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Mysore
State: Karnataka
District: Mysore District
Main languages: Kannada and English
History:
The city of Mysore is the second largest city in the state of Karnataka and is also the headquarters of the Mysore district. The city gets its name from the anglicized version of Mahishūru, which means the abode of Mahisha, a demon in Hindu mythology. Until the Indian independence Mysore was the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore and was ruled by the Wodeyar dynasty. The city was also ruled by Haidar Ali and Tipu Sultan for a brief period in the 18th century. This city now stands where ancient Puragere existed till the 15th century. The fort of Mahishūru was constructed in 1524 by Chamaraja Wodeyar III and Mysore had been the center of the Wodeyar administration till 1610. After the demise of the Vijayanagara Empire in 1565, the Mysore Kingdom achieved independence and became a sovereign state. When the area came under the rule of Tipu Sultan he made many attempts to remove any traces of the Wodeyar rule. After the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War in 1799, the capital of the kingdom was moved back to Mysore.
Geography and climate:
Mysore is located at 12°18′N 76°39′E/ 12.3, 76.65 and has an average altitude of 770 meters. It experiences all the seasons with the highest temperature of 38.5 °C and the winter temperatures can go as low as 9.6 °C. Mysore has an average annual rainfall of 798.2 mm and it is situated in the relatively safe seismic zone II. The city also has several lakes and thus has plenty of water supplies from the rivers like Kaveri and Kabini, which are a source of drinking water.
Demography:
As per the census of 2001, Mysore city had a total population of 799,228 and has average literacy rate of 82.8%.
Economy:
The main sources of income in the city include tourism but the area has also developed strongly as a hub for various software companies and other IT sectors also. The city is the home to various handicraft industries like weaving, sandalwood carving, bronze work and also the production of lime and salt. The city has planned industrial growth whihc led to the establishment of industries such as the Mysore Sandalwood Oil Factory. Some of the major industries here include information technology, automobile industries and various other small scale industries.
Education:
The city of Mysore is also a vital educational center and has some esteemed institutions and Crawford Hall is the administrative headquarters of the Mysore University. Before modern education was introduced here, Mysore also had some of the oldest educational centers like Madrasas.
Art and culture:
The city of Mysore has continued with some of the oldest traditions of its cultural history and these include Dasara, the state festival of Karnataka, which is celebrated over a ten-day period. The tenth day celebrates Vijayadashami, the traditional Dasara procession also known as Jumboo Savari. This city is also known as the City of Palaces and some of these include Amba Vilas popularly known as Mysore Palace and Jaganmohana Palace. The Mysore style of painting has been popular and is still learnt through out the country. The city is also the home to the International Ganjifa Research Centre, which is involved in the research of the ancient card game Ganjifa.
Tourism:
Some of the major attractions here include the Jaganmohana Palace, Jayalakshmi Vilas and the Lalitha Mahal, Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore Zoo, Regional Museum of Natural History, the Folk Lore Museum, the Railway Museum and the Oriental Research Institute.
Transportation:
The city does not have a functional airport and the nearest airport is the Bengaluru International Airport at Bangalore. But the city is well connected to other cities via roads and has a railway station also.
Mussoorie
State: Uttarakhand
District: Dehradun
Main Languages: Hindi
History:
The city of Mussoorie is a city and a municipal board and is located about 34 km from Dehradun. It is also one of the popular hill stations situated in the foothills of the Himalaya ranges and is known as the Queen of the Hills. Adjoining Mussoorie is the town of Landour, which includes a military cantonment and forms 'greater Mussoorie'. The city dates back to 1825 when Captain Young, a British military officer, together with a Mr. Shore explored the present site and jointly constructed a shooting lodge. The city gets its name from 'mansoor', a shrub, which is indigenous to the area and this is also the reason that locals refer to it as 'Mansoori'. The city has significance in the history of independence. The freedom fighter Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and his daughter were frequent visitors here and also broke the rule of "Indians and Dogs Not Allowed" in the mall. In the year 1959, the Dalai Lama established the Tibetan Government of Exile in Mussoorie and till date Mussoorie has a large Tibetan population.
