Discover different Cultures

Kashmir Cultural Tours

The oldest written accounts of Kashmir is found in the sixth century Sanskrit classic, the Nilmatpurna. It begins with a legend : a vast lake, Satisar ( lake of Sati ,the consort of Shiva ) surrounded by towering snow bound mountains , was inhabited by a demon Jalodbhava ( Born of Water ). His victims, the Nags, inhabitants of the mountainous region, appealed to the sage Kashyap, for deliverance .Since the demon was invincible within water, his element ,the sage did great penance and was thus able to secure divine intervention. The mountain to the west of the lake was pierced with a trident and water drained away through this gorge .The demon, deprived of his element ,was easily slain by VISHNU. The valley that emerged from under water was Kashmir , a name said to be the corrupt form of Kashyappur or Kashyap Mar or stretching a point , Ka ( Water ) shimir ( desiccated ).

Whatever be the truth of these legends, geological findings confirm that the valley, with its fossil remains of aquatic animals and plants was once submerged in water. Scientific opinion based on the valleys physical features holds a major volcanic convulsion responsible for draining away the great lake. Another proof of the valley having lain submerged under water for countless years is the peculiar formation of Karewan ( Wudar In Kashmir ) found here.

Nags ( sanskrit for Serpent ) the earliest Inhabitants of Kashmir, are sometimes imagined as human bodied snake worshippers ,sometimes as snake – tailed deities who could assume human form.

According to another myth Kashmiris are believed to be the lost tribe of Israel. And Kashmir the Promised Land that Moses should have found but did not! This theory suggests that Jesus Christ, alive after being taken off the cross ,was brought here by his disciples to recover at Aishmuqam near pahalgam.Aish is the local name for Isa ( JESUS ) and muqam means the Place of Stay, but Aish also means , enjoyment, and is quite appropriate as a name for this pretty spot on the banks of the lidder stream. It is believed that Christ was finally buried at Rozabal Khanyar in Srinagar. The name recorded on the shirne at Rozabal is YUZ –ASAF which according to the believers of this theory means Jesus, son of Joseph. Though this theory is an matter of some debate, there is no douht that in spite of its mountainous terrain Kashmir has been remarkably accessible to outsiders. There is evidenace of intercourse with the ancient Greek, Roman and Persian civilizations, as well as those from other parts of India.

Some Kashmiris believe that the Pandavas of the great Hindu epic the Mahabharata lived and ruled here.In fact the gigantic ruins of old temples in Kashmir are known as Pandav – Lari or the houses of the Pandavas.

In the third century BC , Kashmir came under Buddhist influence when Ashoke , the great King,made Srinagar his capital. The Zenith Of Buddhist power in Kashmir was reached in the reign of King Kanishka, convenor of the fourth great Buddhist council which was attended by a large number of scholars, theoreticians and commentors .

Buddhism was followed by a revival of Hinduism and Kashmir was ruled by Hindu rulers till AD 1320.One of the most remarkable Hindu kings was Lalitaditya Muktapida of the karkota dynasty who ruled from AD 724 to 761.Apart from being a millary genius , Lalitaditya was a great builder. His most glorious legacy is the sun temple at Martand , 8 kms from Anathnag, A great warrior, he is often compared to Alexander in his ambitions and successful military campaigns.

When Islam came to the valley in the twelfth century , it did so in a quietly persuasive manner rather than through the power of a strong arm or a royal commandment. The first Islamic preachers who set foot in the valley were Sufis ,the mystic poet –saints of Islalm. They won converts to the new faith even before the beginning of the rule of the first Muslim king Rinchen in1320.the meditative religion of these Muslim mystics was a product of the influence of the austere, inward –, looking ,non violent Mahayana Buddhism of central Asia of Islam. In 1320, the most enlighetened of the Sufis, Bulbul shah came to Kashmir. He is the one who through his piety and remarkable life converted Rinchen to Islam. the interaction of Sufism , Buddhism and Hinduism gave rise to a distinctive form of Sufism the practitioners of which were called rishis in Kashmir. the greatest of these rishis was Sheikh Muruddin , born in 1377, the patron saint of Kashmiris, also known simply as Nund Rishi .His counterpart , born in the middle of the fourteenth century, was Lalla, popularly known as LAL –DAD. Their sayings, highly philosophical and abstract yet most practical, have become maxims that Kashmiris live by and frequently quote . Nund Rishis adage “ AN POSH TELI YELI VAN POSHAN ” meaning ‘ food grains will last only as long as the forests.’ Could very well serve as the slogan of modern conservationists!

