Rajasthan Tourism: Marwar festival in Jodhpur

Fairs and Festivals in Rajasthan are colourful and lively affairs. Normally mythological in nature the celebrations relate to Gods and Goddesses, while others are celebrated to commemorate the brave deeds of medieval heroes. The Marwar Festival, held in memory of the heroes of Rajasthan is one such example.

History of the Marwar Festival

The Marwar Festival Jodhour is one of the most awaited festivals of Rajasthan. The festival was originally known as “Maand” Festival. Reflecting the rich culture of the place, the festival is celebrated with a lot of excitement and zeal.The Marwar Festival in Jodhpur actually acts as remembrance to the heroes of Rajasthan. The festival is celebrated in the Hindu month of Ashwin (Sept-Oct) in Jodhpur, the former capital of Marwar Province. The festival has on display the music and dance of the Marwar region. The spirited folk dancers assembled here, perform with gusto and entertain the audience with Rajasthani folklore.These folk artists bring to life the myth and legends of the area and sing songs inmemory of the brave heroes. Other attractions of the festival include horse riding and horse polo. Various other competitions are also held during the festival.This festival also attracts a large number of foreign tourists. By visiting Rajasthan during the festival, they also gain a lot of knowledge about the heroes of the bygone era of Rajasthan. The festival is also embedded with a number of cultural events. Music and dance makes the festival more attractive. These cultural events not only add entertainment options for the visitors. They also reflect he rich culture of the place.

Marwar-festival

The festival also holds further value for the tourists. They provide a deep insight into the rural life of the people of Rajasthan. The dance postures which involve folk dancer carrying pots on their heads are a treat to the eye. These performances are usually held at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Mandore and Mehrangarh Fort. The festival also has further attractions like camel tattoo show and polo.This is festive time and the performances take on a romantic and ethereal hue as it is full moon on those days. Besides the song and dances that are the hallmarks of the Marwar Festival, the audience is regaled with Rajasthani folklore that keep the myths and beliefs of yester years alive. Competitions and activities like horse riding and polo complete the scintillating event.

Why Jodhpur is the best location for the Festival

Jodhpur celebrates the die-hard courage of the heroes of the land, the Rajputs, who are the sons of royal houses. The massive Meharangarh fort and the impressive Umaid Bhawan Palace which are symbols of might and valour of the Rajputs, make Jodhpur an ideal location for the festival. The humongous fort is an apt place to enjoy the beauty of the beautiful blue city.

View-of-Jodhpur-City

What to expect at the Festival

Bringing to life the legendary folklores of the area, the folk artists do complete justice to it. Listening to the folk musicians singing praises of the bygone heroes may not be completely understood by all but the fierce intensity can be strongly felt in these songs  whatever language you speak. Being in the audience to the buoyant and spirited performers of the folk dances is an immerse experience. Watching the folk dancers, who accurately balance the earthen pots on their heads and dance to the rhythm of the songs sung by the singers, leaves the spectators in awe.

Dance-in-Marwar-Festival

The typical Kalbeliya dance has made a mark internationally and you can witness it here in its own land with the true Indian spirit.

Bringing alive the competitive spirit of Rajasthan

Other attractions of the festival include horse riding and horse polo. Various other competitions are also organized during the festival. Women participate in henna competition, which involves the art of making intricate designs on palms with henna. Rajasthani men take immense pride in their moustache. A turban-tying and moustache competition for men is one of the highlights of the day.

Marwar-Music

The concept of valour and courage is woven intricately in almost every historical epic of a country. The harshness of the so called fighters is part of their personality. Their stamina to endure any given situation is remarkable. The Rajputs have set a milestone and created a rich history and celebrating these heroic tales allows participants to recognise the toughness of these fighters and the richness of the past.

Souvenirs to bring back home

A small fete is organized by the state tourism and cultural board wherein a number of craftsmen display their skills, you can buy numerous craft items and souvenirs displayed at the stalls set up here, known as “Haats”.

Dates for the Festival

For 2012 the festival is being held on the 28th and 29th of October.In 2013 the festival will take place on the 17th and 18th October

It is only by witnessing a festival such as the Marwar  that you can really appreciate the magnificent historical past of Rajasthan!

Swaad with Sharmaji

The tea culture in India

There are many stories that unfold and friendships forged over a cup of tea. The tea culture in India provides a strong foundation for casual chats with complete strangers on your travels.

Local-Chai-ki-Thaddi

The Indian landscape is dotted with small tea shops across the nation – this one peculiarly does not have a regional flavour to it. It’s amazing how inhibitions are lost when you are offered a cup of tea by a local and how people in India take it upon themselves to guide and suggest you the ‘appropriate’ thing to do when you are passing through their city. So enjoy the warm hospitality mixed in a piping hot cup of tea while in India.

Very-Hot-Tea

While social nuances are built on this affable beverage, surely the culture must have started with the widespread cultivation of the same. The neat rows of tea plants are spread across the country from Assam in the North East and the mild hills of Nilgiris. Many tea plantations are rapidly becoming travelling hubs due with great places to stay and charming landscapes attached to these. New favourites for travellers include Munnar, Nilgiris, Assam, parts of Nagaland, Siliguri, Darjeeling and Wayanad. You can also have tea tasting sessions with experts in these plantation factories.

