Holiday Vacation Tour in Goa

Goa - A Dream Destination

Buzzing with natural beauty and blissful ambiance Goa is the place to be this summers. Goa, a small beautiful state of India. Goa is a very blissful treat to souls. Goa offers sheer fun and enjoyment to the tourists. Goa famous for its long stretched golden beaches. Goa has been blessed with very attractive beaches viz. Arjuna beach, Baga beach, Bogmolo beach, Calangute Beach and Dona Paula Beach.

Variously known as "Pearl of the Orient" and a "Tourist Paradise", Goa is located on the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan. The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendors of its churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favorite with travelers around the world. But then, Goa is much more than just beaches and sea. It has a soul which goes deep into unique history, rich culture and some of the prettiest natural scenery that India has to offer. Much of the real Goa is in its interiors, both inside its buildings andin the hinterland away from the coastal area. Legends from Hindu mythology credit Lord Parshuram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu with the creation of Goa.

Over the centuries various dynasties have ruled Goa. Rashtrakutas, Kadambas, Silaharas, Chalukyas, Bahamani Muslims and most famously the Portuguese have been rulers of Goa. Goa was liberated by the Indian Army from Portuguese colonization on December 19, 1961 and became an Union Territory along with the enclaves of Daman and Diu. On May 30, 1987 Goa was conferred statehood and became the 25th state of the Indian Republic. Having been the meeting point of races, religions and cultures of East and West over the centuries, Goa has a multi-hued and distinctive lifestyle quite different from the rest of India. Hindu and Catholic communities make up almost the entire population with minority representation of Muslims and other religions. All the communities have mutual respect towards one another and their secular outlook has given Goa a long and an unbroken tradition of religious harmony.

The warm and tolerant nature of the Goans allows them to celebrate and enjoy the festivals of various religions such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Christmas, Easter and Id with equal enthusiasm. The state of Maharashtra borders Goa on the north, the state of Karnataka on the south and east. The vast expanse of the Arabian Sea on the west forms the magnificent coastline for which Goa is justly famous. Terekhol (Tiracol), Mandovi, Zuari, Chapora, Sal and Talpona are the main rivers which weave their way throughout the state forming the inland waterways adding beauty and romance to the land besides being used to transport Goa's main export commodity of Iron and Manganese ore to Mormugao Harbour. Along the way to the coast these waterways form estuaries, creeks and bays breaking the sandy, palm-fringed coastline behind which lie the fishing villages among the coconut groves.

Anjuna Beach Market: Located in the heart of the 'backpackers' scene, the Anjuna flea market is the place to be on Wednesday. A beach town situated off the North of Goa, Anjuna became the hide-out for-Western 'hippies' arriving in the 60's. Finding their wallets empty but wanting to stay longer, these early travelers auctioned off their belongings from guitars to jewelry and jeans to their compatriots. Thus began the infamous 'flea' market at Anjuna. Located on the sandy stretch overlooking the waves of the Arabian sea, what started as an open-air hippie exchange has become one of the most popular attractions for backpackers and tourists alike. And though a relatively new phenomena unlike the antiquity of the Mapusa market, the Flea market has a unique style and rhythm all its own. At today's Market, which during the peak season(October-April) covers almost the entire stretch of beach, one finds only a few Western residents and long-staying travelers on the selling side of the fence.

The majority come to observe and buy, while the hawkers hail from Gujarat, Rajasthan, and the semi-nomadic Lamina tribe in Karnataka. The latter make up the largest majority, selling thick silver jewelry, richly-dyed fabrics, and trinkets from all over India. They have a unique style of dress and culture all their own, and live on the fringes of Goan society much like the long-staying travelers who reside in Anjuna and frequent the market.With so much to offer Goa is a place to be for everyone. Don’t miss out your Goa trip with Holiday India. We at Holiday India offer the best packages for Goa and an experience with you will cherish your lifetime. For details on Goa and our exclusive Goa packages, contact us at info@theholidayindia.com or drop at enquiry here.

