Exotic Holiday in India

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T12:02:00.000-08:00

The whole team of our blog. Exotic Holiday in India.
wants to wish 'Merry Christmas' and a ' Happy New Year' to all our readers.
After a break the crew is going to bring you the brand new ideas how to spend your dream exotic holiday in our country.

History - The story so far

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Indian history can be roughly divided into the 6 periods of Ancient India, Medieval India, the years of the Company, colonial times as part of The Raj, the struggle for Independence and finally, post-Independence. India, the geopolitical entity as she stands today is a post-Independence phenomenon. It was as recently as "the stroke of the midnight hour" on 15^th August 1947 when Nehru pronounced her "tryst with destiny" that India woke "to life and freedom".

One of man’s oldest civilizations was the settlement at the Indus Valley. The degree of sophistication that archaeologists found in their settlements almost belies the fact that these people lived almost 4000 years ago. The civilization had meticulously planned cities; streets met at right angles, the sewage system puts present day India to shame, and the tools and large granaries show that they knew more than a thing or two about agriculture. Seals of the Indus Valley have on them the only ancient script that is yet to be deciphered. The most important Indus Valley cities of Harappa and Mohenjodaro are in present day Pakistan.

The civilization died out in the 1500 BC. The reasons are a still a matter of contention and they range from the coming of the central Asian Aryan tribes to the changing of the course of the Indus River. While both these are true, it’s difficult to ascertain that these are what brought the end of the Dravidian civilization in the Indus valley. By 300 BC the previously nomadic Aryans had settled down in the region of north India. They had brought with them Sanskrit, a member of the Indo-European family of languages akin to Latin and Greek. They also brought the spoken literature of the Hindu life-philosophy, horse-driven chariots and a social system of caste differentiation.

The following millennium saw the waxing and waning of empires. In the north the great dynasties were those of the Mauryas (300-200 BC) during which period Buddhism received royal patronage, and the Guptas during whose reign the subcontinent is said to have enjoyed a "golden period" (300-500 AD). The intervening period had new settlers like the Shakas and Kushanas forming lesser kingdoms in the area around the Ganges. The influence of these Aryan kingdoms rarely reached the south. Regional dynasties like the Andhras, Cheras, Pandyas and Cholas ruled kingdoms in the south of the Deccan Plateau and lower down the peninsula. When unable to withstand the pressures of central Asian invaders the Gupta Empire crumbled, the north got divided into strong regional kingdoms (except for a brief period from 606 to 647 under the poet king Harshavardhan). This was the time that the Rajputs grew to prominence in the west.

Within 300 years of being founded in the 7^th century, Islam had reached the western parts. But it wasn’t until the coming of Turkish-Afghan raiders like Mahmud of Ghazni (997 to 1030 AD) and Muhammad Ghauri (in 1192) that Islam made significant inroads to the heart of north India. The first Muslim empire was set up by a general of Ghauri’s, Qutb-ud-din Aibak, which is when the Delhi Sultanate came into being. The temptation of privileges extended to the faithful, and Hinduism’s own severe caste system made many convert.

The Delhi Sultanate was ridden with internal strife and saw no less than 5 dynasties come to power between 1206 and 1526. In 1526 a young Central Asian warlord who had already captured Kabul, set his eyes on the vast land that lay to the south. Tales of riches had reached his ears and Babur, descendent of Genghis Khan and Timurlane made good his ancestral legacy by defeating the Sultanate’s armies in the Battle of Panipat.

In a land of oppressive heat, and such a variety of people that he could hardly make sense of it, Babur founded the Mughal dynasty. Babur began the work of bringing the delicate patterns of Islamic art, the detailed craft of miniature painting, the severe symmetry of formal garden craft to Delhi. Till Aurangzeb, the 6^th king of the dynasty, the Mughals had a liberal policy of religious tolerance and that helped them weave together a largely stable and tight knit kingdom that spanned a larger territory than any previously had. It was a time of plenty and emperors like Jehangir (1605-1627) and Shah Jehan (1628-1657) could focus their attentions on art, architecture and culture. It was the time when the Taj Mahal was built, as was the Red Fort, and the coffers contained the Koh-i-Noor and the ruby and emerald studded Peacock Throne. Aurangzeb’s religious zeal won him widespread resentment. The Mughal Empire began unravelling, unable to withstand the Maratha chieftain Shivaji’s guerrilla warfare. The last really effective Mughal king was Bahadur Shah (1707-1712). After him Mughal power and prestige declined steadily.

The first British East India Company officials landed in India in 1602. Eventually their interests ceased to be purely mercantile as they assumed more political roles. After the Revolt of 1857, the Crown took over the reigns and India officially came to be a part of the vast British Empire. The Raj settled into ruling this vast dominion and did so till in 1947 when the country was handed back to the leaders of the freedom movement. Gandhi and Nehru led the largely non-violent movement from the front with the backing of Congress and the entire nation. However, partly because of the British ‘divide-and-rule’ policy and internal contradictions in the national movement itself, a communal divide came to be. When India finally achieved freedom, it was combined with the trauma of partition and the formation of Pakistan.

Nehru became the first Prime Minister of India on 15^th August 1947 at the head of a Congress government. The Congress hegemony ended in the late 60s, but it came to power intermittently through the 70s and 80s. The Nehru legacy was strong enough to make both his daughter Indira (who declared the infamous internal Emergency), and grandson Rajiv, Prime Minister. In the 90s the era of coalition politics had begun and democracy had come of age.

History of North India

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One of the oldest civilization in the world, India boasts of a rich culture, history and heritage. The history of India dates back to the beginning of the human civilization. Indian History is broadly divided into Ancient, Medieval and the Modern History. Because of its rich culture and civilization, History of North Indian has not only been dynamic but interesting. Tours of North India offers to provide you with online information on History of North India, India.

Ancient History of India has been divided into the Vedic and the pre Vedic period. Vedas date back to the Vedic period and it is during this period that Hinduism first arose. In the 4th and the 5th century BC Asoka of the Maurya dynasty ruled large parts of north India. Whole of India was mainly unified under the Gupta dynasty and this period in the Indian History was also known as the Golden Age. Rajasthan an integral part of North India was ruled by the Rajputana clan from about 700 AD. Rajasthan was ruled by the Pratihars during 750-1000 AD. Between 1000-1200 AD, Chaulkyas, Parmars and Chauhans fought for the Supremacy of Rajasthan.

In the medieval era or around 11th century BC with the invasion of the Turks and Afghans, Delhi Sultanate established its hold in India. Lodhi's, Tughlaq's, Sayyids etc. are the dynasties that ruled the northern part of India during the Delhi Sultanate era. In the early 16th century the descendants of Genghis Khan established the Mughal dynasty. During the Mughal rule the most of India was again politically united as a single entity.

In the medieval period, parts of Rajasthan also came under the Muslim rulers. Ajmer, Nagaur, Ranthambore etc. were some of the areas ruled by them. Mewar emerged as one of the most powerful states of Rajasthan during this time. Rajasthan was politically united during the Mughal Period but with the disintegration of the Mughal Empire, Rajasthan too was politically disintegrated. With the decline of the Mughals, the Marathas established their hold in Rajasthan and with the beginning of the 19th century, Pindaris took control of the area.

In the later part of the 17th century (the modern period), with the disintegration of the Mughal Empire, the British started establishing its hold through the East India Company and by 1850 controlled most of India. In 1857 the rebellious sepoy mutiny in north India caused the British Parliament to transfer all political powers from the east India Company to the crown.

By the end of the 19th century efforts were made towards establishment of self-government in British India and Indian councilors were appointed to advise the British Viceroy. Later the Indians were also given a say in the legislative council.

In 1920 with the coming of the Mahatma Gandhi in the Indian freedom struggle scenario, the class movement was transformed into a mass movement. Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India etc. were some of the movement that played an important role in the attainment of freedom struggle. On 15th August, India became independent and a dominion within the commonwealth. Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of India and Rajendra Prasad the first President.

At the time of Independence, The Rajputana State of Rajasthan comprised 19 princely states, which were later formed into the present state of Rajasthan after a long process of integration.

India, Intelligence and Security

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Espionage and intelligence appears in the recorded history of the Indus Valley as early as the fifth century. The modern nation of India gained its independence from Britain in 1947. The withdrawal of the British colonial government left India with little governmental infrastructure, and the nation embarked on an ambitious plan to create a new national government. Indian independence, however, also sparked resistance from ethnic groups on the Indian Subcontinent, such as the large Muslim community. As a result of the developing conflict, India quickly established military and intelligence forces.

India's intelligence community is divided into a traditional structure that separates military and civilian, and foreign and domestic intelligence. Though each agency is charged with its own mission, the government has provided a means to facilitate the sharing of information between members of the intelligence community. The Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) processes and analyzes data gathered by both civilian and military intelligence agencies and coordinates joint operations. The National Security Council acts as liaison between the government's executive branch and the intelligence services, advising leadership on intelligence and security issues.

The main civilian intelligence agency in India is the Intelligence Bureau (IB). The IB focuses on domestic intelligence, but the exact structure and operations of the agency are largely unknown. Political espionage is illegal in India, and police gathered wiretapping information is inadmissible as evidence in court proceedings. However, the IB conducts regular electronic monitoring of telephone communications, and mail surveillance, despite occasional admonitions from Parliament. The Central Bureau of Investigations handles most criminal investigations, often acting on initial information provided by one of the IB's many departments. Increasing political tensions with neighboring Pakistan altered the focus of IB operations in recent years, with increasing attention paid to the protection and surveillance of national borders.