Sultan Sikandar was, in fact , a great patron of scholars and gave refuge to many Muslim theologians and Sayyids from Iran who were fleeing from the persecution of Timur. He is the builder of the beautiful hospice at Srinagar , The Khanqah Mohalla.

The most glorious chapter in the history of ancient and medieval Kashmir was written by Sultan Sikandar’s son Shahi Khan (1420 – 70)who assumed the title of Zain – ul – Abbin. Such was his popularity that he came to be known as Budshah ( The Great King ) .Deeply impressed with central Asian architecture and Iranian arts and crafts ,he invited artists and craftsmen from Iran , Khorasan, and Bukhara to settle in Kashmir, thus laying the foundations of the sophisticated crafts that flowered into the world famous Kashmiri cottage industries of Silk, Carpets, Shawls, Papier Mache and wood carvings. He also had magnificent palaces built ,one of these was Zoonnadub ( literally Moonlit Verandah )

Native rule came to an end in 1586 with the conquest of Kashmir by Akbar, the great Mughal King of India,and appointed a governor to rule over Kashmir.Akbar built the fort at Hari Pharbat,Jehangir, with his celebrated queen Nur Jahan ,loved Kashmir.The splendid gardens around Ac habal and verinag. the Mughal raod passed over the Pir Panjal which wide enough for huge royal processions. The Mughals are also credited with planting the glorious Chinar ( Platinus Orientalis ) on a large scale.

As Mughal power declined Ahmad Shah Abdali , the Afghan conqueror, invaded and annexed Kashmir in 1953. Fed up with the cruel ,tyrannical and exploitative Afghan rule Kashmiris secretly sought the intervention of Ranjit Singh, the sikh ruler of Panjab .The Afghans were defeated in 1819 and sikh rule established in the state. With the breakup of Sikh empire in 1864, Gulab Singh, Ranjit Singh‘s emissary in jammu, Ladakh and Baltistan, negotiated a separate treaty with the British at Amritsar. Apart from the territories already in his possession, the valley of Kashmir was handed over to him for Rs 750,000

Leh- Ladakh Cultural Tours

Ladakh the northern frontier of India ,where Afghanistan, Pakistan and China meet ,is an area of high altitudes, glaciers , streams and charming, valleys hidden among some of the tallest mountain in the world - Karakoram range. The journey by road from Srinagar over the Zoji La ( La means pass in Ladakhi ) climbing unaccustomed heights traverses cold, grey crags and boulders , and vast yellow desert – like plains.

Fa – hien , the Chinese traveler , seems to have been the first to leave us an account of his visit to Ladakh .The name he uses for Ladakh is Kie- chha or land of snow . In fact, when he travelled across it in AD 399, he described it as “ the Land where snow never melts and only corn ripens. “Ladakh is indeed a place of extremes : the summer heat of 38 degees celsius plummets to minus 38 degrees in winter. The sunlight is intense and so is the cold. The dry heat of the day is followed by icy winds and the cold glitter of amazingly bright stars. One actually feels nearer to the heavens, thanks to the height of the land, which is around 4,600 meters.

At first glance Ladakh appears to be a bastion of Tibetan Buddhism and culture, but actually there are several layers of influence from other religions, races and cultures preserved in this remote outpost of the Himalaya .Today it is a perfect picture of cultural synthesis: Buddhists, Muslims – mostly Shiites – and a sprinkling of Christians live a perfect harmony with one another all taking pride in the unique Ladakhi way of life. Hence the fascination that ladakh and quiet valleys nestling in its mountains – Zanaskar, Chushul and Nubra –exert over those in search of unique and refreshing experience today.

Situated as it was on the crossroads of High Asia, Ladakh was the central point at which several routes of central Asian met. Merchants from Tibet, China, Afghanistan, the Punjab and Kashmir would converge here, making it an exciting and bustling hub of commercial activity. Caravans of horses and mule laden with gold , silver, porcelain, Yarkandi carpets, numdahs, fur , wool and tea - both black and green - in the small, compressed brick form, destined for the bazaars of India would come from China Tibet and central Asia.

