Travel Category

 India never ceases to amaze. The vast geographical expanse is an abode to diversity, some finest marvels crafted by man and nature’s wonders. when exploring India, the real India, you will surely across some surreal experiences. From the snow-covered Himalayas to the lush Western Ghats, from the azure beaches to the scenic beckwaters, the glemaing dune sof the Thar Desert to the eerie stretch of the Rann of Kutch, fmo the lush jungles thriving with wildlife to roaring waterfalls to secret caves, India is truly blessed. Travel plans to India remain incomplete without exploring few such marvelous scenic spots. We have listed down some of the wonders of nature that you can add to your travel itinerary.

Backwaters

Of India’s wonders of nature, backwaters have made a special importance. Loved by honeymoon couples, families, people seeking getaway from routines or simple in search of bliss, Kerala’s Backwaters are simply heavenly. The network of waters of lagoons, lakes, rivers and the sea is a beauty. Besides, its scenic appeal the backwaters supports an incredible ecology. Some of the rarest birds and some even migratory species that fly in from far parts of the world for the winters.

Where to go: Kerala – Alleppey, Kumarakom, Poovar and Cochin, Goa

Beaches

Nature has bestowed India with a vast coastline, stretching over 1200 kms. With access to the huge expanse of the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal, India has some of the most impressive coastlines. The stretch of silvery soft sands and dazzling golden hues leading to azure waters are some of the most scenic places in India. The wonder lies in the sheer diversity; from rock strewn shores to sandy expanes thriving with seasports, to secret coves of wildlife espceially the sea variety, shores witness to historic legends to ones offering a fun beach getaway.

Desert

India's desertscape is truly a wonder. Rajasthan's vast expanse of the Thar Desert

Mountains

Where to go in the Himalayas – Shimla, Dharamshala

Lakes

Waterfalls

The name ‘Dudhsagar’ literally translates to ‘sea of milk’. The waterfall gives us an allusion of the white spray and foam that the great waterfall creates, as it gushes into the waters of the lake. The falls are at their zenith during the monsoon season, although they are a popular attraction all year round. Tucked away in the crescent-shaped valley, the waterfalls are carpeted with lush green flora, thus becoming a perfect getaway for honeymoon couples.

Living Tree Bridges of Cherrapunji

Located in one of the wettest places on earth – Cherrapunji, Living Root bridges of Meghalaya can make for the most amazing pictures of nature in the world. This scenic spot is a way of boasting nature’s mysterious ways of creation. This place is famous for their ever-growing natural bridges, whilst some of them being 500 years old.

The roots of Ficus Elastic are grown by local Khasi tribes into strong and amazing natural bridges, which take around fifteen years to grow completely. These one-of-its-kind bridges are truly a natural marvel that you must visit.

Nearest Airport: Shillong Airport ( 60 Kms)

India's iconic travel itinerary, the Golden Triangle is a brief experience of rich heritage, colourful culture, hospitality and enriching memories. On a Golden Triangle tour, explore the vibrancy of Delhi, the royal charms of Jaipur and the mystique of Agra along with the finest of cultural bounty of India. And, when is about culture, festivals is an insight that is . After all, they are the foundation of the opulent heritage in the country.

If you too wish to know India a little closely, we’d recommend you travel it by the virtue of Indian festivals. Sounds like a plan? Then, here is a list of festivals that will make your Golden triangle trip a success. Relish every piece of information, who knows when you’ll have your India calling. Happy reading folks!

The Artistic Taj Mahotsav, Agra
 
With the backdrop of exquisite Taj Mahal, Taj Mahotsav is a 10-day gala event that celebrates the life and lifestyle of ancient India. During this festival, hundreds of imminent artisans get the opportunity to carry forward their family heritage. For anyone visiting India for the very first time, a trip to Agra during Taj Mahotsav is a feast for the senses.

Wood/stone carvings of Tamil Nadu, Bamboo/cane work from the North East India, Pashmina from Kashmir, marble and zardozi work from Agra and what not, there is no limit to the art on display here. However, this event is not just about exquisite craft work. In fact, it equally emphasizes on performing arts. In the gist of which, it entertains visitors with various cultural performances. So, if you are a sucker for folk and classical art forms, you’d definitely love every bit of this bonanza.Are you a connoisseur of good food? Then, this festival will be a gourmet delight for you. 

Date: 2nd week of February
Location: Shilpgram.

