Qutub Minar (DELHI)

The Qutub Minar is a tower located in Delhi, India. It is the world's tallest brick minaret with a height of 72.5 meters (237.8 ft). It has a diameter of 14.32m at the base and about 2.75m on the top.

Qutub Minar, an architectural marvel of the 13th century, is located in Delhi, the capital of India. One of the most famous landmarks of Delhi, viewing it is trully an experience to relish. Qutub Minar complex monuments are listed in the UNESCO world heritage sites of India. Here is concise information about Qutub Minar in Delhi. Qutb-u'd-Din Aibak, the first sultan of Delhi, laid the foundation stones of Kutub Minar in AD 1199. Some historian opine that that the objective behind its construction was to give a platform to Mu'azzin to give calls for prayer. He was the one who raised the first storey. Then he died. The credit of completing the construction goes his successor and son-in-law, Shamsu'd-Din Iitutmish, who also added three more stories to it.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS IN QUTUB COMPLEX   

Alai Darwaza

The Alai Darwaza is the main gateway from southern side of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. It was built by the second Khilji Sultan of Delhi, Ala-ud-din Khilji in 1311 AD, who also added a court to the pillared to the eastern side.

Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque

Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque (Might of Islam) (also known as the Qutb Mosque or the Great Mosque of Delhi) was built by Qutb-ud-din Aybak, founder of the Mamluk or Slave dynasty.

Iron Pillar

Iron Pillar in the Qutab Minar Complex harks back to the 5th century. It has faced the wear and tear of time successfully

Tombs

Iltutmish

The tomb of Slave Dynasty ruler, Iltutmish, the second Sultan of Delhi (r. 1211-1236 AD), built 1235 AD is also part of the Qutb complex at Mehrauli.

Imam Zamin

Tomb of Imam Muhammad Ali, or Imam Zamin, stand on a raised courtyard, next to the Alai Darwaza. According to an inscription of the eastern entrance to the tomb, Imam Zamin was a saint from Turkestan, who settled in India in around 1500, during the Sikander Lodhi

Alauddin Khilji's tomb and madarsa

At the back of the complex, southwest of the mosque, stands an L-shaped construction, consisting of Alauddin Khilji's tomb dating ca 1316 AD, and a madarsa, an Islamic seminary built by him. Khilji was the second Sultan of Delhi from Khilji dynasty, who ruled from 1296 to 1316 AD.

Alai Minar

Alauddin Khilji started building the Alai Minar, after he had doubled the size of Quwwat ul-Islam mosque. He conceived this tower to be two times higher than Qutb Minar in proportion with the enlarged mosque. The construction was however abandoned, just after the completion of the 24.5 meter high first storey core; soon after death of Ala-ud-din in 1316 AD.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: October to March

HOW TO REACH QUTUB MINAR

By Air : Delhi has two airports – Indra Gandhi International Airport and Palam Domestic Airport. Both these airports are connected with regular flights from important cities of the country and the world as well. Frequent shuttles run between these airports.

By Train : Delhi has three major railheads namely – Delhi, New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station. These stations are served by many express and super fast trains from various parts of the country.

By Bus : Good motorable roads including National Highways and State Highway link Delhi with nearby states and rest of the country.

Local Transport : Buses, Taxis, Cars, Auto-rickshaws are available as local modes of transport, you can reach Qutab Minar by opting any mode. Metro railway is new attraction in Delhi but presently it is not linked to Qutab Minar.

ACCOMODATION

Plenty of accommodation options are available in Delhi that suit your budget. Choose from wide array of hotels ranging from five star to tourist lodges and enjoy a pleasant stay during your Delhi trip.

