The Historic Silk Route

An interactive map that shows the land and sea routes and important locations of the historic Silk Route that was the used as trade network.

The Silk Route for Trade

The historic Silk Route refers to the vast network of trade routes that connected East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Europe through a complex web of land and sea routes. The Silk Route was established more than 2,000 years ago and remained a crucial trade network for more than a millennium. It facilitates the trades between Asian and European countries until the 15th century AD. For almost 17 centuries the Silk Road was the biggest world trade network.

The name "Silk Route" comes from the fact that one of the most valuable commodities traded along these routes was silk from China, which was highly prized in the ancient world.

The Silk Route was not a single road or route, but rather a series of interconnected paths that spanned thousands of miles across Asia and Europe. Merchants would travel from one city to another, trading their goods along the way. Along the route, various cities emerged as key trading centers, including Samarkand, Bukhara, and Kashgar in Central Asia, and Constantinople (now Istanbul) in Europe.

The Silk Route facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and culture across Asia and beyond. In addition to silk, merchants traded spices, tea, porcelain, jade, ivory, and other luxury goods. The route also played a crucial role in the spread of Buddhism from India to East Asia, as well as the transmission of Islamic culture and knowledge from the Middle East to Central Asia.

The Silk Route was not without its challenges, however. Traveling merchants faced many dangers, including bandits, extreme weather conditions, and political instability. Despite these challenges, the Silk Route continued to thrive for centuries, and its legacy can still be seen today in the many historical sites, artifacts, and cultural traditions that have been passed down through the generations.

The Silk Route was a remarkable feat of human ingenuity, spanning thousands of miles across multiple continents and connecting peoples and cultures from across the ancient world. Its impact on history and culture is immeasurable, and its legacy continues to inspire us today.

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Reserve Forests & National Parks in India

An interactive map that shows reserve forests and national parks in India, for nature-lovers and enthusiast, with nearest connectivity point.

Forests Cover in India

India's climate mirrors its geographical diversity, with the majority of the country experiencing a tropical climate. And so, a dominant part of the natural vegetation in India are covered by Tropical Evergreen forests.

Since 19.53% in the early 1980s, India's forest cover has increased to 21.71% in 2021. Adding to this a notional 2.91% tree cover estimated in 2021, the country's total green cover now stands at 24.62%, on paper.

Area-wise, Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in the country followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra. In terms of forest cover as percentage of total geographical area, the top five States are Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland. Mizoram has nearly 90% area of state under forest, followed by Arunachal Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh has largest area under forest.

Haryana had the lowest forest cover with respect to total geographical area in India at 3.63 percent. Trailing closely behind was the state of Punjab with 3.67 percent forest cover. Both Haryana and Punjab are located in the northern part of India.

Flora and Fauna in India

The Tropical forests in India support a variety of ecosystems with diverse flora and fauna. Forests include tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, and dedious forests, tropical dry deciduous, and thorn forests, littoral and swamp forests, subtropical hill, and pine forests, wet temperate forests, Himalayan moist, and dry temperate forests, sub-alpine, and moist alpine forests.

Wild lifes include Asian elephants, Indian (Bengal) tigers, different types of leopards, one-horned Rhinos (Assam, West Bengal), wild buffalos, monkeys, langur, gibbons, serows, bears, deer, sambar, gaur, jungle cat, wild boar, macaque, lemurs, sloths, squirrels, king cobras, Indian pythons, snails, innumerable endangered birds, which include owls, bats, vultures, eagles, hawks, and more.

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The Ramayana Tour (In Sri Lanka)

An interactive map that shows the places associated with Hindu mythological cum historical epic Ramayana in Sri Lanka.

Ramayana Proofs in Sri Lanka

As we all know, during exile Sita was abducted by demon king Ravana from Lanka. Lord Rama gathered an army of monkeys and bears to search for her. The allies attacked Lanka, killed Ravana, rescued Sita, and crowned Ravana's brother Vibhishana the king of Lanka and restored rule of law.

