The temples of Rambireshwar and Raghunath number
among its most impressive sights. Jammu is the railhead for
Srinagar, the ancient capital of Kashmir, and favorite resort
of the Mughal emperors. It was they who built the many waterways
and gardens around Lake Dal, complementing the natural beauty
of the area. Among the attractions are the houseboats where
visitors can live on the lakes surrounded by scenery so beautiful
it is known as ‘paradise on earth’. Srinagar is
also a convenient base for trips to Gulmarg and Pahalgam.
Gulmarg offers fine trout fishing, and enjoys the distinction
of having the highest golf course in the world. From here
there are good views of Nanga Parbat, one of the highest mountains
in the world. It is well placed as a starting point for treks
into the hills and mountains. Pahalgam is another popular
hill resort and base for pilgrimages to the sacred cave of
Amarnath.
More exotic, though less accessible, is the region of Ladakh,
beyond the Kashmir Valley. It is a mountainous land on the
edge of the Tibetan Plateau which is still largely Tibetan
in character. The capital, Leh, is situated high in the Karakouram
mountain range, through which passed the old Silk Road from
China to India and Europe.
The West
The principal metropolis of Western India is Mumbai, the capital
of the state of Maharashtra, a bustling port and commercial
center, with plate-glass skyscrapers and modern industry jostling
alongside bazaars and a hectic streetlife. Many of the country’s
films are made in the famous Mumbai studios. The city also
boasts one of the finest race tracks in India, the Mahalaxmi
course. There is a pleasant seafront with a palm-lined promenade
and attractive beaches such as Juhu, Versova, Marve, Madh
and Manori. On the waterfront is Mumbai’s best-known
landmark, the Gateway to India, whence boats leave on the
10km (6 mile) journey across the busy harbor to the Elephanta
Island. The island is famous for the eighth-century cave temples,
on whose walls are large rock carvings, the finest of which
is the three-faced Maheshmurti, the great Lord.
To the east of Mumbai is Aurangabad, the starting point for
visits to two of the world’s most outstanding rock-cut
temples. The Buddhist cave temples at Ajanta date back at
least 2000 years. Cut into the steep face of a deep rock gorge,
the 30 caves contain exquisite paintings depicting daily life
at that time.
The caves at Ellora depict religious stories and are Hindu,
Buddhist and Jain in origin. The Temple of Kailasa is the
biggest hewn monolith temple in the world. Southeast of Mumbai
are several fine hill stations, notably Matheran with its
narrow gauge trains, and Mahabaleshwar. The thriving city
of Pune with its peaceful Bund Gardens and its cultural attractions
is also in this area.
To the north of Mumbai lies the state of Gujarat, renowned
for its silks, as the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, and as
the last refuge of the Asian lion, found deep in the Gir Forest.
Ahmedabad, in the east of the state, is the principal textile
city of India, producing silks which are famous throughout
the world. Ahmadabad is also the site of Sabarmati Ashram,
founded by Mahatma Gandhi, from where his ideology of non-violence
is still promoted. Gandhi’s birthplace is some 320km
(200 miles) to the west, in the fishing village of Porbandar.
To the south of Maharashtra lies Goa. The 100km- (60 mile-)
long coastline offers some of the finest beaches in the subcontinent.
Goa was Portuguese until 1961, and there is also a charming
blend of Latin and Indian cultures. Panaji, the state capital,
is one of the most relaxed and elegant of India’s cities.
The town is dominated by the huge Cathedral of the Immaculate
Conception, but the shops, bars and pleasant streets are its
main attraction. ‘Old Goa’, only a bus ride away
from Panaji, displays a bewildering variety of architectural
styles. Buildings of note include the Basilica and the Convent
and Church of St Francis of Assisi. In nearby Ponda is the
400-year-old Temple of Shri Mangesh, which is said to be the
oldest Hindu shrine.
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Goa also has several wildlife sanctuaries, including Bondla
in the hills of western Ghats, where wild boar and sambar
can be seen in their natural habitat. The region is famous
for its food – an array of dishes, both Indian and Portuguese
– as well as for its colorful festivals, including the
spectacular Carnival held on the three days leading up to
Ash Wednesday.
