The story of Ajanta's 'discovery is far {better documented than that of its creation. Soot deposits on the cave walls indicate that even when they fell into oblivion, nomadic or trio;' communities may have used them for shelter. No written records, however, and no pilgrimages recalled their existence; and it was a hunting expedition led by the British captain John Smith, from the Madras Army, that accidentally stumbled on them in 1819. They were named after a small village nearby.
Naturally, there followed a great flurry of archaeological and documentation activity, led by James Fergusson who presented the first academic paper on Ajanta to the Royal Asiatic Society in 1843. He argued that the caves be preserved, and some record made of the paintings within. It is fortunate that his arguments were convincing. In the years between their discovery and the first attempts at preservation, the caves were subject to increasing vandalism. A certain petty official had even gifted away pieces of sculpture — a group of five male heads eventually found its way to an auction at Sotheby's! Two extensive projects to copy the paintings began one after the other. An army officer, Captain Robert Gill, spent over 20 years making meticulous reproductions — most of which were destroyed in a fire. Another project initiated at the cost of Rs 50,000, was led by John Griffiths, head of the JJ School of Art at Bombay. Many Of Griffiths' reproductions were also published and become available to artists and art historians around the world. This was the second time paintings of Ajanta had an international audience. The History The Ajanta excavations were begun a under the Satavahanas. Although they were not particularly active patrons of Buddhism, the merchants who prospered under their rule were — and donated generously to the artists and monks in the caves. With the decline of the Satavahanas, work at Ajanta stopped. There is little more than speculative evidence to connect the two events; however, the Deccan witnessed a great deal of conflict in the next three to four centuries, which cannot have been conducive to artistic activity. Perhaps, too, the trade route along which Ajanta was situated fell into disuse, and the caves were abandoned because monks, being entirely dependent on alms, could not afford to live in complete isolation. Eventually, with the rise of the Vakatakas, stability returned to the region. This dynasty ruled from the 5th to 7th centuries AD, and was allied to the great Gupta Empire in northern India. Once again, a prosperous trading community could afford to donate to religion. The Vakatakas' own link with Buddhism was an additional boost — Ajanta's Cave 16 is a generous gift from Varahadeva, King Harishena's minister. Contact with the Guptas meant that the monks and artists of Ajanta learnt of the philosophies and aesthetics current in the subcontinents other Buddhist centres such as Sarnath, Bodh Gaya and Mathura. The last had a very strong influence on Ajanta's sculpture. For information on Ajanta Caves Maharashtra and Ajanta Caves tour and travel packages contact Swan Tours one of the leading travel agents in India.
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In the middle of the 18th century a small reservoir was created 5 km (3 miles) to the southeast of the Bharatpur fort. The building of the Ajan Bund and the subsequent flooding of this natural depression has created, during the subsequent 250 years, one of the world's most fascinating and spectacular bird reserves. This created wilderness was encouraged and for many years was the shooting preserve of the Majarajas of Bharatpur until it was given to the Rajasthan Government to become a sanctuary in 1956. It is commonly referred to as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Despite its becoming a national park in 1982, human pressures on it are still tremendous. A stone wall built in the late 1970s has helped control grazing by large numbers of domestic buffalo and cattle, but illegal collection of fodder continues. Of the total area of only 29 sq. km (11 sq. miles), or about one-third, is under some 1-1.5 metres (3-5 feet) of water following a satisfactory monsoon. The range of flora in the park is impressive for such a small area. Dozens of grasses provide cover, nest material and food to a range of birds and mammals. Trees range from the thorny acacia or babul which dominates much of the park, to ber, khajur and khejri. Babul and kadam are nesting trees for many bird species. The lakes with their rich range of floating plants, algae, reeds, flowering plants and aquatic grasses provide food and cover to crustaceans, amphibians, insects and fish in large enough quantities that thousands of birds can depend on the area for raising their young and as a winter home. From August until November, thousands of indigenous water birds breed and raise their young here. Painted storks, spoonbills, cormorants, three kinds of egret, open-billed storks, purple herons, night herons and sarus cranes are some of the main breeding species. From the onset of the monsoon, nest-building begins, and by October all eggs will have been laid and soon after, young birds of all sizes demand a constant supply of food. The scrub forest and grassland of the park support a wide range of animals, including nilgai, sambar, wild boar, feral cattle, civet, jacket and the rhesus macaque amongst others. Fishing cat, jungle cat, otter and mongoose are among the smaller species seen.
