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Things to Do in India |
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Practically everything about India surprises. Most are wonderful or amusing, some are whacky and weird. Festivals and events are often the best part of traveling and we offer you a cornucopia from ancient to modern, from reserved to raucous, and from significant to just plain silly.
Visitors can carry home a slice of India's multi faceted culture that thrives on its pulsating streets and malls. This explosion of colour and pageant is sure to take the breath away. This is an entirely different world, a magical world full of sights that offers over 101 things to do - once you have seen Taj Mahal, of course!
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| Visit Taj Mahal |
This most famous Mughal monument was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal "the lady of the Taj". It has been described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love, for the emperor was heartbroken when Mumtaz died after 17 years of marriage, during the birth of her 14th child. |
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| Visit Khajuraho |
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| Besides the temples exemplary for their architecture and bold artistic statement, Khajuraho is just a small modest village with no more than 3000 residents surrounded by the forestland. As Khajuraho gets a fair number of tourists from all over the world every year, hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops have sprung up in large numbers at the entrances to the two distinctive groups of temples here. Aeroplanes are not a thing of curiosity for the villagers anymore and the emblem of a warrior fighting a lion single-handedly and with his bare hands seen frequently at the temples is said to be the depiction of the valiant warrior-king who was the head of the clan of the Chandela Rajputs who built the temples. Chandelas are believed to be the descendants of the Moon God himself. The construction of the temples is said to have started in the mid- 9th century and continued until the early 12th century and due to the lack of records of the building activity, the names of the thousands of sculptors, architects and masons, who must have contributed in their construction has been lost forever into obscurity. |
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| Elephant Ride |
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The lord of the jungle is indeed the elephant and not the tiger as many believe . Elephants in the wild call for more caution than any other animal.
Elephants have figured in our mythology and have been a part of Indian life for three thousand years. Ganesha the elephant headed Hindu god is worshipped as a harbinger of good luck and prosperity. Elephants are a common sight on our roads and temples and as a source of power still find use in forestry operations. |
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| Camel Safari |
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To miss a camel ride while traveling in an incredible desert state like Rajasthan is almost sinful. A camel ride in Rajasthan is something you will remember for life.
It is very easy to book a camel ride in Rajasthan. Reasonably priced and easily available, the camels are the most preferred tourist carriers in Rajasthan.
A camel ride in Rajasthan is advisable if you are looking for some simple adventure. Hobnobbing through the vibrant little villages, you will come to terms with the splendor and vastness of the region.
The camel riders are trained guides as well. They know the pulse of tourists. They will take you through all places that deserve a visit. Along with that, you will get to learn about the history of Rajasthan, the lives and times of its rulers, etc.
In short, riding a camel in Rajasthan is a lucrative, learning experience. Plus, you get to feel like a royal guest, roaming in the city on a camel back. |
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| Tonga Ride |
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On your Agra tour, you just cannot afford to miss out on a Tonga ride in Agra. It is, in fact, the most feasible and reasonable mode of transport and a veritable source of fun.
On your arrival in Agra, you will find numerous Tonga Wallas lined up to take you on a tour of Agra in their Tonga. Vivacious, amusing young men, who are more than willing to help tourists, these Tonga wallahs will do their best in making you feel at ease.
The horses of the Tonga are equally colorful and active. A Tonga ride in Agra is sheer fun and frolic all through. The biggest tourist draw in Agra is the Taj Mahal. Hence, most Agra Tonga rides will take you to the most beautiful monument in the world.
The charges of a ride on Tonga are quite minimal and reasonable. Nevertheless, tourists should try and be aware of these rates beforehand, lest they feel cheated later.