The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is India's primary agency responsible for foreign intelligence. RAW operations are largely focused on espionage against Pakistan. With the addition of both India and Pakistan to the growing cadre of the world's nuclear powers, India's RAW conducts counter-intelligence operations, as well as technological and remote espionage, against Pakistani defense and military interests. The RAW is not subject to Parliamentary review, and its actions are highly secret. The Indian government also used RAW resources to aid predominantly-Hindu Bangladesh's 1971 quest for independence from Muslim Pakistan. Most recently, the RAW aided international antiterrorism efforts by providing the United States and British governments information on the al-Qaeda terrorist network and its strongholds in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Military intelligence is conducted by the Army Directorate of Military Intelligence. The agency is the weakest of India's intelligence community, but often aids civilian intelligence operations. The Army also maintains the Joint Cipher Bureau, the main code breaking department of Indian intelligence.

To the northwest, the independent Muslim nation of Pakistan claims the Kashmir region of India. The two nations have never resolved the border dispute, and tensions recently reached a climax when both nations declared themselves nuclear powers and began testing weapons of mass destruction. The nuclear programs of India and Pakistan raise interesting questions about the efficacy of current non-proliferation measures and the increasing global prevalence of industrial and scientific espionage. The increasing instability of the region has aroused the concern of the international community and the United Nations Security Council.

INFORMATION AND HISTORY

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The annual Castrol Awards for Cricketing Excellence have honoured the past; present and future of Indian cricket since their inception in 1997-98.

The three main awards presented during the function are:
Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year
Castrol Junior Cricketer of the Year
Castrol Lifetime Achievement in Cricket Award

Special Awards in different categories have also been given away in the past.

In keeping with their standing in Indian cricket, the awards functions were held in India’s major cricketing centres from 1997-98 to 2003-04. In 2006, the award function was divided into two segments; the first was held in Mumbai and the second in Johannesburg.

1997-98 Mumbai
1998-99 Delhi
1999-00 Mumbai
2000-01 Bangalore
2001-02 Chennai
2002-03 Bangalore
2003-04 Kolkata
2005-06 Mumbai, Johannesburg (South Africa)

WINNERS DOWN THE YEARS

Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year

Rahul Dravid - 1998-99, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04 (shared), 2004-05
Sachin Tendulkar - 1997-98, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2003-04 (shared)

Castrol Junior Cricketer of the Year:

1997-98: Jyoti Yadav (UP)
1998-99: Rajesh Pawar (Mumbai)
1999-00: Yuvraj Singh (Punjab)*
2000-01: Ajay Ratra (Haryana)*
2001-02: Parthiv Patel (Gujarat)*
2002-03: Ambati Rayudu (Hyderabad)
2003-04: Shikhar Dhawan( Delhi)
2004-05: Piyush Chawla (UP)*

* - went on to represent India at the highest level

Ambati Rayudu captained the India under-19 team in 2002-03. Rajesh Pawar was part of the Indian Test team that toured Bangladesh in May 2006.

The likes of Mohammed Kaif and Irfan Pathan have been nominated for the award.

Castrol Lifetime Achievement in Cricket Award

1999-00: Capt. Vijay Hazare
2000-01: P.R. Umrigar
2001-02: B.S. Chandrasekhar
2002-03: Sunil Gavaskar
2003-04: Kapil Dev
2004-05: Erapalli Prasanna

Special Awards

1999-00: The Mumbai team that won the Ranji Trophy for the 34th time
2000-01: The Karnataka team that won the Ranji Trophy in 1973-74
2001-02: Diana Edulji and Mithali Raj for their outstanding contribution to women's cricket
2002-03: Sourav Ganguly (captain), John Wright (coach),Andrew Leipus (physio) and Adrian Le Roux (trainer) for making a difference to Indian cricket
2003-04:
The Bengal Ranji Trophy team of 1989-90
Virender Sehwag for becoming India s first triple centurion in Tests
Anil Kumble for becoming India s highest wicket-taker in Tests
2004-05 (Mumbai) Jhulan Goswami for her performances in England in 2006
2004-05 (Johannesburg) Sachin Tendulkar for scoring his record 35th Test hundred
Best Batsman: Gary Kirsten
Best All-rounder: Shaun Pollock
Best bowler: Allan Donald

History of Mumbai

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Fisherwomen and Stone goddesses

Although the archipelago which developed into the modern city of Mumbai was inhabited whenever history chanced on it, we are forced to imagine the lives of these early Mumbaikars, because the islands lay outside of the sweep of history and beyond the marches of armies for millennia. Stone age implements have been found at several sites in these islands. Later, around the third century BC, the coastal regions, and presumably the islands, were part of the Magadhan empire ruled by the emperor Ashok. The empire ebbed, leaving behind some Buddhist monks and the deep-sea fishermen called Kolis, whose stone goddess, Mumbadevi, gave her name to the modern metropolis.

Between the 9th and 13th centuries, the Indian ocean, and especially the Arabian Sea, was the world's center of commerce. Deep sea crafts made of wood tied together with ropes transported merchandise between Aden, Calicut, Cambay and cities on the West coast of Africa. Marco Polo, Ibn Batuta and other travelers passed by without ever making a landfall in these islands.

Bombay changed hands many times. The islands belonged to the Silhara dynasty till the middle of the 13th century. The oldest structures in the archipelago--- the caves at Elephanta, and part of the Walkeshwar temple complex probably date from this time. Modern sources identify a 13th century Raja Bhimdev who had his capital in Mahikawati-- present-day Mahim, and Prabhadevi. Presumably the first merchants and agriculturists settled in Mumbai at this time. In 1343 the island of Salsette, and eventually the whole archipelago, passed to the Sultan of Gujarat. The mosque in Mahim dates from this period.

The Slow Turn West

In 1508 Francis Almeida sailed into the deep natural harbour of the island his countrymen came to call Bom Bahia (the Good Bay). Bahadur Shah of Gujarat was forced to cede the main islands to the Portuguese in 1534, before he was murdered by the proselytizing invaders. The Portuguese built a fort in Bassein. They were not interested in the islands, although some fortifications and a few chapels were built for the converted fishermen. The St. Andrew's church in Bandra dates from this period.

For years, the Dutch and the British tried to get information on the sea route to India--- often by spying. Even the reports of such spies never bother to mention Bombay. Eventually, in 1661, Catherine of Braganza brought these islands to Charles II of England as part of her marriage dowry. The British East India Company received it from the crown in 1668, founded the modern city, and shortly thereafter moved their main holdings from Surat to Bombay. George Oxenden was the first governor of a Bombay whose place in history was finally secure.

The web of commerce which had supported the civilisation of the Indian Ocean littoral had died with the coming of the Europeans. The Mughal empire in Delhi was not interested in navies-- despising the Portuguese and the British as ``merchant princes''. The second governor of Bombay, Gerald Aungier, saw the opportunity to develop the islands into a centre of commerce to rival other ports still in the hands of local kingdoms. He offered various inducement to skilled workers and traders to move to this British holding. The opportunities for business attracted many Gujarati communities--- the Parsis, the Bohras, Jews and banias from Surat and Diu. The population of Bombay was estimated to have risen from 10,000 in 1661 to 60,000 in 1675.

Through the 18th century British power and influence grew slowly but at the expense of the local kingdoms. The migration of skilled workers and traders to the safe-haven of Bombay continued. The shipbuilding industry moved to Bombay from Surat with the coming of the Wadias. Artisans from Gujarat, such as goldsmiths, ironsmiths and weavers moved to the islands and coexisted with the slave trade from Madagascar. During this period the first land-use laws were set up in Bombay, segregating the British part of the islands from the black town.

With increasing prosperity and growing political power following the 1817 victory over the Marathas, the British embarked upon reclamations and large scale engineering works in Bombay. The sixty years between the completion of the vellard at Breach Candy (1784) and the construction of the Mahim Causeway (1845) are the heroic period in which the seven islands were merged into one landmass. These immense works, in turn, attracted construction workers, like the Kamathis from Andhra, who began to come to Bombay from 1757 on. A regular civil administration was put in place during this period. In 1853 a 35-km long railway line between Thana and Bombay was inaugurated-- the first in India. Four years later, in 1854, the first cotton mill was founded in Bombay. With the cotton mills came large scale migrations of Marathi workers, and the chawls which accommodated them. The city had found its shape.

Dreams of Power

Following the first war of Independence in 1857, the Company was accused of mismanagement, and Bombay reverted to the British crown. With the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, and the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, exports, specially cotton, from Bombay became a major part of the colonial economy. The Great Indian Peninsular Railway facilitated travel within India. This network of commerce and communication led to an accumulation of wealth. This was channelled into building an Imperial Bombay by a succession of Governors. Many of Bombay's famous landmarks, the Flora Fountain and the Victoria Terminus, date from this time. The water works, including the Hanging Gardens and the lakes were also built at this time. The Bombay Municipal Corporation was founded in 1872. However, this facade of a progressive and well-governed city was belied by the plague epidemics of the 1890s. This dichotomy between the city's symbols of power and prosperity and the living conditions of the people who make it so continues even today.