The International Kite Festival, Jaipur

The clear blue skies of Jaipur are too bejeweled every January to celebrate the International Kite Festival. During this time of the year, thousands of enthusiastic folk take part in the kite flying competition. The craze of it is such, that people from across the country travel miles just to witness this phenomenon. Besides being an enthralling escapade, the Kite Festival is also the perfect place to bond regardless of age, gender and nationality.

Do you know that this festival was strategically planned in order to get the benefits of the winter sun? Yes, that’s a hundred percent true.  It is believed that when the sun moves in Uttarayana, its rays act as medicine for the human body. Celebrated on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, the kite festival is a cultural luxury that only a few get to experience on a cultural trip to India. However, if you are on a Golden triangle trip, you too can enjoy this cultural feast.

Time: February
Location: All Jaipur

The Colourful Holi

Have you ever wanted to paint the world in the colours of the rainbow? If your answer is yes, then, you’ve got a golden opportunity in hand in the form of Holi celebration in India. Although Holi is an auspicious festival celebrated with all hearts across the country, the celebration of it in Jaipur is a little off-beat and unique. Like everything else, Holi in Jaipur is celebrated with all the regal charms. It calls for a two day event, where the community bonds and basks in the glory of religious quintessence.

The first day of Holi celebration in Jaipur invites tourists to become the part of the Hindu folklore. During this time a huge bonfire is set up. Furthermore, people pray around it and celebrate the triumph of good over evil. However, the next day is marked by colours on the streets and people having the best of times. Beside the colour play, there is another aspect of Holi celebration that takes place in the Govind Ji Temple. Here, to celebrate holi with the deities, the devotees play with colours, flowers and even sandalwood.

Time: February- March
Location: Jaipur

Gangaur Festival and Teej Festival, Jaipur

Gangaur and Teej Festivals are Rajasthan’s prized possession. It is the crux of everything we love about the state, from attires to rich customs. Gangaur commences on the day following Holi whereas Teej marks the beginning of monsoon.  Out of which it is Gangaur that continues for 18 days and is very famous among the womenfolk of Rajasthan.

Both of these festivals revolve around love and marriage and venerate Goddess Parvati. During Gangaur, you will notice a procession of women raiding the streets of Jaipur, all decked up in blingy attires. Gangaur and Teej festivals are the apt representation of the Rajasthan. And, if you’d want to bind yourself with the threads of its plush heritage, it’s imperative to add this festival to your bucket list via the Golden triangle trip.

Jaipur Literature Festival

This 3 –day literature carnival invites authors from India and abroad. Literature enthusiasts from all over the world meet at this event to read, discuss, question and answer about the top literary works of the planet.  Moreover, there is even a range of stalls selling everything from food to handicrafts here, which is amazing. If you are a patron of quaint laid back vibes, then an outdoor lounge bar is also available here for relaxing. Furthermore, music performances adorn the evenings here after every literary session.

Time: Late January
Venue: Diggi Palace Hotel, Hawa Mahal and Amer Fort.

Every festival in India is unique. If you have the opportunity to experience any of these festivals on your trip to India, then no one is as lucky as you are. So, make the most of it!

Kalka Shimla Toy Train- UNESCO World Heritage Site

Imagine a fascinating train journey, steadily snaking up on a narrow railway line on a steep gradient, from an altitude of 2000-odd feet up to over 6800 feet on a line full of curves (917 to be precise), whizzing past dense deodar forests, cutting across misty mountains and valleys, chugging through 103 tunnels and crossing 988 bridges and aqueducts! It covers a distance of 96 km in a span of about 7 hours, this is one of the most memorable experiences of ‘Incredible India.’ There are other ways to travel up to Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, but this is by far the most exciting one.

This railway line was established in 1903 when Shimla was the summer capital of India during the British Raj. An amazing engineering marvel, it winds its curvy way through 20 picturesque stations on the way like Ghumman, Koti, Dharampur, Kumarhatti, Barog, Solan, Kandaghat, Shoghi and Taradevi, to name a few, before crossing Summer hill, and finally arriving at Shimla station. Barog deserves special mention as this part of the journey is rife with particularly scenic vistas. Also, this is where the train traverses through the longest tunnel (no. 33) on this route, which is over a kilometre long. 

Although the toy train is usually packed during the tourist season from May to July and during September- October, during which time the journey is nothing short of breathtaking, it is simply a stunning and surreal experience during the winter season when the landscape is covered in pristine snow all around. The train has a snow cutting machine at the front to clear the tracks as it chugs its way up. 

The Kalka-Shimla toy train journey is on India’s tourism map as one of the best travel destinations of India, when it was declared as a Mountain Railways of India UNESCO Heritage Site in 2008, along with the Darjeeling and Ooty toy trains. The Kalka- Shimla NG Express now has a vistadrome to make the journey even more spectacular than it already is.