A metalled road runs through the park from the north gate near the main Agra—Jaipur road. Vehicles are now allowed only as far as the tourist and forest lodges. A good network of raised paths along tree-lined bunds give good cover for bird-watching and the visitor can walk along them through much of the park. Visting the Spi Park at any time of the year is a rewarding experience. More suggestion for wildlife national park in india Badan Singh, Purana Mahal, at the southeastern corner, has a display of Rajput wall paintings, many influenced by the Mughal schools. This building is now used as a government office but it is worth visiting as an example of the simpler style of Jat building. About 15 km (9 miles) east of Deeg, en route to Mathura, is the pilgrimage centre of Govardhan. The town is small and lies along a narrow range of hills which Lord Krishna is said to have held aloft on the tip of his finger for seven days and nights to protect the people of Braj from the flood poured down on them by Indra. The focal point of the town is the large stone tank called Mahasi Ganga which is surrounded by houses. The Harideva Temple nearby was built by Raja Bhagwan Das of Amber (Jaipur) during Akbar's reign. The temple is fairly large and worth visiting. On the opposite side of the tank are the chatris of two rajas of Bharatpur (Ranjit Singh and Balwant Singh) in which the painted ceilings of the pavil-ions depict incidents in the rajas' lives. The paintings of unsuccessful assaults by Lord Lake on Bharatpur Fort in Ranjit Singh's chatri are especially vivid. On the road north of Govardhan to Radha Kund (3 km/2 miles) is the magnificent chatri erected in honour of Suraj Mal who was killed in 1763 at Shandara to the east of Delhi. The paintings in the chatri are now in poor condition but, interestingly, show French officers in Suraj Mal's service. Beside the chatri is a tank, Kusum Sarovar, and an extensive garden lies behind the buildings. For more information about Keoladeo Ghana National Park and Rajasthan tour packages contact swantours one of the leading travel agents in India. The decline of the Namgyal dynasty began with the familiar and tragic emergence of family intrigues, succession disputes and rulers who were unfit, mentally and physically, to face the challenge of the Sikh-Dogra alliance in the south. Kashmir came under Sikh rule in 1819. Both Ranjit Singh and his powerful vassal, Gulab Singh of Jammu, saw the importance of the Pashmina trade which had been diverted by the British to their area of control, via Kinnaur. This had robbed the Kashmir shawl-maker of his source of raw material. To gain control over this lucrative trade, Gulab Singh opened the Kishtwar trail and planned to invade Ladakh, in Ranjit Singh's name.