The island country Sri Lanka boasts something around fifty Ramayana-related sites, ranging from Sita's imprisonment to the battlegrounds where Rama defeated Ravana. Sri Lanka Ramayana tour mainly focus on the Ramayana historical places in the country that are truly living witnesses of the epic in Sri Lanka. These include places like such as Rama temples in Chilaw and Trincomalee, Ravana's palace in Sigiriya hill top, Ashoka Vatika in Nuwara Eliya where Sita was imprisoned, Hanuman Temple in Ramboda, Ravana Water Fall and Ravana Caves, Ussanggoda torched areas where Hanuman was set to fire with his tail, Kelaniya Vibhishana Temple in Colombo, etc.

Hence, with the Ramayana tour in Sri Lanka, one can get an opportunity to discover the mythological as well as historical sites that have their mentions in the Hindu epic of Ramayana that was written in approximately 200 B.C.E, that’s seven thousand years back!

In order to complete visiting all these Ramayana sites in Sri Lanka, one would need at least 7-8 days to maximum 13-14 days, depending on tourist’s available time for the tour. The tour would start from the capital city Colombo, and then subsequent transfers (in the order) to the locations Chilaw, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Kataragama. Finally take a flight from Mattala (near Kataragama) and get back to Colombo. Please browse the above map in this sequence.

Jai Shree Rama

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The Ramayana Tour (In India)

An interactive map that follows the sacred places and the associated travel routes related to the path taken by Lord Shree Rama during His exile in the Epic Ramayana.

The Ramayana Tour

The Indian Railways has started a tour called the ‘Shri Ramayana Yatra’ on 7 November 2021 that covers the sacred places associated to Ramayana. The tour, also called the Ramayana circuit tour, got an overwhelming response with 100% occupancy. According to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the “Shri Ramayana Yatra” theme based pilgrimage tour "Dekho Apna Desh" (Trans. See Our Country) initiative launched as an appeal by the Prime Minister to the middle class to prefer domestic tourism over international tourism.

The deluxe air-conditioned tourist train on the Ramayana circuit covers the prominent sacred places that are associated with the life of Lord Rama. The tour package of 16 Nights/17 Days will cover Delhi, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Sitamarhi, Janakpur, Prayag, Nasik, Hampi, Chitrakoot and Rameshwaram.

Some of the major tourist attractions that the tour covers are Ram janmbhoomi temple, Hanuman garhi, Saryu Ghat, Bharat-Hanuman Temple, Bharat kund, Ram-Janki Mandir, Janaki Mandir at Sitamarhi, Punaura Dham, Tulsi Manas temple, Sankat Mochan temple, Vishwanath temple, Sita Mata temple, Bharadwaj Ashram, Ganga-Yamuna Sangam, Hanuman temple, Shringe Rishi Samadhi and Shanta Devi Temple, Ram Chaura, Gupta Godawari, Ramghat, Bharat Milap temple, Sati Anusuiya temple, Trayambkeshwar temple, Panchvati, Sita gufa, Kalaram temple, Anjanadri Hill, Rishimukh Island, Sugreeva cave, Chintamani temple, Malyavantha Raghunath temple, Shiva temple and Dhanushkodi.

As per details available on the IRCTC website, in 1AC class, single occupancy charges Rs 1,12,955 per person; twin occupancy charges Rs 1,02,095 per person; triple occupancy charges Rs 1,02,095 per person; occupancy for child with bed charge Rs 93,335; occupancy for child without bed charge Rs 91,185. While in 2AC class of the tourist train, single occupancy charges Rs 93,810 per person; twin occupancy charges Rs 82,950; triple occupancy charges Rs 82,950; occupancy for child with bed charges Rs 74,185; occupancy for child without bed charges Rs 72,040.

