Golden Temple, The Pool of Nectar, Hari Mandir Sahib

Whats This? Golden Temple also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib or Sri Darbar Sahib is the significant place of worship of the Sikhs and one of the oldest Sikh gurdwaras. The city of Amritsar was built around the Golden Temple and the Amrit Sarovar lake, from which it derives its name. Surrounded by a fortified wall with eighteen gates, the temple complex has its main north entrance under a Victorian clock tower known as the Darshani Deori. The entrance is up a flight of steps and down again to the temple and holy tank. Located in the city of Amritsar, it was established by Guru Ram Das, the fourth guru of the Sikhs and the city that it was built in, is also due to the shrine, known as "Guru Di Nagri" meaning city of the Sikh Guru.

Located Where? Amritsar is a big town with a population of about one million. It is a major trade centre.It is located in the Majha region of the Punjab. Majha is also known as the Bari Doab, since it is the Doab (Do = two, ab = rivers) or the (fluvial) tract of land which lies between two of the five great rivers of the province, the Ravi and the Beas. The temple is surrounded by a large Sarovar (manmade lake), known as the AmritSar (Lake of Holy Water or Immortal Nectar).

How do we Reach There? Sri Harmandir Sahib or Golden Temple is reachable by all major links. It is reachable by air, by road and by train. Amritsar has a major train junction operated by the Indian Railways and an international bus terminal operated by the Department of Transport, Punjab which is equipped with most modern amenities. The fastest way for international tourist to reach Harmandir Sahib would be to travel by air. The holy city has a modern airport called Raja Sansi International Airport and Guru Ram Das International Airport. The airport receives international flights from Europe, North America and Central Asia. Most major world cities including London, Tashkent and Toronto are also linked by air with Amritsar. The capital city of India, New Delhi is about 300 miles from Amritsar.

Best time to visit : The Golden Temple, and the city of Amritsar itself, are best visited in the winter. The months between November and March are pleasant (even cold), although the summer can get blisteringly hot.

Major Attractions: The Harmandir Sahib possesses a fine collection of jewellery and valuable articles of considerable artistic and historical importance:
GOLDEN DOOR PANELS - There are four pairs of them.

GOLDEN CANOPY - The canopy studded with precious jewels, is an object of exquisite workmanship and great artisitic value.

JEWELLED HEAD-BAND- It is a gift from Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It was prepared for the marriage of the son of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, at the time of marriage. The Maharaja presented it to the Harmandir Sahib.

Around Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) places that you can visit are:
AKAL TAKHAT: Built by the Sixth Master Guru Hargobind. A number of weapons used by Guru Hargobind, Guru Gobind Singh and other Sikh heroes are preserved at Akal Takhat

BABA ATAL: A nine-storeyed tower, built in memory of Atal Rai (D. 1628), son of Guru Hargobind, is called Baba Atal. Atal Rai died at nine. He was called 'Baba' (an old man) head over young shoulders. The tower was built between 1778 and 1784 & is 108 ft. height.

GURU KA LANGAR: Cooked food is serviced in the kitchen of the Golden Temple 24 hours to all visitors irrespective of religion, caste, creed and nationality. The expenses are met out of the Temple funds. Approximately 40,000 visitors share the meals everyday presently.

SRI GURU RAM DAS NIWAS: The Niwas is a free hostel for the pilgrims maintained by the Temple authorities. It has been built by the Gurdwara Committee. It has 228 rooms and 18 big halls. Unlike the ordinary 'Dharamsalas' (place to stay) the Niwas supplies the facilities of free beddings, cots, lights and fans etc. to the lodgers. A lodger is not generally allowed to stay here for more than three days at a time. The doors of the hostels are open to all.Other places where visitors can stay comfortably are Guru Nanak Niwas, Akal Rest House, Guru Hargobind Niwas, Gur Arjan Dev Niwas.

CENTRAL SIKH MUSEUM: Central Sikh Museum has paintings of Sikh Gurus, Saints, Sikh warriors and other prominent Sikh leaders who have contributed a lot to the enhancement of Sikh Religion.

The Jallianwala Bagh: is situated in the northern Indian city of Amritsar where, on April 13, 1919, British Indian Army soldiers under the command of Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer opened fire on an unarmed gathering of men, women and children. The firing lasted about 10 minutes and 1650 rounds were fired, or 33 rounds per soldier.Located at the outskirts of the Golden Temple the garden reminds one of the martyrs who lost their lives to bring India its freedom.

Wagah Border: Wagah is the only road border crossing between India and Pakistan, and lies on the Grand Trunk Road between the cities of Amritsar, India and Lahore, Pakistan. The Wagah border is a ceremonial border where each evening, there is a ceremony called 'lowering of the flags'. At that time there is very energetic and thrilling parade done by Border Security Force (B.S.F), India and Pakistan Rangers soldiers. It may seem slightly aggressive to foreigners, but it really is just entertainment for the crowds from both sides. Border officers from the two countries sometimes walk over to the offices on the other side for day to day affairs. A bus service operating within the partitioned state of Punjab between Amritsar and Lahore was started in 2004, as relations between the two countries improve.

Mosque at Fatehabad: With flowers as the motif, the mosque is built 40 kilometers away from the Golden Temple. It is immensely popular with the tourists for its brilliant architecture.

Summer place of Maharaja Ranjit Singh: If luxury is the word then it is synonymous to the summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The grandeur and the area of the palace bears testimony to the world of comfort that the Maharajas enjoyed during their reigns.

There are other places of interest as well that one can visit around the Golden Temple, they are:

Dukh Bhanjni Ber (Jujube Tree)
Thara Sahib
Ber Baba Budha Ji
Gurdwara llachi Ber
Ath Sath Tirath (Sixty eight holy places condensed into one)
Gurdwara Shaheed Bunga Baba Deep Singh

General Info / Tips: One can offer prayers at the Golden temple, take strolls in the surrounding lawns of the temple; listen to the enchantment of the hymns and devotional songs performed in the temple, can shop at the numerous stores surrounding the Golden Temple. Phulkaris (embroidered materials), woodcarvings, woolen garments, shoes and various food items are available at all the shopping corners of the city.

