January 2020
January 1, 2020 in Table of Content
The start of a new year, January month’s theme will take you on a
road to different people like celebrating New Year’s because it gives them a sense of
positivity and enthusiasm about lots of new beginnings, and a chance to celebrate making
it through another of 365 days! Sliding into a new year with a bang makes us want to
live the rest of the year the way we started it— with warmth, celebrations, joy, and laughter.
Christmas
December 20, 2019 in Fairs & Festivals
Christmas Festival falls on 25th day of December every year and commemorate the birth of Lord Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity. Christian community across the globe celebrate Christmas with faith, joy and enthusiasm. Celebrations for Christmas begin on the eve of Christmas on 24th December and continue till New Year’s Day. During this entire period people make merry, party with friends and exchange seasons greetings and gifts with dear ones. High point of Christmas Festival celebrations include decoration of Christmas Tree, Christmas cakes, carols, and the jolly old Santa Claus – the mythical character who brings gifts for children.
Origin of Christmas Festival
The word ‘Christmas’ comes from ‘Cristes Maesse’, or “Christ’s Mass.” Historians claim that Christmas Festival was first celebrated in Rome circa 336 AD. In early times, there was a controversy on the date of Christmas celebrations as the exact date of Christ’s birth was not known. But in 336 AD, Christian leaders fixed the Christmas date to December 25. This date was mainly an attempt to eclipse Saturnalia – a popular pagan holiday in Rome that celebrated the winter solstice. Gradually, the 25th December got acceptance from the Western World and later even Eastern Churches started celebrating Christmas Day on December 25th.
Christmas Festival Traditions
Christmas festival centers around various popular traditions. Adding age old traditions in your Christmas traditions helps you enjoy the festival to the fullest. The most popular tradition of decorating Christmas Tree is followed with great excitement by people across the world. In many countries, people decorate artificial spruce trees to keep alive the spirit of the tradition. Houses are decorated with auspicious mistletoe, lights and display of Nativity scenes.
Christmas is highly enjoyed by young children as it brings along winter holidays and time to perform some traditional activities. They keenly participate in cleanliness and decoration of their house. Children behave very nicely to make their favorite Santa Claus happy who brings gifts for them. Christians actively participate in midnight Christmas Mass and the joyous Christmas carnival. Christmas evening is the time to relish some traditional Christmas food especially the Christmas Cake. Tradition of singing Christmas carols and songs is also practiced with faith and dedication.
Celebrations for Christmas Festival
Festive air pervade everywhere when Christmas is near. It is celebrated with high spirits and gusto. Though the way of celebrating Christmas differs in various countries but the fervor and enthusiasm remains the same. Caroling, feasting and gift-giving are the main ingredients of a perfect Christmas celebration. Christmas preparations begin many days before the festival. Markets, streets, homes and churches are illuminated with colorful lights and decorated with Nativity scenes, Christmas trees and artificial snow. Pubs, party halls, restaurants, discotheques and even beaches are thronged by people at the time of Christmas. These celebrations are escalated with multiple fireworks and other festivities. It is celebrated with immense joy and mirth all around. Merry-making with family and friends is the significant part of the Christmas fiesta. No celebration is worth unless spent with loved ones. Some people go to their native place, stay at home or indulge in lavish balls and enjoy get-together with their dear ones.
These days workplaces also hold special theme parties. It gives people a chance to dress in their best. Now-a-days, many Christian schools perform Nativity plays and hold Christmas parties. Sumptuous meals also form an important part of Christmas celebrations. People spend a lot of time preparing their special Christmas delicacies. People are in the fun and frolic mood especially children as they get gifts from their beloved Santa Claus.
Hot Air Balloon Festival (Karnataka)
December 20, 2019 in Fairs & Festivals
Hosted in parts of Hampi, Mysore, and Bidar at the same time, the Hot Air Balloon festival involves swinging with the wind in a clear blue winter sky. This delightful hot air balloon ride not only gives a bird’s eye view of heritage sites of Karnataka but also sails through the jungles of Karnataka, amidst the rich natural beauty with the backdrop of the vermillion setting sun. Looking at brightly coloured hot air balloons from the ground moving swiftly in the sky is a treat for the eyes. This is a 4-day event hosted by Karnataka tourism to promote aero sports in the state.
When: The whole month of December
Where: Hampi, Mysore, and Bidar
Magnetic Fields (Rajasthan)
December 20, 2019 in Fairs & Festivals
Music festivals seem like a thing for Goa but Rajasthan has been contributing to India’s festival scene competently, and Magnetic Fields is one of them. Held at a 17th-century fort in Alsisar (Rajasthan), this extravaganza music festival involves future-facing music from India and all across the globe. The festival presents new and fresh music concepts and experiences for the new age concert goers. Enjoy great music and hog on food and drinks in this 3-day event with an excellent line up of international artists including Daphni, Bicep, Midland, and Joy Orbison.
Magnetic Fields Festival is a celebration of ancient India and the contemporary culture. With some amazing music, it also showcases art installations, yoga sessions and treasure hunts. You could also choose to stay in royal suites or in tent camps right under the stars. Make sure to have your tickets booked well in advance for a spectacular experience!