Geography and climate:
Mussoorie is located at 30°27′N 78°05′E / 30.45, 78.08 and has an average elevation of 1,826 meters. The city has rich flora and fauna flourishing in the adjoining areas and the climate here has led to the growth of coniferous forests. The summer months are very pleasant here with temperatures between 20 to 25 degrees and the winters are very cold with temperatures dipping below freezing levels. Though snowfall is rare here frequent rains make the weather colder even during summers. The best time to visit Mussoorie is from Mid March to Mid November, and September should be avoided due to heavy rainfalls.
Demography:
As per the 2001 India census, Mussoorie had a population of 26,069 and had an average literacy rate of 79%.
Economy:
Tourism continues to remain the main source of income in the area along with various small scale industries and service industries also prospering. The city is a popular stop over and is called the "Gateway" to Yamunotri and Gangotri Shrines of Northern India.
Education:
The city is the home to some of the esteemed educational institutions and hostels in the country like the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, St. George's College, Woodstock School, Oak Grove School and many more.
Tourism:
Some of the places of interest are the beautiful nature walk known as "Camel's Back Road", the Lake Mist, Kempty falls, Municipal garden, Mussoorie Lake, Children lodge, Bhatta Falls, Jharipani Fall, Mosey Fall, Sir George Everest House, Nag Devta Temple, Jwalaji Temple and Benog Mountain quail sanctuary. There are various other hill stations and pilgrimage spots accessible from here.
Transportation:
The closest rail station from Mussoorie is Dehradun and taxis are easily available for Mussoorie as are buses at regular intervals. The city is also approachable by road from Saharanpur, 93 km away. The Jolly grant airport is the nearest airport from here and the nearest international airport is the New Delhi airport.
Murshidabad
State: West Bengal
District: West Bengal
Main languages: Bengali
History:
The city of Murshidabad is located on the southern bank of the Bhagirathi, a tributary of the Ganges River, and was also known as Mushidabad or Moorsheedabad. The city was earlier a district of British India, in the Presidency division of Bengal and its administrative headquarters of the district are at Berhampur. Murshidabad is on the left bank of the Bhagirathi and was the latest capital of Bengal before British era. In 1704 the Nawab Murshid Quli Khan had made changes in the seat of government from Dacca to Maksudabad and the city had also been named after him. Jagat Seth and their successors maintained their position as state bankers at Murshidabad from generation to generation. The conquests of Bengal, by the British, also lead to Murshidabad continuing to be the seat of administration for sometime. However Warren Hastings shifted the supreme civil and criminal courts to Calcutta in 1772, but in 1775 the latter court was brought back to Murshidabad. In 1790 Lord Cornwallis shifted the entire revenue and judicial staffs were fixed at Calcutta. The town remains to be the residence of the Nawab and he still ranks as the first nobleman of the province as Nawab Bahadur of Murshidabad, instead of Nawab Nazim of Bengal. The city has excavations from various eras, like the Gupta, Maurya, Pala, Gouda and Mughal eras also.
Geography:
The district of Murshidabad is divided into two nearly equal portions by the Bhagirathi, the ancient channel of the Ganges. Towards the west the tract is known as the Rarh and it mainly consists of hard clay and nodular limestone and the general level is high. But this area is interspersed with marshes and seamed by hill torrents. The eastern half or Bagri region is dominated by alluvial plains of eastern Bengal and there are few permanent swamps. This area is basically low-lying, and liable to annual inundation. There are some small detached hillocks in the North West which are said to be of basaltic formation. The town is known for its production of exotic mango and litchi.
Climate:
The climate of the city is mainly tropical with warm summers and cool winters. The temperatures during the winter months dip to almost 6 degrees and there is also light rainfall at times. The monsoons arrive during June and July and are the major water provider to the crops here.
Demography:
As per the 2001 India census, Murshidabad had a population of 36,894 and had an average literacy rate of 66%.
Economy:
The city has been of vital industrial importance and some of the major industries here are those of silk, which had been formerly of much importance, and has been revived with government assistance. Production of exotic mango and litchi are famous in the city and there are various other kinds of trade and commerce developing in the area also like carving in ivory, gold and silver embroidery and silk-weaving.
