Khangchendzonga National Park Has Been Declared As A World Heritage Site By UNESCO

Sikkim's Khangchendzonga National Park is India's newest entry in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.

Here's a proud moment for every Indian. More so for those who love to travel.

The Khangchendzonga National Park, a lesser-known destination in Sikkim, has been declared has a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This is for the first time that any Indian destination has been under the Mixed criteria of UNESCO's heritage sites list, thus recognising the outstanding universal values for its both natural and cultural significance.

Located  at the heart of the Himalayan range in Sikkim, the Park is home to dozens of lofty mountain peaks, 18 glaciers, lakes, waterfalls and some unique flora and fauna.

A favourite among trekkers, this place has a unique biodiversity that includes an interesting mix of wildlife species and the presence of plains, valleys, lakes, glaciers and spectacular, snow-capped mountains covered with ancient forests, including the world's third highest peak, Mount Khangchendzonga.

Besides, the National Park is highly regarded by the state's local population because of several mythological stories that are associated with the caves, rivers, lakes, forests and other natural elements in this place.

The UNESCO designation not only adds prestige to the park, but also entitles it to financing from the World Heritage Fund.

"The UNESCO recognition will give a further push to eco-tourism in our state, while also helping us to regulate the high influx of visitors to more popular destinations with only a minimal negative impact of tourism," said Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling.

"This is important since tourist arrivals to our state more than doubled to 38,479 in 2015 and our target is around 12 lakh visitors by 2025," he said in a statement.

"At the same time, while there are no major developmental projects like roads or buildings within the Khangchendzonga National Park, tourism associated with the protected park provides local communities with substantial incomes," said the Chief Minister.

"As a result, there has been significant improvement in living conditions, especially at Pelling, Yuksom, Gangtok and Ravangla. Tourism-related activities like running pack animals, portering, guiding and lodge management have become major economic activities."

"The park has 18 sub-forest types. It has a large diversity of species of higher plants (1,580), mammals (124) and birds (300). There is no other protected area found in the Indian Himalaya with such variety of sub-forest types and species diversity," an official said.

The park is home to the red panda, snow leopard, great Tibetan sheep and musk deer. The birds include black-necked crane, grey peacock pheasant, Himalayan monal pheasant, Sikkim's state bird blood pheasant, Tibetan snow cock and Himalayan snow cock.

What is also unique about its eco-system is that it has permanently snowcapped mountains, glaciers, high altitude lakes, grasslands, cold deserts and varied forest types. Consequently, the floral and fauna is also diverse and a delight for visitors.

It has 20 peaks above 6,000 metres--11 between 6,000 to 7,000 metres, eight between 7,000 to 8,000 metres and one above that. And that is Mount Khangchendzonga (also called Kanchenjunga), which towers at 8,586 metres and is the third highest in the world.

The park also has religious significance. Sikkim is presented in Buddhism as a "hidden land" and as per scriptures, what now constitutes the park is the sanctum sanctorum, where religious masters have hidden religious texts and treatises marked for discovery in later times.

Officials explained that these hidden treasures, known as "ters", are destined to be discovered by ter-tons, literally treasure revealers, from the sacred spots littered across the park. This has ensured that the sacred places are not defiled, thereby sustaining preservation.

Kerala Tourism Decided To Attract More Tourists

Kerala Tourism's upcoming plans are just too good to be true.

Kerala Tourism has come up with new and exciting initiatives to attract more tourists. Eco-Adventure, Project Muziris--aimed to reinstate the historical and cultural significance of the legendary port of Muziris and promoting Kerala as a MICE and wedding destination are on the priority list of the tourism board.

Eco-adventure tour packages to attract young vacationers and packages focused on the hills and forests of the Western Ghats will be part of the tourism scheme. There are also plans for commissioning chartered flights and exploring possibilities of charter trains and tourist bogies in trains from major Indian markets.

U V Jose, director of Kerala Tourism says, "Our main objective is to promote newly started initiatives. From picture perfect landscapes and exciting getaways to rich culture and heritage, the State has a lot to showcase, not to forget the delectable cuisine, music and art."

Nanda Kumar, deputy director of Kerala tourism adds, "We are promoting Kerala tourism in metro cities every year. We are also planning to campaign this in small villages and cities like Lucknow, Nagpur, Patna and Ahmedabad."