Ladakh itself enjoyed a monopoly on all Pashmina trade, through it produced only a negligible quantity of the silky wool known as pashm ( which comes form the underbelly of the pashmina goat that thrives on high level pastures chiefly in Tibet ) from which the remarkably soft and warm pashmina shawls of Kashmir are made. Besides , Ladakh is the habitat of the Tibetan antelope, locally known as the Stos which produces the softer than silk, feather light ,yet unbelievably warm wool TOOSH. Shwals made from toosh are actually called Shahtoosh and perhaps the most expansive fabric in the world.

From earlist times the fortunes of Ladakh have been linked with those of the Kashmir valley.The ladakh are mixture of several races who either passed through or setteled here. The earliest inhabitants were probably the Dards ,whose original homeland was Gilgit in Pakistan. The Dards were converted to Buddhism when missionaries from India trvelled north in the first century the Varayana ( Vehicle of the Thunderbolt ) school of Buddhism.

Ladakhi Buddhists, like their Tibetan counterparts, believe that the Buddha , having found Nivana , is moved by compassion for suffering humanity and therefore keeps returning to the earth in different incarnations in order to help other attain salvation .Hence the concept of the thousand Buddha , a recurrent motif In the murals of gompas in Ladakh .There is also a rigidly estabalished hierarchy of Lamas. The head of each gompa is known as the Kushak .The spiritual head is , is of course ,the Dalai Lama, the incarnate Buddha or Avalokitesvara. Once the supreme spiritual as well as temporal authority of Tibet but now living in exile in Dharamsala ( Himachel Pradash ) in India .

Apart from gompas and lamas, the other visible symbols of Buddhism in ladakh are the ubiquitous Chhorten, the mani wall and the prayer wheels.The chhorten ( a type of Stupa ) is a solid mound of masonary and is erected in honour of a holy man or important lama after his death .

The earlist settlers of Ladakh were perhaps nomadic herdsmen as is suggested by the rock carvings at Drass ( 147 kms from Srinagar ) and Zanaskar ( south of Leh ). In the first century AD Ladakh became a part of the Kushan empire ,which spread from Central Asia to India. In the eighth century it was again part of the great Kashmiri king Lalitaditya empire. But later, for the next hundred years or so, ties with Tibet came to be established and strengthened .The first Tibetan ruling monarch was Nyima Gon, who established his kingdom in ladakh in the tenth century.

By the early thirteenth century AD ,islam ,too was advancing from the north –west. Frequent raids by rulars like Zain-Ul-Abiddin ( Badshah ) and Mirza Haidar Dughlat the adventurer from Kashgar in Central Asis,resulted in Kargilnand some of its adjoining areas converting to Islam. In fact the ladakhki prince Rinchen deprived of his throne in Ladakh, advanced into Kashmir and taking advantage of the political turmoil,married Kotam Rani, and converted to Islam , as Buddhism had died out in Kashmir and the Hindus ,with their rigid caste system ,would not accept him.he thus became the first Muslim ruler of Kashmir.

From 1555 to 1575 ladakh had the good furtune of being ruled by Tashi Namgyal who unified the land , build many Buddhist temples ,He established the monastery at Phiyang .Unfortunately ,from 1600 onwards ladakh once again became a battleground for the control of this rich trading centre among the rival powers of Central Asia and Baltistan. But in spite of armed onslaughts, Buddhism survived. Even though a ladakhi king , jamyang married the daughter of the Balti ruler, Ali Mir, who was a muslim. Ironically enough it is this Muslim princess , Gyal Katun, who bore her husband the son who proved to be the greatest Buddhist king in Ladakh’s history ,Sengge Namgyal ( 1616 -42 ) A deeply religious man and a great statesman at the same time, he immersed himself in the twin tasks of restoring to ladhak its religious as well as secular glory. He conquered Zanskar and Guge (now in Tibet) through suffering a defeat by the Mughals , Who were at this time in control of Kashmir. In retaliation and in a fit of anger, Sengge Namgyal closed the trade routes from Kaskmir for about twenty four years, which proved to be economically disastrous for Ladakh .This apart, Senggen Namgyal not only repaired many damaged and vandalized monasteries,but also established many more.Among these are the famous Hemis Gompa and the Hanla Gompa.He also built many status of the Buddha , Mani walls and the seven story leh Palace,

