Mumbai, the beautiful City of the 7 Islands.

Mumbai, the beautiful City of the 7 Islands.
Mumbai (/mʊmˈbaɪ/; also known as Bombay) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, most populous metropolitan area in India, and the eighth most populous city in the world, with an estimated city population of 18.4 million and metropolitan area population of 20.7 million as of 2011 .Along with the urban areas, including the cities of Navi Mumbai, Thane, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, it is o...ne of the most populous urban regions in the world. Mumbai lies on the west coast of India and has a deep natural harbour. In 2009, Mumbai was named an alpha world city. It is also the wealthiest city in India] and has the highest GDP of any city in South, West or Central Asia.

Mumbai is the financial, commercial and entertainment capital of India. It is also one of the world's top ten centres of commerce in terms of global financial flow, generating 6.16% of India's GDP and accounting for 25% of industrial output, 70% of maritime trade in India (Mumbai Port Trust & JNPT), and 70% of capital transactions to India's economy. The city houses important financial institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India, the Bombay Stock Exchange, the National Stock Exchange of India, the SEBI and the corporate headquarters of numerous Indian companies and multinational corporations. It is also home to some of India's premier scientific and nuclear institutes like BARC, NPCL, IREL, TIFR, AERB, AECI, and the Department of Atomic Energy. The city also houses India's Hindi (Bollywood) and Marathi film and television industry. Mumbai's business opportunities, as well as its potential to offer a higher standard of living, attract migrants from all over India, making the city a melting pot of many communities and culture.
 

Mandore Gardens.

Beautiful Mandore Gardens.
Mandore is an ancient town, and was the seat of the Mandorva branch of the Parihar GurjarPratihar dynasty which ruled the region in the 6th century AD by King Nahar Rao Parihar. In 1395 AD, a Mohil princess of the Parihar rulers of Mandore married Chundaji, scion of the Rathore clan of Rajputs. This was during the era of rapid ascendency of the Rathore clan, and Chundaji received Mandore in dowry. The town remained the seat of the Rathore clan until... 1459 AD, when Rao Jodha, a Rathore chief who united the surrounding region under his rule, shifted his capital to the newly founded city of Jodhpur.
The historic town boasts several monuments. The now ruined Mandore fort, with its thick walls and substantial size, was built in several stages and was once a fine piece of architecture. A huge, now ruined temple is a highlight of the fort. The outer wall of the temple depicts finely carved botanical designs, birds, animals and planets.

The 'Mandore gardens', with its charming collection of temples and memorials, and its high rock terraces, is another major attraction. The gardens house the Chhatris (cenotaphs) of many rulers of the erstwhile princely state of Marwar. Prominent among them is the chhatri of Maharaja Ajit Singh, built in 1793.
The Mandore Gardens also house a government museum, a 'Hall of Heroes' and a temple to 33 crore Gods. Various artefacts and statues found in the area are housed at the museum. The 'Hall of Heroes' commemorates popular folk heroes of the region. It contains 16 figures carved out of a single rock. Next door is a larger hall called "The temple of 33 crore Gods" which houses images of various Hindu

Victoria Memorial.

Victoria Memorial.
The Victoria Memorial (Victoria Memorial Hall) is a large marble building in Kolkata (Calcutta), West Bengal, India which was built between 1906 and 1921. It is dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria (1819–1901) and is now a museum and tourist destination under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture. The Memorial lies on the Maidan (grounds) by the bank of the Hooghly River.
On top of the central dome of the Victoria Memorial is the 16 ft (4.9 m) figure... of the Angel of Victory. Surrounding the dome are allegorical sculptures including Art, Architecture, Justice, and Charity and above the North Porch are Motherhood, Prudence and Learni

The Victoria Memorial has a number of galleries, 25 in all.[22] These include the royal gallery, the national leaders gallery, the portrait gallery, central hall, the sculpture gallery, the arms and armoury gallery and the newer, Calcutta gallery. The Victoria Memorial has the largest single collection of the works of Thomas Daniell (1749–1840) and his nephew, William Daniell (1769–1837).[23] The Victoria Memorial also has a collection of rare and antiquarian books such as the illustrated works of William Shakespeare, the Arabian Nights and the Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam as well as books about kathak dance and thumri music by Wazid Ali Shah.

