TULIP FESTIVAL

Tulip Festival

AT

KASHMIR

Tulip festival is held annually in the month of April when tulips are in full bloom. The garden looks like a silken carpet of bright colored sprawling tulips. Best time to visit is March-April. Spring is when Kashmir is at its most picturesque, and is also the season for flowering tulips. This special time of year is beautifully captured by the Tulip Festival in Srinagar, home to Asia's largest tulip garden. As well as the arresting sight of more than a million blooms, the festival features daily cultural programs, Kashmiri folk songs, sale of local handicrafts, and traditional Kashmiri cuisine.

Nearly 60 varieties of beautiful and vibrant tulips grow in this garden, spread over 5 hectors of land. Tulips remain in bloom just for 15-20 days depending upon the temperature. “Red, yellow, variegated, pink, white, orange, light blue, and magenta are the main colors of tulips. The scene is simply charismatic with floral charm. The view remains in the memory of a visitor forever. Cultural programs, Kashmiri folk songs, sale of local handicrafts, and preparation of traditional Kashmiri cuisine forms an eminent part of the entertainment of visitors during the festival.

Entry to the Tulip Garden is 50 rupees for adults and 20 rupees for children

·          First two weeks of April.

·         Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Srinagar, Kashmir. It's located in the foothills of Zabarwan range, overlooking Dal Lake.

MOPIN FESTIVAL

Mopin Festival

At

Arunachala Pradesh

Mopin is the harvest festival of the hospitable Galo tribe, focused on the worship of goddess Mopin. It's celebrated to drive away evil spirits, and for acquiring prosperity and wealth. An indigenous folk dance called Popir, performed by young women, is a highlight of the festival. Traditional rice wine (apong), prepared by Galo women, is also served

The Mopin festival plays an important role in the cultural scenario of Galo Adi Tribes. Tribal people dazzle in their traditional costumes and organize the amazing 'popir dance', greatly performed by the female folk. With positioning themselves in a circular queue, they create the roaring sound of their rhythmic steps. One group assemble themselves and chant the sweet words of Ja-Jin-Ja and Baryi folk song, while the following participants complements their song with dancing. Tribal folks don themselves in white clothes and elaborate head gears. Their dangling multi-colored beaded ornaments glitz according to their foot-steps and the sparking sun-rays

The Adi Gallongs in the Along-Basar-Bame area celebrate Mopin festival in the first five days of April. Mopin is thought to bring wealth and prosperity to the households as well as to the village. It is also believed to drive away the evil shadow and to receive the blessing of God for universal happiness. The Adi Gallong villages come alive with the dancing and chanting of their rhythmic songs made livelier by smearing rice powder on each other’s face.

·         April 5, 2016.

·         East Siang and West Siang districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Festivities take place on a grand scale at Mopin Ground, Naharlagun, near capital city Itanagar

·          

TIPU SULTAN FORT

Tipu Sultan Fort

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Bangalore

Tipu Sultan Summer Palace is the one of the major Historical Attraction of 

Bangalore.

Located in the most crowded market area, Tipu Sultan Fort represents the artistic talent that prevailed in the past. It was originally constructed by Kempe Gowda in the year 1537 using mud bricks.

 It was modified and extended by Haider Ali, who used granite stones in the process. It was Tipu Sultan who completed it during 1791 and it served as his summer retreat. 

The two-storied structure has pillars, carved arches and balconies. It represents Islamic style and you could find a temple of Ganesha, a Hindu god. This throws light on the religious tolerance exhibited by the ruler.

 If you love to go deep into historical facts, you need to visit the art gallery in the fort, which houses historical paintings, photos and carvings.

An inscription on a stone found in the palace describes the palace as an ‘Abode of Happiness and envy of Heaven’

The magnificent palace was built using wood, stone, mortar and plaster, and looks like a one storied pillared pavilion from outside. But the palace is actually a double storied building, typical of this style in architecture.

The walls and wooden ceilings of the palace are painted in beautiful floral motifs on madder red surfaces.

How to get

The Tipu Sultan Palace is located near the crowded City Market of Bangalore, Karnataka, India, at the junction of Albert Victor Road and Krishna Rajendra in the enclosure of the Tipu Sultan Fort. The city of Bangalore is well connected with other metro cities of India by rail and air. Many international flights come directly to the Bangalore city. The city is quite approachable from most of the important cities and towns of South India by road and rail.

Entry Timings: 10 Am to 6 Pm Except Sunday

Entry fee:  Per Person Rs. 5

Entry is free for below 15 years

Tickets are availed in main gate counter.

JAKHU TEMPLE

Jakhu Temple

At

Shimla

At the top of the famous Jakhu hill is located the famous Jakhu Temple of Shimla. It is hardly 2 kilometers from the Ridge and is an uphill climb through the beautiful deodar trees. 

The Jakhu Temple of Simla is dedicated to the monkey God, Hanuman.  The scenic view that surrounds this beautiful temple of India is absolutely breath taking and splendid.

This temple of lord Hanumanji is situated at the height of about 8500 ft. in the east of historical ridge ground in Shimla city. 

This temple is very easily approachable and is one of the most sought after site to be visited not only by the devotees and pilgrims but also by the tourists of all age groups visiting Shimla, the Hill capital of Himachal Pradesh.

The highest point of the city is Jakhoo Hill Shimla that is covered with Alpine trees. At the top of the flat hill is the colourful Jakhoo Temple and the newly constructed Hanuman statue. 

