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	<pubDate>Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:18:06 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>Witness the beauty and charm of bygone eras in Delhi</title>
		<link>http://www.incredibleindia.com.au/witness-the-beauty-and-charm-of-bygone-eras-in-delhi/</link>
		<comments>http://www.incredibleindia.com.au/witness-the-beauty-and-charm-of-bygone-eras-in-delhi/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:18:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Incredible India</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Delhi]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[new delhi]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.incredibleindia.com.au/?p=16</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Delhi is the capital of India, and is perhaps the only city in the world that has so many contrasts in a single city. Delhi comprises of seven cities that were built by different emperors at different times. You can still see the charm of bygone eras in the ruins of Delhi and people in [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Delhi is the capital of India, and is perhaps the only city in the world that has so many contrasts in a single city. Delhi comprises of seven cities that were built by different emperors at different times. You can still see the charm of bygone eras in the ruins of Delhi and people in a mixture of traditional, ethnic dresses and designer labels. You also find the latest models of cars and cycle-rickshaws on the streets.</p>
<p>Delhi boasts of a rich history which has gone through ascents and descents of various empires. It is today an administrative and commercial center, and one of the most advanced cities of the country. Its unique heritage attracts tourists from all over the world.<span id="more-16"></span></p>
<p><strong>Delhi</strong><strong> History</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>With so many emperors having ruled over Delhi, it has a rich history. It was ruled by Mughals who succeeded Khiljis and Tughlaqs. It was in 1803 that the city came under British rule and in 1911 that the British shifted their capital from Calcutta to Delhi to once again become the center of governing activities.</p>
<p>However Delhi is known for throwing those sitting on the throne and this includes the British and the current political parties leading free India. It was after independence in 1947 that New Delhi was declared the seat of the Government of India.</p>
<p>It was during the partition that thousands of Hindu and Sikh refugees from West Punjab had migrated to Delhi; this is what led to the city&#8217;s varied cultures. The diversity of the city is its beauty. There are beautiful parks in some places while some places are heavy with traffic.</p>
<p>To bring about its metropolitan characteristics, skyscrapers, residential colonies and bustling commercial complexes have been added to the skyline of Delhi. You can find traditional and contemporary art and crafts from the country in boutiques and shopping arcades of Delhi.</p>
<p>In addition to all this, Delhi is the center of political activities of the country where you find government, administrative and judiciary buildings. It is from Delhi that the future of millions of Indians is determined by the leaders of India.</p>
<p><strong>Delhi</strong><strong> Location and Weather</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Delhi is situated on the banks of river Yamuna with the Himalayas to its north and land on its other sides. As it is positioned inland, away from sea, it has extreme continental form of climate with scorching summers and chilling dry winters.</p>
<p>The scorching heat of the sun makes summer days unbearable where day temperatures can reach 48 degrees C. this is why tourists have to be careful in summers and drink lots of water before facing heat waves. Wear comfortable cotton clothes to avoid inconvenience.</p>
<p>In contrast, the winters in Delhi bring temperatures as low as 2 degrees C, where a typical winter day comprises of misty mornings, mid-sunny afternoons and foggy evenings. The monsoons in Delhi bring an average rainfall of 714mm, which usually starts on 29 June.</p>
<p>The best time to visit Delhi for a vacation is in the spring season, from February to April or the autumn season, between August to November. The blooming seasons of February and March bring colorful spring festivals like Vasant Panchmi and Holi.</p>
<p><strong>Delhi</strong><strong> Cuisine</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Delhi offers spicy Indian food and sweets from different states of India which is why Delhi cuisine is famous for spice and variety. As the people of Delhi have a strong sweet tooth, Delhi is the home of famous sweets like Sandesh and Roshogullahs. You also find the Punjabi Chhole Bhature, Pinni and Mughlai and Tandoori cuisine found in Delhi difficult to resist. There are also many roadside dhabas, snack counters, eateries and restaurants in Delhi that offer variable cuisines you have to try.</p>
<p><strong>Delhi</strong><strong> Festivals</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Being the capital of India, you find people of all religions and communities, from all parts of India in Delhi. This is why all religious and state festivals are celebrated with pomp and show in Delhi. Durga Puja, Holi, Diwali, Eid, Bakrid, Independence Day, Republic Day and Gandhi Jayanti are all celebrated in Delhi with zeal and enthusiasm.</p>
