Hardwar..........29.96°N 78.16°E

Haridwar is regarded as one of the seven holiest places to Hindus. Haridwar is an important pilgrimage city and municipality in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, India. The River Ganges, after flowing for 253 kilometres (157 mi) from its source at Gaumukh at the edge of the Gangotri Glacier, enters the Indo-Gangetic Plains of North India for the first time at Haridwar, which gave the city its ancient name, Gangadwára, meaning 'Door of the Ganga'.

Haridwar stands as the gateway to the four pilgrimages of Uttarakhand. Geographically and geological, Haridwar, lying at the feet of Shiva's hills, i.e., Shivaliks, in the Haridwar district of Uttaranchal Pradesh, is a doorway. Suryavanshi prince Bhagirath performed penance here to salvage the souls of his ancestors who had perished due to the curse of sage Kapila. The penance was answered and the river Ganga trickled forth form Lord Shiva's locks and its bountiful water revived the sixty thousand sons of king Sagara. In the traditional of Bhagirath, devout Hindus stand in the sacred waters here, praying for salvation of their departed elder. It is doorway to the sources of the Ganga and the Yamuna, 3000 to 4500 meters up into the snowy ranges of the central Himalayas. The 'Aarti' worship of the Ganga after sunset and the floating 'dia' (lamp) is a  moving ritual.

It is significant that pilgrims often go from Haridwar to the two great Himalayan shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath, as Har means Shiva (the deity of Kedarnath), Hari means Vishnu (the deity of Badrinath), and Dwar means gate. Haridwar is therefore the gateway to the two holy shrines of Shiva and Vishnu.  Many years ago it was also called Kapilsthan after the great sage Kapil, who lived and meditated there. Today, Haridwar is the home of many Ashrams (hermitages and places for meditation) and Dharamshalas (rest houses for pilgrims) that have been established by various swamis, yogis and religious institutions. Throughout the year large numbers of pilgrims come to bathe in the Ganges, especially at the Hari-ka-charan ghat (also called Hari-ki-Pauri), where a footprint of Vishnu is worshipped. Pilgrims also consider it important to visit the beautiful Shiva temple of Daksheswar.

A large pilgrimage festival is held each year in April at the beginning of the Hindu solar year. Every twelve years the great festival of Kumbha Mela is held and every six years an Ardh Kumbha, or half Kumbha. During these important festivals millions of pilgrims throng to Haridwar from throughout India. Haridwar is also one of India’s Moksapuris, or Seven Sacred Cities, where moksha (spiritual liberation) may be more easily attained.

It is said that a holy dip in the river Ganges during the Kumbh & Ardh Kumbh gives you Moksha or Nirvana. People gather in huge number to take the holy dip during these holy days.

Places to Visit:

Har ki Pauri :
This sacred Ghat was was constructed by kind Vikramaditya in memory of his brother Bhatrihari. It is believed that Bhatrihari eventually came to Haridwar to meditate by the banks of holy Ganga. When he died, his brother constructed a Ghat in his name which later came to be known as Har-Ki-Pauri. This sacred bathing ghat is also known as Brahamakund. The reflection of golden hues of floral diyas in the river river Ganga is the most enchanting sight in the twilight during the Ganga ceremony. The riverbank temple her is hallowed by the imprint of god Hari's foot print. The ghat is regarded the most sacred in Haridwar and this is the most auspicious point to bathe in the Ganga during the 12 year Kumbh and the 6 year Ardh Kumbh.

Sapt Rishi Ashram and Sapt Sarovar :
According to legend the seven sages- Kashyap, Vashit, Atri, Vishwamitra, Jaindayani, Bhardwaj and Gautam-were deep in meditation here. The Ganga, not wanting to disturb them and facilitating each her easy approach prefer rather split herself into seven channels around each Rishi.


