Long weekends in 2013 to visit places in India

2012 is over, buddies! And what makes 2013 special, is the fact that the much dreaded and discussed apocalypse in the end of December 2012 did not happen. We are very much alive and kicking, so we should make the best of the life we have been blessed with. There’s a lot to do – and not just routine activities, but recreational as well. Its an opportunity to make the best of the long weekends in 2013 to visit different destinations in our country and rediscover the beauty of India all over.

Fog at India Gate in New Delhi

Its barely a week into January and the mercury continues to dip in the northern hemisphere. There’s a cold wave over India – its snowing in the hills, freezing in rest of North and Central India, quite cool in Bangalore and a pleasant warm weather in the coastal areas around Mumbai and Chennai. Who needs a further excuse to utilize opportunities to take a break over the weekend, far away from the ringing cell phone, beeping inbox, chaotic traffic and stress of daily life.

Clear Sky at Gateway of India in Mumbai

The calendar of 2013 has a lot of long weekends to plan for. You may need to take a day or two off from work, but when it is a question of a two day week end becoming four or five days at a stretch, no one would complain. The options to spend this spell of freedom are many: A holiday to rejuvenate oneself, or charge your batteries by just taking rest at home.  The key is planning and management of related matters such as funds, work loads, social commitments, etc.

Goa is a popular destination during the winter season

In the first month itself, Republic Day, January 26th is a Saturday. But those who work five days a week need not feel cheated. Id – E – Milad is on January 25th (Friday), so you have three days at a stretch. If the winter chill is bothering you, target the coastal areas. You can enjoy water sports in Goa, but make your bookings beforehand as the peak tourist season would have set in.

Opportunity of another 5-day getaway would knock at your doors in March – Holi is on 27th, a Wednesday and Good Friday is on 29th. So if you take a leave on 28th, you’ll get a continuous break. If you can manage to obtain leave on the 25th and 26th as well, you can club it with the prior weekend and have nine days at a stretch. Now, isn’t that exciting? You can plan for a long trip to your dream destination. The weather would be suitable for going anywhere. But since it’s the time of Holi, you may visit Uttar Pradesh, where the festival is celebrated with much fervor. You may also visit Shantiniketan in West Bengal, where a week long festival is held.

Spring Festival was started by poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore at Shantiniketan

The holiday mood gets a new boost in April with Ram Navmi on 19th, a Friday. There is another holiday coming up on 24th, Wednesday on account of Mahavir Jayanti. So, all you have to do is obtain leave on Monday – Tuesday or Thursday – Friday (or both) and plan for a trip to someplace nearby?

Shimla was declared as the summer capital of British India

The first day of May is a holiday on account of Labour Day. After two months of serious attempts to get back to the working mode, you have a month long of festivities. Id – ul – Fitr on August 9th, Friday would liberate you with a long weekend. Independence Day, August 15th is on the next Thursday, and Raksha Bandhan is on 20th, the following Tuesday. I can sense your eyes lighting up, as you read this. To add to your happiness, Janmashtami is on 28th, a Wednesday. All you have to do is plug in the gaps between these holidays to have not just “long weekends” but a “super long holiday”.  You can visit Mathura or Vrindavan during this time, where celebrations of Lord Krishna’s birthday is an event to look out for.

Vrindavan hosts hundreds of temples dedicated to the worship of Radha and Krishna and is considered sacred by a number of religious traditions

When you may have finally pressed the accelerator to work, October 2nd, Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, falls on a Wednesday. This year, Dusshera is on a Sunday, but as a compensation for this loss, Ashtami is on 11th, a Friday. Id – ul – Zoha is on 16th, a Wednesday, so you may take two days before or after to club it with the weekend.

Dusshara is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil

Festivities linger in the air till Diwali, on 4th November, Monday followed by Bhai Duj, the very next day. So, you get four days by default, and you may just run away into the hills. Discover hill stations in Himachal and Uttarakhand – the weather would be romantic, with a nip in the air, but comfortable.

December 25th to January 1st is the festive time when everyone wishes to enjoy.  Christmas (25th December) is on a Wednesday, and the first day of 2014 is also a Wednesday. You can easily take off on 23rd, 24th, and 30th, 31st to begin celebrating right from 21st!

