Easy Tourist Guide

The historic city of Mandu is an epitome of love and romance sketched in stone. This ancient town, set against the backdrop of the Vindhyas is one of the most popular tourist destinations of Madhya Pradesh. Resonance of the eternal love story of the poet-prince Baz Bahadur and his beautiful wife Rani Roopmati which lives in the songs and legends of the local balladeers proves to be an ideal destination for honeymoon couples and all those who wish to rekindle the romance of married life. This erstwhile pleasure resort of the Mughals, though in ruins today is one of the most visited tourist destination of the foreign travelers interested in exploring the rich cultural heritage of “Incredible India”.

Where is Mandu?

The fortress city of Mandu lies in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh in India. Indore is at a distance of about 100 Km from Mandu.

About Mandu

Mandu is situated at an average altitude of 633 m above sea level and extends for 13 Km along the crest of the Vindhya Range. This hill fort city lies on an outcrop of Vindhyas and is separated from the surrounding plateau by a deep ravine called Kakra Khoh, which encircles it on the east, west and north. The 45 Km long parapet wall that encircles the city of Mandu with 12 gateways is a major point of attraction for tourists. Delhi Darwaza, the main entrance to the fortress city speaks highly of the architectural grandeur of Mandu.
The historical city of Mandu has a number of palaces, pleasure pavilions, mansions, tombs and mosques, each of which is an architectural gem. Apart from its architectural grandeur, the ruined city of Mandu is a picturesque place straight out of a fairy tale, especially with its pastel colored monuments studded in the emerald green landscape. The beauty of the city is further enhanced by about a dozen lakes and ponds interspersed on its top.
Immortal love story of poet-prince Baz Bahadur and Rani Roopmati, which revolves around the city of Mandu has made it one of the most popular and perfect honeymoon destination. The balladeers of Malwa still singing the romance of these royal lovers will transport you to the bygone era and you along with your loved ones will bath in this legendary story of royal romance.

Sightseeing in and around Mandu

Jahaz Mahal – This 120 m long, double-storied pleasure palace in the shape of a ship is one of the prime attractions of Mandu. Built between two artificial lakes by Ghiyas-ud-din it is an architectural marvel from the unique school of Islamic architecture. According to legend, Ghiyas-ud-din built this splendid palace for his harem comprising of 15000 maidens. With its open pavilions, balconies overhanging the water and open terrace, Jahaz Mahal are an imaginative recreation in stone of a royal pleasure craft. View of the palce from the adjoining Taveli Mahal on a moonlit night is an experience of a lifetime and attracts tourist from around the world.

Hindola Mahal – Another example of finest Afghan architecture, the palace with its sidewalls having inward slopes gives the impression that the walls are swaying. It is a major point of attraction for the tourists. Built during the reign of Ghiyas-ud-din, this royal palace with its superb and innovative techniques evident in its ornamental facade, delicate trellis work in sand-stone and beautifully moulded columns makes every tourist visiting the place speechless.
Other places of interest in this enclave are Dilawar Khan’s Mosque, the Nahar Jharokha (tiger balcony), Taveli Mahal, the two large wells called the Ujali (bright) and Andheri (dark) Baolis all worth a visit.

Hoshang’s Tomb – The magnificent tomb is located immediately behind the mosque and is known to be the oldest marble structure in India. The tomb is made entirely from milky white marble – the first of its kind in the subcontinent. An inscription on the right door jamb records the visit, of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1659, who brought four of his architects to study the monument in detail before they began work on the Taj Mahal. The tomb attracts tourists in large number.
Jami Masjid – This huge mosque, built on the lines of the great mosque of Damascus is considered to be the finest example of Afghan architecture in India. Its construction was started by Hoshang and completed by Mahmud Khalji in 1454 A.D. Tourists visiting the mosque is wonder struck by the huge proportions and the stern simplicity of its construction.

Baz Bahadur Palace – This 16th century palace situated on the slopes of a hill is a major tourist attraction. The palace with spacious courtyards surrounded by halls and high terraces offers superb view of the picturesque surroundings. The poet-prince Baz-Bahadur’s palace reminds of his love and romance for his beautiful queen, Rani Roopmati. The palace displays a curious mix of Rajasthani and Mughal style of architecture.
Roopmati’s Pavilion – This large sandstone structure built on the top of a hill is perhaps the most popular monuments of Mandu. Tourists visiting Mandu will definitely visit this lovely pavilion which epitomizes the love of the poet-prince Baz Bahadur for his beloved queen Rani Roopmati. According to legend, this lovely retreat of the beautiful queen is the place from where she could see Baz Bahadur’s palace and the Narmada flowing through the Nimar plains far below.
To enjoy the romantic beauty of the place one should visit it with his beloved at the time of sunset or in a clear moon-light when he will surely feel himself to be in a fairly dream-land of the past, an experience he will cherish lifelong.
Asrafi Mahal, Hathi Mahal, Dai ka Mahal, Jali Mahal, Darya Khan’s Tomb, Malik Mughit’s Mosque, Jain Temple, Rewa Kund are some of the other fascinating monuments that are worth visiting. Echo Point, Lohani Caves, Sunset Point, in front of the caves affords a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside and is extremely popular among tourists.

