| A century ago, when one talked about India, it was | | | | projecting balconies supported by elaborately |
| invariably about snake charmers, yogis and beggars in | | | | decorated brackets. Humayun's tomb: One of the |
| streets. Now IT is the main tag India shows, the | | | | greatest examples of architecture in India, Humayun's |
| progress it has made is certainly visible in growing | | | | Tomb is known for influencing the structure of the |
| strength of its currency (rupee) in international stock | | | | Taj Mahal as well. Jama Masjid: Showcasing a rich |
| markets. Like burgeoning industry, tourism is also | | | | influence of Persian architecture, the Jama Masjid is |
| expanding very fast in India. Following is a list of | | | | one of the oldest mosques of India. Red fort: It was |
| places I have visited in India. | | | | from its ramparts that the first Prime Minister of |
| Places to visit in India: | | | | India, Jawharlal Nehru, announced to the nation that |
| Tajmahal (UttarPradesh)-This tomb of Mumtaj Mahal, | | | | India was free form colonial rule. The piece de |
| wife of Mughal emperor Shahjahan has not only | | | | resistance of the fort, the Diwan-I-Khas once housed |
| found place in the recently concluded hunt for new | | | | the famous Peacock Throne, which when it was |
| seven wonders of the world, but also bagged the | | | | plundered by Nadir Shah in 1739, was valued at six |
| first slot in it. The Taj truly deserves this position. It | | | | million sterling. Jantar Mantar: At first sight, the Jantar |
| is said that 20, 000 workers laboured day and night | | | | Mantar appears like a gallery of modern art. It is, |
| to build this epitome of love. It is generally considered | | | | however, an observatory. Sawai Jia Singh II of Jaipur |
| the finest example of Mughal Architecture. I have | | | | (1699-1743), a keen astronomer and a noble in the |
| been here twice and still want to go back. The | | | | Mughal court. India gate: Built as a memorial to |
| beauty of this monument is breathtaking. Taj mahal is | | | | commemorate the 70, 000 India soldiers killed in |
| built in Agra, where other places of interest are | | | | World War I, India Gate was designed by Sir Edwin |
| castle of fateh pur sikri. | | | | Lutyens and completed in 1931. Every year on 26th |
| Shopping : Agra is famous for its sweet dish called | | | | January, the day celebrated as the Republic Day of |
| "petha". Agra rugs, marble and leather is also famous. | | | | India, the Indian President places a wreath at the |
| Jaipur: (Rajasthan)-This city has got another name, | | | | eternal flame Amar Jawan Jyoti under the arch of |
| "Pink City" because of its pink stone buildings and | | | | India Gate to pay his respects to the Indian armed |
| houses. this is the land of Rajputs, the tribe which is | | | | forces. t is followed by a grand parade that moves |
| known for its courage, hospitality and deep sense of | | | | along Rajpath, which comprise of marching |
| honor and pride. there are many attractions here e. g. | | | | contingents, tanks and weaponry, vibrant floats, folk |
| Amber Palace, Birla temple, Jantar mantar, fort of | | | | dances and school children from different parts of |
| nahargarh(people especially come here at night to | | | | India who participate in this colorful ceremony. |
| watch the beautiful city in the moon light), Jal Mahal, | | | | Shopping: Connaught Place, the modern hub of New |
| "Water Palace" sits in the center of a lake, Hawa | | | | Delhi houses many a state govt. emporia. he Central |
| Mahal (palace of winds) is the most easily recalled | | | | Cottage Industries Emporium, a rambling six-storey |
| landmarks of Jaipur and is also its icon. | | | | government shop where you can buy anything from |
| Shopping: Famous for its precious and semi precious | | | | a 12ft ornamental elephant god to a packet of |
| stones, Johari Market is the ideal place to shop for | | | | Darjeeling tea. Prices are clearly displayed and fixed. |
| the same. In Jaipur you can shop for various items | | | | This is a good place to buy gifts for friends at home. |
| like handicrafts, lacquered brass work, textiles etc. | | | | Pondichery - Pondichery was a French colony and the |
| Textiles in tie and dye (bandhani), Sanganeri and | | | | French influence shows clearly. The entire town is |
| Bagru block print are important trademark varieties | | | | divided into 2 sections, the French Quarter or 'White |
| and style of fabric. | | | | town'and the Indian quarter or 'Black Town' Many |
| Kullu-Manali ( Himachal Pradesh)The cool winds seem | | | | streets still retain their French names and French |
| to play music for your ears. Enjoy the intimacy of | | | | style villas are a common sight here. The city has |
| the town with the snowline with heat of the natural | | | | such a laid back attitude, nobody seems to be in a |
