Shimla

Shimla 

Location - Situated in the north-west Himalayas, Shimlais the capital of Himachal Pradesh. 

Shimla was the most important British hill resort, prior to India's independence. It is named after its patron goddess, Shamla Devi, amanifestation of Kali. Shimla, located at an altitude of 7,267 feet, is inhabited around a crescent - shaped ridge, which is blessed with perennially cool air and amazing views. It provides superb panoramic sights of the valleys, and the lofty peaks of the great Himalayan range, on both sides. The colourful local bazaars of Shimla are sprawled over the southern slopes of the ridge. 

Spread across 12 kms along a ridge that overlooks terraced hill sides and cultivations, Shimla is magnificently robed in dense forests of oak and pine, fur and rhododendron, and it is best to travel here on the slow train from Kalka. Shimla also is a convenient base for variety of adventure sports such as Skiing, Trekking, Fishing and Golfing etc. 

Places of Interest :

» Gaiety Theatre - This theatre is one of the oldest theatres in the world. It is on the Mall Road. Famous plays are often staged here.

» Himalayan Bird Park - Situated 1km from the Mall Road, in this park one finds rare birds. Models of some endangered species (animals and birds) are also found here.

» Viceregal Lodge - This hall is the most beautiful building in Shimla. It houses some of the most ancient articles that would take us back to the times of the British rule. 

» Jakhu Hill - Shimla's highest Peak, this is situated 2km from the town. One can have a breathtaking view of Shimla from here. A Hanuman Temple is also found on this peak.

» Chadwick Falls - 7km from Shimla, this is an ideal picnic spot. At 1,586 meters above sea level, it is surrounded with waterfalls.

» Summer Hill - Another picnic spot 4 kms. from Shimla, it is located at 1,851 meters above sea level. It has a beautiful temple of Goddess Taradevi. 

» Prospect Hill - Located on this hill isthe temple of Goddess Kamna. Sunrise and the moon are spectacular sights from here. A 15-minute climb from Baluganj would bring you here. For those interested in the culture and art of Himachal Pradesh, here is a State Museum.

» Kufri - 16km from Shimla, beautiful Kufri is alsocalled the "Chinese Bungalow". Many games are organised here from February to March. In winter one can ski on its snow-covered slopes and inthe summer have a ride on the back of the Yak. Kufri is well known for its natural scenic beauty.

» Chail - Another scenic spot where the river A saniflows. This adds to its beauty. The world's highest cricket field is situated here. A story goes that due to some differences, the British hadfor bidden the Maharaja of Patiala from going to Shimla. Therefore, he laid the foundation for the town of Chail and since he loved the game of cricket,a field was specially laid. Chail is about 45 kms from Shimla. 

» Nalderao - 22 kms from Shimla, it has the oldest golf course in India. The pine and deodar add to its beauty.

» Fagu - It is located 2,510 mts. above sea level.Winter is extremely beautiful here. Dense forests and apple orchards have their unique attraction. The snow-capped mountains can hold anyone spell-bound.
How To Get There?

» By Air - The airport is at Jubbarhatti, 23 kmaway. 
» By Rail - Shimla is connected to Kalka by anenchanting narrow guage railway line - where even a quaint rail-car plys. 
» By Road - By road, Chandigarh is 117 km, Manaliis 219 km, Chail is 45 km and Delhi is at a distance of 370 km. From Delhi,the driving time is about eight hours. From Delhi, Manali and Chandigarh,Luxury coaches and taxis ply to Shimla


Temperature : 

Climate	Max	Min
Summer	33°	4°
Winter	18°	1°

Distance from towns and cities :

Cities / Towns	Kms.
Amritsar	342
Chandigarh	116
Delhi	343
Dharmasala	280
Chamba	502
Jammu	848
Kulu	240
AmbalaKalka	151
Manali	89
	280 173

Disneyland Park, Anaheim, CA

Disneyland Park,Anaheim, CA

Annual Visitors: 15,980,000

Though not as massive as its Orlando counterpart, the original Disney park—which occupies about 85 acres of land—welcomes enough thrill-seekers to qualify as the second most-visited* theme park in the world. One of its coolest rides is still Indiana Jones Adventure, careening over lava, past swarms of beetles, and under that 16-foot rolling boulder.  

* Admission ticket sales beat out Disney’s California Adventure next door (which had 6,278,000 visitors); since it’s all part of the Disneyland Resort, we’re counting it only once.

Welcome to the place where imagination is the destination. For young and old, big and small — it's the happiest place on earth! Come build memories with your family that last a lifetime as you discover the wonder of this magical, fantastical world. When you enter one of the Lands that comprise Disneyland Park, stories come to life around you, immersing you in tales from some of your favorite Disney films...

Main Street, U.S.A.

Main Street, U.S.A. is the entrance to Disneyland Park. Stroll down the street where turn-of-the-century architecture and transportation recreate a bygone era. Be sure to board a vintage vehicle for a ride back in time and then marvel at The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Before you leave, don't forget to visit the Emporium, an old-time Victorian general store filled with all kinds of Disney memorabilia.

