Asansol is the second largest city of Indian state of West Bengal after Kolkata. The city is located in Burdwan district of the state. It is one of the major industrial and commercial centers of India. The city has large work force, moderately higher per capita income, educational institutions and good transport facilities.  According to data released by International Institute of Environment and Development, a UK based policy research non-governing body; Asansol is among 11 Indian cities in the list of 100 fastest growing cities. Bengali is widely spoken language of the city. Hindi and Urdu speaking people are also found there. Asansol is a major educational center for the whole coal belt region the state from Dhanabad to Ranigunj. Economy of the city is based on coal and steel industries.  Though the Ranigunj coalfield spreads over four districts, Asansol is the heart of coalfield. The average Temperature of Asansol in summer is 30c while it is about 15c in winter. About 2500 year ago the region was a significant place of Jain activities. It is believed that the last Thirthankar of Jain religion, Mahavir Vardhaman once lived and worked there.

 Places to visit: 
Asansol houses many places worth visiting in and around it.

Asansol Kalyaneswari Temple :

Situated 20km from Asansol Kalyaneswari Temple is a pilgrimage center particularly for barren women.

Maithon Dam :

Maithon Dam is situated 20km from Asansol and is a place worth visit. 

Panchet Dam :

Panchet Dam is another dam situated 17 km from Asansol.

Satabdi Park:

Satabdi Park is an amusement park especially for children. It is also nice place to spend evening.

Joychandi Pahar :

Joychandi Pahar is a popular picnic spot. It is just 30 km away from Asansol.

Churulia :

Churulia is the place where famous poet Kazi Nazrul Islam was born. He was the national poet of Bangladesh. The village is about 17 km from Asansol. The village houses a museum of his works and memorial for him. A cultural program is organized on the occasion of poet’s birth day.

Rabindra Bhavan :

Rabindra Bhavan is a major cultural hub of the city. Sarat Mancha is another cultural centre located at Asansol Police lines.   

How to get there:

Asansol is well connected by rail and road to other parts of the state and the country. Being a major railway junction on Howrah- Delhi track, Asansol is connected to many other cities of the country. Many buses run by state government connect Asansol to many other cities and towns of the state.  Kolkata is the nearest airport for Asansol. The airport is connected by many flights to major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, etc. You can hire a cab to reach your destination.

Other details: 

Durga Pooja is the most important festival of West Bengal. The festival is also celebrated in Asansol with great enthusiasm. Holi and Naba Brasho are other major festivals celebrated in Asansol

 Mahuli Fort is located in Thane District of the state of Maharashtra. Mahuli is small town where this fort is situated. It is also the highest point in Thane district. It is gifted with hills and lush green thick forests. The government has declared the forest around the town as sanctuary. The Mahuli Fort is a famous tourist attraction in Thane. Although the creator of the fort is not known, it has historic significance attached to it.     It is a place where Shahaji Raje, the father of Shivaji Maharaj, along with wife and son Shivaji himself lived here for little time. The fort has seen many invasions by other rulers also. Maratha kings won and lost it in war many times.

 This famous fort of Mahuli falls in Kasara region of the state. The fort is situated at the altitude of 760 m. This historic monument is surrounded by dense forest. There is a river down the base of the fort and it adds to charming beauty of the fort and surroundings. The fort looks like a small finger shaped hill and that make it looks distinct from other nearby mountains. The fort offers a beautiful view of nearby Tansa Lake. The routes to interiors of the fort are very mystifying and baffle the new entrants.

 Apart from Mahuli Fort, Mahuli also houses other places of attraction like Tansa Lake and Manas Mandir. Marathi is widely spoken language in the region while Hindi is also spoken by many people. It has pleasant weather in winter. October to march is the best time to visit the fort.

How to reach Mahuli fort:

By train:  

Asangaon railway station is just 6 km from Mahuli and serves as the nearest railhead to it. The railway station is well linked to Mumbai and other cities of the state.

By road:

There are many state run buses and taxi services available from Asangaon to reach Mahuli. Asangaon is furthermore connected well by road to Mumbai and other cities and town of the state. 

