Jay

Popular religious center of Hindu , Buddhist ,
Jain , Sikh , Muslim & Christians & World
Heritage sites in India.
Course Details
Course :Hospitality & Tourism Management
Semester : 8th
Course Code : HTM/SM/41****1
SUBMITTE TO -SUBMITTE BY-
C. Nagapavan Jay Suman
Faculty of IMBA CUJ/1/2009/IMBA/8
CUJ8thSEM IMBA
2013

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Popular religious centre of all religion in India
Religion and religious beliefs have a large impact on the personal lives of most Indians and
influence public life on a daily basis. Indian religions have deep historical roots that are
recollected by contemporary Indians. The ancient culture of South Asia, going back at least
4,500 years, has come down to India primarily in the form of religious texts. The artistic
heritage, as well as intellectual and philosophical contributions, has always owed much to
religious thought and symbolism. Religion, then, is one of the most important aspects of
Indian history and contemporary life.
Most of the world religions originated in India, and others that started elsewhere found fertile
ground for growth here. Devotees of Hinduism, a varied group with philosophical and
devotional traditions, are officially numbered 687.6 million people or 82 per cent of the
population in the 1991 census. The ancient monastic traditions, Buddhism and Jainism, have
had a major influence on Indian art, philosophy, and society and remain important minority
religions of the twenty first century. Buddhists represented 0.8 per cent of the total population
while Jains represented 0.4 per cent in a recent survey.
Islam spread from the West throughout South Asia, from the early eighth century, to become
the largest minority religion in India. With 101.5 million Muslims (12.1 per cent of the
population), India has the second largest Muslim population in the world after Indonesia.
Sikhism, which started in Punjab in the sixteenth century, has spread throughout India and the
world since the mid-nineteenth century. With nearly 16.3 million adherents, Sikhs represent
1.9 per cent of India's population.
Christianity, represented by Catholics and Protestants, traces its history in India back to the
time of the apostles and counted more than 20 million members in India. Minorities, mostly
concentrated on India’s west coast, represent Judaism and Zoroastrianism, arriving originally
with traders and exiles from the West.
Major Hindu religious centre in India
Following is an overview of major Hindu centreand pilgrimages in India.

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Allahabad
A holy city and pilgrimage site at the confluence of three sacred rivers. One of the four sites
of the Kumbh Mela.
Badrinath
The most important of the four Char Dham pilgrimage destinations, featuring a brightly
painted temple.
Char Dham Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage circuit in the Indian Himalayas that encompasses Yamunotri, Gangotri,
Kedarnath and Badrinath.
Elephanta Caves
Seventh-century cave temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, just a short ferry ride from
Mumbai. Includes a famous sculpture of a three-headed Shiva.
Ellora Caves
Tenth-century cave temples near Aurangabad; some Hindu, some Jain, some Buddhist. A
UNESCO World Heritage site.
Gangotri
The source of the sacred Ganges River and the seat of the goddess Ganga. One of the four
stops on the Char Dham pilgrimage in the Indian Himalayas.
Kedarnath
Holy city where a form of the god Shiva is venerated as one of the 12 jyotirling (linga of
light). One of the four sites of the Char Dham pilgrimage.
Varanasi (Benares)
Holy city sacred to Shiva, but also the most sacred place in Hinduism regardless of
denomination. It is believed that bathing in the Ganges or dying in the holy city of Varanasi
will end the cycle of rebirth.
Vrindavan
Temples and religious institutions based on the connections with Krishna's childhood. The
most important Vaishnava place of pilgrimage.
Walkeshwar Temple and Banganga Tank, Mumbai
A Shiva temple built next to a sacred freshwater spring created by Rama's arrow. The tank's
waters are believed to have healing powers.

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Yamunotri
The source of the Yamuna River and the seat of the goddess Yamuna. One of the four sites in
the Char Dham pilgrimage.
Major Buddhist religious center in India
Lumbini
Lumbini is the birthplace of Buddha and is 306 km from Kathmandu in Nepal. Buddha was
born in 623 BC in Lumbini. It is assumed that Buddha himself have known four places of
future pilgrimage in the Parinibbana Sutta, namely, the sites of his birth, enlightenment, first
discourse and death. All of these events occurred in open under the trees. Lumbini is listed in
the World Heritage Site. Famous places of Lumbini are Sacred Garden, Maya Devi Temple,
Puskani Pond, Ashokan Pillar, Nepal Buddha Temple.
Access: Lumbini can be reached via Bhairahawa, which is well connected with Kathmandu
and Pokhara by air and road. Bhairahawa and Lumbini are well linked with an all weather
road and frequent bus service is easily available.
Sarnath
Sarnath, 10 km from the holy city of Varanasi, is a significant site of the Buddhist Circuit.
Buddha reached to Sarnath shortly after he attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya. He delivered
his first sermon or Maha Dharma Chakra Pravartan at the Deer Park in Sarnath. Emperor
Ashoka visited Sarnath 234 BC and erected a stupa here. Several Buddhist structures were
raised at Sarnath between the 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD. Some famous places
of Sarnath are Chaukhandi Stupa, Dhamek Stupa, Mulgandha Kuti Vihar, Sarnath Museum.
Access:Sarnath can be accessed via Varanasi, which is well connected with all the important
cities of India by air, train or bus. Varanasi is at a distance of 10 km from Sarnath and is a
large city.