Fantasyland

Located beyond Sleeping Beauty Castle, Fantasyland is where you can meet the heroes and villains of your favorite Disney stories. Encounter princesses from the royal realms of Disney films such as Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. Step into their enchanting stories about the triumph of true love. Sing along with a classic song and sail past the pageantry of "it's a small world". Take a spin in a tea cup or fly over London with Peter Pan. Revel in the enchantment that surrounds you!

Tomorrowland

Ready your rockets as you blast into the twin orbits of innovation and exploration atTomorrowland! Rocket into the outer reaches of darkest space on Space Mountainand battle galactic bad guys in Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. To infinity and beyond!

New Orleans Square

Welcome to the French Quarter of New Orleans Square where you can celebrate Mardi Gras all year round. Pay your respects to the 999 ghostly residents of theHaunted Mansion and then join the Pirates of the Caribbean on a bayou bateau for a swashbuckling voyage! Raise a mint julep to this land of buried treasure and supernatural secrets, parasols and pirate curses. It's home to swashbucklers and haunts alike!

Adventureland

Chart a course for Adventureland and embark on a bold expedition into excitement and intrigue! Enter a lost temple on Indiana Jones Adventure and delve into dark jungles on The Jungle Cruise. Join your fellow explorers as you boldly seek mystery and imagination.

Critter Country

Come play in the deep backwoods of Critter Country. Hear the rumble of railroads and waterfalls, not to mention a chorus of critters singin' "Zip-a-Dee-Do-Dah" atSplash Mountain. See one of the most beloved critters when you journey through the Hundred Acre Wood on The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. It's a hunny of a place to play!

Mickey's Toontown

Mickey's Toontown is a miniature interactive metropolis full of topsy turvy architecture and screwy sculptures. For the ultimate taste of Toon mania, hail a wacky taxi for the ride of your life on Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin or brave Gadget's Go Coaster. Or visit the charming houses of Mickey, Minnie and other classic Disney characters. It's where some of your favorite Toons call home.

Frontierland

Frontierland celebrates the trailblazers, settlers and other heroes of the Old West. For big adventure, rumble over the mountain on a runaway railroad car when you ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. And there's a mighty fine show at the Golden Horseshoe Stage. From the Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island to the rippling waters of the Rivers of America, it's a pioneer's paradise.

MOTI DUNGRI , JAIPUR

Moti Dungri

Location:	Jaipur, Rajasthan
Built In:	1761 AD
Built By:	Seth Jai Ram Paliwal
Visiting Hours:	5:00 AM to 1:30 PM & 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM, everyday

The Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple was constructed by Seth Jai Ram Paliwal in the early eighteenth century, and continues to be one the most popular tourist destinations in Jaipur. Situated in the heart of Jaipur, the Moti Dungri temple is perched on a small hill, and is surrounded by an exotic palace. In the recent past, the palace was home to Rajmata Gaytri Devi, but now, the palace is locked to public, with the temple being the only tourist location. The highlight of this place is the famous and auspicious temple of Lord Ganesha, which is frequently visited by the inhabitants of Jaipur, and other tourists from around the world. In modern times, it is said that thousands of devotees flock the temple on a daily basis and it is considered to be one of the most important religious structures in Jaipur. The temple is nestled by the beautiful palace, called the Moti Dungri palace, which is an imitation of a popular Scottish castle.

History Of The Temple
According to the priests of the temple, the King of 'Mewar' was returning back to his palace from a long journey and was carting a colossal 'Ganesh' idol on a bullock cart. It is said, that the king wanted to build a temple, and had decided to consecrate the idol of Lord Ganesh wherever the bullock cart halted the first time. Legend states that the bullock cart stopped at the foot of the Moti Dungri hills, which is where the temple is situated today. It is said that the construction and the design of the temple was commissioned to Seth Jai Ram Paliwal, who supervised the construction of this magnificent structure, on the inspiration of 'Mahant' (chief priest) Shiv Narain Ji. The temple was originally built to house the 'Ganesh' idol, with only the 'Shaiva' (Lord Shiva followers) visiting the temple. Thereafter, the palace complex was built, encompassing the Moti Dungri Ganesh temple within it, making it a popular religious and tourist center in Jaipur.

Layout Of The Temple
The temple is surrounded by the beautiful Moti Dungri palace, which is an imitation of a Scottish castle. The temple itself spans 2 kilometers and is carved out of stone. Apart from the intricate stone carving, the temple is known for its exquisite lattice work on marble with mythological images engraved on the marble, which offer a splendid view for art-lovers. The idol of Lord Ganesh is located in the heart of the temple, and is hidden from view. Only at certain timings in a day are visitors allowed to have a glimpse of the feted idol.

Other Tourist Attractions

• The ‘Hawa Mahal'
• Statue Circle
• The City Palace
• Nahargarh Fort

The Moti Dungri temple houses the idol of Lord Ganesh, and is flocked by devotees and tourists all year round. From 'Ganesh Chathurthi' to 'Paush Bada', the temple is always bustling with the preparations of festivities and is a landmark destination in Jaipur. This is definitely a must-visit for those wanting to savor a bit of the rich cultural heritage of the city.