South India Hill Station Tour

Due to sheer natural beauty of its beaches, hill stations and landscapes South India has become a great destination for tourists. With the hordes of tourists' inflow, South India Tourism has seen a spectacular growth over last two decades. Below are some of the major Hill Stations of South India which can be explored during your South India Tour.

OOTY: This green and pictorial hill station of south India is placed at an elevation of 2240 m. also known as “Queen of Hill Stations” situated in the state of Tamil Station. The rich flora of various species like conifers, pine and eucalyptus make the region more attracting along with funnel-shaped lavender. What is more fascinating is the Nilgiri Mountains; pony rides and angling; Botanical Gardens, Ooty club etc. Ooty enamored with its four royal hills - Elk Hill, Snowdon, Doddabetta and Club Hill which combinedly form a congregation for the Western and Eastern Ghats. Trekking, hand gliding, angling and other adventure activities filled with lush greenery, radiant flowers, deep forest, lakes and waterfall make the South India Hill Station Tour more excitable and pleasurable.

Kodaikanal: One of the most romantic hill stations in South India, Kodaikanal is located on the southern tip of the upper Palani Hills. Major attraction of this "Princess of Hill stations" is its star shaped lake which spreads over 24 acres. Other places of tourist interest includes the Shenbaganur Museum famous for exotic orchids, the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, the Bryant Park, the Kurunjo Andavar temple, Kukkal Cave, Perumal Peak, Patani Temple, the pillar rocks, the Coaker's walk etc.

Munnar: Located in the southern Western Ghats in Kerala, the exotic Munnar attracts large number of visitors during Christmas vacations. Major attraction of this tourist city is Eravikulam National Park, that lies on the slopes of Anaimudi. Most fascinating feature of the park is Nilgiri Tahr - one of the rarest mountain goats in the world. Also visit Mattupatty Dam and lake, Kurinjimala Sanctuary, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Manjampatti Valley in Amaravati reserve forest of Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary to the north east

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South India Tour - A Complete Vacation

South Indian tourists destinations leave the tourists mesmerized with their timeless attractions. There are numerous interesting spots in this wonder land where one can enjoy a wonderful vacation. The superb sculptures, dance forms and the temples give evidence of the rich cultural heritage of South India. South India Tour will help you discover the true spirit of this part of the country. Whether it is for honeymoon, or just for a leisure holiday, if you are thinking about India Tour, South India is a wonderful place to spend a memorable vacation. The South Indian States are Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Andhra Pradesh
There are several tourist attractions in Andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad the capital of Andhra Pradesh has several prominent places in and around it. It has a Hindu-Muslim culture with a number of monuments of historical importance like Char Minar, Golconda, Salar Jung Museum, Mecca Masjid, Osman Sagar and Osmania University. The capital is in reality the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad linked together by the Hussain Sagar Lake. The other sites of historical importance in Andhra Pradesh include Warangal, Palampet, Vemulavada, Bhadrachalam, and Lepakshi. Andhra Pradesh is known for pilgrimages, not only for Hindus, but also for followers of other religions like Muslims, Christians and Buddhists. There are waterfalls at Ettipothala, Kuntala, and Gandipet. The caves at Undavalli and Borra are also major tourist attractions. Two large and world famous dams are located at Nagarjunasagar and Nizamsagar. There are many wildlife sanctuaries can be found in the state too.

Kerala
This city of scenic beauty, absolute serenity and peacefulness is the land of backwaters and swaying coconut trees. You can spend your small trip on the house boats that lay afloat on the waters of the lake. Kerala Ayurveda is also an important aspect of this city. There are various Ayurveda resorts which are worth visiting the tour. Kerala has 900-kms long coastline with sandy beaches, rocky promontories and coconut palms that attract lot of tourists from all over the world. These beaches are renowned for the gentle and blue waters, making a beach vacation exciting.

