Gujarat Tour

Tourists sometimes need to soak within the sights and sounds of nature on a vacation, or explore the historical richness of heritage destinations. 

 There are few destinations that provide them the prospect to try to to each, besides having all the options and facilities a tourist destination ought to have, and Champaner-Pavagadh, the UNESCO-recognized World Heritage web site, is one among them.

 Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park may be a distinctive historical web site, with its ancient Hindu design, temples and special water-retaining installations, along side its spiritual, military and agricultural structures. Champaner is additionally the sole complete and unchanged Islamic pre-Mughal town within the country.

 Situated 45km far from Vadodara, Gujarat, Champaner may be a testament to its time of glory because the capital of Gujarat throughout the Mughal reign. With many massive and outstanding mosques and temples - Jama Masjid, Sahar ki Masjid, Nagina Masjid, citadel engineered by Mahmud Begda, Mandvi/Customs House; Makai Kothar/Navlakha Kothar and also the sixteenth century Helical Step-well - this tourist attraction in Gujarat is additionally near Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary, that is simply 20km away, choked with forests of teak and mahuda trees, bamboo, and alternative lush vegetation, home to a spread of flora and fauna. The Dhanpari and Kevdi Eco Campsites, in conjunction with machaans for landscape and wildlife viewing, create it the popular destination for eco-tourism. At the summit of Pavagadh hill, 762 metres on top of ocean level, may be a temple to Ma Kali, that is that the oldest temple within the space, dating back to the tenth or eleventh century. The Pavagadh Fort was additionally a crucial fortress of the Solanki kingdom.

Banaras Varanasi land of spirituality

The land that isn't solely famous for it mythology however conjointly lures Indian in addition as international tourist with its stunning waterfronts... 

 conjointly spoken as Banaras or Kashi, Varanasi is that the oldest living town within the world. Famous author Mark Twain, who was obsessed on the mythology of the town once said, "Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, previouser even than legend and appears twice as old as all of them place along." 

 This sacred land of Varanasi has been an final pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. They think about this land to be abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, who are believed to be the foremost voters of {the town|the town|town} as they lived here for someday once their wedding and worshiped for being the holiest city beside Ganga, the origins of Varanasi are however unknown. Ganges in Varanasi is believed to own the ability to scrub away the sins of mortals and therefore, the innumerable Ghats of Ganga within the town are accounted for. conjointly in all probability owing to its distinctive culture, Varanasi may be a major tourist destination for foreign tourists in India. 

Soothing water fronts 

 the good river banks at Varanasi, engineered high with eighteenth and nineteenth-century pavilions and palaces, temples and terraces, are lined with an endless chain of stone steps - the ghats-progressing along the total of the waterfront, altering in look with the dramatic seasonal fluctuations of the river level. every of the hundred ghats, huge and tiny, is marked by a lingam, and occupies its own special place within the non secular geography of the town. Some have crumbled over the years, others still thrive, with early-morning bathers, brahmin monks giving puja, and folks practicing meditation and yoga. Skirted with ghats all throughout, the main water fronts during this heritage town are Dasaswamedh Ghat, Asi Ghat, Man Mandir Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat and Lalita Ghat. 

 whereas the ghat that receives the most tourist footfalls is that the Asi Ghat that is that the southernmost within the sacred town, at the confluence of the Asi and therefore the Ganges, pilgrims bathe before worshipping at a large lingam beneath a peepal tree. Another lingam visited is that of Asisangameshvara, the "Lord of the Confluence of the Asi", during a little marble temple simply off the ghat. historically, pilgrims continued to Lolarka Kund, the Trembling Sun", an oblong tank fifteen meters blow ground level, approached by steep steps. currently virtually abandoned, except throughout the Lolarka Mela truthful, when thousands come back to propitiate the gods and pray for the birth of a son, Lolarka Kund is among Varanasi's earliest sites, one among solely 2 remaining Sun sites linked with the origins of Hinduism. Equated with the twelve adityas or divisions of the sun, that predate the good deities of contemporary Hinduism. 