Vaishno Devi- A Religious Place to Visit

Hello friends,
Jai Mata Di!!

For a change let me take you all to religious places in India. The place today we shall know about is Vaishno Devi. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi is considered to fulfill anything and everything that a person wishes for in life, in a righteous way. It is an experience of all, that no one goes empty handed from Her Great Pilgrimage.The culmination of this journey is at the Holy Cave where She merged Her Human form with the astral form of Her creators, the three Supreme Energies. The holy cave shrine of Vaishno-Devi is situated in a beautiful recess of the Trikuta Mountains forming a part of the lower Himalayas as in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. There are images of three deities viz, the Mahakali, Maha-Lakshmi and Maha-Saraswati.

Whats This? Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji resides in a Holy Cave located in the folds of the three peaked mountain named Trikuta (pronounced as Trikoot). The Holy Cave attracts lakhs of devotees every year. In fact, the number of Yatris visiting the Holy Shrine annually now exceeds 5 million. This is due to the unflinching faith of the devotees who throng the Shrine from all parts of India and abroad.Darshans (to view the deity) are open round the clock throughout the year.

Located Where? Katra is 50 kms from Jammu. This small town serves as the base camp for visiting the famous shrine of Vaishnodeviji in the Trikuta Hills. The shrine is approachable on foot along a 12 kms long well laid foot-path. Every year, nearly 4 million pilgrims pass through Katra on their way to Vaishnodeviji. Accomodation is available in Tourist Bungalows, Yatrika and a number of private hotels, beside pilgrims ''sarais'. The Holy Cave of the Mother is situated at an altitude of 5200 ft. The Yatris have to undertake a trek of nearly 12 km from the base camp at Katra. Katra town is located at an altitude of nearly 2500 ft above sea level while the sanctum sanctorum is located at nearly 5200 ft. above sea level. There is obviously a significant temperature difference between the two locations.

How do we Reach There? In order to visit the Holy Shrine of Vaishno Devi, one has to reach Katra, a small town situated around 50 kms. from Jammu, the winter capital of the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Katra serves as the base camp for the yatra. Katra is well connected to Jammu and Jammu, in turn, is well connected to the rest of the country by Air, Rail, and Road. Jammu is well connected to the rest of India by air, rail & roads. Many superfast trains ply on the route and one can reach Jammu overnight from New Delhi. Passengers using Air or Rail as a mode of travel have necessarily to break their journey at Jammu and from thereon select an alternative mode of transport. However for passengers traveling by road, either through public or own transport, there is an option of taking a by-pass from Kunjwani, nearly 10 kms. off Jammu and heading straight for the base camp i.e Katra.

Best time to visit: The Yatra to the Holy Shrine is open throughout the year. The summer months of May, June and July and the festival period of Chaitra (spring) and Sharad-Ashwin (Autumn) Navratras and New Year vacations witness peak rush.Devotees have to often wait for 12-20 hours before having Darshan (to see the deity) during this time. Instead the monsoons and winters are good periods to plan a yatra. The winter months of December and January witness snow fall.

Clothing & Accessories: One needs to carry heavy woollen clothing during the winters. For the rest of the year, light woollens are needed. Even during hot summers, Katra turns hot and humid, the main Shrine area, known as Bhawan continues to remain on the cooler side especially in the nights. Blankets are available a plenty free of cost and there is no need to carry them. One may also need canvas shoes for the Yatra. For those going on foot, a walking stick is very helpful in negotiating the steep climbs. Umbrellas and rain coats are required during the rainy seasons. Shoes, cameras, walking sticks, torches, head bands, umbrellas and many more such articles for which a person may not be prepared beforehand are readily available on hire at various private shops all over Katra and also on the way to Holy Shrine. Rates as usual are negotiable.

Major Attractions:

Around Jammu you can visit the
Raghunath Temple: which is situated in the heart of the city and surrounded by a group of other temples, this temple dedicated to Lord Rama is outstanding and unique in Northern India.The inner walls of the main temple are covered with gold sheet on three sides.

Ranbireshwar Temple: Located on the Shalimar Road near the New Secretariat, and built by Maharaja Ranbir Singh in1883 AD, Ranbireshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It has one central 'Lingam' measuring seven and a half feet height (7.5 ft.) and twelve Shiva 'Lingams' of crystal measuring from 15 cms to 38 cms and galleries with thousands of Shiva 'Lingams' fixed on stone slabs.

Amarmahal: This is a beautiful palace of red sand stone which stands amidst the most picturesque environments of Jammu. There is beautiful view of the Shiwaliks at the north and the River Tawi flows down below adding to the Grandeur. This was once the residential palace of Raja Amar Singh the palace has been converted to a museum. The museum has a gallery of paintings known as NAL DAMYANTI. It has a library of around 25000 books on various subjects and disciplines. This is a beautiful spot to be visited round the year in Jammu. Hotel Hari Nivas Palace Hotel, a heritage Hotel is also located adjacent to this place.

Bahu Fort / Temple: 5 kms from Jammu city situated on a rock face on the left bank of the river Tawi, this is perhaps the oldest fort and edifice in the city. There is a temple dedicated to Goddess Kali inside the fort popularly known as Bave wali Mata.Today the fort is surrounded with beautiful terraced garden which is favourite picnic spot of the city folk. It has waterfalls, flowers and big trees.

Mansar Lake: is a beautiful lake fringed by forest-covered hills. Boating facilities are available on the spot. Every year around Baisakhi (April), a food and crafts festival is organised here by J&K Tourism.

Around Katra you can visit

Patni Top: 112 kms from Jammu, this famous hill resort is perched on a beautiful plateau, at an altitude of 2024 metres across which the Jammu-Srinagar Highway passes. Patnitop offers beautiful picnic spots, peaceful walks and breathtaking views of the mountainscape of the Chenab basin. In winter, the resort is generally covered with a thick mantle of snow thus providing opportunities for various snow games including skiing. It is the best developed tourist spot of Jammu. There are a large number of huts and Tourists Bunglows, all managed by J&K TDC. You can enjoy trekking (summer), skiing (winter), aero sports (May-June and Septemer-October are best suited for paragliding), boating here.

