About Indore

Indore is commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh and a busy Tier-I city in central India. City is a centre for commodities trade and an access point for an MP Itinerary and pilgrimages to Omkareshwar(77 kms) and Mahakaleshwar (60 kms) Jyotirlinga Temples. A nice blend of industry and architecture is rich in architecture preserved over centuries in the city's temples and palaces. The state of Indore was given to Malhar Rao Holkar in 1733 by the Maratha Peshwas in appreciation of his help in many of their battles. Indore, an old historic city is the western metropolitan city of Madhya Pradesh. A nice blend of industry and architecture is rich in architecture preserved over centuries in the city's temples and palaces. Indore is spread out along the two small rivulets, Saraswati and Khan, which unite at the centre of the city where a small 18th century temple of Sangamnath exists. There are multitudinous tourist stops that you must relish. Include Indore into your travel itinerary, to know the culture and heritage that is concealed in the monumental heritage that resides in the city. The city served as the summer capital of former state of Madhya Bharat before it was taken into Madhya Pradesh. Today Indore is a center of garment industries and is some times also referred to as ‘Textile City’. The overall outlook of the city is an amalgamation of young and old, historical and contemporary.

Places to see :

Khajrana :

The citizens of Indore have great faith in this Ganesh temple, built during the reign of Ahilyabai Holkar. It is believed that all wishes are fulfilled by praying here. Nearby is the dargah of Nahar Sayed. This is an important pilgrimage place for Maita Muslims.

Bada Ganpati :

Better known for its size than antiquity, this temple houses perhaps the largest Ganesh idol in the world measuring 25 feet from crown to foot. Created as a result of the dream of an Avantika (Ujjain) resident, Shri Dadhich, it was built in 1875.

Rajwada (old Palace):

Built over two centuries, this palace is built in a mixture of Maratha, Mughal and French style.

Lalbagh Palace :

The Lal Bagh Palace was built between 1886-1921. It is the most important monument created by the erstwhile Holkar rulers of Indore. It is set amongst well-laid gardens and located at the southwestern part of Indore.

How to reach :

Rail :

There are four stations within the city, namely Rajendra Nagar, Lokmanya Nagar, Saifee Nagar and Lakshmibai Nagar. They even run short distance trains connecting Indore to nearby towns and villages. There are direct trains to Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata (Howrah) and Chennai. Though the number of trains is less, Indore has train services to other major towns like Trivandrum, Ahmedabad, Pune, Jammu, Jaipur, Lucknow, Bhopal, Nagpur, Patna etc.

Air :

Indore Airport is about 9 kms. west of the City Center, which is Connected by Regular Flights to Bhopal, Gwalior, Delhi, Bombay, Ahmedabad and Calcutta.

Bus :

There are a number of National and State Highways passing from Indore namely, NH3, NH69, 69A, NH86. The prominent cities linked to Indore by road are Bhopal, Barwani, Khandwa, Ujjain, Dewas, Dhar, Ratlam, Khargoan, Jhabua and Agar.

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Jaipur - Rajasthan's beautiful Pink City

The Pink city Jaipur is resemblance of Rajasthani culture. India’s first planned city situated at the desert area of Rajasthan. Earlier it has served as a royal capital of Rajput dynasty and now its state capital of Rajasthan. It sits on a dry lake bed in a somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills surmounted by forts and crenellated walls. This buzzing metropolis is certainly a place of wild contrasts and a feast for the eyes. All through, Jaipur has retained its strong Rajputana flavour tempered by several influences - the mughal being the most prominent. The buildings within the Old City district of Jaipur were first painted pink in 1876 to welcome the current Prince of Wales, and this tradition has remained ever since. A vibrant city, which was established in the year 1727, Jaipur has been acclaimed as the first planned city in India. Jaipur is mostly renowned for its majestic buildings, which displays unique architectural grandeur. These stunning facades of medieval India have received a global acclaim for its intricate and exquisite charm. A quaint place, Jaipur reproduces its magnificient past through its sumptuous forts, captivating palaces, littered walls, serene temples and lovely havelis. Jaipur has a history related to its forts and palaces. Any Indian history tale would relate about how the forts of Jaipur have played a role. This includes the Amber fort, Nahargarh Fort, Jaigarh Fort, and the City Palace. A visit to these forts is a must on a tour of the city as it gives first hand information about the city’s historical past.Jaipur lies at a distance of two hundred sixty kms from Delhi, the capital of India and the city is well-linkedwith other main cities of India. Every year, People across the world come to experience this royal capital city of Rajasthan.

Places to see :

Hawa Mahal : Hawa Mahal consists of five tiers of corridors on the inside, with pierced screen windows that overlook the street below. It is believed the women of the royal zenana would sit concealed behind these screens to see life in the city beyond the walls of the palace.

The Amber fort : A blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture, Amber was the citadel of the Kachhawa rulers of Amber, before the capital was shifted to present day Jaipur. Amber as it exists now is the handiwork of three of the kingdom's rulers that include Man Singh, and Jai Singh I and II. The Amber fort is situated approximately 11 km from the city of Jaipur.

Jantar Mantar : Jantar Mantar is located close to the City Palace. This beautiful observatory was built during the reign of Maharaja Jai Singh I and is the largest stone observatory in the world. This impressive stone observatory is equipped with 14 fixed geometrical instruments that were used for tracing the stars orbits.

The City Palace : The palace houses a museum with a superb collection of costumes and armoury of Rajputs & Mughals. The vast complex occupies one seventh of the walled city of Jaipur and is wonderful blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture.

Govind Dev Ji temple : A part of City Palace complex, this Krishna temple is highly revered by the erstwhile royal family. The image, brought from Vrindaban, is housed with in the sanctum of this spireless temple.

How to reach :

Air : There are direct flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Aurangabad, and some other cities from Jaipur. Jaipur Airport, Sanganer is at a distance of around 11km from the city center.

Rail : The huge rail track of Indian Railways links Jaipur station with all other cities of India. There are many trains which run on a regular basis to and from Jaipur.

Bus : Delhi-Jaipur national highway is one of the finest roads in India. Rajasthan roadways runs excellent regular service of AC and Deluxe Coaches from Delhi . Jaipur is well connected by road to various parts of India.

