The Global Trots

Indian Standard Time (IST) is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+5.30).

1. Some of the major types of Climate found in India are as follows:
2. Winter Season: December to February is the winter season. January and February are the coldest months of this season. The temperature is between 07°C to 15°C in Northern India and about 25°C in Southern India but except in the Himalayan regions, snow is almost unheard of.
3. Summer Season: March to May is the summer season. April and May are the hot months when everyone eagerly awaits the rains. Temperature starts rising by the middle of March and by mid May, Mercury touches 41°C to 42°C, Temperature even exceeds 45°C in areas of Central and North-West India.
4. Rainy Season: In India, it rains only during a specific time of the year. There are two of them, the Southwest and the Northeast, both named after the directions the winds come from. The Southwest monsoon is the more important one, as it causes rains over most parts of the country, and is the crucial variable that decides how the crops will do. It lasts from June to September. The Southwest monsoon hits the west coast the most, as crossing the Western Ghats and reaching the rest of India is an uphill task for the winds. The western coastline is therefore much greener than the interior. The Northeast monsoon hits the east coast between October and February, mostly in the form of occasional cyclones which cause much devastation every year. The only region that gets rains from both monsoons is North-Eastern India, which consequently experiences the highest rainfall in the world. There is also a brief spring in February and March, especially in North India., but the ancients had divided year into six seasons or ritus :- 1)Vasanta – Spring, 2)Greeshma – Summer, 3)Varsha – Rainy, 4)Sharat – Autumn, 5)Shishira – Winter, 6)Hemanta – Mild Winter.

India is birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and other religions. Hinduism and Buddhism are the world’s third and fourth-largest religions respectively. Major Indian religions are followed by people of India as per below – Hindus – 80%, Muslims – 14.2%, Christians – 2.3% Sikhs – 2%, Jains – 0.4%, Buddhists – 0.7%.

India is home to thousands of languages. The Government of India has 22 official ‘scheduled’ languages, namely Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia (also known as Oriya), Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Of these, Hindi is recognised as the main official language of the Union Government (there is no recognised National Language of India), with English acting as a “subsidiary” official language.

India is one of the most religiously and ethnically diverse nations in the world, with some of the most deeply religious societies and cultures.  India’s cultural heritage is expressed through its myriad of languages in which much great literature and poetry has been written. It can be seen in its music – both in its classical (Carnatic and Hindustani) forms and in modern cinema music. India has a vast tradition of classical and folk dances. Among the better-known folk dances are: the Bhangra of Punjab, Garba and Dandiya of Gujarat, Ghoomar of Rajasthan, and the Lavani of Maharashtra, the Bihu of Assam, the Jhumair and Chhau of Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal. Eight dance forms have been accorded classical dance status by India’s National Academy of Music, Dance, and Drama. These are: Bharatanatyam of the state of Tamil Nadu, Kathak of Uttar Pradesh, Kathakali and Mohiniyattam of Kerala, Kuchipudi of Andhra Pradesh, Manipuri of Manipur, Odissi of Odisha, and the Sattriya of Assam. Art and theatre flourish amongst the bustling cities of the country, against the backdrop of the ever expanding western influences. Vibrant processions are seen going on everywhere, especially during festivals. Ganesh Chatutrthi processions in Mumbai, Dusshera in Mysore and Gurupurab in Punjab,Delhi etc. are some important processions. Along with these, marriage and religious processions are also seen on the roads where people dance, play music and drums, play with colors etc.

Indian greetings are based on Anjali mundra , including Pranama and Pooja. Commonly spoken traditionalgreetings include Namaste In Hindi and Sanskrit, Namasker in Hindi , Sat Shri Akal  In Punjabi , Aadab In Urdu, Vanakkam in Tamil, Nomoshkaar in Bengali.  Gesture ofgreeting is to fold the hands, tilt the head forward and say Namaste.Ttouching feet of elders. Younger people and children show respect and honor to elders.  All visitors are asked to remove footwear when entering places of religious worship. Most Indians also remove their footwear when entering their homes; visitors should follow suit. Many Hindus are vegetarian and many, especially women, don’t drink alcohol. Most Sikhs and Parsis don’t smoke. 

Indians value their family system a lot. Traditional Indian family is join family where more than one generation lives together.  The grandfather is the head of Join family and main authority in family matters. Nowadays, most Indian families are becoming more nuclear. Naturally, the arrangements are not perfect and there are strains and breakups, especially by the time the third generation grows up. Also, it has now become common for children to move away from the parental house for education and employment. Nonetheless, it is fair to say that the joint family is still seen as the norm and an ideal to aspire to, and Indians continue to care about their family’s honour, achievements and failures even while they are not living together.

Arranged marriages have long been the norm in Indian society. Even today, the majority of Indians have their marriages planned by their parents and other respected family-members. In the past, the age of marriage was young i.e. before the age of 18. Fewer marriages are purely arranged without consent and that the majority of surveyed Indian marriages are arranged with consent. The percentage of love marriages are also increasing, particularly in the urban parts of India. Weddings are festive occasions in the India. The country celebrates about ten million weddings per year, of which over most are Hindu weddings. Although the rituals may vary, there are few key rituals that remain unchanged: father gifts his daughter, holding hand near the fire; the groom takes the bride’s hand as a sign of their union; bride and groom make seven vows ( Sikhs couple walk around the Guru Granth Sahib Tour Times)after which they become legally husband and wife.

Indian cuisine is one of the most popular cuisines across the globe. Indian food is as diverse as India. Indian cuisines use numerous ingredients; deploy a wide range of food preparation styles, cooking techniques, and culinary presentations. 

India is known for its love of food and spices. Indian cuisine varies from region to region, reflecting the local produce, cultural diversity, and varied demographics of the country. Generally, Indian cuisine can be split into five categories – northern, southern, eastern, western, and northeastern. The diversity of Indian cuisine is characterised by the different use of many spices and herbs, a wide variety of recipes and cooking techniques. Though a significant portion of Indian food is vegetarian, many Indian dishes also include meats like chicken, mutton, pork and fish, egg and other seafood. Fish-based cuisines are common in eastern states of India, particularly West Bengal and the southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Despite this diversity, some unifying threads emerge. Varied uses of spices are an integral part of certain food preparations and are used to enhance the flavour of a dish and create unique flavours and fragrance. Cuisine across India has also been influenced by various cultural groups that entered India throughout history, such as the Central Asians, Arabs, Mughals, and European colonists. Sweets are also very popular among Indians, particularly in Bengal where both Bengali Hindus and Bengali Muslims distribute sweets to mark joyous occasions.