William Moorcroft, an English army veterinary doctor, in the course of his travels from 1820-22, had pointed out to Tshe-Spal Namgyal the danger of Dogra ambitions. Neither the Ladakhi king nor the British government in India heeded Moorcroft's intelligence. The Dogra army marched through Ladakhi territories via Zanskar and captured Leh. In the winter of 1841, Zorawar Singh, a general in Gulab Singh's army, extended the scope of the campaign to include central Tibet. The attraction was the mercantile centre of Gartok that was the source of the Pashmina trade. With the helpful freezing of the river in winter, the temptation to bring Gartok within the Dogra domain was irresistible and, of course, there was the added lure of the fabulous wealth of the Tibetan monasteries. Also Visit - Leh Ladakh Tours Pursuing his ambitions, Zorawar Singh conquered western Tibet up to Taklakot when he began to make a series of strategic errors, as a consequence of which he found himself entrenched at a height of 4,500 meters in severe weather with supply lines to his base disrupted. Besides, Tibet was not facing him alone; the Chinese empire stood behind its Tibetan vassals. Though this was the last of the famous campaigns of a remarkable soldier, and the death of Zorawar Singh multiplied the difficulties confronting his forces, later Dogra successes put an end to the common belief that the conquest of Ladakh had been entirely due to him. The Dogra incursions ended Ladakh's status as an independent kingdom with the treaty of Leh in 1842. Tibet recognized the Dogras as the rulers of Ladakh and jigmet Namgyal became a vassal king, subsequently known as the Jagirdar of Stok. Even today, the royal family is resident in the Stok Palace, where tourists can visit the family museum and perhaps get a glimpse of the Gyal-mo, the queen. In the flux of Anglo-Sikh relations, who were guided by British interests in Punjab and beyond, the Dogras continued to administer the districts of Leh and Baltistan. From this time, Ladakh was no longer allowed to remain a blank space on the map of the region. Members of British expeditions and explorers wrote about journeys to Ladakh in the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. As a consequence, the Jesuits set up their first mission in 1885, which introduced a new value system into the Buddhist citadel. The Moravians, who established a permanent mission, have been credited with setting up the first allopathic dispensary and the First European school, without which the Western process of modernization could not have been contemplated. Today, the modern professionals in Ladakh are descendants of those families who were converted in the first dynamic changes that took place in our times. Also Visit – Kashmir tour packages As British rule in India disintegrated, Ladakh too suffered the fate of Partition in 1947. With the accession of Kashmir to India, by the last Dogra king, Hari Singh, Pakistan went to war and captured a strategic position in the subcontinent. This territory has been a source of constant friction between the two neighbors due to the military importance of the region. It was only in 1950 that the highlands of Sonamarg were linked with the Ladakh plateau by road, integrating it with India, while its age-old ties with arid Sinkiang remain severed. In 1962, the Nubra valley became a severed. In 1962, the Nubra valley became a permanent Army camp, reinforcing these links. This makes Ladakh's socio-cultural institutions sensitive to encroachment, which follows from the changes taking place in the rest of the country. Ladakh is now a backward district of India — one of the largest — recently further sub-divided into the districts of Leh and Kargil. Gilgit has remained in Pakistan as a part of Occupied Kashmir and the Ladakhi people cut off from their history. But they jealously guard their identity, and neither Pakistan nor India has been able to assimilate them entirely. For more information on Namgyal Dynasty Falls of Leh Ledakh contact Swan Tours one of the leading travel agents in India. "Jantar Mantar" is derived from the Sanskrit Yantrasala, literally, storehouse of machines; its scattered futuristic structures are an assemblage of complex astronomical instruments designed and constructed by Sawai Jai Singh in his pursuit of unravelling the mysteries of the universe.
