Warangal

¤ The Ancient City of Warangal
 WarangalThe city of Warangal is located in northern Andhra Pradesh State. In the past, it was the ancient capital of the Kakatiya dynasty in the 12th century AD. The beautiful lakes, temples, wildlife, exquisite antiques and relics makes it a populat travel destination and invite innumerable tourists to explore it.
The Warangal fort was the center of power here. It is located in the southeast of the warangal city. In the past, it was fortified by two walls but now only its ruins are left. Today, Warangal is one of the major commercial and industrial cities of India.
History of Warangal
  Warangal was ruled by the Prola Raja of the Kakatiya dynasty, who established the place in the 12th century AD. Warangal was earlier known as the Worakalli, the capital of the Adeva Rajas of Tuluva andhra or Telengana in the 8th century AD.

Earlier, warangal was known as Orugallu or Omtikonda due to the presence of a massive boulder like hillock situated near the swayambhu Siva Temple. It was also referred to as "Ekasilanagaram".
 Attractions In Warangal

  Warangal has many travel places, which attracts tourists in large number. It is also mentioned in the travel diaries of Marco Polo.

Warangal Fort
 This fort is 12-km away from Hanamakonda and it dates back to the 13th century. This fort was built by the Kakatiya king, Ganapati Deva and his daughter Rudramma. The major part of the structure of the fort has been damaged, but it still has some of the its ruins with exquisite pieces of sculpture.

Thousand Pillar Temple
 The thousand pillar temple represents the Kakatiya architecture and sculpture. It was built by Rudra Deva in 1163 AD. This temple follows the Chalukyan style of temples having a star shape and triple shrine.
Bhadra Kali Temple
  The Bhadra Kali temple is situated on a hilltop between Hanamkonda and Warangal. This temple is famous for its stone image of the Goddess Kali.
Excursions
Jain Temple
 The Jain temple here is about 2,000-year old and is dedicated to Lord Mahaveer. It is a famous place of worship for Jains in the country. There are beautiful images of Thirthankaras here, but the 5ft high image of Mahavira, entirely carved of Jade, is the highlight of the temple.
Ramappa Temple - 70 kms
  The Ramappa temple is also known as the Ramalingeswara temple. It is situated in Palampet village around 70-kms away from Warangal. This temple dates back to 1213 AD and it represents the rich heritage of the Kakatiya kingdom.
Pakhal Lake - 50 km
The Pakhal lake is a man made lake completed in 1213 AD by the Kakatiya king, Ganapathidev. It was built by harnessing a small tributary of the Krishna River. Located 50-km from Warangal, it spreads over an area of 30-sq-km.
Kolanupaka Museum - 80 km
  Kolanupaka was the alternate capital of Kalyani Chalukyas in the 11 th century AD. There is a famous museum here set up by the State Department of Archeology and Museums. It is a sculptural gallery, which displays artifacts from the various historical monuments in Kolanupaka.

Srisailam Vacations

Location :  Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh
Attractions :Bhramaramba Mallikharjunaswamy temple, Srisailam sanctuary and Dam.
Ideal Time to Visit : September to February
 The CitY
  The untouched Srisailam is a small town, situated in the densely forested Nallamalai hills and on the banks of river Krishna. Srisailam is surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful locations. The place is an energizing weekend vacations from Hyderabad.

SrisailamThe highest of the Srisailam hills, is Sikhareswara Swamy, at Sikharam. The 512-meter long Srisailam dam along with the hydel power project is also worth seeing.


Attractions In Srisailam
Bhramaramba Mallikharjunaswamy Temple
    The Bhramaramba Mallikharjunaswamy temple is an ancient and holy temple of Srisailam. It holds great historical and religious significance. This temple is situated on the 457-meter high hill located on the south bank of the river Krishna, in the Nallamalai forest. This temple is regarded as one of the12 Jyothirlingas in the country. The temple is also called as "Sri Mallikharjunam" and "Sri Parvatham". Goddess Mahakali is also seated here in the form of Bhramaramba, she is also the consort of Lord Mallikharjuna. This sacred temple is open for people belonging to all caste and creed, who can worship and even touch the deity.
Saivaite Temples of Srisailam
 The Saivaite temples of Srisailam are quite famous and celebrated. They are as old as the second century A.D. These beautiful temples are located on a plateau on the top of a hill named Srisailam, Sriparvata or Srigiri, in the Nallamalai ranges. Numerous devotees visit Srisailam to pay homage to Lord, Mallikarjuna and his Consort, Bhramaramba.
 One of the unique features of these temples is that they are located in a large prakara fenced in by sculptured walls. These walls are made of huge blocks of stone placed on each other. There are many sculptures found in abundance on the northern, eastern and southern walls and a few of them on the western wall.

Above the base of there are five regular rows of sculpture. The first row consists of the elephant in many postures. The next row has figures of the horse, the warrior, the hunter and the dancer. The next three have sculptures of deities and scenes from Saivaite traditions. One can also find occasional figures of deities, birds and animals. Then, there sculptures of Lingas, nandis, the lion and the swan. These beautiful rows look like a well organized picture gallery.

Sikhareswara Swamy Temple
The Sikhareswara Swamy Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is the situated on the highest hills of Srisailam that is the Sikharam hill. Another beautiful temple is Sri Ganapathi temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesh.

Srisailam Sanctuary
The Srisailam Sanctuary can be one of the site for your vacations in Andhra Pradesh. It is a famous sanctuary of Andhra Pradesh. It is sprawled over 5 adjoining districts of Guntur, Prakasam, Kurnoor, Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda districts. The vegetation of the sanctuary is quite rich having dry deciduous mixed forests.

Animals that can be find here are the spotted deer, mouse deer, black buck, sambars, chousingha nilgai, tree straw, mugger crocodile, and wolfs, panthers, tigers, sloth beer & wild dogs. The best season to visit the sanctuary is from October to May.

Srisailam Dam
The Srisailam dam is built across the river Krishna and is situated in a deep gorge in the Nallamalai hill range. Located 300m above the sea level, it is surrounded by mesmerizing natural splendor. The dam is 512 m long and is one of the twelve largest hydroelectric projects in the country. There are 12 radial crest gates in the dam. To go inside the dam you need to have a special permission.

Salarjung Museum Hyderabad

The Salar Jung Museum is located on Musi river in Hyderabad. It is the third largest museum in India having one of the biggest one-man collections of antiques in the world. This museum was set up by Yusuf Ali Salar Jung, the prime minister of Nizam of Hyderabad. He collected objects that are now presented in the museum. The museum is open every day except Friday, from 10.00 a.m. To 5.00 p.m. This museum displays an impressive collection of European and Indian paintings.
 Establishment of The Museum
  The outstanding Salarjung Museum set up by Mir Yusuf Ali Khan was popularly known as Salar Jung III. At the age of 23, he became the Prime Minister to Nizam in 1912, but he resigned two and a half years later. After this, he started collecting antiques and art pieces. Collection of objects wasn't his hobby, it was his passion. He spent a sizable amount of his wealth on collection. In his entire lifespan he collected art objects, rare manuscripts and paintings from all over the world. This collection was basically started by his father and grandfather.
 Museum in HyderabadIn the year 1961, this museum was declared as the "Institution of National Importance" by an Act of Parliament. This act is known as the Salar Jung Museum Act, 1961. Earlier, it was set up in Diwan Devdi. Later, the museum was re-established at the present building in 1968, situated on the banks of the Musi.

 A Valuable Collection
   The Salar Jung museum at Hyderabad is famous for its wide collection of rare items. The museum has a wonderful collection on Indian Art, Children's Art, Middle Eastern Art, Far Eastern Art and European Art. Here, you can see sculptures, wood carvings, religious objects, manuscripts, furniture, vases, snuff boxes, utensils, archer's rings and ornaments. There are other items also like pottery, clocks, miniature paintings, portraits, silver and costumes. The museum also owns some toys, collected from countries like France, England, Switzerland, Germany, Persia, China, Japan, Burma, and Sri Lanka.

There is a vast collection of printed books on various subjects. Interested scholars can also go through a rich collection of thousands of manuscripts in Persian, Arabic and Urdu languages.


The Clock Room, Highlight of The Museum

  The highlight of the museum is the clock room, which is one of the best galleries here. It has a collection of more than 300 clocks. of special interest is a musical clock, sold by Cook and Kelvy of England.