Batote: This place is on the National highway connecting Jammu and Srinagar,125 kms from Jammu situated at an altitude of 1560 metres on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. One can enjoy the beauty of Chenab gorge from this place, take long walks in deep jungles and enjoy the beauty of coniferous forests camping in the jungles, trek upto Sanasar and Patnitop.

Mantalaii: Situated a few kilometers further away from Sudh Mahadev, Mantalaii is surrounded by lush deodar forests, at an altitude of over 2000 metres. It is believed that Lord Shiva had got married to the Goddess Parvati here

Shiv Khori: There are many places of tourist and religious importance around Katra also. The devotees coming for the darshans of the deity can club their pilgrimage with a visit to these places. Shivkhori- the Holy Cave abode of Lord Shiva is situated at a distance of 70 Kms from Katra. The cave is a real wonder to be seen and measures nearly half a kilometer in length with a 4 feet high naturally formed Shiv-lingam at the heart of the Sanctum Sanctorum. The cave is in the shape of Lord Shiva's Damroo i.e. wide at the two ends while very congested at the center. You can observe natural milky water dripping from the top to the Shiv-Ling symbolizing the eternity of the holy river Ganga. The Shiv-Khori Shrine is well connected to Katra / Jammu by road.

Precautions :

1. Avoid resting near landslide prone areas.
2. Avoid carrying too much cash, jewelry and valuables. Take proper care whatever you carry and beware of pickpockets and petty thieves.
3. Don’t trust strangers with belongings. Deposit all excess baggage in the cloak rooms.
4. Don’t eat anything offered by strangers
5. Beware of suspicious persons and unclaimed articles and report about the same to the security personnel.
6. Obtain cash receipt for any cash paid at the Shrine Board outlets.
   Avoid using routes closed for repairs. This can prove extremely dangerous.
7. Yatries with high blood pressure or heart or asthamatic problems must seek clearance from their doctors before starting the journey.
8. Yatries with any kind of medical problems are strongly advised against using the stairs.

General Info / Tips:
All pilgrims without exception are required to register themselves before undertaking the Yatra. The task of registration is done by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board which is the only STATUTORY & LEGAL authority for the purpose. No other organization, private or public is authorized to issue the Yatra slip. The registration process is entirely FREE and is fully computerized. This process is carried out at the Yatra Registration Counter, popularly known as (YRC), situated at Bus stand, Katra. Under this, a visitor has to register his name along with the number of companions and he is issued a computerized Slip (Yatra slip/Parchi) which is the documentary permission for him to proceed on his journey to the main Shrine. He is required to cross the first Check Post located at Banganga (around 1.5 kilometers from the YRC) within 6 hours of the issue of the slip, failing which his slip is confiscated at the Check Post and he is required to take a fresh slip altogether.One Yatra Slip is issued for a maximum of 9 family members only.

Free Accomodation: For the convenience of the Yatries(Pilgrims), a number of halls have been provided at at Adhkuwari, Sanjichhat & Bhawan. These halls are available free of cost but their availability is on a first come first served basis. Pilgrims can also spend the night in these halls. Free accommodation is also made available at Katra in the Niharika complex. Accommodation in the form of sheds is also made available near the Yatra Parchi counter II (YRC-II), adjacent to the New Bus Stand (Bus Stand No. II ). Besides accommodation, blankets are also provided free of cost.

Rented Accomodation: For the benefit of the pilgrims, Vaishno Devi Shrine Board provides clean, well maintained and very economical accommodation. This accommodation is available at Jammu (at Vaishnavi Dham and Saraswati Dham near Railway Station), at Katra (at Niharika Yatri Niwas and Shakti Bhawan situated at the Bus stand) Katra.

1.Before proceeding for the trek, obtain a Yatra slip from Yatra Registration Counter, near bus stand Katra.The slip is issued free of cost. No one is allowed to proceed beyond Banganga check post without obtaining the Yatra slip.

2.In case you wish to avail of the facility of rented accommodation at Katra, Adkuwari, Sanjichhat or Bhawan, please get the room reservation done from the Enquiry and Reservation Counter at Niharika Complex (near the Bus Stand) Katra.

3.Kindly confirm the rates of the Porters, Ponies and Palanquins before hiring them and ensure that they carry a valid registration card. Note down their numbers before entrusting them with your valuables. Please do not pay more than the approved rates.

4.Video cameras, mobile phones and other electronic equipment are not allowed on the track. Please make arrangements for their safekeeping at Katra itself.

5.Travel light. Please leave all unnecessary clothes and luggage at Katra itself. Food, drink and blankets are freely available. There is no need to carry these items along.

6. Avoid loud dresses, vulgar language or offensive talk or gestures.

7. Consumption of liquor, intoxicants and non vegetarian food is strictly prohibited.

8.Video film shooting is prohibited enroute. Please leave your video cameras at Katra.

Jai Mata Di!!

Malaysia- Land of Glass Towers, Beaches, Mountains, National Parks

Hi Everyone,
After a long time, let me take you to a city of glass towers, beaches, mountains & national parks. A place where you will love to eat, relax & enjoy the serene beauty of nature.....Thats Malaysia for you......
Whats This? Malaysia- a land of glass towers, superb beaches, mountains and national parks in Asia. Its the most pleasant, hassle-free countries to visit in southeast Asia.

Located Where? Malaysia is one of the most pleasant, hassle-free countries to visit in southeast Asia. Malaysia lies entirely in the equatorial zone. Peninsular Malaysia forms part of the Sunda Shield. Its Triassic fold-mountain belt, the spine of the Peninsula, continues from eastern Burma through Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, the Banka and Billiton Islands, and eastwards into Indonesian Borneo.

