South Asia Travelogue

The Home of Mount Everest

BhutanKingdom of Bhutan

King & Queen

Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck is the "Dragon Queen" of Bhutan.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the son of Jigme Singye Wangchuck and the 5th and current reigning “Dragon King” of the Kingdom of Bhutan. He became King on 14 December 2006.

Tourist Spots

Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang

Situated in city centre, this small temple represents the heaven of Guru Rinpoche. On ground floor there are statues of eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche and paintings on Buddha's life while the next floor contains eight Bodhisattavas and statues of Avalokiteshvara and Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. On top floor, there is a main statue of Amitabha.

Tourist Spots

Gangtey Goempa Perched on a small hill that rises from the valley floor, the Gangtey Monastery is the only Nyingmapa monastery on the western side of the Black Mountain’sGangtey valley, Bhutan and also the biggest Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan. The Monastery is surrounded by a large village inhabited mainly by the families of the 140 Gomchens who take care of the Monastery. Gangtey was founded by Pema Trinley, the grand son of Pema Lingpa, the famous Nyingmapa saint of Bhutan. In 1613, Pema Trinley establish the monastery and became the first Gangtey Tulku. The religious traditions of Pema Lingpa still taught there. The second Tulku, Tenzin Legpa Dondrup (1645 to 1726), enhanced the size of Gangtey while keeping up good relations with Drukpas, and rebuilt the monastery in the form of a Dzong.

Emblem of Bhutan

"The national emblem, contained in a circle, is composed of a double diamond-thunderbolt(dorje) placed above a lotus, surmounted by a jewel and framed by two dragons. The thunderbolt represents the harmony between secular and religious power. The lotus symbolizes purity; the jewel expresses sovereign power; and the two dragons, male and female, stand for the name of the country which they proclaim with their great voice, the thunder.”

BangladeshPeople’s Republic of Bangladesh

Tourist Spots

Chittagong With a picturesque neighborhood of

large hill forests and lakes. Chittagong is a good vacation spot. It is the second largest city of Bangladesh and a busy international sea port. Its green hills and forests, broad fabulous beaches and fine cool climate all the time attract holiday makers. It combines the hump of an unquiet seaport with the pleasure of a charming hill town with its undulating topography. Chittagong is the country's chief port and is the main site for the organization of heavy, medium and light industries. Bangladesh's only steel mill and oil factory are also located here. Chittagong is joined with Dhaka by rail, road, air and water. It is also linked with Cox's Bazaar and Calcutta by Air.

Tourist Spots

Rangamati Road amid green fields and zigzag hills

will take you to Rangamati, the headquarters of Rangamati Hill District which is a wonderful depository of scenic splendid with flora and fauna of different descriptions. The township is located on the western bank of the Kaptai Lake. Rangamati is a favorite holiday resort because of its attractive landscape, scenic beauty, lake, colorful tribes (Chakma, Marma etc.) its flora and fauna, tribal museum, hanging bridge, homespun textile products, ivory jewelry and the tribal men and women who fashion them. For tourists the attraction of Rangamati are many, tribal life, fishing, speed boat cruising, water skiing, hiking, bathing or just enjoying nature as it is.

IndiaRepublic of India

Tourist Spots

Agra’s Taj Mahal is one of the most famous buildings in the world, the mausoleum of Shah Jahan’s favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of the New Seven Wonders of the world, and one of three World Heritage Sites in Agra.

Tourist Spots

Goa is Famous for its pristine beaches, in fact 90% of all the tourism in Goa happens only for its beautiful beaches in Coastal Areas. Goa has two main tourist seasons: winter and summer. In the winter time, tourists from abroad (mainly Europe) come to Goa to enjoy the splendid climate. In the summertime (which, in Goa, is the rainy season), tourists from across India come to spend the holidays.

MaldivesRepublic of Maldives

Tourist Spots

Coral Islands of Maldives

Beautiful Maldives is home of approx 2000 apricot reefs which makes scuba diving and snorkeling at Maldives an acclaimed experience, These coral reefs are home of bright fishes and added Marine life. Exploring these blissful coral reefs in this beautiful island country will offer the tourist a delightful and the most unique experience.

Tourist Spots

Maldives Adventures Scuba Diving

Maldives Diving is popular all over the World. November to May is the most recommended months for Diving in Maldives. Maldives offer different kind of diving. The coral reefs around the islands make interesting for Scuba diving in Maldives.

