Allahabad, MountAbu, Sarnath & Palitana

Tourist Attractions in Allahabad

With a strong and long historical, political and religious backdrop, Allahabad, one of the most favored tourist destinations in India, offers a number of tourist spots that are considered as some of the best tourist attractions in Allahabad. Located on the meeting point of the rivers Ganges and Yamuna, and offering a range of tourist attractions, it draws huge crowds every year. Witness to the visits by educational and political greats like Hiuen Tsang, Fa Hien, Harsha, Akbar, Dara Shikoh, Khusro and Queen Victoria, the city of Allahabad with a chequered past is in itself one of the greatest tourist attractions. The various tourist attractions in Allahabad are discussed as follows: Sangam Located approximately 7 km from Civil Lines, it is actually the confluence of three holy rivers-Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. It becomes a center of attraction for hundreds and thousands of religious travelers after every twelve years when it hosts the famous Kumbh Mela. It stands as one of the greatest tourist attractions on your tour to India. Allahabad Fort Built by Akbar in AD 1583, the Allahabad Fort exhibits fine depictions of art, design, architecture, and craftsmanship of the fort. Visitors are allowed to view the Ashoka Pillar, Saraswati Kup and Jodhabai Palace. Patalpuri Temple and Akshaya Vat Located inside the Allahabad Fort, this is actually an underground temple, alluding to associations with Lord Rama. The famous Akshaya Vat one of the most revered trees of the Hindus is also sited within the temple. Anand Bhawan The ancestral home of the Nehrus, the Anand Bhawan now houses a memorabilia of the Nehru-Gandhi family and one of the excellent museums of India. Swaraj Bhawan Located next to the Anand Bhawan, and built by Pt. Moti Lal Nehru, it is the house where the former Prime Minister of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi was born. Khusrau Bagh This huge garden houses the mausoleums of Khusrau, his sister, and his Rajput mother. Hanuman Mandir Located near the Allahabad Fort, it is famous for the image of the reclined position monkey-god Hanuman Allahabad Museum Situated near Chandra Shekhar Azad Park, the Allahabad Museum preserves the paintings of Nicholas Roerich, terracotta figurines, Rajasthani miniatures, coins and stone sculptures from the 2nd century BC till date. Weekend Trips/Excursions: Trips to tourist attractions around Allahabad can be equally rewarding. These options include Jhusi, Kaushambi, Bhita, Shringverpur, Kara, Upardaha Lake and the Tons River Aqueduct. Events and Festivals: The events and festivals of any city or town are some of the greatest tourist attractions and the Kumbh Mela is the prime north Indian festival. Held once every four years by turns, on the banks of holy rivers-the Godavari in Nasik, the Shipra in Ujjain, the Ganga in Haridwar and the Sangam in Allahabad. Several travelers, priests, saints and religious seekers visit this place every twelve years with an expectation of purgation and cleansing, medically and spiritually. The Magh Mela is another of the fairs celebrated in the month of February. Log on to www.touristplacesinindia.com which gives online information about Tourist Attractions, booking for India travel tours and tour packages on your tour to India

