BACKWATER TOUR

BACKWATER TOUR

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ALLEPPEY

The architectural splendor and the modern outlook of this capital city make Alleppey the dream destination for tourists. Alleppey the backwater destination of Kerala is famous for its beautiful backwaters houseboat cruises and seafood.

 If you are looking for an idyllic retreat amidst the emerald green waters, palm fringed shores and lush acres of greenery then Kerala Backwaters is the ideal destination for you.

Alleppey is the place where you can spend your leisure hours amidst emerald green waters and coconut groves. Popularly known as the Venice of the East, Alleppey is the place where tourists can taste the true flavors of Kerala's rustic life.

 Boat races or houseboat cruises everything is quite unique about Alleppey. Tourists however visit Alleppey during the annual boat race.

Alleppey(Alappuzha) has a large network of canals and one of the major centres for backwater boat trips. This palace where narrow canals, rivers, lakes lagoons and land meet are aptly called “Alleppey backwaters”.

 In this wonderful land lush green paddy fields, coconut plantation, topicana and banana, mango are cultivated four to six feet below the sea level. Life here cannot be though without a canoe or boats. It is the land of fishermen and women.It distinguishes itself with prawns, mussels, pearl spot fish and other fishes.

 In order to be one with Vembanad Lake which is the biggest freshwater lake in Kerala a backwater cruise on the lakes and rivers take you along canals past scenic islands offering sublime views of coconut and paddy fields, fishing nets, toddy tapers at work, flocks of ducks swimming aroung the banks and tiny birds flying across the sky and typical Kerala village houses to experience an extra ordinary trip through the backwaters and take sweet memories of Kerala back.

The choice of menu is handed over the guests who can decide which kind of typical Kerala food with different tastes are to be served on board for breakfast, lunch and dinner. All these facilities enables the guest to feel at home away from home.

By Air

Cochin international airport,situated about 86 km, away, handles both domestic and international flights, jet airways, Indian airlines and kingfisher operate daily filghts to kochi from various destinations in India and abroad. One can fly to Singapore, middle east and Malaysia and to most major Indian cities.

cochin airport runs the cochin airport taxi society, pre-paid taxi service, which can be hired to reach alappuzha.

By Train

The alappuzha railway station located about 4km away, falls on the coastal rail route between Ernakulam and kavamkulam, alappuzha is connected to cities like Trivandrum, Kochi, Chennai, Mumbai, Bengalore, mangalore.

By Bus

National highway 47 passes through Alappuzha connecting it to cities like Ernakulam,Thrissur, kollam,and Trivandrum. Alappuzha can be reached by bus from cities like Kochi. Trivandrum, Kozhikode,Chennai,bengalore, mysore and Coimbatore.

JAMA MASJID

JAMA MASJID

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DELHI

The Jama Masjid, the Friday congregational mosque, in Delhi is the largest and glorious mosque in India. The Jama Masjid was designed as the main mosque of Shahjahan. It stands on one of the two hills, Bho Jhala in the Mughal capital, Shahjahanabad.

The last architectural venture of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, Jama Masjid holds the reputation of being the biggest mosque in India. Located in Delhi, besides the famous Red Fort Jama Masjid derives its name from the word 'Jummah', which refers to the ritualistic congregational prayer that Muslims observe every Friday.

Jama Masjid is located on a mound in the heart of the old city and projects beautifully into the Old-Delhi skyline. Jama Masjid Mosque was built in red sandstone and marble by more than 5000 artisans.

The main entrance is on the eastern side facing the red fort. It was probably used by the emperors. The tower of the Jama Masjid is made up of five distinctive storeys. Each one of the storeys has a projecting balcony. The adjoining edifices are beautifully done with calligraphy.

The main prayer hall of the Jama Masjid is made up of high cusped arches and marble domes. The cabinet in the north gate of the Jama Masjid contains a collection of Muhammad's relics - the Koran written on deerskin, a red beard-hair of the prophet, his sandals and his footprints, implanted in a marble block.

