State : Maharashtra Important temples Mumba Devi, Balaji Mandir, Walkeshwar, Banganga Tank, Babulnath, Mahalakshmi, Makareshwar Mahadev Temple, Siddhi Vinayak Temple, ISKCON Temple, Shankara Matham, Guruvayur Temple, Subrahmanya Swamy Temple, Titwala Ganesh Temple . Location The island city of Mumbai, which has a deep, natural harbour, is connected to the mainland by several bridges, and spreads linearly along the Arabian Sea on the west coast of India . Distances 154 km NW of Pune, 545 km S of Ahmedabad, 593 km NW of Panaji (Goa) Route from Pune Pune Expressway via Wadgaon, Lonavla and Panvel . There are a few hundred temples in Mumbai, some ancient and popular, some small and known only to the locals. But they exist as magnets of peace and quiet, spread all across this urban sprawl, indicating that the bustling com- mercial capital always has a moment to spare for faith and prayer. The name Mumbai is itself derived from Mumba Devi, the deity representing Mother Earth. Many of the city’s suburbs also bear the names of the temples they house. The immediate vicinity of most temples are full of colourful markets selling garlands, incense, and other things related to worship, signifying a blend of commerce and faith, in many ways an apt description for this pulsating city. Mumba Aai (mother Mumba) or Devi gave Mumbai its name. The goddess, who sits astride a tiger and is revered as Mother Earth, is said to be the guardian deity of the Kolis (fisherfolk) who were the city’s first settlers. She slayed the asura Mumba- raka and remained to rule the hearts of her devotees forever. The temple is currently in the locality also called Mumbadevi, but originally stood in the exact spot where the Victoria (Chhatrapati Shivaji) Termi-nus now is . A small group of seven islands, namely, Colaba, Old Woman’s Island (now known as Malabar Hill), Mumbadevi, Mazgaon, Worli, Parel-Sion and Mahim, collectively called Bombay and inhabited primarily by the Kolis, was where the British set up a commercial hub in the late 1600s. Thus most of Mumbai’s colonial architecture, including landmarks such as the Gateway of India, Flora Fountain, the Prince of Wales Museum and the Rajabai Clock Tower among them, is to be found beyond Central Bombay to the ends of South Bombay. Most of these heritage structures still stand strong, even though little is being done to maintain them well, as they stand braving the intense Mumbai mon- soon, which lashes the city for almost five months every year. Mumbai grew into India’s most populous metropolis as more and more people from other parts of India were drawn to the promise of this ‘dream city’ of better opportunities . Though a vast city spread across 55 km , Mumbai is traversed thanks to it mostly reliable but crowded local train network, divided into three sections Tines: Central, Western and Harbour. The Central Railway (CR) line operates between en Thane (a district-suburb to the me north-east, out of the Greater city limits, separated from the and by a creek) and the Chhatrapati Terminus (CST, formerly known as Victoria Terminus, situated at the southern end of the city). The Western Railway (WR) line runs between Virar in north to Churchgate, also to the south. The Harbour line connects CST and Navi Mumbai, another district to the north-east. The two key terminals, CST and where Churchgate, are at a walking distance of about 11/2 km from each other, but the trains that ply from them spread out to different directions of the city (the central suburbs and western suburbs respectively). It’s convenient, not to forget cheap, to use ely, the public transport system to access Mumbai’s many wonders. Newcomers should avoid travelling in local trains vely during peak office rush hours in the mornings and evenings.

Formerly known as bori bunder and also victoria terminus the chatrapati shivaji maharaja terminus in mumbai is an outstanding example of victorian gothic revival architecture in india , blended with themes from Indian traditional architecture. Designed by the british architect f.w.stevens this railway terminus building was built over 19 years beginning 1878 and its high victorian gothic design was based on late medieval italian models . The stone dome , turrets , pointed arches and eccentric ground plan resemble indian palace architecture giving a distinct style that is unique to mumbai . This building became a symbol for mumbai as a mercantile port in the british commonwealth and at the the same time an outstanding example of 19th century railway architecture when the railway was introduced in india . The busiest railway station in the world this building houses the terminus for suburban as well as long distance trains named after the great king of the maratha empire chhatrapati shivaji maharaj it was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 2004 .