The construction of Imperial Bombay continued well into the 20th century. Landmarks from this period are the Gateway of India, the General Post Office, the Town Hall (now the Asiatic Library) and the Prince of Wales Museum. Bombay expanded northwards into the first suburbs, before spreading its nightmare tentacles into the the northern suburbs. The nearly 2000 acres reclaimed by the Port Trust depressed the property market for a while, but the Backbay reclamation scandal of the '20s was a testament to the greed for land.

The freedom movement reached a high pitch of activity against this background of developing Indian wealth. Gandhi returned from South Africa and reached Bombay on January 12, 1915. Following many campaigns in the succeeding years, the end of the British imperial rule in India was clearly presaged by the Quit India declaration by the Indian National Congress on August 8, 1942, in Gowalia Tank Maidan, near Kemp's Corner. India became a free country on August 15, 1947. In the meanwhile, Greater Bombay had come into existence through an Act of the British parliament in 1945.

Millennial Mumbai

Already India's main port and commercial centre, the City of Gold lured the poverty stricken rural population and the expanding middle class equally. The population boom of the '50s and '60s was fuelled by the absence of opportunities in the rest of the country. The language riots, the reorganisation of Indian states and the see-saw politics of the country did not seem to affect the city. The glamour industry's flattering portrayal of Bombay seemed to be the reality. However, by the late '80s the other big Indian cities had choked in their own refuse and Bombay's road ahead seemed to be blighted. How this city, renamed Mumbai in the mid 90's copes with the challenge of controlling its political fragmentation, disastrous health problems and load of pollution by utilising its wealth of talent and manpower is a story to be told by future historians.

Information on Lucknow History

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Lucknow’s foundations were laid in the 13^th century a.d., a fairly recent date as compared to other cities in India. Lakshman Tila, the central part of the city, is believed to have been the site where a fort was built by a clan from Bijnor. By the end of the 13th century a.d., the fort had fallen into the hands of the Sharqi rulers of Jaunpur, who held it till a.d. 1476. In the 1540s, the fort was annexed by the Sultan of Delhi, Sher Shah Sur (reigned a.d. 1540-45).

During the Mughal Emperor Akbar’s reign (a.d. 1556-1605), Oudh, as Lucknow was then called, flourished under imperial patronage. In 1724, the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah, appointed Nawab Sadat Khan Burhan-ul-Mulk as the Governor of Oudh. Thus began the reign of the Nawabs over Oudh, which continued till the close of the 18th century a.d.

¤ The Process of Modernizing The Town

Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula, who had his capital at Faizabad, was the last Nawab of Oudh. In 1775, he shifted his capital to Lucknow, and proceeded to ‘modernise’ the town by building numerous monuments. When the region was struck by a famine in 1784, Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula offered ‘food for work’.
Under his directions and funding, work began on the Bara Imambara.
The generous Nawab, who employed more than 22,000 people, including nobles, adopted a dual policy of construction. During the day, the Imambara was built, and at night, the workers destroyed parts of what had been built. This was to ensure that no one remained unemployed, and the edifice was not completed too soon.

¤ Lucknow Came Under The Rule of British

By 1854, the British, under Lord Dalhousie, had taken Lucknow. An unconcerned Nawab Wajid Ali Shah played chess while British troops entered and occupied Lucknow. By the time he realised his folly, it was too late. The British had come to stay.

In 1857, India revolted against British dominion. British troops in and around Lucknow retreated to the Residency, with Indian sepoys and civilians laying siege to the complex. When Sir Colin Campbell took on the Indian forces in a bid to rescue his countrymen, the siege lasted 87 days during which cannon and small arms fire ruined the Residency.

After India gained independence from the British in 1947, Lucknow was made the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh. Today, the city is a busy political centre, and the hometown of India’s current Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Volunteering in India

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Group of Paharia children

The week before I arrived, they found a cobra in the kitchen. I'm not a snake person (nor a bug person for that matter) and when I'd agreed to volunteer for a month in the foothills of Jharkhand, in India, I hadn't realised that tree snakes, cobras and scorpions would be part of the deal.

Not that it would have stopped me. As an undergraduate in Communications and Development, I wanted first-hand field experience, and Dakshinayan promised me just that. Cheo Project was based amidst a group of small villages of mud and grass huts, home to the Paharia tribes. Considered 'untouchables' in the Indian caste system, these communities survive by hunting, gathering and cultivating maize. Maize is roasted on campfires and eaten all day. Every day.

My life in the village was a stripped-back existence. I was teaching rudimentary English in an informal school to a group whose numbers ranged from three to thirty students, depending on how much work there was to do at home or in the fields. Three times a day I carried buckets of water from the well, which was the only water source and a 20-minute walk away. I learned how to make chapatti (bread) and how to keep the cookfire going in the rain, so I was able to help out with meals. I walked on the narrow forest trails from village to village for meetings, classes or visits. I'd trek the three hours to the weekly market and back up the hill with supplies. Checking my sleeping bag for scorpions and the tree near the outhouse for deadly snakes became second nature. Such drastic adjustments to my lifestyle were quickly absorbed into routine. What required more time was fitting in.

For a while, the women of the villages gave me the cold shoulder when we met at the well to do our washing. But as the weeks passed they began to smile...

Unsurprisingly, having suffered the extremes of prejudice, the Paharia are wary of outsiders. It's only after you've been there for a while that cautious attempts at friendship are made. The children accepted me quickly and I was soon playing games with them and accompanying them on visits to the river. The kids I taught were gregarious and often bubbled with laughter, despite the poverty that showed in distended tummies and threadbare clothing. The oldest students were perhaps seven years of age (though the Paharia don't keep track of birthdays) and often came to class with baby siblings on their hips; the responsibility they took for these charges was impressive.

For a while, the women of the villages gave me the cold shoulder when we met at the well to do our washing. But as the weeks passed they began to smile and exchange jewellery with me. They even became determined to give me the wide tattoo across my collar bone that they all proudly wore (the offer was infinitely flattering, but I ultimately shied away from it). Once the women had accepted me, the men did too.

The Paharia work hard. They are largely uneducated and malaria, tuberculosis and alcoholism are rife in their community. But their determination and motivation make charity seem as patronising as it often is. Cheo had originally been a government-run project focused on doling out clothing and building wells and buildings - whether the locals wanted and needed these things or not. When the funding ran out, the government pulled out and the project fell into the hands of the locals. It is now a local initiative that strives to meet the needs and aspirations of the communities, focusing on sustainability and self-reliance. In my mind, this is development as it's meant to be - the only thing holding it back is the lack of funding so often faced by small, independent projects.

Unsurprisingly, having suffered the extremes of prejudice, the Paharia are wary of outsiders.

When I arrived in the forest, I wondered how - or even if - I'd be able to contribute. It goes without saying that I left with much more than I gave. I've often heard people grumble about having to pay for a volunteering stint, but the monetary contribution I made to the community covered the cost of my stay and helped to fund the project's initiatives. In many respects that was my most tangible contribution. But I also taught the children some English letters, numbers and words. I showed them how to hold a crayon (some of them had never encountered crayons and paper). I taught songs, held babies while their mothers received treatment, helped distribute medicine and assisted in a tree-planting project. I also believe that volunteers can raise the confidence of the Paharia by showing that there are people who are open to learning from them and sharing with them. Overall, my contributions to the project were as limited as one should expect in a short-term volunteering placement. But was it worth it? Every single moment.

One evening a loud rattling noise came from the kitchen. The story of the cobra flashed through my mind. The project worker was away and had left me with instructions to 'self-cook, self-teach, and self-care' and so I marched purposefully toward the cement room that housed saucepans, firewood and provisions. And what does one do when confronted by a cobra? Thank God, I never found out - instead I found a goat with a metal bucket stuck on its head.

History Of India

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Geography

One-third the area of the United States, the Republic of India occupies most of the subcontinent of India in southern Asia. It borders on China in the northeast. Other neighbors are Pakistan on the west, Nepal and Bhutan on the north, and Burma and Bangladesh on the east.

The country can be divided into three distinct geographic regions: the Himalayan region in the north, which contains some of the highest mountains in the world, the Gangetic Plain, and the plateau region in the south and central part. Its three great river systems—the Ganges, the Indus, and the Brahmaputra—have extensive deltas and all rise in the Himalayas.

Government

Federal republic.

History

One of the earliest civilizations, the Indus Valley civilization flourished on the Indian subcontinent from c. 2600 B.C. to c. 2000 B.C. It is generally accepted that the Aryans entered India c. 1500 B.C. from the northwest, finding a land that was already home to an advanced civilization. They introduced Sanskrit and the Vedic religion, a forerunner of Hinduism. Buddhism was founded in the 6th century B.C. and was spread throughout northern India, most notably by one of the great ancient kings of the Mauryan dynasty, Asoka (c. 269–232 B.C.), who also unified most of the Indian subcontinent for the first time.

In 1526, Muslim invaders founded the great Mogul Empire, centered on Delhi, which lasted, at least in name, until 1857. Akbar the Great (1542–1605) strengthened and consolidated this empire. The long reign of his great-grandson, Aurangzeb (1618–1707), represents both the greatest extent of the Mogul Empire and the beginning of its decay.

Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer, landed in India in 1498, and for the next 100 years the Portuguese had a virtual monopoly on trade with the subcontinent. Meanwhile, the English founded the East India Company, which set up its first factory at Surat in 1612 and began expanding its influence, fighting the Indian rulers and the French, Dutch, and Portuguese traders simultaneously.

Bombay, taken from the Portuguese, became the seat of English rule in 1687. The defeat of French and Mogul armies by Lord Clive in 1757 laid the foundation of the British Empire in India. The East India Company continued to suppress native uprisings and extend British rule until 1858, when the administration of India was formally transferred to the British Crown following the Sepoy Mutiny of native troops in 1857–1858.

After World War I, in which the Indian states sent more than 6 million troops to fight beside the Allies, Indian nationalist unrest rose to new heights under the leadership of a Hindu lawyer, Mohandas K. Gandhi, called Mahatma Gandhi. His philosophy of civil disobedience called for nonviolent noncooperation against British authority. He soon became the leading spirit of the Indian National Congress Party, which was the spearhead of revolt. In 1919, the British gave added responsibility to Indian officials, and in 1935, India was given a federal form of government and a measure of self-rule.

In 1942, with the Japanese pressing hard on the eastern borders of India, the British War Cabinet tried and failed to reach a political settlement with nationalist leaders. The Congress Party took the position that the British must quit India. Fearing mass civil disobedience, the government of India carried out widespread arrests of Congress Party leaders, including Gandhi.

Gandhi was released in 1944 and negotiations for a settlement were resumed. Finally, in Aug. 1947, India gained full independence. The victory was soured, however, by the partitioning of the predominantly Muslim regions of the north into the separate nation of Pakistan. The Muslim League, led by Mohammed Ali Jinnah, demanded a separate nation for the Muslim minority to prevent Hindu political and social domination. Indian Hindus, however, had hoped for a unified rather than balkanized Indian subcontinent. Lord Mountbatten as viceroy partitioned India along religious lines and split the provinces of Bengal and the Punjab, which both nations claimed. The partition of Pakistan and India led to the largest migration in human history, with 17 million people fleeing across the borders in both directions to escape the bloody riots occurring among sectarian groups. Armed conflict also broke out over rival claims to the princely states of Jammu and Kashmir.

Jawaharlal Nehru, nationalist leader and head of the Congress Party, was made prime minister. In 1949, a constitution was approved, making India a sovereign republic. Under a federal structure the states were organized on linguistic lines. The dominance of the Congress Party contributed to stability. In 1956, the republic absorbed former French settlements. Five years later, the republic forcibly annexed the Portuguese enclaves of Goa, Damao, and Diu.

Nehru died in 1964. His successor, Lal Bahadur Shastri, died on Jan. 10, 1966. Nehru's daughter, Indira Gandhi, became prime minister, and she continued his policy of nonalignment.

In 1971, the Pakistani army moved in to quash the independence movement in East Pakistan that was supported by India, and some 10 million Bengali refugees poured across the border into India, creating social, economic, and health problems. After numerous border incidents, India invaded East Pakistan and in two weeks forced the surrender of the Pakistani army. East Pakistan was established as an independent state and renamed Bangladesh.

In May 1975, the 300-year-old kingdom of Sikkim became a full-fledged Indian state. Situated in the Himalayas, Sikkim was a virtual dependency of Tibet until the early 19th century. Under an 1890 treaty between China and Great Britain, it became a British protectorate and was made an Indian protectorate after Britain quit the subcontinent.

In the summer of 1975, the world's largest democracy veered suddenly toward authoritarianism when a judge in Allahabad, Indira Gandhi's home constituency, found Gandhi's landslide victory in the 1971 elections invalid because civil servants had illegally aided her campaign. Amid demands for her resignation, Gandhi decreed a state of emergency on June 26 and ordered mass arrests of her critics, including all opposition party leaders except the Communists.

Despite strong opposition to her repressive measures, particularly resentment against compulsory birth control programs, in 1977 Gandhi announced parliamentary elections for March. At the same time, she freed most political prisoners. The landslide victory of Morarji R. Desai unseated Gandhi, but she staged a spectacular comeback in the elections of Jan. 1980.

In 1984, Gandhi ordered the Indian army to root out a band of Sikh holy men and gunmen who were using the most sacred shrine of the Sikh religion, the Golden Temple in Amritsar, as a base for terrorist raids in a violent campaign for greater political autonomy in the strategic Punjab border state. The perceived sacrilege to the Golden Temple kindled outrage among many of India's 14 million Sikhs and brought a spasm of mutinies and desertions by Sikh officers and soldiers in the army.

On Oct. 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two men identified by police as Sikh members of her bodyguard. The ruling Congress Party chose her older son, Rajiv Gandhi, to succeed her as prime minister for four years. While running for reelection, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated on May 22, 1991, by Tamil militants who objected to India's mediation of the civil war in Sri Lanka.

The ruling Congress Party lost the parliamentary elections of May 1996, and its waning resulted in a period of political instability. The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) then became the dominant force in politics, with Atal Bihari Vajpayee as prime minister.

In May 1998, India set off five nuclear tests, surprising the international community, which widely condemned India's pronuclear stance. Despite international urging for restraint, Pakistan responded by conducting several nuclear tests of its own two weeks later. India has resisted signing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty for nuclear weapons and has been slapped with sanctions by the U.S. and other countries. Less than a year later, in April 1999, both India and Pakistan tested nuclear-capable ballistic missiles.

India and Pakistan have held various talks about the disputed territory of Kashmir, which is the issue at the base of their chronic antagonism and their displays of nuclear strength. India controls two-thirds of this Himalayan region, which is the only Indian state that is predominantly Muslim.

The Indian Air Force launched air strikes on May 26, 1999, and later sent in ground troops against Islamic guerrilla forces in Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan for orchestrating violence in Kashmir by sending soldiers and mercenaries across the so-called Line of Control that divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan. Pakistan countered that the guerrillas were independent Kashmiri freedom fighters struggling for India's ouster from the region. Most international sources agreed with India's assumption that Pakistan was arming the soldiers. In Aug. 1999, Pakistan was forced to withdraw, but fighting continued sporadically during the coming year.

In Oct. 2001, violence again broke out in the region when a suicide bombing by a Pakistan-based militant organization killed 38 in India-controlled Kashmir. India retaliated with heavy shelling across the Line of Control. India, angered by Washington's sudden coziness with Pakistan following the Sept. 11 attacks, took the opportunity to point out that, while Pakistan might be helping the U.S. fight terrorism on the Afghan front, it was simultaneously supporting terrorism on its own borders with India. On Dec. 13, 2001, suicide bombers attacked the Indian parliament, killing 14 people. Indian officials blamed the deadly attack on Islamic militants supported by Pakistan.

Violent clashes between Muslims and Hindus rocked the state of Gujarat in late February and early March 2002 after a Muslim mob fire-bombed a train, killing 58 Hindu activists. Hindus retaliated, and more than 500 people died in the bloodshed.

Hope for a peaceful solution to the conflict in Kashmir was raised in Nov. 2002, when a newly elected coalition government in India-controlled Jammu and Kashmir vowed to reach out to separatists and to improve conditions in the state. But hopes were dashed in March 2003, following the slaughter of 24 Hindus in Kashmir. Officials blamed the massacre on Islamic militants. Days after the violence, both India and Pakistan test-fired short-range missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Two bombs exploded in Mumbai (Bombay) in August, killing more than 50 people and injuring about 150. Indian officials blamed Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based militant Islamic group. But in Nov. 2003, India and Pakistan declared their first formal cease-fire in 14 years. The cease-fire applied to the entire Line of Control dividing Kashmir. Relations between the two countries have continued to thaw, though no real progress has been made.

In one of the most dramatic political upsets in modern Indian history, the Indian National Congress Party, led by Sonia Gandhi, prevailed in parliamentary elections in May 2004, prompting Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to resign. Although the country prospered economically under Vajpayee's rule, a substantial number of India's poor felt they had not benefitted from India's economic growth. Sonia Gandhi, the Italian-born widow of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, dealt a further shock to the country when she refused to become prime minister. The BJP had vociferously protested Gandhi's expected elevation to prime minister because of her foreign birth. The Congress Party instead chose former finance minister Manmohan Singh, who became India's first Sikh prime minister.

On Dec. 26, 2004, a tremendously powerful tsunami ravaged 12 Asian countries. Nearly 11,000 people perished in India.

President Bush announced in March 2005 that he would allow American companies to provide India with several types of modern combat weapons, including F-16 and F-18 fighter jets. The announcement was seen as an attempt to balance Bush's offer to sell Pakistan about two dozen F-16s.

Monsoon rains in late July and early August 2005 caused devastating landslides and floods that killed about 900 people in and around Mumbai. An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 struck Pakistani-controlled Kashmir on October 8, 2005. More than 81,000 people were killed and 2.5 million left homeless. India suffered about 1,300 casualties.

In March 2006, President Bush and Prime Minister Singh agreed to a controversial civil nuclear power deal that permitted the sale of U.S. nuclear technology to India despite the fact that India has never signed the international Nuclear Nonproliferation agreement. Since 1998, the U.S. has imposed sanctions on India for undertaking nuclear tests. Critics of the deal, which must be approved by Congress, contend that allowing India to circumvent the international treaty will make it more difficult to negotiate with Iran and North Korea and their nuclear ambitions.