The south is the part of India least affected by incursions
of foreign cultures through the centuries. It is here that
Indian heritage has survived in its purest form.
The regional capital is Chennai (formerly Madras), India’s
fourth-largest city and capital of the state of Tamil Nadu.
Chennai is the cradle of the ancient Dravidian civilization,
one of the oldest articulate cultures in the world. It is
also home of the classical style of Indian dancing and a notable
center of temple sculpture art. Sprawling over 130 sq km (50
sq miles), the metropolis has few tall buildings and enjoys
the relaxed ambience of a market town rather than the bustle
of a huge city. From Chennai Lighthouse there is a fine view
of the city that includes many churches which tell of the
city’s strong Christian influence, first introduced
in AD 78 when the apostle St Thomas was martyred here.
Chennai, however, is largely a commercial city and the center
of the area’s rail, air and road networks, and serves
as a good starting point from which to explore the south.
Within the state are several important religious centers,
notably Kanchipuram, which has an abundance of temples, and
whose striking gopurams, or gateways, are decorated with sculptures
of gods and goddesses. Inland is Madurai, with a large and
bustling temple, and Thanjavur. Also worth visiting is Tiruchirappalli,
which has a fortress built atop a strange boulder-shaped hill
that dominates the town.
Further south, along the coast, is Pondicherry, an attractive
town with a distinctive French style, and beyond, Rameswaram,
once the ferry link to Sri Lanka.
To the west lies the state of Kerala, where many of India’s
major coastal resorts are to be found. Among the finest is
Kovalam, offering unspoilt beaches with increasingly modern
amenities, including luxury bungalows and a number of hotels
(some including a swimming pool). Only a few miles away is
Trivandrum, the state capital with its famous Padmanabhaswamy
Temple. Further inland is the Periyar Game Sanctuary which
has a rich and varied wildlife. Other resorts include Cranganorre,
Alleppey and Kochi.
Further to the north is the state of Karnataka, which has
fine, unexplored beaches at Karwar, Mahe and Udupi. The state’s
capital is Bangalore, an affluent city which is the center
of electronics and engineering industries, but has many charming
parks and gardens. To the southwest lies Mysore, where incense
is manufactured.
To the east of Karnataka is the state of Andhra Pradesh, with
its capital at Hyderabad, offering a well-stocked one-man
museum. Visakhapatnam, the fourth-largest port, is 220km (350
miles) to the east.
Far away to the east across the Bay of Bengal are the Andaman
Islands, a lushly forested archipelago which has exotic plant
life and a wide variety of corals and tropical fish, making
it a major attraction for snorkeling enthusiasts. The islands’
capital, Port Blair, can be reached from Chennai and Kolkata
(Calcutta) by boat or air. Visitors should note that the islands
are subject to special entry restrictions and a Restricted
Area Permit may be required; see the Passport/Visa section
for details.
The East
The largest city in India and hub of the east is Kolkata,
the capital of West Bengal. Established as a British trading
post in the 17th century, it grew rapidly into a vibrant center.
Its colonial heritage is reflected in the buildings of Chowringhee
Street and Clive Street, now Jawaharlal Nehru Road and Netaji
Subhash Road. The city is filled with life and energy. It
is a major business center and offers fine markets and bazaars.
It is also the center of much of the country’s creative
and intellectual activity, including the subcontinent’s
best film-makers. Central Kolkata (Calcutta) is best viewed
from the Maidan, the central area of parkland where early
morning yoga sessions take place. The city’s Indian
Museum is one of the finest in Asia. Other attractions include
the white marble Victoria Memorial, the Ochterlony Monument
(Sahid Minar) and the headquarters of the Rama Krishna movement.
Across the river are the Kali Temple of Dakshineshwasar (Belur
Math headquarters of Ramakrishna Movement) and the Botanical
Gardens.
To the west is the state of Bihar, with the religious center
of Bodhgaya, a sacred place for both Hindus and Buddhists.
To the south, in the state of Orissa, are three temple cities.
