National Parks of India

India is a glorious land with numerous attractions. One of the major attractions of Indian subcontinent is wide variety of wildlife. Credit goes to varied quality of topography that supports presence of magnificent variety of birds and animals. India houses several famous wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. The idea was to protect these precious animals from getting extinct. Establishment of sanctuaries in several states also help in protecting these innocent animals from getting poached. Thanks to these parks, numerous species of animals are able to survive and also increasing their population.

Some of the famous national parks in India are,

Jim Corbett National park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Desert national park, Gir national park, Kanha national park, Bandipur national park, Dachigam national park, Manas national aprk, Nanda Devi national park, Periyar national park, Ranthambore national park, Valley of Flower and Sariska national park.

We all know about famous Jim Corbett national park that is situated in the foothills of Himalayas and is located in the state of Uttaranchal. It was established in 1936. Bandhavgarh National Park is situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh and is known for its wonderful forest and large variety of animals. Sand city of Jaisalmer houses Desert national park. This park is a beautiful manifestation of ecosystem.

Gir national park needs no introduction. Perhaps one of the most celebrated parks in india, it is located in Gujarat and is reputed for being the only natural habitat of Asiatic Lions. Kanha national park is famous for hosting tigers and is situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh whereas Bandipur National Park is in southern state of Karnataka. Finally, both Ranthambore National Park and Sariska National Park are based in Rajasthan.

Dharamsala

Today we will cover the picturesque place of Dharamsala. Located in the beautiful Northern state of Himachal Pradesh, it has been very popular amongst the tourists. The place has been famous for a peaceful environment, snow-capped mountains and cascading waterfalls. Dharamsala ranks very high amongst the popular hill stations of india. A tourist is bound to be bewitched with pine covered hills, deodar forests and steep valleys of this magnificent place. Dharamsala is located at the foothills of the Dhauladhar ranges. Actually, this place is divided into two parts of Upper Dharamshala also knonw as McLeod Ganj and Lower Dharamshala which is primarily a commercial centre.

Dharamsala is famous in world because of its being the seat of exiled Tibetan leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. You will find numerous monasteries and monks here. And with monasteries come the images and sounds of enchanting bells. This hill station is an ideal place for someone who is seeking solitude, peace and tranquility.

There are many must-visit places in Dharamsala. Topping the list is Namgyal Monastery that is also the acting residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Buddhist pilgrims love this place for obvious reasons. McLeodganj or Upper Dharamshala is another wonderful place to visit. This place hosts several monasteries and Tibetan schools and is also referred as 'Little Lhasa of India'. Spiritually inclined people get the much needed tranquility in McLeodganj.

Other tempting places that deserve to be visited are, Church of St. John In The Wilderness, Tsuglagkhang which is basically a shrine, Norbulingka Institute that is a treasure trove of art and culture of Tibet, Triund, Dip Thekchen Choeling Monastery, and Chamunda Devi.

Magical Rishikesh

Uttarakhand must be one of the most popular tourist states in country. It has amazing hill stations and wild life reserves and it offers places for all kinds of tourists. This article will talk about one of the popular tourist hotspots situated in the state; Rishikesh. The moment one thinks of Rishikesh, images like holy Ganga River, resonating bells, mesmerizing mountains and holy dips conjure up in mind. The place is well visited by tourists though out the year. Rishikesh has a special place in Hindu religion and the reason is its position as a gateway to the Char Dhams. These Char Dhams signify four major pilgrimages of Hindus, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.

It is believed that, one can attain Moksha (salvation) if he meditates in Rishikesh which is situated on the bank of river Ganga. The beauty of the place lies in its versatility and offerings. On one hand it gives you a perfect religious reason to come and at the same time, those who are adventure freak love coming to Rishikesh because they can do river rafting and paragliding. Nature lovers just go ga-ga over the scenic beauty of Rishikesh and that explains why you will find it crowded with tourists. It would be an exaggeration to say that Rishikesh is a rare mixture of nature and divinity.

There are several tourist attractions in the town. The major ones are; Lakshman Jhula which is a hanging bridge, Ram Jhula, Gita Bhavan, Rishikund, Bharat Mandir, Swarga Ashram and Nilkanth Mahadeo. The place has several accommodation facilities and one can go anytime during the year.

Corbett National Park

One of the visited wildlife reserves of India Corbett National Park. Situated in the state of Uttarakhand, it has large population of leopards, tigers and elephants. The Park is blessed with scenic beauty as well. Situated at the panoramic foothills of Himalayas, Corbett National Park was initially established as ‘Hailey National Park’, in the year 1936. That makes it the oldest national park in the country. Changing times witnessed changing names of the park. First it was 'Ramganga National Park' during 1950s and finally its current one 'Jim Corbett National Park'. The park has the distinction of being the first tiger reserve when Indian government started ‘Project Tiger’. The park has been named after legendary hunter Jim Corbett.