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Sankasya
Sankasya is 47 km from Farrukhabad in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is more also known as
Sankisa. As per to Buddhist mythology, it is believed that Buddha descended at this very
place along with Brahma and Devraj Indra after giving discourses to his mother in heaven.
The Buddhist traditions also say that all Buddhas descend to earth at this place.
Access:The nearest airport to Sankasya is at Agra and the railway station is at Pakhna, which
is 12 km away. There are regular bus and taxi services are available from Farrukhabad to
Sankasya.
Rajgir
Rajgir is to found at a distance of 15 km from Nalanda in Bihar. It was the capital of the
Magadh Mahajanpada when Patliputra was not established. In the ancient times, Rajgir was
called Rajgriha, which means the 'Home of Royalty'. This place is important because Buddha
spent many years in Rajgir and also delivered some significant discourses here. Buddha
converted Emperor Bimbisar to Buddhism at the Griddhakoota Hill in Rajgir. The teachings
of Buddha were written down at Rajgir and it was also the venue for the First Buddhist
Council. Other famous places of Rajgir are Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Venu Vana Monastery,
Griddhakoota Hill.
Access: The nearest airport to Rajgir is at Patna, which is 101 km away. Rajgir is well linked
by rail and road network with all the important cities of Bihar.
Bodhgaya
Bodhgaya is 13 km from Gaya in Bihar. It is the place where Prince Siddhartha attained
enlightenment under a pipal tree after years of search for the truth and knowledge. He
attained the supreme enlightenment and became 'The Buddha' or 'the Enlightened One'.
Bodhgaya is the most the holiest pilgrimage centre for Buddhists from all over the world. The
Mahabodhi Temple at Bodhgaya is listed in the World Heritage Site. Bodhgaya is famous for
Mahabodi Temple.
Access: Bodhgaya can be reached via Gaya, which is connected with the major Indian as well
as foreign cities by air and rail. Gaya is 13 km from Bodhgaya and is well connected by
frequent bus and taxi services.
Kushinagar

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Kushinagar is 51 km from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. Kushinagar is important because it is
the place where Buddha attained the state of Mahaparinirvana or Permanent Bliss at the age
of 80. The pilgrims as well as the tourists from all over the world visit Kushinagar for its
historical importance. Three great Chinese scholars Fa-Hien, Hiuen Tsang and I-Tsing, who
traveled to India, also visited Kushinagar. Main attractive place of Kushinagar are
Mahaparinirvana Temple, Nirvana Chaitya, Ramabhar Stupa, Matha Kuar Shrine.
Access:Kushinagar can be accessed via Gorakhpur, which is well connected by rail and road
network with important cities of India. There are regular bus and taxi services for Kushinagar
from Gorakhpur, Lumbini, Kapilavastu, Sravasti and Sarnath.
Vaishali
Vaishali is 36 km from Muzzafarpur in the state of Bihar. Lord Buddha regularly visited this
place and preached his last sermon at Kolhua, a nearby place. Emperor Ashoka erected one of
his well-known lion pillars here in the 3rd century BC commemorate the event. Famous place
of Vaishali are Kolhua, Vaishali Museum, Raja Vishal Ka Garh, Bawan Pokhar Temple.
Access: The nearest airport to Vaishali is at Patna, which is around 70 km and the nearest
railway station is at Hajipur 35 km away. Vaishali is well connected by regular bus and taxi
services from Patna, Muzaffarpur and Hajipur.
Sravasti
Sravasti is situated 34 km from Balrampur and 134 km from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. The
city assumed to be founded by the mythological king Sravast. Lord Buddha preached here
after he got his enlightenment. Buddha has 24 rainy seasons in the Jetvana Gardens at
Sravasti and has performed some miracles here. After the death of Buddha, this monastery
got royal patronage. Famous place of Sravasti are Gandha-Kuti, Kosambi-Kuti, Ananda
Bodhi Tree.
Access: Lucknow is the nearest airport to Sravasti which is 134 km away. The nearest
railway station is at Balrampur, which is 34 km away. Sravast is well connected by road
network with many cities of Uttar Pradesh.