¤¤ Other Attractions of The Museum

The Jade Room of the museum has some outstanding objects, belonging to the ancient Indian rulers like Aurangzeb and Tipu Sultan. The museum also has world's largest private collections of art and artifacts. The Salar Jung Museum has a huge collection of over 43000 art objects, 9000 manuscripts and 47000 printed books. Some exquisite objects of art like Chinese Porcelain, Aurangazeb's Sword, and Daggers belonging to Queen Noor Jehan, Emperor Jahangir and Shah Jahan are also on display. Apart from these, sculptures, Indian paintings and Persian carpets are also exhibited. Other highlights in the museum include the "veiled Rebecca", "Mestophiles" and "the Lady with the lamp". Thus, attracting innumerable tourists.

Golconda Fort Hyderabad

The Golconda Fort is located about 11 Kms away, on the Western outskirts of Hyderabad city. It is located on a granite hill having a height of 120m.
¤ History of Golconda
  Before the advent of Hyderabad, Deccan was ruled from Golconda fort. It was earlier established by the Kakatiya's in the 13th century and the existing structure was constructed by the Qutub Shahi kings. It was renovated by the first three Qutub Shahi kings, over a span of 62 years.

Golconda FortGolconda is also known as Shepherd's Hill" or "Golla Konda", in Telugu. According to a legend, a shepherd boy found an idol on the rocky hill called 'Mangalavaram'. This news reached the Kakatiya king, who was then ruling Golconda. He ordered the construction of a mud fort around the holy spot. Later, the fort was expanded by the Qutub Shahi kings into a huge structure made of granite.


¤ Attractions Within The Fort

The fort of Golconda is known for its magical acoustic system. The highest point of the fort is the 'Bala Hissar', which is located a kilometer away. The palaces, factories, water supply system and the famous 'Rahban' cannon, within the fort are some of the major attractions.
It is believed that there is a secret underground tunnel which leads from the 'Durbar Hall' and ends in one of the palaces at the foot of the hill. The fort also has the tombs of the Qutub Shahi kings. These tombs have Islamic architecture and are located about 1-km north of the outer wall of Golconda. They are encircled by beautiful gardens and numerous exquisitely carved stones.
The two individual pavilions on the outer side of Golconda are also major attractions of fort. It is built on a point which is quite rocky. The 'Kala Mandir' is also located in the fort. It can be seen from the king's durbar (king's court) which was on top of the Golconda Fort.
Architectural Splendor
 The wonderful acoustic system of Golconda fort speaks volumes about the architecture of the fort. This majestic structure has beautiful palaces and an ingenious water supply system. Sadly, the unique architecture of the fort is now loosing its charm.

The ventilation of the fort is absolutely fabulous having exotic designs. They were so intricately designed that cool breeze could reach the interiors of the fort, providing a respite from the heat of summer.

The Huge gates of the fort are decorated with large pointed iron spikes. These spikes prevented Elephants from damaging the fort. The fort of Golconda is encircled by a 11-km long outer wall. This was build in order to fortify the fort.

The Highlight of The Fort
  The highlight of the Golconda fort is a sound and light show. It depicts the glorious past of this grand fortress. This audio - visual extravaganza is presented in English, Hindi and Telugu. It is a worth watching show.

Timings of The Sound and Light Show
  The timings of the show are different for winters and summers. In winters, that is from the months of November to February, the show starts at 6:30 pm. In summers, that is in the months of March to October, the show starts at 7:00 pm.
The English version of the show is presented on Wednesdays and Sundays and the Hindi version is presented on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Apart form these, the Telugu version is presented on Thursdays. There is no show on Mondays. The duration of the show is about 55 minutes.

The Golden Temple

I am often asked what my favorite sacred places are in the world, among the many hundreds I have visited. I could not choose one in particular, but included in the top ten would certainly be the Golden Temple. It is a place of both stupendous beauty and sublime peacefulness. Originally a small lake in the midst of a quiet forest, the site has been a meditation retreat for wandering mendicants and sages since deep antiquity. The Buddha is known to have spent time at this place in contemplation.Two thousand years after Buddha's time, another philosopher-saint came to live and meditate by the peaceful lake. This was Guru Nanak (1469-1539), the founder of the Sikh religion. After the passing away of Guru Nanak, his disciples continued to frequent the site; over the centuries it became the primary sacred shrine of the Sikhs. The lake was enlarged and structurally contained during the leadership of the fourth Sikh Guru (Ram Dass, 1574-1581), and during the leadership of the fifth Guru (Arjan, 1581-1606), the Hari Mandir, or Temple of God was built. From the early 1600s to the mid 1700s the sixth through tenth Sikh Gurus were constantly involved in defending both their religion and their temple against Moslem armies. On numerous occasions the temple was destroyed by the Moslems, and each time was rebuilt more beautifully by the Sikhs. From 1767 onwards, the Sikhs became strong enough militarily to repulse invaders. Peace returned to the Hari Mandir.

The temple's architecture draws on both Hindu and Moslem artistic styles yet represents a unique coevolution of the two. During the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839), Hari Mandir was richly ornamented with marble sculptures, golden gilding, and large quantities of precious stones. Within the sanctuary, on a jewel-studded platform, lies the Adi Grantha, the sacred scripture of the Sikhs. This scripture is a collection of devotional poems, prayers, and hymns composed by the ten Sikh gurus and various Moslem and Hindu saints. Beginning early in the morning and lasting until long past sunset, these hymns are chanted to the exquisite accompaniment of flutes, drums, and stringed instruments. Echoing across the serene lake, this enchantingly beautiful music induces a delicate yet powerful state of trance in the pilgrims strolling leisurely around the marble concourse encircling the pool and temple. An underground spring feeds the sacred lake, and throughout the day and night pilgrims immerse themselves in the water, a symbolic cleansing of the soul rather than an actual bathing of the body. Next to the temple complex are enormous pilgrims' dormitories and dining halls where all persons, irrespective of race, religion, or gender, are lodged and fed for free.

Amritsar, the original name of first the ancient lake, then the temple complex, and still later the surrounding city, means "pool of ambrosial nectar." Looking deeply into the origins of this word amrit, we find that it indicates a drink of the gods, a rare and magical substance that catalyzes euphoric states of consciousness and spiritual enlightenment. With this word we have a very clear example of the spirit, power, or energetic character of a particular place becoming encoded as an ancient geographical place name. The myth is not just a fairy tale. It reveals itself as a coded metaphor if we have the knowledge to read the code: The waters of Amritsar flowing into the lake of the Hari Mandir were long ago - and remain today - a bringer of peacefulness.

Jantar Mantar in Delhi

Jantar Mantar, with Yantra meaning instruments and Mantra meaning formulae, was built in the year 1724. Situated near Connaught Place, New Delhi Jantar Mantar counts amongst the numerous astronomical observatories erected by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur. The other observatories consist of the ones built in Jaipur, Varanasi, Ujjain and Mathura. It basically comprises of the instruments that were used for keeping track of celestial bodies. Jai Singh, after finding the existing astronomical instruments too small to take correct measurements, built these larger and more accurate instruments.
The instruments at Jantar Mantar of Delhi display promising brilliance. However, there is a little problem, that, these instruments can no longer make accurate observations because of the numerous tall buildings that have been built around the observatory. Delhi Jantar Mantar is also a reminder of the technological achievements that took place under the rule of the Rajput kings. There is an interesting legend associated with the construction of the Jantar Mantar. It is said that Jai Singh, ardent adherer of astronomy, oversaw an argument between Hindu and Muslim over certain planetary positions.

Since it was utmost necessary to solve the argument and know the positions precisely, he offered to rectify the available astronomical tables. The offer was accepted by the Mughal emperor and that led to the construction of Jantar Mantar in Delhi. At first, brass instruments were used in the observatory. However, they were found to have a number of intrinsic flaws. So after much deliberation, Jai Singh adopted the style of Prince Ulugh Beg, builder of the 15th century observatory at Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This is how the Delhi Jantar Mantar became what it is today.

