India Travel Stories

Rajasthan is well known for its traditional, colorful art and grand forts and Palaces. This time I went to explore the blue City of Rajasthan –  JODHPUR     Usually, I start my travel with quintessential monuments of the city I am visiting, but this time I planned to start differently. I started my tour at the famous Jodhpur’s Bishnoi Village Tour. I started with Salawas village in Jodhpur, which is also known as  “WEAVER’S VILLAGE”  where weavers work together to create magic carpets locally referred to as  DURRY’S . Weaving a Durry is 300 years old traditions that are woven at home by a family in the village and thereafter sold. Wondering! WHAT’S DURRY’S? Basically, Durry is the floor covering, somewhat resembling a rug, woven on a loom using cotton, silk, jute, or wool yarn. It is used as a substitute for carpets, as a rug. At home, one can use them for a table cover or cover corridors.  HOW IS IT MADE? Durry weaving techniques are extensi...

The word haveli is derived from Arabic hawali, meaning “partition” or “private space” popularised under the Mughal Empire. Haveli is a traditional townhouse or mansion in India, usually one with historical and architectural significance. The traditional Havelis of Rajasthan have been the inherited homes of the Marwari business communities that flourished during the 18th and 19th centuries through growing trade relations. Believe it or not, these extravagant ancestral homes of the traders have been the focal point of prospering art, architecture and culture in the land of the royals.  Hotel Mandawa Haveli The Havelis of the Shekhawati region have set a standard for excellence in traditional art and architecture in Rajasthan. The Mandawa Haveli was built by Thakur Bhagwant Singh Ji,15th leader of Mandawa in 1986. The rich interiors with painted walls,jewel-decorated pillars and ceiling are symbolic of the prosperity of this business clan with ancestral Havelis loc...

Holi  Holi is a lively festival that is celebrated in most parts of India, but it is a celebration done with utmost magnificence in various forms particularly in North India. The festival is famous enough for the entire world to relate ‘playing with colors’ with India since that is what is the Holi celebration is mostly about. Lath mar Holi is a very famous celebration that takes place in the smal l town of Barsana in Uttar Pradesh. Playing with water and colors, forming human pyramids, and breaking a pot of butter tied on the top are some of the many events that take place during Holi. It falls in the month of March every year. Where to celebrate: The best place to celebrate Holi is probably Mathura / Vrindavan in North India, the birthplace and childhood home of god Krishna. The celebrations here are legendary. Diwali  Diwali is the biggest festival in India, a celebration of the triumph of light over dark, good over evil. The word Diwali means “rows of lighted lamps” and it...

1.        Stunning Landscape views Enclosed in between the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges, the Ladakh region is a highland that is layered in spectra of red, orange, brown, green, and grey with large crystal blue water bodies. The landscape under the beautiful blue sky, aligned by snow-crested peaks and some lush green patches of vegetation along the valleys formed by the perennial streams together make for a surreal scenic beauty. So if you are still thinking that Ladakh is just a barren landscape… I’m afraid, you are going to miss the shelter in heaven. 2.        Monasteries The Ladakh region is also notable for housing some of the ancient  Buddhist monasteries and gompas  that reflect the footsteps of Buddhism in India. The vibrant festivals, attire and strange rituals are some other things that you are going to see in addition when you visit these monasteries. Further… the artistic décor, ancient manuscri...

Marari Beach, Kerala Marari beach is a wonderful sandy stretch between Fort Kochi and Alleppey. This beach is considered among the most charming places in the whole Indian subcontinent. Life in Marari goes on as it did a hundred years ago, unperturbed by the worldly commotion. One can relax in the most obvious way –by doing nothing. Coastal lines of Marari beach are fringed with coconut trees and white sand that provides a captivating view. This relinquish beach is the perfect place to enjoy the sun and get a great tan, perfect for unwinding after exploring the small town of Fort Kochi or spending some time on the backwaters in Alleppey. A walk in the fishing village and an Ayurvedic treatment afterward is a pleasurable experience. Snake Boat Race is ano ther unique activity this place offers. Mararikulam Shiva Temple is situated nearby and is a religious and traditional belief of many, it is dedicated to Lord Shiva and worshipped by many Hindu devotees.  Kovalam Beach, Kerala I n ...