Cuisine in Kerala

It's not only the holistic traditional science of Ayurveda or the abundant greenery that magnetises tourists to Kerala. The cuisine in Kerala is also a key cultural feature of this southern Indian state. Keralan cuisines feature both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. What makes the cuisines special is the expert blend of a variety of spices. Since the state is home to Hindus, Muslim and Christian communities, there is a huge range of cuisines available in Kerala for gastronomes.

Stew
It is always a wonderful option to begin your culinary journey with a steaming bowl of stew, a preparation of coconut milk and Malabar coast spices. So, if you are visiting hill stations like Munnar, you can really look forward to having a finger-licking experience with mutton, chicken, lamb or vegetable stew. A ball of stew is usually served with appams (rice flour pancakes). Visitors can also try a variety of other dishes including puttu, idiyappam and idli along with beef curry or fish moilee.

Moplah
It is a popular dish in the Malabar region of Kerala. Though the dish is cooked in coconut oil, it still retains the original Arabic flavour. Moplah cuisine is different from the north Indian Mughali cuisine in the fact that it is cooked using coconut milk, chilli powder and spices. Unlike the Mughlai cuisine, Moplah uses less of ghee and butter, added only as supplements. Popular Moplah or Malabari cuisines include alisa (wheat and meat porridge combined with stuffed chicken), Porotta (along with baked mutton), fish biryani, mutta mala (a preparation of egg yolks minus fat) etc. Fish is an inseparable part of the Mopla cuisine in Kerala.

Seafood
Blessed with thousands of miles of coast, Kerala is also a great place to taste a range of freshly cooked sea food. The shacks along the beaches and backwaters of Kerala offer toothsome seafood. Visitors can directly buy from fishermen seafood like fish, lobster, shrimp, oyster etc. Give it to the shack owners and they'll cook it fresh for you.


Malayali
Keralan cuisines not only serves you non-vegetarian dishes but also a number of pure vegetarian dishes. So, do remember to have a plate of thali, traditionally served on a plantain leaf. A thali consists of boiled rice, a number of side dishes (including pickels, chutneys, pappadums, banana/ jackfruit chips, kozhalappam, cheeda etc.)and payasam (a sweet milk dessert).

Festive Season Cuisines
How would you like to savour special dishes like honey roasted duck, lamb stew or banan cake? Yes, you can have these lip-smacking dishes if you plan to visit Kerala during Christmas or New Year celebrations. The Syrian Christian community is known for preparing food items like thoran (a preparation of meat with shredded coconut), piralen (stir fried chicken) and meen molee (spicy stewed fish).


So, next time when you visit Kerala, don't just limit yourself to breakfasts of idli and sambhar or dosa and chutney. Do remember to gorge on the variety of delectable cuisines that Kerala has in store for you. And yes, how can you forget the long tea? �

Popular Street Food in Delhi

Do you want to see India as the locals do? If so, you should do at least a few of things that they do. Why not try road side food? During your travel to Delhi, a variety of delicious street food await to tickle your taste buds. You can savour a range of these Delhi flavours as you take a rickshaw ride in Old Delhi and in and around Chandni Chowk. There are a number of other favourite haunts in the city to take you on a gourmet tour. Some of the most popular and most liked street food items are given below.

Chaat
Chaat is the buzzword among Delhi food lovers. While in Old Delhi, you cannot afford to leave the city without sampling the chaats. It is the most famous street food in Delhi. Places where you can savour the famous Dilli chaat include tikki at Natraj (Chandni Chowk), Shree Balaji Chaat Bhandar (Chandni Chowk), tikki wala (Pitampura), Bengali Sweets (Bengali Market), Lala Babu Chaat Bhandar (Chandni Chowk), Prince's Paan & Chaat Corner (Greater Kailash) etc.

Kulfi
The most famous name among all the kulfiwallahs in Delhi is the Roshan di Kulfi (Karol Bagh). Other places for having toothsome kulfis in Delhi include Jeeta Kulfi Wale (Krishna Nagar), Sita Ram Nannumal Kulfiwala (Ajmeri Gate), New Kulfi House (Daryaganj), Vijay Variety Kulfiwale (Chandni Chowk) etc.

Chole Bhature
If you are in Chandni Chowk, you can head straight to Raj Chole Bhature and Lassiwala. Other nice options to have lip-smacking chole bhatures include Bengali Sweets (Bangali Market), Sitaram Dewan Chand's Chhole Bhature (Paharganj), Roshan di Kulfi (Karol Bagh), Chaudhry Chole Bhature (Krishna Nagar), Chacha di Hatti (Kamla Nagar), Chole Bhature Corner (Greater Kailash), Ramu Special Chole Bhature (Connaught Place) etc.