Konark Sun Temple

The Sun (Surya) has been a popular deity in India since the Vedic period. The following passage occurs in a prayer to him in the Rig Veda, the earliest of our sacred literature: "Aloft his beams now bring the good, Who knows all creatures that are born, That all may look upon the Sun. Athwart in darkness gazing up, to him the higher light, We now have soared to Surya- The god among gods, the highest height." Built in AD 1250, during the reign of the Eastern Ganga King Narasimhadeva-I (AD1238-64), the Konark Temple was to enshrine an image of the Sun, the patron deity of the place.
Orissan Architectural Style
The entire complex was designed in the form of a huge chariot drawn by seven spirited horses on twelve pairs of beautifully-carved wheels. The sanctum sanctorum of this temple symbolizes the majestic stride of the Sun-god and marks the culmination of the Orissan architectural style. The walls of the temple contain superb carvings of divine and semi- divine, human and animal figures amidst floral and geometric ornamentations.
The Konark Sun Temple is the grandest achievement of the eastern school of architecture. The stupendous monument stands with its disfigured beauty in a desolate track of ever- drifting sands of the Chandrabhaga river. In Konark, the "Natya Mandir", the dance hall of the Sun Temple probably remains as the last remnant of the glorious temples of Orissa, a living example of the architectural excellence of the bygone times. Only two subsidiary temples of the 22 that originally existed inside its precincts exist today. They stand to the west of the towers.
Classical Dance Fiesta
As a fitting tribute to the majestic monument, eminent classical dancers of India get together every year during the Konark Festival from 1st to 5th December to present live performance. The classical extravaganza is a journey through eternal ecstasy. The festival provides a platform for both to the performing artiste and the dance connoisseurs in appreciating the essence of various classical dance forms of the country. The stage for the dancing event glows in pristine glory of much admired Odissi, Bharat Natyam, Manipuri, Kathak and Chhow Dance - a lavish feast for the eyes and ears.

Char Minar

A major landmark in the city of Hyderabad, Char Minar was build in 1591 A.D by the founders of the city in memory of the eradication of Plague, reflecting the fighting spirit of human kind. Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, the founder of Hyderabad, built Charminar in 1591 at the centre of the original city layout. Constructed with granite and lime-mortar, the Charminar is a fine example of the Cazia style of architecture. The conjoined arches and domes are typical of the Islamic architecture.
It offers an excellent view of the city and Golconda Fort, which makes the mind go back into time and epitomizes the past era of Hyderabad. Charminar has become an inseparable part of the history of Hyderabad. On one of the roads leading to the Charminar is the famous "Lad Bazaar" (Lord Bazaar) with rows of shops selling lacquer, glass bangles, trinkets, etc., and is a virtual heaven for the Womenfolk of Hyderabad.
Architecture:
Charminar is a squarish structure with four towers in the four corners of the square, each of whose sides is 20 metres in length. Every side opens into a plaza through giant arches, which overlook four major thoroughfares and dwarf other features of the building except the minarets. Each arch is 11 metres wide and rises 20 metres to the pinnacle from the plinth. The minarets soar skywards by 24 metres from the roof of Charminar. Each minaret has four storeys, each looking like a delicately carved ring around the minaret. Some Anglophiles call Charminar the Arc de Triomphe of the East. From the ground to the apex, the minarets cover a length of 48.7 metres.
Religious Significance:
 The Charminar is a renowned holy place for Muslims and is also known as Mecca of south. Charminar is visited by very dedicated muslims and it reflects the perfect Muslim culture which has been here since 400 plus years. If you go to Charminar you can find 99 percent of Muslims there alike we see around Mecca.

Birla Mandir Hyderabad

An enchanting temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, the Birla Mandir of Hyderabad, India stands in its entire splendor on the hilltop of Kala Pahad. Made of pure white marble from Rajasthan, the Birla Mandir overlooks the serene and placid waters of the Hussain Sagar Lake. The famous Birla industrialist who had built a large number of temples all over India built the Birla temple of Hyderabad. They finished building the Birla Mandir of Hyderabad within a time span of ten years. The magnificent shrine offers a wonderfully breath-taking view of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

The intricate carvings of the temple, the ceiling and the mythological figures are a standing testimony to the dexterity and sculptural excellence of the craftsmen. Beautiful scenes from the great epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata are finely sculpted in pure white marble. The temple is devoted to Lord Venkateswara who is also known as Balaji, though the temple is known as Birla Mandir. It is a wonderful blend of the architectural style of northern and southern temples.
As you enter the temple you can see the 'Gopuram' or the pyramid shaped temple top, which is a characteristic feature of South Indian temples. The tower situated at the top of the principal deity called the Jagadananda vimanam is again built in the Orissan style. The flagstaff of the temple is made up of brass, and reaches to a staggering height of 42 feet.
The granite stone, out of which the idol of Lord Venkateswara has been carved, is about 11 feet tall. A Lotus shaped canopy at the top of the idol is again done in marble and looks stunning. Along the winding path that leads to the main worship place, are many marble statues of Gods and Goddesses of Hindu mythology that look almost real. In case you visit the temple in the early hours of the day, you can hear some very melodious South Indian music in the praise of the Lord. The Birla Mandir of Hyderabad becomes a spectacular sight in the evening when it is illuminated with hundreds of bright lights.

History of Varanasi

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

SHRI KASHI VISHWANATH MANDIR VARANASI

Standing on the western bank of India's holiest river Ganges, Varanasi is the oldest surviving city of the world and the cultural capital of India. It is in the heart of this city that there stands in its fullest majesty the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in which is enshrined the Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha. Here gravitate the teeming millions of India to seek benediction and spiritual peace by the darshan of this Jyotirlinga which confers liberation from the bondages of maya and the inexorable entanglements of the world. ASRI KASHI VISHWA NATH TEMPLE  simple glimpse of the Jyotirlinga is a soul-cleansing experience that transforms life and puts it on the path of knowledge and bhakti. Vishweshwara Jyotirlinga has a very special and unique significance in the spiritual history of India. Tradition has it that the merits earned by the darshan of other jyotirlinga scattered in various parts of India accrue to devotee by a single visit to Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Deeply and intimately implanted in the Hindu mind, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple has been a living embodinent of our timeless cultural traditions and highest spiritual values. The Temple has been visited by all great saints- Adi Shankaracharya, Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekanand, Goswami Tulsidas, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, Gurunanak and several other spiritual personalities. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple attracts visitors not only from India but abroad as well and thereby symbolises man's desire to live in peace snd harmony with one another. Vishwanath being a supreme repository of this spiritual truth thus strengthens the bonds of universal brotherhood and fellow feeling at the national as well as global levels. On January 28, 1983 the Temple was taken over by the Govt. of Uttar Pradesh and it's management ever since stands entrusted to a Trust with Dr. Vibhuti Narayan Singh. Former Kashi Naresh, as president and an Executive Committee with Divisional Commissioner as Chairman. The Temple in the present shape was built way back in 1780 by Late Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore. In the year 1785 a Naubatkhana was built up in front of the Temple by the then Collector Mohd. Ibrahim Khan at the instance of Governor General Warren Hastings. In 1839, Two domes of the Temple were covered by gold donated by Punjab Kesari Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. Third dome but was remained uncovered, Ministry of cultures &  Religious affairs of U.P. Govt. took keen interest for gold plating of third dome of Temple.