Foremost is Bhubaneswar, a town in which there once stood
no less than 7000 temples, 500 of which have survived. Largest
of these is the great Lingaraja Temple, dedicated to Lord
Shiva. A short journey away to the south of Bhubaneswar lies
Puri, one of the four holiest cities in India, now being developed
as a beach resort. In June and July, Puri stages one of India’s
most spectacular festivals, the Rath Yatra or ‘Car Festival’,
at which pilgrims pay homage to images of gods drawn on massive
wooden chariots. A short distance along the coast to the north
is Konarak, known for its ‘Black Pagoda’ –
a huge solitary temple to the sun god in the form of a chariot
drawn by horses. The sculpture has a sensuous nature similar
to that of Khajuraho, and is counted amongst the finest in
India.
To the north of Kolkata (Calcutta) is one of the great railway
journeys of the world, the ‘Toy Train’ to Darjeeling.
The last part of the line runs through jungle, tea gardens
and pine forests. Darjeeling straddles a mountain slope which
drops steeply to the valley below, and commands fine views
of Kanchenjunga (8586m/28,169ft), the third-highest mountain
in the world. It is the headquarters of the Indian Mountaineering
Institute, as well as the birthplace of Sherpa Tenzing. It
is also a world-renowned tea-growing center.
A bus journey of two-and-a-half hours takes one to Kalimpong,
a bazaar town at the foot of the Himalayas. From here a number
of treks can be made to places offering fine panoramas of
the mountains.
Further north is the mountain state of Sikkim. The capital,
Gangtok, lies in the southwest. The main activity for visitors
is trekking, although it is still in its infancy and facilities
are minimal. At the moment, travel for non-Indian residents
is limited. Trekking is allowed only in groups, while individuals
may only visit Gangtok, Rumtek and Phodom. The nearest railheads
are Darjeeling and Siliguri, on the slow but spectacular line
of India’s northeast frontier railway.
Even further to the east are the states of Assam and Meghalaya.
Assam is famous for tea and wildlife reserves, and can be
reached from the state capital of Guwahati. The tiger reserve
of Manas is also rich in other varieties of wildlife, while
in Kaziranga it is possible to see the one-horned rhinoceros
of India.
Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is the home of the Khasi
people. The region is filled with pine groves, waterfalls
and brooks and is described as the ‘Scotland of the
East’.
India’s coast has some of the most beautiful beaches
in the world. Below are listed both well-known resorts, such
as Goa, and several lesser-known beaches. Hotel facilities
and accommodation are also indicated. Further information
may be obtained by consulting the main Where to Go sections.
Major beaches include:
Baga Beach, Calangute and Colva Beach. 5-star hotels with
private beaches: Cidade de Goa, Fort Aguada Beach Resort and
Oberoi Bogmalo Beach. It has reasonably priced hotels, tourist
cottages, a tourist resort and youth hostels.
Juhu Beach; crowded 5-star hotel complex.
Ashok Beach resort. 5-star hotel complex, including beach
cottages, Halcyon Castle and Kovalam Palace Hotel. Hotel Samudra,
Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, is reasonably priced.
Kovalam Beach gets crowded during the peak tourist season
(November to March).
Fisherman’s Cove at Covelong beach resort; shore cottages
by the shore temples at Mamallapuram (which also has a beach
resort).
3- and 4-star hotels, tourist bungalows, youth hostels. Major
Hindu pilgrim center.
These include: Andhra Pradesh: Bheemunipatnam, Machilipatnam,
Maipadu and Mangiripundi. Goa: Ankola, Bhatkal, Gokarna, Honnavar
and Karwar. Gujarat: Chorwad, Dahanu, Daman (UT), Diu (UT),
Dwarka, Hajira, Tithal and Ubhrat. Cheap hotels, holiday homes.
Karnataka: Mahe (UT), Mangalore, Udupi (Hindu pilgrim center)
and Ullal (smaller beach resort, Summer Sands, cottages).