NepalKingdom of Nepal

Tourist Spots

Kathmandu

Kathmandu is Nepal's largest city and capital of Nepal. Kathmandu is situated in a valley in the heart of Nepal. Kathmandu is famous for many Buddhist temples and in it, mostly from the 17th century. One example is the Kathmandu's Durbar Square. Buildings that are open admiration in Nepal as a tourist attraction was built in the 16th century, contains a marvelous royal palace and many temples built in traditional pagoda style.

Tourist Spots

Nagarkot

Nagarkot is a popular tourist spot in Nepal. Nagarkot is located 32 km east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 2175 masl. Panorama of the main peak in the eastern Nepal Himalaya, as well as Sagarmatha (Mount Everest), can be seen from Nagarkot. Himalayan peaks like Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Langan, Choba Bhamre and Gaurisankar, all clearly seen from Nagarkot.

PakistanIslam Republic of Pakistan

Tourist Spots

Fairy Meadows

Home to the great killer mountain, fairy meadows is a paradise on earth, for the avid photographer it offers the most scenic locations, for the hardcore adventurer this is the base camp of Nanga Parbat mountain. It is an extremely peaceful place and has an incredible view.

Tourist Spots

Cholistan Desert

Located in Punjab it is a place that is famous for its brightly dressed people and rich culture. People of Cholistan live a simple life. They sing and dance to compensate for the desolate wilderness around them. Since the desert offers no colours, they wear vibrant combinations of warm colours and decorate mud house sand domestic animals with these colours. Snake charmers (jogis) are the real travellers of this lovely desert.

Sri LankaDem. Soc. Republic of Sri Lanka

Tourist Spots

Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization. From the 4th century BC, it was the capital of Sri Lanka until the beginning of the 11th century AD. During this period it remained one of the most stable and durable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. The ancient city, considered sacred to the Buddhist world, is today surrounded by monasteries covering an area of over sixteen square miles (40 km²). Anuradhapura is also significant in Hindu legend as the fabled capital of the Asura King Ravana in the Ramayana.

Tourist Spots

Arugam BayArugam Bay is a bay situated on the Indian Ocean in the dry zone of Sri Lanka's southeast coast. The bay is located 320 km due east of Colombo. It is a popular surfing and tourist destination. Due to its popularity among low budget tourists, the area has managed a slow recovery. By private initiatives only. The main road through town has still not been repaved. Work is in progress to improve road access to the area. But in Arugam Bay itself, little has changed. As late as May, 2009 no help has been received from any official source or international organizations. An exception is uncoordinated support for fishing folk as well as many school rebuilding programs, resulting in a continuation to provide only separatist schools for each community.

Bangladesh’ Cuisine

The name is derived from the Persian word beryā(n) which means "fried" or "roasted”. Biryani was believed to have been invented in the kitchen of Mughal Emperors. It is very popular in the Indian subcontinent and is a key element of the South Asian cuisine. Hyderabad, Malabar, Delhi/Agra, Dhaka, Kashmir, Kolkata, Lucknow and Lahore, are the main centres of biryani cuisine.

Bhutan’s Cuisine

Ema Datshi is among the most famous dishes in Bhutanese cuisine, recognized as a national dish of Bhutan. It is made from chili peppers and cheese; "ema" means "chili" and "datshi" means "cheese” in the Dzongkha language of Bhutan.

India’s Cuisine

Cuisine of Andhra Pradesh is a blend of Telugu cuisine along with Hyderabadi cuisine (also known as Nizami cuisine). The food is rich in spices, for which it is popular among south Indian cuisine.Rice is the staple food of Andhra people. Starch is consumed with a variety of curries and lentil soups or broths. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods are both popular. Seafood is common in the coastal region of the state.Hyderabadi cuisine includes popular delicacies such as Biryani, Hyderabadi Haleem, Baghara baingan and kheema. Various pickles are part of local cuisine, popular among those are avakaya (a pickle made from raw mango) and gongura (a pickle made from red sorrel leaves). Yogurt is a common addition to meals, as a way of tempering spiciness. Breakfast items like dosa, vada are influenced by spices native to Andhra Pradesh.

