Hathras-Land of Asafoetida

 Hathras district (previously called Mahamaya Nagar district) is a district of Uttar Pradesh state of India. The city of Hathras is the district headquarters. Hathras district is a part of Aligarh division. 

Hathras has been a large scale producer of Asafoetida or hing for the last 100 years. This has given the district a distinct identity.

What is Asafoetida? 

Asafoetida (Ferula asafoetida) is the dried sap — or gum resin — obtained from the roots of Ferula plants. It’s commonly dried, ground into a coarse, yellow powder, and used for either culinary or medicinal purposes. As a seasoning, asafoetida is known for its strong, pungent odor, which is due to its high concentration of sulfur compounds. In fact, due to its unpleasant smell, it’s sometimes referred to as stinking gum. 

For most foodies, though, it comes as a surprise that this signature flavour and household staple was never cultivated in India. Or the fact that the raw produce comes from distant lands of Iran and Afghanistan and has been produced in a small village of Hathras in Uttar Pradesh for over 100 years now.Hathras was an industrial hub during the British Raj. Cotton milling, knives, the spice asafoetida or and Desi Ghee products were the main industries.The aroma of food after asafoetida is so rich, that the spice counts as a must-have for culinary enthusiasts. Known to also have medicinal properties, it was rumoured to cure many “women’s ailments’ and also act as an antidote to opium.

In Hathras now, hing continues to be a mainstay for residents. The region, boasting of about 135 factories and about 60-70 crores worth of business, provides steady employment. 

Medicinal Uses of Hing-

People use asafoetida for conditions such as breathing or throat problems, digestion problems. Asafoetida is also sometimes applied directly to the skin for corns and calluses, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.In manufacturing, asafoetida is used as a fragrance in cosmetics and as a flavouring ingredient in foods and beverages.

 

You will find many manufacturing companies of Asafoetida in Hathras which produce unaltered hing powder.... 

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Kannauj-The city of Perfumes

 An artistic journey is what encapsulates the bottles of Kannauj Naturals. The generational skills of perfumery seep into the refined blends of these tasteful and mastered scents that exude the aromas of India.Kannauj has been distilling itra, or attar, for centuries now, coaxing roses, jasmines, and other flowers into giving up their fragrance, and quickly bottling them up with essential oils. 

For centuries Kannauj (pronounced kunh-nowj), in northeast India’s Ganges belt, has been crafting oil-based botanical perfumes called attar using time-tested distillation methods. Sought after by both Mughal royals and everyday folk in ancient India’s fragrance-obsessed culture, Kannauj attar scented everything from wrists to food, fountains to homes.

Perfume’, derived from the Latin ‘per fumus’, literally translates into ‘through smoke’. And it is literally through fumes, that the full impact of personal fragrance is felt. 

Process of making -

But what makes Kannauj’s attar-making industry even more interesting is that despite the passage of time, they still follow the traditional method, a highly labour-intensive and time-consuming hydro-distillation process, called ‘deg bhapka’.Attar makers of Kannauj can draw out the fragrance from a large number of natural ingredients, such as different kinds of flowers (rose, kewra, chameli, bela, marigold, jasmine, lavender, etc.), from natural products such as vetiver, and herbs and spices (cardamom, cloves, saffron, juniper berry, jatamansi, etc.). Usually, the flowers are plucked at dawn so that they retain the best fragrance. The ‘deg’ is a copper still into which the natural ingredients, such as flower petals, are put in along with water. The pots are covered with lids and sealed with a special clay mix. These pots are placed on clay furnace (‘bhatti’) fired with wood and cow-dung cakes. The deg is connected to the long-necked ‘bhapka’ or the receiver, which is also made of copper, through the ‘chonga’ or a twine-wrapped bamboo pipe, which acts as a condenser too. The bhapka whose mouth has been covered with cloth sits in a cooling chamber filled with water (‘gachhi’). A base oil, usually sandalwood oil, is poured in the bhapka. As the deg is fired, the vapour from the ingredient collects in the bhapka, gets condensed and the oil collects the fragrance. But it is easier said than done.

