Celebrating Bihar Divas!

Villages are being cleaned, and celebrations are being planned to make this day a special one! Starting today, Bihar gets ready to celebrate its much anticipated Bihar Divas – in Memory of the day the British carved out the state from the Bengal Presidency on March 22, 1912. The historic Gandhi Maidan is being readied for grand celebrations while thousands of people are expected to gather at these historic grounds to be part of the celebrations! Not only will the functions be held at over 25,000 centres, including schools, across the states and the country, but the celebrations promise to cross all boundaries with places like   California and New Jersey in the US, Sydney in Australia, Seoul in South Korea, Qatar and Bahrain in the Gulf, besides Canada and Trinidad getting ready to observe Bihar Day with pomp and grandeur where the piety of Chhath festival, the folklores like Alha, Bidesia of Bhikhari Thakur and Vidyapati songs can be enjoyed by people attending the functions at these destinations!

While Bihar’s heritage, culture and cuisine will be on display, all time favorite Bhojpuri movies are expected to be  staged so that one can enjoy singing and dancing to the tunes of Bhojpuri lyrics. In Bihar, dozens of artists, foreigners included, are part of the decorations to depict Bihar’s rich culture, tradition and heritage. Here’s a look at what one can expect at the historic Gandhi Maidan, the main hub of celebrations. The main entrance gate – 30 ft high and 80 ft wide – is being constructed with images depicting the essence of rural Bihar. Artists have chosen to decorate the gateway with Tikuli and Manjusha art along with Madhubani paintings – all popular art forms from Bihar. Two showcase gates on Bihar’s popular festival of Chhath and rural game jhijhia have also been made.

While 22^nd March has been declared as a public holiday in the State, here’s what the thousands of tourists visiting the state can get ready for!

“Ganga Maiya Tohe Piyari Chadaebo”, the first Bhojpuri film released almost 50 years ago, produced by Vishwanath Shahabadi, will be one of the seven Bhojpuri films to be screened during the three-day Bhojpuri Film Festival beginning March 23 as a part of the 99th Bihar Divas celebrations

Adding excitement to the Bihar Divas festivities will be around 400 children from different districts of Bihar, who will gather here to participate in the various programs and events beginning March 22. Students in the age group of 10 to 14 years will present their skills in different categories like singing, dancing, oratory, painting and others.

‘Bal Kavya Goshthi’ is scheduled to begin at 10 am on March 23 at Kalidas Rangalaya and around 50 children are expected to participate in this event. A three-day ‘Rashtriya Bal Natya Mahotsav’ is scheduled to begin at Kalidas Rangalaya from March 22, with as many as 100 children, including some from other states joining in the act.

Two groups of artists, including 26 people from National School of Drama, Pune will be visiting the state for 10 days to train the students of various government schools in acting skills. ‘Sohar Badhaiya’, a folk song, will also be presented by the young ones at Gandhi Maidan on March 23.

A collection of stories written and illustrated by children “Atkan-matkan” will be released by the Chief Minister.

However Children are not the only focus of the celebrations. A book on the life of struggle of 38 women, chosen from every district of the state, is also being released at the celebrations.

The Police Department has also joined in the celebrations in a big way – from organizing a dog show at the Gandhi Maidan to police station buildings being lit up, to competitions being held… The competitions include a cycle rally, Sadbhavna rally, air gun and balloon firing competition, volleyball, khokho, kabbadi held at thana and division level, with everybody visiting the police station being served sweets!

Getting ready for the Bihar Gaan, anthems for the state, as many as 50 songs have being shortlisted from 1,800 entries by a committee of poets. ‘Rhythm of Bihar’ and `Bihar Gaurav Gaan’, songs on the state’s glory will set the tone and tenor for these Bihar Divas celebrations.

A brainchild of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Bihar Divas was first celebrated in 2010.This year the celebrations will be kick started with the Chief Minister floating 99 diyas into the temporarily built pond at the ground, symbolising the 99^th year of Bihar’s foundation and marking its centenary in 2012 with programs being held throughout the year and around the globe only to culminate in 2012.

The main aim of the celebration is ‘to revive the lost glory of the state throughout the world’ by taking the festivities across the seven seas in the run up to the centenary of Bihar’s foundation. With celebrations such as these planned, we are sure that Bihar, significant in the cultural history of India for being the birthplace of Buddhism and Jainism, will achieve it all and more!

DON’T wait until DARK!

India, a land of great beauty and history… but it is also a land of many a legend! Some mysterious… some haunting!! While ghosts are known to be sighted across the country, here’s one place that has even been mentioned by Wikipedia! Here we take you to the mysterious land of Rajasthan, a land known for its folklore, sandy deserts & havelis, palaces and historical ruins! Herein lies the historical ruins of a city rumored to be the most haunted place in India… A city which according to legends and local folk tales fell prey to curses and black magic leading to its complete destruction! This is Bhangarh a city that one passes by when travelling from Jaipur to Alwar. The place even has a signboard put up here by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at the main gate stating (among others): “Entering the borders of Bhangarh before sunrise and after sunset is strictly prohibited.” While the reasons behind this may be many – speculating from wild animals to safety concerns as there is  no artificial lighting, tourists and visitors are left wondering given the legends behind the place. While according to the Government of India rules there has to be an office of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) beside every historical structure in India, even government authorities did not dare to open an office here. One can find their office about one kilometer away from the ruins of Bhangarh with even this office being close to a temple as a result of the myth.

A flourishing kingdom in the 17th Century, something led to its evacuation and today it is just a city of ruins with there being different legends to explain why this place is deserted. One such legend takes you back to the first half of the 17th century.  Madho Singh of Amber, who was the brother of Raja Man Singh, a General of Emperor Akbar built his capital here with the sanction of an ascetic Baba Balanath. It is said that the baba who meditated there warned him that the day the shadow of his palace touched him, the city would be no more! In his ignorance, Ajab Singh, one of the dynasty’s later descendants, raised the palace to such a height that the shadow reached the forbidden place leading to the devastation!

Another popular legend about Bhangarh speaks about the King of Sindh, who in order to avenge his insult from the queen of Bhangarh started to learn black magic. A battle between Bhangarh and Sindh led to the destruction of the kingdom and the King of Sindh died cursing Bhangarh. Since then no living soul has been able to survive in the village.

