HARIDWAR

Haridwar isn't about just pilgrimage, for there's a lot more to discover. It's a place where you can just sit by the banks of Ganges for hours, staring at the ripples and listening to the music of the gushing water, and may be you can take a dip in the water to add more freshness to life!

The best way to reach Haridwar is to catch a bus from Delhi, ( State bus from AnandVihar, or Private luxury buses from Old Delhi), and it'll take around 5 hours to reach Haridwar.

As far as staying is concerned, there are hotels near the bus stand, but I would suggest that you must go for a room that gives you a view of the river. Har-ki-pauri has a series of hotels with rooms of various ranges to choose according to your pocket.

The evening aarti at Har-ki-pauri is a must. The traditional way of worshiping Goddess Ganga will definitely cast a spell on you. The chants and the huge fire creates a different aura altogether, with thousands of people from all over the world chanting in their own tunes.

If you are a foodie, then Haridwar won't disappoint you...Puri-halwa, chole bhature, and kheer, gulab jamun, rasmalai... Its a paradise for sweet-tooth folks!!

You can pay a visit to Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi mandirs, and enjoy cable car rides, as it would give you a chance to have a view of the town from above. The green hills, and the river flowing in between is something that would soothe your eyes (and soul)!!

Rishikesh is just 20kms from Haridwar, so book a cab and enjoy the drive. Walk down Lakhshman jhula, and then grab a bite from Ganga Beach cafe. Spend sometime alone, sitting by the river, or if you are interested, meditate a while in any of the centers. And if you love adventure sports, then you would have ample options_ bunjee jumping, river rafting, cliff jumping. And if you are keen to know about the Sadhus, just start a random conversation with any of them sitting by the river, or under a tree. Undoubtedly, they would tickle your knowledge about hindu mythology, and some might just leave you curious to know more...!!!

Chilla National Park is another half an hours drive from Rishikesh, and if you go in winters, you'll get to see a lot of migratory birds. Breathe in the wild and lose yourself in the eerie silence of the jungles, and you might just feel the you have broken all the chains of life, and the ultimate happiness shinning on you :)

The sky wears dresses of different hues during dusk, and its the time when the birds return home, probably the best moment in Chilla. And then, drive back to Haridwar.

Three days is enough to cover Haridwar and Rishikesh, unless you are planning to spend more time in the calmness, and want to re-discover yourself.

Escaping from the cacophony and chores of the daily urban life is something we all desire, but its always not possible to do so... but if there's a chance, why not ESCAPE???

JAIPUR

(THE PINK CITY)

Rajasthan, the desert state of India is a prime tourist destination in India. Studded with “must sees”, it can be difficult seeing it all in one go, especially if one is short on time.

Instead of just rushing through the sights, choosing a variety of different activities in the various cities of Rajasthan will be a more fulfilling experience.

Jaipur’s culture and history reminds us of an epic novel; there are grand buildings, intricate love stories, heroic battles and glamorous, multi-faceted characters (especially the Maharajahs). Rajasthan is one of the flashiest and most colorful states in India, and as its capital Jaipur does not fail to live up to this reputation. Jaipur has been a cultural jewel in Indian history for hundreds of years and we’re excited to tell you more about it.

One of the most popular questions about Jaipur that we hear often is: why is Jaipur pink? Well, once upon a time a clever Maharaja had a smart plan to impress some Royal guests (Queen Victoria and Prince Albert) on their Royal visit in 1876. Pink is the colour of warm welcomes and he wanted to make sure the relations between Jaipur and its British Empress were water-tight. Jaipur’s pink is really more a red/brown colour, as the buildings are built with red sandstone, the warm appearance of the city has always resonated well with proud locals and excited visitors.

So if you haven’t decided whether the majestic Jaipur is for you or perhaps you have and need some guidance on what to do, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve built our Jaipur Tourism Guide in order to guide your decisions and ensure you have the best trip possible; which means not missing out on the key sights.

VARANASI

(CITY OF SHIVA)

The land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Often referred to as Banaras, Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world. These few lines by Mark Twain say it all: "Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together". Hindus believe that one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth. Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the origins of Varanasi are yet unknown. Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals.

Ganges is said to have its origins in the tresses of Lord Shiva and in Varanasi, it expands to the mighty river that we know of. The city is a center of learning and civilization for over 3000 years. With Sarnath, the place where Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment, just 10 km away, Varanasi has been a symbol of Hindu renaissance. Knowledge, philosophy, culture, devotion to Gods, Indian arts and crafts have all flourished here for centuries. Also a pilgrimage place for Jains, Varanasi is believed to be the birthplace of Parsvanath, the twenty-third Tirthankar. 

Vaishnavism and Shaivism have co-existed in Varanasi harmoniously. With a number of temples, Mrs. Annie Besant chose Varanasi as the home for her 'Theosophical Society' and Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, to institute 'Benares Hindu University, the biggest University in Asia. Ayurveda is said to be originated at Varanasi and is believed to be the basis of modern medical sciences such as Plastic surgery, Cataract and Calculus operations. Maharshi Patanjali, the preceptor of Ayurveda and Yoga, was also affiliated with Varanasi, the holy city. Varanasi is also famous for its trade and commerce, especially for the finest silks and gold and silver brocades, since the early days.

Varanasi has also been a great center of learning for ages. Varanasi is associated with promotion of spiritualism, mysticism, Sanskrit, yoga and Hindi language and honored authors such as the ever-famous novelist Prem Chand and Tulsi Das, the famous saint-poet who wrote Ram Charit Manas. Aptly called as the cultural capital of India, Varanasi has provided the right platform for all cultural activities to flourish. Many exponents of dance and music have come from Varanasi. Ravi Shankar, the internationally renowned Sitar maestro and Ustad Bismillah Khan, (the famous Shehnai player) are all sons of the blessed city or have lived here for major part of their lives.