A state, whose name is synonymous with exuberance, prosperity and an intense passion for life, Punjab or 'Panj Aab' literally meaning five rivers, is, as it were, the very heart of the country.

Blessed with extremely fertile soil, Punjab is watered by the rivers Beas, Sutlej, Ravi and Ghaggar. Punjab witnessed heavy destruction and damage during Partition, yet, it is one of the most affluent states in the country, today. The per - capita income of the state is nearly twice the all - India average. The mainstay of Punjab's economy, and the source of its affluence is agriculture. Nearly 84 percent of the total geographical area of the state is under cultivation.

Places to see in Punjab:

• Amritsar
Amritsar, the holy city of Sikhs, has grown from a sacred village pond into a spiritual temporal centre of Sikh culture. The city gets its name from the pool-Amritsar (Pool of Nectar), which was constructed by the fourth religious preceptor of the Sikh faith. It also lies on the Asian Highway. It is also the city where Jaliyan-wala-bagh, the garden where scores of innocent Indian men, women, children were massacred by the British. Events of such magnitude catalysed the struggle for Indian independence.

• Patiala
Patiala is famous for its healthy food, loving people, wonderful parandaas, exciting Patiala peg and jootis. Easily accessible and well maintained, Patiala is a place that would give one the much-needed tranquility far from urban chaos. The Sports School and the Moti Bagh Palace are some of the places that one must visit to get a clear picture of the past of the state.

• Chandigarh
Serenity and a city are two diametrically opposite concepts, which however, get belied in the 'City Beautiful'. Chandigarh is a rare epitome of modernization co-existing with nature's preservation. It is here that the trees and plants are as much a part of the construction plans as the buildings and the roads. Thanks to the creative genius of Le Corbusier, the city retains its inherent character even today, as conceived by him in his Master Plan. Corbusier's architectural ingenuity endowed with uniform and standardized structure designs. Wide roads, sector wise divisions, tree-lined avenues, land scaping and a wide piazza, lends the city a special character and a unique orderliness.

• Ludhiana
Ludhiana is famous for its hosiery and woolen goods and products from Ludhiana are exported all over the world. For its production of hosiery, Ludhiana is also known as the Manchester of India. It also boasts of the world famous Punjab Agricultural University, which organizes the Kisan Mela every Year. Nearby is Killa Raipur, which is famous for its Rural Olympics.

Dances of Punjab:

Bhangra
Bhangra celebrates the harvest and is associated with the festival of Baisakhi (April 13) when the sight of tall heaps of golden wheat fill the farmer’s heart with joy. To the accompaniment of large drums called dhols, he and his fellow villagers circle round and round in a leaping, laughing caper. It’s a dance that cuts across all divisions of class and education. At marriages, parties, or celebrations of any sort, it is quite common for men to break out in Bhangra. There are few sights more cheering than that of a dignified elder in three-piece suit getting up to join the young fellows for a moment of bhangra revelry.

Gidda
Women have a different but no less exuberant dance called gidda. The dancers enact verses called bolis, which represent folk poetry at its best. The subject matter of these bolis is wide ranging indeed – everything from arguments with the sister-in-law to political affairs figure in these lively songs. Aside from the drums, the rhythm of this dance is set by the distinctive hand-claps of the dancers.

Jhumar
This dance has originally come from Sandalbar (now in Pakistan), but is now very much a part of Punjab folk heritage. It is a dance of graceful gait, based on specific Jhumar rhythm. Dancers circle around the drummer, and keep up a soft, sibilant chorus as they dance.

How to get there:

By Air
Chandigarh and Amritsar both have airports are connected to other cities in India by regular flights. Indian airlines do have regular flights from Chandigarh to Delhi, Lucknow, Leh, and Amritsar. Jet air also has regular flights to Chandigarh.

By Rail
Punjab is extensively linked to the other parts of the country by rail. Chandigarh, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Pathankot, and Jalandhar are the major railway hubs in the state from where one can take trains for most parts of the country.

By Road
The entire state is connected through an extensive network of medalled roads. State Highways connect major cities to the state capital. NH 1 or the Grand Trunk Road connects the state with most of the north as well as east India.
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Visit to Gujarat – the Jewell of West and get enchanted with its religious, cultural and historical panorama. The history and cultural tradition of Gujarat dates back the time of the Indus valley civilization established by ruins found at Lothal.

The Indian state of Gujarat is situated between 20.6 and 24.42 degrees north latitude and 68.10 and 74.28 degrees east longitude. Located on the western part of the sub-continent of India, the state of Gujarat gets its name from “Gujjar Rashtra”, the land of Gujjars, a migrant tribe who passed through Punjab and settled in some parts of western India in the 5th century.