Sawai Jai Singh was interested in astronomy and astrology from his early years. After studying all the available contemporary works in Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian with his preceptor, the renowned scholar Pandit Jagannath Samrat, he became interested in instrumentation. Noticing the defects in the brass astrolabes, sextants and sundials collected by him, he decided to design his own instruments based on his personal observations. The metal instruments made by him were too heavy and had limited application; the resourceful Jai Singh went on to design and construct gigantic instruments of stone and masonry to help him in his task of revising the planetary tables. He declared later in the preface of his comprehensive work, the Zij Jadid Muhammad Shahi, that as no one had paid attention to this since Ulugh Beg, the Timurid ruler of Samarkand and astronomer, he, would undertake this task. Accordingly, five observatories were constructed in Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura, Varanasi and Ujjain. The Jaipur observatory is the largest among these and almost intact. All the 13 instruments designed by him as well as three large metal ones are still to be seen here. Instruments of note in the Jaipur observatory are: Nari Valaya Yantra: This is an instrument which can determine local time, ante and post meridian. It is a hemispherical sundial which consists of two cylinders with a diameter of 3 m (10 ft), and an axis parallel to the earth's and in the meridian. Samrat Yantra: This is an equinoctial sundial of gigantic proportions (the largest in the world) designed to measure local time, meridian pass time, zenith distance, and the declination and altitude of the celestial spheres with greater precision. It consists of a 27-m (90-ft) high wall topped with a domed chatri in the shape of a triangle, the 44-m (146-ft) long hypotenuse of which is the gnomon pointing towards the north pole at an angle of 27°, equivalent to the altitude of Jaipur. This is flanked by two quadrants of 15-m (50-ft) radius with graduations in hours, minutes and seconds where the shadow of the gnomon travels about 4 m (13 ft) an hour. Also Visit - Golden Triangle Tour Packages Rashi Valaya Yantra: This is a group of 12 instruments which appear to be smaller versions of the Samrat Yantra. They represent the 12 zodiac signs. Though they are not of much use in serious astronomical research, traditional astrologers and almanac-makers find them serviceable. Jai Prakash Yantra: This is a multi-purpose instrument invented by Sawai Jai Singh, an armillary sphere, consist-ing of two marble bowls sunk into a rectangular sandstone platform. The concave hemispheres represent the celestial sphere. The rim of the bowls represent the horizon which is graduated in 360°. It displays the relationship between the local and the equatorial system of coordinates. Ram Yantra: Consisting of two complementary cylindrical structures of huge proportions found at the western end of the observatory, this is used to calculate the azimuth and altitude of celestial objects at any time of day or night. Digansha Yantra: This is a huge compass of unique design consisting of three concentric constructions round a pillar-like structure in the centre. It is used for calculation of azimuth of the sun and other celestial bodies. Amongst the metal instruments designed and made by Sawai Jai Singh two are of great significance, the Kranti Valaya Yantra and the Yantra Raj. The former is a combination of two graduated frames, one resting on a masonry base inclined to the plane of the equator by 23° and another rotating frame inclined to the ecliptic. The Yantra Raj is the most ambitious of Jai Singh's metal instruments. It is a huge astrolabe marked with the stereographic projection of the heavens upon its surface. This is the largest astrolabe in the world. For more information on things to do in Jantar Mantar Jaipur contact Swan Tours one of the leading travel agents in India. GETTING THERE Air The nearest mrpori is Babatpur (Varanasi), 38 from Jaunpur Rail Jaunpur is on the Northern Railway line and is well-connected to most towns and cities. Road Lucknow 228 km All ahabad 110 km Varanasi 58 km The hidden jewel of Indo-Islamic architecture Jaunpur, reflects an assured blend of indigenous and western Islamic traditions, unique yet boasting an unsurpassed artistic quality. This historic city that was once famed for its educational institutions is located by the Gomti river, only 58 kms from Varanasi, and just 38 kms from its airport at Babatpur. It was an important part of the Delhi Sultanate, 'forming its eastern bulwark' (Percy Brown, Indian Architecture: Islamic Period). The origin of the name Jaunpur is obscure: Hindus believe that the city derives its name from Jamadagni, a famous sage in whose honour a shrine was raised here, while Muslims