A shoppers' paradise 

 With hustles and rickshaw drivers keen to tug tourists into retailers giving commission, searching in Varanasi may be a nightmare however its price seeking out the city's made silk weaving and brasswork. the simplest areas to browse are the Thatheri Bazaar (for brass), Jnana Vapi and therefore the Vishwanatha Gall with its Temple Bazaar (for silk brocade and jewellery). State run emporiums in Godaulia, Lahurabir and therefore the Chowk - the 3 Handlooms shops at Lahurabir, Nadesar and Neechi Bag, and Mahatex in Godaulia - of fastened costs and guaranteed quality. Housed during a former palace within the Cantonment, the CIE contains a massive and spectacular choice however, despite its official-sounding name, is outrageously expensive Kashmiri-run chain aimed solely at the five-star market. the town is legendary for silk weaving conjointly Banaras brocades are prized the globe over. Brassware, copperware, wood and clay toys and exquisite gold jewelry are a number of the opposite craft the town is legendary for.

social media in tourism sector

The advent of internet revolutionized every walk of life and tourism sector also get influenced by its impacts and contributions. Especially from the last decade, the areas of social media, mobile applications and the overall phenomenon of digital marketing are growing with rapid pace. 

In the initial phase, tourism industry particularly in India has given unfavourable responses to accepting the online technological tools. With increasing realization of its vitality, the tourism sector accepted it and then utilized it to compete globally. 

The entire-world of communication is changing with rapid pace and the upcoming magic word is "Social Media". As compared to this magic word, no other discipline or process has such a lasting effect on the field of tourism product and service marketing. Any event happening around the globe is easily spread to every corner within few seconds just because of the presence of Social Media. Even, social media proved its worth in all aspects of an organization i.e. from sales and marketing to operations to revenue management and so on. 

Social media has also changed the way the potential tourist explore the online sources to gather information. Then based on that information, he makes decisions of visiting the tourism destinations etc. Therefore, operators who provide the travel services also need to utilize the opportunities provided by social media to generate the greatest returns. There is an immediate need to tracking, analyzing and reacting to online reviews, feedback and actively engaging in social networking to build awareness and shape perceptions of one's brand. In the meantime, feedback generated from the guest also needs to be given adequate attention, so that it will drive towards revenue generation. The alerts on sites like Google, TripAdvisor, Twitter and Facebook will facilitate the process of feedback generation. While for larger businesses, a social media monitoring tool will help in collecting, organising and reacting to reviews and commentary. 

In tourism sector where most of the holiday-makers start with an internet research before they book accommodation, an active presence on social media sites is need of the hour. Social Media allows travel-based companies to quickly promote their product and brand, get the online community involved and motivated them to travel and specifically target key market segments. Ultimately, though, social media provides a way for users to deliver "word-of-mouth" marketing for businesses which is one of the biggest influencers when it comes to consumers making travel decisions.

The increasing use of mobile devices (m-technology) proved that it continues to dominate internationally. More and more travelers are researching, seeking advice and making decisions on where to stay, eat, drink, shop, explore and relax while on the tour through their handsets. Hence, travel service providers already developed and in the process of developing mobile compatible sites which are now essential for businesses that rely heavily on local traffic. Moreover, Location-based services allow leaving information, guides and other tips in locations for people to pick up with their mobile device. 

Beyond the above mentioned mediums, the tour and travel industry also has the option of other digital media that offer unique benefits over traditional channels. Tablet applications are the main attraction on whatever platform - iPad, Android, Windows or Black-Berry - is that these mediums offer tourism companies a platform for global distribution. Digital brochures - a form of portable tablet, mobile, social or online app - convert offline real world platforms into highly interactive digital platforms. Low-cost media like tablet apps, social media and digital brochures offer their best possible entry point to this digital marketing phenomenon. Another magical device named Smart Phones also contribute in glorifying the impact of social media.