Merry-Christmas

While so many long holidays in 2013, you may be wondering about what to do, where to go, relax and enjoy, get value for money and all related aspects. Come to us at The Other Home. Tell us the time you want to travel, and we shall work out solutions according to your needs. Browse our website, identify your options, and tell us what is in your mind. Share your budget, the type of experience you are looking for, the details of your companions on the trip, etc and relax. Let our team handle the rest. We have a bounty of properties and tie-ups all over India, with rich experience in the tourism sector to strengthen our ability to serve you the best.

Ski-in-Himachal

Enjoy 2013!!

The world’s highest cricket ground

The world’s highest cricket ground is in Cheil, Himachal Pradesh.

Built in Cheil, towards the end of the 19th Century, by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, is the world’s highest cricket ground. The pitch is 2444 meters above sea level and served as a playground for many famous teams including the MCC. The Maharajah had an eccentric sense of humour and often organized matches with strange and unusual themes.

Bhupinder Singh Patiala -Cheil, Himachal Pradesh

For instance, once he organised a game where all the players were required to come dressed as women. The Maharaja, himself, took to the pitch in a nun’s habit.

Cheil and the famous cricket pitch are about 45 kilometres from Simla

Things to do in Shimla

Simla, also known as Shimla, was the Summer Capital of the British. And here we bring you nine things that make it a capital experience, even today.

1.Jai ho!

Simla is filled with countless important and revered temples. But Shri Sankat Mochan is the only famous temple complex in Simla. It is filled with many smaller temples which are dedicated to a number of Hindu Gods. If you’re lucky, you might even be invited to join a wedding and see the traditional ceremonies being performed.

2.Monkey around

Arguably the most popular temple in Simla is a Hanuman temple called Jakhoo. Located on Jakhoo Hill, which is two kilometers away from Simla and is the hillstation’s highest peak. The temple naturally offers some of the most wonderful vistas of the town below and of the majestic, snow-clad Himalayas. At the temple you’ll also find countless mischievous but harmless monkeys who will happily take food from your hands.

Monkeys-around-Shimla

3.Meet the Mall

Simla’s Mall Road is where everyone hangs out to just walk around, shop for souvenirs and indulge in some people watching. The Mall also has a number of good restaurants, cafes, and bars. If you’re in the mood you can catch a Bollywood masala flick, then catch a show at The Gaiety Theatre.

Mall-Road-Shimla

4.At the door of The Christ

The Mall’s Ridge Road is an important rendezvous for people. But it’s also where you will find the 2nd oldest Church in North India. Simply called Christ Church, it has a majestic aura and fascinating architecture. Beautiful stained glass windows embellish the interiors of the Church and it attracts people of various faiths and religions.

Christ Church Shimla

5.Join the celebrations

Almost all year round, tourists can observe and even participate in Simla’s simple but enchanting festivals, which are filled with feasts, music and dance. Some of the important festivals are Lavi, The Summer Festival, Rohru, Halog and The Winter Sports Festival.

Band Baja Barat Shimla

6.A lesson in history

The Shimla State Museum opened back in 1974 with the mission to preserve the state’s cultural and historical wealth for future generations. Here, visitors can see many important artifacts such as miniature Pahari paintings, sculptures, traditional costumes, and jewelry.

Shimla State Museum

7.Go away for the day

If one wishes to go on day trips outside of Simla, then there are plenty of good options available. Amongst them, Cheil is favoured by a lot of people. It was the summer capital of Maharajas and has the world’s highest cricket pitch. But for golf-lovers the ideal location is the famous Naldehra Golf Club, in Naldehra. Another favorite spot for sports lovers is Kufri. This is the capital of winter sports in India and even has a small zoo, which is home to many indigenous animals.

Garden in Shimla

8.Be a Sport

For those who love sports, the place to be is Annandale. The place is less than four kilometers from The Ridge and is known as the playground of Simla. It stands at a height of over 6,000 feet above sea level from where you can enjoy panoramic sights of the region and join a game of cricket, polo or frisbee.

9.Hold the fort

Arki isn’t very near Simla but it’s a site historically-rich, which must be visited by people who can spare the time. About 50 kilometers away from Simla in Arki you can find an 18th century fort, which is a one of its kind monument in the region.

Arki Fort Shimla