Famous scents from Kannauj-

1) Mitti Attar

2) Ruh Khus Attar

3) Shamama Attar

4) Blue lotus Attar

5) Jasmine Attar

6) White Oudh Attar

7) Kesar chandan Attar

8) Jannatul Firdaus Attar

9) Saffron Attar

10) Sandalwood Attar

11) Musk amber Attar

12) Bakhoor Attar

13) Mukhallat Attar

14) Nargis Attar

15) Henna attar

16) Kewra Attar

17) Majmua Attar

18) Kadamb Attar

19) Marigold Attar

20) Black Oudh Attar

The scent of a droplet lingers pleasantly on the skin, sometimes for days.

Equally enchanting to men and women, attars have an androgynous quality. They strike intense floral, woodsy, musky, smoky,...

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Ayurveda in India

One of the oldest form of medical therapy which was followed in India for a very long time is Ayurveda and it is a medical therapy of India. This is becoming popular and is gaining importance and acceptance in the recent times. It is a traditional and natural healing system. It is not just a medical treatment for a disease but is a set of guidelines to be followed or a long and healthy life. Ayurveda makes a lot of interventions in a person's current life style to improve their health by prevention and healing approach.

Ayurveda emphasises to promote a person's overall health rather than just treating the disease by taking care of mental, emotional and spirtual well being of a person. All the medicinal suggestions and the remedies are prescribed in total total merge with the nature. Ayurvedic medications include Panch Karma, Herbal Treatment, Yoga, Meditation and Rejenuvation. In the recent times, Aromatherapy and Physiotherapy are also included in those treatement process. Ayurveda treatments offer purification of body, mind and soul leading to complete rejenuvation. They help in de stressing, detoxificating and cleansing, relaxing, anti aging, weight and inch loss by focusing on the health on the whole and transforming a person. The current life style of the people have made this treatment very popular.

Ayurvedic practice in India:
The practitioners of Ayurveda in India receive state recognised, institutionalized training. These are equivalent to the training received by Allopathy and Homeopathy practitioners. Lot of research work is also taking place on the effective medicative techniques and yoga postures. The studies and researches based on the diseases have proved that those people who take Ayurvedic medicines have reduced stress levels, Blood pressure, cholestrol and lot more common diseases.

Being the home place of this alternate medicine of Ayurveda, there are lots of clinics and hospitals all over India. One can find lots of treatment centres in Kerala with lots of Ayurvedic Tourism activities and resorts with Ayurvedic Spas.

Not just as a alternate medicine but Ayurveda have got into human life and culture also as beauty therapy, massage therapy, yoga therapy, meditation, aromatherapy all over the world. 

Dhandakaranya

The mythologically significant forest region which is associated with the Hindu epic Ramayana is a forest area spread over the states of Orissa, Chattisgarh and Andrapradesh. The name Dandakaranya is derived from - the abode of the demone Dandak. Or it can also be said that it is the forest where the punished people are left to live.  Rama, Lakshmana and Sita spent 14 years of exile in this Dhandakaranya.

The central and eastern parts of India fall under this forest area and it also includes Eastern Ghats and in the east and the Abujhmar Hills in the west. It is the home of the Gond community. The entire region is a slope from north to southwest. 

Some Interesting facts about India

Recently I read a few interesting facts about India, which I thought of sharing with all my readers.

• India is one country which has never invaded any other country in the past 100000 years. 
• Most of the ancient cultures are nomadic but the Harappan Culture of Indus Valley Civilization established a proper dwelling and work place.
• India is derived from the river Indus
• Zero and Chess were invented in India by Indians
• The study of Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus has its origin in India
• Indians developed the decimal and the place value system
• The World's first granite temple was built by Raja Raja Chola in Tanjore which is the Brihadishwara Temple. 
• Though India has ancient civilizations to its account, it is the 7th largest country and world's largest democracy. 
• India has largest number of post offices
• Indian Railways employs largest number of people
• The first University was established in Takshashila India in 700 BC. As much as 10500 students from all over the world studied over 60 different subjects
• The oldest form of medicine is Ayurveda
• The Value of PI is calculated by the Indian Mathematician Budhayana in the 6th century. 
• India exports software to 90 countries
• The oldest and continuously inhabited ancient city is Varanasi or Kasi. 
• Martial Arts and Yoga has its roots in India. 

Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanical Garden

Article by Dr. Apurva Tamhane

The Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden which is also known as the Calcutta Botanical Garden or the Indian Botanical Garden is one of the largest and also the oldest reserves of Botanical trees , shrubs and greeneries in the South East Asia. Given its age oldness and richness in Botanical pranlts and Orchids, it has also been given the fame of being a premier institution for botanical and horticultural research in India.

8 kilometers away from the central city of Kolkota the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden is situated along the western banks of the Hooghly River in Shibpur in Howrah. It can be reached by a ferry service from Bichali ghat in Metiabruz. As of now the best way to reach the Botanical Garden is by making use of the Vidyasagar Setu through one of its exits which reach towards the Garden.

 
History of the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden
Colonel Robert Kyd was a Secretary to the board of Fort William in the Department of Military and he owned a private Garden in Shalimar along the side of Howrah district of the Hooghly River. He put up the concept of having another Botanical Garden to the Governor General Sir John Macpherson who was the then Scottish administrator in India and also the acting Governor General of India from 1785 to 1786. He had proposed the site for Botanical Garden along the Calcutta area of the Hooghly river to conserve the native plants in the area. Sir John Macpherson put up this proposal with the Court of Directors of the East India Company which was approved on 31^st July 1787.
In the ordeal, Colonel Kyd identified plants of commercial value both for the Bengal local people and also for the East India Company to trade. Plants and trees such as Teak, Coffee, Cinnamon, Sandalwood, Indigo, Tobacco and Dacca cotton were conserved in the Botanical Garden.

The Botanical Garden started taking a new look by the new and unique landscaping in 1872 under Sir George King which gave the accreditation of being one of the best botanical gradens in the world rich with undulated land surfaces, artificially made lakes, moats which were interconnected with underground pipes and these lakes were watered by the waters from the river Hooghly.
This garden underwent multiple naming ceremonies where it was previously known as the East India Company Garden or the Company Bagan, then the Calcutta Garden and then the Royal Botanic Garden. After the Independence of India, the Garden was renamed as the Indian Botanic Garden in 1950. The garden was taken under the care of Botanical Survey of India (BSI) on 1^st January 1963.

Valley of Flowers - Uttarakhand

Located in the West Himalayas, the Valley of Flowers a natural wonder is a National Park in the district of Chamoli in the state of Uttarakhand India. It is a part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. The Valley is at a distance of 522 kms from Delhi, where one have to Trek for 17kms after travelling 505 kms by road. The Valley of Flowers cover about 87.50 kms which is very vast. The entire valley is situated in the Bhyundar Valley at 3,658 mts above the sea level. The entire valley is covered with vibrantly coloured more than 650 varieties of Alpine flowers.

For a long time the Valley of flowers Uttrakhand was well protected and was completely hidden from the world and only the people in the surroundings were visiting that area. Only in the year 1931 that place was discovered by Frank Smith. It was only he who bought this place to the world. He also wrote a book named "Valley of Flowers", which gave the name for the place and also popularised this place.

The Valley was declared a National Park in the year 1982 and very recently it is declared World Heritage Site too. UNESCO have declared this valley as one of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in the year 2004 and since then it had been so.

One can see vareity of flowers that include Brahmakamal, the Blue Poppy and the Cobra lilly. It is the most sought after place for flower lovers, botanists, trekkers and nature lovers. Every year when the Valley of Flowers National park opens from 1st June and 31st October. Though the best time to visit is during July, August and September. The snow starts melting in the valley in the month of May and in the month of June lots of pilgrims visit Hemkund Shahib and this month one can watch the beautiful glaciers

 and waterfalls all along the valley and there will be less or no rain.
In the months of July and August, one can find the new plants growing and the flowers blooming and after Mid
July one can see the whole valley filled with flowers. By the month of september the plants start dying up and by the end of September visit to this valley is stopped. There are lots of medicinal plants also seen in this valley. The park and the surrounding are is banned for cattle grazing. The valley is divided into two by the Pushpawati River.

There is no accomodation in the valley as the tourists are not allowed to stay in the Valley of flowers. Tourists can stay in the private lodges and hotels in Ghangaria which is the base camp and first halt for the trek. The trek begins at Govindghat.