International Yoga Festival, Hrishikesh

Yoga, the Sanskrit word for “union”, originated in ancient India. It was a time when the Rishis and the Munis use to practice Yoga seeking for the eternal truth, through meditation. It was first explained in the texts of the Vedas, which were ancient hymns, originally sung in the forests by Rishis, who lived remote and austere lives. Historically, Yoga was a way of life, a culture and a lifestyle which encompass not just the techniques or practices, but also eating habits, prayer, social interaction, and work. Today, Yoga is practiced mainly for health benefits and for relaxing the mind.

I am sure, like me, most of you dudes in large cities, are practicing Yoga, trying to reduce your daily stress, anxiety and depression. Now, if you want to move on from this mental level, to the spiritual level, here is an opportunity for you to visit The International Yoga Festival, at Rishikesh. The week- long festival has been scheduled from 1st of March to 7th of March ,2012, at the Parmarth Niketan Ashram. You will have the opportunity to participate in over sixty hours of Yoga classes, with discourses and lectures, from world-class yoga teachers.

Rishikesh, a small picturesque spiritual town along the river Ganga, is located in foothills of the Himalayas in the northern state of Uttarakhand, in India. It is also considered to be the “Yoga Capital Of The World” and is a magnet for spiritual seekers. The place keeps you spiritually enthralled, from the moment you enter Rishikesh, till you head back home. No wonder the Beatles choose Rishikesh for their Transcendental Meditation at the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Thereafter, Rishikesh catapulted to Western fame.

The entire area near the Ram Jula and the Laxman Jula, is filled with backpackers from all over the world. The exquisite setting of the flowing Ganga, surrounded by forested hills, is an ideal location for meditation and mind expansion. In the evenings, tourists, pilgrims and sadhus, assemble for the nightly Ganga Arati ceremony, at the Ganga Ghats of the Parmarth Niketan Ashram. Always keep in mind that Rishikesh is a vegetarian city by law, as well as an alcohol-free city.

Coming back to the International Yoga Festival 2012, at Rishikesh, let me briefly touch upon the daily schedule of the festival:

The day will start from 4 am with Kundalini Sadhana practice and Ashtanga Primary series classes. Then by 6:30 am you will have a one-hour yoga class, followed by a simple breakfast. At 8:30 am you can join one of three two-hour hour yoga sessions followed by a series of lectures from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm from yogacharyas on a variety of inspiring subjects. From 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm a traditional Indian lunch will be served.
At 2:30 pm you can have three instructional classes followed by three yoga classes from 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm. Then from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm you will be able to attend the special mesmerizing Aarti, on the banks of the river Ganga.

Dinner will be served by 7:30 pm followed by a special evening program of satsang with spiritual leaders, cultural song and dance events and campfires. The day schedule closes by 9:30 pm.

So what are you waiting for? Pack your backpacks, carry your meditation mats and head for Rishikesh. Trust me, you will feel rejuvenated, not only in body and mind but spiritually too. I have experienced it myself.

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti…..

Tags: India, Rishikesh, Yoga, International Yoga Festival

Holi In Vrindavan

Most of the festivals celebrated in India, is somewhere or the other, intricately connected to stories of the Indian mythology. Holi, for one, is linked to the legend of Lord Krishna and his immortal love for Radha. As the legend goes, young Krishna was jealous of Radha's fair complexion. After hearing his woe, Yashoda, his mother, teasingly asked him to colour Radha's face in which ever colour he wanted. In his usual mischievous mood, Krishna applied colour on Radha's face and since then, the tradition of applying colour on one's beloved is being religiously followed till date. As a child, I never really paid attention to the reason behind the celebration of Holi. But, as I started learning more about the significance of the legend of Radha and Krishna, added Vrindavan, the birth place of Lord Krishna, to my list of, ‘Must visit places in India’.