MYSORE PALACE

The Maharajah's Palace is a magnificent three-storied structure with a five-storey tower designed by the English architect Henry Irwin, built out of local material. The colourful Dasara procession starts from the precincts of the Palace. The famous Mysore Palace also known as the Amba Villas Palace is one of the largest palaces in the country. The palace was originally built of wood, which got burnt down in 1897 and was rebuilt in 1912. Henry Irwin, the architect of the Viceregal Lodge at Shimla, designed the Mysore Palace. It is a healthy combination of Dravidian, Indo-Sarcenic, Oriental and Roman styles. Presently it is managed by the Department of Archaeology and Museums of the Government of Karnataka.
The palace is now converted into a museum that treasures the souvenirs, paintings, jewellery, royal costumes and other items, which were once possessed by the Wodeyars. It is attractive both inside and outside. It's a kaleidoscope of stained glass, mirrors; there are also beautiful carved wooden doors and mosaic floors, as well as a whole series of mediocre. The tastefully decorated and intricately carved doors open into luxuriously decorated rooms. The ground floor with an enclosed courtyard displays costumes, musical instruments, children's toys and numerous portraits. The upper floor has a small collection of weapons. The beautifully carved mahogany ceilings, solid silver doors, white marble floors and superb columned Durbar Hall are a fest to the eyes. The palace is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world. Exquisitely carved doors open into stunningly luxurious rooms. The front of the palace has an open balcony supported by massive circular columns. The frontal open space, which is wide and the open quadrangle in the middle of the building, provides natural air conditioning. Arrangements to keep the various parts of the building cool, is contemplated. The Palace is open to all. The 750 Kg golden throne is displayed during the Dasara festival. The Royal portrait gallery, which is of historical importance, is a visual treat to the visitors. This three storeyed structure has beautifully designed square towers at various cardinal points covered by domes, some of them of ochre colour. Many varieties of stones like granite, gneiss and trap of dark grey and ochre colours have been used. Craftsmen from Jaipur and Agra along with local workers were engaged for crafting them. The marriage pavilion or the Kalyana Mantapa with a centre octagonal gabled roof, covered by stained glasses, is to the south of the building. The flooring of this magnificent Kalyana Mantapa has artistic geometrical patterns created by using glittering glazed tiles imported from England. The building has gorgeous chandeliers of Czechoslovakian make. The royal throne with captivating artwork on its gold plates is displayed during the Dasara festival. The Maharajas of Mysore used to sit on the golden throne and hold durbars in the Palace Durbar Hall. The ancestry of the valuable inheritance is traced to the period of Pandavas, the epic heroes of Mahabharata. On the second floor is the Diwan-I-am Durbar Hall 155 ft. long and 42 ft. broad. The paintings of eight manifestations of Goddess Shakthi (strength) and an original painting of the renowned painter Raja Ravi Verma are displayed here. On the same floor to the south is the Ambavilas, Diwan-e-khas that has beautiful doors at the entrance with inlay work. It even has a selection of Hindu temples within the palace walls including the Varashaswamy Temple with a gopuram that set the pattern for the later Sri Chamundeswari Temple on Chamundi Hill. The palace is spectacularly illuminated by 96,000 odd bulbs on all Sunday evenings, and during the festive season of Dasara.
Location:
Situated in the heart of the city and about 10 minutes walk from the city bus stand.

Badrinath - A Pilgrimage Centre of Hindus

Altitude : 3,133m
Temperature : Max: 17.9°C, Min : 5.6°C
Distance : 296km from Rishikesh. 301km from Haridwar
¤ Most Sacred Region
Besides being an ancient religious centre, Badrinath also attracts tourists because of its natural beauty.
founded by Shankaracharya in the four quarters of India. The place derives its name from the word ‘badri’, meaning berries that once grew here abundantly.
It is situated on the confluence of the Alaknanda and the Rishi Ganga.

BadrinathAncient Hindu texts categorically state that a visit to Badrinath is something of an absolute must to complete a pilgrimage. The importance of the place is evident from the space scribes of the Mahabharata and the Puranas (ancient Hindu texts) had dedicated to it. The shrine of Badrinath in this city attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over India.
¤ Badrinath Temple:
The Badrinath Temple is dedicated to Vishnu (Preserver in the Hindu Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer). The presiding deity of the temple is Badrinath (another form of Vishnu), also called Badri Vishal or Badrinarayan. Shankaracharya is believed to have installed the deity inside the shrine after it was thrown into the Narada Kunda (a hot water spring near the temple) in the days of Buddhist ascendancy.
Badrinath is depicted sitting in the padmasana (‘lotus posture’), in which the feet are placed on opposite thighs. He is surrounded by a host of gods.
The most important ones amongst these are Kubera, the God of Wealth, and Ganesha, the God of Wisdom and Prosperity.
Within the temple complex is an another shrine dedicated to Laksmi, the Goddess of Fortune. This shrine is situated to the left of the main temple building. The front portion is painted in red. Outside the exit door of the Badrinath Temple is the seating place of Shankaracharya, who meditated here. The temple remains closed during winter.
¤ Attractions of Hot Springs
    Adjacent to the Badrinath Temple are some medicinal sulphurous hot springs. The temperatures of these springs often vary. The Tapt Kund and Narada Kunda are some of the important springs. The temperature of the former is about 45°C.
Among other places of interest in the town are Nilkantha, Managram and Bhimpul.

Kedarnath North Indian Temple

The Holy Pilgrimage Centre of Hindus:
Altitude : 3,581m
Temperature : Max: 17.9°C, Min: 5.6<°C
Distance : 77km from Rudraprayag
42km from Badrinath, 228km from Rishikesh
KedarnathSituated on the banks of the Mandakini River, Kedarnath is one of the four main Hindu pilgrim centres in Uttarakhand (Himalayan Uttara Pradesh). Though mainly famous as a religious centre, this place, surrounded by mountain ranges, also attracts tourists because of its beautiful landscape.

¤ Main Attractioins:
  The most famous monument of Kedarnath is the Kedarnath Temple. It is dedicated to Shiva(Destroyer in the Hindu Holy Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer) who is worshipped mainly in the form of a linga(symbolic phallus of Shiva). The jyotirlinga(the phallus of light) in this temple is one of the twelve jyotirlingasthroughout India, which makes Kedarnath one of the most sacred Hindu cities. The difference between a jyotirlingaand an ordinary lingais that while the former derives power from within itself, the latter is invested with mantra-shakti(power of a verse or phrase that has magical efficiency) by priests. Legend has it that the Temple was built by the Pandavas(the heroes of the epic, Mahabharata) to redeem themselves for the sins they had committed during the Bharata War (for more detail about the Bharata War see Ancient Scriptures). Going by this reckoning, the temple must be very ancient, probably dating back to the pre-Christian era. But evidence shows that it was built in the 8th century a.d. As a matter of fact, in the 8th centurya.d., the temple was reconstructed and renovated by Shankaracharaya (for more detail see History of Kerala) who also established a matha(Hindu monastic establishment) at Badrinath.

As the temple is located on the snowy heights of the Himalayas, the entrance into the temple is restricted throughout winter. Therefore, it is open six months a year, from May to October.
¤ Around Kedarnath
Vasuki Tal
Situated at an altitude of 4135m and surrounded by the Chaukhamba Mountain Ranges, Vasuki Tal is a lovely lake. You can get an excellent view of the Chaukhamba Peak (7,138m) from here.
Ukhimath
62km from Kedarnath
Well connected by road with Rudraprayag, Ukhimath is a peaceful place. The deities of the Kedarnath Temple are installed at this matha (Hindu monastic establishment) when the Kedarnath Temple closes during winter.
Devaria Tal
68km from Kedarnath
Located at a height of 2,430m, it is a very beautiful lake.You can get an excellent view of the Chaukhamba Peak from here.

Khajuraho - World Heritage Site of India

¤ The Stones of Passion

Right through the Mughal invasion and the early British forays into India, Khajuraho temples in India remained unknown. Rediscovered in this century, they are fine reminders of India's glorious past.
To some, Khajuraho Temples are the most graphic, erotic and sensuous sculptures of India, the world has ever known. But Khajuraho has not received the attention it deserves for its significant contribution to the religious art of India – there are literally hundreds of exquisite images on the interior and exterior walls of the shrines.
Architecturally these temples are unique. While each temple in Khajuraho has a distinct plan and design, several features are common to all. They are all built on high platforms, several metres off the ground, either in granite or a combination of light sandstone and granite. Each of these temples has an entrance hall or mandapa, and a sanctum sanctorum or garbha griha. The roofs of these various sections have a distinct form. The porch and hall have pyramidal roofs made of several horizontal layers. The inner sanctum's roof is a conical tower - a colossal pile of stone (often 30m high) made of an arrangement of miniature towers called shikharas.
The famous Western group of temples are designated as the World Heritage Site and is enclosed within a beautifully laid out park. The Lakshmana and Vishwanath Temples to the front and The Kandriya Mahadev, Jagadami and Chitragupta Temples displays the best craftmanship of Khajuraho

Haridwar Pilgrimage

Haridwar literally means the gateway to Hari, an epithet for Vishnu, the Creator in the Hindu Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer. It is also called Gangadwara, because it is near Haridwar that the Ganga, the most sacred river of the Hindus, enters the great plains. Referred to as Mayapuri Kshetra in the Puranas (ancient Hindu scriptures), Haridwar is one of the seven holy cities of the Hindus that are also known as moksapuri or sapta-puri. Thousands of pilgrims come here to pray at the numerous temples that dot the city. Besides, the Kumbha Mela (a month long fair) is the key draw in Haridwar. It attracts a crowd that numbers in millions.
¤ Historic Perspective
 Haridwar is a very old city. It is mentioned in the accounts of Huien Tsang, the famous 7th century Chinese traveller. In 1399 a.d., the city was stormed by the Turkish invader, Amir Timur (Tamerlane). Timur had already conquered Persia, Afghanistan and Mesopotamia, and now had his eyes set on India. In fact, it was on the pretext of championing Islam that Timur gained the support of his courtiers and soldiers who did not like the idea of an invasion of so remote a land. and when he did invade India, many people (mainly Hindus) in Haridwar were done to death by his fierce Turkish army.