Karnataka
It is known as one of the world's most ancient civilizations, Karnataka is a state filled with a rich culture, glorious traditions and is an enchanting land abounding with breathtaking beauty. Two World Heritage sites are located in Karnataka, namely Hampi and Pattadakal. If we talk about the Karnataka attractions, the first name would be Mysore. The main sightseeing places at Mysore are Mysore Palace, Vrindavan Garden, Chamudni Hills and Somnathpur temples. The palace of Mysore is the most impressive palace of South India. Karnataka Tourism also organizes a sound and light show at Vrindavan Garden in the later evening. Hassan is the next destination of Karnataka, which is famous for Belur & Halebid - the examples of great Hoysala Empire. There are also some other Hoysala temples in Hassan area. Other than Belur and Halebid, there are also few temple built by Hoysala kingdom. The other historical of Karnataka are Badami Caves - one of the finest cave architecture in India, Badami Fort, Aihole - a cradle of Indian architecture, Chitradurga Fort, Gulbarga Fort, Bidar Fort, Tombs of Bijapur and various other Karnataka architectural gems.

This scenic state is blessed with an abundance of beautiful flora and fauna. Nearly 22 per cent of its land mass is made up of rich green forests and is also home to Asia's highest waterfall - the Jog Falls. Wild Game sanctuaries at Bandipur, Dandeli and Nagarhole are a major tourist attraction. With picturesque and charming hill stations located close to its coastline, this is an ideal hotspot for tourists who love waking up to the sound of birds chirping and nature smiling at them.

Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is known for its temples and architecture, food, movies and classical Indian dance and Carnatic music. There are several tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu. Chennai, the capital city, offers some beautiful beach resorts. The best place to start a temple tour is Mamallapuram, a seaside village that, apart from some exquisite Pallava rock-cut architecture, boasts a long stretch of sun-kissed beach. Inland, the pilgrimage city of Kanchipuram is filled with reminders of an illustrious past under successive dynastic rulers, while further down the coast is one of India's rare French colonial possessions, Pondicherry, where Auroville has found a new role in the 'New Age'. The road south from Pondicherry puts one back on the temple trail, leading to the Chola kingdom and the extraordinary architecture of Chidambaram, Kumbhakonam and Darasuram. For the best Chola bronzes and a glimpse of the magnificent paintings that flourished under Maratha kings in the 18th century, travelers should head for Thanjavur. The city boasts of almost a hundred temples and was the birthplace of the Bharatnatyam dance. Tamil Nadu's temples are undeniably its major attraction, it would take months to see them all, and there is plenty else to distract even the most ardent architecture buff. In the west of the state, where the hill stations of Kodaikanal and Ooty are the premier attractions, sylvan hills offer mountain views and a network of trails winds through forests and tea and coffee plantations.

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Ranthambore National Park

Area Details:
Total area: 392.5 sq.km
Core area: 274.50 sq.km
Buffer area: 118.00 sq.km

Seasons and Climate:
Cold: October to march (good animal sightings, best time for bird watching)
Warm: April to June (excellent animal sighting)
Wet: July to September (national park is closed)

Ranthambore lies in the nestling hills of Aravali in the midst of the arid plains and denuded tracts of Rajasthan in North India. Ranthambore National Park is hailed as one of India's finest wildlife sanctuaries. A hunting reserve for the Kings of Jaipur, the park was once open for only select few. Nearly 400 sq KMs, the Park is set between the Aravali and Vindhyas mountain range, its forests once a part of the magnificent jungles of central India.


Ranthambore National Park is best known for its majestic Royal Bengal Tigers. Once found in thousands, their numbers have dwindled to less than fifty. With the initiation of Project Tiger in 1972, Ranthambore National Park was declared as a tiger reserve, providing a haven for the magnificent beasts.