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EARN ONLINE MONEY GENUINLY - MAKE MONEY ONLINE - INTERNET MONEY - EARN MONEY - LEGITIMATE: GAMES

EARN ONLINE MONEY GENUINLY - MAKE MONEY ONLINE - INTERNET MONEY - EARN MONEY - LEGITIMATE: GAMES

HUMAYUN TOMB (DELHI)

Humayun's Tomb:
Humayun's senior widow Bega Begum, popularly known as Haji Begum, built the magnificent Humayun's Tomb in Delhi, in 1565. It is one of the most beautiful Mughal monuments, with features like high arches and a full double dome. Located on Mathura Road, near its crossing with Lodi Road, Humayun's Tomb is built on a large stone platform, surrounded by green lawns and has a crescent on the top of the dome, instead of the usual lotus. It is said that the Begum spent one and a half million rupees on the tomb, which was constructed between nine and fourteen years after the death of the Emperor Humayun in 1556.
Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, the architect of Humayun's Tomb, designed it in a Persian 'charbagh' or square four-garden style enclosed by high walls on three sides, and the River Yamuna on the other. The style was introduced in India by Babur, the first Mughal emperor.

Timings: Open on all days from sunrise to sunset

Preferred Timings: Late afternoon is the best time to see Humayun's Tomb, because the natural light aids photography
Admission Fee: INR 10 for citizens/ INR 250 for foreigners

How to Reach: Tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach this monument, which is located on Mathura Road or they can hire auto-rickshaws and taxis or take the metro rail.
Nearest Railway Station: Nizamuddin Railway Station
Nearest Functional Metro Station: Kendriya Terminal

Nearest International Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport 

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GARDEN OF FIVE SENSES (DELHI)

GARDEN OF FIVE SENSES (DELHI).

The Garden of five senses is a breadth taking and enamoring experience. It is not just a park - it is a celebration of aesthetic expression and appreciation, a seamless dialogue between the creations of man and nature that invites interaction and exploration. The Garden of five senses is the latest addition to Delhis cultural circuit. The unique area of the garden with all its natural and man made surrounding has added a new dimension to life in Delhi and caters to all sections of society. The garden is located at Said-ul-Aizab village , close to the Mehrauli heritage area in New Delhi. The garden is built on a large expanse of land, 20 acres to be precise. It was inaugurated in February 2003 by Chief Minister of Delhi. There is an abundant display of flora, with a vast congregation of about 200 special varieties of plants and flowers under one roof.

Attractions Of Garden Of Five Senses

Khas Bagh is developed on the pattern of Mughal Gardens though with a series of modern water channels and fountains, some fitted with a lighting system enhancing the whole beauty of the garden.

Neel Bagh a pool of water lilies, surrounded by a bower like structure covered with colorful plants.

Color Gardens and The Courts of Specimen Plants

The Solar Energy Park

The Solar Park was set up with the assistance of the Ministry of Non-conventional Renewable Energy Sources with the aim of promoting awareness about renewable sources of energy. The main exhibits of the solar park are the two solar-powered Buses, Bicycles, Cars, and a Computer among other things.

 

Annual Events

Various festivals are held here from time to time which attracts a horde of visitors. The Garden Tourism Festival, Food Festivals, Different Melas, Dandiya Festivals and other cultural programs are held here at different times. For

 

ENTRY FEE: There is no entrance fee for the Garden of Five Senses. Entry is free and unrestricted.
ENTRY TIMING: It remains open on all days from sunrise to sunset.
TIMING FOR VISIT: 6.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m

HOW TO REACH GARDEN OF FIVE SENSES: Delhi is well linked by road, rail and air to all parts of the country. After reaching Delhi, tourists can board buses, rickshaws, autos or even hire a cab to reach Garden of Five Senses. Metro rail may also be availed of for reaching here.
Nearest Railway Station :- Nizamuddin Railway station
Nearest Metro Station :- Central Secretariat
Nearest Airport :- Indira Gandhi International Airport

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RED FORT ( Lal Qila ) DELHI

RED FORT (Lal Qil'ah or Lal Qila ) DELHI

Red fort lies along the Yamuna River. The layout of the Red Fort was organised to retain and integrate this site with the Salimgarh Fort.