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Gwalior – City of Kings and Kingdoms

Gwalior occupies a strategic location in the Gird region of North India, and the city and its fortress have served as the center of several of North India's historic kingdoms. It's legendary beginning stems from a meeting between a warrior called Suraj Sen and a hermit, Gwalipa, who lived on the hilltop where the fort stands. The beautifully painted Gwalior Fort is a must see for anyone interested even a little bit in architecture and structural design. Within the fort, the Man Singh Palace and Chit Mandir are worth a dekko and so are the numerous ‘kunds’ including the Johar Kund. The magnificent outer walls of the fort still stand, two miles in length and 35 feet high, bearing witness to its reputation for being one of the most invincible forts of India. The major cultural event held every winter to commemorate the memory of this great musician, attracts large gathering. The stalwarts of music take it as a great privilege to be a part of this cultural extravaganza. Today, Gwalior is one of the most developed cities of India with factories producing cotton, yarn, paint, ceramics, chemicals, and leather products. The city is also famous for many esteemed educational institutions. Gwalior is a city in Madhya Pradesh in India. The Gwalior metropolitan area is the 46th most populated area in the country. It lies 76 miles (122 km) south of Agra and has a population of over 12 lakh (1,200,000).A sprawling city where tradition is entwined with modernity, Gwalior presents a enthralling and a beguiling appeal to the tourists.

Places to see:

Gwalior's history is as fascinating as the attractions in the city, which can be traced back to the 8th century AD. This city is also an important pilgrim center for Jains as well as the Sikhs.

Gujari Mahal : The 15th century Gujari Mahal is a monument to the love of Raja Mansingh Tomar for his intrepid Gujar Queen, Mrignayani. The interior has been converted into Archaeological Museum housing rare antiquities,some of them dating back to the 1st century A.D. The outer structure of Gujari Mahal has survived in an almost total state of preservation.

Gwalior Fort : A steep road winds upwards to the Fort, flanked by statues of the Jain Tirthankaras, caned into the rock face. The magnificent outer walls of the Fort still stand, two miles in length and 35 feet high, bearing witness to its reputation for being one of the most invincible forts of India. Built in the 15th century by Raja Mansingh Tomar on a hilltop, the mighty Gwalior Fort overlooks the city.

The chhatris : The chhatris, memorials to former Scindia rulers, are executed in the typical Bundelkhandi style with conical spires and heavily carved exteriors.

Jai Vilas Palace : The Scindia Museum offers an unparalled glimpse into the rich culture and lifestyle of princely India. A splendor of a different kind exists in the Jai Vilas Palace, current residence of the Scindia family.

Sun Temple : Located near the Residency at Morar, the newly constructed Sun Temple takes its inspiration from the famous Konark Sun Temple in Orissa.

How to Reach :

Gwalior is an ancient city and a traveler will have a few local travel options to choose from for travel within the city.

Air : Gwalior is connected by Indian Airlines to Delhi, Indore, Bhopal and Bombay.

Train : The Gwalior Railway Station is an important junction that is connected to many cities in India. There are two other stations that are within the Gwalior city limits and travelers arriving by trains have many options.

Road: Gwalior is well connected by road with bombay (1087 Kms ), Bhopal (419 Kms), Agra (120 Kms.), Indore (486 Kms), Delhi (318 Kms) .

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Jabalpur – Beautiful City of Madhya Pradesh

Jabalpur is a beautiful city located in Madhya Pradesh in the center of India. Jabalpur is also known as Sanskarshani and is world famous for its marble rocks & waterfall at Bhedaghat. Jabalpur was the capital of Gond dynasty during the 12th century. Jabalpur was later the seat of the Kalchuri dynasty. The Gonds later seized Jabalpur city in the 13th century, and made it their capital. During the 16th century it became the powerful states of Gondwana’s. By the early 16th century, it had become the powerful kingdom of Gondwana. From time to time, the Mughal rulers tried to overrun it. It was also beleaguered by the Mughals and finally it was conquered by the Marathas in the end of 17th century. The British made Jabalpur the commission headquarters of the Narmada territories and established a cantonment here. Jabalpur city is considered tourism city of Madhya Pradesh as it is surrounded by 7 most popular tourist destinations of Madhya Pradesh like Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pachmarhi, Amarkantak, Khajuraho, Pench National Park, all within 250 km. Jabalpur is a beautiful place to visit. The fabulous environs provide an excellent retreat from the busy life of the metropolitans. It is an administrative and educational center and is the gateway to important wildlife sanctuaries around it. Today Jabalpur is an important administrative centre, abustle with commercial activity.

Places to see :

Jabalpur is surrounded by some popular tourist destinations of Madhya Pradesh .Jabalpur is a beautiful city, famous for its marble rocks and water falls at Bedaghat.

Madan Mahal Fort : Jabalpur is also famous for eroded volcanic rock formations called as Balancing Rock of Jabalpur on the way to Madan Mahal Fort. Built on 11th century by Gond ruler, Raja Madanshah, this fort is a pride of Jabalpur city.

Dhuandhar: The waterfall is known as Dhuandhar since the water droplets at the fall go above in concentrated mass and crete illusion of vapours. The famous waterfall is located just 25 km from Jabalpur.

Bhedaghat :Soaring in glittering splendour, the marble rocks at Bhedaghat rise to a hundred feet on either side of the Narmada. Marble rocks is at a distance about 25 km from Jabalpur by road.

Bargi Dam: It’s also a tourist spot, recently the local autorities have started a cruise boat which runs on the reservoir of Bargi dam. It is a multipurpose project on river Narmada.

Kanha National park : The park is also the birth place of the Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. Nearest cities from Kanha National Park are Jabalpur, Raipur, Nagpur. Jabalpur and Nagpur is on National Highway-7 which connects Varanasi from Kanyakumari.

How to reach :

Air: The city is connected by regular flights to the different parts of the country. Any flights from Delhi via Bhopal also help the tourists to reach Jabalpur .

Rail : It has direct trains to Satna (189 km, 3 hours), Varanasi (505 km, 13 hours) and Bhopal (336 km ). The Railway Station is Located North of the Civil Lines area.

