Borra Caves / Borra Guhalu : (One of the largest Cave in the India) * These caves are about 90 km away from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, at the height of 1450 feet above the sea level in the Ananthagiri hill ranges of eastern ghats. * These are the natural caves, said to have originated from the Gosthani river, which flows through these caves. * The opening of the cave measures upto 100m horizontally and 75 m vertically. The cave is filled with stalagmite and stalactite formations. * Borra caves glitters and illuminates by the sixty three lamps of mercury, sodium vapor and halogen which make the interior of the caves colorful and spectacular. * In 1807, these caves were discovered by William King George from the Geological Survey of India. * This place holds the Religious values to as in the caves there is a Shiva lingam above which is an idol of a cow (Kamadhenu) and the river Gosthani springs from the udder of this cow. * November and December are considered as the best time to visit these caves.
Tabo - Oldest continuously functioning Buddhist monastery in India * Tabo Monastery was founded in 996AD at an altitude of 3,280 meters. * Tabo is a small town in the Lahaul and Spiti district on the banks of the Spiti River in Himachal Pradesh, India. * Within the ancient monastery's compound are nine temples built between the late 10th and the 17th century and numerous stupas. * Main temple preserves an extraordinary wealth of documentation of the history and culture (includes paintings, sculptures, inscriptions and extensive wall texts) of that period. * It was developed as an advanced centre for learning and till date it has managed to preserve the Buddhist legacy with the same steadfastness. * Tabo was the brainchild of the great translator and teacher, Rinchensang Po.
The Bodhi Tree ("Tree of Awakening," also known as the Bo Tree) * It was a large and very old Sacred Fig tree (Ficus religiosa) located in Bodh Gaya (about 100 km (62 mi) from Patna, Bihar) * It is the tree under which under which Siddhartha Gautama, the spiritual teacher and founder of Buddhism later known as Gautama Buddha, is said to have achieved enlightenment, or Bodhi. * In religious iconography, the Bodhi tree is recognizable by its heart-shaped leaves. * The term "Bodhi Tree" is also widely applied to currently existing trees, particularly the Sacred Fig growing at the Mahabodhi Temple, which is a direct descendant planted in 288 BC from the original specimen. * The Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya, Bihar is a direct descendent of the tree under which Siddharta Gautama is attained enlightenment. * After 49 days of meditation, it was here that Siddharta Guatama became the Buddha, the "Enlightened One".
Konark Sun Temple or Black Pagoda - The Chariot of Sun * Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century Sun Temple situated in Konark, in Orissa. * It was constructed from oxidized and weathered ferruginous sandstone by King Narasimhadeva I (1238-1250 CE) of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. * It is widely known not only for its architectural grandeur but also for the intricacy and profusion of sculptural work. * The entire temple has been conceived as a chariot of the sun god with 24 wheels, each about 10 feet in diameter, with a set of spokes and elaborate carvings. * Seven horses drag the temple. Two lions guard the entrance, crushing elephants. * The temple is one of the most renowned temples in India and is a World Heritage Site. * Legends describe a lodestone on the top of the Sun temple. Due to its magnetic effects, vessels passing through the Konark sea were drawn to it, resulting in heavy damage. Other legends state that magnetic effects of the lodestone disturbed ships' compasses so that they did not function correctly.
Deogarh Mahal: Deogarh, Rajasthan * A magnificent palace located on the top a hill at Deogarh, provides a picturesque views of the village, lake, and the beautiful mountains of the Aravali range. * Deogarh is also famous the miniature painting school, the example of the fine art called fresco can be seen on the walls of the palace. * Ideally positioned in the heart of the Aravalli Hills, this is the perfect overnight stop between Jodhpur and Udaipur and also between Jaipur and Udaipur. * The palace was built in 1670 A.D. now converted into a heritage hotel offering an unforgettable experience & a comfortable stay. * Gorgeous rooms and suites are scattered around various wings of the lovely honey-coloured building. * Activities at Deogarh include guided village walks, jeep safaris into the surrounding country side, and even short local train rides through wooded country side. * The collection of Vintage cars at Deogarh & horse riding on Deogarh family owning it’s own horse stables is also worth enjoying.
