LANGUAGE

English is widely spoken in India. There are many other official languages like Hindi, Tamil, Marathi, Oriya, Telugu, Urdu, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, Kashmiri, Punjabi, etc. There are around 300 dialects and tribal languages.

BANK/EXCHANGE

There are many banks but not all deal with foreign currency. Those that do include the Bank of Baroda, ANZ, Bank of Hong Kong, and, the best, is STATE BANK OF INDIA. Credit cards are commonly excepted. Cash Advance at banks. There are also many private exchange agencies but their rates are lower. There is no longer black market in India!

BASIC TRAVEL COSTS

rooms- Bombay 250-500r toilet paper 5-7rs

elsewhere 40-150rs postcard 2-5rs

food- chai(tea) 2-5rs local cigarettes(10 ps)10-17rs

thali(rice meal) 10-30rs film 36 180rs

mineral water 10-12rs coke 10rs

pizza(6 ps) 130rs beer 50-70rs

breakfast(cont) 30-50rs t-shirt 25-100rs

breakfast(loc) 10-15rs sleepers 30rs

IMMIGRATION/VISA

It's easy to get a 6 month-1 year visa in the Indian embassy in most countries. The visa fee varies according to nationality, not in the locations of the embassy You can extend your visa at the immigration offices in Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Trivandrum. It's really rare to get an extendable

visa. Special permits to visit the north east region are usually are granted. If you take an organized tour. You can get more information from the tourist offices in Delhi (not in Calcutta!) Assam, Meghalaya are open to foreigners(98)

Andaman islands, Sikkim -you need permission to travel.

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS

BOMBAY, DELHI, MADRAS, CALCUTTA AIRPORTS. Have flight connections throughout the world.

VARANASI, BANARAS AIRPORT - Flights to Nepal.

TRIVANDRUM, THIRUVANATHAPURAM flights to Sri Lanka and South East Asia.

AGRA:

The city of Taj was established in 1475 by Badal Singh. Agra finds mention in the Mahabharat as Agraban. This city in those days was considered to be the sister city of Mathura which was more prominent than Agraban.

Agra came into its own when the Lodhi Kings chose this place beside the Yamuna to be their capital city. Sikander Lodhi made Agra his capital but Babar defeated the Lodhis to capture not only Agra but also laid the foundation of the Mughal empire.

The coming of Babar heralded a new era which was to see Agra at its zenith during the reign of Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. It was during Akbar's period that Agra became the center of art, culture and commerce and learning. This trend reached its height when Shah Jahan became the ruler.In the mid 16th century and earlier 17th century Agra witnessed a frenzied building activity and it was during this time when the symbol of love Taj Mahal was built. The buildings made during this era were purely in the contemporary Mughal style and of very high quality which is still reflected in what ever monuments remain in Agra. The narrow lanes of Agra filled with aroma of Mughlai cuisine, the craftsman who are busy in crating master pieces with their skill all remind of the Mughal royalty which this city had once experienced. Today whatever remains, has become a major tourist attraction which has taken Agra again to the heights of glory but this time as a major tourist destination of India.

GETTING THERE

Agra is one of the hottest tourist destinations in India and all facilities have been provided for the easy access to this place. It has its own airport which connects Agra with all the major places in India. The Agra airport or the Kheria airport has all the major domestic airlines having their services to this place of the Taj. Agra is a major railway station with almost all the trains to south India, Mumbai and many trains to Calcutta stopping here. The city is visited by the "Palace on Wheels" .The Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains have also their stoppage in Agra. The city is well connected by trains to almost every corner of the nation. Agra has the national highway numbers 2, 3, 11 passing through it. So the premier tourist destination of India is also well linked by bus services to other places in the State as well as outside the state. The state transports have deluxe as well as ordinary bus services for the place. There are conducted tours which take tourist not only to Agra but the near by tourist spots too.

