BIRLA SCIENCE MUSEUM

B. M. Birla Science Museum is an Indian science museum located in Hyderabad, India.

The museum was opened in 1990, and it was and still is Hyderabad’s only museum that is solely dedicated to science.

The Birla Planetarium is a wing of the Science Center.

The Museum has several sections that are worth visiting.

It consists of a planetarium, museum, science center, art gallery as well as a dinosaurium.

The Dinosaurium is the newest addition to the planetarium and science center and opened in 2000.

It exhibits a 160-million-year-old mounted Dinasaur Kotasaurus, excavated at Adilabad district in Andhra Pradesh.

It was presented to the Science Museum by the Geological Survey of India.

The Dinosaurium also has a collection of smaller fossils of dinosaur eggs, marine shells and fossilised tree trunks.

The Science Center has a section for optical illusions.

The electronics section  has a harp that has sensors for strings and it plays a note when a visitor passes a hand over them.

There are also holograms that show images of plants, drawings and faces.

The Nirmala Birla Art Gallery consists of dolls and sculptures that are made of crystal and glass.

 It is one of the most modern planetarium in the country.

                                                               NTR GARDEN

NTR Garden is a Sprawling garden complex covering an area of 36 acres in the heart of Hyderabad city, India.

This is located besides Hussain Sagar Lake and near Lumbini Park.

NTR Gardens is a memorial to late N. T. Rama Rao, who was a former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

NTR Garden has a Variety of flora, a unique fountain, Gopuram, the grand entrance plaza with Nandi Bulls apart from other attractions.

The Garden Comprises of entertainment, eateries and breathtakingly landscaped topography.

A 2000 sq. mts. Restaurant with the elevation looking like a blow of fruits is very beautiful.

Three petalshaped pools and greenery surround the restaurant.

A mono rail system takes children and visitors around the Garden.

There is a laser show in the night which is amazing.

It has become a very popular recreational destination for children as well as adults.

                                                 VAJRAI WATERFALL



 The Vajrai Waterfall is just 27 km from the city of Satara, Maharashtra in India.

It is situated near the Sahyadri hill and Kas plateau region.

The Vajrai waterfall is one of India’s tallest waterfalls.

Its height is around 1,840 feet (560M). 

The Bhambavali Village has become very famous due to this waterfall.

Thousands of people come from all over Maharashtra to visit this place, especially during the rainy season.

Urmodi River has its origin from Vajrai waterfall.

The Urmodi dam project is situated on this waterfall’s river.

This place is famous for its natural beauty and has a pleasant climate.

There are many attractions like boating at Tapola and caves nearby waterfall.

Vajrai is known as Bhambavali villagers devotional place. 

 

                                                      JOG  WATERFALLS


Jog Falls is the second-highest plunge waterfall in India,located near Sagara, Karnataka.

Jog Falls is created by the Sharavathi River falling from a height of 253 m.

The fall splits in to four parts and jumps from the Deccan plateau to the plains.

The four parts are called Raja, Rocket, Roarer and Rani.

Near the waterfall is the Linganmakki Dam across river Sharavathi, and the hydro-electric power station.

It is one of the largest hydro-electric stations in India and a significant source of electric power for Karnataka.

The area around the fall is excellent for trekking.

The Tourism Department have built approximately 1400 steps to reach the bottom of the hill.

The best time to visit is August - December.

The place is well connected by rail and road from Shimoga city.

A number of government & private buses ply between Shimoga and Jog Falls.

                                     DUDHSAGAR WATERFALLS IN GOA



Dudhsagar Falls is located on the Mandovi River in Goa state, India.

The cascading waters appear white like milk so  the waterfall is called Dudhsagar.

The waterfall is located in the Bhagwan Mahavir Wild Life Sanctuary at Collem in South Goa in the western ghats.

The waterfall is on the border of Karnataka and Goa states.

The surrounding area is surrounded by a deciduous forest and many species of birds, insects, plants and animals are found here.

Dudhsagar Falls is listed as India's fifth tallest waterfall and is 227th in the world at 310 m.

Trekking in Dudhsagar is a famous tourist attraction.

The falls present a breathtaking view from the bottom and even better one from the top.

visiting the Dudhsagar after the Monsoons form October to Mid December is preferred as the roads are dry and safe and the fall still full of water.

The falls can be reached by a train journey from Vasco or Margao.

At Collem there is a railway station where the train stops to pick up passengers for the journey to the waterfall.

There are two trains a day that halt at Dudhsagar.