Bus :Jabalpur is on the National Highway 7 and is well connected by bus with Bhopal, which is about 8 hrs away, Indore, Satna, Raipur and Nagpur

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Khandwa – Historical City of Madhya Pradesh

Khandwa District is situated South West of the state of Madhya Pradesh The District is in Indore Division of Madhya Pradesh. The District is bounded on the east by the Betul and Hoshangabad District of Hoshangabad division, and Burhanpur District of Indore Division on south, on the west by West Nimar District of Indore division,and on the north by Dewas District of the Indore Division. The Town Khandwa has the proud to be the Head Quarter of District East Nimar. Due to its location on the map of India, it has been enjoying visits of great Indians. In the past (age of British Government), this was a place alone connecting northern, eastern, southern and western rail routes.Delhi(North) and Bombay(South) (now Mumbai) and Baroda (West) was directly connected whereas Calcutta was accessible through Bhusawal Junction. The western part of old Prant Nimar originally held by the Holkar, became a part of Madhya Bharat, when that state was formed in the year 1948. As on the reorganization of States, Madhya Bharat region was merged in Madhya Pradesh, the western part of old Prant Nimar eventually became a part if Madhya Pradesh.Khandwa is famous for its local crops of cotton, wheat , soyabean and a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Its wheat variety is famous nationwide for its aroma, colour and quality.

Places to see :

Omkareshwar Mandhata: Omkareshwar Mandhata is located on the bank of Narmada River. Mamaleshwar, One among the 12 Jyotirlingas of Hindu sect and Siddhawar Kut of Jain sect are located at this place. Millions of the pilgrims of both sects & foreigners visit the place every year.

Nagchun Dam, Khandwa: This is a nearest picnic spot of the city. From this dam also the water is being supplied to the city. Dense plantation around the place makes it beautiful. Nagchun Dam is 7 Kms from the Station sites, Northern to the city near Nagchun village.

Ghantaghar (Clock Tower) :The place has been the district Head quarter since 1864. The place has four historic kunds in its four direction namely Suraj kunda, Padma kund, Bhima kunda, Rameshwar kund. The place is located at Bombay-Delhi central line and north of Burhanpur.

Dada Dhuni Wale Darbar Khandwa : This is a centre of faith and worship. The Samadhi Places of great Avadhoot Hindu saints Swami Keshwanandaji Maharaj and Swami Hariharanandji Maharaj, respectfully called as "Bare Dadaji" and "Chhote Dadaji" respectively. The place is about 61 KMs from the District H.Q. Khandwa, and can be approached from two stations Khandwa & Bir of Central Railway line of Bombay- Delhi, and is well connected by roadways.

How to reach :

Air : khandwa is connected by Indian Airlines to Delhi, Indore, Bhopal and Bombay.

Rail : Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh) to Khandwa (Madhya Pradesh) is 59 km and takes approx 1 hr, 44 mins by train.

Bus : Regular bus services are available from Indore , Gwalior, Ahmedabad, Bhopal and Ujjain to khandwa.

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Ujjain – Ancient City of India

Ujjain is one of the many holy cities in India and the major places to visit in the town are temples.The Ujjain city is located in the Malwa region of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The History of Ujjain states that initially the city was known as Ujjayini and as per epic Mahabharata Ujjayani was the capital of the Avanti Kingdom. The blue god Krishna came to Ujjain to study under the great sage, Sandipani Muni, who taught the former in the Sandipani Muni Ashram. Myths apart, excavations at a site about 6km north of the town have revealed pottery and iron objects dating back to the 8th century b.c. After the last of 18th century the Ujjain ruled by the Maratha leader Sindhia, who later established his headquarter at Gwalior and until the Indian independence, Ujjain remained part of Gwalior state.The district is surrounded with Shajapur, Dewas, Indore, Dhar and Ratlam respectively. According to Hindu scripture, Ujjain is blessed with nectar drops which fell into the land while the gods and the demons were engaged in a fierce battle to gain control over the pot of nectar. During your pilgrimage to Ujjain, you will come to visit numerous temples and significant religious spots, there by grading itself as the prime destination for religious-minded travelers. Kumbh Mela one of the greatest religious congregations of the Hindus held in this sacred city after every twelve years. Being a religious city Ujjain is one of the most visited tourist places in India.

Places to see :

Bade Ganeshji Ka Mandir and Mahakaleshwar are two important temples in the city. Attraction at Ujjain are Mahakeleshwara, Chintamani Ganesh, Mangalnath, Harsiddhi Temple, Siddhavat, Kal Bhairav, Gopal mandir, Pir Matsyendranath, GadKalika, Navgraha ka Mandir , Sandipani Ashram, Vikram Kirti Mandir and Kalidasa Academia.

Bhartrihari Caves : The cave is situated on the bank of the River Shipra and was his esteemed meditation center. Today, thousand of tourist visit the cave and pay homage to the great saga. His contribution towards the Hindi and Sanskrit literature was later recognised after his death.

Mahakaleshwar Temple : This temple is also an important pilgrimage centre for Hindus. This temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, and believed to be swayambhu, deriving its Shakti or power from within itself.

Kaliadeh Palace : The Kaliadeh Palace is built on the banks of the Shipra river. This once imposing building was built by Mahmud Khilji in 1458. Akbar stayed here in 1601.

Bade Ganeshji Ka Mandir : It holds a huge statue of the elephant-headed God. The elephant which is the head of the deity indicates wisdom, presence of mind and foresight that the Hindus attribute to divinity. It holds a huge statue of the elephant-headed God. The elephant which is the head of the deity indicates wisdom, presence of mind and foresight that the Hindus attribute to divinity.

How to reach :

Air : There are daily flights from Indore to Mumbai , Kolkata, Delhi, Bhopal and Ahmadabad.

Rail: There are regular trains that connect Ujjain to other important cities in India. There are mainly three major railway stations in Ujjain, that include Ujjain City Junction, Vikram Nagar and Chintaman.

Bus : Regular bus services are available from Indore (55 km), Gwalior (450 km), Ahmedabad (400 km) and Bhopal (183 km) to Ujjain.

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A Tour to Sunderban National Park

Sunderbans national park is located at the South Eastern tip of the 24 Paraganas district in the state of West Bengal. It got its name from one of the mangrove plants known as Sundari (Heritiera Minor). The Sunderbans are a part of the world's largest delta formed by the rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna. Sunderbans is a vast area covering 4262 square kms in India alone, with a larger portion in Bangladesh. 2585 sq. kms of the Indian Sundarban forms the largest Tiger Reserve and National Park in India. The total area of the Indian part of the Sundarban forest, lying within the latitude between 21°13'-22°40' North and longitude 88°05'-89°06' East, is about 4,262 sq km, of which 2,125 sq km is occupied by mangrove forest across 56 islands and the balance is under water.