Taj Mahal

Even as the world is caught in the skirmishes of War & peace, Nuclear and Non-Nuclear; Taj has stood as the epitome of love. This extravagant monument of love is one of the most visited and most photographed places in the world. Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan in the memory of his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal was the culmination point of Indo-Persian architecture. The Mughals Emperor were always fond of constructing monuments. Perhaps they knew that they would be gone but these structures will remind the world of their grandeur. Shah Jahan was particularly fond of building . He built the city of Shah Jahanabad which today is called the old Delhi. He loved construction more than that he loved his wife. Mumtaz Mahal as the name indicates, her beauty is compared with the light of heaven. She died while giving birth to her fourteenth child. Shah Jahan was so shocked by her death that his hair turned grey over night.

Agra Red Fort

Built principally as a military establishment by Akbar in 1565, the red sandstone Agra fort was partially converted into a palace during Shah Jahan's time. Though the principle structure was built by Akbar many more additions were made by his grandsons.

Jehangir Palace

This was built by Akbar for his favorite son Jehangir to provide him with the comfort and luxury inside the fort. This palace displays an excellent combination of Hindu and Muslim architecture.

Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb

This tomb belongs to the father of Nur Jahan, Ghias-ud-Din Beg. He was the Wajir or the Chief Minister of Emperor Jehangir. This white marble tomb was built by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628. The tomb may not be as mammoth as the Taj but the inlay designs and carvings are no less than Taj if not more. The delicate marble latticework in the passages allows the light to enter the interiors. A similar tomb was built by Nur Jahan for Jehangir in Lahore. This tomb was the first complete marble Moghul structure.

Jawab Masjid

Jawab Masjid inside Taj Mahal is a red stone mosque basically made for aesthetic appeal. Ashe mosque faces east, prayers are not offered here.

Chini-Ka-Rauza

A tomb of glazed tiles is a memorial dedicated to poet-scholar and later the Prime Minister of Shah Jahan, Allama Afzel Khal Mullah Shukrullah of Shiraz.

Moti Masjid

A tomb of glazed tiles is a memorial dedicated to poet-scholar and later the Prime Minister of Shah Jahan, Allama Afzel Khal Mullah Shukrullah of Shiraz.

Jami Masjid

Built by Shah Jahan in 1648, the main gate of this mosque has inscription written on it that it was built by Jahanara Begum. She was the favorite daughter of Shah Jahan and was imprisoned with him. The absence of minarets and the shape of the dome gives it a distinguished character.

Culcutta:

・ Victoria Memorial - Monument

Southern end of the Maidan. Magnificent white-marble building with Italian statues and Mogul domes, built to commemorate the Empire at its peak. Sound and light show at night.

・ Dalhousie Square (Now BBD Bagh) - Commercial and administrative hub.

Central Calcutta. Magnificent buildings including the red-brick Writers Building where the clerks of the East India Company conducted their business. Nearby, the church of St. John's also worth a visit.

・ Marble Palace - Museum

Muktaram Babu Street, off Chittaranjan Ave. (MG Road metro stop.) An extraordinary collection of lavish and bizarre exhibits set in a magnificent marble palace. Permit needed (free from Tourist Office).

・ Kalighat - Hindu Temple

5km south of Park Street along Ashutosh Mukherjee Road. Calcutta's most important temple dedicated to Kali and always a hive of frenzied activity. Open to non-Hindus and alms are much appreciated.

           Visitors will experience Calcutta first and foremost as a colonial city with magnificent buildings dating back to when Calcutta was the capital of British India and the "Jewel in the Crown". From the magnificent Victoria Memorial and Gothic St. Paul's Cathedral to the innumerable palaces built for administrators and merchants of the Raj era, its historical importance is juxtaposed with the manic street scenes of India's most populous city racing towards the Millennia. Around every corner there is something to surprise.

The Writers Building and St. John's church are steeped in history - the monument to the Black Hole incident standing in the grounds of the latter. Howrah Bridge, one of Calcutta's great landmarks spans the Hooghly river, tributary of the sacred Ganges, and carries tens of thousands of people between the east and west shores. Pilgrims bathe in the river at Babu and Chandpal ghats, priests perform pujas and early morning mud wrestlers throw each other about. The Indian Museum is one of the best in the country and some of the palaces are open to tourists. Temples, mosques, and churches abound and there are some excellent markets and emporia for your last minute souvenir shopping. The Botanical Gardens, a peaceful haven across the river, boasts the world's largest Banyan tree: 24 meters high with a circumference of 420 meters.

