Intesting facts about Holi of Mathura-Vrindavan

Holi is a festival that brings with itself a new hope, a new beginning and with it, everyone promises to be better than before.  

Mathura and Vrindavan are the epicentre of Holi festival in Northern India and specially Uttar Pradesh. The Banke Bihari temple at Vrindavan, a day before Holi celebrates the festival with flowers. This day is named as Phoolon Wali Holi. It is a short affair for just 15-20 minutes. So if you want to capture the moment, be ready with your camera at right angles. 

This is not the only attraction; Widow’s Holi at Vrindavan is gaining popularity and is played few days before the festival. It is worth a watch to see the widows enjoy at their best.
Mathura, on the other hand, also holds an important place. The Holi procession from Vishram Ghat to Holi Gate is a must watch. 

Vehicles decorated with flowers and kissed with colours make the procession worth watching. Similarly, at Dauji Maharaja Temple, people celebrate Holi in the form of Huranga- which means aggressive Holi.
 
Interestingly, the aggression is shown by women on men. If you want to capture this moment make sure women do not catch you and get stripped!!

Must visit South India Temples - an enchanting experience for lifetime!

Owing to the spellbinding natural beauty and picturesque architectural and cultural marvels, the peninsular region of South India has been grabbing eyeballs of tourists since ages. Bordered by seas and ocean by three sides, South India is home to some of the most scenic beaches in the world. Aroma of spices and coffee plantation, exhilarating wildlife sanctuaries, pristine backwater beauty, are unarguably the hallmarks of the majestic South Indian peninsular region. But, above them all, the entities that distinguishes the region from the rest of the world are its splendid temples and sumptuous cultural sites. For those who have religious bend of mind, or eagerness to explore traditional Indian architectural styles and culture, temple tour to South India has lot to present to them.

While the hallowed land is filled with plethora of temples and shrines, there are some that should be enlisted in your itineraries to South India. These must-visit temples include:

• Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram: Overlooking the Bay of Bengal, Shore Temple has been the prime attraction for tourists on South India temple tour. Listed in the UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, it’s a structural splendour built way back in 8th century. The temple includes an assortment of three shrines, two dedicated to Lord Shiva and one to Lord Vishnu.

• The Five Rathas in Mahabalipuram: The Five Rathas is actually a collection of five monolithic temples, each built in a distinct style. It’s also knows as Panch Pandavas Rathas - and four out of the five temples are supposed to have been carved out of the same rock.

• Meenakshi Temple in Madurai: Erected almost around 2000 years ago, Meenakshi Temple epitomizes the Dravidian architecture and art. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is known as Sundareswara or Beautiful Lord here, and to her consort, Parvathy, also known as Meenakshi. It contains as many as 14 wonderful Gopurams, or towers, including two Gopurams for the main deities. 

• Kapleshwar Temple in Chennai: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kapleshwar Temple stands among the masterpieces of Dravidian architectural style. It also houses sixty three Saivite saint idols impeccably carved in Bronze. Constructed way back in the 8th century, it attracts thousands of pilgrimages and sannadhis every year. 

• Sri Parthsarthy Temple in Chennai: Located at Triplicane, Chennai, Sri Parthsarthy Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. In fact, it is one among the 108 divyadesams, or holy abodes of Lord Vishnu. Built by the Pallavan king Narasimhvarman I in the 8th century, the temple houses idols of four of Lord Vishnu’s ten avatars.

• Brihadeeshwar Temple: Situated at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, Brihadeeshwar temple is the world’s first complete granite temple. Listed in the UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites as a part of “Great Living Chola Temples”, it exemplifies the great heights achieved by Cholas in architectural skills and capabilities. It stands as the one of the India’s most-prized historical site.

Kaziranga National Park

Wildlife tours to India has a special benchmark for Kaziranga National Park as it is the only national park reserve in India where the Rhinoceros can be seen in its natural habitat for Rhinos. One Horned Rhinos Internationally known as Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros is heavily built beast of mammoth proportions, next to the Indian Elephant. It is the largest of the three Asian rhinos. 

Kaziranga national park has the suitable climate for Rhinoceros to habitat. Kaziranga National Park is situated in Assam - Assam is the gateway to north-east India, dominated by rivers like Brahamputra and Barak. A large part of Assam is situated in the narrow valley that these rivers have created over the period of time. There are other sanctuaries and national Parks also around such as Manas National Park, GaramPani Wildlife Sanctuary and Pani Dihing Bird Sanctuary. 

You can also vist many temples here during your tour likr Kamakhya temple further to this Shilong - Shillong or Scotland of the East is one of the most romantic cities in the northeast. And when you visit it, you'll just about know why. A relatively unexplored land, splendid visions of rows of pine trees, lush hills and quaint cottages greet you, all reminiscent of the British era gone by. The city derives its name from the 'Leishyllong', the super God who resides on the Shillong peak, as if protecting the city also worth to visit.

Untouched beauty of India - Sikkim..

Small but beautiful. Spread below the Mount Khanchendzonga (8534 mts), the third highest mountain in the world, and revered by the Sikkimese as their protective deity. With lofty mountains dominating the skyline, this is an exotic place with varieties of rhododendrons and sparkling orchids. Hilltop monasteries add to the tranquil atmosphere in the rugged terrains.