How do we Reach There? Malaysia's main international airport is at Sepang, 75km (47mi) south of Kuala Lumpur. Most tourists either fly into Sepang or arrive overland from Thailand or Singapore. However, Penang also has international flights, and Kuching in Sarawak and Tawau in Sabah have flights to/from Kalimantan. Departure tax (around US$40.00 ) will be included in the ticket price. Malaysian Airline System (MAS) and Air Asia are the main domestic airlines, servicing both the peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak. It's cheaper to fly to East Malaysia from Johor Bahru than from KL

Best time to visit: It's hot and humid year-round in Malaysia with temperatures rarely dropping below 20°C (68°F), even at night, and usually climbing to 30°C (86°F) or more during the day. It's best to avoid the November to January rainy season on peninsular Malaysia's east coast if you want to enjoy the beaches.

Major Attractions :

Batu Caves (Ipoh Road): Just north of Kuala Lumpur is the impressive Batu Caves. A flight of 272 steps leads up to Temple Cave. Beyond the towering main cavern, the space opens to an atrium-like cave at the rear. Many visitors are more spellbound by the monkeys that scale the vertical cliff faces than by the shrines which are dwarfed by the scale of the cave. The whole spectacle has been enhanced of late by an enormous golden statue of Muruga, also known as Lord Subramaniam, to whom the caves are dedicated. Each year in late January or early February up to a million pilgrims visit here during the three days of Thaipusam.

Lake Gardens (JIn Parlimen, Lake Gardens district, Kuala Lumpur): These 92ha (227ac) of manicured gardens lie west of Merdeka Sq and were once home to the ranking British official. There's a butterfly park, planetarium, insect museum, walk-in aviary, orchid garden and hibiscus garden. You can also hire boats on Tasik Perdana (Premier Lake).

Sepilok Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Centre (Sepilok ): One of only four orang-utan sanctuaries in the world, Sepilok is among Sabah's top tourist attractions - so much so that the atmosphere can be a bit like a circus or a zoo. A visit to Sepilok can be a memorable experience. "Orang Utan" which means "man of the forest" in Malaysian.

Taman Negara National Park (Three boats daily from Kuala Tembeling to Kuala Tahan): This magnificent wild area is a haven for endangered species such as elephants, tigers, leopards and rhinos, but numbers are low and sightings of anything more exotic than snakes, lizards, monkeys, small deer, and perhaps tapir, are rare. Traditionally, the park was only accessible by river. These days there's a road, but the boat trip is still recommended for the full Taman Negara experience.The jungle at Taman Negara is dense but sightings are never guaranteed. The jungle here is claimed to be the oldest in the world none of the Ice Ages had any effect here.

Kuala Lumpur (KL): is an intriguing mix of architecture throughout the city; elegant colonial buildings contrast with soaring modern edifices such as the twin Petronas Towers. Its a bustling metropolis with one of the world's tallest buildings. KL is hot and humid almost all the time with overnight lows rarely sinking below 20°C (70°F) and maximums rising above 30°C (86°F) on most days.Rainfall is variable and falls all year round.

The major attractions in KL are Aquaria KLCC, Badan Warisan Malaysia, Bazaar Baru Market, Buddhist Maha Vihar, Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, Butterfly Reserve, Chan She Shu Yuen Temple, Choon Wan Kong, Chulan Tower, Civil Service Memorial, Cosmo's World, Deer Park, Dharma Realm Guan Yin Sagely Monastery, Galeri Petronas.

The famous places to shop around in KL are Avenue K, Ayurvedium, Bangsar Village I & II, Berjaya Times Square, Central Market, Chow Kit Clothes Market, Curve, Dive Station, Escentials, Imbi Plaza.

The numerous night markets scattered around the city are crowded and atmospheric. On the west of Kuala Lumpur you can find Actors Studio Bangsar famous for theatre & comedy, the Chinese Assembly Hall famous for traditional theatre, performance, music, Dewan Filharmonik Petronas famous for classical music jazz/blues traditional music, and Digi Imax Theatre for cinema. For enjoying bars you can visit the Bar Flam, Bar Upstairs, Beach Club Café, Bed, Black Hole, Blue Boy, Ceylon Bar, Chinatown Liquor Shop.

Melaka City: One of Malaysia's most sought after destinations, is the small city-state of Melaka. The temperature in Melaka ranges from 21°C (70°F) to 33°C (91°F) and average humidity exceeds 82%. There is rain throughout the year, with September to November the wettest months.Melaka is 144km (89mi) from Kuala Lumpur and just 94km (58mi) from Port Dickson. Most travellers arrive and depart from Melaka overland, as the airport outside town does not handle domestic flights. Melaka is easy to navigate and compact enough to explore on foot, bicycle or trishaw (bicycle rickshaw).Taking to Melaka's streets by trishaw is a popular tourist option. Melaka's airport is at Batu Berendam. The famous places to visit here are Baba-Nonya Heritage Museum, St Paul's Church a religious/spiritual cemetery hill , Stadthuys a government museum.

Penang's: sprawling main centre, Georgetown, has impressive colonial architecture, temples, lively Chinese culture, great shopping and even better food. Penang is well known for being the "food paradise" of Malaysia & has a tropical climate, with incredibly consistent temperatures year-round. Average monthly highs range from 30°C to 31°C (86-88°F) for the whole year; average monthly lows are between 23°C and 24°C (74-75°F). Penang's mainland strip of Seberang Perai is easily accessed by road and rail from other parts of the peninsula. Butterworth is the transport hub and the departure point for ferries to Pulau Penang, which is also linked to the mainland by road-bridgeThe famous places here to visit are Alpha Utara Gallery an art gallery, Khoo Kongsi, Kek Lok Si Temple, Snake Temple, & Penang Hill.

Precautions: The islands and coastal areas of Eastern Sabah are considered very dangerous for foreigners, who are at high risk of being kidnapped by terrorist groups.

General Info / Tips: The Official language spoken here is Malay.Currency- Name -Malaysian Ringgit, Symbol -RM

A trip to Paradise- Maldives

Hello friends, once again, i shall take you to the magnificent white beaches,swaying palm trees, turquoise lagoons, 'the last paradise on earth', a pristine, tranquil tropical island- Maldives.

