Amarnath Yatra.........

Situated in a narrow gorge at the farther end of Lidder Valley, Amarnath cave stands at 3,888 m. and is 46 Km. From Pahalgam and 141 Km. from Srinagar. Though the original pilgrimages subscribes that the Amarnath yatra be undertaken from Srinagar, the more common practice is to begin journey at Chandanwari, and cover the distance to amarnath and back in five days. Pahalgam is 96 Km. Srinagar.
Amarnath is regarded as one of principal Hindu Dhams. The holy cave is the residence of the holy trinity, Shiva lord. The guard of the absolute, lord Shiva, the destroyer, is present in the form of ice Lingam in this cave located at a more remote end of the valley of Lidder. This lingam is made naturally of a stalagmite of ice which awakes and weakens with the moon.

The Yatra
The trek to Amarnath yatra begins at Srinagar on the panchami day of the bright half of the month. The next halt enroute is Pampur, 9 miles south east of Srinagar. Subsequent halts are at Avantipur, Brijbihara and Martand. Martand is known for its ancient temple dedicated to the Sun God - now in ruins. Enroute to Martand are Anantnag and Gautamnag. Martand is known as the architectural lion of Kashmir. It is a temple with a colonnade of 84 columns full of artistic work. This temple dates back to Lalitaditya of Kashmir of the 8th century. The next halt is at Aishmukam, and the next is Pahalgam, which is reached on the day of Dasami, the tenth day of the bright half of the month. At Pahalgam is the confluence of the rivers Seshnag and Liddar.

Next the enroute of stop is Chandanwadi, from where the confluence of the rivers Asthan Marg and Seshnag. Promote is to the top Pishu Ghati, thought to be the site where the demons were crushed by the gods. Promote is to the top the lake Seshnag with a size of approximately 12000 feet above sea level. The next halt is at Wavjan before to raise it stiff with the passage of Mahagunus to a size of 14000 feet, after which there is to the bottom a slope carrying out to Panchatarni. From here, the cave of Amarnath is reached the day of full moon, and the pélerinage is complete.

THE MYTH
The cave of Amarnath was where Shiva lord reported the secrecy of immortality, Amar Katha with his Wife Parvat. Shiva hesitated initially but finally gave inside.Shiva wanted to reveal the secrecy in a place of isolation far from any life being and thus chose the cave of Amarnath. In preparation, Shiva left his Nandi (the Bull), which he rode at Pahalgam. At Chandanwari, he released the moon from his hair and on the banks of Lake Sheshnag, he released the snakes. Son Ganesha was left at Mahagunas Parvat and at Panjtarni, Shiva left the Five Elements behind - earth, water, air, fire and sky - that make life possible. As a final precaution, Shiva created Rudra named Kalagni and ordered him to set afire and eliminate every living thing in and around the Holy Cave. Finally, Shiva and Parvati entered the Amarnath Cave where he began meditating on a deerskin. He then narrated the Amar Katha to Parvati. Unknown to them, a pair of mating doves eavesdropped on this conversation and learned the secret. Reborn again and again, they have made the cave their eternal abode. Today, pilgrims claim seeing the pair of doves when they trek the arduous route to pay their obeisance at Shivalinga formed naturally of an ice stalagmite.

Pratapgad Fort

Pratapgad, one of the most famous forts in Maratha history and is situated at a distance of 25 km from Mahabaleshwar and a exhilarating ride gets you up to the top where the fort is perched. The historic Pratapgad Fort was built by the Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1656, to control the rebellious rulers of the nearby Javali Basin.

Perched at a height of 900 meters above sea level, it is famed for the historic encounter between Shivaji and the Bijapuri General Afzal Khan.

It is said that Emperor Shivaji, in spite of being attacked by a tiger killed Afzal Khan. It is believed that Shivaji was blessed with a shining sword at the temple of Goddess Bhavani located here.

HISTORICAL PLACES IN GUJARAT

Beautiful rivers, sandy beaches, lively temples, ancient cave paintings, natural caves, colorful fairs, fun-filled festivals, artistic and historical museums, and a powerful Industrial sector and historical murals Welcoming the tourists you to Gujarat in the western part of India.

Ahmedabad
The former capital of Gujarat, Ranked 3rd in Forbes 2010 list for the World’s fastest growing cities, Ahmedabad is the administrative centre of the state. Ahmedabad was founded by Sultan Ahmed Shah on 22nd February, 1411. Here you can see a mix of Hindu craftsmanship and Islamic architecture in the historical monuments. Victoria Gardens, Kankaria Lake, Gandhi Aashram, Bhadra Fort, Sidi Sayed Mosque, Akshardham Temple and Vaishnodevi Temple, Jama Masjid, Parimal Garden in Ellis Bridge area, Shri Swaminarayan Temple. Also a splendid sight of Sabarmati River and the adjoining bridges can be enjoyed from the coastal areas of the city of Ahmedabad.