You can enjoy the thrilling ride inside this wildlife sanctuary through a forest Safari. The safari can be organized in a jeep, on elephants, on camels, on horses, depending upon the place you want to visit. The major Birds that could be found in this Park are Graylag Goose, Common Kingfishers, Bee Eaters, Woodpeckers, Indian Gray Hornbills, Cuckoos, Parakeets, Owl and Nightjars, Asian Palm Swift etc.



The varied landscape of the national park is home to animals like the jackal, mongoose, sloth bear, leopard, and of course, the tiger. The vegetation in the park is mostly of the dry deciduous type with a large variety consisting of nearly 300 species of trees and bushes.

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Where to Go In India

India is known as the land of rich cultural heritage. It is a perfect blend of ancient civilization, great and historical buildings and monuments, more than 20 different language speaking people and god made natural beauty.

From the snow-capped Mighty Himalayas to the lush green forests, India has everything which makes a place visitors first choice for tourism. Sacred rivers like Ganga and Yamuna are also one of the reasons why the religious tourism is gaining boost in India. India is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations. Here in India you can find all options for your travel and tourism needs. There are so many thing that you can find interesting in terms of tourism. India will definitely grab your heart and give you the real pleasure of holiday.

Famous Tourist Destinations:

India has plenty of famous and frequently visited destinations. No one can summarize this in some words. Here are just some of them where tourists come from all around the world to explore its unparalleled beauty, unmatched heritage, immortal culture and unbelievable architecture.

Delhi: The capital of India, which is always the first choice for the tourists from around the globe. The history of this city goes past many years. It has been ruled out by many emperors, so it presents a unique picture of real heritage.

Agra: The city of wonderful Taj Mahal is always the first choice for the visitors. Taj Mahal is called the wonderful and unmatched masterpiece of Mughal architecture. It is basically a mausoleum built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of her third wife Mumtaz Mahal. This beautiful symbol of Love is built completely on white Marbles. It is also a world heritage site under UNESCO and cited as Jewel of Muslim architecture.

Jaipur: The capital of Rajasthan, a state in India, is also called as Pink City. This city has a great importance in terms of tourism. Majority of the houses in Jaipur built completely with Pink Stones, which gives the city a pink look. There are some world famous Forts and Havelies which attract tourists again and again. Lake Palace is one of them, which is being visited by millions of foreign tourists every year. Situated in the middle of Man Sarovar Lake, the Lake Palace or also called Jal Mahal was built be Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 AD.

Darjeeling: Also called the queen of the hills, Darjeeling is situated in the north-east of India. It is a famous hill station of India situated in the Shiwalik Hills, a lower range of Himalaya. Tea plantation is one of the famous things, which make this place a world famous tourist attraction.

Mumbai: The economic capital of India is situated in the western costal region of India. Here you can find the Arabian Sea which is also a point of attraction for the visitors. Apart from its beaches, there are some other famous sites like Hanging Garden, Crawford Market, Gateway of India, Prince Charles Museum, Essel World and Film City etc.

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Some of the Best Ideas for your Holiday in India

Holidays with family, kids, friends or with your partner all have distinctive pleasure. People often just go to any place to spend the holidays but think if you have a better idea then your holiday will be more colorful. Below are some greatest holiday ideas-

Elephant Safari & Tiger Tour in Corbett National Park:

The Corbett National Park is famous for its exceptional natural beauty and rich population of tigers. The Corbett Elephant Safari package is perfect for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and adventure seekers. On your India tour, visit the Corbett National Park and enjoy an exciting elephant safari for an extraordinary experience. Exploring the breathtaking natural beauty of Corbett and its amazing varieties of wildlife would surely be a lifetime experience for you.

Beach Tours in India:

There are enormous beautiful beaches in India. Spending holidays at beach is a dream for everyone, the fun and pleasure at beach can not be expressed in words. Beaches in India welcome huge number of visitors every year. There are many Hotels and resorts near to the beaches to provide their guests a best stay.

