Events – VAGABOND IMAGES

Madhya Pradesh welcomes you to Orchha with a brand new festival

Upendra SwamiJanuary 11, 20203764 Views10

Adding to its ongoing initiatives to promote Madhya Pradesh as a leading tourism destination in the country, the State Tourism Board will be organising “Namaste Orchha”, a new festival scheduled to be held from 6-8 March 2020, celebrating the cultural landscape of the state in the historic town of Orchha. This will be an annual event now onwards in the MP tourism calendar. Festival was announced in a curtain raiser in Delhi on Friday. View of Orchha from the other side of Betwa river The three day extravaganza in this ancient and quaint town will feature diverse activities of music, art, wellness, travel, nature, adventure, history and culture. These activities would be led by experts in their respective fields with participants comprising invited delegates. An immers...

International

You won’t want to miss Christmas in Israel

Upendra SwamiDecember 21, 20191018 Views0

It’s again that time of the year. Beyond the connection that Israel has to the birth of Christianity, Israel is one of the most beautiful places in the world to celebrate Christmas. The Israel Ministry of Tourism invests a great deal of resources to make this an unforgettable holiday experience for every traveller visiting the country. Whether it's strolling the alleys of the Old City of Jerusalem, the midnight mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, attending the traditional Nazareth event and exploring the charming Christmas markets - there's no better way to start the new year. Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Jerusalem. Photo: Israel Ministry of TourismSanta House, Jerusalem. Photo: Israel Ministry of Tourism Nazareth: Christmas in Nazareth, where Jesus grew up, is a great celebr...

InternationalNews

Love jazz! Its going to be a JAZZUARY in Brussels

Upendra SwamiNovember 27, 20191041 Views0

With one month, 3 festivals, 46 concerts at 8 concert venues, Brussels definitively puts jazz in the spotlight in January. As the birthplace of the saxophone, the Belgian capital has become an essential stopover for musicians and lovers of the genre. Brussels is the city with the highest number of jazz concerts per capita in the world, after New York and Paris. From Toots Thielemans, to Philip Catherine, Steve Houben, Mélanie De Biasio, Eric Legnini, and Charles Loos, these ambassadors of Belgian jazz abroad all have a close link with this city, where it feels good to play and share your music. With its many festivals, concert halls, clubs and conservatories, jazz is widespread and can be heard everywhere, in every style, all year round and all through the night. One of the highlig...

India

A full moon day with hand full of festivities!

Upendra SwamiNovember 17, 20182939 Views5

It is indeed the most eventful day of the yearly calendar, also one of the most auspicious. Kartik Purnima is day to travel and relish the different cultures, this day has to offer. It is the full moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik, and most likely it falls in calendar month of November. I am not in praise of this day just because my b’day falls on this day every year as per the Hindu calendar, it is revered for many other reasons as well (just kidding!). Devotees taking holy bath in Ganges on the occasion of Kartik Purnima at Dashaswamedh ghat, in Varanasi. Photo: PTI It is considered as most auspicious of all 12 full moon days in the year. There are many mythological legends associated with this day. In India, it is celebrated across cultures. Interestingly, full moon h...

InternationalNews

Celebrating coffee where it all started- Ethiopia

Upendra SwamiNovember 13, 20181264 Views0

The ‘Horn of Africa’ is taking baby steps amidst chaos to transform itself from decades of authoritarian rule, but there is lot more about this nation. You might not think of it as your favourite tourist destination, but Ethiopia is one place you must visit to truly taste an exquisite blend. It is widely considered the birthplace of coffee. Witnessing the process of how the coffee is brewed is in itself something one would appreciate before they even enjoy their first cup of coffee. Pic credit: georgehowellcoffee.com It is said that coffee was discovered in Ethiopia as long as the 9th century. The aroma of the beans roasting in the fire fills the air… Its delicious. The Ethiopian coffee ceremony is central to the communities of many Ethiopian locations. Coffee remains a...

IndiaPhotogallery

Vilasini Natyam – Dance of the Devadasis

Upendra SwamiOctober 25, 20184724 Views2

Purvadhanashree performing Vilasini Natyam (all images) Devadasis has been a long debated issue- as a temple ritual as well as a dance form, although it has been into existence for centuries and perhaps older than many other classical dance forms. As a social ritual it was discredited a long ago and even many laws were brought to abolish the system. Even the dance form went into oblivion, until it was researched and revived in last few decades. Vilasini Natyam is said to be the dance of Telugu Devadasis. It was traditionally performed in temples as a ritual, in courts for the royalties and in the chambers for intellectuals for their aesthetic experience. It was also performed for the general public at dance theatres for their infotainment, to educate them, to ent...

IndiaJust MePhotogallery

September fun in Leh with Ladakh festival

Upendra SwamiSeptember 16, 20181326 Views3

It was 19th September. I was supposed to leave Leh for Manali on my bike next morning. My plan was to go to Pangong Tso and then continue on my return journey. Target was to reach Delhi on 22nd late evening. But my friend and host in Leh insisted me to drop the idea of going to Pangong and instead witness the opening parade of the Ladakh Festival. His argument was that Pangong would always be there to visit the next time I am in Ladakh, but to be here on exact date of opening of Ladakh festival will need meticulous planning anytime next. So, if by chance when I am already in Leh on the day, I shouldn’t miss this event. His argument was strong and I changed my plan. I decided to see the opening ceremony and than move to either Pang or Sarchu for the night halt. Well, visiting Pangong h...

IndiaPhoto Of The DayPhotogallery

Photo of the day – The light within!

Upendra SwamiApril 11, 20152315 Views6

The beauty of this photo is also the character itself. Sonali Mahapatra is performing Oddissi at Khajuraho festival of dances 2015. An accomplished dancer, Sonali lost her major hearing power due to a medical negligence when she was just five. But she never let that come as a hinderance in her commitment to learn dance. She can't listen to swara and hence now uses a hearing aid and dances by listening to just the beats of the taal. ...

International

Wales offers exhilarating events

Upendra SwamiAugust 14, 2013881 Views0

It’s the perfect time to experience & discover Wales & its rich and varied heritage. Whether you're a fun seeking family, a chilled out couple, or anything in-between, there are plenty of things to do in Wales during these events. Choose from a slow paced day seeing castles, museums and tasting their wonderful local produce, or get lively with some outdoor activities or even a music festival or a sporting event. Rest assured, you won’t be bored in Wales!!! Ironman Wales - 8th September 2013, Pembrokeshire The bike course for Ironman Wales is a two loop course totaling 180 kilometres of spectacular coastal views through idyllic towns giving rides over 2,000 metres of altitude difference throughout the course! The first loop is longer, extending west from Lamphey to Angle ...