Surat
Situated on the banks of Tapti River, Surat is another commercial capital of the state, known for its textile and diamond business. The Chintamani Jain Temple, exquisite in its wooden carvings and paintings is a place of huge interest and the ancient Dutch gardens is a famous attraction. You can also find a lot of beaches in Surat city like Suvali, Hazira and Dandi beach, where one can enjoy the peace and isolation, away from the city hustle-bustle or you can enjoy the charm and beauty of a hill station, in Saputara on the Sahyadri hills.

Gandhinagar
Gandhinagar is the biggest city in Gujarat and it is the capital city as well. This city is well planned and named after Mahatma Gandhi and to reach here you need to travel only 23-25 km from Ahmedabad. The places of interest here are, Akshardham Temple, Adalaj Ni Vav, Sarita Udyan, Deer Park (Indroda Park), Dinosaurs Park and Punit van-a botanical garden.

Vadodara
Formerly known as Baroda,famous as the cultural capital of the state, the city of Vadodara is located on the banks of River Vishwamitri. The few best places that one can see in Baroda are the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and the Lakshmi Vilas Palace, famous for its Venetian mosaic-floor, Belgium stained glass windows and delicate decorative work on the walls. One section of the palace has been transformed into a museum , where various art works belonging to the Royal family are displayed along with the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma.

Patan
This district is located in North Gujarat and surrounded by Banaskantha district, Mehsana district, Surendranagar district and Kutch District. Established in 2000, the tourist sites which you can visit here are Rani ki Vav, Bhimdev, sahasralinga talav, Mahavir Swami Derasar and Siddhapur.

Jamnagar
Earlier known as Nawanagar and later substantially built by Maharaja Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji in 1920, this city is also known as Oil City of India. Located at the south of Gulf of Kiutch there are various places to see like Darbargadh Palace, Lakhota Fort and lake, Willingdon Crescent, Pratap Vilas Palace, Kotha Bastion and Bhujio Kotho.

Pavagadh
Famous for the Mahakali Temple, Pavagadh attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. It is the gateway to Panchmahal and influenced by the tribal group of Bhils. The places to visit here are Machi Haveli, Raval Palace and Dudhia Tala.

Champaner
Only 47 km from Vadodara this is a historical city of Gujarat and founded by Vanraj Chavda in the 8th century. The award winning film Laagan was shot in one of the village in Champaner. Here you can see three fortification bases Champaner, Pavagadh and Machi. The other places to see are Gates Halol gate, Delhi gate, Chhota Udepur, Jambu Ghoda and Laxmi Vilas Palace.

Saputara
The hill resort located in the Sahyadri Range, Saputara means The Abode of Serpents. As per the Hindu mythology, Lord Ram spent his 11 years of exile in the dense forests of Saputara. There is a deity of a serpent (snake) placed on the banks of the river Sarpaganga. Local tribal folks pay worship to this serpent god and celebrate festivals like Holi. Here you can visit Vansda National park, Purna Sanctuary, Gira falls and Mahal Bardipura forest.

Rajkot
Along the bank of Aji and Nyari River, Rajkot is the fourth largest city in Gujarat. Its a very important tourist destination as well. There are many important places that you can visit during your trip o the city of Rajkot. This is because the city of Rajkot is deeply immersed in the local culture, and there are also many monuments and museums of public interest in Rajkot. There are several landmarks, which makes the city unique by itself, like Kaba Gandhi’s Gate, which is Mahatma Gandhi’s old ancestral home. This was built during 1880 and stands tall till date. This house has now been converted into a museum, Watson Museum, Lang Library, Gebanshah Pir Dargah, Hashanshah Pir Dargah and Turkibapu’s Dargah, Jagat Mandiris a very beautiful temple that is dedicated to Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa..

Dwarka
It is believed that Dwarka is the dwelling place of Lord Krishna. Situated along the coast of Arabian Sea, the Dwarakadhish Temple is the main attraction of the Dwarka, Temple is rich in architectural value because of various sculptures and carved pillars. Here you can also see the convergence of River Gomti and Arabian Sea.

Bhavnagar
Bhavsinhji Gohil founded this city in 1723 AD and today it is an important tourist destination. 228 km away from the capital city, Bhavnagar is the fifth largest city of Gujarat. The main tourist attraction here are Takhteshwar Temple, Neelambag Palace and Bhav Vilas Palace.

Junagadh
At the foothills of Girnar Hills the natural beauty of the city attracts tourist to enjoy the place. The places of interest here are Somnath, Girnar, Ashok Shilalekh, Sakkarbaug Zoo and Narsinh Mehta No Choro.

Uparkot
Five kilometers from Junagadh this location is visited by tourist for pilgrimage purpose. Here you can see Buddhist Stupas of 500-700 AD. The fort built by the Rajput on the Uparkot Hill is a beautiful creation.

Porbandar
Porbandar is mainly a coastal city that is well known among tourists, famous as the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi, gandhi house. The places to visit here are Sudama Mandir, Shri Hari Mandir, Ram Krishna Mission, Ram Dhoon Mandir, Rana Bapu’s Mahal and Chowpati.

