Goa
Goa
Goa is a State in India with Panaji it's capital, while Vasco da Gama is the largest city. The historic city of Margao still exhibits the cultural influence of the Portuguese, who first landed in the early 16th century as merchants and conquered it soon thereafter. Goa is a former Portuguese colony, the Portuguese overseas territory of Portuguese India existed for about 450 years until it was annexed by India in 1961.
Renowned for its beaches, places of worship and world heritage architecture, Goa is visited by large numbers of international and domestic tourists each year. It also has rich flora and fauna, owing to its location on the Western Ghats range, which is classified as a biodiversity hotspot.
Goa finds reference in the mythological stories of India.
Goa's has many rivers, main being the Mandovi, the Zuari, the Terekhol, Chapora River and the Sal. The Mormugao harbour on the mouth of the River Zuari is one of the best natural harbours in South Asia.
Some of the oldest rocks in the Indian subcontinent are found in Goa between Molem and Anmod on Goa's border with Karnataka. The rocks are classified as Trondjemeitic Gneiss estimated to be 3,600 million years old, dated by the Rubidium isotope dating method. A specimen of the rock is exhibited in the Goa University.
Goa's wildlife sanctuaries boast of more than 1512 documented species of plants, over 275 species of birds, over 48 kinds of animals and over 60 genera of reptiles.
Goa has two World Heritage Sites: the Bom Jesus Basilica[42] and churches and convents of Old Goa. The Basilica holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, regarded by many Catholics as the patron
saint of Goa (the patron of the Archdiocese of Goa is actually the Blessed Joseph Vaz). Once every twelve years, the body is taken down for veneration and for public viewing.
Goa is a multifaceted jewel in the crown of India.
Swaying palms, white sands and sparkling waters: the three essential elements that attract 2 million visitors annually to Goa’s balmy shores are plentiful in this tiny, glorious slice of India hugging the country’s western coastline and bounded by the Arabian Sea.
A solitary Portuguese outpost in India for almost 500 years, the influence of colonial rule can still be seen
everywhere: in the exquisite, crumbling architecture; in the East-meets-West cuisine which combines coconut milk, palm vinegar and chillies with the refined flavours of Lisbon; in the melancholy strains of fado that still waft occasionally on the bougainvillea-scented breeze; and in the siesta-saturated joie de vivre that Goans themselves call susegad.
Nowhere else in India will you find the laid-back languidness of a Goan lunchtime, the easy charms of its people or the soothing serenity of a day on its beaches. Here in Goa, a herd of water buffalo will greet you at breakfast; a lily-covered lake might provide the scenery for your morning walk; a sea eagle will be your afternoon companion along a deserted stretch of pristine beach; a gorgeously spice-laden vindalho (vindaloo) might make your evening repast and a fiery glass of cashew-palm feni liquor your bedtime tonic.
But there's far more to discover here than the exquisite pleasure of warm sand between your toes. Pep up your stay with a wander around a vanilla-scented spice plantation, stroll the bird-filled banks of the state's gentle rivers, poke around centuries-old cathedrals, and venture out to white-water waterfalls.
TOP PICKS FOR GOA
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Old Goa - Shiver in the shadows of grand cathedrals, once the ecclesiastical wonder of the Eastern world
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Anjuna - Observe the hip and the hippies at Anjuna's lively Wednesday market
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Mapusa Market - Get right to the heart of a local market, with all its rush and bustle
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Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary - Hole up in a forest watchtower and wait it out for the indigenous beasties
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Chandor - Take a tour of a colonial mansion masterpiece, a relic of Goa's grandiose yesteryear
Agra
Agra
Agra is a city situated on the river Yamuna. Largely known for its Mughal rule (1526-1658), Agra finds mention in the great Indian epic Mahabharat where it is called Agrevana or 'the border of the forest'.
History records Sultan Sikandar Lodi, ruler of Delhi sultantate as founder of the Agra in 1504. It is home to the famous monuments of Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Sikandara with Fatehpur Sikri about 45 Kms away. Other places of interest are I'timad-Ud-Daulah, Swami Bagh Samadhi, Chini ka Rauza, Mehtab Bagh.
The golden age of the city began with the Mughals. It was known then as Akbarabad and remained the capital of the Mughal Empire under the Emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan.
Must See:
Taj Mahal
Agra's Taj Mahal is one of the most famous buildings in the world, the mausoleum of Shah Jahan's favorite wife,
Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of the New Seven Wonders of the world, and one of three World Heritage Sites in Agra. Completed in 1653
Agra Fort
The fort was commissioned by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565, and is another of Agra's World Heritage Sites. It is a redstone fort was converted into palace by Shah Jehan. Notable buildings inside fort are Pearl Mosque or Moti Masjid, the Diwan-e-aam and Diwan-e-Khas (halls of public and private audience), Jahangir's Palace, Khas Mahal, Shish Mahal (mirrored palace), and the Musamman Burj. The forbidding exteriors of this fort conceal an inner paradise. This is the fort from where Chhatrapati Shivaji escaped.
Fatehpur Sikri
The Mughal Emperor Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri about 35 km from Agra, and moved his capital there. Later abandoned due to shortage of water, Akbar moved his headquarters to Agra Fort. It houses the shrine of the sufi saint Saleem Chisti.