Most of the Tongas are covered and give you the feeling of being a royal guest. Slowly and steadily, you will be taken through your Agra tour. You can visit the other tourist attractions of Agra on the same Tonga. |
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| Boat ride |
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A boat ride in the Ganges, usually around dawn is mandatory. Lots of boat wallahs will approach you as you walk along the ghats,
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| Took took Ride |
Took Took ( Auto Rickshaws ) are the popular mode of transport in India. A majority of Indian auto rickshaws have no doors or seatbelts. They are generally black or green in colour and have a yellow roof on the top. However the design normally depends on the location (state) of the patrol, and so does the color. For example the sides of an auto in Delhi are green, while in Banglore they are yellow. Their design varies considerably from place to place. In some locations, they have an extra plank on the seat to accommodate a fourth passenger. In reality it is not uncommon to see 6-8 passengers in an auto rickshaw with such an ad hoc setup, although, in theory, autos risk fines for carrying more than three passengers in many places. Auto rickshaws that are used for driving children to school have two extra seats/planks like narrow ledges, one facing the main seating space and one to the side. Such auto rickshaws may transport up to 20 children to school.
In India, it is common to find a mechanic's shop around every corner, thus allowing auto-wallahs easy access to spot-repairs. As a mode of transport, the auto rickshaw is turning out to be a major employer in India. |
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| Rickshaw Ride |
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From the early part of the century the bicycle rickshaws also became popular and are still used in rural India. They are more a bigger tricycle wherein two people can sit on an elevated seat at the back and a person will pedal (driver) from the front. In urban areas they have been mostly superseded by auto rickshaws.A cycle rickshaw, also known as a pedicab, velotaxi, or trishaw, is a human-powered vehicle for hire, usually with one or two seats for carrying passengers in addition to the driver. Cycle rickshaws are widely used for transportation in many parts of India.
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| Houseboats /Backwater |
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The houseboats are generally powered by a small outboard engine, allowing one to cruise along the backwaters. A recent innovation is a small conference room in a houseboat. Large traditional boats are converted into floating luxury dwelling units.These house boats are available in all sizes and shapes, the most popular accommodation type being a suite, having one or two bath attached bedrooms, one living room, kitchenette, an open lounge, deck and a crew comprising oarsmen, a cook and guide.
Backwaters are the accumulation of Sea Water at the sea beach during the to-fro motion of sea-waves in the form of lagoons, estuaries etc. Today, Kerala Backwaters has become the most exciting tourist spot in India. |
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Jungle Safari
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Safari is an adventure that takes any adventure seeker to explore the unexplored trails and unspoilt natural horizons of desert or country side or forests. One such safari is Jungle safari. It can also be defined as a forest trail, except that instead of walking, hiking or trekking, you have also got the options of exploring the forest regions via a jeep or a elephant or even on a horse.
Jungle safari not just involves exploring the jungles of a particular region. The options can involve national parks and wildlife sanctuaries and reserves as well as protective reserves. And you can also opt for wild camping as well as nature walks too. All in all saying hello to Mother Nature in the best possible ways. Staying in the jungle lodges provided by the various forests departments within the sanctuary areas is also the part of this safari deal and the best way you can enjoy your holiday to hang out in the Jungle area, relax and do nothing. |
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| Visit Varanasi |
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Varanasi, sprawling along the left bank of the river Ganga is the holy city of Hindus. With its array of shrines, temples and palaces rising in several tiers from the water's edge, Varanasi is one of the most fascinating cities in the east. It is also a city of fairs and festivals, celebrating about four hundred of them during the year. Since time immemorial, Varanasi has been a centre of learning and the tradition is kept alive today by the Benaras Hindu University founded in 1916.
Varanasi , or Kashi , is a famous Hindu holy city situated on the banks of the river Ganges (Ganga) in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is the oldest continually inhabited city in the world, dating back to Sumer.
Varanasi culture is deeply associated with the river Ganges and its religious importance; the city has been a cultural and religious center in northern India for thousands of years. Varanasi has its own style of classical Hindustani music, and has produced prominent musicians, philosophers, poets, and writers in Indian history, including Kabir, Munshi Premchand, Jaishankar Prasad, Pandit Ravi Shankar, and Ustad Bismillah Khan. The city has its own dialect of Hindi. Varanasi is also the home of Banaras Hindu University. |
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| Snake Show ( Snake Charming) |
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| Snake charming is the practice of apparently hypnotising a snake by simply playing an instrument. A typical performance may also include handling the snakes or performing other seemingly dangerous acts, as well as other street performance staples, like juggling and sleight of hand. The practice is most common in India. |
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| Puppet Show |
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India has a strong tradition of puppetry.