Tourism:
The Murshidabad palace made in 1837 is a magnificent building in Italian style and remains to be a popular tourist destination. The influence of the Islamic culture can still be seen here with many other palaces, mosques, tombs, and gardens. The Hazarduari Palace is also known as the palace with a thousand doors and is the chief tourist attraction of Murshidabad. There is also a library here along with various other attractive carvings and monuments.
Transportation:
The nearest airport from the city is the Kolkata airport, which is an international airport. Most of the major trains stop at this junction and the well connected roads make the city accessible to other parts of the country.
Malappuram
State: Kerala
District: Malappuram
Main languages: Malay and Tamil
History:
The town of Malappuram is a municipality and administrative headquarters of Malappuram district and is situated 50 km southeast of Kozhikode and 90 km northwest of Palakkad. The town still has some of the ruins of an ancient fort built by Tipu Sultan. During the British rule the town was also the headquarters of European and British troops; it later became the headquarters of the Malabar Special Police. The hill country has a large contribution to the cultural heritage of Kerala and it was also a popular centre for Hindu-Vedic learning and Islamic philosophy. Many of the temples and the mosques of this district have their own festivals. Apart from the historic monuments and diverse natural attractions there are also various other cultural and ritual art forms add to its value as a destination worth visiting. The name of the city means 'on top of the hills') and the name is rightly given because the town is packed with hills and valleys.
This district was also known for its national movements such as Khilafat Movement and Moplah Rebellion. The Muslim Mappilas and peasants had struggled against feudalism and colonialism in this movement. Also Malappuram was part of Malabar District in the Madras Presidency of British India.
Geography and climate:
The city is bounded by beautiful hills and valleys and towards the west lays the Arabian Sea. There are major rivers flowing through the district and hence the town has rich natural flora and fauna. The city has a pleasant climate through out the year with heavy rainfalls. Due to the rains the temperatures here dip below the regular pleasant one and a light jacket is often required.
Demographics:
As per the 2001 India census, Malappuram had a population of 58,490. The average literacy rate in Malappuram is 80%, with a male literacy of 82%, and female literacy of 79%.
Economy:
The town is mainly based on the wood business for its economy along with agriculture but there are also various kinds of large and small industrial set ups here. The booming industrial growth in the area has also led to new developments and opportunities for business in the sector.
Tourism:
The town is the home to some natural beauty and various other tourist attractions also. Kottakkunnu is a very beautiful Tourist location here and the traces of the first fort to be built by the Zamorins of Kozhikode can be seen. The town also has a special place for football and even though it does not have a single football stadium football tournaments are played in school grounds or paddy fields and the popular 'Sevens' football tournament is also held here.
Transportation:
The town of Malappuram is well connected through roads to major cities in the area. The Kozhikode Airport, about 26 km from the town, is one of the most beautifully designed airports in India and has international flights. There are nearby railways links in the region also which make transportation easier.
Madurai
State: Tamil Nadu
District: Madurai District
Main languages: Tamil
History:
The city of Madurai is the second largest city and a municipal corporation situated on the banks of the River Vaigai in Madurai district and it is also known as the Madura or the "Temple City", due to the large number of temples located here. The city is also the administrative capital of Madurai district. In ancient times the city was also the capital city of the Pandya kings of South India and it's cultural heritage goes back 2500 years. Madurai had been an important commercial center since as early as 550 C.E. The city has a legend that the original town of Madurai was destroyed by a tsunami in ancient Lemuria and the new city was home to the last Tamil Sangam in the early part of last Century. It is said that the national poet Subramanya Bharathi worked as a Tamil language pandit or teacher in Sethupathy High School during the early 20th century.
Geography and climate:
Madurai has an urban area now extending over as much as 130 km², and it is located at 9°56′N 78°07′E/ 9.93, 78.12 with an average elevation of 101 meters above mean sea level. Madurai has a dry and hot climate with rains during October-December. During the summer months the temperatures here reach a maximum of 40 and a minimum of 26.3 degrees Celsius and the winter temperatures range between 29.6 and 18 degrees Celsius. The city receives an annual rainfall is about 85 cm.
Demographics:
As per the 2001 India census, the city of Madurai had a population of 922,913. Madurai also has a literacy rate of 79%.