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Major Jain religious center in India
The Jain Temples and innumerable Jain shrines dotting the Indian landscape, area testament
to the Jain Tirthankars (enlightened ones), who spread their message of peace, non violence,
love and enlightenment as a way of salvation, freeing themselves from the continual cycle of
birth and rebirth and, in the process managed to build some of the most stunning architectural
landmarks in the country. Dedicated to Lord Mahavira-the founder of Jainism, these temples
also have idols of Hindu deities in them. The essence of this great religion and its preaching
can be seen in the cave temples, in the elaborately decorated carved stones and in the
numerous illustrated manuscripts scattered across India.
The most popular Jain centre in India are :-
Dilwara Temples
The five legendary Dilwara temples in Rajasthan, 2.5 km from Mount Abu are an example of
extraordinary architecture of the Jain Temples. These temples can be dated back to the 11th
and 13th centuries and are made of Marble, shaded by groves of simple beauty and exquisite
elegance. They are a reminder of honesty and frugality encouraged in the Jain religion.
Although the Jains built some beautiful temples at other places in Rajasthan but none come
close to these in terms of architectural perfection. These are the most popular Jain Temples
all over India. The inside of these temples have beautiful carvings, depicting the various gods
and goddesses.
Palitana Temples
These temples are located on the shetrunjaya hills and are considered to be the most sacred of
all Jain Temples. There's a huge complex consisting of nearly 863 temples, exquisitely carved
in marble. The construction of these temples took more than 900 years . These stunning
temples are a must see in your visit to northern part on India

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Ranakpur
Ranakpur in Rajasthan is one of the five most important pilgrimage sites for Jainism. Situated
in the Aravali hills, it is home to extraordinarily gorgeous temples, the first to have been built
by the Jain community. It is said that the town of Falna donated more than 90 kg of gold for
the inner decoration of this temple. With its beautiful marble carvings and 1500 pillars, each
different from the other, this is an extraordinary temple. Watching the sun shift through these
pillars as they change colors from gold to pale blue will be a remarkable experience.
Gomatheshwara temple(shravanabelagola)
Gomateshwara is a monolithic statue standing at 60 feet (18 m) above a hill in a place called
Shravanabelagola in the Hassan district of Karnataka state, India. The statue was built by the
Ganga minister and commander Chamundaraya in honour of Lord Bahubali. It was built in
the 10th century AD and is the size Jains believe humans used to be. Hundreds of thousands
of pilgrims, devotees and tourists from all over the world flock to the statue once in 12 years
for an event known as Mahamastakabhisheka. The colossal monolithic statue of
Gomateshwara or Bahubali is situated at Shravanabelagola, 158 km away from Bangalore.
This gigantic statue of lord Bahubali, the Jain saint, is carved out of a single block of granite
and stands majestically on top of a hill. For centuries, Shravanabelagola has remained a great
Jain center and thousands of pilgrims flock to see the magnificent, gigantic statue. The saint
is shown completely nude, in the Jain custom. It is 17 m. (55 ft) high and is visible from a
distance of 30 km. This statue is regarded as one of the largest monolithic statues in the
world.
Jain temple(Mudabidri)
Moodbidri, is a small town located at a distance of 35 km north-east of Mangalore in
Dakshina Kannada district. Moodbidri is known as the 'Jain Kashi' of South India and it is an
ancient center of Jain learning. Moodbidri houses 18 Jain temples (basadis). The oldest of
them is the 15th century Chandranatha Basadi, which is also known as the 1000 (Thousand)
Pillars temple or 'Savira Kambada basadi'.
Thousand pillars temple: This is a large granite temple built in 1430 A.D. The main entrance
of the thousand pillar temple, which faces the east, opens onto a wonderful 15 meter tall
monolithic pillar called Mahastamba in front of the doorway. The 2.5 meter tall bronze idol
of Lord Chandranatha Swami in the sanctum hall is considered to be very sacred. The pillars
of this basadi are decorated with carvings typical of Vijayanagara style. The temple boasts of
a valuable collection of jewel-encrusted metallic images of Jain tirthankaras, and superb
monolithic columns in the Jain tradition, each with a different carving. The Jain Mutt near the
main temple entrance has a library protecting some beautiful 12th and 13th century palm leaf
manuscripts.

