Author: Gozocabs

Lying along the northern bank of the mighty Brahmaputra River, the city of Tezpur is one of the few destinations which suits best for those who wills to unfurl the unknown heritage sites during their phlegmatic vacations. Often referred as the city of eternal love, Tezpur has abundance of sublime blue hills, prospering green valleys, deluging tea gardens and the snow covered peaks of the Himalaya Mountains surrounding it in all the directions.

Meaning the city of blood in the regional language, this city finds it testimonial in the Mahabharata, where Lord Sri Krishna comes to the rescue of his grandson Prince Anirudha from the captivity of King Baana and help him getting together with Usha (King Baana’s daughter). It is believed that a ferocious clash took place between Lord Sri Krishna and King Baana, in which there were blood spilt all over the area and hence the name of City of blood and also the City of eternal love. Having sizeable potential in the fields of climate, culture, nature and tea; this city offers the tourists a memory to take pride in.

Having one of the important and strategically influencing base for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army, Tezpur holds an important position for the nation’s functioning as it shares the surroundings with our neighbors – China, Tibet, Bhutan, Tibet and Myanmar. Connected well by all means of transport with the other places of interest of the state of Assam as well as with the rest of the country, the city has become a landmark of interest in the present times. With many reputed educational institutes being set up and coming up in the near days of the future, this city is soon turning out into an education hub of the state.

The Tezpur University figured among the top 5 universities of India in 2016, beating Delhi University, Banaras Hindu University and BITS – Pilani.

Very much noted for its historic places and its harboring sites, the tourists dropping by should not miss out these –

• Agnigarh:

Famous for the fortress surrounded by rings of fire built by King Baana to isolate his daughter Usha from Prince Anirudha. And it is from the fort that was built and surrounded with fire, the hillock got the name of Agnigarh meaning the residence among fire. Constructed along the bank of the Brahmaputra River, to reach this fort you need to cover a circular trek of staircases which makes this place somewhat interesting.

• Cole Park or Chitralekha Udyan:

Bearing a sprawling campus of greenery and means of recreation for the tourists, this park is located in the heart of the city. Adding weight to the historical and mythological significance of the city, the park has a conjunction of terrain, lakes and knolls where rowing and paddle boats are being plied. An open air auditorium is also present where soirées and other activities of amusement are being organized from time to time.

The park also has two ornamented stone pillar and few sculptures from the 9^th – 10^th century period.

• Trimurty Udyan:

Named after the noted cultural trios of Assam – Kalaguru Bishnu Prashad Rabha, Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwala and Natasurjya Pani Sarmah, the park is an important centre of leisure.

• Bishnu Rabha Smriti Udyan:

Located along the bank of Brahmaputra, this park is the cremation spot of Kalaguru Bishnu Prashad Rabha. Constructed by his son Hemraj Rabha as a tribute to the contributions of his father, this memorial park is filled with the devotees of this great personality who come here to pay homage to one of the fighting souls for the independent Indian nation. You can see inscription of the works of Bishnu Prashad Rabha in the walls of this park.

• Mahabhairab Temple:

Housing one of the oldest and biggest shiva linga in the world, the Mahabhairab Temple is a century old temple attracting many Shivbhakts.

• Padum Phukuri:

Meaning a lotus-pond in Assamese language, this place is a promising landmark for this city. The lake here has a Small Island in between which is connected to the mainland by means of a foot-bridge. The island has been shaped up to a park having a musical fountain. Rowing boats are also provided to the tourists at certain occasions.

Leaving behind these centers of attraction, the city of Tezpur provides you with easy access to the Kaziranga National Park (50 Kms), Nameri National Park (37 Kms), Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary (31 Kms) and Orang Wildlife Sanctuary (64 Kms).

Vadodara, formerly known as Baroda, the cultural capital of Gujarat, is the third largest city of Gujarat. It is situated on the Viswamitri River and the administrative headquarters of Vadodara district. The city is a mixture of many eras, which is why it attracts both domestic and International tourists.

Pavagadh Hill, graced with a combination of Hindu and Jain shrines, towers over Champaner, the 15^th c. pre-Mughal Islamic fort. Together they represent the diversity of religion influences that have pervaded Gujarat.

The city is known for the Lakshmi Vilas Palace, the residence of Baroda State’s Maratha royal family, the Gaekwads. It is also home of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, the largest university in Gujarat.

Vadodara is an important industrial, educational and cultural hub of western India. The city has some major IT industries as well as some chemical industry.