<p>The Punjabi festival Lohri is celebrated here every year on 13<sup>th</sup> January to mark the end of winter. This is when people arrange bonfire parties to dance and sing all night. Hindus celebrate Makar Sankranti the next day while the Kite Festival is also arranged every year on this day, on the green lawns above Palika Bazaar of Connaught Place.</p>
<p><strong>Delhi</strong><strong> Tourist Attractions</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Being the capital of many empires for centuries, Delhi has numerous forts and monuments to boast of. There is a beautiful blend of the past and present in Delhi with strong citadels like Red Fort, Old Fort, Jantar Mantar, tombs of royal personages and Qutub Minar worth visiting in Delhi.</p>
<p>There are also many beautiful tombs, buildings and mosques with interesting history, worth visiting in the city. Jantar Mantar is one of the five observatories built by Maharaja Sawal Jai Singh II, the ruler and founder of Jaipur.</p>
<p>The India Gate was built by the British in honor of the unknown martyrs who had lost their lives in First World War and the Second Afghan War. One of the most visited tourist spots of Delhi is Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.</p>
<p>In addition to this, Delhi has numerous beautiful and well planned parks like the regal Mughal Gardens, the stretches of Lodi Gardens which is frequented by morning joggers and picnickers and numerous imperial tombs of yore.</p>
<p>If you love fun and frolic, you have to visit the amusement parks of New Delhi while Appu Ghar and Fun N Food Village are frequently visited spots of tourists. The National Zoological Park is one of the best zoos of Asia, found near Purana Qila or Old Fort.</p>
<p><strong>Delhi</strong><strong> Shopping</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>There is a lot of shopping to do in Delhi; you find the arts and crafts of different states of India in the Baba Khadag Singh Marg found near Parliament while the Crafts Museum of Mathura Road offers beautiful paintings, pottery and shawls. There are also many antique shops found in Sunder Nagar and jewelry shops in Dariba Kalan selling intricate jewellery.</p>
<p>You can find the latest items for sale in Connaught   Place, Sarojini Nagar and Janpath. Basically, Delhi offers everything to the shopper ranging from simple Indian handicrafts to international designer labels.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
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		<item>
		<title>The royal city of India, Jaipur</title>
		<link>http://www.incredibleindia.com.au/the-royal-city-of-india-jaipur/</link>
		<comments>http://www.incredibleindia.com.au/the-royal-city-of-india-jaipur/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jun 2008 06:09:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Incredible India</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Jaipur]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.incredibleindia.com.au/?p=15</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Jaipur is located on the deserts of Rajasthan and was once the capital of royalty. Today tie first planned city of India is the capital of Rajasthan. In fact, on taking a look at its structures, you can see the tastes of the Rajputs and royal family in the architecture of Jaipur.
Today Jaipur, the city [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Jaipur is located on the deserts of Rajasthan and was once the capital of royalty. Today tie first planned city of India is the capital of Rajasthan. In fact, on taking a look at its structures, you can see the tastes of the Rajputs and royal family in the architecture of Jaipur.</p>
<p>Today Jaipur, the city painted in pink, is an important business center for the natives of Rajasthan. The ancient testimonials like Hawa Mahal and Amber Fort remind you of the history of Jaipur. The artistic temples and gardens are worth a visit here while you get an idea of the ethnicity of the city on looking at the various festivals of the city like elephant festival and Kite festival. All of this makes Jaipur a number one tourist destination of Rajasthan.<span id="more-15"></span></p>
<p><strong>History of Jaipur</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>It was Maharaja Jai Singh II, a Kachwaha Rajput who founded the pink city of Jaipur in 1727. His capital was Amber, a city about 11 km from Jaipur. It was the increasing population and scarcity of water that made him shift his capital city to Jaipur. He had taken lots of interest in designing this city to make it the first planned city of India.</p>
<p><strong>The location and climate of Jaipur</strong></p>
<p>Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and found in the north of India. The Aravalli Hills separates Jaipur from the Thar Desert while protecting it. The city is 200.4 km large, and situated at an altitude of 431 m above sea level. It is well connected to major cities of India by rail, air and road.</p>
<p>Jaipur is hot, and dominated by three seasons. Summer is from mid March till June, monsoon is form July to September while winter is from October to March. It is not preferable to visit Jaipur in summer when the maximum temperature is 45 degrees and minimum, 22- 5 degrees Celsius.</p>
<p>You enjoy Jaipur the most in winter with its spectacular views. The evenings are beautiful when covered with jog. The food of Jaipur is served with butter and ghee, and is best eaten in winter.</p>
<p><strong>Traveling to Jaipur</strong></p>