Though Holi is celebrated all over India, the culmination is in the area of Vrindavan-Mathura.. Nowhere is it celebrated like it is in Vrindavan. And even today, the atmosphere there is of love and romance in the Krishna nagari. The celebrations last for ten days, celebrating the arrival of spring, The center of all the attraction is the famous Banke-Bihari Temple at Vrindavan. People here can be found totally immersed in the spirit of devotion, drenched to the skin, with the colours of Holi, expressing their love and devotion for Krishna. People relive the myths of Krishna and Radha with playful and feverish devotion. Other major Krishna temples around Vrindavan, celebrate Holi on different days. Pilgrims throng to all these temples every day, to get drenched in coloured water and wind themselves up in a high state of ecstatic devotion. All in the name of the Lord they love so much.

The Vrindavan town turns into an insane inferno of colour. In the crowded streets people throw water from the rooftops. Citizens of Vrindavan and many visitors bombard passersby in all directions. It actually rain colours and the streets reverberate with the chants of Holi hai….. Just drop all your inhibitions. Just join in the fun, the play and the dance and down glasses full of thandai.  In the evenings, plays depicting the life of Krishna are staged. After surviving the ten days of crazed crowd and colour, it was a feeling of both exhaustion and elation. What a contrast. People came out in their finest clothes, smiling. Nobody threw colours any more.

An experience of a lifetime. Not to be missed, if you ever get a chance.

And for those, who are a little more adventurous, take a trip to the town of Barsana, 40km from Vrindavan. Watch the unique way Holi is played in Barsana, where women chase men away with sticks, popularly known as the Lath-maar Holi. Why? you may ask. During the celebrations, the men sing provocative songs seeking the attention of the women, instigating the women to go on the offensive.


This year Holi will be celebrated on the 8thof March. So this time, instead of spending your Holi in your own or your friend’s farm house, plan a trip to Vrindavan, Mathura , to feel the true essence of this very popular colourful celebration. And don’t forget to pack along some holi specialties like gujiya, mathri, puran poli to down them with Thandai….

Happy Holi!

Tags: India, Holi, Vrindavan, Festival, Celebration, Lord Krishna, Lath-maar Holi, Holi Festival Celebration In India, Holi 2012, Festival of Color

Things To Experience While Visiting India

 

Any visitor to India is stunned by the richness of the land, by its lush beauty and exotic architecture. By its ability to overload the senses with the pure, concentrated intensity of its colors, smells, tastes, and sounds. Home to more than one billion people, this subcontinent bristles with a mix of ethnic groups, which translates into an intoxicating cultural cocktail for the traveller. Experience the Spiritual, Adventurous, Wild, Ancient, Unexplored - the Real India.

The Spiritual India

India, known as the land of spirituality and philosophy, was the birthplace of three world religions, Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. The most dominant religion in India today is Hinduism and about 80% of Indians are Hindus. Spirituality and mystical charm have always drawn people from all over the world to India. As the world becomes increasingly capitalistic and materialist, the quest and urgency for spirituality grows more and more. The traditional Indian way of life has helped in the evolution and growth of Spiritualism. Arts like Yoga, Meditaion and Ayurveda coupled with religion have played an important role in the evolution and existence of spirituality in India.

The Adventurous India

Given the various geographical features like the mountain ranges, valleys, desert regions, tropical rain forests, fertile plains and the coastal regions, makes India one of the most attractive adventure destinations in the world. You may say, it is a warehouse of adventure. Whether it is a safari in a nature reserve, a camel ride through the desert or a trek through the mountains, India has a number of exciting and sensational places to offer in its network of adventure destinations. The islands of Andaman and Nicobar in the Bay of Bengal and Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea are virtually un-spoilt and are some of the best spots for scuba diving and snorkeling.

The Wildlife of India

India is home to a rich diversity of wildlife supplemented by an equally rich variety of flora and fauna. The sight and sounds of a majestic elephant, a peacock’s dance, the stride of a camel, the roar of a tiger are unparalleled experiences in themselves. Watching birds and animals in their natural habitats is an experience in itself. The immense heritage of wildlife in India comprises of more than 70 national parks and about 400 wildlife sanctuaries including the bird sanctuaries. A paradise for the nature lovers, these forest areas are also crucial for the conversation of the endangered species like the Leopard, Lion, Asiatic Elephant, the Bengal tiger and Siberian Crane. Spread across the length and breadth of India, these reserves and forest areas, the Indian Wildlife circuit is an Incredible treat, unmatched by any other experience.