Chennai:

・ Fort George Museum - Museum

Fort George, Georgetown Memorabilia from the days of the East India Company: portraits, letters, regimental flags, weapons, and thick woolen uniforms that make you wonder how the Raj survived as long as it did. (Open daily except Fri 10am-5pm; admission free).

・ Government Museum - Archeological museum

Pantheon Rd, south of Egmore Railway Station. Remarkable archeological finds from south India, including the world famous second-century Amaravati stupa relief's and an unsurpassed collection of Chola bronzes. (Open daily except Fri 9.30am-5pm. Rs3, camera Rs20. Bus #11H from Anna Salai.)

・ Kapileshwara temple - Hindu temple

Mylapore district. The most famous temple in Chennai, boasting a huge tower above its main entrance, plastered in stucco figures. The market in the surrounding precinct is also worth a browse.

・ Saint Thomas' Mount - church

11km south of the city center, close to the airport (take a suburban train to Guindy railway station, and walk from there). The Apostle Saint Thomas is believed to have been speared to death while praying before a stone cross on this hilltop, now a major Christian pilgrimage site.

・ MGR Film City - Film studios

On the southern outskirts next to the Buckingham Canal (daily 8am--8pm; Rs25, plus Rs50 for still camera permits). The only one of Chennai's big Tamil film studios that opens its doors to visitors. Head down here if there's a song-and-dance sequence being shot.

        In the northeastern corner of Tamilnadu on the Bay of Bengal, Chennai, (still commonly referred to by its former British name, Madras) is India's fourth-largest city, with a population nudging six million. Hot, congested and noisy, it is the major transportation hub of the south - the international airport makes a marginally less stressful entry point to the subcontinent than Bombay or Delhi - and most travellers stay just long enough to book a ticket somewhere else. The attractions of the city itself are sparse, though it does boast fine specimens of Raj architecture, pilgrimage sites connected with the apostle "Doubting Thomas", superb Chola bronzes at its chief museum, and plentiful music and dance performances. Chennai divides into three main areas. The northern district, separated from the rest by the River Cooum, is the site of the first British outpost in India, Fort St George, and the commercial center, George Town, that grew up during British occupation. At the southern end of Rajaji Salai, Parry's Corner, George Town's principal landmark, is a major bus stop.

Central Chennai, sandwiched between the Cooum and Adyar rivers, and crossed diagonally by the city's main thoroughfare, Anna Salai, is dominated by modern commercial and residential areas, and gives way in the east to a long straight marina where fishermen mend nets and set small boats out to sea, and tourists hitch up saris and trousers for a quick paddle. South of here, near the coast, Mylapore, inhabited in the 1500s by the Portuguese, boasts Kapileshwara temple and San Thome Church, both tourist attractions and places of pilgrimage. Further out, south of the Adyar, the Portuguese church on St Thomas Mount overlooks Guindy National Park, the only city national park in India.

Delhi:

Delhi is a palimpsest, bearing the complexities, the contradictions, the beauty and the dynamism of a city where the past coexists with the present. many dynasties ruled from here and the city is rich in the architecture of its monuments. Diverse cultural elements absorbed into the daily life of the city have enriched its character. exploring the city can be a fascinating and rewarding experience....

India a land of snake charmers and magicians and the capital of this land of mysteries is Delhi. Delhi is just not a city but it is a book-- a book which narrates the history of India. The city was built and destroyed seven times and has been witness to the various events which has brought India through the history books. Seven times this city went through the pain of being built and rebuilt.

Today as the capital of India Delhi is the seat of administration and the monuments which tell the saga of a bygone era stand there. These icons are testimony to the grandeur of past and also an attraction for the tourists. With an area of 1483 sq. Kms, Delhi is all set to acquire full statehood. The charm of Delhi has attracted Emperors, Conquerors and poor in equally. It is correctly said that Delhi is a land of 'Dilwalas' or for people with heart. This phrase acquires a true colour when one goes around the lanes of Delhi. Delhi-- a window to the kaleidoscope that is India.

