How to find offbeat places

SANJAY_DEL · Jan 16th, 2007, 19:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

This is it! You're reading it right now

We've talked it over many times. Indiamike has a huge store of fact, research and relevant opinion.

I'd say, though, that for reasons of shere practicality, no-one is going to put all of its content together into another format, whether that format is online, on-paper, on-disc or whatever.

...and certainly not for free!

Which is one of the great stumbling bocks, because once it becomes commercial, then what about all the thousands who gave their work for free?

That is not to say IndiaMike is going to remain completely unchanged for ever and ever and ever (although Nadreg promises me that any changes he makes will be gentle

) --- but for now, lets just take it as it is.

Rather than cover all the same ground again, please have a hunt around the site, and you'll find most of the pros and cons and possibilities covered...

I often wonder, how did IndiaMike start?
Is there a thread on this?
Who started it?
How is the site funded?

steven_ber · Jan 16th, 2007, 19:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by SANJAY_DEL

I often wonder, how did IndiaMike start?
Is there a thread on this?
Who started it?
How is the site funded?

Look in the following thread....

About This Site.

The site is funded from the not so deep pockets of the owner, first indiamike, now Nadreg.

There is very limited advertising on the site, but I believe it doesn't even cover the hosting costs.

pranavganesh · Jan 16th, 2007, 22:33

May be its time that somebody starts a painful orderly documentation of the information available on the site......

But where and what do we start with......it seems to be a herculean effort....

I have been dreaming of writing an alternative to 5-star-ish Lonely Planets....and though i find Rough Guides and Foot Prints to be a bit more informative.....I still consider them to be JUST OK...

In 2004 I stumbled upon Bhraman sangi from a publisher from Calcutta.....it was very informative....but highly USER UNFRIENDLY......

So you see its time for a new documentation.....

cyberhippie · Jan 16th, 2007, 23:37

Brilliant an alternative guide to India, except it won't alternative for long if you put it into book form!!

My advic, follow your nose!!

mountaintrekker · Jan 17th, 2007, 00:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueInGreen

Most of us probably already have an LP or RG, but a free alternative would surely benefit many

WATS LP or RG ?

..
.
.

cyberhippie · Jan 17th, 2007, 01:47

Lonely Planet And Rough Guide

1066 · Jan 17th, 2007, 04:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by pranavganesh

I would like to share a way to find offbeat places for tourism purpose....

There is this site of all the districts in India....
www.districts.nic.inRegards

Bringing this thread back to the original post

This site is excellent, thanks for the link. I've used local / distrcit level sites before and found them to be very informative, so will find this site a useful source of background info for a future trip. But..... what is the best site to find individual places as this website is based around all the districts - so if for example I was looking at Orccha and wanted to know what else of interest was in the area etc what would the easiest way be of finding what out what district Orccha is in? Sorry if this is a bit of a dumb question

But would appreciate any info. Thanks

steven_ber · Jan 17th, 2007, 05:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1066

Bringing this thread back to the original post

This site is excellent, thanks for the link. I've used local / distrcit level sites before and found them to be very informative, so will find this site a useful source of background info for a future trip. But..... what is the best site to find individual places as this website is based around all the districts - so if for example I was looking at Orccha and wanted to know what else of interest was in the area etc what would the easiest way be of finding what out what district Orccha is in? Sorry if this is a bit of a dumb question

But would appreciate any info. Thanks

Very good point.

The above website is great for district info, but what district (and what is the bordering district for extra info?)

Maps Of India is good for finding where a district is in a state.

After clicking on Maps Of India, look to the right and find 'States, Districts and Cities', just below, click on 'Maps of Indian States', scroll down and click on whatever state you choose, you will go to another page with a choice of maps.

(using Madhya Pradesh as an example)

'District Map Of Madhya Pradesh' would lead you to a map of the whole state showing where each district is.

'Districts Of Madhya Pradesh' would lead you to a page with a list of districts, click on any of those districts for a basic map of that district.

Have a play around with it, it's fun.

Use Orchha as an example. (just south-east of Jhansi, Jhansi is in Uttar Pradesh)

I could tell you what district Orchha is in, but that would spoil the fun.

hawaiiyogagrl · Jan 17th, 2007, 05:46

Great site.
Unfortunatley, I just tried to pull up stuff about Dist. Raipur in Chattisgarh (who would want to go there?) and the links don't work as the server is down. Bummer.
Hope it comes up again, but having seen the wiring there, and knowing the fickle nature of electricity, it may be awhile.

1066 · Jan 17th, 2007, 05:46

Thanks for the info it should be a good starting point. I will have a play around it see what results I get!

1066 · Jan 17th, 2007, 05:56

It works! Fantastic. With these 2 sites up and running concurrently I can make a lot more sense out of where places are and where they are in relation to others. Thanks for the info / help Steven

steven_ber · Jan 17th, 2007, 06:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawaiiyogagrl

Great site.
Unfortunatley, I just tried to pull up stuff about Dist. Raipur in Chattisgarh (who would want to go there?) and the links don't work as the server is down. Bummer.
Hope it comes up again, but having seen the wiring there, and knowing the fickle nature of electricity, it may be awhile.

