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| North India has
got historical as well cultural significance. A trip to North
India is surely going to enlighten you about India's rich
traditional and cultural heritage. You can treat yourself
to its exotic hill stations , pilgrimage spots or simply its
cities, you'll enjoy your trip. The world famous Taj
Mahal speaks of the opulence of the legendary
Mughal Empire, so does the capital city of Delhi. Corbett
National Park offers a unique and exciting panorama of wildlife
. The splendid views of the snow-clad ranges of the Himalayas
can be viewed in Shimla, Manali and Nainital. |
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| A FEW PLACES
TO VISIT |
| Agra
Agra is famous as being home to one of the Seven
Wonders of World-the Taj Mahal. The
architectural splendor of the mausoleums, the fort and the
palaces is vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary
Mughal Empire, of which Agra was the capital in the 16th
and early 17th centuries. While its significance as a political
center ended with the transfer of the capital to Delhi in
1634 by Shah Jahan, its architectural wealth has secured
its place on the international map. |
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| A pleasant town with a comparatively
slow pace, craftsmen who are descendants of those who worked
under the Mughals know Agra for its superb inlay work on marble
and soapstone. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold
thread embroidery and leather shoes. |
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| Delhi
In the six decades since the creation of New Delhi
as the capital of British India, the city has undergone
a sea change. High-rise buildings now stand check-by-jowl
with Delhi's 1300 monuments. Villages such as Khirkee, Begumpur,
Hauz Khas, Sheikh Sarai and Nizamuddin, which grew around
medieval Delhi's, shifting capital "cities", have now been
engulfed by the urban sprawl. Many of them, however, retain
their old-world characteristics. Delhi is one of the most
historic capitals in the world and two of its monuments-the
Qutab Minar and Humayun's Tomb-have been declared World
Heritage Sites.
It is also one of the greenest capitals. For the visitor,
it serves as a perfect introduction to the cultural wealth,
the complexities and the dynamism of India which Jawaharlal
Nehru likened to "an ancient palimpsest on which layer
upon layer of thought and reverie has been inscribed". Delhi
has some of the finest museums in the country. |
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| Its boutiques and shopping arcades
offer access to a wealth of traditional and contemporary crafts
from all over the country. It has specialty restaurants to
please the gourmet, the open parks and gardens ablaze with
flowers, and in the winter months particularly, a variety
of cultural events. Its many-layered existence is tantalizing
and can entice the curious traveler into a fascinating journey
of discovery. |
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Jaipur
Start your tour with a visit to the majestic Amber
fort whose magnificence cannot be described. You’ll
enjoy the Elephant ride to the former capital of the royal
sets against the backdrop of the wooded hills. Later visit
the Palace of Winds also known as Hawa mahal, this elaborate
building, now little more than a façade is encrusted with
delicate screen sand carved balconies.
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Varanasi Ghats
This ghat was built in 1600 but was poorly restored
in the 19th century. This ghat was made by Raja Savai Man
Singh and named after him.It's old name was Somesvara ghat.
The northern corner of the ghat has a fine stone balcony
and Raja Jai Singh of Jaipur erected one of his unusual
observations on this ghat in 1710,on the top of the floor,
there is a Hindu Observatory built by Savai jai Singh-II.Closeby
shrine at the top of the ghat are Somesvara Rameshvara and
Sthuladanta Vinayaka. Someshvara Lingum represent the same
lingum at Somnath (Gujrat),one of the twelve Jyotirling. |
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Nainital
The first recorded discovery of this now popular
hill station of Nainital, was in 1841 when a British, Mr.
Barron, chanced upon the lake. Moved by the scenic beauty
of the lake and thickly forested hills, he constructed a
house named Pilgrim’s Cottage. It was the first of
many residences, which were to transform Nainital into a
popular resort. By 1858, Nainital became a well-known hill
station, and within a few years the summer seat of the provincial
government.
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| According to local belief the origin
of Nainital harks back to mythological times. Sati, Lord Shiva’s
consort committed suicide at the yajna of Daksha Prajapati.
When Lord Shiva roamed across the universe carrying her dead
body, Sati’s eye fell near the lake, where the Naina
Devi temple now stands. The waters of the lake are therefore
considered sacred and the Naina Devi temple is the venue of
an autumnal fair. In ancient times, the lake was know as the
Tri-rishi Sarovar, the lake of three rishis-Atri, Pulastya
and Pulaha. |
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| Shimla
A quaint little hill train chugs up into the Shivalik
foothills, over dramatic loops and high arched bridges to
the hill resort of Shimla (2130 M) - the capital of the
Mountain State of Himachal. Shimla's salubrious climate,
easy accessibility and numerous attractions have made it
one of the most popular hill stations in northern India.
The splendid views of the snow-clad ranges of the Himalayas,
fine walks through oak and flowering rhododendron, enchanting
resorts within easy reach, golf at Naldehra and skiing at
Kufri and Narkanda make Shimla an attractive destination
throughout the year. |
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| Manali
Manali is situated near the end of the valley on
the National Highway leading to Leh. The landscape here
is breath taking. One sees well-defined snow capped peaks,
the Beas River with its clear water meanders through the
town. On the other side are deodars and pine trees, tiny
fields and fruit orchards. It is an excellent place for
a holiday, a favorite resort for trekkers to Lahaul, Spiti,
Kinnaur, Leh and Zanskar regions in Kashmir valley. It is
known as the SWITZERLAND OF INDIA.
Manali is situated at the northern end of the Kullu Valley;
Manali has spectacular views of snowcapped peaks and wooded
slopes.
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| The Beas rushes along its rocky
course amid grassy meadows carpeted with wild flowers and
wagtails hop along from stone to stone along the stream's
edge. There are marvelous walks too, through dappled orchards
and fairy-tale forests of deodar. |
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