When: 14th December to 16th December 2019
Where: Alsisar, Shekhawati, Rajasthan
Rann Utsav (Kutch)
December 20, 2019 in Fairs & Festivals
The Rann Utsav or the Kutch Mahotsav is a celebration in the white sandy deserts of Kutch. During the Rann utsav tents are set up in the desert for the tourists, and the Government facilitates tourists the opportunity to experience the local culture, cuisine and hospitality. 
When you look over the horizon at Rann of Kutch, the salty white sand merges with deep blue open sky and creates one of the most breathtaking scenery you would ever come across in life. The Rann Utsav celebrates life. The festival is a colouful spectacle on the white desert highlighting the vibrancy of the Kutch region’s culture and heritage. There’s folk music, folk dances, shopping (local handcrafted goods), and more. You will be surrounded with culture from every direction at the festival. To top this experience, there are luxurious tents to spend the night in the white coloured desert. On full moon night during Rann Utsav, the region looks even more beautiful.
When: 28th Oct 2019 to 23rd Feb 2020
Where: Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
Bharatpur
December 13, 2019 in Guest Posts, Rajasthan
Bharatpur, the ‘Eastern Gateway to Rajasthan’ was founded in 1733, by Maharaja Suraj Mal. It was once an impregnable fortified city of the Mewat region. According to a legend, the city is named after Bharat, the brother of Lord Rama, whose other Siberian Cranes brother Laxman was worshipped as the family deity of the Bharatpur rulers. The city and the fort are said to be originally founded by Rustam, a Jat of Sogariya clan. Maharaja Surajmal took over from Khemkaran, the son of Rustam and established the empire.
Keoladeo Ghana National Park: This ‘paradise’ for the avian world and pilgrimage for the bird lovers was declared a reserve for birds in 1956. The sanctuary gained National Park status in 1982 and UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1985. The park is named after the small shrine of Lord Keoladeo, an aspect of Shiva, located within a dense forest (ghana). It sprawls over an area of 29 sq. kms. of wetlands on the main North-South avian route of India. There are over 375 species of beautiful birds, including water birds as well as migratory water birds and waterside birds. The sanctuary not only attracts birds from India but also from places like Europe, Siberia, China, and Tibet. The migratory birds include species of cranes, pelicans, geese, ducks, eagles, hawks, shanks, stints, wagtails, warblers, wheatears, flycatchers, larks, etc. The park remains busy all over the year with activities of the winged beauties, but the best time to visit is between August and November for resident birds and October to February for the migratory birds. Vehicles are permitted up to Shanti Kutir inside the park. The Electra Van of the forest department can be engaged in the sanctuary. The best way to explore the park is on foot or bicycles which are available on hire. Cycle rickshaws and boats can also be hired. The park is also home to animals like, blackbuck, sambhar, spotted deer and nilgai.
Lohagarh or the ‘Iron Fort’: This impregnable fort withstood four British attacks and frustrated them to no ends. Finally, Lord Lake captured it in 1804. It is surrounded by a moat and has several fine monuments.
The Palace: The magnificent palace is a fine blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture. It was built in various phases by different Maharajas. The apartments are richly decorated with the patterned floor with exquisite designs. There is a museum in the main central wing.
Govt. Museum: It is housed in the ‘Kamra Khas’ within the fort and exhibits a rich collection of antiquities, exquisite sculptures, and some ancient inscriptions.
Jawahar Burj & Fateh Burj: These monuments inside the fort were built by Surajmal to commemorate the victories over Mughals and British
December 2019
December 1, 2019 in Table of Content
The month of December focuses on Rajashtan, a land where the
guest is considered next to god, the beautiful landscape varies from golden sand dunes
to lush forests and lofty peaks to fertile plains and is littered with formidable forts,
magnificent palaces sprawling havelis, sacred shrines, graceful gardens, lovely lakes, & exotic wildlife.
November 2019
November 1, 2019 in Table of Content
The month of November focuses on Temples of South India,
South India has grown into a place where you see astonishments at every street!
And so the temples, are truly amazing there as it presents the number
of faith people has in Gods.
Diwali
October 2, 2019 in Fairs & Festivals
Diwali, the biggest festival in India, celebrates Lord Ram and his wife Sita returning to their kingdom of Ayodhya after Ram and monkey god Hanuman defeated demon king Ravan and rescued Sita from his evil clutches (on Dussehra). Lots of small clay lamps (called diyas) and candles are lit and placed in houses, and fireworks are let off everywhere, giving Diwali its name as “Festival of Lights”.
Mannarasala Ayilyam
October 2, 2019 in Fairs & Festivals
This festival, celebrated at an ancient and secluded snake temple in Kerala, is sure to leave an impression. The unusual temple is a pilgrimage center for devotees of serpent gods and has Brahmin woman chief priestess. The temple’s multitude of snake idols is taken out in grand procession to the Brahmin ancestral home, where special prayers and offerings are made.