Legend says that Hanuman got the Sanjeevani herb from this valley

List of Endagered Species in India

Royal Bengal Tiger
Asiatic Lion
Asiatic Black Bear
Desert Cat
Great Indian Rhinoceros
Indian Elephant or Asian Elephant
Blue Whale
Capped Leaf Monkey
Fin Whale
Ganges River Dolphin
Indus River Dolphin
Red Panda
Snow Leopard
Jenkin's Shrew
Malabar Large Spotted Civet
Namdapha Flying Squirrel
Pygmy Hog
Salim Ali's Fruit Bat
Sumatran Rhinoceros
Wroughton's Free Tailed Bat

The Mahaparinirvan Express - Buddisht circuit Tour package by IRCTC

The Buddhist Mahaparinirvan express is an Exclusive Train for the Buddhist Circuit Tour.
* The train is an exclusive air conditioned train for this circuit tour destinations that carry passengers who have booked only for this tour.
* Each coach is provided with a private security gaurd and ensures the safety of passengers all through the journey.
* The onboard kitchen car provides hotmeals both veg and non-veg as per the choice of the passengers. Snacks and cool drinks are also provided for the passengers. Ample quantity of packaged drinking water, tea and coffee are also available for the passengers.
* Accomodation at highly comfortable hotels all through the circuit is arranges.
* Passengers are provided with the Travel Insurance Cover for the particular duration of the tour.
* Medical support is provided through the Indian Railway Medical facilities.
* On booking in advance, tourist guides of various languages are provided for a reasonable sized group of passengers.
*As one of the destination is Lumbini in Nepal, the tourists have to obtain proper Visa to visit that place, but IRCTC provides assistance to obtain Visa at the time of entry in Nepal.
The Mahaparinirvan express covers:
Delhi -> Bodhgaya -> Nalanda/Rajgir -> Varanasi/Sarnath -> Kushinagar -> Lumbini(Nepal) -> Sravasti ->Agra/Delhi

Itenery of the tour:
The entire tour is for 8 days.
Day 1 departure from Delhi and it reaches Gaya in the next day morning. The dinner is served on-board and stay overnight is also on-board.
Day 2 arrival at Gaya. Early morning tea/coffee is provided on board. Breakfast is provided at a hotel. Visit to Mahabodhi temple and Niranjana River followed by a Lunch at hotel. Visiting Thai and Japanese temple and Buddha statue. Dinner and  overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 3 Breakfast at hotel followed by a visit to Bimbisara Jail and Gridhkut hill. Lunch is provided at hotel. After lunch visiting the ruins of the Nalanda University and Nalanda Museum. Departure to Varanasi by train with dinner and overnight stay on-board.
Day 4 Early morning tea/coffee is served on board before arrival at Varanasi. Breakfast is served at a hotel in Varanasi. Visiting Sarnath, Dhamekh Stupa and Askhoka Pillar followed by lunch at hotel. Visiting to Ganges ghat followed by a boat ride and aarti at Ganges. Departure for Gorakhpur. Dinner and Overnight stay on board.
Day 5 early morning tea/coffee on board and on arrival at Gorakhpur, stay is arranged at a hotel. Breakfast is provided at the hotel followed by a visit to Mahaparinirvan temple, Rambhar Stupa and Matakutir temple. Lunch and dinner served at hotel and overnight stay is at hotel.
Day 6 early morning coffee/tea and breakfast at hotel. Reaching Lumbini by bus. Lunch at hotel followed by a visit to Mayadevi Temple and Ashoka Pillar. Departure to Gorakhpur Railway station and proceed to Gonda by train. Dinner and Overnight stay on board.
Day 7 early morning coffee/tea on board before arrival at Gonda. Travel to Sravasti and check-in at hotel followed by breakfast. Visiting Jetvana Vihara and Pakki Kuti and lunch at hotel. Return to Gonda Railway station to depart to Agra. Dinner is served on-board followed by stay on-board.
Day 8 tea/coffee on board before arriving at Agra. Breakfast at Agra followed by a visit to Taj Mahal. Departure to New Delhi by train. Lunch and evening tea are served on board and the train reaches Delhi Safdarjung Railway station in the evening.