By air:

 Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport of Mumbai is the nearest airbase to Mahuli. It is just 80km away from Mahuli. The air port is well linked by several domestic and international flights to other major cities of India and other countries. You can take a taxi from Mumbai airport to reach your destination.

Naldehra is famous tourist place in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. it is situated at the altitude of 2044 m and is just 22 km away from Shimla, a major tourist spot itself. In fact Naldehra is a part of Shimla region. Naldehra literally means the Abode of king of Snakes. It has a temple dedicated to the main deity Nag, the serpent God. It is famous for housing the oldest nine -hole golf in the country. It is beautiful place for golf course. The place impressed Lord Curzon of Briton so much that he gave his daughter Alexandra the second name Naldehra. Many completions are held on the golf course.   

Shaily Peak and Tattapani :
Shaily Peak and Tattapani are some of other places of interest in Naldehra. Shaily Peaks is covered with lush greenery and offers picturesque views of Naldehra while Tattapani is famous for its Sulphor    water springs. It is situated 56 km away from Shimla and has many temples in its surrounding.

Mahakali Temple :
Mahakali Temple is another place of religious importance near Naldehra. It is situated on the bank of Mahakali Lake. The place is very calm and offers picturesque views of its beautiful surrounding.

Mahunag Temple :
Mahunag Temple is yet another place of worship near Naldehra. The temple is located amid the famous Naldehra Golf Course. It is dedicated to serpent god Ananta Shesha referred in Hindu mythology.
Naldehra is abundant with thick forest containing pine and deodar trees. Horse riding is the best way to explore the beautiful forest which is not possible by other means travelling. Many horses are available at the price of about Rs 300 per hour.

Kogi Mata Temple :
Kogi Mata Temple is much revered place of worship. The temple is located in Kogi village near Naldehra. We can also see a number of traditional houses around the temple. The place is much visited by tourists.    

How to reach:
Many state run buses and other private vehicles connect it to Shimla, Mashobra and other cities and towns of the states and the country. Jubarhatti Airport at Shimla is nearest airbase to Naldehra. The air port is well connected to Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai and other major cities of the country. Kalka railway station is nearest railway head to Naldehra. It is about 112 km from it and well connected to cities and towns of the country.

Mathura is a city in Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is the headquarter of the district of the same name Mathura District. It is the birth place of one of the most revered gods of Hindu, Lord Krishna.  It is an ancient city and has some references in great Indian epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. Since the city has been invaded many times by Muslims kings, monuments and buildings in it have the blend of both Hindu and Muslim architecture.

Places to see:  Mathura houses many important temples and other interesting places in and around it.

Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi :
Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple is the most prominent religious place in Mathura. The temple is significant one as it is believed that it is the same place where Sri Krishna was born. There are many other small shrines of other god and goddess in the temple premises.

Geeta Mandir :
Geeta Mandir is another prominent religious place around Mathura. This is the place where entire text of holy Geeta (holy book of Hindu) is inscribed on its precincts. It is built by the Birla Group

Dwarakadhish Temple :
Dwarakadhish Temple is yet another place of worship in Mathura. It is a temple of Sri Krishna and was built by Seth Gogul Das Parikh in 1814. The temple is beautifully structured and has many images of Sri Krishna’s beloved Radha along with his own idols.  

 
There are about 25 Ghats around Mathura and each of them is related to Sri Krishna. Devotees are seen taking dip in the water there as it is widely believed that by doing so one gets rid of his sins.

Raja Bharatpur Palace :
Raja Bharatpur Palace is a prominent place of attraction in Mathura. It is beautifully structured and is perfect blend of Mughal and Rajput architectural style. Central part of the Palace is now converted in Museum and it displays many royal artifacts and other ancient articles.
Vishram Ghat, Keshevdeo Temple and Jama Masjid are some of the many other religious places in Mathura.

How to get there: Rail and road connects the city of Mathura to other parts of the Uttar Pradesh and the country. Mathura railway station is junction station and therefore it is well linked to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and other many cities and towns of the state and the country. Many state run buses and other private vehicles connects it to Allahabad, Agra, Faizabad and other towns and cities of the state. Indira Gandhi International Airport at Delhi is nearest airport to Mathura. It is just 148 km away and well connected by several flights to major cities of India and other countries.