Chandni Chowk - One of the main markets of Delhi, Chandni Chowk was once lined with beautiful fountains. But today the place is very crowded and congested. Chandni Chowk is located opposite the Red Fort. The Area has got the Digamber Jain Temple which houses the Birds hospital. On one end of Chandni Chowk is the Fatehpuri Mosque which was erected by the wives of Shah Jahan. Opposite the old police station or the Kotwali is the Sunheri Masjid from where Nadir Shah ordered his troops to plunder and massacre Delhi.

Old Delhi - The City of Shahjahanabad was the capital of Shah Jahan but little remains of that old city. The Old Delhi or the walled city served as the capital for many emperors. Today, remains of the historical city are the gates like - Kashmiri Gate, Ajmeri Gate, Turkman Gate, Delhi gate. Near Delhi Gate is Feroz Shah Kotla, close to this is kept the Ashokan Pillar which was brought from Meerut by Feroz Shah Tughlaq.

The Ghats - Along the banks of Jamuna are located the places were the leaders and freedom fighters of India were cremated. The Raj Ghat is one of the most visited ghats. A simple square platform of black marble marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated after his assassination in 1948. To North of Raj Ghat is the cremation ground of Jawaharlal Nehru named as Shanti Van. The cremation ground of Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi are also in the vicinity. The cremation ground of Lal Bahadur Shastri is nearby.

Rajpath & India Gate - Flanked by ornamental ponds and lawns, Rajpath is host to the Republic Day Parade. The two secretariat buildings and Rashtrapati Bhawan on the Raisina hills are located on the two sides of this immensely broad road. Previously the Boat Club, besides the Rajpath, was host to many demonstrations and Rallies. India Gate is towards the eastern end of Rajpath .

India Gate is a 42m high stone arch of triumph. It bears the name of the 85,000 Indian Army Soldiers who died in the campaigns of WW1, the North-West Frontiers operations and the 1919 Afghan Fiasco. Below the arch is the memorial to the unknown soldier. India Gate is surrounded by green grass lawns and trees.

The Parliament House- Sansad Bhawan or the Parliament house is the supreme law making body in the country. It is the center of power and politicians decide the fate of the Indian Democracy here. Visitors are not allowed inside the house but when the house is in session, visitors may take permission to go inside and watch the proceedings of the house. The parliament consists of three halls- Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and the central hall. For the foreign visitors permits are given only after they obtain an introductory letter from the respective embassy.

Juma Masjid - One of the Architectural gift given by Shah Jahan, Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques not only in Delhi but in India. Completed in 1658 this Mosque has three gateways, Four angle towers and two 40 m high minarets. You can enter the mosque but take precaution to take off your shoes and make sure that you are properly dressed before entering. One can also go to the top of minarets. From here you can have a birds eye view of Delhi.

The Bahai Temple - Completed in 1986, the Bahai temple is set amidst pools and gardens, and adherents of any faith are free to visit the temple and pray or meditate silently according to their own religion. The structure is in lotus shape so it often called the lotus temple. The view of the temple is very spectacular just before dusk when the temple is flood lit.

Nizam-Ud-Din Shrine - The tomb of the famous sufi saint Nizam-ud-din Auliya is built on the way from Humayun's tomb. Inside the premises of the shrine is a tank which is surrounded by many other tombs. It is said that there was a controversy between the rulers of Tughlakabad and the saint over building this tank. The saint had said that the city of Tughlakabad will never flourish and so did it happen. The shrine also has the tomb of Amir Khusru and the grave of Jahanara, the daughter of Shah Jahan. It is worth visiting the shrine at around sunset on Thursdays, as it is a popular time for worship, and qawwali singers start performing after the evening prayers.

Lakshmi Narayan Temple - This temple was build by G. D. Birla in 1938. This beautiful temple is located in the west of Connaught Place. The temple is dedicated to the goddess of prosperity and good fortune. The temple has well grafted gardens. It is also known as the Birla Mandir.