A puppeteer is a person who manipulates an inanimate object—a puppet—to create the illusion of life. A puppeteer can operate a puppet by the use of strings, rods, wires, or simply his or her own hands. Some puppet styles require puppeteers to work in teams to create a single character.
There is a broad range of styles of puppetry that require puppeteers. There are shadow puppets, rod puppets, Marrionettes, Table-top puppets, body puppets, hand or glove puppets, etc. Whatever the style, the puppeteer's role is to manipulate the physical object in such a manner that the audience believes the object is imbued with life. |
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| Magic Show |
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Magic/magick and sorcery are the influencing of events, objects, people and physical phenomena by mystical or paranormal means. The terms can also refer to the practices employed by a person to wield this influence, and to beliefs that explain various events and phenomena in such terms.
It has been long accepted by many that Hindu India has been the land of magic, both supernatural and otherwise. Hinduism is one of the few religions that has sacred texts like the Vedas that discuss both white and black magic. The Atharva Veda is a veda that deals with mantras that can be used for both good and bad. The word mantrik in India literally means "magician" since the mantrik usually knows mantras, spells, and curses which can be used for or against forms of magic. |
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| Mughal Theme |
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This would be an evening where we would unfold a glorious chapter from India’s Mughal History in a
colourful presentation in your August presence.After alighting, the guests would walk towards the entrance on a pathway decorated with beautiful flower Rangoli and brightly lit Diyas that would provide a magical glow to the falling night. At the Entrance, which would be made up of beautifully carved pillars and draped with red and gold tissue,the guests would be ushered in by the “Durbans” (Mughal-era word for gatekeepers) for proceeding
towards the Dawat Khana (function venue).Beautiful hostesses clad in traditional Mughal dresses would provide a warm welcome to the guests by showering flower petals and “Attar” (perfume) in the traditional Indian style. “Shehnai Vadaks” would be playing soothing music at the background in honour of the arriving guests.
Non alcoholic welcome drink will be served to the guests.
The hall is decorated in Mughal style with |
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Food counters made of Wooden Sets
made in a form of Mughal Arches with drapes, paintings, & lights. |
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Intricate Paintings of floral inlay work and the Mughal Emperors |
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By Artefacts like large `Surahi's, Hukkas, Antiques. |
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Floral décor and Path Rangoli. |
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Illuminations by Diya lights, fairy lights, halogens
and numerous colored effect lights, border lights etc. |
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A beautiful carved backdrop on the stage with Pillars,
Arches, lights, drapes & paintings of Mughal Emperors. |
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Takats with bolsters in the centre of the hall. |
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Red, Orange & gold Naprons & sash for the round tables & chairs. |
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Embroidered umbrellas, antique vase |
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Urlee (Earthern Bowl) with flower petals and floating candles in the
Center of tables. Etc etc |
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| Trekking |
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Trekking in India is an unforgettable experience as it not only let you to experience the unexplored trails made by nature, but also bring the visitor directly in touch with the country and its people and helps you to appreciate the mountain environment.
The diverse topography of India offers huge opportunities for the trekkers and adventure lovers. Rioght form the Himlayas to the south India and Thar desert in Rajasthan to the Arunachal Pradesh, the Indian landscape is both delightful and frustrating. In almost every part of India, there is a variety of trekking adventure options awaiting the trekker, some soft, others not so. In this vast wonderland, trekking itineraries from one to four weeks or more provide endless opportunities for discovery for the trekker. Among the high altitude regions of Indian Himalayas, reality becomes a dream. |
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| Rajasthani folk Dance |
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Encompassing the spirit of the Thar Desert, Rajasthan has been a haven of various folk art forms. A medieval history of princely states, provided patronage to these art forms and their artists. Vibrant, vigorous and graceful, the dances of Rajasthan evoke the desert in all its moods.