Chuski
Take a stroll through the Chandni Chowk area and you have a number of chuskiwallas at your service. Chuski Wala at India Gate is also a good option for visitors. If you are at the India Gate, the chuskiwala will definitely catch your attention as he shouts 'chuski chuski tasti chuski' at the top of his longs.

Kebabs (Chicken Tikka, Mutton Tikka, Seekh etc.)
For lovers of chicken tikka roll and kebabs, Khan Chacha's Kebab Corner (Khan Market), Karim's (Jama Masjid), Peshori Kebab (Rajouri Garden), Afghan (Lajpat Nagar) and Bhatti Kebab (Defence Colony) are the best places.

Street food in Delhi is a craze both among locals as well as foreign nationals. Indians love these street food and are simply addicted to it. Start on your gourmet tour now to taste the street flavours of the capital city of Delhi.

Jammu & Kashmir to become an ecotourism hub

The state of Jammu & Kashmir is soon to become an ecotourism hub. According to a PTI report, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Tourism & Cultural Minister of Jammu & Kashmir has declared that the state will work on various projects to make it a hub of ecotourism. Instructions have also been given to the concerned authorities to make ecotourism a theme for sightseeing tours in the state of Jammu & Kashmir.

During his visit to the Surinsar Health Resort yesterday, the tourism minister said, “Our focus will be to stop selfish human interference into our state's serene environs and for this many ecotourism initiatives to protect fragile areas will be taken up.” During his visit, Jora was accompanied by Sarita Chauhan, Tourism Director, Jammu and Soujanya Sharma, CEO, Surinsar-Mansar. The authorities informed the minister that work is underway to develop the tourism infrastructure at Surinsar and that a sum of Rs 20 crore were being spent to develop the tourist friendly infrastructure at Surinsar and Mansar lakes.

Further, the tourism minister pleaded the major tourism industry players and the people of the state to lend a hand towards projecting the hilly state as an eco-friendly tourist destination. The minister added that the issues of climate change and global warming are the major challenges and expert consultancy firms are required to handle the ecotourism projects in the state. “We have to create a balance between tourism and environment so that this vital industry becomes sustainable in the long run”, concluded Jora. �

On your way to nirvana in Uttarakhand

It does have valid reasons when travellers call the state of Uttarakhand the 'Land of Gods'. The scenic landscapes of the region present a treat for the sore eyes. It is not only the heart stirring views of the Himalayan peaks but also hordes of pilgrimage destinations that magnetise visitors to the state of Uttarakhand in northern India. The state features hordes of holy shrines, ancient temples, devotee-packed ghats, world renowned ashrams and reputed religious centres among others. Travellers flock to the state to soak up the impressive panorama and the spiritual aura that pervades all over. Though visitors keep coming to towns and cities of Uttarakhand all the year round, the ideal time to visit here is between November and February, the winter months.

The chardhams (four highly sacred destinations) in Uttarakhand are held in high regard by the Hindu community all across the world. These four holy destinations include Gangotri, Yamunotri,
Kedarnath and Badrinath . Gangotri is the glacial source from where the holy Ganges originates in the Himalayas. The town of Haridwar and Rishikesh in Uttarakhand known worldwide for a number of places of worship, ayurveda/ meditation centres and ashrmas.

The northern part of the state of Uttarakhand is covered by the mountain ranges of the Greater Himalayas. Soaring peaks of Himalayas, icy glaciers and verdant Himalayan foothills add outstanding beauty to the region. The state of Uttarakhand also represents a wonderful Himalayan eco-system. Tiger, leopard, bharal and snow leopard are the major wildlife species found in this region. The diversified vegetation includes pine-deodar forests, sal forests, grassland and scrubland. The Himalayas have also been a rich resource of unique plants and herbs, gathered for medicinal purposes.

Uttarakhand in northern India also invites a good number of adventure lovers. A trekking expedition through the Himalayan valleys, meadows and villages truly rejuvenates one's inner self. The Har ki Doon valley (meaning the valley of God) in the Himalayas happens to be one of the finest for trekkers. Though the trekking route here is a bit challenging, the effort is well worth the experience. Passing through deep forests, stopping by meadows and halting at the camp for lunch are all of a part of the trekking expedition. Noticing the shepherd playing a tune on his flute, the freshly washed look of trees and grasses, the sight of flower-laden meadows and watching the mountain goats and sheep grazing close to the campsite can really make your trekking expedition a lifetime experience.