Shah Jahan shifted his capital from Agra to Shahjahanabad and laid the foundation of Red Fort, or the Lal Quila, on 16th April 1639. It took nine years to build this mighty citadel and it got completed on 16th April 1648. It is said that about one crore rupees, an astronomical sum in those days, was spent on its construction. Built of red sandstone, it is octagonal in shape, with two longer sides on the east and west. The perimeter of its strong ramparts is about 2.41 km. Red Fort rises to a height of 33.5 m on the town side and 18 m along the river. A wide moat surrounds the fort, which was originally connected with the river and was always filled with water. The two main gateways, known as Lahori Gate and Delhi Gate,The master builders of the Red Fort were Hamid and Ahmad. Visitors are allowed only in a part of Red Fort, as the army occupies the rest of it. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS OF RED FORT

Diwan-i-Am                        

Diwan-i-Am or Hall of Public Audience is situated in the Red Fort of Delhi.

Hamam

The hammams or royal baths; these consist of three rooms topped by domes, with a fountain in the center

Moti Masjid

To the west of the hammam is the Moti Masjid, the Pearl Mosque. This was a later addition, built in 1659 as a private mosque for Aurangzeb, Shah Jahan's successor.

Mumtaz Mahal               

One of the original six main-palaces situated along the river front, Mumtaz Mahal was also known as 'Chhoti Baithak'.

Naubat Khana                  

Naubat Khana, or Naqqar Khana (meaning the Drum House), is situated at the entrance of the palace area. Here music was played five times a day at the appointed hours.

Nahr-i-Bihisht

A beautiful water channel called 'Nahr-i-Bihisht' (meaning Stream of Paradise) flew through these palaces.

HOW TO REACH RED FORT

Delhi is well connected by air, rail, and road with important centers of India. Tourists can reach the Red Fort in many ways. They can either take local buses from various points within the city, which is located near the Interstate Bus Terminus at Kashmere Gate in the heart of the city, or, alternatively, they can hire auto-rickshaws and taxis for the purpose. There are also regular buses from other important bus termini like the Interstate Bus Terminus at Sarai Kale Khan and Connaught Place to this monument.

ACCOMODATION

There are several hotels near Red Fort to cater to the accommodation needs of the guests offering them a chance to spend some quality time in the precincts of these medieval structures.

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RAJAJI NATIONAL PARK

RAJAJI NATIONAL PARK

The park has been created in 1983 by amalgamation of three sanctuaries- Rajaji sanctuary(estd. 1948) Motichur sanctuary (estd. 1964) and Chilla sanctuary(estd. 1977) after the name of renowned statesman and freedom fighter Sri C. Rajgopalachariya - The first and last Governor General of independent India popularly known as "Rajaji". The park is spread over an area of 820.42 sq. km. in three Districts- Dehradun, Haridwar & Pauri Garhwal of Uttaranchal State, India. The majestic Ganges flows through the National Park for a distance of 24km .
The forest ecosystems of the Rajaji National Park are quite varied and diverse.It offers ample opportunities to nature lovers to enjoy the captivating landscape and wildlife.

WILDLIFE ATTRACTION

The park is home to the Tiger, Leopard, Himalayan Bear, Cheetal, hog deer, barking deer, Sambar deer, wild boar, antelopes such as the Nilgai, Goral , Jackal, Hyena, Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, Civets, Himalayan Yellow-Throated Marten, Sloth Bears, Pythons, King Cobra, Common Krait, Indian Cobra and the Monitor Lizard and above All the Asian Elephant.

Inhabiting the dense green jungles that form the park are an impressive array of creatures - 23 species of mammals - including tigers, leopards, elephants, deer, jungle cat, wild boar and sloth bear - and 315 species of birds are found in Rajaji . The most prominent avian species include pea fowl, woodpeckers, pheasants, kingfishers and barbets, supplemented by a number of migratory species during the winter months. Besides that, the rivers which flow through the park harbour fish such as trout and mahseer.

HOW TO REACH RAJAJI NATIONAL PARK

Rajaji Park, which has several gates, is accessible from Dehradun, Kotdwar and Haridwar: the Ramgarh Gate and Mohand Gate are within 25 km of Dehradun; the Motichur, Ranipur and Chilla Gates are about 9 km from Haridwar; Kunao Gate is 6 km from Rishikesh; and Laldhang gate is 25 km from Kotdwar. Saharanpur, which is conveniently linked by train to other parts of India, is another attractive point to reach the Mohand area of the Park, in nearly an hour by road.

