62 Best Tourist Places to Visit near Delhi (2024)

At a distance of 13 km from Mathura, 70 km from Agra, 155 km from Delhi, 400 km from Lucknow and 235 km from Jaipur, Vrindavan is a holy town situated on the banks of Yamuna River in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh. It is also among the sacred places to visit near Delhi for a 2 day weekend trip and also one of the popular places to visit near Agra.

Vrindavan is a major pilgrimage center for the Hindus and one of the oldest cities in the country. The holy town of Vrindavan has a very rich history associated with the Hindu god Lord Krishna. It is said to be the place where Lord Krishna spent his childhood. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a great devotee of Lord Krishna is credited with rediscovering of Vrindavan. The place was later developed by various kings of the region.

The name Vrindavan is derived from the words vrinda meaning tulsi (or basil) and van meaning grove and most likely refers to the two small groves at Nidhivan and Seva Kunj. While Seva Kunj is believed to be the place where Krishna performed Raaslila with Radha and the Gopikas, Nidhivan is said to be the place where the divine couple rested. The place is also one of the Shaktipeeths, named Bhuteshwar Mahadev. The place is believed to have been the site where the hair of Devi Sati fell.

Vrindavan is also one of the most prominent sites for ISKCON, ...

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At a distance of 40 km from Kotdwar, 131 km from Rishikesh, 106 km from Haridwar, 158 km from Dehradun and 247 km from Delhi, Lansdowne is a small hill town in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. It lies at an elevation of 1706 m above sea level and is surrounded by thick oak and pine forests. It is one of the best hill stations in Uttarakhand state and also among wonderful hill stations for a 2 day trip from Delhi. This is also one of the popular places to experince Uttarakhand tourism and also among the top places to visit near Delhi.

Lansdowne was a popular hill resort for the British and they built a cantonment here. Lansdowne is named after its founder Lord Lansdowne, the Viceroy of India between 1888 and 1894. Currently, the command office of the legendary Garhwal Rifles of the Indian Army is situated in Lansdowne.

Lansdowne is known for its natural beauty and its tranquil environment. The Garhwal Rifles Regimental War Memorial, Regimental Museum, St. Mary's Church, St. John's Church, Durga Devi Temple, Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Bhim Pakora, Bhulla Tal, Tip-in-Top or Hawagarh, Tarkeshwar Mahadev Temple and Bhairav Garhi Temple are the important tourist places in Lansdowne. It is famous for its eco-friendly tourism involving mountaineering, ...

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Kasauli is a picturesque hill station in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. About 55 km from Chandigarh, 68 km from Shimla, and 306 km from Delhi, it is one of the top hill stations near Chandigarh, and among the Himachal tour packages.

Situated in the foothills of the Dhauladhar Ranges of the lower Himalayas, Kasauli is a cantonment town of the Indian Army, having an elevation of 1,900 m above sea level. One of the scenic places to visit near Delhi, the town is famous for its lush green and picturesque surroundings of the mountains and its quiet and tourist-friendly locals.

Kasauli is set in the backdrop of the Dhauladhar Ranges with natural trails for long walks. Monkey Point, Lower and Upper Mall, Sanawar, Baba Balak Nath Tempe, Sabathu Fort are some of the major places to visit in Kasauli. One can also see several species of Himalayan flora and fauna including endangered ones as part of Kasauli packages.

Kasauli also has a Pasteur Institute founded in 1900 to produce rabies vaccine and at the same time, it also treats Hydrophobia disease. Kasauli can be visited along with Shimla packages ...

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At a distance of 64 km from Nainital, 50 km from Ranikhet, 357 km from Dehradun, and 364 km from Delhi, Almora, a scenic hill station in the Almora district is a famous hill resorts in Uttarakhand. It lies at an altitude of 1,651 m, amidst the southern part of the Kumaon Hills. It is a one of the popular hill stations near Delhi and also of one of the top Tourist places in Uttarakhand.

Almora is located on a 5 km long horse shoe shaped ridge, the eastern portion of which is called the Talifat and the western one is known as Selifat. The Kosi and Suyal rivers run alongside the town adding to the beauty of the place. Almora is considered the cultural heart of the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. The town got its name from kilmora, a short plant found in nearby region, which was used for washing the utensils of Katarmal Temple. The people bringing kilmora were called Kilmori and later Almori and the place came to be known as Almora. Almora is one of the top attractions you must include in Nainital packages.

Almora was founded in 1568 by Kalyan Chand during the rule of the Chand dynasty. Prior to that the region was under the control of Katyuri King Bhaichaldeo and he has donated part of this land to a Gujrati Brahmin Sri Chand Tiwari. In the days of the Chand Kings it was called Rajapur and was also mentioned ...

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Ranthambore National Park is one of the national parks in Rajasthan, and among the popular national parks near Delhi. It is situated about 162 km from Jaipur, and 368 km from Delhi.

Ranthambhore was established as the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955 by the Government of India and was declared one of the Project Tiger reserves in 1974. Ranthambore became a national park in 1981. It can be visited along with Jaipur tour packages. Spread over an area of 392 sq. km, the park is majorly famous for its tigers and is one of the best locations in India to watch the majestic predators in its natural habitat.

Apart from tigers, visitors can also spot a large variety of animals including sloth bear, leopard, caracal, jackal, fox, hyena, mongoose, dainty chital, sambar deer, the blue bull antelope or nilgai, rhesus macaque, langur, and an incredible variety of birds as part of Ranthambore tour packages. Ranthambore Fort, Jogo Mahal, Trinetra Ganesh Temple, Rajiv Gandhi Regional Museum of Natural History, Kachida Valley, and Rajbagh are some of the best tourist places in Ranthambore.

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At a distance of 37 km from Bageshwar, 58 km from Almora, 59 km from Ranikhet, 115 km from Nainital, 164 km from Pithoragarh, 241 km from Jim Corbett National Park, 318 km from Dehradun, 401 km from Delhi, Kausani is a small hill station situated in Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand, India. Situated at an altitude of 1890 m, Kausani is one of the top hill stations in Uttarakhand and also one of the prime places to visit in Uttarakhand in summer.

During ancient times, Kausani was under the administrative control of the Katyuri king, Baichaldeo. Later, he donated a large part of this land to a Gujarati Brahmin, Sri Chand Tiwari. During Independence of India in 1947, Kausani was a part of Almora district till 1997 after which Bageshwar district was carved out of Almora district. Kausani is among the must include place in your Nainital tour packages.

Located atop the ridge between dense pine trees, Kausani overlooks the Someshwar valley on one side and Garur and Baijnath Katyuri valley on the other side. Described by Mahatma Gandhi himself as the 'Switzerland of India', Kausani is known for its scenic splendor and its spectacular 300 km wide panoramic view of Himalayan peaks like Trishul, Nanda Devi and Panchchuli.

The town's amazing location among thick pine forests and valleys on both sides attracts large number of domestic and international tourists every year. ...

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At a distance of 82 km from Jalandhar, 140 km from Ludhiana, 240 km from Chandigarh, 207 km from Dalhousie, 244 km from Patiala, 366 km from Shimla, 443 km from Srinagar and 466 km from New Delhi Amritsar is an ancient pilgrimage town and headquarters of Amritsar district in Punjab state. It is the most popular Sikh shrine in Punjab and also one of the top places of pilgrimage in India.

Amritsar literally means 'the pool of nectar'. The name Amritsar is derived from Amrit Sarovar, the holy tank that surrounds the marvelous Golden Temple. The town of Amritsar was founded in 1577 CE by Guru Ram Das, the 4th Sikh guru and the village was named as Ram Das Pura after him. Amritsar is the place where the tragic episode of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre took place under the British rule. It also witnessed Operation Blue Star in 1984 under the late prime minister of India, Smt. Indira Gandhi.

