Too late to come with the first post of the New Year! It is never too late!! Chill is settling down and fog has engulfed almost whole of north India. Its snowing in the hills. Time to pack the bags for some adventure! If you need a reason than there are lot from cold deserts of Ladakh to deserts of Thar (although they will be equally cold this time). First month of the calendar year also comes with a number of festivals celebrating India’s dance and musical traditions. Not to be forgotten that this month also has Makar Sakranti (14th January), considered to be one of the most auspicious days of the year and also an occasion of many travels and pilgrimages. Here are my picks for the month. Mukteshwar and Rajarani Festivals Let's start from Odisha. Mukteshwar Dance Festival (14-16 J
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You just can't beat month of November, not just because it is the month of my birth (just kidding!), actually because this is one of the most happening month of the year. Just imagine, every other Indian state has some kind of a festival this month. And, what a range... from music to dance to nature, flowers, cattle, fairs, religion, mythology, culture... and what not. This month has every aspect to relate with. Hence for all those with a penchant to travel just for any reason, here are plentiful to do that. Even weather generally remains clear and winter is yet to make some ground. Many people even like to travel to hills during this month to have some good views of snow-clad peaks in blue skies. So the month had events and festivals lined up from states as far as and as diverse ...
Read MoreDiwali is not only celebrated in India but in many parts of the world and New Zealand left no stone unturned to have one of the best Diwali celebrations last weekend. Visitors were greeted with Bollywood dance moves, traditional music, authentic curries and a chance to enjoy and experience traditional and contemporary Indian culture. Almost fifteen thousand people attended the annual Indian festival of lights at Christchurch. A group of six New Zealand police officers performed to famous songs of popular Bollywood Actor Salman Khan, such as Munni Badnaam Hui and Chalti Hai Kya 9 se 12. They also had a dance battle with an established dance group - Bollywood Dreams for which they underwent rigorous practice for two months. The celebrations had other dance performances – ...
Read MoreKerala is always serene, always worth and always enjoyable. It remains almost same all the year round. And every time you can find a reason or two to go for a trip there. But this March there are not just one or couple, but ten reasons to go to different parts of Kerala. Apparently, there are perhaps more, but I have shortlisted ten for you. These are all temple festivals of Kerala. Temple festivals of Kerala are not like ones in the north. They are more elaborate and ritualistic. Most of them have elephants involved, which make them very beautiful. A great ensemble of Kerala's culture. Choose yours… Parade of offerings to Bhagavathy One of the most vibrant festivals of Kerala, the Chettikulangara Bharani offers arresting visuals and showcases the cultural richness of the state. An a
Read MoreRajasthan is the land of rich history and heritage. To live upto its charm it celebrates in multiple forms all the year round. February is one of the most pleasant times to visit Rajasthan, even to the desert side. We give here five more reasons to visit Rajasthan in this month. Desert Festival, Jaisalmer, February 8-10, 2017 Its one of Rajasthan's premier showcase festivals. Once a year, the empty sands around Jaisalmer come alive with a mesmerising performance on the sand dunes in the form of the Desert Festival. The festival, organised by the Department of Tourism around January-February, goes on for three whole days and lets you enjoy the rich and colourful Rajasthani folk culture. Rajasthani men and tall, beautiful women dressed in their best and brightest costumes dan...
Read MoreMissing the chill this year, isn’t so? Nevertheless, festivities are on. New year comes with a number of festivals celebrating India’s dance and musical traditions. One among them Swathi Sangeethotsvam has already started last night. So, one might have plenty of options to travel from skiing to sun bathing at beach, but there is still always more to do. This month also has Makar Sakranti (14th January), considered to be one of the most auspicious days of the year and also an occasion of many travels and pilgrimages. Bringing you the selected few events for this month. Mamallapuram Dance Festival Mamallapuram has retained its fame in stone, thanks to the great contribution of Pallava artisans. It is among the most outstanding examples of Dravidian art and architecture and a jewel in
Read MoreIt is one of the most beautiful moons of the year. Correspondingly, this is one of the holiest month of the year- Kartik. Rich in festivals- including some world-famous ones on and around Kartik Purnima (full moon day). Interestingly these festivals are spread throughout the country. That also makes it one of the best months to travel. Weather generally remains clear and winter is yet to make some ground. Many people even like to travel to hills during this month to have some good views of snow-clad peaks in blue skies. For those who want a pretext, here is a list of top 10 travel moments of the month of November The charm of Pushkar The Pushkar Cattle Fair is one of the largest in India and the only one of its kind in the entire world. During the fair, Lakhs of people from rural Ind
Read MoreFestivities also serve the purpose of breaking the usual cycle of work and give time to rejoice and strengthen bonding with near & dear ones. It gives you time to reflect upon yourself. With so much of hatred and violence spewed upon everywhere around, festivals like this give chance to reflect on our inner self. What I love the best is the moment when all the 'diyas' in the rangoli are lit to spread their glow in the colourful base. This symphony of colour and light is the most satisfying moment of the evening, more satisfying then any cracker... any sweet. Few snapshots from this Diwali. ...
Read MoreThis is the happier time after month of sorrowful fasting of Ramadan. Chand Raat brings joyful people to the market for shopping. It is also one of our favourite times to visit the Jama Masjid market to soak ourselves in the feeling of joy and compassion. A collection of images from this year's visit to the Jama Masjid market, though it was not so crowded when we reached, but numbers had started ballooning by the time we packed-off. केदार नाथ अग्रवाल आधुनिक हिंदी कविता के सिरमौर कवियों में से एक हैं। ईद पर उनकी एक प्यारी कविता। ईद मुबारक हमको, तुमको, एक-दूसरे की बाहों में बँध जाने की ईद मुबारक। बँधे-बँधे, रह एक वृंत पर, खोल-खोल कर प्रिय पंखुरियाँ कमल-कमल-सा खिल जाने की, रूप-रंग से मुसकाने की हमको, तुमको ईद मुबारक। और जगत के इस जीवन के खारे पानी के सागर म...
Read MoreFirst month of the new year. Month of new hopes, new beginnings. Chilling in the north and pleasant in south. Plenty of options to travel from skiing to sun bathing at beach. Many of the winter festivals are held in the month. Tradition of dance and music festivals continues to lure tourists at various places in the country. This month also has Makar Sakranti (14th January), considered to be one of the most auspicious days of the year and also an occasion of many travels and pilgrimages. Sirpur Dance and Music Festival, Chattisgarh Sirpur is a historical town in Mahasamund district in the state of Chhattisgarh 78 km away from Raipur and 35 km from Mahasamund city on the banks of the river Mahanadi. The town of Sirpur (aka Shirpur) has been mentioned in ancient epigraphic records, da...
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