RAJGARH: THE PEACH BOWL OF ASIA

Rajgarh is a scenic valley of Himachal Pradesh, located about a 100 km from Chandigarh and about 380 km from Delhi, in north India. It is enveloped by the picturesque Renuka Lake and Churdhar mountains. Rajgarh is known as the peach bowl of Asia because it alone produces around 4 crore worth of peaches every year. Due to peach cultivation, pink flowers beautifully decorate and cover the whole valley of the region in the months of March-April.

The main attraction of the place, apart from the peach orchards, are the maneuvering lakes through green mountains covered with vibrantly colored flowers. The breathtaking scene and the ultimate serenity of the area will surely make you wish to extend your stay in Rajgarh.

For sightseeing, you can visit the Lord Shiva Temple and the Shaya Temple of Lord Shirgul, which are important religious spots of Rajgarh. Lord Shaya is the local name for Lord Shiva only, who is believed to have arrived in Rajgarh first before settling on the nearby Churdhar Mountains. An annual fair is held in this temple, during which devotees from Sirmaur and Shimla come to offer prayers to their deity. Apart from the religious places, you will also find a historical fort here which belonged to the king of Sirmaur district. Later it was used as a PWD Office.

Rajgarh has a plethora of camping options available near Giri river, which is close to Yashwantnagar. Giri River originates from Churdhar Mountains, resulting from melting of snow. There is an important temple of Lord Shiva on the snow laden peaks of Churdhar mountains, which is a pilgrimage spot for the locals. Winters is a good time to experience the beauty of these cottony peaks of Churdhar Mountains, which lie at an altitude of 12000 ft.

Giri river is also a good spot for angling. Offering a remarkable blend of beauty and tranquility is this place near Yashwantnagar. You can go for short treks or enjoy cycling on its periphery, you can come here for picnics or do yoga in the heavenly surroundings with a background score of chirpings, the experience will be just amazing in this quiet little hill station.

Cherrapunji-a land of incessant rains

North-eastern part of India is a land full of natural treasures. “Mother Nature” has overwhelmed this region with her immense love and care and thus created such wonderful locales that can beckon you through out your life.

Lush green canopies, verdant valleys, blue mountains, rocky hills, untamed gushing rivers, diverse flora and fauna are the part and parcel of the North-east India. Every place in this region is blessed with some wonderful nature's wealth that can behold your attention at the very first sight. One such spectacular place is Cherrapunji.

Declared as the “wettest place on earth” by the esteemed Guinness Book of World Records, Cherrapunji is located in Meghalaya state of North-east of India. Just after a short drive of 60 km from Shillong, the state capital, you will enter into a world of completely different ambiance.

Unlike the jungles of concrete, Cherrapunji is a place to cherish the ever-lasting beauty of nature. This is the sole place in the entire world where one can enjoy the monsoon season round the year.
Incessant rainfalls are the most charming aspect of Cherrapunji which can be varied from high to medium to light. Here in Cherrapunji, you won't find a single month without rain. Rainfalls are measured in feet but not in millimeters.

Another surprising fact about Cherrapunji is that the everlasting rains that occurs here does not affect the day to day activity as it rains mostly at night. Cherrapunji is also known as the paradise for botanists. This place enfolds wide range of flora within its lap. Lush green vegetation are not the common scenario in Cherrapunji as it assumed to be. Instead, colorful and rare orchids, ferns, moss plants and dense wood forests are available in small patches. Orchards of oranges and pineapple are the most common sight of Cherapunji. Oranges of Cherrapunji are considered as the forefathers of the famous Nagpuri oranges.

Nearby area of Cherrapunji is also embellished with some splendid natural beauty for instance village of Mawsynram, which has recently acquired the title of the heaviest rainfall record. Few kilometers away from Cherrapunji is the spectacular cascading 1,035 ft high Mawsmai Falls.

It is the fourth highest water fall in India. Another nearby attraction of Cherrapunji is a fascinating labyrinth of underground passages, located under the age-old caves. Also you can visit the Khasi monoliths (stones in memory of their ancestors) present in the forests of Bastar.

But, slowly- slowly this pristine town of Meghalaya is losing all its glory due to deforestation and pollution. So, irs high time that we should take some important steps to safeguard this wonderland of North-east India.

By Jolly Mazumdar

Orcha-the hidden treasure of Madhya Pradesh

Amongst the various surviving relics of the glorious past that are dotted in every region of India, Orcha is one such destination. This beautiful town of Madhya Pradesh is one of the less explored tourist site of Central India.

Positioned near the World Heritage Site of Khajuraho temples, Orcha is place of immense historical significance. It was the capital of the Bundelkhand kingdom and was founded by the Bundela Rajput Chieftain Rudra Partap in 16th century.