Another legend goes on to talk about a beautiful princess! A princess so charming that there was no match for her in entire Rajasthan. When the princess was merely eighteen years old, she started getting wedding offers from other States. A magician (tantric) named Singhia from the same region was desperately in love with the princess but knew the king would never even allow him to see the princess. One day he happened to see the princess’s maid in the market buying scented oil for the princess. Seeing this he came up with a wicked plan of getting the princess. Using his black magic powers he put a spell on the oil which would hypnotise the princess when she touched it and she would immediately come towards the tantric. However the princess threw it on the block of a stone as soon as she got her hands on the bottle! As soon as the oil touched the stone, the stone started rolling towards the wicked tantrik Singhia crushing him to death. While dying Singhia cursed the palace that everybody in the palace would die and their souls will stay there for centuries without rebirth. The very next year there was a battle between Bhangarh-Ajabgarh and no one survived in the battle or in the palace, not even the princess Ratnawati.

People who visit Bhangarh purely out of curiosity and out of tourist interest say that there is a strange feeling in the atmosphere of Bhangarh, causing a sort of anxiety and restlessness. Bhangarh was also cursed by a prime minister who said that no one would settle there in future and whoever dared would die as well. The local folks say the curse was enough for the whole town to vacate and leave it overnight. According to the story of the curse, if the town was ever rediscovered the township would not be found, but only temples would show up. True to the story only temples dot the landscape and even far up on the mountains only shrines can be seen.

It is said by the local villagers that whenever a house has been built there its roof has collapsed. Strange as it seems, once inside Bhangarh one notices all the houses are without a roof and even at the closest village where people reside, they still have roofs made of straw but not bricks.

Though it is home to many an ancient temple and Muslim shrine, which includes the Dev Narayan Temple, Gopinath Temple, Lord Hanuman Temple, Someshwar Temple and Lord Shiva Temple, this culturally rich but isolated village is a village engulfed in the serenity of seclusion. Dare to visit it as one of your excursions from Jaipur, but we have only one thing to say to you… Don’t wait to stay after dark…

Keeping a date with India’s ‘SILK’ city!

It’s been referred to as the ‘Golden City of a Thousand Temples’. Not only is it a picturesque city but also considered an important pilgrim destination for Hindus due to the cluster of holiest of temples here. One of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites, Kanchipuram not only features as one of India’s seven sacred cities, but also the second holiest after Varanasi.

Ruled by several dynasties, the city also served as a royal capital of the Pallavas, Cholas, and the Vijayanagar rulers. While the place was ruled by the early Chola kings in the 2nd century, Kanchipuram was the capital city of the BC era and the Pallava capital between the 6th and 8th centuries. The kings of Vijayanagar dynasty ruled Kanchipuram from 14th to 17th centuries.  It was under this rule that many temples were built by each of these dynasties, each one imparting a distinctive architectural style to the temples and historic monuments, attracting tourists from not only India but different parts of the globe.

While today only 126 of these magnificent temples remain with a few more on the outskirts, some of the most important ones around are the Ekambaranatha Temple which is one of the five form of abodes of Lord Siva, (the earthy abode, other abodes include Chidambaram (Sky), Sri Kalahasti (air), Thiruvanaikoil (water) and Tiruvannamalai (fire)), Kamakshi Amman Temple, Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kumara Kottam, Kachapeshwarar Temple, and the Kailasanathar Temple.

Built by the Pallavas and later reconstructed by the Chola and Vijayanagar kings, the Ekambaranathar Temple is one of the most awe-inspiring sculptures, sprawling over 11 stories! One of the tallest temple towers in South India, it features a thousand pillared mandapan (hall), and magnificent sculptures. Shiva is worshiped here as Prithvi (earth), one of the five basic elements of the physical world.

Dedicated to Sakthi, the Kamakshi Amman temple is one of the rare temples where Shakti is worshipped. The golden Chariot in the temple is significant as it is taken in a procession around the temple on Fridays. The temple also has an art gallery which displays the history of Sri Adi Shankaracharya and the Shankara Mutt. Built by Pallavas it was renovated in 14th and 17th century, and its gates are of the Vijaynagar period, leading to a mixture of many cultures and styles in architecture.

Situated adjacent to Shri Kamakshi Amman temple, the Vaikunta Perumal Temple dates back to the 8th century and was built by the Pallava king, Nandivarman Pallavamalla. Lord Vishnu its presiding deity is seen here in life-like sculptures in sitting, standing and reclining postures. Battle scenes and description about wars between the Pallavas and Chlukyas are inscribed on the wall, carved on the panels surrounding the main parikrama of this Vaishnavite temple. The temple is also known for its 1000-pillared hall with each pillar having a statue carved on it that gives the hall a unique look.

Considered to be the oldest and most beautiful temple in Kanchipuram and in the whole of South India the Kailasanatha Temple was built by Raja Rajsimha of Pallava dynasty in the first quarter of 8th century on the request of the queen, while its facade was completed by his son Raja Mahendra Barman III. This temple is known for its magnificent and absolutely beautiful sculptures of Devi Durga and Vishnu, a dance competition between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, and various war-like feats of the Pallava rulers that are also depicted here on the temple walls. A treasure trove the architecture of this temple resembles the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram.

In the Varadaraja Temple, Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Devarajaswamy.  Built by the Vijayanagar kings this temple has a 100-pillared hall, and displays the mastery of their artists.  Located in part of Kanchipuram called the Vishnu Kanchi that is a home for a lot of famous Vishnu temples, this temple is visited by thousands during the festivals of  Bhramotsavam in Vaigasi (May-June), Garuda Vahanam.

Moving a little further away from Kanchipuram is Tiruttani, one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya. Situated on a hilltop, the temple has 365 steps representing the days of the year, leading to the hill. Tiruttani is said to be the place where the Lord married Valli. The Karthigai festival, one of the oldest festivals celebrated in Tamil Nadu perhaps even before people began celebrating Navratri and Deepavali which falls in November/December, is celebrated here with great pomp here.