Tarriff and Fare
Class of Travel                             Sep 2011 to May 2012 (per night)             Full Tour
AC- First Class                   US$                   160                                            1120                                                 INR                 7520                                          52640
AC – 2 Tier Inner Class       US$                   130                                             910                                                 INR                 6110                                          42770
AC – 2 Tier Side Berth        US$                  110                                               770                                                INR                 5170                                           36190
AC – 3 Tier Class               US$                  105                                               735                                                INR                 4935                                           34545
AC First Coupe                  US$   160 +(USD 150 Per Pax for Partial/Full Tour)    1270                                                INR                    -                                              57150

The 108 Divya Desams of India

1. Thiruvengadam
2. Ahobilam
3. Muktinath, Saligramam (Nepal)
4. Naimisaranya
5. Mathura
6. Gokul
7. Devaprayag
8. Thiruppirithi
9. Badrinath temple
10. Ayodhya
11. Dwarka
12. Thiruvananthapuram
13. Thirukatkarai
14. Moozhikkalam
15. Tiruvalla
16. Thirukadithanam
17. Sengunroor
18. Thiruppuliyoor
19. Thiruvaaranvilai
20. Thiruvanvandoor
21. Thiru naavaay
22. Viththuvakkodu
23. Thirumeyyam
24. Thirukoshtiyur
25. Koodal Azhagar Temple
26. Azhagar Kovil
27. Tirumogoor
28. Srivilliputhur
29. Tiruththangal
30. Thiruppullani
31. Tirukkacchi
32. Ashtabujakaram
33. Tiruvekkaa
34. Tiruththanka
35. Tiruvelukkai
36. Tirukalvanoor(inside The famous Kamakshi Amman Temple (Parvati))
37. Tiru oorakam
38. Tiru neeragam
39. Tiru kaaragam
40. Tirukaarvaanam
41. Tiru parameswara vinnagaram
42. Tiru pavala vannam
43. Tiru paadagam
44. Tiru nilaaththingal thundam(inside The famous Ekambareswarar Temple (Shiva))
45. Thiruputkuzhi
46. Thiruvallikeni
47. Thiruneermalai
48. Thiruvidandai
49. Thirukadalmallai
50. Thiruninravur
51. Thiruvallur
52. Thirukkadigai
53. Thiruvazhunthoor
54. Thiruindaloor
55. Kazheesirama Vinnagaram
56. Thirukkavalampadi
57. Thiruchsemponsey
58. Thiruarimeya Vinnagaram
59. Thiru Vanpurushothamam
60. Thiruvaikunda vinnagaram
61. Thirumanimadam
62. Thiruthevanartthogai
63. Thiruthetriyambalam
64. Thirumanikkoodam
65. Thiruvellakkulam
66. Thiruppaarththanpalli
67. Thalai Sanga Nanmathiyam
68. Thiruchsirupuliyoor
69. Thiruvali-Thirunagari
70. Thiruccithra kootam
71. Thirukkannangudi
72. Thirunagai
73. Thiru Thanjai
74. Tirukkoilur
75. Thirukkoodaloor
76. Thiru Kavith Thalam
77. Thiru Adhanoor
78. Thirupullabhoothangudi
79. Thirukkudandhai
80. Thiruccherai
81. Thirunandipura Vinnagaram
82. ThiruNaraiyoor
83. Thiruvinnagar
84. Thiruvelliyangudi
85. Thirukkanamangai
86. Thirukkkannapuram
87. Thirukkandiyur
88. Sri Rangam
89. Thirukkozhi
90. Thirukkarambanoor
91. Thiruvellarai
92. Thiru Anbil
93. Thirupper Nagar
94. Thiruvanthipuram
95. Thiruvaramangai
96. Thirukkurungudi
97. Srivaikundam
98. Thiruvaragunamangai
99. Thiruppulingudi
100. Thirukkurugoor(Azhwar Tirunagari)
101. Thirutthulaivillimangalam(Irattai Tirupathy)
102. Thirukkoloor
103. Thirukkulandhai
104. Thentirupperai
105. Thiruvattaru
106. Thiruvanparisaram
107. Thirupaarkadal
108. Thiruparamapadham

