North India Destinations

North India Destinations

Where places like those of Delhi, Agra, Jaipur,  portrays its significance in its diverse culture; Whether it is the Taj Mahal of India, or the sacred Rishikesh, Ganges, amazing monuments, wildlife, rivers, the Himalayas, religion, they all attract with their  magnetic beauty

DELHI

Delhi, the capital of the Republic of India is a fascinating city with complexities and contradictions, where the past co-exists with the present. Many dynasties ruled from here and the city is rich in architecture of its monuments. Located on the banks of the river Yamuna, Delhi has witnessed the rise and fall of many cities and empires over the last five millennia.

Being an ancient city there are archaeological excavations of layers of cities - seven to be exact over the city of Indra Prastha around which is the Purana Quila, the fort built in the 16th century. The historic Red Fort, - Shah Jahan's elegant citadel in red sandstone, was built in the 17th century. Very near the Red Fort are the Jumma Masjid, India's largest mosque, built by Shah Jahan and the famous bazaars of Chandni Chowk.

One of the earliest land marks of Delhi is the Qutab Minar, a Tower of Victory which was built in the 12th century adjoining, the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, wherein stands the famous Iron Pillar dating back to 4th century AD. The Tomb of the second Mughal Emperor Humayun of the 16th century is another imposing monument.

The British added as their contribution, the India Gate, a war memorial to the First World War. The Vice-regal Lodge which is now the Rashtrapathi Bhawan - residence of the President of the Republic of India- and the Houses of Parliament and the Government Secretariat buildings.

The Bahai Temple was completed by the Bahai community in 1986 and is one of Delhi's modern architectural wonders.

The National Museum and the Crafts Museum are two of the many Museums of Delhi
A sprawling metropolis with a spectacular backdrop of ancient architecture, Delhi is an extensive city of Monuments in sandstone  and marble.

AGRA

The city of Agra in is famous the world over for the Taj Mahal. Agra was the seat of the great Mughal rulers for 130 years from 1526 to 1656 AD and hence has a number of Mughal monuments of historical value. To name a few, the Agra Fort, the Tomb of Akbar at Sikandra, 10 kms from Agra, the Jumma Masjid, and the Tomb of It-mad-ud-daula. Akbar ruled from here for 7 years and abandoned it for political reasons. The architectural grandeur of this deserted city is exquisite. The Taj Mahal of India is acknowledged as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

VARANASI

Varanasi is among the oldest living cities in the world, Babylon and Ninevah have disappeared but Varanasi lives on. It is considered the holiest of Hindu pilgrim Centers; it is counted as one of the renowned shrine places of north India. Thousands come daily to Varanasi to take a ritual dip in the river Ganga (Ganges), to cleanse their souls of misdeeds and to worship at its many temples. This city is known by many names - Kashi - the city of light and Benaras as called by the British. Varanasi is 'Kasi' the ultimate holy city of pilgrimage for thousands of devotees from around the world country.

The ghats of Varanasi are steps that descend to the banks of the river for nearly

5 km along the west bank. At any point of the day these steps are a kaleidoscope of colour. On the banks of this river people consult the priests seated under their palm leaf umbrellas. Rising as a backdrop to all this activity is the magnificent superstructure of temples, havelis and the domes and minarets of mosques. A labyrinth of narrow lanes behind these buildings links the ghats to the rest of the city. Wandering through this maze can be fascinating. Shops sell rich brocaded silks, brassware and articles essential for worship at the numerous little shrines.

SARNATH

10 kms from Varanasi is the site where Lord Buddha preached His first sermon, in Buddhist terminology, `Turned the wheel of law', after He attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Gaya. Sarnath is rich in Buddhist antiquities from the time of the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka of 3rd century BC, down to the 12th century A.D. Ashoka built the Dharmarajika Stupa and the Dhamek Stupa. He also erected a pillar surmounted by the magnificent four lion Capital, which today is the national emblem of India. Over the centuries excavations at Sarnath have yielded an extremely rich collection of Buddhist sculptures comprising of numerous Buddha and Bodhisatva images which can be seen in the Archaeological Museum of Sarnath. This city of beautiful temples attracts tourist from around the world for its shrines, monuments and its architectural legacy.