Jama Masjid is a visual treat for the eyes. The main tower of the mosque has five distinct storeys, two minarets, and four foundation pillars carved with complex designs.

All days of the week

7:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1:30 PM - 6:30 PM

By Air

 Indira Gandhi International Airport is located 23 km southwest to Central Delhi and the domestic terminal is located in Palam, which is 5 km away from the international terminal. Once you arrive at the airport, you can hire cabs or avail the tourist buses to reach Jama Masjid.

By Train

 Delhi is the main center of the Indian Railways network. The capital has two major railway stations - New Delhi and Old Delhi. New Delhi station is at a walking distance from Connaught Place whereas Old Delhi station is about 7 km away from Connaught Place.

By Road

 There are buses available from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. One can also avail the private taxis to reach Delhi. 

KOVALAM BEACH

KOVALAM BEACH

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TRIVANDRUM

Kovalam beach town is located 16km from the city of Thiruvananthapuram district in kerala state of India. It is called as Paradise of South India.

Kovalam offers an excellent diversity with Kovalam beach to suit all desires and occasions. Three curve shaped beaches, alienated by stony out croppings, from the major attraction of this coastal resort.

Kovalam beach is a falcate shaped beach bordered with coconut trees and they keep swaying gently by the breeze blowing softly in the region. The silvery white sands are ideal for a leisure walk in the evening and at the same time the clean crystal clear water will hypnotize you to jump in for an enjoyable swimming session.

 If you are simply a passive traveler and love to enjoy the nature’s bliss, this is one of the finest beachers to sit and relax. You can opt for lounge chairs which are available in plenty here.

There are more adventurous sports at kovalam beach which are really pleasurable.this includes water diving, parasailing, wind surfing and many more.kovalam is also suited for honeymooners and it one of the best honeymoon destinations in kerala.

Kovoalm is the one of the most favourite beaches among tourists and the credit for this favouritism is shared almost equally by the clean water, interesting beach activities, tasty cuisines and affordable stays available.

Fringed by headlands that rise steeply above the shore, Kovalam is almost completely covered by coconut palms. Of the three small bays separated by rocky outcrops, the southernmost, known as the Lighthouse Beach, is the most popular.

 The lovely old lighthouse that gives the beach its name is the Vizhinjam Lighthouse. Edakallu, a rocky headland separates Eve’s or Howah Beach from the Lighthouse Beach. The hill that separates Howah Beach from the third of Kovalam’s celebrated beaches houses the Government Guest House and the Halcyon Castle, a palace.

By Air

Trivandrum International Airport is the nearest airport to Kovalam. The airport is connected to all major airports in India and major cities around the world, like Singapore and Colombo.

By Train

The Trivandrum Central railway station, located about 15 kilometres from Kovalam, is the nearest railway station to Kovalam. The Trivandrum Central railway station is well linked to major cities in India. From the railway station, one can hire a taxi or a cab or board a bus to reach Kovalam.

By Bus

Buses are the most economical way to reach Kovalam. Kovalam is well-connected to Trivandrum and other nearby major cities by city bus services. Luxury tourist bus services to Trivandrum are available from many nearby cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Madurai and Nagercoil.

GOLEDEN TEMPLE

GOLDEN TEMPLE 

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VELLORE

The Golden Temple was built in a short span of seven years. It was inaugurated on August 24, 2007. The consecration ceremony was witnessed by thousands of devotees. Since then, the temple has attracted hundreds of thousands of devotees.

The religious center of Sripuram, famous golden temple is located among the small green mountains in an area called Malaikodi at Vellore city in Tamil Nadu state, India. It is located at the south part of Vellore city, at the place of Tirumalaikodi.

Renowned temple of Sri Lakshmi, prevalently called Golden temple, is recently constructed temple as well as Spiritual Park at the place of Thirumalaikodi in Vellore city.

 The temple is about 8 kilometers far from old bus stand of Vellore, close to fort. It is spread about 100 acres of land, built by Vellore’s Sri Narayani-Peedam lead by religious Guru Sakthi Amma.

