Taj Mahal: Icon of Love

 

Taj Mahal:

The Taj Mahal is a magnificent monument located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is widely considered one of the most beautiful and iconic structures in the world.The Taj mahal is a well known and famous tourist attraction in the world. Here are some key facts about the Taj Mahal:

Architecture and Design: The Taj Mahal was built between 1631 and 1648 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture, combining Persian, Indian, and Islamic influences. The primary building material used was white marble, which gives the Taj Mahal its signature appearance.

Symbol of Love: The Taj Mahal is often regarded as a symbol of love and devotion. It was constructed as a mausoleum to house the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. The entire complex was designed to reflect the love and grief of Shah Jahan for his wife.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: In 1983, the Taj Mahal was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and 8th wonder of the world, which acknowledges its outstanding universal value and cultural significance. It attracts millions of visitors from around the globe each year.

Architectural Features: The Taj Mahal complex comprises several structures, including the main mausoleum, a mosque, a guesthouse, and beautiful gardens. The main mausoleum is adorned with intricate marble inlay work, calligraphy, and precious gemstones. The central dome is a prominent feature, reaching a height of approximately 73 meters (240 feet).

Gardens and Reflection Pool: The Taj Mahal is surrounded by well-maintained gardens known as the Charbagh, which are divided into four quadrants. These gardens are adorned with fountains, pathways, and symmetrical flower beds. In front of the Taj Mahal, there is a large reflection pool that adds to the architectural beauty and creates stunning reflections.

Cultural and Historical Significance: The Taj Mahal represents the zenith of Mughal architecture and is considered a significant cultural and historical site in India. It is a testament to the rich artistic and architectural heritage of the Mughal Empire.

Preservation and Restoration: Over the years, the Taj Mahal has faced challenges such as pollution, weathering, and discoloration. Conservation efforts have been undertaken to preserve its beauty and structural integrity. Measures such as restricting pollution-causing activities in the surrounding area and regular cleaning and restoration work are implemented to maintain the monument's grandeur.

The Taj Mahal continues to be a remarkable symbol of love, architectural brilliance, and Indian heritage, captivating people with its timeless beauty and inspiring design.

How to reach Taj Mahal and Where to stay:

To reach the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, you can consider the following modes of transportation:

By Air: The nearest airport to the Taj Mahal is the Agra Airport, also known as Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Airport. It is well-connected to major cities in India. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a pre-paid taxi to reach the Taj Mahal, which is approximately a 30-minute drive away.

By Train: Agra has excellent rail connectivity with major cities in India. The main railway station in Agra is the Agra Cantt Railway Station. From there, you can take a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to reach the Taj Mahal, which is around a 15-minute drive away.

By Road: Agra is well-connected by road with major cities in India. You can take a bus or hire a private taxi to reach the Taj Mahal. Agra is connected to the national capital, Delhi, by a well-maintained expressway, which makes it easily accessible by road.

Regarding accommodation, Agra offers a wide range of options to suit different budgets and preferences. Some popular areas to consider for accommodation near the Taj Mahal are:

Taj Ganj: This area is located in close proximity to the Taj Mahal and offers a variety of hotels, guesthouses, and budget accommodations. Many options provide a view of the Taj Mahal from their rooftop or rooms.

Fatehabad Road: This road is also close to the Taj Mahal and has numerous hotels, resorts, and guesthouses. It is a popular area for tourists and offers a range of amenities.

Agra Cantt Area: This area is near the Agra Cantt Railway Station and is another convenient location to find accommodation. It offers a mix of budget and mid-range hotels.

When selecting accommodation, consider factors such as proximity to the Taj Mahal, amenities offered, budget, and reviews from other travellers. It is advisable to make reservations in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons, to ensure availability and get the best deals.

