Anantgiri Hills : Hyderabad (Andra Pradesh )

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Anantagiri is also famous as summer resort place. Anantagiri in Andhra Pradesh is sure to sweep every tourist off the feet with its natural beauty and beautiful hill resort. Nature lovers and tourists are attracted by unchallenged beauty of this place. The journey from Visakhapatnam to Anantagiri offers unforgettable vistas ranging from thick forests to scintillating sunrise and sunset. The hill resort of Anantagiri is perfect retreat to the blistering summer months.

Sightseeing
The Anantagiri hills is filled with gorguous sights and smells that attract tourists.The entire Anantagiri Hills has a lot of vintage viewpoints that offer enthralling views that will capture your heart. Amongst the variety of flora in the forests of Anantagiri are many medicinal plants and herbs which is used by patients.
Several swift streams flow through Anantagiri though it is the river Musi or Muchkunda that originates from Anantagiri.The coffee plantations offers an enthralling sight at Anantagiri. The wonderful waterfalls, ravishing ravines and the gorgeous gorges that dot Anantagiri add to the unforgettable memories of the tourists. There are many mango groves and orchades which wrap Anantagiri in their shade.


The Bhavanasi Lake Anantagiri is referred to as the Badrinath of the South.
Anantagiri is more of a health station that replenishes your energies and rejuvenates you to the soul. Indeed Anantagiri is a great getaway from the pollution and stress of the city life that gets unbearable with the heat and the dust of the summers.
Anantagiri is located of the top of the Elysian Tirumala Hills approximately 17 km from Araku valley, which is 112 kms from Visakhapatnam.Anantagiri is the located among the ranges of the Eastern Ghats at a distance of 40 km from Visakhapatnam .

Excursions
The Borra Caves are around one-million-year-old. The beautiful of the Borra caves near Visakhapatnam make an excellent excursion option from Anantagiri. The natural formation of the limestone Borra Caves is unique of its type.

Weather
Owing to the lovely landscape Anantagiri experiences excellent weather all through the year. You can plan to visit this place all through the year.The salubrious weather and the calm surroundings add to the beauty of Anantagiri and make it popular.This place is also very famous for the newly wed couples.

Getting there
Road
Anantgiri is well connected with Hyderabad by several buses.Tourmyindia.com can provide you All India Tourist Permit taxis and cars to reach your destination.

Rail
Anantagiri Hills has Srikakulam railway station at a distance of 3 km. The booking facilities will be made available by our concerned agents.

Nagarjuna Sagar : Kurnool (Andra Pradesh)

Nagarjuna Sagar, located at a distance of 150 km from Hyderabad, is one of the most prominent Buddhist centers and attractive tourist spots in Andhra Pradesh.Known in ancient days as Vijayapuri, Nagarjunasagar takes its present name from Nagarjuna, one of the most revered Buddhist monks, who governed the sangha for nearly 60 years around the turn of the 2nd century AD. It is also a place of immense archaeological significance & excavations which reveal Nagarjunasagar as a center for the propagation of Buddhist teachings in South India.


One of the early river valley civilizations took birth here. Enthused by the peaceful environs of this place, Buddhists made this land a great hub of learning, setting up one of the four major Viharas here. Further down in history, one of the first Hindu kingdoms of South India, Ikshvakus made this city their capital. Once Vijayapuri, today Nagarjunasagar, this hoary land of antiquity and enligtment, now boasts of the world's tallest masonry dam.

Nagarjuna dam, which was completed in 1966, is 124 metres high and 1 km long has 26 crest gates. The lake, which it straddles, is the third largest manmade lake in the world. 4 kms away from the dam, is the Viewpoint, where a panoramic view of the amazing landscape, is simply a feast to the eyes.

One of the earliest hydro-electric projects of India, the Nagarjunasagar Dam is a symbol of modern India's architectural and technological triumphs over nature.The relics of Buddhist civilisation dating back to the 3rd Century A.D were excavated here.