The Jewell of the west, Gujarat is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the sub-continent of India which attract a large gathering of travelers & tourists to the state and offers something for every tourist. The state has the longest sea coastline in the country and famous for its beaches. Some of major beaches of Gujarat are Ahmedpur Mandavi, Beyt Dwarka Beach, Chorwad Beach, Gopnath Beach, and Veraval Beach etc.

Apart from beaches Gujarat is blessed with architectural assets, holy temples & places, hill resorts, wildlife sanctuary, and many places of tourist interest. Together with wide-ranging destinations, the elegant & stylish handicrafts, the yummy foodstuffs, and colourful lifestyle of Gujarati people, enhance to its charm and its charm never fails to attract the attention of tourist.

Gujarat is also famous among tourists for its fascinating diversity of wildlife. Each is related to one another and has its unique environment. The wildlife of Gujarat is habitat of many kinds of animals and also some extremely rare animals. The Gir is the world famous forest. The Asiatic lion is only found in the Gir. During your Gujarat wildlife tours you will visit various wildlife sanctuary and national parks which will surely enchant you with its fascination. Some of the major wildlife of Gujarat is Sasangir National Park, Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary, Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Marine National Park, Velavadar Blackbuck Sanctuary etc.

Some of the top Gujarat Tours attraction:

Sabarmati Ashram / Mahatma Gandhi's Home, Ahmedabad
Hathee Singh Jain Temple, Ahmedabad
Calico Museum of Textiles, Ahmedabad
Jama Masjid, Ahmedabad
Dada Hari, Ahmedabad
Siddha Shree Dhoramnath Monastery, Bhuj
Dhoramnath Temple, Bhuj
Champaner-Pavagadh, Vadodara
Little Rann of Kutch
Rauza, Ahmedabad

To make your Gujarat tour handier, many travel agencies and tour planners of India offer Gujarat tours packages and they also provide valuable information about your Gujarat tours. During your Gujarat tours you will know what the state is famous for and will be familiar with its exotic cultural tradition, attractive handicrafts, and architectural assets and of course its wildlife. What a tourist can ask for, Gujarat tour tries to fulfill every type of his demand. Become a part of Gujarat tour and get enchanted with its everlasting sweet charm. The fascination of Gujarat is in waiting for your arrival.

By: Michael Braganza
Michael Braganza is an eminent analyst and writer in Travel & Tourism related topics. He has authored many books on tour guide for Gujarat Tours Of India and Tribes & Pastoral Groups Of Gujrat. Now he is rendering his services to http://indiatours.etradeservices.com/.

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Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa is known as the temple town due to its many temples in the extravagant Orissan architectural style. At one time the Bindusagar tank had over 7000 temples around it. Today there are about 500 but most of these are just decayed fragments. Perhaps a dozen are of real interest including the great Lingaraj Temple, one of the most important temples in India.

Places to see in Bhubaneswar:
Bhubaneswar, "The abode of the Lord of the World" and the gateway to Orrisa, has slowly started to unbosom its mysteries for the past few years. Tour around the splendid Lingaraj Temple, ancient Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves and enjoy a superb boating experience at the Chilka lake and Taptapani excursions. Once called the Kalinga or Utkala, this city now boasts of cool avenues, upscale hotels, shopping malls and excellent dining out options.

Dhauli Giri
Just 8 km away from Bhubaneswar looking down on the plains that bore witness to the gruesome war waged on Kalinga by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, stand the rock edicts of Dhauli. It was here that King Ashoka, full of remorse after the Kalinga War in 261 BC, renounced his blood-thirsty campaign and turned to Buddhism. Ashoka erected two main edicts in Kalinga, one in Dhauli and the other in Jayagarh. The principles of Ashoka which reflect his compassion were inscribed on all the other edicts in his empire except Kalinga. This is in sharp contrast to all of his other edicts and proof of his political acumen. The edicts are so remarkable that they have been excellently preserved, despite the fact that they date back to the 3rd century BC.

Lingaraj Temple
Dedicated to the Lord Vishnu and Shiv Linga, the Lingaraj temple is one of Orrisa's famous temples, notable for the symmetrical sculptures carved on its 45m high spire. The deity of Lingaraj is an uncarved block of granite 8 feet in diameter raised 8 inches above the ground and is bathed daily with milk, water and bhang (marijuana). Plan your trip during March-April to enjoy the joyous four-day chariot festival, when Lingaraj is drawn on his chariot to Rameswara temple.