say that Feroz Shah Tughlaq founded the city in 1360 in memory of his cousin Muhammad Bin Tughlaq, who was also called Jauna. In 1393 Malik Sarawar, a eunuch appointed by the Delhi Sultan as the governor of the region, declared himself independent, and with his adopted son founded the Sharqi dynasty. Under the Sharqi rulers, Jaunpur transformed itself into an epicenter of Islamic arts, literature and religious activity. The surviving architecture of Jaunpur, consisting of Islamic religious structures bears a striking resemblance to other Tughlaq monuments, 'particularly in its rugged virility' (Percy Brown). The Shahi fort, now represented only by its eastern-gateway and a small mosque, was built by Feroz Shah Tughlaq in 1360. It still commands the highest point in the city, its bulbous ramparts overlooking the luminous Gornti River. Behind the prayer hall of the mosque is a large Turkish-style hammam, a jumble of corridors with sunken pools. The 15th century Atala Masjid, built by Sultan Ibrahim, is the most celebrated of the Sharqi buildings. The bracketed openings of the mosque are heavily influenced by Hindu architecture and some historians claim that the site where the mosque now stands was once a Hindu temple. The impressive mosque has a large courtyard surrounded by pillared walls. The relatively small Lal Darwaza, built in 1450 by Bibi Raja, the queen of Sultan Mahmud Shah, was used as a private chapel. It is approached by a distinctive `high gate painted with vermillion', hence its name. The impressive Jami Masjid was built in 1458 by Husain Shah, the last ruler of the Sharqi dynasty. The building is raised on a high plinth and the entrance is approached by a steep, imposing flight of steps, an idea inspired by Feroz Shah Tughlaq's mosques in Delhi. It has a large courtyard with two-storeyed cloisters. The 15th century Khalis Mukhlis Masjid is similar to Atala Masjid, with some ornamental work to break the monotony. Apart from these magnificent mosques, an important Hindu pilgrimage is Shitala Chaukiya, dedicated to Goddess Shitala Mata. Another tourist attraction in Jaunpur is the Jamadagni Ashram, which is closely associated with the Vedic sage Parshuram. For more information on things to do in Jaunpur Uttar Pradesh contact Swan Tours one of the leading travel agents in India. The Tatkal Quota is another option for booking tickets on certain long-distance trains that are otherwise fully booked. This quota is intended for people with urgent needs. It becomes available only one day prior to the departure of the train, and you have to get the Tatkal reservation before the preparation of the charts. If the train is popular and you really need the ticket, you should arrive at the station before the counter opens at 8:00 am (or be logged on to the IRCTC site ready to book, having already pulled up the right train). In busy stations, there are often many people already waiting when the Tatkal counter opens, so getting the ticket can be a bit of a hassle. Tatkal tickets for popular trains often sell out within minutes. Tatkal can't be booked through travel agents between 8-9 A.M. These tickets are only available between certain major stations and there is a surcharge of 10% to 30% of the basic fare, depending on the class. They are also non-refundable However, you can get a full refund if the train is delayed more than three hours, it's rerouted, or if you have been downgraded to a different class and don't want to travel. Also Visit – luxury tours in India The rules have already been changed twice in the past year, so more changes could be ahead. Even in the normal scheme of things, you may have difficulty getting a reservation if you want to board or get off at an intermediate station, whereas it might be easy to get a seat on the same train between major stations. When you buy a ticket, you can indicate that you will be boarding at a different station. While some intermediate stations have station quotas, many do not. If you want to board at an intermediate station that has no quotas, you may be able to buy a ticket from a previous station that has a quota. Otherwise, you can buy an RAC ticket or else an unreserved journey ticket that you can try to upgrade on the train. If you are at a small station that doesn't have a computerized reservation facility, you have to submit your request to the Station Master at least 72 hours before the train is scheduled to depart from that station in order to get a reservation for a berth. If the above strategies don't get you a reservation, or if you don't want the uncertainty of RAC or waitlisted tickets or of trying to upgrade a journey ticket on the train, consider traveling in a higher class. The cheaper the class of travel, the more quickly the tickets get sold out. Berths are often available in 2AC when the waiting list for 3AC is closed, and sometimes 1AC