<p>As Jaipur is accessible to the major cities of India, it is not difficult to reach this rail, road and air connected city. The wonderful networking of roads makes it easier for travel here. The railway station here provides wonderful services to passengers where Jaipur Railway station is the main station of Rajasthan.</p>
<p>If you intend to fly by air, you can use Jaipur airport at Sanganer, 13km from Jaipur. It is both a domestic and international airport connecting to foreign cities. Reaching Jaipur is not difficult; you have to choose your mode of travel according to your preference and budget</p>
<p><strong>Jaipur Excursions</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>There are many excursions to tourist attractions you can take from Jaipur like the small town Abhaneri which is famous for its steep wells and the Harshad Mata temple. As Rajasthan is famous for its traditions and culture, you have to make a trip to Bagru to take a look at traditional block printing that has no modern adulterations to its processing.</p>
<p>If you are the adventurous type, you have to make a trip to the Ranthambore or Sariska National Park. You can also visit the Sambhar Lake to take a look at salt making. The Heritage Palace of Samode is also worth visiting.</p>
<p>Tourists from far and near wait to visit the Tonk Bairath where you find Persian and Arabian manuscripts. The Ramgarh  Lake is a large, artificial lake while its hunting lodge and polo grounds are all destinations worth taking an excursion to.</p>
<p><strong>Fairs &amp; Festivals of Jaipur</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Like most parts of India, Jaipur celebrates numerous festivals with gusto and zeal. Some special festivals of Jaipur are the Elephant festival, Kite festival, Teei festival and Gangaur festival.</p>
<p>During festival time, the city looks more vibrant where people enjoy their festivals while forgetting all tensions and worries. So if you want to learn more about the customs and traditions of Jaipur, festive season is the best time to visit the city.</p>
<p><strong>Jaipur Monuments</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>A visit to Jaipur lets you take a look at the bygone era of Jaipur royalty. There are numerous forts and monuments in Jaipur to visit like Amber Fort, Nahargarh Fort and Jaigarh Fort. The stunning City  Palace is found at the heart of the city while the Hawa Mahal is a monument worth visiting. The Statue Circle is a favorite hang-out of Jaipur which celebrates the founder of the city.</p>
<p>The beautifully carved cenotaphs of the Gaitore are worth a visit when in Jaipur while the Jantar Mantar of Jaipur is still the astronomical dream of Raja Sawal Jai Singh, the king of Jaipur. The government of Rajasthan is working at preserving these monuments so that many more tourists can get to see it in the future.</p>
<p><strong>Jaipur Nightlife</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Nightlife is not as active like other global locations. The nightlife here comprises of quiet evenings where people listen to music, puppet shows and traditional dances. The Raj Mandir is a famous theater of India that offers night shows worth visiting. In addition to this, you can watch Kalbelia Dancers, Puppeteers and Bhopa-Bhopi at the Welcomgroup Rajputana Palace Sheraton every evening. You can also watch shows of classical Indian arts and plays at the Ravindra Manch and Jawahar Kala Kendra.</p>
<p><strong>Jaipur Restaurants</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Being a city of royalty that served rich food to Kings and queens, you find the best delicacies served to its residents and tourists. So on a visit to Jaipur, your taste buds get to taste a myriad of dishes in numerous restaurants, serving different types of cuisine.</p>
<p>Jaipur is famous for its Mawa Kachori, Dal Batti, Mirchi Bada, Rajasthani Subji, Ghewar and various types of chapattis. If you are not interested in trying out Rajasthani food, you can find restaurants serving Chinese, Thai, Intercontinental and Italian food. Of course, there are many outlets serving fast food like sandwiches, pizzas and Indian chat to satisfy your appetite too.</p>
<p><strong>Shopping in Jaipur</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Shopping is a must when in Jaipur with the many markets it offers. This is the best place to visit for handicrafts, jewelry, gems, pottery, textiles, leatherwear, antiques, metal works and carpets.</p>
<p>The markets you have to visit to buy the art and craft of Rajasthan are Haldiyon Ka Rasta, Jauhari Bazar, Bapu Bazar and Nehru Bazaar. There are so many things for you to buy here that a visit here is the only way to experience the pleasure of shopping in Jaipur.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>The New York of India, Mumbai</title>
		<link>http://www.incredibleindia.com.au/the-new-york-of-india-mumbai/</link>
		<comments>http://www.incredibleindia.com.au/the-new-york-of-india-mumbai/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 May 2008 07:25:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Incredible India</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Mumbai]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[Bombay]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.incredibleindia.com.au/?p=14</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Mumbai is a very famous city of India where life runs at a very hectic pace. However with this pace, you find a land of history, nightlife and attractions which make a visit to Mumbai very necessary.
