Saturday, August 22, 2009

Sawai Madhopur (Gateway To Ranthambore Forests)

General information:

Founded By       :   Madho Singh II
Location              :   Southwest end of Rajasthan (767 km from Delhi,
                                 326 km from Jodhpur)
Famous as          :   Gateway to the Tiger’s Den
Temperature    :  Summer -23.0 °C – 37.0°C,
                                 Winter- 9.0°C – 29.0°C,
                                 Rainy Season – very humid about 68 cms (July –
                                 mid September)
Clothing             :  Summer – Light cotton clothes,
                                 Winter – Light Woolens
Language          :   Rajasthani, Hindi, English
Spoken
Best Season       :   October to March
to Visit

Access:
By air             :   Nearest airport Jaipur (about 165 km)
By Rail           :   Has Railway station of its own. Sawai Madhopur                                 lies on the Delhi – Mumbai line. Well connected
                               with Jaipur and other nearer centres.
By road          :   It is well connected to major cities as Agra ( 226                                   km ), Delhi ( 434 km), Jaipur (176 km ) by road.
Local               :   There is a direct link between Jaipur and
                              Sawai Madhopur via Tonk and via Dausa.

Visit:
Places to see:
         Ranthambhor National Park – Majestic Tiger Reserves. Chital,
              Nilgai, Chinkara, Langur peafowl etc.
               could also be seen here.
         Fort – Ganesh Temple situated here attracts a lot of devotees.

Excursion:
        Amareshwar Mahadeo Temple, Trinetra Ganesha Temple,
        Chauth Mata Temple, Kakod and Hathi Bhata, Shri Mahaveerji
        Temple, Toran Dwar
Rural areas around Sawaimadhopur: Siwad - ( It is 3 Kms. From the
         Isarda railway station and famous for the Dushmeshwar
         Mahadeo Temple of Lord Shiva. There is also an
         Impressive fort atop a hill.
Rameshwaram( 60 Km.)- The sacred site on the Confluence
         of Banas and Chambal Rivers
Kaila Devi: It is set on the banks of Kalisil river
          (about 23 kms.from Karauli.)

Shopping:
  Famous articles-
              -   Bandhani and Lahariya, block printed textile,
              -   metal handicraft, antique furniture, carpets,
              -   wooden articles, silver Jewellery
              -   along with ethnic ornaments.

Fairs and Festivals:
         Ganesh Chaturthi- Aug- Sept.,
         Chauth Mata Fair, Kalyanji Fair, Shiv Ratri Fair,
         Kaila Devi : A colourful fair April-May & Navratras.
         Shri Mahaveerji.

Famous Cuisine : Kababs, Laddoo, Lachha Parantha, Kachori.

Accomodation:
Deluxe :
         Aman-i-Khas

Heritage hotels and resorts :
         Hotel Castle Jhoomer Baori,
         Nahargarh Fort,,
         Vinayvilas Resort.

Budget :
         Hammir Wildlife Resort, Ankur Resort,
         Anurag Resort, Hill View Resort,
         Aranya Resort, Tiger Safari Resort
         Sawai Madhopur Lodge, RTDC, Vinayak Tourist Complex.

Other :
         Tiger Moon,
         Mansarover, Vishal, Pareek,
         Pink Palace, Mayur, Chinkara.

The historic town lies 180 Kms. North-east of Jaipur amid Vindhyas and Aravali ranges and is more popular as the Gateway to the famous Ranthambhor National Park., the well known tiger reserve.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Mount Abu (A Sacred Hill Retreat)

General information:

Famous as         :   A Sacred Hill Retreat
Location            :   Southwest end of Rajasthan (767 km from Delhi, 326
                                 km from Jodhpur)
Temperature    :  Summer -23.3 °C – 33.8°C,
                                 Winter- 11°C – 20.3°,
                                 Rainy Season – very humid 65-177 cms (July –
                                 mid September)
Clothing             :  Summer – Light cotton clothes,
                                 Winter – Heavy Woolens
Language          :   Rajasthani, Gujrati, Hindi, English
Spoken
Best Season       :   Feb- June and September to December.
to Visit

Access:
By air                      :   Nearest airport is Udaipur (185 Km) Direct flight
                                      available from Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur .
By Train                :   The nearest Railway station is Abu Road ( about
                                     28 Km.)Well connected by main cities as Jaipur,
                                      Joodhpur, Ahmedabad and Mumbai.
By road                  :   Well connected with Major cities (as Delhi,
                                      Udaipur, Ajmer, Bundi.)
Local                       :   From Abu Road Taxi, jeep and buses are available
                                      for Mt.Abu. There is a direct bus services
                                     are available from Jodhpur to Mt.Abu.

Visit:
Places to see:
         Dilwara Jain Temple, Temple of Vimal Sah,
        View points, Nakki Lake,
         Toad Rock, Temple of Raghunathji,
         Gau Mukh Temple, Govt. Museum,
         Adhar Devi Temple, Mt. Abu Sanctuary.
         Om Shanti Bhawan or Universal Peace Hall- This impressive
        building houses the famous Brahma Kumari’s world Spiritual
        University.


Excursion:
        Trevor’s Tank, Achalgarh,
        Guru Shikhar.

Shopping:
  Famous articles-
              -   Shops around Nikki Lake offer curios inMarble, sandalwood
                 and sandstone.
              -   The famous Kota sarees, lac bangles,
              -   Sanganeri hand printed textiles etc.
              -   Metal craft wooden article, gem stones, leather articles.

For quality   -   Rajasthani handicrafts: Rajasthan Govt. Handicrafts
                Emporium & Khadi Bhandar.

  Shopping Place
                Nakki Maal (Nakki Lake Market)

Fairs and Festivals:
         Summer Festival : The tourist festival held annually from 1st –
                3rd July has emerged as a major tourist attraction of Mt. Abu.

         Gangaur (March-April) : This festival of young maids and
                married women is of special significance for the Garasia
                tribal of Sirohi- Mount Abu region.
         Patotasav (March)

Accomodation:
Deluxe :
         Palace Hotel, Hillock Hotel,
         Udaigarh Palace, Sunrise Place
         Chanakya Hotel, Hotel Hiltone,
         Chacha Inn, Mount Regency,
         Savera Palace, Hotel Sheratone

Heritage hotels and resorts :
         Cama Rajputana club resort,
         Connaught House, Jaipur Palace,
         Hotel Palanpur Palace
         Kesar Bhawan Palace.

Moderate :
         Lake View, Hotel Rising Sun
         Sun retreat, RTDC Hotel Shikhar,
         Vishram Hotel,
         Hotel Neelam, Sunset Inn.

Other :
         Aakashdeep, Shanti, Shere Punjab
         Nikki Vihar, Aravali
         Shree Ganesh , Chetna .

Restaurants :
         Handi (Hotel Hiltone)
         Mayur (Hotel Hillock)
         RTDC (Hotel Shikhar)
         Maharaja, Takshilla (Hotel Samrat)
         Dawat, Kanak Dining Hall.
         Woodlands.

Mt.Abu, the sacred hill resort is set atop the Highest peak of the Aravali’s. It is the only hill station of Rajasthan and is equally important for pleasure seekers and devoted pilgrims.