Sriperumbudur is another important excursion that can be made from Kanchiouram, the birthplace of Saint Ramanujar, the father of the Vishishtadvaita, philosophy of Vaishnavism, an important pilgrim center for Vaishnavites. This is also the place where Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India, was assassinated during a public meeting in 1991.

But the trip here need not only be about temples, nature enthusiasts should make an excursion to Vedanthangal and Karikili Bird’s Sanctuaries, a haven for migratory birds especially from November to February. Not only do these sanctuaries receive birds from Pakistan and Sri Lanka but from far flung areas like Siberia and Australia and New Zealand and have recorded some 115 species here. For trekking, hiking or for picnics the Elagiri Hills are a must.

Delighting shopaholics Kanchipuram is a place synonymous with silks, with Kanjeevaram saris of Kanchipuram being one of the finest and the most beautiful saris in the world. What better way to end a holiday than shopping for some of the finest and most mesmerizing range of exquisite silks one can find anywhere in India! Woven out of pure mulberry Kanjeevaram saris are considered the best in luster, contrasting colors, and durability and are woven using a dazzling array of colorful threads and fine golden thread or zari into alluring patterns depicting traditional temple motifs. Besides silks, you can buy artifacts like fruit baskets, candle stands, and jewelry boxes and idols of gods and goddesses.

While today in place of a thousand only some hundred odd temples stand here, these temples grand and majestic  with their striking architecture continue to do what this temple town did years ago…To sweep you off your feet!

A land of peace and harmony – Manipur

Heard about one of these seven sisters attracting people from far and wide? Enchanting, spectacular, breathtakingly beautiful and shrouded in mystery! It doesn’t come as a surprise that folks throng to see her!

Welcome to beautiful Manipur, a place known for its unparallel natural beauty, it literally translates ‘The jewel of a land’. Rich in its culture, tradition, and ethnicity, legend has it that the land of Manipur was discovered as a result of the delight the Gods took in dancing. The concept seems to remain alive in its beauteous folk dances.

A state known for its cascading rapids, meadows of flowers, crystal clear lakes, verdant forests, it’s been given the nickname the ‘Switzerland of the East’. Described by St.Clair Grimwood as “A pretty place more beautiful than many show places of the world” and by the late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as the “Jewel of India”, here’s what makes this ‘jewel’ sparkle.

Lying in an oval shaped valley, surrounded by rich forests and blue hills, Imphal, the tiny capital city of Manipur is said to look like an exquisite artwork of the almighty and is known for its relics of an old, historical palace, well-planned temples and ceremonial houses. The Shree Shree Govindajee Temple, Imphal, a Vaishnavite temple adjoining the palace of the former rulers of Manipur is one of the significant attractions here, a simple structure with a large raised congregation hall and gold domes. During festivals, the temple is visited by thousands of people. The best time to visit the temple is during Holi, also known as Doljatra or Yaosong in Manipur.

Other must visits here include the Manipur Zoological Gardens known for its rare birds, animals and reptiles.  Also found here is one of the rarest species of deer in the world, the graceful brow-antlered thamin deer. The Khonghampat Orchidarium is another beautiful Orchidarium housing over a hundred rare varieties of orchids. The Manipur State Museum gives one an idea of the state’s complex history and is known for its collection of Manipuri costumes, historical documents and relics. Standing in the heart of the city, one cannot afford to give the Shahid Minar a miss, a tribute to the Manipur’s martyrs who sacrificed their lives for India’s independence. Also try the Imphal War Cemeteries built to honor the British and Indian soldiers, who died during the 2nd World War.

Situated on the Indo-Burma Road, Langthabal, is one of those strikingly beautiful places, housing an ancient historic palace and some temples and is also known for the clear view of the Manipur University from here.

From Imphal we move to the land of dancing deer or Bishnupur! Here one is a part of the last natural habitat of the dancing deer, the “Sangai” at the Kelbul Lamjao National Park, the only floating National Park in the World, on the Loktak Lake. The Loktak Lake is also known to be the largest fresh water lake in the North-Eastern region. Built in 1467, during the reign of King Kiyamba, The Bishnu Temple is another interesting attraction for its antiquity and Chinese design.

Coming to Churachandpur or Lamka, here we find all the communities of Manipur living happily. It is said to be home to about 29 different tribes of which about ten belong to the rest of India, each with different dialects and languages! Visit this place to see how the tribes live in peace and tranquility. Churchandpur is said to be one of the most beautiful places for sightseeing and holidaying that Manipur has to offer!

The Tonglon Cave about 32 km from here is another important tourist attraction.

Sharing its international boundary with Myanmar (erstwhile Burma) on the south, Chandel lies in the south-eastern part of Manipur and is known for Tengnoupal, the highest point on the Indo-Myanmar Road, a place from where one gets a full view of the valley of Manipur.

Of course a mention of Manipur is incomplete without the  splendid dance forms that represent its vibrant culture!  It is said that the 29 tribes of Manipur have different dances to offer! Often devoted to religious themes, the Raas Lila (love story of Radha and Krishna) dominates it.  Other dance forms include the Lai Haroba (feast of dances, representing celebrations of Gods / Goddesses), Pung Cholem (Mridanga dance), Mao Naga dance, the Priestess dance of Malbe Jagoi, Thangal Surung dance etc which reflect the vibrant culture of the 29 different tribes of Manipur. Witnessing the exquisite Manipuri dance – drama, in its original colourful settings, is simply an unforgettable experience. Pung or Manipuri Mridanga is the soul of Manipuri Sankritana music and Classical Manipuri Dance, a highly refined classical dance number characterized by the modulation of sound from soft whisper to a thunderous climax.

Manipur is also known as ‘a land of festivals’ for its numerous festivals celebrated throughout the year with pomp and gaiety. Important ones are Ningol Chakouba and Yaoshang. Ningol Cackouba, a festival of the Meiteis is the celebration of family union. On this day, married women along with their children go to their parental house to be treated to a grand feast. Their parents and brothers give them gifts and the guests in return offer them blessings. It is observed on the second day of the new moon in the Manipuri month of Hiyangei (November).

