Delhi :
New Delhi, the capital and the third largest city of India, it is a fusion of the ancient and the modern. Delhi stands along the West End of gangetic plain rich with culture, architecture and human diversity. Comprising of two contrasting yet harmonious parts, the Old Delhi and New Delhi, the city is a travel hub of Northern India. Delhi is a convergence, bearing the complexities, the contradictions, the beauty and the dynamism of a city where the past coexists with the present. Many dynasties ruled from here and the city is rich in the architecture of its monuments, deep in history, museums, galleries, gardens and exotic shows. The city was built and destroyed seven times and has been witness to the various events which has brought India through the history books.
Today New Delhi is the administrative capital of India and host to a larger number of corporate establishments. Delhi has been the major destination both for the corporate traveler and the tourist with the Indira Gandhi International Airport in the heart of the capital.New Delhi has expanded and now encompasses residential and commercial development to the west and south, plus the satellite towns of Noida, Gurgaon and Faridabad.
Delhi has overtaken Mumbai & Kolkata in recent years to become the most vibrant creative art center in India. The city has more than twenty five galleries. Located at an altitude of 239 m above sea level has a climate of extreme hot Summer and Cold Winter with temperatures ranging from 4°C to 46°C. The summer months are from April to August and winter from September to November
Bangalore :
The Garden city of India, the fastest growing metropolis in Asia and the Silicon Valley to the subcontinent, Bangalore, the fifth largest city is the capital of Karnataka. Home to well over 6 million people, this city enjoys the reputation as the "Fashion Capital of India", "The Pub City of India", and so on.
Located at an altitude of 920m (3021ft) from the sea level, Bangalore has a moderate and pleasant climate throughout the year. During summer the temperature reaches a maximum of 36°C. Winters are colder when temperature goes down to 14°C. Bangalore enjoys both southwest and northeast monsoons. October and November are the wettest months. The Monsoons are during June - September. Bangalore has an International airport that connects most of the major cities of the country. There are many international flights to major destinations that operated from here. Bangalore is connected by air, rail and road and is situated halfway between the coasts in southern India. The new Bangalore International Airport Limited is an hour away from the heart of the city and boasts of the most modern and world class facilities.
The city was founded in the 16th century, and witnessed great southern dynasties like the Kadambas, the Hoysalas and Vijayanagar emperors. Many international visitors come to Bangalore for its excellent schools and universities, such as the Indian Institute of Science and healthcare establishments. While enjoying the warm weather year-around, tourists can also use the city as a central base for day trips to other Karnataka attractions. And Bangalore doesn't only produce fine silk and software. "The Fruit Market of the South" is great for grapes, mangoes and guavas.Bangalore is even gaining the status of the "Floriculture Capital" due to the present blossoming of flower exports from the city. Because of its rich stone resources, Bangalore is also known as the "Stone City", for its granite deposits
Mumbai :
Mumbai, the biggest metropolis of India, has the distinction as a city that virtually never sleeps. Most of the people who arrive in Mumbai have stars in their eyes with a dream of making it big. Home to close to over 20 million people, this city not only generates the maximum share of country's revenue but also houses the country's largest production houses, stock exchanges, sea port and offices of some of the esteemed companies of the world. Mumbai which is the capital of Maharashtra, it is also called the Commercial Capital of India. Mumbai has one of the finest inland transportation systems. Formerly called Bombay, the Island City is dotted with several beaches and natural harbor. On the tourism map of India, Mumbai has always entertained the maximum traffic from overseas.
Mumbai's climate falls into two main seasons: the humid and the dry season. The humid season, between March and October, is characterized by high humidity and temperatures of over 30 °C. Between June and September, the monsoon rains lash the city supplying most of the city's annual rainfall. The dry season, between November and February, is characterized by moderate levels of humidity and warm to cool weather. Cold northerly winds are responsible for a mild chill during January and February.
Mumbai has two Airports-The Chattrapathi Shivaji International Airport and Santa Cruz domestic airport. The Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport serves as one of India's major international airports. It is also the busiest, currently handling up to 45 landings and takeoffs per hour. At a height of 26 feet above mean sea level the annual temperatures range from a high of 38 °C to a low of 11 °C.
