The is dedicated to the falcon god Horus, and was built in the Ptolemaic period between 237 and 57 BC. The falcon-headed Horus was originally the sky god, whose eyes were the sun and moon.The inscriptions on its walls provide important information on language, myth and religion during the Greco-Roman period in ancient Egypt.

Attractions in the Temple are the Birth House, which was the site of the annual Festival of Coronation, which reenacted the divine birth of Horus and the reigning pharaoh. Erected by Ptolemy IX (88-81 BC), the Pylon was one of the last features to be added standing 37m high, the largest in Egypt. Beyond the Pylon is the spacious Court of Offerings, where people could enter to make offerings to the image of Horus. It is surrounded by columns on three sides and is decorated with festival reliefs. Beneath the western colonnade are reliefs of Ptolemy IX (88-81 BC) making offerings to Horus, Hathor and Ihy; his successor.

At the back of the Court of Offerings,  are a pair of black granite Horus statues, one standing taller than a man which is a favorite with photographers and the other lying legless on the ground. The rectangular Hypostyle Hall was built under Ptolemy VII (145-116 BC) and has two rows of six pillars supporting an intact roof. The ceiling has astronomical paintings symbolizing the sky. Next is the Festival Hall, which marks the beginning of the oldest part of the temple, built 237-212 BC under Ptolemy III and IV. During festivals, this hall was decorated with  flowers and herbs and scented with incense and myrrh. Offerings of libations, fruit and sacrificial animals were brought in through the passageway on the right and nonperishable offerings were stored in a room to the left.
A small doorway, decorated with splendid reliefs of the sacred barques of Horus and Hathor, leads from the Festival Hall into the Hall of Offerings. During the New Year Festival, the image of Horus was carried up the ascending stairway on the left to be revitalized by the sun, then carried back down the descending stairway. This hall leads into the Sanctuary of Horus, the holiest part of the temple. The Temple of Edfu is nearly intact and a very good example of an ancient Egyptian temple. The Temple of Edfu’s archaeological significance and high state of preservation has made it a center for tourism in Egypt and a frequent stop for the many riverboats that cruise the Nile. In 2005, access to the temple was revamped with the addition of a visitor center and paved carpark. A sophisticated lighting system was added in late 2006 to allow night visits.

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The Shore Temple is a structural temple, built with blocks of granite in Dravadian style and dates back to the 8th century AD. The temple is the masterpiece creation of the Pallavas with a combination of three shrines that features a Vishnu temple built in between two Shiva temples.

Arjuna’s Penance, 27 meters long and 9 meters high, is a gigantic relief made on two huge boulders and is perhaps the world’s largest bas-relief, a universe itself in stone. The cleft in the rock describes the descent of the Ganga, brought to earth by King Bhagiratha to emancipate the cursed souls of his ancestors.

The Ganesh Ratha Temple is a temple carved out from a rock to resemble a chariot and is located towards the north of the Arjuna’s Penance. Earlier it was dedicated to Lord Shiva. But when the original lingam was removed, the temple came to be known as the temple of Lord Ganesh.

Trimurti Cave Temple, is located towards the north of the Ganesh Ratha and is dedicated to the three chief gods of Hindu pantheon, namely, Lord Brahma-the Creator, Lord Vishnu-the Protector and Lord Shiva-the Destroyer.
The Five Rathas are the rock-cut temples in Mahabalipuram carved in the shape of a chariot and were built during the Pallava period. The five rathas are called the Draupadi Ratha, Dharamraja Ratha, Bhima Ratha, Arjuna Ratha and Nakula-Sahadeva Ratha, named after the five Pandavas and their wife of Mahabharata. The smallest and the simplest is the Draupadi ratha and the largest is the multi-storied Dharmaraja ratha carved from a monolithic rock.

The Tiger’s Cave is located just 4 km north of Mahabalipuram and was built as an open-air theatre, where cultural programs were held during the Pallava period. The Varaha Cave Temple is a small rock-cut mandapam dating back to the 7th century. Inside the temple side walls there are large sculptured panels depicting Vishnu as Varaha, the boar, holding up Bhudevi, the earth goddess.

