Forts of India

Amber Fort – Forts of India The famous forts of India have witnessed the history in its making.  They saw the rise and fall of many empires, flourishing of various ruling dynasties, the many accounts of romance and chivalry and even became the canvas for unique royal art forms. These power centers realized the architectural vision of their rulers who blended their royal aesthetics with the architectural mightiness to establish these wonderful jewels called forts in India. These visionaries had only one vision in their mind, which was only the protection of their kingdom and people. And these forts signified the glory of their kingdom. So, great planning of the medieval times in present era became the wonderful jewels of India dotting the entire landscape. Following are some of the majestic forts present in different parts of India. The Kings previously believed that building a fort on the hillock is a great defensive measure to protect their kingdom from attacks. Amber fort epitomizes the same vision. Built on a hillock with the high walls, this wide area fort provided the kingdom of Jaipur greater stability and security. Tourists come here to experience the mightiness of Rajputana kingdom that flourished under the rule of Raja Man Singh I. In fact, the unique Amber Fort is an iconic example of the Rajput and Mughal architectural blend prominently visible in Rajasthan Forts and Palaces. The fort has borrowed the concept of Aram Bagh, Sheesh Mahal, Diwan-i-Aam and Zenana or women’s complex from the Mughal architectural aesthetics. The other attraction of this hill fort is the enchanting Elephant Safari experience. The travellers can fulfill their desires of sitting on a royal elephant’s back as a part of an illustrious royal experience during the Amber Fort excursion. Sindhudurg Fort – Sindhudurg is a massive citadel spread over 48 acres on an Arabian Sea island in Maharashtra. Surrounded by the sea from the four sides, this unique fortress received fortifications with the use of over 4000 cast iron mounds by the iconic personality of the Marathas, Chhatrapati Shivaji in the 17th century. The high rising walls also contributed to the security of this fort. At the time when travelling by sea was banned by religious texts, this immaculate fort was and still is a testimony to human intelligence and engineering. Agra Fort – This flawless fort personifies the stronghold of Mughal majesty that flourished under the rule of Jalaluddin Akbar, the third and the most popular emperor of his times. Located on the western banks of River Yamuna, this fort served as the home to nearly five emperors of the dynasty. Later the fort received the sublime elegance from Emperor Shah Jahan, the fifth in the legacy of Mughals. Currently, this medieval fort is a recognized world heritage site for its sheer grandeur and mighty elegance. The attractions of this complex include the Mughal buildings like Diwan-i-Khaas, Diwan-i-Aam, Anguri Bagh, Mina Masjid and Sheesh Mahal. This fort can be explored during Agra city tour. Fort St. George – Forts St. George in Chennai, Tamil Nadu served as the first establishment of the British people under the East India Company. This iconic fort which was the structured originally for coastal spice trade harbour, later became the concentrated edifice for the rising power of the British. It was named as a dedication to St. George, the patron saint of England. The fort is structured with mighty 6 meters high walls that contributed to the security of the monument. The glory of Fort St. George can be revisited as a part of Chennai city tour. There are hundreds of other forts in India, each having different identity, character which reflect the vision of its constructing ruler. Through this blog, we will try to bring tourists closer to these mighty structures of power in incredible India. This attempt will make sure that they understand the vision, aesthetics and the immaculate artistry the Indian kings were known for.