| hot sulphur springs at the same holiday. Besides sight | | | | hurry to do anything or go anywhere. For |
| seeing you must try a hand at adventure sports and | | | | sun-bathing, swimming or merely strolling, Pondichery's |
| activities like skiing, hiking, mountaineering, para gliding, | | | | beach and the 1 1/2 km-long promenade alongside, |
| rafting, trekking, kayaking or mountain biking for the | | | | are the most delightful parts of the city. Pondichery |
| complete holiday experience. Worth visiting holiday | | | | Museum is a treasure-house of antiques. Besides a |
| spots in Manali comprise of the wooden hadimba | | | | section on French India with rooms done in typical |
| temple in the Dhungiri Van Vihar forest area and the | | | | French style, the museum devotes sections to |
| shiny Buddhist monasteries or gompas. Close by is | | | | Archaeology, Geology, Sculpture, Bronzes, Arms, |
| the Rohtang pass the spot where the spectacle of | | | | Print, Handicraft and Art. The botanical garden |
| the clouds sweeping the majestic mountains can be | | | | preserves a large variety of exotic species of plants. |
| viewed. Kullu-manali has a special place in my | | | | Auroville (the city of dawn) is where 2000 people |
| memories as I went there with our street theater | | | | hailing from 30 different countries are living up to |
| group and we had a lot of fun together. | | | | their dream of a united human race. The charter of |
| Shopping: You may pick up woolens for souvenirs like | | | | Auroville is ringingly postnationalist: "Auroville belongs |
| the splendid shawls and caps. Other Himalayan | | | | to nobody in particular. Auroville belongs to humanity |
| handicrafts like prayer wheels, masks, amulets, and | | | | as a whole. " |
| musical instruments add a Tibetan tinge to your | | | | Shopping: The Auroville and Ashram handmade paper |
| shopping. | | | | factory have popularized the use of handmade paper. |
| Goa-If you have been to Goa , you will return again | | | | These papers have their own beauty of different |
| to visit this beautiful city of beaches. Goa's beaches | | | | textures. Pondichery has excellent ceramic artists. |
| are what makes the state one of India's major | | | | Most of their work is in tableware and decor. Various |
| tourist attractions. Goa offers you fishing beach, | | | | studios have evolved distinctive styles, such as |
| naturalist beach, rocky beach white sand beach all in | | | | "Golden Bridge" and "Rhinestone Art" which are both |
| one platter. Goa is a plastic free zone so any use of | | | | contemporary and Pondicherrian. |
| plastic bags etc is discouraged. The beaches | | | | Shimla ( Himachal Pradesh) -The Ridge is the center |
| throughout Goa have an abundance of seas shells. | | | | of Shimla's cultural and social life - an excellent place |
| The local Indians string the small brown and black | | | | to view the surrounding mountains. Jakhu Temple, |
| littorin shells into curtains. Calangute Beach was the | | | | Jakhu Hill. Open every day. Offers spectacular views |
| first of the hippie resorts back in the 60's and 70's. | | | | of the mountains from its location above the town. |
| Shopping: The 'shoppoholic' will never go empty | | | | According to the epic Ramayana, the monkey god |
| handed as the local handicrafts have great variety to | | | | Hanuman rested here during his journey to the |
| offer. The beach side stall gives the chance to tourist | | | | Himalayan mountains. State Museum is Housed in a |
| to enjoy the beach and shopping side by side. Some | | | | reconstructed Raj-style building, the State Museum |
| of the most exquisite items produced in Goa are | | | | displays a collection of around 10, 000 artifacts |
| woodcraft including cradles, baby carts, toys, corner | | | | gathered from all over Himachal Pradesh. You can |
| stands, etc. Bamboo craft is one of the major crafts | | | | take a leisurely walk at the Mall - this 7km |
| industry of Goa. The list of popular Bamboo products | | | | thoroughfare is famous for its Victorian Architecture, |
| include flower baskets, mats, and letter-holders, pen | | | | and retains much of its Raj-era charm. English author |
| stands, fans and other decorative items. | | | | Rudyard Kipling spent his childhood in Shimla. |
| Delhi-The capital of India has many historical places | | | | Shopping: Shimla is famous for exclusively designed |
| hidden beneath its modern metropolitan look. Kutub | | | | Kinnauri shawls, Himachali Caps and traditional local |
| minar: The 238 feet Qutab Minar is 47 feet at the | | | | wooden handicrafts. I bought a beautifully crafted |
| base and tapers to nine feet at the apex. The tower | | | | walking cane for my grand mother from Lakkar |
| is ornamented by bands of inscriptions and by four | | | | Bazar adjacent to Ridge. |