Best time to Visit: November to February

How to reach

By Air:  Chennai is the nearest airport, 58 km away

By Rail: The nearest railway stations are Chenglapattu, 29 km away and Chennai, 58 km away.

By Road: Mahabalipuram is connected by road to Chennai, Chegalapattu, Pondicherry, Kanchipuram and other important cities in Tamil Nadu.

The temple had been destroyed number of times in the ages of Mohammed Gazni, Sikander Lodi and Aurangzeb but had been restored every time. You have to undergo a security checking at the gate and we request you to co-operate with the guards. You will be asked to leave you mobile phone outside the premises.

Vishram Ghat is the most important bathing ghat in Mathura. Lord Krishna is said to have rested here after killing Kamsa, the tyrant king of Mathura. The ‘Aarti’ being offered in the morning and evening at the riverside is a visual treat to the eyes.

The Govindaji Temple built in 1590, is another attraction in Mathura. The original Govindaji Deity was removed from this temple and kept in Jaipur when Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb tried to destroy it. This magnificent temple houses a spectacular marble altar adorned with gold and silver and hold the idols of Govindaji in the middle, Lord Chaitanya to His left and Lord Nityananda to His right. A sculptured lotus flower weighing several tons decorates the main hall of the temple.

Don’t forget to gorge on the famous Mathura Pedhas.

Best time to Visit: : Between October to Mid- March

How to Reach:
By Air: The nearest airport is Agra which is 66 km away.
By Rail: Mathura Junction is well connected to Delhi by numerous trains including the Punjab Mail and Taj Express, to Mumbai by the August Kranti and Mumbai Rajdhani and to Kolkata by the Toofan Express.
By Road: Mathura and Vrindavan are well connected with Agra, Delhi, Bharatpur, Alwar and Lucknow by well maintained road.

They built Golkonda’s splendid monuments, now in ruins, and designed a perfect acoustical system by which a hand clap sounded at the fort’s main gates, the grand portico, was heard at the top of the citadel, situated on a 300-foot (91 m)-high granite hill. This is one of the fascinating features of the fort. The city and fortress are built on a granite hill that is 120 meters (400 ft) high and some parts of the fort date to the 1143, when the Hindu Kakatiya dynasty ruled the area. The architectural grandeur of the magnificent monumental edifice is unmatched in beauty, which it has preserved brilliantly despite being more than four centuries old.
Visit to the fort comprises seeing the architectural beauty in many of the pavilions, gates, entrances and domes. Golkonda consists of four distinct forts with a 10 km long outer wall with 87 semi circular bastions; some still mounted with cannons, eight gateways,  and number of royal apartments & halls, temples, mosques, magazines, stables etc, inside. The lowest of these is the outermost enclosure into which we enter by the “Fateh Darwaza” (Victory gate, so called after Aurangzeb’s triumphant army marched in through this gate) studded with giant iron spikes (to prevent elephants from battering them down) near the south-eastern corner.
Bala Hissar Gate is the main entrance to the fort located on the eastern side. It has a pointed arch bordered by rows of scroll work. The area above the door has peacocks with ornate tails flanking an ornamental arched niche. The granite block lintel below has sculpted yalis flanking a disc. The design of peacocks and lions is a blend of Hindu – Muslim architecture.
Toli Masjid, situated at Karwan, about 2 km from the Golkonda fort, was built in 1671 by Mir Musa Khan Mahaldar, royal architect of Abdullah Qutb Shah. The facade consists of five arches, each with lotus medallions in the spandrels.
It is believed that there is a secret underground tunnel which leads from the ‘Durbar Hall’ and ends in one of the palaces at the foot of the hill. The fort also has the tombs of the Qutub Shahi kings. These tombs have Islamic architecture and are located about 1-km north of the outer wall of Golconda. They are encircled by beautiful gardens and numerous exquisitely carved stones. It is also believed that there was a secret tunnel to Charminar.
The wonderful acoustic system of Golconda fort speaks volumes about the architecture of the fort. This majestic structure has beautiful palaces and an ingenious water supply system. The ventilation of the fort is absolutely fabulous having exotic designs. They were so intricately designed that cool breeze could reach the interiors of the fort, providing a respite from the heat of summer.
Best time to Visit: November to February
How to Reach:
Air: Nearest airport is the Hyderabad airport.
Rail: Hyderabad is well connected by rail to all parts of the country.
Road: There is a regular bus service to Hyderabad from many cities in southern, central and southeastern parts of the country.
City Transport: Golconda Fort is around 11-km from Hyderabad. Auto rickshaws and Taxis are available apart from luxury/semi-luxury buses, for local transportation.

