Sunday, January 27, 2013

Longest Road and Rail Tunnel of India


India is the fastest growing industry of mega structure of Civil work,whether its bridges, amazing cloverleaf or elevated freeway in Indian cities. Indian road and rail network are one of the largest transport network in the world and bridges,Tunnels play a major role to complete the connectivity across the country. There are many longer tunnels under construction in the Himalayas ranges as part of Indian railway. Most of the tunnel in India are located in Western Ghat and Himalayas ranges. Maliguda Tunnel is the highest broad-gauge railway tunnel in India and the second highest in the world.

Longest Railway Tunnels of India:

Pir Panjal Tunnel: 

The Pir Panjal Tunnel is a long under construction railway tunnel at the Pir Panjal Range of Himalayas in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The 11.00 km long Banihal railway tunnel will be India’s longest railway tunnel and and Asia’s 2nd longest railway tunnel. The great tunnel is located on the highest mountain pass on the eastern Pir Panjal range in middle of Himalayas. Indian Railways is closer to finish the work on India’s longest transportation railway tunnel. The longest tunnel of India is successfully pass its train trial run through Pir Panjal tunnel.
Pir-Panjal-Tunnel
Pir-Panjal-Tunnel

Karbude Tunnel: 

Karbude Tunnel was the longest rail tunnel in India before Pir Panjal tunnel.The Karbude tunnel is 6.5 km long and one of the India’s biggest engineering marvels is located on the Konkan Railway route near Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. Karbude tunnel is known to be the longest rail tunnel on Konkan railway line situated between Ukshi and Bhoke station.
Karbude-Tunnel
Karbude-Tunnel

Natuwadi Tunnel: 

The second longest rail tunnel of Konkan Railway is situated between Karanjadi and Diwan Khavati station in the state of Maharashtra. The 4.3 km long tunnel was constructed on 1997 and comes under the Zonal railway of Konkan. Konkan Railway is one of the most beautiful train route in India, runs from Mangalore in Karnataka to Mumbai in Maharashtra through Goa,along the west coast of India and Western Ghats.
Natuwadi-Tunnel
Natuwadi-Tunnel

Tike Tunnel: 

The 4.0 km long Tike Tunnel is located at the western ghat region of Maharashtra,between Ratnagiri and Nivasar. Ratnagiri is the beautiful port city of Maharashtra and a part of amazing Konkan along with the Sahyadri mountains. Ratnagiri region well known for its different varieties of Mangoes and lush green scenery.
Tike-Tunnel
Tike-Tunnel

Berdewadi Tunnel: 

The 4.0 Km long Berdewadi railway Tunnel is located between Adavali to Vilawade train route in the  Maharashtra state of India. Berdewadi Tunnel is also the part of Konkan Railway train route, along with other tunnels such as Savarde tunnel,Barcem tunnel of Goa and Karwar tunnel of Karnataka. Khowai tunnel of Tripura, Chowk tunnel of Maharashtra and Sangar Jammu and Kashmir are few different rail route tunnels of Indian railway.
Berdewadi-Tunnel
Berdewadi-Tunnel

Longest Road Tunnels in India:

Chenani-Nashri Tunnel: 

The Chenani-Nashri Tunnel is the India’s longest road tunnel under construction in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir.  The 9.2 km long road tunnel is a major road tunnel project in Northern India and biggest of the country. Chenani-Nashri road tunnel is also known as Patnitop Tunnel is also one of the longest tunnel in Asia. The Shivalik mountain range of the great Himalayas will host the India’s longest 2 way traffic road tunnel.
Chenani-Nashri-Tunnels
Chenani-Nashri-Tunnels

Rohtang Tunnel: 

The Rohtang Tunnel is the World’s Highest Road Tunnel situated under the Rohtang Pass of eastern Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas on the Leh-Manali Highway in Himachal Pradesh. The  8.8 Km long two lane road tunnel is the second longest road tunnel of the country, situated at elevation of 3,978 meters above sea level and is expected to reduce the distance about 60 km between Manali and Keylong.
Rohtang-Tunnel
Rohtang-Tunnel

Jawahar Tunnel: 

