Jhansi – Birth Place of Indian Freedom Fight

“Chamak uthi san sattavan mein, yeh talwar purani thi,

Bundeley Harbolon key munh hamney suni kahani thi,

Khoob ladi mardani woh to Jhansi wali Rani thi”

The word “Jhansi” evokes the patriotic spirit in every Indian. Jhansi name is synonymous with a great valiant queen, Rani Lakshmi Bai who sacrificed her life for the cause of India’s freedom. Jhansi got its name from the term jhain-si which means blurred shadow.

Jhansi is located on the bank of River Betwa. Jhansi is a well known historical city of India. This city carved a victorious path and paved way for the first war of Indian Independence.

Rani Lakshmi Bai actively participated in the revolt of 1857 and died as a martyr on June 17th 1958. She was a major contributor to India’s independence. The rule of Jhansi came under the British Empire in the year 1886 and post that the British gained complete control over it.

It was added to the United Province which was rechristened as Uttar Pradesh in 1947, after India’s independence.

In 1947 Jhansi was added to the United Provinces, which became the state of Uttar Pradesh after India's Independence.

Jhansi is known for its scenic beauty and is a typical tourist spot which flaunts a wide range of historical monuments, ancient temples, palaces and buildings. Jhansi is been marked as true epitome of might and valor of the Chandela kings of Bundelkhand.

Apart from imparting historical importance this city is equally excels in possessing lots of industrial and manufacturing units.

Places to Visit:

• Jhansi Fort
• Rani Mahal (Queen's Palace)
• U.P. Govt. Museum
• Maha Lakshmi Temple
• Leher ki Devi Temple
• Panchkuian Temple
• Gayatri Temple
• Ganesh Mandir
• Siddheshwar Temple
• Panchtantra Park
• Jhansi Cantt
• Sadar Bazar and Manik Chowk market
• Sarafa Bazaar
• Parichha Dam
• Cathedral of St. Anthony
• St. Jude’s Shrine
• Bodh Vihar/Lord Buddha Temple
• Dharamshala
• Kapurtekri Khushipura
• Kaimasan Mandir
• Bundelkhand University
• Sakhi ke Hanuman
• Karaundi wali Mata Mandir
• Mahaveeran Wali Mata Mandir
• Orcha
• Mau Ranipur

How to Reach Jhansi:

State public transport buses connect Jhansi with all major cities around Jhansi. Regular bus services are provided between Gwalior and Jhansi (103 km) and between Khajuraho and Jhansi (175 km). Deluxe private buses are also plying between these cities.

It is recommended that you consider booking long distance bus tickets on "Air Conditioned Volvo buses" operated by all operators as the quality of the other buses vary significantly. Bus tickets are easily available online. One can plan trip and do bus booking online in advance. Online bus booking is an easy process which can save your time and price.

Pilgrimage Tour in India – A Guide to Travel

Ancient period, India was a known most civilized and culturally developed country, the home of great poets, saints, philosopher, rulers, legendary warriors. Due to rich culture and heritage, the various regions of the world had been originated and flourished in India. From ancient era mystique and mythology in the soil of this country consequences plenty wonderful pilgrimage and worship places, these religious monuments gained a key prominence and evidence of most visited Indian places by locals and overseas tourists. India being versatile and a huge country, is known as divine destination of all kinds of pilgrims following any belief around the world. India has been quite famous all over the world, for its religious, spirituality and tolerance and its secular characteristics, also known as “yogabhoomi" and the gateway to the almighty heavens.