After Sengge Namgyal’s death , Ladakh once again broke up into a number of separate kingdoms.1n 1663 the mughals king Aurangzeb’s forces marched up to the borders of Ladakh,it was than the first mosque came up in Leh.Attempts were made to convert the Buddhists to Islam and later to Christianty with the coming of European missionaries,but this hardly had any success.It was only in the nineteenth century that two Bristish travelers, Moorcroft and Cunningham,came on sec ret political missions on behalf of Bristish.The strategic importance of this northern outpost ,straddled across the hightest plateau in the world. And the prospect of lucrative trade with Tibet, China and Russia that friendly ties with Lakdakh opened, was an irresistible proposition for the Bristish.They were particularly anxious to gain a foothold in a place from where they could put an effective check.They were thwarted by their treaty with Ranjit Singh.But after his death, When Gulab Singh acquired Kashmir, Ladakh became a part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in 1846.The occupation of Tibet by China in the 1950s and inhospitable heights of Ladakh occupied by China. This plateau, known as AKSAI Chin,

Zanaskar ( 4000 Mts) is the valley that stands in between Kargil and Lamayuru in the north and Kistwar and Manali in the south.Interestingly enough , the Zanaskar ,which cuts across the Zanskar range to join the Indus, become a good raod for vehicles to cross over the gorge into padum once it frozen solid in winter.

The Nubra valley , at a slightly lower elevation, has a more temperate climate. It also has a number of hot springs. The main rivers, apart from the Indus which has its source in Tibet are - are Shoyk, Nubra , Zanaskar ,Suru and Drass, and these also join the Indus.The fields,meadows and popular plantations near the rivers present an agreeable contrast to the bleakness of the surrounding mountains.

There are three large and beautiful salt lakes, Tsomorari, Pangong and Rupshu..

The Ladakh script is close to Devanagari and most printing in the past was done in gompas by lamas. The ladakhi national epic, Kesar Saga, has pre-Tibetan elements and has acquired the colors of all the religio- cultural influences that have left an imprint on Ladakh. Ladakh craft have strong Tibetan or Kashmiri influence.Genuinely ladakhi is the Pittu, a king of tweed, which is very thick and warm.The brocade bordered Thangkas, which hang on Gompa walls and also decorate and bless ladakhi homes,Also available are low,carved and painted tables and exquisitely shaped copper pots for serving GUR GUR tea and Chhang.

Rajasthan Cultural Tours

When most foreigners imagine India , they are probably thinking of somewhere in Rajasthan , Delhi or Agra.This is the subcontinent at its most iconic, from the Tej Mahal and the great mughal mosques and mausoleums of Delhi and Agra to the fairy tale landscapes of Rajasthan, with its mighty hilltop forts, remote desert citadels and extravagant royal palaces. The region as a whole richly fulfils every romantic expectation one might have about Indiam life and culture, with picturesque crowds of men in top-heavy turbans and women dressed in vibrantly coloured saris, crowed bazaars over flowing with sumptuous fabrics, embroidery and jewellery , or the vivid orange flash of a tiger or leopard seen padding quietly through the undergrowth of a national park. Taken as a whole , the area’s myriad attractions offer a recipe for suncontinent sensory overload , and explains why this is the place to which most first time visitors to the country immediately head.

Rajasthan has a number of “ Tribal “ peoples who live outside the social mainstream. Many are nomadic, and often called Gypsies indeed the Romanies of Europe are thought to have originated among these Rajasthani Gypsy tribes. The most prominent are the Kalbeliyas , found largely in Pushkar. The Kalbeliyas discovered how to charm snakes , and they used to sing and dance for royalty, as they now do for tourists.

Similarly, the Bhopas are a green eyed tribe of nomads who used to work as entertainers to the Maharajas, and to this day they exist as itierant poets and storytellers. They are asked to perform particularly where someone is sick , as their songs are believed to aid recovery.