India – the country of Incredible Facets

Introducing India, the country of incredible delights is a mammoth task, involving an exploration of strange yet extraordinary secrets stored in its heart. India gave to the world many novel concepts and visionary thoughts. One such prime thought is the concept of peace and non-violence which this country mastered through its 100000 years of history. Throughout this passage of illustrious time, India never invaded any country and always practiced peaceful and harmonious existence with the rest of the world.When many civilizations were dwelling in forests as nomads over 5,000 years ago, Indians were enjoying flourished and fulfilled existence at Harappa during Indus Valley Civilization period. In fact, the modern name ‘India’ is derived from the River Indus, the valley which was the home for the early settlers in the country. India got rechristened as ‘Hindustan’ by Persian invaders who pronounced Sindhu as Hindu. The term Hindustan became synonymous as the land of Hindus in the popular dialect, representing the land of bounties and riches defined by a metaphor of ‘the Golden Bird.’ This phrase illustrated the richness and grandeur of India equated with gold, wealth, diamonds, spices, fertile soil, rich resources, diversified knowledge and tolerant principles. Emperor Ashoka immortalized the principle of non-violence after a shattering bloodshed during the Kalinga War. He placed Buddhist rock edicts and pillar edicts in different regions of India. He also placed the Lion Capital in Sarnath, which later became the national emblem of this country. The Chakra in the Indian Flag is also inspired by the Dharma Chakra devised by Lord Buddha. Besides the peace and non-violence, India pioneered the concept of knowledge and education. The country’s achievement in the field of education was the conception of two famous universities in the world; Nalanda and Takshila. At that time, these universities taught more than 60 subjects and attracted around 10,500 students from different parts of the world, adding on to the glory of this region. The ancient sciences of Ayurveda and Yoga owe their origins to India. The timeless appeal of these healthy disciplines is valid till date, providing a boost to Ayurveda, Spa and Yoga therapies. In the field of science, Saint Charaka, the father of medicine devised and consolidated the concept of surgeries which are applicable even today. The accidental discovery of America by Christopher Columbus is also accredited to India. Columbus, in a hope to find out the sea route to India, unintentionally landed in America. Lastly and most importantly, India gave to the world the concept of immaculate hospitality through an age old adage, ‘Atithi Devo Bhavah.’ This saying sums up the belief that guests are god, and they should be treated with the divine hospitality. This saying is still a part of incredible India where tourists are considered gods and are treated at par with the best of hospitality and tourism potentials. This is a great reason why a great number of tourists prefer to visit India and experience a gamut of colours, regions, religions and traditions in a rich way. The incredible India tour is about all this and much more. It is an unabridged attempt to present the heritage, culture and natural bounties to the purveyors of India and bring them closer to this country of contrasts. Through this blog, we will continue to enlighten the tourists with the wealth of bestowed wonder called incredible India.

History of India – Revisiting the Golden Era

The history of India is a magnum opus stretched over 5,000 years of time. This vast time witnessed the evolution of India through many phases of ancient, medieval and modern history. The oldest civilization in the world, India or the land of hundred kingdoms saw the rise and fall of many dynasties.

These kings were the Maharajas who served their kingdoms instead of ruling them; patronized the religious beliefs and built colossal temples, forts and palaces in honour of the faith. Under their rule, everyone in general used to be a part of their kingdom’s prosperity. Emperor Ashoka was one such king under whose rule, the whole India unified. He patronized Buddhism and commissioned the rock edicts and pillars at different places of Buddhist renown. Lion Capital, the national emblem of India is also Mauryan Emperor Ashoka’s contribution to the country. Mahabodhi Temple at Bodhgaya is also one of his contributions to the ancient Indian architecture, besides numerous rock edicts.

Under the aegis of such righteous rulers, India prospered on the economic, artistic and philosophical fronts. There was a time, when the name of Hindustan evoked the image of a high soaring golden bird in the western world. It can be easily said that the best of the world belonged to India at that time. This all drew the many foreign powers in this colorful country like a magnet.

Mahmud of Ghaznavi was the first foreign power who attacked India and looted its riches in the eleventh century. Mohammed Ghori and others followed him. The Tughlaqs and later Mughals too asserted the onset of the Islamic era in India by invading the weakening Hindu kingdoms. In fact, the famous architectural gems like Qutub Mahal, Agra Fort, Taj Mahal, Red Fort and Humayun Tomb were constructed under Islamic rule. Akbar and Shah Jahan, two of the prominent rulers belonged to the Mughal dynasty.

At the same time, the many European natives based on their fascination, took up the sea route to India. Out of all the sea voyagers, Vasco Da Gama stood out to be the first European explorer to discover the spice route and reach India, the land of spices and other bounties. Dutch, French and British later followed the similar route for trading. Dutch, French and Portuguese established colonies in specific regions of India, whereas British moved ahead on the route to fulfill their ambitions of controlling India. They established the East India Company and changed the whole equation of ruling here. The weak Mughal establishment in the 17th century and the rising prominence of British traders brought the Indian throne under its Monarchical rule.

Later, this phase became the prime cause for Independence revolution. The first revolution under the legendary leaders like Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Tantya Tope, Mangal Pandey infused the wave of self rule under the leadership of the surviving Mughal emperor, Bahadurshah Zafar II.