Language:
The language spoken in the region is mainly Tamil but it is said that this version is the slang of "Madurai Tamil" and differs from "Kongu Tamil", "Nellai Tamil", "Ramnad Tamil" and "Chennai Tamil".
Education:
The city of Madurai is one of the most vital centers of education in the district and hosts eminent institutions like Velammal College of Engineering and Technology, Madurai Medical College, an Agricultural College and Research Institute, a Law College, and many Engineering and Arts & Science Colleges.
Economy:
One of the main sources of income in the city is tourism, which is largely owed to the historical marvels of the city. The other businesses here include small scale and large scale industries. Various software technology and IT sectors have also come up here and the city has become one of the busiest IT sectors in the country.
Tourism:
One of the biggest tourist attractions in the city is the Meenakshi Amman Temple complex, which is also one of the India's greatest cultural and architectural landmarks. This landmark had been originally built by the early Pandya King Kulasekara and the ancient city of Madurai supposedly was laid out in a lotus-like formation. The other attraction here is the Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal and this palace complex was constructed in the Indo-Saracen style by Thirumalai Nayakar in 1636. The Azhagar Temple is located about 25 km from the city and is a Vishnu shrine. Other popular tourist attractions here include the Gandhi Musuem, the Kazimar Big Mosque, Fassiyatush Shadhiliya, Thiruparankundram, Kudal Azhagar Koil and various other tourist attractions.
Transportation:
The city of Madurai is well connected via land, road and air to different parts of the country and the airport caters to international flights to many countries.
Mangalore
State: Karnataka
District: Dakshina Kannada or South Canara
Main languages: Kannada and English, Tulu, Konkani
History:
The city of Mangalore is also the chief port city of the Indian state of Karnataka and it is bounded by the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghat mountain ranges. It is also the administrative headquarters of the Dakshina Kannada district. The city gets its name from the local Hindu deity Mangaladevi. The city had been ruled by various rulers like the the Kadambas, Vijayanagar dynasty, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, and also the Portuguese. Mangalore was the source of contention between the British and the Mysore rulers, Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan. The city had been eventually annexed by the British in 1799 and remained part of the Madras Presidency until India's independence in 1947. The city has mixed cultural groups living together. Matsyendranath, is regarded to be the founder of the Nath tradition, and he had arrived in the area with a princess from Kerala named Premaladevi. The city's name was made in 715 CE by the Pandyan King Chettian, who called the city Managalapuram. The 11th-century Arabian traveler Ibn Battuta had also referred to Mangalore as Manjarur and in Karnataka it is called Mangaḷūru. The city also gets its name from various other communities and cultures. The city has also been mentioned in the epic Ramayana. History reveals that various regional and foreign powers have fought over the control of Mangalore. The European influence in Mangalore can be traced back to 1498, the year in which, Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama landed at St Mary's Island near Mangalore. In the year 1520 the Portuguese had taken over the Vijayanagara dynasty, and ruled the city until the latter half of the 18th century. In 1763, Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore, conquered and it remained in their hands till the Second Anglo–Mysore War that resulted in Treaty of Mangalore, signed between Tippu Sultan and the British East India Company.
Geography and climate:
The city had been developed as a port on the Arabian Sea and has a tropical climate. It gets rain from the South-West monsoons. The city is located at 12°52′N 74°53′E/ 12.87, 74.88 and has an average elevation of 72 ft above mean sea level. The city is situated on the west coast of India, and its topography of the city ranges from plains to several hills, valleys and flat areas also. The city is located on the backwaters of the Netravati and Gurupura rivers, which effectively encircle the city. The climate here is mainly tropical and humidity is usually above 78%, December and February are the pleasant months.
Economy:
The economy of Mangalore is dominated by the agricultural processing and port-related activities since it is India's ninth largest port, in terms of cargo handling. Some of the major exports from here are coffee cashew nuts. There are vital industries located here like chemicals and petroleum products also. Various banks, oiling corporations, software sector and fishing are some of the vital industries here.
Demographics:
As per the 2001 India census, Mangalore has a population of 398,745 with a literacy rate of 83%.