Jodhpur

Jodhpur is the first of the three stone –sculpted cities rising out of the golden sands of Rajasthan.It was founded in 1459 by Roa Jodha and is now the second largest city in Rajasthan. Standing guard above the city is the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, overlooking the rugged and rocky terrain. Equally enchanting is the Chittar Palace, better known as Umaid Bhawan Palace, today part hotel, part museum and part royal residence. The city can be roughly divided into four parts - Ratanada, which primarily houses old building and government offices ; Sardarpur, which is mostly residential; old city is the market area and Shastri Nagar is the new Jodhpur. In the Jodhpur region, many tourists take an excursion into the country side to visit the Bishnoi , a religious rather than strictly ethnic group, whose tree – hugging beliefs chime with those of hippies in the west .Living in close proximity to them , though with a very different lifestyle,are the Bhils, great hunters.

Festival

Ramdeo ji Cattle fair at Nagaur,135 km from Jodhpur is one of the best cattle fairs in the subcontinent.

Jaisalmer

Deep in the heart of the Thar Desert is Jaisalmer , one of the last princely bastions in the region. Founded on the crossroads of lucrative trade routes, this remote settlement came to be celebrated for the valour of its rulers, and for the aesthetic sense represented by their palaces and hevelis. The rich merchants engaged stone – craftsmen who worked with great deligency on the sandstone mansions they built,filling up facades with sculptural filigree, screen windows, delicate pavilions and sand festivals have placed Jaisalmer firmly on the world tourism map. There are some fascinating places to see around Jaisalmer. The most interesting means of exploring the desert around Jaisalmer is a camel safari.

Bikaner

The fort ,500 years ago, offered Bikaners poplace safety from invaders,while the rulers designed some beautiful apartments within, which still echo that opulence.Nearby is Deshnoke where in a marble fronted temple .rates are offered sanctury as they are considered sacred.

Camel Safari

Most of the Thar desert lies in this district and thus it is the ideal place for a camel safari

Udaipur

Udaipur is an enchanting city full of surprises, with lakes in the midst of sandy terrain and green forested hills . The city is replete with palaces straight out of fairy tales and rugged fortresses that recount its history .Founded in 1599 by Maharana Udai Singh ,the city is situated on the edge of three lakes , its narrow streets lined with shops and craftsmen’s ateliers encouraged hours of window shopping . Upmarket hotels ,spectacular palaces and havelis are there to welcome the endless stream of international and domestic tourists

Mount Abu

At 1,200 meters mount Abu us the highest point of the Aravalli range passing through Rajasthan .The only hill resort of rajasthan , it is built around a lake and is surrounded by forested hills. According to legend , the twon derives its name from Arbuda, a serpent who descended to the spot to resue Shiva’s bull,Nandi . Besides having all the features of a pleassnt hill resort ,Mount Abu is also well known for the famous

Dilwara Temples.

Boat Riding on the Nakki Lake. Amusement park with various rides and swings at sunset road.

Chittorgarh

Chittaurgarh ‘s legendary origins go back to the time of the redoubtable Pandav hero Bhim of the Mahabharata Historically , the site was a citadel and the capital of Mewar, until emperor Akbar conquered it. Chittaurgarh commemorates a race of Men and Women who were passionately independent and preferred to die fighting rather than submit.Chittaurgarh is located about 112km fro Udaipur in a country strewn with rocky cliffs, monsoon streams and pleasant fields. Chittaurgarh Fort stands on an about 180 meters high hill which at the summits is 5 km long north to south , but only 3/4km at its widest,east to west.

Nagari ( 20 km )

Sitauated on the banks of the river Bairach,it was known as Madhyamika, one of the most important towns of Rajasthan in the Mauryan empire.Excavations have revealved strong Hindu and Buddhist infuuences.