Amritsar is world famous for its Golden Temple, the seat of Sikh religion. Also known as Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple in Amritsar is famous for its full golden dome and is one of the most popular places of pilgrimage in Punjab. Jallianwallah Bagh, Durgiana Temple, Gobindgarh Fort, Central Sikh Museum, Maharaja Ranjith Singh Museum, and Wagah Border are the other popular places to visit in Amritsar.
 
There are many fairs and festivals celebrated in Amritsar. One of the most famous festivals of Amritsar is Guru Nanak Jayanti held in the month of October/November. Lohri ...

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At a distance of 37 km from Agra, 223 km from Delhi and 209 km from Jaipur, Fatehpur Sikri is a deserted fort city in the Agra District of Uttar Pradesh, India. UNESCO declared this complex as a World Heritage Site in 1986. It is one of the popular place to visit along with Golden Triangle tour and also among ideal weekend getaways from Delhi & Noida cities.

Akbar, the greatest Mughal Emperor, was commissioned Fatehpur Sikri in 1569. The city was constructed to honour Sufi saint, Sheikh Salim Chisti, who used to live in a cavern on the ridge at Sikri. Akbar revered him very much as the Saint had blessed him with a son who was named Salim in 1569. Akbar shifted his capital from Agra to Sikri in 1571 and named the city as Fatehabad meaning victorious. This city served as the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571 till 1585 and was later called Fatehpur Sikri. However, 15 years after it was established, the court had to be moved out of Fatehpur Sikri because of acute shortage of water. In 1619 Emperor Jahangir camped here for three months while a plague raged in nearby Agra. The city was refurbished to host the coronation of Muhammad Shah in 1719. After that, the city was largely abandoned until Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India for the British from 1898 to 1905, sponsored an archaeological survey and restoration ...

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At a distance of 259 km from New Delhi, 113 km from Shimla, 165 km from Dehradun, 199 km from Mussoorie, 200 km from Haridwar, 230 km from Amritsar and 510 km from Jaipur, Chandigarh is the first well-planned city in India that serves as the capital of the Indian states of Haryana and Punjab. It is the dream city of India's first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It is the main hub from where tourists travel to the Shimla and Kullu-Manali region.

The name Chandigarh derived from the temple of Chandi Mandir, an ancient temple devoted to Hindu Goddess Chandi, near the city. According to early history, the area was first inhabited by the Harappans, the earliest civilizations, around 8000 years ago. It was a prosperous place during medieval times and a part of the Punjab Province. During the partition of India, the state of Punjab was split between Pakistan and India. The older capital city Lahore was in Pakistan, so, Chandigarh was planned in order to give Punjab a new capital.

Popularly known as The City Beautiful, Chandigarh was planned by American architect Albert Mayer initially and then the famous French architect Le Corbusier. Developed in 1950's Chandigarh became famous as one of the few planned cities in India. In 1966, the state of Haryana was carved out of Punjab and Chandigarh became the capital of both the states. Chandigarh is one of the best experiments in urban planning and modern architecture ...

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At a distance of 50 km from Almora, 56 km from Nainital, 82 km from Haldwani, 325 km from Dehradun, and 350 km from Delhi, Ranikhet is a picturesque hill station and a cantonment town in the Almora district of Uttarakhand. Surrounded by Himalayan mountain ranges, Ranikhet is situated in the upper Kumaon Hills at an altitude of about 1869 m. It is one of the famous Tourist places in Uttarakhand and also among popular hill resorts near Delhi to visit as weekend getaway.

The word Ranikhet stands for Queen's Meadow. As per the folklore, Queen Padmini of Kumaon was so impressed with the natural beauty of this tiny hill paradise and decided to stay here. Later King Sukherdev built a palace for her at this place and named it Ranikhet. Ranikhet is among the prime place to visit on a Nainital tour.

The region around Ranikhet was ruled by local Kumaoni rulers and later came under British rule. The British developed Ranikhet as a hill station for their troops and established a cantonment in 1869. The town of Ranikhet became the headquarters of the British Kumaon Regiment and was also a summer retreat for the British officers. Ranikhet is still a cantonment town and is the Kumaon Regimental Center.

Ranikhet is a popular hill resort well known for the views of the mighty Himalayas. Bhalu Dam, Binsar Mahadev Temple, ...

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Pushkar is a sacred town located in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan. About 15 km from Ajmer, 145 km from Jaipur, and 408 km from Delhi, it is one of the prominent pilgrimage sites near Delhi, and among the must-include places in Rajasthan tour packages.

There are several temples in Pushkar and the most famous temple is the Brahma temple, which is one of the few temples dedicated to Brahma in the world, and among the must-visit places as part of Pushkar packages. Pushkar Lake, Varaha Temple, Merta, Aptaeshwar Temple, Pushkar Cattle Fair, Rangji Temple, and Savitri Temple are the popular tourist places in Pushkar. Pushkar is also called 'the rose garden of Rajasthan', because of the extensive flower farming in and around the city.

Pushkar can be visited along with Jaipur tour packages. Pushkar is also famous for its annual Pushkar Camel Fair held in November on the day of holy Kartik Purnima. It is one of the largest camel fairs in the world, in which thousands of camel owners come to Pushkar city to take part in events, sell & purchase activities of their cattle.

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At a distance of 46 km from Uttarkashi, 134 km from Gangotri, 138 km from Mussoorie, 176 km from Dehradun, 209 km from Rishikesh, 224 km from Haridwar and 415 km from Delhi, Yamunotri is one of the four sites of Chota Char Dham pilgrimage situated in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. It is one of the best sacred pilgrimage sites in India and also one of the most wellknown Places to visit in Uttarakhand.

Yamunotri is the source of River Yamuna and is regarded as the seat of Goddess Yamuna. This is the western most shrine in the Garhwal Himalayas, situated at an altitude of 3293 m atop Bandarpunch parvat. Geologically, River Yamuna originates from the Champasar Glacier, which is located below Bandarpunch Mountain at an altitude of 4421 m. Champasar Glacier is about 1 km upstream from the riverbed near Yamunotri Temple but in order to reach the glacier one has to trek for 10 km from the temple. Yamunotri Temple can be reached by 5 km trek from Janki Chatti which is the nearest road point.

According to the ancient legend, Yamunotri is also believed to be the residence of sage Asit, who used to bath in the Ganges and Yamuna each day. Unable to go to Gangotri during his old age, a stream of the Ganges appeared opposite Yamunotri for him. According to mythology, Goddess Yamuna is the daughter of Lord Surya (Sun God) and ...

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At a distance of 224 km from Rishikesh, 264 km from Dehradun and 439 km from Delhi, Kedarnath is a town and a famous center of pilgrimage in Uttarakhand situated in Rudraprayag district.

Kedarnath is a popular pilgrimage destination for Hindus and is one of the four major Places to visit in Uttarakhand known as Chota Char Dham pilgrimage that also includes Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. It lies at an altitude of 3584 m near Chorabari Glacier, the head of river Mandakini. It is the most remote of the four Char Dham sites and is flanked by breathtaking snow-clad peaks.

Kedarnath is named after King Kedar. According to a mythology, King Kedar ruled Kedarnath during the Satya Yuga. It is believed that the temple existed even during the time of Mahabharata. It is the place where Lord Shiva absolved Pandavas from the sin of killing their own cousins Kauravas in the battle of Kurukshetra. The famous Kedarnath temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and is thronged by thousands of tourists each year. Other than Kedarnath temple, Bhairavnath temple, Chorabari Tal, Shankaracharya Samadhi and Hans Kund are the some other religious places near Kedarnath.