Culture and tourism:
The city has various forms of dance and folk art, which are practiced in the city. These include Yakshagana, Hulivesha, Karadi Vesha, Paddanas, kolkai and various other forms of music and dance. Some of the popular Indian festivals here are Dussera, Diwali, Christmas, Easter, Eid, and Ganesh Chaturthi. The Kodial Theru or Mangaluru Rathotsava, unique to the Brahmin community, is celebrated here. The Neer dosa, a variant of dosa, is native to Mangalore and the cuisine here is influenced by the South Indian cuisine and Portuguese cuisine. Some of the places of interest here are Kadri Majunath temple, Sultan Battery, St. Aloysius Church, Sri Sharavu Mahaganpathi temple, light house hill garden and many other places also.
Transportation:
The city is well connected through a network of highways and roads along with rail. The international airport here connects the city to major parts of India and the world.
Manali
State: Himachal Pradesh
District- Kullu District
Main languages- Hindi and Pahari
History:
The town of Manali is located in the Beas River valley and is an important hill station in the Himalayan Mountains of Himachal Pradesh. Manali was also the town, which marked the beginning of an ancient trade route to Ladakh, from there, over the Karakoram Pass, on to Yarkand and Khotan in the Tarim Basin area. The town and its surrounding areas are of great significance to the Indian culture and heritage because it was the home and abode of the Saptarshi or seven sages. There is also an ancient cave temple, Hidimba Devi Temple located very near to the town. The town of Manali is named after the Brahmin lawgiver Manu and it literally means "the abode of Manu". The legends say that the sage Manu stepped off his ark in Manali to recreate human life after a great flood had deluged the world. The town is also known as the "Valley of the Gods" and there is an ancient temple dedicated to sage Manu. This town was sparsely populated in ancient times and nomadic hunters lived here. Later the shepherds arrived from the Kangra valley and settled to take up agriculture. Early inhabitants of the region are the 'naur' or 'nar', The British played a vital role in introducing apples and trout here along with plums and pears.
Geography:
The town of Manali is located at 32°10′N 77°06′E/ 32.16, 77.1 and has an average elevation of 2625 meters. It is located on the banks of the Beas river valley and the town is rich in vegetation and flora.
Climate:
The climate in the area is very cool during the summer months also because of the high altitude location of the town. The winters here are freezing and temperatures below freezing level are very common here. The town receives heavy snowfall during the winter months and often the roads are shut due to the heavy snow. July is the month of rainfall although short showers are a regular affair in this part of the country.
Demographics:
As per the 2001 India census, Manali had a population of 6265 and had an average literacy rate of 74%.
Economy:
The economy in the area is mainly based on tourism, especially after the restrictions in the Kashmir area of the country. The other forms of income in the area are production of fruits like apples, pears and plums. Local handicrafts and trades are also predominant here.
Tourism:
Manali is a popular Himalayan tourist destination and is responsible for almost one quarter of the tourist count in the area. The town is visited by many trekkers who follow the hashish trail and Manali's charas is considered to be the best in India. The valleys provide a beautiful view of the natural beauty and forest areas and this is an ideal place for those who love adventures and also for those who enjoy peace and beauty. Some of the popular sports here include skiing, hiking, mountaineering, , rafting, trekking, para-gliding, kayaking, and mountain biking. There are many hot springs, religious shrines and temples, Tibetan Buddhist temples in the area. The Naggar Fort south of Manali is a reminder of the ancient Pal dynasty. One can also see the ancient rock stone and wood carvings, popular works of Himachal art. The Dhungri or Hadimba Temple made in 1533 is a popular tourist spot. The town is also known for its shiny gompas or Buddhist monasteries. The museum of traditional culture is also a popular tourist spot.
Some of the popular spots in the nearby areas include the Rohtang Pass, which is located at an altitude of 13,050 feet above sea level, and has some popular adventure sports. The Rahala waterfalls, Rani lala, Vashist hot spring and many monasteries are some of the popular places here. The popular institute for Mountaineering Institute and Allied Sports is about 3 km from the Mall and offers mountaineering and kayaking courses. Popular sports here include skiing, kayaking, trekking, snow sledging and many more.