On July 11, more than 200 people died and hundreds more were wounded when a series of bombs exploded on commuter trains in Mumbai during the evening rush hour. Islamic terrorists were suspected.

Pratibha Patil, of the governing Congress party, was elected president in July 2007, becoming the country's first woman to hold the post. She defeated Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party.

Searching for an Exotic holiday in India – EXOTICHOLIDAYSEARCHINDIA.COM will help you.

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Exotic holiday means comfortable & luxurious holiday vacation. So if you are in search of an exotic holiday in India than, you are in the right place, because we are going to provide you information’s about how to make your holiday more memorable. We will help you in searching Air tours holiday, Christmas holiday, New Year holiday, air tour holiday search, holiday festivals in India, Interesting Facts about India, etc… If you don’t have good finance or don’t want to spend more money & want to have a holiday that suites your budget, than we provide you cheap holiday search & cheap holiday packages. You will surely have an exotic holiday by taking an historic tour to India.

EXOTICHOLIDAYSEARCHINDIA.COM list links to various holiday search engine websites & other holiday search related sites. We also provide search India directory which will list all the sites having large numbers of links related to Indian tours & travel. We will help you in planning a last minute holiday, by giving you the immediate information’s required. If you are mesmerized in knowing the interesting facts about India than we will advice to go for a major holiday in India where you can know the history on India, the Raja’s, Maharaja’s, their forts & queens, empires, traditions, etc… Our site will also provide the information for a traditional holidays & festival holidays in India. If you are a business man and require a business holiday than bank holiday will be the best for you. INDIA a land for all season's India lies in South Asia, between Pakistan, China and Nepal. To the north it is bordered by the world's highest mountains of chain, where foothill valleys cover the northernmost of the country's 28 states. Side by side with the country's staggering topographical variations is its cultural diversity, the result of the coexistence of a number of religions as well as local tradition. Last minute holidays are perfect for the spur-of-the-moment getaway and there is no reason why last minute holidays shouldn’t be as enjoyable as the most carefully planned summer break. Last minute holidays are an ideal way of taking advantage of unexpected free time, celebrating good news or simply acting on a whim. Search India Directory offers search engine and directory services focused on the Asian Indian community in USA, India and worldwide. In addition to its flagship site and the finest Indian search engine network of web sites also include search engines on Mumbai, New Delhi, and Bangalore, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and the Indian computer industry. Interesting facts about India, India never invaded any country in her last 100000 years of history. INDIA has been called Bharat even in Satya Yuga (Golden Age). The name 'India' is derived from the River Indus, the valleys around which were the home of the early settlers. The armies and javans had also given an abbreviation to INDIA as I NEVER DEFEAT IN ACTION. All these and many other information are listed in our website EXOTICHOLIDAYSEARCHINDIA.COM

If you require any additional information’s which is not listed above than please click our exotic holiday directory. So start browsing our directory we are sure that you will be definitely satisfied with the information that our site will provide you.

Indian Holidays & Festivals

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India has a mixed culture. There are many people who have different ways of living and follow different religions, but they all have a common Indian nature. There is such a variety of holidays in India that they are referred to as festivals and celebrations. Every year, about 43 festivals are celebrated around India, especially in Mumbai.

Birthdays of well respected passed away Indians such as Mahatama Ghandi and Gonvid Singh are honored, but the most famous and popular festivals celebrated in India are Diwali, Holi and Durga Puja:

Diwali - Diwali's original name is Deepawali and it is known as the "Festival of Lights." There are so many different stories about Diwali. One of the main customs is to light small candles called Diyas. Diwali is officially a one day holiday but it is celebrated for many days. Firecrackers are burst and sweets are distributed among friends and dear ones. In 2006, Diwali will be officially celebrated on October 21st.

Holi - Holi, celebrated in March, is an especially fun festival. It is celebrated when winter is finishing and it's beginning to feel warmer. Elderly people, children and adults all take part in Holi. On this exciting holiday, everyone throws colorful powdered paint called Kum-Kum at each other. (Be careful, it can stain your hair, skin and clothes but it's only temporary!)

Dussehra and Durga Puja - Durga Puja is the most important celebration for the Bengali community in West Bengal, Bangladesh and throughout the world. Also known as "Durgapuja," it is a national festival of the Hindus which takes place in the month of Aswin or Kartik (months of September and October according to the Western calendar). Click here to read more about Dussehra.

Independence Day - On the 15th of August, 1947, India became completely independent. The day is celebrated to commemorate the birth of the world's biggest democracy as a national holiday. People hoist the national flag and put them up on the rooftops and the buildings. People can be seen flying numerous kites of all colors, sizes and shapes, symbolizing the freedom.

These are only some of the wonderful and exciting festivals that take place in India. They keep the Indian culture alive and help people to remember the old ways.

Indian Holidays

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India is a land of Fairs and festivals. Almost every month, some major festival is celebrated. Only some of the holidays and festivals of India have fixed date. Other festival dates change from year to year. Given below is a list of festivals in India:

Id - Ul Zuha (Bakrid)
It is a Muslim festival commemorating the sacrifice of Abraham.

Republic Day
Republic Day, on Jan 26, marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1950.

Muharram
Another Muslim festival, it commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the holy Prophet Mohammed.

Rama Navami
Rama Navami is celebrated to mark the birthday of a Hindu God, Shri Rama.

Mahavir Jayanthi
It is the birth anniversary of Vardhamana Mahavira, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara.

Holi
It is a festival of colors welcoming the onset of summer.

Good Friday
On this day, Christians mourn over the nailing of Jesus Christ.

Buddha Purnima
This day marks the birth and enlightenment of Buddha.

Id - Ud – Fitr
This festival celebrates the end of Ramzan, the Muslim month of fasting.

Independence Day
On 15^th August is the Independence Day of India.

Gandhi Jayanti
On 2^nd October, India celebrates the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Dussehra
To commemorate the win of good over evil, Dussehra is celebrated in India.

Diwali
One of the major festivals in India, Diwali celebrates the return of Hindu God, Rama, to his birthplace.

Guru Nanak Jayanti (Gurupurab)
This day celebrates the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.

Christmas Day
On 25^th December is celebrated Christmas, a Christian festival.

Janamashtami
Janamashtami marks the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, a Hindu God.

Pongal
It is three-day harvest festival joyfully celebrated in South India.

Baisakhi
On this day, Guru Gobind Singh organised them into the 'Khalsa', brotherhood of man. Punjab farmers start harvesting on this day.

Easter
A Christian festival, Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Public holidays in India tend to be observed on a strictly regional basis. The only holidays to be observed throughout India are Republic Day, Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti. In addition, there are a number of festivals and fairs that are also observed in some States as holidays.

Grand North India Tour

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Day 01 Arrive Delhi
Meet and assist by our representative upon your arrival at the airport. Then drive to your hotel with your driver and car.

Day 02 Delhi - Mandawa (260km)
In the morning take a city tour covering Laxmi Narayan Temple - The Place of Gods, India Gate - The memorial of martyrs, Parliament House - The Government headquarters. In the afternoon take a city tour of Old Delhi covering Jama Masjid - The largest mosque in Asia, Red Fort - The red stone magic, Gandhi memorial - The memoir of father of the nation. Also enjoy the sound & light show in the evening. Overnight at hotel.

After lunch continue on your route to Mandawa.

Day 03 Mandawa - Bikaner (180km)
In the morning see this beautiful village of Shekhawati that used to be an important caravanserai of the yesteryears. See the many havelis of this quaint little town built by the rich and the famous merchants of the 18th and 19th centuries. These havelis have been painted with activities of daily life and of deities to break the monotony of the desert life.

Then proceed towards Bikaner en route stop at Fatehpur to see the splendid havelis of the local merchants of Shekhawati. Reach Bikaner by lunch time.

See the Junagarh Fort, a royal museum that encompasses history of Bikaner from its days of construction that dates back to the 16th century. Later visit the camel-breeding farm, a unique experience. In the evening stroll in the busy market area of the city.

Day 04 Bikaner - Pokaran - Jaisalmer (330km)
After breakfast we set towards our journey across the Thar Desert to reach Pokaran for lunch. Visit the 15th century fortress where the 3rd Mughal emperor, Akbar the Great, was born in 1543. The bazaar in the middle of this village is very colourful and full of local flavours. After lunch continue towards Jaisalmer and arrive by evening to witness the sunset over the desert with the most imposing edifice of the town behind you.

Day 05 Jaisalmer
Morning an exclusive visit of the Jain temples inside the Sonar Kila.. The Jains are a community that respects life and are pure vegetarians by religion. Visit the citadel’s palace that houses a museum with a huge collection of robes and artifacts from the royal family of Jaisalmer. Visit the Patwaon ki haveli with intricately designed latticed windows used by the ladies to view the external world. Also see the Gadisar Lake.
Later, we go to Sam or Khuri village. Here we have loads of excitement in store for you. Upon arrival in the village you will be taken to the nearby sunset point on the dunes to see the sunset by camel carts. At sunset return to the village where your dinner is arranged in mud huts. In the evening listen to the haunted tunes of the desert by the local artists and musicians.