Daily Timings and cultural activities conducted at taj mahal:

The Taj Mahal has specific daily timings for visitors, and there are also cultural activities that take place within and around the monument. Here is some information regarding the timings and cultural activities at the Taj Mahal:

Visiting Timings: The Taj Mahal is open to visitors every day of the week, except for Fridays (when it is open only for Muslims to attend prayers at the mosque within the complex). The visiting hours are as follows:

Sunrise to Sunset: This is the general visiting time for the Taj Mahal. The exact opening and closing times vary throughout the year based on sunrise and sunset, so it is advisable to check the official website or local sources for the current timings before planning your visit.

Night Viewing: The Taj Mahal offers night viewing on specific days of the month, including the full moon night and two nights before and after the full moon, except for Fridays and during the holy month of Ramadan. Night viewing tickets are limited and need to be purchased in advance.

Cultural Activities: The Taj Mahal complex is not only a historical monument but also a site that promotes cultural activities. Some of the cultural activities conducted at the Taj Mahal include:

Classical Music and Dance Performances: Various cultural events, especially classical music and dance performances, are organized within the Taj Mahal complex. These events showcase the rich cultural heritage of India and add to the overall experience of visiting the monument.

Annual Taj Mahotsav: The Taj Mahotsav is a ten-day festival held in Agra that celebrates the cultural diversity of India. It typically takes place in February and includes performances, art exhibitions, handicraft displays, and traditional food stalls.

Light and Sound Show: The Taj Mahal offers an evening light and sound show that narrates the story of the monument's construction and its historical significance. The show takes place in the evening and provides a unique and informative experience.

It is recommended to check the official website of the Taj Mahal or consult local tourism authorities for detailed information on the current cultural activities, schedules, and any specific guidelines or restrictions that may be in place.

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Bandipur national park ,Karnataka.

 

Bandipur national park: 

Bandipur national park is one of the famous tourist place in south India region in the segment of forest safari,wild animals,birds,lot of endangered animal species.It is established  in the year 1974 as a tiger reserve under project tiger,it is located in gundlupet taluk of chamarajanagar district in karnataka state.actually the park is hunting place for the kings of mysore kingdom. Bandipur park is expanded nearly 875 square kilometers range.In this green forest there is lot of small rivers,small waterfalls.The forest is famous for wild animals like tigers,elephants,black panthers,leopards,,gaurs,jackals,bears and also lot of birds spices are lives in forest.Boating and rafting facility also there in the rivers kabini and moyar rivers.safari and resorts,cost of package for safari and staying can be check in the park website.

In the park the river kabini flows in the north thats why it is also called kabini park and the river moyar flows on south side of park and nugu river passes middle of the park, that is the reason behind the park grown large and big,and developed the life in the park.the atmosphere of park is rainy and wet.In the park there is a hindu temple is constructed called the Gopalaswamy betta,it is the highest hill in the park.

In this bandipur national park the tourism department  provides the safari into the forest through the different types of vehicles like ,buss,gypsy,tata safari at different costs and the timing for safari is morning and afternoon.cost for this safari is also different for different vehicles.you can check the timings on website of park which is maintained by the park authority.

Where to Stay in Bandipur National Park?

hotels and resorts are also there to stay in the middle of the forest,you can feel the beauty of real nature and night stay,campfire in the jungle will managed by the management.Karnataka tourism hotels are also available.there are plenty of private hotels and lodges are available at different costs.

The park is home for large amount of animals,this park is only place for the black panther in India.Black panther lives on the big trees,it is the only wild animal lives in  deep green forest.most of the wild animals lives on the grass lands,in hills.Most of the people will think south Africa is the only place to see wildlife animals,jungle safari,forest safari,but in India also you can experience the forest safari and watching the wild animals live. Bandipur is the best place for forest safari and enjoying the beautiful nature of earth.

How to reach Bandipur National Park?

Bandipur is well connected to other cities by road. Bus services are available from Bangalore and Mysore. The nearest airport is Coimbatore (84 km) and the nearest station is Mysore(80 km). From there a lot of buses and taxis are available to the national park. 

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Dandeli,karnataka.

