Araku Valley

Araku Valley, 115-km from Vishakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh is close to the Orissa State, border. This place lures people with pleasant weather, hills and valleys. The natural beauty of this valley comes alive with its rich landscape. The area of the valley is roughly 36-km and the altitude is between 600 and 900m above the sea level.

The journey to this place on the Ghat road with thick forests on either side is in itself interesting and pleasant. One can have a wonderful trekking trip. 46 tunnels and bridges will greet you on the way.

On the way to Araku, 56 km earlier, falls the 1168 m high Vishakhapatnam district . whose primary attraction is the stalactite cave formed by water droplets. The longest rail bridge (\ km) on this route lies across river Kolaba in Ananthagiri. In between, on the Waltair-Araku route, 33 km from Araku and 99 km from Waltair, near the Borra Guhalu station is the biggest cave in Indja. It is 300 m wide and 40 m deep at an altitude of 722 m, and has steps going down, leading to an enormous Sivalinga that has water trickling over it. Legend says Ram, Lakshman and Sita stayed in this cave during exile in the forest and worshipped this deity. more..

Jaisalmer Fort

Situated deep inside the Thar Desert is the majestic Jaisalmer Fort of Rajasthan. It is supposed to be one of the biggest desert forts in the world. The magnificent Jaisalmer Fort is said to be around 800 years old. Although located in the desert, this major settlement was once an important trade route. Due to new means of transportation and new shipping routes, this fort was ignored with times to come. Even today the Jaisalmer Fort of Rajasthan stands upright in its entire splendor and has succeeded in placing a remote place like Jodhpur on the world map as one of the most frequented tourist destinations in India.

The Jaisalmer Fort is made up of golden yellow sandstones because of which the Fort is locally known as Sonar Quila (Golden Fortress). Jaisalmer was founded around 1156 A.D. by a Rajput ruler named Raja Rawal Jaiswal. The famous Indian film-maker Satyajit Ray also wrote a novel based on the fort and called it "Sonar Quila". The Fort comprises of Jain Temples, a royal palace, magnificent havelis (mansions) and four huge gateways and is located on top of the Trikuta Hill. The Fort stands tall reaching a staggering height of 250 feet and houses nearly one fourth of the ancient city's population. The fort receives its supply of water from in-built wells. more..

Kashi

The Kashi Vishwanath temple is located in the heart of the cultural capital of India, Varanasi. It stands on the western bank of India's holiest river Ganges. The Kashi Vishwanath temple is the center of faith for millions of Hindus. The Jyotirlinga of Shiva, Vishweshwara or Vishwanatha, is enshrined in the Kashi Vishwanath temple, considered as one of the holiest temples of India. In Hindu religion it is believed that a simple glimpse of the Jyotirlinga is a soul-cleansing experience that transforms life and puts it on the path of knowledge and Bhakti (devotion). A single darshan of Vishweshwara Jyotirlinga is considered to merit more than the darshan of other jyotirlingas, scattered in various parts of India.

The oldest living city in the world, Varanasi is the ultimate destination of all Hindu pilgrims searching for moksha from the cycle of birth and re-birth. It is held sacred for being the home of Lord Shiva and Parvati as also the presence of the mighty river, Ganges that in Varanasi is said to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals.No one knows when Varanasi was found, a city whose status as the foremost place of Hindu pilgrimage cannot be questioned. Located in the modern-day state of Uttar Pradesh, in the Uttaranchal region, its beginnings are lost in the mists of time. However, it is said that Shiva and Parvati were its first citizens. Ganga (the Ganges) the 'River of Life', is said to have acquired the boon to wash away the sins of the human race, when it flowed from the tresses of Lord Shiva. And Varanasi is the place where she turns into the mighty river. Hundreds and thousands of pilgrims flock to this eternal city to expiate their sins. more..