Indian clothing is different in each region of India according to cultural traditions , climate, ethnicity. Traditional dress for women is sari and dhoti or lungi for men. Stitched clothes are also popular such as churidar or salwar-kameez for women, with dupatta (long scarf) thrown over shoulder completing the outfit. Thus, people cover the body of a newborn child with langotas and loincloths. During festive occasions people put on traditional clothing. In urban area, People wear traditional cloth as well as western or a wide mix of traditional clothing and western styles.

Even after the life styles of everyone has been modernized, Indian people have not changed their traditions and values.  The property of togetherness among people of various cultures and traditions has made India, a unique country. People here live peacefully in India by following their own culture and tradition.

India  is worldly  known as a land of vibrant celebration, one can see the culture  and life  of India  during the  celebrations  of various  fair and festivals , celebrated with high spirit  in each and every states of India. There are noble cause and meaningful identity behind each fair and festivals, based upon rituals, traditions, legends, history while many express devotion to the deities of different religions.

The Major  celebration in India include Holi, Guru Nanak Jyanti,  Christmas, Dussehra, Diwali, Pushkar Fair, Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga puja, Kumbh mela, Republic Day, Baisakhi,  Pongal , Onam, Surajkund Mela, Goa Carnivals, Desert Festivals and many more. These fair and festivals reveals diverse regions, religions and communities. During these celebrations of the fair and festivals, each of them reflects the life style and vigour of the people.

• Goa Carnival
• When: 22^nd Feb – 25^th Feb 2020

Goa Carnival is the most famous festival in the state and has been celebrated since the 18th century as a precursor to the abstinence of Lent. The Carnaval is exclusive and unique to Goa, and was introduced by the Portuguese who ruled over Goa for over five hundred years.

The carnival is presided over by King Momo and the float parades are organised in association with the State Tourism Department. Goa carnival is an eagerly awaited occasion where one forgets his worries and tensions and simply plunges into merriment and joy-making for three whole days. Goa carnival is all about fun and frolic. Colorful processions and lavish floats parade the streets. Singing, dancing and masked people mark the uproarious and flamboyant Goan celebration. Most of the countries have carnivals but Goa carnival stands apart as the people of Goa have inculcated different items in the carnival that makes us experience the different shades of Goa. 

• Surajkund Crafts Fair
• When: 01^st Feb – 16^th Feb 2020

A colourful traditional craft festival of India is held every year during the spring season on 40 acres of land in the precincts of Surajkund which is attended by craftmen from all over the country and more than a million visitors including lakhs of foreign tourists.The Surajkund Fair is unique as it showcases the richness and diversity of the handicrafts, handlooms and cultural fabric of India, & is the largest crafts fair in the world. The multi-cuisine Food Court provides ethnic cuisines from all over the world, which are immensely popular with visitors. There are designated places for amusement, adventure sports and joy rides to make it a must visit event for the young.

The Fair is organized by the Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs.  Every Year pick up a theme state, for the 34th Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2020, the state of Himachal Pradesh has been chosen to be the Theme State. At least 20 countries & all the states of India will be participating in the Fair.

• Holi
• When: 09^th March – 10^th March 2020

The Spring Festival of India- Holi, is a festival of colors and is also known as festival of love which is celebrated in the month of March. According to Hindu calendar Holi falls on the full moon, in the month Falgun. This festival is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm and it is a festival of unity and love. The main way of celebration is by spraying and throwing colors on each other and sharing sweets. There are many special sweets and other dishes spread showing the harmony among everyone.

There are different legends behind the festival of Holi. One of the most common legends is about a demon king Hiranyakashyap and his son Prahlad, who was a devout follower of Lord Vishnu and other has associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha.

• Diwali
• When: 14^th Nov 2020

Diwali is certainly the biggest and brightest of all Hindu festivals. It is celebrated on a nation-wide scale on Amavasya – the 15th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin, (Oct/Nov) every year. It is the festival of lights (deep = light and avail = a row i.e. a row of lights), which is usually celebrated eighteen days after the Dussehra (Dasara, Dasain) festival. It is five days celebration starting with Dhanteras and ending with BhaiDooj, and each of the five days is separated by a different tradition. Everyone starts making arrangement one month before Diwali, new cloths are purchased, houses are cleaned and decorated with lights, flowers etc. People call and invite their nearest and dearest ones. The Hindus worship Lakshmi who is Goddess of prosperity.India has been celebrating this festival for thousands of years and continues to celebrate it even today which is both historical and religious.

Many legends are associated with this festival. It marks the victory of Ram over Ravana. As a matter of fact, symbolizes of “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance”.  According to some on this day Lord Ram reached Ayodhya along with Sita and Lakshman. The villagers of Ayodhya welcomed Ram, Lakshman and Sita by decorating and illuminating their village withdiyas. Jains says this is the day when Lord Mahavira attained “moksha or salvation”. They show lights in jubilation of thus attainment. Dayanand Saraswati of Arya Samaj also attained ‘Nirvana’ on this day. In West Bengal and some other places in North India Goddess Kali is worshipped during the Diwali. As the lights keep away the darkness, Goddess Kali drives away the evil forces in our world.

• Pushkar Fair
• When: 22^nd Nov– 30^th Nov 2020

The Pushkar Fair, also known as the Pushkar Camel Fair or locally as Kartik Mela  held in the town of Pushkar (Rajasthan, India) in November for the Seven Days It starts from month of Kartik and ends on the Kartik Purnima as per the Hindu calendar.The Pushkar fair is one of India’s largest camel, horse, cows, cattle, sheep and goats fairs. Apart from trading the livestock the main attractions of the fete are camel and horse races, cultural events, magic shows, longest mustache competition, bridal competition, matka phod, and many more, large varieties of traditional Rajasthani items are sold in the fair such as jewelry pieces, garments, textiles, footwear, handicrafts, lots of decorative items, etc., and it is an important pilgrimage season for Hindus to the Pushkar lake. Not only for the tourists but also, for the local people of the town and the adjacent villages, this is one of the most-awaited Pushkar events. Innumerable travelers, vacationists, pilgrims, and local people flock to the town to celebrate this event wholeheartedly.

