Southern Railways - Pride of India

Indian Southern Railway is one of the oldest railway zones of India. It was established on April 14th, 1951. The Southern Railway has been credited as the first railway zone that was established in independent India. Southern Railway was formed by combining the railways of three Indian states namely Southern Mahratta Railway and Madras, Mysore State Railway and South Indian Railway.

Initially, Tiruchirapalli was established as the formal headquarters of the Southern Railway, however, it was registered as the as a company in the year 1890 in London. Today, Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, serves as its headquarters.

The network of Southern Railways spreads over the area of India’s Southern Peninsula that includes the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Pondicherry and a small region of Andhra Pradesh. Southern Railways serves these naturally abundant and culturally rich states and spreads over Mangalore on the west coast and Kanyakumari in the South to Gudur in the North East and Renigunta in the North West.

The Southern Railways is divided into six divisions given below:

1. Chennai
2. Tiruchirapalli
3. Madurai
4. Palghat
5. Salem
6. Trivandrum

The thing that makes the Southern Railways distinct from other railway zones of India is that its revenue does not come from freight but from the passengers who travel by it. The annual traffic of passengers traveling via Southern Railways is more than 500 million, making them the primary source of income for the railways. Recently, the Indian Railway Board approved the establishment of Salem as the new railway division. This decision was taken with the purpose of improving the infrastructure of the railway, better train services and facilities and improved administration.

The Indian Southern Railways serves as the gateway of the rail network in South India. In view of this fact it is constantly improving its covering stations for providing world class standardization. Southern Railways provides added facilities during railway reservation. It also offers the best train availability in all the areas that it covers. The main focus of the Southern Railways is to convert all the meter gauge lines into broad gauge lines and a lot of work has been done in this field. It also aims at installing automated signal systems so that travelling can be much safer. Chennai Central station is the most profitable of the all the other stations and in view of this fact, all the stations that generate good revenue have been upgraded.

About Gujarat - The Tourist Guide

Gujarat is the seventh largest state in the country in terms of area. Gandhinagar is the capital city of Gujarat, and Gujarati is the official language of this state. Gujarat has always been economic powerhouse for India.

Where is Gujarat

Gujarat is a coastal state in the western part of India. Gujarat shares international borders with the Sindh district of Pakistan to the west. It is surrounded by Rajasthan on the north, Madhya Pradesh on the east and Maharashtra on the south. Gujarat has a 1600-km-long coastline, adjoining the Arabian Sea, the longest for any state in India.

Major Cities

Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot are some of the most important cities in Gujarat. Gandhinagar is the capital city of Gujarat, and Ahmedabad is the largest city in the state. Surat, the commercial capital of Gujarat, is also one of the fastest growing cities in the world. Vadodara is the industrial hub in Gujarat. Rajkot, the fourth largest city in Gujarat, is predominantly a city that thrives on Jewelry making. Porbandar, a coastal city in Gujarat, is the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation.

Places to Visit

The rivers Sabarmati, Tapi and Narmada pass through Gujarat. The Great Rann of Kutch, the seasonal salt marsh, shared by Sindh Province in Pakistan and Thar Desert in Rajasthan lies in Gujarat.

The area where Gujarat is now is believed to be a settlement dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization. Ruins have been unearthed at Dholavira and Lothal. Another archaeological site, dating back to 2500 BC, was recently excavated at GolaDharo.

The museums to visit in Gujarat are the Vadodara Musem, Calico – Musuem of textiles, Gandhi SmarakSanghralaya, the Watson Museum, Maharajah Fatheh Singh Museum and Lakhota Museum.

The kite flying festival in Gujarat is an event that is famous across the globe. It is celebrated with much fanfare, dance and music. Sanskruti Kunj Mela is another festival that highlights the unique traditions and cultures of the various Indian states.

Akshardham Temple, Somnath, Girnar, Ambaji, Dwarkadheesh Temple, Palitana Temple, The Sun Temple, Shah AlamRoza, Rani Rupmati’s Mosque, Shalaji, Virpur and Pavagadh are some of the most prominent religious places to visit in Gujarat.

How to Reach

Air: Sardar Vallabhai Patel International airport that services both Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar is one of the busiest airports in the country and plies regular flights to international destinations. There are 10 other domestic airports in the state that keep Gujarat well connected to the rest of the major cities in India.