Kedarnath temple is a major tourist attraction and pilgrims book their hotels way in advance. Rooms in budget hotels and dharamshalas are available under Rs 500 ...

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Bikaner is a vibrant desert town in the middle of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, India. About 333 km from Jaipur, and 435 km from Delhi, it is one of the famous places of heritage in India, and among the must include places in Rajasthan tour packages.

Formerly the capital of the princely state of Bikaner, the city was founded by Rao Bika in 1486 CE. The Junagarh Fort, built during the reign of Raja Rai Singh, is the most famous fort in Bikaner and is one of the must include places in Bikaner packages. The Laxmi Niwas Palace, Lalgarh Palace, Gajner Palace are some of the other palaces in Bikaner which add to the beauty of the town and gives it a feel of the Rajput heritage. Karni Mata Temple, Rampuria Haveli, National Research Centre on Camel, Shri Laxminath Temple, and Shiv Bari Temple are the other popular tourist places in Bikaner.

Bikaner is one of the most frequented desert cities of the state of Rajasthan along with Jodhpur and Jaisalmer packages. Bikaner is famous for its savory Bikaneri Bhujia and Bikaner Camel Festival.

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At a distance of 98 km from Uttarkashi, 242 km from Dehradun, 264 km from Rishikesh, 288 km from Haridwar and 483 km from Delhi, Gangotri is a popular pilgrimage town in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. It is situated at an altitude of 3100 m in the Garhwal Himalayan Range on the banks of the holy Bhagirathi River. It is one of the best pilgrimage sites in India and also one of the most popular Places to visit in Uttarakhand.

Gangotri, the origin of the River Ganges, is one of the four sites in the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage circuit along with Badrinath, Kedarnath and Yamunotri. River Ganges originates at Gaumukh in Gangotri Glacier, which is located about 19 km away from Gangotri town. As per legends, Goddess Ganges took the form of a river in order to absolve the sins of King Bhagiratha's ancestors, after his severe penance. Lord Shiva received River Ganges in his thick hair locks, to reduce the impact of her fierce flow.

Gangotri is famous for its ancient temples and religious significance. The present Ganga Temple at Gangotri was built by a Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa in the early 18th century. It is one of the most important temples of River Ganga. The river is called Bhagirathi at the source and acquires the name Ganga from Devprayag onwards where it ...

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Surrounded by the Dhauladhar ranges, McLeod Ganj, also spelt McLeodGanj, is a scenic hill station that lies at an altitude of 2082 m in Himachal Pradesh. About238 km from Manali, 240 km from Shimla, and 490 km from Delhi, it is one of the popular places to visit as part of Himachal tour packages.
 
Mcleodganj was the official residence of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, and also the headquarters of the Tibetan Government in exile. Mcleodganj packages are a mix of Tibetan institutions, Buddhist monasteries, culture, art, and crafts. Dharamkot, Bhagsu, Triund, Dal Lake, Gaggal, Lower Dharamshala, Namgyal Monastery, Tsuglagkhang, and Tsechokling Gompa are the top tourist places in Mcleodganj. It is also a major shopping center famous for souvenirs like Tibetan handicrafts, carpets, garments, wooden masks, paper drawings, beads, baubles, etc.

McLeodganj also serves as a base camp for various trekking expeditions that cover Kangra and Chamba Valleys and Dhauladhar ranges. It is one of the top hill stations near Delhi.

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At a distance of 16 km from Joshimath, 56 km from Badrinath, 262 km from Rishikesh, 304 km from Dehradun and 495 km from Delhi, Auli is a cute hill station in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It is one of the best ski resorts in India and one of the top Uttarakhand tourism destinations for adventure sports. Known for its snow-cladded surroundings, Auli is one of the best places preferred by many Indians during their honeymoon tour.

Auli, also known as Auli Bugyal which means meadow in Garhwali, is located at an average altitude of 2800 m in the Garhwal Himalayas. Earlier, Auli was a prominent trade centre and the trails of Auli were frequently traversed by the semi-nomadic Bhotiya tribes who maintained barter trading with Tibet for centuries. According to legend, the revered Guru Adi Shankaracharya visited Auli during 8th century AD. He built a math at Joshimath, which still is intact and is known by the name Shankaracharya Tapastali.

Auli is also a beautiful ski destination, but less known compared to Shimla, Gulmarg and Manali. It was only in the recent time, after the creation of new state Uttarakhand, Auli was marketed as a tourist destination. Today, Auli is known for its snow covered slopes and panoramic views of the surroundings. The slopes of Auli were the training ...

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Alwar is a city and administrative headquarters of Alwar district in the state of Rajasthan. About 148 km from Jaipur, and 160 km from Delhi, it is one of the popular heritage sites near Delhi, and among the must include places in Rajasthan tour packages.

Alwar is part of the National Capital Region (NCR) and also famous for its Olive plantation in Tinkirudi. Alwar is situated between small hills of the Aravali range and has great historical importance. It was founded in 1049 by Maharaja Alaghraj. Alwar is among the most famous historical places to visit near Jaipur.

Alwar is famous for beautiful lakes, grand palaces, magnificent temples, and towering forts. Bala Quila or Alwar Fort, City Palace and Vijay Mandir Palace, Siliserh Lake and Palace, Moosi Maharani Ki Chhatri, Tripolia, Moti Doongri, Bhangarh Fort, Company Bagh, Government Museum, Tomb of Fateh Jung, Kalakand Market, Neemrana Fort, and Naldeshwar are the important places to visit in Alwar. The Sariska National Sanctuary is located in the Aravalli hills only a few kilometers away from Alwar, and is one of the must include places in Alwar packages.

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At a distance of 33 km from Mussoorie, 157 km from Chandigarh, 231 km from Delhi, 144 km from Ambala, 225 km from Shimla and 278 km from Nainital, Dehradun is the capital city of Uttarakhand and also the headquarters of Dehradun district. Dehradun is located in Doon Valley in the foothills of Himalayas nestled between two of India's mightiest rivers - the Ganges on the east and the Yamuna on the west. It is one of the wellknown destinations to experience the Tourism in Uttarakhand and also one of the popular tourist places near Delhi.

The history of Dehradun city is linked to the stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata. It is believed that after the battle with Ravana, Lord Rama and his brother Laxmana visited this site. Dronacharya, the legendary Royal guru to the Kauravas and Pandavas, is believed to have been born and resided in this region. Ancient temples and ruins have been found in the nearby areas, which are almost 2000 years old. Dehradun is among the must include place in your Mussoorie tour packages.

The city is famous for its picturesque landscape and pleasant weather. Dehradun is the gateway to the famous hill stations of Mussoorie, Nainital and ...

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Jhansi is a historical city lies in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. About 102 km from Gwalior, 235 from Kanpur, and 314 from Lucknow, it is one of the top places to visit in India, and among the must-visit places as part of Uttar Pradesh tour packages.

Situated between Betwa and Pahunch Rivers, Jhansi is one of the top places to visit near Gwalior. Earlier known as Balwant Nagar, Jhansi was the seat of the Chandela dynasty and flourished under their rule. The region got its name from the fort built by Raja Bir Singh Deo, in 1613 CE, one of the must-include places in Jhansi packages.

The artistic grandeur of the Chandela rulers is still evident in the monuments and other ancient structures standing in the city. Jhansi Fort, Rani Jhansi Museum, Parichha Dam, Rani Lakshmi Bai Park, Barua Sagar, Rani Mahal, and Cenotaphs of Gangadhar Rao are the top tourist places in Jhansi.