The Ancient India

India is a diverse country steeped in history. Its past has seen a melting pot of different religions, rulers and empires -- all of which have left their mark on the countryside. Many historical places in India are listed as World Heritage sites due to their cultural importance. Visit popular historical places in India and take a trip back in time to ancient India. You'll marvel at the architecture of what are some of the most stunning and captivating historical attractions that India has to offer. Not surprisingly, the spellbinding Taj Mahal tops the list of India's best historical destinations. India also has some evocative, once powerful but now abandoned cities, which are architectural masterpieces. Incredible ruins, thousands of ancient temples, impressive deserted cave temples, immense forts, serve as a reminder of India's tumultuous history.

The Unexplored India

From Kashmir in the North to Kanyakumari in the South, India has ample places, still left unexplored.  It is an enchanting land for all seasons, from the snow clad mountains on one side, towards the desperate hot deserts which role down in the lap of cool coastal plains. While moving along the snow clad passes on winding mountain paths in Himachal Pradesh one can observe the landscape changing at every turn. Explore the secluded beaches in the Northern tip of Goa. Northeast India is Nature's own country-by and large, it is unpolluted, unvarnished and holds on to an aura of innocence. Khasi Hills nestled comfortably in the sub-Himalayan hill ranges of the northeastern region of India. See the pristine and quaint beach of Gokarna in North of Karnataka. The beach resembles, "Om", the Sanskrit symbol for the invocation, that is believed to have created the Universe.

The Art and Culture of India

India's languages, religions, dance, music, architecture, food and customs differ from place to place within the country, but nevertheless possess a commonality. India is the only country in the world to have so many religions and beliefs. Indian traditional art forms are the most evolved and cultured systems in the world where carnatic music, classical dance styles like Bharathanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Kathak, Manipuri, etc.. Indian classical arts like classical music, classical dance, theatre and drama possesses traditions and history dating back to several centuries. Indian culture is rich, diverse and unique in the whole world as the people in the country belong to different religions, castes, creed; speak different languages. Celebrate different festivals with great enthusiasm and zeal. Crafts and Handicrafts are an integral part in the life of an Indian. In the Western world, special artists create craft objects and they are considered as luxury items.

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The Colourful Tribes Of North East India

 

There are more than 100 uncontacted tribes worldwide, that chose to keep their ancient ways of living struggle, to resist modernization. Most of them are in Brazil and Peru. In India, one can find still find such a tribe in the northern islands of Andaman and Nicobar, in the Bay of Bengal. North Sentinel Island  lies to the west of the southern part of South Andaman Island, A group of indigenous people, the Sentinelese, live on North Sentinel Island. Most of the island is forested. The Sentinelese people are called by media ‘the most isolated in the world’. They speak the Sentinelese language and their present numbers are estimated to be anywhere between 50 and 400 individuals. They reject any contact with other people, and are among the last people to remain virtually untouched by modern civilization.

 

But whenever we talk of tribes and tribal culture of India, the North East India comes to mind. Northeast India is ethnically distinct from the rest of India and has strong ethnic and cultural ties with Southeast Asia. All of them are quite soft-spoken and simple. The language is predominantly influenced by the Tibeto-Burman languages. North East India covers the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and Sikkim - much of it is untouched by commercial mainstream tourism. Apart from sheltering a magnificent tribal life, North East is also rich in terms of landscape, flora and fauna. 

The North East Indian tribes can be separately marked for their cultural trends which are marked by their festivals, customs, dances and other social occasions. They can be largely associate with the ethnic groups of Indo Mongoloids, Tibeto-Burmese and proto Austrioloids which represent the Asio-Austric culture on Indian hilly regions. Their existence can be traced back to the pre-historic times. Here are some of the most interesting and unique tribes in North East India :

 

  The Thai Village in Assam: The Namphake village in Assam is a small village of the Tai (Thai) Phakial tribe. They are Buddhists of the Hinayana sect. The amazing thing about this group of people is how closely they resemble the Thais of Thailand. They speak a language that is very similar to modern day Thai, and also have the same customs and celebrate the same festivals. They are small in population and are found only Naharkatia and in the vicinity in Margherita. Now their population numbers only about two thousand in total.