Whats This? A tropical island basking in year-round sunshine, surrounded by sparkling white, palm-fringed beaches and turquoise seas, sun, sand and massive lagoons with different depths and infinite shades of blue and turquoise, dazzling underwater coral gardens, an ideal tropical holiday destination is what Maldives famous for. The capital of Maldives is Malé, the centre of trade, commerce, business, health and education.

Located Where? Maldives is Southwest of Sri Lanka, on the equator. The Maldives is forty five minutes from Colombo, three hours from Dubai, four hours from Singapore and thirteen hours from London.

How do we Reach There? Regular flights connect the Maldives to Colombo (Sri Lanka), Thrivandrum (southwest India), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), and there are numerous charter flights from European centres in the peak season. Malé International Airport named Hulule International Airport is about 15 minutes’ boat ride from the capital. - Hulule Island is 2km (1.2 miles) from Malé (travel time by boat – 15 minutes). Boats from the various island resorts meet each arriving plane to take visitors to their accommodation.

Best time to visit : Climate here is generally warm and humid. Sun shines all year through. Average temperature around 29 - 32 degrees Celsius.T-shirts and cotton clothing are most suitable to be worn. The hottest month on average is April and the coolest, December. February is the driest with January to April being relatively dry, May and October records the highest average monthly rainfall. The southwest monsoon from May to September is the wet season. If you're looking for a few extra hours of sunshine then you should visit the Maldives between December and April. The Christmas-New Year period is the busiest and most expensive part of the high season, when many of the all-inclusive package tourists arrive from Europe and America.

Major Attractions : A variety of life underwater have fascinated divers and snorkellers since Maldives was discovered as a diving destination. Diving, snorkeling, surfing, wide range of water sports, world-class spas are the major attractions of Maldives.

Malé – the capital: The Islamic Centre is not only the most famous architectural landmark in Malé, but also houses one of the biggest and finest mosques in the Southeast Asian region.

The Hukuru Miskiy (Friday Mosque): built in 1656 is another fascinating monument that is an essential stop on any tour of Malé. All the walls in the mosque are built with coral stones intricately carved with Arabic calligraphy and ornamental patterns; the roof, window frames and doors made of different kinds of wood such as teak, sandalwood and redwood.

Medhu Ziyaaraiy: is the shrine of Abu-al Barakath Yusuf al Barbaree – the Moroccan scholar believed to be responsible for the advent of Islam in the Maldives in 1153 AD; and is also a must-see monument.

Mulee-aage: next to the Medhu Ziyaaraiy was originally built by Sultan Shamsudheen III for his son just before the First World War.

Dive Sites:

"Lion's Head": is a protected marine park situated in a channel. Subject to strong currents, this deep wall reef boasts many exciting overhangs and forms the perfect environment for a large variety of fish, tunas, sharks and turtles, magnificent sponges and some very pretty hard and soft corals covering the reef.

"Kudu": is a protected marine sanctuary shaped like a two-humped camel's back.

"Girifushi Thila": is one of the best known and most beautiful dive sites on this island nation.

"Middle Point": is situated in the middle of the Tamburudhu channel and offers a drift dive for the experienced and adventurous. It rises from 100 meters below the sea to ten. When commencing your dive you will jump into the deep blue of the ocean.

Nassimo Thila:This dive takes place in the spectacular Bodu Kalki channel. "Nassimo Thila" is a large reef with imposing reef pillars standing proudly at a height of 40 meters.

Okobe Thila:The "Okobe" marine reserve is one of the most awe-inspiring dive sites in the Maldives, a small thila consisting of three large rock formations.

Rasfari: is a spectacular outer reef in the North Male Atoll.

Sunlight Thila: is a formation of two small reefs that attract giant manta rays between March and October, when the winds from the south carry a large amount of plankton to this area.

"Banana Reef": is a very well known dive site in the Maldives - one of the first, one of the best and one of the more treacherous due to strong currents.

The "Maldives Victory": is a 110-meter long cargo vessel that sank in February 1981. Diving here takes you 12 meters down a rope to the ship's main deck, where you will be sheltered from the strong currents.

Fish Head: Also called Mushimasmingali Thila, this is one of the world's most famous dive sites. Its steep sides are spectacular, with multi-level ledges, overhangs and caves supporting sea fans, anemones and black corals.

National Museum: Many of the National Museum's exhibits are things once owned by local sultans. Some of the fabrics are beautiful, especially the rich brocades. Weapons include bonthi sticks, which were used in martial arts. Especially interesting are the pre-Islamic stone carvings collected by Thor Heyerdahl and others from sites all over the country.

Snorkelling:
For those who would love to see the underwater but hesitate to take the deep plunge, snorkeling is a wonderful alternative.The lagoons of Maldives are so clear that with just a snorkel mask and fin you can be witness to the activities of the many different species of fish and fauna on the unique Maldivian reefs. You are guaranteed to encounter playful fish and rare corals even on the resorts’ house reefs and perhaps a turtle or some other curious creatures too if you are lucky.

Surfing:

The best time to surf in the Maldives is from April to October, with the biggest swells likely to occur in June-September. Due to the monsoonal winds from the Indian subcontinent and the swell generated from the south, the conditions during these months are predominantly off-shore all day. There are two major surf areas in the Maldives – the North Malé Atoll (April – October) and the Outer Atolls (February – April).

Water Sports: The most popular among water sports are snorkeling, windsurfing and catamaran sailing. Among other popular water sports activities are parasailing, kayaking, kite-surfing, water-skiing and jet skiing.

Island Hopping: An ‘island-hopping’ excursion would take you to another resort, an uninhabited island and an inhabited island all in a day-tour designed to give you a taste of the country. You would also get the opportunity to snorkel in the clear waters of a desert island and experience a barbecue on the beach.

Sea Plane Tours: The sea plane companies operating in the Maldives offers spectacular flights over the atolls – perfect for photo trips, sight seeing, aerial photography that allows one to capture the natural beauty of the Maldives as seen from above; or just plain enjoyment.

Precautions : Bikinis and other scanty beachwear are not acceptable in Malé or on any other inhabited island.

