The Best Destinations of India by SACHIN SAPARIA (best english books to read TXT) 📖

The Best Destinations of India

 

The Best Destinations of India

 

 

Attention Tourist !

New visa online visa facility is started by Indian govt.

Online Visa is available for holders of passport of following countries
Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Guyana, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, 
New Zealand,Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea,
Russia, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands,Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam. 

Eligibility

 

International Travellers whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation , sight seeing , casual visit to meet friends or relatives, short duration medical treatment or casual business visit.

Passport should have at least six months validity from the date of arrival in India. The passport should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer.

International Travellers should have return ticket or onward journey ticket,with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.

International Travellers having Pakistani Passport or Pakistani origin may please apply for regular Visa at Indian Mission.

Not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders.

Not available to individuals endorsed on Parent’s/Spouse’s Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.

Not available to International Travel Document Holders.

What is the Procedure for Obtaining an ETA?

Applications must be made online at this website(https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html), no less than five days and no more than 30 days before the date of travel.

How Much Does it Cost?

US $60. The fee must be paid at least four days before your expected date of travel. It is non-refundable.

How Long is the Visa Valid For?

It's a single entry visa that's valid for 30 days, from the time of entry. The visa is non-extendable and non-convertible.

Which Indian Airports Accept ETAs?

Your ETA will be valid for entry at the following nine airports: Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Trivandrum.

How Often Can You Get an ETA and Visa on Arrival?

Twice in a calendar year.

Need Help with Your Application?

Call +91-11-24300666 or email indiatvoa@gov.in

Top/Best Tourist Destinations Are:-

 

1. Agra (U.P)

204 km south Delhi, deservedly included on the popular tourist Golden Triangle Delhi-Jaipur-Agra. Taj Mahal, the mausoleum built by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, is world's most extravagant monument ever built in 1565 with fascinating buildings, a small museum, Jehangir's palace, Khas Mahal, Ram Bagh, Dayal Bagh, Akbar's mausoleum etc.

2. Ahmedabad (Gujarat)

Founded by Ahmed Shah I in 1411, it has many monuments of Hindu-Islamic architectural style. Mosques include Jama Masjid, Ahmed Shah Masjid, Rani Sipri's mosque and Sidi Bashir's mosque with shaking minarets, etc. There are museums like Museum of Textiles, the Vechaar Utensils Museum, the Kite museum, N.C.Mehta Museum of miniature paintings, Shreyas Fok Museum, etc. Other places of interest: Dada Hari Wav (Step wells), Victoria Gardens, Kandaria Lake, tomb of Darya Khan and the Sabarmati Ashram (7 km from the town). Porbandar, a little seaside resort, is the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi.

3. Aizawl (Mizoram)

The capital, at 1130m is set in thick forests, rich in flora and fauna. The ridge of Aizawl town is surrounded by a deep green valley of the river Tuirial and the valley of the river Tlawng. Attraction: the Museum at Macdonald's hill, Zoo, Bethlehem Vengthlang, Durtlang Hills, Bung picnic spot, etc.

4. Ajmer-Pushkar (Rajasthan):

Ajmer is a popular pilgrimage center for both Muslims and Hindus. Here lie Dargah Sharif, the tomb Sufi saint, Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti, with a mosque inside. Every year the Urs of the saint is attended by pilgrims from all over the world. Pushkar, 11 km from Ajmer is sacred to Hindus and there are about 400 temples and a lake with 52 ghats. It is also famous for the camel fair every year.

5. Allahabad (U.P.)

Allahabad, founded by Akbar (1575), known in Aryan times as Prayag. Every 12 years the Kumbh Mela draws millions for a holy dip at the Sangam, the meeting point of Ganges, Yamuna, and the invisible Saraswati. The fort, Ananda Bhavan, theHanuman Temple, All Saints Cathedral, Khusru Bagh, Patalpuri Temple, Minto park, etc are chief attractions. Airport: Varanasi.

6. Almora (Uttaranchal)

Almora, the picturesque hill station at 1650 meters. Attractions: Kasar Devi Temple, Mohan Joshi Park, Deer park, Lalal Bazar, Bright End Cornor, the Museum, Kalimath, Simtola, Kausani. The nearby lakes, temples, folk music, and the local dances enthrall visitors. Airport: Pantnagar. Railhead: Kathgodam.

7. Amritsar (Punjab)

Amritsar is the seat of Sikh religion and culture. The beautiful Golden Temple built in 1803 by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, is a two-storey marble structure standing in the middle of the sacred pool reached by a cause way. The Sikh museum, the Baba AtalTower, the tall Ramagarhia Minars Rambagh and the Jalianwallah Bagh memorial are other attractions. Airport: Sansi.

8. Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Archipelago, also known as 'Emerald Isles', consisting of 300 richly forested tropical islands (250 of them uninhabited) in the Bay of Bengal. Most of them are surrounded by coral reefs and have white sandy beaches. Chief attractions: Cellular jail, Samudrika marine museum, Fisheries museum, the Anthropological museum, the Forest museum, the mini zoo and the water sports complex. Other places of interest: Mount Harriet, Ross Island.

9. Bangalore (Karnataka)

Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka (the Silicon State), is famed for its picnic weather, silk, handicrafts, ivory and sandalwood shopping. Lal Bagh, the 240-acre botanical gardens offers lawns, old trees, rare plants, lotus pools, the beautiful Glass House, etc. The Vidhan Soudha, the Cubbon Park, Bangalore Palace, Tipu's Palace, the Government Museum, the Art Gallery, the Nandi Temple with the 4.6 meter tall statue of the Nandi, etc are worth visiting. Ulsoor Lake is ideal for boating.

10. Bharatpur (Rajasthan)

Famous for the Keoladeo National Park, a unique bird sanctuary with more than 354 species of birds, a UNESCO World heritage Site. Other attractions are the Lohagarh or iron fort, the palace, Purana Mahal, Deeg fort and the museum. Nearest airport:Delhi.

11. Bhimbetka (M.P)

Bhimbetka has the second oldest cave paintings known to man and S. Asia's richest collection of prehistoric paintings. Bhojpur, 28 km from Bhopal is known for its magnificent Shiva Temple and Cyclopean dam. Airport: Bhopal.

12. Bhopal (M.P.)

The State capital, rich in monuments and palaces. Taj-ul-Masjid, a huge pink mosque with two massive white domed minarets and three white domes, the Museum of Man (Tribal Habitat museum), Jama Masjid, Moti Masjid, Shaukat mahal, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, the Birla Museum, Gohar Mahal, an Vihar (safari park), Upper and lower lakes are worth seeing. Pachmarhi (210 km from Bhopal) is a major hill station.

13. Bhubaneswar (Orissa)

Bhubaneswar, known as temple town abounds with hundreds of exquisite temples spread around a central lake, Bindu Sarovar. The Lingaraj Mandir (12th century) has 50 more temples in the compound and a 40 meter high temple tower. There is an annual chariot festival in April. Other attractions: State Museum, planetarium, botanical gardens. Udayagiri and Khandagiri hills are 6 km south of Bhubaneswar.

14. Bijapur (Karnataka)

Bijapur, a pleasant garden town, has a lot of 15th to 17th century mosques, mausoleums, palaces and forts. The world famous mausoleum, the Golgumbaz, built in 1659 encloses a majestic hall buttressed by seven-storey towers. The magnificent dome, 44 meter in diameter, reputed to be the world's second largest, caps the tomb of Mohammad Adil Shah and boasts the most sensitive echo chamber. The Ibrahim Roza mausoleum, Juma Masjid, Ashar Mahal and Gagan Mahal, are places of interest. Airport: Belgaum (205 km.)

15. Chamba (H.P)

Famous for shikari temples, Chamba rumal (miniature paintings), and the fountain slabs. The Lakshmi Narayan temple complex, Brajeshwari Devi Temple, ChamundaDevi Temple, Rang Mahal, Bhuri Singh Museum, Saloni and Bhandal valleys, Bharmaur, Khajjiar meadow (34 km) are other attractions. Airport: Kangra, Railway stations: Chakkibank and Pathankot.

16. Chandigarh (Union Territory)

Capital of Punjab & Haryana, the first modern planned city of independent India, designed by Le Corbusier. It is famous for the Rock garden built by using only waste materials (Designer - nek Chand). Sukhna lake, Rose garden, the Zoo, Shanti Kunj, museums and Art Gallery are other attractions. Yadavindra Gardens at Pinjore (estd. in 17th c.), 15 km away, includes Shish Mahal, Rang Mahal and Jal Mahal.

17. Chennai (Tamil Nadu)

The capital of Tamil Nadu, is a major commercial center in south India. The Marinabeach here is the second largest beach in the world extending nearly 11 kms in a single stretch. St. George Fort, San Thome Basilica, the St. Mary's Church, St. George's Church, Kapaleeswarar Temple, Sree parthasarathy Temple, Museum and Art Gallery, Kalakshethra, etc are attractions here. The Anna Zoological park, Valluvar Kottam and Guindy National Park attract tourists. Chidambaram is an important pilgrim center 245 km from Chennai with a Nataraja temple complex.

18. Chilka (Orissa)

Chilka, India's biggest island lake in the heart of coastal Orissa spreads over 1100 sq. km. Encircled by hills. Attractions within the lake are Birds' Island, Nalabana, Kalijai, Satapada, Brahmapura, Parikud and Malud. Airport: Bhubaneswar.