ISKCON Temple - Completed in 1998, this is a complex of temples. Built on a hilly place this temple is dedicated to the Lord Krishna and was built by the Hare-Rama Hare- Krishna cult followers. This complex is elegantly build and is one of the largest temple complexes in India. Currently the main attraction of the temple are the Robort who enact and preach the Gita.

Chattarpur Mandir - A complex of temples called Chattarpur mandir is located beyond the Qutab Minar in Mehrauli. Dedicated to Goddess Durga. Build in South Indian style the temple complex is spread over a large area with beautiful lawns and gardens. Though devotees visit these temples through the year, during the navratras devotees come from near and far. During the festivals there are special bus services to these temples.

Mumbai:

・ Central Bazaars - Market streets

Behind CST, off MG Rd, Fort. An anarchic jumble of market streets. Each bazaar specializes in something, from fruit to gold, car parts to second-hand clothes, copper to prostitutes.

・ Chowpatty Beach - Promenade

Marine Drive. Wander along the Back Bay Promenade at sunset, as the fun-loving Mumbaiites enjoy funfairs, massages, bhel puri snacks, horse races, magicmen and music.

・ Elephant Island - Island

Buy tickets and board boats at the Gateway of India. (Boats depart hourly.) The island is crowned by an eighth-century rock-cut cave, with magnificent panels of Shiva and a six-meter high Trimurti (three-headed) bust of the powerful god. (Open 9am-12.15am, Rs50 or Rs70 with cave guide.)

・ Prince of Wales Museum of Western India - Museum

Mahatma Gandhi Rd, Colaba. This distinctive Raj-era building, set in attractive gardens, houses collections of Mogbut miniatures, clay and terracotta figures from the Mauryan period, art crafts from the Indus Valley Civilization and Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, to name a few. (Open Tues-Sun, 10. 15am-6pm; Rs-3, camera Rs15.)

・ Taj Mahal Intercontinental Hotel - Historic hotel

PJ Rainchandani Marg, Colaba (tele: 022/202 3366). Rising behind the Gateway of India, this opulent landmark hotel was built to mock the "whites-only" rule at the long-gone Watson's Hotel.

    Young, brash and oozing with the cocksure self-confidence of a maverick money-maker, Mumbai (formerly Bombay), revels in its reputation as India's most dynamic and Westernized city. Behind the "streets-paved-with-gold" hype, however, are chronic problems of poverty and shortage of space as roughly fifteen million crowd onto the isolated peninsula. Between the airports to the north and the southern tip of Mumbai lies a thirty-kilometer long seething mass of streets, suburbs and relentless traffic. Even though conventional sights are thin on the ground, there is a constant whirl of colorful activity to watch, calm sea-views to drink in and shops to peruse. Mumbai is a rewarding place to stop for a few days, especially if you have time to dip beneath the surface, and discover the more unusual haunts and sights, such as the habawallahs at Chuchgate station arranging the tiffin delivery, or visit the dawn fish markets at Ferry Wharf. Even during the relatively cool winter months, exploring Mumbai can be hard work, requiring plenty of pit stops at juice stalls along the way. Start in Colaba on the southern peninsula, home to most of the hotel restaurants and best-known sights, including the Gateway of India. The Colaba Causeway has retained the distinctly sleazy feel of the bustling port it used to be with dodgy money changers, dealers and pimps hissing at passers-by; now, however, it is also home to a distinctive Muslim Middle-Eastern community and is the playground of trendy Mumbai youth. A short walk north takes you to the Prince of Wales Museum, Jehangir Art Gallery and on to the Fort area, home to the extravagant. Raj-era Chatrapathi Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) and the onion domed GPO. Churchgate Station looms near the grassy Oval Maiden that still echoes with leather against willow bat. From Nariman Point's skyscrapers to the lively Chow patty Beach and the affluent apartment blocks of Malabar Hill, the sweeping curve of Back Bay presents Mumbai at its snazziest. North and East of the Bay, are ramshackle and densely populated suburbs that radiate out from the vast central bazaar area that stretches between CST and Mumbai Central Station, Further afield, the sprawling open-air municipal dhobi ghats at Mahalakshini are a photographer's dream, the beach at Juhu is studded with five-star hotels and the Kanheri caves in the Borivil suburb offer an atmospheric, if unspectacular, introduction to the rock-cut art of Maharashtra. An hour's boat ride from Colaba, the tranquil, forested island of Elephanta is populated only by a small fishing community and is a relief after the seething claustrophobia of the city.

