Khajjiar is a small hill station in Chamba District, Himachal Pradesh, India. Another hill station, Dalhousie, is 24 km away.

Khajjiar sits on a small plateau with a small stream-fed lake in the middle that has been covered over with weeds. The hill station is surrounded by green meadows and dense forests. It is about 6500 ft. Above sea level in the foothills of the Dhauladhar ranges of the Western Himalayas and snowy peaks can be seen in the distance.

Khajjiar is often called the Mini Switzerland of Himachal Pradesh and was officially baptized thus by the Swiss Ambassador on July 7, 1992. It has a rare combination of three ecosystems: lake, pasture and forest, all in one place.

India has some of the most alluring beaches, majestic mountains, picturesque hill stations, surging rivers, magnificent historical monuments, ancient temples, exotic wildlife and rich vegetation. India is a large country spread over 3,287,590 sq. km with a population of more than one billion. India is a secular country where people have the freedom to practice any faith of their choice. As per the latest survey, Indian population consists of 80%Hindu, 14% Muslim, 2.4%, Christian, 2% Sikh, 0.7 % Buddhist, 0.5%Jain 0.4% Zoroastrian and others. According to Census of India of 2001, 29 languages are spoken by more than a million native speakers I India. In India there flourishes over 350 species of mammals and 1200 species of birds. India is where you find unity amidst diversity.

India boasts of some of the most enchanting beaches in the world. Calangute, Baga Beach, Colva Beach in Goa; Juhu Beach in Mumbai; Kovalam beach in Kerala; Marina Beach, Covelong Beach and Mamallapuram in and around Chennai.The majestic Himalayas, the Thar Desert and the sprawling Indo-Gangetic plains offer the tourist visiting North India variation in climate and topography. Himalayas hold some of the scenic hill stations of the subcontinent. Delhi, capital of India is also located in north India Delhi has many historical monuments. . Close to Delhi is Agra, which is famous for the Taj Mahal, the greatest monument of love. This resplendent marble structure is an architectural marvel and is one of the wonders of the world.

Near Agra are the twin cities of Mathura and Vrindavan – the two important pilgrim centers of the Hindus. In Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of Holy River Ganga lie Varanasi or Banaras yet another very sacred place for the Hindus. Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir have plenty of hills stations and the dry Thar desert of Rajasthan is home to the historic cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur where palaces, forts, gardens and lakes add variety and color.

While the lofty Himalayas have been guarding India’s northern frontiers, the southern plateau has been littered with some of the ancient temples, exotic palaces and scenic spots.The back waters of Kerala, the charming coral islands and the lush green hill stations in South India all beckon the tourists. The garden city of Karnataka, Bangalore is a holiday maker’s delight. Then there is Hyderabad, an enchanting city earlier ruled by the Nizam, Hyderbad houses the famous Salar Jung museum and the historic Charminar. The state capital of Tamil Nadu, Chennai is another historical place in the south, rich in cultural wealth. The golden Marina beach in Chennai is one of the longest beaches in the world. In Tamilnadu are the two fascinating hill stations Kodaikanal and Ooty where one can enjoy the peace and greenery. South India had many things to offer, what you need is to explore the region.

Pondicherry is the place where Sri Aurobindo Ashram is located. Pondicherry also has a salubrious beach alongside promenade and other historical French monuments.Amongst the most sought-after tourist destinations of western India are Mumbai, the largest and heavily populated metropolis of India and also its financial capital, the historic Ajanta and Ellora caves, and the holiday spots of Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar and Pune.

The 100 km. long coastline of Goa boasts of some of the loveliest beaches in the world. Sandwiched by the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, Goa combines scenic beauty with Portugese heritage. For the beach enthusiasts, Goa is truly a paradise that helps the tourist to discover an exciting new beach every day.Travel to East India and watch the cultural attractions of Kolkata, the Buddhist monasteries of Sikkim, the grand temples and beautiful beaches of Orissa, the Jagannath temple in Puri, where giant chariots are pulled by hundreds of devotees in an annual ritual. See to believe him wildlife, culture and exotic scenery of the seven sisters - the states of North Eastern India.

