With about 30, 000 people inhabiting it, it is the largest town in the city. The snow-capped peaks of the Kanchenjunga envelopes the town and offers spectacular view. Amidst the whipping prayer flags, brightly painted pagoda houses, hums of prayers in the background, coupled with smiling people against the beautiful scenic backdrop of the Gangtok, this truly becomes a place worth visiting.

It is a heavily forested region bounded by the rivers Tista and Tolung, and surrounded by the mountain ranges of Kanchenjunga, Pandim, Narsing, Simvo and Siniolchu. The Stupas, the monasteries, all reach out with full mysticism to attract a large number of people to this magical land every year.

Gangtok, apart from being the second smallest state of India, is also host to some of the important Buddhist religious sites. The small town itself is a beautiful place to be moving around, apart from Gangtok housing many other tourists’ attractions. A peaceful blend of traditionalism and modernity, Gangtok is truly a snow covered, fun paradise.

“Mamall”, meaning the great wrestler was the name given to king Narasimha Varman I. Most of the temples here is dedicated to the Lord Siva and Vishnu, were completed between 630 A.D and 728 A.D during the reign of Narasimha Varman II.

Places to see:
Arjuna’s Penance : This skillfully carved rock is the largest bas – relief sculpture in the world. It gets its name from the figure of an ascetic who is believed to be Arjuna, the hero of Mahabharata, doing penance to obtain a boon from Lord Siva. However, there are others who think that the figure is actually Bhagiratha who entreated Siva to let the river Ganges flow over the earth.

The Five Rathas : There are five monolithic temples, each created in different style. They are also know as Pancha Pandava Rathas, and four of the Rathas are supposed to have scooped out of a single rock formation.

The Tiger’s Cave : It is 4 kms north of the main monument complex. It was an open air theatre, where cultural programmes are held. Though it is very near the sea, the place is serene and calm.

The Shore Temple : This is one of the oldest temples in South India. It belongs to the 8th Century AD and is a good example of the first phase of structural temples constructed in Dravidian style. The monuments are flood lit at night and so it is possible to enjoy their beauty after sunset.

People who love to get swayed into the rhythm can also go for the Mahabalipuram Dance Festival . It is an occasion for the dance lovers to enjoy the performances of the artists from all parts of the country. The festival is celebrated in the month of January/February every year. The Shore Temple forms the backdrop of this festival and the music from the musical instruments mixes with the natural music of wind and the sea. The Mahabalipuram Dance festival is an occasion when artists from all over the country come together to perform.

The virtuous city of Mamallapuram is situated just 60 km off Chennai on the Bay of Bengal coast in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The city is well connected through a network of roads from Chennai and other important cities of South India. And Mamallapuram tour offers the travelers a perfect getaway to explore the true beauty of this amazing city.

It shares the international boundary with Myanmar on the western & Southern side. Legand has it that the discovery of Manipur was the result of delight that the gods took in dancing.  Still practiced today, is a classical dance form marked by graceful & restrained movements and delicate hand gestures known as ‘Manipuri’.

Manipur is a chest of tradition and cultural patterns, best represented by its dance forms. The Lai-haraoba a traditional stylized ritual dance performed for appeasing gods and goddess. The Lai-haraoba festival is generally celebrated between April and May.

The “raas” songs and dances express the “Leelas” (play) of Lord Krishna as a child with “Gopis” of Brindvan and depict their yearning for communion with the lord. The tribal dances of Manipur are the expression of love, creativity and aestheticism of the tribal people of the state. Manipuris were earlier recognized as skillful warriors and still practice the arts of wrestling sword fighting and martial arts. Songol kangjej (manipur Polo) is the principal sport of the state, for polo is believed to have originated here.

The erotic possibilities suggested by the stone figures in the numerous temples have contributed to Khajuraho’s international fame. Another prime feature of the temple craftmanship is that they are liberally embellished with some of the finest handiwork of the Chandela period, a dynasty which survived for five centuries before falling to the onslaught of Islam. Visitors are also drawn to a dance festival, celebrated in March, which attracts some of the best classical dancers in the country – the floodlit temples provide a spectacular backdrop during the event.

The largest and most important temples are in the attractively landscaped Western Group. Externally, the temples consist of curvilinear towers with clusters of lesser turrets clinging to them, suggestive of rising mountain peaks converging round a great central peak.

Round the exterior walls are two, sometimes three, superimposed rows of gods, goddesses, kings and heroes, courtesans, couples in carnal embrace and, in some cases, friezes depicting various forms of bestiality. The interiors are just as ornate, with an open portico leading into a main hall, then a vestibule beyond which is an inner sanctum containing the free-standing cult image. In fact, the sculpture and architecture blend so perfectly that each building appears to have been conceived by a single – and highly sexed – mastermind.

Auroville is not a tourist attraction, and casual visitors may find it a bit bewildering and unwelcoming. Each settlement has its own area of work interest and expertise – from traditional medicinal plants to renewable energy to organic farming to women’s groups, to name just a few – and most Aurovillians are busy simply getting on with their work and lives in these communities off the main road. But if you’re at all interested in the philosophy it’s worth the ride out to the visitors centre to find out how it all works, to eat some great food at the café, and maybe stay at a guesthouse in one of the settlements that suits your interests.

