India Travel Notes

This week we present to you our video recipe pick from Show me the Pitla -- Maharastrian Comfort Food

It is presented in a very quick and simple way, so no reason not to try it!

Nagma Biswas

Located in the heart of the country, Agra is probably the most alluring city in India. It has been an enchantment for centuries not only for Indians but for people all around the world. Just as the Mughal splendor attracted travelers to the Mughal court in the ancient times, their legacies continue to enchant tourists till date. Be it the fine monument of the Mughal era or their eternal gardens, Agra is home to countless marvels from the past.

All Rights Reserved – Trey Ratcliff – From Stuck In Customs

Needless to mention here is that it is the Taj Mahal that forms the crowning glory not only for Agra, but also for India. A memorial of love by an Emperor for his beloved, the Taj Mahal has caught the imagination of all its beholders. The love of the man, the architectural genius of the Emperor and the endless toil of the masons, all reflect beautifully in this masterpiece. Visit the monument by the day or by night, its glory is never less. Most of the tourists to the city of Agra come here merely to witness the beauty of this landmark structure. In fact people choose to stay in hotels like Sarovar’s Howard Park Plaza and others as these places give guests the pleasure of viewing the Taj Mahal from viewing spaces.

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Baxy

The world is separated between those who have seen the Taj and those who have not. Very soon, I hope to be on the side that has seen the Taj.” Words said by William Jefferson Clinton President, United States of America while addressing the Indian Parliament on 22.03.2000 rightly defining the huge architectural and arousing importance the Taj Mahal has, in the hearts of people around the world.

All Rights Reserved – Trey Ratcliff – From Stuck In Customs

Agra is a city in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh , some 200 km from the Indian capital city of New Delhi. Agra has the Taj Mahal, one of the most well-known buildings and tourist destination in the world, and two other UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Agra Fort in the city and Fatehpur Sikri nearby. The city has little else though. Pollution, especially smog and litter, is rampant and travelers are pestered by swarms of touts and hawkers at every monument, mosque, temple or palace. That said, the sites are some of the wonders of the world and no trip to India is complete without at least one visit to the Taj.

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srini

India has been known as the land of spices. In fact had it not been for the famous “spice route”, India would not have been the preferred destination for the Portuguese, British, Persians and other people from all over the world.

Spices form an essential part of the Indian cuisine. However, the term “Indian Cuisine” is quite a misnomer since there are millions of cuisines in the country. Each region has its own cuisine and staple dishes. Hence, each region and state uses different spices to prepare their food. For example, the southern part of India is known for preparations made of rice flour like “dosa” and “idli” and the excessive use of tamarind. The northern part on the other hand uses more cumin seeds and other spices. Similarly while the eastern part is known for its preference to fish and rice, the western part is more partial to dishes made from chickpea flour.

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Jena Smith

India has myriad options for tourists to luxuriate in whether it is beaches, lagoons, backwaters, hill stations, monuments, sculptures, and the list goes on. And India hotels have etched a distinctive status in the worldwide context, earning the trust of tourists in terms of hospitality, affordability, luxury, and facilities offered. All contemporary conveniences right from spa to delightful delicacies mark the cornerstone of India hotels, especially luxury hotels. So once you plan to visit the country, plan your itinerary as to which of the places in the vast country you are going to visit. And do book your flights tickets and get your hotel reservation done in advance. Advance bookings will let you avail big discounts making your trip cost-effective.

If you love arts, Khajuraho is your ultimate destination. Art is well exhibited in the sculptures adorning many a temple in Khajuraho, each carrying a rich legacy of the bygone era. You can stay in a heritage hotel in Khajuraho; besides there are plenty of hotel options and you can opt staying in one as per your budget and preferences. But staying in a heritage hotel is something different. You will enter into a flashback of the past in the real world, as the hotel architecture, facilities, etc. are well integrated to display the actual royal look of the past! As tourists visit this town round the year, most luxury hotels witness percent occupancy. So, get your hotel reservation for Khajuraho done days ahead. You can also avail discount rates of hotels with early bookings.
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Rajesh Tavakari

During Classic Holiday’s Buddhist Trail India tour you will visit Buddha’s place of birth in Lumbini plus follow the main travels and the essential stations of Buddha’s life. You’ll visit Bodh Gaya (where he was enlightened), deer park of Samath (where he first preached), the Gridkutta mountain (vulture’s peak) of Rajgir, and Kushinagar (where be passed over his monk life into the Nirvana). At each of these places, Buddhist communities erected temples and Stupas so that the teachings of the Buddha remain omnipresent and the opportunity to worship and to meditate spreads everywhere.

Classic Holiday’s Buddhist Trail India tour is a ten-day, eleven-night spiritual journey. You will start your travels in Delhi, and then travel on to Varanasi, Bodhgaya, Ragjir, Nalanda, Patna, Vaishali, Kushinagar, Lumbini, Sravasti, Lucknow and back to Delhi. Delhi can be easily compared to cities like Athens, Rome and Istanbul when it comes to the cultural, architectural and historical richness. You’ll travel on to Varanasi, an ancient city situated along the banks of the Holy River Ganges, then travel to Sarnath where Buddha preached his first sermon after receiving enlightenment. The entire complex, Dhamekh Stupa or Dharma Chakrawas were built to pay tribute to where Buddha preached his first five disciples. The Dharmarajika Stupa is where Buddha meditated and allegedly his bones are interred.
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