 

Konyak Tribe in Nagaland: The Konyaks are one of the most colourful tribes in the North-East, in terms of the way they have managed to retain a lot of their old ways and customs, far more than the other tribes. You can still see tattoos on the faces of some of the elders, which signifies that they have partaken in the practice of headhunting, which occurs when there are inter-tribe or inter-village wars. The last time there were incidents of headhunting was about 10-12 years ago. The Aoling festival of the Konyaks held in April of each year is also a good time to visit Nagaland and experience the festivities. The other thing that makes this tribe special that they are often still dressed up in their traditional outfits, on an everyday basis. It is still common to pass a Konyak in his full traditional costume, complete with the head-dress. They are sometimes referred to as “the naked Nagas”, and are very isolated from the rest of the state.

 

Zekhring tribe in Arunachal Pradesh: This particular tribe is special because they are so few of them! They occupy just one village in an isolated spot on the banks of the Lohit River on the Indo-China border and number only about 300 people. The sad thing about this is that this tribe will probably disappear in a few years time since there are too few of them and they will have to gradually inter-marry with other tribes and eventually cease to exist as a separate tribe unto themselves.

 

Lost Tribes of Israel in Mizoram: This is not a particular tribe, but a collection of different tribes all over Mizoram. They claim to be members of the of the Bnei Menashe, or the children of Menashe, one of the 10 “lost tribes” of Israel, which according to legend, disappeared over 3000 years ago. It is said that the Mizos' Jewish connection goes back more than 1,000 years to a remote cave in China. They called themselves Chhinlung,

Lobha Tribe in Arunachal Pradesh: Similar to the Thai village in the middle of Assam, there is also a small group of Chinese settlers in a small village in the Dibang Valley of Arunachal. They too, speak a language that is very similar to Chinese or Mandarin, and numerous Chinese customs and festivals.

 

Other must see tribes are Khasis, Garos and Pnars of Meghalaya: Bodo, Dimasa, Kalitas, Karbis, Khamti, Kuki and Misings of Assam.

Festivals are an integral part of all the tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, reflecting the cultural exuberances and artistry.  Monpa tribal groups are reckoned for their artistic ability in painted wooden vessels, beautiful rugs and carpet weaving. .

The tribes in Sikkim have really contributed a lot in the transformation of the state of Sikkim into one of those, state in India that are recurrently visited by the tourists. The major tribal communities are Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese.

Nagaland is the home of  fourteen major tribes - Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Khemungan, Konyak, Lotha, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sangtam, Sema, Yimchunger and Zeliang.

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The Festive Colours of Rajasthan

 

Rajasthan is known to be the driest and the most arid state of India but is also one of the most colourful and exuberant places on earth. Referred to as the Desert Jewel of India, Rajasthan, shimmers with even more vibrancy during the time of its colourful fairs and festivals. There is a celebration for every religious occasion, every change of season and every harvest, all invariably a reflection of the genius of their arts and crafts and their ascetic refinement. Celebrations occur almost round the year and are a splendid opportunity for tourists to gain an insight into the life of the Rajasthan during their travel. Some of the better known fairs and festivals of Rajasthan starting from the beginning of January till the end of March are:

Bikaner Camel Festival

Dedicated to the indispensable ship of the desert, the Bikaner festival starts off with a magnificent procession of bedecked camels, from 8^th to 9^th January, 2012. It is a colourful spectacle of the beautifully decorated camels that fascinates the onlookers with their charm and grace against the red sandstone backdrop of the Junagarh Fort. The desert town of Bikaner is located in the Northern part of Rajasthan. This festival starts off with a magnificent procession of bedecked camels against the red sandstone backdrop of the Junagarh Fort (1588-1593) in the town. It is a colourful spectacle of beautifully decorated camels that fascinates the onlookers with their charm and grace. The festivity advances to the open sand-spreads of the Polo Grounds, followed by camel races, camel milking, fur cutting design, the best breed competition, camel acrobatics, camel bands and so on.

