Why is Kovalam recognized as a world famous tourism spot in India?


               Located 18 km away from the state capital of Kerala, Kovalam is a haven of serenity. It’s a pleasant tourist spot in ‘God’s Own Country’. It’s a magnificent beach supported by sharply mounting headlands, enclosed by coconut palms.



               Kovalam is known to be home to a varied range of flora and fauna. It also has a bird sanctuary, which is famous for having migratory birds of different species. Kovalam is among the most prominent tourist spots in India. It is very popular among tourists, who arrive mostly from Europe and the US. There are a large number of beach resorts in and around Kovalam.



               Kovalam is blessed with a moderate climate all through the year. The climate of Kovalam is of a balanced tropical form. The main tourist attractions here are Karamana River, Vizhinjam Lighthouse, Samudra Beach, Vellayani Lake, Kovalam Art Gallery, Valiyathura Pier, Halcyon Castle, Neyyar Dam and Hawwah Beach.






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What makes Mysore a picturesque place?


               Popularly known as the ‘cultural capital of Karnataka’, Mysore is a place that beautifully blends the splendour of history with the living vibrancy of traditions and culture. It is located in the foothills of the Chamundi Hills.



                It was the lush green sandalwood forests that gave the city names like ‘city of palaces’, and ‘sandalwood city’. Recently the city was declared the ‘second cleanest city’ in India. The rich cultural heritage and historical significance of this glorious city attracts tourists from around the world.



                Mysore is a major tourist destination in its own right, and serves as a base for other tourist attractions in the vicinity.



               Other than the famous Mysore Palace, the Jaganmohan Palace, the Sand Sculpture Museum, the Jayalakshmi Vilas and the Lalitha Mahal are other palaces in the city.



               Chamundeshwari Temple, Chamundi Hills, St. Philomena’s Church are other places of tourist attractions. The Mysore Zoo also attracts tourists from around the world.





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What makes Mount Abu unique in Rajasthan?


               The only hill station in Rajasthan, Mount Abu, is located 475 km from Jaipur, in the Sirohi district on the highest peak of the Aravalli range. It is known for its Dilwara Jain temples. With coniferous trees and flowering shrubs covering the hillside, the climate in Mount Abu remains quite cool, making it the summer capital of Rajasthan.



               The highest peak on the mountain is Guru Shikhar at 1,722 m above sea level. It is referred to as ‘an oasis in the desert’ as its heights are home to rivers, lakes and waterfalls.



               The Dilwara Jain temples are a complex of temples, carved out of white marble, that were built between the 11th and 13th centuries AD. The historical Achalgarh Fort, built in the 14th century by Rana Kumbha of Mewar, encloses several Jain temples, including the Achaleswar Mahadev Temple, and the Kantinath Temple.



               In the heart of the city is the Nakki Lake, another attraction for tourist to Mount Abu. It also constitutes ecotourism sites such as Arna Village. The setting sun scene on Mount Abu is famous among tourists.




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Why is Puducherry a must visit place in India?


               Puducherry, also known as Pondicherry, situated on the east coast of India, 135 km south of Chennai. The union territory of Puducherry was under French rule until 1954. Even years after the French left it, Pondicherry has managed to retain its French influence with Mediterranean style houses.



               One of the prominent attractions here is the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo and a French woman called ‘Mother’. The Sri Aurobindo Ashram still operates from Puducherry.



               A major attraction in the area is Auroville, an experimental township where people from all countries, races, castes, creeds and political ideologies can live together in peace and progressive harmony.



               Made up of four small unconnected districts- Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam and Mahe - the union territory of Puducherry is bordered by Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala.



               Other attractions in Puducherry are the Police museum, Manakula Vinayagar temple and the Immaculate Conception cathedral. The quiet beaches in Puducherry are really wonderful too.



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What makes Gangtok an attractive tourist destination in India?


               Gangtok is one of the prominent destinations for travel enthusiasts simply because of its Himalayan environment. Gangtok, capital of Sikkim, is located in the eastern Himalayan range, at an elevation of 1,650 metres.



               The state is bestowed with a great variety of vegetation and undisturbed valleys, total sanitation, peaceful environment, hospitable and humble people and a rich cultural heritage. It is known for its scenic beauty and striking views of Mount Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world.



               Tourism, which peaks in spring and summer, is the main source of income in Gangtok.



               Gangtok is surrounded by dense forests which are full of poplar, oak and elm trees. From coniferous green trees of the wet alpine zone to rare orchids and bamboos, this region has it all.