Nepal’s Cuisine

Dal bhat is a traditional Nepali staple food consisting of steamed rice and cooked lentil soup dal. It is generally eaten twice a day: mid-morning and early evening. Dal bhat from Kavre and Ramechhap (collage) Bhat means boiled rice. At higher elevations where rice does not grow well, other grain such as makai (maize), fapar (buckwheat), jau (barley) or kodo (millet) may be substituted in a cooked preparation called ' dhido or "atho. Bhat may be supplemented with roti (rounds of unleavened bread).

Pakistan’s Cuisine

Nihari is an Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi dish. It is a stew consisting of slow cooked beef or lamb garnished to taste and served with cooked brains or bone marrow.

The word Nihar originated from the Arabic word "Nahar” which means "morning" after sunrise Fajr prayers. This dish was usually eaten in the early morning (puritans would indulge in this delicacy before sunrise, right after the Fajr prayers).

Sri Lanka’s Cuisine

Rice and curry is a popular dish in the Southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, as well as in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Rice and curry dinner comprises the following: A large bowl of rice, most often boiled, but frequently fried. Sometimes Kiribath, rice cooked in coconut milk, is served. A vegetable curry, perhaps of green beans, jackfruit or leeks. A curry of meat, most often chicken or fish but occasionally goat or lamb Dhal, a dish of spiced lentils Papadums, a thin crisp wafer made from legume or rice flour and served as a side dish. Sambals, which are fresh chutney side dishes; they may include red onion, chili, grated coconut, lime juice, and are often the hottest part of the meal. Each bowl contains small portions, but as is traditional in most of tropical Asia, if a bowl is emptied, it is immediately refilled.

Maldives’ Cuisine

Coconuts

The coconut is used in the grated form, squeezed to obtain coconut milk, or as coconut oil in dishes that are deep-fried. Hunigondi is the traditional Maldivian implement used to grate the coconut. It is a long low chair with a serrated steel blade at its end. Grated coconut is used in dishes such as mas huni. The grated coconut may be alternatively soaked in water and squeezed in order to obtain coconut milk (kaashi kiru). The coconut milk is an essential ingredient in many Maldivian curries and other dishes.

Maldives’ Cuisine

Fish

The favourite fish is skipjack tuna, either dried or fresh. Other similar fish species that are part of the average Maldivian diet are little tunny (latti), yellowfin tuna (kanneli), frigate tuna (raagondi), bigeye scad (mushimas), wahoo (kurumas), Mahi-mahi (fiyala) and Mackerel scad (rimmas). These can be eaten boiled or processed. The processed tuna (Maldive fish) pieces are used in pieces or in shavings. In order to make curries, the raw or the still-soft processed tuna is cut into 1⁄2-inch-thick (13 mm) sections. Dry processed tuna is mainly used to make short eats called gulha, masroshi, kulhi bōkiba, kavaabu, bajiya (the local version of the Indian samosa), and fatafolhi.

Maldives’ Cuisine

Starchy items

These are starches like rice, which is eaten boiled or ground into flour, tubers like taro (ala), sweet potato (kattala), or cassava (dandialuvi), as well as fruits like breadfruit (bambukeyo) or screwpine (kashikeyo). Tubers and breadfruit are eaten boiled. The screwpine fruit is mostly eaten raw after having been cut into thin slices.

Maldives’ Cuisine

Curries

The most important curry in the cuisine of the Maldives is cooked with diced fresh tuna and is known as mas riha. Kukulhu riha, chicken curry, is cooked with a different mixture of spices. Vegetable curries in the Maldives include those that use bashi (eggplant), tora (Luffa aegyptiaca), barabō (pumpkin), chichanda (Trichosanthes cucumerina) and muranga (Moringa oleifera), as well as green unripe bananas and certain leaves as their main ingredients. Pieces of Maldive fish are normally added to give the vegetable curry a certain flavor. Curries are usually eaten with steamed rice or with roshi.

South Asian Tour

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Colombo is the commercial and financial capital of Sri Lanka after the administrative capital was moved to Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte, a suburb east of the city. Since Colombo's climate is tropical, anytime of the year is suitable for travel.

South Asian Tour

Delhi, India

Delhi is India's capital city and the home of executive, legislative, and judiciary branches of the Government of India. Delhi is known as the microcosm of India and is leading world’s top global cities with strengths in arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, professional services, research and development, tourism and transport all contributing to its prominence.