will be nearly empty even when there is nothing available in 2AC. Your last-ditch strategy if you absolutely have to travel on a certain day is to buy a journey ticket and then go to the TTE (Traveling Ticket Examiner) once the train reaches the platform. If there are no-shows, he may be able to get you a seat. You could even get on the train with your journey ticket and hope for the best. You may not get a seat, of course, so you have to be willing to chance an uncomfortable journey. If you jump on a train without a ticket, you'll have to pay a few hundred rupees fine. The TTE may try to find you a seat or he might tell you to get off at the next station if he doesn't see you until the train is moving, but you'll have to pay the fine in any case. For more information on Fully-Booked Train contact Swan Tours one of the leading travel agents in India Another important people that lived in the lower Shivaliks during the pre-Arvan times were the Kira ts, whose king, Shambar, fought against the Aryan king, Divodas. Kirats were a well-organized society with a law and order system. They lived in towns and built forts. The first contact of the Aryans with the Himachal areas came about when they crossed Purushni (Ravi) and reached Arjiklya (Beas) in about 3,000 to 2,500 B.C. Here they found themselves face to face with the Kirats whose king ruled in the Lower Shivaliks from his stronghold near Baijnath. The Aryans then were commanded by king Divodas whose chief counselor was Rishi Bharadwaja. The war between Divodas and Shambar lasted forty years, and has been described in the Rig Veda by Vashishtha and Vamdeva. Most of the Divodas—Shambar wars were fought in the hilly areas and resulted in the total defeat of the Kirats and the destruction of all their forts (99) except perhaps one, which was probably retained by the Aryans. Shambar and his ally, Verchi, were killed at a place named Udubraj. It is also stated that the Aryans had to fight other kings named Kiranj, Parnya and Chumri, but they were minor contenders and the Aryans with their better military organization were able to conquer the entire area in the lower Shivaliks. The Aryans did not proceed further in the interior hills of Himachal. Probably the areas were not very hospitable. Moreover by their conquest over the Kirats they had secured the rear for the onward march to the Indo-Gangeticp plains. The conquering Aryan king could also now devote his attention to the other tribes which were unitedly following threatening him from the west beyond Purushni (Ravi). After his victory over the Kirats, Divodas died and his son Sudas succeeded him. Bharadwaja was no more the Purohit of the Bharatas and his place was taken by another illustrious leader of the Aryans, Vashishtha. Ten Aryan chiefs opposed Sudas in what is known in the Rig Veda as the Dashragh, the battle of the ten kings. It was a protracted war like the Kirat conflict, and finally resulted in the complete victory of Sudas. His enemies retreated to the west of Ravi. The fertile plains were now open to Sudas. The Aryan victories over Kirats and other hilly tribes hardly made any lasting impact on the life pattern in the hills. Aryan nomadic life and ways of worship could not influence the hill people with the exception of the sacrificial part of the Yajna that found acceptance as it fitted in with the local customs of the tribals who sacrificed animals at all celebrations. The Aryan conquerors also did not change the laws and customs prevailing here. On the other hand, the Aryans seem to have taken to some of the religious faiths and observances of the hill people. For more information on culture and society in Himachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh tour packages contact Swantour.com It was under the Dogra rulers, who ruled Jammu and its surroundings in the early 18th century, that various arts and crafts began flourishing here. Over the years, the patronage of the rulers of the region, be it the Dogras, the Raiputana, the Sikhs or the Europeans, each brought a new cultural style and artistic inspiration. About 80 kms from the district headquarters of Kathua is the picturesque little town of Basohli, perched on a low hill. The miniature Basohli paintings take their name from this town which, though a bit dilapidated today, still has traces of its former magnificence. The origin of this style remains unknown, but the earliest paintings depict scenes from Rasainartiari, a Sanskrit text from the 15th century. Basohli paintings are characterized by primary colors and stylized faces, shown in profile, with prominent eyes. Nawikas and nayakas young amorous couples are depicted in various moods and occasions. Many paintings were richly decorated with silver and gold. Sometimes, artists would even use shiny beetle-wings to highlight the jewellery that decorated their subjects. Shopping of