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Taranga (Jain Temple)
Taranga (Taranga Tirtha) is a Shvetambar Jain temple and pilgrimage center, in Mehsana
district, Gujarat, India. It was constructed in 1121 by the Solanki dynasty king Kumarpal,
advised by his teacher Acharya Hemachandra. A 2.75 m marble statue of Adinatha is the
central idol. The compound consists of 14 temples in all and some five others from the
Digambar sect near shwetambar temples.Mulnayak: Nearly 2.75 m high, white colored idol
of Bhagawan Ajitnath.
Other Jain Temples in India are
Jain Golden Temple in Falna, Sravanabelagola, Khandagiri Caves, Udaigiri, Kalugumalai in
Tamil Nadu, Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir (Delhi), sittannavasal in Tamil Nadu, Chitral in
Tamil Nadu, Hati-gumph in Orissa, Tirupparut-Tikunram in Tamil Nadu, Girnar, Vallimalai,
Ajitnath Temple in Gujrat.
Major Sikh religious Centres
Sikhism was founded in the Punjab by Guru Nanak and is a monotheistic religion. Sikhism
was founded in the 16th century in the Punjab district of what is now India and Pakistan. It
was founded by Guru Nanak and is based on his teachings, and those of the 9 Sikh Gurus
who followed him.The Gurus who followed Nanak contributed to the consolidation and
spread of Sikhism.

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Ten Sikh Gurus
The first Guru (Master) - Guru Nanak Dev (1469 to 1539), the second guru - Guru Angad
Dev (1504 To 1552), the Third Guru- Guru Amar Das (1479 To 1574), the Fourth Guru-
Guru Ram Das (1534 To 1581), the Fifth Guru- Guru Arjan Dev (1563 To 1606), the Sixth
Guru- Guru Hargobind (1595 To 1644) ,the Seventh Guru- Guru Har Rai (1630 To 1661), the
Eighth Guru- Guru Harkrishan (1656 To 1664), the Ninth Guru- Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621
To 1675), the Tenth Guru- Guru Gobind Singh (1666 To 1708
Gurdwara - Sikh Religious Place (Sikh Temple)
A Gurdwara, meaning "the doorway to the Guru", is the Sikh place of worship and may be
referred to as a Sikh temple. The most famous gurdwara is the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar.
Any place where the Guru Granth Sahib is installed and treated with due respect can be
referred to as a Gurdwara
The Golden Temple is a living symbol of the spiritual and historical traditions of the Sikhs. It
is a source of inspiration for all Sikhs and their chief place of pilgrimage. Also known as
Harimandir Sahib, it has entrances and doors on all four sides.
Guru Granth Sahib
The Guru Granth Sahib (also known as the Adi Granth) is considered the Supreme Spiritual
Authority and Head of the Sikh religion, rather than any living person. The living Guru of the
Sikhs, the book is held in great reverence by Sikhs and treated with the utmost respect. It
spans 1430 pages and contains the actual words spoken by the Sikh Gurus and various other
Saints. The tenth Sikh Guru decreed that after his death the spiritual guide of the Sikhs would
be the teachings contained in Guru Granth Sahib.
The Making of the Khalsa
Guru Gobind Singh was the last Guru of the Sikhs in human form. He created the Khalsa, a
spiritual brotherhood and sisterhood devoted to purity of thought and action. He gave the
Khalsa a distinctive external form to remind them of their commitment, and to help them
maintain an elevated state of consciousness. Fore more information on Baisakhi click here.
Every Sikh baptized as Khalsa vows to wear the Five "K's":

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The community of men and women who have been initiated into the Sikh faith is the Khalsa.
The Khalsa celebrated its 300th anniversary in 1999.
Important Sikh religious Places in India
Anandpur Sahib: Located some 75 km away from Chandigarh up the highway towards
Dharamsala and Manali, the impressive gurudwara that is one of the holiest Sikh Takht Sri
Keshgarh Sahib (the birth place of the Khalsa) is located in Anandpur ....Read More about
Anandpur Sahib.
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib: Bangla Sahib Gurdwara is situated just a furlong away from the
main Connaught Place and has become a centre of pilgrimage for lakhs of people .
Golden Temple: The Golden Temple is located in the holy city of the Sikhs, Amritsar, once
the dense forest home of Guru Nanak. Famous for its full golden dome
.
Hemkund Sahib: Hemkund ( Lake of gold), is situated nearly 29 kms from Joshimath via
Govindghat, is set in one of the famous beauty spots of the central Himalays.
Paonta Sahib: Paonta Sahib is situated on the bank of the river Yamuna.This place holds
significance as it has been the holy Guru Gobind Singh's abode for over 4 years.
Takht Sri Patna Sahib: One of the Five Takhts or Seat of Authority of the Sikhs. The
Gurdwara at Patna Sahib is in remberance of the birth place of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth
Guru of the Sikhs.
Takht Sri Hazur Sahib: Guru Gobind Singh Ji left this world. It is one of the five 'takhts'
(Seats of Temporal authority) in Sikhism.
Manikaran : Scared site of Sikh where Guru Govind Singh came along with his Five 'Piaras'
...read more about Manikaran

