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Lakshmi Narayan Temple
Hindu pilgrims are drawn to the noisy Lakshmi Narayan Temple, about 2km south of town (turn right out of the bus stand and keep walking), to enjoy the health benefits of the hot springs here. The murky grey Brahmakund, the hottest spring, is a scalding 45°C. Temple priests will sho
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Makhdoom Sahib Shrine
Hindus believe that towering Hari Parbat Hill was the island where Sharika (Durga) defeated the lake demon Jalodabhava, while Muslims pay homage at the vast Makhdoom Sahib Shrine, dedicated to a Sufi saint who helped the spread of Islam in Kashmir. A flight of stone steps climbs up
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Enchey Gompa
On the northern outskirts of Gangtok, approached through gently rustling conifers, stands this atmospheric and quaint monastery, with lovely murals and statues of Tantric deities. Some say the monasterys founder was known for his levitational skills. Its easily Gangtok’s most attra
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Kamakshi Amman Temple
This imposing temple, dedicated to Kamakshi/Parvati, is one of Indias most important places of shakti (female energy/deities) worship, said to mark the spot where Parvatis midriff fell to earth. Its thought to have been founded by the Pallavas. The entire main building inside is of
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Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary
Ranakpur is a great base for exploring the hilly, densely forested Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, which extends over some 600 sq km to the northeast and southwest. It’s known for its leopards and wolves, although the chances of spotting antelopes, gazelles, deer and possible sloth
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Ridge
With gorgeous views both to the east and west, the ridge – a shaded promenade cresting Gangtoks upper reaches – promises a pleasant stroll amid manicured parks and gardens. Located within one of the green zones here is the Flower Exhibition Centre , a modestly sized greenhouse full
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BBD Bagh
Once of Raj-era Calcutta’s foremost squares, BBD Bagh is centred on a palm-lined central reservoir-lake (‘tank’) that once supplied the young city’s water. Although concrete intrusions detract from the overall spectacle, many a splendid colonial-era edifice remains including the gr
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New Market
Marked by a distinctive red-brick clocktower , this enormous warren of market halls dates originally from 1874 but was substantially rebuilt after a 1980s fire. By day, handicraft touts can be a minor annoyance. Its more interesting just after dawn when theres a harrowing fascinati
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Kshar Bag
Just past the eastern end of Jait Sagar is the atmospheric, partly overgrown Kshar Bag, with the cenotaphs of 66 Bundi rulers and queens. Some have terrific, intricate carvings, especially of elephants and horses. The caretaker will probably show you round and detail the rulers’ na
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Nakki Lake
Scenic Nakki Lake, the town’s focus, is one of Mt Abu’s biggest attractions. It’s so named because, according to legend, it was scooped out by a god using his nakh (nails). Some Hindus thus consider it a holy lake. Another version of its origins is that it was constructed by the Br
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Hauz Khas
The lake at Hauz Khas, meaning ‘royal tank,’ was built by Sultan Allauddin Khilji in the 13th century to provide water for Siri Fort. Thronged by birds and fringed by parkland, it is fronted by the ruins of Firoz Shah’s 14th-century madrasa (religious school) and tomb , with a magn
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Neermahal
Tripura’s most iconic building, the 1930 Neermahal, is a gorgeous red-and-white water palace , empty but shimmering on its own boggy island in the lake of Rudra Sagar. Like its counterpart in Rajasthan’s Udaipur, this was a princely exercise in aesthetics; the finest craftsmen buil
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Aurangabad Caves
Architecturally speaking, the Aurangabad Caves aren’t a patch on Ellora or Ajanta, but they do throw some light on early Buddhist architecture and, above all, make for a quiet and peaceful outing. Carved out of the hillside in the 6th or 7th century AD, the 10 caves, comprising two
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Adalaj Vav
The Adalaj Vav, 19km north of Ahmedabad, is among the finest of the Gujarati step-wells. Built by Queen Rudabai in 1499, it has three entrances leading to a huge platform that rests on 16 pillars, with corners marked by shrines. The octagonal well is five storeys deep and is decora
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Salar Jung Museum
This vast and varied collection was put together by Mir Yousuf Ali Khan (Salar Jung III), who was briefly grand vizier to the seventh nizam, Osman Ali Khan (r 1911–48), before devoting his large fortune to amassing Asian and European art and craftworks. The 40-plus galleries includ
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Ross Island
Visiting Ross Island feels like discovering a jungle-clad Lost City, à la Angkor Wat, where the ruins happen to be Victorian English rather than ancient Khmer. The former administrative headquarters for the British in the Andamans, Ross Island is an essential half-day trip from Por
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Goa State Museum
This spacious museum east of town houses an eclectic, if not extensive, collection of items tracing aspects of Goan history. As well as some beautiful Hindu and Jain sculptures and bronzes, there are nice examples of Portuguese-era furniture, coins, an intricately carved chariot an
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Chapel of St Sebastian
Fontainhas is notable for being home to the pretty Chapel of St Sebastian, built in 1818. This small whitewashed church at the end of a lovely lane contains one of only a few relics remaining as testament to the Goan Inquisition: a striking crucifix, which originally stood in the P
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Rehwa Society
Between the palace and the two stone temples a small doorway announces the NGO Rehwa Society, a craft cooperative where profits are ploughed back into the education, housing and welfare of the weavers. A local school, run entirely by Rehwa, is behind the workshop. Maheshwar saris a
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Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary
This small, 6-sq-km sanctuary, about 12km northeast of Jamnagar, encompasses both salt- and freshwater marshlands and hosts over 200 bird species, including rarities such as the Dalmatian pelican and painted stork. It’s best visited between October and March and in the early mornin
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