It is the most lilting tribute to the spectacular beauty, the undulating sinuousness and the brutal harshness of the landscape, and to the hardiness and heroism of the people who live in this Land of the Kings. The dances, found in limitless variations in Rajasthan, punctuate its barrenness, turning the land into a fertile basin of color and creativity and are an expression of human emotion as much as the folk music.
Rajasthan's popular dances include:-Bhavai Kachhi Ghodi ,Chari Kalbeliya ,Gair Kathputli ,Ghoomar Terahtaali |
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| Punjabi Bhangra |
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" Punjab is a land of plenty, of large hearted people and of life. Green fields, hard working men and women and good food are things that come to mind when thinking of Punjab but something that is even more characteristic are the beats of the Bhangra. "
Bhangra, because of its liveliness, has gained popularity all over the country. Its catchy beats and up tempo music can be heard everywhere today. It’s popularity can be attributed to many who helped bring it out of Punjab and spread it all over the country. Originally Bhangra was danced on Baisakhi, which is the harvest celebration festival, but today no reason is needed to enjoy this exciting dance. |
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| River Rafting |
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Experience the thrill of white water rafting in India along tumbling snow-fed Himalayan rivers in summer destinations in India. White water rafting means cruising down the gushing waters of river in an inflatable rubber raft or white water kayak over roaring waves and swirling fast-moving water for the excitement of a lifetime. The Indian topography has full of possibilities for water sports. The perennial rivers and the rushing waters entices the water sports enthusiasts from all over. The Himalayas, stretching 3,200 kilometers along India’s northern frontiers, cradle numerous rivers which drain them all year round with plenty of first-descent and exploratory possibilities.
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| Yoga |
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Yoga is a system of exercises for physical and mental well being. It was developed about five thousand years ago. It combines stylized poses with deep breathing and meditation. The term Yoga is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning to 'join together'. The ultimate aim in yoga is to unite the human soul with the universal spirit.
There are great opportunities to learn yoga and make it a part of your everyday living. |
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| Ayurveda |
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Ayurvedic massage may have tongue-twisting names, but have close-to guaranteed remedies for many ailments. A synchronized massage uses traditional herbal oils as masseurs knead the body. The effect of this is obvious as the body relieves itself of excess fluids. An unusual feeling of wellness is experienced with Sirodhara, as medicated oil is poured in an even stream onto the forehead, said to pacify and revitalize the mind and body.
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| Heena Tattoo ( Mehandi) |
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Mehendi, "henna coloring" has become the in thing for women. No Indian wedding is complete without mehendi. Whichever part of the country the bride may be from; her hands are adorned with the lovely red hue of mehendi. Visit a local bazaar and get your hands colored. Popular traditional images used in mehendi designs are the peacock, the national bird of India, the lotus flower, and an elephant with a raised trunk- a symbol of good luck.
It usually takes over six hours for the mehendi to set properly. The intricate patterns are dabbed with cotton balls doused in sugar syrup and lime juice to make the mehendi darker. |
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| Cycling |
A bicycle, or bike, can be defined generally as a pedal-driven human-powered vehicle with two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other, or specifically according to the rules of the International Union of Cycling as having the seat more or less above the pedals. The latter definition excludes recumbent bicycles.
Bicycle is used in most parts of India.. cycling is the best way to visit and explore Goa.
First introduced in 19th-century Europe, bicycles evolved quickly into the design pictured. Numbering over a billion worldwide,[1] bicycles provide the principal means of transportation in many regions, are a popular form of recreation, and have been adapted for use in many other fields of human activity, including children's toys, adult fitness, military and local police applications, courier services, and cycle sports.
The bicycle has affected history considerably, in both the cultural and industrial realms. In its early years, bicycle construction drew on pre-existing technologies; more recently, bicycle technology has, in turn, contributed ideas in both old and newer areas. |
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| Motorbike |
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Two wheelers are the most popular mode of transport in terms of number of vehicles. There are two main types of powered two-wheelers, the motor scooter and the motorcycle. As of 1998 there were 27.9 million powered two wheelers. The current estimate is a double of that value.