Other details:  

Mathura celebrates all major festival of the country. But being the birth place of Sri Krishna, Mathura celebrates all festivals related with him with great enthusiasm.

Vasad Junction is located in the district of Anand of Gujarat state. This railway station comes under the jurisdiction of Western Railway centered in Vadodara. Station code is VDA.

Vasad city is at a distance of about 22 km form Vadodara, at about 20 km from Anand by road. It is on the banks of the River Mahisagar. Adas road station and Nandesari station are nearby stations. Major railway station is at Vadodara. Major trains passing through this junction are the Gujarat Queen running between Ahmedabad-Valsad, and the Saurashtra Express running between Porbandar-Mumbai. Passenger trains running between Mumbai to Ahmedabad stop at Vasad. Anand, Baroda, Pavgarh, Champaner, and Kheda are the nearby attractions.

Walajah Road Junction is located at about 5 km from Walajpet of Vellore district in Tamil Nadu. It is known as the oldest railway connection in Tamil Nadu. The junction comes under the jurisdiction of Southern Railways. Station code is WJR.

Walajpet is situated on the banks of Palar River between Chennai and Bangalore. The junction lies between Arakkonam and Vellore Katpadi junction on the railway route from Chennai to Coimbatore. Tirupati is the nearby big station at about 101 km from Walajpet, near Arcot. Vellore, Tirupati, Chittoor, Kanchpuram and Sriperumbudur are some nearby attractions.

Major trains passing through this station are Yasvantpur-Chennai Express (to and fro), Brindavan Express running between Bangalore and Chennai (to and fro), Chennai Mail, Mangalore Mail, Lalbagh Express, Mysore Express, Yercaud Express, and the West Coast Express. Passenger trains connecting Arakkonam, Katpadi, and Vellore run though this station very frequently.

Udhna Junction is located on the outskirts of Surat in Gujarat. Udhna railway station comes under the jurisdiction of both Western and Central Railways. Station code is UDN.

Udhna zone is a suburban area around Surat actually. It is a city connected to the Navsari-Mumbai expressway. Udhna junction is well connected to Amravati-Dhule and Jalgaon of Maharashtra state. It is situated on the Mumbai-Surat railway line. Nearby big station is Surat located at a distance of about 8 km from Udhna. Major trains passing through this station are Navjeevan Express running between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, Howrah Express running between Howrah and Mumbai, Tapti Ganga express running between Varanasi and Surat, Saurashtra Express, Udyogkarmi Express, and the Gujarat Queen running between Ahmedabad and Valsad (Diu and Daman).

Than railway junction is located in the State of Gujarat under the jurisdiction of Western Railways. Station code is THAN. The town of Than is in the Surendranagar district near Chorvira, Thangadh, Surajdeval, Mesaria, Dadali, Lunsar.

Than railway junction is situated at about 74 km from Rajkot. Rajkot is the nearest big station and also hosts an airport. Express trains passing through this station connect Somnath, Jabalpur, Mumbai Veraval, Surat, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Ahmadabad, Viramgam, and Okha. Saurashtra Mail, Jamnagar Mail, Somnath Jabalpur express, Somnath Express are some express trains running through this junction. Passenger trains are available connecting Surat, Bhavnagar and Ahmadabad.

Sorbhog Junction also spelt as Sarbhog, is located in the Barpet district of Assam. The railway junction comes under the jurisdiction of North Frontier Railways. Station code is SBE. The station is near Barpet Road station, at about 10 km distance. It is closer by 142 km from the Guwahati Junction and by 43 km from the Bongaigaon junction.

Barpeta, Manasa National Park, Bongaingaon, Goalpara are some interesting places near Sorbhog. Major train that runs through this junction is the Kamrup Express running between Howrah and Dibrugarh to and fro.  Passenger trains run connecting Guwahati, Bongaigaon, Alipur Duar and Lumding.

Sonpur Junction is located in the Sonpur city of Vaishali district belonging to the Bihar State. The junction comes under the jurisdiction of East Central Railways. Station code is SEE. It is a major junction situated very close to Patna airport (15 km). The distance between Patna and Sonpur station is going to be very nearer after the completion of Digha-Sonepur over bridge on the Ganges.