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Ajmer or Ajmere is one of the popular pilgrimage sites near Delhi, and among the most important religious places to visit in Rajasthan. It is situated about 132 km from Jaipur, and 390 km from Delhi.

Ajmer is can be visited along with Jaipur tour packages. The city of Ajmer gets its name from 'Ajay Meru' which means invincible hills. Ajmer is home to the famous Dargah Sharif, which houses the Tomb of Garib Nawaz, also known as Moinuddin Chishti, the founder of the Chishti order of Sufism. Considered to be one of the holiest cities in India, it attracts hordes of Hindu and Muslim devotees every year as part of Ajmer packages.

Anasagar, Taragarh Fort, Akbar Palace & Museum, Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra, the Nasiyan Temple, Nareli Jain temple, and Kishangarh are other popular tourist places in Ajmer. Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is the popular fair celebrated with great pomp and fervor in Ajmer. It is held every year in the month of May to mark the death anniversary of the Sufi saint.

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Orchha or Urchha is a small ancient town in Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh, India. About 123 km from Gwalior, 237 km from Kanpur, and 352 km from Bhopal, it is one of the popular tourist places in India, and among the must include places in Madhya Pradesh tour packages.

Orchha, means a 'hidden place', is situated on the banks of Betwa River and is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty. It is one of the popular heritage places to visit near Gwalior and Kanpur. Orchha was established in 1501 AD by Bundela king Rudra Pratap Singh, who became the first emperor of Orchha, (1501-1531) and also built the Orchha Fort, must visit places as part of Orchha packages.

Besides Orchha Fort, Chaturbhuj Temple, Chhatris, Lakshmi Narayan Temple and Orchha Wildlife Sanctuary are some of the famous tourist places in Orchha. It can be visited along with Jhansi tour packages.

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At a distance of 13 km from Jaipur Junction Railway Station, Amer Fort or Amber Fort is located in Amer near Jaipur. It is one of the best-preserved forts in Rajasthan, and among the prime place to include in Jaipur packages.

Amber was founded by the Meenas in 967 AD and they dedicated the town to Amba, the Mother Goddess. Around 1037 AD, Amber was conquered by Kachhawa Rajputs and ruled from the 11th to the 18th century, until the capital was moved from Amer to Jaipur. The Amber Fort was built by Raja Man Singh in 1592 AD and it was further expanded by successive rulers. Man Singh was one of the trusted generals of Emperor Akbar and one among the Navaratnas of his court. Later in 1727 AD, Sawai Jai Singh II moved the capital from Amber to Jaipur.

The architecture of Amer Fort is influenced by both Hindu and Muslim styles. Among the famous tourist places in Jaipur, Amer Fort was built using red sandstone and overlooks Maota Lake which is the main water source to the Palace. The Palace is divided into four main sections each with separate entry gate and courtyard. Main entry is through the Suraj Pole (Sun Gate) which leads to Jaleb Chowk. This was the place where armies would hold victory parades with their war bounty on their return from battles. It faced east towards the rising sun, ...

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At a distance of 3 km from Chopta, 32 km from Ukhimath, 88 km from Kedarnath, 73 km from Rudraprayag, Tungnath is one of the Panch Kedar temples and at an altitude of 3,680, it is the highest Shiva temple in the world. It is located on the Chandranath parvat in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. It is a well know pilgrimage center and also a frequented place of trekking in Uttarakhand.

Tungnath temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is believed to be 1000 years old and is the third in the order of the Panch Kedars. This sacred temple was discovered by Adi Shankaracharya. According to mythology, Vyas Rishi told the Pandavas that since they were culpable of slaying their own cousins during the Mahabharata war; their act could be pardoned only by Lord Shiva. Pandavas began to search Lord Shiva in the Himalayas and Lord Shiva kept avoiding them because they were guilty. In order to escape from the Pandavas, Lord Shiva disguised himself as a bull and took refuge underground. The places where the parts of the bull were found are now renowned Shiva temples, where Pandavas built temples of Lord Shiva at each location, to worship and venerate, seeking his pardon and blessings. Each one is identified with a part of his body; the navel and stomach at Madyamaheshwar, the hump at Kedarnath, the arm at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, and his jata (hair or locks) at Kalpeshwar.

The temple was built in the Nagara style of architecture. It is a small shrine and can accommodate ...

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At a distance of 16 km from Shimla Railway Station, Kufri is a small hill station in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. Positioned at an elevation of 2,510 m on the National Highway 22, it is one of the best places for skiing in India, and among the must-include places in Shimla tour packages.

Kufri is quite famous as a ski resort. Kufri derives its name from 'Kufr' which means lake. It is especially popular among trekkers and it is a popular place for adventure sports in Himachal Pradesh. The British discovered it in 1819. As Shimla gained importance, Kufri also began to be recognized as an important place to visit near Shimla as part of honeymoon tour packages.

Kufri is known for its pleasant climate and picturesque beauty. It is popular for its trekking and hiking trails. Kufri is also renowned for other adventurous activities such as skiing, tobogganing (sliding downhill on a sled). It has the oldest skiing slopes in Himachal Pradesh. During winters, when snow spreads over the slopes of Kufri, lovers of skiing know that they will have an exciting time ahead, and skiing is one of the must-experience things to do in Shimla. Ski courses for beginners are conducted every winter by Himachal Tourism.

Kufri is also a haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers as the ...

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At a distance of 20 km from Chamoli Gopeshwar, 23 km from Karnaprayag, 74 km from Auli and 60 km from Joshimath, Nandaprayag is a town and a nagar panchayat in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Situated at an altitude of 870 m, it is a well known places of pilgrimage in Uttarakhand state.

Nandaprayag is one of the Panch Prayagas of Alaknanda River, and lies at the confluence of Alaknanda River and Nandakini River. Nandaprayag, Vishnuprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag form the Panch Prayagas. The source of Alaknanda River is Satopanth near Badrinath Dham and Nandakini River is emerging from the foot of the Nanda Devi Peak. It is believed that a holy dip in the confluence of Nandaprayag washes all the sins.

Nandaprayag was once the capital of Yadu Kingdom. Raja Nanda performed yagna on a stone which was later used as the foundation of the Nand temple situated in Nandaprayag. According to the legend, Raja Nanda was promised the boon of Vishnu as a son. Unfortunately, the same boon was also granted to Devaki, wife of Vasudeva. Finally the gods found a solution to the problem that Vishnu would be born as Krishna to Devaki but would be brought up by Raja Nanda's wife, Yasodha. There is temple for Gopal, an alternate name to Lord Krishna, here. The legends also narrate that sage Kanva did penance here and also that wedding of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala took place at this venue.

It serves as a gateway ...

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At a distance of 34 km from Ranikhet & 77 km from Almora, Dwarahat is an ancient town situated in Almora district of Uttarakhand. It is famous for its ancient temples which were constructed mainly by the Katyuri kings and are maintained by ASI.

Dwarahat, which means Way to Heaven, was once the principal seat of the Katyuri kings whose empire was stretched from the Sutlez River in the west to river Gandak in the east, and from the Himalayas to the plains, including the whole of Rohelkhand. Later it came under the rule of the Chand Rajas of Kumaon in the sixteenth century.

Dwarahat has 55 ancient temples of exquisite architectural excellence, divided into 8 groups. Some temples now have great archaeological value. These were constructed in the Indo-Aryan, Maru-Pratihara or Nagara type. The temples are constructed mainly of masonry blocks of Pre-Cambrian granite available in the nearby area. Instead of mortar, iron clamps and dowels have been used to tie adjoining blocks.