Dandeli Waterfalls:

Dandeli is a beautiful tourist place in uttara karnataka and it is famous for waterfalls,wildlife sanctuary,tiger reserve forest and bird sanctuary.This place is complete set of example for wildlife.The people who loves nature will definitely love the scenery's,the atmosphere of forest which have peaceful nature.Forest is home to wild animals like black panthers,monkeys and elephants,as different types of birds. Dandeli is surrounded by kali river,which forms a waterfalls in dandeli. In this place water sports will be available to people, like river water rafting,boating.forest walking will give amazing memories. Dandeli is located to 75 km from hubli city of uttara Karnataka state.

Where to stay in Dandeli ?

In Dandeli you can find Hotels,lodges and Resorts on budget friendly costs.you can enjoy the breakfast,lunch and dinner. maximum resorts are doing extra curriculum activities like campfire,music,songs and dancing you can enjoy all of them.    

At a distance of 31 km from Dandeli syntheri rock is a huge,massive limestone rock formed due to volcanic eruptions in western ghats of south India million years ego.It is named after an English lady Ms.cinthera who discovered the rocks first time in India.river kaneri passes along side of the rocks and forms a water flows on the rocks,it's look's beautiful.syntheri rocks is a beautiful place to watch and the structure of the stones and different types of colour stones will show the magic of real nature.the timings for watching the rocks is 10AM to 5:30PM.

white water rafting on kali river which forms a Dandeli waterfalls through the rocks on the way of passing river kali. These water sports are managed by well experienced persons by taking the secured precautions as per the government norms.this water rafting will give you a thrilling experience.water rafting in the river will cover 5 to 9 km by consuming the time 2 to 4 hours for this the will charge 500 to 1500 Rs to each person.timings for water rafting is 9 AM to 12 PM and 2PM to 5:30 PM.

Boating on the river kali,while boating you can see the beauty of nature in reserve forest,which contains lot of birds species and their voices.

kali river and the green forest area surrounded the dandeli. Dandeli forest is a big green forest with full of wild animals,mountains,view points for tourists. The wildlife sanctuary is located at the distance of 13 Km from Dandeli town on the banks of river kali. The nature lovers can enjoy the jungle safari and boat safari to see the forest in dandeli. The best time for visiting dandeli wildlife sanctuary is from October to may.

How to reach Dandeli Waterfalls?

Dandeli is well connected by road with regular bus services connecting this place to the rest of India. However, there is no direct rail or flight connectivity to Dandeli. The nearest railway station is Alnavar Junction, 23 km away from Dandeli. The nearest airport is in Hubli, 56 km away from Dandeli.

Halebidu,Karnataka.

 HOYSALESWARA TEMPLE:

 Hoysaleswara temple is also known as Halebidu temple which is located at Halebidu in Hassan district of Karnatka state,India.Halebidu is the former capital of the Hoysala Empire.the temple constuction started around 1121 CE and was complete in 1160 CE.The Hoysaleswara Temple is a shiva temple.The Hoysaleswara temple is a famous tourist attraction with twin temple dedicated to Hoysaleswara and santaleswara shiva lingas and it has two Nandi shrines outside ,where each seated Nandi face the respective shiva linga inside.The temple represents the architecture of the hoysalas,it has a beautiful statues,sculptures,intricate reliefs,detailed friezes as well its history.Numerous smaller friezes narrate hindu texts such as the ramayana,the mahabharata and the bhagavata puranas.the temple is nearby 16 Km from belur temple.

Dedicated to lord shiva hoyasaleswara temple is built by hoysalas,it is the best example of hoysala architecture in 12 centuary.amazing,beautiful and magnificent hoysaleswara temple,Halebidu,Karnataka.The shrine in the temple is called as hoyasaleswara in the form of shiv linga .

Timings to enter into the Temple:

Hoysaleswara Temple has two temples side by side facing to east,each temple has nandi statues in front of temple. The temple is surrounded by large wall with big entrance. when you entered into Halebidu,first you see vinayaka temple inside the compound of hoyasaleswara temple.hoysaleswara temple timings are from 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM and best season is from august to march. Because the weather is cool in that time in south India.