The park is surrounded by a buffer zone of 885 square kilometers. This also mainly consists of mangrove forests. The core area of the park has its own natural boundaries with the river Matla on its West, the river Haribhanga on its East, with Netidhopani and Gosba in the North.

The four Sunderbans national parks have been lumped together as they all share common features of the estuarine mangrove ecosystem. The main attractions of the Sunderbans are the Tiger, of which the delta harbor large reptiles like the Monitor Lizard, Estuarine Crocodile and the Olive Ridley Turtle, for which there is a conservation program in the Indian park. The Leopard, Indian Rhinoceros, Javan Rhinoceros, Swamp Deer, Hog Deer and Water Buffalo have all become locally extinct from the delta in recent decades.

Tourist Places:

Sajnekhali:

Sajnekhali has a bird sanctuary and is the only place to have a accommodation. There is a Mangrove Interpretation Centre here. There are watchtowers at Sajnekhali, Sudhanyakhali, Netidhopan, Haldi and a number of other places.

Bhagbatpur Crocodile Project:

This is a crocodile breeding farm. This place is accessible through Namkhana. Bhagabatput is a hatchery of the largest estuarine crocodile in the world.

Piyali:

It is 72 kms from Calcutta and is a gateway to the Sunderban. It is being developed as a tourist complex.

A thrilling cruise through the largest estuarine delta in the world and the biggest colony of the `Royal Bengal Tigers' - the Sundarbans. These evergreen mangrove forests pulsate with a myriad forms of life. Above the Kingfisher and White-bellied Sea eagle add a brilliant burst of colour. The sea creeps in at high tide. The forests float. The ebbing waters reveal nature so alive on the glistening mud flats. The land is split by numerous rivers and water channels all emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Venture further to discover a rich tribal folklore. It is believed that Bonbibi, the goddess of the forest, protects the wood-cutters, honey-collectors and fishermen on their hazardous missions. For, as the saying goes, `Here the Tiger is always watching you'.

Delta-forest home of the Royal Bengal Tiger. The Ganges, which is rightly known as the Ganga, carries silt and fertility from its ice-melt sources in the high Himalayas, through the lush plains of India, past the riverine port of Calcutta. Here, however, it is no longer the Ganga because it has become one of the major distributors. For, in the flat Grey-clay lands of Bengal, the great river splits into numerous channels, dividing and sub-dividing like the roots of a tree, till it pours through many mouths into the Bay of Bengal.

Best Season:

The best time to visit Sunderbans is during winters between December and February although the park is open for longer from September to March. This is the period when the maximum migratory birds are also present here.

How to Reach:

The Sunderbans are not easily accessible. To get to the Sunderbans national park in India the nearest airport is Calcutta, the nearest railway station is Canning, and the nearest town is Gosaba. From the park headquarters at Canning take the country motor launch (5 hours) to Sajnekhali.

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Holy Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi

Indian Spiritual tradition has propounded four Purusharth (objectives) of a human life. These being Dharm (Righteousness), Arth (Material Pursuits), Kaam (Contentment) and Moksh (Enlightenment). Shri Mata Vaishno Devi is believed to grant all the four boons to those who visit Her Holy Shrine. She 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 journey to the Holy Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is thus an enchanting journey of the places where Mata Vaishnavi had spent some time while observing various spiritual disciplines and penances. 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.

History:

Like with most old Shrines, it is not possible to ascertain when exactly the pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine started. A geological study of the Holy Cave has indicated its age to be nearly a million years. Vedic literature gives no reference to the worship of any female deity, although the mountain Trikuta does find its mention in Rigveda, the oldest of the four Vedas The practice of worshipping Shakti, largely started in the Puranic period.

The first mention of the Mother Goddess is in the epic Mahabharat. When the armies of Pandavs and Kaurvas were arrayed in the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Arjun, the chief warrior of Pandavs upon advice of Sri Krishna; meditated upon the Mother Goddess and sought Her blessings for victory. This is when Arjun addresses the Mother Goddess as ‘Jambookatak Chityaishu Nityam Sannihitalaye’, which means ‘you who always dwell in the temple on the slope of the mountain in Jamboo’ (probably referring to the present day Jammu).

Darshans:

The Trikuta Mountain where the Shrine is located and the Holy Cave are the gateway to the dimension of Super Consciousness. And just like the Trikuta Mountain, which is one at the base but has three peaks (hence the name Trikoot), the revelation of the Mother Goddess in the Holy Cave is in a natural rock form which is one at the base but has three heads at the top. These three heads in a natural rock form are known as the Holy Pindies and are worshipped as the revelation of the Mother Goddess. The entire rock body is immersed in water, and a marble platform has now been constructed all around. The main Darshans remain to be of the three heads called the Holy Pindies. The uniqueness of the Holy Pindies is that although they emanate from one single rock form, each one is distinctly different from the other two in colour and texture.

Maha kali: Towards the right of the devotee is the Holy Pindi of Mata Maha Kali (the Supreme Energy of Dissolution) in the colour associated with Her i.e. black. The Supreme Energy of dissolution is Mata Maha Kali. She represents the Tam Guna- the quality associated with the darker and unknown realms of life. Tam stands for darkness. Psychology and science state that only a very small per cent of the Universe is conscious. The remaining is still subconscious or unconscious.

Maha Lakshmi: In the centre is the Holy Pindi of Mata Maha Lakshmi (the Supreme Energy of Maintenance) with a yellowish-red tinge, the colour associated with Mata Maha Lakshmi. Mata Maha Lakshmi is the Supreme Energy of Maintenance. She represents Rajas Guna- the quality of inspiration and effort, and is considered to be the basic source of wealth, prosperity, material gains, quality of life etc. Wealth and prosperity are better represented by the colour of gold, which is yellow, and hence associated with Mata Maha Lakshmi.

Maha Saraswati: The Pindi to the extreme left of the viewer is worshipped as the Holy Pindi of Mata Maha Saraswati (the Supreme Energy of Creation). It has a whitish tinge when looked at attentively. White has also been considered the colour associated with Mata Maha Saraswati. Being the Supreme force of Creation, Mata Maha Saraswati is considered to be the basic source of all Creation, Knowledge, Wisdom, Righteousness, Art, Spiritualism, Piousness etc. Since white is a colour that denotes piousness and purity, hence it is associated with Mata Maha Saraswati. She represents the Satva Guna- the quality of purity.