Badrinath Group of Temples has three temples, of which the main temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, worshiped as Badrinath. Constructed in Sikhara style facing east, it consists of garbhagriha, antrala and mandapa. The black stone image of Vishnu is placed in the sanctum. The temple bears an inscription of samvat 1105, suggesting the date of the construction of the temple as 1048 AD. There are two more miniature shrines in the group; one ...

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At a distance of 27 km from Fatehpur Sikri Railway Station and 58 km from Agra, the Keoladeo National Park formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is situated in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. It is among the top places to visit from Delhi and Agra cities.

Keoladeo National Park is located around a man-made wetland and was created in18th century by Maharaja Suraj Mal of Bharatpur. Formerly the private duck shooting reserve of the Maharajas of Bharatpur and the British Officials, this site was established as a bird sanctuary on 13th March 1976 under the name of Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Later on 10th March 1982, the site was designated as a national park and was named Keoladeo Ghana National Park. In 1985, the Park was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

One of the finest bird parks in the world, Keoladeo, the name derives from an ancient Hindu temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, which stands at the center of the park. Ghana means dense, referring to the thick forest. This is home to more than 230 resident and migratory bird species in a protected area of 29 sq. km.

The park is most famous for its species of birds, including Cranes, Spoonbills, Herons, Pelicans and the rare Siberian Cranes. Every year thousands of migratory waterfowl visit the park for breeding etc. It is also an excellent place to watch mammals like Golden Jackal, Striped Hyena, Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, Nilgai, Sambar, Blackbuck and wild Boar. ...

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At a distance of 38 km from Shimla, Arki is a small town situated at 4100 ft above sea level in the Solan district of Himachal. Arki Fort is one of the famous places to visit near Shimla, and among the best places of heritage in Himachal.

Arki was the former capital of the ancient hill-state of Baghal, which was founded by Raja Ajai Dev, a Panwar Rajput during 1660-65 AD. The state of Baghal was founded around 1643 and Arki was declared as capital by Rana Sabha Chand in 1650. The Arki Fort was built between 1800 and 1805 by Rana Prithvi Singh, a descendent of Sabha Chand. The fort was captured by the Gurkhas in 1806. Rana Jagat Singh, the ruler of Baghal had to take refuge in Nalagarh. The Gurkha General Amar Singh Thapa made use of Arki to further the advances in Himachal Pradesh, from 1806 to 1815. Rana Jagat Singh got back the control of Arki afterward.

The fort offers both historical legends and artistic creations to tourists. Rana Shiv Sharan Singh laid down the foundation of the famous Diwankhana of the Arki Fort Palace in the year 1830. It is situated on the upper floor of the two-storey Palace. It presents a fusion of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles and shows a heavy influence of Rajasthan. In 1850, Raja Kishen Chand added the stunning frescoes and murals done in the 'Pahari School' of miniature paintings. These frescoes are supposed ...

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At a distance of 43 km from Shimla, Chail is a Hill Station located at an altitude of 2250 m above sea level in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. This is one of the popular places to visit in Shimla and also one of the top Himachal places to visit.

According to the History, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala incurred the wrath of the Commander in Chief Lord Kitchener, who banned his entry into the British summer Capital of Shimla in 1891. This incensed the Maharaja and he vowed to build a new summer retreat for himself. So he rebuilt the place Chail as per his requirements.

The picturesque hill station located amidst scented forests of pine and gigantic deodars. Chail is built on three hills, the palace is on Rajgarh Hill, the Residency Snow View once occupied by British resident is on Pandhewa Hill and on the third hill Sadh Tibba where Chail is situated. Overlooking Satluj Valley, Shimla and Kasauli are also visible at night from here.

Maharaja Bhupinder Singh developed the highest cricket field in the world in Chail. Well-kept and accurately maintained, more than the excitement of the game, the pitch offers a picturesque view of the surroundings, with tall forest trees all around it. Chail is also considered as the hiker's paradise.
Chail has dense cover of pine and deodar trees. Its ...

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At a distance of 6 km from Kufri, and 20 km from Shimla, Fagu is the ski resort situated in Himachal state. It is one of the secluded snowy retreats in Himachal state. It is one of the best ski resorts in India, and among the prime place to visit on a Shimla trip.

Fagu is a famous site for adventure sports in Himachal state. It is situated on the Hindustan Tibet Road at a height of about 2500 m above sea level. It is well known for its swaying green fields with the snow-covered Himalayas at its backdrop. Fagu surprises vacationers with its splendor, charm, and serenity. It is one of the top places to visit near Delhi for skiing lovers.

The town is surrounded by greenery and is rich in flora and fauna. Fagu is a perfect place for nature lovers and a must-visit place for those fond of scenic beauty. The place serves as a good base camp for trekkers and naturalists. The picturesque view of the hills and their beauty is really enchanting.

Banthia Devta Temple, the place of worship of the local God is one of the most famous temples in the town which can be reached by climbing about 1000 steps. This Temple in Fagu reflects the craftsmanship of the locals with its extraordinary wood carvings.

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At a distance of 97 km from Shimla & 84 km from Kufri, Hatkoti Temples are located in Hatkoti village of Jubbal. The Hatkoti temples are a group of temples located on the scenic banks of River Jabbar. Hatkoti is one of the popular pilgrimage places in Himachal Pradesh.

The Hatkoti Temple is an abode of goddess Mahishasurmardini, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The statue of the goddess is 1.2 m in height and made of eight precious metals. The idol depicts the goddess with ten arms, riding a lion, carrying weapons and slaying the demon Mahishasura. There is an inscription on both sides of the idol that no one has been able to decode so far.

The complex also has a separate temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temples also boast of five idols, which ideally represent the five Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata period. These idols are arranged in accordance to their size with the first one being the largest.

According to the history, Hatkoti temples date back to the period between the sixth to the ninth century, the Gupta period in Indian history. The temples reflect the beautiful architecture of that era. The architecture and design of Hatkoti Temple was originally in the classical Shikhara or tower style. The Shikhara style represents ancient structures that are conical or narrow at the top and have a wide base at the bottom. The walls of the temples are carved with ornate sculptures and speak volumes of the architectural ...

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At a distance of 90 kms from Shimla & 76 km from Kufri, Jubbal Palace is among the most prominent places to see in Jubbal. The Palace situated at an altitude of 7000 ft above sea level is one of the popular heritage sites in Himachal state.

Designed by a French architect in 1930, the Palace architecture is a blend of Chinese, Indian and European styles. The Jubbal Palace is colored in cream hue and is admired with sloping roofs and red chimneys. The lower portion of the Palace known as Rana's abode consists of sandstone and is noteworthy for the vast stacks of deodar timber used in its structure. The modern wing of the Palace has an Indo-European design and feel with convoluted wooden ceilings and the works. The deodar wood from the surrounding forest was used for the construction of the Palace structures. Another beautiful aspect is the stunning display of the collection of ancient guns used by the royal families of Jubbal. In the interiors, visitors will find intricately carved structures of timber, suspended attics and signed photographs and paintings of eminent people.

The present Palace is an impressive structure. The main entrance to the Palace is through a massive wooden door about 18 ft high and 7 ft wide. It is covered with copper and studded with coins. Old furniture and other artifacts and a rich library with a choice collection of Sanskrit and Persian books are some of its other attractions besides the beauty of the Palace. The Palace is spread over 4 ...

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At a distance of 75 km from Jaipur, 87 km from Alwar & 247 km from New Delhi, Bhangarh Fort is one of the medieval forts of Rajasthan located in Bhangarh town of Alwar district.

The town of Bhangarh was established in 1573 during the rule of Bhagwant Das. The Bhangarh fort was built in 1613 by Madho Singh, who was the son of Man Singh of Amber, a great Mughal General. The fort is considered to be one of the most haunted places in India. Because of the numerous ghostly experiences and happenings in the fort premises, villages have sprung up far away from the fort. The Archaeological Survey of India has forbidden the locals and tourists from entering the fort at night.