Celebrated for five days commencing from the full moon day of Phalguna (February/March), Yaoshang is the premier festival of Manipur. The Thabal Chongba – a kind of Manipuri folk dance, where boys and girls hold hands and sing and dance in a circle, is particularly associated with this festival. Boys and girls and old women collect donations from house to house and the money so collected is spent on a number of parties and feasts. Indeed, Yaosang to Manipur is what Durga Puja is to Bengal, Diwali to North India and Bihu to Assam.

Other festivals here are the Kut Festival, a thanksgiving festival in honor of the giver of an abundant harvest, observed on the 1st of November every year. Cheiraoba is the Manipur New Year, when people clean and decorate their houses and prepare special festive dishes. Kang Festival is the Ratha Jatra of Manipur and one of the greatest festivals of the Hindus here and is celebrated for ten days in July.

With the people of Manipur being traditional craftsmen, it is no wonder that you find a loom in almost every household in Manipur, with the womenfolk weaving out enchanting variety of fabric s and embroidery in distinctive shade and design. Artifacts made of bamboo, papier mache, cane and wood, crafted out by the Manipuris make for prized items for shopping in Manipur. Look out for Manipuri dance doll or mats made of water reeds that make great souvenirs.

A visit here takes you to a place where nature has poured her choicest gifts to create it.  A society characterized by its simplicity and egalitarian values, women enjoy high status in the society and old people are given due respect and reverence but most importantly tribes with different dialects and languages still find a way of living together in peace, prosperity and tranquility.

The Royals rule here!

It’s nature at its very best! Where the land meets the sea at the southern tip of West Bengal therein lays the largest mangrove forest of the country, which forms a major portion of the world’s largest delta. A vast swampy delta of the great Indian rivers, Brahamaputra, Ganges and the Meghana, it is also the world’s largest estuarine forest, extending over areas comprising of mangrove forests, swamps and forests all interwoven in a network of small rivers and streams. Literally translated the ‘beautiful jungle’, it is a place filled with mystic adventure. Bringing you India’s largest Tiger Reserve and National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the beautiful Sunderbans.

Located at the South Eastern tip of the 24 Paraganas District in the state of West Bengal, with the islands Goasaba, Sandeshkali and Basanti forming the northern boundary of the Sundarbans, the Matla and Bidya Rivers forming the eastern boundary, the Bay of Bengal covering the south and the international boundary of Bangladesh to the west, this spectacular place – the Sunderbans National Park derives its name from one of the mangrove plants known as Sundari (Heritiera Minor) and consists of a diverse flora population including the Passur, Garjan, Genwa, Dhundal, Kankra and more. Apart from these trees, the impenetrable Goran trees cover almost the entire region. One of the most remarkable features of this place is the bayonet like roots of mangrove forests that stick out above the water level.

Covering a vast area of 4264 square km in India alone, Sundarban National Park forms the core area of Sundarban Tiger Reserve, and was recognized as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987. Not only is it the single largest home of the Royal Bengal Tiger, but also home to an amazing and extremely rich and diverse aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna. They include even endangered species like the Estuarine Crocodile ( Crocodilus porosus ), Water Monitor lizard ( Varanus salvator ) River Terrapin (Batagur baska), Gangetic Dolphin( Platinista gangetica ), Snubfin dolphin ( Orcella brevirostris ),  Olive Ridley Turtle ( Lepidochelys olivacea ), Green Sea Turtle ( Chelonia mydas ), Hawksbill Turtle ( Eritmochelys imbricata ),Hawks Bill Turtle, King Crabs (Horse shoe). Even various species of sharks and rays have been found here making this area a natural biodiversity hot spot!

Besides being every nature lovers dream come true, it is also a dream destination for ornithologists, with about 248 bird species being found in Sunderban National park including a large number of migratory birds from higher latitudes that visit the park in winter months like Green Pigeons, Partridges, Herons, Sand Pipers, Egrets, Cormorants, Storks, Large and Small Spoonbills, Teal, Darters, Seagulls, Yellow Wagtail, a great variety of Wild Geese and Ducks, Red Jungle Fowls, Spotted Doves, Common Mynahs, Jungle Babblers, Cotton Teals, Herring Gulls, Spotted Billed Pelicans and many more.

Some of the important places within the Sundarbans, which one must cover when touring here include Sajnekhali known for its bird sanctuary and watch towers, the Bhagatpur Crocodile Project –a breeding farm for Estaurine crocodiles and Gharials. Bhagabatput is said to be a hatchery of the largest estuarine crocodile in the world. Other attractions here include Piyaly the entry point of the Sundarbans; Kanak famous as the nesting place of the rare Olive Ridley Tortoise; Holiday Island, the home for rapidly decreasing Barking Deer; Gosaba an early settlement colonized by Sir David H Kaikhali Islanda a scenic and ideal picnic spot, where nature comes alive and last but not the least Netidhopani for the ruins of a 400 year old temple, with legends that lend mystery to the atmosphere.

With the best time to visit this exciting forests being between September and May, read up on how you can visit this enchanting land and make your summer vacations a truly memorable experience.

How to Reach the Sundarbans National Park
Air: Kolkata is the nearest airport at a distance of 112 km.

Rail: Canning is nearest railhead, at a distance of 48 km. The nearest town is Gosaba, 50 kms away

Road: Road transportation is available from Kolkata for Namkhana (105-kms), Sonakhali (100-kms), Raidighi (76-kms), Canning (64-kms), and Najat (92-kms).

Water: Sundarbans are approachable only by riverrine waterways. Approximate time from the various destinations is mentioned here: Namkhana – Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project (2.5 hours); Sagar Island (2.5 hours); Jambudwip(3.5hours); Sajnekhali – Sudhanyakhali (40 minutes); Buridabri (Tiger Project Area) (5 hours); Netidhopari (3.5hours); Holiday Island(3hours); Sonakhali-Gosaba(1hour);
Raidighi – Kalas (5 hours).

With the Reserve being effectively protected under Project Tiger, a wildlife conservation movement initiated in India in 1972 to protect tigers, Sundarbans remains one of the most attractive and alluring places remaining on earth. Visit it today to explore a truly undiscovered paradise where nature comes alive.

Adding some colour to your life!

It’s that time of the year again when people put aside all differences and just indulge in a bit of unadulterated fun. Celebrated in high spirit across India without any distinction of cast, creed, color, race, status or sex, coming up this weekend is a beautiful festival of colours known to enrich brotherhood in the society.

