Walking with the Bishnois

The love that the Bishnois have for other forms of life is the stuff legends are made of. So if you would like to be woken up early in the morning by the call of peafowl or open your eyes to find a chinkara staring right back, the Bishnoi villages near Jodhpur are a haven for you. A Bishnoi treats these animals as family. It is said that if you are a hunter, then the worst thing that could happen to you is to be caught hunting by a Bishnoi. It is because of their protection that, in Bishnoi-dominated areas, deer, bluebull, blackbuck, chinkara and chousingha are seen grazing peacefully in the fields.


A 40-minute drive from Jodhpur will take you to Khejarli village— where one actually comes to realise the true meaning of ‘loving wildlife.’ Khejarli is also where the Chipko movement originated as early as 1730. It is said that the ruler, Maharaja Abhay Singh, sent men to fell the khejri trees surrounding the village. Amrita Devi and her three daughters hugged the trees, saying, “Sir, santhe runkh raheb, toh bhi sastojaan (it is a small price to pay if, at the cost of my head, a tree can be saved).” By the time the news reached the king, 363 Bishnois had sacrificed their lives.

The village women are often seen cradling blackbuck fawns alongside their own children. Apart from the variety of deer and peafowl, many birds such as white-eared bulbuls, ibises, partridges, quails, demoiselle cranes and other migratory birds can be seen. Though Khejarli is a day trip from Jodhpur, do try and have a meal with the Bishnois—their warmth knows no bounds. The best time to be there is between October and March, summer is really hot.

For more details about: Budget Tour India and North India Tour

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Odisha’s World of Wonders

The Diversity and Richness of the Flora and Fauna of the State Attracts Eco-Tourists From Around the World.

Olive ridley turtles in millions, travelling thousands of miles to nest on its beaches...tigers that roam through the autumnal splendour of luxuriant and old sal forests...saw-toothed crocodiles and gharials whose home is the splenditerous Satkosia Gorge...dancing dolphins cavorting near Asia’s biggest brackish water lake...a fabulous mangrove eco-system waiting to be discovered afresh...horseshoe crabs, 480 km coastline and also a famous picnic spot at Chandipur beach, where one can witness an unforgettable feat of nature and can literally walk into the sea when the sea disappears for almost 5 kilometers two times a day as the tide ebbs and then slowly returns during high tide. Odisha has all this and many other allurements for intrepid eco-tourists looking for meaningful encounters with new worlds, the people and animals who inhabit them.

 The geographic narratives of Odisha’s coastal region and luxuriant forestlands are richly involved in the dissemination of the state’s cultural delights and wilderness heritage. Visitors come here to enjoy enriching experiences of its marine heritage and forest culture and in the process are exposed to the local economic activities, lifestyles, beliefs and customs of the villages shaped by their richly accoutred environs, be it waterfront or forest enclave living. Encounters with the land and the people make for a richer understanding of the dependences and emotional ties that bind the two, and in some small measure, through correct eco-tourism practices, visitors add their shared experiences to enhance the world of these communities.

Odisha’s Protected Area expanses (about 4.25 percent of its total geographical area) are best experienced by the ecotourist looking for a unique and learning-giving holiday. Its topography, a rich amalgam of sea and land, is delineated by the verdant Eastern Ghats and the floodplains of its roiling rivers and astonishing marine expanses. 

Bhitarkanika Sanctuary

Tikarpara Gharial Sanctuary (Satkosia Tiger Reserve) 

Chilika Lagoon 

Simlipal Tiger Reserve 

For more details about: North India Tour and Group Tour India

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Ajanta & Ellora Caves - Maharashtra

Located 100 km apart, the Ajanta Caves, containing Buddhist monasteries, and Ellora, famous for its Hindu and Jain temples, are a great way to give schoolgoing kids a practical history lesson. Now declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the area was discovered accidentally by a British hunting party in 1819. Since then magnificent sculptures and cave paintings dating back to 100 BC have been revealed.