During the 19th century, Haridwar became an important centre of Arya Samaj, a reform movement in the 19th century India. In 1902, the Arya Samajis, or the followers of this sect, founded the Gurukul of Haridwar that became the famous Centre for Vedic Studies.

Mahalaxmi Temple

Located at the seashore on the northern side of Malabar hills, Mahalakshmi temple is one of the most sacred temples in Mumbai. The temple enshrines three dieties namely Lakshmi, Kali and Saraswati. However, the principal diety is goddess lakshmi and hence the name Mahalakshmi temple.
History
 Built around 1785, the history of this temple is supposedly connected with the building of the Hornby Vellard. It is said that when Britishers failed in their repeated attempts to connect Mahalakshmi area to Worli by building Breach Candy on account of ferocious tides, they had almost surrendered. The problem was fixed only by divine intervention when the goddess Lakshmi appeared in the dream of chief engineer and asked him to remove the three statues from the sea bed and establish them in a proper shrine. A search operation was launched to recover the statues and a temple was built. After this, the work on the vellard could be completed without a hitch. .
Inside:
 The Temple contains images of Goddess Mahalakshmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswathi. All three images are adorned with nose rings, gold bangles and pearl necklaces. The image of Mahalakshmi is shown riding a tiger and a demon (Mahishasur) in a tandem. Beyond the ornate gate is the shrine wherein resides the buxom goddess of Lucre -- Laxmi. The compound of this temple is abuzz with stalls selling flower garlands and pious paraphernalia.
Navaratri Festival
 During Navarathri celebrations, the temple gets special looks. Devotees from distant places throng to temple to pay their obeisance. They have to stand for hours in long queues holding coconuts, flowers and sweets which they offer to the goddess.

Kanyakumari Temple

Kanyakumari is the southernmost tip of India and the merging point of three seas; the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. It is named after the virgin Goddess Kanyakumari whose temple is situated here on its shore.
Kanyakumari TempleThis temple is devoted to a manifestation of Parvati, the virgin goddess who performed penance to acquire Lord Shiva's hand in marriage. The temple is a major tourist attraction with neighboring ghat, beautifully placed overlooking the shore. It is an eminent belief that the diamond nose-ring of the deity is so shiny that it is visible even from the sea.
There are two rocks emerging out of the ocean, located southeast of the Kumari Amman temple. One among these is Sri Padaparai, where the footprints of the virgin goddess are believed to be imprinted on this rock. It is said that Swami Vivekananda sat in deep meditation here and therefore the Vivekananda Rock Memorial was built in 1970. Along with this there also a dhyana mandapam, which provides a tranquil atmosphere to meditate.

¤ Legend Related To The Temple

Legends say that the wedding of Kanya Devi, an avatar of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva was to be held here. But he did not arrived at the auspicious time and the wedding never took place. The food that was to be cooked was left uncooked. Here the stones resemble rice and cereals which can also be bought. According to the people residing here these stones are the leftovers of the legendary marriage that could not be solemnized. As for the princess Kanya Devi, she became a virgin goddess, blessing everyone who visits this temple.
¤ The Features of The Temple
  The temple is entered mainly through the northern gate, inspite of the fact that the deity is facing east. The eastern entrance remains closed except for special occasions when the deity is taken out for ceremonial bath.
There are all together three corridors that skirt the sanctum. The outer corridor is deprived of special shrines, but after a walk round it the devotees cross the 'Navarathiri mandapam'. A pathway leads to the second corridor surrounding the shrine. There stands the flag mast or 'Kodisthambam'. The Goddess can be clearly viewed from here. Moving further you will reach the front of the sanctum.
The Idol of the Goddess stands with rosary in one hand as if in prayer. It is said to be installed by Parasurama and is made of blue stone. In the inner corridor, the shrines of Vinayagar and Thiagasundary are present, which is visited by devotees after worshiping the Goddess.
¤ Festivals:
The temple festivals celebrated here are held in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May/June) . Navarathri festival is an important festival celebrated in the months of September/October.

Aurangabad

Aurangabad is an ancient city situated in the western region of India. Spread over an area of approximately 138.5 sq km, the city falls on the northern side of Maharashtra. Aurangabad stands on the banks of the Kham River, surrounded by wooded hills on all the four sides. A historical city, it is known for its rich cultural legacy and its splendid historic monuments, which speak volumes about its royal past. Infact, the city once formed a very important seat of Mughal Empire, though for a very short period.

As we look into the past of the Aurangabad city, we find that it was initially under the rule of the Mauryan rulers. Infact, they were the ones to introduce Buddhism in this part of the country. The numerous Buddhist cave temple seen in and around the city, serve as a proof of the advent as well as flourishing state of Buddhism here. Amongst them, the popular ones are those of Ajanta and Ellora, situated very close to Aurangabad. Satvahana and Rashtrakuta rulers also contributed to the construction of marvelous temples in the city.

When the talk is about Aurangabad's history, how can one forget the role of the Mughal rulers? The city was founded in the year 1610 and came up on the site of a 'Khirki' village, which was ruled over by Malik Ambar, a local Muslim noble. After him, his son took over the reins of the village and renamed it as Fatehpur in 1626. The hamlet went into the hands of Emperor Aurangzeb, the last Mughal Emperor, in 1653 and was renamed by him as 'Aurangabad'. Thereafter, the city became his capital and started moving forward on the path of development.

After Mughals, the historical city came under the rule of the Nizam of Hyderabad and continued to be ruled by him until 1948. Thereafter, it was combined with the other cities to form the state of Maharashtra. Today, Aurangabad claims a significant chunk of the travel & tourism industry of Maharashtra. The splendid monuments of the city reminds one of the Mughal era it has witnessed. Sites like Aurangabad Caves, Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, Daulatabad Fort, etc have contributed to its popularity. Whenever you in Maharashtra, make sure to visit Aurangabad and lose yourself in the historical charm of the city.

Mahabaleshwar

This is the largest hill station of Maharashtra and is situated at an altitude of 1372 metres. Away from the busy life of the cities, this hill station provides a fantastic escape for the nearby city people. This hill resort was the summer capital of Bombay Presidency during the British rule. Mahabaleshwar is famous for its scenic beauty and the splendid views of the valleys and the sea, which is quite visible in clear days pony rides on the lanes of Mahabaleshwar are quite thrilling. Youngsters enjoy cycle rides atop the scenic points in Mahabaleshwar. It also houses a splendid lake called Venna Lake where boat rides and fishing are exhilarating experiences.
Some of the famous lookout points here are Elphinstone Point, Babington Point, Kate's Point, and Bombay Point. Waterfalls also adorn this hill station. Some of them are the Chinaman's (2.5 km), Dhobi (3 km), and Lingamala (6 km). The most spectacular one is Arthur's Seat, 12 km from Mahabaleshwar which looks out over a tremendous drop of 600 metres, to the coastal strip of Konkan.Venna Lake is a major attraction of Mahabaleshwar which provides good fishing and boating facilities. Pratapgad Fort Which is 24 kms, away is a place worth visiting. It was built by Shivaji in 1656. It was built to control the rebellious Satraps of the surrounding Javali Basin. Legend has it that Shivaji was blessed with a shining sword at the temple of Goddess Bhawani here. It was the site of the famous battle between the Maratha chieftain Chhatrapati Shivaji and Afzal Khan, the commander of the Bijapur Sultanate.
Mahabaleshwar can be reached easily by air, rail or road. The nearest airport is located at Pune which is 120 km away. Nearest railhead is Wathar and is 62 km away. You can also trvel by roads. The state transport corporation provides buses from Pune to Mahabaleshwar.