THE CITY OF VICTORY

The Rose Pink City founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743), is the capital of Rajasthan. It is a major attraction for the first-time visitor. Jaipur is surrounded on all sides by rugged hills, crowned with forts & enclosed by embattled walls. Houses with latticed windows line the streets with their rose pink color, lending enchantment to the scene which is almost magical at sunset.

The Old City (Known as the Pink City) is a great place to wander around. The whole city was painted in Pink color by Maharaja Man Singh II when Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, visited Jaipur in 1876. Today, every home within the city is obliged by law to maintain his facade. It is a very well planned city laid out in a grid pattern and was designed by a Young Bengali engineer and scholar by the name "Vidyadhar Bhattacharya".

Jaipur was and remains the only city in the world, symbolising the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors sub-dividing it. Jaipur is a royal city & this is its most noticeable aspect, small Buildings & festivals testify to it.

Jaipur & its surroundings are rather like an endless museum. The city also offers an endless variety of crafts. Jewelers here still fashion the beautiful enamel-on-gold pendants, studded on the reverse with precious stones or pearls & turquoise that one sees in miniature paintings. Jaipur's lacquer bangles are famous all over the world. This is a city to be visited.

Amer Palace -

The magnificent fort with its huge ramparts & watchtowers, overlooking the Delhi-Jaipur highway. It is believed to have been the capital of the "Minas", the original inhabitants of Rajasthan.

City Palace -

Nakkarkhana-ka-Darwaza, the imposing gateway of the City Palace guarded by stone elephants, is monumental.

Hawa Mahal -

A Pandora's box of wonders, the enchanting Hawa Mahal is a multi-layered palace, with a profusion of windows and stone screens.

Jai Garh -

Built on a peak, overlooks the palace & city of Amber below. Jal Mahal - Is Jaipur's lake palace. Surrounded with water.

Jantar Mantar -

The amazing astronomical three-story-high complex observatory, of an 18th century Rajasthani king named, Jai Singh.

Nahargarh Fort -

Originally called Sudarshan Garh affords a splendid view of Jaipur.

Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh -

Has beautiful gardens, fountains, pools & some magnificent pieces of Sculpture.

Government Central Museum: This is the oldest Museum in the State. The building, designed by Colonel Sir Swinton Jacob is located in the center of the sprawling Ram Niwas Bagh. Built in 1876 when King Edward VII visited India as the Prince of Wales, it was opened to public in 1886.

EXCURSIONS:

Bairath (86 km on the Shahpura-Alwar Road):

An important historical place with the excavated remains of a circular Buddhist temple - unique in Rajasthan and the earliest known temple in India. Bairath also has relics of the Mauryan, Mughal and Rajput periods. A mint constructed by Akbar, a beautiful Mughal garden and a remarkable monument with painted chhatris and wall built by Jahangir, are other attractions.

Gaitor (6.5 km on the road to Amer):

There are memorials to the queens in the Maharani-ki-Chhatri complex near the Ramgarh road crossing. The white marble cenotaph of Maharajah Jai Singh II is the most impressive and is decorated with carved peacocks. Next to it is the cenotaph of his son. The island palace-Jal Mahal built by Sawai Madho Singh as a pleasure spot at the center of the Man Sagar Lake, and the Kanak Vrindavan complex of temples and gardens recently renovated add to its pristine glory. To the west of this road, in a narrow valley, is the royal cremation ground at Gaitor. The cenotaphs of all Jaipur rulers, with the exception of Sawai Ishwari Singh, who was cremated outside the Jai Niwas Garden, were built at this place. The imposing cenotaph of Sawai jai Singh stands out for its delicate carvings and beautiful shape.

Galta (2.5 km):

Beyond the gardens amidst the low hill guarding the city lies the old pilgrim center of Galtaji. Temples, pavilions and holy kunds (natural springs and reservoirs) dot the serene green landscape. The small temple of the Sun god, built by Diwan Kriparam on top of the highest peak, is visible form all parts of the city.