Day 06 Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Luni (280km)
Today we reach Jodhpur the blue city by early afternoon.
Post lunch session introduces you to the fabulous spice market of Jodhpur the 2nd largest city in Rajasthan. Walk along the market to feel the odours of the spices filling the air around you

Then go to Mandore gardens the then capital of Marwar to view some of the fabulous cenotaphs and the hall of local heroes of the wars. Later drive up to the majestic Mehrangarh fort, the stronghold of the Rathore princes from 1453AD. We see the superb collection of paintings and arms and ammunitions. The view of the city from the rampart walls is breath taking.

Later an hours drive brings us to the world of animals - Luni, the palace amidst the more rustic life of Rajasthan.

After lunch we take you on a safari to discover the hidden beauty of the jungle life. Here you would be visiting the Bishnoi villages. Bishnois are a tribe that respects life in every form - animals trees and even dead branches. They are vegetarians and even in the villages they protect the animal life and don’t let anybody practice hunting in the vicinity of their villages. They live in a joint family system where the oldest member is generally the head of the family.

Then we would like you to witness the opium ceremony with the Patels - a rich tribe. It is a ceremony prevalent in this part of Rajasthan where the youth offers opium to drink mixed with water to the elders of the family when they come back from work in the fields.

Day 07 Luni - Mount Abu (250km)
This morning we drive through the arid Rajasthan to reach the the lone hill station in Rajasthan at a height of 1200mt where we take you for a tour of the temples for a few hours.
Mount Abu is a true pilgrimage centre for the Jains as here we see the Delwara Jain temple complex with temples dating back to the 11th century. Later see the Nakki lake and then view the Sun going down the horizon from the sunset point.

Day 08 Mount Abu - Ranakpur - Udaipur (260km)
Leave Abu and reach Ranakpur another big pilgrimage centre for the Jains. Just four hours drive from Mount Abu is the eternal Jain pilgrimage centre of Ranakpur. Admire the workmanship from the 16th century. The temples are built out of marble and the main shrine of Adinath with 1444 columns is awe inspiring and none of these are similar. Also see the sun temple and the other temples in the campus. Proceed towards Udaipur and on the way stop by the fields to see the local way of farming and irrigation. Walk into the villages to mingle with the locals around to know more about their lifestyle.

Reach Udaipur by late evening and check into your hotel

Day 09 Udaipur
Visit the City Palace the richest palace museum in the entire Rajasthan. See the peacock square and the miniature painting school inside the palace premises. Udaipur has the prestige of housing the best miniature schools in the country under the royal patronage of the king of Udaipur. Later see the temples of Nagda and Eklingji.

The temple at Eklingji is a temple that belongs to the Maharana of Mewar (royal family) and he is often there to pray. The temple complexe of Nagda is a group of temples of which only two remain intact and those are that of Saas and Bahu - two temples of Shiva and of Vishnu both from the 7th century.

Day 10 Udaipur - Ajmer - Pushkar - Jaipur (360km)
Today cross the entire stretch of Mewar to reach the most holy cities of Pushkar and Ajmer.
Pushkar happens to be the holiest places according to the Hindus as it is considered that Lord Brahma (the Creator) and his wife Saraswati (the godess of learning and music) performed a ritual in the lake. Here we visit the only Brahma temple of the world before intermingling with the local colours in the local bazaar. Pushkar is the world famous for its cattle fair held each year in the month of October/November. Proceed towards Ajmer.

Ajmer is the pious city for the Muslims. Surprisingly both the cities are at distance of 11km from each other. Visit the Durgah built in fond remembrance of Khwaja Muin ud Din Chisti where the Muslim pilgrims from all over India throng during the festival times. Later visit Mughal emperor Akbar’s Palace where his son Jehangir received Sir Thomas Roe to grant him the permission of trade to East India Company with India, that changed the history of India completely and slowly and steadily India became colony of the British Empire. Continue towards Jaipur and reach by late evening and check into hotel.

Day 11 Jaipur
Visit the Amber fort in the morning; included is an elephant ride at the Amber fort. See the marvelous Shish mahal built in the 17th century in a fusion style of Hindu and Islamic art. Also see the hall of public audiences and Maharaja Man Singh’s Palace who had twelve queens.

After lunch set off to see the Pink city visiting the observatory Jantar Mantar built in 1727 by Sawai Maharaja Jai Singh II who was a mathematician , an astronomer an astrologer and a great musician of his era. He built five observatories throughout India - Jaipur, Ujjain, Varanasi, Mathura and Delhi but only the one at Jaipur is functional.

Then visit the City Palace of the Maharaja of Jaipur with a fabulous collection of robes and saris in cotton and silk with gold-latticed work. The City Palace houses a collection of paintings also in the painting gallery and of course a collection of arms and ammunitions in the ammunition gallery.

Day 12 Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (230km)
Leave the Pink City after breakfast and reach Fatehpur Sikri by early afternoon. Visit this abandoned city built by the Mughal emperor Akbar in the second half of the 16th century. Fatehpur Sikri was built by Akbar after his Hindu wife bore him the long awaited son who was born after the renowned sufi saint Salim Chisti blessed Jodhabai Akbar’s Hindu wife with a son. Also visit Jodhabai’s palace the biggest palace in Fatehpur Sikri even bigger than the emperor’s palace himself as this was the queen who bore him his heir to the throne.

Continue towards Agra and reach Agra by early evening. Relax at your hotel or go to the local bazaar to see the lifestyle of the people.

Day 13 Agra
Taj Mahal is awaiting your arrival today morning. A must see with the rising sun as the Taj Mahal is bathed in the golden rays of the morning sun. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial that houses the tomb of his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design, balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen anywhere in the world.

Then see the Agra Fort built by Akbar where Shahjahan was imprisoned by his own son Aurangzeb.

Post lunch visit Itmad ud Daulah - it is the first mughal building built out completely of marble. In many contexts it is referred to being the predecessor of the Taj Mahal. Then visit Sikandara the tomb of the great emperor Akbar.

Day 14 Agra - Gwalior - Orchha (219km)
Today we go to Gwalior the erstwhile stronghold of the Scindia rulers. Reach Gwalior and start your visit. A trip to Gwalior is incomplete without a visit to the fort, Scindia Palace and the tombs of Ghaus Mohammed and Tansen. Also visit the Gurjari Mahal the palace of the Gurjar queen Mrignayani today housing an archaeological museum. Also see the teli ka mandir and the Saas bahu ka mandir inside the fort. Then proceed towards Orchha.

Day 15 Orchcha - Khajuraho (272km)
Today we board our car to proceed towards Khajuraho via Datia and visit the palace of the Bundela kings.
Datia and Orchha are two twin cities from the medieval times. In these villages time has stopped. And you feel the timelessness of this spot. Orchha is a medieval city founded by Bundela rulers with palaces and temples of the 16th and 17th century - which have remarkably withstood the onslaught of time. The river Betwa picturesquely flanks the city.

Reach Orchha by 1130 hrs and see the beautiful Palace Complex - Jahangiri Mahal and the Raja Mahal. Closely study the intricacies of the mural paintings in the Raja Mahal and visit the Laxminarayana Temple.
Post lunch continue towards Khajuraho about 182 km away by road.

Day 16 Khajuraho - Varanasi By flight
Morning sight seeing shows us the temples built during the 9th to the 11th centuries by the powerful dynasty of Chandela rajputs. The temples with their erotic sculptures are a feast to the eyes. The Chandelas built 85 temples in all but today only 20 temples stand intact. Visit the eastern and western group of temples before being transferred to the airport to catch your flight to Varanasi. (1525hrs)
Upon your arrival (1605hrs) in Varanasi transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is free.

Day 17 Varanasi - Delhi (by flight)
Early in the morning (0500hrs) we take you to banks of the river Ganges where we board a boat to see the morning ablutions of the Hindus from the security of our boat. The boat ride starts from Dasashwamedh Ghat and ends at Manikarnika Ghat along the sacred Ganges. See the Kashi Vishwanath temple and the Gyanvyapi kund and the mosque attached to it. Also visit the Benares Hindu University the largest residential university in India with more than 3000 residential students.

Return to your hotel for breakfast. Later visit Sarnath the sacred city for the Buddhist all over the world. It was here that Lord Buddha preached his first sermon to his first five disciples. Also worth visiting is the museum with artifacts dating back to 3rd century BC. Visit the nearby ruins of the ancient seat of learning in Sarnath.

In time transfer to the airport for your flight back to Delhi.

The amazing things you'll be doing

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Experience 15-days of the Great Indian Confluence…

We have designed this trip to ensure that as a traveller to South India, you get to experience the rich history, the distinct cultures and the diverse wildlife of the Western Ghats.

This route has been designed to commence in the Nilgiri Mountains where you will be spending four of your fifteen days soaking up the natural beauty and life of the tribes of this unique part of the Western Ghats of South India.

From the Nilgiri Hills, we then make our way into the historic and cultural state of Karnataka where you spend 10-days traversing it’s length. Your trip, on the 15th day comes to an end as we converge onto the sun kissed beaches of Goa.

Price includes: Accommodation (5 star/eco where possible), transportation, entry fees, guide charges, camera fees, road/toll taxes & soft drinks (water, tea coffee, juices).