The fort and the town of Bhangarh are believed to be haunted since many centuries. There are several legends associated with the palace. According to one story, the town was cursed by a magician Guru Balu Nath who had sanctioned the construction of the town on one condition that the city will be destroyed the moment the shadow of the palaces touch him. In ignorance, Ajab Singh, son of Madho Singh, raised the height of the palace, causing the devastation of Bhangarh. Balu Nath is said to be buried there to this day in a small Samadhi. As per another story, a tantrik who fell in love with Princess of Bhangarh, Ratnavati, cursed that the whole area be destroyed.

Bhangarh Fort, now in ruins, is surrounded by a ruined wall. It has four gates namely Lahori Gate, Ajmeri Gate, Phulbari Gate and Delhi ...

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At a distance of 72 km from Alwar, 147 km from Jaipur and 121 km from New Delhi, Neemrana is an ancient historical town located on Delhi - Jaipur highway in Alwar district in Rajasthan. It is situated between Behror and Shahjahanpur and is among popular tourist places to visit near Delhi, Jaipur, Noida & Gurgaon for a day trip.

Neemrana town is famous for its magnificent Neemrana Fort Palace. It was built in 1464 AD, occupied by Chauhans till 1947. Neemrana became the third capital of the descendants of Prithviraj Chauhan III. Neemrana derived its name from a brave local chieftain Nimola Meo, who when defeated by the Chauhans, pleaded that his name be given to his lost kingdom. It was subsequently conquered by the Mughals and the Jats before reverting back to the Rajputs in 1775 when the princely state of Alwar was established.

Neemrana Fort Palace is located on a high hillock and commands magnificent views of the surrounding valley. The entire property of Neemrana Fort Palace is spread over 25 acres of land while the 10 storey palace is built over 3 acres of land. In the year 1986, this palace underwent restoration and was transformed into a hotel. Now, this is one of the Rajasthan's oldest heritage luxury hotels.

Timings: 10 AM to 3 PM

Entry Fee: Rs. 2000 per Person including buffet lunch

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At a distance of 36 km from Alwar, 111 km from Jaipur & 195 km from New Delhi, Sariska Tiger Reserve is a popular national park and wildlife refuge located at Sariska in the Alwar district of Rajasthan. It is one of the best national parks near Delhi, among the popular Alwar places to visit.

Sariska Tiger Reserve is one of the prominent national parks in India. Formerly a hunting ground of the Maharaja of Alwar, the park was declared as a wildlife reserve in 1955 and then a Tiger Reserve in 1978 under Project Tiger. Sariska is among the 28 Tiger reserves in the country and it is spread across an area of 850 sq. km with a core area of approximately 500 sq. km. Sariska has a varied topography that includes grasslands, dry deciduous forests, cliffs, and rocky landscapes. The Aravalli mountain ranges surround the park which is covered with thick forests.

This reserve is famous for Bengal tigers along with many species of wildlife like leopard, jungle cat, caracal, striped hyena, Indian jackal, chital, sambar, nilgai, chinkara, four-horned antelope, and wild boar. Sariska is also famous for bird watching with some of the rarest feathered species like grey partridge, white-throated kingfisher, Indian peafowl, bush quail, sand grouse, treepie, golden-backed woodpecker, ...

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At a distance of 87 km from Dehradun, 98 km from Mussoorie and 43 km from Kalsi, Chakrata is a beautiful town in Dehradun district. It is situated between the Tons and Yamuna rivers, at an elevation of 2118 m. It was originally a cantonment town during British rule. The town, enclosed between Kinnaur in the west and Mussoorie in the east, is known for its beautiful and serene location. It is one of the popular summer destinations in Uttarakhand state and also one of the best places around Dehradun.

The town was earlier known as Jaunsar Bawar, belonging to the Jaunsari tribes. The cantonment of British Indian Army was established here in 1866 by Colonel Hume of the 55th Regiment and the troops first occupied the cantonment in April 1869. This place was a summer retreat for officials of the English East India Company.

Chakrata is an ideal spot for nature lovers, bird watchers, adventure lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. The hill station is rich in varied panoramic views. Kharamba Peak, at an altitude of 10,000 feet provides opportunities for climbing and skiing. There are numerous caves and ancient temples near Chakrata which add to the attraction of this secluded hill station. The chief attraction around Chakrata is Tiger Fall waterfall and a small hamlet known as Deoban that provides ...

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At a distance of 8 km from Haridwar, 21 km from Rishikesh & 55 km from Dehradun, Rajaji National Park is a Tiger Reserve situated at the edge of the sprawling Dehradun Valley. It is one of the must-visit national parks in India, and among the top tourist places in Haridwar.

Motichur Wildlife Sanctuary, which covers about 90 sq. km, was carved out of Dehradun forests in the year 1966. Similarly, Rajaji Wildlife Sanctuary was formed from the Shivalik forests and Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary from the Lansdowne forests in 1967 and 1974 respectively. The Rajaji National Park was established by merging these three wildlife sanctuaries and named Rajaji National Park in the year 1983 after the famous freedom fighter and the last Governor-General of India Sri C. Rajagopalachari, popularly known as Rajaji.
 
Spread over an area of 820.42 sq. km, the Rajaji National Park is situated along with the Shivalik ranges in the Himalayan foothills and bordered by Haridwar, Dehradun, and Chillawali. The Park comprises the Shivalik ecosystem. The Motichur and Rajaji sanctuaries are contiguous and are separated from the Chilla Sanctuary by the Ganges River and the Chilla River. Rajaji National Park is rich in diverse species of flora and fauna. It is one of the best national parks in Uttarakhand.

The ...

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At a distance of 11 km from Sattal, and 20 km from Nainital, Bhimtal is a picturesque lake located in the town of Bhimtal near Nainital. Situated at an altitude of 1,370 m, it is one of the picturesque lakes in the Kumaon region, and among the most prominent places of sightseeing in Nainital.

The town of Bhimtal is older than the Nainital city and it was once part of the ancient silk route. The town and the lake are named after Bhima, one of the Pandavas of the epic Mahabharata who is said to have visited the place during the exile period. This is another popular attraction not to miss in a Nainital tour packages.

Bhimtal is the largest lake in the Kumaon region and is situated amidst lush green mountains. The lake is 1701 m in length, 451 m in width, and a depth of 18 m. It is spread across 63.25 hectares of area. The Victoria dam was built on this Lake in 1883 when the Kumaon region was under the British Raj. Bhimtal offers splendid views and visual vistas of nature's beauty. The lake provides a drinking water supply and supports aquaculture with several species of fish.

The Bhimtal Lake is much cleaner and less crowded than the Lake at Nainital. There is an island at the center of the lake which can be reached by boat. This island has an aquarium with different species of fish from China, South Africa, and Mexico. Earlier ...

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At a distance of 17 km from Nainital and 8 km from Bhowali, Kainchi Dham is a religious pilgrimage center located at Kainchi on the Nainital - Almora Road in Uttarakhand. The word Kainchi means two sharp hairpin bends in a local dialect and hence the name. It is one of the well known temples of Uttarakhand state and one of the top places to visit in Nainital. Famous visitors of the temple include Apple founder Steve Jobs and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. This is another popular attraction not to miss in a Nainital tour package.

Kainchi is a beautiful secluded shrine and is famous for the Hanuman Mandir. The ashram is situated at an altitude of 1400 m. In 1962, Neem Karoli Baba built a platform around a place where two spiritual gurus Sadhu Premi Baba and Sombari Maharaj had performed Yagyas in Kainchi village. The Hanuman temple was later built over the platform thus establishing the Kainchi Ashram. The first temple of Lord Hanuman was inaugurated in June 15, 1964 by Neem Karoli Baba.