Amravati

Amravati city is situated in the Amravati district of Maharashtra and serves as its administrative center. The exact location of the city is 20.93° North and 77.75° East, with its average elevation being 343 meters (1125 feet). As per the mythological stories, Amaravati once served as the abode of Lord Indra, the King of all Gods. This fact, combined with the presence of the Ambadevi Temple and Shri Bhakti Dham Temple, seems to associate a lot of religious significance with the city, boosting its travel & tourism industry.
Amravati District was given to the East Indian Company in the year 1853, by the Nizam, along with the rest of the Berar. After being assigned so, it was divided into two separate districts. One of the districts was South Berar, which has its headquarters at Hingoli. This district, along with the neighboring region, was later restored to the Nizam. The second district to be formed was East Berar, which was nothing but the reconstituted North Berar, which had its headquarters at Akola.
The year 1864 saw the district of Yeotmal being separated from Amravati. After 39 years (1903), another agreement was signed by the Nizam, superseding the previous one, under which Berar was leased to the Government of India infinitely. It was during this year only that the district was attached to the central provinces. India attained independence in 1947 and nine years later (1956), Bombay State was formed and Amravati district, along with other districts of Vidarbha region, were included in it.
The state of Bombay was divided into the two states of Maharashtra and Gujarat in the year 1960. With this, Amravati as well as the other districts of Vidharbha region came under the former state. Located at a distance of approximately 156 km from Nagpur city, Amravati is witnessing a great deal of development. It is also growing as an industrial center, with its cotton mills touching new heights of advancement. Whether from religious point of view or from sightseeing point of view, Amravati is definitely a place worth visiting in Maharashtra.

Shirdi

Shirdi, a small hamlet situated in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, is renowned for once being the abode of Shri Sai Baba. Thronged by devotees throughout the year, the town contributed majorly to the travel and tourism industry of India. The exact geographical location of the town is 19°45 North and 74°25 East and it lies at a distance of around 266 km from Mumbai and 207 km from Pune. People come to Shirdi from various corners of the world to pay obeisance at the Shirdi Sai Temple.
Sai Baba was basically a Fakir, who was held in regard and honor by Hindus and Muslims alike. He went to temples as well as mosques and believed in both 'Bhagwan' and 'Allah'. Infact, Sai Baba preached others to forget communal differences and live in harmony with each other. Baba is said to have first come to the village of Shirdi, as a sixteen years old boy. During the time, he took refuge in the Khandoba Temple and started living there. It was then only that a villager (Mahalsapathi) started calling him by the name of Sai (saint).
Sai Baba started calling a village woman (Baijyabai) as his mother. Soon, the villagers started believing him to be an incarnation of God and began worshipping him. However, after sometime, Sai Baba left Shirdi and returned there after a gap of many years. Mahalsapathi, Baijyabai and other villagers recognized him. Since that time and till his death, Sai Baba stayed at Dwarkamai in Shirdi. Throughout his life, he preached the message of unity, communal harmony, brotherhood, Single 'God' and karma.
He helped everyone who came to him in distress. Infact, it is said that he could never ever see any of his devotees in trouble and whenever people called him with true devotion, he came to their rescue and took their pain on himself. The Sai Samadhi Mandir was constructed under the patronage of Shreemant Gopalrao, a Nagpur-based businessman and an ardent devotee of Sai Baba. Today, one can find Sai Baba temples throughout India as well as in the other countries of the world, like Canada, Cuba, etc.

Nashik

Having many temples and pilgrimage sites, Nashik is known to be a holy city for Hindus in India. Nashik has always been the centre of commerce and trade in India since historical past. Many historic events of the Indian freedom struggle too had been occurred in this place. Ramkund, Muktidham Temple, Coin Museum and Pandavleni Caves are some of the important tourist sites of Nashik.
Nashik is developing as a lively city with a blend of the ancient and the modern touches. The city has numerous forts, temples, historic sites as well as a home for industries. Nashik is also popular for fruit and vegetable productions. Grapes, strawberries and onions are amongst the highest in the country.
Tourists can also organize trips to Shirdi, Trimbakeshwar, Dudhasagar Waterfalls, Saptashringi Devi Temple, Nandurmadhmeshwar, Bhandardara Jawhar and Nandur Madhameshwar Bird Sanctuary, which are not so far the city.
Reaching Nashik too is so easy as the Nashik railway station is one of the major stations of the Central Railway. Nashik is 220 km away from Pune. Nearest airport is Mumbai or Pune with a distance of 175 km.

Vivekananda Illam

Vivekananda Rock Memorial is another place in Kanyakumari which attracts large number of tourists. As its name implies, it is essentially a sacred monument, built by the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee to commemorate the visit of Swamy Vivekananda to - Shripada Parai - during 24th, 25th and 26th December 1892 for deep meditation and enlightenment.
From very ancient times, the rock has been regarded as sacred place. In Puranic tradition, it has been known as - Sripada Parai: meaning the rock, that has been blessed by the touch of Shripada feet of the Goddess.On the rock, is a projection similar in form to a human fort and a little brownish in complexion, which has traditionally, been revered as a symbol of Shripadam. According to legend, it was on this rock that Goddess Kanyakumari did Tapas.
Castle Kernan acquired historical and cultural value after Swami Vivekananda's stay there. Swami Vivekananda came to Tamil Nadu twice: first as an unknown wandering monk (December 1892 to April 1893) and then as the famous Swami Vivekananda, after his appearance at the Chicago Parliament of Religions and successful preaching work in the West.

In a very real sense, it was Chennai that first 'recognized' Swamiji's power and potential, and it was the young men of this city that took a leading part in sending Swamiji to the West.

After his triumphant march through the West for four years he returned to India via Colombo (Sri Lanka), Pamban, Rameswaram, etc to Chennai in February 1897. He was given a tumultuous welcome at Egmore Railway Station, a kind of welcome never extended to any other person in the recent history of India.
Being a disciple of the great Swami, Biligiri Iyengar offered Castle Kernan for the stay of his Master. Swami Vivekananda was taken there in a grand procession along with some of his western devotees (J.J.Goodwin, Capt. and Mrs. Sevier etc.), some eastern disciples (Swami Sadananda etc.) and two of his brother monks (Swami Shivananda, Swami Niranjanananda).
He stayed there from February 6 to 14, 1897, and delivered seven electrifying lectures revealing his plan of campaign to restore India to her pristine glory.
On the eve of his departure for Calcutta , i.e. on 14th February 1897, Swami Vivekananda was coming down the staircase of Castle Kernan. The devotees of Chennai requested him to have a permanent center here. Swamji readily agreed and deputed his brother disciple Swami Ramakrishnananda to initiate the Ramakrishna Order's activities in South India.

Swami Ramakrishnananda, a great thinker, erudite scholar, forceful speaker and, above all, a God-realized saint, arrived in Chennai in the 3rd week of March 1897 with Swami Sadananda and after a short stay of a few days at Flora Cottage, a building on the Ice House Road (now Dr. Besant Road), shifted to Ice House and established a shrine for Sri Ramakrishna there with the help extended by Sri Biligiri Iyengar, the owner of the house. Thus, the first branch of the Ramakrishna Math, which is now flourishing as an international spiritual organization, was started in Chennai.
Even after the passing away of Sri Biligiri Iyengar in 1902, Swami Ramakrishnananda continued his work here till 1906. In 1906 this property was brought to sale by auction by the mortgage.
Houses
The Government took over the building in 1917 and it has been renovated recently, with a statue of Swami Vivekananda installed. Today, it houses a gallery of 150 rare photographs on the life of Swami Vivekananda. It also houses a section on India's cultural heritage and on the history of the building itself. The Government of Tamil Nadu named the Ice House as "Vivekanandar Illam", during 1963, the Centenary year of Swami Vivekananda.

Various Sections In Vivekananda Illam
A colourful and vibrant exhibition of paintings, 43 in all is a delight to the connoisseur and lay for its sheer beauty and artistry. They portray India from Vedic times to the advent of Sri Ramakrishna.
The photo gallery is set in a large circular verandah with 120 exhibits on the epoch making Swami Vivekananda - from his days as an itinerant monk to his conquest of West through his life and works. On display are rare photos elegantly laminated with bi-lingual (English and Tamil) subtitles and scripts. Students and admirers of the Swami Vivekananda will revel at these as it helps them recall the momentous incidents connected with his life.
On the 2nd floor is the room where Swami Vivekananda stayed from 6th to 15th Feb 1897 after his triumphant return from the West. From here he proclaimed his Mission and inspired thousands of men and women to consecrate their lives for the emancipation of our motherland and mankind in general. The room commands a breath-taking view of the beach.