There is another town Kesroli located at a distance of 155 km from Delhi and is an ideal base for exploring the grandeur and natural beauty of Rajasthan. According to the historians this place can be traced to Matsya Janapada of the Mahabharata era. Here you will come across some of the oldest remains of a Buddhist Vihara where the Pandavas are believed to have spent the last year of their exile. One can catch a glimpse of the reclining statue of Hanuman; memorial of the ruler saint Bhartrihari and Talavriksha with very old water reservoirs. The fort in Keroli dates back to over centuries old.

Flying Fox Neemrana is an adventure travel company that was opened at Neemrana Fort-Palace on the 18th of January 2009. Flying Fox provides tourists with an opportunity to learn about the fort’s history, flora and fauna while at the same time enjoying a unique heritage aerial adventure experience.

Best time to Visit: October to March
How to reach:
By Air: Nearest Airport is Delhi Airport (155 km)
By Rail: Nearest Railway station is Rewari (65 km)

The Vithala temple, dating back to the 15th century,is one of the most splendid monuments of Hampi and is situated on the Southern bank of the Tungabhadra River. Built during the reign of King Devaraya, the temple is built out of hard granite around an area of 500 by 300 feet. It has 56 pillars in the main hall, which produce musical notes when struck. In the courtyard is the life-size chariot carved out of granite with actually revolving wheels. The temple is famous for its beautifully carved gopurams and mandapas.

The Virupaksha or the Pampapathi temple is the main center of pilgrimage at Hampi and was parts of the temple date back to the 6th century. It was renovated by King Devaraya in 1510. This temple is in ruins but is still in worship and is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known here as Virupaksha or Pampapati, as his wife Pampa is associated with Tungabhadra River(daughter of Lord Brahma). It is situated in picturesque surroundings on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra river to the north of Hemkuta hill. The temple has a 50 m tall, elaborately carved gateway and has several mandaps and murals(statues).

Hampi is full of wonders . You’ll get to see the King’s Balance where kings were weighed against grain or gold which was then distributed to the poor, the Queen’s Bath, a swimming pool, 50 ft.long and 6 ft.deep, with its arched corridors, projecting balconies and lotus-shaped fountains that once sprouted perfumed water, the two-storeyed Lotus Mahal, shaped like a lotus flower from top, this two-story structure has beautiful arc ways set in geometric regularity. It was an air-cooled summer palace of the queen.

There are Elephant Stables, which are a beautiful example of Hindu-Muslim style of architecture, housed about 11 elephants in separate compartments. Also see the Mahanavami Dibba, the platform which King Krishnadevaraya would ascend during the Mahanavami festival, where he would perform worship and view the parades of animals, musicians and dancers, mock battles, and fireworks below.

Best time to visit: October to March
How to get there
By Air :  The nearest airstrip at Tornagallu in Sandur Taluk which is 32 kms. from Hospet.  The second nearest airport  is Bellary (74 kms). Other convenient airports are at Belgaum (190 kms) and Bangalore (353 kms).

By Rail: Hospet is the nearest railway station (13 kms). Hospet is linked by rail to Bangalore  , Bijapur, Hubli and Guntakal.