History of Mumbai 
It was after the first war of independence in 1857 that the East India Company was [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Mumbai is a very famous city of India where life runs at a very hectic pace. However with this pace, you find a land of history, nightlife and attractions which make a visit to Mumbai very necessary.<span id="more-14"></span></p>
<p><strong>History of Mumbai </strong></p>
<p>It was after the first war of independence in 1857 that the East India Company was accused of mismanagement which led to Bombay reverting the British crown. And it was after the American Civil War in 1861 and the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 that Bombay became a major part of colonial economy.</p>
<p>The wealth that was accumulated with the network of commerce and communication in India led to the building of Imperial Bombay. In fact the construction of many famous landmarks of Bombay like Flora Fountain and Victoria Terminus were then started. The landmarks of this period are Gateway of India, Town Hall, General Post Office and prince of Wales Museum.</p>
<p><strong>When to visit Mumbai</strong></p>
<p>It is better to avoid visiting Mumbai during the monsoon months of June to September as this is when Mumbai becomes an overflowing pothole. Instead, plan a trip to Mumbai between October to April when there is less humidity and the air is pleasant. However if you visit Mumbai in August/September, you will be able to witness Ganesh Chathurti, a great festival of Mumbai.</p>
<p><strong>The culture of Mumbai </strong></p>
<p>Mumbai is a multicultural and multi ethnic society with a mix of Gujarati, Islamic, Maharashtrian and Parsi elements. Though the Shiv Sena has tried to give a Marathi identity to Mumbai, Mumbai is still a land of opportunity, especially on celluloid. In fact, a visit to the film world of Mumbai, Bollywood shows the film city that produces the maximum number of movies in a year, in the world.</p>
<p>Mumbai is a city where the extremities live in perfect harmony. You can tell the difference of lifestyles here by taking a walk down the rich Marine Drive and the chaotic Chowpatty, having a cup of tea at the Irani tea stalls or coffee at Apollo Bar of Taj Mahal Hotel and by taking a look at the bungalows of Pali Hills to the chawls that exist in Dharavi. Perfect examples of how the rich and not so rich live in Mumbai, or mini India.</p>
<p><strong>Tingling taste buds in Mumbai </strong></p>
<p>The most popular food in Mumbai is the Bombay platter that typically consists of curries, rice, vegetables, salad, chapattis, curd, sweets, etc. The reason this is the most preferred meal in Mumbai is because it includes an all-inclusive diet for a person.</p>
<p>People in Mumbai love their own variety of fast food that ranges from Bhel Puri to Pav Bhaji and Pani Puri to Vada Pav. Some of these snacks need no cooking while some are really hot and spicy, just right to tickle your taste-buds. The famous desserts of Mumbai that are recognized across the world are the Shrikand, Chikki, Puran Poli and Shira.</p>
<p><strong>Tourist attractions of Mumbai</strong></p>
<p>You are never to get bored in Mumbai as this is a city that offers a lot to keep you busy. English is quite common where even average people on the street will be able to understand enough to guide you. There are some spots you have to visit in Mumbai like Marine Drive, which is referred to as Bollywood, the Indian version of Hollywood.</p>
<p>Marine Drive caresses the seashore from Nariman Point to the foot of Malabar Hill. After Chowpatty Beach, Marine Drive is also famous for the Queen&#8217;s Necklace, which is one of the busiest and breeziest roads of Mumbai.</p>
<p>A visit to Chowpatty beach in August/September lets you see the majority Hindu population of Mumbai thronging its sands in a bid to immerse their huge idols of Ganesh and to incur his blessings.</p>
<p>The other days on Chowpatty Beach are filled with people who come here to eat and to be entertained. The Hanging Gardens of Mumbai is also called Ferozeshah Mehta Gardens which is built over 3 reservoirs and stores billions of gallons of water for cleaning, before getting pumped to the city of Mumbai.</p>
<p>Colaba is the hub of tourist activity in Mumbai because of its street stalls, cafes and kitsch ambience. There are many reasonably rated guesthouses and economy hotels found here for the budget traveler.</p>
<p>The Fort area of Mumbai is synonymous to old Victorian and Gothic buildings. This is an area that is always full of activity as it is an important financial and commercial center. You find the Bombay Stock Exchange here.</p>
<p>Crawford Market comes with a 50 ft high sky lit awning and is the place to shop for varieties of fruits, vegetables and meat. It is the frieze found just above its main entry point, and designed by Lockyard Kipling the father of Rudyard Kipling, that has made the market famous.</p>
<p>The most famous landmark of Mumbai is the Gateway of India which was built to commemorate the visit of King George and Queen Mary to India in 1911. You can take a short motorboat cruise from the Gateway and experience Mumbai by the sea.</p>
<p>Haji Ali is a mosque that is visited by people of all faiths; however as it is found at the end of a causeway that protrudes to the Arabian Sea, it can be visited only at low tide. Essel World is the famous amusement park of Mumbai, which is situated near Gorai beach and can be reached by ferry. There are roller coasters and a water world you can enjoy with during your visit here. There are special rates on weekends and off seasons.</p>
<p><strong>Shopping in Mumbai </strong></p>
