Festa de Diu - Asia's Longest Beach Festival

"A beach is not only a sweep of sand, but shells of sea creatures, the sea glass, the seaweed, the incongruous objects washed up by the ocean." - Henry Grunwald

Thinking about this quote today, you might find that it applies most to the pristine beaches of Diu, the tiny Union Territory surrounded by the sea. And why not, since Diu is currently the most happening place with Asia's longest beach festival, the Festa de Diu - a 75 day extravaganza that goes on till February!

Diu is not generally the first spot for a beach holiday in India, with Goa usually being the more popular choice. However, the Festa de Diu is all set to change this, with a festival that celebrates music, food, art and life in general!

Diu is a lovely place with plenty of coast, making it the ideal destination for beach lovers. But Diu is also a great spot for adrenaline junkies, with many options for water sports along with bungee jumping, zip lining and hot air balloon rides. And if relaxing and rejuvenating is more your thing, there are plenty of spa facilities available.

The festival will see many luxury beach tents for accommodation, in addition to existing hotel rooms. These tents offer free access to all the areas of the Festival village including cultural performances. Speaking of which, this year, there are many top performers at the festival - Shreya Ghoshal, Benny Dayal, Neeraj Sridhar, Kailash Kher, Shubha Mudgal and more. When you're not attending a performance, you can stroll through the all day flea market.

Even when it's not festival time, Diu has many places that are worth visiting. Here are the top 5 picks by us:

1. Diu Fort

The Diu fort was built by the Portugese during their colonial rule in 1535. The fort is a large and impressive structure, with a beautiful view of the sea. The fort also has a rich history of many rulers and kingdoms, making it a must visit!

2. Naida Caves

The Naida caves are truly a breathtaking sight, and entering the caves feels like entering another world! The caves have several tunnels inside and are just outside the Diu fort along the Jalandhar beach.

3. St. Paul's Church

The St. Paul's Church in Diu is one of the most active churches built by the Portugese, and is a fine example of baroque-style architecture. While the exterior of the church is impressive in itself, the interiors are also full of exquisite carvings and details.

4. Shell Museum

The Shell Museum is truly a unique kind of museum, built by a Merchant Navy Captain. On his travels around the world, the captain collected shells from around fifty different countries and each one has been labelled with great care and displayed.

5. Zampa Gateway

The Zampa Gateway is a structure that just cannot be missed, with it's bright color and massive size! This landmark also features carvings of animals and religious themes, and is close to a chapel. The gateway is also said to feature artificial waterfalls.

So if you're looking for a break to refresh yourself for the New Year, you know where to head to! So book your tickets, pack your bags and prepare for a trip you'll never forget!

Top 10 Winter Destinations in India

“Winter is a season of recovery and preparation” – Paul Theroux

In many poems and songs of old times, winter usually has a negative connotation, while spring and summer are described with more cheerful words. Winters are associated with dullness and greyness, when everything dries up and even animals go into hibernation or fly south.

However, no one who’s visited India during winter will agree with such a description; it is, in fact, anything but dull! If you know India, you know that it’s pretty impossible for us to be grey, such a colourful people we are! But there are some locations in India that truly bloom during winters, when their real beauty comes through. For some others, winters provide the respite they need from an otherwise hot and humid climate. In any case, there are many destinations in India that are worth visiting especially during the winter season, and here we list out our top ten picks of these destinations.

Top 10 Winter Destinations in India

1.    Shimla 

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When you talk of winter destinations in India, Shimla is probably the first one to come to mind! This is a place that completely transforms itself with snow, and becomes the kind of stuff dreams are made of – a perfect place for kids and the young at heart!

2.    Mussoorie 

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Known as the Queen of Hills, and rightly so, this otherwise green hill station turns into a winter wonderland. If you love the mountains, then Mussoorie is the place for you! There are many activities too, so that the whole family can enjoy!

3.    Kerala 

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If you are from a place that gets really cold in winters and want to enjoy some warm sun and lots of greenery, come to Kerala!! Kerala’s otherwise tropical climate takes a break during 

winter, making it the ideal time to discover the lush greenery of Wayanad or Munnar.

4.    Manali 

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Manali is another popular winter travel destination in India, and with good reason! Around mid-December, a blanket of snow descends upon the place, and converts it into a snowy paradise. With lots of adventure sport opportunities, this is the perfect spot for adrenalin junkies!