Kerala: Cannanore, Quilon, Varkala. Maharashtra: Off Mumbai
– Madh, Manori and Marve. Cheap hotels – Murud
Janjira. Holiday homes – Erangal. Orissa: Golpalpur
on Sea, Oberoi Hotel. Tamil Nadu: Kanya Kumari, Karikal (UT),
Pondicherry (UT), Rameswaram and Tiruchendur. West Bengal:
Digha – reasonably priced hotels, tourist bungalows.
Note: UT = Union Territory.
Hill stations have long been popular among Indians and foreign
visitors alike for providing a relaxing and salubrious retreat
from the heat of the plains. Further information on some of
the places mentioned here may be found by consulting the information
above.
These include: Kashmir: Leh in Ladakh, Pahalgam, Srinagar
and Gulmarg for lakes, houseboats, good hotels, tourist reception
centers. Himachal Pradesh: Shimla (various types of hotels,
tourist bungalows), nearby Kufri (winter sports center, skating
rink, skiing facilities), Kulu, Manali (reasonably priced
hotels, log huts, travelers lodges and tourist bungalows).
Uttar Pradesh: Nainital boasts a lake boat club, Almora, Mussoorie,
Ranikhet (reasonably priced hotels, tourist bungalows, clubs,
youth hostels), Ropeway (hotels and tourist bungalows). West
Bengal: Darjeeling, RA, Kalimpong for mountaineering. Maharashtra:
Khandala, Lonavla, Mahabaleshwar, Matheran, and Panchgani.
Meghalaya: Shillong. Sikkim: Gangkok (RA, hotels). Tamil Nadu:
Ootacamund, Udagamandalam, Kodaikanal and Silvery Lake –
hotels, tourist bungalows.
These include: Himachal Pradesh: Chamba, Dalhousie, Dharamsala,
Kangra, Keylong, Nahan and Paonta Saheb. Kashmir: Batote and
Sonamarg. Uttar Pradesh: Dehra Dun and Lansdown. West Bengal:
Mirik. Madhya Pradesh: Pachmarhi. Maharashtra: Panhala. Gujarat:
Saputara. Rajasthan: Mount Abu. Tamil Nadu: Coonoor, Kotagiri
and Yercaud. Kerala: Munnar, Periyar and Ponmundi. Karnataka:
Mercara. Andhra Pradesh: Horseley Hills. Bihar: Netarhat.
Assam: Haflong.
Below is a description of the most important trekking areas
in India. For further practical details on trekking, see the
Activities section.
Jammu and Kashmir is India’s northernmost state, and
the one which is best-known for trekking. It is an extravagantly
beautiful land of flower-spangled meadows, wild orchards,
spectacular coniferous forests, icy mountain peaks and clear
streams and rivers. The capital, Srinagar, is the base for
many treks, notably to the blue Zabarwan Hills and Shankaracharya
Hill. The three other main bases in Jammu & Kashmir are
Pahalgam (100km/62 miles from Srinigar) in the Lidder Valley,
the base for treks to sacred Amarnath, Aru, Lidderwat and
the glacial lakes of Tarsar and Tulian; Gulmarg (51km/32 miles
from Srinagar), from which treks can be made to the crystal
tarns of Apharwat and Alpather, the upland lakes of Vishansar
and Gangabal and the Thajiwas Glacier; and Sonamarg, in the
Sindh Valley, the base for treks into the surrounding mountains.
Srinagar is also the roadhead for trips into the arid plateau
of Ladakh, a country of perpetual drought, the home of wild
asses and yaks and with high ranges that have some of the
largest glaciers in the world outside the polar regions. Leh,
the divisional capital, lies on an ancient Silk Road and is
the base for spectacular treks across this remarkable landscape.
Further south, excellent trekking may be had in the vicinity
of Jammu, the railhead to the Kashmir Valley. The three main
centers are Kishtwar, Doda and Poonch.
The landscape of this province ranges from the barren rocks
and raging torrents of the valleys of Spiti and Lahaul in
the north to the southern orchard country of Kangra and Chamba.