Kolkata :
Kolkata known as the “City of Joy”, once was the greatest colonial city in the Orient. Kolkata, formerly Calcutta is the capital of the state of West Bengal. It is located in eastern India on the east bank of the River Hooghly. Calcutta served as the capital of India during the British Raj until 1911. Once as the centre of modern education, industry, science, culture and politics in India, Kolkata witnessed intense political violence, clashes and economic stagnation from the years starting 1954. Described as "The City of Palaces" Kolkata was named the capital of British India in 1772. Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai were the three Presidency cities in British India. Being the center of power for so long created a unique culture and heritage of the city, totally unlike any other city of India. The people here are proud of their culture and can go to any length to defend it. The humanity of the city can be felt only through visiting the place and not by reading
Kolkata is a major industrial unit with vast majority of its population employed in trade and commerce. The city is populates with attractions that bear diverse impressions of arts, literature, architecture, engineering and higher learning faculties. Kolkata, from a tourist’s perspective has got something of every kind, private sectors and job opportunities, quality education, tourist attractions, hotels, great food, nightlife, medical benefits and more. The city is a blend of traditional and cosmopolitan culture that got accumulated as a result of gravity from its vast resources.
The international Netaji Subhash Airport (Dum Dum Airport) is 20 kms from the city. Most of the domestic airlines have direct services to and from Kolkata-Kolkata to other important cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Patna, Varanasi, Lucknow, Bangalore.The city is located to the coast has winter temperatures ranging from a high of 36o to a low of 9oC and summer extremes of 42 and a min of 38oC. The monsoon season is from June to early September.
Chennai :
Chennai is the capital of the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Madras, as it was earlier known as is the fourth largest metropolis of India, after New Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta. It has an estimated population of over 7 million people.
Chennai is a seaside city, with the Bay of Bengal on its side, had been the British trading post for years. It has the second largest beach in the world with a coastline of 12 km and has a major port too. Chennai's economy has a broad industrial base in the automobile, technology, hardware manufacturing, and healthcare sectors. The city is home to many of India's automobile industry and is the country's second-largest exporter of Software, Information Technology and Information-Technology-Enabled Services (ITES), behind Bangalore. Chennai accounts for 60 per cent of the country’s automotive exports and is more often referred to as Detroit of India.
The best time to visit Chennai city is the winter season from the months of November to February. Winter and summer temperature does not vary much as it rains frequently through the year. For most of the year, the weather is hot and humid. The hottest part of the year is late May and early June with maximum temperatures around 38–42 °C. The coolest part of the year is January, with minimum temperatures around 19–20 °C.
The city is served by an international airport and two major ports. Madras International Airport is situated at Tirisulam, 7 Km south of Chennai. It has two terminals, Kamaraj Terminal, handles domestic flights connecting 20 destinations across the country with Chennai.The International Terminal, named Anna Terminal, connects major destinations like London, Frankfurt, Dubai, Muscat, Bahrain, Dhahran, Jeddah, Singapore, Kula Lampur and Sri Lanka. It is connected to the rest of the country by five national highways and two railway terminals. Thirty-five countries have consulates in Chennai.
Kochi :
Also known as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea” is blessed with one of the finest natural harbours in the world, the bustling city of Cochin or Kochi presents a fascinating cultural mosaic with its rich history and cultural heritage. Kochi’s tranquill atmosphere veils the fact that it is the commercial capital of Kerala. The major exports are of pepper, seafood, rubber and coir. Kochi had been the nerve-centre of business activities from ancient times. Trade attracted the Chinese,
Jews, Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch and English whose influence is still reflected in the lifestyle of the people. One can enjoy the sight of some of the finest monuments during vacations in Kochi such as the Jewish Synagogue and the Dutch Palace. This sea-port city has a small but thriving Jewish community. The area around the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth is known as the Jew Town.
A stroll down the narrow bylanes of the Jew Town is an experience in itself, as it reveals an enchanting array of curio shops, warehouses and spice auction rooms.Traces of Kochi’s past are still visible in the old tiled houses built in the Chinese pagoda style. Colonial buildings, Chinese fishing netsand mosques take us back in time as well.
The chinese fishing nets (Cheenavala) are distinctly unique to Cochin. It is believed that traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced these nets here.Being on the costal are the place is humid, temperatures range from 22–37 °C.
The language Malayalam is the official language of the state. Kerala is the only state in India that has 100% literacy
Pune
Introduction
Pune was one of the pivotal bases of the 17th century great Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji. It was also the seat of power of the Peshwas, under whose influence Maratha power became a major political force. The Peshwas were renowned patrons of the arts and under their reign temples, gardens and educational institutions flourished in the city. Pune is recognised as one of the leading cities in India. The Film and Television Institute of India and National Defence Academy are located here. Pune is fast becoming one of the major centres of industry and commerce in the country. Pune is also a major tourist destination of the state. The city is famous for its monuments and museums.
General Information
The regional language out here is Marathi. The best time to visit Pune is during the period of October to March. It has a pleasant and cool climate. The weather is salubrious and tolerable throughout the year.