How to reach Mandu?

By Air – Airport at Indore at a distance of about 100 Km is the nearest airhead of Mandu. Regular flights connect Indore with Delhi, Mumbai, Gwalior and Bhopal.
By Rail – Ratlam at a distance of about 124 Km on the Delhi-Mumbai main line and Indore at a distance of about 100 Km are the nearest and most convenient railway station of Mandu.
By Road – Mandu is well connected with other major cities of the region by good road network.

Where to stay at Mandu?

Mandu, being an important tourist destination has a number of hotels with good accommodation facility and that too at an affordable price. Some of the well known hotels of Mandu are :-
Hotel Rupmati (Booking contact number – 07292-263270)
Hotel Maharaja (Booking contact number – 07292-263288)
Malwa Resort (Booking contact number – 07292-263235)
Malwa Retreat (Booking contact number – 07292-263221)

Sangla – a small and unique hill town of Himachal is located on a valley acknowledged as one of the most beautiful valleys in the world. This picturesque valley hidden in the majestic Himalayas amidst apple and walnut orchards is indeed a unique destination for tourists from India as well from around the world. This extremely popular tourist destination is located on the bank of the Baspa River and is also popularly known as Baspa valley. Snow covered mountains, thick forests of Himalayan cedar, glaciers, swift flowing river, small village houses, fruit orchards, monastery, temples, fish farm, old palace and friendly inhabitants are some of the snapshots that best describe the small hill town of Sangla. Scope of paragliding facility has made it extremely popular among adventure loving tourists as well.

Where is Sangla?

The picturesque hill town of Sangla is located in a valley in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh.

About Sangla

The valley of Sangla spreading over 42 Km at an average altitude of 2700 m above sea level is one of the most preferred tourist destinations of Himachal. Located at a distance of 30 Km from Tibetan border, the serene valley of Sangla has that unspoilt beauty which is hardly found anywhere else. The natural scenery all around and the eternal snow view are picturesque and charming. Apart from being known for breathtaking views of the snow covered Himalayan peaks and thickly forested slopes covered with pine and deodar trees, Sangla is also the home of several rare species of herbs.
Closeness to Tibetan border has largely influenced the life and customs of the people living in this charming hill town. The people here are mostly of Buddhist faith and are known for their simple life style.
Sangla was basically a village until very recently without good hotels and much tourists amenities but hydroelectricity is changing Sangla beyond all recognition. It is fast developing into a modern hill town with good accommodation facilities, modern restaurants and all those facilities that a tourist looks into before visiting a place.

Sightseeing in and around Sangla

The eternal tranquil beauty of Sangla is so mesmerizing that one hardly needs to go for sightseeing. Taking a lazy walk in the valley and enjoying the charming beauty of the place is by far the best option available to tourists. There are some places around Sangla as well that are worth a visit. Some of the major sightseeing spots around Sangla are :-

Kamru Fort – At a distance of about 2 km from the hill town of Sangla lies the Kamru fort amidst picturesque surroundings. This is one of the oldest forts of Himachal and the entry to this tower-like fort is through a series of gates. At the main gate of the Fort is a stunning image of Lord Buddha which greets every visitor to the fort. The graceful wooden balcony, at the top of the fort, and the idol of Kamakhya Devi believed to have been brought from Guwahati installed on the third floor of the fort, are worth seeing. There is a Badrinath Temple inside the fort complex, which dates back to the 15th century.
Sangla Meadow – One of the prime attractions of Sangla is the meadow which is an epitome of greenery. Set amidst towering snow capped mountain ranges all around, the meadow is a perfect place to spend an entire day laying and strolling in its green grasses. Scope of various activities in this green pastures makes it a perfect place to have some adventure experience as well.