This incident paved the foundation for the later freedom activists like Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose and thousands of other participants to continue their freedom struggle. During this phase, many of them lost their lives; but the flame of freedom was kept alive until August 15, 1947, when India had its tryst with destiny. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on the Red Fort Pavilion read his first speech as the first Prime Minister of India. This was a little glimpse of India’s long lost history. In the next post, we will throw some light on the historical travellers to India.

India - A Country Of Incredible Destinations

The country is dotted with numerous tourist attractions far and wide; making it a destination with great potentials. At one end, there are mountains, and on the other, there are beaches brimming with excitement. The greenery of the east finds its perfect contrast in the dusky deserts of the west. All this and much more entice tourists to visit this country again and again. In all, there are 28 states in India; each diversely unique in its cultural and ethnic traditions. But worry not, if you don’t know where to begin the India tour. Here, we are presenting the four most visited states of India popular for tourist holidays.

Uttar Pradesh, the country’s heartland enjoys the stronghold over Indian tourism industry. In fact, around 1/4^th of tourists landing in India turn towards this fertile state to experience its varied gems. This state is a repository of heritage featuring the indomitable spirit of Taj Mahal, the world’s ancient city, Varanasi, the seat of Buddhism in Sarnath and Kushinagar and a lot more. The state is also known for its etiquettes and embroidery, thanks to Lucknow. The culinary contribution can be cherished during the Uttar Pradesh tour is its rich Awadhi cuisine.

The second state, Jammu and Kashmir is followed and admired by the purveyors of natural bliss. Tourists frequent here to interpret the saying made by Emperor Jahangir, “If there is ever a heaven on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.” The natural ecosystem of this state is protected by the highest of the Himalayas, providing tourists once in a lifetime to visit the many lush gardens including those of saffron and blooming tulips. The visitors can also avail another memorable experience of cruising on the magnetic Dal Lake inside the famous houseboat. The highest golf course in Gulmarg and the rugged roads leading to Buddhist Amazing Ladakh Tour also add intrigue to this northernmost Indian destination. The embroidered Pashmina shawls from Kashmir are popular worldwide and display the artistry and finesse of the handloom experts.

The third important destination in India is dedicated to royalty in its every way and form. Etched in legends, the palaces, forts, towers, observatories and step wells have an enchanting element that surely transports a tourist in a surprising world of brilliant royalty. The heritage hotels also define the royalty in their unique way and contribute to the state’s tourism. Here, you get to stay in the erstwhile palaces of the Maharajas enhanced by the wondrous service of Khidmatgars or attendants. If you are luckier than others, you might even get a chance to meet a living Prince or a King during a sojourn to incredible Rajasthan. The deserts here too have a mystic charm. The desert triangle of Jodhpur City Tour, Jaisalmer and Bikaner allow tourists to avail the charming Camel Safari over the expansive desert stretch. Udaipur, on the other hand is an ultimate destination known for its luxurious hotels. Mount Abu is the only hill station of the state famous among tourists for its mesmerizing charm and spiritual heritage in the form of Dilwara Temples. The culinary attractions of Rajasthan are also contrasting like the state. On the one hand, the state is known for intricate use of spices and on the other, the sweets and snacks are also relished by tourists with great interest.

Next to Rajasthan is the destination in extreme south, Kerala. The tourism in this state has redefined the standards of Indian hospitality. The state is known for connecting many cultural influences in the past and even received some legendary travellers in the medieval era through the legendary Spice Route. All this can be experienced in the cities of Kochi and Calicut. Kochi is also known for the Asia’s only Jewish synagogue in Paradesi Synagogue. Kochi is also the cultural capital of Kerala, where a number of cultural dance performances including Kathakali can be viewed in a traditional way. The state’s capital, Thiruvananthapuram is the evergreen city in the words of Mahatma Gandhi and hosts a number of tourist attractions including the richest Hindu temple in the world, Sree Padmanabhaswami Temple. The presence of nature’s bounties in the form of hill stations, beaches, backwaters, spice forests, waterfalls and the holistic adherence of Ayurveda, Spa and Yoga also make it an enchanting destination. The staple diet in this coastal destination is fish, crabs and prawns cooked with the fragrant spices also add on to the culinary delights of Kerala. 

From the above mentioned attractions, one can surely gasp in awe regarding the rich and wondrous diversity of India, making it an incredible destination in the world over. For more of such unique experiences here, visit Incredible India Tour. 