The scooter was first built in post-war Italy as a two-wheeler with small wheels (supposedly to utilize war-surplus aircraft tailwheels). It differs from the motorcycle in having the driver seated with his legs together, and is thus favoured by women drivers (as sari, a common Indian dress for women, doesn't permit separation of legs). The Italian Vespa scooter was built in India under licence by Bajaj Auto, and together with the Italian Lambretta scooter dominated the two-wheeler scene. Much later came the hugely successful Bajaj Chetak scooter, but Bajaj has since lost the market to new entrants like Kinetic Motors. In the past decade, lightweight mini-scooters like the TVS Scooty and the Honda Activa have made it much easier for women to travel. |
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| Marriages & Mock Marriages |
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Marriages may be made in heaven but they are sealed in India. For the 'power people' who take pride in being different,banquet specialists delight in weaving dreams into reality.
Let us help you celebrate the most important day of your life with style and imagination. Creative menus, imaginative settings, personal and professional service and the ceaseless energy of banqueting team will assure a successful and truly memorable occasion.
Marriages are made in Heaven and celebrated here. Yes, it's true and especially in India marriage is a really big celebration, this is the time when everyone wants to enjoy every second. On the occasion of an Indian marriage you will see people in very traditional dress, men in traditional dress and colorful turbans and ladies in very gorgeous traditional colorful dress and Jewelry. It takes a minimum of 03 days to 07 days to go through all the rituals. Every day all of the family members and friends will be meeting to celebrate this life time moment of the Bride and Bridegroom and will sing songs and dance to give more liveliness to this function.
On the day of the wedding a procession will start from the Bridegroom’s place to the Bride’s place it is called as BARAAT. Baraat consists of a live brass band, horses, camels, elephants and a special white horse for the Bridegroom. Everybody will be typically dressed, a special dress for the Bridegroom and of course, the Bride will also be wearing a superb embroidered dress and she will be fully covered by the best of Jewelry.
People will be dancing with the procession, there will be fireworks on the way to add more to this procession.
On arrival at the Bride’s place all will be welcomed by her family and friends, a lavish buffet for invitees and the venue will be illuminated like a Palace. Later there will be rituals of marriage where the Bride and Bridegroom will witness the God of Fire and will promise each other to be a ideal couple and will take seven rounds of fire with seven promises. Later with the best possible Dowry the Bride will leave her home forever and will go and live with her husband’s family. Usually the number of invitees depends on the relation of the families and it can be from 50 to 5000 in India which basically depends on status of family.
This can be arranged for your marriage or if you are married and want to organize this for your Wedding Anniversary as a Mock Wedding that can be done as well for you. Just for your information, Approximately price would be a minimum of USD 5000 for the arrangements as mentioned below. It can change according to your choice also.
* Venue for the wedding
* Horse, camels, elephant
* Fire works
* Buffet Dinner
* Brass Band
* Mandap [ The place which is used for rituals at Bride’s place ]
* Pandit [ The Hindu priest for rituals ]
This can be arranged for one couple with 50 invitees, if you want to come alone guests can be invited on your behalf who will be a witness for your marriage as well.
India has many wedding planners and provide end-to-end solutions from invitations to honeymoon package.End-to-end wedding solutions for all religions and all kinds of budgets.
Once opportunity is given , always at your service and all wedding arrangements are done like-
Wedding Cards , Wedding Dresses, Wedding Gifts, Wedding Invitation, Wedding Planner
Wedding Rings.
Besides , Wine - Beer,Astrologers - Palmists,Band Baja,Banquet Hall,Beautician,Bridal Footwears,Bridal Wears,Ladies Tailors,Caterers,DJ/Orchestra,Decorations,Diamond Jewellers,Dry Cleaners,Engagement Rings,Entertainment,Event Management,Fashion Designer,Flower Decorations,Gents Tailors,Ghori wala,Grooms Footwears,Grooms Wear,Health Care,Honeymoon,Hotels,Marriage Palace,Marriage Venue,Mehandi,Mouth Freshner-Pan,Packers,Readymade Garments,Resorts,Saloon,Saree Shops,Sehra - Pagri,Tent - Lighting.Tour Operator,Transport,Travel Agency,Video - Photographer |
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| Healing Gems |
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The Navaratna (nine gems) is an exquisite piece of jewellery and every woman must own one. Traditionally the stone and its weight are decided according to the individual's astrological chart. The Navratna consists of diamond, ruby, emerald, coral, pearl, sapphire, garnet, topaz and cat's eye. This combination of gems is considered highly auspicious and is said to protect the wearer.