Golden temple has complicated statues, created by hundreds of expert gold decorators; those have specialization in temple decoration. the exterior part of gold temple is covered with gold plates and sheets, with made considered to have total cost of about 300 crore ( 65 million US $).

The total gold was used in this temple is around 1,500 kilograms which is the biggest amount even in entire world. The lighting system of the gold temple is arranged to highlight the temple and even night, the temple glitters.

 On 24, August 2007, the construction of the temple was completed. The exterior pathway of this temple is shaped like a star that is 1.8 km of span and its all walls are adorned with the spiritual teachings of holy Guru Sakthi Amma.

There are many sevas in the temple. Life Time Archana seva, Full Moon Yagam, Abhisekha Darshan seva, Chandhi Homam, Sri Swarna Lakshmi Abisegam, Rice Donation seva, Prathana Deepa Seva, Gho Pooja Seva, Sri Vastram Seva, Kum Kum Archana Seva, Vedha Parayana Seva, Maha Arathi.

By Air

International airports of Bangalore and Chennai are very nearest airports and best for the foreignerdevotees.

By Train

Vellore's main railway station is at Katpadi, at the northern end of the city. Katpadi junction is 18km from Sripuram. Two new railway stations (which will be opened by April 2008), namely, Vellore town and Vellore Cantonment is nearing completion. Cantonment is 8km from Sripuram while Town railway station is 10km from Sripuram. More direct trains are expected to be scheduled to Cantonment and Town railway stations. 

By Bus

Vellore is well connected by road. The central bus stand is 12km from the temple. Buses to Chennai, Bangalore,Coimbatore, Tirupathi,Erode, Trichy,Madurai and Tuticorin are frequent. 

The timings of entry into the premises is strictly between 07:00 AM to 09:00 PM 

GOL GUMBAZ

GOL GUMBAZ

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BIJAPUR

Gol Gumbaz, the mausoleum of Muhammad Adil Shah (AD 1626 –56) located in Bijapur, District Bijapur, Karnataka State is an important monument of Indo-Islamic architecture aptly known for its amazing dimensions and unique acoustic features.

Gol Gumbad situated in Bijapur district of Karnataka is the second largest dome in the world. The Gol Gumbad is second in size only to St. Peter's Basilica, Rome. The Gol Gumbad is 124 feet in diameter.

The foundation of the building is set up on bedrock and the structure itself is made of dark grey basalt and plaster. The walls are nearly 3 meters thick and 30.5 meters tall with a dome built at the top of the structure, right in the middle.

The most interesting feature of the Gol Gumbaz is the gallery around the base of the dome which can be accessed through any of the four towers at the corners of the building.

 This gallery is known as the whispering gallery because even the lightest sound or a whisper can be carried forward and heard by someone standing at the farthest distance from you in the dome.

The dome contains tombs of Muhammad Adil Shah, his two wives, his mistress, his daughter and grandson. The structure in front of the tomb has been converted in to a museum.

 Other prominent structures in the Gol Gumbad complex are a mosque, a Naqqar Khana, a gateway and a dharmashala.

The tomb is constructed on a plain square block with towers on each corner in dark gray basalt, decorated with plasterwork. Three blind arches are displayed on the exterior of the monument.

The central arch on the other hand is wider than the others and is dressed with wooden panels with small rectangular entrance and three rows of arched windows punched through.

One can enter the grandeur from the south door where a stone (Bijli pathar), that claims to guard the tomb from lighting) is suspended from the cornice. This cornice is a distinguished part of the tomb that rests on a highly carved stone.

By Air

Bijapur does not have an airport. Nearest airport is Sambre Airport.

Bijapur-164 km away Sambre Airport (IXG), Belgaum, Karnataka.

Bijapur-167 km away Hubli Airport (HBX), Hubli, Karnataka. 

By Train

You can easily get regular trains to Bijapur from other major cities of the country.

Railway Station(s): Bijapur (BJP), Bagevadi Road. 

By Bus

There are regular buses from other major cities of the country to Bijapur.

Bus Station(s): Bijapur , Bijapur (CG)