Jhansi – Birth Place of Indian Freedom Fight

“Chamak uthi san sattavan mein, yeh talwar purani thi,

Bundeley Harbolon key munh hamney suni kahani thi,

Khoob ladi mardani woh to Jhansi wali Rani thi”

The word “Jhansi” evokes the patriotic spirit in every Indian. Jhansi name is synonymous with a great valiant queen, Rani Lakshmi Bai who sacrificed her life for the cause of India’s freedom. Jhansi got its name from the term jhain-si which means blurred shadow.

Jhansi is located on the bank of River Betwa. Jhansi is a well known historical city of India. This city carved a victorious path and paved way for the first war of Indian Independence.

Rani Lakshmi Bai actively participated in the revolt of 1857 and died as a martyr on June 17th 1958. She was a major contributor to India’s independence. The rule of Jhansi came under the British Empire in the year 1886 and post that the British gained complete control over it.

It was added to the United Province which was rechristened as Uttar Pradesh in 1947, after India’s independence.

In 1947 Jhansi was added to the United Provinces, which became the state of Uttar Pradesh after India's Independence.

Jhansi is known for its scenic beauty and is a typical tourist spot which flaunts a wide range of historical monuments, ancient temples, palaces and buildings. Jhansi is been marked as true epitome of might and valor of the Chandela kings of Bundelkhand.

Apart from imparting historical importance this city is equally excels in possessing lots of industrial and manufacturing units.

Places to Visit:

• Jhansi Fort
• Rani Mahal (Queen's Palace)
• U.P. Govt. Museum
• Maha Lakshmi Temple
• Leher ki Devi Temple
• Panchkuian Temple
• Gayatri Temple
• Ganesh Mandir
• Siddheshwar Temple
• Panchtantra Park
• Jhansi Cantt
• Sadar Bazar and Manik Chowk market
• Sarafa Bazaar
• Parichha Dam
• Cathedral of St. Anthony
• St. Jude’s Shrine
• Bodh Vihar/Lord Buddha Temple
• Dharamshala
• Kapurtekri Khushipura
• Kaimasan Mandir
• Bundelkhand University
• Sakhi ke Hanuman
• Karaundi wali Mata Mandir
• Mahaveeran Wali Mata Mandir
• Orcha
• Mau Ranipur

How to Reach Jhansi:

State public transport buses connect Jhansi with all major cities around Jhansi. Regular bus services are provided between Gwalior and Jhansi (103 km) and between Khajuraho and Jhansi (175 km). Deluxe private buses are also plying between these cities.

It is recommended that you consider booking long distance bus tickets on "Air Conditioned Volvo buses" operated by all operators as the quality of the other buses vary significantly. Bus tickets are easily available online. One can plan trip and do bus booking online in advance. Online bus booking is an easy process which can save your time and price.

Wildlife Tour to Madhya Pradesh

One third of Madhya Pradesh land is forested, offering a unique and exciting panorama of wild life. Especially in the Vindhya-Kaimur and the Satpura and Maikala ranges and the Baghelkhand plateau. The old princely families were enthusiastic "sportsmen". Rulers of states the size of English countries, and some appreciably larger, set aside vast stretches of wilderness as their own, private, haunting grounds. Since these royal hunts were fairly infrequent affairs and as the keepers of the hunting grounds were vigilant, the animals grew and prospered: in spite of the annual butchering.

The great hunting families have given the country its great wildlife parks. When you visit wildlife sanctuaries and national parks the land, you are the interloper: the animal is king. Your movements are controlled, the animal’s are not.

About Madhya Pradesh:

Madhya Pradesh, known as “Heart of India" is a state located in the Central India. This historical land shares its boundaries with Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan. Madhya Pradesh is known for its religious hubs of Hinduism, Jainism and Islam, Buddhism, Khajuraho temples, impregnable forts, exquisitely carved Jain temples, palaces, which are the glorious reminders of erstwhile golden era of the royal Kings and Maharajahs. Endowed with immense natural beauty and splendor. The history of the royal state goes back to the time of Ashoka, the great Mauryan ruler. To the Chandelas, however, goes the credit of building the splendid monuments of Eros, Khajuraho, in the Northern part of the state. Between 12th and 16th centuries, the region saw continuing struggles between Hindu and Muslim kings and invaders. The fortified city of Mandu in the southwest was the scene of frequent battles.

Wildlife in Madhya Pradesh:

Home to pristine forest reserves bursting with wildlife, breathtaking palaces, historical sites, some of India’s finest examples of temple art, and a dazzling tradition of arts and crafts, the province of Madhya Pradesh lies deep in the vibrant heart of India. Madhya Pradesh is famed for its national parks, which delight with their untouched natural beauty, as well as their wildlife and birdlife. Many of these parks form the last refuge of the magnificent tiger and provide guests with a rare opportunity to view the king of the jungle, as well as many other exotic species.

 Filled with contrasts, Madhya Pradesh also boasts a variety of terrain, from river valleys, dense forests and rolling plains to the ancient hills of the Vindhya and Satpura ranges and the sprawling highlands of the Malwa plateau.  The chances of seeing a big cat, a tiger or lion within naked lens’ reach, are extremely high in Madhya Pradesh. And the fact that they are not frightened of you lets you make observations and take pictures, which only dedicated naturalists could have hoped for just a decade ago. Kanha and Bandhabgarh national parks have been very famous national parks around the world. The king of the forest may be easily sighted at Kanha and Bandhavgarh. Equally at home in the Jungles of Kanha and Bandhavgarh is the Gaur who does not fear the tiger. Another native is the Barasingha the only swamp deer who has adapted to hard ground. Chitals (spotted deer) can be sighted in hundreds. Sloth Bear, the leopard and the buffalo Colorful bird. are much less common. At times one is surprised that wild life has survived so well despite the decades of senseless slaughter indulged in by the so-called big game hunters. Many of the princes marked out areas as their personal hunting reserves: Shivpuri near Gwalior for instance, which has served in recent years as the nucleus of the wild life park and where Madhav National park is particularly rich in many species of deer and famous for its white (albino tic) tigers. Pench National park is also an upcoming national park in Madhya Pradesh.