ACCOMODATION

A range of tourist accommodation is available at Rajaji's main campsite. There are Forest rest houses in the surrounding areas of the park. Accommodation is also available in private lodges and resorts outside the Park.

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Devka Beach (DAMAN)

Devka Beach

The Devka beach is one of Daman’s most famous beaches and is known all over the region for its vast stretches of sand, which are quite often very deserted.

About 3 km north from Nani Daman, Devka Beach shoreline offers excellent recreation to the visitor. The ambience is serene and easy going. Walking the beach as the waves dance at your toes and the visual drama played out by nature with sea turning its colour and the sky mirroring each passing mood has always charmed the tourists. During low-tide, one can walk right into the sea and collect shells and various stones. The traveler can beat the summer heat by taking swim in the cool water of the sea but take precaution while bathing in sea as there are rocky formations beneath the water.

ATTRACTIONS NEAR DEVKA BEACH
At Devka, the most popular tourist attraction, a beachside amusement park has been developed that includes kids corner with toy train, merry-go round and large garden, fast food centre and ice cream parlour. The multicoloured fountains in the park on play provide an enchanting sight and are tourist’s delight. You can also enjoy pony and camel ride on the sand.
Entry to the park is Rs.5, Camera Rs.15. Taxis and autorickshaws are easily available to take you to Devka (around Rs. 30 for an autorickshaw).

Best time to visit Devka Beach

The Devka beach can be visited any time of the year. However, best time to visit devka is during the monsoons, that is, between the months of June and September.

Best way to reach Devka Beach

• By Air: Daman Airport, located a few odd kms away, is the nearest airport. However, Daman is a restricted airport and is mainly used by the government and the services. Civilian flights to Daman Airport are rarely allowed. Mumbai, India’s most important airport, is located 180 kms away and is deemed the most convenient.
• By Rail: The nearest railhead is Vapi (located some 10 odd kilometres away), which is one of the more important railway stations in the region and as such is well-connected to the major cities in the region. Vapi lies on the Mumbai-Delhi mainline, and many express trains passing through have a halt here.
• By Road: The Devka beach is well connected to all the important cities and other beach resorts in the region. Local transport largely consists of non-metered auto rickshaws.

ACCOMODATION

There are so may 5, 4 star and 3 star hotels and some well affordable resorts provide accommodation facilities to the tourist.Some of the bigger hotels in Daman are in vicinity, along one road. The sea facing restaurants of these hotels are very popular given the cool evenings and sea breeze. The lane opposite the park has some roadside stalls selling custom electronic items, soft toys, readymades and export surplus garments.

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Jim Corbett National Park (PROJECT TIGER)

Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park, the first wildlife reserve of India, extending over an area of more than 500 sq km in the Himalayan foothills. Corbett national park was established in 1936, as the Hailey National Park. In 1955-56 it has changed to Ramganga National Park and finally Jim Corbett National Park in the honor of legendary hunter-turned- conservationist, best known for hunting man-eating tigers and leopards in the Kumaon and lower Garhwal in the 1920s.

 Corbett National park is known for its varied wildlife, and as the site for the launching of Project Tiger. Corbett National Park was one of the nine tiger reserves created at the launch of the Project Tiger in 1973. The original area of the Corbett National Park was 323.75 sq. km. to which 197.07 sq. km. was added later. In 1991, an area of 797.72 sq km was added as buffer area of the Corbett Tiger Reserve.

The Main wildlife animals found in the Corbett National Park include the tiger, elephant, chital, sambar, nilgai, gharial, King Cobra, muntjac, wild boar, hedgehog, common musk shrew, flying fox, Indian Pangolin, and nearly 600 species of birds.

Visiting Season:
November-Mid June, The best period being February-April.

Timing

Winter Timings:
Entry:
Morning Safari: 0730 hrs
Evening Safari: 1500 hrs
Exit:
                                                                Morning Safari: 1030 hrs
                                                                Evening Safari: 1700 hrs

Summer Timings:                                             
Entry:
Morning Safari: 0630 hrs
Evening Safari: 1600 hrs
Exit:
Morning Safari: 0930 hrs
Evening Safari: 1800 hrs

HOW TO REACH CORBETT NATIONAL PARK

By Air

Phoolbagh, Pantnagar at a distance of 50-kms is the nearest airport. Delhi at a distance of 300-kms is the nearest international airport.