KHAJURAHO

The temples of Khajuraho are India's unique gift to the world, representing, as they do, a paean to life, to love, to joy - perfect in execution and sublime in expression. Life, in every form and mood has been captured in stone, testifying not only to the craftsman's artistry but also the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela Rajputs under whose rule the temples were conceived and constructed.

The Khajuraho temples were built in the short span of a hundred and fifty years, from 950-1100 A.D. Of the 85 original temples, 22 survived. Khajuraho is a small town and the temples are spread out in three sections- Eastern Group, the Western Group and Southern Group. A small but excellent museum exhibits the art effects of this region.

GWALIOR

Gwalior is steeped in the splendour of its past. A multitude of reigning dynasties of the Rajput clans of the Pratiharas, Kachwahas and Tomars have left indelible etchings of their rule in this city of palaces, temples and monuments. Gwalior's history is traced back to a legend. In the 8th century AD, a chieftain by name Surjan Sen was cured of a malady by a hermit-saint, Gwalipa. In gratitude Suraj Sen founded a city which he named after the saint who had given him the gift of a new life.

The city of Gwalior became, over the centuries, capital of great dynasties. The city gained new dimensions from its warrior-kings, poets, musicians and saints who contributed to making it a renowned city throughout the land. The Gwalior Fort as is seen today was built in the 16th century and is the model after which all forts of North India were built.

ORCHHA

Orchha's grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time and is a rich legacy of to our present times. The hand of time has rested lightly on this city, and hence the palaces and temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries retain much of their perfection.

Orchha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Rajput chieftain Rudra Pratap who chose this stretch of land along the Betwa River for his capital. Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo a notable descendent built the exquisite Jehangir Mahal, a spectacular palace. The interiors of these palaces have wall paintings from the Bundela School of art. The Laxminarayan Temple has vibrant murals of religious and secular themes.

LUCKNOW

A place in time, but an epoch in culture, Lucknow is where the legacy of the imperial splendour of Mughal India flowered in dance and music. During the 18th and 19th centuries A.D. the political power of the Indian states ebbed, but the tide of native culture reached a new height in this city of gardens, palaces and shrines.

The British were fond of Lucknow and built the Residency with great aplomb. Lucknow witnessed political and physical upheaval during the Indian Sepoy revolt of 1857.

The prestigious La Martiniere School founded with the wealth bequeathed by Major General Claude Martin, a French nobleman, in the turn of the 19th century is a landmark in this city of Lucknow.

Lucknow is spread out on both sides of the river Gomti. Important areas of visit are the Chowk near the Jumma Masjid, the Imambaras, Rumi Darwaja, the Clock Tower, the Picture Gallery and Aminabad, with its narrow lanes and shopping areas.

The culture nourished by its people is reflected in the charming, delectable refinement in its way of life. Lucknow is a place to be experienced.

ALLAHABAD

A city of many dimensions is what befits a description of Allahabad. In addition to being a major pilgrimage centre, the city has played an important part in the formation of modern India. This city, located at the confluence of three holy rivers - Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, came to be known as 'Prayag' or 'Allahabad'. Allahabad became important during the time of the Mughals and a massive fort was built in 1583, by Emperor Akbar.

Many important events in India's struggle for freedom took place in Allahabad, like the emergence of the first Indian National Congress in 1885 and the beginning of Mahatma Gandhi's non-violence movement in 1920. Anand Bhawan, the home of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, is now a Museum

Held every 12 years on the banks of Sangam, the Kumbh Mela draws devout Hindus from across the globe. It is attended by Sadhus, pilgrims and commoners alike. A bath in this river and offerings to sun God are believed to cleanse the soul. Sheer religious fervour and deep abiding faith lend an incomparable atmosphere. The next Kumbh Mela will be in 2012.