Charminar-Beauty Of Hyderabad

Charminar is always on the top of the mind of any tourist visiting Hyderabad. To say that Charminar is a major landmark in the city is to state the obvious, to repeat a cliché. The great monument is a synonym for Hyderabad and the pivot around which the glory and history of the city have developed. To imagine this 400-year-old city without Charminar is to imagine New York without the Statue of Liberty or Moscow without the Kremlin. Built by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah in 1591, shortly after he had shifted his capital from Golkonda to what now is known as Hyderabad, this beautiful colossus in granite, lime, mortar and, some say, pulverised marble, was at one time the heart of the city. This great tribute to aesthetics looks sturdy and solid from a distance but as one moves closer, it emerges as an elegant and romantic edifice proclaiming its architectural eminence in all its detail and dignity. Apart from being the core of the city’s cultural milieu, it has become a brand name.
Charminar is a squarish structure with four towers in the four corners of the square, each of whose sides is 20 metres in length. Every side opens into a plaza through giant arches, which overlook four major thoroughfares and dwarf other features of the building except the minarets. Each arch is 11 metres wide and rises 20 metres to the pinnacle from the plinth. The minarets soar skywards by 24 metres from the roof of Charminar. Each minaret has four storeys, each looking like a delicately carved ring around the minaret. Some Anglophiles call Charminar the Arc de Triomphe of the East. From the ground to the apex, the minarets cover a length of 48.7 metres.It Is ever very beautiful.

Qutub Minar-A Great Work

Qutab Minar is among the tallest and famous towers in the world. The minaret is 234 feet high and the highest individual tower in the world. Other towers in the world are the Great Pagoda in Pekin, China and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy but these towers are not as high as the Qutab Minar in Delhi.

According to history books, the minar was started by Prithviraj or his uncle Vigraharaja who won Delhi from the Tomar Rajputs. However, it is assumed and historians believe that Qutubuddib and Iltutmish finished it though the minar may have been commenced by Prithviraj or Vigraharaja. The minar was completed in 1200 A.D and since then the tall structure has been there upright and ever beautiful keeping an eye to Delhi just like a sentry. When Alauddin returned from the wars in the Deccan, he had this thought in mind that he would build a victory tower somewhat similar to the Qutab Minar. The ruins of this very initiative can be seen adjacent to the Qutbuddin's mosque because Alauddin died at the very start of the construction work and no one carried on to finish the initiative taken by Alauddin.

Taj Mahal-Symbol Of Love

Taj Mahal of India - "the epitome of love", "a monument of immeasurable beauty". The beauty of this magnificent monument is such that it is beyond the scope of words. The thoughts that come into the mind while watching the Taj Mahal of Agra is not just its phenomenal beauty, but the immense love which was the reason behind its construction. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan got this monument constructed in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, with whom he fell in love at the first sight. The very first sight of the Taj Mahal, the epitome of love and romance leaves one mesmerized.

Standing majestically on the banks of River Yamuna, the Taj Mahal is synonymous with love and romance. It is believed that the name "Taj Mahal" was derived from the name of Shah Jahan wife Mumtaz Mahal and means "Crown Palace". The purity of the white marble, the exquisite ornamentation, precious gemstones used and its picturesque location, all make Taj Mahal travel gain a place amongst the most popular ones. However, unless and until, one knows the love story behind the Tajmahal of India, it will come up as just a beautiful building. But, the love behind this outstanding monument is what has given a life to this monument.

Badrinath-Place Of Peace

Protected by two mountain ranges 'Nar' and 'Narayan' on either sides is the holiest of pilgrimage place of Hindus, Badrinath. With Neelkanth peak forming a beautiful backdrop, Badrinath, the abode of Lord Vishnu is in the itinerary of every devout Hindu. It is one of the four pilgrimage places called Chardham which every Hindu must undertake to attain salvation. The place is called Badrinath because of the wild berries found here ('badri' means berries). The Badrinath temple here is the main complex where devotees seek blessings. Every year thousands and thousands of pilgrims pay a visit to this place in summers, since due to snowfalls, the temple remains closed during winters. At an altitude of 3,133 metres, it is a difficult journey to this place yet faith defies every hurdle on the journey to salvation. The temple stands facing River Alaknanda on its banks. Facing the temple near the river is Tapt Kund, a thermal spring where people refresh before going to the temple.

Birla Temple - Hyderabad-Boon For Andhra Pradesh

t wont be wrong to say that Andhra Pradesh is more visited by pilgrims, than by tourists. And most of the tourists who come to the state, are here to explore the many magnificent temples. Andhra Pradesh is home to the richest and second most visited religious place in the world. Just like temples in other South Indian states, temples of Andhra Pradesh are also magnificent in architecture and exquisite to look at. Though Lord Venkateshwara Temple in Tirupati is the most prominent religious place in the state, there are many other places as well that are hugely famous among pilgrims. Amaravati on the banks of River Krishna is an important pilgrim destination for both Hindus as well as Buddhists. Lord Amareswara Temple makes it a must visit for Hindus and one of the oldest Buddhist sites makes it appealing to Buddhist pilgrims. Here you will find the largest Buddhist stupa in India. Srisailam is a major place of worship as it is home to one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Being among the most ancient temples in South India, it is a temple revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. Hyderabad is a state that is dominated by Muslim population, so you will find many places important to Muslims. The most important without a doubt is the Mecca Masjid which is situated quite close to the famous Charminar.

Omkareshwar - Great Bliss

Situated in the center of Madhya Pradesh, Omkareshwar sits pretty at the union of Narmada river and Kaveri river. The island derives its name from the holiest Hindu symbol 'Om'. The island has two soaring mountains which are divided by a steep valley. The division is in such a way that the shape of island resembles the shape of 'Om' when seen from above. The place is a must visit for any devotee of Lord Shiva as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas is present here in the Shri Omkar Mandhata Temple. Nature also has been quite generous on Omkareshwar. On the south and eastern side of the island there are cliffs of over 150 m that perfectly compliments the architectural charm of the many temples.

Gangotri Temple-Heavenly Peace

Gangotri is one of the Chardhams of the country or one amongst the four pilgrimages which every Hindu must take once in his lifetime. At a height of 3048 mts, Gangotri holds a mystic charm. Anyone who comes up till here can not remain untouched by the holy aura that hangs in the air of the place. Gangotri is of immense importance to Hindus since it is the source of the holiest of the Hindu rivers, river Ganga.

99 kilometres form Uttarkashi, blessed by mother nature, this picturesque pilgrimage is bound to be a lifetime experience for you. This is the place where the sacred water of Ganga touches earth for the first time. From here it begins its long journey of approximately 2500 kms, stretching across the Indian subcontinent, blessing people with its sacred water and fertile minerals in two countries, India and Bangladesh. It finally forms world's largest and most fertile delta, Sunderban delta in Bangladesh.

Rameswaram-South Heaven

Rameswaram is an island on the tip of Indian Peninsula and is connected to the mainland at Mandapam by rail. The town is in the Ramanathpuram district. It also known as the 'Varanasi of the south'. The city is a major pilgrimage center for Hindus, both Shaivites and Vaishnavaites. It is here Lord Rama offered thanks to Siva. The main attraction of the town is the Ramanathaswamy Temple,which is one of the most important temples in southern India. The temple happens to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. It is also connected by one of India's engineering wonders, the Indira Gandhi Bridge. It took 14 years to build and was opened by Rajiv Gandhi late in 1988. Travelers will not have to face any problems as English is widely understood and spoken.