Rail: The Western Railways maintains the railway network in Gujarat. Some of the most prominent railway stations that connect Gujarat to the other major cities in India are Ahmedabad railway station, Rajkot railway station and Surat railway station.

Road: Gujarat has 13 national highways and innumerable state highways that efficiently connect Gujarat with the other states in India. The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) plies buses on a regular basis to commute within the state and the cities.

Sea: Gujarat has 1 major port, 11 intermediate ports and 29 minor ports. The Kandla Port on Arabian Sea is an important port in Western India. The other important ports are Ports of Porbandar, Navlakhi and Magdalla.

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Stay in Luxury in Haridwar

Haridwar is a temple city and the district headquarters of the Haridwar District of Uttarakhand State. It is one of the seven holiest pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Haridwar is also one of the four sites that hosts the Kumbh Mela in rotation. Haridwar is easily accessible from all regions of the country. It is within easy reach from Delhi, India’s capital. The distance from Haridwar to Delhi is about 214 km.

Hari is one of the names of Lord Vishnu. Dwar means an opening or doorway. So, Haridwar is considered to be the doorway to reach the feet of Hari, or Lord Vishnu. Haridwar is a major pilgrimage center and has many options for accommodation. The following section lists two Luxury Haridwar Hotels:


Classic Residency Hotel

Hotel Classic Residency is located 1.5 km from the Railway Station. Easily accessible from the Railway Station and Bus Stop, this 3 star hotel offers fine accommodation with all modern facilities.

Accommodation: Classic residency Hotel has 47 well furnished and comfortable rooms and four luxury suites. All the rooms have attached bathrooms with hot/cold running water, Direct Dial Telephone, Cable TV, Free Newspaper, purified drinking water and 24-hour room service.

Dining: The hotel has a vegetarian multi-cuisine restaurant called Aangan that offers Chinese, Continental, Mughal and Indian cuisines.

Other Facilities and Services: Parking Space, Travel Desk, Doctor-on-Call, Laundry Service, Yoga and Meditation Center, Swimming Pool, Banquet Hall, Credit Cards accepted, Gym and Internet Connection.

Ginger Hotel Haridwar

The Ginger Hotel Haridwar is located near the Railway Station, and is in the center of the city. It is very close to the Hari-Ki-Pauri Bathing Ghat which is the central pilgrimage spot of the city. The hotel offers the Ginger Hotels’ trademark Smart Basics and Smart Space Features. All the rooms are elegantly fitted out and have all modern amenities.

Accommodation: The comfortable and elegant rooms are all designed to provide a pleasant hassle free-stay. The rooms come in four categories:

• Single Rooms: Perfect for the single traveler
• Twin Rooms: Separate beds for people who are traveling together.
• Double Rooms: These rooms have a huge queen size bed.
• Special Rooms: These are rooms that are designed keeping in mind the needs of the physically challenged.

All the rooms are air-conditioned and have electronic locks, STD Direct Dial telephones with voicemail, wall mounted flat panel televisions, cable connection, mini fridge, in-room safety lockers, coffee maker, work area, full length mirror and wardrobe.

Dining: The Square Meal Restaurant offers tasteful and varied fare. There are vending machines for hot and cold beverages.

Other Facilities and Services: Parking, Self Check-In, Business Center, Safety Lockers, Fitness Centers, Gymnasium, ATM, Currency Exchange, Meeting Room and Audio visual equipment.

For more information about Haridwar Hotels Online Booking Services, Please visit our website for booking Hotels in Haridwar at http://www.mustseeindia.com

About Gao - The Travel Guide

Goa is the smallest state in India. Goa, unlike the rest of India, was colonized by Portuguese people. Goa is a party destination that has been the must-see for every traveler and party lover. The beaches here and the vibrant nightlife is the main reason for a tourist boom over the last few decades. Panaji is the capital city of Goa, and Konkan is the widely spoken language by the locals.

Where is Goa

Goa is sandwiched between Karnataka, Maharashtra and the Arabian Sea. Goa has a 101-km-long coastline that’s along the Konkan Coast.

Major Cities

Vasco Da Gama, Panaji, Margao, Old Goa, Mapusa and Ponda are some of the famous cities in Goa. Panaji is the capital city and the third largest city in Goa. Vasco Da Gama is the largest city, and it has a port. Margao is the oldest city in Goa and also the second largest city.