Transportation:
The city is well connected through the NH-21 that goes up to Leh. The nearest airport is the Bhuntar airport, which is about 50 km from Manali. There are no rail gauges in Manali and the nearest stations are Pathankot and Chandigarh.
Munnar
State: Kerala
District: Idukki District
Main languages: Malay and Tamil
History:
The city of Munnar is often used to refer to the whole tourist area of Idukki District of which the town forms a part. The name of Munnar has been believed to be derived from the Tamil words Munu, which means three, and aaru, which means river. Thus the name Munnar refers to the town's strategic location at the confluence of the Muthirappuzha, Chandavurai and Kundaly rivers. Munnar has almost nearly about 556.44 square kilometer of land that still belongs to the royal family of Poonjar and was given on lease for 99 years by poonjar King Kerala Varma in 1887. At the time of the British rule of India, Munnar was developed to cultivate tea plants and during this time most of the people around the area were employed as laborers for plantations. During the early stages of development in the area, only Tamilians and a small number of Malayalis inhabited Munnar. The top posts were occupied by the British in these estates and Munnar was a Hill Station for some British who sought a cooler climate. The plantations here were formed in the 1870s by J.D. Munro, a European. Later many of these plantations were taken over by Indian companies and are still operated by them.
Geography and climate:
Munnar has varying heights even within its small city limits and these ranges from 1,600 meters to 1,800 meters above mean sea level. Munnar has a salubrious climate with temperatures ranging from between |5 degrees in winter to 25 degrees in summer and the tourist season is from August to May. The monsoons make the weather here more pleasant and this area is surrounded by vast jungles and remains wet and cold during most of the year. The Mattupetty Dam is located nearby and provides water for agriculture.
Economy:
This area had been almost entirely occupied by the Tata Tea Company and their withdrawal from the plantation sector the plantations have been handed over to Kannan Devan Hills Plantation Corporation Ltd. Tea plantations continue to remain the main sources of occupation and tourism is also one of the vital sources of income here.
Tourism:
Till a few years back Munnar remained to be a sleepy town but now there are various popular resorts and hotels here. The hills here with its beautiful springs and brooks are an ideal getaway for tourists who seek peace and want to enjoy nature. Trekking was encouraged as a sport in this area also. The Indo-Swiss Project, the cattle farm is a popular tourist destination. There are various popular wildlife sanctuaries here like the Kurinjimala Sanctuary, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Manjampatti Valley in Amaravati.
Transportation:
The nearest airport from Munnar is Kochi, which is 130 km away and it is also the nearest railway station, which is connected to all the major cities in India. The city can also be accessed by road from most of the cities and town in Kerala. There is local transport available in Munnar and these include taxis, auto rickshaws, bicycles and buses.
Mount Abu
State: Rajasthan
District: Sihori
Main languages: Hindi and Rajasthani
History:
Mount Abu is the highest peak in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan state in western India and it is located in Sirohi district. The mountains here form a distinct rocky plateau and the highest peak on the mountain is Guru Shikhar, which is located at 1722 meters above sea level. This beautiful town is also referred to as 'an oasis in the desert', as these heights provide home to rivers, lakes, waterfalls and evergreen forests, amidst the middle of the arid state of Rajasthan. The town has been referred to in the Puranas and has been called Arbudaranya or the forest of Arbhu. The word Abu is a diminutive of this ancient name and it was believed that the sage Vasishtha retired to the southern spur at Mount Abu following his differences with sage Vishvamitra. This area was once home to the meditating rishi and munis and there is a legend that Mount Abu is home to 33 crore Gods and Goddess. As per this legend the name Abu means son of Himalayas and the hill of wisdom. The town gets its name from Arbuada, the powerful serpent, which rescued Nandi the sacred bull of Lord Shiva. During the British rule in the country, Mount Abu was leased by the East-India Company from the Maharajah of Sirohi. It was then used as the headquarters for the resident of Rajputana until 1947, and also as a sanatorium for troops.