              Kanchenjunga view point, Teesta River rafting, the Nathula Pass, and Buddhist monasteries, including the Enchey monastery, are the major attractions.








What makes Binsar an ideal location for a traveller?


               Binsar, in Uttarakhand, nestled amidst the beautiful Himalayas every tourist’s dream destination. A few kilometres away from Nainital, Binsar is surrounded by Alpine forests.



               The summer capital of the erstwhile Chand kings of Kumaon, Binsar is one of the most scenic spots in the Himalayas. Perched at an elevation of 2420 metres, Binsar is known for offering spell-binding views of the majestic Himalayan peaks such as Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, Panchchuli, and Kedarnath.



               Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1988 for the conservation and protection of the shrinking broad leaf oak forests of the Central Himalayan region, and it has over 200 bird species.



               The main attraction of Binsar is the 300 kilometres of majestic and panoramic view of Himalayan peaks from Zero Point. Apart from this, the popular tourist attractions located in the vicinity of Binsar include the Bineshwar Mahadev Temple, Binsar Sanctuary Museum, and the Kasar Devi Temple.






What makes Mahabalipuram a one of a kind place?


               The temple city of Mahabalipuram (also called Mamallapuram) is situated just 75 km off Chennai, on the Bay of Bengal coast, in Tamil Nadu. This place, a UNESCO world heritage site, is known for a group of monuments that are a collection of 7th and 8th century religious monuments.



               There are ten major rathas, ten mandapas, two rock bas-reliefs and three structural temples. The monuments were built during the Pallava dynasty.



               The site has the largest open-air rock reliefs in the world. The site, restored after 1960, has been managed by the Archaeological Survey of India.



               The Mahabalipuram Beach, recognized as one of the pristine beaches of Tamil Nadu, attracts thousands of tourists every year. There are many breathtaking attractions and places here, offering an ideal spot for holidaying.




What are the specialties of Ooty?


               Known for its numerous tea estates, the queen of hill stations has several picturesque picnic spots with lofty mountains, dense forests, and scenic grasslands. Its natural environment attracts tourists and it is a popular summer destination.



               Between April and June, Ooty serves as a getaway from the heat with its pleasant weather.



               Ooty, also known as Ootacamund, Udagamandalam or Udhagai, is the capital of Nilgiris district in the state of Tamil Nadu. Ooty was established by the British as the summer headquarters of the Madras government.



               The Ooty Botanical Gardens which were laid out in 1847, cover an area of about 22 hectares, and contains about 650 species of plants and trees, including the fossil of a tree believed to be more than 20 million years old. The Doddabetta Peak, the highest point in the district, is another tourist attraction.












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What makes Alibaug a popular destination?


               Alibaug is a coastal town in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. Situated 30 km south of Mumbai in the Raigad district, Alibaug was an important naval base of the Maratha king, Shivaji.



               Alibaug is an all-season destination. Alibaug is known for its abundant greenery and scenic landscape. Alibaug and the surrounding areas were of strategic importance in the past, and the Marathas, the Portuguese and the British, vied for its control.



               The sea port of Kolaba, which Shivaji built in 1680, is also the town’s most popular attraction. Alibaug was developed by the Maratha admiral, Kanhoji Aangre.



               The other attractions in Alibaug are the Alibaug Fort, Varsoli Beach, and Nagaon Beach.











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What makes Mahabaleshwar a bustling tourist centre?


               Celebrated for its picturesque beauty, Mahabaleshwar is a beautiful hill station nestled in the Satara district in Maharashtra. It is located in the Sahyadri mountain range.



               It served as the summer capital of Bombay province during the British Raj. Its colonial past is reflected in its architecture. The British-built mansions, cottages and bungalows around the town, only add to the overall charm of the city. Several of the viewing points in Mahabaleshwar are named after the British officers who visited it.



               Lodwick Point gets its name from Col. Lodwick, who, in April 1824, climbed up the mountain face with a contingent of soldiers and Indian guides. Arthur’s Seat is named after Arthur Malet, and so on. Mahabaleshwar is also famous for its strawberry gardens and honey.



               Being a famous hill station in the Western Ghats, Mahabaleshwar is one of the few remaining evergreen forests of India.



               Needle Hole Point, Arthur’s Seat, Sunrise Point, Kate’s Point, Three Monkey Point, and Venna Lake are some of the popular attractions in Mahabaleshwar.










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Where is Kanyakumari located?


               Kanyakumari is a town in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu. Kanyakumari is the southernmost point of peninsular India, and the meeting point of three oceans-the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean.