Nazarbaug Palace, Makarpura Palace, Pratap Vilas Palace are some heritage palaces of Vadodara which is must watch. Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III has built Kirti Mandir, one of the best attractions of Vadodara. The sun, the moon and the earth in bronze with the undivided map of India adorn the shikhara of Kirti Mandir, which was built in 1936.

Fatehsingh museum is another place to view several Raja Ravi Verma originals. The royal family of Baroda has a notable collection of works. If you are an art lover, keep aside a day for the museum and the palace.

You can watch the famous “Gaekwad Baroda Golf Club”, one of the best golf clubs of India. The EME temple is quite serene. It has been built by the military and one can enjoy a pleasant hour in its premises. Pavagadh Kalika Mandir is another worth watch of Vadodara, where you can enjoy a Ropeway ride.

What to Buy: Camel leather and related arts of pure gold and stone, on camel leather and hide vessels are the things you can buy from here. The best place to buy handcrafts is Nava Bajar area. Travel to Sankheda to see the making of lovely lacquer coated furniture.

How to Reach: You can reach here from Mumbai by road, which takes around 6 hours. Use Gozocabs to make your journey more comfortable . You can reach here by train as well.

“The ‘Paris of the East’ and the ‘Babylon of India’.”

Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, thrives along the banks of Gomti River. Today Lucknow is dotted with remnants of its rich cultural past. Lucknow is a historically important city and for many centuries was at the heart of art, cuisine, dance, culture and music of Northern India. It was the cradle of the Hindu-Muslim-Sikh symbiosis that made India great. It brought in the best of various cultures and accepted Western institutions in her womb. It was made famous by the soft-spoken, and sweet tongued, Awadh-Lucknowai culture that was based on civilized behavior toward fellow human beings. Lucknow is the home of Urdu, Hindustani and Hindi languages. The city became known as a center for Urdu poetry and courtly presence and diction, being the birthplace and city of residence for many poets. In particular, the city is famous for its Adab and Tehzeeb (manners and hospitality), intricate embroidery, elaborate cuisine, Chikankaari, beautiful gardens and dance forms such as Kathak.

The naming of this city is quite spectacular. According to one legend, the city is named after Lakshmana, a hero of the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana. The legend states that Lakshmana had a palace or an estate in the area, which was called Lakshmanapuri. A similar theory states that the city was known as Lakshmanavati after Lakshmana. The name changed to Lakhanavati, then Lakhnauti and finally Lakhnau. However the Dalit movement believes that Lakhan Pasi, a dalit ruler, was the settler of the city and is named after him. The settlement came to be known as Lakhanpur, and later, Lucknow. Yet another theory states that the city’s name is connected with Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth. Over time, the name changed from Laksmanauti to Laksmnaut to Laksnaut to Laksnau to finally Laknau.

Nawab Wazid Ali Shah Prani Udyan earlier known as Prince of Wales Zoological Gardens or popularly known as Lucknow Zoological Garden is a 71.6-acre zoo located in the heart of the capital city. The Central Zoo Authority of India categorizes it as a large zoo. It was established in the year 1921 to commemorate the visit of His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales to Lucknow.

Some prime possessions of this zoo are the Royal Bengal Tiger, White Tiger, Lion, Wolf, Hoolock Gibbon, Himalayan Black Bear, Indian Rhinoceros, Black buck, Swamp Deer, Barking Deer, Hog Deer, Asiatic Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra, Common Otters, Hill Mynahs, Giant Squirrels, Great Pied Hornbill, Golden Pheasant, Silver Pheasant etc. The Zoo is successfully breeding Swamp Deer, Black Buck, Hog Deer and Barking Deer, Indian Wolf and several Pheasants.

The Zoo is located at a comfortable distance from the airport and railway station in the city and can be accessed by all local modes of transport.

La Martinière College is an educational institution located in the city. The college consists of two schools on different campuses for boys and girls. The boys’ campus was founded in 1845 whereas the girls’ campus was established in 1869. The Boys’ College is the only school in the world to have been awarded royal battle honors for its role in the defense of Lucknow during the mutiny of 1857. The two colleges are part of the La Martinière family of schools founded by the French adventurer Major General Claude Martin. It provides a liberal education and the medium of instruction is English. The schools cater for pupils from the ages of 5 through to 17 or 18, and are open to children of all religious denominations. It is one of the most prestigious colleges of India and often features in the top schools of India.

The Rumi Darwaza is an imposing gateway which was built under the patronage of Nawab Asaf-Ud-dowlah in 1784. It is an example of Awadhi architecture. Modeled after the Sublime Porte in Istanbul it stands sixty feet tall.