Bird Watching Tour:

Bird Watching tour in India is very exciting, this tour makes you live near to the nature. Every one loves the sound of birds and watching birds near to them. Excitement increases when you live with this kind of surrounding. Hotels and resort directory in India provides many hotels, resort and packages which make your tour exciting.

Desert Safari in Rajasthan:

Desert camel safari is very enjoyable thing to have on vacation. Rajasthan has the largest desert in India. Rajasthan greets huge number of tourists every year. The state provides a great accommodation to their guests.

Golden Triangle Tour:

The Golden Triangle Tour package in India showcases the history and culture of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. The Golden triangle tour takes you to Royalty of Rajasthan and Delhi and the Taj-Mahal, the embodiment of love and romance.

India Heritage Tour

Heritage tour in India is intended to introduce tourists to this rich culture of the country. The tour will take you to the magnificent forts, palaces and havelis of the subcontinent, which speak volumes of its vivacious royal past.

Kerala Ayurveda Tour:

Planning your Ayurveda tour to Kerala in order to know more about the science which is more than 5000 years old.Your Kerala Ayurveda tour will not only help you understand Ayurveda better but also Kerala in general. On this tour, you will undergo a short Yoga and Meditation course in the resort itself. The tour will help you to understand the culture of Kerala. Your Ayurveda tour to Kerala will be exciting, fun filled yet informative.

South India Tour:

South India is the beautiful side of India. South India Tours is the best way to visit the tourist destinations of South India. It includes the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. This tour package offers you a comprehensive tour to South India. It takes you to various historical, cultural and religious places of south India

India is a country with lots of exciting tourist places. You can find more Holiday ideas in India. The country invites tourists from all over the world.

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Goa Tour

Pristine beaches greeting the rain gods – surely too good to resist! Goa in the monsoon is an experience worth savoring. So why wait? Pick up your umbrellas and come on a ride with us to rain- kissed Goa!Stunning beaches, lush greenery, unique history, rich culture and amazing cuisine, all go to ensure that Goa is an irresistible deal any time of the year! However, visiting Goa during the monsoons – though not undertaken by many – is truly a romantic and magical experience worth your time. And to boot, you get some of the best holiday deals in Goa during the monsoons!Monsoons in Goa do not necessarily mean being cooped up inside.



Apart from lazing around on your veranda enjoying the rain-soaked ambience, you can go fishing, crab hunting, trekking or walk around the countryside, literally soaking in the enchanting surroundings! During the monsoons, Goa is covered by a lush green carpet. The rivers overflow and the blue skies darken to a gray colour. The breathtaking beauty of Goa hits a crescendo during the rainy season. The exquisite smell of soil drenched with rainwater fills the air. Sights and smells worth experiencing any day.

Prominent for its beaches, temples and world heritage building, Goa is visited by hundreds of thousands of international and domestic tourists each year. Goa enjoys a high standard of source of revenue. Tourism is Goa's most important industry. As far as Tour to Goa is concerned, Goa has two most important tourist seasons: winter and summer. In the winter time, tourists from in a foreign country come to Goa to enjoy the impressive average temperature. In the summer time, tourists from across India come to fritter the holidays. Goa Tourism is generally listening carefully on the coastal areas, on India’s west coast sandwiched between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, has rich enlightening ethnicity.

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Gujarat Tourism

Gujarat, a very colorful state of India and is one of the most developed states of India. Gujarat is located in western India and covers the area of 196,024 square kilometers. This state is having the fertile land in south part divided by the few rivers, the mountains in the west part and the mudflats in the northern part which adjoins Thar Desert. Gujarat is the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi - the father of nation of India. The sign of the civilizations at Gujarat are from 3000 to 1500 BC. Gujarat was also the part of great Mauryan kingdom during 3rd century BC ruled by King Ashoka.