Catch a morning train up and spend several hours at the falls and then take an afternoon train back.

Near the top of the falls, the railway line from Vasco to Londa crosses the mountainside.

View from the train is wonderful.

 

                                      BASILICA OF BOM JESUS IN GOA


The Basilica of Bom Jesus is located in Goa, India.

It is located 10 kilometers from the city of Panjim.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The church is located in Old Goa, which was the capital of Goa in the early days of Portuguese rule.

'Bom Jesus' is the name used for the infant Jesus.

The Basilica of Bom Jesus is more than 408 years old and is open to the public everyday.

The basilica is constructed in Portuguese style and the architecture is very beautiful.

The floor of the church is made of pure white marble, decorated with semi-precious stones.

The altar of the church is adorned elaborately and covered with gold.

This church is India’s first minor basilica, and is considered to be one of the best examples of decorative architecture in India.

This is one of the oldest churches in Goa, as well as in India.

The basilica holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier.

The body of St. Francis Xavier is kept in a well-decorated casket.

It is said that the saint's body was as fresh as the day it was buried.

The remains of the saint still attract a huge number of devotees (Christian and non-Christian) from all over the world, especially during the public viewing of his body every ten years (last held in 2004).

The saint is said to have miraculous powers of healing.

 

                                           HARIHARESHWAR BEACH 


Harihareshwar is a town in Raigad district, in Maharashtra, India.

Harihareshwar is renowned tourist spot in Konkan for its temples and beaches.

It is surrounded by four hills named Harihareshwar, Harshinachal, Bramhadri and Pushpadri.

The river Savitri enters the Arabian Sea from the town of Harihareshwar.

The temple of Lord Harihareshwar is said to have been blessed by Lord Shiva.

Hence Harihareshwar is often referred to as Dev-ghar or "house of God".

Harihareshwar is a popular beach resort with two beaches, one to the north and the other to the south of the temple.

Harihareshwar is also known as Dakshin Kashi especially with an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The architectural style of the temple is very attractive.

Cool breeze from the Harihareshwar beach makes the temple premises a nice place to relax as well. 

The city Shrivardhan also known for beaches is nearby to Harihareshwar and is connected to the city by sea as well.

A hill known as Harihar or Pushpadri is  closer to the Harihareshwar beach.

The hill adds the beauty of the beach with its lush green thick vegetation.

Harihareshwar is renowned for its tranquility and picturesque beach.  

 

 

                                   MOUNT MARY CHURCH IN MUMBAI

Mount Mary Church, is a Roman Catholic Basilica located in Bandra, Mumbai in India.

The Basilica is one of the most visited 'religious places of worship' in the city

The basilica stands on a hillock, about 80 metres above sea level overlooking the Arabian Sea.

This Roman Catholic Church was built in the 17th Century but the current edifice has been just 100 years old.

It is famous for its exquisite interiors.

There are two statues of Mary at the Church, one inside the church and one outside.

Many of the faithful attest to the miraculous powers of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Every September,the birthday of the Virgin Mary is celebrated on the first Sunday after 8 September.

This is a week long celebration known as the Bandra Fair.

The fair is more like a small carnival, which attracts a huge crowd.

During the Bandra Fair, the entire area is decorated with festoons.

Wax figures of the Virgin Mary, along with an assortment of candles shaped like hands, feet and various other parts of the body are sold at kiosks.

The sick and the suffering choose a candle or wax figure that corresponds to their ailment and light it in Church, with the hope that Mother Mary will hear their appeals for help.

It is visited by people from all the communities and religions throughout the year.

Mumbai is well connected by air, rail and road with all the important places within and beyond the state.

                           RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK



Ranthambhore is one of the largest national parks in northern India.

It is situated in Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan,India.

It was established in 1955 by the Government of India, and was declared one of the Project Tiger reserves in 1973.

Ranthambore became a national park in 1980.

Ranthambore wildlife sanctuary is known for its tigers.

A good time to visit Ranthambore National Park is in November and May when the nature of the dry deciduous forests makes sightings common.

There are several lakes in the park.

Various kinds of  wild animals can be seen which include leopard, nilgai, wild boar, sambar, hyena, sloth bear and chital.

Ranthambore is also the place where we can see of one of the largest banyan trees in India.

The Rajasthan Forest Department offers safari seats in a canter (open topped truck seating 20) or a gypsy (jeep seating six) for 330 rupees per person.

The Ranthambore fort is also really beautiful.