Baba Neem Karoli died on September 10, 1973. A temple for him was subsequently built at the Ashram. His statue was consecrated on 15th June 1976. Thousands of devotees from all around the country visit this place every year. Among the most well-known of Neem Karoli Baba's disciples were spiritual ...

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At a distance of 34 km from Nainital and 28 km from Mukteshwar, Ramgarh is a small hill station in Uttarakhand state and popular places to visit in Nainital district. Situated on the way to Mukteshwar, this place is famous for orchards.

Ramgarh is divided in two parts known as Malla located on elevation and Talla located downhill. This is situated at an average elevation of 1518 m above sea level. Ramgarh is away from the hustle bustle of the city offering pristine environment and gigantic view of the Himalayas.

This hill station is founded by British and was frequently visited by many high profile personalities of India and British. The place was once the cantonment of the English army. The hill station carries the legacy of some ancestral buildings, used as inspection bungalows and temporary palaces for officers dating back to British colonial period.

Ramgarh is also known as Fruit Bowl of Kumaon as it houses orchards of apples, apricots, peach and pears. It is an ideal destination for leisure trip in solitude, calm and serenity with pleasing atmosphere. The famous poets Rabindranath Tagore and social worker Narain Swami had established their ashrams over here. Rabindranath Tagore had composed some of his compositions at Ramgarh. There is also a library dedicated to famous Hindi poet writer Mahadevi Varma, who got the idea of writing the famous story Lachma, in Ramgarh.

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At a distance of 8 km from Tallital Bus Stand, Sariyatal is a small but beautiful lake located on Kaladungi Road in Nainital.

Sariyatal is among the numerous lakes of Kumaon range and is fed by a beautiful stream surrounded by lush green picturesque landscape. The water of the stream is very cold. This deep emerald lake is also referred as Sarita Tal.

Apart from the beautiful lake, Sariyatal is also famous for Himalayan Botanical Garden which is run by Forest Department. The Botanical Garden, spread over an area of 30 hectares, is a prominent center of study. It has a collection of several rare and endangered native plant species. This garden also has some major attractions which include an orchidarium, herbarium, Thunia Alba orchid, geodesic dome, waterfalls, etc.

Entry Ticket for Botanical Garden: Rs.20 per person.

Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM.

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At a distance of 48 km from Vrindavan and 45 km from Mathura, Barsana is a town in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh. Barsana was the birthplace of Radha, the consort of Krishna. Barsana is among well known tourist places near Delhi, best visited during Holi festival.

Barsana is surrounded by hills from four sides and this place was earlier named Brahmsarin. The myth goes that Krishna asked Brahma to take the form of hill. The four hills are said to represent the four heads of Brahma. Hence Brahma and Sarin (head) form this name. All the four hills have temples dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha. The most famous among these is the Radharani Mandir, more fondly referred to as the Ladli ji Temple. It was built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo of Orchha in 1675. The new marble temple adjoining it is a later addition. The village also boasts of a tank named Prem Sarovar that is believed to be the first meeting place of Lord Krishna and Radha.

Barsana is famous for Lath Mar Holi. It was the home of Radha where Krishna went to tease her and her friends. Taking offence at this, the women of Barsana chased Krishna and his friends away. The main celebrations at Barsana, take place at the Ladli ji temple, dedicated to Sri Radha Rani.

The two day celebrations of Lath Mar Holi are a unique experience. In the first day men from Krishna's village, Nandgaon travel to Barsana to tease the women there. The women chase men and ...

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At a distance of 39 km from Bulandshahr, 55 km from Meerut, 58 km from Ghaziabad, 75 km from Noida, 83 km from New Delhi and 172 km from Mathura, Kuchesar is small village in Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh. Kuchesar is an ideal weekend getaway from Delhi, Noida & Gurgaon. Kuchesar is known for the Kuchesar Fort, also known as Rao Raj Vilas, built by the Jat rulers.

The fort was built in the mid-18th century by the Jat rulers and is surrounded by a 100-acre mango grove. During 1740, the Jats became strong military power who originally belong to Mandoti in Haryana and were the descendants from the Jats of the Dalal sub-caste.

The Kuchesar Fort was brought into the Ajit Singh's family's possession in the 18th century when the Mughal emperor Najib-ud-Daulah bestowed the Jat family with the title of Rao Bahadur and the Jagir of Kuchesar comprising of 365 villages. The mud fort of Kuchesar was captured in 1763 but was recovered by the Jat rulers by 1782 and it remained under their control until British captured it in 1807.

The Mud Fort has seven turrets built in defense against British cannon attack. A wide moat was dug to create the ramparts. The main palace overlooks gardens on three sides and on the west are the ruins of a replica of Robert Clive's house in Kolkata. Now, a part of the Fort was restored by Neemrana Hotels and turned into a heritage hotel in 1998.

The royal family currently resides ...

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At a distance of 68 km from Ghaziabad, 52 km from Bulandshahr, 44 km from Meerut & 93 km from New Delhi, Garhmukteshwar is a holy town in Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh. It is situated on the banks of holy Ganges River and is a well known tourist place near Delhi, Noida & Gurgaon..

Garhmukteswar is mentioned in Bhagvat Purana and the Mahabharata. It is believed that Garhmukteswar was a part of ancient city Hastinapur, the capital of Kauravas. There is an ancient fort which was believed to have been constructed by the Pandavas It was later renovated by a Maratha General Mir Bhawan during Anglo Maratha War. Not much remains of that Fort now and one can only trace some ruins.

The name Garhmukteswar is derived from the great temple of Mukteshwar Mahadeva, dedicated to Lord Shiva and goddess Ganga. This temple is one of the most known and ancient temples located in Garhmukteshwar and said to have been built by King Shivi. There is a huge Shiva Linga installed inside this temple which is said have been installed by Sage Parasurama. The temple receives thousands of devotees during Shivrathri who throng to the temple to have darshan of Lord Shiva.

There is also a Ganga Temple which is one of the famous tourist spots of this city. Lakhs of devotees come here to have a holy dip in the river Ganga at the time of Maha Kumbh Mela, which comes once in 12 years. The place is also famous for its 80 Sati Pillars which is a mark where Hindu widows used to have committed ...

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At a distance of 42 km from Badrinath, Joshimath, also known as Jyotirmath is a town and a municipal board in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It is situated at an altitude of 6150 feet in the snow-capped Himalayan ranges just above the mountains of Dhauliganga and Alaknanda. It is also the gateway to many Himalayan expeditions, trekking trails, camping and pilgrimage centers.

Joshimath is one of the four maths or monasteries established in the 8th century by Adi Guru Sri Shankaracharya. The math here is dedicated to Atharva Veda. Joshimath lies in the region of Vishnuprayag, where two rivers of Dhauliganga and Alaknanda meet.

Joshimath is an important pilgrimage center with several temples and religious sites. Narasimha temple and Bhavishya Badri Temples are the prominent temples located in Joshimath. Narasimha Temple is an ancient temple of Lord Vishnu and main temple of Joshimath. It has idol of Lord Narasimha, which is believed to be established by Shankaracharya. As per local belief, the right hand of this idol has become as thin as hair. When it breaks, the mountains Jay-Vijay shall join and become one and Lord Badrinath will disappear from present temple and re-appear as black stone at new place called Bhavishya Badri, which is situated at a distance of 10 km from Joshimath. When Badrinath temple remains closed during winter every year, one idol of Lord Badri is brought to Narasimha temple and worshiped ...

