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Every year during monsoons the state of Kerala, in the south of India, is witness to its many popular snake boat races. A snake boat or the Chundan Vallam is actually a long canoe style boat used in these boat races, which is now part and parcel of the rich[…]
Known as the Kumbh Mela of the Himalayas, Hemis Festival aims to bring together, in mind and spirit, people from different sects of Buddhism and from across the globe to witness this beautiful spectacle. The Hemis Festival provides a great opportunity to witness this ancient monastery in all its splendour[…]
“God’s own country”, Kerala is known for being home to several festivals. These are the times when grandeur and opulence completely take over the otherwise simple lifestyle of its people. One of the popular temple festivals celebrated here is the Kalpathi Rath Festival. An annual festival, it is held in[…]
The Muziris Heritage Site, hidden away in the by lanes of the town of Kodungallur 18 miles north of Cochin, Kerala is perhaps India’s biggest archaeological discovery. Dating back to the 1st century BC the Muziris seaport and urban centre is reputed to have been the greatest Trading Centre of[…]
Dussehra Dussehra is an India wide Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of the good over the bad, in remembrance of Rama’s victory over Ravana, from the Hindu text The Ramayana. The Ramayana, which originated in the second century BC, tells the story of Rama (incarnation of the god Vishnu) who defeats the[…]
Rajasthan, the romantic desert state of India, hosts many colourful festivals throughout the year. Many of these festivals draw on the heritage of nomads, traders and magnificent Rajput warriors, to deliver a truly unique desert experience. Surely the most famous is the Pushkar Camel Fair held on the full moon[…]
The Nehru Boat Race, as the name suggests, is named after Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime minister of independent India. In 1952, when he visited Kerala , Pandit Nehru was escorted by a pageantry of snake boats, called Chundan Vallams, on a boat trip from Kottayam to Alappuzha.[…]
Kerala embodying its pseudonym of God’s Own Country is home to several colourful festivals that are an inherent part of its rich cultural heritage. Spread out across the year the rejoicing and festivities continue for several days. Next time you’re thinking of heading towards Kerala, try and align your holidays[…]
There is a reason the National Geographic magazine chose to do an in-depth feature on the Bishnois and their commitment to the environment. Their now famous photo of the Bishnoi woman suckling a young deer had a tremendous impact and left the world awe struck. In an age where cutting[…]