How to avoid a cultural shock during India tour

Culture in India enjoys more than a million interpretations in the form of traditions, ceremonies, customs and way of life. Over the journey of five thousand years, these rich cultural roots have assimilated and endured many foreign influences numerous times. This resulted in a civilization that is known to assimilate new beliefs, values and traditions.
Presently, this country is made up of 28 states; each having different festivals, values, lifestyles and cultural wealth unified under a visionary thought of ‘unity in diversity’. This idea brings the racial, heritage and traditional diversity on a single platform, lending this country a uniform identity. Royal pride of Rajasthan, the languish essence of Goa, etiquettes of Uttar Pradesh, artistry of West Bengal or cosmopolitan delights of Delhi; all of its regions have a different essence blending effectively into a cultural cocktail of India.
For a first timer like you, this bouquet of cultural diversity might serve as an unexpected and overwhelming encounter. The western world has termed this as a ‘cultural shock’; evoking physical or emotional discomfort during an exotic tour. This nostalgia of homesickness begins the moment when you step out of an Indian airport. You start comparing the goodness of home country with its crudeness. This alienated feeling invades your minds with confusions; separating you from the real joys of being in India.
There will be sleeping dogs on the pavements and mowing cows standing in the middle of the road, inviting traffic jam. There will be smells of various kinds; rich incense aromas or crisp spicy fragrances sensed abundant in every direction. There might be shrilling chorus of horns honking at a traffic jam or a profound silence during chanting inside the temples echoing in unison about the multifaceted nature of this colourful country. There is a lot of contrasting chaos in India, but still it is one of the most visited countries of the world, famous for its incredible delights. It is often said that tourists visit India, not only to find a country but themselves.
Such kinds of success stories in this country are many where tourists returned back with cherished memories and a yearning for more during the tour. But they all came into existence only after beating the cultural shock. This doesn’t mean ignoring the negatives, but an affirming acceptance of paradoxes, which will surely bring a smile and a sense of satisfaction to you.
One of the best ways to beat this cultural shock is to recognize the variations inherent in this country and accept them heartily. This will prove to be an icebreaker between you and India and in turn will inspire you to be an active participant of its traditions, rituals and customs. This exercise will surely help attain the frame of mind wherein you will be able to realize the expectations of an incredible tour. You can surely enjoy its cultural, ethnical and racial diversity, once you accept that they exist. As you venture this country in great detail, you will surely feel good about the fruitful journey you've accomplished so far. It will help you in cherishing the India tour.
Also, you can avail a cultural tour to India to avoid such a shocking experience. This rich tour will make your journey memorable and unforgettable. And why not? The down to earth approach and various ingredients of Indian society will allow you to spend the vacations in their best possible form.
Here, you will be introduced to the different cultures, traditions, art forms and customs of the tourist destinations slowly. Beginning with a traditional welcome in an Indian way, where guests are received with warmth and hospitality defined under the ancient tenet of ‘Atithi Devo Bhavah.’ It is interpreted in terms of serving the tourist as a guest with divine standards of hospitality.
Another great thing about its culture is that there is so much happening in every second, making you gasp in wonder about its scintillating diversity. Besides stunning scenery, the native also allows you to click perfect shots as a souvenir of visiting India. Before clicking, make sure that you seek permission from the people, to capture the great subjective shots.
One just needs to break the cliché of cultural shock to indulge in the true pleasures of an India tour in its best possible way and form. To know more about its rich culture, visit Incredible India tour.

Remarkable Places to Visit in Rajasthan

Rajasthan exclusively houses one of nature’s best creations i.e. the Thar Desert, therefore Rajasthan is eminently known as the desert state of India. This desert state affirms to be a paradise for adventure lovers as well as desert lovers and also to people who are fascinated by the history and culture as Rajasthan is exceptionally dotted with era old palaces and forts, fascinating temples and edifices, shimmering lakes and sand dunes, wildlife sanctuaries and much more. As it is a desert state one should not mistaken it only for deserted land the place comprises beautiful destinations and even an alluring hill station beholding sheer natural splendor. Not just that there are numerous of other remarkable and exciting places to visit in Rajasthan. The place is full of temptations and allurements, all of its splendor cannot be mentioned in words so here are three of the most dominant places of Rajasthan, which enhances its beauty.