South Asian Tour

Kolkata, India

Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal and one of the largest cities in India. It is also the largest city in the historic region of Bengal (today's West Bengal and Bangladesh). Kolkata is an 'in your face' city that shocks and charms the unsuspecting visitor. Long known as the cultural capital of India and home to the Bengal Renaissance, Kolkata continues to spawn generations of poets, writers and film directors. If your trip only allows for a visit of one or two of India's metropolitan cities, than definitely consider placing Kolkata on your itinerary. Love it or hate it, you definitely won't forget the city on the Hooghly river bank.

South Asian Tour

Male, Sri Lanka

Malé pronounced Mah-lay, is the capital of Maldives. The city occupies the entire islet of Malé and is located at the southern rim of North Male Atoll.

South Asian Tour

Mumbai, India

Mumbai, a cosmopolitan metropolis, earlier known as Bombay, is the largest city in India and the capital of Maharashtra state. Mumbai was originally a conglomeration of seven islands on the Konkan coastline which over time were joined to form the island city of Bombay. The island was in turn joined with the neighbouring island of Salsette to form Greater Bombay. The city has an estimated metropolitan population of 21 million (2005), making it one of the world's most populous cities.

South Asian Tour

Patenga Beach

Patenga is a popular tourist spot. The beach is very close to the Bangladesh Naval Academy of the Bangladesh Navy and Shah Amanat International Airport. Its width is narrow and swimming in the seas is not recommended. Part of the seashore is built-up with concrete walls, and large blocks of stones have been laid to prevent erosion. During the 1990s, a host of restaurants and kiosks sprouted out around the beach area. Lighting of the area has enhanced the security aspect of visiting at night.

South Asian Tour

Athirapilly Falls

Athirappilly Falls is situated in Athirappilly panchayath in Thrissur district of Kerala, on the southwest coast of India. Located on the west-flowing Chalakudy River near the Vazhachal Forest Division and the Sholayar ranges, this 24-metre (80 ft) waterfall and the nearby Vazhachal Falls are popular tourist destinations. It is nicknamed "The Niagara of India”.Controversy about a state-proposed hydroelectric dam on the Chalakudy River above the waterfalls began in the 1990s and has continued through 2011.

South Asian Tour

Sixty Dome Mosque

The Sixty Dome Mosque is a mosque in Bangladesh, the largest in that country from the Sultanate period. It has been described as "the most impressive Muslim monuments in the whole of the Indian subcontinent.”

South Asian Tour

Drukgyal Dzong

Drukgyal Dzong was a fortress and Buddhist monastery, now in ruins, located in the upper part of the Paro valley in Paro District of Bhutan. The Dzong was probably built by Tenzin Drukdra in 1649 at the behest of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate victory over an invasion from Tibet. In the early 1950s Drukgyal Dzong was almost completely destroyed by fire.

South Asian Tour

Gangtey Gompa

The Gangteng Monastery is an important monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism, the main seat of the Pema Lingpa tradition. Located in the Wangdue Phodrang District in central Bhutan. The Monastery also known by the Gangten village that surrounds it, is in the Phobjika Valley where winter visitors – the Black-necked Cranes – visit central Bhutan to roost and in the process circle the monastery three times on arrival and repeat the process while returning to Tibet. The Monastery has a hoary history traced to early 17th century, backed to prophecies made by the well known Terton (treasure finder) Pema Lingpa in the late 15th century.

South Asian Tour

Memorial Chorten

The Memorial Chorten, also known as the Thimphu Chorten, is a chorten in Thimphu, Bhutan, located on Doeboom Lam in the southern-central part of the city near the main roundabout and Indian military hospital. The chorten, built in 1974 to honour the 3rd King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–1972), is a prominent landmark in the city with its golden spires and bells. In 2008, it underwent extensive renovation. It is popularly known as "the most visible religious landmark in Bhutan”. It was consecrated by Dudjom Rinpoche.

South Asian Tour

Wangdue Phodrang

Wangdue Phodrang is a town and capital (dzongkhag thromde) of Wangdue Phodrang District in central Bhutan. It is located in Thedtsho Gewog.

South Asian Tour

Kyichu Lhakhang

Kyichu Lhakhang, (also known as Kyerchu Temple or Lho Kyerchu) is an important Himalayan Buddhist temple situated in Lamgong Gewog of Paro District in Bhutan.