Geography and climate:
The town of Mount Abu is located at 1220 meters and is the only hill station in Rajasthan to have this elevation. This has been a popular retreat from the heat of Rajasthan and neighboring Gujarat for centuries and it is also the home to the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary. The weather in this area remains cool during the entire year with warmer temperatures during the summers. The nights are usually cooler due to the influence of the surrounding deserts. The rivers and lakes in this are provide greenery to the town and there is frequent rainfall due to the surrounding mountain ranges.
Demography:
As per the 2001 India census, Mount Abu had a population of 22,045 and had an average literacy rate of 67%.
Economy and education:
The economy here is mainly dependent on tourism but there are also various kinds of agriculture and forestry related occupations here. The town is also the home to some of the esteemed educational institutions in the country along with hostels.
Tourism:
The city has various Jain temples like the Dilwara Temples are a complex of temples, which are carved of white marble, and were built between the 11th and 13th centuries AD. One of the oldest of these is the Vimal Vasahi temple followed by the Lun Vasahi Temple were built in 1231 AD. Other tourist attractions here include the Achalgarh fort, built in the 14th century by Rana Kumbha of Mewar and the Kantinath Temple. The Nakki Lake is another popular visitor attraction of Mount Abu and there are also various Hindu temples here including the Adhar Devi Temple, Shri Raghunathji Temple and Dattatreya. There is also wildlife sanctuaries located near Mount Abu.
Transportation:
The nearest railway station from Mount Abu Road is 27 km southeast of the town and is connected to the main cities of India. The town is easily accessible through roads and the nearest airport is the Udaipur airport along with Ahmedabad.
Meerut
State: Uttar Pradesh
District: Meerut district
Main languages: Hindi and Urdu
History:
Meerut is an ancient city, which gets it's named from Ravana's wife Mandodari in Ramayana, because she hailed from Meerut. There is also legend that the town may have derived its name from "Maya Rashtra", which was the capital of the kingdom owned by Mandodari's father Mayasura. There had been archaeological excavations at 'Vidura-ka-tila', which were concluded to be remains of the ancient city of Hastinapur, the capital of Kauravas and Pandavas of Mahabharata. The city is also for being the 'sasural of Ravan' since his wife came from this time. It is said that city had been washed away by Ganges floods. The city has also been the centre of Buddhism in the period of Mauryan Emperor, Ashoka and remains of Buddhist structures have been found here. During the rule of Mughal Emperor, Akbar there was mint for copper coins here. Historical evidences show that in the eleventh century AD, the south-west part of district was ruled by Har Dat, the Dor Raja of Bulandshahr, who was later defeated by Mahmud Ghazni in 1018. In 1192 AD, Mohamed Ghori invaded the area when his general Qutb-ud-din Aybak attacked the city. At this time all the Hindu temples were converted to mosques. Then was the worse invasion of Timur. The city has also been associated with the Indian Rebellion of 1857 against the British East India Company and this emerged as the strongest freedom movement before independence.
Geography and climate:
Meerut is located at 28°59′N 77°42′E /28.98, 77.7 and has an average elevation of 219 meters or 718 feet. Meerut has one of the hottest towns in the Northern Plains with the summers being stuffy and painfully congested. The usual temperatures can go beyond the 44°C mark and the humidity is appalling. There is scanty rainfall here during the monsoons and the region is basically semi arid. The winters are the best time to visit the city and temperatures usually hovers in the range of 7-8°C.
Demographics:
Meerut City is also the headquarters of Meerut district and has population of around 3.44 million according to the 1991 census. Meerut has an average literacy rate of 58%, which is much lower than the national average.
Economy:
The city is known as the best gold marker for business in gold and there are also various other industries here. It also has various Pharmaceuticals and the manufacturer and there are various kinds of construction businesses emerging here.
Education:
The city has some of the best universities in the country and these include the Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Govt. Inter College Meerut and various other colleges.
Tourism:
The city has some of the oldest tourist spots in the country and one cannot help but get lost in the memories of the freedom fighters and the rich culture of the city. Some of the main attractions here are St. John's Church, Dargah of Shah Pir, Jami Masjid, Sardhana and many other tourist attractions also.
Transportation:
Meerut is only about 60 km away from the Indian capital, Delhi and is accessible via the national highway. The nearest airport is the Delhi international airport. The city has a railway station but even the Delhi station is accessed by most residents of the city.
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