Ranthambore National Park is a dream tour destination for all wildlife enthusiasts and adventurous people.

It is well connected through rail, air, and by road.

 

                                                 AKSHARDHAM TEMPLE OF DELHI


Akshardham is a Hindu temple complex situated in Delhi, India.

It sits near the banks of the Yamuna adjacent to the 2010 Commonwealth Games village in eastern New Delhi.

It was inaugurated on 6 November, 2005,by Dr.Abdul Kalam.

The main monument, at the center of the complex, is 141-foot high, 316-foot wide, and 370-foot long.

It is covered top to bottom with carved details of flora, fauna, dancers, musicians, and deities.

It is constructed entirely from Rajasthani pink sandstone and Italian Carrara marble, without any support of  steel or concrete.

The monument also consists of 234 carved pillars, nine domes, and 20,000 murtis and statues of Hinduism's sadhus, devotees, and acharyas.

Under the central dome statue of Swaminarayan which is 11-foot is installed.

There are 3 halls which exhibits various kinds of shows related to Indian culture and origin.

Also there is a musical fountain show that depicts the cycle of birth, life, and death as described in Indian philosophy.

It also contains sixty acres of lush lawns, gardens and exquisite bronze statues.

A lotus-shaped garden also makes the premises wonderful.

Museum there  gives an insight of ancient Indian history with modern techniques.

The temple is included in the Guinness Book of World Records as worlds largest comprehensive Hindu Temple.

                                                 BIRLA TEMPLE IN DELHI


Laxmi Narayan Temple, also known as Birla Mandir, is one of Delhi's main temples and a major tourist attraction.

It was built by the Industrialst B.D.Birla in 1938.

This beautiful temple is located in the west of Connaught Place, New Delhi, India.

The temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi on the condition that people of all castes will be allowed to enter the temple.

The temple is dedicated to Godess Laxmi  and  God Narayana.

Other idols in the temple are that of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga.

Beautiful gardens and a wonderful pool adorn the temple.

The architecture resembles the Hindu temples built in the Orissan style.

The highest tower in the temple is of 165ft, while the auxiliary towers reach 116ft.

The walls of the temple are carved with various Hindu symbols and quotes from the Gita and the Upanishads.

There is also a temple dedicated to Lord Buddha.

The backside of the temple has been developed as artificial mountainous scenery with fountains and waterfalls.

The temple celebrates the festival of Janmashthami with great pomp which attracts many devotees from all places.

A symbolic structure at the entrance welcomes people of all faiths and classes.

The temple is easily accessible from the city by local buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws.    

                                           MAHABODHI TEMPLE IN BIHAR


The Mahabodhi Temple is a Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya.

It is  the location where Gautama Buddha is said to have achieved enlightenment.

Bodh Gaya is located in Gaya district in Bihar state, India.

The Mahabodhi Temple is one of the four holy sites related to the life of the Lord Buddha.

It is one of the earliest temple constructions existing in the India.

The tallest tower is 55 metres (180 ft) tall.

The temple site consists of the main temple and six sacred places within an enclosed area.

There is a Lotus Pond just outside the enclosure to the south.

Bodhi tree(Pipal) at Bodhgaya is directly connected to the life of the Buddha.

It is said that Gautam Buddha achieved enlightenment sitting under this tree.

The Bodhi tree is to the west of the main temple.

Next to the Bodhi Tree there is a place with a Buddha statue originally installed by Emperor Asoka to mark the spot where the Buddha sat and meditated.

The Mahabodhi Temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.

Many Buddhists from different parts of world come here to pray and meditate.

The Mahabodhi Temple complex is open from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m.

WATERFALL IN KERALA

                                        ATHIRAPALLY AND VAZHACHAL WATERFALL

Athirappally Waterfalls is located 78 kms from Kochi (Cochin) in Kerala, India.

The Athirappally Falls is situated on the Chalakudy river.

It is at the entrance to the Sholayar ranges of the Western Ghats.

Athirappalli is gifted with beautiful scenary of forests and little streams.

Falling from a height of 80 feet, this is one of the largest waterfalls in the state.

Many endangered species of flora and fauna are found in the forests of the Athirappally-Vazhachal area.

This is the only place in the Western Ghats where four endangered Hornbill species are seen.

Vazhachal is another picnic spot near Athirappally where also we can have a visual treat of waterfalls.

Vazhachal waterfall is also situated in Chalakudi river.

Both waterfalls can be viewed in one day as they are closely located.

The beauty of both the waterfalls cannot be explained.