Idukki [Kerala]

Home to numerous wildlife sanctuaries and being amazingly nature-rich, Idukki is a complete sensual delight for holidaymakers. Three rivers namely Periyar, Thodupuzhayar and Thalayar surround the place. Mist-clad hills, velvety green landscapes and countless adventure options make Idukki a must visit destination in Kerala. Whether you are planning wildlife jaunts, spice plantation tours or simply wish to soak up the serenity and exoticism of the place, a trip to Idukki in Kerala can prove to be one of the finest experiences of your life.


Idukki Fast Facts
State : Kerala
Area : 5,087 sq km
Population : 1129221
Languages : Hindi, English & Malayalam
Best time to visit : Round the Year
STD Code : 04863

Idukki [Kerala] Tourist Attractions
Still quite untouched and unexplored, Idukki has to offer a variety of sights and sound for tourists. The serenity of the place makes you feel one with nature. There are lots of memories to get back home with.



Idukki Arch Dam
The dam has the distinction of being Asia's first arch dam. The huge dam measures 550 ft in height and 650 ft in width and is built across the Kuravan and Kurathi Hills. Yet another dam – the Kulamavu Dam – lies to its west.

Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
A big attraction for visitors to Idukki is the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary which covers an area of around 77 sq km and extends over the taluks of Thodupuzha and Udumpanchola. A number of mammal, reptile and bird species inhabit the sanctuary.

Kumily
An important trade centre in the state, Kumily has gained importance for its spice production. One can enjoy interesting plantation tours here.

Kuttikanam
Always fragrant with cardamom plantations, Kuttikanam is a must visit for all. Here, visitors can indulge in trekking and other sports like mountain climbing and exciting nature walks.


Observatory Hills
It's a place to be for nature lovers and sky gazers, and if you are none you'll soon become one. Apart from feasting your eyes on the wonders of nature, you can star-gaze locating constellations and stars in the night sky.

Idukki Air/Rail/Road Links
Cochin, at a distance of 132 km, is the closest airport from Idukki in Kerala. The airport has regular domestic and international flights connecting to the key destinations of the country and the world. Kottayam, 133 km away, is the closest railhead with trains connecting to different parts of the state. The road routes are well established as NH 49 passes through the Idukki district. Tourists can avail of regular KSRTC buses linking different cities and towns of Kerala.

Some Useful Travel Websites

The first step towards ensuring the success of a trip is to collect as much travel information about the places you want to visit as possible. There are hordes of travel websites on the Internet. Sometimes, it so happens that you enter the right keywords but the websites that can really help you do not show up. Consequently, you are not well informed of the destinations you wish to visit. In order to help tourists and travellers get usable, practical and unbiased destination knowledge and consumer information, given below are some essential links. Read about all the major destinations in India, add to your knowledge and keep yourself well informed.

If you are planning to visit the Himalayan region soon, you can find a lot of information about the different Himalayan regions, adventure sports, tourist attractions and other places to visit in the Himalayas, click here .

If you have decided to visit all the major tourist attractions in North India, but still looking for detailed and unbiased information about the major destinations, click here .

If you want to collect some practical information about Southern India, places to visit and the best time for your tour to South India, click here .

If you are contemplating a tour to the trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh in the state of Jammu & Kashmir and the surrounding areas, click here .

If know you want to go to India, but not sure where and when, click here .

If the culture and heritage of the Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu attracts your attention and your are curious to know more about the state, click here .

If you are crazy about backwaters, beaches, wildlife, hill stations and Ayurveda in Kerala, click here .

If you are looking for a storehouse of travel information about India, its states, cities and tourist destinations, click here .

If you are a wildlife lover and are about to visit the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in India, click here .

If you want to know about all the famous beaches in India and sightseeing options close to those beaches, click here .

Famous Scuba Diving Sites in India

Over the years, India has come up with fine scuba diving organisations to popularise the sport both among locals and foreign nationals. Seeing the huge inflow of water sports enthusiasts, the Government of India has taken the responsibility of developing many more scuba diving sites, aside from the sites that it has today. In the western India, southern part or in tropical island destinations, you have myriad good sites waiting for you. Some of the most famous scuba diving sites in India are as follows.


Dev Bagh (close to the Karwar Beach), Karnataka
The place located in Karnataka is an undiscovered gem. "The beach of Karwar is certainly a fit place in which to realise that the beauty of Nature is not a mirage, but reflects the joy of the Infinite within the bounds of form and thus draws us to lose ourselves in it", thus wrote Rabindranath Tagore during his stay in Karwar.