Beautiful architecture on the walls of temple symbolising the strength and dedication of craftman ship of sculptures in the hoysala empire.the temple architecture contains elephant,lions,other animals are carved on the walls of temple. These are symbolises the royalty,courage,strength and ability. These animals are crafted in 8 freezes (lines),no statue in the freeze is same as other. Each freeze contains a different animals like elephants,lions,horses,hamsas. above the freezes large statues are sculpted. In that statues are designed based on the stories of puranas mahabharatam,bhagavdgeta ,ramayanam.

 The hoysaleswara temple is famous for its well known sculpture and architecture done along the side walls of the temple. In all there are number of structures are crafted in the shrine noted for breath taking beauty of sculpture. As one goes around the wall panel the finest seen are lord shiv as dancing natraj,Ravan lifting the mountain kailash,lord shiv has victim andhakasur under his feet and shivparvthi. The various formations of lord vishnu in that most prominent lord krishna lifting the mountain govardhana,lord narasimha killing the hiranyaksyapa,lord vishnu as vamana and asura king bali. These structres represents the puranas and the stories behind this explains how to live,how to behave,which is right or wrong to humans.   

How to reach the Halebidu Temple?

There are a lot of state and private buses which run from bangalore to halebidu,it takes approximately 7 hours to reach halebidu.  The nearest railway station is Hassan railway station.from there bus and taxi services are available to halebidu.there is no airport in halebidu,the nearest airports are bangalore and  mysore.

Beluru,Karnataka.

Beluru Sri Chennakesava Swamy Temple: 

Beluru  is a famous tourist place for the god Sri chennakesava swamy Temple,chennakesava is a form of  lord Vishnu. It is located on the river bank of the yagachi river in Belur in Hassan district of Karnataka state,India. The temple is a historical milestone of the Hoysala dynasty.Chennakesava Temple was proposed to be listed under UNESCO world heritage centre.

Temple entrance gopuram of Sri chennakesava swamy in dravidian style.this was later added by the vijayanagara kings. The main entrance of the temple is decorated with jagged patterns,makara thorana and temple guardians. In front of this entrance ,we come across the statue of garuda,the divine vehicle of lord Vishnu.

Temple Timings to enter into the Temple:

The temple is also famous for its dance and music performances,as well as its history and mythology.The temple is open from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM to devotees to pray to the god.devotees are allowed into the temple to visit the lord chennakesava swamy.

It was constructed by king vishnuvardhana to commemorate the victory over the cholas.Beluru is an early hoysala empire capital.This star shaped temple was built over three generations and took 103 years to complete.The temple is famous for its remarkable architecture,sculptures,reliefs as well as iconography. Our ancestors' skills building on these structures and sculptures are truly enchanting.the temple artwork shows the dancers,musicians and the history of ramayana and mahabharata and the puranas in the form of sculpture.The temple is nearby 23 km from Halebidu one of the hoysala temple.

The beautiful sculpture in beluru temple.

How to reach Beluru Temple?

The Beluru temple is located in Beluru is about 35 km from district headquarters hassan and 220 km from bangalore accessible with a four lane NH75 highway and 155 KM from Mangalore. The nearest railway station is Hassan at a distance of 40 KM.Number of buses and trains are available to Hassan from Bangalore and major cities of karnataka. 

Hornadu,karnataka.

 

 Hornadu Annapurneshwari Devi: 

Horanadu is a holy place for Hindus,in this place the goddess Annapurneshwari devi worshiped by all people of India.It is located in kalasa taluk of chikmangalur district of karnataka. The main statue of goddess The Annapoorneshwari was put in place by Adi shankaracharya. The main statue of Annapoorneshwari is made of gold.It is believed that a person who seeks the goddess blessings would never have any scarcity for food in life,by this the goddess in this temple called Annapoorneshwari Devi. Sringeri temple is located at a distance of 54 km from horanadu. In this Annapoorneshwari temple every day three vegetarian meals are provided to the people who visit the temple.

In the small town of Horanadu, there is a temple that is well-known for its revered Annapoorneeshwari Temple. This temple is dedicated to the Devi Durga, and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region.