By Road: Hampi is 350 kms from Bangalore. KSRTC Buses ply regularly from Hospet.

Amber Fort is divided into four sections with access via large staircases from a central location, or from a broad pathway leading to each of the sections which are currently used to transport tourists via an elephant ride. The main entrance of Amber Fort, Surajpol, leads to the Jaleb chowk, the main courtyard of the Fort which in ancient times were used to station returning armies.

Just before the palace entrance is a narrow staircase leading to the Kali Temple, or the  Shila Devi Temple which is known for its two enormous silver lions, silver doors and an image of Ganesha at the temple entrance which is carved entirely from a single piece of coral.Some parts of the fort like the Diwan-E-Aam (Hall of Public Audience) was patterned after similar halls in Mughal palaces, and was used as the court where the Raja gave audience to his subjects and met his officials and also celebrated occasions and festivals like victory in the battle, Dusshera, the Raja’s Birthday, etc.

The “Ganesh Pol” or the “Ganesh Gate” provides access to the inner and private parts of the palace.  Covered with frescoes, it was constructed on the orders of Mirza Raja Jai Singh (1621-67 A.D.). The Suhag Mandir is situated over the Ganesh Pol.  It was used as a chamber by the royal ladies to witness, through lattice screens, the state functions held below in the Diwan-E-Aam.  The palace has two sets of kitchens, the first adjacent to the Bhojanshala (dining hall) which prepared meals for the ruler and his guests dining in the Bhojanshala and the other near the Tripolia Gate, which was meant for the palace staff. Proficient bawarchis (cooks) prepared both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food and ovens with multiple mouths were used in the cooking.

Another exquisite part of the fort is the Diwan-E-Khas or the Hall of Private Audience where the Raja met his special guests like envoys, or rulers of other kingdoms, was constructed in 1623 A.D. during the reign period of Mirza Raja Jai Singh (1621-67 A.D.) and took six years in completion. It is also called Jai Mandir or Sheesh Mahal because of the beautiful mirror glass work in it, the glasses being imported from Belgium in 1623 AD.  The upper part of Diwan-E-Khas known as Jas Mandir (Yash Mandir) has intricate floral designs with glass in them.  The Hamams or the baths are located north of Jas Mandir.

The palace was kept cool in the summer by covering its arched openings with screens woven with the roots of the aromatic grass called Khas which were moistened periodically with water and air passing through the screens was thus cooled, and carried also the fragrance of the grass into the palace-chambers. Latrines, used by the Royal family (around 100 of them) are situated between the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) and the Man Singh Palace and were supplied with both hot and cold water and lit by torches at night.
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The queen-mothers and the Raja’s consorts lived in the Zenani Deorhi which also housed their female attendants.   The royal ladies often had estates assigned to them, the management of which was also carried out from here. Tunnels used to conceal movement or to allow of escape during a siege are to be found quite commonly in the palaces and forts of the medieval period. Lying on the western side of the palace, the Amber Palace tunnel which is subterraneous till a point near the Rang Mahal and connects it roofless, up to Jaigarh.

There are three underground storage tanks in the palace located under the Jaleb Chowk, Diwan-E-Aam and the Man Singh Palace  where rainwater was collected and stored in the storage tanks in palaces and forts to meet their daily requirement for water and being stored underground, the water would remain potable for a period longer than usual and evaporation losses were lower. Chand Pol or the moon gate was the main gate of entry for the commoners and the upper storey of the gate is called the Naubatkhana which housed  kettle drums and other musical instruments.

The temple complex covers an area of approximately 60,000 sq ft with Lord Shiva as the presiding deity. Other sculptures like that of the trinity (Brahma, Vishnu & Mahesh) greet the visitors as they step into cave 1. Here you’ll find the finest of Elephanta’s artistic treasures. Different forms of Lord Shiva like the ascetic Shiva, the Dancing Shiva, Shiva with Ganga, Shiva with His consort Parvati adorn the walls of the cave.