Tourism has emerged as an instrument for employment generation, poverty alleviation and sustainable human development. During 2003-2004, direct employment in the tourism sector was estimated to be 21.54 million. Tourism also promotes national integration and international understanding and gives support to local handicrafts and cultural activities.

Tourism in India has grown substantially over the last three decades. Foreign tourist arrivals in India recorded an increase of 13.2 per cent during the year 2005 as compared to the year 2004. India's share in the world tourism market during the year 2005 was 0.49 per cent, as against 0.44 per cent in 2004. Foreign exchange earnings during the year 2005 were Rs. 25,172 crores as against Rs.21,828 crores in 2004.

Domestic tourism plays a vital role in achieving the national objectives of promoting social and cultural cohesion and national integration. Its contribution to generation of employment is very high. With the increase in income levels and emergence of a powerful middle class, the potential for domestic tourism has grown substantially during the last few years. During the year 2004, about 366 million domestic tourist visits were made and for the year 2005 it was estimated at 382 million visits.

Holi (Hindi), or Phagwa (Bhojpuri), also called the Festival of Colors, is a famous Hindu spring festival experiential in India, Guyana, and Nepal. In West Bengal, it is known as Dolyatra (Doljatra) or Boshonto Utsav (spring festival).

On the first day, burning of the demoness Holika, Hiranyakashipu's sister, in a enormous bonfires at night. It is also know as Kama dahanam in Andhra Pradesh.

On the second day, known as Dhulhendi, people use the day throwing colored powder and water to friends and neighbor. The spring season, when the weather changes, they believe to cause viral fever and cold. Thus, the playful throwing of the colored powders has a medicinal significance: the colors are traditionally made of Neem, Kumkum, Haldi, Bilva, and other medicinal herbs prearranged by Ayurvedic doctors. A special drink called thandai is prepared, sometimes containing bhang (Cannabis sativa).

Rangapanchami occurs a few days later on a Panchami (fifth day of the full moon), mark the end of festivities connecting colours.

Holi takes place over two days in a while of February or March. As per the Hindu calendar, it falls on the Phalgun Purnima (or Pooranmashi, Full Moon), which will take place on March 22 in 2008. On the first day (22 March 2008 CE), symbolic burning of evil takes place, while the fun part of playing with colors takes place on the second day.

The Marina Beach is a beach located along a 12 km shoreline in the city of Chennai, India along the Bay of Bengal, part of the Indian Ocean. Unlike the short, rocky formations that make up the Juhu Beach in Mumbai on the west coast of India, the Marina is mostly sandy. Although many locals claim the Marina to be the world's longest or second longest beach. The width of the beach at the most widest stretch is 437 meters long.

Extent

The beach begins near Fort St. George in the north to Besant Nagar in the south, a distance of about 12km. A famous quality of the beach is the set of stone statues that adorn the roadside area of the beach. Most statues are of Indian/local legends like Mahatma Gandhi, Kannagi, Thiruvalluvar, while others have symbolic consequence like the Statue of Labour. Also memorials for M. G. Ramachandran and C. N. Annadurai, former Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu are present on the beach. Recently, a statue of actor Sivaji Ganesan was installed.

The Marina used to be famed for its pristine beauty, jolly feel, and rich ecosystems. However, since the middle of the 20th century, the beach and water has turn into polluted. An explosion of plastic bags, human waste and other pollutants have rendered many parts of the beach not viable. In recent years, many voluntary organizations have taken up the task of cleaning up the Marina and caring the ecosystem. Particular efforts include protection of Olive Ridley turtle nests along the Neelangarai section of the beach. Despite these problems however, a visit to the Marina is a sine qua non for any tourist coming to Chennai.