Chandi Devi Temple :
The temple of Chandi Devi at the top of Neel Parvat on the other bank of river Ganga was constructed in1929 A.D. by the King of Kashmir-Suchat Singh. It is 3 kms. trek from Chandighat. It is believed that the main statue was established by the Adi Shankaracharya in 8th century Ad. It is situated at a distance of 6 kms. on Neel Parvat on the other bank of the main Ganga river.


Mansa Devi Temple :
The temple of Goddess Mansa Devi is situated at the top of Bilwa Parwat. The roapway with its brightly coloured cable cars take devotees to the old hilltop of Mansa Devi.


Maya Devi Temple :
This is an ancient temple of Maya Devi the Adhisthatri deity of Haridwar, known as one of the Siddhapethas. Said to be the places where the hearts and navel of Goddess Sati had fallen.

Daksha Mahadev Temple :
The ancient temple of Daksha Mahadev is situated in the south Kankhal town. The mythological story about this place is that kind Daksha Prajapati, father of Sati (Lord Shiva's first wife) performed yagya at this place. Daksha Prajapati did not invite Lord Shiva and Sati felt insulted. Therefore she burned herself in the yagya kund. This incident provoked the disciples and followers of Mahadev who killed King Daksha, but later on Lord Mahadev brought him back to life. Daksha Mahadev temple is thus a tribute to this legend.

Other Temples :
Bilkeshwar Mahadev; PawanDham; Bhooma Niketan; Vaishnav Devi Temple; Bharat Mata Mandir; Doodhadhari Temple; Shahi Gurudwara; Jairam Ashram.


Nearby Places

Rishikesh : (25 Km)
Rishikesh, the 'place of sages' is a celebrated spiritual town on the bank of Ganga and is surrounded by shivalik range of the Himalayas on three sides. It is said that when Raibhya Rishi did hard penances, God appeared by the name of " Hrishikesh " and this area hencefirth came to be known as Rishikesh.




Dehradun : (55 Km)
Dehradun the Capital of Uttaranchal Pradesh is one of the most beautiful resort in the submountain tracts of India, known for its salubrious climate and scenic surroundings. Doon, aside often called, has been a favorite setting ground of the elit for nearly two centuries through its history steches back to many millennia. Many more, like the ONGC and Wdia Institute of Himalayan Studies, were added in time. Dehradun has now became an important tourist destination, too for its surroundings offer to interest a visitor.


Mussoorie : (90 Km)
Mussoorie is a fascinating Hill Resort commanding a wonderful view of the extensive Himalayan range and at night the gilliering views of Doon Valley. It is pleasant in summer (April to June) and clouding in (July to Aug.) and cool and serene in autumn (Sept. to Nov.) and winter months of Dec. to Feb. is severely bitty cold a time of snow fall, Mussoorie is called "Queen Of Hills" today it is one of the most popular summer destination in the northen hills.

Kanva Rishi Ashram : (42 Km)
The ashram is situated on the banks of the Malini river along the forest road to Kotdwar.

Piran Kaliyar : (23 Km)
The Dargah of Hazrat Makhdum Alluddin Ali Ahmed "Sabir", lies on the outskirts of Roorkee. It is revered by Muslims and Hindus alike.

HOW TO REACH:

 By Road

National Highway 58, between Delhi and Mana Pass passes through Haridwar connecting it with Ghaziabad, Meerut, Muzzafarnagar, Roorkee and Badrinath and National Highway 74 originating from Haridwar connects it with Kashipur, Kichha, Nagina, Pilibhit and Bareilly

By Rail

The Haridwar Railway Station located in Haridwar is under the control of the Northern Railway zone of the Indian Railways. It has direct links the major cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Indore, Jaipur, Ahmedabad but it lacks direct connectivity to major cities of Central India namely Jabalpur, Bhopal, Gwalior and Nagpur.

By Air

The nearest domestic airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun which is a located 35 km from Haridwar. Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi is the nearest International Airport.