Nearby interesting places are Patna, Golghar, Vaishali and Gaya. The junction is well connected to Mumbai, Delhi, Assam, Kolkata, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Haryana Punjab, Kerala and Chandigarh by express trains. Major trains passing through this junction include LTT MFB special, DBG DEE PUJA Special, Darbhanga Express, Muzaffarpur Express, Sabarmati Express, Mour Dhawaj special, Swatantra S Express, Vaishali Express, Raptisagar Express, Bagh Express, Garib Navaj Express, Sadbhavana Express, and Amarnath Express. Hajipur is the nearest railway station.

Samdhari junction comes under the jurisdiction of North Western railways of India. Station code is SMR. Samdhari is a small village in the Barmer district of Rajasthan. The railway station is located near Jodhpur which is at about 82 km from Samdhari by road. Jodhpur is the nearby tourist spot.

Major trains stopping at Samdhari junction are Bikaner-Dadar SPl Express, Kalka-Barmer Express, Delhi-JSM Express, Malani Express, Jodhpur Gandhidham Express, Guwahati-Barmer Express, and the Haridwar-Barmer Link Express.  Samdhari junction is well connected to Delhi, Mumbai, and Guwahati. Frequent passenger trains are available for Jodhpur and Barmer junctions.

Sahebganj junction is located in the Sahebganj district of Jharkhand. The railway station at Sahebganj comes under the jurisdiction of Eastern Railways. Station code is SBG. This railway station belongs to the Howrah-Delhi main line which is known as the first railway track constructed by the East India Company. The Sahebganj Loop, that is how it is called, connects Khana and Kiul junctions. Katihar junction is the nearest major station, and Bagdogra is the nearest airport.

Sahebganj, Malda, Bhaglpur and Pakur are the nearby places of interest. Major trains passing through this junction are BSB SDAH Express between Varanasi and Sealdah, HWH Gaya Express between Howrah and Gaya, HWH JMP Express connecting Howrah with Jamalpur in Bihar, Brahmaputra Mail connecting Dibrugarh with Delhi, Farakka Express connecting Delhi and Malda, Vananchal Express connecting Bhaglpur with Ranchi, and Guwahati Express connecting Mumbai with Guwahati. Passenger trains running via connect Sahebganj with Malda, Jamalpur, Rampur Hat, Bhararwa, and Azimganj junctions.

Rajkharsawan Junction is in the Saraikela Kharsawan district of Jharkhand. The railway station comes under the jurisdiction of Eastern Railways situated in Chakradharpur.  Station code is: RKSN.  Chakradharpur station is at about 20 km from Rajkharsawan.  Tatanagar, which is at about 42 km is the nearest major railway junction.

Jamshedpur, Dassam Falls, Seraikela are the nearby places to be visited. Major express trains running through this station are: Dhanbad Express between Allepy and Tatanagar, South Bihar Express between Durg in Chhattisgarh and Danapur, SHM LTT Express between Shalimar in West Bengal and Mumbai, HWH Koraput Express between Howrah and Koraput in Orissa, TATA ALLP Express between Tatanagar and Allepy. Tatanagar, Chakradharpur, and Barbil are connected by regular passenger trains.

Virudhunagar Junction is located in the Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu. This junction comes under the jurisdiction of Southern Railway centered at Madurai. The station code is VPT. Virudhunagar is at a distance of 52 km from Madurai by road. Madurai railway junction is at 43 km. Kalligudi, Tulukapati, Sivarakottai are nearby stations.

Virudhunagar junction is a busy station in which around 39 express trains halt. Sivakasi, Madurai, Tekkady, Dindigul and Kodaikenal are some nearby attractions. Major trains passing through this junction include Nagarcoil Express running between Nagarcoil and Chennai, Pearl City express running to and fro between Tuticorn and Chennai, Pothigai Express, Kanyakumari Express, Tirukkural Express, Himsagar Express, and MS Guruvayur Express. Virudhunagar junction connects Mysore, Bangalore, Kanyakumari, Rameshwaram, Chennai, Nagarcoil, Tirunelveli, Madurai, Mumbai, Coimbatore, and Jammu Tavi.