Treks from Manali include the Bhaga River to Keylong, and
then on to the Bara Shigri glacier or over the Baralacha Pass
to Leh (see above). Kullu, in the center of the province,
is set in a narrow valley between the towering Himalayas and
the River Beas, and is famous for its temples and religious
festivals. Treks from here traverse terraced paddy fields
and on to remoter regions of snow and ice. The view from the
Rohtang Pass is particularly spectacular. The town of Dharamsala,
in the Kangra Valley area, is the base for treks into the
Bharmaur Valley over the Indrahar Pass, and on to other still
higher passes beyond. Chamba, situated on a mountain above
the Ravi River, is named after the fragrant trees which flourish
around its richly carved temples. Treks from the nearby town
of Dalhousie lead to the glacial lake of Khajjiar and to the
passes of Sach and Chini. Shimla, once the summer capital
of the British, is a high hill station and the base for treks
into Kullu Valley via the Jalori Pass and on to the Kalpur
and Kinnaur valleys.
Set high in the Garhwal Himalayas, this region (which is sometimes
referred to as the Uttarakhand) abounds in myths and legends
of the Indian gods. It is also where the source of the life-giving
‘Ganga’ is to be found; indeed, many of the great
rivers of northern India have their headwaters in this land
of lush valleys and towering snow-ridged peaks. Mussoorie,
a hill station much used by the British to escape the searing
heat of the plains, is an excellent base for treks into the
Gangotri and Yamounotri valleys. The source of the Ganga at
Gaumukh can also be reached from here. Another hill station,
Rishikesh, is situated just north of the sacred city of Hardwar,
and is the base for treks to another holy shrine, Badrinath.
A particularly rewarding stop en route to Badrinath is the
breathtaking Valley of Flowers, which is in full bloom in
August. Other destinations include Hemkund Lake, Mandakini
Valley and Kedarnath, one of the 12 Jyotirlings of Lord Shiva
with a beautiful temple.
This region, which stretches from the Himalayas in the north
to the green foothills of Terai and Bhabar in the south, consists
of the three northeastern Himalayan districts of Uttar Pradesh,
all of which are particularly rich in wildlife. One of the
major trekking centers is Almora, an ideal base for treks
into pine and rhododendron forests with dramatic views of
stark, snow-capped mountains. The Pindiri Glacier and the
valley of Someshwar can be reached from here. Another base
is Nanital, a charming, orchard-rich hill station. It is the
base for short treks to Bhimtal, Khurpatal and Binayak Forest.
Ranikhet, with a magnificent view of the central Himalayas,
is the base for treks to Kausani. The view from here is one
of the most spectacular in India, and inspired Mahatma Gandhi
to pen his commentary on the Gita-Anashakti Yoga.
Dominated by the five summits of mighty Kanchenjunga, the
Darjeeling and Sikkim area of the Eastern Himalayas is also
a region of gentle hills and dales, pine forests, turquoise
lakes and babbling streams. One of the best ways of arriving
in the area is by the ‘Toy Train’ from New Jalpaiguri.
The town of Darjeeling is the home of the Everest-climber
Tenzing Norgay and also of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute,
and is the base for both low- and high-level treks. Destinations
include Tiger Hill (offering a breathtaking view of the Himalayas),
and the peaks of Phalut, Sandakphu, Singalila and Tanglu.
To the north, Sikkim is a wonderland of ferns and flowers,
birds and butterflies, orchids and bamboo, forests of cherry,
oak and pine, all set among slowly flowing rivers, terraced
paddy fields and blazing rhododendrons. Deep in the interior
are Sikkim’s famous monasteries, their white prayer
flags fluttering against a deep blue sky. The capital is Gangtok,
a convenient base for treks into the mysterious north and
east of the region, to sacred Yaksum, Pemayangtse and the
mountains near Bakkhim and Dzongri.
The Aravallis, remnants of the oldest mountain range in the
subcontinent, resemble outcroppings of rocks rather than mountains
and are virtually barren except for thorny acacias and date
palm groves found near the oases. The main resort in the region,
Mount Abu, stands on an isolated plateau surrounded by rich
green forest. A variety of one-day treks are available from
here, all of which afford the opportunity to visit some of
the remarkable temples in the region, notably Arbuda Devi
Temple, carved out of the rock face and offering spectacular
views across the hills. Guru Shikhar, Gaumukh and Achalgarh
Fort can all be reached during one-day treks from Mount Abu.