The excavated remains of the Buddhist civilization have been reconstructed and are carefully preserved at Nagarjunakonda, a unique Island museum, situated in the midst of the man-made Nagarjunasagar lake.
Constructed In the shape of a Buddhist Vihara, the museum houses a stupendous collection of relics of Buddhist art and culture. Famous relics include a small tooth and an ear-ring believed to be of the Buddha. The main stupa of Nagarjunakonda called Mahachaitya is believed to contain the sacred relics of lhe Buddha. A partly ruined monolithic statue of the Buddha, that's at once a striking-image of peace and poise, is the main attraction at the museum.
The monasteries and chaityas were reconstructed on top of a hill called Nagarjunakonda (konda is the Telugu word for hill), which rises from the middle of the lake. The island takes its name from the Buddhist monk, Nagarjuna, who lived around the turn of the 2nd century AD and was the exponent of the philosophy of sunyata (void). Statues, friezes, coins and jewellery found at the site are housed in a museum on the island and give a fascinating insight into the daily lives of this ancient Buddhist centre. Earlier it used to be known as Vijayapur. The site was discovered in 1926. Subsequent excavations, particularly in the '50s and '60s, have unearthed the remains of stupas, viharas, chaityas and mandapams.

Ethipothala is a mountain stream cascading down the hills from a height of 21.3 meters into a lagoon. This waterfall is a combination of three streams namely Chandravanka Vagu, Nakkala Vagu & Tummala Vagu.

The dazzling lagoon formed by the falls has a crocodile-breeding centre. After flowing for 3 km, this stream joins with the river Krishna. Ranganadha and Dattatreya temples are found near the waterfalls. People believe that the caves near the waterfalls go to Srisailam.

Akbar's Mausoleum : Agra (Uttar Pradesh )

The Mausoleum of Akbar the Great is a nice example of the combination of Hindu and Moslem architectural styles.
The Mausoleum of Akbar the Great is situated about 10 km from Agra, in Sikandra. Akbar started the construction but it was completed by his son Jahangir in 1605.


Design
The mausoleum is built partially in red sandstone and in marble, with a mixture of Hindu and Moslem design elements. It can be seen as a transition between the older architectural style, based on red sandstone and the new, with marble as the main element and finer ornaments and carvings.

The Complex
The complex consists of two buildings, one being the mausoleum and the other a gigantic gate, connected to each other via a wide paved walkway.

The gate, known as Buland Darwaza (gateway of magnificence) itself consists of a huge archway and 4 marble minarets. It is more impressive than the mausoleum itself, which is wider but not as overwhelming. The architecture of the mausoleum is very interesting as is it a good example of the mixture of the use of sandstone together with marble. If you stand too long on the courtyard, you might be harassed by the many monkeys, which can become very aggressive. Inside the mausoleum, you find the cenotaph in a very small sober room.

Jama Masjid : Agra (Uttar Pradesh)

The Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in Agra. It was built in 1648 and is popularly known as Jami Masjid. This mosque is credited with the name of Princess Jahanara Begum, the lovely daughter of Shah Jahan. The mosque is noted for the absence of minarets and also for the exquisite tomb.

The Masjid is placed on an elevated podium and has five marvelous entrances with arched structures. Three elegant sandstone domes add the attraction to the Masjid, all covered with imposing marbles. The walls are adorned with sacred inscriptions and colored tiles. The central courtyard of the Jami Masjid is a huge area serving thousands of devotees to offer prayers and meditation for many centuries.

Buland Darwaza is the massive gate through which Jama Masjid can be reached. The elegant and attractive tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti, the renowned Sufi saint, is situated interior to the complex of Jama Masjid.