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Indian Places of Worship in the US

An interactive map that shows Indian Places of Worship and Community Centers in the US that includes mainly Hindu and Sikh Places of Worship and Community Centers.

Indian Places of Worship and Community Centers

Indian communities have a rich cultural heritage that has been influenced by various religions and traditions. Among the major religious communities in the Indian diaspora in the United States are Hindus and Sikhs.

Hindus are the largest religious group among Indian immigrants in the US. They have contributed significantly to the economic, cultural, and social fabric of the country. They have established temples, cultural centers, and community organizations that promote Indian culture, traditions, and values. Hindu festivals such as Diwali, Holi, and Navaratri are widely celebrated across the country, and many Americans participate in these events.

Sikhs, on the other hand, are a religious minority in India but have a significant presence in the US. They are recognized for their unique identity, including their distinct dress and turban. Sikhism is based on the principles of equality, justice, and community service. Sikhs have contributed to the US economy as entrepreneurs and professionals, and they have also played a significant role in community service and charity work.

Apart from Hindus and Sikhs, there are other Indian communities in the US, such as Jains, Buddhists, and Muslims. These communities have also made significant contributions to the country in various fields, including business, education, and technology.

The Indian community in the United States has grown significantly in recent years, and with it, the number of Indian Places of Worships across the country has also increased. These Places of Worships serve as a center for the Indian community to come together, connect with their culture, and worship their deities. Indian Americans gather at these community centers to celebrate festivals, cultural events, and other social gatherings. They are an important part of the Indian diaspora, providing a sense of belonging to the community.

The first Indian temple in the US was established in San Francisco in 1906. Since then, the number of Indian temples across the country has grown significantly. Today, there are over 500 Indian temples in the US, ranging from small, community-based temples to large, ornate ones. Some major Indian Places of Worship and community centers in the US are shown in the above map.

In conclusion, Indian Places of Worship and Community Centers in the US are an integral part of the Indian community, providing a sense of belonging and identity to the community. They reflect the Indian diaspora's cultural and social identity and serve as a community center for social and cultural events. These facilities play a vital role in promoting cross-cultural dialogue and understanding, making them an essential part of the wider American society.

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J&K Region Explained

An interactive map that shows the divisions and areas of Jammu-Kashmir that are illegally occupied by Pakistan and China across the Line of Control (LOC) and the Chinese LOC. Note the area that resides inside the LOC and Chinese LOC lines that is now left with India after Pakistan and China's illegal occupations. Click to expand the legend button on top-left corner of the map window and check the content details. Zoom-in or out and play around the map to check the locations.

Jammu & Kashmir Disputed Area

Jammu and Kashmir is a region in northern India that has a complex history and a disputed present status. Here's a brief overview of the state on history and present status:

History:
The region was ruled by various dynasties and kingdoms throughout history, including the Mauryas, Mughals, Sikhs, and Dogras. In 1947, when India gained independence from British rule, the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir had to decide whether to join India or Pakistan. The ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, initially wanted to remain independent but eventually decided to join India. Pakistan, however, disputed this decision and sent troops to seize the region. This led to the First Indo-Pakistan War in 1947-48, which ended with a ceasefire line known as the Line of Control (LoC) dividing the region into Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Since then, there have been several other wars and conflicts between India and Pakistan over the region, including the Kargil War in 1999.

Present status:
India considers Jammu and Kashmir to be an integral part of its territory, while Pakistan claims the region as its own and supports separatist movements within it. In 2019, the Indian government revoked the region's special autonomous status, which had been granted under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. The move was controversial and has been criticized by many, including some human rights organizations, for being undemocratic and violating the rights of the region's residents. Since then, the region has been under direct control of the Indian central government and divided into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. The Indian government has said that its aim is to integrate the region more fully into the rest of India and bring development and prosperity to its people. However, critics say that the move is part of a larger Hindu nationalist agenda and has led to increased tensions and violence in the region.

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