How to Reach:

In order to visit the Holy Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi Ji, 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.

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About Yercaud

An ideal place to visit throughout the year. A fine motor able ghat road with several hair-pin bends links the top after a 23 km ride through coffee plantations. Fruit plantations like apple, cherry, orange also abound. ‘Yer’ means beauty in Tamil, ‘Kadu’ means forest. Hence, Yercaud in Tamil means ‘beautiful forest’. Some say that the word was a corruption for Erikadu which means forest full of lakes and true to its there are a number of lakes big and small and waterfalls on this hill. A beautiful lake with boating facilities adorns the centre. This city is popular for oranges and coffee plantations. Coffee was first cultivated on the Grange Estate in 1820, which was initially brought from Africa to Yercaud by Mr. M.D. Cockburn. Many other fruits and spices were cultivated on the coffee estate in Yercaud such as jackfruit, oranges and guava and black pepper and cardamom. Yercaud was discovered in the 19th century by the British and attracted many Christian missionaries. The city was discovered by the governor of the Madras Presidency, Sir Thomas Muroe in 1842 and David Cockburn, the Scottish collector of Salem district. Salem district was purchased by Mr. G.F. Fisher, the only European Zamindar, in 1836.The temperature of Yercaud ranges from 15o Celsius to 30o Celsius throughout the year. Though it is a year round destination, the ideal time to visit is from October to June.

Places to see:

• The Kulliar Falls: This 300 ft high waterfall among sylvan surroundings is a beautiful sight for spending hours together without boredom. This delightfully breathtaking waterfall is 3 km from the Yercaud Lake and should be visited after the South West or North East Monsoon.

• Tipperary View point: One can reach this southern most view point of Yercaud by taking the Tipperary Road. From there one can see the Elephant Tooth Rocks. Which are reportedly said to be the remnants of a meteorite which fell to earth. It is pure white rock compared to the Black Granite available on these hills.

• Anna Park: The Park is situated next to the Lake. It is typical park used to host the “Flower Show” in the month of May. The “Japanese Park” inside Anna Park is a must see.

• Botanical Survey of India: Well maintained Botanical Garden by the BSI contains a rich collection of plants. It is a treat for “Botany” Students. A “Bell Rock” in the BSI Campus makes bell sound when you hit with stone. You have to climb to reach the rock.

• Horticulture Farm: It has “Rose Garden” and “Children Seat”. The Rose Garden is filled with various varieties of Roses from Button Rose to Very Big Rose. A “Green Rose” plant is grown along with beautiful rose plants.

How to Reach:

Reach Salem and then it is 22 km uphill. Regular interval buses are available from salem central bus stand. Pay 22/- per person and just alight before the last bus stop at yercaud, near the lake most of the hotels are nearby from the lake. while returning better to get the buses from the starting stop at yercaud rather than the lake side stop as it is not easy to stand in the bus on the hilly road.

Bus tickets are easily available online. One can plan trip and do bus booking online in advance. Online bus tickets booking is an easy process which can save your time and price.

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Online Bus Booking from Delhi to Haridwar

When people get frustrated by their daily hectic life in the city and they feel that they have done enough bad deeds, they flock to Haridwar to wash away their sins and seek shelter in the laps of mother Ganga. Haridwar is believed to be a magical place by the Hindus who revere Ganga and come to bath in it to be rejuvenated by its waters. Going to Haridwar is like fulfilling a life’s ambition. Being situated at about 214kms from Delhi, it is one of the most visited places by the rich Dilliwallas who come here to relax.

Delhi:

The commercial and business hub of India, Delhi has been witness to a tumultuous history of uprising and falling of many empires. This hustling and bustling metropolitan city comprises of seven cities that were built by different emperors from time to time. It is perhaps the only city in the world that presents so many contrasts at once - there is the old-age charm and ruins of Old Delhi and there are b and mighty giant buildings of New Delhi, there are the chic, fashionable belles of South Delhi and there are India lasses dressed in traditional and ethnic dresses, there are sparkling cars firing through wide roads and there are cycle-rickshaws in the streets of more congested areas.

Haridwar:

Haridwar, literally Gateway to God, is one of the Hindu holy places in India and a center of Hindu religion and mysticism for centuries. Located on the banks of River Ganges (Ganga), at the point where the Ganges descends from the hills to the North Indian plains, Haridwar attracts a large number of Hindu pilgrims from all over the world.

Festivals:

Haridwar is the site of many religious festivals. Most notably, once every twelve years it is the venue for the Kumbh Mela, humanity's largest festival, which drew a record 70 million in 2003. (The festival rotates between Haridwar and Allahabad, Ujjain and Nashik.) The Ardh Mela, or "half mela", is held every six years. The last Maha Kumbh Mela was in 2010, and the next Ardh Mela will be in 2016.

Other yearly festivals include:

• Baisakhi, April.
• Kanwar Mela, July. The largest yearly festival, drawing up to 300,000 visitors.
• Somwati Amavasya, July. Almost as large as the Kanwar Mela.
• Kartik Purnima, held 15 days after Diwali on the first night of the full moon in November.

While the festivals are colorful and fascinating, they also strain the town's limited infrastructure to the breaking point and sometimes beyond. Book rooms and tickets well in advance, and avoid travel by road as the traffic jams can be horrendous.

Travel by Bus:

So there are various modes of transport which people take to reach Haridwar from Delhi. But the one which is the most preferred one is buses. Delhi to Haridwar buses are very popular and are boarded by many for travelling to this mystical place. These are easily available and are nominally priced.

Many travel operators both public and private offer excellent Delhi to Haridwar bus services. Online Bus booking from Delhi to Haridwar can be booked through internet by using the online booking facility enabled by many travel operators. On the internet one can easily and very quickly find any details that he/she wants to have regarding buses, their timings, boarding points, routes, bus fares, etc. any type of buses can be booked by this facility. Volvo bus booking from Delhi to Haridwar is also easily available.

While booking tickets on the internet you can also choose your preferred boarding points from which you want to avail bus from. There are a lot of bus boarding points available in Delhi such as Red Fort, Kashmiri Gate, Connaught Place, Scindhi house, etc. Each travel operator has different timings and bus boarding points. So passenger can choose and book their bus tickets with the one that is most suitable for them. The payments are made through debit or credit card so it does not take a lot of time.