This range straddles central India and forms the northern
border of the Deccan. The main hill station is Pachmarhi,
a beautiful resort of green forest glades and deep ravines
overlooking red sandstone hills. Short treks can be had from
here to the Mahadeo and Dhupgarh peaks.
The Western Ghats run parallel to the west coast of India
from the River Tapti to the southernmost tip of the subcontinent.
The mountains are lush and thickly forested and although they
cannot claim to have the awesome majesty of the great Himalayas,
the region has many features of great natural beauty. The
hill station of Mahabaleshwar, in the north of the range,
is the highest in the area and is considered an ideal base
for trekkers. Other popular bases and trekking destinations
include Lonavala, Khandala, Matheran and Bhor Ghat, a picturesque
region of waterfalls, lakes and woods. Further south in Karnataka
is Coorg, perched on a green hilltop and surrounded by mountainous
countryside. Madikeri is a take-off point for treks in this
region. The Upper Palani hills in Tamil Nadu are an offshoot
of the Ghats, covered in rolling downs and coarse grass. Kodaikanal
is the attractive base for two short treks to Pilar Rock and
Green Valley View. Courtallam, also in Tamil Nadu, is surrounded
by dense vegetation and coffee and spice plantations; rich
in wildlife, it is also one of the most beautiful areas of
the Western Ghats.
The gentle heights of southern India, a world away from the
daunting Himalayas, are friendly and approachable with treks
made simple by moderate altitudes and a pleasant climate.
Sometimes known as the Blue Mountains because of their lilac
hue, they are noted for their orange orchards, tea gardens,
wooded slopes and tranquil lakes. There are three major trekking
centers here: Ootacamund (popularly known as Ooty) is the
base for walks to the Wenlock Downs, the Kalahatti Falls and
Mudumali Game Sanctuary; Coonoor, conveniently situated for
Drogg’s Peak and Lamb’s Rock; and Kotagiri, the
oldest of the three, whose sheltered position enables it to
offer many shaded treks to explore the tranquility of the
Nilgiris.
The Indian peninsula is a continent in itself, the geographical
diversity of which has resulted in a vast range of wildlife,
with over 350 species of mammals and 1200 species of birds
in the country. There are 90 national parks and 411 wildlife
sanctuaries in the country. Each region has something special
to offer: the hangul is restricted to the valley of Kashmir
in northern India, the rhino is found in isolated pockets
along the Brahmaputra River in the east, the black langur
in the Western Ghats, and Western India is the home of the
last remaining Asiatic lions. Two of India’s most impressive
animals, the Bengal (or Indian) tiger and the Asiatic elephant
are still found in most regions, though their population has
shrunk drastically.
Most of India’s wildlife finds refuge in over 200 sanctuaries
and parks around the country. The following list refers to
some of the more important of these. Accommodation often needs
to be booked in advance, either by direct application or through
the local State ITDC or the controlling authority of the respective
park.
Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary (Kashmir): Broad valley; mountain
slopes; rare hangul deer, black and brown bear, leopard; heronry.
Govind Sagar Bird Sanctuary (Himachal Pradesh): Bird sanctuary
with crane, duck, goose and teal.
Corbett National Park (Uttar Pradesh): Himalayan foothills
near Dhikala; Sal forest and plains; tiger, elephant, leopard
and rich birdlife. Excellent fishing in Ramganga River.
Dudhwa National Park (Uttar Pradesh): Nepal border; tiger,
sloth bear and panther.
Valley of Flowers National Park (Uttar Pradesh): When in
bloom this ‘roof garden’ at 3500m (11,500ft) is
a glorious blaze of color. Permits are required to enter.
Sariska National Park (Rajasthan): About 200km (125 miles)
from Delhi. Forest and open plains; sambar (largest Indian
deer), cheetal (spotted deer), nilgai (Indian antelope), black
buck, leopard and tiger; good night-viewing.