Jakhoo Hill Shimla is a favourite escape for visitors wanting peace and calm from the city far below. The walk up to the hill takes approximately 30 minutes and follows a pleasant route, just beware of the criminal minded monkeys that are waiting to rob tourist of food and shiny objects!

The summit of Jakhoo Hill Shimla is 2,455m and approximately 200m higher than the central ridge of Shimla. The route to the summit follows a 2.5 km footpath with long sections of steps this walk is invigorating in the clean and crisp mountain air of spring and autumn but challenging during the height of summer.

In Hindi mythology the flat summit of Jakhoo Hill Shimla was caused by lord Hanuman's sudden arrival while hunting for a special herb to save a Lakshmana priest during the battle of Ramayana. 

Legend tells that the monkey god flew from the sky from such a height and speed that the top of the mountain was obliterated and only a huge foot print remained. On top of the foot print the Jakhoo temple was constructed and the start of Shimla’s close religious following of Hanuman.

The Temple itself is colourfully painted with images of Hanuman adorned to the outer walls of the temple. Inside the temple there is a statue of the monkey god along the religious smell of burning incense. 

On the outer wall of the temple is a lucky religious bell, if a visitor to the temple rings the bell the ringer will have good luck for the following 3 days.

IceSkatingCarnivalShimla

Shimla is India's favorite winter destination and what makes it truly special is the snowfall that it receives during the winters. Most tourists visit Shimla during the months of December, January and February to indulge in the lively ice sports like skiing, ice-skating or simple throwing snowballs!

RhyaliFestivalShimla

Celebrated during the rainy season in Shimla, Rhyali festival is of much importance over here. Since most people here depend on agriculture to earn their livelihood, the rains are an absolute must. Rhyali festival is celebrated to keep the rain Gods happy so that the agricultural produce does not get affected.

ShimlaSummerFestival

The best reason to visit Shimla during summers has to be the famous Summer Festival that is held every year in the month of May. This famous festival is a riot of colors and festivity and is celebrated on a grand scale. The Summer Festival in Simla is a beautiful amalgamation of various talented people of India who make it an event that is remembered for a long time to come.

Baisakhi

One of the most important festivals celebrated in Shimla is Baisakhi. It is celebrated on the first day of the month of Baisakh (mid - April). Baisakhi is called as Bissu or Bisha in Shimla. It is celebrated just before the onset of the harvest season.

Bhoj Fair

This fair is held in the month of November for three days in Shimla. This fair attracts thousands of people from Shimla who come to pay respect to the presiding deity known as Devta Bansor.

ByAir

Shimla can be easily reached by air. The place has its own airport at a place called Jubbarhatti, which is located at a distance of 23 kilometers from the main city center. Flights from New Delhi, Chandigarh and Kullu (another hill station) operate on a daily basis. Jagson Airlines is the flight that operates from these places on a regular basis.

ByRail/ Train

The nearest railway station that connects Shimla to neighboring states is at Kalka. This place is located at a distance of 96 kilometers from Shimla. From Kalka, it takes around 6 hours to reach Shimla. The frequency of trains that ply from Kalka to Shimla is pretty good, with atleast 4 trains plying to and fro from Shimla. The journey from Delhi to Kalka is an overnight journey and reaches Kalka early morning. There are many tunnels en route with the longest being 1.2 kilometers long!

ByRoad

Shimla is well connected to neighboring places like New Delhi and Chandigarh through national highways. The journey from Delhi to Shimla by road takes approximately 8 hours. The highways are well maintained by the authorities and are a pleasure to drive on. There are many tourist buses that ply from neighboring places to take tourists to this beautiful hill station.

Train Basic Info

Name            Kalka – Simla             Distance             59miles/95km

Number         52457                        Running Time      5 Hours 20 Min

Sachedule      Daily                          Stops                 16

Type            Hill Train                    Avg.speed          18kmph

LAKSHMI NARAYANAN TEMPLE (BIRLA MANDIR)

Birla Mandir

At

New Delhi

Laxmi Narayan Temple, also known as Birla Mandir, is one of Delhi's major temples and a major tourist attraction.

The Laxminarayan Tempel is a Hindu temple dedicated to Laxminarayan in Delhi, India. Laxminarayan usually refers to Vishnu, Preserver in the Trimurti, also known as Narayan, when he is with his consort Lakshmi. The side temples are dedicated to Shiva, Krishna and Buddha.

The construction of temple dedicated to Laxmi Narayana started in 1933, built by industrialist and philanthropist, Baldeo Das Birlaand his son Jugal Kishore Birla of Birla family, thus, the temple is also known as Birla Temple.

The foundation stone of temple was laid by Maharaj Udaybhanu Singh. The temple was built under guidance of Pandit Vishwanath Shastri. The concluding ceremony and Yagna was performed by Swami Keshwa Nandji. 

The famous temple is accredited to have been inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1939. At that time, Mahatma Gandhi kept a condition that the temple would not be restricted to the Hindus and people from every caste would be allowed inside.

The city is well connected by air, rail and road. One can reach the temple by taxi, auto-rickshaw or buses run by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC).

Delhi Railway Station and Hazrat Nizamuddin are two major railway stations.Nearest Metro Station is Central Secretariat station from the Birla Mandir Delhi Or Lakshmi Narayan Temple Delhi.

Palam Domestic Airport connects Delhi to the major cities in India. Some of the domestic airlines operating regular flights to and from Delhi are Alliance Air

All days of the week

4:30 AM - 1:30 PM
2:30 PM - 9:00 PM