General Info / Tips: Maldives Tourism Promotion Board has an information counter setup for ease of the tourists visiting the Maldives. Especially those who are Free Independent Travelers or FITs. Any information including Maldives, hotels and rates will be provided by the MTPB staff at the counter. A ferry service is available from the airport island to the capital around the clock. Set charge per person for the ferry service is USD 1/- during normal operating hours and a charge of USD 2/- per person at midnight.Since the airport island is geographically separate from the capital the only means of transport to the capital is by sea. Maldivian Air Taxi and Trans Maldivian Airways operate special air transfer trips to most of the resorts.

Visa Requirements: No prior visa is required to enter the Republic of Maldives. Entry permit will be granted to visitors on arrival at designated ports of entry, based on the immigration requirements. Visitors of all nationalities in possession of the following would be granted entry into the Maldives:
A valid international travel document issued by a sovereign state’s government.
A valid return air ticket and necessary visas to a destination where the passenger has permission to.

A minimum of US$30.00 per person per day or confirmed hotel reservation for the intended period of stay in the Maldives.

Departure tax: None if airport tax has been paid before; otherwise, US$12.

Currency: The Maldivian currency is the Rufiyaa and Laaree. The exchange rate for US Dollar at the time of writing is MRf.11.82 for the dollar. One Rufiyaa is equivalent to 100 laarees. Rufiyaa bank notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500. Coins are in the denominations of MRf.2.00, MRf.1.00, 50 laarees, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 laaree. The US Dollar is the most commonly used foreign currency.

Languages Spoken: Dhivehi is the language spoken in all parts of the Maldives. English is widely spoken by Maldivians. English, German, French, Italian and Japanese are a variety of other languages spoken.

Local Time: GMT + 5 hours. The Maldives is 5 hours ahead of the GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)

City of Dreams - Mumbai (Bombay)

Let me take you to the 'City of Dreams', Mumbai (Bombay)- the glamour of Bollywood cinema, shopping malls, families eating bhelpuri on the beach at Chowpatty, red double-decker buses, a city with vibrant streetlife, India's best nightlife, and a wealth of bazaars.

Located Where? Mumbai is located on Salsette Island which lies at the mouth of Ulhas River off the western coast of India in the coastal region known as the Konkan. Most of Mumbai is at sea level and the average elevation ranges from 10 to 15 metres.

How do we Reach There? By Air - Mumbai has a vast infrastructure of rail, road & airways. It has the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (Sahar) and the domestic terminal (Santa Cruz) are 30km (19mi) and 26km (16mi) respectively from downtown Mumbai.

By Rail - Two railway systems operate out of Mumbai. Central Railways handles services to the east and south, plus a few trains to the north. Western Railways has services to the north from Churchgate and Central stations. Trains travel frequently between Mumbai and Agra, Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Kochi, Pune and Varanasi.The local railway that runs inside the city is one of the dependable ways of communication.

Best time to visit : The best time to explore Mumbai is between the months of September and April, when the weather is relatively dry and cool. The monsoon season begins from June to September. January is the coolest month, though 12°C (53°F) is about as low as it goes. March and October tend to swelter, with temperatures rising as high as 38°C (100°F). Extreme climate, from April to mid-June falling to almost freezing at night in winter, between November and February. Summers are hot with monsoons between June and September. The climate is pleasant between October and March, blast-furnace hot between April and June, and dripping with humidity between July and September.
Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens in summer with warmer clothes in winter and on cooler evenings. Waterproofing is essential during monsoons. Monsoon rains occur in most regions in summer between June and September.

Major Attractions : Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (Prince of Wales Museum) near Kalaghoda- Mumbai's biggest and best museum displaying a mixed bag of dusty exhibits from all over India. Opened in 1923 to commemorate King George V's first visit to India (back in 1905, while he was still Prince of Wales), the vast collection inside includes impressive Hindu and Buddhist sculpture, terracotta figurines from the Indus Valley, miniature paintings, porcelain and some particularly vicious weaponry. You can take advantage of the free, multilanguage audio guides as not everything is labelled.

Chowpatty Beach in Charni Road- A favourite spot for full experience by strolling through the many beachside stalls for some bhelpuri or a head massage. The water is not the cleanest but the beach is litter-free, patrolled by lifeguards and lit up at night. Visiting Chowpatty in the evening is an essential part of any trip to Mumbai.

Marine Drive (Chowpatty)- is one Mumbai's most popular promenades and sunset-watching spots. It's twinkling night-time lights earned it the nickname 'the Queen's Necklace'.Chowpatty Beach remains a favourite evening spot for courting couples, families, political rallies and anyone out to enjoy what passes for fresh air. Eating an evening time bhelpuri at the throng of stalls found here is an essential part of the Mumbai experience.

Colaba (Churchgate)- a bustling district packed with street stalls, markets, bars and budget to midrange lodgings. While you're here, it's worth popping into the 1847 Church of St John the Evangelist, known as the Afghan Church. Nearby Colaba Market (Lala Nigam St) has plenty of activity and colour and is lined with jewellery shops and fruit and veg stalls.

Gateway of India (Colaba, Churchgate)- was built to commemorate the 1911 royal visit of King George V. The gateway is a favourite gathering spot for locals and a top spot for people-watching. Boats depart from the gateway's wharfs for Elephanta Island and Mandwa. You can also take a joy-ride on the boat for a local trip round the gateway. You can see the famous Taj Mahal hotel opposite the gateway of India. Here you can ride in a Victoria - one of the horse-drawn gilded carriages known as Ghoda-Gaadi in the local language. Some distance away is the Fashion Street where you can bargain for some fashionable & trendy day to day clothes, jewellery, shoes.

Elephanta Island (by boat from Gateway of India) - Every day except Monday, tourist boats head out from the Gateway of India to this magnificent island, home to the most famous cave temples in Maharashtra. Carved into the solid rock of the island are a series of ornate Shaivite temples, covered in ornate carvings of Hindu deities.
The centrepiece of the complex is a monumental statue of Mahesh Murti, depicting Shiva as the creator, preserver and destroyer of the universe.Boats to Elephanta leave the Gateway of India regularly between 09:00 and 14:30 and the fare is around Rs90.00 on an economy boat or Rs110.00 on a deluxe boat. The last return service from Elephanta leaves around 17:30 . On the way, check out the giant freighters in Mumbai Harbour. The Elephanta Festival is a classical dance and music event on Elephanta Island. One can give a visit as an excursion trip just few kilometers away from the beach. This festival is usually held in the month February.