The state of Uttarakhand offers travellers a number of trekking opportunities. Popular treks in Uttarakhand include Har ki Doon trek, Panch Kedar trek, Gangotri-Kedarnath trek, Gangotri-Gaumukh-Nandavan-Tapovan trek, Dodi Tal trek etc. During your trek through these areas in Uttarakhand, you will pass by exotic hamlets, places of worship and a number of other mythological sites. Your trip will also take you to famous temples, ashrams and meditation centres in the holy towns of Haridwar , Rishikesh and Joshimath in Uttarakhand.

Binsar, Uttarakhand

Impressive views of peaks like the Nandadevi, Trishul, Nanda Ghunti, Badri Nath and Kedarnath among others. Animal species including leopards, tigers, wild boar, deer and bear as well as a variety of colourful bird species. Binsar in the state of Uttarakhand offers travellers all this and much more. The one time refuge of British officer Henry Ramsay, Binsar is located at an altitude of 6,600 ft above sea level in the Jhandi Dhar hills of Kumaon , Uttarakhand. Lush and thick forests of oak, pine and silver birch add much to the beauty of the mountain resort. For walkers, Binsar is just the place to be. Stay options are available at colonial-buildings-turned-resorts, dating back to the 1800s.

Sightseeing tour of Binsar
Start your tour to Binsar with a visit to the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, set up in 1988. The sanctuary in Binsar spreads over an area of around 45.59 sq km and is home to a number of floral and faunal species as well as 200 different species of birds. Get to Zero Point to soak up heart-stirring views of the Himalayan peaks.

Next to visit is the famous 16th century temple – Bineshwar Mahadev Temple. There is another temple called Golu Devta Temple at a distance of 4 km from Binsar. Pariya Deva Pashan features stone from the megalithic age.

For adventure lovers, Binsar offers exciting trails for jungle walk and trekking. Bird watchers can spend quality time exploring the varied bird population in Binsar.

Excursions from Binsar
The hill town of Binsar in Uttaranchal lies close to places like Almora (34 km), Kausani (90 km) and Ranikhet (19 km from Binsar Mahadev Temple). So, during your tour to Binsar, you can also plan to visit a couple of other hill stations in the state.

Getting to Binsar
The town of Binsar in Uttaranchal is at 370 km from Delhi, India's capital city. To reach Binsar from Delhi take this route : Hapur-Moradabad-Rampur-Rudrapur-Lalkua-Kathgodam-Bhowali-Almora. If you travelling to Binsar from Old Delhi, you can also catch the Ranikhet Express.

Staying in Binsar
Given below are a few retreats and resorts where staying can be fun.
Khali Estate
Cost: Rs 4,200 (that include all meals for two)
Contact : 05692251048/ 09869005642
Email: mountainresort@rediffmail.com
Website: www.resorthimalaya.com

Village Ways
Cost: Rs 3,000 (that include boarding, lodging and guide per day)
Contact: 09411105450
Email: info@villageways.com
Website: www.villageways.com

Grand Oak Manor
Contact: 05692 290006/ 09412909518
Email: info@grandoakbinsar.com
Website: www.grandoakbinsar.com
The Binsar Retreat
Contact: 09412092199
Email: thebinsarretreat@yahoo.com

KMVN Guest House
Contact: 05942 236374
Email: kmvn@yahoo.com
Website: www.kmvn.org

Nahan, Himachal Pradesh

A laid-back attitude and a clean and dust-free atmosphere are the prime features of the Nahan town in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Perched on a hill top in the Shivalik Himalayas, the town is steeped in religion and mythology, particularly associated with saints and princes. Raja Karan Prakash founded and chose Nahan as his capital back in 1621. The hill town in Himachal Pradesh lies at an altitude of 932 m and is fed by a man-made lake. Anytime is a good time to visit Nahan in Himachal, as the town has a pleasant climate and invites visitors throughout the year. For people from Delhi and surrounding areas, Nahan can be a good option for a weekend getaway.

Read more about - Hill Stations in India.

The picturesque hill town of Nahan is just at a 5 hours drive from India's capital Delhi.

