|
 |
| |
| Beaches |
 |
| |
| Beaches of India would enable you to spend an ideal vacation and would help you to fulfill your adventure appetite through water sports. Plan your beach tour today as you would be able to explore some fascinating aspect of these beaches. Beaches in India are much more than water and adventure sports. Of all the nature's paradise the most irresistible temptations are the beaches. Who doesn't want to wear those golden sand grains and wrap the blue or green water as well as surf the sea? And that's why the beaches in India are called as the amalgamation of sun, sand and surf. India is home to some of the most beautiful and finest beaches of the world offering plenitudes of opportunities for sunbathing, water sports and fishing. Today Indian beaches are the most preferred destinations where tourists can enter into an everlasting romantic affair with the place.And if you thought that visiting beaches only mean lying quietly and watching the waves hitting the shores with renewed vigor time and again, then think again. The activities offered on the beaches are numerous, and the people that you'll find to accompany you will be many. So just get set and go surfing or parasailing or plain swimming ... choose the one that suits you. Those who don't want to join the fun in water can build a sand castle or try beach volleyball. |
|
|
Beaches of India |
|
| |
 |
Alappuzha (Allepey) |
|
Cochin (Kochi) |
|
| |
|
Kumarakom (Kottayam) |
|
Mumbai (Bombay) |
|
| |
|
Trivandrum |
|
Juhu |
|
| |
|
Kovalam |
|
Goa |
|
| |
|
Varkala |
|
Chennai (Madras) |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Lakes of India |
|
| |
|
Dal Lake |
|
Bhimtal |
|
| |
|
Roopkund Lake |
|
Lake Pichola |
|
| |
|
NainitaL |
|
Pushkar Lake |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Alappuzha (Allepey) |
|
| |
With the Arabian Sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it, Alappuzha, Venice of the East is a district of great natural beauty. Being near the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala. Called Kuttanad - a land of lush paddy fields, where farming is done below sea level and is the "rice bowl" of Kerala. Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races and houseboat holidays. |
 |
| Top |
| |
|
|
| |
Kumarakom (Kottayam) |
|
| |
A paradise of mangrove forests, green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with waterways and canals, Kumarakom is situated on the Vambanad Lake. There are a few resorts of quality in this island which offer comfortable accommodation and exclusive leisure options like Ayurvedic massages, yoga, meditation, boating, angling and swimming. |
 |
| Top |
| |
|
|
| |
Trivandrum |
|
| |
The present capital of Kerala is Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) was also the erstwhile capital of the Princely State of Travancore. Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple built in the 17th century, many beautiful colonial buildings, old houses built in the typical Kerala style give Trivandrum a special ambience. Kovalam, one of the best-known bathing beaches in India with palm-fringed bays and clear water, is very near Trivandrum. |
 |
| Top |
| |
|
|
| |
Kovalam |
|
| |
Today Kovalam has become one of the most popular beach hangouts in India. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and truly the coconut trees along the beaches gives it a ravishing look. The palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed stay. The boundless blue waters of the Arabian Sea and miles of white sands washed away by the surf at the feet of the stalwart palms and the rocky promontories, makes this beach paradise. This marvelous beach is a tourist's dream come true. A sheltered natural bay with cool soothing palms and gentle waves. Where when you are tired of aquatics, swimming or sunbathing, you can explore the handicrafts, jewellery and cloth shops spread along the waterfront. Not to speak of the delightful sea-food fare including lobsters available at the beachside restaurants. |
 |
| Top |
| |
|
|
| |
Varkala |
|
| |
Varkala is an important Hindu centre of Pilgrimage. The final resting place of the great social reformer of the 20th century Shree Narayana Guru is near Varkala, atop a hill called Sivagiri on the Malabar Coast. The 2000 year old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple and a Nature Care Centre nearby are also interesting places of visit. |
 |
| Top |
| |
|
|
| |
Cochin (Kochi) |
|
| |
Set on a cluster of islands and peninsulas, Cochin is one of India's largest ports and a major naval base. This city has the oldest church in India and also the only existing settlement of Jewish community complete with a 16th century synagogue. The older part of the city has a blend of medieval Portugese, Dutch and English country village architecture. |
 |
| Top |
| |
|
|
| |
Mumbai (Bombay) |
|
| |
Traveling pleasant throughout the year. In particular, the capital city of Mumbai is blessed with many beaches in its vicinity, that present a breather to the local population as well as act as attractive tourist option for those visiting from outside. One such beach site is Juhu, one of the largest and frequently visited beaches of India.
Like Chowpatty, its downtown counterpart, uptown Juhu Beach is also a bourgeois paradise, filled to the gills with screaming children, courting couples and rowdy adolescents. If you want a fancier excursion, however, retreat behind Juhu's many five star hotels, for a steaming cup of coffee and a splendid view of the coast. The most popular of these beachfront hotels are the Sun and Sand and Holiday Inn. The government run Juhu Centaur also has a 24 hour coffee shop with a view of the sea. |
 |
| Top |
| |
|
|
| |
Juhu |
|
| |
Located 18-km north of the Mumbai city centre, it's a major beach site on the shores of Arabian Sea and is one of the posh localities of Mumbai where one can find the bungalows of the famous film personalities of Bollywood. It's also a favorites shooting site among the filmmakers as many film shootings are also held over here. |
 |
| Top |
| |
|
|
| |
Goa |
|
| |
It's a shame Goa comes burdened with a reputation for louche living, because there's so much more to it than sun, sand and psychedelia. The allure of Goa is that it remains quite distinct from the rest of India and is small enough to be grasped and explored in a way that other Indian states are not.