Bindusagar
Bindusagar or "Ocean Drop" is a tank placed north of the Lingaraj temple and is said to contain water from every river, lake and holy stream of India brought by Lord Shiva. Taking a bath here and drinking the water of this pool is said to cure any disease of the stomach. A famous pilgrimage site for Indians, the tank is surrounded by numerous temples and shrines. The best time to come here is around sunrise.

Khandagiri & Udayagiri
The twin hills of Khandagiri & Udayagiri, 8 km from Bhubaneswar, served as the site of an ancient Jain monastery which was carved into cave like chambers in the face of the hill. Dating back to the 2nd century BC, some of the caves have beautiful carvings. The Rani Gumpha (Queen's Cave), one of the largest and double-storied, is ornately embellished with beautiful carvings. In the Hati Gumpha, King Kharavela has carved out the chronicles of his reign.

Chilka Lake
Situated south of Puri, this 1,100 sq. km shallow lake is Asia's largest salt water lagoon and is separated from the sea only by a narrow sand bar. The lake is peppered with many small rocky islands and is a vast reserve for aquatic flora and fauna. Hire a kayak and look for Irrawaddy dolphins along with Siberian cranes or you can hike through the jungles to discover white sand converging into blue water.

Brahmeswar
About a km east of the main road, Brahmeswar Temple stands in a yard flanked by four smaller streets. The temple from the 9th century. Close by a other temples which are not so great interest. The Bhaskareswar unusual 'stepped' design in order to accommodate an unusually large (three metre) lingam it once contained. The Megheswar is in a courtyard and its shrine entrance is topped by a figure. Beside it there is a tank.

Museum
The museum is opposite the Hotel Ashok Kalinga and has an interesting collection relating to Orissan history, culture and architecture and to the various Orissan tribes. The Tribal Research Bureau is also located here. The museum is open 10 am to 5 pm daily except Mondays.

Ekamra Haat
Located near the exhibition ground, this Haat is a hub for tourists who are interested to get some stuff with Oriya touch along with their unforgettable memoirs. Ekamra Haat is aesthetically designed to create a relaxed ambiance to browse through ethnic handlooms and handicrafts from all over the country. The walls are embellished with attractive terracotta sculptures and vibrant folk paintings.

How to Get There:

Air
Indian Airlines and many private airlines fly on regular basis to Bhubaneswar. Bhubaneswar Airport is 3 km from the city centre and almost all the major cities are connected from here. Indian Airlines has flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkotta, Delhi, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Varanasi.

Rail
Bhubaneswar also have good railway network connecting it to major cities of India Kolkatta, Puri, Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Tirupati.

Road
The national highway no.5 touches this capital city. The main bus stand is at Barmunda, 8 km from the city centre. There are regular interstate bus services from the nearby towns and cities. Inter-state bus services operate daily in between Calcutta and Puri via Bhubaneswar and Bhubaneswar-Tata Nagar.

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Rising from the heart of the Thar Desert like a golden mirage is the city of Jaisalmer. A commanding fort etched in yellow sandstone stands, with all its awesome splendor, dominating the amber-hued city.

The city has an interesting legend associated with it, according to which, Lord Krishna-the head of the Yadav Clan, foretold Arjuna that a remote descendent of the Yadav Clan would built his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. His prophecy was fulfilled in 1156 A.D. when Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the Yadav Clan and a Bhatti Rajput, abandoned his fort at Lodurva and founded a new capital -Jaisalmer, perched on the Trikuta Hill.

History:
Bahti Rajputs of Jaisalmer were fedual chiefs who lived off the forced levy on the caravans laden with precious silks and spices that crossed the territory enroute Delhi-or-Sind. These caravans earned the town great wealth.

For years Jaisalmer remained untouched by the outside influences. The rise of shipping trade and the port of Mumbai saw the decline of Jaisalmer. But the desert fortress, that seems to be straight out of the 'Tales of the Arabian Nights' still enchants. The life within the citadel conjures up images of medieval majesty visible in its narrow lanes stewn with magnificent palace, havelis, temples and of course skilled artisans and ubiquitous camels.

As a Tourist Place:
Jaisalmer is filled with many artistic structures and monuments of local historical importance. Jaisalmer's medieval mud fortress and walled township make it a popular tourist destination. The surrounding desolate landscape evidences a stark, austere beauty. Camel safaris through the nearby desert dunes are popular with tourists; competition for business is fierce. A few quiet days spent wandering around the town and the surrounding desert can be a wonderful way of unwinding from the chaos of larger Indian cities.