Please note: I would be delighted to telephone you to discuss your individual travel arrangements, so please leave your telephone number when you complete the online enquiry form.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	We make our way up from Coimbatore’s Airport to the Nilgiri Hills which will become your base at the homestay at Misty Heights for the next four days. We take a walk in the evening in a sub-tropical Rain Forest.
Day 2:	We spend the morning trekking down the mountain with the destination being a Jeep Safari through a National Park in the evening. This National Park is now designated a Project Tiger and Project Elephant sanctuary
Day 3:	We visit a modern-construct temple and proceed to a yogic meditation center nestled in the foothills of the forested Western Ghats near the City of Coimbatore. We return to Coimbatore to spend the afternoon in the city gaining an insight into window and textile shopping... truly Indian style!
Day 4:	Catch an early morning ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, now a World Heritage site, as it makes it way over gorges, waterfalls and through a maze of tunnels to finally reach a height of 7200 feet above sea level. Spend the evening strolling through the erstwhile Colonial summer town of Ooty which allows a glimpse into the people and commerce of this typical Indian hill town.
Day 5-6:	We drive to the historic city of Mysore where we use a historic Palace Hotel as a base in this city. On arrival, we visit a Sanctuary, a nesting site to sixteen species of migratory birds and home to the Indian Marsh Crocodile. We spend the afternoon experiencing this city’s famous silk and the production of the South Indian silk saree. The following day we visit the opulent Amba Vilas Palace and the extensive farmers market on this former Kingdom State.
Day 7:	We proceed north to the town of Hassan, which we use to visit the ancient Capitals of the Hoysala Kings. We spend the rest of the day at the 12th century temple site of Belur where we soak in the history and breathtakingly unique architecture.
Day 8-9:	Spend the first of these two days traveling to the site of Hampi, widely believed to be the most ancient site of the Hoysala Kings. We devote the next day scouring the extensive and extremely well preserved ruins of this ancient Capital city of the powerful Hoysala Kings.
Day 10-11:	We proceed further north to the ancient Mughal City of Bijapur, believed by many to be the “Agra of the South.” We explore the ancient monuments of this historic town at leisure right through breakfast the next day. Leaving the next day, we proceed to the town of Badami and spend the evening there at leisure.
Day 12-13:	Using Badami as our base for these next two days, we visit two ancient 4th and 6th century temple sites that have now been declared World Heritage Sites due to their remarkable extent of preservation and their historic importance. We visit the ancient cave temples located at the town of Badami the next day. We spend the rest of the time, exploring the unique boulder strewn landscapes and the ancient town of Badami.
Day 14-15:	Making an early start to our day, we proceed to a Wildlife Sanctuary but stop enroute to visit an ancient 11th century Fort Complex. Our evening and the next morning will be devoted to nature walks, safaris and leisure in tented cottages by the river’s edge. On the afternoon of the 15th day, we head to the beaches of Goa and Panjim, the capital city of this elegant Portuguese trading outpost.

INDIA

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COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: India is an economically developing democratic republic. Tourist facilities varying in degree of comfort and amenities are widely available in the major population centers and main tourist areas.

Passport and/or Visa Requirements: A passport and visa are required for entry into India for tourism or business. All visitors, including those on official U.S. Government business, must obtain visas at an Indian embassy or consulate abroad prior to entering the country. There are no provisions for visas upon arrival, and those arriving in India without visas bearing the correct validity dates and number of entries are subject to deportation. The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi can offer very little assistance when U.S. citizens arrive without visas. For further entry information, the traveler can contact the Embassy of India at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 939- 9849 or 939-9806 or the Indian consulates in Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and Houston. Outside the United States, inquiries should be made at the nearest Embassy or Consulate of India.

TERRORISM: In July 1995, Western tourists, including two Americans, were kidnapped by terrorists in Kashmir. One hostage was brutally murdered and one escaped. The remaining hostages, including one American, have not been released and their whereabouts are unknown. In 1994, several tourists, including an American, were held for weeks by Kashmiri militants before police rescued them. Since January 1996, New Delhi has been the site of a dozen terrorist bombing attacks, some with multiple explosive devices (four exploded in October 1997 alone). These bomb blasts have occurred in public places, as well as on public transportation (common carriers), such as trains and buses. While no U.S. citizens were among the victims, other foreign visitors were reported injured. There is no pattern that has emerged in these attacks, nor is there any indication that they are directed against foreigners in general or Americans in particular. Nevertheless U.S. citizens should be alert to suspicious packages in public places, and avoid crowds, political demonstrations, and other manifestations of civil unrest.

Travel Warnings, Advisories and Areas of Instability:

Countrywide -- Major civil disturbances can pose risks to a traveler9s personal safety and can disrupt transportation systems and city services. In response to such violence, Indian authorities may occasionally impose curfews and restrict travel. Political rallies and demonstrations in India have the potential for violence, especially during periods immediately preceding and following elections. In addition, the potential exists for religious and inter-caste violence. While such violence has not usually specifically targeted foreigners, mobs have attacked Christian workers, including foreigners. Missionary activity has aroused strong reactions, and an Australian missionary and his two sons were murdered by a mob in the eastern state of Orissa in January 1999. Nevertheless, the principal risk for foreigners appears to be that of becoming inadvertent victims. U.S. citizens should contact the U.S. Embassy or the nearest U.S. Consulate for further information about the current situation in areas where they wish to travel.

Kashmir - The Department of State strongly urges private U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to the Kashmir valley area of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. In addition to the American and other Western tourists taken hostage (and one murdered) in Kashmir by terrorists in 1995, an American tourist was fatally shot in Srinagar in 1994. Also in 1994, militants held two British hikers hostage for 18 days before releasing them. Within the state, the Ladakh region has been unaffected by terrorist violence. Srinagar, the Kashmir valley and the city of Jammu remain dangerous places where terrorist activities and violent civil disturbances continue. U.S. Government employees are prohibited from traveling to the state of Jammu and Kashmir without permission from the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi.

Northeast States - sporadic incidents of violence by ethnic insurgent groups, including the bombing of buses and trains, are reported from parts of Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, and Meghalaya. While U.S. citizens have not been specifically targeted, visitors are cautioned not to travel outside major cities at night. Security laws are in force, and security personnel have been deployed by the central government in New Delhi to several northeast states. Travelers may check with the U.S. Consulate in Calcutta for information on current conditions. (Please see address below.)

India-Pakistan border - Tensions run high between India and Pakistan, particularly over Kashmir. The only official India-Pakistan border crossing point is between Atari, India, and Wagah, Pakistan. A Pakistani visa is required for entry to Pakistan.

RESTRICTED AREAS: Permission from the Indian government (from Indian diplomatic missions abroad or in some cases from the Ministry of Home Affairs) is required to visit the states of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, parts of Kulu district and Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh, border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, areas of Uttar Pradesh, the area west of National Highway no. 15 running from Ganganagar to Sanchar in Rajasthan, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the Union Territory of the Laccadive Islands.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Adequate medical care is available in the major population centers, but is usually limited in the rural areas of the country. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate payment in cash for health services. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for payment of medical services outside the United States. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation can be extremely costly.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: Check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation. Ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure "Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad," available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet home page or by autofax at (202) 647-3000.

OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention9s international traveler's hotline at telephone 1-877-FYI- TRIP (1--877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX(1-888-232-3299), or by visiting the CDC Internet home page at http://www.cdc.gov.

Travel Warnings, Advisories and Areas of Instability: Petty crime, especially theft of personal property, is common. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported immediately to local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Useful information on safeguarding valuables, protecting personal security, and other matters while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlets "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to South Asia." They are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, or through the printing office Website at www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or from the Bureau of Consular Affairs Website at http://travel.state.gov.

DRUG PENALTIES: Travelers are subject to the laws and legal practices of the country in which they travel. Penalties for possession of, use of, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strictly enforced. Convicted offenders in India can expect a minimum jail sentence of 10 years and fines.

CUSTOMS CONSIDERATIONS: Indian customs authorities strictly enforce the laws and regulations governing the declaration, importation, or possession of gold and gold objects. Travelers have sometimes been detained for possession of undeclared gold objects.

MOUNTAIN CLIMBING: Both India and Pakistan claim an area of the Karakoram mountain range that includes the Siachen Glacier. The two countries have military outposts in the region, and armed clashes have occurred. Because of this situation, U.S. citizens traveling to or climbing peaks anywhere in the disputed areas face significant risk of injury and death. The disputed area includes the following peaks: Rimo Peak; Apsarasas I, II and III; Tegam Kangri I, II and III; Suingri Kangri; Ghiant I and II; Indira Col; and Sia Kangri.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: Travel by road in India is dangerous. Outside major cities, main roads and highways are poorly maintained and always congested. Even main roads often have only two lanes, with poor visibility and inadequate warning markers. Heavy traffic, including overloaded trucks and buses, scooters, pedestrians, and livestock, is the norm. Travel at night is particularly hazardous. In March 1996, a tour bus crashed at night near the city of Agra, claiming the lives of five Americans.

The information below concerning traffic safety and road conditions in India is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Safety of Public Transportation: Poor
Urban road Condition/Maintenance: Poor
Rural Road Condition/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of India9s Civil Aviation Authority as Category 1 -- in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of India9s air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA9s Internet Website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the Pentagon at (703) 697-7288.