Onam

Onam is the very important festival of the state of Kerala. It is the beginning of the month of Chingam, which is the begining of the Kollam year (Malayalam Calender), This is also the harvest festival of Kerala. The festival is also celebrated to welcome the King Mahabali, who comes to visit his country every year. In general the festival is celebrated for about 4 to 10 days. Onam is declared the National Festival of Kerala in 1961. The entire week of celebrations is the Tourist Week of Kerala and it atracts thousands of visitors from India and abroad. The festival of Onam is quite synonymous with Pookolam, Onam Sadaya, Vallamkali, Elephant procession and lots of martial art combacts and display.
The festival of Onam is also called as Thiruvonam or Sravanmahotsav

Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi

Raksha Bandhan orRakhi is a festival celebrated for the welfare of brothers by the sisters. The festival is observed by all the religions invariably at large. The main ceremony involved beyond this is the sister tying a Rakhi, sacred thread or Raksha Bandhan in the wrists of their brothers. This symbolizes the sister's love for the brother and her prayers for the well being of him. The brothers inturn offers a gift to their sister. This Rakhi is tied not just to their sibling brothers alone, but also to their cousin brothers and also to those men who are considered to be brothers. The brothers commit a life long obligation to provide protection to the woman or girl.

There are lots of references in the epics and history to this sacred thread of Rakhi which bought up brothers and sisters together. This festival though had been celebrated for a long time, became popular after Rani Karnavati of Chittor, sent a Rakhi to the Mughal emperor Humayun asking his help.

This day of Shravan Poornima is also celebrated as Lord Krishna's birth. In south and central India, this day is celebrated as Avani Avittam or Upakarma.

When is the festival celebrated?
The festival falls on the full moon day of the Shravan month of the Hindu Lunar Calender

Unesco Heritage Sites of India

Cultural

Agra Fort (1983)

Ajanta Caves (1983)

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)

Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004)

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)

Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)

Elephanta Caves (1987)

Ellora Caves (1983)

Fatehpur Sikri (1986)

Great Living Chola Temples (1987)

Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)

Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)

Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987)

Humayun's Tomb, Delhi (1993)

Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)

Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002)

Mountain Railways of India (1999)

Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)

Red Fort Complex (2007)

Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)

Sun Temple, Konârak (1984)

Taj Mahal (1983)The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010)

Natural

Kaziranga National Park (1985)

Keoladeo National Park (1985)

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985)

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988)

Sundarbans National Park (1987)

Shopping in Ajmer

Every one love shopping and shopping in the different tourist places of India is a definite pleasure. One can purchase local crafts, gold and silver jewels, handloom with block prints, brass artefacts and utensils, bangles, woodden items, hand embroidered cloth bags, bandhini textiles, hand embroidered shoes are different items that one can shop in Ajmer. Apart from this Ajmer is most famous for perfumes also.

One can get all the above items in Ajmer in the areas like Purani Mandi, Naya Bazaar and Kaisarganj. One can get trinkets and other local items in the fairs and during the Urs melas. There are Government emporiums and sovenier shops too which are highly reliable to buy gifts and handicrafts.

Maharaja Express Luxury by itself from IRCTC and Cox Kings India Ltd.

Maharaja Express, is a train that lives up to the word. In a joint venture between IRCTC and Cox and Kings India Ltd., the Royale Indian Rail Tours Ltd., was set up. The Maharajas Express is the proud tour package train of the same.

Maharajas were born into royalty and this train is a royal one in terms of luxury by itself. For the commoners luxury in once in a while, for the Maharajas, life itself is a luxury and here in this train, one can experience the luxuries that the Maharajas enjoyed. All the carriages are equipped with all modern facilities and amenities and comforts that are created by science. The Maharajas Express is a world class luxury train with Large LCD screens, environmental friendly washrooms and lots more. The entire ride in this train shows a different experience, and a different face of India.

There are 3 tour packages available.
1. Princely India : (8 days and 7 nights)Mumbai - Vadodara - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Bikaner - Jaipur - Ranthambore - Agra - Delhi.

      A spectacular journey through Western India, that also combines the Taj Mahal. This 8 day journey takes one through the royal forts and palaces along with the Royal hunting ground of the Rajputs (Ranthambore, which is now a National Tiger Reserve) and also the Taj Mahal.