Kerala tourism also plans to open new hotels and resorts to cater to the increasing footfall of tourists.

Malabar tourism will also be promoted in a big way along with the Spice Route.

Muziris Heritage Project Has Now Been Developed Into A Tourism Site By Kerala Toursim

Muziris: Kerala's new heritage site for tourists

History has always been written by the victors, and the victors have always been the good ones. Or that is what the history books claim. None of us have lived to see what really happened -- that's the bitter truth about any recorded history till date. But, that is not the only factor which keeps a region's history wrapped in a cloak of mysteries and half-baked truths. There are places that ceased to exist with the passage of time and reappeared only when historians unearthed them centuries later.

One such place is the Muziris Heritage site. Located in the Malabar Coast of Kerala, Muziris used to be an important seaport way back in the 1st century BC, or even earlier. Overlooking the Arabian Sea, this prosperous city-port at the mouth of the Periyar river held the key to India's spice trade with the Persians, the Egyptians, the Greeks and the Roman Empire, among others. Muziris was impossible to ignore, until a major natural calamity in the 14th century caused a major transformation to the water bodies of the Periyar river basin, wiping off the entire port region from the country's map.

A series of excavations made by Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR) in the years 2007 and 2008, unearthed valuable information on the Muziris location. Years of findings and research ever since, has brought back 3,000 years of history to the fore. The Muziris Heritage Project has now been developed into a tourism site by the Kerala Tourism department and will be formally inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee on February 27.

The project is an effort to conserve and showcase the cultural heritage of the place. The Muziris Heritage Project is spread across the modern-day Ernakulam and Thrissur districts of Kerala. The Kerala Tourism website says the phase of the project covers "two municipalities viz. Kodungalloor and Paravoor and eight panchayats viz. Chendamangalam, Chittattinkara, Vadakkekara, Pallippuram, S.N.Puram, Eriad and Methala. More areas will be included in the next phase."

With excavated artefacts displayed in a museum, and several monuments restored, the project aims to educate tourists, students and locals about the rich cultural heritage of the region. Through various recreations and displays, the project will provide a detailed glimpse into the bygone era by showcasing the various shades of people's lifestyle at the time, including a display of their attire, ways of trading through the barter system, festivals they celebrated, the kind of food they had, and a lot more.

Since Muziris was an important centre of trade between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, people from various countries, including the Egyptians, Arabs, Chinese, Romans and Greeks settled in this place over the years. This led to the building of forts, churches, palaces and other architectural marvels, that together form a part of the built heritage of Muziris. Given below is the list of monuments you can see in this place:

·         The Holy Cross Church

·         Marthoma Smruthi Tharangam

·         Paravur Jewish Synagogue

·         Pattanam Excavation Site

·         Kottayil Kovilakom

·         Vypeekotta Seminary

·         Chennamangalam Jewish Synagogue

·         Paliam Dutch Palace

·         Paliam Nalukettu

·         Gothuruthu

·         Kottappuram Fort

·         Cheraman Parambu

·         Kizhthali Siva Temple

·         Thiruvanchikulam Mahadeva Temple

·         Cheraman Juma Masjid

·         Kodungalloor Bhagavathi Temple

·         Abdul Rahman Sahib's House

·         Marthoma Pontifical Shrine

·         Pallippuram Fort

·         The Azheekal Sree Varaha temple

·         The Manjumatha church

·         Kottapuram market - a model of a rural market

·         Kottakkavu church - place of religious importance

·         The Kodungalloor temple vibrant with rituals

Teej Festival - It Is An Imperative Festival Only For Women

TEEJ FESTIVALS

The Teej festival is an important festival for married women, and much anticipated monsoon festival. It commemorates the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, after she paid a penance of 100 years separation. The invocation of Parvati's blessing during the festival is believed to bring about continued marital bliss.

"Teej" refers to the third day after the new moon, and third day after the full moon, every month.  During the monsoon season, these festivals are celebrated on the third day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Shravan, and on the third day of the waning and waxing moons during the Hindu month of Bhadrapad. This means that there are actually three Teej festivals -- known as Haryali (Green) Teej, Kajari Teej and Hartalika Teej. In 2016, these festivals will take place on August 5-6, August 19-20, and September 4 respectively.