This tranquil town of Madhya Pradesh is embellished with some impressive architectural masterpieces of both Rajputna and Mughal design. It has an endless array of architectural masterpieces such as Orcha fort, Jehangir Mahal, Raj Mahal, Rani Praveen Mahal, Anand Mahal. Orcha fort is the pride of the Bundela rulers. This fort is one of the most formidable fort of India which was never conquered by any enemy. Another prime attraction of Orcha is the Jehangir Mahal, built by the Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo in 1606 A.D. It was constructed to pleased the 6th Mughal Emperor Jehangir.

Beside these fort and palaces, Orcha has also some exquisitely carved temples like Chaturbhuj temple, Ram Raja Temple and Laxmmi Narayan Temple. Raja Ram Temple of Orcha is a palace turned temple. It is the sole temple of India where the Lord Rama is worshiped as a ruler. The idol of Lord Rama which is placed in this temple was brought from Ayodhya by king Madukar Shah of Bundela dynasty. With its palatial structure and soaring spires, Raja Ram Temple is the most unusual temple of India.

Some other attractions of Orcha are Phool bagh, a formal garden, Dinman Hardaul's Palace, Sunder Mahal Palace, a pilgrimage site for Muslims and some beautiful cenotaphs that belongs to the royal family of the region.

Apart from these exhilarating structures, “Mother Nature” has blessed Orcha with its enormous wonderful creations. The scenic beauty of this pristine town, which is built on the bank of the Betwa river is really remarkable.

Don't bother about transportation. Orcha lies on the Jhansi-Khajuraho route. You can board into any regular bus that connects Orcha with Jhansi.

So, whenever you are in a trip to Madhya Pradesh, spare at least one day to discover the hidden treasures of Orcha, which is a living testimony of medieval grandeur.

By Jolly Mazumdar

Trip To Kumbalgarh

Kumbalgarh, the birth land of Maharana Pratap, the Great King and Warrior of erstwhile Mewar province, is one of the offbeat destination of Rajasthan. This small town of Rajasthan is the seat of various significant historical incidents of bygone princely era.

Built by Rana Kumbha in the 15th century, Kumbalgarh Fort is the prime attraction of Kumbalgarh town. The 36m long wall of this imposing citadel is second to the Great Wall of China in length. Perched atop a hill, at an altitude of 1,100m Kumbalgarh fort is the proud treasure of Mewar and forked Mewar from Marwar region. This famous fortress of Mewar , has more than 300 temples revered by both Hindu and Jain community.

Located at a distance of approximately 82 km towards north-west of Udaipur, Kumbalgarh is a town of Rajsamand district of Rajasthan. Beside, Kumbalgarh Fort, this Rajasthani town has some more alluring things in and around of tourist value. For instance, Haldighati, Muchchal Mahavir Temple and Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary.

Haldighati, the well known war field which has witnessed the bloody battle between Maharana Pratap and the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1576, is nearby to Kumbalgarh. There is a memorial cenotaph built in honor of Maharana Pratap and his beloved horse, Chetak.

Muchchal Mahavir Temple and Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. Located at a distance of 5km from the Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, the exquisitely curved Muchchal Mahavir Temple is dedicated to Lord Mahavira. It is a highly decorated temple having beautifully carved elephants.

After sight seeing trip of this temple, don't miss to visit the Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. This is one of the famous abode of wolf, leopards, sloth bear, hyena, jackal, jungle cat, smabhar, nilgai, chaisingh (the four horned antelope), chinkara and hare. This sanctuary is popular for Grey jungle fowl, Peacocks and Doves. They can be sighted regularly feeding on grains scattered by the jungle guards.

So, whenever you are in a trip to royal land of Rajasthan, than try to take out some time to visit Kumbalgarh.

By Jolly Mazumdar

Coonor Tourism in India

If you are bored with the hill stations of Northern India, than change your taste for once. Visit the south India and behold the enchanting beauty of hill stations of this region. Unlike the hill destinations of Northern India, hill stations of southern India are less explored and more tranquil.

One of the outstanding summer resorts of Southern India is Coonor. It is fabulous destination to beat the heat of the scorching summers. Even you can choose Coornor as a weekend and honeymoon destination.

Coonor is perched on the lush green hills Nilgiri at a distance of only 19 km from Ooty. This hill station of southern India is located at a height of 1, 856m above the sea level. You will surely be mesmerized by its panoramic view. Coonor is embellished with some fantastic tourists hot spots like Sim's park, Lamb's Rock, Dolphin's Nose, Droog Fort, Lady Canning's, St Catherine Falls, Law's Falls, Kodanad View Point and Ralliah Dam . Also you can spend your time at Coonor by visiting the nearby coffee plantations.

If you had miss the ride of Darjeeling toy train, than you can fulfill your this unaccomplished desire here. Coonor is one of the favorite destination of adventure enthusiasts and bird watchers. Its surroundings are dotted with some soft trekking routes which attract trekkers from all over India.

Don't worry about your accommodation. Coonor has some well furnished hotels like Taj Garden Retreat and Neemrana Wallwood Garden. So, visit this picturesque hill stations of southern India and immerse yourself in its beauty.

Jolly Mazumdar