tourism in india - kashmir

LOCATION
Situated in the northernmost part of India, Jammu and Kashmir is bordered by Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan from West to East. From South to East, the boundary of the state touches Punjab and Himachal. The state extends between the latitudes 32°17¢N to 36°58'N and longitudes 37°26¢E to 80°30¢E. 

The state can be divided into four major regions: the sub-mountain and semi-mountain plain known as kandi or dry belt; the Shivalik ranges, the high mountain zone constituting the Kashmir Valley; Pir Panchal range and its off-shoots including Doda, Poonch and Rajouri districts and part of Kathua and Udhampur districts; and the middle run of the Indus River comprising Leh and Kargil. 

BEST TIME TO VISIT 

Although a small state, the climate of this state varies from one region to another. The climate of Jammu region is tropical while it is semi-arctic in Ladakh and temperate in Srinagar region. Accordingly, rainfall also varies from region to region and while there is almost no rainfall in Ladakh, Jammu receives a rainfall of above 1,100 mm and Srinagar around 650 mm. 


TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Srinagar, the state capital, is the most famous tourist destination in the state. An ancient city, there are many attractions that can attract even the most unwilling of tourists to this magical land. Dal Lake, Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, and Chashme Shahi are some of the best-known tourist spot in Srinagar. 

Jammu is the winter capital of the state and next in importance after Srinagar. Most of the tourists who come to the Jammu region have the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine as their destination, which is quite close by. However, the spirit of holiness permeates through the entire city, so much so that Jammu is also known as the 'City of Temples'. If Bahu Mata is the presiding deity of Jammu, the dargah of Peer Budhan Ali Shah is the other shrine that is believed to protect the local people. The other major tourist attraction is the Raghunath Temple Complex, which is the largest temple in North India devoted to Lord Rama. The construction of this temple was begun by Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1851 and completed by his son Ranbir Singh six years later. 

The temple of Maha Kali (better known as Bahu or Bawey Wali Mata), located in the Bahu Fort, is considered second only to Mata Vaishno Devi in terms of mystical power. The temple was built shortly after the coronation of Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1822. 

Other temples in the city include the Gauri Kund Temple, Shudh Mahadev Temple, Shiva Temple, Peer Khoh Cave Temple, Ranbireshwar Temple, and the Parmandal Temple Complex. 

The most stunning site in Jammu is the Sheesh Mahal. The Pink Hall of the palace now houses the Dogra Art Museum, which has miniature paintings of the various hill schools. The museum also has the handwritten Persian manuscripts of the Shahnama and Sikandernama. The palace was once the royal residence of the Dogra kings. Built as a group of buildings around a courtyard, the palace has a commanding view of river Tawi on one side and the city on the other.                                                                                 

The Amar Mahal Palace Museum is a beautiful palace of red sandstone, which stands amidst the most picturesque environs of Jammu. It offers a beautiful view of the Shivaliks in the north and the river Tawi in the south. This was once the residential palace of Raja Amar Singh, but now it has been converted into a museum. The museum has a golden throne made of 120 kg of pure gold. 

A treat for those interested in history is the town of Akhnoor, 32 km southwest of Jammu. Standing on the banks of the mighty river Chenab, the town tells the tragic tale of the lovers Sohni and Mahiwal. Along the riverbank are the majestic ruins of the Indus Valley Civilization that are of great historical importance. 

Patnitop, near the Vaishno Devi Temple, is fast becoming a busy hill station and a good place to enjoy the nature in its eternity. 

Ladakh is home to the minority Buddhist community in the state. They have preserved their unique culture for the past hundreds of years. Leh is the headquarters of this region. The major points of attraction are the Leh Palace, Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, Sankar Gompa, Shanti Stupa, and Soma Gompa. 

FAIRS & FESTIVALS 

The Hemis Festival is held in the month of July when tourists in large numbers converge here from all over the world to watch the famous masked dances. The music is characteristically punctuated with sounds of cymbals, drums and long, unwieldy trumpets. The masked dancers move around slowly, very slowly, and the most vital part of the dance is the masks and not so much the actual movements of the dance. The dances end with Good vanquishing Evil and the evil one is brought into the protective fold of Buddhism. 