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Muslim religious center in india
Islam in India
Islam is a monotheistic religion based on the revelations received the Prophet Muhammad in
the 7th century, which were later recorded in the Qur'an. Today, Islam is the second largest
religion in the world. The word "Islam" means "submission," reflecting the religion's central
tenet of submitting to the will of God. Islamic practices are defined by the Five Pillars of
Islam: faith, prayer, fasting, pilgrimage and alms.
The emergence of Islam in Indian sub-continent is concurrent with the Turko-Muslim
invasion of medevial India (which includes large parts of present day Pakistan and the
Republic of India) , where these rulers took over the administration of large parts of India.
Since its introduction into India, Islam has made religious, artistic, philosophical, cultural,
social and political contributions to Indian history, heritage and life.Islam spread from the
West throughout South Asia, from the early eighth century, to become the largest minority
religion in India.
Muslim Beliefs & Practices
The religious rituals of Islam are relatively few in number, but great in importance. The Five
Pillars of Islam are five practices regarded by all sects as essential to the Muslim faith and
these are:
Shahadah: sincerely reciting the Muslim profession of faith, Salat: performing ritual prayers
in the proper way five times each day, Zakat: paying an alms (or charity) tax to benefit the
poor and the needy, Sawm: fasting during the month of Ramadan and Hajj: pilgrimage to
Mecca
Mosques:Mosques are Muslim places of worship and prayer. The word "mosque" comes
from the Arabic masjid, which is related to the word for "prostration." Muslims are required

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to pray five times a day, preferrably in a mosque: morning, midday, afternoon, sunset, and
evening. Some of the notable Mosques are Jama Masjid Delhi, Begumpuri Masjid Delhi, Taj
Mahal Ujjain Jama Masjid , Jama Masjid Bhopal, Moti Masjid Bhopal...
Quran :Quran is the central religious text of Islam. Muslims believe the Quran to be the
book of divine guidance and direction for mankind, the text in its original Arabic, to be the
literal word of God revealed to Muhammad over a period of twenty-three years and view the
Qur'an as God's final revelation to humanity. In Arabic, the word qur'an means "reading" or
"recitation".
Holy Cities of Islam
Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem, Karbala, Najaf are considered to be the most sacred places of
Islam located in south-east Asia. The Shiite Muslims undertake a pilgrimage to the holy city
of Mashhad in northeastern part of Iran.
The most revered center by Muslims in India are:
Ajmer Sharif (Rajasthan):The propounder of the Chishti Sufi order one of the most vital
systems in India and Pakistan, lived, preached the tenets of peace and died here in Ajmer.
The Dargah, considered a center of wish fulfillment, has shrines built by various Mughal
Emperors. Shah Jehan’s daughter, built a prayer room and the tomb of Bhishti, tomb of
Saint's daughter-Bibi Hafiz Jama, tomb of Shah Jahan's daughter Chimni Begum, make the
Dargah an all-are-welcome spiritual abode. One of the most revered sites in the Islamic
world, some 5000 devotees both Muslim and non-Muslim with hearts full of hope and
prayers, visit Dargah Sharif everyday. The annual Urs festival held every June attracts about
15 lakh pilgrims from round the world.
Jama Masjid (Delhi):A mastermind of the greatest sculptor of those times, Ostad Khalil and
Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan, the red-sandstone Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in India
built between 1644 AD and 1658 AD by five thousand artisans. Standing mammoth in the
midst of Delhi’s bustling ChandniChowk, the mosque was born “Masjid-i-Jahanuma” or the
“Mosque that commands the view of the world” and true to its name, the structure is an
infallible insignia of the Islamic influence in India. A replica of the Moti Masjid of Agra, the
architectural grandeur apart, its vast courtyard can accommodate upto 25,000 devotees and it
hosts a hair of the beard of Hazrat Muhammad, his used chappal (slippers), a chapter of
Koran taken from its original holy book, the canopy of his tombstone and the foot print of
Muhammad on the stone. Another aspect of interest for pilgrims is that the chief priest
(Imam) of Jama Masjid is the direct descendent of the original and first Imam appointed by
Shahjahan and till now there is no break in its lineage.