Gujarat is an extremely important tourist destination in India. The Lothal of Gujarat is having the unparalleled sites of the ancient Harappan civilization - that is one of the best civilizations in the world. The largest city of Gujarat Ahmedabad offers the unique examples of Indo-Sarcenic architectures. Palitana of the state is welcoming with its marvelous temples built in Jain styles. Whereas the Junagadh shows the Buddhist caves and the Rajput architecture is spread throughout the Gujarat.

The beaches of Gujarat state are the loveliest. Gujarat is well gifted with them and amongst those beaches Ahmedpur Mandvi is the most popular and the main attraction of it is its ethnic beach resort. While staying at Gujarat's beaches, a tourist can have exotic vacations along with bird watching and cultural tour.



The Kutch region of the state is very popular as 'the abode of the Indian tribes'. The words of the human being are unable to express the cultural richness and the unique heritage of the tribes in Gujarat. Being in contact with the most civilized world and still are able to preserve the ancestral culture and traditions is very remarkable task.

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Kerala Tour - Discover Incredible Kerala

Kerala

Capital: Thiruvananthapuram

Language: Malayalam

Kerala, located at the southern part of the Indian peninsula. Since it is situated on the lush and tropical Malabar Coast, hence it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Kerala is even named as one of the Top ten paradises of the world and Top 50 places of a lifetime by the National Geographic Traveler magazine.

Abundant greenery, tropical forests, a fertile coastal plain, fishing and a relatively stable political situation all together made this a perfect tourist destination in not only india but in the whole world. An equable climate, long shoreline with serene beaches, sprawling plantations and paddy fields, tranquil stretches of enchanting backwaters, waterfalls, lush hill stations and exotic wildlife, magical festivals, historic and cultural monuments all of which offer you a unique experience during your Kerala Tour. People here live largely the same way, they have lived traditionally and much of its rich culture and heritage is well-preserved. Kerala also counts as the most educated and healthiest state in India.

Major Tourist destinations

• Wayanad (Wynad): Wayanad district of Kerala comprises mainly of three towns Kalpetta which is Headquarters of the District of Wayanad, Sultan Battery and Mananthavady. Wayanad is a Hill station district in the northern part of Kerala, with mist claded peaks. It is famous for its scenic beauty, wildlife and traditions.
• Kozhikode (Calicut): Formerly known as Calicut is famous for its harbor, where Vasco da Gama landed in 1498. Now it is mainly famous for its spices like black pepper and cardamom.
• Palakkad: Palakkad is the chief granary of Kerala, often called the Gateway of Kerala. It lies at the foot of the gigantic Western ghats on the border of Kerala with mountains, forests, fertile valleys, rivers and mountains streams and rich flora and fauna.
• Kollam: Kollam formerly known as Quilon, district headquarter of Kollam, is the southern gateway to the backwaters of Kerala. Kollam stands along Ashtamudi Lake and Paravur Kayal, also Kallada and Ithikkara are the two rivers that flow through this district making it a major Backwater Destination in Kerala.
• Kovalam: A world renowned beach destination of Kerela, with three adjacent crescent beaches. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programmes, Catamaran cruising etc.
• Alleppey: Also known as Alappuzha is famous for its backwater boat trips.
• Thiruvanantpuram: The capital of Kerala is blessed with long shoreline, world renowned beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage, make it a much sought after tourist destination.
• Munnar: World famous Hill Station situated at the confluence of three mountain streams Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, located at 1600 m above sea level.

If you want to visit this beautiful destination I have some more information on Kerala Tour and Kerala Tour Packages. You can also find the same on http://www.discoverkeralatours.net

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Kovalam

One of the most popular and famous beaches of Kerala is Kovalam Beach. Kovalam is located at the very short distance of 16 km from Trivandrum - the capital of Kerala, South India. It is internationally known for its unique charm. It is developed as the world class beach resort. It has three adjacent crescent beaches that add to charm. A massive rocky cape on the beach has created a beautiful inlet of tranquil water that is ideal for swimming and sea bathing.