Thanjavur Palace

The rice bowl of Tamil Nadu, Tanjavur is a bustling country town situated 55 kms east of Trichy. Tanjore, also known as Thanjavur, was the ancient capital of the Chola kings and later of the Tanjavur Nayaka and Maratha rulers. Tanjavur rose to glory, during the later Chola reign, between the 10th and 14th centuries, and became a centre of learning and culture. The Cholas, who were great patrons of art, built most of the 93 temples. It was the practice of the kings to donate part of their wealth to the temples, for spiritual gain, and the Chola kings lavished their wealth to build these as well as other temples nearby. Tanjore's crowning glory is the Brihadishwara temple built by Raja Raja. This is listed as a World Heritage site and is worth a visit.
Art Gallery:
The art gallery occupies the Nayak Durbar Hall. It has a superb collection of Chola bronze statues from the 9th to 12th centuries.
Saraswathi Mahal Library:
Thanjavur Palace, Thanjavur Palace travel, Thanjavur Palace tourism, Thanjavur Palace Historical Place, travelThe Saraswati mahal Library is next door to the gallery. Over 30,000 Indian and European manuscripts written on palm leaves and paper are preserved in the Saraswati Mahal Library.

Best Season to Visit
  Through out the year.
Getting there:
Thanjavur is easily accessible from other cities of India. In terms of air transport the Tiruchirapalli airport that is 58 kms away from Thanjavur is the nearest. Though Thanjavur is directly connected with Trichy, Madurai, Nagore, and Madras by rail. The excellent road network links Thanjavur with the major towns in Tamil Nadu and the neighboring states of Kerala and Karnataka. At Thanjavur accommodation is easily available. There are several hotels that offer comfort stay for the various travelers to Thanjavur and suit every pocket. Hygienic and delectable food is available at
reasonable rates.

Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram

Chidambaram was a Chola capital from 907 to 1310 and the Nataraja Temple was erected during the reign of Vira Chola Raja (927-997). The complex is said to be the oldest in southern India. It covers 13 hectares and has four gopurams, the north and south ones towering at 49m high.
Two of the gopurams are carved with the 108 classical postures of Nataraja, Siva in his role as the cosmic dancer.Other notable features of the temple are the 1000-pillared hall, the Nritta Sabha court carved out like a gigantic chariot, and the image of Nataraja himself in the inner sanctum.
There are other temples in the complex, including those dedicated to Parvati, Subrahmanya and Ganesh, and a newer Vishnu temple.The Nataraja Temple courtyard with its many shrines is open from 4 am to noon and 4.30 to 9 pm. The special puja ceremony, held at 5 pm every Friday evening, is certainly spectacular with fire rituals and the clashing of bells and drums. Every other night, at the same time, regular puja ceremonies are conducted.

Chennai

Once a fishing village, Chennai, is now a sprawling capital city of Tamil Nadu. People of Chennai are deep rooted in their cultural moorings and traditions, even though modernity has its own impact. Chennai is airy, spacious with verdant green and beaches. With a population of 6 million people, Chennai is a vibrant city ever growing, expanding and changing every year."
Popularly regarded as the "Gateway to the South", Chennai presents culture that is distinctly different from that of northern India. Music, dance and all other art forms of the South are cherished and nurtured in this city which, though industrialized, continues to be traditional and conventional in many ways.
Chennai has rich traditional and civilization and it is blend of the old, and the new, vibrating ceaselessly to keep pace with the rest of India, as bouyant metropolis of the third most industrialised state.
People of Chennai are deep rooted in their cultural moorings and traditions. From traditional vegetarian fair to fast foods, from ancient temple architecture to modern high-rise with Indo-Saracenic and Victorian as stops along the way from classical music and dance to discos, Chennai has them all and many more vivid contrasts that are a pleasant surprise. And perhaps the most striking of them all is that here is a modern metropolis with beaches, parks and even sanctuaries in the heart of the City.
Chennai is a city that has a clear skyline, long sandy beaches, parks, historic landmarks and tourist infrastructural facilities which make it a convenient entry point or base to start your tour of Tamil Nadu and South India. Where religion is concerned, history has certainly left its mark on this city which is believed to have been the place of St. Thomas, in the outskirts of the city. There are a number of churches in Chennai that are connected with the life and times of this apostle. There are also several ancient temples around Chennai, and, within the city itself are two magnificent temples - a temple in Triplicane and another in Mylapore.

Shree Meenakshi Temple, Madurai

This temple is dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering gopurams (rising high above the surrounding country side). Every day, the Meenakshi Temple attracts pilgrims in thousands, from all over India. The temple is named after the daughter of a Pandyan king who, according to legend, was born with three breasts. At the time of the birth, the king was told that the extra breast would disappear, when she met the man she was supposed to marry, and this happened when she met Lord Shiva on Mount Kailas. Shiva arrived in Madurai, later, in the form of Lord Sundereshwara, and married her. The Meenakshi temple is an excellent example of Dravidian architecture, with gopurams or multi pillared halls, covered from top to bottom, in a profusion of multicoloured images of gods, goddesses, animals and mythical figures. The temple occupies an area of around six hectares, and has four entrances to it.

History of Tamil Nadu

The region of Tamil Nadu in modern India has been under continuous human habitation since prehistoric times, and the history of Tamil Nadu and the civilization of the Tamil people are among the oldest in the world. Throughout its history, spanning the early Paleolithic  age to modern times, this region has coexisted with various external cultures. Except for relatively short periods in its history, the Tamil region has remained independent of external occupation.
The four ancient Tamil empires of Chera, Chola, Pandya and Pallava were of ancient origins. Together they ruled over this land with a unique culture and language, contributing to the growth of some of the oldest extant literature in the world. They had extensive maritime trade contacts with the Roman empire. These three dynasties were in constant struggle with each other vying for hegemony over the land. Invasion by the Kalabhras during the third century disturbed the traditional order of the land by displacing the three ruling kingdoms. These occupiers were overthrown by the resurgence of the Pandyas and the Pallavas, who restored the traditional kingdoms. The Cholas, who re-emerged from obscurity in the ninth century by defeating the Pallavas and the Pandyas, rose to become a great power and extended their empire over the entire southern peninsula. At its height the Chola empire spanned almost 3,600,000 km² (1,389,968 sq mi) straddling the Bay of Bengal. The Chola navy held sway over the Sri Vijaya kingdom in Southeast Asia.
Rapid changes in the political situation of the rest of India due to incursions of Muslim armies from the northwest marked a turning point in the history of Tamil Nadu. With the decline of the three ancient dynasties during the fourteenth century, the Tamil country became part of the Vijayanagara Empire. Under this empire the Telugu speaking Nayak governors ruled the Tamil land. The brief appearance of the Marathas gave way to the European trading companies, who began to appear during the seventeenth century and eventually assumed greater sway over the indigenous rulers of the land. The Madras Presidency, comprising most of southern India, was created in the eighteenth century and was ruled directly by the British East India Company. After the independence of India, the state of Tamil Nadu was created based on linguistic boundaries.

Basar Saraswati Temple

Basar Saraswati Temple is situated in a village called Basar, Nizamabad. Basar is a village on the banks of Godavari River. It is a census town of Adilabad district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. The village is about 50 kilometers from Nizamabad. The temple is among the two famous Saraswati temples in India. It is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge and Learning. A number of legends are associated with the Saraswati Temple, Basar.
Legends state that after the Mahabharata war, Maharishi Vyasa and his disciples embarked on a pilgrimage. He decided to settle down in a cool and serene atmosphere. He reached the Kumaranchala hills on the banks of Godavari. Here he meditated by preparing three small heaps as images of Saraswati, Lakshmi and Kali with his mystic power. It is said that, Saraswati appeared before him and granted blessings. Saraswati is the consort of Lord Brahma and the Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge. However, Brahmanda Purana is completely of a different view. It is believed that the poet Valmiki installed Saraswati and wrote Ramayana here. There is a marble image of Valmiki and his Sam?dhi near the temple. Other legends related to the Basar Saraswati Temple reflect the belief that this temple is one of the three temples constructed near the confluence of the Manjira and Godavari rivers by Ashtrakutas. Historical lore proceeds with the view that, a king of Karnataka, Bijialudu ruled the province of Nandagiri with Nanded as his capital in the sixth century. He was the person to have constructed the temple at Basara.
Various myths about the Basar Saraswati Temple had made it a popular holy place. In addition to that this ancient temple is also renowned for its beautiful architecture. The structural designs of the temple dates back to the Chalukya period. The unique feature of the temple is that there are no carvings. The presiding deity is in a seated position with a Veena in hand and bedecked with turmeric. The temple is also an abode of Goddess Maha Lakshmi, Maha Kali, Papahareswar and Pathaleswar.
Basar Saraswati TempleBasar Saraswati Temple is a place of adoration of Goddess Saraswati. The festivals celebrated in the temple are in reverence to the goddess of learning. During the Mahashivarathri, Dussehra navratris and Vasanta Panchami festivals a popular custom in the temple is bathe in the Godavari River and seek the blessings of the Goddess. Furthermore, children are brought to the temple before the beginning of their formal education to a learning ceremony called Akshara abyasam. The important festival celebrated is Devi Navaratrulu.