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HazratNizamuddinAuliyaDargah (Delhi): South Delhi’s Dargah of
HazratNizamuddinAuliya, built by Muhammad Tughlaq is considered one of the most sacred
in the Islamic world. Amir Khusrau, the famous poet and the beloved disciple of
Nizamuddin; JahanAra Begum, daughter of Shah Jahan and renowned poet MirzaGhalib are
also lie buried here. Urs is also celebrated here, but twice a year, to commemorate the death
Anniversary of NizamuddinAuliya and Amir Khusrau.
Dargah-Qutb-Sahib (Delhi): In Delhi’s Mehrauli village, near GandakkiBaoli, there is a
Dargah, crowded throughout the year with hopeful devotees (both Islam and non-Islam) who
tie a thread near the grave and untie it once their wish is fulfilled. This is the Dargah of Qutb
Sahib, the spiritual successor of KhwajaMu'inu'd Din Chishti of Ajmer. There are other
important graves near the Dargah, of believers who wanted to be buried near the Saint, like
that of the Mughal emperors Bahadur Shah I (1707-12), Shah Alam II (1759-1806), Akbar II
(1806-37) and many persons of royal blood.
Haji Ali (Mumbai):Haji Ali Dargah, is the 800 year old tomb of the once wealthy Muslim
merchant, who renounced all his earthly property before setting off for a spiritual quest to
Mecca. Built 500 yards off the shore, right in the middle of the sea, opposite the
Mahalakshmi race-course, the narrow path linking the tomb to the mainland gets submerged
during Monsoons. Separate praying rooms for men and women exist. It can only be visited
off-monsoons, but if you have landed in Mumbai, in the wrong time, it is still a serene sight
to behold the mosque appears floating on the turquoise waters.
Fatehpur Sikri (Uttar Pradesh):Drive 37 km West of Agra, and when you begin to see
structures in Red Stone till the vision can reach, you know you have reached Fatehpur Sikri.
A Mughal Emperor Akbar township, still populated by some 30,000 citizens, the pilgrims
come here to witness the classic unison of Hindu and Islamic architecture and pay their
obeisance at the Fatehpur Sikri Mosque (a true replica of the mosque in Mecca), the grand
Jami Masjid (has the famed BulandDarwaza) and Dargah Of Sheikh SalimChisti - where,
childless women come for blessings of the saint, a trend heralded by Akbar, who was blessed
with three sons, after he came here.
Mecca Masjid (Andhra Pradesh): Flanking the Charminar in the Andhra Capital,
Hyderabad is the Mecca Masjid, so named because the bricks were brought from Mecca to
build the central arch. They say, “Mecca Masjid is poetry in stone”. Towards the southern
end of the mosque lie the marble graves of Nizam Ali Khan and the families of AsafJahi
dynasty.

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Hazratbal Mosque (Kashmir):Hazratbal Mosque is situated on the western bank of the Dal
Lake opposite NishatBagh in Srinagar. It is the most venerated Muslim shrine in Kashmir, as
it houses the Moi-e-Muqaddas or the Sacred Hair of the Prophet Mohammed displayed to the
public on religious ceremonies usually accompanied by fairs. The shrine is known by several
names including Hazratbal, Assar-e-Sharif, Madinat-Us-Sani and Dargah Sharif. Hazratbal is
noteworthy also for being the only domed mosque in Srinagar.
Major Christian centres in India
Christianity, represented by Catholics and Protestants, traces its history in India back to the
time of the apostles and counted more than 20 million members in India. Minorities, mostly
concentrated on India’s west coast, represent Judaism and Zoroastrianism, arriving originally
with traders and exiles from the West.
Basilica of Bom Jesus, Panaji, Goa
One of the most visited churches in India; the Basilica of Bom Jesus is located in Panaji, Goa.
It is famous for the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, kept in a silver casket. It is the most
popular and famous of all churches in Goa. It was constructed in the year 1605 and is
considered as a world heritage site.
Church of Sacred Heart, New Delhi
The Church of Sacred Heart is located in the south end of BhaiVir Singh Margh in the city of
New Delhi. The English man Henry Medd constructed it in the year 1927.
Cathedral Church of Redemption, New Delhi
The Cathedral Church of Redemption is located east of Indian Parliament House in New
Delhi. The famous architect Henry Medd constructed the church in between 1927 and 1935.
St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
The St. Joseph’s Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in South India. It is located in the
Gunfoundry Area in Hyderabad. Built in 1860 AD, the church retains its glory till now.

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Church of Our Lady of The Rosary, Panaji, Goa
Built in between 1544-1549 AD, the Church of Our Lady of The Rosary is located at Holy
Hill, Old Goa. The type of construction is medieval and is well placed in the map of world
heritage sites.
Christ Church and St Michael's Cathedral, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
The Christ Church and St Michael’s Cathedral is located at Shimla city, the capital of
Himachal Pradesh. Constructed in the 19th century by Colonel Dumbelton, the church retains
its medieval style architecture and is considered as one of the must visit monuments of
Christianity.
Malayatoor Church, Kerala
The Malayatoor Church, located 52 kilometers from Cochin at Kurisumudi, is one of the
most visited pilgrimage sites of Christianity in Kerala. The church is placed 609 meters above
sea level and is famous for a life-size statue of St. Thomas and the imprint of the feet of the
Apostle on a rock. The first Sunday after Easter is considered as the festival day of the
church.
Velankanni Church, Tamil Nadu
Located 12-km south of Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu, the Velankanni Church is dedicated to
St. Mary. It is believed that St. Mary dispensed her miracles to mankind from here. The
Velankanni is a famous pilgrimage center in India irrespective of religion, caste, and creed.
Santhome Cathedral Basilica, Chennai
The Santhome Cathedral Basilica is located at 24 Santhome High Road-Mylapore, Chennai.
It was here that St. Thomas one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ was killed and buried.