Fatehpur Sikri : Agra (Uttar Pradesh )

Fatehpur Sikri was Akbar's capital for approximately 12 years. Akbar selected Sikri as the seat of his government believing it to be auspicious for himself. He experimented both with architecture and art and built a city expressing his ideals and vision. Today, Fatehpur Sikri is a deserted, phantom city. But the inner citadel is immaculately preserved. The finest monuments within this area are the Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal, Buland Darwaza and the tomb of Saint Sheikh Salim Chishti, and the Jama Masjid (one of the largest mosques In India).

Tourist Information

Open on all weekdays from sunrise to sunset. Entry fee for those above 12 years - Rs. 5.00. Free entry on Fridays.

Best time to visit

From November to February. Access Agra is connected to Delhi by air. One can also use the Taj Express or the Shatabdi to get there. One can even drive or travel by bus (204 km from Delhi).

Where to Stay ?

Agra has a wide range of hotels and rest houses. UPSTDC's tourist complex, Taj Khema near the Taj Mahal offers accommodation in tents and deluxe rooms.There is a UPSTDC Tourist Bungalow as well. Hotels and restaurants offer Indian, Continental and Chinese food. Mughlai cuisine is Agra's specialty. There is an ITDC restaurant near the Taj.

Taj Mahal - A Tribute To Love .. Agra (Uttar Pradesh)

A three centuries old white marbled Mausoleum found India a position amongst nations with architectural 'wonders'. What is it so regal about this ancient monument that makes grizzled-heads sit for months trying to appropriate its grandiose in their canvass, scribes pile volumes of outpour, tourists from across the earth stand enamored at its sheer elegance. The Taj Mahal - construed by Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal is an eclectic assortment of Persian and Turkish motifs blended with Hindu elements.


The Legend - Taj
Arjumand Banu, fondly remembered as Mumtaz Mahal or the 'Chosen One of the Palace', was more than a wife to the fifth Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan. Amongst his many wives, she was the most loved and trusted. Her death so crushed the emperor that he locked himself in a room for more than a week without food. His black beard turned completely white when he emerged from his seclusion with the plan of immortalizing their love with an architectural insignia - the greatest the world ever saw. The particular site was an obvious choice because he could view it clearly from his palace - the Agra Fort. Construction began in 1631 and took 22 years, toils of twenty thousand labourers, about 1,000 elephants for transportation and the inimitable expertise of Iranian architect Ustad Isa, to complete what became the Seventh Wonder of the World.


Refuting the romanticism that bathes the legend, some historians believe that the grandeur of the Taj was far too noble to commemorate the love of one woman. Though it was a mausoleum, it can equally be a symbol of an autocratic ruler flaunting his own grandeur. Whatever the cause, India and the world will forever remain indebted to him for the earth's most beautiful mausoleum.


The Structure:
Only a stroll in the plush gardens laced around the Taj Mahal on a moonlit night will do justice to feeling the magnanimity of what Rabindranath Tagore once called "like a solitary tear suspended on the cheek of time". A classic reflection of the Mughal architecture of that age, the monument is set amidst sprawling gardens overlooking the meandering Yamuna river. The four minarets, set symmetrically about the tomb, are scaled down to heighten the effect of the dominant, slightly bulbous dome. Within the dome lies the cenotaph of the queen decorated in pietra dura and the 99 different names of Allah encrypted. As many as 35 different types of precious stones - turquoise, jade, agate, coral, lapis Lazuli, onyx, bloodstone, cornelian, jasper, garnet and malachite used to fashion blooms of fuchsias, lily, honeysuckle, etc. So exquisite is the workmanship that the Taj has been described as "having been designed by giants and finished by jewelers". The buildings white marbled exterior responds 'with an extraordinary subtlety to changing light and weather', giving it that aura of ethereal aplomb. It seems bathed in a pink glow in the morning, milky white in the evening and varnished in a tint of gold on a moonlit night.