               Besides its importance as a pilgrim centre, it is famous for its beautiful views of sunrise and sunset over the waters. On full moon evenings locally called Chitra Pournami, one can also see the moon rise and sun set at the same time. The multicoloured sand is a unique feature of the beach here. The name comes from the Devi Kanya Kumari Temple in the region.



               Kanyakumari was once referred to as the Alexandria of the East. This place has been a great centre for art, culture, civilization, and pilgrimage for years.



               Since the early 1970s, tourism has been an industry in the town. Because of this, it is one of the few small towns in South India where one can hear many of the different languages of India spoken in the street.



               Kanyakumari has many places of interest for visit such as the Kumari Amman Temple, Gandhi Memorial, Vivekananda Memorial, and Thiruvalluvar statue.









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Why is Khajjiar known as mini Switzerland?


               Khajjiar is a popular hill station about 24 km from Dalhousie in Himachal Pradesh. One of the places in the world that bears tropical resemblance to Switzerland, Khajjiar is situated at a height of 2000 metres above sea level, and bestowed with natural beauty and a pleasant climate. Vast expanse of green meadows and dense forests, besides vistas of majestic snow-clad Himalayan peaks make Khajjiar a popular destination among tourists.



               Willy T. Blazer, Vice Counselor, and Head of Chancery of Switzerland in India put Khajjiar on the world tourism map by calling it ‘mini Switzerland’. He also put a sign board of a yellow Swiss hiking footpath showing Khajjiar’s distance from the Swiss capital Berne-6194 kilometres!



               Khajjiar is also called the Gulmarg of Himachal Pradesh, and serves as the starting point for treks to Chamba, and Dalhousie.








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Where is Panchgani situated?


               Panchgani, also called Paachgani, is a majestic hill station at an altitude of 1293 metres above sea level. It is bestowed with beautiful colonial period cottages, forests, cool ambience, woody regions, and much more.



               Tucked away in the Satara district of Maharashtra, it is renowned for the many premier residential educational institutions there. It is named after the five hills located in this region. The climate here remains stable and pleasant throughout the year. The lush green scenery, fresh air, and view of the Krishna River are simply breathtaking. One can enjoy a spectacular view of Krishna River, which accompanies you all the way through, until you reach Panchgani.



               A summer retreat for the British, Panchgani owes its exotic array of fauna to its initial inhabitants. It is a dwelling for several plant species like silver oaks and poinsettia which enhance the beauty of this place. Panchgani has many tourist destinations like Sydney Point, Table Land, Parsi Point, Devil’s Kitchen and the Mapro Garden.







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What makes the Dudhsagar Falls exceptional?


               The Dudhsagar Falls is a four-tiered waterfall situated inside the Bhagwan Mahavir wildlife sanctuary in the Sanguem taluk of Goa, close to the border with Karnataka. It is about 60 km from the state capital, Panaji.



               One of the most scenic waterfalls in India, Dudhsagar literally means the ‘sea of milk’. According to legend, the waterfall was once the abode of a beautiful princess. The princess used to drink sweetened milk from a golden jug after she took a bath. One day, she spotted a prince watching her while she drank the milk. She poured the milk to form a curtain to hide her modesty.



               Dudhsagar Falls is amongst India’s tallest waterfalls, with a height of 310 metres, and an average width of 30 metres. The falls are perched high on the peaks of the Western Ghats on Sanguem taluk and are ravishing, especially during monsoons.



               Trekking to the waterfalls is the most popular activity and the path passes through steep mountain terrain.






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What is Dehradun famous for?

               The capital of Uttarakhand, Dehradun, is a gateway to some of the most popular hill stations in the country like Nainital and Mussoorie. It lies between the Ganga and Yamuna Rivers, two of the most prominent water bodies in the country.



               The city is famous for its picturesque landscape and slightly milder climate, and provides a gateway to the surrounding region. The landscape of Dehradun gives the city a majestic charm that complements its beautiful temples and structures. Dehradun is very near to some of India’s most popular pilgrimage sites such as Haridwar and Rishikesh.



               Some of the attractive places to visit are Laxman Siddh, Tapkeshwar Temple, Santala Devi Temple, and Ram Rai Gurudwara. Some of the other prominent places in Dehradun are the Malsi Deer Park, Sahastradhara, and the Indian Military Academy.



               Dehradun has always been famous for different sports such as ice skating, and cricket, and is also home to the first ice rink in India.





 



 



 



 



 





 



 



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