For strategic decisions especially in tourism industry, websites and other online promotional tools have always been considered a vital component for any online marketing plan. Even the limitations in traditional channels of marketing and interacting with customers are broken down and numbers of online and digital platforms are making an impressive impact in the present technological era. Moreover, the present online mediums are cost-effective and attraction for all groupings and demographics - niche and mass markets, business and leisure travel, men and women and all age groups and hence it offer value to the tourism companies.

Every coin has two sides and it's also relevant in social media vis-à-vis tourism sector. The technology needs to be well utilized and hence the skilled manpower is needed. After every quarter, the technology also upgraded to the next level i.e. from beta version to actual launching of the software, from first generation to second generation and so on. Hence, there is a need to match these technological up gradation. 

In conclusion, the present technological think-tank put all the efforts to grab maximum output from social media unless the new futuristic alternatives would arrive and make the present technologies outdated. The live video streaming, video conferencing, virtual tours etc. need more attention because of the several benefits they are offering to service providers. In short, the dynamism of social media in tourism sector is ever-increasing and stakeholders need to capitalize it appropriately to generate and sustain the competitive advantage.

Heritage of Naagar Nagar

The blooming almond blossoms attract hundreds of people every year to Kashmir’s Almond Alcove or Badam Wa’er. But the historical importance of the garden and the area around is largely ignored.

During the Mughal rule in Kashmir, large army of Mughal soldiers was deployed across the valley. Initially, the Mughal army would settle in buildings, houses and other local construction. After people of Kashmir started rebellion against the Mughal rule, Akhbar decided to built a township for Mughal soldiers.

Subsequently, a large area of old city at the foot hills of Hari Parbat was walled. A 14 feet high stone wall was built from Nowhatta- Saidakadal stretching to Hawal –Badshahi Darwaza. The wall was built over 3.50 miles, all in stone with the cost of 1.30 crores and took 20 years for completion. The wall has three large gates. The construction was started in 1597 and completed during the reign of Shah Jahaan. The area within the walls served as a township for Mughal army, offices and residence for officers.

It was built to the taste of Mughal emperors and many beautiful gardens were laid around the hillock. Badam Wa’er was one such garden. It was made by Mughal administrator Waris Khan. It was under his directions that a Well was dug in the garden to provide water supply in the area. The Well is called ‘Waris Khanun Chaa’ in Kashmiri. There is a common belief that ancient rulers would throw the goons into the well as a punishment.
“That has no bases. There has been no evidence for that ever. It was simply a Well used for water supply,” said Zareef Ahmad Zareef, writer.

After being closed for 27 years, the Almond Alcove heritage garden was reopened few years back. Since then it has been a favorite haunt for valleyites. Nonetheless, the charm of Naagar Nagar has been lost.

“When we walk past the Naagar Nagar, we can hardly make out anything special there. This is because the heritage place has not been maintained,” said Arjumand, a university student.

Last year, the government had announced restoration of the Naagar Nagar, but no work has taken place on ground so far.

Varanasi The Holiest City of India

The sharp tug pulls me from sleep. I lift the seat dirty and tired eyes I see the bus driver. "Varanasi" - I ask, "Yes, Varanasi" - is responsible and gets out, slamming the door. I asked what time. There are only four in the morning, outside the dark. We hear cries rikszarzy who run with the hope that they succeed so early to earn a few rupees. They are lucky. This morning, in addition to us, the bus is a young boy from Japan, and every rickshaw driver knows that the Japanese pay a lot more than other tourists coming to India. We are so tired of the twelve-hour journey, "government bus" that after a minute making by the offer of one of the beaters - cheap hotel in the old part of town, right on the Ganges. The course requires 30 rupees, which is a fair price. Perhaps it is our view that makes us peel the last money. We are dirty, smelly, sleepy and inches "broken". Travelling by coach is the government's great adventure, but the power of impressions, which provides the horse is not able to compensate for pain, buttocks and spine. On the spot for two people sitting sometimes four passengers. The chance to straighten the legs is small, and change of position to a more convenient measure is the art of advanced yoga exercises. With relief we jump into a rickshaw, compose our backpacks on their knees and think of the hotel. We dream of a warm shower and soft bed.