I want to go there (and Bastar).

There is a temple at Bhoramdeo (I know I've spelt that wrong) that looks fascinating, but Bhoramdeo is about 140 Kms north of Raipur and 100Kms west of Bilaspur.

BTW, I got a great (printed) district map of Chattissgarh from Stanfords bookshop in London.

ranjan154 · Jan 17th, 2007, 07:17

I guess for offbeat places, one needs to more careful ..hope it doesnt turn out to be too adventurous at times..

yatrayatra · Jan 17th, 2007, 11:55

Interesting thread. My two bit here.

LP and RG are the height of cultural arrogance - five people tramp round the country and then make a book out of it. These five people determine the "fate" of this country.

Sure, to be fair to LP and RG they are a great innovation and allowed many to leave home in the first place.

Times have changed and this idea of travelling needs better support . Thus, out with the imperialist guide books and what do we welcome in ? I look forward to more suggestions but in the meanwhile here is a thought :

a) People who take pride in their cities should inform visitors about their cities.

b) In England I know that many on their weekends off , volunteer to take visitors around.

c) Specific to India and possibly elsewhere , there is an army of retired people ( mature and with patience that comes with age and spare time) who can inform and guide travellers to their countries/cities.

d) All that is required is for an organization to register such people based on some simple entry norms and then let travellers meet them and rate them.

Yes, i am suggesting an end to guide books as cultural guides ( though they are great for hotels, maps , restaurants) !

I would like to say that Lonely Planet did a great service by " enabling men and women to step out of their homes and understand that there is another way of looking at things ".

However, what is now required is a different support structure that will 'enable a little more'.

capt_mahajan · Jan 17th, 2007, 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by yatrayatra

However, what is now required is a different support structure that will 'enable a little more'.

I have sometimes wondered what would happen if IM members living in India helped other members within their own geographical location.

But there are issues of safety, logistics, availabilty of time, and cost, amongst others.

Jan 17th, 2007, 07:17	#28
ranjan154 Amateur Photographer Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater Noida (India) Posts: 842	I guess for offbeat places, one needs to more careful ..hope it doesnt turn out to be too adventurous at times.. __________________ Rakesh Ranjan -------------- http://www.flickr.com/photos/travinfoindia/

Jan 17th, 2007, 11:55	#29
yatrayatra Account Closed Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: india Posts: 118	cultural arrogance ? increase employment , let the locals tell you about their cities Interesting thread. My two bit here. LP and RG are the height of cultural arrogance - five people tramp round the country and then make a book out of it. These five people determine the "fate" of this country. Sure, to be fair to LP and RG they are a great innovation and allowed many to leave home in the first place. Times have changed and this idea of travelling needs better support . Thus, out with the imperialist guide books and what do we welcome in ? I look forward to more suggestions but in the meanwhile here is a thought : a) People who take pride in their cities should inform visitors about their cities. b) In England I know that many on their weekends off , volunteer to take visitors around. c) Specific to India and possibly elsewhere , there is an army of retired people ( mature and with patience that comes with age and spare time) who can inform and guide travellers to their countries/cities. d) All that is required is for an organization to register such people based on some simple entry norms and then let travellers meet them and rate them. Yes, i am suggesting an end to guide books as cultural guides ( though they are great for hotels, maps , restaurants) ! I would like to say that Lonely Planet did a great service by " enabling men and women to step out of their homes and understand that there is another way of looking at things ". However, what is now required is a different support structure that will 'enable a little more'.

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Jan 16th, 2007, 22:33	#18
pranavganesh Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: India Posts: 137	May be its time that somebody starts a painful orderly documentation of the information available on the site...... But where and what do we start with......it seems to be a herculean effort.... I have been dreaming of writing an alternative to 5-star-ish Lonely Planets....and though i find Rough Guides and Foot Prints to be a bit more informative.....I still consider them to be JUST OK... In 2004 I stumbled upon Bhraman sangi from a publisher from Calcutta.....it was very informative....but highly USER UNFRIENDLY...... So you see its time for a new documentation.....

Jan 16th, 2007, 23:37	#19
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,014	Brilliant an alternative guide to India, except it won't alternative for long if you put it into book form!! My advic, follow your nose!!

Jan 17th, 2007, 01:47	#21
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,014	Lonely Planet And Rough Guide

Jan 17th, 2007, 05:46	#24
hawaiiyogagrl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hawaii Posts: 232	Great site. Unfortunatley, I just tried to pull up stuff about Dist. Raipur in Chattisgarh (who would want to go there?) and the links don't work as the server is down. Bummer. Hope it comes up again, but having seen the wiring there, and knowing the fickle nature of electricity, it may be awhile.

Jan 17th, 2007, 05:46	#25
1066 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hastings Posts: 66	Thanks for the info it should be a good starting point. I will have a play around it see what results I get!

Jan 17th, 2007, 05:56	#26
1066 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hastings Posts: 66	It works! Fantastic. With these 2 sites up and running concurrently I can make a lot more sense out of where places are and where they are in relation to others. Thanks for the info / help Steven

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