Ramgarh Lake (32 km north-east)

A huge artificial lake created by constructing a high dam amidst tree covered hills. While the temple of Jamwa Mata and the ruins of the old fort are some of its antiquities, its beautiful landscape makes it an idyllic picnic spot.

Samod (40 km north-west) :

The beautiful Samod Palace, has been rebuilt and renovated and provides a fine example of the Rajput haveli architecture and is an ideal spot for outings.

Sanganer (16 km):

Located on the Tank road. This small town is entered through the ruins of two 'Tripolias' or triple-gateways. The town has a ruined palace and a group of Jain temples with fine carvings. Entry to the temples is restricted. The town is an important center for craft, industry and produces some of the finest hand printed textiles from units of block and screen printers. This textile is popular all over the country and abroad. On the Ajmer Road, the ground level fort is still in good shape. It is noted for its hand printed handloom industry using simple techniques.

Vidyadhar's Garden:

Nestled in a narrow valley, this beautiful garden was built in honour of Jai Singh's chief architect and town planner.

Goa:

Panaji - The capital of Goa was only a small fishing village four centuries ago. It is still a midget town, but one of the most beautiful in India and the capital of Goa. Rising on the wooded terraces of the Altinho Hill, the town slopes down to Mandovi river on one side to the Arabian Sea on the other. Panaji's Portuguese heritage can be seen in its narrow winding streets, old houses with over hanging balconies, red-tiled roofs and numerous small bars and cafe's. The best way to experience the place is to take a walk.

Mapusa - 13kms from Panaji, Mapusa is a small town forming the hub of north Goa. It has an even blend of residential and commercial establishments and gardens. People from all over Goa come here to buy and sell their wares in the famous Friday market. 14 km from Mapusa is the Kansarpal-Kalbadevi temple, believed to be about 800 years old.

Margao (Madgaon) - is the second largest city in Goa and a commercial metropolis. A pleasant provincial town with throwbacks to its Portuguese past, it has a series of beaches in an 18 km stretch of silvery sand: Palolean, Betul and Colva. Other interesting places around Margao are Chandreshwar Bhutnath temple and the Rachol Seminary and church which dates back to the early 16th century.

Chandor - 13 km east of Margao across the fertile rice fields of Salcete lies sleepy Chandor village, a scattering of tumbledown villas and farmhouses ranged along shady tree-lined lanes. The splendid Perreira-Braganza/Menezes-Braganza house, regarded as the grandest of Goa's colonial mansions is the prime attraction. Dominating the dusty village square, the house, built in the 1500s by the wealthy Braganza family for their two sons, has a huge double-storied facade, with 28 windows flanking its entrance.

Vasco-Da-Gama - This spick and span coastal town popularly known as Vasco was originally called Sambhaji. Imposing multi-storeyed buildings and a church dominate nate the city center here. This well laid out city is also the railway terminus for passenger service. Goa's only airport, Dabolim is also 4km from Vasco, at the other end.

Ponda - is also called Antruz Mahal because of the concentration of culture, music, drama and poetry. This town also has many temples - Shri Gopal Ganapati Temple, Mahalakshmi temple, Shri Nagesh temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Shri Mangesh temple and the Safe Shahouri Masjid.

Old Goa - is the state's showpiece and the only remnant of the massive and overpow- ering Portuguese presence which established its capital on the southern bank of the Mandovi river. In its heyday, the 1500s, it was the largest and most flourishing of the great Asian cities and called `Goa Dourada', golden Goa. The monuments and cathedrals today represent just a fraction of the urban development that was Old Goa.

Chapora & Bagator - This is one of the most interesting parts of Goa's coastline, and more attractive than Anjuna for either a short or a long stay. Much of the area nestles under a canopy of dense coconut palms, and Chapora village is more reminiscent of a charmingly unruly farmyard than a beach resort. The village is dominated by a rocky hill topped by the remains of a fairly well-preserved Portuguese fort and the estuary of the Chapora River. There are sandy coves, pleasant beaches and rocky cliffs at nearby Vagator