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Treasure of World Heritage Sites in India
The World Heritage Sites in India are recognized by the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as on 29, as of 2012. These are places of
importance of cultural or natural heritage as described in the UNESCO World Heritage
Convention, established in 1972. The Convention concerning the protection of the World
Cultural and Natural Heritage was adopted on 17 November 1997 following the General
Conference of the UNESCO held from 17 October 1972 to 21 November 1972. The
Convention is defined under 28 Articles. Broadly, the Cultural Heritage Sites are defined in
Article 1 as monuments, groups of buildings and sites, while the natural sites defined under
Article 2 refer to natural features, geological and physiographical formations and natural
sites. As of date, there are 911 properties under the World Heritage List, which cover 711
cultural sites, 180 natural sites and 27 mixed properties encompassing 152 countries,
including India. Countries who have signed the Convention are 187 States, including India,
which signed the Convention on November 14, 1977.
1. Agra Fort (1983)
2. Ajanta Caves (1983)
3. Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi (1989)
4. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (2004)
5. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004)
6. Churches and Convents of Goa (1986)

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7. Elephanta Caves (1987)
8. Ellora Caves (1983)
9. Fatehpur Sikri (1986)
10. Great Living Chola Temples (1987)
11. Group of Monuments at Hampi (1986)
12. Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram (1984)
13. Group of Monuments at Pattadakal (1987)
14. Humayun's Tomb, Delhi (1993)
15. Khajuraho Group of Monuments (1986)
16. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (2002)
17. Mountain Railways of India (1999)
18. Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993)
19. Red Fort Complex (2007)
20. Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka (2003)
21. Sun Temple, Konârak (1984)
22. Taj Mahal (1983)
23. The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur (2010)
Natural
1. Kaziranga National Park (1985)
2. Keoladeo National Park (1985)

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3. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (1985)
4. Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks (1988)
5. Sundarbans National Park (1987)
6. Western Ghats (2012)
Properties submitted on the Tentative List (34)
1. Temples at Bishnupur, West Bengal (1998)
2. Buddhist Monastery Complex, Alchi, Leh, known as AlchiChos-kor (1998)
3. Golconda Fort, Hyderbad, Andhra Pradesh (1998)
4. Dholavira: a Harappan City, Gujarat, Disstt, Kachchh (1998)
5. Rani-ki-Vav (The Queen's Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat (1998)
6. Mattanchery Palace, Ernakulam, Kerala (1998)
7. Tomb of Sher Shah Suri, Sasaram, Bihar (1998)
8. Group of Monuments at Mandu, Madhya Pradesh (1998)
9. Ancient Buddhist Site, Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (1998)
10. HemisGompa (1998)
11. Sri Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar, Punjab (2004)
12. River Island of Majuli in midstream of Brahmaputra River in Assam (2004)
13. The Matheran Light Railway (extension to the Mountain Railways of India)
(2005)
14. Namdapha National Park (2006)
15. Wild Ass Sanctuary, Little Rann of Kutch (2006)
16. Kangchendzonga National Park (2006)
17. Urban and Architectural Work of Le Corbusier in Chandigarh (2006)
18. The Kangra Valley Railway - Extension to the Mountain Railways of India (2009)

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19. Churchgate - Extension to Mumbai CST (2009)
20. The Maharaja Railways of India (2009)
21. Oak Grove School (2009)
22. Excavated Remains at Nalanda (2009)
23. Great Himalayan National Park (2009)
24. Bhitarkanika Conservation Area (2009)
25. Neora Valley National Park (2009)
26. Desert National Park (2009)
27. Silk Road Sites in India (2010)
28. Santiniketan (2010)
29. The QutbShahi Monuments of Hyderabad Golconda Fort, QutbShahi Tombs,
Charminar (2010)
30. Mughal Gardens in Kashmir (2010)
31. Hill Forts of Rajasthan (2010)
32. Historic city of Ahmadabad (2011)
33. The Victorian & Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai (2012)
34. Delhi - A Heritage City (2012)
Agra Fort - The History of India is one such thing of which we can boast of with
great pride in front of our generations to come.
Ajanta Caves - Cut into a horseshoe -shaped hillside , silent but for birdsong and the
rippling Waghora River below, Ajanta is a hidden sanctuary.

