Essays

"There are some parts of the world that once visited get into your heart and won 'I let go. For me India is such a place when I first visited, I was stunned by the richness of the land by ifs lush beauty and exotic architecture by its ability to overload the senses with the pure, concentrated intensity of its colours, smells, tastes and sounds. It was as if all my life I was seeing the world in black and while and when brought face-to-face with India, experienced everything rendered in brilliant Technicolor.. "                                                                                                    —Keith Bellows

"It we were to look over the whole world to find out the country most richly endowed with all the wealth, power and beauty that nature can bestow in some parts a very paradise on earth. I should point to India."                              

—Max Mueller

The most valuable assets of India as a desirable tourist destination lies in it thousands years old historical and cultural heritage. Every region, every pan i Mia encompasses culture of its own, entirely distinct in traditions, language. Festivals beliefs and rituals with different and unique style of living and dresses.

No country in the world comprises such distinction such diversity with a unity and integration. This diversity may be attributed to the historical roots of developments of each region, due to different dynasties ruled the different regions. The development of different life style, celebrations of different festivals, adopting different languages, different dressing sense, all exit as per the norms fixed by the then ruling dynasty. Each region has unique physical features, soil types and climatic conditions, so has the distance vegetation and wild life. When all the nature beauty is mingled with different culture the resultant harmony present a unique land sparkled picture, reflecting; cac¹ destination in its unique and colorful way.

 One finds everything in India: exotic as well as native, the snow clad Himalayas crowned the head in the north, enveloped all the beauty within itself, releases the mighty rivers. Indus. Ganges. and Yamuna and their tributaries. These rivers rolling the whole country like arteries, supplying life blood to the body of the country and its inhabitants throughout the year. The complex beauty of the desert state of Rajasthan is found rarely in any part of the world. With That at its background and sand dunes, mirages and camels, the huge and glorified palaces, forts and have present a complex and unique beauty. The culture of Rajputs with bright Badhari H colours intricate designs and the Royal background give their sharp look different! from others. In their unique architectural style in the series of palaces are lake palace of Udaipur, sand colored forts in Jaisalmer. city palace of Jaipur, the pink city dm India coupled with the vibrant folkdances and folksongs make India an "Epitome om Cultural”.

The Taj Mahal at Agra, symbol of Mughal romaine and faith, in its architectural perfection and splendor attracts tourists from all over the world. Taj Mahal reflects the Persian cultural and their architecture I eminence, today counted among the seven wonders of the world.

The caves of Ajanta-Ellora, the Sun Temple of Konark, the Temple of Khajurao and Dravidian style stone carved temples of Hoysalewara and Ranganathswamy, the medieval glory of Qutab Minar, Red fort, Fathepur Sikri and other forts and mausoleums with Persian architectural influence, the Victoria place at Kolkata, beautiful and elegant churches at Goa, each and every symbolizes the richness of Indian culture with tremendous diversification and each has its own attraction for the tourist.

India has witnessed many eras blooming on her soil. Each era and dynasty has left its indelible mark, on her different regions with uniqueness and distinction. From Harappas to Mauryas, Guptas to Sultans and Mughals to Portuguese and English, witnessed metamorphosis in each era. Different cultures with different life styles and beliefs, intermingled. Each century brought a new culture, made its impact, kept intact the original identity and beliefs also, and thus a unique diversity with integration is the present India.

Tamilnadu is known for hundreds of ancient temples. The famous Meenakshi Temple of Madurai, is embellished with 30 million sculptures. Down south, the tranquil bay at Kappad, near to Kozhikode where came the Portuguese navigator Vasco-da-Gama, changing the history of India, the Coromandel Coast in Mahabalipuram. the site of largest bas-relief in the world, the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque is Delhi is an iron pillar, rising to a majestic 7.31 M. erected by king Chandra Varman. in the sixth century AD and the ravages of time have left no speck of rust on the pillar, are some of the most visiting places by the tourist from every part of the world.

The Bhool Bholaiyan at Lucknow, the mystery of shaking Minarets in the mosque and tomb of Rajbibi in Ahmedabad, the acoustic wonders of Gol Gumbaj, the famous Golden Temple at Amritsar, the oldest church at Palayur in Goa, the oldest synagogue at Mattancherry in Kochi and the oldest mosque in Eheraman  Malik Manzil In Kodungallor, also the modem Lotus Temple, the Bahami temple of worship, the Stupa of Sanchi, Tower of Silence at Mumbai, and tallest statue of Bahubali at Kamataka, all speak of the glorious heritage of our country and so are the points of attraction for tourists throughout the world.

Nowhere in the world, can be found such multifaceted, most diversified culture with rich heritage reflecting many dynasties and regimes. India is known for its unparalleled religious beliefs as well as for its vast variety of people, the animal kingdom and the rich flora. India is a miniature world, where the tourists find the best of the west and east coexisting in perfect harmony for centuries.

Another aspect of Indian culture can well be seen in its vibrant and colorful  festivals. India has been the birth place of many religion. The Hinduism. The Buddhism, The Jainism. The Sikhism, The Islam and The Christianly also known "[Shed and flourished here well. The Desert festival, the Kite festival. Boat race festival south India, the Durga Pooja festival of Kolkata. Dussehera of Mysore, Puri Festival of Orissa, Ganesh Chaturthi festival of Maharashtra, all are celebrated so colorfully I and in such a grand manner, that reflect the wonderful observance of religious and cultural heritage of our country.

Not only the above historical festivals, the modem festivals, like, the Mahotsava. Khajurao Dance festival, Konark Dance festival, also give an opportunity of seeing all internationally acclaimed faces of Indian classical dance and music ^H   e stage.   

Over the years we have developed the concept of eco-friendly tourism, that while promoting tourism in veil possible manner, we should not forget  importance of ecological balance. Many of the places at the foothills of the Himalaya have become the dumping ground of tourists. While promoting the tourism in wildlife it must be ensured that the tourists should not become a threat to the tranquility and • ecological balance of the forests.

No doubt, India's diversified culture presents a 'paradise for tourists' but to m keep it intact, a number, of judicious and prudent policies to facilitates the taunts and attract more and more tourists are to be framed and require to be implemented a fast pace. The tourists visiting India, should be enchanted not only with their heritage, but they should also feel here safe, sound and welcomed.

  The call of this Paradise can be summarized in few lines 

" The snow clad Himalayas at the top,

The flow of rivers, valley and lakes,

The fort and havelies in desert lop,

Vibrant festivals, temples and mosque makes

Nowhere you find such diversified features

You would say and say our teachers."

Vocabulary

I. intensity—chrome, intensiveness, loudness. 2. encompasses—comprehends, embraces.  3. diversity—noticeable heterogeneity, variety. 4. dynasties—families, kinsfolk's, 5. vivacious—vigorous and active, vibrant. 6. sharply—aggressively, precipitously. 7. eminence—distinction, preeminence. 8. symbolizes—represents, stands for. 9. tremendous—enormous, wonderful, marvelous. 10. diversification—change. 11. metamorphosis—metabolism, a striking change in appearance or character or  circumstances. 12. intermingled—amalgamated, intermixed. 13. tranquility—placidity, repose, a state of peace and quiet.