• Bikaner Camel Festival
• When: 12^th Jan – 13^th Jan 2021

The Bikaner Camel Festival is the celebration of the most loved and dependent upon the ship of the deserts of Rajasthan – the Camel. It is organized by the Department of Tourism, Art and Culture of Rajasthan, and held every year in the month of January in the presence of a large gathering. The festival sees camels decorated in beautifully embroidered costumes. The festival begins with a colourful procession of the most beautifully decorated camels at the Junagarh Fort from there the procession moves to the Polo Ground where other events such as camel dance, camel races, neck shaking camel rides etc. are held.  In addition to experiencing a camel safari, Bikaner also allows do shopping and makes a visit to Junagarh Fort, Bikaner camel breeding farm, Deshnok Karni Mata Temple and Gajner Palace Bikaner. Evenings of Bikaner Camel Festival also adds charm to the fest. Various musical concerts, dances and puppet show increase the interest of the traveller by many folds. 

• Elephant Festival
• When: 10^th Mar 2020

A royal festival for a royal animal, Elephant Festival held every year on the occasion of Holi in the Pink City, Jaipur(Rajasthan) is a special festival loved by the people of Jaipur and tourist from different parts of India as well as abroad. The festival which is dedicated to the Elephants sees them decorated in the most lavish ways from head till toe. The event begins with a procession of beautifully decorated elephants camels and horses. The elephants enter with their Mahouts who also dressed in royal attire, thumping to the sound of nagadas and loud blows of bankiya, a musical instrument. The participant elephants are all females. .The event is considered to be very prestigious with the well-decorated elephant getting an award. Besides the procession, there are events such as elephant racing, elephant dance and a tug-of-war between elephants and humans.

• Jaisalmer Desert Festival
• When: 07^th Feb – 09^th Feb 2020

The desert festival held in the month of February in the Red Sandstone city or Golden City of Jaisalmer is a fascinating celebration of Rajasthan’s desert life for three days. the legend behind this festival is ” Lord Krishna who was ruler of Yadav community told Arjuna (the third Pandava) that a successor belonging from the Yadav community will set up his kingdom on the Trikuta Hill. In the year 1196, the prediction made by the Lord Krishna came true, when Rawal Jaiswal, a descendant of the Yadav clan, established his kingdom in Jaisalmer. Celebrations were organized throughout the kingdom, when the people came to know that the prophecy has come true. The celebrations soon developed into a festival that is now organized every year by the Rajasthan Tourism Department. The festival commences with a procession in the morning from the Jaisalmer Fort to the Shahid Poonam Singh Stadium.  It is a festival that brings to life the folk culture, the music, the clothes and the traditions of the nomadic life of the Indian desert. The Gair and the fire dance are highlights of the festival.  Interesting contests including a tying competition and a Mr. Desert contest further enhance the fun of the occasion. One can immerse themselves in three days of pure magic with folktales, music and dance performances. The camel, the most important animal in the desert, is one of the main attractions of the festival.

• Guru Nanak Jayanti
• When: 30^th Nov 2020

Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurpurab and Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav, is the celebration of the birth of the first Sikh Guru, Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji. This is one of the biggest festivals for the Sikh community and also for the followers of the legendary man. Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated in the month of Kartik on the day of full moon known as Kartik Purnima as he was born on Kartik Purnima in 1469 in Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi in the present Shekhupura District of Pakistan, now Nankana Sahib. 

The festivities in the Sikh religion revolve around the Ten Gurus. These Gurus were responsible for shaping the beliefs of the Sikhs. The celebrations commence with Prabhat Pheris which are early morning processions that begin at the Gurudwaras and proceed around the localities singing hymns. Two days before the birthday, Akhand Path (reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs) is held in the Gurdwaras,  and all Gurudwars are cleaned and decorated with lights, flowers etc. for this special  occasion.

The day prior to the birthday, a procession, referred to as Nagarkirtan,is organized  which is led by the Panj Pyaras (Five Beloved Ones). They head the procession carrying the Sikh flag, known as the Nishan Sahib and the Palki (Palanquin) of Guru Granth Sahib. They are followed by teams of singers singing hymns and devotees sing the chorus. There are brass bands playing different tunes and ‘Gatka’ teams display their swordsmanship through various martial arts and as mock battles using traditional weapons. The procession pours into the streets of the town. The passage is covered with banners and gates are decorated flags and flowers, for this special occasion.

On the day of the Gurpurab, the celebrations begin early in the morning at about 4 to 5 a.m. with the singing of morning hymns which is followed by hymns from the Sikh scriptures, in the praise of the Guru, after that the Langar is arranged at the Gurudwaras by volunteers. The idea behind the free communal lunch is that everyone, irrespective of gender,caste, class or creed, should be offered food in the spirit of service and devotion. Night Prayer sessions are also held in some Gurudwaras, which begin around sunset when evening prayer is recited till late at night.

The celebrations are especially colorful in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh and many more locations like in parts of Pakistan and England.

• Marwar Festival
• When: 12^th Oct – 13^th Oct 2020

Marwar Festival celebrates in the ‘Blue City’ of Jodhpur during the month of Ashwin in Hindu Calendar on the eve of Sharad Poornima. It was initially known as Maand Festival and held every year between September and October to celebrate the valor of Rajasthan’s heroes. It goes on for two days and is all about the rich culture and traditional lifestyle of the Desert Capital, mainly of the Marwar region. Marwar Festival begins with folk music and dance performances around the Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mehrangarh Fort, and Mandore. The folk singers and dancers adorn themselves in colorful traditional attire of Rajasthan and offer live entertainment in the praise of their valiant heroes and creates a captivating ambience all around Jodhpur. Other popular events during the Marwar Festival in Jodhpur include traditional camel tattoo show and Polo matches.
Colorful large turbans that seem customary to men’s attire in Rajasthan are also important cultural icons for the people of the state and an integral part of their rich history and livelihood. This custom is commemorated in the event with a dedicated turban tying competition, winners of which are awarded special prizes and revered as it is a dying art thriving with in the modern cosmopolitan.