Banihal Tunnel also known as Jawahar Tunnel is a 2.5 Km long road tunnel under the Banihal pass, situated between Banihal and Qazigund in Jammu and Kashmir. One of the longest tunnel-road of India will connect Jammu to Kashmir Valley on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway at a height of 2194 m above sea level. After renovations, the tunnel is now facilitates with temperature sensors,CCTVs,ventilation system, emergency exit and a world-class lighting system.
Jawahar-Tunnel
Jawahar-Tunnel

Kamshet Tunnel: 

The Kamshet West-Tunnel or Kamshet I tunnel is 1.843 km long road network tunnel situated near Kamshet in Pune Maharashtra. The longest road tunnel in Maharashtra has 2 tubes with 3 lanes lies on amazing Mumbai Pune Expressway. The Mumbai Pune Expressway is the India’s first six-lane concrete tolled expressway with a distance of 93 km and one of the best too. Maharashtra will soon have the eight-kilometer-long tunnel, the second longest tunnel in the country that will connect Khopoli to Lonavla.
Kamshet-Tunnel
Kamshet-Tunnel

Bhatan Tunnel: 

Bhatan Tunnel on Mumbai-Pune Expressway is 1.0 KM long road tunnel with all the possible new technology. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway is the first six-lane concrete, high-speed, access controlled tolled expressway. The amazing expressway has reduced the travel time between the cities of Mumbai and Pune to approximately two hours. There are total 5 tunnel in Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Bhatan tunnel is one of the longest among them.
Bhatan-Tunnel
Bhatan-Tunnel

Other upcoming long tunnel project in India are A four-lane road tunnel on Jaipur-Agra highway, A eight-kilometer-long tunnel on Mumbai-Pune E-way in Maharashtra and a 24 Km long Yellow Line tunnel of Delhi Metro along with one tunnel in Chennai for Metro.

Top 12 Popular Religious Places in India


The religious places of India reflects the diversity of region,rituals,people and religions. India is home to many religions of different faiths and considered as the most religiously diverse nations in the world. The religious sites of India includes Haridwar- one of the Most visited place of worship,Kumbh mela the largest gathering in the world, 12 Jyotirlingas, Meenakshi Temple and Char Dham yatra.

Vaishno Devi -Jammu

The holiest Hindu temples dedicated to adi Shakti, situated in the hills of Katra in Jammu and Kashmir. Vaishno Devi temple is second most visited religious place in India after the world famous Tirumala Venkateswara Temple. Maa Vaishno Devi shrine also known as Mata Rani is located at an altitude of 5300 feet is a manifestation of the Mother Goddess Durga.
Vaishnodevi-Temple-Jammu
Vaishnodevi-Temple-Jammu

Tirumala Venkateswara -Tirupati

The world famous Tirumala Venkateswara Temple or Tirupati Balaji is a Hindu temple dedicated to god Vishnu. Tirupati Balaji temple is the richest pilgrimage center in India followed by Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple,Vaishno Devi and Shirdi Sai Baba. Brahmotsavam festival is best time to visit Lord Venkateswara Temple, the celebration attracts pilgrims from all over the world.
Tirumala-Venkateswara-Temple-Tirupati
Tirumala-Venkateswara-Temple-Tirupati

Siddhivinayak -Mumbai

The Siddhivinayak temple is dedicated to Lord Shri Ganesh or the elephant god,located in the capital of Maharashtra, Mumbai. Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir is the richest temples in Mumbai and one of the in Maharashtra, other are famous Dagdusheth Ganpati Pune,Mahalakshmi Temple of Kolhapur and Shirdi wale Sai Baba.
Siddhivinayak-Temple-Dadar-Mumbai
Siddhivinayak-Temple-Dadar-Mumbai

Sree Ayyappa -Sabarimala

Sri Lord Ayyappa swami Temple of Sabarimala is located in Sahyadri mountain ranges or Western Ghats in Pathanamthitta District of Kerala. The Sabarimala temple is dedicated to Hindu God Ayyappan and the largest annual pilgrimage in world. Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple is situated on a hilltop of Sahyadris ranges at an altitude of 468 m (1535 ft) and surrounded by dense forests and mountains hills.
Lord-Ayyappa-swamy-Sabarimala-Kerala
Lord-Ayyappa-swamy-Sabarimala-Kerala