Like the Hemis festival, monasteries like Lamayuru, Thiksey, Spitook, Likir and many others also have their individual festivals. Since they follow the lunar calendar, the actual dates of the festivals vary from one year to another. Other than these religious celebrations, Ladakh has also been host to a 15-day festival each year to bring forward the many nuances of this rich and exotic culture that is peculiar to this high part of the world. The Jammu and Kashmir tourism department organizes the Ladakh Festival in the month of September bringing forward the region's folk dances, art and craft, sporting events and rituals. 

HOW TO REACH

BY AIR - The state has three major civil airports at Srinagar, Jammu, and Ladakh connected to Delhi and other places in the country. Indian Airlines and its subsidiary Alliance Air operate in the Delhi-Chandigarh-Ladakh and Delhi-Jammu-Srinagar routes.

BY RAIL - Jammu Tawi is the main railhead of Jammu & Kashmir. It is connected to most of the important towns and cities of the country. Moreover, the longest rail route that stretches from Jammu Tawi to Kanyakumari and touches almost all the main cities and towns of the country originates from here.

BY ROAD - One can easily reach Jammu by the National Highway 1A that goes from Punjab and runs through this city, connecting it to the rest of the state, including the capital Srinagar. The state transport corporation runs several buses to most of the big towns and cities in north India.

Ladakh is connected to Srinagar and Manali by some of the most difficult road networks in the world. The Manali-Leh road is considered as the highest motorable road in the world. 

New Year Application using C#.Net

Objective:

  To develop a windows application using c#.net to wish a

  ‘Happy New Year’

*Steps:

1) Goto 'Project' Menu -> Select 'AddReference'-> Click on 'COM'  tab.

   Select 'Microsoft Speech Object Library' -> OK



Note: Inorder to make use of this com component we have to include 'using SpeechLib' namespace in the code.

2)Design:

Design the form as shown above with one Label, one TextBox and three Buttons

3) Code:  

using System;

using System.Windows.Forms;

using SpeechLib;

namespace newyearapp

{

    public partial class newyearapp : Form

    {

        public newyearapp()

        {

            InitializeComponent();

        }

        string str1 = "wish you a happy and prosperous new year ",str2;

        SpVoice obj = new SpVoice();

        private void btnOK_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)

        {

            if (textBox1.Text.Trim().Length > 0)

            {

                str2 = str1 + textBox1.Text;               

                obj.Speak(str2, SpeechVoiceSpeakFlags.SVSFDefault);

            }

            else

                obj.Speak(str1, SpeechVoiceSpeakFlags.SVSFDefault);

        }

        private void btnClear_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)

        {

            textBox1.Text = "";

        }

        private void btnExit_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)

        {

            this.Close();

        }

    }

}

OutPut:

 We will hear new year wishes.

Displaying Google Maps in asp.net web application

Objective:

  To develop a web application using asp.net for displaying GoogleMaps

*Steps:

1)Download ‘GMaps.dll’ file, extract the folder.

2)Open VisualStudio.Net -> File -> New Web Site

3)Go to Tool Box -> right click on any tab -> Add New Tab

-> name it as GoogleMapControls -> right click on    ‘GoogleMapControls’ tab

-> Browse.. ‘GMaps.dll’ (GMaps.dll file is provided in gmaps.zip along with the source code)

 -> OK.

Now, GMaps controls will appear under ‘GoogleMapControls’ tab.

4)Design:

     

Design the form as shown with 5 TextBoxes, 1 Button and 1 GMap control (present under ‘GoogleMapControls’ tab).

  

5)Code:

using System;

using System.Configuration;

using Subgurim.Controles;

public partial class _Default : System.Web.UI.Page

{

    protected void btnShowMap_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)

    {

        string fulladdress = string.Format("{0}.{1}.{2}", TextBox1.Text, txtCity.Text, txtCountry.Text);

        string skey = ConfigurationManager.AppSettings["googlemaps.subgurim.net"];

        GeoCode geocode;

        geocode = GMap1.getGeoCodeRequest(fulladdress);

        var glatlng=new Subgurim.Controles.GLatLng(geocode.Placemark.coordinates.lat,geocode.Placemark.coordinates.lng);

        GMap1.setCenter(glatlng, 16, Subgurim.Controles.GMapType.GTypes.Normal);

        var oMarker=new Subgurim.Controles.GMarker(glatlng);

        GMap1.addGMarker(oMarker);   

    }

}

6)web.config file code:

 Inorder to use the Gmaps controls, write the following code under appSettings of web.config file:

 <appSettings>

    <add key="googlemaps.Subgurim.net" value="YourGoogleMapsAPIKeyHere="/>

  </appSettings>

Output:

tourism in india - warangal fort, andhra pradesh

The entire city is said to have been carved of a single stone giving it its original name of Orugallu. 'Oru' means one and 'Kallu' means stone. The city was also called Ekasila nagaram.