• Baneshwar Fair
• When: 05^th Feb – 09^th Feb 2020

Baneshwar fair, also known as “the Kumbh mela of the tribals”, held in a small district of Dungarpur of Rajasthan. The fair is held in the month of January or February (2 weeks following the new moon night in the month of Magh in the Vikram Samvat calendar) at Baneshwar, near the confluence of the Som and Mahi rivers. This fair celebrates traditional rituals, religious elements of tribal and is fun-filled. The festival is celebrated for more than 500 years. Baneshwar fair is a combination of two fairs: one which used to be conducted in honour of Baneshwar Mahadev (Lord Shiva) and another fair, which started after the construction of the Vishnu Temple by Jankunwari, daughter-in-law of Mavji, a highly revered saint considered to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The large crowd that gathers here at the time of the fair pays respect to all the deities with equal esteem. They esteem Baneshwar Mahadev as well as Mavji. This is fair is mainly a fair of tribal people. The majority of the gathering is from the Districts of Dungarpur, Udaipur and Banswara. The popular events during this fair include songs, folk dances, magic shows, animal shows and acrobatic feats. Adding to the excitement are the joy rides on merry-go-rounds and swings. The large number of shops in the fair provides an opportunity for buying and selling of essential goods and fancy articles.

• Mewar Festival Udaipur
• When: 27^th Mar – 29^th Mar 2020

Mewar festival is celebrated to welcome the arrival of spring season with spread of gusto and fervor in Udaipur, Rajasthan. It held every in the month of March- April and is an integral part of the culture and tradition in Udaipur. The spirit of the festival can be seen throughout the state of Rajasthan, since Udaipur has been always the governing place of the Mewar rulers.

During the days of festival, the whole city of Udaipur gets thoroughly in colors of festivity. Local markets and shops beautify with bright lights and decorations. Coinciding with the Gangaur festival, Mewar festival is equally important for the womenfolk of Rajasthan. The festival is especially meant for women and they dressed in their finest clothes gather to dress the images of Isar (Lord Shiva) and his consort Gangaur (Goddess Parvarti). These idols are then carried in a huge procession which begins from the clock tower and ends at Gangaur Ghat at Lake Pichola. Here, the images are transported into special boats and immersed in the deep waters of the lake.

When this religious part gets over, people engage into various dances (such as Ghoomar and Kalbeliya), songs and other cultural events revealing the culture of Rajasthan. The 3-day long Mewar festival is brought to an end with an impressive display of fireworks. This bright and colorful festival attracts tourists from all over to join its charming ceremony of tradition.

• Shekhawati Festival
• When: 12th Feb – 15th Feb 2020

Shekhaati Festival held every year in February for three days and nights, organized by the State Department of Tourism, District administration of Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu and the M.R. Morarka- GDC Rural Research Foundation Shekhawati is organized with the objective of promoting tourism in this region. The various havelis and mansions dotting this region are adorned with lovely pictures which showcase the rich cultural heritage of the region. The frescoes of Shekhawati date back to several centuries and are admired for their exquisite beauty and artistic brilliance. The perfection displayed in these wall paintings is simply remarkable. Various events and competitions such as rural games, cultural programs, mansion competitions and fireworks etc. are organized to entertain the tourists. A unique aspect of this festival is the organic food which is served to all the spectators and participants at the festival for a period of three days.

• Nagaur Fair
• When: 30^th Jan – 02nd Feb 2020

Nagaur festival, also known as Ramdeoji Cattle Fair, named after a town in Rajasthan is celebrated every year in the month of January or February. Nagaur Festival boasts of being the 2nd largest cattle festival in India. Nagaur Festival of Rajasthan every year succeeds in beckoning a large number of tourists who come and be a part of these festivals. The most notable things to watch in this festival is two lakh ten thousand animals including horses, cows, bullocks, oxen and camels are gathered at the cattle fair for the purpose of trade. These cattle are accompanied by their owners dressed traditional Rajasthani clothes. Some of the other attractions here include sale of woolen items, the Mirchi Bazaar (the largest red chili market of India), iron-craft and other camel leather accessories. The other activities held at the fair include: Tug of War, Camel and Bullock Races, Cock fights, Juggling, Puppet Dances, Camp fire Story Telling. Folk music and dance performances are also organized in the evening by the people. Nagaur Festival is celebrated over a span of 4 days by the Department of Animal Husbandry in association with the department of tourism.

• Kumbha Mela
• When: 14^th Jan – 15^th Feb 2021

Kumbh Mela is the oldest and most important hindu festival that takes place every three years at one of the four pilgrimage places on four sacred rivers – Haridwar on the Ganges in Uttarakhand, Ujjain on the Shipra in Madhya Pradesh, Nashik on the Godavari in Maharashtra, Prayagraj at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Sarasvati in Uttar Pradesh. Each site’s celebration is based on a distinct set of astrological positions of the Sun, the Moon, and the Jupiter. The celebrations occur at the exact moment when these positions are fully occupied, as it is considered to be the holiest time in Hinduism.

Pilgrims come to kumbh mela from all sections of the religion ranging from Sadhus (saints) and Naga Sadhus who practice ‘sadhana’ and keenly follow a strict path of spiritual discipline, to Hermits who leave their seclusion and come to visit this mela only.During the Kumbh Mela, a number of ceremonies take place; the traditional procession of Akharas called ‘Peshwai’ on elephant backs, horses and chariots, the shining swords and rituals of Naga Sadhus during ‘Shahi Snaan’, and many other cultural activities that attract millions of pilgrims to attend the Kumbh Mela.

This largest spiritual and religious gathering in the world has a lot of significance. It is believed that once every 12 years, when the Maha Kumbha Mela is observed, the sacred river itself transforms into sanctity spots, holding the primordial nectar. The pilgrims get to wash their sins, rejuvenate their lives and taste salvation.

• Ganesh Chaturthi
• When: 22^nd Aug 2020

Ganesh Chaturthi is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi and one of the major Hindu festival of India. Ganesh Chaturthi is a ten day festival marking celebrates the birth of the elephant-headed deity Ganesha who is son of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati. Ganesha is the god of prosperity, knowledge, wisdom and good luck. The festival is started according to the Hindu calendar on the fourth day of Bhadrapada month (sixth month of Hindu calendar) which is usually the months of August – September. People also believe that during this duration Ganesha arrives to earth from Kailash Parvat. Every year Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with enthusiasm and enjoyment. People brings idols of Ganesha, are placed on raised stage in homes or in decorated outdoor pandals (tents) all over India especially in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the major festivals of MaharashtraThe worship starts with Prana Pratishtha, wherein the prayer to call upon life into the idols and then it is followed by Shhodashopachara which describes the 16 ways of paying tribute to lord Ganesha. Amid the chanting of Vedic hymns from religious texts like the Ganesh Upanishad, the idols are anointed with red sandalwood paste and yellow and red flowers. Ganesha is also offered coconut, jaggery, and 21 modaks , considered to be lord Ganesha’s favourite food. The festival end after  3, 5, 7 or 11 days, when the idols are carried in huge processions with drumbeats, devotional singing, and dancing, , then immersed in a nearby body of water such as a river or sea. Thereafter the clay idol dissolves and Ganesha is believed to return to Mount Kailash to Parvati and Shiva.