Susheela Nair writes about this destination in detail here .

Grand Island & Angria Bank, Goa
Grand Island and Angria Bank are two of the most frequented scuba diving sites in Goa. While Grand Island is popular for local diving, Angria Bank is known as a world-class diving site.

Rameshwaram Beach, Tamil Nadu
Situtated off the mainland, Rameshwaram is an island as well as a popular Hindu pilgrimage destination. Closest airport from Rameshwaram is Madurai, at a distance of 167 km. The site is known for rare species of sea animals and coral reefs.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands
One of the most frequented sites for scuba diving in India, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands is a Union Territory of India. Occupying a position in the Indian Ocean, the territory consists of two island groups – Andaman Islands & Nicobar Islands.


Lakshadweep Islands
This is also a Union Territory of India. These islands are located 200-300 km off the Kerala coast in the Arabian Sea. Only ten of the all the Lakshadweep islands have human population. The experience of scuba diving at sites like the islands of Lakshadweep is second to none.

In places like Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep, foreign nationals are not generally allowed. So, you’ll need to acquire special permits before getting to indulge in the sport at these sites of scuba diving.

Shimla Summer Festival 2009 in full swing

The Summer Festival in Shimla is organised every year in the first week of June. During summertime, thousands of tourists from all across the globe flock to the hill station of Shimla to be a part of this cultural festival. Fondly referred to as the 'Queen of Hills', Shimla has always been a favourite hill station in northern India. Around the month of June, the International Summer Festival gives holidaymakers an excellent opportunity to add spice to their vacation at Shimla in the state of Himachal Pradesh.


This year, the International Summer Festival has Shimla has already begun from the 2nd of June. The 5-day long festive event will continue to enthrall tourists and travellers till the 6th of the month. Those who wish to experience the cultural heritage and traditional charm of Himachal Pradesh would never want to miss the festival.

The Shimla Summer Festival attracts both locals as well as foreign tourists. Main attractions at the festival are as follows :

Dance & Musical Performance by Local Artists
Special Performances by School Children
Fashion Shows
Flower Shows
Himachal Food Festival
Dog Show
Painting Competition
Band Display
Art & Handicrafts Exhibition
Live Performances by Bollywood Celebrities

Celebrated Bollywood playback singers like Kunal Ganjawala, Suresh Wadekar and Mahaluxmi Ayer will add much to the overall charm of the Summer Festival this year. Famous Punjabi singer Jasbir Jassi will also be present at the festive occasion to add to the joy of tourists. One celebrity is reserved to entertain the visitors every night at this cultural festival in Shimla.


Useful Tip
While you are here to enjoy the Summer Festival, do remember to enjoy one of the oldest Toy Train Rides in Shimla as well. The Kalka-Shimla route was introduced during the colonial period and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Related Topics
Read about the History of Shimla
Tourism Potential in Shimla
Tourist Attractions, Excursions & How to Reach Shimla

Ajmer Sharif (Rajasthan)

The city of Ajmer has been witness to numerous vicissitudes throughout its history spanning 1400 years. From Shah Jehan proclaiming himself the Emperor of India here and Sir Thomas Roe having his audience with Mughal emperor Jehangir to being the site of the furious battle between Aurangzeb and Dara Shikoh, Ajmer has seen it all. The city occupies a position at the foot of a 800-feet-high mountain, inviting both tourists and pilgrims from across the globe. The biggest draw for visitors here is of course the Dargah of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. Ajmer has a number of other attractions that give you an insight into the fascinating history of India.



Ajmer Fast Facts
State : Rajasthan
Area : 241.58 sq km
Population : 5 lacs (2001)
Languages : Hindi, Urdu, Sindhi, English & Rajasthani
Best Time to Visit : October to March
STD Code : 0145



Ajmer Tourist Attractions
The city of Ajmer has a lot of history and numerous legends to boast. There are a number of historic sites for you to see. The biggest attraction, however, is the Dargah of Sufi Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti.

Taragarh Fort
Located at a distance of 3 km from the city, the fort sits on a hilltop. The fort was constructed by Ajaipal Chauhan, the founder of the city. A steep climb takes you to the top from where you can feast your eyes on wonderful panoramic views of the city.


Dargah of Gharib Nawaz
The Dargah Sharif is the mausoleum of sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. The shrine is frequented both by Hindus and Muslims and the sight, particularly during the Urs Festival captures one's imagination.

Ana Sagar Lake
A major attraction for both tourists and pilgrims, the Ana Sagar Lake was founded by Anaji between 1135 and 1150 AD. The lake was further prettified by the Mughal emperors as it caught their eye. The Daulat Bagh gardens, close to the lake, was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jehan.

Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra
Considered to be the first significant Islamic structure to be erected in India, the monument has many legends revolving around it. Though the structure has fallen upon bad times, it has seven arched walls with Islamic calligraphy works on them.



Mayo College
Built back in the 1873 AD, this college is still being considered to be one of the finest public schools in the country. At the time it was built, it was meant for Indian princes and wards of the colonial rulers.

Ajmer Air/Rail/Road Links
The nearest airport from Ajmer is the Sanganer Airport of Jaipur (138 km). The airport operates regular flights connecting to important Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Aurangabad and Ahmedabad. The railhead at Ajmer has frequent trains running to the key destinations of the country. By road, Ajmer can be accessed from Agra (370 km), Delhi (444 km), Bharatpur (312 km), Bikaner (234 km), Chittaurgarh (182 km), Jaipur (138 km), Jaisalmer (458 km), Jodhpur (205 km), Kota (178 km), Mount Abu (371 km) and Udaipur (269 km).

Latest Travel / Tourism News

Read about latest travel and tourism industry news in India.

Indian Railways connects with 27 countries [UN, June 9]
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Two pairs of daily trains to hot tourist spot Digha [Kolkata, June 6]
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People flock to Himachal in hordes to enjoy adventure [Shimla, May 31]
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Kushinagar will soon have an international airport [Uttar Pradesh, May 31]
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Ooty Flower Show becomes a 'hit' among tourists [Tamil Nadu, May 23]
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Jet Airways announces benefits for students flying abroad [Thiruvananthapuram, May 19]
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Bihar to promote Sher Shah Suri's tomb in Sasaram as a major tourist site [Patna, May 20]
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Puducherry Tourism to organise Kalanjiyam for promoting heritage & culture [May 24]
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UTDB to promote Uttarakhand in a big way [May 20]
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Zanskar (Jammu & Kashmir)

The rugged valley of Zanskar is the biggest draw for adventurers in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. The trip to the valley can be arduous but the rewards that await there are extreme. The three-armed valley occupies a position between the great massifs of the Himalayas and the doughty ranges of the Zanskar. The picturesque valley remains skirted by soaring mountains and deep gorges. The people that inhabit the valley are mainly Buddhists. So apart from having some epic adventure experience, you can also meet with the Buddhist populace that resides in this beautifully unsmooth area.



Zanskar Fast Facts
States : Jammu & Kashmir
Area : 5,000 sq km
Population : 10,000
Languages : Kashmiri, Tibetan and a variant of Ladakhi
Best Time to Visit : June to September

Zanskar Tourist Attractions
A trip to the Zanskar region, one the one hand, gratifies your thirst for some high-adrenaline adventure. On the other, it lets you observe some of the most interesting cultures and traditions that have impregnated the region from one point to the other.

Karsha
At Karsha, perched at an altitude of 3,610 m, you come across with a people that are known for their ancient traditions and cultures. Besides, you can also visit the Gelugpa Monastery, which has the distinction of being the largest in the Zanskar region. From upon the roof of the monastery, you can have stunning views of the Himalayas and the Zanskar Valley.



Tibetan-Buddhist Centres
There are numerous Tibetan-Buddhist centres in the Zanskar Valley. These centres are a must-see for all who wish to observe the age-old traditions and wish to soak up the spiritual charm before heading back home.

Mulbek
Advancing from Leh to Zanskar, you come across with a place called Mulbek. The spot has an old-worldly charm revolving around it. A huge sculpture of Buddha, which stands on a rock, is a major attraction for tourists here.

Panikhar
Another site that you get to visit en route to Zanskar is Panikhar. The place in question lies close to the Suru Valley. The Suru Pass, lying between Panikhar and Sankoo, is from where Zorawar Singh and his army entered Ladakh in the year 1832, on their way to taking possession of Tibet.

Penzella Pass
Lying at an altitude of 4,200 m, the pass separates the Zanskar region from the Suru Valley. The camping grounds on the either side of the pass, stunning views from the top and two fresh water springs are major sights for the visitors. The pass can be accessed only between May and September as during the rest of the year heavy snowfall makes it unreachable.



Air/ Rail/ Road Links
One can access the Zanskar region only through the Kargil-Padum Road (A stretch of 240 km). The first 90 km of this road is paved. This road-route remains open between the months of July and November which is also the ideal time to enjoy trekking. Tourists can avail of a thrice weekly bus service from Kargil. Heavy snowfall makes the area of Zanskar inaccessible for the remaining part of the year.