In the new era of technology and internet, bus ticket is easy and hassle free online. You can check buses from Delhi online at via.com. Search and do bus booking online at via.com

Volvo Buses in India

About Volvo Bus

Volvo is the world's second largest bus manufacturer with a complete range of inter-city and city buses to meet the varying requirements for public transport solutions. Volvo Buses also offer complete system solutions in co-operation with Volvo Mobility Systems. This bus has pushback and push-aside seats, TFT Television screens and a public address system. There are seven special spacious seats at the rear of the bus called "Golden Seats" while the rest are branded "Silver Seats". Volvo Buses has approximately 7900 employees worldwide, with production activities in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa.

Recently, Volvo buses come with I-Shift technology for better performance and usability. The Volvo I-shift is an automated gear changing mechanism which mimics the best driver. This means that with this new transmission, we are almost securing the best driving practices irrespective of the driver, which has a significant impact on vehicle fuel efficiency, performance, reliability and comfort of driver.

Volvo Buses in India

Volvo bus service was introduced in India in October, 2001. Volvo buses are immensely loved by passengers in India because of their range of facilities and frequent bus services to suit anyone’s travel plans. All these buses are very well-equipped with top amenities so as to make the journey smooth. Currently, there are about 3500 Volvo Buses operating in India. In a short span of time Volvo B7R, has become the first choice for millions of Indians to travel to across the country. Volvo Buses also offer complete system solutions in co-operation with Volvo Mobility Systems.

Volvo buses have revolutionized the transport system in the country. Volvo buses are accepted by Transport Corporation in all major Metro Cities of India due to their comfortable ride. Volvo has a world-class manufacturing facility near Bangalore to meet the growing market demand in India and SAARC countries. Volvo exports buses to neighboring countries offering the same high quality that Volvo is known for across the world.

Types of Volvo Buses

• There are various types of Volvo buses with the B7R being the most common. These are the 35 to 40 seater Volvo buses.
• The latest launch from Volvo is the B9R. These are also called the new multi-axle Volvo. These buses are longer and can seat about 10 passengers more than the B7R.

Cities and Operators

There are around 350 Volvo Bus Service Providers in India that offers Luxury Volvo Bus Service from various destinations like: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Mangalore, Jaipur, Jammu, Goa, and Ahmedabad. They provide the Ticket Booking Services for various destinations. Some of the most popular service providers are K.P.N Travels India Limited, RoadlinkIndia, Sangita Travels, Paulo Travels, Daffodil Tour and Travels and Sharma Transports. The companies listed here are well known leaders in their work domain.

Online booking facility

These days there are several travelling companies which offer Volvo bus services online for a comfortable and hassle-free journey. Travelers in India prefer to travel via Volvo buses in large numbers. The major reason for it could be their world class facilities.We have good network all over India to get tickets through online for Volvo buses. We can book the Volvo bus tickets easily via online booking system. It hardly takes few minutes to book tickets online.

bus ticket saves the time as well as the money. Book the bus tickets with a single click of the mouse. We simply have to go to travelling companies’ site or a travel site to book the bus tickets. All these engines provide user-friendly interface to customers, who desire to book e-tickets. No more going to the vendors and request for bus tickets. With online bus booking services, we can also select our own seat as well as boarding point as per our convenience. Online booking can be done by using credit, debit cards and net banking.

Online Bus Booking on Via.com

Via networks with 50,000 partners across 1700 cities. The partnered network sells Via’s innovative and value-for-money travel products and services every day to their customers. Via If you have been managing your travel through a local Travel

Addition to their far-famed and comprehensive travel booking, Via.com launched online bus ticket booking services to cater to all the needs and ensure that their customers get last mile connectivity by road travel. With this, Via.com becomes a one-stop-shop for all online ticket booking facilities.

Via networks with more than 1000 bus operators across the nation providing the best deals to our bus users. Via provides an option of more than 10,000 bus routes to choose. Via buses have travelled a long way from B2B to B2C, and now the consumers can directly book their tickets online by providing the require details.

Via networks with the top most bus operators such as KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) and APSRTC (Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation).

The KSRTC is the government-owned transport corporation of Karnataka. KSRTC operates around 5700 schedules and with a fleet of 6600 buses. On the other hand, APSRTC is a state-owned road transport authority which is certified by the Guinness World Records for being the largest bus operator. Among the private bus operators KPN travels serves approximately 6000 passengers a day and covers more 230 locations around Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Kerala and Pondicherry. KPN is very well known for providing comfortable journey with its fleet of AC volvo coaches. Via also networks with other operators such as SRM Transports India Private Limited, Kalpana Travels Private Limited, Sharma Travels, KPN Travels, Durgamba Motors etc.

Via members receives discount on every ticket transacted with Via. So jump into this wagon and enjoy the mind blowing benefits. The bookings on Via Buses are a few clicks away. A consumer has to choose the destination from the available dropdown and by updating all the required details pertaining to the travel plans. The bus booking become very easy as you get to choose from a list of bus operators with the choice of the coach types namely Volvo, semi-sleeper, and sleeper, Mercedes Benz Multi Axle with AC and non-AC preferences.

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Sravasti and Mahoba – Ancient cities of India

Sravasti is an ancient city of India being one of the six largest cities in India during Gautama Buddha’s lifetime. The city is located in the fertile Gangetic plains in the Gonda District of Uttar Pradesh. Sravasti, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, has the honour for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetvana Gardens. Jetavana monastery was a famous monastery close to Savatthi.

The city believed to be founded by the mythological king Sravast, and has numerous age-old stupas, majestic monasteries and several temples. Buddha is said to have performed some miracles here. This holy place also has the famous Anand Bodhi tree, an offspring of the one, said to have been planted by Buddha’s main disciple.

According to the Mahabharata, the origin of Sravasti lies with the legendary king Shravasta. According to Buddhist tradition, the city was called Savatthi because the sage Savattha lived there. Another tradition says there was a caravanserai there, and people meeting there asked each other what they had (“Kim bhandam atthi?”), then replied ‘Sabbam atthi’ (meaning “we have all things”, as in everything).