A spring religious festival celebrated by Hindus and Sikh, today it is known to be celebrated across the globe especially in countries with large Indian Diaspora. It is also known as Dolyatra (Doul Jatra) or Basanta-Utsav (“spring festival”) in West Bengal or Orissa, where a ritual of placing the child-god Krishna in a cradle in front of the bonfire and worshipping him is observed. This festival celebrated on the full moon day that is in the month of Phalugna or Falguna, goes by many names and traditions.

While in some places gram and stalks from the harvest are offered to Agni (the Fire God)… its fun time for the ladies of Haryana, where the lady, all in jest, beats her brother-in-law with her sari rolled up into a rope. In Maharashtra, Holi, which is known by the name of Shimga and Rangpanchami, is celebrated by the fisher folk with hilarious singing, dancing and merrymaking.

Making most of this festive time, Holi in Braj starts a week earlier than the rest of India, and is celebrated as it was thousands years back (during Krishna’s era). Here men from Nandagaon (Village of Lord Krishna) raid Barsana (Radha’s village) to raise a flag on Shri Radhikaji temple.  While the women from Barsana greet them with long wooden sticks and colored water the only self-defense for the men are the water guns which they use at the ladies in order to distract them. Also known as ‘Lathmaar Holi’ it is one of the most popular of the festivals in India.

While there are many legends behind the celebration of ‘Holi’, the most popular one is about the demon king by the name of Hirnakashyip who once ruled the Earth. According to Vaishnava Theology, Hirnakashyip was granted a boon by Brahma, after his long penance, which made it impossible for him to be killed. Legends say he had demanded that he should not be killed “during day or night; inside the home or outside, not on earth or on sky; neither by a man nor an animal; neither by astra nor by shastra”. Consequently, Hirnakashyip grew arrogant and demanded that people stop worshipping gods and start praying to him.

Getting carried away by his mighty powers he started thinking of himself as a superior being to Lord Vishnu, and did not allow anyone in his kingdom to worship Lord Vishnu, prosecuting those found violating his rule. However when Hiranyakashipu failed to make his son Prahlad surrender his fondness and devotion towards the lord, he ordered his sister, the demon Holika, to kill his son. Holika, who was immune to fire, captured prince Prahlad and entered a fire furnace. However it was she who was burnt to ashes. Prince Prahlad was safe and not burnt at all. Legend goes that before the demon aunt died, she begged for prince Prahlad’s forgiveness.The prince forgave her and announced that her name would be remembered once a year, thus the festival of ‘Holi’ was created.

It also goes on to say that later on Lord Vishnu came in the form of a Narasimha (half-man and half-lion) and killed Hiranyakashipu at dusk (neither day nor night), on the steps of the porch of his house (which was neither inside the house nor outside) by restraining him on his lap (which is neither in the sky nor on the earth) mauling him with his claws (which are neither astra nor shastra).

Another story behind this festival is based on the everlasting love between Krishna and Radha. Holi is said to be the celebration of love between the two of them. It is believed that Lord Krishna complained to his mother about the contrast between his dark skin complexion and Radha’s fair skin complexion, so Krishna’s mother decided to apply colour to Radha’s face.

Whatever be the legend, today this festival is celebrated with great pomp and joy across India with the saying that Uttar Pradesh is the best place in India to experience the true flavor of this colorful festival, with celebrations in Mathura and Banaras extending for about a week, and each temple hosting its own jamboree in its unique way.

Traditionally a bonfire is lit a day before the Holi festivity, representing the burning moment of Holika. It also epitomizes the defeat of evil. Being the festival of colours, one can spot large tables with heaps of colored powders called gulal and people rubbing ‘gulal and ‘abeer’ on each other’s faces, young ones squirting water through their water squirting pumps or hurling water filled balloons at passers-by! This forms some of the most interesting ritual of the festival, just gallivanting around the neighborhood with a group of friends playing pranks, like throwing everyone who comes to play Holi into the big tub of water and color kept just for that purpose in the yard.

And can any Holi celebration be complete without a bit of the “Rang barse bheege chunar wali”, a song synonymous with Holi that has become the Holi Anthem of India! Setting the mood and making one sing, dance, and go wild, is ‘bhang thandai’ – that too has become an inseparable part of Holi! The bonhomie ends with visiting people’s houses to share sweets specially made for the occasion.

Marking the beginning of spring in India, Holi is the time when people pray to God for quality harvests and richness of the soil or land, for bright days ahead, a bountiful harvest, the feeling of plenty and the sheer merriment in the air. What better way to celebrate Holi and welcome spring than to play with colors, music, dance and lots of sweets whether you are eight or eighty!

Rediscovering a bygone era!

It was a centre of learning, fine arts, culture and architecture of ancient India… also referred to as the ‘Chola Capital’ city, the ‘Granary of South India’, the ‘Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu’…A city known for its rich and varied heritage renowned across the globe, the cradle of civilization of many dynasties during the ancient times! That’s how Thanjavur or Tanjore can best be introduced.

Legend has it that this city derives its name from Tanjan-an asura, a demon who was killed by Sri Anandavalli Amman and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Sri Neelamegapperumal as a penalty for his misdeeds. His last wish was that the city be named after him. The seat of the Chola empire, one of the mightier dynasties in the Indian history and probably the mightiest in South India from 10th to 14th centuries, it was during the rule of the Cholas, that the city being the capital of the Chola rulers, reached a height of glory with successive dynasties contributing more to it. A travel here would take you to a land of several temples and historic ruins which bear witness to the splendor of a bygone era.

Considered second only to Pallavas when it comes to patronizing art and craft, the Chola dynasty constructed some spectacular monuments which portray the unique artistic caliber and architectural imagination of the local craftsmen of ancient times. With temple architecture reaching its zenith during the Chola rule, and said to be pure forms of Dravidian style temple architecture, these architectural marvels today form the city’s identity.