At the spiritual and physical centre of Auroville is an astonishing structure called the Matrimandir, looking something like a cross between a giant golden golf ball and a NASA space project. It contains a silent inner chamber lined with white marble and housing a solid crystal (the largest in the world) 70cm in diameter. Rays from the sun are beamed into this crystal from a tracking mirror in the roof. On cloudy days, solar lamps do the job. But you won’t actually see this; the Matrimandir is not open to casual visitors. A section of the gardens (10am-1pm & 2-4.30pm daily except Sun afternoon), from which you can see the structure, can be visited; you need to pick up a pass (free) from the information service.

Since 2009, there has been a resurgence of sorts, with about half-a-dozen big events at the Qutub Shahi Tombs, the Chowmahallah Palace and the Taramati Baradari are also in great demand, having more than one event every month. This is the best way to get the community involved and get people to value and celebrate their heritage.

Regular Sufi Nights are organised with Qutub Shahi tombs and the Charminar as venues. While that’s for the local populace, tourists these days are looking for an enhanced experience. People no longer are content to stand in front of the Charminar or Golconda, click a picture and move on. Shows at these sites make their visits memorable. In fact, after Delhi, Hyderabad has the largest number of monuments.

While the city has made vast progress with regard to preserving and showcasing its culture and heritage, a lot more is there to be done. There are waterworks department in the Erramanzil Palace and a Unani hospital in a city palace. In fact, there are a couple of palaces near the Chowmahallah that should be restored and brought into public domain for people to admire their beauty or be turned into museums.

Talking of the jewel in the city’s crown – the Falaknuma Palace which is now a luxury hotel, this one palace is sufficient to make people want to visit the city.

Hyderabad is blessed with best of both the old and new worlds. A bustling metro and at the same time a rich heritage and culture that’s still vibrant.

Also, bring true to the Hyderabadi nature, the place is a foodies paradise. Starting with head towards for some nahari and bhuna ghosht and a glass of lassi. Go towards the Silvath Palace (aka Chowmahalla Palace) area, where one can find the most authentic Hyderabadi kebabs “Badi Chowk ke pas ke kebabs” and the best thing about it is that not too many people know about it. one can also enjoy garma garam chai with some baked Osmania Biscuits from Nimrah Cafe & Bakery. when feel stuffed one can relish with Basheerbagh Paan Mahal for a few meetha and saada paans.

18-day trek: From Kedarnath, where hundreds of pilgrims arrive from all regions of India, the path proceeds at first along the sacred Bhagirathi river, then through dense forests and grassy areas as far as Lata. From there it is a 5-hour drive to Gangotri, where the second part of the trek starts. Near Gaumukh, close to the Source of the Ganges, you will experience the strange view of half-naked saddhus in the lotus position, meditating on the bank of the bubbling stream pouring out the glacier. Further up, Tapovan is a grassy area with numerous brooks, surrounded by snowy peaks.

22-day trek: It is a round-trip itinerary starting in Kedarnath, along the sacred Baghirathi river, then heading west, through dense forests and grassy areas. The nothern part of the itinerary will offer magnificent views of several high altitude lakes.

Down river from Devprayag, the Ganga changes into a pool drop river. This stretch of almost 70 kms, is perfect for the amateur and the novice, for here, the river offers some fine Grade III rapids, and two Grade II rapids, the ‘wall’ at Bysi and the ‘Golf Course” 4 kms below Shivpuri village; each followed by deep and placid pools.

Sandy beaches line the river at intervals, allowing river rafters to pull up alongside, for a spot of relaxation. The slopes on either side, are covered with oak, pine, spruce, and fir, with an occasional village and its terraced fields, dotting the landscape. Wildlife can be sighted at a distance, especially spotted deer, monkeys and leopards.  Spiritual retreats and ashrams (hermitages) overlook the river, and add a spiritual flavour to this fantastic experience. River Rafting is Operational from Mid-September to Mid-May.

In Kumaon, the Kali Ganga (Sharda) flows down from the Nepal border, through the Kumaon hills. The Kali and the Jori rivers meet at Jauljivi, where the water level increases, perfect for ace professionals. For over 110 kms from Jauljivi to Tanakpur, its rapids are Grade IV, and more. The tough three days of rafting should be attempted only, by professionals.

Lower down among the forested slopes, the river becomes calmer, offering the amateur a sporting challenge, before flowing out into the plains of Uttaranchal. In the morning enjoy a city tour of Ashrams and Temples and also a visit to Yoga and Meditation centre, afterwards drive to Rudrprayag; confluence of river Mandikini with Alaknanda. Overnight at camps. Raft down to Srinagar. Overnight at camps. Rafting down to Deoprayag where river Alaknanda merges with River Bhagirathi and forms the Ganges.  Deoprayag – Kaudiyala, rafting up to Kaudiyala. Kaudiyala – Shivpuri raft down to Shivpuri. And don’t forget to end your stay in the amazing overnight camps with bonfire, food and chitchats with other tourist.

The two major sacred sites in Bodhgaya are the Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi Tree, around which many other temples and monasteries of various Buddhist traditions (Japanese, Tibetan, Bhutanese and others) have been built.

Every year, millions of Buddhist pilgrims, mainly from Asian countries, flock to Bodhgaya to be inspired, dissipate negative karma and earn merit by visiting the holy site where the Buddha became the Buddha (“Enlightened One”). Throughout the day and night in the height of the pilgrimage season, monks in colorful robes can be seen meditating where the Buddha did, studying dharma texts, making offerings to the many statues and stupas on the site, and circumambulating (walking around) the sacred Mahabodhi Temple.