Many of the frescos are tucked away in the dark corners illuminated with whatever little light seeps into the cave. The island was earlier known as Gharapuri and later christened as Elephanta by the Portuguese after the stone elephant  that guarded the entrance of the caves.

The exact time period when these caves were excavated is not determined by the historians. The Archeological Survey of India estimates that the temple complex must have been built between the 6^th and 7^th centuries AD which makes it contemporary to Ajanta & Ellora. But unlike the latter where the theme is Buddhist, in Elephanta the sculptures are inspired by Hinduism. Thousands of Artisans chiseled painstakingly for years on the face of a mountain which have now become UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Every year around mid February, the Maharashtra State Tourism Development Corporation holds a two day festival of Classical Indian Dance and Music at Elephanta where leading as well as emerging artists from all over the country showcase their talent. The event starts at 7.30 pm each evening and included in the price of the ticket is the return boat transfer and a buffet vegetarian meal during the interval. Ferries ply from 4.30 to 6.00 pm on both days of the festival.

Best time to Visit: Between November and Mid- March.

How to reach: Take a ferry from Gateway of India in Mumbai

The instruments in Jantar Mantar are wholly constructed with stone and marble with an astronomical scale on the inner lining of each device. The observatory has a remarkable collection of fourteen statistical instruments for measuring time, predicting eclipses and to ascertain other astronomical events. One of the highlights is the Sundial which tells the time to an accuracy of about two seconds in local time of Jaipur. Jantar Mantar was carefully renovated in 1901 and was declared a national monument in 1948.

The Samrat Jantar, the largest instrument in Jantar Mantar is 90 feet high and when its shadow falls on the ground you can tell the time of day. Its face is angled at 27 degrees, which shows the latitude of Jaipur and was also used to predict the length and heaviness of the monsoon for the particular region.. The announcement of eclipses and the arrival of monsoons are done from the small dome shaped cupola on its top.

Other instruments are the Dhruva Yantra which is used to pinpoint the position of 12 Zodiac signs as well as the Pole Star at night, the Narivalya Yantra which is a unique sundial with two dials – the first dial facing south reads time when the sun is inclined towards the Equator and Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere, between the time period 21st September to 21st March and the other one facing north reads time for the rest of the year when the sun is in the northern hemisphere that is inclined on Equator  and Tropic of Cancer, i.e., from 21st March to 21st September.
The Kranti Yantra is used for direct measurement of the longitude and latitude of other heavenly bodies apart from earth. The  Raj Yantra or the King of Instruments was used only once a year to calculate the Hindu calendar, the Unnsyhsmsa yantra for determining the altitudes of the heavenly bodies, the  Chakra yantra to find an angle of an object from the equator, the Disha yantra or the compass pointing to the north, the Dakshina yantra to observe the position of heavenly bodies when passing over the meridian, the Rashivalayas Yantra has 12 sundials for the signs of the zodiac and the the Jai Prakash Yantra was used to cross check the accuracy of all the other instruments.

Other Museums are at Junagarh which includes a World War 1 fighter aircraft, and another section for royal robes and dresses and the Golden Jubilee Museum which displays everything from paintings to armor, coin, pottery, carpets, sculptures and remnants from the Harappan period.

For shopping you can visit Katla at Kote Gate or MG Road and Station road for local fabrics, footwear, tie and dye saris, jootis, etc. Also pick up some miniatures from the Bikaner School of Painting. Urmul Trust- a rural village cooperative was established to promote village crafts, fabrics which can be purchased from its shop near the Junagarh fort. A unique Bikaner art is gesso work which is painting on camel hides which are sold as door hangings, lamp shades, photo frames and decorations.

Bikaner also boasts of a camel breeding farm, where camels are bred from species all over the world.
Try out the kachoris and ras malai at Station road. However those averse to street food stay away!! Take home some Bhujias, namkeens and papads which is also what Bikaner is famous for.

Distance from Delhi: 548 km
Best time to Visit: October to March
Getting there
By train: 11 hrs by train to the Bikaner Station.
By Road: 11 hrs Drive