South Asian Tour

Mt. Everest

Mount Everest is the Earth's highest mountain, with a peak at 8,848 metres (29,029 ft) above sea level and the 5th tallest mountain measured from the centre of the Earth. It is located in the Mahalangur section of the Himalayas. The international border between China and Nepal runs across the precise summit point. Its massif includes neighboring peaks Lhotse, 8,516 m (27,940 ft); Nuptse, 7,855 m (25,771 ft) and Changtse, 7,580 m (24,870 ft).

South Asian Tour

Boudhanath

It is known as Khāsti in Nepal Bhasa, Jyarung Khasyor in Tamang language or as Bauddha by speakers of Nepali. Located about 11 km (6.8 mi) from the center and northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, the stupa's massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal.

South Asian Tour

Gosaikunda Lake

Gosaikunda, also spelled Gosainkunda and Gosain Kunda is an alpine freshwater oligotrophic lake in Nepal's Langtang National Park, located at an altitude of 4,380 m (14,370 ft) in the Rasuwa District with a surface of 13.8 ha (34 acres). Together with associated lakes, the Gosaikunda Lake complex is 1,030 ha (4.0 sq mi) in size and has been designated a Ramsar site in September 2007.

South Asian Tour

Preston Mosque

The Preston Mosque is a mosque in Preston, Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. It is the seat of Australia's leading Muslim cleric, Sheik Fehmi Naji El-Imam. Sheikh Fehmi Naji El Imam was appointed as Mufti of Australia in 2007 by the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC).

South Asian Tour

Kakani

Kakani is a settlement in the Nuwakot District of the Bagmati Zone in central Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census, the Kakani village development committee administered a population of 7816 living in 1343 individual households.

South Asian Tour

Shalimar Gardens

The Shalimar Gardens, sometimes written Shalamar Gardens, is a Pakistani garden and it was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in Lahore, modern day Pakistan. Construction began in 1641 AD (1051 AH) and was completed the following year. The project management was carried out under the superintendence of Khalilullah Khan, a noble of Shah Jahan's court, in cooperation with Ali Mardan Khan and Mulla Alaul Maulk Tuni. The meaning of the name Shalimar remains unknown, Russian scholar Anna Suvorova in her book "Lahore: Topophilia of Space and Place" has asserted that it is certainly an Arabic or Persian name since a Muslim King would never use a Sanskrit or Hindu name for a royal garden. The Shalimar Gardens are located near Baghbanpura along the Grand Trunk Road some 5 kilometers northeast of the main Lahore city. Shalimar Gardens draws inspiration from Central Asia, Kashmir, West Punjab, Persia, and the Delhi Sultanate.

South Asian Tour

Minar-e Pakistan

Minar-e-Pakistan literally "Tower of Pakistan") is a public monument located in Iqbal Park in Lahore, Pakistan. The tower was constructed during the 1960s on the site where, on 23 March 1940, the All-India Muslim League passed the Lahore Resolution, the first official call for a separate homeland for the Muslims living in the South Asia, in accordance with the two nation theory.

South Asian Tour

Avukana Buddha Statue

The Avukana statue is a standing statue of the Buddha near Kekirawa in North Central Sri Lanka. The statue, which has a height of more than 40 feet (12 m), has been carved out of a large granite rock face during the 5th century. It depicts a variation of the Abhaya mudra, and the closely worn robe is elaborately carved. Constructed during the reign of Dhatusena, it may have been made as a result of a competition between a master and a pupil. Avukana statue is one of the best examples of a standing statue constructed in ancient Sri Lanka. It is now a popular tourist attraction in the country.

South Asian Tour

Kelaniya

Kelaniya is a suburb of Colombo city in Western Province, Sri Lanka. It is known for the Buddhist temple built on the banks of the Kelani River, which runs through the suburb. It is also a religious center for veneration of the figure Vibhishana.

End of ReportWe would like to thank the teachers and the contributors for helping make this report a

success! Here are the people behind the report :

Dwayne CabelMembers of South Asia (Social Studies)

Ralph GeneblazoMembers of South Asia (Social Studies)

Eli UyMembers of South Asia (Social Studies)

Kim RuizMembers of South Asia (Social Studies)

Kristia PimentelMembers of South Asia (Social Studies)

Leanne MoralesMembers of South Asia (Social Studies)

Niro MabangloMembers of South Asia (Social Studies)

Julius EnriquezMembers of South Asia (Social Studies)

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