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Buddhist Monastery at Sanchi - Nagging wife, traffic jam, scorching heat , irritated
boss and meagre income the list of problems in the life of a common man is limitless.
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park - The Champaner- Pavagadh
Archaeological Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which lies at about 47
kilometres north-east of Vadodara in Gujarat.
ChattrapatiShivaji Terminus - The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus was earlier known
by its very British nomenclature as Victoria Terminus or VT. It is one of the major
links of the on the Mumbai suburban railway network.
Churches and Convents Of Goa - Goa is not only about the stunning beaches,
swaying palms, scenic coves, golden sand and mesmerising turquoise waters. A tour
to Goa is also about its architectural marvels which are fully displayed in its churches
and convents.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway - Hill Cart Road, emanates a reluctant chugging
sound every morning, and when you wait to find out ,you will discover something
emerging out of the dense white mist looking something like - out of a little boy's
Christmas stocking - well, you guessed it right- it's the Toy Train.
Elephanta Caves - The historic Elephanta Caves is located at Elephanta Islands in
Mumbai. The Elephanta Caves is the pride owner of some of the finest rock - cut
sculptures in India. Elephanta is strewn with spiritual remnants.
Ellora Caves - Ellora is an ancient village that is located at about 30 km from the city
of Aurangabad in the state of Maharastra. Ellora is famous in all over the world fir its
spectacular monumental caves.
Fatehpur Sikri - The majestic city of Fatehpur Sikri was built in 1571 by Mughal
emperor Akbar in the honour of SalimChisti, a resident saint of Sikri. It is located at
about 26 miles west of Agra.

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Great Living Chola Temples - The Great Living Chola Temples were built during
the reign of the Chola dynasty in the south of India. The major temples are the
Brihadiswara Temple at Thanjavur, the temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram and the
Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram.
Group Of Monuments at Hampi - Hampi, a village in northern Karnataka is situated
on the southern bank of the river Tungabhadra river. Once it was the seat of the
mighty Vijainagaraempire.
Group Of Monuments at Mahabalipuram - Mahabalipuram is also known as
Mamallapuram after Mamalla who was responsible for creating the earliest monument
in the city, under the reign of the Pallava King, narshimhaVarman I.
Group Of Monuments at Pattadakal - Pattadakal is located in the Bijapur district of
Karnataka. It was the second capital and coronation town of the early Chalukyas. The
complex of Patadakal owns 10 temples which dates from 7th to 9th century AD.
Humayun's Tomb - We know that Mughals loved gardens and the their culture was
heavily dictated by the Persian mores. All these features are well visible in
Humayun's tomb.
Kaziranga National Park - Situated on the banks of the Brahmaputra river in Assam,
Kaziranga is one of the famous wildlife parks in the world. It is a stronghold of some
of the most magnificent creatures.
Keoladeo National Park - A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings
because it has a song...if you are not willing to trust me on that, then you are most
welcome to Keoladeo Ghana National Park.
Khajuraho Temples - Steeped in history, blessed by nature and sanctified by faith -
the temples of Khajuraho are India's unique gift to the world.

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Konark Sun Temple - If you plan to visit a temple during your trip to Orissa, then
nothing else than the Konark Sun Temple would give you the religious and spiritual
satisfaction.
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya - If by leaving a small pleasure one
sees a great pleasure, let a wise man leave the small pleasure, and look to the
great.....sounds out of the world, right? Well! not really because our past is the witness
of great men who have been true followers of this teaching of Buddha and many are
trying hard to be one.
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary - This park was designated as the World Heritage Site in
December 1985. It is a home to a great variety of wildlife.
Nanda Devi National Park - This park is located near the Nanda Devi , the second
highest mountain peak of India and is famous for its unique high altitude flora and
fauna.
Qutub Minar and Associated Monuments - Qutub Minar and Associated
Monuments, located in Delhi, showcase an excellent example of early Islamic
architecture.
Rock Shelters Of Bhimbetka - This was added to the World UNESCO'S World
Heritage List in 2003. The rock shelters and caves have a several interesting
paintings, which date back to the Mesolithic period.
Sunderbans National Park - A home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, Sunderbans
National Park is a part of the world's largest delta formed by the Ganga and
Brahmaputra.
Taj Mahal - The de facto tourist emblem of India, Taj Mahal is the witness of great
love between Shah Jehan and his wife Mumtaz. This poignant Mughal mausoleum
has failed all those who have tried to sum up its beauty.

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Red For- The 17th century Mughal architectural wonder -Red Fort was bestowed the
status of the World Heritage Site bu UNESCO on Thursday.

Jay

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