The
capital city of India - Delhi, is the
second most widely used entry point into the
country. The remains of seven distinctive capital
cities – among them Shahjahanabad and
Qutub Minar can be seen. Most fascinating of
all is the character of Delhi which varies from
the 13th century mausoleum of the Lodi Kings,
set in a sprawling park, to ultra modern chrome
and glass skyscrapers; and from imperial India’s
Parliament House and the President’s Palace
to the never-ending bustle of the walled city
surrounding Jama Masjid. Delhi also makes the
ideal base for a series of short excursions
to neighbouring places, all connected by road.
Bharatpur
is famous for its 29 sq km bird sanctuary,
which has the largest concentration and variety
of bird life in Asia. Throughout Bharatpur,
native population of trees and water birds can
be seen, the latter breeding in July-August.
However, the sanctuary has gained worldwide
attention as being the winter home of several
migratory species including the endangered Siberain
crane.
Agra, and the nearby city
of Fatehpur Sikri, is conveniently close to
Delhi. Besides the Taj Mahal are the Agra Fort,
Sikandra, Ram Bagh and Itmad-ud-daulah. 35 kms
away are the imperial ruins of the Mughal city,
Fatehpur Sikri. Agra and Fatehpur Sikri are
not merely rich legacies of Mughal history –
they are the finest examples of architecture,
which combine Hindu and Islamic elements.
Punjab,
the major wheat producing State of the country,
is the overland entry point into India. The
state is also known for its production of sports
and hosiery goods. The holiest shrine for the
Sikhs is the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Chandigarh, the
capital of both Punjab and Haryana, is the only
Indian city to have been designed and planned
by a single architect – Le Corbusier.
The city, a model of wide roads and spacious
residential colonies is an excellent base for
specialized sightseeing, and for visiting Sukhna
Lake, Pinjore Gardens, the Rose Gardens and
the Rock Gardens.
Himachal
Pradesh, is a tiny hill state whose pleasant
summers make it a popular holiday resort. The
Raj still lingers in Shimla, the state capital
and former summer capital during British rule.
Kullu & Manali are neighbouring resorts,
surrounded by pine covered hills and lush meadows.
Himachal has, in addition to popular resort
towns, a series of secluded hill retreats ideal
for interested anglers, trekkers and those wanting
a quiet getaway. There include: from Shimal
– Mashobra, Kufri, Naldehra: those around
Kullu-Manali include Manikaran, Naggar and Brighu
Lake; the barely – accessible valleys
of Lahaul and Spiti are a trekker’s delight.
In Uttar
Pradesh, Lucknow was associated with
the princely court of Oudh and then with the
British. Both traditions lingering on in the
city echoed the finest monuments, including
the Bara Imambara. Further east, Varanasi is
the oldest city in India and an important centre
of Hindu pilgrimage, it is believed that those
who die in Varanasi will be released from the
cycle of rebirth. Pious Hindus come to Varanasi
to spend their last days, living in Spartan
communes run by a multitude of religious trusts.
The focus of interest to a visitor is the sacred
River Ganga. At the series of steps leading
down to is, people come to wash away their sins
by bathing in the river, the dead are cremated
and holy men meditate. In the narrow bye-lanes
of the city are crowded bazaars selling brassware
and silk brocades.
Jammu
and Kashmir, India’s most fascinating
northernmost state consists of three regions
differing in topography and culture. Jammu was
the stronghold of the Hindu Dogra Kings and
abounds with popular temples and secluded forest
retreats. Kashmir’s capital city, Srinagar
offers delightful holidays on the lakes with
their shikaras or houseboats.
Ladakh
is the northernmost province of the state, with
a bleak terrain of barren mountains. Hilltop
monasteries and a colourful way of life, completely
at one with the surroundings, make Ladakh one
of the best living traditions of Tibetan Buddhism
in the world today.
Rajasthan,
India’s desert state was once a collection
of princely kingdoms where feudal traditions
still carry on amidst forts and palace hotels.