 

Kodaikanal - Pristine Beauty of Hill Stations

Kodaikanal - Pristine Beauty of Hill Stations
Kodaikanal is located in the state of Tamil Nadu. The kodaikanal name in Tamil language means “The gift of the God”. Kodaikanal is also called as Princess of hill stations. Kodaikanal is the most famous hill stations in India. It is a most popular tourist destination. This is included in famous tour places in India. Here you can feel the cool climate every time. The beauty of the nature in Kodaikanal mesmerizes the visitors. Other... than the famous in Kodaikanal, the place is pride of ‘Kurinji-flower’(Strobilanthus Kunthanus), which blossoms once in 12 years. The best time to visit Kodaikanal is from April to June and September to October. There is one manmade lake in kodaikanal it is called as Kodai Lake. Pine tree forest and pillar rocks are very famous places for visiting. Not only the locals are visiting this place but also this beauty attracts tourist from all over the worlds.

The fruits and vegetables in kodaikanal are very famous for its quality and freshness. Flower shows and boat races are the main festivals of kodaikanal. Kodaikanal is a must see tourist places in India.
The murmuring sound provided by the lake, waterfalls makes visitors mind cool and fresh.
Temperature is always less here.
http://famoustourplacesinindia.tumblr.com/
Wikipedia

Mysore Maharaja Palace

Impressive Mysore Maharaja Palace
Royal Seat of the Maharajas of Mysore
The Palace of Mysore (also known as the Amba Vilas Palace) is a historical palace in the city of Mysore in Karnataka, southern India. It is the official residence and seat of the Wodeyars — the Maharajas of Mysore, the former royal family of Mysore, who ruled the princely state of Mysore from 1399 to 1950. The palace houses two durbar halls (ceremonial meeting halls of the royal court) and incorporates a mesmerizing and gigantic array of courtyards, gardens, and buildings. The palace is in the central region of inner Mysore, facing the Chamundi Hills eastward.
Mysore is commonly described as the City of Palaces. There are about seven palaces inclusive of this; however, Mysore Palace refers specifically to the one within the Old Fort. Built by the Maharaja Rajarshi H.H. Krishnarajendra Wadiyar IV, Mysore Palace is now one of the most famous tourist attractions in India, after the Taj Mahal, and has more than 3 million visitors annually.
King Yaduraya first built a palace inside the Old Fort in Mysore in the 14th century, which was demolished and constructed multiple times. The regent of Mysore, Her Majesty Maharani Vani Vilas Sannidhna, and her son, the Maharaja of Mysore His Highness Rajarshi Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, commissioned the British architect Lord Henry Irwin to build a new palace to replace the old one which had been turned into ashes by fire. Meanwhile, the royal family stayed in the nearby Jaganmohan Palace.
Construction of the current palace was commissioned in 1897, completed in 1912,[3] and expanded around 1940 (including the addition of the present Public Durbar Hall wing) during the reign of His Highness Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, the last Maharaja of Mysore Kingdom. The construction was completed in 1912, but the fort continued to be beautified and its inhabitants were slowly moved to the newer extension built off the palace.
The architectural style domes of the palace is commonly described as Indo-Saracenic and blends Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles. It is a three-stone structure with marble domes and a 145 ft five-story tower. The palace is surrounded by a large garden. The entrance gate and arch hold the emblem and coat of arms of the kingdom of Mysore, around which is written the kingdom's motto in Sanskrit: "न बिभॆति कदाचन" (never terrified).
Mysore Palace main approach
The palace has three entrances: the East Gate (the front gate, opened only during the Dasara and for VVIPs), the South Entrance (for public), and the West Entrance (usually opened only during the Dasara). In addition, there are numerous secret tunnels from the palace cellar leading to Srirangapatna, other palaces, and confidential areas.
The three-story stone building of fine gray granite with deep pink marble domes has a facade with several expansive arches and two smaller ones flanking the central arch, which is supported by tall pillars. Above the central arch is a sculpture of Gajalakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, good luck and abundance with her elephants. There are three major exclusive temple buildings within the Old Fort, and about 18 inside the palace heart building. The Maharajas of Mysore were devotees of Goddess Chamundi, which is why the place faces Chamundi Hills. Besides, head of the Parakala Mutt stays the spiritual rajguru (royal teacher and guide) as a reason of which the palace is built next to an even older Parakala Mutt headquarters