The Teej festival is widely celebrated in northern and western India, particularly in the desert state of Rajasthan.

It's also worth experiencing Kajarai Teej celebrations in Bundi in Rajasthan. Teej festival fairs, featuring handicrafts and Rajasthani cultural performances, are also held at Dilli Haat, in Delhi. In 2016, this will be taking place from August 5-7 at the Janakpuri Dilli Haat.

Women dress up in their finest clothes and jewelry to worship the Goddess Parvati. They also get their hands decorated with henna, accompanied by the singing of special Teej festival songs. Swings are fixed to branches of large trees, and the women take turns to joyfully swing on them.

During Haryali Teej in Jaipur, a spectacular royal procession featuring an idol of the Goddess Parvati (Teej Mata), winds its way through the lanes of the Old City. It comprises antique palanquins, bullock carts pulling cannons, chariots, decorated elephants, horses, camels, brass bands, and dancers. A bit of everything really! The procession starts out from Tripolia Gate and winds its way through Tripolia Bazaar and Chhoti Chaupar, Gangauri Bazaar, and ends at Chaugan Stadium. Tourists can watch and photograph it from the terrace of the Hind Hotel, opposite Tripolia Gate.

A fair is held during Kajarai Teej in Bundi and there's also a colorful street parade featuring a beautifully decorated idol of Goddess Parvati. 

Girls engaged to be married receive a gift from their future in-laws on the day before the festival. The gift consists of henna, bangles, a special dress, and sweets. Married daughters are given a number of gifts, clothes and sweets by their mother. After the worship has been completed, they're passed on to the mother-in-law.

The Teej festival is a very uplifting occasion, filled with singing, swinging, and dancing. There's plenty of feasting too.

Ujjayanta Palace - It Has Pompous View While Walking Outside Of The Palace In The Sunset Time

UJJAYANTA PALACE

AT

AGARTALA

Ujjayanta Palace is located in the heart of the city of Agartala, the capital city of the Tripura state of India.

It is a famous royal house, covering an area of one sq. km. Styled in Greek sculpture, Ujjayanta Palace was built by Maharaja Radha kishore Manikaya in 1901 at a cost of 10 lakh of rupees.

 The palace tour will tell you about the huge lughole style gardens, adorned by pools and fountains, the superbly tiled floors, curved wooden ceiling and exquisitely crafted doors.

The three storeyed mansion has a mixed architecture with three high domes(the centre one being 86' high). Its well laid out gardens have two large tanks on either side and the fountains are laid out in the patterns of the Mughal gardens. The palace is floodlit at night.

In the premises of the palace, several Hindu temples were built in dedication to Lakshmi Narayan, Uma-Maheshwari, Kali and Jagannath. Post merger of Kingdom of Tripura with India in 1949, all royal properties were nationalised. Ujjayanta Palace remained unoccupied, unless it started playing its current role as the State Legislative Building.

Ujjayanta is the home to Tripura Government Museum which is the biggest museum in the region.Within the superstructure is a museum (the only section open to public) with an imposing collection of regal and cultural memorabilia and artefacts.

Newer attractions to this beautiful palace include the night-time floodlights and the musical fountain installed in front of the main entrance.

By Air

 The nearest airport to The Ujjayanta Palace is agartala airport , agartala which is 7 km away from The Ujjayanta Palace Agartala is connected by airlines flights with Calcutta, Guwahati, Delhi.

By Train

The nearest railway station to the ujjayanta palace is Katakhal Jn Railway Station which is 1 km away from The Ujjayanta Palace. 

The two nearest railway stations from Agartala are Kumarghat (160 kms) and Dharama Nagar (200 kms). Both the stations on the North-East Frontier Railway, are connected with Lumding & Guwahati, where as Lumding and Guwahati are connected with Calcutta and other major stations in India.

By Road

 Good motorable raods connect Agartala with Silchar- 288 kms, Guwahati- 599 kms, Shillong 499 kms, Dharmanagar- 200 kms.Tripura Road Transport Corporation buses connect Silchar, Shillong and Dharma Nagar to Agartala.