Moinuddin Chishti -Ajmer

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti was the most famous Sufi saint in Indian Subcontinent. The dargah of Moinuddin Chishti is situated in Ajmer and visited by Muslim pilgrims as well as Hindus and Sikhs. Dargah of Moinuddin Chishti is one of the major religious site in India.
Moinuddin-Chishti-Dargah-Ajmer-Rajasthan
Moinuddin-Chishti-Dargah-Ajmer-Rajasthan

Harmandir Sahib - Amritsar

The golden temple or Harmandir Sahib is a prominent Gurdwara and one of the historical heritage monuments of India, located in Amritsar city of, Punjab. Sri Harmandir Sahib is holiest place for Sikhs, surrounded by a beautiful lake and four doors. Vaisakhi,the most important festivals of Punajb is best time to explore the culture and tradition of great Punjab.
The-Golden-Temple-Amritsar
The-Golden-Temple-Amritsar

Basilica of Bom Jesus -Goa

The Basilica of Bom Jesus church is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site located in old Goa. Basilica of Bom Jesus is India’s first minor basilica and the most popular church in India and a landmark in the history of Christianity. This world heritage monument is one of the oldest churches in India as well as in Goa.
Basilica-of-Bom-Jesus-Goa
Basilica-of-Bom-Jesus-Goa

Sai Baba -Shirdi

The most popular Sai Baba of Shirdi located at Shirdi town in Maharashtra. Shirdi Sai temple is a most beautiful shrine built over the Samadhi of Shri Sai Baba. Sai Baba is a very popular saint worshiped by people of Hindu,Zoroastrian and Muslim all around the world.
Sai-baba-Shirdi
Sai-baba-Shirdi

Mahabodhi -Bodhgaya

The Mahabodhi Mahavihara Bodhgaya Temple is located in Gaya district of Bihar state. Mahabodhi Temple is world famous Buddhist temple where the Buddha have attained enlightenment. The Mahabodhi Temple Complex also has a holy Bodhi tree and the Bodhimanda Vihara monastery.
Mahabodhi-Temple-Bodhgaya-Bihar
Mahabodhi-Temple-Bodhgaya-Bihar

Ranakpur -Pali

The Ranakpur Jain Temple is located in Pali district of Rajasthan,between two beautiful cities Jodhpur and Udaipur. The spectacular Jain temple of Ranakpur is dedicated to Adinatha and known for its Light colored marbles. Jain temple of ranakpur is one of the grand jain temple and most visited place in jainism.
Ranakpur-Jain-Temple-Pali-Rajasthan
Ranakpur-Jain-Temple-Pali-Rajasthan

Amarnath Dham -Srinagar

The cave of Amarnath is considered to be most famous and holiest shrines of great God, Lord Shiva in Hinduism. Amarnath Temple cave situated at an altitude 3,888 m (12,756 ft) near Srinagar and surrounded by snowy mountains. An ice stalagmite Lingam formed annually in the caves due to freezing of water during the month of sharavan.
Amarnath-cave-temple
Amarnath-cave-temple

Lord Jagannath - Puri

The Lord Jagannath temple is located in coastal town of Puri in Orissa, dedicated to Lord Jagannath. Shree Jagannath is a Hindu temple and one of the fourth pilgrimage destination for Hindu, Char Dham. The Rath Yatra of Jagannath Puri temple is well famous annual festival celebrated in the month of June.
Jagannath-Temple-Puri-Orrisa
Jagannath-Temple-Puri-Orrisa

64th Republic Day of India - 2013


On the 64th Republic Day of India January 26, 2013 in Delhi enjoy the Flat hosting, Parade, Speech and Jhanki.
Republic-Day-Flag-2013
Republic-Day-Flag-2013

The King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck is the chief guest at Republic Day parade New Delhi.The 64th Republic Day Celebrations Bhutan’s King becoming the third emperor from the tiny kingdom to grace the event.
Bhutan-King-Republic-Day-chief-guest-2013
Bhutan-King-Republic-Day-chief-guest-2013

Soldiers march during the Republic Day Parade 2013 in New Delhi.
India-Republic-Day-Parade-2013
India-Republic-Day-Parade-2013