• Kedarnath: Kedarnath is located around 220 kilo meters distance from Rishikesh in Uttaranchal region. This wonderful and pious pilgrimage town is at the altitude of 3580 meters, laid on the amazing mountains of Kedarnath in Himalaya. One of the holiest pilgrimages for Hindus from all over the world. Often referred to as the abode of Lord Shiva. The daunting temple of Kedarnath is beautifully sounded by the lofty snow caped mountains and peaks. Indian renowned saint-philosopher Adi Shankaracharya built the temple in 8th centaury. This is one of the pilgrimage sites out of the 5 Kedarnath Shrines in India. This temple is constructed on the old temples which were built by Pandavas. There is Samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya Chorabari is named Gandhi Sarovar with floating ice on the glittering water of the lake and Vasuki pond.
• Badrinath: The temple of Shri Badrinathji is 15 mt.high, built in the form of a cone with a small cupola of a gilt bull and spire is Dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Set amidst a picturesque valley, at an altitude of 3,133 mt. above sea-level, it is located on the right bank of holy river Alaknanda. The other temples and places of worship worth a mention in Uttar Pradesh are Vishvanath Temple (Varanasi), Vindhyachal Temple, Rishikesh, Naina Devi Temple, Mathura, Mansa Devi, Har Ki Pauri, Ghat (Varanasi), Mathura-Vrindavan, Hemkund Sahib.
• Amritsar: The Golden Temple at Amritsar, is the most famous of Sikhs monuments, ornamented with a gilt by Raja Ranjit Singh. Surrounded with water on all the sides, it was erected in the 16th century. The mandir, a two storeyed structure is built on a 67 ft square of marble. Anandpur Sahib in Punjab is one of the most revered places of pilgrim for the Sikh community.
• Ajmer: Pushkar', 11 Kms West of Ajmer, along the picturesque Pushkar Lake lies the tranquil town with deep religious significance. An important pilgrimage centre of Hindus, flourishing with 400 temples and a lake encircles by 52 ghats. The biggest attraction being the temple of Lord Brahma. Pushkar is also the site for one of the largest and most colorful cattle fairs in the world.
• Varanasi: The major attraction of Varanasi is the long strings of ghats, which line the western bank of the Ganges. There are over a 100 bathing and burning ghats but the Manikarnika Ghat is the most sacred of them all. This is the main burning ghats and one of the most auspicious places where a Hindu can be cremated. Dasaswamedha Ghat is probably the most convenient starting point. At the time of sunrise, people visit this ghat to get an interesting introduction to the river. Here you'll witness the throng of people who come to the edge of the Ganges not only for a ritual bath, but to practice yoga, offer blessings, buy paan, sell flowers, get a massage, play cricket, have a swim or get a shave. Apart from the many ghats lining the river, the city's other highlights include the Golden Temple also known as Vishwanath Temple, built in a roofed quadrangle with stunning gilded towers. Shopping at markets famous for their ornamental brass work, lacquered toy, shawls, silks and sitars; visiting the nearby Buddhist centre of Sarnath. The Durga Mata temple was built in 18th century, stained in red with ochre is also a must see.

Travel Planning:

As India is a large geographic country and all pilgrims are spread throughout its’ boundary, it is very difficult to plan a trip where you can visit all place at one go. So choose the favorite tour and place which is nearby from your city and plan your travel accordingly. You can check flights, train or bus based on your travel budget. Bus booking is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early you’ll get budget tickets online. For Bus form bangalore to pune
online bus booking you can check different OTA’s website. Search best bus service, compare and buy cheap tickets.

A Trip to Madurai

Madurai is one of the oldest cities of India, with a history dating all the way back to the Sangam period of the pre Christian era. The glory of Madurai returned in a diminished form in the earlier part of this millennium; it later on came under the rule of the Vijayanagar kingdom after it’s ransack by the ravaging armies of Delhi (Malik Kafur). During the 16th and 18th centuries, Madurai was ruled by the Nayak Emperors, the foremost of whom was Tirumalai Nayakar. The Sangam period poet Nakkeerar is associated with some of the Tiruvilayaadal episodes of Sundareswarar - that are enacted as a part of temple festival traditions even today. The Sangam age or the Golden age of Tamil literature – produced masterpieces way back in the Pre christian era and in early 1st millennium . Madurai was the seat of the Tamil Sangam or Academy of learning. The entire city of Madurai, is built around the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple – the temple par excellence. Concentric rectangular streets surround the temple, symbolizing the structure of the cosmos.