Baspa River – This fast flowing river flowing through the hill town of Sangla is a major tourist attraction. Fishing in the Baspa River which is home to the rainbow and brown Trout is perhaps one of the greatest attractions of Sangla valley. The swirling current of the Baspa is home to both the rainbow and brown trout and is an angler’s paradise.
Crossing the Baspa River is another attraction of Sangla and provides the perfect dose for adventure lovers. The unforgettable experience of crossing the river in local way sitting in a basket must not be missed during Sangla tour.
Camping along the bank of the Baspa River provides a perfect setting for a day out with nature sitting in its lap. The peaceful place and the friendly people of Sangla provide the necessary boost for camping amidst such picturesque location.

Chitkul – At a distance of about 20 Km from Sangla is Chitkul, which is the last inhabited village near Indo-Tibet border. The journey to Chitkul from Sangla is spectacular and indeed an experience of a life time. This beautiful village is situated on the right bank of River Baspa and is very sparsely populated. The village has a beautiful temple of Local goddess known as “Chitkul Maathi” or “Mata Devi” which is worshipped by people of entire Kinnaur district as well as by tourists visiting Chitkul. Huge snowfall occurs during winter and the place becomes un-inhabited
Bering Nag Temple, Buddhist Monastery, Tibetan Wood Carving Centre are some of the other places that are worth visiting around Sangla. Some of the nearby Trout Fishing Farm can also be visited to have a firsthand knowledge pisiculture.

How to reach Sangla?

By Air – Airport at Shimla at a distance of about 238 Km is the nearest from Sangla. Regular flights are available to Shimla from Delhi.
By Rail – The nearest narrow gauge railway station is at Shimla. Kalka and Shoghi are the other railway stations from where Sangla can be reached by hiring private vehicles.
By Road – Picturesque Sangla valley is well connected by road network with major towns like Shimla, Chail, Narkanda, Kalka, Ambala, Chandigarh and New Delhi.

Where to stay at Sangla?

The mesmerizing beauty of the Sangla valley and the hydel power project has transformed this little hill town into a preferred tourist destination. Today Sangla offers a good range of hotels for tourists. Some of the better hotels and accommodation facilities of Sangla are :-
Banjara Camp (Booking contact number – 01786-242370/242536)
Mount Kailash Guest House (Booking contact number – 01786-242527)
Sangla Resort (Booking contact number – 01786-242401)
Dev Bhumi Regency (Booking contact number – 01786-242303)
Monal Regency (Booking contact number – 01786-242911)
Baspa Resort (Booking contact number – 01786-242206)
Himalaya Home (Booking contact number – 01786-242256)

Almora – a picturesque hill station in the Kumaon region, east of Uttarakhand in India is known to tourists for its alluring grandeur of natural beauty. Perched atop a 5 Km long, horseshoe-shaped ridge in between river Kosi and Suyal, Almora is an ideal hill station for those weary hearts who wishes to spend time in peace and solitude. Apart from offering breathtaking panoramic view of the Himalayas, Almora is known for its rich cultural heritage, unique handicrafts, sumptuous cuisine and magnificent wildlife. This ancient hill town has retained much of its old world charm providing a perfect ambience for a peaceful holiday.

Where is Almora?

Almora is a picturesque district town of the district of Almora in the state of Uttarakhand in India. It lies in the Kumaon region among Kumaon hills.

About Almora

Almora – situated at an average altitude of 5900 ft above sea level is endowed with exceptional natural and unspoilt scenic beauty which has not yet been spoilt by urbanization. Almora is indeed a good place to conveniently enjoy the spectacular snowscape of the central Himalayas. This picturesque and unspoilt hill town is surrounded by four hill ranges – Banari Devi, Kasar Devi, Shayahi Devi and Katarnal. The first three peaks have temples of Goddesses while Katarnal has an ancient Sun temple worth visiting.
This charming hill resort of Uttarakhand was founded by Raja Kalyan Chand in 1568 and was further developed and nurtured by the British. From time immemorial people have visited Almora in search of peace, solitude and liberation of the soul.
Almora is also known for being the starting point of several trek routes to the glaciers. This beautiful hill station is also known for “Baal Mithai”, – a kind of sweet delicacy.

Sightseeing in and around Almora

Nanda Devi Temple – Apart from its scenic beauty, the greatest attraction of Almora is the old temple of Nanda Devi which was the presiding deity of the Chandravanshi kings of Almora. The typical Kumaoni style stone temple with rich carvings on the wall is an architectural masterpiece in itself. Apart from pilgrims, large number of tourists visits this grand temple in large number.