5.    Rajasthan 

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Known for its deserts, winters bring out a different side of Rajasthan, and a lovely one at that! Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer are just some of the many places in Rajasthan that play host to the many travellers from across the globe.

6.    Gulmarg 

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You can’t leave behind the paradise on earth when talking about top locations to visit in India, in any season! Gulmarg is the kind of place that will leave you in awe of nature’s beauty and you’ll want to make that sight your permanent wallpaper!

7.    Darjeeling 

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Darjeeling is a hill station that has the most breathtaking views in all seasons. During winter, the greenery still persists, giving rise to a lovely scene that’ll have you wondering why you didn’t visit earlier!

8.    Lachen 

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Lachen in Sikkim, is a treat to behold, especially in winters as the snow casts its magic all around. A treat for photographers, Lachen is a gem that has many little tourist spots where you can make some great memories.

9.    Ooty 

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Ooty is a hill station that requires no introduction, being a popular spot for movie locales for decades! Ooty is a great place to visit in winter, being cold but not inhospitably so. This is a great spot for people of all ages – there’s something for everyone to do!

10. Kutch 

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The Rann of Kutch is not a place popular in summers due to the hot weather, but winters are another story altogether! The weather is lovely, and the place comes alive with the Rann Utsav, a cultural festival that celebrates the spirit of Kutch.

So tell us, where are you planning your trip to this winter?

The Ganga Dussehra Festival

“My bones are destined to make corals in the Ganga” – Swami Vivekananda

  

The river Ganga isn’t something that needs introduction, being the most sacred river to Hindus across the world. People from far and wide come here to expiate their sins in the holy water. The Ganga Aarti on the banks of the river is truly a sight to behold! The Ganga originates in the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, and flows down across North India and Bangladesh, finally ending its journey in the Bay of Bengal.

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Ganga Dussehra is a festival that celebrates the descent of the Ganga onto earth, and is celebrated along the major cities on the banks of the river like Allahabad, Haridwar and Rishikesh, although the epicenter of the festival is at Varanasi, also called Benares. It is celebrated on the tenth day of Jyeshtha, a month on the Hindu calendar. According to the Gregorian calendar, it falls somewhere in May-June. This festival is not to be confused with Ganga Jayanti, which celebrates the birth of the Goddess Ganga. Read on to know more about how this festival came to be.

The Story

The story of the Ganga river begins with the king Kapila whose meditation was disturbed by the king Sagara’s sixty thousand sons. Irritated beyond words, Kapila focused his burning stare on Sagara’s sons, reducing them to ashes and banishing them to the netherworld. Their only chance of escape was water from the Holy Ganga, who then resided in Heaven.

The task of freeing Sagara’s trapped sons was undertaken by one of his descendants, the king Bhagiratha. He meditates for years and is finally granted his wish. The Goddess Ganga agrees to descend to earth, but she warns him that her immense strength might destroy everything on earth. Bhagiratha pleads with Lord Shiva to help, and he finally agrees to let Ganga flow down to earth through the coils of his hair. It is this descent of the Ganga or ‘Ganga Avataran’ that is celebrated as the Ganga Dussehra festival.

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The Religious Significance

Due to the main characters in the story of Ganga’s descent, they are also the most worshipped during this festival – King Bhagiratha, Lord Shiva and Goddess Ganga. Ganga Dussehra is also called Ganga Dashami, and several rituals are held across the river banks, dedicated to these three main deities.

 

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The descent of Ganga is said to coincide with ten Vedic astrologic landmarks or Yogas. The combination of these yogas is said to absorb man’s sins when he takes a dip in the holy water. Dussehra is a mix of ‘Dus’ meaning ten and ‘hara’ meaning defeat. Thus this festival is also an occasion for destroying one’s sins, the belief being that you can attain salvation from ten of your sins – 3 physical, 4 verbal and 5 mental.

The Celebration

On Ganga Dussehra, idols of the Goddess Ganga is dressed in white clothes and decorated with white flowers and a pooja is conducted to worship her. Ideally, one should bathe in the river itself for salvation, but if it isn’t possible, it is recommended to bathe in regular water to which a little Ganga jal or holy water has been added. Many devotees fast for the whole day, abstaining from food and water and breaking their fast only after the moon rises. A bath in the Ganges is followed by eating fruit to break the day-long fast.

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The Ganga is a beautiful sight during this festival. Women float flowers, leaf boats and oil lamps in the river, filling the air with a lovely fragrance and the soothing sounds of temple chants and hymns. There are also large fairs to be seen, as well as donation centres, since it is considered auspicious to donate anything in numbers of ten, especially edibles and things that offer protection in summer, like shoes, clothes and umbrellas.