19. Chittorgarh (Chittor) (Rajasthan)

Chittorgarh was the capital of Mewar and is known for its massive forts atop a hill. Other places of interest are the Rana Kumbha's palace, Fateh Praksh Palace, Kumbha shyam temple, the victory tower, Kirti Stambh, Klalika Mata Temple, govt. museum, Mohar Magri, Gaumukh reservoir, Nagri, Sanwariaji Temple, Sitama sanctuary, Menal and Bassi wildlife sanctuary. Airport: Udaipur (112 km.)

20. Corbett National Park (Uttaranchal)

In the foothills of Himalayas (520 sq. km.), established in 1936, it is home to many rare birds, reptiles an animals including tiger. Different species of trees, shrubs, bamboo, and grass make up the vegetation of the Park. The nearest railhead: Ramnagar. Airport: Pantnagar.

21. Dalhousie (H.P)

A hill station at 2039 meters spreading into five hills. attractions here include the Gandhi Chowk, Subhash Chowk, Kalapote wildlife sanctuary, Panjpulla, Moti Tibba, Karelnu, St. John's Church and Khajjiar (22 km). Nearest airport: Kangra, 180 km. Nearest railheads: Chakkibank and Pathancot.

22. Daman (Union Territory)

Daman, on the western coast of India is the little bit of Portugal cradled by the Kolak and Kali rivers. The attractions are the forts of Moti Daman and Nani Daman, Devka beach, Jampore beach, Nani Daman beach, Church of Born Jesus, Kachigam park and the lighthouse. Nearest airport: Mubai and nearest railhead: Vapi (11 km.)

23. Darjeeling (West Bengal)

Darjeeling at 2134m where one can see Buddhist monasteries, visit tea plantations and factories and go trekking. Kanchenjanga (8598 meters), can be seen fromDarjeeling. Main attractions are the Darjeeling-Ranjeet Valley passenger ropeway, Senchal lake near Tiger hill, observatory hill, Natural history museum, the Himalayan Zoological park, Burdwan palace, Dhirdham Temple, Lloyds Botanical Gardens, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Everest Museum and Bhutia Busty monstery. There are around 400 varieties of butterflies. Kalimpong and Karseoanj are two other major hiss stations. Airport Bagdogra, (90 km): Nearest Railhead: New Jaipalguri (88 km.) Mirik: (50 km from Darjeeling) is a hill station, with an artificial lake.

24. Delhi

The capital of India consists of Old Delhi and New Delhi. The Red Fort, the red sandstone walls of Lal Quila extend for 2 km. The Juma Masjid, the largest mosque in India, the Jantar Mantar, Maharaja jai Singh II's observatory built in 1725, the Lakshmi Narayan Temple (Birla Mandir), and the Bahai Temple shaped like a lotus flower are magnificent sights. Important samdhis include Rajghat (Mahatma Gandhi) and Shanthivan (Jawaharlal Nehru). At the eastern end of Rajpath lies the India Gate; at the western end is the Rashtrapathi Bhavan flanked by the two large Secretariat buildings. To the west of the building is the Mughal Gardens, which occupies 130 hectares. Sansad Bhvan, the Indian Parliament building, is a circular colonnaded structure 171 meters in diameter. The Qutab Minar, 15 km south ofDelhi, is nearly 73 meter high. Other sights are the National Museum, the National Gallery of Modern Art, the Teen Murti Bhavan, the Rail Transport Museum, the Tibet House, the International Dolls Museum, the Crafts Museum and Air Force Museum.

25. Dharamsala (H.P)

The seat of Tibet's goverment-in-exile is an ideal location for meditation, walks, trekking and rock climbing. The Tsunglagkhag Temple, McLeod Ganj, St. John's Church, the Kangra museum of art, School of Tibetan Studies, Bhagsunath waterfall, Tatwani Hot Springs, etc are among chief attractions. Airport: Kangra (12 km.). Rail and road departure point:Pathancot (90 km).

26. Diu (Union Territory)

Diu is almost a private island measuring just 39 sq. km. The 21 km coastline has many beaches like Nagoa, Gomptimate, Jallandhar, Chakratirth and the stunning sunset point. Important places are Diu fort and museum, Chakratirath Temple,Gangeshwar Temple, St. Paul's Church, St. Francis of Assissi Bird Sancturary and Zampa waterfall. It has an airport. Railhead: Delwada (8 km).

27. Ellora & Ajanta (Maharashtra)

While the Ajanta caves are noted for their magnificent paintings, Ellora caves are famous as masterpieces of sculpture. The caves are hand carved prayer halls belonging to different his torical periods. The Kailasa Temple, cut out of solid rock is stunning.

28. Fatehpur Sikri (U.P.)

40 km from Agra, contains, Emperor Akbar's magnificent palace complex. Buland Darwaza, the main entrance to the Daragh mosque is 54 meter high and is said to be the tallest in the world. The tomb of Shaikh Salim Chisti, the Panch Mahal, thePalace of Jodh Bai, Hawa Mahal and Birbal Bhavan