Shimla………….31 6′12″N 77 10′20″E

A popular tourist destination, Shimla is often referred to as the "Queen of Hills," a term coined by the British. Located in the north-west Himalayas at an average altitude of 2,205 metres (7,234 ft), the city of Shimla, draped in forests of pine, rhododendron, and oak, experiences pleasant summers and cold, snowy winters. The city is famous for its buildings styled in tudorbethan and neo-gothic architecture dating from the colonial era.Shimla offers a wonderful experience to the tourists. 

The salubrious air and scenic views of the Himalayas accompanied by the structures made during the colonial era creates an aura which is very different from other hill stations.

Shimla derives its name from Goddess Shyamala, an incarnation of Goddess Kali, the deity of power and wrath. However, unlike its name, Simla is a perfect heaven for the ones in search of tranquility. 
Nature has blessed this capital city with innumerable gifts and man has used them to make Shimla one of India’s best locales. Discover the Queen of Hill station on foot, it’s simply the best way. The walking trails are superb with tall pines and majestic deodar and spectacular views of the brilliant Himalayas. 
Shimla has a number of spaces to visit. Local hangouts like the mall road and ridge are in the heart of the city. Most of the heritage buildings in the city are preserved in their original tudorbethan architecture. The Viceregal lodge which houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, and Wildflower hall that is now a luxury hotel are some of the famous ones. A collection of paintings, jewelery and textiles of the region can be found at the State Museum (built in 1974).
The heritage narrow gauge toy train  has also found its place in the list of UNESCO heritage sites. The travel to Shimla by rail and road is itself a distinct experience as the tracks pass through lovely mountains and valleys and the view changes at every turn.

Places To Visit:
The Mall is the main shopping street of Shimla. It also has many restaurants, clubs, banks, bars, Post Offices and tourist offices. The Gaiety Theatre is also situated there. People walk up and down the Mall slowly, stopping to gossip, as it is the main meeting place for everyone. The Ridge and Scandal point are the two main meeting points at the Mall. The mall is dotted with many eating places .Indian Institute of Advanced Study  is housed in the Viceregal Lodge, built in 1884-88.

Annandale developed as the playground of Shimla, Annandale is 2–4 km from the Ridge at a height of 6,117 ft. It is a favourite spot for cricket, picnics and polo.
Tara Devi which 11 km from the Shimla bus-stand. Tara Devi hill has a temple dedicated to the goddess of stars on top of the hill. There is a military Dairy Town here as well as the headquarters of Bharat Scouts and Guides.
Sankat Mochan where a Lord Hanuman temple is located .
Christ Church situated on the Ridge, Christ Church is the second oldest church in Northern India. It has a very majestic appearance and inside there are stained glass windows which represent faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience and humility. Christ Church is a place all visitors should spend some time in.
Jakhu Hill which is 2 km from Shimla, at a height of 8000 ft, Jakhu Hill is the highest peak and offers a beautiful view of the town and of the snow-covered Himalayas. At the top of the Hill, is an old temple of Lord Hanuman, which is also the home of countless playful monkeys waiting to be fed by all visitors.
Shimla State Museum, which was opened in 1974, has tried to protect hill-out and the cultural wealth of the state. There is a collection of miniature Pahari paintings, sculptures, bronzes wood-carvings and also costumes, textiles and jewellery of the region.
Junga is a Tehsi 26 km from Shimla ; its original name (with diacritics) is Junga and is a former royal retreat of the princely state of Junga (also known as Keonthal Estate).
Mashobra which is 13 km from Shimla, site of the annual Sipi fair in June.
Kufri a wonderful place to be visited is 16 km from Shimla at a height of 8,600 ft, Kufri is the winter sports capital and also has a small zoo.Chharabra  which is 13 km from Shimla is on the route to Kufri.
Naldehra which is 22 km from Shimla, with a nine-hole Naldehra Golf Club. The annual Sipi fair in June is held in Naldehra. Chail was the summer capital of the Maharaja of Patiala before Independence, known for its cricket pitch, the highest in the world.
Arki (46 km) is the site of an 18th century fort built when Arki was the capital of the erstwhile hill state of Baghal
Tatapani which is the location of sulphur springs which are found near the Tatapani mandir(holy temple)
Sanjauli is the main suburb of Shimla.A 108 feet (33 metre) statue of Lord Hanuman, at 8,500 feet (2,591 metres) above sea level, is the highest statue in the world, overtaking the Christ Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