Ranthambhor (Sawai Madhopur – Rajasthan): Hill forest,
plains and lakes; sambar, chinkara (Indian gazelle), tiger,
sloth bear, crocodiles and migratory water-birds.
Bharatpur National Park (Keoloadeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary)
(Rajasthan): India’s most outstanding bird sanctuary;
many indigenous water-birds; huge migration from Siberia and
China; crane, goose, stork, heron, snakes, birds, etc.
Bandhavgarh National Park (Madhya Pradesh): Situated in the
Vindhyan Mountains, this park has a wide variety of wildlife
including panther, sambar and gaur.
Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh): Sal forest and grassland;
only home of barasingha (swamp deer), tiger, cheetal and gaur.
Shivpuri National Park (Madhya Pradesh): Open forest and lake;
chinkara, chowsingha (four-horned antelope), nilgai, tiger,
leopard and water-birds.
Krishnagiri Upavan National Park (Maharashtra): Formerly known
as Borivli, this park protects an important scenic area close
to Mumbai (Bombay). Kanheri Caves and Vihar, Tulsi and Powai
lakes; water-birds and smaller types of wildlife. Lion Safari
Park nearby.
Tadoba National Park (Maharashtra): Teak forests and lake;
tiger, leopard, nilgai and gaur. Night-viewing.
Sasan Gir National Park (Gujarat): Forested plains and lake;
only home of Asiatic lion, sambar, chowsingha, nilgai, leopard,
chinkara and wild boar.
Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary (Gujarat): Lake; migratory water-birds;
indigenous birds include flamingo.
Little Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary (Gujarat): Desert;
herds of khur (Indian wild ass), wolf and caracal.
Velavadar National Park (Gujarat): New Delta grasslands; large
concentration of black buck.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala): Large artificial lake;
elephant, gaur, wild dog, black langur, otters, tortoises
and rich birdlife including hornbill and fishing owl. Viewing
by boat.
Vedanthangal Water Birds Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu): One of the
most spectacular breeding grounds in India. Cormorant, heron,
stork, pelican, grebe and many others.
Point Calimere Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu): Particularly
noted for its flamingo, also for heron, teal, curlew and plover,
black buck and wild pig.
Pulicat Bird Sanctuary (Andhra Pradesh): Flamingo, grey pelican,
heron and tern.
Dandeli National Park (Karnataka): Park with bison, panther,
tiger and sambar. Easily accessible from Goa.
Jawahar National Park (includes Bandipur and Nagarhole National
Parks (Karnataka), and the Wildlife Sanctuaries of Mudumalai
(Tamil Nadu) and Wayanad (Kerala): Extensive mixed forest;
largest elephant population in India, leopard, gaur, sambar,
muntjac and giant squirrel. Birds include racquet-tailed drongo,
trogon and barbet.
Kaziranga National Park (Assam): Elephant grass and swamps;
one-horned Indian rhinoceros, water buffalo, tiger, leopard,
elephant, deer and rich birdlife. Elephant transport is available
within the park.
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (Assam): On the Bhutan border, rainforest,
grassland and river banks; rhino, water buffalo, tiger, elephant,
golden langur and water-birds; fishing permitted.
Nameri National Park (Assam): Tiger and water-birds; fishing
permitted.
Hazaribagh National Park (Bihar): Sal forested hills; sambar,
nilgai, cheetal, tiger, leopard and occasionally muntjac (larger
barking deer).
Sundarbans Tiger Reserve (West Bengal): Mangrove forests;
tiger, fishing cat, deer, crocodile, dolphin and rich birdlife.
Access and travel by chartered boat.
Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary (West Bengal): Tropical forest
and grassland; rhino, elephant and rich birdlife.
Similipal Tiger Reserve (Orissa): Immense Sal forest; tiger,
elephant, leopard, sambar, cheetal, muntjac and chevrotain.
Chilika Wildlife (Bird) Sanctuary (Orissa): Migratory birds,
flamingo, Siberian ducks, heron and Teal Comorant.
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