Chai-Ke-Baagan

Try a cup of tea from any of these places to understand the cultural diversity in India:

The mud ‘kulhads’

Mud cups or ‘kulhads’ in the Indian trains used to be very famous. Bio degradable and clean, the taste of tea from these was truly inimitable. These cups are fast fading in the progress and advent of plastic, but still hold a heart warming charm to them.

Kulhad-wali-Chai

Tea Lounges

The concept of tea lounges is not new in India. Many plantations had a section for tea tasting which have been expanded as lounges these days. Some of the better tea lounges can be found in the Nilgiris and even in cities. Try Tranquilitea and Infinitea both based out of Coonoor and Bangalore respectively.

The Narrow Streets of Varanasi

As much is the place famous for its ghats and spiritual connections, the tea shops of Varanasi make a common ground of hundreds of travellers meeting over a warm cup. Tea shop owners busy themselves with meter long pouring techniques as shops fill up with visitors in the mornings and evenings. This scenario can be found throughout India.

Chai-in-Narrow Streets of Varanasi

Cycle Walahs

If you head out in a city early in the morning, you can find tea cups being doled out in plenty by cycle vendors precariously balancing a huge container of tea and coffee by the side of the road.

Kadak-Chai-Dena

Enjoy the variety of settings , tastes and company with each cup of tea that you encounter in India.

Swaad with Sharmaji

Uttrakhand Tourism: Things to do in Nighlat

A Hidden Treasure in Uttrakhand

For travellers looking to get off the beaten track and find a remote and unexplored destination is the small town of Nighlat, tucked away in the rolling hills of Uttrakhand is just waiting to be discovered and is one of the top places near Nainital to extend a holiday there.

Trekking-in-Nighlat

Close to Nainital and Bhimtal discover things to do in this secret location where you can appreciate the soothing calm of the mountains. Here are are top seven things to do in Nighlat.

Hikes

Alpine forests hide the curvaceous trails amidst the mild and tough slopes of the mountains. Explore your own paths or follow a local shepherd for day long hikes which are exciting and yet do not fall in the ‘experts’ bracket. Ensure that you carry some food and water in a light backpack. Plenty of streams and vast meadows make for good picnic spots. Mild treks to Macchli Diggi and Gaggar are also fascinating.

View-of-beautiful-Nighlat

Explore local gardens

Many homes in Niglahat have a penchant for gardening and keeping immaculate green patches. The weather is conducive to growing fresh vegetables and various varieties of flowers and keen gardeners will find plenty of like minded locals to share tips with.

Adventure activities

Bhimtal, being only a short distance away, has plenty of options for activities like rappling, trekking and camping with experts. You can make Niglahat your base camp and head out for treks to places like Pine Riviera, Munsiyari, Lilam, Mukteshwar and Ramgarh. Please note that some of the tougher treks will require a degree of fitness and experience.

Beautiful-Nighlat-Lake

Enjoy the various ‘taals’ of the region

The region is very famous for lakes in places like Nainital, Bhimtal, Saat Tal and Nachiketa Taal.

Visit the fruit orchards

Khairna, which is famous for its lush orchards in the backdrop of the Himalayan peaks, is a short drive of about 11 kilometres from Niglahat.

Visit an Ashram

A famous Ashram for Neem Karori Baba very close to the Niglahat. The ashram is filled with visitors from all walks of life and many nations. Stop here to have a look at the temples inside the ashram; the most famous of them is known as the ‘Kenchi’ Temple. Neem Karori Babaji is said to be one of the avataars of Hanuman, the monkey God.

Neem Karori Baba-Ashram

Just relax

Enjoy the serene company of mountains and enjoy your stay amongst the lush green landscape with only the sounds of the birds chirping!

Gujarat Tourism: Places of Tourist Interest in Gujarat

Gujarat, the growth engine of India and the land of legends is located in western part of the country along with Arabian Sea with the longest coastline of India. Gujarat is one of the major tourist regions of India and known for its scenic beauty of mountain ranges, coastline beaches and the Great Rann of Kutch. It offers wide range of tourism in terms of Cultural, Wildlife, Religious and Business.

Local Villages and Tribes of Gujarat

Villages of Gujarat are more advance then any other villages of India, These small towns and villages are awarded for best gram panchayat like Punsri and Chikhli. Kutch villages,Gir sanctuary villages and coastal villages are tribal villages and primarily sheepherders and known for their unique culture and traditions. Tribes Gowala,Bharwad,Garacia,Rabari and Banjara are few important tribes of the region.

Local-Tribes-in-Gujrat

Culture and Food

Gujarat has very vibrant and colorful culture,people, Languages and food. The traditional Gujrati thali is one of the best way to know the Gujarati cuisine. During the famous festival such as Navaratri and Uttarayan, the true culture and tradition of Gujarat come into the picture along with special food items, most famous Gujarati dishes are dhokla, fafda, khandvi, basundi and chivda.