By Rail

Ramnagar(21 kms) is on the broad gauge track from where one can reach the park. For faster trains and connections to other parts one can avail form Moradabad.

By Road

Dhikala is 300-kms from Delhi, 145-kms from Lucknow and 51-kms from Ramnagar. The route from Delhi spans Hapur-Murababad-Ramnagar. The turn off is some 7-kms beyond Muradabad to the left, marked by a small board. The route from Lucknow spans Bareilly-Kichha-Rudrapur-Doraha-Kashipur. Ramnagar is served by frequent buses to and from Nainital and Ranikhet, 112-kms north

Accommodation and facilities:

The forest department and other agencies have their hotels, lodges, rest houses, log huts for the visitors.

Forest rest houses, log huts etc at Dhikala, forest rest houses at Sarapduli, Bijrani, and Ghairal offer some of the best stay in the region. There are many resorts along the periphery of the park which take the load off the governments accommodation facilities. To stay at the government hotels, rest houses etc make sure that reservations are done well in advance as the pressure is really high during the tourist seasons.

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LOTUS TEMPLE (BAHAI TEMPLE) DELHI

                                                                   

The Lotus Temple (Bahá'í Temple)House of Worship located On Baharpur Hills near Kalkaji in South Delhi, delhi ,India, popularly known as the Lotus Temple due to its flowerlike shape, is a Bahá'í House of Worship and also a prominent attraction in Delhi. It was completed in 1986 and serves as the Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent. Fariborz Sahba is recognized as the architect of this beautiful structure, who is an Iranian.It has won numerous architectural awards and been featured in hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles, Since its inauguration to public worship in December 1986, the Bahá'í House of Worship in Delhi has, as of late 2002, attracted more than 50 million visitors, it welcomes four million visitors each year (about 13,000 every day or 9 every minute).
Following the Bahai faith, Lotus Temple is open to people of all religions. It is a perfect place to practice meditation and attain peace of mind. The Temple doesn't observe any kind of sermons or rituals. The visitors are required to maintain silence inside the hall.

                                                 


Best Season: February - March

Timings:

Open during summer (1st April - 30th September) - 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Winter (1st October - 31st March) - 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Closed every Monday

Place to visit near Lotus Temple
# Kalkaji Mandir
# ISKON Temple

                                                           

HOW TO REACH LOTUS TEMPLE

Tourists can reach upto Nehru Place (the bus terminal is well connected to every part of the city), from where one can take an auto-rickshaw or walk for 15 minutes.

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OLD FORT (PURANA QUILA)DELHI

                                                                                            
 PURANA QUILA(OLD FORT) DELHI
Purana Qila ( Old Fort), is the inner citadel of the city of Dina-panah, founded by the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun in 1533 and completed in 1538. Purana Qila, situated on the banks of Yamuna, was constructed by the Mughal emperor Humayun. It is where Humayun's capital Din Panah was located. Later it was renovated and named Shergarh by first Afghan emperor of India, Sher Shah Suri. Old Fort is located just south-east of India Gate and north of Humayun’s Tomb and the Nizamuddin Railway Station.

Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque

                                                                              

The single-domed Qila-i-Kuna Mosque, built by Sher Shah in 1541 is an excellent example of a pre-Mughal design, and an early example of the extensive use of the pointed arch in the region as seen in its five doorways with the 'true' horseshoe-shaped arches. It was designed as a Jami Mosque, or Friday mosque for the Sultan and his courtiers. The prayer hall inside, the single-aisled mosque, measures 51.20m by 14.90m and has five elegant arched prayer niches or mihrabs set in its western wall. At one time, the courtyard had a shallow tank with a fountain.

Sher Mandal

The Sher Mandal stands to the south of the mosque. This double-storeyed octagonal tower of red sandstone with steep stairs leading up to the roof, It was built by Sher Shah. This was also the tragic spot where, on 24 January 1556 Humayun slipped while on his way to the evening namaz, fell headlong down the stairs and died of his injuries two days later.                           