Famous Temples in Nahan
The glorious past of Nahan comes alive even today as you take a stroll through Villa Round, Military Round and Hospital Round. Temples in Nahan are a major attraction for tourists. Famous temples in the town include Kalisthan Temple, Jagannath Temple, Sanatan Dharm Temple, Rani Tal Shiv Temple, Shri Krishna Temple, Miyan Mandir, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Shudh Dhar Shiv Temple, Nainidhar Shiv Temple, Bhagnari Shiv Temple etc.

Places to see around Nahan
The surrounding areas of Nahan town make up for a wonderful sightseeing tour. While you visit the tiny hill station in Himachal Pradesh, do remember to visit the following places.

Suketi Fossil Park (21 km) – features lifesize fibre reinforced models of prehistoric animals
Trilokpur Temple (23 km) – A famous Hindu temple, dedicated to goddess Mahamaya Bala Sundari
Dhaula Kuan (20 km) – known for a sprawling orchard and fruit canning factory
Giri Nagar (7 km from Dhaula Kuan) – visited for a powerhouse of 60 MW capacity

Reaching Nahan (Himachal Pradesh)
Chandigarh is the closest airport from the town while Ambala is the nearest railway station. By road, Nahan can be easily reached from places like Chandigarh, Haryana and Shimla, Dehradun and Delhi. Buses ply to Nahan on a regular basis from all these places.

Shatabdi Express to get broadband connectivity

Indian Railways has plans under carpet to equip all the major long distance trains with broadband connectivity. Mumbai-Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express and Rajdhani Express are the first trains to be provided with broadband internet connection. Techno Sat Comm, a Mumbai-based solution provider, recently presented a demonstration of the customised broadband solution service. Though the company has been providing broadband facility on trains in England, this is its first demonstration on Indian trains.

Named 'Business on Wheels', the service is based on wifi technology. By launching this special broadband facility on Indian trains, Indian Railways aims to assist individuals and entrepreneurs in staying connected and completing their work while travelling. Techno Sat Comm had been conducting a research on the technology for the last four years. After the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express gets the broadband facility, the next in line will be Rajadhani to log on to the 'Business on Wheels' solution.

Kaziranga park uses anti-poaching vessel to protect rhinos

Kaziranga (Assam) : Authorities at Kaziranga National Park have finally woken up to the grim realities of rhino poaching. Now a special squad has been put in place to patrol the river banks using anti-poaching vessel. The step has been taken to keep a check on poachers navigating the River Brahamputra in search of rhino horns. The vessel, which cost Rs 1.7 million, has been acquired by the assistance of US Fish and Wildlife Service and Rhino Foundation for Nature. "There was a shortage of vehicles for patrolling. We are really grateful to the Rhino Foundation for providing us with this patrolling vessel," said MC Malakar, Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF). The anti-poaching vessel has been provided with all the modern amenities so as to provide long hours of stay to the officials. Poachers enter Kaziranga looking for the horns of the Indian one-horned rhino. These horns are believed to have aphrodisiac properties and are smuggled to China, aside from being sold in the Asian markets. On an estimate, rhino horns can be sold for around $ 35,000/ kg.

Surajkund Crafts Fair 2009 to begin from Feb 1

Launched back in the year 1981 by Haryana Tourism , Surajkund crafts fair or Surajkund mela has now become known internationally. The crafts mela aims to highlight the cultural richness of the country by putting together the finest handlooms and handicrafts products from all across India. A fortnight-long event, the Surajkund fair is organised in the month of February every year at Surajkund in the Faridabad district of Haryana.

Shopping Items at Surajkund Fair
Master craftsmen from all over India gather at Surajkund to display a wide range of handloom and handicrafts. Visitors can buy these items at a very reasonable price, much lower than they would pay for the same items at an emporium. Shops and stalls at the mela sell a range of lace work, mirror work, folk motifs, terracotta products, metal/ caneware, bangles, toys, trinkets etc. Not only handicrafts-selling shops, but the Suraj kund fair also features an open-space theatre 'Natyashala' where visitors can enjoy folk dance and musical performances.

Reaching the Surajkund Mela Ground
Visitors can easily reach Surajkund from the city of Delhi. Surajkund lies on the Delhi-Agra National Highway, at a distance of 8 km from South Delhi. Special transport options are also made available to reach the fair ground from places like Delhi, Gurgaon (Haryana) and Faridabad (Haryana).

Security at Surajkund Fair 2009, Faridabad
Tight security arrangements are in place to provide protection to the visitors of the Surajkund Mela this year. There are police officials in civil dress, dog squads and commandos as well as bullet-proof vehicles have been deployed at the fair. Around 1,1000 police officials including 100 women police officials are on duty at the mela. Besides, 80 CCTV cameras and 8 security towers have been installed to to keep an eye on the entire fair area.