Museum Ship Vikrant (Mumbai Harbour)- Built in 1945 and bought by the Indian Navy in 1957, the massive aircraft carrier INS Vikrant now serves as a fascinating museum. Admission includes the ferry ride out to the ship, then a walk through the various quarters, the hold (displaying diving bells, submarines and various aircraft) and finally the enormous deck with take-off and landing strip. Tickets are available from the booking offices near the Gateway.

Jehangir Art Gallery (MG Rd, Kala Ghoda)- The Jehangir Art Gallery is one of Mumbai's principal commercial galleries, hosting interesting weekly shows by Indian artists; most works are for sale. Rows of hopeful local artists often display their work on the pavement outside this gallery.

Haji Ali Mosque (Mahalaxmi)- Floating like a sacred mirage off the coast, the Haji Ali Mosque is one of Mumbai's most striking shrines. Built in the 19th century, it contains the tomb of the Muslim saint Haji - legend has it that Haji Ali died while on a pilgrimage to Mecca and his casket miraculously floated back to this spot.

Mahalaxmi Racecourse (Mahalaxmi)- Mumbai's horse-racing season runs from November to the end of April. Races are held on Sunday and Thursday afternoons (Saturday and Sunday towards the end of the season) at Mahalaxmi Racecourse. Big races, such as the Indian Derby in February, are major social occasions.

Kamala Nehru Park- At the top of Mumbai's Malabar Hill where the elite have built their plush modern palaces is Kamala Nehru Park, the hangout of the bourgeois middle class. It has little to offer by way of entertainment, apart from a "Old Woman's Shoe" relegated to a distant corner, but the view of the city is spectacular and unmissable. Its a vantage point that casts a proud eye on the entire city.

Hanging Gardens- Perched at the top of Malabar Hill, on its western side, just opposite the Kamala Nehru Park, these terraced gardens, also known as Ferozeshah Mehta Gardens, provide lovely sunset views over the Arabian Sea. The park was laid out in the early 1880s over Bombay's main reservoir, some say to cover the water from the potentially contaminating activity of the nearby Towers of Silence.

Mumbai Zoo (Byculla)- The Mumbai Zoo is remarkably well-maintained. The animals are a little few and far between, with the few local species in large cages including crocs, elephants, rhinos and a few bored lions. There's a small playground, and it's generally a popular place for families and couples to meander.

Nehru Centre & Nehru Planetarium (Dr Annie Besant Rd, Worli)- The most striking thing about the Nehru Centre & Nehru Planetarium cultural complex, which includes a decent planetarium and the serpentine-but-interesting history exhibition Discovery of India is the bold modern architecture of the buildings. The tower looks like a giant cylindrical pineapple, the planetarium a UFO. There's also a theatre here.

�Juhu Beach (Santacruz)- Like Chowpatty, uptown Juhu Beach is also a bourgeois paradise, filled to the gills with screaming children, courting couples and rowdy adolescents. If you want a more fancy excursion, however, retreat behind Juhu's many five star hotels, for a steaming cup of coffee and a splendid view of the coast. The most popular of these beachfront hotels are the Sun and Sand and Holiday Inn. The government run Juhu Centaur also has a 24 hour coffee shop with a view of the sea. You can also visit the Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple (Iskon temple) which is closeby & famous for the Radha-Krishna sculpture.

Esselworld (Borivili)- This is Mumbai's only international-style theme park and amusement centre situated close to Gorai Beach. Special ferries get you across to the park and the entrance fee normally takes care of a fixed number of rides. These include the standard roller coaster and adventure themes, plus a water world section where kids can literally run amok. Summer is usually crowded, but the place also offers low budget monsoon packages and special deals on weekends. Check these out before you go. The famous Waterkingdom (waterpark) is also just besides the Esselworld. You can chose to go between the two.

Precautions : Make sure you book your hotels with reputed travel agents, keeping one's ears and eyes wide open while roaming in an unknown place always pays. It is advisable to keep the belongings well locked and should not left behind carelessly.

People are encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, remain aware of their surroundings, monitor local news reports, avoid crowded places, and take appropriate steps to bolster their personal security. It is highly advised to avoid the beaches for swimming and having sunbath. Visitors should be dressed decently. Avoid littering the beaches or polluting the sea.

General Info / Tips: Local roadside fast food in Mumbai includes vada pav, panipuri, paav bhaji, bhelpuri and golaas a must-have.

Festivals and celebrations are observed by residents of all communities and religions. Diwali, Holi, Christmas, Navratri, Good Friday, Dussera, Moharram, Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Puja and Maha Shivratri are some of the most popular festivals in the city. The local language spoken is Marathi.

Mumbai is well connected to most parts of India by the Indian Railways. Trains originate from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Dadar, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Mumbai Central, Bandra terminus and Andheri. Mumbai's suburban rail systems carry a total of 6.3 million passengers every day.Most of Mumbai's inhabitants rely on public transport to travel to and from their workplace. Transport systems in Mumbai include the Mumbai Suburban Railway, BEST buses, taxis, auto rickshaws and ferries.

Bollywood is the nickname for the Indian film industry located in Bombay (now known as Mumbai, though Mollywood hasn't quite caught on.) Indians are in love with movies. Mumbai (Bollywood) leads India in film production, its specialty lies with Hindi movies. Bollywood films are being shown in American and British theaters on a more and more frequent basis. These theaters have become community foci for the South Asian communities around the world. Bollywood's film production center is a government-owned studio facility known as "Film City" in the northern suburbs of Mumbai. Bollywood traces its start to 1911 when the first silent Indian feature film was released by D.P. Phalke. The industry boomed and today there are over 250 theaters in Mumbai alone.