• Khajuraho Dance Festival
• When: 20^th Feb – 26^th Feb 2020

The Khajuraho Dance Festival is one of the most anticipated festivals for dance lovers all over the world. It is a seven day long festival which highlights the richness of the Indian classical dance forms such as Kathak (North, West and Central India), Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu), Odissi (Odisha), Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh), Manipuri (Manipur), Mohiniyattam (Kerala), and Sattriya (Assam) and Kathakali (Kerala), and Modern Indian dance has been added recently.

It is held against the backdrop of the enchanting Khajuraho temples in the Chattarpur district of Madhya Pradesh and every year the UNESCO World heritage Site of Khajuraho Group of Monuments hosts the fiesta of spectacular performing arts of India. The festival features dance performances by artists of world fame, who dressed in beautiful attires with elegant expressions and intricate hand gestures to melodious beats of classical musical instruments.

• Konark Dance Festival 
• When: 07^th Feb – 09^th Feb 2020

The India’s biggest dance festival, Konark Dance Festival held every year in the month of February in backdrop of the Sun temple in Konark, Odisha in India. It is a five day dance festival which is organized jointly by Odisha tourism and Odissi Research Center to promote the traditional Indian dance heritage as well as the popularity of sun Temple in Konark and Odisha Tourism. It is started in the year 1986 at Konark Natya Mandap by its Founder –Director PadmashreeGuru Gangadhar Pradhan, in order to unite a diverse nation with plenty of art forms to present. The main aim of organizing this dance festival is to introduce the world with traditional Indian dance forms and its diverse culture. Many celebrated artistes from all over the world participate and perform Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali and other folk & tribal dance forms; the festival truly comes as a memorable experience. The sound of Ghungroo bells, flute, musical instruments and the soft melody of the waves makes it just magical.

• Rann Utsav
• When: 28^th Oct 2019 to 12^th Mar 2020

Rann Utsav, also known as Rann of Kutch Festival or Kutch Festival, is one of the greatest desert festivals in Asia. It is a three month long celebration of Gujarati culture and its heritage when the entire Kutch region springs to colour and life. Every year from October/ November to February/March, it is organized by Tourism Department of Gujarat at the edge of White Rann in the Dhordo village of kutch which is 85 km from Bhuj, and where tourists can see the various sights of the Rann. Rann utsav can be visited by anyone but Tent City with approx 400 tents allows entry only. This is a festival when the amazing natural beauty of the stunning white Kutch mingles perfectly with the traditional cultural folk dance and music performances to create one of the most memorable experiences.

Rann Utsav has cultural programs such as BSF Camel show, adventure activities like Hot-air Ballooning, many stalls selling Ornaments, Textiles, Handicraft, Cuisine, etc. as well as Camel Cart Excursion, Para motoring, Golf Carts, ATV Rides, Rifle Shooting, Spa, Yoga, Meditation, Star Gazing, Kids Zone and many more, to keep tourists delighted and indulged at the Rann Utsav. There are also other places to visit during this festival like Bhuj city  local sightseeing tour which includes historical places, palaces Converted into Museums, Tribal villages, Handicraft product made by Local artists, temples etc.

• Durga Puja
• When: 17^th Oct – 26^th Oct 2020

Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsava, is a major Hindu festival which respect and pays homage to the ten armed goddess Durga and particularly celebrated in West Bengal, Assam, and other Indian states. It is celebrated in the month of September–October (Hindu calender month of Ashwin) for ten days. It is performed in home Durga Puja celebrates the victory of the ten armed goddess Durga over the shape – shifting demon Mahishasura. Idols of the godness durga – astride a lion, attacking the shape – shifting demon Mahishasura—are placed at various decorated outdoor pandals  and temples. It starts on the same day as navratri which is a nine-day festival of the divine goddness. Durga Puja is preceded by Mahalaya, which heralds the advent of the goddess. Celebrations and worship begin on the sixth day. During the following three days, the goddess is worshipped in her various forms as Durga, Lakshmi, and Sarasvati along with Ganesha and Kartikeya. The celebrations end with Vijaya Dashami on tenth day when amid loud chants and drumbeats, idols are carried in processions to local rivers, where they are immersed. That custom is symbolic of the return of the godness to her home and to her husband, Shiva, in Kailash.

• Mysuru Dasara
• When: 17^th Oct – 26^th Oct 2020

Mysuru Dasara is more popular state festival of Karnataka in India. It is a 10-day festival, starting with Navratri and the last day being Vijaya Dashami(Dussehra). The festival like the regular Dussehra festival celebrates the victory of good over evil. Goddess Durga (Chamundadevi) killed the shape – shifting demon Mahishasura, in the Chamundi Hills. The slaying of the demon gave the name Mysuru to the city. The celebrations of this festival began at the time of Vijayanagar Kings in the 15th century. During Dasara Festival, the entire Mysore Palace is lighted daily with nearly 100,000 light bulbs from 7 pm to 10 pm. Various cultural and religious programs highlighting the dance, music and culture of the State of Karnataka are performed in front of the illuminated Palace. The history of this festival goes back to over 400 years.

The main attractions of this festival is procession, locally known as Jumboo Savari, is held  on the streets of  Mysuru (Mysore) city. During this procession, the idol of the Goddess Durga (Chamundadevi) which is placed on a golden mantapa  on the top of a decorated elephant and this idol is worshipped by the royal family before it is taken around in the procession. Colourful tableaux, dance groups, music bands, decorated elephants, horses and camels form a part of the procession which starts from the Mysore Palace and culminates at a place called Bannimantap where the banni tree is worshipped.

Another major attraction is the Dasara exhibition which is arranged in the Doddakere Maidana, by the Karnataka Exhibition Authority, where Various Governmental agencies setup stalls to signify the achievements and projects that they have undertaken. Other stalls which sell items like clothes, plastic items, kitchenware, cosmetics and eatables are set up and they attract a significant number of people. Another attraction during Dasara is the wrestling-bout which attracts wrestlers from all around India. 