The Kovalam beach offers a plenty of and diverse options like swimming, sunbathing, ayurveda, herbal body massaging, cruising, cultural programs, sunset watching, etc. Surly spending few days on Kovalam beach will be a unique and pleasant experience that will last forever.

In ancient times, the beautiful Kovalam was a fishing village and a favorite hippy haunt. It has also been a favorite haunt for foreigners especially for Europeans since 1930s. Today, Kovalam is developed as one of the most beautiful and finest beaches of the world. Travellers from all around the world visit Kovalam to spend their holidays in memorable ways. Azure water and pleasant climate of Kovalam create magical ambiance for pleasant and memorable holidays.

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Kerala Tourism

Kerala is a land of great natural beauty and awe inspiring scenic backgrounds. It is believed to be a gift of the Arabian Sea. With its long coastline, beautiful tranquil beaches, emerald backwaters, luxuriant hill stations, waterfalls plantations, striking flora and fauna truly seems to be gods own special country.

Location

Kerala is on the southernmost tip of India. It extends along the coast of the Arabian Sea and is separated from the rest of the India by the stunning Western Ghats. From the majestic heights of the Western Ghats the country rolls west, displaying a vista of still rich green valleys.

Destinations

Kerala is the perfect destination for families, honeymooner's couples or tourists, with its sandy beaches, blue Lagoons, hill stations, backwaters, plantations, mountain peaks, valleys, wild life parks, forts and temples. The best part about Kerala is that all of these delightful destinations are only a two-hour drive from each other.

Beaches

Along the 600 km Kerala coast there are abundant and unique beaches. Kerala has some of the finest tropical beaches of India, with swaying coconut trees and fishing villages. For the more adventurous soul there is surfing, diving, snorkeling and water skiing along with many other beach sports. Kovalam, Varkala, Shangumugham, Vizhinjam, Alappuzha, Kappad, Payyambalam and Bekal are the most famous and popular beach destinations.

Backwaters & Lagoons

Kerala's backwaters and lagoons stretch over 1900 km, snaking and twisting all over the land. These backwaters act as water ways for the transport of people and goods. Sometimes they are the only link between remote, inaccessible villages and towns. It's an unbelievable experience to travel or just laze around on these lagoons in a canoe or houseboat and absorb the sights and sounds of Kerala. The bluish waterways and the green land blend to create a mood that is both serene and unreal. The slow watery highways twisting between palm laden banks create a magical aura making you forget the rest of the world. The best way to travel in these water lands is to hire a houseboat, which have rooms, bathrooms, open-sided lounges, and kitchens, on board. Alumkadavu, Calicut, Kumarakom, Alleppey, Cochin, Quilon, Veli Tourist Village, Tourist Village at Akkulam have the most beautiful and overwhelming waterways.

Hill stations

Kerala's hill stations are breathtaking with majestic mountains, valleys, waterfalls, plantations, paddy fields and a rich variety of flora and fauna. Wayanad, Ponmudi, Nelliyampathy, Munnar, Idukki, Devikulam, Peerimade, Lakkadi, Malampuzha and Wagamon are the more famous hill stations of Kerala.

Wildlife Conservation Parks

Kerala shares its beautiful and bountiful land with a variety of exotic wildlife, which can be found in its many conservation parks. The endangered Nilgiri Tahr, and tigers can be found among the many other beautiful creatures. There are many famous parks like Eravikulam National Park, Silent Valley National Park, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Peechi - Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary and Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary.