From the bus station to the old part of Varanasi (Varanasi, Kashi or Benaresu - your choice) is going to motorikszą about 15-20 minutes, which are enough to already feel the atmosphere of this city. Dark streets and buildings, sleeping directly on the asphalt people everywhere wandering dogs and penetrating silence of the morning chanting priests starting the day in their ashrams - so we welcome and tries to charm the first moment of Varanasi.

He gets up here very early, before sunrise in order to be able to greet a new day washing in the sacred waters of Mother Ganga - how to define the Indians fondly river Ganges. Fortunately for us, not everyone manages to break up before dawn and reached the shore, so that we avoid the crowd. We use this fact and decide to go to the Ghats - ceremonial staircase, which is made ablution. Welcome to a new day in Benaresie, just as they do the local "early birds". What we see makes us stunned. The vastness of the river simply overwhelming. Opposite bank lost in the fog that slowly begins to disperse gangs showing great face.

It begins to dawn on the first pilgrims descend Ghats. Despite the morning chill, most of them wearing only a loincloth hip. In small zawiniątkach bring soap and washing powder for the teeth. We hear prayers, and faithful, then whispering the sacred texts, slowly submerged to the waist in water. Then, steep head several times. After the obligatory prayers followed by thorough scrubbing of the entire body.

Every day, countless numbers of believers (followers of Hinduism, Jainism, Hare-Krishna, and many other religions of India) gather at the bank of the Ganges in order to serve a purifying bath. They believe that water washes away the sins of the whole world. Every Hindu, at least once in their life should make a ritual bath in the Ganges and the majority of dreams about that after the death of his ashes flowed from the mainstream of this very river. Apparently, death in the depths of human releases of water from the wheel of samsara, or subsequent births. Benares is considered the holiest city in India, so the traffic on the Ghats is huge.

Drinking raw water is also a fairly common practice and most of the faithful does not seem to notice the fact that the fecal concentration exceeds global standards several thousand times. Asked once the carrier, sitting in his old boat, and also consume water from the river, surprised, says - "Of course. After all, it is my mother." Driven by curiosity, I ask if it does not bother him that it is so polluted. In this "stupid" question is not getting. Well - this is one of the moments when I am convinced a colossal difference separating our culture. Apparently, specific, hitherto unexplored chemical compounds found in the Ganges make any pollution dangerous to human life are neutralized. It is possible that consumption of such water from early childhood simply immunizes the body. For a Hindu one thing is certain - that faith works miracles.

"The city of Shiva" from over two thousand years is a center of science and religion in this part of the world. It is also one of the oldest settlements inhabited until our times. Despite its long and rich history, most of the buildings is little more than two hundred years. This is due to a number of Muslim invasions that have plagued India since the sixteenth century. Only a few old temples (including the god Shiva, the holiest in the city, unfortunately, not available to followers of other religions) and some of the Ghats. Walk the narrow streets is an unforgettable experience. Hundreds of colors and smells, crowds of locals and pilgrims "overflowing" the walls of buildings, temples, shrines, sacred cows, ashrams, which are within the spiritual community, shops, stalls, workshops and manufactories - here everything takes on other dimensions and makes the feels like a stranger backed away years ago. The present mixed with the past. One day, sitting in an internet cafe (too much is actually said - there is a few computers and a few chairs), across the narrow street I see a woman pressing clothes. He uses an enormous size, cast-iron iron on carbon. We used the same great-grandmother's grandmother and when my grandfather had to iron a shirt on Sunday. Only two meters are divided into the nineteenth century from the twentieth. Now I can answer the question, what fascinates hikers in the city