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Today, the festival of Ganga Dussehra is also an occasion to think about preserving the river and fighting pollution. The religious nature of the Ganga river attracts devotees from across the world, and several awareness campaign have begun to ensure that devotees keep the river clean and safe for other people as well as for the rich flora and fauna for whom the river Ganga is home as well. To quote Swami Vivekananda again, “See what an atmosphere of holiness is here -- the pure air of the Ganga -- what an assemblage of Sadhus -- will you find anywhere a place like this!”

5 Offbeat Summer Destinations in India

With the sun shining in its full glory now, it’s about time to find solace in the green and cool pastures. Yes, we are talking about taking a relaxing vacation to escape the sizzling days of the season. If you are weary of holidaying at the run of the mill hill stations year after year, we recommend visiting the following offbeat yet serene destinations this time around.

Khajjiar

Khajjiar, often referred to as the mini Switzerland of India, is one of the best places to visit during the summer season. Located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, Khajjiar is known for its beautiful range of hills, mesmerizing meadows and serene lakes. Another reason for recommending this place is that you won’t see a maddening crowd of tourists here, as is the case with popular hill stations. You can even experience here adrenaline rush sports such as horse riding and paragliding. You may also trek along the Dalhousie-Khajjiar road to breath in fresh air and experience a visual delight. Khajjiar lake, Khajjinag temple and Dauladhar mountains are the main attractions for site seeing in Khajjiar.

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Tirthan Valley

Another beautiful hill station in Himachal Pradesh, Tirthan Valley is known for its breathtaking landscapes and fresh aromatic air. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city life, this is a great place to spend some quality time with your family and friends. No, it is not just a place for the peace lovers, but would also excite the adventure freaks with activities such as trout fishing and trekking. The best time to visit the place is between March and June especially if you are aiming to go trout fishing in the Tirthan river.

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Naukuchiatal

Naukuchiatal, located in the Nanital district, is another unusual destination that offers a great respite from the summer heat as well as the chaotic city life. Naukuchiatal encompasses a splendid nine-cornered lake that stretches for about 1 kilometer. All sorts of boating options are available here. The valley that surrounds the lake is equally magnificent. The Brahma Temple located here also attracts several tourists.

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Kalimpong

A lesser unexplored hill station, Kalimpong is located in the state of West Bengal. The place is home to several Tibetan monasteries and churches. If you have a heart for the Indian handicrafts then you will get ample stuff to shop here. When you are there, do include Kali Mandir, Mangal Dham Temple, MacFarlane Memorial Church, St. Theresa Church, Tharpa Choling Monastery and Relli River in your itinerary.

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Tawang

If you are looking for a destination in the eastern side of the country, Tawang in Arunchal Pradesh, could be a superb option. As it lies close to the Tibetan and Bhutanese border, it is surrounded by peaks that offer a picturesque view.  The place boasts of a rich and vibrant culture and you can feel a positive energy all around. Did you know that Tawang Monastery dates back to the 17^th century and is the world’s biggest monastery? The major attraction at this monastery is an eight meter high statue of Lord Buddha. The Urgelling, Taktsang Gompas and Khinme monasteries and Sangester Tso lake are some of the other site seeing places here.

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Have you visited any other offbeat or an unusual destination in India?

Top 5 Makar Sankranti Celebrations Across India

Makar Sankranti, the first major festival to commemorate the Indian festive calendar every year, is here again. Scientifically, it is the day when the sun enters the northern hemisphere. However, when you attach a religious significance to this natural phenomenon, this day becomes what you call Makar Sankranti in our country. In fact, it is the only Indian festival,  which takes after the solar calendar and celebrated on 14^th January, every year!

Makar Sankranti is also the time, when the fresh crop is harvested and hence, people take it as an opportunity to thank the nature and almighty for fresh beginnings and new energy in the life. Does this fact ring a familiar bell in your mind? You probably guessed it right. Makar Sankranti is our desi tradition of celebrating the Thanksgiving Day!

Makar Sankranti dons various avtaars in the different states of India. We take you through the most popular ones.