Accessibility:
Agra airport is well connected to major Indian cities. From Delhi it takes 40 min by air to Agra. The Agra Cantonment Station has a good network of railways and branded trains like Shatabdi, Rajdhani, Taj Express, Palace On Wheels include the list of options. By road, Agra is only 204 km from Delhi, i.e. about 4 hours. Buses can be boarded from Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura, Rajasthan and so on.

NANDI HILLS .... BANGALORE (KARNATAKA)

Nandi Hills, a solid monolithic mass of granite and the best scenic hill station in the vicinity of Bangalore (60 Km away). Its height is about 4,851 feet above MSL and acquires an area of 97 acres. Nandi Hills is the birth place of rivers Arkavathi and Palar. The temperature range at Nandi Hills is about 25 to 28 Degree Celsius during summer and 8 to 10 Degree Celsius in winter. At Nandi Hills we can see Rain-fall of 100 to 150cms every year. Mahatma Gandhiji has stayed for 45 days for his health revival at this place. HISTORY OF NANDI HILL : Nandi Hills gets its name from the famous Nandi temple situated atop this hill. This bull guards the outside of the Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple. Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple is the dwelling of Shiva the austere on the top of the hills and this temple was build by the Cholas. This antediluvian temple also has a dedication in the name of Sambhaji who was the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji.The beautiful Nandi Hills, popularly known as Nandi Betta or Nandi Durga for the locals and the people of Karnataka. This hillock is situated about 60 km from Bangalore City, about 24 kms from Chikkaballapur town. Nandi is the bull in Sanskrit, Kannada and Telugu. He is the sacred abode or Vahana to Lord Shiva. During the Chola reign, Nandi Hills was known as Ananda Giri, Hill of Happiness. Now Nandi Hills also known as Nandidurga are small flat surrounding plains near Bangalore. A fort was built during the period by the chieftains of Chikkaballapur. It was strengthened by the famous King of Mysore Tippu Sultan. This fort was considered impregnable, it covers a vast area of 97 acres and soldiers could shoot from all directions without being seen and there is the famous “Tippu drop” a 600 meter cliff with a huge rock landing after the drop. Prisoners and convicts during Tippu’s reign were pushed off this cliff. These hills are located 1,478 meters above the sea level. Nandi Hills before being conquered by the British forces under Lord Cornwallis was a Mysorean Fort. It was captured by the British in the year 1791. Later on the British developed the hill station and it became popular. This hill station is a famous tourist spot because it is blessed with a pleasant climate through out the year. The flora of the hills is distinctive of high hills. Besides Coffea arabica there are some more aboriginal species. Eucalyptus is grown inside the fort which is an exotic plant. The forest around the hills acts as a substratum for the condensation of clouds and this is the reason that most of the trees are covered with water in the mornings. Many species of birds and animals can also be seen in the hills. Attractions : (1) Amruth Sarovar : Amruth Sarovar is an exquisite water lake that is filled with crystal clear water through out the year. It is a large tank which is fed by the perennial springs. The lake is an important tourist spot. This lake supply water to the near by nursery area. This lake has depth of 52 feet and once water reaches 32 feet, then the water leaks to nearby pond called Gupta Gamini. Amruth Sarovar constructed in the year of 1932. (2) Tippu’s Summer Palace and Fort :Tippu’s summer residence is a lodge, which was completed in the year 1791. The construction of this lodge was started by Hyder Ali and was completed by Tippu Sultan. This lodge was used by the Sultan for taking rest, whenever he comes for hunting at Nandi Hills. Presently this is under the control of Central Archaeological Department. (3)Gavi veerabdhadra Swamy Temple :

INDIA

India , officially the Republic of India (Bhārat Gaṇarājya),is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the south-west, and the Bay of Bengal on the south-east, it shares land borders with Pakistan to the west, China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north-east; and Burma and Bangladesh to the east. In the Indian Ocean, India is in the vicinity of Sri Lanka and the Maldives; in addition, India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands share a maritime border with Thailand and Indonesia.