Date : 1 - 15 February 2009
Venue of the fair : Surajkund Mela Ground
District : Faridabad
State : Haryana
Timings : 09:30 am – 05:30 pm



Statistics of Past Surajkund Melas

Year	Theme State	No. of artisans	No. of Visitors
2005	Chattisgarh	347	3.56 lakh
2006	Maharashtra	269	5.70 lakh
2007	Andhra Pradesh	304	6.00 lakh
2008	West Bengal	325	7.00 lakh

Tourism & Food Festival in Kolkata from Jan 7

It is for the 6th time that the tourism and food festival is going to be held in Kolkata from January 7. Being organised at Nalban Ecopark in Salt Lake (Kolkata), the tourism and food fair is a collaborative effort by the West Bengal Tourism Department and The Times of India. The five-day tourism and food festival also witnesses the participation of Kunming Tourism of China. States taking part in this tourism festival in Kolkata include Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Karnataka and Rajasthan along with several states in north eastern India.


The food festival is going to be organised at Nalban, a food plaza. Extending to the waterbody, the venue presents a matching ambiance for the festival. Apart from savouring a range of expertly prepared delicacies, you can also enjoy traditional dances, music and other cultural programmes. To add to the visitors excitement, all the cultural programmes will be performed on a stage, set up on the lake. A major crowd-puller for visitors at this tourism and food festival in Kolkata would be a colourful ballet by a Chinese troupe from Kunming.

Other Attractions at Tourism & Food Festival in Kolkata

> Group dance by Preeti Patel & Tanushree Shankar
> Songs by Anwesha & the Vyas Brothers
> Songs by Anika Dhar (January 10)
> Special performances by Army & BSF bands
> Fashion show
> Tribal dance performances
> Display of fireworks

The tourism and food festival in Kolkata aims to bring together tourism industry stakeholders and the public. Visitors can get useful destination information at this festival in Kolkata. To tickle the taste buds of visitors, a number of leading restaurant chains from Kolkata will be featuring a wide range of delectable dishes. These include Tamarind, Bhajahori Manna and Golbari.

Venue : Nalban Ecopark, Salt Lake
City : Kolkata
State : West Bengal
No. of stalls at the festival : 57
Entry fees : Rs 5 per head
Timings : 12 noon – 9 pm

Monsoon Tourism in Kerala

Visiting Kerala during the monsoon season is a divine experience. The kaleidoscopic state of Kerala magnetises tourists from all around the globe during rainy season, promising them a marvellous holiday. Treat yourself to the pleasures of exotic resorts in Kerala, invigorate yourself soaking up in the monsoon rain, sail along the Kerala backwaters, feast your eyes on the amazing wildlife or idle on the state's beaches – there is a lot that you can indulge in to make your monsoon tour to Kerala an epic journey of your life.

The heady combination of monsoon and Ayurveda may only compel you to visit Kerala over and again. As Ayurveda experts put it, the cool monsoon season between June and November is the ideal time to get Ayurvedic treatment. During this time, the body of an individual is at its receptive best to the therapeutic and restorative powers of herbs and oils, as the atmosphere during monsoon is dust-free and cool.

So, if you are looking to rejuvenate your body as well as your soul, there's no better option than the monsoons in Kerala. An Ayurveda vacation in Kerala during monsoon can really provide you with a life-changing experience. The state of Kerala is also known for its equable climate and the abundant availability of herbal and medicinal plants. It is only in the state of Kerala that the 3000-year-old medical tradition of Ayurveda is practised with utmost dedication even today.

Two kinds of Ayurvedic programmes are available in Kerala - rejuvenative and therapeutic.

Organised by the Kerala Tourism Department , Rainwalks are also an exciting option for tourists to explore the rich historical legacy in the state. These innovative walking tours are organised in places like Trivandrum and Fort Kochi. Monsoon holiday packages are also available for tourists to extract the maximum of monsoon tourism in Kerala. The monsoon tour packages are designed to provide complete comfort and excellent opportunities of rejoicing in the rains. �

Dalhousie Square, Kolkata

Don't be surprised if you imagine yourself being lost in a London borough, as you take a stroll through Dalhousie Square in central Kolkata (West Bengal). Presently known as B.B.D Bagh, Dalhousie Square in Kolkata has been declared among the world's 100 most endangered sites by the World Monuments Fund (WMF). Today, the area serves as the seat of power for the West Bengal State Government. Besides, Dalhousie Square is also the place where the central business district of Kolkata is located.