Dhokla

Temples and Pilgrimages

The state is well famous as the devotional center for Hindu and Jain Pilgrimage  along with other religions. Famous temples in Gujarat are Dwarka -one of the major four centers of Hindu,Somnath temple -one of the 12 jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva, Ambaji-one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, Pavagadh, Sun Temple Modhera and Akshardham of Gandhinagar. It also host many Jain temples, includes Mahudi Jain Tirth,Palitana temples,Taranga Girnar and one of the biggest and oldest mosques of India, Jami Masjid of Ahmedabad.

Somnath-Temple

Major Cities and Towns of Gujarat

Gujarat is also home to big Sea port, sardar sarovar dam – one of the biggest dam of India in Narmada river, India’s first Canal-top Solar Power Project and some of the India’s fastest developing cities like Ahmedabad, Surat-the city of flyovers, Gandhinagar -green city of India and Jamnagar, the Oil City of India. Other major cities are Anand -the Milk Capital of India,Vadodara,Rajkot, and Godhra-the spirit of India.

Surat-city-diamond-city-of-india

Fairs and Festivals

It celebrates unique festival and fairs such as Garba during the Navratri, Kite Festival in Makar Sankranti or Uttarayana, Modhera Dance Festival and world famous Rann Utsav in November–December at Kutch. The major fairs includes Tarnetar Fair and Vautha Mela along with many other religious fairs at respective temple. Rann Utsav is one of the most popular festival and a cultural extravaganza to display the real and traditional flavor of area and Vibrant Gujarat.

Kai-Po-Che-Flying-Kite-High-in-Gujarat

Fort & palaces

Gujarat has wide variety of great historic forts,grand palaces, beautiful temples and other historical monuments.These Forts and Palaces have very impressive Architecture and the historical background of Maharaja. Major forts are Taranga Fort,The Upperkot fort,Tera Fort and Pavagadh, known for a famous Mahakali temple. The Palaces of Vadodara know as Laxmi Vilas Palace is one of the Grand palace of India and a major popular tourist sites in Gujarat.

Laxmi-Vilas-Palace

Historical sites and Monuments & Museums

The land has a rich Heritage and Historical places that dates back from Indus Valley Civilization to Mahabharata. Major Heritage spots are Kirti Mandir,Pavagadh and Vadnagar,famous for its torans and Hatkeshwar Temple. World heritage sites like Lothal, Dholavira and Champaner are major attraction of Vibrant Gujarat along with Monuments Amrutvarshni Vav,Ancient Masjid,Ancient Step Well and Navlakha Temple.

Lothal-historical-site

Apart from the above Historical places Gujarat offers splendid historical spots like Hriday Kunj,Sabarmati Ashram,Fateh Singh Museum and famous Calico Museum of Textiles. The city also has unique Kite Museum at Ahmedabad,Takhteshwar Temple,bhadreshwar temple,Pratap Vilas Palace and famous six times destroyed Somnath Temple.

Calico-Textile-Museum-in-Gujarat

Lakes and Waterfalls

The water bodies of Gujarat are very famous and major attractions, like Ranmal Lake,Hamirsar Lake Vastrapur Lake and Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary. It also have important rivers Narmada river,Sabarmati river and Tapti river along with famous waterfall such as Gira Falls, Girmal Falls and Ninai Waterfall.

Gira-falls in Gujrat

Beaches and Islands

The longest coastline of Gujarat offers some of the most beautiful Indian Beaches and Sea island such as Mandvi Beach, Gopnath Beach,Dumas Beach,Dwarka Beach, Porbandar Beach and islands are Pirotan and Narala Island and Diu. Pirotan Island is located in the Marine National Park, only its kind of national park in India situated in the Gulf of Kutch. The Marine Sanctuary offers home to Corals, Fish, Crabs, Prawns, Molluscs, Sea snakes and Turtles along with sea birds.

Mandvi-Beach

Mountains and Hills

Gujarat host four major mountain ranges of India, including Aravalli, Sahyadri,Vindhya and Satpura along with hills Girnar Hill,Saputara hills and famous Wilson Hills. These collection of mountains and hills offers habitat for Indian Lion, the only place in the wild with 411 Asiatic lions in the Gir forest. The Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is the fully protected area for diverse flora and fauna and Dangs district has largest forest cover area under the Saputara range.

Wilson-Hill-in-Gujarat

Wildlife of Gujarat

Habitat of Gujarat provides shelter to rare and unique species of Flora and Fauna, which includes The Asiatic Lions, Blackbuck, Wild Ass,Dolphins,Whale Shark and The Avifauna are Great Horned Owl,majestic eagles and fascinating buzzards along with migratory Birds like Pelican,Flamingos and cranes. The major national park, wildlife Sanctuaries and Bird Sanctuary of Gujarat are famous Gir National Park,unique Marine National Park,Porbandar Bird Sanctuary, Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary,Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary and Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary of the Little Rann of Kutch.

Resting-Lioness-in-Gir-National-Park