Places to Visit

Tourism is the mainstay of Goa. Majority of the tourists are from countries other than India. Most of the tourism-related activities happen near the coast. There are two UNESCO World Heritage sites in Goa; Bom Jesus Basilica and the Old Goa churches and convents. The architecture here is unique since it follows Goa-Portuguese style. The mansions in Goa follow Indo-Portuguese and some of them stand there to this date.

Aguada, Chapora, Tiracol and Cabo de Rama forts are also must-see places. Fontainhas, a cultural quarter in Panaji, showcases the life, culture and architecture of Goa.

Anjuna,Agonda,Baga, Calangute,Bogmalo, Colva, Miramar, Chapora, Vagator, Majorda and Dona Paula beaches are very famous in Goa. Candolim, a village in North Goa, has a beautiful beach right next to it.

St. Cathedral,St. Cajetan Church, St. Anne Church, Mary Immaculate Conception,St. Paul Church, Reis Magos Church, Church of St. Francis and Church of St. Augustine are some of the famous churches here.

How to Reach

Air: The only airport in Goa is in Dambolim. This airport serves for both civilian and military purposes on both domestic and International levels.

Road: Goa is well connected by highways; The National highways connect Mumbai in Maharashtra and Mangalore in Karnataka. The state-owned Kadamba Transport Corporation along with private bus operators ply buses within Goa, which can take you from the urban centers to the rural areas. Cabs and bikes can also be hired to go around Goa.

Rail: Goa is connected by the Konkan Railway as well as the South Western Railway. The Konkan railway runs along the west coast and connects major cities on the way. SW Railway connects Vasco Da Gama via Belgaum.

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Budget Hotels in Goa - A Pocket-friendly Holiday

Goa is considered to be the beach paradise of India, and it is a favourite tourist destination for not only people in India but also for people across the globe. Goa is the smallest state of India, which is blessed with clear sea waters, palm-fringed golden beaches, Portuguese architecture, delicious cuisines and a lively environment. The mix of Latin and Oriental culture makes Goa a unique and interesting place to be in.

Although Goa is a part of India, it has a completely different spirit and temperament. There are many budget accommodations in Goa which offer neat and clean facilities and these Goa hotels are meant for those people who have a strict budget. To plan a perfect trip people can take up low priced Goa packages.

Johnny's Hotel

Johnny’s Hotel is a budget hotel that is located 45 kilometers away from Dabolim Airport and 21 kilometers from Tivim Railway Station. Johnny’s Hotel is a low-priced hotel but has neat and clean rooms and provides basic facilities and amenities. It has 3 AC rooms and 9 Non AC rooms that are beautifully done and well maintained. The hotel has an in-house restaurant which provides delicious cuisines. The facilities and amenities provided in this hotel are doctor on call, travel desk, Ayurvedic massage, Yoga classes and currency exchange service. The hotel provides sightseeing packages to the tourists.

Orchid Holiday Home

Orchid Holiday Home is located in Calangute, which is perfect for young backpackers who love to travel on a limited budget. This hotel is just a walking distance from the beach. Accommodation is offered only on "Room only basis ", and for meals, you can visit the cozy little restaurant and bar which is located on the first floor. The facilities provided in this hotel are very basic like car parking, laundry service, restaurant and bar, arrival and departure transfers which is charged extra, daily housekeeping and currency exchange. Although Orchid Holiday Home is a tiny hotel, the rooms are clean and well kept. People prefer this place because of its proximity to Calangute beach and for the extremely pocket friendly prices.

Villa Nova

If you want to stay in Goa for quite a long period and looking for a low priced accommodation, then Villa Nova complex in Anjuna is the perfect place for you. This tiny hotel is situated in Anjuna and is a peaceful and private where you can relax without any distractions. It is situated in a huge open space and has three independent villas and each of these has two separate studio suites. Each suite has an independent entrance and if you wish to relax you can make use of the attached terrace. For meals, the complex has a kitchen unit that serves breakfast, snacks and meals on demand. The suites are perfect for a couple or small family of three persons.

For more information about Goa Hotels Online Booking Services, Please visit our website for booking hotels in Goa at http://www.mustseeindia.com