Places to Visit:

Meenakshi Temple, By far, the most common reason for visiting the city is the Meenakshi Temple, dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi (considered a form of Parvati) with a sanctum for her consort, Sundareshwarar (or Siva). Actually, historically, the Sundereshwar shrine is the larger and older of the two temple complexes. The complex itself is a splendid example of the south Indian Dravida architectural idiom. Four immense gopurams or temple towers crown the gateways at each cardinal direction, easily visible from a distance. Each tower is encrusted with more than a thousand brilliantly painted sculptures depicting an assortment of mythological and auspicious themes. It is traditional to enter through the south gopuram and, unusually, worship the Goddess before her consort. Inside the shelter for shoe-storage, offering baskets of coconuts, bananas and incense are available in addition to images of the Goddess for home altars.

Koodal Alagar Temple: Important Vaishnav Temple magnificient, has three stairs of the lord posture. Sitting posture of the lord (Main moola deity), one level up is a standing posture of the lord, and the 3rd level up is the lying down posture of the lord. The temple is a spectacular one. It is located in the heart of the city, one of the Divya Desams ( 108). Worshipped by "Alwars - Vasihnav Saints ". Worth to see and worship

Thirumalai Nayak Palace: East Market Street (Less than 2km south east of the Sri Meenakshi Temple). The remains of the palace of the 17th century ruler Thirumalai Nayak who contributed extensively to the Meenakshi Temple. Only a small portion of the original structure which was four times as larger remains. There were originally two parts-Swargavilasa heavenly pavilion, meant for the King's harem and housing the darbar court, and the ranka vilasa, which was for the servants. Currently, entrance to the roof is prohibited due the renovation work being carried out by the Archaeological Department. They claim to finish work in 6 months. There is a sound and light show in the evening (Both English & Tamil Version of the show). There is also a museum, which houses not only the original portraits of Thirumalai naicker, but also unearthed stine carvings of the 17th century, along with many sculptures of Hindu Gods like Brahma, Nataraja, Saraswati of the period.

Travel by Bus:

Madurai is situated on National Highways NH-7, NH-45B, NH-49. Almost all of them are presently being upgraded to multi-lane ways as part of National highway development program. Travel from Chennai and Bangalore will take approximately 8-10 hours.

The city is well connected by buses to all major cities in Tamil Nadu via state government operated and private buses. Buses also ply from important cities in the neighboring states of Kerala (Ernakulam, Trivandram) and Karnataka(Bangalore, Mysore). There are lots of ordinary buses and many luxury ones too.

Madurai has several bus stands. Most inter-state and overnight buses terminate at Mattuthavani Bus stand. Private buses are found closer to the city center near Periyar bus stand. Ticketing and reservation facilities are available at the bus-stands.

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Bus booking is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early you’ll get budget tickets online. For online bus booking you can check different OTA’s website. Search best bus service, compare and buy cheap tickets.

Kolkata –Roshogolla Paradise

Kolkata also known as Calcutta is known as Gamma city and is the capital city of West Bengal. It is the third most populous metro city and during the British reign was the capital state of India until 1911. Kolkata is well known for its political events and its active participation in Indian Communist movements. Kolkata is been blessed with many laurels like “Cultural Capital of India”, “The city of Processions” and “City of Joy”. 

Kolkata is known to add fame to all walks of life. The city is known to possess Dada of Bengal, Beauties like Sushmita Sen, Rani Mukherjee, the legendary R.D. Burman and Sathyajit Ray, noble writer Rabindranath Tagore, Be it Sports, Politics, Culture, Arts, Food, Travel; You name it they have it. The sacred reminiscence for our beloved Mother Teresa will always be cherished.

History: The history of Kolkata begins with the onset of English East India Company in 1690. Traditionally Job Charnock, who being an administrator was accredited as the founder of the city.

During 17th century, Kolkata was comprised of three villages Kalikata, Gobindapur and Sutanuti which was indirectly ruled by the Nawab of Bengal named Siraj-Ud-Daulah. In the late 17th century, British wanted to build a fort near Gobindapur to solidify their hold against other foreign powers like the Dutch, French and Portuguese.

In 1702, Old Fort William was constructed which was used as a regional base for its troops, and later Calcutta was crowned the Presidency city which later on became the headquarters for Bengal Presidency. From 1690 to 1772, British East India Company was the dominant force.