Tourist accommodation is available inside the fort itself. However, eco-conscious tourists might consider staying outside the fort to avoid putting additional pressure on the fort's archaic sewage system (three of the 99 bastions have already crumbled because of water seeping into the foundations).

Visitor attractions

Jaisalmer Fort
Built in 1156 by the Bhati Rajput ruler Jaisal, it is situated on Trikuta Hill and had been the scene of many battles. Its massive sandstone walls are a tawny lion color during the day, turning to a magical honey-gold as the sun sets. The famous Indian film director Satyajit Ray wrote a detective novel and later turned it into a film - Sonar Kella (The Golden Fortress) which was based on this fort. This is a living fort and about a quarter of city's population still live inside the fort. The main attractions inside the fort are: Raj Mahal (Royal palace), Jain temples and the Laxminath temple.

Havelis
The main havelis in Jaisalmer are:

* Patwon-ki-Haveli:
Built by Guman Chand Patwa (and later by his five sons), a wealthy merchant and banker who had over three hundred trading centres from Afghanistan to China. This ornate five-storey complex took fifty years to complete. This is the largest, the most magnificent, and the most elaborate of Jaisalmer havelis.

* Salim Singh-ki-Haveli:
It was built by the scheming Prime Minister Salim Singh in 1815. It has a beautifully arched roof capped with blue cupolas and carved brackets in the form of peacocks.

* Nathmalji-ki-Haveli:
Built by a Prime Minister of princely state of Jaisalmer. Its facade is a riot of ornamentation: flowers, birds, elephants, soldiers, a bicycle and even a steam engine.

Museums
* Desert Culture Centre & Museum
* Jaisalmer Folklore Museum
* Government Museum

The setting sun turning Jaisalmer into a beautiful golden brown is a spectacular sight. The perfect time to visit the golden city is during the Desert Festival, held in Jan/Feb. every year, when the city reverberates to the sound of melodious tunes and rhythms.

Folk dances, exciting competitions an contests, especially the turban-tying contest. Mr. Desert contest and camel races enliven the festivities. Colorful craft bazaars are set up for the occasion and a sound and light spectacle is organized wit folk artists performing against the splendid backdrop of the famous Sam sand dunes on the full moon night. Surely a not-to-be missed event.
By: Vinay Chaubey
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Taj Mahal in Agra India is one of the loveliest things in the world. Taj Mahal has become synonymous with India, and Agra is popularly known as the City of Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal monument is distinguished as the finest example of Mughal architecture. Taj Mahal architecture is a superb blend of Indian, Persian and Islamic styles.

There are so many beautiful monuments in India and the world over, but Taj Mahal without any doubt is the most enchanting monument. Taj Mahal India is believed to be the world’s greatest monument to love. Such is the charm of this enchanting monument that every year thousands of tourist visits Agra Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal in Agra India is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and was declared a UNESCO world heritage sight in the year 1983.

The beauty of Taj Mahal is so mesmerizing that one cannot avoid the temptation of capturing it into their camera. Agra Taj Mahal is believed to be the most photographed monument of India. Taj Mahal in Agra India has never failed to fascinate the tourists from the world over. If one want to understand this beautiful monument of love and would like to know more about Taj Mahal then one should experience it. No trip to India is complete without visiting the Taj Mahal Agra.

Taj Mahal monument is as beautiful as the splendid story of love behind its construction. Taj Mahal Agra was build by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan some 400 years back in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Their love story began when Shah Jahan, then Prince Khurram was strolling down in the private market of Meena bazaar. There he saw Mumtaz Mahal, then Arjumand Bano, at her shop and Shah Jahan was totally drawn towards her beauty. They got married in the year 1612; Mumtaz accompanied Shah Jahan to all his conquests and during one such conquest to Deccan, Mumtaz breathed her last breath. She died while giving birth to their 14th child. It is believed that Mumtaz on her deathbed asked Shah Jahan to build a monument of Love. Shah Jahan kept his promise and built the Taj Mahal monument in memory of his beautiful wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

Some historians even claim that the grief stricken emperor, Shah Jahan himself decided to construct this beautiful Taj Mahal monument as a tribute to his beloved dead wife. Whatever the reason is, today Taj Mahal in Agra India stands as the most beautiful tomb, which immortalized the love of Shah Jahan and his empress Mumtaz Mahal.