Flora and Fauna of the Corbett Tiger Reserve is extremely rich. From varied kinds of animals to marshy depressions and hilly areas, the place is truly endowed with mesmerizing beauty. Several types of vegetation are found in the park including Sal, Khair, Sissoo, Ber, Kuthber, Bel, Chbilla, Dhak, Semal, Khingan, Kharpat, Rohini, Bakli, Pula and Bamboo. Inside the park, it is estimated that no less than 488 different species of plants exist.

The main animals found in the Jim Corbett Park are, tigers, found kinds of deer, wild boar, leopards, elephants, three types of nocturnal cats, Sloth Bear, Black Bear, Himalayan Palm Civet, Common Otter, Blacknaped Hare, Porcupine, Ghoral, Langur, Rhesus Monkeys, Jackal, Indian Grey Mongoose, otters, yellow-throated martens, Indian pangolins, etc. If anything was missing then wide variety of migratory birds complete that. Huge numbers of 585 species of birds inhabit the park. It is definitely a must visit for any tourist who wants to explore India.

Nainital

North India is blessed with a hill station named Nainital. Situated in the beautiful state of Uttarakhand, Nainital will simply mesmerize you. The place is rich with natural beauty and dazzling almond shaped lakes. Nainital is at an altitude of 1938 meters and located in the Kumaon foothills of the Himalayas. Also known as ‘Lake Paradise’, the place is richly abundant with gifts of nature. Its enchanting panorama forces travelers to come here again and again. Nainital is one of the most visited placed in North India where visitors come to get a perfect retreat.

Nainital has several beautiful tourist attractions. One of the popular one is Naini peak which is also the highest peak in this hill station. It stands at an altitude of 2611 meters and is also known as China peak. One can have breathtaking view of the entire Himalayan range from Naini peak. The real beauty of Nainital is truly reflected in famous Naini Lake. The most frequently visited place in Nainital, the lake is surrounded by lofty hills and wonderful villas and cottages. Naini Lake looks magnificent during night when pristine water plays around with numbers of lights hanging on the edges. One can indulge in paddling, yachting and boating in the lake.

There are several other tourist attractions to explore. For those with religious inclinations can always visit Hanuman Garhi. One can also visit to Snow View which is a popular hill top. Astronomical Observatory is another place where you can witness amazing astronomical wonders. Finally, one must visit high altitude wildlife sanctuary that houses fascinating creatures.

Dalhousie

One of the popular tourist destinations in north India is Dalhousie. Situated in the state of Himachal Pradesh, Dalhousie is a quiet and serene hill station. It attracts thousands of visitors every year who flock to Dalhousie to get relief from the hustle-bustle of city life. This beautiful place is spread over five hills at the western edge of the Dhauladhar range of mountains. The five hills are, Potreyn, Kathlog, Bakrots, Balun and Tehra. Apart from the magnificent scenic beauty offered by the place it is also a major attraction for its architecture of the colonial era. British Governor General Lord Dalhousie established this place in 1854. The famous Chamba valley of Himachal Pradesh is entered through Dalhousie only.

Dalhousie will mesmerize you with its scenic beauty, pine covered slopes, enchanting views and snow capped mountains. This place is a deadly combination of colonial architecture beauty and nature’s best views. The architectural beauty is well manifested in forms of beautiful buildings and low roofed stalls. Spread over an area of over 14 sq.kms, this hill station has several amazing tourist attractions.

Some popular tourist attractions in Dalhousie are, Khajjar, Bakrota Hills, the St. Francis Church and Dainkund. Apart from these names, one can also visit Kalatope, a wildlife sanctuary and number of temples and churches spread over the hill station. Dalhousie will give you that old world charm that is very fascinating. If you are seeking peace and calmness then Dalhousie is the place you should visit.

Indian Jewelry

Jewelry has always been an integral part of Indian culture. In fact, Indian lifestyle segment is incomplete without jewelry. It is being said that, history of Indian jewelry is almost 5000 years old. Indian people have always been very fond of different styles of jewellery. Metals like gold, silver and different gems and stones have clearly defined the history of Indian jewelry. Even if you look at mythological serials and movies, you will find all the characters wearing jewellery. It is a sign of importance and existence of jewelry in the history of India.

Indian jewelry is very stylish and is available in numerous of designs. India always had a great name in export-import of different types of gold jewellery and gems, stones etc. one can find all types of ornaments suitable for all the body parts. In ancient era, metals and crude stones were used to make necklace, anklets and rings. With the passage of time, people discovered the art of polishing gold and extracting different types of gems. Later on, gold and other precious stones were used to make rings, chains, anklets and earrings etc.

The most fascinating aspect of Indian jewelry is availability of eclectic mix of designs and styles. Different states in India have different styles of jewelry and all of them are uniquely beautiful. India has been ruled by different kingdoms and all of them have left indelible mark on the jewelry styles. For example, Rajputs gave enameled jewelry whereas Mughals were known for intricate carvings and usage of precious stones. Traditional jewelry of India will always remain in vogue. Indian jewelry is indeed a great mix of modern and traditional style.