Backwaters of Kerala - Gods own Country

Hi friends, let me take you to a world of serenity and wonderment --the backwaters in Kerala. The backwaters of Kerala have a unique ecosystem - freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea in the backwaters in Kerala. Many unique species of aquatic life including crabs, frogs and mudskippers, water birds such as terns, kingfishers, darters and cormorants, and animals such as otters and turtles live in and alongside the backwaters in Kerala. Palm trees, pandanus shrubs, various leafy plants and bushes grow alongside the Kerala backwaters.
What’s This? The backwaters of Kerala are a series of interconnected waterways, lakes, inlets and riverine estuaries that form an intermeshed network along the coast of Kerala, India. The local people here, travel on these waters & carry out their traditional occupations. Backwater cruises in Kerala are carried out on large converted traditional boats. These boats called "Kettuvalloms are Converted to accommodate tourists, the houseboats have a sleeping area, with toilets, a dining area and a sit out on the deck.

You can rest at ease on a houseboat at night and observe the beautiful countryside while sitting on the deck during the day. Food is cooked on board. On Backwater cruises in Kerala with Kerala Backwater, you can have a relaxing time seeing the birds and aquatic life along the banks of the Kerala backwaters.
Located Where? The Kerala backwaters lie parallel to the Arabian sea coast (known as the Malabar Coast) of Kerala state in southern India. Kerala has over 900 Km of interconnected waterways, rivers, lakes and inlets that make up the Kerala backwaters. In the midst of this beautiful landscape there are a number of towns and cities, which are the starting and end points of Kerala backwater cruises.
Cruising along the backwaters of Kerala is an ideal way to discover the real Kerala.t
Some of the scenic Kerala backwater destinations that you can see on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater are:
Cochin: This historic port city called "the Queen of the Arabian Sea," is the starting point for many Kerala backwater cruises & is known for its natural harbour.
Alappuzha: This Kerala Backwater destination is also known as the "Venice of the East," because of its surrounding waterways and canals. Alappuzha, previously known as Alleppey, is famous for the annual Nehru Trophy Snake Boat race held here every year, around the festival of Onam.
Kasargod: Kasargod a town in North Kerala is known for the Valiyaparamba stretch of backwaters, an incredibly beautiful and green corridor along the coast of Kerala.
Kollam: Situated just over 70 Km from the capital of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam is an ancient seaport on the banks of the Ashtamudi Lake. The cruise from Kollam to Alappuzha, which lasts eight hours, is a magical ride along the scenic backwaters of Kerala.
Kottayam: Kottayam in Kerala is known for its fascinating backwaters on the seacoast and beautiful hills further inland.
Kozhikode : Kozhikode in North Kerala, is an important port, previously known as Calicut. Calico - a variety of checked cotton cloth derives its name from Calicut.
Kumarakom: Situated in the beautiful Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a paradise on Earth. The bird sanctuary, the scenic beauty make Kumarakom one of the most sought after Kerala Backwater destinations.
Kuttanad: Known as the "Ricebowl of Kerala" Kuttanad brings to mind images of verdant paddy fields.
Thiruvallam: is a beautiful backwater destination at the conjunction of two rivers - the Killi and the Karamana and near the scenic Veli Lagoon.
Thiruvananthapuram: The capital of Kerala, previously known as Trivandrum, is a starting point for the tour of Kerala Backwater Destinations. Thiruvananthapuram is also known for its museums, Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple and proximity to the beautiful Kovalam Beach.

One of the major attractions of Kerala is its Beaches. Some of the popular beaches in Kerala are- Kappad, Kovalam, Varkala, Marari, Alappuzha, Beypore, Dharmadam, Ezhimala, Thangassery, Kochi,Meenkunnu,Mappila, Muzhappilangad, Pathiramanal, Payyambalam, Shanghumugham,Tanur, Vizhinjam.rala is an ideal way to discover the real Kerala
How do we Reach Kerala? Kerala is a major tourist destination in India and is well connected with other parts of the country. There are three airports in the state –
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport- Domestic flights (direct): From/To: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore,Chennai International flights (direct): From/To: Colombo, Maldives, Dubai, Sharjah, Bahrain, Doha, Ras-al-Khaimah, Kuwait, Riyadh, Fujairah and Singapore.
Thiruvananthapuram is also an international airport, connecting the state to many places in India and the world.

Kochi International Airport, Nedumbassery- Domestic flights (direct): From/To: Mumbai,Chennai,Goa,Agathi,BangaloreInternational flights (direct): From/To: Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Riyadh, Muscat

Karipur Airport, Kozhikode- Domestic flights (direct): From/To: Mumbai, Chennai, Goa,Agathi,Bangalore
International flights (direct): From/To: Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Riyadh, Muscat
RAIL:
There are around 200 railway stations in Kerala connecting most of the places in the state to places in the other parts of India and inside the state. Long-distance express trains connect important places in the state to places outside Kerala like Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata.
Road: An extensive network of metalled roads connects most of the places in the state. National highways 47, 17, and 49 connect Kerala with other parts of India.

Best time to visit: The ideal time to visit Kerala, then the best time to visit Kerala would be in the months of October to March.
General Info/ Tips:
Travel-Wear Cotton outfits, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion etc
Currency Indian Rupee (INR)
Ayurvedic-Treatment If you wish to undergo Ayurvedic treatment, it is very important to ensure that you go to an authorised centre.
Wildlife-Sanctuaries To visit a wildlife sanctuary, prior permission has to be taken from the concerned authority of the sanctuary.

KERALA AYURVEDA
Kerala's equable climate, natural abundance of forests (with a wealth of herbs and medicinal plants), and the cool monsoon season (June - November) are best suited for Ayurveda's curative and restorative programs. Today Kerala is the only state in India , which practices this system of medicine with absolute dedication.
Ayurveda, the 5000-year-old natural herbal health care system has been recognized the world over as the most perfected body-mind health care system. Ayurveda, a holistic system of medicine that is rejuvenative and therapeutic, is widely practiced in India. Kerala is well known as the heart land of Ayurveda.
Ayurveda is more effective in monsoon season as the atmosphere remains dust free and cool, opening the body pores to maximum, making it more receptive to herbal oils and therapy.