Saheth and Maheth are the two villages of Sravasti. Maheth is considered as the birthplace of the Jain Tirthankar Sambhanath which is home to Sobhanath Temple. There is a mud fortification in Maheth, which is something to look out for, as this ancient structure still retains its five gates and walls. Maheth covers an area of over 400 acres of land.

Saheth is famous for its numerous ruins. Stupas, shrines and monasteries are found in plenty in Saheth.

Places to Visit:

• Maheth
• Sobhanath Temple
• Saheth
• Jetavana Monastery
• Swetambara Temple
• Ananthapindika Stupa
• Agulimala Stupa
• The Devi Patan Temple
• Sankissa

Mahoba: Mahoba is a city located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, in the Bundelkhand region. Mahoba is known for its closeness to Khajuraho, Laundi and other historic places like Kulpahar, Charkhari, Kalinjar, Orchha, and Jhansi.

The name Mahoba is derived from “Mahotsav Nagar”, the city of great festivals. The traditional founder of the Chandella Dynasty named Chandra-Verman or Nannuka celebrated the festivals with pomp and show. The Bardic tradition preserves three other names of the city: Kekaipur, Patanpur and Ratanpur. The existence of the sacred “Ram-Kund” and “Seeta-Rasoi” cave at the Gokhar hill here are said to be monumental to the visit of Rama who widely treated this hilly region while in 14-year exile at Chitrakoot.

History: From 10th to the 16th century- Mahoba was the capital of the Chandela Rajputs, who ruled Bundelkhand.

1035 to 1045- The Chandela king Vijaypal built the Vijay-sagar reservoir, one of several artificial lakes in Mahoba created by the Chandela rulers.

1203- The Chandelas recaptured Mahoba a few years later, but the city was captured by the Muslim general Qutb-ud-din Aybak.

14th century- The Chandela ruler Keerat Pal Singh recaptured Mahoba.

1545- Emperor Sher Shah Suri campaigned against the Chandelas, and captured Mahoba before dying while besieging Kalinjar. Later Mahoba was captured by the Mughal emperor Akbar.

1680- The Bundela leader Maharaja Chhatrasal captured Mahoba during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

1732- Chhatra Sal bequeathed Mahoba and the surrounding area to the Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao I in return for Baji Rao's assistance against the Mughals.

Until 1803- The Marathas ruled Mahoba, when it was ceded to British India by the Treaty of Bassein. Mahoba was made a subdivision of Hamirpur District.

-1860 AD- an English Officer of the East India Company, Mr. William Waterfield was so impressed with the ballad of Jagnik Rao Veer-Kavya “Alha-Khand that he translated it into English under the title name of “Lay of Alha” which was published by the Oxford University Press of England.

Prabhandh-kosh is another prominent scripture which refers to the Mahoba’s grandeur is the Jain text.

Places to Visit:

• Kakramath Temple
• Vijay Sagar Pakshi Vihar
• Sun Temple at Rahila Sagar
• Khajuraho
• Kalinjar
• Chitrakoot
• Gokhar Hill
• Shiv Tandav
• Jain Tirthkar
• Khakraha math
• Urmil Dam
• Chandika Devi Temple
• Sun Temple
• Sri Nagar
• Beatal Farmlands
• Alha & Udal Chowk
• Gokhar Parvat
• Charkhari Estate

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Jaunpur and Kushinagar – Cities of Religion and History

Jaunpur is a city in the Uttar Pradesh known for its pre-Mughal architecture.

History: 1359- Jaunpur was founded by the Sultan of Delhi Feroz Shah Tughlaq and was named in memory of his father, Muhammad bin Tughluq, whose given name was Jauna Khan.

1388- Feroz Shah Tughlaq appointed Malik Sarwar as the governor of the region.

1393- Malik Sarwar declared independence and along with his son Mubarak Shah founded the Sharqi dynasty.

1402 to1440- During the rule of Shams ud-din Ibrahim Shah, the Jaunpur Sultanate attained its greatest height.

1456 to 1476- the Jaunpur army and Husain decided to attempt a conquest of Delhi.

1493- Sikandar Lodi, the Delhi Sultante was able to reconquer Jaunpur bringing that sultanate to an end.

1480- Sikander Lodhi, the Sultan of Delhi, conquered Jaunpur.

During the Revolt of 1857 the Sikh troops in Jaunpur joined the Indian rebels. The district was eventually reconquered for the British by Gurkha troops from Nepal. Jaunpur then became a district administrative center.

The rulers of Sharqi Dynasty are as follows:

Malik Sarwar Khwaja-yi Jahan (1394–1399)

Malik Qaranful Mubarrak Shah (1399–1401)

Ibrahim Shams-ud-Din (1401–1440)

Mahmud Shah (1440–1458)

Mohammed Shah Bhikan Khan (1458)

Husain Shah (1458–1483)

During the past three years Jaunpur city has experienced a growing corporate presence in financial services as well as in the organized retail sector. Gomati, Sai, Varuna, Pili, and Basuhi are the five rivers which make Jaunpur a fertile land.

Almost the entire alluvial plain around the city is under cultivation, much of it irrigated. Crops include rice, corn (maize), barley, and sugarcane. The area has long suffered greatly from floods and droughts. Perfume is the principal industrial product. The city houses numerous colleges of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University

Places to Visit:

Monuments:

• Shahi Bridge
• Yamdagni Ashram
• Museums:
• Archaeological Museum
• Botanical Museum
• Zoological Museum

Holy Places:

Atala Masjid

Jami Masjid

Lal Darwaza Masjid

Kadam Rasool

Imambara

Diyawan Mahadev Mandir

Shitla Choukiya Dham

Temple of Maihar Devi

Temple of Sheetla Devi

Trilochan Mahadev Temple

Rishi Naldeo Kuldeo Ashram

Kushinagar:

Kushinagar also known as Kusinagar or Kusinara is a town and a nagar panchayat in Kushinagar district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, where Gautama Buddha is believed to have attained Parinirvana after his death. Buddha was fed some mushrooms or pork by a local and this made him fall seriously ill. Post his recovery he attained Parinirvana.

This town is located near the country of Nepal, and it is a very important pilgrimage site. The town is located in a district of the same name, and it is located in the north eastern part of the state. Kushinagar stands on the bank of the river Hiranyavati. Earlier, during the time when the Buddha came to Kushinagar, the town was ruled by the Mallas.