• Garba Festival Gujarat
• When: 17^th Oct – 25^th Oct 2020

Garba is a form of Indian Dance which is originated in the village of Gujarat. It is performed during Navratri – Nine day festival of Godness Durga to honors, worships and also during social events such as wedding etc in Gujarat. It is also known as Garbha or Garbha Deep. The word ‘Garbha’ is a Sanskrit term, which means womb and ‘Deep’ means little earthen lamps. It is usually performed in a circle around a clay lantern with light inside which represents life just as fetus in the mother’s womb, or the statue of Goddess Durga. Garba performances often include singing and a musical accompaniment traditionally provided by dhol and the similar but smaller dholak; hand clapping; and assorted metallic idiophones.

The traditional costumes of Garba Dancers are brightly colored Chaniya, choli and dupatta which are characterized by colorful designs and the embroidery, shells or the mirror work for girls and women. They also wear Maang tikka, Silver or Black Metal Necklaces, Long Earrings, Bajuband (Bangles), Kamarband (Waist belt) and Jutti (Shoes). Boys and Men wear Kediyu (a short round Kurta),  Kafni Pajamas or Dhoti along with a Pagdi (Turban) and Mojri or Nagras.

This dance form is often confused with Dandiya which is another dance form of Gujarat and performed during Navratri too but originated in Vrindavan. The major difference between the two dance forms is that Garba is performed in circular movements with hands and feet, while Dandiya is played with colorful sticks.

The modern day dance is actually a merger of Dandiya Raas and Garba. The mix of two has formed the high-energy dance and become very popular beyond Gujarat,all over world. This modern form dance is famous in the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada and Toronto where Gujarati communities hold Garba/Raas Nights and many universities of United States have Raas/Garba competitions on a huge scale every year with professional choreography. 

• Nehru Trophy Boat Race
• When: 08^th Aug 2020

The Nehru Trophy boat race is a very well esteemed event in India which is celebrated every year in the month of August on the second Saturday, in the backwater town of Allappuzha in the Punnamada Lake. The boat race attracts thousands of tourists from across the country and abroad, coming to watch beautifully crafted 100 ft. -120 ft. long boats, locally known as Chundan Vallams (Snake Boats), compete against each other to the tune of old boat songs for prize money, the winner of which receives the coveted Nehru Trophy.

The story behind of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race is associated with the visit of the then Prime Minister of India, late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to Alappuzha. He had been so thrilled and excited by the performance of the oarsmen that he jumped into a boat, named Nadubhagam Chundan who was winner in that time race of snake boats, and travelled from Kottayam to Alleppey, ignoring all security covers. On his return to Delhi in December 1952, Nehru donated a Silver Trophy in the form of a snake boat as a gift for the memories of the time he spent there. On which the line – “To the winners of the boat race which is a unique feature of community life in Travancore Cochin.” was inscribed above signature. Since then, the boat race in Alappuzha went on to becoming an annual tradition and was named the Nehru Trophy Boat Race.

• Champakulam Boat Race
• When: 04^th Jul 2020

The Champakulam Boat Race is one of the ancient (more than 500 years) and first in the list of all snake boat races that are held every year in Kerala. It is held on the Pampa River at Champakkulam on Moolam day of the Malayalam month Midhunam which is usually in June – July, the day is considered to be especially sacred as it is the day when the idol of Lord Krishna was installed in the temple of Ambalappuzha.. The race is organized by the Champakulam boat race society and headed by the district collector.

According to the legend (in 1545), King Pooradam Thirunal Devanarayanan of Chempakasseri built a temple for Lord Krishna in Ambalappuzha as suggested by the royal astrologers. But at the last moment of the installation of the idol of Lord Krishna, he was informed that the idol was not auspicious. To install a suitable idol as soon as possible, the priests told him about the idol of Lord Krishna at the Karikulam temple in Kurichi. It was believed that this Idol had been given to Arjuna by Lord Krishna himself. After getting the idol from Karinkulam temple, on the return journey to Ambalappuzha, the Raja’s men stayed in Champakulam at a Christian Mappilassery Itty Thommen household at night, who was a confidant of the Raja. The next day, the Raja along with his entourage came to Champakulam. The idol was worshipped by all with pujas done by the Raja and the people of Champakulam and respectfully took the idol in a flotilla to the Ambalapuzha temple where the idol was duly consecrated and installed with great fanfare.

The Raja was pleased with the love and affection shown by Christian subjects, declared that henceforth, to commemorate these events, a great water carnival would be held annually at Champakulam. Thus began the Champakulam Snake Boat Race which continues to this day.

• Onam Festival
• When: 22^nd Aug – 02^nd Sept 2020

Onam festival is the biggest festival in Kerala and takes place every year in the month of August-September which according to the Malayalam calendar is the first month of the year called Chingam. It continues for 10 days in which old and young participate with equal enthusiasm. It has celebrated for a variety of reasons, one of them primarily being the rice harvest. There are a lot of legends attached to this festival, the most well known one is – the legend of the Mahabali who was demon king of ancient Kerala.Everybody in his kingdom led a happy and egalitarian life. None of the needy ever returned empty handed from his door. Insecure with the popularity of Mahabali, Devas sought help of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu took the form of dwarf Brahmin called Vamana and approached to Mahabali. Impressed with the knowledge and intelligence of the Vamana, the king asked him to make a wish and he will fulfill it.  The Vamana asked for three paces of land and the king agreed to give the same. At that moment, the body size of the Vamana grew larger and large. In first two paces, he measured the heavan, earth and for third pace Mahabali showed his head. Just before he was pushed to the  underworld (pataal), Mahabali  was granted his wish to return  to his kingdom every year. Onam is the day, when the king is believed to return and visit the houses of the people.

Onam celebrations and activities include Boat Races (Vallam Kali), Dance Events like tiger dances (Pulikali), mask dance (Kummattikali), women’s dance (Thumbi Thullal), floral Rangoli (Pookkalam), Worship (Onathappan), Martial arts (Onathallu), Music, culture Programs,  sports competitions, and other celebrations.. A popular ritual to prepare the onam sadya which is a traditional feast served on banana leaves and consists of rice along with 4 other dishes. In addition, traditional pickles and papadam are also served. The dessert usually consists of ‘payasam’, a sweet dish made of milk, sugar and other traditional Indian delicacies and dry fruits.