Kashmir Few visitors to Jammu & Kashmir leave without visiting its emporiums and bazaars, shopping for the state's beautiful crafts. While there are many shops run by local artisans, particularly in the capitals of Jammu, Srinagar and Leh, government-run emporiums are reliable and fairly priced. The Kashmir Government Arts Emporium has three branches in Srinagar — at Lal Chowk, Boulevard and Residency Road. A stop at this treasure trove of crafts is recommended for discerning buyers. Lal Chowk, Badshah Chowk and Polo View are popular markets, crowded with shops of all kinds. For coppenvare, head to Zaina Kadal in the old city. Note that copper is usually sold by weight. In Jammu, Raghunath Bazaar, near Raghunath Temple, is a popular haunt of tourists and locals. Kashmir Government Arts Emporium outlets are located in Bahu Plaza and at Veer Marg. For more information on shopping in Jammu and Kashmir and Kashmir tour packages contact Swantour.com Once a famous centre of Indian Art when the water of river Saraswati flowed through the state is Bikaner. in the course of time the river and artful civilization of the city were engulfed by the growing desert., Today Bikaner is an important part of the Holiday itinerary of Best Rajasthan Tour Packages . The northern most of the state cities deep in the desert, Bikaner is so bleak that it is a wonder men have chosen to risk their lives to win such a kingdom. Bikaner, a true desert city in a camel country is situated on an elevated ground, surrounded by a seven Kms long embattled wall market by five gates. It was founded by Rao Bikaji in 1488, one of the descendants of Jodhaji, founder of Jodhpur. Infact the town derives its name from its founder. This region is well known for the best riding camels in the world and the monuments here chiselled out of red and yellow sandstone display some of the finest creations of Rajputs civilization. What to see:- 1) Junagarh Fort: Raja Raj Singh an outstanding general in the army of Mhal emperor Akbar, built this imposing fort in year l588-1593. It is the chief attraction in the city and encircled by a moat and within, has palaces made of red sand-stone and marble, with Kiosks and balconies embellishing the structure at intervals. Suraj polis the main entrance gate to the fort, Har Mandir (a Shiva temple) the majestic chapael, where the royal weddings and births were celebrated anpole. The palaces worth visiting are Anup Mahal, Karan Mahal built by Maharaja Anoop Singh in commemoration of the gallant victory of his father Maharaja Karan Singh, over attacks of Aurangzeb. Built in Mughal style, the ceilling arches bear rich paintings of 17th and 18th century including a good addition later contributed by Maharaja Gaj Singh. Bijai Mahal, Dungar Niwas, Ganga Niwas, and Rang Mahal. And some of the most beautiful palaces are Chandra Mahal and Phool Mahal. These are exquisitely ornate with mirror work, carvings and paintings. The Palaces with in, are adorned with gigantic columms, arches and graceful screens. The facade of the monument, visible above the high invincible walls offer a splendid view of pavilions protruding out, a row of balconies, kiosks and towers at intervals from a distance. 2) Lalgarh Palace: Lalgarh a magnificent 19th century red sandstone building founded by Raja Rai Singh, is distinguished by its long range of 37 pavilions. It was royal residence, and today is an hotel, marvellous in its proportions where the profusion of lattice work makes intricate lace of red sand stone. Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum: It houses an excellent collection of pre-Harappan, the Gupta and Kushan era and sculptures of the late classical time. It is one of the finest museum in state. Excursions:- Bhandasar Jain Temple: 5 Kms. It is a beautiful 16th century Jain temple of glittering crest and gilded flagstaff commanding dominant position in the city dedicated to the 23rd Teerthankar Parsvanathji. Other intersting temples are Chintamani, Adinath and Neminath, may be regarded as the most beautiful of the temples here on account of more detailed ornamentation and carvings. Camel Breeding Farm: 10 Kms. This farm is one of its kind in the whole of Asia and is preserved by the government. Bikaner's camel corps (former-Ganga Risala) was a famous fighting force and still maintains its importance in desert warfare. It's here that you'd see what an interesting animal the camel is. You could have some thick camel milk while listening to a Raika—a camel breeder's trike tell you about camels and camel-lore and how they are bred. The gamboling baby-camel make a very enchanting sight. Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary: 32 Kms. On Jaisalmer road is Gajner wildlife sanctuary. The lush foliage of the woods here have a number of Nilgai, Chinkara, Black Buck, particularly flocks of Imperial sand Grouse, living here.