                                                                    
Several other monument also lie around the complex, like Kairul Manzil, mosque built by Maham Anga, Akbar's foster-mother, and which was later used as a madarsa. Sher Shah Suri Gate or Lal Darwaza, which was the South Gate to Shergarh, the city he founded, also lies opposite the Purana Qila complex, across Mathura Road, south-east of the Kairul Manzil.

SPECIAL ATTRACTION

Sound and Light Show : The Sound and Light show at the Old Fort is an added attraction which you should not miss. During this one hour show, the rise and fall of Delhi from Indraprastha to Mughal era becomes live in Sound and Light. Voice of this Sound and Light show has been given by Bollywood personalities like Jaya Bachchan, Om Puri and others.

Show Timings

English Version : September to October & February to April – 20.30 p.m to 21.30 p.m.
November to January – 19.30 p.m. to 21.30 p.m.
May to August – 21.00 p.m to 22.00 p.m.

# Show Timings may vary, please confirm the timings from the Booking counter ITDC, Connaught Place or concerned authority.

            

                                                                         

HOW TO REACH OLD FORT DELHI

By Air : Delhi is well-connected by several domestic and international flights with important places of India and the world. Indra Gandhi International Airport and Palam airport are the two main airports of Delhi. These airports are five mnts away from each other and served by regular shuttle services.

By Train : Delhi, New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station are three main railheads of Delhi. Several mail, super fast, Rajdhani and Superfast trains connect Delhi to rest of the country.

By Bus : National Highways and State Highways connect Delhi with neighbouring states and other parts of India. Buses of DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation) and other State Transport Corporation ply to and from Delhi.

Apart from buses, taxis, cars, auto-rickshaws and metro are other local modes of transport. You can reach Old Fort by taking any mode of local transport.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is not at all a problem in Delhi as the city is dotted with hundreds of good hotels, lodges, rest houses etc. You may opt any of the accommodation option as per your budget and requirement.

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TAWANG MONASTERY ARUNACHAL PRADESH

TAWANG TOWN

Tawang town is located approximately 555 km (345 miles) from Guwahati. Tawang has an average elevation of 2,669 meters (8,756 feet).

Tawang Monastery was founded by the Mera Lama Lodre Gyasto in accordance to the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama, Nagwang Lobsang Gyatso. It belongs to the Gelugpa sect and is the largest Buddhist monastery in India. The name Tawang means Horse Chosen.

It is said to be the biggest Buddhist monastery in the world outside of Lhasa, Tibet It is a major holy site for Tibetan Buddhists.

Tipi Orchid sanctuary in Tawang houses thousands of varieties of orchids.

Visitors to Tawang require special Inner line permits from the government which are available in Kolkata, Guwahati, Tezpur, and New Delhi.

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL: April to October.

HOW TO REACH TAWANG MONASTERY

BY ROAD:

Tourists can travel there from Tezpur, Assam, which is 12 hours by road. Tezpur has direct flights from Kolkata. Guwahati, Assam, is 16 hours by road. In June 2008, a daily helicopter service from Guwahati was started by the Arunachal Pradesh government.

BY RAIL:

BThe railway station at Rangapara (Assam) is the nearest railhead to Tawang. However, Guwahati is better connected to the rest of India. From Guwahati, you can take buses or cabs to Tawang via Tezpur (343 km) and Bomdila (162 km, on the Assam-Arunachal border).

BY AIR:

Technically, Tezpur (343 km) in Assam is the nearest airport to Tawang. However, Guwahati is a more accessible entry point from the rest of India. From Guwahati, you can take a bus or hire a cab to reach Tawang via Tezpur and Bomdila (162 km, on the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.)

                                                                           

ACCOMODATION :

accommodation facilities – government rest houses, hotels and lodges. There are regular buses and Sumo taxis to Tawang from these three towns, Tawang,Tejpur,and guwahati.