• Aranmula Boat Race
• When: 04^th Sept 2020

The Aranmula Boat Race is the most ancient and admired boat races of Kerala. It is held every year during Onam Festival in the months of August – September. The Boat race takes place on Pampa River at Aranmula, near a Hindu temple honored to Lord Krishna and Arjuna in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. It is more of a ritual conducted on the birthday of Arjuna, than a race event. The boats have expansive size of ranging around 100 to 140 feet and the rear part reaches up to a height of 20 feet. A snake-like appearance is given this way the name ‘snake boat. Each boat race usually has 4 helmsman, singers and oarsmen, who sing traditional boat songs Vanchipattu white mundu and wear turbans. It is decorated with golden laces at the head, flags and two or three ornamental umbrellas in the center, which gives the boats a distinctive look. There are some other events and festivals that are held at the Aranmula temple. These include serving authentic South Indian Onam feast to the oarsmen at the Parthasarathy temple, which is popularly known as Aranmula Vallasadya. A wide range of delicacies is presented in front of them as a part of the festival.

• Ambubachi Festival
• When: 22^nd June – 26^th June 2020

The Ambubachi festival is held at the Kamakhya Devi Temple, which is one of the strongest Shakti Peeth among Nine shakti Peethas of hindu goddess Durga, in Guwahati in the state of Assam. It is celebrated every year during the monsoon season, mainly in the month of June for four days. It is believed that goddess Kamakhya goes through her menstrual cycle for the first three days. During these three days, the doors of the Kamakhya DeviTemple remain closed and it is believed that the Mother Earth becomes unclean for three days. People even refrain from performing worship or reading holy books during this time. After the completion of three days goddess Kamakhya is bathed with water and milk and the other rituals are performed to regain her purity then doors of the temple are reopened to devotees. On the fourth day, the devotees are allowed to enter the temple to worship goddess Kamakhya once again. Thousands of pilgrims, from all over India Even foreigners from abroad, come to Guwahati to seek blessings of mother Kamakhya.

• Jagannath Rath Yatra
• When: 23^th June 2020

The Rath Yatra Festival, also called as Chariot Festival, Gudicha Yatra, Navadina Yatra and Dasavatara, is celebrated every year in the month of June or July at Puri in Orissa. During this Festival idol of Lord Jagannath (Lord Krishna), his elder brother Lord Balabhadra or Balaram and his younger sister Goddess Subhadra are worshipped, placed onto huge temples shaped chariots and bring through a grand procession to the Gundicha Temple which is birthplace of lord Jagannath. The deities visit to the Mausi Maa Temple which is his aunt’s home, while journeying towards Gundicha Temple and after nine days bring back to the Jagganath Temple. Millions of Pilgrims arrive and participate in the Rath Yatra processions and seeks blessings of Lord Jagannath.

India is an amazing land to be explored and discovered. India offers a different aspect of her personality – extravagant, elegant, exotic, and eclectic – to each traveller of the country. There are six regions or zones according to tourism point of view: 1) North, 2) South, 3) East, 4) West, 5) Central and 6) North East. While North and North-East boast of splendid palaces, forts and mighty Himalayas; South and West have beaches, bustling towns, backwaters and architectural marvels; East is famous for religious ties: One finds ancient roots of both Hinduism and Buddhism here.

If you really want to see all the worth visiting places in India, one tourist visa of six months can be argued to be considered enough. Almost every State in India has over ten major tourist destinations and there are cities which cannot be fully experienced even in one full week. Not to forget that several states of India are bigger than most of the countries in the world and there are twenty-eight states in India. Travelers must visit on below mentioned places for best experience of the life

• The Taj Mahal : It is actually bigger and more majestic than what it looks in the photograph.
• Varanasi: Hindu religious rituals, some harking back to the Vedic age, 5,000 years ago, Varanasi are the oldest living city of the world. Don’t miss the evening Ganga Aarti.
• Tigers :They may or may not be present in all the tiger reserves but your chances of seeing a tiger are fairly good in Bandhavgarh or Ranthambore tiger reserves.
• Sundarbans :Largest mangrove forest and delta in the world. Home to the famous Royal Bengal tigers and estuarine crocodiles.
• Hill Stations:India is home to some remarkable, scenic and gorgeous hill stations such as Shimla, Mussorie, Darjeeling, Shillong and Ooty.
• Sangla Valley: Considered one of the most beautiful valleys of the world lies in the upper regions of Himachal Pradesh. It is extremely scenic with photogenic landscapes and unforgettable landscapes.
• Leh: Considered to be on the top of the world, the capital of Union Territory of Ladakh is one of the highest inhabited cities of the world. It gives a different idea of high altitude altogether with unbelievable landscapes.
• Srinagar: It is the capital of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Extremely beautiful city in the midst of the Himalayas with a very beautiful Dal lake in it.
• Gangtok: Capital city of Sikkim. Gangtok is a bewitching hill-station located amidst the multiple-hued mountains of Sikkim.
• Goa: Ruled by Portuguese for over 400 years, Goa is a cocktail of Indian and Portuguese culture. Quite a different kind of place altogether, Goa is full of beautiful beaches and flocking tourists.
• Pondicherry: Pondicherry was a French colony over two hundred years and has a lot of sighting of French influence throughout its territories. Now tourists often flock there for spiritual ashrams or enjoyable pubs and parties.
• Bishnupur: Located in West Bengal, it is home to the famous terracotta temples and a great centre for classical Bishnupur Gharana music. Do not forget to buy a Bankura horse made of terracota(which is the symbol for Indian handicrafts).
• Mysuru(earlier known as Mysore) :The Mysuru is a city in the state of Karnataka. The Mysore has beautiful palaces of erstwhile Wodeyar family, Maharaja’s of Mysore kingdom. There are also Bandipur and Nagarahole national parks near by. Mysuru is 150 kilometre from the state capital of Karnataka, Bengaluru (Bangalore).
• Tirupati Balaji :If you want to see the material richness of a religious place, visit this temple. It is considered to be the richest temple in the world and one surprising sight to see for a non Indian. It is located in Andhra Pradesh.
• Nalanda: Related to Buddhism, It was the oldest university of the world later on destroyed completely during the Muslim invasions of India. Sights of Buddhist interest like Pavapuri and Rajgir are in the vicinity.
• Golden Temple: An actual temple plated with gold is one of Sikhism’s holiest shrines. Looks very serene early in the mornings.
• Khajuraho: Supposedly the birth place of Kamasutra, Khajuraho is full of temples with erotic sculptures all around them. One of the most interesting and less talked about aspects of Hindu culture.
• Kochi: In a State full of secluded and ravishing beaches, Kochi is one of the most sought after tourist destination. It is advisable to visit the surrounding beach cities of Kochi. Don’t forget to experience backwaters of Kerala in a house boat.
• Andamans: Beautiful Island territory of India in the Bay of Bengal, Andaman islands can be considered one of the best island destinations in the world.
• Jaisalmer: A city located in the middle of desert, Jaisalmer is a place to go for watching the beautiful view of sun lighted virgin deserts of Thar Desert.
• Srirangam:Srirangam is a marvellous and magnificient temple in South of India. 
• Kumarakom :Serene back waters in God’s own country, Kerala in South India is a must visit. Kumarakom is best described as a cluster of islands in the backdrop of Vembanad Lake housing varied wild life, which makes it an ornithologist’s dreamland.  
• Kutch Mandvi Beach :Mandvi is a city and a municipality in the Kutch district in the indian state of Gujarat. It was once a major port of the region and summer retreat for Maharao (king) of the Cutch State. 