It's not just the familiar remnants of Portuguese colonialism or the picture-book exoticism that make it seem so accessible. Roman Catholicism remains a major religion in this former Portuguese colony - skirts outnumber saris and Goans display a relaxed humor and civility.
A 45 minute bus ride up to the coast from the city of Panjim bring one to Calangute, Goa's busiest and most commercialized resort, and the flagship of the state government's bid for a bigger slice of India's package-tourist pie. This peaceful fishing village was a favorite’s hideout of the hippies in the 70's and 80's. Today, Calangute beach symbolise Goa's reputation as a haven for beach and coastal splendor. |
 |
| Top |
| |
|
|
| |
Chennai (Madras) |
|
| |
The longest beach of India, Marina Beach, comprising of golden sand, good surf and a shimmering clean blue sea. This beach is counted among one of the longest beaches in Asia. Its 12-km long stretch was made beautiful by the wonderful facelift given by Governor Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff in the early 1880's, and is Chennai's major tourist attraction today. Leisure Marina Beach
Marina beach is located on the eastern side of Chennai, adjoining the Bay of Bengal. Watching the sun set and rise from the beach is a fascinating experience. Though bathing and swimming can be dangerous, as the undercurrent is very strong, even then people come for swimming here. In the evenings, the beach is virtually a fair ground with various kinds of entertainment and food stalls lining the beach.
With its natural sandy beauty and spacious promenade and beautiful gardens, the Marina beach is a major attraction for tourists visiting Chennai. One can even shop around the beach, with local vendors hawking wares ranging from shell and glass baubles to kites and fruit juices. The Marina, however, is large enough to accommodate all visitors as well as the hawkers and is often the venue for important state functions. There are also facilities of pony rides at the beach site, which attract the children's interest the most. |
 |
| Top |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Dal Lake |
|
| |
It is the most popular lake in Srinagar. Srinagar is also known as the city of Dal Lake. The lake is divided into the major three parts known as Gagri bal, Lokut Dal and Bod Dal. Lokut Dal and Bod Dal have an island in the center known as the Sona lank (Silver Island) and Rupa lank (Gold Island). Both Sona and Rupa are also known as the Char Chinar because both of them have four chinar trees on them. The maximum dept of the Dal Lake is around 1.37 meter. The lake supports the great Eco system and is the boon to the Tourism industry in Kashmir. Dal Lake is the second largest lake in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. |
 |
| Top |
| |
|
|
| |
Roopkund Lake |
|
| |
The popular Roopkund Lake lies in the Chamoli district of Uttranchal at the height of 5029 meter. The lake provides the stunning view of the Trishul peak (7122 meter). Due to it less depth it also known as the shallow Lake. It is also popularly called as the Skeleton Lake because of the skeleton mystery behind the lake. It falls on the way of the Nanda Jat to Homkung. The surrounding glaciers and the glittering peaks are an added charm to this frozen lake. The best time to visit the lake lies between Decembers to April. |
 |
| Top |
| |
|
|
| |
NainitaL |
|
| |
Nainital is a glittering jewel in the Himalyan necklace, blessed with scenic natural spledour and varied natural resources. Dotted with lakes, Nainital has earned the epithet of ’Lake District' of India. The most prominent of the lakes is Naini Lake ringed by hills. Nainital has a varied topography. Some of the important places in the district are Nainital , Haldwani , Kaladhungi , Ramnagar , Bhowali , Ramgarh , Mukteshwar , Bhimtal , Sattal and Naukuchiatal . Nainital’s unending expense of scenic beauty is nothing short of a romance with awe-inspiring and pristine Mother Nature. |
 |
| Top |
| |
|
|
| |
Bhimtal |
|
| |
Bhimtal is 22 Kms. from Nainital and 11 Kms. from Bhowali at an altitude of 1370 mts. The pride of Bhimtal is a beautiful lake which offers magnificent vistas for tourists. The lake is larger than Naini lake. Tourist enjoys here boating in lake. There is an island amid lake a restaurant is located atop it. Tourist visit here by boats. The distance of island from lake shore is 91 mts.There is a 17th century Bhimeshwar temple complex along the 40 feet high dam . The local bus stand and taxi stand is situated near it. One road from Bhimtal leaves for Naukuchiatal while the another one goes to Kathgodam 21 Kms from here. |
 |
| Top |
| |
|
|
| |
Lake Pichola |
|
| |
This is perhaps the most important and the most beautiful lake in Rajasthan. Situated in the Lake city of Rajasthan, Udaipur, the Lake Pichola exudes a virginal beauty for its spectator. Two of the most important attractions of Udaipur are located in and around the lake. The lake is overlooked by the grandiose City Palace complex while the beautiful Lake Palace occupies an island right in the middle of the lake. Tourists can have the pleasure of enjoying a boat ride in the Lake Pichola early in the morning or in the evening when the rising and setting sun spreads a bewitching charm on the lake and surrounding areas. The 2¼ miles long and 1¼ mile wide lake was started in the 14th century, however, it was completed in the 16th century by Maharana Udai Singh. |
 |
| Top |
| |
|
|
| |
Pushkar Lake |
|
| |
Legends have it that the Pushkar Lake was created by Lord Brahma by merging the waters of four holy places of Hindus in India - Badrinath, Jagannath, Rameshwaram and Dwarka. The lake is surrounded by 52 ghats and there is a floating chattris in the centre. The Pushkar lake is worth visiting during the final night of the famous Pushkar fair when the thousands of glittering oil lamps are left into the water. |
 |
| Top |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|