Gujarat

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Makar Sankrati in Gujarat is quintessentially about flying kites, the festival popularly known as Uttarayan here. The Gujju folks go completely crazy during the two day festival, so much that they get on their terraces in the wee hours of morning and stay there, till late night flying kites. There will be a spectacular display of kites in myriad hues in the sky and and the shouts of ‘lapet’ and ‘kai po che’ (yes, the phrase also inspired the title of the movie by same name based on Chetam Bhagat’s popular novel The 3 Mistakes of My Life!) will resonate in the air. In fact, Gujarat Kite Flying Festival is one of the most anticipated international festivals. Undhiyu, a spicy mix of seasonable vegetables and til gud chikkis are the special festival recipes savoured on this day.

Assam

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This Eastern region of India welcomes the harvesting season with Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu, a two day festival.  On the first day known as Uruka, people go the fields to build toy huts called mejis with thatch. On Uruka night, people in a grand fish and rice based traditional feasting known as Bhogali. These toy huts are burnt on the next day, the ashes of which are then dispersed in the fields, as a symbolism of fertility. Apart from feasting and merry making, what makes the celebrations more fun are the traditional games such as tekeli- bhonga (breaking the pot) and outdoor sports like cock fights and bull fights, played across the state.

Tamil Nadu

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In Tamil Nadu, the Makar Sankranti celebrations lasts for four days in the form of Pongal, making it one of the most anticipated festivals of the year. The first day is Bhogi Pongal, which falls on the 13^th January every year. On this day, people discard old and unwanted items to symbolize the end of vices or poorh habits and usher in the new memories. The second day is the main festival called Surya Pongal, during which people worship the sun, decorate their homes and wear new clothes. On the third day on Mattu Pongal, farmers worship cattle and play / witness jallikattu, a bull taming game. The last day is called Kanum Pongal, when people prepare multi-color rice delicacies and offer them to their ancestors. They also go for sightseeing on this day, so the usual tourists places like Marina Beach in Chennai are choc-a-bloc with visitors on this day. Pongal dish made of rice, milk and cardamoms is savoured across all households during the festival.

Uttar Pradesh

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Here, Makar Sankranti is referred as Khichdi Sankrant because khichdi is offered to poor people. You will often hear the residents saying that it’s the day of snan, daan and khichdi. The khichdil platter consists of the main dish, papad, ghee, a til gud sweet, chutney and curd. On this day, devotees also prefer to take dip in the Holy River Ganges. Fun fairs are organized throughout the state and people take part in rituals called ‘ghughutia’ and ‘kaalekauva’. In KaaleKauva, children display sweets prepared in different shapes and strung together like a necklace to attract crows and other birds.

Punjab

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Sunder mundriye ho! Dulla Bhatti walla! Those who have a penchant for Punjabi music would know that Lohri festivities are incomplete without singing and dancing to the tunes of these two popular songs. Lohri, as the Makar Sankranti is called in Punjab, is all about the typical Punjabi fare – dhols, giddas, bhangra, bonfire, dance and feast, amids all pomp and fervour. The day following Lohri signifies the start of a new month called Magh, and hence celebrated as Maghi by offering kheer or any other sweet dish with sugar cane juice.

Different regions, different traditions. How do you celebrate Makar Sankranti in your home? 

New Year Traditions around the World

We have reached the end of another eventful year! 2014 has seen a great many things, some good and some not so much. Nevertheless, all of us have learnt something or the other this year and we’ll forget our worries and carry our hopes into the New Year. However, today is not for worrying or deep thinking; it’s the day to let your hair down, forget your worries and dance the night away!

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And that’s exactly what most of the people on the planet will be doing, albeit in their own different ways. If you’re wondering how people in different countries celebrate New Year’s Eve, you’re in the right place – here is a look at some unique New Year traditions around the world.

1. Australia

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Australia is among the first countries to usher in the New Year. Australians make the most of this fact with large scale fireworks, with the main ones happening around the Sydney Harbor Bridge. But a more interesting tradition is where people go around banging pots and pans on New Years Eve, in an attempt to chase away evil spirits. This is usually accompanied by knocking on doors to wish everyone a Happy New Year.

2. Japan

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New Year parties are common everywhere, but in Japan, they take on a different meaning. These parties are called Bonenkai, literally translated as ‘Forget the Year Party’. The party is supposed to be an occasion where everyone lets their hair down and forgets about the past year. Chiefly a drinking party, it is usually held among friends or colleagues, rather than family. 

3. Russia

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While Christmas trees are pretty popular the world over, Russia does it with a twist – they have New Year trees! While Christmas trees are usually put up before Christmas and left till New Years, in Russia, these trees are kept for the holiday period that lasts till nearly mid January. Huge trees are put up in public places and beautifully decorated. New Year trees are also a popular tradition in Turkey.