Bassi Village ( 25 Km )

A village enroute to Bundi ,it has many places of tourist interest such a historical fort temples and a kund. Sculpture and woodcraft of Bassi are also very famous. Bassi wildlife sanctuary. This sanctury near Bassi wild 50 sq km. the prime attrations here are Panthers , wild Boar, Antelopes,Mongoose and Migratory birds.For entry permission is to be obtained from the Dist Officer, Chittaurgarh

Shekhawat

The history of this semi arid land took a significant turn in the fifteenth century when Rao Shekha wrested some lands from the Muslims nawabs of the Kaimkhani clan. When the advent of the British East India Company on the scene in early 19th Centuruy, old trades many of the traders shifted to the now upcoming centres of Bombay and Calcutta. With their immense business acumen the traders flourished even in the adopted land .Initially much of their wealth was sent to shekhawati where their families were still living. This wealth, as with most emigrants, translated into building beautiful mansion and community facilities. Local and foreign artists were engaged to decorate the buildings with colorful frescoes, in many cases so profusely as to cover every part, every corner of the structure ,both on the outside and inside .The paintings of Shekhawati were created over a span of many centuries and , therefore, do not conform to a particular subject or style .These, though depict contemporary life .Some are in the form of miniatures, others cover the entire extent of the wall with a single panel .Stories from the epics are a common and very popular subjects .Modern Shekhawati still retains part of its heritage. Many of the erstwhile forts and palaces have been converted into heritage hotels and give a tourist and experience of regal life.

Karela Cultural Tours

Sun and surf

Kerala Shares it western border with the Arabian sea.Formerly known as Trivandrum, Thiruvananthapuram is a gateway to one of the most beautiful states in india. The state’s 600km shore line is dotted with some of the finest ,most charming beaches in the world. These palm fringed havens drenched in the pleasant tropical sun have a singularity of their own. Many of them are internationally renowned ,like Kovalam beach in Thiruvanthapuram which was been a favourite haunt of tourists since the 1930s and Varkala is a seaside resort much sought after for its spa. Thangasseri has historic attractions like the ruins of an old Portuguese fort, Churches built in the 18th Century and old lighthouse. The pier, which extends into the sea at Alappuzha beach is about 140 years old. Dolphins can be sighted at the Cheri beach bordering Vypee island in Kochi.Kerala affords a fascinating experience , mountains, backwaters,wildlife sanctuaries and islands.

Beypore in Kozhikode, prominent port and fishing harbor of ancient Kerala was an important trade maritime centre. The rock studded Kappad beach in Kozhikode is where Vasco d agama, the Portugese explorer landed on the 27th of May 1498 with 170 men in three vessels.

Black rocks protect the four km Muzhappilangad beach in Kunnur from the currents of the deep, making its shallow waters a swimmer ‘s paradise.

Remote and secluded, the Pallikere and Kappil beaches near Bekal in Kasaragod are fast becoming major tourist attractions. The imposing Bekal Fort nearby is the largest and best preserved fort in Kerala.

Backwaters

The backwaters mainly cover four districts of Kerala and extend into a few others from Thiruvananthapuram down south to Kasaragod in the north. The largest backwater body,the Vemband lake flows through Alappuzha and Kottayam districts and opens out into the sea at the Kochi port.The Asthamudi Lake, the second largest backwater stretch, offers the longest ride ( 8 hours ) and a considered the gateway to the backwaters.

Your holiday home in this tranquil world is the comfortably furnished houseboat or Kettuvallam which means a boat made by tying together pieces of wood. It usually has one or two bath attached bedrooms,an open lounge, deck, Kitchenette and a crew comprising carsmen , a cook and guide. You can board your houseboat from select spots along the backwaters , Kollam.One of the oldest ports on the Malabar coast , was earlier the centre of international trade.The Asthtamudi lake covers a third of the district.

Heights Of Beauty

Far inland, lying on the windward side of the western Ghats. Kerala has a long chain of lush, mist-clad hillstations that offer that offer the most enchanting experience of nature in all its virgin beauty.Punctuating the forested hills are numerous waterfalls that roar, jungle and splash sown the mountain side.

Ponmudi in Thiruvananthapuram, located 915 m above sea level, is an idyllic hill resort with a variety of beautiful mountain flowers , exotic butterflies, small rivulets, springs , a deer park and excellent trekking trails.

Munnar in idukki , 1600 m above sealevel ,is a tea planation town and the most enchanting hill station in south india. Near Munnar are many other destinations worth visiting like Top Station , natural home of the rare Neelakurunji, scenic Mattupetty – location of the highly specialized diary farm – the indo swiss livestock project. Marayoor – the only place in Kerala that has a natural growth of sandalwood trees.25 kms away from Munnar is Vagamon , a scenic place amidst grass covered hill and velvet lawns. Peermade,Kuttikanam, Pattumala, Thrishanku Hills and Peeu Hill are places nearby renowed for their natural beauty.