During the 19th century, the city was divided into two, British (known as the White Town) centered on Chowringhee and the other Indian centered on North Calcutta (known as the Black Town). In 1905, due to the partition of Bengal based on communal grounds, resulted in widespread public havoc and hence lead to the boycott of British goods which was called Swadeshi Movement.

The 1960s and 1970s, experienced economic stagnation due to severe power shortages, strikes and a violent Marxist-Maoist movement — the Naxalites which lead to the damage of the city’s infrastructure. In 1985 Rajiv Gandhi referred to Kolkata as a "dying city" and in the mid-1990s, due to the introduction of the economic reforms in India by the Central Government, the economy gathered momentum and stability.

Topography and Weather: Located in the eastern part India with River Hooghly flowing in the north-east direction. Kolkata has a tropical wet and dry climate where the summers are hot and humid and extremely hot during May and June. The city experiences short winters only for two and a half months prevailing between December and January. The monsoons are predominant around June and September and due to the geographical constraints this city is often prone to cyclones.

Culture: Kolkata is known for its artistic and revolutionary heritage is known to welcome and appreciate any form art and culture and due to this attribute this city is also known as Cultural Capital of India or the Literary Capital of India.

Durga Pooja is celebrated with great pomp and show and is referred to as the Rio Carnival of the Eastern Hemisphere. The city is decorated with lights and each area has their own booths (pandals) having the idol of goddess Durga and each area and each street competes with each other to make their booths look outstanding and gorgeous. The oldest areas where the Pooja takes place with great zeal are in North Kolkata, like Baghbazar Sarbojonin, Kumartuli, Ahiritola, Md. Ali Park, and College Square. Kolkata is known for its Rabindrasangeet and Indian classical music. The Bengali folk music such as baul and kirtans and gajan also adds to the list.

Bengali is the native language spoken and the most striking features depicting sense of community are the very presence of para called neighborhood and the casual chit chat which is referred to as adda. On the artistic vertical, the folk theatre form called Jatra, is renowned art along with activities of Group Theaters. Kolkata is home to Bengali cinema industry also known as “Tollywood”.

A special mention goes to the delicious cuisine which is mind blowing in every way. The lip-smacking junk food like Singara, Jilpi, Alu Chop, Jhaal Moori and Phuchka are the must-haves among food mongers. The authentic Bengali food is rice and machher jhol (fish curry), Alu posto (Posto is poppy seeds), Begun bhaja (brinjal fry), Alu bhaja (potato fry), Dim bhaja (egg fry) and “Luchi tarkari”. Fish based delicacies are far famed and freshwater fishes that adds to the daily needs are catfish, bass, shad or mullet. Among the sweet dishes the most famous ones are the “Roshogolla”, “Chomchom”, “Shondesh”, “Rajbhog”, “Pantua”, “Pithe” and “Payesh”. 

Places to Visit:

• Victoria Memorial
• Fort William
• Howrah Bridge
• Marble Palace
• Eden Gardens (Stadium)
• Birla Planetarium
• Writer’s Building
• Nicco Park
• Saheed Minar
• National Library
• Belur Math
• Botanical Gardens

How to Reach Kolkata:

Air: One of the major airports in India which is an IS/ISO 9001:2000 Certified Airport is none other than the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport located in Dum Dum catering to international and domestic traffic. The airport was earlier known as Dum Dum Airport but was later renamed on the honor of Bengali Indian freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Rail: Railways are well connected in Kolkata as the city consists of two major railway stations; one located in Howrah and the other at Sealdah. India’s first underground railway service networking the city was the Metro in Kolkata.

Bus: The Esplanade Terminus is the main bus terminus which lies in the heart of the city. 

Tram: Kolkata is the only city in India to have the Tram network. Travelling in Tram is become cumbersome as the tracks run in the centre of the heavy traffic roads and the commuters are encountering difficulties in getting to the tram stops through the traffic. Even during rush hours the trams are found to be running with many seats vacant, which results in reduction in revenue for Calcutta Tram Company.

In the age of internet, booking of ticket is easy and hassle free. Online travel agencies are always updated with the price and availability list of different fleet. Bus booking, Air ticket booking is very convenient online. Online bus tickets booking is less time consuming and a great energy saving process.

Kolkata to delhi