From its crumbling mansions and slated windows to its notorious club culture kolkata has a distinct charm that settles into the mind of the onlooker and transports you right back to the days of the empire . A melting pot of several colonial behests this heritage city is a tribute to a time gone by . Kolkata is the second largest city in india after mumbai and is the capital of the eastern state of west bengal . Established first as a trading part for the east india company by job charnock in 1690 it held fort as the grand capital of the british in india till 1911 . The city was built by british by joining the three villages of gobindpur , sutanuti and kalikat . A bustling metropolis now the city has always been a confluence of culture as several colonial traders established themselves here in their conquests of the orient . Though in terms of economic prosperity it may have long been overtaken by mumbai and delhi . Kolkata remains the mecca of intellectual prowess and cultural vibrancy. Eulogised in literature and cinema and arguably one of the most beautiful cities to photograph despite its squator and over population this city with its layered history and influential opinion makers futuristic in their vision continues to exist outside its time . The city of kolkata originally developed in two parts the white town consisted of the colonial district around the arterial chowringhee road and the dalhousie square . The black town which centered around north kolkata was inhabited by indians .North kolkata remains the oldest part of the city and is characterized by its decrepit structure , overcrowded alleyways and densely populated areas such as shobhabazar , nakodha masjid , burrabazaar , baghbazaar , calcutta ùniversity and college street . Towards the centre lies kolkata’s commercial district which also houses most government buildings the grand colonial structure of dalhousie square and the esplanade area , high streets and prominent places of worship including cathedrals and jewish synagogues . The sprawling maidan area adjoins the district giving it an air of openness in the heart of the city . South kolkata comprises more affluent neighborhoods and shopping arcades and malls . Recently there has been a surge in development of east kolkata where areas of salt lake city , rajarhat , new town and em bypass have been transformed into major economic and it hubs 

One of the coldest and most uninhabited places in the world is also one of breath taking beauty. The white continent of antartica is the fifth largest continent in the world and covers the south pole .It wasn’t until 1820 that this continent was first discovered. Also a cold desert situated within the antarctic circle and surrounded by southern ocean the continent stretches over 14 million sq kms . Of this 98% is covered with thick ice sheets antartica has 70 % of all the world’s freshwater frozen as ice and 90 % of worlds ice . In fact the antarctic ice sheet is the single largest mass of ice on the planet . The remaining 2 % of ice free areas are where you would find research stations which are about 4000 in short summer and 1000 in winter . In 1983 antarctica recorded the lowest ever temperature on earth of -89 c . The continent is witness to many unusual spectacles. Like the aurora australis a curtain of red or green light that appears in the sky . Another beautiful phenomenon is diamond dust . This occurs when water vapour condenses in the cold air and forms tiny ice crystals . When the sun rays glint off these crystals as they fall to the ground it presents a lovely sight . Hiding under the antarctic ice is an entire freshwater lake . Lake vostok is buried beneath 3.7 kilometers of solid ice . This world of ice and snow is a nestling ground for variety of wildlife. Like migratory birds , penguins and many marine animals like seal , whales , krill and fish . Penguins are most common bird in antarctica and live in large colonies . Each of these animals have different adaptive features for surviving the continents extreme cold . The lack of moisture and low temperature make it hard for plants to grow . There are no trees or shrubs and only two species of flowering plants are known to grow here . However some species of lichen , moss and algae that can survive the hash conditions are found here . Like the artic to the north most of the continent is completely dark during the winter . But during summer more sunlight reaches the south pole than over a similar duration at the equator. 

The red fort complex or lal qila complex in delhi was built by mughal king shahjahan in mid 17 th century. Enclosed within the massive red sand stone walls which stands 75 feet high punctuated by turrets and bastions is a complex of palaces , entertainment halls , projecting balconies , baths indoor canals , geometrical gardens as well as an ornate mosque . Among the most famous structures of the complex are the hall of public audience ( diwan -i- am ) which has 60 red sandstone pillars supporting a flat roof and hall of private audience ( diwan – I- khas ) which is smaller with a pavilion of white marble. The planing of the palace is based on islamic prototypes but each pavilion demonstrates architectural elements typical of mughal building reflecting a fusion of persian , timurid , and hindu tradition. Spread over 255 acres this whole complex was designated as UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007 .

The mighty himalayan chain stretches from arunachal pradesh in north east india to jammu and kashmir the northern most tip of india . Generally the himalayas the karakoram and the hindu kush are considered to be a part of one chain . However when one makes a reference to the indian himalayas . It more often than not refers to that part of the himalayan chain which falls within indian territory. Starting from the east the indian himalayas originate from a knot between china and india where the brahmaputra river enters arunachal pradesh . The chain continues until the borders of bhutan . Beyond that lies sikkim which is home to many peaks including the third highest peak in the world khangchendzonga . The himalayan ranges to the west fall within nepalese territory until the border of kumaon and grahwal. From here the ranges extend without a break in indian territory- kinnaur , spiti , kullu, lahaul , zanskar , ladakh , and east karakoram . The ranges further west are part of pakistan and afghanistan. A climbing or trekking trip in the indian himalayas can be more enjoyable if you acquaint yourself with the regions rich geography , history and biodiversity. 