How To Reach :

By Air:The nearest airport from Shimla is the Jubbarhattii Airport. It is situated at a distance of 28 km from Shimla. Indian Airlines, Jagson and Deccan airlines operate limited regular flights for Shimla from Chandigarh, Delhi, Dharamsala and Kullu. The distance from airport to the city can be covered in about one hour by taxis which are easily available. As the airstrip is small only small planes can land at this airportThe preferred airport is Chandigarh ( 120 Kms from Shimla). Chandigarh has better air connectivity with other Indian cities than the Shimla airport. Indian Airlines, Kingfisher, Deccan, Go air, Jet airways operate regular flights.
By Rail : Kalka is the nearest broad gauge railhead. (96 Kms from Shimla). The tourists will have to change their train at Kalka from where The Kalka Shimla toy train runs on a UNESCO heritage narrow gauge track connecting to Shimla. Almost all the major cities in the country are directly connected to Kalka, through train. The Himalayan Queen and the Howrah Express provide services everyday from Delhi to Kalka. The narrow gauge train from Kalka and Shimla passes through more than 100 tunnels providing breathtaking views of the surroundings. The narrow gauge toy train takes about 5-1/2 hours to reach Shimla Railway station.
By Road: Excellent  road (national highway No 22 from Ambala to Shimla) including the hill stretch with many food joints along the highway ( from Delhi 368 Kms,  from Chandigarh 118 Kms).  There is never a boring moment on this road. The eating joints lined up on both sides of the road and the cool breeze from the hills make for a heady combination.There is 24 hours bus service from Chandigarh (travel time 4 hours, 118 Kms) and Delhi (travel time 9 hours, 368 Kms) and buses depart at short intervals of time.

VARANASI.......25.282°N 82.9563°E

Varanasi  also commonly known as Benares or Banaras and Kashi, is a city situated on the banks of the River Ganges in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, 320 kilometres (199 mi) southeast of state capital Lucknow. It is regarded as a holy city by Buddhists and Jains, and is the holiest place in the world in Hinduism (and center of earth in Hindu Cosmology).It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and probably the oldest of India.

 

The land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world.These few lines by Mark Twain say it all: "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition,older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together".

Hindus believe that  one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth. Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the origins of Varanasi are yet unknown. Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals.

With Sarnath, the place where Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment, just 10 km away,

Varanasi has been a symbol of Hindu renaissance. Knowledge, philosophy, culture, devotion to Gods,

Indian arts and crafts have all flourished here for centuries. Also a pilgrimage place for Jains, Varanasi is believed to be the birthplace of Parsvanath, the twenty-third Tirthankar.

Vaishnavism and Shaivism have co-existed in Varanasi harmoniously. With a number of temples,

 Mrs. Annie Besant chose Varanasi as the home for her 'Theosophical Society' and Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, to institute 'Benares Hindu University, the biggest University in Asia. Ayurveda is said to be originated at Varanasi and is believed to be the basis of modern medical sciences such as Plastic surgery, Cataract and Calculus operations. Maharshi Patanjali, the preceptor of Ayurveda and Yoga, was also affiliated with Varanasi, the holy city.Varanasi is also famous for its trade and commerce, especially for the finest silks and gold and silver brocades, since the early days.

PLACES TO VISIT:

Probably due to its unique culture, Varanasi is a major tourist destination for foreign tourists in India.