Dalhousie Sqaure in Kolkata got its name from Lord Dalhousie, the Governer General of India from 1847 to 1856. Now the area has been renamed B.B.D. Bagh after three young Indian freedom fighters – Benoy, Badal and Dinesh. The Dalhousie Sqaure is where many famous buildings and banks are located today. These include Writer's Building (secretariat of the state government), the Royal Exchange (former residence of Robert Clive, now housing the Bengal Chamber of Commerce), the General Post Office, Town Hall, High Court, head quarters of several companies and St John's Church (which houses the mausoleum of Job Charnock, the founder of the city of Calcutta).

A large part of the population of Kolkata turns up at Dalhousie Square everyday to earn their livelihood. Food vendors line the pavement all around the area, selling a variety of local Calcuttan food including parathas, puris, rice, vegetables etc. Both in the morning and at lunch, daily commuters (officers, clerks and others office-goers) gather at these food vending stalls to have their meal. At lunchtime, the area around Dalhousie Square turns into a hub of activities, people almost jostling against one another. Since almost all the buildings here are business establishments, the area turns into a quiet place at night, with only cars and buses passing by.

The colonial-era buildings at Dalhousie Square feature architectural styles like Georgian, Victorian and late Gothic. With so many magnificent colonial buildings to see, a visit to B.B.D. Bagh or Dalhousie Square in Kolkata is certainly a unique experience for heritage lovers.

Rock-cut Caves in Maharashtra

For a visitor to Maharashtra, the rock cut caves bear high significance. Carved during the 1st century BC and 2nd century BC, these caves provide travellers an opportunity to gain an insight into the ancient cave temple architecture. Particularly history buffs and art connoisseurs will find it really exciting to visit these ancient caves. Most of these cave sites also play host to tourist festivals that enliven the glories of the bygone era.

Ajanta & Ellora Caves in Maharashtra
The Ajanta & Ellora caves were declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO back in the year 1983. At present, there are 30 caves at Ajanta. These caves were carved out by Buddhist monks themselves between 200 BC and 650 AD. The caves have been built as chaityas (chapels) and viharas (monasteries). The intricate stone work and the wonderful frescoes are a treat for eyes. The Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra are located at a distance of 112 from Aurangabad.

The Ellora Caves are 34 in number comprising of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain temples. These caves in Maharashtra were chiselled out between 350 AD and 700 AD. The Kailasa Temple is the most popular and most frequented of them all. The Ellora Caves in Maharashtra are located at a distance of 27 km from Aurangabad.

Elephanta Caves in Maharashtra
The caves on the Elephanta Island in Maharashtra are visited throughout the year. The rock cut cave temples here stand in dedication to Lord Shiva. The huge cave complex at Elephanta Caves expands over an area of 60,000 sq ft. Boats sail regularly to Elehanta Island from Apollo Bunder at Gateway of India in Maharashtra.

Kanheri Caves in Maharashtra
The Kanheri Caves in Maharashtra are 109 in number. These caves are located in the middle of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The caves were carved over a large span between the 1st century and 9th century. Statues of Buddha, Goddess Tara and Goddess Bhrukti are worth seeing here. The caves are located at Borivalli, 42 km north of Mumbai.

Junnar Caves in Maharashtra
The caves were given shape between 2nd century and 3rd century AD. The cluster of caves at Junnar have now become an important Buddhist pilgrimage destination. The Junnar Caves in Maharashtra have been divided into three categories, Ganesha Lena and Tulija Lena being the major groups. The Junnar Caves occupy a position at Aurangabad in Maharashtra. These caves in Maharashtra are at a distance of 177 km from Mumbai.

Karla Caves in Maharashtra
These caves are visited by both Buddhists as well as tourists. With a history dating back to 2nd century BC, the Karla Caves feature magnificently carved pillars, roof vaults and sun windows. Once in the Karla town, you need to undertake a steep climb of 20 min to reach the Karla Caves. These caves in Maharashtra are located at a distance of 114 km from Mumbai, the financial capital of India.

Bhaja Caves in Maharashtra
The caves are 18 in number. Carved out around the 2nd century BC, the Bhaja Caves are known for having some extraordinarily carved sculptures including sculptures of Buddha. These caves are also located in the Aurangabad district in Maharashtra, 12 km from Lonavala. The Pune Airport is just at 60 km from here.