Various tourist destinations in India offer different kinds of activity related tours like walking tours, cycle tours, kitchen experience, shopping Tour, biking tours etc.

Depending on the area and terrain National Parks provide ample opportunities to the visitors to have a close encounters with the wilds. Indian National Parks have great variety and range of attractions and activities including the observation of their flora, avifauna, and aquafauna, or witnessing various wild creatures in their natural surroundings from on foot or a viewpoint riding upon an elephant or from inside a jeep.

• Bandhavgarh National Park- located in Umaria District, Madhya Pradesh.
• Kanha National Park- located in Kanha, Madhya Pradesh
• Sundarbans National Park- Located in South 24 Parganas, West bengal, India
• Ranthambore National Park-located near Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan.
• Kaziranga National Park- located in Golaghat, Assam.
• Kanha National Park-located in Mandla District, Madhya Pradesh
• Anshi National Park,near Dandeli, Karnataka
• Eravikulam National Park- located in Munnar, Kerala
• Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Parknear Mysuru in Karnataka state of India (Bharat).

• Wood Carvings: India produces a striking variety of carved wood products that can be bought at very low prices. Examples include decorative wooden plates, bowls, artwork, furniture and miscellaneous items that will surprise you. Check the regulations of your home country before attempting to import wooden items.
• Sandalwood carvings: Made from one of the most fragrant woods of the world, these carvings include intricate jewellery boxes, show pieces, decorative items, ashtrays and more.
• Marble and stone carvings: Common carved items include elephants, Hindu gods/goddesses.
• Clothing: It depends on the state/region you are visiting. Many states have their own specialties: for example, Nauwari saadi in Maharashtra; pashmina in Kashmir; Bandhani in Gujrat, Phulkari work garment/ Patiala suit in Punjab, Kanjeevaram in Tamilnadu, Chikankari in Lucknow.
• Paintings: Paintings come on a wide variety of media, such as cotton, silk or with frame included. Gemstone paintings incorporate semi-precious stone dust, so they have a glittering appearance to them. Warli painting would comprise of images of human, animal and scenes from the daily routines of people, the drawings are usually done with white colour, whereas the background remains red. Tanjore Paintings add to the cultural heritage of the state. The paintings are mostly of Hindu Gods and Goddesses and the figures in these paintings are large with round faces. The embellishment over the paintings makes Tanjore Paintings different from other paintings in India.
• Indian species: Spices smell so fresh and aromatic in India.
• Jewelry: Beautiful necklaces, bracelets and other jewelry, especially gold, can be very inexpensive in India.
• Pillow covers, bedsets: Striking and rich designs are common for pillows and bed covers.
• Terracotta Indian Handicraft: Terracotta takes many shapes and sizes in India. From pots and pans to toys, terracotta souvenirs are very Indian and rustic. You can even buy wall hangings and chimes made of terracotta that can be bought at really reasonable rates all over the country.

There are many things to learn that interest foreigners all over India, but there are a few destinations that become known for certain things:

• Yogais popular in Haridwar and Rishikesh. There are many places in India that offer yoga teacher training. There is quite a long list of few destinations but these are very popular among international yoga community.
• Rishikesh
• Mysuru (Mysore)
• Goa
• Dharmshala
• Kerala
• Gokarna
• McLeod Ganj

Rishikesh is considered as “Yoga Capital of the World”. This beautiful city is located on the foothills of the Himalaya. One can learn almost all forms and styles of yoga here. This place is also one of the best places to learn Hatha yoga. Mysuru (Mysore) is located in southern state of Karnataka and this city is world famous for its Ashtanga yoga. Best time to learn yoga here from September till March. Here you have an opportunity to learn Ashtanga yoga from world class yoga Gurus. Goa offers a blend of leisure and yoga together. You will feel like you are at a yoga retreat. If you are a serious yoga learner then this might not be the ideal place.  Dharamshala, for years now, has been a haven for yogis and explorers. It beautifully collaborates Tibetan and Indian societies, forming a perfect blend of cultures. Dharamshala Located in the state of Himachal Pradesh which is the home to Dalai Lama. Kerala’ is more popular for Ayurvedic massage cure and its backwater. Gokarna has gained more popularity in the past few years but this place is considered to be less touristic.

• Ayurvedais popular in Kerala.
• Meditationat Dhamma locations throughout the country, including all major cities. 10-day retreats for new students are run monthly and everything is completely donation based.
• Study South Asian medicine, Himalayan art, and other unique subjects while in India
• Hindi in Delhi and Varanasi.
• Sanskritat ‘Samskrita Bharati’ in Bangalore and Delhi.
• Classical musical instrumentsin Varanasi.
• Classical vocal musicand classical Dance forms in Tamilnadu.
• Buddhismin Dharamsala and Bir in Himachal Pradesh as well as in Bodhgaya in Bihar.
• Cookingclasses are also popular. The most well-known exported type of Indian food is Punjabi, as the Sikhs have been the most successful in spreading Indian restaurants throughout the western world. However, styles vary a lot throughout the country, so if you have the time and appetite it’s worth checking out courses in a variety of areas such as Delhi, Rajasthan,Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
• Photographytours and workshops are offered in many places throughout the country. India has many accomplished photographers who speak excellent English and offer expert services from a few hours to two weeks or more. These tours and workshops offer a unique way to dive deep into Indian culture while at the same time learning how to photograph it with more professional results.