A summer resort of kings is Gainer Palace, has now been converted into a hotel, is standing on the banks of a lake. For more information on holiday destinations in Rajasthan, contact Swan Tours , one of the leading travel agents in India. After having been for nearly three weeks in the Almora hills, I am more than ever amazed why our people need to go to Europe... MAHATMA GANDHI Almora extends along a 5 km-long horse saddle-shaped ridge, 68 kms north of Nainital. Surrounded by dense forests of pine and fir, the town's sylvan surroundings have attracted people for centuries. Its illustrious visitors include Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore. Jawaharlal Nehru spent an involuntary period in when he was incarcerated here in 1942, during the Quit India movement. Over the years, many cultural centres have come up here, including the Vivekananda Library and Memorial, Uday Shankar India Cultural Centre and Tagore Bhawan where the Nobel Laureate supposedly penned Gitanjali, earning Almora the title of the 'cultural capital of Kumaon'. Almora is one of the few hill stations in north India which was not founded by the British. It became the capital of the Chand rulers of Kumaon in 1560 and remained with them till the British took over in 1815. Almora's chequered past is reflected in its architecture: one can see indigenous hill cottages with bungalow trimmings, and semi-Indianised British bungalows with stone slab roofs. Like other hill stations, here too the Mall Road is the epicentre of all activity. Uttarakhand holiday packages organised by Swan Tours includes the sightseeing of The fiudden Memorial Church, in Almora Bazaar, is a significant British landmark, as is the Post Office, built in 1905, while the Clock Tower facing the tourist office is a mix of different architecture styles. The Collectorate, was once the Almora Fort and gives stunning views of the surrounding hills. A walk through the Khajanchi Mohalla (literally treasurer's area), gives one many delightful examples of old style Kumaoni architecture. GB Pant Museum houses archaeological and ethnographic exhibits, including articles belonging to rulers of the Chand dynasty and letters written by freedom fighters. Open Mon-Saturday; time. 10.30 am-4.30 pm. A visit to the colourful Lala and Chowk Bazaars is also worthwhile for their woollens - shawls, woven tweeds - and tatitha (hand-beaten copperware) and silverware. Carrying on its Gandhian legacy, Almora has a significant production of khadi or home-spun cotton. Gandhi Ashram is a good place to buy the fabric. Food lovers must sample Almora's famous sweets, bal mithai, and singauri. One of the more popular shops is Khim Singh and Mohan Singh Rautela's sweet shop in the main market. The town and its surrounding hills are dotted with temples. The ancient Nanda Devi Temple is built in the typical Kumaoni style of stone temple architecture, and shows intricate carvings on its walls. Swami Vivekananda is believed to have meditated at Kasar Devi Temple (6 kms from Almora). The temple stands on Crank's Ridge, formerly a haunt of artists and writers. D. H. Lawrence, the English novelist, is known to have spent two summers here. The locally popular Chitai Temple (8 kms) is dedicated to Golu Devta, who supposedly grants every wish made with a clear conscience. Further on is the 800-year old Katarmal Temple (17 kms from Almora). Lakhudiyar (20 kms), meaning one lakh entrances, has a cluster of ancient cave shelters. For more information on Hill holidays in India, contact Swan Tours, a leading best travel agent in India promoting tourism since 1995.
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AuthorSwan Tours one of the leading travel agnets in India Archives
January 2018
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