2. Royal India : (8 days and 7 nights)Delhi - Agra - Ranthambore - Jaipur - Bikaner - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Vadodara - Mumbai
       The reverse of princely India tour which starts with the spectacular Taj Mahal and goes through the state of Rajasthan and reaches Mumbai. One can participate in the Elephant Polo match and also view the tigers at close proximity.

3. Classical India : (7 days and 6 nights)Delhi - Agra - Gwalior - Khajuraho - Bandhavgarh - Varanasi - Lucknow - Delhi
        Starts at Delhi followed by a spectacular view of Tajmahal, the guests on board get to visit the princely state of Gwalior, and go on a cruise in the river Ganges at Varanasi. 

Vivek Express

To mark the 150th birthday of Swami Vivekananda, the Railway Ministry of Government of India have introduced new trains named Vivek Express. These trains will be run till 2013. Four trains in four routes of the different regions are run initially. On Jan 12, 2011, the Vivek Express was flagged off from the Howrah Junction by the Minster of Railways, Ms. Mamta Banerjee. This train is a gift from the government on the celebration of 150th birthday. The train have an onboard exhibition which includes photographs and life history of Vivekananda.

The routes through which Vivek Express runs:
1. Diprugai - Trivandrum - Kanyakumari via Kokrajhar  (Weekly once)
2. Dwaraka - Tuticorin via Vaadi  (Weekly once)
3. Howrah - Manglore Express via Palkad (Weekly once)
4. Bandra(T) - Jammu Tawi via Marwar, Decana, Ratangar, Jakkar, Ludhiana (Weekly Once)

Jungles of India

Indian Wildlife is very famous all over the world. Not just animals like Tigers, Rhinos, Elephants, Peacock and lots more but also so many other different flora and fauna are the major attractions all over the jungles of India. The sub-tropical climatic conditions of India have made jungles of India green and dense and have been the residence of many rare species. Every region of India have jungles, and each and every region is famous for its special kind of species.
In the current times, the Indian jungles are converted into sanctuaries and wild life reserves. These reserves and sanctuaries are the store house of rare species like Rhinos, Lions, Tigers, rare herbs, sandal wood etc. The jungles of India can be visited all over the year. One can go on a camping tour, trekking tour and also different Safari tours in these jungles.

Indian National Flag

The Indian National Flag or the Tricolour Flag have infact 4 colours in it. Safforn - symbolising sacrifice and salvation. White though means light, in the context of Indian National Flag it means peace. Green in the lower part of the National Flag is also reffered to Indian green which represents fertility and prosperity. The Ashoka Chakra in the middle of the white band have 24 spokes and is Navy Blue in colour. The 24 spokes represents the 24 hours in a day and progress too. The chakra in the National Flag is adopted from the Ashoka Chakra. This have replaced the spinning wheel. The design of the National Flag was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 22 July 1947. Interesting facts about Indian National Flag       Madam Cama was the first person to hoist the Indian Flag in a foreign country (on 22nd August 1907 in Stuttgrat, Germany)              Indian flag was hoisted on Mount Everest on 29th May 1953.       Rakesh Sharma, the wing commander who went to space had the Indian Flag attached as a medallion to his space suit. Thus the Indian flag flew even to the space.

Indian National Bird - Peacock

The Indian National Bird is the Indian Peacock.  The Indian Peacock is a swan like bird with fan shaped crest of feathers with a white patch under the eye and long slender neck.  The peacock in India is found in Jammu-Kashmir, East Assam, South Mizoram and the whole of Indian Peninsula.  Indian Peacock is fully protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection) Act, 1972.  There is a special wildlife sanctuary for Peacock in Tamilnadu - Viralimalai Wildlife Sanctuary

Lyrics of Indian National Anthem

The Indian National Anthem was written by Rabindra Nath Tagore, who have won the Nobel prize for Literature.

Jana gana mana adhinayaka jaya he
Bharata bhagya vidhata
Punjaba Sind Gujarata Maratha
Dravida Utkala Banga
Vindhya Himachala Yamuna Ganga
Ucchala jaladhi taranga
Tava subha name jage
Tava subha asiha mage
Gahe tava jaya gatha
Jana gana mangala dayaka jaya he
Bharata bhagya vidhata
Jaya he jaya he jaya he
Jaya jaya jaya jaya he!

UNESCO have announced the Indian National Anthem as THE BEST National Anthem in the world.