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AKSHARDHAM TEMPLE DELHI

Akshardham is a Hindu temple complex in Delhi, India. The temple is located near Noida in East Delhi. Also referred to as Delhi Akshardham or Swaminarayan Akshardham, the complex displays millennia of traditional Indian and Hindu culture, spirituality, and architecture. The building was inspired and moderated by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual head of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, whose 3,000 volunteers helped 7,000 artisans construct Akshardham.

The temple, which attracts approximately 70 percent of all tourists who visit Delhi, was officially opened on 6 November 2005.It sits on the banks of the Yamuna adjacent to the 2010 Commonwealth Games village.The monument, at the center of the complex, was built off of the Vastu Shastra and Pancharatra Shastra. The complex features a large central monument crafted entirely of stone, exhibitions on incidents from the life of Swaminarayan and the history of India, an IMAX feature, a musical fountain, and large landscaped gardens. The temple is named after a belief in Swaminarayan Hinduism.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS OF AKSHARDHAM TEMPLE

1.Hall of Values

Also known as Sahajanand Pradarshan, which display incidents from Swaminarayan's life, portraying his message about the importance of peace, harmony, humility, service to others and devotion to God.

2.Theatre

Named Neelkanth Kalyan Yatra, the theatre houses Delhi's first and only large format screen, measuring 85-foot (26 m) by 65-foot (20 m). The theatre shows a film specially commissioned for the complex, Neelkanth Yatra, to recount a seven-year pilgrimage made by Swaminarayan made during his teenage years throughout India

3.Musical fountain

Known as the Yagnapurush Kund, it is India's largest step well. It features a very large series of steps down to a traditional yagna kund. During the day, these steps provide rest for the visitors to the complex and at night, a musical fountain show representing the circle of life is played to an audience which is seated on the same steps.

 

4.BOAT RIDE

Named Sanskruti Vihar, this ride takes visitors on a journey through 10,000 years of Indian history in approximately 12 minutes. Visitors sit in specially designed peacock shaped boats that make their way around an artificial river.

 

5.Garden of India

Also known as the Bharat Upavan, this garden has lush manicured lawns, trees, and shrubs. The garden is lined with bronze sculptures of contributors to India's culture and history. These sculptures include children, women, national figures, freedom fighters, and warriors of India.

6. Yogi Hraday Kamal

            A sunken garden, shaped like a lotus when viewed from above, 

 

7. Neelkanth Abishek

Devotees offer abhishek, a ritual of pouring water on to the murti of Neelkanth Varni, and express their reverence and prayers for spiritual upliftment and fulfillment of wishes.

8. Narayan Sarovar

The Narayan Sarovar is a lake that surrounds the main monument. The lake contains holy waters from 151 rivers and lakes that are believed to have been sanctified by Swaminarayan.

 

9. Premvati Ahargruh

The Premati Ahargruh or the Premvati Food Court is a vegetarian restaurant, an Ayurvedic bazaar. The restaurant caters to a variety of traditional dishes.

10. AARSH Centre

The Akshardham Centre for Applied Research in Social Harmony or the AARSH Centre is a centre within the complex that applies research of social harmony and related topics. Scholars and students may conduct practical research through AARSH. Researchers have the ability to carry out their research projects and affiliate their papers with AARSH. Studies on education, medicare, tribal and rural welfare, ecology, and culture are conducted within the centre.

TIMING:

Entry is permitted from 9AM to 6.30PM
CLOSED ON MONDAY
(You have to deposit your cellphones and other metallic items at the entrance for security reasons)

HOW TO REACH AKSHARDHAM TEMPLE DELHI

From NewDelhi Railway Station : Akshardham is about 10 km from here.You should come out of the Railway station from Platform No.12 Side ( Not by Platform NO.1) ; About Rs.100 by Auto Rickshaw.
From Nizamuddin Raliway Station : It is about 4 KM . you can go by auto rickshaw or prepaid taxi. They will charge you around Rs.100
Nearest Delhi Metro Railway Station : AKSHARDHAM METRO STATION.
FROM YOU CAN WALK ON FOOT TO THE TEMPLE.

FEE and CHARGES :
Rs. 125 FOR visit halls1, 2 and 3
Rs.75    FOR theatre
Rs.20    FOR fountain

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