Indian army soldier in the annual Republic Day parade in New Delhi.
Republic-Day-Parade-2013
Republic-Day-Parade-2013

March of Border Security Force,BSF is most famous Indian troop in the world for its camel music band.The camel-mounted band of the Border Security Force is the musical scene-stealer at the Republic Day.
BSF-Republic-Day-Parade-2013
BSF-Republic-Day-Parade-2013

DRDO has shown first time Agni 5 in Republic Day parade of 2013 in Delhi,Agni-5 is a Long Range Ballistic Missile and Airborne Early Warning and Control System is one of the major attractions of the parade.
Agni-5-Display-Delhi-Republic-Day-2013
Agni-5-Display-Delhi-Republic-Day-2013

Jhanki on Republic Day celebration is the major attraction, all the Indian states display its tradition and culture through the Jhankis.
Jammu-Kashmir-Republic-Day-Jhanki-2013
Jammu-Kashmir-Republic-Day-Jhanki-2013

School children perform a folk dance during the annual Republic Day parade 2013 in New Delhi.
Republic-day-dance-2013
Republic-day-dance-2013

Commandoes stand guard during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi.
2013-Republic-day-Tornadoes-Performance
2013-Republic-day-Tornadoes-Performance

Air show by the India Air Force is the main attraction of republic day by displaying the all major planes and fighter jets such as Sukhoi Su-30,Jaguar fighter aircraft and Dhruv helicopters.
2013-Republic-day-air-show
2013-Republic-day-air-show

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Punjab Tourism: Things to do in Hoshiarpur


Hoshiarpur might not be the first place to come to mind when thinking about travel in India, but it is certainly one of the hidden gems of the state of Punjab.

With history dating back to 1809, the ‘city of mangoes’ is situated in the North East part of the state. Hoshiarpur is known to hoard ample Sikh history with notable Gurus and eminent people hailing from here. For Sikhs, some places are of historical relevance, but for most visitors, the luscious mangoes are the prime reason to visit. The summer months may be a little harsh for first time travellers to the North of India, but the warm hospitality and unassuming nature of the people here make this a lot easier. It’s important to note that the destination does not get too many foreign visitors, so it’s possible that they might be looked upon with singular fascination.

Here are some of the things to do in Hoshiarpur:

Meditate

Hoshiarpur is known for housing one of the famous ‘Vipassana’ centres in India. Many people travel here to attend the ten or more days’ courses of meditation and way of living run by the Goenka Foundation. The lodging and boarding is very basic here. The idea is to abstain from any communication from the outside world and submerge in meditation. Come here for a cathartic holiday to Hoshiarpur!
Meditation-in-Hoshiarpur
Meditation-in-Hoshiarpur

Mango Mania 

The summers are the most difficult yet the most sumptuous time to visit Hoshiarpur. It is after all called the ‘city of mangoes’. Make a trip to one of the farm houses and enjoy the mango season thoroughly. Go with the locals to pick the fruit and see the process of selling or making some delicious products of the produce. Get your hands dirty to enjoy the reward after sweating out in the farms. The natural way of consuming the King of fruits is going to have you reaching out for water or wipes to clean the juices of your face! Visit the local market to see the bustling crowds busy themselves in the season.
Mango-in-Hoshiarpur
Mango-in-Hoshiarpur

Punjabi Food

The Punjabi food is known to be sinfully heavy but equally delicious. Go on a gastronomic journey trying all the local food – fried breads (parathas), enormous glasses of Lassi (a yogurt based drink) and sweets. Try the Maharaja Restaurant for some good vegetarian and non vegetarian food.
Punjab-da-Food
Punjab-da-Food

Visit Local Sights

Sight-seeing options are limited in Hoshiarpur. There is a fort by the name of ‘Kila Baroon’ and is situated at the Bajwara village. The fort was built by the King, Sher Shah Suri and was called Beju Babra Village when legendary king Akbar came to power. The main charm is exploring this small town and it’s friendly people.
Visit the city of Hoshiarpur for a taste of a small Indian town and some heart warming indulgence in food!
Hoshiarpur-station
Hoshiarpur-station