Nanda Devi fair held in the temple complex every year in September draws large crowds. Youth from various mountainous areas in the region come here to participate in this dance festival, which is an integral part of the fair.
Bright End Corner – About 2 Km from Almora is this hilltop site offering breathtaking view of the valleys and soaring snowy peaks of Kumaon. The place is extremely popular among tourists for magnificent view of the sunrise and sunset. This calm and peaceful place is an ideal spot to relax, meditate and rediscover oneself. A circuit house close by allows tourists to spend some time in this peaceful surrounding.
Nearby is Vivekananda Library and Vivekananda Memorial which is another major attraction of Almora. The great Indian philosopher and spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda is known to have stayed here for some time. This very fact has made the place a must visit sightseeing destination in the tour of Almora.
Binsar – About 30 km from Almora lies Binsar at an altitude of 2412 m above sea level. Perched on the top of Jhandi Dhar hill this peaceful place was once the summer capital of the Chand rulers. The place offers wonderful views of the snowcapped Himalayan ranges, like the peaks of Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Trishul, Panchchuli and Nanda Knot. Tourists who like to spend time in solitude should definitely visit Binsar which is an epitome of secludededness, quietness and natural beauty. One can also go trekking with abundant nature trails available from Binsar. Walk through the forests of Oak, Pine and Rhododendron with your loved ones beside you will definitely bring back the lost romance in your life.
Chitai Temple – About 8 Km from Almora lies the famous Chitai temple in the middle of Fir and pine forest. The temple is dedicated to Golu Devta who is known to fulfill the wishes of its devotees. Once a wish is fulfilled people hang little bells in the temple as is evident from thousands of bells strung across the temple premises. View of the snow peaked ranges of the Himalayas from here is awesome. Locals as well as tourists visiting Almora make it a point to visit this sacred temple and offers prayer for fulfilling their wishes.

Katarmal Sun Temple – This 800 year old temple perched at an altitude of 2116 m above sea level is at a distance of about 17 Km from Almora. The temple dedicated to Sun god was built by Katarmalla, a Katyuri king in the 9th century A.D. The temple complex has one main temple, surrounded by 45 smaller shrines. The temple though in ruins stands as a testament of the bygone era. One needs to walk through forest to reach the temple. The temple is noted for its magnificent architecture, artistically made stone and metallic sculptures and beautifully carved pillars and wooden doors. Tourists visiting Almora definitely make it a point to visit this temple of Sun God.
Almora has several other temples worth a visit, like Kosi temple, Gananath temple, Shiva temple at Jageshwar, Kasar Devi temple and few others.
Places like Martola (scenic spot), Koshi (scenic spot and the site of Govind Vallabh Pant Research Institute), Kalimath (enchanting view of Almora town) etc are few sightseeing spots around Almora that are worth a visit.
Ranikhet (50 Km), Nainital (71 Km), Kausani (51 Km) are some of the other famous and popular hill resorts close to Almora that are known for their enchanting beauty.

How to reach Almora?

By Air – Pant Nagar (Nainital) at a distance of about 120 Km is the nearest airport of Almora. Regular flights are operational during summer.
By Rail – Kathgodam at a distance of about 90 Km is the nearest railway station of Almora. Kathgodam is well connected with all major cities like Delhi, Kanpur, and Kolkata.
By Road – Almora is well connected with all major cities of Uttarakhand and adjoining states.

Where to stay at Almora?

Being a popular hill station, Almora offers a wide range of staying option for tourists. Some of the better hotels of Almora are :-
Hotel Sikhar (Booking contact number – 05962 – 230156)
Hotel Almora (Booking contact number – 05962 – 230250)
Hotel Shikar (Booking contact number – 05962 – 230253)
Hotel Shavoy (Booking contact number – 05962 – 230329)
Bhagavati Palace (Booking contact number – 05962 – 230222)
Hotel Kailash (Booking contact number – 05962 – 230624)
Hotel Himsagar (Booking contact number – 05962 – 230711)
Hotel Alka (Booking contact number – 05962 – 231693)

Dapoli – a unique and exotic location offers the pleasure of staying at a hill station and still being close to the sea. Cool climate, pristine beaches, forested hills, historical temples, caves and forts scattered around, are some of the snapshots that best describes Dapoli. In spite of being situated about 7 Km away from the coast of Arabian Sea, the town is located at an altitude of about 800 feet. In recent years, Dapoli has grown into an ideal weekend getaway for people living in big cities like Pune & Mumbai.

Where is Dapoli?

Dapoli is located in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. This scenic town situated on the Konkan coast of Maharashtra is about 200 Km from Pune and 240 Km from Mumbai.