Nagaur Fair

The Nagaur Festival of Rajasthan will be held from 30^th January to 2^nd Ferbruary, 2012,   in the quaint Rajput town of Nagaur. The Nagaur festival is essentially a cattle fair and every year close to 75,000 camels, bullocks and horses are traded. In fact the sheer volume of trading is astonishing to the first time visitors.The fair caters to the entire farming belt of Northern India and a bid on prized animal can go up to a lakh rupees.  In many cases, villagers pool in resources to raise the perfect siring bull and share the profits equally.  The fair is also a rare opportunity for tourists to catch a glimpse of rural Rajasthan , as yet uncorrupted by commercial interests.  The rustic charm of the setting can be enjoyed in the relative comfort at the tourist village just across the road from the fair ground.

Baneshwar Festival

The name Baneshwar is derived from the revered Shiva Linga which is kept in the Mahadev temple in Dungarpur. "Baneshwar" means the 'master of the delta'. The Baneshwar Festival, this, is scheduled to take place from 3^rd to 7^th February, 2012. This is a religious festival with simple and traditional rituals. On this occasion tribal from the neighboring states of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat join their brethren from Rajasthan to offer prayers to Lord Shiva. The Baneshwar fair is predominantly a tribal fair with more than half of the congregation consisting of the Bhils tribe. The Bhils attending Baneshwar Fair sing traditional folk songs in high pitched voices sitting around a bonfire every night. Groups of villagers are also invited to participate in the programme. The fair resounds with the gaiety of songs, folk dances, magic shows, animal shows and acrobatic feats. Adding to the excitement are the joy rides on merry-go-rounds and swings. 

Desert Festival

 

Once a year in winters and on the middle of the continually rising and falling stark yellow sands of the great Thar Desert, the empty sands around Jaisalmer come alive with the brilliant colour, music and laughter of the Desert Festival. The Desert Festival is an annual event organized in the beautiful city, Jaisalmer and will be held from 5^th to 7^th February, 2012. The festival represents the rich and colourful Rajasthani folk culture and concludes on the day of Poornima.
During these three days, the desert folks sing and dance eloquently to the triumphs and the tragedies of the land. It is also a musical extravaganza where musicians and the renowned artists participate. Along with this, a number of competitions are held in the festival like the turban tying competition, longest moustaches competition, etc. Even the camels take part in a number of events, including camel polo and camel dance. Not only the Jaisalmer fort but the whole Jaisalmer city brims with excitement during the Desert Festival.

Elephant Festival

The Elephant Festival which will be held on 7^th March, 2012, is a unique event of the elephants organized on the eve of Holi in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. The festival begins with a procession with rows upon rows of elephants groomed to perfection, decked in gold and embroidered velvets, catwalk before an enthralled audience. They are followed by camels, horses and Rajasthani folk dancers. The atmosphere is made lively with the sound of the bankiya or the trumpet. Held at the Jaipur Chaugan Stadium or the Polo ground, the festival is enjoyed by hundreds of tourists from India as well as from abroad. Most of the participants in the Elephant Festival in Jaipur are the female elephants. The elephants are painted on foreheads, trunks, foreheads and feet with floral motifs and adorned with ornaments and jewelry from tusk to tail. There are prizes for the Best Groomed elephant as well. The elephants participate in number of events like races, The game of polo forms the highlight of the festival. Dressed in saffron and red turbans, the teams try to score goals with long sticks and a plastic football.

Gangaur Fair

 

Gangaur Fair from 25^th to 26^th March, 2012, is a largely female-centric festival and most of the festivities, the pujas, are conducted by women. It is celebrated in honour of Gauri, the goddess of abundance. Young girls adorned in their best clothes pray for a spouse of their choice. The married ladies pray for the welfare of their husbands. This spring festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal all over Rajasthan. The celebrations at Bikaner, Jodhpur, Nathdwara and Jaisalmer are full of pomp and are a must-see. The festivities begin almost a fortnight before the actual day. Girls worship the goddess throughout the preceding fortnight. Colorful images of Gauri are taken out in procession accompanied by the town band. Another unique thing about this festival is that on this occasion, tribal men and women have an opportunity to meet and interact freely and during this time, they select partners and marry by eloping.