Bhuj
At an elevation of 360 ft, Bhuj is the gateway to Kutch. Bhuj is known for its palaces built in the traditional Kutchi architectural styles. Among them, the Aina Mahal or the Palace of Mirrors is the most famous and one of its main highlights. Wildlife sanctuaries like Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary, Kutch Bustard Sanctuary are the major tourist attractions here.

Sarnath
Near to the port town in Junagadh, Sarnath is a famous as a pilgrimage center. The major tourist sites here are Chaukhandi Stupa, Ashoka Pillar and Sarnath Archeological Museum. The Chaukhandi Stupa is thought originally to have been built as a terraced temple during the Gupta period between the 4th to 6th Century to mark the site where Lord Buddha and his first disciples met traveling from Bodh Gaya to Sarnath. Later Govardhan, the son of a Raja, modified the stupa to its present shape by building the octagonal tower to commemorate the visit of Humayun, the powerful Mughal ruler.

Lakhota Fort & Kotha Bastion (JAMNAGAR)

In the centre of old Jamnagar, on an island in the middle of the lake, are two superb old structures: the Lakhota Fort and the Kotha Bastion.

Lakhota Fort is Jamnagar's Museum and its terraces exhibit a very well collection of sculpture that spans a time from the 9th to 18th Century. The Kotha Bastion is Jamnagar's arsenal. One of its most attractive places of interest is an old well, the water of which can be tense by blowing into a little hole in the floor.    

Bhujia Hill Fort

At a short distance from Bhuj town is the hill fort of Bhujia, the top surrounded by a parapet wall of no great strength, entered by one gate, and enclosing an irregular area with a few scattered buildings. The fort was built by Rao Godji as a sort of out-work defense for Bhuj. It was completed during Maharao Desalji's reign when the hill was crowned with its Snake Temple and was fortified as a further aid to the defense of the capital.

Snake Domain
At one corner is a small square tower dedicated to 'Bhujang Nag' (snake) said to have been the brother of 'Shesh Nag'- Lord of the under world ('Patal'), who came from Than of Kathiawar and freed Kachchh from the oppression of demons known as 'daityas' and 'rakshasas'. To commemorate this event, an annual fair is held on the fort-hill on the Nag Panchami day (Shravan Sun 5, August).

ENTRY 
Bhujia Hill fort is now under the jurisdiction of Indian Army. So it is strictly prohibited to enter in on any day except on the day of Nag Panchami fair.

Aina Mahal

Location : Kachchh, Gujarat. Built By : Roa Lakhpatji. Built In: 18th Century. Main Attraction: Hall of Mirrors. mahal) Bhuj.

The last ruler of Kutch Maharao Madansinhji established the "Maharao of Kutch Aina Mahal Trust on 1st January, 1977. Aina Mahal means a mirror palace. It was created by the artists Ramsinh & Gaidhar Devshi in the period of Maharao Lakhpatji (1752-61). In 1757, Rao Lakhpatji visited the emperor Alamgir in Delhi. He was graced with the title of Mahi Maratib. He welcomed foreigners in his court. Fortune brought him a man named Ramsingh malam who specialized in Kutchi architecture, enamel work, jewellery, tile work and interior decoration. The great master piece of Ramsingh is the Hall of Mirrors in the Aina Mahal. The walls are white marble covered with mirror which are separated by gilded ornaments. The hall is lit by elaborate pendant candelabra with shades of Venetian glass. The hall of mirrors is on the second floor of the Aina Mahal but Ramsingh devised ingenious pumps and siphons to raise up water to fill the pleasure pool and to operate fountains which cast spray in an intricate variety of patterns charming the eye and cooling the air. The small state apartment, carpeted with exquisite Kutchi silk embroidery, its walls paneled high with the same priceless fabrics still contains Maharao Lakhpatji's bed. The hall is filled with a miscellaneous collection of objects; a Dutch Clock, English and French celestial globes, some antique pictures, mechanical toys, glass and china. On the walls of the corridor are a variety of pictures, some European and many Indian. The Aina Mahal alone cost eight million kories and was only one of the many enterprises which the Maharao and Ramsingh undertook together.

HALL OF MIRRORS
The real attraction here, though, is the Hall of Mirrors, created by the master artisan, Ram Singh Malam, under the patronage of his poet-ruler, Maharao Shri Lakhpatji around the middle of the 18th century. A blend of Indian and European artistry (Ram Singh acquired, his skills in Europe), the walls of the great hall are of white marble covered by mirrors separated by gilded ornaments, lighting being provided by elaborate candelabra, with shades of Venetian glass. It has a platform above it surrounded by a series of fountains operated by an elaborated system of pumps below a Venetian chandelier. Another remarkable feature is the pleasure pool, in the middle of which rises a square platform where the Maharao composed his poems and gave encouragement to the classical arts of dancing girls, bards and musicians.