A number of 3, 4 and 5 star hotels like Taj Hotel, Radisson hotel, clarks hotel, Ramada hotel, Hindustan International are present in the city, as well as more efficient housing for Western student researchers. All sort of cuisines are available mostly as street food due to rich and hospitable culture of Varanasi.

Being the oldest city of the world and an important Hindu pilgrimage center, Varanasi attracts a large number of people from all over the world. For centuries, Varanasi is famous for spiritualism, mysticism, Indian philosophy and Hinduism.All these are reflected in numerous sects, temples, Ashrams and Ghats. Varanasi is associated not only with Hinduism  but also with Buddhism and Jainism. Besides numerous temples, Varanasi also boasts of Buddhist Stupas and Jain temples.

Varanasi is also a mirror of the age-old Indian civilization. The archaeological museum at Sarnath houses numerous  remains of the past, including the National emblem of India, the Ashoka pillar.

By virtue of its religious and cultural importance, Varanasi is abuzz with fairs and festivals all round the year. Almost every month, some important festival is celebrated in Varanasi. 

Besides festivals and holidays, many "Melas" or fairsare also held at Varanasi. At Varanasi, fairsandfestivals are celebrated with traditional

gaiety and fervor and are symbolic of celebration of life at its best. The festive atmosphere never seems to end in Varanasi. It's not important to make itinerary according to the dates and months as one can come and enjoy the festive season of Varanasi anytime of the year! Since Varanasi is mainly associated with Hinduism, temples form the main attraction. The Ganga Ghats (river fronts) are the main center of religious activities and rituals and also form one of the main attractions of Varanasi. The Alamgir Mosque, blend of the Hindu and Mughal styles of the architecture, is another important attraction of Varanasi. Some of the most important

 temples of Varanasi are Durga temple, Vishwanath temple, Sankat Mochan temple, Tulsi Manas temple and the Bharat Mata temple. The Bharat Mata Temple houses a huge relief map of the whole of Indian subcontinent and Tibetan plateau. Other attractions of Varanasi are the Benaras Hindu University (BHU), the Archaeological Museum,  Sarnath, Bharat Kala Bhavan and the Buddhist Stupas and temples at Sarnath.

Varanasi is a noted centre for Banarasi silk weaving and brassware. Fine silks and brocaded fabrics, exquisite saris, brassware, jewellery, woodcraft, carpets, wall hangings, lamp shades and masks of Hindu and Buddhist deities are some of Varanasi's shopping attractions. The main shopping areas include the Chowk, Godaulia, Vishwanath Lane, Lahurabir and Thatheri Bazaar.[15] Assi Ghat,  a midway point between Godaulia in the heart of downtown and youth culture of Benares Hindu University, is the district where most young, foreign, long-term residents stay.

HOW TO REACH:

Varanasi is the cultural capital of India and the melting pot of Indian civilization.

Varanasi or Benaras has a well-developed transport network and is well connected to all

 the major Indian cities and states by air, road and rail.

By Air

Varanasi is well connected and accessible to major Indian cities and tourist spots.

There are daily domestic flights to and from Varanasi to several cities in India.

Apart from the state owned Indian Airlines, there are many private air taxi operators

that offer their services from Varanasi to other Indian cities. In fact, the daily flights

 on Delhi-Agra-Khajuraho-Varanasi route are quite popular among the tourists.

By Rail

Since Varanasi lies in the heartland of the North Indian plains, it is well connected to Delhi,

 Kolkata, Mumbai and other parts of India. There are two railway stations in Varanasi, the Kashi

 Junction and the Varanasi Junction (also known as Varanasi Cantonment). Rajdhani Express from Delhi

 or from Calcutta passes through Varanasi too. One can also catch trains from Mughalsarai, just 10 km south of Varanasi.

By Road

Situated in the flat Ganga plains, Varanasi has a good network of roads. frequent public and private buses

and road transport to all the major towns of Uttar Pradesh and nearby areas.