<p>Shopping in Mumbai is both exciting and electrifying where you can find everything ranging from the latest trends to antique jewelry, the latest cars and gadgets, handicrafts and abstract paintings.</p>
<p>There are huge malls you can visit and spend hours deciding on what to buy. There are also specialized malls for jewelry, furniture, weddings, sports items, interiors and equipments. Besides these malls, you could also check out ancient markets like Chor Bazaar, Mutton Street, Hill Road, Fashion Street and Zaveri Bazar.</p>
<p>The markets of Bombay are often referred to as the New York of India where you can find everything that you want. However when shopping at local markets, you have to bargain a lot so that you can get products at throwaway prices.</p>
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		<title>The state of confluence of religions, GOA</title>
		<link>http://www.incredibleindia.com.au/the-state-of-confluence-of-religions-goa/</link>
		<comments>http://www.incredibleindia.com.au/the-state-of-confluence-of-religions-goa/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 04 May 2008 11:18:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Incredible India</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Goa]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[goa beaches]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.incredibleindia.com.au/?p=13</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[India is a land of diverse cultures and languages spread over its many states. One state that is definitely worth a visit in India is Goa, found on the west coast of India. Goa is famous for its attractive beaches, temples, churches, festivals, food and most important its hospital people.
Location and Climate
Goa is separated from [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>India is a land of diverse cultures and languages spread over its many states. One state that is definitely worth a visit in India is Goa, found on the west coast of India. Goa is famous for its attractive beaches, temples, churches, festivals, food and most important its hospital people.<span id="more-13"></span></p>
<p><strong>Location and Climate</strong></p>
<p>Goa is separated from the state of Maharashtra by the Terekhol  River in the north while the state of Karnataka lies to its south. The Western Ghats surround it on the east while the Arabian Sea is found to its west.</p>
<p>Goa is a state with moderate temperature and not much of a variation in its seasons. May is the hottest month here while January and February are the coldest. It&#8217;s rainy in Goa between June and September because of Southwest Monsoon where July gets the most rainfall.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Famous culture of Goa</strong></p>
<p>Goa is very famous for its rich cultural heritage of folk songs, folk tales and visual arts. As music flows in Goan blood, most Goans can play the guitar or piano. Most of the Goan songs come from Portuguese love songs, but there are also musicians here who have created their own hard rock.</p>
<p>The coexistence of Hinduism and Christianity that is special in Goa which started with the Portuguese introducing their religion to a Hindu society. It was on 19<sup>th</sup> December 1961 that Goa was included into the Indian Union; however the romance of the past still lingers here.</p>
<p>The Goan folk dances are comprised of different strata, castes and religions of Goan society where women perform traditional dances like Dekni, Fugdi and Dhalo. Kunbi is also a famous tribal folk dance while the Morulem is performed by the backward community in Shigmo. Locals perform the Dhangar during a Navarathri, which is a great merge of worship and dance.</p>
<p><strong>Food </strong></p>
<p>The various cultures of Goa have produced unique Goan cuisine. Besides tandoori, rice and dal, the restaurants offer chourisso and vindalho, dishes made from pork. It was the Portuguese who had introduced cashew nuts and chilies here while plantains were brought from African colonies. You can find the best wines, including port wine and beers of India here in Goa.</p>
<p>Seafood is predominant here while most of the dishes here are chili hot, spicy and pungent. There are numerous restaurants found in Goa, which are famous for its wonderful seafood cuisine. Chinese restaurants here serve international cuisine while Goan restaurants offer Goan curry fish and Mangalorean delicacies.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Festivals and fairs </strong></p>
<p>Festivals and fairs are played around temples and churches here; where indo-Latin festivals are the most famous carnivals. The spring festival of Saturnalia is in honor of New Year, and is a festival of joy and abandon. On the other hand, Shivaratri is a festival of austerity and penance in Goa. This is because Indians have been worshipping Lord Shiva centuries before the Indo-Iranians migrated into Goa.</p>
<p>Shivaratri starts on the fourteenth day of the month of Falgun and Shigmo, another festival is celebrated in the later half of the month. Zatra is a festival celebrated in all the important temples of Goa like Mangueshi, Kundai, Shiroda and Velinga.</p>
<p><strong>Monuments of Goa</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Goa is proud of the Old Portuguese forts found dotted around the coast of Goa. As these forts are reasonably preserved, a visit here is worth it. There are forts at Chapora is worth visiting while the one at Terekhol has been converted into hotel accommodation. These forts were built as protection from enemies from entering the river.</p>