The temple in Basara is an easy place to visit from Hyderabad. The village is well connected through road and rail routes. The Basar Saraswati Temple can be reached by airways as the nearest airport is Hyderabad. Once reaching Hyderabad, one can travel by bus or private taxi. Basara has a railway station and one can reach the village by Secuderabad junction and Mudkhed Junction. Road can also be another way to get to the village. Andhra Pradesh Road Transport Buses are available from Hyderabad, Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station and from Jubilee Bus Station, Secunderabad. Buses are frequently available every half-hour. It is about 201 kilometers from Hyderabad-Basara, Nizamabad-Basar is 40 kilometers and Nirmal-Basara is not more than 70 kilometers.
Basar is a place which offers accommodation at various rates. Basar Saraswati Temple also has its own accommodation arrangements which can be reserved by writing a letter to the temple authority. In addition to that a Demand Draft enclosed with the amounts of AC or Non AC rooms according to one`s choice should also reach the Gnana Saraswathi Devi Devastahnam. The village also has residing places that include Yatri Nivas Deluxe cottages, Nilangekar Guest House, TTD Guest House, Gourilla Guest House, Sharada Lodge and various other Choultries are available at Basara.

Kanaka Durga Temple

Kanaka Durga Temple  is a famous Hindu Temple of Goddess Kanaka Durga located in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. The temple is located on the Indrakeeladri hill, on the banks of Krishna River.
Kaalika puraana, Durgaa sapthashati and other vedic literature have mentioned about Goddess Kanaka Durga on the Indrakeelaadri and have described the deity as Swayambhu, (self-manifested) in Triteeya kalpa.
Legend of Goddess:
According to a legend, the now verdant Vijayawada was once a rocky region strewn with hills that obstructed the flow of River Krishna. The land was thus rendered unfit for habitation or cultivation. Invocation to Lord Shiva for His intervention directed the hills to make way for the river. And lo! the river started flowing unimpeded with all its might, through the tunnels or "Bejjam" bored into the hills by Lord Shiva. That is how the place got its name Bezawada.[citation needed]
One of the many mythologies associated with this place is that Arjuna prayed to Lord Shiva on top of Indrakeela hill to win His blessings and the city derived its name "Vijayawada" after this victory. Another popular legend is about the triumph of goddess Kanakadurga over the demon King Mahishasura. It is said that the growing menace of demons became unbearable for the natives. Sage Indrakila practiced severe penance, and when the goddess appeared the sage pleaded Her to reside on his head and keep vigil on the wicked demons. As per his wishes of killing the demons, Goddess Durga made Indrakila Her permanent abode. Later, She also slayed the demon king Mahishasura freeing the people of Vijayawada from evil.[citation needed]
At the Kanakadurga temple, the enchanting four-foot high icon of the deity is bedecked in glittering ornaments and bright flowers. She is shown eight arms, each holding a powerful weapon, in a standing posture over the demon Mahishashura and piercing him with her trident. The goddess is the epitome of beauty.[citation needed]
  Adjacent to the Kanakadurga temple is the shrine of Malleswara Swamy on the Indrakiladri. By ascending the steps on the hill, one comes across little images of different deities, prominent among them are Kali, Shiva, and Krishna.

Description:
  Kanaka Durga Temple is synonymous with Vijayawada. It is mentioned in the sacred texts.
This is the place where Arjuna obtained the Pasupatha astra after his great penance for Lord Shiva. The temple was constructed for Goddess Durga by Arjuna. It is connected by steps and a ghats road.[citation needed]

The temple occupies an important place in the scriptures as several of the Siva-leelas and Shakti-mahimas were enacted on or around it, making the region a place of unequaled spiritual significance and attracting pilgrims since times immemorial.
It is mentioned in the Vedas that the deity in the Kanakadurga temple is regarded as 'Swayambhu' or self-manifested, hence considered very powerful.[citation needed]

Inscriptions of different dynasties are found in the temple.

Historical Information on Andhra Pradesh

 It is believed that the people of Andhra Pradesh basically belong to the Aryan race. They are said to have migrated to the south of the Vindhyas, where they mixed up with the non-Aryans. The history of Andhra Pradesh dates back to the time of Ashoka the Great Mauriyan king ( 3rd century B.C.). This state became an important Buddhist center during his reign. The evidences of the Buddhist influence can be seen in Amaravathi and Nagarjunakonda. These are regarded as one of the greatest archaeological sites in India.
¤ The Early Andhra Pradesh
The earliest dynasty that ruled Andhra Pradesh was the Satavahana dynasty ( 2nd century BC 2nd century A.D), also known as the andhras. They were ruling much of central and southern India at that time. They established their capital at Amravati on the banks of river Krishna. They were very much indulged in international trade with both eastern Asia and Europe. The Satavahana kings were followers of Buddhism and they worked towards the welfare of this religion.
Later, Andhra Pradesh was ruled by the Pallavas from Tamil Nadu, the Chalukyas from Karnataka, and the Cholas. The Kakaityas also ruled this state in 13th century and they established their capital at Warangal. This dynasty had to face several Muslim invasions. Later on, after the demolition of Hampi, the kings of Hindu Vijayanagar kingdom, shifted their base to Chandragiri near Tirupati.

¤ The Muslim Expansion:
   The Kakatiya dynasty ended in 1323, when the Tughlak Sultan of Delhi captured the Kakatiya ruler. After the death of Kakatiya empire, four local kingdoms arose out of the old Kakatiyan empire. One of these kingdoms was Vijayanagar. This empire was a strong empire which rose against the Muslim expansion for more than 200 years. Vijayanagar kings fought bravely with Muslim sultanates in the north, which was attacked by the invaders time and again. In order to weaken the Vijayanagar empire, many sultans joined one another. Finally a grand alliance of the sultanates of Ahmadnagar, Bijapur, Golconda and Bihar was formed against Vijayanagar. Thus, the Vijayanagar army was defeated on 23rd January, 1565 by the Deccan sultans at the battle of Talikota.
Subsequently, in the mid 16 th century, the Muslim Qutb Shahi dynasty emerged. The foundation of the modern city of Hyderabad was laid by the Qutub Shahis of Golcunda. They were defeated by the son of the Moghal emperor Aurangzeb in 1687, who seized Golconda. He appointed Asaf Jah the governor of Deccan. Later, when the Mughal Empire was decaying under Aurangzeb's successors, the Asaf Jahis were collecting power to become independent rulers under the title of Nizam. Five years after the death of Aurangzeb, in 1707, Hyderabad was declared independent by its Viceroy and thus, established the Asaf Jahi dynasty of Nizams. The Nizams helped the British against Tipu Sultan of Mysore and therefore they were rewarded a certain degree of autonomy even at the timem, when the British dominated all India. The Nizams were also involved in the Anglo-French wars in the Deccan. But, finally they had enter into a subsidiary alliance with the British in 1800.
¤ Post-Independence:
Andhra Pradesh is one of the first states in India which was formed only on the linguistic basis. After India's independence, the andhras, that is, the Telugu-speaking people (although Urdu is widely spoken in Hyderabad) were distributed in about 21 districts. Out of them 9 were in the Nizam's Dominions and 12 in the Madras Presidency. But after an agitation, on October 1, 1953, 11 districts of the Madras State were consolidated to form a new andhra State with Kurnool as capital. Later, on November 1, 1956 the State Reorganization Commission recommended to enlarge the andhra State by adding nine districts which were in the Nizam's Dominion. The city of Hyderabad, became the capital of the enlarged Andhra Pradesh, which was also the capital of the Nizam.