The World Heritage–listed Ellora cave temples (244440; Kailasa Temple; Indian/foreigner Rs 10/US$5; dawn-dusk Wed-Mon), about 30km from Aurangabad, are the pinnacle of Deccan rock-cut architecture.
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Author: WorldTravelDB.com
In the middle of Mumbai Harbour, 9km northeast of the Gateway of India, the rock-cut temples on Elephanta Island (Indian/foreigner Rs 10/250; caves 9am-5.30pm Tue-Sun) are a spectacle worth crossing the waters for. Home to a labyrinth of cave-temples carved into the basalt rock of the island, the artwork represents some of the most impressive temple carving in all India. The main Shiva-dedicated temple is an intriguing latticework of courtyards, halls, pillars and shrines, with the magnum opus a 6m tall statue of Sadhashiva – depicting a three-faced Shiva as the destroyer, creator and preserver of the universe. The enormous central bust of Shiva, its eyes closed in eternal contemplation, may be the most serene sight you witness in India.
If you have time to visit only one part of Rajasthan, make it the east. It’s easiest to access from Delhi, and it houses a magnificent cluster of sights – from bustling Jaipur to camel-obsessed Pushkar.
In Eastern Madhya Pradesh you will find the military and industrial centre of Jabalpur. It is also home to the Pench Tiger Reserve and the Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Parks which are both excellent places to get a glimpse of a tiger.
Eastern Himachal Pradesh is dominated by Shimla, the state capital, and the mountainous district of Kinnaur, which runs north to Spiti. The official district website is hpshimla.nic.in.
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Eastern Gujarat Gujarat India Travel
Eastern Gujarat extends to the border with Rajasthan and encompasses the booming city of Ahmedabad(Amdavad), Gandhinagar with its spectacular temple and the university town of Vadodara (Baroda).
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East Sikkim Sikkim India Travel
Sikkim’s capital Gantok atop a hill has inspiring views and is a good enough spot to stick around to plan the next move – perhaps a journey to Gantok’s surrounds.
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Dwarka Gujarat India Travel
Dwarka literally feels like the end of the earth. This remote pilgrimage town at the extreme western tip of the Kathiawar peninsula is one of the four most holy Hindu sites in India – Krishna is said to have set up his capital here after fleeing from Mathura. It’s a well-organised town, busy with pilgrims and farmers. Men wear white clothes and red turbans, and both men and women are weighed down with gold nugget-like jewellery. It gets packed with pilgrims at festival times. Archaeological excavations have revealed five earlier cities lying just off the coast – submerged as the sea encroached.
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Diu Gujarat India Travel
What is Diu? For better or worse, this tiny ex-Portuguese island is the reason most travellers come to Gujarat. And while it might not quite be the tropical paradise they imagined, it has a quirky charm that will tame you from asking too many questions.
Diglipur, three hours by road north of Mayabunder, isthe main town of North Andaman and as far north as you can get in the island chain. The town itself and nearby Kalipur are the only places on North Andaman where foreigners can stay. Ferries arrive at the Aerial Bay Jetty from where it’s 11km southwest to Diglipur village and the bus stand, basic restaurants, market and a couple of lodges. Ferry tickets can be booked at the Administration Block in town. Kalipur is on the coast 8km southeast of the jetty.