<p>The Shahouri Mashed is the most famous and largest of the 27 mosques found in Ponda taluk, and was built by Ibrahim Adilshah of Bijapur in 1560. There is a wonderful masonry tank housing small chambers with ‘meharab&#8217; designs near the mosque. Lots of people attend the festivals of Id-Ul-Fitr and Id-Ul-Zuha which are celebrated in this mosque with pomp and vigor.</p>
<p>The Jama Masjid is found at Sanguem, and though was built in the last century, was renovated completely in 1959. Now the structure is with harmonious proportions and simplicity with four minarets and an entrance that is flanked by two turrets on pillared kiosks. There is a dome shaped kiosk in the center of the four minarets.</p>
<p><strong>Goa</strong><strong> beaches</strong></p>
<p>Some of the most beautiful beaches of the world are strung on the 100 km coastline of Goa. These beaches look like dazzling stretches of golden sand that edges the huge Arabian Sea. So beautiful are these beaches that you find it difficult to decide which beach to head for.</p>
<p>The twin beaches of Candolin and Calangute are found north of Panjim and the Aguada headland, and are an unbroken crescent of sand stretching four miles. In fact, Calangute became a traveler&#8217;s cliché in the 60s, earning its name of the ‘Queen of Goa&#8217;s beaches&#8217; in Goan literature.</p>
<p>You find a better and more relaxing beach slightly north from here, the Baga. This is a beach that boasts of innocence and freshness of mornings, despite the many hotels, resorts, beach huts, bars, restaurants and souvenir stalls found here.</p>
<p>On going further north from here, you find a series of secluded beaches while in South Goa; you find the Colva and Benaulim beaches which are two kilometers from each other. These are slow paced beaches, with wonderful views. The other beaches worth visiting in Goa are the Vagator, Chapora and the Dona Paula beach.</p>
<p><strong>Wildlife sanctuaries found in Goa</strong></p>
<p>Besides all the temples and beaches, Goa offers rich and diverse wildlife destinations which are worth a visit here. You find the Western Ghats, or the Sahyadri to be a haven for birds and animals. You find the widest stretch of forests along the Sahyadri.</p>
<p>The wildlife sanctuaries of Goa boasts of deer, monkeys, slithering cobras and pythons, gaurs and giant squirrels. If lucky, you may find some black panthers on their hunting rounds. Besides all this, elephants and tigers are common sights here. This Konkan belt offers wildlife enthusiasts, bird watchers and nature lovers an alternative source of entertainment when holidaying in Goa.</p>
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		<title>The beautiful love city of India, AGRA</title>
		<link>http://www.incredibleindia.com.au/the-beautiful-love-city-of-india-agra/</link>
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		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Apr 2008 04:00:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Incredible India</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Agra]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[agra]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[bateshwar fair]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Agra is a beautiful city of India that was brought to fame during the reign of Jehangir, Akbar and Shah Jahan. In fact, it was Akbar who has produced the Agra we see now in 1558, and was then called Akbarabad.
History of Agra
 
It was Badal Singh who had founded Agra in 1475 while Sikandar [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Agra is a beautiful city of India that was brought to fame during the reign of Jehangir, Akbar and Shah Jahan. In fact, it was Akbar who has produced the Agra we see now in 1558, and was then called Akbarabad.<span id="more-12"></span></p>
<p><strong>History of Agra</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>It was Badal Singh who had founded Agra in 1475 while Sikandar Lodhi made it his capital city. It was because Babur had defeated the Lodhis that the association of Mughals and Agra had started. Their love for architecture had created beautiful monuments like Taj Mahal, Sikandra and Fatehpur Sikri. You can still see skilled craftsmen and taste authentic Mughlai cuisine in the narrow lanes of the city today.</p>
<p><strong>Location and climate</strong></p>
<p>Agra is found on the southwest corner of the state of Uttar Pradesh. Its borders touch Rajastan, the district of Firozabad, Mathura and Etah. The best times to visit Agra are between the Spring to Autumn seasons, i.e. from March to October.</p>
<p>This is because like most of the Northern Indian cities, the weather and climate here is very tropical. The summers here are extremely hot with temperatures reaching 45 degrees while winters are very cold and foggy. The monsoon season here has heavy rains with hot and humid weather.</p>
<p><strong>How to Reach Agra</strong></p>
<p>Agra is most easily reached from Delhi and Jaipur. Agra has its domestic airport, which is located about 5 km from the city and which doubles as its military airport too. There is a well connected railway network here from major cities of the country. You also find government and private buses, with deluxe coaches connecting Agra with the important destinations in and outside Uttar Pradesh.</p>
<p><strong>The Fairs and Festivals in Agra</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>With Agra comprising of many rural areas, it is greatly influenced by the sentimental and religious attractions of Mathura and Vrindavan. The fairs and festivals conducted here are mainly temple festivals, religious festivals and cattle and village fairs based on Krishna&#8217;s life.</p>