Historical Sites

Kerala has been the gateway for many cultures and religions into the subcontinent of India. Kerala has a multifaceted and colorful history, resulting in a rich cultural heritage and awe-inspiring monuments and places of worship. These monuments and places of worship are spread all over Kerala and represent the history of Kerala through their varied architectural wonders. There are many famous palaces, temples, forts and museums, the most famous ones are,

Palaces- Alwaye Palace, Bolghatty Palace, Kanakakkunnu Palace, Koyikkal Palace, Krishnapuram Palace, Kuthiramalika palace, Shakthan Thampuran Palace, Mattancherry Palace, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Pazhassi Raja's Tomb

Forts- Bekal Fort, Pallippuram Fort, Tipu's Fort, Thalassery Fort

Museums-Hill Palace Museum, Cheruthuruthy traditional art center, Napier Museum Town Hall and Archaeological Museum, Thrissur Art Museum, Shri Chitra Art Gallery

Temples and Religious places- Edakkal Cave, Jewish Synagogue, Kaviyoor Stone Temple, St. Francis Church,

Experiencing the natural beauty of Kerala you just might be inspired to think, that Kerala is not just God's own country, but actually a part of God's paradise on earth.

Travel to the tropical beaches, fragrant spice plantations, beautiful wildlife sanctuaries and scenic hill stations of Kerala on Tours to Kerala India.

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North India

The States of North India to a set of states like Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal which are situated in the non-peninsular region of the Republic of India. Because of the strategic location, North India plays a significant role in shaping the course of India's historical and cultural evolution since the time of human settlement on the Indo-Gangetic Plain whose fertile soils and perennial rivers diverted the early human being for their permanent settlement. It is in north India where the great religions of the world - Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism - were born and spread to all the parts of India and the world. The great Himalayas are situated in North India which separates the Indian sub-continent from the rest of Asia. Since the ancient time, this region was the centre of conflict among the different powers like Mauryan, Gupta, Mughals, British and many others to control the entire subcontinent of India.

Tourist Attractions

It is because of this diversity and intermixing of different cultures and religions, the region has become more dynamic and centre of attractions for its States like Rajasthan known as the "Desert Jewel of India"; Uttar Pradesh which is famous as "one of the most ancient and diverse states of India"; Punjab is known as the "granary of India"; Delhi the capital of India is an epitome of the whole history of Indo-Islamic culture; Uttaranchal is known for its healthy and wholesome tourist destination of India; Himachal Pradesh is regarded as the place of "nature at its best"; Jammu & Kashmir is blessed as "the paradise on earth". The other attractions of North India are wildlife tour, forts and monuments, adventure tourism of north India, fairs and festivals, pilgrimage centres of north India, Ayurveda & meditation, north India train travel, airports and hotels of north India.

Religious Tourism

North India has attracted the tourists from all over the world for its religious tourism of all faiths and Yatras - the holy pilgrimage tour to Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri combinedly known as Chardham, Kailash Mansarovar and many other sacred places. Some of the famous places of religious tourism are Vaishno Devi Yatra to Jammu & Kashmir which is devoted to Mata Vaishno Devi; Golden Temple of Punjab which is devoted to Sri Harmandir Sahib; Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh are devoted to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu respectively; Char Dham is devoted to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Ganga & Yamuna; Buddhist pilgrimage centres at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, Sarnath and Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh, Spiti, Lahaul and Dharmashala in Himachal Pradesh, and Leh Ladakh in Jammu & Kashmir make north India the prime attractions of pilgrimage tourism.

World Heritage Sites

India is considered by the peoples of the world as mosaic of different beliefs, faiths, doctrines and cultures since the time immemorial. It is here on this subcontinent of Mother India the visitors like Aryans, Greeks, Romans, Phoenicians, Arabs, Afghans, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and British visited and with the passage of time they assimilate the very culture of India and became one with the distinction of without losing the peculiarity of their own culture. It was this peculiarity that makes Indian art and culture so vibrant which is still reflected in the forms of historical monuments and other architectures. India has near about 27 World Heritage Sites in her credit, out of which 12 sites are located in North India. All these historical monuments of north India are the source of attractions especially of the international tourists. Among them, Taj Mahal of Agra is credited with one of the Seven Wonders of the World, built by Shah Johan in memory of his consort Mumtaz Mahal! Other World Heritage Sites of north India are Agra Fort a reflection of distinct Mughal style of art and architecture, Fatehpur Sikri, Humayun's Tomb, Khajuraho, Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Delhi, Keoladeo National Park, Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers, Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, Sanchi, Champaner etc.