Timings to enter into the Temple:

Horanadu is a place of great beauty and serenity. It's a famous tourist place where people come to pray and experience the true ecstasy of Hinduism. The temple is known for its revered Annapoorneeshwari Temple, which is dedicated to the Devi Durga. The temple is open to the public from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm every day.

The temple is carpeted with green paddy fields, and is flanked by a hilly backdrop. The town is known for its extensive collection of dry fruits, cashew nuts, and almonds, as well as its tea, coffee, and spice markets. All of this can be bought here at much cheaper rates than in the cities.

The temple has been around for centuries, and is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the region. Thousands of devotees visit the temple every year on the occasion of Navratri. During the winter months, the surrounding looks fresh and verdant, making it a perfect place to spend a winter day.

According to legends, this temple was established in the 8th century by Maharishi Agastya. Thousands of devotees visit Horanadu on the occasion of Navratri. Dedicated to Devi Durga, this nine-day festival is celebrated with fervour at the Annapurna Temple. 

The surrounding looks fresh and verdant during the winter months, and there is a chill in the air. On the way to Horanadu, you'll find Kukke Subrahmanya, Dharmasthala, Sringeri, Udupi Krishna temple and Kollooru Mookaambike. 

How to Reach Hornadu Temple?

Horanadu is well-connected with other major cities through roadways. It does not have an airport or railway station of its own. The nearest airport is Mangalore International at 120 km away. One can take a taxi to the airport from Horanadu. The nearest railway station is in Shimoga, 45 km away. Buses run from nearby major cities as well to take the tourists to Horanadu.

Sringeri, Karnataka.

Sringeri Sri Sharadamba Temple: 

Sringeri is a holy tourist place for Hindus,it is located on the river bank of tunga at sringeri taluk headquarters in chikmagalur district of Karnataka in India. Sringeri is also called Sri Kshethra,the goddess Sri Sharadamba worshipped by Hindus. It is the site of the first matha Dakshinamnaya Sri sharada peetham established by Adi Shankara charya.Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada established the first of the four Amnaya Peethams1 at Sringeri more than twelve centuries ago to foster the sacred tradition of Sanatana Dharma.According to tradition, Sri Adi Shankaracharya, the principal exponent of Advaita Vedanta, established four peethas in India to preserve and propagate Sanatana Dharma and Advaita Vedanta. These were Sringeri Sri Sharada Peetham (Karnataka) in the South, Dvaraka sharada peetham(Gujarat) in the West, Puri Govardan peetham (Odisha) in the East and Badri Jyotishpeeṭhaṃ (Uttarakhand) in the North.

Hallowed for all times by Sage Rishyasringa who stayed and performed Tapas here, Sringeri attracted the great Acharya with a remarkable sight.Tradition has it that after the Acharya had dispersed all the non-Vedic creeds prevailing in the country, He was on the look-out for a convenient and holy place where he could establish an institution to spread the truths of Advaita Vedanta. When Acharya came to Sringeri, he saw an unusual sight on the banks of the Tunga. A cobra was seen spreading out its hood over a frog in labor pains, to give it shadow from the scorching mid-day sun. Struck with the sanctity of the place, which could infuse love between natural adversaries, the Acharya chose this very location to establish His first Math.

People will be allowed into the temple from morning 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM and from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM to pray to the goddess Sri Sharada Matha. People will have to enter into the temple with Modest clothing. No shorts or sleeveless clothes.

Sri vidyashankar temple in sringeri, Karnataka.

Sri Sharada Peetham is located in Sringeri about 85 kilometers (53 mi) east of Udupi and 100 kilometers (62 mi) northeast from Mangalore across the Western Ghats, and about 335 kilometers (208 mi) west-northwest from the state capital, Bengaluru.Sringeri can be accessed from Bangalore and Mangalore via road.

You can reach Sringeri by road only,there is no train and air transportation.shivamogga is the nearest railway station at the distance of 95 KM and Mangalore at a distance of 120 KM.Buses are available from all the cities to Sringeri,Shimoga and Mangalore,you can choose any of these as your convenience.