Discover unending delights in Delhi

What is Delhi all about – even a hard core Delhiite would find it hard to describe in a few words. It is India’s biggest metro, a cultural hub, a history buff’s dream, a cosmopolitan potpourri, a place to see, be seen. There are so many facets to Delhi, that there is something for every kind of tourist here.

There are a plethora of places to visit in Delhi. One could start with the India Gate and work your way to the Lodhi tombs and Gardens, the Jantar Mantar, red fort, Kutub Minar, Purana Qila, parliament house…and that would be a good start. There are numerous art galleries and museums for art lovers, at least a half a dozen big markets for the shopper, numerous temples, mosques, places of worship of every religion, parks, zoo, amusement parks, theatres – think of anything that you like to see, and you will find it in Delhi.

Just step out of Delhi, and you have a whole new world of places to see in Delhi; within a 100-250 km radius, you could see the world famous Taj Mahal, tiger reserves and hill stations.

One could spend a whole week here just to soak in the ambiance. Every part of Delhi would have something different to offer, be it the high grounds of posh south Delhi, the older and more traditional old Delhi, with its narrow but charming streets and bylanes, the newer localities of Noida and Gurgaon that can give any large city in the world something to compete, with its glitzy highrises and malls.

It’s all here in Delhi.

Nature abounds in Ratnagiri and Puri tourism

Situated on the lap of the Sahyadri mountains and on the shores of the beautiful Arabian Sea, endowed with the magic of nature, Ratnagiri tourism is a beautiful medley of sun kissed beaches of white silvery sands, swaying coconut palms, ever green lustrous mangroves magnificent hills, creeks, hot water springs and waterfalls together with ancient forts and monuments.

A little gem on the Konkan coast, the most famous spot of Ratnagiri tourism is the Ratnadurga Fort. A massive structure in the shape of a horseshoe, Ratnadurg Fort was once a strong hold of the Maratha Empire.

Today it is in ruins, but is a spectacular tourist spots, offering a dazzling sunset. The marvelous lighthouse situated in the bastions of the fort is a sight not to be missed. But perhaps the most intriguing attraction of tourism in Ratnagiri is the Swayambu Ganesha temple. The idol of Ganapati here is built of pure white sand and is believed to be self-originated - not man made.

One of the foremost attractions of Orissa is the Puri tourism. Counted amongst the ‘Char Dhams’ Puri is one of the holiest spots in India. The Jagannath Puri temple with its annual rath yatra attracts millions every year. What’s unusual about this temple is the main idol itself. Here the idol of Jagannath is a carved and decorated wooden stump with large round eyes and with stumps as hands, with the conspicuous absence of any legs. And don’t miss the gorgeous beaches of Puri.

Discovering Hyderabad and Srisailam

Sarees, bangles, pearls, biryani – it is said that these are what Hyderabad tourism is all about. But the list is long, the sights many. Hyderabad is known as The City of Pearls has many traditional and historical landmarks and bazaars located around the city.

The Charminar is the most well-known landmark in Hyderabad tourism. The Golconda Fort is one of the most magnificent fortress complexes in India alongwith the Qutb Shahi Tombs. The Paigah Tombs are also not to be missed. The seat of Nizam dynasty, numerous palaces dot the skyline - Chowmahalla Palace, Asman Garh Palace, Falaknuma Palace, Taramati Baradari, Purani Haveli, to name a few.

Tourism in Hyderabad is incomplete without a visit to the amazing museums. Salar Jung Museum – The museum houses the largest one-man collection of antiques in the world. The city museum, state museum and Birla Science Museum are also worth a visit. It is also a city of lakes – Hussain sagar and Osman sagar among others. And for a film buff, the Ramoji Film city is not to be missed.

Srisailam is a renowned hill town located on a majestic natural setting on the banks of the River Krishna in AP. Tourism in Srisailam is all about its many ancient temples, a wildlife sanctuary and a dam. Srisailam is most visited for its wildlife sanctuaries and temples. If you are looking for hotels in Srisailam you will mostly find basic low budget accommodation which is the norm at city, though you can also stay at private guesthouses and motels. Numerous budget and lodges and hotels in Srisailam are found around the Mallikarjuna Swami Temple and most of these do not require any prior reservation. Keep in mind that there are some lodges that cater to particular communities only, therefore check before booking the rooms. The other thing to keep in mind is that you cannot take alcohol or smoke in any of the hotels or lodges in the entire temple town.

There are no luxury hotels in Srisailam and all the places to stay will provide you with facilities like A/C or non A/C rooms and food on order.

A Break to Pune and Mysore

Mysore is a lovely city in the state of Karnataka and is located only about 140km away from the famous Bangalore city. The town has always captured people with its temples, the quiet charm, lovely palaces, rich heritage, fabulous gardens, imposing buildings and broad avenues.

It’s also called the 'City Of Palaces' and the Chamundi hills are one of the most loved spots here. You can shop for incense sticks, silk and sandalwood in Mysore, also the place has a lot of handicraft stores and shops where you can pick up some locally made interesting articles. The St. Philomena's Church, Brindavan Gardens, The Tipu Sultan’s Palace etc. are an important part of the Mysore tourism. Savor some Mysore pak and get a taste of the local Karnataka cuisine at a local restaurant. Most of the coffee in India comes from Mysore, so while you are in the city do not forget to try some filter coffee and get some packs back home as well.

Pune in Maharashtra is a young, exciting and a promising city. Educational institutions, IT firms, heavy industries, stud farms and BPO’s practically make Pune! Historical monuments, gardens, temples and museums are places that you can visit. The Omkareshwar Temple, Aga Khan's Palace, Shinde's Chhatri and Museum of Arthropod are an important part of the Pune tourism. The ever popular still is the Osho Commune International is a meditation centre that was set up by Osho Rajneesh. A few must local food try-outs are the Puran Poli, Pav Bhaji, Pithla, Chaat and the famous Misal Pav – these are popular local street side snacks! Other fantastic sites here include the Saras Baug, the Pataleshwar Cave Temple and the Kasturba Samadhi.