At Ajanta, caves for teaching and learning were ornamented by intricate sculptures and exquisite art work. Square dormitory cells are cut into the walls. Ellora’s monumental caves represent the zenith of Indian rock cut architecture. 

Aurangabad is well-connected by rail and air to most parts of the country and taxi tours covering both sights are on offer from there. Quality lodging is easy to come by at Ajanta and Ellora.

For more details about: North India Tours and Budget Tour India

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Madikeri

Covered by coffee plantations all over its rolling hills, Madikeri greets the traveler with a heady fragrance of coffee blossoms. Madikeri is located more than 1,500 above sea levels and is the district head quarters of Kadagu (or Coorg ), 250 kms from Bangalore. Also known as the Scotland of the East, Kodagu in home to the martial race, the Kodavas.
The 19th century fort here was the scene of many battles. Today it houses a temple, a chapel, a prison and a small museum.
Raja’s Seat gives a beautiful mountain view. Built in 1820, the Omkareshvara temple here is a mix of Islamic and Gothic styles in architecture.

Head for Kudremukh , the second highest peak in the western ghats , and enjoy a combination of trekking and camping lasting 3-4 days.
Tadiyendamol in Kodagu, is also excellent for trekking, and so is the Kodachadri Range in Shimoga District, Kumaraparvath in Dakshina Kannada, Mullayangiri near Sakleshpur BR Hills, Nandi Hills and Male Mahadeshwar Hills. Apart from this, Yana, 60 kms from Karwar is rocky region and is very popular with rock-climbers. 

If you are looking for some cool, refreshing moments, reach out to the Gurupur river, 8 kms from Mangalore, for windsurfing. River rafting can be enjoyed in the rapids of the Couvery River. 

Kamataka offers you nature, adventure, fresh air, leaving behind a fresh you, in the bargain.

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It's time for 'Experiential Tourism' in Odisha

Odisha - The land of Lord jagganath is poised to take a giant leap into the realm of ‘Experiential Tourism’. Experiential Tourism today is a modern buzzword in the industry in the new millennium. be it for the discerning traveller, the quintessential neighborhood travel agent or the online marketplace. The whole Indian travel industry is excited about the options Odisha puts up for them as a business opportunity.

The options in Odisha are various and multidimensional to say the least. The basket of selection is exciting enough for the tourists and at the same time ensures good returns due to being away from the routine market. 

Be it the rare mass nesting phenomena of Olive Ridley turtle’s annual visitation in summer for laying their eggs, or visiting the Crocodile Sanctuary in mid-year and the tiger reserves stretching up to the romance of a peaceful weekend on the pristine waters of Asia’s largest brackish water lake with choice of sea food options - Odisha has it all. Winter months are decked up with events of national and international repute, which gives a tantalising effect to all the year-end holidays in he eastern parts of India.

Apart from the numerous and unique offerings that the various religious and cultural assimilation and Cult of Jagannath preach, the teachings of Buddha and age old traditions of more than 62 tribal cultures, co existing with modern civilisation is a must see in one’s lifetime.

Apart from the numerous and unique offerings that the various religious and cultural assimilation and Cult of Jagannath preach, the teachings
of Buddha and age old traditions of more than 62 tribal cultures, co
existing with modern civilisation is a must see in one’s lifetime.

Beautiful temples, entwined everyday life of the local community, present a feeling of security here, ensuring that Gods are omnipresent in the daily chores of life.

Apart from the Rath yatra every year, the process of change of Idols in Pun Jagannath Temple, which occurs every 19 years is perhaps the one and only such event in the world and is called the Naba Kalebara Festival. The chronology of events leading up to the change of idols is nothing short of any thriller, which has been a regular event through the centuries (since 12th Century).