Warangal was the capital of the Hindu Shaivite Kakatiya dynasty from the 12th to the 14th centuries.Warangal Fort is one of the architectural wonders of the bygone era. History of the fort dates back all the way to 13th century The fort Warangal is built with Geometric intricacies during the reign of Ganapathi Deva, in 1199 AD and was completed by his daughter Rani Rudramadevi in 1261 AD. The Warangal Fort displays a rare and exquisite Thorean Architectural style. There are Thoranan Arches and the pillars are spread across an area of about 19 kilometers between Hanamkonda and Warangal. Although most of the fort is in ruins today, but still Warangal fort is among the best attractions in Andhra Pradesh. The place is full of riches and resources from the pas

This fort has stood witness to many wars and revolts almost throughout its life as well the history associated with it. The remarkable feature about the main gateway comprises of the four gigantic pillars, which have been crafted out of a single rock. Warangal Fort, having three protective layers, suggests the standards of security that used to be employed to guard the inner precincts and center of power.

The fort has 45 towers and pillars spread over a radius of 19 km, and a temple of Mother Earth called 'Swayambhudevi Alayam' in the middle. The famous 'Ekasshila', a beautifully carved gateway located within the fort, symbolises the Kakatiya empire Warangal Fort was destroyed by one of the invaders who successfully penetrated the three layer protection of the fort. The outermost wall which has a circumference of few kilometers is a mud wall which is around 20 feet in height. The second wall is completely built of granite. Warangal Fort is also famous for some exquisite gateways that have become a symbol of Andhra Pradesh Tourism. This huge Sanchi type gateways at the entrance are fine specimens of South India style architecture. These huge gateways, carved intricately from top to bottom are called Kirti Toranas (The Gateways of Glory). It is 56 feet in height and 72 ft wide. The wreckage comprises of intricate sculpturea, stone works, motifs and designs - depicting animals like lions and swans. The four large elaborately carved gateways, which can be still seen were the creation of the then architects, which they called as “Kirti Toranas”. The temples, sculptures, and pillars inside the fort spread over a radius of 19 kms between Hanamkonda and Warangal. The impregnable fort was popularly known as the seat of power. The largest of the temple that is in the center of the court was presumably under the construction and has been excavated .The fort premises are the ruins of temples that were demolished by the early Qutub Shahi rulers. A legendary masterpiece known as Khush Mahal architectural splendor. Shittabh Khan constructed the Khush Mahal which was constructed in the year 1504-1514. located near by Warangal fort.

It has many possessions that are worth-seeing. In short and snappy terms, visit the fort and explore this standing testimony of its glorious past. The place is filled with the treasures from the past, one only has to keep an open eye to hit the jackpot.

Situated just 2 Km from the Warangal Railway Station, the fort is easily accessible from any part of the city.

Warangal is to the north east of Hyderabad, 150 kilometers from it. The two cities are linked by road and rail. Warangal Fort is in southern Warangal.

Tourism in India - Goa

Situated on the western coast of the Indian Peninsula, the state is separated from Maharashtra by the Terekhol River in the north, Karnataka in the south, the Western Ghats in the east, and the Arabian Sea in the West. The state is located between the latitudes 15°48'00" North to 14°53'54" North and longitudes 74° 20'13" East to 73° 40'33" East

MONUMENTS

Basilica of Bom Jesus

Every day, hundreds of pilgrims arrive at the Basilica of Bom Jesus to pray to St Francis Xavier, whose tomb and mortal remains are housed in this church. Easily Goa’s finest Jesuit cathedral and a World Heritage Monument, this one is replete with paintings depicting the life of the saint besides beautiful altars decorated with rich frescoes and detailed, gilded inlays.