4. Spain

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Most of us countdown to the strike of twelve by literally counting, but that’s now how they do it in Spain! The Spanish tradition of ‘The Twelve Grapes of Luck’ requires eating 12 grapes, one at each stroke of the clock at midnight. This is said to bring prosperity in the coming year. At parties, guests are usually served a stick or bowl of exactly 12 grapes along with their food or drink.

         

5. Scotland

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The Scottish celebration of the New Year is called Hogamanay, which means ‘The Last Day of the Year’. This is a grand celebration with fireworks and unique traditions like the first foot or fire ball swinging. In the former, people visit their friends and neighbors bearing gifts, when they first ‘set foot’ in their homes in the New Year. In the latter, balls of wire are filled with flammable materials like rags and set on fire. The balls are then swung round and round. Balls that are still flaming are then tossed into the harbor.

6. Venice

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Venice is popular for being a romantic city, and many a romantic song has been sung on Venetian canals. This spirit is carried into on New Year’s Eve, when thousands of people gather at St. Marks Square to kiss as the clock strikes twelve. This is supposed to cement relationships and bring lots of love in the New Year!

7. South Africa

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A New Year is a time for ‘out with the old, in with the new’. South Africans take this literally by throwing out old furniture before the New Year starts! Needless to say, this has resulted in quite a few injuries and police have started keeping a check on furniture throwing.

8. New York

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Last but not least, is probably the most iconic New Year’s Eve celebration of all – the Ball Drop at Times Square in New York City. The ball is on the roof of Times Square and begins a descent of 43 meters at 11:59 at stopping at midnight. The event is extremely popular with celebrities coming as guests and is televised globally.

Wherever you are, and whatever tradition you follow, uIndia wishes you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!!!! Have a great 2015!!!

Top 5 Indian Destinations to Celebrate New Year

From Las Vegas to Paris, London to Sydney, there are a few cities in the world that ring in the New Year in style and with spectacular fireworks. But how about welcoming the first day of the new calendar in our very own desi way? India has several beautiful destinations, where this special occasion is celebrated with all pomp and fervour. So, pack your bags and get ready to revel in the New Year festivities at these 5 places in India.

Goa

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Who doesn’t look forward to spending the New Year’s eve in this exotic beach destination of India? And you can’t blame them, as there are several reasons to head to Goa in the concluding week of the year. The Sunburn festival, a three day electronic dance music festival, held on the Vagator beach is among its main attractions. The Supersonic Festival initiated by VJ Nikhil Chinapa is another popular music festival held here that is worth a watch. The night markets of Goa are decked up during the New Year and add to the overall enthusiasm. You would love to shop, eat and hang out here until the wee hours of the morning. Visit the casinos here during this season and you will know why the place is referred to as the Las Vegas of India. While on you way back to home, don’t forget to grab the sweet, crunchy Goan cashewnuts!

Kerala

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What can be a better place to welcome the New Year than the God’s own country? The Cochin Carnival held here during the last week of December pulls a huge crowd each year. The loud drum beats, music, folk dance performances, fun filled games and the massive procession that form a part of this carnival make it an event to remember. Besides, New Year parties held in Varkala and Kovalam are also worth visiting. You may even book a houseboat, go canoeing, trekking or river rafting. Unlike, most other parts of the country, the weather in Kerela is quite favourable around this time of the year.

Mumbai

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If you are a wild party animal looking for glitzy parties, night clubs and discos, then Mumbai is your destination. Special events are organized on the beach sides and at various lounges and hotels throughout the city.

Manali

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Wish to celebrate the New Year amid snow covered mountains and valleys? Head towards Manali! One of the most popular tourist spots in India, Manali is also among the best places in the country to celebrate New Year. Several hotels and clubs organize parties to celebrate the festival. You also get ample opportunity to enjoy snow sporting activities. In fact, the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Devepment Corporation offers special rates on hotels and tour packages around this time.

Udaipur

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Celebrate New Year in a traditional style at Udaipur.  The beauty of the place increases, many folds during the Noel season. Several notable hotels and resorts in and around the city, including the esteemed Rajmahal Bhinder, the Chunda Palace, the Royal Retreat Resort and Spa, Hotel Devi Garh and Ramada Udaipur Resort and Spa are illuminated with lights and grand parties are hosted here to celebrate the occasion.

Where are you heading this year?