This town is thus known for being the final resting place of Lord Buddha. Kushinagar is swarmed with numerous monasteries and stupas and almost all of them are in ruins now. A visit to these monasteries is a must see in the town of Kushinagar. There are various temples that have been constructed in the region by many Buddhists, around these ruins by people from all over the world.

During 19th century, there was a silence of more than half a millennium at Kasia. Due to violent invasions, Kushinagar lost its vitality and eventually was neglected.

Kushinagar experiences a sub-tropical climate. Kushinagar experiences seasons like summer, winter and monsoon. Summers in the town of Kushinagar are very hot, and winters are cold. The best time to visit Kushinagar is during winter time, as the weather it at its best for sightseeing.

Places to Visit:

• Mahaparinirvana Temple
• Nirvana Chaitya (Main Stupa)
• Ramabhar Stupa
• Matha Kuar Shrine
• Meditation Park
• Indo-Japan-Srilanka Temple
• Wat Thai Temple
• Museum
• Ruins & Brick Structures
• Pawanagar /Pawapuri(Fazilnagar)
• Sun Temple, Turkpatti
• Kuber Asthan
• Devraha Asthan
• Kurukulla Asthan
• Sidhua Asthan

Temples:

• Linh Son Chinese Temple
• Myan Mar (Burmese) Temple
• Birla Hindu Buddha Temple
• Japanese Stupa
• Korean Temple
• Shiva Temple
• Ram Janaki Temple

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Braj Bhoomi- Land of Eternal Love

Braj Bhoomi is a region mainly in Uttar Pradesh of India, around Mathura-Vrindavan. Braj is culturally demarcated and is considered to be the land of Krishna. The word Braj is derived from the Sanskrit word Vraja. The main cities in the region are Mathura, Agra and Bharatpur.

Geographically Braj Bhoomi is a part of the Ganges-Yamuna Doab region and falls right in the middle of the Doab. The area was an important part of the Madhya-desha or Aryavarta or midlands, when Aryans first settled in the Ganges plains. Brajbhoomi can be divided into two distinct units :

-The Eastern Part in the Trans-Yamuna zone with places like Gokul, Mahavan, Baldeo, Mat and Bajna.

-The Western Side of the Yamuna covering the Mathura region that encompasses Vrindavan, Govardhan, Kusum Sarovar, Barsana and Nandgaon

The residents or natives of Braj are called Brijwasi. Braj bhasha or Brij bhasha, closely related to spoken Hindi with a soft accent is spoken throughout the region. Braj is also known for its delicacies and is famous for its sweets and Chaat. Pede from Mathura are famous throughout India.

Krishna performed his numerous pastimes popularly called his Leelas in the 137 sacred forests, at the 1000 Kunds, on the numerous holy hills and on the banks of river Yamuna. Lord Krishna quotes in Srimad Bhagwat Geeta, that “Braj is a culture of forests and hills and not of city”. These words were spoken to his foster father Nandbaba. There are numerous instances which prove his innate connections to mankind. By eating mud and showing the Universe in his mouth to mother Yashoda, he symbolically purified the earth element. By fighting the serpent named Kalia, he accentuated on the purification of the water element. By sucking the Forest fire in Braj, he purified the fire element and by killing Trinavrat and Vyomasur he symbolically purified the air and space elements respectively. Hence, Lord Krishna emphasized on the harmony of human life with the environment.

Places to Visit:

• Mathura
• Katra Keshav Dev
• Gita Mandir
• Dwarikadhish Temple
• Sati Burj
• Jama Masjid
• Government Museum
• Braj Parikrama
• Gokul
• Mahavan
• Baldeo
• Govardhan
• Barsana

Ghats: Ganesh Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Saraswati Sangam Ghat, Chakratirtha Ghat, Krishnaganga Ghat, Somatirth or Swami Ghat, Ghantagharan Ghat, Dharapattan Ghat, Vaikuntha Ghat, Navtirtha or Varahkshetra Ghat, Asikunda ghat and Manikarnika Ghat, the Guptatirth Ghat, Prayag Ghat marked by the Veni Madhav Temple, Shyam Ghat, Ram Ghat, Kankhal Ghat, the site of the Janmashtami and Jhula festivals, Dhruva ghat, Saptrishi Ghat, Mokshatirth Ghat, Surya Ghat, Ravan Koti Ghat and Buddha Ghat.

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Shirdi– Abode of Sai Baba

Shirdi is home to one of Maharashtra’s most revered saint, Sai Baba. Sai baba is also known as “Child of God”, as he preached tolerance towards all religions and the message of universal brotherhood. Shirdi is located approximately 296 km from Mumbai and is called the “Land of Sai”. Shirdi is far famed for the vast temple complex dedicated to Sai Baba. Devotees start queuing up in the early hours of dawn to catch a glimpse and seek the blessings of the life-size statue of Sai Baba. Thursday is auspicious for the pujas and darshan of the Sai Baba statue.

Helicopter services are available to Shirdi. The helipad is owned by Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust and on approval by the Trust the helipads can land here. Shirdi now has a new railway station called “Sainagar Shirdi”, which became operational in March 2009. With greenery all around, the entire town of Shirdi wears a beautiful look.

The summer season usually last from mid-March to June and can be quite unpredictable. During this time, the maximum temperature in Shirdi may rise to as high as 40 degree Celsius, especially in the month of May. Monsoon from June till August and September, and is quite pleasant.

The winters in Shirdi starts from the month of October-November and lasts till February. During this time, the temperature may go down to as low as 7 degree Celsius. The winters are the best period to visit Shirdi.

Places to Visit:

• Khandoba Mandir
• Gurusthan Mandir
• Sai Baba's Samadhi Mandir
• Dwarkamai (Masjid)
• Chawdi Mandir
• Lendi Baug
• Shani Mandir
• Narsimha Mandir
• Changdev Maharaj Samadhi
• Sakori Ashram

There are other places of interest that devotees can visit as well including Dwarkamani Mosque where the Baba meditated and slept on alternate nights. Near the mosque, in a corridor is the Dhuni or eternal flame that burns day and night. The Samadhis of Shri Tatya Patil Kote, Shri Bhau Maharaj Kumbhar, Shri V.Padmanabha Iyer, Shri Nanawali & Shri Abdul Baba who were ardent Bhaktas closely associated with Shri Sai Baba during His life time are located in Sansthan premises near lendhi Baug.

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