngsters without special needs as well, to allow all children to interact with each other. Making play inclusive is what the organisation wishes to do.

Kilikili mission, Krishnamoorthy said to ToI, is to create an “inclusive society where all children, all people are respected for their unique abilities, where diversity is viewed as a societal strength”.

The trust, which has in the past received recognition for its work from Unicef, has set up three such parks in Bengaluru with help from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). The respective locations of such parks are Basavangudi, Coles Park and Rajajinagar.

Bengaluru is said to have the highest number of disabled friendly parks in the country.
(post written by Vishaka George, copied from www.thebetterindia.com)

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VARANASI - CITY OF MOKSHA

The land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Often referred to as Benares, Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world. These few lines by Mark Twain say it all: "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together". Hindus believe that one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth. Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the origins of Varanasi are yet unknown. Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals. 

 Ganges is said to have its origins in the tresses of Lord Shiva and in Varanasi, it expands to the mighty river that we know of. The city is a center of learning and civilization for over 3000 years. With Sarnath, the place where Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment, just 10 km away, Varanasi has been a symbol of Hindu renaissance. Knowledge, philosophy, culture, devotion to Gods, Indian arts and crafts have all flourished here for centuries. Also a pilgrimage place for Jains, Varanasi is believed to be the birthplace of Parsvanath, the twenty-third Tirthankar.  

        

Vaishnavism and Shaivism have co-existed in Varanasi harmoniously. With a number of temples, Mrs. Annie Besant chose Varanasi as the home for her 'Theosophical Society' and Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, to institute 'Benares Hindu University, the biggest University in Asia. Ayurveda is said to be originated at Varanasi and is believed to be the basis of modern medical sciences such as Plastic surgery, Cataract and Calculus operations. Maharshi Patanjali, the preceptor of Ayurveda and Yoga, was also affiliated with Varanasi, the holy city. Varanasi is also famous for its trade and commerce, especially for the finest silks and gold and silver brocades, since the early days.           

Varanasi has also been a great center of learning for ages. Varanasi is associated with promotion of spiritualism, mysticism, Sanskrit, yoga and Hindi language and honored authors such as the ever-famous novelist Prem Chand and Tulsi Das, the famous saint-poet who wrote Ram Charit Manas. Aptly called as the cultural capital of India, Varanasi has provided the right platform for all cultural activities to flourish. Many exponents of dance and music have come from Varanasi. Ravi Shankar, the internationally renowned Sitar maestro and Ustad Bismillah Khan, (the famous Shehnai player) are all sons of the blessed city or have lived here for major part of their lives

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