Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park—named after the hunter turned conservationist Jim Corbett who played a key role in its establishment—is the oldest national park in India. The park was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park. Situated in Nainital district of Uttarakhan ,Uttaranchal,the park acts as a protected area for the critically endangered Bengal tiger of India, the secure survival of which is the main objective of Project Tiger, an Indian wildlife protection initiative. The Jim Corbett National Park is a heaven for the adventure seeker and wildlife adventure lovers. Corbett National Park is India's first national park which comprises 520.8 km2. area of hills, riverine belts, marshy depressions, grass lands and large lake.

Mussoorie

Mussoorie is a very famous hill station in india. Its really quit place to go. This hill station, situated in the foothills of the Himalaya ranges, is also known as the Queen of the Hills. From Dehradun is situated at an altitude of 2,500 mts. Above sea-level. Enchanting view of pine covered hill slopes and snow capped mountains leave an indelible impression on one's mind.The modern bungalows, malls and well laid gardens which are located on the small hills around the area are enough to attract any tourist. Mussoorie is an excellent respite for tourists and people who want relief from the hot sultry conditions of the plains. Nature has gifted Musoorie everything which makes a place beautiful. With the onset of summers tourists start coming here.

Unlike other hill stations, Mussoorie hasn't got a rich history. It wasn't the summer capital of British but the charm of Mussoorie lies elsewhere. Mussoorie's date with fame came after an adventuroes British military officer came here in 1827 with Mr. Shore, the resident Superintendent of Revenues at Dehradun and came up with a shooting lodge. Since then tourists haven't stopped pouring in here. Never on official records, the air of informality hung in Mussoorie. it was as if it is left for the 'affairs of the heart'. And it was not long after that Mussoorie had to its credit, the title of 'honeymoon capital of India', where romance flutters everywhere. The busiest of all, Mussoorie has a hectic social life, the malls, shops, tourists all this makes sure that the place does not have a dull day in calender through out the year. Being so popular Mussoorie is a highly developed hill station.

Haridwar - Rhishikesh

Haridwar is a important holy city and municipal board in the Haridwar District of Uttarakhand, India. Haridwar is regarded as one of the seven holiest places to Hindus. According to Hindu scriptures, Haridwar is one among the four sites where drops of the elixir of immortality.

Haridwar is one of the first towns where Ganga emerges from the mountains to touch the plains. The water in the river Ganges is mostly clear and generally cold, except in the rainy season, during which soil from the upper regions flows down into it.

Daheradun

Dehradun, a city situated in the newly formed state of Uttaranchal. Dehradun is one of the oldest cities in India its reference is even fiven in the written that dates back to 250 BC even the great king Ashoka's inscriptions can be found outside the city. There are 14 edicts carved on a rock and the site where three horses were sacrificed by Raja Shilvarma of the Vrisheri dynasty. Large bricks with writing on them are laid out in the shape of a huge bird with a fire altar in the middle.

In the ancient Vedic times, the Garhwal Mandal, of which Dehradun is a part, was known as the Kedar Khand. Legend has it that Guru Dronacharaya, a Brahmin teacher of warfare, found Dehradun a place that was fit for meditation & worship and therefore, the valley of Doon was christened Drona Ashram, which means "The Abode of Drona". Perhaps that is why Indian army trains its finest cadets in the Indian Millitary Academy that is situated in this part of the state.

Dehradun has always been famous for various educational institutes that are present in the city. Its close proximity from the bustling city of Delhi and another tourist attraction Mussoorie adds to the attraction of the city. Its mild climate and the list of endless places to visit in the city makes it an important tourist attraction.

During the British Raj, Dehradun was the summer base of the Viceroy's Bodyguard, and transformed into an educational centre and military cantonment. At present, it is also the base of the Indian Military Academy. Dehradun also boasts of the Forest Research Institute, dating back to the British Raj period, and the Wildlife Institute of India.

WHAT TO SEE

Rajaji National Park

Forest Research Institute

Tapkeshwar Temple

Tapovan

Malsi Deer

Uttarkhand State

Uttarakhand is a state located in the northern part of India. It was carved out of Himalayan and adjoining districts of Uttar Pradesh on 9 November 2000, becoming the 27th state of the Republic of India. In January 2007, the name of the state was officially changed from Uttaranchal, its interim name, to Uttarakhand. The provisional capital of Uttarakhand is Dehradun which is also a rail-head and the largest city in the region.