Tourist Spot
Lal Deval (Synagogue)
Lal Deval is conspicuously placed on Moledina Road. The red-brick-and-stone structure built in the English Gothic style, resembles a church. It is Pune's finest synagogue, built by philanthropist David Sassoon in 1867.
Bund Garden
Bund Garden lies on the right bank of the Mula Mutha river. Constructed by Sir Jamshedji Jeejeebhoy primarily for providing water to the poor during summer, it has become a popular unwinding spot for citizens with an added attraction of boating facilities and has recently added a well-designed jogging track. Bund Garden is now known as the Mahatma Gandhi Udyan.
The Osho International Commune
The Osho International Commune is in Koregaon Park, attracting thousands of foreigners wishing to take part in the meditation courses organized by the Ashram. The Commune was founded by Osho Rajneesh who died in 1990. His samadhi is situated in the Ashram. The commune has beautiful gardens open to the public in the mornings and evenings.
Aga Khan Palace
True to its name this place boasts of Italianate arches and spacious lawns, an unlikely place for a prison but the Britishers interned Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba Gandhi here.The architecture of the palace wil take you down memory lane, reminding you of the illustrations from fairy tale houses.
Shindyanchi Chhatri
Amongst the architectural prides of Pune, the memorial to the great warrior Mahadji Shinde, the commander-in-chief of the Maratha army, between the years 1760 to 1780 under the mighty Peshwas. The temple adorned with Rajasthani architecture is an imposing edifice situated at Wanowrie.
Pataleshwar Cave Temples
Pataleshwar Cave Temples lies in the heart of the city, at Shivaji Nagar . This 8th century rock-cut temple, hewn from a massive single rock, has huge pillars, a Shiva shrine and a Nandi bull.
Shaniwar Wada
The historic palace of the Peshwa (Prime Ministers) rulers, became the seat of political power during Bajirao-I’s reign and became so conspicuous that to this date the palace has become the symbol of the city and its culture. Built in 1736, the Shaniwar Wada was once the palace of the great Peshwa rulers. The wada (Fort) was destroyed by a major fire in 1827, the cause of the fire till today remains a mystery.
Parvati Hill and Temples
The 'Nagarkhana' drum house, the imposing temple of Parvati and Devdeveshwar are the main structures on the hill. The Parvati museum houses protraits of heroes of the Peshwa dynasty, besides old manuscripts, weapons and coins. A group of beautiful temples of Ganapati and Kartikeya make Parvati add to Parvati's attractions. According to the records, the main idol was carved out of gold by craftsmen from Karnataka. After this was stolen in 1932, it was replaced by silver idols plated with gold. The 108 step climb to the 17th century temple located on top, the hill is also the favourite haunt of fitness fans.
Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum
Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum is housed in a quaint Rajasthani-style building. It holds a one-man collection of the most fascinating Indian artifacts. Thirty-six sections of this museum are used to display a plethora of antiques, carved palace doors, pottery, a priceless collection of lamps and musical instruments of the Mughal and Maratha periods. A masterpiece is the 'Mastani Mahal' brought and erected as it was from its original place!
Bal Gandharv Mandir
The home of Marathi Theatre, both commercial and experimental. Throughout the year there are different cultural happenings like exhibitions, theatre, orchestra - instrumental and vocal
Tilak Smarak Mandir
Tilak Smarak Mandir on Tilak Road is a building commemorating the great freedom fighter and social reformer Lokmanya Tilak. On the ground floor is a small museum describing Tilak's public life and a theatre on the upper floors.
Saras Baug
Sitting like a flat oyster towards one end of the city, the sunken Sarasbaug is a place where hundreds of Puneites throng every evening, for their share of fresh air among green surroundings. Adjoining Sarasbaug, across a small narrow road is another garden. This however, is not merely a park but a zoo as well - Peshwe Park.
The Film and Television Institute of India
The Film and Television Institute of India is situated on Law College Road. It imparts training in all branches of the film and television industry and is known for having produced some of the finest show-business professionals in the country.
The Katraj Snake Park
The Katraj Snake Park has a collection of reptiles, birds and turtles. Naturalists would delight in the Park's exhibits and activities. The park has also recently added a zoo.
Chaturshrungi Temple
Chaturshrungi Temple is situated on a hillock off Senapati Bapat Road. This temple of the goddess attracts droves of devotees during the nine-day Navaratri festival in October.
Sinhagad Fort
One of the great forts of Maharashtra is based in Pune. This is the place where brave soldiers fought for the fort. Tanaji, one of the trusted soldier of Shivaji Maharaj sacrificed his son's wedding to win the fort. He was well supported by his uncle Shelar Mama and his brave Marathas. The fort was named Sinhgad from Kondana, after this brave Maratha who fought till death like a true lion.