While there are around 74 temples here, must visits are the Brihadeswara Temple and the Airavatheeswara Temple, which have now been recognized by the UNESCO, as world heritage monuments. One of the most ancient and the most celebrated Hindu temple in the world, the Brihadeswara Temple stands amidst fortified walls that were probably added in the 16th century. The ‘Vimana’ of the temple is about 70 meters and is among the tallest of its kind in the world while the ‘Shikharam’ (crown) weighing about 81.25 tons has been carved out of a single stone! The mount of Lord Shiva i.e. Nandi has also been made from a single granite rock, weighing 27 tons and is probably the largest of its kind in the world. Another important feature worth mentioning is that the 216 ft. tall Brihadeswara Temple was built in such a manner that throughout the day its shadow never falls on the ground!

The Tanjavur Palace is another magnificent delight, a massive structure with huge halls, wide corridors, observation towers and a shady courtyard. Today it is  home to a library, an art gallery and a museum.The museum is known for its royal memorabilia that truly fascinates one and all. The Art Gallery too has a superb collection of artifacts of the 8th and 9th century, belonging to the Chola dynasty, and is known for the bronze and granite statues displayed here.
The Saraswathi Mahal Library next to the art gallery is also known for its amazing collection of manuscripts written on palm leaves and paper. It is said that there are over 44,000 palm leaf and paper manuscripts in Indian and European languages here.  The Hall of Music situated in the Tanjore Palace is famous for its near perfect acoustics and performance stage, and has been part of many a performance here.

Built in the year 1779 AD the Schwartz Church that stands in the Thanjavur Palace garden is a refreshing change from the Chola temple. The architecture dominates the city and is a beautiful example of religious tolerance of the Cholas. Other must visits include the Sharja Madi or the Royal balcony that offers a panoramic view of the city and is decorated with wooden carvings and sculptures, unique in Peninsular India. The Tholkappiyar Sadukkam a Square enclosing a tower also offers a breathtaking view of the city

Located in the Thanjavur District, is Kumbakonam a famous temple town known for its intricately carved panchaloha idols, fine brassware, lamps, silk and betel leaves. Some of the famous temples here are the Sarangpani temple (a Vaishnavite temple) known for its Chariot festival, which takes place every year, the Kumbeswara temple an enormous temple famous for the Mahamaham festival which takes place once every 12 years during the Tamil Month of Masi (February-March), the Chakrapani temple that has superb early temple architecture and the Airavatesvara temple famous for stories from epics and mythology that are depicted all over it.

But separating this city from other South Indian cities is its classical musicians, Bharathanatyam dancers, and the Tanjore school of painting. It is said that these paintings date back to the early 9th Century! Known for their elegance and rich colors, these paintings have a lot of effort put in them and involve many stages. Usually depicting scenes from Hindu mythology, these painting are mostly of Hindu deities and are adorned with semi precious stones, gold, pearls, glass pieces and gold foils.

While these gorgeous paintings are a must buy for tourists visiting the city, shopping here is a complete delight as this place truly is a haven for craft lovers. Silk weaving is a major tradition here with a lot of people engaged in this profession, so make sure to look out for exquisite silk saris with broad borders and unique motifs laden all over with Zari work. These saris are a huge hit for weddings and religious occasions. Also check out the Thalaiyatti Bommai (literally translated as the head-nodding doll), which serve as great souvenirs of a Tanjore tour. Thanjavur Plates (with sombu, coconut), brass and bronze idols, bowls and vessels are other items one can pick while shopping here.

A spectacular city in every way, a must for every tourist visiting India, as this is the place with its rich architectural legacy and heritage, various temples and structures that is a living testimony to the splendor and skills of a bygone time.

 

Your ticket to heaven!

With a rich heritage dating back to the 3rd century BC, this temple town welcomes pilgrims and tourists alike with spectacular temples and exquisite beaches!  Welcome to Puri, a land of numerous temples shrouded with myths and legends, often better known as the earthly abode of Lord Vishnu or Jagannat.  Puri is one of the four dhams (sacred religious centres) in India, others being Rameswaram, Badrinath and Dwarka and is part of the Eastern Golden Triangle which comprises Puri, Konark and the capital city of Bhubhaneshwar.

The history of Puri dates back to the period when the town was inhabited by the Sabaras, a Pre-Dravidian and Pre-Aryan tribe belonging to the Austro-Asiatic family. During the 7th and 8th centuries, Puri had been a provincial outpost that linked eastern India with the South. Owing to its religious association with Sankaracharya (a Hindu reformer), Puri became one of the new centers for the practice of reformed Hinduism. With the arrival of the Gangas in the 12th century, Puri emerged as one of the centers of Vaishnavism. Anantavarman Chodaganga, one of the powerful rulers of Puri, established the Purusottama temple in 1135 which later came to be known as the Jagannath Temple in the 15th century.

While the Jagannath Temple is clearly one of the biggest tourist attractions this place has to offer, other temples with interesting myths and legends behind them include the Gundicha Ghar Temple, Konark Temple, the Loknath Temple and the Ardhasani Temple.

Situated on the Nilgiri Hills, Jagannath Temple, Puri was established to pay homage to the Lord of the Universe. Even the name of the temple is derived from two different words, ‘jag’ meaning ‘universe’ and ‘nag’ meaning ‘lord’. Legend has it that King Indradyumna who ruled the territory decided to build the temple upon seeing the deity Lord Jagannatha in a dream. Following several difficulties, the temple was built and an old Brahmin agreed to carve the image on a sacred piece of wood but the artisan left the job incomplete since he was disturbed in the middle of his task. The artisan is believed to be Lord Krishna in disguise. This temple is one of the tallest temples in India having a superb architectural skill of the period. The rock-hewn temple has tall shikharas (spires). The pillars that support the building are embellished with scenes from the life of Lord Krishna.

According to popular belief, the Gundicha Ghar Temple another popular temple at Puri is the abode of the aunt of Lord Krishna, who is called Gundicha, thus naming the temple after this mythical figure. According to the myths and legends of Hindu religion, the Gundicha Ghar Temple in Puri is the place where the lord spends as many as 9 days of a year at the time when the festival of Rathyatra is celebrated in the town of Puri.

The ideal time to visit the Ardhasani Temple at Puri is during the celebration of Rath Yatra. It is widely believed by the followers of the Hindu religion that Lord Jagannath halts at this temple of Puri, while coming back from the Gundicha Temple. He comes to this temple to enjoy a special preparation made out of rice, which is termed ‘ poda pitha’.