The Wild Side

Nestled in the lush forests of Kerala are fourteen wildlife sanctuaries teeming with rare flora and fauna, Among these are the Neelakurunji that exotic blue flower that washes the Munnar hill sides in blue once every 12 years and the endangered Nilgiri Tahr.

The attractive assortment of fauna in the wilds of Karela include elephants, sambar deer, leopard , lion tailed macaque, gaur,sloth bear, wild boar,bonnet macaque, Malabar giant squirrel, panther, Hanuman langur,civet cat, barking deer, pangoline ,king cobra, spectacled cobra, Krait,viper, python, cane turtle, peacock, babbler, woodpecker, darter, little cormorant, blcack eagle, black capped kingfisher,great Indian horn bill , broad billed roller and black woodpecker.

The Periyar lake and streams in Tekkady have several species of fish including th mashseer, the famous endangered game fish if India.The otter, the only mammal if the lake can be frequently sighted here.

Fort Kochi

Fort Kochi, once an obscure fishing hamlet is the first European township in India and one of the most glorious cities in its history. It probably has the best preserved history of colonial times with tree –lined avenues, quaint little lanes and majestic buildings .Magnificent Chinese fishing nets outline a spectacular skyline .This place exhibits a certain spaciousness and openness of character. Streets are by and large wide, and large open spaces are disposed in different areas creating a low density housing environment.

Large trees are part of the Fort Kochi landscape and are one of the main features that are being conserved.

The Healing Touch

Long before the world discovered the magical power of Ayurveda, Kerala had made it part of their lives. Kerala’s equable climate and natural abundance of forests (with a wealth of herbs and medicinal plants) make it an ideal destination for Ayurveda .Today, the state is the only place on the world where Ayurveda, is practised to perfection, There are numerous hotels and resorts in Kerala that offer Ayurveda both rejuvenative and therapeutic.

KOLLAM (QUILON)

Quilon is an old seaport on the banks of Ashtamudi lake .Persians, Arabs Greeks, Romans and the Chinese traded here. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to set up a trading centre followed by the Dutch and British. There are some historic remains as well as temples that are built in ornate style.

KOVALAM

12km away, an uncluttered beach of silvery sands fringed with rows of tall palms, a sheltered bay, a wide choice of water sports. Kovalam is the perfect place for a seaside holiday.

KOCHI

One of the finest natural harbours on the Arabian sea coast, Kochi, earlier known as cochin,has been a port of call for foreign traders from early times. Its cosmopolitan character is reflected in the buildings and structures representing different regions of the world .A city of peninsulas and islands, today it is Kerala’s commercial hub.

ALAPPUZHA

Often called ‘Venice of the East’, and situated on the vembanad lake , the towns commercial centre lives in a maze of canals . Set in the labyrinth of backwater channels, the town is one of the best gateways to explore the unspoilt countryside. Though ferries operate regular services, a country boat is the best mode ot experience the backwaters .Also known as Alleppey, this is the centre for backwater cruises in Kerala.The Nehru Trophy boat race, most colourful of races, is held here on the second Saturday of August every year.

MUNNAR

Munnar, a hill station on the western Ghats has lakes, reservoirs, forests and tea estates. There is a wildlife sanctuary in Eravikulam- Rajamala area and the chinnar sanctuary.

KOZHIKODE

The Portuguese led by Vasco da Gama first landed in India at Kappad near Kozhikode in 1498.He was the first European to reach India via the sea route around the southern cape of Africa. Later the Dutch, French and British came to its shores. Thus began a period of continuous conflict of foreign powers for domination of trade in Malabar, Kozhikode was capital of the powerful Zamorins.This age –Old town still maintains its commercial traditions.

Festivals

The annual snakeboat races are usually held during the second week of August. While these are a much published event, there are other festivals where boats are used .In the second week of September , at Aranmula, 128 km from Thiruvananthapuram , a procession of boats and races are held as part of the Parthasarty Temple Testival. Another important festival of snakeboats display is a procession at Champakkulam, 16 km from Alappuzha. This festival is held in july in honour of Lord Krishna. Elephants form an important part of temple property. POORAM Festtival at Trichur, generally in the third week of April, is a magnificent display of caparisoned elephants when they from a procession at Vadakhunthan Temple . Decorated elephants also form a procession at Thiruvanathan Temple.