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At a distance of 32 km from Badrinath and 11 km from Joshimath, Vishnuprayag is one of the Panch Prayags of Alaknanda River, and lies at the confluence of Alaknanda River and Dhauliganga River, in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It is a famous pilgrimage center in Uttarakhand state.

The Alaknanda River, which originates in the eastern slopes of glacier fields of Chaukhamba, is joined by the Saraswathi River near Mana, and then flows in front of the Badrinath temple. It then meets the Dhauli Ganga River, which originates from the Niti Pass, to form the Vishnuprayag. This stretch of the Alaknanda River is called the Vishnu Ganga. Vishnuprayag is the first of Panch Prayag, other four being Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag according to descending order of river Alakananda that meets other four tributaries of holy Ganga at four different places.

Situated at an altitude of 1,372 m, Vishnuprayag derives its name from Lord Vishnu who appeared at this place to sage Narada. A Vishnu temple is located near the confluence that is dated to 19th century, and is credited to the Maharani of Indore - Ahalyabai. A stairway from this temple leads to the confluence spot. Most of the pilgrims take a dip in the nearby Vishnu Kund before entering the temple. It is prohibited to take dip in confluence at Vishnuprayag because of its strong current.

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At a distance of 22 km from Nainital & 12 km from Bhimtal, Sattal or Sat Tal is a cluster of seven inter-connected freshwater lakes located in Nainital district. At an altitude of 1,370 m, it is one of the most scenic places around Nainital and also one of the popular Uttarakhand tourist places.

The group of lakes is set amidst dense forests of oak and pine trees. Sattal is one of the few unspoiled and unpolluted fresh water bodies in India. This is often compared with Westmoreland of England by British. The names of the seven lakes of Sattal are Purna Tal, Ram Tal, Sita Tal, Laxman Tal, Nal Damyanti Tal, Sukh Tal and Garud Tal. The Garud Tal is a solitary lake and is not interconnected. The Ram, Sita and Lakshman Tal all together form the Sattal main Lake.

These lakes are heaven for migratory birds. It has 500 species of resident and migratory birds, 20 species of mammals, over 525 species of butterflies and over 11,000 species of moths, beetles, bugs and other insects. Birds like red-billed blue magpie, kingfishers, blue-throated and brown-headed barbets are easily spotted. These birds try to escape the harsh cold of the great Himalayan region by migrating to lower areas of the Himalayas. The market and tourist activities of Sattal are located around the main Sattal Lake.

Visitors ...

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At a distance of 26 km from Almora, Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the foothills of Himalayas in Almora district of Uttarakhand. It is one of the must visit places as part of wildlife tours in India.

Binsar wildlife sanctuary was declared in the year 1988. This reserve forest is located at an altitude of 2270 m and it covers an area of 47.04 sq. km. The peak point known as Jhandi Dhar is at an elevation of 2412 m. Apart from protecting wildlife, the sanctuary was established with an aim to conserve the broad leaf oak forests, mainly located in the Central Himalayan region.

Binsar was the summer capital of the Chand Kings, who ruled Kumaon from the 11th to 18th centuries. During British rule there was a base at Almora and during summer Binsar was used as official summer capital. There are 5 villages inside the sanctuary and 30 villages on the boundary of the sanctuary.

This sanctuary is rich in diversified flora and fauna as the place is home to variety of plants and animals. The sanctuary has been declared an Important Bird Area by Bird Life International as there are more than 200 species of birds in the sanctuary, including Fork tail, Blackbirds, Laughing Thrush, Pheasant, Nuthatches, Parakeets and Monal. The Sanctuary is also home to Barking Deer, Himalayan bear, leopard, fox, musk deer, langur, porcupine, flying squirrel, chital, jungle cat etc.

Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, perched on top ...

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At a distance of 37 km from Almora, Jageshwar is a Hindu pilgrimage town in Almora district of Uttarakhand. It is located at an altitude of 1870 m on the banks of Jataganga River.

Jageshwar was once the center of Lakulish Shaivism (Lakulish is 28th Avatar of Shiva). Origin and history of Lakulish (Shiva with a wooden stick) traverse back to Gujarat region of current India. The temple city comprises a cluster of 124 large and small temples with many preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India, which include Dandeshwar Temple, Chandi Temple, Jageshwar Temple, Kuber Temple, Mritunjaya Temple, Nanda Devi or Nava Durga, Nava-grah temple, a Pyramidal shrine, and Surya Temple, amongst which the oldest shrine is the Mrityunjaya Temple and the biggest shrine is the Dandeshwar Temple.

There is no definite dating of the construction of Jageshwar group of temples but according to the ASI, they belong to the post-Gupta and pre-medieval eras. These temples range in the period from the 8th century (early Katyuri Dynasty) to the 18th century (Chand Dynasty). The temples were renovated during the reign of Katyuri King Shalivahandev. There is an inscription of Malla Kings in the main temple indicating their devotion to Jageshwar. The Katyuri Kings also donated villages to the temple priests for its maintenance. The Chand Kings of Kumaon were also patrons of the Jageshwar temple. Numerous Jageshwar temples were constructed or restored during the Gurjara Pratihara era.

Over ...

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At a distance of 20 km from Almora and 30 km from Ranikhet, Katarmal Sun Temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated at Katarmal village in Almora district of Uttarakhand.

Katarmal Temple is dedicated to Lord Burhadita or Vriddhaditya (the old Sun God) and is one of the famous historical places of Kumaon hills in Uttarakhand. The present image of Surya in the temple dates back to 12th century. Built in the 9th century by Katarmalla, a Katyuri king, this temple is perched at an altitude of 2116 m.

The Sun Temple is noted for its magnificent architecture and is a monument of historical importance. The temple complex has one main temple surrounded by 45 smaller exquisitely carved temples. The idols of Shiva-Parvati and Lakshmi-Narayana can also be spotted in this temple. The building faces the east in a way such that the first rays of the sun fall on the Shiva Lingam. Stone-built walls, intricate figures, beautiful pillar carvings and exquisitely cut out wooden doors are among the distinctive features of this temple.

The carved wooden doors and panels were transported to the National Museum, Delhi, after the original idol of presiding deity was stolen in the 10th century. The temple, which holds other carvings on walls and panels, was declared a monument of national importance.

Though the temple is in a decaying state, it is visited by many devotees who come here to offer prayer to the Sun God. There is no ...

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At a distance of 32 km from Ajmer and 106 km from Jaipur, Kishangarh is a historical town and a municipality situated in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan. Popularly called the marble city of India, Kishangarh is one of the top places to visit as part of Ajmer holiday packages.

Kishangarh State was founded by the Jodhpur prince Kishan Singh in 1609 CE. Before the rule of Kishan Singh, Kishangarh was ruled by Maharaja Samokhan Singh who was a distant relative of Kishan Singh's family and grandfather of Naubat Khan. Kishangarh was the capital of the eponymous princely state during the British Raj, which was located in the Rajputana Agency.

Kishangarh is the birthplace of the Kishangarh School of painting, which is known for the beautiful depiction of a courtesan known as Bani Thani. This school was established by Maharaja Sawant Singh. Khoda Ganesh Ji temple, Kishangarh Fort, Phool Mahal Palace, and Gondalav Lake are some of the major attractions of the city. It also has a small temple of nine planets and is the only place in the world with a temple of nine planets.

Kishangarh Fort is a historical fort situated on the banks of Gondalav Lake. It was built in 1649 CE by Maharaja Roop Singh of Ajmer. Blending the architectural styles of Rajput and Mughal designs, this fort has several small palaces and courtyards within the complex which are decorated with frescoes, murals, and paintings. The fort has a huge double-storeyed ...

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