The capital city, Jaipur was the stronghold
of a clan of rulers whose three hill forts and
series of palaces in the city are important
attractions. Known as the Pink City because
of the colour of the stone used exclusively
in the walled city, Jaipur’s bazaars sell
embroidered leather shoes, blue pottery, tie-and-dye
scarves and other exotic wares.
Rajasthan, Fairy-tale aristocrats, battle-scarred
forts; the Rajput pride borne out of legendary
exploits; marble dreamscapes of floating palaces;
murals of dancing girls; polo-playing Maharajas
and beautiful Maharanis; velvet bedecked howdahs
on elephants to take you through narrow streets
to hilltop castles and palaces; shimmering sands
of desert cities; four-wheel drives in royal
wildlife reserves; the colour & pageantry
of a vibrant people. Rugged and romantic Rajasthan
is "Classic Fantasy" at its best.
In the north of
Rajasthan, Shekhavati
is approachable by road from Jaipur. The greatest
attractions here are the deserted mansions of
the local merchants decorated with a profusion
of wall paintings. The subjects and styles vary
greatly and are not encountered elsewhere in
India. Nearby Dunlod and Mandawa are forts,
now converted into charming hotels.
Seldom visited
Bundi is remarkable for its palace fort and
gallery of the frescoes, executed in the style
for which the state is famous.
Approachable by
road from Jaipur are Ajmer
and Pushkar. Ajmer’s preeminence
is due to the shrine of a Muslim saint who is
believed to fufill one’s wishes. Nearby
Pushkar has one of the very few temples dedicated
to Brahma the Creator. The sleepy town with
its placid lake is catapulted into prominence
for 10 days every November as India’s
most splendid camel fair takes place here, attended
by thousands of locals flashing jewellery and
exuding colour. For the thousands of tourists
who visit Pushkar, accommodation is in the form
of tents, which cater to all budgets.
Udaipur
and its environs, easily accessible by air and
road from Bombay, is another facet of Rajasthan.
Far from being surrounded by desert, Udaipur
is situated in the lap of thickly wooded Aravalli
hills. Three lakes from an attraction of the
city whose focal point is the towering cluster
of honey colour palaces that go to make up the
complex of the City Palace and other palatial
apartments. The domes cupolas of Rajasthan’s
largest and oldest palace complex look out onto
Lake Pichola whose twin islands house, respectively,
a Palace Hotel and a Pleasure Palace. Parts
of the City Palace itself have been converted
into a luxury hotel and into a museum. Lake
Pichola’s banks are cluttered with a myriad
of whitewashed houses that once belonged to
courtiers and palace retainers.
112kms
from Udaipur is the fort of Chittaurgarh,
enclosing an area of 24 kms. Crumbling ruins
and desolate palaces were once the centre of
intrigue, valour and romance of Udaipur’s
ruling family. Even more romantic is Kumbhalgarh,
which the locals swear touches the clouds. Indeed
it does, being the highest of all forts in Rajasthan,
Kumbhalgarh has a comfortable little hotel near
by.
Mt. Abu
is Rajasthan’s only hill resort, high
in the Aravallis that run through the whole
area, well connected by road from Udaipur. The
Dilwara Jain Temples are the town’s greatest
attracting, being among the finest examples
of Jain temple art in India. Mt. Abu also has
a large lake surrounded by the summer palaces
of the erstwhile rulers of Rajasthan’s
principalities.
Western Rajasthan itself forms a convenient
circuit, in the heart of the Thar Desert, which
has shaped its history, lifestyle and architecture.
Jodhpur’s exquisitely lovely fort, now
a museum, art deco royal palace converted into
a hotel, and quaint markets, all vividly testify
to the history of the princely state. Jaisalmer,
in the heart of the desert, is surrounded by
sand dunes, which rendered the sand coloured
fort impregnable. Bikaner too has echoes of
the past in its sandstone palaces, temples and
cenotaphs