About Dapoli

The pleasant town of Dapoli is blessed with abundant natural beauty and scenic wonders accompanied by cool climate throughout the year. Surrounded by hills and forests and having a long coastline, this beautiful town is the home for a variety of migratory birds and animals. Dapoli is also famous for its plantations of Mangoes, Betel nuts, Cashew nuts & Coconuts.
Dapoli has one of the most untouched and unspoiled beaches near Pune on the Konkan coast and are amongst the cleanest ones on the entire west cost of India. This relatively newer destination is fast becoming popular and is developing into a weekend gateway to relax and rejuvenate away from the busy and hectic city life.

Sightseeing in and around Dapoli

Suvarnadurg Fort – Located at a distance of 17 Km from Dapoli, it consists of two forts, – Kanakdurga the land fort and Suvarnadurga the sea fort. The forts were originally built by Adil Shah and later captured and fortified by Chatrapati Shivaji in 1660. During the days of Shivaji the twin fort of Suvarnadarga was extremely important from military point of view.

The two forts were once inter connected by tunnels. But at present no tunnel connection is there and the only way to reach the sea fort of Suvarnadurga is by boat. The exotic location of this fort has made it a popular tourist destination. This island fort stand close to Harne Port is surrounded from all side by the lashing waves of the Arabian Sea.
Unhavare – Located at a distance of about 20 Km from Dapoli, the place is famous for its natural hot water sulphur spring. Known to cure various skin ailments, the place is visited by large number of tourists as well as local people every day. There are separate shelters for men and women to take a dip in the rejuvenating hot water.
Murud Beach – At a distance of about 10 Km from Dapoli, the Murud Beach is one of the loveliest beaches of the Konkan coast. The vast expansion of white sandy beach and the crystal clear bluish water at Murud is a delight to watch. Fenced by the green palm trees, this pristine beach will arouse the imagination of any visitor. Watching the sun rising through the mountains in the east is indeed a remarkable sight. Sunset in the back ground of the brilliant forts also provides a fabulous setting. This virgin beach on the coast of Arabian Sea has become a popular tourist destination in recent years.
Panhalekaji Caves – This rock cut caves are situated deep in the valley near the confluence of Kotjai and Dhakti rivers. There are a total of 29 caves both big and small spread along the river bank. These historical manmade caves are believed to be more than 1000 years old and are the finest examples of our rich ancient culture and architecture. There are sculptures of Ganesh, Saraswati and scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana on the walls. The place is among the must visit spot for visitors visiting Dapoli. The carvings on the wall of these caves and jungle covered mountains on both side along the river creates a unique combination hard to find anywhere else.
Chandika Mata temple near the cave is another tourist attraction nearby. This temple from the Pandava period is inside a natural cave and one have to go inside through a tunnel to take the darshan of the Chandika Mata idol inside the cave.

Kadyawarcha Ganapati – This temple of Lord Ganesha located at Anjarle village is another major attraction around Dapoli. The unique idol of Lord Ganesha having the trunk curved toward right is considered to be highly auspicious and hence pilgrims and tourists from place far and near visits the temple in large number throughout the year. A stone staircase on the right side leading to the top of the temple provides commanding view of the surrounding coconut and betel nut trees, the nearby Suvarnadurg Fort, the Arabian Sea and surrounding hills.
Other nearby places of tourist interest includes Asud (famous for temples of Shree Keshavraj & Shree Vyagreshwar), Ladghar (virgin beach with beautiful rocks), Bhairab Ram temple, Mahalaxmi temple, Yakub Baba Darga and quite a few others.

How to reach Dapoli?

By Air – Ratnagiri at a distance of 100 Km is the nearest airport. Pune at a distance of about 200 Km and Mumbai at a distance of about 240 Km are the other options.
By Rail – Khed on Konkan Railway is the nearest railway station at a distance of about 27 Km from Dapoli. The journey on Konkan Rail must be taken in day time to enjoy the scenic beauty.
By Road – Journey by road from Mumbai or Pune is indeed a fascinating experience. Dapoli is well connected by all weather metallic roads with major cities of Maharashtra and adjoining important cities.

Where to stay at Dapoli?

Though Dapoli is a relatively newer tourist destination but is not short of good hotels and resorts. Apart from Government run tourist bungalows, private hotels of varying ranges are in plenty. Some of the good staying options are :-
Aryawarta (Booking contact number – 02358-283088/282313)
Hotel Pathik (Booking contact number – 02358-282946)
Beach Resort Silver Sand (Booking contact number – 03258-234501)
Kisan Bhavan (Booking contact number – 02358-282025)
Hotel Jayant Padmaja (Booking contact number – 02358-282212)
Hotel Vrundawan (Booking contact number – 02358-282220)