Shopping:
Items made of marble with intricate engraving work done using precious stones and carpets.
Jaipur
The Kachwaha of Amber, Raja Mans Singh (1590-1614) was the chief of the Mughal army and he amassed great wealth and power from his conquests established Jaipur, a powerful regime.
Jaipur is its friendly, hospitable and relaxed people. One experience that all visitors to Pink city must have is a stroll through its colourful bazaars quite in contrast to the innumerable malls and multiplexes coming up virtually
everywhere revealing why it has become one of the happening cities of India.
Jaipur is blessed with innumerable attractions from the forts and palaces of Amber, natural riches of its surrounding Aravali range, world class museums, business centres in top end hotels, gems jewellery and handicrafts to exotic cuisine. Indeed there is no place like Jaipur and it is no surprise that it is among India's top most tourist destination.
Must see:
Amber Fort Complex
One of the most impressive forts of India, it shows its beauty in full splendour as you drive towards it from Jaipur. It is a huge complex of many rooms including a Shish Mahal (Mirror room). Elephant ride happens here.
City Palace Complex
In the heart of city, near Hawa Mahal, this has the museum and Jantar Mantar - the astronomical observatory.
Hawa Mahal - Palace of winds
Most famous of all Jaipur monuments, this was built for viewing of royal and religious processions in privacy by the royal ladies.
Shopping:
Jaipur is shopper's delight. Textiles, gems, jewellery, handicrafts, antiques, foot wear, garments. A perfect place for retail therapy.
Pushkar
Pushkar
Pushkar came into existence when Lord Brahma, the Creator, to kill a demon dropped his lotus flower to earth from his hand. 3 blue lakes magically manifested in the middle of desert at the place where the petals had landed. It was here, at the banks of these lakes, Brahma held a congregation of 90,000 celestial beings.
The lake surrounded by many temples, most of them white washed, is one of the most sacred sites for Hindus. Pilgrims come from everywhere during the full moon phase of Nov month with the belief that their impurities shall be washed away.
Pushkar is also famous for its annual camel fair, which occurs during the auspicious month of Nov. Camel races happen,aggressively supported by gamblers.
The priests here are aggressive to perform rituals, sometimes asking too much money. Be on guard for this.
During British rule crocodiles used to be found in the lake. The British shifted them to a nearby reservoir though not many are found there.
Camel fair time can be overwhelming as it attracts a huge number of tourists. Eventhough Pushkar has gone commercial, still the spontaniety of meeting the locals can be very fulfilling.
There are more than five hundred temples in Pushkar but the pride of the town is its Brahma's temple. Brahma has only one temple in the whole world dedicated to him and it is at Pushkar.
For the uninitiated, Brahma is the part of the Hindu trinity of Gods: Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Sustainer), Shiva (the
Destroyer).
Delhi
Delhi or Dilli as called by locals is Capital of India. It is a very large city located on banks of Yamuna. Not even Rome or Cairo can rival Delhi in number of ruins and monuments. It is a unique city, having been established eight times.
Delhi is also widely believed to have been the site of Indraprastha, the legendary capital of the Pandavas during the times of the Mahabharata.
Delhi is the political, food, culture, music capital of India.
Must see:
Qutub Minar
World's tallest red stone minaret, its surroundings are an archaeological park. It's height is 72.5 meters. Built in 1192. A world heritage monument site.
Humayun's Tomb
1562. Mausoleum of Humauyn, the Mughal Emperor. Many historians believe this to be the precusor to Taj Mahal. A world heritage monument site.
Red Fort
1648. Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Perhaps the only fort which does not have any protective landscape around indicating the strength of Mughal empire of that time - that they had noone to fear. A world heritage monument site.
Lotus Temple
1986. Built by the Bahai faith. Open to all faiths. You feel immense serenity here.
Lodhi Gardens
Gardens laid around the tombs of Lodhi Sultanate, which ruled Delhi and much of North India in the 16th Century. These are the major monuments left from this period.
Akshardham Temple
2005. It is a large complex with intricate carvings demonstrating that traditional stone sculpting is still alive and kicking in India. Three shows - an imax movie (50 mins.), a boat ride (15 mins.) and a puppet show (35 mins.) showcase the traditional India in an easy way. Cameras, bags are to be deposited at the entry.
Bangla Sahib Gurudwara
1783. A worship place for Sikhs. Join in the kitchen to help with cooking or eat from the langar (food served free)
Nizamuddin Shrine
Shrine of the famous sufi saint Nizamuddin. Qawaali - devotional singing on Thursday. Amir Khusro, famous poet buried in the same complex.
Connaught Place
1933. Built by British as a large commercial complex. Now it is metro hub. Lot's of restaurants here.
India Gate & Presidential House
Built by British to commerote 90,000 soldiers who died for the British. From here, travel on the wide avenue to the grand Presidential palace.
National Museum
Near India Gate, it house beautiful artefacts of yester years. It has an audio guide tour.
Gandhi Museum
Life and times of Mahatama Gandhi on display here.
Toilets Museum
In Dwarka, it is an interesting visit. It reveals to us what is not easily revealed else where. A little out of way but worth it.
Goa and Golden Triangle Tours 
