INDIA terkenal memiliki sederet objek wisata favorit yang menakjubkan. Tak hanya dikenal dengan keindahan Taj Mahal saja. Tapi di negeri Mahatma Gandhi ini juga dikenal dengan obyek wisata yang lainnya.

Wisata Kereta Uap, Fairy Queen.

Bagi turis yang berkunjung ke India, naik kereta api yang ditarik oleh lokomotif uap merupakan pengalaman takkan terlupakan. Misalnya, Fairy Queen Express.

Fairy Queen adalah sebuah impian. Pengoperasiannya kembali pada 18 Oktober 1997, setelah ‘tidur’ selama 90 tahun lebih merupakan saat-saat paling menggembirakan dalam sejarah kepariwisataan India dan menjadi sebuah tonggak sejarah dalam kehidupan Perusahaan Kereta Api (Indian Railways). Dengan biaya 10.000 rupee (biaya ini sudah termasuk semuanya atau all inclusive) kita bisa menikmati perjalanan selama dua hari bersafari dan barangkali ini adalah paket wisata kereta api uap terbaik di dunia.

Kereta api ini beroperasi setiap dua kali Sabtu, pada Oktober sampai Maret, dan tiket dapat dipesan dari National Rail Museum, New Delhi, International Tourist Bureau di Stasiun Kereta Api New Delhi atau di setiap perwakilan Indian Railways di luar negeri.

Kereta Api Darjeeling Himalayan, yang ditarik oleh lokomotif-lokomotif yang pernah mengelilingi dunia, kini telah dinyatakan sebagai world heritage site atau situs peninggalan kebudayaan dunia.  Bila kita berkunjung ke wisata kereta api ini, kita pun bisa menikmati keindahan alam Darjeeling sebagai sebuah hill station disamping menapak tilas kereta api tua tersebut.

Wisata Religi

Selain pengunungan dan kota-kota indah, para pencinta traveling yang ingin menghabiskan masa liburan bisa mengunjungi objek wisata religius yang terkenal seantero dunia.

Salah satu wisata religius yang banyak dikunjungi wisatawan adalah Lumbini, tempat lahir sang Budha Gautama. Bagi umat Budha, Lumbini menjadi salah satu tempat yang tidak boleh terlewatkan saat berkunjung ke India. Pasalnya menurut sejarah, sang Budha Gautama dilahirkan dalam keluarga kerajaan pada 556 SM di Lumbini, perbatasan India dengan negara Nepal.

Selanjutnya Anda harus berkunjung ke Bodhgaya. Di sinilah sang Budha Gautama mencapai kesempurnaannya setelah melakukan tapa di bawah sebuah pohon Bodhi pada usia 29 tahun. Di kota ini pula terdapat kuil Mahabodhi yang dibangun pada abad ke-3 oleh Raja Ashoka. Informasi lain mengatakan, kuil tersebut dibangun antara abad ke-5 dan ke-7.

Setelah itu, Anda harus menyambangi Samath, di lembah Sungai Gangga India, tempat sang Budha mengajarkan keimanan dan aspek-aspek ke-Budhaan. Tempat ziarah lainnya yang banyak dikunjungi adalah Shravasti. Di kota ini sang Budha melakukan banyak mukjizat besar. Kota terpenting lainnya Sankashaya. Menurut kepercayaan umat Budha, sang Budha Gautama dipercaya diturunkan dari surga Tushita. Kota ini menjadi satu-satunya tempat ziarah penganut Budha yang tidak memiliki satu kuil maupun biara.

Tags: Bodhgaya, Fairy Queen, India, lumbini

The historic building that has been recognized by the world community has become the main destination for tourists during their visit to India. Grandeur of this building makes it one of the seven wonders of the world and a symbol of India. However, if you know the story behind the construction of the Taj Mahal?

Luxury building located in the area of Agra, India Uttar Paradesh this area is actually a monument that was built over 22 years, the desire Shah Jehan as a mausoleum to the memory of the most beloved wife, Mumtaz ul Zamani, better known as Mumtaz Mahal.

This monument dibagun on the basis of a promise. Beginning in 1631, Mumtaz Mahal lay dying on the side of her husband Shah Jehan, after giving birth to her 14th child, Gauhara Begum. The wife collect four promises from the king. One of those promises was to build a Taj. Not long ago, his wife died. Shah Jehan, who was then in mourning, ordered the construction of the Taj in the same year.

The monument of love that is located right on the banks of river Yamuna this, involving 20 000 workers, most skilled architects, artists, craft specialists, some calligraphers, sculptors, stone experts from all over India, Persia and Turkey for its construction. Nearly 60-meter-high building was built with marble base and some parts are carved, decorated, and a layer of gold, silver and diamonds. There are at least 28 types of gems used as an ornamental Taj Mahal.

Until his death in 1666, Shah Jehan was buried beside his wife’s grave inside the Taj Mahal.

While visiting the Taj Mahal, you will be amazed by the beauty and splendor. No wonder if many visitors who thronged the place, despite having to buy tickets that cost 50 times more expensive for foreign tourists. Taj Mahal is very broad, outer fence and the wall of the fort which is reddish brown. After penetrating two layers of the city gates, then you can see the Taj Mahal.

Before entering this place, tourists are required to kick your shoes off first, walking with socks or bare feet, for protection and respect. In the midst of the palace you can see the tomb of Shah Jahan and his wife. Fences made of marble tomb. Through gaps in the fence you can see the dark shadow tomb made of white jade. Stone walls inside and outside the tomb is filled with finely carved patterns, which use a variety of jade and gems. In front of the tomb there is also a giant pool.

Let’s find CHEAP HOTELs  around the Taj Mahal

Tags: India, monument of love, new delhi, taj mahal

Choosing where to go on holidays is becoming more and more difficult task as so many options are available now. Where ten years ago people were limited by price and what their local travel agent had to give, today due to the influence of the Internet and cheap flights everything has changed for the better. Today selecting where to go can be so complex because there are so many alternatives available, so many resources to verify, and so many bargains it is difficult to know a person is getting the best deal.
Budget
Before a person decides where to go on vacation it is vital that he sets a budget for himself. This will make sure that he does not become too attached to a place he does not have enough money to go. A person keeps in mind that although group holidays can be great fun, not everyone is in the same monetary situation or has the same affinity. When finalizing a budget it is essential that one keeps in mind that there are other costs besides what he pays for your hotel room; spending money, food, flights and insurance are all costs he will have to meet with as well.
What do you want from your holiday?
If a person wants to go on vacation to get a sun tan then Norway is certainly not the best location for him. Similarly if one is looking for a ski trip then a trip to Holland could be a fritter away of time. That is why it is vital to set some basic vacation objectives, and then one can consider what choices will suit him the best. The best way to find the location that is best suited for a person is by searching online. There are also great online resources for making out what the weather is expected to be in a particular place at a certain time of year. One should not forget that unexpected weather does happen, and one should not let it spoil the vacation.
Finding a great deal
With so many alternatives, one can never be sure that he is getting a good deal? One way to find a good deal is by surfing the web. On the Internet one can often find websites that are exclusively tailored to finding holiday deals. Another way to ensure that a person is minimizing costs is by ordering online or by dealing with the hotel directly. This can remove unwanted costs.

Tags: Choosing, India, Tourism, travel, Vacation