Tourist Attractions in Mount Abu

Set amidst lush surroundings of Aravali hills at an altitude of 1,220 m above the sea level, Mount Abu is the only hill station in the desert state of Rajasthan. It enjoys a cool and pleasant climate all round the year with temperatures hovering between 21°-33° C during summer and between 11°-28° C during winter, offering much-needed relief from the heat and dust of Rajasthan. Besides its exceptional scenic beauty, Mount Abu is also famous for its 11-13th century Hindu and Jain temples. Dilwara Jain Temples: The most famous tourist attraction in Mount Abu, the Dilwara temples were constructed between 11th and 13th centuries AD. Sacred to Jain, they are considered masterpieces of temple architecture. The Vimal Vasahi temple in the complex is worth mentioning as the temple took about 14 years to complete and is dedicated to Adinath, the first Jain tirthankaras. These beautifully carved temples in white marbles are dedicated to different tirthankaras. One can also see intricately carved images of female figures in dancing poses on some of the 48 pillars. Nakki Lake: Nakki Lake is a beautiful picnic spot in Mount Abu. According to the legend, the lake was created by a Hindu God using his nails, and so derives its name Nakki (nail) Lake. The lake offers breathtaking view of surrounding hills and offers ideal spot for boating. Guru Shikar: Guru Shikar is the highest peak of the Aravali range, located at about15 km northeast of Mount Abu. It's an important Hindu pilgrimage site, worth visiting on your Mount Abu Tour. Other famous attractions in Mount Abu include the Gaumukh Temple, which derives its name from a sculpted cow situated in the temple compound, Adhar Devi Temple and Shri Raghunathji Temple. Things to Do in Mount Abu Mount Abu offers an exciting range of leisure options to its visitors. You can enjoy sunset viewing, as Mount Abu offers spectacular views of the sunset. There are many sunset and honeymoon points in Mount Abu, offering a breathtaking view of sunset. You can also enjoy an exciting horse ride to explore various points in the hill station. A boat cruising in the lovely Nakki Lake is another not to be missed attraction in Mount Abu. You can also enjoy day trekking trips to nearby Shanti Shikhar (the peak of peace), Achalgarh (11 km) and Guru Shikhar (15 km), all of them offering breathtaking views of enchanting surroundings. The Mahavira Jayanti and the Summer Festival are other must enjoy attractions in Mount Abu. You can enjoy the traditional folk dances and melodious folk music of Mount Abu during festivals. Museums in Mount Abu: The museums in Mount Abu constitute the primary attraction of this place. They are an integral part of Indian culture. Some of the important Museums in Mount Abu are Archaeological Museum, Mount Abu and Brahma Kumaris Spiritual University and Museum, Mount Abu. Both of them are very important Tourist Attractions in Mount Abu. Monuments in Mount Abu: The Monuments in Mount Abu are vital Tourist Places in Mount Abu. These structures reflect admirable architectural skills and are manifestations of the power of the royal rulers of yore. Some of the Monuments in Mount Abu are Sunset Point, Mount Abu, Honeymoon Point, Mount Abu and The Crags, Mount Abu. Forts and Palaces in Mount Abu: The Forts and Monuments in Mount Abu are significant Tourist Attractions in Rajasthan India. Belonging to the ancient kings and queens, they have stood against the ravages of time. The Forts and Palaces also speak much of the ancient architecture of India, the culture and taste of the erstwhile kings and a display of their wealth. Some of the famous Forts and Palaces are Achalgarh Fort, Mount Abu, Sunrise Palace, Mount Abu and Kesar Bhawan Palace, Mount Abu. Gardens in Mount Abu: The Rajputs were great lovers of art and architecture. Not only did they adore the beauty of forts, palaces and museums, but they also had an aptitude for enhancing natural beauty by gardening and planting flowering plants. As a result many gardens enhanced the beauty of Rajasthan. The Gardens constitute great Tourist Attraction in Mount Abu Rajasthan. Some of them are Ashok Vatika, Mount Abu, Gandhi Park, Mount Abu and Terrace Garden, Mount Abu. Bazaars in Mount Abu: Tourists will definitely enjoy Shopping in the various bazaars of Mount Abu. The shops here are flooded with a variety of items.

Sarnath

About The City

Buddhists worldwide look upon India as the land of the Buddha and a visit to this country means a pilgrimage to those places sacred to the memory of the Enlightened One.      After the Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya he came to Sarnath. Here in the Deer Park, he delivered his first sermon, or in religious language, set in motion the Wheel of Law (Maha-Dharmachakra Pravartan.). On the day before his death Buddha included Sarnath along with Lumbini, Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar as the four places he thought to be sacred to his followers.       The Emperor Ashoka, who spread Lord Buddha’s message of love and compassion throughout his vast empire, visited Sarnath around 234 BC, and erected a stupa here. Several Buddhist structures were raised at Sarnath between the 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD, and today it presents the most expansive ruins amongst places on the Buddhist trail. Sarnath is 10 km from the holy city of Varanasi, and is an exceedingly tranquil place. The ruins, the museum and temple are all within walking distance.

Area : 2.80 sq. km. Altitude : 80.71 (1991 census) Season : October-March Clothing : Summer - Cottons; Winter - Woolens Language : Hindi and English Festivals : Buddha Purnima (Full Moon, April-May), Anniversary of First Sermon (Full Moon, July-August) Local Transport : Buses/Cycle-Rickshaws/Taxis STD Code : 0542

Place Of Interest

Chaukhandi Stupa Chaukhandi is the first monument one encounters as one enters Sarnath. It is a lofty mound of brick - work whose square edifice is surrounded by a Octagonal tower. Originally said to be built by Emperor Ashoka. Dhamek Stupa   The most remarkable structure at Sarnath, is the cylindrical Dhamek stupa, 28 mts. in diameter at the base and 43.6 mts. in height, built party of stone and partly of brick. The stone facing the lower part is adorned with delicate floral carvings of Gupta origin. Mulagandha Kuti Vihar This modern temple has been erected by the Mahabodhi Society. It has excellent Frescoes made by Kosetsu Nosu, Japan’s foremost painter and is a rich repository of Buddhist literature. The ancient Mulagandha Kuti Temple is among the brick ruins of Sarnath. Sarnath Museum Sarnath yielded a rich collection of Buddhist sculptures comprising numerous Buddha and Bodhisattva images. Considered amongst the finest specimens of Buddhist art, these have been housed at the museum, adjacent to the site. The museum is open from 10 AM to 5 PM, and closed on Fridays. Apart from the above the other objects of Interest at Sarnath are the Dharmrajika Stupa, magnificent Lion capital, India’s National Emblem at Sarnath Museum, the Saddharmachakra Vihar’s at excavated ruins.