Paying homage to the mythical figure of Subhadra who is said to have saved Puri from the floods by drinking half the total amount of flood water, is the Ardhasani Temple of Puri.

Last but not the least is the Loknath Temple, which has been put up to pay homage to Lord Shiva. According to popular belief, Lord Rama established the lingam with the help of a pumpkin. Established in the 11th century or the 12th century AD, believers often come here to get a glimpse of Lord Loknath, as it is widely believed that he has the power to cure the common people from all types of problems related to health.

Puri is also known for its numerous maths, each known for their individual character and importance. Some of the most important ones are the Suna Goswami Math, the Jagannath Ballav Math and the Govardhana Math, with the latter being one of the most commonly visited maths in Puri, established around 1000 years ago, by Sankaracarya, one of the most popular religious leaders of Hinduism.

Another region famous in Puri is Swargadwar. Legend has it that if a person breathes his last at this place he gets the privilege of being transported to heaven directly! It is also widely believed that such a person easily attains complete salvation.  It is widely believed by the people belonging to the community of Hindus that a dip in the waters of the sea can help one to attain redemption.

Moving from its legendary temples and maths, another attraction of Puri is the Atharnala Bridge, a tourist attraction that bears testimony to the history of the region. Put up as early as in the 13th century, this bridge was constructed in an effort to develop the transport system for the people there at that time. Situated at the entry point of the town of Puri, other than the historical importance of the structure, visitors to the town also come to view its architectural expertise.

Counted amongst the most beautiful beaches in India situated in the Bay of Bengal, is the Puri beach famous for its spectacular sunrise and sunset. One can also take a dip in its holy waters or swim in the sea, stroll around the sandy beach or engage oneself in any other activity. The best time to visit the beach is in November during the Puri Beach Festival. But if you can’t make it  to this festival, Puri has some other interesting festivals like the Rath Yatra Festival, also known as the Car Festival, which commemorates the journey of Lord Krishna from Gokul to Mathura. Other important festivals are the ‘Dol Yatra’ a spring festival, or the ‘Avhisheka’, the coronation ceremony of Lord Jagannath that also marks the beginning of the annual cycle of festivals here and the ‘Kumar Purnima Festival’ celebrated during the month of Aswina, when devotees of Lord Krishna, who is known as Lord Jagannath in Puri and Goddess Lakshmi play dice on the behalf of their titular deities.

For those wanting to take back a part of this mystical place, there’s loads of handicraft that make great souvenirs! From horn work to silver filigree, folk painting to metal ware, silk and cotton handloom, applique work, and lampshades, shopaholics this place surely won’t disappoint you!

Visit this place during its festivals to experience its fascinating culture or its exquisite temples or as legends put it…to secure your place in heaven! This land of numerous temples, shrines and maths will surely fascinate you with its myths and legends.

Witness a catwalk of a different sort!

Thought Rajasthan was just about camels and camel festivals? Think again! Read up about the spectacular Elephant Festival – a daylong festival marked by a fabulous display of grandeur and royal finery in the art of elephant decorations. This unique event is held annually in Jaipur, in the month of March, one day before the festival of Holi. Get ready to be enthralled as these magnificent beasts, groomed to perfection and dressed in their finery, are all set  to move gracefully in procession, run races, play the regal game of polo, and finally participate in the spring festival of Holi.

Regarded as precious and majestic since “puranic” era, the supremacy of this mighty animal has often been illustrated in Hindu Mythology. According to legends, during the ‘Samudra Manthan’ (also refer to our blog on Maha Shivratri) when the demon and Gods were busy “churning the ocean” the Gods were fortunate to be assisted by an elephant called “Airavata” which later became the divine vehicle (vahana) of Indra. It is said that since then elephants have become a symbol of Indian royalty and a unique part of the Indian culture. The Elephant Festival today is an attempt on the part of RTDC to introduce the people of India and abroad to the royalty of the Rajputs.

The Jataka stories of Buddhism refer to the tradition of Hastimangala (the Elephant Festival). From time immemorial, these animals have been regarded as a symbol of strength and wealth. For Rajput kings, elephants were of special significance not only during war but also during the royal festivities. With Jaipur being a favorite of important personalities, during the British Raj, Maharajas there arranged elephant rides up to the Amber palace for their guests of honor. Nishan-ka-hathi, the flag carrier, led the procession. The king always mounted a caparisoned elephant. Special hunting programs and elephant fights were organized to entertain the royal guests. Keeping up with the tradition, even today, the mahouts take tourists up to the Amber Palace on elephant back. Reviving the tradition, Rajasthan Tourism today organizes the Elephant Festival, the present-day pageant, especially with the tourist in mind, including the game of polo, after being inspired by a cartoon in Punch Magazine that showed the Indian polo team atop an elephant after it won all the international tournaments.

Held at Jaipur’s Chaugan Stadium, near the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), usually in the early evening from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. the festival commences with a beautiful procession of bedecked elephants, camels, horses and folk dancers marching towards the ground. The elephants are dressed in their best with the elephant keepers (mahouts) decorating these magnificent beasts from head to toe with exceptional care using beautiful glittering ornaments and embroidered velvets, each vying for the title of the ‘Best Decorated Elephant’. One of the most noticeable features of this festival is that all the elephants at this festival are female elephants, presenting a wonderful sight with their trunks, foreheads, and feet ornamented with floral motifs and other designs and trinkets adorning them from tusk to tail.

For the audience it is difficult to point out a single elephant that is looking more resplendent than the others since all are draped in finest of colorful saddle cloths and adorned with heavy ornaments. Also adding to the charm of this festival are lively music programs and folk dancers who enthrall the spectators with their sparkling performances. Besides the colorful parades, there are numerous races, also deadly and fierce elephant fights, and the much awaited extremely exciting and sporting elephant polo, where the players wearing saffron and red turbans, sit on elephants and try to score goals with long sticks and a plastic football.

And then it’s time for the men to take on the fierce beasts. Enjoy the tug of war competition between the elephants and humans. It goes without saying, that this is one of the most delightful parts of the festival with thousands of spectators cheering for their favorites!