The construction of this beautiful Taj Mahal monument began in 1633 and was completed in the year 1648. Near about 22, 000 men were deployed for the purpose of construction of the Taj Mahal. There is a legend associated with the construction of Taj Mahal Agra, which says that Shah Jahan had the hands of the artisans’ amputed with the fear that they might not construct another lovely monument. Taj Mahal in Agra India was built at an exhorbant amount of 32 million rupees.

The Construction of the Taj Mahal architecture was entrusted to board of directors and Ustad Ahmad Lahwari was the chief architect. The entire structure of Taj Mahal monument Agra is made of white marble and pure white walls. It is also called as marvel in white marble. The decoration of Taj Mahal India is a beautiful example of Pietra Dura. In order to commission Pietra Dura on Taj Mahal monument, different types of precious and semi precious stones were used in the intricate inlay work.

One should travel to Agra to view this beautiful marvel of white marble. Many travel companies in India provide travel packages for Taj Mahal, to make your trip to Taj Mahal in Agra hassle free and convenient. These travel packages for Taj Mahal also includes various excursions, like excursion to Bharatpur bird sanctuary, which is 55 km from Agra. It is one of the finest bird parks and is the second habitat in the world that is visited by rare Siberian Cranes. Other excursions from Taj Mahal Agra include Fatehpur Sikri, which was once the capital of Mughal Empire. Holy places of Vrindavan and Mathura are also nearby excursions from Taj Mahal in Agra India.

However though Agra is more popularly known as the city of Taj Mahal but Agra is much more beyond Taj Mahal. Tourism in Agra includes other spellbinding architecture also, which patronized Mughal art and architecture. Attractions near Taj Mahal include the Agra Fort, Sikandra fort, Itmad- ud- Daula tomb to name a few. Travel in Agra is a good option for those who want to enjoy the delicious Mughlai cuisine and mouth watering sweet dishes like peetha- a local spatiality.

Travel operators in India provide special Holiday packages in Agra and you can opt for the one that best suits you as per your time and budget. There are many hotels in the city of Taj Mahal. Most of Agra hotels come with attractive holiday packages in Agra. Hotel bookings in Agra can be made online also. Almost all the travel companies provide online facility of Hotel bookings in Agra. Agra is host to number of accommodation facilities ranging from budget to luxurious five star hotels.

By: Kaushal Kishore

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Goa is one of the most beautiful states of India. It’s full of colors. This picturesque state is located on the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as the Konkan Belt. In Goa, you will find joy in abundance. Here you can find life in full bloom all the time.

Goa with its magnificent scenic beauty and architectural splendors has become the firm favorite of both national and international tourists. Goa is not just beaches and sea, it’s more than that. You can find peace and tranquility at all places. If you are fond of laid back style, then Goa is the place to be in. The history of Goa is rich and varied. It saw 451 years of Portuguese rule. Definite Portuguese influence can be seen in the lifestyle and cuisine of the Goans. Besides the Portuguese, various Hindu and Muslim Kingdoms have left an indelible influence on the lifestyle of the Goans. Goa was liberated from the Portuguese on 19th December 1961 along with Daman and Diu.

The people of Goa are lively and friendly. They are known for brotherhood. In Goa, people practice secularism in the best form. The best example of communal harmony can be seen in quite a place where Hindus and Christians worship together. The Damodar temple at Sanguem, the church of Our Lady of Miracles in Mapura, the Shantadurga temple at Fatorpa is excellent examples of this unique harmony of religions. Besides this, there are other festivals which are celebrated by both the communities.

Tourism is one of the most important industries in Goa. This lovely state is known globally for its sea, golden sea beaches, hotspots, exotic locations and vibrant life. By nature, Goans are warm, friendly, easy going and large-hearted. They live life in style and at a leisurely pace. They are passionate about dance, music and art which are in their blood and they love their food and feni. The beauty of Goa is that whenever you come to Goa whether it is morning, noon or midnight, you will find the whole of Goa in fun mood. This lovely state provides lot of amusements to its visitors. If you love to drink outside, then you can check out the pubs and bars situated at all the beach sides and major cities. If you love the scenic spots, then just hang out at the local shacks on the beach anytime of the day and enjoy the oceanic panorama. If you are a party animal, then Goa has enough bliss in store for you as it has some of the finest night clubs and discotheques.

Goans love their food. For most of the Goans, food means fish, curry rice and feni. Goan food has the flavors of Hindu, Muslim and Portuguese food. These flavors make Goan food an exotic mix of truly tasty and spicy cuisine. Tourists who come to Goa enjoy lovely delicacies to heart’s content.

By: Michael Lucas
So, if you want abundance of joy, then come to this peaceful land and you can take more information from travel agency india agency india about tour and travel in india.

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