Daulatabad Fort

Daulatabad Fort
Daulatabad is situated around 13 kms away from Aurangabad. This place is known for its majestic fortress which was build in 12th century on top of a hill. The Daulatabad fort emerges dramatically over 600 ft above the Deccan plain. It is one of the world's best preserved forts of medieval times and also one of the few impregnable forts in Maharashtra with excellent architecture. The city was named Daulatabad 'The city of fortune', by Mohammed bin Tughluq, the sultan of Delhi.
Almost 800 years ago, Daulatabad, then called 'Devigiri' was a thriving city. It was founded by Bhillamraja of the Yadava dynasty in 1187 AD. Later, the fort of Daulatabad passed through the hands of several dynasties in the Deccan. Less than 150 years after the Yadava dynasty, Daulatabad also became the capital of India for a short period during the reign of Sultan Muhammad-bin-Tughluq, who gave the city its present name. But very soon the charm of this ancient city faded.
The Daulatabad fort is situated on top of a high hill, encircled by thick walls, spiked gates, steep slide ways and a deep trench. The fort has a coiled network of secret, quizzical and subsurface passages.
Situated on a hill and surrounded by a 40 ft. deep trench with mechanical drawbridges and crocodiles, this fascinating fort becomes impossible for intruders to approach. Along with these, a strong 5 kms long wall and complex series of defenses makes Daulatabad fort one the most secure forts.
The defense system of this fort was absolutely full proof with double and even triple rows of massive walls. This fortress was like a maze where the intruders were trapped. There was no way of conquering this majestic fort. The impregnable fort of Daulatabad was only conquered by treachery.
¤ Significant Structures Within The Fort
Daulatabad fort has some outstanding structures like the Chand Minar, Jami Masjid and royal palaces. The royal palaces within the fort consists of spacious halls, pavilions and courtyards.
The Chand Minar within the fort is a 30-metre high tower. It was a tower of victory build by Ala-ud-din Bahmani to commemorate his conquest of the fort in 1435. The Minar is divided into four storeys having glazed tiles and carved motifs. The Minar is supposed to be used as a prayer hall or a victory monument in its time.
The blue tiled Chini Mahal is located a little higher than the Chand Minar. It is where the last king of Golcunda, Abdul Hasan Tana Shah was imprisoned in 1687. He was captivated here for thirteen years until his death, by the Moghul emperor Aurangzeb.
The Jami Masjid within the fort was a mosque built by the Khilji ruler of Delhi, Qutub-ud-din Mubarak in 1318. This mosque is a well-preserved monument, comprising of 106 pillars ransacked from the Hindu and Jain temples, which previously stood on the site. Lately, the Masjid has been converted into a Bharatmata temple, causing dissatisfaction amongst the local Muslims.
There is a large stone-lined Elephant tank in the nearby area. It was once a major part of the fort's extensive water-supply system. There are two giant terracotta pipes, which are the source of channeled water from the hills falling into Deogiri's ( Daulatabad) legendary fruit and vegetable gardens.
There is also an awesome ram-headed Kila Shikan ("Fort Breaker") cannon inscribed with its name in Persian. It lies on a stone platform nearby. From this spot, a series of gruesome traps start, waiting for the incautious intruder.
www.indiasite.com
ImagesL www.india-tour-guide.co.uk

KAMASUTRA:

KAMASUTRA:
Kamasutra is an ancient
Indian text renowned
more for the practical
advice it gives on...
sexual intercourse
(which is just a part of
it). The words “kama”
and “sutra” have
definite meanings.
Kama means desire in
the general sense but
particularly sexual
desire. Sutra literally means
thread but it is
implied in the sense of a thread
to hold a line
going in a direction. In Sanskrit it
refers to a set
of aphorisms or verses that forma manual.

At first Kamasutra was written by
Nandi Maharaj (one of the famous
disciple of lord Shiva)
after so many modifications
through various sages,
Vatsyayana collected all the parts
of Kamasutra, composed by many
sages.......
it is one of the important
collections of ancient Indian
literature....written 2500 years
ago (approximately) ///
The Kamasutra is not exclusively on sex as
popularly believed. It is a guide book or art of
leading a virtuously which touches upon many aspects of social and individual
life such as
nature of love, family life and pleasure oriented
activities with much needed restraint.
With 1250 verses divided in 36 chapters
organized into 7 parts, it offers an excellent
commentary on various aspects of a householder’s life in providing better sex life
and may helps in solving sexual problems.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/sex/kama/