About Shankarcharya Temple in Srinagar, Kashmir

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Shankarcharya Temple is amongst the top religious attractions in Srinagar. It is named after the great philosopher Shankarcharya, who once visited Kashmir. The Hindu temple enjoys a strategic location from where devotees and tourists can see a panoramic view of Srinagar City.

The temple which is also known as Jyeshteshwara Temple, is accessible by a staircase of 243 steps and is visited by a large number of Hindu devotees during the Amarnath Yatra season.

Architecture of Shankarcharya Temple

Shankaracharya Temple has a 20-foot tall octagonal base that supports the square building. Inside the temple, there is a small and dark chamber which is circular. The ceiling is supported by four octagonal pillars that surround a basin where the Shivalinga encircled by a snake is established.

Best Time to Visit Shankarcharya Temple

The months between May and September are the best time to visit Shankaracharya. The weather is pleasant to pay a visit unlike the chilly winters when it snows in Srinagar.

Things to Know Before Visiting Shankarcharya Temple

• No cameras and phones are allowed inside the temple. Therefore, either leave them in your car/cab or in your hotel before visiting.

• The temple is open till 8:00pm but the entry of the cars in the parking area is only allowed up to 5:00 pm.

• Since 243 steps have to climbed to reach Shankaracharya Temple, it is advised to wear comfortable foot wears and carry water along.

HAZRATBAL SHRINE IN KASHMIR

THE MAJESTIC AND ARCHITECTURALLY UNIQUE HAZRATBAL MOSQUE

Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar is a famous mosque that holds high reverence amongst Muslims. According to local beliefs, it houses Moi-e-Muqqadas – the sacred hair of Prophet Muhammad's beard. Also known by different names like Assar-e-Sharief, Dargah Sharif and Madinat-us-Sani, this mosque is an epitome of love and devotion of Muslims for the Prophet. The construction of this shrine started in 1968, under the supervision of Muslim Auqaf Trust's Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. The construction of this white marble edifice with a domed structure was completed in the year 1979.

The mosque has a deep-rooted history that dates back to the 17th century. The place where the mosque stands today was originally the site of Ishrat Mahal and a garden, which were built in 1623 by Shah Jahan's subedar Sadiq Khan. Upon his arrival in 1634, Shah Jahan ordered to convert the palace into a place for offering prayers. When Moi-e-Muqqadas arrived in Kashmir in 1699, it was kept in the Naqashbad Sahib for some time, before becoming a part of the Hazratbal. Although this shrine is frequented by locals on Fridays for mass prayers, it experiences an influx of visitors on special occasions, when holy relics are displayed.

Opening Closing Time

09:30 am – 05:30 pm (Daily)

Movie Connect

Hazratbal Shrine was featured in the 2010 Bollywood movie Lamhaa, which starred Sanjay Dutt, Bipasha Basu, Kunal Kapoor and Anupam Kher.

Tourist Attraction

The silvery white Hazratbal Mosque is revered for housing a relic, the Prophet’s hair. Situated near the Dal Lake, the only domed mosque in Srinagar is a place of serenity, a must visit. Women are allowed only till the first part of the mosque. The Hazratbal Mosque lends a historic and divine appeal to Srinagar. As you walk down the corridors of this famous religious sanctum, you marvel at the intricate Persian and Iranian architectural influences.

A dazzingly white structure on the far bank of the Dal, Hazratbal Shrine houses a relic that is believed to be Prophet Mohammed’s hair. It can be reached by a shikara on the Dal Lake or by road through the city.

Hazratbal Shrine is important because it holds a sacred relic, a hair, of Prophet Muhammad, referred to as the Moi-e- Muqqadas. The story goes that the hair was brought to Bijapur by a descendant of the Prophet; his descendants - fallen on hard times - sold it to a Kashmiri businessman, Nurud- Din Eshai. Aurangzeb then seized it and sent it to the Ajmer Dargah but later restored it to the owner. The Moi-e- Muqqadas reached Kashmir in 1700 where Eshai’s daughter, Inayat Begum, built this shrine to house it.