Abbey Falls / Abbi Falls / Abbe Falls / Jessy waterfalls * Abbey Falls is in Kodagu, in the Western Ghats in Karnataka, India. * It is located 8 km from the town of Madikeri(Coorg) in the mountains of Western Ghats and 268 km from Bangalore. * Here several streams combine, swelling with the monsoon rains and plunging down the mountain slope at enormous speed, hitting the huge boulders hard and forcing through the crevices and ravines. * During the monsoon season the water flow is very high. * A hanging bridge constructed just opposite the falls comes in handy for the Tourists. * There is a Kali Mata temple on the other side of the bridge and Coffee and Black Pepper trees on the other side.
Mandarmani, West Bengal - The Longest Beach Ride Moterable Road in India. * Mandarmani is a large and fast developing seaside resort village in the state of West Bengal, India. * Mandarmani boasts of a 13 km long motorable beach, probably the longest motorable beach road in India. This is a drive-in beach. * The main attraction of Mandarmani is that, its still not as popularized and publicized as the other prominent beaches along the Bay of Bengal, and therefore is very serene and desolate. * It is an ideal place to relax, far away from the hustle and bustle of Kolkata. * The sunrise and sunset are a treat to the eyes. * The total trip from Kolkata is around 3.5 hours. * On the beach, there is no electricity and after dark the only sources of light are the lights of the small beach-side shops which get their electricity from generators or batteries. * At the end of the beach, there is the 'mohana' or river delta (place where a river meets the sea). * Sunbathing is best from October to February. * Food is very expensive. Approx Rs. 500/- per day per head.
Orchha (or Urchha) Palace - A Hidden Palace * Its a small town in Madhya Pradesh – is a peaceful place ‘far from the madding crowd’. * The medieval city of Orchha seems to have frozen in time, its palaces and temples still retaining their original grandeur. * Orchha had the distinction of being the capital of one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms of Central India. * The Bundela Rajput chieftain, Rudra Pratap, founded the city, located by the side of the beautiful Betwa River, in the 16th century. * The word Orchha means 'hidden'. When the Tughlaqs, who were ruling Delhi in the 15th century, pushed the Bundelkhand rajas out of Garkhundar, they retreated to distant Orchha. * The fort consists of several connected buildings erected at different times, the most noteworthy of which are the Raja Mahal and the Jahangir Mahal.
Agatti Aerodrome, Lakshadweep, India * It is located on the southern end of Agatti Island, in the union territory of Lakshadweep in India. * It is operated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) * Agatti Island, also known as Agathy, is a 5.6 km long island, situated on a coral atoll in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. * It is located about 459 km (285 mi) off Kochi in the mainland and 7 km to the southwest of Bangaram, the nearest island. * Kavaratti, the closest inhabited island, lies 54 km to the SE and the uninhabited Suheli Par atoll 76 km to the south. * Agatti's total land area is approximately 2.7 km² (1 sq mi). The small island of Kalpitti is located at the southern end on the same reef. * Agatti has its own 100kw power house which uses fuel to generate electricity. * Access by sea requires a 24 hour journey by ship; flight time from Kochi is 75 minutes. * Agatti is one of the Lakshadweep islands open to tourism. Visitors, however, are allowed to the Island under certain restrictions. they are required to obtain Entry Permit from the Lakshadweep Administration for entering or visiting the island. * A road runs through the island, which can be best enjoyed by hiring a bicycle available at many places.
Inguri Dam - 272 meters The Inguri Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Inguri River in Georgia. Currently it is the world's highest concrete arch dam with a height of 272 metres (892 ft). It is located north of the town Jvari.
