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temple has always been an attraction<br />
for the tourists due to its unique<br />
architecture and magnificent<br />
sculptures.<br />
The other notable place of travel<br />
for religious or recreational purposes<br />
is Dungeshwari (12 km), Muchalinda<br />
Lake (3 km), Gaya (12 km), Rajgir<br />
(80 km), Nalanda (96 km), Pawapuri<br />
(114 km). Since 1953, Bodh Gaya has<br />
been developed as an international<br />
place of pilgrimage. Buddhists from<br />
Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Tibet,<br />
Bhutan and Japan have established<br />
monasteries and temples within easy<br />
walking distance of the Mahabodhi<br />
compound. The site of the<br />
enlightenment now attracts Buddhists<br />
and tourists from all over the world.<br />
HAMPI<br />
The charismatic city!<br />
Hampi, as it is popularly known<br />
today was the medieval capital of the<br />
Hindu empire Vijayanagara (the City<br />
of Victory). Hampi in the Karnataka<br />
state of India is listed as one of the<br />
UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is<br />
identified with the mythological<br />
Kishkindha kingdom of Ramayana.<br />
Hampi formed one of the cores of<br />
the capital of the Vijayanagara<br />
Empire from 1336 to 1565. It was<br />
destroyed by Muslim emperors.<br />
Hampi was chosen because of its<br />
strategic location, bounded by the<br />
torrential Tungabhadra River on one<br />
side and surrounded by defensible<br />
hills on the other three sides.<br />
Hampi is charismatic even in its<br />
ruined state. It attracts thousands of<br />
tourists and pilgrims every year. Vast<br />
stretches of boulder-strewn hills<br />
make the backdrop of Hampi unique.<br />
otted around the hills and valleys are<br />
500 plus monuments. Among them<br />
are beautiful temples, basement of<br />
palaces, remains of aquatic<br />
structures, ancient market streets,<br />
royal pavilions, bastions, royal<br />
platforms, treasury buildings.., the<br />
list is practically endless. Hampi is a<br />
backpackers' paradise, the same way<br />
the pilgrims' delight.<br />
In Hampi at every turn there is a<br />
COVER STORY<br />
surprise. Every monument hides<br />
more than what they reveal. As an<br />
open museum, Hampi has numerous<br />
popular (100 plus!) locations visitors<br />
throng. The site is of great importance<br />
in terms of architecture and Historical<br />
significance. The demography is<br />
abundant with large stones which<br />
have been utilized to make larger than<br />
life statues of god. One can see a<br />
structure of historic importance every<br />
quarter of a mile.<br />
GOA<br />
Pearl of the Orient!<br />
Variously known as "Pearl of the<br />
Orient" and a "Tourist Paradise", the<br />
state of Goa is located on the western<br />
coast of India in the coastal belt<br />
known as Konkan. The magnificent<br />
scenic beauty and the architectural<br />
splendours of its temples, churches<br />
and old houses have made Goa a firm<br />
favourite with travellers around the<br />
world.<br />
The historic city of Margao still<br />
exhibits the influence of Portuguese<br />
culture. Portuguese merchants first<br />
landed in Goa in the 15th century, and<br />
annexed it soon after. The Portuguese<br />
colony existed for about 450 years,<br />
the longest held colonial possessions<br />
in the world, until it was taken over by<br />
India in 1961.<br />
Renowned for its beaches, Goa is<br />
visited by hundreds of thousands of<br />
international and domestic tourists<br />
November <strong>2007</strong> ✦ <strong>Pravasi</strong> <strong>Today</strong><br />
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