Regions of the indian himalayas broadly consists of following regions:
1 . Kumaon ( Central Himalayas Uttarakhand State ) 
2 . Garhwal ( Central Himalayas Uttarakhand State ) 
3 . Kinnaur ( North West Himalayas Himachal Pradesh) 
4 . Spiti ( North West Himalayas Himachal Pradesh) 
5 . Kullu ( North West Himalayas Himachal Pradesh) 
6 . Lahaul / Northern Valleys ( North West Himalayas Himachal Pradesh ) 
7 . Kishtwar ( Western Himalayas) 
8 . Kashmir ( Western Himalayas) 
9 . Zanskar ( Western Himalayas) 
10 . Ladakh ( Western Himalayas) 
11 . East Karakoram ( Western Himalayas) 
12 . Sikkim ( Eastern Himalayas )
13 . Arunachal Pradesh ( Eastern Himalayas )

The himalayas have played an important role in shaping indias history in many ways the two are inextricably linked . For thousands of years the himalayas have protected the indian subcontinent from marauding central asian tribes .Their height prevent the moisture rich clouds of the south western monsoon from completely by passing the country .The mountains also black cold wings from central asia that would have turned the great indian plains into a cold desert . All the great rivers in north india originate from glaciers high up in thee mountains .The rivers also carry rich alluvial soil from these ranges down to the plains which result in extremely fertile soil that support high agricultural yields .

Located in old locality on hyderabad . Built in between 1590 and 1591 the charminar is a true masterpiece of qutub shahi architecture and is now used to represent hyderabad pictorally . Made out of limestone and mortar the charminar has four imposing arches each 11 m wide and 11.5 m high . Above the arches lies the first floor with arcaded balcony that runs around the structure with openings to both its interior and exterior sides . There are accounts of the first floor once being used as madrasa and chambers here are meant for students.  On the second floor is a mosque with five arches that display exquisite stucco designs . The mosque has prayers hall’s that can accommodate 45 people in all . A large open space in front of it was utilised during friday prayers . On the eastern end of the mosque a dome and petal shaped flutings  

The pentagon the headquarters of the us dept of defence located just outside washington in arlington. Virginia is one of the world’s largest office buildings. The building was designed by americian architect george bergstrom and has five sides five floors above the ground two basements levels and five ring corridors per floor with a total of 17.5 mi ( 28.2 km ) of corridors . The central five acre ( 20,000 sqm ) pentagonal plaza is nicknamed ground zero on the presumption that it would be a prime target in a nuclear war . Completed in jan 1943 after 16 months of construction the complex has 19 escalators , 284 restrooms , 691 water fountains three times the floor space of the empire state building and houses about 26000 employees. In the buildings main concourse is the hall of heroes a room dedicated to people who have received the medal of honor the united states highest military decoration. The pentagon memorial also known as the 9 / 11 memorial located outside was built to remember the people who lost their lives in the attacks of 9 / 11 .

Venice spread over 118 islands and founded in the 5 century became a major maritime power in the 10th century. The whole city and its lagoon is an extraordinary architectural masterpiece in which even the smallest building contains work by some of the world’s great artists such as giorgione , titian , tintoretto , veronese etc . The most famous place in venice is piazza san marco , or st marks square the centre from which rises the homonymous , five domed st marks basilica . Bronze horses dominate its main entrance while the interior is covered in mosaics ( mostly in gold ) that recounts scenes from the bible.  Next to basilica is ducal palace which has the elaborate and lavish higher council hall . The bell tower in front was constructed in 1902 . Bridges here are distinctly different such as rialto bridge and bridge of sigh . The city of venice and its lagoon which covers 50, 000 sq km were designated a unesco world heritage site in 1987 .

The darjeeling himalayan railway which is also known as a toy train runs between new jalpaiguri & darjeeling . Running on the narrow gauge it was built between 1879 & 1881 . The distance is around 78 kilometers with 13 stations enroute . The most interesting part is that it travels over the elevated terrain from 100 meters to 2,200 meters . The most outstanding example of a hill passenger railway.  It’s designed applies bold and ingenious engineering solutions in connecting beautiful mountainous terrain . This unesco world heritage site railways has a station named ghum which is the highest railway station in india.  All the three railways are fully operational till date .