<p><strong>Taj Mahotsav: </strong>This is the most famous festival of Agra that is organized for ten days in February. It is usually held in Shilpigram, as this village is near Taj. A visit here gives you a display of the varied arts, crafts and culture of India, with classical dances and songs. Children get to ride on camels and elephants while you get to taste traditional delicacies of India here.</p>
<p><strong>Bateshwar Fair</strong>: The Bateshwar fair is organized annually in Bateshwar in the month of October or November. This village is located about 70 km from Agra, and is named after its presiding deity, Bateshwar Mahadeo.</p>
<p>The village is a spiritual and cultural center where you find 108 temples of different gods and goddesses of Hinduism, and is held in honor of Lord Shiva and spans for a month. Devotees flock here to take dips in the River Yamuna and to participate in the nearby Livestock and Cattle Fair.</p>
<p><strong>Ram Barat: </strong>This festival marks the special marriage procession of Sri Ram, which is held every year in Agra before Dussehra. It is a part of the Ramlila, which depicts the life of Ram, to culminate with the killing of Ravana on Dussehra. The specialty of the festival is the many jhankis of deities and the ‘janakpuri&#8217; the set palace of Raja Janak, the father of Sita.</p>
<p>Thousands of people attend the fair where the procession starts from Lala Channomalji Ki Baradari to the Janakpuri venue. The special chariot for Ram is covered with silver leaves while his brothers mount elephants. The female characters of the drama are all enacted by teenage boys.</p>
<p><strong>Kailash Fair: </strong>The Kailash fair is celebrated in Kailash temple in honor of Lord Shiva, to commemorate the appearance of Lord Shiva as a stone lingam here during the monsoon months of August and September. Devotees from nearby areas flock to visit this fair.</p>
<p><strong>The tourist attractions of Agra</strong></p>
<p>The tourist attractions of Agra range from the famous structures like Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri and Agra Fort to the less famous tombs like Chini ka Rauza and Sikandra. Though the Ram Bagh and Swami Bagh temple of Daval Bagh is not famous, in Agra, it has a special impression in the natives of the city.</p>
<p><strong>The Taj Mahal: </strong>is the seventh wonder of the world which attracts thousands of tourists every year. It is an epitome of love and a wonderful and extravagant monument of India. This monument was constructed as a tribute to the endless love and devotion of Emperor Shah Jehan to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. A visit here is a rare experience where the Taj Mahal is a signature monument  of Indian architecture that was designed as a palace, and finished as a jewel.</p>
<p><strong>Ram Bagh: </strong>This was the first Mughal gardens that were laid by Babur in 1559, in Persian style. They were first known as Bagh-i-Gul Afshan but were later renovated by Jehangir to be named Bagh-i-Nur Afshan. However as these gardens were neglected for centuries, the gardens have now become wilderness, and are now called Ram Bagh.</p>
<p>The Ram Bagh was the first three-terraced garden  of India with river drawn water that looks like a spring. It descends artificially from one terrace to another through canals, tanks and chutes with stairs on both sides which end in a red sandstone pond.</p>
<p>Chhatris platforms, pathways and a wonderful array of plants beautify the gardens. Two beautiful suites were also built by Jehangir on the sides of the main terrace while a Mahtab or island platform is found in the center, and is connected to the main water system.</p>
<p><strong>Dayal</strong><strong> Bagh Temple: </strong>The Swami Bagh temple is located at Dayal Bagh, 10 km from Agra and though its construction was started in 1904, it still hasn&#8217;t been completed after 100 years. It was Radha Swami who had founded the unique religion where all religions are under one umbrella, while preaching unity of mankind.</p>
<p>The aim of this temple was to build a temple for Hindus, a church for Christians, a mosque for Muslims and a gurudwara for Sikhs where each is found on a separate floor. It was constructed to depict brotherhood and unity in mankind; however locals feel that perfect harmony between religions is difficult. This is why the building will never get completed, and if it does, it will be damaged anytime.</p>
<p><strong>Shopping in Agra</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>There is lots of shopping to do in Agra like the souvenirs and keepsakes of the city where mini Taj replicas are the fastest selling souvenirs here as they are thought to bring good luck for lovers.</p>
<p>Leather products are famous in Agra in the form of high class bags, purses, leather sandals and other decorative items. You find numerous emporiums here offering sandalwood and rose wood items, decorative brass pieces and stone carved images worth taking home. You also find exquisite Zari embroidery work here while the Petha (sweet) and Dalmoth (salty) are the most famous delicacies of Agra.</p>
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		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:35:27 +0000</pubDate>
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INDIA is one of the oldest civilisations in the world with a kaleidoscopic variety and rich cultural heritage. It has achieved multifaceted socio-economic progress during the last 59 years of its Independence. India has become self-sufficient in agricultural production, and is now the tenth industrialised country in the world and the sixth nation to have [...]]]></description>