Travel to Madhya Pradesh:

The call is wild and clear. Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Panna National Park offer some wonderful wildlife viewing opportunities. Take few days off and enter into the Jungle Book written by Kipling and see the Jungle Home of Mowgli-the Jungle Boy. You can feel the presence of Mowgli riding on the Black Panther with his friends the avuncular Bhaloo -the bear; Kaa- the Python; and those rowdy monkeys; the bunder log and Sher Kahn- the Tiger!!

Madhya Pradesh is well connected with rest of the country. If you are planning to start your journey from Delhi, Mumbai or any other major cities of India, you can check flights or train based on your travel budget. MP is well connected with bus too. The capital Indore is connected through bus with Agra, Delhi, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai and other major cities. Once you planned your trip, you can check bus services available for Madhya Pradesh. Bus form delhi to agra Online bus booking is fairly easy process now. On the net you can search, compare and do cheap bus booking in no time. So why wasting more time? Look at calendar and plan a wild weekend in ‘Heart of India’.

A Trip to Munnar

<p>Munnar is a typical hill station, and was the summer resort of the British. Tourists come here to see the vast tea plantations of the area. The town itself is typically Indian with the usual shops, guest houses and is really beautiful and traditional. It is a good place to stay to see the surrounding countryside. It is also a popular place for Indian honeymooners. Munnar is 1,600 m (5,400 ft) above sea level. It is pronounced &quot;Moon-aar&quot; short for &quot;moonu aar&quot; meaning 3 rivers. Three rivers - Madupetti, Nallathanni and Periavaru which flow through this town, but join some distance away from Munnar. Munnar is famous for its tea plantations, many of them started by the British. The &quot;Kannan Devan&quot; brand of Tea from the Tata is cultivated and processed here.</p>
<p><strong>Places to Visit: </strong></p>
<p><strong>Atukkad Waterfalls</strong>, A scenic waterfalls amidst hills and jungles. You can find a road leading to Atukkad Waterfalls on Kochi road (just about 5 km from Munnar). This road is very narrow and needs a lot of experience to drive on. <strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Chithirapuram</strong> is located at a distance of around 10 km from Munnar. Chithirapuram has old playgrounds and courts, bungalows and sleepy little cottages which all give this place an old world charm. This town is also famous for its tea plantations in the world. </p>
<p><strong>Blossom Park</strong>, (1 km from Munnar). </p>
<p><strong>Photo Point,</strong> (2 km from Munnar). It is a small place filled with woods and a small stream. Good location to take photos. </p>
<p><strong>Mattupetti Dam</strong>, (10 km from Munnar), this popular picnic spot activities like boating and horse riding and is a great place to spend the day e specially if visiting with children. You could take the speed boat ride which is fantastic. It costs Rs 300 if you have to hire a boat for you alone. The ride is for 15 min. The maximum capacity is 5 persons and you could save some money if you are a group of 4-5. </p>
<p><strong>Mattupetti Indo-Swiss Farm,</strong> Better known as Mattupetti (cattle village), Tamil migrant laborers had once upon a time reared cattle here. The cool climate and abundance of fodder made it the ideal location for the Indo-Swiss dairy farm. Established in 1961, the Kerala Livestock Development Board (KLDB) manages this highly specialized dairy farm. The dairy farm is a unique one of its kind with more than 100 varieties of high-yielding cattle being reared. Tourists are not allowed to enter the farm. </p>
<p><strong>Echo Point,</strong> (15 km from Munnar), on the way to top station from Munnar is a small lake set amidst rolling hills. Every loud call made from a spot on the lake embankment is returned manifold by the echo from the surrounding hills. Young tourists throng to this place to listen to the echoes of their friendship calls. </p>
<p><strong>Elephant Arrival Spot, </strong>(18 km from Munnar), here you can board an elephant for a ride. It costs approximately Rs 350 per person.</p>
<p><strong>Travel by Bus: </strong></p>
<p>Munnar bus station is located on the main street, Main Bazaar. Kochi - takes about 4 1/2 hr. Buses leave Kochi between 6AM-1PM. Aluva - Nearest bus station to the Cochin International Airport. Around 4 hr to Munnar. Ticket cost is around Rs 100-180 depending on the type of bus. </p>
<p>There are also buses from Bangalore, Coimbatore and Pollachi. <a href="http://www.via.com/bus-tickets" title="Bus Booking">Bus booking</a> <a href="http://www.via.com/bus-tickets/Delhi-to-Agra">Bus form delhi to agra</a>

<a href="http://www.via.com/bus-tickets/Chennai(Madras)-to-Bangalore(Bengalooru)">Bus form Chennai to Bangalore</a> is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early you&rsquo;ll get budget tickets online. For <a href="http://www.via.com/bus-tickets" title="Online Bus Booking">online bus booking</a> you can check different OTA&rsquo;s website. Search best bus service, compare and buy cheap tickets.</p>