Udaipur
It is the most beautiful destination of Rajasthan which is adorned with numerous shimmering lakes after which the city is eminent as the lake city or the city of lakes. Just as its charming setting the place is replete with amiable edifices, and beautifully laid our gardens that embellish the city enhancing its remarkable beauty. Udaipur is full of colours and vibrancy with tranquil ambience and charming beauty unlike the other regions of the desert in Rajasthan. Pichola Lake elegantly housing the city palace, Fateh Sagar, Udai Sagar and Swaroop Sagar are some of the prominent places of Udaipur which heightens the enigmatic beauty of this place.

Jaipur
Jaipur is the main attraction of this desert state. Dotted with pink structures the largest city of Rajasthan is eminently known as the pink city. This beautiful state capital is dotted with architecturally brilliant historic marvels which cater as the main attraction of the place. City Palace, Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar are the most eminent sites of Jaipur standing elegantly as a landmark to the place. Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort and Nahargarh Fort are the most fascinating places of this city. Elephant ride to amber fort is a must while exploring this city.

Mount Abu
It is the only hill station of this desert state which is exclusively blessed with cool and cheery climate amidst the hot and dry atmosphere of the desert. It affirms to be a superlative destination to spend your Incredible Rajasthan Holidays. This small and exclusive hill station of Rajasthan endows numerous temptations to allure its visitors like Jaipur House, the architecturally rich Dilwara Jain Temple Complex, and Sunset Point etc.  Boat ride at Nakki Lake is a must for everyone visiting this astonishing hill station.
Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Ajmer, Bikaner and Ranthambore are some other prominent places to visit in Rajasthan that are worth spending your holidays. All of this can easily be explored through Rajasthan Tour Packages which will help you endure all Colors of Rajasthan Tour in its full glory.

Five Simple Things You Can Do Before An India Tour

A tour to India remains on the wish list of millions of travellers worldwide.  The geographical and cultural diversity, heritage, endless tourism potentials and hospitable natives make this nation more inviting. The plenty of colourful vistas in this country engage and tempt the travellers to begin their much awaited tour. But some of them return with unpleasant memories of being in India. After listening to many clients their experiences in India, I came on to a simple conclusion – lack of planning.  These tourists became too overwhelmed in fascination of their tour and sidelined some important decisions taken in time.  The consequences of this ignorance result in inconvenience experienced during the tour. But worry not. Timely actions can prevent such problems during the journey. There is a checklist including six simple steps for a smooth experience in this country of colours.
Planning the itinerary well in advance is one of the prominent decisions before the India tour. Streamlining the choice of destination and the nature of tour also hold importance during the planning process. These decisions, taken ahead of time will help the tourists in many ways. They will be able to secure fair deals in a cost effective way.  This in turn will save the tourists from the inconvenience at a later stage with last minute rush in taking important decisions and compromising with the quality of transportation and accommodation.
It is always suggested to streamline the time according to the tour in India. If tourists want beach holidays in India, then six-seven days should be the ideal period of the journey. Similarly, if the tour involves some great physical effort in terms of sightseeing, then few extra days should be incorporated in the itinerary to get rid of the exhaustion.
Most travel counsellors recommend tourists to begin an India tour as a part of similar interest group. The more number of persons travelling to India will trim down the costs of accommodation and transportation. Plus, the company of like minded travellers is also a great experience during the journey. This will even assist tourists in safe and sheltered movements in India.
Fixing on the type of accommodation is also an important decision before visiting this country. There are many instances where the wrong accommodation decisions affect the quality of an India tour. Some preventive measures will surely help tourists in securing fair deals from the hotels. There are many options available in terms of hotel accommodation ranging from five star to budget category. It is recommended to review the hotel’s credibility in terms of the facilities and past experiences of tourists in the form of reviews.  This preliminary research for hotels will prevent tourists from unwanted encounters at the place of stay.
The last simple and important step before India tour is finalizing the mode of transportation. There are three major routes to India - by air, by road and by rail. By air is by far the most comfortable journey experience in India allowing tourists to cover thousands miles in few hours. Railways are a cost effective public transit system allowing them to be a part of Indian crowd. Roadways journey is one of the flexible transfers aiming to provide tourists a smooth movement on road. Transportation should be finalized in tune with the schedule of the tour.
Following these simple steps will ease and prevent a lot of problems during an Incredible India Tour and make it a fulfilling, enriching and unforgettable experience.