Fort Aguada
Built in 1612, this old Portuguese was constructed to protect the coast from the Dutch and the Marathas. Interestingly, the fort got its name (Aguada meaning water) from the freshwater spring within the premises and is characterised by a four-storey lighthouse erected in 1864—the oldest of its kind in Asia. The land around the fort is now owned by the Taj group, and on the ramparts behind the fort sits the Fort Aguada Beach Resort, where the original fort once did.

Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

Commonly called the Panjim Church, this is one of the oldest, grandest churches in Goa. It’s elegant yet baroque architecture, striking entrance, whitewashed edifice and panoramic view of Panaji City make it a must-visit.

Church and Convent of St Monica

Portraying a wonderful blend of Tuscan-Corinthian exteriors and Doric interiors, the Church of St Monica is simply stunning. Said to be the one of the oldest nunneries in India, this three-storied laterite building was destroyed by a fire in 1636 and rebuilt the following year. Within the convent lies the Museum of Christian Art which displays striking works of art such as the Donna Maria de Corm.       

MUSEUMS            

Archaeological Museum & Portrait Gallery

This site was converted in to a museum in 1964 and was originally a part of the old Franciscan monastery neighbouring the Church of St Francis of Assisi. Currently maintained by the Archaeological Society of India, it houses eight galleries which contain Portuguese and pre-colonial artefacts as well as a portrait gallery of Portuguese governors upstairs.

Archaeological Museum & Portrait Gallery, Old Goa. Open Sat-Thur from 10am to 5pm

Goa State Museum

The Goa State Museum is located in the heart of the state’s capital,Panaji, close to the bus stand. The dozen-odd galleries feature everything from Jain sculpture and Christian art to their most popular exhibit, Goa’s Freedom Struggle Gallery.

Goa State Museum, Panjim (91-0832-2438006;www.goamuseum.nic.in) Open Mon-Fri from 10am to 5pm

THEATRE, MUSIC AND DANCE

Kala Academy

The Kala Academy is renowned for their vivacious cultural performances and events. The open-air amphitheatre is a great family destination venue to watch a play or catch music concert.

Kala Academy, Campal, Panaji (+91 832 2420451;www.kalaacademygoa.org)

GALLERY

Art Escape

Art Escape is ‘collective’ run by young passionately driven artists and professionals who want to spread and share their knowledge about arts through workshops.

Woodstock – The Art Escape, Waddi Beach, South Benaulim (www.artescape.in)

WHERE TO SHOP

Mapusa Market

Tucked away from the sand-soaked hustle and bustle of the beach, the Mapusa Market is a classic example of the traditional Goan souk. Here, you can expect to find anything from ancient Portuguese antiques to Goan sweets besides the spicy and irresistible Goan sausages and dried fish; used in indigenous pickle making. People from the far-most reaches of the state all congregate here, come Friday, to buy, sell, sample and hawk their wares.

Anjuna Market

Anjuna, the legendary hippy hangout, is also extremely popular for its open-air markets; held on Wednesday and Saturday. The Wednesday Market is a vibrant cliffside flea market open from 11am to sunset makes for a great spot to stock up on forgotten beach goodies—sarongs, tees, shorts, bikinis, bags, beach balls and boogie boards. And once the sun sets on Saturday evening, you have the choice of visiting two night bazaars: Mackie’s and Ingo’s. Both showcase local artists and performers and also boast alfresco food courts. Great buys include: Tibetan silver jewellery and handicrafts from across India.

WILDLIFE AND NATURE

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary

Size has nothing to do with it; Bondla may be the smallest Goan wildlife sanctuaries, but it certainly makes for a grand visit. The lush green forest-encased botanical garden is also a miniature zoo of animals and birds, rendering it a fruitful ecosystem for the various flora and fauna that thrives here. Located in North-eastern Goa, the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary’s main attractions are their ever-popular elephant rides.

Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Ponda

Dudhsagar Waterfall

Dudhsagar is one of the most breathtaking sites in the sunshine state; best visited under the mystical façade of morning rays. As Goa’s highest waterfall—it cascades over four tiers before plunging two thousand feet down a mountain face—this alabaster tumble is located in India's Western Ghats,close to the Karnataka boarder.

Dudhsagar Waterfall, Sanguem