Since this is celebrated along with Holi, the fun doesn’t stop with the races and parades! Adding to the excitement, the mahouts or people sitting on the top of the elephant start throwing colours (gulaal) at each other and people standing nearby. The fun, quite obviously, reaches its zenith at this point of time with the air filled with colours and loud cheers of the people. Ending the evening is the firework display that lights up the sky.

The ‘Pink City’ has some of India’s most amazing attractions such as the spectacular Hawa Mahal, the City Palace, the Ambar Fort or the Jantar Mantar, but these attractions can be viewed at any time, while Chaugan witnesses a complete change and is brought alive with these magnificent beasts, dancers, musicians, and onlookers just for a day! So book your tickets today and be a part of the magic that Chugan is getting ready for on the 19^th March 2011, for a truly colorful and unique Holi!

Best things in life come in small packages!

Ready to know about one of the best-kept secrets India can offer to global tourists? Stowed away in the remote northeast hills of India, Tripura is a land of lush green hills, verdant valleys, spectacular waterscapes, picturesque palaces, pristine Buddhist sites, splendid rock-cut carvings and stone images! A land of myths and legends that beckons tourists from across the globe!

A land surrounded by legends – while the origin of this state’s name is still a matter of controversy among historians and researchers, according to the ‘Rajmala”, Tripura’s celebrated court chronicle, an ancient king named ‘Tripur’ ruled over the territorial domain known as ‘Tripura’ and the name of the kingdom was derived from his name. Another popular belief is that the name originates from “Tripura Sundari” – the presiding deity of the land.

Once a princely state, the land has its own tales to tell you of royal heritage and splendor that comes alive in palaces and temples dotted all over the state with Agartala, its capital, known for its share of attractions such as the Ujjayanta Palace, State Museum, Tribal Museum, Laxminarayan Temple, Uma Maheswar Temple, Jagannath Temple, Benuban Bihar, Gedu Mian Mosque, Malanch Niwas, Rabindra Kanan, Purbasha, Handicrafts Designing Centre, Fourteen Goddess Temple, Portuguese Church etc.

The Ujjayanta Palace the royal residence of the Manikya Kings of Tripura, is undoubtedly one of the biggest tourist attractions in Tripura, showcasing huge Mughal style gardens, magnificent tile floors, beautiful ceilings and doors of carved wood and is beautified by pools and fountains.

Perched on a green hillock, about 1km north of the Ujjayanta Palace, is the Kunjaban Palace another royal palace built by the Manikyas, (the Maharaja being a gifted artist is said to have drawn the plan of the palace and its adjoining garden) which bears an association with Tagore, the Nobel laureate poet. It is said that the scenic locality inspired him to compose a number of songs.  Today the southern side of the garden is open for the public and has been named ‘Rabindra Kanan’. One can also visit the Malancha Niwas, the Bungalow adjacent to Kunjaban palace situated on a hillock (originally a kaccha house, now reconstructed) where Tagore stayed during his visit in 1919.

The Neermahal Palace is the only lake palace in the entire eastern India, a good combination of Hindu and Mughal architecture. The beautiful garden on the western side of the palace, is now an open stage where drama, theatre,etc. are organised. Presently the palace is being renovated and a museum depicting the royal life style will be set up inside the palace. One can also watch the Light & Sound show on the historical past and cultural heritage of Tripura here.

Moving from palaces, Tripura is also home to some beautiful rock cut carvings and stone images at Unakoti, Devtamura and Pilak.

Pilak is known for its large number of stone images and terra-cotta plaques dating back to 8th – 9th centuries that were found here during excavations. Pilak  Pathar and Lungthung are two extensive plains that have already attracted historians for the large number of old stone images found in these areas. While some of these images still lie buried in the ground, a colossal stone image of Avolokiteswara and an image of Narashimha found here have been placed in the Agartala Museum. Numerous terra-cotta temple plaques and seals with depiction of Stupa and Buddhist creed have also been found here.

Meaning one less than a crore, Unakoti is a Shiva pilgrimage spot dating back to the 8th-9th centuries. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva was on his way to Kashi with one crore gods and goddesses and halted at this location for the night. He asked all the gods and goddesses to wake up before sun rise so they could proceed to Kashi, however the next morning, with the exception of Lord Shiva no one else could get up forcing Lord Shiva to set out for Kashi by himself cursing the others to become stone images,resulting in one less than a crore stone images carvings at Unakoti!

These carvings located in a beautifully landscaped forest area with natural vegetation all around. Among the rock cut carvings, the ones that deserve a special mention are the central Shiva head that is about 30 feet high and has an embroidered head dress which itself is 10 feet high and the gigantic Ganesha figure. On each side of the head dress of the central Shiva, there are two full size female figures – one of Durga standing on a lion and another female figure on the other side.

Every year this place is visited by thousands of pilgrims known during fairs known as Poush Sankranti Mela, Ashokastami Mela that are held in the months of January and April.

Another festival attracting not only Indians but tourists from all over is the unique Orange & Tourism festival that is celebrated in the Jampui hills in November. It is here that tourists can witness spectacular sights of the sunset and the sunrise. Various view points in the hill range provide excellent panoramic views of the valley and villages of Mizoram, while its natural beauty, pleasant weather, orchids and orange gardens, and hospitable people with their rich cultural heritage make it an ideal destination for tourists.

Blessed with a large number of natural and artificial lakes, some must visits for their exquisite beauty are the Dumboor, Rudrasagar, and Kamalasagar. With its vast forestland, Tripura is also home to some rare and exotic wildlife, from the rare spectacled monkey to at least 150 species of birds.This place of a delight for nature lovers and animal enthusiasts. A visit to the Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary and Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary here is to enjoy wildlife at its best!

And since Tripura boasts of vast forestlands where bamboo and cane grow in abundance, don’t forget to pick up various utility items and objets d’art from cane, bamboo and wood. It is said that  the artifacts and furniture made by Tripura artisans rank among the best in the country for their beauty, elegance and exquisite designs, so shop away since shopping here is a delight!

Although it is the second smallest state in India, and less familiar in the global tourist circuit, Tripura will not let you down. So get ready of explore one of the most exquisite places India has to offer for its natural beauty, rich culture, history and archaeology, with us!