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<p style="text-align: left;">INDIA is one of the oldest civilisations in the world with a kaleidoscopic variety and rich cultural heritage. It has achieved multifaceted socio-economic progress during the last 59 years of its Independence. India has become self-sufficient in agricultural production, and is now the tenth industrialised country in the world and the sixth nation to have gone into outer space to conquer nature for the benefit of the people. It covers an area of 32,87,263 sq km, extending from the snow-covered Himalayan heights to the tropical rain forests of the south. As the seventh largest country in the world, India stands apart from the rest of Asia, marked off as it is by mountains and the sea, which give the country a distinct geographical entity. Bounded by the Great Himalayas in the north, it stretches southwards and at the Tropic of Cancer, tapers off into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west.</p>
<p>Lying entirely in the northern hemisphere, the mainland extends between latitudes 8°4&#8242; and 37°6&#8242; north, longitudes 68°7&#8242; and 97°25&#8242; east, and measures about 3,214 km from north to south between the extreme latitudes and about 2,933 km from east to west between the extreme longitudes. It has a land frontier of about 15,200 km. The total length of the coastline of the mainland, Lakshadweep Islands, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is 7,516.6 km.</p>
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		<title>Incredible Nike India Cricket Commercial</title>
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		<pubDate>Sun, 02 Dec 2007 03:17:40 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[In India Cricket is like a Religion. There is a mass following for cricket and anything related to cricket. Nike had done an excellent job identifying this and based their ad on Cricket. Their marketing strategy was spot on and certainly achieves aiming the mass market. This ad was shot on a set at ND [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In India Cricket is like a Religion. There is a mass following for cricket and anything related to cricket. Nike had done an excellent job identifying this and based their ad on Cricket. Their marketing strategy was spot on and certainly achieves aiming the mass market. This ad was shot on a set at ND studios karjat ( just outside Mumbai). The track is inspired by a track by LORNA - yoe baillo (read about her in the book &#8221; mumbai meri jaan&#8221;) available on saregama hmv&#8217;s BEST OF LORNA. After all it&#8217;s Incredible India.</p>
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<p id="vvq48c43464a7b1f"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMqHJXdEJno" onclick="javascript:urchinTracker ('/outbound/article/www.youtube.com');">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMqHJXdEJno</a></p>
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		<title>Excellent Advert for a Permanent Marker</title>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Nov 2007 01:52:29 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[While browsing on you tube I found this incredible advert for a permanent marker. It starts off very serious and ends with happiness. One thing is sure that the advertising agency certainly did a great job in relating bindi (red dot) with a permanent marker. Absolutely incredible India!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=002AY4cb5uw

]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>While browsing on you tube I found this incredible advert for a permanent marker. It starts off very serious and ends with happiness. One thing is sure that the advertising agency certainly did a great job in relating bindi (red dot) with a permanent marker. Absolutely incredible India!</p>
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<p id="vvq48c43464b175c"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=002AY4cb5uw" onclick="javascript:urchinTracker ('/outbound/article/www.youtube.com');">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=002AY4cb5uw</a></p>
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		<title>Incredible India Incredible Videos</title>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:53:17 +0000</pubDate>
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		<description><![CDATA[I am personally a great fan of Incredible India Advertising Video&#8217;s. The music is mesmerizing and the videography of destinations is absolutely fantastic. It full of colour and vigour and really draws the audience towards Incredible India. The Incredible India videos are hypnotizing and grabs your attention regardless what you are doing!
Enjoy this Incredible India [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I am personally a great fan of Incredible India Advertising Video&#8217;s. The music is mesmerizing and the videography of destinations is absolutely fantastic. It full of colour and vigour and really draws the audience towards Incredible India. The Incredible India videos are hypnotizing and grabs your attention regardless what you are doing!</p>
<p>Enjoy this Incredible India Video&#8230;</p>
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<p id="vvq48c43464bb39c"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK0--em-6b8" onclick="javascript:urchinTracker ('/outbound/article/www.youtube.com');">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK0&#8211;em-6b8</a></p>
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