Gangtok, the capital city, is the seat of governance and the primary hub of commercial activity. Situated a short distance from it is the ancient Rumtek Monastery. The town is a convenient base for trips to the ethereal environs of the mystical Tsomgo Lake and Nathu La.

Some of the oldest monasteries in Sikkim are located in its south district, which is the starting point for treks to Maenam and Tendong Hill. This is mountain biking country and a heaven for naturalists! Sikkim has myriad tourist attractions to visit and explore and you are sure to have an unforgettable experience in this scenic state better known as a trekker’s paradise. 

Gujarat - The Land of the Legends!

Gujarat, is the birthplace of many Freedom fighters like the legendary Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and many others who fought the freedom struggle, infusing the qualities of tolerance, brotherhood, non-violence and patriotism into Indians.

The cultural mix enhanced with over 4500 years of history has endowed Gujarat with some of the greatest historical and archaeological monuments. While Lothal offers an unparalleled insight into the Harappan civilization, Ahmedabad has specimens of Indo-Sarcenic architecture, Palitana has a profusion of temples in the Jain style, Junagadh displays Buddhist caves and Rajput architecture appears all over different parts of Gujarat. A major Tourist destination of immense potential, it’s historical monuments represent the great religions of Asia – Hindu, Buddhism, Jain, Islam, Parsi and Sikh.

Because of such diversity, Gujarat is the much watch place in the world. The Great living Legend Mr. Amitabh Bachhan's statement is perfect about Gujarat - kuch din to gujaro gujarat me, yahan ki mittai me mithas hai..

The social life of Gujarat comprises various languages, customs, festivals, celebrations, costumes, food habits and dwellings of people living in different regions of Gujarat. The cultural edifice has been built in Gujarat due to its geographical, social, religious and occupational diversity. The humble natured, persevering and hard working Guajarati’s residing in its cities, towns and villages have expanded their economy and business ventures not only in Gujarat but all over India and the rest of the world. 

Ensembles, lifestyles and ways of living vary all over Gujarat. The fairs and festivals are full of enthusiasm, entertainment and spirituality. Gujarat is known world over for its Navratri celebration which sees people immersed in the spirit of dance for nine nights. The dance forms depend on the unique styles that have emerged in different cities. people have adopted this traditional dance and its varied forms by the name of ‘Garba’ and ‘Raas’.

Language is the very heart of our soul. Although the principal language of Gujarat is ‘Gujarati’ and other languages spoken are Hindi and English, Gujarat encompasses many languages and dialects throughout to its many regions, castes and traditions. People of North Gujarat speak ‘northern Gujarati’, Central Gujarat speaks ‘Charotari’, Saurashtra speaks ‘Kathiawadi’ , South Gujarat speaks ‘Surti’ and Kutchh speaks ‘Kutchi.’

Rann Utsav Kutch - Celebrating Diversity

Rann or Kutch Utsav is a three to four days of cultural extravaganza organized at different locations within Kutch in Gujarat. The fair is like a mirror to the traditional art forms and culture of India.


Rann Utsav is organized by the Gujarat tourism department to celebrate the diversity and uniqueness of the Kutch district.

Experience Kutch at its colorful and exotic best during the Rann Utsav this time from December 9, 2011 to January 15, 2012. This annually organized festival offers an opportunity For visitors to attend folk dance and music concepts, to watch artisans at work, to Shop directly from NGO’s craftspeople and village co-operatives, to see the great Historical monuments in the state, and to visit places off the usual tourist trail.


The Rann Kutch Utsav held during the full moon time in winters every year is an unparalleled showcase of the ethnic widely different yet hugely diffused spectrum of Indian traditional art forms.


People from far and near gather during the festivities of Rann Utsav to celebrate and salute the spirit and warmth that people of Kutch have inherited and protected.


Special Attractions of Rann Utsav:
- Kutch Carnival
- White Rann Safari
- Kutchi Cuisine
- Cultural Programs
- Adventures Sports

Awesome place to know Indian Culture and tradition. To know more details of Rann Utsav check Gujarat Tourism Weblink: 
http://www.gujarattourism.com/

BIHU - National festival of Assam

Bihu is the National festival of Assam, the north-eastern state known for its tea gardens, the lush green forests and the mighty Brahmaputra. The origin of the name Bihu is believed to be from the Sanskrit word "Vishu".

Bihu is a festival that personifies a huge celebration of farming, particularly paddy.The prayers conferred to God provides the natives of the state to rejoice and hence augments the lushness of its whole landscape.

It is celebrated thrice a year (Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu in April, Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu in January and Kati Bihu or Kongali Bihu in October/ November). 

                                                                       

Bohag or Rongali Bihu is celebrated in April and marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year and also makes way for the start of the agricultural season. Magh Bihu is celebrated in January and marks the season of grains harvesting while Kongali Bihu is celebrated to mark the cutting and binding of the grains.

Instruments used in Bihu are -

• Dhol (Drum)
• Taal
• Pepa (An instrument made of buffalo horn)
• Toka
• Baanhi (Flute)
• Xutuli
• Gogona

Bihu is also seen to be celebrated abroad. Many Bihu associations/committees exist elsewhere where this festival is celebrated with enthusiasm. The London Bihu Committee (LBC), UK is one of them amongst others.