Uttarakhand ( Uttaranchal) has educational institutions of major importance to India and the world. It is home to one of the oldest engineering colleges in Asia, the Indian Institute of Technology at Roorkee (formerly University of Roorkee)and Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology in Pantnagar.

Uttarkhand has a cultured and colourful society. The religious, social and cultural urges of the people of Uttaranchal find an expression in various fairs and festivals, which are in turn closely linked to the social and economic activities of the region. The fairs and folk festivals of Uttaranchal are very colourful and distinctive, and are the blend of various natural, social and cultural factors. The people of Uttaranchal also celebrate all the major Indian festivals.

you can see short video about tourism in Uttaranchal Pradesh

Uttarakhand Tourism from JP Sykes on Vimeo.

Mathura

Mathura is a city in the north indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located approximately 60 km north of Agra, and 150 km south of Delhi. It is the administrative centre of Mathura District of Uttar Pradesh. During the ancient period, Mathura was an economic hub, located at the junction of important caravan routes.

Mathura is said to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna at the centre of Braj or Brij-bhoomi, called Krishna janma-bhoomi, literary 'Krishna's birth place'.

Agra Fort ..

Agra fort, was commissioned by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1585, and is another of agra's World Heritage Sites. It is the most important fort in india. The great Muhals, Humayun, Akbar, Jehangir, Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb lived here, and the country was governed from here. It contained the lagest state treasury and mint.

Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The fort is also known as 'Lal Qila', Fort Rouge and Red Fort of Agra.

Agra is not only known for the exotic beauty of the Taj Mahal, but attached to the city is the history of the Mughal era. From the supreme Mughal ruler, Akbar the Great, to the greatest lover Shah Jahan, Agra, which was once the capital of Mughals boasts of an enthralling historical past. Agra fort is a magnanimous structure, which epitomizes two generations of the Mughal emperors. The fort is the most important fort in India. While during the rule of Akbar, the fort was basically used for military purposes, it was during the time of Shah Jahan that the fort served as used as a palace and for its courts. Explore some interesting and fun facts about the Agra Fort.

Taj Mahal - Memorial to Love

Agra is a city on the banks of the river "Yamuna" in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India.

Agra's Taj Mahal is One of the most famous building in the world. As everybody knows, it is one of the new seven wonders of the world. It is also one of the three World Heritage Sites in the Agra.

Taj Mahal is Mausoleum located in Agra, India, built by Mughal emperor "Shah Jahan" in memory of his favorite wife "Mumtaz Mahal". The taj is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles.

The calligraphy on the Great Gate reads "O Soul, thou art at rest. Return to the Lord at peace with Him, and He at peace with you."
The calligraphy was created by the Persian calligrapher Abd ul-Haq, who came to India from Shiraz, Iran, in 1609. Shah Jahan conferred the title of "Amanat Khan" upon him as a reward for his "dazzling virtuosity". Near the lines from the Qur'an at the base of the interior dome is the inscription, "Written by the insignificant being, Amanat Khan Shirazi." The calligraphy found on the marble cenotaphs in the tomb is particularly detailed and delicate.

Emperor Shah Jahan himself described the Taj in these words:

Should guilty seek asylum here,
Like one pardoned, he becomes free from sin.
Should a sinner make his way to this mansion,
All his past sins are to be washed away.
The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs;
And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.
In this world this edifice has been made;
To display thereby the creator's glory.

Fatehpur Sikri

I have visited the Taj Mahal at agra before this trip but i didn't knew that Fatehpur Sikri is as beautiful as Taj Mahal. I was really amazed to see all the architectures of Sikri.

Sikri an extension of the upper vidhyan ranges is situated on the bank of a large natural lake, which has now mostly dried up. 37 miles from Agra is built a city predominately in red sandstone and is called Fatehpur Sikri. this town was built by Mughal emperor, Akbar. Fatehpur Sikri was built during 1571 and 1585.

you can watch the video of Fatehpur Sikri at this link:-

NHK World Heritage 100 Series [Windows Media required]

Fatehpur sikri now is a world Haritage site. "The panch Mahal" - the palace of five stories.