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The Joy Of Christmas In India

As in most places in the world, the celebration of Christmas in India has always been, and continues to be, a time to spend golden moments with friends and relatives. Christians are a minority here and form nearly 2.3% of the population. But the fact that there are only about 25 million Christians in India, in no way lessens the observance of the festival. The tradition of Christmas observance was introduced here with the colonization of Europeans. Today, Christmas is the biggest and most-loved festival of Indian Christians. The festival is also enthusiastically celebrated by people of other religions residing here.

The best place in India with awesome Christmas celebrations is in Goa. Goa is actually the most popular and the finest palace to celebrate Christmas. Christmas in Goa is one of the most important festivals and is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm. Being a pre dominantly Christian state, the fun of celebrating Christmas in Goa is special. Decoration, parties, food, drinking and merrymaking paints the entire scene of Goa in the week before and after Christmas. The celebrations and adornments in the city continue till New Year.

The streets, beaches, churches, restaurants and nightclubs are adorned and beautifully decorated. Dancing and parties form an inevitable part of Christmas in Goa. The celebrations begin with the singing of Christmas carols, which is followed by offering prayers in the church and exchanging gifts. Like all other parts of the world, people decorate their houses with Christmas trees with buntings such as, candies, sparkling stars, cakes, socks, gifts and cotton flakes.

Christmas in Goa is not restricted only to the Christians. People belonging to various communities participate in the festival with immense enthusiasm. The beaches in Goa form the center of the festivities during this time with loud music, dance and revelry, clubbed with sumptuous dishes. In fact, every part of the city seems to come alive with the festivities.

If you have plans to celebrate the coming Christmas on one of the breathtaking beaches of Goa then you must book for yourself a package for the hotel or resort in advance. The booking prices of the hotels, resorts as well as the lodges go up at the festive time of the year.

So what are you waiting for? Write to us for some of the best affordable packages this Christmas Season.

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Spirituality–An Indian Experience

 

“Spirituality is indeed the master key of the Indian mind; the sense of the infinitive is native to it”.. ..Sri Aurobindo

India, known as the land of spirituality and philosophy, was the birthplace of three world religions, Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. The most dominant religion in India today is Hinduism and about 80% of Indians are Hindus. Quite often, religion and spirituality are used as synonyms. Religion is more to do with rituals while spirituality is that which has to do with Self or the spirit. Hinduism is a very inward-looking religion, with a powerful emphasis on the purity of both mind and spirit, and the search for spiritual tranquility and insight. While religion is more organised and includes public rituals, spirituality is more private and personal. In India, spirituality and religion are part of everyday life.

Spirituality and mystical charm have always drawn people from all over the world to India. As the world becomes increasingly capitalistic and materialist, the quest and urgency for spirituality grows more and more. The traditional Indian way of life has helped in the evolution and growth of Spiritualism. Arts like Yoga, Meditaion and Ayurveda coupled with religion have played an important role in the evolution and existence of spirituality in India.

India's famed spirituality has made it a popular destination for spiritually-inclined travelers and seekers for decades. Originally attracting mainly die-hard, budget New Age travelers, India has in the past decade also come into its own for top-end travelers who want to be pampered and rejuvenated as well as spiritually and culturally inspired

Through the ages, various Ashrams and centers of excellence came up in different parts of India. These centers have helped in spreading the message of compassion, care and positive living. 

Some of the popular Spiritual Ashrams in India are

§ Art of Living Ashram in Panchagiri Hills, Karnataka

§ Osho Ashram in Pune, Maharashtra

§ The Amritapuri Ashram in Kollam, Kerala

§ Sri Aurobinda Ashram in Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu

Also, every year in March an International Yoga Festival is organized in Rishikesh, Uttrakhand.

So if you are looking to cleanse your mind and body, then what better place than India?

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