Naba Kalebara is an ancient ritual associated with most of the Jagannath Temples when the Idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshan are replaced with the new set of Idols. The process of locating the trees for the required wood is as elaborate as the temples reputation. According to different secret protocols followed from time immemorial in the temple, the provision is there for changing of the deities. As the deities are made up of Neem tree basically, along with Musk, Sandalwood and many other rare combinations, they undergo change of ‘Vigraha’ before the ‘adhika ashaadha’ ends. Different ‘agama shastra’ followed in other parts of India for Lord Vishnu worship, such as Vaikhanasa also prescribe change of deities made up of wood under specific astrological combination, It is to be noted that the deities made of stone or metal need not be changed unless damaged, but the wooden deities are to be changed within specific gap of years and the supreme power must be installed from the old one to the new one, by secret rituals. 

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Love is a Place a Time

Lovers need escape, from prying eyes and city limits. In the season when romance is in the air, we bring you a list of 10 stunning destination that make for that perfect together getaway.

February is here. And, like always, it has brought along splendid weather, fragrant flowers and that special day of love—Valentine’s Day. Now is the time to shed the ennui and take of a 9-5 job and take a romantic break. To bond. To be away from everyone, everything. To find yourself. To know the other. To rekindle love. You google ‘romantic getaways’ and a million options pop in a jiffy. Too much information can be confounding. Don’t run to the travel agent who might get into touristy spiel. Don’t pick up the brochure and head to where everyone is heading. Explore something unusual. Do something different. Take your pick from pristine beaches and tropical islands, hill stations, mountains and the backwaters. You can chug along on a luxury train, huff up hiking trails, hold hands and hop into a hot air balloon, seek nirvana by the banks of turquoise waters... There is no dearth of options. As spring prepares to unfold its glories and love wafts in the air, here are some romantic getaway ideas for you.

Minicoy, Lakshadweep 

Minicoy is so small that you can actually hold hands and walk the entire island, which is 4.8 km long. Smack in the middle of a mighty ocean, this southernmost atoll of Lakshadweep is not a destination with a huge to-do list— Minicoy is a to-be place. 

Just be and watch time go by. But do go to see the 300-foot lighthouse and the Juma Masjid which has a collection of rare artifacts. The water is so clear that if you scuba dive 10 m, you can see marine life in natural light.

For more details: Budget Tour India, Private Tour India and Group Tour India

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Impressive Imphal

Imphal, Manipur’s capital city, is like any other small town —buzzing with a typical kind of energy. Movie posters and hoardings along the streets give an impression of the people’s growing aspirations. Stylish Manipuri girls zipping around on their two-wheelers are only a slight glimpse into a society that’s slowly transforming into a modern one. Book well in advance if you want good accommodation in the city’s one and only deluxe hotel, the Classic.

While in Imphal, make sure you visit the famous Khwairamband Bazaar (also known as Imma bazaar), an interesting local market run and operated solely by women. This is one place where even locals keep returning again and again for the best bargains and products ranging from freshly-caught fish to freshly-picked fruit, flowers like the lotus and vegetables straight from the farm. Begin your day early to catch the energy. I have had my best buys of herbs, kitchen ingredients and saplings of rare fruits from this market. This is also a perfect place to pick up knick- knacks and souvenirs. Handlooms and handicrafts are also available, though bargaining is essential.

Kangla Fort, considered the most important historical and archaeological site, is another place to spend time seeing. Located on the bank of the Imphal river, the fort is on a sprawling 200,000 acres of land in the heart of the city. It was built in AD 33 and was occupied by the British forces in 1891. Much later, it was occupied by the Garhwal Rifles and then the Assam Rifles until it was handed over to the people of Manipur in 2004. The only time I went was to show around a friend from overseas. In the process, I learnt about its historical significance and discovered the monuments and sites within the fort. The ruins of the citadel, deities of two Kangla Sha or dragons, ruins of the Uttra which is the ancestral coronation hall of the Manipur kings, are memorable sights.

There is another place where even locals love to go for nostalgia’s sake. This is the Polo Ground, not far from Kangla Fort. That Manipur is the birthplace of polo must never be forgotten. If you are lucky, you might just catch a polo match as some locals are reviving the game and even breeding the original ponies used for polo. 

For more details about: Budget Tour India , Private Tour India and Group Tour India

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