Palitana

Top of Form Palitana Bottom of Form

Palitana General Information Population: 45000 Altitude: 182 metres Area: 13 square km Climate: 24 to 46 Degree Celsius in Summers and 17 to 38 degree Celsius in Winters Annual Rainfall: 580 mm Best season: November to March Information about Palitana Palitana is a sacred city of the Jains located about 215 km. from Ahmedabad and 51 kms southwest of Bhavnagar. It was the capital of a small princely

state founded by Shahji, a Gohel Rajput who belonged to the same clan as the Maharaja of Bhavnagar. Palitana is situated at an altitude of 182 metres and covers an area of 13 square km. Palitana is one of Jainism's holiest pilgrimage sites and gateway to the Shatrunjaya hill. Besides being a pilgrimage centre, Paliatana is also knowm for the horse-breeding. The best season to visit Palitana is from November to March.

Tourist Attractions in Palitana

The main tourist attraction in Palitana is the Shatrunjaya Hill.

Shatrunjaya Hill, Palitana The Shatrunjaya Hill is located at a height of 591 metres. The Shatrunjaya Temple is the most sacred temple of the Jains and one of the largest of its kind in India. One has to climb up the hill for about 4 kms (600 meters) on a stepped path to Shatrunjaya (place of victory over worldliness). You can reach this place either in Doli or lift chairs or by walking. The rich persons visit this place on richly caparisoned elephants. There are about 863 white marble Jain temples, built over 900 years on the hilltop, each with its own enclosure. There is a stunning view from the top of the hill and the air is filled with the scent of

the jasmine trees. On a clear day, you can also see the Gulf of Cambay. All the temples are enriched with gold, silver and jewels donated by rich merchants. According to local tradition, Adinatha, the first Jain Tirthankara, visited the hill several times and the first temple was erected by his son. Thereafter the emple builders could not stop. Jains believe that Pundarika, the chief disciple of Adinatha attained nirvana there. There are two series of temples strung along the two ridges of the hill with further temples in the hollow between linking them. All are surrounded by a tall battlement, erected for the defence. These fortifications

are called tuks and have created a series of nine enclosures, each with a central temple and various other minor temples. Most of the temples are named after their founders, nearly all the structures dating from the 16th century. Many of these temples were built in the 11th century but were destroyed by the Muslims in the 14th and 15th centuries. Later, Jains obtained religious toleration and began rebuilding. Approaching from the right, the first and finest temple that you will visit is dedicated to Shri Adishwar, one of the most important Jain Tirthankars. This temple is one of the most magnificent and sacred temple of the Jains community.

The Khartaravasi Tuk is the largest and highest of the temples along the north ridge and includes the Adinath or Chaumukh or four-faced temple. The Adinath temple is the biggest temple located on the hill. This temple was built by a wealthy merchant in 1618 to save his soul. This temple has an image of Adinath which face out in the four cardinal directions. There are quadruple Tirthankara images inside the sanctuary over which rises a slender tower. The Vallabhai temple with its finely clustered spires and the large Motisah temple occupy the middle ground between the ridges. The Vimalavasi Tuk occupies the west end of the sssssouth ridge. In it is the Adishvara Temple which dominates the site. It is similar in

layout to the Adinatha temple and has a double storey mandapa inside which is a large image of Rishabhanatha with crystal eyes and a gold crown of jewels. Other temples in the southern group are the Temples of Ramaji Gandharia and the Bhulavani which is a series of crypt like chambers each surmounted with a dome. The Hathiapol (Elephant gate) faces south east. On the top of the hill a Muslim shrine of Angar Pir is also located where the childless women offer tiny cradles in the hope of conceiving. Besides these, there are various other temples like Kumar Pal, Vimal Shah and Sampriti Raj, named after the wealthy Jain merchants.

Shopping in Palitana The local handicrafts are embroidery on sarees, dresses, purses, bags, wall hangings, metal engraving and diamond cutting. Local industries manufacture harmonium reeds and weighing scales. How to reach Palitana By Air: The nearest airport is located at Bhavnagar, about 56 kms from Palitana and has daily flights with Mumbai. By Rail: Palitana is on the metre gauge of the Western Railway and has a connection only with Bhavnagar. The nearest railway station connected with all parts of India is Ahmedabad. By Road: Palitana is connected by good motorable roads with Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Ahmedabad, Porbandar, Dwaraka, Gandhidham, Mumbai and Delhi.