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India Tourism

India is the most favorable tourist destination in the world. Tourists come to India from all over the world to enjoy a delightful and the most perfect Holiday In India. Since India is geographically bestowed by all hands of Almighty, hence the beauty lies every where and all parts of india.

As India is bounded by the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean by three sides and in North there is Mighty Himalayan mountain range, so it is becoming the perfect tourist destination and the Indian Tourism Industry is flourishing with the natural beauty of India.

India is ranked 9^th in terms of Tourism income and stands 3^rd in terms of Adventure Tourism Destinations around the Globe.

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Indian architecture

Indian architecture encompasses a wide range of geographically and historically spread structures. The diversified Indian culture is represented in its architecture. Indian architecture is a blend of ancient and varied native traditions.

Indian' architecture normally begin with the ancient Indus Valley Civilization moving through the Vedic period, the Maurya-Gupta age of Buddhist monuments, monasteries and Indian rock-cut architecture. During medieval times Turk and Afghan rulers brought with them West Asian traditions of the architecture. With the advent of the Mughal Empire in 16^th century established a style that was adopted even by post-Mughal rulers and recognized today as Mughal architecture. Mughal dynasty began with the emperor Babur in 1526 that built mosque at various locations in India. Fatehpur Sikri constructed by Akbar, the royal city of that time is located 26 miles (42 km) west of Agra, in the late 1500s. The numerous structures at Fatehpur Sikri illustrate the style of his works very best, and the great mosque there is scarcely matched in elegance and architectural effect. During the region of Jahangir, the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula completed in 1628 At Agra, built completely of white marble and covered fully by pietra dura mosaic, is one of the most splendid and superb examples of that class of ornamentation anywhere in the world. Shalimar Garden in Kashmir is also a gift of Jahangir.

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Culture of India

On one hand where India is preserving its ancient heritage from the Indus Valley Civilization it is also being shaped by the long Indian history, its unique geographia and the absorption of customs, traditions and ideas from both immigrants and invaders. India's great-diversified cultural practices, customs, languages, and traditions are unique examples of this unparalleled co-mingling over the past few millenniums. India is also known for the birth of several religious systems such as Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, which have had a great influence over the world.

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South India

Geography: South India comprises the southern states of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry. South India lies in the peninsular Deccan Plateau and is bounded by the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal in the west, south and east respectively. The geography of the region is diverse, encompassing two mountain ranges — the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats and a plateau heartland. The Tungabhadra and Kaveri rivers are important non-perennial sources of water.

Culture: South Indian celebrate the eternal universe through the celebration of the beauty of the body, and motherhood, which is exemplified through their dance, clothing, and sculptures.

The music of South India is known as Carnatic music. South Indian people experiencing the cultural changes, trends, aspirations and developments. South India is home to several distinct dance forms — the Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Yakshagana, Theyyam, Koodiyattam, Bharatanatyam, Ottamthullal, Oppana, Kerala Natanam and Mohiniaattam.

South India has two distinct styles of rock architecture, the pure dravida style of Tamil Nadu and the Vesara style. The inspirational temple sculptures of Hampi, Badami, Bhattiprolu, Pattadakal, Aihole, Belur, Halebidu, Lakkundi, Shravanabelagola, Mahabalipuram, Tanjore, Madurai and the mural paintings of Travancore and Lepakshi temples, also stand as a testament to South Indian culture.

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India

Location: Lies in Southern Asia Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the west, and the Bay of Bengal on the east.

Area: 3,287,590 sq km

Population: 1,129,866,154 (As on July 2007)

Climate: varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north

Terrain: Plateau in south, flat to rolling plain along the Ganges, deserts in west, mighty Himalayas in north.

Languages: Hindi is the national language. Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi are some other languages among hundreds of other regional languages.

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