PILOTING CIVIL AIRCRAFT: In past years, there have been a number of incidents in which civil aircraft have been detained for deviating from approved flight plans. U.S. citizens piloting civil aircraft in India must file any changes to previous flight plans with the appropriate Indian authorities and may not overfly restricted airspace.

Y2K INFORMATION: U.S. citizens contemplating traveling or residing abroad in late 1999 or early 2000 should be aware of potential difficulties. They may wish to consider taking practical precautions against possible disruptions of services triggered by the Y2K computer phenomenon. Monitor the home page of the Department of State for updates on Y2K issues. See also the Government of India's Internet home page on Y2K issues at http://www.doe.gov.in/~doe/y2k.htm.

EMBASSY LOCATION AND REGISTRATION: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi or at one of the U.S. consulates in India, and to obtain updated information on travel and security in India and Bhutan and request a copy of the booklet "Guidelines for American Travelers in India." The workweek is Monday through Friday.

UAE National Day celebrated in India

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New Delhi - The UAE National Day was celebrated in the Indian capital last night with a festive reception at the UAE Embassy by Ambassador Abdulla Ebrahim A Alzoy Al Shehhi.Delhi's Lt Governor Tejinder Khanna attended the reception and reaffirmed the strong ties between the two countries. A large number of dignitaries were present on the occasion. In a statement on the occasion, Shehhi said pointed out that the UAE believed in non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, peaceful resolution of disputes, together with support for international institutions such as the United Nations. These policies were based on the guiding principles as laid down by the founder of the state, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
A documentary film showcasing the tremendous progress of the UAE since its formation on 2nd December 1971, was widely applauded by the guests as the direction of the UAE leadership has been manifold not only towards prosperity but also directed at empowering its people with education, good health, ecological balance, equal opportunities for women, stability and secure peace. Besides the film, prepared by the National Media Council, the Ambassador also released a booklet on Indo-UAE relations. (Emirates News Agency, WAM)

Hindu Holidays

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Hinduism is a religion that originated in the subcontinent of India. It has no known founder and is a mix of diverse beliefs and traditions. Hinduism is considered the world's oldest religion and has approximately a billion followers. Approximately 890 million Hindus live in India, placing it as the world's third largest religion after Christianity and Islam. Other countries with large Hindu populations include Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Diwali
Makar Sankranti
Maha Shivaratri
Holi
Ram Navami
Raksha Bandhan
Krishna Janmashtami
Navaratri

Diwali

Diwali is the festival of lights for Hindus and Sikhs. The celebration lasts for five days and is marked by sweets, fireworks and lights. It celebrates the triumph of good, light and knowledge over evil, darkness and ignorance. Diwali celebrates a good year of harvesting and honors the Goddess of Wealth.

Diwali usually takes place in October or November, but the date is different each year because it is based on the Hindu calendar. During this holiday, all buildings are adorned with many Diyas, which are oil lamps. It is believed that the lamps guide Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, to the homes of Hindus. Hindus thank Lakshimi by opening the windows of their houses and by drawing images of lotus flowers. They also draw colorful patterns on the floor called Rangolis. During Diwali, Hindus give and receive gifts—especially sweets. They also celebrate with feasts and gambling.

Makar Sankranti

Maker Sankranti is celebrated on the January 13 and it is the first Hindu holiday on the western calendar. It is observed in different ways in various regions of India and occurs when the sun goes into the zodiac sign of Makar, which makes the days longer.

Hindus in Maharashtra and Gujarat celebrate by flying kites. However, in Punjab, Makar Sankrant is called Lohri and they celebrate by making make large bonfires, having sweets and throwing rice in celebration. It is called Kicheri in Uttar Pradesh, where Hindus bathe in the rivers. The festival called Pongal in Southern India, where it is celebrated for three days. Hindus in that region present rice boiled in milk to the God of Rain on the first day and the God of the Sun on the second day. They bathe cows and adorn them with flowers on the third day to honor their hard work in the fields.

Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivaratri celebrations honor Shiva, destroyer of the universe. Unlike other Hindu celebrations, this one is celebrated the night and day before the new moon.

Hindus celebrate the night of Maha Shivaratri on the night that Hindu folklore says that Shiva performed a dance called the "Tandav." The new moon symbolizes Shiva. Shiva's followers prepare certain foods to offer him and the next morning they eat the offerings. Young women hope that by fasting in honor of Shiva, he will give them nice husbands. During the night, Hindus pray and sing to honor their lord.

One of the Hindu traditions during Maha Shivaratri is to bathe a sculpture of Shiva with water, honey, and milk before rubbing it with sandalwood paste and adorning it with flowers.

Shiva can come in five different forms. Some of these forms are good, while others are bad. The five forms are Rudra, "the roarer," Mahadeva, "the great god," Nataraja, "the lord of dance,” Bharaiva, "the terrible," and Sundareshvara, "the beautiful lord." Shiva can appear dancing, meditating, or as an inanimate sculpture with multiple pairs of hands.

Holi

Holi is the Hindu festival of colors. It marks the beginning of spring and all that spring symbolizes. Holi is not a religious holiday, although it does have a religious history. It is most commonly celebrated in Northern India and usually takes place in February or March. During this time (known as Phagun) Hindus build bonfires to help get the evil spirits out of the air and celebrate with gifts of food. It is a very happy time when Hindus are all recognized as equal with no difference in wealth, gender or age.

Holi is called "The Festival of Colors" because people paint each other and throw dye and colorful powder all over their bodies. The colored powder that they throw during the festival is called Gulal. Children use toy objects to put paint on friends and family. They do this because when everyone is covered in paint, it symbolizes that there is no class distinction and everyone is the same. Holi used to celebrate fertility and harvest, but the holiday also now honors Hindu legends.

Ram Navami

Ram Navami takes place in April and celebrates the birth of Lord Rama. On this holiday, Hindus clean and decorate their houses with fruits and flowers. The youngest girl in the house leads the prayers (called puja) by putting a red mark (called a tilak) on her family. They put an image of Rama as a baby in a cradle, and at midday, they remove the cover of the cradle and feed a special food (called Prasad) to him.

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandan celebrates love for comrades and brothers. Hindus celebrate it when there is a full moon. This usually takes place in August. Raksha means "protection" and Bandhan means "to tie." During this festival, sisters put a bracelet called a rakhi on their brothers’ wrists as a symbol of their love and affection for them. The priests put rakhis on the wrists of members of their congregation and women put rakhis on the wrists of the prime minister. When a woman puts a rakhi on a man, the man has a duty to protect her. The bracelets usually have many colors and the people say a chant in Punjabi or Sanskrit once the bracelets are tied.

Krishna Janmashtami

Janmashtami is a festival celebrating Krishna's birth. Krishna is god that Hindus worship the most. They celebrate his birthday in August, eight days after Raksha Bandhan. The celebration lasts two days.

The first day is called Krishnashtami or Gokulashtami. The second day is called Kalastami or more popularly Janmashtami. Hindus usually do not sleep during these two days. They sing songs called bhajans and fast for the first day. They perform many songs, dances and plays of Krishna’s childhood to worship him.

Navaratri

Navaratri is a fun and religious holiday in October. During this time, Hindus from all over India put aside their daily chores and prepare for Navaratri, a nine-day celebration honoring three goddesses of the religion: Durga, the goddess of valor; Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; and Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. Hindus dedicate three days of celebration to each of the three goddesses, which are the incarnations of Goddess Shakti (the Mother Goddess).

During Navaratri, some people fast or only eat fruit once a day. During these nine days, people who are not fasting can go to any temple in India at any time to get free food. Hindus come from all over India to feed the goddesses on the last day and pray in the temples. The festival comes to the end on the tenth day of Vjay Dashmi or Dussehra, when the idols of the Goddess Shakti are tossed into the river to mark the end of Navaratri.

List of Holidays Celebrated In India

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There are many religious lived in India. There are many holidays celebrated in India every year. Some holidays related to festival and some are national holidays. India called the Country of Festival. Some of the important holidays are here :-

1.Makara Sankranti which held on 5 January. This holiday related to Harvesting when all farmers cut their crops in winter seasons. It is also called as Pongal.

2. Republic Day which is held on 26th January. The Govt. declares the holiday in all India. It is a government rule.

3.Idul zuha which held on 2 february which is make by Muslim religion.

4.Maha shivratri is the festival of Lord Shiva which held on 18 February and it celebrated in all India.

5.Holi is the most famous holiday made in India. It is a festival of colours. It comes on 6th march in every year.

6.Vaisakhi is the most famous festival of Sikh religious.

7.The big holiday of Jain religious is Buddha purnima which made on 4th may.

8.Indepence Day was the big government holiday all over India. India became free on this day from English men. It comes on 15 august.

9.The birth of Lord Krishna called Janmastami is come in September. It is the big holiday for India.

10.Dussehra is come in October after 10 days of navratri. On this day the demon named Ravana died by a lord RAM.

11.Diwali is the most religious holiday make in India. It comes in month of Oct.-Nov. It is called a festival of lights.

12. The big day of the year called Christmas is celebrated on 25th December by all Christians.

There are many of the holidays and festivals that celebrated in India all year with full of joy and happiness. All the festivals are shows and a give a message of Brotherhood. In India there every day is a festival and every night is like a celebration.

Indian Holidays

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