The Awadh region has its own distinct ‘Nawabi-style’ cuisine. The best-known dishes of this area consist of biryanis, kebabs and breads. Kebabs are served in a variety of styles; kakori, galawati , shami, boti, patili-ke, ghutwa and seekh are some of the few available varieties. Lucknow is also famous for its delicious chaats, street food, kulfi, paan and sweets. Nahari, a dish prepared using mutton, is very popular among non-vegetarians. Sheermal is a type of sweet bread (paratha) prepared only in Lucknow. Some restaurants in the city are around 100 years old; there are also many high-end restaurants, bakeries, lounges and pubs which cater to the affluent class and foreign travelers.

There are daily flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Banglore, Kolkata Indore, and Patna. Amausi Airport is connected with Delhi, Patna, Kolkata, Mumbai, Banglore, Indore and Varanasi by direct flights. Lucknow is on the Delhi-Gorakhpur railway route. Connections can be made from Agra and Allahabad. A major railway junction, Lucknow is conveniently connected to many cities. Lucknow has excellent connectivity of AC Deluxe bus service operated by UPSRTC to cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Agra and Ballia. These are safe and comfortable for tourists and women even during night journeys. These buses can be recognized by their distinctive colour Blue or Red with Platinum line written on it

Lucknow is connected by road with all the major cities of the country. Some of the major road distances are: Agra 363 km, Allahabad 210 km, Ayodhya 135 km, Kolkata 985 km, Corbett National Park 400 km, Delhi 497 km, Dudhwa National Park 238 km, Kanpur 79 km, Khajuraho 320 km, Varanasi 280 km. Choose Gozocabs for a delightful experience on your trip to this peaceful city.

October to March is the best time to visit Lucknow. December and January could be a little foggy, which might mean trains and flights getting delayed occasionally. However, the weather is pleasant and good for roaming around. The summers are particularly very warm and should be avoided. Lucknow could be visited during July-September as well, but rains might be a little hindrance and could delay one’s day plans.

Acquiring an augmented position in the socio-cultural background of the state of Assam, the town of Jorhat is rich in numerous instances of acclamation and greatness. Also referred as the Cultural Capital of Assam, Knowledge City and the Tea Capital of Assam; Jorhat is home to many episodes of Assam’s lustrous history. An academic hub to the state, this place is a solace for many R&D and educational institutes. Also the world’s oldest Tea Experimental Station – Tocklai Tea Research Institute is in Jorhat. Leaving behind Tocklai, premier institutes of research such as the C.S.I.R. – North East Institute of Science & Technology, Rain Forest Research Institute and the Assam Agricultural University is based on Jorhat. Hometown to many noted artists, poets, writers and people of the scientific community; the Jorhat city has indeed something to tell the tourists and reflect its transcendence.

The sprawling tea gardens here gives the simple natural charm to the city and shape up the tourist attraction. Apart from the picturesque tea plantations surrounding for miles of distance, this place holds an ancient heritage and along with it many sightseeing options far and near winning the hearts of the tourists visiting here. Also this land assists the visiting lots with the luxurious inns and hotels serving them with the delicacy of Assamese cuisines. Enriched with great culture and heritage; and having options for visiting other nearby places of interests Jorhat shall be a great choice for your tour trip to Assam. With the exuberance of green vegetation, paddy fields tree lined hills and streams of running water on both the sides of the road; your journey to Jorhat shall forever remain unforgettable.

With the Sivasagar (Sibsagar) city, Kaziranga National Park and the Majuli Island surrounding the city will definitely fulfill your vacation at this city of Assam. Looking into the details of the Jorhat City these below mentioned scenic spots must surely be paid a visit. And if you are seriously looking into paying a visit here, make sure you note

it down before you start forgetting the unusual names of these places of attraction:

1. Jorhat Gymkhana Club

Listed among the World Heritage Sites of UNESCO, the Jorhat Gymkhana Club is valued as the world’s third oldest golf course and Asia’s oldest golf club. Home to the unique tradition of Pony races, the Gymkhana Club organizes the annual Governors Cup (also known the Jorhat Race) in the months of January-February grabbing the hearts of the visitors and the local audience and improving the heights of the city tourism. Started as a recreational and meeting spot for the tea-planters back then in the time of the British era, the Club now has sophisticated facilities of Golf, Billiards, Lawn Tennis and Horse Racing. Also the inclusion of the modern swimming pool, theatre hall and polo ground, makes the club a very enjoyable destination for your spare time. Also hosting the Tea Tourism Festival of Assam in between November and January, the Jorhat Gymkhana Club is one of the most visited tourist spots of the Jorhat city

2. Cinnamara Tea Estate:

The Heritage Bungalow

Set up by India’s first commercial tea planter Maniram Dewan, the heritage bungalow of Mr. Dewan’s and his surrounding tea plantations has an enchanting charm exclusively for the incoming tourists. Owned by the Assam Tea Corporation Limited, the premises of this tea estate also has the graveyard of Maniram Dewan who died fighting for the nation’s freedom struggle against the British. The heritage bungalow here was face-lifted to accommodate a comfortable stay for the tourists.