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| Visit Indian home - Village |
Indians are hospitable people and respect religious and social customs. Chances are that if you show an inclination, you will get invited to their homes. Indians have always believed that 'The Guest is God'.
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| Watch Indian Flims |
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Be it the Oscars or the friendly neighborhood theatre in our country. Indian movies have made a mark in the world. When in India, it will be a good idea to hop into a movie-theatre and experience an exciting array of drama, emotion and dance & music.
You will not only be thoroughly entertained but you may also find enough inspiration to make a flick of your own.
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| Dueshera / Celebration of Goodness Over Evil |
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| In October a ten-day long festival is celebrated to mark the victory of prince Ram over the evil king Ravana. Ram-Lila, a drama which brings to life the legend of Prince Rama is held in various parts of the country. On the tenth day a huge effigy of Ravana, filled with crackers, is burnt. This becomes a most spectacular display of fire works that fills up the evening sky. |
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| Holi Festival Of Colors |
| Welcome to Holi, India's fluorescent Mardi Gras where no one is safe from being turned into something that resembles a Jackson Pollock canvas. It is the most colourful, friendly battle on earth. Holi is a time for celebrating the arrival of spring and the approaching harvest season. The frenzy takes place all across northern and eastern India. Join in the celebration as vibrantly coloured powders are thrown on friends, relatives, and strangers. The festival is accompanied with noisy makeshift parades, feasts and dancing in the streets, and in true Indian fashion. |
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| Fly A Kite |
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| We Indians are great kite lovers. In fact, the Makar Sanskriti festival is a fun time to join the thousands who share your interest. Check with your travel agent on the dates of the festival. Gujarat is famous for its kites and the locals are experts at flying these paper birds. |
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| Golf In Summer Capital |
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| Shimla was the summer capital during the British Rule. Since no English township could be complete without a golf course, a suitable site was finally chosen at Naldehra 23 km from Shimla. The course is carpeted by a fine springy turf, which requires little maintenance. |
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Jingle Jangle Bangles
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Visit a fair and buy a host of multi-coloured glass bangles to match your eye, dress, shoes or taste.
Firozabad, a town in Uttar Pradesh, is renowned for its glass bangle manufacturing. In each region, bangles are made using the materials available locally, like wood in Kashmir and lac in Rajasthan. |
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| Golden Temple |
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All that glitters here, for certain, is gold. The temple complex in Amritsar, Punjab is the most sacred place for the Sikhs. The holy waters of the surrounding sarovar (pool) mirror the gold of the temple making it an enriching experience.
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| Sound And Light |
The Lal Quila (Red Fort) is an eloquent reminder of the glory of the Mughal era, and its magnificence simply leaves one awestruck. It is a calm heaven of peace, which helps one to break away, from the noisy and busy life outside the walls of the Fort, and transports the visitor to another realm of existence. Sound and light shows, highlighting particular phases of history are held here and are worth attending. The shows are in Hindi and English. Sound and light shows are also held at other important monuments.
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Sunset On The Dunes
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| Take a camel safari out into the desert to watch the sunset over miles upon miles of sand. Camp on a solitary oasis, experience the dark starry nights and dance to musicians playing haunting music. |
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| Goa Invites You In December |
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| Goa is the ideal place to head for December. For, the state comes alive during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Carnivals, music, partying, it's all happening at Goa in December. Make sure to do prior bookings. Once here, you can hire bikes and ride through this picturesque state, stopping over to look at the great architecture of some of the most amazing churches from the Portuguese era. |
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