India is a country that packs festivies like no other place in the world. Festivals in India are diverse, colorful and blissful like the country itslfe. While every day is a detsivity, there are few special celebrations that are unmissable experiences.  there are number of Gods. And each festival is more colorful than the other. While every festival in India is worth participating in, there are some you just cannot miss. Here are the most colorful and most lively festivals of India that you would just love being a part of:

1. Holi – a riot of colors.

Every year, in the month of March, the streets of India come alive with a riot of colors. Holi, like most other festivals of India, is celebrated to mark the triumph of good over evil. The festival also marks the onset of spring season. In most parts of India, the celebration of the festival starts almost a week in advance. You should look on the streets for water balloons and color, as you may be targeted anywhere and everywhere. It is a fun festival which brings together people of all ages. For the best Holi experience in India, head to Mathura which witnesses week long celebrations. Holi is truly the epitome of colourful festivals in India!

2. Diwali – a festival of lights.

When talking of the best festivals of India, you just cannot leave Diwali out. Diwali is to India what Christmas is to the Western world. The festival takes place somewhere in the months of October and November, 20 days after Dussehra. You can see houses decked up in colorful lights, people exchanging gifts, and every family having their own firecracker show as well. In fact, the firecracker show is a matter of pride among families. According to Hindu mythology, the festival marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after he defeated the evil Ravana. If you haven’t been part of a Diwali festival in India ever, you are really missing out on a lot.

3. Dussehra – triumph of good over evil.

The festival, much like Holi, is celebrated to mark the triumph over evil. It is celebrated to mark the win of Lord Rama over Ravana. Effigies of Ravana are burnt across all the parts of the country with fire crackers. While Dussehra is Mysore stands out for its decorated palaces and a grand scale, if you are looking for a more traditional experience, head to the Ramleela Maidan in Delhi. The festival is attended by the top politicos, including the President of India, and there is the yummy food of Old Delhi to savor too closeby.

4. Ganesh Chaturthi – a carnival.

Every year, sometime in the months of September and October, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in large parts of the country, with Mumbai being the epicenter. The festival is almost like a carnival in Rio, minus the bikini clad babes. Scores of people take to the streets with a beautifully decked up idol of Lord Ganesha for immersion in a river. The procession is accompanied with drum beats and people having a gala time. You just can’t stop yourself from dancing during this festival.

5. Onam – a cultural experience.

The tranquil setting of Kerala comes to life every year in the months of August and September during the Onam festival. If you are planning a Kerala tour, try and plan it to coincide with the festival. Onam is a 10 day long festival whih sees colorful fairs, awesome dance competitions, and exhilarating snake boat races being organized through large parts of Kerala. Throughout the festival, there is a feeling of bonhomie and happiness. While there are many ways to plan a Kerala tour, planning it to coincide with Onam is probably the most colorful one.

6. Pushkar fair – a congregation of animals.

This isn’t really a festival in traditional sense of the way. However, you just cannot rule it out when talking of the best festivals of India. In the month of November, the state of Rajasthan plays host to Pushkar fair. It is a five day long festival which sees animals being traded, primarily elephants and camels. It is the largest congregation of animals in Asia, and you can some beautifully decked up animals during the festival. There are some crazy competitions taking place on the sidelines too, such as a competition for the longest moustache.

7. Navratri – dance, dance, dance.

The nine days prior to the festival of Dussehra are celebrated as Navratri. During the nine days, nine different forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped. This 9 day long festival sees several beautiful banquets being set up across the country. There is gourmet food to be had at these banquets and some amazing music to dance too. Often, people find the love of their life during this festival, as you get a chance to play Dandiya with a member of the opposite sex. Of course, you can always play all by yourself if you cannot find a partner. The idea is to have fun all along.

India is a place unlike another. While the culture and heritage has been the highlights, wildlife tours has gained global attention. India is home to more than half the population of tigers in the world. Besides tigers, India is blessed with elephants, nilgai, deer, one-horned rhinoceros, Asiatic lions, a variety of species of birds, amphibians, reptiles and in fact every kind of species of the animal kingdom. The majestic beasts are found in the wild jungles of Central India, sanctuaries which were earlier game parks in Rajasthan, blissful lush wilderness in the South and mostly all over India. Those who want to spot a tiger, can try them at these popular wildlife sanctuaries in India.

Book a Jeep Safari/ Baot Safari/ Elephant Rides

Choose a Jungle Stay

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