Cinnamara Tea Garden

3. Thengal Manor:

Giving you the vibes of the colonial days, the majestic mansion bestows you with the unique pleasure of living amidst the lap of nature. Déjà vu shall pervade you when you shall realize that this very masterpiece was home to an Indian businessman. If you look around the homes outside the boundary of this regal house, you shall see the metal artisans and weavers whose elegant skills won’t be seen beyond this village. From this mansion itself the first Assamese daily newspaper Dainik Batori was launched back in 12^th August 1935.

4. Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary:

Golden Langur in Gibbon Sanctuary

Fragmented and surrounded by the neighboring tea gardens and the rural homes, the wildlife sanctuary spread across the south-east part of the Jorhat district. Stuffed with a rich biodiversity the sanctuary is home for many prominent species of flora and fauna. Although open throughout the year for the tourists, the period from June-July and February –March is the best time to witness the spectacular views of the residents of this natural abode. Though it will be good in your part to get in touch with the local officials for the best possible time.

Monkey corridor enables monkeys to pass over without any disturbances from the railway line.

5. Nimati Ghat:

Ferry setting sail in the mighty Brahmaputra

An important sea-port for the state, the Nimati Ghat is the vital link between the world’s largest river island Majuli with the rest of the world. From this port, ferries carry passengers to the other side of the land (Majuli) going either to Kamalabari or Auniati. The coconut and the betel nut trees along the shoreline and villages nearby Nimati Ghat gives you a defining moment to interact with the nature.

Busy crowd in the Kamalabari Ghat of Majuli

6. Lachit Borphukan Maidam & Museum:

The statue of Lachit Borphukan

Located at the outskirts of the Jorhat city, the maidam holds the dead remains of the great Ahom General who defeated the mighty Mughals at the Battle of Saraighat and prevented the foreign invasion. Adding glitter to the pride, the Northeast region was few of the places that was untouched from any foreign hands until the advent of the British rule. The place here has the burial tomb of Lachit Borphukan and a museum which displays the artifacts of the Ahom dynasty that ruled over the Upper Assam. Many weapons and other elements of necessity used by Lachit Borphukan has been put up on display for the tourists.

Lachit Borphukan Museum

7. Dhekiakhowa Bornamghar:

Entrance of the Namghar.

A noted place of worship for the Vaishnavites (Baishnavites), the Dekhikhowa Namghar was established by saint-reformer Madhabdev in the year 1461 and is an important centre for the nourishment of the Vaishnav culture imparted by the great saint Srimanta Sankardeva. 556 years old now, this namghar has been an integral part of imparting the unity of the Assamese people. From the donations and support received from the devotees the managing crew of the namghar organizes a host of socio-cultural events throughout the year.

Cultural programs underway.

8. Sukapha Samannay Kshetra:

The statue of Chaolung Sukapha erected at the centre of the Sammanay Kshetra.

A latest addition to the city’s tourism chart, the Sukapha Sammanay Kshetra is a cultural complex that has been built to showcase the world of the great Assam state built by the founder of the Ahom clan Chaolung Sukapha. Imparting the thoughts of unity and integrity among the ethnic people of Assam, this place stands as a symbol for promoting secularism and intolerance among all the caste, community and religion. Situated just besides the NH-37 and the constructions going in full-swing, the campus has a large auditorium hall and a statue of Sukapha being erected at the centre of Sammanay Kshetra.

Though under construction visitors have already started pouring in

9. Kaziranga Golf Resort:

The Bura Sahib Bungalow.

Built by noted tea industrialist Bharat Ratna Hemendra Prasad Barooah, the Kaziranga Golf Resort is a fascination vacation destination for you amidst the green belt of tea plants covering you up all around. Designed in a way to blend in the colonial tea environment of the British era, the resort is a first choice option for the corporation elites and also an ideal accommodation for the tourists. Offering you with state-of-art environment to stay and enjoy the resort has superior cottage rooms and a presidential suite for the guests. A suitable golf course for the pros, the course was designed by renowned golf course architect Mr. Ranjit Nanda. The course has been able to challenge the golfers in all sorts of skills they possess.

Hole 15 Par 5 of the golf resort.