Orissa Travel Guide
Orissa is located on the east coast, Orissa is also known as the Soul of India, is a mystical land where the hoary past and the modern today form a harmonious blend. A land filled with awe inspiring monuments, thousands of master craftsmen and artists, numerous wildlife sanctuaries, stunning natural landscapes. Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa, famous as a temple town and a handicraft centre, has, over the last decade, become an upcoming business centre. Most of the state's attractions are close to each other, and convenient access is provided out of the state capital, Bhubaneshwar. The Bay of Bengal washes the shores of this colourful eastern state,bestowingit liberally with quiet and sunny beaches. Green fields, groves and forests abound, and set amongst them are the majestic reminders of a glorious past ancient, beautiful temples and monuments built a thousand years ago and more. The capital itself is an intriguing amalgam of the old and the new, an emerging modern Indian city, that is steeped in the roots of the traditions of its glorious past, without being overwhelmed by it. Orissa, is the land of the Oriyas, was known as "Kalinga" in ancient times. Its capital today is Bhubaneshwar. In the 3rd century BC (268 BC), Ashoka was the great Mauryan ruler of the same dynasty, sent a powerful army to annex Kalinga into his empire. The battle of Kalinga was fierce and bloody. It led to much destruction and carnage. Kalinga was subdued by Ashoka at Dhaulagiri near Bhubaneshwar, but so was his heart, because after seeing the aftermath of the war, he felt great remorse. Seeing the ephemeral nature of everything earthly and the uselessness of running after it, he converted to Buddhism and spent the rest of his life spreading the light of Buddhist teachings far and wide. (The battleground is marked by a rock edict and a pillar at Dhuli, 5 km from Bhubaneshwar). His philosophy of life now was peace and therefore in addition to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism also co-existed during the Mauryan Dynasty.
The waves come and go dashing on the shore like madcap but here they are like a musical fountain, soothing to the eyes and ears. Elsewhere, the waters wait for the visitors but here the visitors have to wait for the waters. Elsewhere, the waves go wild and the visitors calm but here the ecstasy of visitors will go wild while the waves remain calm. Puri with its luxurious beach and the famous Jagannath temple, the World Heritage site of the Sun Temple at Konark, the largest brackish water lake of Asia, Chilka, the world famous Nandan Kanan zoo, Dhauli, the site of the historic Kalinga war that changed the course of Indian history where Asoka the Great renounced the path of war and embraced Buddhism are all within a radius of a couple of hours drive. In Bhubaneswar, visitors can visit the Khandagiri & Udaygiri caves, marvel at the ancient temples (more than 200 temples stand of the 2000 odd that were originally present) including the imposing Lingaraja temple that towers over its surroundings and Mukteswara, often called the gem of Orissan temple architecture. In small towns and villages, shops often close for one afternoon a week (commonly Wednesday) and some shut for an hour at lunchtime. In many cities and towns, selected large supermarkets are open 24 hours a day, Monday to Saturday.
Places of intereste: Gopalpur on sea, Taptapani Ananta Vasudeva Temple Niagara Temple, Mukteswar Temple, Rajarani Temple, the Jain and Buddhist rock-cut caves of Khandagiri, Udayagiri Dhauli together with Ashoka’s . Bindusagar, Vaital temple, Mukteshwar temple, Kedareswar temple, Parasurameswara temple, Lingaraja temple, Raja-Rani temple and Brahmeswar temple.
Access: Bhubaneswar is the only civil airport in the state. It is well connected by regular flights to different parts of the country. Bhubaneswar and Puri are the major railway junctions for Orissa. There is an extensive railway network connecting Orissa to the other parts of the country. The National Highways 5, 6, 23, 42, and 43 pass through Orissa. The good road network connects well with the other parts of the country as well as different places within the state.
India Travel Guides
Nrityagram dance village : Bangalore
Nrityagram dance village: hessa-raghatta. (30 km from city) india's only village for classical dances.
Golf clubs is Delhi
Golf clubs is Delhi Delhi Golf Club: Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg . This has two courses, of 9 and 18 holes Siri Fort Sports Complex: Siri Fort Road. Mondays closed. NOIDA Golf Club: Sector 38, NOIDA » 18-hole course. Open for members and non-members. Kits are supplied. Closed on Tuesdays. Aravali Golf Club:
Shimla Travel Guide
Shimla STD Code: 0177 The capital of Himachal Pradesh and former summer capital of British India, Shimla is the state's most important centre. Bulging at its seams with unprecedented expansion, Shimla retains a colonial aura, with its grand old buildings, among them the stately Viceregal Lodge, charming iron lamposts and Anglo-Saxon names.
Sariska : Rajasthan
Sariska : Rajasthan Nestled in the picturesque ranges of the Aravalis, a forest throbs with life. A natural habitat, the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1955 and taken over under Project Tiger in 1979. It offers a unique opportunity to see a variety of animals at close range. Pandupol, Kanakwari, Neelkanth,
Lucknow : Communication Channels
Lucknow : Communication Channels Post And Telegraph Offices General Post Office, Hazratganj Mobile/Cell-phone Hire Mobile/Cell-phone can be hired for ca¬sual use (in per-day rental basis in Lucknow from Mobile Net Services. The refundable security deposit for handset var¬ies depending on the type of handset required. Daily rent for the handset varies with the
Lucknow : Bowling/Discotheque
Lucknow : Bowling/Discotheque The entertainment centre, near Kukrail Bridge, offers a variety of indoor entertainment and games, like a three-lane bowling alley, pool tables, air hockey, video games and discotheque. The restaurant specialises in Italian, Chinese and Continental cuisine. Open: 1100-2300 hrs.
McLeodganj : Himachal Pradesh
McLeodganj : Kangra Often called Little Lhasa, at 1,770 m, this is residence of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile which has been here for over three decades. The monastery has larger-than-life images of the Buddha, Padmasambhava and Avalokteshwara. The large Tibetan commu¬nity and the presence of traditional architec¬tural designs
Allahabad : Banks Support
Allahabad : Banks Support Banks/Currency Exchange State Bank of India, Main Branch Allahabad Bank, Main Branch Bank of Baroda, 61, M.G. Marg, Civil Lines Canara Bank, near Indian Coffee House, Civil Lines Bank of India, 10 Sardar Patel Marg, Civil Lines Union Bank of India, Head Branch, 49, M.G. Marg, Civil Lines
Reesort: Vadodra
Reesort: Vadodra Ajwa Green Resort Ajwa-Nimeta Road P.O. Ajwa Compom; City Office: B Tower, Kunj Plaza, Pal,;, Road, Vadodara 16 Km From Airport, 22 Km From City • 7 Rooms, 250 Bed Dormitory. EP A/C Sir Gle Double Deluxe, Cottai: Restaurant, Ice Cream Parlour, Healli Club, Conference Hall (150), Banquet Fan! Ities,
Gwalior : Excursions
Gwalior : Excursions Shivpuri: Shivpuri was once the sum- Capital of the Scindia rulers of Gwalior. wen earlier, its dense forests were the luting grounds of Emperor Akbar. Shivpuri's royal visitors used to live in the exqui-site palaces, hunting lodges and intricately embellished marble "chhatries" (cenotaphs) erected by the
